{"id":766824,"date":"2026-09-11T03:05:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T03:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/766824\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T03:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T03:05:17","slug":"i-asked-nine-health-experts-how-they-actually-de-stress-after-a-busy-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/766824\/","title":{"rendered":"I asked nine health experts how they actually de-stress after a busy day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Struggle to unwind? We asked those in high-pressure<\/a> roles, in which often it really is a matter of life and death, how they meaningfully decompress after a busy day in the clinic.<\/p>\n

\u2018I try to make minimal decisions at home\u2019 <\/p>\n

Dr Nabila Laskar, consultant cardiologist and specialist in cardiac imaging at St Bartholomew\u2019s Hospital\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs doctors<\/a>, we can become so accustomed to being needed that rest starts to feel unproductive. I\u2019ve learned not to \u2018optimise\u2019 every moment. My working life<\/a> is highly structured and outcome-driven, so the greatest luxury is sometimes doing something with no measurable purpose at all. <\/p>\n

\u201cI use small pockets of recovery<\/a> rather than waiting for an entirely free evening, because they rarely arrive. Walking slowly, putting my phone away while having a hot drink, sitting in silence, taking 10 quiet minutes before the household wakes up, spending unstructured time with my two daughters. From making all the decisions at work, I make minimal decisions at home and try to go with the flow. That contrast helps me genuinely switch off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Painting saves me from the intensity of medicine\u2019<\/p>\n

Professor Debbie Shawcross, liver specialist and professor of hepatology and chronic liver failure, King\u2019s College London<\/p>\n

\u201cTo switch off from the intensity of medicine<\/a>: I paint. I\u2019m a self-taught artist and work mainly in watercolour and acrylics, particularly atmospheric landscapes, skies and cityscapes. There is something wonderfully absorbing about starting with a blank sheet of paper or canvas and having to think only about light, colour and what is immediately in front of me. <\/p>\n

\u201cMedicine and academic life are fast-paced, analytical and often dominated by decisions, deadlines and responsibility; painting uses a completely different part of my brain. When I\u2019m painting, I become totally immersed in the moment and the noise of the working day disappears. Creativity gives me the headspace to reset and regain perspective; whether it\u2019s a couple of hours at the weekend or painting plein air somewhere beautiful, it is probably the closest I come to genuine mindfulness.\u201d<\/p>\n

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WORLD NEWS<\/p>\n

What we know about Philippines ferry fire<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This screen grab aerial picture from a handout video taken and received from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on September 10, 2026 shows the ruins of a ferry that caught fire off Palawan. At least five people were killed and 86 remain missing after a fire erupted aboard a ferry near a tourist hotspot in the Philippine province of Palawan, the coast guard said on September 10. (Photo by Handout \/ Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE \u2013 MANDATORY CREDIT \u201cAFP PHOTO \/ Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)\u201d \u2013 HANDOUT \u2013 NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS \u2013 DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Photographer: HANDOUT
Provider: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)\/AFP
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

At least five people are dead and dozens more were missing on Thursday after a fire broke out on a ferry in the Philippines.<\/p>\n

\nThe latest\n<\/p>\n

86 people still missing<\/p>\n

The MV June Aster was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members from Manlia to tourist resort Coron when it caught fire.<\/p>\n

Five people were killed and 86 passengers are still missing, said the Philippines\u2019 coast guard. Some 43 people have been rescued so far.<\/p>\n

The fire broke out at 6.45pm local time on Wednesday (11.45am BST) and was still burning by 11am on Thursday but has since been put out.<\/p>\n

\nRescued after two hours at sea\n<\/p>\n

Some passengers weren\u2019t wearing life vests, said the coastguard. Rescue workers were seen throwing vests to those stranded in the water. One passenger told the BBC he floated for two hours before being rescued.<\/p>\n

\"PALAWAN,Caption: PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES \u2013 SEPTEMBER 10: (\u2014-EDITORIAL USE ONLY \u2013 MANDATORY CREDIT \u2013 \u2018PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD \/ HANDOUT\u2019 \u2013 NO MARKETING, NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS \u2013 DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS\u2014-) The ruins of the ferry MV June Aster are seen following a fire that broke out aboard the ferry, killing at least five people, in waters off Palawan, Philippines, on September 10, 2026. MV June Aster was reportedly carrying more than 100 passengers when the fire broke out aboard the ferry on Wednesday night. Five passengers have been confirmed dead, while more than 80 people remain missing. Search and rescue operations are underway. (Photo by Philippine Coast Guard\/Handout\/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
Provider: Anadolu via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

