Evening Briefing: Sunday 2 August 2026
- Petrol: Oil markets reopen tonight after President Trump paused a threatened strike on Iran — but with Iran denying any deal, the war premium may hold. Petrol remains at its highest since the war began.
- Food: Farmers warn a record-dry July and spreading drought could cause shortages of some foods and push prices up. Hosepipe bans are set to persist as the heat returns.
- Mortgages: UK borrowing costs ended the week just above 5 per cent after the Bank of England held rates. Fixed mortgage rates are likely to stay high for now.
Iran Dismisses Trump's Deal Claim as "Psychological Operations"
Iran hardened its denial on Sunday that any deal was in the offing to end the war, dismissing President Trump’s claim to have called off a strike in exchange for an “imminent” agreement as “psychological operations”. Tehran said it had nev…
Ceuta Death Toll Climbs Past 67
The number of people confirmed dead in the mass breach of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta rose again on Sunday, with at least sixty-seven now known to have died and some accounts putting the toll higher. Spanish authorities ordered…
Firefighting Helicopters Collide Over Greece, Killing Two
Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air over Greece on Sunday while tackling a wildfire west of Athens, killing two people on board. The aircraft came down near Psatha as crews battled one of many blazes burning across the country…
Israel Vows to Keep Striking Gaza Despite Disarmament Deal
Israel said its strikes on Gaza would continue even after Palestinian militant groups agreed to disarm under President Trump’s plan, with a senior minister insisting the campaign would not stop. At least nine Palestinians, some of them rep…
Suicide Bomber Kills 14 Outside Pakistan Police Station
A suicide bomber killed at least fourteen people outside a police station in the Swat valley in north-western Pakistan, officials said. The attack struck near a rally that had been protesting against a rise in militant violence in the regi…
Burnham Vows "Relentless" Crackdown on Small Boats
Andy Burnham travelled to Dover on Sunday to promise a “relentless” effort to stop small boats crossing the Channel, his first big intervention on Britain’s borders since becoming Prime Minister. The set-piece visit, days after the migrant…
Drought Could Cause Food Shortages, Farmers Warn
A prolonged drought could lead to shortages of some foods and push up prices, the head of the farmers’ union warned, after July was confirmed as the driest on record for England and Wales. Fresh heat-health alerts were issued for much of E…
EU Citizens Told Settled Status Granted "in Error"
Some European Union citizens living in Britain have been told that their post-Brexit right to remain was granted “in error”, according to reports, raising fresh fears over their status. The letters have alarmed people who had believed thei…
Ministers Finalise Prisoner Early-Release Scheme
The government is finalising a scheme to release some prisoners early to ease dangerously overcrowded jails, with talks reported to be entering their final stage. Andy Burnham is said to want the most serious offenders, including child rap…
Healey's Price Warning Risks Row With Retailers
The Chancellor’s warning that shoppers are being “taken for a ride” on food and fuel prices risks sparking an open row with retailers, according to reports, as the industry bristles at the accusation of profiteering. John Healey has promis…