Zakaria’s father was killed by terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia
A young man who fled the Islamic terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab found himself running from his home in fear in Belfast following racist attacks and disorder in the city.
Zakaria arrived in Belfast in January after his mum helped him flee Somalia after their family had been targeted by the terror organisation. They killed his father and had also kidnapped and attacked him for a relationship he had with a woman.
Last Wednesday the young man was part of a group of migrants who had to leave their home for the safety of a community centre after his house was included on a list of properties circulated online as part of a “hit list”. While there he met with Rory Doherty of Voicing the Void with the pair speaking about the difficulties Zakaria had faced and how he hoped to find peace in Belfast a few days later.
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Rory said: “Zakaria told me how he was feeling and about everything that had happened over the previous few days. He wanted people to understand the human impact of what is happening. He wanted people to see beyond the headlines.
“He told me how he fled Somalia after being targeted by Al-Shabaab. His father was killed by the same terrorist organisation. He was kidnapped, beaten and threatened because of a relationship with the woman he loved. His mother sold everything she owned to help him escape.
“In January this year, he arrived in Belfast hoping to find safety and peace. Yet only a few months later, he found himself leaving his home once again because he feared for his safety.
“What struck me most was not his anger. It was his compassion. He told me he doesn’t want to generalise the people here based on a small number of people and that he came here to contribute to Northern Ireland, work, pay tax and be part of the community in any way that he can.
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“This week, while a small minority attempted to spread fear and division, I witnessed something far more powerful. I witnessed neighbours helping neighbours.
I witnessed people from different backgrounds, organisations and communities working together to protect one another. I witnessed volunteers making food, sharing tea and coffee, coordinating safety, offering reassurance and reminding people that they were not alone.
“There is no denying that many people feel left behind. Too many communities continue to experience poverty, inequality, poor housing, limited opportunities and a sense that nobody is listening. These frustrations are real and deserve to be heard.
“But violence and intimidation are not the answer.”
The Group of Seven leaders have issued a joint statement welcoming the peace deal between Iran and the US.
The G7 leaders said they “reaffirm that the right of transit passage without restrictions or tolls is the backbone of international trade”.
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“We support and are ready to contribute to the US-Iran deal implementation.”
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 06:45
US to withdraw forces from areas surrounding Iran
The Trump administration has promised to withdraw its forces from areas surrounding Iran, Bloomberg reported, citing a clause in the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran to end their war.
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The clause states that the US will withdraw its forces within 30 days of a final peace agreement. The MOU is due to be formally signed in Geneva on Friday.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 06:39
Trump hopes Iran war will be in ‘rearview mirror’
US president Donald Trump hopes that the Iran war would be in the “rearview mirror” after the official signing of the peace deal, details of which remain unknown to US lawmakers.
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When asked if the president would now focus on the Ukraine war, Trump responded: “We were focused on Iran. That’s going to be in the back, in the rearview mirror…. I want to do whatever I can.”
Few details have been publicly released about the initial deal, but it is believed to include reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global oil shipments, financial incentives for Iran if it meets certain benchmarks, and a 60-day period for talks on ending the country’s nuclear programme.
The deal will be formally signed on Friday in Geneva.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 06:12
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Iran deal includes $300 billion fund – report
A $300bn private fund designed to kickstart investment into Iran is outlined in the US-Iran framework agreement and more than half that sum has already been committed, Reuters reported.
The fund is designed to give both sides an economic incentive to conclude a final deal to end the war, the agency reported, citing sources.
More than half of the amount has already been committed and it will be comprised entirely of private-sector funds, according to the report.
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US and Iranian officials said on Sunday they had agreed on a framework to end their war, which began when US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on 28 February, halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for global oil and gas.
The new fund is a private investment vehicle, not a reconstruction or reparations programme and will not include any government money or grants, the source said, adding that companies based in the US, the Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America and Africa have agreed to commit financing.
Investments pledged span energy, logistics, manufacturing and transport, the source said.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran had originally sought $400bn as compensation for war damages from the US but Washington had said it would not provide it.
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The idea for the fund, which is to be named the Reconstruction and Development Fund, then emerged.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 06:06
Tanker carrying one million barrels of Iranian oil crosses US blockade
A third tanker carrying one million barrels of Iranian crude oil has reportedly sailed past the US navy blockade in the Gulf of Oman, Al Jazeera reported, citing TankerTrackers.
