This year's programme explores craft, material innovation and collaboration, with works displayed in iconic locations including the V&A, Barbican, Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Somerset House, Strand Aldwych and St Paul's Cathedral.

"The commissioned special projects have become a key part of the festival's DNA. Our first was with Zaha Hadid in 2007 and since then we have created over 150 different projects. This year continues that approach with a programme that needs to be seen."
— Ben Evans CBE, Director and Co-Founder, London Design Festival

The Festival is supported by the Mayor of London as Principal Supporter and Bloomberg Philanthropies, with Bloomberg Connects as the official digital guide.

LANDMARK PROJECTS

The Point of Unity and Soul by Mykola Kabluka, produced by Expolight, at St Paul's Cathedral

Ukrainian lighting designer Mykola Kabluka, founder of Expolight, will transform St Paul's Cathedral with two works.

Soul explores the moment when an internal thought takes physical form, tracing the space between contemplation and action. Unlike conventional video projection, the imagery is not created in advance, but emerges through the interaction of light, glass, movement and space, informed by neurophysiological research into daydreaming and creative thought. The image is constantly changing, so no composition is repeated.

The Point of Unity will make its UK debut following its presentation at Burning Man. The immersive light sculpture explores human connection and presence. By day, mirrored surfaces reflect the sky and surroundings, while at night 3,500 fibre-optic points transform it into a field of stars. Custom optical filters break white light into shifting spectral patterns, accompanied by a soundtrack drawing on astronomical data.

Created amid Russia's war against Ukraine, the works address how to preserve inner light in times of darkness and find strength through human connection.

The Pangolin Shield by Studio Saar and Atelier One, supported by Secure, at Strand Aldwych

Previously announced, The Pangolin Shield will be located on Strand Aldwych, behind the Indian High Commission, close to the bust of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Inspired by the pangolin, the world's most trafficked mammal, the bamboo grid shell is covered with traditional Indian police shields made from cane and bamboo, and woven rain shields or 'knups' used by farmers in north-eastern India. The bamboo was sourced from three Indian states — Meghalaya, Punjab and Karnataka.

Studio Saar and Atelier One aim to disarm emblems of authority and present them as a protective shelter that brings people together to explore culture, heritage and material innovation.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The Speaking Oasis by Azaz Architects, sponsored by the Ithra Palm Initiative, at Cromwell Place

Conceived by architect Shahad Alazzaz, founder of Azaz Architects, The Speaking Oasis explores palm weaving across art, architecture and product design. Inspired by the al-Hasa Oasis, the world's largest natural date palm oasis, the project reimagines palm as a symbol of heritage, resilience and innovation.

It is sponsored by the Ithra Palm Initiative, launched by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

The Art of Sound at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, powered by L-Acoustics, hosted by Glass Castle Foundation

For the first time in 13 years, Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, built in 1890, will open to the public with immersive sound installations.

Feeling is Structure by Max Cooper is a 20-minute spatial sound experience originally developed for the Royal Albert Hall. Cooper, who holds a PhD in Computational Biology, investigates the relationship between physical form, perception and emotional experience, reconfigured as an inhabitable sonic environment.

Trent Falls by Chris Watson guides listeners down the Humber estuary, from Goole docks to Spurn Point where it flows into the North Sea, capturing reeds, bitterns, Hull Fair, cathedral bells and the calls of grey seals. Watson is renowned for recording animal sounds and habitats for installations at the National Gallery and the Louvre.

Works including Lengua Desollada by Hollie Buhagiar and A Decade is a Long Time by Helen Lyon will also feature.

MADE x Barbican at the Barbican

MADE unveils its interiors collaboration with the Barbican, with an immersive installation in the Level G Hub Space. Drawing on exclusive access to the Barbican Archive and the pioneering work of designer Miriam Howitt, the collection translates Brutalist architecture into bold, functional designs. Available at MADE.COM.

Craft x Tech Tokai Project at the V&A

The second edition returns to the V&A's Medieval & Renaissance Gallery, Room 64b. Founded by Dr Hideki Yoshimoto of Tangent and curated by Maria Cristina Didero, it pairs artisans from Japan's Tokai region with international designers.

Collaborations include: Fushi — Yohei Ito (Fudogama) x David Caon; Grid Unwoven — Takanori Senda x Lanzavecchia + Wai; Kataginu — Hiroyuki Murase x Bethan Laura Wood; Kasane — Shigeyuki Ando x Philippe Malouin; For Chair in Japanese Nuki and Dami style — Mayuki Kato x Eugene Kangawa; and Yamollo — Tomoyuki Matsuda x Atang Tshikare. The exhibition will remain on display until end of September.

Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind by Sun Media Group at Somerset House

Curated by Su Dan and Yang Lan, Chairperson of Sun Media Group, the third edition brings together more than 60 artisans and designers. Centred on the relationship between humans and the self, it is divided into Clear the Mind, Nourish the Mind, and Refine the Mind.

Highlights include Chen Qingqing's garment using ramie fibre, Yao Jianpin's four-panel screens using Suzhou embroidery, He Hongbing's Dragon and Floral Motif Jar in bamboo, Wang Huaiqing's reimagined red-lacquered gate Entrance, Wu Haoyu's New Stonewear exploring the symbolism of the circle, and Rosalie Huang's Ming Yellow Embroidered Wedding Dress, which took 36,435 hours to make by 25 craftspeople using traditional motifs.

London Design Festival runs 12-20 September 2026. More at londondesignfestival.com

The Festival is proud to announce the Mayor of London as Principal Supporter for 2026. This London Design Festival continues to be supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, with Bloomberg Connects serving as the Festival’s official digital guide. The free digital guide will feature content exclusive to Connects, including expert commentary, video highlights and curated routes across the city.

This year brings together global exchange, craft revival and future facing technologies, with many projects exploring how cultural heritage, material innovation and digital thinking can coexist. Exploring ideas that span East and West, past and future, and the physical and digital worlds, the Festival continues to position London not just as a showcase of design innovation, but as a platform for global conversations. The annual London Design Medals also return, celebrating the achievements of leading figures and emerging talent across the design industry.

“London Design Festival 2026 is proving to be an exceptional year with a vibrant array of international installations and projects, new design districts, and an expanding Global Design Forum following the success of Global Design Forum Istanbul in May. London retains its allure as a global design capital engaging with expanding audiences, partners across the economy, and a high profile made by the layers of design stories that the Festival is home too.” - Ben Evans, London Design Festival Director and Co-Founder.

London Design Festival will take place across 11 Design Districts that highlight creative clusters spanning London. This year’s edition sees the reveal of a new district in the heart of the city and the evolution of the Shoreditch design offerings. The eleven districts for the 2026 Festival are: Bankside, Brompton, Chelsea, Dalston to Stokey, EC1, Fleet Street Quarter, Mayfair, Park Royal, Shoreditch Design Week, Blackhorse Creates formerly known as William Morris Design Line and the new edition of Soho Design District.

London Design Festival’s largest dedicated district, is taking place from 15–20 September 2026. Running the first three days, (15-17 September) four main exhibition venues will provide platforms to emerging designers, new materials, neurodivergent design and the latest interior innovations internationally.

The council’s Project Knock and Know team visited more than 620 temporary accommodation properties, speaking directly with residents about their housing circumstances, eligibility and available support.

As a result of the visits, 48 nightly paid accommodation (NPA) bookings were cancelled, avoiding an estimated £1,197,160 in annual costs to the council.

The council said some residents no longer required the accommodation, while others were found to be ineligible.

214 families interested in moving

The project also found strong interest among residents in exploring alternative housing arrangements.

A total of 214 families expressed an interest in moving on with support from the council. In addition, 24 families were identified as likely to be suitable for an out-of-London placement, with a further four potentially suitable.

The project also helped households experiencing financial difficulties. Thirty-four payment plans were established to help residents manage rent arrears and remain in their accommodation.

A total of 172 call-backs were also completed as part of the initiative.

Nightly paid accommodation is generally used as an emergency and short-term solution for people facing homelessness. However, it is among the most expensive forms of temporary accommodation, while demand has increased as councils across the UK face growing homelessness pressures.

Council says savings can support local services

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Technology, Cllr Lee Chamberlain, said the project demonstrated the value of direct engagement with residents.

He said speaking to families had helped the council confirm that accommodation was being used by people who needed it, while encouraging residents to consider alternative housing options where appropriate.

Chamberlain said reducing reliance on expensive nightly paid accommodation would generate savings that could be reinvested in essential local services.

The council said the engagement exercise also provided a clearer picture of residents’ circumstances and housing aspirations.

According to the findings, many households are willing to consider alternative housing options when they receive clear information and practical support.

Enfield Council said the findings would be used to help shape future homelessness prevention and housing support services across the borough.

This season's final will be held in Madrid on 5 June.

