The government’s decision to allow pubs to stay open late during the World Cup contributed to an increase in violent incidents, a police chief has said. 

Sir Keir Starmer decided to allow pubs to stay open until as late as 5am for matches such as England’s Round of 16 clash with Mexico. 

New statistics have however revealed that some 2,322 football-related incidents were recorded by police forces across England and Wales during the tournament, with 43 per cent of those happening inside licensed premises.   

That was an increase of 78 per cent on the 1,302 incidents during Euro 2024, an event held in Germany which did not affect pubs’ closing times.   

National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) football lead Chief Constable Mark Roberts has now said that the government’s licensing approach ‘exacerbated’ violent incidents. 

Mr Roberts said: ‘The increased hours did lead to more issues. 

‘The extension of licensing laws needs to be done with some thought, and it needs to take a broad-based view of the consequences as well as the benefits of blanket relaxations in the legislation. Again, the late notice didn’t help in relation to the Mexico game.

‘The draw was made on December 5, 2025. The decision to change licensing laws for that fixture, which was eminently foreseeable, was 48 hours before the game itself, which left forces with no time to re-roster teams, bring people on, give people notice or take other measures.

Sir Keir Starmer made the decision to allow pubs to stay open so supporters could watch England games

‘So again, please give consideration to the rounded point, factor into any threat assessment, the impact, the negative impact, as well as the positive benefits.

‘And we frankly collectively must do better for the next tournament to have policies laid out in advance, fully consulted, so that we can make plans as can local authorities.’

Incidents of domestic abuse also hit a record high during the World Cup in comparison to previous tournaments, the UKFPU figures show. Some 384 incidents of football-related domestic abuse were reported to police forces across the six-week-long period. 

That was up 9 per cent from the 351 logged during Euro 2024, and marked a 223 per cent increase on the 119 recorded during the 2022 World Cup in figures described as ‘depressing’ by the police chief. 

Mr Roberts said the football-related domestic incidents were counted as those that happened before, during or after World Cup matches, and were ‘clearly’ related to the event.

He added there was ‘a massive concern’ over rape incidents and spiking allegations at licensed premises reported during the tournament, which he said the NPCC is planning on looking into.

Asked about what the increase in domestic abuse and overall incidents could be attributed to, Mr Roberts added: ‘I try and say that this isn’t a football-specific thing, you know, it’s around events.

‘This is driven largely by alcohol consumption, I would say, and drugs. The football becomes the catalyst for people to go and have excessive alcohol, etc.

‘We see it in night-time economies every week. Police get very used to dealing with it, and alcohol is the principal driver.’

He added: ‘I think some of the licensing approach exacerbated that, so I think we need to reflect on that, take stock, rely on the procedures that we have to support the hospitality trade, but keep the balance right as well with public safety.’

Pubs were able to stay open until 5am to screen England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16

Mr Roberts said there was an increase in both the volume and ‘severity’ of football-related incidents as the England team progressed through the knockout stage, with 575 incidents recorded around the Three Lions’ match against Argentina on July 15.

He said a man was stabbed after leaving a licensed premises after the game against Norway on July 11, and another after the match against Argentina.

A stepfather and stepson were also involved in a strangulation incident after England played Norway.

He said there was also widespread disorder across London following France’s game against Morocco on July 9.

The UKFPU figures show 391 arrests were made during the tournament, which was again the highest figure recorded when comparing to previous similar tournaments and excluding the Euro 2020, Mr Roberts said.

However, he noted the behaviour of England fans who travelled to the US and Mexico was ‘exemplary’.

Just 22 arrests of England fans who travelled to the two countries were made by local police during the competition, the figures show.

While there were none during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and just three at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, it was down slightly from 24 in Brazil in 2014.

The UKFPU statistics also show 293 online hate crime incidents were recorded by police forces across England and Wales during this year’s World Cup, with the majority (161) logged during England’s game against Ghana on June 23.

Separate statistics from the UKFPU for the 2025/26 football season show 1,644 incidents were reported to police forces throughout the year, up 4 per cent from 1,580 the previous year.

Mr Roberts said there is a ‘real concern’ over the increasing involvement of young supporters.

The figures show 516 incidents involving young supporters were recorded this past year, up 120 per cent from 235 in 2024/25.

With the UK hitting record-breaking temperatures this year, it is not surprising the beaches have been packed with dogs.

However, dog owners are being warned to watch out for a common hazard found on the beach that is toxic for dogs.

Dog owners need to be careful when letting their dogs go in the sea and must be cautious when it comes to dogs unconsciously consuming too much seawater.

