Month: July 2026

Fifty years ago, in 1976, the median age of the global population was just under 21 years. That means of the 4.1 billion people on Earth at the time, about half were younger than 21 and half were older. Today the median age is 31, and by 2050 the United Nations projects it will reach 36. The typical human being is steadily getting older.

What is the replacement rate?

The engine of that change is fertility. Demographers measure it using the total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime at current birth rates. The figure that matters most is the replacement rate, generally put at about 2.1 births per woman. That is the level at which a generation exactly replaces itself, keeping the population stable over the long run without immigration. The slight margin above two accounts for children who do not survive to adulthood.

The global fertility rate today is about 2.2, barely above replacement and down from approximately five in the 1960s. The United Nations expects it to reach the replacement level around the middle of this century and to keep falling after that. More than half of all countries are already below replacement, including China, the United States, India, Japan and most of Europe.

In practical terms, a fertility rate below replacement means that, over time, each generation is smaller than the one before it. Fewer babies today means fewer working-age adults tomorrow, and a growing share of retirees supported by a shrinking workforce. That is the pressure now facing pension systems, health services and labour markets from Italy to South Korea. It is why population ageing, more than raw numbers, is becoming the defining demographic story of the century.

Buckingham Palace says Prince Harry will not be staying at the palace for part of his visit to London this week, despite his team announcing this morning that he had accepted an invitation to do so.

Royal sources say the duke had not formally responded to the offer of accommodation at a royal residence by the deadline, which was the end of last week, and was told over the weekend that he could no longer stay at Buckingham Palace.

It is understood that the palace requires a minimum notice period to ensure a guest can be hosted and staff from the Royal Household provided.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry said that despite their earlier statement they understood that the offer to stay at the palace had now been “withdrawn” – a decision they described as “disappointing”.

In Buckingham Palace’s version of events, there was an offer for Prince Harry to stay at the palace, but the Sussex team had failed to confirm whether to accept and had then declined.

According to the Palace, the Duke’s team accepted to stay there later, but it was too late to make arrangements.

The Palace says that this decision was communicated to Prince Harry.

There were also concerns about the prince staying in the palace when a court result about his claims against Associated Newspapers was being published on Tuesday.

In response, a spokesman for the Duke of Sussex described the situation differently, claiming Buckingham Palace had withdrawn an offer that had been formally accepted.

The Sussex version of events said that the timing of the court case result was already known last week and rejected it as being a factor.

“It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment,” said the spokesman for the Duke of Sussex.

This acrimonious war of words is a row that shows how much distrust and poor communication exists between the two camps – the Sussex team and Buckingham Palace.

Both sides are putting out contradictory versions of the invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace – with no sign of either side accepting the other’s account.

This could make a meeting between King Charles and Prince Harry, which had been expected this week, even more complicated.

David Kelly was flown home but could not be saved

A man has died after a holiday in Turkey when he suddenly fell seriously ill hours before flying home. David Kelly was at the airport when his health rapidly deteriorated.

Within hours, the joiner was rushed into intensive care and placed in an induced coma. He was kept alive on life support as he fought for his life miles from home. His devoted wife, Dawn, remained at his bedside in a Turkish hospital for four weeks.

A fundraiser set up with the permission of David’s family said: “What was meant to be a relaxing holiday in Turkey turned into a nightmare that none of us could have imagined. Just hours before his flight home, David suddenly became seriously unwell at the airport.

“Within a matter of hours, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was rushed to intensive care. Placed into an induced coma and kept alive by life support, David was fighting for his life thousands of miles from home.

“For four long weeks, his devoted wife, Dawn, remained by his side in a Turkish hospital, never leaving him as he battled with incredible strength and courage.”

David, from Barrhead, Renfrewshire, was eventually repatriated on 8 June aboard a specialist flying intensive care unit. He was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

The fundraiser said he continued his fight while receiving “outstanding care” from hospital staff. But David sadly died peacefully on 18 June surrounded by his family. The fundraiser added: “Despite everyone’s best efforts, our warrior David passed away peacefully on 18 June, surrounded by his loving family.”

His family later announced the devastating news through his business’ Facebook page, Barrhead Joinery. They said: “We would like to share the devastating news that sadly after fighting as hard as he could, our lovable, amazing David Kelly passed away on Thursday 18 June.

“Barrhead Joinery will now cease trading, as a family we’d like to thank you all for the work you all have given David over the years. Lots of love from his wife Dawn and daughters Gemma & Sophie.”

David was described as a much-loved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. The fundraiser said: “He was someone who was always there to lend a hand, offer support, and put others before himself. Now it is our turn to be there for those he loved most.”

Tributes have also poured in from members of the local community. Noreen McHugh wrote: “I am devastated to hear this sad news about Davie. He was an excellent professional who I counted on over the years.

“But upmost a wonderful human being who was always friendly and honest. My sincerest condolences to you and your daughters. A huge loss for you all. RIP Davie, you will be sorely missed.”

Another person added: “So sorry to hear this very sad news. David did some work for me when I moved into my home in Newton Mearns some years ago. Such a lovely, lovely man. Sending you all my heartfelt condolences. x”

A fundraiser has been launched to help ease the financial impact of David’s emergency medical treatment abroad and specialist repatriation. Money raised will also support Dawn and the family, help with funeral expenses and fund donations to Kidney Research UK and the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The appeal said the donations would recognise the “exceptional care and compassion” shown to David and his family.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office issued a travel warning on Monday following an incident in Rotterdam that has caused disruption for the past six days

Eurostar passengers heading to Europe had their trips disrupted by a fire.