\"PALAWAN,Caption: PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES \u2013 SEPTEMBER 10: (\u2014-EDITORIAL USE ONLY \u2013 MANDATORY CREDIT \u2013 \u2018PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD \/ HANDOUT\u2019 \u2013 NO MARKETING, NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS \u2013 DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS\u2014-) The ruins of the ferry MV June Aster are seen following a fire that broke out aboard the ferry, killing at least five people, in waters off Palawan, Philippines, on September 10, 2026. MV June Aster was reportedly carrying more than 100 passengers when the fire broke out aboard the ferry on Wednesday night. Five passengers have been confirmed dead, while more than 80 people remain missing. Search and rescue operations are underway. (Photo by Philippine Coast Guard\/Handout\/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
Provider: Anadolu via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

Families anxiously await news on loved ones, as search and rescue operations continue.<\/p>\n

What caused the fire?<\/p>\n

\"ANKARA,Caption: ANKARA, TURKIYE \u2013 SEPTEMBER 10: An infographic titled \u201cFerry fire in southern Philippines\u201d created in Ankara, Turkiye on September 10, 2026. At least five people are dead and 87 remain missing after a vessel caught fire off the coast of the Philippine province of Palawan. (Photo by Yasin Demirci\/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
Provider: Anadolu via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

The cause is still to be determined, but coastguard officials said a survivor reported hearing an explosion in the hold area.<\/p>\n

Sea accidents are common in the Philippines, a nation of 7,100 islands where ferries offer cheap transport and weather can be severe.<\/p>\n

But with 86 missing persons, this incident may end up being among the nation\u2019s most severe.<\/p>\n

\"Apple-iPhone-Duo-display-sizesCaption: Apple-iPhone-Duo-display-sizes
Image from https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/2026\/09\/apple-unveils-iphone-duo\/<\/p>\n

TECHNOLOGY<\/p>\n

Why Apple\u2019s historic folding iPhone could be a gamble<\/p>\n

A foldable iPhone is set to be launched with a UK starting price of \u00a31,999. <\/p>\n

The biggest and most expensive smartphone Apple has ever produced, and the most significant design change in iPhone history, it marks a potential risk for the tech giant.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need to know\n<\/p>\n

\"Apple-iPhone-Duo-Siri-AICaption: Apple-iPhone-Duo-Siri-AI
Image from https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/2026\/09\/apple-unveils-iphone-duo\/<\/p>\n

iPhone Duo cost<\/p>\n

The new iPhone Duo is set to cost between \u00a31,999 and \u00a33,199, depending on storage.<\/p>\n

Acts as an iPad<\/p>\n

Marketed as both a smartphone and a tablet, the screen is 7.6 inches when unfolded.<\/p>\n

\"AppleThe new iPad\u2019s biggest upgrade lies in its front-facing camera (Photo: Richard Drew\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"BATH,The Government has issued guidance for screen time for under-fives (Photo: Matt Cardy\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Big cost increase<\/p>\n

It marks an eye-catching jump in starting price, with previous new iPhone models starting well under \u00a31,000.<\/p>\n

\nMore detail on the specs\n<\/p>\n

The iPhone Duo has a folded display size of 5.4 inches.<\/p>\n

In its folded state, it is shorter and wider than a traditional iPhone.<\/p>\n

When unfolded, it is Apple\u2019s thinnest-ever iPhone.<\/p>\n

The unfolded 7.6-inch screen, meanwhile, is just shy of the 7.9-inch display on the first iPad mini.<\/p>\n

\nWhat do tech experts think?\n<\/p>\n

The iPhone Duo is available for pre-order on 16 October. Market intelligence firm IDC forecasts that Apple will sell 10 million units in the first year, generating \u00a320bn.<\/p>\n

\"iPhoneiPhone 14 models are displayed at an Apple store in Beijing (Photo: AFP\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"TOPSHOTCaption: TOPSHOT \u2013 Apple Inc.\u2019s new chief executive officer, John Ternus, speaks during the company\u2019s latest product announcement at an Apple event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2026. (Photo by Karl Mondon \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: KARL MONDON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Foldables make up less than five per cent of the smartphone market, but some experts think the iPhone Duo could spark a boom.<\/p>\n

Why it could be a gamble<\/p>\n

Several of Apple\u2019s rivals, like Samsung and Huawei, are ahead when it comes to foldable phones.<\/p>\n

However, John Ternus, Apple\u2019s new chief executive, said the US tech giant was \u201credefining\u201d the product.<\/p>\n

Ternus claimed rival foldables \u201cfeel like two phones awkwardly stuck together\u201d while the Duo should offer the smooth feel of iPad.<\/p>\n

Still, regular iPhone users would need to adapt to the new style.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Risks being an ornament\u2019<\/p>\n

The foldable risks becoming a premium-priced ornament in the portfolio, imparting badge value but not meaningful growth.<\/p>\n

