There was little to separate Zverev and De Jong in the opening set, with De Jong going toe-to-toe with the heavy-hitting German in the baseline exchanges while also showing attacking intent on the approach.
He raced into a 3-0 lead, breaking Zverev in his opening service game and giving away just two points on his own serve, and later led 3-0 in the tie-break before Zverev reeled off seven consecutive points to take the first set.
Zverev had to be patient in the second, waiting until the 10th game to convert one of only two break-point opportunities offered to him, but was far too strong for his opponent in a 24-minute third set.
Relentless on serve in the final two sets, he conceded just six points across nine service games while also showing his formidable touch at the net, winning 29 of 38 points.
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A former world number two, Zverev has won 24 ATP titles in his career, including seven Masters crowns, is a two-time Tour Finals champion and won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
A Grand Slam title has so far eluded him but he has come agonisingly close, including at Roland Garros in 2024 when he led Alcaraz by two sets to one, and he is unlikely to get a better opportunity to end his wait for a first major.
He is one of only three top-10 seeds left in the draw, one of three players with experience of playing in a major final and is competing on a surface on which he has won nine of his 24 titles.
Perhaps most crucially, while many of his rivals have battled through multiple five-set matches, Zverev has won three of his four matches in straight sets and spent a little over nine hours on court.
A popular South Belfast restaurant has submitted plans to open a new sister restaurant in the city centre.
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The owners of La Bottega have plans to open a second location beside Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square East.
The proposal seeks to transform the currently vacant commercial unit into a high-quality, artisanal culinary establishment designed as an “Italian Pasta Lab with a modern twist.”
Alongside the plans, a name can be seen on the proposed plans for the restaurant, which plans to operate on both a sit-in and takeaway basis. The plans suggest the restaurant’s name will be ‘Crusca’.
The owners already operate the award-winning Italian deli on the Lisburn Road in South Belfast. The deli, bistro and food market specialises in authentic Italian produce, and has gone from strength to strength since Francesco launched it in November 2021.
Their menu features antipasti, pizza, focaccia, and mains such as Rigatoni alla Carbonara.
Owner Francesco Iaquinta’s initial idea for La Bottega was to serve up authentic deli dishes from the north and south of Italy, such as lasagne and arancini, but his vision evolved to what is now a sit-in bistro.
As well as working as a personal trainer, Francesco previously worked as a manager at Belfast Castle and a personal trainer, before discovering Belfast’s Lisburn Road while working for French Village Group.
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There has been no confirmation yet on when the restaurant plans to open.
But what’s more, the location has featured in several films and TV shows over the years, despite its small size.
Hardraw, a small settlement near Hawes in Wensleydale, is home to only around 100 residents but is known far beyond the Dales for Hardraw Force, England’s highest unbroken single-drop waterfall.
The lanscape close to Hardraw (Image: Steve Moore/Camera Club)
Despite its size, the hamlet has become one of the most visited spots in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, drawing walkers, photographers and tourists keen to see the 100ft cascade plunging into the woodland below.
The waterfall takes its name from the hamlet itself, with Hardraw first recorded as “Hardrawe” in 1606.
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The name is thought to derive from the Old English words herde and raw, meaning “the shepherds’ houses”, a nod to the area’s long farming heritage.
Visitors can access Hardraw Force behind the historic Green Dragon Inn, a centuries-old pub that sits at the entrance to the waterfall trail.
A short woodland walk of around 10 minutes leads visitors to the dramatic falls, which are particularly impressive after periods of heavy rainfall, and also featured in the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Online, the beauty spot has earned praise from visitors for its “peaceful atmosphere”, “scenic woodland setting” and “striking views”.
Many also enjoy combining a visit with a meal or drink at the Green Dragon, which has become almost as famous as the waterfall itself.
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Wildlife enthusiasts occasionally report sightings of red squirrels in the surrounding woods, while walkers tackling the Pennine Way often pass through the hamlet as part of longer journeys across the Yorkshire Dales.
The lanscape close to Hardraw (Image: Steve Moore/Camera Club)
Hardraw’s appeal extends beyond its waterfall.