Who the Premier League sides will face

Arsenal: Real Madrid (home), Bayern Munich (away), Borussia Dortmund (home), Real Betis (away), Lille (home), Napoli (away), Sabah (home), Slavia Prague (away)

Aston Villa: PSG (home), Barcelona (away), Borussia Dortmund (home), Club Brugge (away), Fenerbahce (home), Galatasaray (away), Viking (home), Slavia Prague (away)

Liverpool: Atletico Madrid (home), Inter Milan (away), Porto (home), Club Brugge (away), Villarreal (home), Fenerbahce (away), Lens (home), LASK (away)

Manchester City: PSG (home), Barcelona (away), Sporting Club (home), Porto (away), Napoli (home), Leipzig (away), AEK Athens (home), Lens (away)

Manchester United: Bayern Munich (home), Atletico Madrid (away), Roma (home), Sporting Club (away), Leipzig (home), Villarreal (away), Sabah (home), Como (away)

Since its launch on 19 August 2016, the Night Tube and Night Overground have carried more than 67 million passengers— equivalent to filling Wembley Stadium more than 744 times.

The overnight services have helped Londoners travel safely and affordably after dark, connecting communities across the capital with its restaurants, cultural venues, entertainment and nightlife.

TfL says the service has also played an important role in supporting businesses, jobs and cultural venues, while strengthening London’s position as a global 24-hour city.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the Night Tube had become a defining feature of the capital, recalling his journey on the first-ever service as one of his favourite memories as Mayor.

Over the past decade, the service has supported late-night journeys for workers, residents and visitors, as well as people travelling to airports, events and London’s diverse cultural attractions.

The anniversary also includes competitions and partnerships with London venues. TfL and Cahoots are offering one winner a Tube-themed party for up to six people, while Ronnie Scott’s is giving three winners the chance to receive pairs of tickets to its Late Late Show.

The anniversary comes as London’s night-time economy continues to play a major role in the city’s wider economy, with the sector valued at £139 billion.

Funded jointly by TfL and The London Marathon Foundation and administered by Groundwork London, the programme aims to address barriers that can prevent people from walking and cycling, particularly among groups traditionally under-represented in active travel.

Successful organisations can receive grants of up to £10,000 to deliver projects over three years. Applications will be assessed on how effectively proposed projects could benefit local communities and encourage more people to walk and cycle.

Since the programme began in 2015, more than 100,000 Londoners have taken part in activities supported by the scheme. More than 500 projects have been funded across 32 London boroughs and the City of London.

Projects supported through the programme have included cycling sessions for children with disabilities, learn-to-cycle classes, bike repair workshops and walking activities designed to reduce isolation, support mental health and help people living with long-term health conditions.

The initiative also aims to deliver wider health, wellbeing and environmental benefits by helping Londoners build confidence and make more sustainable travel choices.

Last year, 185 projects received funding, including initiatives delivered by London Cycling Campaign, Your Bike Project and The Change Foundation, alongside grassroots organisations such as Urban Flyers C.I.C. in Hammersmith & Fulham, Intergenerational Music Making in Brent and CarryMe Bikes C.I.C. in Hackney.

TfL said enabling people from all backgrounds to walk and cycle is an important part of creating a healthier and more sustainable transport network across the capital.

One major change for the new season sees Besiktas Istanbul enter the competition in place of AS Monaco. The Turkish club will mark its EuroLeague return by hosting Valencia Basket in its opening game on Friday, September 25.

The season tips off on Thursday, September 24 with six games. Among the highlights, Dubai Basketball welcomes Real Madrid, while Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv opens its campaign at home against FC Bayern Munich. FC Barcelona hosts Anadolu Efes Istanbul in a heavyweight clash, and defending champion Olympiacos Piraeus begins its title defense on the road against Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Opening night also includes Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade against Zalgiris Kaunas LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne versus Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, and Panathinaikos Athens against Paris Basketball. The remaining Friday night Round 1 games include Fenerbahce Istanbul versus Virtus Bologna, and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade hosting Armani Olimpia Milan.

Turkish derby of the season

The season's biggest rivalries are spread throughout the calendar. Round 7 on October 22 features both the first Turkish derby of the season, with Anadolu Efes facing Besiktas, and the first Serbian derby between Partizan and Crvena Zvezda. The EuroLeague's first Israeli derby of the campaign arrives in Round 11 on November 12 when Hapoel and Maccabi meet.

A rematch of the 2026 Championship Game takes place in Round 13 on November 20 as Olympiacos hosts Real Madrid. El Clásico returns in Round 15 on December 3 when Barcelona and Real Madrid renew their historic rivalry, while the Greek derby between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos takes center stage in Round 16 on December 11.

After beginning on Thursday, September 24, the regular season concludes on Friday, April 16 following the completion of Round 38. The final standings will determine which six teams advance directly to the playoffs and which four teams will compete in the Play-In Showdown.

