Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd helped UConn to an undefeated season heading into March Madness. The pair became the first teammates in six years to make The Associated Press All-America team.

It’s the 10th time that teammates have made the first team, seven of those involving UConn players. The last pair to achieve the feat was Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020.

Strong and Fudd were joined by Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Texas’ Madison Booker.

Strong was a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel that chooses the AP Top 25 each week. Blakes and Betts received all but two first-place votes.

Strong, who set numerous records as a freshmen for the Huskies, raised her game in her sophomore season, helping the No. 1 Huskies to a perfect record heading into the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game and shot 60.1% from the field. Fudd was right behind her, with 17.7 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from the 3-point line.

“I’m thrilled for Azzi and Sarah. They worked really hard this season and they’re great teammates,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “It’s been a long time coming for Azzi. She’s worked through so many hardships in her time at UConn, and it’s great to see all her perseverance pay off.

“Sarah picked up where she left off last season and has been so consistently good and reliable for us. I’m happy for them individually, but I know it means a lot for them to get this accomplishment together as well.

Blakes has had a sensational sophomore season, leading the country in scoring with 27 points a game. She also averaged 4.4 assists and shot 45.8% from the field.

“Mikayla has cemented herself as one of the best players in the country as she continues to bring our team and program to new heights while staying laser-focused on winning,” Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said. “She continues to do everything our team needs to put us in position to be successful and has elevated her play all season long against the toughest competition in the country.”

Vanderbilt had one of the best seasons in school history behind Blakes, who became only the second first-team All-American ever for the Commodores, joining Chantelle Anderson in 2002.

“Mikayla has changed the trajectory of our program by making everyone around her better and by betting on herself to create a legacy here at Vanderbilt,” Ralph said. “She is both deserving and has earned being named first-team All-American, and we are so proud to be on this journey with her and so happy for her recognition!”

Betts averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds and shot 60.1% from the field for UCLA. It’s the second straight season the senior post player has earned first-team All-America honors. Last year she became the first Bruins player ever to receive that accolade.

“Lauren Betts is a generational player; she’s had incredible impact on the game. I’m not surprised for this honor, but I’m also thrilled for her and so excited for what she’s earned,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “She’s been not only impactful on a on-court and individual level, but also on a team and program level. This is well deserved for Lauren.”

Booker earned first-team All-America honors for the second consecutive season. She averaged 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds and shot 51.6% from the field. The junior wing helped the Longhorns win the SEC Tournament with a victory over South Carolina in the title game.

“She has the vision and passing skills of a point guard. She enjoys the pass and the assist as much as the bucket,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. “She can score at all three levels, but her ability to rise above the defense, create space and get her shot off is what sets her apart from everyone else. Her work ethic and investment in her game is elite. She sees the game and understands the game like a 15-year pro.”

Strong, Betts, Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and Ta’Niya Latson were all on the preseason All-America team.

Second team

The AP second team was headlined by Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, a member of the first team in her first two seasons. She was joined by South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, TCU’s Olivia Miles, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge.

Third team

The AP third team was LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson, Michigan’s Olivia Olson, UCLA’s Kiki Rice, Duke’s Toby Fournier and South Carolina’s Raven Johnson.

Honorable mention

Clara Strack of Kentucky, Rori Harmon of Texas and Cotie McMahon of Mississippi were the leading vote getters among players who didn’t make the three All-America teams. Players earned honorable-mention status if they appeared on one of the ballots.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

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Today, Angela Rayner has reignited Labour leader speculation with a speech in Westminster.

The former deputy prime minister told a room at a Westminster pub that Labour is “running out of time”.

Adam and Chris discuss this, and mixed messages coming out of the White House about the effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury with Chief North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was James Piper. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Liverpool stamped their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday with a dominant display over Galatasaray at Anfield, and their route to May’s final is now crystal clear

Liverpool will face PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League following a trouncing triumph against Galatasaray on Wednesday evening. The Reds headed into the clash at Anfield with a 1-0 deficit to overcome from last week’s reverse at Rams Park.

In that match, Mario Lemina made the difference with his seventh-minute strike. Down but never out, Arne Slot’s side emerged in front of the Kop in fighting fashion, and it didn’t take Liverpool long to open the scoring.