Eurostar services between the UK and the Netherlands have been severely disrupted following a fire near Rotterdam Central station. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office issued a travel warning on Monday following last week’s blaze.

Last Monday, multiple London–Amsterdam services were canceled after a fire broke out in a cable duct near Rotterdam Stadion. It caused a major power failure that shut down rail traffic south of Rotterdam.

“Completely messed up my travel plans, ended up getting the ferry,” one unlucky customer who got caught up in the disruption wrote online. Another added: “We had to take the coach to Brussels. I hope we will get our refund.”

The outage disabled signaling and switch systems between Rotterdam Centraal and destinations, including Dordrecht and Breda

“Eurostar services between the UK and the Netherlands are severely disrupted following a fire near Rotterdam Central station,” the FCDO statement issued this morning read.

“Eurostar has advised that they expect trains to be disrupted until at least 6 July 2026. Travel times are expected to be significantly longer due to trains having to take alternative routes due to fire damage and trains between London and Amsterdam will not stop in Rotterdam.

“If you are planning to travel between the UK and the Netherlands, check the latest information with your travel operator before you travel and the latest updates on the Eurostar website.”

Passengers are warned to check with their booking operator before they travel between the UK and the Netherlands.

A statement from the rail firm reads: “Due to fire damage to the railway near Rotterdam, we expect our trains to be disrupted until at least 6 July 2026. Trains running between London and Amsterdam will not stop at Rotterdam and trains running between France/Belgium and Amsterdam will not stop at Schiphol or Rotterdam.

“As these trains need to take an alternative route around the damaged area, journey times will be significantly longer, and seat availability is very limited. We expect the disruption to last until at least 06 July 2026. We apologise for the inconvenience the situation has caused.”

The update comes after the Foreign Office has issued fresh travel advice for Brits heading to Greece. In the update on Thursday, July 2, the FCDO warned that “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Greece.”

While there is no current advice against travel to Greece for British holidaymakers, the FCDO said that “attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.”

The FCDO outlined: “There have been several attacks involving explosives and automatic weapons against Greek institutions, shopping malls, banks, media offices, diplomatic premises and the police.”

One tragic attack took place on Wednesday, July 1, which saw “three improvised incendiary device attacks against the residential properties of Greek political figures killed one person, with four others being injured.”

Gardeners’ World star Adam Frost has been a familiar face on the BBC show for years, but there is one garden design request he simply can’t bring himself to carry out.

Adam Frost has disclosed he knocked back one individual’s gardening request.

BBC favourite Adam Frost, who has featured on Gardeners’ World since 2016, revealed there’s one peculiar item he cannot stand in people’s outdoor areas.

Making an appearance on the most recent instalment of Sunday Brunch (July 5), he chatted with Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer regarding his new podcast alongside Caitlin Moran.

Yet during their chat, Tim pointed out that Adam harbours a loathing for outdoor chess boards, with the BBC presenter confirming this.

He responded: “The massive, plastic chess sets. You go to a hotel, or even people put them in their garden!”

“They pave a huge area, and they have these plastic chess pieces that slowly change colour. Really, kids just use them to attack each other.

“If you want to play chess in your garden, buy a board, a set, take it out into the garden around a table with a nice drink. Civilised. Don’t do that plastic, no.”

While Tim suggested it’s an ‘immersive experience’ having the pieces exceptionally oversized, Adam was swift to dismiss this, reports the Express.

He continued: “That’s not immersive! How is that immersive? No. It’s a complete and utter waste of space.”

When swimmer Mark Foster queried whether it might resemble a form of artwork in a garden, Adam appeared utterly bewildered by the notion.

The Gardeners’ World presenter went on: “I can remember, first doing a landscape job very early on when I had a small landscape company and someone wanted me to lay a checkerboard paving pattern in their back garden.

“I refused, very politely. I just couldn’t do it. It’s just a no.”

This follows Adam’s candid reflections on the bittersweet nature of relocating, which took place towards the end of last year.

The BBC presenter recently returned to his previous home, which has since been taken over by a new couple.

Adam described the conflicting feelings that come with leaving behind a cherished garden as he said: ” I walked around with them [the new couple] and they are absolutely loving it.

“And I think that’s a great thing to hold on to, is the fact that maybe you’ve just left somebody else a whole load of joy.”

Sunday Brunch airs on Sundays on Channel 4 from 10am.

Heathrow Airport has issued a reminder to travellers

A major UK airport has issued a reminder to travellers ahead of what is anticipated to be an exceptionally busy summer period for international travel.

Hundreds of thousands of people transit through Heathrow Airport daily, and a message on the airport’s official X account is encouraging those with upcoming trips to “just remember”. The social media post reads: “With over 100 touchless water stations at Heathrow, you’re never too far from staying hydrated. Just remember to empty your reusable metal or double-walled water bottle before security, and top it up before you fly.”

Heathrow scrapped the 100ml rule earlier this year, meaning travellers passing through the nation’s largest airport can now keep liquids in containers up to two litres in their bags while going through security, following the completion of its deployment of new advanced CT scanners.

Electronics such as laptops can also remain in luggage, while transparent plastic bags for liquids are no longer required. The regulation change only applies to departures from Heathrow, and travellers must verify restrictions on baggage at the airports they are flying back from before boarding flights to the UK.

Back in January a DfT spokesperson said: “Heathrow is the latest UK airport to complete its rollout of next-generation security equipment for passengers, helping ensure security checks remain robust and can be completed smoothly.

“Airports are responsible for the installation and operation of security equipment. Passengers should continue to check security requirements with airports before they travel and come prepared with liquids in containers no larger than 100ml in hand baggage unless advised otherwise.”

