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Michael Drummond, foreign news reporter
Jun 22
'Fordow is gone': US warplanes strike three nuclear sites in Iran

The strikes, which the US leader announced on social media, reportedly include a hit on the heavily-protected Fordow enrichment plant which is buried deep under a mountain. The other sites hit were at Natanz and Isfahan. It brings the US into direct involvement in the war between Israel and Iran. Follow latest: US bombers strike three Iranian nuclear sites In a posting on Truth Social, Mr Trump said, "All planes are safely on their way home" and he congratulated "our great American Warriors." He added: "Fordow is gone." He also threatened further strikes on Iran unless it doesn't "stop immediately", adding: "Now is the time for peace." It is not yet clear if the UK was directly involved in the attack. Read more:Analysis: If Israel breaks Iran it will end up owning the chaos Among the sites hit was Fordow, a secretive nuclear facility buried around 80 metres below a mountain and one of two key uranium enrichment plants in Iran. "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," Mr Trump said. "Fordow is gone." There had been a lot of discussion in recent days about possible American involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict, and much centred around the US possibly being best placed to destroy Fordow. US media reported that six 'bunker buster' bombs were used to strike Fordow. Mr Trump said no further strikes were planned and that he hoped diplomacy would now take over. It's not yet known what Iran's response will be - particularly as the regime was already struggling to repel Israel. However a commentator on Iranian state TV said every US citizen or military in the region was now a legitimate target.

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Katie Spencer, arts and entertainment correspondent
Jun 21
From niche to a billion pound industry: How immersive events have taken over

From shows built around obvious fan bases - such as Mamma Mia! The Party - to those working with established intellectual property, including Squid Game: The Experience, the UK has proven to be a world leader when it comes shows that make audiences feel part of the action, rather than just observers. Little Lion Entertainment are the team behind two shows currently running in the UK: Pac-Man Live in Manchester and the Crystal Maze Live in London. Its CEO Tom Lionetti told Sky News: "There has been a real boom in the experience economy… It kind of feels like a bit of a gold rush moment in this industry. "It's not nascent anymore, it really is a big industry and it's getting bigger. "West End theatre is incredibly expensive at the moment and even cinema can be expensive for what it is, so I think it's about caring about the experience … you've got to consider value for money these days." Their Crystal Maze show challenges ticketholders to climb through tunnels and collect crystals just like contestants on the '90s programme. And it's one of the longest-running immersive shows in the world, still going strong in London 15 years after the concept was first staged. "The genesis really was this idea of breaking the fourth wall," Lionetti says. "I was an actor and I come from a theatre background, but what we were really intrigued with was giving people agency so you become the star of the show." Last year, according to the Gensler Research Institute's 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report, the global market for immersive entertainment was valued at £98bn - and it's projected to reach £351bn by 2030. Despite times being financially tough post-pandemic, while cinemas have been struggling to put bums on seats, the continued popularity of experience events could indicate consumers are being a little more choosy about what they spend their hard-earned wages on. Our eagerness to show off on social media could also account for some of what's driving the boom, as well as the isolating nature of how technology-dependant we've become. As Secret Cinema's senior creative director, Matt Costain, explains: "Whether it's competitive socialising or immersive experiences, people are look for something that offers them more… and this is an example of an activity where people can come together and have a sense of community." Secret Cinema - which combines live performance and film screenings - has been staging events for 15 years now. In that time, they've partnered with major studios from Marvel to Netflix. Their latest offering will run from August see them bring Grease's Rydell High to life. Costain says: "When we first started this was niche, film fans who wanted to dress up and keep a secret… but immersive has moved mainstream and we've found ourselves one of two or three companies who've been in it since the beginning. "Part of our job as artists is to help people remember that they really love to play." He jokes that those "who find it the most difficult to get started" are invariably the ones "at 11pm with their tie tied around their head and dancing on a table". While there are many shows working with established intellectual property (IP), there are also some hugely creative original works also being produced - Storehouse being one of those. For 16 weeks, attendees at Staged in Deptford, which was once the archival store for Rupert Murdoch's News International, will be guided through a story that takes place inside a 'digital memory palace' that supposedly houses every story, message, memory, and meme since the dawn of the internet. Produced by Sage & Jester, its lead producer Rosalyn Newbery explains: "You're not moving into a theatre with infrastructure, put it this way, we literally had to bring electricity to the venue, bring power to the venue, bring water to the venue, none of that was there for us… it's a big old job and there's a lot of detail that you can't take for granted." Over 7,000 crew worked more than 57,000 hours to build the set. Getting a show of this size and scale off the ground is a feat in itself. As creative director Sophie Larsmon says: "There are a lot of people trying to get these projects off the ground and there are a lot of projects that never see the light of day…because of the hoops that have to be jumped through for licensing and financing. "It takes huge amounts of creative effort, I've seen a lot of projects where quite late in the process the green light is taken away." Read more from Sky News:Chris Brown pleads not guilty to attempting to cause GBHSunken British superyacht emerges from seabed While some creators might struggle to access support because the work doesn't fit into traditional cultural boxes, it is certainly an industry that's worth shining a spotlight on. As Larsom says: "The UK has always led the way in developing this form… I think people are cottoning on to the fact that this is a sector [that's] going to be a big revenue earner for the UK." The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience is on in London's West End, near Piccadilly Circus. Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical is at Battersea Park from 1 August to 7 September. Storehouse runs at Depford Storehouse until 20 September.

