Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has agreed to allow Iran to be based in the country during the World Cup, claiming the United States were unwilling to host them.

Sheinbaum said her government had been approached by Fifa after the US made it clear it did not want Iran’s squad to stay in the country during the tournament.

“We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.

“The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there.

“So they asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said: ‘Yes, no problem. We have no problem.”

Iran were originally given Tucson, Arizona as their World Cup base with all three of their matches scheduled to take place in the US.

However, the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns has led to uncertainty around their participation.

The World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June – both in Los Angeles – and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

Iran are currently preparing for the tournment in Antalya, southern Turkey.

The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.

Craig Keatley, from Stoneclough, is set to walk 14 miles in flippers to raise money for a cancer hospital after his friend was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

The 56-year-old will walk from The Christie Hospital in Withington to his home district in Stoneclough on June 27 in aid of The Christie charity.

It started originally in the 90s. (Image: Craig Keatley)

The charity challenge comes after his friend, Lee Burns, from Stoneclough, began treatment at the hospital.

Mr Keatley said: “Things like what we’re doing, what my mate’s going through now, puts life in perspective.

“He’s nearly 48, and he’s got bloody cancer, and it’s not a good thing to have.

“I only hope he can prolong his life as much as we can, but, from my point of view, let’s raise a few quid, put a smile on people’s faces and raise awareness.”

Mr Keatley has become known locally for completing long-distance charity walks while wearing swimming flippers.

Craig after an impressive climb up a peak. (Image: Craig Keatley)

Over the years, he has climbed Mount Snowdon in flippers and walked from Liverpool to Manchester wearing them.

He said he first came up with the idea during a night out in the early 1990s before bringing it back for charity fundraising in 2017.

Mr Keatley said: “Every time you go out, you’re faced with the madness of people engaging and filming you because it is bonkers.

“I get a lot of enjoyment from seeing people and seeing their reactions because you get all sorts of reactions.

It’s not his first rodeo. (Image: Craig Keatley)

“Every time I go out, I’m getting beeps, waves and every sort of reaction, which again is good really.”

Mr Keatley said several people are expected to join him on the route, with the event planned around a football World Cup theme.

He said he has raised more than £28,000 for charities through his various challenges over the years, including almost £4,500 for Bolton Community Kitchen.

Mr Keatley added: “The money side is great, the awareness is great, the fun element is great, and the personal challenge is great.

“I don’t think I could have dreamed about doing anything like that because of the miles I’ve done.

He’s been seen in his flippers by many people before. (Image: Craig Keatley)

“You’ve got to train hard, and people stop you and tell me their story.”

One of Mr Keatley’s toughest challenges saw him walk 31 miles from Anfield to Old Trafford in flippers in 2019.

He said: “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“I was physically sick at the end of it, and my mates got me over the finish line because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have done it.”

Mr Keatley said the support he receives from the public is one of the main reasons he continues doing the challenges.

He added: “People see me on the street and say, ‘You’re the flipper guy’.

“It’s amusing, really, and it’s nice, that little cult status sort of thing.

“I enjoy doing it, and people get a lot of fun from it, seeing me.”

A suspect is in custody following reports a woman was attacked

A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape following reports that a woman was attacked. An area was taped off in the centre of Darwen, in Lancashire, after the alleged attack in the early hours of Monday (May 25).

Police were called to the bottom of Belgrave Road, where it meets the A666, at around 12.55am to reports that a woman in her 20s had been raped.

The small wooded area behind the pair of Grade II-listed tram shelters was cordoned off with police tape after the incident. Two police vehicles remained at the scene throughout Monday amid investigations.

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A suspect, aged 21, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and is in custody to be questioned. Anyone with information about the alleged attack is being urged to contact Lancashire Police.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary told LancsLive: “Shortly before 12:55am today (25th May) we received a report of a rape in Belgrave Square, Darwen.

“An investigation is under way, and a woman in her 20s is being supported by specially trained officers. A 21-year-old man from Darwen has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in custody.

