Today is Ballpoint Pen Day, Bed Bug Prevention Day, Action Anxiety Day and World Iced Tea Day. Your star sign is Gemini and your birthstone is Pearl (Alexandrite and Moonstone is also recognised).

1922 – 1969 – Judy Garland (47), American actress and singer (The Wizard of Oz, A Star Is Born, Meet Me in St. Louis).

1942 – Gordon Burns (84), Northern Irish retired journalist, broadcaster and host of The Krypton Factor (1977–1995), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

1949 – Phil Redmond (77), English television producer and screenwriter (Grange Hill, Brookside, Hollyoaks), born in Huyton, Knowsley, Merseyside.

1957 – Sir Lindsay Hoyle (69), English politician (MP for Chorley since 1997), who has served as Speaker of the House of Commons since 2019, born in Adlington, Chorley, Lancashire.

1961 – Maxi Priest (65), British reggae vocalist (“Wild World”, “That Girl”, “Close to You”), born in Lewisham, London.

1963 – Jeanne Tripplehorn (63), American actress (Waterworld, Mickey Blue Eyes, Basic Instinct, Sliding Doors), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States.

1965 – Elizabeth Hurley (61), English actress (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Bedazzled, Passenger 57) and model, born in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

1967 – Emma Anderson (59), English musician, songwriter and former singer with the Britpop band Lush (“Nothing Natural”, “Hypocrite”), born in Wimbledon, London.

1966 – David Platt (60), English retired football coach (Manchester City) and player (Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, England), born in Chadderton, Greater Manchester.

1973 – Faith Evans (53), American R&B singer (“Ain’t Nobody”, “I’ll Be Missing You” – with Puff Daddy) and songwriter, born in Lakeland, Florida, United States.

1982 – Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (44), second daughter and youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, born in Drottningholm, Sweden.

1986 – Tinchy Stryder (40), Ghanaian British rapper, singer, songwriter (“Famous”, “Number 1″ – Feat N-Dubz), born in Accra, Ghana.

323 BC – Alexander the Great (32), was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and spent most of his reign conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Asia and Egypt.

1993 – Les Dawson (62), was an English comedian who is remembered for his deadpan style, grumpy on stage personality and jokes about his mother-in-law and wife.

2004 – Ray Charles (73), was an American singer-songwriter and pianist (“Shake A Tail Feather”, “Hit the Road Jack”).

1931 – Chester Zoo officially opened its doors to the public. Founded by George Mottershead and his family, the site began on a 9-acre plot centered around Oakfield Manor in Upton-by-Chester. The groundbreaking attraction laid the foundation for what has become the UK’s most popular conservation zoo.

1936 – At a special meeting of Skegness Council, John Hassell, one of the greatest of all poster artists and the painter (in 1908) of the famous poster of the Jolly Fisherman was ‘entitled to free access to all municipal undertakings in the town during his lifetime.’ It has been said that Skegness rose to fame on the poster and its accompanying slogan ‘Skegness is SO bracing’. It is possibly the most famous holiday advertisement ever drawn.

1940 – Italy declared war on France and Britain. Benito Mussolini was the Italian leader at the time, and he wanted to end the Anglo-French presence within the Mediterranean.

1942 – Nazi forces retaliated for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich by obliterating the Czech village of Lidice. They executed all 173 adult men, deported the women and children to concentration camps, and methodically razed the village to the ground to erase it from the map.

1956 – The equestrian events for the XVI Summer Olympic Games were held in Stockholm, Sweden, five months ahead of the main Olympic events in Melbourne, Australia because of Australia’s strict six-month animal quarantine laws. The equestrian events (dressage, eventing, and show jumping) ran from June 11 to 17, 1956, at the historic Stockholm Olympic Stadium. The remaining sports took place five months later, from November 22 to December 8, 1956, in Melbourne.

1977 – An elusive goldfish eating perch with a prodigious appetite was finally netted after two years on the rampage in a Kent pond. The fish, nicknamed Jaws, was caught by two Southern Water Board engineers equipped with a rowing boat, a fishing net and a 240v stun rod. Jaws was accused of eating 3,000 goldfish in a breeding lake near Canterbury.

