It said no staff or animals were hurt after a blaze broke out at a nearby electricity substation

An aquarium in Dorset has temporarily closed to visitors after a fire broke out at a nearby electricity substation on Sunday.

Sealife Weymouth remains shut as “a precaution” on Monday (July 13) although no buildings were affected.

In a statement, the Merlin-owned attraction said no animals, staff or visitors were hurt and that it would reopen to the public “once it has been confirmed it is safe to do so”.

“If you were due to visit us on this day, please contact us on 01305 761070 to rearrange your visit or request a refund,” Sealife said. “We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”

Emergency services were called to Preston Beach Road at 3.45pm on Sunday after a reports the substation was on fire and flames had spread to nearby trees and bushes.

A total of 12 firefighters used two hose reels, two main jets and foam to extinguish the fire, which reportedly also caused power to be lost to around 100 nearby properties.

Firefighters remained on the scene beyond 7.30pm on Sunday, for several hours dampening down.

A spokesperson for SeaLife said: “Following a fire at an electricity substation on land adjacent, the aquarium will remain closed on Monday. The fire was contained to an outside area, and did not spread to the aquarium buildings.

“No employees or guests were harmed by this incident, and all animals remain safe and well in our care. The aquarium will re-open to guests once it has been confirmed it is safe to do so.”

It comes as parts of the UK face an “exceptional” risk for wildfires over the next few days amid record-breaking temperatures.

The UK Health Security Agency’s amber and yellow heat health alerts, which were due to be lifted on Sunday, are now in effect until 9pm BST on July 15.

Temperatures of 35°C or higher have now been recorded in May, June and July of the same year for the first time in the UK weather record, as heatwave conditions are expected to continue this week, according to the Met Office.

A National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) spokesperson said: “When the weather stays hot and dry, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire. What can begin as a small fire can spread incredibly quickly, putting people, homes, wildlife and our countryside at risk.

“We’re asking everyone to take extra care outdoors, whether that’s avoiding disposable barbecues in the countryside, parks or moorlands, or making sure cigarettes are fully extinguished. A few simple actions can make a huge difference and help prevent fires before they start.”

The NBA offseason has already produced a wave of blockbuster trades, but several major storylines remain unresolved as free agency and Summer League action continue in Las Vegas. Here are seven of the latest trade rumors and developments shaping the league heading into the 2026-27 season.

1. Kawhi Leonard’s trade to Toronto is on hold pending a league investigation. Leonard was initially traded from the LA Clippers to the Toronto Raptors on June 30 in a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks and additional draft compensation to Los Angeles. The trade was expected to be finalized after the league’s moratorium lifted July 6, but both teams issued statements saying the deal can only be completed if Toronto’s ownership group assumes the risk of penalties tied to an ongoing NBA investigation into whether Leonard’s endorsement arrangement with sponsor Aspiration constituted salary cap circumvention. Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the situation before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, saying he hoped for a swift resolution. “I think we’re close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up because you also need finality,” Silver said. “Their team has to understand what the situation is they’re going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”

2. LeBron James remains undecided, and his choice is holding up several other rosters. James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he would not return for a ninth season, and as of this week his free agency has stretched well beyond his own past decision timelines, including his 2010 move to Miami and his 2014 return to Cleveland, both of which were announced by July 11. Teams including Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Miami, Minnesota and Philadelphia have each kept at least two roster spots open specifically to accommodate James, according to ESPN. His longtime agent, Rich Paul, has said the decision will ultimately come down to fit rather than money. “If it’s about happiness, because if it’s the most money, then it’s not necessarily the most happiness,” Paul said on his “Game Over” podcast, adding, “As you’re going through this process, I’m saying to LeBron, ‘You really have to think this through.’ Everything looks great in July. Everything looks great on paper. But you got to be very careful with that.”

3. The Warriors’ pursuit of James may hinge on landing Anthony Davis. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Golden State is not viewed as a top contender for James unless the team can first pull off a trade for Davis, James’ former Lakers teammate. Complicating that pursuit is forward Jimmy Butler, whose $57 million expiring contract would likely need to be included in any Davis package. The Warriors have publicly told Butler he will not be dealt, though Butler is separately expected to be sidelined into at least the winter as he recovers from January ACL surgery, limiting outside interest in acquiring him regardless.