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Serena Barker-Singh, political correspondent
Jun 21
Latest polling says if an election was held tomorrow Reform UK would win a majority

But a new one suggests Nigel Farage's party has a chance not only of winning the next election, but of claiming a decent Commons majority, too. In February, Reform topped a Sky News/YouGov poll for the first time, with Nigel Farage's party edging in front on 25%, Labour pushed into second on 24%, with the Tories on 21%. But a fresh one from Ipsos puts Reform on 34%, nine points ahead of Labour on 25%, with the Conservatives a distant third on 15%. While the other parties are flatlining, Reform appears to be pushing boundaries. Were these figures to be replicated across the country at a general election, with every constituency behaving the same way, then Reform could win as many as 340 seats, giving it a majority of 30, Sky News analysis suggests. Labour could be reduced to 176 seats, down 236 on last year's election, while the Tories would hit a record low of 12 seats. But polling should always be taken with a pinch of salt and with the firm acknowledgement that there is not an election coming any time soon. Conservative backbenchers might also tell you publicly that opinion polls are notoriously difficult to translate into seat numbers because voting percentages in individual constituencies can vary hugely from the overall average. But the truth is that the symbolism of Reform UK topping another poll is likely to be noticed by MPs from all parties, especially backbench Conservatives who have actively been hoping their leader, Kemi Badenoch, can help them climb the polls and bring the party back into public favour. Politics is a brutal game and when it comes to toppling underwhelming party leaders, the Tories are more ruthless than most. One wonders how many of these polls Mrs Badenoch's party will allow her to endure. Read more:How did your MP vote on the assisted dying bill?Starmer tries to contain rebellion over welfare reforms This poll is also a warning to Labour. As the party approaches a year since its major victory, it will not have much to celebrate if these numbers are anything to go by. According to this survey, only 19% are satisfied with the job Sir Keir Starmer is doing as prime minister, with 73% dissatisfied. And the figure of 25% of voters intending to vote Labour is a level not seen since October 2019. While abstract to much of the public, polling can often shape not only the chatter inside Westminster but how and when plots by MPs begin. For Reform UK, this is a much-needed morale boost after a surprise resignation by their former Chairman Zia Yusuf, and then an almost immediate U-turn back into the party. And Kemi Badenoch - who said during her leadership campaign that the Conservatives needed to go back to first principles and that this would take time - will be wondering, seven-and-a-half months after winning the leadership, how much time she really has left. Ipsos interviewed a representative probability sample of 1,180 British adults aged 18+, via the Ipsos UK KnowledgePanel. Data was collected between 30 May-4 June 2025.

