A Reform UK MP has been branded “irresponsible” after suggesting that England’s football team needs to keep winning games in the World Cup to prevent a spike in incidents of domestic abuse.

Sarah Pochin, the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, made the claim in a short video message posted on social media the day after England won their first World Cup game 4-2 to Croatia.

“England won the football last night, and thank goodness they did,” she said.

Ms Pochin added: “Because on the occasions that England lose their football matches, the incidences of domestic violence go through the roof. So boys, keep winning.”

Leading charities which support domestic abuse victims were among those who criticised Ms Pochin’s remarks.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Football does not cause domestic abuse – it is a choice that is made by the abuser, time and again, regardless of whether a team wins or loses a match.”

One local claimed the new facilities would turn the garden into a noisy ‘boys’ club’ where Paul Woods, 52, and his friends enjoy ‘padel and beers’ at his home in Poole, Dorset

Residents of an upmarket neighbourhood are celebrating after a millionaire’s bid to put up a flood-lit padel court on the grounds of his mansion was refused.

IT entrepreneur Paul Woods was determined to install the open-air court in the back garden of his £4million property to play the trendy racket sport at his leisure. His plans showed the court would have been surrounded by 14ft tall steel mesh fencing and tempered glass and four 20ft tall floodlights.

The padel court was to be part of a wider sport and leisure development on the grounds of Mr Woods’ home which horrified posh neighbours in the affluent Branksome Park area of Poole, Dorset. They expressed concerns about the noise from the court, fearing the ‘piercing’ bursts from balls hitting solid rackets would reverberate around the sylvan suburb, shattering the peace of the conservation area.

Now BCP Council has refused the planning application submitted by Mr Woods, a 52-year-old managing director of an IT marketing company who was once named entrepreneur of the year.

Planning officer Emma Woods found the development would “result in an erosion of the spacious, verdant and sylvan character which defines the Branksome Park Conservation Area.” She added it would introduce an “overly urbanised and visually intrusive” development that would appear incongruous with the area. She noted concerns raised by the council’s own conservation officer who found the padel court was a “particularly harmful element of the scheme”.

They stated the tall floodlights would introduce “visual clutter” during the day and would erode the “dark, tranquil qualities of the Conservation Area during evening hours”.

One neighbour said: “I am pleased it has been refused, that is good news and the right decision.”

Local councillor Gavin Wright had been approached by several residents asking him to take up their objections.

He said: “I wouldn’t want to live next to a padel court because they are incredibly noisy. Padel is a great game and a great way to exercise but it has to be in the right place such as a tennis club, not in a residential area because of the repetitive noise.”

Padel is the world’s fastest growing sport, with more than 25 million players across the globe.

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Unlike in tennis, a Padel racket is solid with no strings and thicker meaning it makes a very loud noise when striking the ball.

Neighbours had previously spoken of their concerns that had the padel court been allowed Mr Woods’ garden would turn into a ‘boy’s club’ for him and his friends.

But his application was backed by several letters of support with people claiming it wouldn’t.

A spokesperson for Mr Woods architects said they were due to meet next week to discuss the option of appealing the council decision.

It comes as amber heat health alerts have been issued in parts of England

The Met Office has issued a statement regarding the chances of whether Northern Ireland will experience heatwave conditions in the coming days.

It comes as amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) with a potential heatwave to develop this weekend across southern England. Yellow alerts are in place across the Midlands.

Temperatures in England are set to climb above 30C during Friday then again from Sunday. Amber heat health alerts are issued when high temperatures are likely to have a significant impact on health and social care services.

In Northern Ireland, a heatwave is officially defined as a location recording at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold of 25C.

This temperature varies by area across the UK, with it being 28C in parts of south-east England, for example.

While heatwave conditions will be met in parts of England in the coming days, the Met Office are not currently forecasting such temperatures in Northern Ireland. However, it will feel warm at times over the weekend and into next week.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said: “We are currently not expecting any heatwave conditions to develop across Northern Ireland with temperatures set to generally remain below the threshold of 25C.

“Saying that it will certainly feel rather warm and humid at times, especially later in the weekend and early next week with temperatures widely reaching the low twenties across Northern Ireland and possibly up to 24C on Monday.”

The forecast for the coming days shows rain clearing north early on Saturday morning to leave the day and Sunday dry and bright. Into early Monday morning, the current outlook shows a band of cloud and outbreaks of rain, before conditions turn drier for much of the new week.

Meanwhile, the Met Ofice has officially verified a new May temperature record for Northern Ireland following last month’s UK heatwave.

At Killowen in Co Down, the overnight temperature didn’t fall below 15.9C on May 28, making it the warmest night on record for the month. That broke the previous record where temperatures did not fall below 15.6C, recorded at the same site, in May 2012.

