Andy Burnham will promise to give people “more breathing room” when he gives his first speech as prime minister outside No 10 on Monday.

He is expected to say he is “acutely conscious” of the UK’s high turnover of prime ministers – and that politics needs to be more stable and responsible.

And he is expected to characterise the moment as one of “reflection and resolution”, arguing Britain must be honest about the challenges it faces.

Burnham will officially replace Sir Keir Starmer and become the UK’s 59th prime minister – and seventh in 10 years – on Monday, following a meeting with King Charles III.

Earlier, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the incoming prime minister was a “people pleaser” at a time when the country needed someone who could “take tough decisions, who can face down Labour MPs”.

“The job is not a popularity contest. It is making the lives of all of the people outside this building better. And he has not said what he’s going to do. It’s all airy-fairy stuff,” she said.

Burnham was officially declared Labour Party leader on Friday following a short contest in which he was the only candidate, having secured the backing of 379 MPs.

Some opposition parties have urged Burnham to call a general election in order to ensure he has a mandate for his premiership.

However, earlier Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell insisted Burnham would stick to the promises made in Labour’s manifesto in the 2024 general election but will be more ambitious.

“He really understands the bigger, bolder measures that are needed to live up to the manifesto promises,” she told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg programme.

The star-studded cast of The Odyssey: (left to right) Benny Safdie, Lupita Nyong’o, John Leguizamo, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Himesh Patel, Samantha Morton, director Sir Christopher Nolan and Dame Emma Thomas (Jordan Pettit/PA)

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Smoke billowing up the iconic landmark can be seen across the Firth of Forth in Fife.

Fire crews are fighting a blaze which has broken out on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the fire after calls were made around 6.38pm on Sunday, July 19.

Four appliances were scrambled to the iconic landmark to try and get the fire under control, reports Edinburgh Live.. An image of the fire taken from Holyrood shows thick smoke rising up the extinct volcano.

The impact of the blaze can be seen all the way across the Firth of Forth, as snaps from Fife show the thick smoke rising high into the sky above Arthur’s Seat.

Police Scotland are on the scene supporting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The force have closed Queens Drive at the roundabout near Pollock Halls down to Dynamic Earth.

Drivers have been told to take alternative routes. And the SFRS have urged Edinburgh locals not to call in regarding the incident.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently attending a fire in the open at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.

“Four fire appliances are at the scene. We were alerted at 6.38pm on Sunday, July 19. There is no need to call Operations Control regarding this incident.”

The blaze comes amid an ongoing wildfire in the Cairngorms, which has been ongoing since Wednesday. Today, officials said the inferno had been “surrounded” and that it was hoped evacuated residents could soon return home.

The latest fire in Holyrood Park also comes a year after a large fire scorched a wide area of the hill in August 2025.

Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.

Wales has faced a prolonged period of dry weather, but the latest Met Office forecast shows that there could be some showers on the way

There is more warm weather and fine conditions on the horizon for Wales, but this is set to be interrupted by potential showers according to the Met Office. Wales has faced days of dry weather over the past week amid an ongoing heatwave, which has led to wildfires in some cases.

An exceptionally high demand for water has also prompted Welsh Water to bring in a hosepipe ban for parts of the country. However, some areas are expected to see some rain.

The Met Office weather forecast for Wales for Monday says conditions are expected to be fine and dry with some cloud cover. Maximum temperatures of 25C are predicted. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter

From Tuesday to Thursday, the forecast predicts that it will be “largely dry… with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells”.

It then goes on to say: “A few showers are possible on Wednesday. Very warm in the sunshine.”

The Met Office’s long range weather forecast for the rest of the UK also predicts some rain for parts of the country.

From Friday, July 24 to Sunday, August 2, the forecast predicts: “Northern and northwestern areas will be cloudier with occasional patchy rain or drizzle.

“Into the weekend and perhaps the start of next week, more unsettled weather with rain at times, especially across northern parts of the UK.

“This rain may very well reach southern areas too, but could become more light and patchy here.”

It goes on to say drier weather could return to the UK after this period. The forecast states “there are signs high pressure will return, which means dry codnitions would resume, especially in the south.”