The Play-In games are scheduled for April 20 and April 23. The best-of-five playoff series will run from April 27 through May 12, with the Final Four following. The semifinals will be played on May 28 before the Championship Game takes place on May 30.

With 20 teams and 38 rounds, fans can look forward to a 380 regular-season games before the postseason even begins. Another unforgettable EuroLeague journey awaits, with every game carrying significance as teams chase a place at the Final Four and the chance to lift European basketball's biggest prize.

DAC awarded £30,000 grant as part of Arts Council’s Supporting Grassroots Music Fund. The grant will support an exciting transformation of an underutilised area into a live music zone. The project builds on DAC’s growing programme of diverse music events, championing local artists and talent development. Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC), Enfield’s flagship cultural hub, has been awarded £30,000 grant as part of Arts Council’s Supporting Grassroots Music Fund.

An exciting transformation will convert an underutilised area in the DAC into a vibrant live music performance zone, providing a space for young musicians and producers to perform and develop their talent.

There will also be upgrades to existing facilities and music equipment across the venue to enhance quality and support frequent music events.

The project aims to address the need for more grassroots music venues and performance opportunities for young and early-career musicians in the borough.

Cultural events and music programmer Lexy Morvaridi will be joining the team to produce the programme; Lexy was previously Contemporary Music Programmer at Southbank Centre.

Edmonton-based rapper of Tamil heritage, Nine Levels, and Founder and CEO of the DJ & MC Academy founder, Krissy Simms are on board as project ambassadors.

Councillor Edward Smith, Cabinet Member for Council Assets and Culture, said: “The DAC has always been a space that nurtures and champions emerging talents. This is a place where creativity, culture and community come together to create and thrive.

“Thanks to the grant from Arts Council, we can invest back into our community, build on DAC’s growing programme of diverse music events and truly support the thriving music scene in Enfield, increasing access to live music events for local audiences.

“With this grant funding, we can support homegrown talent and address the need for music spaces in Enfield.”

DAC will partner with one of London’s largest music event venues, Drumsheds at Meridian Water, and local organisations to offer paid opportunities, industry masterclasses, networking events and a mentoring programme to local emerging talents, including producers and technicians. This project is also supported by Nine Point Eight.

In addition, the grant will enable the delivery of a 12-month programme of live music events, showcasing local and emerging talents at DAC.

Enfield Council is committed to empowering young creatives through opportunities that allow them to gain skills to support their future success.v

England vs Argentina

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Semi-finals
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA

England's dramatic win was overshadowed by several controversial moments.

Norway argued that the ball struck the spidercam cable before Bellingham's equaliser, insisting play should have been stopped and restarted with a drop ball. They were also denied what appeared to be a second goal when Torbjørn Heggem's finish was ruled out following a VAR review, with officials penalising Erling Haaland for a push on Elliot Anderson in the build-up.

Former Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, Erling's father, accused the officials of "robbing" Norway, claiming the referee had "saved" England.

Tuchel and Bellingham Exchange Views

England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his side were below their best, describing the victory as "lucky" despite securing a place in the last four.

Bellingham responded to his manager's assessment, saying:
"Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those conditions."

Attention Turns to Argentina

England will now face Argentina in a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium. With a place in the final at stake, the match will renew one of international football's most iconic rivalries as the Three Lions look to take one step closer to lifting the World Cup trophy.

The EU's Entry-Exit System (EES), introduced to modernise border security, requires travellers from outside the bloc to register biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, when entering most Schengen countries. The information is then verified when they leave.

However, several airports say the system is creating lengthy delays, particularly during peak travel periods.

Berlin Airport chief executive Aletta von Massenbach said some non-EU passengers arriving at the airport are waiting between one and two hours at passport control, particularly at terminals used by Ryanair and Wizz Air.

She said the current system is too complex, with individual EU member states using different technologies, making border processing less efficient.

"The situation is not bearable over the summer," von Massenbach warned, adding that airport operators had raised the issue during high-level discussions in Brussels.

The concerns extend beyond Germany. At the Port of Dover, where French border checks are carried out before travellers cross the Channel, technology problems have delayed the rollout of EES.

Although a new processing area equipped with 84 biometric kiosks has been installed, the equipment has yet to become operational because the necessary French border technology has not been activated.

Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister told UK lawmakers that time was running out before the peak holiday season and warned that delays could become a major issue if the problems are not resolved quickly.

Passengers have also reported significant disruption.

One British traveller, Anne Robinson, said she and her 13-year-old son missed their return flight from Rome after spending around 90 minutes waiting to complete EES procedures. She said many of the biometric machines at the airport were out of service, forcing travellers into long queues.

The family eventually had to purchase new flights two days later at a cost of £250, an expense that was not covered by their travel insurance.

