BriefTea
Every story in sixty words
News · 12 August 2026
England and Wales have recorded 1,017 wildfires so far this year, matching last year's total, with a major blaze still burning in the New Forest. An emergency Cobra meeting, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is scheduled for Wednesday to address the UK's strategy. Temperatures are expected to reach 38C on Thursday, with an amber extreme heat warning covering all of England.
Reported by Independent · How we write briefs
Understand this story
What is a Cobra meeting? What is a wildfire? What is an extreme heat warning? Why are wildfires increasing?More briefs
WorldIran's unseen supreme leader urges Gulf countries to fight a shared enemy BusinessIceland supermarket boss tells the Chancellor to cut business taxes for employers GeneralNigel Farage's £5m donor has major stakes in arms industry PoliticsTreasury officials advise John Healey to tax banks and oil companies more HealthCorrecting hearing loss can cut dementia risk by almost half GeneralNotting Hill Carnival parade begins as Europe's biggest street party Browse all stories →