1. North Korea 'holds its sixth nuclear test' says Japan
North Korea has carried out its sixth nuclear test, Japan says. "The government confirms that North Korea conducted a nuclear test after examining information from the weather agency and other information," foreign minister Taro Kono told the press. The move is seen as a direct challenge to Donald Trump. South Korean media said the blast was 9.8 times the strength of Pyongyang’s test last September.
2. Theresa May 'secretly agrees explosive Brexit bill'
Theresa May has secretly agreed a "politically explosive" Brexit bill of up to £50bn, reports The Sunday Times. Brussels is demanding a Brexit bill of €100bn (£92bn). Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has appealed for unity from pro-EU Tory MPs as the Commons prepares to debate the government's Brexit repeal bill on Thursday. The bill transfers EU law into UK legislation.
3. NHS bosses warn of 'worst winter' to come
Hospital bosses say the NHS could suffer its worst winter in recent history if it does not receive an emergency bailout. Although the government has given councils an extra £1bn for social care services, new data shows A&E waits and bed shortages remain "stubbornly" bad. NHS Providers is calling for a sum between £200m and £350m to be made available immediately.
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4. Brits arrested in Magaluf amid huge drug crackdown
Twelve people from Britain have been arrested in the Spanish holiday resort of Magaluf after police smashed an alleged drug-dealing ring. Officers say they have seized three kilograms of high-purity cocaine and €103,000 (about £100,000) in cash. The suspects were part of a criminal organisation selling drugs to tourists in nightclubs in the party town of Magaluf, said a police spokesman.
5. Some 1,200 dead and millions at risk in South Asia floods
More than 1,200 people have died and 40m more are at risk in flooding across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Although flooding is common during the monsoon season, this year’s have been "much worse," said Hari Balaji, a disaster management consultant. Torrential downpours have caused landslides, damaged roads and washed away tens of thousands of homes.
6. Whitehall to crack down on 'crack cocaine' betting machines
The government is preparing to clamp down on fixed odds betting terminals, according to a letter seen by The Observer. The letter was sent by the chancellor, Philip Hammond, to the Bishop of St Albans, who has been leading Church of England criticism of the betting industry’s use of the machines. The gambling machines have previously been described as the "crack cocaine" of the betting world.
7. Palestinian journalists face clampdown from Abbas
Palestinian journalists are enduring a crackdown from President Mahmoud Abbas. Five journalists were arrested on a single day last month, while others have been called in for questioning as part of a clampdown on both the media and expressions of dissent on social media. In June, the Palestinian Authority shut down roughly 30 critical websites.
8. Serious injuries after lightning hits French music festival
At least 15 people have been injured by lightning at a music festival in the north-east of France. A woman in her sixties and a 44-year-old man are in a serious condition. Authorities say the lightning struck in several areas of the Vieux Canal festival in the town of Azerailles. Victims were "directly hit by the lightning and suffered burns", the regional council said.
9. Peggy Whitson back on Earth after smashing records
Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned to Earth last night, bringing to a close a record-breaking flight. Her 665 days off the planet exceeds that of any other American and any other woman worldwide. She became the world’s oldest spacewoman, at 57, and became the first woman to command the space station twice following her launch last November.
10. Fears of nuclear war after child killed at India/Pakistan border
A five-year-old girl was killed after being shot by Indian troops on the Pakistani border, according to reports. The child had been walking outside her home in Polas village in the disputed region of Kashmir when a stray bullet hit her in the head. The United Nations fears nuclear war could break out between India and Pakistan amid on-going tension.
