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Some of the driest areas in the UK missed rain before a new heatwave arrives, with temperatures expected to reach up to 35°C (95°F) in parts of England. Wales is in drought, and large areas of England are close to it, while health warnings have been issued for heat-related risks.
Key Facts
Northern and western UK had some rain over the weekend; southern parts mostly did not.
Wales has officially entered drought status.
Southern, central, and eastern England are in prolonged dry weather, just before drought is declared.
Temperatures will peak around 35°C (95°F) in south-east England during the heatwave.
Heat health alerts are active from July 28 to July 31 in many regions, warning vulnerable people of risks.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will have cooler, rainy weather with temperatures in the high teens or low twenties °C.
Driest areas like central, southern, and eastern England have had very little rainfall this month.
Wisley in Surrey recorded 39 days without rain as of July 26, well below normal rainfall levels for July.
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Girlguiding has introduced a new uniform design for the first time since 1990. The updated uniform emphasizes comfort, practicality, and allows members to express their individuality by only requiring a top from the new collection to be worn.
Key Facts
The new uniform design was created after gathering feedback from thousands of Girlguiding members aged 6 to 16.
Members only need to wear a top from the new range to be considered in uniform.
The new collection includes 30 clothing items and 15 accessories, with prices starting at £12 for a T-shirt.
The design includes features such as hidden pockets, thumb holes on sleeves, and badge sashes that can double as cross-body bags.
The redesign focuses on practicality, comfort, and sustainability.
Girls can keep wearing the old uniform until theirs needs replacing.
A survey found that 93% of girls felt more comfortable when they could choose their own style.
Girlguiding ambassador Angellica Bell said the new uniform allows girls and volunteers to showcase their individuality.
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Families of the 29 military personnel killed in the 1994 RAF Chinook helicopter crash in Scotland want Andy Burnham to order a new independent review of the disaster. They believe there was a cover-up and that important information about the helicopter's safety was hidden.
Key Facts
The Chinook HC2 helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994, killing 29 military personnel.
The two pilots were first blamed but cleared in a 2011 inquiry that did not find the crash cause.
Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox supports a new independent review because he suspects a cover-up.
Families argue the Ministry of Defence may have given incorrect details about the helicopter’s airworthiness.
A recent court ruled families cannot sue the MoD as their claim was filed too late.
The Chinook Justice Campaign, representing many victims’ families, plans to take the case to the European court of human rights.
Families ask Andy Burnham to meet them and start a transparent review separate from the Ministry of Defence.
The families reference a new law called the Hillsborough law that demands honesty from public officials during investigations.
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Economists warn that rising oil prices caused by conflict in the Middle East could force the Bank of England to increase interest rates later this year. If oil prices stay above $90 to $100 a barrel, inflation may rise, pushing the central bank to raise rates to control the economy.
Key Facts
Oil prices spiked above $100 a barrel due to renewed fighting in the Middle East but dropped slightly to around $96.
The Bank of England currently holds interest rates at 3.75%, with a decision expected to maintain this level at its upcoming meeting.
Economists say if oil prices remain high, inflation in the UK could increase significantly, leading to higher interest rates.
At $90 a barrel, markets anticipate about one and a half rate increases; at $100, potentially two increases of 0.25%.
Rising gas and oil prices may increase costs for food and transport, pushing inflation higher.
The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil shipping channels, contributing to price increases.
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee is cautious but prepared to raise rates if energy prices keep rising.
Higher interest rates would aim to slow inflation but could also act like a tax on economic growth.
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Artist Amy Sherald showed her large triptych painting called "Ecclesia" at the Whitney Museum in New York. The artwork features Black figures on floating watchtowers and is inspired by history, film, and personal reflection. Sherald used bigger brushes and scaffolding to paint this complex and spiritual piece, which took about six months to complete.
Key Facts
"Ecclesia" is a triptych, meaning it has three connected paintings.
Each painting shows a Black person in bright clothing on a watchtower floating in a bright blue sky.
