Pollsters asked about the way the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales worked with Westminster
Just over a third of Welsh people think devolution has been a good thing, according to polling released today. However, that 36% figure in Wales is higher than the 16% who believe the Westminster-based government has been a good thing for the nation.
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The polling was conducted by More in Common on behalf of PolicyWISE between January 30 and February 10 with 806 people polled in Wales.
It asked questions about the way the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales worked with Westminster and almost all those polled said they wanted stronger cooperation between their governments and Westminster.
The polling found 95% of the public in Scotland and Wales wanted that.
This compared to the 68% in Wales who felt that their devolved governments and Westminster did not work well together now.
When Labour was elected into Government at a UK level in 2024, it promised a “partnership in power” between London and Cardiff.
In both countries, the public would prefer that the devolved government worked “much more closely” with the UK government on its top policy priority rather than “standing firm against the UK government”. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
In Wales, 42% want closer working between the two administrations.
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In both countries, Westminster is frequently perceived as acting “mainly as a government for England” (Scotland 43%, Wales 42%). Many, especially in Wales (52%), think Westminster is unclear when decisions affect only England.
When asked which two reserved issues (i.e. Westminster responsibility) required the UK Government to work most closely with the devolved governments, these were the answers for Wales:
When asked which three issues the respective new devolved governments should focus on post elections, both nations identified the cost-of-living, supporting the NHS, and immigration.
When it comes to how the Welsh First Minister should approach the UK Government, 30% of respondents said they wanted Eluned Morgan to work constructively with Westminster – even if that meant compromise.
Alexander Blue was found badly beaten outside his home in Glasgow’s west end in June 2002.
A review of the evidence in the 23-year-old unsolved murder of a Glasgow businessman is taking place. Alexander Blue’s brother says it is an “absolute disgrace” that to this day no-one has been charged over the crime.
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The 41-year-old, who ran a company called the Taxi Centre, was found badly beaten outside his home in Glasgow’s west end in June 2002 and died in hospital two days later from massive head injuries.
A neighbour had found him injured on the driveway of his home on Dundonald Road in the upmarket Dowanhill area. No one has been charged over the murder despite repeated police appeals – and the case remains unresolved after two decades.
Alexander’s older brother Billy Blue has been seeking justice for years. With the 25-year anniversary of Alexander’s death approaching in June next year, he said the police and Crown Office should “hang their heads in shame” if no one is charged by that point.
He told the Press Association he felt the family had been “brushed off” by police and the legal system, saying: “How bad does it have to get before you get an outside force in? You have to get justice, you can’t let people kill people and just get away with it.”
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Alexander’s brother believes there is enough evidence to identify the culprit behind his brother’s death, saying it was “no ordinary murder”. Billy, from Glasgow, said: “It’s been known for a considerable length of time who’s responsible for Alec’s murder. I would like to see them brought to justice, it would be a vindication.”
He said the Crown Office was “definitely” reviewing evidence around the case. Billy, 67, said: “What was horrendous was my mother lost her son, and that’s always been my driving force. She’s never got over that. She’ll never get over what happened that day.”
Billy says the looming 25-year anniversary of Alexander’s death may spur the police on to take more action on the case. He has had recent meetings with police and Crown Office officials including the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC. Both agencies have promised to keep him updated.
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He said: “I think they know what’s coming in about 18 months, if they get to that point with total failure. The fact that nobody’s been charged with murder is a disappointment. But the fact that nobody’s been charged with anything related to that murder is an absolute disgrace.”
He was critical of Police Scotland, saying his family has been treated like “garbage” for years. The Crown Office said it works closely with the police to review unresolved homicides to ascertain if there are any new evidential developments.
A spokesman said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service recognise the suffering of families who have been denied justice. The murder of Alexander Blue remains an unresolved homicide and we are absolutely committed to reviewing such cases along with Police Scotland.
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“Unresolved homicides are never closed, and we work closely with police to explore any new evidential developments which would allow us to bring such cases to court. The Blue family will continue to be kept informed should any significant developments come to light.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “This is obviously still a difficult time for the Blue family who have suffered distress and heartache over the last two decades as they seek answers and justice for Alexander.
