Morning Briefing: Thursday 9 July 2026
- The Heat Peaks Today: Temperatures are forecast to reach 35C, with amber alerts across England and the NHS warning of “sustained pressure” — this is the most dangerous day of a heatwave that could prove the longest in fifty years. Keep checking on older relatives, watch for signs of heat exhaustion, and expect rail speed restrictions.
- Petrol & Energy: Oil is holding near $78 a barrel as the US-Iran conflict reignites — roughly $6 above where it sat before the fighting resumed. The war premium is now embedded in the price, so the recent run of falling pump prices has firmly reversed.
- Disability Benefits: The minister reviewing Personal Independence Payment says it is “not fit for purpose” and needs fundamental change, with final recommendations due in the autumn. If you or a family member claims Pip, the shape of the benefit — which supports four million people — is now firmly in play.
US Strikes Iran for a Second Night as Ceasefire Collapses
American forces hit more than 90 Iranian military targets overnight — a second consecutive night of strikes on air defences, naval assets and missile stores — after President Trump declared last month’s ceasefire “over”. Two days of bombin…
Iran Strikes US Bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar
Iran launched swarms of kamikaze drones at American facilities across the Gulf overnight — a Patriot interceptor system in Kuwait, an early-warning site in Qatar and fuel tanks in Bahrain — sending air-raid sirens across the region as Kuwa…
Iran Buries Khamenei in Mashhad as His Successor Stays Hidden
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is to be buried today at the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, his home city, ending a days-long procession through Tehran, Qom and the Iraqi holy cities that drew vast crowds; the governor of Mashhad said he expected…
Trump Grants Ukraine a Licence to Build Patriot Systems
President Trump confirmed at the close of the NATO summit in Ankara that the United States will license Ukraine to manufacture its own Patriot air-defence systems, after meeting President Zelensky, and suggested Ukrainian strikes on Russia…
Russia Strikes Kyiv for a Second Day Running
Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine killed at least four people, including two in Kyiv, the second consecutive day the capital was struck — the barrages landing as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara and Washington moved to arm Uk…
Burnham on Course for Coronation as Nominations Open
Nominations to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader — and therefore as Prime Minister — open today, with Andy Burnham the only declared candidate and his last potential rival, Al Carns, ruling himself out overnight. Candidates need th…
Police Investigate £37,500 Donation to Jenrick’s Leadership Bid
The Metropolitan Police has opened an investigation into a donation of nearly £40,000 to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership campaign, after the Electoral Commission referred allegations the money came from a foreign source — whi…
Disability Benefit “Not Fit for Purpose”, Review Warns
The government’s interim review of Personal Independence Payment — the first comprehensive look at the benefit since it was introduced in 2013, co-chaired by the disability minister Sir Stephen Timms — concludes it is “not fit for purpose”…
Heatwave Peaks Near 35C as NHS Warns of Sustained Pressure
Temperatures are forecast to reach 35C today as the summer’s third heatwave peaks, with amber heat-health alerts across England and the NHS warning of “sustained pressure” on services. Forecasters say a run of ten consecutive days above 30…
IMF Upgrades UK Growth Forecast as War Fears Ease
The International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for UK growth to 1% this year — up 0.2 points from April, and the only upgrade among the G7 — making Britain the bloc’s third fastest-growing economy behind the United States and Canada,…