As three by-elections approached this week – one in Makerfield in Greater Manchester, and two in Scotland – Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s top team faced a problem: how should they translate the growing popularity of their leader into electoral success?
She desperately needed a victory to show that it is her party, and not the insurgent Reform UK, that is the real alternative to Labour.
With that in mind, her team focused on one of the seats – they deliberately did nothing in Makerfield, but instead decided to put all their resources into Aberdeen South, vacated by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn after he returned to Holyrood.
The plan was to win by stealth in the race few were talking about.
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Conservatives, including leader Kemi Badenoch, celebrated the party’s win the Aberdeen South by-election, where they comfortably seized the seat from the SNP (PA)
Mark McInnes, the Tory chief executive, made clear to MPs and senior party members that it was essential that Aberdeen South “remains the forgotten by-election”.
The stakes were high. After a make-or-break speech at the Tory conference in October, Badenoch had gone from the party leader “most likely to be replaced” to having the best personal rating of any current political leader in the UK.
Her only serious rival to be leader of the Conservatives, Robert Jenrick, helped her by defecting to Reform, and the collapse of Keir Starmer’s government made her look like a colossus in parliament with a series of powerful interventions.
But the Conservative Party has remained stubbornly low in the polls, at around 19 per cent on average – a full five points below where they were when Badenoch became leader.
The busted status of the Tory brand was further highlighted in the local elections in May, when they lost 563 council seats – almost half of those they were defending.
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Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK continued to have a strong lead in the national polls, still drawing Tory support, and came second in Wales and Scotland while winning 1,454 council seats.
The by-election became a referendum on North Sea oil and gas (PA)
Even if the problem was the Tory brand and not Badenoch, there was only so much time before patience ran out and discussions began about finding a new leader.
But the task at hand seemed impossible. The last time the Conservatives won a Westminster by-election in Scotland was in 1967, when they took Glasgow Pollok off Labour in a shock victory. As one insider noted, that was only a year after England won the World Cup, and “the years of hurt are just as long”.
But McInnes and Badenoch were determined to ensure that Aberdeen South was “coming home”.
They selected a solid candidate, Douglas Lumsden – a member of the Scottish parliament for the North East of Scotland, with no dodgy social-media history; a good party stalwart who knew the seat inside out.
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What then transpired has been described by another Tory insider as “a heist” against the SNP, who have run Scotland for 19 years and were defending the seat.
There was some hope there – the Tories had won the seat with Ross Thomson in 2017, although he was now a Reform defector. But the SNP were strong favourites.
The Tories wanted them to remain that way, and to focus as much on the other by-election in Scotland – Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
Farage was left empty-handed in this week’s by-elections (PA Wire)
While the eyes of the national media were on Andy Burnham versus Reform in Makerfield, McInnes gave out strict instructions to say that Aberdeen was “probably” going to be an SNP victory.
The Tory camp then quietly set out to make it a referendum on net zero and Ed Miliband, and on the SNP’s policies against oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Badenoch was there three times without much fuss, and deployed her shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho for the final PMQs against David Lammy, to drive home the message.
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When suspicions started leaking out in the days before that they could win, several calls were made to check the story.
The Independent, like others, was told by Tory sources: “It is very unlikely. If all the unionist votes go our way, we might squeeze it. But we are not really expecting it to be that close.”
Meanwhile, an SNP source appeared to confirm that they too believed there was no real threat: “The Tories think they have a chance, but we should win this one easily.”
But there was an added factor.
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The scandal involving former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell hung over the whole contest, with ongoing questions about his estranged wife, former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.
As the count began at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, it quickly became clear that this really was a heist, as the Tory votes began to pile up.
In the end, on a turnout of 38 per cent, the Tories did not just win, but crushed their opponents, with a majority of 6,050 and 49.5 per cent of the vote. The SNP came second, with 26.8 per cent, a swing of 25 per cent to the Conservatives.
Even more important was that Reform only got 8.6 per cent of the vote in a part of Scotland where many projections had them replacing the Tories.
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Badenoch was there early in the morning to lead the celebrations and take it as a personal victory.
One source close to her told The Independent: “This could be a turning point for us. It is an extraordinary victory, and Kemi has something to pin our comeback on.”
