🇬🇧 United Kingdom fact checks
UK claims checked against government publications and trusted British outlets.
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Applications open for 2026 to 2027 Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK
Indian students can apply for the UK government’s flagship international scholarships programme from 4 August to 6 October 2026.
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Trump slams oil companies for ‘making too much money’ from his war on Iran
US president hits out at ExxonMobil and Chevron, saying they should ‘give some of that back to the public’ Business live – latest updates Donald Trump has criticised oil companies for “making too much money” from the global energy market disruption caused by his war on Iran. Brent crude had been trading at about $70 (£52) a barrel before the first US-Israeli strikes at the end of February, but by the end of April had soared as high as $126 and is now trading at about $85 a barrel. Continue readi
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Change to the definition of regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026
From 1 September 2026, the supervision exemption for regulated activity with children is removed. Find out what this means for your organisation.
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
About 1,000 fewer prisoners to get early release as Burnham tightens rules
Justice secretary says ministers would have liked to block more but doing so would cause prison system to ‘break’ UK politics live – latest updates About 1,000 fewer prisoners will be released early after Andy Burnham’s intervention to exclude those convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming from the scheme. The justice secretary, Alex Norris, said 5,000 prisoners would be released over 10 months from October in England and Wales, down from the government’s original plan for 6
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Mother of PC Harper ‘bitterly disappointed’ that son’s killers remain eligible for early release – UK politics live
Government revises plans to tackle prison overcrowding amid pressure from MPs and victims but domestic abusers and killers could still be released early Prisoners serving time for some sexual or violent offences where the automatic release stage is set at two-thirds will become eligible for release at the halfway point, provided they have not committed serious breaches of prison rules, as my colleagues note in this story . This applies to two of PC Harper’s killers – Jessie Cole and Albert Bower
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Hungary comes ‘within millimetres’ of shutting down nuclear power plant amid drought crisis – Europe live
PM Péter Magyar says country nearly forced into decision as extreme heat and low water levels in Danube pose challenges in region in Brussels Over in Brussels, after a weekend of backbiting over the response to the mass border crossings in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, EU ministers will seek to present a more unified front – and signal tougher security at Europe’s frontiers. “There is some concern that the regularisation of 1.2m people can be used to paint a picture that the door is open.” Conti
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Applications for 2027/2028 Chevening Türkiye awards are now open
Türkiye applications for 2027/2028 Chevening Scholarships are now open and will close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 (UTC)
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Tuesday briefing: Inside the right’s heated climate-denial debate
In today’s newsletter: A small chorus of right-leaning critics are trying to convince politicians that climate action is deeply unpopular, downplaying its seriousness in the process Good morning. Half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, wildfires have burned through parts of the Cairngorms, Suffolk and the Isle of Wight, and reservoirs are running low . Farmers have warned that there could soon be food shortages, and the Royal Horticultural Society is considering moving its hy
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Metro Bank customer fights for £14,000 refund after AI-linked fraud
Lender was told money was being taken without authorisation, with cash used to buy credits for Claude chatbot A Metro Bank customer has told of his fight to get more than £14,000 back after its systems failed to stop a fraud involving the AI chatbot Claude. Zoli Rutter, a businessman from Sussex, had a total of £14,244 taken from his bank account. The scam involved fraudsters buying credits to use Claude. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Charity cyclist Bob Montgomery, 82, dies one day after 5,200km ride across Australia
Montgomery died in a single-vehicle crash in Sydney just one day after completing his latest fundraising cycling trip with his teenage grandson Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Bob Montgomery, a charity cyclist who has just finished a 5,200km bike ride from Broome to Bowral, died on Monday at the age of 82. His family confirmed his death on social media, saying he had died unexpectedly just a day after completing
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
‘Scott and Damien are afraid’: senior Liberal quizzed at Icac about former staffer’s message
NSW shadow attorney general, Damien Tudehope, tells inquiry Jean-Claude Perrottet had a talent for recruiting A senior New South Wales Liberal says the younger brother of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet had a “talent” for recruiting and renewing new members to the party, a corruption inquiry has heard. On Tuesday, Damien Tudehope, the NSW shadow attorney general and Liberal leader in the upper house, gave evidence as part of the Independent Commission Against Corruption ’s (Icac) Operat
