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Man awaiting trial for murdering Chloe Mitchell secures new legal team

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Belfast Live

A Co Antrim man awaiting trial for murdering Chloe Mitchell today has now secured fresh legal representation, a court heard today.

Brandon John Rainey’s previous legal team walked away from the case last week stating that they had been “professionally compromised” and said the defendant had told them that he no longer wished them to represent him.

Rainey (29), of James Street, Ballymena, is currently awaiting trial and denies murdering the 21-year-old on June 3, 2023, and preventing the lawful burial of her remains.

The defendant was produced from custody to again attend the court proceedings while Ms Mitchell’s family and friends sat in the public gallery.

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At Belfast Crown Court today, senior defence counsel Des Fahy KC told Madam Justice McBride that he has now come into the case to represent Rainey.

“I am here this morning, principally out of courtesy to the court, to inform the court that I have been recently instructed in the case as of yesterday (Thursday) and there is an application to transfer the legal aid certificate to my instructing solicitor (Phoenix Law),” said Mr Fahy.

“My position is that as of this morning I don’t have any papers. I was first approached yesterday (Thursday) and my instructing solicitor was instructed last Friday.

“I am out of courtesy letting you know that matters are in train and I have agreed to accept instructions. I understand that my solicitor will get receipt of the papers today (from the former solicitors). So those papers will be in transit today.”

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With the trial listed to start after the Easter recess, Madam Justice McBride said there is an “urgency about this case proceeding” following representations by the Mitchell family that this case should be exempted from the strike and that was agreed by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA).

Mr Fahy replied: “I can tell you from The Bar that I will give this case my full attention once I have received the papers but as of yet I am not able to give you any indication how long that is going to take. I don’t have a sense of the extent of the papers.”

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Senior prosecution counsel David Russell KC said he was grateful to Mr Fahy for the way he had outlined the defence position and said the case should be reviewed next Friday, March 27.

“Hopefully by then Mr Fahy will have been able to triage the papers and have some idea of where we are going,” added Mr Russell.

Madam Justice McBride said she was conscious the Easter was coming “and we need to get this case on as soon as possible after the Easter recess”.

The senior judge agreed to adjourn that matter until next Friday and said she expected to be addressed by Mr Fahy on a timeframe that he considered was necessary in taking the case forward.

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Madam Justice McBride also agreed to transfer the legal aid certificate in the case from Ballymena-based James Ballentine & Son solicitors to Phoenix Law.

“I want to make it clear to the family who have attended today about the reasons which you obviously understand why this matter has not been able to proceed,” said Madam Justice McBride.

“But it is to be welcomed now that the defendant has engaged the services of a solicitor and senior counsel.

“Mr Fahy has given his commitment to the court to give this matter a priority and by next Friday hopefully we will be in a position to fix a date as to when this matter will proceed,” she added.

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Chloe Mitchell’s remains were found days after she went missing. She was last seen alive on CCTV in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of June 3, 2023 and an extensive search operation was launched by the PSNI.

Detectives investigating her disappearance later launched a murder inquiry after human remains were discovered in the Co Antrim town.

This led officers to attend a flat in the James Street area of the town which prompted Rainey’s arrest.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Robert Pattinson reveals Zendaya’s ‘calming influence’ with behind-the-scenes comments

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Daily Mirror

Robert Pattinson is co-starring alongside Zendaya in The Drama and has hailed the actress as one of the “greatest” of our time and also praised her for her calming energy on set

With the amount of time they have to spend ­together, not just filming but also on promotional events and ­weeks-long press tours, it helps when actors get along. So it’s a good job that Robert Pattinson and Zendaya have a close bond, given they have not one but three major films together out this year.

First for the pair comes Kristoffer Borgli’s twisted romance The Drama, out next month, followed by Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey in July and Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi Dune: Part Three in December.

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Robert, 39, says of his co-star: “She is one of the most incredible actresses of the moment. She is so talented but also such a calming influence on set.

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“I have this thing where I overthink lines and look for a deeper meaning but her calm manner always quickly bought me back to the moment.”