“Police Scotland never considers cases closed and this case remains under review. There is no barrier over the passage of time to the investigation of unresolved homicide cases.
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“Homicide Governance and Review actively keeps all undetected and unresolved homicides under review and meets regularly with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in an attempt to review these cases and pursue resolution.
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“We will continue to update the families of the victims of such crimes with any new developments, where appropriate.
“Police Scotland along with our partners in the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services, continue to relentlessly pursue advances in technology and investigative approaches which help bring those responsible for serious and violent crimes to justice and provide answers for families of the victims of such crimes.
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“Scientific and forensic developments, combined with information from the public and determined investigative work can yield new opportunities in such cases.”
On Sunday night (22 February), actors including Timothée Chalamet, Paul Mescal, Michael B Jordan, Jessie Buckley and Emma Stone arrived at the star-studded ceremony honouring the best in British film.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s dark comedy One Battle After Another was the big winner of the year, winning six of its 14 nominations, including Best Film.
“I absolutely can’t believe this. I can’t believe I’m here looking at people like you, in the same category as you,” Aramayo said during his speech as he pointed to DiCaprio in the audience. “Never mind being stood up here.”
Irish actor Jessie Buckley, meanwhile, took home the award for Best Actress thanks to her searing portrayal as Anne Hathaway in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, which also won Outstanding British Film.
Mia Lily Keogh O’Keeffe is the seventh person to have been killed on the road on the island of Ireland over the course of the weekend
20:36, 22 Feb 2026Updated 20:36, 22 Feb 2026
The mother of a teenager killed by a car which failed to remain at the scene has said her “heart will never be the same again.”
This paper has learned that the tragic teenager killed in a hit-and-run on the Slane Road in Navan, Co Meath on Saturday night was 16 year old Mia Lily Keogh O’Keeffe.
Mia, who was from Navan, was walking her dog and was at a pedestrian crossing when a driver struck her with his vehicle and then failed to remain at the scene at around 8:20pm.
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the area and Mia was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, where she was subsequently declared dead.
It is understood Mia was a student at Loreto Secondary School in Navan, has a number of siblings and comes from a well known family in the area.
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Gardai were initially searching for the driver, but it is understood that the suspect, who is a man in his 20s, later handed himself in to gardai. He was then placed under arrest and is being questioned over the incident.
It comes as Mia’s devastated mother Louise has taken to social media and posted in a comment:
“My beautiful baby was taken by someone who fled and left her alone. My heart will never be the same again.”
In a statement gardai have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
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“At approximately 8:20pm, Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident involving a car and a pedestrian. The car involved failed to remain at the scene. The pedestrian, a 16-year-old female, was treated at the scene before being transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where she was later pronounced deceased.
“A male in his 20s has since been arrested in connection with the investigation and a car has been seized for technical and forensic examination. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region,” gardai said.
Gardai added that the Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.
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“The scene remains preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local traffic diversions are in place.”
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area between 8:00pm and 8:45pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Navan Garda Station on 046 9036100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The crash comes amid a weekend of carnage on Irish roads that saw six other people killed in separate incidents on the island of Ireland.
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A woman, aged in her 80s, died in a single-vehicle collision in Rooaun, Eyrecourt, Co Galway at around 8.15pm on Saturday evening. The elderly woman was the driver and sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a separate incident, two people died in a crash involving a van and a car at around 12pm on the Tramore Road R675 at Robin Hill in Tramore, Co Waterford. A man and a woman, both aged in their 40s, who were the occupants of the car, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The occupants of the van, a man aged in his 50s and a juvenile male, were taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.
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Meanwhile, a further three people died in a road crash in Armagh, with four more people injured in the incident. The victims, two men aged 31 and 48 and a woman, 23, died at the scene of the accident outside the Moy on Saturday night.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, called “El Mencho,” was the head of the terrifying Jalisco New Generation Cartel famous for feasting on human flesh and shooting down military aircraft
02:35, 23 Feb 2026Updated 02:58, 23 Feb 2026
An infamous drug kingpin has been killed in a military operation, leaving a major cartel without a head in the wake of a raid carried out by amred forces.
