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What Andy Burnham’s new-look Cabinet tells us about Britain’s direction – POLITICO Skip to main content
LONDON — Wes Streeting will become the U.K.’s new defense secretary, Downing Street announced, as Andy Burnham unveiled his new Cabinet after becoming prime minister. Streeting take over less than six weeks after predecessor Dan Jarvis, who was appointed amid a fierce row within government over defense spending, was named to the job. Jarvis was responsible for delivering the government’s long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, which allocated money to the capabilities needed to deal with the biggest threats to the U.K. over the next four years. While he managed to secure extra funding for defense as part of the plan, much…
The celebration of Spain’s World Cup victory ended in tragedy in Ciudad Rodrigo (Salamanca), where a 13-year-old boy died, and three other people were seriously injured when a fountain collapsed after supporters climbed onto it. After the final whistle and Spain’s victory over Argentina, sealed with a goal from Ferran Torres, hundreds of thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate the title. In Ciudad Rodrigo, one of the main gathering points was the Árbol Gordo fountain. At the height of the celebrations, the upper part of the fountain gave way and fell onto several people on the structure.…
World Cup champions Spain began their open-top bus parade through the streets of Madrid on Monday evening, as more than one million fans turned out to celebrate. The victory parade is making its way through the Spanish capital, where thousands of supporters are greeting the team with chants of “España, España” and a sea of mobile phones held aloft to capture the moment. Supporters pack Madrid’s streets Hundreds of thousands of supporters filled the streets of Madrid on Monday to celebrate Spain’s World Cup victory with the national team. According to the Government Delegation, more than one million people lined…
The European Commission has proposed waiving penalties linked to the bloc’s methane rules for three years. Industry and top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters have been pressuring Brussels over its burdensome reporting requirements, which they said could affect exports to the European Union. EU member states adopted methane rules in May 2024, introducing the bloc’s first framework for measuring, reporting and verifying methane emissions in the energy sector as part of efforts to curb one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Failure to honor such requests would incur penalties, which would start applying in 2027. But on Monday, the Commission…
As Cabinet Office minister, Thomas-Symonds also had responsibility for other policy areas including public inquiries and civil service reform. His departure comes at a key time for negotiations between Britain and the EU. Before Starmer’s resignation, a U.K.-EU summit had been scheduled for Wednesday July 22 to round off talks on issues like an agri-food agreement, youth mobility scheme, and emissions trading deal. Starmer had also planned to use the meeting as a launchpad for a closer relationship with the bloc. The meeting was postponed upon Starmer’s resignation and is now expected to be rescheduled for later this year —…
By Greta Ruffino with AFP Published on 20/07/2026 – 20:15 GMT+2 Iceland has “nothing to lose” by negotiating with the European Union over membership, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday, as the country prepares for a referendum on restarting talks to join the bloc. “The vote on August 29 does not prejudge anything. Iceland has absolutely nothing to lose by negotiating with the European Union,” Barrot said on a visit to Reykjavik. Icelanders will vote on 29 August, more than a decade after negotiations were suspended. The referendum comes as US President Donald Trump continues to insist to take control of…
Riot police used water cannon and moved through the streets of Buenos Aires on Sunday after protests broke out following Argentina’s World Cup defeat to Spain. The video shows officers walking alongside an armoured vehicle, confronting people gathered in the street and spraying water at protesters. Argentina had been hoping to retain the World Cup title and become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back tournaments. However, Lionel Messi’s side lost 1-0 to Spain after a tense final that went into extra time. The scenes in the capital came as some supporters reacted angrily to the result.…
By Greta Ruffino with AP Published on 20/07/2026 – 18:06 GMT+2 Kevin Keegan, the two-time Ballon d’Or-winning footballer who captained and managed England and won the European Cup with Liverpool, has died at the age of 75. Keegan revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75,” family statement reads. “Kevin had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.” “A double Ballon D’or winner, Kevin was a much loved husband, father and grandfather.…
Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthis on Monday announced they are imposing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for a blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on Sanaa International Airport, threatening another vital waterway for global shipping and raising fears of renewed conflict. A Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said in a video statement that the maritime ban against Saudi Arabia will be effective immediately, describing it as an “equation of ‘an eye for an eye.'” The Houthis did not specify how the embargo would be enforced, but the deputy head of the Houthi media office, Nasruddin Amer, said on…