Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Declan Rice as England’s vice-captain for the World Cup after the midfielder and his Arsenal team-mates joined their preparation camp in Florida.

The 27-year-old arrived at the team’s West Palm Beach base with Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze on Saturday evening as their team-mates beat New Zealand 1-0 in baking Tampa.

Rice is one of the first names on the England team sheet and travelled to the United States fresh from playing a key role in Arsenal winning the Premier League and narrowly losing last weekend’s Champions League final.

The 72-cap midfielder’s quality and personality will mean he serves as vice-captain during this summer’s quest for World Cup glory having stepped up during skipper Harry Kane’s absence for the October friendly against Wales.

“I think I would say Declan is my vice-captain,” Tuchel said after beating the All Whites.

Asked whether Rice knows that he has that role, Tuchel said with a smile: “That is a good question. I was just thinking about it. Whether it is an official thing or not.

“But I think we had this talk when Harry was not in camp with us. We started with Ollie (Watkins) and I think Declan was captain. That was where I told him.”

Rice and the rest of the Arsenal contingent began work with the group on Sunday as attention turns to England’s final warm-up game against Costa Rica in Orlando.

Tuchel says the approach for Wednesday’s friendly will be “different” having fielded different teams in each half against New Zealand, but he has yet to decided how best to utilise the Arsenal players.

“We will get bigger chunks of minutes because it is part of the build-up and then after that we will have six days or something for Croatia,” he said. “We need some players to play 60 or 70 minutes.”

Asked if the Arsenal quartet will all play against Costa Rica, Tuchel said: “I am not sure about that. Let’s see how they come back.

“They come back (Saturday), three training days and let’s see.

“We have one more match behind closed doors to manage all the minutes because of course, let’s say if someone plays 70 minutes against Costa Rica and someone else only plays 20, that is also not enough so there will be players who only had 20 or 30 minutes and will play the next day again.”

England have lined up a behind-closed-doors meeting with Miami FC after facing Costa Rica to provide some training support.

The Florida outfit play in the USL Championship and were previously managed by Italy great Alessandro Nesta following their foundation 11 years ago.

England travel to their Kansas City base on Saturday and kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June, before facing Ghana and Panama in Group L.

The developer says the homes would address a shortage of affordable homes and provide facilities to meet local need

A developer is hoping to build up to 75 new homes in a small Cambridgeshire village. Orchestra Ltd has submitted an outline planning application to Huntingdonshire District Council for the development of land west of Earith Road in Colne.

Colne lies about 9 miles east of Huntingdon and has approximately 904 residents, according to the 2021 census. The application proposes up to 75 residential units, associated landscaping, drainage, and related infrastructure. Of the 75 proposed homes, 30 would be offered as affordable housing.

Orchestra Ltd says the homes would make a “meaningful and positive contribution toward addressing both overall housing need and the acute shortage of affordable homes within Huntingdonshire”.

A design statement adds: “The development provides high quality, sustainable homes in an appropriate location, helping to meet the needs of households unable to access the open market while also supporting the vitality and long term sustainability of Colne and surrounding communities.”

Additionally, Orchestra Ltd says the residential development would provide local facilities to meet local need, including new open space and walking routes, and enhance the sustainability of the area in Colne.

The site measures 4.6 hectares and is on the doorstep of several local amenities, including the Colne Community Hall, The Green Man pub, Saint Helen’s Church, and other services in the neighbouring village of Bluntisham.

Developer Orchestra Ltd said: “Due to the single landowner status of the land, the development is highly deliverable and can provide much needed new homes in an accessible, sustainable location.

“We believe our proposal represents a logical extension to the village of Colne that is easily accessed via existing highway infrastructure, with direct access onto the B1050, the primary north south route connecting Colne with other local villages.”

Meanwhile, Olympic and world champion Duplantis suffered his first Diamond League defeat in three years.

In March, the 26-year-old broke the world record for the 15th time, with a jump of 6.31m slightly north of Stockholm in Uppsala.

But the best he could muster on Sunday was 5.80m, second to Australia’s Kurtis Marschall (5.90m).

