British news agency owned by Thomson Reuters
Prince Harry has met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House and has reunited his children Archie and Lilibet with their grandfather for the first time since 2022. The visit has followed Harry's loss in a privacy case against the Daily Mail, a dispute over state-funded security for his family, and a schedule of charity events including Invictus promotions.
The government has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps as national security threats. Ministers have said the measures will criminalise support, extend policing powers and allow prosecutors to pursue those who carry out or direct sabotage in the UK. Police have arrested a suspect, Vahid Aberi, and carried out searches in Liverpool and Birmingham; he will appear in court in London.
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour leader and will become prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally resigns. He has pledged a "distinctively Labour" government that will devolve power to regions, prioritise cost-of-living measures and tackle social care while naming a new cabinet, with the chancellor slot the biggest early question.
President Trump has accepted a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar and has begun flying on it, but during a July NATO trip he has used an older Air Force One for part of the return because officials raised security concerns. The administration has opened a leak inquiry and the FBI has subpoenaed New York Times reporters, while the White House defends the new jet.
President Trump has delivered a primetime address releasing declassified intelligence he says shows China acquired large volumes of U.S. voter data and that officials hid reports about foreign efforts to target U.S. elections. Journalists, former intelligence officials and state authorities have said the documents do not prove foreign actors altered 2020 vote counts and many of the administration's claims have been disputed.
Airlines are expanding unbundled premium fares and no-middle-seat rows to attract high-spending travelers. United and Delta are rolling out basic business and no-middle-seat options, with mixed consumer response. Other carriers test similar strategies as travel demand stays strong.
A severe heatwave has fuelled multiple wildfires in Spain and southern France, killing at least 12 people in Almería and forcing thousands to evacuate. Firefighters and Spain’s Military Emergency Unit are battling blazes near Bedar, Los Gallardos and Guadalajara while weather agency AEMET warns temperatures above 40°C and extreme fire danger through Thursday.
Since mid‑July the US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade its ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, reported strikes on tankers and warned the strait will remain unsafe while US action continues. Energy flows and shipping are being disrupted.
Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, remains detained by Israel without charge. New medical assessments describe severe injuries and deteriorating health, with rights groups and international bodies urging independent medical review and his immediate release.
The BBC has highlighted a funding crisis as licence-fee income declines and audience habits shift. The corporation is exploring options from subscriptions to a universal levy while warning that current funding may not sustain its public-service mission. With 23.3 million licences active and around 80% of households paying, the BBC is under pressure to reinvent its funding model before the 2027 charter renewal.
EU discussions on curbing trade with Israeli settlements face deep division over ban, tariffs, or licensing. Several member states have already imposed or considered unilateral measures amid rising settlement activity and calls for accountability under international law. The debate follows new data on settlement expansion and international rulings.
The United States has escalated strikes against Iran, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Gulf bases and shipping. The renewed hostilities threaten global energy flows as both sides threaten further action and diplomatic talks remain fragile. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis.
SpaceX is trading below its $135 IPO price for more than a session as volatility around the post-IPO period continues. The stock has retraced from a peak above $2 trillion to around $1.6 trillion, with bulls and bears weighing the implications of AI spending, debt-funded growth, and a narrow float.
Pew Research Center finds more countries hold favorable views of China than the US in 25 of 36 countries surveyed, marking the first time China has surpassed the US in long-running global opinion tracking. The period surveyed includes February to May, during tensions around Iran, Trump policies and related global events.
Argentina has reached the World Cup final after Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez struck late to beat England 2-1, with Messi assisting the equaliser and the winner. BBC and ITV report record UK viewership as the tournament moves toward its climax.
The Bayeux Tapestry has arrived in London for its first display on British soil in almost 1,000 years. The 70-metre wool-on-linen embroidery is being shown at the British Museum this September, after France agreed to loan it amid renovation at Bayeux. Tickets sold rapidly, with demand high for viewing through 2026 and 2027.
The Trump-backed Board of Peace has drastically scaled back its Gaza reconstruction blueprint. What began as a comprehensive post-war plan has shifted to a limited pilot near Rafah, with international forces overseeing a temporary camp and a technocratic civilian administration. Progress is delayed, and Israeli approvals remain uncertain as elections approach in late October.