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The maritime tracking service said the Sonia I vessel “exited the blockade line” at 1.11 GMT.
At least two other tankers carrying a total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian oil exited the blockade line yesterday, according to the report.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 05:54
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Australia relaxes Middle East travel advice
Australia this morning relaxed its travel advice for several Middle Eastern countries, allowing Australians to transit through and travel to the biggest Gulf air hubs with the security of being covered by insurance.
Foreign minister Penny Wong said the previous “do not travel” advisory had been lowered for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel and Kuwait after the US and Iran reached an interim deal to end the war.
She said the advisory had moved to “reconsider your need to travel” to those countries, as the security situation could still deteriorate rapidly with little warning.
The removal of the “do not travel” warning is positive for Gulf airlines. They had carried more than half of all passengers flying from Europe to Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands before the war began in late February, according to aviation data firm Cirium.
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Many Australian travellers concerned about the risk of missiles and drones, schedule disruptions and the lack of travel insurance coverage had preferred flights on carriers like Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways that transited in Asia, driving up airfares.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 05:15
Watch: Trump vows to read Iran deal to the media ‘word by word’
Trump vows to read Iran deal to the media ‘word by word’
Rachel Dobkin17 June 2026 05:00
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Israeli strikes kill 4 in Lebanon despite Trump’s criticism
Israeli drone strikes targeted three vehicles in southern Lebanon, killing at least four people and wounding others, even as Donald Trump berated Benjamin Netanyahu for his attacks on Lebanon.
Two people were killed in a double-tap strike, with a drone hitting a car in the village of Mayfadoun followed by a second strike after people had gathered at the scene, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.
Another drone strike on the town of Shoukin killed two other people, the agency said.
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Fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has eased but has not completely stopped following the announcement of an interim peace deal between the United States and Iran on Monday.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 04:55
Canada says US-Iran deal ‘game changer’
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has said that the US-Iran peace deal is a “game changer” and that Ottawa supports efforts to implement the truce.
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“We’re very pleased with the deal that’s been struck. It sets the groundwork to ensure Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon, and could also enable a reintegration over time of the economies in the region as well as progress toward a settlement in Lebanon,” Carney told CNN.
The prime minister said he had seen the agreement and was “absolutely” supportive of it. The text of the deal has not been made public by the Trump administration.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 June 2026 04:45
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Oil prices stabilise below $80 a barrel
Oil prices edged higher in early trade this morning, clawing back some of the previous session’s losses, as investors assessed whether the Iran war will truly end and the Strait of Hormuz reopen.
Brent crude futures gained 47 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $79.43 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose to $76.53 a barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.6 per cent.
Both benchmarks fell about 5 per cent for a second straight session yesterday to three-month lows on hopes a U.S.-Iran deal would allow oil flows through the Strait.
Netflix’s Bridgerton is a hugely popular period drama, but fans this Oscar-winning film starring Kirsten Dunst, surpasses it in every respect
A breathtaking period drama is being lauded as far superior to Netflix’s blockbuster series Bridgerton, particularly with regard to costumes and visual design.
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Viewers simply cannot get over how visually spectacular the period drama film is, as audiences become captivated by the wardrobe, set design, historical accuracy and distinctive tone of the picture.
Written, produced and directed by Sofia Coppola, Marie Antoinette is a highly stylised biographical drama that was released in cinemas in 2006.
The film is based on the 2001 biography penned by Antonia Fraser titled Marie Antoinette: The Journey and stars Kirsten Dunst in the lead role as France’s iconic teenage queen who met a gruesome end.
Jason Schwartzman, Jamie Dornan in his film debut, Judy Davis, Rip Torn, Rose Byrne, Asia Argento, Molly Shannon, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston and Steve Coogan star alongside Dunst to complete a remarkable cast.
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The film’s official plot states: “The retelling of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 14 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign as queen, and ultimately the fall of Versailles.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Marie Antoinette made its world premiere at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and received a nomination for the festival’s most coveted accolade – the Palme d’Or. It also claimed an Oscar for Best Costume Design at the 79th Academy Awards.
The period drama ‘masterpiece’ grossed roughly $60.9 million at the worldwide box office against a production budget of $40 million.
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The film attracted widespread acclaim, with one critic writing: “The film’s decadence and opulence as well as all the details in décor, costumes, wigs, etc is fascinating and shows that Coppola had a true vision for it.”
