Keir Starmer’s regime got off to the worst possible start two years ago when, as soon as he took power, he said things were in a dire state, then his Chancellor discovered a £20bn black hole that meant things had to get even worse and to prove it, she clobbered the pensioners.

Andy Burnham’s reign has started in the opposite way. He says he wants to “bring back hope” and his first real announcement has been to remove VAT from electricity while saying that his cost-of-living government will “take that little bit of pressure off people’s shoulders”.

Now the £45 the VAT removal will save is paltry, especially as most of it will disappear when energy prices go up, as scheduled, this autumn.

But it is better than the slap that Rachel Reeves delivered when she tried to remove all pensioners’ winter fuel payments.

It will be interesting to see whether new Chancellor, John Healey, can convince us that this money is coming from a genuine saving that is being made by scrapping the digital ID scheme or whether it is just another visit to the magic money tree.

Mr Healey, though, is a surprise but stable appointment as Chancellor. He was respected as Defence Secretary and his resignation fatally wounded Mr Starmer’s government because it was over a point of principle, unlike Wes Streeting’s performative departure.

Now it falls to Mr Healey to find new money, from a country that is heavily taxed but without any spare change, to pay the billions needed to upscale our defence.

Mr Burnham might be hinting that things can only get better but the truth, for him at least, is that things will only get harder now he has to deliver from the hot seat.

This follows earlier Parkinson’s research

Researchers wonder whether this means breathing techniques might be good for our brains

A seven-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl have tragically died after being thrown from a boat that reportedly struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker off Berkeley Township, New Jersey, during a trip with their grandparents.

Two young children have died tragically following a collision between their boat and a channel marker.

The nine year old girl and seven year old boy were flung from a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 on Saturday night into waters off Berkeley Township, New Jersey. State Police confirmed the vessel struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker, causing both children to be thrown overboard.

Boat operator Stephen Schneider, 63, and fellow passenger Laurie Schneider, 64, found the children unconscious in the water, according to reports. The pair are believed to be the youngsters’ grandparents, as per ABC7.

Jersey Shore Online sources revealed the group had visited MJ’s Restaurant Bar and Grill prior to embarking on the boat.

After the incident, the children were taken to hospital where Garden State officials confirmed they were declared dead, reports the Daily Star.

The New Jersey State Police released a statement saying: “On July 19, at approximately 9:09 pm, troopers responded to the report of a serious vessel crash in the Berkeley Township Bay Area.

“Based on a preliminary investigation, a Tidewater Custom 280 30-foot vessel, while travelling through the Intercoastal Waterway, struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker, causing a 9 year old juvenile female and a 7 year old juvenile male to be ejected into the water.

“The operator, Stephen Schneider, a 63 year old male from Bayville, NJ, and occupant Laurie Schneider, a 64 year old female from Bayville, found the juveniles unresponsive in the water.

“The youngsters were taken to a local hospital, where they were declared dead. This boat accident is still under investigation, and no further information is available.”

Meanwhile, flights have been grounded at a major airport following a devastating blaze in the vicinity, which has tragically claimed the lives of two firefighters.

Local reports indicate the inferno ignited on Avenue Roland Garros, near Bordeaux Airport’s long-term P4 car park, rapidly engulfing approximately one hectare since erupting at around 2.30pm local time.

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the deaths of two firefighters battling the blaze. Departures from Bordeaux Airport were temporarily halted, with numerous surrounding roads cordoned off to allow emergency services to respond to the crisis.

Fire crews continued their efforts to extinguish the flames as dense black smoke billowed into the sky, though the situation is now believed to be under control. Normal flight operations have since resumed at the airport.

Surrey Police have confirmed that the crash was caused by a lorry crashing into an embankment.

In a statement released earlier, the force said: “Officers were called to J6 of the M25 shortly before 9.20am this morning following a report of a single vehicle collision on the anticlockwise carriageway involving a lorry.

“The lorry driver was safely removed from the vehicle.

“No arrests have been made.

“Highways England are facilitating recovery of the lorry and any necessary lane closures in order to do so.”

