Evening Briefing: Saturday 1 August 2026
- Petrol: The US and Israel are poised to strike Iran’s oil sites this weekend, and petrol is already at its highest since the war began. Any strike could push pump prices higher still.
- Water: Drought now covers the whole of Wales and around half of England, and a burst main left thousands without water. Hosepipe bans are likely to stay, and may tighten.
- Budget: The Chancellor has warned of spending cuts in October’s Budget to fund the government’s pledges — a sign of the tax and spending choices ahead for households.
US and Israel Poised to Strike Iran as Americans Told to Leave
The United States and Israel were poised to launch what American officials described as one of the harshest bombing campaigns of the war against Iran’s energy infrastructure, though no strike had begun by Saturday evening and no final deci…
Israel Rejects Gaza Pullout as Disarmament Claim Unravels
President Trump’s claim that Hamas had begun disarming unravelled on Saturday, as an official on his “Board of Peace” first said the process had started and then conceded it would begin only “in the coming days”. Israel said it did not app…
Ceuta Death Toll Rises to 67 as Spain Seals Border
The death toll from the mass breach of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta rose to at least sixty-seven on Saturday, as more bodies were recovered following the crossing of some 49,000 people. Spain said the influx had eased and that mi…
Climber Nirmal Purja Confirmed Dead on Broad Peak
Nirmal Purja, one of the world’s most celebrated mountaineers, has been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck his expedition on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, his climbing company said. At least six of the ten-member team were swept away, and r…
Nine Confirmed Dead in Russian Strike on Kyiv
At least nine people were confirmed dead and more than twenty-five wounded in the Russian missile and drone strike that hit Kyiv overnight, Ukrainian officials said, as rescuers finished searching a partly collapsed apartment block. Among…
Craig Wins Manchester Comfortably as Turnout Slumps
Labour’s Bev Craig won the Greater Manchester mayoralty comfortably, taking around two-thirds of the vote once second preferences were counted, but on a record-low turnout that took some of the shine off the result. Analysts said the “Burn…
Wildfire Burns Near Sizewell Plant as Drought Widens
A large wildfire burned for a third day on the Suffolk coast, coming within a few miles of the Sizewell B nuclear power station and forcing the evacuation of a holiday park, though firefighters reported making good progress by Saturday. It…
Healey Warns of Budget Cuts to Fund Burnham's Pledges
The Chancellor, John Healey, has warned cabinet colleagues to brace for spending cuts in the autumn Budget to help pay for Andy Burnham’s costly promises, according to reports. The warning, days after the Budget was set for late October, p…
Thousands Left Without Water After Main Bursts
Thousands of homes were left without running water on Saturday after a mains pipe burst, adding to the strain on supplies during a summer of drought. Residents faced disruption in the heat, with bottled-water stations set up in affected ar…
Manhunt Ends as Escaped Prisoner Recaptured
A prisoner who escaped from a custody van outside a court in Liverpool was recaptured on Saturday after a manhunt, police said. The man had fled while being transported, prompting a large search and warnings to the public not to approach h…