While another reviewer said: “Marie Antoinette has flaws, but still remains a good enough film with tremendous set and costume design. Add in Kirsten Dunst and her performance in the title role and you have something that a lot of audiences can enjoy.”
One critic lauded director Sofia Coppola: “Coppola has crafted a magical, intoxicating film, distinctly her own, that cements her place as one of the most exciting and original new voices in American film.”
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Some reviewers offered more measured opinions: “Marie Antoinette may have too much cake and not enough revolution but for the most part it is fun. Just leave your prejudices at the door.”
Nevertheless, there were plenty who were captivated by Coppola’s production: “Marie Antoinette is a decadent delight.”
Audience responses echoed similar sentiments, with one viewer saying: “One of the greatest movies of all al time. I said it.”
Meanwhile, another fan of the film said: “This is one of my favourite films of all time. It had a huge influence on me as a young teenager. Kirsten Dunst’s performance was not only captivating but her portrayal of Marie Antoinette taught me to lead my own path in life.
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“It’s what you take from this film that is important, the underlying messages and contrasts to modern reality is what’s important. The rest is just a beautifully put together piece of art.”
One viewer praised both Coppola and Dunst: “Sophia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst collabs are my favourite. For those of us who love this kind of stark contrast, and relate to the helplessness and hopelessness of being a teenage girl, especially in another era, this movie was a masterpiece.”
An IMDB user review of the film reads: “Sophia Coppola’s ‘Marie Antoinette’ works on all levels. It is a brilliant and spectacular portrayal of a long-past time; yet it also has an immediacy, and intimacy, and a warmth that draws us in and seduces us. tremendous and spectacular job all-round! ! ! I gave this a 10 out of 10.”
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While yet another fan said: “I give this movie a 10. Some will say the film is quirky, but I also predict that it will live on as one of the most fascinating films of recent years.”
One viewer added: “Brilliant. My opinion is Coppola had a clear vision of what she wanted to present and nails it. Easily one of my favourite works of recent years,” while another enthusiast wrote, “I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent film. It was a sumptuous feast for the eyes; the costumes and settings were superb.”
A further viewer said: “One of the Best Movies of All Time. This was a masterpiece for those of us who know little about French History. If you love visual splendour, great music, perfect production and direction, then watch this film orchestrated by the exquisite Sophia Coppola. You won’t be disappointed.”
‘Preeeeeviously….. she got caught absolutely flooring it, pied off the speed limit completely, and got pulled right over by police. Talk about an awkward chat…
Rachel Vickers-Price UK and World News Reporter
06:12, 17 Jun 2026
One Love Island megafan has found herself in hot water with police, with officers pulling her for a chat along the roadside when she was caught mugging off the law. The boys in blue decided she’d gone a bit too far, too soon. And do, the car has officially been dumped from the highway and sent straight to car jail. The Love Island superfan found herself in trouble with the law after police clocked her travelling at 100mph as she tried to race home to catch the latest episode of the fan-favourite reality show. Highway patrol troopers in Arizona in the US were left stunned when they heard the reason the unidentified woman was going 108 mph in a 65 mph zone.
She was apprehended on a state highway in Pinal County on June 9, Highway Patrol confirmed. The bizarre reason for her race home was shared by the Arizona Department of Safety Highway Patrol, with her arrest included in its “Speeding Saturday” roundup on social media at the weekend. The Facebook post read: “The driver stated she was trying to get home fast to be able to watch the reality TV show Love Island.”
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It would seem she likely missed the episode, with the social media post revealing she was arrested and booked for criminal speed and reckless driving. State troopers also sent her vehicle was sent to “car jail” for 20 days.
But that wasn’t the only curveball in the same Saturday speeding round-up. Another unidentified driver was also caught in a race of his own, with the speeding motorist pulled over on his way to church. An Arizona state trooper caught the driver on the Maricopa Casa Grande Highway – going 93 mph in a 50 mph zone last Wednesday as he raced to get to a sermon on time. The addition to the social media roundup states: “The driver stated he was on his way from church and had known nothing about criminal speed.”
He was arrested and booked for criminal speed and reckless driving and his car was given to the front seat passenger.
EXCLUSIVE: David Kirkwood also peddled false claims that President Trump won the 2020 US election.
04:30, 17 Jun 2026
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A Reform MSP has been branded “dangerous” after boasting about persuading people to snub the covid jag.
David Kirkwood said he did not take the shot himself and claimed he knew of “very few” people in his party who agreed to the injection.
