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Sources: Dan Hurley, Lakers met Friday about coaching job

UConn coach Dan Hurley traveled to Southern California for a Friday meeting with Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss -- with the organization eager to close on a deal to hire the two-time national championship coach, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

The Lakers' pursuit of Hurley to become the franchise's next coach has accelerated and the sides are already discussing the contractual parameters of a potential deal that would be significant in its length and salary, sources said.

Hurley has not made a decision about exiting UConn for the NBA, but there is momentum in these discussions, sources said. He informed UConn's administration Wednesday of his interest in talking to the Lakers -- and his players of the talks on Thursday, sources said.

UConn has won back-to-back NCAA titles -- including a record 12 straight double-digit tournament victories -- and has a top-five team returning next season.

Hurley has been at the forefront of the Lakers' search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence interviewing several other candidates, sources said. Only New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego had two in-person interviews in Los Angeles, sources said.

Pelinka and Buss are eager to formally discuss with Hurley their vision of marrying his dominant program -- built upon his tactical acumen and elite player development -- with the storied Lakers brand, sources said.

Hurley, 51, has often described his ambition to one day coach in the NBA and has expressed to the Lakers a desire to explore the full picture of a partnership with one of basketball's winningest franchises, sources said.

The pursuit of Hurley comes on the 20th anniversary of the Lakers trying to hire Duke 's Mike Krzyzewski to a record-breaking contract in 2004. Krzyzewski elected to remain at Duke, but the climate has dramatically changed in college athletics, and the demands of NIL fundraising for non-power-football schools such as UConn are an especially relentless grind -- and expected to become even more difficult.

As for the Lakers' stars, LeBron James has been impressed with Hurley's sophisticated offensive actions, and assuming he returns to Los Angeles in free agency, the possibility of using the 55th overall draft pick on USC freshman guard Bronny James makes Hurley an even more intriguing candidate. If that happens, James gets a chance to play with his son and the benefit of Hurley and his staff becoming responsible for Bronny's pro development.

In a social media post in April responding to a podcast interview with JJ Redick, James posted on X about Hurley: "He's so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their [offense]! Love it."

The Lakers have been committed to making All-NBA forward Anthony Davis a significant part of the conversation on the next head coach and want to make sure that he is aligned with how a new coach plans to feature him on offense and defense, sources said.

Los Angeles has proceeded with conversations with other candidates over the past few weeks, but the potential of landing Hurley has been the focus of the search, sources said.

Part of the allure of Hurley traces back to the changing landscape of NBA roster building under the collective bargaining agreement. Because of the roster-building limitations of the new second apron, the ability of big-market teams to construct contending rosters by trading multiple draft picks and young players for a third star player has largely been eliminated. Beyond the 17th overall pick in the June draft, the Lakers have a young core of Austin Reaves , Rui Hachimura and Max Christie that management believes could show even greater improvement under Hurley's coaching, sources said.

After historically dominant back-to-back national title seasons, Hurley has emerged as the most coveted coach in the sport -- and the possibility of him leaving UConn and the Big East for the Lakers has massive implications for college basketball and the NBA. Hurley has constructed a juggernaut that has lapped the sport, culminating with the NCAA's first repeat champion in 17 years and a performance that produced the biggest point differential in tournament history at 140 points.

The possibility of UConn winning a third straight title does loom with the return of a preseason top-five team, but the Huskies did lose two lottery picks (center Donovan Clingan and guard Stephon Castle ) and a first-team All-American point guard ( Tristan Newton ) to the NBA draft.

The Lakers dismissed coach Darvin Ham after a first-round exit in the Western Conference playoffs. Ham was 94-70 in two seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2023.

Hurley is 141-58 (.709) in six seasons as UConn coach. The son of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. -- whom Hurley played for at famed St. Anthony High School of Jersey City, New Jersey -- Dan Hurley spent nine years as a high school coach at St. Benedict's Prep before rapidly rebuilding college programs at Wagner and Rhode Island . His older brother, Bobby, is the head coach at Arizona State .