Sherald was inspired by medieval triptychs and a scene from the film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" by Wes Anderson.
The paintings are very large, requiring scaffolding and large brushes to work on.
Sherald took half a year to finish the triptych.
This work is part of her retrospective exhibition at the Whitney Museum.
Sherald said the exhibition reflects her art ideas from the past 20 years and marks a new start for her.
The painting is described as a spiritual moment, symbolizing looking toward the future.
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The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) helps Americans get money if they are injured by certain vaccines through a simplified legal process without having to prove fault. COVID-19 vaccines are not included in this program but are instead covered by a different, more limited program for emergency medical treatments called the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP).
Key Facts
Vaccines have saved over 150 million lives in the last 50 years but can rarely cause side effects.
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program started in the 1980s after lawsuits threatened vaccine production.
VICP protects vaccine makers from most lawsuits while compensating injured people without needing to prove negligence.
The program covers 16 vaccines, including flu and HPV vaccines, but not COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines fall under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), created for emergencies under the PREP Act.
CICP is more restrictive, with a shorter time to file claims and limited compensation options compared to VICP.
VICP uses special judges and allows compensation for pain and suffering; CICP is an administrative program with fewer benefits.
Funding for VICP comes from a small tax added to each dose of recommended childhood vaccines.
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Amy Sherald is an artist known for painting Michelle Obama’s official portrait. After many years of working without much attention and surviving a rare heart condition, she is now one of the most recognized painters in the United States.
Key Facts
Amy Sherald is the painter of Michelle Obama’s official portrait.
She spent many years painting without much public recognition.
Sherald survived a rare heart condition.
She is currently 52 years old.
She is considered one of America’s most celebrated painters.
The interview was featured on the CBS news program "60 Minutes."
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Amy Sherald is a well-known American painter recognized for her portraits of Black Americans. Her work gained widespread attention after she painted the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, and she often depicts her subjects looking directly at the viewer to create a meaningful connection.
Key Facts
Amy Sherald painted the official portrait of Michelle Obama.
She has become one of America’s most celebrated painters, with several major museum exhibitions.
Sherald canceled a Smithsonian exhibition due to concerns about censorship pressures during the Trump administration.
Her portraits often show Black Americans looking directly at the viewer to create an exchange.
Sherald finds her subjects through photographs, using people she encounters and thrift store clothing.
One of her controversial portraits is of Breonna Taylor, a woman killed by police in a 2020 raid.
Her style emphasizes presence and personal stories rather than traditional portrait naming or settings.
Sherald had a show at the Whitney Museum of American Art, fulfilling a long-held dream.
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The price of home heating oil in Northern Ireland has increased sharply in the past three weeks, rising by nearly £100 for 500 litres. This rise is linked to increased conflict between the US and Iran, which has affected global oil prices and may keep them high until talks resume.
Key Facts
The cost of 500 litres of home heating oil rose from £346.59 to £445.37 in three weeks, an increase of 29%.
About two-thirds of households in Northern Ireland use home heating oil, the highest in the UK.
Prices previously peaked at £612.37 per 500 litres in April and dropped to £346.59 earlier this month.
The recent price rise followed US military actions against Iran and attacks on oil tankers near a critical shipping route.
Some families are worried about the impact of rising heating oil costs, especially with winter approaching.
Alternative heating options like gas have become similarly expensive for some users.
Experts expect high oil prices to continue until diplomatic talks between the US and Iran restart.
The rising cost is creating financial strain for households and those on fixed incomes.
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Vaccines have saved many lives but can sometimes cause rare injuries. Americans who believe they have been harmed by a vaccine can seek help through a special court designed for vaccine injury claims.
Key Facts
Vaccines have helped prevent many diseases and saved millions of lives.
Some people experience very rare injuries after getting vaccinated.
The U.S. has a special vaccine court to handle injury claims related to vaccines.
This court was created to help people who think they were hurt by vaccines.
