2026/08/21 Daily Edition

Volume of goods sold in stores and online dropped 0.5% in July, ONS says Business live – latest updates Retail sales across Great Britain weakened last month despite the men’s football World Cup and record temperatures boosting the demand for food and drink. The Office for National Statistics said the volume of goods sold in stores and online fell 0.5% in July. That is down from 0.7% rise in June – revised down from initial estimates of 1% – and a 1.3% rise in May...

In August, the government told the Lok Sabha that the ethanol blending programme had helped save around ₹2 lakh crore in foreign exchange. However, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, have launched campaigns against E20, saying it harms vehicles and that the government is forcing it on people

The former PM and seven of his ministers have added to the collection, which began in 1931.

Five people are missing after a fire broke out in the Swiss town of Thusis, local police have said.

The TV presenter and author on the evolutionary biologists who inspired her, the genius of George Eliot – and fun with Frog and Toad My earliest reading memory The first books I remember were from The Village with Three Corners series Sheila K McCullagh. I loved the – literally – colourful characters, like Johnny Yellow Hat. I was reading with my Grandma, in her garden perhaps, sitting on a small patio, surrounded by bright begonias and busy lizzies. My favourite book growing up Arnold Lobel’s wonderful Frog and Toad stories. Toad would get himself tied up in knots, trying to find a button or fly a kite, but Frog was always there – a constant, caring and funny friend. I enjoyed reading these stories to my own children when they were young, and we still sometimes go back and revisit them. They’re so full of humour, heart and simple humanism...

Boxing’s most mercurial star is putting an old friendship aside as he moves up to 147lb to challenge Rolly Romero for the welterweight title he won against Ryan Garcia For more than a decade, Teófimo López’s friendship with Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero endured through amateur tournaments, Las Vegas sparring sessions and the mismatched peaks and troughs of two volatile careers. That friendship ended, López says, the moment they signed to fight one another. On Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena along the Vegas Strip, the 29-year-old López will challenge for Romero’s World Boxing Association welterweight title. The former lightweight and junior-welterweight champion is moving up to 147lb in pursuit of a belt in a third division. For Romero, himself a three-weight belt-holder after stacking titles at 135lb and 140lb, a victory would add another marquee name to a résumé transformed by last year’s upset of Ryan Garcia. The fight will be broadcast globally on Dazn pay-per-view and will see the champion go off as a roughly 2-1 underdog...

Biennial tournament could launch as early as 2028 Confederations are seeking to oust Gianni Infantino Uefa and Concacaf have begun talks about setting up a combined Nations League tournament featuring all 96 European and North and Central American and Caribbean countries, in another direct challenge to Fifa. The Guardian has learned that having come together to push for Gianni Infantino’s removal in the light of the World Cup sell-off controversy, the two confederations are now working on creating their own biennial tournament, which could launch as early as 2028 after the next European Championship...

The ex-wrestler replaces Ryan Hurst as Kratos in the upcoming adaptation of the popular PlayStation series.

Monaco won 3-2 away at Gornik Zabrze in the first leg of their Conference League play-off. Mika Biereth opened the scoring before Lamine Camara doubled Monaco’s lead after the break. Paris Brunner then restored the visitors’ advantage after the Polish side had twice reduced the deficit. Filipe Luis's side take a one-goal lead into next Thursday’s second leg at the Stade Louis-II.

US drugmakers Merck and Moderna said Wednesday a personalised cancer treatment had shown success in reducing the recurrence of melanoma tumors in a late-stage trial hailed by experts as a "breakthrough." Researchers have for years been trying to apply mRNA treatments against cancer, but this was the first time such a drug showed positive results in a large, late-stage clinical trial.

She is a near-constant presence at US President Donald Trump's side, but until recently his ultra-loyal aide Natalie Harp had managed to stay out of the spotlight. That has all changed since it emerged the 35-year-old was one of a handful of people who secretly swapped from Air Force One with Trump in Turkey after a security threat. The blonde executive assistant to the president was then mentioned by a Democratic senate hopeful, in comments that set the internet alight – and incensed the White House.

Torrential rainfall had led to flash flooding in parts of New York City.