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South Africa, who had Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane sent off in their opening 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, looked for a response as Oswin Appollis’ 25-yard effort was deflected behind ahead of the first hydration break, which was met by a chorus of boos from fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the roof was closed. South Africa were awarded a penalty with nine minutes left for handball by Czech substitute Pavel Sulc, having been struck at point-blank range from a shot by Maseko. Mokoena made no mistake from the spot, slotting the ball to the left and sending Matej Kovar the wrong way.

Piers Morgan has shared his hopes for Scotland in the World Cup tournament.

Presenter Piers Morgan has stated that he hopes Scotland has a “terrible tournament” at the World Cup as he opens up about the rivalry between England and Scotland. With both nations currently taking part in the major event, the “banter” between the two sides has been kicked up a notch.

Over the past few weeks, Scotland fans have taken over host city Boston as droves of the Tartan Army arrived to celebrate their first appearance in the World Cup in 28 years. Covering the streets in kilts, bagpipes, pints, and songs, many Bostonians have admitted that they don’t want the Scots to leave.

The celebrations were then raised to another level as Scotland won their game against Haiti on Sunday, June 15, which currently places them at the top of the group. However, while morale may be at an all time high, Piers Morgan has now said he wants the Scots to “lose every game”.

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This comment comes as the controversial presenter stated that the majority of Scots do not want England to thrive, and as such he feels the same way about Scotland. Adding to the back and forth between the two nations, he shared that he hopes Scotland has a “terrible tournament”.

Speaking on talkSport with Scottish presenter Jim White, Morgan said: “I think the thing is I share the view of Scotland that they all share about England, which is not a single Scottish fan in the world, including you Mr White if you’re honest, actually ever wants anything to happen to England but a crushing, humiliating defeat.

“That is part of the England/Scotland banter. So in the same spirit, I obviously wish Scotland nothing but an ignominious, terrible tournament in which they lose every game eight-nil.”

While White was seen to jokingly call Piers’ comments “disgraceful”, the 61-year-old did take a moment to praise the Tartan Army who are currently taking over American media.

Piers added: “But actually I think the thing about the Scots which I love, and I love Scotland, is the fans have already won the ‘fans of the tournament’.

“The Tartan Army on their travels in their first World Cup in nearly three decades has been fantastic. So I think your fans are brilliant. Scots are brilliant.”

However, he did double down and added: “But I wish you nothing but ignominious failure Jim for the same reasons that if you’re honest, you want England to lose every game.”

Piers then tried to test Jim by asking him to say “I want England to win the World Cup”, to which Jim quickly replied: “I’m not going to do that.”

During their time in the States, the Tartan Army have surprised many locals in Boston with their cheerful, welcoming behaviour, as well as their ability to drink.

While there have been many clips on social media over the weeks of Scots partying in the host city, the fans have still shown the area respect as they take the time to clear up after themselves and their shenanigans.

In a viral clip posted on TikTok, a city worker praised the Scots for conducting themselves with “class” and “dignity” while over for the World Cup.

Showing Fenway after the Tartan Army’s party at the weekend, the worker said: “After they’re gone, I’m one person cleaning up after them and it ain’t that bad. They conducted themselves with class, dignity and they like our city. So I’m happy they came.”

RTE could reportedly consider a rotating line-up of presenters with Patrick Kielty’s future as host still unconfirmed a month before the new season gets underway

With Patrick Kielty’s future on The Late Late Show still undecided, questions are being asked as to who could take over as host of the hit RTE show.

And in a shock twist, presenters Kieran Cuddihy, Oliver Callan, Maura Derrane, Muireann O’Connell and ­Dermot Whelan are tipped to be given a month each as hosts.

RTÉ ‘s former commercial director Willie O’Reilly has revealed he believes the show could try a variety of presenters in a bid to find the right fit if a deal is not struck with Patrick Kielty soon.

The show’s team is due back to work next month to begin work on the 64th season of the long-running chat show, RSVP Live reports.

And Willie told The Irish Sun, he believes time is running out, with show bosses now under serious pressure to figure out a solution.

“The Late Late Show is coming back shortly and still no one knows who’s presenting. RTE are really sailing close to the edge now”, he told The Irish Sun.

“They’re in very dangerous waters without a Late Late host. Both the public and advertisers could lose faith in the programme.”

Patrick Kielty had been on a three-year deal with RTE, earning €250,000 for each series. However, he still has not signed on for a new contract.

RTE’s director general has previously said he would “love” to keep Patrick Kielty as the host of The Late Late Show, as he defended extra payments to the star.

Patrick was paid an additional €23,980 across 2024 and 2025 as he presented additional programmes beyond his standard contract.

RTE and Kielty had said his pay was €250,000. However, he was paid €266,323 in 2025 and €257,657 in 2024.

