Plans have been approved which allow the cafe to stay open until 1am so fans can catch all the games

A cafe in a Cambridgeshire city has been told it can stay open until 1am this summer so fans can catch all the 2026 World Cup games. The Willow Cafe in Central Park, Peterborough submitted plans to Peterborough City Council proposing an outside area to screen World Cup matches this summer.

The application, which has been approved, requested to extend the use of the gardens beyond the currently permitted 9am to 6pm for the period between June 6 and July 19. Depending on the match, the cafe could stay open until 1am.

The cafe proposed permission for a temporary outside area to screen matches. The area includes a VIP area of eight tables, a further area of tables, a standing area, a stage and a large screen.

No permanent works are proposed but the The Willow Cafe asked the city council for its temporary area and access for food trucks.

According to the application, crowds of up to 1,200 are expected. The application states: “The intention of the event is to raise the profile of Central Park by creating a unique, secure venue for fans and their families to watch the Men’s Football World Cup outside in The Willow Garden using a large outdoor TV screen, with entertainment, food and drink available. This is good for the City of Peterborough.”

England group stage matches kick off at 9pm on June 17 and June 23 and 10pm on June 27. According to the plans, the venue would need to remain open for at least 30 minutes after the conclusion of the match.

He is likely to set out to the Foreign Affairs Committee the context in which his initial decision was taken – that Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador had already been publicly announced and his interpretation of the law, the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, 2010, was that he was not authorised to share the conclusions of the UK Security Vetting process.

Jet2 holidaymakers have been left concerned after receiving emails from the airline

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Jet2 has been in touch with all passengers who have upcoming holidays regarding a significant update. Thousands of customers have received emails informing them that their holiday documentation will now arrive later than originally expected.

This has sparked concern amongst travellers who worry it could be fraudulent – particularly as Jet2 has recently been warning customers about a number of fake social media profiles attempting to mislead passengers.

One worried traveller posted on X: “@jet2tweets Hi, ive just received this email apparently from Jet2 saying I will now get my holiday documents 14 days before my holiday departure instead of 28, is this true or is it still 28, ive a feeling this was a spam email though.”

Another passenger responded: “I had the same email. Flying on 25 May with jet2,” while a third added: “Ive just had the same email !”

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The email reads: “Just so you know, following a change to when we send out the documents for your holiday, you’ll now receive your documents 14 days before departure, rather than 28 days as stated on your original booking confirmation. You don’t need to contact us or take any action – you’ll receive your documents 14 days before you travel. Have a lovely holiday!”

Responding on X, Jet2 verified the message was genuine and clarified: “Hi there, thanks for reaching out. Yes we can confirm that you will receive your documents 14 days before departure. Should you require any further assistance, then please feel free to send us a DM. “

The decision to issue holiday documentation closer to departure dates follows mounting concerns linked to the Middle East conflict. Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), cautioned last week that flight cancellations could occur “soon” if oil supplies continue to be disrupted by the Iran war.

The head of the global energy watchdog has warned that Europe currently holds just six weeks’ worth of jet fuel stocks due to tensions in the Middle East. He cautioned that flight cancellations could happen “soon” if oil supplies continue to face restrictions from the Iran war. Iran maintains its grip on tankers navigating through the Strait of Hormuz and has targeted several vessels over the weekend, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Holidaymakers with forthcoming bookings have taken to social media to voice their concerns to Jet2. One person wrote: “@jet2tweets Hi there – we are looking to go away for a week to Malaga in June and want to know how concerned we should be about the reporting of lack of airport fuel and what happens to our holiday should something like this happen and impact our holiday. Can you help…?|” One traveller commented: “Are holidays going ahead as usual? We’ve booked an all inclusive 10 day to Crete in June. I’m worried about jet fuel prices.” While another UK holidaymaker asked: “you guys aren’t planning on last minute flight cancellations due to potential jet fuel shortages are you? Family holiday booked in May FYI” Jet2 replied: “Hi all flights are planned to go ahead as normal. If anything were to change regarding your booking, we would be sure to reach out to you directly to make you aware, and discuss the options available to you. Thanks”

Javier Gándara, easyJet’s chief executive for Spain and Portugal, was present in Mallorca on Sunday for the reopening of the airline’s Palma base, where he gave an update on the fuel supply situation. He stated: “What the producers and airports are telling us is that there won’t be any supply problems for the next three or four weeks.”