Foxconn’s (FXCOF) June revenue surged 52.11% year-over-year, and it forecast a growth outlook for the third quarter but cautioned about a “volatile global political and economic situation.”

The company saw a record second quarter revenue, which also beat analysts expectations, on ​strong demand

There is one overriding question many people are now asking. How?

Fifa’s disciplinary code states that Balogun should receive a ban of “at least two matches for serious foul play”.

Indeed, the World Cup rules do not allow teams to appeal against a red card.

Fifa’s statement offered no reason or explanation for suspending Balogun’s ban. It just cited “article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code”.

Article 27 allows Fifa “to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”.

It is a wide-ranging rule that allows Fifa to effectively make whatever decision it wants without having to meet any other criteria.

Article 27 has never before been used at a World Cup.

In addition, Balogun’s suspended ban is only for one match, not two as per the disciplinary code. This has not been explained.

BBC Sport has asked why this happened.

But we were not provided with any reasoning. We were simply directed to Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspended ban before this tournament.

Under Fifa’s disciplinary code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia – but the remaining two games of the ban were suspended.

Ronaldo’s red card, though, was received in qualifying. It was not a red card at a World Cup.

There have been many cases of players being shown some leniency before a tournament, not just Ronaldo.

See France’s Laurent Koscielny in 2014, or Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi before this World Cup.

At least with Ronaldo, we were given some justification, with Fifa saying it had taking into account that “he had no red cards in his other 225 international appearances”.

With Balogun, we did not even get that.

It has left a vacuum of information which can only lead to speculation.

Why was this a special case? What factors were taken into account? Who made the decision?

BBC Sport has been told there are no suggestions that the referee asked for the suspension to be removed, or that video assistant referee protocol was not respected.

In England, the Football Association would publish the full written reasons.

The United States have the right to ask Fifa to publish them, Belgium do not.

BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards, a former England defender, said it was a farce.

“To have it suspended for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament,” he said.

“It is to keep the big stars in the competition. How can that happen? Fifa needs to do better.

“It has left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths.”

Belgium are, of course, furious. They issued a statement on Sunday saying they were “astonished” that Balogun had been cleared to play.

The Belgian FA referenced several regulations, workshop presentations and pre-tournament co-ordination meetings.

They are adamant that the decision contradicts the tournament regulations which state that a player “will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match”.

In effect, they say Fifa used its disciplinary code to override the competition regulations.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, speaking at a news conference, went further. He said: “I didn’t know that [at] the Fifa World Cup 5 July is now 1 April, and that is April Fool’s.

“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we’re defending football.”

What must the other players sent off at this tournament be thinking?

Take Qatar’s Assim Madibo, involved in an unfortunate incident which led to a broken leg for Canada’s midfielder Ismael Kone.

There is a clear case here that Madibo did not even make a challenge, that the injury happened by chance and not because of the nature of the tackle.

Yet Fifa handed Madibo a five-game ban – an extra three on top of the standard punishment for serious foul play.

The former theme park has remained vacant since it closed in 2016, but plans to transform the site into a ‘Center Parcs-by-the-sea’ style holiday resort with a Lidl supermarket have been recommended for approval

A theme park that was shuttered back in October 2016 and has been left abandoned ever since could be given a new lease of life in new holiday park plans that have been dubbed “Center Parcs-by-the-sea”.

Pleasure Island in the seaside town of Cleethorpes opened in 1993, and in its heyday it was much loved by locals and tourists thanks to its selection of 50 rides, live shows, and family-friendly entertainment.

After being closed, most of the rides were sold off, and the land has lain abandoned, with only a few rotting buildings and rusting structures giving away that this was once a vibrant attraction. However, there are now plans to redevelop the former Pleasure Island site into a £70million complex featuring a Lidl superstore, hotels and holiday park.

The plans have been put forward for approval by council officers. The proposal for the 60-acre location is expected to generate approximately 400 jobs for the local area, with a further 400 during the construction period. An application to overhaul the disused theme park was originally lodged in January 2023. Environmental assessments, flood risk evaluations and ecological impact studies have needed to be completed before councillors could fully consider the scheme.

At North East Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, July 8, councillors will be urged to support the plan, subject to conditions.

The site changed hands six years ago, with developers unveiling their ambition for a “Center Parcs by the sea” featuring 272 lodges, hotels, restaurants and retail units with car parking. Lidl GB Ltd, YPG Fab2 ltd, Seaside Getaways and Church Lane Humberston Ltd sought permission in January 2023 to demolish the site and establish the new holiday centre, Lidl superstore and hotels, reports Grimsby Live.

The agent, Lichfields, based in Leeds, has put forward plans to clear the theme park site of the remaining structures and replace them with a large Lidl store and garden centre. The total size of the site within the proposal is around 60 acres.

Pleasure Island covered approximately 25 acres. Two hotels are proposed for the site, one boasting 58 rooms and another offering 148 rooms, both standing at five storeys tall. A drive-thru coffee shop, widely expected to be a Costa, features in the application, alongside a reception area serving 272 lodges, which will offer holiday accommodation ranging from two to four bedrooms.

Retail units and a cycle hire centre are also part of the plans. A lake remains at the heart of the site, and developers are keen to build an anglers’ hub beside it, complete with toilets, lockers and changing facilities for fishing enthusiasts.

Councillors gathered at Grimsby Town Hall to consider objections raised by rival retailers Tesco and Aldi, as well as local residents who have flagged concerns over traffic and the potential impact on wildlife. However, a significant number of people have voiced their support for the development, citing job creation, a boost to tourism and the removal of a long-standing eyesore from the area.