“I felt I was pretty unfocused, not ready to compete at the top level,” said Duplantis, who is getting married next week. “I feel bad for my fans and family but I am not that mad.

“We have a saying in Sweden that says you are either lucky in games or in love, and in some strange way I think there’s some message or silver lining in this that says something about the commitment that I am about to make in my marriage.”

There was one local win in the men’s discus for Daniel Stahl, with the world champion’s throw of 69.60m beating Australia’s Matthew Denny (69.02) and Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh (67.67).

Britain’s Lawrence Okoye was eighth with 64.02, some way short of his season’s best (71.88).

In the women’s 100m, Britain’s Amy Hunt ran a personal best 10.97 seconds to finish second to America’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. Dina Asher-Smith was sixth in 11.24.

British sprinter Jeremiah Azu was disqualified after a false start in the men’s 200m, which was won by American Kenneth Bednarek in 19.87 seconds, with South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile second in 20.10.

GB’s Elise Thorner was second in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, finishing almost 12 seconds behind Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani, who won in a meeting record eight minutes and 59.28 seconds.

Charlie Dobson was fifth in the men’s 400m, won by South Africa’s Zakithi Nene in 44.48 seconds.

The men’s 800m was won by America’s Cooper Lutkenhaus in a season’s best one minute 42.70 seconds, with GB’s Ben Pattison (1:43.70) and Jake Wightman (1:44.39) fourth and seventh respectively.

American middle-distance runner Yared Nuguse outlasted 19-year-old Australian Cam Myers to snatch victory in the men’s 1500m.

There was another meeting record in the women’s shot put with the Netherlands’ Jessica Schilder registering 20.89m.

The popular ITV soaps have often been moved or axed from the schedule due to football matches, with next week no different.

One night this week will also see the soaps return to their hour-long format.

Here is all to know about the week ahead for the soaps and when you can watch the newest episodes.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street to get big schedule changes this week

Both Emmerdale and Corrie are facing multiple changes to their regular programming in the week ahead.

This is due to the football, both the Women’s Qualifiers and the start of the Men’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Both shows usually air back-to-back in a soap “power hour” each weeknight, with Emmerdale from 8pm to 8.30pm followed by Corrie from 8.30pm to 9pm.

The first change is on Tuesday (June 9), in which neither show will air due to the Women’s World Cup Qualifier between England and Ukraine.

On Wednesday (June 10), both will air an hour earlier, with Emmerdale at 7pm and Corrie following at 7.30pm.

This is because of ITV airing England’s final warmup game against Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The World Cup then begins on Thursday (June 11), with the opening ceremony taking place.

As a result, neither Emmerdale nor Coronation Street will air on Thursday, June 11.

The biggest change, however, comes on Friday (June 12), with the format changing for both.

Emmerdale will air for an hour from 8pm to 9pm. with Corrie following at 9pm to 10pm.

It is not the first time this year Emmerdale and Corrie have both had schedule changes due to sport.

The soaps were moved to a weekend in March due to the England v Uruguay match.

More recently, both were taken off air due to the women’s football between England and Spain.

Coronation Street star returning after 23 years

While fans may be frustrated at the schedule changes, many may be excited due to a returning face after more than two decades.

Jake Parry, who originally played Simon Barlow on the ITV soap in 2003 alongside his twin brother Oscar, will make his comeback in a new role 23 years later.

He revealed the news in a TikTok post, sharing a brief clip from the show and writing: “Coronation Street trailer.

“Catch me as DAMO next week.”

Although Mr Parry’s return marks a return to the famous Weatherfield set, he has been clear that he will be playing a new character.

Mr Parry and his brother Oscar portrayed Simon Barlow from July to November 2003, though Daniel Whelan briefly took over the role for episodes aired in September that year.

Simon Barlow has since become a long-running character on the soap, most recently played by actor Alex Bain.

Mr Parry’s new character, Damo, is described in soap spoilers as a “young man,” though further details about the role remain under wraps.

Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale and/or Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

The pick-up horror took place at Red Hall Primary School on Wednesday (June 3) when the 36-year-old arrived to police officers on the ground and drones in the sky.