Political correspondent Dave Burke writes in…One decision Andy Burnham will have to make quickly is whether to scrap David Lammy’s controversial jury trial reforms.

Under proposals put before Parliament, Mr Lammy said jury trials would be limited to cases with a likely sentence of three years or more.

This sparked an outcry, but the former Justice Secretary – who left the government yesterday – defended it by saying it was necessary to clear court backlogs.

The change of government will add to calls to do away with the plan.

But the PM’s official spokesman was tight-lipped about what Mr Burnham plans to do.

He told reporters today: “I’m not going to get into speculation over possible policy positions of every subject today.

“The Prime Minister has said before that he understands the pressure on the courts and the impact of thousands of victims waiting years for justice, and that this is not acceptable. But we will update in due course on that.”

There have been indications that Mr Burnham is sceptical – adding to speculation the policy could be reversed.

He urged ministers to pause the plans last year, stating: “My instinctive reaction is… I think proceed with huge caution and do not take away something that’s a lynchpin of a fair society. My call on the Government is to pause this and take a step back and have proper consideration.

“I understand the pressure on the courts but this is about a fundamental part of our country. It has to proceed with broad consent if it’s to proceed. Perhaps there’s a case in some trials not to have a full jury trial. But it should be done with the broadest possible consent in society.”

New Justice Secretary Alex Norris said his prorities are delivering swifter justice and safer communities.

But a statement issued through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) did not specifically mention the reforms.

A Labour council leader who called St George’s flag campaigners ‘criminals’ and ‘nonces’ was the subject of a formal complaint, later dismissed, alleging he made racist comments about Nigerians, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Jeremy Newmark, leader of Hertsmere Council in Hertfordshire, allegedly called Nigerians ‘crooks’ and said they ‘cannot be trusted’, according to an official standards complaint seen by this newspaper but was later cleared by a standards panel.

The complaint was made by ex-borough mayor Alpha Bird Collins, a former Labour councillor now part of a local group named Hertsmere First.

After a string of recent revelations and a by-election loss which evaporated the Labour-Liberal Democrat administration’s majority on the council, Mr Newmark and the council’s leadership face a vote of no confidence tabled by Reform UK councillors in the coming weeks.

Speaking to the Mail, Mr Collins said he had been invited to an international business conference in Liverpool organised by Nigerian entrepreneurs during his time as mayor.

According to the complaint, Mr Newmark allegedly said after being told of the mayor’s plans to attend the conference: ‘You cannot just go there like that, we have to do our due diligence because you know the Nigerians are crooks.’

Mr Collins told the Mail: ‘It’s absurd and heart-wrenching that a councillor should label and discriminate.’

The former mayor accused Mr Newmark of making ‘racist’ remarks and said he had challenged him ‘openly, publicly’ but a council standards panel dismissed the complaint.

When it considered the allegations in June, the council said Mr Collins had submitted the claim five months after the alleged remarks were made with ‘no explanation’.

The ex-mayor did not provide any evidence or produce witnesses, the council claimed. 

It added the ‘only officer’ present at the meeting between Mr Collins and Mr Newmark ‘had no recollection’ of such remarks being made. 

In his complaint, Mr Collins also alleged that Mr Newmark ‘fabricated’ that Liberian people ‘hated’ LGBTQ people and were ‘homophobic’.

Mr Collins, who is Liberian, had invited the country’s ambassador to the council for a photo opportunity which Mr Newmark attended.

The ex-mayor complained about Mr Newmark’s remarks afterwards, made to a council meeting, about Liberia’s sexuality laws.

Mr Newmark said there ‘wasn’t an appropriate opportunity for me to raise those issues’ during the visit but that he was aware of the ‘shocking treatment’ of LGBTQ people in Liberia.

He added the ‘conversational element’ of the ambassador’s visit had been ‘configured in a rather strange way’.

Though Mr Collins said the leader’s remarks amounted to him saying Liberians ‘hated’ LGBTQ people and were ‘homophobic’ but the council said it was ‘abundantly clear’ that Mr Newmark ‘had not made any of the remarks attributed to him’.

