ITV were forced into a sudden change during their live coverage of the World Cup Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia, as presenter Semra Hunter spoke out on the dramatic scenes
05:31, 15 Jun 2026Updated 05:50, 15 Jun 2026
ITV were forced to retreat inside their TV studio during live coverage of Monday’s World Cup Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia. It came after multiple lightning strikes in Manhattan, New York.
Shortly after Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1 and ITV returned from an advert break, presenter Semra Hunter said: “Speaking of dramatic scenes, if that wasn’t dramatic enough for you, take a look at this. Lightning strikes the top of One World Trade Centre right here in Manhattan, not once but twice! Because of that, we’ve had to come inside!”
Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: “We are quite brave at the best of times, but I think after seeing that it is best to run for cover and be safe in here.”
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Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres were in fine form for Graham Potter’s side as Sweden began their campaign with a dominant victory in Monterrey, Mexico. Isak, Gyokeres, Mattias Svanberg and Yasin Ayari all scored, with Isak also providing two assists for Potter’s men.
Brighton’s Ayari scored the pick of the goals with two stunning long-range strikes, on either side of the game, in both the sixth and 96th minute. Shortly after Ayari’s first, Isak doubled their lead in the 40th minute.
Gyokeres laid the ball off to the former Newcastle United forward near the halfway line before he drove forward, cut in on his right foot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
Omar Rekin went on to halve the deficit for Tunisia with his glancing header in the 43rd minute, sparking hopes of a comeback. But Gyokeres’ fine finish quickly restored the two-goal lead in the 59th minute after Isak turned provider on this occasion.
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Substitute Mattias Svanberg then swept a fourth into the back of the net just 18 seconds after coming on as time ticked down. The offside flag initially went up, but a lengthy VAR review revealed a slight touch from Isak meant the midfielder had returned to an onside position.
A second stunner from Ayari then rounded off the dominant performance for Potter’s team. Sweden now sit top of Group F after the Netherlands and Japan played out a 2-2 draw in Dallas, the United States on Sunday evening.
Sweden will play the Netherlands next on Saturday evening (6pm BST) while Tunisia take on Japan at 5am BST on Sunday.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news storyand Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
Assistant Coroner Michael Salt formally opened the inquest into the death of Jack Rourke at Rochdale Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, June 17.
The hearing was told that Jack, who was born on November 8, 2002, and lived on Tonge Road, Little Lever, died on May 24 this year while abroad in Montenegro.
Police Coroner’s Officer Jane Sullivan, of Greater Manchester Police, said Jack had been travelling in Montenegro for several weeks.
(Image: Lisa Rourke)
She told the court that on May 24 he had been driving to collect his girlfriend from the airport when the collision occurred.
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Ms Sullivan said: “On the way to their accommodation, a car clipped the side of his vehicle and his car overturned.
“Unfortunately, Jack was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Ms Sullivan also confirmed that on June 3 a senior police coroner’s officer attended the funeral service to formally confirm Jack’s identity.
Mr Salt said: “I agree this is an unnatural death and will be opening an inquest in due course.”
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A full “read-only” inquest hearing has been scheduled for September 14, 2026.
Jack’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from family and friends in Little Lever.
His family previously described the 23-year-old as a devoted son, brother and friend whose death had left a “void in many lives.”
Speaking after his death, his mother Lisa Rourke said she missed the constant messages and phone calls from her son.
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She said: “He never used to leave me alone, 20 to 30 times a day. He was asking me the daftest things, like ‘How do I cook chicken wings?’ or ‘How do I turn on the washer?’.
“I miss getting messages from him.”
(Image: Lisa Rourke)
He was a keen football fan who supported both Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United and was affectionately remembered by relatives as the village’s “maddest goalkeeper”.
His sister Ellie previously described him as “the best big brother to ask for”, while his grandfather Graham Cooksey said he loved family life and spending time with relatives and friends.
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His father John said he particularly missed their regular outings together, adding: “We went all over, had many lads’ days out as dad and son.”