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In The Drama, Zendaya, 29, stars as Emma Harwood, a bookshop assistant engaged to Robert’s Charlie Thompson, a museum director from London. Days before the couple are due to marry, one discovers unsettling truths about the other that threaten to unravel everything.

While their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, their off-screen friendship has been just as important in shaping their performances. It was in fact Zendaya’s partner, Tom Holland, who first brought the pair together. Robert had previously worked with fellow Brit Tom on The Devil All the Time in 2020.

Robert says: “Tom has been a great friend of mine for a lot of years now, so we had met socially. “I can be a bit quiet in social occasions, so I think Tom had to convince her that I had a personality.

“Thankfully I think he succeeded, and I now consider the pair of them trusted friends.”

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For Robert, navigating high-profile roles is nothing new. He first rose to prominence as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005, but it was his portrayal of Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga that catapulted him to A-list status.

The films, released yearly from 2008 to 2012, became massive hits and in 2025 the first novel celebrated its 20th anniversary. Looking back now, Robert admits his relationship with that period of his life has evolved.

He says: “At the time I wanted to move on, but as I have gotten older and the hysteria has died down I actually look back on Twilight with really fond feelings.

“I am still asked about Twilight more than I am asked about anything else, the impact it still has on fans is huge. Due to streaming services there is the new wave of fans. I get asked about it by people who were barely born at the time the first film came out.”

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Robert was 21 when he was cast in the vampire franchise – and he struggled with the attention that came with being a global heart-throb.

He says he’s “lost count of the times fans asked me to bite them”, adding that it used to be “a weekly occurrence”. He adds: “That was why I was so keen at the time to move on from those films. I really didn’t cope at all. The first Twilight movie was always my favourite time of the franchise.

“Not because it was necessarily my favorite but because the hysteria hadn’t yet started and we got to enjoy the experience for everything it was.”

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Over the next two decades Robert carved out a diverse and critically acclaimed career, landing notable roles including 2022’s The Batman, in which he played Bruce Wayne. During that time, he learned to deal with fame’s highs and lows.

When he was announced as the new caped crusader, fans questioned if he could step in to such an iconic role – but Robert took it in his stride.

At the time, he said he was shocked he wasn’t mocked more, and joked the backlash was only “70% negative”, which he viewed as a bonus compared to past experiences.

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Since then he has developed a thicker skin in terms of public opinion. He says: “When it comes to my work and performances I am my harshest critic.

“When I started out I was full of self-doubt, but as you get older you learn to block any criticism out.”

Away from the spotlight, Robert got engaged to actress Suki Waterhouse in 2023 and the couple had their first child, a daughter, in March 2024.

And this week rumours swirled that both he and Zendaya had tied the knot with their long-term loves. It could be said that becoming a father has proved his biggest lesson to date.

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He says: “They just bring so much fun, so much joy, so much laughter. Then there is what they teach you. I think I have become so much more patient since I have become a parent. Before, in your mind you think there is some sort of handbook that tells you what to do, but the reality is you learn as you go.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

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CBS News shutters radio news service after nearly a century

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CBS News shutters radio news service after nearly a century

NEW YORK (AP) — CBS News said Friday it is shutting down its storied radio news service after nearly 100 years of operation as part of a round of layoffs, blaming a shift in radio station programming strategies and challenging economic times.

When it went on the air in September 1927, CBS News Radio was the precursor to the entire network, giving a youthful William S. Paley a start in the business. Famed broadcaster Edward R. Murrow delivered reports from London during World War II as part of the service.

Today CBS News Radio provides material to an estimated 700 stations across the country, and is known best for its top-of-the-hour news roundups. The service will end on May 22, the network said Friday.

“While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one,” CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski said in a memo to staff on Friday.

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Along with newspapers, radio was the dominant force in how Americans got their news from the 1920s through the 1940s, with Americans listening to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats” during the Depression, before the format was largely supplanted by television in the 1950s. Radio is even less a force in modern society, with the world online and on phones. Those seeking audio often turn to podcasts before radio.

The front page of CBS News’ website did not immediately carry news of the demise.