It added Mr Newmark’s comment on Liberia, ‘where consenting same-sex activity is criminalised’, could not have been ‘reasonably interpreted’ in the manner Mr Collins described. 

The former mayor said he was dissatisfied with the way his complaint against the council leader had been handled. 

‘My official complaint, I put it to him but now, after pressure, they haven’t done anything about it,’ he said.

In September last year Mr Newmark branded campaigners with Operation Raise The Colours, a movement to mount St George’s and Union flags in communities across the country, ‘nonces’ and ‘criminals‘.

He also accused the group of being ‘an organised and orchestrated attempt by a bunch of criminals, extremists, nonces to hijack our national flag’.

The local authority’s Conservative group called at the time for Mr Newmark, who later apologised for his comments, to resign.

Alpha Bird Collins, a former Labour councillor who served as the borough’s mayor, said Mr Newmark’s remarks were ‘racist’ and that he should apologise

And in March last year, Mr Newmark claimed a Tory finance spokesman had used an ‘antisemitic trope’ suggesting the Labour leader ‘orchestrates everything in this chamber’.

Abhishek Sachdev made the remark during a speech on the council’s budget for the past year.

The Labour leader said Mr Sachdev’s comments were ‘straight out of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion’, referring to an antisemitic publication which falsely details a Jewish plot for global domination.

Morris Bright, the Tory leader on the council, branded Mr Newmark a ‘disgrace’. 

The Labour man later said he had not suggested Mr Sachdev had ‘any harmful intent’ with his words, nor did he accuse him of being an antisemite.

Mr Newmark’s Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition has been mired by scandal in recent months, with this newspaper reporting a string of revelations over planning efforts.

Chris Myers, a Labour councillor, suggested the party’s group ‘start planning sites where we can’t win seats’ and ‘take the political decision not to go near’ a planning application for 900 homes.

And another Labour member, Aaditya Kaza, was recorded seemingly admitting the party’s members were told how to vote on at least one planning application, believed to be related to an effort to build on land next to Aldenham reservoir.

Mr Kaza said his comments had been taken out of context.

Last month Mr Newmark’s administration lost its majority in Hertsmere after a by-election saw the Liberal Democrats lose to the Conservatives, dissolving the coalition’s previous one-seat advantage.

Now the council’s two Reform councillors have tabled a motion of no confidence in Mr Newmark and his administration, saying they have ‘ongoing concerns about leadership, transparency and the direction of our council’.

Mr Newmark, who has led the council since 2023, stood unsuccessfully for the Finchley and Golders Green parliamentary seat once held by Margaret Thatcher in 2017.

The following year he stood down from the Jewish Labour Movement after alleged inappropriate spending at the Jewish Leadership Council while he was chief executive.

There had previously been speculation that former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had been preparing to elevate Mr Newmark to the House of Lords.

If all it took for the Iran war to be over, let alone “won”, was non-stop bombing by America, victory would long ago have been delivered to the White House.

And yet, despite the dozens of times that Donald Trump has declared his campaign done and dusted, it still rumbles on. The “memorandum of understanding” signed less than a month ago has been disowned by both sides, and both have escalated the conflict once again.

Iran has been firing at US bases and other targets in Jordan and the Gulf, with some American casualties. The US has conducted a bombing campaign for 10 consecutive days to “further degrade” Tehran’s ability to attack shipping in the Persian Gulf and control the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have announced a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia.

Analogous to the Strait of Hormuz, if the Houthis do succeed in closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea, they would effectively choke off traffic moving through the Suez Canal.

With the perspective of only a few weeks of steadily increasing military activity, it is apparent that the American strategy is failing, and that President Trump, egged on by his friend and ally Benjamin Netanyahu, has caught himself in a trap of his own making. Like a snare, the harder the US tries to extricate itself, the tighter and more painful the noose becomes.

