Likely

Experts say imported eggs served in cafes and restaurants may be behind hundreds of infections and one deathSalmonella cases in the UK are expected to rise until the common source is identified, something that is notoriously difficult to establish, experts have warned.There have been 474 confirmed cases and one death linked to the current outbreak, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with the latest investigations suggesting it is associated with eating imported eggs in cafes and restaurants. Continue reading...

Judge Indira Talwani placed a 14-day hold on government implementing Trump’s order to limit mail votingSign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.A federal judge has halted, at least temporarily, attempts to implement Donald Trump’s executive order limiting mail voting.Plaintiff states have neither time nor funds to design new mail ballots, seek approval of the new designs, order production of mail ballots, update their own election management systems, train election officials to use the USPS portal and upload citizen data to the portal, all before the midterms.Documents obtained by the Guardian and interviews with military leadership show the war in Iran has depleted the US Navy’s budget.A senior Democratic senator is calling for a criminal investigation into the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, following reporting by the Guardian that indicated he lied during Senate confirmation hearings last year.Trump called the media into the Oval Office to watch him sign an executive order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America”.“The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, which, appropriately, means ‘the lake is beautiful, the lake is big’, Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney noted. “The name is more than 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.”Three journalists who were fired by the Pentagon from a US government-funded news outlet sued the US Department of Defense in federal court in Washington DC on Thursday arguing that their dismissals were illegal and violated their first amendment rights to free speech. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court issued a technical ruling allowing a presidential order regarding mail-in ballots to proceed toward the November election. • While Democrats have expressed significant concern over the decision, the editorial argues that the ruling is procedural and unlikely to have a practical impact on the vote. • The legal battle is expected to continue as both sides litigate the specifics of the election order in the coming weeks.

Andy Burnham stops short of pledging further help as gas and electricity prices due to increase by 4% in OctoberHouseholds are unlikely to receive further energy bills support before the October price cap, though more targeted measures could be looked at if there is a further shock in January, government sources said.Gas and electricity prices will rise by 4% from October under the new cap. The government has already removed VAT from domestic electricity bills to save average households £45 a year, in a move announced in Andy Burnham’s first week in office. Continue reading...

Defense files motion to dismiss state case after federal guilty plea but prosecutors say they are prepared to litigateAfter Luigi Mangione admitted in Manhattan federal court that he killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, most experts believe that the state murder case against is highly unlikely to proceed – though some still see a slim possibility that it may yet happen.Mangione, who pleaded guilty on 14 August to two federal stalking counts, was scheduled for a New York state trial on 8 September for murder and weapons charges in the December 2024 killing. In the wake of Mangione’s surprise plea, legal experts said New York’s state-level double jeopardy law – which means someone cannot be tried twice for the same crime – could derail his local prosecution. Continue reading...

• The Indian stock market is expected to experience continued volatility next week as investors monitor several global and domestic triggers. • Key factors driving market movement include the release of the US Federal Reserve's meeting minutes, escalating US-Iran tensions, and rising crude oil prices. • Investors are also closely tracking foreign fund flows and fluctuations in gold prices to gauge overall market sentiment.

When it comes to the Reserve Bank, there’s a whiff of a parent making a threat they have no intention of carrying outGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEvery parent makes threats in an effort to get their kids to behave – and every parent hopes they won’t have to follow through.Some (most?) parents even make threats they have zero intention of carrying out. Continue reading...

• Opposition and NDA MPs have intensified protests during the current monsoon session of Parliament, leading to heightened tensions in the house. • The Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss two key pieces of legislation today: the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. • Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to address the house today, potentially addressing the ongoing political friction and legislative priorities.

• The Nifty and Sensex are expected to open flat on Monday as investors monitor US inflation data, Middle East tensions, and Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) flows. • Market participants are specifically tracking the rollout of the new closing auction session (CAS) and its potential impact on trading. • Positive signals are emerging from the Asia-Pacific region, where major equities have risen between 0.5% and 2% in early trading.

• Opposition parties have warned that Parliament's monsoon session may face a total washout unless the government agrees to specific debate topics. • The opposition is demanding formal discussions regarding donations for the Ram temple and Union Minister Amit Shah's comments on the police crackdown on students. • This standoff highlights deepening political tensions and the opposition's strategy to force government accountability on sensitive social and legal issues.

• Parliament's Monsoon Session 2026 was adjourned until 2 pm on Monday, with the FCRA Bill expected to be tabled. • The Opposition is preparing to protest against alleged police action targeting demonstrators in Delhi, leading to expectations of a stormy session. • Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss a new anti-defection law to curb opportunistic political defections.

• Two new scientific studies conclude that human-caused climate change significantly increased the likelihood of the devastating wildfires currently impacting Spain and France. • Research published Thursday reveals that the number of days Southern Europe experiences extreme fire-prone weather has more than doubled compared to previous decades. • These findings highlight a dangerous trend in Southern Europe, where extreme fire weather has spiked over the last eight years due to shifting climatic conditions.

• Two new studies by World Weather Attribution indicate that human-caused climate change significantly increased the likelihood of extreme fire weather and infernos in Spain and France. • The international collaboration of scientists analyzed the events to determine the specific fingerprints of climate change on these devastating wildfires. • These findings matter as they highlight the growing link between global warming and the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Europe.

• Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh is presiding over his second meeting, where the central bank is expected to keep interest rates on hold. • Despite the likely status quo, Warsh is anticipated to face strong dissension from other officials regarding the Fed's monetary policy direction. • Market analysts suggest a hawkish tilt could cause the S&P to fluctuate between a 0.25% rise and a 0.5% drop depending on the Fed's rhetoric.