How to Travel as a College Student

I adore taking trips. I've often said that my travels serve as my "anti-drug." That's the actual state of affairs. There is nothing more enjoyable than traveling to a new location and getting to know a new city. I made a commitment to travel whenever I could when I entered college after high school.

Looking back at my college years, I successfully did that. As an undergrad, I visited several cities, such as  Miami , NYC, Las Vegas, and Nashville. People would ask me, "Aren't college students supposed to be broke?" In today's post, I discuss different ways to travel as a college student. It's going to be easier than you thought. Participating in illegal activities was not one of them! Cheap student travel can happen.

Stay With Friends or Family

The 1st way to travel as a college student was to stay with family or friends. On some of the trips that I went on, I stayed with friends. I was there if they had an extra couch or decent floor space. I easily saved a couple of hundred dollars by doing that. It took the stress out of trying to find a hotel or other lodging place.

Use Some of Your Student Refund

We're up to number three on the list of how to travel as a college student. I will be the first to say I never purchased a car or expensive clothes with my student refund. However, I did use some of my refund for a few trips. There may be better decisions than this, especially if your refund is student loan money. You will eventually have to pay back. Just keeping it real, some of my refund was from  student loans . I don't regret using it to travel at all. It allowed me to see other cities besides Atlanta and  Savannah . My comfort zone expanded because of that. I'm sure the same will happen to you. Just spend your refund sparingly.

Work a PT Job

I worked a part-time job during the majority of my college days. At one of my jobs, I was a busser at a restaurant. I made GREAT money there. After I had paid a couple of bills I had each month, I saved a decent amount for travel. A couple of road trips and fraternity conferences were paid for with that money. The crazy thing was that I didn't get a car until the summer before my senior year. I found several ways to get to that job before then.

Travel as a Group

The most common way I saved money was to travel with a group. There were numerous road trips where 4-5 of us would pile into someone's car and split the gas and hotel charges. If we knew someone that lived in the city that we were visiting, we would save even more money by just having to pay for gas. Numerous road trips cost less than $60 per person because of this strategy.

If you're going to do group travel, make sure that you and the people you're traveling with are on one accord. Out of all the group trips I've been on, I only had one that started badly. To keep it short, I will say that I had to book a room at another hotel to keep people from potentially fighting. Most of the group came with me, while three stayed at the original hotel. Once we separated from them, the trip turned out great.

Study Abroad Program

 Studying abroad is an excellent way for college students to gain new experiences, meet new people, and travel the world. By participating in a study abroad program, you can earn a global perspective on your studies in college, experience new cultures and lifestyles, and develop valuable skills that will help you in your career.

The way it works is that you apply for a study abroad program through your college or university. The application may be required to include letters of recommendation from faculty members, an essay describing why you want to participate in the program, and a statement of financial resources. Once accepted into the program, you will typically work with a study abroad advisor who will help you with your travel details, such as the logistics of flights and accommodations.

Backpacking your way through another country is a great way to see the sights and experience new cultures firsthand. One of the benefits is that you will have more freedom to explore on your own and decide where to go and what to do, depending on your interests and preferences. There are many ways to backpack – from backpacking across Europe using the Eurail pass to taking a tour of national parks in the United States to trekking through a remote country on foot.

Remember that you will need to be flexible and adaptable to travel on a backpacker's budget . You may need to stay in inexpensive hostels or guesthouses or camp outdoors in a tent. If you plan to go backpacking on your own, you should have some basic survival skills, such as knowing how to read a map, set up camp, and find your way in the wilderness.

Hostels are another popular way for college students to travel affordably. These accommodations typically offer rooms where you share a bathroom with other guests or dorm-style accommodations with bunk beds. There are common areas where you can hang out, meet fellow travelers, or even work on your laptop.

Although there are many benefits to staying in hostels, such as low cost and social opportunities, it is essential to research before you book a room. For example, consider the hostel's location and whether it is safe for women travelers. Also, find out what amenities are offered – for example, many hostels will have a shared kitchen where you can cook your own meals.

Exchange Progam

Another popular way for college students to travel is through an exchange program. This program allows you to study at a foreign university while paying your regular tuition at your home university. There are typically exchange programs through student organizations or universities themselves.

