Mahmood offers Farage security meeting after Ann Widdecombe’s death 13. July 2026 (20:08) Home secretary insists all MPs treated equally but that security of former MPs and non-Westminster politicians is a concernShabana Mahmood has offered Nigel Farage a personal meeting with the Home Office unit that works on security for high-profile politicians, insisting all MPs are treated equally in how they are offered protection.Addressing the Commons after the death of Ann Widdecombe, the Reform spokesperson whose body was found with serious injuries by the ambulance service at her home in Devon, the home secretary said the incident raised questions about the security of former MPs and politicians from smaller parties, including those not in parliament. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel sets October date for first elections since Hamas attacks in 2023 13. July 2026 (20:08) Vote will allow Israelis to pass judgment on Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of conflicts in Gaza and IranMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesIsrael will hold national elections on 27 October, giving its citizens their first chance to pass judgment on the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his coalition since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023.The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, will be dissolved on Friday. With just a few days left in session, the most far-right government in Israel’s history is now rushing to pass several controversial laws in an attempt to bolster its position before polling day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lancashire chemicals factory facing potential legal claim announces closure 13. July 2026 (20:05) More than 90 residents have expressed interest in contamination claim against AGC Chemicals EuropeA Pfas factory in Lancashire has announced plans to close down, just days after the Guardian revealed that more than 90 residents had signed up to be involved in a potential legal claim over contamination of the local area.AGC Chemicals Europe is consulting with employees and their union representatives about plans to cease operations at its manufacturing plant in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire. The consultation is expected to last for at least 45 days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Airline pilot skywrites ‘I’m bored’ over north-west England 13. July 2026 (19:59) Pilot took off from Liverpool and spent 20 minutes tracing out phrase that was captured on flight-tracking websiteA mischievous airline pilot spelled out his tedium by skywriting “I’m bored” over an estuary in north-west England.The message was captured on the airline tracking website Flightradar24. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel courted Iran’s former hardline president for post-regime role, reports claim 13. July 2026 (19:36) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly wooed by Mossad agents after distancing himself from KhameneiMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesIsrael tried to recruit Iran’s intensely anti-Zionist former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a new post-Islamic regime in Tehran, and even sent its top spy to Budapest to meet him, according to media reports.The remarkable quest to turn a leader who had denied the Holocaust and called for Israel’s erasure began in 2022, according to reporting by the New York Times and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, and continued even after Israel became engaged in a brutal campaign in Gaza against Hamas, a key Iranian ally. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hegseth announces joint taskforce with DoJ to target and prosecute press leaks 13. July 2026 (19:35) US defense secretary says taskforce will ‘combat dangers’ of leaks in latest escalation of White House press crackdownThe US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced on Monday that the Pentagon and the US Department of Justice have created a “joint taskforce to identify and prosecute” what he called the “unauthorized disclosure of sensitive” information to the press, marking the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s effort to crackdown on leaks.In a video posted on X, Hegseth said that “to combat the dangers that leaks pose, effectively immediately, I have delegated tasking authority to the war department’s office of general counsel, empowering OGC to request and receive all information, records and support across the department concerning media leak investigations”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British couple confirmed to have been killed by deadly wildfires in Spain 13. July 2026 (17:54) Authorities ask for DNA to help identify victims as local government leader says ‘we are in a state of climate chaos’A British couple have been named as two victims of the wildfires in Spain that have killed 13 people, as authorities race to use DNA to identify those who did not manage to escape the blaze.Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the village that bore the brunt of the wildfires on Thursday, are believed not to have survived.. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police arrest 12 over suspected far-right threat against Islamic event in Suffolk 13. July 2026 (17:28) Three of those arrested were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, say counter-terrorism policeTwelve people have been arrested, including three on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, over a suspected far-right threat against an Islamic event held this weekend, police have said.Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation which they said was related to “extreme rightwing terrorism” targeting an event held at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia banned vape ads more than two years ago – so why are they still all over social media? 13. July 2026 (17:00) Posts promoting illegal products appear across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube as expert says platforms ‘aren’t doing the job they promised they would do’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIllegal vape sellers have turned to social media to promote nicotine-filled products, with experts calling for a crackdown including stronger penalties for the platforms.Guardian Australia has identified a network of posts across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube promoting the sale of illegal products to Australian audiences. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Layla Jeffery, 13, was ‘somewhat shy’ and ‘well-liked’. A Victorian town is struggling with her alleged murder 13. July 2026 (17:00) Donald – a small community about 280km from Melbourne – is grieving after a missing teenager was found deadGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn the week after Layla Jeffery failed to return home in the early hours of 4 July, residents in the tiny Victorian town of Donald worriedly shared posts about the missing 13-year-old girl.One woman, who was receiving chemotherapy treatment in the town last week, wrote on Facebook that she felt “sick” at the thought of something happening to Layla. Others shared a post from police, asking for any information about her whereabouts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
