Naomi Church and Emily Bell went up against each other for the women’s title, while Josh McDonald and Tyler Spence competed for the men’s title.
Each duo competed across five events as well as the Eliminator challenge in order to be crowned champion.
Once again, father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh took viewers through the action, with Guy Mowbray providing commentary.
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Ahead of the final airing, a synopsis for the episode shared: “In the final, Viper leaves the Gladiators gobsmacked, Bradley races Electro on the track, and much to Guy Mowbray’s surprise, Legend tries his hand at commentary.”
Who won Gladiators 2026?
In the end, Emily emerged victorious in the women’s event, and Josh secured the win in the men’s event.
Emily was the youngest woman to compete in Gladiators this series, and celebrated her 23rd birthday on the day of the final’s filming.
In a twist of fate, she ended up competing against the oldest contestant in this series, Naomi, who is 40 years old.
The business consultant and former England U16 hockey captain started strongly, gaining an advantage over Emily in the ‘Destruction’ challenge, but lost a bit of ground in ‘The Edge’ and ‘Duel’.
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It meant Emily had a six-and-a-half-second head start in the final ‘Eliminator’ challenge, which she used to her advantage to get over the finish line first.
Meanwhile, Josh, who is a former Royal Marine Commando trainee and now an Area Sales Manager, managed to beat Tyler in the men’s event.
Josh gained an advantage over Tyler in the opening ‘Unleash’ challenge and never looked back from there.
He had a three-second head start in the final ‘Eliminator’ challenge, but it was tense all the way until Josh got up the travelator first and got over the finish line.
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What does the winner of Gladiators get?
Winners of the rebooted BBC series Gladiators get a trophy shaped like the “G” logo.
This differs from the 1990s ITV series, which gave out a cash prize, as well as a new car.
In total, 12 cars and prizes totalling more than £45,000 were won over seven series of UK Gladiators on ITV.
What did you think of the Gladiators 2026 final? Let us know in the comments.
Midfielder Kenny McLean believes the experience against high-calibre opposition will stand Scotland in good stead before this summer’s World Cup.
The Scots have been drawn in Group C with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
They take on Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday in the second of their March friendlies.
“A disappointing result. It’s good to get these challenges, we’re trying to prepare as well as we can for a big summer ahead,” said Norwich City’s McLean.
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“We’ll try to get better and that’s what we’ll try to do again on Tuesday. The shape was decent enough at times.
“The second half was a bit better out of possession, but I think we could have been a bit more threatening at the top end of the pitch.
“Japan are a really good team, they press you really well, but that’s what we’re going to come up against in the summer.
“There’s an expectation now and we want those expectations on us. We want to reach a new level.”
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Despite the positive noises from Clarke, former Scotland striker Billy Dodds says Scotland have to improve on Tuesday and then again before they head across the Atlantic.
After the Ivory Coast fixture, Scotland will play Curacao on 30 May and one other unnamed opponent before the World Cup.
“The boys trying to push their way in will be most frustrated because they need a team to perform to their best,” Dodds said.
“We must get a win at some point to get momentum and maybe that’s why we’ve chosen Curacao as the last fixture at home. But I would like us to play better against Ivory Coast and solve a few problems.
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“We’re down because there was nothing for the crowd to get up for. It was flat. There was industry and effort but no X-factor.”
Said by, well, me — but with all the enthusiasm of someone who’s discovered the joy of hi-vis and never looked back.
I’ve always been the type to wake up early. My mum still loves telling the story of how toddler me would burst into her room at 5am, just after she’d finally settled my newborn brother. Some habits, it seems, never change.
But for years, my early rises were spent doing things that were, frankly, a bit selfish. Running, gym sessions, walking the dogs, all good and all healthy, but all for me. I wanted to give something back.
Volunteering at parkrun wasn’t really part of the plan. I was a regular runner, yes, but a hi-vis hero? That felt like a role for someone far more organised and less chaotic.
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Then my running club held a parkrun takeover early last year. I missed out on the core roles, but there was space for pacers — and if there’s one thing I’ll happily do, it’s try and pace a race.
And that was it. I was hooked.