Activists and opponents ⁠of Tunisian President Kais ​Saied took to the streets of Tunis on Thursday, calling for his departure ​and the restoration of democracy in the latest protest against his governance amid growing political and economic discontent. Hundreds of protesters said they reject "one-man rule" and "a slide towards dictatorship," ​and urged ‌the release of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists. FRANCE 24's Lilia Blaise reports.

A summer swim in wild waters can bring escape and exhilaration. Here are six places on state and national park land across the United States to backstroke, butterfly or just beat the heat.

Why is the car race in this part of D.C.? Will it be streaming? Who's paying for it? Here's what to know before the Freedom 250 Grand Prix hits the National Mall this weekend.

Experts warn Trump's transactional approach to alliance will erode political trust

Rescue teams no longer enter the city of Lyman, in eastern Ukraine, because it is deemed too dangerous. The only way out is a terrifying journey on foot.

After wildfires the group painted an image bearing the words "Our house is on fire, Andy".

Americans say they hate prying cameras. But they can’t look away.

In a rare interview, the onetime political outcast reflects on her route from “the uncomfortable side of history” to the threshold of leading Italy’s most durable postwar government.

The Italian prime minister is leading what will soon be the longest-lasting government in the country’s postwar history. She shows herself by turns funny and fierce in a rare interview.

Police allege Australian-Russian citizen joined Ukrainian military seeking to send information to Russian intelligence.

The 'unacceptable' E1 plan carries 'legal and reputational consequences' for those participating, European nations warn.

Elena Rybakina's Cincinnati withdrawal raises concerns over the fitness of the world number two ahead of US Open.

British regulators are investigating Al-Khair Foundation after U.S. prosecutors accused a man affiliated with the group of funding terrorism.

The collection documents key moments in Gandhi’s freedom movement as well as his personal relationship with close aide.

On 23 August, it will be 100 days since the Bundibugyo strain was first reported. How did it became the DRC’s most deadly outbreak and what must be done to stop it becoming the world’s largest? Almost 100 days ago, Africa’s public health watchdog reported an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There have now been almost 5,000 cases and more than 2,000 deaths since 15 May, making this Ebola outbreak the biggest and most deadly in the DRC’s history...

Ebola virus, hantavirus and the pathogen that causes Covid-19 likely jumped from animals to humans. So do these viruses — and scientists say climate change is speeding their spread.

Slovenian is aiming to become the ninth rider to win all three Grand Tours, and it doesn’t look like anyone can stop him Who’s coming second? That’s the question being most frequently asked as the peloton convenes for the final Grand Tour of 2026, the Vuelta a España, which rolls away from the start line in Monaco on Saturday. The unrelenting Tadej Pogacar, making his first appearance in the Spanish race since 2019, is the overwhelming favourite to take the top spot on the podium in Granada on 13 September, with his cowed rivals already seemingly accepting of his supremacy...

Russia has begun importing fuel as Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and depots cause shortages.

Stocks fell and bond yields jumped on Thursday. The Treasury Department is trying to keep a lid on government borrowing costs but with limited success so far.

⚽ All the latest football news, comment and previews ⚽ This weekend’s fixtures | Read Football Daily | Mail Tom Why not start the day right with some transfer tittle-tattle? There’s some tasty morsels in today’s Rumour Mill, including this little treat: After Vinícius Júnior signed a shiny new deal at Real Madrid, Arsenal are having to look elsewhere for a new winger. Turkey’s Kenan Yildizm who plies his trade with Juventus, is of interest to Mikel Arteta and the Gunners hierarchy. One potential way of getting the deal done is to send Gabriel Martinelli in the opposite direction...

Cyclist Josh Tarling will ride in a Spainish event just eight days after his younger brother Finlay died when he was hit by a car during the Volta a Portugal.

After a first Test win in Australia in the series opener, Bangladesh expect a backlash in second match in Mackay.

Report says ‘solar bonds’ could fund wider access to clean energy, reducing household bills Solar panels could be cheaper for people on lower incomes if the government stepped in to reduce the cost of loans, a report argues. Solar panel installations can save households hundreds of pounds a year in energy bills, but at an initial cost of about £5,000 to £10,000 they are beyond the reach of many households...

