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Jeffrey Epstein’s secluded New Mexico ranch is under investigation

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Jeffrey Epstein's secluded New Mexico ranch is under investigation

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State legislators in New Mexico launched an investigation Tuesday into past activity at a secluded desert ranch where financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once entertained guests and whether local authorities looked the other way.

A bipartisan, four-member panel of state House representatives is investigating allegations that the ranch may have facilitated sexual abuse and sex trafficking. New Mexico lawmakers also say they want to know why Epstein was not registered as a sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and whether there was corruption among public officials.

Democratic state Rep. Marianna Anaya of Albuquerque, a member of the truth commission, urged people during a news conference Tuesday to come forward with information about any abuse at the ranch linked to Epstein and other people who may have it possible.

“That perpetrator could not act alone. They could not run a sex ring alone, they could not commit these types of financial crimes alone. So we know as a commission that enablers must also be held accountable, including the state itself, if needed,” said Anaya. “If you do want to share, we’ll be here and we will be operating with confidentiality.”

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Revelations of ties to Epstein have led to the departure or ousting of multiple high-profile people in recent days.

Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in New Mexico in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a 26,700-square-foot (2,480-square-meter) hilltop mansion with a private runway.

The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 — with proceeds going toward creditors — to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican candidate in Texas for election to the office of state comptroller. In a social media post on X, Huffines said the property has been renamed San Rafael Ranch after a saint associated with healing and that his family plans to operate a Christian retreat there.

Huffines said any request by law enforcement for access would be met with immediate and full cooperation.

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Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.

Truth commission chairwoman and state Rep. Andrea Romero of Santa Fe has said that several survivors of Epstein’s abuse have signaled that sex trafficking activity extended to the ranch, which is about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Santa Fe.

“We’ve heard years of allegations and rumors about Epstein’s activities here. But unfortunately, federal investigations have failed to put together an official record,” Romero said Tuesday. “This truth commission will finally fill in the gaps of what we need to know.”

Commission members also include retired FBI agent and Republican state Rep. William Hall of Aztec and former district attorney and Rep. Andrea Reeb of Clovis. State House legislators who were present voted unanimously on Monday to create the commission with subpoena power and a budget of over $2 million.

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While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, the state attorney general’s office in 2019 confirmed that it was investigating and had interviewed possible victims who visited the ranch.

In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez ordered an investigation into financial businesses utilized by Epstein and their legal obligations, resulting in agreements with two banks that dedicate $17 million to the prevention of human trafficking, according to a spokesperson for Torrez’s office.

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Bordeaux tear Leicester apart to set up mouthwatering quarter-final against Toulouse

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Bordeaux tear Leicester apart to set up mouthwatering quarter-final against Toulouse

Leicester did not help themselves at times – some of the front-line defence, particularly in the first half, was woeful – but the Tigers were fighting fires everywhere. If Bielle-Biarrey, with that iconic red scrum cap, is not cutting you to shreds, then Jalibert will, or Lucu, one of European rugby’s most underrated players, will squeeze you out of the contest with his calmness, kicking and control. The ovation Lucu, Bordeaux’s scrum-half and captain, received on 50 minutes as he departed was cacophonous; as was the roar Ben Tameifuna ignited when the wardrobe-on-wheels thundered over for a score soon after coming on. If Bordeaux cannot go round you, they will go through you, instead.

Outclassed, outfought and out-thought, the challenge for Leicester now is to ensure that there is a response in the league. For Bordeaux, it might only be Toulouse who can stand between them and an historic European and domestic double.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 3-0 Lucu pen, 8-0 Woki try, 10-0 Lucu con, 15-0 Rayasi try, 20-0 Lucu try, 22-0 Lucu con, 27-0 Bielle-Biarrey try, 29-0 Lucu con, 34-0 Lamothe try, 36-0 Lucu try, 36-5 Perese try, 36-7 Searle con, 41-7 Tameifuna try, 43-7 Lucu con, 43-12 Searle con, 43-14 Searle con, 48-14 Rayasi try, 50-14 Reus con, 55-14 Retiere try, 57-14 Reus con, 62-14 Rayasi try, 64-14 Reus con.