He also backed the false claim that President Trump won the 2020 US election, despite Joe Biden romping home by seven million votes.
Kirkwood, who was elected as a South Scotland MSP in May, sits on the Holyrood Public Audit committee and is his party’s shadow “technology” minister.
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An investigation into his X posts has revealed a stream of claims questioning the covid vaccine and spreading misinformation about the 2020 election.
The covid jags are widely believed to have saved lives and protected elderly people, but Kirkwood wrote in August 2021:
“TBH I think you’d need to be a bit of a mug now to have the first jag.”
Twenty four hours later, he tweeted: “Yes, a few people have decided not to have either the first or second jag after talking to me.”
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Kirkwood, who does not have a medical degree, wrote in 2023: “I’ve never had a jag, l’ve persuaded many other people not to have them and l’d like them stopped, but realise that they may be beneficial in some ways for some people.”
Months later, he said of covid-19: “There never was a serious risk to the nation’s health.”
He returned to the same theme months later: “To be fair, a lot of people were bamboozled by the so-called “science” in the early days. However, I know of very few people in our party that even had one jag, never mind any boosters.”
Kirkwood, a management consultant before getting elected to Holyrood, stuck to the same line in February last year: “I never had any jags and I persuaded a lot of other people never to have any.”
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He also sided with Trump in pushing the false claim that he beat Biden six years ago.
Part of the conspiracy theory centres around the false claim Biden benefited from fraud to win Maricopa County in the swing state of Arizona.
Kirkwood tweeted in 2021: “Trump’s election was stolen from him – the Maricopa (AZ) county result is in serious doubt due to large-scale fraud. It will be the first of many.”
He also wrote: “Trump DID win the 2020 election.”
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Kirkwood’s online biography states: “He is not easily swayed by popular opinion and will speak out when things need to change.”
Scottish Greens MSP Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill said: “These comments from David Kirkwood are the latest example of Reform UK living on another planet. Denying reality and fact is becoming a trademark for Reform UK.
“People deserve representatives who are grounded in evidence, public health and democratic reality.
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“At the height of a global pandemic, communities across Scotland were doing everything they could to keep each other safe.
“For any elected representative to have boasted about persuading people not to get vaccinated, if these reports are accurate, is irresponsible and dangerous. The truth is, Covid-19 vaccines saved lives.”
“The comments about Donald Trump and the 2020 US election also reveal Reform UK’s habit of believing, and spreading, conspiracy theories peddled by the far-right.”
Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “We already knew this Reform MSP held wildly out-of-touch views given his longstanding support for breaking up the United Kingdom.”
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Reform UK in Scotland has been contacted.
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.
Football fans can snap up more than 100 stickers from Panini’s latest collection as stock dwindles at many online retailers
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
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Panini’s beloved World Cup sticker collection has returned for this summer’s tournament, and it’s been selling fast. The 2026 edition has been flying off the virtual shelves at many retailers, leaving fans with big gaps in their collection.
By doing so, new members will receive a £15 welcome bonus and cashback at BargainMax, effectively reducing the Panini sticker bundle to £4.82 after cashback. As it includes a total of 112 World Cup stickers, this works out at roughly 4p per sticker.
The deal is exclusively available for new TopCashback members, while existing members will pay £19.82 after cashback. This undercuts rival retailers like Amazon, which charges £25.42 (was £26.48) for the same bundle, while a 50-packet bundle and 100-packet bundle come in at £62.50 and £124.98 respectively.
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It comes as retailers like Argos, Sports Direct, and Selfridges sold out of much of their stock earlier this month. This year’s tournament has been expanded to 48 teams, which means the FIFA World Cup 2026 Sticker album comprises a whopping 980 stickers to collect.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Sticker Collection Mega Multiset
BargainMax customers can 112 Panini stickers in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Sticker Collection Mega Multiset for roughly 4p each by shopping through TopCashback.
This includes portraits of legendary players like Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as iconic team badges for all 48 teams playing this summer. The TopCashback deal comes as the World Cup enters the final days of the first wave of group games, with England set to play their first fixture on Wednesday (June 17).
The Three Lions will face old rivals Croatia in Dallas in the Group L opener. Scotland will then follow up their first World Cup win in 36 years when they play Morocco in Boston on Friday (June 19).
For fans yet to secure their new football strip ahead of the games, England fans can get 15% off the new Nike 2026 shirts at Kitbag with the code AFF15, while Scotland’s latest adidas home kit is available at JD Sports.