Weiss is not a stranger to CBS’ storied history. Addressing her staff in January, three months into her job as CBS News boss, she invoked the network’s legendary newsman Walter Cronkite as a symbol of old thinking and said that if the network continues with its current strategy, “we’re toast.”

Weiss announced the hiring of 18 new contributors and said CBS News needs to do stories that will “surprise and provoke — including inside our own newsroom.”

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Weiss, founder of the Free Press website and without broadcast news experience before being hired by CBS parent Paramount’s new management, has quickly become a headline-maker and polarizing figure in journalism. She held a “60 Minutes” story critical of President Donald Trump’s deportation policy from being broadcast for a month and has critics watching to see if she’s moving the network in a Trump-friendly direction.

___

David Bauder covers the intersection of media and entertainment for The Associated Press.

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Former Bury FC owner charged with fraud appears in court

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Former Bury FC owner charged with fraud appears in court

Steven Dale and his son Christian Dale appeared before Chester Magistrates’ Court yesterday (March 19).

The 70-year-old is alleged to have committed fraud by false representation relating to a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for Bury FC Heritage Ltd in February 2021.

Dale, of Heath Rise, Whitmore, Staffordshire, is also charged with failing to keep, preserve or deliver up adequate accounting records under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 for The Bury Football Club Company Limited and Dale Acquisitions Ltd.

His son, Christian Dale, 41, of the same address, is charged with the same offences under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 in relation to Dale Acquisitions Ltd.

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Both were bailed after appearing before the court, and the case has now been sent to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Thursday, April 16.

The charges follow investigations into the pair by the Insolvency Service.

Businessman Steven Dale bought Bury FC from Stewart Day for just £1 in December 2018 when Day stepped down as Bury chairman after six years, a period which saw a number of financial problems for The Shakers.

In August 2019 the club was also expelled from the English Football League (EFL) after 125 years.

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In 2020, Dale placed the company into administration and fans formed Bury Association Football Club while Bury FC was in crisis.

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Off-roader seized by neighbourhood team in Atherton

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Off-roader seized by neighbourhood team in Atherton

The vehicle was confiscated by the Atherton Neighbourhood Team in the Spa Road area over the weekend in response to complaints from the public.

A spokesman for the team said: “Thank you to the local community for continuing to report these issues.

“Your information helps us take action and keep the area safe for everyone.

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“If you witness any further anti-social behaviour or nuisance vehicles, please continue to report it via 101 or online.

“Thank you for your continued support.”

Police are urging residents to remain vigilant and to keep reporting any concerns or sightings of anti-social behaviour or illegal vehicle use.

Anyone with information about crime in Atherton or the surrounding area can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Tuna, roast pepper, tomato and white bean salad

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Tuna, roast pepper, tomato and white bean salad

This is based on the classic Italian tuna and bean salad, but I’ve gone further. If you have time to toss the beans with the dressing a few hours before you want to assemble and serve, do it. The beans taste wonderful once they’ve marinated for a while. You can roast the peppers yourself or use ready-cooked ones from a jar.

The quality of the tuna and the anchovies is very important. I use jarred Ortiz tuna or canned Charles Basset (the latter isn’t as good but it’s cheaper). Waitrose also do very good own-label jarred tuna in olive oil. This means it’s not a cheap meal, though, as good canned tuna is expensive. When I need this to be a cheap and cheerful lunch, I use supermarket own-label tuna tinned in olive oil. You don’t have to be strict about the quantity of tuna; jars and tins vary a lot in the weight they contain. Get whatever you can find and use your judgment.

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Harrogate and Ripon Camra name their 2026 pubs of the year

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Harrogate and Ripon Camra name their 2026 pubs of the year

The branch has named the Portly Pig in Ripon has its city pub of the year for 2026.

The Tapp on the Tutt in Boroughbridge is 2026 Country Pub of the year.

In a social media post, Portly Pig owners Stuart and Katie Ross said: “When we took over the PIG, we never expected to have such an incredible year – we’ve met the most amazing people, shared stories and laughed until our bellies hurt!