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Nine Lives, the feral cat that terrorised New Zealand’s rare ducks, is caught after three years
Large tabby cat that wiped out dozens of rare pāteke, or brown teal, has been killed after eluding trappers with its ‘very erratic’ behaviour A notorious feral cat given the name “Nine Lives” because it eluded trappers for three years has been caught and killed in New Zealand, ending its devastating rampage against one of the country’s rare duck populations. The cat, a large grey tabby, is estimated to have killed dozens of New Zealand’s rarest mainland duck – or 1% of its population – plus a ho
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Three lions die of suspected heatstroke at Tokyo zoo as Japan swelters
Most of the zoo’s 16 lions have struggled to cope with high humidity this summer Three lions from a Tokyo zoo have died from suspected heatstroke and others are undergoing treatment, a spokesperson said on Tuesday, as the big cats struggle in Japan’s high levels of humidity. Japan sweltered through its hottest summer on record last year and parts of the country have hit 40C in recent weeks, qualifying for the new “cruelly hot day” designation . Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Approval of east London datacentre labelled ‘slap in the face’ for local democracy
Campaigners decry Angela Rayner’s backing for Brick Lane project that has only 11 affordable homes A £500m redevelopment of the Truman Brewery estate in Brick Lane, east London, has been approved, clearing the way for the construction of a datacentre, offices and apartments despite opposition from Tower Hamlets council and local campaign groups. The housing secretary, Angela Rayner, made the decision in a letter issued on her behalf last week by the housing minister Matthew Pennycook, rejecting
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Cancer survivors need protection from future discrimination, say German politicians
Campaigners say people who have had cancer face discrimination in areas including bank loans, adoption of children and insurance German politicians who have survived cancer have spearheaded proposals to protect people long in remission from what they call rampant discrimination in areas including bank loans, adoption of children and insurance. The policy known as “the right to be forgotten” (RTBF) is a central demand of a community estimated to number 5.5 million people in Germany: former cancer
- Developing34% confidenceAug 4, 2026
Public urged to avoid hospital unless ‘life might be in danger’ after record day for Sydney emergency departments
Winter flu season is putting pressure on the health system, with medical staff bracing for the ‘worst three weeks of the year’ Sick patients in New South Wales have been told to avoid the emergency room unless their life is at risk after a record day for winter presentations put the hospital system under strain. The New South Wales health minister, Ryan Park, said just under 10,000 people presented to emergency departments in Sydney on Monday, the “biggest ever recorded winter day in history”. I
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
More students to save from September as changes to 16-17 Saver railcard come in
From 17 August 2026, 16-17 Saver railcards will be valid for a full year from the purchase date and will not expire when the holder turns 18.
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Republican holdouts say they will back Todd Blanche for attorney general
Move comes after Blanche gives senators written assurance he will drop Trump’s $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund Two Republican senators who threatened to block Todd Blanche’s bid to permanently become attorney general announced they will advance his nomination after he confirmed in writing that a planned $1.8bn slush fund for Donald Trump’s allies was dead. The US Senate judiciary committee is due to vote on Tuesday on whether to approve the nomination of Blanche, who is already acting attorney ge
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Two people have died amid US cyclosporiasis outbreak, Michigan officials say
US sees first fatalities due to intestinal illness, though both had significant underlying health conditions Two people have died from cyclosporiasis in Michigan, the state’s health department said on Monday, marking the first fatalities in the largest US outbreak of the intestinal illness. Both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration, according to medical records. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Farage admits he discussed returning as Reform leader months earlier than previously stated
Admission may undermine Farage’s account of circumstances surrounding £5m gift from crypto billionaire UK politics live – latest updates Nigel Farage has admitted he held talks about the possibility of returning as Reform UK’s leader months before the 2024 general election, potentially undermining his own account of the circumstances in which he received a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire. It was reported at the weekend Farage had struck a deal with the party’s then leader, Richard Tice, and t
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Man jailed for keeping dead mother’s body in freezer and pocketing her benefits
Christopher Phillips, who had been his mother Sylvia’s primary carer since 2008, given two years and four months in prison A man has been jailed for keeping his dead mother’s body in a freezer at their shared home for almost three years, during which time he received more than £70,000 of her benefits and other funds. Christopher Phillips, 60, stored the body of Sylvia Phillips, a retired company secretary, in the chest freezer in the living room of their house in the south Wales seaside town of
