The Guardian

Firefighters race to extinguish blazes across EU as fire weather breaks records

European Forest Fire Information Service figures show conditions in EU 43% more severe than for same period in last 20 years Fire weather in the EU has broken records for severity for this time of year, new data shows, as firefighters race to extinguish blazes across the Mediterranean.Inflamed by carbon pollution, the hot, dry and windy weather across the EU since the start of the year has been 43% more severe than the end-of-July average over the last two decades, data from the European Forest

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Embattled German chancellor chooses papal pageturner for his beach read

With his popularity at historic lows, Friedrich Merz seeks spiritual guidance from Pope Leo’s encyclical on AISummer is normally thought of as the time for pacy potboilers and brain-soothing pageturners – airport reads that wind up sandy and sunscreen-stained. Not so for Friedrich Merz’s holiday reading list.Germany’s embattled chancellor, who has faced one rough patch after another since taking office 14 months ago, seems to be seeking spiritual guidance this year while putting his feet up. Con

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Flock surveillance cameras can pose a crash risk for drivers, US experts say

Roadside safety advocates say some automated license plate readers may not meet highway safety standardsFlock Safety cameras have been pilloried for facilitating the AI-powered surveillance of private citizens and for targeting immigrants for years. But now safety advocates are also claiming that their physical location can pose potential roadside hazards.At the bottom of a tree-lined hill on a narrow, two lane rural road in Greene county, Ohio, stands a black metal rod with a camera and solar p

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

US push to defund ‘DEI bike lanes’ will make roads less safe, advocates say

Trump administration boasts of cutting $1.73bn already allocated for cycling improvements to city streetsSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Trump administration’s plans to stymie and defund bike lane plans in the US, on the unusual basis that they are DEI tools, will hurt efforts to improve roadway safety, non-motorized transportation advocates say.The transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, posted on X this month that he had redirected $1.73bn allocated for “Biden-era DEI pet p

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Profits boost for defence firms as governments beef up spending

Shares in Rolls-Royce jump by 5.5% after it lifts earnings guidance, while BAE Systems also upgrades profit forecastsBusiness live – latest updatesRolls-Royce and BAE Systems are expecting higher profits as governments around the world boost their defence spending.Both companies lifted their earnings guidance on Thursday morning, citing commitments from governments to increase investment in defence systems. Continue reading...

general  Jul 30, 2026

NY Times World

U.S. Aircraft Carrier Makes a Rare Port Call in Vietnam

The visit, the longest since the two countries restored relations, is a show of mutual cooperation and a signal from the U.S. to China. But it comes during tensions over tariffs.

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

First Thing: US government borrowing costs hit new high as strikes on Iran resume

The Federal Reserve votes to hold its key interest rate steady, sending stocks tumbling. Plus: the origins of Coca-Cola may have been found Good morning. US government borrowing costs have hit their highest level since 2007 after the Federal Reserve voted to hold its key interest rate steady, feeding fears that the central bank may not move fast enough to tame a rise in inflation. Kevin Warsh, the Fed chair, said the bank would “not waver” in its commitment to tackling rising prices.The decision

general  Jul 30, 2026

WSJ World News

BOE on Alert for Signs of Persistent Inflation as It Holds Rates

The U.K. central bank may yet raise interest rates if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% as inflation fears mount

Split vote comes as Iran war is rekindled and oil price climbs back above $90 a barrelThe Bank of England has kept UK interest rates on hold as fears mount over rising inflation triggered by the Iran war.Against a volatile backdrop in the Middle East conflict, the Bank’s monetary policy committee voted to keep its key base rate at the current level of 3.75%, although the decision was not unanimous. Continue reading...

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Let them eat SUVs: Trump White House orders fleet of luxury cars as Americans struggle

Americans are facing a deepening affordability crisis but at least Trump and co have ... 250 new Cadillac EscaladesThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayGas prices are up almost a dollar a gallon since the day Donald Trump took office; mortgage rates just hit their highest level in nearly a year, and over the weekend a prominent economist said the Iran war is costing the average US household more than $1,200.Americans are stru

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Book returned to Australian library – 150 years overdue

The book, Antiquities of Athens, was handed back to Kiama library by a man who found it bricked into a wallAn Australian public library has had a book returned an estimated 150 years late after being found behind a wall during a home renovation.The book, Antiquities of Athens, published in 1858, was returned to the library in the seaside town of Kiama, south of Sydney, by a man who had found it inside a tea crate bricked into a sealed fireplace Continue reading...

general  Jul 30, 2026

BBC World

Watch: Giant iceberg turns over near Greenland's coast

Video captured by a passerby showed the moment the iceberg collapsed creating a big wave.

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Three people found dead on small boat in Channel crossing attempt

Group of migrants found unresponsive off coast of Dunkirk while attempting to reach UKThree people have died while trying to reach the UK on a small boat after one of the busiest days for Channel crossings this year.The group of migrants were found dead on a boat off the coast of Dunkirk on Thursday morning, the French coastguard said. Continue reading...

general  Jul 30, 2026

WSJ World News

Egypt Suffers First Drone Attack, Widening the Iran War

The strike, unclaimed by any country or group, serves as a warning that the Suez Canal might not be a safe alternative for oil exports.

general  Jul 30, 2026

BBC World

Nicaraguan leader proposes extending presidential term by another year

It is not the first time the constitution has been amended to allow Daniel Ortega, 80, to stay in power for longer.

general  Jul 30, 2026

NY Times World

Pope Leo Says He Hopes to Visit U.S. Within ‘Next Couple of Years’

When asked about a possible trip, Leo XIV said that he had been looking at the calendar for the “next couple of years.”

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Blanche’s attorney-general nomination stalls over Trump’s IRS lawsuit – US politics live

Lawmakers scrap planned committee vote and seek further assurances that president’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’ is deadSign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney-general stalled last night as lawmakers scrapped a planned committee vote.Barack Obama, the former president who installed basketball hoop on the White House tennis court, endorsed the US Senate campaign of Iowa Democrat Josh Turek, a state lawmaker who

general  Jul 30, 2026

WSJ World News

Japan Aims to Cut Food Sales Tax to 1% From April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans to cut the sales tax on food to 1% from 8% for two years beginning in April 2027.

general  Jul 30, 2026

The Guardian

Lloyds Bank to cut £2bn in costs as part of AI-powered strategy

Chief executive says the four-year plan will lead to greater efficiency but gives no details of potential job lossesBusiness live – latest updatesLloyds Banking Group will cut another £2bn of costs as part of a four-year plan under which its chief executive will use new tech and AI to drive growth.Charlie Nunn said the strategy, which the UK’s largest high street lender will launch in January, would involve investing £13bn into the business by 2030, including for “pioneering technology” to lure

general  Jul 30, 2026

WSJ World News

Russian Airstrikes Kill at Least Eight in Ukraine

The attack was the latest in Russia’s increasingly frequent mass airstrikes against cities in Ukraine.

general  Jul 30, 2026