It adds: “Winds will be mostly light or moderate, occasionally fresh around northern coasts. Temperatures are expected to be near or above normal, warmest in the south, perhaps becoming very warm again by the start of August.”

The Gold Cup Inn, serving the communities of Nether Silton, Over Silton, and Kepwick, had been under threat of closure, but has now become a Community Benefit Society following months of hard work.

A community share offer was launched to secure the pub’s future, giving locals, supporters, and visitors the opportunity to purchase shares and a vote in its long-term direction.

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Paul Telfer, co-chair of the management group, said: “It has been inspiring to see the community unite behind the share offer and as volunteers behind the bar, cleaning or maintaining the pub’s lovely beer garden.

“We would now like to see as many of our neighbours as possible returning to the pub on a regular basis and are delighted to welcome everyone to our family fun opening afternoon on 8 August.”

The Gold Cup Inn in Nether Silton, near Thirsk, now operates with the support of community volunteers who help with everything from serving drinks to maintaining the beer garden.

Named after the historic Royal Gold Cup horse race in the Hambleton Hills, the pub sits on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, offering stunning views across the Vale of York.

The pub remains a valued destination for walkers, cyclists, and visitors to the area.

To celebrate its new community status, the pub will host an official opening afternoon on Saturday, August 8

. Full details will be available soon on the pub’s website and Facebook page.

Currently, it is open four days a week—Thursday and Friday from 6pm to 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 4pm to 11pm.

It offers a well chosen selection of beers and wines at “sensible” prices.

The Gold Cup Inn also hosts regular pop-up food nights on the last Saturday of each month.

More information can be found on the pub’s website at thegoldcupinn.co.uk.

Wayne Rooney has savaged the 2026 World Cup final halftime show as he described the controversial performance as ‘c***’ and said the ‘best part was when it ended’ live on the BBC.

The football legend, 41, led an army of British fans and celebrities ripping into the show, which delivered a spectacular mix of music, nostalgia and global star power.

The likes of Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the Muppets all performed under one roof at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday night.

Celebrities were left divided over FIFA’s decision to add a halftime show to the biggest game in global football as Argentina took on Spain. 

Wayne joked his favourite part of the show was ‘when it finished’ as he and Gaby Logan discussed the bizarre line-up.

‘To be honest mine was when it finished I like a lot of those artists but to be honest I thought it was c***’, he fumed. 

‘I did honestly. It just didn’t get me going, I wanted the football to be back on. It was a bit flat. I like Burna Boy I like Shakira I like Bieber but that was too flat.’ 

While Liam Gallagher savaged ‘This is like a bad trip’, before adding: ‘It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge’.

Elsewhere, Sam Thompson shared his frustration on Instagram, writing: ‘Half time show… absolutely the last thing a football game of this magnitude needed. No one’s in the right headspace now, not even the fans.

The show delivered a spectacular mix of music, nostalgia and global star power, with the likes of Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the Muppets all performing under one roof

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Celebrities were left divided over FIFA’s decision to add a halftime show to the biggest game in global football as Argentina took on Spain

‘Imagine the players watching Sesame Street whilst cramping up and needing to warm up again’. 

The futuristic segment began with Madonna, 67, singing Music, accompanied by giddy World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho. 

The toned music legend showed off her legs in stockings as she embraced the soccer icons, before they drove her out into the stadium, and held hands. 

Justin Bieber, 32, made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with nothing but a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song, Everything Hallelujah.

The star looked relaxed as he casually walked onto the pitch before belting out his hit track, adding the final line, ‘it’s the World Cup, Hallelujah.’

Shakira returned to the World Cup stage as she flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to perform her hit Dai Dai, with Burna Boy, while K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite.