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No Writer
Jun 21
England vs India: Ollie Pope's century gave me 'goosebumps' says Ben Duckett, as Jasprit Bumrah shines for visitors

Pope entered the series against India under pressure in his no 3 spot, with many calling for Jacob Bethell to potentially take his place with one eye on the Ashes this winter. However, Pope answered the questions with a defiant innings, scoring 100 from 125 deliveries with 13 fours, punching the air through gritted teeth as he clipped an inside edge to take him to triple figures. Jofra Archer in contention for England's second Test vs India 📰Scorecard: England vs India, first Test, Headingley🏏England men's cricket results and fixtures 2025 📋Stream England vs India with no contract His innings, which remains in tact heading into a pivotal day three, has been crucial in England clawing their way back into the contest after taking just three wickets on day one, however they still trail India by 262 runs having reached stumped on Saturday at 209-3. For England opener Duckett, it is another display that proves Pope can be a "match winner" for his side and he was overjoyed to see his team-mate get such a special moment in front of the Headingley crowd following so much external noise. "I had goosebumps for him," Duckett told Sky Sports. "He is such a good bloke and I love batting with him - I am sure Crawley would say the same. "You go one down and he comes in and takes all the pressure on you and scores quick. "He is such a legend and such a big part of this team. "We know there is noise outside the dressing room so to go and score 171 then 100 is something else. "If he does get in, he gets 100s and someone like him at 3 against India, it is a no brainer. "Popey scoring 100s and he did it away as well when we won- he is a match winner. "It is a great start to the series for him." Bumrah a 'cut above the rest' as he shows star power once again The one thorn in England's side so far in their first innings has been the world's No 1 bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who ended the day on brilliant figures of 3-48. A pearler of a delivery made Zak Crawley walk in the first over before he sent Duckett (62) on his way. Then, the crucial wicket came just before the end of the day as he dismissed Joe Root (28) for the 10th time in Test cricket. Bumrah then thought he had made it four wickets in the final over of the day to send Harry Brook (0no) walking for a duck but it was struck off for a no ball, a late reminder of the brilliance England will face in the morning. For Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain, it was the latest example of how Bumrah is a cut above the rest of India's bowling attack. "With how unorthodox he is, they could have had more wickets if they had caught well off him," Hussain said. "It will be a concern for India the drop off from when Bumrah is bowling to the rest. "But it is a small sample size, the others will get into the series. "Root was the big wicket- it was a poor short from Joe Root. "You could tell from Root walking off that he had just opened the door. "If they had got the Brook to make it the two Yorkies at the end, that would have been the lift for the dressing room needed as far as India is concerned." England vs India Test series ☀️ All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports First Test: Friday June 20-Tuesday June 24 - HeadingleySecond Test: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 - EdgbastonThird Test: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 - Lord'sFourth Test: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 27 - Emirates Old TraffordFifth Test: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 - The Kia Oval

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Dominic Waghorn, international affairs editor
Jun 22
Like George W Bush did in Iraq, if Israel breaks Iran it will end up owning the chaos that could ensue

