The Tartan Army were praised for bringing an extraordinary atmosphere to the game on June 14.

The President of the Boston Red Sox penned a letter thanking the Tartan Army after their spectacular takeover of Fenway Park.

More than 5000 Scotland fans marched through the streets of Boston, kilted and playing bagpipes, before attending the venue to watch the Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers on June 14.

The Tartan Army were praised for bringing an extraordinary atmosphere to the game, with players describing it as the most enjoyable game of their careers.

Red Sox president Sam Kennedy has now penned a letter to Hampden bosses, admitting the moving scenes will never be forgotten.

He said: Dear President Mulraney and Chief Executive Maxwell,

“On behalf of all of us at Fenway Sports Group, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

“What happened at Fenway Park on June 14th was something none of us will forget. We knew the Tartan Army was coming. We did not fully understand what that meant until we saw it.

“Hundreds of Scotland supporters gathered at the foot of a statue of Robert Burns in the Back Bay and marched all the way to Landowne Street to the sound of bagpipes. Kilts and Scottish flags filled our ballpark with a spirit that has no equivalent in American sport.

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“It was genuinely one of the most moving things we have witnessed at Fenway Park in a very long time.

“Throughout its 114-year history, Fenway Park has seen World Series championships, historic rivalries, and more than a few unforgettable nights.

“And yet on Sunday evening, a ballpark that is typically filled with a baseball crowd became, for a few hours, a meeting point between two sporting cultures. Our fans embraced your supporters without reservation.

“Your supporters responded with exactly the generosity and good humor that has made the Tartan Army beloved everywhere in the world they travel.

“Scotland’s return to the World Cup after 28 years deserves every bit of the enthusiasm your supporters brought to Boston.

“We are proud that Fenway Park could be part of this chapter in your celebration.

“Please extend our deep gratitude to your staff, to manager Steve Clarke and the full Scottish FA delegation, and above all to the Tartan Army itself.

“They treated our home like their own, and we are better for it.

“With warmth and admiration, Sam Kennedy President, Boston Red Sox.”

Boston has fallen in love with the Tartan Army after embracing fans who travelled to support Steve Clarke’s men for their two 2020 Fifa World Cup matches in the city.

From drinking pubs dry to playing bagpipes at 6am and abducting traffic cones to give statues the Duke of Wellington treatment – Bostonians loved the Scots so much that Glasgow and Boston are now set to become sister cities.

Daily newspaper The Boston Globe also published a full page tribute to the Tartan Army after bringing “a joy that Boston will never forget.”

They said: “Dear Tartan Army, you came for the World Cup, but gave us something more.

“For a week, you turned train stations into singalongs, Fenway into a football ground and an ordinary June into something we’ll be talking about for years.

“Boston has hosted championships, parades and celebrations of every kind. But we’ve never hosted guests quite like you all.

“Thank you for the laughter, the bagpipes and the memories. The World Cup will move on. So will the songs, but we’ll never forget the joy you brought to our city.”

The Tartan Army has since moved on to Miami for Scotland’s final group stage match against Brazil on Wednesday.

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Thousands have gathered to celebrate the summer solstice as the UK braces for a heatwave that could see record-breaking temperatures.

This morning, a crowd of more than 20,000 people flocked to Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire to see the sun rise at 4.25 am on the longest day of the year, according to English Heritage.

Visitors, some wearing flower head-dresses, touched the ancient monument and cheered as the glowing sun peeked over the misty horizon.

One of the visitors was the ‘real Merlin’, dressed in a full wizard outfit – and his father joined as well.

The father of Merlin said: ‘This is the son of Merlin. It’s his birthday today, but this is why we’ve come to celebrate.

‘It’s my son’s birthday, son of Merlin, and it’s the solstice. Yes, that’s a really magical time for me as a father. And the sun. And that son, so I’ve got two sons, really. This one, this one.

‘And it’s powerful stuff. We come here, and we pick up vibrations from the cosmos. I’ve been 40 times here. In the rain, in the fog, you know, no sunrise, but the vibrations are still here. The stones themselves have been concreted, which stops a lot of energy coming up. But it’s still there, it’s still powerful on the ley lines.’

The solstice comes just days before the Met Office said the heat is expected to peak at about 35C on Tuesday and Wednesday, sparking weather warnings, health alerts and concerns for vulnerable people.

Forecasters have said there is ‘growing confidence’ this week could break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, which was set in 1976 in Southampton.