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Bordeaux: S Rayasi; P Uberti, D Penaud, Y Moefana (Janse van Rensburg 50, Reus 51), L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, M Lucu (capt, Retiere 50); J Poirot (Perchaud 46), M Lamothe (Barlot 58), C Sadie (Tameifuna 46), B Palu, A Coleman (Bochaton 64), B Vergnes-Taillefer, C Woki, M Gazzotti (Matiu 58).

Leicester: F Steward; A Radwan, I Perese (Wand 60), J Woodward (Searle 41), O Hassell-Collins; J O’Connor, J van Poortvliet (Whiteley 54); A van der Flier (Haffar 47), J Blamire (Clare 47), W Hurd (Loman 47), H Liebenberg (c), H Wells, J Moro, J Manz (Palmer 38), O Cracknell (Henderson 54).

Referee: Andrew Brace (Wales).

Attendance: 32,930.

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Best Streaming Shows Of 2026 To Binge-Watch Over Easter Weekend

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Best Streaming Shows Of 2026 To Binge-Watch Over Easter Weekend

We’ve made it, folks. The four-day Easter weekend is here.

Many of us will be using that extended time off to get out into the world and cram as much as possible into their social calendar.

But if you’d rather use that time to catch up on some much-needed R&R at home, we salute you.

If that sounds appealing, the four-day break might seem like a great opportunity to catch up on the best telly of 2026 that you’ve been too busy to check out until now.

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With that in mind, here are 17 of the year’s best TV offerings if you’re looking for something to binge during your downtime…

After an extended break, fans finally made a return visit to the ’Ton earlier this year, for a new love story with Luke Thompson’s Benedict Bridgerton at its heart.

Fans loved seeing the Cinderella story between Benedict and Yerin Ha’s Sophie Baek playing out (even if there were a few uncomfortable bumps in the road), while the slow developments between his sister Francesca and intriguing newcomer Michaela Stirling set things up nicely for the period drama’s upcoming game-changing fifth season.

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Alright, this isn’t strictly a new show for 2026, but it wasn’t until this year that UK viewers were finally able to stream The Pitt for themselves, after the medical drama’s huge success over the last year.

Excitingly, once you’ve seen the gripping story play out in real time over the course of a 15-hour shift, season two is already underway, with new episodes of Noah Wyle’s award-winning series dropping weekly for those who’ve already binged its first outing.

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Like The Pitt, Heated Rivalry gained a frenzied following when it premiered across the pond in 2025, with fans on this side of the Atlantic finally getting their chance to see what all the fuss is about back in January.

The romantic sports drama about two closeted hockey players carrying out a passionate love affair behind closed doors has already become the most talked-about show in the world (thanks in no small part to its much-revered sex scenes), making household names of its stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, not to mention inspiring a thousand memes in the process.

Stream it on: Sky, Now and HBO Max

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Rivalries – albeit of a very different nature – don’t come much more heated than the back-stabbing antics in Claudia Winkleman’s castle.

Every year, we wonder how The Traitors is going to best what came before it, and after Alan Carr’s antics in the show’s inaugural celebrity run, the bar was high.

Still, thanks to some jaw-dropping twists, tense tests of loyalty and, it has to be said, some cinematically blazing rows, season four of the Bafta-winning reality show had us gripped all over again.

If, for some reason, you were too busy in January to commit to it properly at the time, enough time has finally passed for you to jump into the latest season without inevitably having it spoiled for you.

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Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

And speaking of dramatic twists – Netflix’s His & Hers had all the usual hallmarks of a streaming thriller, culminating in a genuinely batshit ending that will no doubt still be held up as one of 2026’s most unexpected twists when we’re counting down the year’s biggest TV moments in December.

Starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, the limited series focussed on a former TV news anchor who pulls herself out of retirement when she discovers she has a connection to an intriguing murder case.

