28 July 2026, in sixty words

Europeans can vote because the European Central Bank has opened an online survey, running until 21 September 2026, on ten shortlisted banknote designs.

eBay and several former executives will pay $56 million to settle a stalking lawsuit brought by Massachusetts couple David and Ina Steiner.

Mass production of DUV lithography machines has commenced at a Chinese state-backed company, marking a significant stride towards self-reliance for China's semiconductor industry.

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch three new smart home devices, with two coming in a couple of months.

Elon Musk's social media platform X has started a new service called X Money, offering banking and financial tools within the app.

Residents in Temple, Texas, are gathering signatures to simplify the process of removing local officials who approved data center projects.

European football officials have agreed on new guidelines for VAR, aiming for more consistent and limited use of the system.

Roberto Mancini has been appointed Italy head coach for a second spell, six years after his Euro 2020 title win.

Volodymyr Zelensky met Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday for just over an hour, seeking expanded production of Patriot air defence interceptors for Ukraine.

Jack Shepherd, jailed over the 2018 Thames speedboat death of Charlotte Brown, admitted two counts of assault and criminal damage at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday.

Apple has launched a new device leasing program called Apple Upgrade in the US, allowing customers to get iPhones, Macs, and iPads on monthly plans.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has warned that companies relying solely on one AI provider for their needs might not last.

The Nasdaq 100 index has officially entered a correction, falling more than 10% from its early June record high due to a sell-off in AI-related chip stocks.

Wales gymnast Ruby Evans, 19, won gold in the women's floor exercise on the final day of Commonwealth Games gymnastics in Glasgow.

Rain has brought hope of relief for firefighters battling the Cairngorms wildfire, burning in the Scottish Highlands since 15 July.

Scotland's pilot GP walk-in clinics are seeing very low attendance, with just three patients a day at Dundee and four at Benbecula.

Kenya Wildlife Service has opened an urgent inquiry after 14 elephants were found dead around Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya.

An exiled opposition group asked Kyiv to act after accusing the Belarusian president of involvement in sending thousands of Ukrainian children to Belarus.

Billionaire Mike Ashley's sports retail empire now holds a 4.16% position in the fashion house, giving it 15 million voting rights.

Apple's market value exceeded $5 trillion for a short period on Tuesday, becoming just the second company in history to achieve that feat.

Lucy Powell told the BBC that charging interest rates 3% higher than the Retail Price Index creates a massive financial burden.

Medical records show Black African individuals are twice as likely as white patients to have a stroke before being diagnosed with any underlying condition.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans on Tuesday to offer technical subjects to pupils from Year 10, age 14, alongside core academic study.

A 23-year-old Virgin Atlantic engineer died on Tuesday after being crushed during maintenance on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner inside a hangar at Heathrow Airport.

Despite overall group profits rising by 22% to €1.55 billion between April and June, its core car division struggled.

Dunedin hasn't seen this kind of complete daytime darkness since 1163, long before humans even settled there.

A Chinese company, Shanghai Yuliangsheng, has reportedly started producing immersion deep ultraviolet lithography machines, a key chipmaking technology.

President Trump announced the White House has ordered 250 Cadillac Escalades to update government security motorcades.

Department for Transport figures show the Thameslink service between Bedford and Three Bridges was Britain's most overcrowded route, running at 176% capacity into London St Pancras at 8:09am.

Brock Whiston won gold in the women's 100m breaststroke SB8 final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, setting a new Games record of one minute 22.05 seconds.

The global football body will set up a dedicated business called FIFA Forward Enterprise to handle its event operations.

John O'Sullivan is accused of 45 thefts after councils, schools and churches lost valuable lighting, including historic 1950s fixtures taken from Cambridge.

The drinks giant saw its second-quarter revenue jump by about 6% to $13.37 billion, easily beating market expectations.

The tech giant passed chip-maker Nvidia, the only other business to reach the milestone, to take the global top spot in July.

Actors in the US micro drama industry are discovering AI-generated versions of their performances on apps without their consent.

Russia says it is open to discussing new peace proposals for Ukraine but wants the US to clarify previous agreements first.

Germany is looking at changing its terror laws, including a possible ban on suspended sentences, after a recent attack at Berlin Pride.

Lawyers for the City of London Corporation are preparing legislation to establish a procedure for rescinding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Freedom of the City of London honour.

The warning comes after Donald Trump suggested using Tehran's frozen cash to cover damages to cargo in the shipping route.

President Donald Trump has imposed new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, including alcohol, dairy, and auto parts, set to begin on August 19.

