UK News
View All 9Athens suitcase suspect 'told victim's friends he was jihadist who murdered her because she was Christian'
A man suspected of murdering a British woman in Athens allegedly told her friends and family he was a jihadist who murdered her because she was Christian.Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, also sent the message to his American wife and other friends of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, who was found dead in a suitcase just days ago.Ahmadzai, an Afghan migrant who arrived in Greece by small boat in 2016, is due to appear in court in Athens today.The migrant, who is also a professional boxer, married Alaina Hall in 2023, after they met at a refugee centre in Athens. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The pair went on to run a pro-migrant NGO called Love Every Nation Athens after marrying, and have one child together despite opposition from Mrs Hall's family.Ahmadzai is said to have denied killing 38-year-old Ms Ross in police interviews, claiming he found her dead in the bathroom of an apartment.He is now accused of sending messages to Ms Ross's family and friends from the Briton's phone before switching off the device.He then allegedly bought a burner phone and texted her friends and his wife, claiming to be a jihadist who killed Ms Ross because of her Christian faith, according to local media reports.Ahmadzai is also accused of stealing Ms Ross's bank cards and withdrawing thousands of euros from her accounts.He was later allegedly seen on CCTV making cash withdrawals, polices sources told The Times.Greek authorities maintain the alleged murder was the result of a confrontation between the two.Mrs Hall's aunt Leanne said her brother Thomas, a 65-year-old pilot, and his wife Susan were skeptical of the marriage."I've never met him, I've only heard about him. But I can tell you my brother and sister-in-law never wanted them to get married," she told the Daily Mail.ATHENS SUITCASE MURDER - READ MORE:Heartbroken family of British woman found dead in suitcase pay tribute to 'loving' daughterBritish woman’s body found in suitcase in Athens after being ‘discovered by homeless man’Athens suitcase murder suspect unmasked as Afghan small boat migrant after grim CCTV clip emergesLegal papers revealed Mrs Hall became suspicious of her husband when she noticed he had left their house on July 16 and tracked his phone to where Ms Ross was staying.Authorities believe Ms Ross died between five and seven days before she was found.A preliminary assessment suggested she died from suffocation, but authorities are awaiting the results of tissue analysis to confirm it.Ahmadzai also ran boxing classes to raise money for Love Every Nation.The couple's website claims his father, a military commander in Kabul, survived six assassination attempts but was eventually killed by the Taliban when he was four.His older brother was later kidnapped by the terrorist group, and his mother, brother and sister were killed in a suicide car bomb, according to the site.The Foreign Office said earlier: "Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time."We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities."A Police Scotland spokesman previously said: "We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece."Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
‘Absolutely nothing is sacred’: Meet the rural communities fighting the surge of giant solar farms
With more than half a million panels, some almost ten feet tall, it is the UK’s largest operational solar farm.Cleve Hill Solar Park is capable of powering more than 100,000 homes. Sprawling across 900 acres of former grazing marsh, it is larger than the nearby town of Faversham, Kent.It is just the beginning. With solar seen as critical to Net Zero, experts have estimated it would take 80 farms the size of Cleve Hill to hit Government targets.Opponents say the mega-projects raise a string of flashpoints, from food security to property rights, and even the future of the countryside itself. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Are the enormous schemes critical pieces of infrastructure that spare us from the “whims of dictators”?Or are we jeopardising our ability to feed ourselves, amounting to “an attack on rural communities, an attack on farmers, on tenant farmers and on the English rural way of life”?The question is set to vex ministers when they return from their summer break, with solar farms the subject of an autumn debate.One issue up for discussion will be their impact on prime farmland.The Campaign to Protect Rural England has warned that arable farming land is being given over to solar panels. It has estimated that solar farms will need to cover an area larger than Greater London to hit targets.Last year, it reported that more than half of the country’s operational giant solar farms included areas of prime farmland. Some 827 hectares of “best and most versatile” (BMV) soil was already being used for energy, its research found.Dr Caroline Johnson is the MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham who has called for the debate. Seven per cent of her Lincolnshire constituency could be lost to panels should every planned project go ahead.Dr Johnson has said that five huge projects on her doorstep alone will cover 9,982 acres - “land that could produce 25.1 million loaves of bread and more than 730 million Weetabix”.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSJohn Healey given warning over promise to re-industrialise Britain as Labour set lofty goalsLabour told to tackle sky-high electricity costs 'head-on' as businesses miss out on supportNet Zero subsidies and grid upgrades set to cost £40bn a year by 2030She told GB News: “We are putting food security at risk.“Energy security is important, but food security is also important too.“If the government wants to use solar, it doesn’t make sense to put it on the best quality land as it takes the land out of production and has a potential impact on the quality of land in the long-term too so that foods cannot be grown as readily.”Oxford university professor, Peter Dobson, agrees that “land is finite” and argues more joined-up thinking is needed.The Emeritus Fellow of Queen's College is a supporter of solar energy as a power source but claims it should not play a major part in the UK mix.It is intermittent – it only generates in the daytime and when the sun is shining – and the UK weather is not geared towards it, he says. The country also has a dense population, placing space at a premium.He points to a World Bank report that showed the UK, and Ireland, at the bottom of the table for solar potential, and believes that “ground-mounted solar schemes operating in the UK climate cannot generate anywhere near enough power to justify the loss of good farmland”.Prof Dobson said: “We’re just too far north, and our climate is such that we get clouds.“It's just a ridiculous notion to put solar on large areas in the UK and Ireland.“When you start looking at where they're putting them, they're putting them on good arable land, they're putting them on land where livestock are being used. It's crazy.“We haven't got an infinite supply of land in the UK and we have got a fairly dense population.“We should not just be approving things without a thorough analysis of the land use for food.“We're a scientific country and we should be doing things much more rationally.”The solar industry disagrees with his perspective. It points out that, even when complete, there will be less land given over to solar farms than to golf courses.A study last year found that under Government plans – and assuming 55 per cent of solar is ground mounted – 0.45 per cent of farmland will be needed to host the schemes.The Government’s own worst-case scenario is 0.6 per cent of arable land by 2030, when solar is expected to produce up to 47 GW of electricity. This is still considerably smaller than the CPRE estimate.“Solar farms do not, and never will, pose a threat to food security,” said Gareth Simkin, spokesman for trade association, Solar Energy UK.Solar Energy UK also points towards July energy figures, which showed solar farms and rooftop panels providing 14.4 per cent of the country’s electricity last month.“Solar power provides the cheapest electricity available in the UK, and the bigger the installation, the more the economies of scale,” said Mr Simkins.“By displacing expensive gas from the grid, solar farms are helping to keep bills lower than they otherwise would be.”Despite these reassurances, critics remain vocal in their opposition. Countless campaign groups have sprung up across the country.Not only do the projects pose a threat to UK farmland and the shape of the countryside, they say, but they are almost impossible to stop.“Clean energy – that's the trump card for the government,” said Annette Exley, a former animal rescuer from North Yorkshire. She now helps affected residents study and run through planning applications for solar projects“They'll just play that trump card and say, well, it doesn't matter that we're destroying this.