It surpasses the previous record set only last year, with numerous weather records being broken repeatedly in recent years. In 2026, the average temperature in June, July and August, throughout the day and night, was the highest ever - despite it feeling cool in areas further north and despite a chillier end to August. It was 16.5C across night and day, beating the previous seasonal high of 16.1C set last year, the Met Office said. The summer will be remembered for destructive wildfires, sweaty, restless nights and a landscape parched yellow by a drought covering two thirds of England and all of Wales. Though previous summers have reached higher temperatures temporarily, such as the 40C record in 2022, this summer was remarkable for the persistent heat. A temperature of 30C or higher was recorded on 40 separate days, smashing the previous record of 34 days in 1995. Millions of Britons sweltered through five widespread heatwaves, the one in June feeling more oppressive for its humidity and hot nights. June also saw its highest ever UK temperature when a provisional record of 38C was recorded in Lingwood, Norfolk, beating the long-standing previous record from 1976 of 35.6C. The infamous summer of 1976 is now only the seventh hottest on record for the average summer temperature, with the five warmest having all occurred since 2003. In total, 54 Met Office weather stations broke their all-time daily maximum temperature record this summer. Driving the heat were the dry weather, long periods of high pressure and the long term impact of climate change, which is driving up baseline temperatures. Farmers are now facing one of their worst cereal harvests on record, and thousands of extra people are estimated to have died during the May and June heatwaves. A summer like the one the UK has just experienced is now around 130 times more likely because of climate change, according to the Met Office. Head of climate attribution at the Met Office Dr Mark McCarthy said, in a world unaffected by human emissions, this year's summer in the UK would be a one-in-1,000-year event. Currently, because of the impact of emissions, he said the UK can expect this type of summer roughly once every nine years. Met Office climate scientist Dr James Pope said this summer is typical for a world which is 2.5-3C warmer than the pre-industrial period. While the Paris climate agreement fixed the target for climate change at a maximum of 1.5C above the pre-industrial average, there are fears that average temperatures could rise to more than that if greenhouse gas emissions are not restricted. Dr Pope added: "If emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced and global warming is limited to 2C, this summer would still be a very hot summer. However, in a world that has warmed by 4C due to continued emissions, summer 2026 would be considered cool or below average." The government said the confirmation is a "brutal reminder" that the impact of climate change had arrived. Minister for climate transition Katie White said: "Our hottest summer ever is a brutal reminder that we're not waiting for climate change to arrive in Britain, we're living in the middle of it. "That makes us more determined to act, with some of the biggest and boldest action in a generation to electrify our economy and tackle climate change with clean energy made in Britain. "We're seizing the opportunity to upgrade Britain, backing our best scientists, entrepreneurs and technologies to make us happier, healthier and wealthier."

The country music star was reportedly buried alongside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park And Mausoleum in Tennessee. The Jolene and 9 To 5 singer died aged 80 last week following a "brief battle with cancer". In a post about the funeral on Instagram Parton's great-niece, Lainey Parton, said: "This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words. "From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn't do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself. "Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can't think of one with her. "Because she couldn't have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I'll forever be grateful for that." Read more:From rags to rhinestones - farewell to the Queen of Country She went on to speak about appearing on Parton's album Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith And Fables, saying it is a memory she will "always hold on to". She added: "She had a way of making me feel like nothing bad could happen. She made me feel safe, confident, and like I belonged right there beside her. "As I got older, she continued to believe in me. When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn't going to college. She told me she couldn't see me doing anything else. She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started. "She didn't just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there. "I'm so thankful I said yes to the opportunities and memories I got to share with her as my Aunt Dolly, including being in a movie with her. I'm so glad I have those moments to look back on now. I have things I can watch, hear, and hold on to when I miss her." Lainey added that it "still doesn't feel real that she's gone", and said she would "miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there", adding: "I'd give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again." She thanked fans for showing their support by sending messages and flowers. It comes after an airport in Nashville, Tennessee, proposed changing its name in honour of the singer. Since her death, Parton's music has re-entered the UK charts, including Jolene, which featured at number nine on Friday.

The former foreign secretary and Braintree MP said the capital needed "a champion, someone who understands its potential and is prepared to fight for its future". Sir James - who has served as shadow housing secretary since July 2025 - revealed on Saturday that he had told Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch of his decision to stand down. Writing for The Sunday Times, he said: "We need a credible big hitter putting themselves forward for Mayor of London." Politics latest: Burnham to abstain on assisted dying The former minister said he had stepped down to "concentrate fully on winning this race". He added: "I have told Kemi Badenoch that I will leave the shadow cabinet. Serving there has been a privilege, and I know there will continue to be strong voices around that table. "But to run the most effective campaign possible, I must be free to speak about every aspect of London's future and concentrate fully on winning this race." In a post on X, he said: "London needs more than an administrator. It needs a champion, someone who understands its potential and is prepared to fight for its future. "That's why I'm running to be the Conservative Candidate for London Mayor." Sadiq Khan has served as mayor of London since 2016 and is yet to confirm whether he will run for a fourth term. The next mayoral election is scheduled to be held in on 4 May 2028.