Their campaign against Iran may be a case in point. Short termism is understandable in a region that is so unpredictable. Why make elaborate plans if they are generally undone by unexpected events? It is a mindset that is familiar to anyone who has lived or worked there. And it informs policy-making. The Israeli offensive in Gaza is no exception. The Israeli government has never been clear how it will end or what happens the day after that in what remains of the coastal strip. Pressed privately, even senior advisers will admit they simply do not know. It may seem unfair to call a military operation against Iran that literally took decades of planning short-termist or purely tactical. There was clearly a strategy of astonishing sophistication behind a devastating campaign that has dismantled so much of the enemy's capability. But is there a strategic vision beyond that? That is what worries Israel's allies. It's not as if we've not been here before, time and time again. From Libya to Afghanistan and all points in between we have seen the chaos and carnage that follows governments being changed. Hundreds of thousands have died. Vast swathes of territory remain mired in turmoil or instability. Which is where a famous warning sign to American shoppers in the 80s and 90s comes in. Ahead of the disastrous invasion that would tear Iraq apart, America's defence secretary, Colin Powell, is said to have warned US president George W Bush of the "Pottery Barn rule". The Pottery Barn was an American furnishings store. Signs among its wares told clumsy customers: "You break it, you own it." Bush did not listen to Powell hard enough. His administration would end up breaking Iraq and owning the aftermath in a bloody debacle lasting years. Israel is not invading Iran, but it is bombing it back to the 80s, or even the 70s, because it is calling for the fall of the government that came to power at the end of that decade. Iran's leadership is proving resilient so far but we are just a week in. It is a country of 90 million, already riven with social and political discontent. Its system of government is based on factional competition, in which paranoia, suspicion and intense rivalries are the order of the day. Read more:Putin says 'Ukraine is ours' and threatens nuclear strikeAir India warned by watchdog over pilot scheduling breaches After half a century of authoritarian theocratic rule there are no opposition groups ready to replace the ayatollahs. There may be a powerful sense of social cohesion and a patriotic resentment of outside interference, for plenty of good historic reasons. But if that is not enough to keep the country together then chaos could ensue. One of the biggest and most consequential nations in the region could descend into violent instability. That will have been on Israel's watch. If it breaks Iran it will own it even more than America owned the disaster in Iraq. Iran and Israel are, after all, in the same neighbourhood. Has Israel thought through the consequences? What is the strategic vision beyond victory? At the very least, is his administration asking its allies whether they have a plan for what could come next?

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No Writer
Jun 21
Final BTS member discharged from military service, sparking reunion hopes

He is the last member of the band to finish their enlistment duties with Jin, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook already leaving the military. The other six members of the K-pop band served in the army while Suga worked as a social service agent, which is an alternative form of military service. His return is a big moment for BTS fans, known as the ARMY, as the band plans to reunite now they've all finished their service. While details of a reunion have not been released, the group is expected to hold its largest-ever world tour in 2026, according to NH Securities, one of South Korea's largest investment firms. "It's gone past excitement and into almost being numb," said Ayla O'Ryan, 45, from Scotland, about the potential reunion. RM and V were discharged last week, with Jimin and Jung Kook discharged a day later. "I hope they can explore whatever music...anything they want to do because I will always support them, whatever they feel like doing," said Alice Bonamy, an interpreter from France. Read more from Sky News:US warplanes transit through UKPutin says 'Ukraine is ours' and threatens nuclear strike In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to complete 18-21 months of military service. It's a system designed to deter aggression from rival North Korea. Athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers are exempt if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers, however, are not exempt. In 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea allowed K-pop stars to delay their enlistment. But there was a heated public debate in 2022 over whether BTS should be completely exempt. The group's management agency then announced that all seven members would fulfil their duties.

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Faye Brown, political reporter
Jun 20
MPs back legalising assisted dying in England and Wales after historic Commons vote

