Burnham expected to vote in favour of Mahmood’s asylum system changes 13. July 2026 (15:38) Home secretary also set to outline plans to enable deportation of grooming gang ringleader Shabir AhmedUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham is expected to vote for the immigration bill on Monday night in the Commons, with his team indicating that he backs Shabana Mahmood’s changes for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and on refugee settlement.The bill returns to the Commons on Monday for its second reading, where Mahmood is also expected to announce plans to make it possible to deport the ringleader of a grooming gang, Shabir Ahmed, a move publicly backed by Burnham. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ursula von der Leyen pledges EU-wide social media ban for children 13. July 2026 (14:52) European Commission president’s commitment comes after panel of experts calls for restriction for under-13sThe European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has pledged an EU-wide social media ban for children after an expert group called for restrictions for under-13s.“It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms,” von der Leyen told reporters after the publication of a report on child safety online. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lindsey Graham’s death triggers scramble to replace him as Congress returns – US politics live 13. July 2026 (14:49) Lawmakers face obstacles, including demands from Trump, Mitch McConnell’s absence and Graham’s sudden deathSign up for the Breaking News US emailLaw enforcement officers misused crowd-control weapons in 412 verified incidents across 16 US cities amid protests against Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement, resulting in at least 203 injuries between June 2025 and May 2026, according to a new report from Physicians for Human Rights and UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Center.Researchers found the sharpest spikes in cities where ex-border patrol commander Greg Bovino oversaw operations, with cases including projectiles fired at people’s heads and teargas deployed in enclosed spaces. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keystone pipeline operator agrees to pay $26.9m penalty over Kansas oil spill 13. July 2026 (14:16) Proposed legal settlement over 2022 oil spill would resolve allegations that South Bow violated clean water lawsA proposed legal settlement with the US government would require the Keystone pipeline system’s operator to pay a $26.9m civil penalty over a large oil spill in Kansas in December 2022 and spend about $40m more to prevent future accidents.The agreement would resolve allegations from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Kansas that South Bow, based in Canada, violated US and state clean water laws. The rupture dumped nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington county, Kansas, about 150 miles (241km) north-west of Kansas City. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump officials accused of stacking top chemical safety board with industry ‘mouthpieces’ 13. July 2026 (14:00) Public health advocates warn of conflicts of interests and say panel likely to provide justification for key rollbacksThe Trump administration has stacked a top chemical safety board with industry-aligned scientists who have a range of financial conflicts of interest and stand to profit from deregulation, public health advocates say.The Environmental Protection Agency’s science advisory committee on chemicals (SACC) is slated to review research for dozens of toxic chemicals during the new members’ terms. At least 13 proposed Trump appointees are probably conflicted on the chemicals that will be reviewed, comments filed with the EPA by a coalition of public health advocacy groups alleges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Young men report more ‘sextortion’ than any other age group, Australia’s online safety watchdog says 13. July 2026 (14:00) In six months last year, more than 2,000 such complaints were made to eSafetyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA new report by Australia’s online safety regulator has found “significant gaps” in how major tech platforms tackle online sexual extortion and child sexual exploitation, as “reports of this abuse continue to rise”.The findings come from eSafety’s latest transparency report, examining how tech companies – including Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Snap, Discord and WhatsApp – are addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ann Widdecombe death: counter-terrorism police take over investigation 13. July 2026 (13:46) Officers say decision made after ‘new information and evidence has come to light’Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of the former MP and Reform spokesperson Ann Widdecombe in light of “new information and evidence”.Widdecombe’s body was found with serious injuries by the ambulance service at her home in Haytor, Devon, at 11.40am on Thursday, Devon and Cornwall police said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organisation 13. July 2026 (13:42) Home Office announces ban on support for Iranian military group in escalation of diplomatic tensions with TehranThe UK will list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, ministers have announced, in a major escalation of the diplomatic tensions with Tehran.The Home Office said on Monday it would ban support for the IRGC, a central branch of the Iranian military, after years of political division over the issue. The move is equivalent to proscription, though not legally identical. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Plan to restore nature in England by 2030 criticised as ‘completely insufficient’ 13. July 2026 (13:27) Critics accuse ministers of failing to take control of nature crisis and leaving it to private landowners to act voluntarilyThe government’s plan to protect and restore nature in England by 2030 has been condemned as “pathetic” and “completely insufficient” in the face of the spiralling environmental crisis.The long-awaited plan published on Monday calls for landowners to voluntarily opt to protect and enhance nature, rather than creating legal protections for nature across more of the country’s land, critics say. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chatsworth House pilots ‘community membership’ free entry scheme 13. July 2026 (13:00) Initiative with Derbyshire Libraries aims to boost access to cultural experiences and ‘champion reading for pleasure’When Kate, a 47-year-old contract worker came face to face with Charlotte Brontë’s handwriting while visiting Chatsworth House, the avid reader, who counts Jane Eyre as her favourite book, struggled to contain her excitement.“I had a little bit of a moment,” she said. “I just thought: ‘Wow, that was actually Charlotte Brontë’s writing there on that page.’ That was pretty special.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
