Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make his acting and producing debut in the television drama series Day Ones. He is working with British director Matthew Vaughn and actor Damian Lewis on the project, which focuses on the behind-the-scenes lives of football agents in the United Kingdom. Filming has already begun in London, according to a report published on July 28, 2026.

The series was conceived by football agent Darren Dine and features Damian Lewis as central character Stanley Dalton. Ronaldo will also serve as an executive producer rather than limiting his role to acting. French football legend Thierry Henry and British rapper Dave may appear in guest roles, the report said.

Day Ones is the first major formal project from UR Marv Studios, the joint production company established by Ronaldo and Vaughn. The independently financed series aims to open a new avenue in sports-based entertainment content. Ronaldo, 41, currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr and is preparing for a post-football career. No official comment on the project has yet been received from Ronaldo, Vaughn or Lewis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is strengthening cooperation with Iran and expanding military coordination with North Korea and China. The claim was reported on July 27, 2026, citing an interview Zelenskyy gave to Sky News.

Zelenskyy said North Korea could send 30,000 troops to Russia, while Iran could provide additional missiles. Asked whether he was concerned about a possible Iranian attack on Ukraine, he said Tehran had already become involved in the war by supplying weapons to Russia.

He said Ukrainians could not trust Iran, arguing that Iranians had supplied weapons from the very beginning, even when Ukraine had not produced any weapons on its side. Zelenskyy said everything must be done to prevent another new battlefield from emerging, adding that Iranians and North Koreans had already attacked Ukraine.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be welcome in London, according to an interview cited in a report published on July 25, 2026. Khan told Channel 4 News that he believes genocide has taken place in Gaza, held Netanyahu responsible, and described him as a “genocide criminal.”

Khan said Netanyahu had broken the law and should face trial. He said Netanyahu should be brought under the law and held accountable. The London mayor also said that people who commit genocide are not welcomed in London.

Addressing a possible London visit by Netanyahu, Khan said the “good news” was that Netanyahu was not coming to the city. If he received information about such a visit, Khan said he would ask the prime minister to enforce the law. He added that Netanyahu would face a strong public reaction if he came to London. The report said the remarks followed a similar position expressed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Fahad, 29, died after consuming excessive drugs and alcohol at a luxury hotel in London, according to the source. A UK court concluded, following a post-mortem examination and review of evidence, that the death was accidental rather than suicide. His body was found on the bathroom floor of the Marriott Hotel in Kensington, west London, on November 25 last year.

A toxicology report found high levels of alcohol as well as GHB, cannabis, Xanax and other anti-anxiety medication in his system. The combined toxic effects of the substances caused his heart to stop, the report said. CCTV footage showed that he was alone in his room on the night before his death. The court found no evidence of another person’s involvement or of suicide. The source said the prince had long struggled with alcohol and drug addiction and had received treatment at two rehabilitation centres in London shortly before his death.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized the United States to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran. The decision, reported by Bloomberg, permits the use of the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England. The operations aim to counter Iran’s missile attacks and threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Burnham’s move continues the policy of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to the report, Burnham chaired a meeting of senior ministers and officials on July 17 to review Britain’s position following the resumption of US military operations. The decision to grant access was made during that meeting. The authorization comes amid ongoing US military activity in the region.

Left-wing parties and opposition groups in the UK have criticized the decision, warning that it could increase the risk of Britain becoming involved in war. Burnham also discussed maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz with Donald Trump in a phone call, which Trump described as positive.

The United States has requested access to the United Kingdom’s strategic military bases for operations in the ongoing war against Iran. According to a report by The Telegraph, the Trump administration is pressuring Britain’s new government to permit continued use of these facilities. US President Donald Trump raised the issue during a phone call with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office last Monday.

Previously, under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the UK initially denied permission for US B-2 bombers to operate from the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. However, London later revised its stance, allowing limited defensive operations aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities. The current request from Washington seeks to maintain access to both the RAF Fairford base and Diego Garcia.

The report highlights renewed US-UK defense coordination amid the Iran conflict, with the new British leadership facing early diplomatic pressure from Washington.

Andy Burnham delivered his first national address after formally becoming the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister on Monday, July 20, 2026, following an invitation from the King at Buckingham Palace. In his speech, Burnham promised the most significant political and economic reforms in four decades, aiming to rebuild public trust after years of leadership changes.

He acknowledged that repeated changes in government over the past decade had eroded public confidence and admitted that previous administrations had failed to meet citizens’ expectations. Burnham pledged to decentralize state power beyond London, strengthen oversight of essential goods to reduce living costs, and expand employment opportunities for young people. He also announced plans to improve mental health services, increase public housing construction, and release a ten-year national development plan by the end of the year.

As his first priority, Burnham vowed to tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping. Before entering Downing Street, he urged citizens to unite beyond divisions and move Britain forward with renewed trust and hope.

Andy Burnham formally takes office as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Monday, becoming the country’s sixth leader since 2016. He succeeds Keir Starmer, who resigned last month after leading the Labour Party to victory two years ago, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Burnham will deliver his first address outside 10 Downing Street after receiving the formal invitation to form a government from King Charles III.

In an interview with The Times, Burnham said he aims to end a decade of political instability and govern differently. His office stated that his inaugural speech will focus on rebuilding trust between government and citizens, tackling the cost-of-living crisis, driving economic growth, and decentralizing regional powers. Key cabinet appointments, including the next finance minister, are expected to be announced the same day.

Before taking office, Burnham canceled the previous government’s planned national digital ID program, redirecting its £1.8 billion budget toward cost-of-living relief and other priorities. He also promised swift measures to ease financial pressure on households.

