Nuclear experts and former officials in Israel – the US’s top ally in the Middle East – have voiced concern that the plan could ultimately lead to Saudi Arabia being able to develop a nuclear weapon – though other experts say that path would likely take decades and spark pushback from the international community.

Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat said his country “can manage it” if Saudi Arabia had nuclear power for peaceful means.

Israel itself is widely believed to have nuclear weapons, but it neither confirms nor denies that this is the case.

Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East programme at the US-based Defense Priorities think tank, said it would be “quite shocking” if the US were to allow Saudi Arabia uranium enrichment facilities.

“The US has never done that before. We have never helped another country enrich on their own soil,” she said, adding that this was because “if you can produce your own nuclear fuel, you become a much bigger risk” for building nuclear weapons.

The agreement will now be sent to the US Congress for review.

Some lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are expected to oppose the deal, though Trump’s Republican Party controls both the upper and lower chambers and opponents of the deal do not appear to have the votes needed to block it.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rebuffed concerns that it could advance Saudi Arabia’s ability to develop nuclear arms.

“The US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation,” Rubio told reporters.

Several Democrats opposed to the deal pointed out that, during his time as a senator, Rubio had endorsed a law – the “No Nuclear Weapons for Saudi Arabia Act” – which required Congressional approval of any nuclear deal.

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Markey condemned Rubio and Trump as “allowing Saudi Arabia, a belligerent and authoritarian nation, to develop nuclear weapons technologies while starting a war with Iran under the guise of preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb”, adding that their “hypocrisy is matched only by their recklessness”.

From berry-inspired creations on the high street to TikTokers whisking up DIY versions of the green tea in their kitchens, it seems like everyone is all over matcha this summer.

But recently, concerns about the drink’s impacts on iron absorption have flooded social media.

With influencers expressing worries that the tea may lower the body’s ability to process iron, some have raised concerns over the potential health risks versus its benefits.

So The Independent asked specialist dietitian and author of How Not To Eat Ultra Processed, Nichola Ludlam-Raine, and nutritionist of 17 years Sonal Jenkins for the facts and the myths.

What is matcha and what are its benefits?

Thought to have first been consumed in 2700BC China, matcha is a powder made from finely ground, shade-grown green tea leaves.

Packed with powerful compounds called polyphenols – which are currently being studied for their cancer-fighting properties – matcha is recognised for a range of health benefits, including fighting oxidative stress and supporting heart health.

It is rich in antioxidants, particularly a group called catechins, which help protect cells from damage. The most potent catechin in matcha, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), has been studied for its potential role in reducing inflammation.

Because matcha powder is whisked directly into water or milk, rather than steeped and discarded like a regular teabag, drinkers consume the entire leaf, getting a much more concentrated dose of nutrients and antioxidants.

Does matcha reduce iron absorption?

So, does drinking matcha actually prevent iron absorption in the body? The short answer is yes, but whether this matters depends on the context.

According to Ms Ludlam-Raine, the concerns surrounding matcha stem from its rich profile of tannins, which are a group of bitter plant compounds also found in coffee, red wine, and dark chocolate.

“These tannins are what actually impact how iron is absorbed into the body,” Ms Ludlam-Raine explained.

When you drink matcha, tannins act like a magnet in your gut. They latch onto iron – specifically non-haem iron, which is found in plant foods like spinach, beans, and lentils – and bind it into a solid complex that your digestive tract cannot absorb.

Ms Ludlam-Raine said because matcha is made from whole tea leaves, its higher concentration of tannins means it can affect iron absorption much more than a standard tea or coffee.

But she said “for most people, the impacts of one matcha a day aren’t going to be that big”.

Who actually needs to worry?

Ms Jenkins explained for anyone eating a balanced diet, their daily total iron intake easily overcomes the binding effect of a daily matcha. However, two specific groups should pay more attention.

The first group are vegans and vegetarians. Because plant-based eaters rely entirely on non-haem iron sources, heavy matcha consumption can potentially deplete iron stores over time.

The second group are people with low iron. If you are already struggling with maintaining your iron levels, or have been diagnosed with anaemia via a blood test, being mindful of things which can impact your body’s ability to process iron is especially important.

How to enjoy matcha without affecting your iron

Even if you are part of these groups, you don’t need to give up your favourite green drink entirely. Ms Ludlam-Raine shared a few simple tips that can make all the difference, such as spacing out matcha from your meals.

“If you’re deficient in iron, or have lower ferritin levels, try and avoid drinking matcha directly before, or right after plant-heavy meals,” she said. “Wait around at least an hour or two before or after eating.”

By waiting, the body has time to absorb the iron before matcha can have any impact on the binding process.

“The best time to have your matcha is in the mid-morning or afternoon, rather than after an iron-rich meal,” she added.

Adding more vitamin C to your diet can also boost your non-haem iron absorption, explained Ms Jenkins, which can neutralise any effect matcha might have on your iron levels.

“Taking a supplement or eating a portion of food rich in vitamin C is an easy way to up your iron,” she added. “Bell peppers, goji berries, and citrus are all great sources of vitamin C, which can help if you’re struggling.”

