Jack Moate, aged nine, died less than two months after a significant operation
12:37, 08 Jun 2026Updated 12:44, 08 Jun 2026
A pre-inquest hearing has been held into the death of a nine-year-old boy who died after being operated on by a now-suspended Cambridge surgeon. Jack Moate, nine, died less than two months after being operated on by Kuldeep Stohr, who specialises in paediatric surgery.
A pre-inquest hearing was held on Monday, June 8 at Vantage House in Huntingdon by Senior Coroner David Heming. Mr Heming described the case as “complex” as concerns were raised about the “competence of the surgeon”. The case was referred to the coroner, after a review found “evidence that fatal physical harm was caused”.
A representative acting on behalf of Jack’s mother Elizabeth Moate questioned the “serious” concern raised about the “competence of the surgery and surgeon” which may have led to Jack being in a “precarious position”. The question of who ought to have known about the surgeon’s competence is due to be discussed in a future hearing.
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The pre-inquest heard that Jack had a “very stormy” post-operation recovery. The court will ask whether “fatal harm was caused” by the surgery.
The decision as to whether the inquest would be an Article 2 inquest – considers whether an official body may have failed to protect an individual’s life – will be decided at a further hearing. A decision on whether a jury will be used has not yet been made.
Stephen Moate, the father, Mrs Moate, and the Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) have been identified as interested persons by the coroner. A suggestion was also made for the Care Quality Commission and the GP Surgery to be identified as interested persons.
Witness statements and identification of experts are expected to “take a while”. A pre-inquest review is set to take place in early 2027 before a final hearing in late 2027, although a date is yet to be confirmed.
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Mr Heming expressed his condolences to the family for the Jack’s “tragic” death. An assistant coroner is due to take over the case. A tribute by Jack’s family previously said that “his smile is imprinted forever on our heart”.
Day one at Scotland HQ, east of uptown Charlotte, and there’s a bunfight brewing – or to be more accurate, angry Norwegians are taking potshots at Steve Clarke, who, we can only surmise, couldn’t care less what the Norwegians think.
Stale Solbakken, the Norway head coach, and Brede Hangeland, the team manager, have let fly in the media about a training game between the reserve players from the two countries that Clarke cancelled.
Who knew that the ditching of a meaningless bounce match could spark such fury.
“Unprofessional,” trumpeted Solbakken of his Scottish counterpart. “Embarrassing” and “weak” whinged Hangeland.
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Just before the Scotland news conference at their palatial Charlotte base camp, three Norwegian reporters fetched up in search of Scottish retaliatory thunder.
What they got was a cool response from John McGinn, not just super with the ball at his feet but also pretty nifty with a microphone in front of his face.
“I would say 75% of the [Scotland] squad haven’t seen it,” he said of the Norwegian anger, smiling as he spoke.
“I did see it. Our job is to look after Scotland. Norway’s job is to look after Norway. And if they’ve done their research, we lost a very important part of the squad [in Billy Gilmour] very, very close to this camp.
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“It had a huge impact on everyone. We didn’t want to lose another. We had a few niggles, not everyone’s been training.
“So I think it’s a professional way of handling things, to be perfectly honest, and look after number one. I’m sure every single country will be doing the exact same.
“If Norway lost Erling Haaland or Martin Odegaard in one of the games leading up to Saturday, they would cancel the game as well.”
North Yorkshire Council has ruled that Reeth Medical Centre does not qualify for inclusion on its list of assets of community value.
Reeth, Fremington and Healaugh Parish Council applied for the centre to be added to the register after it was announced earlier this year that the facility would close following the departure of operators, Dr Mike Brookes and wife Marie, the practice manager.
The parish council said in its application that the site was purpose-built as a GP surgery in around 1990 and replaced an old and unsuitable building.
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It added: “The GP at the time very much intended it to be a community asset and in fact sold it in around 2008 at the same price it cost to build.
“Local tradespeople were involved in its construction.”
According to the parish council, having a local medical centre allowed residents to stay in their homes for much longer.