According to reports in Montenegro, another driver was arrested and charged following the collision.
Local media also reported that Mr Rourke’s passenger suffered serious injuries and received treatment at Kotor Hospital.
A man was allegedly seen running around the area and getting into cars before a woman and child were assaulted.
A man has been charged after a woman, child, and several police officers were allegedly assaulted in East Renfrewshire.
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The incident took place around 9am on Monday, June 15 when cops were alerted to a disturbance on Braeside Drive in Barrhead.
A man was allegedly seen running around the area and getting into cars before a woman and child were allegedly assaulted. It is understood police officers – how many of which is not yet known – were assaulted.
A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and was due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 16.
Footage taken at the scene shows an individual being held on the ground by four uniformed police officers.
Worried onlookers can be seen gathering in the background while the scuffle between a man and cops continues.
Officers proceed to place a spit mask over the individual’s mouth before another struggle ensues.
Cops eventually place him into the back of the police van and tell locals to stand back.
Multiple, blue-lit cop vans can be seen in the area alongside a heavy police presence.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9am on Monday, 15 June, 2026, officers received a report of a disturbance on Braeside Drive, Barrhead.
“A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.”
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Few and far between are the movie franchises that make it to their fifth instalment, and, let’s call a spade a spade, by the time most series limp their way to pentalogy status, we’re more often than not in cash-grab territory than we are at a creative peak.
Given the somewhat lukewarm response to 2019’s fourth Toy Story film – at least, that is, compared to the original trilogy – you’d be forgiven for thinking that the newest instalment might follow this trend.
We’re happy to report, then, that Toy Story 5 is not just a return to form for the beloved animated series, but for Pixar in general, after a hit-and-miss run for the once-untouchable studio.
Fast-forwarding a few years on from where things were left in Toy Story 4, the newest movie reintroduces us to Bonnie, now eight-and-a-half, whose world still revolves around her toy companions, led by new sheriff Jessie (since Woody parted ways with his pals at the end of the last movie).
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We quickly discover that, outside of her world of play, Bonnie is having trouble making friends in the real world. Jessie thinks she’s come up with a solution – but, unfortunately, so do Bonnie’s parents, who think the best way for her to connect might be online and gift her with her first electronic tablet, Lilypad.
An electronic tablet called Lilypad creates a whole world of problems for our heroes in Toy Story 5
As has already been well-established, this forms the basis of the film’s main plot, as the regular toys struggle to adjust to a world where the allure of technology is making them increasingly obsolete in children’s eyes.
Toy Story 5 has a lot to say about the invasion of tech in young people’s lives over the last decade, both for better and for worse, and it makes its points without judgement or condescension. A lot of ground is covered in a short space of time, most notably the very real dangers of tech that parents should be aware of (including cyberbullying, isolation and the general zombie-fied state that our oh-so-alluring devices can leave us in).
It’s a world that we’re all – whether you’re an adult, child or, indeed, toy – struggling to keep up with, and this is conveyed brilliantly across the film. But even outside of these themes, Toy Story 5 also touches effectively on the difficulties so many of us feel when trying to make connections, and the unique joy that comes with finally achieving it.
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Part of what makes the film such a success is that it feels like a case of the Toy Story universe being used to tell a story, rather a plot being clumsily shoe-horned into existing IP to make a quick buck. Toy Story 5 certainly justifies its own existence, and has a unique – unusually contemporary, for a Disney film – point of view.
Bonnie has difficulty making friends outside of the online world
Toy Story’s enduring popularity has long been attributed to in its cross-generational appeal – particularly with its most recent instalments – with many viewers who were Andy’s age when the first film hit cinemas now taking their own children to see the action unfold on the big screen.
Toy Story 5 makes walking this famously difficult line look effortless. The animation, always one of Pixar’s strongest suits, is captivating regardless of how old you are, as is its multi-layered humour. The combination of silly moments and visual gags will keep little ones laughing throughout, while relatable gags about everything from Zoom meetings and wedding-related stress to the perils of ageing are guaranteed to raise a smirk from adults in the audience, too.
