This will be the third location in Northern Ireland
Fast-food chain Popeyes has submitted plans to open a location in Belfast City Centre.
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Plans have been spotted on the planning portal for signage and a fascia which don the chicken shop’s logo and signature colours.
Popeyes currently have two locations across Northern Ireland. It opened its first location at Lesley Forestside in September 2024, then followed with The Junction in Antrim in July 2025.
The new chicken restaurant is set to open its doors in the former GAME store on Castle Place. There are no further details on when the location will open.
Signage has also been spotted at Lesley Bloomfield, indicating that Popeyes is set to open in Bangor. A sign with the logo and ‘coming soon’ has appeared, and it is set to open in 2027, according to the shopping centre’s Facebook.
This follows shortly after Popeyes announced they were set to open its very first location in the Republic of Ireland. Their Blanchardstown location will open on June 6, 2026.
Popeyes Louisiana Chicken, founded in New Orleans in 1972, is known for serving up American Southern-style chicken dishes and sides. Customers can expect chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, hot wings, wraps and more when they open the doors of their new location .
Having launched in the UK in November 2021, Popeyes now has over 80 sites in the UK with plans to open more than 45 new restaurants in 2025. The chain employs approximately 3,000 people in the UK and expects to create another 2,500 new roles this year.
Popeyes is joining Wingstop as the second chicken chain to submit plans to open on the same street. Plans were spotted in March of this year for the famous wing joint to open up in the Costa on Castle Place.
We can all be guilty of getting in our own way (Picture: Getty Images)
We all say we want happiness and contentment, and yet our behaviour often sabotages that, with unconscious habits and tics and urges that propel us into chaos or conflict.
And according to astrology, your zodiac sign may reveal the exact emotional blind spot, coping mechanism or mindset quietly standing between you and the life you actually want.
Yes, we can blame our star signs once again!
Here’s the one thing secretly blocking each zodiac sign from happiness — and how to break through to transform your life for the better.
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Looking for deeper insight?
My truthful direct tarot reading lets you ask any three questions and get an answer within 24 hours. Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
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Take a breath, Aries (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Aries’ happiness: Believing you must always win and be seen as invincible.
Vulnerability is a tough look for you to master, and yet it’s often what is expected, needed and wanted by others. They know you don’t always deal with things like the way you present. They want to be let in.
You often equate happiness with achievement and winning, but the constant pressure to ‘push through’ leaves little room for emotional honesty. Rest, support, and sensitivity are not weakness.
Loyalty and comfort don’t trump true happiness (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Taurus’ happiness: Hanging in there far too long.
You find it very hard to let go, even when what you’re holding onto is fading, false or deeply hurtful. Whatever you once possessed, you struggle to release. You remain emotionally attached to things that no longer make you happy simply because they feel familiar.
Accelerate towards releasing dead weight far faster, your happiness begins the moment you stop confusing familiarity with fulfilment.
Sit with your feelings before making sense of them (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Gemini’s happiness: Rationalising your feelings.
You can talk the talk about emotions and sound very convincing, like you’ve got your s*** together. But you’re actually only intellectualising your feelings. Truly sitting with them? Much harder.
Distraction, avoidance and humour are your go-to weapons in this battle against drowning in emotion. But you’d never drown, Gemini. You will always surface, and you’ll do so far faster if you let it all wash over you. Stop trying to outsmart your true feelings. Let them surface.
You can’t pour from an empty cup (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Cancer’s happiness: Putting others first too often, for too long, in too big a way.
Your instinct to nurture others can leave you emotionally depleted. You spend so much energy protecting and caring for others that there’s often very little left for you. And, then, on top of that, you start to feel resentment and frustration but have nowhere for it to go. Festering.
The truth? Resentment mounts up and poisons wherever self-sacrifice becomes constant. Your happiness depends on learning that caring for yourself isn’t selfish. Self-care is your homework. Boundaries are your protection.
You are the glowiest, most outgoing and externally confident sign of the zodiac… but secretly rely too heavily on external approval to feel worthy. Attention and admiration are what you pursue, even unconsciously, until criticism or rejection knocks your confidence completely.
Never let success go to your head nor failure to your heart. Learn to balance and ground yourself in your own victories and benchmarks, not those set by others. Other people’s opinions are not your business.