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Between Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights and Dolly Alderton’s upcoming spin on Pride & Prejudice, it’s safe to say that 2026 is a big year for period dramas and adaptations of classic works of English literature.

For those Austen-heads who can’t wait for Netflix’s spin on the Regency author’s most famous work, the BBC recently unveiled The Other Bennet Sister, which takes a look at the events of Pride & Prejudice from the perspective of one of its most overlooked characters, before focussing solely on Mary’s own personal journey away from her family and sisters.

The series is currently mid-way through, with two more instalments expected on Sunday, ahead of the grand finale on 12 April.

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Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

While House Of The Dragon largely gave Game Of Thrones fans what they were missing when it premiered in 2022, the franchise’s latest spin-off took a completely different approach altogether.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms takes a decidedly more irreverent and tongue-in-cheek approach, focussing more on humour and the relationships between its characters than the bloodshed and drama that have become synonymous with the Game Of Thrones universe.

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Stream it on: Sky, Now and HBO Max

As the title suggested, Netflix’s latest must-see documentary gave everyone who was hooked on Top Model back in the day a “reality check” about what actually went into the show that had the whole world talking at its peak.

In addition to former contestants sharing their highs and lows, Reality Check was also notable in that it featured an on-camera interview with Tyra Banks about her time at the helm of the show, for the first time since it became re-examined and scrutinised in the 2020s.

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The acclaimed drama about the inner workings of London’s financial sector continues to go from strength to strength, with its latest run of episodes continuing to garner critical acclaim.

Marisa Abela and Kit Harington continue to win praise for their performances, with the finale taking a dramatic and deeply unsettling turn, echoing timely events from the real world, ahead of the show’s final outing in 2027.

Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

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While the fast pace and dramatic events of shows like Industry make for gripping viewing, Netflix was trying something very different with its nature documentary The Dinosaurs.

Almost ASMR-esque in its slower approach (complete with narration from the unmistakable Morgan Freeman) the four-part companion series to Life On Our Planet throws it back a million or 60 years to when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

The Dinosaurs proved to be a hit with both critics and viewers due to its compelling storytelling and impressive CGI rendering of our reptilian predecessors.

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If you love nothing more than a cosy night in with a nature documentary and a cup of something warm then trust us when we say this is essential viewing.

Similarly, Netflix’s second season of The Boyfriend makes for the best kind of cosy viewing.

If you think you’re done with dating shows, trust us when we say that The Boyfriend is tearing up the reality rule book for the better, ditching the dramatic reveals, shocking twists and often-unpleasant backstabbing and rowing for something much more gentler in nature.

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The reality show introduces us to a host of LGBTQ+ Japanese men who move into a house together and are tasked with running a coffee van as a group, with the hopes that the bonds that form between them could be the beginnings of lasting romance.

With no obvious producer interference and some genuinely lovely casting choices, this less extreme take on dating shows feels like an antidote to the likes of Married At First Sight, Too Hot To Handle and even Love Island, that have become the norm on the TV landscape over the last decade.

Harlan Coben adaptations on Netflix have become as much a part of the New Year as malfunctioning party poppers and Jools Holland’s Hootenanny in recent history – and the new offering for 2026 was Run Away.

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While it didn’t quite cut through in the same way as Fool Me Once or The Stranger have in the past, it still ticked all the boxes you’d hope for from a Coben mystery, from its central premise about someone’s past coming to haunt them to its predominantly British cast, which included the likes of Minnie Driver, Ingrid Oliver, Alfred Enoch, James Nesbitt and Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones.

One for any horror fanatics out there, Netflix made another attempt at mixing screaming and streaming in 2026, with the result being the unsettling series Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen.

The show introduces us to a young couple on the verge of their wedding day, who – as the title suggests – have their whole world turned upside down as things for them slowly start falling apart at the seams.

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We’re keeping the nature of the “something very bad” under wraps because this show really is best approached with no knowledge of what’s to come – but be warned that this is definitely not one for the faint of heart.