The dental therapist, who wishes to remain nameless, said it was there that she was told her daughter, who has autism and ADHD, had fled for the “third time in six months”. 

Her daughter, who is part of the school’s social, emotional and mental health needs provision, is said to have escaped with two other children aged seven and nine.

Around an hour after police arrived, she said the three children were found a staggering two miles away from the school by the River Skerne, near Darlington Police Station.

Julie Davidson, executive headteacher of Red Hall, said the school takes the safety and wellbeing of all students “extremely seriously”.

But despite the head saying parents were “contacted promptly”, the mum-of-three claims she only found out at pick up – and that a parent of another missing child was told by police.

“It was horrific. You don’t expect something to happen like that in this day and age”, the woman, who lives at West Park, said. 

“I just turned up at the school to find police vans, and at this point, there were drones out. I had gone in to get her, and they said she went missing with two other boys. 

“[The school] explained that the kids had escaped again but had to contact police as there had been no sightings of them for the last hour.”

She continued: “I just felt sick. I thought something really bad had happened. It was pouring down that day as well.

“They were found just before 5pm, they were found near the River Skerne, next to the town.”

The woman, who has lived in Darlington since she was 15, said it is the third time that her daughter has absconded in the last six months. 

“I feel as though the school doesn’t seem to care, they are not getting it”, she argued.

“It is supposed to be a unit for kids who have special needs, but they have escaped three times. 

“The last two times they were found within one hour in the Red Hall estate, but we were again never informed until we got to the school.” 

She now feels that a “serious safeguarding investigation” must be carried out and is due to visit the Headingley Crescent school for a meeting on Monday. 

“Anything could have happened to them”, she said. “The fact that this is the third time as well…

“It is not like this is a one off. It makes you not want to drop your kid off at school. You drop them off at school, and you expect them to be safe. 

“If this happened to me, she wouldn’t be in my care.

“[My daughter] is fine. She doesn’t understand the consequences or the dangers. The school is more than aware of that.”

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “Police were called just before 2.20pm on Wednesday (June 3) to assist with a search for three children who had been reported missing from Red Hall Primary School, in Darlington.

“Officers attended and located the children around an hour later.”

All full statement from Ms Davidson said: “We take the safety and wellbeing of all our students extremely seriously. When this incident took place, the parents of the children involved were contacted promptly to let them know what had happened, as were the police.” 

Drivers are facing long delays on a stretch of the M6 motorway amid reports of a ‘serious’ crash this morning.

Three lanes have been closed off on the northbound stretch of the motorway near Wigan, according to traffic alert service Inrix. They are shut from junction 25 for Bryn to junction 26 for the Orrell Interchange.

Long delays are building up to the closure. Motorway cameras show queues forming on the northbound carriageway.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Follow our live blog below for the latest traffic updates.

President Donald Trump denied that he has broken his campaign promises by entering a war with Iran and vowed that the conflict would not be “endless” during a contentious interview this weekend.

Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker in a pre-taped interview on Meet the Press that the war with Iran would soon come to an end, repeating an assertion that he and members of his Cabinet have made for months as the war has stubbornly dragged on without an end in sight. In his latest remarks, the president characterized the holdup as a dispute over language surrounding Iran’s future ability to acquire or purchase nuclear materials.

The president claimed that he made a distinction during his campaign for president in 2024 between “wars” and “endless” conflicts, adding that it wasn’t worth building up America’s military to never use it.

“First of all, I didn’t guarantee no war. Why would I have built the strongest military in the world?” he asked.

“When you say I promised, I didn’t promise anything. I don’t like these endless wars. [But] this is not an endless war,” Trump told Welker.

He went on to compare the war in Iran to his military strike on Venezuela, which took place in January and led to the capture of ousted leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in a daring late-night raid. The president still sees similarities between that operation and the conflict against Iran, which is now more than three months old and continues without any sign of U.S. progress towards its objectives.

“We took over Venezuela in a matter of minutes. We destroyed the capability of Iran in a matter of days. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it,” Trump said before comparing it to what he saw as the alternative.

