A number of schools are set to close early and millions of homeowners are facing calls to limit their water usage this week – as temperatures tipped to hit as high as 40°C in parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity, with large parts of England and Wales set to see the mercury soar beyond 37°C.
One Surrey hospital declared a critical incident while South East Water has urged customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to only use water for essential purposes.
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Three dead in school shooting in Philippines
Three students have been killed and more injured after two of their peers opened fire at a high school in central Philippines, police say.
Investigators believe the suspects were motivated by a “grudge” over bullying at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city.
Caption: TACLOBAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – JUNE 22: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – ‘ TACLOBAN CITY FIRE STATION / HANDOUT’ – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) (EDITOR’S NOTE: The image depicts death) First-responders provide medical assistance to a wounded student from San Jose National High School onboard an ambulance, after two shooters opened fire on the campus, in Tacloban City, Philippines, on June 22, 2026. The shooting incident has so far killed three people and wounded five people, with the two male suspects being arrested by law enforcement authorities. Investigation into the rare school shooting incident is underway. (Photo by Tacloban City Fire Station/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
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Source: Anadolu
What happened?
Two children aged 14 and 15 were arrested shortly after they opened fire in a classroom at San Jose National High School.
One of the suspects, a Grade 9 student, was detained shortly after the incident while the other later surrendered to authorities.
Caption: TACLOBAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – JUNE 22: A screenshot from a video provided by a local resident shows a wounded student from San Jose National High School is transferred onto an ambulance, after two shooters opened fire on the campus, in Tacloban City, Philippines, on June 22, 2026. The shooting incident has so far killed three people and wounded five people, with the two male suspects being arrested by law enforcement authorities. Investigation into the rare school shooting incident is underway. (Photo by Kagawad Caloy/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
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Source: Anadolu
Explained
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The wider context
The incident is rare in the Philippines, which has strict gun ownership laws.
But there was another incident in July 2022 when a gunman opened fire at a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University, killing three.
“Red flags” in the teens’ behaviour had been missed and with them the opportunity to prevent the crime, the national police spokesperson told reporters on Monday.
Analysis
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Over 30 people have died with Ebola symptoms at a camp for displaced civilians in northeastern Congo. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 230 deaths and 890 cases have been confirmed so far. Fears have been raised that Ebola may be circulating undetected among the over 5 million displaced people in the east of the country. #ebola #drc #outbreak
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The tax King Charles still doesn’t pay
King Charles will become the first British monarch to release his personal tax bill this week, prompting calls for the Government to end the Royal Family’s special tax exemptions.
However, campaigners and royal commentators have condemned the exemptions that both Charles and Prince William will continue to enjoy.
What the King pays tax on
Charles currently pays voluntary income tax on the Privy Purse – the private income generated from the Duchy of Lancaster. This portfolio of properties, land and other assets is independent of the Crown Estate, which gives its profits to the Treasury.
The Duchy provided the King with an annual income of £26.8m in 2024-25. It is used for both official and private expenditure – including the expenses of other Royal Family members.
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A look at the detail
The King owns Balmoral and Sandringham estates. He earns a personal income from these and has other private investments.
The Royal Family also gets the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, provided to support official duties and maintenance of royal palaces.
The Sovereign Grant rose from £86m in 2024-25 to £132m in 2025-26 – though the increase included £34m to fund an upgrade to Buckingham Palace.
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Calls for royals to pay inheritance tax
Charles did not pay any inheritance tax on the £650m fortune he inherited when his mother died. Inheritance tax is paid at a rate of 40 per cent on estates worth over £320,000. “There’s no reason why they can’t pay inheritance tax,” said Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic.
Caption: Britain’s King Charles, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, and Britain’s Queen Camilla in the State Procession walk through the Royal Gallery during the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain May 13, 2026. ADRIAN DENNIS/Pool via REUTERS
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The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling. A recent report revealed that King Charles is paying the rent on two royal properties used by Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice (Photo: Dylan Martinez/Reuters)
But some argue that imposing
inheritance tax on the royals would be counterproductive, since it may increase
the amount taxpayers would have to give through the Sovereign Grant.
Corporation tax exemption ‘not fair’
Charles’s Duchy of Lancaster and William’s Duchy of Cornwall continue to remain exempt from paying capital gains or corporation tax.
William voluntarily pays income tax on Duchy of Cornwall profits. He enjoyed his own revenue of £22.9m last year.
The heir to the throne is considering moves to increase transparency around his tax affairs, The i Paper understands.
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What else you need to know
Royals also get exemptions that protect the secrecy of their wills.
Alongside the Sovereign Grant report and the King’s tax information, the Duchy of Lancaster’s accounts will also be published later this week.