A significant debate over the future of artificial intelligence is currently dividing Silicon Valley, with prominent figures holding differing views on its development.

The 2026 Booker Prize longlist, also known as the Booker Dozen, was announced on Tuesday, featuring 13 books by authors including Elizabeth Strout, Douglas Stuart, and Marlon James.

The consumer goods giant blamed higher oil prices, sparked by the US and Israel's war on Iran, for its growing costs.

Citadel Securities believes the US central bank will unexpectedly raise interest rates this week.

The American plane-maker took a $280 million hit to cover extra engineering work on two delayed US presidential jets.

A Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that US musician D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, will go on trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Hundreds of conversations users had with Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot, containing both personal and professional data, were accessible to the public online.

The World Health Organization said 32 million people were on HIV treatment by the end of 2025, with new infections down 42% since 2010.

A magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck near Spean Bridge in the Scottish Highlands at 3:09am Tuesday, the British Geological Survey said.

Three people, including two women, were arrested after suffering stab wounds at a Nottingham flat, with the women found near Victoria Centre.

Nigel Farage wants Zack Polanski, a Green Party leader, arrested after he shared a controversial image showing a guillotine.

Pop star Ariana Grande has initiated legal action against anonymous hackers, asserting they disseminated her unreleased music and studio recordings.

Formula 1’s growing schedule has prompted fresh concern after the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Malaysia on 2-4 October following April’s cancellations.

A judge has ordered Donald Trump to hand over years of his financial records to the BBC in his £7.5 billion defamation lawsuit.

Roberto Mancini is now the frontrunner to become Italy's national football team head coach after Andrea Pirlo withdrew.

PayPal announced its second-quarter revenue increased by 5% to $8.7 billion, despite a 12% drop in net income.

Kemi Badenoch, a conservative leader, has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to implement emergency legislation to prevent the early release of numerous prisoners.

The new 300,000 square foot Cambridge site will house more than 1,000 scientists as GSK shifts its research and development base from Stevenage by 2029.

Emily Wilson, whose translation of Homer's Odyssey influenced the film, called Nolan's adaptation 'abysmal'.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has not denied that Andy Burnham's new government is looking at a 10% tax on all inheritances.

Morgan Rogers, a recent £117 million acquisition for Chelsea, referred to Jordan Henderson as "the best person I’ve ever come across in football." The 36-year-old former Liverpool captain has become a transfer target for Chelsea, following Brentford's decision to grant him a free transfer.

Leganes' general manager, Martin Ortega, backs 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande to succeed at Real Madrid despite his short time there.

Zinedine Zidane is taking over as France's new manager, ending his five-year break from football after leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Barcelona's 19-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal has chosen to stay at Camp Nou this summer, despite reported interest from Manchester United.

Paris Saint-Germain has largely put an end to rumours regarding the acquisition of Rodri, even though recent stories had connected the Spain international to a transfer.

Liverpool are reportedly preparing a formal £43 million offer for Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao, according to Tuttosport via GiveMeSport.

The pound dropped as cheaper oil eased inflation worries while traders bet more heavily on a US interest rate rise this week.

Naga Munchetty is leaving BBC Breakfast in January 2027 after 17 years, the BBC confirmed on Tuesday.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kyushu's Kumamoto region, prompting a tsunami warning that was later lifted, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The right-wing Oversight Project published the 2017 conversations between the former US president and his ghostwriter.

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will join the cathedral memorial and plan to speak with Trump.

The defence ministry is holding its annual war games in August to imagine China hiding an invasion behind regular drills.

The FTSE 100 index went up 0.5%, driven by a massive 6.8% jump for the consumer goods giant Unilever.

A person died on railway lines near Mirfield station this morning, causing major disruption to train services across Yorkshire.

UK holidaymakers travelling to the Schengen Area are hitting massive hold-ups due to new mandatory fingerprint and photo checks.

The top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, Jamie Raskin, has launched an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino, seeking documents about ties between FIFA and Donald Trump.

The former television presenter was caught driving his Porsche and Bentley over the limit just 20 days apart last December.

Donald Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu "nobody tells me what to do" during a dispute over the sale of F-35 fighter jets.

The money was tied to performance targets for their joint 50-50 grocery delivery business, which M&S felt weren't met.

The Aslef train drivers' union says members are deliberately dehydrating themselves to avoid needing a break, with many forced to use bottles.

Holidaymakers flying to Majorca, Ibiza, and Menorca face potential travel disruption due to planned strikes by airport workers starting July 27.

The NHS alone could pay millions more to send out medical appointments when the new rates start.