The vaccine court provides a legal way to seek compensation for injuries.
This process is separate from regular courts and has specific rules.
The system aims to balance supporting public health and helping individuals who suffer rare side effects.
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The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, often called the vaccine court, helps people who claim they were hurt by vaccines. It was started in the 1980s after legal cases caused vaccine makers to leave the market, which put vaccine supplies at risk. The court pays money to those with rare vaccine injuries while supporting vaccine safety and public health.
Key Facts
The vaccine court is located near the White House and has paid billions to people who say vaccines harmed them.
It was created in the 1980s after lawsuits against vaccine makers led to a shortage of vaccines.
The court balances helping injured individuals and encouraging vaccine production for public safety.
Vaccine injuries are very rare, with risks similar to lightning strikes or winning the lottery.
Jacob Thompson, a child who developed severe epilepsy, is an example of someone whose family claims vaccine injury.
Most people who seek help from the vaccine court are not against vaccines but want recognition and compensation for injuries.
The program keeps vaccine makers partly protected from lawsuits to ensure the availability of vaccines.
Vaccines save millions of lives worldwide every year, preventing many serious diseases.
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The CBS News program on July 26, 2026, featured three stories: an update on the U.S. vaccine court, an introduction to the sport called chess boxing that combines mental and physical challenges, and an interview with artist Amy Sherald.
Key Facts
The U.S. vaccine court handles claims related to vaccine injuries.
Chess boxing is a sport that mixes playing chess with boxing rounds.
Amy Sherald is a well-known artist featured in an interview.
The program aired on CBS News on July 26, 2026.
CBS News provided coverage through their app and website.
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The new UK government plans to tighten youth benefit rules, requiring young people to do training or voluntary work to continue receiving payments. Other topics include government discussions on changing property taxes, cabinet reshuffles with new promises on defense funding, and various public issues like a water outage at Gatwick airport and rising fuel thefts.
Key Facts
The UK government may stop youth benefits unless recipients do training or volunteer work to reduce welfare costs.
Over 87,000 young people aged 16-17 are claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which the government says needs reform.
More than 100 Labour MPs support replacing council tax and stamp duty with new property or land value taxes.
Ed Miliband, the new foreign secretary, aims to strengthen the UK’s leadership on climate issues at the World Bank.
New defense secretary Wes Streeting promises to quit if defense spending plans do not meet targets, but the prime minister rejects a 3% funding increase by 2030.
Major defense companies Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems are investing in tech start-ups to modernize military technology.
Gatwick airport experienced a water outage that caused problems with toilets and drinking fountains, impacting thousands of travelers.
Nearly 800 drivers per day are reported stealing petrol from gas stations in the UK.
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The Pentagon updated its war casualty records to add over 140 wounded soldiers and created a new category for injuries and deaths after July 7 in the US-Iran conflict. The update separates casualties from the renewed fighting starting in July from the earlier phase called Operation Epic Fury, following a ceasefire that ended in July.
Key Facts
The Pentagon added more than 140 wounded service members to its casualty database.
A new casualty category called "Overseas Operations" was created for those killed or wounded starting July 7.
Operation Epic Fury, the earlier phase, now records 14 killed and over 400 wounded.
The Pentagon reduced previous totals from 18 killed and 482 wounded to these updated numbers.
Fighting resumed near daily airstrikes after a ceasefire collapsed on July 6.
The Trump administration treats the renewed fighting as a separate campaign to comply with the War Powers Act.
The War Powers Act requires the president to end military operations within 60 days unless Congress approves continuation.
Some lawmakers argue the administration’s split of the conflict violates the War Powers Act and breaks the law.
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Scott Gottlieb, the former head of the FDA, said that the agency has not fully stopped the spread of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness. The FDA has identified that the outbreak mainly comes from central Mexico and certain farms, but the problem is not yet fully contained.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by contaminated food or water.
The FDA is working to control an ongoing outbreak of this illness.