The most recent addition to our list is Him & Her and Marriage creator Stefan Golaszewski’s latest modern-day kitchen sink drama.

Described as “hard-hitting”, “intense” and “bittersweet” by critics, Babies stars Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen as a young couple trying to get on with their lives while grappling with fertility issues and pregnancy loss.

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Obviously, due to its subject matter, this drama could be triggering and upsetting for many, but it’s worth saying that the show also manages to weave in humour to counterbalance its darker moments.

Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

Lisa McGee’s first show since the mammoth success of Derry Girls saw her taking the best parts of her original hit series and applying them to a whole new genre and format.

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In How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, the action centres around a group of grown-up former school friends who are yanked back into their past following the sudden death of an old classmate with whom they were once close.

As you’d expect in a mystery series like this one, all is not as it seems, and as the central trio try to piece together exactly what their old pal found herself caught up in, skeletons from years gone by refuse to stay unburied.

True to form, though, the show works as well as a comedy as it does a drama, with the chemistry of its main cast being the show’s driving force as much as the slow unravelling of its key mystery.

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Last One Laughing earned a cult following when it premiered last year – and with its second iteration, it’s broken through in a big way.

People trying not to laugh at increasingly hilarious and ridiculous situations is always going to make for compulsive viewing, but when you throw in a stellar cast that includes man of the moment Alan Carr, cult fave Diane Morgan and the show’s reigning champion Bob Mortimer, you’ve got the stuff of TV gold.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime Video

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Netflix kept fans waiting the better part of three years for the second instalment of One Piece, but their patience was rewarded with a new set of adventures earning season two that coveted 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Adapted from the hugely popular anime and manga series, the latest run of the live-action One Piece featured even more of what fans loved about the original season and dialled it up to eleven – making us even more excited for what’s coming next for the franchise.

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Man who left the UK for Australia realises ‘three things are better at home’

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Daily Mirror

Luke Tweddle, 25, has spent three years living in Australia and admits it’s better overall – but he’s planning to return to the UK and says England still excels in three key areas

A British expat living in Australia has proclaimed it a “better country” than England – yet he insists there are still three aspects of the UK that remain superior.

Luke Tweddle, 25, from Surrey, has spent the past three years living in various locations across Oz, including Adelaide and Sydney, and currently resides in Perth with his girlfriend. Despite pointing out numerous advantages to life in Australia, particularly the weather and overall lifestyle, he is due to return to England before long.

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In his latest travel vlog, the content creator addressed one of the most frequently asked questions – ‘Is Life In Australia Actually Better Than The UK?’

READ MORE: Donald Trump’s sweary Iran war rant decoded by expert – FOUR key ‘hoax’ momentsREAD MORE: Royal Family’s newest members join William and Kate for debut at Easter service

Speaking to his subscribers, he said: “Everyone always says that life in Australia is way better than life in the UK. But as a 25-year-old Brit that obviously grew up in the UK and then spent three years living in Australia, the answer actually isn’t that simple.

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“Because depending on which part of life you are looking at, Australia wins in some ways. And believe it or not, the UK does actually win in some ways as well,” reports Surrey Live.

Nightlife

Concerning one area where the UK comfortably outshines Down Under, Luke said: “There is one side to the social life though that I do think the UK does a lot better than Australia and that is the nightlife and the whole night-time culture.”

He pointed out that Australian culture was considerably more geared towards early mornings, popping to coffee shops, strolling along beaches and outdoor exercise. Luke added that the nightlife wasn’t especially remarkable even in the major cities.

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He said: “To be honest, if you are 18, 19 years old and nightlife is a priority, I actually wouldn’t recommend Australia because you’re just going to be disappointed with the nightlife.”

Luke observed that even he, having spent three years in Australia, has transformed into more of an early riser, noting that many venues don’t stay open until the small hours.

Activities

When it comes to things to do, Luke praised both countries, saying there was a similar range of activities available. However, he highlighted that in Australia, leisure pursuits were heavily reliant on good weather conditions.