In France, highs of 40C are expected on Sunday, with Monday likely to be even hotter as emergency services and military forces have been put on wildfire alert.

Public alcohol consumption restrictions have also been put in place by French authorities and some outdoor sporting events cancelled.

Today, highs of 31C are forecast in London along with 27C in Cardiff and 21C in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Monday will be a ‘cloudier day overall’, with temperatures expected to reach up to 32C with humidity forecast to rise throughout the week, he said.

An amber extreme heat warning has been issued by the weather service for Monday and Tuesday for most of southern England, south-eastern and eastern Wales, and much of the Midlands.

The alert flags potential health impacts for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, as well as a potential increase in water safety incidents.

People in the alert area are advised to drink plenty of fluids and to keep out of the sun, and avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm, the Met Office said.

The heat comes after at least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Scientists may have finally cracked one of Stonehenge’s biggest mysteries

Second Rothesay Test, The Kia Oval (day five of five)

New Zealand 391 (Phillips 100) & 362 (Nicholls 121, Ravindra 76, Mitchell 68)

England 291 (Gay 53, Fisher 50*; Henry 5-80) & 209 (Root 76, Brook 58; Henry 6-29)

New Zealand won by 253 runs, three-match series level at 1-1

Scorecard

England’s miserable fortnight ended with a crushing defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval – setting up a high-stakes decider at Trent Bridge.

Under the shadow of the controversy surrounding absent captain Ben Stokes, an inexperienced England team were exposed by an excellent performance from New Zealand, who won by 253 runs.

England began a baking final day with scant hope of an escape, resuming on 182-5, chasing a notional 463.

The home side lasted less than an hour thanks to the brilliance of New Zealand seamer Matt Henry, who claimed 6-29 for career-best match figures of 11-109.

Joe Root was out for 77 in the third over of the day, again lbw to Henry with the keeper standing up, and the tail was exposed.

Jofra Archer was bowled by a shooter, Matthew Fisher played on and Josh Tongue was caught at first slip for a golden duck, giving Henry his first Test 10-wicket haul.

And when Jordan Cox was bowled an attempting a sweep, England were beaten and Henry had the best match figures by a New Zealander in a Test in England.

It meant that exactly two weeks on from a confidence-boosting win in the first Test, England are trying to move on from a period of chaos while also facing the vital third Test.

In celebrating the win at Lord’s, Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson broke the England team’s midnight curfew and were present when a member of security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player.

The pair were stood down for this Test pending an investigation, the outcome of which is now due to be revealed as England need to name a squad for Trent Bridge.

While it was already thought likely the duo will return, with Stokes as captain, a clear indication was given on Sunday morning when both were withdrawn from their county fixtures.

Need to know

The long-running inquest into the death of the 14-year-old is being heard with a jury at Belfast Coroner’s Court