In a report presented to councillors, officials said: “It is considered in principle that a large proportion of the scheme, if not all of it, would support tourism and the visitor economy, in line with the policy aims, widening the choice and availability of such uses as a comprehensive scheme.

“The main site and overflow car park have been vacant for many years since the unfortunate closure of Pleasure Island in 2016. The main site has a derelict appearance which is now beginning to degrade the character and appearance on this key route through the resort.”

The comprehensive planning application report examined the ecological impact alongside access and traffic concerns, but found no serious or harmful effects.

Officials also evaluated the impact of expanding the Meridian Showground, situated next to the proposed holiday development. The Showground may soon accommodate crowds of up to 15,000 people and draw more prominent musical acts.

The noise assessment determined there would be no adverse impact on residents of the lodges or hotels. They described the proposal as “an effective use of the land” and stated it would “contribute to the local economy and the vitality of the resort.”

Adrian Smith, Director of Church Lane Humberston Limited, which is spearheading the development, told Grimsby Live: “We’re delighted that the proposal has been recommended for approval and has reached Committee stage.

“Together with our partners Lidl UK, and with great thanks to planning consultants Lichfields and to Cheryl Jarvis who heads NELC’s planning team, we are thrilled that the recommendation for approval of this £70m project, which will create nearly 400 jobs in the local market and provide an unprecedented boost to the local economy is nearer to delivery.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Mexico’s World Cup dream ended with a thrilling 3-2 loss to England in the Round of 16, but many of the host nation’s fans celebrated their team despite the loss.

ONE of Meghan Markle’s Suits co-stars has debuted a dramatic appearance change, with new hair and a slimmed down physique.

The actor, 56, snapped an ‘after photo’ of his transformation and shared it on Instagram.

In the new picture, Rick Hoffman is standing in front of a mirror clicking a selfie.

The actor is wearing a smart white buttoned down shirt and suit trousers, and finished off the look with a belt that hugs his smaller waist.

Rick also appears to have thicker hair than the signature shaved look he debuted before on the show.

The star was nonchalant about his return, writing over the snap: “Been a min.”

MEG-A FUN

Meghan Markle playfully pouts for camera in unseen photo from Suits rehearsals

LITT UP

All you need to know about Suits star Rick Hoffman otherwise known as Louis Litt

Rick’s fans took to the post’s comments section to compliment his transformation, with one user saying: “You look terrific! Congratulations.”

A second shared: “Wow you’re looking very dapper.”

A third added: “Wow I didn’t recognise him for a sec.”

Rick is known for playing the role of Louis Litt in all nine seasons of Suits.

Louis is a savvy corporate attorney with a Harvard education who starts off as someone rather insecure and erratic on the show.

However, as seasons progress he matures into both a compassionate leader and a father.

Other shows that Rick has appeared in include The Bernie Mac Show, The Mentalist and Billions.

Meghan played the role of Rachel Zane during her seven seasons on Suits.

She left the show before season eight to focus on her transition into the royal family and her relationship with Prince Harry.

Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has agreed to five-year contract extension worth $36 million with the Ducks, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Ducks didn’t announce the financial terms of their deal through the 2030-31 season with the 22-year-old Mintyukov. The promising Russian blueliner was a restricted free agent this summer after recording 17 goals and 52 assists over 204 games in his first three NHL seasons.

The Ducks belatedly got this pricier-than-expected deal done with one of their most important young players only two days after they blundered into a precarious situation with their cornerstone center.

Leo Carlsson signed a five-year, $90-million offer sheet with Philadelphia last Friday, which means the 21-year-old Swede is likely to be the NHL’s highest-paid player next season for the Flyers or for the Ducks, who can match the offer or receive four first-round draft picks as compensation. Anaheim must decide by Friday.

Either way, the development is a public embarrassment for Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, whose antagonistic, foot-dragging attitude in negotiations with his young core finally cost him dearly.

Either he will lose one of the NHL’s top young centers, or Carlsson will eat up much more of his salary cap room than would have been necessary if Verbeek had done a deal at any point in the past year. Carlsson’s front-loaded, $18-million-per-year offer from the Flyers is much more than he was expected to receive, and more than Carlsson had already said he would accept.

Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale all held out in recent years when Verbeek’s hardline tactics dragged the negotiations into training camp — and while they all eventually signed, Verbeek has since traded all three young players.

Mintyukov’s deal was worth more than he was expected to get by most NHL observers, but the Ducks didn’t say whether another team had signed Mintyukov to an offer sheet. No NHL team immediately announced it had used the same tactic with Mintyukov that Flyers general manager Daniel Briere is using to attempt to sign Carlsson.

Verbeek also must still sign breakout star Cutter Gauthier, who scored 41 goals for the Ducks last season before reaching restricted free agency.

Anaheim still has enough cap room to do a deal with Gauthier, who isn’t eligible to receive an offer sheet from another team. But the combined size of these now-inflated deals for Mintyukov, Gauthier and likely Carlsson means Verbeek won’t have any room to make additional improvements to his roster, and will almost certainly have to offload salary.

Verbeek also has lost four key defensemen — captain Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger — in the past month while adding only journeyman Nick Jensen as a probable replacement.

Verbeek’s mistakes have dampened the good feelings coming off an impressive season by the Ducks, who ended their seven-year playoff drought and then eliminated the back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in the first round with an exciting young core under coach Joel Quenneville.

Mintyukov was the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft. While he has the potential to become an elite two-way defenseman, he hasn’t yet developed the consistency or the scoring acumen to match the size of his contract extension.

Beacham writes for the Associated Press.

Countries raise concerns after Chinese military test-launches ballistic missile from submarine in the Pacific Ocean.