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Trump promises new Iran talks as Tehran touts Hormuz shipping deal with Oman | First Thing
US president says he called off another US attack on Iran as part of a push for an agreement. Plus why Pokémon Go is still bring global joy ten years on Good morning. Donald Trump said talks with Iran would happen on Monday but declined to set a deadline for an agreement after earlier saying he had called off an imminent attack. For its part, Iran said it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the strait of Hormuz, and that it had no plans to receive a delegation or send an Irani
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly restaurant bombing in Moscow
Foreign ministry accuses Kyiv of carrying out attack reports say may have been aimed at air force chief Europe live – latest updates Russia has blamed Ukraine for a bombing at a restaurant in central Moscow that killed five people, amid growing speculation that a senior Russian military commander was the intended target. The explosion occurred on Saturday evening near the entrance to an upmarket Italian restaurant in one of the city’s seven Stalin-era skyscrapers on Kudrinskaya Square. Continue
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Phil Collins details serious alcoholism: ‘People were coming to say goodbye’
Pop and rock legend tells Sunday Times of drinking problem and ill health after final Genesis tour in 2021 Phil Collins has said that he suffered life-threatening alcoholism in recent years. Speaking to the Sunday Times , the pop and rock legend, 75, said that his drinking began after he stopped taking Antabuse, a drug that causes illness if alcohol is consumed, which he had been using since an earlier period of alcoholism. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Middle East crisis live: Iran denies Trump’s claims that talks due to take place
Iranian spokesperson says there are no plans to receive or send a delegation following US president’s assertion that talks would take place today Trump says Iran talks set for Monday Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Middle East. Esmaeil Baghaei , Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters at a weekly press briefing on Monday that Iran is not currently holding any talks with the US, Reuters reports – contradicting claims made by Donald Trump on Sunday night that talks with
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
AstraZeneca holds talks with Bristol Myers Squibb on $400bn merger
Tie-up would be one of the biggest-ever pharmaceutical deals and create the world’s fourth-largest drugmaker Business live – latest updates Britain’s biggest drugmaker AstraZeneca is understood to be in discussions to take over its US rival Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal that would create a near-$400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical group. AstraZeneca, run by Pascal Soriot, its longtime chief executive, is the second-biggest listed company in the UK, with a market value of nearly £196bn before the news
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
NHS mental health trust plans £25m in cuts to jobs and services
Body providing care in east London and Bedfordshire accused of ‘unfathomable and unacceptable’ move An NHS mental health trust plans to cut a wide range of its services and axe hundreds of jobs to close a £25m hole in its finances. The move by the East London foundation trust (ELFT) and the scale of potential cuts involved have been called unfathomable given demand for NHS mental health support is rising rapidly. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Two men seriously injured after Sydney building suddenly collapses
Another five people assessed by ambulance personnel after roof and wall cave in on Wattle St in Ultimo Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Two people have been pulled from debris after a building suddenly collapsed in a Sydney inner-city suburb. The men, aged in their 30s and 60s, were in a serious condition after being transported to hospital, Ambulance NSW said on Monday. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Alan Jones allegedly gifted cash and car to teenager he kissed after commenting on sprinter’s penis, trial hears
Former 2UE and 2GB radio broadcaster is facing 22 charges. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty Alan Jones trial live updates Warning: may contain graphic content A champion athlete who was 14 when he met Alan Jones has told a Sydney court the broadcaster befriended him after he broke a record, and went on to give him a mobile phone, a car and up to $600 a week. Complainant J gave evidence on Monday during the first day of Jones’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial at Sydney local court. Jo
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Blanche formally rescinds Trump’s $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponization fund’ ahead of nomination hearing
Todd Blanche issues formal order terminating measure widely derided as a ‘slush fund’, in move that could clear path for his nomination as attorney general Acting US attorney general Todd Blanche issued a formal order late on Sunday terminating Donald Trump’s $1.8bn “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies, a move that follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators who were blocking his nomination to become attorney general. While Blanche has repeatedly said publi
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
New Zealand legislation making English an official language ridiculed as ‘pathetic’
Passing of bill gives English same status as Māori and sign language but, with it already spoken by 95% of country, critics call it ‘a pointless exercise’ Legislation recognising English as an official language of New Zealand has been passed by parliament, prompting derision from linguists and legal experts and a now-viral broadside from a Māori MP who called it “pathetic”. The English language bill became law on 30 July giving English, which is spoken by 95% of the country, the same official st