• At least two people who “had eyes” on Noah Donohoe on the night of his disappearance were not asked to give statements by police, the inquest heard on Monday. The PSNI officer responsible for co-ordinating house-to-house searches the week of the 14-year-old’s disappearance in June 2020 said it was for senior investigating officers to decide who would give witness statements. PSNI Detective Inspector McCartan, who was a detective constable in 2020, led the house-to-house searches conducted to find the missing schoolboy. The parameters for the search included homes on a number of streets in the Northwood Drive area near the culvert where Noah’s body was later found. Mr McCartan told the inquest full resident house-to-house forms were not completed for each visit as it would be “hugely time-consuming”, officers instead using a questionnaire form that Mr McCartan himself produced and he said was “considerably quicker”.
• Brenda Campbell KC, representing Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe, questioned the officer about the process for flagging any “thematic” issues uncovered in the searches. Mr McCartan said he collated a spreadsheet that was updated at the end of each day by officers involved in searches that the investigating officers and CCTV and witness co-ordinators would have had access to. Ms Campbell highlighted “two neighbours”, one referring to “a back door handle being tried around 3am” and another referring to screams heard in the area on the Sunday night Noah was last seen. The inquest was then shown a questionnaire from a house in Northwood Road where the resident reported hearing “noises” and a comment reading “back of house”. Mr McCartan said the officer who filled out that form “would have pressed” the residents if there was a “specific noise” and also said he could not say “for definite” the back-of-the-house comment referred to where the resident felt the noise was coming from.
• Pressed on the fact there is no statement from that witness from 2020, the officer said it is “not for me to collate witness statements”, his job at that time was trying to figure out “where Noah was and where he had gone to next”. The jurors later saw a house-to-house questionnaire where the residents described a “tall” boy with “dark hair” and seeing him “take his top off and put it on the wall” at the address some of Noah’s clothes were later found. Ms Campbell put it to the officer that when Noah was at that address at Northwood Drive “at least two people had eyes on him and we have statements from neither of them”, asking Mr McCartan “your response is the same, not your responsibility, not your remit?”, to which he responded “yes”.
• A senior PSNI officer has conceded the mother of Noah Donohoe is “in a position of not having answers” about the death of her son because of “mistakes made” by police. PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Phillips became the senior investigating officer (SIO) in relation to Noah’s case on Wednesday 24 June 2020, when it was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
• Mr Phillips said: “There are broadly things that we have missed and mistakes made which has left Fiona in a position of not having answers. In terms of what that would have told us in terms of what happened to Noah – I don’t think so.” Referring to a CCTV camera which police failed to procure footage from, Mr Phillips said: “I’m sorry, that should have been found. Fiona shouldn’t be sat here six years on wondering was there a camera there and what did it show,” he said. He added: “With the benefit of hindsight we did everything we could to find him and I’m content that the PSNI did everything we could to find him as quickly as we could.” The officer went on: “Certainly as time has gone on I regularly think if there was something I could have done to manage my relationship with Fiona in a different way because it deteriorated so quickly. I am truly sorry for any part that I played in that. Noah’s case is unusual enough as it is, nobody should be in this position. I think six years on, I don’t know what else we could have done to help us understand what happened to him and why.”
• Police “pursued the child and not the evidence” in their investigation into the death and disappearance of Noah Donohoe, the inquest heard on Wednesday. Earlier in her examination, Ms Campbell contested that Mr Phillips “pursued a hypothesis that blamed a child, that he did this by choice”. He said: “I disagree with the phrase I blamed him.” Ms Campbell then clarified that he “pursued a hypothesis that Noah did this by choice”. He replied: “Yes, that is where I felt the evidence and information took us.”
• Ms Campbell put it to Mr Phillips “you challenged and you changed nothing” about the search, to which he said “no”, and then “you didn’t challenge and you didn’t change the deployment of specialist resource”. Mr Phillips said: “No, I asked the question but I didn’t suggest they were going too slowly.” When being asked about further failings to recover CCTV footage, Mr Phillips defended PSNI colleagues. He said it was his job as SIO to “drive the investigation to, yes, ensure the information they had was correct and in some cases that didn’t work” and “there were some failings and I’ve apologised for that” but added that is “not to say people involved in this were incompetent, they were good detectives for many years”. He said detectives and officers involved in Noah’s investigation have worked on “many many instances, many crimes, other cases that have all worked out very well so, yes we made mistakes but they’re not incompetent individuals”. He added: “None of this was done deliberately; it was just human error.”
• The inquest continues.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The EES was first introduced in October last year, before the rollout ramped up on April 10.

The new system requires British travellers and other non-EU visitors to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, when entering the Schengen Area.

More than 30,000 people denied entry to Europe due to EES

The latest data from the European Commission has revealed that more than 30,000 people have been denied entry into Europe since the rollout of the new EES, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

Of those denied entry, nearly 7,000 had previously overstayed in the Schengen Area, and around 800 were considered security threats.

More than 66 million entries and exits have been logged through the new system so far, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.

Who can be denied entry to Europe?

Under the Schengen Borders Code (SBC), guards can deny travellers from outside the EU entry to the area if they fail to meet the entry conditions under Regulation (EU) 2016/399, ETIAS.com explains.

Refusals typically relate to:

• Missing or invalid travel documents
• Insufficient financial means
• No proof of accommodation or purpose of stay
• Security and public order concerns
• Health or public safety issues

European airports could temporarily shut down EES

The new EES has received significant backlash since its introduction, with it causing long waits for passengers at airports.

Brits have been warned of six-hour waits at several major European airports, with these long waits expected to continue for another two years, according to industry experts.

Major airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair, have called for the rollout of the new system to be suspended until after the summer to allow for a “smoother airport experience” during peak travel season.

CEO of Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary, Malta Air, David O’Brien, even threatened to pull all flights to Malta due to the extended wait times caused by the EES at airports.