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“It is lovely to be part of an incredible community that is Ripon, it is thriving because of all the amazing business’ it has to offer, with many Independents. It may be the 3rd smallest city, yet it has a HUGE heart.

“WE PIGGIN Love U ALL, thank you we are truly grateful.”

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Simon Wade, owner of the Tapp on the Tutt posted on social media: “For the last three years, we’ve taken immense pride in serving top-quality cask marque accredited real ales, alongside a fantastic selection of draught ales and ciders.

“This recognition is a testament to our commitment and passion for delivering the best experience for our patrons.

“A massive THANK YOU to all our tappers, the incredible breweries, and especially our dedicated staff! Your hard work and support have truly made this possible.”

As previously reported, York CAMRA this week announced its 2026 City Pub of the Year as The Last Drop Inn, Colliergate, and the Town and Country Pub of the Year, The White Bear Inn, Stillington.

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Meghan Markle brutally mocked by Comic Relief host over Prince Harry comment

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Daily Mirror

Comic Relief: Funny For Money star Joel Dommett took a swipe at Meghan Markle’s past comments about Prince Harry, while opening up about his own marriage

Comic Relief host Joel Dommett has taken a playful jab at Meghan Markle’s previous remarks about her husband, Prince Harry. In 2021, the Duchess of Sussex claimed she knew little about Harry or royal protocols prior to their relationship, despite his prominent status. As she became more acquainted with him on a personal level, Meghan also asserted she hadn’t used Google to learn more about him.

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In conversation with Oprah Winfrey, she stated: “Well, I didn’t do any research about what that would mean… I’d never looked up my husband online. I just didn’t feel a need to because everything that I needed to know, he was sharing with me, right? Everything that he thought I needed to know, he was telling me.”

In the pair’s Netflix documentary released a year later, a resurfaced 2015 clip showed Meghan being questioned about Harry and his brother Prince William at a red carpet event.

When asked who she preferred out of the two, she selected Harry – whom she would later wed in 2018. Discussing the start of his own relationship with his wife Hannah, Joel couldn’t resist alluding to Meghan’s comments while speaking on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast.

He quipped that his wife professed she didn’t know who he was after messaging him, following an appearance on Lorraine Kelly’s show.

“My wife slid into my DMs. The TV was on in the corner of the bar and she saw me on Lorraine,” he shared. “She hadn’t seen any of the junk [about a previous catfishing situation he fell victim to].”

He then joked: “That same way that Meghan Markle didn’t know Prince Harry – ‘Oh, what is a Prince?’”.

Joel, 40, wed Hannah in Mykonos, Greece, three years after they met. The pair share a son, Wilde, and are currently expecting their second child.

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Harry and Meghan, meanwhile, have two children together – Archie and Lilibet. The duo stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 before discussing their decision to depart in their high-profile interview with Oprah.

They subsequently released a six-part Netflix documentary providing a more personal glimpse into their relationship, from how they met to their exit from royal life.

Harry additionally elaborated on his experiences as a royal in his memoir, Spare. Since 2020, the pair have been living in the US, making only occasional visits to the UK.

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Meanwhile, Joel returns to screens tonight as one of the presenters for this year’s Comic Relief Red Nose Day.

The BBC One programme will feature an evening of entertainment, with appearances from stars including Davina, Joel, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed and Catherine Tate.

Comic Relief: Funny For Money airs tonight at 7pm on BBC One.

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The 10-year-old Cambridgeshire community praised as ‘nice neighbourhood’ with ‘gorgeous’ walks

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Cambridgeshire Live

One person also said the area has ‘gorgeous’ green spaces to explore and walk around

People living on a modern housing estate say it is a nice place to live, with lots for families with children to do. Built on the former RAF Alconbury air base, Alconbury Weald is a fairly new community, with its first residents moving in just 10 years ago.

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While the development has been up and running since 2016, new houses are still being built on site. As part of the Exploring Cambridgeshire series, we spoke to people those already living in Alconbury Weald.

Moving from Huntingdon, Sandra and her partner Brian, who wished not to include their surnames, have lived in the area for the last three years. Sandra said Alconbury Weald is “nice” and they are “happy” living there.

