Rory McIlroy will start the US Open 2026 at Shinnecock Hills alongside Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Aberg, with the Holywood man among the favourites for a seventh major title

Rory McIlroy will launch his pursuit of a seventh major championship alongside his close Ryder Cup companions Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Aberg.

The consecutive Masters winner is amongst the frontrunners at the notoriously challenging Shinnecock Hills course in New York.

McIlroy, who celebrated his 37th birthday last month , tees off early on the opening day at 7.52am local time alongside Fleetwood and Aberg. That translates to 12.51pm UK time.

The Holywood native clinched the US Open title at Congressional 15 years ago and enters the third major of the season in reasonable form.

Graeme McDowell, another former US Open winner, begins at 12.19pm UK time, playing alongside Patrick Rodgers and Keith Mitchell.

Shane Lowry, who came runner-up at the 2016 US Open, is grouped with Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and America’s Alex Smalley. They commence at 6.47pm UK time on Thursday evening (1.47pm local time) from the tenth tee.

The action will be televised on Sky Sports, from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Golf and from 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event.

Scottie Scheffler is 6/1 favourite, with McIlroy next on 12/1. Jon Rahm is 14/1 with three players at 16/1 –

Graeme McDowell is priced at 1000/1.

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Kim Beveridge is among 99 outstanding teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and education settings honoured as Silver winners in this year’s awards on National Thank a Teacher Day, in recognition of their dedication and impact.

A hard-working member of staff at New College Lanarkshire has been crowned a Silver award winner of the FE Lecturer of the Year category in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Kim Beveridge is among 99 outstanding teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and education settings honoured as Silver winners in this year’s awards on National Thank a Teacher Day, in recognition of their dedication and impact.

Kim, from Bellshill, will now be in with the chance of winning the prestigious Gold award, which will be announced at a ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.

She is only the second lecturer from a Scottish college to receive this accolade, the first being Neil McMullen, also of New College Lanarkshire.

Kim is a lecturer in Film and TV at New College Lanarkshire and the judges recognised her distinctive approach to focus on helping creativity and talent flourish in her native Lanarkshire.

Kim said: “This recognition means a great deal but I’ve never really seen my job as being about what happens in a classroom.

“It’s about the moment when students realise they have something to say, and that people want to hear it.

“The students I work with have extraordinary stories to tell and when they start to see themselves as the ones who can tell those stories, something amazing happens.”

Kim joins a list of Silver winners drawn from across the UK, with all recipients recognised for going above and beyond to inspire and transform the lives of the young people they teach.

National Thank a Teacher Day, and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal role teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and president of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable.

“Their influence extends well beyond the classroom. Long before children find their voice, their confidence, or their calling, there is usually a teacher who helped them get there, working patiently and persistently, and often without any recognition at all.

“That is what makes National Thank a Teacher Day so important. It is a rare and well-deserved moment to celebrate our teachers and say we are grateful.

“I am especially proud to congratulate this year’s Silver award winners. In a world that moves quickly and demands so much, you have chosen to invest your time, energy and passion into future generations, and that is something truly worth celebrating.

“Thank you for the dedication you show every single day”

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The road will remain closed for ‘sometime’

Motorists have been warned to expect delays after a “serious injury” crash closed a major Cambridgeshire road on Thursday, June 18. Emergency services attended a single vehicle crash on the A603 Barton Road, near Cambridge.

Cambridgeshire Police were called at about 8.25am to reports of the crash. The force has advised motorists to avoid the area and warned drivers of delays.

A spokesperson for the force said the road will remain closed for “some time”. The approaches from the M11 south off slip at Coton and Grantchester are also closed.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “A603 Barton Road closed between Barton/M11 roundabout and junction of Gough Way due to a serious injury road traffic collision.

“Approaches from M11 south off slip, Coton and Grantchester also closed. Emergency services on scene. Please avoid the area. Expect delays.”

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mixed on Thursday, with benchmarks in Japan and South Korea setting fresh records, after the U.S. and Iran signed their initial agreement ending the war.