There’s something exhilarating about having a group tucked in behind you, chasing their PBs, and knowing your encouragement might be the nudge that gets them there.
Suddenly, I’d fallen headfirst into a community that’s both wonderfully chaotic and strangely soothing. A weekly ritual that belongs to everyone.
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The first thing you notice is the colour: that unmistakable hi-vis pink. Pulling it on feels faintly ridiculous and official at the same time. You’re no longer just a spectator, you’re part of the machine.
Me as a pink hi-vis hero at Darlington parkrun (Image: The Northern Echo)
The clappers, the cheerers, the barcode scanners, the course-checkers. The ones who keep everything moving.
That’s the magic of it.
When you volunteer, you see people at their absolute best.
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Nervous first-timers hovering at the back (pretending they don’t care about their time). Older runners gliding past with enviable ease. Parents pushing buggies and still managing a breathless “thank you!” as they go by.
Regulars who know the course better than their morning commute.
As a marshal, you become a tiny landmark in their morning. At my spot, the three trees, I clap and shout, “Well done, great running!” to every person who runs past. And without fail, everyone calls back, “Thanks, marshal!” as if I’ve done far more than wave enthusiastically.
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But for them, I have done something. I’ve shown up. I’ve helped make it happen.
And in return, I get this sense of belonging that’s hard to find anywhere else.
My favourite moment is the tail walker’s appearance in the distance, a sign that the morning is winding down. That’s when volunteers close ranks, cones are collected, signs are stacked and packed away.
It’s truly local life stitched together by people who might never meet if it weren’t for these Saturday mornings.
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Volunteering at parkrun has taught me something unexpected. Community isn’t built on grand gestures. It’s built on turning up.
Again and again. In drizzle, in sunshine, in frost. With a smile, a cheer, and a vague point in the direction runners should go.
And honestly? I can’t think of a better way to start the weekend.
Darlington parkrun is held at South Park every Saturday at 9am.
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Junior parkrun is held every Sunday at 9am.
First timers briefing is held at 8.50am, and there is always a friendly face in a pink hi-vis willing to offer a helping hand for anyone new and nervous about attending.
Christian Pulisic couldn’t figure out teammates from opposing Belgians in a friendly with kit confusion.
“That can’t happen. It was a bit strange,” the U.S. star said after Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Belgium.
The U.S. wore its new Nike jerseys with red and white horizontal stripes that resemble a waving flag, an apparent homage to American jerseys at the 1994 World Cup with vertical red-and-white stripes.
Belgium had on its new Adidas road jerseys with a background of a light color called Frozen Blue mixed with pink and black trim, a tribute to surrealist artist René Magritte.
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“It definitely was a little bit difficult whenever you do like a quick glance to tell which was which. It was almost like a 50-50 thing,” American midfielder Weston McKennie said. “So you definitely have to maybe take a little more time on the ball before you made a decision or play one touch to a player.”
Both teams exchanged uniform plans well ahead of the match, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the outfits were cleared before the game by the match officials.
Belgium’s home jersey in a solid red while the U.S.’s other is dark blue with a subtle star pattern and red trim, which it plans to wear for Tuesday’s friendly against Portugal.
While the flawed fashions became apparent during the first half, neither team had different sets of jerseys on site they could switch to at the break.
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Decisions could depend on shorts — the U.S. wore blue and Belgium white. The Americans had white socks and the Belgians blue.
Players hadn’t been concerned about the game’s sartorial aspects.
“I didn’t know until we took off the pre-match, whatever, shirts and then saw it and I was like — everyone was a bit shocked,” Pulisic said. “A lot of times you get the ball, you look up, you can’t really lock in on something. You only can base it off the color of the shirt. That’s how it works. And when it’s very similar, it’s difficult.”
Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
This week, March moves into April and Venus moves into Taurus, while the Full Moon beams in the sign of Libra.
Basically, a lot of Venus activity which puts the spotlight on money, love and pleasure.
It’s time to have a good time, to enjoy your life, to spend and indulge and fall in love.
Make your lifestyle feel like a movie this week, small touches and embellishes that make you look and feel good, attractive, luxurious, and taken care of.
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How you treat yourself teaches others how to treat you, so set a great example and your relationships will also improve!