Airline industry groups, including Airlines UK and Airlines for America, have criticised the uneven implementation of the system and called on the European Commission and member states to introduce contingency measures while technical issues are addressed.

Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy also questioned the continued rollout of the system where infrastructure remains incomplete, saying temporary flexibility would provide a much better experience for holidaymakers.

Airport industry body ACI Europe has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warning that border waiting times have reached as much as five hours at some airports during busy periods and could worsen as summer travel demand increases.

The European Commission acknowledged that challenges remain but said efforts are continuing to minimise disruption for travellers. It added that, in most airports, the impact has been limited and noted that delays are often linked to shortages of border officers, infrastructure and automated equipment provided by individual member states.

The London-based tobacco group said its Fit2Win program, launched in 2025, is designed to make the company more agile, cost-disciplined and innovative.

The program is expected to deliver around £600 million ($793 million) in annual cost savings by the end of 2028, according to the company.

BAT said the reorganization also includes the transition of around 3,500 roles to strategic partners as the company builds closer ties with technology and business services firms.

Some roles across its Global Service Hubs in Costa Rica, Mexico, Poland, Romania and Malaysia, as well as Supply Network Operations in the UK and Singapore, have transitioned to Accenture under a strategic partnership signed in July 2025.

A select group of roles in Pakistan have moved to Systems Ltd., while BAT has also expanded its partnership with ITC Infotech, transferring relevant information, digital and technology roles in Poland and Romania to the company.

BAT said the changes do not affect the US, which is outside the scope of the program.

Most of the changes have now been confirmed with employees, while remaining consultations are being carried out in line with local information and consultation requirements, the company said.

Chief Executive Tadeu Marroco said the company is building a "future-ready organisation" that is more agile, cost-disciplined and technology-enabled, adding that Fit2Win is central to BAT’s efforts to strengthen operations and improve its ability to compete in a rapidly changing environment.

BAT said the program is already helping improve operational efficiency, speed up decision-making and increase alignment across the group's markets. The company added that it has consolidated its factory network over the past 18 to 24 months as part of a wider review of its manufacturing footprint.

The expansion, from 260,000m² in 2024, comes as London marks Climate Action Week and forms part of wider efforts to make the city greener and more resilient to climate change. Improving the area and quality of wildflower verges across London is an important part of making the capital more sustainable.

New wildflower verges have been introduced at a number of sites in the past year, including along the A10 in Enfield (5,000m²), the A2 in Bexley (2,000m²) and the A217 in Sutton (1,700m²). TfL has also sown wildflower seeds, donated by Butterfly Conservation, near Rotherhithe roundabout on islands that previously had more formally planted areas. These new locations complement existing wildflower verges, some of which are publicly accessible sites that allow people to enjoy green spaces, for example at Redbridge Roundabout via the pedestrian underpass and alongside a shared foot and cycle path by the A40 in Hillingdon.

TfL’s approach to wildflower verges has blossomed since an initial trial on two sites took place in 2019, one alongside the A40 in Hillingdon and one alongside the A406 at Redbridge. By reducing mowing from up to eight times a year to twice annually, and removing grass cuttings, verges are better able to support wildflowers and create richer habitats for wildlife.

This approach creates a supply of nectar, food, and shelter for wildlife, including bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals. Wildflower verges bring additional benefits beyond London's biodiversity as well, including the transfer of carbon dioxide from the air into the soil and reduced carbon emissions from less frequent mowing.

Since 2023, TfL has worked in partnership with the charity Butterfly Conservation to survey the number and types of butterflies appearing across the wildflower verges. In 2025, 118 surveys across 34 sites recorded around 720 butterflies from 22 species, as well as around 100 day-flying moths. Average butterfly sightings increased by more than fifty per cent compared with the previous year.

Under the updated system, families who choose not to pay for reserved seats will receive complimentary seat assignments after check-in. Ryanair said the approach matches the practice followed by most European airlines.

Previously, adults travelling with children had to pay for at least one reserved seat to ensure they were seated together. The fee, usually around £8 per flight, allowed parents to select seats next to up to four children at no extra cost. The CMA questioned whether this effectively required families to pay for seating arrangements that airlines are expected to provide under aviation safety rules.

Ryanair maintained that its previous policy complied with all legal requirements and gave customers the certainty of knowing their seat locations at the time of booking. The airline said the newly introduced free family seats will generally be located toward the rear of the aircraft, while premium front-row seats will remain reserved.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary described the move as a "minor policy tweak" and said the airline was "reluctantly" adopting the industry standard. He criticised the CMA, arguing that Ryanair's previous system was more transparent and consumer-friendly than those used by rival airlines. The company also said the policy change is not expected to affect its revenue.