Virgo, you can be your own harshest critic (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Virgo’s happiness: Thinking that you have to be perfect to be happy.
Virgos can be brutally hard on themselves. Always in pursuit of the next achievement, self-improvement goal or perfectly organised plan, and often feeling like happiness exists just over that horizon, vs here and now. Almost like you don’t deserve it ‘until’…
But life isn’t a constant project. You are not an issue to be fixed. You are good! Work on things, sure, but enjoy the journey, the ride, the experience. Relax. Be in the here and now and let yourself enjoy it all.
Libra craves peace, harmony and connection and can shapeshift to keep the peace even when it flies in the face of your true feelings or needs. You smile through disappointment, stay quiet to avoid tension and tell yourself it’s ‘easier this way’.
But it’s not sustainable because then you feel pushed out, ignored, or resentment festers. Don’t disguise suppression and self sacrifice as diplomacy. Speak your mind, listen well, find compromises. If not, walk away and let it settle down. Don’t feel it’s all on your shoulders to heal, mend and make nice.
Let go of those reins (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Scorpio’s happiness: Control.
Scorpio is intensely emotional and deep, and therefore vulnerability can feel terrifying. In order to avoid that feeling, Scorpios will focus on through control: controlling emotions, situations, relationships or expectations before anyone can hurt you.
But it doesn’t work. People don’t play ball, circumstances change, moods rise and fall, s*** happens, basically! So trust that you can handle it, whatever happens, and let everything outside of your direct personal circle of influence take care of itself. You will be fine, you are very strong.
You can be flighty at times (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Sagittarius’ happiness: Restlessness, always seeking the better option.
Sagittarius loves possibility, freedom and adventure, but this can overtip into a selfish quest for the better option, always feeling like you’re missing out and need to be out hunting again. This can impact work, money, family, relationships… folk come to think you don’t really care for or prioritise them, because you struggle to appreciate what already exists in front of you.
Not every uncomfortable feeling means you need to escape. Consciously practice patience. Make yourself push through discomfort to show loyalty or commitment to the things, people and places that truly matter to you.
You know what they say about all work and no play (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Capricorn’s happiness: Basing your self-worth on material status.
Capricorns are ambitious, capable and resilient but you often tie self-worth directly to your success, responsibility or usefulness. This can lead you into burnout and exhaustion, and rack up hollow victories that you don’t, emotionally, truly enjoy.
Rest is essential. You’re not a machine, you don’t owe people anything, you are allowed to just be. Stop tying yourself to material gains. Relax and rest and be in your own realm without worrying what you’re delivering or earning or gaining.
It seems easier to detach, but it’ll hurt you in the long run (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
What’s blocking Aquarius’ happiness: Detachment and distance.
Aquarians are great company — very funny and smart and unique. And yet, emotional closeness can feel overwhelming for you and you’d rather just detach and go off on a new pathway than stay with feelings that have become too intense or vulnerable.
Being independent and self sufficient is a virtue, until it thwarts your relationships or isolates you. Your happiness grows when you stop treating emotional intimacy like a threat to your freedom.
What’s blocking Pisces’ happiness: Escaping your issues instead of changing them.
You feel everything fully and deeply, which can make reality overwhelming at times. And, if given a choice, you often prioritise fantasy, avoidance, nostalgia or distraction over having to face down and deal with what’s right in front of you.
Trust yourself enough to actively create the reality you deserve. You are clever, imaginative, loving and loved. You have many allies, an army of folk who’d help you, no questions asked. Lean on them, ask for advice, create allies in different life areas. You can do this!
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
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Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
These are the best places to see the Northern Lights tonight, according to the Met Office
The Met Office has revealed where in the UK could catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on Friday night (June 5).
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Forecasters say there’s a ‘good chance’ the aurora borealis could be visible across northern parts of the UK, with sightings possible as far south as northern England.
It comes after a rare merger of two solar eruptions, known as a ‘cannibal’ solar storm. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this is set to spark a strong or even a severe magnetic storm around the Earth on Friday.
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The Northern Lights are caused by large explosions of activity from the sun which throw out huge amounts of charged particles into space.
