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North East Labour MP has ‘no confidence’ in Keir Starmer

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North East Labour MP has 'no confidence' in Keir Starmer

Kate Osborne, the Labour MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, has said she doesn’t “have any confidence” in Sir Keir Starmer.

The Prime Minister’s chief of staff and head of communications both stood down as the fallout over Mr Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador rumbled on into another week. Mandelson was forced to resign from the party and the House of Lords over his relationship with Epstein and also faces a police investigation into whether he leaked sensitive information to the paedophile financier.

“I don’t have any confidence in Keir Starmer and haven’t for some time,” Ms Osborne said.

“I said last week that the buck stops with the leadership, staffing changes were and are essential but they cannot take all the blame.

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North East MP Kate Osborne has called for the PM to go. (Image: UK PARLIAMENT)

“We need more than damage limitation; we need a complete change at the top, and we need an end to the dictatorial and chaotic culture that Starmer is and has presided over as leader.

“We need our Labour party to get back to its Labour values, values that deliver for working people, not the elite, values that promote equality, social justice, and restore trust in politics.

“I and a growing number of my colleagues no longer have faith in Keir’s ability to restore that trust in politics.”

It follows an intervention from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar on Monday.

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Mr Sarwar hit out at “failures in the heart of Downing Street”, warning they were hurting Labour’s chances in Scotland.

He is the most senior Labour politician to call for Sir Keir to go, conscious of the task facing Scottish Labour in May’s Holyrood elections where opinion polls indicate his party faces coming third behind the SNP and Reform.

At a hastily convened press conference in Glasgow, Mr Sarwar said: “The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change.”

But as he was speaking, a series of Cabinet ministers rushed out statements in support of Sir Keir, including Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson and Redcar and Cleveland MP Anna Turley.

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Man City continue Newcastle dominance as second string deliver statement FA Cup win

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Man City continue Newcastle dominance as second string deliver statement FA Cup win

Omar Marmoush scored twice as Manchester City’s second string cruised past Newcastle and into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win.

The Magpies led through Harvey Barnes’ cultured 18th-minute finish in front of watching England boss Thomas Tuchel, but Savinho levelled before the break and Marmoush struck twice after it to secure City a 19th win in 21 attempts in the competition over the last four years.

That was all the more impressive as boss Pep Guardiola made 10 changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in midweek – star striker Erling Haaland did not even make the matchday squad – with one eye on Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.

By contrast, the Magpies will welcome Barcelona to Tyneside 24 hours earlier licking their wounds after a fourth successive defeat by City this season.

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City’s victory in front of a crowd of 51,109 was every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests and meant they have dumped Eddie Howe’s men out of both domestic cup competitions this season having ended their reign as Carabao Cup holders in the semi-finals.

In a bright start by the home side, Anthony Elanga tested goalkeeper James Trafford with a dipping ninth-minute attempt from distance and Barnes saw his stabbed attempt deflected wide after Will Osula had chased down Sandro Tonali’s ball over the top in company with John Stones.

Omar Marmoush scored twice in the impressive win

Omar Marmoush scored twice in the impressive win (PA Wire)

However, it took a goal-line clearance from Nico Gonzalez to deny Nick Woltemade the opening goal after Trafford had palmed Osula’s initial header from an 11th-minute Kieran Trippier corner unconvincingly back into the danger area.

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The Magpies did go ahead with 18 minutes gone when, after Tonali had split the City defence with an inch-perfect pass, Barnes raced away, steadied himself and curled a right-foot shot across the helpless Trafford and into the top corner.

But Aaron Ramsdale had to save from the impressive Savinho at his near post after the winger had collected Elanga’s misplaced 29th-minute pass on halfway and shown Lewis Hall a clean pair of heels, and was relieved when Tijjani Reijnders deflected Jeremy Doku’s pass straight into his waiting arms five minutes later.

Harvey Barnes had put Newcastle ahead

Harvey Barnes had put Newcastle ahead (PA Wire)

City were back in it six minutes before the break when Doku was allowed to drill a cross across the six-yard box and the ball hit Savinho and ricocheted over the line.