Even new character Smarty Pants, a talking potty-training device voiced by Conan O’Brien, could be grating, juvenile and offputting in the wrong hands, but somehow ends up swerving all of those pitfalls to become one of the film’s more charming additions, despite his obvious penchant for toilet humour at every available opportunity.
Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants was a risky addition that definitely pays off
In fact, the voice work is great across the board, with no audible indication that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have been playing these same characters for more than 30 years. The MVPs of the piece, though, are undoubtedly Toy Story newcomer Greta Lee (who voices Lilypad) and franchise regular Joan Cusack (who plays Jessie), taking the lead for the first time.
Jessie has always been a more multi-layered character than many of her Toy Story peers, but this new story allows her voice actor to show even more personality than ever before.
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And yes, this being a Toy Story film, you can expect to shed plenty of tears, too, although that probably goes without saying at this stage of the game.
If we’re being picky, we could say that Toy Story 5 does rush a little towards showing the positive sides of Lilypad – and, therefore, tech in general – so her inevitable inclusion into the main gang by the end of the film does feel a little unearned (though it will undoubtedly come as a comfort to any millennial parents grappling with their own kids’ screentime).
Joan Cusack and Greta Lee are the scene-stealers of Toy Story 5 as Jessie and Lilypad
Part five also has the toy characters interfering and meddling with their human kids’ lives more than ever before, with real-world consequences in their lives, which we could imagine some Toy Story purists taking issue with at a time in cinema when “lore” and a franchise’s in-universe “rules” and “logic” mean more than ever.
However, these are tiny, negligible quibbles in a movie that was otherwise a complete joy to watch. For the avoidance of doubt, Toy Story 4 was far from a disaster, but this follow-up is much more up to the gold standard Pixar set for its flagship franchise with the original trilogy.
See you in a few years for Part Six: Revenge Of Lilypad.
Andy Burnham will not take a job in Keir Starmer’s government if he wins the Makerfield by-election, a senior source has told the Manchester Evening News.
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier today said he wants Andy Burnham to “play a big part” in the Labour Government in what appeared to be a signal he could invite him to join his Cabinet.
The Greater Manchester Mayor hopes to win in the Makerfield by-election on Thursday and secure a return to Westminster as an MP, and has made no secret of his Labour leadership ambitions. Sir Keir repeated on Wednesday that he would not walk away from his post and intended to fight any challenge.
The Prime Minister is also facing a looming threat from his former health secretary Wes Streeting, who has indicated he is prepared to trigger a Labour leadership contest as early as next week. Sir Keir appeared to suggest he could bring Mr Burnham into his Government in comments to Sky News. “Andy is a great asset. And, yes, I want him to have a big role in the government.”
But a senior source who spoke to the M.E.N. ruled out Mr Burnham taking a job in Starmer’s government telling us ‘the benefit Andy has is the wind of change for not having been associated with the Government’s failings’.
The source also told us that the discussion of the Greater Manchester mayoral elections was an attempt to put ‘further challenges up’ and that if Keir Starmer stays it will give people ‘an excuse to vote against Labour’ in that election. If Mr Burnham wins the Greater Manchester Mayoral election is expected to take place at the end of July.
Mr Burnham is widely expected to win the Makerfield by-election, although insiders remain nervous and say it could be ‘too close to call’.
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Recent polling in the by-election shows a very close contest between Labour and Reform UK. Labour is usually ahead on about 43 to 46 percent, with Reform close behind on roughly 40 to 41 percent. The gap between them is small enough that the race is effectively competitive and within typical polling uncertainty.
Smaller parties are well behind the two frontrunners. Restore Britain tends to poll around 7 percent, while the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens are all in low single digits. The Conservative vote in particular has fallen sharply compared with previous elections, with evidence that it has shifted towards Reform or become more fragmented.
