"Schools, rail and hospitals suffer as heat engulfs UK," writes the Guardian, warning "temperatures close to 40C expected". The paper says public service and millions of people in the UK are "struggling to cope with the searing heat caused by climate breakdown", citing snap analysis published by ClimaMeter on Monday showing the climate phenomenon "has added 2-4C to the current heat-wave".
"Killer heat warnings" reads the Metro's headline, as Western Europe's "heat dome" covering Italy, Spain and France radiates across the English Channel. It says "UK roasts again... after 29,000 lightning strikes in single night", with the Met Office issuing "red warnings – from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham – over danger to life". More than 40 people have drowned "keeping cool" in France where "two children left in a car died", the paper reports.
"Britain set to break 50-year heat record" is the i Paper's top story, "smashing UK's June record from 1976". As forecasts predict dangerous heat levels, the paper summarises: "hundreds of schools close to cope", "high humidity adds to discomfort", and "do not travel warnings on railways".
"Meltdown" is splashed across the Daily Mirror's front page as it reports on "baking Britain". It also depicts a visibly disappointed England player Nico O'Reilly, his head angled back and buried by both hands, after the national team drew 0-0 against Ghana in the second round match of the World Cup group stage.
"Don't worry about a thing, 'cos every little thing is... Ghana be alright" reassures the Sun's headline following England's 0-0 draw, with the version of Bob Marley's lyrics printed over a photo of manager Thomas Tuchel holding the cheeks of star midfielder Jude Bellingham. Despite the scoreless result, the paper says "Lions fans were still backing their heroes to make it to the knockout stage".
"3 Lions back to drawing bored," writes the Daily Star in its recap of the England match, saying the national team "must wait for their final group game against Panama to find out their World Cup fate". Quipping "it's the Boston stranglers" after the goalless match in Boston, captain Harry Kane is shown pulling his hair back on the front page's main image.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his "likely successor" Andy Burnham could clash over "defence investment blueprint", a 10-year plan to fund armed forces and new military technology, and grow the defence industry, the Financial Times writes. "Burnham wants to review the investment plan instead of nodding through a Starmer-drafted proposal," the paper reports, citing unnamed sources. It adds that the unpublished plan has caused "bitter wrangling within the Starmer administration", recently leading to former Defence Secretary John Healey's resignation. The paper also says Rachel Reeves' future as chancellor is "in doubt" in a Burnham government, although she could be offered "an alternative cabinet role".
"Starmer and Burnham at odds over defence plans" says the Times, writing that Sir Keir is preparing to "force through" his proposals, possibly unveiling them at the Nato summit in early July, before he leaves Number 10 Downing Street.
The Daily Telegraph leads with "Prime minister-in-waiting tells Labour MPs he will do more than Starmer to defend UK", under the headline "Burnham: I'll boost cash for defence".
The Daily Mail leads with business leaders and Labour MPs who "joined forces" in suggesting that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband should not be appointed chancellor in a Burnham-led government. Labelling the former Labour leader "Red Ed", the paper says Miliband's critics "predicted he would hike taxes further and "further push his Net Zero agenda". While Burnham is widely tipped to replace Sir Keir, he is yet to be formally elected as Labour leader and his cabinet choices have not been announced.
The Daily Express leads with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage who, it writes, "leads Brexiteer anger as EU seeks reset talks with Andy Burnham". As this week marks 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum, the paper quotes Farage who says: "Don't let them get away with Brexit sell-out", in reference to Burnham and what the paper terms "Eurocrats".