4. Jalen Duren’s future with the Detroit Pistons remains unresolved. Duren and the Pistons have yet to agree to a new contract as of this week, with league sources indicating a sign-and-trade remains a possibility if the two sides cannot reach an agreement on an extension. Duren’s situation has continued to draw attention from rival front offices monitoring Detroit’s roster decisions as the team looks to build around its young core following an active offseason that already saw the Pistons trade away veteran forward Caris LeVert.

5. Nikola Jokic is choosing to wait a full year before signing his next contract, a decision that will directly affect Denver’s trade calculus. Jokic became extension-eligible in mid-June for a four-year, $278 million deal, but is instead expected to wait until next offseason to sign a five-year, $359.5 million contract, which would become the largest deal in NBA history. Speaking in Serbian following a FIBA World Cup qualifying game, Jokic reaffirmed his desire to stay in Denver long term. “My idea and desire is to stay in Denver. I’ll probably sign next year,” Jokic said. “My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”

6. New Orleans is fielding steady interest in forward Trey Murphy III, though a deal appears increasingly unlikely. Murphy has remained a frequent name in trade rumors, but one league executive told Heavy that acquiring him would likely require an offer similar to the four first-round picks Memphis received in the Desmond Bane trade, though that asking price has reportedly come down somewhat in recent weeks. Despite the interest, momentum suggests the Pelicans are more likely to keep Murphy on their roster heading into the coming season rather than complete a deal before training camp.

7. Evan Mobley’s long-term fit in Cleveland could be reshaped depending on where LeBron James ultimately signs. The Cavaliers, one of the teams still in the mix for James, carry an expensive roster built around Mobley’s four-year, $223 million extension, and analysts have noted that a James addition would likely reduce Mobley’s offensive touches given James’ need for a significant share of the ball. Some league observers believe Cleveland could ultimately look to move Mobley for a substantial return if the roster fit no longer makes sense, particularly if the team shifts into a more explicit win-now mode built around James.

Beyond these seven storylines, the broader offseason has already reshaped several rosters significantly. The Milwaukee Bucks completed a blockbuster trade sending two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for four players, four first-round picks and a pick swap, while the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and additional draft compensation. The Memphis Grizzlies also moved on from Ja Morant, sending the guard to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a broader teardown of the young core that once won 56 games together, while the Charlotte Hornets dealt LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With Summer League continuing in Las Vegas and several marquee free agents, including James, still unsigned, league insiders expect additional trade activity in the coming days as front offices continue positioning their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 season, particularly once James’ decision finally resolves the logjam currently holding up multiple front offices around the league.

A fire that tore through a crowded live music venue in Bangkok late Sunday night has killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others, with Thai officials saying most victims died after being overcome by smoke while trying to reach the pub’s toilets, which had no way out. Nine men and 18 women are among the dead, and 22 of the injured remain in critical condition. Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, visited the site and confirmed the toll, as authorities opened an investigation into how a night of music turned into one of the country’s deadliest fire disasters in years.

The blaze broke out at the Na Ladprao venue, near Soi Lat Phrao 1 Road, just after midnight, when the bar was packed with customers. Officials say the choking pace at which smoke filled the building, reaching the ceiling and spreading through the entire venue within minutes, left many patrons with almost no time to find a working exit.

Trapped near the toilets

According to Thai authorities, a large number of the dead were found near the bathrooms at the rear of the venue, an area that offered no route outside. PM Anutin said panic appeared to have pushed the crowd toward that dead end as smoke filled the room, rather than toward the exits.

Were the exits blocked?

The venue’s Facebook page had listed a capacity of more than 300 people and advertised four fire exits, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the bar held the required permits. But investigators are now examining whether one or more of those exits were obstructed on the night of the fire, Chadchart noted that several bodies were recovered close to a fire exit, and officials believe something may have been blocking it.