It added: “There is strong anecdotal evidence that, without this local facility, many residents would be anxious about health provision, resulting in them moving closer to medical care, either because of ill health or because they can no longer drive.
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“This would decrease the permanent population of an area already heavy with second homes, further fracturing community spirit.”
As well as GP appointments and a dispensary, the centre fulfils other roles that further social well-being and improve the quality of life for the community, the council said.
The application added: “The building functions as an information exchange, where residents can find information on care provision, available support groups, and other health and well-being initiatives.
“Land belonging to the medical centre is also used as a community garden. Numerous pieces of research evidence the way in which outdoor spaces and quiet activities such as gardening can help to improve mental health and well-being.”
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The application was backed by Upper Dales councillor Yvonne Peacock.
She said: “The parish council feel strongly that to ensure that the surgery building is made safe for the community, because the building needs to be available for a practising doctor.
“This is vital for the well-being of the community of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.”
But a North Yorkshire Council report concluded that the centre did not meet the legal criteria to be listed as an asset of community value.
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Assessors found insufficient evidence that the building currently had a primary use that directly benefited the social well-being or social interests of the local community.
Any community benefits identified were considered secondary to its main role as a healthcare facility.
The report also found no evidence to show there was a realistic prospect of such a community use continuing or developing in the future.
“The evidence demonstrates that the nomination does not meet the definition of community value as detailed in the Localism Act 2011,” the report concluded.
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A listing on the register would have meant that any future attempt to sell the property would trigger a moratorium period.
This would give community groups the opportunity to raise funds and submit a bid.
The medical centre closed on May 31 following the departure of Dr Brookes.
However, it is hoped the facility, which is owned by the Brookes, will be used in the future by Central Dales Practice to operate a branch surgery.
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Commencement of the arrangement was expected last week but Central Dales said they were still waiting for access to the building.
Patrick Dorgu was relocated to the wing halfway through Man Utd’s season, and it was a decision that has paid off.
“I need to ask the coach. I don’t know,” said Patrick Dorgu on the final day of the season when asked what his strongest position is.
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“I still have a lot to learn on the wing. I lost the ball a few times in the first half today, so I still need to improve. But obviously I’m further forward to the goal, and I can get into positions for the opportunity.
“I still need to work on my finishing. I could have scored a couple more today, but yes, I enjoy playing there, and I can use my speed and my physique a lot in those areas as well.”
If Michael Carrick was undecided about Dorgu’s best position at Manchester United, he may have made up his mind after seeing his stunning goal from outside the box for Denmark against Ukraine on Sunday night.
The game was abandoned after Christian Eriksen collapsed – he walked off the field after regaining consciousness in the second half – so Dorgu’s goal won’t be logged in FIFA’s records, but it was a strike so good that it may influence where his long-term future lies with his club employer.
Dorgu fashioned a pocket of space by accelerating away from his marker before letting rip from distance with his left foot. The shot was at a saveable height, but the power was the reason it beat Ukraine’s goalkeeper.
The 21-year-old would have faced accusations of the goal being a one off if he had scored it last year, but he demonstrated when he was moved to the wing this season that he is capable of scoring superb goals.
Dorgu’s goal against Arsenal at the Emirates was the best strike of his career so far, although that game was bittersweet, as it was in that clash that he picked up a hamstring injury which forced him to miss nine weeks.
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The timing of the injury was unfortunate. Dorgu was enjoying his hottest run of form at United since he signed for Lecce, but more importantly, he was performing on the left wing following a position change.
He had the opportunity to audition for a permanent role taken away from him but picked up where he left off on the final day of the campaign against Brighton following his return.
The Dane opened the scoring with an excellent header, moving intelligently in the box from a corner, and he provided an assist for Bruno Fernandes, returning the favour after United’s captain created his goal.
When Dorgu spoke to Manchester-based reporters after the Brighton win, it was typical of him that he played down his performance and humbly said he had more to learn on the wing when discussing his position.
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Having that sort of attitude is why Dorgu got better as the season progressed. He is desperate to improve, keen to learn and regularly does extras after training sessions at Carrington to get better.