Dominic Szoboszlai struck first, 25 minutes into play via a well-worked corner – bursting into the box unmarked as the ball was whipped in hard and low before steering it goalward. Mohamed Salah then had an opportunity to make it 2-0 on the night from the penalty spot when Szoboszlai was brought down in the area by Ismail Jakobs.

However, the Egyptian failed to beat Ugurcan Cakir from 12 yards, rolling the ball down the middle with the Turkish shot stopper denying Salah with his feet. Attacking the Kop for the second-half, Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s tally for the night 51 minutes in.

Salah atoned for his earlier error by picking out the French forward at the back stick, leaving the 23-year-old with little work as he slotted the ball Cakir from point blank range. The floodgates well and truly opened soon after, with Ryan Gravenberch finding the back of the net just two minutes later, thumping home a rebounded effort from Salah inside the area.

Wilfried Singo suffered a nightmare soon after the third goal, as he accidentally steered Jeremie Frimpong’s cross into his own net. However, Galatasaray fans worldwide were left breathing a sigh of relief when Frimpong was deemed offside in the build-up, as the score remained at 3-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

However, it didn’t take Liverpool to finally find a fantastic fourth, Salah cutting in on his favoured left foot, playing a cute one-two with Florian Wirtz and curling into the corner with 62 minutes on the clock.

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While Liverpool haven’t finished the job just yet, it seems as though they will make their way into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a convincing victory over Galatasaray – the game surely too far gone for Okan Buruk’s side to respond.

As things stand, Liverpool will take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes come Tuesday, April 7 in the first leg of the quarter-finals. An all-decisive reverse will then take place at Anfield a week later.

It comes after Les Parisiens enjoyed a 3-0 rout of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu making their way onto the scoresheet in that fixture which took the aggregate to 8-2 in PSG’s favour following a 5-2 thrashing in the French capital last week.

Should Liverpool see an aggregate win over the Ligue 1 titans over two legs, they will then face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the semis. A win there would set them up against Sporting CP, Arsenal, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in May’s final, dependent on who progresses through that half of the Champions League draw.

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

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Joleon Lescott believes Arsenal will still prove too much for Barcelona should the two sides meet in the Champions League semi-finals.

Barcelona joined Arsenal in the quarter-finals after a rampant attacking display saw them thrash Newcastle United 7-2 in their second leg at Camp Nou.

Hansi Flick’s side scored three goals in a blistering 16-minute spell at the start of the second half, eventually knocking out their Premier League opposition 8-3 on aggregate.

The Catalan giants will now play the winner of Atletico Madrid versus Tottenham in the quarter-finals, while Arsenal will take on Sporting Lisbon for a spot on the final four.

But former Manchester City defender Lescott believes that Arsenal would be a considerable ‘problem’ for Barca should both sides meet in the semi-finals in what would be a repeat of the 2006 final.

Asked to rate Barcelona’s chances in this year’s competition, Lescott told TNT Sports: ‘I wouldn’t say so just because of the way they defend.

‘I think a more compact team like Arsenal, and with the offensive talent that they have, I think will cause Barca a lot of problems because I still think there are frailties in their defensive line.

‘But yes, when they play like this, especially as long as it’s two legs, and how exciting they are and how dominant they are at home, they’ve got a chance.’

Newcastle, meanwhile, were made to pay for a sloppy start to the second half, with Shay Given calling into question the gung-ho approach from ddie Howe’s side.

‘I think in the cold light of day, when Eddie looks back, I think just frustrating,’ Given said.

‘I think the fourth goal came in the 51st minute but we said at half-time, Newcastle don’t have to go out and press them all ovr the pitch and get picked off.

‘I think they had to be more settled in the second half and be more defensive and frustrate them and quiet this crowd down.

‘Don’t jump out of your positions too much, but the fourth goal comes along and it’s game over at that point, and then it’s just getting picked off for fun because Barcelona really stepped it up in the second half.

‘We are on the pitch level and the speed to move the ball, the movement, the rotations all over the pitch – they are a top team going forward.’

Reflecting after the game, Howe side: ‘Tough way to go out. Really strange to sum that up. First half we were excellent, albeit both halves we didn’t defend properly in key areas. In the second half we weren’t as good.

‘Psychologically, it was a tough one for the lads. They had that penalty right before half-time and scored quite quickly after half-time and psychologically, we didn’t recover.’

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An external review of the local authority praised its financial stability and performance, highlighting the “strong and unified culture” among councillors and staff. 