It was also noted that while Makerfield proves that people are seeking to vote tactically to stop Reform from winning, voters are also willing to vote tactically for the Tories.
Another source said: “Kemi needed to take ownership of this. She was there three times, this was very much her victory. People can see now that it is not just good performances at PMQs, but a tangible win.”
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While Farage was licking his wounds from Makerfield, he tried to dismiss the Conservative victory as proving only that “they can win in pockets around the UK”.
But it was hard to not conclude that while Badenoch walked away from the most significant week of by-elections in decades with a morale-boosting win, he ended up empty-handed.
Japan twice pegged back the Netherlands last week in a 2-2 draw, including an 89th-minute equaliser from Daichi Kamada, which prompted criticism in some quarters of head coach Ronald Koeman’s for perceived negative substitutions.
Ryan Gravenberch was replaced by defender Nathan Ake late on, inviting pressure leading to Japan’s corner, from which Kamada scored in the final minute. The dropped points mean the Netherlands must pick up all three on Saturday to avoid a nervy third group game.
Sweden can secure a knockout stage spot with a win of their own, having trounced Tunisia 5-1 in their opening game. Alexander Isak and Victor Gyokeres both scored in a dream return to the World Cup for the Scandinavians, whose only World Cup appearance in the last 20 years was Russia 2018.
The Netherlands boast some solid attacking talent themselves, including West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville, who is attracting transfer interest from Manchester United and Spurs.
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Date, kick-off time and venue
Netherlands vs Sweden is scheduled for a 6pm BST kick-off today, Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The match will take place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
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Where to watch Netherlands vs Sweden for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 5.30pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer or the channel’s website.
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Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer and their websites.
Netherlands vs Sweden team news
Xavi Simons missed out on the Netherlands’ squad after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April. Jurrien Timber also misses out after a groin injury which kept him out of Arsenal’s run-in – he was replaced in the squad by Lutsharel Geertruida.
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Jurrien Timber’s twin brother, midfielder Quinten, is confirmed to be missing out on the Sweden game after suffering a concussion in training.
Netherlands squad: Bart Verbruggen, Mark Flekken, Robin Roefs, Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Jorrel Hato, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Lutsharel Geertruida, Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, Noah Lang, Tijjani Reijnders, Marten de Roon, Guus Til, Quinten Timber, Mats Wieffer, Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert, Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
Captain Fantastic: Virgil van Dijk
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Sweden do not have any fresh injury concerns, but are still missing the playmaking abilities of Dejan Kulusevski, who has not played a minute of football for club or country in over a year.
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The Spurs midfielder was rumoured to have a chance of making the Sweden squad, but constant injury setbacks and surgeries see him ruled out.
Isak was seen training alone after their win over Tunisia, but the Swedish FA confirmed the Liverpool man was fine after his double against the African side.
Sweden squad: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfelt, Jacob Widdell Zetterstrom, Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Emil Holm, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Eric Smith, Carl Starfelt, Elliot Stroud, Daniel Svensson, Taha Ali, Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall, Jesper Karlström, Ken Sema, Mattias Svanberg, Besfort Zeneli, Alexander Bernhardsson, Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Gustaf Nilsson, Benjamin Nygren
Netherlands vs Sweden prediction
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Sweden were impressive in their 5-1 shellacking of Tunisia, but the Netherlands are made of significantly sterner stuff than the North Africans. They will also want to get a first win after that last-minute Japan equaliser.
Yasin Ayari scored a brilliant double against Tunisia, and will want to build on that against the Netherlands. The strike partnership of Isak and Gyokeres may also worry van Dijk et al.
I expect a tight game, with Sweden pulling off a bit of an upset and putting the Netherlands on the brink of elimination. Expect pitchforks out for Ronald Koeman.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
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Netherlands vs Sweden match odds
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… is a familiar name to anyone who follows the Premier League: Michael Oliver.
Alan Smith20 June 2026 16:39
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The least weakest link
By its very nature, the World Cup is destined to be described in terms of the best. There is an argument, though, that it is determined by the least worst. Or, to put it another way, by who has the strongest weak link. Go by weak link theory and the tournament will not be decided by Lionel Messi or Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe; each can be called his team’s finest player. But the 11th name on the teamsheet might be the most important.
