England lost out in the battle to secure the best training facilities in their host city, beaten by their old foes. Both countries are based in Kansas, alongside Holland and Algeria.

England lost out in the battle to secure the best training facilities in their host city, beaten by their old foes and reigning World Champions Argentina again. Both countries are based in Kansas City, Missouri, alongside the teams of Holland and Algeria. The city has proven popular for competing nations because of its position in the Midwest. It ideally situated for travelling to matches across the United States during the biggest tournament ever. Argentina secured what is judged to be the best base in the city, the Sporting KC training centre. For Thomas Tuchel, the location offered a crucial extra ingredient: heat and humidity.

England could travel to the iconic Azteca stadium to meet hosts Mexico on Monday July 6 in the last 16. But the Three Lions faced intense competition to secure training facilities in Kansas. Swope Park on the outskirts of the city has beautiful grounds, and a huge array of pitches.

FIFA World Cup flags are fluttering all the way down the highway to the entrance, with the Union flag now proudly in place alongside the Stars and Stripes. A sign reads, ‘Home of England,’ bearing the Three Lions crest. But it is not as impressive as the £56m performance centre the defending champions Argentina bagged near the city.

And locals say the Netherlands and Algeria also scored when they landed their bases nearby. The Dutch are based at the KC Training Facility used by the Kansas’ women’s team, with a brand new hotel. They have a Reds contingent that Liverpool fans across the globe will follow: Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch.

They will play alongside Micky van de Ven of Spurs, Nathan Aké of manchester-city-fc>Manchester City and Bart Verbruggen, the Brighton & Hove Albion keeper.

“The mood in the camp is very good and the facilities are spot on,” a source told the Mirror. “The KC Training Facility is used by the women’s team here but the facilities really are second to none.”

Algeria meanwhile secured a state-of-the-art gym and training complex at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, around 40 minutes west of Kansas.

Tuchel appears to have opted for the privacy and relaxed atmosphere of their Inn at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village on the outskirts of the city, prioritising ‘peace and quiet’.

Chris Thomas, 40, an ex-pat from Leeds, sells traditional British pies with a street food firm called ‘Brit Boy’ in Kansas.

He is a keen Manchester United fan who moved to Kansas four years ago.

He said: “Argentina won the battle of the training grounds. Their place is state of the art and the Algeria one also cost millions. The Dutch facility is where the Kansas women’s team plays, but it is also very impressive.

“So I think England opted for peace and quiet. I believe the local staff at their hotel have been furloughed for the World Cup because England have their own chefs.”

But he added: “What England will get in Kansas is a real taste of America. Of all the places I’ve lived here, it is my favourite place in America.

“This area is famous for its hospitality. There are good golf courses if they do want to play in their free time.

“And if they go out and about in town, no one will bother them. The NFL players go out to eat in restaurants and are always left alone.

“There are some good bars and the locals love to go out for a drink so in that sense it is very English.

“They respect their privacy when they are with their families.”

The secret to tastier carrots is how they are cooked, with four chefs sharing their tips on how to make the humble veg more flavourful and perfectly textured

We’ve all experienced it: anticipating a Sunday roast only to discover the carrots are lacking in texture and taste. This results from straightforward cooking techniques such as steaming and boiling, which merely soften the inherently firm vegetable.

Coating carrots in store cupboard staples like olive oil, rosemary and salt offers a basic enhancement, but culinary professionals favour an alternative approach. When questioned about the optimal method for preparing carrots by Eating Well, all four chefs provided identical responses.

Slow cooking emerged as the unanimous recommendation for an “amazing texture”, and there are numerous approaches to achieve it. The proprietors of the vegan establishment Hey, Sunshine Kitchen, informed Eating Well that gently cooking baby carrots brings them to life by extracting their inherent sweetness.

They advise simmering the carrots for two to four minutes in a covered pan before incorporating butter (they suggest vegan butter, though dairy is acceptable), followed by brown sugar, two teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, the zest of half an orange, two tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and a pinch of sea salt, reports the Express.

Preparing the carrots this way softens them and produces a rich glaze that’s packed with flavour. The secret is to cook them gently and gradually until the sauce becomes thick.

Roasting proves more widespread and an excellent method to add flavour and enhance the texture of this modest vegetable, according to executive chef Alex Moreno of The Hideaway in Beverly Hills.

He observed that roasting is his “favourite” slow-cooking technique, for which he embraces the gentle and gradual philosophy. Roasting them when time isn’t pressing delivers an unmistakably “deep, rich flavour” that simply cannot be achieved through alternative cooking techniques.

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It’s crucial not to overcook them as you want the texture to retain some firmness. Alex explained that to slow roast carrots, begin by cutting them into thick batons—roughly the size of steak chips.

Roast the batons at 150C (300F) with a drizzle of olive oil and salt for approximately 45 minutes, or until they’re tender and lightly caramelised.

