The U.S. is easing its restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to travel into the country two days before its next match, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday.

The team will still be required to leave after Friday’s match in Seattle, a department spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Iran Football Federation confirmed that the team will leave its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday for Seattle.

“This was planned on our end,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press. “We were going to look at how the first two movements went, and if they went smoothly, we would extend the extra day in light of the longer travel time.”

The policy change was first reported by NBC News and comes as officials from both countries negotiate over how to end the war in Iran.

Iran’s squad has complained about the travel restrictions levied on the team, and the challenges it has faced since the outbreak of war. Iran originally sought to move its group stage matches to Mexico, with whom it has diplomatic ties. The team’s base camp was relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana. Several team officials and members of the support staff have been barred from traveling into the U.S. with the team.

For the first two matches, in Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to travel until the day before, which Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei repeatedly said put the team at a disadvantage. The team had less than 24 hours on the ground before its noon match Sunday. “Right now we need recovery more than anything,” Ghalenoei said through a translator after the 0-0 draw against Belgium. “The conditions have been extremely hard for us.”

It’s not uncommon for teams to travel a day before the match, and it’s in line with FIFA regulations, which state that “each team shall travel from its team base camp to the match venue one day before matchday (MD‑1) and in exceptional cases on MD‑2, and shall return to their team base camp after the match (on MD/MD+1).”

But Iran had asked for more time to acclimate to host cities and recover after matches, especially for the 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) trip to Seattle. The team has scheduled a Thursday training at the University of Washington.

“We don’t ask for much. We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams,” Iran national team player Alireza Jahanbakhsh said Sunday. “Hopefully we can bring everyone who is involved and help us with us.”

The Iran team has also said it experienced difficulties entering and exiting the U.S. each time it made the 127-mile (204-kilometer) flight between Tijuana and Los Angeles. The typically short trip took five hours the day before its first match against New Zealand, team captain Mehdi Taremi said.

Hours before Sunday’s match against Belgium, U.S. Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin told Fox News the Iranians had “tried to get somebody in yesterday” who had direct ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In a statement, the soccer federation vociferously pushed back, calling the claim “an outright and undeniable lie.”

It’s unclear whether Iran’s upcoming opponent, Egypt, will also be allowed to arrive in Seattle two days early. After its 3-1 victory against New Zealand in Vancouver Sunday, Egypt asked to fly directly to Seattle. FIFA denied that request, citing a lack of security resources to accommodate the last-minute demand. Egypt returned to its base camp in Spokane, Washington, a 45-minute flight from Seattle.

Egypt’s national team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

___

AP Sports Writer John Marshall contributed reporting. AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

A teenage boy has been arrested, after a body was found during the search for a missing 14-year-old called Lilly

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A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder, after a body thought to be that of a 14-year-old girl was found in a park in Wales.

The discovery was made on Monday, June 22, at around 10pm, in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina.

Formal identification is yet to take place but the body is believed to be that of a missing girl called Lilly. Her family have been informed of the development.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder, Gwent Police say.

The teenager, from the Blaenau Gwent area, is currently in police custody, reports the Mirror.

A large police presence remains in the area while officers work to establish how the girl died.

Pictures show a police cordon at the scene at Pilgrims Park in Blaina, Abertillery, on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services have been working at the park since around 10pm on Monday, Wales Online reports.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas, said: “We continue to have a significant police presence in the area and understand the concern amongst our communities at this time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and we currently have one person in police custody being questioned.

“I’m asking anyone with information to please come and speak with us, you can do this in person, or you can contact us on the usual channels.

“I’d also encourage people not to speculate online as this is a live investigation and such comments can have an impact on our ability to bring anyone, found to have committed a criminal offence, to justice.”

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Floral tributes have been left at the scene by members of the public, with one message reading “Rest in peace Lilly”, accompanied by a heart drawing.

Gwent Police appealed for information to find the missing teenager on Monday afternoon (June 22), saying she was last seen on High Street, Blaina, at around 6.50pm on Saturday, June 20. The girl was described by the police as white, around 5ft6in tall, of medium build and long black hair.