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was approved by 314 votes to 291 at its third reading in the House of Commons - a majority of 23. Politics Live: MPs back legalising assisted dying in historic Commons vote Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the legislation, was seen crying in the chamber as it went through. Campaign group Dignity in Dying hailed the result as "a landmark moment for choice, compassion and dignity at the end of life". "MPs have listened to dying people, to bereaved families and to the public, and have voted decisively for the reform that our country needs and deserves," said Sarah Wootton, its chief executive. The bill will now go to the House of Lords, where it will face further scrutiny before becoming law. Due to a four-year "backstop" added to the bill, it could be 2029 before assisted dying is actually offered, potentially coinciding with the end of this government's parliament. The bill would allow terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. MPs have deliberated the proposals for months, with a vote in November passing with a bigger majority of 55. Since then it has undergone some significant changes, the most controversial being the replacement of a High Court Judge's approval with the expert panel. Ms Leadbeater has always insisted her legislation would have the most robust safeguards of any assisted dying laws in the world. Opening the debate on Friday she said that opposing the bill "is not a neutral act. It is a vote for the status quo". She warned that if her plan was rejected, MPs would be asked to vote on it again in 10 years and "that fills me with despair". The assisted dying debate was last heard in the Commons in 2015, when it was defeated by 330 votes to 118. There have been calls for a change in the law for decades, with a campaign by broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen giving the issue renewed attention in recent years. Supporters have described the current law as not being fit for purpose, with desperate terminally ill people feeling the need to end their lives in secret or go abroad alone, for fear loved ones will be prosecuted for helping them. Ahead of the vote, an hours-long emotionally charged debate heard MPs tell personal stories about their friends and family. Maureen Burke, the Labour MP for Glasgow North East, spoke about how her terminally ill brother David was in so much pain from advanced pancreatic cancer that one of the last things he told her was that "if there was a pill that he could take to end his life, he would very much like to take that". She said she was "doing right by her brother" in voting for it. How did MPs vote? MPs were given a free vote, meaning they could vote with their conscience and not along party lines. The division list shows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, but Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch voted against. Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who will have to deliver the bill, also voted no. Read more: Find out how your MP voted Bill 'poorly drafted' Opponents have raised both practical and ethical concerns, including that people could be coerced into seeking an assisted death and that the bill has been rushed through. Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said she was not opposed to the principle of assisted dying but called the legislation "poorly drafted". Former foreign secretary James Cleverly echoed those concerns, saying he is "struck by the number of professional bodies which are neutral on the topic of assisted dying in general, but all are opposed to the provisions of this bill". Recently, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Physicians have raised concerns about the bill, including that there is a shortage of staff to take part in assisted dying panels. However, public support for a change in the law remains high, according to a YouGov poll published on the eve of the vote. The survey of 2,003 adults in Great Britain suggested 73% of those asked last month were supportive of the bill, while the proportion of people who feel assisted dying should be legal in principle stood at 75%.

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David Currie at Headingley
Jun 21
England vs India: Ollie Pope hits ninth Test hundred as hosts fight back into first Test on day two at Headingley