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They might have gone ahead shortly afterwards when Reijnders fired wastefully wide after Malick Thiaw failed to cut out Savinho’s pass.

Newcastle were in disarray at the back as Guardiola’s men piled on the pressure and the half-time whistle came as a merciful release.

Marmoush sealed a quarter-final spot for Pep Guardiola’s side

Marmoush sealed a quarter-final spot for Pep Guardiola’s side (Getty Images)

The respite proved temporary as the visitors took the lead within two minutes of the restart when Marmoush was given time and space to control Matheus Nunes’ cross and scored from close range.

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Ramsdale had to parry Marmoush’s 60th-minute strike with Hall clearing Reijnders’ follow-up off the line, before Ramsdale turned away Nico O’Reilly’s header from the resulting corner.

City’s third goal did arrive with 25 minutes remaining when Nunes picked out Marmoush and he controlled before blasting emphatically past Ramsdale.

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The Belfast workshop teaching women to ‘repair for themselves’

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The Belfast workshop teaching women to 'repair for themselves'

A new programme in Belfast is teaching women DIY and repair skills so they can fix things for themselves. The ‘Women Repairing It For Themselves’ workshop, hosted by Belfast Tool Library on the Shankill Road, aimed to teach women essential skills they can use in everyday life.

The free course took place as part of Belfast Repair Week on Thursday, March 5, to coincide with International Women’s Day. It was supported by the Northern Ireland Resources Network and Belfast City Council.

On the day, women were taught how to do basic electrical work, how to fix and change locks, how to fix holes in walls, as well as how to make small furniture repairs.

READ MORE: The Belfast ‘library’ with no books that lets you borrow every tool you need for DIY projectsREAD MORE: Belfast woman’s endometriosis dismissed as ‘anxiety’ during 11 year battle

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Speaking to Belfast Live, workshop co-ordinator at Belfast Tool Library, Jane McMahon, said they were blown away by the interest they received for the event – and hope to run it again in the future.

She said: “The demand for this workshop has been absolutely off the scale. It’s something we have put out with NIRN, Belfast City Council, Reclaim the Agenda, and the Belfast Tool Library.

“Over 4,500 people have viewed it on Facebook, with 240 likes and counting. Now, due to the demand, we’re hoping to repeat the workshop, and are looking for funding to repeat it as many times, because the demand is out there.

“Women want to learn how to do DIY and repair. Because nearly half of all DIY work is done by women now, having a space where they can come learn the skills and practise them in a very hands-on way, people are practising what skills they want to take away with them.”

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Jane added that working with natural materials such as wood has “incredible” effects on overall mental wellbeing, which they have seen as a result of surveys participants have taken.

She added: “When people are working with wood, it quietens that white noise in their head, it relaxes people. People can feel the tension reducing.

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“People come here on courses and see it as a sanctuary; they see it as a very peaceful place away from the pressures of daily life.”

Corrina Askin, an artist based in Belfast, first came to the Belfast Tool Library around a year and a half ago to get support with building an outdoor frame to support an art trail she was building at Belfast Castle.

She said the group have helped her learn so quickly, and has always been there for support and advice. Corrina praised the 50/50 male and female membership, as well as how helpful it is to be able to access over 1,500 tools whenever she needs them as part of the membership.

As for the event for women, she said: “It’s very empowering – it’s very important to have this. When I first came here, I think I’d used a screwdriver before, but that’s about it.

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“I learned bits like how to fix wonky chairs, and I’m actually doing an art trail up at Belfast Castle, which I needed an outdoor frame for, which was a specific project for me. But when I got here and started learning, I realised I’ve now learned how to do those everyday repairs around the house.

“For anyone interested in learning, I would definitely say come on down. You do an induction and get a run-through on what the tools are and how they work. We have everything here in the tool library. Just like a book, you can borrow a tool for up to a week.

“There are women of all ages here. There are women who have retired and just thought they’re tired of waiting around to find something, so they’re doing it for themselves.