She added: “It’s a very nice neighbourhood. There are a mix of different people here. We have a Co-op, and while I think we could do with something else like a Lidl or little Tesco, we still support them [Co op].

“What I love is they thought about the children and they put a lot of play areas here.” Brian added that the area has a “good tennis court” and praised other sports in the area.

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Alconbury Weald has a popular beer festival, which offers a chance to relax and unwind over three days from Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12. This year’s event will see local ales and ciders on offer, as well as a barbecue with plenty of options. There will also be live entertainment to enjoy.

Tereza Mistolerova moved to Alconbury Weald with her husband in September last year. The couple moved to the area from London since there is a lower cost of living.

Tereza said: “It was impossible to live in London and we have a lot of friends in Cambridge. We weren’t able to buy a house in London. We couldn’t afford a two-bed place, but got a four-bedded house here.”

Tereza also praised the green spaces. She added: “There is so much green. It’s gorgeous for walks. Everyone is also really friendly, you tend to talk to a lot of people with dogs. I have not come across anyone sketchy. Everyone seems lovely.”

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Paul Todd moved from Sawtry to Alconbury Weald in 2021. He said the area is “nice” and is its “own little unit”. He added: “The only people here are the ones who live here. It’s safe for the children and I can safely let them out and about.”

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said Alconbury Weald is “very clean and well kept”. She added: “There are a good range of house sizes, and the green spaces are great to walk dogs around. With summer coming, I will definitely be going out a lot more.”

Another man, who also wished to not be named, said it is a “lovely little place” to live. He added: “There is hardly any trouble. The one school is massive and I think they are building another, which will be good. There are also lots of places to go outside with kids and plenty of places to have a picnic.”

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Frank Lampard’s Matt Grimes message to Swansea City boo boys as blow emerges

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Wales Online

The latest news from the Swansea.com Stadium

Here’s your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Friday, March 20.

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Lampard doubles down on Swans boo-boys message

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard says Swansea City fans should be thanking, rather than booing, former captain Matt Grimes this weekend.

The former Swans skipper is poised to return to the Swansea.com Stadium for the first time since his acrimonious exit 14 months ago, and was on the receiving end of a frosty reception from the travelling Jack Army when the two sides met at the CBS Arena earlier in the season.

Lampard wasn’t happy with the treatment of his current captain at the time, labelling the reaction ‘incredible’.

However, it seems likely Grimes, who made 333 appearances for the Swans, will receive a similar welcome this weekend.

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Swansea boss Vitor Matos admitted it was up to fans what sort of reception they give to their former hero this weekend.

Lampard, meanwhile, has doubled down in backing the midfielder.

He said: “Matt Grimes played 10 years for Swansea and had opportunities to go to the Premier League etc because of the level of player he is. I know vague bits about this.

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“I don’t know what to expect, but I always think if I were a Swansea fan, I think I’d be saying ‘Thanks very much for your 10 years’. That’s my opinion.

“I’ve been booed. You know what, it’s easier with hindsight and age looking back, you can be very light-hearted about it because it’s the pantomime of football and it’s part of the reason why we love football.

“I wouldn’t go to a match and boo someone, it’s not how I am, but if people are like that, that’s part of the reason that we love the game and you just have to understand it and try and play your best. If people want to boo or applaud or whatever, we’re professionals, you go and try and do the best job.

“Is there sometimes more on the games when you go back and receive an atmosphere like that? Yes, to make that a positive thing rather than a negative.”

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Key a doubt as Coventry blow confirmed

Swans boss Vitor Matos is sweating over the fitness of Josh Key ahead of the visit of the Sky Blues.

The right-back picked up a minor hip injury in the defeat to Wrexham on Friday night, and now faces a late fitness test ahead of Saturday evening’s clash.

“Josh had a knock against Wrexham so let’s see if he will be available or not,” said Matos.

“We still have one session [to come]. He did part of the sessions [this week] but we still need to see.”

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Coventry, meanwhile, will head to south Wales without top scorer Haji Wright, Lampard has confirmed.