China has test-fired a missile from a nuclear submarine that landed in “designated waters” in the Pacific Ocean, state news agency Xinhua reports, drawing criticism and concerns from Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The Chinese navy test-launched the long-range ballistic missile at 12:01pm (04:01 GMT) on Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific, Xinhua reported.

Xinhua said the test was a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual military training and was not directed at any specific target.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that China had notified the government of plans to conduct a sea-based missile test into the Pacific but said the action was “destabilising” to the region.

“Australia has been clear that this proposed test is in the context of a rapid military build-up by China, which is lacking in the transparency and reassurance as to intent that the region expects,” Wong told reporters at a news conference in the Fijian capital, Suva.

Japan’s government said it was notified of the missile launch and had urged China to reconsider.

“We expressed our grave concern over the Chinese military’s increased activity,” the government said, adding that Japan’s coastguard had been notified on Sunday by ⁠Chinese authorities about falling space debris that could fall within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch within hours of it taking place.

“New Zealand considers this an unwelcome and concerning development. We, like our neighbours in other ‌Pacific countries, have no interest in China using the South Pacific as a testing site for missile capability,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.

Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out.

Who: Portugal vs Spain
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Where: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, the United States
When: Monday, July 6, at 2pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream.

A clash of generations awaits on Monday as ageing football star Cristiano Ronaldo goes up against teen prodigy Lamine Yamal in the World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain.

The “Iberian derby” marks a rematch of last year’s UEFA Nations League final, which Portugal won by beating European champions Spain on penalties.

Yet, it is not Portugal who are the favourites for this meeting in Dallas. After squeezing their way into the last-16 and a tumultuous run in the group stage, Ronaldo and his side face an uphill task to outshine Spain’s new golden generation.

Since a shock goalless draw in the opening game, Spain have grown into the tournament, and their slick playmaking coupled with solid defence makes them frontrunners to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years.

Al Jazeera tells you everything about Portugal vs Spain, a battle of the two pre-tournament favourites:

How did Portugal and Spain reach the round of 16?

Portugal came second in Group J with five points, thrashing Uzbekistan and being held to draws by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia. In the round of 32, they controversially scraped past Croatia, bouncing back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Spain topped Group H with seven points, beating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and being held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde. In the round of 32, they stormed past Austria 3-0. La Roja are unbeaten in their last 34 matches (W25 D9), one shy of equalling their longest-ever unbeaten run of 35 set between February 2007 and June 2009.

Ronaldo’s last dance?

At age 41, fading forward Ronaldo is still Portugal’s most influential player, not because of his prowess on the pitch but his larger-than-life status off of it. Though he still demands attention in a supremely talented team while contributing less on the pitch, it is safe to say Ronaldo’s once explosive powers are in decline.

Heading into the tournament, there was always speculation about his future, with the 2026 World Cup possibly his last. While Ronaldo – the second-oldest player at the tournament – has fended off questions about what’s next, his sister said he would retire from national duty at the end of the World Cup.

That makes each one of Portugal’s knockout games more intense – if they lose, it could bring down the curtain on Ronaldo’s international career.

From club to country, Ronaldo has won several trophies in a decorated career over the years, but if Portugal fall to Spain, his glittering collection will remain incomplete without the shiny, golden World Cup trophy.

‘World Cup starts now’: Yamal

After a hamstring injury threatened to derail Yamal’s debut World Cup campaign, the 18-year-old winger has stepped up and is slowly stealing the spotlight in North America.

A man-of-the-match performance in Spain’s first tournament knockout win over Austria highlighted the talented youngster’s impact, two years on from his dazzling display that helped Spain win Euro 2024.

“I want to advance through the rounds and win with Spain,” said Yamal. “We aren’t afraid of any team. We are Spain.”

“The World Cup starts now.”

Yamal has bagged one goal so far, while Mikel Oyarzabal leads the team’s scoring chart with four. Spain ‌are ‌unbeaten in 34 matches and chasing their second World Cup title, 16 years after their first in South Africa in 2010.

Portugal vs Spain prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives Spain a 49.2 percent likelihood of winning in regulation time, while Portugal’s chances of winning are 25.6 percent.

The model estimates a 25.2 percent probability of the game going to extra time.

Portugal vs Spain: Kickoff time, TV channels

• Portugal: RTP1, SPORT.TV5, LiveModeTV, RTP Play  (8pm, Western European Summer Time)
• Spain:  (9pm, Central European Summer Time)
• United Kingdom: BBC One, BBC iPlayer (8pm, British Summer Time)
• United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (3pm, Eastern Daylight Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listing schedule here.

Who will the winner face in the quarterfinals?

The winner of the Portugal vs Spain match will face either the USA or Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles in the US on Friday, July 10.

Portugal vs Spain: Head-to-head

There has been little to separate Portugal and Spain across their five previous meetings at major tournaments, with each side winning once and the remaining three matches ending in draws.

That includes their most recent World Cup meeting, a 3-3 draw in 2018, in which Ronaldo scored a hat-trick.

In the all-time head-to-head, the teams have played 41 times, with Spain winning 18 times, Portugal seven times, and the sides playing out 16 draws.

Portugal will take confidence from having defeated Spain, albeit in a shootout, in their most recent meeting in the UEFA Nations League final in June 2025.

Portugal vs Spain: Team news

Spain’s Nico Williams is out with a hamstring injury. No issues are reported in the Portugal camp.