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“It’s a very welcoming, can-do place. It’s very informal. I finished my project within six weeks, but I’m still here a year and a half later, because I just love it.”

Belfast Repair Week raises awareness of the wider circular economy, from reuse and upcycling to sharing and repair and supports more sustainable choices across the city.

You can find out more about membership and workshops at the Belfast Tool Library by clicking here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Steve Borthwick: Is Italy defeat the beginning of the end for England coach?

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Steve Borthwick

England rolled one dice repeatedly, taking to the air in the hope of winning aerial contest.

They did at times.

Cadan Murley came down with a couple early on to earn territory, but when their number wasn’t come up, England wouldn’t or couldn’t walk away and find another gameplan.

“Questions need to be asked about England’s strategy and methodology – about how they believe the game should be played at this level,” said England Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live.

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“The way England are playing, they are not going to win international matches.”

They aren’t winning many friends either.

Their style – high kicks and short of flair – is hard to love. Now England aren’t winning with it, fans’ patience is wearing thin fast.

Itoje insisted afterwards that the fault lay with him and his fellow players.

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“The coaches set us up to do well, and we as players have to take responsibility. It is us – myself as captain and the guys on the field,” he told BBC Sport.

Nobody else will give Borthwick and his regime a free pass though.

Whatever the result against France, this campaign, which arrived with such high hopes and has dragged through such lows, will rightly be scrutinised to find the cause of England’s underachievement.

Borthwick will have to explain his own part in it. And his Rugby Football Union bosses will have to consider whether he has any further part to play.

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In many ways, they will be reluctant to change the team’s management.

The last Rugby World Cup cycle involved late coach churn when Eddie Jones was axed less than a year out from France 2023.

While Borthwick, as his successor, guided England to within touching distance of the final, he was hamstrung by a lack of preparation.

Given time with the team, he delivered a 12-match year-long run that only ended three weeks ago.

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There are plenty of potential successors and candidates for one of the biggest jobs in the sport.

Scott Robertson, sacked as All Blacks coach in January, and Franco Smith, who has driven Glasgow to new heights, have both had talks with the RFU about different roles in the past., external

Pat Lam, who has combined steel and silk at Bristol and managed admirably with a raft of injuries this season, has made no secret of his international ambitions.

If an English coach is the preference, and it was last time, then Andy Farrell and Shaun Edwards have done highly impressive work with England’s Six Nations rivals.

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Phil Dowson has moulded a winning, stylish Northampton team out of many of the same players in this England squad.

All come with caveats, complications and doubts.

The trouble for the RFU is, so does the status quo.

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Dowman makes history again… and the hype is fully justified

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Dowman makes history again... and the hype is fully justified

Chants of “super Maxy Dowman” from the away end accompanied the midfielder’s every move.

With 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon also starting, Arsenal became the first Premier League side to start a competitive game with two players at that age.

Arteta said: “When the ball is bouncing all over the place, and people are all over his back, Max is just incredible, especially with the speed he delivers.

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“I’m very proud of him and Marli, and that says a lot about their personality and the quality they have. They need to continue to work and this is the first step for them to take. I think everyone feels involved.

“We have the desire that, game by game, we can get closer to things that we can achieve.”

Arsenal’s journey now takes them to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday in the Champions League, and the prospect of Arteta’s second FA Cup triumph remains in his grasp.

They were far from their best here, with Mansfield – 60 places below Arsenal in the football pyramid, and with a squad constructed for a mere £265,000 – playing their part in an absorbing contest.

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Arsenal’s back three of Salmon, plus Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori appeared nervous and hesitant, and Mansfield momentarily sensed it. There was a glorious moment for the League One club six minutes into the second half when Will Evans, a substitute, equalised with a finish of real composure.

Yet Arsenal required Eze to bounce off the bench to produce a ruthless finish from inside the area, leaving Mansfield to now focus exclusively on their battle to avoid relegation.

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NFL teams are becoming more willing to trade two first-round picks for elite defensive players

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NFL teams are becoming more willing to trade two first-round picks for elite defensive players

Defense wins championships.