If you decide to participate in an exchange program, you will need to work with your college or university to get approved for the program. You will typically need to pass a test of your language skills, provide a statement of financial resources, and meet other requirements depending on the program.

Volunteer Abroad

If you have a strong interest in volunteering abroad, many organizations can help you find volunteer opportunities. These types of programs may take place in foreign countries for periods of a week or longer.

When you volunteer abroad, you typically work with local organizations and communities to help with various projects. For example, you may help to construct houses, teach English in schools, mentor children, or work on agricultural projects.

While participating in a volunteer program can be very rewarding, it is essential to do research before signing up for one. Consider what type of project you would like to work on and ensure that your skills match the program's needs. Also, find out what training or support will be offered and what steps you need to take to get started.

This article was published on My Money Chronicles .

Juneteenth is on a Wednesday this year. Here's what will be open and closed on the holiday

The newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, is next week and it falls during the middle of the week.

Here's everything you need to know about the holiday including when it is, what will be closed and why we celebrate.

When is Juneteenth 2024?

Juneteenth always falls on June 19. For 2024, it happens to be a Wednesday.

Is Juneteenth a national holiday?

Yes. Juneteenth is a federal holiday and has been  since 2021 .

Are banks open on Juneteenth?

Like most federal holidays, you can expect your local banks and credit unions to be closed in observance of Juneteenth, so make sure you plan ahead if you need anything from your bank on Wednesday.

Are government offices open on Juneteenth?

No; all non-essential federal, state and city government offices are closed Wednesday, June 19, for the holiday.

Will the BMV be open on Juneteenth?

No; the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Kentucky will be closed on Wednesday, June 19. Juneteenth is listed on Jefferson County's holiday schedule .

Will I get mail on Juneteenth?

You won't get your regular mail delivered on June 19 because the  United States Postal Service  will not be delivering.

However, you may still get deliveries:  FedEx  and  UPS  will be open and offering their usual services.

Are schools closed for Juneteenth?

Most schools should already be out for the summer, but if not, public schools will be closed for the federal holiday.

If it is a private school or university, you should check their calendar to see if it is closed.

Will stores, restaurants close for Juneteenth?

Even though it is a federally recognized holiday, individual businesses can decide whether or not they would like to be open on Juneteenth. You may want to call any local stores or restaurants you're planning on going to and ask if they'll be open.

Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a holiday marking slaves in Texas learning in 1865 that they had been freed by President Abraham Lincoln's  Emancipation Proclamation . The executive order outlawed slavery in Confederate states beginning Jan. 1, 1863, the midpoint of the Civil War.

The holiday rose to prominence in 2020 amid the nationwide protests about racial inequality after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia,  Breonna Taylor  in Kentucky and George Floyd in Minnesota.

President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.

Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter  @itskatiewiseman .

Journey to Moscow

   Welcome to Moscow - the capital of Russia, its political, scientific, historical, architectural and business centre, from which power and might of the Russian state developed.

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How to get to Suzdal from Moscow

If you are ever in Moscow, you should look at The Golden Ring , a ring of towns and cities north east of Moscow which played an important part in the formation of Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. The towns themselves are almost like museums and none more so than the jewel of the Golden Ring, Suzdal . You have to visit this town if you are in Moscow and I will tell you exactly how to get to Suzdal from Moscow.

You can do this in a return day trip to Moscow, just, but I recommend staying the night in Suzdal. That will give you the afternoon on the 1st day and the morning and early afternoon on the 2nd day to explore which should be enough time. You can get a bus from Moscow to Suzdal. However, there is only one bus a day and it is not very comfortable. A better option is to get a train to the nearby city of Vladimir and from there get a bus to Suzdal. There are multiple trains every day from Moscow and buses are almost every 30 minutes so you will not have to wait long in Vladimir.

