Thomas Tuchel says Bukayo Saka needs to be carefully steered back to full fitness as England head into a World Cup where they must “dare to dream”.

History is against 1966 winners England, head coach Tuchel pointed out.

But his view is that “a bit of luck”, plus sharp focus and self-belief, could make his team serious trophy challengers if they come through the early rounds.

Having his most important players available may be key, and Saka ranks highly among that contingent.

The Arsenal winger missed part of the climax to the domestic season because of an Achilles injury, though he did return in time for the club’s run-in as they won the Premier League title.

Tuchel said Saka, who has scored 14 goals in 48 appearances for the Three Lions, still requires careful attention before the tournament – which has raised some concerns given he is a key player.

“We still have to take a little bit of care for Bukayo [Saka] who had an injury in March and carried it through the club campaign,” Tuchel told a news conference.

“He made himself available at the end of the season and did so brilliantly, but he was managed in between matches. That continues a bit at the moment – we are building him up.

“We just came from training and everyone was involved including Bukayo.”

Tuchel said he must assess Saka and the rest of his England squad before deciding who starts the final warm-up match against Costa Rica on Wednesday (21:00 BST).

Having made 11 changes at half-time in Saturday’s 1-0 win against New Zealand, Tuchel will give some players a longer run-out to build their fitness before the tournament opener with Croatia on 17 June.

John Stones is among the players who could benefit from more game time having played a peripheral role at Manchester City last season.

“Of course [Stones can start]. Everyone can start – everyone is fit and ready and John is one of them,” said Tuchel.

“Before this, we have two more matches to play and hopefully we take the next step. Hopefully we all stay healthy and have the full availability for Croatia.

“No-one needs a break. Everyone is available which is very good news. No [injury] complaints after the first match.

“[We’ve had] one day of recovery and two good training sessions. We are ready to give it a push tomorrow – meaning more than 45 minutes.

“Players will play 60, maybe 70 minutes. We will make this decision in the afternoon.”

Conservative pundit Steve Hilton has advanced alongside former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra in California’s open primary for governor, pitting the two men against each other in November’s general election.

In a “jungle primary” in which candidates of all parties appear on the same ballot, with the top two going through regardless of party, the result, finally called by the Associated Press on Tuesday evening, sets up a two-horse race between a Republican and a Democrat.

The winner will succeed the term-limited Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom, a sharp critic of President Donald Trump and possible future White House contender, in taking charge of a $4 trillion economy and confronting deep challenges on issues from water and affordability to homelessness.

Hilton is a British-born former Fox News host who became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and was endorsed by Trump. He was previously well-known as an adviser to former U.K. prime minister David Cameron, with a reputation for eccentricity.

He has likened his candidacy to that of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the last immigrant to become the Golden State’s governor.

“My mission is clear: to go to Sacramento, clean up the corruption, cut your costs, help your business, and fix our schools,” Hilton said in a statement.

“Xavier Becerra is the ultimate career politician. After 36 years in the political machine, his policies gave California the highest poverty rate, the highest unemployment rate, and the highest cost of living in America. Now he promises ‘no change’ to those policies.”

Becerra is a former state attorney general and congressman from Los Angeles ⁠who went on to serve in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, leading the Department of Health and Human Services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Democrats coalesced around his candidacy after former frontrunner Eric Swalwell left the race and resigned from Congress in April after being hit by sexual assault allegations, which he denied.

Netflix fans are “obsessed” with this historical drama that’s been hailed as “exceptional”.

Described as “one of the best dramas ever”, this Netflix series is not for the faint-hearted.

Netflix has long been a home for emotionally charged dramas, and this “beautiful” series is certainly not one to overlook.

Set in the 19th century, the story follows a boy born into slavery who manages to flee to America, only to return to his homeland years later, where he uncovers a sinister conspiracy and finds love.

Eugene Choi (played by Lee Byung-hun) comes back to Korea in 2018’s Mr Sunshine as a US Marine Corps officer following the 1871 military conflict between America and Joseon Korea.

Upon his return, he discovers Japan’s plans to colonise Korea, while simultaneously falling for an aristocratic freedom fighter.

Despite Mr Sunshine comprising a substantial 24 episodes, each exceeding an hour in length, this hasn’t deterred Netflix subscribers from heaping praise upon it.

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“It’s a beautiful movie and the balance between the heavy plots and storylines and the quirky, perfectly delivered humour was exceptionally performed”, one viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes.

“I knew it would break my heart but it was too beautiful to not watch.”