Local news sources report that leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was killed in military raid. The notorious druglord, better known by his alias ‘El Mencho’, was confirmed dead by federal forces on Sunday, February 22.
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Mexican publication MILENIO cited top officials who said Cervantes had been killed in the army operation. Roadblocks were reported in six nearby states with burning cars blocking roads across a wide area in a tactic commonly used by the cartels to prevent military forces carrying out operations against them.
El Mencho became the most powerful drug lord in the country after the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
The US State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15million for information on El Mencho that would lead to his arrest.
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The CJNG has seen a rapid expansion across Mexico in recent years, led by quiet kingpin El Mencho.
Nemesio Oseguera, 53, dropped out of sixth grade to help his family pick avocados, Mexican media reported. As a teenager, he snuck into the United States and tried to build a network of clients as a drug dealer, but he was arrested.
As a young man, he and his older brother, Abraham Oseguera, sold heroin to two undercover police officers in 1992 and were sent to a federal prison and later deported.
In 1997, he travelled to Tijuana, where he built a thriving drug trafficking business; later, he worked as a police officer in Tomatlán, Jalisco, learning the inner workings of law enforcement.
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After working as a cartel hitman and drug trafficker and surviving internal power struggles between rival gang factions in Jalisco, Oseguera ended up as the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, given the moniker “El Mencho”.
Its members routinely carry out brutal acts of violence to intimidate their rivals and have even been known to have downed an army helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade.
Claims were made that they would make new recruits to feast on human flesh and carry out beheadings in their infamous “terror schools”.
One anonymous recruit previously told the DailyBeast.com : “I’ve been there and there was a lot of [cannibalism]. They recruit them and then they start working on them.” First, CJNG members are taught how to cut off their victims’ fingers and toes, one of the cartel’s preferred torture methods.
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The update from military sources on the death of El Mencho comes hours after panic erupted at a major airport after alleged cartel members reportedly descended on the terminal, with disturbing footage showing terrified crowds scrambling to escape.
Unverified accounts indicate members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel arrived at Guadalajara International Airport in Jalisco, Mexico mere hours after El Mencho was killed by military forces. It’s thought members are now mounting reprisals following confirmation of the killing.
Barry the St Bernard is living at a Cambridgeshire shelter waiting for someone to give him a loving family
A blind St Bernard with an extraordinary survival story is searching for a forever home. Barry, who has been blind since birth, is currently being looked after at a Cambridgeshire shelter..
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It is run by Saving Saints, a volunteer-led rescue network operating across the UK. His carers say he is ready for a fresh start, but he needs the right home.
Barry was first owned by an organised crime boss, living alongside three other large dogs. The owner was jailed for drugs offences, leaving the dogs in limbo and needing new homes.
“At first it was thought Barry and the other St Bernard, Delilah, were a bonded pair,” said Rachel Wesley, 53, who runs Saving Saints. “But once they reached what was meant to be their forever home, it became clear Barry was struggling.”
Barry was reactive towards men, which rescuers believe may be because of trauma from his early life. He also became stressed and unhappy when living with another dog.
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“He was getting grumpy and overwhelmed,” said Rachel. “That’s when we knew we had to step in and give him the calm, structured environment he desperately needed.”
Barry was moved into Saving Saints’ Cambridgeshire shelter, where he underwent a full behavioural assessment. The charity has now found that to thrive, Barry needs a quiet, rural, female-only home where he can be the only dog.
Although Barry is blind, his hearing is exceptionally acute and he is confident when navigating familiar spaces. As a double-coated breed, he enjoys spending time outdoors, but he is also deeply people-focused and needs strong bonds with his humans.
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“St Bernards are incredibly sociable,” said Rachel. “Barry wants to be near his people, to know where they are, to feel safe. He may be blind, but emotionally he is very tuned in.”
Potential adopters have been told they need to understand the realities of owning a giant breed. St Bernards can weigh up to around 120kg, vet bills can be high, and their thick double coats require grooming every two days to prevent matting.