Caption: King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State,and Queen Camilla, wearing the George IV State Diadem and an embroidered gown by Fiona Clare, in the Chamber of the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London. Picture date: Wednesday May 13, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire
Photographer: Kirsty Wigglesworth
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A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Our aim is to explain all elements of royal finances in a way that further enhances clarity and accessibility, while also placing it in its historical and constitutional context.”
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OPINION | “If the King avoids Harry and Meghan again, there’s no coming back,” writes Jennie Bond. “Charles surely deserves to know his tiny grandchildren, and they, too, deserve to be loved by him and to begin to understand their heritage.” Read the full article on The i Paper.
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EasyJet slams £4.7bn takeover approach as bid to buy it ‘on the cheap’
Caption: FILE PHOTO: EasyJet aircrafts are seen on the tarmac at Terminal 1, marking the official opening of the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) “Willy Brandt”, in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany October 31, 2020. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/File Photo
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EasyJet has blasted a US suitor’s £4.74bn takeover approach as an attempt to buy it “on the cheap” after rebuffing three proposals.
The budget airline said Castlelake’s latest potential offer, worth 625p a share, remained “highly opportunistic” and not in the best interests of shareholders.
Share price plummets over Iran
EasyJet says Castelake are trying to take advantage of its low share price at the moment, which is a result of the fuel crisis triggered by the war in Iran.
Castlelake, which owns around 2 per cent of the airline, took its third offer of £4.7bn public today in an attempt to encourage shareholders to accept, saying it was offering good value.
Easyjet is among the airlines offering discounts this Black Friday
(Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Offer condemned
The board believes the third proposal represents an opportunistic attempt to
acquire easyJet ‘on the cheap’ and that it is therefore not in the best interests of easyJet shareholders.
Easyjet’s response to the offer
Europe has just six weeks of jet fuel supplies, experts have warned (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP via Getty Images)
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The awkward truth about England fans at the World Cup
It was some sight as the controversial “Ten German Bombers” song rang through the concourses at the AT&T Stadium.
A big group of England fans were bouncing along while singing but an even bigger crowd – mostly of bemused but fascinated locals – had gathered to film it.
‘I can’t believe how crazy you all are’
Peeling away from the crowd, a smiling Becky Williams, from nearby Arlington, told me she hadn’t realised the song was controversial but she didn’t regret getting it on camera.
“I can’t believe how crazy you all are. The last time
I was here was for Beyoncé and it was a very different crowd. I’ve never seen anything like it – and I love it.”
At a World Cup like no other, the booze-fuelled invasion of up to 15,000 England fans prepared to max out their credit cards appears to be capturing the imagination of locals.
Millions of people are expected to tune into the BBC’s coverage of next week’s England game (Photo: Simon M Bruty/Getty Images)
Charming the country folk
That was certainly the case in Texas, where England fans managed the unthinkable – encouraging Billy Bob’s, the world’s biggest honky-tonk bar, to play Three Lions rather than its steadfast policy of only spinning country music.
England fans pictured arriving at the AT&T Stadium ahead of tonight’s match against Croatia (Photo: PA)
Caption: A man walks a donkey at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world???s largest honky-tonk, ahead of England???s opening game on Wednesday against Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Picture date: Monday June 15, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire.
Photographer: James Manning
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“Sacrilege,” Fox News’ Austin Perry wrote for sports site Outkick. And really, that is what it has been like wherever England fans have gone in this World Cup. From watching rodeo to queuing round the block for the famous Terry Black’s barbecue, hospitable Texans seem to enjoy hosting the English.
Trouble?
The i Paper understands that there were zero arrests across the city and the only hint of bother came in the Londoner pub in Dallas, where a couple of idiots threw plant pots off a balcony.
Rumours of bad behaviour were
just that. Officers were not called because of problems but because it was overcapacity, invalidating its fire licence.
Indeed sources in Dallas claimed that scores of England fans stayed behind to help staff clean the venue.
FOOTBALL
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The pub chain asking for £5 deposit to watch World Cup games
One of the UK’s biggest pub owners is asking for payment to secure a spot during England and Scotland games, to stop fans booking and not showing up.
Caption: England supporters react during the World Cup soccer match between England and Croatia at The Clock pub in Hebburn, England, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Photographer: Scott Heppell
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Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
How it works
Greene King is asking for £5 per person to book a table on the night of the England games in English pubs, and the same for Scotland in Scottish ones. This can be redeemed against food and drink on the night of the game.
Caption: England supporters celebrate during the World Cup soccer match between England and Croatia at The Clock pub in Hebburn, England, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Photographer: Scott Heppell
Provider: AP Photo/Scott Heppell
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Fans will get the money back if they cancel at least 72 hours in advance, but not if they give less notice than that. Normally, there is no charge to book a Greene King pub.
No extra costs to fans, says chain
The pub chain owns 2,600 pubs across the UK, so fans may find the policy is in place in many of their locals.