In Peterborough, United Kingdom, the local City Council sold a piece of land to the United Kingdom Islamic Mission, which plans to build a mosque and Islamic center on the site. The sale has angered members of the Hindu community, who claim that a temple previously stood on the land. The council stated that it followed standard property disposal procedures and acted within its legal authority, assessing bids based on planning, valuation, and administrative criteria rather than religious preference.

According to the council, the property was sold on the open market as part of efforts to reduce its £500 million debt, with the mosque group emerging as the highest bidder. The Hindu community has taken legal action over the sale, but the council’s lawyer, Catherine Rowlands, told the court that the process was transparent, fair, and lawful. After hearing both sides, the judge issued an interim injunction on the sale.

The mosque authorities said their current premises are inadequate and that the new site would include prayer space, classrooms, and sports facilities.

Russia launched airstrikes on Kyiv following a Ukrainian drone attack that destroyed e-commerce warehouses in Moscow and Tambov regions. The Russian assault injured several people, with conflicting casualty reports from different authorities. Kyiv’s military administration reported one death, while the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko mentioned seven injuries and no fatalities. Fires broke out across multiple districts, damaging residential and commercial buildings.

The escalation comes in the fifth year of the war, as Ukraine faces both relentless Russian attacks and internal political turbulence following sudden changes in military leadership. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s drone strikes targeted logistics sites supplying banned components for drone production. Russia claimed to have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow in recent days.

Meanwhile, rare protests erupted across Ukrainian cities for a third consecutive day after Zelensky dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The move, part of a government reshuffle, sparked public discontent amid ongoing military pressure and speculation about possible changes in top command.

Human rights organizations have warned that anti-Muslim violence in the United Kingdom has reached an emergency level, calling for urgent government intervention. The Muslim Council of Britain documented 18 incidents of violence against Muslims across the country in June alone, including stabbings, mosque arson, vehicle fires, hate graffiti, and harassment of worshippers. Amnesty International described the rising trend of hate crimes as having reached a critical stage.

The British Muslim Trust had earlier warned of a worrying increase in anti-Muslim attacks, reporting 27 assaults on mosques between July and October of the previous year. Rights groups have criticized the government for failing to take sufficient measures to address the escalating situation. Amnesty International urged the government to publish a comprehensive national strategy to combat Islamophobia and to take immediate action against far-right networks inciting violence both online and offline.

Critics have questioned why the government has not yet convened an emergency “Cobra” meeting, despite some of the attacks being investigated as acts of terrorism.

Andy Burnham formally took charge as the new leader of Britain’s Labour Party on Friday, marking a key step toward becoming the country’s next Prime Minister. According to the report, King Charles III will invite him on Monday to form a government, after which Burnham will officially assume office as the United Kingdom’s 59th Prime Minister.

Speaking at a special Labour Party conference in central London, Burnham acknowledged past shortcomings and expressed regret for his failures. He emphasized that he has always tried his best, learned from people along the way, and matured through those experiences. Burnham declared that he has a clear vision of what he believes in and what he intends to do, stating, “I have a plan.”

In his closing remarks, Burnham pledged to restore hope in the country and expressed confidence in collective effort. Delegates at the conference gave him a standing ovation following his speech.

Andy Burnham formally assumed leadership of the UK Labour Party on Friday, paving the way for him to become the country’s next prime minister. According to a New York Times report, King Charles III is expected to invite Burnham to form a government on Monday, after which he will take office as the United Kingdom’s 59th prime minister. The former mayor of Greater Manchester takes charge at a time when the nation faces slow economic growth, high public debt, a strained National Health Service, and deep political divisions.

In his speech at a special Labour Party conference in central London, Burnham pledged to confront long-ignored national issues and to challenge political and economic systems that fail ordinary citizens. He emphasized restoring public hope, empowering local communities, and building a business-friendly yet distinctly Labour government focused on practical solutions rather than internal divisions.

Burnham also criticized the economic policies of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, promising a new path for governance that departs from the direction followed over the past four decades.

Ukraine’s parliament has approved Serhii Koretskyi, a top energy executive, as the country’s new prime minister. The appointment, announced on July 17, 2026, is part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s major government reshuffle. Koretskyi becomes Ukraine’s third head of government since the start of the ongoing war.

Koretskyi, aged 48, is an engineer and economist with over two decades of experience in international finance, energy retail and wholesale management, and oil production and refining. Before this appointment, he served as CEO of Naftogaz, Ukraine’s largest state-owned oil and gas company, since May 2015. He previously led Ukrnafta and worked with Continuum Group and the WOG fuel chain. Analysts note that his lack of political affiliation and reputation as a capable manager may aid his performance in office.

With Russia’s continued missile and drone attacks damaging Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Koretskyi’s main task will be to prepare the country’s power and energy systems for the coming winter, which President Zelensky has identified as the government’s top priority.

UK’s incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly preparing to appoint current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as the country’s next finance minister, according to a Financial Times report citing three sources. Burnham is expected to take office next week, with an official announcement on cabinet appointments likely on Monday.

Neither Mahmood’s spokesperson nor Burnham’s team provided immediate comment on the report. A spokesperson for Burnham told the Financial Times that they would not discuss potential ministerial appointments before the formal announcement. Mahmood, while not having extensive experience in economic affairs, is known for her firm stance on immigration issues.

In a recent interview, Burnham said he would thoroughly review the nation’s financial situation after forming the government and would not hesitate to take tough decisions if necessary, including possible tax increases depending on future conditions.