The Pennine Way, one of Britain’s best-known long-distance footpaths, passes directly through the hamlet, while the southern end of the Buttertubs Pass, one of Yorkshire’s most dramatic roads, begins nearby.
The village is also home to St Mary and St John Church, a Grade II-listed building rebuilt between 1879 and 1881 by the Earl of Wharncliffe.
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Television viewers may recognise it as Darrowby Church from the original All Creatures Great and Small series.
Although Hardraw is now best known as a tourist destination, it has long been a small and close-knit rural community.
Historical records show the hamlet had a population of just 11 people in 1862, and while numbers have grown since then, it remains one of the Dales’ smaller settlements.
Today, visitors continue to flock to Hardraw for its combination of historic charm and traditional Yorkshire hospitality.
The international aid group Doctors Without Borders found a pattern of abuse and sexual exploitation by some local and foreign staff working in Chad along the Sudanese border, in some cases targeting underage girls or trading food or jobs for sex with refugees, according to a confidential internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The Doctors Without Borders report — completed in July and first reported Saturday by The Associated Press — found 59 allegations of abuse and said 18 staff members were dismissed and barred from future employment. In some cases, the group told AP, the allegations couldn’t be verified or the perpetrators identified. The report also said some of the repeated exploitation suggested potentially organized “sexual trafficking.”
The organization said it launched the monthslong investigation in response to AP reporting that women had accused staff of sexually exploiting them in displacement sites in Chad, where hundreds of thousands fled from Sudan’s devastating civil war, now in its fourth year. The report credited AP as playing “a fundamental role as an external whistleblower.”
The findings by Doctors Without Borders — one of the largest employers and biggest aid organizations in the refugee camps in eastern Chad — indicate the abuse was more widespread than previously reported.
In the cases AP found in Chad in 2024, women said people meant to protect them — humanitarians, local security forces — offered money, easier access to assistance and jobs in exchange for sex. Such sexual exploitation in Chad is a crime.
And in its report, Doctors Without Borders noted that the cases found in Chad stand out because it had allocated extra resources to combat and prevent abuse. The memo also said the findings likely only scratch the surface, as many women were hesitant to speak openly.
In response to questions about the memo, Doctors Without Borders — also known under its French acronym, MSF — called it “a candid internal analysis” that laid out where systems failed.
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The 59 allegations of misconduct ranged from sexual harassment to exploitation and abuse and “represent a serious breach of MSF’s values and responsibilities, and we deeply regret the harm caused,” MSF said in its written response.
MSF operates in contexts where people are vulnerable and dependent on humanitarian assistance, which creates power imbalances and risks of abuse that must be addressed, MSF’s statement noted. It said the investigations were meant to proactively confront the abuse.
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In some of the cases investigated, tracing the people involved wasn’t possible because of the scale of the emergency and movement of people, it said.
Since issuing the report, MSF has strengthened recruitment efforts, reference checks and complaint systems, it told AP.
Still, the group said in its statement that it recognized that significant work remains to ensure lasting change.
The report detailed several types of abuse and exploitation within Doctors Without Borders
MSF launched its investigation in fall 2024 and found allegations of exploitation and abuse of Chadians, Sudanese refugees, and MSF staff and contractors.
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The report says the group was investigating several cases of sexual exploitation of female refugees in exchange for food, water and milk. It also found cases of sex in exchange for jobs, and the prostitution of female refugees, including underage girls. It cites a block in a refugee camp where staff were seen searching for girls, and said community leaders implemented a curfew to prevent young girls from “‘visiting’ MSF staff.”
In one incident cited in the report, seven refugee girls, allegedly hired as daily workers, were put into an MSF vehicle and told they were going to water distribution and construction sites. The girls, however, were taken to a different location and “exposed to” sexual abuse and requests for sex, according to the report.
In addition, some female Chadian staff were threatened with losing their jobs if they refused to have sex with supervisors or colleagues, the investigation found.
In focus groups conducted by investigators, women said they often chose to remain silent, worried it would jeopardize access to care. Some said they didn’t know they had the right to speak up or share feedback, according to the report.