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Smoke, not fire, was the killer

Officials repeatedly pointed to smoke, rather than the flames themselves, as the main cause of death. Chadchart said the fire climbed quickly to the ceiling and that smoke was very likely what killed most victims. A firefighter at the scene, Chakrit Khongkom, described the smoke as having filled the entire venue almost instantly, adding that most survivors were found choking rather than burned.

Rescuers battled furniture and heat

Fire crews reached the venue within about five minutes of the alarm being raised, but by then the blaze had already spread through the building, according to fire official Suriyachai. Teams searching the smoke-filled interior found tables and chairs blocking their path throughout the venue, making the rescue slower and more dangerous in the intense heat. Body-camera footage reviewed by Reuters showed firefighters in oxygen masks working through the darkness, carrying victims out on stretchers, several of whom were found near the toilets.

A blackout, then an explosion

The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated, but band members performing that night told officials the lights suddenly went out near the stage, followed by what sounded like an explosion, after which smoke filled the room. One musician recalled a scramble for the exit in total darkness, with people on the floor calling for help around him. Anutin said musicians had described smoke coming from a circuit breaker near the stage moments before the power failed.

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What witnesses saw

Motorbike-taxi driver Surin Jaiharn told reporters he saw flames shoot out of the entrance and used clothing to beat out fire on people fleeing the building, while another driver helped carry an injured woman to safety. A tourist from Laos, Kan Kutirat, said he noticed smoke near the stage moments before the crowd erupted into screaming and chaos — an experience he said has stayed with him. Journalists at the scene reported seeing people run into the street with their clothes on fire, and multiple body bags laid out as forensic teams worked through the night.

Old questions about nightlife safety, again

The tragedy has reopened concerns about fire safety enforcement at bars and clubs in Thailand, a country that has seen repeated deadly venue fires. It follows the 2022 Mountain B nightclub fire that killed 25 people, and the 2009 Santika Club fire in Bangkok, which remains one of the country’s worst, with 67 deaths. Investigators say they are now focused on whether the exits at Na Ladprao were genuinely accessible on the night of the fire, and whether any safety violations contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

(Inputs from AFP and Reuters)

The gold jewellery industry entered FY27 facing a four-pronged challenge. Soaring oil prices, rising inflation concerns and renewed expectations of higher interest rates amid the West Asia crisis coincided with the once-in-three-years Adhik Maas period, which typically dampens wedding-related jewellery demand. At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to curb gold purchases to help arrest the freefall in the Indian rupee, while customs duty on gold was raised to 15% from 6%.

Despite these headwinds, India’s listed jewellery stocks have moved in the opposite direction. Backed by stronger-than-expected June quarter business updates, the sector has rallied as much as 40% in just one month.

Data from ACE Equity shows Kalyan Jewellers leading the pack with a 40% gain, followed by Sky Gold at 25%, Thangamayil Jewellery at 24%, Goldiam International at 21%, PC Jeweller at 15%, Titan Company at 14%, and Senco Gold at 9%.

Jewellery stocks Q1 update

Jewellery companies delivered healthy same-store sales growth during the June quarter, signalling resilient demand and an accelerating shift towards organised players. The sector had earlier corrected following adverse government policy measures and advisories. However, analysts believe demand has remained resilient and that the long-term structural tailwinds for organised jewellers remain intact.Titan, India’s largest jewellery retailer, reported a 41% year-on-year rise in its consumer businesses during the June quarter, supported by strong jewellery demand, retail network expansion and robust growth in its international operations. Its domestic business grew 37% year-on-year, taking the total store count to 3,517. Jewellery continued to be the biggest contributor, with the segment growing 39% over the year-ago period. Titan attributed the performance to healthy festive demand and strong sales during Akshaya Tritiya.

Also read:Titan vs Kalyan Jewellers: What Q1 sales indicate about demand and which stock to buy
Other listed players also reported robust business updates. Senco Gold posted 60% revenue growth along with 38% same-store sales growth, Kalyan Jewellers reported 38% growth, while PC Jeweller recorded 21% growth after reducing more than 90% of its settlement debt and guiding for a debt-free balance sheet this quarter.

Fundamental buying or sentiment driven?