Search for BargainMax and click ‘Get Cashback Now’.
Shop and checkout as usual.
Cashback will track and appear in the TopCashback account within seven working days of purchase.
The cashback will become payable and available to withdraw and spend after BargainMax has paid TopCashback the commission for the purchase.
As for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Sticker Collection Mega Multiset, Amazon customers have awarded the bundle a 4.2-star rating after more than 150 reviews. One said: “Really worth the money, got Ronaldo and Messi in the first 10 packs.”
Another said: “The stickers are good quality, colourful and well printed, with a nice mix of players, teams and special stickers.”
However, the same collector also highlighted a drawback to the Panini stickers, adding: “As with any sticker collection, duplicates are inevitable, particularly once your album starts filling up.”
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Meanwhile, another happy customer said: “Perfect starter pack, my son is extremely happy.”
Saturday at Parklife 2026 includes sets from Skepta, Sammy Virji, Nia Archives and Josh Baker
This weekend Parklife Festivals returns with a star-studded lineup. Tens of thousands are expected to flock to Heaton Park to see some of the music industry’s biggest acts take to the stage.
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Manchester’s biggest music festival, Parklife, returns on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June with festival-goers turning out to see headliners including Calvin Harris, who has not headlined a show in Manchester since playing at the Manchester Arena in 2013.
One of the country’s biggest music events, it regularly draws in more than 80,000 people over the weekend and this year marks 16 years since it was first founded. Previously, the festival has been headlined by hit hop titans like 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, and Tyla the Creator as well as Manchester acts such as Liam Gallagher, The 1975 and Aitch.
Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter
This year’s edition will also see British MC and rapper Skepta, Garage and bassline DJ and producer Sammy Virji, and Swedish songstress Zara Larsson will also take to the stage. Manchester-based DJ and producer Josh Baker will be returning to the festival having had his set quite literally shut down at the event last year.
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Others confirmed to be playing will be Chris Stussy, Nia Archives, Kettama, Marlon Hoffstadt, Bou, Rossi, Silva Bumpa, and local Atherton lad Morgan Seatree, who went viral after bringing his grandma out on stage with him during his set at the festival last year.
Other big names include Armand Van Helden, Shy FX, Clementine Douglas, Ewan McVicar, Prospa, Rudim3ntal, and Chloé Caillet. Parklife 2026 will also feature a range of takeovers from the likes of XXL, Worried About Henry, Modern Funktion and Ghosts Of Garage.
It’ll be a busy weekend across Greater Manchester too. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has said more than a quarter of a million people will be travelling to the various events over the weekend.
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Over at the Etihad Stadium, Take That are set to perform a series of shows on all three days. Etihad Campus will also host the Women’s Netball Final at the Co-op Live from 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
The city will also welcome Lily Allen and the B52s across three nights at the AO Arena; and the Women’s Cricket World Cup will draw thousands to Emirates Old Trafford on 21 June when South Africa take on India.
You can read our full guide including when the festival starts and end, what you can take in and how to get there and home here.
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Saturday, 20 June stage splits and set times:
The Valley
Alexandria – 12-1pm
Prospa – 1-2:30pm
Josh Baker – 2:30-4pm
4am Kru – 4:30-6pm
Nia Archives – 6:30-7:30pm
Skepta – 8-9pm
Sammy Virji – 21:30-11pm
Panorama
Ellia Jaya – 12-1pm
Julian Fijma – 1-2:30pm
Bullet Tooth – 2:30-3:40pm
SOSA – 15:40 -5pm
Cloone – 5-6:30pm
Alisha – 6:30-8pm
Rossi – 8-9:30pm
East End Dubs – 9:30-11pm
Matinee
Niamh – 12-1pm
ATRIP – 1-2pm
mph – 2-3pm
Oppidan – 3-4pm
Effy – 4-5pm
Malugi B2B Sam Alfred – 5-6:30pm
Marlon Hoffstadt – 6:30-8pm
Morgan Seatree – 8-9pm
Mall Grab – 9-10pm
Daria Kolosova – 10-11pm
Magic Sky
North Base – 12-12:40pm
Catching Cairo – 12:40-1:25pm
LENS – 1:25-2:15pm
Born on Road – 2:15-3:05pm
Kanine – 3:03-4PM
Wilkinson – 4-5pm
Dimension – 5-6pm
Bou – 6-7pm
Hedex – 7-8pm
Andy C – 8-9pm
K Motionz – 9-10pm
Mozey – 10-10:50pm
G Stage
Mya – 12-1pm
A For Alpha – 1-2:30pm
The Trip – 2:30-4pm
Kepler – 4-5:30pm
Locky B2B Phill de Janeiro B2B Benji King – 5:30-7pm
England fans will be tuning in to the first of (hopefully) many World Cup 2026 matches on Thursday as the Three Lions face Croatia in Dallas.