President Donald Trump is holding separate high-stakes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham put forward the idea that property owners in the South of England might face increased property taxes, aiming to achieve equity for northern England.

The crypto market has seen its quietest period in over two years, with trading volumes on major platforms dropping to $1.05 trillion by April 2026.

Jess Asato is suing Elon Musk's firm xAI after users created material including a fake video of her facing a sexual attack.

The war is spilling onto Iraqi soil, with Iran appearing to test Trump's fragile pause on US strikes.

The new leader's early pledges include an October cut to electricity VAT and returning the English bus fare cap to £2.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, claims at least 6,500 rapists, killers and paedophiles could leave prison under the scheme by 2 September.

Shares dropped up to 6.5 percent on Tuesday after the miniature wargames maker reported increased expenses.

Benchmark crude extended its slide on Tuesday, with Brent falling to around $86 a barrel to mark a one-week low.

Oman has put forward a new regional plan for the Strait of Hormuz that would stop Iran from having sole control over the key trade route.

The British lender launched a new £1bn share buyback after its profit jumped 17 per cent in the first half of the year.

Illegal hare coursing gangs have grown tenfold across England's farmland, police say.

Train drivers are considering strike action due to inadequate toilet facilities and breaks, a year after the rail regulator instructed operators to make improvements.

Almost 305,000 doses of the morning-after pill were given out at pharmacies in England between October 2025 and March 2026.

Sat Bains, who runs a two-star Michelin restaurant, said reducing the 20% tax would help struggling hospitality businesses.

Hackers broke into a support platform used by EY and stole client tax documents over two weeks in spring.

Conservationists are heartbroken after a quarrying company covered wildflower areas at Hoe Grange Quarry with soil in January.

Budget airline easyJet is releasing millions of new flight seats for 2027 summer holidays on Tuesday, July 28.

Nearly 305,000 doses of the emergency contraceptive pill were dispensed free at English pharmacies from October 2025 to March 2026.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a 10% "death tax" on all estates to fund a new National Care Service in England.

Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has ordered conservation measures for Lough Neagh's European eels, now classed as critically endangered.

Samsung Electronics shares fell as much as 13.4% and SK Hynix dropped up to 14% on Tuesday as Asian chip stocks slid.

Former Hong Kong opposition lawmaker Wu Chi-wai has won permission to remain in the UK for six months after border detention and a deportation threat, his lawyer confirmed on Monday.

Prince William posted a personally signed message on Monday calling the wildfires burning across France, Spain and Scotland's Cairngorms an example of an increasingly extreme climate.

England's netball team beat Malawi 73-38 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Monday, bouncing back from a heavy defeat by world number one side Australia earlier in the tournament.

A wildfire southwest of Bordeaux was around nine miles from the French city's outskirts on Monday, prompting mayor Thomas Cazenave to warn of further evacuations.

Johnson & Johnson proposed a $5.5 billion deal on Monday to resolve about 69,000 US lawsuits claiming its talc powder caused ovarian cancer.

Charli XCX hopes "Music, Fashion, Film" will become her second chart-topping album of 2024.

Many women with ADHD are undiagnosed as their symptoms, like being very chatty or internally restless, differ from typical hyperactivity.

A new study revealed a substantial increase in an individual's own risk of developing dementia if their spouse is afflicted with the condition.

St Helens will be the first area to see a new direct bus service to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and more frequent weekend routes.

The amount of money lost to fare evasion on the Tube and Elizabeth line is nearly equivalent to the £168 million TfL anticipated from recent fare increases.

Labour politician Andy Burnham was pictured in a close embrace with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, marking his first significant appearance on the global stage.

A conflagration in the grassy areas of Woodgate Valley Country Park prompted the deployment of approximately 40 firefighters, with visible smoke plumes ascending.

Andy Burnham will tell schools in England to tailor curriculums to local business needs from September 2028.

Andy Burnham has appointed Bridget Phillipson as Labour Party chair, tasking her with driving "culture change" within the party.

With a 6-1 win over China's Liu Linhao, Ronnie O'Sullivan opened the 2026 Shanghai Masters in the first round on Monday.

Ben Sandilands, 21, won the 1500m T20 final in 3 minutes 57 seconds at Scotstoun Stadium on Monday, Team Scotland's first athletics gold of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Scotland's Keanna MacInnes won silver in the women's 100m butterfly on day four of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Monday, clocking 57.33 seconds.

Oxford University researchers found industrial chicken farming has driven a hundredfold rise in Campylobacter bacteria spreading between wild birds and commercial flocks.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new technical education pathways for 14-year-olds starting in September 2028, combining core subjects with job-linked skills training.