The Guardian

EU signs off on 21st package of sanctions against Russia – Europe live

The agreement comes after previous meetings of EU ambassadors failed to result in consensusEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the adoption of the 21st package of sanctions, saying they “continue to weaken the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort.”“We’re adding 32 more Russian banks to our transaction ban list. As well as crypto firms and oil trading platforms. Freezing the oil price cap adjustment for a year, so that the Russian war machine does not benefit from m

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Scottish police officer was rapist who attacked women over 14 years

Alan Greer, who killed himself after officers visited his home, could be ‘Police Scotland’s Wayne Couzens moment’A police officer who took his own life in May was a rapist who attacked at least nine women over 14 years.PC Alan Greer’s offending came to light when his first known victim, a woman he raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 after she had called the police to report being the victim of a crime, reported the attack late last year. Continue reading...

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Personal and banking details among customer data stolen in Origin Energy hack

Hackers access Australian customers’ names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and some bank account details, company saysOrigin Energy customers’ addresses, phone numbers and partial bank account data have been accessed in a hack, the company has confirmed.The company has 4.8m customer accounts in Australia, providing electricity, natural gas, LPG, and internet services to homes and businesses. Continue reading...

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Palestine Action trial lawyer’s prosecution criticised as ‘chilling’ for profession

CBA chair says contempt charge over closing speech by Rajiv Menon KC has left lawyers fearful of doing their jobThe prosecution of a leading human rights barrister for contempt of court over his closing speech during a trial of Palestine Action activists has left lawyers fearful of doing their job, the chair of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has said.Rajiv Menon KC is due to stand trial next week, accused of breaching the judge’s directions in the trial of six people for a 2024 direct action

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Politician’s claim Earth’s magnetic poles could flip if NT doesn’t use more groundwater criticised by experts

NT minister for trade and business Robyn Cahill makes scientifically inaccurate claims while pushing to make territory ‘datacentre capital of the globe’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Northern Territory minister has been criticised for scientifically inaccurate claims that groundwater in the Northern Territory needs to be used to prevent the Earth’s magnetic poles from flipping.The NT minister for trade and business, Robyn Cahill, made the claim while speaking in Dar

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Carmakers lobbied UK to revoke ban on petrol and diesel cars after 2035

BMW, Ford, Nissan and Toyota, plus parts maker Bosch, wrote joint letter to ministers in AprilMajor carmakers privately lobbied the UK government to revoke a ban on new petrol and diesel cars after 2035, according to documents that reveal for the first time the efforts to overturn a key decarbonisation policy.BMW, Ford, Nissan and Toyota, plus the parts maker Bosch, wrote a joint letter to ministers in April calling for an “open technology approach” including petrol and diesel cars after 2035, w

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Andy Burnham to cut tax for pubs, clubs and live music in England and make vape shops pay more – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as government says it will review reliefs for ‘anti-social’ businessesA bit more from the Night Times Industries Association lobby group, which is also wary of the small print – while welcoming the broad policy.Michael Kill, its chief executive, said he wanted to know in particular which live music venues would be excluded. He said:We are still awaiting the full details and eligibility criteria, which are expected to be announce

general  Jul 23, 2026

BBC World

'I am still alive': Indian activist on hunger strike for 26 days loses 11kg

Sonam Wangchuk has been the main draw at the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi.

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

‘Cockroach’ protests: India’s Modi promises to punish corrupt officials in bid to quell anger

Prime minister says ‘those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared’ as exam leaks scandal spirals into widespread anger with his governmentNarendra Modi has said he will set up “fast track courts” to expedite the punishment of corrupt officials who leaked examination papers,as India’s prime minister seeks to quell the youth-led “cockroach” protest movement that has rocked Delhi and challenged his government.In his first public remarks on the movement, Modi said on X “Nothing i

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Pauline Hanson says domestic violence prevents police from dealing with ‘real crime’ in unearthed interview