Dipanjan Chatterjee, principal analyst at Forrester Research, told the BBC that the iPhone Duo could flounder like the pricy Vision Pro headset, but may also become a hit like the iPhone adjacent Apple Watch.<\/p>\n

\"TheCaption: The new foldable iPhone Duo is displayed during an Apple event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 9, 2026. Apple unveiled its long-awaited first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Wednesday, at the company\u2019s first launch event since CEO John Ternus took the reins on September 1. Apple\u2019s first foldable comes seven years after Samsung pioneered the category, but the American tech giant is expected to take a sizable chunk of the market. (Photo by Karl Mondon \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: KARL MONDON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

UK POLITICS<\/p>\n

Will mayors\u2019 tourist tax powers have \u2018damaging\u2019 effect?<\/p>\n

\"TouristCaption: Tourist souvenir shop selling I Love London fridge magnets on 30th June 2024 in London, United Kingdom. London is one of the worlds leading tourism destinations, with many famous tourist attractions. The city attracts millions international visitors as well as domestic tourists and day-trippers each year. The Travel & Tourism sector in the UK contributes greatly to the economy, with the tourism sector employing some 700,000 people. (photo by Mike Kemp\/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Photographer: Mike Kemp
Provider: In Pictures via Getty Images
Source: In Pictures
Copyright: Mike Kemp<\/p>\n

Andy Burnham\u2019s Government is setting out plans to give English mayors new powers to introduce a\u00a0local tourist\u00a0tax.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need to know\n<\/p>\n

Tourist tax for mayors<\/p>\n

Plans for a tourist\u00a0tax\u00a0for English mayors follow similar schemes introduced in Scotland and Wales.<\/p>\n

Charges of a similar nature already exist across Europe, with the revenue used to fund local services.<\/p>\n

The levy will\u00a0be\u00a0charged to overnight visitors as a percentage of the cost of accommodation, rather than a flat fee.<\/p>\n

The levy would have no upper limit \u2013 but the Government hopes mayors\u00a0are unlikely\u00a0to\u00a0make it too costly.<\/p>\n

It is thought a tourist tax in London won\u2019t be more than five per cent of the cost of accommodation.<\/p>\n

Local leaders would decide how to invest the money raised from the levy.<\/p>\n

\nDamaging impact of tourism tax?\n<\/p>\n

Tourism bodies have warned the tax will hit Britons on staycations who are struggling with the cost of living. <\/p>\n

UK Hospitality claimed the levy introduced in Edinburgh was \u201calready having damaging effects\u201d and said thousands of jobs in the sector were at risk.<\/p>\n

\"\"London has been popular with tourists in 2018, thanks to the hot weather. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"EdinburghEdinburgh Council is considering a tourist tax to help with the cost of putting on its summer festivals (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

UK Hospitality wants Burnham to consider a \u201choliday bonus\u201d instead, with revenues devolved to areas based on visitor numbers.<\/p>\n

What the Tories say<\/p>\n

Hugely limiting for the chances of young people who might be employed in tourism.<\/p>\n

Conservative Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith said Labour was trying to prop up \u201cdodgy town hall finances on the back of even higher youth unemployment\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"AThe Government is grappling with a youth unemployment crisis (Photo: Paul Ellis\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

A Labour Government source said it \u201cwill\u00a0be\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a0local leaders and local voters\u00a0to\u00a0decide what is right for their area\u201d.<\/p>\n

No 10 stands firm<\/p>\n

Citing independent economic analysis by Oxford Economics, UKHospitality\u2019s chief executive Allen Simpson, said: \u201cThe 33,000 people who could lose their jobs as a result of this tax, during an employment crisis, will be rightly furious. <\/p>\n

Downing Street has insisted that the \u201coverwhelming majority\u201d of hospitality businesses will not be \u201cdirectly affected\u201d.<\/p>\n

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4 min read<\/p>\n

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\"TheCaption: The 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry is displayed during a press preview at the British Museum in London after returning to England, following a historic agreement between the UK and France, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung)
Photographer: Kin Cheung
Provider: AP Photo\/Kin Cheung
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/p>\n

CULture<\/p>\n

\u2018Penises and nuns\u2019 \u2013 The Bayeux Tapestry\u2019s curious history<\/p>\n

The legendary woven record of the Norman Conquest has been unveiled to\u00a0the public in the UK for the first time. As it goes on display at the British Museum, here\u2019s what we know about its extraordinary history.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need to know\n<\/p>\n

Back in Britain<\/p>\n

The\u00a0tapestry recording the Norman Conquest of 1066 is back in\u00a0the\u00a0UK for\u00a0the\u00a0first time in almost 1,000 years.<\/p>\n