In January, a source credited Dorgu for working “really hard” and revealed there had been a focus on improving his crosses, with an emphasis on him perfecting his technique during training at Carrington.
United believe Dorgu’s hard work has paid off, but he is aware there is more to do and soak up, particularly if he continues to play on the wing next season, where he will be judged on goals and assists.
In an era when there are fewer goals scored from outside of the box, with teams biding their time to wait for the right moment to pass into the penalty area instead, it’s refreshing to see Dorgu take attempts from distance.
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Dorgu’s goal against Ukraine was another example of his quality in the final third, and Carrick should recognise the value of having a player with that tool in his armoury.
In January, when Carrick was asked whether he saw Dorgu as a left-back or a winger in his system, he said: “I think he can do both, to be honest. I think he was immense last week [versus City], his work rate and the way he played the position, but the threat, constant threat. And the goal was the obvious one.
“I think his general play was something we were really pleased about. I wouldn’t want to pin him down [to a position], to be honest. But certainly attacking-wise in that threat, he was pretty impressive last week.”
It will be interesting to see whether Carrick decides to pin Dorgu down to a position next season, because as it stands, he looks like a dangerous winger.
“Apple had to address its shortcomings in AI, and WWDC provided some answers,” said Ben Wood, chief analyst at the industry analyst firm FDM CCS Insight. “The company must now prove that its privacy-led, integration-first approach can translate into a meaningfully better everyday experience, not just parity with rivals.”
The Daily Record joins the Tartan Army in asking The Donald to step in and do the right thing.
Only Trump can make it happen
The United States President is a man who likes to trumpet his Scottish roots. So surely he would be angry to hear that hundreds of Scotland fans are being denied a chance to go the World Cup due to red tape.
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They are on the brink of missing out on the World Cup finals altogether, even after spending tens of thousands of pounds on trips. The cancellation of Esta travel waivers has come so late in the day that many fans cannot get full visa applications sorted in time to make their flights.
Tartan Army stalwart Kenny Smith tells his story in the Daily Record today – and has begged Trump to step in. The US and Fifa have crowed about hosting the biggest sports event in world history.
And fans have been in raptures since the night Scotland qualified in a glory night at Hampden last November. That’s why it’s a travesty that travel plans all look like going up in smoke for some unfortunate fans.
Immigration rules are not known for their flexibility. But for the World Cup surely common sense can be applied.
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Any fan, holding World Cup tickets and hotel bookings, who was granted an Esta in previous months should have that vital permission restored. The Daily Record joins the Tartan Army in asking The Donald to step in and do the right thing.
Starmer legacy
Sir Keir Starmer’s time as Prime Minister has not been easy – and it could be his party is ready to dump him for a more punter friendly leader. But if he wants to leave a legacy, his promise to force big tech giants into shielding kids from harmful content is a winner.
These mega-corporations make vast sums of cash – some of it from exposing young people to images of sex and violence that they should not be seeing. The Daily Record’s Our Kids… Our Future campaign has long highlighted the terrible damage done from the sharing of violent videos of attacks on teens.
Sexualised images on smartphones can have an equally devastating impact on young minds. Now Starmer has promised that the UK will become the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude photos on their smartphones.
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He wants the social media giants to take measures to make it happen. If they don’t, government will step in to force the issue.
That change can’t come soon enough – and every parent in Scotland will thank Starmer if he makes good on his promise.
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.
Two unique teams played either half, and Tuchel has since confirmed he was not impressed with his side’s display. These 90 minutes will be his final chance to experiment, though, and supporters can expect to see a side closer to that which might start against Croatia next week.
And Tuchel will be able to call upon four new players in this match, now the Arsenal quartet of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have joined the England camp.
Costa Rica, ranked No52 in the world by FIFA, should present relatively straightforward opposition for the Three Lions. They were beaten 3-1 by Colombia earlier this month, and this tie will complete their summer match schedule.
Date, kick-off time and venue
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England vs Costa Rica is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The match will take place at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Where to watch England vs Costa Rica for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8pm BST ahead of a 9pm kick-off.
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Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via ITVX app or the channel’s website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith.
