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UK Evacuates Humanitarian Worker Over Ebola Exposure

UK Health Security Agency confirms a UK resident humanitarian worker exposed to Ebola in the DRC was evacuated to London for precautionary isolation and monitoring, with no symptoms and the public risk deemed low. The evacuation, carried out with NHS and international partners, underscores ongoing precautionary protocols as authorities diagnose no confirmed UK cases.

16 sources

Mistrial Declared in Sacramento K Street Case; Retrial Planned

A mistrial was declared in the Sacramento K Street mass shooting case after jurors failed to reach verdicts on the murder charges against surviving defendants Dandrae Martin and Mtula Payton, with prosecutors expected to decide soon on retrial. The 2022 shooting left six people dead and injured about a dozen, and the defendants were later convicted on weapons counts despite the hung jury on the murder charges.

9 sources

Photo: Giles Laurent / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Milky Way reportedly flipped after ancient collision

New simulations and observations indicate the Milky Way likely experienced a dramatic disc flip of more than 90 degrees, probably triggered by a head-on collision with Gaia Sausage about 10 to 11 billion years ago, which helps explain the unusually slow rotation of the halo. Researchers from Durham University and colleagues report the finding at the Royal Astronomical Society meeting, with multiple outlets detailing how this ancient galactic upheaval reshaped our galaxy.

7 sources

Photo: Werner100359 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Taylor retires after 20-year refereeing career

Anthony Taylor, 47, has retired from refereeing after a 20-year career spanning 831 matches, with his final appearance coming in Spain's 1-0 World Cup last-16 win over Portugal. A former prison officer who spent 16 seasons in the Premier League and oversaw major finals and international tournaments, his retirement was lauded as a long and distinguished service by figures such as Howard Webb.

16 sources

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Tottenham Sign Alice Sombath in Club-Record Move

Tottenham Hotspur Women have signed France defender Alice Sombath from Lyonnes for a club-record fee, joining six new arrivals this summer as Spurs push to finalize their squad ahead of a full pre-season. The 22-year-old Champions League winner and Euro 2025 participant said the league is highly competitive and stressed that her qualities can help Spurs, who view her addition as part of a long-term building project under manager Martin Ho.

7 sources

Photo: Rwendland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Thames Water Lenders Plan Golden Share

Thames Water’s creditors, led by London & Valley Water, have offered a “golden share” and expanded public oversight to try to avert nationalisation under Prime Minister Burnham, while seeking to work with regulators on a revised rescue package and avoid a special administration regime. The proposed deal includes long-term no-dividend commitments and stronger local-government and ministerial control, as Burnham’s government pushes for greater public involvement in the utility.

5 sources

Burnham plans VAT cut on electricity bills

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an immediate VAT cut on domestic electricity bills, lowering the annual bill by about £45 from October as part of a broader effort to ease the cost-of-living crisis. The policy is funded this year by scrapping the Digital ID programme, with Northern Ireland maintaining its commitments to follow EU tax rules.

11 sources

Arctic Winter Sea Ice Decline Resumes After Pause

New studies show that the Arctic winter sea ice slowdown seen in the early 2020s was temporary, with 2025 and 2026 winters posting record lows that restore a significant downward trend in winter ice extent. The 5.8% drop from 2024 to 2025 was the largest year-to-year decline on record, and researchers say the recent data indicate winter ice loss is continuing and may accelerate again in the next decade due to ongoing global warming, despite the earlier pause being brought to an end by natural oceanic variations.