So the more Mr Trump bombs, the higher the oil price, and the reaction domestically and in financial markets forces him to either bomb more heavily or else “chicken out”. An all-out war involving enormous US land forces and risking civil war in Iran is unthinkable. Hence this endless cycle.

When America attacks Iran, every retaliatory strike – as Tehran has proved it can still deliver – risks making the entire region more unstable, sending gas and oil prices soaring and hitting even the supposedly self-sufficient United States.

A barrel of oil is trading around $85 again, roughly where it was when the war broke out in early March. The $4 gallon of gasoline is once again a fearful and resented fact of life at US pumps. It is no surprise that, when also accounting for some weariness at his usual antics, President Trump’s approval ratings are at historic lows.

Some heavy defeats at the midterm elections in November beckon. That, in turn, will lead to Mr Trump losing control of both houses of the legislature, fresh impeachment action, Epstein-related disclosures, and general chaos. His reputation, such as it is, will be dragged down even lower – and he himself will qualify for the title of “worst president in history”. The Nobel Peace Prize has certainly slipped over the horizon.

The president sometimes pleads that this has only been a short war with low casualties by historical standards. True – but in its own way, it is just as intractable as Vietnam or Iraq, for example, and for similar reasons. Once again, the enemy is smaller and weaker than the nuclear superpower ranged against it, but by using “asymmetric” techniques – such as cheap air and sea drones, in this case – by lashing out at lightly defended US local allies, and, above all, by holding the global economy hostage, Iran can defy America and win just by surviving.

The stage has been reached where nervous Republicans may soon tire of being sidelined by the president. Congress, using the war powers and budgetary controls it already possesses, might finally stir itself to pressure Mr Trump into a settlement with Iran, and a withdrawal. In this effort, they could be joined by a military unable to see an honourable conclusion the longer this goes on. What remains of the Department of State should surely be concerned at how this debilitating conflict leaves the US weaker while China and Russia continue to back Iran with impunity.

But on what terms to settle? The latest US intelligence suggests that Iran is unlikely to soften its negotiating position as a result of new rounds of strikes. A purely military solution is impossible while the Islamic Republic continues to function. Tehran will not unconditionally surrender, as was once supposed.

Negotiation on the best terms America can secure is the least worst option, even at the cost of some humiliation. For the world, for America, and for the president himself, that is preferable to more loss of life and economic damage before accepting the inevitable. The first step is simple: stop the bombing.

Spain’s dramatic victory over Argentina in the World Cup final completed what has been a tumultuous yet exhilarating tournament, providing us with a number of incredible moments and sublime performances.

As the dust settles, it’s time to look back and discuss the truly elite performers from the tournament from each position and the moments that defined their campaigns.

From members of the victorious Spanish side to star performers from the tournament’s dark horses, Daily Mail Sport looks at SofaScore’s 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament…

GK: Gregor Kobel (Switzerland) – 7.52

While the Swiss No 1’s inclusion may be a surprise to some football fans, it could not be more deserved. The Borussia Dortmund keeper gloriously maintained the stellar reputation of Swiss goalkeepers in modern football.

Stepping into the very large shoes – or gloves – of the legendary Yann Sommer he turned in a series of standout performances.

The earliest of those came against Canada, in which he prevented a chance with a staggering 0.99 XG. He followed it against Colombia in the last 16, when he was the shootout hero by saving the crucial fourth penalty during the shootout, sending his country through to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.

Moreover, Kobel continued to prove his ability to perform as the ideal modern goalkeeper. Throughout the tournament the Dortmund man maintained a 75 per cent pass completion rate, even achieving an 83 percent and above pass completion rate in the opening three group games.

LB: Marc Cucurella (Spain) – 7.09

The first member of the 2026 world champions in SofaScore’s team is unsurprisingly Real Madrid’s latest acquisition. A man who often divides opinion and earns a large amount of criticism off the pitch has been superb on it throughout the tournament.

Cucurella maintained an admirable level of consistency, completing 398 out of 431 passes across his eight appearances whilst also achieving 25 ball recoveries and nine clearances.