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When these particles are captured by the Earth’s magnetic field, they can collide with gas molecules in the atmosphere in an event called a geomagnetic storm. These collisions give off energy as light, forming spectacular colourful displays in the sky.
While typically confined to northern latitudes, the Met Office says ‘building geomagnetic activity’ could make the aurora more visible in southern latitudes, including the UK.
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The Met Office said in a space weather update: “The arrival of a Coronal Mass Ejection early on 05 Jun has resulted in gradually building geomagnetic activity, which could allow for some visible aurora across northernmost geomagnetic latitudes, although viewings are likely to be limited by the light levels.
“Any further arrivals, which are low confidence, could allow for some viewings further south, potentially as far south as northern England.”
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The Met Office space weather forecast suggests a ‘strong’ G3 geomagnetic storm could continue until 9am on Saturday (June 6).
Forecasts say the best areas for any aurora sightings tonight could be:
Scotland, particularly northern and eastern regions where clearer skies are more likely for longer
Northern Ireland, where brief clearer spells may coincide with peak activity
The Met Office said there is a lower probability for northern England, with cloud cover limiting visibility further south.
The weather agency wrote in a blog post on Friday: “An incoming coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to drive an increase in auroral activity. As of Friday morning, the arrival timing remains uncertain, but there is an expectation of heightened activity developing through the early part of the day.
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“If this increase occurs as anticipated, there is potential for the aurora borealis to be visible across Scotland and Northern Ireland, especially where skies remain clear. There is also a smaller chance that northern parts of England could catch a glimpse, although this is more marginal.
“Any enhanced activity may continue into Friday night, before gradually easing. However, forecasts of this nature can change rapidly depending on the precise arrival and strength of solar material interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.”
More than a dozen caravans have camped on New House Farm playing field, near Blenheim Road.
A resident said the group arrived yesterday evening (June 4), with cars and caravans parked around the edge of the field.
Traveller encampment on Breightmet playing field (Image: NQ)
The Bolton News approached individuals at the site, where two women and their children were present.
One women said: “We’re just here for a few days.
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“We won’t be here for long, and we’re not here to cause any trouble.”
Map showing the location of the traveller encampment on Breightmet playing field (Image: Apple Maps)
The Gypsy and Traveller way of life may involve travelling across the country and staying in different locations for varying periods in order to earn a living.
They are protected from discrimination under the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998, alongside all ethnic groups with distinct cultures, languages, or values.
When Gypsies park their caravans and vehicles in public places such as car parks or on land where they should not, it is classed as an ‘unauthorised encampment’.
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Traveller encampment on Breightmet playing field (Image: NQ)
All unauthorised encampments on Bolton council land are issued with a Code of Conduct for Unauthorised Encampments.
Yesterday, a traveller encampment that set up at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre in Atherton on June 3 was asked to move on by Wigan Council.
An estimated 80% of California votes are cast by mail and those ballots need to be sorted, validated and counted. Each county has up to 30 days after an election to count ballots, and results will not be certified until 10 July – meaning Becerra’s opponent in the November general election could take time to confirm.
Manchester United will be keeping an eye on several players at this summer’s World Cup
Manchester United are heading into a vital summer of transfer activity. Under Michael Carrick, who has been given the United job on a permanent basis, they are expected to address several areas of the squad.
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With the assistance of director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, the new United boss will be keeping a keen eye on the World Cup with a number of supposed targets in action.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
However, with none of those three in action in the USA, Canada or Mexico across June and July, here are 17 targets that United have been linked with, and can scout, with an eye toward a transfer.
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17 Players linked with a move to Manchester United
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
The 29-year-old is wanted in connection with a number of offences
14:24, 05 Jun 2026Updated 14:37, 05 Jun 2026
A man with links to a Cambridgeshire town is wanted by police. Norfolk Police is appealing for help to find James Marron-Moore, 29.
Marron-Moore, who has links to Wisbech, is wanted in connection with a number of offences including alleged assault. A police spokesperson said the 29-year-old is around 6ft tall and of “slim build with mousey brown hair”.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call Norfolk Police on 101 or report it online and quote reference 36/34093/26.
All eyes are on North America for the 2026 World Cup, with excitement levels building. Football fans will be glued to their screens.