\"TheCaption: The 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry is displayed during a press preview at the British Museum in London after returning to England, following a historic agreement between the UK and France, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung)
Photographer: Kin Cheung
Provider: AP Photo\/Kin Cheung
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/p>\n

\"Britain'sKing Charles Queen Camilla and France\u2019s President Emmanuel Macron attend a preview event for the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition at the British Museum (Photo: Reuters)<\/p>\n

Deal with France<\/p>\n

It is on\u00a0loan until September 2027 as part of a special deal between\u00a0the\u00a0UK, France and\u00a0the\u00a0British Museum.<\/p>\n

Medieval wonder<\/p>\n

Considered one of\u00a0the\u00a0wonders of\u00a0the\u00a0medieval world, it offers insight into 11th-century England.<\/p>\n

\"PeopleThe Bayeux Tapestry which relates Britain\u2019s conquest by William the Conqueror (Guillaume le Conquerant) in 1066 (Photo: LOIC VENANCE \/ AFP) <\/p>\n

Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

France is loaning the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum for the first time since it was made almost 1,000 years ago \u2013 so how can you get tickets? The 70 metre long artwork tells the story of the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. A whopping 80,000 people waited in the online queue for tickets, leaving many disappointed. But for those who missed out, the museum will soon be releasing another batch.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Tapestry\u2019s curious history<\/p>\n

It is believed to have been commissioned by the half-brother of William the Conqueror.<\/p>\n

The consensus now is that it was made not in France but by nuns near Canterbury.<\/p>\n

The soldier with the arrow through his eye might not be King Harold, but historians are uncertain.<\/p>\n

The tapestry\u2019s famous penises may be random comic irrelevances or commentary on the story.<\/p>\n

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How to get tickets<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This general view shows the Bayeux Tapestry on exhibit before the arrival of France\u2019s President Emmanuel Macron as he attends a preview event with Britain\u2019s King Charles III and the British prime minister for the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition, at the British Museum in London on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN \/ POOL \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: LUDOVIC MARIN
Provider: POOL\/AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP<\/p>\n

The\u00a0tapestry\u00a0is on show at the British Museum from 10 September until\u00a011 July 2027.<\/p>\n

Tickets are sold out until\u00a0a release\u00a0on\u00a021 October, with details on the museum\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

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\"ACaption: A pharmacist taking inventory of medications on the shelves of a pharmacy.
Photographer: Catherine Delahaye
Provider: Getty Images
Copyright: POUR TOUTE UTILISATION:catherinedelahaye@hotmail.com\/0687456797<\/p>\n

HEALTH<\/p>\n

The new illnesses pharmacists can treat under NHS scheme<\/p>\n

Pharmacists\u00a0will be able to treat people with migraines, acne and several other conditions as the NHS\u2019 \u201cPharmacy First\u201d scheme is expanded this autumn.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need to know\n<\/p>\n

\"PharmacistCaption: Pharmacist handing customer prescription in drug store
Photographer: Witthaya Prasongsin
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Copyright: witthaya_prasongsin<\/p>\n

Pharmacy scheme<\/p>\n

The NHS scheme allows people to receive care for common illnesses from pharmacists without seeing a GP.<\/p>\n

New conditions<\/p>\n

From autumn, people can get help for acne, migraines, scabies, certain ear infections and allergic rhinitis.<\/p>\n

\"PortraitCaption: Portrait of Asian woman worry about her face when she saw the problem of acne inflammation and scar by the mini mirror.
Photographer: Arisara_Tongdonnoi
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+<\/p>\n

\"FileCaption: File photo dated 29\/12\/21 of a pharmacy sign on a shop in London. Letting people access a treatment which reduces the risk of catching HIV through pharmacies could be a \u201cgame-changer\u201d in the fight against the virus, experts have said. In England most PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is accessed through sexual health services. But a report by the Terrence Higgins Trust highlights how delivering the treatment via community pharmacies would widen access to the treatment. Issue date: Thursday January 1, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: James Manning\/PA Wire
Photographer: James Manning
Provider: James Manning\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Expanded offering<\/p>\n

It adds to the seven conditions pharmacies can already treat.<\/p>\n

\nThe changes in full\n<\/p>\n

Pharmacies can already treat seven conditions under the Pharmacy First scheme.<\/p>\n

They are impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, earache, sore throat and urinary tract infections.<\/p>\n

Once fully rolled out, the scheme\u2019s expansion means pharmacies will now be able to treat 12 conditions.<\/p>\n

What the NHS says<\/p>\n

The NHS expects between two and three million consultations for the new list of five conditions that can be held in pharmacies. It is hoped this will take pressure off the NHS.<\/p>\n