What money, love or pleasure message do the tarot cards have for you this week?
Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Be proud of everything you’ve achieved (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aries for this week: Judgement
Meaning: The greatest pleasure is in feeling comfortable, happy and confident in your own skin! An easy conscience, a sense of pride and self-worth, and a bit of a buzz to be seen; this is how you’re moving this week, Aries, and it feels good.
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Judgement has you taking great pleasure in who you’ve become. It’s not been easy and you’ve overcome many issues and risen to many occasions. You are impressive! So, pat yourself on the back, put a smile on your face and greet the world with authentic confidence and curiosity… lots of new opportunities are ready to meet you!
Spin the wheel, Taurus (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Taurus for this week: The Wheel of Fortune
Meaning: Venus is your ruling planet, so when she’s highly active, it gifts you with magical superpowers and energy. Use it well! The Wheel of Fortune grants you the opening to make a major change and have it go your way.
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If you could change anything in your life, what would it be? The chances of success, if you start this now, are very high. It’s a portal through which you can step, entering a new era and chapter with things much more how you wish they could be. There’s always a side effect or two of change, so be prepared for the unexpected as well.
The World is your oyster (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Gemini for this week: The World
Meaning: What an invitation the cosmos is offering to you this week, Gemini! The world, and everything in it… where do you want to go and what do you want to achieve? Things have been coming to a head in your realm, many endings and natural conclusions and missions completed. So, it’s time to look and plan ahead and feel excited about your future.
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If anyone can dance in rhythm with the world’s energies and dynamic flows, it’s you. Be flexible, be fun, be open-hearted, because you’re ready to leap into another new stream and learn to swim all over again. You can go anywhere and do anything!
Time for a spring clean (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Seven of Swords
Meaning: Make sure that your home, inner circle, workspace and playtime zones are fuss, clutter, and bad vibe-free. And if not, take steps this week to oust the stuff that bothers you. Get rid!
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You are clearing the way for a splendid spring and summer. This is your magical time of year so you don’t want any flies in your ointment, thorns in your side, blemishes on your canvas.
You have a great instinct for self protection and defence, deploy it now and scan your surrounds. What comes up on the radar? This is a week to declutter and oust the things dragging you down. Be free!
Your inner child holds the key (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Leo for this week: Page of Cups
Meaning: Your inner child is awake and giving you hints, nudges and signs which can guide you towards the true pleasures and heartfelt passions you’re ready to use as a leading light in your life. Full circle – all the way back to who you authentically are, and always have been.
Creativity, play, and friendship are strong themes right now. You want to enjoy yourself, wholesomely and peacefully, in a flow of goodwill and happiness. Look to people, places and activities that make you feel this way and have a connection to something from your childhood memory box. This is the pathway to happiness.
Every day’s a school day (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Virgo for this week: Page of Coins
Meaning: You love learning, it’s literally a lifelong pleasure, as your planetary ruler is Mercury, the eternal student and intellectual. So, treat yourself this week to a new book, documentary series, course, lecture, class, TED talk, podcast or workshop. Get involved actively with something you want to learn how to do or to understand more deeply.
Feed your powerful mind. Invest in your own ongoing education and you will always feel fulfilled and creative. What we put into our mind matters. You know this more than anyone, and you’re about to curate some beautiful content.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Libra for this week: Knight of Swords
Meaning: You are Venus’s child, so her presence everywhere this week makes you feel strong and powerful, like you have cosmic backing… and you do, of course!
The Knight of Swords is another ally in your quest for control, authority and power. So this is a major week of laying down the right foundations, righting wrongs, pushing back, challenging a status quo that doesn’t serve or suit you, and putting your priorities first.
Be pushy. Be demanding. Venus gifts you with all the charm and powers of persuasion you need, and this Knight brings you the force and resilience. Put together, you’re unstoppable right now!
Something, or someone, is trying to tempt you (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: The Devil
Meaning: Scorpios find love and pleasure in strange places. Forgive me, but you are the mad bad and dangerous to know one of the zodiac’s 12 characters (and we all love you for it). The Devil is with you this week suggesting you’re going to be tempted by some illicit or secret or slightly naughty activity… and it’s up to you if you deem this as naughty or nice!