The striker was left out of the United States squad named by Mauricio Pochettino in midweek, having come off with a suspected groin injury during the defeat to Southampton.

Lampard has now confirmed the striker, who’s one goal shy of Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik at the top of the Championship’s goalscoring charts, will now not play any part this weekend.

“He’s doing OK, he won’t be fit for this weekend and he won’t travel to America to play the games,” the Sky Blues boss said.

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Matos tells Swans to ‘fight for badge’

Matos insists his Swans side will not be taking their foot off the gas heading into the final few weeks of the season.

Defeat to Wrexham has left the Swans eight points adrift from the top six and 13 points clear of the relegation zone.

Neither seems to be a likely possibility for the Swans, but Matos has fiercely denied any suggestion his side no longer have anything to play for.

“If we want to build a culture, we need to build a culture with the right values and for me, the right value in sports is that you need to compete in each game,” he said.

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“From each game, you need to squeeze the best out of it. From each season, you need to squeeze the best out of it and not accept or just walk through the season.

“The badge and this club needs to have a commitment to winning and that commitment needs to be in every game and in every situation.”

*Follow all of our social channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Swans news. Sign up to our daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here. Our Swansea City correspondent Tom Coleman is also on social media. He can be found on his X account here, on Instagram, on TikTok and on Facebook.

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Norway’s crown princess tearful as she speaks out on friendship with Jeffrey Epstein | World News

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Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit pictured in 2025. Pic: Reuters

Norway’s crown princess says she regrets her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, insisting in a tearful interview she was “manipulated and deceived”.

The release of files related to the late sex offender has sent shockwaves around the world, revealing his ties to prominent people, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

They showed frequent communication between her and the disgraced financier long after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage girl.

Simply being named in these files does not suggest any wrongdoing, and the crown princess has not been accused of any criminality.

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Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: Reuters

While her ties to Epstein were already reported, new documents showed a more extensive relationship.

The revelations prompted a rare rebuke from Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, who said it was important that she answer questions about her relationship with Epstein.

Speaking with NRK, the country’s public broadcaster, an emotional Mette-Marit said: “I was manipulated and deceived.”

“Of course, I wish I had never met him,” she added.

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Crown Princess Mette-Marit at the 2024 Nobel banquet at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway. Pic: Reuters
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Crown Princess Mette-Marit at the 2024 Nobel banquet at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway. Pic: Reuters

The files revealed the crown princess maintained contact with Epstein from 2011 to 2014.

They also show she stayed at his Palm Beach house for four days during a private trip in 2013.

“He used the fact that we had a mutual friend, and that I’m gullible,” she said.

“I like to believe the best about people. But I also chose to end contact with him.”

“I’ve never seen anything illegal,” she told NRK.

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The landing page for the Epstein files. Pic: Reuters
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The landing page for the Epstein files. Pic: Reuters

The files also appeared to contradict her 2019 statement when she apologised for not investigating Epstein’s past, and said she would never have associated with him had she known the seriousness of his crimes.

In one email from October 2011 – three years after Epstein’s guilty plea – she told the disgraced financier she had Googled him.

“It didn’t look too good” she wrote, followed by a smiley face.

She told NRK she could not remember why she wrote the email.

“But if I had found information that made me realise that he was an abuser and sex offender, I wouldn’t have written a smiley face behind it,” she continued.

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Mette-Marit is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, who sat beside his wife, and said he supported her at a difficult time.

He said marriage was for “the good days and the bad”, praised her as “caring, wise and really strong”, and insisted he will “always have her on the team”.

The crown princess suffers from a chronic lung disease that will eventually require her to have a lung transplant, and she has not appeared in public in recent weeks.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in Oslo last year. Pic: AP
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Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in Oslo last year. Pic: AP

Her interview comes after Marius Borg Hoiby, her eldest son from a previous relationship, went on trial accused of rape and other crimes.

The 29-year-old has pleaded not guilty to rape and domestic abuse while admitting some lesser charges.

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The popularity of Norway’s royal family has taken a hit in recent months, with a February survey showing some 60% of Norwegians supported the monarchy, down from 70% in January.

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