Michael Leask and George Munsey starred as Scotland beat World Cup debutants Italy by 73 runs at Eden Gardens.

Munsey – dropped on 40 – blasted 84 as Scotland set 207-4 off their 20 overs, helped by Leask taking 22 from the final five balls of the innings.

Leask carried that momentum into the field, dismissing Italian opener Justin Mosca first ball as Munsey took an excellent diving catch to his right.

Despite a 73-run partnership between brothers Ben and Harry Manenti, Italy were always behind the rate and once they were removed, Scotland skittled the tail for a comfortable win.

With captain Wayne Madsen unable to bat having dislocated his shoulder fielding, Italy were bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs.

Leask finished with magnificent figures of 4-17, while Mark Watt chipped in with 2-24 as Munsey pouched four catches.

Scotland – with one win from two – are next in action against England on Saturday, while Italy face Nepal on Thursday.

More to follow.

It has been an extremely trying week for all involved with Cliftonville.

LEGACIES and tributes were on Jim Magilton’s mind in the aftermath of Saturday’s stunning 2-1 Irish Cup victory over Glenavon at Solitude.

There has rarely been a dull moment at the club during the 56-year-old’s tenure but the events of last week will take some beating for drama.

Magilton was furious with his players following a 2-1 defeat away to the Lurgan Blues the previous weekend and dark clouds hovered over north Belfast as Kieran Harding resigned as chairman in the wake of sustained abuse from sections of the club’s support.

Things weren’t looking much brighter on Saturday as Glenavon deservedly led the sixth round tie thanks to a lovely finish from Luke McGerrigan.

A scrambled goal from Joe Gormley lifted the mood but fans were fearing the worst when Sean Robertson was sent off on a second yellow card shortly after.

But the Reds dug deep and with the last, thunderous kick of the game, Jonny Addis won it with an incredible swipe of his left boot to spark raucous scenes of celebration in the stands.

“When he was coming up, I was screaming at him to hit it,” said Magilton. “Normally he ignores me – but this time he didn’t.

“He offers so much. It was a magnificent strike and a moment of real quality in a huge game.

“His legacy at this club won’t just be about being a wonderful footballer. “It’s about the partnerships he’s formed, the way he’s helped the team play, and how he’s brought others with him.”

Addis was teed up for that late strike by captain Rory Hale, who came off the bench around the hour mark to lead by example after a difficult week.

“We have to pay special tribute to Rory,” added Magilton. “He lost his grandad, who he was very, very close to.

“That’s not easy. But he wanted to be part of the group, he wanted to play a part – and he certainly did. He showed real quality when he came on.”

The Solitude boss also paid a warm tribute to Harding, who he forged a close bond with.

“I’m really sad to see Kieran go. He’s a very decent human being and someone I spoke to on a regular basis.

“I’ve had a fantastic professional relationship with him.

“Not many chairmen can talk about the team the way Kieran could.

“He was always someone you could have a close relationship with.

“Kieran’s a huge loss for me, for the players and for Cliftonville. We wish him nothing but the best.

“It’s massive for us that the club stays united.”

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NEW Jeffrey Epstein files have reignited explosive claims that the paedophile financier secretly worked as a foreign intelligence asset.

Messages from the latest tranche of docs reportedly include references to Israel’s spy agency Mossad and secret surveillance equipment allegedly installed across Epstein’s homes.

The documents appear to paint a murky picture of Epstein’s international contacts, fuelling speculation that he gathered compromising information on powerful figures.

According to The Times, newly released files include claims from a confidential FBI informant that the billionaire paedo was a “co-opted Mossad agent”.

An FBI report from October 2020 said the source had become “convinced that Epstein was a co-opted Mossad agent” and alleged the financier had been “trained as a spy”.

The report claimed Epstein had links to US and allied intelligence circles through his long-time lawyer Alan Dershowitz, citing elite academic and political connections.

Dershowitz dismissed the allegations, saying: “No intelligence agency would really trust him. That’s not something he would keep from his lawyers.”

Epstein himself appeared anxious about the rumours.

In a 2018 email to former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, he asked him to “make clear that i dont work for mossad. :)”.

