The only motion in next week’s extraordinary council meeting states: “The Council resolves that, pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the City of York Council withdraws the Honorary Freeman of the City status from Sarah Ferguson, which was conferred upon her in 1987.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche went to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to try to quell bipartisan frustration over the Justice Department’s handling of millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.

The country’s top federal law enforcement officials were providing a closed-door briefing to members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about the tranche of documents that have become a political headache that the Trump administration has struggled to shake for more than a year.

Justice Department leaders had hoped the release of documents tied to the disgraced financier would put an end to a political saga that has dogged the president’s second term, but the agency remains consumed by questions and criticism over Epstein’s case and its management of the files.

The Republican-led committee on Tuesday issued a subpoena for Bondi to appear for a deposition on April 14 to answer questions under oath about Epstein’s case and the investigative files. Lawmakers have accused the Justice Department of withholding too many files and criticized the agency for haphazard redactions that exposed intimate details about victims.

The Justice Department has called the subpoena “completely unnecessary,” noting that members of Congress have been invited to view unredacted files at the Justice Department and that department leaders have made themselves available to answer questions from lawmakers.

The department has sought to assure lawmakers and the public that there has been no effort to shield President Donald Trump, who says he cut ties with Epstein years ago after an earlier friendship, or any other high-profile figures close to Epstein from potential embarrassment. Justice Department leaders have also rejected suggestions that they have ignored victims and insist that while there is no evidence in the files to prosecute anyone else, they remain committed to investigating should new information come forward.

“I’m not trying to defend Epstein — I’m not,” Blanche said in an interview this week with Katie Miller, who is married to top Trump adviser Stephen Miller. “I do defend the work that this department is doing today, right now, which is going after every single perpetrator anyway, and if there is a narrative that exists that we are ignoring Epstein victims, that is false.”

The documents were disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and onetime girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Criminal investigations into the financier have long animated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and others who have suspected government cover-ups and clamored for a full accounting.

After missing a Dec. 19 deadline set by Congress to release all the files, the Justice Department said it tasked hundreds of lawyers with reviewing the records to determine what needed to be redacted, or blacked out. The Justice Department in January said it was releasing more than 3 million pages of documents along with more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.

Emergency services were called to Morningside Road in the capital after the alarm was raised at around 4.30pm on Wednesday.

A car has crashed into a bus in Edinburgh.

Emergency services were called to Morningside Road in the capital after the alarm was raised at around 4.30pm on Wednesday.

A white Dacia Stepway was involved in a collision with a Lothian Bus.

An image shared with Edinburgh Live showed the front of the Dacia and back of the Lothian Bus visibly damaged. Police could also be seen in attendance.

The crash took place opposite the M&S bus stop and it’s understood motorists were caught up in tailbacks in both directions as a result.

Edinburgh Travel News warned motorists to expect delays with a statement on X.

They said: “RTC restricting citybound Morningside Road at Morningside Park / M&S. 15mins drive time from Greenbank as at 4.40pm.”

Lothian Buses and Police Scotland were asked by Edinburgh Live for comment.

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Davina McCall will return to present the evening of entertainment joined by plenty of famous comedians

Each year since 1988 people across the UK celebrate Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day to raise money for the charity. The annual event takes place in March with celebrities and comedians taking part in challenges and one off specials.

Red Nose Day is one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events raising millions of pounds for vital causes affecting families across the UK and the world.

This year Red Nose Day falls on Friday, March 20, with the BBC holding a huge night of TV that will feature a variety of comedy sketches, live performances, surprise guests, and show-stopping musical acts. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.

The very first Red Nose Day was in 1988 and raised a massive £15m.

More than 30m people tuned in to watch the first sketches of Blackadder: The Cavalier Years and the Young Ones on University Challenge.

This year four of the UK’s most-watched digital creators are teaming up for the “ultimate debut performance” live on BBC One on Friday night.

Ayamé, Sarel, Specs Gonzalez and Victor Kundaare are forming The Creator Band.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money is live on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Friday from 7pm and for the very first time will be streaming live on the official BBC YouTube channel.

Davina McCall will return to present the evening of entertainment joined by comedians like Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Joel Dommett, and Catherine Tate (as Nan from The Catherine Tate Show).

The incident happened in Costa del Sol in a room at a resort in Torremolinos, Spain

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A teenage girl escaped a terrifying sexual assault by jumping from a hotel balcony.

The incident happened in Costa del Sol in a room at a resort in Torremolinos, Spain. Daily Star reports the 14-year-old girl is believed to have been drugged and sexually assaulted by three young men in the room.

On Saturday morning (March 14) she was held captive before making a brave attempt to escape, climbing from the terrace to an adjacent balcony according to police.

This occurring just hours after her concerned family reported her missing when she failed to return. A hotel employee is said to have heard the girl’s cries for help and promptly alerted emergency services, prompting a swift police response, the Sun reports.

