SAL-9000 News Digest — Tuesday 21 July 2026

Ann Widdecombe was hit on head 21 times with hammer, prosecutors say

Joshua Kerry, 28, attacked Widdecombe while she was eating lunch at her home in Devon before stealing her wallet, prosecutors say.

London-based civil servants offered move to No 10 North in Manchester

London-based civil servants willing to move north have been told they will be offered relocation packages, the BBC understands.

Parts of the UK move closer to drought

Eight areas across England are now in prolonged dry weather – the stage before drought.

Thames Water announces hosepipe ban for 10 million

The water company said the three heatwaves contributed to the ban.

Family of woman who lay dead in crash for days confronts mechanic who falsified MOT

Police swoop in after row erupts between Neil Lewis and family of Darcy Ross in Cardiff.

New defence secretary hits out at Russia after live-fire exercise 40 miles off UK coast

New defence secretary Wes Streeting has criticised a live-fire military exercise carried out by a Russian warship around 40 nautical miles (46 miles) off the British coast, calling it "performative and irresponsible".

Monkey found abandoned in laundry bag on bus

A monkey found abandoned in a laundry bag on a London bus has had a happy ending after being rehomed to a sanctuary.

Woman dies and man arrested following disturbance at property

A woman has died following a disturbance at a property in Edinburgh.

'Climate change is happening' warns Swinney as Cairngorms wildfire continues

Scotland's first minister has paid tribute to all those tackling the wildfire within the UK's largest national park.

Man who tried to sneak through airport with £430,000 cannabis haul hidden inside luggage jailed

A man who tried to sneak through Glasgow Airport with £430,000 worth of cannabis hidden inside his luggage has been jailed for a year.

Italy’s Meloni slams protesters following clashes in Bologna

PM pledges probe into death of Moroccan man under police restraint, condemns violence as protests injure 56 officers.

UK PM Burnham: ‘We need to be a cost-of-living government’

At his first cabinet meeting as UK prime minister, Burnham told ministers they must be a "cost-of-living government".

FIFA ‘destroying football’ for the World Cup, says Spanish football chief

In a scathing interview, La Liga President Javier Tebas says FIFA chief Gianni Infantino’s time is 'over'.

Israel has ‘no interest’ in joining US war on Iran, says Smotrich

Israeli Finance Minister says Israel has "no interest" in joining the renewed US military campaign against Iran.

Saudi condemns Houthi blockade: How will the rest of the world be impacted?

Saudi Arabia has condemned the Houthi naval blockade that could impact oil flow to importers of Saudi oil.

Breezin’ through Burnley: A Libyan artist’s love for the blues

Breezin’ through Burnley: A Libyan artist’s love for the blues Hasan Dhaimish - known as 'The Cleaver' - was famous for satirical cartoons depicting Muammar Gaddafi, but he also had a passion for jazz

Sexual harassment: Displaced Yemeni women accuse villagers of abuse

Sexual harassment: Displaced Yemeni women accuse villagers of abuse For women who have had to flee Yemen's cities, life in conservative countryside feels like 'prison' MEE correspondent Thu, 08/18/2

The write stuff: How ancient Arabic scripts are coming back to life

The write stuff: How ancient Arabic scripts are coming back to life As calligraphy undergoes a 21st-century renaissance, devotees are putting in the time to learn the ancient kufic art. Olivia Cuthbert

This doctor is giving life back to female Yazidi victims of Islamic State

This doctor is giving life back to female Yazidi victims of Islamic State Despite threats on her own life, Nagham Nawzat has provided essential support to more than 1,000 women. Sebastian Castelier

Illegal abortion in Lebanon: 'I couldn't comprehend how painful it was'

Illegal abortion in Lebanon: 'I couldn't comprehend how painful it was' Despite the risks, thousands of women in Lebanon undergo the banned procedure every year Virginie Le Borgne Thu, 09/20/2018 - 17

NEWS CAPSULE

News in review

ACROSS AMERICA

Capitol idea - Sacramento, CA

Steel industry fortunes revive on price rise

Steel industries in China have witnessed a revival of fortunes during the first nine months of this year and are on track to continue the performance into the first few months of next year also, experts said on Wednesday

World Cleanup Day features creative ways of picking up trash

BEIJING - More than 100,000 volunteers in 132 cities spent a weekend picking up plastic and other waste across the country, in a joint worldwide effort to clean up the planet.

Cui: US accusations 'groundless'

In the escalating trade tensions with China, US officials have repeatedly accused Beijing of stealing intellectual property and forcing technology transfers, and US Vice-President Mike Pence earlier this month said much

Hong Kong clerk says normal life ‘ended’ after taxi hit her during 2019 protest

A Hong Kong kindergarten clerk who was seriously injured by a taxi during the 2019 anti-government protests has told the High Court she has been unable to resume a normal life, citing ongoing mobility limitations, extens

Hong Kong police arrest 991 in crackdown on illegal gambling during World Cup

Hong Kong police arrested 991 people and discovered betting records amounting to HK$365 million (US$46.5 million) during a crackdown on illegal gambling during the World Cup. The force said on Tuesday that it raided 249

Another ‘DeepSeek moment’? What China’s Kimi K3 means for the global AI industry

The launch of Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 has revived an intense debate that has raged in Silicon Valley ever since DeepSeek’s shock breakthrough last year: whether China can overcome its limited access to advanced chips to ma

The US mounts pressure across 3 maritime flashpoints. How should China respond?

Chinese researchers have called for more coordination among the country’s maritime authorities to counter an American strategy that has put pressure on Beijing across three critical waterways in the first island chain. B

Ann Widdecombe death: UK ex-minister was struck with hammer 21 times

The ⁠man accused of murdering former ⁠government minister Ann Widdecombe struck her 21 times on the top of her head with a hammer during the attack at her home earlier this ‌month, prosecutors told a London court on Tues

South African group investigates deaths attributed to initiation rites

A South African rights commission has announced an investigation after 43 boys and young men died during traditional initiation rites Read Full Article at RT.com

Ukraine behind drone strikes on Kazakh oil tankers – Moscow

Ukraine was behind drone strikes on tankers carrying Kazakh oil via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s export route, Moscow says Read Full Article at RT.com

Who is Ed Miliband, net-zero zealot and now British foreign secretary?

Downing Street has named former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as Britain’s new foreign secretary Read Full Article at RT.com

US Ebola center operating in Kenya despite court ban – activists

Kenyan activists have called the quarantine of seven foreigners at a US-backed Ebola facility unacceptable and a violation of court orders Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia will keep striking ships carrying weapons to Ukraine – Kremlin

The Kremlin has said Russia will continue to targeting vessels used to transport weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian forces Read Full Article at RT.com

Role of agent under probe in alleged child trafficking, say Ernakulam Railway police

KSOU to offer admission for 65 different courses this year

Rahul, Priyanka, Akhilesh detained from near PM's residence, Sonia reaches Mandir Marg PS; thousands regroup at CJP's Jantar Mantar protest site | LIVE

Govt wasted our time, says Dipke on talks between Nadda, CJP team; Sonam Wangchuk shifted to Medanta Hospital