Alys Davies

Multiple wildfires swept across the West Midlands during the UK’s hottest day of the year, destroying or damaging homes, forcing evacuations and prompting major-incident declarations. Stourbridge was among the worst-hit areas, with 19 homes destroyed and 18 damaged; fires also affected Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Pershore, Warwickshire and other locations. Fifty-four people were treated by paramedics and 19 were taken to hospital, including firefighters and residents. Authorities are investigating suspected arson in some areas, while fire crews continue damping down hotspots. Extremely hot, dry conditions and tinder-dry vegetation helped the fires spread rapidly, and experts warn that climate change is increasing the risk of more severe wildfires. Homeowners are advised to contact insurers or local authorities for claims, emergency payments and accommodation support.

Record-low Danube water levels caused by severe drought exposed the remains of two German soldiers, identification tags, a wedding ring, a Kuban shield and a largely intact Wehrmacht motorcycle in central Budapest. The German War Graves Commission is investigating the soldiers’ identities, using the tags and bone analysis, while noting that the artefacts may not definitively belong to the recovered bodies. The discovery may finally allow relatives to learn the fate of missing family members, and the soldiers will be buried at the German war cemetery in Budaörs.

Four men aged 18 to 21 have been charged with murdering 24-year-old Arad Niakan, who died after being stabbed in De Montfort Place, Leicester. They also face charges relating to an imitation firearm and possession of a bladed article. A fifth man, Kassam Tarmahoomed, has been charged with assisting an offender and granted conditional bail, while the four murder defendants were remanded in custody. Other people arrested during the investigation were released on bail or without further action.

A new £2 cap on most single bus fares in England from January 2027 is expected to save some commuters hundreds of pounds annually. While travellers like Sarah Bodger and others welcome the measure as a significant financial relief, some residents in rural or cross‑border areas say they will not benefit. Critics highlight that the scheme’s more than £500m cost is supported by reallocated government funds, prompting questions about transparency. Advocacy groups argue that although lower fares help, rural areas continue to face reduced services due to past council cuts.

Rescuers in Venezuela are using search dogs, sound detection devices, cameras, drones and heavy machinery to locate survivors following devastating earthquakes that have killed at least 1,700 people. Search specialists describe how dogs identify human scent deep under rubble, while seismic and acoustic tools detect faint noises. Cameras, thermal imaging equipment and micro drones help locate trapped individuals in confined spaces. Technical tools and heavy machinery support efforts to breach debris, with local teams coordinating access to larger equipment as rescue operations continue beyond the initial survival window.

Rescue teams in Venezuela employ search dogs, sound detectors, cameras, thermal imaging tools and drones to locate survivors of devastating twin earthquakes that killed at least 1,700 people. Specialists from international groups including UK ISAR and SARAID describe how listening devices, technical cameras and heavy machinery help navigate rubble and reach trapped individuals, while local teams coordinate access to large equipment needed for major debris removal.