She was last seen wearing a long black dress and black sandals and was known to have links to areas in Brynmawr, a town just north of Blaina.

Local Councillor Lisa Catherine Winnett said the community is “totally devastated” with the “unimaginable” outcome. Ms Winnet said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Lilly’s family at this devastating and awful time.

“I hope police work promptly now to find the perpetrator. We are a close-knit community here in Blaina and the impact this has had on all of us is immense.

“Since Lilly was reported as missing there have been extensive searches by family, friends and members of the community. On Monday, police had drones searching and helicopters.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the searches. This outcome is totally unimaginable for us all.”

Anyone holding information about this incident is asked to contact the police quoting 2600197059.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Gwent Police says it has referred the incident to the IOPC in line with normal procedures.

A federal appeals court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration to resume carrying out speedy deportations of undocumented migrants throughout the United States, not just near the border.

A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit threw out a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s expanded use of expedited removal. The ruling was a big victory for the Republican administration, which views the expansion of so-called expedited removal as a key tool for carrying out its mass deportation policy.

An attorney for the plaintiffs said the ruling “undermines the fundamental principle that people receive due process when the government seeks to deport them.”

“The Trump administration’s push for fast-track deportations will subject people to an unfair and error-prone system,” Anand Balakrishnan, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said in a statement.

Trump appointed the two judges in the majority in Tuesday’s decision. The third was appointed by President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

The plaintiffs had not “shown that the expedited-removal process denies its members notice and an opportunity to be heard,” Judge Justin R. Walker, one of the Trump appointees, wrote.

Expedited removal — quick deportation without a chance to appear before a judge — has previously been applied to migrants arriving by sea or caught at or near the border shortly after crossing.

In January, Trump expanded its use to undocumented migrants all over the US. Immigration agents began whisking migrants away from courthouses where they had gone for immigration proceedings and then removing them from the country within days.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled in August that plaintiffs challenging the expansion had made a “strong showing” that it was trampling on people’s due process rights, and she issued a stay order putting the policy on hold. Cobb was appointed to the federal bench by President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

Many migrants living deep in the U.S. have been in the country for more than 2 years, making them ineligible for expedited removal under federal law. Cobb said the administration had not developed procedures to ensure they and other groups of migrants were not wrongly deported under the expedited process.

The plaintiffs had put forward “substantial evidence” that the expedited removal process, on the contrary, carried a high risk of error when applied more broadly, Cobb said. The ruling cited examples of people who had lived in the U.S. for far longer than two years but were still ordered to be removed in expedited proceedings.

The Trump administration appealed, arguing in a court filing that its expansion was legal, and protections were in place to prevent arbitrary removal.

Cobb’s ruling was an “egregious error” that was depriving the administration of an “essential tool to combat the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration over the past few years” and efficiently deport potentially millions of people, Justice Department attorneys argued in the October filing.

The DWP has confirmed the dates and amounts for the Winter Fuel Payment 2026, which is designed to help eligible pensioners cover the cost of higher heating bills during the colder months – find out if you qualify

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that millions of people born before June 28, 1960 will receive between £100 and £300 to assist with the rising cost of heating bills during the colder months. Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically to an estimated 9 million pensioners in November or December.

Updated guidance on GOV.UK also states that letters will be sent out in October and November, informing pensioners of the amount they can expect to receive. The qualifying period for the payment — which is determined by age and household circumstances — is September 21-27.

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before June 27, 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

You will not be eligible if you:

• Usually live outside England and Wales
• Were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September, 2026 and the year before that
• Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
• Were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September, 2026

If you live in a care home

You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. You will not be eligible if both of the following apply:

• You get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• You lived in a care home for the whole time from June 28, 2026 or earlier

Payments

DWP guidance explains: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.

“If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.”

It’s crucial to note that fraudsters may attempt to deceive you into making a claim via text message, urging you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP communication and should be deleted immediately. If you believe you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here.