Another concurred: “Best historical drama ever. I cried a lot, but every little detail is just perfect. This is a masterpiece.”

A third remarked: “This is one of the best drama series I have ever watched.

“Surely left me heartbroken for Eugene’s ending but I will never forget it or move on from it.”

While another enthused: “Just amazing and I’m obsessed. Setting the bar very high for Korean historical dramas.”

Meanwhile, another fan enthused: “An absolute must-watch! Plot, making, acting, even dialogues were perfection! To say that I was mindblowned is an understatement.”

Taking the leading role of Eugene is actor Lee Byung-hun, renowned for portraying Hwang In-ho, otherwise known as The Front Man, in Netflix’s Squid Game.

He’s accompanied by Kim Tae-ri from The Handmaiden, Hospital Playlist’s Yoo Yeon-seok, and Byun Yo-han, known for Misaeng: Incomplete Life.

Mr Sunshine is available to stream on Netflix

Which? researchers opened the charger’s case and found a lump of modelling clay inside it, which they believe was used to give the charger a more weighty, robust and genuine feel. One customer who bought the charger posted on the listing to say that it had overloaded and ruined their iPad and phone, both of which had stopped charging.

A Welsh castle with a James Bond link is helping to fuel a £4.5m tourism surge as thousands of high-spending tourists from Japan make their way to north Wales this summer.

Tourism chiefs report that Japanese visitor numbers have rebounded strongly following the pandemic, with arrivals now matching and in some instances surpassing the pre-Covid high of more than 4,500 per year. The rising influx is providing a significant boost to local businesses, with visitors spending an average of more than £1,000 each during their time in the north of the country.

Central to this success is Conwy’s longstanding partnership with the city of Himeji in central Japan. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here

Himeji’s deputy director for international affairs, Hiromi Tanaka, has just concluded a five-week visit to Conwy where she was hosted by North Wales Tourism (NWT) CEO Jim Jones and Conwy Mayor Sian Grady. Throughout her stay she was accompanied by NWT Japanese Ambassador Emiko Corney, reports North Wales Live.

The two regions share a historic arrangement between Conwy Castle and Himeji Castle. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and, despite being more than 9,000 miles apart, the two formidable fortresses were constructed within 50 years of each other during the 13th and 14th centuries.

The striking five-storey wooden castle in Himeji served as a backdrop for the classic 007 film, You Only Live Twice. Conwy Castle recently welcomed film crews for a major live-action adaptation of the dark fantasy video game Elden Ring.

Jim Jones remarked: “We are once again seeing very many Japanese tourists in the area and the indications are that numbers are already above the pre-Covid levels.

“Businesses are seeing more Japanese visitors coming through their doors and numbers are growing and they are big spenders – you should see the size of their suitcases!

“Hiromi remarked how much there is in common between the people of North Wales and those of her home region – the friendliness and warmth as well as the pride in their area and its culture and language.”

Hiromi was present in Conwy when the initial castles partnership was established.

On this occasion, she experienced a more immersive exploration of the region’s heritage, with Glenn Evans hosting her at the Royal Oak and Waterloo Hotel estate in Betws y Coed.

Her schedule featured destinations including Portmeirion, the Welsh Highland Railway, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Great Orme mines, Bodnant Gardens, and the Aber Falls and Penderyn Whisky Distillery. She also explored Llandudno alongside Lord Mostyn and discovered how to prepare bara brith and Welsh cakes.

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The objective was to reinforce connections between the two regions, which has already resulted in Japan recognising Conwy as one of the “30 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Europe”. The nation has also designated the A55 amongst the “20 Most Beautiful Roads in Europe”.

Hiromi explained: “I’ve spent five weeks staying and working in Conwy and North Wales to understand the tourism offer here. It’s another step in cementing the relationship between Conwy and its castle and Himeji and its castle. This is also an important tourism site which attracts three million visitors a year.

“I have very much enjoyed the culture of North Wales, the scenery and the people who have been very welcoming.

“I very much liked bara brith and have been eating it for breakfast every morning. Now I know how to make it I will be sharing the secret with people in Japan!”

Hiromi undertook part of her work placement at Conwy Town Council, where her responsibilities included assisting in the preparation of bilingual information for Japanese visitors, as well as raising awareness of the twinning arrangement and its importance to both communities.

Sian Grady, Conwy Mayor and Constable of Conwy Castle, noted that the placement demonstrated the tangible advantages of international collaboration and cultural exchange.

