Reform activists urged to switch focus from Manchester to Farage’s Clacton contest 09. July 2026 (11:06) Exclusive: Party hoped to mount serious challenge in mayoral race but attention has been diverted to EssexUK politics live – latest updatesReform UK activists have been urged to divert from the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection to support Nigel Farage’s “fake” contest 250 miles away in Clacton.A WhatsApp message shared with party members in north-west England said: “The message could not be more clear. We now need all of our fantastic activists, branch officers and councillors to come and help us in Clacton.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
France national team uses ICE deportation planes for World Cup travel 09. July 2026 (11:00) The plane that French team used after match with Paraguay flew 44 deportation-related flights this year aloneThe French men’s national soccer team, whose star Kylian Mbappé is one of the world’s most outspoken athletes against far-right politicians, has been using a charter airplane company that is at the heart of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.Images of the team posted on social media and flight tracking data show the French team have used Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) for at least three domestic flights between their World Cup games and base camp in Boston. That same airline charter company has operated more than half of ICE’s removal flights in 2024 and 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Venomous snakes escape breeding farms in southern China during flooding 09. July 2026 (10:08) Local media in Hengzhou report king ratsnakes and cobras among hundreds in flood waters caused by typhoon MaysakHundreds of snakes, including cobras, have escaped from flooded breeding farms in southern China as severe storms continue to batter parts of the country.State media reported that a snake farm in Hengzhou, in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, was hit by flood waters after days of heavy rainfall caused by typhoon Maysak, prompting warnings for nearby residents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Great Britain’s grid operator issues another warning over power supplies in heatwave 09. July 2026 (09:48) Neso asks for extra supplies from electricity generators to cope with added demand on Thursday nightGreat Britain’s energy system operator has warned that “extreme temperatures” could hit power supplies on Thursday night, as the UK entered its third heatwave of the year.The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a notice overnight asking for extra supplies from power generators to cope with the added demand from households turning on fans and air conditioners to cope with the high temperatures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Frump well and truly dumped: M&S to celebrate 100 years at London fashion week 09. July 2026 (08:44) Reputation for frumpiness is over as M&S wins over younger audience with shows at Silverstone, Ibiza and now LFWThis autumn’s London fashion week boasts plenty of familiar labels, from Burberry to Alexander McQueen, ready to show off their wares. But on Wednesday there was an unexpected addition: Marks & Spencer is joining the luxury lineup.The British high-street retailer will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the fashion industry by staging a catwalk show in September highlighting its latest women’s and menswear collections. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taylor defends Sarah Henderson’s triple-zero calls amid questions about claimed Telstra-outage death in SA 09. July 2026 (07:02) South Australian police say they’re unaware of death despite claim by Liberal senator Kerrynne LiddleFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngus Taylor says his shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson was “doing her job” when she “tested” the triple-zero system by making unnecessary calls to it during Telstra’s nationwide outage.The opposition leader has also dismissed concerns about Liberal senator Kerrynne Liddle’s claim that an elderly person died as a result of the outage on Wednesday, after South Australian police said they were unaware of any such death. In a statement, she said her office had advised the family to inform police about the incident. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘They said: wear angelic white’: British women who accused US airman of rape tell of American military trial 09. July 2026 (07:00) Two women who alleged they were raped by Tyrion Davis in Suffolk had to testify at an invasive court martial on a US baseMinutes after fleeing the home of an American airman, Rebecca called 999 in tears to report that he had raped her. She recalls vomiting at a police station in Suffolk as she described being repeatedly and violently attacked.Officers took her to a sexual assault referral centre for an intimate examination. There, a nurse measured and photographed her injuries, including bruises and bite marks on her neck. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No evidence for ‘witches’ marks’ claims at old English buildings, historian says 09. July 2026 (07:00) Author argues symbols such as daisy wheels are no more than the working marks of stonemasonsOver the years, English Heritage and Historic England have claimed to have identified large numbers of “witches’ marks” or “ritual protection symbols” on the walls of historic buildings, including medieval churches and houses.Now a leading architectural historian has said there is “absolutely no evidence” that these marks have anything to do with witches or any “mystical meanings”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Modi and Albanese to ink major uranium deal as Indian leader’s visit expected to draw 30,000-strong crowd 09. July 2026 (06:58) Ahead of Modi’s Marvel Stadium event, Anthony Albanese credits Indian PM’s ‘leadership and personal engagement with Australia’ for strength of bilateral relationshipFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has announced a major uranium deal with India that could end decades of delays to regular shipments of the fuel.The prime minister said the agreement would enable uranium exports to flow to India for “peaceful purposes,” with Modi hailing it as vital to help expand his country’s nuclear energy sector. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Western Europe records hottest-ever June as heatwaves intensify 09. July 2026 (06:00) Temperatures across ravaged region 3C above average as scientists warn of risks for people, ecosystems and infrastructureRecord wildfires in Europe show failure to adapt carries a mounting costWestern Europe has been scorched by its hottest June on record, scientists have said, as the UK enters its third heatwave of the year and wildfires ravage France and Spain.Inflamed by carbon pollution, the deadly June heatwave helped push surface air temperatures for the region 3.06C above their average from recent decades, according to the EU’s Copernicus climate monitoring service. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