1984 – John Barnes scored one of the most iconic solo goals (and his first-ever goal for England) in England’s history during a famous 2-0 friendly victory against Brazil at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It was Brazil’s first loss at the Maracanã Stadium in 27 years.

1986 – Bob Geldof, the Irish-born singer and charity fund raiser and US citizen John Paul Getty II, were both made honorary knights by Queen Elizabeth II.

1986 – Patrick Magee was convicted of planting the IRA bomb at the Grand Hotel in Brighton. He received eight life sentences, but was released from prison in June 1999 after serving 14 years under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The blast ripped through the hotel during the Conservative Party conference, narrowly missing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and much of her cabinet.

1989 – After an era of 157 years, Britain’s last manned lightvessel (Planet LV23, built 1959) was towed away from her position north-west of the Channel Island of Guernsey. She became a cafe / bar and museuum in Liverpool docks and in 2014 Planet became the base for a re-creation of Radio Caroline North, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Radio Caroline pirate radio station. In 2016 she was repossessed by bailiffs for non-payment of mooring fees and was towed from Liverpool to a mooring in Bristol.

1989 – Arantxa Sánchez Vicario of Spain wins her first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open, beating Steffi Graf 7-6, 3-6, 7-5.

1990 – British Airways Flight 5390 made an emergency landing at Southampton Airport after an improperly installed windscreen blew out. The explosive decompression partially sucked Captain Timothy Lancaster out of the cockpit window, but he was held against the fuselage by flight attendants until the first officer safely landed the plane.

2000 – London’s pedestrian Millennium Bridge opened, but was famously closed just two days later because it swayed heavily in reaction to the crowds. After engineers installed dampeners to fix the “wobbly bridge” effect, it officially reopened to the public on February 22, 2002.

2012 – Hundreds of tourists were left to survey the wreckage of their holiday homes after floodwater devastated campsites and villages around Aberystwyth. The heavy rain continued throughout the summer, making 2012 the second wettest year in the UK since records began in 1910.

2012 – Maria Sharapova wins her first French Open title, beating Sara Errani of Italy 6-3, 6-2.

2013 – A Dornier 17 German World War II bomber was raised from the bottom of the English Channel. The aircraft was shot down off the Kent coast during the Battle of Britain and is believed to be the only intact example of its kind in the world.

2018 – NASA’s Opportunity rover sent its final signal to Earth. A severe global dust storm blotted out the sun, cutting off the solar-powered robot’s power supply. NASA officially declared the mission complete on February 13, 2019, after hundreds of unsuccessful attempts to re-establish contact.

2020 – Swedish authorities finally closed a 34-year-old inquiry into the murder of their prime minister. On February 28, 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Palme was walking home from the cinema with his family when he was fatally shot in the back. Over the following 34 years, over 10,000 suspects were interviewed. A new team investigated the case in 2017 and concluded that Stig Engström, a now-deceased suspect, was the killer and decided to close the case for good.

2022 – Actress Rebel Wilson comes out on Instagram, before it emerges an Australian newspaper had given her 27 hours to comment on their upcoming story on her new female partner.

2024 – Apple announces it will be using generative A.I. on its devices and in its update for Siri, in a partnership with OpenAI.

1956 – American singer, actor Pat Boone was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I’ll Be Home.’ Boone scored over 30 UK Top 40 hit singles during the 50s and early 60s and was the second biggest charting artist behind only Elvis Presley.

1966 – The Mamas & the Papas were officially awarded a gold record by the RIAA for their hit single “Monday, Monday”. Written by John Phillips in roughly 20 minutes, the track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

1972 – The Rolling Stones double album Exile on Main Street went to No.1 on the UK chart, the bands seventh UK No.1 album. In 2010, the re-released album entered the UK chart at No.1, almost 38 years to the week after it first occupied that position.

1978 – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘You’re The One That I Want’ also No.1 in the UK.

1989 – Jason Donovan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of the Brian Hyland 1962 hit ‘Sealed With A Kiss’. Donovan became the first Australian act to enter the UK charts at No.1.

1993 – Irish singer Sinead O’Connor took out a full-page ad in the Irish Times asking the public to “stop hurting me please.” She blamed her troubles on abuse she suffered as a child. O’Connor was still being criticised for ripping up a picture of the Pope during an appearance on Saturday Night Live the previous October.