She commented: “It’s great that the Welsh Government want to put Wales on the international map and they need to have a look at what’s happening in Conwy and support it. Hopefully the fact that the (government’s) new leader is from Anglesey means he will understand the importance of tourism to North Wales.”

Hiromi’s visit also encompassed trips to Ysgol Aberconwy, Ysgol Bro Gwydyr and Ysgol Awel y Mynydd, where she treated pupils to demonstrations of origami and the art of wearing a kimono.

NWT CEO Jim Jones highlighted that North Wales boasts tremendous diversity across its landscapes, history and culture. He continued: “We have seen in Wrexham where the success of the football club and its Hollywood owners has attracted visitors from the USA – we just need them to head west as well.

“On Anglesey the cruise ship market is growing at Holyhead with thousands of visitors arriving in North Wales by sea. There is so much for people from overseas to see and what we need now is for the new Welsh Government to work with us.

“Plaid Cymru has said it wants to put Wales on the international map and that’s what we’re doing in places like Himeji in Japan and at Champery in the Swiss Alps. At the latter we have links through the Llandudno ski slope and with mountain biking.

“We just hope they can see the potential in the tourism industry in North Wales and work with us to realise that potential.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is “deeply alarmed” by the renewed strikes in the Middle East.

He called for an immediate end to the attacks and urged parties to fully respect the ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran and Gaza.

“There is no military solution to the conflicts in the Middle East,” Guterres said. “The only way forward is through dialogue & negotiations. I urge all concerned to work towards diplomatic solutions that advance regional & international peace & security.”

Meanwhile, Christian leaders in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre have called on the international community and Lebanese authorities to act quickly to prevent Israeli strikes on the city’s Christian district.

The Israeli military has issued an evacuation warning for Tyre, including the Christian quarter, which has so far been spared.

The statement from the Christian leaders was from George Iskandar, the metropolitan archbishop of Tyre for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church; Elias Kfoury, the Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Tyre, Sidon and Dependencies; and Charbel Abdullah, the archeparch of the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Tyre.

England did almost everything right in their qualifying group, winning five of their six matches, including the victory over Spain at Wembley in April.

They also scored 13 goals, conceded just five – four of which came against Spain – and kept four clean sheets.

But it is not easy to qualify automatically and England were given a rough draw with world champions Spain in their group. The quest for top spot was always likely to come down to their head-to-head record.

That is what happened as England ultimately missed out because they were thumped in Majorca.

That humbling defeat – which showed the gulf between the two teams when Spain are at their best – was their downfall.

Wiegman opted for experience in the starting XI against Spain. Despite not featuring for England since October, and only returning from a four-month injury in April, midfielder Ella Toone was given the nod over Lucia Kendall and Laura Blindkilde Brown.

Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze started at right-back despite an injury in the build-up to the game.

In the end, England’s midfielders were too passive and easily controlled by Spain, while the usually explosive frontline of Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James proved ineffective.

At the back, England struggled to live with Spain’s creativity and dynamism, with only Esme Morgan impressing in a generally dismal performance.

England’s sloppiness was compounded by the fact Spain produced one of their best performances to date and Wiegman could not come up with an answer for it.

Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live this week that she is “absolutely convinced” England can match Spain at their best if they are to meet again next year.

But that one crucial defeat showed just how difficult it is for England to qualify for major tournaments and why they cannot afford an ‘off day’ against the best teams.

“We have mixed feelings, of course. We were very disappointed with the way the game went [against Spain],” said midfielder Georgia Stanway, a scorer on Tuesday along with Jess Carter and Beth Mead.

“It’s very rare that you get 15 points and still not make it out of the group. I think that it shows our level, our consistency, but we know our performance wasn’t good enough against Spain.”

Wiegman said it was a “good thing” that there is more competition throughout Europe but admitted it was tough to miss out on such fine margins.

“The Nations League brought more competition in Europe. I think that’s really nice. We also noticed we have to play Spain so many times,” she said.

“I was excited for this group to play Iceland as we hadn’t played them. It’s something for Uefa to have a look at, at least. The good thing is there is a lot of competition.”

A licence application for The Pateley Club, in High Street, Pateley Bridge, will be considered by councillors from North Yorkshire Council this week.

The club has previously operated under a club premises certificate, but has been told it needs a premises licence to continue holding functions.

The venue applied for a licence to sell alcohol and allow live and recorded music until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday, and remain open an extra 30 minutes beyond these times.

North Yorkshire Police, however, said it had received complaints about the venue over the last 12 months which it said “undermines the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance”.