Especially because, in international football, there is an ever-present risk the worst player is worse than in the elite club sides. Without a transfer market, without the option of importing anyone, then, even in the diaspora World Cup, national team managers are picking from a limited talent pool.
All of the contenders have their flaws – including the two sides we’re about to watch.
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Richard Jolly20 June 2026 16:24
Race for the golden boot
The first ever 48-team World Cup features an additional round of 32, offering the world’s top strikers an additional opportunity of bagging an extra goal as they dream of embarking on a deep run into the tournament.
If players are tied for goals, the number of assists will determine who ranks higher. If there is still a tie, it comes down to minutes played and the goals-per-minute ratio.
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Here are the latest 2026 World Cup golden boot standings.
Jamie Braidwood20 June 2026 16:18
Full World Cup schedule today and tonight
6pm – Netherlands vs Sweden (Group F)
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9pm – Germany vs Ivory Coast (Group E)
1am – Ecuador vs Curacao (Group E)
5am – Tunisia vs Japan (Group F)
Anyone UK viewers planning on staying up and ticking them all off??
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Alex Pattle20 June 2026 16:11
Netherlands’ recent record at World Cups
In 2010, Netherlands reached their third World Cup final, where they were heartbroken for the third time as well.
That defeat by Spain was avenged in a 5-1 thrashing in Netherlands’ 2014 opener, however, en route to a semi-final penalty loss to eventual runners-up Argentina.
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2018 marked a major disappointment, though, as Netherlands failed to qualify for the World Cup at all.
2022 then brought another penalty loss to Argentina, this time in the quarter-finals – but after a spirited fightback in which the Dutch came from 2-0 down, scoring in the 83rd minute and 11 minutes into added time.
(Getty)
Alex Pattle20 June 2026 16:02
Netherlands in trouble if they struggle against spirited Swedes
If Netherlands were to draw today, they’d be in a precarious position ahead of their final group game with Tunisia.
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If they lost, though…? That would mark real danger for Ronald Koeman’s men.
Of course, though, they’d be helped by the rule that the eight best third-placed teams advance.
Still, a win today would almost certainly take them through with a minimum of 4 points by the end of the group stage.
Alex Pattle20 June 2026 15:50
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Interview: How Potter led Sweden to World Cup – ‘Best night of my career’
Sticking on Graham Potter, here’s an interview with the coach from our own part-Swede, Lawrence Ostlere:
A few minutes after the final whistle blew on the play-off final, euphoria still coursing through his veins, Sweden manager Graham Potter gathered his players around him. “Look at this, this is a f*****g team,” he said, pointing at them, before breaking into a broad grin. “And we’re going to the f*****g World Cup, baby!”
Perhaps it was just a throw away line while high on football’s most potent drug, the World Cup. But Potter’s choice of words offered an insight into the unique task of being an international manager, particularly his task. The Swedish FA gave him one job: ‘Get us to the World Cup’.
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Alex Pattle20 June 2026 15:41
‘Someone scratched me, or bit me’: Potter’s bizarre celebration injury
Potter was jubilant after his Sweden side beat Tunisia but also appeared to have picked up an injury over the course of the match, as he was pictured bleeding from his right ear.
“I don’t know what happened. Someone scratched me, or bit me. I’ll have to analyse the video footage,” he joked, via Swedish publication Sportbladet.
Three Scotland supporters were filmed blasting bagpipes with a beer in hand as amused locals watched on.
The Tartan Army’s invasion of South Florida appears to be well underway – with one Floridian capturing a bagpiping boat of Scotland’s fans sailing down a creek.
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The brilliant video shows three Scotland supporters in their swimming trunks, beers in hand and a Saltire proudly unfurled on board a small boat, sailing past homes in Miami.
The trio can be seen soaking up the rays in the sunshine state as bagpipe music plays from the vessel.
Gesturing to the bemused local filming, the lads let out a deafening Braveheart-style battle – and are met with jubilant cheers back from the locals.
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The footage, captioned: “ The Scots have made it to South Florida”, has quickly become the latest example of the Tartan Army bringing its own unique brand of entertainment to the World Cup.
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The video has already racked up 60,000 likes on TikTok and has generated hundreds of comments from Americans who can’t get enough of the Scottish fans.