2001 – Radiohead went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Amnesiac’. The band’s fifth studio album debuted at No.2 on the US Billboard 200 and produced three singles, ‘Pyramid Song’, ‘I Might Be Wrong’ and ‘Knives Out’.

2007 – Rihanna went to No.1 on the UK album chart with her third album Good Girl Gone Bad, featuring the single ‘Umbrella’. which spent 10 consecutive weeks at No.1 in the UK making it the longest running No.1 single since Wet Wet Wet’s ‘Love Is All Around’.

2016 – Rod Stewart was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to music and charity. Stewart said: “I’ve led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public. This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

1540 – Former chief minister to King Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell is arrested in Westminster for treason and heresy.

1692 – Bridget Bishop was the first person to be trialed and hung for witchcraft in Massachusetts, US.

1719 – The Battle of Glen Shiel, in the West Highlands of Scotland took place between British government troops and an alliance of Jacobites and Spaniards, resulting in a victory for the government forces. It was the last close engagement of British and foreign troops on mainland Great Britain.

1768 – British customs officials seize John Hancock’s ship, “The Liberty”, on the suspicion that Hancock had illegally unloaded cargo without paying duties a month earlier.

1829 – The first Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge takes place on the Thames in London. The Oxford team won.

1867 – Cricket authorities in England legalised over-arm bowling.

The Belfast knife attack and the protests that followed dominate the national newspapers this morning. A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place and threats to kill, with police continuing their investigation after disorder spread through parts of the city.

The Times leads with the Belfast attack and the Prime Minister's response, focusing on the violence and the political reaction as protests continued into a second day.

The Daily Telegraph also gives its front page to the events in Belfast, highlighting the growing unrest and the police response as authorities work to restore calm.

The Daily Express focuses on the members of the public who stepped in to help the victim during the attack, praising their bravery in difficult circumstances.

The Daily Star takes a lighter approach, leading with a story about fake football shirts and the booming market for unofficial kits as fans look for cheaper alternatives.

Searches for "Belfast attack" have surged after a man was charged with attempted murder following a serious stabbing in the city. The incident was followed by protests and disorder overnight, making it one of the UK's biggest news stories and dominating social media and newspaper front pages.

Football fans are searching for England vs Ukraine as excitement builds around the latest international fixture. Supporters are discussing team selection, predictions and England's chances as attention turns to another important match.

Brits are searching for the weekend forecast after predictions that temperatures could reach around 30 degrees in parts of the country. Many are already making plans for barbecues, beaches and beer gardens if the sunshine arrives.

Emma Raducanu is trending as tennis fans follow her preparations during the grass court season ahead of Wimbledon. Every appearance is attracting huge interest as supporters hope she can build momentum over the coming weeks.

Teenage Arsenal prospect Max Dowman is trending after another impressive display, with many tipping him as one of English football's brightest young talents. Fans are already comparing him with some of the game's biggest stars despite his young age.

Searches have spiked after reports of a hidden camera being discovered inside a Whitehall government building. The discovery has prompted a security investigation and sparked debate about privacy and surveillance.

Interest in the FIFA World Cup continues to grow as fans count down to more matches and discuss the biggest players, nations and storylines from the tournament. Football dominates online searches whenever the World Cup is underway.

Love Island has once again dominated social media after another dramatic recoupling left viewers talking. New bombshells, unexpected pairings and explosive reactions have sparked fierce debate online, with fans already predicting who could be heading for the next villa exit.

Steven Spielberg's latest sci-fi blockbuster Disclosure Day arrives to huge anticipation, with critics split between calling it a masterpiece and one of his most confusing films ever. Starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor and Colin Firth, it's already one of the biggest cinema talking points of the year.

Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing have officially buried the hatchet after their famous 16-year feud and are set to reunite for a brand-new BBC cooking show. The pair's reconciliation has delighted fans who never expected to see two of Britain's biggest chefs working together again.

Perrie Edwards has opened up about her split from Zayn Malik, admitting it led to some of the darkest moments of her life as she dealt with heartbreak under intense public scrutiny. The Little Mix star says the experience made her stronger and helped shape who she is today.

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are reportedly planning to give something back to the city of Palermo after criticism surrounding their lavish wedding celebrations. Reports suggest the couple want to support local cultural or community projects as a gesture of thanks.

Madonna is making headlines once again following the release of her latest music video, with fans debating everything from the visuals to her latest reinvention. More than four decades into her career, the Queen of Pop continues to prove she knows exactly how to get people talking.

Jennifer Lopez says her "greatest love is still ahead" following her divorce from Ben Affleck. The superstar says she's embracing the future and believes it's never too late for a fresh start, with fans praising her positive outlook.

Madonna is dominating the music world after unveiling her ambitious Confessions II visual project ahead of the release of her new album next month. The Queen of Pop has once again divided opinion with a star-studded short film featuring celebrity cameos and bold visuals, proving that more than 40 years into her career she still knows how to get people talking.

Ariana Grande is making headlines after reports claimed she and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater have quietly gone their separate ways ahead of her upcoming world tour and new album. While neither has publicly commented, fans are already speculating whether her next music will reflect the changes in her personal life.

Download Festival gets underway this weekend with thousands of rock fans descending on Donington Park for one of the UK's biggest music events. Alongside the live performances, there will be a special tribute honouring Motörhead legend Lemmy Kilmister, ensuring the festival starts with both celebration and remembrance.

Indie favourites Hard-Fi are back with their first new album in 15 years, saying they've rediscovered the fun of making music together. Fans of 2000s indie have welcomed the comeback, with many hoping a major UK tour will follow.

One of Britain's most famous grassroots music venues is returning as Camden's legendary Barfly reopens under its original name. The venue famously hosted early performances by Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Muse and countless other stars before they became household names.

Beatles fans are enjoying a fascinating story suggesting Paul McCartney's famous Sgt. Pepper moustache may have been inspired by a moped accident that left him with facial injuries. The unexpected tale has sparked fresh discussion about one of the band's most iconic eras.

Radio 2 in the Park has confirmed that Simple Minds and Chaka Khan will headline this year's festival in Stirling, with fans already looking forward to a weekend packed with classic hits and nostalgia.

New research suggests children should ideally wait until around the age of 13 before getting their first smartphone, with experts saying delaying access could benefit mental health, sleep and social development. The findings add fresh momentum to the growing debate over when children should be introduced to smartphones and social media.

Melinda French Gates has called for a "menopause revolution", saying women's health has been underfunded and overlooked for too long. Through her foundation, she has committed hundreds of millions of dollars towards improving research and treatment, with campaigners hoping it will encourage more open conversations.

Garden experts say the easiest way to achieve a greener, thicker lawn isn't more fertiliser but overseeding. By adding fresh grass seed to existing lawns, homeowners can fill patchy areas and improve growth naturally without spending a fortune.

Prince William's simple breakfast of eggs, wholemeal toast, apple juice and tea has been praised by nutrition experts as a balanced and affordable way to start the day. Costing around £2, it's being highlighted as proof that healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive.

Fitness experts say you don't need an expensive gym membership to stay active, recommending walking, outdoor gyms and free fitness apps as easy ways to improve health without spending money. With household budgets still under pressure, many people are looking for low-cost ways to exercise.

Wild swimming campaigners say more people should embrace open-water swimming responsibly rather than be discouraged by warning signs alone. Supporters believe it can improve both physical and mental wellbeing, provided swimmers understand the risks and take sensible precautions.

Morrisons has launched a giant 4.5kg Toblerone for Father's Day, measuring around 80 centimetres long and weighing the equivalent of 12 standard bars. The supersized chocolate has gone viral online, with shoppers debating whether it's an amazing gift or just too much chocolate.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed Bukayo Saka is still playing through an Achilles injury and is being carefully managed ahead of the World Cup. The Arsenal winger remains one of England's key players, but Tuchel says it's unlikely he'll be able to start and finish every match as the coaching staff look to protect him for the latter stages of the tournament.

Ben Stokes is reportedly considering his future as England Test captain following the nightclub incident currently being investigated by the ECB. Reports suggest Stokes and Gus Atkinson were not the aggressors in the altercation, but both breached team curfew, with the governing body continuing its investigation and no official outcome yet confirmed.