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Massive Attack speak about ‘surreal experience’ of being banned from Singapore over Palestinian flag
British band say they are ‘proud to have made this impromptu expression with our fans in Singapore’, where open display of all foreign flags is banned Massive Attack have called being banned from Singapore a “surreal experience” after displaying a Palestinian flag during their show. On Wednesday, the English trip-hop collective – whose current lineup includes Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall – played a show at the Star theatre. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
One Nation unveils eight Victorian election candidates including former Liberal and anti-woke film animator
Local councillor who says he used to work on Daniel Andrews’ security team also part of upper house lineup for November’s state poll A former Liberal party candidate, the animator behind Pauline Hanson’s anti-woke film and a local councillor who says he worked on former premier Daniel Andrews’ personal protection team have been unveiled as One Nation candidates for the Victorian election. Pauline Hanson held a press conference on Monday to announce the eight candidates who will lead One Nation’s
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Malaysia cracks down on social media hiking trend after jump in numbers needing rescue
Officials are banning some ‘compressed hikes’ which involve walkers tackling demanding routes in short timeframes Malaysia’s government is tightening hiking rules nationwide after a social media trend left increasing numbers of adventurers needing to be rescued when they became lost or stranded in remote locations. In the first five months of 2026, Malaysia saw 52 cases of lost hikers, an increase of nearly 30% compared with the same period the previous year, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Depart
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
UK’s first ‘super-university’, merging Greenwich and Kent, to launch in September
The new London and South East University Group will be UK’s third largest higher education institution The UK’s first “super-university”, which will merge the universities of Greenwich and Kent, is set to launch in September. The new London and South East University Group, to be known as the LASEUG, will have more than 50,000 students on four campuses across London, Medway and Kent, making it the third largest higher education institution in the UK. Continue reading...
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
‘Stop all outdoor activities’: South Korea records its highest ever temperature
Authorities issue alert saying indoor spaces without airconditioning are ‘dangerous’ as temperatures pass 40C for fifth straight day South Korea has registered its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago, as authorities warned people to “immediately” stop all outdoor activities in affected areas. The south-eastern city of Yangsan saw the temperature reach 42.5C on Sunday afternoon, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, the highest temperature reported since
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Eastern Washington fires destroy 600 structures and force 60,000 to evacuate
Wildfires in and around Spokane have stretched ability of federal and local agencies to fight blazes Wildfires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area while destroying at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said on Sunday. The fires in and around Spokane, the state’s second largest city, burned about 8.2 sq miles (about 21 sq km), but they were among dozens across the western US that stretched the ability of federal, state
- Developing34% confidenceAug 3, 2026
Ariana Grande to take ‘a step back’ from public life due to ‘endless, ongoing scrutiny’
Singer was due to reunite with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in London production of Sunday in the Park With George Ariana Grande has announced plans to take a break from public-facing work after her tour ends due to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”. She is pulling out of the upcoming London revival of Sunday in the Park With George. The pop singer was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s critically acclaimed musical at the Barbic
- Developing34% confidenceAug 2, 2026
At least five Mohamed Al Fayed abuse survivors confirmed as human-trafficking victims
Decision comes after group of survivors claimed ex-Harrods owner’s associates must have helped facilitate his crimes At least five victims of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been confirmed by the Home Office as victims of human trafficking. A group of survivors of abuse by the deceased businessman had called for the Metropolitan police to make trafficking the main focus of its investigation, arguing that Fayed could not have committed his offences without a steady stream of women
- Developing34% confidenceAug 2, 2026
Artists, writers and scientists urge UK government to save Jodrell Bank Observatory
New Order and Simon Armitage among more than 100 signatories to criticise ‘foolish and shortsighted’ cuts More than 100 artists, writers and scientists have called for the UK government to save the “world’s clearest eyes on the sky”, after funding for thenetwork of radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank Observatory was slashed. New Order, the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and the poet laureate, Simon Armitage, are among those calling on the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, to save the deep space