The rally in Asia followed a retreat Wednesday on Wall Street driven by speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year to curb inflation.

U.S. futures were higher early Thursday, while oil prices fell.

Leaders from the U.S. and Iran signed the deal on a permanent end to hostilities that starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program. In the meantime, it calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The deal waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries.

The news came after U.S. markets closed with losses for the day.

In early European trading, Germany’s DAX edged 0.2% higher to 24,987.35, while the CAC 40 in Paris edged 0.1% lower, to 8,424.47. Britain’s FTSE 100 shed 0.8% to 10,422.40.

The future for the S&P 500 was up 0.9%, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6%.

During Asian trading, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 resumed its climb, gaining 1.7% to a new closing high of 71,053.49. It topped 70,000 for the first time this week and is still gaining thanks to hopes for an end to the war and strong buying of high-tech shares due to the artificial intelligence boom.

“This is very broad-based rally, I believe it’s actually showing some confidence that the Japanese economy is going to recover further from the … the end of the war, and presumably the oil prices in the near future,” said Neil Newman, head of strategy at Astris Advisory Japan.

South Korea likewise has been setting records, gaining 2.3% to 9,063.84. The Kospi has roughly tripled in the past year, helped by gains for computer chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Samsung’s shares rose 4.6% and those of SK Hynix gained 6.5%.

Taiwan’s Taiex jumped 1.3%.

Higher interest rates can tap the brakes on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for investments. For much of the past year, the expectation has been that the Fed would be cutting rates.

In his first news conference as head of the U.S. central bank, Kevin Warsh, did not give a forecast for where the federal funds rate may end 2026. He said he’s considering a revamp of how the Fed communicates with financial markets and U.S. households and businesses.

One of his first moves was to end the inclusion of hints in Fed statements about where interest rates may be heading in the future.

In the stock market, SpaceX erased an early gain and fell 4.9% for its first loss since its ballyhooed debut on the U.S. stock market last week.

Drops of 3.8% for Microsoft, 3.5% for Amazon and 1.3% for Nvidia were three of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500.

A report said revenue at retailers across the country grew at a faster pace in May than economists expected.

Oil prices were steadier Wednesday following slides earlier in the week on optimism about the tentative U.S.-Iran deal to get the global flow of oil going again. Iran is set to take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allowing oil tankers to deliver crude from the Persian Gulf again and hopefully relieve inflationary pressures.

Early Thursday, the price for a barrel of Brent crude oil fell 1.9% to $78.05. It’s still above its roughly $70 price from before the war, but it’s well below its $100-plus price from a few weeks ago.

U.S. benchmark crude slipped 2.1% to $74.43 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar fell to 160.63 Japanese yen from 160.65 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1510, up from $1.1501.

___

Senior Producer Mayuko Ono contributed to this report.

Use our interactive widget to fill your car for less

The cheapest place to fill up your car with petrol in Greater Manchester today (Thursday, 18 June) is at a Valero garage in Stalybridge.

According to the latest data supplied by retailers, a driver in an average family car could save up to £8 by filling up at this forecourt – compared to the most expensive petrol station.

The Valero garage on Caroline Street in Stalybridge is charging motorists 143.9p per litre, which means it would cost £90 to fill up an average 55 litre tank. This is based on a feed of live petrol prices which is published by the government.

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Here are the cheapest places to top your car with petrol today:

• 143.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 143.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 143.9p – Costco Wholesale, Barton Dock Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M41 7PP
• 144.7p – Asda, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 7PF
• 144.7p – Asda, Atherleigh Way, Leigh, WN7 5RZ
• 144.9p – Sainsbury’s, 2 Lord Sheldon Way, Ashton-under-lyne, OL6 7UB
• 144.9p – Texaco, Lime Service Station, Manchester, M28 3NS
• 144.9p – Morrisons, Foundry Street, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, SK16 5PJ
• 144.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ
• 144.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA

The most expensive filling station in Greater Manchester is the Esso Longside Service Station in Royton. The cost of standard petrol at this station is 167.9p, meaning it would cost a total of £81 to fill up an average family car at this forecourt.