That’s why NFL teams are becoming more willing to part with valuable draft picks for elite defenders.

Trading two first-rounders for a player has been rare with fewer than 20 such deals over the past 40 years. However, three of those have occurred in the past 6 1/2 months and each was for a superstar defensive player.

Five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby became the latest premier talent traded for two No. 1s when the Baltimore Ravens acquired the 28-year-old star from the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday night.

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Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade can’t be announced until the league’s new year starts next week.

The last two Super Bowls were decided by superior defenses. Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense sacked Drake Maye six times in a 29-13 victory over New England last month.

Last year, the Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times in Philadelphia’s 40-22 victory over the Chiefs.

Adding Crosby is a significant boost for the Ravens, who’ve fallen short in the playoffs several times despite successful regular seasons led by two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

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Crosby upgrades a defense that had just 30 sacks in 2025, tied for 28th in the NFL. He could thrive under new coach Jesse Minter, a former defensive coordinator.

Here’s a look at some other trades involving two first-round picks over the past five years:

Sauce Gardner

The Colts sent two first-rounders and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for the two-time All-Pro cornerback last November. Indianapolis was 7-2 at the time but injuries to quarterback Daniel Jones and Gardner helped derail their season.

Micah Parsons

The Packers traded two first-rounders and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas for the three-time All-Pro edge rusher a week before the start of last season.

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Parsons had 12 1/2 sacks in 14 games, helping Green Bay start 9-3-1. They didn’t win a game without him after he tore an ACL.

Russell Wilson

The Denver Broncos made a blockbuster deal to acquire the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback in March 2022, sending two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, QB Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive lineman Shelby Harris to Seattle. Wilson went 11-19 in only two seasons in Denver before he was released.

Deshaun Watson

In March 2022, the Cleveland Browns made what turned out to be one of the worst trades in NFL history when they acquired Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick from the Houston Texans in exchange for three first-round picks, a third-round pick and two fourths.

The Browns then signed Watson to a $230 million contract fully guaranteed. He’s played just 19 games in four years, going 9-10.

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Matthew Stafford

The Los Angeles Rams traded quarterback Jared Goff, two firs-rounder and a third to the Detroit Lions for Stafford in January 2021. The three-time Pro Bowl QB led the Rams to a Super Bowl title that season and was AP NFL MVP in 2025.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Gladiators star Bionic suffers injury during quarter-final

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Gladiators star Bionic suffers injury during quarter-final

Three Gladiators have already sustained injuries during filming of series 3:

  • Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) – knee
  • Legend (Matt Morsia) – arm
  • Diamond (Livi Sheldon) – knee


Fourth Gladiator injured during series 3 quarter-final

Bionic, aka Matty Campbell, has now become the fourth Gladiator to sustain an injury during series three of the hit BBC series.

He was competing against contender Finn in Hang Tough on Saturday’s episode when he injured his shoulder.

The Gladiator could be seen hanging onto the ring with one arm, in clear pain.

Once the event was over, he fell to the mat below and was attended to by medics before being escorted away.

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Bionic was competing in the Hang Tough event when he injured his shoulder. (Image: BBC)

Viewers took to social media to share their well-wishes with Bionic following the incident.

One fan, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: “I hope Bionic is okay #Gladiators.”

Another viewer on Reddit commented: “Poor Bionic.”

Is Bionic alright following shoulder injury?

Filming for series three of Gladiators took place in the summer of 2025.

Following the injury, Campbell (Bionic) posted on Instagram, saying: “Not a post I wanted to make, but life has a funny way of throwing challenges at you.

“I’ve had Shoulder surgery after picking up an injury while recently filming series 3 of Gladiators.

“I can’t lie, it’s tough when you get injured and have to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the series, when all you want to do is get out there, perform and entertain for anybody who watches the show.

“We do this for the millions that tune in to Gladiators – the families sat around the TV, the kids who look up to us, and the people who just want to escape and enjoy the spectacle.

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“That’s what makes this show so special, that’s why it hurts when you get injured.