On top of Monaco's Lamine Camara and Roma's Manu Kone, they are also looking at midfield options in the Premier League. Chelsea's plan is to bring in one midfielder if Enzo Fernandez, who has made it clear that he wants to make the move to Manchester City, leaves. Talks are ongoing over City's move for the Argentina international, but Chelsea will only do business on a replacement if they feel it improves their squad. Transfer Centre - Deadline Day LIVE! | Chelsea news & transfers🔵Deadline Day done deals Premier League transfers - ins and outs by clubChelsea fixtures & scores | FREE Chelsea highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺Chelsea close to agreeing deal for Roma's Kone Chelsea are close to an agreement to sign France midfielder Kone, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is trying to keep hold of the player according to Sky in Italy. A deal worth £52m was understood to have been discussed, with talks also advancing to see winger Jamie Gittens head in the other direction on loan. Chelsea's negotiations continue for both Kone and Gittens, but Gasperini's reluctance to let Kone go is an obstacle to overcome. Gapserini pushed for Kone to stay when he arrived as head coach and was instrumental in securing the France midfielder's immediate future there. Roma are working on either AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana or Marseille's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Kone. Chelsea have bid rejected for Camara Meanwhile, Monaco have rejected a £38.5m (€45m) bid from Chelsea for Camara. Chelsea are working hard to line up a replacement for Fernandez before the deadline. On top of Camara and Kone, they are also looking at midfield options in the Premier League. Chelsea's plan is to bring in one midfielder if Fernandez leaves. Could Kone fill Fernandez shoes? Analysis by Sky Sports' Nick Wright: Kone has pedigree as a 19-cap France international who, at 25, and with his peak years still ahead of him, has already impressed in Italy, Germany and his homeland, demonstrating a capacity to adapt which could serve him well in the Premier League. The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has good athleticism and technical quality. Like the player he is in line to replace at Chelsea, he can operate at both No 6 and No 8, although it is at the base of midfield that he is most comfortable. That may suit Alonso given his favoured, three-at-the-back system leaves little room for the No 8 role in which Fernandez previously excelled for the club. It may also suit Kone, who can defend, pass and carry but doesn't offer the same level of attacking threat. Fernandez thrived in that sense at Chelsea. The Argentina international contributed an impressive total of 16 goals and 11 assists in the last two Premier League seasons. Chelsea might need to find those goals and assists elsewhere in his squad if he goes, with Kone, a player who has different strengths, having provided only two and five respectively in league games for Roma in the same timeframe.

Valentina Foster, seven, died along with her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, in the blaze in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of 26 August. Four others were injured. In a statement, Valentina's family said: "It is with overwhelming sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beloved daughter has passed away. "She was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words by her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. Our lives have changed forever, and we are struggling to come to terms with this devastating loss. "Our daughter will always be in our hearts, and her memory will live with us forever. "Forever missed by her brothers and sisters." Earlier on Tuesday, a man appeared in court charged with murder following the fire. Jaden Wright, 23, of no fixed address, appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court for a hearing which lasted less than two minutes. Wright was remanded in custody to appear before Teesside Crown Court on Thursday. He faces two murder charges, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and two charges of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. The charges relate to the six people in the house, two of whom cannot be identified due to their age. Cleveland Police said on Friday that a 48-year-old woman was in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in a "critical but stable" condition, and a 27-year-old man was at James Cook University Hospital receiving treatment. Two teenage girls were both discharged after suffering non-life-threatening injuries. The clerk also said that Wright faced a separate charge of intentional strangulation relating to an alleged incident the day before the fire. After he was charged, Katie Smith, senior investigating officer from Northumbria Police, said: "This has been a truly tragic incident, and my thoughts remain with the families of all those involved. "I would like to thank local residents for their support and patience during this complex investigation." Katie Nicolson, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, added: "It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." A 31-year-old man who was also arrested in connection with the case was released without charge on Sunday.

