Millions witness once-in-a-generation solar eclipse

Plus: Burnham appeals for help in stopping wildfire threat

Thursday, August 13, 2026 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent   Millions of people across the UK witnessed a rare solar eclipse last night, Andy Burnham urged new measures to prevent worsening wildfires, and Clacton voters head to the polls as Nigel Farage hopes to reclaim his seat.  Top stories 1 | Skywatchers across UK wowed as rare solar eclipse blots out most of the sun Read more 2 | Burnham calls on every retailer to withdraw disposable BBQs after emergency Cobra meeting Read more 3 | Polls open as Nigel Farage goes up against Count Binface to reclaim his Clacton seat Read more 4 | Cambridge to investigate appointment of Jason Arday amid plagiarism row Read more 5 | Serial sex offender Simon Levy given whole-life term Read more Read deeper Forget the credit crunch, we are now in the climate crunch The real reason why Amanda Knox’s Edinburgh show isn’t funny China has banned AI relationships. Should the UK do the same? Zia Yusuf is making Reform UK radioactive I spent three years investigating prisons scandal – today there’s hope Your Views Your Views ‘Only the courts can decide’: Readers on PC Harper killers’ release Our community has pushed back against calls for Downing Street to carve out an exception for Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, warning that political interference in sentencing threatens judicial independence. Share your opinion and read the full debate here.   That criticism is asking the government to do something that would violate proper democratic separation of powers. In most functioning democracies, judges sentence according to law, parole boards assess release conditions, and the executive enforces but doesn’t override judicial decisions. If the government could simply block prisoner releases for political reasons – because a case generated public outrage or a victim’s family campaigned – that’s exactly the corruption of judicial independence that democracies are supposed to prevent. Every sentenced prisoner’s release would then depend on whether their case attracted enough media attention or political pressure.   Nixda   WATCH  Count Binface’s first-ever interview resurfaces as he prepares to face Farage STAT OF THE DAY 460,000 visitors were expected to travel to Spain on Wednesday to witness the solar eclipse in a boost for rural areas outside of the typical tourist hotspots Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY “I broke all of my ribs. Fractured my back in four different places... 65% of my body was burned.”   Blink182 drummer Travis Barker opened up about the horrific injuries he suffered in a 2008 plane crash Read more Today's top deals Save on returned home and tech products that are as good as new at the John Lewis outlet.      Bankhall single malt whisky has been reduced to just £16 at Amazon – cheers!    Other stories you might like The tiny village of 350 people that’s voted to leave the UK What it takes to make people laugh at the Fringe today I joined a tour after travelling the world solo for 20 years- and fell in love 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