“They’re lazy most of the time, but they do have bursts of energy,” said Rachel. “They slobber, they shed everywhere, and yes, your carpets will never be the same. But what you get in return is a dog with an enormous heart.”
Rachel, who has four St Bernards of her own, says the breed’s emotional intelligence is unmatched. “They are the most amazing dogs,” she said. “They are so in tune with people’s emotions. They know when you’re sad, when you’re stressed, and they just want to be there.”
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Saving Saints relies entirely on volunteers and foster homes. The charity is listed on the Pet Remedy rescue map, a gold-standard directory of trusted UK rescues, but keeping a dog like Barry in long-term care places significant strain on its resources.
“We’re small and we don’t have a lot of money,” said Rachel. “What Barry needs most is a loving home where he can finally relax and just be a dog. Wherever that home is, from the Isle of Skye to Cornwall, we’ll get him there.”
El Mencho, who was born Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and was the leader of Mexico’s most feared criminal organisation, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has been killed
Joe Smith and Peter Hennessy
01:48, 23 Feb 2026
A notorious cartel leader has been killed in a significant military operation in western Mexico.
The head of Mexico’s feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), “El Mencho”, was killed during the military raid, according to local news reports.
Mexican outlet MILENIO cited senior officials who confirmed Cervantes had been killed during the army operation. Roadblocks were reported across six neighbouring states, with burning vehicles obstructing roads over a vast area – a tactic frequently employed by cartels to hinder military forces from conducting operations against them.
El Mencho rose to become the most powerful drug lord in Mexico following the capture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
The US State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15million for information leading to El Mencho’s arrest.
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The CJNG has undergone rapid expansion throughout Mexico in recent years, under the low-profile leadership of El Mencho.
Nemesio Oseguera, 53, left school in sixth grade to assist his family in harvesting avocados, according to Mexican media. As a young man, he entered the United States unlawfully and attempted to establish a network of clients as a drug dealer, before being arrested.
As a young man, he and his older brother, Abraham Oseguera, sold heroin to two undercover police officers in 1992 and were sent to a federal prison and later deported.
In 1997, he travelled to Tijuana, where he established a successful drug trafficking operation; subsequently, he served as a police officer in Tomatlán, Jalisco, gaining insight into the workings of law enforcement.
Following his time as a cartel assassin and narcotics trafficker, and after surviving internal conflicts between competing gang factions in Jalisco, Oseguera ultimately became leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, earning the nickname “El Mencho”.
Members of the organisation regularly commit savage acts of brutality to terrorise their adversaries and have even been known to bring down an army helicopter using a rocket-propelled grenade.
Allegations emerged that they would force new members to consume human flesh and participate in beheadings at their notorious “terror schools”.
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One anonymous recruit previously told the DailyBeast.com: “I’ve been there and there was a lot of [cannibalism]. They recruit them and then they start working on them.”
Initially, CJNG members are instructed how to sever their victims’ fingers and toes, one of the cartel’s favoured torture techniques.
Hussain won Bake Off in 2015, before releasing serval cook books and starring in TV cooking shows, Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya’s Fast Flavours and Nadiya’s Simple Spices.
However, in June 2025, the celebrity chef told fans that the BBC had “decided they didn’t want to commission the show anymore”.
At the time, Hussain described the axing as a “huge turning point,” and now the axing has sparked a career change towards education.
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Nadiya Hussain quits TV to become a teacher
Discussing the BBC axing with Woman & Home magazine, the Bake Off winner said: “The moment the BBC cancelled my show changed everything.
“I had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right because over the last 10 years, we’ve had a regimented timeline of when my cookbooks came out, and my cookery show would be filmed.
“We had the shoot dates pencilled in the diary, then I got a call from my agent saying, ‘The BBC doesn’t want to do the show any more’.
“I appreciate that it’s an industry, it’s a business and it’s about making money, but I still don’t know [why they let me go] because I haven’t had a conversation with anyone.
“There are no answers, no closure.”