We are all responsible for our own actions and their consequences. If you’re willing to own the choices you make and their follow up impacts then you do you! Get on and find your pleasures wherever they arise. It might be a wild week, Scorpio.
Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: The High Priestess
Meaning: Intuitive, psychic and instinctive energy is supporting and flowing around you this week, Sagittarius, so follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, and obey your gut. This is not a rational or mental time, it’s about your instincts. You may feel like spending time alone, that’s okay, seek solitude and tune into the messages meant for you, decompress and unwind.
You may feel compelled to do or say something strange, and that’s okay; be amongst trusted folk and express what comes, say how you truly feel. You may have a bright, shining, gleaming idea that must be executed… and you should do it. There are gifts from the cosmos coming your way this week, don’t waste them.
Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: The Chariot
Meaning: You will be investing time, possibly money, and energy into the notion of movement this week. And it will pay off handsomely, because this investment is about a bigger purpose or mission in your life. It may involve buying a vehicle, moving house, looking at relocating, going on a magical journey, booking a holiday to look forward to, or thinking about your position in your career (spatially and life-stage).
Place matters. Our environment dictates our mood more than anything else. So make sure you’re in the right place for you, or heading that way! Build the surrounds and experience of the world that supports a healthy, fulfilled, peaceful you.
Start small and the big stuff will follow (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Nine of Coins
Meaning: This influx of lovely Venus energy this week marks a real turning point for you, Aquarius. You are going to rebuild, repair and restore things that have felt missing, broken or obsolete.
The Nine of Coins charts a long-term and sustainable walk back to your best life and selfhood, small acts of positivity and self care and useful challenge every day that lift your mood, spirits and opportunity. We all design and create our own lives. So make decisions that lift you, open doors, and create positive feeling. It all starts here.
Realise what’s right in front of you (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Pisces for this week: Four of Cups
Meaning: A fatigue or mood of boredom and complacency is going to lift and evaporate this week, leaving you feeling lighter and brighter, optimistic about your future and grateful for the life you already lead – which is the sweet spot of joy for most folk. I don’t know what caused your malaise, but it ends here.
Refocus on all you already have access to, enjoy doing, and are blessed with. You are already so wealthy in opportunity and advantage, you just need to see it, name it, and use it more. Imagine an outsider reviewed your life, what would they be most impressed with and jealous of? That all belongs to you already!
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
More and more Gen Zs and Millennials are hiring UK holiday homes in order to dress up together, away from the scrutiny of their parents, partners and society at large
“It’s difficult playing at your house. You’re trying to get in the mood to slay a vampire, and then someone’s boyfriend comes in to get a snack.”
It’s a problem we’ve all had. Or at least, those of us who are among the growing number of British Dungeons and Dragons players who are swapping sunbeds in Lanzarote for a cottage in the Lake District, and trading their piña colada for a couple of D4s and an orc costume.
Driven by “cosy crime” hits such as The Traitors and Agatha Christie adaptations, one in four Brits and half of Gen Z have booked a staycation specifically to host a murder mystery, games night, or TV-themed weekend with friends or family, according to an exclusive cottages.com study.
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An early adopter of this trend is young Millennial Georgia Johnson, who has just celebrated a decade of leaving the boyfriends behind in London and heading to somewhere secluded to roll dice.
“We’ve been to Valencia twice, a place in Kent, a friend’s house in Bath and up to the Lake District,” the North London DnD player explained.
For Georgia and her costume-clad pals, getting away from it all really helps to set the mood.
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“One time, we knew we were going to have a fortune telling, so we put out loads of tarot cards and dice and had a candlelit session,” she explained.
“Cottages.com has spooky castles and chapels you can stay in, and a button that shows you a nearby pub. Generally, you get up, DnD, have lunch at a pub, come back, more DnD, then around midnight it can get a bit silly and hazy. At the moment, we are playing Curse of Strahd, which is modelled on Dracula. We are hoping to go to Whitby to finish the game. We want candles lit and spooky music.”
For the uninitiated, it’d be easy to overlook the ubiquity of role-playing games like DnD, or consign them to the ‘80s fad bin’ only recently revived by a starring role in Stranger Things.