His attacking contributions were not minimal either as he was a constant threat to opposing defences down in De La Fuente’s 4-2-3-1 system and contributed two assists in Spain’s 3-0 victory over Austria, the Spaniard once again silencing his critics on the world stage.

CB: Aymeric Laporte (Spain) – 7.40

As is expected the vast majority of the back four from this elite XI are Spanish as the champions only conceded one goal in the tournament. One central pillar of their back four was Athletic Bilbao’s warhorse, Aymeric Laporte.

Now entering the latter stages of his career at 32 there were doubts over Laporte’s quality but De La Fuente was vindicated in his decision to start the former Manchester City man in every game of their campaign.

The former Premier League winner impressed both on the eye and on the stat sheet as Laporte achieved; a 93.47 per cent pass completion rate, 15 interceptions as well as a staggering 29 clearances on his way to World Cup glory.

CB: Pau Cubarsi (Spain) – 7.56

Next up is Laporte’s right-sided partner Pau Cubarsi. The Barcelona man became only the ninth player to have won the World Cup before their 20th birthday and joins Kylian Mbappe in a two-man club of players who have won the Young Player of the Tournament award alongside a winner’s medal as a teenager.

Cubarsi’s composure and quality on the ball – combined with his capacity for brutish and brave defensive contributions when required – reminded fans of the Spanish centre halves that anchored Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning team.

While starting every game for his nation at the tournament this incredible young talent was able to maintain a 96.13 per cent pass completion rate, even besting his centre back partner 13 years his senior. he also achieved five interceptions, 32 clearances and two blocked shots, making the decision to award YPOTT to the Spaniard a no-brainer.

Pedro Porro (left) and Pau Cubarsi track Kylian Mbappe in Spain’s semi-final win over France

RB: Pedro Porro (Spain) – 7.54

Completing the back four is Cucurella’s full-back partner in De La Fuente’s winning system, Pedro Porro. Despite being part of a Spurs team that finished one place above the Premier League drop zone, the right back was crucial to Spain’s success.

Whilst Porro is the only member of the Spanish ensemble included in this XI to have not started every game of the World Cup, his impact was key.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the grudge match we saw Spain compete in against France belonged to Porro. He netted the second goal in their victory and the 2-0 only goal from open play, whilst also helping Spain to a clean sheet against the joint most prolific side at the tournament.

His performances reflected a keen desire and ability to contribute going forward with the two excellent goals scored against France and Austria but he was no defensive slouch either, with the full back racking up eight interceptions, 14 clearances and 30 ball recoveries across the tournament.

CDM: Rodri (Spain) – 7.76

No prizes for guessing who anchors this star-studded midfield three, as it could not have been anyone else but Rodri.

Over the last four weeks the 2024 Ballon D’or winner has only further solidified his reputation as one of the all-time greats.

The fact that a player who did not register a single goal and just 1 assist can unanimously be the POTT speaks so highly to Rodri’s brilliance in his position, combining traditional Spanish elegance with defensive discipline.

The Manchester City midfielder was at the heart of everything the Spanish did at either end of the pitch, with 11 key passes, 26 tackles and 11 clearances over 726 minutes on the field.

CAM: Jude Bellingham (England) 7.81

Entering the more attacking section of the midfield, one obvious inclusion is our very own Madrista. During this tournament it is fair to say that Jude Bellingham provided the greatest World Cup campaign we have seen from an England player in 60 years.

England’s No10 was world class from the word go, scoring in two of England’s group games and marshalling the midfield with incredible maturity. 

It was clear he should make waves in the knockouts, but even the most ambitious England fans would not have anticipated a brace in both the round of 16 clash against Mexico and the quarter-final against Norway. Bellingham’s performances at the Azteca and Hard Rock Stadiums will be spoken about for years to come as the Birmingham-born midfielder wrote himself into English football folklore.

Yes, England fell short in the end but Bellingham’s displays were almost flawless. Seven goals, one assist, 14 tackles and three big chances created are amongst just some of the stats that demonstrate the England man’s heroic performances.