Getting the train to Vladimir

Go to the state run website for Russian railways . In the departure station, click (or type) ‘MOSKVA’, in the arrival station type ‘VLADIMIR”, select your departure date (and return if you will go back to Moscow the next day) and click on the buy ticket button. You will have multiple trains to choose from. The fastest trains do the journey in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Be sure to check which of the Moscow train stations your train will depart from. More than likely this will be Mockva Kurskaia. Whichever station it is, you can get there very easily by using the metro .

How to get to Suzdal from Moscow? By train of course

Looking out train window

Getting Bus from Vladimir to Suzdal

When you arrive at the train station, follow everyone else that is leaving the train station. When you get outside, if you look across the street, you will see the bus station. The facilities in the bus and train station are pretty basic. the train station is a little better so if you want a coffee or something to eat, I would get it there.

In the bus station go to the ticket office and get a single ticket to Suzdal. Something like “odin billet Suzdal” should be enough to be understood. The ticket costs 98.50 rubles so its easier to have a 100 ruble note to get change from.

At the exit of the train station, the bus station is directly across the road

Bus timetables

And more timetables

My ticket to Suzdal is bus number 159, platform 10 at 12:00 and seat number 6.

Bus ticket to Sudal

When you have your ticket, go outside to the platform listed on the ticket and wait for the bus. Simple really!

Not the actual bus in the end. The bus was more of a minivan.

Staying the night in Suzdal

There are a lot of accommodation options available in Suzdal. The place i stayed is Suzdal Hotel . It is actually a house and they have a few rooms available. The breakfast that is included is very very good. Trust me on this. They will even collect you from the bus station in Suzdal and bring you back the next day.

View out my bedroom window

Returning to Vladimir (and Moscow)

To return to Vladimir, just repeat these steps in the opposite direction – return to the bus station in Suzdal, buy a ticket to Vladimir and continue your onward journey in Russia. Simples! 😉

Train to Nizhny Novgorod

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22 comments.

Melissa Butler

I went to Suzdal over 13years ago for Christmas, I was on an on the go tour and they organised the train for us which was a very interesting journey. I would love to go back and explore longer. I am definitely impressed that you have done it on your own and it sounds like you had a bit of an adventure :).

Hi Melissa, it certainly was an adventure that’s for sure! Though sometimes, there is something to be said for letting other people take care of things for you and getting to relax and not be too stressed.

Sandy N Vyjay

Moscow is a place with an intriguing and enigmatic history. Suzdal seems to be a charming place with a rich heritage. As you have mentioned it seems to be a living museum of sorts. Nice step by step instruction on getting to Suzdal from Moscow. This is indeed an invaluable resource for first-time travelers to Russia.

Thank you very much for your kind words. I hope some people find it useful!

Thanks for recommending the Suzdal Hotel, since I prefer to stay in small cozy places with good breakfast. And the service of taking the guests from and to the bus station in Suzdal is a great plus!

Yeah I agree. I would rather stay in a family type place than a bigger place too!

I have never heard of this town and it sounds like a great place to visit if you are already in Moscow. Your instructions are very helpful and I like how you put a photo of the ticket.

You’re welcome Candy. If you don’t speak the language, Russia can be difficult to get around.

Michael Hodgson

Fantastic detail and extremely useful post for anyone wanting to explore outside of Moscow. Suzdal does sound fascinating.

Thanks Michael!

This seems like quite an experience! I am surprised that I haven’t heard of Suzdal before but as soon as I go to Moscow, I will have to do a day trip to there. Is a day trip enough to explore Suzdal?

Hey Lydia, you certainly can! If you go early enough in the day to Vladimir, you can probably get 6-7 hours in Suzdal.

This is a great post with quite a few good details. Pics looks so amazing. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed!

Wow, you are adventurous! I spent years upon years in Russia and never made it to Suzdal. Never realized Vladimir was less than 2 hrs away from Moscow.

Thanks Jenia. Russia is a huge place. You could live there your entire life and not see it all!

Thanks for the instructions. If I ever want to visit Suzdal I now know how to get there from Moscow via Vladimir.

You’re welcome!

Lauren Pears

Suzdal sounds really lovely! I need to travel to more places where there will be snow rather than just constantly chasing the sun 😉

I know what you mean! After 4 months of winter in Russia though, I was craving the sun so much!

