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Emmerdale actor and soap favourite dies after over 25 years on screen

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Wales Online

The actor also played Bert Fry on Radio 4’s The Archers for 25 years

Eric Allan, one of the earlier stars of Emmerdale, has passed away after over 25 years on screen. The veteran actor died at age 85, he played Frank Blakey back when the soap was known as Emmerdale Farm.

After leaving the show in 1974 after his character married Janie Harker in Emmerdale’s first ever wedding, Eric became a soap familiar after playing farmer, Bert Fry, on Radio 4’s The Archers for 25 years. He took over the role of Bert from Roger Hume, who had died the previous year.

The Mirror reports Eric reflected on his career in 2021, saying of Bert: “He’s the character the production team tend to turn to if the storylines are getting too depressing and a bit of light relief is called for.”

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The star, who leaves behind wife, Susan, and their son and daughter, was also known for film, Bleak Moments and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series. His other notable TV roles included playing tabloid sports editor opposite David Warner in the BBC series Hold the Back Page in 1985.

Eric also starred as Les Fox, one of Bet Lynch’s boyfriends in Coronation Street in 1977 and also played guest roles in Z Cars, The New Avengers, Bergerac, The Bill and EastEnders. Born in 1940, Eric grew up in Yorkshire and Wolverhampton, but his family moved to Canada when he was 15.

The actor returned to the UK when he was 18 to study at famed drama school, RADA. He started out in the industry in Leicester and Nottingham theatres, before spending several years with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

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There, Eric worked with director, Mike Leigh, and played the lead in his controversial first feature film, Bleak Moments. In the film, Eric played Peter, the repressed suitor of socially awkward Sylvia (Anne Raitt).

The film was notorious for its scenes of toe-curlingly awkward dating, but, still, audiences loved the characters: “When Anne Raitt says to Eric Allan, ‘I was thinking it would be great if you took your trousers off,’ Leigh recalled of one screening, “well, the audience let out the most almighty cheer.”

Eric also played the quarryman in Leigh’s television film Nuts in May (1976), and appeared in many of Leigh’s stage plays. Writing in his book Mike Leigh on Mike Leigh, the director shared: “Eric is an extremely nice man.”

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7 of the best destinations you can fly to from Cardiff Airport this spring

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Spring is almost here, so it’s the perfect time to jet off for a sunny escape or a cheeky city break

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Spring is almost here, so it’s the perfect time to jet off for a sunny escape or a cheeky city break in warmer climes, and you can do so from Wales.

There’s no need to go all the way to Heathrow when Cardiff Airport is offering flights and holidays to an array of destinations this spring and beyond.

Cardiff Airport is an important hub for travellers to and from Wales. Situated just 40 minutes from Cardiff city centre, it’s convenient to reach for a European city break and beyond.

Fly direct from Cardiff and enjoy the perfect TUI package holiday from just £345 per person, and spoil yourself with some vitamin D, or head for a city where you can enjoy spring weather.

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Benalmadena, Costa del Sol

Sunny Benalmadena is a popular destination in the Costa del Sol, and you can book a TUI Holiday from Cardiff.

The town is divided into three main areas: the traditional hilltop Pueblo, the central Arroyo de la Miel, and the seaside Costa, and there’s plenty to do here.

Sure, like most places in the Costa del Sol, you have bars for boozed-up Brits with blaring music, souvenir stores hawking tat, and vape shops, but there’s also a gorgeous seafront, swish marina and tasty tapas.

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Plod along the 10-kilometre stretch of sandy beaches, including Blue Flag options like Santa Ana Beach. The palm tree-lined promenade is also dotted with ocean-view restaurants and bars where you can buy an Aperol Spritz and watch the waves.

Puerto Marina is also worth a visit. The major, uniquely designed marina features shopping, dining, and the Sea Life aquarium (when it’s not closed due to rain, despite the marine life living in tanks).

Attractions in the area include the 33-metre-tall Buddhist Stupa, Colomares Castle, and the Teleférico (cable car) to Mount Calamorro for panoramic views. Read more about my trip to Benalmadena here.

