In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

Formula 1 has agreed a two-step plan to change engine design in response to criticism of this year’s new rules.

Drivers have complained that the near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power this year and need for energy management has diminished the challenge in qualifying.

Four-time champion Max Verstappen was so upset by the new engines he said he would quit F1 if changes were not made, but all other drivers were in agreement the issue needed to be addressed.

The engine suppliers have agreed to change the ratio to 60-40 in favour of the internal combustion engine by 2028 and will do so in two steps.

The compromise agreement comes after a month of talks in which Ferrari and Audi were leading a push to prevent the move to 60-40 being made in one step for 2027.

A statement from governing body the FIA said: “The proposed changes are intended to address issues related to energy management and fuel energy-flow characteristics and make qualifying more flat-out while not impacting the positive and exciting racing generated by the new regulations.”

The agreed plan will see the split changed to 58-42 in 2027 before moving to 60-40 in 2028.

The changes will be made by increasing the fuel-flow to the internal combustion engine (ICE) by 5% in 2027 and 13% in 2028.

This will increase the power from the ICE from about 400kW (536bhp) this year to 420kW (563bhp) in 2027 and 450kW (603bhp) in 2028.

Power produced by the electrical part of the engine will be reduced from 350kW (470bhp) this year to 300kW (402bhp) from next year.

The maximum power available in overtake mode, which gives a driver within one second of a car in front the ability to recover and use an extra 0.5MJ of energy per lap will remain at 350kW.

But the maximum harvesting power of the electrical part of the engine will be increased from 350kW this year to 375kW in 2027 and 400kW in 2028.

This last move will allow teams to recover energy more quickly, reducing the amount of time spent doing so.

The biggest criticism of the new cars this year has been the engines were energy starved because it was too difficult to recover sufficient energy around a lap to meet the maximum allowance.

In the early races, this led to unusual behaviour, such as drivers lifting off the throttle and coasting on qualifying laps, as well as recovering energy while on full throttle.

This diminished the ‘flat-out’ nature of qualifying and led to bitter criticisms from some drivers.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso has said fast corners have become the “charging station for the car” as a result of the new rules.

A first step to address the criticisms was made after the opening three races, when the maximum amount of energy that could be recovered on a lap was reduced, and the power of recovery when on full throttle was increased.

All the drivers have agreed this was a welcome change but only a small step in the right direction.

In addition to the rules agreement, the FIA has informed the power-unit manufacturers of the ranking of engine performance.

This is important because it opens the door to manufactures deemed to be more than 2% behind the most powerful engine to upgrade their engines this year and next.

The FIA has not published its verdict, but sources have said Red Bull have been found to have the most powerful engine.

Only the power of the internal combustion engine is measured. The effectiveness of the recovery and deployment of the electrical system is not taken into account.

Mercedes have been awarded one permissible upgrade this season and another next, while all other manufacturers – Ferrari, Audi and Honda – can make two in both this season and 2027.

Those permitted upgrades are also allowed to spend extra money under the engine budget cap, on a sliding scale depending on the performance deficit.

Honda was classed as the worst engine, as expected, but a source close to the FIA said they had been categorised in the bracket of 8-10% behind the most powerful.

That means they miss out on the extra chunk of funding that had been made available to any manufacturer classed as more than 10% behind, which was as much as $19m (£14m).

Marcus Rashford’s hopes of joining Barcelona permanently this summer look to be in tatters with his next club as yet unclear

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has already given the green light for a potential move to Real Madrid and a reunion with Jose Mourinho. His comments have resurfaced after the England striker’s time at Barcelona looks to have come to an end.

The 28-year-old scored 14 goals and bagged 14 assists for the Catalan giants as they won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. His loan exploits have not been deemed enough to keep him at the club, however.

Could a sensational move to Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real now follow? Former United boss Mourinho is set to take charge of Los Blancos this summer for a second time. This could perhaps sweeten the deal for Rashford, while the club have been rumoured with a swoop for the United star.

Speaking in 2021, Rashford expressed interest in playing in La Liga, something he has now achieved with Barcelona. “I would never say no,” he said on the possibility of playing in Spain.

“Other than United? I’m a big fan of Real Madrid and Barcelona, because they’ve always had great players and played attractive football. Everybody watches Real Madrid and Barcelona.”

Rashford played regularly for Mourinho during the Portuguese’s spell at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, becoming one of the Premier League’s in-form attackers. However, he fell out of favour with former United boss Ruben Amorim and was loaned to Aston Villa for six months in January 2025.

He joined Barcelona in the summer of 2025. Rashford was available to Barca for £26million as part of his loan agreement, but the Spanish champions have turned down the chance to make his move permanent, according to reports in Spain. It comes after Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon for £70m from Newcastle United instead.