“Setbacks are part of the journey. Right now, my focus is on recovery and doing everything I can to make sure I come back better than ever.

“I’m grateful for the medical team who’ve looked after me, all the glads, production & my friends and family, you know who you are and your support means the world.

“Turns out I needed just a little bit more metal in me.”

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After seeing his body “capitulate in a matter of weeks” following the injury, Campbell returned to doing exercises again just four weeks after surgery.

Since then, he has gone on to return to his normal Gladiator-like self.

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Lauren Boebert slams Tony Gonzales and GOP colleagues who voted against sexual misconduct transparency bill

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Lauren Boebert slams Tony Gonzales and GOP colleagues who voted against sexual misconduct transparency bill

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert criticized fellow Republicans Friday, including Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales, after the House voted to block a proposal that would have made records from congressional sexual misconduct and harassment investigations public.

The House overwhelmingly moved to block the resolution introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC. Lawmakers voted 357-65 to refer the measure to the House Ethics Committee.

The resolution would have required the release of ethics reports on sexual misconduct or harassment allegations involving members of Congress and their aides, while keeping victims’ identities confidential.

Rep. Lauren Boebert slammed her colleagues for voting to block a proposal that would have made congressional sexual misconduct and harassment records public, calling the decision 'absolutely disgusting'

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Rep. Lauren Boebert slammed her colleagues for voting to block a proposal that would have made congressional sexual misconduct and harassment records public, calling the decision ‘absolutely disgusting’ (Getty Images)

Speaking on Newsmax, Boebert accused lawmakers who opposed the measure of shielding colleagues from scrutiny. During the interview with host Rob Finnerty, she condemned the vote in blunt terms.

“This is absolutely disgusting for anyone to vote against this,” Boebert said.

Boebert also singled out fellow Republican Gonzales, who opposed the measure, framing the vote as part of a broader effort to avoid public scrutiny over misconduct allegations within Congress.

“I called for Tony Gonzalez to resign a couple of weeks ago, and I have put pressure on our leadership to call on him to suspend his campaign at the very least, which he did today,” she said.

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Despite her outrage, Boebert stressed that her anger is not about a specific case of misconduct.

“I do not personally know anyone that needs to be exposed who has been in inappropriate relations with their staff. But in all of this, it needs to come out.”

She described the House vote as one of the most disturbing actions she has seen from her colleagues.

“This is one of the grossest things that I have learned of,” Boebert said. “And I think it was one of the most cowardice votes I’ve seen from my colleagues.”

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Boebert also rejected arguments that releasing ethics reports would harm victims, noting that the proposal included safeguards to keep their identities confidential.

“Of course, this protected victims,” she said. “This is one way that they were looking to cover up these sexual assaults that took place, the sexual misconduct by members of Congress.”

The House vote drew attention because many of the same lawmakers previously supported legislation calling for the release of records connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Critics of the decision argue the contrast shows lawmakers’ willingness to demand transparency in outside cases while resisting disclosure involving sitting members of Congress.

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Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference in February, a month before he dropped out of the election

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference in February, a month before he dropped out of the election (The San Antonio Express-News)

Rep. Tim Burchett, who also supported the bill, also spoke on Newsmax, claiming that the strong opposition shows lawmakers are protecting each other. He accused party leaders of telling members not to vote for the measure and said the fight isn’t about law, but about transparency.

Burchett pointed out that many lawmakers who opposed the bill had supported the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

“They’re pointing the fingers on Epstein, yet they’re not looking in the mirror at themselves,” he said, criticizing the inconsistency in Congress’s approach to transparency.

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He added that the public deserves to know how taxpayer money is being used to settle harassment claims in Congress.

“There’s a slush fund. And there’s been over $17 million that has been spent on that of your money — of the taxpayers’ money — to pay off people that have been involved in harassment in their office, sexual harassment and other things,” he said, underscoring the financial and ethical stakes involved,” Burchett said.