Paphos, Cyprus

Located on the southwest coast of Cyprus, Paphos (Pafos) is a lively coastal city with a temperate climate and plenty of fun activities. It’s one of my favourite places in Cyprus!

You can fly to Cyprus from Cardiff Airport on a TUI holiday and book with no deposit.

Paphos is divided geographically into two parts. Connected by a busy traffic artery, Kato Pafos (Lower Pafos) and Ktima (Upper Pafos) are two contrasting and distinctive districts in Paphos.

Kato Pafos is the more tourist-oriented part of the city. It’s where you’ll find swish hotels, resorts, restaurants, and a palm-fringed promenade and seafront.

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Culture fans can marvel at the various mosaics, catacombs, ruins and archaeological sites at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sun worshipers will find beaches, bars, boat trips and resorts to entertain them.

I find it best to embrace the contrasts and enjoy a mix of the two in this sprawling, intriguing city. Walking shoes by day, party shoes by night. Sorted.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Dutch capital has plenty to offer visitors seeking out history, art and culture this spring, and you can fly direct with KLM.

You can lose many hours just wandering or biking the canal-woven streets, lined with historic and distinctive Dutch architecture.

Some of the main highlights include the iconic Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark, Foodhallen, and, of course, the moving Anne Frank Museum.

Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, so one of the best ways to explore it is to rent a bike and get around like a local.

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Spend some time stopping at cafes, boutique stores and galleries as you bike along the excellent cycle paths in the city.

Make sure to read up on the rules of the road here, as bikes are treated just as importantly as cars. Pop into Amsterdam’s Tourist Information Centre to find out more about how to bike in the city and what guided biking tours you can book.

Faro, the Algarve

Faro is the gateway to the Algarve, and while many people just fly there and head straight to the resorts and beaches, the city itself is also worth exploring.

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The city offers history and culture as well as cafes, restaurants and bars serving delicious Portuguese cuisine and local tipples.

As it’s not a huge tourist hotspot, you can explore the historic centre in relative peace, away from the Algarve crowds.

Spend a day wandering the cobbled streets looking for neoclassical architecture, historic cathedrals and the impressive range of chic boutiques, cafes and great value seafood restaurants.

You can also hop on a bus to Praia de Faro [Faro beach] if you fancy a spot of sunbathing. Faro is also an excellent base from which to explore the wider Algarve region, and you can take many day trips and organised excursions from the city.

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Alicante, Spain

Alicante is an underrated port city in Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca and is the capital of the Alicante province. Its old town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, is known for its narrow streets, colourful houses, and energetic nightlife.

The main port also has an impressive range of restaurants, bars and pubs serving local dishes, including seafood, tapas and Spanish wines.

Spring and summer are perfect times to visit the city, making the most of the beaches and enjoying cultural events, al fresco dining, concerts, and street theatre.

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You can fly direct to Alicante with Ryanair for as little as £70 return in April.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Head to the historic city of Dubrovnik, affectionately dubbed the City of 1,000 Monuments and well known as a Game of Thrones filming location.

Dubrovnik draws vast crowds with its distinctive Old Town, where massive stone walls, built in the 16th century, still encircle the historic city.

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Visitors can admire its well-preserved architecture from the baroque St Blaise Church to the Renaissance Sponza Palace and the Gothic Rector’s Palace, which now houses a history museum.

For a city, Dubrovnik has a surprising variety of beaches ranging from pebble to gravel, stone, and concrete, where you can swim, kayak, and sunbathe near clear waters.

Some popular options include Banje beach, renowned for its proximity to the old town and impressive views, and Sveti Jakov beach, which offers a peaceful escape with crystal-clear waters and stunning sunset views.

Watch the sun go down at one of Dubrovnik’s many beach bars. The best bar for outdoor drinking in Dubrovnik is the uber-cool Buza bar, located on a secluded beach outside the city walls, with tables set among the rocks.

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This Unesco World Heritage site is just a three-hour flight from the UK, and you can fly there from Cardiff Airport with KLM with a connection in Amsterdam.