The couple lost their publicly funded security after deciding to leave Britain in 2020, deepening their split with the royal family.

Unprecedented downpours cause deaths, evacuations and transport chaos. Plus, Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii South Korea and Japan were hit by extreme rainfall late last week and into this week. On 13 August in the city of Chiba near Tokyo there was a record-breaking 115mm of rainfall in just one hour, while the nearby city of Sakura broke its own record with 97mm in one hour. A level five emergency warning for heavy rain was issued by local authorities – the highest alert level and the first time one has been issued since the system was implemented in May. More than 100,000 households were asked to evacuate, with more than 20,000 in the Chiba prefecture left without power, while thousands of people were stranded at Tokyo’s Narita airport. Thirteen people have been confirmed dead, at least three of whom were found trapped inside their vehicles, with one person still missing...

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Peru on Thursday, injuring three people and damaging at least 22 homes, six schools and 12 medical centres, according to preliminary assessments. The quake was also felt in Lima and several other parts of the country.

The Delhi Police barricade the area and close gates of Parliament Street police station as Congress party workers and supporters attempt to get inside, raising slogans

Carolus Winfridus was asleep when an earthquake struck off Indonesia’s island of Flores, as he was awoken by intense rumbling and saw his wardrobe doors flying open. He and his family quickly scrambled for a way out of their house in the town of Maumere, Sikka Regency, one of nine regencies hit by Saturday’s devastating 7.7-magnitude quake that killed almost 80 people and displaced nearly 100,000. Survivors and officials describe how blocked roads, power cuts and relentless aftershocks have...

The official death toll from Typhoon Maysak’s devastating floods in southern China jumped from 39 to 159 on Friday, as authorities updated the figures for the first time in six weeks. According to media briefings held in Nanning and Guigang in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, 10 people remained missing and the disaster affected more than 1.65 million people, state news agency Xinhua reported. The typhoon triggered “historically rare, large-scale and persistent heavy rainfall” in the province in...

Separate deals worth a combined £160m Summer spending on De Zerbi’s squad nears £400m Manchester City are close to agreeing the transfer of Savinho to Tottenham for £85m, with a separate deal of around £75m for the arrival of Omar Marmoush from the FA Cup-winners to the north London club also being worked on. Savinho signed for the City Football Group in summer 2022 for 40m euros (£30.8m), first joining Troyes, so the prospective sale of the 22-year-old for £85m represents a near £55m profit for City’s owners. After loans at PSV and Girona, the Brazilian joined City two years ago but the winger failed to establish himself as a first-choice under Pep Guardiola, the former manager...

‘Unprecedented’ weather pattern over Pacific Ocean to be felt worldwide with severe droughts expected in southern hemisphere The El Niño event developing over the Pacific Ocean is likely to be the strongest for more than a 100 years, the UK’s Met Office has said. Increased rainfall and storms are forecast to hit the UK this autumn as a result of the “unprecedented” weather pattern, which will also cause severe droughts in the southern hemisphere, the Met Office warned...

Ex-Australia batter Hussey said he was informally approached by Stephen Flemming, England's new red-ball coach.

Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home while a mother and her children were sleeping inside.

Chancellor John Healey said the government is 'committed to meeting our fiscal rules'

Social media fosters empathy and awareness, but cannot replace evidence-based treatment or formal psychological care.

The SHANTI Act opens the civil nuclear sector in India to private companies and joint ventures, allowing them to build, own and operate nuclear plants, decommission them, and take up nuclear research and development

Philharmonia Orchestra/Dudamel (Decca) There’s a cinematic flourish to many of Hopkins’ compositions, together with fine arrangements of Welsh tunes and pieces dedicated to family Anthony Hopkins has, it turns out, has been composing music all his life. Now, at the age of 88, the Welsh-born Hollywood actor makes his Decca debut, securing the services of LA Philharmonic’s outgoing music director Gustavo Dudamel to bring his music to life. So, what does an Oscar winner sound like? Not surprisingly, there’s a significant cinematic influence, inspired by the music that caught the attention of a lad growing up in Margam, a suburb of Port Talbot. The opening Fanfare and March is a catchy, Technicolor splash, like everything here harmonious and written from the heart. Ditto the Khachaturian-flavoured Two Pieces for Orchestra. Welsh roots are honoured too: My Fatherland, featuring six traditional tunes, four sung in Welsh, would not seem out of place at the Last Night of the Proms...