Josh Kerr has broken the mile world record at the London Diamond League, running 3:42.66 to shave 0.47 seconds off Hicham El Guerrouj's 1999 mark. The Scot led through precise pacing from Brannon Kidder and Zan Rudolf and won by a clear margin; the meet also featured standout wins from Julien Alfred and Karsten Warholm.
Nigel Farage has resigned as MP to trigger a by-election in Clacton, arguing the voters should judge his actions. With major parties abstaining, Count Binface and a slate of independents are contesting the race, which is drawing scrutiny over Farage’s finances and a parliamentary standards inquiry.
Investors have poured into BlackRock’s EWY ETF, with over $1.1 billion in inflows following a record $814 million day, while Samsung and SK Hynix leveraged ETFs have tumbled since late May. New anti-Elon funds aim to exclude Musk-associated companies from Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 benchmarks.
Volkswagen has presented a transformation plan to streamline its model lineup and reduce production capacity to about 9 million vehicles per year. The group is considering eliminating as many as 100,000 jobs in total, on top of 50,000 already announced, and may close four German plants as part of cost-cutting. Protests have erupted at several sites as unions push back.
Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton and is standing again in a by-election set for August 13, as other parties boycott the race amid ongoing scrutiny into undeclared gifts and donations. The by-election will test Farage’s claim of democratic renewal against a field of satirical and fringe candidates.
Fuel shortages persist across Russia as Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt refineries and supply networks. Regions report rationing, long queues at petrol stations, and authorities are imposing export bans while exploring imports to stabilise domestic supply. Prices have risen as the crisis deepens.
The Philippines has formally objected to a China Daily AI-generated video that dehumanizes Filipinos and mocks the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. Manila calls for takedown and warns against propaganda that escalates tensions as regional powers urge adherence to UNCLOS.
Sen. Lindsey Graham has died, triggering an interim appointee and a looming Aug. 11 special primary to determine the GOP nominee for the Senate race. Key figures include Darline Graham Nordone, Nancy Mace, and Gov. Henry McMaster, with former President Trump weighing in on potential replacements.
Memory-chip stocks have surged on AI demand but face a sharp pullback as investors reassess valuations and the U.S. listing gap for SK Hynix widens, with analysts expecting volatility to persist into the next quarter.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar has moved to replace President Tamás Sulyok after parliament passed a constitutional amendment ending Sulyok’s term. Sulyok has signed the amendment. Magyar has proposed chess grandmaster Judit Polgár as a temporary president and said he will meet her on Monday; parliament, where Tisza holds a two-thirds majority, is expected to confirm the choice.
Heavy monsoon rains have caused floods and landslides across multiple districts in Bangladesh, with Cox’s Bazar bearing the heaviest toll. At least 51 people have died and more than a million have been affected, prompting evacuation and relief efforts as the weather system continues to threaten new downpours.
Thousands of supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have massed at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and tried to march on parliament today after police removed hunger-striker Sonam Wangchuk to hospital. Security forces have blocked routes, used batons on some protesters and closed nearby metro stations as the movement demands Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over exam leaks.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year pause on state permits for new hyperscale data centres that use 50 megawatts or more. The order directs regulators to produce an environmental impact review and considers requiring centres to pay for their own power, contribute to grid upgrades and lose tax breaks.
A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen experienced a window dislodgement shortly after takeoff, causing rapid decompression. A Serbian passenger was pulled halfway out of the cabin but was pulled back inside by his wife and fellow passengers. Investigations are under way with multiple authorities involved.
Caricom’s reparations commission has convened in London to press Britain on sovereignty, decolonisation and reparations, while seeking a framework for negotiations. Caribbean leaders say the region remains the most colonised and demand self-determination for overseas territories, debt relief, and a formal apology.
Meta has faced a federal lawsuit alleging its internal AI systems and monitoring tools discriminated against workers on legally protected leave in a May layoff round totaling about 8,000 jobs. The suit seeks an injunction to pause separations and an independent audit of the selection process while claims proceed in arbitration.
