Charlie Bradley

A major earthquake struck southern Peru on August 20, with measurements reported between magnitude 6.7 and 7.2 and an epicentre northwest of Upahuacho in the Ayacucho region at roughly 66 kilometres deep. Landslides and avalanches were reported, while authorities initially said there were no deaths and no tsunami threat. Later updates cited two people injured during evacuations, damage to 22 homes, six health centres and a school, and power losses affecting at least 6,000 users. Schools in the region were due to close for structural inspections, and officials continued assessing the impact.

Three members of the same family—a man, a woman and a teenage girl—died after entering the water near Shoreham Fort in West Sussex and getting into difficulty. A younger girl was taken to hospital in critical condition. Sussex Police, ambulance crews, HM Coastguard and Shoreham RNLI responded, while part of the A259 was closed. Police appealed for information and video footage, and said specialist officers were supporting the family. An eyewitness claim that one child became caught in a fishing net had not been independently verified or confirmed by police.

A large fire broke out in an industrial building on Brunel Way near Slough railway station on 12 August 2026. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, supported by crews from Buckinghamshire and London, urged residents to close doors and windows and avoid the area. The blaze blocked the railway between Slough and Windsor & Eton Central, causing cancellations and disruption until around 8pm. The lines later reopened, while Slough Borough Council assisted affected residents.

Rumours that asylum seekers were being housed in properties in Thetford, Norfolk, prompted crowds of up to 100 people to gather, damage homes, force residents out and confront police. Several people were arrested, including Brian Thompson, who was charged with possessing a wooden bat, while two officers were taken to hospital after being struck or bitten. South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy condemned the intimidation and vigilantism but reiterated concerns about Home Office plans to house asylum seekers at former military sites, including RAF Barnham.

Indian postgraduate student Vijay Mundrathi, 41, contacted decoy girls online with sexually explicit messages and attempted to arrange a meeting with a 13-year-old decoy in Doncaster. He reportedly sought to marry a young British girl to secure his immigration status after his student visa expired. Mundrathi was detained while carrying prosecco, rings and his passport, and admitted four counts of attempting sexual communication with a child and one count of arranging sexual activity with a child. Sheffield Crown Court sentenced him to three years and 10 months in prison, placed him on the sex offenders register for life, imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and issued additional financial and legal penalties.

Donald Trump threatened Iran with “decapitation” if it does not agree to a deal addressing US concerns over its nuclear program, while claiming that negotiations could begin within days. He said he suspended plans for what he described as the largest US attack since World War II after appeals from Gulf allies, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and from Iranian officials. Trump also asserted that the United States controls access through the Strait of Hormuz and demanded either an agreement or Iran’s total surrender. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly criticized the president’s approach as erratic.

The Turkish-flagged roll-on/roll-off vessel Nadhezna, carrying fruit and vegetables from Samsun to Novorossiysk, was reportedly attacked by six or seven drones in the Black Sea, causing a fire and injuring four crew members, including three Turkish nationals. Captain Yalcin Sahin alleged that Ukraine carried out the strike, but the claim has not been independently verified, and neither the ship’s operator nor Russian or Ukrainian authorities immediately confirmed it. Russian naval assistance was reportedly delayed because of the drone presence. The incident highlights continuing risks to Turkish-linked commercial shipping and the potential for the Russia-Ukraine conflict to spread further across contested Black Sea trade routes.

Carlos Cordeiro, described as one of Gianni Infantino's closest advisers, resigned in opposition to plans to bring private-equity investment into FIFA's flagship tournament business. Journalist Romain Molina claimed Infantino had lost control of FIFA and could soon be removed, citing tensions involving FIFA officials, while UEFA said its 55 member associations would boycott competitions if the proposals proceeded. The Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF also opposed the plans, and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham criticized Infantino's leadership.

Dubai International Airport is scheduled to close permanently in 2035 after more than six decades of operation, with its services transferred in stages to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South from around 2032. The redevelopment of Al Maktoum International Airport, estimated at £28 billion, is planned to provide five runways, 400 aircraft gates and capacity for up to 260 million passengers annually. Emirates and flydubai are expected to relocate their operations, while Dubai Airports says maintaining two nearby major hubs would be economically impractical once the existing airport's assets reach the end of their useful lives.