Beyond that, it’s difficult to see. In Spain, we are in a comparatively better situation than neighbouring countries for two reasons. Firstly, because of all the crude oil that is imported and then refined here, only 11% comes from the Middle East, which is the percentage affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; the remaining 89% comes from elsewhere.

He added: “No one will be immune to potential supply problems. Ships that leave and pass through the Strait of Hormuz and come to Europe take an average of 45 days, and they have already been practically out of service for two months. It will take time to recover all of that. It’s difficult to know what will happen, so we’ll react as we go.”

The charity says it needs support to continue its life-saving work

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity said it is facing a “serious issue” as aviation fuel costs rise significantly amid the war in the Middle East. The charity is asking for support to help keep its lifesaving helicopters flying.

It comes after air ambulance charities across the UK said that they are facing crippling costs due to the Iran oil crisis. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity said even if the conflict in the Middle East were to end in the coming days the charity would still face additional costs in the region of £50,000 due to sustained increases in aviation fuel prices.

The significant rise in fuel costs has come at the same time as air ambulance helicopter use traditionally rises. Spring and summer bring longer daylight hours and better weather conditions, leading to an increase in flying hours, the charity said.

Wales Air Ambulance pilot captain James Gardiner said: “Every time we take off we know someone on the ground is relying on us during one of the worst moments of their life. Fuel isn’t just a cost for us – it’s what allows us to take our A&E-standard care to patients, wherever they are in Wales, and then take them to the most appropriate specialist care centre for their needs.

“When fuel prices rise this sharply it has a real impact. The support we receive from the public genuinely helps keep us flying and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who makes this service possible.” Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.

Every day the Wales Air Ambulance crews respond to some of the most serious medical emergencies in Wales – reaching people who are critically ill or seriously injured. This often requires long-distance flights, taking medics to the patients and then transporting them to specialist hospitals in Wales and England for the urgent care they need.

The charity is asking supporters to consider donating – however small – to help cover these exceptional fuel costs and ensure crews can continue to respond whenever the call comes. It relies on public donations to raise the £13m required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered via a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership.

As a Wales-wide service its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

A spokesman said: “The war in the Middle East has created an unexpected and, we hope, temporary challenge. Rising fuel costs are a serious issue for air ambulance charities across the UK and reflect global factors beyond our control.

“Global fuel markets do not respond instantly to geopolitical change and we anticipate that any reduction in costs following the end of the war would be gradual and spread over a prolonged period. This means the financial impact on the charity would continue well beyond the immediate end of the conflict.

“When someone’s life is at risk our crews must be ready to fly no matter the distance or the time of day.

“While we carefully manage these increases we are also asking supporters, if they are able, to help us mitigate this exceptional rise in fuel costs. We know that many people across Wales are facing rising costs in their own lives and we don’t take lightly the decision to ask for help.”

To find out more and to donate visit: https://www.walesairambulance.com/fuel-cost-appeal.

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JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan Tuesday to lead the American delegation in the second round of peace talks to end the war in the Middle East, less than 24 hours before a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is set to expire.

The new round of talks in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has been thrown into doubt as Iran has not publicly committed to taking part.

It comes amid an impasse between the U.S. and Iran over marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump has insisted on keeping the blockade of Iranian ports while Tehran has reasserted military control over the crucial waterway.

Vice President Vance was expected to leave Washington for Islamabad Tuesday, according to reports, along with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the President’s son-in-law Jared Khushner. All three were present in the previous round of talks.

However, it remains unclear if anyone is flying to Islamabad from the Iranian side.

On Monday night, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “so far” Tehran had “no plans” to attend the talks.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was concerned about “unconstructive and contradictory signals from American officials” amid a “deep historical mistrust” of the U.S.

He said the talks so far have amounted to an effort to seek the country’s surrender. “Iranians do not submit to force,” he said.

But there were still hopes of Iranians attending the talks as one senior official told Reuters that Tehran was “positively reviewing” its participation. Two Iranian officials also told the New York Times that the delegation could be headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iranian parliament, who led the last round of negotiations. He will leave if Vance does.

There were signs of preparations for the talks in Islamabad, which held the first round of negotiations on 12 April, which failed to win the concessions the U.S. sought from Iran over its nuclear program.

The city’s Serena hotel, where the previous talks were held, has been shut down for guests who were asked to leave for preparations for high-level meetings, and high security was back in the streets ahead of the arrival of foreign delegations.