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MSF staff and community leaders told investigators they were afraid to report abuse for fear of losing jobs or assistance. The report noted that half a dozen community leaders said even though their daughters or sisters had been victims of abuse, they chose not to report to MSF.
The report also said that some who spoke up didn’t get help, with several alerts receiving no follow-up.
The memo said some feedback mechanisms, such as boxes where people could place complaints, were largely ineffective.
MSF employs tens of thousands of people across dozens of countries, with jobs ranging from doctors, nurses, midwives and epidemiologists to human resources, logistics, construction and sanitation specialists. The report did not specify which jobs those accused of abuse held. In its email to AP, MSF said it would not provide details such as employment category because of privacy and safety concerns.
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MSF’s email emphasized that it has implemented improved reporting methods and integrated prevention and detection responses in its operation — for example, including confidential reporting channels in its current response to Congo’s Ebola outbreak.
Doctors Without Borders was unaware of most cases of abuse before AP’s reporting
Prior to AP’s reporting, MSF was unaware of most of the cases of abuse, according to the report.
In 2023, the report said, MSF had conducted weeks of training with staff and community leaders about prevention. But efforts didn’t have a lasting impact and were undermined by high staff turnover, it said.
The memo said the urgent need for personnel and the absence of reference checks had resulted in the hiring of people with a history of misconduct or abuse.
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As a result of the investigation, the report said, 18 staff — including international, local and contractors — were or were about to be classified as “Do Not Hire.” But the report said there was no system in place to share names of people flagged as such, specifically for local staff, meaning they could get jobs in another MSF location.
The report made several recommendations: clearly communicating expected behavior to staff, employing “serious reference checks,” and creating one effective database for “Do Not Hire” staff.
Still, MSF acknowledged in the report that it had previously experienced similar allegations — the 2021 Ebola outbreak in Congo and reports of widespread exploitation and abuse by aid workers and peacekeepers in several West African countries in 2002 — but little had shifted overall.
“As a reminder, a rather similar diagnosis and recommendations were made in 2021,” said the memo. “Yet this led to no significant change.”
One party has more to gain than any other when Moorside heads to the polls next week
With placards and press on every corner, it’s hard to escape the political storm that has descended on Greater Manchester in recent weeks.
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Perhaps the most significant by-election in history, next week will see the Wigan constituency of Makerfield go to the polls in a vote that could decide not just their next MP but potentially also the UK’s next Prime Minister.
The campaign has stolen the headlines for weeks with activists, MPs and political commentators descending on the area from all areas of the country. It has also been fraught with controversy, from accusations of sexism aimed at Reform’s Robert Kenyon to claims Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is simply using the area as a ‘stepping stone’ to further his own ambitions.
But Makerfield residents are not the only ones tasked with picking their next political representative next week.
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Around a 45 minute drive away, residents in Moorside ward, to the north of Bury, will also be heading to the polls on June 18. The election will fill the final seat on Bury council.
While most of the borough voted in early May, the Moorside vote had to be postponed after Reform candidate Victor Hagan died suddenly shortly after nominations were announced. The outcome will perhaps not be quite as seismic as the Makerfield vote promises to be, but the election does have the potential to shape the direction of Bury politics – and one party has more to gain than any other.
If Reform UK’s Alan Derby beats Labour to the seat, the result will cement the group as the official opposition party on Bury council. This would be a huge leap forward for the party which, before this year, had just one councillor sitting on the authority.
Currently, Reform UK and Radcliffe First are joint opposition with six elected members each.
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But, walking the streets of Moorside, you would be hard pressed to tell anything out of the ordinary was happening there at all. Compared to the endless array of posters, banners and boards lining the streets and windows of Makerfield, I spotted just seven as I walked around the ward this week.
The majority of these backed Labour’s Sandra Walmsley, who is hoping to be re-elected to her council seat. Two bright blue Reform UK posters were also present, and one window declared support for the Workers Party of Britain candidate, Yasin Aamer.
