The American Express Times
Thursday, July 2, 2026
US trade deal on medicines will cost the NHS £45bn
A new analysis predicts the UK NHS could face a £45 billion funding gap by 2036 due to higher drug costs mandated by the 2025 UK-US trade deal, potentially causing cuts to essential services and resulting in up to 229,000 excess deaths. This projected financial strain arises because the agreement requires the NHS to pay…
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Djoker Djokovic scares ball girl, then eyes McIlroy’s Green Jacket
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets at Wimbledon, advancing to face Arthur Rinderknech in the next round. The win brings Djokovic closer to…
Burnham will explore all options to deport leader of grooming gang
Andy Burnham, set to become Labour leader and prime minister, has vowed to exhaust all options to deport Shabir Ahmed, a convicted Rochdale grooming gang…
Lily Allen defends 55-minute show format after fan complaints
Lily Allen has defended the unconventional format of her UK tour shows, which feature a 55-minute performance divided between a string ensemble playing her older…
Japan raises fees for foreign visitors amid overtourism fears
Japan has raised admission fees for foreign tourists at major sites like Himeji Castle to curb overtourism and protect local infrastructure. This move is part…
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The Cheshire golf course built on a toxic waste site
An 18-hole golf course in Sandbach, Cheshire, was developed atop a former chemical waste landfill containing dangerous industrial toxins, leading to ongoing environmental contamination and…
Albania’s EU accession at risk over Kushner-backed resort plan, warns MEP
European Parliament members warned Albania that its EU accession hopes could be threatened if the government proceeds with a €1.4 billion luxury resort project backed…
Idaho Adopts Execution by Firing Squad as Primary Method
Idaho has become the first U.S. state to adopt execution by firing squad as its primary method, retrofitting its death chamber and purchasing scoped rifles…
Voters support wealth tax and rent controls, poll shows
Andy Burnham is being urged to adopt a more economically interventionist platform focused on cost of living measures if he becomes prime minister, according to…
Judge approves restructuring of TG Jones with shop closures
The High Court has approved TG Jones' restructuring plan, allowing the retailer to close up to 150 stores and impose rent reductions despite significant creditor…
Alex Coles Explores National Pride and Race Relations in South African Rugby
English rugby player Alex Coles has combined his professional career with academic research on South African rugby's role in promoting national unity, engaging directly with…
Barbora Krejcikova Edges Out Mirra Andreeva in Thrilling Wimbledon Match
Barbora Krejcikova defeated Mirra Andreeva in a nearly three-hour, three-set match at Wimbledon, overcoming a strong challenge from the 19-year-old French Open champion. The win…
England fans celebrate World Cup win against Democratic Republic of the Congo
England edged out the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a late brace from captain Harry Kane to advance in the World Cup knockout stage.…
New No 10 North location planned in Manchester
The UK government plans to create a new office called No 10 North in Manchester’s Ancoats district, aiming to relocate around 8,800 civil servants from…
Synthetic life a step closer after lab-made cell breakthrough
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created synthetic cell-like structures called SpudCells that can grow, replicate their genetic material, and divide under laboratory conditions.…
Victor Willis, trailblazing Village People lead singer, dies aged 74
Victor Willis, the original lead singer of the Village People known for hits like “YMCA” and “Macho Man,” has died at the age of 74.…
Teachers in England receive 6.6% pay rise over two years
Teachers in England will receive a 6.6% pay increase over two years, starting with a 3.5% rise this September, supported by an additional £1.8 billion…
Catholic sect defies Pope by ordaining conservative bishops
The ultra-conservative Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) ordained four bishops without papal approval in a July 1 ceremony in Ecône, Switzerland, defying Pope Leo…
EU car industry urges UK exemption from subsidy rules
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has urged the EU to exempt the UK from new subsidy rules under the Industrial Accelerator Act that restrict eligibility…
Halifax brand to disappear after 173 years
Lloyds Banking Group will retire the Halifax brand by early 2027, rebranding its 190 branches under the Lloyds name while keeping all locations open. This…
Cleaner clouds may slow rate of global heating, study finds