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Stunning Cambridgeshire village where Tudor queen lost a ring that’s never been found

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Stunning Cambridgeshire village where Tudor queen lost a ring that’s never been found

The Tudor queen stopped in the village while on a trip towards Cambridge

A stunning village in Cambridgeshire was once visited by a Tudor queen – and may be home to some buried treasure as a result. Just six miles south of Cambridge is the “thriving” village of Haslingfield.

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Around 1,500 people live in the village, which is surrounded by beautiful countryside. It’s a village with a name that people may pronounce incorrectly. If you go by its spelling, people may think it’s Has-ling-field. However, its correct pronunciation is Haze-ling-field.

The village is most famous for its royal links. Within the village is Haslingfield Manor, once visited by Queen Elizabeth I. The house was originally built and owned by Thomas Wendy, who was doctor to Queen Elizabeth and her father, King Henry VIII.

The doctor was kept busy, as he treated the royals for a number of illnesses including gout, ulcers, smallpox and lead poisoning. It’s not thought Henry VIII visited the manor, but Elizabeth I did.

On her way to visit Cambridge in 1564, Elizabeth stopped by the manor. However, while she was there she reportedly lost a ring. Unfortunately for the queen, the ring couldn’t be found and it is believed that it remains missing.

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As well as lost royal artefacts, the manor holds more secrets. While renovation work was taking place, a network of secret underground tunnels was discovered under the manor, which led all the way to the village church.

It’s believed they were built during the Reformation to provide escape routes for clergy trying to flee religious persecution. Originally known as Haslingfield Hall, all that remains of it today is a H-shaped mansion.

There is much more on offer in the village of Haslingfield. There are two churches, a village hall, two shops, a large recreation ground to enjoy sports on and one pub. Unfortunately, it no longer has a pub.

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Trump joins families for return of soldiers killed in Middle East

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Trump joins families for return of soldiers killed in Middle East

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base at the dignified transfer for the six U.S. soldiers killed in the war in the Middle East.

The dignified transfer, a ritual that returns the remains of U.S. service members killed in action, is considered one of the most somber duties of any commander in chief. During his first term, Trump said bearing witness to the transfer was “the toughest thing I have to do” as president.

“It’s a very sad day,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he returned to Florida later Saturday afternoon, saying that he was “glad we paid our respects.” He said the relatives of the deceased are “great people, great parents, wives, family” and said that the “parents were so proud.”

Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance were present for the transfer, as were their spouses. A host of top administration officials were in attendance, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who wrote in a social media post Friday of “an unbreakable spirit to honor their memory and the resolve they embodied”; Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence.

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Also present for the solemn event were governors and senators from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Florida.

Those killed in action were Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, lowa, who was posthumously promoted from specialist.

As is protocol, Trump — wearing a blue suit, red tie and a white USA hat — did not speak during the transfer. The president saluted as each flag-draped transfer case was carried from the military aircraft to awaiting transfer vehicles, which would take them to a mortuary facility to prepare them for their final resting place. The families were largely silent as they observed the ritual, which lasted about a half hour.

The six members of the Army Reserve, who were killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait, were all from the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, which provides food, fuel, water and ammunition, transport equipment and supplies. They died just one day after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran.

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“These soldiers engaged in the most noble mission: protecting their fellow Americans and keeping our homeland secure,” Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a combat veteran, said earlier this week after the six were identified. “Our nation owes them an incredible debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.”

During the ritual, transfer cases draped with the American flag and holding the remains of the fallen soldiers are carried from the military aircraft that transported them to an awaiting vehicle to take them to the mortuary facility at the base. There, the service members are prepared for their final resting place.

Amor’s husband, Joey Amor, said earlier this week that she had been scheduled to return home to him and their two children within days.

“You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first – it hurts,” Joey Amor said.

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O’Brien had served in the Army Reserve for nearly 15 years, according to his LinkedIn account, and his aunt said in a post on Facebook that O’Brien “was the sweetest blue-eyed, blonde farm kid you’d ever know. He is so missed already.”

Marzan’s sister described him in a Facebook post as a “strong leader” and loving husband, father and brother.

“My baby brother, you are loved and I will hold onto all our memories and cherish them always in my heart,” Elizabeth Marzan wrote.