The sum you receive depends on your date of birth and your circumstances between September 21 to 27, 2026. This is known as the ‘qualifying week’.

DWP is also reminding pensioners “any money you get will not affect your other benefits”.

If your annual income is over £35,000

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment through either:

• Changing your tax code
• Adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return

You can verify whether your total income exceeds the threshold and how HMRC will reclaim it on GOV.UK.

Opt out of this year’s Winter Fuel Payment

To decline receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, you must either:

• Complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on September 20, 2026
• Call the helpline before 6pm on September 18, 2026

You will need to supply your National Insurance number when you use the online form or telephone the helpline. Complete details on GOV.UK.

If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment

You will receive either:

• £200 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
• £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946

If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment

Your payment may differ if you receive one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• If you do not get any of the benefits

You will receive a payment of:

• £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
• £100 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 but the person you live with was born before September 28, 1946
• £200 if you were born before September 28, 1946 but the person you live with was born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
• £150 if you and the person you live with were both born before September 28, 1946

If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits

One of you will get a payment of either:

• £200 if both of you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
• £300 if one or both of you were born before September 28, 1946

If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)

You’ll get a payment of either:

• £200 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
• £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946

If you live in a care home

If you are eligible you will get either:

• £100 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
• £150 if you were born before September 28, 1946

When you will get paid

The DWP stated that the majority of payments will be issued automatically in November or December.

You should receive a letter informing you:

• How much you will get
• Which bank account it will be paid into – this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits

The DWP added: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”

The complete DWP guidance on Winter Fuel Payments 2026/27 is available on GOV.UK.

Adrian Thomas Fayter, 29, was fleeing officers because he had been spotted at an address from which he was banned by a crown court order, said Martin Butterworth.

The restraining order had been made just a month before police got a tip-off that he was at the forbidden house in Knaresborough.

Officers went to the front door and Fayter fled out the back.

“He runs off through a housing estate and onto a nearby train line.  He ran down the embankment from there,” said Mr Butterworth.

Sean Wilson, defending, said Fayter had done a complete circle, first going under the railway line and then back over the line before police arrested him.

The railway bridge on the York to Knaresborough line used by Adrian Fayter during the chase. (Image: Google Street View)

Fayter, of no fixed address, who has lived in York and at a previous hearing had given an address in Sherburn-in-Elmet as a contact point, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order.

Magistrates gave him a 10-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months on condition he does 10 days’ rehabilitative activities and ordered him to pay a £154 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.  He has a long history of previous convictions.

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Mr Butterworth said the restraining order was made at York Crown Court on April 23, and prevents Fayter from contacting a woman or attending at her home address for five years.  She had not made a police statement about the incident on May 25.

Mr Wilson said Fayter had been invited to the address by the woman.

Magistrates told Fayter he knew he was not allowed to go to the address and knew he was forbidden to contact her in any way.

Mr Wilson said Fayter had had a difficult childhood, suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and had a borderline personality disorder.  He also had physical health problems related to a motorcycle crash when he was 13 and an overdose two years ago.

“He realises he needs help,” he said.

Schools across Wales have already begun introducing mitigation measures and some have opted to close entirely to safeguard staff and pupils during the extreme weather warning.

As temperatures soar to record-breaking levels this week, parents will inevitably be concerned about the wellbeing of their children during this extreme hot weather. This begs the question- can you refuse to send your children to school in a heatwave?

The Met Office has issued a rare red heat health warning across parts of Wales from Tuesday, June 23 to Thursday, June 25, with temperatures forecast to reach 37C, and potentially breaching the 40C mark in some areas of the UK. This has caused issues across transport networks, health and social care services, energy supplies, workplaces and of course schools.

The government doesn’t usually advise schools to close as they believe that children are better off in school learning, instead they recommend managing the heat in a way that is safe, and has the wellbeing of the children at the forefront.