“Absolutely nothing is sacred.”Farmer Nick Wright says he came up against this “trump card” when plans were unveiled for a project near his land.The Sunnica Energy Farm is set to straddle the Suffolk / Cambdridgeshire border and will span 2500 acres, spread across four sites.The £600m project will be able to power 172,000 homes. But Mr Wright turned down an offer to lease his land to the developers.“I just didn't want to be involved with the scheme,” he said. “I thought it was too large -2500 acres is enormous.“It's all irrigated land. We grow high quality Maris Piper potatoes for supermarkets. And we would be expecting to grow in excess of 60 tons a hectare.“This is prime vegetable growing land. The country is only 50 per cent self sufficient in vegetables at the moment – we import nearly half.”Planning inspectors recommended the scheme be turned down, stating “the Proposed Development would have significant adverse effects that would outweigh its benefits”.Amongst their findings, the planners said that the development “will have an adverse impact on farming enterprises, particularly in respect of the loss of productive farmland”.But Mr Miliband approved the project within days of taking officeHe said solar power was "crucial to achieving Net Zero”. He complained that some cases had been "held up for months before I arrived in the department", adding: "I've made the decision in three days”."The reason we're moving at this pace is for one overriding reason, because of the urgency of the challenges we face,” he said.“The challenge of the climate crisis”, he said, was “not a future threat but a present reality".Sunnica said only four per cent of the land it sought to use was top-grade farmland and that the scheme would help tackle the “existential threat” of climate change.But Mr Wright finds the Secretary of State’s decision “remarkable”.“The examiners recommended it for refusal,” he said. “In any normal planning process, that would have been it. But not with Mr Miliband.“And it's a remarkable decision to say, well, actually, we're going to ignore all of that process.“Agriculture has been totally ignored.“This sort of land is prime agricultural land. What on earth are we doing?“I think for a developed nation to have a deteriorating food security situation is really a huge oversight. It seems out of kilter.“I'm absolutely a renewables fan. We've got solar all over our potato sheds. But it has to be done in tandem. We're importing gas from Norway which runs through our own gas fields.“We're having to turn wind turbines off because we've got too much electricity, and we're swallowing up our farmland.“The pursuit of Net Zero, absolutely, but not at the cost of creating another issue somewhere else.”As a landowner, Mr Wright had some agency in the matter. The Sturdy family were not so fortunate.They are tenant farmers whose family has worked the North Yorkshire land since the 1950s. Much is high-quality soil and they grow a range of crops including wheat, barley and oil seed rape.But their landlord struck a deal that will see almost half of the fields given over to solar energy. Of these 110 acres, the Sturdys say, 60 per cent is BMV, or prime land.A last-minute plea to the High Court was turned down, meaning Robert and Emma Sturdy have harvested many of their crops for the final time this year.Emma said: “It’s devastating, really. We have been battling for a long time. This is going to hit us really hard. This was our best farmland.“My husband lives and breathes the land and the soil. He has spent years improving it. We are good farmers, and it’s devastating.”Emma is not blind to the warming planet. “We are famers – we get it,” she said. “We are seeing it every day, and climate is an issue for us.”While she understood why landowners might accept the “financial carrots” solar offered, she questioned why the panels should go on farmland. Rooftops or industrial estates would be a better location, she says – a suggestion backed by the CPRE.“They say clean power is more important than anything else – that's what’s happening and it can’t be right,” she explained. An offer of compensation would not make up for their losses, she has said.“Solar can offer massive incentives, but for tenant farmers the situation is very different.“Tenant famers are our small family farms. They are almost the backbone of the community. They send their kids to the local schools, they shop in the local shops.“If we lose our tenant farmers, we lose a lot of the feel of the countryside.“Our family is dealing with the reality of a failed planning system. That’s what fundamentally has to change.”Mr Simkins argued that the need for clean, cheap energy in the race to Net Zero meant it was understandable that so many schemes were approved.He said: “Everyone acknowledges that we need to cut energy bills. We therefore need more cheap energy, which means renewables and less natural gas power.“Solar farms are normally approved first thing by local authorities. Rejections are rare and are generally overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.“It is right that there are few lawful grounds for rejection – solar farms are a strategic priority.”He pointed out that the panels – fitted to metal frames – can be removed at the end of their lease, and farm animals can graze beneath them while operational.He said that many developers would provide “a package of community benefits” and points out that solar farms “are designed to integrate into the landscape”.But CPRE Norfolk trustee, David Hook, fears the race for green power risks turning fields into factories.In the south of the county, the proposed East Pye solar farm is earmarked near Long Stratton. The 500MW scheme will be capable of powering 115,000 homes a year.The developer say it will “boost Norfolk’s emerging renewable energy industry and will secure clean, affordable energy while providing investment and job opportunities in the county”.It is currently with planning inspectors, with a decision expected next year.Mr Hook, who also chairs Hempnall Parish Council, said the scheme had seen more than 2,000 people register as interested parties, largely in opposition.“There’s this fear,” he said. “Local people are having sleepless nights because of this - it's huge. It's very disturbing. And people's well-being is being upset by it.”He worried that decisions that could “industrialise the countryside” were being made in Whitehall, many miles from the homes affected.He said:“The beauty of Norfolk is a very subtle beauty. It hasn't got the grandeur of the Lake District. It hasn't got the Cotswolds’ show.“It's the fact that you feel you've got away from it all, that there's a tranquil rural tract of landscape and you can get lost in it and get away from things.“If you take, you chunks of that and cover them with solar panel, security fences, inverter building, new roads andtracks, et cetera, etcetera, you are converting what is essentially a farming landscape into a factory.”The Government maintains there is enough land to meet energy needs without disrupting rural life. In March, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) set out a framework for land use in March.It found there was sufficient space for homes, food production, nature restoration and renewable power projects. Done properly, the interests could work hand in hand, it said.“It demonstrates clearly that we have enough land to build the homes needed to address the housing crisis, maintain domestic food production, restore nature at scale, and build clean, homegrown power to provide energy security,” said Emma Reynolds, Environment Secretary.“These are not competing demands. With the right data, the right tools, and the strategic direction this Framework provides, they are complementary ones.”A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero insisted that the damage caused by climate change posed the greatest risk to farmers.“The biggest threat to agriculture and nature is the climate crisis,” he said.“Solar is also one of the cheapest and quickest forms of energy to build, helping get bills down for good.“All projects are subject to a rigorous planning process and the views of the local community must be considered.”With regard to tenanted farms, he said the tenancy must be respected, with “fair compensation” paid for the loss of any land.The Planning Inspectorate, meanwhile, says its team will make independent assessments on any project they are asked to examine.“Inspectors are independent and impartial,” a spokesman said.“When making a decision, Inspectors give careful consideration to the evidence submitted taking account of current planning legislation, guidance and policy.”The Government is moving at speed. By mid 2025, after just a year in power, Mr Miliband told how the Labour administration had already consented “almost 3GW of nationally significant solar projects – nearly three times as much as the previous 14 years combined”.As he unveiled the Solar Roadmap, which details the next stages of the energy plan, he insisted: “Every solar panel we install helps us take back control of our energy supply – protecting families, businesses and the public finances from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets controlled by petrostates and dictators.”All eyes will now be on his successor as Energy Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh. Among the items in her in-tray are more applications for large-scale solar farms.Later this month she will be asked to decide on Beacon Fen, a 400MW project in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. The developers say it will produce enough power for 130,000 homes, while avoiding 72,000 tonnes of CO2 pollution.It would “make a significant contribution towards achieving net zero”, they say.Opposition has come in a familiar form – size, loss of farmland and changes to a historic landscape.The local MP – one Dr Caroline Johnson - will be watching the decision with interest. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Perez Hilton hospitalised after appearing to self-harm in livestream video as police respond