“The Q1 FY27 business updates from jewellers point towards demand resilience despite concerns around Adhik Maas, gold prices and macro uncertainty. While the market expected a softer quarter, demand remained strong across wedding, festive and investment-led categories. A key driver was the ~18% correction from peak gold prices and the return of price stability,” Anil R, Senior Research Analyst, Geojit Investments, told ETMarkets.According to him, the recent rally is largely supported by improving fundamentals rather than sentiment alone. Organised jewellers continue to gain market share from the unorganised segment as consumers increasingly prefer branded and trusted players. At the same time, leading companies have consistently expanded their store networks while maintaining healthy return ratios and strong balance sheets, making the organised jewellery business model increasingly attractive to investors.

He added that the industry is also benefiting from premiumisation and higher penetration of studded jewellery, both of which support sustainable revenue growth over the medium term. The recent consolidation in gold prices is also expected to improve customer footfalls.

That said, valuations for some jewellery stocks are no longer inexpensive, and future returns will increasingly depend on earnings delivery.

Will momentum sustain after Q1 results?

The outlook beyond the June quarter also remains constructive as leading players continue to project strong long-term demand.

“The strong start to FY27 by market leaders reinforces confidence in the sector’s demand outlook. Within our coverage universe, we prefer Titan Company (ADD, Fair Value: Rs 4,725) and Bluestone Jewellery (BUY, Target Price: Rs 625) as our preferred picks over the next 12–18 months,” Pankaj Kumar, VP Fundamental Research at Kotak Securities, told ETMarkets.

Anil shares a similar view, saying the growth momentum appears sustainable beyond Q2, although the pace will depend on gold price movements and consumer sentiment. Stable gold prices should support demand, as jewellery purchases are typically influenced more by price volatility than by absolute price levels. He also believes initiatives such as gold exchange and recycling programmes will improve affordability and customer engagement.

Also read:Bought gold and silver at the top? Here’s what experts suggest after prices plunged up to 50% from January

Importantly, the second half of the year is typically stronger for the industry, supported by the festive season and the peak wedding period. If gold prices remain relatively stable, leading organised jewellery retailers should continue delivering healthy growth over the coming quarters.

Should you buy jewellery stocks right now?

International brokerage Nomura said the “strength show continues, all businesses fire up well” for Titan Company and maintained its Buy rating with a target price of Rs 5,000, implying 9% upside. “We view Titan as a key beneficiary of the rising affluent and elite income population in India, with sales growth at 1.5-2x GDP of India over the medium term,” the brokerage said.

Nomura noted that Titan has been among the fastest-growing domestic jewellery players, increasing its market share from 5% in FY19 to 8% in FY24. It expects the company to continue outpacing industry growth and raise its market share to 10% by FY28F, driven by expansion into Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns and the continued migration of consumers from the unorganised sector, which still accounts for 60% of the industry, to organised retailers offering correct carat-age, better designs and an improved shopping experience.

Preeyam Tolia, Research Analyst, Choice Institutional Equities, believes B2B jewellery manufacturers are better placed to outperform over the next 12-18 months. He said these companies can scale without significant investments in store expansion, branding or customer acquisition. With ongoing capacity additions and stronger relationships with organised jewellers, B2B players are well positioned to deliver superior earnings growth. Within this segment, Shanti Gold and Shringar House of Mangalsutra remain the firm’s preferred picks.

Citi remains bullish on Kalyan Jewellers, with a target price of Rs 750, implying 58% upside. The brokerage expects the company’s franchise-led expansion strategy to support future revenue growth and believes its asset-light model will aid deleveraging while improving return on capital employed (ROCE).

ICICI Securities has also maintained a Buy rating on Kalyan Jewellers, with a target price of Rs 670, implying 41% upside. The brokerage said the company’s robust Q1FY27 performance despite multiple headwinds underscores resilient jewellery demand. While continued store expansion and the formalisation of the industry reinforce its positive outlook, it flagged any structural decline in natural diamond prices as a key risk.

Going forward, investors will closely monitor management commentary, festive season demand and the pace of store expansion, all of which are likely to shape the sector’s performance over the coming quarters.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)