“We know that this is concerning to hear about, but we want to reassure you that we have a dedicated team of officers investigating and have increased patrols by our Neighbourhood officers as a reassurance. We want you to know that if you have any concerns that you can approach them as they conduct their duties.

“If you have information or CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist our enquiries, please call 101 quoting log 0059 of 25th May.”

Darwen town centre had been packed over the weekend as tens of thousands of music-lovers headed to the annual Music Live festival. Sunday’s headliners were The Ordinary Boys with the warm weather drawing crowds into the town.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV called Monday for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit, issuing a sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war.

“Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), Leo’s first encyclical, has been eagerly awaited ever since history’s first U.S.-born pope announced days after his election that he considered AI to be the biggest challenge facing humanity today.

In the text, Leo denounced the “culture of power” driving the AI race, especially in developing ever more sophisticated methods of remote warfare. He declared that it was “not permissible” to entrust irreversible, lethal decisions to AI systems, setting up another flash point between the American pope and the Trump administration, which has worked aggressively to deregulate AI development.

“Artificial Intelligence now demands to be disarmed, freed from logics that turn it into an instrument of domination, exclusion and death,″ the pope told a special Vatican presentation of the encyclical, one of the most authoritative types of teaching documents a pope can issue.

Experts in the tech industry, academia and Catholic morality said the document will likely become a benchmark in the debate over AI, a point of reference for policymakers, researchers and ordinary folk alike. It comes as the near-daily developments in the technology trigger concerns over AI replacing human jobs and even human intelligence.

Taylor Black, a Microsoft AI executive and director of Catholic University of America’s AI institute, said the document would prompt people “at the forefront of these tools” to ask questions such as “What does it mean to be human?”

The Vatican launch also included remarks by the co-founder of Anthropic, which is currently locked in a legal battle with the Trump administration over access to its AI technology. The Vatican decided to involve Anthropic as part of its decade-long effort to engage Silicon Valley in dialogue over the human cost of AI.

And yet in his text, Leo repeatedly blasted the concentration of power and data in the hands of so few people in the private sector as a danger, especially to children and the most vulnerable, and called for external regulation of their work.

“It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract; robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility are required,” he wrote. “A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few.”

Leo appealed to AI developers and political leaders responsible for regulating them to slow down and reflect on what they are doing. He urged them to use ethical and spiritual guidelines to make the choice to work not for their own profit or power, but the betterment of humanity.

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It became the foundation of modern Catholic social thought, and the current pope cited it at the start of his pontificate in relation to the AI revolution, which he believes poses the same existential questions that the Industrial Revolution posed over a century ago. “Magnifica Humanitas” thus becomes the latest chapter in a century-long history of popes adapting “Rerum Novarum” to the social questions of their times, often dwelling on the dignity of work for human flourishing.

AI is evoking both existential fears and utopian vision amid an intensifying debate on whether it will become a catalyst that enriches humanity or a technological toxin that dulls human intelligence while wiping out millions of high-paying jobs.

“The pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs, because the human person is an end, not a means, and the economic order must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good,” Leo wrote.

Leo extended his concern for upholding human dignity in labor to issue the first-ever papal apology for the Holy See’s own role in legitimizing slavery by giving European sovereigns explicit authority to subjugate and enslave “infidels.”

The decision to include Anthropic at the Vatican launch was criticized by some who considered it a papal stamp of approval of the AI firm, which is currently suing the Trump administration after it ordered all U.S. agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology for its refusal to allow the U.S. military unrestricted use of it.

Brian Boyd, U.S. faith liaison for the nonprofit Future of Life Institute, read the inclusion of Anthropic’s co-founder Olah as a recognition of its prominence in the field and as similar to a papal audience with a head of state: not an endorsement.

Anthropic is an “enormous corporation that is taking onto itself an enormous risk and responsibility,” Boyd said, adding that the company has “demonstrated genuine goodwill and integrity and interest in dialogue.”

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Winfield reported from Middletown, Connecticut, and Huamani reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Kelvin Chan in London and Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

England had threatened to blow away New Zealand in the second T20 when they reduced the tourists to 11-4.