In fact, they’ve been growing in popularity for years and continue to reach new peaks. 52 years after its invention, DnD has 13.7 million active players. One study suggests that interest in tabletop role-playing games has increased by roughly 85% since 2020. This purple patch extends to Nottingham-based Warhammer, which was worth £4.7bn at the end of 2024.
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For many gentler souls, such games are a fantastic way of expressing oneself creatively. Among Georgia’s clan is Ben, an office worker during the week who dons a moustache and becomes “officer of the post” Derbert Clifton-Brown at the weekend.
He is joined by creative Kash, who has purchased ears specifically designed for people of colour, and Oliver, who likes to paint himself green.
Before the crew started travelling to play, Georgia’s mum walked in on them in the act. “She said she would’ve rather found us having an orgy,” the 33-year-old said.
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Another great RPG lover is James Mackenzie-Thorpe. Not only has he travelled across the UK to enjoy weekend sessions with his friends, but he has also brought dozens of DnDers to a unique tourist attraction.
“My first day working at Kents Caverns I heard some colleagues talking DnD. I asked if I could play, but there was no work group. Later on, I woke up from a dream and thought I should write an adventure set in the caves. So I wrote it and played it with a group of five, in the caves. It went really well. Then another group. Then we decided to do it for the public. Now, for three years, I’ve run DnD in the cave for the general public,” James explained.
Kents Caverns are a network of prehistoric caves in Torquay, Devon, that lie beneath the hotel that inspired Fawlty Towers. James takes tours by day and hosts quests by night.
And he puts a lot of effort into it, paying for maps to be professionally painted and bringing rechargeable lanterns to light up the skull-lined caves.
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“It’s been a tremendous amount of fun. You never know what you’re going to get with each group. We’ve had people travelling from Cornwall and Somerset. One group had been playing with each other online during Covid. They had never met in real life before they came and played with me in the caves. They booked an Airbnb and stayed together,” he said.
For James, the real joy of DnD comes in seeing people express themselves freely, which traveling to a cottage or heading underground can help some do.
“We have a young member who has been four or five times to play in the caves. They’re non-binary and are just starting to come to terms with that. To see everyone really take that person in hand, to really help that person come out of their shell, it makes me really proud,” he said.
According to historians, in 1839, Muhammad Ali Shah gave 3.6m rupees – considered a vast sum in those days – to the East India Company, then a British trading enterprise, on the condition that it would be responsible for maintaining the monuments built by the Awadh nawabs, while the kitchen would continue to run on the interest earned from the fund.
He met with supporters behind closed doors, gave the keynote address at the Ronald Reagan dinner and held court during a private reception where people lined up for handshakes and photos. Audiences cheered for Paxton and booed any mention of Sen. John Cornyn, Paxton’s opponent in the May 26 runoff.
If Paxton wins the nomination, it will be because of support from his party’s fervent grassroots base. That rock-solid foundation rescued Paxton’s political career after he was impeached — but acquitted — for corruption charges by the Texas Legislature three years ago.
“I want you to know, there’s only one reason I got through all that, and it’s by the grace of God,” he said in his Friday night speech as a wave of applause rolled through the hall. “He absolutely delivered me, and he used to people of Texas to deliver me.”
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Neither Paxton nor Cornyn won enough votes in the March 3 primary to clinch the nomination outright. Although Cornyn has raised far more money and is backed by the party establishment in Washington, Paxton’s well-honed survival skills could lead him to victory.
The winner will face Democrat James Talarico, a state lawmaker, in what will be one of the most closely watched Senate races as Republicans try to retain their grip of Congress.
Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas. Paxton was the overwhelming favorite in CPAC’s straw poll, beating Cornyn by more than three to one, and he won the organization’s endorsement.
‘There’s got to be a change’
President Donald Trump promised that he would endorse either Paxton or Cornyn weeks ago, but no announcement ever came. Paxton, however, has had no trouble proving his bona fides with the party’s right wing.
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“The real benefit of Paxton is that he is more an ally of Trump,” said Luke Brown, a 21-year-old college student from Amarillo, Texas. “There’s got to be a change for newer conservatives.