England vs Costa Rica team news
England fans will hope to see a Tuchel name a squad for this match closer to that which might feature against Croatia in the first group stage.
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He used two unique XIs in either half, neither of which was at full strength.
There were some interesting calls, though. Fans should keep an eye on whether Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins are deployed side-by-side again, and on who starts at left-back – Tino Livramento or Nico O’Reilly.
The best news of all from the New Zealand match is that all 22 England players involved came through without injury.
And there will be a further boost for England as the four-man Arsenal contingent of Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke will be newly available. They were given extra time off following the Champions League final but have now joined up with the Three Lions camp.
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England squad: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Reece James, Tino Livramento, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Jarell Quansah, Nico O’Reilly, Dan Burn, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon
One to watch: Nico O’Reilly
Getty
There is not a huge amount of star power in this Costa Rica squad, with just eight members of the squad playing outside their home nation.
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Perhaps the most notable of them will be the 2004-born Feyenoord defender Jeyland Mitchell, who spent last season on loan at Sturm Graz and made seven Europa League appearances.
Elsewhere, Carlos Mora is fresh off the back of a very successful season with Romanian side Universitatea Craiova, who won a league and cup double.
Costa Rica squad: Patrick Sequeira, Abraham Madriz, Bayron Mora, Jeyland Mitchell, Haxzel Quirós, Fernán Faerrón, Aarón Salazar, Darril Araya, Joseth Peraza, John Ruiz, Shawn Johnson, Farbod Samadian, Orlando Galo, Carlos Mora, Cristopher Núñez, Andrey Soto, Luis Flores, Gian Mauro Morera, Sebastian Padilla, Manfred Ugalde, Josimar Alcocer, Alvaro Zamora, Orlando Sinclair
Costa Rica’s Carlos Mora won a domestic double with Romanian side Universitatea Craiova this season
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England vs Costa Rica prediction
England seemed somewhat laboured against New Zealand, and will hope to be rather more free-scoring as they look to build momentum ahead of the World Cup.
That should theoretically be the case. This Costa Rica side is dearly lacking in top-flight talent, with no members of their squad playing in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Facing a lower-quality side, the Three Lions should have no problem banging in a few goals as they look to send a statement of intent to their World Cup rivals.
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Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Three Lions last faced Costa Rica in a friendly ahead of the 2018 World Cup, winning 2-0 at Elland Road thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck.
Their only other meeting, in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, resulted in a goalless draw.
England were held to a 0-0 draw when they faced Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup
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England vs Costa Rica match odds
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ChatGPT maker OpenAI filed preliminary paperwork that would open the door to it becoming a publicly traded company, the third in a powerhouse trio of artificial intelligence companies racing to Wall Street debuts.
The San Francisco-based company said Monday it has filed confidential paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“We expect it to leak so we’re just announcing it,” the company said in a statement. “We have not decided on timing yet; it may be a while because there are things we want to do that are likely easier as a private company. But it’s a complicated set of tradeoffs and this gives us the option to go public sooner if that ends up being best.”
OpenAI’s move follows its rival Anthropic’s June 1 disclosure that it is also moving toward an initial public offering of shares. Both are now following Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX, which has started an IPO roadshow pitching itself as an AI-focused space company.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman first publicly floated the possibility of an IPO last fall, describing it as the “most likely path” for the company given its size and the need for vast amounts of capital to advance its technology.
OpenAI began in 2015 as a nonprofit dedicated to developing AI for the common good and is now a company valued at $852 billion.
The filing comes at a “precarious moment” for OpenAI as it appears to be losing ChatGPT’s strong early leads with consumers and businesses to Google and Anthropic, said Emarketer analyst Nate Elliott.
“But OpenAI doesn’t have a lot of other places to look for the enormous capital required to support its costs,” Elliott said.
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Paving the way for going public was OpenAI’s decision last year to reorganize its business structure and convert itself into a public benefit corporation even as it remains technically under the control of a nonprofit.