“Remember, you were in Vietnam 19 years because of stupid people,” he said. “You were in so many different countries. Every war, you were in for years. Look at Iraq. You were there for years.”

Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign launched as the war between Ukraine and Russia remained top of mind for the U.S. and the Israeli assault on Gaza was rapidly deflating President Joe Biden’s popularity within his own party. Much of Trump’s foreign policy platform centered around blaming the Biden administration for those two conflicts, which he argued were only allowed to happen and spiral out of control because of passive U.S. leadership.

But he did promise that he would not start wars, despite his claim in the NBC interview. In his 2024 victory speech, he told his supporters: “I’m not going to start a war, I’m going to stop wars.”

Trump also frequently claimed that the Ukraine invasion would not have happened on his watch. “The Ukrainian conflict should never have happened, and would not have happened if I were President,” he said in September 2022.

Trump spent much of 2025 openly campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize as he sought to cultivate an image of a global peacemaker, which he has largely abandoned. He pushed for a new focus on Russia-Ukraine negotiations that failed to amount to anything and leaned on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to drive the acceptance of a peace deal in Gaza.

But he also began a campaign of using military forces to strike small boats carrying suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean, a year-long series of attacks against what were once considered civilian targets, resulting in the targeting and killing of dozens of people the administration labels as drug traffickers without trial.

On Meet the Press, the president also threatened to U.S. military force to directly seize and destroy Iran’s remaining nuclear materials if a deal was not met.

“The way you do it is, if we make a deal, if we make a deal now we’re friendly, we’ll all go together. It’ll be our equipment. We’ll take it out and destroy it, whether it’s onsite or whether we take it offsite,” Trump said of the nuclear material.

“Now, if we don’t make a deal, then we’re going to take them out militarily very harshly,” he said. “And we’ll wait till we do that before we go, in which case we’ll have safety either way.”

He concluded the interview by storming out after a back-and-forth with Welker over his false claims about the 2020 election.

The president’s comments come after a week of White House officials, including Trump, claiming that the president was within moments of ending the war in Iran and had a peace deal on his desk waiting on his approval that would do so.

That peace deal has not materialized, and on Sunday the president said he was looking for further assurances about Iran’s future purchasing abilities in the deal. He added, in an attempt to assure his hawkish critics, that he would not trigger sanctions relief or the unfreezing of Iranian funds in the U.S. financial system before Iran demonstrated compliance with the potential future agreement.

As he searches for a permanent end to the war in Iran that doesn’t involve the “endless” deployment of U.S. forces or a retreat from his objective of assuming U.S. control over the future of Iran’s nuclear program, the president is still attempting to sell the importance of his strikes against Iran with the American people.

During his interview with NBC, he clashed with Welker over whether he had a message for farmers and others whose industries have seen major economic disruptions take place as a result of the war.

Complicating the issue for the White House is the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway off Iran’s coast which the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has shut down since the war began, causing major disruptions to global shipping traffic. The U.S. has proven unable to force Iran to open the Strait for months, while facing questions about why or whether the administration was apparently unprepared for it when the war began.

Gas prices in the U.S. shot up by more than a dollar per gallon after the war began in late February and are only beginning to fade from their peak prices as Americans head into the summer travel months. For farmers, prices for fertilizer and other goods remain elevated as the Strait remains closed.

Growing up in Crook, Catherine went to Parkside Comprehensive School, in Willington, and returned there to become an English teacher before progressing, via different roles, into senior management, and specialising in teaching and learning and professional development.

Now, as she celebrates her 30th year in education, Catherine is in her ‘perfect job’ – heading up an innovative training hub launched by a growing North-East Education Trust.

Last September, she became director of the ALP Institute of Teaching, Leadership and Research, established by the Advance Learning Partnership. Strategic partnerships with Evidence Based Education (EBE), and Durham University have strengthened the reach and impact of the Institute.

“It’s already exceeded expectations, growing rapidly into a successful hub for learning and development in our Trust and beyond,” says Catherine. “It’s so exciting and rewarding to see the levels of engagement and the impact it’s having on our colleagues.”