Residents also seemed less engaged with the process than those out in Makerfield. The majority of the people I stopped to chat with told me they either knew nothing about the election, knew but were not planning to vote, or were going to vote but did not know next to which candidate’s name they would be putting their cross.
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One lady on a smoke break at work told me she did not think it was worth her time to vote, saying she feels all parties ‘say they’ll do this and that, and then do nothing’.
A middle-aged couple out in the rain said they normally vote for the Conservatives but, with an increase in voting for alternative parties, were looking at other options this time around. For them, the Greens were a possibility as they felt that could bring a more varied opposition to the authority.
Tactical voting could also play a part in this election. Some younger voters said they would be casting their vote not for a particular party, but against Reform UK.
When I asked midwife Jane Penketh, 35, for whom she was planning to vote, her answer was ‘definitely not Reform’. When I asked why, she said: “Because I’m not racist.”
The new mum added: “I probably will vote for Labour. Probably tactically, it’ll be either them or Greens, but I think it will probably be Labour.”
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However, 77-year-old Bruce Herdman told me he would be voting Labour because of Coun Walmsley’s record in the ward. He said: “She’s been a long-standing councillor, and she’s done quite a lot of good work for the area.”
Mr Herman is a life-long Labour supporter and a retired Bury council worker. He added he does not like Reform UK, saying: “They [wider party members] hide behind the smart words of Nigel Farage. He’s the face of reasonableness, but a lot of people in the party are not there to support reasonable positions.”
Despite the distance between the two areas, events over in Makerfield are also having an impact on Moorside residents. Both Ms Penketh and Mr Herdman made reference to them when speaking to me.
For Ms Penketh, goings on over the Wigan constituency appear to have helped cement her view on Reform UK. She said: “I don’t believe in what they say about women and pregnant women in particular. I’m very scared, really, for my baby and what the future’s going to hold.”
Mr Herman spoke instead of Andy Burnham and his chances of becoming PM. He said: “He’s done a good job with Greater Manchester. He’s well regarded […]
“He’s done some good things. Wasted quite a bit of money on the congestion charge, a lot of that stuff went up for no reason, cameras, signs, but apart from that, I think he’s well regarded.”
Reform UK’s message is cutting through with some in the ward, however. One gentleman, who did not want to give his name, said he would be voting for the party because he agrees with their stance on key issues.
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These include, he said, immigration, small boats and what he described as ‘two-tier everything’.
The Bury branch of the party told me they were ‘very, very optimistic’ about their chances next week. Spokesman for the local group Councillor Shadman Zaman told me he was out canvassing in the ward this week and claimed, of the around 35 doors he knocked on, perhaps 25 said they would be voting Reform.
He added: “It’s been overwhelmingly positive. Alan is a local guy and people seem to connect with him. The funniest thing is he knows so many people in the area. Whenever we are opening the door, people are telling us ‘oh, I went to school with him’, especially people his age. People know his wife as well.”
Councillor Zaman said he does believe the election is a ‘two-horse race’ based on the conversations he has had on the doorsteps but he does not think the group’s main competition is Labour. He believes it will be the Workers Party of Britain.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service attempted to speak to Labour candidate Sandra Walmsley to get her views on the election.
“I think people are just fed up of Labour,” Coin Zaman continued. “People are just fed up of Labour, and people want an alternative. People want change.”
The Workers Party holds one seat on the council currently after taking Redvales in May.
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Conversations I have with residents in the run up to an election normally bring standard complaints and concerns over bins collections, potholes and a general lack of maintenance to the fore of conversation. These are often complemented by gripes over how much they pay in council tax.
But out in Moorside, people struggled to come up with an answer when I asked them if there was anything they wanted to see change in the ward – though one gentleman did have a brief rant about a tree in front of his property that was causing him problems and how he was struggling to get action from the council to solve this.
In fact, Bury’s Labour group did fare well in May’s election compared to the huge losses experienced by the party elsewhere in Greater Manchester and across the country. Following the vote, Labour has 30 councillors, down one, and continues to have enough seats to keep their majority.
The Swiss are usually a safe bet to do well at a major tournament, reaching the knockout stages before coming up short against one of the stronger nations.