Having already won over Boston locals during Scotland’s stay in Massachusetts – supporters now appear intent on making just as much noise in Miami.
Despite Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco, spirits amongst the travelling support remain high as the party continues. Thousands have set off on the journey from New England to Southern Florida, with many insisting Steve Clarke’s side can still pull off a famous result against Brazil.
Scotland know a draw against the five-time world champions on Wednesday would be enough to guarantee a place in the knockout stages and, judging by the scenes on Florida’s waterways, the Tartan Army are showing little sign of abandoning their belief.
Whether by fan zones, city squares or now creekside boat trips soundtracked by the pipes, Scotland’s supporters seem determined to enjoy every moment of a World Cup adventure nearly three decades in the making.
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.
Readers have been sharing their views on the proposal to build a lifelong learning college at the Cambridge Airport site, with strong opinions on education, housing, and transport
David Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers
16:00, 20 Jun 2026
Cambridgeshire Live readers have shared their opinions on suggestions for a new college at the Cambridge Airport site, with many contributing views on education, housing, and transport. The discussion reveals stark divisions over what the city requires and its future direction.
Cambridge is “already extremely well provided” amid calls for a new “lifelong learning” college on the Cambridge Airport site, the combined authority has stated. Homes England and The Hill Group announced their purchase of the land earlier this month, with plans to construct thousands of homes and a railway station.
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A regional training hub is amongst the options the developers are exploring before finalising a masterplan for the site. Antony Carpen, a local resident who operates the Cambridge Town Owl blog, has urged Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to begin discussions to “explore the possibility” of establishing a new lifelong learning college near the proposed Cambridge East station.
He argued this “could help reverse the decline in enrolment in adult skills” and “provide the much-needed facilities that might enable adults looking to retrain in areas with chronic skills shortages to make the change”.
One of Jemima3 says: “The idea of a lifelong learning college is long overdue in Cambridge. Oxford already has a specific site. Cambridge has always been rather blinkered in its approach, and Counsellor Nethsinga typifies this. Madingley Hall used to be brilliant – now given over mostly to conferences and weddings. Plenty of degree associated stuff but not enough to reach Joe Bloggs.
“Otherwise, lifelong learning is spotty, through schools and U3A. Having one focused complex would be a huge boost for the wider population. N.B. not only pensioners. Lifelong learning should mean exactly that, as promised by Blunkett at the turn of the century – that lasted c. 2 minutes, like most Labour Party promises, sadly.”
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Over on our Facebook page, Philip C comments: “Since St Neots is the third largest urban area in the county (after Peterborough and Cambridge), with 34,000 residents and growing fast, why not site a new college there?”
Kevin S says: “If anyone wants to build a new xyz they are free to buy the land, get permission etc. Developers will only do more than their requirements if it is financially worthwhile for them, just as those potentially running a service (doctors/dentists/shops) won’t normally jump in from day one and will wait until a large % of development is done. Look at Cambourne and how long it took to get past just Morrisons.”
Adam B adds: “Expensive but they could reroute the railway line from Coldhams Common across Marshall airport, enabling the closure of multiple level crossings, plus allowing Coldhams Lane Bridge to be demolished to allow HGVs to travel this way rather than constantly being made to go through Cherry Hinton.”
Simon W believes: “That whole site will probably get as much as Northstowe has. Maybe a doctor and dental hub like Trumpington, but that’s it. Property brings profit, play parks, social hubs, and education don’t.”
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Would you like to see the lifelong learning college built? Comment below or HERE to have your say.
Maybe it was your mum telling you to stand up straighter. Maybe it was a fitness instructor constantly reminding you to pull your belly button toward your spine. Or maybe it was the cultural messaging that a flatter stomach is simply more attractive.
For many women, after years of being told to “suck it in” – also referred to as “stomach gripping”– it just becomes a way of life. But physical therapists say the habit can have consequences that go far beyond appearance.
Over time, what starts as a conscious effort can become automatic.
“That becomes an unconscious holding pattern,” Dr. Caroline Packard, a pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of Connect Pelvic Floor Fitness, told HuffPost.