Overall, it’s important to remember that matcha is not a “miracle drink”, Ms Ludlam-Raine said.

“It has some great benefits, and a few downsides, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid it either – just stick to one a day, and make sure you’re pairing it with a healthy, balanced lifestyle,” she concluded.

The thieves removed a fence panel to access the rear of the property and used patio furniture to block access.

Local neighbourhood officers are conducting extra patrols in the area in response to the incident.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers are actively patrolling the area, but your vigilance is a powerful tool in preventing further crime.”

They also provided a list of safety tips to help prevent further incidents.

Police have issued a warning after multiple motorbikes were stolen in Astley (Image: Stock)

This includes ensuring all entry points are locked, using motion-activated lights, and making sure home alarm or CCTV systems are working properly.

The force also advised residents to keep valuables out of sight and to report any unusual activity, such as suspicious individuals or vehicles circling the area.

Residents who own similar vehicles were advised to consider installing ground anchors, chains, and heavy-duty locks.

Police also reminded residents of the importance of quick reporting, as it helps them respond faster and keep the community safe.

Anyone with information about the burglary, or who notices any suspicious activity, is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan 2001-2021 documents the experiences, achievements, and sacrifices of the regiment and all units that served with 16 Air Assault Brigade during the 20-year conflict.

Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, former head of the Parachute Regiment, said: “The war in Afghanistan is seared into the individual and collective memory of a generation of Paratroopers.

“Time and time again our soldiers faced down a tenacious and determined enemy.

“It was a war fought in some of the most dangerous and difficult circumstances imaginable.

“Risk manifested itself under the feet of patrolling troops; the insidious threat from Improvised Explosive Devices was only ever one footstep away.”

The regiment first deployed to Kabul in late 2001 and played a key role in the evacuation of the Afghan capital in 2021.

During their early operations, the paratroopers helped deliver security and stability in Kabul before being redeployed to Helmand province, where they faced intense combat in some of the most hostile conditions of the conflict.

Their entry into Helmand marked a ‘baptism of fire,’ with soldiers engaged in direct combat with Taliban forces.

In addition to the paratroopers, airborne medics, gunners, and engineers played a crucial role in supporting the regiment throughout its deployments.

They served alongside the paras at strategic locations including Sangin, Musa Qaleh, Kajaki, Now Zad, and Lashkar Gah.

The regiment later led a major operation in Kabul and managed the airlift of thousands of British nationals during the 2021 evacuation.

Paratroopers from the North East, a major recruiting area for the regiment, are prominently featured in the book.

Over the course of 20 years of operational duty in Afghanistan, two soldiers serving with the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour.

One of these was Corporal Bryan James Budd, who lived in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The full-colour, A4-format book serves as a lasting tribute to all who served and includes a detailed tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan 2001-2021 also pays tribute to the families and communities who supported the serving soldiers throughout the conflict.

It is designed as a ‘coffee table’ edition.

All proceeds from sales will be donated to charity.

Copies can be purchased from high street bookshops or through DRA Publishing’s social media channels.

The book’s ISBN is 978-0-9557813-4-6.

Europe is in the grip of a severe heatwave, with temperatures in Spain approaching the country’s all-time record and devastating wildfires spreading.

Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET has warned of “extraordinary danger” as it forecasts temperatures of up to 44C on Thursday, not far off the 47.6C record heat that hit the country five years ago.

Popular Spanish tourist spots, including the areas around Malaga, Valencia and Alicante, could see temperatures reach as high as 42C.

Italy and France have also been affected by the extreme weather, with wildfires in southwestern France forcing the evacuation of more than 10,000 people near Bordeaux.

Dramatic footage shared on social media shows huge blazes in popular destinations like Sicily and Sardinia, during the height of the summer holidays.

The latest surge in temperatures come after heatwaves in June led to a spike in deaths across Europe, with 14,000 more people dying than would normally have been expected at this time of year, according to the EuroMOMO mortality monitoring hub.

Spain plagued by dramatic wildfires amid intense heat

Spain has been plagued by wildfires during a period of dry weather and intense heat, with thousands evacuated.

In central Spain firefighters battled a wildfire on Wednesday that has burned over 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres) in one of the country’s largest blazes on record.

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The fire in rural Guadalajara comes less than two weeks after a deadly blaze devastated a small expat community in southern Spain.

That small but extremely virulent fire killed 13 people, including several foreigners, in one of the southern European country’s deadliest wildfires.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday visited the fire-ravaged area in Guadalajara, and called for a pact between political parties to fight climate change.

“Year after year we clearly see how climate change kills and destroys wealth in our communities,” Sánchez said in the village of Tamajón, located less than two hours by car northeast of Madrid.

“This isn’t politics. It is science, it’s about facts.”

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Some 34 villages have been evacuated in the area but there are no reported serious injuries or deaths.

Alex Croft23 July 2026 09:51

Mapped: Spain braces for heatwave as tourist hotspots warned over record-breaking weather

Spain is set to face its third brutal heatwave of an already record-breaking summer, with temperatures expected to hit highs of up to 44C.