Dr Amanda Doyle of NHS England said people can get treatment \u201cquickly and conveniently on local high streets\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"AThe National Pharmacy Association said it remains to be seen if new Government funding will start to reverse years of closures (Photo: Simon Dawson\/Bloomberg)<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

Burnham\u2019s thoughts<\/p>\n

People are fed up with the scramble for routine appointments<\/p>\n

The Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: \u201cTreating people closer to home means catching problems earlier, easing pressure on GPs and A&E and giving people back precious time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ILKESTON,Burnham (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Hospital waiting lists spike<\/p>\n

It comes as the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England has risen to its highest level for nine months. An estimated 7.33 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of July, relating to 6.21 million patients, according to NHS figures. The numbers are the highest since October 2025, when the list stood at 7.40 million treatments and 6.24 million patients.<\/p>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

CLIMATE CHANGE<\/p>\n

August was world\u2019s joint hottest month on <\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: REUTERS)<\/p>\n

August was\u00a0the\u00a0joint hottest month ever recorded, with global temperatures soaring 1.65\u00b0C above pre-industrial times. <\/p>\n

Scientists say it is another \u201cwarning siren\u201d\u00a0for climate change. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need to know\n<\/p>\n

\"GlobalCaption: Global warming, Global boiling, El Nino, La Ni??a from the climate crisis and the catastrophic heatwave, Climate change, the sun and burning Heatwave hot sun, Extreme weather
Photographer: chuchart duangdaw
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Record temps<\/p>\n

August 2026\u00a0tied July 2023 for the\u00a0planet\u2019s hottest\u00a0month\u00a0on record, according to the EU\u2019s Copernicus Climate Change Service.<\/p>\n

Fossil fuels impact<\/p>\n

Last month was\u00a01.65\u00b0C above the average for the period 1850-1900, before humans burned fossil fuels at scale.<\/p>\n

\"Sofia,Caption: Sofia, BULGARIA: TO GO WITH AFP STORY \u201cBulgaria\u2019s biggest industrial polluters struggle to meet EU eco norms\u201d Chimneys of the largest metal working company in Bulgaria, a former symbol of communist-era \u2013 \u201cKremikovtzi\u201d is seen smoking during sunset, in the capital Sofia, 30 September 2006. AFP PHOTO \/ VALENTINA PETROVA (Photo credit should read VALENTINA PETROVA\/AFP\/Getty Images)
Photographer: VALENTINA PETROVA
Provider: AFP\/Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: 2006 AFP<\/p>\n

\"TheCaption: The tail of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfaces out of the Atlantic Ocean at the Abrolhos Archipelago, Bahia State, Brazil on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Evaristo Sa \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: EVARISTO SA
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Warmer seas<\/p>\n

Sea surface temperatures hit 21.07\u00b0C, a joint high mark with March 2024.<\/p>\n

The impact of record heat<\/p>\n

Heatwaves in\u00a0August\u00a0continued a run of extreme heat that began in May, with severe drought hitting the UK, France, Hungary and Serbia. Major rivers from the Rhine to the Danube saw exceptionally low flows.<\/p>\n

Under 2015\u2019s Paris Agreement, countries agreed to limit global warming to \u201cwell below\u201d 2\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels.<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This aerial picture shows a villager walking between dried-up rice fields with cracked soil caused by a prolonged dry season at Wening Galih village in Bogor, West Java on August 28, 2026. The drought in the region has lasted for the past three months. (Photo by ADITYA AJI \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: ADITYA AJI
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

\nWhat the scientists say\n<\/p>\n

Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at ECMWF, said the latest temperature data shows how \u201cclimate change is driving extremes across both the atmosphere and the oceans\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"WomenCaption: Women use electric fans to cool off during a heatwave in Paris on July 10, 2026. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: BEHROUZ MEHRI
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

\"AA firefighting helicopter drops water over a wildfire near the village of Larouco, in the province of Ourense, north-western Spain (Photo: Miguel Eiropa\/AFP)<\/p>\n

Gareth Redmond-King, of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said a \u201cwarning siren\u201d\u00a0was\u00a0sounding two\u00a0months\u00a0before the COP 31 summit.<\/p>\n

\"CORRECTIONCaption: CORRECTION \/ A beachgoer walks in Lake Lacanau, also called Etang de Lacanau (Lacanau Pond) from the beach of Moutchic in Lacanau, southwestern France on July 24, 2026, as clouds of smoke rise into the sky from a wildfire. The fire raging in the northern part of the Arcachon Basin in Gironde, southwest France, has swept through more than 3,400 hectares, according to the latest figures released by the prefecture. More than 20,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated from this part already devastated by flames in 2022. Scientists have long warned that climate change caused by human use of fossil fuels will make periods of drought more intense and longer-lasting, creating the ideal conditions for wildfires. (Photo by Maximilien LAMY \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ \u201cThe erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Maximilien LAMY has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Lake Lacanau] instead of [the ocean]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.\u201d
Photographer: MAXIMILIEN LAMY
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