I had never heard of Suzdal until now. Thank you for introducing me to a new place. It looks so calm and quiet under the snow. What are some things to do in Suzdal?

I think it is the sort of place you go to get away from the craziness of big cities and have some slower, quiet time. If my memory is correct, they also have a cucumber festival once a year every July. Apparently the cucumbers of the area are very good!

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Election latest: Dragon's Den star joins Starmer on campaign trail - as Sunak welcomes former Boris Johnson's 'great' videos

Sir Keir Starmer has had some star power on the campaign trail today, joined by entrepreneur and former Dragon's Den favourite Theo Paphitis. Meanwhile, some selfie campaign videos from Boris Johnson have been welcomed by Rishi Sunak.

Tuesday 18 June 2024 14:34, UK

• General Election 2024

Election news

• It's the last day to register to vote - read our handy guide
• Bulletin: What you need to know this lunchtime
• Sunak welcomes ex-PM's 'great' videos
• Starmer joined by familiar face on campaign trail
• 'Change for the better': Scottish Labour unveil manifesto pledges
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Expert analysis

• Ed Conway: Do Reform's numbers add up?
• Jon Craig: Who's top of Sky's election interviews league?
• Tom Cheshire : The data behind the public's view of immigration

Election essentials

• Check parties' manifesto pledges:  Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage:  Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

Former Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika joins Sky News political editor Beth Rigby and Conservative peer Ruth Davidson as the general election campaign heads towards its final fortnight.

They're assessing whether Labour can shake off the questions about their taxation policies.

After Conservative Grant Shapps seemed to accept election defeat in an interview, is that something anyone should do in the middle of the campaign?

They discuss the "what ifs" of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as he tries to become an MP.

And as the SNP launch their manifesto, how is the election shaping up differently in Scotland?

👉 Click here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Plus, Beth, Ruth and Ayesha tackle listeners' questions on manifesto promises and Reform UK's unusual set-up.

Email Beth, Ruth, and Margaret at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.

In this episode, we mention the Clacton-on-Sea constituency, where the full list of candidates are:  

• Bensilum, Matthew (Liberal Democrats)
• Farage, Nigel Paul (Reform UK)
• Jamieson, Craig (Climate Party)
• Mack, Tony (Independent)
• Osben, Natasha (Green Party)
• Owusu-Nepaul, Jovan (Labour Party)
• Papanastasiou, Tasos (Heritage Party)
• Pemberton, Andrew (UKIP – NO to Illegal Immigration)
• Watling, Giles Francis (Conservative Party)

By Darren McCaffrey, political correspondent

Where do you go if you are 20 points behind in polls and no safe seats are safe seats any more?

Today, Rishi Sunak found himself in the absolutely stunning North Devon village of Clovelly.

A privately owned village which charges you £10 to enter, it is very Tory territory.

It's in the consistency being contested by Sir Geoffrey Cox, the former attorney general who has been an MP for 20 years. 

The prime minister bobbed out to sea with the rumbustious Sir Geoffrey in a small fishing vessel, not to catch some fish but voters.

His focus on fishermen and farmers in the South West comes with the claim Labour will tax them more and not take advantage of Brexit opportunities - something the opposition deny. 

Back on land, there were donkeys, cream teas and lobster lunches, but few interactions with local voters.

There simply weren't many, mostly bemused German tourists and Conservative supporters.

Today is an example of this conservative, Conservative campaign, a sign they are trying to hold on to traditional seats with traditional voters.

Some might say the PM's campaign is somewhat beached.

The full list of candidates for the Torridge and Tavistock constituency is:

• Geoffrey Cox, Conservatives;
• Phil Hutty, Lib Dems;
• Andrew Jackson, Reform;
• Judie Maciejowska, Greens;
• Alan Rayner, independent;
• Isabel Saxby, Labour.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

So far, only one poll has shown Reform ahead of the Conservatives - the Tories are currently an average of seven points ahead of Nigel Farage's party.

Read more about the tracker here .