Spain and Argentina were still 0-0 at halftime, with superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal forced to share the stage as soccer is given a slice of the Super Bowl treatment

Football legend Wayne, 41, joked his favourite part of the show was ‘when it finished’ as he and Gaby Logan discussed the bizarre line-up

Liam Gallagher savaged ‘This is like a bad trip’, before adding: ‘It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge’

Elsewhere, Sam Thompson shared his frustration on Instagram, writing: ‘Half time show… absolutely the last thing a football game of this magnitude needed’

Madonna stormed the stage as she headlined the controversial first-ever FIFA halftime show during the 2026 World Cup Final on Sunday

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Justin Bieber made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with nothing but a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song Hallelujah

Shakira showed off her toned frame as she performed Dai Dai with Burna Boy 

Billions of fans tuned into Sunday’s game as Messi and Co bid to secure a second successive World Cup triumph.

As well as a halftime show, the World Cup final also included a closing ceremony that featured performances and appearances from Post Malone, Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, influencer IShowSpeed, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini.

Stars including Tom Cruise, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Matt Damon and Adrien Brody joined the crowds for the final. 

Spanish actor Javier Bardem, skiing legend Lindsey Vonn and actress Julia Garner were also in attendance for the FIFA Gold Carpet event ahead of the final. 

Cruise’s specific role is unclear, with FIFA describing it only as a ‘special appearance.’ But soccer chiefs say the ceremony will pay tribute to all 48 nations from the tournament.

World Cup final day got off to a chaotic start at MetLife Stadium with fans forced to wait for hours outside of the venue amid reports of technological glitches scanning tickets and security staff unsure of how to manage the crowds.

Organizers this week urged fans lucky enough to have a ticket to arrive up to four hours before the start of the game at the 80,000-seater stadium in New Jersey, a short drive outside of Manhattan, for Sunday’s showdown between Spain and Argentina. 

As the build-up to the game expected to be watched by billions around the world ramped up, fans were waiting for over four hours to have their tickets scanned in order to enter the stadium for the showpiece game. 

The attendance of President Donald Trump meant that airport-style security measures were also being enforced for everyone making their way inside of the venue.

But the delays were compounded amid reports of glitches in FIFA’s ticket-scanning system, meaning those who were fortunate enough to be at the front of the long lines still faced frustrating delays.

The futuristic segment began with Madonna, 67, singing Music, accompanied by giddy World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho 

The toned music legend showed off her legs in stocking as she embraced the soccer icons, before they drove her out into the stadium, and held hands

The star looked incredible as she commanded the stage 

K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite

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BTS captivated the crowds as they continued their return to the stage after mandatory military training 

Tom Cruise flashed a giddy grin as he sauntered through the stadium ahead of his special appearance at the closing ceremony

Matt Damon and Argentinian wife Luciana Barroso looked giddy as they arrived 

Thousands of fans and media members faced massive lines to enter the stadium for the World Cup final on Sunday amid several reports of security struggling to manage the situation

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Will Ferrell was in attendance for the huge match 

Javier Bardem was supporting his home country as he attended the FIFA Gold Carpet before the final

Julia Garner was in attendance to support close pal Madonna ahead of her halftime show

Lindsey Vonn looked stylish as she posed up ahead of the game

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Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario attended with wife Celina Locks

England icon John Terry and Argentina legend Diego Simeone were in attendance

Daily Mail also witnessed tensions simmering between fans, media members and security staff, with officials on the ground telling anyone who complained: ‘Take it up with FIFA’. 

The game is set to be the most expensive to attend in the history of sport – on Sunday morning, the cheapest ticket available on most resale websites was starting at around $7,000.

FIFA encouraged fans to arrive early in order to participate in the World Cup closing ceremony, scheduled to begin around 90 minutes before the game itself kicks off. 

But it is standard procedure for fans to arrive early for additional security checks whenever Trump attends a sporting event – and he has made it to plenty in his second term as President, ranging from the Ryder Cup to the Super Bowl.

Post Malone performed ahead of the final 

Cruise kept his look casual in a black tee and jeans as he posed for selfies with queuing fans, while flanked by bodyguards

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The star looked excited ahead of the final 

Jon Hamm arrived at MetLife ahead of the ceremony

Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini performed Desire 

The actor will be sure to mingle with his close friends David and Victoria Beckham , who have been fixtures at the tournament, as well as Argentina legend Lionel Messi , who is playing in his second consecutive World Cup final

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Extra security checks were in place ahead of the attendance of President Trump for the game

Man of the hour and Argentina captain Lionel Messi winked at fans as he arrived for the final 

Even on the live television coverage, the stadium was bare with a little over an hour until that closing ceremony began. 