GO DEEPER ON THIS TOPIC<\/p>\n

How El Ni\u00f1o could impact UK weather<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Benedict Gardner<\/p>\n

Reporter<\/p>\n

The United Nations says the world is in a \u201cdanger zone of extreme weather\u201d, with warnings that aeroplane turbulence and food shortages could affect Britons.<\/p>\n

How hot drinks can raise cancer risk<\/p>\n

Frequently consuming drinks at very high temperatures increases the risk of oesophageal cancer \u2013 cancer of the food pipe or gullet \u2013 UK research suggests.<\/p>\n

\"Close-UpCaption: Close-Up of Coffee Cup on Table Against Landscape Scenery Mountain Hill Background.
Photographer: KDP
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

A three times higher chance<\/p>\n

The study, from Oxford Population Health at the University of Oxford, included nearly a million people and found those who drank \u201cvery hot\u201d drinks had about a three times higher risk of oesophageal cancer.<\/p>\n

Hot liquid may damage the cell lining of the food pipe as it travels down to the stomach, which could increase the risk of cancer developing, though the overall risk is low.<\/p>\n

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news<\/p>\n

How hot is too hot?<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A woman pours boiling water into a white mug from a silver kettle.
Photographer: Catherine Falls Commercial
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

The research, published in the International Journal of Cancer, did not record the temperature of drinks. But the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified drinking beverages above 65\u00b0C as \u201cprobably carcinogenic\u201d.<\/p>\n

Drinking six or more hot beverages a day also increases the risk, data from 977,282 middle-aged men and women in this latest study shows.<\/p>\n

\nA rare cancer\n<\/p>\n

The researchers said that one or two in every 10 oesophageal cancers could be avoided if people stopped consuming hot drinks.<\/p>\n

The cancer is rare, though, with only around 1 per cent of the UK population at risk of being diagnosed with this type of cancer.<\/p>\n

\"Smoker'sCaption: Smoker\u2019s hand holding a burning cigarette and flicking the ash into an ashtray
Photographer: SimpleImages
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Other factors, such as smoking, pose a comparatively bigger risk for developing oesophageal cancer.<\/p>\n

What to do<\/p>\n

Letting drinks cool down before drinking or adding cold milk can negate the risk, experts agreed.<\/p>\n

Researchers said the temperature at which coffee and tea is drunk in Western populations is estimated to be around 60\u00b0C.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore research is needed to identify the exact drink temperatures linked to increased risk,\u201d the researchers added.<\/p>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

How the King\u2019s pointed letter \u2018surprised\u2019 Harry and Meghan<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM \u2013 JUNE 09: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, even though the Queen\u2019s actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Max Mumby\/Indigo\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Max Mumby\/Indigo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2018 Max Mumby\/Indigo<\/p>\n

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were \u201csurprised\u201d by the release of a letter on behalf of King Charles this week clarifying their status as \u201cakin to private citizen\u201d, according to a spokesperson for the couple. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we know.<\/p>\n

No titles, little warning<\/p>\n

A top Buckingham Palace official sent the letter to military officials and Government departments on Monday.<\/p>\n

It stated that as non-working royals, the Sussexes will not use the titles of \u201cHis and Her Royal Highness\u201d.<\/p>\n

The couple \u201cwere a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance,\u201d their spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

Their team was still seeking guidance when it was released, The i Paper understands.<\/p>\n

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No chance for clarification<\/p>\n

The Sussexes did not have enough time to clarify any points before the guidance was issued to the media, it is understood.<\/p>\n

The letter\u2019s contents were reportedly shared with their team at 1:59pm.<\/p>\n

Team Sussex replied to Buckingham Palace at 2:19pm, seeking clarification on one or two points.<\/p>\n

The letter was revealed to the media at 3:06pm on Monday.<\/p>\n

Harry was in a meeting and could not be contacted until 3:09pm.<\/p>\n

Team Sussex received confirmation at 3:11pm that the letter had been sent to the media.<\/p>\n

Why are the titles important?<\/p>\n

The reference to the HRH title was seen as an attempt to slap the Sussexes down amid concerns that the couple may want to monetise their royal status, including via Meghan\u2019s lifestyle products brand, As Ever.<\/p>\n

The title was seen in a video Meghan posted accompanying a podcast last year.<\/p>\n

\"Meghan,(Photo: Screen grab from YouTube
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hSWpaFRvX6k&list=PLDJbQZ-ucVcRaFqFPzNSYVesCraSw3qM_&index=1)<\/p>\n

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Watch more from The i Paper<\/p>\n