There are multiple risks that come with taking your dog to the beach. (Image: Getty)

How can seawater harm a dog?

Seawater is extremely salty and can cause your dog harm if they consume too much of it during a trip to the beach.

Dog owners should keep a close eye on their dogs while they are in the sea and should also make sure they do not eat any sand to avoid a trip to the vet.

Dr Anna Foreman, a vet at Everypaw Pet Insurance, said: “The high salt levels [in sea water] can lead to a gastrointestinal upset, or even ‘salt toxicity’ (neurological signs) if consumed in high enough levels.”

Ingesting large amounts of salt can cause ion poisoning in dogs, with vomiting being the first sign of toxicity.

Other symptoms include diarrhoea, tremors, seizures, disorientation, shortness of breath, and depression.

Sand can also pose multiple health risks to dogs with Dr Anna saying: “A dog is at risk of an impaction if they eat sand, which usually requires veterinary intervention, most seriously surgery, to resolve.

“Some beaches have quicksand on them which is a massive hazard to both humans and dogs if stepped on.

“Quicksand is often indistinguishable to normal sand.”

You should be vigilant when taking your dog to the beach, as drowning is another risk to your pet’s safety.

Dogs can drown in the water if they find themselves caught in a riptide or are not strong at swimming.

How can I keep my dog safe at the beach?

You should always keep an eye on your dog in case they get into any danger or keep them on a lead if they tend to explore while unattended.

You should research your beach before setting off to check it is dog-friendly and visit at a time when it is not too hot for your dog.

You should wash your dog when you leave the beach to avoid them licking the seawater off themselves.

Do you often take your dog to the beach? Let us know in the comments.

Fire crews raced to the scene after residents reported hearing a loud bang as almost 300 properties lost electricity.

Almost 300 properties were left without power after an apparent explosion at an electrical substation in Glasgow on Thursday evening.

Emergency services were called to Garriochmill Way, in the Kelvinbridge area, at around 5pm after reports of a fire at the substation.

Firefighters cordoned off the site while tackling the blaze, with concerned residents watching on from nearby. One eyewitness said the incident “sounded like a bomb had gone off”.

They told Glasgow Live : “It sounded like a bomb had gone off… so I phoned the fire brigade, and they came out and attended to it.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two appliances were sent to the scene. The fire was extinguished and crews left the area at around 6.15pm.

The incident also caused a power outage affecting almost 300 customers across 13 postcodes in the city.

A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: “Engineers are currently onsite in Henderson Street in the Maryhill area of Glasgow in response to a network fault, which affected power supplies to almost 300 customers.

“The team are working to get all customers back on supply as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Pictures from the scene showed damage to the electrical substation after the blaze.

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A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has voted to loosen restrictions on controversial peptides that have become popular online, but have not been well researched for human usage.

The panel narrowly voted to allow specialised pharmacies to produce drugs including BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV, a major regulatory hurdle towards making them available via prescription.

Peptides are small proteins that our bodies normally produce and that have long been used to treat medical conditions, including diabetes.

But unregulated injectable peptides have exploded in the online wellness community – including among many young influencers – since GLP-1s (weight loss drugs) became mainstream.

The FDA does not have to follow the panel’s recommendations, but often does.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy has described himself as a “big fan” of the drugs and has previously vowed to ease restrictions on them after the Biden administration clamped down on the growing industry.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, or small proteins, which our bodies naturally produce. They act as messengers, telling our cells what to do, and play vital roles in our skin health, immune system and helping to control our hormones.

Online influencers have been marketing peptides in “stacks” for unproven uses, claiming they can be used as a quick way to look younger, help you heal and improve your skin.

They’ve become popular among teens on TikTok, especially boys, over unproven claims that certain peptides can help with building muscle mass and enhancing your body, with some online using phrases like “biohacking” and “looksmaxxing” to describe the trend.

Health experts have cautioned against use of the drugs, citing a lack of clinical trials for humans and the unknown long-term effects of the substances.

BPC-157 is one of the most popular peptides among wellness influencers.

It is made from stomach protein and is marketed online as being good for gut health, tissue repair and to treat inflammation.

It has been studied in animals over its potential to help with muscle healing.

The US Anti-Doping Agency (ADA) states that because it has not been extensively studied in humans, “no-one knows if there is a safe dose, or if there is any way to use this compound safely to treat specific medical conditions”.

The peptide is prohibited for use in sports and is considered a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

KPV is also touted as being good for gut health, tissue repair – including skin damage, like acne, and for regulating the immune system.

