Major incident declared in Suffolk as 90 firefighters tackle wildfire on heathland 30. July 2026 (10:01) Several people evacuated after ‘large-scale, wind-driven’ fire breaks out at Dunwich Heath near LeistonA major incident has been declared as firefighters battle a large heathland fire on the Suffolk coast.Suffolk fire and rescue service was called to reports of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday, and crews remained at the scene on Thursday morning. About 90 firefighters were tackling the blaze, while several people had been evacuated. Leiston is about 5km away from Sizewell B, but firefighters have said there is not thought to be any danger to the nuclear power station at this time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Grey lump with orange wings’: hummingbird hawk-moths descend on UK gardens 30. July 2026 (10:00) Boom in migrating moth sightings put down to hot weather, strong winds and food scarcity in Europe He had just sat down to dinner in the garden when a speedy visitor whizzed by – a “grey lump with orange wings”, recalled Luke Burstow, from Sussex. It was a hummingbird hawk-moth, a flying insect that migrates to the UK from continental Europe and north Africa.“I was like: ‘Wow!’,” said the software project manager. “I didn’t even know they existed.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shell’s profits more than double after jump in oil and gas prices 30. July 2026 (09:08) Environmental groups renew calls for windfall tax to support households following Q2 earnings rise to $9.84bn Shell more than doubled its profit in its second quarter of the year, as Europe’s biggest oil and gas company reaped the benefits from the jump in oil and gas prices triggered by war in the Middle East.The FTSE 100 company’s net profit hit $9.84bn (£7.4bn) in the three months to June, more than double compared with the same period last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 13 killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Poland investigates airspace violation – Europe live 30. July 2026 (09:04) Huge missile and drone attack on Ukraine as Poland’s Tusk prepares to travel to impact site discovered in east of countryAt least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in another night of heavy Russian attacks on Ukraine, with neighbouring Poland also investigating an reported airspace violation and explosion on its territory.Russia launched 74 missiles and 284 drones against targets in Ukraine, with casualties reported primarily in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Was Florentine friars’ fatigue-fighting elixir a precursor to Coca-Cola? 30. July 2026 (09:00) Document believed to be from 19th century details recipe using Bolivian coca leaves, kola nuts and wineAn Italian friar has unearthed a document from the pharmacy archives of an ancient convent in Florence describing a medicinal potion made from Bolivian coca leaves and kola nuts, prompting suggestions it could have been a precursor to the famous US soft drink, Coca-Cola.Father Manuel Russo, rector of the San Marco convent, said he stumbled across the yellowed document, a sort-of promotional flyer, while sorting out the archives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Archibald prize 2026: portrait of Jewish leader after Bondi terror attack wins people’s choice award 30. July 2026 (08:22) Artist Michael Zavros says he was inspired by a deep respect for Alex Ryvchin’s leadership, as well as an uncanny likeness between the two menAn artist’s portrayal of a Jewish leader produced just weeks after the Bondi massacre has won the Archibald people’s choice category.Michael Zavros won the $5,000 prize for his portrait of Alex Ryvchin, the co-head of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, who Zavros called an “unmistakably and unashamedly Jewish” leader.Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Campaigners rail against ‘plundering’ of ancient Kent woodland to make way for quarry expansion 30. July 2026 (08:00) Forty hectares of Oaken Wood could be razed after it was identified as potential site of expansion by Reform-run councilIt was at the confluence of seven forest paths that Allison Sweetman came to a stop. Trees rose on all sides, save for a recently coppiced section to the north-east. The noon heat had silenced most birds, but the quiet was peaceful.“This is what they call Seven Wents,” she said. For centuries, the people of Kent had travelled this way, from East Malling to Barming, from Ditton to Teston, for church, commerce and friends. “It’s on maps going back 400 years.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Polls open in Greater Manchester mayoral byelection overshadowed by new PM and Farage’s antics 30. July 2026 (08:00) Labour’s Bev Craig expected to win contest that lost column inches to Andy Burnham’s ascent and Reform UK leader’s self-imposed Clacton voteVoting has begun in the biggest byelection in British political history, with more than 2 million people eligible to choose Andy Burnham’s successor as Greater Manchester mayor.In normal times, such a large and politically significant byelection would have dominated the headlines for weeks, particularly as senior Labour figures only weeks ago feared losing the prize mayoralty to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge orders Amy Winehouse’s father to pay nearly £1m to her friends 30. July 2026 (07:09) Mitch Winehouse ‘knowingly and deliberately’ made unfounded allegations against Naomi Parry and Catriona Gourlay, judge saysThe father of British music sensation Amy Winehouse has been ordered to pay £950,000 (US$1.26m, A$1.82m) to his late daughter’s friends, who he unsuccessfully sued for auctioning the singer’s clothes and other items.Mitch Winehouse earlier this year lost a case in the high court in London against two of Winehouse’s friends who auctioned dozens of her clothes and other possessions years after her death. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW to send paramedics not police to some mental health emergencies after multiple deaths 30. July 2026 (07:05) Mental health experts to triage triple zero calls, but not all of the changes will be implemented 24/7 or statewideFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales will send specialist nurses rather than police to some mental health emergencies after the state announced long-fought-for reform in the wake of multiple deaths at the hands of police.Rose Jackson and Yasmin Catley, the mental health and police ministers, announced on Thursday a statewide change to how triple zero calls are triaged, with a new team of mental health experts assessing mental health calls 24/7 in a bid to provide better support. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