Tunisia, Africa

Tunisia has been one of the main centres of Mediterranean culture for 3,000 years and has epic beaches, as well as the village of Douz, gateway to the Sahara.

Located at the footer of the desert dunes, which is what earns it this title, you could really be in another world from Cardiff if you’re heading here sometime soon.

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You can fly direct from Cardiff Airport with TUI and stay in a fancy all-inclusive with no deposit. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

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Hampshire Flag Company revamps Port Solent marina in one month

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Hampshire Flag Company revamps Port Solent marina in one month

While Hampshire Flag Company (HFC) has grown its portfolio far beyond flags, this work remains a core focus for the team, with expertise dating back to their founding in 1981. Recently, they assisted Premier Marinas with a large-scale project, leading a complete overhaul of their flagpoles at Port Solent.

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How to watch Wolves v Liverpool on TV tonight – channel and kick-off time

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Liverpool head to Wolves with a Champions League spot still firmly in their sights

Liverpool will be looking to close the gap on the Premier League top four when they travel to Molineux to face bottom of the table Wolves on Tuesday night.

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Despite a difficult season for the reigning champions, Champions League qualification is still very much up for grabs for Arne Slot’s side.

Those hopes have been aided by four consecutive victories in the Premier League, including an emphatic 5-2 victory against West Ham United last time out. This, combined with losses for both Aston Villa and Chelsea, has left the Reds fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Villa.

The Merseysiders will be facing a Wolves side that are sat bottom of the table on just 13 points – 16 points from safety. Despite their precarious league position, Wolves will be buoyed following positive results of late, taking a point against league leaders Arsenal and a 2-0 victory over West Midlands rivals Villa last Friday night.

Here is everything you need to know about the clash…

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What time is Wolves v Liverpool kick-off?

The game will kick off at 8:15pm on Tuesday, March 3, at Molineux, Wolverhampton.

Will the Wolves v Liverpool game be broadcast on TV?

The game will be shown on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage starting at 7pm.

The game will also be available to stream through Discovery+ if you have the TNT Sports package.

Short highlights will also be available on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel with extended highlights available on Match of the Day on Wednesday, March 4, at 10:40pm.

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Team news

For Wolves Brazilian midfielder Andre is a doubt for the encounter but the Brazilian could still feature. Aside from that the home side have no other injury concerns ahead of tonight’s match. Manager Rob Edwards also confirmed that South Korean winger Hwang Hee Chan is fit and available.

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Slot has confirmed that Liverpool are likely to be without German midfielder Florian Wirtz for the game but was optimistic to have him back for the FA Cup match against the same opposition on Friday.

Right-back Jeremie Frimpong was back in the side against West Ham having recovered from an injury.

What the managers are saying

Going into the match, Edwards tasked his side to carry on the positive momentum following their victory against Aston Villa. Edwards stated: “Some good results and performances have been creeping in more and more this calendar year and that was a big moment. Felt it at the whole club, a really nice moment to share with the supporters.”

Edwards stated that they would also need this positivity when facing Liverpool, adding “we’ve got to be at our best to threaten, they’re the champions, an amazing football club and it’s really exciting for us that we get to face them twice but we know the size of the task as well”.

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Edwards also touched on the brilliance of Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes. “I think he’s a wonderful player who’s shown real glimpses. It’s been hard for him in a team that has struggled to get results and it can be challenging,” he said.

In the build-up to this match, Slot was asked about the state of his side in regards to the return of Frimpong and about the form of winger Cody Gakpo.

On Frimpong Slot stated: “Right-back isn’t the only position that we have struggled but it stands out most. Having Jeremie back is nice. We have to take into account a lot of games especially players who come back from injuries. But we know the importance of every game now. But I’m not the only one to have that. I prefer to manage how many minutes he can be given rather than see him with the medical team.”

On Gakpo Slot said: “I don’t only judge them on the goals they score, attackers are judged on fact we keep a clean sheet just as defenders are judged on scoring. But I know attackers want to score goals. I was happy as it was the 4-1 so that gave us a more comfortable cushion but even more happy for him to score. He needed that goal.”