The national broadcaster said this was because it “required” Kielty to present “some additional programmes beyond his standard contract”.

Mr Bakhurst has previously said no one at RTE should earn more than he does, and there has been speculation that Kielty, who has finished a contract to present the Late Late Show, is waiting for Mr Bakhurst to receive a salary boost from the Government before negotiating his next term as host.

Asked if he believed this to be the case, Mr Bakhurst said: “I don’t know – I’d love to get that pay deal sorted.”

Additionally, when asked if he wanted Kielty to return to the programme, he said: “I’d love to keep Patrick – he’s great.”

Pressed on whether he had a contingency plan, he told reporters: “I’m not going to say that – it’d drive up the cost of some other contingency plan.”

And now Willie told the publication that he believes the limited time left to find a replacement if Patrick doesn’t sign a new contract could force RTE into giving a number of high-profile presenters their chance to host next season.

He said: “If Patrick isn’t coming back, RTE have very little space to find a new Late Late Show host. It would be a total disaster if RTE panicked and signed the wrong presenter on a three-year contract.

“It would make much more sense to appoint a caretaker host, like a caretaker manager for a soccer team. Or more likely, divide the Late Late next season up between different presenters.

“Let’s say Kieran Cuddihy, Oliver Callan, Maura Derrane, Muireann O’Connell and Dermot Whelan. You give them all a month hosting The Late Late Show. See what works, with the most successful made ­permanent host the following year.

“You could do that for one ­season. That would also allow RTE time to conclude a deal for 2028, if the presenter they want isn’t ­available this September.”

The Late Late Show has only had four main hosts to date – Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Ryan Tubridy and Patrick Kielty. If Patrick doesn’t return, it would be the shortest run ever, just three years compared to the 14 years achieved Tubridy, while Pat Kenny hosted for ten years, and Gay Byrne, 37 years.

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Second Rothesay Test, The Kia Oval (day two of five)

New Zealand 391: Phillips 100, Blundell 51; Bethell 3-26

England 222-6: Gay 53, Root 46; Henry 2-57, O’Rourke 2-61

England are 169 runs behind

Scorecard

England are in a dire position against New Zealand after spiralling from a chaotic morning on day two of the second Test at The Oval.

Following an encouraging first-day performance from a team without captain Ben Stokes, England surrendered the initiative through strange tactics, a crucial dropped catch and a wonderful maiden Test century from Glenn Phillips.

It meant New Zealand were able to move from their overnight 291-7 to 391 all out.

Though Emilio Gay made a half-century and stand-in captain Joe Root 46, England lost three wickets for 35 runs to slip to 177-5.

And when James Rew gloved the hostile Will O’Rourke late in the day, England were left 222-6, 169 behind with the tail exposed. Jordan Cox is unbeaten on 22, alongside Jofra Archer on nought.

England set the tone for their own troubles with the very first ball of the day – laying a short-ball trap for Sonny Baker bowling to Kyle Jamieson. Baker’s bouncer went for four byes and the day got worse from there.

Jamieson made a vital 41 after a horrible drop by Ben Duckett when he was on 15. Archer did not bowl for the first 90 minutes of the day, including with the second new ball, but then struck with his fourth delivery.

The home side caused another of their own problems when Duckett was run out for 36, called for a short single by Gay that was never there.

Gay and Root added 74, only for Root and Harry Brook to both be lbw to Matt Henry in a huge double blow to England.

A statement reads: “The Messi family informs that Jorge is going through a health situation. At this time, he is under medical monitoring, recovering and evolving favorably within the condition he is presenting.

“In response to the versions, rumors, and speculations that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep distress over the lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples with which some people have treated a strictly private and family situation.

“The family also wishes to clarify that only its closest family members have real and accurate information about Jorge’s condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come from the family itself and its corresponding channels should not be considered valid or truthful. In moments like this, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity.

“A person’s health and the peace of mind of their surroundings should not be the object of speculation or irresponsible media interest. We sincerely thank you for the displays of affection, respect, and concern received, and we request that the privacy, confidentiality, and intimacy of Jorge and his entire family be preserved during this process.

“Any relevant updates will be communicated in a timely manner by the family and the corresponding channels. Thank you for your understanding.”

Greg McCullough appeared in court following the incident at a property on Shore Road

A man has been remanded in custody after he allegedly attacked a woman with a hammer causing her serious injuries following an incident at a property in North Belfast.

Greg McCullough, 32, of Wynthorpe Grove, Newtownabbey, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 18, after being arrested following an incident at a property on Shore Road on Tuesday, June 16.

He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a woman by attacking her with a hammer inside of her home during an “aggravated burglary”.

McCullough is also charged with assaulting two police officers and possession of Class C drugs.

Following the court appearance the 32-year-old was remanded in custody and is due to appear again on July 16.

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