The region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks focused on control of the Strait of Hormuz. The collapse of a ceasefire has left no clear end in sight. U.S. airstrikes have targeted Iranian infrastructure while Iran has responded with strikes and ship disruptions; oil prices have surged accordingly.
xAI has filed a federal lawsuit in Texas against Terry Harwood, alleging he used Grok to convert non-sexual images into explicit, underage-focused material and attempted deepfake creation. The action marks one of the first AI-driven lawsuits by a company against a user over alleged CSAM, with prosecutors accusing Harwood of repeatedly subverting Grok safeguards.
A ministerial on the resurgence of political terrorism convenes to coordinate action against far-left violence. Leaders from 65+ countries are examining left-wing extremism, with visas and designations expanding in several nations.
Eli Lilly has announced an all-cash deal to acquire AtaiBeckley for up to $2.8 billion upfront, with potential milestone payments. AtaiBeckley’s lead drug, a DMT-related nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, is in Phase 3, with initial results expected in 2029. The deal signals growing pharma interest in psychedelic therapies amid regulatory momentum.
The government has introduced a plan to ban the sale of energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to under‑16s in England, with enforcement by local authorities and fines of up to £2,500 for retailers. The move aims to curb health risks and improve children’s wellbeing, following a public consultation that received broad support.
The ICE body-camera program has moved forward with purchases, training, and nationwide deployment, following recent fatal shootings during stops in Texas and Maine. Critics cite ongoing questions about timing, evidence, and officer accountability as officials cite funding and shutdown-related delays.
The United States has welcomed a plan to rehabilitate the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline, linking Kirkuk to Syria’s Mediterranean port of Baniyas. A US-led consortium will oversee technical and financial aspects, aiming for an initial capacity of 2 million barrels per day while reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.
SpaceX’s stock has fallen since its IPO last month. A failed Starship test flight led to a further drop, with shares trading below the IPO price and investors weighing the impact on SpaceX’s multi‑billion contracts and future launches.
The government has nationalised British Steel, transferring control from Jingye on grounds of national security. The move aims to protect jobs, supply chains, and critical infrastructure, while China expresses concern about the decision and seeks compensation.
Ukraine has removed a reform-minded defence minister six months into his term, prompting protests and questions about military leadership. Zelenskyy vows unity as political shake-ups continue amid ongoing war.
San Francisco confronts a surge in regulatory scrutiny as Waymo robotaxis faced power outages and immobilization during a holiday traffic jam. Mayor Daniel Lurie is pushing for mandatory, statewide standards to ensure autonomous vehicles can operate in major disruptions, with agencies like NHTSA calling for immediate fixes.
The FAA has determined that Boeing’s final safety checks demonstrate sufficient airworthiness for 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Regulators will continue factory oversight to identify defects earlier in production, while the pace of 737 Max production limits is being restored.
California Rep. Ro Khanna has stated that his delegation was detained by armed Israeli settlers for over an hour while traveling in the West Bank. Israeli forces later dispersed the settlers; Khanna is calling for accountability and an apology if the itinerary was mishandled. Reports from multiple outlets vary on coordination with the Israeli government.
A major wildfire started in Drammen, 30 miles west of Oslo, on Friday afternoon and has forced hundreds to evacuate. Firefighters are fighting the blaze as it spreads toward nearby forests; weather conditions hinder containment efforts. No casualties or missing residents have been reported yet.
Kyiv faces a major missile barrage as Russia steps up ballistic strikes, causing casualties and widespread damage. Kyiv’s defenses are under pressure, with authorities reporting downed missiles and drones as Western-backed Patriot licenses edge closer to production.
The Justice Department has filed the first-ever petition to the dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court in 1996 to deport an unidentified individual linked to terrorism; a hearing has been held and additional information is requested as the court considers its path forward.
Protesters are gathering in New Delhi as police prohibit larger assemblies ahead of Parliament’s opening. Sonam Wangchuk, a hunger-striking activist, has been moved to hospital after medical conditions deteriorated; supporters vow to press ahead with a march to Parliament while authorities maintain security and restrict gatherings.