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The seat is essentially a two-way contest between Labour and Reform, with Labour holding a narrow lead. Reform is close enough to be in genuine contention, while smaller parties are unlikely to win but could still influence the result by affecting how the vote splits.
Labour insiders have expressed concerns about hidden Reform voters who may just turn out on the day.
Asked earlier about what preparations the Prime Minister was making for a potential Labour leadership contest, he told reporters: “First and foremost, I want Andy Burnham to win, and that’s why I’ve encouraged activists and members to go up there during the course of the campaign, and they’ll be up there tomorrow helping to get the vote out.
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“Then what happens is we’re immediately tipped into a Manchester mayoral contest by-election, one of the biggest by-elections that we’ve ever fought, because of the scale of it. And it’s really important to my mind that the whole of the Labour Party and Labour movement focuses on that, which is the next most immediate task.
“I don’t think there should be a challenge. I think history, particularly the last government, shows that that isn’t a successful way for a government to behave. But if there is a challenge, then I intend to fight. I’m not going to walk away from that, and I’ve been clear and consistent about that.”
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. to end the war is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement that officials say broadly matches the document.
The accord, due to be formally signed in a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday, lays out that the U.S. would secure at least $300 billion to rebuild Iran after the war and work to end all American and United Nations sanctions imposed on Tehran if a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program is reached.
The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions represent major concessions that outstrip the terms of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from in his first term, declaring it the “worst deal ever.” This new accord likely will draw intense criticism in Washington — and appears to be a major setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched the war with Trump on Feb. 28.
The deal calls for an immediate end to all fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. That is one of the most delicate parts of the agreement because Israel has maintained it will continue to defend itself and to occupy vast swaths of Lebanon. Iran has said it must withdraw under the deal, although the leaked versions make no mention of withdrawal.
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The two sides are to start 60 days of negotiations over a final deal that the Trump administration insists will prevent Iran from ever developing a nuclear weapon. The U.S. offers appear aimed at enticing Iran to strike an agreement.
But in the meantime, Iran appears to be getting benefits up front while making few concessions. Much of the agreement would restore the status quo before the war, including ending hostilities and reopening the strait, which is a crucial passage for the world’s oil and natural gas and whose closure created a historic energy crisis.
Other concessions to Iran — some of which are extraordinary, including the money for rebuilding, the full lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets — appear dependent on the progress of further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
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A person who was briefed on the memorandum of understanding after it was signed and another who viewed a copy beforehand said it largely matched the text of what was published by the Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya, which reported details of the deal Tuesday. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.
Another two officials in the Mideast, who spoke on condition of anonymity for the same reason, also said the versions published by Al Arabiya and Bloomberg broadly matched the final agreement.
The White House and other American officials have not published the terms and did not immediately respond to questions. Iran also has not published an official version of the deal. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency, close to its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, claimed Wednesday that Bloomberg’s version had missing portions, without offering a full accounting.
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The deal would provide relief to the global economy
The deal provides a major win for the global economy — the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed before the war began. Since then, Iranian attacks on shipping and the threat to vessels effectively shut the strait.
The strait’s closure drove up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive. Iran let out some vessels that paid tolls, something never done before in the strait, which sits in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman and long has been considered an international waterway. The U.S. later provided military support to get other tankers out, but traffic through the strait was nowhere near levels before the war.
The deal calls for the U.S. to lift a blockade imposed on Iranian ports and for the strait to return to its prewar traffic levels in 30 days, while acknowledging Iranian mines may still be in its waters that need to be destroyed.
The deal provides major concessions to Iran
While the deal says that the eventual lifting of sanctions on Iran will depend on future negotiations, the U.S. will immediately issue waivers on Iranian oil sales.
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Granting oil waivers directly at the start of the 60-day talks strips the U.S. of a major point of leverage over Iran. In the years before the 2015 nuclear deal, Iranian oil faced international sanctions limiting their sales. Only at the conclusion of the overall deal in 2015 were those sanctions lifted.