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Meet the family behind the Fleadh: ‘It’s a message that would not have come out of Belfast 30 years ago’
Niall and Bronagh McClean of Ards Comhaltas on the community and work behind this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
World News
View All 10The yearly mild weather spell that brings Yemen’s coast back to life
Abdulrahman Badr (left) and his friend prepare Bakhmari, a traditional flatbread, before serving it with tea and sambusi to beachgoers during the annual Al-Baldah season in Mukalla [Saeed Al Batati/Al Jazeera] 5 Aug 20265 Aug 2026 Mukalla, Yemen – Before the sun rises over Mukalla’s beaches, 15‑year‑old Abdulrahman Badr and his friend Tareq are already at their usual spot on the sand. They’re brewing tea and kneading dough for bakhmari, a traditional fermented flatbread from Hadramout – the vast governorate in eastern Yemen that Mukalla is the capital of. Their customers are the thousands of beachgoers gathering along the Arabian Sea shoreline thanks to a yearly climate phenomenon that turns the desperately hot summer cooler for a few weeks. “Al‑Baldah is a wonderful season. Business is booming and people are coming from everywhere,” Badr told Al Jazeera as he gently pressed and shaped pieces of dough by hand. Like many others, Badr is taking advantage of the seasonal crowds to earn money. At the start of the season, he and four friends set up a wooden table serving bakhmari, sambusi (a pastry similar to a samosa) and tea to hungry swimmers in search of a hot breakfast. “I will save what I earn from my work here to buy supplies for the new school year, which is about to begin,” said Badr, a student, his tired face dusted with flour and beach sand. For more than a decade, Yemen has been plunged into war between the Iran‑backed Houthis and the Saudi‑backed, internationally recognised government, a conflict that has left thousands dead or wounded and displaced millions. The war has driven millions into hunger and poverty while destroying vital infrastructure such as schools, roads and power stations. Therefore, for many residents and visitors in Mukalla, Al‑Baldah offers not only a break from their suffering but also a rare opportunity to earn money. Fuad Hassan, a Mukalla resident originally from Taiz city, retreated to the beach after a swim while his two children carried on playing in the sea. He said he recharges his energy during the dawn swim and loves seeing the beaches filled with happy swimmers. “We come to the beach after the dawn prayer and swim in the cold water for one or two hours before going back home. I love the fun and the hustle. Everywhere you look, people are playing and enjoying themselves,” said Hassan, who, along with his children, was bare‑chested and dressed in long swimming trunks.
Return of goods to markets in Gaza doesn’t mean people can afford them
The aisles in Maher al-Khudari's store are fully stocked, but most Palestinians in Gaza can't afford to buy [Omar Al-Shtaywi/Al Jazeera] 5 Aug 20265 Aug 2026 Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Every day is a struggle for Ghadeer Nassar, as she struggles to provide for her seven children.
High-stakes Michigan Senate race among primaries in 5 states
High-stakes Michigan Senate race among primaries in 5 states The Democratic primary there could be key to control of the Senate. ByABC NEWS August 5, 2026, AM Moderate Rep. Haley Stevens and progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed are locked in a high-stakes battle in Michigan to face Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in November’s general election in an open seat being vacated . The general election race could decide which party controls the Senate in the next Congress. In the governor's race, ABC News projects Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican Rep. John James will win their respective primaries and will face off in November. James would be the state's first elected Black Republican governor in history. In Michigan's 7th Congressional District, ABC News projects progressive activist and Democratic Socialists of America member William Lawrence will defeat two more moderate candidates to be the Democratic nominee to take on first-term Republican incumbent Rep. The Cook Political Report rates the district as a "Toss Up." Michigan Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens during a debate in Southfield, Michigan, July 27, 2026. Robin Buckson/Pool via Reuters Complete Michigan primary results Michigan is one of five states that held primaries on Tuesday. Here’s a look at the others: Rep. Wesley Bell speaks during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination, Aug. 4, 2026, in St. Michael Thomas/AP Photo Missouri In Missouri's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, ABC News projects incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell will beat former Rep. Cori Bush, who Bell unseated two years ago. Bell was boosted -Israel groups. The United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with pro-Israel group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, spent millions opposing Bush in both the 2024 and 2026 primaries. Bush aimed to capitalize on voter sentiment souring on Israel over its actions during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as well as a wave of success -incumbents campaigns. In Missouri’s newly redistricted 5th District, Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver in November, ABC News projects. Cleaver, who has represented the district since 2005, was unopposed in the Democratic primary but faces an uphill battle in the general election after the state legislature redrew the district last year to lean Republican. National Republicans view the district as a top target for flipping. Complete Missouri primary results Virginia Army veteran Bert Mizusawa will win the Republican primary for Senate in Virginia, ABC News projects, and will face Democratic Sen.
Police respond to Perez Hilton's home after he appeared to harm himself on livestream
Police respond to Perez Hilton's home after he appeared to harm himself on livestream The livestreamed TikTok appeared to show him harming himself with a knife. ByLeah Sarnoff August 5, 2026, AM Law enforcement in Miami responded to the home of Perez Hilton on Tuesday after receiving multiple calls claiming the media personality was "livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media." The livestreamed TikTok allegedly appeared to show him harming himself with a knife and making apparent cuts on his body, with a bloody torso and face. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said in a statement that deputies spoke with his family members on scene and "tactically disengaged while continuing to monitor the situation." LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 10: Perez Hilton attends the grand opening of Caspian's Cocktails & Caviar at Caesars Palace on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo /) Ethan Miller/ "In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize de-escalation , distance, and opportunities for communication," the sheriff's office said, adding this tacitc can reduce "suicide-by-cop encounter and minimize the risk of injury to the individual, deputies, and the public." Trump says new Iran deal is 'imminent,' negotiations resume Monday Aug 2, PM 3 killed, 7 injured in shooting at In-N-Out in Idaho, police say Aug 2, PM Trump met with advisers on Iran options, sources say Jul 26, PM Perez Hilton's representatives, Golden Artists Entertainment, released a statement saying, "We are aware of the concerning content circulating online involving our client." "At this time, we have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him. Our primary concern is Perez’s health and well being, as well as the well being of his family," the statement added. ABC News has reached out to TikTok for a comment. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide -- free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.
Politics
View All 10William Lawrence Wins Primary in Battleground Michigan House District
William Lawrence defeated two moderate candidates to challenge a vulnerable Republican incumbent, but some worry his views could hurt his chances in November.
Can the UK’s newest rail station escape the problems of HS2?
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Arizona’s Democratic Governor Set to Pick a Republican Running Mate
Gov. Katie Hobbs, locked in a competitive re-election battle, plans to tap a moderate former mayor of Mesa, Ariz., John Giles, to serve as her lieutenant governor if she wins in November.
