Guy Spencer Smith, a Northumberland Freemason and ultramarathon runner, has completed a 400-mile ‘Temple Run 2026’ from Newcastle to London in support of Festival 2031 and the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

Setting out from Newcastle on 1 June, he crossed the line at Freemasons’ Hall in London on June 10.

Mr Smith said: “Running long distance strips everything back.

“You can’t hide behind titles or labels.

“It becomes very simple.

“You start, and you commit to reaching the end.”

Guy Spencer Smith at the 300 mile mark of his challenge (Image: UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND)

The Masonic Charitable Foundation provides financial support to people in need, including help with education, daily living costs and medical expenses.

Mr Smith, a plumbing and heating engineer from Newcastle, is a seasoned ultramarathon runner who has dedicated more than a decade to taking on extreme challenges for charity.

In 2024, he completed a 205-mile run linking every Masonic Temple in Northumberland, raising £24,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

He credited his wife, Terï, for her encouragement.

Mr Smith said: “Without her, I honestly don’t think I’d have completed it.

“She’s shared every mile of this journey in her own way.”

Reflecting on the 10-day challenge, which took him through nine Masonic provinces, Mr Smith said: “This has been an enormous test, but it’s been worth every step.”

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

By CAITLIN LENG

Published: 20:28 BST, 5 July 2026 | Updated: 22:25 BST, 5 July 2026

A woman has died following a ‘skydiving incident’ at an airfield in Nottinghamshire. 

Emergency services were called to Langar Airfield in Nottingham at 12.13pm on Sunday, where a 22-year-old woman was found in a nearby field. 

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The woman, who has not yet been named, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Nottinghamshire Police has confirmed there are no other injuries. 

The force said the woman’s family has been informed of her death and specially trained officers are on duty to offer support. A file will also now be prepared for the Coroner. 

A field across the road from the airfield is understood to be at the centre of the investigation. 

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Several crime scene investigation cars, including two vans, were spotted near the airfield on a path off Harby Road on Sunday afternoon.

Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, who also attended the scene, said it was called to an incident at Langar Airfield at 12.30pm to ‘assist police’. 

A 22-year-old woman has died following a ‘skydiving incident’ in Nottinghamshire

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Emergency services were called to Langar Airfield in Nottingham at 12.13pm on Sunday

Several crime scene investigation cars, including two vans, were spotted near the airfield

Detective Inspector Rachel Mayfield, of Nottinghamshire Police, described the woman’s death as a ‘tragic incident’.

She said: ‘This was a tragic incident, and we are working with partners to understand what happened.

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‘As our investigations continue at the scene, our thoughts are with the woman’s family and everyone else who has been affected by this incident.’

Langar Airfield is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) station near the village of Langar in Nottingham first opened in 1942. 

Today, its control tower building is home to Skydive Langar – a civilian skydiving centre. 

Nottinghamshire Police has asked anyone with additional information about what happened to call 101 quoting incident 306 of 5 July 2026. 

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Skydive Langar has been contacted for comment. 

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Delta Air Lines flight and a high-flying firework reportedly came into contact in the sky above Chicago as the city celebrated the Fourth of July holiday.

The pilot of Delta flight 1076 notified air traffic controllers just before landing at Chicago Midway International Airport on Saturday night that a firework hit the commercial airliner during its descent. In an audio recording published online by LiveATC.net, the pilot described feeling “a big bang” on the plane.

According to the recording, the incident occured when the plane was flying at an altitide of 200 to 250 feet. The pilot said the crew hoped the bang “was just a mortar that went off,” referencing the tube that helps launch aerial fireworks.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and Delta said the plane, which had taken off from Atlanta carrying 52 passengers and six crew members, landed safely just after 8:30 p.m. local time.

The incident didn’t result in any onboard injuries, and Atlanta-based Delta said Sunday that mechanics who inspected the Airbus A319 did not find any damage.

The FAA said it would investigate the incident.

It’s unclear if fireworks struck other airplanes on Saturday. In the LiveATC.net audio, an air traffic controller was heard saying there had been “multiple reports” of such encounters and that Chicago city officials were aware.

The FAA did not immediately respond to questions about whether it was aware of additional firework-related incidents impacting Saturday flights. The Associated Press also reached out to the city government and the Chicago Police Department for further information.

Have a weekend, Cape Verde.

The national soccer team returned home Sunday as heroes after their run to the round of 32 of the World Cup and pushing Lionel Messi and Argentina into extra time. The men’s basketball team clinched a berth in the second round of that sport’s World Cup qualifying as well.

And all this happened during an already joyous time in Cape Verde — Sunday was Independence Day.

“Viva Cape Verde,” basketball coach Emanuel Trovoada said after his team beat Libya on Sunday in a World Cup qualifying matchup in Cameroon.

Viva Cape Verde, indeed. Not bad for a country of about 500,000 people — the smallest, in terms of land mass, ever to reach the World Cup.

