Evening Briefing: Saturday 8 August 2026
- Petrol: A tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz and the waterway remains shut, keeping oil elevated near $83 a barrel. Petrol prices are unlikely to fall much while the standoff drags on.
- Savings: Gold is at a record and shares near highs after a weak US jobs report raised hopes of interest-rate cuts — a lift for pensions, and a sign borrowing costs could ease over time.
- Water: A fifth heatwave is forecast next week with temperatures up to 36C and hosepipe bans spreading. The drought continues to threaten crops and food prices.
UAE Accuses Iran of Striking a Tanker in Hormuz
An oil tanker belonging to the United Arab Emirates’ state energy company was hit by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz in the early hours of Saturday, sparking a fire that was put out with no casualties. The UAE blamed Iran’s Revolutionary…
Iran Sets Six Conditions to Reopen Hormuz
Iran laid out six conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the United States must first “correct its behaviour” — ending the war permanently, lifting its naval blockade and sanctions, withdrawing forces and paying war compe…
Pakistan Minister Calls Israel "Illegitimate" After Pact
A day after signing a mutual-defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Pakistan’s defence minister branded Israel “illegitimate” and called for a “united military front” of Muslim nations against it. The remarks were the first significant…
Unexplained Drones Near NATO Sites Stoke Fears
A drone laden with explosives went off near a gas-pipeline compressor station in Bulgaria, and others were spotted over a military base and an airport in Germany, stirring fears of sabotage on NATO territory. Bulgaria’s president said a “s…
US Pledges $1bn to Colombia as New President Sworn In
The United States pledged around $1bn in security assistance to Colombia as its new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, was inaugurated. The aid, aimed at fighting drug trafficking and armed groups, signals warmer ties between…
Navy Tracked Russian Warship That Opened Fire, MoD Says
The Royal Navy shadowed a Russian warship that fired its guns off the coasts of Britain and France, the Ministry of Defence revealed, as it disclosed a sharp rise in Russian naval activity in UK waters. Four Navy vessels spent 21 days in J…
Firebomb Inquiry at Farage's Home Reopened
Detectives investigating the death of the former MP Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into an alleged arson attempt at Nigel Farage’s home, prompting the Reform UK leader to say he was “horrified” the two were being linked. Counter-t…
Police Step Up Response to Asylum-Hotel Protests
Police stepped up their response to a wave of protests around asylum accommodation this weekend, after nights of disorder in Thetford in which officers were injured. A specialist policing unit has referred more than a hundred social-media…
Khan Presses Burnham to Commit on Climate
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged the Prime Minister to recommit to climate action, warning against “climate denial” as the government signals a softening of its net zero targets. His intervention, in an article, adds to pressure…
Reform Backer Accused of Hiring Detective on Reporter
The Reform UK donor Arron Banks commissioned private investigators to look into a Sunday Times journalist who had been reporting on the party, according to a report. The allegation adds to scrutiny of the tactics deployed around Britain’s…