Morning Briefing: Thursday 16 July 2026
- Petrol & Energy: Oil is holding near a one-month high around $85 a barrel as the US blockade of Iran chokes Gulf shipping, and the RAC says pump prices — near 151p a litre — have started climbing again. The wholesale gas price that sets energy bills is exposed to the same shock.
- A New PM on Monday — and Possible Tax Rises: Andy Burnham is confirmed leader and becomes Prime Minister on Monday, with Shabana Mahmood tipped as his Chancellor. He has declined to rule out a wealth tax and warned he may have to “ask for a little more”, so plan for tax rises in the autumn.
- Heat, Fire & Water: The heatwave peaks today at around 35C, with yellow heat-health alerts in force until Friday evening and extreme wildfire risk on tinder-dry ground. Hosepipe bans now cover more than eight million households. Save water, avoid disposable barbecues, and check on the elderly and unwell.
US Strikes Expand Into Northern Iran on the Fifth Day
American forces widened their campaign against Iran overnight into a fifth consecutive day, striking coastal-defence and cruise-missile sites, including a 90-minute barrage on Greater Tunb Island, and expanding the strikes into northern Ir…
Iran Retaliates Across the Gulf and Rules Out Talks
Iran pressed its counter-attack overnight, aiming missiles and drones at US-linked sites across the Gulf. Jordan said its air defences shot down eight Iranian missiles crossing its territory, and video verified by CNN showed a drone striki…
Russia Strikes Kyiv Hours Before Starmer’s Farewell Visit
Russian missiles hit two districts of Kyiv early on Thursday, killing at least two people, including a teenager, and setting warehouses ablaze, only hours before Sir Keir Starmer was due in the city on his final foreign trip as Prime Minis…
Congo’s Ebola Outbreak Is the Fastest-Growing Ever Recorded
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the fastest-growing on record and the third-largest ever, the World Health Organization says, with confirmed cases nearing 2,000 and more than 700 deaths across five provinc…
Oil Holds Near a One-Month High as the Blockade Bites
Crude held near a one-month high on Thursday, with Brent around $84 to $85 a barrel after climbing more than 10% over the past week, as the US blockade and strikes choked traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Prices eased slightly in early…
Burnham’s Coronation Nears as the Final Box Is Ticked
Andy Burnham’s path to Downing Street enters its last procedural day. Backed by 379 of Labour’s 403 MPs, according to the party’s own tally, and unopposed, he is set to be confirmed leader at a special conference on Friday and installed as…
Mahmood Set for Chancellor as Reeves Is Moved
Andy Burnham is reported to be poised to name the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, as his Chancellor, passing over the early favourite Ed Miliband; one source called it “nailed down”. Rachel Reeves, the outgoing Chancellor, is expected to…
Widdecombe Suspect Held Under the Terrorism Act
The man arrested over the killing of Ann Widdecombe is now being held under the Terrorism Act, as Counter Terrorism Policing leads what officers describe as a targeted attack at her Devon home. A 28-year-old man from Rotherham, arrested at…
Starmer Makes a Final Trip to Kyiv as the Commons Rises
Sir Keir Starmer travels to Kyiv today on his last foreign trip as Prime Minister, meeting President Zelensky to pledge that Britain’s support for Ukraine “will always endure”, days before he hands power to Andy Burnham. The visit, coming…
Heatwave Peaks Today as Hosepipe Bans Reach Eight Million Homes
Britain’s third heatwave of the year peaks on Thursday, with temperatures forecast to reach around 35C in parts of southern England and yellow heat-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency in force until Friday evening. Forecasters…