Jamaica’s reparations petition puts slavery’s legality before the Privy Council
Jamaica has asked King Charles III to refer three slavery-related legal questions to the Privy Council, but no referral, hearing or damages award is confirmed.
United Kingdom
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UK energy bills to rise 4% from October under new price cap
Ofgem will raise the typical Great Britain dual-fuel bill to £1,723 a year from October, while a temporary electricity VAT cut limits the increase.
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Five countries put AI security on shared national agenda
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and U.S. are coordinating on AI-related cyber, fraud and national-security risks, but no common AI law was announced.
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UK Opens Competition Review of Brink’s Planned NCR Atleos Acquisition
The UK competition regulator launched a phase-one review of Brink’s proposed $6.6 billion NCR Atleos deal, with a decision due October 22.
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UK Regulator Probes Microsoft 365 Renewal Price Disclosures
The UK CMA is examining whether Microsoft clearly disclosed Copilot-linked price increases and renewal choices for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans.
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England allocates first £9.58 billion under £39 billion housing program
England has awarded £9.58 billion to 33 housing providers under a 10-year program targeting 300,000 social and affordable homes, mostly for social rent.
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Commonwealth Games’ Glasgow model faces its first real test
Glasgow’s compact Commonwealth Games cut the projected bill, but final accounts, security exposure and local benefits will determine whether the model can travel.
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England Proposes More Planning Power for Metro Mayors
A consultation would let English metro mayors intervene in major planning cases, issue development orders and seek regional infrastructure funding.
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UK energy bills to rise 4% in October as VAT relief limits increase
Ofgem says a typical Great Britain dual-fuel bill will rise £60 a year from October, while temporary electricity VAT removal will offset part of the increase.
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Bank of England holds rates at 3.75% as energy shock divides policymakers
The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% in a divided 6–3 vote, highlighting disagreement over whether higher energy costs could create lasting wage and price pressures.
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UK and EU target Sudan gold networks financing the war
Britain sanctioned 11 people and companies while the EU restricted Sudan-origin gold and mining inputs in a broader effort to cut war financing.
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U.K. Product-Safety Database Report Set for August 27, Office Says
The U.K. Office for Product Safety and Standards will publish high-level findings from its 2025–26 Product Safety Database on August 27, offering the next official account of safety and non-compliance notifications.
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UK fibre-network deal enters deeper competition inquiry
The CMA is examining nexfibre’s proposed acquisition of Substantial over wholesale access, local network overlap, investment claims and consumer choice.
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U.K. Regulator Keeps Broadband Businesses Separate During Merger Review
The CMA has accepted interim safeguards keeping Substantial’s broadband businesses separate from nexfibre as it reviews the proposed acquisition.
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UK watchdog seeks views on Sky’s proposed ITV acquisition
The CMA is collecting market views by August 6 on Sky’s proposed £1.6 billion purchase of ITV’s media assets; a formal phase 1 probe has not begun.
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Europe’s hot, dry summer deepens fires, drought and water stress
Fires and evacuations in Greece and France are unfolding alongside record heat, low river flows, falling reservoirs and drought measures in parts of Europe.
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ASEAN-UK Plan Sets Five-Year Maritime and Security Framework
ASEAN and Britain adopted a 2027-2031 plan covering maritime safety, cables, crime, supply chains, energy and ASEAN-led regional forums.
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UK and Nigeria Expand Security Partnership With New Cyber and Counterterrorism Plans
A July communiqué outlines planned UK-Nigeria cooperation on cyber threats, terrorism, maritime security, fraud, illicit finance and civilian protection.
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UK Names Ed Miliband as Its World Bank Governor
Britain will put Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in its World Bank governor role, elevating development and climate finance in foreign-policy decisions.
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UK-EU Gibraltar Treaty Begins Provisional Border Rules
A UK-EU treaty signed July 14 began provisional application July 15, easing routine Gibraltar-Spain crossings while keeping immigration and customs controls.
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UK Clarifies Narrow Restriction on U.S. Porcine Offal
Great Britain clarified that certain U.S. porcine offal products remain barred after Iowa’s disease case, while non-offal pork remains eligible.
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UK shop-price inflation slows as supermarket promotions spread
British shop-price inflation slowed to 0.9% in July, but prices remained higher than a year earlier as food and seasonal promotions restrained increases.