OpenAI cleared another obstacle last month with its victory against Musk in a federal jury trial. Musk, an OpenAI co-founder and early donor, had sued the company seeking to oust Altman from its leadership and unravel its conversion to a for-profit business. A judge dismissed the case after the jury found Musk filed his lawsuit too late.
OpenAI has not yet publicly disclosed how much money it is making or when it plans to turn a profit. Much like Anthropic and SpaceX, the company has been losing more money than it makes because of the huge costs of building out the venture. OpenAI faces fierce competition from Anthropic, maker of the increasingly popular chatbot Claude, and Google’s AI assistant Gemini.
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In an April interview, OpenAI’s chief financial officer Sarah Friar declined to give a timeline for a potential IPO but said the company was already “acting with the good hygiene of a public company,” such as by measuring its revenue in the way a publicly traded firm would have to report earnings to the SEC.
“I want us to be ready,” she told The Associated Press. “I think it’s good to be able to tap the public markets. They’re much bigger than the private markets.”
She said OpenAI’s current valuation would make it one of the 15 biggest companies in the S&P 500.
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She also said there is a “credentializing moment of being a public company.”
“At that point, people are checking your balance sheet, the SEC is governing you and so on,” she said.
In a separate statement Monday published around the same time as the announcement of the confidential filing, Altman outlined a broad vision for OpenAI including three big goals: building an automated AI researcher, accelerating economic growth and giving “everyone on Earth a personal AGI,” which stands for artificial general intelligence or a form of AI that surpasses humans at many tasks.
Altman said OpenAI started out in AI research and moved into commercial product development but is now moving into its third phase involving a “broad distribution of power” as the economy reshapes around AI technology.
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He said OpenAI is “working to ensure the gains are widely shared. Everyone should have an opportunity for a meaningful share in the prosperity AI creates.”
The remarks follow Altman’s visit last week with Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is pushing a plan for the public to take a 50% ownership stake in AI companies such as OpenAI, as well as comments from President Donald Trump embracing giving the public a stake in AI’s growth.
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AP Technology Writer Kaitlyn Huamani contributed to this report.
The warning comes as more Britons than ever prepare to jet off for a summer break. More than half of UK adults are expected to travel abroad in 2026, despite concerns that new travel requirements could lead to disruption at airports across Europe.
Searches for “summer holiday deals” have also surged by 123% in the past three months as families rush to book trips during the peak holiday season.
One of the biggest concerns is the rollout of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires British travellers and other non-EU visitors to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, when entering the Schengen Area.
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Airline industry leaders have warned the new checks could dramatically increase processing times at passport control.
Rafael Schvartzman, vice-president for Europe at Iata, said the system increases passenger processing times from around 20-25 seconds to as much as 90 seconds per traveller, creating a “hard risk” of lengthy queues and missed flights.
Reports have suggested waits could stretch to as much as six hours at some airports and border crossings during the busiest summer travel periods.
As a result, airlines including Wizz Air are advising passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before departure.
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Nicole Kerr, chief executive of transport platform Mozio, said holidaymakers should be prepared for potential disruption.
“UK searches for ‘summer holiday deals’ have increased by 123% in the past three months, as Brits look to secure their travel plans ahead of peak season,” she said.
“While a holiday is meant to be a relaxing and stress-free experience, experts have warned that changes to the travel industry could cause delays and confusion.”
She said the new Entry/Exit System was likely to be one of the biggest challenges facing travellers this summer.
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“Passengers travelling to European airports will now have to use the new European Entry/Exit System, which requires biometric data, such as fingerprints and a facial image.
“While the new system is expected to reduce wait times at passport control in the future, Brits have already experienced long delays as the rollout continues.”
Other travel changes Brits need to know about
The EES is not the only change affecting travellers.
Britons have also been warned to prepare for the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected to launch later in 2026.
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Under the scheme, visa-exempt travellers, including UK passport holders, will need permission to enter 30 European countries for short stays.
Applications will cost €20, although under-18s and over-70s will be exempt from the fee.
Meanwhile, travellers heading to the United States are being encouraged to use the Mobile Passport Control app, which allows passengers to complete border information digitally before arriving at passport control.