A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead reportedly exploded in a field near Tarnawa Kolonia in eastern Poland after straying into Polish airspace during a major Russian missile and drone assault on Ukraine. No one was injured and no damage was reported, while Polish officials said there was no reason to believe Poland was the intended target. NATO scrambled aircraft and activated ground defenses, and Secretary General Mark Rutte called the incident another reckless consequence of Russia's war. The overnight attacks killed at least 10 civilians in Ukraine, damaged homes and infrastructure, and intensified calls from Kyiv for faster deliveries of Patriot air-defense systems.

The Met Office is urging UK households to close curtains in sun-facing rooms and keep doors and windows shut during the hottest part of Wednesday, when temperatures could reach the mid-30s Celsius. Southeast England may meet official heatwave criteria, while upgraded amber health alerts warn of risks from the rising temperatures. Additional advice includes drinking water, avoiding alcohol and peak sunlight, using shade and sunscreen, limiting strenuous exercise, and following safety guidance around open water.

South Sudanese national Both Douk Deng was arrested at Edgar Wood Academy in Heywood after workmen reported him acting suspiciously on the closed school premises. Police footage showed officers wrestling him to the ground, and he was found carrying a hammer, hatchet, seven-inch kitchen knife and a petrol-filled jerry can. Deng later pleaded guilty to criminal damage and weapons offences.

Two children aged six and 11 were bitten on their legs and thighs by a dog in a playground on Vernon Street near Newfoundpool, Leicester. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. Police are appealing for help identifying the woman accompanying the dog and have asked witnesses to contact PC Samuel Senior with information.

The government plans a bursary worth up to £4,500 a year for a small number of Universal Credit households to prevent families from losing income when teenagers begin apprenticeships. Expected to target disabled 16- and 17-year-olds in single-parent households, the scheme will be funded through the growth and skills levy. Wider reforms include new technical education pathways from September 2028, revised Ofsted criteria recognizing high-quality vocational training, and up to £8,000 in support for small and medium-sized businesses hiring young apprentices.

The July 25 National Lottery draw offered a £3.6 million Lotto jackpot. The winning numbers were 36, 55, 6, 29, 2 and 59, with bonus ball 50 in the first round, and 49, 22, 9, 53, 26 and 56, with bonus ball 34 in the second. Thunderball numbers were 15, 17, 23, 13 and 21, with Thunderball 14. The live blog also explained entry rules, draw times and upcoming lottery opportunities.

Iran launched new missile attacks targeting Bahrain and prompting warning sirens in eastern Saudi Arabia, while Jordan reported intercepting several missiles and drones entering its airspace. Flight routes were altered due to the regional escalation, which follows earlier US and Israeli strikes in Tehran that killed senior Iranian figures. Despite a Pakistan‑brokered agreement meant to halt hostilities, tensions across the Middle East continue to rise.

A 22-year-old Australian man, Brett Mann, was killed by a 13-foot saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory after being swept into a river while quad-biking with two friends. The crocodile surfaced with Mann’s body as his friends escaped into a tree, where they remained for 22 hours until rescued by police. Authorities later reported the crocodile had likely been killed by wildlife rangers, though Mann’s remains were never recovered. The incident highlights the dangers posed by the region’s large saltwater crocodile population, which has grown significantly since protections were introduced in the 1970s.

An inquest is set to open into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found with serious injuries at her home in Devon on July 9. Police believe she was the victim of a targeted attack, and a 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has also been detained under terrorism laws, allowing extended questioning. Counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation as the initial detention period approaches its expiration.

Tunisia’s World Cup manager Herve Renard resigned after only 18 days in charge, following group‑stage losses to Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands. Renard thanked the Tunisian Football Federation and supporters, describing the experience as an honour, and confirmed he is now free to consider future opportunities. His departure followed Tunisia’s earlier dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi after the team’s opening defeat.