The Corporate Peer Challenge, conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) last year, identified “strong strategic direction and stability” within the new administration after Reform UK gained overall control of the local authority at the May 2025 local elections.

Council officials have now set out an action plan for continuous improvement following the positive review. 

Andrew Husband, council leader, said: “Being a new administration, it would have been easy for us to defer the inspection, but we didn’t. 

“If we are to make continuous improvements, the views of senior officers and cabinet members from other authorities are important to hear.”

The council’s partnership working and commitment to community engagement were also praised. 

Among several recommendations, the LGA urged the council to establish a comprehensive transformation programme to address the budget gap and drive sustainable change, and develop a refreshed digital strategy. 

The review also called on the authority to “further develop the council’s place leadership as part of the North East Combined Authority and County Durham Vision 2035” and “recognise and demonstrate the council’s leadership role in promoting social cohesion across the entire community.”

Cabinet members were told that around 92 per cent of actions are already underway or complete, with work ongoing to implement the others. 

The challenge process is designed to support local councils in improving their performance and governance. Officers from the LGA interviewed more than 100 council representatives, including councillors, officers and staff, during the review in October 2025.

Darren Grimes, deputy leader, told a cabinet meeting: “We have already come a long way since October, and I have no doubt that when we get the follow-up review later this year, we will have made even more progress and that will be acknowledged by the peer team. 

“Some of the actions are straightforward and already addressed, but others are whole council actions that require us to build on that unified culture identified by our peers and work together to deliver the outcomes that the people of County Durham deserve. 

“We have all played our part in getting the council to where it is today. And what’s more, we have all had a part to play in what happens next and how we achieve continuous improvement.”

A progress review will take place later this year to assess the council’s implementation of the recommendations.

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England’s World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford has announced she is pregnant with her first child.

Announcing the news on Instagram the 29-year-old said the baby is due in September.

“We are so incredibly grateful and excited,” added Stratford.

The news comes seven months after she led the Red Roses to a World Cup triumph on home soil.

Stratford’s news will rule her out of the Women’s Six Nations, where England will open their campaign against Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, 11 April.

England are yet to confirm who will lead the side in the 2026 campaign, but Marlie Packer and Meg Jones were vice-captains during the World Cup, with Alex Matthews taking the skipper’s armband for their pool match against Australia.

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell will name his Six Nations squad on Friday.

Stratford was named World Player of the Year in 2021 and has also co-captained her club Gloucester-Hartpury to three back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles.

Since the World Cup success, she has also opened a coffee shop with England and Gloucester team-mate Natasha Hunt.

Stratford becomes the third England women’s player to announce they are expecting this year, following Bristol duo Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbie Ward.

Senior DWP officials have updated MPs on the Access to Work scheme, which provides grants for workplace support for those with health conditions or disabilities.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided an update on a scheme that could offer £4,000 or more in additional support. Senior officials from the department recently appeared before the Public Accounts Committee to discuss the scheme, which can provide over £60,000 a year in assistance.

The top officials briefed MPs about the Access to Work scheme. This is a grant programme offering extra workplace support for those with a health condition or disability, helping them carry out their job. Through the programme, you can receive up to £69,260 annually in grants, which can cover things like specialist equipment or a support worker.

The average grant award is £4,000 per year, or £10,500 for those requiring a support worker, the equivalent of almost £200 a week.

Both demand and spending on the scheme have doubled since the 2018/2019 tax year, with the DWP spending £321million on the programme in 2024/2025. The current wait time for applications to be processed is up to 37 weeks.

However, the committee heard that the DWP can fast-track your application. DWP permanent secretary, Peter Schofield, said: “If you have a job that you are ready to start within four weeks, we prioritise it. If there is some other reason why it needs to be prioritised, we prioritise it.”

The officials said they are making progress in cutting the time needed to process cases. Mr Schofield said one significant change they have observed is the type of medical conditions for which people are claiming the support, reports the Mirror.

He elaborated: “What we have seen is not only a doubling of claims but a really dramatic change in the nature of the claims coming in and of the health conditions that we are talking about-more mental health conditions and more conditions around neurodiversity. There is not a standard way of looking at what would be required in terms of reasonable adjustments.”

Reasonable adjustments are alterations that employers are legally required to make so a person with a health condition can perform their job. This could involve providing physical aids or changing how you execute your work.

