By BEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 16:35 BST, 5 July 2026 | Updated: 16:44 BST, 5 July 2026

A wedding anniversary turned sour after a couple travelled 160 miles to Wrexham. Following a three-and-a-half-hour journey with their two young daughters, the couple claim they arrived to find their hotel was “nothing like” the photographs they had viewed online.

“In the pictures we’d seen, it looked lovely, a nice country hotel,” said Jaye Grainge, a nurse from Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham. “When we arrived, we wondered if we’d got the right place.

“The lawns weren’t being cut, so it looked unkempt, and the render was coming off the hotel walls. We thought, well, it doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside, so long as the hotel is nice on the inside.”

To their dismay, the couple alleged the hotel’s interior was in an even worse state. Full story here

Djokovic, meanwhile, now 39, had to overcome a sticky first-round against unknown Chinese player Yibing Wu – who took a set off the veteran – before he breezed past Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the second. He was stretched to four sets by French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in his most recent outing, but his star quality showed in a flawless tiebreak to seal a morale-bolstering win. Keep up to date with all the latest on Centre Court with our live blog below, with expert insight and analysis from Oli Gent at Wimbledon.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Despite police blockades, dozens of Mexican fans gathered outside the England national team’s hotel until the early hours of Sunday morning, hoping to disrupt players’ sleep ahead of their World Cup round-of-16 match against co-host Mexico.

Armed with loudspeakers, horns and fireworks, the crowd gathered outside the JW Marriott hotel in Santa Fe, in the western part of Mexico City and did its best to disturb the guests.

Earlier in the week, “El Tri” supporters deployed the same tactics before a crucial match against Ecuador — Mexico won 2–0 — prompting the Ecuadorian football federation to file a formal complaint with organizers.

England manager Thomas Tuchel anticipated the disruption but downplayed its potential impact.

“We have a 6 p.m. (Sunday) kickoff, so if we miss some hours of sleep, we’ll make them up in the late morning,” Tuchel said on Saturday.

These late-night hotel “serenades” are an entrenched and polarizing tradition in Latin American football. While they began as a passionate display of support for the home team, they have increasingly evolved into a psychological weapon designed to deprive opponents of sleep.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

City of York Council is closing roads to vehicles for the parade linked to the popular Haxby Carnival scheduled for Saturday, July 11.

The closure will be in effect from 10:45am to 11:25am.

The town parade is traditionally led by hundreds of children and group leaders finishing in a makeshift carnival showground in Ethel Ward Playing Field in York Road. In 2024, the City of York pipe band led the procession.

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The affected areas include The Village, between its junctions with Westfield Road and Station Road.

York Road from its junction with Station Road to its junction with Calf Close is also affected, as is the section of Calf Close number 110 and the junction with York Road.

Alternative routes for diverted traffic will be signposted and will include Station Road, Usher Lane, Crossmoor Lane, Moor Lane, and The Village, the council said.

Emergency vehicle access will be maintained throughout the event.

Traffic signs and barriers will be in place to mark the extent of the restrictions.

The on court action continued on day seven of Wimbledon on Sunday, with a starry crowd of tennis fans packing the sun-drenched stands. 

Simon Cowell’s partner Lauren Silverman enjoyed the Novak Djokovic vs Roman Safiullin match on Centre Court with her close friend Bruno Tonioli.

Lauren, 48, looking chic in a blue shirt dress, couldn’t hide her worried expressions during the tense clash, whilst Bruno, 70, gasped alongside her. 

Desperate Housewives icon Vanessa Williams, 63, meanwhile led the VIP crowd at SW19, dressing for another day of scorching temperatures in a glam floral print dress.

The actress, who will wrap up her long West End stint in The Devil Wears Prada in October, stood out in the bold green and red halterneck dress which showcased her toned arms.

As is traditional at Wimbledon during the middle weekend, sports icons were invited into the Royal Box.  

Lauren, 48, looking chic in a blue shirt dress, couldn’t hide her worried expressions during the tense clash, whilst Bruno, 70, gasped alongside her

The Olympians were out in force, with Dame Jessica Ennis Hill arriving arm in arm with her husband Andy.

Retired heptathlete Jessica looked gorgeous in a chic white wrapover jacket and matching trousers. 

Cyclists Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Jason Kenny also dressed to the nines for the day out, with Laura showing off her statement heels and bag.

Dame Kelly Holmes wowed in a blue and white paisley dress, flaunting her tattooed muscles in the London sunshine.

Paula Radcliffe, Sir Geoff Hurst, Matt Dawson, James Haskell, Graeme Souness and Sue Barker were also spotted in the Royal Box along with Paris 2024 triathlon medal winner Alex Yee.

The sports stars all waved to the cheering crowds after being introduced by Clare Balding. 

The Wimbledon action continues today with the focus on Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka.