Portugal’s predicted lineup

(4-2-3-1): Costa (goalkeeper); Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo

Spain’s predicted lineup

(4-2-3-1): Simon (goalkeeper); Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal

This village in the Cotswolds has been named the world’s most beautiful village in a Forbes-featured ranking, with its honey-slicked cottages and River Coln setting beating Mediterranean destinations

Travel lovers have awarded this charming village with cobbled streets a top spot as the most picturesque village on the planet.

Now a thriving tourist destination, Forbes crowned the Cotswolds settlement as the most beautiful village in the world, giving Mediterranean coastal hotspots a real run for their money.

While England has no shortage of stunning landscapes, from the rugged beauty of the Lake District to the sweeping coastlines of Cornwall, the Cotswolds continues to attract visitors from across the globe with its fairytale villages and quintessentially English charm.

Yet it’s one particular village that has truly made a name for itself. Forbes, in partnership with Unforgettable Travel Company, revealed the 50 most stunning villages in the world — and placed Bibury firmly at the top.

The publication wrote: “Bibury unfurls like a watercolour dream-where honey-slicked cottages line Arlington Row; their mossy roofs whispering tales of 14th-century weavers. The River Coln murmurs gently here-weaving through golden buttercups and forget-me-nots, while plump ducks paddle lazily beneath canopies of willow.”

Visitors travel from all corners of the globe to admire these honey-coloured cottages and sweeping willow trees, located just a 15-minute drive outside of Cirencester. However, locals are increasingly vocal about the issue of overtourism, as thousands descend upon the tiny village during peak season.

Residents are calling for greater action to preserve the peaceful and intimate atmosphere that makes the area so beloved in the first place. Nestled on the banks of the River Coln, Bibury is steeped in history and natural beauty, with the cottages on Arlington Row dating back as far as 1380.

Today, the village’s character is safeguarded by the National Trust, who own most of the properties along the row, except for two that are now operated as holiday lets.

The historic row was subsequently transformed into weavers’ cottages during the 17th century and has remained unchanged ever since. Their characteristics appear to be straight from a storybook, and their location beside the meadow, which is inhabited by water-loving plants and birds, feels like something from a fantasy novel.

One visitor shared their thoughts on Tripadvisor, saying: “Quintessential English rural scene. Okay, we were one of the many tourists doing the same thing in admiring the buildings, but it didn’t spoil our time.

“We managed to park nearby for free, and the walk by the beautiful clear river is all part of the experience. Worth a visit.”

With nature forming the essence of this small village, many choose to visit England’s oldest trout farm, Bibury Trout Farm, where they can wander the grounds and observe vibrant wildlife. Tucked away within the village, this is a destination where you can catch a fish, hire a barbecue, enjoy a round of Crazy Golf, or simply relax in the welcoming onsite cafe.

One visitor who made the trip to the farm wrote: “We had such a fun trip at Bibury Trout Farm! The grounds were beautifully maintained, everything was clean, and the trout fishing and BBQ experience were fantastic.

“The staff were incredibly friendly, and we really appreciated the effort they made to make our visit enjoyable. Highly recommend it!”.

Should you be considering a day out to Bibury, it’s worth planning your parking arrangements ahead of time to avoid causing unnecessary disruption to the village. Where possible, experts advise visiting during the off-peak season and mid-week to ensure a more relaxed experience.

The lido is a beloved outdoor swimming pool for families, and with its Mediterranean-inspired design and 300-metre lazy river, it’s reminiscent of a luxury hotel pool abroad

A lido that is often likened to pools found in Greece and across the Mediterranean has opened its doors for the summer season, just in time for the third expected heatwave to hit the UK.

The pool has been loved by local families ever since it first welcomed visitors in 1896, and nowadays draws tourists from far and wide too. It’s not difficult to understand why.

One glance at the lido, with its strikingly blue waters, splashpad and 300 metre-long lazy river, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were lounging at an overseas hotel pool.

Yet this dazzling blue pool is actually tucked away in Kent, just over an hour from London. The Strand Lido in Gillingham also holds the unique distinction of being the only riverside saltwater pool in the entire UK.

Fed directly from the River Medway, the water is filtered and chlorinated to ensure it’s perfectly safe for swimmers of all ages. The Lido Guide wrote about the Strand: “Nothing about the exterior gives away what lies within. What lies within is a riot of Mediterranean-resort-style colour and fun. Any children in the party will be completely unable to contain their excitement.

“The whole thing is a freeform riot of bright white painted concrete, edged in royal blue, that gives the treated river water that fills the pool a hue that is more reminiscent of Greece than Kent.”

There are six 25-metre long lanes for swimming, alongside a paddling pool for toddlers and enjoyable extras such as water fountains. As the pool is unheated, it operates on a seasonal basis only, and it reopened for 2026 on May 23.

The pool then opens at weekends until the school summer holidays, when it operates daily before closing at some point in September. Tickets must be booked online through the Medway Council website to secure your spot at this much-loved pool.

During opening days, the pool offers two sessions: the first from 10.30am to 1.30pm and the second from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. There’s also a free to use Splash Pad in the park that has the same opening hours as the lido.

Alongside the pool itself, the complex boasts sunbathing and relaxation areas, a café serving food — though you’re more than welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy it in one of the park’s shaded spots — as well as play areas. There are changing rooms, poolside showers and a shop stocking inflatables, though you can also bring your own rubber ring.

The Strand Leisure Park is also home to a miniature railway that operates seasonally, trundling around the park on sunny days, along with plenty of riverside walks to explore.

One glowing review read: “We travelled from Suffolk and booked the afternoon session. Stopped for some lunch on the way. Lovely day out. Pool has a lazy river, kids pool and adult pool, changing rooms, toilets, café. Lots of space to set up camp for the afternoon but not a lot of shade.”

Another visitor commented: “Very good few hours. Looks like we are on holiday. Lazy river all around the outside (take a rubber ring). “

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Many holiday hotspots have seen anti-tourism protests thanks to overcrowding and the issues it causes for locals. But the European island that’s the most overcrowded wants to pack more visitors in

The most overcrowded island in Europe has seen no over-tourism protests – and bosses want more visitors.

A study has named the Continent’s most packed island, based on tourism density, and it’s not in the Balearics or Canaries.

In fact, the local tourism board wants to bring more visitors to the island and triple the tourism sector’s contribution to the economy. The plans would see the island’s visitor numbers rise from just over four million last year to 4.5 million by 2035.

With a total area of 316 km², Malta is roughly a fifth of the size of London and has a population of around 575,000, about a third of which are foreign residents. This means there’s a ratio of roughly seven tourists for each resident, so locals are already outnumbered.

The study was carried out by BookRetreats.com, which “analysed the latest data from the European Commission, focusing on overnight stays in tourist accommodation per square kilometre (km²)—a measure of tourism density.”

While Mallorca (Majorca) had the most visitors out of the islands in the study, nearly 14 million last year, Malta’s mainland came on top as the most overcrowded island due to its relatively small size. Brits account for the largest number of visitors year-round, and the island has long been a winter sun destination thanks to its 16C days in January and a majority of the island being fluent in English.

The capital, Valletta, has become a popular spot for sun-soaked city breaks thanks to its colourful 16th-century architecture, and the ancient walled city of Mdina is also a hit with tourists thanks to its winding medieval streets. It’s also famous for its beaches, especially in the north of the island, which has turquoise blue seas and calm, shallow waters.

But there have been some measures put in place on Malta’s islands to help ease overcrowding. For example, the Blue Lagoon on Comino used to get daily crowds of up to 12,000 in the summer, and in response, authorities capped tourist numbers to the white sand beach at 4,000 a day. There have since been calls to halve this number to protect the delicate ecosystem.

The islands of Gozo and Comino came 14th on the list, meaning while they’re still overcrowded, they don’t have the same tourism density as Malta’s mainland.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Spanish islands dominated much of the list of the most overcrowded spots, with Lanzarote, Ibiza, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria ranking highly. Greek islands including Corfu and Zakynthos (Zante), also made the top ten, as well as the Portuguese island of Madeira, which is also a winter sun favourite with Brits.

Europe’s Most Overcrowded Islands – full list

1. Malta (mainland)
2. Lanzarote, Spain
3. Ibiza and Formentera, Spain
4. Tenerife, Spain
5. Gran Canaria, Spain
6. Corfu, Greece
7. Zakynthos, Greece
8. Mallorca, Spain
9. Madeira, Portugal
10. Dodecanese Islands, Greece (Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Rhodes)
11. Menorca, Spain
12. Fuerteventura, Spain
13. Cyclades Islands, Greece (Andros, Santorini, Kea, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Syros, Tinos)
14. Gozo and Comino, Malta
15. Lefkada, Greece

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Call Me by Your Name fans need to watch this “sexy” upcoming Netflix drama.

A “magnificent and sexy” Netflix drama is poised to star two Hollywood icons.

Book and film fans were captivated by Andre Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name, and now another of his bestselling novels is being transformed for television.

Aciman’s 2017 work Enigma Variations centres on “Paul, a man remade by the lovers who ignite and undo him across six transformative years”.

Netflix further describes it as an “intimate yet sweeping portrait of masculinity, sexuality and modern love.

“And in a world of endless choices, it asks the question: will we know when we’ve found the one?”

Taking the lead role as Paul is none other than Aaron Taylor-Johnson, renowned for 28 Years Later, Kicka**, Nosferatu and Nocturnal Animals.

Taylor-Johnson has also remained consistently amongst the bookmakers’ top picks to be cast as the next James Bond, alongside other contenders such as Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi.

He’ll be appearing opposite Alicia Vikander, celebrated for The Danish Girl and Tomb Raider, who plays Claire, one of Paul’s principal love interests throughout this period.

An official launch date hasn’t been revealed yet, but the Netflix adaptation is anticipated to mirror the books by being set across multiple locations including Italy, New York and New England.

Enigma Variations was hailed as a “magnificent living thing” by The New York Times Book Review, which added that “Aciman writes arousal so beautifully”.

The book has also garnered enormous praise from readers, with one commenting on Good Reads: “This book is staggeringly beautiful. Powerfully emotional, haunting, frank in its sexuality and its romanticism, this is a book about love, infatuation, longing, and lust.”

Another agreed that the “book blew me away”, while a third added: “Evocative, poetic and hopelessly romantic, Andre Aciman has written a cerebral narrative of love undefined.”

Enigma Variations is arriving on Netflix

Tour de France fans have been urged not to attend the end of the third stage because of wildfires in the south of France.

Monday’s mountain stage will begin in Granollers, Spain, and conclude within 60 kilometres (37.3 miles) of some of the worst of the fires across the border in Les Angles.

While the 195.9km route is not expected to change, Tour organisers have asked fans and unessential personnel to stay away from the final 40km.

“An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour,” said race director Christian Prudhomme.

“We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site.”

Europe has been dealing with extreme heat and wildfires during the past few weeks, with a record-breaking heatwave recorded in June.

The fire that has affected the Tour is currently being contained within the Pyrenees-Orientales region, where aircraft have been deployed to battle the blaze.

A key stretch of the mountain pass providing access to the race will be closed.

Nearly 3,000 people were evacuated after a wildfire ignited near Perpignan on Thursday.