The outbreak is linked mainly to central Mexico and some specific farms there.
Scott Gottlieb, who used to lead the FDA, says the outbreak is not under control yet.
The FDA has made progress in identifying the sources of the outbreak.
Efforts continue to prevent more people from getting sick.
Gottlieb made these comments during a public statement on Sunday.
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The article describes the movie *Taxi Driver*, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro. It tells the story of Travis Bickle, a New York taxi driver who becomes troubled by the harsh world around him and struggles with his feelings for a woman named Betsy.
Key Facts
*Taxi Driver* was first shown in 1976.
The movie is 1 hour and 48 minutes long.
It contains strong language, explicit sexual content, graphic violence, and upsetting scenes.
The main character, Travis Bickle, works as a taxi driver at night in New York City.
Travis feels disturbed by the poor conditions around him and tries to connect with Betsy, a woman he likes.
The film shows Travis’s emotional decline as his life becomes more difficult.
Robert De Niro plays the lead role of Travis Bickle.
The movie is considered a cult drama and a significant work in film history.
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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is expected to face a leadership challenge soon after Labor party members met and decided she lacks majority support. Her deputy, Ben Carroll, may only run if the leadership seat is empty, and the party is considering asking Allan to resign before a parliamentary vote.
Key Facts
Jacinta Allan became Victoria’s premier in September 2023 after Daniel Andrews resigned.
Labor’s left and right factions met and agreed Allan does not have majority caucus support.
Ben Carroll, the deputy premier, said he will only run for leader if Allan steps down.
Ministers may approach Allan to ask her to resign before a caucus meeting and vote.
If Allan contests, a longer vote involving all Victorian Labor members would take place.
Some ministers publicly support Allan and have dismissed the leadership talk as gossip.
Allan faces criticism over her handling of organized crime issues linked to the state’s construction projects.
Carroll has expressed plans to call a royal commission and fix public teacher pay disputes if he becomes leader.
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A man suspected of attacking people at Berlin Pride was killed by police. A new CBS News poll shows President Trump has low approval ratings on handling the economy and Iran.
Key Facts
There was an attack at Berlin Pride, an event celebrating LGBTQ+ rights.
Police shot and killed the suspect involved in the Berlin Pride attack.
A recent CBS News poll measured public opinion about President Trump.
In the poll, Trump received poor ratings on his handling of the economy.
Trump also scored low on public approval regarding Iran issues.
The CBS News poll reflects current U.S. public opinion on key topics.
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A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old who died from stab wounds in a park in Luton. Police arrested four other teenagers related to the case and are continuing their investigation.
Key Facts
The stabbing happened at Kingsway recreation ground in Luton around 6:30 pm on Friday.
The 17-year-old victim was taken to the hospital but died shortly after.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and is held in custody.
Four other teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and related crimes.
Police responded after reports of teenagers carrying large knives in the park.
Officers are conducting more patrols and asking witnesses to come forward.
Authorities urge the public not to share videos of the incident to protect the victim’s family and help the investigation.
A local councillor asked people not to spread disturbing videos online, noting the tragedy has deeply affected the community.
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President Donald Trump’s border official is reviewing how an ICE officer involved in a deadly shooting in Maine was vetted, after family members said the officer had mental health and violence issues. ICE has started requiring body cameras during vehicle stops to record interactions, amid concerns about training and tactics as the agency carries out Trump’s immigration policies.
Key Facts
An ICE officer shot and killed a Colombian man in Maine.
The officer’s family revealed he had serious mental health problems and violent behavior.
ICE’s vetting process and training are under internal review.
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, said if the issues are true, the officer should not have passed vetting.
ICE now requires at least one body camera to be used during all vehicle stops.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin briefly paused vehicle stops after the shooting but President Trump ordered them to continue.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern about ICE use of force and vetting procedures.
There have been 56 complaints of excessive force against ICE officers; most investigations are ongoing, with few disciplinary actions taken so far.
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