The world number one faces off against the four-time Grand Slam champion.

Elsewhere Novak Djokovic continues on his quest for another Wimbledon title and a record-extending run at the Championships in his match against Roman Safiullin.

Bruno looked dapper in a cream blazer and blue shirt to match his pal’s

Lauren showed off her tennis look as she stood up, accessorising with a chic bag 

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The scorching temperatures got to Lauren at one point, as she cooled down with the help of a pretty fan 

Bruno could barely keep it together, clutching his glass of wine during a dramatic point

The pair seemed relieve at one crucial point as they cheered alongside the crowd around them 

Desperate Housewives icon Vanessa Williams , 63, meanwhile led the VIP crowd at SW19, dressing for another day of scorching temperatures 

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The actress, who will wrap up her long West End stint in The Devil Wears Prada in October, stood out in the bold green and red halterneck dress which showcased her toned arms

The Olympians were also out in force for the first weekend of tennis, with Dame Jessica Ennis Hill arriving arm in arm with her husband Andy

Cyclists Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Jason Kenny also dressed to the nines for the day out, with Laura showing off her statement heels and bag

Dame Kelly Holmes wowed in a blue and white paisley dress, flaunting her tattooed muscles in the London sunshine

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Paula Radcliffe was chic in a pleated navy blue dress and matching heels 

ITV stars Robert Rinder and Lorraine Kelly larked around with their Pimms before taking their seats

Jenni Falconer beat the heat in her plunging white dress and pretty floral bag

Arthur Fery is the last Brit standing after beating Zizou Bergs in an epic four hour clash on Saturday night to earn his place in the final 16.

Belgian Bergs won two of the first three sets and led by 4-1 in both the fourth and the fifth. But Fery kept plugging away and came through 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 7-6. 

With his victory, Fery will enter the world’s top 100 for the first time.

‘No words for it. I don’t know what is going on right now. It will take time to digest it,’ said 23-year-old Fery. 

‘I just tried to stay in the match, backing myself as a competitor.’ Fery will take on Grigor Dimitrov on Centre Court on Monday afternoon. 

As is traditional at Wimbledon during the middle weekend, sports icons were invited into the Royal Box. Dame Laura and SIr Jason beamed as they were introduced to the crowd

Dame Kelly Holmes and the Olympians were introduced by BBC presenter Clare Balding and stood up to greet the cheering crowds 

Rugby legends Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn-Jones and James Haskell enjoyed the middle weekend on court action 

1966 World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst enjoyed a day of tennis before England’s World Cup clash later 

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Jessica Ennis Hill had a warm greeting for rugby union star Rosie Galligan

Ex tennis player and BBC presenter Sue Barker made her return to Wimbledon

Ice skating legend Jayne Torvill beamed and waved at the crowds 

Officers are becoming increasingly concerned, a force spokesperson has said

Police are urgently appealing for help to find a missing person from Oldham.

The person, referred to as Ajay, is described as white with a slim build, pink short hair with dark roots, facial piercings and neck tattoos.

They were last known to be wearing a black hoodie, black t-shirt and black joggers. Greater Manchester Police have said officers are becoming increasingly concerned for their welfare.

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Posting on social media, GMP Oldham wrote: “Ajay was last known to be wearing a black hoodie, black t-shirt and black joggers.“Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about Ajay and want to make sure they are safe and well.”Anyone with information about Ajay’s whereabouts should contact police on 101, quoting MSP/06QQ/0001224/26.

NEW YORK (AP) — A shooting at a Fourth of July cookout near New York’s Coney Island beach wounded eight people, including four children, police said.

One of the victims, a 21-year-old woman, was in critical condition while the others were described as being stable and expected to survive, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Sunday.

The shooting broke out Saturday night in the courtyard of an apartment building about a block from the famed Coney Island boardwalk and not far from the site of the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest held earlier on the holiday.

The police commissioner said a suspect wearing a black mask fired into the courtyard where a family had gathered for a cookout. The shooter fled but police did recover a gun, Tisch said.

The four children shot are ages 6, 7, 12 and 14, Tisch said. There were no reports of any earlier disturbances at the gathering, she said.

An investigation is underway

A man has been injured in a stabbing following an incident in Oldham. Officers were called out to Rochdale Road, in Royton, at 2.49am today (Sunday, July 5).

Greater Manchester Police said a 29-year-old man suffered injuries which were ‘consistent with a knife wound’. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

An investigation has been launched and enquiries remain ongoing this afternoon. No arrests have been made in connection with the stabbing so far.