Barak and his wife, Nili, reportedly stayed frequently at Epstein’s New York townhouse and had planned a visit shortly before Epstein’s final arrest in 2019.

Barak has since said he regretted the relationship.

Israel’s current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also pushed back on the claims, writing on X: “Jeffrey Epstein’s unusual close relationship with Ehud Barak doesn’t suggest Epstein worked for Israel. It proves the opposite.”

Despite this, the files appear to show how Epstein had extensive Israeli business and travel interests.

These include investments in an Israeli surveillance-linked start-up and multiple trips to Tel Aviv dating back decades.

Former British Army intelligence officer Lynette Nusbacher said there was no proof Epstein was a spy, but acknowledged lingering questions over his wealth.

She told The Times: “There’s a tremendous mystery, widely discussed, about where his money came from.

“But there is no evidence to suggest that he was anything other than the awful person he was convicted of being.”

Epstein also reportedly ordered staff to install hidden, motion-activated cameras in his homes – with a cryptic reference to Russians potentially assisting.

Emails show Epstein asked his pilot and handyman, Larry Visoski, to buy “three motion-detected hidden cameras, that record”, The Telegraph reported.

Visoski replied that he was already “installing them in Kleenex boxes now”.

On the same day, another email sent to Epstein warned: “Remember what we spoke about if you want to put cameras in the house. It will have to be very discreetly done. The Russians may come in handy.”

There is no further explanation of what role Russians may have played.

Epstein’s American Express statements reportedly corroborate purchases of surveillance equipment from a Florida “spy shop”, totalling more than $1,000.

The revelations are the strongest evidence yet that Epstein secretly recorded activity inside his properties, amid long-standing claims he gathered compromising material on visitors.

Some commentators, including Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, have speculated Epstein may have worked with Russian intelligence – though there is no clear evidence he was a Russian asset.

US authorities have repeatedly said there is “no credible evidence” Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals or maintained a “client list”.

Several of Epstein’s victims have long claimed they were secretly filmed.

Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s most prominent accuser, wrote in her diary that she was taped being “abused by other men” for blackmail. She died by suicide last year.

Epstein denied having hidden cameras. In a 2006 email sent to himself, he said reports of covert surveillance were “misleading”, claiming police were aware of the cameras and that they had an “innocent explanation”.

Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has emerged as one of Manchester United’s midfield transfer targets and the chances of signing him could drastically improve

Sandro Tonali is considering leaving Newcastle United this summer to play Champions League football next season. The midfielder has been linked with Manchester United in recent days as the club plans to bolster its midfield.

United are understood to be prioritising a new central midfielder for the 2026/27 season after opting not to invest in the previous two windows. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have all been linked, but Tonali is the latest name on their radar.

The Telegraph has reported that the 25-year-old is expected to be at the heart of a transfer saga in the summer. United are already confirmed to lose one midfielder when Casemiro departs and are expected to spend big on his replacement.

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Newcastle paid £55million for Tonali in 2023 and with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice moving more than £100m, the Magpies are in a comfortable place to negotiate a hard price.

On deadline day, some reports suggested that the Italian midfielder had been offered to Arsenal. The Gunners decided not to make a move, but that has cast doubt on his future on Tyneside.

According to Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, his exit out of Eddie Howe’s squad is a possibility at the end of the season. “Newcastle are having a hard time of letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League,” he told Sky Italy.

“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do. There’s no preference at the moment.

“It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.”

United’s chances of luring Tonali to Old Trafford will be significantly increased if Newcastle fails to turn their season around. Howe’s men are currently 12th in the Premier League table after inconsistency, meaning their best chance of returning to the competition may require them to win the tournament this term.

“I don’t think so, but lots of things happen without my knowledge,” Howe said when asked if the speculation around Tonali’s future would unsettle the midfielder. “As far as I’m aware, we’ve got player who is an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person.

“He’s very happy here, he’s got a great relationship with me, his teammates, and seems really happy within himself. That would surprise me [if Tonali became unsettled], but our best players will always attract glances from other clubs – that’s just the reality of football.

“We want to keep our group together, we want to be progressive and Sandro plays a part in that. All encompassed, I don’t see an issue but I don’t control everything. There was certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. He’s such an integral player to what we’re doing. He’s very happy here.