The Spanish Eye reported that one individual has been arrested on suspicion of unlawful detention, issuing serious threats, sexual assault and drug offences, after allegedly threatening the girl with a knife and assaulting her.

Two others, including a minor, were arrested on suspicion of unlawful detention and public health offences, according to local reports. It’s alleged that the victim was coerced into taking drugs prior to the attack.

The nationalities of those involved have not been disclosed and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. This comes after a “wolf pack” targeted and raped a British teenager at a Magaluf hotel.

A group of seven French men and one Swiss man accepted prison sentences which added up to over 73 years for the horror crime. The men agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors in Spain just days before a trial into the gang rape of an 18-year-old British girl at the BH Mallorca, in the summer of 2023.

These horror men faced being jailed for up to 150 years if they were convicted at trial. This plea included the men admit to the horror crimes they committed at the Spanish hotel.

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David Grundy, 61, worked with his brother for more than a decade, making £900,000 and securing thousands of people around the world skilled jobs they were not qualified for.

In an investigation led by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, hosted by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council, the brothers were found to have advertised “high quality” and “flawless” certificates from universities across the globe.

Recommended reading:

The Court heard how Grundy, of Coton Avenue, Stafford, had used specialist equipment to create the fakes – some of which were sold for more than £1,000 each.

Trading Standards officers confirmed that at least 70 people in the UK were using the brothers’ services – which were customised to help people land places on higher education courses and jobs in engineering, occupational health and safety, teaching, accountancy, biomedical science and law.

Speaking about this, a spokesperson for City of York Council said: “Grundy was able to produce certificates for any purpose, with no concern given to the possible risks to employers or the public.

“In 2021, a Trading Standards investigation began and in December of that year a warrant was executed at Grundy’s home.

“Specialist equipment used to produce the counterfeit certificates was seized, including embossing stamps, holograms, high-grade paper and a laser engraver.

“A handwritten list containing almost 300 customer names was also recovered, offering a snapshot of the global customer base.” 

The Joint Council for Qualification (JCQ) had instructed solicitors to warn Grundy – demanding he stop making the fake certificates.

The Court heard how Grundy had ignored the formal warning.  

A JCQ spokesperson said: “JCQ welcomes today’s sentencing and was pleased to support this prosecution.

“Students work hard to achieve their qualifications, and teachers work hard to support them.

“Fake certificates undermine that effort and today’s outcome reflects how serious and unacceptable this activity is.”

Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment at City of York Council, added: “Mr Grundy’s actions were damaging and dishonest at every level, cheating everyone who studies hard and pays for genuine qualifications, and showing no regard for the public who should be able to trust that qualifications mean what they say.

“Thanks go to the dedicated National Trading Standards team for their work in achieving a successful prosecution.”

Grundy was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on Friday (March 13) after pleading guilty to fraudulent trading at York Magistrate’s Court on September 4.

Liverpool remain without Alexander Isak as Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike all return. The visitors won well at the weekend to strengthen their lead at the Super Lig summit, though are missing the likes of Davinson Sanchez and will have no fans at Anfield due to a UEFA ban. Follow Liverpool vs Galatasaray live below!

Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd helped UConn to an undefeated season heading into March Madness. The pair became the first teammates in six years to make The Associated Press All-America team.

It’s the 10th time that teammates have made the first team, seven of those involving UConn players. The last pair to achieve the feat was Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020.

Strong and Fudd were joined by Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Texas’ Madison Booker.

Strong was a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel that chooses the AP Top 25 each week. Blakes and Betts received all but two first-place votes.

Strong, who set numerous records as a freshmen for the Huskies, raised her game in her sophomore season, helping the No. 1 Huskies to a perfect record heading into the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game and shot 60.1% from the field. Fudd was right behind her, with 17.7 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from the 3-point line.

“I’m thrilled for Azzi and Sarah. They worked really hard this season and they’re great teammates,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “It’s been a long time coming for Azzi. She’s worked through so many hardships in her time at UConn, and it’s great to see all her perseverance pay off.

“Sarah picked up where she left off last season and has been so consistently good and reliable for us. I’m happy for them individually, but I know it means a lot for them to get this accomplishment together as well.

Blakes has had a sensational sophomore season, leading the country in scoring with 27 points a game. She also averaged 4.4 assists and shot 45.8% from the field.

“Mikayla has cemented herself as one of the best players in the country as she continues to bring our team and program to new heights while staying laser-focused on winning,” Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said. “She continues to do everything our team needs to put us in position to be successful and has elevated her play all season long against the toughest competition in the country.”

Vanderbilt had one of the best seasons in school history behind Blakes, who became only the second first-team All-American ever for the Commodores, joining Chantelle Anderson in 2002.