London’s pubs are expected to be swarming well before kick-off at 9pm, with fan zones, restaurants, and bars all primed for crowds of England supporters.
But the later start also means the match will not finish until 11pm – throwing many people’s travel plans into jeopardy.
Unlike pubs – which will be opening beyond usual hours around some matches – the transport authority has not announced any plans for later trains or extended operating hours beyond its usual weekend night service.
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Luckily, we’ve spelt out exactly which lines will be running across the TfL network, plus some other ways of getting back home so you know for certain whether there is time for one more pint.
How to get home after England v Croatia
TfL is expecting a surge in late night travel across its 18 primary lines over the course of the tournament as fans make journeys across London to soak in the atmosphere of England’s most anticipated sporting event.
Tubes will be busier, especially as punters rush home to catch the last train after games.
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The last train from Elephant & Castle to Harrow & Wealdstone will depart at 23:47. Those looking to travel further than Harrow & Wealdstone will need to get the 23:58 service from Euston.
There is a later train at 00:23 from Elephant & Castle, terminating at Queen’s Park.
The last southbound train from Harrow & Wealdstone to Elephant & Castle departs at 23:54. There is one later train from Harrow & Wealdstone at 00:31, terminating at Queen’s Park.
Busy commuters make their way home
NurPhoto via Getty Images
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The last train from Epping to West Ruislip will depart at 23:45. Later trains will terminate early at Snaresbrook, Leytonstone, and Woodford.
The last train to West Ruislip from Liverpool Street is scheduled for 00:23.
The last train to Epping from West Ruislip will depart at 23:53.
The last eastbound train on the Circle line from Hammersmith departs at 00:30, terminating at Edgware Road.
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Those looking to get to Liverpool Street will need to catch an earlier service at 23:51 or 00:22.
The last westbound train from Edgware Road leaves at 00:05. A later service at 00:31 terminates at High Street Kensington.
On the District line, the last train from Ealing Broadway to Upminster will depart at 23:41. A later eastbound service will operate at 00:21 from Ealing Broadway, terminating at Hammersmith.
Westbound, the last train from Upminster to Ealing Broadway will depart at 23:44. The last train to Wimbledon will run at 00:49 from High Street Kensington, while last trains to Ealing Broadway will run at 00:52 from the same station.
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The last train on the Hammersmith & City line eastbound will depart from Hammersmith at 00:30, terminating at Edgware Road.
For services to Barking, the last train is at 00:22.
The last Westbound trains will leave at 00:36 from Aldgate, terminating at Hammersmith, or 00:41 from Aldgate, terminating at Edgware Road.
The last train from Barking will depart at 23:59.
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TfL is expecting a surge in night travel
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The last train southbound/eastbound from Stanmore will leave at 00:13 while the last train from Stratford northbound/westbound is scheduled for 00:11.
The Metropolitan line has later services for journeys to Wembley Park, Finchley Road, and Baker Street.
The final northbound service from Aldgate to Chesham departs at 00:03 while the last train to Uxbridge departs at 00:13.
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England fans are expected to arrive in their masses to cheer on the Three Lions
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Passengers can also take the 00:43 service from Baker Street to Uxbridge or the 00:49 train from Baker Street to Wembley Park.
Services to Watford depart at 23:48 from Aldgate or 00:12 from Baker Street.
The last trains to Aldgate leave at 23:06 from Uxbridge and 23:00 from Chesham.
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There are later trains at 23:30 and 23:23, but passengers may be required to change at Baker Street or Harrow-on-the-Hill to complete their journey.
On the Northern line, the last train from Morden to High Barnet leaves at 00:05. From Battersea Power Station to Edgware, the last train leaves at 00:28.
The last train from Edgware leaves at 00:52 and at 00:50 from High Barnet. The final southbound service from Finchley Central leaves at 01:13.
The last trains eastbound from Heathrow Terminal 5 and Uxbridge both leave at 00:18. The last train to Cockfosters leaves from Heathrow Terminal 5 at 23:42.