For the owners of diesel cars, the cheapest place to fill up is also the Longside station in Royton. The cost of a litre of standard diesel at this forecourt is 147.9p, according to prices supplied by retailers.

Here are the cheapest places to fill up your car with standard diesel today:

• 147.9p – Esso , Longside Ss, Oldham, OL2 5AS
• 162.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 162.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 163.9p – Sainsbury’s, 2 Lord Sheldon Way, Ashton-under-lyne, OL6 7UB
• 163.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ
• 163.9p – Morrisons, Lime Square, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 1DA
• 163.9p – Costco Wholesale, Barton Dock Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M41 7PP
• 163.9p – Tesco, Manchester Rd, Manchester, M43 6TQ
• 163.9p – Essar, 1555-1571 Ashton Old Road, Manchester, M11 1GR
• 163.9p – Morrisons, Foundry Street, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, SK16 5PJ

You can use our interactive widget to find out the price of fuel at the petrol stations near you.

UK drivers are currently paying 154.8p per litre of petrol, while people who own diesel vehicles are paying 175.5p on average.

In Greater Manchester, owners of petrol cars are currently being charged 3.6p less than the national average of 154.8p. Diesel car drivers in the region are paying 4.4p less than the national average.

The cheapest place to buy petrol in the country is at a Circle K garage in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where a litre of standard petrol is 141.9p. The most expensive petrol station in the country is a Shell garage in Telford, Shropshire, where motorists are charged 186.9p a litre.

The prices quoted are for standard grade petrol (E10) and for standard grade diesel (B7).

The figures are supplied by the major retailers under a scheme operated by the government to ensure motorists are given a fair deal at the petrol pumps.

The Athletic have provided a bit more meat to the bone surrounding Victor Munoz. Because, who is this 22-year-old Spaniard that Liverpool have all of a sudden swooped in to sign? I know that’s the question I’m asking.

The Osasuna winger is currently on international duty at the World Cup alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal and Rodri. His seven goals and five assists in all competitions earned him a place on the plane to North America.

The Athletic have described him as a “throwback winger” who is “pacy, skilful and energetic”.

It is also noted that he does like running at the full-back to the byline.

Traditionally, Liverpool have opted to go for versatile forwards that can be multi-functional across the frontline.

Munoz appears to fit the bill with experience playing left and right wing, primarily playing on the left for Osasuna with three goals in 18 appearances from that position with one in 10 from the right.

In an era where there are pizza charts, stats and expected whatever you fancy floods the perception, the initial statistics don’t appear to be too appealing. But you have to look at the creativity and see to what degree he was creating because it all depends what was on the end of the crosses in reality. Also worth noting, Osasuna finished outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

The Scot could be seen celebrating at the Haiti Game and has been dubbed “Tartan Army maintenance crew”

The Tartan Army have come out in their thousands to cheer Scotland on in Boston during the World Cup and during their jubilant celebrations, many of them have been seen proudly donning a kilt.

However, few Scots have been seen wearing a high-vis kilt. One proud fan at Boston Stadium was not hard to spot in a Tartan Army crowd as he celebrated in a luminous yellow builder’s outfit that he had transformed into the Scottish fashion symbol.

The man wore a navy top with a typical worker’s vest that had the words ‘Tartan Army on tour’ etched on the back of it and a matching luminous kilt. He could be seen fist-pumping the air and waving around his luminous cap in celebration, leaving fans in stitches at his outfit efforts.

The now-viral video of the Scots ‘workie’ has been shared online with the caption: “Someone wore a high-vis kilt to the Scotland game. I’m dead”, along with laughing face emojis.

The TikTok creator wrote: “I wonder what he does for work #worldcup #scotlandtiktok #tartanarmy #scotland #football”

Other social media users raced to the comments as one joked: “That’s the cone manager.”

A second amused viewer wrote: “Tartan army maintenance crew.”