Both have been in a grey area when it comes to regulation. They are not illegal to buy or own – and widely available online – but they are not approved for human use, so are not subject to the quality controls that govern pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Panel member Elizabeth Rebello, a pharmacist and anaesthesiologist, told the committee she had voted no on BPC-157 “because of the lack of efficacy data” and “safety concerns”, Reuters news agency reported.

Those who voted yes reportedly cited “the greater good” and “medical freedom” as reasons for their decisions.

Several people who work for clinics or businesses selling peptides are on the panel, which will continue deliberating on Friday.

BPC-157 and KPV are among seven peptides the panel is considering dropping restrictions on and allowing compound pharmacies, which mix medications that aren’t available from standard drugmakers, to produce.

Peptide restrictions were introduced during the Biden administration, when FDA officials found the drugs did not meet the safety requirements. Kennedy has worked to reverse those curbs.

The village next to the RAF

Tucked between Alnmouth and Craster, Boulmer (pronounced “Boomer”) is little more than a row of cottages and a pub facing directly onto the North Sea.

Just inland, RAF Boulmer provides round-the-clock surveillance of UK airspace, making this quiet seaside community an unlikely neighbour to a major air command and control hub.

A smuggling capital turned fishing village

For centuries Boulmer’s reputation was anything but sleepy – in the 18th and 19th centuries it was notorious as the “smuggling capital of Northumberland”, with contraband spirits, salt, and tobacco traded through the Fishing Boat Inn.

Much of that illicit traffic was linked to figures like William Faa, the so-called King of the Gypsies, who travelled down from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border to do business here.

Despite that colourful past, the village has changed very little in more than a hundred years and is now regarded as one of the last true traditional fishing communities on the Northumberland coast.

With no harbour, blue-painted fishing boats are still hauled up onto the beach, bringing in seasonal catches of crab, lobster, and sea salmon.

How RAF Boulmer arrived on the doorstep

The RAF story at Boulmer began during the Second World War, when land near the village was requisitioned as a decoy airfield designed to draw German attacks away from nearby bases such as RAF Acklington.

Complete with grass runways, dummy aircraft, and ammunition stores, the site was hit in Luftwaffe raids in 1940 and 1941 before being upgraded to a full operational airfield in March 1943, housing Spitfire training flights from No. 57 Operational Training Unit.

The wartime airfield closed in 1945 and reverted to being agricultural land, but the RAF returned in the early 1950s, building a protected underground radar and control centre to monitor the growing Cold War air threat.

By the mid-1950s Boulmer had been designated one of just nine master radar stations, and over subsequent decades its radars fed data into Britain’s air defence network.

A modern air command and control hub

Today RAF Boulmer is part of the RAF’s Air Command and Control Force.

Its mission is to “generate and sustain an operationally agile air command and control capability”, providing continuous surveillance of UK airspace and tactical control of combat and support aircraft from a base that employs around 1,000 service personnel and civilians.

For decades its distinctive “golf ball” radar dome has been a familiar landmark.

The station has survived several defence reviews and a proposed closure in the 2000s.

A village shaped by the base – but still itself

Despite sharing its name with one of the RAF’s most important radar stations, Boulmer itself remains strikingly low-key: a single street of stone cottages, its pub, and a sweep of sand and rock that attracts walkers, birdwatchers, and anglers more than tourists.

Occasional TV crews have passed through – the ITV comedy-drama Distant Shores used the village as a key filming location in 2004.

It is understood that the plane has gone down near the remote Sucia Island near the US and Canada border, with first responders en route and 11 casualties reported so far at the scene

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Emergency services have been called to a plane crash with as many as 11 casualties reported as smoke fills the air.

It is understood that the plane has crashed down near the remote Sucia Island on July 23, near the border of the US’ Washington state and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

The US Coastguard and air medical transport service Airlift North West have been spotted “hovering the area of Shallow Bay”, as per radar.

Reports indicate that a local fireboat has also arrived at the scene.

Further reports indicate the plane may have been a Kenmore Air aircraft, which is understood to have “crashed on the shore of Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands”.

“There were thunderstorms in the vicinity at the time of the crash, which [was] about 5.22pm as per Flight Radar data.”

More to come.

NEW YORK (AP) — A man was arrested Thursday after police said he stabbed two men in separate, nonfatal attacks on Manhattan’s Upper West Side that the New York Police Department is investigating as possible hate crimes.

Raul Morales, 51, allegedly stabbed an Asian man and a Jewish man and yelled the Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, witnesses told the police department.

The department was working to determine a motive, Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. There wasn’t immediately any known link between Morales and the victims, and the initial investigation suggested that mental health may have been a factor in the attacks, Tisch said.

