Heatwave, petrol costs, and visa changes & more
Prepare for a fifth heatwave starting Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach 35C in south-east England and high 20s across most of England and Wales. Alongside rising temperatures, your travel costs are increasing as average petrol prices have climbed to over 160p per litre, the highest level since the start of the Iran conflict.
For those navigating immigration pathways, the Global Talent visa scheme has expanded to include over 100 commercial research businesses in high-growth sectors, making it easier for these firms to hire international researchers. Meanwhile, official figures indicate that more than 1,000 individuals have been convicted of "illegal arrival" in the UK between July 2022 and January 2026.
In local safety news, Benjamin Katabana, 28, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Uchenna Okirie in Norwich last November. Additionally, counterterrorism police have reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary in London as part of a separate murder inquiry involving Widdecombe.
Looking ahead, you may notice a significant solar eclipse on August 12; while not total in the UK, western regions will see substantial coverage, including 95% in Plymouth and 93% in Cardiff and Belfast.
For more updates on housing policy targets and scientific developments at the UK Atomic Energy Authority, please check the News section of the app.