Recommended reading:
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How families can avoid airport stress this summer
Travel expert Gianni Leone, senior product director at Away Holidays says preparation is key, particularly for families travelling with children.
Parents are advised to:
Arrive at airports earlier than usual
Keep passports and travel documents easily accessible
Pack extra snacks, drinks and activities for children
Download any required travel apps before departure
Allow additional time for passport control and security checks
Pre-book airport transfers where possible
Nicole Kerr warned that delays may not end when passengers leave the terminal.
“Alongside these procedures, travellers will inevitably be met with other challenges which could cause delays, such as airport strikes and long taxi queues when leaving the terminal,” she said.
“In 2025, travellers reported long taxi queues at airports across popular tourist destinations, including the Canary Islands.”
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She added: “With experts predicting another busy summer for airports across Europe, long taxi waits could follow similar patterns to last year.”
For travellers looking to avoid further delays after landing, she recommends booking airport transfers in advance. There’s also often an option to use metro and train systems, and even regular buses – but if often needs pre-planning.
Manchester City are on the cusp of the summer transfer window with plenty of question marks surrounding their next steps
In his final transfer window as Manchester City head coach, Pep Guardiola made some significant signings. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo’s arrivals from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth respectively were statements of intent.
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They automatically made City stronger and future proofed them. Both should be key players for the foreseeable and, particularly in Guehi’s case, ticked off summer transfer priorities early. That makes this window intriguing. While City will always want to work quickly to secure signings, the focus could be on convincing players to stay, rather than join the cause.
With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at what a dream summer transfer window could look like for the Blues.
Click here to find out the latest Manchester City news in our daily newsletter
Elliot Anderson signs
Yes, the focus could be on retaining players but City still need to replace Bernardo Silva this summer. The long term target to fill his boots is Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has been top of the Blues’ wishlist and the feeling is he would prefer a move to the Etihad Stadium.
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City will be wary of overpaying for the 23-year-old but a deal is there to be done. Forest know they will likely need to sell one of their best players this summer after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign and Anderson is the man in demand. If City can get this deal over the line, they will have secured another piece in their puzzle for next season.
Rodri timeline set
In one of City’s wildest dreams, Rodri would sign a contract extension and eventually retire with the Blues. But a more realistic, yet still positive outcome for City, would be for Rodri to commit to one final year at the Etihad Stadium before moving on.
This would allow City a full 12 months to plot their replacement for the Spaniard and offer him a fitting send off at the end of next season. For Rodri, a full season under his belt could also be beneficial, especially after his recent injury issues. Ending the speculation and setting a timeline on his departure would be beneficial for all concerned.
James Trafford stays
If Rodri was to commit to one more year, the next dream agreement would be for Trafford to stay too. The 23-year-old was the strongest second choice goalkeeper in the Premier League last season.
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City benefitted from the luxury of having Trafford as their cup goalkeeper last season and undoubtedly he played a massive role as the Blues won the FA and Carabao Cups. Unfortunately, having a player of his quality as a back-up is rarely plausible long term.
But should Trafford decide to stick it out at City and provide competition to Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Blues would have one of the strongest goalkeeping departments in world football. That would only strengthen their push next season.
Savinho leaves
City always know when it is the right time for a player to leave and, in Savinho’s case, that moment may have come. It would be disappointing for the City Football Group to see a player depart having funnelled him through their feeder clubs.
However, he has been at City for two years and has struggled to make an impact. Like Oscar Bobb before him, Savinho has struggled to become a serious alternative to the Blues’ vast array of attacking talent.
Over the last decade, podcasts have become big business, with more than a fifth of UK adults listening to podcasts each week. The format particularly resonates with men, who are more likely than women to identify as podcast fans. Men are also overrepresented as podcast hosts.
In a society where the political divide between men and women is deepening, this influential form of media is shaping expectations and experiences of gender. There is a perception among some that podcasts aimed at men are hosted strictly by “alpha males” presenting anti-feminist rhetoric and rigid ideas of masculinity.