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Slot added: “I don’t think his confidence was gone in that regard, but I did see a few times recently he made a few different decisions that I’m used from him. That doesn’t mean lack of confidence. But when players are not scoring they start to think more and usually overthinking is not the best thing you can do.”

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Tottenham: Spurs write to PGMOL chief Howard Webb over refereeing decisions

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Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor

Tottenham have written to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb to raise their concerns over key refereeing decisions.

Sources have told BBC Sport the correspondence is primarily focused on what the club views as inconsistent decisions that have led to goals being allowed or disallowed as a result of contact inside the penalty area.

Spurs believe they have been on the wrong end of a number of these key incidents this season.

During Tottenham’s 4-1 home loss to north London rivals Arsenal on 22 February, striker Randal Kolo Muani had a goal – which would have levelled the score at 2-2 – ruled out after the officials adjudged the France international had pushed opposing defender Gabriel Magalhaes in the back just moments before slotting beyond David Raya.

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It has been noted by Spurs that referee Peter Bankes, who officiated in the derby against Arsenal, said in last week’s episode of the Match Officials Mic’d Up show how, “once you see two hands in live play, it looks like a push, a clear push. I was more than happy that the two hands on the back had enough impact and was an offence”.

With that in mind, Tottenham were left confused why Fulham winger Harry Wilson’s opener against them in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage was allowed to stand.

Mexico striker Raul Jimenez appeared to push Spurs defender Radu Dragusin in the build-up to Wilson’s strike as the pair jumped for an aerial challenge, but the goal was allowed to stand because the contact did not meet the threshold for a foul.

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Is it safe to travel to Dubai? UK’s latest UAE travel advice

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Is it safe to travel to Dubai? UK's latest UAE travel advice

One of the countries affected is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Dubai, and with regular flights to and from the UK for this holiday hotspot, you might be wondering if it’s safe to travel there.

Not only is Dubai a popular destination for Brits, but it’s also used as a layover stop for passengers flying further to countries like Australia and New Zealand as well as countries in Africa and Asia.

Whether you have a flight booked already or are thinking about travelling to or via Dubai, it’s worth staying updated with the latest travel advice and warnings.

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What is happening in the Middle East?

The US and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend, killing its supreme leader.

The first reported American casualties included three American service members as the US and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran on Saturday, February 28.

Five were seriously injured in military operations targeting Iran, the US military said.

Airspace closures in the Middle East have resulted in a number of commercial flights being grounded since the attacks began on Saturday.

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More than a third of the flights scheduled to depart from the UK to the region on Monday were cancelled.

Analytics company Cirium said 49 of 144 flights were axed.

Airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet have changed their flight schedules this week.

Is it safe to travel to Dubai?

The UK government has warned people to avoid all travel to the UAE unless it’s essential.

This warning from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) extends to the whole country, so anyone travelling for a reason that is not absolutely necessary should rethink their plans.

It’s worth noting that if you ignore this travel advice, your travel insurance could be invalid should you need to make a claim.

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Are flights leaving the UAE?

Some flights have left the UAE this week, including today (March 3), but airports are not operating a full schedule yet.

In a post on X, the Government of Dubai Media Office said on Monday afternoon (March 2) that airlines Emirates and Flydubai would begin operating a limited number of flights, with priority being given to customers with earlier bookings.

Some 15 Etihad Airways flights departed from Abu Dhabi in a three-hour window on Monday, which Flightradar24 said were “likely helping to clear transit passengers who have been stuck there since the start of the conflict”.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline continued to tell passengers not to travel to the airport unless they had been contacted directly and advised to do so.

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How to check if your flight is cancelled

You can check the flight status of upcoming flights via the Dubai Airport website as well as the website of the UK airport you are travelling to or from.

Make sure to stay up to date with advice from your airline and look out for cancellation notices as well as delays and new flight times.

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Are flights leaving and entering Dubai?

While some flights are still being cancelled, the flight status log for flights today is showing that some passengers have been able to leave and arrive into Dubai.

Departure cancellations include flights from Dubai to Ankara, Cairo, Bucharest, Riyadh, Tashkent, Moscow and more.

Departures going ahead include flights to Heathrow, Munich, Prague, Budapest, Milan Bergamo and more.