Independence Day was already going to be a day of celebration across the island nation off the western coast of Africa, but Sunday — with the soccer team returning from Miami — only made it more festive. Vozinha, the goalkeeper, captured video footage of workers on the tarmac dropping to their knees and bowing as the plane taxied into its gate.

Eventually — after interviews that were followed by countless hugs, high-fives and selfies with well-wishers at the airport — players and coaches were loaded onto the back of a truck and paraded through thousands of cheering fans. Flags swayed in the breeze on a sunny afternoon, drummers took to the streets and dance troupes were part of the celebration.

“We gave it all for Cape Verde,” defender Pico Lopes said.

The soccer team was in the World Cup for the first time this year. The basketball team — which got its second-round berth locked up on Saturday, before it easily beat Libya on Sunday — made its inaugural World Cup appearance in 2023 and will resume qualifying in late August with hopes of getting in to the 2027 event.

“This is historic. This is important,” Trovoada said. “Our soccer team has returned to the country — for a party.”

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Belgium have declared themselves “astonished” after Folarin Balogun’s suspension was wiped by Fifa ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash.

United States striker Balogun had his one-match ban “suspended” in an extraordinary development on Monday after being controversially sent off in his country’s round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fifa’s regulations provided no official avenue to hear an appeal of Balogun’s red card – something which was criticised – but justified the move by citing Article 27 in Fifa’s disciplinary code, which states: “The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

US president Donald Trump responded by hailing Fifa for “reversing a great injustice”, raising concerns of sporting integrity due to his close relationship with Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Rudi Garcia was left furious, maintaining their anger goes beyond their own immediate situation with the last 16 tie: ““I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools. I think it’s necessary to refer to our statement. A lot of what I feel is there.

“We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football, integrity. It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision has been taken”

Belgium’s FA has now responded to Fifa’s decision, drawing attention to Fifa’s “direct contradiction” to their own World Cup provisions.

“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by Fifa’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time),” a statement read.

“Fifa bases its decision on Article 27 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the Fifa Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

“However, Article 66.4 of the same Fifa Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this Fifa World Cup.

“Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the Fifa World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.’

“The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in Fifa World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026.

“The same rule is reiterated at every Fifa World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all Fifa World Cup 2026 workshop presentations.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this Fifa World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

The decision is similar in its action to the latter two games of Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-game ban in the World Cup qualifiers being “suspended”, making the Portugal captain available from the start of this World Cup.

Another factor in Fifa’s decision may have been the non-awarding of a red card for Lionel Messi for a similar tackle in Argentina’s win against Algeria.

By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER and IAN HERBERT, DEPUTY CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

Updated: 21:37 BST, 5 July 2026

The Princess of Wales completed the Three Peaks Challenge last weekend to raise funds for a cancer charity and “explore life beyond diagnosis”

Fresh images have emerged showing the Princess of Wales receiving a warm welcome from family members at the base of Snowdon after conquering her Three Peaks Challenge.

In an extraordinary feat of stamina, Kate undertook the punishing National Three Peaks Challenge over the past weekend to generate money for a cancer charity and “explore life beyond diagnosis”.

The future monarch climbed Britain’s three tallest mountains – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – within 24 hours, beginning her expedition on Saturday evening.

The pictures, recently published on their official social channels, reveal Kate being met by the Prince of Wales and the couple’s three youngsters Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, alongside her mum and dad Carole and Michael Middleton and sibling James Middleton.

The snaps capture her hugging her spouse in one frame, while another displays her cuddling Charlotte. Additional pictures show her with her arm round George, clasping hands with Louis, and chatting with relatives, reports Wales Online.

The closing photograph features Kate surrounded by her nearest and dearest, including her mum, dad, brother, and his pet pooch.

The post states: “This time last week, completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.

“A huge thank you to everybody who has supported The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.”

Kate tackled the Three Peaks challenge solo, with Mountain Rescue on hand to assist along the way. Kensington Palace confirmed it believed the feat represented a royal milestone, with the princess becoming the first member of the royal family to complete the Three Peaks challenge.

The princess subsequently made a donation to an 11 year old wheelchair user she crossed paths with during the challenge. While scaling Ben Nevis, she met Ted, who was taking on the same gruelling trek with the backing of his family and friends.

The group were raising funds for Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity committed to supporting children battling serious illnesses.

On Monday, Kate contributed to Ted’s fundraising efforts on JustGiving, penning a heartfelt message which read: “One of the real highlights of the Three Peaks Challenge was meeting inspiring people like you along the way.

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“Huge congratulations to Ted, Pete and the entire team for raising money for such a wonderful cause.”

The JustGiving page, set up by Ted’s father, Pete Haslam, has already surpassed £11,000 in donations.

The page reads: “Ted is a wheelchair user – but that’s never been the thing that defines him. Determination does.

“This isn’t his first mountain. He has already taken on Snowdon not once, but twice, proving his resilience and spirit. Last year, he stood proudly at the summit of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK. Each climb has been a step – quite literally – toward something bigger than himself.”