Schools across Wales have already begun introducing mitigation measures and some have opted to close entirely to safeguard staff and pupils during the extreme weather warning. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

What the Welsh Government says

Welsh Government guidance stipulates that every school and childcare setting should have contingency plans in place to manage extreme weather conditions. They have contacted education directors across all Welsh local authorities to reinforce its guidance.

The complete letter states: “As you will be aware, we are receiving warnings of extremely hot weather for the rest of this week.

“We know that children can be especially vulnerable to extreme heat. We would therefore be grateful for your assistance in highlighting this to education and childcare providers to ensure they take the necessary steps to keep children and young people safe, indoors and outdoors.

“Our advice to schools and childcare settings to deal with extreme heat is to avoid vigorous physical activity and to maximise shade, ventilation and hydration. Children should wear loose, light coloured clothing if possible and wear hats and sun cream outdoors.

“You may find it helpful to refer to the Welsh Government’s guidance on opening schools and childcare settings in extreme hot weather. Further downloadable advice is also available from Public Health Wales for the general public and those looking after children.

“Education settings should ensure they are familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as the steps to take should anyone in their learning community, including those working remotely, show signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Guidance on this can be found in NHS advice. Heat stroke should always be treated as an emergency.

“Please also be alert to the Met Office weather warnings and Air Quality in Wales air pollution forecast,” it concludes.

Why are schools closing?

Many schools are opting to shut their gates entirely, or send pupils home at lunchtime, because their buildings simply cannot be cooled down. Without air conditioning, modern-glass fronted structures, and uninsulated older classrooms quickly turn into dangerous heat traps.

Each council is able to introduce its own provisions, but there is overarching guidance detailing what schools should do to remain open and safe for pupils.

Schools have already begun introducing mitigation measures, such as cancelling sports days and relaxing uniform policies, though some have opted to close entirely to safeguard staff and pupils.

The guidance stipulates that every school and childcare setting should have contingency plans in place to manage extreme weather conditions.

For example Bridgend council said schools have their own plans in place for dealing with hot weather and assess the situation according to the Welsh Government guidance. Headteachers carry out a risk assessment before taking decisions regarding any specific advice for parents and pupils, as well as potential changes to procedures.

WalesOnline has contacted all 22 local authorities across the country to enquire whether school closures are planned and what protective measures are being implemented to safeguard staff and pupils. You can find a full list of the responses here.

How are open schools keeping children safe?

Most institutions are ditching standard uniform, in favour of loose PE kits or lightweight personal closing.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recommends against strenuous physical activities in extreme heat. Consequently, traditional sports days, PE classes and after-school matches are being cancelled, unless there are air conditioned facilities.

Schools have been advised to keep windows closed and turn off fans once indoor temperatures breach 35°C, as at this point, they cease to cool the room, merely circulating the dangerously hot air instead.

Equally, lessons may be moved from hotter classrooms to cooler spaces in the school.

Staff members are also cautioned to watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Can I keep my child at home?

If a school remains open, the Department for Education expects pupils to attend, stating that closures are discouraged because “school attendance is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential, and hot weather can usually be managed safely.”

They added: “School leaders should make sure they take any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable, and the heat-health alerts can guide this.”

If you choose to keep them home, it could be marked as an unauthorised absence.

If your child does attend, take the following precautions:

• Check if they are able to wear their PE kit, or different clothes. Loose clothing made from natural fibres will help keep them cool.
• Provide them with a wide-brimmed sunhat and a reusable water bottle filled with ice water.
• Apply high-factor suncream before school, and ensure they know how to reapply it.
• Restrict outdoor play entirely during the hottest hours of the day of 11am and 3pm

Crowds were already reduced in Bristol for Tuesday’s World Cup matches because of the heat.

A fourth victory for England on Wednesday would secure their progression through to the semi-finals with a match to spare.

West Indies, who knocked England out of the 2024 T20 World Cup, are also have three wins from three in this tournament but were pushed closed by New Zealand and Scotland. England beat the Windies 3-0 in a T20 series last year.

Dean will again deputise for skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is not expected to play again in the group stage because of a calf injury.

Sciver-Brunt could return to training later in the week but will need another scan before being cleared to play.