If you’re interested in placing a bet on the World Cup, The Standard has you covered. We’ve taken a look at the most popular match markets and tournament-long outright markets on betting sites, as well as highlighting the offers that can enhance both.
Here’s all you need to learn about types of football bets and World Cup betting markets.
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World Cup betting markets explained
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the calendar, so it is no surprise that there are tons of markets on World Cup betting sites. If you’re new to betting, that might be slightly intimidating or confusing, so we’ve unpacked the most common types of betting markets:
This is the bread and butter of football betting markets, with three outcomes: home win, draw, and away win. Sometimes displayed as 1X2 – 1 for a home win, X for a draw, and 2 for an away win – this market is settled at full time, 90 minutes plus any additional time. Any bets on this market do not cover the outcome after extra time and/or penalties in the World Cup.
Double chance takes the match result market and allows punters to combine any two of the three match result outcomes into one bet. For example, betting on ‘Scotland or draw’ in this market for Haiti v Scotland covers anything other than a win for Haiti.
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This does mean the odds are lower than betting on a single outcome in match result market, but the chances of a winning bet is greater. Double chance is a useful World Cup betting market for backing an underdog without fearing the draw.
Another variation of match betting with a little bit of protection. Here you back a team to win, but if the match ends in a draw, your stake will be refunded.
Effectively, you are hedging against the stalemate, which provides a middle ground between match result and double chance. You’ll have shorter odds than the match result win price, but the odds are longer than with double chance.
Both teams to score (BTTS)
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Both teams to score, commonly abbreviated to BTTS, is a simple yes/no market. Picture it as being asked if you think both teams will score in a specific game – bet yes if you think they will, or bet no if you think they won’t.
For example, if you bet on both teams to score in Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina and the final result is 2-1, you win. It doesn’t matter how many goals either side scores, so long as they both find the net.
BTTS is popular for high-scoring fixtures and a staple of bet builders. This market settles on 90 minutes.
With total goals, you are betting whether the total goals in the match will go over or under a set number – typically 2.5 goals. Lines at 1.5, 3.5 and 4.5 are also widely available.
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The addition of the 0.5 to the number removes the chance of a dead heat – if the market was over or under two goals and the game finished 2-0, it would be a dead heat – leaving bettors with two options, backing the over or under.
So if you looked at a game and thought there might be three or more goals in the fixture, you’d bet over 2.5 goals. It doesn’t matter how many goals are scored in the fixture, so long as there’s a minimum of three.
Simply pick a player to score at any point in the match. This is the most popular individual-player market.
Closely related to this market is first goalscorer and last goalscorer. As it is more difficult to predict who will open the scoring and who will grab the last goal, the odds for those markets are higher than the anytime option.
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The Asian handicap gives one team a virtual goal start (or deficit) to level the playing field in potentially one-sided World Cup fixtures.
For favourite backers, it improves their World Cup odds, as they must now win by a certain amount, while for underdog backers, they can wager on them and make a profit so long as their chosen team covers the handicap.
There’s a great variety in numbers available for Asian handicap, with quarter and half goals helping to eliminate the draw as a possibility.
Take the example of Brazil vs Haiti, if you were to back Brazil -1.5 on the Asian handicap, you would need Brazil to win by two goals for the bet to hit.
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Another over or under market, based on total corners across the match. Common lines are 9.5, 10.5, 11.5. This market is settled on 90 minutes.
Again, an over/under market on a specific player’s number of shots. There are two variants: total shots and shots on target. Make sure to check which market you are betting on – shots on target bets will have higher odds, but hits at a lower rate.
This market is a two-way yes or no market on whether a named player will be shown a yellow or red card. Cards shown after the final whistle don’t count.
World Cup outright betting markets
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World Cup outrights are tournament-long bets settled at the end of a certain stage or the conclusion of the competition.
Placing an outright bet before the tournament starts usually secures the best odds in that market, but you can also wager on outrights during the competition.
Betting during the tournament can mean you have a clearer idea of who will win the tournament or an award, but the odds will be lower.
This is the headline outright market – predicting the World Cup winner. Bettors can place a win-only or each-way bet on this market.
