Wales boss Craig Bellamy laughed off the surreal subplot earlier on Wednesday, adding he had not spoken to Cooper since the former Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City head coach was appointed by Brondby in September 2025.

Brondby’s communications director Soren Hanghoj rejected Barbarez’s claim and said the player’s omission was a “club decision”, adding: “And there are not that many Wales fans in Brondby after all.”

There will, though, be a sizeable contingent of Bosnian fans who make the trip to the Cardiff City Stadium with their side needing to beat Wales to remain on track to reach their first World Cup since 2014.

The winners in south Wales on Thursday are guaranteed a home final against the winners of Italy or Northern Ireland on Tuesday, 31 March.

Ranked 71st in the world, the Bosnians were edged out of automatic qualification by Austria when they conceded late in a final group game decider in Vienna.

“We cannot compare these two games, against Wales and Austria,” said Barbarez.

“We took some conclusion from the Austria game and we have spoken about it for three days about the experience we have taken from it.

“We have a plan and every eventuality is covered, including penalties and extra time. We are optimistic. These are the games you play football for.”

Forty-year-old former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is among the group of players who have travelled to Cardiff, though he is not guaranteed to start.

His Schalke team-mate Nikola Katic, formerly of Rangers and Plymouth Argyle, said: “The atmosphere in these kind of matches here is always brilliant and we will give our best.

“This is a serious team we are playing against, but we will play our own game and we are prepared for every eventuality.

“We have not had much success as a nation in the play-offs before, but that is not important for us; it is new for a lot of our players and our team is much stronger than previous sides.”

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has announced she is leaving the BBC show after nine years – just days after Karen Hauer said she was leaving the series

Another professional dancer has confirmed their departure from Strictly Come Dancing – just weeks after speculation of significant changes to this year’s line-up. Nadiya Bychkova revealed her exit in an Instagram statement today, Wednesday, March 25. This follows Karen Hauer’s announcement that she is leaving the show after 14 years.

In her message, Nadiya, who joined in 2017, said her Strictly journey is “evolving”. Alongside a photograph of herself on the Strictly dance floor, she wrote: “After 9 wonderful years, this part of my journey with Strictly Come Dancing is evolving.”

The announcement follows reports of substantial upheaval among the Strictly professional dancers ahead of the upcoming series.

Karen and Nadiya are amongst several stars rumoured to have been dropped by BBC bosses.

Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas have all reportedly been let go as part of efforts by executives to bring “fresh faces” into the professional roster. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

Nadiya, who has previously partnered with Davood Ghadami, Lee Ryan, David James, Dan Walker, Matt Goss, Tom Dean, and most recently, Chris Robshaw in 2025, said: “There is something truly special about being part of a programme that plays such a big part in so many people’s lives and I want to thank all those who have sent beautiful messages over the last few weeks and those who have voted, shouted, supported, celebrated and cheered during every series.

“I also want to take a moment to appreciate all those who have helped me along the way: my partners, my fellow professionals, the judges and brilliant people behind the scenes,” Nadiya penned. “I joined the show as an athlete and a double world champion. Along the way I have learned so much about myself and other people. I have grown, not only professionally, but personally and creatively.”

Reflecting on her journey on the BBC programme, the dancer added: “Strictly has allowed me to discover new sides of myself, develop new skills, and evolve as an artist in ways I will always be grateful for.

“This isn’t the end… I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore,” Nadiya affirmed. “I’ve changed a lot since I first stepped onto that dance floor, not just as a performer, but as a person and I can honestly say I’ve never felt more like myself.”

Looking to the future, Nadiya said: “I’m excited to have time to focus on new projects, and to spend more precious time with my beautiful daughter. Life feels full of possibilities.” She added: “I danced before Strictly, I loved dancing on the show and I plan to keep dancing for many years to come. Thank you for all the love and support along the way,” concluding her message with a white heart emoji.

The BBC also issued a statement following Nadiya’s announcement. It stated: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Nadiya Bychkova for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing. Since joining the show nine years ago, Nadiya has brought elegance, artistry, and unwavering dedication to the ballroom, and she will always remain a cherished member of the Strictly family.

“Over the years, Nadiya has delivered countless memorable performances, showcasing not only her exceptional talents as a dancer and choreographer but also her brilliance as a teacher to all her celebrity partners.

“A consummate professional, Nadiya embodies the very best of what Strictly stands for. We are deeply grateful for everything she has given to the show and wish her every success for the future.”

The gang were paraded for the cameras out the front door of the Criminal Courts of Justice by officers that night, seen smirking and laughing, as they were in the courtroom, despite the prospect of being jailed for life

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A trio of Dublin gangsters shocked a courtroom with foul-mouthed outbursts as they were finally jailed for their crimes.