Mr Schofield stated: “You have to think about each of those conditions individually. They could be fluctuating conditions; they could be conditions that impact in particular circumstances in a different way.

“Obviously, the nature of the workplace has changed dramatically as well. To get this right – to get the right decisions – is a really complex piece of work, and we have got to get it right.”

The missing man was last seen in Lisburn on Saturday

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Police have put out a public appeal to locate missing man, 22-year-old Cain Matchett, who was last seen at approximately 11pm on Saturday night in the Lisburn area.

Cain was last sighted in the area of Oakridge Crescent, Lisburn, wearing dark clothing and carrying a rucksack and a light-coloured suitcase.PSNI said the man is known to have links to the Newry, Derry, Belfast and Mid Ulster areas.A statement from the PSNI said: “If you have seen Cain or have any information regarding his whereabouts, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact Police on 101 quoting reference 1398 16/3/26.”

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To vote, eligible residents must be on the electoral register by midnight on Monday, April 20.

Residents in North Lanarkshire are reminded to make sure they are registered to vote in the Scottish Parliament Election on May 7.

To vote, eligible residents must be on the electoral register by midnight on Monday, April 20.

It takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote with your National Insurance number.

“The Scottish Parliament election is an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues including health, education, housing, justice and the environment,” said North Lanarkshire Returning Officer Des Murray.

“Research by the Electoral Commission shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others.

“If you’re not registered by April 20, you won’t be able to vote so please take a few minutes to register now.”

When registered, voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

Voter ID is not required to vote in person at the Scottish Parliament election.

READ MORE: Council grants planning permission for development of new car wash in Motherwell

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 21, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, April 28.

For information on how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

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READ MORE: Scotland netball captain surprises Lanarkshire players for international women’s day

Crookhaven stars Dougray Scott and Carmel Laniado appeared on BBC’s The One Show

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BBC Crookhaven star Dougray Scott suffered an awkward moment as he discovered that he hadn’t been added to the cast group chat

The actor, 60, is set to star in the upcoming BBC drama series as he takes on the role of Caspian Lockett, the headmaster and leader of the secretive Crookhaven.

Ahead of the new show, Dougray appeared on Wednesday’s (March 18) episode of BBC The One Show alongside co-star Carmel Laniado, who plays his daughter, Penelope.

However things took an awkward turn as Carmel revealed that there is a group chat with cast members that Dougray has not been added to.

Opening up about the bonds she has made on-set, Carmel went on to say: “To be able to do this now at 21, I’m just so grateful to have all these like different opportunities and also I feel like when you’re older, you definitely are a lot more like aware of what’s going on.”

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She continued; “You can actually build friendships with people on set and with your crew members and your cast so yeah, definitely really appreciate it. All of us, we’re best friends now to this day.

The actress then shared: “We still text on the group chat all the time.” Dougray looked stunned as he pointed out: “I’m not in that group chat.” Carmel awkwardly laughed as she replied: “I need to add you. I promise you, you honestly would not want to be in it.”

Based on the beloved novels by J.J. Arcanjothe, BBC’s adaptation is set in the secret school for crooks, where students, or Crooklings, are taught to perfect their skills to do good, bring balance, justice and order to the outside world.

Centred on pickpocketing genius Gabriel (Lucas Leach) and his arch-rival, headmaster’s daughter Penelope (Carmel Laniado), the series follows a group of eight very different, young international students.

As they go head to head in the competition for the infamous Crooked Cup – all while battling a terrifying enemy, The Nameless.

Joining Dougray and Carmel is an award-winning cast including Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Coronation Street, The Pact, Broadchurch), Keith Allen (Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Kingsman, Marcella, Bodies) and Naomi Wirthner (Slow Horses, Alex Rider).

As well as an exciting ensemble of talent who play the high achieving, hand-picked Crookhaven students sharing credits such as Adolescence, Game of Thrones, Heartstopper and The Witcher.

Screenwriter Justin Young said: “From the moment my daughters and I read the first Crookhaven book, I knew it had the potential to be a thrilling, timeless series for the whole family.

“Bringing the Crookhaven world to life has been a glorious adventure, and it’s both an honour and a thrill to be working with such an extraordinarily talented cast and crew — truly a dream mix of industry legends and dazzling new faces.”

BBC The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer