Seaside town in Lancashire, England, on the Irish Sea coast
World number one Littler has reached the World Matchplay semi-finals after defeating Rock; he will face Dirk van Duijvenbode, who eliminated Gary Anderson in a 16-13 thriller. Cameron Menzies has withdrawn, with Ross Smith advancing to face Gerwyn Price.
Ryan Fox has won the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, finishing ten under. The win makes him New Zealand’s fourth major champion and follows a week marked by fast play and dramatic momentum. He defeated Cameron Young with a final-round surge, while the event featured record attendance and praise for Fox’s pace.
Littler defeats Aspinall 11-8 to reach the World Matchplay quarter-finals; van Duijvenbode beats van Gerwen 14-12; Anderson progresses with 11-7 over Clayton.
The Scot Cameron Menzies leads 2-1 but retreats due to high blood pressure and dizziness. Medics clear him to go to his accommodation, but he forfeits the match and exits the stage. Gerwyn Price advances, while Gian van Veen edges Nijman in a 14-12 thriller.
Tony Bartlett has been convicted of murder after violently shaking Atticus Bartlett, a 13‑month‑old, in Chard, Somerset, in July 2022. He has received a minimum 18‑year sentence. The case involved heavy drinking, the baby’s fatal injuries, and a trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Double world champion Luke Littler has reached the World Matchplay final after dominant wins at the Winter Gardens. He has posted high averages and hit multiple maximums, while Dirk van Duijvenbode and Gerwyn Price have advanced to the semi-finals and final schedule.
The Scots saw success in bowls and boxing while weightlifting faced a setback as Corey Duncan failed to finish. In boxing, Josh Kelly retains his world title after a hard-fought win over Caoimhin Agyarko. The weightlifting and darts scenes show mixed results for Scottish athletes at the Commonwealth Games.
Littler has defended his Betfred World Matchplay title with an 18-9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. He has set a final average of 111.53 and a tournament average of 111.04, breaking Phil Taylor’s previous marks. The 19-year-old remains on track for a calendar-year haul of major titles, while Netflix has announced a reality darts show launching later this year.
Record crossings by mega-dinghies have surged across the English Channel, with boats carrying hundreds of migrants. Authorities are reinforcing enforcement and international cooperation as numbers fall overall but risks rise for those onboard.
The world champion has unveiled a mural in Warrington at the Golden Square Shopping Centre to celebrate his string of major titles this year, with his nan spotting the tribute first from a passing bus. He has just clinched the World Matchplay and aims for a clean sweep of majors, eyeing further glory in Orlando before the World Series.
Laura Hull has dismissed critics after a prank with fake scratchcards that unsettled her caddie, Adam Woodward, during the Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Hull says the moment was light-hearted and will not derail her week, as she chases a strong finish with Atthaya Thitikul leading early on.
The Jordans have announced a trial separation and are focusing on co-parenting their daughter Ella. James has been struggling with mental health, and both are asking for privacy as they navigate this difficult period.
The bank holiday weekend is marked by widespread rail disruption due to a Birmingham power outage affecting CrossCountry’s control centre. Plans for a near-normal service on Monday are in flux as rail routes face cancellations, rail replacement buses are in place, and tickets remain valid across operators amid disruption.
The Avanti West Coast pay deal with Aslef has been approved after threatened strikes, with drivers receiving a 3.6% pay rise, time-and-a-half on Sundays, and up to £720 for a fifth day. The arrangement is part of a government-led push to stabilise rail services as the Labour government moves to renationalise the sector.
A large microalgae bloom has clogged intake systems at five of Israel’s six coastal desalination plants, forcing temporary shutdowns and reduced output. Scientists link the bloom to currents from the Nile Delta and warm sea temperatures; some experts say untreated sewage from Gaza has increased nutrient loads. Authorities have mobilised backup supplies and restricted agricultural use while plants recover.
Residents near the AGC Chemicals site in Thornton-Cleveleys have shown elevated PFAS levels, especially PFOA, in blood tests. Authorities warn that tests cannot predict individual health outcomes, while calls for more research and clearer guidance intensify as investigations continue.