1. Britain ignites as temperatures break 40C barrier for the first time

A village went up in flames as Britain ignited on its hottest day in history.

Hundreds of people were forced to flee their homes in Wennington, Essex, as firefighters tried to control a blaze that engulfed dozens of houses amid “tinderbox dry” conditions on Tuesday. Smoke could be seen billowing over the Thames. Read the full story.

2. Truss on course to make Tory leadership final two as she closes in on Mordaunt

Liz Truss has moved into prime position to reach the final two in the Tory leadership contest after closing the gap on Penny Mordaunt.

On Tuesday night, the Foreign Secretary was trying to win over supporters of Kemi Badenoch, her main rival on the Right of the party, who was knocked out of the race. Read the full story.

3. Teachers, doctors and nurses threaten strike action despite 9pc pay rises

Doctors and nurses threatened a wave of strikes on Tuesday night over pay rises of up to 9.3 per cent, amid warnings the increases will be funded by money earmarked for NHS care.

Ministers on Tuesday accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies in full, saying the rise was needed to help with the cost of living crisis. Read the full story.

4. Russia should ‘nuke’ England but spare Wales, Scotland and NI, says Putin propagandist

Russia’s best-known propagandist has threatened to break up the United Kingdom and "nuke" England, while sparing Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian state television host who gained notoriety in recent years for openly urging the government to attack Europe, zeroed in on the UK as he mocked Sir Tony Radakin, chief of the British Armed Forces, for suggesting that Russia would be posing a threat to the world for the next decade. Read the full story.

5. Heathrow flight limits to continue until after October half-term

Heathrow’s curbs on holiday flights are to continue until after the October half-term, The Telegraph can reveal.