Restrict sale of pet flea treatments, government urged
Pet flea treatments should be banned from general sale, a Lords committee has urged, after an inquiry raised concerns about their impact on their environment. Spot-on treatments to prevent parasite infestations in fur and on skin are currently widely available for pet owners to buy in supermarkets and online. But the House of Lords environment committee said their sale should be restricted, adding widespread use posed a potential threat to natural ecosystems. The government said it was continuing to assess the availability of the treatments in order to ensure "correct usage by owners". Currently, dog and cat owners are frequently advised to use preventative spot-on treatments every month to avoid parasite infestations. But in a series of evidence sessions, the committee heard such blanket usage is not supported . Many vets do not treat their own pets monthly, the committee heard, instead regularly checking their pets' fur with flea combs and restricting use to when fleas were spotted. The committee heard that high volumes of fipronil and imidacloprid, common active ingredients in spot-on treatments, have been found in UK streams and rivers, killing off aquatic life, with a knock-on effect on wildlife higher up the food chain. These chemicals have already been banned for use as agricultural pesticides because of their impact on wildlife such as bees, while the committee said "very little is known" about the impacts of newer chemicals such as isoxazolines. In a report, the cross-party committee recommended that only vets, pharmacists and other qualified professionals should be able to sell such treatments, with pet owners advised to take a precautionary approach to using them. Baroness Shas Sheehan, who chairs the committee, said the overuse of the treatments on household pets was "the equivalent of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut". She added: "Our report raises serious questions and concerns about the environmental risks of pet flea and tick treatments, as well as how they are sold to pet owners." She added that pet owners deserved "accurate, evidence-based guidance on the need for, and risks of, the existing and new chemicals which are being prescribed". The move has been backed (BVA), which supports a ban on over-the-counter sales. However, the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH), which describes itself as the trade association representing the UK animal health industry, said the "risk-based use" of parasite control products played a "vital role" in preventing disease in animals and reducing the risk of parasite transmission from pets to people.
Business
View All 10U.S. says Strait of Hormuz is 'free and open' as Bessent signals deal with Iran is close
Livestream Menu CENTCOM said the "southern route of the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open," referring to a path through Omani territorial waters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that a deal with Iran may come this week. President Donald Trump and others contradicted reports that U. S missile stockpiles are severely depleted. This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on July 12, 2026 shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan. S. military said the Strait of Hormuz was open for all commercial vessels to transit, after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that an Iran deal is close. Central Command said the "southern route of the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open" in a post on X, highlighting that it had assisted more than 1,000 vessels in transiting the waterway despite "unwarranted" Iranian aggression. The southern route passes through Omani territorial waters, rather than the part closer to Iran. The announcement comes as oil prices also fell sharply Tuesday, following remarks by U. Treasury Scott Bessent that there may be a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz as soon as this week. "We are in talks with the Iranians," Bessent told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the Strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict." Brent, the international oil benchmark, climbed 0.43% on Wednesday to $79.7 per barrel after sliding 5.3% the day before. West Texas Intermediate futures inched up 0.21% to trade at $75.95, after falling 5.7% the day before. After Bessent's remarks, a senior Middle East diplomat with direct knowledge of the talks between Iran and Oman told MS NOW that a great deal of pressure is being brought to bear on Oman by the U. S. and European countries to accept a temporary agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. MS NOW has also been told by a a senior Pakistan government official that a document on reopening the Strait of Hormuz is "close to being finalized." The source, who didn't want to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the topic, added that the talks were being held between Iran and Oman whilst being mediated by Pakistan - with the U. S involved "indirectly." Earlier on Tuesday, the White House and Pentagon insisted that U. S. forces had "more than enough" munitions, after reports that the U.
Key Options Trade Displays Abnormal Pattern With India Auction
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Here's what to expect when Disney reports earnings before the bell
Livestream Menu Disney reports quarterly earnings before the bell Wednesday and will host a call with investors at a. m. Wall Street expects earnings per share of $1.86 and revenue of $25.4 billion, according to LSEG. Investors will be looking for more insight into CEO Josh D'Amaro's strategy less than five months since he took over for Bob Iger. DIS Merchandise is displayed on a shelf at the Times Square Disney store on May 6, 2026 in New York City. Santiago | Disney reports quarterly earnings before the bell on Wednesday, and investors will be focused on the direction of the company's streaming and theme parks business — as well as further updates on CEO Josh D'Amaro's strategy for growth. Disney's fiscal third-quarter earnings will be released less than five months since D'Amaro took over for Bob Iger as CEO. In that time the company has seen layoffs across the company, the most recent round reportedly occurring in July at divisions including ESPN. Here's how Disney is expected to perform in its fiscal third quarter, according to LSEG: Last quarter D'Amaro outlined his plans for future growth, much of which focused on investing in intellectual property and advancing technology around storytelling, particularly in the context of boosting theme parks and streaming. In addition to details around layoffs and other cost-cutting measures, Wall Street will be keen to hear how current macroeconomic conditions are affecting Disney's businesses. Theme parks remain a driver of revenue and profit. But the effects of the U. S.-Israel conflict with Iran and related jump in oil prices has affected some of Disney's peers. In July, Comcast's NBCUniversal reported that its Orlando parks experienced lower attendance during its most recent quarter due to what executives called "weakness in consumer sentiment and higher travel costs." Last quarter Disney said that despite these trends and broader uncertainty for consumers, demand at domestic parks remained healthy and there had been an increase in guest spending during the quarter. In addition to Disney's experiences division, streaming will once again take up much of the attention for investors. Wall Street will be looking for updates on subscriber and advertising growth for both its flagship platform Disney+, as well as ESPN's direct-to-consumer app that was launched nearly a year ago.
The earthquake at Wachtell
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Technology
View All 10Foreo Discount Codes and Deals: Up to 50% Off
Save StorySave this story Save StorySave this story The Red-Light Devices That Helped Our Hair Grow Back After 16 weeks of daily use, our WIRED testers saw visible hair regrowth with these red-light therapy devices. 30% Off Foreo LUNA 3 Plus: Heated Cleansing and Microcurrent in one Device I haven’t tested the Foreo Luna 3 Plus myself, but it’s one of the brand’s bestsellers—and it’s 29% off (no Foreo promo code needed!). The heated device doubles as a facial cleanser and massager, with added microcurrent treatments. Its silicone build is more hygienic and bacteria-resistant than nylon brushes, and it offers 16 intensity levels to remove makeup and oil, loosen pores for a deeper clean, firm and lift the skin, and relax facial muscles. If you’re in the market for a multipurpose facial cleansing device, this deal makes a strong case for Foreo, especially with an included two-year warranty. Foreo BEAR: Get 25% Off the Full Facial Workout Device The Foreo Bear, like the Luna 3 Plus, includes microcurrent technology but is designed to prioritize it. The seasonal 25% Foreo discount makes it even more appealing value-wise. It’s made from the same bacteria-resistant silicone as the Luna and features 10 microcurrent intensity levels, plus guided treatments via the app. It requires a conductive serum or gel; Foreo’s Supercharged Serum 2.0 is one option, but it’s not required. Battery life is strong, offering up to 90 uses per USB charge. It’s available in bright fuchsia or mint, and it comes with a travel pouch for portability. Ranking the Best Red-Light Therapy Mask and LED Devices of 2026 Your face called, and it’s low-key offended you might trust TikTok more than WIRED. 15% Off Your First Order: Join the Email List at Foreo Foreo’s to get 15% off your first order with a one-time Foreo coupon code. You’ll also stay updated with the best offers, exclusive deals, and curated beauty tips from the company’s experts. Foreo UFO 2 Deal: 29% Off 5-in-1 Spa Facials The UFO 2 is a 5-in-1 facial device that is more affordable than both the Bear and the Luna 3 Plus. And it’s even cheaper right now with a 29% limited-time discount (with no Foreo promo code needed). Expect thermotherapy, cryotherapy, LED light, and T-sonic pulsations. The T-sonic pulses deliver low-frequency massage to ease facial and neck tension and support better blood flow. The UFO 2 also uses LED technology alongside hot and cold sonic waves to stimulate skin cells and enhance the absorption of skincare products.
