Week-long heatwave due in England with 34C peak in south-east 04. July 2026 (16:40) Heat health alerts in place in most regions of England from Sunday to Saturday with mercury also rising in WalesAnother heatwave is on the way across parts of the UK with peak temperatures of 34C forecast.Temperatures in the south of England could reach 28C on Saturday, according to the Met Office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump issues 11 pardons on eve of country’s Fourth of July celebrations 04. July 2026 (16:13) Pardons issued to nine people charged with violating Clean Air Act as extreme heat smothers much of USDonald Trump on Friday issued pardons to 11 men – two convicted fraudsters and nine charged with having violated the federal Clean Air Act by disabling or otherwise modifying trucks’ emissions controls.Those executive pardons – coming amid US semiquincentennial celebrations blanketed in extreme heat exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions – were among a broader wave of acts of clemency from Trump during his second presidency, chiefly for those he considers to be aligned with him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham will change No 10 ‘boys club’ briefing culture, says Lucy Powell 04. July 2026 (16:00) Deputy Labour leader says No 10 needs to become more meritocratic and has asked Burnham to commit to 50/50 gender split for ministers and staffAndy Burnham will change a “boys club” culture of factional briefings at No 10 which silenced critics, according to the deputy leader of the Labour party.Lucy Powell said she had experienced “unpleasant” briefings in Downing Street, which left people afraid to speak out or challenge Downing Street’s position. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Washington DC’s Fourth of July parade canceled due to soaring temperature 04. July 2026 (15:31) National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning as high temperatures have paralyzed the east coastOrganizers of Saturday’s Independence Day parade in Washington DC abruptly canceled the event late on the eve of the event, with sweltering temperatures in the nation’s capital and on the east coast wreaking havoc on celebrations of America’s semiquincentennial.The event, hosted by the National Park Service (NPS), was scheduled to begin at 10.30am on Saturday. But organizers said they canceled the procession due to an extreme heart warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘The situation is terrible’: aid workers on life in Sudanese city pummelled by drone strikes 04. July 2026 (14:43) El Obeid becomes key battleground in war between Sudan’s armed forces and their paramilitary enemies, the RSFFatima is losing count of the number of drone attacks on the besieged city of El Obeid in Sudan, but says the attacks this past weekend were the most violent so far.The drones hit schools and fuel stations, killing more than 20 people, including students, she says. “Over the past few months, seeing 40 or 45 drones is the norm. You can literally count them,” said the aid volunteer, whose name has been changed for fear of retribution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three-year-old injured in UK crocodile enclosure faces ‘long rehabilitation’ 04. July 2026 (14:30) Boy who was allegedly thrown into the area at a Cambridgeshire zoo has undergone five surgeriesA three-year-old boy left seriously injured after being allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure has undergone five surgeries and faces a long “rehabilitation journey”.His family, who provided the update, also thanked donors who had raised more than £25,000. His parents said they had been “living at the hospital” since the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst farm and zoo, in Cambridgeshire, on 18 June. Continue reading...(The Guardian)