He added that, “I have respect for Cornyn. I just think it’s time for someone more conservative.”
Although Cornyn finished first in the primary, which also included Rep. Wesley Hunt, Paxton swiftly appealed to Trump by embracing legislation known as the SAVE Act, which would mean new, strict proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting. The proposal is a priority for the president, but it has stalled in the Senate because Republican leaders do not want to lift the filibuster.
Paxton said he would consider stepping aside if the legislation passed and accused Cornyn of being a “coward.” About a week later, Cornyn reversed his position on the filibuster and wrote in an op-ed that “I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary.”
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‘Too little too late’
Paxton crowed about the shift during his reception on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, John Cornyn has never been focused on this issue until right now, when I called him out on it,” he told supporters.
Cornyn’s campaign noted that the senator is an original co-sponsor of the voting legislation.
“Ken Paxton has lied to his staff, to taxpayers, to his colleagues and to his own family, so it should be not a surprise he’s lying here too,” said Matt Mackowiak, a senior adviser to Cornyn’s campaign.
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Joe Ropar, a 72-year-old defense contractor who attended CPAC, described Paxton’s maneuvering as “brilliant.”
“Cornyn’s trying to change his stripes now,” Ropar said. “It’s too little too late.”
While Cornyn did not attend CPAC, which was held at a resort and convention center near Dallas, Paxton was extolled by speakers throughout the event.
“Ken Paxton is emblematic of the grassroots of the MAGA movement across the nation,” said Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser who hosts the “War Room” podcast, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
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Earlier Friday, CPAC senior fellow Mercedes Schlapp polled the crowd. Asking for a show of support for Paxton, there was a roar of cheers. When she asked about Cornyn, there was a light ripple of boos.
‘Time for a change’
Paxton reminded conservatives here of another connection with Trump: They both have portrayed themselves as the victims of political persecution. While Paxton was impeached and acquitted once, Trump went through the process twice during his first term.
Some conservative Republicans hold other grudges against Cornyn. They remember his early criticism of Trump’s proposal for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2016, his co-sponsoring of gun control legislation after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, and his dismissive remarks about Trump’s comeback campaign in 2024.
Retired music teacher Valerie Burge, 58, said she voted for Cornyn in the primary because of his long service.
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“But I’m not sure about the runoff,” she said. “It might be time for something new.”
Barbara Palmer, a 65-year-old lawyer, said Cornyn had simply been in office for too long. He has been a judge, state supreme court justice and state attorney general, and now he wants a fifth term as senator.
Three staff members from Lisneal College are taking on a 100Km trek in memory of their friend, former teacher Sharon Street
Staff members from Lisneal College are set to cross 100Km of the Sahara Desert in memory of their beloved colleague Sharon Street.
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Former teacher Sharon Street passed away last year and spent the last few weeks of her life at Foyle Hospice with her friends Lorna Alexander, Ernest Hanna and Irene Pender now hoping they can raise money for the vital facility in her memory. This Easter the trio will cross a section of the Sahara Desert with Sharon asking them to donate the funds they have raised to the hospice.
They will fly out to Morocco for nine nights on Easter Sunday for the 100Km trek and have been training since last year in order to prepare themselves for the challenge.
Lorna said:“Our beautiful friend Sharon had 5 years of a horrendous journey with cancer. However, we knew she was comfortable at Foyle Hospice – she told us she was ready to die and that speaks volumes of the care she received. We told her about doing a trek to raise funds and she was delighted – she said it was an amazing idea! Our initial target was £1000 but we have exceeded that and are now over £5k which we are absolutely delighted with – if we can keep the donations coming, we would be so grateful.”
She continued: “We have been training since last year, going out after work every Friday and completing 10 miles by walking the two bridges. We are definitely prepared and really looking forward to completing the trek.“I feel really excited and nervous as this is totally outside of my comfort zone – I have never camped before or done anything like it! The trip is organised by Kandoo Adventures and there will also be three others joining us on our journey from America, Norway and Holland.”
Lorna stressed the importance of their fundraising initiative saying: “The three of us feel it is very important to support Foyle Hospice because the care and support is amazing – in Sharon’s case, her children were able to spend precious time with her. The service is priceless to families.”