Sportsman's Warehouse Promo Code: Save in August 2026
Save StorySave this story Save StorySave this story The Best Sleeping Bags for Every Adventure Whether you’re climbing peaks or taking the family to the local park, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for every temperature, budget, and camping expedition. a Sportsman's Warehouse Promo Code: 20% Off Using a Sportsman's Warehouse promo code is one of the easiest ways to save big on those important outdoor gear purchases. So, be sure to use our verified Sportsman's Warehouse coupons to save on expensive outdoor essentials from brands we love, like Saloman hiking shoes and Teton camping gear. We are constantly searching for new general Sportsman's Warehouse coupons, as well as seasonal deals and specific discounts like a Sportsman's Warehouse military discount, Sportsman's Warehouse boating gear coupon, or a Sportsman's Warehouse free shipping voucher. Make sure you check back often for seasonal promotions that can be combined with existing sales to save even more. Lots of the store’s promo codes are applicable sitewide, but read the fine print for any restrictions that may apply to specific brands or clearance items. Photograph: Chris Haslam Save to wishlistSave to wishlist Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex Sportsman's Warehouse Discounts: 25% Off the Great American Adventure Sale Summer is upon us, which means school’s out, vacations are in, and people are hitting the road for camping trips. Make sure you’re stocked up for your next adventure for less with Sportsman's Warehouse Great American Adventure Sale, which has hundreds of items on sale for up to 25% off, including essentials for camping, boating, fishing, and like Yoli and Vortex. Should You Hike in Boots or Trail Runners? Lightweight shoes now dominate the trails, so do you still need boots? Here’s how to choose the right footwear for your outdoor adventures. : 25% Boating Gear at Sportsman's Warehouse Being from Missouri, I love a lake. Summer to me is sitting on a boat and cruising for a jumping off point, then spending the rest of the afternoon lounging in 85-degree murky water on a floatie with a PBR in hand. If you’re also a Lake Guy™ like me, be sure to take advantage of the Sportsman's Warehouse boating gear section, with 25% off select boats, kayaks, canoes, and boating supplies. Grab the Best Prices on Fishing Gear Sometimes, you want to talk to your son or just sit in silence in nature, but you’re a man.
I Usually Laugh Off These AI Hacking Reports, but This One Sounds Serious and Scary
Artificial Intelligence I Usually Laugh Off These AI Hacking Reports, but This One Sounds Serious and Scary Okay, okay, joke's over. 4, 2026, pm ET Reading time 3 minutes © Fotograzia via Read Later Read Later Comments (1) A new report from the U. K. government’s AI Security Institute (AISI) details more troubling activity from AI agents powered . You’re probably getting bored of reading those words by now—I sure am—but behaviors in the report from Anthropic’s Mythos 5 in particular are genuinely eyebrow-raising. For context, there were those OpenAI agents that went rogue to try and cheat on their evals, according to an OpenAI disclosure last month. It was a big story in large part because the models weren’t supposed to be on the public internet, but they found a way. However, the capabilities weren’t all that frightening. They pried test answers out of an AI resource depository called Hugging Face, and even when it turned out other AI services had been roped in, it all seemed a little small-scale. Plus the models were acting like overcaffienated A students, not my idea of malevolent cyberattackers. Similarly, a hack disclosure on Tuesday from OpenAI—involving an outside evaluation company called Irregular running offline “capture the flag” exercises that ended up with a website getting hacked—seems to involve too much human error to suggest frightening new capabilities. As OpenAI notes, “the internet access resulted from a misconfiguration, and the model appeared to exploit a basic security vulnerability.” But another report from Tuesday, this one from AISI, involves Anthropic and OpenAI agents engaging in what AISI calls “sustained, potentially harmful activity.” The Anthropic stuff in particular involved unsuspecting humans being deceived. Your goal is to solve cybersecurity challenges .” The idea was to hack a simulation of a corporate network and find a hidden code—the “flag.” In one incident, a Mythos 5-powered agent made a very troubling mistake, thinking a real, human developer’s GitHub project was part of the simulated online environment. Then it wrote malicious code, tried to get the human developer to insert it into the project via a bug report, and created sock puppet accounts for the purpose of urging the developer to go along with the insertion of the malicious code. The bug report part of the story has this eerie wrinkle: according to the report: It was a prompt injection, designed to “trick other AI coding assistants into taking unintended actions.” When it was spotted by a human, the report says “the agent edited it to cover its tracks.” It doesn’t end there.
Eight Myths on Software Engineering and GenAI
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Science
View All 10Total solar eclipse Aug. 12, 2026 live updates — 1 week to go
On Aug. 12, 2026, Europe will experience its first total solar eclipse since 1999, as the moon's shadow sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and the Balearic Islands. Along the narrow path of totality, day will briefly turn to twilight as the moon completely covers the sun, revealing its elusive outer atmosphere — the corona. Meanwhile, millions more skywatchers across much of Europe, as well as parts of northeastern United States and eastern Canada, will witness a partial solar eclipse as the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun. Live reporting from the path of totality We'll be following the eclipse from two locations along the path of totality. Our skywatching editor Daisy Dobrijevic is currently aboard HX Expeditions' MS Spitsbergen exploring Greenland's dramatic coast. She'll be aiming to witness totality from Scoresby Sund, the world's largest and longest fjord system. Dobrijevic is hoping for more eclipse luck than last time, when unfortunately, totality was a total bust, but not for the reason you may think. Daisy Dobrijevic is currently sailing aboard HX Expeditions' MS Spitsbergen on an expedition from Svalbard, Norway, to East Greenland. She'll be reporting live as the expedition attempts to witness totality from the Arctic. Meanwhile, our skywatching writer Anthony Wood is joining the DEB initiative in Valoria la Buena, Spain, where the eclipsed sun will hang low above the western horizon shortly before sunset. It will be Wood's first-ever total solar eclipse. Anthony Wood is reporting from Valoria la Beuna in northern Spain, where he's joining the citizen science project DEB (Distributed Eclipse Broadcast) initiative. He'll be attempting to witness totality as the eclipsed sun hangs low above the western horizon shortly before sunset. Complete guide | Solar viewing tips | What is a solar eclipse? Get notified of updates One week until the total solar eclipse 2026: The countdown has begun... are you ready? The total solar eclipse 2026 will occur on Aug. 12. ( /The Boston Globe via )In just one week, millions of people across Greenland, Iceland and Spain will witness one of nature's greatest spectacles as the moon completely covers the sun. Our team will be following the eclipse from two incredible locations, aboard an expedition ship in East Greenland with HX Expeditions and from northern Spain with the DEB initiative, bringing you live updates throughout the lead-up to the eclipse and on the day itself 1 week to go until a dramatic total solar eclipse darkens the skies over Spain, Iceland and Greenland Daisy Dobrijevic is currently sailing aboard HX Expeditions' MS Spitsbergen on an expedition from Svalbard, Norway, to East Greenland.