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“I call this ab gripping, and I see it all the time clinically in women dealing with pelvic floor symptoms, core dysfunction, back pain, hip pain and breathing restrictions.”
According to Packard, many people assume stomach gripping is simply a bad habit. But in some cases, it’s actually the body’s attempt to compensate for a deeper problem.
“What most people don’t realise is that sometimes the gripping isn’t just a habit,” she said. “It’s the body looking for stability when the deep core system isn’t providing it. When the core’s deeper muscles aren’t coordinating the way they should, the surface muscles step in because something has to.”
“The body is resourceful that way,” she continued. “But surface tension was never designed to be a full-time job.”
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Experts say this pattern, sometimes referred to as “hourglass syndrome,” can affect everything from breathing mechanics and pelvic floor function to posture and chronic back pain.
What is ‘hourglass syndrome’?
Hourglass syndrome isn’t a formal medical diagnosis. Rather, it’s a term clinicians use to describe a common pattern of abdominal tension.
According to Packard, years of pulling the stomach inward can train the body to rely on the outer abdominal muscles for stability instead of the deeper muscles that are designed to support breathing, posture and pressure management.
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“Hourglass syndrome is what that looks like on the outside,” Packard said. “On the inside, the surface muscles you can grip with are doing too much, and the deeper system that’s supposed to coordinate pressure has gotten quieter and quieter.”
This habit can cause issues with your breathing, pelvic floor and your back
Melissa Brandon, a pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of Homebody Wellness, told HuffPost that the pattern is surprisingly common and often goes unnoticed.
“In my clinical practice, I see underlying abdominal gripping in at least 75% of clients I work with, and it is often subconscious,” she said.
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Brandon explains that chronic abdominal tension changes how the body manages pressure.
“Many people think ‘sucking it in’ is a harmless posture habit, but chronic abdominal gripping can fundamentally change the way we breathe, move and coordinate pressure throughout the body,” she said.
Normally, the diaphragm moves downward during inhalation as the rib cage expands and the pelvic floor lengthens in response. But when the upper abs stay tight, breathing becomes more shallow and chest-driven.
Brandon said this can increase reliance on the neck and upper chest muscles, making breathing less efficient and more effortful.
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Packard adds that the diaphragm and pelvic floor are meant to function as a coordinated system. When one is restricted, the other is affected.
“When you grip your upper abs, you restrict the diaphragm from being able to lower and expand,” Packard said. “The pelvic floor never gets the input it needs to lengthen.”
Dmytro Petryna via Getty Images
Becoming too used to gripping your stomach over time can not only affect your muscles there but other systems in your body — including your breathing.
Over time, this altered pressure system may contribute to urinary leakage, pelvic pressure, prolapse, painful sex and persistent lower back pain.
Packard notes that these symptoms are often misinterpreted as weakness.
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“Here’s what surprises people: the pelvic floor in these cases usually isn’t weak in the way people imagine. It’s tight,” Packard explains. “Imagine holding your bicep contracted all day. By the time you actually went to use it, it would be tired and it wouldn’t work very well.”
You can’t simply Kegel your way out of this one
Because of this, she cautions that more Kegels are not always helpful. If the pelvic floor is already shortened and overactive, strengthening alone can reinforce the problem.
Brandon agrees that the first step is not strengthening.
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“Stop defaulting to more Kegels,” she said. “For many women, the first step isn’t strengthening. It’s learning how to relax, lengthen and coordinate the system.”
Back pain is also a sign of hourglass syndrome. When the body’s deeper stabilising muscles aren’t coordinating properly, other muscles often compensate. The lower back, hips and rib cage may take on more work than they were designed to handle.
According to Brandon, this can contribute to chronic back pain, tension and difficulties managing pressure through the trunk.
“The diaphragm becomes less efficient, forcing our accessory neck muscles to work harder,” she explains. “Our obliques can become overactive, while our deepest core stabiliser, the transverse abdominis, takes a back seat, leading to back pain and issues with trunk pressure management.”
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These are the signs you’ve been ‘gripping’ your stomach too much
Experts say common signs include:
A visible crease beneath the ribs
Difficulty fully relaxing the abdomen
Feeling uncomfortable when you let your stomach soften
Shallow chest breathing
Chronic tension in the jaw, ribs, hips or lower back
Trouble sensing or coordinating the pelvic floor
A persistent lower-belly pooch that doesn’t improve with more abdominal exercises
And this is how you actually start healing
Both Packard and Brandon emphasise that the first step is awareness of when and how abdominal gripping is happening.