Though, with this likely to be a last World Cup for the likes of Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez and Remo Freuler, could this be the year when Switzerland better their best-ever quarter-final finish?
Murat Yakin’s side are favourites to top a group which contains host nation Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina, but know victory in their opening game is vital.
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Qatar are competing at just their second-ever World Cup finals, having hosted the previous edition four years ago. On home soil, they failed to progress from the group stage after losing all three games.
However, the appointment of Julen Lopetegui – formerly of Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wolves and West Ham – just might prove a masterstroke as his tactical nous could make Qatar a dangerous proposition in a group where three points may be enough to qualify.
This is will be just the second meeting between the two nations, with Qatar emerging victorious in an international friendly in Lugano back in November 2018 when Akram Afif scored four minutes from time.
Here’s everything you need to know about where to watch the match…
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How to watch Qatar vs Switzerland FOR FREE
TV channel: In the UK, Qatar vs Switzerland is being shown live and free-to-air on ITV1 with coverage beginning at 7pm BST ahead of a 8pm kick-off at the Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via ITVX or the ITV website.
The forest has plenty of things to do for children of all ages.
Found less than an hour’s drive away from Cambridge, High Lodge at Thetford Forest could be the ideal day out for any family. There are plenty of activities to get involved in, depending on what you are interested in, from a range of biking trails to a mini-golf course.
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The adventure golf course features 18 forest-themed holes that wind around the trees. The mini-golf course is designed to be fun for all ages and features lots of obstacles, including bridges and a huge loop-de-loop.
You might also like to try out the Lookout Archery, where you can book an archery experience for all ages, ranging from beginners to more experienced archers. You can choose from have-a-go sessions to one-hour lessons and birthday parties.
High Lodge is known for its “free adventurous play facilities,” with several areas for children to explore. You can pick up a Gruffalo orienteering pack from the Information Point to practice map-reading skills or get involved in running around the play area that features a zipline and giant seesaw.
There are also lots of inclusive activities, including the sand play area and pedal and play that feature sensory elements that children will enjoy. If you want to see even more of the forest, there are four walking trails to pick from, covering different areas.
There are shorter trails, such as the Pine Trail, which is only 1.5km long and is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, or the Nature Trail that takes you a bit further into the forest. The Fir Trail is for those who want to spend longer outdoors, with options for a 5km, 10km or 12km walk and gives you the opportunity to see local wildlife.
If you prefer cycling, there are multiple biking trails for people of different abilities that let you see the forest. You can bring your own bike or hire one from the High Lodge.
After spending a day in the forest, you might need somewhere to take a break, so you could pop into the High Lodge Café. The café offers breakfasts if you need something to fuel you before heading out on a walk, or light bites and lunches for those wanting to eat during the day.
The High Lodge can be found in Thetford Forest, which is a 53-minute drive away from Cambridge via the A11. There is a car park at the site, which costs £3.50 per hour.
John Healey resigned as defence secretary following continued disagreement between Downing Street, the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence over the defence investment plan. Healey said the plan falls “well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”.
His departure on June 11 was followed by Al Carns’ resignation as armed forces minister. Carns said in a letter to Keir Starmer that the funding plan is “not built for the threat we face”.
The resignations come at a time of political turmoil for the prime minister, following the huge losses Labour faced in the local elections last month, the subsequent resignation of Wes Streeting as health secretary and the threat posed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s potential arrival back in Westminster.
What is the defence investment plan?
The row is centred around funding for defence spending. Following the 2024 general election, Starmer commissioned a strategic defence review to set out a vision for UK defence over the next ten years and ensure the military is prepared for present and future threats. It was explicit in setting out the future mix of our armed forces, as well as the number of aircraft, ships and vehicles the military would need.
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What it didn’t do, however, was provide insight into how it was to be funded. This is where the defence investment plan comes in. It is expected to explain how the new equipment and infrastructure detailed in the defence review will be paid for. The defence review was published a year ago, so we have been waiting to find out how this would be funded for some time.
