News 20/07/26

A twenty-eight-year-old man from Rotherham has been charged with the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe.

Joshua Kerry was arrested in Yorkshire on suspicion of murder after Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday the ninth of July after suffering serious injuries. He was later rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism before being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Andy Burnham has named John Healey as chancellor in his first cabinet appointment.

The former defence secretary takes on the crucial role, while Ed Miliband has been chosen as foreign secretary. Shabana Mahmood remains as home secretary, having arrived at Downing Street alongside Miliband. Louise Haigh returns to cabinet as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and cabinet office minister following her 2024 resignation.

Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, who trafficked substances into the US for the Sinaloa cartel, has been jailed for life.

The seventy-six-year-old was arrested in 2024 after being kidnapped in Mexico and flown to Texas. He pleaded guilty last year after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty, later apologizing to everyone affected by his actions.

Early casualties of Andy Burnham’s cabinet cull of Starmer loyalists staged an early show of defiance today.

When Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Steve Reed and Lord Hermer stood near Sir Keir Starmer during his valedictory speech, their presence suggested they knew the game was up. Steve Reed left with a parting shot, writing he was disappointed to be leaving government.

Married at First Sight UK faces renewed pressure after Ofcom launched an official investigation into the show following a fairness and privacy complaint.

It comes after a BBC Panorama investigation in May revealed rape allegations from two female cast members, which the men involved deny. Ofcom complaints usually relate to claims of unfair treatment or privacy infringements.

Former English footballer and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of seventy-five.

In a statement, his family announced with immense sadness that the double Ballon D’or winner passed away following a battle with cancer, surrounded by his wife and daughters. Paying tribute to a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, his family also thanked his medical team for their incredible support.

Andy Burnham says he does not need to call a general election upon entering Downing Street.

Asked whether he would call one, the new prime minister stated that in a parliamentary democracy, commanding a majority in the House of Commons gives the legitimacy to lead. Burnham confirmed he will stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, promising to be bold and implement big changes coming from that manifesto.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino appears to have thrown the door wide open to an expanded sixty-four-team World Cup.

Reflecting a decade where more tournaments, games and money have been the focus, the proposal follows the new-look Club World Cup and a final half-time show that lasted over twenty-seven minutes and twenty-two seconds.

Sir Keir Starmer has declared “my work is done” and “I go with a smile” in his final speech as prime minister.

Speaking outside Downing Street before offering his resignation to the King at Buckingham Palace, Sir Keir said he would pass the baton to Andy Burnham. Joined by his wife Lady Victoria, he insisted the country is stronger and fairer than when Labour took office.

Prisons minister Lord James Timpson has resigned from the government.

The former CEO of the Timpson group was appointed in July 2024, with his arrival greeted as radical and innovative by some in the Labour Party. In a departing statement seen by the BBC, Lord Timpson said it was an honour to serve in the post.

A 3D-printed battery developed at Queen’s University Belfast could make a genuine impact on the road to net zero, according to researchers.

Flow batteries are key to scaling up renewable energy, but are expensive and typically rely on vanadium, which is produced in few places globally. Scientists at QUB have now developed a version based on iron, which is much easier to source.

Andy Burnham will promise to give people more breathing room when he gives his first speech as prime minister outside Downing Street today.

He is expected to say he is acutely conscious of the UK’s high turnover of leaders, arguing that politics needs to be more stable. Burnham will officially replace Sir Keir Starmer to become the country’s fifty-ninth prime minister following a meeting with King Charles.

The US military says it has completed its ninth consecutive evening of airstrikes against Iranian targets.

US Central Command confirmed the strikes hit command centres, air defences, and missile sites. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim two oil tankers exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging the vessels were encouraged by the US to use an unsafe route.

Andrew and Tristan Tate are being held in solitary confinement following their arrest in Miami, according to their lawyer.

Joe McBride said the social media influencers are being kept in a small cell as political prisoners on American soil. The brothers were taken into custody after the UK issued an extradition request involving thirty-eight new charges.

Spain have won the World Cup after scoring a late extra-time winner against Argentina.

Donald Trump handed Spain the trophy on stage, lingering alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the celebrations. The Spanish players continued their cheers regardless, taking turns thrusting the trophy into the air to celebrate their victory.