Hillsborough law symbolises new era as power passes from Starmer to Burnham 14. July 2026 (22:00) Bill marks a full-circle moment for the PM-in-waiting and encapsulates what he says his government will be aboutAndy Burnham has always said he took his first steps out of Westminster in 2009, when he walked out to address furious Liverpool fans at the Kop on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.They chanted “Justice for the 96” for a full two minutes before the then culture secretary was able to continue, demonstrating their anger that nobody in public office had been convicted of any offence over the tragedy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Caribbean calls for return of British Virgin Islands – and for King Charles to back decolonisation 14. July 2026 (20:56) At London briefing, Caricom Reparations Commission decries fact region remains ‘most colonised part of world’The main reparations committee for Caribbean nations has called on the UK to return the British Virgin Islands and for King Charles to commit to decolonising Britain’s remaining overseas territories, warning of a “resurgence of colonisation” around the world.In a visit to the UK this week, the Caricom Reparations Commission – the body seeking reparative justice for enslavement, colonialism and their legacies on behalf of the alliance of Caribbean states – decried the fact that the Caribbean remained “the most colonised part of the world”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Foreign Office appoints first special envoy for Britons detained overseas 14. July 2026 (20:55) Alistair Burt will bring diplomatic clout to complex cases involving human rights violations and arbitrary detentionThe Foreign Office has appointed a special envoy for British citizens detained overseas, a new role to deal with “complex consular cases” such as that of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian dual national who was imprisoned in Tehran for six years.Alistair Burt, the former Conservative Middle East minister, has taken on the role, fulfilling a pledge by David Lammy when he was shadow foreign secretary. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cyclospora outbreaks causing diarrhea in US expected to continue through August 14. July 2026 (20:53) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says they are scouring food supply chain for culprit, which may be lettuceWhat is cyclosporiasis, the parasitic illness causing ‘explosive’ diarrhea?Federal health officials said they expect the outbreaks of cyclospora – a parasite that causes watery, explosive diarrhea – across the US to continue through August as they scour the food supply chain for the culprit.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified 1,645 lab-confirmed cases of the parasite; reported that 145 people have been hospitalized; and reported that they have a backlog of 5,100 cases that require more analysis, including interviews. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
After Graham’s death and McConnell’s absence, conspiracy theories abound 14. July 2026 (20:44) A collision of online conspiracy theories came for two of the most powerful Republicans in the Senate in recent daysIt was Russia. It was Israel. Could it have been Iran? Or maybe it was a Covid-19 booster. What about the Clintons?After US senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly over the weekend from what a preliminary medical examiner report said was an aortic dissection, conspiracy theories spread quickly claiming – without evidence – that any number of foreign adversaries or other frequent conspiracy subjects might have orchestrated the Republican’s death. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mahmoud Khalil sues Trump officials and pro-Israel groups over ‘conspiracy’ to target him 14. July 2026 (20:39) Lawsuit alleges administration coordinated with online surveillance groups to ‘criminalize solidarity with Palestine’Mahmoud Khalil filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Trump administration officials and several pro-Israel groups, accusing them of conspiring to target him and others as punishment for their support of Palestinian rights.The former Columbia University graduate student became the face of the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestine speech after he was detained last year. A permanent US resident, Khalil is also fighting in court against the government’s effort to deport him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey Graham, sworn in to end late Republican senator’s term 14. July 2026 (20:38) Younger sister Graham was appointed by Henry McMaster, South Carolina’s governorDarline Graham Nordone: Lindsey Graham’s sister and interim US senatorDarline Graham, the sister of the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in to fill his Senate seat on Tuesday after, just three days after his sudden death.Graham was appointed by Henry McMaster, South Carolina’s governor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Derision at US chain Chipotle’s plan to sell its Mexican food in Mexico 14. July 2026 (20:23) One social media user described the opening of its first outlet in Monterrey as ‘like the dog teaching a duck to fly’A US chain’s plan to sell its version of Mexican food to Mexicans with a first branch south of the border has prompted bemusement, skepticism and anger among local people.Chipotle Mexican Grill, known for its customisable burritos, tacos and bowls, has more than 4,000 locations worldwide and announced on Tuesday that it was expanding into Mexico in what it described as a significant milestone. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MPs say death threats a daily reality in ‘increasing climate of abuse’ 14. July 2026 (20:22) As Ann Widdecombe’s death raises concerns over security, politicians reveal extent of problemJess Phillips has received so many death threats she has to remind herself not to be blase. One night she received more than 600 rape threats. In 2019, a man forced his way into her office. The same year a white supremacist sent her a picture of Jo Cox, her friend and fellow Labour MP who was murdered in 2016, accompanied with the message: “I will have you dealt with.”“This is not academic to me; it is something I face every day,” says the MP for Birmingham Yardley. “You learn to cope with it, but it does cause terrible anxiety. For me, I feel guilty about the people who work for me, my kids, my family.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘They’re local lads’: artist puts mural of Bellingham and Rogers on chip shop 14. July 2026 (20:14) The mural in a Birmingham suburb is so popular that the shop’s owner is opening two hours early to meet demandOn a busy junction in Quinton, a suburb of Birmingham, England football stars Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are peering out from the side of a fish and chip shop, tucking into the local delicacy: orange chips.The huge lifelike image was pasted on the wall on Friday afternoon by a local guerilla artist seeking to foster West Midlands pride, both for the area’s footballing stars and for its distinctive neon battered chips. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