Morales remained in custody Thursday evening and it wasn’t immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

The stabbings happened about two blocks apart in broad daylight, police said. Both victims were taken to a hospital and were expected to survive.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the stabbings “horrifying” and said he was relieved that both victims were in stable condition.

“These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city,” Mamdani posted on the social media platform X.

Hate crimes in New York City have been on the rise in recent years, while overall violent crime rates have dropped, according to police data. Tisch said in April that more than half of all confirmed hate crimes in the city so far this year targeted Jewish people.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was disgusted by Thursday’s attacks and emphasized that New York stands with its Jewish and Asian communities.

“Asian New Yorkers, like Jewish New Yorkers, have endured waves of hate-fueled violence in recent years,” she said in a post on X. “Hate rarely stops with one group. New York will continue confronting it wherever it appears.”

Superintendent pharmacist Rachel Jones revealed some ‘embarrassing’ body traits could actually give an insight on your health

A recent social media health ‘tip’ suggests that having hairy toes could actually be a good sign that your body is quite healthy. Rachel Jones, Pharmacy Superintendent at Superdrug, revealed the truth behind this claim, along with some other body ‘quirks’ that can reveal how well your body is functioning.

Rachel explained: “Social media and beauty standards often make people feel like normal bodily functions are something to hide or fix. In reality, many of these things are signs that our bodies are doing exactly what they’re designed to do.”

Hairy toes

Despite what the social media ‘tip’ claims, Rachel revealed: “On its own, having hairy toes doesn’t necessarily tell us anything definitive about circulation.”

However, she warned that any “noticeable change” like losing hair on your feet or legs, or changes in skin colour and pain could indicate an “underlying circulation problem”. She advised: “If these symptoms occur, it’s important to seek advice from a healthcare professional so they can assess the cause.”

Ear wax

Many people try to remove ear wax as soon as they notice it, often associating it with something dirty. But the pharmacist assures it’s a sign your body is hard at work protecting you.

She said: “Ear wax acts as the ear’s natural defence system. It helps trap dust, dirt and bacteria before they can reach the inner ear and also helps keep the ear canal moisturised.”

Excessive build-up can cause discomfort or hearing difficulties but Rachel warned against using cotton buds to clean it out: “Cotton buds can often push wax further into the ear canal rather than removing it, which can make the problem worse.”

For those experiencing troublesome wax build-up, blocked ears or changes to hearing, Superdrug offers an Ear Wax Removal Service, where trained healthcare professionals can assess the ear and remove excess wax safely where appropriate.

Passing wind

Passing wind is actually a sign that your gut bacteria “are doing their job”. High-fibre foods like vegetables can increase how much gas you produce because it supports healthy digestion.

However, Rachel warned: “While excessive changes in bowel habits, persistent bloating or ongoing digestive discomfort should always be investigated, occasional wind is a completely normal and healthy bodily function.”

Smelly feet

The summer months often brings complaints of sweaty and smelly feet, and while the smell might not say much about your health, the sweat surprisingly does. Rachel explained: “Sweat is actually odourless. The smell develops when sweat mixes with naturally occurring bacteria on the skin. While sweating is unpleasant, it often indicates that the body’s temperature regulation system is functioning normally.”

To avoid the smell caused by sweaty feet, the expert recommended keeping your feet clean, changing socks regularly and using products like antibacterial foot spray to keep your feet feeling fresh.

Sweating

Sweating can be a frustrating bodily function, especially during hot weather, but it’s one of the body’s most important functions. To the extent that if you stop sweating in hot weather, there’s likely something wrong.

Rachel said: “Sweating is how the body regulates its temperature and prevents overheating. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to cool ourselves down effectively.”

If you excessively sweat regardless of temperature or activity, this may be a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Rachel explained: “While sweating itself is completely normal, excessive sweating that interferes with daily life can have a significant impact on confidence and wellbeing. The good news is that support is available.”

The Lucy Pittaway Art Gallery in Newcastle has now shut, following the closure of two other galleries at the start of the year.

The store, located on Blackett Street, shut its doors for the final time in May. The gallery has not confirmed why the closure has happened.

Lucy Pittaway confirmed the closure of the Bowness in Windermere and Harrogate locations in a Facebook post earlier this year.

The post said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I share some difficult news from our Lucy Pittaway family.

“Shortly, we will be closing two galleries, Bowness-on-Windermere and Harrogate.

“This has been an incredibly tough decision, influenced by the rising operational costs facing so many UK businesses, including a significant rent increase at our Harrogate location.”