As a result, licensing officer PC Antony Lockey-Smith said North Yorkshire Police were unable to support the proposed operating hours.

Instead, he requested that the club stops serving and allowing music an hour earlier Sundays to Thursday at 11pm, and closes at 11.30pm.

These times have been agreed by the club management.

The council has received representation from three people living near the club who object to the proposed hours.

One resident said they had made more than a dozen calls to police about noise and anti-social behaviour coming from the club.

They added: “It is not just people having a good time. It is fighting, screaming and shouting that spills into the street and has resulted in windows being broken and people hurt. I am shocked no one has been hit by a car.

“This can be as early at 10pm on an evening and as late at 3am at times. This is on top of the music pouring from the club till sometimes 1am and patrons going in and out till the small hours of the morning with the door slamming each time.”

Another resident said: “I am the homeowner and the parent of four children, and the noise generated by the club and its patrons already causes significant disruption to my family, particularly during the summer months when windows need to be open and daylight hours are longer.”

In a response to one of the  objections, the club said that it tried very hard to make customers understand that it was important that they minimise noise when leaving or being outside the premises.

But it also pointed out that it was situated in the high street and there were other pubs and late-night takeaways and restaurants in the area.

“We have on several occasions experienced complaints of late night noise – reported to have taken place some hours after we have closed,” it adds.

The council has also received 13 submissions in support of the club’s licence bid.

The club says it needs to be able to keep holding community events, such as wakes, charity nights, christening and birthday parties, in order to survive.

The application will be debated by the council’s statutory licensing sub-committee at Harrogate Civic Centre on Friday.

A complex Mercury-Saturn angle runs the risk of clouding your path ahead. Confusion and conflict will be difficult to wade through.

Aries, Pisces and Sagittarius, your mind may be at odds with your surroundings today. Ideas may not match up to your reality.

Know that challenging cosmic placements pass, and you will be all the stronger once the day has come and gone. Take it one step at a time.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Wednesday June 10, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Need to decide something? You can either ignore your feelings or pay more attention to them. If you gloss over them, it may be because you don’t want to acknowledge what they’re telling you. Allow yourself to fully embrace them, and you’ll see things in a new light. The choice you make today will hold up and you’ll feel confident enough to know what’s right.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

You may sense what lies beneath the surface but be reluctant to talk about it. It’s one of those days when words seem to carry more weight than usual, even those that remain unspoken. Trust your deeper instincts, and you won’t falter. You’ll know just what to say to put others’ minds at ease, and if you need to discuss something awkward, just the right time to do so.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Feel you should be contributing more to a team project or to your friendships in general? An edgy Mercury-Saturn angle could leave you questioning if you truly fit in. Reflection on how you want your social life to be could lead to one or more decisions. You could give more time and energy to it all, but if you do feel out of place, it may be worth exploring other circles.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

What you say now could shape how others see you, especially in your career or public life. Even so, with Saturn in your sector of ambition, those in authority could be more demanding than usual, so don’t promise anything you can’t deliver. Someone could seem insensitive, which could make you clam up. Do discuss what’s on your mind, if it’s crucial to your wellbeing.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

You may have big plans, but deep down, something might be telling you to hold back and reflect, as there could be something further to look into. It’s not the most obvious thoughts you want to consider, but those that are swimming in the deeper recesses of your mind. Let them rise to the surface, and you’ll get to the root of any anxiety and resolve it much faster.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Something about your circle of friends may need an honest discussion, and now is the time. As Mercury angles towards Saturn, the burden of not saying anything may become bigger than the idea of talking it over. With sensitivity, you’ll say the right things and still get your point across. It could be a turning point and a chance to strengthen meaningful bonds.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

What you say at work or in public may directly affect a key relationship. An awkward blend of energies suggests that a conversation could seem serious or even quite testing, but it can clear the air. It’s not that you’ve said anything wrong, but more that you may have pushed a boundary you didn’t know was there. Clearing this matter can ease tension between you.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Feel inspired by a daring idea? It will probably take a lot of discipline to accomplish it. You might be very tempted by that bold challenge but consider what it will involve. It may require a lot more time and effort than you think. Will the outcome be worth it? If it is, streamlining your routines so you have time to work on it every day can be the key to long-term success.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Feel something intensely yet hesitate to talk about it? Perhaps it touches a deep nerve. What might be healing and even cathartic is to pour those emotions into activities you enjoy, such as a long hike, bike ride, art, music, or anything that requires a lot of energy or a chance for self-expression. You may find inspiration and resolve this issue, or you’ll simply let it drop.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