Marca has said that Gordon was chosen ahead of Rashford due to the winger’s ability to put in a defensive shift. They said the latter’s defending was his ‘weakest point’, and also pointed to their three-year age gap, with Gordon still only 25. Rashford’s reported £315,000-a-week wages were also said to be a concern.

Barcelona reportedly informed United that they were only willing to pay half of Rashford’s suggested fee, rounding out around £13m, which United wouldn’t entertain. It seems the player’s relationship with Barcelona is now all but over.

The Catalan side have also shown interest in a free transfer for Bernardo Silva following his Man City exit. And reports suggest they are ready to offer over £100m for Atletico Madrid’s former City forward, Julian Alvarez.

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Following the news that he would not be making a permanent move to Spain, Rashford deleted all references to Barcelona from his social media channels.

His next move could be Real or a host of other clubs said to be interested, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.

However, he could be forced to take a dramatic pay cut in order to secure a permanent move away from United. An Old Trafford comeback is also uncertain having not played for his boyhood club since December 2024.

Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’

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Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.

The lengthy statement said: We recognise that the felling of a well-loved veteran tree within the grounds of the Toby Carvery, Whitewebbs, has upset many local people, and we fully understand the strength of feeling this has caused. Mitchells & Butlers (“M&B”) again, sincerely apologises for the upset this has caused.

Signatories to the statement, which included Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Portugal and New Zealand, condemned “the lethal plotting and other malign actions in Europe, North America and Australia… against Iranian dissidents, journalists and Jewish and Israeli communities and interests”.

Charlotte Harrison, chief executive of homes at Skipton Building Society, said: “The strong house price growth reflects the continued strength of demand in comparatively lower-cost northern markets, where many first-time buyers are prioritising flexibility, value and space.

Anyone who struggles with frizzy hair may actually have naturally wavy hair according to one brand, with a user discovering they had the ‘most gorgeous beachy waves’

Frizzy hair can prove tricky to style and keep maintained throughout the day. Carefully curated hairstyles rarely stay put, flicking outwards or constantly sporting that halo of fluff – and when left to air dry, it never appears quite sleek but rather puffy.

This maddening frizz is usually an indication that hair is desperately needing moisture, or, as haircare brand Merwave explains, is ‘stressed, or just missing the right care’. At other times, it’s a consequence of overwashing with unsuitable products, heat styling, or humidity during warm weather.

The brand now offers a Wavy Hair Starter Kit – which is worth £85 but is priced at £65 – and it gives users beachy waves for just 72p a day, as the bundle has been designed to last for 90 days. With a free refresh spray worth £17 also included, it’s a lightweight yet simple 5-step system created specifically for wavy hair.

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Users have been impressed online, with one customer saying: “My hair was always naturally poker straight/glossy but since my 40s just frizzy, dry and dull… saw the Merwave ad, did some digging (felt sure it’s a gimmick).

“But the reviews were pretty decent and I found that lots of the before pics looked a fair bit like my mess, so I took the plunge. Oh my days! Who knew my hair does this!

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“Not curls sure, but the most gorgeous beachy waves. I mean, seriously! My mind is blown, and I can’t stop looking at it, going “whose hair is this?!”

“So many compliments… I honestly didn’t know I had good hair. It doesn’t feel dry and requires minimal styling (can skip the heat entirely even!)… invested in the starter kit and protein treatment… don’t you go anywhere Merwave!”

This customer isn’t alone in this discovery, as a 2026 study carried out by the brand revealed 47% of women never realised their hair was secretly wavy. The brand’s founder, Abi, said: “I struggled with hair I thought was straight, unmanageable and frizzy until I found out the kinks, frizz and flicked-out ends were secret signs my hair is wavy.

“But there was a problem…I found the hair category bundled curls and waves together, with most products loaded with heavy butters and oils that were too heavy for my waves. Merwave was born from a passion to create what I wasn’t able to find anywhere else.”

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Now, the distinction between curls and waves is fairly straightforward: curls form a tighter spiral pattern that begins at or close to the root, while waves create a looser S-shaped pattern that starts further down the head. The brand’s formulas — housed in stunning, eye-catching wavy bottles — are designed to avoid weighing hair down, helping users embrace and enhance their natural waves while banishing frizz.

Beauty enthusiasts who suspect they fall into this hair category but aren’t sure where to begin can pick up the aforementioned Merwave Wavy Hair Starter Kit to help. The kit contains a straightforward five-step routine comprising a shampoo, conditioner, wave cream, cast foam and a gel.