The Advance Learning Partnership’s origins go back to 2012 when Parkside converted to academy status. ALP was formally established five years later, growing into a mixed-phase Multi Academy Trust, serving nursery, primary and secondary pupils across County Durham and Darlington.

The majority of the 23 schools are in communities facing social and economic challenges, and ALP Institute’s launch is the latest phase in the Trust’s development.

“Having been a pupil at Parkside, then to go back there as a teacher, and be given so many opportunities to develop my own career, this role feels like a unique opportunity to give something back,” says Catherine, who has worked for ALP throughout the Trust’s existence.

“I have benefited greatly from professional development, so that adds to my passion and determination to help others thrive in their careers in education.”

Since it was launched in September, the ALP Institute’s strategic partnerships have expanded. As well as Evidence Based Education, links have also been forged with Bishop Auckland College and New College Durham. More than 100 free opportunities have so far been offered for professional learning and development, with 1,254 places booked by education professionals through a central online hub.

Forty-six ALP staff have been involved in delivering training, with external education experts also being brought in to lead courses.

The fact that so many ALP staff have signed up for a course already, underlines the healthy level of engagement in an initiative underpinned by three words: ‘learning, empowering, innovating’.

Earlier this year, the training body held its first public conference, with 75 delegates from different schools and Education Trusts coming together at Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, to share ideas, strategies and good practice.

Catherine Hydon speaking at the ALP Institute conference at Hummersknott Academy (Image: Chris Barron)

Delegates at the ALP Institute conference in Darlington (Image: Chris Barron)

A second half-day conference, focused on Artificial Intelligence, will be staged at Whitworth Park Academy on July 2.

“This is only the beginning, our training programme is evolving all the time, and the aim is for our Institute to become a national resource,” says Catherine.

‘IT MADE ME BELIEVE IN MYSELF MORE’

ELLIE Butterworth, head of Year 9 at Whitworth Park Academy, in Spennymoor, embarked on the ‘Aspiring Senior Leaders’ course through the ALP Institute.

Ellie, who has been teaching since 2009, is in her third year with the Advance Learning Partnership and is keen to take the next step in her career.

“The course was perfect for my continued professional development – a chance for me to experience what senior leadership would be like,” she says.

The course, comprising six monthly sessions, was led by Whitworth Park headteacher, Stuart Dixon, alongside other senior leaders from the Trust.

“Being able to network with other people on the course, and hearing their stories, really helped. It made me believe in myself more and gave me the confidence that I’m ready for the next stage of my career,” Ellie added.

Ellie Butterworth, Head of Year 9 at Whitworth Park Academy; Lee Stott, Deputy Headteacher at Parkside Academy; and Karen McKeough, Assistant Headteacher at Whitworth Park Academy (Image: Chris Barron)

‘THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE’

AFTER 26 years in education and eight years at the Trust, Karen McKeough is new to senior leadership.

As well as being assistant headteacher at Whitworth Park Academy, she also leads on professional learning across her school – a position that enables her to signpost staff to the right courses.

So far, she has personally benefited from a number of courses, including the ‘Leading Teaching and Learning’ course and the ‘Training The Trainer’ course, led by Julie Hurst and Val Rayner, deputy headteachers at Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington.

“It was really helpful to get different perspectives from people with experience on strategies that are employed in schools. The course leaders were really knowledgeable about the challenges of leading change, and provided practical advice and strategies,” says Karen.

“It was also a time to be reflective and build confidence. I feel lucky to be part of a Trust that’s enlightened enough to establish its own training arm, so I can pick the courses that are right for me.”

Karen also participated in an artificial intelligence course, led by Jake Burdis, from Durham University, and was thrilled to have created a revision tool app, based on what she learned.

“Everyone has different training needs, at different stages of their careers, and the ALP Institute offers something for everyone,” she adds.

‘IT’S ENABLED US TO BRING IN VITAL EXPERTISE’

LEE Stott has a dual role as deputy headteacher at Parkside Academy and artificial intelligence education lead for the Trust.

He, therefore, finds himself at the cutting-edge of emerging technology and having to shape how AI will benefit the Trust’s employees.