• Manchester City is preparing for an upcoming preseason tour of Asia with a squad that is expected to be stronger than initially anticipated. • While early expectations suggested a youth-focused roster, the team is balancing its lineup against the needs of 19 players who recently competed in the World Cup. • This selection process is critical as key players from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup-winning sides are currently on mandatory rest and recuperation.

• A majority of Americans support significant political reforms, including the implementation of term limits, campaign spending caps, and changes to the Electoral College. • These initiatives would likely require formal amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which is widely regarded as one of the most difficult governing documents in the world to change. • Some states are attempting to bypass the amendment process by forming interstate compacts to tie electoral votes to the nationwide popular vote.

• Global markets this week will be primarily driven by the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, crude oil price fluctuations, and ongoing developments regarding the West Asia conflict. • In India, investors are specifically monitoring the release of June Industrial Production (IIP) data to gauge domestic economic health. • Quarterly corporate earnings reports will also play a critical role in shaping investor sentiment and market volatility.

Lawyers predict ‘more suppression and no active investigations’ but victims’ groups determined to continue fightAs Donald Trump’s former defense lawyer Todd Blanche appears poised for confirmation as attorney general, numerous Jeffrey Epstein survivors have sounded the alarm that a US justice department helmed by him would derail their pursuit of justice.In a letter urging Republican senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn to reject his nomination, these survivors said that Blanche’s handling of the Epstein case as acting attorney general was characterized by misstep after misstep. Continue reading...

• S&P Global is scheduled to release the July flash Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) for the United States this Friday. • These surveys gather data from top private-sector executives to provide an early indicator of the nation's overall economic health. • The indices are critical for anticipating trends in GDP, inflation, employment, and industrial production, with a reading above 50 signaling economic expansion.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged during today's meeting. • Because no new macroeconomic projections will be released, market focus will shift to President Christine Lagarde's press conference for policy signals. • Traders anticipate a "hawkish pause," where the ECB maintains current rates but emphasizes that future hikes remain an option if inflation risks intensify.

Exclusive: Analysis of NHS England data reveals stark impact of air pollution in deprived areasChildren living in the poorest areas across England are 40% more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory infections, an analysis of NHS England data shows, with experts raising the alarm on the impact of air pollution on young people’s health.The analysis, based on data obtained via freedom of information requests by the charity Impact on Urban Health, revealed 1,941 out of every 100,000 children living in the most deprived fifth of England were admitted to hospital for respiratory illnesses in 2024-25. Continue reading...

New survey reveals one in 10 Americans identify politics as biggest risk they face in life – 10 times the global averageAmericans are 10 times more likely than people elsewhere in the world to regard politics as the greatest threat to their personal safety, according to a global survey that suggests the country’s deep partisan divisions are poisoning everyday life.The latest Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll found that one in 10 Americans identified politics as the biggest risk they face in their daily lives when asked an open-ended question. The figure is up from 6% in both 2021 and 2023 and well above the global average of 1% across 140 countries. Continue reading...

• Indian stock indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, are expected to open lower on July 22, 2026. • The anticipated decline is driven by a jump in global oil prices resulting from the widening conflict between the US and Iran. • Market volatility is expected to impact a wide range of sectors, including energy and finance, with key companies like Adani Green Energy, BPCL, and IndusInd Bank under observation.

Experts warn global energy market at a ‘critical juncture’ with escalating Middle East crisis expected to further drag on a slowing Australian economyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe likelihood of a Reserve Bank interest rate hike has doubled according to market forecasts, as the escalating Middle East crisis once again drives fuel prices higher amid dwindling global oil reserves.The total breakdown in the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has sent the international Brent crude benchmark surging by 23% over the past two weeks and back within reach of $US90 a barrel. Continue reading...

• The Indian government is preparing to introduce and pass several major bills during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. • While the government aims to clear its legislative agenda, Opposition parties are coordinating strategies to challenge the proposed laws and raise critical national issues. • This session is significant as it will determine the trajectory of key policy changes and legislative reforms for the current term.

UK police adviser in the early 2000s and global consultant in ‘no-body’ homicide cases says he has narrowed down the outback search area• Peter Falconio murder 25 years on: new footage shows dying Australian outback killer’s refusal to reveal body’s locationThe former British government expert who consulted on the search for the remains of the murdered backpacker Peter Falconio says he has now identified a “most likely” potential burial location – an abandoned racetrack only 8km from the scene of the infamous outback attack at Barrow Creek.In July 2001, Falconio and his partner, Joanne Lees, both from Yorkshire, were ambushed and attacked by Bradley John Murdoch as they drove along a remote stretch of road in Australia’s Northern Territory, about 300km north of Alice Springs. Continue reading...

• Democratic senators have criticized Donald Trump ahead of his scheduled speech to the nation, predicting it will contain "election denialism" and portray him as a "sore loser." • Major networks NBC and ABC have confirmed they will stream the address on their digital platforms, with NBC planning a follow-up special report to fact-check the claims. • This broadcasting decision follows a 2022 precedent where NBC, ABC, and CBS declined to pre-empt regular programming for a speech by President Joe Biden regarding threats to democracy.

• President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the nation this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, with a primary focus on election issues. • The address is expected to potentially revisit debunked conspiracy theories regarding his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. • Separately, the Trump administration is reviving a rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who utilize public benefits.