Capital and main port of Northern Ireland; a city of linen, shipyards, and a divided history
Labour’s Bev Craig has won the Greater Manchester mayoralty after a run‑off, defeating Reform UK’s Sian Astley in the country’s largest by‑election. Voter turnout was a historic low, with more than 500,000 ballots cast from around two million eligible voters. Craig, Manchester City Council leader, pledges to defend the region and push for growth while pushing back against division.
Gerry Kelly, a veteran Northern Ireland broadcaster, has died at 77. He hosted UTV’s The Gerry Kelly Show and BBC Radio Ulster programs, mentoring future broadcasters. Colleagues remember him as a larger‑than‑life figure with warmth and professionalism, leaving a lasting impact on Northern Ireland’s media landscape.
The Scots saw success in bowls and boxing while weightlifting faced a setback as Corey Duncan failed to finish. In boxing, Josh Kelly retains his world title after a hard-fought win over Caoimhin Agyarko. The weightlifting and darts scenes show mixed results for Scottish athletes at the Commonwealth Games.
The Item Club has warned that the UK faces a year of job losses driven by higher energy costs and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war, with South Wales and the Humber hardest hit. London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow are also expected to shed thousands of posts as discretionary spending contracts.
A UK/Ireland–based crowd aboard Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambition has been kept onboard Bordeaux after a GI illness outbreak. About 50 people have shown symptoms; a 92-year-old passenger has died, though officials say the death is not linked to the illness. Disembarkation is paused while samples are analysed and safety measures are stepped up, with refunds offered for affected guests.
Tony Blair has published a 5,700-word essay urging Labour to prioritise policy over personality and return to a “radical centre.” Keir Starmer has rejected major elements of the critique. Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have publicly attacked Blair’s omissions on inequality, leaving the party divided as the June 18 Makerfield by-election and a potential leadership contest approach.
Thousands have been protesting nightly in Tirana and along Albania’s southern coast for more than a month against a multi‑billion‑euro resort project linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Demonstrators have adopted flamingo symbols to oppose work inside the Vjosa‑Narta wetlands and on Sazan island and are demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation amid clashes with police.
A 30-year-old Sudanese national has been charged with attempted murder after a man in his 40s was stabbed in Belfast. The suspect remains in custody as police investigate amid protests tied to immigration tensions in the UK. The Home Office says the attacker arrived in the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status; officials say there is no record of prior security alerts.
New studies show AI exposure is reshaping entry-level hiring, elevating demand for soft skills and leadership as automation expands. UK and US markets see mixed figures as firms adapt training and recruitment in response to AI-driven productivity gains.
Protests in Belfast — sparked by a knife attack in which a Sudanese national is charged with attempted murder — have erupted into violence across multiple districts. Rioters have set vehicles and buildings alight, with police deploying water cannon and crews working to protect residents amid rising tensions tied to immigration debates.
The government has updated the Online Safety Act to require platforms to remove illegal content quickly during crises, with firms facing fines or service blocks for non-compliance. The move follows unrest linked to a knife attack in Northern Ireland and intensified debates over social media’s role in spreading harmful material.
A June 18 Makerfield by-election has become a national leadership test after Labour has installed Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham as its candidate. A string of ministerial resignations and polling showing Reform UK divided with a Farage splinter have left Keir Starmervulnerable; a Burnham win will force a leadership contest and intensify political instability.
Rioting in Belfast has intensified after a stabbing led to attacks on ethnic minorities. Refugees report fear, while local volunteers marshal relief as police vow to restore order.
Racist violence sparked by a stabbing in Belfast has drawn thousands to anti-racism rallies while protests spill into Glasgow and beyond. Authorities say the unrest follows the stabbing of a Sudanese national and has been amplified online by far-right groups.
A knife attack in Belfast has become a crusade point for far-right actors online. Video of the incident is circulating with calls for demonstrations across Britain and Northern Ireland, while authorities urge calm as they investigate.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the home secretary lawfully proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, reversing a High Court judgment. The ruling preserves a ban that criminalises membership or support and has already prompted thousands of arrests and fresh police action at protests outside the Royal Courts of Justice.
The Mirror and Independent-led coverage reports a new national dialogue project, Britain Talks, launching in September to foster conversation across divisions following a decade of extremism and hate, with Jo Cox’s family and other bereaved parents leading the call for action.
The UK faces escalating tensions after rioting in Belfast and Southampton linked to a knife attack case. Government debates online safety measures as far-right actors and social media amplify calls for protests. Protests have targeted immigrants, with authorities promising action against incitement.
Protesters in Belfast torch vehicles and buildings after a Sudanese man is arrested for a knife attack that left a man severely injured. Police declare a critical incident and call for calm as political leaders condemn the violence.
Two high-profile UK actors have been found guilty of multiple sexual offences against women between 2004 and 2019. One case involves a former River City star convicted of rape, with sentencing set for July 23. The other case centers on a Glasgow-based actor also convicted of five offences after trial.