The CMA welcomed the update but confirmed its investigation remains active. The regulator said it will assess whether the revised policy complies with consumer law while continuing to examine whether families were unfairly charged under the previous system.

Consumer group Which?, which had previously raised concerns over Ryanair's seating charges, welcomed the decision. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said parents should never have been required to pay to sit with their children and that the organisation will monitor how the new policy works in practice to ensure families are seated together free of charge.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 FIFA World Cup - Group Stage - Group L
England 0 , Ghana 0 at Full time
Half Time England 0 , Ghana 0
Venue:
Boston Stadium
Attendance:
63,983

England failed to register a shot on target until the 57th minute and were fortunate at times to avoid falling behind as Ghana exploited gaps in defence.

Seeking a breakthrough, Tuchel introduced Bukayo Saka, whose playing time is being carefully managed because of an Achilles problem, and replaced Jude Bellingham with Morgan Rogers.

Saka immediately added urgency to England's attack, forcing a fine save from Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, while substitute Nico O'Reilly came closest to a winner when his late header struck the crossbar.

Marc Guehi also saw a header cleared off the line as England increased the pressure in the closing stages.

Ghana, however, arguably had the strongest claim late in the match when Prince Kwabena Adu went down under a challenge from Ezri Konsa in the penalty area. Referee and VAR officials waved away appeals despite replays appearing to show the defender made no contact with the ball.

The result leaves England top of Group L but still needing a result against Panama in their final group match to guarantee qualification for the World Cup knockout phase.

Ghana remain in contention for progression after securing a hard-earned point against one of the tournament favourites.

NEXT MATCH

Saturday 27th June

FIFA World Cup - Group L
Panama versus England kick off 22:00
Panama -England

A central feature of the event will be the Salon Privé Concours by Aviva Private Clients, where classic automobiles are judged by an international panel of experts. Organisers said the concours will feature 11 competition classes, including displays dedicated to the Golden Age of Motoring, Bristol Cars, 1980s and 1990s supercars, and grand touring vehicles.

The 2026 edition will also include two new automotive galleries showcasing supercars and hypercars, alongside daily vehicle parades and concours judging.

The event will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2, with the opening of the concours competition. Awards, including class honours and the People’s Choice Award, will be presented on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Friday, Sept. 4, will host Ladies’ Day by Boodles, combining automotive displays with fashion-focused activities, including the Boodles Best Hat Competition.

The weekend programme starts on Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton. Organisers said more than 1,500 privately owned sports cars, supercars and hypercars are expected to participate in displays and judging activities.

The event will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 6, with Supercar Sunday and Lifestyle Clubs Day, bringing together automotive and lifestyle clubs from across the United Kingdom. The Concours de Vente, featuring classic cars offered for sale by specialist dealers, will also return.

In addition to the automotive displays, visitors will have access to the Salon Privé Lifestyle Village, featuring luxury retail exhibitors throughout the week.

Tickets for Salon Privé 2026 start at £60 for general admission, with hospitality packages priced up to £645, according to organisers.

Further information and ticket sales are available at

Salon Privé's official website.

Will schools close during extreme heat?

Some schools in affected areas have already announced early closures or full shutdowns during the hottest periods.

However, there is no legal maximum temperature for classrooms in the UK, and the government does not routinely advise schools to close due to heat. Instead, schools are expected to manage risks locally.

The Department for Education says attendance remains important, while teaching unions recommend indoor temperatures should ideally not exceed 26C.

Head teachers are responsible for risk assessments and may adjust school operations based on conditions, including pupil wellbeing and vulnerability. Any decision to close a school is typically made in consultation with governors or academy trusts.

How schools are responding to the heat

Schools are taking a range of measures to protect pupils during the heatwave, including:

• Relaxing uniform rules, allowing PE kits or lighter clothing
• Adjusting school start and finish times
• Moving lessons to cooler areas
• Reducing strenuous physical activity during PE lessons
• Improving ventilation and monitoring indoor air quality

UK health guidance also advises that windows may need to be closed later in the day if outside air becomes hotter than indoors. Fans are not recommended when temperatures exceed 35C.

How can parents help children stay cool?

Parents are being encouraged to support children with simple heat safety steps, such as:

• Wearing light, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing
• Using sun protection and hats where appropriate
• Bringing and regularly drinking water
• Applying sunscreen before and during the school day if required

Can you keep your child off school due to heat?

If a school remains open, official guidance is that children should attend as normal.

The government says school attendance is essential for learning and development, and heat alone is not considered a valid reason to stay at home.

Do you have to work in a heatwave?