The interim deal also opens the door to ending all sanctions Iran faces from the U.S. and at the U.N. — though it says the schedule for that will be worked out later. Still, that is far beyond the 2015 deal, which only lifted some sanctions in exchange for Iran drastically reducing its enrichment and stockpile of uranium.
The accord would also provide Iran with at least $300 billion to rebuild after an intense U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign — an extraordinary figure and another major benefit for Iran. U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said Gulf Arab nations would provide that amount as investments in Iran.
The deal leaves much more to be resolved in future negotiations
The interim deal sets a 60-day window, which can be extended, to negotiate over limiting Iran’s nuclear program, which has been discussed at multiple rounds of talks during Trump’s second administration without success. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, though it has enough highly enriched uranium to build multiple atomic bombs, should it choose to do so, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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In the interim deal, Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons — a promise that it also made in the 2015 nuclear accord. Iranian diplomats have long pointed to statements from the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Iran wouldn’t build an atomic bomb. It remains unclear whether Khamenei’s son, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, will follow that or not.
Trump has cited shifting goals for the war, including at times vowing it would end Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and its support for Hezbollah and other proxy groups in the region. He also suggested it could lead to toppling the Iranian government.
The interim deal falls short of all of these goals. The negotiations also exposed a rift between Netanyahu and Trump, the Israeli leader’s closest and most important ally, just as Netanyahu is seeking reelection. Netanyahu has come under heavy domestic criticism over the emerging deal but will be hard pressed to go against Trump, given Israel’s heavy reliance on the U.S. for diplomatic and military support.
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Miller and Price reported from Washington, and Magdy from Cairo.
Tommy shared new photos of himself and Molly-Mae after welcoming their second child earlier this month
Fans were quick to spot Molly-Mae Hague’s latest decision when it comes to her relationship with Tommy Fury, as he melted fans’ hearts with a new family update.
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The couple welcomed their second child into the world earlier this month, three years after the arrival of their first child, daughter Bambi. They confirmed the safe arrival of their new bundle of joy in a joint Instagram post on June 3.
They shared a black and white snap in which the new mum could still be seen in her hospital gown as she sat in her hospital bed. She and Tommy, who was standing by her side, could be seen looking down at their new arrival with smiles as Bambi sat opposite her mum and sweetly tended to her new sibling.
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While they didn’t reveal the gender or name of their new addition at the time, Molly-Mae captioned the sweet post: “….and then there were 4,” alongside a white love heart emoji. It was days later that the pair confirmed they are now proud parents to a son, sharing the news alongside a sweet video of Bambi meeting her baby brother for the first time.
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The name reveal, however, came last weekend, as the former Love Island stars used Tommy’s return to the boxing ring to reveal their newborn son’s name, Midas, which was spelt out on the back of the boxer’s shirt and boxing shorts, during his fight against the former world’s strongest man, Eddie Hall.
Alongside pictures from his triumphant return to the ring, where he was cheered on by his partner just days after the birth of their second baby, Tommy wrote on Instagram on Sunday (June 14) evening: “Still undefeated. Huge respect to Eddie. You surprised me, pushed me and gave me a challenge. Thank you for accepting the fight and sharing the ring with me, it was a pleasure.
“This one is for my newborn son Midas [heart emoji]. And thank you to Molly for holding down the fort with our two beautiful children whilst I was preparing.” He added: “Thank you everyone who turned out last night, events like this wouldn’t be possible without you all. Now it’s time for some much-needed family time.”
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The boxer, 27, has now returned to social media with a glimpse at how things have been looking since the arrival of his son. Tommy took to Instagram with more snaps of himself and Molly-Mae, also 27, enjoying their newborn bubble as they settle into life as parents-of-two.
“Lucky man doesn’t come close. Some of the best weeks of my life,” he captioned the post. But it was the picture of Tommy and Molly-Mae sharing a smooch following his victory over Hall at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday (June 13) that appeared to catch his followers’ attention.
