Your normal cooling solution might not cut the mustard during this heatwave

Trying to get a good night of sleep this week can feel near impossible for many households, with an extreme heatwave bringing soaring night-time temperatures to much of the country.

The nocturnal discomfort can push people towards quick fixes like electric fans. But the government has now warned that one of the most common heatwave sleep habits may not be as harmless as it seems.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign to provide advice for everyone on how to stay safe during hot weather.

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As part of its guidance, the UKHSA warns that using mechanical electric fans to cool down can actually be dangerous once indoor temperatures reach 35°C (95°F) or higher.

While switching on a fan is an automatic response for many during a heatwave, health, education, and consumer authorities warn that doing so in extreme heat can accelerate dehydration, exacerbate respiratory issues, and fail to prevent severe heat-related illnesses.

The primary reason for the 35°C threshold comes down to basic human biology and physics. Electric fans do not actually cool the air in a room, they simply move it around.

When the ambient room temperature is lower than your body temperature, the moving air helps sweat evaporate from your skin, which cools you down. However, when the surrounding air temperature reaches 35°C – approaching the human body’s natural core temperature – the fan ceases to cool.

Instead, it begins blowing air that is hotter than or equal to your skin temperature directly at you.

Rather than relieving heat, this creates a “convection oven” effect, rapidly heating the body and accelerating the risk of severe dehydration. Home climate experts note that sitting directly in front of a fan in these conditions is equivalent to being blasted by a hair dryer, forcing the body to sweat at an unsustainable rate without providing any actual cooling benefit.

The dangers of using fans during a 35°C heatwave extend into the night, where many households rely on them to get through stifling sleep conditions.

Medical experts warn that leaving an electric fan running throughout the night can also introduce separate health risks, particularly for those with respiratory sensitivities, Wales Online reports. The constant airflow from a fan acts like an invisible broom, disturbing settled dust, pollen, and pet dander, and circulating these airborne particles around an enclosed bedroom.

For allergy and hay fever sufferers, this can significantly aggravate irritation in the eyes, throat, and nasal passages. Furthermore, the continuous flow of moving air creates a severe drying effect, which can dehydrate the skin, throat, and nasal linings overnight, compounding the overall fluid loss caused by the heat.

The Department for Education (DfE) explicitly highlighted these physical limitations in its heatwave guidance for schools and early years settings, instructing staff on the exact limits of mechanical cooling.

“Mechanical fans can be used to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C – at temperatures above 35°C fans may not prevent heat-related illness and could worsen dehydration.”

In high-heat scenarios, authorities emphasise that standard fan usage must be halted, and alternative cooling methods must be prioritised to keep indoor spaces safe.

It’s not unknown that the Tartan Army have left a lasting impression with the Boston locals

A Boston local has gone viral after admitting she is secretly glad the Tartan Army do not appear to be getting the same reception in Miami as they enjoyed during their World Cup stay in the Massachusetts city.

Scotland supporters spent the opening stages of the tournament turning Boston into a home away from home, filling bars, restaurants and streets with songs, bagpipes and traffic cones as Steve Clarke’s side played their first two group stage matches in the city.

The relationship between Boston and the travelling Scotland support quickly became one of the standout stories of the World Cup, with locals embracing the Tartan Army and their antics every step of the way.

From packed streets and school buses to the games to the warm welcome they received at a Boston Red Sox game and donating money to various charities and locations in Boston, the connection between the city and Scotland supporters was impossible to miss.

READ MORE: Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the World Cup

Now, with Scotland having moved on to Miami ahead of their final group-stage clash against Brazil, one Boston local has shared why she is pleased the Scots have not quite managed to recreate the same atmosphere in the sunshine state.

In a TikTok video posted by user @julietteamie, she explained that her feelings have nothing to do with wanting Scotland fans to have a bad time. Instead, she wants Boston to remain the Tartan Army’s favourite stop during their trip to the states for the World Cup.

She started the video by saying: “Is anyone else kind of happy that the Tartan Army aren’t getting the same reception as they got in Boston.

“You’re going to be thinking ‘oh it’s because you’re English and you just have the Scottish and you don’t want them to have a nice time.’ Oh no.”

Although this isn’t the reason at all, as she explained: “It’s because i want them to love Boston the most. We want them to come back and we want them to say that nothing in history will take precedence over how much welcomed and how much fun they had here in Boston.