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You might not have heard of each-way before – essentially, you place half the stake on your selection winning, and half on a place. Standard World Cup terms are typically 1/2 odds on the top two – i.e half the win odds if your team reaches the final.
Some bookmakers boost this to the top three or top four. Make sure to check before betting.
Whilst offering some insurance, each-way only really makes sense at longer odds.
Top goalscorer (Golden Boot)
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This market asks you to predict the tournament’s leading scorer. Most UK bookmakers also offer each-way terms on this bet too, typically paying out on the top four in the top scorer standings at 1/4 the starting odds.
Group winner and qualification
These are two related markets – which team will top the group, and which teams will qualify.
A group winner bet will only be marked as a winner if the team finishes top of the section, while a to qualify wager will be successful so long as they reach the round of 32.
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It is important to note that the revamped World Cup format will see the eight best third-placed teams progress to the Round of 32, so to qualify covers that too at most sportsbooks.
This market asks when you think a chosen side will exit the tournament. Bookmakers will price each round at which a team could be knocked out – group stage, Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, the final or winner. Bets on each stage are mutually exclusive.
This is a two-way market, asking a yes/no question on whether you think a team will reach the final. Sometimes this is packaged as ‘to reach the semi-final’ or ‘to reach the quarter-final’ too.
Overall, this is a simpler version of the stage of elimination market – useful for punters who just want a binary call.
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How to place a bet on the World Cup
Choose a UK-licensed bookmaker. You can compare bookmakers and welcome offers with The Standard’s best World Cup betting sites article
Sign up and verify your ID – you must be a UK resident aged over 18+ to register for a betting account
Make a qualifying deposit using a permitted payment method
Find a World Cup bet
Add your selection to the bet slip and choose your stake
Remember to stake responsibly, check the market rules thoroughly, and confirm
Betting offers that enhance World Cup markets
Bookmakers produce a range of World Cup betting offers for every tournament. Here are some promotions that can help you make the most of FIFA World Cup 2026 betting markets.
Place a wager on the match result and if the team you backed goes two goals ahead at any point, your bet is paid out as a winner regardless of the final score. This is a common promo available at most betting sites.
If your World Cup accumulator is let down by one leg, get your stake back, typically in free bets. Available at Betfred, Ladbrokes and BOYLE Sports, among others. Acca insurance is a useful safety net, but usually requires an acca to have at least 5 legs.
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Get more from your accas with boosted payouts. The boost percentage scales with the number of legs, with some bookmakers offering enhanced payouts on doubles (a multiple feature two legs), going all the way up to a 200 per cent boost for accumulators with 20 or more selections.
Selected daily markets where the bookmaker has enhanced the standard price. Most brands run a daily ‘enhanced markets’ or ‘price boosts’ section – meaning it is worth a quick scan across sites before placing any World Cup bet.
Bet365 and William Hill are known for doing huge odds boosts, but with restrictions on how much can be wagered on those selections.
Any bet on a player-specific market is carried over to their replacement if they are taken off during a match. For example, with Bet365’s Sub on Play On, if you bet on Harry Kane to score and he’s replaced by Ollie Watkins, who goes on to score in that same match, the bet is marked as a winner.
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Free bets and ongoing offers
On top of any welcome offers and sign-up free bets, there are ongoing free bet offers like Sky Bet’s Free Bet Club or Paddy’s Rewards, which reward bettors for placing a certain number of bets within a specified time frame.
If you’re new to gambling, it can be easy getting caught up in all the excitement. With the non-stop football the expanded World Cup brings, emotions can lead you. It is important to remember to gamble responsibly on betting sites. Gambling should never be treated as a source of income.
Remember to never bet more than you can afford, and use deposit and time limits to help keep in touch with your gambling.
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World Cup betting markets – frequently asked questions
What are the most common World Cup betting markets?
The most popular World Cup betting markets is the match result market, with plenty of bettors likely to wager on the outcome of a game. The World Cup also attracts strong betting interest in their outright markets before the tournament kick-offs, with tournament winner and top goalscorer markets available on all UK betting sites.
What is each-way betting on the World Cup?
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Each-way are effectively two bets in one – half the stake on the win, and half on a place finish. Different World Cup markets will have different each-way rules, with each-way bets on the World Cup winner traditionally offering 1/2 odds if the team you selected reaches the final.