But officials have revealed that European airports have the power to temporarily shut down the EES if queues get too long.

Deputy Executive Director of Frontex (EU border and coast guard agency), Uku Särekanno, speaking to The Mirror, said: “We have until the end of the summer, the possibility during the tourism season to lift the biometric controls or the biometric registration temporarily.

“If there is a peak hour, you see that there are hundreds of people queuing, their queues are getting too long, then member states still have the possibility to lift biometric registration.

“The EU has considered, for the period of summer, to make sure that there is still some relief for the worst-case scenario.”

Have you used the EU’s new Entry Exit system yet? Let us know about your experience in the poll above or in the comments below.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is targeting state pensioners under 80 with annual incomes above £35,000 who received the payment in winter 2025.

Up to two million pensioners across the UK could be affected by the changes, with most facing automatic repayment through tax code adjustments.

HMRC said: “For a typical Winter Fuel Payment of £200, PAYE customers with income more than £35,000 will pay approximately £17 per month extra in tax during the 2026 to 2027 tax year to recover their payment.”

Attention Parents! Do you have a child aged 16-19? ⚠️

If you claim Child Benefit for them, you’ll need to let us know by 31 August if they’re staying in full-time education or approved training to keep receiving your payments.

It only takes a few minutes via the HMRC app or… pic.twitter.com/4J8z6HyjYS

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) June 21, 2026

The repayments will be collected via higher monthly tax deductions.

The typical Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for pensioners aged under 80 who live alone and the charge will be spread across the 2026–2027 tax year through a change in their PAYE tax code.

HMRC provided an example to clarify how the system will work for a basic rate taxpayer:

“Your total income is £37,710.

“This is made up of £25,737 from a private pension and £11,973 from your State Pension.

“In December, you got a £200 Winter Fuel Payment.

“Your Personal Allowance is £12,570.

“This is your total deductions.

“£12,570 (Personal Allowance) – £12,973 (total deductions) = –£403 of tax free allowance.

“Your new tax code is K39.

“This means you’ll pay extra tax on £399 of income.

“You’ll pay around £17 more tax per month.”

The repayment scheme applies to pensioners across the UK, including those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, the payment is known as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

In Northern Ireland, payments were issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive.

All recoveries are managed by HMRC, regardless of location.

Only pensioners who exceeded the income threshold and did not opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment are required to repay the funds.

For pensioners under Self Assessment who file online, the Winter Fuel Payment should be pre-populated on their 2025–2026 tax return, due by January 31, 2027.

If the payment is missing, they must add it manually.

Those submitting paper returns need to include the payment by the deadline of October 31, 2026.

HMRC has also issued a warning about potential scams targeting pensioners during the recovery process.

The tax authority urged pensioners to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious communications.

HMRC said: “To report a suspicious text claiming to be from HMRC, forward it to 60599.

“To report a suspicious email, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk .

“To report a scam phone call, visit GOV.UK.

“If you have had money stolen, contact your bank immediately and notify Report Fraud.

“In Scotland, contact police on 101.”

Unprecedented high temperatures of up to 38°C C are due to hit Wales next week

The Met Office has warned that a heatwave affecting Wales is developing into a “severe weather event” after issuing a second amber extreme heat warning within four days.

The new warning, covering much of Wales from midnight on Wednesday until 11.59pm on Thursday, comes as temperatures are forecast to exceed 30°C widely, with some areas potentially reaching 38°C.

The amber warning covers the following areas: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, the Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, the Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham.

Forecasters said exceptionally high temperatures will be accompanied by humid conditions and unusually warm nights, with some areas expected to remain above 20C overnight. BBC weather presenter Louise Lear described the conditions as “potentially dangerous”.

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The Met Office warned that the prolonged heat is likely to have impacts beyond those considered vulnerable to hot weather, with population-wide health effects possible.

Its warning states there is a risk of serious illness and danger to life, while significant changes to daily routines and working practices may be required.

Disruption to transport networks is also possible, with delays and closures affecting roads, rail services and airports. Officials have also warned that heat-related failures of infrastructure could affect electricity, water, gas and mobile phone services.

The warning highlights an increased risk of water-related incidents as more people head to beaches, rivers and lakes during the hot weather.

Popular destinations across Wales, including Barry Island, Tenby, Llandudno, Rhyl, Aberystwyth, Barmouth and the Gower coast, are expected to see an increase in visitors.