Jude Bellingham scores his seventh of the tournament in the crazy 6-4 win over France

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CAM: Ousmane Dembele (France) 7.91

The first member of France’s team to make this XI is of course the Ballon D’or holder and back-to-back Champions League final scorer and winner. With the form Dembele took into this tournament it was inevitable that he would further demonstrate his quality.

Even in a team with so many superstars and egos Dembele stood out amongst the best. Six goals – including a marvellous hat-trick against Norway – placed the PSG forward at joint fifth place in the scoring charts and his link-up play with Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe provided some exhilarating moments during France’s journey and resulted in two assists for Dembele.

Despite France leaving the tournament with something of a whimper in their semi-final defeat by Spain, Dembele displayed his quality on the major international stage for the first real time and was one third of the joint most potent attacking force at the tournament. Dembele and Co’s stellar performances have given us a taste of what is still to come for this young, free-flowing French squad.

RW: Lionel Messi (Argentina) 8.79

What is there left to say about this man? A genius. The greatest of all time confirmed what we already knew and then some at this tournament.

With many critics saying that the 39-year-old was a spent force coming into the tournament the little man proved them all wrong – and achieved the highest average SofaScore rating of any player at this year’s tournament. Messi achieved his highest ever output at a World Cup, scoring an astounding eight goals and registering four assists.

The little magician provided us with some of the greatest moments in World Cup history: a hat-trick in the opening match, a goal and assist to save his nation from the brink of elimination against Egypt and, of course, two goals in seven minutes to send England packing in the semi-final.

He may have fallen short at the final hurdle this time, however his legacy on the world stage is unquestionable. We seldom see a footballer perform at such a high level so late in his career, but then again Lionel Messi is no normal footballer.

Lionel Messi scored eight goals but couldn’t quite secure back-to-back World Cup triumphs

ST: Erling Haaland (Norway) 7.90

As debut World Cup campaigns go this is not bad from the Norwegian phenomenon. Norway had a tough group but the Premier League Golden Boot winner led his team into battle with a Viking-like ferocity that saw him bag seven goals – including three braces – and also allowing his team-mates to flourish with his hold-up play and supreme positional nous.

Amongst many strong performances, the one that really stood out from Haaland was in Norway’s round of 16 clash with Brazil. With this being only Norway’s third appearance at this stage and facing the five-time winners many felt they were second favourites. However, two excellent finishes from this man late on sent the Selecao packing.

Despite losing out to England in the end, Haaland propelled his nation to their first ever World Cup quarter final and did it in some style. It may have been his first time on the world’s biggest stage but it will not be his last.

Erling Haaland will go back to Manchester City having shone at his debut World Cup

LW: Kylian Mbappe (France) 8.24 

It seemed impossible for the Frenchman to eclipse his achievements in Qatar, where he scored eight goals including a hat-trick in the final. But while he may have only got as far as the semis this time around, 10 goals to make him the competition’s all-time goal scorer with a mind-boggling 22 is magnificent.

Deschamps was able to engineer a dynamic attack around Mbappe maximising his qualities. Using Olise and Dembele, the French attack seemed as if all of them played in every position along the front line, unlocking Mbappe’s pace, finishing and capacity for link up play.

Mbappe failed to truly affect the game in a significant way against Spain, however his performances in any other game were mesmerising, only falling short to Messi for highest average SofaScore rating it was another Mbappe masterclass at the World Cup.

Hello and welcome to the blog!

Tonight we see Champions League qualifying action taking place as Larne take on Red Star Belgrade in the second round.

The Northern Irish side got past the first round thanks to their 3-1 aggregate win over Tre Fiori and face tough opposition tonight.

Larne won both games in the opening tie, their only wins in their last six European fixtures and they are now unbeaten in their last six competitive fixtures.

Red Star Belgrade have previously won the Champions League in 1991 and are no strangers to the competition with this being their 174th game.

This will be their first UEFA game of the 2026-27 season, but they have played one match in the Serbian top league, beating Macva Sabac 5-0 on July 17th. They had to settle for the Europa League last season after losing in the fourth qualifying round.

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