“She’s been around the group and she’s tracking really well which is great,” Dean said.

“Having Nat on the field really provides us with a sense of confidence, the calibre of player that she is and the leader that she is.

“I’m ready to step up should it be needed but hopefully she’ll be back with us soon.”

There are long queues on the M62 this evening – Tuesday, June 23 – after a three-vehicle crash left two lanes closed.

The lanes are shut to traffic on the eastbound carriageway between junction 11 (Birchwood) and 12 (Eccles/M60 Interchange) this evening.

The closures were reported at around 6.50pm. Traffic cameras show long queues building on the carriageway, with National Highways reporting delays of around 45 minutes.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “2 lanes (of 4) are closed on the M62 between J11 (Birchwood) and J12 (M60) due to a three-vehicle collision. Delays of 45mins on approach between J10 and J12 with 3 miles of congestion.”

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Sir John Fitzgerald, founded in 1926 on Tyneside, has commissioned a special ale to celebrate 100 years in business.

The new 4.1 per cent blonde ale has been brewed by Heaton-based Anarchy Brewery and will be served in each of Sir John Fitzgerald’s 15 venues across the region.

Dawn Miles, co-founder of Anarchy Brewery, said: “We are very proud of the Centenary Ale and of having supplied Sir John Fitzgerald since 2012.

“It is a great honour to be asked to produce this for them and to be part of the company’s centenary celebrations.”

Sir John Fitzgerald operates a range of popular pubs and bars, including The Crown Posada and The Bridge Hotel in Newcastle, as well as venues further afield such as Twin Farms in Kenton Bank Foot and the recently refurbished Fitzgerald’s in Wardley.

Centenary Ale will feature in a year-long programme of community events and charitable fundraising activities.

Barry Ladhar, director at Sir John Fitzgerald, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our relationship with Anarchy Brewery and making Centenary Ale a cornerstone of our celebrations.

“Reaching 100 years is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the generations of customers, staff, managers and communities who have supported Sir John Fitzgerald over the decades.”

Sir John Fitzgerald was acquired by the Ladhar Group in December 2020.

Further details about the Centenary Ale and the celebrations can be found at anarchybrewco.com.

England return to the pitch tonight as they take on Ghana in their second group game. 

Kick-off is at 9 pm, and the game will be played live on BBC One. 

We have compiled a list of the best pubs in Bolton to watch every England match in this year’s World Cup. 

Fan Park Toughsheet Stadium

Where better to watch a football match than at Bolton Wanderers.

There will be a live DJ setting the vibe before kick-off
Matchday food and exclusive drink deals all night
Tickets ONLY £5 and it includes your first drink (Beer or Soft Drink)!
Entry from 5.30pm

For tickets visit https://www.universe.com/events/three-lions-fan-park-tickets-T49PV0?ref=share-widget-buffer?

The Railway, Chapeltown Road, Bromley Cross 

This family-friendly pub will be showing England’s game across all five screens and serving food until 8 pm, with a two-for-£17.50 meal deal or five small plates for £26. 

Bytes, Market Street, Westhoughton  

The retro gaming bar has a giant outdoor screen hosting a fan park experience. They have match day deals like ‘World Cup Wings’ and 4-pint pitchers. 

Bookings are available for outdoor seating, with walk-ins welcomed. 

Beelys Bar, Chorley New Road, Horwich 

England’s game can be watched on seven TV screens, alongside two large projectors, with surround sound throughout the bar. 

Drink offers include 2-for-£15 football-themed pitchers, “Left Wing Zing” and “The Blue-tiful Game”. 

Grey man, Hindley Road, Westhoughton  

This pub will be showing the game on a big outdoor screen with a large seating area, with six indoor screens and air conditioning throughout to keep customers cool. 

They have several pre-match drinks deals on offer, with a £3.20 pint available till 6 pm. 

The Cross Guns Inn, Blackburn Road, Egerton Village 

England will be shown on six large TV screens in this pub, with classic bar food available to order throughout the game.