Nick Kyrgios has enjoyed a dream return to singles tennis after recording his first tour-level victory in 15 months at Stuttgart. After battling multiple injuries and surgeries, the Australian says he's simply thrilled to be back competing as attention turns towards Wimbledon.

England's Lionesses beat Ukraine 3-0 but still missed out on automatic qualification for the Women's World Cup after Spain topped the group. Sarina Wiegman's side will now head into the play-offs later this year as they look to book their place in Brazil.

World Cup fever is building across the UK, with fans planning watch parties, booking time off work and pubs preparing for bumper crowds when England and Scotland begin their campaigns. Businesses across the country are expecting a major boost as one of the world's biggest sporting events gets underway.

Serena Williams rolled back the years with a winning return to competitive tennis at Queen's, partnering Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko to victory in the doubles. Afterwards, the 23-time Grand Slam champion joked she returned because she had "nothing better to do", delighting fans with her trademark humour.

Formula One driver George Russell says he and Lewis Hamilton have actually become closer friends since Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari. Russell says the pair now speak more often away from the pressures of racing, showing that rivalry doesn't always stop friendships from growing.

Sam has become the biggest talking point in the villa after finding himself at the centre of a dramatic love triangle. Having already kissed Victoria, he then whisked Namibia away for a private moment and admitted she's now his number one choice, leaving viewers split over whether he's genuinely following his heart or simply playing the game. It's been the biggest discussion across social media following last night's episode.

A dramatic recoupling left the villa in chaos after bombshells Victoria and Namibia were given first choice. Victoria's decision to pick Ope left Angelista vulnerable, with fans taking to social media to question whether bombshells should have so much power so early in the series. The cliffhanger ending has left viewers desperate to see what happens next.

ITV has confirmed that today's Love Island episode has been extended by 15 minutes after producers packed in so much villa drama. Secret kisses, Hideaway action and emotional confrontations mean viewers will get even more twists when the show airs later today.

Former Islander George Knight has broken his silence over his unexpected departure, confirming he left the villa because of a personal family matter and dismissing rumours of secret codes or producer intervention. Fans have praised his honesty and the support he received from ITV's welfare team.

Jasmine has sparked another major talking point after kissing Kavan despite previously appearing committed to Lorenzo. Viewers are divided over whether she's simply exploring her options or deliberately trying to make Lorenzo jealous as another love triangle develops inside the villa.

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury continue to dominate headlines outside the villa after welcoming their baby boy last week. Fans are still eagerly awaiting the baby's name, with reports suggesting Tommy could reveal it during his upcoming boxing match, keeping social media guessing a little longer.

The wait is almost over as the biggest FIFA World Cup in history gets underway tomorrow across the USA, Canada and Mexico. For the first time, 48 nations will compete across 104 matches, making this the largest and longest tournament ever staged and giving more countries than ever the chance to make history.

England face Costa Rica later today in their final warm-up match before opening their World Cup campaign against Croatia next week. Thomas Tuchel is expected to give several players valuable minutes as he finalises his strongest starting line-up for England's biggest challenge in four years.

England manager Thomas Tuchel insists the Three Lions should not be considered favourites to lift the World Cup, despite believing they have the quality to go all the way. He says former winners such as Argentina, France and Spain deserve that label, while England should focus on being "challengers" rather than carrying the weight of expectation.

The soaring cost of following England at the World Cup has become a major talking point, with supporters facing expensive flights, accommodation and reports of stadium drinks costing significantly more than fans are used to paying at home. Many supporters say they'll be cheering the team on from local pubs instead.

Hundreds of Scotland supporters have encountered visa and ESTA issues ahead of travelling to the United States, with some previously approved applications unexpectedly cancelled and additional checks requested. The situation has become a major political issue, with calls for urgent clarification before the tournament begins.

Player welfare remains one of the biggest talking points ahead of kick-off, with concerns over high temperatures across North America expected to lead to hydration breaks and careful squad management throughout the tournament. Teams are preparing for challenging conditions that could have a significant impact on results.

As anticipation builds, football fans across the UK are preparing for weeks of watch parties, sweepstakes and late nights, with pubs, clubs and fan zones expecting bumper crowds throughout the tournament. Once again, the World Cup looks set to bring communities together through a shared love of football.