People are being urged to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and check on older relatives, neighbours and those with underlying health conditions.

The Met Office said very hot conditions are likely to continue until at least Thursday, although there is a possibility that cooler air could begin moving in from the west later in the week.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Very hot weather is likely to continue in general until at least Thursday across the highlighted region, although significant variations from place to place and day by day are likely. Temperatures by day are widely expected to exceed 30 Celsius, with the hottest areas potentially peaking around 38 Celsius.

“Overnight, temperatures are unlikely to fall much lower than high teens Celsius, and some places will not fall below 20 or 21 Celsius. These high temperatures will also be accompanied by high humidity.

“Cooler conditions may begin to become established from the west following this period, but confidence is low.”

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Jeremy Clarkson has shared an update on the future of his hit TV show Clarkson’s Farm after revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis.

The presenter, 66, announced that he had a ‘particularly aggressive’ form of the disease in the final episodes of the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, which premiered late on Monday night.

He had initially warned his fans on social media that these final two episodes would be ‘a difficult watch’ as the show veered away from its usual ‘bucolic and charming and cheerful’ tone, as he put it – but didn’t say why.

However, he was then also able to confirm on his show that it had been caught early, and that he had undergone surgery to remove part of his prostate.

On Saturday he returned to social media, thanking fans ‘for all the kind messages’ while also encouraging anyone with concerns to get themselves checked out as he quipped: ‘The more observant among will have noticed I’m not dead. I’m not just not dead, I’m perfectly fine.’

And the good news has now continued, with the former Top Gear star now confirming that there is more Clarkson’s Farm on the way.

‘So, a bit of a year,’ Clarkson began in an Instagram video also shared to Prime Video UK’s account, as he walked onscreen in front of one of his tractors. ‘But I am delighted to tell you that season 6 of Clarkson’s Farm is currently being filmed.’

‘It’s in production. And that’s particularly good news for me because, well if you know, you know, and if you don’t know, you need to watch season five,’ he added, before walking away.

The post was captioned: ‘Delighted to confirm that Series 6 of Clarkson’s Farm is in production.’

Fans celebrated the news in the comments section, with Leanne posting: ‘So glad we get another series and so glad that Jeremy is okay.’

‘I’ve been watching Jeremy since I was a kid, I’m so happy that I get to keep watching him,’ responded Catherine Long, while another fan added: ‘How happy I am for a bloke I’ve never met, to be free of cancer. You’re a national treasure Jeremy.’

‘Looking forward to season 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,’ joked eager fan Jordan Hall.

Season five had ended on a dramatic cliffhanger with Clarkson rushed to hospital.

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He told viewers from his medical bed: ‘If this is all successful, I’ll see you for season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t. Take care, everyone.’

But now, in an interview with The Times, the TV star declared himself ‘the world’s luckiest man’ after a follow-up Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test  two months ago showed no indication of cancer, meaning he is in remission.

Jeremy added: ‘It was an aggressive type of cancer. It could have spread, it could have gone into the pancreas, it could have gone anywhere, and that would have been trouble.

‘This is why I have to say to everybody who’s reading this, please, please, please go and get checked. It’s not uncomfortable, it’s not undignified. And it’s a no-brainer.

‘I did, and that’s why I’m sitting here talking to you 11 months down the line. I’ve seen so many people die of cancer. It doesn’t bear thinking about what it must be like to live knowing that an illness is going to kill you.’

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The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host – who still needs regular blood tests and monitoring, and is remaining positive and hopeful the cancer will not return – moved viewers to tears when he shared his diagnosis in the final two episodes of Clarkson’s Farm’s latest series.

During a discussion about harvesting with co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland, he said: ‘I’ve got cancer.’

A stunned Cooper replies: ‘No, you haven’t. Where?’

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Clarkson responds: ‘Where it is is of no concern of anybody. I’ve known since May. I had a medical, you remember, back in May.

‘I disappeared off the other week, and I had a biopsy, and it is cancer, and it’s aggressive, but it’s really early, so the treatment will be, you know.

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‘I was praying we could get the harvest done, and then I could go and get some treatment, but it’s going to be slap bang in the middle.’

Cooper tells his boss, and friend: ‘Look after yourself, you go and do… if you need anything just ring.’

Later in the programme, Clarkson reflects on the diagnosis during a chat with his co-stars, including girlfriend Lisa Hogan.

He said: ‘So we started the year, and I had coronary heart disease, and ended it with me having cancer.