Sooryavanshi has been included for a landmark T20 series start, highlighting India’s push to nurture a teenage talent who would become the youngest player in India’s senior men’s team if selected. The series against Ireland and England marks a watershed moment after his IPL MVP season, though his debut remains contingent on selection.
The Defence Investment Plan has been unveiled, allocating billions to naval upgrades at Clyde and Rosyth, nuclear deterrent readiness, and a radical drone transformation for the armed forces. The plan emphasizes British-anchored infrastructure and domestic shipbuilding in Scotland amid concerns over offshoring work.
A jury has found Riad Bouchaker guilty of multiple charges after a knife attack at Parnell Square in Dublin on 23 November 2023. The attack left a five-year-old girl with a brain injury and caused serious harm to a childcare worker; rioting followed with widespread damage and arrests.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has announced that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will leave Elon Musk’s platform X, joining the Attorney General’s Office in suspending official posts. The move comes amid scrutiny of X’s handling of misinformation, racist content and online safety, with Ofcom investigations and past government actions raising pressure as violence and protests linked to recent incidents unfold.
Three men have been found not guilty of Lyra McKee's murder in a Belfast Crown Court trial tied to events in Derry's Creggan in 2019; the case follows a long, high-profile investigation into the New IRA and the fatal shooting during rioting.
The film Citizen Vigilante, linked to Uwe Boll and Armie Hammer, has been posted for free by Elon Musk on X, prompting complaints that the platform amplified anti-Muslim content. UK Muslim groups urge Ofcom to assess compliance with the Online Safety Act as questions grow over X’s moderation and the safety of users.
Inquests into Maddy Cusack’s death have been adjourned for a third time as new documents are reviewed. The coroner will resume hearings in December after postponements this year, with evidence already heard from family, teammates and club staff.
Northern Ireland's bonfire season has again drawn condemnation after a replica mosque was placed on a Moygashel bonfire and lit early. Police are investigating incitement to hatred, amid broader debates over safety, immigration rhetoric, and community tensions surrounding the Twelfth of July celebrations.
Ofcom has found 26% of UK viewers now turn to Netflix first when choosing what to watch, narrowly ahead of the BBC on 25%, while ITV is first for 15%. YouTube viewing has surged: TV viewing of YouTube has doubled since 2022 to 19 minutes a day and total daily YouTube time is 41 minutes. Traditional broadcasters’ weekly reach has fallen to 70%.
Actor Sam Neill has died at 78. His career spanned five decades, from early NZ breakthroughs to Hollywood fame in Jurassic Park and acclaimed arthouse films such as The Piano. He will be remembered for his warmth, versatility and enduring presence across cinema and television.
Kenya faces rising political violence as youth goon squads stalk public events ahead of elections. Reports describe shootings, property damage and arrests linked to clashes in Kisumu and Nyahururu, with security forces promising firm action. Dozens of suspects have been detained as authorities warn violence will not go unpunished.
Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been found not guilty of two counts of sexual assault after a trial at Southwark Crown Court concerning incidents at the Groucho Club in August 2023. The jury has cleared him; he has maintained innocence and described the proceedings as a test of character.
A unnamed boy has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts and racially aggravated damage after a July 9 arrest in south London. Police say documents found during a search linked to an alleged plan to target two mosques in Sutton. The suspect is remanded to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Sam Neill has died in Sydney at 78. His family has described the death as "sudden and unexpected" and his longtime agent has said Neill passed from pneumonia after having beaten a rare lymphoma with CAR‑T therapy; the agent added Neill had filmed four projects due for release and the family has asked for privacy and donations to causes he supported.
Claudia Winkleman has announced she is stepping back from The Claudia Winkleman Show after seven episodes. She says she was too nervous to enjoy the conversations, while the BBC confirms the decision does not affect her other projects. The development follows mixed reviews and ratings for the strand.
The new Labour government is taking office as Northern Ireland faces a looming Stormont budget shortfall and ongoing talks with local parties. Benn says the onus is on the executive to seal a budget, while Sinn Féin and other parties call for early engagement and reform. Public services are operating under contingency measures as the budget stalemate continues.
Scottish government has approved a hostel project converting four Category A-listed townhouses on Atholl Crescent into capsule pods, despite more than 280 objections. Campaigners warn this sets a precedent for high-density tourist development in Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site, while authorities say it preserves housing and services for locals.
Barack Obama has announced a speaking tour that will take him to Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester, in addition to previous stops in London and Dublin, to discuss what comes next for America and the world.
The UK has faced a fourth heatwave with amber and yellow alerts across large swaths of England and parts of Wales. Temperatures peak midweek, with rainfall scarce and drought status declared in parts of Wales; authorities warn of health impacts and increasing wildfire risk. A cooler, wetter change is forecast to arrive later in the week.