Bank of England governor would have put off Farage meeting had £5m gift been under investigation 15. July 2026 (12:55) Exclusive: Andrew Bailey says he does not regret meeting Reform UK leader to discuss cryptocurrency regulationThe Bank of England governor has said he would have put off a meeting with Nigel Farage last autumn had the Reform UK leader’s £5m gift from a crypto billionaire been under investigation at the time.Andrew Bailey said he did not regret meeting Farage to discuss the Bank’s plans for cryptocurrency regulation last September, months before the controversial donation from the Thailand-based investor Christopher Harborne was revealed by the Guardian in April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s economy grows at 4.3%, one of its lowest rates on record 15. July 2026 (12:48) Worse-than-expected figures for three months to June come amid concerns over lopsided economyBusiness live – latest updatesChina has posted worse-than-expected growth figures for the three months to June as its economy expanded by just 4.3% – one of its lowest quarterly readings on record.The rate, which came in under the government’s target of 4.5% to 5%, was one of the weakest since reporting on official quarterly GDP figures began in the early 1990s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Patient records stolen in cyber-attack on Australian healthcare provider 15. July 2026 (12:41) Partnered Health says personal information and medical details and notes were breached in the attack on 21 clinicsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThousands of medical records and patient information stored with one of Australia’s biggest healthcare providers have been breached in a cyber-attack.Partnered Health, owned by private equity firm Quadrant, said 21 clinics across several cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra have been affected by the breach which occurred on 23 June. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Arrest of American who has given $1m in aid to Palestine prompts fears of ‘growing repression from Trump’ 15. July 2026 (12:00) Extradition request for James ‘Fergie’ Chambers sparks concerns that US government is conflating humanitarian aid with terrorismThe arrest in Ibiza and US justice department extradition request for a wealthy American donor to lefwing causes in connection with alleged material support for Hamas is sending ripples through leftwing circles in Spain and being closely monitored in the US for potential “chilling effects” on support for Palestine.Spanish authorities detained James “Fergie” Chambers Friday and are now holding him without bail in Madrid. A hearing is scheduled on whether he can be released on bail for Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lithuania warns Russia could be planning ‘targeted’ attacks on critical infrastructure – Europe live 15. July 2026 (11:59) Lithuania’s president says Russia could be looking to escalate against one of the Baltic countries or PolandMeanwhile, the Kremlin has rejected Lithuanian president’s warnings about a potential Russian attack on critical infrastructure (10:06), dismissing them as “horror stories” intended to “prepare public for further militarisation.”Reuters reported that the Kremlin said these comments were merely a “pretext for further deployment of Nato military infrastructure to Baltic states.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer faces final Cabinet and PMQs as Burnham nears Labour leadership finish line – UK politics live 15. July 2026 (11:56) The outgoing Labour leader will have final talks with his senior ministers in No 10 before taking his last PMQsTell us: what do you want from the next Labour leader and UK prime minister?Labour should ditch the triple-lock pensions promise to help tackle the UK’s straitened public finances, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has urged. Heather Stewart has the story.I’m afraid we are not going to be able to open comments today for staffing reasons. If you want to contact me directly, it is probably best to get me on on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thames Water has funds to survive until end of year but warns of uncertainty over future 15. July 2026 (11:50) Annual results show struggling firm’s net debt has risen to £18.5bn, up from £16.8bn a year earlierBusiness live – latest updatesThames Water has said it has sufficient funding to survive until the end of the year but warned of “material uncertainty” over its future as it scrambles to recapitalise to avoid nationalisation.The UK’s largest water company, which serves 16 million customers in London and the south of England, said it continued to work with creditors, regulators and the government on a recapitalisation plan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain and Gibraltar celebrate as border fence falls after signing of ‘historic deal’ 15. July 2026 (11:38) Treaty came into effect at midnight, eliminating border controls on land frontier with British overseas territoryEurope live – latest updatesSpain and Gibraltar are celebrating the fall of the last frontier fence in western Europe after the signing of a post-Brexit deal that brings an end to border checks for residents, tourists and the thousands of Spanish workers who cross into the British overseas territory every day.The agreement, which was signed in Brussels on Tuesday and came into effect at midnight, marks the conclusion of more than four years of negotiations between the UK, Spain, Gibraltar and the EU after Britain’s departure from the bloc. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
School in remote SA Indigenous community on list of places where accused paedophile worked 15. July 2026 (11:19) Police investigating Hamish Tait – who faces 329 child abuse charges – have released list of 55 locations where he worked or attendedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA federal police investigation into an accused paedophile facing more than 300 child abuse charges has expanded to a remote community in South Australia.Hamish Tait, 35, faces 329 charges of child abuse between 2009 and 2025 while working across 62 centres. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Sydney church turned LGBTQ+ arts venue weighs legal action after landlord orders it to stop ‘offensive trade’ 15. July 2026 (11:15) Divine Playhouse promoter and founder says venue faces significant operational, legal and financial challengesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former church turned arts venue at the centre of a culture war is exploring legal action after receiving a notice from its landlord that forced its organisers to close the space and cancel planned events.Divine Playhouse is facing possible eviction, with its landlord ordering the venue’s organisers, Heaps Gay Events, to stop “engaging in offensive trade”, days after religious groups protested its opening night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