Take the carrots out of the oven and allow them to cool down. This step is essential to preserve their shape and achieve the perfect texture. To crisp the edges, finish them in the air fryer at 400F (200C) for roughly eight to 10 minutes.

Alex explained: “As soon as they come out, we toss them with a mix of warm honey, fresh lime juice, lime zest and flaky salt. The result is sweet, tangy and a little savoury all at once.”

Chopped judge and two-time Tournament of Champions winner Maneet Chauhan highlights that slow-cooked carrots work brilliantly in sweet preparations as well.

They feature prominently in her traditional spiced pudding recipe, which appears in her cookbook Chaat. The recipe recommends simmering grated carrots in a modest amount of water before adding warm whole milk, cardamom, saffron, and sugar, then letting the mixture reduce until the carrots become soft.

When incorporating herbs and spices into carrots, warming seasonings such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper work brilliantly. They’re equally delicious with savoury herbs including rosemary, thyme, parsley, cumin, coriander, dill, garlic, and onion.

The attack happened on Eastgrove Avenue in Sharples at around 9.15pm on June 10 when a masked person smashed a window and threw a lit firebomb into the property.

The incident caused significant damage to the home and left the family shaken, although no serious injuries were reported.

Robert Poole, assistant district secretary for Bolton National Education Union (NEU), said: “This cowardice does not represent the people of Bolton.

“Our strength lies in our unity, and we will not allow acts of terror to divide us or intimidate our communities.

“We send our deepest support to the Imam, his family, and the wider Muslim community at this incredibly difficult time.”

(Image: Public)

The union said it was shocked by the attack and described it as a senseless act of violence.

And it added its members, local teachers, work “everyday to foster inclusion, mutual respect, and safety for all children and families in Bolton, regardless of faith or background.

The union says that hatred and division has not place in the classroom or on ‘our streets’.

In a statement, the organisation said an attack on a faith leader and family home was an attack on the fabric of the town’s diverse communities.

The comments come after Hassan Patel said his family had been left devastated by the attack and were struggling to understand why they had been targeted.

Mr Patel said the family wanted police to explore all possible motives and not rule out any lines of inquiry prematurely.

Greater Manchester Police previously said it believed the incident was a targeted attack and that there was no wider risk to the public.

The Bolton NEU said hatred and division had no place in schools or on the streets and pledged to continue working with community leaders, faith groups and residents to ‘ensue Bolton remaines a safe, welcoming , and united place for everyone’.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting log 3561 of June 10, 2026, via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police and paramedics were called to Station Approach just after 1.20pm on Monday (June 8) after an 86-year-old woman was struck by a small van.

She was left with serious injuries to her hand and chest and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle – but tragically died there on Tuesday.

The woman has now been named as Violet Stannard.

Her heartbroken family, who are being supported by specially trained officers, said they would like to “express the heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported her at the scene.”

In a statement, they said: “We would also like to pay our tremendous respect to every single one of the outstanding emergency services who cared for and dealt with the traumatic injuries she sustained and the proceedings following the incident.

“Lastly, to all the amazing staff on Ward 18 Critical Care Unit, RVI, you will never know how much your diligence, quality of care and amazing support shown to the family made such a difference in how we coped with this sudden loss.

“We ask that respect for the family’s privacy be respected while we mourn.”

Drivers were urged to avoid the area following the incident, with the collision unit investigation team remaining at the scene for several hours.

The van driver, a man in his 50s, was not believed to have been injured.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident outside of Durham Train Station on Monday shortly after 1pm.

“We dispatched one ambulance crew and one patient was taken to RVI for further treatment.”

He said: “A lot has changed. The year of experience itself played a massive role – making your own experiences, understanding what is good and not good for you during the weekend and outside the weekend.

“The experience, being able to come back into the weekend and having done it the year before plays a massive difference. You know better the track evolution and so on and you are able to balance your energies in a better way so you feel better in the car in terms of energy.

“You become more aware of your potential and you know better the team, it’s all little things that play a massive role.”

Antonelli said that so far the pressure of competing for the championship had not affected him.

“I am not really worrying about it,” he said.

“Of course I know the opportunity that is on the table and of course I want to make the best out of it.

“But at the same time I don’t want to drive or race thinking about that.

“I want to really focus on the process and what I have to do and enjoy as much as possible the weekend and drive as fast as possible and then we will see where we end up at the end of the year.”

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who made his F1 debut more than five years before Antonelli was born, said the Italian was “an incredible talent”.

The Spaniard added: “Now he has a car that is dominating and he is adapting to that car and winning races without making mistakes and feeling the pressure of leading the championship and leading the race, which is a very good achievement.

“But this is F1 and you need to perform at the highest level always. He has the opportunity and if he is able to deal with the pressure and deliver the title, it is an incredible thing.”