Build awareness in real time. Packard said, “You can’t change a pattern you can’t feel.” Brandon similarly encourages people to regularly check in and ask, “Am I gripping my belly?” The goal is simply noticing the habit without judgment.
Practice relaxing the abdomen, not bracing it. Both experts stress that early work is about learning to soften the belly repeatedly throughout the day, rather than trying to constantly engage it.
Relearn breathing mechanics through 360-degree expansion. Packard recommends diaphragmatic or 360-degree breathing, where the focus includes the sides and back of the rib cage — not just the front — to restore more balanced diaphragm movement.
Pay attention to body position. Packard emphasises stacking the rib cage over the pelvis and pelvis over the feet to support more efficient pressure management and reduce compensatory gripping.
Improve rib mobility. Gentle side bends, rotations, and breathing into the back and sides of the rib cage can help restore movement in areas that may have become restricted over time.
Focus on coordination before strengthening. Packard notes that for many people, especially those already holding chronic tension, more Kegels are not the first step. The priority is learning how to relax, lengthen, and coordinate the system before adding strength work.
Undo the habit through repetition, not intensity. Brandon emphasises that unlearning abdominal gripping takes time and consistency, especially since it is often a subconscious pattern.
“One final reframe: the question of whether the pelvic floor is ‘tight’ or ‘weak’ is, in my view, the wrong question,” Packard said.
Instead, she said it’s important to ask these questions:
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Where are you holding tension in your body?
Can you feel your pelvic floor lengthen, like a trampoline descending between your hips, on an inhale?
Can you feel it lift and squeeze on an exhale?
Can you do that smoothly, breath after breath, without gripping somewhere else?
Can you do it while you’re moving?
According to Packard, this is the real measure of pelvic floor health.
“It’s the lens ‘suck it in’ culture has taught generations of women to ignore. Healing ab gripping isn’t about letting yourself go. It’s about letting your body work the way it was designed to work.”
The Crown Inn, located on Vicars Lane in Manfield, currently holds a 4.6-star rating from Google reviews.
The village pub, a short drive from Darlington, has attracted praise from visitors for its food, staff, atmosphere and traditional country inn feel.
Reviewers regularly highlight its real ale, beer garden, roaring fire and dog-friendly approach, with many describing it as a friendly spot for locals, walkers and visitors.
The Crown Inn, located on Vicars Lane in Manfield (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
One recent reviewer praised the pub’s vegetarian and vegan weekend special, saying staff were “very accommodating” with the food.
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They wrote: “Went for the vegetarian/vegan weekend special, had a lovely vegan meal. The staff were very accommodating with the food. I hope they include more vegan options in the future, as we will definitely go back.”
The reviewer gave the pub 5/5 for food, service and atmosphere, and also highlighted its quiet noise level, indoor and outdoor seating, and free parking.
Another visitor described The Crown Inn as a “lovely country inn” with a “friendly atmosphere”, recommending the fish and chips.
Others have praised the pub’s classic food and relaxed village setting.
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One reviewer called it a “great village pub” after trying the pizza and cheeseburger, while another said the staff were friendly, the food was delicious, and the prices were good.
The pub’s quiz night has also been singled out by visitors.
One reviewer described it as a “great quiz”, saying it takes place on the first Tuesday of the month.
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They added that the pub made them fish and chips with a “huge serving”, describing the meal as “very tasty”.
Another customer said the venue remained a “nice friendly village pub”, adding that it had “clean, pleasant surroundings” and “reasonably priced drinks”.
The Crown Inn has also won praise from walkers and dog owners.
One visitor said they called in on a Saturday lunchtime after a long dog walk and found the roaring fire “very welcoming”.
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They added: “As was the young chap behind the bar and the chef who talked to us about lunch options. The food was super, and we really enjoyed our visit.”
Another customer praised the service from the bar staff as “top notch” and said the chef even brought sausages out for their Labrador.