In a recent study, we examined what men gain from listening to a men’s mental health podcast. Research suggests that podcasts can offer men a low-barrier option to engage with their mental health. This is important considering the current high rates of mental distress and suicide among men.
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We interviewed listeners of a podcast produced by a UK-based men’s mental health support service. The service has around 300 users who engage with online content, some of whom also attend in-person support. The podcast’s long-form episodes feature conversations between men who have some connection to the service, as well as the podcast host. They discuss their personal experiences of helping others, breaking taboos around mental health and offering exposure to emotive conversations between men. They openly discuss topics such as bereavement, interpersonal relationships, anger, substance misuse and suicide.
We found that this type of content encouraged listeners to reflect on, and challenge, rigid ideas around masculinity. Several of the men we interviewed described how the podcast demonstrated a culture of positive masculinity. One man said that the kindness between men, communicated through the podcast, led him to feel that the version of masculinity he had previously internalised had not been helpful.
The men we interviewed reported feeling more understood and less isolated. The podcasts provided a catalyst for discussing difficult issues, as well as exposing them to emotional vulnerability.
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Men who listened to the mental health podcast reported feeling more positive. PintoArt/Shutterstock
Men’s mental health can be affected by deeply-ingrained, gendered values, attitudes and expectations placed upon boys from a young age. Self-sufficiency and stoicism, for example, are qualities that young boys in particular are encouraged to possess.
These constraints can act as barriers to men accessing traditional mental health support services such as counselling and psychotherapy. For men who do not feel ready to attend more traditional forms of help-seeking, mental health podcasts can provide a point of entry to informational support.
It is clear from our study that podcasts wield a power that can affect their audience. When it comes to issues like masculinity, this power must be used in a responsible manner.
The regressive side of men’s podcasts
Podcasts can also be a vessel for the normalisation and mainstreaming of ideas which are popular with the manosphere. This is an ecosystem of online communities united by anti-feminist values and the promotion of men’s dominance over women. This type of content is often appealing to men who are navigating social isolation and personal challenges.
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Many podcasts targeting a male audience discuss themes of status, physical appeal and romantic connection, often in a problematic way. They may offer self-improvement “hacks” for men, attracting younger listeners who are lacking in confidence and searching for role models. Self-improvement to boost one’s “sexual market value” is a recurring theme in the manosphere. This can lead to young men having a reductive view of themselves, and of women.
While not the overtly offensive content created by some manosphere figures, similar, underlying tropes can be weaved into reasonable conversations through popular, mainstream, podcasts. Humour and irony can make regressive ideas seem palatable to audiences – subtly reinforcing sexism while framing it as “banter”.
Often, these conversations are underpinned by justifications of biological essentialism. This is the idea that men’s power over women is a natural and fixed social order based on biological sex differences.
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This was behind a recent controversy around an episode of Steven Bartlett’s popular podcast, The Diary of a CEO. In it, Bartlett interviews psychiatrist Dr Alok Kanojia. The pair discuss declining birth rates and male loneliness.
Bartlett asks if there should be systemic intervention to ensure lonely men can reproduce with women. Critics argued that this framing gave the suggestion that men are the victims of a political injustice – and that that “injustice” is women’s bodily autonomy.
Amid major social media backlash to the episode, a spokesperson for the podcast rejected claims that the podcast promotes manosphere ideologies. They noted that “Steven Bartlett does not adopt the opinions of his guests, nor is the format intended to pass judgment on personal viewpoints.”
Gendered values may prevent men from seeking help through counselling or therapy. StockLab/Shutterstock
Our research shows how podcasts can lead to positive conversations around masculinity. For example, by sharing vulnerable discussions of how men experience the weight of traditional masculinity and changing societal roles.
Podcasts can encourage men to challenge restrictive beliefs about gender, help them improve interpersonal relationships and even encourage them to seek further help.
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In our research, we recommend tactics for podcast creators who want to make content which supports men’s mental health. They must first ask how their content helps men reflect on versions of masculinity that don’t rely on the subordination of others. This approach can offer a counter-narrative to soft-manosphere content: critical self-awareness, vulnerability instead of irony, and avoiding a narrative of blame.
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