Some of the roads were closed by the police with some 20,000 personnel as well as hundreds of elite commandos, including snipers, taking positions across Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi city.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, Monday that preparations for talks have been completed. He added “foolproof security arrangements have been made for foreign delegations”.

A senior Pakistani government official told Reuters that they were confident it could get Iran to attend the talks.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Ghalibaf said Iran has “prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield” as Tehran would not accept negotiations under the shadows of threats.

“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table – in his own imagination – into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” he wrote.

The talks – if they take place – will happen as Trump has refused to lift its blockage of Iranian ports till a deal is reached with Tehran.

Trump said the U.S. was winning the conflict “by a lot” and the blockade of the key waterway was “absolutely destroying Iran”.

A Pakistani security source said Pakistani mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had ‌told Trump the blockade which began a week ago was an obstacle to talks.

U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels from the strait since the blockade began, forcing them to turn around or return to Iranian ports.

The U.S. also intercepted an Iranian-flagged commercial tanker and seized it for the first time since the conflict began, in what Tehran has called an “act of piracy” and a violation of the temporary ceasefire between the two countries.

Trump is eager for a deal that would help avoid another surge in oil prices and plunge in stock markets while Iran hopes to leverage its control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping channel for global energy supplies, to get an agreement that prevents a resumption of the war, and allows financial relief fromlong-running sanctions and some breathing room for its ⁠nuclear program.

An investigation has been launched by military cops into claims that a teenage soldier was subjected to a sex attack in his barracks.

A rookie Scots soldier aged 17 has been sexually assaulted by two fellow squaddies who filmed the attack just weeks into his basic training.

Two soldiers in their 20s have been arrested after the young man, from Fife, was attacked last week at Catterick Army base in Yorkshire.

It’s alleged that the assault took place while the 17 year old was asleep in his barracks.

One of the two recruits is said to have carried out the sex attack while the second soldier filmed it.

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SNP shadow defence spokesperson Dave Doogan MP said: “These reports are extremely concerning and my thoughts are with the victim of this alleged attack.

“The army has an indisputable duty of care to new recruits and especially so when these recruits are children at Catterick.”

Another trainee soldier is thought to have overheard the two suspects in a toilet area discussing what they had done.

He then alerted senior officers and the two men, both in their mid 20’s, were arrested by the Royal Military Police and detained in custody. It’s understood that their mobile phones were also seized and examined.

The 17 year old was taken to hospital for an examination and has since returned to training.

A source said:”Everyone is shocked by what is said to have happened and the allegations against the two men.

“It is not known at this stage what will happen to the two soldiers who have been charged.

“They are currently being held in custody in Catterick.

“The allegations are particularly serious given the age of the victim.”

The 17 year old and the two accused were part of a platoon taking part in basic training.

After eleven weeks the recruits are assigned to an infantry regiment and then their training continues for another 14 weeks.

Once the training is completed the soldiers join their regiment after their passing out parade.

The British Military, including army, have the power to prosecute cases up to murder at a Court Martial and impose prison sentences up to life.

Crimes involving British armed forces personnel are usually handled by the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA).

However cases can also be passed passed to the civilian authorities.

The Infantry Training Centre at Catterick trains all the Army’s Infantry soldiers and Royal Armoured Corps troops.

The British Army has come under fire in recent years over allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

Five years ago 19 year old soldier Jaysley Beck was found dead in her barracks in Wiltshire after a Christmas party.

An inquest concluded that she died by suicide, finding that the Army’s failure to properly handle her report of sexual assault and harassment by a superior officer contributed to her death.

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In 2020, Dominic Moore, a former Captain in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was dismissed from the Army after being convicted of sexually assaulting a young female cadet at a formal military dinner in Scotland.

Last year a record £3.2million was paid to compensate victims of rapes and other sexual assaults by military personnel, including £2.3m relating to Army staff.

In September 2024 officials paid compensation to a former soldier who claimed she was raped by a colleague while a teenager and then groomed into a sexual relationship with an officer meant to be looking after her welfare when stationed in Gibralter.

The Ministry of Defence recently announced a £500,000 boost to its sexual violence support unit after a survey revealed 67% of women in the military had experienced sexualised behaviour at work, and had suffered sexual assault.

More than 500 women who served in the British Army have come forward and alleged they were sexually abused while undergoing medical examinations during recruitment.

Wiltshire Police is carrying out a nationwide investigation relating to medical checks carried out between the 1970s and 2016.

Detectives say the alleged offences took place at multiple recruitment sites across the country and may involve several perpetrators.

A Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) spokesperson said:”Two members of the Armed Forces have been arrested following an investigation by the DSCC.

“As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further.”

The deferred Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed by the Stormont Assembly before its collapse in 2022 and would scrap charges for patients, staff and visitors at public hospital sites in the region

MLAs have backed a three‑year deferral of legislation on free hospital parking.

If the change is put on hold until May 2029, it would come into force seven years after it was approved by the Assembly.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said making hospital parking free is a “legitimate and a compassionate aim” but the financial situation facing the health and social care sector has “changed significantly”.

The Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed by the Stormont Assembly before its collapse in 2022 and would scrap charges for patients, staff and visitors at public hospital sites in the region.

It was originally intended to be introduced in May 2024 but was deferred for two years after a request from former health minister Robin Swann due to budgetary pressures.

It has been estimated that providing and maintaining car parking services after charges end will cost the health service about £7million annually.

Mr Nesbitt told MLAs during debate on the new Bill’s final stage that the move to defer is “not a reversal of principle, nor does it reflect any lack of readiness on the part of the Health and Social Care Trust to implement the Act”.

“The purpose of this deferral is to protect frontline services from the immediate and unmanaged loss of income which the abolition of parking charges would have entailed, removing approximately £7million each year of trust budgets,” he said.

“In the current financial environment that loss would inevitably have to be offset through reductions elsewhere, directly affecting services provided to patients and to families.”

He added: “The reality of the budget proposals published by the finance minister is that the funding available for health services in Northern Ireland in the coming years will be relatively lower than in England, Scotland or Wales, but it’s been confirmed time and time again – need here is higher.

“That means difficult and responsible decisions are unavoidable, and in that context, proceeding with the abolition of parking charges at this time would simply be unaffordable.”

The minister clarified that the Bill allows for deferral for up to three years, with May 2029 acting as a backstop, and during this period staff parking permits will remain free of charge alongside a needs-based system.

“If financial sustainability is achieved sooner than expected, the legislation allows the 2022 Act to come into operation at an earlier date,” Mr Nesbitt said.

Sinn Fein MLA Phillip McGuigan said his party would not support the deferral because the “delay also has a cost, a cost felt by patients attending appointments, a cost felt by families sitting at bedside, and a cost felt by staff turning up day after day to keep our health service going”.

“I think if the health minister was to look deeply into the budget, he would find other examples where costs can be cut,” he said.

“So millions can be lost to delay and overruns and mismanagement, and yet, the solution offered here today through this Bill is to keep charging families to park at our hospitals? I don’t think that’s credible.

“I don’t think it’s acceptable that patient staff and families are being asked to plug gaps created elsewhere within our health system.

“So being honest with what’s in front of us today, the Bill doesn’t stop charges. It prolongs them. It asks people to keep paying for longer, despite this Assembly already agreeing that those charges should go.”

DUP MLA Diane Dodds said she was aware of “so many issues that cannot be resolved because of a lack of money”, but quoted research from Young Lives Versus Cancer showing 62% of young cancer patients still have to pay for parking despite needs-based concessions.

“Young families who have a child diagnosed with cancer go through an enormously traumatic experience,” she said.

“They spend their lives devoted to that child in hospital. Their income suffers remarkably as a result – we shouldn’t add to their burden.”

Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said the 2022 Act was a “positive initiative” but “impacting issues” have come to light.

“While there are other issues to raise in terms of how sustainable and fit for purpose the budgeting models of our current system are, I can still understand that difficult decisions are having to be made and this is clearly one of them,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition, SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole, said the move to defer further was “Kafkaesque”.

“The last legislative act when we left this chamber in 2022 was to pass this Bill; the first act when we came back, other than a routine budget Bill, was to delay it,” he said.

“That is preposterous, and it’s not acceptable, and it needs to be called out.”

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said waiting for the alleviation of hospital charges is “like waiting for Godot – it’ll never come”.

“If you look up ‘hames’ in the dictionary, you can see a picture of this Bill and how this has been handled by this minister, previous minister and the Executive on the whole,” he said.

In his concluding remarks Mr Nesbitt said he had written to the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to request they expedite royal assent to bring the Bill into force, to “avoid the potential disruption from car parking charges being abolished temporarily on the 12 May”.

“In the event car parking charges are abolished temporarily, I would ask members to support the trust as they seek to minimise the inevitable disruption that may follow,” he said.

The Bill was passed 42 in favour, 25 against.

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