Arrival cancellations include flights to Dubai from Lahore, Bucharest, Timisoara, Singapore, Warsaw and more.

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Arrivals going ahead include flights from Jeddah, Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi and more.

It’s worth noting that the flight schedules are reduced, so some flights to or from one destination may be cancelled while others may still go ahead.

What to do if you’re already in Dubai

Brits in Dubai are being told to “immediately shelter in place” as missile attacks have been reported in the UAE.

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The UK government added: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”

If you’re in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar or the UAE, you need to record your presence so you can receive updates and so the UK government is aware you are there – this can be done by the government website.

Sir Keir Starmer said the situation on the ground “may remain challenging for some time” but that the government was “looking at all options to support our people”.

The Prime Minister told the Commons: “We’re asking all British citizens in the region to register their presence so we can provide the best possible support and to monitor the Home Office travel advice, which is being regularly updated.

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“Across much of the region, airspace remains closed, and local authorities are advising individuals to shelter in place.


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“The situation on the ground may remain challenging for some time, so we’re sending rapid deployment teams to the region to support our British nationals on the ground.

“And we’re in close contact with the travel industry and governments in the region, including with our friends in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), given the concentration of British nationals in that country, and we’re looking at all options to support our people.

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“We want to ensure that they can return home as swiftly and safely as possible.

“The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) phone lines are open to provide consular support, and ministers are available to meet MPs to discuss any individual cases.”

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Daniel Radcliffe doesn’t want his son ‘to act or to become famous’

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Daniel Radcliffe doesn't want his son ‘to act or to become famous’

Radcliffe, who shares a two-year-old son with partner Erin Darke, acknowledged that his own journey was shaped by unusually stable circumstances. The core Harry Potter crew remained largely the same for a decade, he said, creating a protective environment that shielded the young cast from some of the instability often associated with Hollywood.

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US World Cup co-hosts ‘very supportive’ of Iran playing in tournament | World News

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Players celebrate a goal during Iran's World Cup Asian Qualifiers game. File pic: Reuters

The American World Cup co-hosts are “very supportive” of Iran playing at the tournament, the boss of US Soccer has told Sky News.

Iran‘s participation has been thrown into doubt since the US-Israeli military action was launched on Saturday, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

And Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj was reported to have said that “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope” after the attacks, without announcing a boycott.

Iran latest: Follow live updates

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Players celebrate a goal during Iran’s World Cup Asian Qualifiers game. File pic: Reuters

US Soccer CEO JT Batson told Sky News: “FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared over the weekend the intention of a safe and secure World Cup where all teams are participating. And we’re certainly very supportive of that.”

Donald Trump’s travel ban already impacts the ability of Iranian fans to travel to the US, but teams are due to be given exemptions to participate.

Iran are due to play group-stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle at the World Cup, which is also being held in Canada and Mexico.


Will fans feel safe going to Mexico for the World Cup?

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Asked about potentially playing later in the tournament, Mr Batson said: “We played Iran a number of times in the World Cup and just like any other team of the 47 other teams we could play in the World Cup, our goal would be to win. And so we look forward to doing just that.”

FIFA is monitoring the situation and remains hopeful that all qualified teams can still be part of the tournament.

Mr Infantino told Sky News: “I hope so much it will be a moment of peace, I hope we can contribute to unite a little bit the world. I think the world really, really, needs it.”

The US could also benefit from football bringing the country together in a politically-charged environment as it stages the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1994.

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Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj and Tehran's mayor Alireza Zakani with the World Cup trophy. File pic: Reuters
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Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj and Tehran’s mayor Alireza Zakani with the World Cup trophy. File pic: Reuters

“Our team wants to win and so that’s what they’re focused on,” Mr Batson said. “And they want to have as many Americans who can support them and get behind them and rally behind them.

“Our players, of course, are human. And we all have our own beliefs and we all have our things that we care about. But at their core, they want to win. That’s why they’re here. And they want to represent US soccer with pride. They want to inspire the next generation.”

