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.”

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

The latest news from the Swansea.com Stadium

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

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.

“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.”

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.”

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

But as spring has sprung, there is no better time than now to pour care into your outdoor space to prepare for an ‘ideal summer’.

March is an important month to lay the groundwork for more frequent usage, with a range of important jobs to carry out.

Matthew Lock, director of Luxus Home and Garden, a luxurious garden furniture specialist, has revealed five key tasks to carry out this month to get ready for summer.

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His list includes deep cleaning, preparing outdoor furniture, reseeding your lawn and looking out for bargain outdoor items in the shops.

Matthew said: “Spring is a time of renewal and many of us will be beginning to think of what we need to do in our gardens to prepare for the brighter days ahead. 

“March is a great time to get organised and lay the foundations for returning your outdoor space to its best after winter has left its mark. 

“A deep clean is one of the key tasks to complete, with patios, lawns and surfaces among the priorities to tackle. 

“It’s also a good time to look for bargains on outdoor items such as garden furniture, with many companies running spring sales. 

“Don’t be daunted if you have a lot of work to do, in which case it can be useful to draw up a plan of what to do and when, breaking your to-do list into smaller tasks and completing them whenever you get the chance. 

“Putting the groundwork in now is a great way to give your garden the best chance of becoming the summer haven you want when warmer weather arrives.”

Here are Matt’s top five tasks to get ticked off your list this month.

Deep cleaning your garden 

Many people tend to neglect their gardens during the darker months and the harsh weather can leave outdoor spaces looking worse for wear. 

A deep clean of patios, furniture and lawns when spring arrives is the perfect way to help outdoor spaces thrive again as temperatures soar. 

This often includes power washing the patio and removing weeds and debris from the lawn. 

Preparing outdoor furniture 

Whether you want to give your existing garden furniture a new lease of life or purchase new items, March is a good time to get going. 

Refresh existing wooden surfaces with a damp cloth and a gentle soap solution and cover from the elements when not in use for maximum longevity. 

Plants that could damage the value of your home

And if you want to give your garden a makeover with new items, ordering now can help you beat the rush and make sure you get what you want before it sells out. 

Reseeding your lawn 

A lush, green lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners, and March is a great time to put in the groundwork. 

Start by removing weeds, moss and other debris that may have accumulated during winter, then aerate the lawn using a spike or garden fork to poke holes of between two to six inches. 

Then it is time to apply grass seed evenly followed by a light covering of soil. 

Maximising space by rearranging 

Creating an outdoor haven can be as simple as rearranging what you already have, rather than spending money on new items. 

It may be that you want to create a focal point for outdoor dining closer to your house or take advantage of suntraps to maximise your enjoyment of the sun. 

Revive outdoor fabrics 

Winter can leave even the best outdoor fabrics caked in mould and mildew. 

Brush away loose dirt and debris before applying a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, work it into the affected areas and leave for 20 minutes. 

Rinse well with water and leave it to air dry.  

Wensleydale Railway is running a ‘kids for a quid’ scheme for children aged three to 15, who can travel for just £1 with a paying adult.

Nick Keegan, marketing and fundraising manager at Wensleydale Railway, said: “With free activities to entertain the children, and our ‘kids for a quid’ travel offer, a visit to our volunteer-led heritage railway is a fun and great value family day out this Easter.”

The Easter Bunny Rail Trail will run from April 1 to 8, encouraging children to find hidden bunnies around the railway.

Trail sheets can be collected from Leeming Bar or Leyburn stations, and completed sheets earn a chocolate reward.

Free Easter-themed craft activities will also take place at Scruton Station on April 1 and 8.

Children can take part in egg painting, making bunny faces, and crafting chicks on sticks.

Visitors are encouraged to start their day at Leeming Bar, take the train to Scruton for the craft activities, then jump back on the train to Leeming Bar, and then Leyburn, to find the hidden bunnies on the Bunny Rail Trail.

The crafts will run from 11am to 2pm at the restored 1910 station.

Tickets and further details are available at wensleydale-railway.co.uk or by calling 01677 425805.

CBS News is set to start major layoffs Friday and will shut down the nearly 100-year-old CBS News Radio later this year as new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, under Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, reshapes the network.

The Tiffany Network’s news division could cut its workforce by as much as 6 percent, people familiar with the matter told the New York Post and Variety.

An insider told The Post that the current round of layoffs is expected to affect approximately 60 employees. Earlier reports suggested that the network might cut up to 15 percent of its total workforce.

A CBS News spokesperson did not address the specifics of the layoffs when contacted by The Independent. They did, however, provide the internal memo sent to employees Friday from Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski.

“Today we are reducing the size of our workforce, and employees who are affected will be notified by the end of the day,” the memo reads. “We recognize that this is a difficult time for those who will be leaving CBS News. Because these aren’t just names on a list. They are talented, committed colleagues who have been critical to our success. We’ll treat them all with care and respect.”

Weiss and Cibrowski also sent out another memo to CBS News Radio staffers Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that reads, “Today, we informed our CBS News Radio team and approximately 700 affiliated stations that we will end the service on May 22, 2026.”

“Unfortunately, this decision means that all positions within the CBS News Radio team are being eliminated. We understand how difficult this news is for our staff and their colleagues, who have worked side by side with us to cover some of the most significant stories of our time,” it continues.