“He is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday [Monday] and he is absolutely focused on playing for us.”

Galentine’s Day, inspired by Parks and Recreation, has become a popular celebration for women honouring female friendships with spa days, parties, and creative activities as an alternative to Valentine’s Day

Christie O’Sullivan from Trinity, Florida, has celebrated 21 Valentine’s Days with her husband, but her most memorable one was actually spent with a girlfriend before tying the knot.

The pair took a day off from work, treated themselves to massages, then headed out for cocktails and a slap-up dinner.

“For me, it was 10 out of 10. That whole day was intentional,” said O’Sullivan. She recalls it as empowering “on a day that’s usually filled with pressure to be in a relationship, or sadness because I wasn’t currently in one.”

Galentine’s Day exploded into the mainstream following a 2010 episode of the TV comedy Parks and Recreation that championed female friendships around Valentine’s Day.

Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, brought her mates together on 13 February. “What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year,” said Knope.

READ MORE: Five creative ways to celebrate your best friendships this Galentine’s weekendREAD MORE: Rashida Jones’ life off-screen from forgotten Mark Ronson romance to very famous father

Chela Pappaccioli from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, has been throwing a Galentine’s Day party at her house for the past three years. She’s got a bartender and a DJ booked, and this year has invited 45 of her closest friends.

So far, 34 have confirmed they’re coming, and she’s putting together goodie bags for her guests to take away. No blokes are allowed “unless the bartender happens to be male.”

The bash may be lavish, but Pappaccioli insists it’s money well spent. “It’s an escape to just be with your girls, be silly, do something fun and just focus on the friendships you’ve created and enjoying each other’s company,” she says.

Liz Momblanco from Berkley, Michigan, who calls herself a “serial hobbyist,” brings her mates along to workshops including cookie and cake decorating, calligraphy and stained glass.

“I enjoy learning something new and having a shared experience,” said Momblanco, who has been to day retreats for women offering activities like floral arranging, yoga or a cold plunge.

Marney Wolf, who operates the retreat company Luna Wolf, says creating space for art and creativity helps build community.

“It bonds you, whether it’s the smallest thing or really deep. You watch these grown women turn into almost like a childlike kindergarten response like, ‘Oh my gosh! Good job! You’re so talented!’ That little lift is the easiest thing to do,” she said.

Wolf makes sure to organise Galentine’s-themed retreats around Valentine’s Day because some women don’t have anyone to spend 14 February with.

“I know it can be a really lonely time for people and I think some take it for granted,” she says.

Pappaccioli said a couple of divorced friends attend her party, and “even if you’re married it can be depressing because your husband may not be doing what you want or your boyfriend may not support you in the way you want,” she says. “It’s nice to know that you don’t need that. You can still celebrate the holiday, but turn it around a little bit and celebrate the relationships you want to.”

Galentine’s Day gatherings can spark new friendships. And dedicating proper time with a mate offers a chance to put the mobile away, dodge distractions and create lasting memories.

O’Sullivan works as a social media strategist for businesses but values that her bestie Valentine’s Day was phone-free.

“We could be fully present – no photos, no texts, no nothing,” she says. “So while that means there’s no actual record of that day occurring, it also means the details became a core memory without it.”

Some mark Galentine’s Day by simply popping out for coffee or playing cards. You might head with a group of female mates to a theatre performance or museum, or enjoy a ramble or a fitness session.

Further suggestions include charity shop browsing, country line dancing, roller skating, karaoke, junk journaling, and treating yourselves to manicures and pedicures.

With the start of the tour just a few hours away, there was a real sense from Kensington Palace that they wanted the position of the prince and princess to be known, so William could focus on the trip – likely to be the biggest diplomatic test to date of his overseas visits in support of the UK.

Kid Rock was caught lip-synching during his Turning Point USA half-time show, held in protest against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.

The “All Summer Long” musician, 55, headlined the MAGA-friendly show, which was broadcast on YouTube at the same time Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny performed a star-studded set at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara alongside musicians Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and Cardi B. The rapper’s thrilling concert also featured actors Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba, as well as a real-life wedding.