Coady was among the youngest people in his class, trained to troubleshoot military computer systems, but he impressed his instructors, his father, Andrew Coady, told The Associated Press.

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“He trained hard, he worked hard, his physical fitness was important to him. He loved being a soldier,” Coady said. “He was also one of the most kindest people you would ever meet, and he would do anything and everything for anyone.”

Khork’s family described him as “the life of the party” who was known for his “infectious spirit” and “generous heart” and who had wanted to serve in the military since childhood.

“That commitment helped shape the course of his life and reflected the deep sense of duty that was always at the core of who he was,” according to a statement from his mother, Donna Burhans, his father, James Khork, and his stepmother, Stacey Khork.

Tietjens, who came from a military family, previously served alongside his father in Kuwait. When he returned home in February 2010, he reunited with his overjoyed wife in a local church’s gym.

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Tietjens’ cousin Kaylyn Golike asked for prayers, especially for Tietjens’ 12-year-old son, wife and parents, as they navigate “unimaginable loss.”

Trump most recently traveled to Dover in December to honor two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian interpreter who were killed in an ambush attack in the Syrian desert. He attended dignified transfers several times during his first term, including for a Navy SEAL killed during a raid in Yemen, for two Army officers whose helicopter crashed in Afghanistan and for two Army soldiers killed in Afghanistan when a person dressed in an Afghan army uniform opened fire.

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Kim reported from Washington.

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‘Special’ James stars as England stay perfect in World Cup qualifying

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‘Special’ James stars as England stay perfect in World Cup qualifying

Bronze played throughout the Euros with a broken leg and a recurrence of that injury kept her sidelined for several weeks at the start of the year. She, too, is being managed and was rested against Ukraine before returning the starting XI to face Iceland.

There is no ready right-back replacement for Bronze, who will be 35 by the time the 2027 World Cup comes around. Maya Le Tissier, who plays as a centre-back for Manchester United, seems to be the most likely back-up if Bronze is unavailable while Niamh Charles, who is currently injured, and Anouk Denton are also options.

Bronze now has 145 caps for her country, which puts her third in the all-time appearance charts and she shows no signs of slowing down.

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“She’s an incredible human being and has a mindset that is really incredible,” Wiegman said of Bronze.

“She has so much football intelligence, she really gets it. At the same time she’s helping her team-mates off the pitch which makes the team play better.”

As they did against Ukraine, England dominated possession against Iceland but did not make the most of their 31 shots, with only seven hitting the target. Taking six points from both games was the most important factor for Wiegman, with Spain still to come in this World Cup qualifying group.

Only one team will progress automatically and the two games against the world champions – at Wembley in April and in Spain in June – will likely decide who tops the group and who has to go through the play-offs. It is vital England have their best players available for both of those games, so Wiegman’s management of James and Bronze will be crucial.#

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Match details

England (4-2-1-3): Hampton 7; Bronze 8, Williamson 6, Morgan 6, Hinds 5; Walsh 6, Stanway 7 (Kendall 90+3); Park 6 (Blindkilde Brown 85); James 7 (Kelly 75), Russo, Hemp 6.
Goals: Bronze 22, Stanway 78.
Subs not used: Moorhouse, Roebuck, Le Tissier, Wubben-Moy, Pattinson, Clinton, Beever-Jones, Carter, Godfrey.

Iceland (4-3-3): Runarsdottir 6; Arnardottir 5, Viggosdottir 5, Sigurdardottir 6, Heidarsdottir 6; Hermannsdottir 5 (Asgeirsdottir 63), Antonsdottir 6 (Agustsdottir 86), Vilhjalmsdottir 5 (Johannsdottir 63); Eiriksdottir 5 (Olafsdottir Gros 46), Jessen 6, Jonsdottir 5 (Zomers 76).
Subs not used: Ivarsdottir, Birkisdottir, Tomasdottir, Georgsdottir, Palmadottir, Halldorsdottir, Karlsdottir.

Referee: Silvia Gasperotti.

Attendance: 27,472.

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