Republic of Mauritius, Indian Ocean island nation
Sir Ian Wood has died at 84, ending a career that transformed a Aberdeen-based fishing yard into a global energy services group. He founded Wood Group, chaired it until 2012, and established the Wood Foundation to tackle inequality in Scotland and Africa. Tributes praise his enterprise, philanthropy and impact on Aberdeen’s economy.
FIFA plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run the World Cup and related events, offering up to 20% stake to external investors. The move has drawn swift criticism from UEFA, Concacaf and other bodies for governance concerns and lack of consultation, while FIFA argues the plan would unlock billions for global football development.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed questions about a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire and related undisclosed liabilities as Reform UK seeks to regain momentum ahead of Clacton by-elections. Several outlets report that discussions about Reform’s finances occurred before his return to frontline politics, with investigations paused as he stands in the by-election.
Kim Le Court has won stage six of the Tour de France Femmes, launching from a small eight-rider breakaway to beat Cedrine Kerbaol on the Mont Lalouvesc climb in Tournon-sur-Rhône. Marlen Reusser retains the overall lead ahead of Demi Vollering after a 153.4km stage from Montbrison to Tournon-sur-Rhône.
Kim Le Court has won stage three of the Tour of Britain in Llandudno, moving to the top of the general classification. Liane Lippert finished second, with Wiebes and Andersson close behind as the race approaches the penultimate stage to Royal Leamington Spa. The Welsh safety concerns have echoed after a recent fatal incident.
A 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin has been landed off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in Atlantis Canyon, by charter captain Damon Sacco and client Walter Chapman. Weighing 1,260 pounds and measuring over 11 feet, the fish is believed to be the largest Atlantic blue marlin caught off the U.S. East Coast. The head is being aged at a university lab to determine its age. The catch occurs in a narrow window for blue marlin in the Northeast.
Sir James Cleverly has quit his frontbench role to pursue a 2028 London mayoral bid, arguing London needs a Conservative plan for enterprise and opportunity. Other reports show London’s mayoral race shaping up as Labour’s Sadiq Khan weighs a fourth term, with potential rivals and shifts within the Tory party.
Maro Itoje has taken a break from England’s Nations Championship fixtures to recover mentally and physically. He has rested during July and is back at Saracens with a full pre-season ahead as England prepare for four Tests in November and a Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.
Labour and Conservative voices clash over funding defence while ensuring social security. The PM has set a long-term NATO target of 3.5% by 2035, with a 3% aim by 2030; ministers say welfare cuts are not the answer and pledge to reduce the welfare bill without harming vulnerable groups. The debate continues at PMQs.
Marlen Reusser has retained the women's world time‑trial title in Montreal, winning in 50:24.44 and beating Britain’s Zoe Backstedt by 40 seconds. Germany’s Franziska Koch has taken bronze. Backstedt, 21, has stepped up from under‑23 competition and finished strongly on a longer, windy technical course.
Travel pieces from Business Insider UK and Independent highlight Syros as a less-touristed Greek island with authentic charm, affordable stays, and opportunities for beach-hopping, local dining, and cultural immersion, contrasted with pricier, crowded destinations nearby.
Britain’s new prime minister has arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly, seeking closer UK-US ties on Ukraine air defences and safeguarding shipping routes, while navigating a fraught relationship with President Trump. Officials warn of economic headwinds as winter looms.
Britain has reached a deal with Mauritius to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, while maintaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia and its strategic base. The agreement has yet to gain legal force as the US expressed concerns and opposition from Washington has slowed parliamentary passage.
The UK and US leaders have met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. They have praised their connection, but remain divided over the Chagos Islands deal and the push for global AI safety standards. Burnham has emphasised long-term cooperation on security and AI, while Trump continues to press his Iran stance and criticises the deal.
The UK prime minister has met Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The talks have yielded a cautiously optimistic read on UK-US relations, with Trump praising Burnham as a “natural businessman” while presses over the Chagos Islands and other disputes surface. Burnham is aiming to present a 10-year plan for Britain amid turbulence at home.
The United Kingdom has paused plans to transfer Chagos sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining the Diego Garcia base, with American opposition blocking progress. Prime Minister Burnham says Britain will “work hard” with US partners to find a resolution as Donald Trump reiterates his opposition.