Several UK schools will allow students to arrive late on Monday to accommodate the early‑morning England vs Mexico World Cup match. Some schools will keep registers open later, while others will offer breakfast and show match replays. The National Education Union supports the flexibility, and England manager Thomas Tuchel encouraged parents to let children watch the game. A wide range of schools across different UK regions have confirmed relaxed attendance policies for the morning after the match.

The Met Office forecasts heavy rain across Scotland and parts of northern England on Monday while southeastern England experiences very warm temperatures that could reach 32C, rising to 34C later in the week. Rain is expected to persist in northern and northwestern Scotland, with cloudy, drizzly conditions in Northern Ireland and northern England, while the southeast remains hot and sunny. A full list of affected areas includes all of Scotland and selected regions of northern England.

The parents of a three-year-old boy allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure say he has undergone five surgeries and faces at least two more, including nerve reconstruction. They describe ongoing uncertainty about the extent of damage to his arms and the length of his rehabilitation. Donations have been used to cover living expenses as both parents remain out of work while caring for their injured son and newborn, with further contributions intended to support rehabilitation and the hospital that has assisted them.

Severe thunderstorm forecasts in Mexico City threaten potential delays to England’s World Cup round‑of‑16 match against Mexico, currently scheduled for 1am UK time. FIFA maintains the original kickoff, but an 80 percent chance of lightning could force players and fans to seek shelter, possibly pushing the match back hours. Mexico manager Javier Aguirre criticised earlier reports of a proposed schedule change, though FIFA denies such plans were considered.

A large fire broke out near Swansea city centre, producing heavy smoke visible for miles and causing major traffic disruption. Emergency services responded to Dyfatty Street around midday, urging the public to avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed. South Wales Police issued warnings about smoke, while Labour MP Torsten Bell advised residents to stay clear of the city church area. The cause of the blaze remains unknown as authorities continue to manage the scene.

Prince Harry has decided not to bring Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to London due to security concerns after being denied police protection. He will travel alone while maintaining private communication with King Charles III about any potential reunion. Meghan may still join him later in Birmingham for an Invictus Games-related engagement. The family has not visited the UK since the Platinum Jubilee, and uncertainty remains after delays in reviewing Harry’s security status by the Risk Management Board and Ravec.

Forecasts indicate temperatures could reach 34C in southern England as a new hosepipe ban is introduced by Southern Water for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight due to low river levels. Yellow heat health alerts will be in place for several English regions, with officials warning of increased risks to vulnerable people and potential water-related incidents. The Met Office expects a week-long heatwave, though less intense than the previous month’s. Water restrictions will remain until reservoir and river levels recover.

King Charles issued a formal message congratulating President Donald Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing shared values and long-standing UK–US ties. The note followed the King and Queen Camilla’s recent state visit to the United States, where they participated in ceremonial events, visited the 9/11 memorial, and Charles delivered an applauded address to Congress highlighting continued partnership between the two nations.

Forecasts indicate temperatures could reach 35C in southern England next week, with over 30C expected across 33 counties. WXCHARTS maps show widespread heat on July 9, while the Met Office predicts warm, dry conditions with occasional thunderstorms. Scotland and Northern Ireland may see more cloud initially but warmer, drier periods later as high pressure extends northward.

FIFA clarified that England’s World Cup 2026 match against Mexico remains scheduled for 1am UK time despite conflicting reports of a change caused by storm forecasts in Mexico City. Local concerns over expected lightning and heavy rain prompted discussions, but no official alteration was made. FIFA will continue consultations with local organisers as severe weather remains a possibility, while players say they are prepared for any kick-off time.

A senior Russian political scientist and adviser, Sergei Karaganov, urges Russia to change its military doctrine to require automatic nuclear retaliation against Western countries supporting Ukraine. He warns that European states backing Ukraine, including Germany and Finland, could be destroyed if nuclear weapons are deployed on their territory. Finland’s recent legal change permitting potential nuclear weapon deployment under NATO is described as increasing risk, while Helsinki maintains it has no such plans in peacetime. Karaganov argues that stronger Russian nuclear posturing would deter conflict and prevent Western involvement.