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Following the BBC’s decision, Hussain shared that other TV channels like ITV and Channel 4 had been in contact about a new series.
However, the chef said that working on a new series was “not something” she wanted to do at the time.
Instead, Hussain has stepped into a new career and is currently a teaching assistant, sharing: “I’m currently working as a teaching assistant at a lovely little primary school.
“The plan is to gain some training and maybe in the future become a teacher.
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“I had to do an application form, an interview, go in and sit in with the kids, and see how they reacted to me.
“I did get people ringing me, asking, ‘Sorry, is this actually the Nadiya Hussain?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes, it is and I am looking for a job, and I would like an opportunity.’
“I’m really enjoying being in an environment where I’m not the centre of it.
“It’s weird because I’m having to straddle both worlds now, but I love that I’m a very small cog in a machine that helps raise other people’s children.
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“I feel like this job is perfect for me. It’s my calling.”
At the time of the BBC’s decision to not renew Hussain’s TV series, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.”
“Nadiya remains a much-valued part of the BBC family, and we look forward to working together on future projects.”
ITV’s new true crime drama The Lady starring Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson has sparked viewer debate over its timing, with fans divided on social media
Abbie Bray Deputy Editor for Screen Time
22:39, 22 Feb 2026
ITV’s The Lady premiered its opening episode this evening, with viewers saying the same thing within moments of the Sarah Ferguson drama beginning.
The four-part true crime series chronicles the devastating story of Sarah Ferguson’s royal assistant, Jane Andrews, whose dramatic trajectory ended in a savage killing.
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The synopsis for the opening instalment of the true crime series states, “Working-class woman Jane Andrews wants more for her life and is unlucky in love.
“On the brink of losing all hope, she receives a letter inviting her to interview for a job with Sarah, Duchess of York, at Buckingham Palace. Securing the job, she moves to London – but life in the palace is gruelling, and Jane struggles to fit in, but she and Sarah find common ground in their experiences of love and betrayal.”
Mia McKenna-Bruce portrays Jane Andrews in the ITV programme, whilst Natalie Dormer underwent a transformation to embody Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, reports the Express.
Within moments of the opening episode, audiences rushed to voice their opinions on social media, with numerous people labelling it “poor taste” and “bad timing”.
“Quite possibly, the worst-timed launch of a TV series, ever. #thelady,” one audience member commented, whilst another questioned, “Was it the best time to show #TheLady, considering all the controversy around Andrew Windsor and Sarah Ferguson?”
A third remarked, “ITV couldn’t have timed this any better. It’s pretty good too #TheLady.”
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Someone else concurred, “Bad taste at the moment showing anything to do with Sarah Ferguson,” whilst another commented, “I don’t think this drama could have been timed any better #TheLady.”
Viewers also commended the drama, with one writing, “Ok tunes have me hooked already…..”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
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Another echoed, “#thelady ok 15 mins in and I’m hooked! Quality-made drama.”
The second episode, which broadcasts tomorrow evening and is available to watch on ITVX, reads, ” Jane meets dashing businessman Luis Castillo and the two begin a relationship, but tensions soon erupt on a holiday in Greece, and she becomes increasingly unstable.
“As Jane’s carefully constructed composure starts to fracture and puts her position with the duchess at risk, a lifeline appears in the shape of the charismatic Tommy Cressman.”
The third instalment will then be broadcast next Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
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The Lady airs tomorrow evening at 9pm on ITV, and it is available to watch now on ITVX.
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Jessie Buckley’s Leading Actress win at the BAFTAs has sparked debate among fans
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
23:07, 22 Feb 2026
K-Pop Demon Hunters stars announce first performance at BAFTAS
Cinema enthusiasts who watched the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday evening (February 22) found themselves frustrated, as they felt that one performer was “robbed”.
Thriller One Battle After Another dominated proceedings with 14 nominations this year, with vampire horror Sinners following closely behind on 13 nominations. Shakespearean drama Hamnet and sports comedy-drama Marty Supreme both received 11 mentions.
At the end of the night, it was announced that Irish actress Jessie Buckley had won the Leading Actress accolade for portraying William Shakespeare’s wife in Hamnet. However, numerous supporters were hoping that Australian star Rose Byrne would claim the honour, reports the Express.