There is no legal maximum workplace temperature in the UK. However, employers must comply with health and safety laws and ensure working conditions are “reasonable” and safe.

Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says employers should maintain comfortable temperatures and ensure access to fresh air and hydration.

Advisory body Acas states that, in most cases, employees are expected to follow their contracts and work with employers to manage heat-related risks.

Only in rare and extreme situations might workplace closure or refusal to work be considered appropriate.

What employers can do during extreme heat

Employers are encouraged to take practical steps, including:

• Allowing flexible working or remote work where possible
• Adjusting dress codes
• Increasing breaks and access to cold drinks
• Using fans or air conditioning where appropriate
• Moving staff to cooler areas of the workplace

For home workers, guidance includes keeping blinds closed during the day and improving airflow during cooler hours.

Outdoor and travel disruptions

Outdoor workers face higher risks during extreme heat. The HSE recommends rescheduling tasks, increasing rest breaks, providing shade, and ensuring constant access to water.

Transport disruption is also possible. High temperatures can affect rail lines and overhead power systems.

Network Rail has urged passengers to avoid non-essential travel during red warning periods. National Highways advises carrying extra water and avoiding travel during peak heat where possible.

The RAC has also warned drivers without air conditioning to reconsider non-essential journeys until conditions improve.

Living on a cramped 28-foot rowing boat with zero luxury, zero plumbing, and a relentless shifting schedule of two hours of rowing followed by two hours of sleep, the team expects to spend between 80 to 100 days at sea. They will navigate some of the globe’s most hostile marine environments, battling 40-foot swells, intense tropical heat, and absolute psychological isolation.

As part of their final technical preparations, the crew has successfully been putting their life-saving technical kit through its paces, including fine-tuning their watermaker desalinator system using real ocean water during preliminary open-water sea trials to ensure total self-sufficiency at sea.

Beyond breaking world records, the expedition is a vital platform for global brain health awareness, tackling the issue from the frontlines to the research labs through two chosen charities:

• Immediate Trauma Support: The crew is raising vital funds for Rock2Recovery, an organisation dedicated to saving lives by providing fast, non-clinical change management coaching to veterans, emergency services first responders, and their families dealing with the devastating effects of profound stress, PTSD, and mental health trauma.
• Pioneering Medical Research: The team is simultaneously backing Race Against Dementia (RAD), an organisation that drives global research by funding early-career scientists across leading institutions in the UK, US, Australia, South Africa, and Europe. With dementia currently standing as the leading cause of death in Australia, funding will directly support world-class researchers on the ground at The University of Sydney, Macquarie University (Sydney), Flinders University (Adelaide), and The University of Melbourne.

Crucially, the team is bringing a global audience along for the journey. Partnering with Learn Live, the crew will stream live video chats directly from the water into classrooms worldwide via an onboard Starlink system, capitalising on real-time data to inspire the next generation through STEM and geography.

With less than a week remaining until the optimal weather window opens for their departure, the team is operating with absolute focus and readiness.

Billy Taylor, crew member, commented:

*"We are incredibly excited to be entering the final countdown for the start line. The Indian Ocean is unpredictable and terrifying, but our team is ready. Testing our vital survival equipment and undertaking final sea trials brings us face-to-face with the reality of the next 90 days.

Our campaign is entirely about brain health and resilience. We are incredibly proud to be backing Rock2Recovery to ensure veterans and first responders get the immediate, critical trauma coaching they need to survive dark times. At the same time, we are supporting Race Against Dementia's incredible global network of scientists, including brilliant local researchers at Sydney, Macquarie, Flinders, and Melbourne universities. We are doing our final tweaks, dialling in our focus, and we cannot wait to push off."*

In recent weeks, coverage has been introduced in the tunnelled sections on the Bakerloo line between Queen’s Park and Edgware Road, plus on the Metropolitan line between Euston Square and King’s Cross St Pancras as well as between Barbican and Moorgate. The Circle and District lines have also gained coverage between Cannon Street and Monument, Sloane Square and Victoria, and Bayswater and Paddington.

All four major mobile network operators (Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2)) are taking part in the rollout, as part of the Mayor and TfL's commitment to bring mobile connectivity to the whole of London's transport network. Having access to high-speed mobile coverage means customers can stay connected as they travel around the Tube to shop, meet friends or visit the city’s many theatres, restaurants and bars. It also means that they can access real-time service updates and plan their journeys while travelling using TfL Go, London’s official travel app.