By Sam Doak, OSINT producer

A former Brexit Party candidate is running for Reform UK under a different name, following accusations of Islamophobia in 2019.

Dionne Moore Cocozza is now running in Glasgow West as Dionne Moore, using her middle name as a surname. No details on Reform UK's website link the candidate to the 2019 race.

The Reform UK candidate previously stood for the Brexit Party, later rebranded as Reform UK, in Glasgow North under the name Dionne Cocozza, receiving 320 votes.

Ms Cocozza's candidacy in the 2019 election drew attention after the University of Glasgow's student newspaper and Hope Not Hate reported on her social media use.

At the time, she wrote on social media that Muslims wanted to institute Sharia law in a post viewed by Sky News.

According to the anti-racism advocacy group Hope Not Hate, Ms Cocozza has also said on social media "you can't say anything if you're white", and accused Labour's shadow minister David Lammy of stoking racism with "anti-white tweets".

She also shared a post written by another user, viewed by Sky News, which made the claim, "I heard a muslim say, we get elected then slowly we takeover".

Sky News was unable to find any other instances in which Ms Cocozza has opted to use the name "Dionne Moore" in public, and she has not drawn attention to her candidacy on social media.

Reform UK's regional manager for Scotland, Martyn Greene, confirmed the candidate is the same person who ran in 2019.

The party has said it is consulting lawyers about suing the company it paid £144,000 to vet candidates.

Chairman Richard Tice said the firm, Vetting.com, "promised a deep dive, particularly on social media", but has "delivered absolutely nothing".

However, Reform UK does not believe the vast majority of candidates who have been singled-out by the media for things they have said on social media have done anything wrong.

Also standing in Glasgow West are:

• James Calder, Liberal Democrats;
• James Cormack, Christian Party;
• Patricia Ferguson, Labour;
• Faten Hameed, Conservative;
• Carol Monaghan, SNP;
• Nick Quail, Scottish Greens.

Specialist, associate specialist, and speciality (SAS) doctors in England have voted in favour of a new pay deal from the government.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said 79.3% of members who took part in the ballot backed the new package.

It means SAS doctors on open contracts could see pay increases of between 9.5% and 19.4% compared with 2022/23.

It also includes a consolidated uplift of £1,400 to each pay point for SAS doctors on closed contracts.

This is on top of the 6% increase awarded by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB) in 2023/24.

You can read more from Sky News below:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is out on the campaign trail today, and he was asked about Boris Johnson's involvement in the Conservative election efforts.

The former prime minister has been drafted in by the Conservatives, reportedly to help counter the growing threat from Reform UK.

It is thought he has signed thousands of letters due to be delivered to voters this week, as well as recording campaign videos for a number of his Tory MP allies.

All this, it seems, done from the sunny beaches of Sardinia ( see 9.40 post ).

Asked whether he is disappointed Mr Johnson isn't actively campaigning, Mr Sunak said these videos and letters "have been co-ordinated by the campaign".

He added: "It's great that Boris is supporting the Conservative Party. I very much welcome that. 

"He's endorsing many candidates in videos and letters which have been co-ordinated by the campaign. 

"I know that will make a difference. And of course, every week he's making the case in his column and making sure everyone understands that what a Labour government would do to this country and why it's important everyone votes Conservative. 

"I'm glad he's doing that."

We've just been hearing from Sir Keir Starmer, who is in Basingstoke today as Labour continue their week of campaigning focused on the economy.

First, he is asked about the issue of illegal immigration, which the Labour leader says is a "real test of government".

Sir Keir says: "We have to stop this vile trade of the gangs that are putting vulnerable people into boats to cross that Channel.

"The only way to stop that is to smash those gangs, and that is why we will set up our Border Security Command. This will be a new command, with new powers."

But what about beer, Sir Keir?

He is then asked whether Labour would continue a freeze on beer duty.

Sir Keir says this is part of Labour's "package" to support hospitality.

He adds: "It is part of the challenge for small businesses, whether it's hospitality, whether it's retail… and that's why I'm really pleased today to be unveiling our plan for supporting small businesses."

It's 12.30pm and time for your lunchtime rundown.