Read more from Sky News:
Iran may be tempted into fearful final salvo
Internet shutdown leaves Iranians without voice

Overseeing the US team is former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, but he is constantly linked with a move back to the Premier League – particularly Spurs for next season.

Asked about any approaches for the Argentine, Mr Batson said he is “fully focused” on the task of trying to win a first men’s World Cup for the Americans.

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“We knew when we hired Mauricio that he was a coach who was in demand and for good reason,” he said.

“And so he was in demand when we hired him and he’s still in demand now and he’ll be in demand years to come and now having worked with them, I fully understand why.”

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Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Foreign Office’s new advice

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Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Foreign Office's new advice

Britons continue to remain stranded throughout the Middle East, with more than 100,000 having registered their presence with the Foreign Office amid evacuation planning.

Large areas of airspace over the region such as United Arab Emirates and Qatar remain closed because of the fighting, and tourism safe spots like Dubai have come under fire in missile attacks.

With this in mind, many Brits will be wanting to know the latest travel advice to Turkey which shares a border with Iran.

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Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed


The country is a popular holiday destination for UK travellers, with a significant proportion of tourists often heading to the likes of Cappadocia, Antalya and Marmaris, to name a few.

Is Turkey safe to travel to at the moment? See if you can fly

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its latest travel advice on March 1 for those heading to Turkey from the UK.

It warns that all British nationals intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey “must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border”.

The new Turkey travel guidance from the Foreign Office in full is as follows: “The border remains open visa-free for people travelling on UK or Iranian passports (for stays of up to 90 days).

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“If you are a British national intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border.

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“You must state which border point you intend to use and provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). 

“Also indicate whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative.”

The UK government continues: “The Turkish authorities advise that the Iranians have closed the crossing point at Esendere-Serow on the Iranian side to daily traders entering and exiting over the course of a day.

“The usual entry requirements will apply, including that British nationals can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 

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“If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk.


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“In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.”

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office is also urging against “all travel” to some parts of the Turkey due to the fighting in Syria.

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The FCDO asks people to not travel within 10km of the border with Syria “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.


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It adds: “Fighting in Syria continues in areas close to the Turkish border and there is a heightened risk of terrorism in the region.

“Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, roads in Hatay Province leading towards the border may be closed at short notice.”

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Find out more information about travelling to Turkey on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

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Doctor Who bosses ‘struggling to find new lead for poisoned chalice role’

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Doctor Who bosses 'struggling to find new lead for poisoned chalice role'
The BBC has yet to confirm who will follow on from Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon/PA Wire)

BBC bosses are reportedly struggling to fill the Ncuti Gatwa-shaped hole in the Tardis for the Doctor Who Christmas special later this year.

The beloved time-travelling show finally confirmed that we haven’t seen the last of the Time Lord quite yet.

Disney had quietly pulled out of its much-touted partnership with the broadcaster on the show, after Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper to mixed reviews from fans, leaving the show’s future unclear. 

But the BBC confirmed that the show will return this festive season for a special episode, written by longtime showrunner Russell T Davies, with a new season to follow.

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However, the future actor taking on the mantle of the Doctor has remained rather opaque.

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It has now been reported that it will not be Billie Piper – who won viewers over in her role as Rose Tyler, alongside first Christopher Eccleston and then, epicly, David Tennant.

Undated BBC Handout Photo from Doctor Who. Pictured: The Doctor (NCUTI GATWA). PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Doctor Who. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA?Feature SHOWBIZ TV Doctor Who. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf/Maxine Howells. NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Doctor Who. WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.
It was once ‘one of TV’s most coveted roles’ (Picture: BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf/Maxine Howells)
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Billie Piper in the final episode of Doctor Who. Billie Piper has replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the finale of science-fiction series Doctor Who. Issue date: Saturday May 31, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ DoctorWho. Photo credit should read: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Billie Piper’s regeneration last year was hugely controversial (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon/PA Wire)

Instead, The Sun has reported that producers are still on the hunt for the next lucky name to take on the show’s starring role, despite claims the Beeb put ‘feelers’ out as soon as Gatwa was confirmed to be stepping back.