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‘We can dwell as much as we like on all the bad things that have happened on the farm, but I think it is better now, at the end of the year, to focus on things that have happened that are good.’

With Cooper asking when they’ll know if his treatment has worked, Clarkson answers, ‘I don’t know, I’ve got a blood test today, there’ll be a blood test, and then we’ll know. Not for another few weeks,’ before adding: ‘Come on, cheer up, it probably did work.’

But later in the episode, the broadcaster  – who has also experienced heart issues in recent times – was taken to hospital.

He reflected: ‘So we started season five with me in a hospital bed, and we are at the end of season five, and I’m back in a hospital bed.

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‘Some of the treatment has gone awry, let’s say, I’m going to be here for a little while. I’m nil by mouth, I don’t know what’s going to happen.’

Macmillan cancer support

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.

You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.

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Tributes have been paid to the son of Wales football legend Mark Hughes, who has died at the age of 38, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

Alex Hughes, who worked as Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town, died suddenly and unexpectedly, his family announced on Saturday.

In a heartbreaking statement released through the League Managers Association, former Manchester United, Barcelona and Wales star Mark Hughes and wife Jill said they were “totally heartbroken” by the loss of their son.

You can read the full tribute here

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room wrote his name into World Cup history by making 15 saves, the most in a 90-minute match since records began in 1966, as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament finals held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw.

Six days after losing 7-1 to Germany, Room, 37, produced a stunning performance to keep Curacao’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.

“I grew, we all grew, this was a team effort,” he said. “We’ve been fighting, fighting up to the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curacao is absolutely great.”

Meanwhile, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest ​involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand. Later, Spain bid to get their first win against Saudi Arabia, while Belgium are in action against Iran.

Last night, Tunisia became the third team to exit the World Cup after a 4-0 defeat to impressive Japan. Tunisia sacked their coach Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden, but the arrival of Herve Renard could not prevent another defeat.

Who is Eloy Room? How Curacao goalkeeper made history with 15-save performance

Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room wrote his name into World Cup history by making 15 saves to earn the tiny Caribbean nation their first ever point at the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.

Room, 37, broke the record for the most saves in a 90-minute World Cup match since records began in 1966. Only the USA’s Tim Howard has made more stops in a World Cup game, with 16 in an extra-time defeat to Belgium in 2014.

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Curacao is home to just 156,000 people, making them the smallest country to compete at the World Cup, and Room is the latest veteran goalkeeper to make his mark at the tournament following the performance of Cape Verde’s Vozinha in the 0-0 draw against Spain.

“I think I need a statue in Curacao now,” Room said.

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 10:18

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Baseball, Ella Langley concert and cowboy boots: Inside an England squad player’s different World Cup

Meanwhile, in Kansas City, one of the happier tourists in the England camp is Dan Burn. The Newcastle man is enjoying what promises to be his first and only World Cup at 34 years of age. And he told Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly just what it’s like to be a squad player for Thomas Tuchel at a major tournament. Beyond the training, to ensure he is fit and ready to feature against Ghana or Panama, Burn has taken in a Kansas City Royals baseball match, an Ella Langley concert and even dressed up as a cowboy. Burn’s impact on the pitch may be minimal, but it’s all part of Tuchel’s masterplan to blend different personalities and ensure harmony in the champ.

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 09:58

Germany’s Undav breaks Ivory Coast hearts with 94th-minute winner

Germany weathered a storm as the Ivory Coast gave them a fright before another unlikely star striker delivered the firepower to secure a knockout place for the first time since 2014. Julian Nagelsmann was thrilled to see super-sub, and former Brighton forward, Deniz Undav provide the spark needed to rally from behind against the Elephants. Is Kai Havertz’s place at risk? Well, it could prove a fascinating issue for Germany as they prepare for the last 32 with a final group stage game against Ecuador. “Maybe he can start next time,” said the Germany boss.

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Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 09:38

Coach Hassan denies Salah rift as Egypt eye historic World Cup win

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dismissed talk of unrest ​involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there were no issues within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in their crucial World Cup Group G match at BC Place.

Salah, 34, scored nine goals in the qualifying campaign and provided an assist for Emam Ashour in their opener with Belgium. But he was substituted in the 76th minute of that 1-1 draw in Seattle, with highly-rated teenager Hamza Abdelkarim coming on.