Healey said that he had “no other option” but to quit after the prime minister was “unable” and the Treasury was “unwilling” to commit to the resources that Healey believes are needed to be able to defend the UK effectively.
“I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe,” he wrote to the prime minister.
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It has been reported that the Treasury was refusing to offer more than £13.5 billion in investment (a 0.08% budget increase) when Healey and the Ministry of Defence had asked for £18 billion.
Starmer responded to Healey’s letter saying that the funding in defence investment plan as it stands would “transform and modernise” the armed forces, while being “sustainable and fair”.
Healey’s departure has created further unease within Starmer’s cabinet. Tolga Akmen/EPA
To give the Treasury some credit, the Ministry of Defence is known for poor spending decisions when it comes to procuring equipment. It has long been criticised for wasting taxpayers’ money. So their hesitancy may be justified at a time when the public finances are very tight and the cost of government borrowing has risen.
In order to pay for the full £18 billion package that Healey wanted, spending cuts in other departments would have been required. Indeed, a Treasury source’s reported response to the critiques in the resignation letter point to the need to cut the NHS and schools budgets to find the necessary money – something the Treasury and the prime minister are unwilling to do, given the promise to end austerity.
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How bad is it for Starmer?
This critique from Healey is particularly damaging for Starmer. It implies that he lacks both the political capital and the authority to make such a decision. This further reinforces expectations that he may not remain in office for much longer, particularly if Burnham wins the Makersfield byelection later this month and challenges Starmer for the party leadership.
In light of this, Starmer had intended to demonstrate that he was getting on with the job. The defence investment plan was supposed to form part of that political fightback in the hope of retaining office. While Starmer has also been more widely praised for his work on the world stage, this row, and the failure to push the defence review and investment plan through, has undermined that perception.
This is not the first public dispute over the defence investment plan. Back in April, Lord Robertson (a Labour peer, former defence secretary, former Nato secretary general, and author of the strategic defence review) launched a scathing attack on the government for its failure to implement and properly fund the review.
Healey is widely seen as a Starmer loyalist, and his resignation has come as a shock to Labour MPs. Starmer’s authority has clearly been weakened over the past few months, and the resignations further undermine his position. While Starmer has maintained that he would contest any leadership challenge (under Labour rules he would be an automatic candidate) this week reduces his chances of securing victory in such a contest.
It also damages Starmer on the international stage. He is due to attend the G7 meeting in France next week, where he will meet Donald Trump for the first time since their falling out over the conflict with Iran. He is likely to face criticism from both the US president and potentially other G7 allies over the failure to secure a funded defence plan.
There is also an upcoming Nato summit in July, and there is a risk that the UK could lose its status as a leading ally within the alliance, as other European countries rearm and reach defence spending targets at a much faster pace.
The appointment of Dan Jarvis (previously the security minister and a former British Army officer) as defence secretary nearly nine hours after Healey’s resignation is a sound choice. The question now is whether the length of time taken to appoint him reflects the need for additional security checks for the role, or whether he was negotiating with Downing Street over the details of the spending package.
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On the horizon, too, is the possibility of a leadership contest, a new prime minister, and a subsequent change of government. As a result, it is entirely plausible that Jarvis may hold the position for only a matter of months.
Donegal v Cork Live stream and TV information, throw-in time, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of today’s All-Ireland football Championship clash
Donegal host Cork at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey in Round 2A of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship on Saturday, June 13, with a 3pm throw-in — but the Gaelic Football clash will not be shown on live TV or GAA+.
Donegal will face Cork this weekend in Round 2A of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
Donegal enter the match brimming with confidence following their impressive victory over Kerry in the opening round of the All-Ireland series.
Jim McGuinness’ side are amongst the favourites for Sam Maguire and are aware that a home victory would guarantee a quarter-final spot.
Cork will be considered underdogs, but they demonstrated in their round one triumph over Meath that they possess the attacking threat to trouble any opposition.
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Here’s what you need to know about the fixture:, reports the Irish Mirror.
Where is the match being played?
MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.
What time is throw-in?
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The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, June 13.
Can I watch the match on TV?