He explained: “The only negative is when it does get to winter time, Australia literally hibernates because I don’t feel like there’s anywhere near as many activities, it is all so reliant on the weather.

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“Obviously in the UK where we cannot rely on the weather at all, pretty much every activity is okay to do whatever the weather is, and a big part of the activities are inside.”

He added: “Obviously, in the UK, if you don’t care about the sun, and being outside, the UK has got lots to do. Sports are great in the UK, the pub culture is great, and there are a lot more indoor activities.”

Location

He explained that the biggest challenge about residing in Australia was the enormous distance from home, and being apart from friends and family. Luke characterised this element of staying in Australia long-term as the “real negative”.

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He continued: “And unless you really make a close circle here in Australia I feel like no matter how long you stay here, you will never make as many connections as you have back home, especially someone like me who’s got a lot of friends and family back home and just Australia’s location in general…

“Aussies won’t be affected because they’ve grown up with that. That’s all they know and everyone they know is here. But if you’ve moved from the UK and been in Australia for a while, it is a really deciding factor when it comes to saying or leaving.”

Final thoughts

In the same video, which you can watch in full here, Luke highlighted all the benefits of Australia compared to England. He acknowledged the wages were better, the work environment was more laid-back, the scenery was more beautiful, public transport was more dependable and that it typically felt safer.

Yet in conclusion, he observed: “Now if you ask me which county do I think is better? The answer is obvious… Australia wins in nearly every way. But it’s a weird situation where that’s the case, but I also don’t want to stay, and I think a lot of Brits will relate to this.”

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Explosives with ‘devastating power’ found near pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia | World News

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Mr Orban (L) and Mr Vucic (pictured in November) warned the consequences could have been dire. Pic: Reuters

Explosives of “devastating power” have been found near a pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia, according to Serbia’s president.

Aleksandar Vucic said two backpacks with “large packages of explosives” had been left a few hundred metres from the Balkan Stream pipeline.

It’s an extension of the Turk Stream pipeline that carries gas from Russia under the Black Sea to Turkey.

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Mr Vucic said millions could have been cut off if the explosives had detonated.

“I just had a talk with [Hungarian prime minister] Viktor Orban, and informed him that if the gas pipeline had been cut there, Hungary would not have had gas and we in northern Serbia would not have had gas,” he told reporters.

Mr Vucic warned anyone trying to destroy Serbia’s infrastructure would face a “merciless” response and “harsh and severe punishment”.

On Instagram, he said the explosives potentially had “devastating power”.

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Mr Orban, who arranged an emergency defence council meeting for Sunday afternoon, said on X “the equipment needed to detonate it” had also been discovered.

The incident comes seven days before Hungarian voters decide whether to extend his 16 years in power.

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His party is currently behind in the polls, although many people say they are still undecided on who to back.

Read more from Sky News:
German men could need military permission to leave country
Pepsi withdraws from festival after Kanye West booking

Mr Orban, who is seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in Europe, increased security around the country’s energy infrastructure in February and has framed the election as a choice between war or peace.

The Hungarian leader has often been a thorn in the side of other EU nations and last month blocked a €90bn loan to Ukraine.

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Rory McIlroy’s Masters call works out as emotional Tiger Woods statement released

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Belfast Live

The Masters is almost upon us as the golfing elite prepare to descend upon Augusta this coming week for the first major of the year

The Masters is just around the corner as golf’s finest prepare to make their way to Augusta this week. The opening major of the season is always amongst the most eagerly awaited events in the sporting calendar, but 2026 looks set to be especially memorable.

Rory McIlroy will arrive in Georgia as defending champion, hoping to claim consecutive titles. The Northern Irishman finally achieved the career Grand Slam by securing his maiden Green Jacket last year, though his build-up to this year’s tournament has been far from straightforward.