Meanwhile, Rock appeared to mime his way through his performance of 1999 hit “Bawitdaba”, clips of which are being mocked on social media. A pre-recorded version of the song could be heard playing as the musician lowered his microphone away from his mouth. In other moments of the song, his mouth does not match the audio.

“Kid Rock is blatantly lip syncing, it’s all prerecorded & he wasn’t even trying,” one person wrote on X-Twitter, with another adding: “Kid Rock forgets his lyrics during his song showing all the MAGA Far Right that he wasn’t even singing. What a complete and utter embarrassment.”

An additional person wrote: “Kid Rock couldn’t even be bothered to sing live. Instead, some truly awful lip-syncing.”

The Independent has contacted Kid Rock for comment.

Turning Point USA, founded by late far-right commentator Charlie Kirk, announced its alternative halftime show last October amid mounting conservative criticism over the selection of Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, as the Super Bowl halftime performer.

Kid Rock, an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, went on to say that the show was engineered for conservative Americans to celebrate their patriotism, adding that right-wing views are not represented in mainstream media.

He said: “There’s a big portion of this country, like it or not, that’s underserved entertainment-wise. We’re just [going to] go play for our base. You know, people who love America, love football, love Jesus.”

The show, which is believed to have been pre-recorded in Atlanta, was watched by an average of four to five million viewers – a far cry from the 120 million-plus who tuned in to watch Bad Bunny.

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At the time of writing, the concert has been viewed 18 million times, with many viewers noting on social media that they clicked on the video out of curiosity.

The White House expressed support for TPUSA’s show, reposting a video of it on social media. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X that his family had tuned in.

President Trump also bashed the official Super Bowl mid-game show in a post on Truth Social, labelling it “absolutely terrible” and “one of the worst, EVER!”

But, despite harsh criticism from Trump and his allies, more Americans were interested in watching Bad Bunny perform in Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show than Turning Point USA’s MAGA fest.

A YouGov America survey released Friday found that 35 percent of respondents prefer Bad Bunny’s show compared to 28 percent who said they were more interested in the Kid Rock-headlined event.

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This year’s Super Bowl saw the Seattle Seahawks triumph over the New England Patriots by 29 points to 13 to claim their second-ever victory.

One resident said the high street has a ‘lot of nail bars and barbers’

Residents are “sad” to see more nail bars and barbers in a city high street – with some saying it is “missing” a variety of other shops. UK high streets have changed over the years, with many recognisable brands leaving cities and towns.

With rising costs, some independent shops have sadly been forced to close their doors. In Ely, there are several independent shops, cafes, and restaurants that fill the high street, which brings joy to residents. However, some residents feel there are still certain shops “missing” from the high street.

A woman who has lived in Ely for 35 years, and wished to remain anonymous, said Ely is a “beautiful” place to live, but she is “sad” about the high street. She said: “We have a lot of nail bars and barbers.

“We do have some independent cafes and some lovely independent shops, but it could be a lot better. It’s sad to see places boarded up and closed.

“I know that is true of high streets up and down the country. I am happy for people to have thriving businesses, but there needs to be a balance.”

James Smith said: “We do have a good mix of stuff like cafes and restaurants, but we are starting to see more barbers and things like that pop up. It’s not a bad thing as everyone needs a haircut, but we need more of other shops.”

Emma Lebedyeva, who works at Topping and Company Books in the high street, thinks there are a “lot of charity shops” in Ely. She added: “It’s great, as I love charity shop shopping.

“However, I think we’re missing a lot of high street shops that we used to have. I used to live here when I was a teenager and recently moved back. There used to be various high street shops that you could go to and they were sort of better.”

As well as improving the high street, Jack Sanford, who works alongside Emma, thinks Ely could offer more to younger people.

He said: “There’s not much for younger people here. There is some stuff for children, but not young adults or teenagers.

“Other than walking around the countryside, but when you have done that it’s just flat land. So there could be more for younger people to do.”

Just like most places, long-term resident Hayley Armitage also believes facilities such as doctors need to be “better” in Ely. She added: “Ely has a good history and good facilities, except the doctors”.

The driver admitted to drinking the night before

A driver has been arrested after they crashed their car into a tree. On Saturday February 7, a driver, who had been drinking the previous night, crashed into a tree in March.