“Throughout our trek, we will be keeping Sharon’s memory alive, especially when times get tough – we have been described as the three musketeers! As a team, we are strong-minded people and we will be supporting one another to get through it.
“We would also like to extend a warm thank you to our amazing sponsors, Standard Utilities, Eakin Bros and Sollus Laser and to every single person who has donated so far – your support and encouragement means so much.”If you would like to show your support and donate to this remarkable challenge, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/lisnealtrek
No one likes getting stuck in a game but it’s a problem a reader suffers through in the otherwise enjoyable 2000 AD comic book adaptation Rogue Trooper.
Beware the Hovertrain. It will only cause you pain.
You are Rogue Trooper. A Genetic Infantryman created by the Souther Army to tip the balance in their fight against the Norts. Both sides battle for dominion over Nu Earth, a toxic war-torn planet where just about everything, including the air, will most likely kill you. After an act of betrayal the Genetic Infantrymen are all but wiped out during their inaugural mission. Rogue manages to save three of his fallen squad mates by retrieving their bio-chips and fitting them to his equipment.
Gunnar, who is now implanted into Rogue’s rifle, is the most useful of your bio-chip buddies. In his basic form Gunnar can serve as an automated sentry gun and his nifty scope is a great way to take out distant Norts by shooting holes in their air tanks. But like most everything else in Rogue’s arsenal your talking rifle can be substantially upgraded.
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Bagman facilitates this upgrade process using salvage obtained on the battlefield. The more salvage you collect the more futuristic military kit you have access to, provided Bagman has the blueprint for said kit. The underslung shotgun that can be added to Gunnar works well in close combat. The mortar attachment is another must-have with its potent, long range spread of death and destruction.
The numerous upgrades on offer in this game turned me into a compulsive scavenger, but also quite an unsavoury one. Playing this game I continuously robbed the dead. Piles of valuable salvage are harder to find than expired Norts. Which means copious corpse pillaging. But needs must, especially since Rogue appears to operate without resupply or much backup.
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Rogue’s third and final bio-chip squadmate is Helm and compared to the Gunnar and Bagman, he’s a bit superfluous. Helm invites trouble too. Use your talking helmet to hack computers and doors and you can fully expect an enemy counterattack.
Rogue Trooper is no simple run and gun shooter. To survive on Nu Earth, and to hunt down the Traitor General who orchestrated the GI’s downfall, you’ll have to use caution and cover. Drill probes burst out of the ground to deliver incoming rushes of enemy troops. Hoppa gunships prowl menacingly overhead. Automated pillboxes can cut you down in seconds.
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Fire on some pillboxes and they eject a flurry of murderous drones. Then there’s the Nort troopers themselves, which come in several different variants. The mechanised Norts are tough to kill and can unleash serious firepower. EMP Troopers emit a blast that temporarily neutralises your bio-chip buddies, while they respond with a distorted outcry.
The future war is hell, but I enjoyed playing Rogue Trooper. Creativity and imagination abound here, since the game draws heavily on its rich comic book roots. Some of the game’s levels do verge on the generic. Military bases and docksides. I’ve seen that stuff many times before. Other locations in Rogue Trooper are ultra cool. Nu Paree is a seedy cityscape that’s satisfying to fight in. The Petrified Forest, perhaps my favourite level, is a haunting maze of trees and enemy snipers. Take shelter in the forest’s many gloomy nooks but be wary of hostile spiders.
Rogue Trooper Redux – the PS2 original came out in 2006 (Rebellion)
To reach the Petrified Forest you have to complete Mission Nine. Hovertrain Journey involves defending a train from a varied Nort onslaught using Gunnar, two side-mounted guns and a flak cannon. I lost count of how many times I failed this mission. Hovertrain Journey started off as a challenge. After the first 10 or so attempts the level grew annoying. That annoyance eventually led to abject despair.
Abject despair is a burning Hovertrain that will never reach its destination. For at least two or three successive weekends I heard the same audible prompts. Utterances repeated in a torturous and predictable loop…
‘Stammels coming in from the left. Use the mounted gun, Rogue. Don’t let any get too close.’