They wrote: “Food was unreal, highly recommend the parmo as it was amazing. Nothing but good to say about this place, and I’ll be back there again soon.”
From fish and chips and parmos to vegan specials and pub classics, reviewers appear to agree that the venue offers the kind of friendly, good-value experience expected from a popular village pub.
Nine people remained in hospital on Saturday afternoon following a fatal crash between two East Midlands trains in Bedford on Friday.
British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi sent her “deepest condolences” to the family, friends and colleagues of the train’s driver, who died.
She also said more than 80 people were treated in hospital after the crash at about 17:15 on Friday – with 28 remaining in hospital on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to the BBC on Friday, passenger Pete Knapp described the crash as being “like a bomb explosion”.
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Network Rail has said there will be a “complex recovery operation”, with no trains running between London St Pancras and Bedford over the weekend.
The Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a “thorough investigation” into how the collision happened would be carried out.
Manchester United are all in on West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes but if a deal cannot be done, there are other options for the Reds to consider
Watching their arch rivals Manchester City go through the painstaking process of negotiating with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, has seen Manchester United re-evaluate their transfer plans. With Atalanta’s Ederson set to join after the World Cup, the Reds are wanting to add another midfielder to their ranks.
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Anderson was the dream option for the Reds but having seen a total bid of £120m rejected by Forest this month, United know they are not serious contenders for the England international, at this stage. Instead, the recruitment team have turned their attention to West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
He is now United’s No.1 midfield target. Being relegated in successive seasons with Southampton, and then the Hammers, has not fazed the Reds. Fernandes is a good age at 21 and has already shown he can perform in the Premier League. His five goals and five assists last season showed strong potential too.
The perfect combination for United is young players with Premier League experience. Fernandes ticks both boxes and considering West Ham need to sell to abide by Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, there is confidence that a deal is there to be done.
Of course, United have felt confident of completing deals in recent years and ultimately those have fallen through. The Reds are not naive to put all their eggs in one basket and there will be alternatives on their radar should the Fernandes deal prove to be unacquirable. One such alternative is said to be Felix Nmecha.
The 25-year-old, previously of the City academy, has enjoyed a good season at Borussia Dortmund scoring five goals and bagging three assists. Nmecha also introduced himself to the world’s stage this month, as he bagged a goal and an assist in Germany’s 7-1 thrashing of Curacao.
Tonight, Nmecha will be hoping to impress again as Germany take on Ivory Coast in Toronto. Among those thought to be observing the midfielder are United, City and Real Madrid.
Bild reported recently that a £104m bid would be needed if Dortmund were to sell Nmecha. However, TEAMtalk understands that price tag has been slashed in half to £52m with a deal deemed ‘very realistic’.
Considering United’s new approach to transfers, they would be unlikely to splash £104m on any player overseas. However, should £52m be deemed acceptable, that will interest the Reds.
United were burned the last time they splashed big money on a Dortmund player but if his price tag has dropped to £52m, it will only increase if Nmecha continues to impress at the World Cup. Like the Fernandes deal, the Reds will be confident they could sign the German international.
Dortmund’s model is to buy players at a low price and sell them on for a profit. They are unlikely to dig their heels in and make negotiations a chore.
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For now, Nmecha is a player lingering in the background for United. They are still focused on Fernandes and there is no suggestion that West Ham will be able to stop the midfielder leaving, if he wishes to go.
But should the German international impress tonight, a few more eyes could be left fixed on Nmecha.
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after the incident at the Old Penny Gate park in Knaresborough at 12.15pm last Saturday (June 13).
The force said the child was playing football on the grass at the park when he was “bitten on the leg several times by a dog”.
A police spokesperson said the dog is a “’sausage dog’ breed, which is blue/grey in appearance”.
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They said the “owner took possession of his dog, but subsequently gave what is now believed to be a false name and phone number to the father of the injured child”.
New research has highlighted the significant financial burden obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) places on businesses, leading experts to recommend workplace screening for the condition.
The findings, from a study conducted by specialists in the UK and the US, suggest that OSA could be costing companies billions annually in lost productivity.
The research examined the economic impact of OSA in both countries, utilising data from the 2021 census. Focusing on working-age adults aged 18 to 64, the team calculated losses by assessing absenteeism and reduced productivity at work.