@theipaper<\/a> <\/p>\n

Opinion | \u201cIs it a slap-down? Is it a mere clarification?,\u201d writes Jennie Bond. \u201cWhatever the interpretation, the letter issued by\u00a0Buckingham Palace\u00a0underlining that\u00a0Harry and Meghan are not working royals\u00a0is the result of the King firmly taking charge of the agenda where\u00a0the Sussexes\u00a0are concerned.\u201d Read Jennie\u2019s full piece on @theipaper website.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 The i Paper \u2013 The i Paper<\/a> <\/p>\n

\nHarry, a \u2018private citizen\u2019?\n<\/p>\n

The letter clarified that \u201cin short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests\u201d.<\/p>\n

But a friend of the couple previously told The i Paper that Harry, as the King\u2019s son, could never be an entirely private citizen.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people will say, \u2018But they\u2019re private citizens.\u2019 Nonsense. Utter nonsense. They are two of the most high-profile people in the world,\u201d the friend added.<\/p>\n

\u2018Charles in charge\u2019<\/p>\n

Not a quiet word in your ear, not a private memo; no, this was a formal, blunt statement of fact sent to Harry on his father\u2019s orders. Ouch! \u00a0There is to be no doubt:\u00a0the King is not going to be bounced into accepting any change in the Sussexes\u2019 status just because they have chosen to return to the UK.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Jennie Bond\u00a0<\/p>\n

Former BBC royal correspondent<\/p>\n

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\nNo \u2018half in, half out\u2019 option\n<\/p>\n

Charles and Prince William are said to be worried that family members doing business deals alongside official duties for the state opens themselves up to the sort of abuse of position accusations facing the King\u2019s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.<\/p>\n

\"(FILES)Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day service with King Charles and Prince William at Westminster Abbey. The Sussexes\u2019 return to the UK last month came as a surprise (Photo: Richard Pohle\/AFP)<\/p>\n

This led to them clarifying that Harry and Meghan won\u2019t be attending state functions or official engagements.<\/p>\n

\nWho will fund the Sussexes\u2019 security?\n<\/p>\n

The couple returned to the country for what they called an extended period on 26 August, after quitting royal duties in 2020. Their children have reportedly been enrolled in English schools.<\/p>\n

\"ScreenCaption: Screen grab taken from PA Video of a general view during the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, central London, of the Duke of Sussex\u2019s appeal against a High Court ruling on his legal claim against the Home Office over the level of security he receives while he is in the UK. Picture date: Tuesday April 8, 2025. PA Photo. Harry took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country. See PA story COURTS Sussex. Photo credit should read: PA Video\/PA Wire
Photographer: PA Video
Provider: PA Video\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

\"Close-upFive police officers have been suspended after a member of public found the bag of guns (Photo: Lawrey Anstis\/Getty Images\/iStock Editorial)<\/p>\n

The row over who will pay for their security is ongoing, with the couple currently paying for it but lobbying the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) \u2013 which is set to meet this week \u2013 for taxpayer-funded police protection.<\/p>\n

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\u2018I give myself several minutes of slow breathing\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Francesco Lo Monaco, consultant and preventive cardiologist and author of \u2018Heart Saviour<\/a>\u2018<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctors are often good at prescribing recovery while treating it as optional for themselves. As a cardiologist, I can finish the day still mentally replaying decisions and conversations, so switching off requires a deliberate transition rather than simply arriving home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in Sicily, where mornings began with a walk and evenings often ended around the table with family. A quiet walk without [my] phone gives me a physical boundary between the intensity of the clinic and the rest of my life. I also write down anything that requires action before I finish work. The brain tends to keep rehearsing unfinished tasks because it is afraid they will be forgotten. Putting them somewhere allows me to say, \u2018This has been captured; I do not need to solve it tonight.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cAt home, an unhurried meal and conversation are more restorative to me than passive distraction. I try not to eat while answering emails or carry my phone from room to room. Being present with other people is often what breaks the work mindset most effectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a particularly stressful day, I avoid trying to counter one form of intensity with another. A punishing late workout or ice bath may add further stimulation when the nervous system is already highly activated. Gentle movement and several minutes of slow breathing \u2013 with a slightly longer exhalation than inhalation \u2013 help create a more genuine physiological downshift. I protect sleep as I would protect an important appointment. Devices stay away from the bed, the room is kept quiet and I try to maintain a consistent schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I love hiking and powerlifting\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Lamia Zafrani, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPowerlifting is the closest thing I have to meditation. You can\u2019t step under a heavy barbell while thinking about emails, operating lists or tomorrow\u2019s clinic. If your mind wanders, the lift doesn\u2019t happen. For that hour, the only thing that exists is the next movement. <\/p>\n