The expanding coverage will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) - which, when fully operational, will be able to give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

As well as tunnelled sections, busy stations including Vauxhall, Temple, Nine Elms and Gloucester Road have all now gone live. Mobile coverage has also begun to be introduced at major stations like King's Cross St Pancras, Victoria and Paddington, which will go live in phases due to their size and complexity, focusing initially on ticket halls and platforms.

Hundreds of engineers are regularly working through the night to introduce mobile coverage to more sections of the Tube, delivering the project during the limited overnight engineering hours on the Tube network. The vast majority of the Northern, Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines will have coverage in the tunnels by the end of summer this year.

As well as delivering coverage on the Tube, TfL and Boldyn are also working to introduce coverage to sections of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) that are under-ground, as well as the Windrush line between Highbury & Islington and New Cross

The crew—comprising Billy Taylor, Lara Vafiadis, Susannah Cass, and Glyn Roberts—is aiming to smash two historic World Records: becoming the first mixed crew and the first women to ever successfully complete this specific continent-to-continent crossing by human power alone.

The line-up brings together distinct backgrounds from across the UK:

• Billy Taylor kicks off the crew line-up, bringing extensive ocean-rowing and maritime expertise to the team. Co-Owner of the Atlantic Dash Rowing Race
• Lara Vafiadis, representing Herefordshire and Worcestershire, brings proven ocean endurance to the water, having previously completed a solo Atlantic row in 2023.
• Susannah Cass is a University of Cambridge alumna with a passion for the natural world. She has completed two previous ocean crossings, becoming the first woman to row across the Atlantic from Europe to South America. Plus she's the proud owner of 3 Blue Peter Badges.
• Glyn Roberts hails proudly from the North East and is an ex-Royal Air Force officer, bringing critical military discipline, logistics and operational experience under high stress.

Living on a cramped 28-foot rowing boat with zero luxury or plumbing, the team expects to spend between 80 to 100 days at sea. They will navigate some of the world’s most hostile marine environments, battling 40-foot swells, intense tropical heat, and absolute isolation, whilst rowing a relentless schedule of two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours a day.

Lessons from the Ocean: Streaming Live into Classrooms

Crucially, the team is taking the next generation along for the ride. Partnering with Learn Live UK, an educational platform reaching over 3,000 schools, the crew will use their onboard satellite systems to host live video chats directly from the water into UK classrooms. This world-first educational link will engage thousands of students in real-world STEM lessons, geography, and ocean conservation, showing young people the true power of human resilience.

Vital Scientific Research at Sea

Beyond the extreme physical trial, the Brainwaves vessel will serve as an active platform for vital environmental and medical research. The crew will carry out onboard scientific data collection throughout the 5,500-mile crossing, including sampling for microplastic pollution to map ocean health, alongside tracking data to study how the human brain and body adapt to intense isolation, extreme trauma, and sleep deprivation.

A £500,000 Mission for Brain Health and Recovery

The overarching mission of the Brainwaves expedition is to raise a staggering £500,000 for two charities at the forefront of brain health and recovery:

• Race Against Dementia: Funding breakthrough global research to fast-track a cure for dementia.
• Rock2Recovery: Providing vital, fast-turnaround mental health support for veterans, first responders, and their families battling PTSD and severe anxiety.

With just days remaining before the boat leaves land, the expedition is making a final call to technology partners and corporate sponsors who want to join Evolution Capital on a global stage and back a historic British world-first.

According to the newly launched Enfield Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy there were 6,282 domestic abuse incidents in the borough in the year ending March 2022...

Enfield Council Cllr Gina Needs, said: "We are committed to making Enfield a borough where everyone can live free of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

Enfield Council Councillor (Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion at ) Gina Needs, said: "We are committed to making Enfield a borough where everyone can live free of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. “This funding will enable us to continue and develop our work in holding perpetrators to account and engaging them in behaviour change interventions while supporting survivors and improving multi-agency working. I congratulate the team on their work in securing this important support.“We look forward to working with our partners and other boroughs to deliver this programme and make a positive impact on our communities."

The funding for the CIFA programme has been provided by the Home Office and the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime. 

London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, said: “At City Hall, we’re determined to end violence against women and girls once and for all, and through the Mayor’s refreshed strategy, we are putting the onus on men to change their behaviour.“This includes investing over £15m in programmes focused on addressing and changing the behaviour of perpetrators of abuse, to protect those at risk from violence and help build a safer London for all.

”This will address the borough’s needs and aligns with the Mayor’s VAWG Strategy, and local VAWG strategic aims, aiming to encourage abusers to change their behaviours and reduce reoffending, through perpetrator interventions and prevention.  The nine other boroughs are Brent, Harrow, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, Barnet, Hammersmith & Fulham, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster.To download a copy of Enfield Council’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2023-2025 please visit: website.