No. The fixture has not been selected for live TV coverage and will not be available on GAA+.
Samsung customers can get £150 off the Galaxy Watch8 Classic when combining two deals in the brand’s summer sale
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Samsung has made one of its flagship smartwatches much cheaper as it launches two concurrent deals in a summer sale. The tech giant is giving away a total of £150 to shoppers when they pick up the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic.
When ordering this latest gadget on June 23, customers can claim up to £100 cashback to spend in their Samsung Wallet. There’s also a way to knock £50 off the sale price with the code WJ26, reducing the Bluetooth model from £449 to £399, or effectively £299 after cashback.
The same code can be used with the standard Galaxy Watch8, which drops from £319 to £294. A cashback claim must be submitted to Samsung within 30 days of purchase, after which eligible customers will be able to add a prepaid card to their Samsung Wallet.
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The deal undercuts rival retailers like Amazon, where the Galaxy Watch8 Classic with Bluetooth and GPS costs £499. Elsewhere, Sky Mobile offers the Bluetooth model for £10 when spreading the cost with a monthly plan.
A caveat is that customers must sign up for 36 months to get this price. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic launched in July 2025 with an ultra-slim 8.6mm profile, said to be the ‘thinnest’ model yet.
Samsung customers can claim £100 cashback with the Galaxy Watch8 Classic when ordering by June 23, plus get £50 off with the code WJ26.
It boasts a Sapphire Crystal 1.34” Super AMOLED display alongside a rotating bezel designed to look like an ‘elegant’ analogue watch. It’s also touted as ‘the world’s first’ smartwatch equipped with Google’s Gemini AI assistant, which can provide support for daily routines, everyday tasks and workout regimes hands-free with voice control.
It also serves as a personal health coach thanks to the Samsung Health app, providing easy monitoring of steps, sleep to nutrition, blood pressure and more. The Watch8 Classic is ideal for runners of all abilities as it offers personal running training tailored to each individual, tracking records and routes while setting daily goals.
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Other activities, including cycling, swimming, yoga, and rowing, can also be tracked. All this is available via Samsung’s redesigned One UI 8 Watch software with multi-info tiles, streamlined notifications and quick access to one’s favourite apps via the Now bar.
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic has been awarded an impressive 4.8-star rating from Samsung customers after more than 370 reviews, with buyers hailing it as ‘the perfect blend of functional and style’.
“It’s one of the best smartwatches I’ve owned,” one says. “The rotating bezel feels premium and makes navigation so smooth. The display is bright, sharp and easy to read even outdoors. Battery life is solid, lasting comfortably through the day. I like how seamlessly it connects with my phone, and the health features are quite useful.”
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Another said: “It’s a very impressive device. I’ve used it during activities including running, cycling and swimming, and it performed faultlessly, giving useful and accurate information. The Samsung Health app is much better than I remember, and you can also sync with Strava. As a bonus, it’s comfortable to wear and looks good.”
However, despite their five-star review, the same Galaxy Watch8 buyer had one issue, adding: “Only gripe is battery life could be better.” Meanwhile, another glowing review says: “This is the perfect blend of functional and style, with the real look of an actual watch but the functionality of a smartwatch.
“I’m very satisfied with the wide range of features available. The strap is of a nice, high-quality [that] seems strongly made and comfortable to wear.”
Among the highlights this week are plans for an extended canopy roof, bus shelters at Dalton Park, various tree works at residential and institutional sites, and updates to previous permissions involving housing developments and educational premises.