Lord Liddle said: “I totally agree with my noble friend Lord Walker that that has to examine the challenge of the aging society and whether we can continue to support the pension triple lock and all the costs of NHS and social care, which if we’re not careful, are producing great generational inequality in Britain, and something has to be done to address that.”

Mark Pougatch fronts the coverage of the first of three opening ceremonies on ITV1. After the first ceremony in Mexico, the opening game takes place between Mexico and South Africa

The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway this evening with a spectacular opening ceremony taking place at Mexico City Stadium. A record 48 nations will battle it out in the biggest World Cup tournament ever staged.

Mark Pougatch fronts the coverage of the first of three opening ceremonies tonight on ITV1. After the first ceremony in Mexico, the opening game takes place between Mexico and South Africa.

Transmission starts at 6.15pm and runs until 7.50pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The opening ceremony will showcase performances from Colombian music star Shakira, as well as singer J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla.

The programme will also include a preview of the competition. Particular attention will be given to the clash between Mexico and South Africa, which marks the first of 104 fixtures in a mammoth event.

This year will see three opening ceremonies across Mexico, Canada and the United States. This evening’s will be the first, preceding the 8pm kick-off between Mexico and South Africa.

Whether you’re a devoted football supporter or a casual observer tuning in for the major fixtures, it’s essential to know where you can access coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the three opening ceremonies, including viewing times and performance details.

How to watch World Cup 2026 Mexico Opening Ceremony.

The FIFA World Cup 2026: Opening Ceremony airs tonight at 6.15pm until 7.50pm. It will be available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX.

Music icon Shakira is also set to deliver a live performance from Mexico, alongside Burna Boy, Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana, and Tyla.

Opening match

The 2026 World Cup opener will take place on Thursday, June 11. Kick-off at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is set for 8pm UK time.

Canada Opening Ceremony.

The second opening ceremony is scheduled to take place in Canada on Friday, 12 June. The bill features Canadian favourite Michael Bublé, alongside Alessia Cara and Alanis Morissette.

It will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer ahead of Canada vs Bosnia’s 8pm kick-off.

USA Opening Ceremony.

The third and final opening ceremony will be shown live from Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium prior to the USA’s opening fixture against Paraguay, which gets under way at 2am.

This will air at 12.30am on Saturday, 13 June on BBC One and iPlayer. Katy Perry and rapper Future are confirmed to perform, with further appearances from Tyla and Lisa from Blackpink.

Stephen Ogilvie’s parents told DUP Leader Gavin Robinson they do not want what happened to be “used as an excuse for intimidation or division within our society.”

The parents of Stephen Ogilvie have said they do not want the attack on their son to be “used as an excuse for intimidation or division within our society,” as his condition begins to improve.

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said he has spoken with the parents of the victim of the stabbing in North Belfast on Thursday afternoon and that he currently remains in a coma in hospital but will hopefully be released from this within the next day or two.

Speaking at Stormont, the East Belfast MP said that Mr Ogilvie’s parents have spoken out against the recent violent disorder that has taken place and also called for an end “to the misinformation, the falsehoods and the lies” that have been circulating following the incident on Kinnaird Avenue on June 8.

The condition of the Belfast stabbing victim is “improving” and he could be released from a coma within the next 48 hours, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said.

The East Belfast MP said he met with the parents of Stephen Ogilvie on Thursday afternoon and that the family were “broken” after what had happened to their son.

Ogilvie lost his left eye in a stabbing attack on Monday night which preceded two nights of disorder in Northern Ireland.

“They have spoken very powerfully, in my view, that their desire is that what happened to their son on Monday evening is not used as an excuse for intimidation or division within our society,” Mr Robinson said at Stormont.

“They have asked me to share that whilst their son remains in a coma, his condition is improving.

“They hope, pray and trust that he will be released from that coma within the next 24 or 48 hours, at which point assessments will be made about his sight and other impacts from the atrocity that happened on Monday evening.

“They are grateful for support, but they particularly are calling for an end to the misinformation, the falsehoods and the lies that are only making a very difficult situation all the worse.”

Mr Robinson said the party had challenged immigration statistics issued by the UK Government during a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn at Stormont.

He said there was a “lack of confidence” in the protection of borders and enforcement of immigration rules.

“There are questions that still remain not only about the efficacy of the figures they have given – when they say 1,000 people have been removed from Northern Ireland, we don’t believe that that is 1,000 people removed from the United Kingdom, but simply detained in London,” he said.

“They certainly seem to be in stark contrast to the one deportation that there has been to the Republic of Ireland.”

He said it was “a farce” that someone could travel through three safe countries and then claim asylum in the UK.

“I’ve said very clearly today that this has to be about strengthening the CTA (the common travel area),” he said.

“It is not beyond the will of man, through co-operation and agreement, that if they need our co-operation to protect the borders of the common travel area, then our Government should do so and, more importantly, the Prime Minister said that he’s engaged in those conversations.”

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