However, for Golden Boot bets, an each-way wager in that market will show a return with a top four finish, but at 1/4 the starting odds.
Can you bet on the World Cup before the tournament starts?
Yes – you can bet on the outright winner, top goalscorer, group betting and stage of elimination markets are all open well before kick-off. Match result markets are also available well in advance, but player-specific markets only get priced up in the days before a game.
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Pre-tournament prices often offer better value than in-play, particularly on outsiders.
We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.
Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.
South Cambridgeshire District Council officers have been asked for details on how they scored faith groups bidding for land in Northstowe new town
Council officers have been asked to show how they scored two bids from religious groups for use of land in a Cambridgeshire new town. Northstowe is planned to be the largest new town since Milton Keynes with 10,000 homes, 1,700 of which are already built and occupied.
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Land to be used by faith and community groups was allocated as part of an agreement with the developer when the proposal was approved. Two groups submitted bids for use of the land – Northstowe Church Network (NCN), a Christian group with support from Northstowe Muslims, and Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN).
For several years, Cambridgeshire’s Hindu community has been without a dedicated space for spiritual process after their Mill Road temple was shut in 2019 due to water damage.
Council officers said their bidding criteria was based on the group’s local association, charitable status, the feasibility of their plans and a guarantee that a shared space be open to all other groups “regardless of faith, belief or lifestyle”.
A panel of eight officers, six from South Cambridgeshire District Council and two external specialists, scored both bids with the Northstowe Church Network winning out. Their bid received a score of 81% while Hindu Samaj Northstowe’s bid was given 65%.
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The council’s scrutiny and overview committee were asked to approve the recommendation to the cabinet that the bid be accepted but questioned how the panel came to their figures.
Cllr Heather Williams, the Conservative opposition group leader, said: “I can see the bid but what I can’t see is the scoring for the matrix, where can I find that information? Surely how can you assess and scrutinise if you haven’t actually got the results of that process?”
Monitoring officer Katevu Nurainatta said the scoring “wasn’t directly requested by scrutiny as a whole” but it could be provided on a confidential paper.
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Cllr Dr Lisa Redrup, lead cabinet member for healthy communities, said it was left to officers to assess, come up with their scores and give their recommendation. She said it was the job of scrutiny to determine if policy had been followed and pass the recommendations on to the cabinet.
She said: “I’m not sure in my opinion if you would need to see all the details of what has happened to be able to make that determination.”
Cllr Dr Richard Williams, chair of the committee, said the officer’s assessment of the recommended bid was just 151 words long.
He said: “Now I assume that the value of the land at least in commercial terms that’s being disposed of here is significant, hence the need for the secretary of state’s consent. We are proposing that the cabinet makes a decision of that significance on the basis of a 151 word summary which doesn’t include much detail.”
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Cllr Heather Williams said she felt the cabinet “cannot make a good decision” with the information from the report. She said: “We don’t need the granular, we don’t need who said what or anything like that.
“But, in order to come to the top figures – those figures were calculated somehow and I think it’s important that scoring is before the cabinet before they make a decision.”
The committee added a recommendation to provide further details of the assessment.
The full New State Pension rose by 4.8 per cent in April to £12,548 – just £22 below the Personal Allowance
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer
03:00, 06 Jun 2026
An increasing number of elderly individuals are expected to face income tax obligations as the State Pension climbs to within £22 of the Personal Allowance this year. The full New State Pension rose to £12,548 annually in April following a 4.8 per cent uplift under the Triple Lock, which ensures yearly increases aligned with earnings growth, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation or 2.5 per cent – whichever proves highest.
While the enhancement means those retired are nearly £1,300 better off than had the State Pension merely increased with CPI inflation at 3.8 per cent, it also leaves many perilously close to incurring income tax. It is crucial to note that individuals whose only income stream is the State Pension will not face tax.
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Nevertheless, with the Personal Allowance frozen at £12,570 until April 2031, pensioners now require merely £22 of supplementary income before they begin paying income tax.
This represents a stark shift from several years ago. During the 2021/22 tax year, pensioners could receive over £3,200 on top of their State Pension before breaching the tax threshold.
