Huge wildfires rage in France and Spain as firefighters race against time

Plus: PM to end prioritisation of university places

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent   Emergency services tackling massive wildfires are in a race against time to get the blazes under control before another heatwave hits Europe, Andy Burnham is set to unveil the biggest overhaul in education in 15 years, and police are “conducting inquiries” into an image shared on social media after Reform UK reported Zack Polanski. Top stories 1 | Huge wildfires rage in France and Spain as firefighters race against time before next 40C heatwave Read more 2 | PM to end prioritisation of university places in biggest schools reform for 15 years Read more 3 | Burnham could pledge to rejoin the EU in Labour’s next manifesto, minister says Read more 4 | Police ‘conducting inquiries’ into image after Reform report Polanski Read more 5 | Burnham tells Zelensky UK ‘has got your back’ in first meeting since becoming PM Read more Read deeper How snow in Athens and hail in Marseille are linked to Bordeaux fires Holly’s revenge: How Willoughby’s shock move proves her star power Is Burnham trying to price homeowners out of the South East? How teachers are catching AI cheats and going back to the analogue age The biggest surprise of Meghan on MasterChef? She was actually good Your Views Your Views ‘Where are the jobs?’ Readers clash over Burnham’s welfare crackdown Our community is divided after Andy Burnham vowed to make benefits – including mental health support – conditional on work, with some cheering the crackdown and others accusing the new PM of copying his predecessors’ mistakes. Share your opinion and read the full debate here.   This is long overdue. Millions are milking the welfare system while the country goes down the pan. There are many areas where wasteful welfare spending can easily be slashed. Work is essential to people’s wellbeing, self-respect, and participation in society, and welfare has been abused for far too long.   Zeppelina   WATCH  Canadian politician appears to read out AI prompt during speech STAT OF THE DAY 98 The number of organisations that have called on prime minister Andy Burnham to commit to climate action. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY   "How can someone be so callous, cold and calculated?" A funeral director who kept kept bodies for months “to rot” after they should have been cremated and gave the wrong ashes to families has been described as “callous”. Read more Other stories you might like Miliband to join board of World Bank and prioritise climate and aid Map: Areas most likely to benefit as Burnham eyes income tax overhaul Rapist who abducted teenage girl at knifepoint tries to flee court “Take out an Independent Premium subscription for full access to opinions that will make you think twice, whether you agree with them or not. ChatGPT won’t make you brainier, but our brilliant columnists just might” Join now with our introductory offer: just £1 for 6 months Join the conversation and follow us Download our apps: Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy policy and cookie policy