Hungary’s president agrees to stand down after law change ends his term 19. July 2026 (00:17) Tamás Sulyok signed the constitutional amendment that cited ‘serious loss of confidence’ in him as leader Hungary’s president, Tamás Sulyok, has agreed to step down after signing a constitutional amendment passed by the ruling Tisza party of the prime minister, Péter Magyar.The amendment will end Sulyok’s term immediately, citing society’s “serious loss of confidence” in a leader elected in early 2024 by lawmakers from the former prime minister Viktor Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cyclospora: iceberg lettuce recalled in 27 states and more products may follow 18. July 2026 (23:25) Taylor Farms does not specify where products were served or sold, as US braces for weeks more of outbreakTaylor Farms recalled potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce in 27 states on Friday, including lettuce distributed as recently as Thursday, as cases of cyclosporiasis continue rising in the US.The US is likely to see at least another two weeks of possible cases, since infections may have happened in recent days. And the expanding outbreak investigation could point to other products in coming days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ANU accused of ‘hysterical’ response to students using AI to cheat as unis scramble to ‘secure’ assessments 18. July 2026 (22:00) Australia risks ‘shipping’ intellectual capability overseas if educational rigour not restored, experts warnGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn academic at the Australian National University has accused it of a “hysterical” response to students using AI to cheat, as tertiary institutions rush to shore up the credibility of assessments.But a colleague warned Australia is in danger of “shipping our national intellectual capability” to companies in California and China if educational rigour is not restored. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham to scrap Starmer’s digital ID scheme in ‘reset of priorities’ 18. July 2026 (22:00) Incoming PM will reallocate unspecified resources from unpopular plan to helping with cost of livingAndy Burnham is expected to scrap Keir Starmer’s plans for digital ID cards in a “reset of priorities” when he enters Downing Street on Monday.The new Labour leader plans to redirect the resources earmarked for the scheme towards tackling the cost of living, his team indicated on Saturday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican lawmaker Ralph Norman to join race to succeed Lindsey Graham in South Carolina 18. July 2026 (21:14) Congressman to run for seat despite Donald Trump backing Graham’s sister, Darline, should she choose to runThe Republican representative Ralph Norman, of South Carolina, has announced he will join the race to succeed the late senator Lindsey Graham, despite Donald Trump backing Graham’s sister, Darline, should she choose to run.Announcing the launch of his bid on Saturday, Norman wrote on X: “I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the US Senate because we need a fighter who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy!” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Flash flood warnings strike north-east US amid wildfire smoke from Canada 18. July 2026 (21:11) Poor air quality from wildfires continues to plague New York City as several neighborhoods hit by thunderstormsSaturday is delivering a double dose of dangerous weather across the north-eastern US, with smoky skies from Canadian wildfires giving way to severe thunderstorms that have already triggered a flash flood warning as torrential rain pounds parts of the region.After a brief break on Friday, smoke from the wildfires moved back into New York City and surrounding communities on Saturday, sending air quality back into unhealthy levels. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran attacks US allies in Middle East as renewed conflict enters second week 18. July 2026 (18:24) Kuwait says civilian sites and infrastructure targeted, Jordan downs missiles and sirens sound in Bahrain as Iran responds to US strikesIran launched a wave of attacks against US allies in the Middle East, as the renewal of US strikes on Iran entered a second week and fighting escalated over the strait of Hormuz.Kuwait has accused Iran of targeting civilian sites and vital infrastructure in the country, such as a power and water desalination plant. Kuwait, which is extremely arid, relies on desalinated water for about 90% of its drinking water. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
North Dakota men who discover they were switched as newborns sue hospital 18. July 2026 (18:23) Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison uncovered the truth after Bylin received an at-home DNA test as a Christmas giftA DNA discovery has led two families to accuse a North Dakota hospital of changing the course of their lives after learning two newborns were allegedly switched at birth nearly four decades ago.Kyle Bylin uncovered the truth after receiving an at-home DNA test during a Christmas gift exchange. The test connected him with his biological aunt through a genealogy platform, prompting her nephew, Jeremy Morrison, to take his own DNA test. The results confirmed the two men had been raised by each other’s biological families. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Germany’s CDU party chair resigns after using surrogacy to become parent 18. July 2026 (17:09) Jens Spahn had criticised ‘rented wombs’ and his party is strongly opposed to surrogacy, which is banned in GermanyA senior German politician and ally of the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has resigned as chair of the Christian Democrat (CDU) party after he and his husband used a surrogate mother to become parents, a practice he has criticised in the past and his party is vehemently opposed to.Surrogacy is banned in Germany, a policy Jens Spahn refused to relax when he was health minister in 2020, so he and his husband, Daniel Funke, used a surrogate mother in the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Doctors question evidence behind Pentagon plan for testosterone screening 18. July 2026 (17:03) Pete Hegseth announced that soldiers aged 30 and older in the US military will be screened for low testosterone The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, this week ordered annual testosterone-deficiency screening for active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and older, which he says will help to maintain military readiness.But many medical professionals warn it might do nothing of the sort and instead could increase service members’ risk of infertility or other consequences if testosterone is prescribed inappropriately. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