Lee started as AI Education Lead in March 2025 and put together a development team of staff members from primary and secondary schools with an interest in AI.

“One of the things we discovered was that continuing professional development wasn’t embedded in relation to AI because it’s still new,” says Lee. “We recognised the need to enable staff to access expert guidance and support. Through the ALP Institute, the Trust has been able to use its partnerships to bring in that vital expertise.”

A major area of focus has been on how AI can ease workloads and boost wellbeing, helping staff to understand how valuable time can be saved.

“One of the training sessions was on the myths surrounding AI and that eased some of the natural anxieties people feel,” Lee adds.

“Now, two staff surveys, eight months apart, have illustrated a significant increase in the use of AI, with employees feeling more confident about building it into their roles.

“By next year, we want to move on to a bigger focus on creativity and innovation to make lessons really engaging.”

‘IT’S MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN CLASSROOMS’

VICTORIA Summerfield started as a newly qualified teacher at Copeland Road Primary School, at West Auckland, and rose through the ranks to become Headteacher two-and-a-half years ago.

Copeland Road Primary only joined the Advance Learning Partnership last year, and Victoria says her staff have embraced the ALP Institute with a large proportion signing up for courses.

“It’s particularly relevant in a small school like ours where teachers have to lead on a lot of subjects,” says Victoria.

“It’s been lovely to see how the training has fed into work in the classrooms, with staff feeling more confident about leading subjects and able to connect with staff from other schools.”

One example was Copeland Road maths lead, Emma Crawford, taking the ‘Aspiring Maths Leader’ course. As the only primary teacher on the course, she was able to forge useful connections with teachers from secondary schools. Victoria has also been able to get policy updates and share good practice on issues such as safeguarding and attendance.

“It’s given me more rounded knowledge of what’s happening in education, and what I also love is that staff can put forward ideas for training,” she adds.

The range of courses is evolving all the time. For example, an ‘Aspiring Deputy Headteachers’ course will be added to the existing suite of leadership training next year, alongside a programme of training on Early Years and a joint project with colleagues at EBE which will focus on questioning.

Victoria’s deputy headteacher at Copeland Road, Joanne Murray, has taken the ‘Leading Teaching and Learning’ course, and found networking to be especially valuable.

“It was so useful for finding out about different ways of doing things,” she says.

Such positive feedback from professionals on the frontline of education is heartwarming for Catherine Hydon as she works with colleagues to plot the future of the ALP Institute.

“It’s been a brilliant start, and we know there’s a demand, so it’s about building something special on strong foundations,” she says.

While some school reports might end with ‘Must try harder’ or ‘Must listen more carefully’, the first-year report for the ALP Institute of Teaching, Leadership and Research could be summed up with: ‘Excellent progress – keep it up!’

Zverev had long been dubbed the best player of his generation to have never won a Grand Slam after a string of near misses – including three defeats in major finals.

At the US Open in 2020, he lost the final despite being two sets up against Dominic Thiem and having served for the championship at 5-3 in the final set.

He led Carlos Alcaraz by two sets to one in the 2024 French Open final but it was the Spaniard who ended up lifting his first Coupe des Mousquetaires.

At the Australian Open in 2025, he was outclassed in a merciless performance by Jannik Sinner that left Zverev saying he felt mentally “empty” a few months later.

“Last year was one of the most difficult moments in my tennis career,” Zverev said.

“This year is one of the happiest moments. It’s a very different feeling right now.”

It seemed like the pressure of a Grand Slam final might prove too much for a fourth time when 24-year-old Cobolli, who had twice fought back from a set down, forced a deciding fifth set.

But Zverev, who has struggled with his emotions on court in the past, held his nerve to end his major final curse.

After falling flat on his back in celebration, Zverev dedicated his victory to his team, which includes his father and brother.

“We have been through injury, heartbreaks, losses. We have been losers at times in the most important moments,” Zverev said.

“At the end of the day, we are Grand Slam champions now and that is what counts.

“I was laying on this court with an injury that I didn’t know if I will ever come back from. All of those memories, they’re not wiped out,” he said.

“They’re still with me but this one will beat all of them.”