On that occasion, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green diligently weathered the storm before they took the game to England’s bowlers in a fifth-wicket stand of 159 which laid the platform for a 14-run victory.

This time around England were ruthless when they got themselves into a strong position, their spinners building dot-ball pressure and the lack of scoring opportunities scrambling the minds of the Kiwi batters.

The key New Zealand wicket was Devine, and when she tamely chipped Gibson to mid-off for a five-ball duck England’s joy was obvious.

Devine was the fourth wicket to fall as the White Ferns’ middle order melted quicker than an ice cream in the 27C heat, collapsing from 29-1 to 33-6.

For a while New Zealand’s lowest total in T20 internationals – 60 all out against England in Whangarei in February 2015 – looked under threat.

Jess Kerr ensured that batting nadir was avoided before she was snared by Issy Wong, but in truth it was England’s spinners who appear key for what is to come later this summer.

According to CricViz, 47% of deliveries bowled by their spinners were hitting the stumps as their 11.1 overs claimed six wickets for 39 runs.

Linsey Smith was particularly difficult to get away at the start en route to 2-15 while Dean took 3-13 and Sophie Ecclestone snared 1-11.

There are sterner tests to come for this attack, but this was encouraging.

Patrick Kielty’s future as host remains unclear

Irish television and radio presenter Miriam O’Callaghan is now favourite to become the next host of RTE flagship programme, The Late Late Show.

Odds for O’Callaghan, 66, taking over from current host Patrick Kielty have been slashed over the last few days to 2/1.

This could be the perfect timing for the Prime Time and Sunday With Miriam host to add a Friday night entertainment show to her books, according to the Irish Mirror.

READ MORE: Surprising bookies’ favourites emerge for RTE Late Late Show hot seat with Patrick Kielty in contract limboREAD MORE: Former Late Late host Pat Kenny gives verdict on Patrick Kielty staying on

The shift in odds comes after Jennifer Zamparelli ruled herself out of contention. Zamparelli effectively ended speculation that she could step into the coveted presenting role.

It’s also worth noting that Miriam has presented The Late Late Show a few times in the past.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Miriam O’Callaghan is the clear favourite with punters, and it looks like we’ve reached a point where it really is time to have the first female host of the Late Late Show!”

There is the possibility that Patrick Kielty may make a return to the show, but it is still unclear. RTÉ and Mr Kielty entered into a three year contract in 2023 worth €250,000 per season.

However, in recent weeks it was revealed Kielty was in fact paid €266,323 in 2025 and €257,657 in 2024.

The national broadcaster noted that this was because it “required” Patrick Kielty to present more programmes “beyond his standard contract.”

RTÉ’s Director General, Kevin Bakhurst has said he would “love” to keep Patrick Kielty as the host of The Late Late Show and has defended extra payments to the star.

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This wartime sitcom was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s

Many places across the UK have been used for backdrops to some of people’s favourite TV shows. Any fan of a show loves to go visit the locations where they were filmed, and act just as if they are in the fictional universe they watch.

Not far from Cambridge and only a 51-minute drive is Thetford in Norfolk, and this was the set of a popular British sitcom from the 1960s and 1970s. During its nine-year run, Thetford became the fictional town of Walmington-on-Sea, the home of Dad’s Army.

Many of the town’s outside locations were used in the BBC sitcom. For example, Thetford Guildhall acted as Walmington-on-Sea’s town hall.

Nether Row, which is a row of cottages, featured in several episodes of the programme, as well as Mill Lane which was a backdrop for many of the show’s comedic scenes. There was also the Palace Cinema that doubled as a cinema in the show, and it was also the real-life spot where the cast and crew used to watch weekly films.

Today, there is a museum dedicated to Dad’s Army in Thetford. It was opened in 2007 by the show’s creator David Croft.

Inside, there is a reconstruction of Captain Mainwaring’s church hall office, several display areas, a shop and the Marigold Tea Room. There is also a host of historic photographs on show, alongside other memorabilia.

As well as being the centre of all things Dad’s Army, Thetford has much more on offer. The town is dubbed a “historic gem” by Thetford Town Council, and was also previously the ancient capital of East Anglia.