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‘Watch it, we’ve been boarded.’
‘Woah-aak’ – The sound a Nort makes when he’s forced off a train.
‘Heads up Rogue. We’ve got company above. Incoming Sun Legions. Good job we have a flak cannon.’
‘Rogue, the train’s almost gone. Your aim better start improving.’
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Difficulty spikes in games are interesting. If you’re stubborn. If you refuse to give up on the part of a game that you’re stuck on the act of tackling it starts to become second nature. Repeated failure educates you and consciously or subconsciously you steadily get better. Although that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re having fun.
The last mission in Rogue Trooper, Final Fight, is also difficult. In your showdown with the Traitor General the game throws wave after wave of every enemy type at you in a relatively confined space. But Final Fight is no Hovertrain Journey. Hovertrain Journey has left me with scars, or at least a grudge. All that time ostensibly wasted. I’ll never get those hours back. And after/if you complete Hovertrain Journey (spoiler alert) the train derails and crashes anyway. So what was the point?
Most worryingly, now that I’m free of my obligation to beat Hovertrain Journey I want to play it again. My gaming life’s become too easy. I miss the depressing struggle and those recurring sound bites…
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‘Use the mounted gun, Rogue. Don’t let any get too close.’
For it was the return of Bolton’s dance event of the year, Strictly Learn to Dance, with the judges proving as dazzling as the dancers themselves.
Bolton Hospice’s annual event was once again a resounding success, with participants stepping out to impress the audience and judges with their newfound dancing skills, all while raising vital funds for the hospice.
The judges at Strictly Learn to Dance (Image: Bolton Hospice)
The event, held at Bolton Wanderers’ Stadium Hotel yesterday (Friday), saw 16 couples take to the dance floor after 12 weeks of intensive training.
The atmosphere was described as electric as the dancers showcased their talent in a variety of styles, from the Cha cha cha to the Salsa, and Tango to Rock n Roll.
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Kate and Maria (Image: Bolton Hospice)
k n Roll.
Not only did the dancing duos put their nerves aside to perform in front of a live audience, they also braved this year’s panel of judges, which included esteemed professional Ballroom and Latin dancers and experienced adjudicators Alan Newman and David Brankley, as well as Deputy Mayor and Bolton Hospice Trustee Andy Morgan, and The Bolton News Editor, Richard Duggan.
Strictly Learn to Dance final (Image: Bolton Hospice)
The event was not only a spectacular showcase of talent and entertainment but also a night of raising much-needed funds for Bolton Hospice.
Right moves (Image: Bolton Hospice)
So far this year’s Strictly Learn to Dance participants have raised over £20,000 from their own fundraising – an incredible amount testament to the dancers’ dedication and determination – with more funds raised on the night still to be counted and announced.
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Results on the night:
· Overall Champions – Katie & Maria
· Cha cha cha winners – Yvonne & Mick
· Salsa winners – Lauren & Ben
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· Argentine Tango – Jessica & Kenny
· Rock n roll – Katie & Maria
· Quickstep winner – Jessica & Kenny
· Twinkle Toes Award – Ben & David
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· Most improved – Lauren & Ben and Pete & Lynne
· Audience Choice – Kathy & Andy
· Fantastic fundraiser 2025 award – Erica & Michael
Glitz and glamour on the dance floor (Image: Bolton Hospice)
Louise Gray, Events Fundraiser at Bolton Hospice said, “On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to our participants, guests, volunteers, Bolton FM, the wonderful Touch of Class Dance studio, our guest judges who did a fantastic job & event sponsor, Diamond Buses North West, who made the evening possible! We couldn’t have done it without you, thank you so much for your support!”
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Dancing king and queen (Image: Bolton Hospice)
Bolton Hospice relies heavily on the generosity of the local community to continue providing specialist care and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families. The Strictly Learn to Dance event is a key fundraising activity, and its success is a testament to the incredible support the hospice receives from the Bolton community.
If this year’s dancers have inspired you to want to get involved, please contact Bolton Hospice’s fundraising team at fundraising@boltonhospice.org to register your interest as a dancer for next year’s Strictly Learn to Dance event.
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