The 46-year-old Sydney-born actress is the only nominee for her independent production, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. In the picture, Rose portrays Linda, a psychotherapist grappling with motherhood whilst caring for her daughter, who suffers from a paediatric feeding disorder.
The daughter, who never appears on screen, is portrayed by Delaney Quinn, with additional cast members including Conan O’Brien, A$AP Rocky, and Christian Slater. Critics have showered the film with acclaim since its debut last year, with many agreeing that Rose delivers “the performance of a lifetime”.
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Whilst Jessie has been a favourite for the Leading Actress categories, supporters haven’t dismissed Rose, following her Golden Globe triumph last month. She has additionally secured numerous critics’ accolades and remains in contention for the SAG Award and the Oscar next month.
Numerous supporters were therefore disappointed that she didn’t receive the BAFTA, with one individual posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Love Jessie Buckley, but Rose Byrne was defo robbed.”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website
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Another commented: “Everyone got their surprises at their preferred acting categories except Best Actress. Rose Byrne, my beloved,” whilst a third remarked: “Rose Byrne deserved it sooo bad. Devastated.”
A fourth supporter mirrored this view, stating, “Oh man, I was hoping for Rose Byrne,” with another expressing, “Rose Byrne was so snubbed. Loved Jessie, but come on, Rose was out of this world.”
Meanwhile, others were thrilled to witness Jessie collect the award, with one individual posting: “Congratulations to Jessie Buckley winning the BAFTA for leading actress. Loved her inspiring acceptance speech.” Another audience member noted: “I am so pleased that Jessie Buckley has won a well-deserved BAFTA.”
This year’s BAFTAs delivered a massive surprise when British actor Robert Aramayo triumphed over Hollywood icons Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet in the Leading Actor category. Wunmi Mosaku and Sean Penn won the supporting categories earlier in the ceremony, whilst One Battle After Another claimed the prize for Best Film.
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The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are available to stream on BBC iPlayer
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Student-led protests have taken place in Iran this weekend, coinciding with the start of the new university term and the 40th day of mourning for many of the thousands of people killed by security forces in early January.
Pro-and anti-regime activists protested at five universities in Tehran on Saturday, in some instances facing off against each other.
At the Ferdowsi University in Mashhad, Iran’s second city and birthplace of Ayatollah Khamenei, video shows a large gathering of anti-regime protestors chanting “so much crime all these years” and “death to this rule”.
These demonstrations are nowhere near the scale of the protests six weeks ago which saw uprisings in towns and cities across all Iran’s 31 provinces, but it is brave to be coming out at all given the authorities’ crackdown in January.
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The numbers killed then are still unclear, but the US-based Human Rights Activists Agency (HRANA) says they have verified at least 7,015 fatalities and have thousands more cases under review.
The government has admitted to 3,117 deaths including around 200 security personnel. Donald Trump has said he believes 32,000 people were killed.
The 40th day is an important moment in the mourning process in Iran. During the revolution in 1979, 40th day commemorations became flashpoints for fresh protest, sparking renewed crackdowns and killings and further cycles of unrest. As a result, the Iranian regime has been wary of allowing mourners to gather for commemorative rituals.
University students clash with government security forces
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Last week, clashes around the 40th day took place in Abdanan, a city near the border with Iraq. Videos show people chanting “death to Khamenei” as they remembered Alireza Seydi, a 16-year-old boy killed on January 8th. In another video from the city, the sound of gunfire echoes across the valley.
It is difficult to tell what exactly the response of the authorities has been to this latest unrest. Internet is back but it is patchy.
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On Tuesday, the Ayatollah gave a speech saying some of those who took part in the January protests had been “naive and inexperienced” and were deceived by the rioters, but that they were still “part of us, they were our children”.
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Diana Magnay provides analysis
Given the US military build-up across the Middle East, the Iranian authorities appear not to want to provoke Donald Trump by being heavy-handed with protesters – but, instead, to focus minds on further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme which they say could take place next week.