Explaining the policy, a spokesman for the chain said it is “not an additional charge” and they introduced it “to guarantee the very best in-pub atmosphere and experience for fans who want to come together and reserve the best seats for the games”.
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An emotional Keir Starmer fought back tears as he paid tribute to his wife and children during his resignation speech outside Downing Street. Starmer said that after leaving “the biggest job in the country”, he would focus on “the most important job” being the best husband he can to his wife and the best father to his children, whom he described as his “pride and joy”. He then embraced his wife before returning inside No 10. #KeirStarmer #LabourParty #UKPolitics
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A three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambridgeshire (Photo: SWNS)
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Wowcher apologises after backlash over crocodile attack email
Discount website Wowcher has apologised after a marketing email appeared to reference a crocodile attack on a toddler at a zoo in Huntingdon.
Here is everything you need to know.
‘Unacceptable’ wording
Wowcher customers reportedly received an email campaign on Saturday with the subject line ‘Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!’.
This came just two days after a three-year-old boy ended up in hospital after he was attacked by a crocodile in Johnson’s of Oldhurst zoo in Huntingdon.
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Spokesperson apologises
It should never have been written, it was never approved for use.
Wowcher has apologised for the email, with a spokesperson saying they are investigating how their processes “failed” in allowing it to go out unchecked.
Visitors look aJohnson?s of Old Hurst the crocodile farm in Cambridgeshire. // A three-year-old boy is in a critical condition after being mauled by a crocodile at a zoo – as a man is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Cambridgeshire Police said they were called to Johnson?s of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon in Cambs., just before 1.30pm on today (June 18). Officers confirmed the boy is in a “critical but stable” condition in hospital and they are supporting this family. They said they do not believe the man and the child are known to each other.
Photo released 18/06/2026
Photographer: Newsquest / SWNS
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Source: Newsquest / SWNS
They also apologised for adding to the distress of the child’s family. The boy is in a stable condition but remains in hospital.
Police release man under investigation
Caption: Police at Johnson’s of Old Hurst, in Huntingdonshire, where a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at the zoo. Picture date: Thursday June 18, 2026. PA Photo. Cambridgeshire Police said officers were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst, in Huntingdonshire, at 1.24pm on Thursday to “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. “The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is critical but stable,” a force spokesperson said. “A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.” Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
Photographer: Joe Giddens
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A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the child ended up in the enclosure.
Police released him on bail as he was “unfit for interview”. The boy was not known to the man.
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science
How to keep pets cool in a heatwave
When is it too hot to walk your dog, and how can you tell if they’re overheating? Here are all the ways you can protect your dog during this week’s hot weather.
No hard and fast rule about walking dogs in the heat
What seems like ideal dog walking conditions one minute can suddenly become a high-risk trek because of warmer than expected weather.
Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux,Junior vice president of British Veterinary Association
Caption: UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 09: Border Terrier dog lying down puffed out and panting with tongue after chasing around, United Kingdom (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
Photographer: Tim Graham
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Source: Getty Images Europe
The golden rules
Caption: Woman with poop bag dispenser standing by pet dog on road
Photographer: Westend61
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Source: Westend61
Copyright: Westend61 / HalfPoint
The 5-second test
Test the road with your hand before walking your dog. If you can’t keep it on for five second, it’s too hot.
Don’t walk in the day
Avoid walking your dog during the times when the sun is hottest, between 11am and 3pm.
Exercising outside is good for the soul (Photo: Jordan Siemens/Getty)
Don’t run or cycle
Strenuous exercise makes it more likely that your dog will overheat, so don’t overdo it with them this week.
The signs your dog could be overheating
Difficulty or changes to breathing.
Wobbly or uncoordinated movements.
Bright pink/ red gums and lips.
Lethargy, drowsiness, stiff or unwilling to move.
Heavy or continuous panting, even when they have stopped exercise.
Shade seeking.
Vomiting and diarrhoea.
Excessive drooling.
Explained
5 min read
What to do if your dog overheats
Cool your dog down by putting it in the shade, offering chilled water and pouring room temperature water over its body.
Vets’ advice is to ‘cool first, transport second’. Once you have lowered your dog’s core body temperature, you can then take it to the vet if you are still concerned.
Photographer: Kathrin Ziegler
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision
Caption: black labrador dog exhausted by the heat lying on the white tile of a kitchen in summer
Photographer: Nicolas Jooris-Ancion
Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: NJOO
How to help your pets stay cool
Keep your dog in the shade and make sure it has plenty of water. Try putting its toys in the freezer, taking them out to thaw slightly before giving them to your dog.
Caption: The concept of hot weather and a pet. Hands holding a bottle and giving water to a dog in an urban environment. Breed Airedale Terrier.
