Prime Minister vows to intensify efforts on Channel crossings

Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to be "relentless" in curbing small boat crossings, amid mounting numbers since he replaced Keir Starmer on July 20. Visiting Dover, Burnham acknowledged that over 2,000 migrants have arrived during his first two weeks but claimed crossings are down 50% this year compared with 2025 and at their lowest in six years. He stressed the government will watch closely for pricing abuse at the pump and till, vowing to use regulatory powers if needed, and insisted legal pathways into the UK remain essential alongside enforcement. The commitment comes as the government prepares for autumn announcements on spending and tax policy (via BBC News).

The US and Japan signalled willingness to conduct coordinated currency interventions, steadying the yen after months of weakness. Both nations pledged to work together on future actions to support the currency, marking rare joint effort in forex markets (via BBC News).

Meanwhile, UK fuel theft has surged dramatically since the Iran conflict began, with nearly £200,000 stolen daily from forecourts over the past five months. Industry data showed theft incidents rose by one-fifth during the period, straining retailers already grappling with rising costs and shrinking margins (via BBC News).

Heat health alerts have been issued across six English regions—East Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West and West Midlands—as temperatures approach 34°C. The yellow-level alerts, set to remain in effect until Wednesday morning, warn vulnerable populations including older people and those with chronic conditions of heat-related risks. Certain regions in the south expect temperatures approaching 34 degrees Celsius, marking another stretch of above-normal summer heat (via BBC News).

Meta blundered when its automated moderation systems mistakenly removed video from India's prime minister, drawing sharp criticism over content governance at scale. The error underscores ongoing tensions between platform safety systems and high-profile political figures (via The Register).

Microsoft backs 8GB floor for Windows 11. Microsoft defended its position that 8GB of RAM should suffice for Windows 11 users, adding items to its Windows improvement initiative as the company continues tweaking the operating system's resource requirements (via The Register).

The latest Spider-Man film achieved the second-biggest global opening weekend in box office history, delivering a major win for Disney as the studio builds momentum toward Avengers: Doomsday. The superhero spectacle's early dominance signals strong audience appetite for major-studio tentpoles as the summer season winds down (via BBC News).

Author built million-book career from unlikely start. A Northern Irish author celebrated a remarkable career in conversation, having sold more than five million books globally and reached readers across 40 languages—despite her first book signing taking place in a police custody suite. The trajectory underscores how unconventional paths can lead to sustained literary success (via BBC News).

Premier League clubs have already spent more than £1 billion during this summer's transfer window, with weeks remaining before the deadline closes on September 1. The spending blitz reflects continued competition for top talent and squad reinforcement, with activity expected to intensify further as clubs make late moves (via BBC Sport).

Semenyo praises Maresca's tactical approach. Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo hailed new manager Enzo Maresca's style of play as "music to my ears," offering early validation of the Italian coach's methods. Semenyo's backing suggests the squad is warming to Maresca's tactical identity after early displays in pre-season (via BBC Sport).

St Johnstone edge seven-goal thriller. St Johnstone edged out Kilmarnock in a high-scoring Scottish Premiership clash at McDiarmid Park, with the match serving as a reminder of the entertaining quality in Scotland's top flight as the season prepares to intensify (via BBC Sport).

Swans boss commits to long-term project. Vitor Matos extended his Swansea City contract through 2030, reaffirming his ambition to guide the club back to the Premier League. The deal signals stability and backing from the board as the Championship outfit pursues promotion (via BBC Sport).