But first, an important reminder that today is the deadline to register to vote. We have put together a handy guide if you still need to sort it out and make sure you can go to the polls on 4 July - find it here .

Now let us get you up to speed today's election news…

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are in north Devon, after they accused the Labour leader of having a "secret plan" to abolish inheritance tax relief for farmers; 
• And, in an interview, the prime minister accused Sir Keir Starmer of trying to "entrench his power" by lowering the voting age to 16;
• Meanwhile, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been urged to "set the record straight" on whether he agrees with Liz Truss's economic policy;
• It comes after a recording appeared to capture Mr Hunt saying the former prime minister's economic plans - which sunk the British economy - were "a good thing to aim for"; 
• And Boris Johnson has been drafted in by the Conservatives to help counter the growing threat from Reform UK, reports have claimed - but he appears to be doing so from the beach.
• Sir Keir Starmer is in Hampshire, where he and the Labour Party are continuing their week focused on the economy - today, sharing their plan for the British high street;
• Earlier, the Labour leader refused to rule out raising council tax for "working people" - and committed to a public inquiry on the Nottingham attacks;
• He also said only parents with children on a special educational needs (SEN) plan will be exempt from paying VAT on private school fees ;
• In Scotland, Anas Sarwar has today launched Scottish Labour 's manifesto, with a focus on improving the future for young people in the country;
• He also confirmed that Scottish Labour is against the two-child benefit cap , despite there being no plans to scrap the measure if Labour wins the keys to Downing Street.
• Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is in Eastleigh, where he is discussing sewage - and has claimed that the Tories would "fail in opposition" just as he says they have in government;
• And on a day of special coverage of the migration crisis here on Sky News, an exclusive poll suggests more Britons think immigration has had a negative impact on society than positive.

Here are some other stories you might find interesting: 

Stick with us for all the latest throughout the afternoon.

By Tom Cheshire , online campaign correspondent

More people in the UK think immigration has a negative impact on society compared to a positive one, according to a new survey carried out by YouGov exclusively for Sky News. 

Across the UK, 43% of people asked thought that immigration has a negative impact on British society, compared to 35% who said it has a positive impact.

While the results varied according to location, only in London and in Scotland were people more likely to say that immigration has a positive impact.

And there were clear divides between age groups: 54% of 18 to 24-year-olds think immigration has a positive effect. But among those aged 65 and up, 58% think the impact of immigration on society is negative.

There was a more mixed view on the economic benefits of immigration, with the results pretty even: 39% of respondents thought immigration has a positive impact on the economy, with 37% saying the impact was negative.

But the poll identified a clear gender split, with only 34% of women saying that immigration has had a positive economic impact, compared with 43% of men.

Respondents also thought that cutting immigration would have a negative impact on the NHS, hospitality, universities and social care, but a positive effect on housing.

The survey also revealed deep political distrust among the public, with 52% saying they think Labour are not telling the truth about what they think on immigration, and 49% saying the same thing about the Conservatives. Every region and demographic distrusted the main two parties on this point.

And people by a large margin believed that governments - from whatever party - could cut immigration if they really wanted but that it would have negative consequences they don't want to face.

Reform UKis the only party people think are telling the truth on immigration: 60% agreed that the party was saying what it genuinely thought.

Nor do people trust the main two parties to follow through on their promises. People thought that immigration would increase under both a Labour and a Conservative government - despite believing that their policies aim to reduce it.

People overwhelmingly think war, poverty, and gangs are mainly responsible for increases in immigration - compared to just 1% who think climate change is the main cause, or 4% who think Brexit is.

Scottish Labour is against the two-child benefit cap, Anas Sarwar has said, despite there being no plans to scrap the measure if Labour wins the keys to Downing Street.

Asked by a journalist if he was against the cap - which only allows families to claim benefits for two children - Mr Sarwar said: "The short answer is yes.

"We were right to oppose the two-child limit, we were right to vote against the two-child limit."

But he added: "The honest reality is after 14 years of Tory economic carnage, we will not be able to do everything we want to do as fast as we want to do."

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