In the UK sample, approximately 7 per cent of working-age adults met the criteria for OSA, with estimated productivity losses reaching as much as £4.22 billion annually, equating to £1,840 per worker each year.
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Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, with loud snoring being a key symptom, according to the NHS.
In light of these findings, sleep specialists who regularly treat patients with OSA have outlined crucial signs that might indicate snoring is a symptom of a more serious underlying problem.
Snoring can signify a bigger issue ((Alamy/PA))
Dr Ryan Chin Taw Cheong, a consultant ENT (ear, nose and throat) and sleep surgeon at Cleveland Clinic London Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Portland Place Outpatient Centre, explains that anatomy, lifestyle, and physiology are the three primary factors contributing to snoring.
“If you have a structural narrowing of your nose or the back of your throat or the back of the tongue, that can actually increase the resistance of air flow when you breathe at night, which results in snoring sounds,” he says.
He adds that lifestyle factors also play a role: “Also, if you’re particularly overweight or you drink a lot of alcohol, the upper airway muscles can become more relaxed, and that can also increase the resistance of air flow, resulting in snoring.”
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Dr Cheong further notes that the way muscles relax during sleep can be excessive, leading to obstruction.
“In some patients, the way that the muscles of the tongue or the palate or the throat relaxes is excessive to the point of obstruction or narrowing, and that can also cause snoring,” he explains.
Several red flags might suggest that snoring is indicative of sleep apnoea. Dr Cheong highlights choking episodes, gasping for air, or pauses in breath.
“If you witness any choking episodes or gasping of breath or pause of breath by your bed partner, or if you’ve experienced it yourself, that’s a potential red flag of sleep apnoea,” he warns.
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Persistent daytime sleepiness is a red flag ((Alamy/PA))
Another significant indicator is excessive daytime sleepiness.
Dr David Garley, a GP and director of The Better Sleep Clinic, explains: “The issue with sleep apnoea is that it causes really fragmented, poor-quality sleep, so you can’t get into these deep states of sleep that help you feel refreshed in the morning.”
He advises that if individuals wake up feeling unrefreshed, are sleepy throughout the day, and struggle with concentration, memory, and low mood, they should consider speaking to a professional about sleep apnoea.
Untreated sleep apnoea carries substantial health risks beyond immediate daytime sleepiness and disruption to a bed partner.
Dr Cheong states: “Untreated sleep apnoea has been associated an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks, increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and there’s also been evidence to suggest that it can increase the risk of neurocognitive decline.”
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Dr Garley adds that the consistent disruption of sleep can severely impact mental health.
“If you think how bad you feel after one night of sleep, then you can see how years of bad sleep can have a really major impact on your health,” he says, noting that “some evidence suggests that around 20% of patients with sleep apnoea have depression.”
Snoring can have a negative impact on relationships (Alamy/PA)
Diagnosis typically begins with a risk assessment, such as the STOP-Bang questionnaire, an 8-item screening tool. However, the definitive diagnosis is usually made through a home sleep test.
Dr Garley describes this process: “This usually involves wearing a medical watch-like devices on your wrist which have a chest and a finger sensor, which takes really detailed measurements on how you sleep.”
These devices detect pauses in breathing, drops in oxygen levels, and the activation of the fight-or-flight nervous system triggered by breathing interruptions.
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Treatment for sleep apnoea often starts with lifestyle modifications.
Dr Cheong recommends: “Reducing your alcohol consumption is something lifestyle based that can be altered to reduce your risk of sleep apnoea. Making sure that your weight is within optimal range can also help.”
Wearing a CPAP machine in bed can stop snoring (Alamy/PA)
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common and effective treatment option.
Dr Garley explains its mechanism: “It’s a small box that sits on your bedside table that blows low pressure air through a tube that leads to a mask which sits either over your nose or over your mouth and nose.”
This gentle pressure keeps the airway open, allowing for free breathing and deeper sleep.
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For more severe cases, surgery or advanced technologies are available.
Dr Cheong mentions hypoglossal nerve implants, such as the Genio Nyxoah device, which stimulate the hypoglossal nerve to move the tongue forward and open the airway. Operations on the palate at the back of the throat can also be performed to widen the airway.
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