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A back problem has limited the champion’s recent appearances, meaning McIlroy hasn’t competed as frequently as he would have liked. However, a lighter schedule may prove beneficial given the recent weather disruption at the Valero Texas Open.

There had been speculation that Tiger Woods might make his comeback at what is arguably his most legendary venue. However, that will not materialise, while one golfing icon has shared his thoughts on Woods’ recent arrest in the latest headlines from the sport.

Weather Chaos Hits Texas Open

Despite some questions over McIlroy’s reduced activity ahead of the Masters, his choice to bypass this weekend’s Texas Open has proved wise. Severe weather in the Lone Star State forced organisers to halt the tournament on Saturday. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre held a two-shot lead over Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg when the third round was suspended on Saturday. Play had already been delayed for six hours on Saturday before officials eventually decided to abandon the day’s proceedings.

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The concern now centres on the possibility of play extending into Monday. MacIntyre and Aberg had completed just six holes of their third round when play was halted, leaving a substantial amount of golf still to be played before a champion is crowned.

This justifies the choice made by the likes of McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and other Masters contenders to bypass the tournament. Rather than waiting around for play to restart, they can focus on their Augusta preparations in a more productive way while their competitors endure a challenging weekend, though they forfeit the opportunity to compete for their share of the £7.4million prize fund.

Nicklaus addresses Woods arrest

Jack Nicklaus has expressed his support for Woods following the golf legend’s recent arrest for driving under the influence. Woods was apprehended after crashing his vehicle in Jupiter, Florida, with footage subsequently emerging of him appearing agitated during his arrest and while in the rear of a police vehicle.

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Discussing the incident ahead of the Masters, Nicklaus said his longtime friend “needs help” after this latest incident. Woods had been anticipated to make some form of appearance at the Masters but has since announced he’ll be taking time away from golf to concentrate on his wellbeing. Nicklaus shared with the Palm Beach Post: “Sometimes you get, you know, too far down the line and you just need somebody to help you. I think he probably needs some help.

“We all want to help him. We’re all on his side. Obviously, I feel bad for Tiger. I like Tiger. I don’t just like him, I like him a lot.”

Rose’s caddie’s admission

Justin Rose’s caddie has revealed the British star can be demanding at times. Rose, aged 45, has experienced a revival in recent years and garnered considerable fan support following second-place finishes at both the Masters and The Open over the past two seasons.

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He’s also played a crucial role in Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup campaigns in 2023 and 2025. Yet caddie Mark Fulcher acknowledged that such success requires those around him to maintain peak performance levels.

In conversation with Beyond The Clubhouse, Fulcher commented: “He’s tough, at times, but he’s also very fair. He puts in 100% effort, and all he expects of his team members is to put in the same, so if we all do that, then nothing can be said at the end of the week.

“We’re talking about what he needs at a certain time, and energy conservation is really important. He’s 45, incredibly fit, amazingly fit for his age, but we all have to understand that, you know, Father Time is catching up.

“We have to be aware of the boundaries. I think we’re all pretty good at controlling them.”

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Two men taken to hospital after motorbike collides with crash barrier in Lisburn

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Belfast Live

The two men on-board, aged in their 30s, are in a critical but stable condition.

Two men were taken to hospital after a motorbike collided with a crash barrier.

The single-vehicle collision happened on Pond Park Road East in Lisburn, on Saturday, April 4.

Police said they received a report that a motorbike had collided with a crash barrier at around 4.25pm.

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READ MORE: Easter Sunday crash claims life of 20-year-old manREAD MORE: North Belfast assault leaves young man with possible life-changing injury

The two men on-board, aged in their 30s, had sustained serious injury. Both men remain in hospital at this time, in a critical but stable condition. A PSNI spokesperson said: “We would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or the manner of driving leading up to it, to contact us. We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant dashcam footage. The number to call is 101, quoting reference 994 of 04/04/26.”Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

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Waitrose worker sacked after ‘stopping thief stealing Easter eggs’

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Manchester Evening News

Walker Smith, 54, said he was ‘crying inside’ when he was dismissed

A Waitrose worker has been fired after trying to stop a shoplifter from stealing luxury Easter eggs, it has been reported.