A study found that a reduction in atmospheric dust has led to high clouds in the northern hemisphere containing fewer ice crystals and more liquid…
Starmer urges Burnham to borrow £4.7bn to fund defence spending
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed that Chancellor-designate Andy Burnham borrow an additional £4.7 billion to close a funding gap in the government’s Defence Investment…
Keir Starmer hands £4.7bn defence shortfall to Andy Burnham
Keir Starmer has passed a £4.7 billion shortfall in the UK’s defence investment plan to incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham. This budget gap poses a…
BBC strike ‘inevitable’ amid anger at 1% pay rise offer
BBC staff are preparing for possible strikes after rejecting a 1% pay increase that falls short of inflation amid plans to cut up to 2,000…
National lottery funding too focused on south, says Nandy
The UK government has launched the first review in over 20 years of how national lottery funds are distributed, addressing concerns that the current model…
Venezuelan police arrested for alleged looting after earthquakes
Four Venezuelan police officers have been arrested and face dismissal after being accused of looting cash from the wreckage following last week’s deadly earthquakes in…
Neil the Seal Causes Havoc but Wins Fans in Tasmania
Neil, a growing five-year-old southern elephant seal, has caused increasing disruptions in southern Tasmanian coastal towns by damaging property during his visits. As Neil’s behaviour…
US lifts ban on Anthropic AI models after security fears
Anthropic has reopened access to its AI model Fable after a US government suspension over security concerns related to potential cyber-attack misuse. This decision follows…
The Rise and Fall of Bazball and Ben Stokes’s Legacy
Ben Stokes has stepped down as England’s Test captain following a home series loss to New Zealand that highlighted the inconsistency and strategic challenges of…
Serena Williams’s Doubles Return at Wimbledon in Doubt Amid Knee Injury
Serena Williams’s participation in Wimbledon’s women’s doubles is uncertain after she suffered a knee injury during her first-round singles match. Her potential return alongside sister…
Novak Djokovic Dominates Stefanos Tsitsipas in Wimbledon Second Round
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to reach the third round of Wimbledon with a dominant performance on Centre Court. This win highlights…
Mayors should take control of more public services, expert claims
Policy advisors to Andy Burnham have proposed expanding elected mayors' powers to include oversight of social care, education, policing, and skills training, aiming to shift…
Leeds international piano competition relaunched to spotlight individuality
The Leeds International Piano Competition, under new artistic director Stephen Hough, will raise the upper age limit for competitors to 35 and introduce a flexible…
Bruce Foxton from the Jam diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
Bruce Foxton, former bassist of the Jam, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which he attributes to complications from past cancer treatment. Despite the progressive…
Malta businessman paid hitmen to murder journalist, court hears
Yorgen Fenech, a Maltese businessman, has gone on trial accused of orchestrating the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia by hiring hitmen to plant…
Salzburg Enforces Summer Traffic Ban in Historic Centre
Salzburg has introduced a driving ban in its historic center during July and August to reduce traffic and improve conditions for residents and tourists. The…
Cooking oil sales shrinking in US due to ICE raids on Latinos
Associated British Foods reported a decline in US cooking oil sales due to economic pressures and increased immigration enforcement impacting Latino consumers, who form the…
Nat Sciver-Brunt to Captain England in Women’s T20 World Cup Semi-Final
Nat Sciver-Brunt will return as captain for England in their Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa after recovering from a calf injury through…
Wimbledon Fans Divided Between Tennis and Football Fever Amid World Cup
Wimbledon enforced a ban on broadcasting FIFA World Cup matches at its venue, leading many fans to follow football discreetly via mobile devices during the…
Jannik Sinner Reflects on Game Improvements After Tough Wimbledon Win
Jannik Sinner reached the third round of Wimbledon after defeating Nuno Borges in straight sets, though he admitted there is room to improve in key…
Tottenham agree initial £92.5m deal with Newcastle for Tonali
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to sign Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a deal worth up to £100 million, pending completion of formalities.…
Tuchel praises Kane as England rescues win against DR Congo
England came from behind to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in their group stage match, with captain Harry Kane scoring both goals late…