A third Scot penned: “That’s so his maw and da can try to spot him on the TV.”

Someone else replied: “The tartan of the clan McSafety.”

A fifth added: “He’s there installing an emergency beer pipeline from New York to Boston.”

Another chimed in: “What does he do? He walks 500 miles and then he walks 500 more.”

Quoting a famous Still Game scene, somebody commented: “Can you see me noo???”

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Many kilted Scotsmen have gone viral online after taking over Boston for the past week, with one piper taking to the streets for a toe-tapping ‘elite mashup‘ with a makeshift drummer and another becoming an internet sensation after he slid down the infamous Boston Cop chute whilst playing a bagpipes tune.

The excitement will not calm down anytime soon as we are now hours away from Scotland playing their second World Cup match against Morocco.

The match will take place at 11pm EST at Boston Stadium on Friday, June 19.

After Scotland’s 1-0 win against Haiti last weekend, it’s a huge game for the team as it could see them potentially qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in World Cup history.

The team are currently at the top of group C after John McGinn scored in the 28th minute, the only goal of the game, and Morocco and Brazil drew 1-1.

Next week, Scotland will take on Brazil at Miami’s Stadium on Wednesday (June 24).

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip have killed 1,005 Palestinians since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and the militant group Hamas last October, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.

The enclave has seen near-daily strikes, as well as shelling and gunfire along the boundary that divides Gaza into Israeli and Palestinian-controlled zones. The most recent deaths were recorded after a series of Israeli drone strikes in the past few days on towns and refugee camps in central Gaza and Gaza City.

Also Wednesday, an Israeli strike killed two Palestinians and wounded six others in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, health officials at Nasser Hospital said. The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike and said the target was a “terrorist,” but didn’t elaborate. Families at the hospital said the strike targeted a group of people near the beach in the sprawling tent camp of Muwasi, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians live.

Israel has said it is continuing to operate against Hamas and allied militants in Gaza and has expanded the amount of territory it controls inside the strip. Both sides have accused the other of violating the ceasefire.

In a separate statement Wednesday, the Israeli military said that it killed two militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in strikes over the weekend.

Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war had surpassed 73,000 in Gaza. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage, on Oct. 7, 2023. In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive on the Gaza Strip to annihilate Hamas and free the hostages.

Permission is being sought from Middlesbrough Council so that the prospective shop can sell booze for consumption off of the premises between 7am and 11pm daily.

The German discount supermarket has been hoping to build a store in Linthorpe for several years, but has faced setbacks after a planning refusal, inspectorate dismissal and committee deferral. Its application for the site on the corner of Green Lane and Roman Road is likely to appear in front of the planning committee again in the next few months, potentially as soon as Thursday, July 2.

The company is in the process of trying to secure a similar premises licence for a potential store in the south of the town, on the site of the former Marton Hotel & Country Club, located on Stokesley Road, which is also yet to gain planning permission, but is likely to receive a decision from Middlesbrough ’s planning committee before the end of the year.

CGI of Lidl’s latest proposal for Green Lane, Linthorpe.

The premises licence application for the Green Lane location was made on Thursday, June 11, and any representations must be made to the council’s licensing department by Thursday, July 9. If the authority grants permission, the licence will run for 16 hours each day, seven days a week – although the store likely wouldn’t be open for such lengthy periods, with the two current stores in Middlesbrough operating from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Documents state steps will be taken to promote four licensing objectives, which are:

• prevention of crime and disorder,
• public safety,
• prevention of public nuisance,
• protection of children from harm.

The application form discusses how staff will be trained “regarding appropriate precautions” to prevent the sale of alcohol to children under the age of 18, as well as the signs and symptoms of drunk persons and the “refusal of sale due to intoxication”. Staff are also to be trained so that they can recognise “proxy purchases”.

If an employee suspects a customer to be under the age of 25, a street drinker, or attempting a proxy purchase, they will “immediately” call the duty manager, who will then decide if the sale should be allowed.