My week involves looking after women with complex high-risk pregnancies, C-section operating lists, labour ward on-calls, emergency gynaecology and early pregnancy scanning clinics, as well as night shifts. After particularly difficult cases, we\u2019ll often debrief before leaving the hospital. It\u2019s a simple habit, but it creates a natural boundary between work and home. There are still patients you think about, and there always will be.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also love hiking. It\u2019s the complete opposite of a hospital environment: fresh air, open space and time to think. Since becoming a mum, I\u2019ve introduced my toddler to both. She loves watching me train and has already accompanied me on plenty of hikes in a baby carrier.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u2018I breed seahorses in my spare time\u2019<\/p>\n

Tim Lane, consultant urologist and robotic surgeon at the East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust and president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many years I bred seahorses in my spare time \u2013 I had always been fascinated by them. I followed Project Seahorse [a marine conservation charity] for many years and became a scientific fellow of the Zoological Society of London as my interest grew.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy time with these fascinating creatures was always the ultimate antidote to the inevitable stresses of a busy clinical career. Although I am no longer actively involved with breeding programmes, I continue my worldwide quest to pursue the \u2018leafy sea-dragon.\u2019 To date, I have only ever seen them in aquariums in Singapore and Barcelona. The search continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"190220\u2018I need to slow my thoughts down so hobbies are very important to me. Music and watching classic cinema really helps me unwind,\u2019 says Professor K Ray Chaudhuri (Photo: Nathan Clarke)<\/p>\n

\u2018I have a non-negotiable massage every week\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cSince having a coronary stent three years ago, exercise has become even more important to me in terms of protecting my heart and maintaining muscle. I lift weights three times a week and do cardio \u2013 either running, rowing or incline walking, another two or three times. I like training hard enough that I have to focus on what I\u2019m physically doing. I rely far more on routine than motivation \u2013 my training is booked into my week well in advance.<\/p>\n

Running my own clinic is mentally dense: you are constantly assessing risk, making decisions and managing complications. The fatigue often comes less from the number of hours than from being the person everybody ultimately looks to for a decision. I also need some genuinely quiet time when I get home. After a day in which people have needed constant attention and reassurance, being with my family, eating properly and having a period when nobody requires an immediate answer is deeply restorative.<\/p>\n

[At work] you spend hours leaning over patients, concentrating intensely and holding tension. I have a non-negotiable massage every week, focused on my back and shoulders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I do an hour a day of Olympic training\u2019<\/p>\n

Professor James Larkin, consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden<\/p>\n

\u201cI make breakfast for my teenage kids each morning (always eggs). Then as a family, with my wife too, we all head to our CrossFit gym and work out together. I train for an hour, five days a week in the mornings. It\u2019s a mix of cardio, strength training and gymnastics, with elements of Olympic weightlifting and mobility built in. CrossFit is a real community and is very social. I also prioritise getting six to seven hours of sleep most nights to support recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Classic cinema helps me unwind\u2019<\/p>\n

Professor K Ray Chaudhuri, world-renowned expert in Parkinson\u2019s,\u00a0professor of neurology and movement disorders at King\u2019s College London and leading consultant neurologist at King\u2019s College Hospital<\/p>\n

\u201cMy schedule is travel-heavy, I am away one to two weeks of every month, often crossing time zones and I juggle clinical work, academic work, advisory roles and lectures. I also have a young son at home in London. Sometimes I have to give a diagnosis of Parkinson\u2019s to younger patients who may not be suspecting it. If I have delivered diagnoses two or three times a day, I\u2019m psychologically and mentally drained and need to slow my thoughts down so hobbies are very important to me. <\/p>\n

\u201cMusic and watching classic cinema really helps me unwind. I love listening to podcasts on people I admire and their ways of dealing with life and playing guitar when I can. I like to delve into music history, particularly rock and the 60s, and discover new bands from the past. Recently I have been listening a lot to Canned Heat.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u2018Dance helps me decompress\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Nilofer Farjo, hair transplant surgeon at Farjo Hair Institute\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my line of work, surgery can take between six and eight hours, so it can be hard to switch off after work. I don\u2019t mind though, I find some of the most productive conversations and decisions happen over dinner. For me, relaxing starts with cooking from scratch at least five days a week. I love the creativity of making healthy meals with whatever I find in the fridge. I\u2019ll often put music on and dance or do some stretches while cooking.<\/p>\n

\u201cSport and dance help me decompress. My husband (who is also my business partner) and I find having a busy social life is what helps us chill. We got into cycling a few years ago and are now hooked and attend regular cycling weekends. We also have a travel and foodie group with friends. Being organised keeps me sane and a big part of that is having a continuous to-do list.\u201d <\/p>\n

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