The 65-year-old had been set to become the third living designer to be honoured by the museum. His retrospective had been due to run from May 2027 until January 2028, with the designer also chosen to be the theme of next year's Met Gala. But a month after the exhibition was announced, Galliano revealed he had pulled the retrospective. In a post on Instagram he wrote: "After much reflection and discussion with all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time. "I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry. "I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition or a single public gesture. It is a continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning and one's conduct over time." He added: "I do not want the debate surrounding me to place the Met in a difficult position or to distract from the remarkable work of the Costume Institute. I also recognise and respect that an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some." Galliano thanked those who have "guided, supported and accompanied" him throughout the last "15 years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction". In a statement shared with Vogue, The Metropolitan Museum of Art's director and chief executive Max Hollein said: "Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition." Read more from Sky News:Body of woman found in park was inside a bin bag, police sayJared Kushner's brother breaks silence on World Cup sell-off plans A statement from Vogue global editorial director Dame Anna Wintour said Galliano's decision to ask the museum to postpone the exhibition was "very courageous and a measure of the man he is". She said: "I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the museum have my full support. His soaring imagination, fed by a lifetime of curiosity and research, is matched by his exceptional craft. "Cut, fit, the evocative line of a bias-cut dress, colour - he's a master of it all. Without one or the other, if his technique wasn't equal to his storytelling talents, he wouldn't be the premier couturier of his generation. But he most certainly is." Dame Anna said Galliano's impact "reverberates across generations". Galliano was convicted of a hate crime by a French court in 2011 for his public antisemitic comments after he harangued a couple sitting on a cafe terrace following a late-night drinking session in the upmarket Marais district. Footage emerged of a separate incident which appeared to show him abusing drinkers in a bar and telling them: "I love Hitler." The Dior creative director was sacked by the label in light of the "deeply offensive statements and conduct" contained in the video. He was later convicted of "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity" stemming from the two separate incidents and handed a €6,000 (£5,000) suspended fine. The Met has not yet announced how it plans to replace the Galiano exhibit, which means the 2027 Met Gala currently does not have a theme.

A survey carried out by YouGov pollsters showed 50% favoured the measure. Only a minority (16%) of the 6,142 people surveyed on Wednesday opposed an embargo, while 34% did not know. While backing for a ban was strongest among Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters, the policy had cross-party support. The majority of surveyed Conservative and Reform voters said they "strongly support" a prohibition. About a third of the governing Labour party MPs (140) in June had signed a letter calling for an Israeli settlement trade ban. The government confirmed in July it was working towards a ban on imports and exports to illegal Israeli settlements. Both services and goods will be prohibited from flowing to and from the outposts, the trade minister at the time, Sir Chris Bryant, told MPs of the Business and Trade Committee. The policy will be announced in September, according to reporting in The Times and Middle East Eye. How would it work? Exactly how a ban is implemented is unclear but the current sanctions regime could be used, Sir Chris told the committee last month. Another difficulty arises from identifying where goods come from. "We all know perfectly well that it's very difficult to enforce [customs rules] because [Palestinian] territories and the settlement areas and, and the rest of Israel... goods travel in and out very easily, both heavy machinery and foodstuffs and so on," Sir Chris said. Also considered by the UK government, though ultimately rejected, was pausing its trade agreement with Israel. The Department for Business and Trade undertook an impact assessment on suspending the UK-Israel Trade Partnership Agreement, the 2019 post-Brexit continuity arrangement through which Israeli imports mostly enter the UK tariff-free. Attempts to access the impact assessment have been denied by the department, in part, on international relations grounds. "Disclosing the information would be likely to prejudice the UK's relationship with Israel," the department told Sky News. What are settlements? Israeli settlements, in areas like the West Bank, have long been opposed by the UK government, which believes them to be a breach of international law and a threat to a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Settlements have rapidly expanded in recent years, with more planned by the Israeli government. Palestinians face increasing attacks and, in the past weeks, have had homes besieged. Creating settlements can involve confiscating land and displacing Palestinians, which is illegal under the Geneva Convention, as is the moving of Israeli civilians into territory Israel occupies. Israel disputes this, saying it cannot be classed as an occupying power, as no country owned the land before it took the territory in 1967, and it has not transferred its population to the territories; people move freely.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who captained his country to the World Cup in 2022, showed his enduring quality as he again led them to the final of the World Cup this summer. But 21 years on from his first appearance he has called time on his international career, leaving a record-breaking legacy of 125 goals from 207 games. No Argentine has played or scored more for their country. He retires having won every possible competition in international football, after twice winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, lifting the World Cup in Qatar and captaining Argentina to victory in the inaugural Finalissima in 2022. Messi had hinted at his impending retirement during an emotional post on social media following the death of his father, Jorge earlier in August. He has now confirmed his decision in a statement on Instagram, which he said he had originally written on July 21 - two days after the final - which he said "hurt deeply", but having been left with "nothing left to give" he added of his decision: "Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before." Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in their second consecutive World Cup final on July 19, with Ferran Torres' goal in extra time clinching La Roja's second title. It was expected to be Messi's final appearance at the tournament, given he will turn 43 during the next tournament in 2030. Messi's father Jorge passed away within weeks of the tournament ending in his hometown of Rosario following a long illness. He had previously acted as his son's agent. He said of the final, which his father was unable to attend: "I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn't, my legs had nothing left. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn't. I never managed to feel right. "I am going to miss you a lot, but you will always be present, and especially in the education of my children, because I teach them and educate them as you did with me. "Rest in peace and take care of us from above like you did here. Thanks for everything. I love you, dad." 'I have nothing left to give': Messi's statement in full "After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the national team... "It was a decision that hurt-and still hurts deep down - but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all-not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football. "Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I've given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here. "Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I'll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad - especially the bad). "Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey-so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I've shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments. "I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you-alongside my teammates-moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you! "Thank you, God, for making me Argentine. "Let's go, Argentina! "*I wrote these words on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."