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The country’s meteorological agency AEMET warned the heatwave is expected to last all week, with temperatures approaching Spain’s all-time record of 47.6C five years ago.

Areas most severely affected will include much of the southeastern interior of the country, pushing wildfire dangers to extreme levels.

Alex Croft23 July 2026 09:49

A new DNA study has completely upturned a long-held assumption that people buried together in Scandinavia’s Viking-age graves must be related to each other.

Across the region there are many examples of graves from the late Viking and Middle Age in which an adult and a child are laid side by side. For generations, archaeologists reasoned such burials were evidence of a parent and child laid to rest together.

But a new analysis of human DNA from the ruins of an ancient Scandinavian church shows that this familiar picture may often be wrong.

The analysis of genetic material from 142 people revealed that close relatives rarely shared the same grave. The analysis included DNA of some 60 children and adolescents whose remains were found in shared graves at Västerhus in Jämtland, Sigtuna near Stockholm, and Fjälkinge in Skåne.

Researchers concluded that joint burial was likely driven by factors other than familial relationships, such as religious customs, social connections, community membership or circumstances surrounding death.

“We often assumed that adults and children sharing a grave were parents and children or other close family members. In most cases, that was not what we found,” Maja Krzewińska, an author of the study published in the journal Science Advances, said.

“Archaeologists have debated the relationships between people buried together in this type of grave for a long time,” Anna Kjellström, another author of the study, said. “Ancient DNA has finally given us the tool we have been waiting for to test these interpretations directly.”

The study also revealed that boys and girls were commonly treated according to the same cemetery practices as men and women.

Men and women were generally placed on separate sides of the churchyard. Boys were buried on the male side and girls according to the pattern established for women.

This suggests that these communities in Västerhus recognised gender distinctions early in childhood rather than placing all young people into a separate social category.

“The children weren’t treated as a separate category,” Anders Götherström, a study co-author from Stockholm University, said. “In death, they appear to have been treated according to the same social and religious principles as adult men and women.”

One woman buried at Västerhus stood out for her genetic connection to several other people in the churchyard, allowing researchers to reconstruct part of her family that lived centuries ago.

Archaeologists found a scallop shell in her grave, an unusual object in a medieval Scandinavian burial. The shell was a symbol of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.

This woman, identified as Lady 56, likely performed one of medieval Europe’s most important religious pilgrimages that required her to travel thousands of miles before returning to Scandinavia, researchers said.

The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her home earlier this month

A public memorial for Ann Widdecombe will be held later this year, her family has said. The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9 with serious head injuries.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with her murder.

In a statement, Miss Widdecombe’s family said: “We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe. A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed.

“A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course. While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.”

Prosecutors say that on July 8, Miss Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her bungalow in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. Kerry then allegedly used a hammer to hit Miss Widdecombe on the top of her head 21 times, the Old Bailey heard on Tuesday.

A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head, the court heard. Detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.

Miss Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party. At the time of her death she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK.

She also found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

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Kate Ferdinand captured the moment Rio returned home having spent six weeks in America for the 2026 Fifa World Cup

Kate Ferdinand has melted the hearts of her followers as she took to social media with a video that captured the moment her husband, Rio, was reunited with their children after weeks apart.

The couple married in 2019 and share two children together, Cree and Shea. Rio also has children, Lorenz, Tate and Tia, from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison, who tragically died in 2015 from breast cancer.

Kate and Rio relocated with their family to Dubai last year, but in recent weeks, former Manchester United legend Rio has been busy working out in America during the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

During his time away, former TOWIE star Kate took to social media with a series of family snaps, alongside which she admitted: “Daddy’s been gone for 4 weeks, mummy’s trying to hold it together (sic)” She then added at the time: “Nearly 4 weeks down, just over 2 to go! (sic)”

But following the end of the football tournament last weekend, Kate has shared the moment pundit and presenter Rio returned home. It showed their two young children running and leaping into Rio’s arms, before teenager Tia also arrived to welcome her dad home, with the family sharing a group hug.

“‘I’ve got my dad here’ [face holding back tears emoji]. A very long 6 weeks without our @rioferdy5, we’ve all missed him so much. Couldn’t be happier to have him home,” Kate captioned the post before the comments came flooding in.

@jacqueline_mae_edwards_ said: “So lovely.” @jennifer_r_perry commented: “This is so lovely.” @nikkiikkkane68 wrote: “Awwwww, that’s sooo lovely. Happy reunion.” @hannahsmith1405 replied: “You’re incredible! Enjoy family time.” @ali.boo added: “So heartfelt. Such a beautiful family.”

Kate has been open about her journey as a step-mum, and she and Rio also released an intimate and powerful documentary with the BBC in 2020, Rio and Kate: Becoming A Stepfamily. It was in 2022 that Kate launched her podcast, Blended, which she said at the time was “all about the highs and lows of blended life”.

Earlier this month, Kate, 35, was seen asking stepson Tate, who recently turned 18, questions about how he felt as a child when she was brought into the family, with him admitting that he felt she was “a problem” in their lives and at first would only tell people she was his auntie.