Below is a summary of planning applications submitted to Durham County Council:
5 Loweswater Grove, West Auckland, Bishop Auckland DL14 9NA. Proposal to extend the existing canopy roof over the bay window at the front of the property. Ref. No: DM/26/01483/FPA
St Johns College, 1 – 7 South Bailey, Durham DH1 3RJ. Various tree works are proposed within the college grounds. Ref. No: DM/26/01475/TCA
Dalton Park, Murton, Seaham SR7 9HU. Application seeks to discharge Condition 3 relating to bus shelters pursuant to a previous planning consent. Ref. No: DM/26/01467/DRC
Cemetery, St Pauls Church, Church Lane, Hunwick DL15 0JX. Section 211 notice for removal of the northern limb of a cherry tree and a 20% reduction and reshape of the canopy. Ref. No: DM/26/01471/TCA
Fairview House, Barningham, Richmond DL11 7DW. Section 211 notice to reduce ash tree T1 to ground level. Ref. No: DM/26/01459/TCA
Land To The South Of Cockhouse Lane, Ushaw Moor DH7 7PN. Discharge of conditions on biodiversity, habitat management, bird/bat boxes, and hedgehog gaps linked to an earlier consent. Ref. No: DM/26/01466/DRC
Dalton Park, Murton, Seaham SR7 9HU. Non-material amendment to revise internal access road alignment and provide details of a replacement bus shelter near the current kerb line. Ref. No: DM/26/01463/NMA
Lydford, 24 Crossgate Peth, Durham DH1 4PZ. Tree works include a 40% crown reduction of a cherry tree (T1). Ref. No: DM/26/01455/TCA
Land To The South Of Cockhouse Lane, Ushaw Moor DH7 7PN. Non-material amendment to earlier permission: updates location of various dwellings and removes bay window on Plot 27’s eastern gable. Ref. No: DM/26/01436/NMA
The Old Yeast House, The Bank, Barnard Castle DL12 8PQ. T1 copper beech to be reduced in overall size by 2-3 metres. Ref. No: DM/26/01444/TCA
St Helen Auckland Community Primary School, Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, Bishop Auckland DL14 9EN. Discharge of Condition 3 regarding materials under two previous consents. Ref. No: DM/26/01437/DRC
23 Heath Road, Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor DL16 7DT. Retention of a detached gazebo within the rear garden of the property. Ref. No: DM/26/01441/FPA
Beagle House, Satley, Bishop Auckland DL13 4HU. Proposal to fell two alder trees under a Section 211 notice. Ref. No: DM/26/01429/TCA
133 Harvey Avenue, Framwellgate Moor, Durham DH1 5ZB. Plans for a single-storey side extension, loft conversion with dormer windows, plus new brick boundary walls and driveway gates. Ref. No: DM/26/01432/FPA
91 Park Road North, Chester-le-Street DH3 3SB. Application for a single-storey side extension to the existing dwelling. Ref. No: DM/26/01413/FPA
Site Of Former Easington Maintenance Depot To The Rear Of 31 To 37 Peter Lee Cottages, Wheatley Hill DH6 3RH. Non-material amendment to swap and hand selected plots, and change house types on some plots. Ref. No: DM/26/01405/NMA
8 Balmoral Grove, Bishop Auckland DL14 6LR. Replacement rear extension proposed as a single-storey addition to the home. Ref. No: DM/26/01383/FPA
2 Briarside, Blackhill, Consett DH8 0AS. Proposal for a first-floor extension above the current garage. Ref. No: DM/26/01342/FPA
1 Escomb Villas, Escomb Lane, Bishop Auckland DL14 7SP. Plans for a 6m x 6m garage with a 4 hip roof located at the front of the property on the existing driveway. Ref. No: DM/26/01315/FPA
25 Humberhill Drive, Lanchester, Durham DH7 0HH. External cladding changes, alterations to windows and doors, and raised rear platform proposed. Ref. No: DM/26/01174/FPA
For more notices affecting YOUR area, visit our Public Notice Portal – Public Notices from The Northern Echo (publicnoticeportal.uk).
Ground Floor West Wing, Spectrum 5, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham SR7 7TT. Construction of new extract chimneys, external plant area, gantry framework, and relocation of refuse storage at the research and development building. Ref. No: DM/26/01108/FPA
The United Reform Church, Low Chare, Chester-le-Street DH3 3QF. Removal of render and repointing to expose and repair original stonework using lime mortar on several elevations. Ref. No: DM/26/01026/LB
The United Reform Church, Low Chare, Chester-le-Street DH3 3QF. Removal of render and repointing works for stonework using lime mortar, as listed in the accompanying application. Ref. No: DM/26/01025/FPA
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