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Walker Smith, 54, was a Waitrose employee for 17 years before being sacked. He revealed he was “crying inside” when bosses showed him the exit.

Mr Smith was a shop assistant at a Waitrose branch in Clapham Junction, south London. He says he was carrying out his usual role when a shopper told him that someone had filled up a bag with eggs.

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The usual protocol is to avoid approaching shoplifters, and to report it to a manager, according to The Mirror. But after seeing repeated thefts over the years, Mr Smith decided to act, he said.

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He was said to have confronted the thief and snatched their bag. There was reportedly a brief struggle, before the bag ripped and several Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs fell onto the floor. The shoplifter made a run for the exit, but Mr Smith picked up a piece of broken Easter egg and “threw it out of frustration” toward some trollies. He insists these were not thrown toward the thief.

He was reprimanded by his boss at the time but a few weeks later, he was hauled into a meeting with store managers. Mr Smith said he made a final plea for forgiveness, but was told he was being sacked.

Bosses said they were unable to “discuss an individual case” but that Mr Smith’s claims were ‘not the full facts of the situation’.

‘Demoralised’

But Mr Smith told the Guardian: “I tried to stay strong and I didn’t say a word but inside I was crying. They led me out the back door by the bins. I just felt demoralised.

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“Waitrose is like my family. My friends are there. I was there for 17 years, I must have been doing something right. I’m not a bad or violent or aggressive person. I just got frustrated seeing this day in and day out and not seeing Waitrose do much about it.”

Mr Smith later thanked supporters on his personal Facebook page. He said his priority for now is to find a new job.

He wrote: “Thank you everyone for getting in touch with kind messages and support, I really appreciate it. I didn’t think it would blow up like this but now it has my priority is getting a job.

“I’m based in Clapham Junction so if you or anyone you know is looking for a reliable, conscientious employee please reach out. I was at Waitrose for 17 years so warehousing, customer service – except dealing with shoplifters(!), or similar would be amazing.”

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What Waitrose has said

Waitrose, meanwhile, said the safety of its staff was very important, which is why it had policies for responding to shoplifters. Staff had previously been injured when confronting thieves.

A Waitrose statement read: “The safety and security of our Partners and customers couldn’t be more important to us, and we have policies in place to protect both. We’ve had incidents where our partners have been hospitalised when challenging shoplifters. Luckily, they have always recovered, but that might not always be the case.

“There is a serious danger to life in tackling shoplifters. We refuse to put anyone’s life at risk and that’s why we have policies in place that are very clearly understood and must be strictly followed.

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“As a responsible employer, we never want to be in a position where we are notifying families of a tragedy because someone tried to stop a theft. Nothing we sell is worth risking lives for.

“The reporting on this does not cover the full facts of the situation. While we would never be able to discuss an individual case, we can assure you the correct process is being followed, which includes a standard appeals procedure.

“We have campaigned for some time for more to be done to protect shop workers from offenders, including retail crime being made into a specific stand alone offence.”

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Hungary’s Viktor Orban alleges plot to blow up gas pipeline ahead of election

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Hungary's Viktor Orban alleges plot to blow up gas pipeline ahead of election

Balint Pasztor, president of the Vojvodina Hungarian Association, and another key Orban ally, posted on Facebook: “If the investigation proves that we were not the primary target after all, but rather Hungary’s supply lines, then this makes it even clearer: the terrorist attack was planned with the aim of bringing down Viktor Orban.”

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Shoppers warned do not eat Curing Barn’s British Bresaola

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Shoppers warned do not eat Curing Barn's British Bresaola

The Curing Barn is recalling its 60g pack of British Bresaola, and it has issued a “do not eat” warning for the product.

Listeria monocytogenes is “a bacterium that is potentially harmful if consumed”, the company explains.

The affected batch codes are WLRC, J1Z2, 0WD0 and J85J with the use-by date of June 10, 2026.