“We obviously think first of all of the populations who are affected by the fire, of all those who have to move, and then we also think about the people who would be here to host the Tour,” added Prudhomme.

Jonas Vingegaard holds a narrow lead over reigning champion Tadej Pogacar in the general classification standings after Isaac del Toro won stage two on Sunday.

After years of closure due to war, hospitals in the Sudanese capital are welcoming mothers again, despite lingering economic and logistical hurdles.

In the Sudanese city of Omdurman, the maternity hospital, known locally as Al-Dayat or ‘Midwives” in English, has resumed operations after a long closure caused by the war. Mothers are once again arriving at maternity wards, navigating difficult economic and logistical conditions to give birth safely.

Al-Toma Jabara, a mother from East Nile, gave birth to her daughter, Doaa, at the hospital two days ago. She told Al Jazeera that she was unable to conceive during the war years. Fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) separated Jabara from her husband for two years.

She has lived under constant bombardment and clashes in her home, making a normal family life seem impossible. She described Doaa’s arrival as a “new beginning” for her family after years of fear and deprivation.

At Bahri Hospital, Fatima Abdel Rahman, a mother from Al Jazirah state, recounted her exhausting and expensive journey to the capital Khartoum. Her family had to spend a large portion of their income on transportation and temporary accommodation near the facility to monitor her condition post-delivery.

Abdel Rahman noted that medication shortages forced her to buy basic drugs from outside pharmacies at inflated prices, adding to her financial burden. However, she stressed that the functioning maternity ward provided her with a vital sense of safety, sparing her the fear of dying due to lack of medical care – a constant dread she lived with during the war.

Rebuilding the shattered health sector

During the conflict, the closure of specialised maternity hospitals forced many women to undergo unsafe home births or travel long distances, drastically increasing risks for both mothers and infants. An anonymous official from the Khartoum State Ministry of Health confirmed that maternal and infant complications and mortality rates surged during the war due to closures.

The official told Al Jazeera that complication rates are now gradually decreasing as services resume. The health ministry has repaired and reopened 15 maternity wards across the capital, including Al-Dayat and the Saudi Hospital. The capital’s hospitals are now recording a significant increase in births, reaching about 7,000 new deliveries per month.

Emad Abdullah, director of the Omdurman Maternity Hospital, noted that it initially received only one or two cases a day upon reopening. Today, that number has climbed to approximately 60 births per day, as services expand to meet growing demand.

The hospital has several vital departments, including a caesarean section, an intensive care unit and a neonatal department equipped with about 140 incubators, making it the largest in Sudan.

Rising costs and logistical nightmares

Maternity costs vary significantly depending on the facility. At government hospitals, a natural birth typically costs about 130,000 Sudanese pounds ($216), while C-sections cost around 400,000 pounds ($666). In private hospitals, the cost of a natural birth shoots up to approximately 500,000 pounds ($813) and C-sections range between 600-800,000 pounds ($999-1,322), depending on the service level.

Despite the reopening of wards in Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri, large challenges remain with patients from distant regions such as Al Jazirah and Kordofan facing exhausting journeys and exorbitant transport costs.

In the hospitals, there is a shortage of basic medicines and emergency rooms often operate beyond their capacity. In addition, the wartime exodus of doctors and nurses has left a critical gap in qualified staff, while essential medical equipment needs regular maintenance to keep up with demand.

Amira Othman Abdel Majeed, an infection control officer at Bahri Hospital, described the war as the most challenging period for the health sector, marred by severe shortages of supplies, electricity and water. That has imposed psychological pressure on medical staff who feared losing mothers and children during treatment.

However, she said the “liberation of Khartoum” and the resumption of maternity services have dramatically changed the landscape. Staff emerged stronger and more resilient, with the ongoing medical care serving as a prime symbol of the capital’s recovering health sector.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned of a likely attack ahead of meeting with US President Donald Trump.

A Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s Kyiv has killed at least 10 people and damaged more than a dozen residential buildings in the second large-scale assault on the Ukrainian capital in less than a week.

The attack early on Monday morning injured at least 46 people in Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration.

Another person was killed and 10 others were injured in districts surrounding Kyiv, according to authorities.

Ukraine’s military said Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones overnight.

The Kyiv Independent reported that the first explosions were heard at about 1:40am local time, followed by more strikes at 2:10am and 3:15am.

Thousands of residents fled to underground shelters, it reported, as air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine.

At least 15 buildings were damaged in Kyiv in the strikes, including four in the capital’s historic Podilskyi district, Tkachenko said.

Rescue work is under way across the capital and the death toll could rise, he said.

“Unfortunately, this is not the final information,” Tkachenko told reporters as the death toll jumped to nine from seven in Kyiv.

In his nightly address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that another Russian assault might be coming before the NATO summit in Turkiye this week.

He is due to meet United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit, which begins on Tuesday.

“Intelligence once again indicates that the Russians are preparing a new massive strike,” Zelenskyy said, according to the Kyiv Independent.

“This is typical of Putin: right after America’s Independence Day and before the NATO summit in Ankara.”

Late last week, Russia hit the Ukrainian capital with dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones, killing 31 people.

The strikes were the deadliest to hit Kyiv this year.

Both Russia and Ukraine have recently expanded their use of long-range weapons, including missiles, marking a new front in the four-year war.

Ukraine has focused its attacks on Russian energy facilities to weaken its war efforts.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor of Russian-controlled Sevastopol, a Black Sea port in Crimea, said on Monday a Ukrainian strike near the city had knocked out electricity supplies.

“Following an enemy attack on energy infrastructure near Sevastopol, our city was temporarily left without electricity,” Razvozhayev wrote on Telegram.