After the touring side lost their final seven wickets for 41 runs, Pope (100no) at times quite literally weathered the storm of some incisive, hugely-skilful Jasprit Bumrah (3-48) spells under cloud-laden skies in Leeds to survive through to stumps, bringing up his ton off 125 balls. Bumrah dismissed Zak Crawley (4) with a beauty to end his opening over, added Ben Duckett (62) - dragging one onto his stumps - after he and Pope shared in a 122-run partnership for the second wicket, and won his personal duel with Joe Root (28) late on. Scorecard: England vs India, first Test, Headingley🏏Day two as it happened - England fight back in Leeds ✍️▶️Not got Sky? Stream England vs India no contract 📺Got Sky Sports? Watch live on the Sky Sports app 📱 Bumrah was threatening throughout, missing out on golden chances to add further to his haul as Duckett was dropped on 15 by Ravindra Jadeja at point, Pope was put down on 60 by Yashasvi Jaiswal in the slips and then he himself was guilty of overstepping when dismissing Harry Brook for a duck off a no-ball in the final over of the day. Pant somersaults to sparkling century Earlier, with India resuming the second morning on 359-3, England did brilliantly to bowl the visitors out for 471 as, after Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant's 219-run fourth-wicket stand was finally ended, Ben Stokes (4-66) and Josh Tongue (4-86) combined to run through the lower order. Pant (134) became India's third centurion of their first innings, somersaulting in celebration after bringing up his seventh Test ton with one of six maximums for his uniquely devastating knock. The first hour had otherwise been a little flat, the usually vocal Headingley crowd a little subdued as India continued to accumulate and passed 400 with ease, though they were violently awoken from their slumber by the sheer audacity of some of Pant's shot-making. A newly-dubbed 'falling paddle' brought him four off Shoaib Bashir as, off balance and halfway to the floor, Pant somehow still connected with his scoop fine to the fence, while it was no surprise to see his 146-ball hundred brought up with a six. Out of nowhere, the partnership was finally ended as Bashir (1-100) earned richly-deserved reward for a strong, sustained spell of bowling when Gill (147) toe-ended one out to deep backward-square. Pant continued to play his shots regardless and should have been out stumped in Bashir's next over when losing his grip on the bat as he tried to send one into orbit over the Western Terrace, but Jamie Smith failed to gather the ball. Stokes and Pope at forefront of England fightback The missed chance would only cost England 10 further runs off his bat as, after Pope claimed a stunning, leaping grab at cover to see off Karun Nair for a duck - one of three for the Indian innings - Tongue would pin Pant in front lbw. Stokes and the England management have made a point of wanting to manage his workload this summer after numerous niggles over the years and with this winter's Ashes in mind, but Stokes sensed an opportunity to sniff out a seventh in the seventh over of his spell, and he did just that as Shardul Thakur (1) nicked off on the stroke of lunch. Tongue then mopped up Bumrah (0), Jadeja (11) and Prasidh Krishna (1) without too much trouble after the interval, dismantling the stumps of the latter two to complete the collapse. But, as happy as England will have been with their morning's work, the changing overhead conditions prompted concern for what lay ahead with the bat. Crawley and Duckett were therefore all too happy to immediately turn back around to the safety of the England dressing room when, just as play was about to resume, rain arrived. A short, sharp shower delayed proceedings by little more than 30 minutes though and gloomy, bowler-friendly conditions remained to welcome England's openers back to the middle, albeit only briefly in the case of Crawley. Bumrah struck with the final ball of the first over, Crawley edging a near unplayable delivery to slip that shaped into his pads before jagging away late. There'd be a hearty lbw shout, and review, against Duckett soon after, as well as edges through the slips and then that dropped chance by Jadeja. But in among the near misses and half chances, England were rattling along at quite the rate, Duckett bringing up a 68-ball half century and Pope off 64 either side of tea. The return of Bumrah, of course, would halt the burgeoning stand, Duckett bowled off an inside edge, and the India quick would also end Root's uncharacteristically scratchy knock late in the day as the ICC's top-ranked bowler and batter went head-to-head. A fourth wicket of Brook with just three balls remaining would have soured England's evening futher but he'd survive courtesy of one of three no-balls for the over as Bumrah strained sinew for one final breakthrough. Duckett: I had goosebumps for Pope England opener Ben Duckett: "I had goosebumps for him [Pope]. It is a great start to the series for him. "He is such a good bloke and I love batting with him, and I am sure Crawley would say the same. "You go one down and he comes in and takes all the pressure off you and scores quick. He is such a legend and such a big part of this team. "We know there is noise outside the dressing room, so to go and score 171 [against Zimbabwe] and then 100 today is something else. "If he does get in, he gets hundreds, and someone like him at number three against India, it is a no brainer. He is a match winner." Nasser: Bumrah a different level to the rest Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain: "With how unorthodox Bumrah is, India could have had more wickets if they had caught well off him. "It will be a concern for India the drop off from when Bumrah is bowling to the rest. But it is a small sample size, the others will get into the series. "Root was the big wicket - it was a poor shot from him. You could tell from Root walking off that he had just opened the door [for India]. "If they had got the Brook wicket to make it the two Yorkies at the end, that would have been the lift the dressing room needed as far as India is concerned." Watch day three of the first Test between England and India, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am on Sunday (11am, first ball) or stream with no contract. England vs India Test series ☀️ All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports First Test: Friday June 20-Tuesday June 24 - HeadingleySecond Test: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 - EdgbastonThird Test: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 - Lord'sFourth Test: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 27 - Emirates Old TraffordFifth Test: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 - The Kia Oval

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