One Nation leader labels family violence leave ‘ridiculous’ and decries ‘woke’ support of women’s rights in November podcastPauline Hanson has described paid leave for those experiencing family and domestic violence as “ridiculous”, and suggested the issue is taking police away from “real crime”, calling for the family law system to be “wound back”.In an unearthed interview, the One Nation leader said the advancements of women’s rights in the family law system over the decades had become “broken

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Business rates to be cut by 20% for England pubs, clubs and music venues

No 10 announces reprieve after Andy Burnham previously pledged to raise tax from e-commerce warehouses and channel it to cutting hospitality sector’s billsBusiness rates will be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year, Downing Street has announced.The discount will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses and is expected to save a typical pub about £1,100 annually, but will not be available to the very largest live music venues. Continue reading.

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Total solar eclipse books out hotels two years in advance in New Zealand city

Dunedin will be the focal point, having last experienced such an eclipse in 1163 – before any humans reached New ZealandHotels are booking out two years in advance in the New Zealand city of Dunedin as it prepares for the region’s first total solar eclipse in more than 850 years.At 4.17pm on 22 July 2028, the moon will pass in front of the sun, casting a roughly 100km-wide shadowy band across parts of southern New Zealand. Everywhere within that band – from tourist hotspot Queenstown in the west

general  Jul 23, 2026

BBC World

'What was their crime?': BBC visits Iran school where strike killed 120 children

Nearly five months on, grief is still raw as a teacher and a mother recall the horror of the attack in Minab.

general  Jul 23, 2026

NY Times World

U.S. Military Presence in Jordan Makes It Iranian Target

Relying heavily on U.S. aid and protection, Jordan is unlikely to restrict the American military presence there, despite escalating Iranian airstrikes.

general  Jul 23, 2026

NY Times World

Japan’s Leader Invokes Her Hero, Shinzo Abe, to Drive Nationalist Agenda

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is leveraging her ties to Mr. Abe, the slain Japanese leader, as she pushes to reshape defense and the economy.

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

‘I would rather be poor’: man says money cannot compensate for partner’s death after failed cancer diagnosis

Exclusive: Darren Rosheski won NHS payout over partner Helen Dutton’s death from rectal cancer after GP misjudged her symptoms“I remember the doctor, after he’d examined Helen and found a large lump in her colon, saying ‘it’s very sinister – we need to bring you in to be investigated.”Darren Rosheski is recalling the moment a consultant doctor at Tameside hospital broke the news to his partner, Helen Dutton, that her symptoms – which also included back pain, passing blood and altered bowel habit

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

US senator wants urgent answers from Barclays over Jes Staley’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Exclusive: Elizabeth Warren says it is unclear how bank failed to uncover former CEO’s links with sex offenderThe leading US senator Elizabeth Warren has called for urgent answers from Barclays over what she claimed was its “apparent failure to meaningfully investigate” ties between the bank’s former boss, Jes Staley, and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.In a letter sent privately to Barclays’s chair, Nigel Higgins, and seen by the Guardian, Warren – the most senior Democrat on the US senat

general  Jul 23, 2026

The Guardian

Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game

Scientists believe sunfish-smashing behaviour could be form of entertainment or to help younger whales feedOrcas have been observed ramming into giant fish so hard that the prey explode, possibly as a form of gory entertainment.On several occasions, orcas were observed to hold sunfish in their jaws while a second whale smashed into the target at high speed, causing it to break into thousands of pieces. Since the fish had already been killed, scientists suggested the behaviour may represent a for

general  Jul 23, 2026

BBC World

Houthis claim attack on oil tankers as US launches more strikes on Iran

The Houthi attacks would be the first in the Red Sea since the Iran-backed group announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia.

general  Jul 23, 2026

WSJ World News

Carney Has Tried the Carrot and the Stick With Trump—but Neither Is Working

Canada’s prime minister has spent little political capital in making concessions, but offering more comes with risks.

general  Jul 23, 2026