Norway’s world No 1 outclassed the field and won the $250,000 first prize at the four-day event in France Magnus Carlsen, Norway’s world No 1, triumphed again last weekend when he won the 2026 Esports World Cup, staged over four days at the prestigious venue of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Carlsen retained his title from Riyadh 2025 and took home a monster first prize of $250,000 (£183,000). The time limit was close to blitz, 10 minutes each per player with no per move increment, a format where blunders would be hoped for, and were indeed made, as entertainment for the capacity audience...

A crackdown on time wasting, a record number of new people in charge, and some new faces on Match of the Day The 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on Friday and while the familiar rivalries return, the English top flight has some alterations this campaign. From evolved rules to new faces and broadcast changes, there is plenty to catch up on before a ball is kicked. Marco Rose – Bournemouth Xabi Alonso – Chelsea Pierre Sage – Crystal Palace Álvaro Arbeloa – Fulham Gary O’Neil - Ipswich Town Andoni Iraola – Liverpool Enzo Maresca- Manchester City Matthias Jaissle – Newcastle Oliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest..

British YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly will face a retrial on allegations he raped a woman in Australia almost two years ago.

Court to rule on whether five activists accused of vandalising a Barclays bank will face terrorism sentencing.

Eight others were injured, local police say, with the cause of the fire still being investigated.

The crucial waterway's operator says low rainfall caused by the ocean pattern had led to the decision.

Rolling coverage of the latest events in global financial markets, the economy and major corporate moves Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy. Retail sales fell in July after a bumper period the previous month, despite the World Cup luring punters into pubs and the hot weather boosting alcoholic drink sales in supermarkets. 7am BST: ONS retail sales data 7am BST: ONS public finances 9am BST: Flash PMI eurozone 9.30am BST: UK flash PMI 2.45pm BST: US flash PMI..

July data shows total public debt was £2.98tn, or 94% of GDP – up £96bn on a year earlier The UK government ran a larger than expected £1.8bn deficit in July, underlining the challenges facing the chancellor, John Healey, as he draws up his first budget. City economists had expected a shortfall of zero for July, a month when Treasury receipts tend to be swollen by self-assessment income tax payments...

3% hike offer is inadequate to compensate for the prevailing inflation, says APJUDA, adding that it has been assured of another round of talks

On Great Nicobar Island, local Nicobarese communities are already opposing the Union government’s ₹91,000 crore mega-infrastructure project that involves building an airport, a transshipment port, and a tourism-led township

A teasing tale of the friendship between a writer and an actor explores the fallout from fame, and the blurring between pretence and reality M is a celebrated film actor. A star since childhood, now the face of a major fashion brand, she has been famous all her life. That her career closely resembles Natalie Portman’s has been gleefully seized upon by the press, something Rachel Cusk must surely have anticipated: in the novel, M’s first film has its sex scenes cut at her mother’s insistence, as happened with Portman’s 1994 debut Leon, while her ballerina movie is recognisably Black Swan. M is also, in the words of the nameless and genderless narrator of Life of M, “a good sport”. When the narrator suggests writing M’s autobiography, M likes the idea. “Would you just make it up?” she asks. A celebrity autobiography is seldom the work of the celebrity herself. And yet any suggestion that the narrator will serve as a kind of ghostwriter to M is dispensed with in a few pages. The pair meet for coffee at a luxury hotel and, after the narrator’s partner falls suddenly and seriously ill, for lunch in a restaurant. The lunch is unsatisfactory, an attempt at intimacy that the narrator acknowledges afterwards to have been a mistake. Though M is determined to live as normal a life as possible (“her personal task is to become real, or rather to acquire some reality”), the narrator is uncomfortably aware of their own falseness with M: “It was as if I was acting, while M came across as authentic and real. It was as if she was the only one good enough at acting to attain reality.” After that the two of them do not see one another again “for a long time”...