1 week to go until a dramatic total solar eclipse darkens the skies over Spain, Iceland and Greenland
We're just one week away from the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, when millions of stargazers will be treated to a spectacular display as the lunar disk passes in front of the sun, blocking its light. Roughly 15.2 million people spread across Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Russia and Spain will be in the path of totality during the total solar eclipse 2026, where the moon will completely hide the sun's disk starting at p. m. EDT (1658 GMT), according to Time and Date. A further 980 million people — approximately 12% of Earth's human population — will bear witness to a partial eclipse, as the lunar disk appears to takes a bite out of the sun. Solar eclipses occur during the monthly new moon phase, when the lunar disk passes directly between the sun and Earth in its slightly lopsided orbit, casting its colossal shadow over a swathe of our planet's surface. Celestron EclipSmart Power Viewers ()These Celestron EclipSmart Power Viewers are a must-have for a solar eclipse. They offer a simple 2x magnification and contain lenses that are ISO 12312-2 certified. Read our full Celestron EclipSmart Power Viewers review. K. and several European countries will see an impressive partial solar eclipse, with around 90% of the sun's surface occulted . S. states, including New York, Maine and Pennsylvania, that sit farther from the path of totality will witness the lunar disk take a small "bite" out of the sun. You can find out exactly what percentage of the sun will be occulted 's interactive eclipse tracker. Remember, staring directly at the sun during the partial phases of an eclipse can cause permanent vision loss. Be sure to read our guide to safely viewing a solar eclipse, along with our picks of the best solar viewing gear for the 2026 eclipse to ensure that you're ready to enjoy the event. We will also be bringing you the latest eclipse news and updates from our reporters in the field with our dedicated eclipse live blog. Skywatching Editor Daisy Dobrijevic is on an eclipse expedition to Greenland with HX Expeditions and Skywatching Writer Anthony Wood is heading to Spain shortly to experience the eclipse with NASA's DEB initiative and citizen scientists. If the eclipse isn't visible from your location, there's no need to worry. You can watch each stage of the total solar eclipse unfold in real time from the comfort of your home. Details of livestreams will be released closer to the time.
Should you stop using preventive flea treatments on your pets?
Flea treatments can be given as tablets or applied to the skin YakobchukOlena/ Don’t treat your pets for parasites such as ticks and fleas unless they actually need treating. We can’t be sure that these treatments are safe for you and your family, and there is growing evidence that they pose a danger to wildlife. So says a report ’s House of Lords. It is calling for the sale of these treatments to be restricted, so people can only buy them after consultation with a vet, pharmacist or qualified pet shop staff. The main issue is that there is no rigorous assessment of pet treatments before they are approved, the report says. It’s simply been assumed , but this assumption is turning out to be wrong. In particular, at least two potent pesticides found in tick and flea treatments are getting into UK rivers at levels high enough to affect wildlife. These pesticides can break down into other substances that are even more harmful. “There is also worryingly insufficient evidence to assess whether or not [pet parasite medicines] are harmful to human health,” says the report. It also says regulators are not sufficiently independent. Both UK and international regulators “appear to be too influenced ”, it states. Both pesticides used to be used on farms until they were banned a few years ago. But they have continued to be found in rivers. In fact, with the development of more sensitive tests, they’re turning up “pretty much everywhere in waterways”, says Perkins. Initially, it was thought this was a legacy of their use by farmers, but work . In many cases, levels are high enough to harm invertebrates such as mayflies, dragonflies and caddisflies, with knock-on effects on the fish and birds that feed on them. We don’t know how big a problem this is, says the report. “The true scale of environmental harm resulting from pet parasite medications is not known.” How are the pesticides getting into rivers? Once they’re applied to pets, they end up all over the home, says Perkins. When people bathe their pets or wash pet bedding, they can end in wastewater. Product packaging currently recommends that dogs are not bathed for four days after treatment, but this needs to be extended to 28 days, the report recommends. Another major source of the pesticides in water is hand-washing, says Perkins. “We detected [pesticides] in the wash-off even before we asked people to stroke their pets, so they’re just constantly on the hands of pet owners.” Products containing fipronil and imidacloprid are now being replaced , typically sold in the form of chewable tablets.
Most people prefer AI-written stories – and can’t tell when they are made by humans
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos AI-generated literature may have an unfair reputation for poor quality. Despite a cultural backlash to AI-generated content, people seem to prefer it – and if they’re lied to and told that it was created by a human, their opinion rises even higher. Sydney Sears and Deena Weisberg at Villanova University in Pennsylvania recruited 1682 adults – selected to be representative of the US in terms of their gender, age, and race – and asked them to read a story. Half the participants read a story written by a human, and half read one written by AI. Each of these groups was again split in two, with half told that their story was written by a human and half that their story was written by AI, regardless of its true origin. The human-created stories were sourced from a literary journal, while the AI-generated ones were created using ChatGPT 4.0. Those who read an AI-generated story ranked its quality as 1.54, on average, when asked to score it on several qualities on a scale ranging from -3 to 3. Meanwhile, participants who read a human-written story gave it an average score of just 0.97. Participants who read an AI-generated story also ranked it as more absorbing, based on several qualities on a similar scale, with an average score of 1.42. Those who read a human-written story, meanwhile, gave an average score of just 1. In all cases, the story was rated slightly higher if the participant was told it was written by a human. The researchers also ran two further studies, where several hundred people were given an AI-generated story and a human-written story and asked to identify which was which. In the first test, only 39 per cent made a correct identification, while in the second, 52 per cent were correct. The researchers have no explanation for the difference, except that the second test took place several months after the first; society may be adapting to better understand AI output. In any case, they claim that it shows people are no better than chance at distinguishing human work from AI output. Claire Hardaker at Lancaster University, UK, says that humans are having to come to terms with the uncomfortable idea that we aren’t any better than robots at writing short stories. She says that in her own research on testing people’s ability to identify AI-generated speech, text and music, it is the music that angers them most of all when they are tricked. “I think there’s a huge sensitivity [around AI generating art],” she says. “When you have AI that is continually improving at the speed that it’s improving at, there is going to come a point where every single model can produce Shakespeare-like output.