@jodiemcenteer said: “Molly has the ring back on. So happy for the 4 of you.” @layla_caddy echoed: “Molly wearing her ring.” @iam_staceybee noted: “Molly is wearing her ring again.” @jeniece83 added: “I peep her ring back on!!”
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It was only in April that Molly-Mae revealed why she was not wearing her engagement ring as she was quizzed by fans if Tommy was going to propose again, with their split coming just over a year after Tommy popped the question in a stunning Ibiza proposal.
Speaking in her YouTube vlog at the time, Molly-Mae said: “No, we’re not doing another proposal… I’m not wearing my ring and I don’t really wear my ring. Do you know what? I actually don’t plan to wear my ring either guys. But I also do still consider myself engaged and a fiancée even though saying that does give me the ick a little bit.
“No I don’t wear my ring and it’s not for the reason of me not feeling like I’m engaged or not a fiancée. I just actually don’t want to wear it because it’s almost too special. My ring is not even with me, it’s somewhere far away, locked away and very very safe.
Høiby, 29, was four when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon and is not himself a royal figure. Ahead of the verdict on Monday, his legal team repeatedly and unsuccessfully sought his release from prison so he could spend time with his mother because of her declining health.
The incident happened on Dockside Road on Tuesday (June 16) when the lorry collided with a pedal cyclist around 11.15am.
The cyclist, a 72-year-old man, suffered a broken hip and was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Cleveland Police has now launched an investigation, appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
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A spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered a broken hip following a collision in Middlesbrough.
“The incident happened on Dockside Road around 11.15am on Tuesday, June 16, involving a tipper lorry and a pedal cyclist.
“The cyclist, a 72-year-old man, suffered a broken hip and was taken to James Cook University Hospital following the collision.
“Any witnesses or anyone who may have dash cam footage of the collision, is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 115980.”
Danny Rohl has left Rangers after just eight months in charge to become Red Bull Salzburg’s head coach – with the club saying news of his replacement “will follow in due course”.
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes is widely expected to be the German’s successor as Rangers ready themselves to appoint a third boss in 12 months.
Rohl, 37, replaced Russell Martin in October and steered Rangers into a three-way title fight, but a post-split collapse yielded a third-place finish behind Celtic and Hearts as the Ibrox club ended the campaign without silverware.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh publicly backed Rohl at the end of the season, but the German now returns to the Red Bull stable, having begun his coaching career at Leipzig under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
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“I’d like to thank Danny for his service and commitment to Rangers,” Cavenagh said.
“He and his staff put in a significant amount of hard work during his time in charge, which we are greatly appreciative of.
“We wish them the best of luck moving forward.”
Rohl, who had two years left on his deal, departs to take over a Salzburg side that came third in Austria last season – the club’s lowest finish in two decades – and will enter the Europa League at the third qualifying round, the same stage as Rangers.
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Daniel Beichler was sacked as Salzburg boss last month after just 14 games.
Rohl joined Hasenhuttl at Southampton in 2018, then moved to Bayern Munich as assistant to Hansi Flick and helped the club win the Bundesliga. He was then appointed Sheffield Wednesday manager in 2023.
“I’ve played with Derek, I’ve played against him, I’ve managed against him and know all about his make up, his strengths – and that’s why this appointment is the one that has excited me most at Ibrox since Steven Gerrard.”
Andy Newport and Andy Newport
11:29, 17 Jun 2026Updated 11:33, 17 Jun 2026
Derek McInnes knows exactly what it means to pull on the blue jersey. A lifelong Rangers supporter, he fulfilled every boyhood dream when he rose through the ranks to represent the club he adored.
Yet as far as his former team-mate Stuart McCall is concerned, it’s not his credentials as a Rangers man that make him the ideal candidate to step into the Ibrox dugout as Danny Rohl’s successor.
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It’s the departing Hearts manager’s qualities as a leader of men that makes him precisely what is required in Govan.
McCall has shared a dressing room with his fellow nine-in-a-row hero and gone head-to-head with McInnes on Premiership touchlines, reports the Daily Record.