It’s considered the perfect place for not only history buffs, but nature lovers as well. It’s surrounded by stunning landscapes waiting to be explored.

There is Thetford Forest, which is the UK’s biggest manmade lowland forest. It’s made up of pines, heathland and broadleaves, providing the “ideal setting for a great day out”, according to Forestry England.

A qualifying session was red flagged after a crash on the Parliament Square section of the Mountain circuit around 1.30pm on Monday.

Eight spectators and a rider were taken to hospital after a serious accident on day one of the Isle of Man TT.

A qualifying session was red flagged after a crash on the Parliament Square section of the Mountain circuit around 1.30pm on Monday. All racing was then suspended for the day by the clerk of the course.

Race organisers have now confirmed that a rider was injured and the collision also involved a number of spectators.

“The session was immediately stopped and all racing activity around the Mountain Course was suspended to allow for serious incident response procedures to be enacted,” said the organisers in a statement.

“The incident occurred on the exit of Parliament Square, and involved a single competitor and a number of spectators. The competitor was taken to Nobles Hospital and is currently reported as conscious and talking with leg injuries, and continues to receive further treatment.

“Eight spectators were identified as requiring treatment. All were reported as conscious, and were transferred to Nobles Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

“To ensure the incident was managed as effectively as possible, the decision was made to suspend any further racing activity for the remainder of the day.

In accordance with the event’s standard operating procedures, an investigative process is now underway involving race, medical and safety personnel.

“The Isle of Man TT Races would like to thank the marshals, medical teams, emergency services, Manx Care and all personnel that supported with the response to today’s incident, and our thoughts continue to be with those involved.”

It comes after the tragic death of a competitor during the Pre-TT Classic races on the Isle of Man this week.

Morning practice and qualifying take place on the Isle Of Man circuit on Monday, but the Classic bike races took place on Sunday.

Southern 100 Road Races have confirmed that a 68-year-old rider died after an accident on the second lap of the classic race.

Lancashire man Alan Oversby crashed on the 400cc race on the Billown Circuit in the south of the island.

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Curlew House is a dog-friendly luxury holiday home that can sleep up to eight guests and is located in one of Wales’ most loved tourist locations.

Wales offers some truly unforgettable places to stay and tucked away in Pembrokeshire is one spectacular retreat that proves exactly why a Welsh getaway is worth booking for your new getaway.

Available to book through Sykes Cottages, Curlew House in Cosheston is a stunning contemporary escape hidden within the timeless beauty of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Curlew House is beautiful inside and out and the striking semi-circular property sits in an enviable position on the banks of an expansive tidal estuary, surrounded by oak and ash woodland and enjoying huge uninterrupted views across sky and water.

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From the moment you arrive, Curlew House makes an impression. Facing south and west, the home has been carefully designed so guests can enjoy the spectacular scenery from almost every angle.

Inside, a dramatic staircase leads down to the ground floor, framed by a huge glass panel and double doors opening onto a spacious terrace beyond.

The upper level houses four beautifully designed bedrooms. The master suite enjoys fabulous double-aspect views from a super king-size bed, plus a private balcony and en-suite bathroom complete with both bath and separate shower. A second large bedroom sits at the opposite end of the house and offers equally impressive views from another terrace. Configurable as either a twin or super king room, it also includes its own en-suite with bath and shower.

The remaining two bedrooms each feature king-size beds, generous storage and estuary views, alongside stylish en-suite shower rooms.

Downstairs, the holiday home opens into an expansive living space designed for families and groups to gather. A well-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar flows into a dining area centred around a beautiful oak table seating eight.

One of the standout spaces is the bright sunroom overlooking the pool area. Doubling as a second sitting room, it links effortlessly with the living and dining areas and includes a kitchenette and cosy wood-burning stove.

Outside, Curlew House is every bit as striking as its interior. Large sliding doors lead onto an impressive terrace featuring a beautiful solar-heated swimming pool that instantly catches the eye. The pool creates a luxurious resort-style feel while complementing the spectacular surroundings.

Visitors who have stayed at Curlew House clearly found it just as memorable.