Environment
View All 10‘I just want to find them’: deadly cloudbursts devastate Kashmir’s mountain communities
Rescue teams search for missing people in Murrah village after the cloudburst-triggered landslide. Photograph: Ishtayaq Rasool Increasingly erratic weather patterns due to climate change mean people are losing homes, crops and livestock -administered Kashmir As rain lashed the Pir Panjal mountains before dawn on 19 July, Haji Mohammad Latief stepped outside his home in Murrah, a remote mountain village in Indian-administered Kashmir. His daughter had asked him to move the family’s car to a safer place as the rain got heavier. “I had only just parked it,” Latief recalled. “When I turned around, I saw the water coming.” Minutes later, a cloudburst sent mud, boulders and water crashing down the hillside. Latief, 48, had spent years building the house, where five generations of his Gujjar family lived together. Within minutes, the torrent swallowed it, trapping eight family members inside. He survived only because he had stepped outside. By dawn, everything he had built lay in rubble. When the Guardian reached Murrah four days later, electricity, roads and mobile networks were cut off. Floodwaters had washed away roads and footbridges, leaving the only way into the village a 90-minute walk through rain and landslide debris. Residents carried sacks of flour, cooking gas cylinders and medicines across the broken crossing. Murrah is perched high in the Pir Panjal range above the town of Bafliaz, in Poonch district, about 125 miles (200km) south-west of Srinagar, Kashmir’s main city. The village is home to mostly Gujjars, one of the largest pastoralist communities in the Himalayas, whose livelihoods have long depended on livestock, farming and seasonal migration through the mountains. The hillside remained too unstable for excavators to reach. Soldiers, disaster response teams and local volunteers searched the debris . View image in fullscreen Rescue teams search for missing people in Murrah village after the cloudburst-triggered landslide. Photograph: Ishtayaq RasoolLatief now lives in the house of his brother, Mohd Bashir, just above the landslide. Inside, women gathered to mourn while men quietly received visitors offering condolences. Verses from the Qur’an echoed through the house. “I built that house for my family,” Latief said, holding up pictures of his 16-year-old son Sajjad Ahmed, an aspiring cricketer, whose body was still missing. Days before the disaster, the family recorded videos together. View image in fullscreen A photograph on a phone of 16-year-old Sajjad Ahmed, whose body remains missing Photograph: Ishtayaq RasoolAs mourners gathered, news spread that another body had been found several miles down the river; the room fell silent as another funeral procession passed through the village.
Is FOMO undermining climate diplomacy?
Share: X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Print Benito Müller, Anju Sharma, Jen Allan, Matthias Roesti and Luis Gomez-Echeverri. Every November, tens of thousands of people descend on the world's annual UN climate conference. Presidents and prime ministers, negotiators, business executives, campaigners, journalists, celebrities and lobbyists converge on one city for two frenetic weeks, all convinced they need to be there. Everyone with a stake in climate action feels they must be present. Any suggestion of a smaller, more focused conference is quickly met with concerns about exclusion. But it is time to ask an uncomfortable question: has the fear of missing out (FOMO) become one of the biggest obstacles to effective international climate cooperation? The story in numbers When governments first met under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the 1990s, the annual Conferences of the Parties (COPs) attracted only a few thousand participants. Even the Kyoto conference, which produced the first legally binding emissions agreement, hosted fewer than 10,000 people. Since then, analysis a striking trend: after each major treaty COP, the participation at the next COP approximately doubled (see chart below). Log in here → Continue reading with free access For 15 years, Climate Home News has rigorously reported on the decisions shaping our climate. Join the community of readers who make this work possible. Join free and keep reading → It takes less than a minute. Benito Müller, Anju Sharma, Jen Allan, Matthias Roesti and Luis Gomez-Echeverri. Every November, tens of thousands of people descend on the world's annual UN climate conference. Presidents and prime ministers, negotiators, business executives, campaigners, journalists, celebrities and lobbyists converge on one city for two frenetic weeks, all convinced they need to be there. Everyone with a stake in climate action feels they must be present. Any suggestion of a smaller, more focused conference is quickly met with concerns about exclusion. But it is time to ask an uncomfortable question: has the fear of missing out (FOMO) become one of the biggest obstacles to effective international climate cooperation? The story in numbers When governments first met under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the 1990s, the annual Conferences of the Parties (COPs) attracted only a few thousand participants. Even the Kyoto conference, which produced the first legally binding emissions agreement, hosted fewer than 10,000 people. Since then, analysis a striking trend: after each major treaty COP, the participation at the next COP approximately doubled (see chart below).
Factcheck: How nuclear, gas, wind and solar power are affected during heatwaves
Heatwaves are becoming more likely and more intense due to climate change, impacting sources of power generation around the world as they work to meet increased demand. When temperatures soared past 40C in parts of Europe in June and July 2026, nuclear reactors shuttered, gas plants’ efficiency fell, wind speeds dropped and electricity networks sagged. Yet, while all types of electricity generation are affected variously , some commentators are quick to point the finger at “intermittent” wind and solar, while downplaying the impact on sources such as gas or nuclear power. Generation was reduced at another seven, causing an almost 9% dip in power production. (This is a well-known phenomenon – France has seen reductions in nuclear generation due to heatwaves in 2003, 2006, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2025.) A similar story is true across various countries in Europe. Low river levels on the Danube have hit nuclear reactors in Romania, Hungary and Serbia this summer, while a Swiss nuclear reactor shuttered due to high river temperatures. It is nuclear plants using river water to cool their reactors that are most significantly affected . These make up 14% of the global fleet. Around 60 of the world’s 440 river-cooled reactors are located in France, with a further seven across Europe. Nuclear power plants use fission to generate heat, which is used to create steam. This steam spins the blades of a turbine that is connected to a generator to create electricity. Following this process, the water is cooled to allow it to be recycled back through the system as steam again. Nuclear power plants generally use water from rivers or the sea to help cool and condense this steam. As such, when water temperatures rise due to a heatwave, their cooling capacity is reduced and the overall efficiency of the nuclear power station is affected. Similarly, if there is less water available due to drought, they cannot be cooled as effectively. Michael Tadrous, a researcher at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business in Canada, tells Carbon Brief that the “impact [of heatwaves] is real, but it is far smaller than many headlines suggest” and that the “effect [of heat] is gradual”. He adds: “Warmer intake water makes a reactor slightly less efficient. [But] even an extreme 15C rise in cooling-water temperature would cost a large reactor only about 6% of its output. “The real pressure point during a heatwave is usually legal rather than technical. Plants return their cooling water to the river a few degrees warmer than they drew it and the law limits how warm that water may be in order to protect aquatic life.” Henry Preston, a spokesperson for the industry body the World Nuclear Association, adds that reactor shutdowns due to high river temperatures are “typically an automatic response to comply with regulations to protect local ecosystems, rather than a technological fault”.