Fresh analysis from Vanguard demonstrates the impact is already being experienced. The number of taxpayers aged 66 and above has surged from 6.7million in 2021/22 to 8.8million in the previous tax year – a rise of nearly 2.1million individuals, reports the Daily Record.
James Norton, head of retirement and investments at Vanguard, cautions the most recent State Pension increase is likely to drag even more retirees into the tax system, especially those with modest private pensions or savings income. He explained: “The value of the Triple Lock is clear, with the inflation-busting increase confirmed.
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“Our analysis shows that those receiving the full new State Pension are almost £1,300 better off compared to if there was just an inflation link in place.
“But with the Personal Allowance frozen, many pensioners will find they are paying tax for the first time or paying more than expected. A considered approach to retirement income is essential to avoid unnecessary tax.”
With the State Pension now accounting for nearly all of the tax-free allowance, retirees are being advised to manage any additional income with care.
This may encompass earnings from private pensions, savings interest or investments, all of which could push total income beyond the tax threshold.
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Experts at Vanguard warn that withdrawing too heavily from private pensions risks triggering avoidable tax bills, while keeping money invested for longer could help limit tax exposure.
Couples are additionally being urged to plan their finances jointly, making full use of both partners’ allowances and potentially lowering their overall tax liability.
The figures shine a light on an increasingly pressing concern for older people, whereby rising State Pension payments are being counteracted by frozen tax thresholds — drawing ever more retirees into the income tax net each year.
Dr Amir Khan explains how hormonal changes can cause women to gain belly fat and weight around the tummy
Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer
03:49, 06 Jun 2026
A doctor has explained why women tend to develop belly fat as they get older, describing it as a “normal” aspect of ageing. The expert said women can anticipate changes in their weight distribution as they grow older.
In a clip from his podcast No Appointment Necessary, posted to his Instagram account, Dr Amir Khan offered some reassurance regarding weight fluctuations before and after the menopause. He described how fat is stored differently across the body as a result of this hormonal shift.
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Menopause is a natural life stage that usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55. It takes place when hormone levels in the body decline to a point where periods stop altogether.
As a result of these hormonal changes, the body can go through a wide array of symptoms that can affect both physical and mental wellbeing. These include hot flushes, mood swings, and brain fog.
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Yet it can also influence how your body distributes fat. On the podcast, his co-host Cherry Healey said: “Lots of women find that when they go through perimenopause and menopause, they gain weight.”
Dr Amir responded: “So, before the menopause, fat distribution in women is usually around the hips, thighs, and buttock area. And that fat distribution is completely normal and healthy and women should have fat there, you don’t want to lose it.”
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He explained why. “It’s really good for your fertility,” he said.
“It’s really good for your overall health. It is expected and needed.” However, following menopause, you may find yourself more susceptible to weight gain around the abdomen. Dr Amir continued: “After the menopause, as the hormones shift, things change.
“And that fat usually deposits around the tummy area and the hips as well and so people can refer to it as a ‘meno belly’. It’s not really a great term but it is just the shift of weight, really.”
He added: “Normal, natural, not the end of the world, part of being a woman, an adult woman.” His guidance aligns with the NHS website, which states: “Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is common.
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“It often happens around the stomach and upper body.”
Other symptoms of menopause
The other symptoms of menopause, as listed by the NHS, include:
Changes to your periods
Hot flushes and night sweats
Sleep problems
Mood changes, poor memory and brain fog
Vaginal problems such as dryness, a burning feeling, irritation or itching in and around the vagina
UTIs (urinary tract infections)
A faster, slower or more noticeable heartbeat (palpitations)
Weakening bones (loss of bone density), which can lead to osteoporosis
Feeling the need to pee more or not being able to control when you pee (urinary incontinence)
Headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
Muscle aches and joint pains
Hair thinning or hair loss
Skin changes, including dry and itchy skin
Reduced sex drive (loss of libido)
Sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems
The health body says you should contact your GP if:
You think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know what your options are
You have symptoms like a fast heartbeat (palpitations)
You still have periods but your bleeding pattern has changed and you’re bleeding more, not less, than before
You have not had a period for 12 months or more, and you have any vaginal bleeding
The most commonly prescribed treatment for menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
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