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“Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 players who are here with me are ⁠very important,” Hassan told reporters. “Every player who has worked with me knows I ​deal ⁠with them in a professional manner. ‌I do not have favourites.

“Salah is a great player who helps his teammates. He has a lot of discipline and is a role model.

“If he starts … or ‌if he gets substituted, it’s fine. It is ‌his role as a player. Everyone knows that I am working for the benefit of the team and the national side.

“Rumours are being spread about stars, about players, about teams. But Salah is someone who is very disciplined,” he added.

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“He trains with us. He’s the first player that would also say yes to my decisions as a technical director. So I think he will be very positive tomorrow.”

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 09:31

Netherlands discover secret weapon to secure World Cup lift-off in Houston

The Netherlands have lift-off at this World Cup after a devastating performance in Houston to ease past Sweden 5-1 and it was led by a surprise protagonist. Brian Brobbey outshone everyone, as Lawrence Ostlere gathered inside the air-conditioned NRG Stadium, with the Sunderland man emerging as a secret weapon for Ronald Koeman. Solid at the back and midfield, with Cody Gakpo grabbing a brace, too, and Crysencio Summerville banishing bad memories from the past season with West Ham, the Oranje are finally dancing to the trance tunes of their army of supporters and threaten to go far.

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 09:18

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Julian Nagelsmann hints at Deniz Undav change after Germany striker inspires World Cup victory

Deniz Undav put himself in pole position to start for Germany moving forward at the World Cup 2026 after he scored two goals off the bench a thrilling comeback to beat Ivory Coast.

The 2-1 victory in their World Cup Group E match on Saturday secured their place in the knockout stage for the first time since they won the title in 2014.

And Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann conceded Undav may now start against Ecuador on Thursday in New York.

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“Maybe he can start next time,” said the Germany coach. “⁠I think that every player would love to be in ​the ⁠starting lineup, but I ‌think he’s very happy as it is right now.

“In the end, we deservedly won it. The boys invested a lot. I’m very happy for the whole team.”

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 08:59

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Today at the World Cup: Fixtures and where to watch

5pm BST – Spain 🇪🇸 v Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 (Group H) – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

8pm BST – Belgium 🇧🇪 v Iran 🇮🇷 (Group G ) – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

11pm BST – Uruguay 🇺🇾 v Cape Verde 🇨🇻 (Group H) – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website

2am BST – New Zealand 🇳🇿 v Egypt 🇪🇬 (Group G) – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

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Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 08:44

ITV upgrades Emma Hayes’ tactics corner after sexism storm over ‘kitchen’ set

ITV pundit Emma Hayes received an upgrade to the set used for her tactical analysis after the kitchen-esque design initially sparked something of a sexism row at World Cup 2026.

Hayes, who is the current US women’s team manager and whose seven Women’s Super League titles during her time at Chelsea made her one of the most highly-respected tacticians in world football, delivered tactical insights during England’s impressive opening 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday.

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But viewers were left baffled and distracted by ITV’s decision to station her away from the main punditry in a part of the set that resembled a show kitchen, with a chalkboard affixed to a brick column, surrounded by cupboards and drawers that looked as if they should contain cutlery and crockery.

Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 08:29

‘It’s different, the freedom I have’: Cody Gakpo leaves behind Liverpool struggles with World Cup show

Gakpo was criticised for his form at Liverpool this season but he comes alive in a Dutch shirt and delivered again on the World Cup stage as the Netherlands thrashed Sweden, reports Lawrence Ostlere from Houston

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Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 07:59

‘They fought like lions’: Advocaat proud after Curacao earn first World Cup point

Curacao coach Dick Advocaat saluted his players and the tiny Caribbean island after holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw to earn their first ever point at the World Cup.

Advocaat, 78, said the Curacao supporters deserved praise after the nation, which is home to just 156,000 people, were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in their opening game.

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The people on Curacao have given us their support from the of outset,” Advocaat said. “Particularly last week, after the 7-1, people ⁠were still celebrating on the island and people were ​full ⁠of joy.

“It was a mad house tonight. So I think that for people whose life is not always that easy, I really wish them to celebrate `this success.

“Maybe Germany came too early,” he added. “That day they were simply out of our league, but today the team was standing as it should have been standing.

“They were fighting like lions and then you see what ‌you can achieve against a team that’s ⁠playing on a very high level with very high individual levels of the ⁠players.”

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Jamie Braidwood21 June 2026 07:44