Soccer greats such as Brazil World Cup winner Ronaldo, former England captain John Terry and former Argentina player Diego Simeone all appeared carefree as they entered the stadium in good time before the game. 

There were plenty of fans who were determined not to let the chaos ruin their day, too. Thousands of Argentina fans have made the journey to the stadium for what will likely be star man Lionel Messi’s last ever appearance in a World Cup at the age of 39.

Argentina are narrow underdogs against Spain, the European champions, despite being the holders after winning the 2022 tournament in Qatar. 

Trump is expected to hand the World Cup trophy over to the winning team after the game. 

It is the latest wildfire call out for the Scottish fire service.

Hundreds of firefighters, two helicopters and specialist resources were sent to the Cairngorms National Park where a blaze has been ongoing for four days.

Six square kilometres of land had been affected resulting in homes and businesses, including campsites and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area, being evacuated as a safety precaution.

A high volume pump has been used to draw water from Loch Morlich to support firefighting efforts.

On Sunday, fire crews “surrounded” the blaze and police began escorting residents and campers back to properties and campsites to collect personal belongings.

The Met Office warns showers are likely in parts of Scotland and England

Scotland is bracing for a total washout as the latest Met Office maps reveal a massive band of rain is heading north to soak the country.

Forecasters have named 12 areas in the firing line for heavy downpours this Monday, with severe weather set to damp any hopes of a dry start to the week. The grim forecast means a miserable, soggy start for commuters as the heavens prepare to open across wide stretches of the nation.

Weather maps have turned a chilling shade of blue as the relentless wet weather sweeps in, threatening to bring surface flooding and sudden travel disruption, reports The Mirror.

Scots are being warned to keep an eye on the roads and pack an umbrella, with spray and heavy deluges expected to cause absolute chaos for anyone heading out on Monday morning.

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “As we head into Monday, northerly winds will drag some cloud southwards, bringing rain across the far north of Scotland.

“We could also see a little bit of rain around the east coast of England, but the best of the brightness is likely going to be across southern parts of Wales and southern England. This is where we’ll see the highest temperatures as well, reaching around 25C to 26C.”

A large fire has broken out on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh as the UK battles a ‘firewave’.

The blaze erupted just below Salisbury Crags, near the Palace of Holyrood House, at around 6.40pm.

Multiple patches of the iconic beauty spot appear to be alight, according to photographs and video from the scene.

Plumes of smoke rising from the hillside towered over the city this evening, one witness told Metro, visible as far away as Fife and Meggetland.

Tasha, who filmed a video of the fire and shared it on X, said: ‘We were actually finishing up our dinner and leaving the city when we saw the smoke.

‘I hope it’s under control now, as it seemed to be spreading so fast when we were there.’

The fire brigade said there are no reported casualties and urged locals not to call Operations Control about the fire.

Officials did not specify the cause of the fire, but the Edinburgh Evening News said it was tearing through gorse, a yellow flowering shrub that covers the hillside.

The police said: ‘We are on scene supporting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with a fire in the open at Arthur’s Seat.

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‘Queens Drive at the roundabout near Pollock Halls and down to Dynamic Earth is currently closed.

‘Please use alternative routes if driving in the area.’

The fire on Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano with views over Edinburgh’s Old Town, broke out in the throes of days of hot, dry weather.

The UK is battling what experts told Metro is a ‘firewave’, when a raft of wildfires break out near towns and cities.

Wildfires happen when vegetation, like scrubland or the leaves that cover forest floors, is dried out, becoming tinder for fast-paced fires.

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Despite the name, the majority of wildfires are ignited because of human activity, like a flicked cigarette butt or arson.

There has been a series of wildfires in the Highlands this week, including a blaze in Cairngorms National Park which has burned for five days.

Six square kilometres of land have been scorched so far, with campsites and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area being evacuated.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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