And it’s that first-hand knowledge which has persuaded the former Motherwell boss that his old friend is the most thrilling managerial appointment at Ibrox since Steven Gerrard arrived in Glasgow.
McCall told Record Sport: “I’m not saying he’s a Rangers man, so he’s the right choice.
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“I’m saying this because I know how Derek will be.
“He knows the Premiership, he knows the mentality needed, the characteristics you want in a player. Yeah it helps he played for the club and has experienced the pressures that come with that.
“He’ll have gone through tough times at Ibrox himself trying to get past Gazza and myself to get a game! Wink, wink! Only kidding!”.
“But that Rangers link isn’t what makes him the right man. It’s the man he is himself that makes him the right choice.
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“Right now, Rangers are a club and a team that need someone to galvanise them, to lead them through the tough moments. That’s where they’ve failed in recent seasons.
“I’ve played with Derek, I’ve played against him, I’ve managed against him and know all about his make up, his strengths – and that’s why this appointment is the one that has excited me most at Ibrox since Steven Gerrard.
“The fact is you can be the best training ground coach in the world but if you can’t communicate with your players and have the ability to relate to them and have them relate to you, then it won’t matter.
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“I’ve seen loads of coaches down in England who have loads of great ideas on the game. But if you don’t know how to get the best out of the players on an individual basis those ideas will fall apart.
“So what makes me more comfortable with Derek than any other boss since Gerrard is that I know we’ve got a manager going in with a wealth of experience, knowledge of the club and the league and someone with a proven track record getting the best out of the players at his disposal.
“I remember having some right ding-dongs against Del when he was Aberdeen boss and I was at Motherwell. You always knew his team would be up for the fight, they’d go to the last whistle, they’d never chuck the towel in.
“Yeah, there might be the odd poor performance – but they were never weak.”
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McInnes now inherits a side so fragile they squandered their opportunity to clinch last season’s title, losing four of their final five matches under Rohl.
The German was brought in to sort out the chaos left in Russell Martin’s wake and, while he managed to drag the Light Blues back into title contention, they swiftly fell away once the pressure mounted in the closing stages of the campaign.
However, McCall is backing his long-time friend to succeed where the German came unstuck – drawing on invaluable wisdom passed down from his mentors Sir Alex Ferguson and the late Walter Smith.
“If it does go ahead and he becomes the new Rangers manager I’ll be delighted with that,” said the Preston assistant boss.
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“You know, over the last couple of years working down here with Sheffield United and Preston, I’ve come up against Russell Martin and Danny Rohl.
“They were both good coaches but I just don’t think it’s a necessity right now for Rangers to be looking for a good ‘coach’.
“I’m not saying Derek isn’t that. He’s a more than capable coach.
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“What Rangers need is someone who can motivate people.
“I go back to what Sir Alex Ferguson told me. He said management is about being a good communicator, man manager, getting your recruitment right is massive. Throw in a little bit of luck and that is the four things you need to be successful.
“If I look back to Sir Walter, that was just as true for him. Obviously he and Archie knew the game inside out but I wouldn’t say they were outstanding coaches, if you know what I mean.
“But they were outstanding leaders, man-managers.
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“Now I don’t necessarily think you need to know a club to be successful there but one thing Derek does have is a knowledge of the league and what is needed to win up there.
“Sir Walter knew how to get the very best out of the players he had and I think Derek is cut from the same cloth.”
When McCall assessed Rangers’ performance last season, he identified a squad lacking that crucial winning mentality.
He said: “All last season when people were getting excited about Rangers, I couldn’t see them winning that league in a month of Sundays because of the mentality at the club.
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“When you sign players for a club like that, ability takes a back seat to mentality for me.
“And for me, that’s not going on social media to spout off because you’ve had one good game. Mentality is doing it week in, week out for a full season.
“For me, that’s why I’m so excited about Derek. It’s easiest thing in the world to play for Rangers when things are going well, but it’s one of the hardest places to play when it’s not.
“That’s when you need your big characters to stand up and that starts with the management.”
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