Nearly 20 houses were destroyed by grass fires in Wennington on Tuesday as the UK sweltered in its hottest day on record - as the public is warned the "danger isn't over" and the heat still "poses risks of new fires sparking off".

The rate of inflation has hit a fresh 40-year high, placing further strain on household budgets as the cost of living crisis mounts.

Across the country in June, inflation is at its highest rate in 40 years, but Sky News analysis of the latest ONS figures shows that shoppers in London are facing price rises that double those seen in Yorkshire.

Sri Lanka's acting president has become the country's new permanent leader after being selected in a parliament vote.

A UK ticket-holder has won a record Euromillions jackpot of £195m.

A furniture company in the US is developing bulletproof desks for schools.

Jake Wightman has won Britain's first gold at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

Senior MP Tobias Ellwood has called for an end to "blue on blue" hostilities after being stripped of the Conservative whip yesterday.

Drivers planning on taking a trip this weekend are being warned that it will be the busiest summer getaway in the last eight years, with an estimated 18.8 million leisure trips planned in the UK.

Russia is laying the groundwork to annex Ukrainian territory as it seeks to establish total control over its gains in the east, according to US intelligence.