Police were called on Saturday just before 1pm to the scene of the crash. The car had crashed into a tree, blocking Knights End Road, which remained closed while the car was recovered.

A breath test conducted at the scene showed that the driver was almost three times over the legal limit. At the time, the driver admitted to having been drinking the night before.

A Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “A vehicle had left the road, collided with a tree, and then landed back on the carriageway.

“On arrival, officers conducted a roadside breath test on the driver, who blew 100µg – almost three times the legal limit of 35µg. The driver admitted to drinking the night before.

“They were arrested at the scene and taken to Peterborough City Hospital by Ambulance with serious but not life‑threatening injuries.” Police have warned that drinking the night before can still leave you over the legal limit the next day. If you’re unsure, don’t drive.

Inquiries into the case remain ongoing. If you have any information about this incident, please contact 101 using reference number CAD-236 of 07/02/26.

Among the locations set for closure this year are 19 UK bank branches that are shutting down in February.

The Lloyds Banking Group, which runs Lloyds, Halifax and the Bank of Scotland, will shut 71 branches across 2026.

Among those planned closures are 40 Lloyds bank branches, 14 Halifax location and 17 Bank of Scotland sites.

All of the businesses have cited the increase in the number of people banking online rather than in person as one of the reasons behind the planned branch closures.

These are the branches closing in February.

Halifax bank closures

• Thetford – February 4
• Belfast (Castle Court) – February 4
• Kendal – February 10
• Belfast (Connswater Shopping Centre) – February 10
• Gillingham – February 11

Lloyds bank closures

• Swindon – February 3
• Kendal – February 10
• Brecon – February 11
• Cranbrook – February 11
• Wadebridge – February 17
• Stow-on-the-Wold – February 17
• Brynmawr – February 17
• St Ives – February 24
• Chesham – February 24
• Liskeard – February 24
• Kenilworth – February 24

Bank of Scotland bank closures

• Thetford – February 4
• Belfast (Castle Court) – February 4
• Kendal – February 10
• Belfast (Connswater Shopping Centre) – February 10
• Gillingham – February 11

Santander is also closing a host of bank branches this year.

The Spain-based banking giant announced the closure of 44 of its sites in a move putting 291 jobs at risk.

It comes less than a year after the business announced the closure of 95 branches last March, in a round of cuts which hit 750 workers.

Santander said closing branches will be replaced with “community bankers”, who will operate from Santander Local stores or banking hubs to keep a presence in local communities.

Santander bank closures

This is the full list of Santander bank branch closures scheduled for this year.

April 2026

• Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland – April 28
• Boston, Lincolnshire – April 28
• Evesham, Worcestershire – April 28
• Mold, Clwyd – April 28
• Ramsgate, Kent – April 28
• Woking, Surrey – April 28
• Bangor, County Down – April 29
• Bridgwater, Somerset – April 29
• Kirkintilloch, Lanarkshire – April 29
• Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – April 29
• Newbury, Berkshire – April 29
• Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire – April 29
• Tonbridge, Kent – April 29

May 2026

• Bishop Auckland, County Durham – May 5
• Gosport, Hampshire – May 5
• Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire – May 5
• Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – May 5
• Pontefract, West Yorkshire – May 5
• Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire – May 5
• Glengormley, County Antrim – May 6
• Leyland, Lancashire – May 6
• Mansfield, Nottinghamshire – May 6
• Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan – May 6
• Northallerton, North Yorkshire – May 6
• Ringwood, Hampshire – May 6
• Andover, Hampshire – May 12
• Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan – May 12
• Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – May 12
• Macclesfield, Cheshire – May 12
• Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire – May 12
• Cwmbran, Gwent – May 13
• Golders Green, London – May 13
• Heswall, Merseyside – May 13
• Redditch, Worcestershire – May 13
• Stranraer, Wigtownshire – May 13
• Newton Abbot, Devon – May 19
• Stafford, Staffordshire – May 19
• Banbridge, County Down – May 19
• Liskeard, Cornwall – May 20
• Shirley, West Midlands – May 20

By the end of January 2027

• Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
• Ormskirk, Lancashire
• Whitehaven, Cumbria
• Wilmslow, Cheshire