EU bids to finalise new Russia sanctions amid discontent from some member states – Europe live 22. July 2026 (11:41) EU ambassadors head to Brussels aiming to sign off on 21st package of sanctions, after previous attempts ended without successThe Venice Biennale said it would challenge a European Union decision to withdraw a €2 million grant in response to the return of Russia to its 2026 edition, despite continuing aggression on Ukraine, Reuters reported.The Italian government sharply criticised the move, while the European Commission warned it would suspend or terminate funding if the Russian pavilion returned. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail for serving ants in dessert 22. July 2026 (11:26) Fine of 20m won (£10,108) could also be imposed for serving insect not approved for consumption under local lawProsecutors in South Korea have asked a court to sentence the owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant to one year in prison for serving a dessert topped with ants, an insect not approved for consumption under local food safety law.The request, made on Monday, also sought a 20m won (£10,108) fine for the company that runs the restaurant, Yonhap news agency reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wetherspoon’s issues fourth profit warning in seven months 22. July 2026 (11:07) Pub chain blames worse-than-expected sales on rising costs for workers, food, energy and property taxesBusiness live – latest updatesJD Wetherspoon has issued its fourth profit warning in seven months, with the pub chain blaming worse-than-expected sales, despite the World Cup, as it struggled with rising costs for food, workers, energy and property taxes.Shares in the pub chain tumbled 10% on Wednesday morning as its chair, Tim Martin, warned that profits would fall short of forecasts when it reports full-year earnings in October. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Americans far more likely to view politics as greatest threat to safety, study finds 22. July 2026 (11:00) New survey reveals one in 10 Americans identify politics as biggest risk they face in life – 10 times the global averageAmericans are 10 times more likely than people elsewhere in the world to regard politics as the greatest threat to their personal safety, according to a global survey that suggests the country’s deep partisan divisions are poisoning everyday life.The latest Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll found that one in 10 Americans identified politics as the biggest risk they face in their daily lives when asked an open-ended question. The figure is up from 6% in both 2021 and 2023 and well above the global average of 1% across 140 countries. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Norway’s national oil company profits double to $11.5bn amid war on Iran 22. July 2026 (10:39) Equinor benefits from move to increase oil and gas production during strait of Hormuz blockadesBusiness live – latest updatesProfits at Norway’s state oil company nearly doubled to $11.5bn (£8.6bn) in the three months to the end of June as the jump in oil and gas prices caused by the war against Iran boosted earnings.Equinor benefited from a decision to increase oil and gas production at the start of the conflict, filling a gap in the market after a near-halt to shipping through the strait of Hormuz caused Gulf oil flows to slump. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AI agent went rogue and hacked startup by itself, OpenAI reveals 22. July 2026 (10:37) Firm behind ChatGPT reveals agent powered by its models chose to attack Hugging Face database by itselfOpenAI has revealed an autonomous AI agent powered by its technology went rogue during a test, accessed the open web and hacked a prominent startup by itself in an “unprecedented incident”.The company behind ChatGPT said the startup Hugging Face had detected and contained the agent – an AI tool designed to carry out tasks without human assistance – which had entered its systems. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: US renews strikes on Iran as Trump threatens to attack nuclear site ‘very heavily’ 22. July 2026 (08:46) US military completes 11th night of strikes as attacks overshadow diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to salvage interim ceasefire dealHouthis threaten attacks on shipping tankers if they use Saudi ports on Red SeaWhat is Pickaxe Mountain, Iran’s underground nuclear facility?Donald Trump on Tuesday made new threats to attack and destroy Iran’s nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain.Here’s what we know about Pickaxe Mountain, why it has captured Trump’s attention and how the US military could strike at the deeply buried complex. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mamdani urges US government to arrest Netanyahu if Israeli PM visits US 22. July 2026 (08:41) New York mayor admits he does not have authority to arrest Netanyahu, adding Israeli PM is ‘architect of a horrific genocide’Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor, acknowledged on Tuesday he does not have the authority to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, but urged US federal authorities to do so if the Israeli prime minister visits the US later this year.“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said in a video posted to social media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham announces bus fares across England to be capped at £2 22. July 2026 (08:14) Measure backed by £454m of funding, with £400m coming from switching investment in international climate finance to loansSingle bus fares across England will be capped at £2 from January, the prime minister, Andy Burnham, has announced.The nationwide cap is currently set at £3 until the end of March 2027 although some areas – including London and Greater Manchester, where Burnham set a £2 limit as mayor – have lower top rates for single tickets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK inflation falls by more than expected to 2.6% in lift for Andy Burnham 22. July 2026 (08:01) Annual June figure comes after new PM pledges to reduce cost of living and improve economyBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation dropped by more than expected in June to 2.6%, in a boost for Andy Burnham’s plans to reduce the cost of living.The new prime minister has pledged to bring down the cost of living to give households more disposable income and improve the outlook for the economy, announcing a winter VAT holiday on electricity bills and lowering the national cap on bus fares. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