One review reads: “Wonderful holiday had by all the family. Enjoyed the accommodation – stunning and very individual and very well equipped -views, pool and hot tub, together with exploring Pembrokeshire Hope to visit again.”

Another guest said: “We had a lovely time, thank you. Everyone enjoyed the pool . Delightful to open the curtains and see the views”

A third stayer added: “A very special place to unwind and relax with spectacular views over the estuary. Everything here to make a perfect holiday. Thank you so much.”

Elswhere, the Hay Barn in Powys is available to book on Luxury Cottages. It is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 10 guests.

Also, the Cuddfan Cottage in Abergavenny is another standout cottage where guests can enjoy an indoor swimming pool.

The Whatuni Student Choice Awards are based on tens of thousands of independent student reviews

A Welsh university has been rated top in the UK for its halls and student’s career prospects. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is celebrating an” exceptional performance” in the 2026 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), achieving top rankings in several student experience categories.

Four of Wales’ eight universities are ranked among the top 10 in the UK in a number of categories in the annual awards , which are based entirely on student reviews and experiences.

The Whatuni Student Choice Awards are widely recognised as one of the most important indicators of student satisfaction in UK higher education, as they draw on tens of thousands of independent student reviews. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

UK rankings for Welsh universities in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026:

Careers prospects

• UWTSD – Best in UK ranked number 1
• Judges said: “The University of Wales Trinity Saint David was commended for it supportive and knowledgeable lecturers, the modern facilities and its location in beautiful Swansea. Its students liked the small class sizes and the blend of natural beauty and city life that Swansea offers, resulting in a well-rounded university experience. The comprehensive support services for students were also highlighted as being brilliant.”

• Wrexham – 10
• Swansea 20
• Cardiff Met 24
• Bangor 34
• University of South Wales 36
• Cardiff University 42

University halls

• UWTSD – best in UK ranked number 1
• Judges said: “The University of Wales Trinity Saint David was commended for it supportive and knowledgeable lecturers, the modern facilities and its location in beautiful Swansea. Its students liked the small class sizes and the blend of natural beauty and city life that Swansea offers, resulting in a well-rounded university experience. The comprehensive support services for students were also highlighted as being brilliant.”

• Wrexham University 3
• Aberystwyth University 22
• Bangor University 29
• University of South Wales 55
• Swansea University 60
• Cardiff University 72

Lecturers and Teaching Quality

• UWTSD 3
• Wrexham 7
• Bangor 28
• Aberystywth 32
• University of South Wales 36
• Cardiff Metropolitan University 45
• Swansea university 56
• Cardiff University 80

International

• UWTSD 3
• Wrexham 12
• Cardiff 38
• Bangor 46
• University of South Wales 61
• Swansea 62

Student support

• Wrexham 2
• UWTSD 5
• Cardiff Met 47
• Bangor University 60
• Aberystwyth University 63
• Cardiff University 68
• Swansea University 82
• USW 87

Student life

• Cardiff University 6
• Aberystwyth University 10
• UWTSD 21
• Wrexham 39
• Swansea 46
• Cardiff Met 53
• Bangor University 60

Students’ union

• Cardiff University 3
• Wrexham University 26
• UWTSD 27
• Bangor University 52
• Aberystwyth University 61
• Swansea 79
• Cardiff Met 86
• University of South Wales 91

Postgraduate support

• UWTSD 10
• Wrexham University 18
• Cardiff University 34
• Bangor University 56
• USW 65
• Swansea University 67

Professor Mirjam Plantinga, UWTSD’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: “These accolades are especially meaningful because they are voted for by our own students. They are a powerful endorsement of the student experience we strive to provide: one that is supportive, engaging and focused on real-world outcomes.

“We are particularly proud to have been ranked first for career prospects, which reflects our longstanding collaboration with industry and employers. Our courses are designed around employer needs to ensure that our graduates leave us equipped with the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed in their careers.

“We are also delighted to rank third for lecturers and teaching quality, and fifth for student support. This is clear recognition of our commitment to delivering an excellent learning experience and supporting every student to achieve their full potential.”

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