“Just imagine if Miami outdone Boston in this whole situation and actually they realised that Boston wasn’t the best and they prefer Miami.”

Concluding the video she said: “So you know what, let the policemen tell them not to put the cones on the statues, it just means that they had the best time in Boston. And then they’re going to go home and tell all their friends and family that Boston is the best place.”

The video struck up a chord with viewers, with many agreeing that the bond formed between Boston and Scotland fans has been something special throughout the tournament.

One user summed it up perfectly, writing: “Boston & Scotland = a love story that will stand the test of time.” While another said: “Yes. I want them to have a good time but i also want them to love Boston more.”

Although one user, who is a Bostonian themselves, gave their take on the situation, penning: “As a Bostonian who moved to Miami, I know they won’t as good as a time here.”

Shining a spotlight on graduate design talent is New Designers (July 1-4, Business Design Centre, N1, entry from £6.95). The showcase provides a platform to more than 2,500 graduates from Plymouth to Dundee and is open to the public, attracting industry insiders, talent-spotters, design-curious teens and those who simply appreciate creativity. This year’s format is shorter, with all design disciplines presented side by side — think architecture and furniture alongside textiles and ceramics. It’s worth checking out the talks programme, which covers practical themes such as the transition from design education into professional practice, and demystifying the business side of illustration.

The two children were found unresponsive in the family car parked in the garage of a detached property in Carpentras, France, as a manslaughter investigation remains ongoing

A significant development has emerged following the tragic deaths of two young children who were discovered in a car after allegedly being “forgotten” by their mother during Europe’s sweltering 40C heatwave.

The youngsters, aged two and four, were found unresponsive in the family vehicle, which had been left parked in the garage of a detached home in the Bois de l’Ubac area of Carpentras, France.

Despite desperate attempts by emergency services to revive them, both children passed away, prompting authorities to launch a manslaughter investigation. A subsequent post-mortem examination has since concluded that the pair died of dehydration, according to public prosecutor Hélène Mourges, who spoke to France 3 Provence-Alpes.

A statement released by the Carpentras prosecutor’s office confirmed that preliminary findings suggest “the hypothesis of a death resulting from exposure to excessive heat” appears “plausible subject to the results of further analyses currently underway”.

Early enquiries have focused on the possibility that the children climbed into the vehicle without their 33-year-old mother’s knowledge, before becoming trapped inside, reports the Mirror.

A police source told Le Parisien that the mother claimed to have “forgotten her children” while out shopping. However, according to a source close to the investigation speaking to AFP, she has since provided several conflicting accounts of what took place.

Amandine, a neighbour, expressed her profound shock at the tragedy.

“I’m very shocked. When I learned that it was two children who had been forgotten in the car, I got goose pimples. In this neighbourhood, everyone knows each other, and the children were always playing; they had such a zest for life,” she told France 3 Provence-Alpes.

Officers were called at 1.10pm on Monday to the incident at the children’s grandmother’s property. Ms Mourges had previously indicated the heatwave was the primary explanation being investigated for their deaths.

She said the two youngsters “allegedly locked themselves” inside the vehicle, with investigators believing they climbed into the car without their mother’s knowledge.

Millions across France have endured sleepless nights drenched in perspiration this week amid relentless scorching temperatures. The sweltering conditions are set to persist round the clock as the national weather service, Meteo France, has issued red heatwave warnings for dozens of departments.

In a nation lacking widespread air-conditioning, schools, trains and sporting fixtures continue to face disruption, while approximately 20 drowning fatalities have been recorded since the weekend.

“Sunshine continues to dominate across France, maintaining oppressive and exhausting heat throughout the country,” Meteo France stated. The extreme weather is anticipated to continue at least until week’s end, with daytime peaks exceeding 40C across numerous towns.

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Emma and Matt Willis’ relationship has not been without its challenges, with the Busted bassist revealing they had couples counselling, where they kept having the “same conversation”

Emma Willis’ husband, Matt, has shed light on a “small” issue in their marriage that was holding that caused a “big problem” in their marriage. The Strictly Come Dancing host has been married to the Busted bassist since 2008. They share three children, Isabelle, Ace, and Trixie, but their relationship has not been without its challenges.

Matt, who spent time in rehab and appeared in the documentary Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with cocaine and alcohol, but has now been sober since 2016.

He and Emma also went to couples counselling, but he said they kept having the “same conversation”. Speaking to Pop Idol winner Will Young, Matt admitted they were “never getting anywhere”.