“Mikayla has changed the trajectory of our program by making everyone around her better and by betting on herself to create a legacy here at Vanderbilt,” Ralph said. “She is both deserving and has earned being named first-team All-American, and we are so proud to be on this journey with her and so happy for her recognition!”

Betts averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds and shot 60.1% from the field for UCLA. It’s the second straight season the senior post player has earned first-team All-America honors. Last year she became the first Bruins player ever to receive that accolade.

“Lauren Betts is a generational player; she’s had incredible impact on the game. I’m not surprised for this honor, but I’m also thrilled for her and so excited for what she’s earned,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “She’s been not only impactful on a on-court and individual level, but also on a team and program level. This is well deserved for Lauren.”

Booker earned first-team All-America honors for the second consecutive season. She averaged 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds and shot 51.6% from the field. The junior wing helped the Longhorns win the SEC Tournament with a victory over South Carolina in the title game.

“She has the vision and passing skills of a point guard. She enjoys the pass and the assist as much as the bucket,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. “She can score at all three levels, but her ability to rise above the defense, create space and get her shot off is what sets her apart from everyone else. Her work ethic and investment in her game is elite. She sees the game and understands the game like a 15-year pro.”

Strong, Betts, Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and Ta’Niya Latson were all on the preseason All-America team.

Second team

The AP second team was headlined by Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, a member of the first team in her first two seasons. She was joined by South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, TCU’s Olivia Miles, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge.

Third team

The AP third team was LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson, Michigan’s Olivia Olson, UCLA’s Kiki Rice, Duke’s Toby Fournier and South Carolina’s Raven Johnson.

Honorable mention

Clara Strack of Kentucky, Rori Harmon of Texas and Cotie McMahon of Mississippi were the leading vote getters among players who didn’t make the three All-America teams. Players earned honorable-mention status if they appeared on one of the ballots.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Available for over a year

Today, Angela Rayner has reignited Labour leader speculation with a speech in Westminster.

The former deputy prime minister told a room at a Westminster pub that Labour is “running out of time”.

Adam and Chris discuss this, and mixed messages coming out of the White House about the effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury with Chief North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was James Piper. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Liverpool stamped their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday with a dominant display over Galatasaray at Anfield, and their route to May’s final is now crystal clear

Liverpool will face PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League following a trouncing triumph against Galatasaray on Wednesday evening. The Reds headed into the clash at Anfield with a 1-0 deficit to overcome from last week’s reverse at Rams Park.

In that match, Mario Lemina made the difference with his seventh-minute strike. Down but never out, Arne Slot’s side emerged in front of the Kop in fighting fashion, and it didn’t take Liverpool long to open the scoring.

Dominic Szoboszlai struck first, 25 minutes into play via a well-worked corner – bursting into the box unmarked as the ball was whipped in hard and low before steering it goalward. Mohamed Salah then had an opportunity to make it 2-0 on the night from the penalty spot when Szoboszlai was brought down in the area by Ismail Jakobs.

However, the Egyptian failed to beat Ugurcan Cakir from 12 yards, rolling the ball down the middle with the Turkish shot stopper denying Salah with his feet. Attacking the Kop for the second-half, Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s tally for the night 51 minutes in.

Salah atoned for his earlier error by picking out the French forward at the back stick, leaving the 23-year-old with little work as he slotted the ball Cakir from point blank range. The floodgates well and truly opened soon after, with Ryan Gravenberch finding the back of the net just two minutes later, thumping home a rebounded effort from Salah inside the area.

Wilfried Singo suffered a nightmare soon after the third goal, as he accidentally steered Jeremie Frimpong’s cross into his own net. However, Galatasaray fans worldwide were left breathing a sigh of relief when Frimpong was deemed offside in the build-up, as the score remained at 3-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

However, it didn’t take Liverpool to finally find a fantastic fourth, Salah cutting in on his favoured left foot, playing a cute one-two with Florian Wirtz and curling into the corner with 62 minutes on the clock.

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While Liverpool haven’t finished the job just yet, it seems as though they will make their way into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a convincing victory over Galatasaray – the game surely too far gone for Okan Buruk’s side to respond.

As things stand, Liverpool will take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes come Tuesday, April 7 in the first leg of the quarter-finals. An all-decisive reverse will then take place at Anfield a week later.

It comes after Les Parisiens enjoyed a 3-0 rout of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu making their way onto the scoresheet in that fixture which took the aggregate to 8-2 in PSG’s favour following a 5-2 thrashing in the French capital last week.

Should Liverpool see an aggregate win over the Ligue 1 titans over two legs, they will then face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the semis. A win there would set them up against Sporting CP, Arsenal, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in May’s final, dependent on who progresses through that half of the Champions League draw.

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

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Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Galatasaray on March 18. Fans can watch the game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.

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