Photographer: OLGA KAZANTSEVA
Provider: Getty Images
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Copyright: Kazantseva Olga, okazantseva@gmail.com
Caption: A serene close-up portrait of a beautiful ginger tabby cat with striking striped fur, calmly gazing off to the side. This image perfectly captures the elegance, charm, and tranquil nature of domestic cats, making it ideal for pet-related content, lifestyle imagery, or design projects seeking a peaceful and warm aesthetic
Photographer: Anastasiia Voloshko
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While cats are harder to control, they too are at risk of heatstroke, so it’s best to keep them inside during the hottest part of the day if you can. Their ears and noses can also get sunburnt if exposed.
Its 2.3m customers were asked to stop refilling paddling pools, hot tubs and jet washing, and only use water for washing, drinking and cooking. However, the water giant said a full hosepipe ban was not in place.
Meanwhile, the head of St. Johns Ambulance said its medics have noticed the increasing impact of extreme heat on crowds at major sporting events.
Four of the last five years are among the UK’s top five hottest since 1884 and all of the top ten warmest years have occurred in the last two decades.
With Europe also gripped by a deadly heatwave that has topped 42°C, hundreds of schools have closed completely across the continent and drinking alcohol at outdoor events has been temporarily restricted in France.
Could the latest bout of extreme weather blasting the UK lead to similar curbs here?
School closures during heatwaves
Some schools in southern England have said they will close early until at least Thursday due to the extreme temperatures.
In Wiltshire, Kingsholm Primary in Gloucester will shut at 1.30pm every day until Thursday, with students asked to come to school in their PE kit.
Clarendon Academy in the same county said pupils will be dismissed from their classes at 12:25pm from Monday to Thursday.
Temperatures are set to near 40°C on Wednesday
Oaks Park High School, in Sutton, south London, will close at 12.20pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Belmont Junior School, in Haringey, north London, will also close 1t 1.30pm on the same days.
In Wales, council catering service Big Fresh has said it would serve cold school meals this week.
In France, almost 2,700 schools closed or modified timetables on Monday as authorities across Europe issued heatwave warnings on Monday.
There is no legal maximum temperature for schools and it’s rare pupils are sent home during heatwaves in Britain.
The Government says that during hot weather it doesn’t normally advise schools to close, but that heat-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office can guide decisions on whether to stop lessons.
It argues that hot weather can usually be managed safely and says school leaders take any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable.
Schools can relax uniform rules during hot weather to make sure pupils are comfortable, the Department for Education says.
Unions call for legal maximum classroom temperature
But Daniel Kebede, general secretary, National Education Union (NEU), said teaching and learning were becoming “increasingly challenging” due to unprecedented extreme temperatures.
The NEU recommends schools should aim to keep indoor temperatures at a maximum of 26°C.
“Schools will always be as creative as possible in taking all possible measures to keep children and staff comfortable and safe, but in some schools, and some parts of the country, this will be much more difficult,” Kebede said.
“This is why we call upon the Government to urgently invest in making all our schools resilient to this type of extreme weather which is only going to become more common.”
The NASUWT teachers union says a full or partial closure of schools or colleges could be considered under a red alert for extreme heat after a risk assessment is carried out.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT general secretary, called for a legally enforceable maximum classroom temperature to be introduced as well as investment in ventilation, insulation and shaded areas in schools and colleges to make them “better equipped to withstand a changing climate and hotter, more intense weather”.
Warnings over outdoor drinking
As a record-breaking heatwave pummels Europe, France has banned alcohol at festivals.
The public consumption of alcohol in regions across France that have been placed under red alert has been outlawed.
Emmanuel Gregoire, the mayor of Paris, said: “The combination of alcohol, heat and proximity to water – those are three risk factors that don’t mix well.”
In Spain, bars must close outdoor terraces during extreme heatwaves to protect staff.
Terraces must close when the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issues orange or red heat warnings under changes driven by Spanish trade unions.
In the UK, decisions to ban or restrict outdoor drinking in public spaces during a heatwave are primarily made by councils.
Stuart Crichton, director of 999 operations at London Ambulance Service (LAS), has warned people to avoid alcohol, or drink other fluids as well during heatwaves.
St John Ambulance Chief Medical Officer, Professor Andrew Hartle, said: “We are increasingly seeing the impact of higher temperatures at major sporting events.
“St John Ambulance and our partners are more aware of this trend and have increased provisions such as more training and equipment for managing heat-related illness.”
Overheating homes
There have been increasing problems with UK new-builds overheating, with homes designed to retain heat during winter leaving homeowners sweltering during heatwaves.
Research from energy provider OVO found that more than one in five of its customers’ flats were susceptible to overheating because of large windows and poor ventilation.
Homeowners can apply to access £2,500 grants to help pay for installing air conditioning in their homes.
However, installers have been waiting for accreditation to be able to fit the heat pump leading to delays to the grants applied for under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).