He explained on his addiction-themed On the Mend podcast: “We had this same thing that was kind of coming up in our relationship. I won’t go into too many details, but same thing, same conversation over and over again, never getting anywhere.”

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Matt added: “Once we actually got to the root of what that was, we have never had that problem ever again. And it was so small when I think about it, you know, but it was actually massive.

“You know, and now, looking back at it, I was like, ‘That was everything that was holding us away from truly loving’.”

Last month, Emma was announced as the new host of Strictly, alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. They replace Strictly veterans Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who quit the BBC show in 2025.

Emma said in a statement: “I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”

Meanwhile, Matt has previously said Emma gives him constructive feedback, and he has asked her what he needs to work on as part of his personal development. Emma noted that he had a tendency not to follow through with his plans.

Speaking on the podcast previously, he said: “I asked Emma about it, and she thought about it for quite a while, and then she basically gave me the same one which I’ve said before, which is I don’t follow through with things. It was worded slightly different, but that was the message.”

He added: “She basically said, ‘You have so many ideas, which is hard to keep up with at times, and I don’t want to disregard your passion and ideas for stuff, but there’s so many, and so few of them are going to take flight’.

“And she was like, ‘I don’t want to stop you from being this creative thing that comes up with all this stuff, but you don’t follow through on most of them, and some of them which you come to that are important, you don’t follow through with’.”

Matt admitted her criticism was “hard to hear”, but said it was something he needed to work on.

The teenager also ignored red traffic lights and drove the wrong way around a roundabout

A teenager ignored red traffic lights and drove at more than 100mph in a bid to escape police. Zachary Hassan, 18, was spotted speeding in a Ford Kuga, in High Street, Fletton, Peterborough, at about 2am on May 23.

Officers used their blue lights, but Hassan failed to stop and attempted to flee from police. At one point Hassan drove at about 125mph as he tried to get away, as well as reaching 65mph in a 30mph zone.

Hassan also drove the wrong way around a roundabout, ignored red traffic lights, and contravened keep-left bollards. When the pursuit ended in Huntsman’s Gate, Bretton, Hassan ran but was arrested a short while later hiding in a bush.

Hassan, of Lythemere, Orton Malborne, Peterborough, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, possession of cannabis, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance.

The 18-year-old was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for year, and disqualified from driving for a year on Monday, June 15, at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

Stanway, 27, a double European champion with the Lionesses, was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list in December 2025.

She was awarded the honour alongside England teammates Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh and Ella Toone whilst their captain, Leah Williamson, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Stanway could be seen smiling, laughing and shaking hands with King Charles III at the Windsor Castle investiture ceremony.

The Barrovian was among 71 people officially given their honours by the King at Windsor Castle today.

Taking to social media, an England Football Team spokesperson said: “Congratulations Lionesses midfielder Georgia Stanway, who was awarded her MBE today at Windsor Castle.”

Georgia Stanway with His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA)

Stanway wrote on Instagram: “No words. MBE!! An unbelievably proud day with family.”

The official Royal Family social media account said: “Congratulations to all those who received honours at today’s investitures at Windsor Castle.”

Stanway received the honour in recognition of her services to association football.

Honours such as those Stanway and the Lionesses received are announced twice a year, at the New Year and on the King’s official birthday.

They recognise those who have made significant contributions to Britain and public life.

Born in Barrow, Stanway, a midfielder, was part of the England team which won the UEFA European Women’s Championship in July 2025 when they beat Spain on penalties in the final in Basel, Switzerland.

The honour comes after the Lioness also received the Freedom of Barrow at the town hall in December 2025.

Other notable people to receive their honours at Windsor Castle today were Katherine Scriver-Brunt, who was awarded her OBE for services to women’s cricket and to the community in Yorkshire, as well as Anne Reid, who was awarded a CBE for services to drama.

The crash involved a car and lorry

A woman has suffered serious injuries after a crash on the A1. Emergency services were called to a crash on the A1 near Sawtry just before 5am on Wednesday (June 24).

The crash involved a lorry and car. The driver of the car suffered serious injuries.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 4.50am this morning (June 24) to the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) near Sawtry after reports of a collision between a car and a lorry.

“The car driver, a woman, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital suffering from serious injuries. The lorry driver was uninjured.”

National Highways closed two of the four lanes on the road while the crash was dealt with. The road reopened just before 6am.

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