Shoppers will also receive a complimentary refresh spray — perfect for those post-wash days when waves need a little revival. The Cleanse Shampoo harnesses the power of jojoba oil and avocado extract to soothe, nourish and cleanse without robbing hair of its moisture, while the Repair Conditioner tackles knots, tames frizz and fortifies hair.

The third step, the Wave Cream, promises to ‘awaken natural texture’, delivering a soft hold while pracaxi oil and flaxseed extract provide an added moisture boost. The Cast Foam works to lock in the wavy shape while keeping frizz firmly in check, and the Protect Gel ‘smooths and sets’ hair with ‘no stiffness or crunch’.

The full routine is said to last approximately three months — working out at roughly £21 per month for five haircare products. The brand confirms it is safe for use on coloured, bleached and grey hair, and also prides itself on being free from silicones, sulphates and parabens.

It’s worth noting that certain brands offer targeted products suitable for both curls and waves — such as Only Curls’ The Wavy Bundle, £65. Featuring one fewer step than Merwave’s starter kit, it includes a cleanser (shampoo), conditioner, creme and gel with lightweight formulas designed to add definition and hold without weighing down curls.

Another prominent name in the textured-hair arena is Umberto Giannini, whose Natural Waves Wash and Style Routine bundle is ideal for those watching their spending, priced at £38.06 with a 25% discount. Created specifically for Type 2 hair (wavy hair), it promises to deliver definition, hydration and a glossy finish to natural waves while avoiding heaviness.

Those who’ve tested Merwave’s products have praised the brand for helping them achieve dreamy, beachy waves that feel soft and hydrated. One five-star review of the starter kit read: “I have always had ‘kinky’ hair – I’ve tried everything possible to make it look its best.

“Naturally, it went fluffy and limp. Traditional mousses left a crusty coating. Curly products were heavy and weighed it down. So, I resorted to straightening or even perming to give some shape.

“I took the long-awaited plunge into Merwave. Oh my gosh, I’ll never go back! I can’t believe it took me so long to give it a try! I could have had these luscious, bouncy waves far sooner!”

Another customer explained how Merwave helped them to ‘stop fighting my hair’, in a five-star review which read: “For years I would straighten my hair, then I used the straighteners to put waves in on top of my own in an attempt to tame them. It’s not really curly, so curly products don’t work, nor do heatless curls stay in longer than five minutes.

“What I really wanted was to embrace the waves without the heat damage, but it’s unruly and always looks frizzy when I leave it natural. Finally, after months of seeing ads, I gave Merwave a go. Thanks for creating something that means I feel more comfortable embracing my natural locks.”

However, a recurring issue amongst those who knocked off stars was getting the right amount of product to maintain flawless waves on the second and third days. One three-star customer shared: “I love how the products make the curl in my hair really come to life, I don’t like how it’s made my hair feel. I’m sure it’s practice and working out what my hair needs to avoid the straw-like birds nest I’m left with the following day.

They continued: “I’m not giving in and will continue to play around with the steps and quantities.” Despite this, plenty of shoppers weren’t put off and had a similar outcome to this beauty enthusiast who said: “I went from wild frizz and straightening every day to a mix of lovely waves and curls and so many compliments!”

Harrogate and Knaresborough representative, Tom Gordon, used this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions to call for urgent improvements in IBD care – drawing on his own experience living with ulcerative colitis.

Speaking directly to Keir Starmer, the MP described waiting “over a decade” for his diagnosis and criticised the “postcode lottery” of care facing IBD patients across the country.

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Mr Gordon said: “I welcome the PM’s warm words but need action, but the IBD community needs action, not promises.

“As someone with lived experience as a patient, and a professional background in health policy, I’ve listened to the clinicians. They are clear: we need a National Clinical Lead to raise the bar.

“The IBD community has shown me enormous support. The least I can do is fight for consistent, high-quality care everywhere in the country.

“IBD Alliance UK have done vital work on this. Their 2026 framework should be applied as standard, and I will keep pushing until it is.”

The MP described waiting “over a decade” for his diagnosis and criticised the “postcode lottery” of care facing IBD patients across the country (Image: Supplied)

He added that care for IBD patients “often falls far short of the mark”, and his was a “fluctuating” condition that was not always visible.

The MP has called on the government to create the IBD Standard – a practical framework setting out high-quality care benchmarks for healthcare staff.

He also urged the appointment of a National Clinical Lead for IBD to help deliver the improvements.

The Prime Minister thanked Tom personally for sharing his lived experience of IBD and congratulated him on running the London Marathon in aid of Crohn’s & Colitis UK this year.

While he acknowledged that care for patients with IBD should be “high-quality and consistent” and committed to providing “further details” about the national schemes in place in due course.

You can read more here.