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From Rayners Lane, the last train eastbound leaves at 00:51, terminating at Acton Town.
Westbound, the last train from Cockfosters leaves at 23:54.
On the Victoria line, the last southbound train to Brixton leaves Walthamstow Central at 00:10.
There is one later train at 00:53 terminating at Seven Sisters.
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From Brixton, the last train leaves at 00:28.
The last train from Waterloo to Bank leaves at 00:20. From Bank to Waterloo, the last service is at 00:26.
The last service from Stratford to Woolwich Arsenal will depart at 00:15.
From Woolwich Arsenal, the last train will depart at 00:14.
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The last train to Lewisham from Bank will leave at 00:30. Trains to Bank from Lewisham will depart at 00:18.
Night buses are operating as usual through the night and of course, Londoners can use a host of e-bike operators, including Lime and Forest bikes.
But remember, it is illegal to ride an e-bike under the influence of alcohol.
Widow’s Bay sunsetted its bonkers summer season with a special stormy goodbye to its guests, who presumably booked their hols after Martha’s Vineyard had already been snapped up.
The tenth and final episode was titled We Hope You Enjoyed Your Time! I did, but Kenny and Ruth probably did not. And neither will eight others, if those tolling church bells are anything to go by.
The Apple TV show has been a sleeper summer hit, with word-of-mouth buzz that, increasingly, feels like a relic of a bygone TV-watching age.
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But that’s the whole point of Widow’s Bay: it’s like stepping back in time. There’s no phone service. Tom Loftis (a towering Matthew Rhys performance) has an actual Rolodex on his desk. The Lovely Bones is still a popular choice at book clubs.
The finale proved the island is even more antiquated than all that. For instance, they didn’t do away with human sacrifice as many years ago as the rest of us did. As a result, the show gifted us the most uncanny training video since Severance’s animated Keanu Reeves cameo.
Patricia and Wyck are trying their damndest to keep a handle on the unruly tourists (Picture: Apple TV)
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Widow’s Bay season two has already been confirmed. Good thing too, since showrunner Katie Dippold and her crack team of creatives/production design geniuses (still not over the Teeth game and/or Patricia’s grimoire) have some loose ends to tie up. So let’s break down that tour de force finale.
RIP Ruth (?)
The penultimate episode set up the finale as a trolley problem over whether or not to kill the sweet, doddering Ruth.
A telltale brooch and Rosemary’s genealogy identified her as the sole surviving descendant of Frances Warren. If she kicks the bucket, so too does the curse on Widow’s Bay.
Because Tom’s chant of ‘cancer, cancer, cancer’ doesn’t manifest the desired results in her medical files, he tries first a pill combination and then a pillow to get the job done. But ultimately, there’s no point.
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After a trip down memory lane through all the guys (and girls) who made a pass at her, Ruth tells Tom the thing she’s never told another soul. She had a child with a married man (‘Pullout method just doesn’t work!’). That daughter went on to marry Tom.
Ruth takes Tom on a trip down memory lane through all the guys (and girls) who made a pass at her (Picture: Robert Clark/Apple TV)
So if you’re one of the ravenous Widow’s Bay fans on Reddit who predicted Tom’s son Evan would be a Warren descendant, take a bow.
The only way he will be able to leave the island is in a coffin, or on his way into one. Tom realises he’ll never go to college/a Red Sox game after all.
But an unknowing Bashir walks in and shoots Ruth to save his child. I gasped.
Ruth is still alive when we last see her, but things don’t look good. If she does live, she might have found a taste for telling people about Evan’s ancestry.
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The shelter and that creepy training video
Surely if your storm shelter has a radioactive symbol by the door, don’t go in, right? That will be the homespun wisdom I’ll take from this episode, alongside ‘Never enter a room that contains a creepy torture chair’.
While Tom is debating whether to kill Ruth before being usurped, back at the shelter, the proverbial is hitting the fan. Patricia and Wyck are trying their damndest to keep a handle on it all, even with food and water supplies that are long past their best-by dates.
It’s not just unruly tourists. Everything about the shelter screams ‘Bad things have happened here! And will again!’ Rosemary was once instructed never to enter. Patricia finds a note that reads, ‘If you can read this, I’m already dead.’
It’s dire stuff. And we haven’t even got to what Dale finds.
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Dale makes a disturbing discovery in the shelter (Picture: Apple TV)
While pursuing the shelter backrooms for some light entertainment to weather the storm, he flicks on a vintage film reel. On it is an instructional video for human sacrifices of yore, as well as the ‘facilitators’ sending them down to their deaths.