As the memo explained, CBS News Radio has been bringing original reporting to Americans since 1927. Its early days included historic reports like Edward R. Murrow’s World War II coverage from London, and it continues to this day with daily updates from the White House. Its main program, “World News Roundup,” is the country’s longest-running newscast.

“While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one,” executives said in the memo. “A shift in radio station programming strategies, coupled with challenging economic realities, has made it impossible to continue the service. We are sharing this announcement now to fulfill our commitments to our radio partners and affiliates, which require advance notice of the service’s conclusion.”

Weiss, 41, became CBS News’ editor-in-chief after Paramount acquired her media startup, The Free Press, in October 2025.

The current round of cuts comes as Weiss pushes to make CBS News more appealing to younger, digitally focused viewers. As part of her plan, she’s moving the network away from its traditional focus on regular TV broadcasts and is putting more attention and resources into digital and streaming platforms.

“It’s no secret that the news business is changing radically, and that we need to change along with it,” Friday’s memo reads. “New audiences are burgeoning in new places, and we are pressing forward with ambitious plans to grow and invest so that we can be there for them. That means some parts of our newsroom must get smaller to make room for the things we must build to remain competitive.”

Before these latest layoffs, 11 staffers from CBS Evening News, about a quarter of the show’s team, had already accepted voluntary buyouts last month, according to The Post. These offers were first announced back in January, when CBS management called them an “extraordinary chance” for employees to leave ahead of company-wide reductions.

Weiss’ time in charge has also stirred some controversy beyond staffing changes, including the cancellation of a high-profile interview with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani reportedly withdrew from a planned interview with CBS News, due to concerns over the network’s coverage. He had been scheduled to meet with “CBS Sunday Morning’s” Robert Costa but hesitated due to critical reporting from The Free Press, the pro-Israel digital outlet run by Weiss. Mamdani had condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran as a “catastrophic escalation” of an illegal war, criticizing the bombing of cities and civilian casualties while urging Americans to focus on domestic issues.

CBS News contributor Masih Alinejad, who survived an assassination attempt by Iranian agents in 2025, rebuked Mamdani for ignoring real threats to Iranian dissidents in New York and misdirecting anger toward innocent Iranians. Weiss amplified Alinejad’s criticism on X, sharing the clip of Alinejad’s and adding the “fire” emoji, which Vanity Fair reported as the “nail in the coffin,” prompting Mamdani to back out of the interview.

Earlier this week, it was reported that CBS Evening News ratings had fallen below four million viewers for the first time since Tony Dokoupil became host following Weiss’ network overhaul.

Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke is expected to attend the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium

Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke is reportedly planning to attend this weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. The Gunners will face City at Wembley Stadium as they aim to conclude their lengthy trophy drought.

Mikel Arteta’s squad enter the fixture having overcome Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last-16 encounter earlier this week, while City suffered defeat against Real Madrid.

Arsenal continue their pursuit of all four major honours this season and talk of a potentially historic quadruple has been raised in the lead-up to the Carabao Cup final.

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Prior to the match, BBC Sport reported that Josh Kroenke has travelled to London from the United States and is expected to watch Arsenal take on City at Wembley.

The report also suggests that there is a possibility that Stan Kroenke, founder of the Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, could also attend Arsenal’s visit to Wembley.

It has been suggested that Stan Kroenke could make the journey if his schedule permits, and it has not yet been dismissed that the Arsenal owner could be in attendance for the showpiece occasion on Sunday afternoon.

While the attention for Arsenal will be on this weekend’s cup final, the report also delivers an update on prospective transfer strategies for the summer.

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The report says that while Josh Kroenke is in London, he will meet with Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta to discuss plans for the upcoming transfer window.

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Though it’s still uncertain which players Arsenal will target in the summer, the Gunners are reportedly prepared to invest in additional new signings, with a new midfielder, left winger and a full-back pinpointed by the club.

The Carabao Cup final will be Arsenal’s final match before the March international break, with the Premier League taking a pause for the next month.

Arsenal will resume action on April 4 when they journey to Southampton for the FA Cup quarter-final, before facing Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final a few days later.

The next time Arsenal will participate in a Premier League match will be on Saturday, April 11, at home against Bournemouth.

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The crash happened on Wigan Road last night, leaving the bus stop badly damaged and debris scattered across the road.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 7:21pm on Wednesday, March 19 following reports of a road traffic collision involving the two vehicles.

@nikesxiii7 POV: You arrive seconds after this crash in Bolton, Wigan Road. 19/03/2026 #bolton #crash #policevan ♬ original sound – NikesXIII

The impact caused the police van to crash into a bus stop outside the Co-op, shattering glass across the pavement and carriageway.

The Police van collided with a bus stop completely shattering the glass (Image: NikesXIII)

Images and videos from the scene show the front of the car completely destroyed, while the police van also sustained significant front-end damage.

A man was seen getting out of the car appearing shaken but uninjured.

Both the driver and police officers involved were later seen speaking at the roadside.

A video of the aftermath of the crash can be found here .

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At 7:21pm we were made aware of a road traffic collision, involving a police van and another vehicle that subsequently hit a bus stop.

“There was glass on the pavement from the bus stop, but this was cleared along with the vehicles.

“Only minor injuries reported.”

The incident happened on Wigan Road, near Deane, outside the Co-op.

Both vehicles faced front damage (Image: NikesXIII)

It is one of several collisions to have taken place on this stretch of road in recent months.

In January, four people died after a car collided head-on with a taxi on Wigan Road in Deane in the early hours of Sunday, January 11.