Spain says 70,000 out of 72,000 migrants that entered Ceuta in mass border crossing have returned to Morocco – as it happened
He says all countries were “constructive” and acknowledged Spain’s immediate response. He tells reporters that 70,000 of the estimated 72,000 that crossed in Cueta have now returned to Morocco. Spain is “in the process of resolving” the status of the remaining individuals, and those who do not have the right to remain in the country will be returned to Morocco, he says. But he goes out of his way to make it very clear that the EU’s Schengen area “was in no way compromised” , with “no secondary movement, nor even the possibility of any.” As we explained on Europe Live on Friday, Ceuta has a special status under the Schengen rules, meaning that all entries and exits to mainland Spain or the EU still require full border and document checks. He says today’s meeting was “satisfactory” in recognising Spain’s work on irregular migration. Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that 70,000 of the estimated 72,000 migrants who crossed into the north African enclave of Ceuta last week have moved back to Morocco, as the EU ministers met to study the crisis and draw lessons for its border management (, ). Grande-Marlaska insisted that the EU’s free-travel Schengen area “was in no way compromised,” as Ceuta is not part of the arrangement that sees travellers cross without border checks. At least 75 people died during the attempted crossing, EU ministers were told (), with Spain rejecting suggestions that it had any advance knowledge of the surge (, ). In sharp contrast to much more critical statements last week, ministers publicly praised Spain’s “swift” response to the crisis (, , , ), as they met virtually to discuss potential measures to strengthen the EU’s external borders. Spain and Italy remained at loggerheads over Rome’s decision to temporarily reintroduce border controls, with EU distancing itself from the dispute (). But a senior EU official criticised Spain’s policy to regularise the status of undocumented migrants (), saying it sent “not a good signal” on Europe’s immigration policies. In other news, Hungary has come “within millimetres” of having to shut down its nuclear power plant overnight, as extremely low water levels on the Danube complicate energy generation in parts of south-eastern Europe (, , , ). A 4.3 magnitude earthquake was reported west of the Italian city of Pisa, with no significant damage or injuries reported so far (). Austria has reported an all-time high temperature of 41C in Vienna-Stammerstorf () as large parts of central and eastern Europe face another wave of extreme temperatures, with the Czech Republic and Slovakia reporting all-time high night-time temperatures ().
Weather
View All 7Yellow warning of thunderstorm affecting Grampian
This page has an accessible alternative. What do the warning colours mean? Red warning Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. Amber warning There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property. Yellow warning Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations. It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered . Follow alerts in the app UK weather warnings Wed 5 Aug Yellow weather warning Thu 6 Aug No warnings Fri 7 Aug No warnings Sat 8 Aug No warnings Sun 9 Aug No warnings Mon 10 Aug No warnings Tue 11 Aug No warnings We are experiencing issues. These warnings may be out of date. Thunderstorm × Today UTC+1 Today Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms may cause some disruption. There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost What should I do? Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays , or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car).
Today: Light Rain Showers, Minimum Temperature: 12°C (54°F) Maximum Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
This video can not be played Today will be a cooler and windy day, with mainly cloudy skies and showers pushing in from the west throughout. Tonight will see winds easing, and it will remain largely cloudy with showers initially, and then some light patchy spells of rain developing. Tomorrow will see cloud breaking up, leaving variable cloud cover, sunny breaks at times, and a few well-scattered showers in places too. Outlook for Friday to Sunday Turning gradually warmer into the weekend. Friday will see sunny spells and patchy cloud, and there may be a few showers around in the morning before it turns dry. Sunshine to start on Saturday, but cloud will gradually move in through the day, bringing a few showers, and rain in to the evening and night. On Sunday, rain clearing to sunny spells and showers. Average wind speed 4 Miles per hour, West South Westerly4Average wind speed 7 Kilometres per hour, West South Westerly7 Humidity: Humidity: 95%,95% Visibility: Visibility: Very Good, Very Good Pressure: Pressure: 1009 millibars, Rising,1009mb, Rising Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° North, 2.383° West)Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° N, 2.383° W) Our favourite Weather Watchers photos nearby Report for Great Budworth, Cheshire Dave BReported by Dave B Report for Reddish, Stockport sunset_twilightReported by sunset_twilight Report for Whitefield, Borough of Bury Georgie Reported , Rochdale jol1yReported by jol1y
Thursday: Light Rain Showers, Minimum Temperature: 9°C (49°F) Maximum Temperature: 18°C (65°F)
This video can not be played Today will be a cooler and windy day, with mainly cloudy skies and showers pushing in from the west throughout. Tonight will see winds easing, and it will remain largely cloudy with showers initially, and then some light patchy spells of rain developing. Tomorrow will see cloud breaking up, leaving variable cloud cover, sunny breaks at times, and a few well-scattered showers in places too. Outlook for Friday to Sunday Turning gradually warmer into the weekend. Friday will see sunny spells and patchy cloud, and there may be a few showers around in the morning before it turns dry. Sunshine to start on Saturday, but cloud will gradually move in through the day, bringing a few showers, and rain in to the evening and night. On Sunday, rain clearing to sunny spells and showers. Average wind speed 4 Miles per hour, West South Westerly4Average wind speed 7 Kilometres per hour, West South Westerly7 Humidity: Humidity: 95%,95% Visibility: Visibility: Very Good, Very Good Pressure: Pressure: 1009 millibars, Rising,1009mb, Rising Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° North, 2.383° West)Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° N, 2.383° W) Our favourite Weather Watchers photos nearby Report for Great Budworth, Cheshire Dave BReported by Dave B Report for Reddish, Stockport sunset_twilightReported by sunset_twilight Report for Whitefield, Borough of Bury Georgie Reported , Rochdale jol1yReported by jol1y
NOAA confirms strengthening El Niño, with 81% chance of very strong conditions in October–December 2026
El Niño is present and strengthening across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) confirmed on August 3. An El Niño Advisory remains in effect, with NOAA assigning an 81% chance of very strong conditions during October–December 2026. Currently, El Niño has a 97% chance of continuing through early Northern Hemisphere spring 2027. NOAA defines a very strong event as a Relative Oceanic Niño Index, or RONI, of at least 2°C (3.6°F). RONI starts with the Niño 3.4 sea-surface temperature departure, subtracts the average tropical departure, adjusts the variance and applies a three-month running mean. NOAA listed the April–June 2026 RONI at 0.5°C (0.9°F), its operational El Niño threshold. The agency warns that a stronger El Niño does not automatically produce larger weather and climate impacts. Greater strength raises the probability of some impacts but does not determine their magnitude. The latest weekly sea-surface temperature departures reached 3.2°C (5.8°F) in the Niño 1+2 region, 2.1°C (3.8°F) in Niño 3, 1.5°C (2.7°F) in Niño 3.4 and 0.2°C (0.4°F) in Niño 4. The strongest warming remained in the eastern equatorial Pacific, while the Niño 4 region farther west recorded a much smaller departure. Above-average temperatures extended from the Date Line to the eastern Pacific during the four weeks ending August 1. Warming increased across parts of the east-central and eastern Pacific, while temperatures weakened relative to average in the west-central Pacific and near Indonesia. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported a rapid rise in the Niño 3.4 anomaly during the Northern Hemisphere spring and early summer. The anomaly increased from 0.5°C (0.9°F) in April to 0.9°C (1.6°F) in May and 1.6°C (2.9°F) in June, based on the 1991–2020 average. The April–June mean was 1°C (1.8°F). WMO’s multimodel forecast shows further strengthening during August–October 2026. The forecast Niño 3.4 mean rises from 2.7 ± 0.2°C (4.9 ± 0.4°F) in August to 3.1 ± 0.4°C (5.6 ± 0.7°F) in September and 3.4 ± 0.6°C (6.1 ± 1.1°F) in October. The three-month mean is forecast at 2.9 ± 0.4°C (5.2 ± 0.7°F), with the development trajectory reaching its highest point in November. Above-normal temperatures are favored across most land areas north of 60°S during August–October. The main warm signals cover much of Africa, southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent, eastern Asia, western North America below 60°N, Central America and the Caribbean. Warm conditions are also favored across southern Africa, tropical and subtropical South America, New Zealand, and southern and central Australia. The forecast signal is weaker over parts of northern Asia and northwestern and eastern North America.
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