We’re told that after a ‘very fair, very rigorous selection process’ the so-called offerings were chosen and had to ‘accept their fate and take pride’. Evidently Widow’s Bay was once upon a time even worse; if you were deemed ‘wanting in some way,’ the town hall was liable to toss you into the shelter to be consumed by whatever in God’s name is beneath that cellar hatch.
‘Your sacrifice will save countless members of our community from suffering,’ says the smiley yuppie on the video. Then they show harrowing images of half-naked offerings with sacks over their heads, being led to their demise.
Next is the key detail. The island has ‘made its needs known’ via the tolling church bell. ‘One soul for each bell toll.’
The tolling bells
We first heard the bells toll at the start of the show’s second episode, Lodgings. The late Reverend Bryce went to check on them and found both bells still locked up, covered in cobwebs.
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The bells are something of a dinner bell for the island, and we now know they’re also of numerical importance.
Evan is the last surviving descendant of Frances Warren (Picture: Apple TV)
PJ presumably had no idea about any of that when he shut Kenny in the creepy cellar. He’s always doing bad things at the worst possible time, such as sneaking into the underground network of tunnels to smoke a joint with Evan and that one mainland girl (who I’m starting to question might be a sinister siren of sorts, because how is she still holidaying on Widow’s Bay?).
Anyway, town hall cog Kenny is the island’s first victim we’ve seen. He gets stuck behind the self-locking door. Then: ‘Something’s happening!’ Before: ‘Oh God! Oh God!’ Whatever it is isn’t good. When Evan goes back in afterwards, the doors to its domain are slightly ajar.
Those bells toll again as the season ends with Tom throwing Ruth’s brooch in the sea (surely that means she’s dead?).
They ring out eight times, which makes sense given that when we last heard them, it was nine.
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So when we return to Widow’s Bay (hopefully soon), the island won’t yet have transformed into Martha’s Vineyard. It’s still hungry!
Bashir and his newborn
Will Bashir face justice for maybe killing Ruth? (Picture: Robert Clark/Apple TV)
We never see Bashir’s very sweet wife give birth, but we can only assume the baby is coming or has come. Their newborn is likely about to be consigned to the same fate as Evan: island entrapment.
But Bashir now knows there is a descendant who could lift the curse on his own child. That is shaping up to be the central quandary of season two, besides the question of which eight suckers are heading into the basement next.
Bashir has shown he’s willing to take matters into his own hands (justice for Ruth) and presumably, won’t see any consequences for it, since the rule of law seems conspicuously absent thus far.
Evan and Tom versus Bashir – who will take it? Or who should take it? We’re back to the trolley problems.
Thomas Tuchel says that he is “not ready to adapt” England’s playing style at the World Cup despite the heat – as it would “give up” the team’s strengths.
Since starting his job as head coach in January 2025, Tuchel has made a point of saying how much he likes the physicality of English domestic football and that the national side should replicate that style.
The 52-year-old’s squad selections have followed that thinking with an emphasis on physicality and powerful running when he picked his 26-man squad for the tournament.
“They want to be active with the ball,” the German told BBC Sport about his England side before their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday (21:00 BST).
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“We have a young group. We have a courageous group. We have a brave group of players.
“So let’s let’s go for it. I mean, no one guarantees you that we win. So we want to at least try it, our style and our belief.”
The temperatures in the USA, Mexico and Canada are extremely high and mandatory hydration breaks have been introduced in all matches, effectively breaking them into quarters.
And speaking at the news conference before the Croatia match, Tuchel said hydration breaks can “change the character of each half”.
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He acknowledged the three-minute intervals give coaches chance to “change and reset” during games while delivering “group messages”.
Temperatures in Dallas will be more than 30C by the time England kick off their opening Group L game – but the effects of the heat will be reduced because the Dallas Stadium is one of the air-conditioned indoor venues being used at this World Cup.
And starting the tournament in that stadium has given Tuchel belief that his side can impose their style on Croatia “because we play indoors”.
But the England boss did reference the impact of the heat has had on his players at their Kansas City training base.
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“Yesterday, it was very hot even here in training,” Tuchel said.
“And we could feel that it has a more impact than, for example, today. So let’s see.
“I’m just not ready to adapt into a different style of football because of circumstances that we cannot influence. I think we would just give up our strengths.”
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