A partner or someone close may be keen to discuss something that touches on home, family, or emotional security. They may have sensed something that you missed and bringing it out into the open could lead to positive changes. You could be tempted to retreat from such a conversation, but listening carefully and sharing your wisdom might prove powerful.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Your thinking and your plans may be at odds. You’ll be expecting a lot of yourself, and you may find that your daily routine needs to be sensitively adjusted to accommodate your goals. Mercury’s angle to stern Saturn supports you in noticing where you’re being too hard on yourself and encourages you to be more realistic. Thoughtful self-care could work wonders.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

You may have some great ideas, but are they worth investing in? Today’s line-up encourages you to think about the return you’ll get for the effort and energy you put in. It may seem a wasted exercise when you’re feeling inspired, but firm Saturn in Aries makes you aware of the futility of wasting resources and how much you’ll gain by using them skilfully and wisely.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

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.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of June here.

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Thirty years ago, five young women from the UK redefined what a pop group could be.
When the Spice Girls burst onto the scene in 1996 with their debut single Wannabe, they helped to reshape discussions around gender, sexuality, power and pop culture.

At first glance, their formula seemed straightforward; catchy music, bold personalities and an explicitly commercial brand. This helped the Spice Girls to dominate the pop charts of the 1990s and 2000s. But their approach was very rare for British female artists – most girlbands relied on matching outfits and a unified look as opposed to the Spice Girls brand of individual personalities. The strategy resulted in huge success but also reflected, and arguably was the catalyst for, deeper shifts in the music industry and society at large.

The Spice Girls arrived at a moment when “girl power” (a phrase they popularised globally and now features in the dictionary) tapped into a growing appetite for female autonomy and visibility.

Unlike many pop acts before them, each member of the Spice Girls had a distinct identity: Mel B (Melanie Brown) as Scary Spice, Melanie C (Melanie Chisholm) as Sporty Spice, Emma Bunton as Baby Spice, Geri Halliwell as Ginger Spice and Victoria Beckham as Posh Spice. These personas were often caricatured, but they provided a lens through which fans (particularly young girls) could see multiple versions of femininity represented in mainstream media.

Another significant element of the Spice Girls’ audience is the LGBTQ+ community. The group has often pointed to the importance of this audience for their success. Many of their LGBTQ+ fans have pointed to the loud and proud message of the band as an important part of their self-acceptance and positive self-esteem.

Later generations of female and LGBTQ+ artists have attributed Spice Girls as inspirational figures including Adele, Billie Eilish, Olly Alexander, Charli XCX and Dua Lipa. These artists in turn continued to keep the Spice Girls legacy alive with younger audiences, helped by the easy access of legacy music catalogues on digital streaming platforms.

The Spice Girls legacy

The band’s debut album, Spice, is the best-selling album by a girl group in history. Their global reach helped solidify the late 1990s and early 2000s as a peak era of British pop culture exports. Throughout their career the band had nine UK number one singles as a group, and eight solo number ones. No other girl group comes close to that total.

But the band’s significance cannot be measured by sales alone. The Spice Girls helped normalise the idea that female acts could dominate the global market on their own terms, without conforming to male-defined industry expectations. For example, they sacked a male manager in the maelstrom of their success and managed themselves while enjoying several more number one singles, platinum album sales and sold-out tours.

The Spice Girls also exerted an unusual degree of control over their music; notably cowriting all of their songs and challenging the industry norms that often sidelined female artists in decision-making processes. In doing so, they anticipated later debates about authorship, authenticity and agency in pop – decades ahead of modern conversations about music ownership and power such as Taylor Swift’s journey to owning her own master recordings.

The legacy of the Spice Girls is not without tension, however. “Girl power” has been both celebrated in that it made feminism accessible to young people and critiqued as a commodified slogan that reduced complex political ideas to marketable soundbites. At their last reunion tour in 2019 Geri repackaged “girl power” into “people power”.

Beyond the music, the Spice Girls have become an omnipresent element of British pop culture in recent years with Royal Mail stamps, Royal Mint official British currency and a collaboration with the English female rugby team. This shows that the Spice Girls’ iconic imagery is well and truly canonified in the British pop culture vernacular much like The Rolling Stones, Oasis and The Beatles.

Three decades on, the Spice Girls continue to be revisited in ways that alternate between celebration, nostalgia and critique, reflecting ongoing debates about gender, commerce and pop culture in the 1990s.