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Shoppers can buy The Curing Barn’s British Bresaola at Tesco for £4.50.

Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced the recall and shared a risk assessment for the product, explaining: “Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature,  muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

“However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.   

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“Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.”

The FSA added: “If you have bought the above product, do not eat it.

“Instead, return it to where you bought it from for a full refund.”

The Curing Barn explained that customers who have bought the item with the affected batch codes don’t need a receipt to return it.

What is a food recall?

The FSA explains what a food recall is: “If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

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“The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.


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“In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

“This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.”

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Have you bought The Curing Barn’s British Bresaola recently? Let us know in the comments below.

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Stately home garden in Stamford could be named best of the year

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Cambridgeshire Live

One of the gardens is easy to reach from Cambridgeshire and might be worth a visit in 2026.

A historic garden near Cambridgeshire has been shortlisted to be garden of the year for 2026. The Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award for 2026 will see six gardens across the UK compared to each other to be named the best.

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Burghley House, in Stamford, has been shortlisted as one of the places that could see its garden named the best of the year through a public vote. The shortlist has been created by selecting from hundreds of gardens that are publicly accessible member properties of Historic Houses.

Ben Cowell, Director General at Historic Houses, said: “Now that spring is finally here, we are thrilled to offer a truly exceptional shortlist for our annual Garden of the Year competition.

“Each of these six gardens is reflective of the horticultural excellence that can be seen across our member properties at Historic Houses. We look forward to seeing which emerges with the most votes by the end of a busy summer of garden tourism.”

The other gardens up for the award are Coughton Court in Warwickshire, Kelmarsh Hall in Northampton, Monteviot House on the Scottish Borders, Plas Cadnant in Anglesey, and Slemere House in East Yorkshire. The public has until the end of August to vote for their favourite garden.

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Ursula Cholmeley, Chair of the Historic Houses Gardens and Parklands Committee, said: “We are grateful to historic house members for a strong list of entries this year and the shortlist features six small and large gardens all open to the public and all worth visiting before you cast your vote.

“There are two awards available to the gardens that entered this year including The Judges’ Choice Award that represents a lifetime’s work. Both awards acknowledge the dedication that owners and gardening teams put into making historic gardens some of the best in the world.”

The Burghley Estate has a few different gardens to explore, including the Garden of Surprises, which was inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology, astronomy, and classical civilisations. The garden features water fountains and a mirrored maze to explore.

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For those who love art, the Sculpture Garden has artwork from a “diverse collection of artists” as well as views across the great lake and pathways to follow around the area. The South Gardens are only open on certain days but are worth a visit thanks to the ‘spectacular’ trees and rose garden packed with modern varieties of rose.

You can also take a walk through the deer park if you want to see the herd that lives in the grounds. The deer park was “the vision” of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown who worked with the 9th Earl of Exeter to remodel the parkland in the 18th century.

The Hide and Secrets adventure play area is ideal for children to let off some steam with climbing walls, walkways, and lookout nests for children to run around. The Hidden Towers covers multiple levels with two slides and a rope bridge that takes children to the lookout platform.

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Younger children can explore the toddler and pre-schooler area that has a mini slide and things to do that are closer to the ground. The free Spymaster’s Guide activity booklet should keep children occupied for at least a few hours at the house.

If you are in need of something eat while visiting Burghley House, there are a few spots to choose from. At the Garden Café, you can enjoy a hot drink alongside a light lunch, homemade cake, or pick up a children’s lunch box for the day.

The Muddy Mole is also available and set right next to the adventure play area. It has plenty of picnic benches to relax on.

Tickets for access to the gardens and adventure play area cost £11 for adults and £8.50 for children aged between three and 15 with a family ticket available for £35. Tickets can be booked on the Burghley House website.

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The gardens are open from 10am until 5pm. Burghley House is only a 26-minute drive away from Peterborough and just over an hour away from Cambridge via the A14. Parking is free for all visitors.

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