Ms Pittaway’s galleries in Richmond, Yarm, York, and Keswick, as well as the Brompton-on-Swale Outlet, remain open.

Born and raised in Stockton, Ms Pittaway began her art career more than 13 years ago after her twins started school.

She started out by painting in a small metal shed at home and producing one-off commissions and prints for exhibitions.

Her growing popularity led to the opening of her first gallery, and the business has since expanded across North Yorkshire, the North East, and the Lake District.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ezra Jin Mingri was inside a detention center in southern China on the morning of July 3, worrying that he would likely spend at least 15 years behind bars. The 57-year-old Chinese Christian pastor had even previously wondered whether he would live to see freedom again.

In the span of 24 hours, Jin was 15 time zones away, digging into an In-N-Out hamburger in Los Angeles and watching fireworks with his family on the eve of Independence Day, marking America’s 250th anniversary.

“It’s so dramatic. It’s unimaginable,” the pastor told The Associated Press outside the nation’s capital.

He said he was suddenly released after being held since October, then put on a plane to the U.S. after President Donald Trump raised his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in May.

“It’s a miracle,” Jin said this week.

Jin has led one of China’s most influential underground churches, which defy government restrictions by not being registered with authorities. He is an exceptional case of a high-profile Chinese detainee going free following a U.S. request at a time when Beijing’s leadership has only become more unyielding to foreign pressure.

Chinese pastor credits Trump for his release

Jin said Chinese authorities released him without forcing him to make a confession or going through a show trial, dropping the charges instead. He said he did not know if there was any deal or swap for his release and credited Trump’s “unique diplomacy.”

“It has results,” the pastor said.

Trump, when leaving Beijing in May, told reporters that he brought up Jin’s case and that Xi said he would “strongly consider the pastor.” Trump also has vowed to “save our Great Christian population” worldwide.

When asked about Jin’s release, the Chinese foreign ministry said the country manages religious affairs in accordance with the law. “We firmly oppose interfering in China’s internal affairs with so-called religious issues,” the ministry said.

Jin is handed new Nikes and taken on an unknown journey

Jin said he was called suddenly to gather his few belongings, including a Bible, on July 3. He was handed new clothes and a new pair of Nike shoes. He was told he was being moved from the detention center in the southern city of Beihai, where he had been locked up for 266 days.

“Could it be that these people, now pressured, would put me under home arrest?” Jin said he wondered. He had heard from his lawyers that Trump had brought up his case with Xi less than two months earlier.

But he crossed out that possibility when the police van whisked by his old neighborhood and took him to a high-speed train station.

He was escorted into a train car with no other passengers, just police officers, who were recording video. Jin said he still did not imagine he could be freed because China rarely responds to outside pressure and many other Christian pastors and political activists are still locked up.

“I thought they would move me to a secretive place,” he said. A release was “too good to believe.”

In 2018, authorities in Beijing shut down the church’s physical sanctuary after the congregation refused to install surveillance cameras. Jin sent his family to the U.S. but stayed behind to keep developing the church, which met in small groups and gained a strong online following during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2025, Jin and other church leaders were detained in another crackdown.

Pastor gets back his passport and heads to America

At the airport, Jin said he was handed his passport before stepping on a plane. A U.S. diplomat had been waiting for him for hours.

For the nearly 13-hour flight, Jin was too excited to sleep. When he landed in Los Angeles, the pastor said he was welcomed by U.S. officials and given a fee-free one-year visa.

He reunited with his family after a yearslong separation and got to hold his three grandchildren for the first time — the youngest was barely a month old.

His daughter Grace Jin Drexel, who had lobbied for months for her father’s release, said she didn’t recognize him at first because he lost a lot of weight and had visibly aged.

Now free, Jin is working for the release of other Christians

Jin said he would be working to help free the eight other Zion Church members and other Christians detained in China. That includes Wang Yi, pastor of the Early Rain Covenant Church, who is serving nine years in jail.

To that end, Jin met House Speaker Mike Johnson this week, along with relatives of three detained Christians in China.

“I am free in this country, so warmly welcomed, so I am making a special call not to forget that many more are still detained,” he told AP, choking up. “I hope we will continue to strive for them to be free.”

The Republican speaker said Jin’s release had bipartisan support. “This is something we all agree on,” Johnson said. “It’s about religious freedom around the world.”

Jin said another hope is for China to legalize independent churches.

“Probably the most important wish in my lifetime is that Chinese churches can be recognized by their own government,” Jin said.

___

Associated Press writers Ken Moritsugu in Beijing, Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to the report.