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Officers were seen in attendance carrying out enquiries on Rochdale Road on Sunday morning. A cordon was seen at the car park outside the Co-op and Hays Travel.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Officers were called to reports of a stabbing on Rochdale Road, Royton, at 2:49am this morning. A 29-year-old man sustained injuries consistent with a knife wound, however, they are not believed to be life-threatening.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.” Anyone with information can contact GMP on 101, online using LiveChat, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

US Vice President JD Vance has said Andy Burnham ‘or somebody else’ must deliver ‘significant change’ for Britain, as fears mount that the incoming Prime Minister could be on a collision course with President Donald Trump.

Burnham is set to be the seventh UK Prime Minister in just ten years, a level of political churn which Vance suggested points to a deeper malaise.

He argued the rapid turnover shows ‘something is very broken about British politics and that people are really crying out for significant structural change’.

In a subtle swipe at Burnham, the White House second-in-command questioned whether he was the right person to deliver that transformation, hinting that ‘somebody else’ may ultimately prove better suited to the task.

‘I hope that Andy Burnham – and if not Andy Burnham, somebody else – is able to deliver it,’ he said, ‘Because Britain is such a beautiful country, such an amazing place.’

Vance and Trump appear to share similar scepticism about Andy Burnham’s capacity to provide the upheaval they say the UK needs.

The President unleashed withering fire on Burnham last week when he wrote off the Manchester mayor as ‘extremely liberal‘, and admitted that he did not know much about him.

Anglo-American relations have been somewhat shaky during Keir Starmer’s premiership.

Trump summed this up in a typically blunt fashion when he first heard of Sir Keir’s resignation. He wrote a damning Truth Social post, saying the PM had ‘failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!)’.

After Trump hit out at the UK, saying Starmer had ‘failed badly’ on immigration and energy, fears of further tension were ignited when Trump slammed Burnham as ‘extremely liberal’ and admitted he didn’t know much about him

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Vance echoed Trump on Burnham, telling the Sunday Times: ‘I don’t know a lot about Andy Burnham’, but added more diplomatically, ‘Obviously, Britain is one of our closest and most important allies.

‘So whoever is the prime minister, we’re going to work with them and work with them as successfully as we can.’

But Burnham has not taken this transatlantic criticism lying down, previously warning about the ‘poisonous’ nature of American-style politics and accusing Trump of bringing ‘instability’ to the US and the world.

The MP for Makerfield appears to believe that he is indeed the man to bring about structural change, but perhaps in a different way from what Trump and Vance are suggesting.

Burnham appears to recognise a problem with an ‘out-of-touch Left-progressive establishment’ that has failed to address working-class concerns. He argues this caused a rise in what he calls the ‘new radical Right’.

In his 2024 book ‘Head North’, Burnham and Liverpool City Mayor Steve Rotheram wrote, ‘whether we like it or not, Donald Trump and Nigel Farage have been effective in connecting with people who feel politicians have neglected the place where they live.’

In his speech setting out his vision for the UK last Monday, Burnham took a different tack to make the ‘structural change’ that Vance was calling for.

He suggested the devolution of power and decentralisation of government, with the establishment of a new power base he dubbed ‘No. 10 North’ in Manchester, would be the answer.

But the former mayor’s speech failed to set out his position on the American politicians’ most notable criticisms, which centre around UK policy on immigration and environmentalism.

Neither issue was mentioned at all.

Burnham struck back and slammed US politics as ‘poisonous’ but failed to set out his position on immigration and energy. Instead, his idea for structural change is the devolution of power, he said in his speech last Monday

Vance has said Britain ‘has been failed by its leadership for a long time’ on immigration.

The Vice President became involved in UK politics to this end last month when he slammed Keir Starmer on the murder of Henry Nowak, 18, in Southampton in December 2025.

His murderer, a Sikh man, Vikrum Digwa, stabbed Mr Nowak and then falsely told police at the scene the teenager had racially abused him. Police handcuffed and arrested him as he lay dying in the street.

There should be ‘righteous anger’ in response to the killing, he said, which he blamed on ‘the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants’.

Number 10 struck back, hitting out at ‘people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets’.

The US State Department, headed by Marco Rubio, had also linked ‘two-tier policing’ to Mr Nowak’s death, which was rejected by Downing Street.

Just weeks earlier, Vance urged anti-immigration protesters in the UK to ‘keep on going’ and called on Britain to follow America in protecting its borders.

The Catholic politician has also in the past accused the UK of curbing free speech over abortion clinic buffer zones.

Explaining his stance, Mr Vance said: ‘To the extent that the President or I, or secretary Rubio, are going into European institutions and encouraging people to be better, it comes from a perspective of love and admiration.

‘Even though sometimes what we say is provocative.’

Meanwhile, Mr Trump used the Fourth of July celebrations to take another sideswipe at his transatlantic allies.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the President said: ‘Europe is learning that when you take in Third World criminals, you become a Third World Country. It happens quickly, in just a blink of the eye. I was elected just in time!!!’