The source told the publication: ‘Despite once being one of TV’s most coveted roles, it’s now seen as a bit of a poisoned chalice.

‘Plus, anyone taking on the job will want to know if it’s going to be a one-off festive special or go beyond that as they will want to plan their workload over the coming years.’

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Metro contacted the BBC for comment on the report and a spokesperson said: ‘We never comment on speculation.’

Christmas might feel – and, indeed, is – a long way off, but Who’s veteran composer Murray Gold has already shed some initial light on the script, or scripts.

Undated Handout Photo from A Thousand Blows Season 2. Pictured: Erin Doherty as Mary Carr See PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Thousand Blows. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Thousand Blows. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Robert Viglasky/Disney+. NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Thousand Blows
Erin Doherty is a frontrunner in the bookies’ odds for the role (Picture: Robert Viglasky/Disney+)

Who are the bookies favourites to next play the Doctor?

Read our full exclusive on the favourite picks here

  • Lydia West (5/1)
  • Aimee Lou Wood (5/1)
  • Josh O’Connor (12/1)

‘I know Russell’s written, I think, multiple versions depending on certain outcomes,’ he said on the Half the Picture podcast.

Gold added: ‘That’s all I really know, and I’m not sure I’m even supposed to know that. I normally do a very good job of not finding things out.

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‘I make my job of keeping secrets very easy by never finding out in the first place.’

Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The show will return later this year with a Christmas special. 

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Why do leaders go to war when it could damage their own people too?

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Why do leaders go to war when it could damage their own people too?

Why do people start wars even though it hurts their country too – and they might lose?

Grace, 9, Belfast

Before governments, countries and writing, there was war. People have always fought with each other. Archaeologists have discovered skeletons with weapon injuries that are over 10,000 years old.

Wars are very serious because they hurt people and the environment. They happen for many different reasons, and each war is different. People who start wars often think that the short-term benefits of a war are worth the harm to their own people. But they don’t always understand the long-term consequences of their actions.

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Experts use something called the “just war theory” to understand whether it’s ever OK to fight a war. This is a very old, but useful, set of ideas that help people decide if a war is fair, how soldiers should behave and how to protect people who are not fighting, like children and families.


Curious Kids is a series by The Conversation that gives children the chance to have their questions about the world answered by experts. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskids@theconversation.com and make sure you include the asker’s first name, age and town or city. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we’ll do our very best.


Just war theory says that countries have a right to defend themselves from invasion when another country attacks them. However, it also says that the harm from war must not be worse than the problem, that someone must actually be able to win and that people should try talking, negotiating and making agreements before they fight.

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It provides rules for countries at war to follow. The rules say that normal people and the things that they need, such as hospitals, power plants and schools, should never be attacked because they help everyone live safely.

These ancient ideas have become part of the modern international laws and agreements that help make our world more peaceful. Unfortunately, not all countries follow just war theory when they go to war. Thankfully, we have laws in place to punish the leaders or soldiers who break the rules.

Why do wars start?

Wars can start due to a disagreement, fear or a desire for more power. Unfortunately, some leaders will choose war because they don’t want to appear weak. Or they might go to war to distract their own people and stay in control, because they feel vulnerable and unpopular. They might make a bad decision, really believe that they are right, then underestimate how long the war will last. The best leaders do not start wars in this way, do not make these mistakes and care about their people’s long-term wellbeing.

Another reason why people start wars is because they think that invading another country will make them stronger or richer. As we use up things we cannot easily replace, such as fossil fuels for our cars and rare metals for our phones and computers, this increases competition between countries to own the remaining resources.

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A hand separates toy soldiers on a table

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Peace experts like me also explain that climate change contributes to wars, as it makes it harder for people to access good water and farmland. It is so much better for everyone when countries bargain with each other and share resources, instead of starting wars.

Even though wars are happening now in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iran, most countries still solve their problems peacefully by talking and working together.

Many experts think that wars are evidence of failure, and that everyone loses when they fight instead of working together to create agreements and compromises. Pacifists believe that war is always wrong and that we must strive to find peaceful solutions. I think that they have the right idea, and that a more peaceful world is definitely possible.

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