The Hennessey mob’s downfall began with a chaotic court appearance where members hurled abuse at a judge and Gardaí. Dean Fitzsimons, now beginning an eight-and-a-half-year sentence, called Judge Paula Murphy a “slut” as she decided whether to grant him, his father Kenneth and his pals Jason, Devon and Brandon Hennessy bail during a late-night special court appearance last February.

Meanwhile, Jason ‘Jay’ Hennessy Jr interrupted a prosecuting officer who was giving evidence about his ownership of trucks during the bail hearing, throughout which the five thugs laughed and joked.

“They were my father’s trucks so watch what you’re f*cking saying,” Hennessy Jr shouted during proceedings before accusing the officer of “talking b*llocks”.

The gang were paraded for the cameras out the front door of the Criminal Courts of Justice by officers that night, seen smirking and laughing, as they were in the courtroom, despite the prospect of being jailed for life.

On February 12, last year, Barry Moore, an associate of the gang, had been lured to the Hennessys’ headquarters at Sheephill Avenue in Dublin, as the gang believed he was an informant. Moore was tortured over several hours, with the word “rat” branded on his belly with a cattle iron.

They also threatened to rape the former associate, who was left seriously injured from the horrific ordeal. Moore refused to give evidence, and four of the men were ultimately able to plead to a lesser charge of assault causing harm instead of false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm.

Four of the five defendants faced life in prison had the trial gone on. Devon Hennessy, meanwhile, pleaded guilty at an earlier juncture, ultimately securing himself the lesser sentence of just three years.

Still, the arrests of the men for the gruesome attack brought about an abrupt end for the mob, which had ruled the Corduff drugs scene with fear and force for several years.

On Wednesday (March 25), Gang leader Jason Hennessy Jr, 29, received eight and a half years in prison for his role in the brutal attack on Moore. The mobster had become infamous after making an appearance on the Virgin Media documentary ‘Inside the K’, which documented the activities of the brave gardaí policing the area.

In it, Hennessy Jr was seen trying to square up to police, hurling abuse at them. The court heard how his drug gang was embroiled in several feuds, including at one point against Glen Ward, the infamous Finglas-based mobster known as ‘Mr Flashy.’

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The rival gangs had been at odds for some time, with police monitoring threats made by both sides in an increasingly tense feud. In 2023, one such feud the Hennessys were caught up in came to a boiling point when gunman Tristan Sherry barged his way into Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown and opened fire on Christmas Eve.

Sherry managed to fire several shots at Jason Hennessy Sr, who was enjoying a Christmas meal with family. The head of the Hennessy family was gravely injured and died days later in hospital.

The gunman was set upon by several of the Hennessy gang as they violently kicked, stamped, stabbed and shot him to death. Associates Michael Andrecut, 23, Noah Musueni, 18, and David Amah, 19, were all convicted of Sherry’s murder.

Three others, including Hennessy’s young son Brandon, 22, who has now received a consecutive six year sentence for the attack in Moore, were convicted of violent disorder in relation to the terrifying incident.

Another associate, 19-year-old Juares Kumbu, was jailed for two years for removing the gun from the scene. In the aftermath of the shooting and double murders at Browne’s Steakhouse, officers were conducting round-the-clock patrols in Corduff, to snuff out further retaliation.

Jason Hennessy Jr has been in and out of court over a series of incidents, including in 2018 when he avoided prison with a suspended sentence for violent disorder after the court heard how he reportedly launched an attack in Dublin’s D’Olier Street on May 23, 2015.

One of the victims had been knocked to the ground by a large group of teenagers while walking down the road with his friend. The court was told Hennessy Jr had returned to his car, retrieved a hammer and attacked the man further, causing an injury to the tendons on his fingers and a 4cm head wound requiring stitches.

He and his gang were known for making light of their crimes, often posting pictures and videos to social media in which they brazenly bragged about their criminality.

“Having now considered our position in light of that decision, taking into account all the circumstances, we have determined that while Palestine Action remains proscribed and support for it remains unlawful under the Terrorism Act, we must continue to enforce the law and this is likely to involve the arrest of those committing offences.”

A new report presented to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) board on Wednesday (March 25) outlined significant improvements to the service, alongside the latest findings from its ongoing “look-back” review into patient care.

Board members were told the service has undergone a “complete modernisation” since a damning Royal College of Surgeons review in 2025 identified “decade-long systemic failures, missed warnings and serious concerns about patient safety”.

But the update comes amid continued scrutiny over the past running of the service under former clinical lead surgeon, Amir Bhatti, who remains employed by the trust on full pay but is barred from all clinical duties while investigations are ongoing.

The trust said that new leadership has been brought in, additional specialist surgeons appointed, and care is now delivered through a fully multidisciplinary, guideline-led model aligned with national best practice.

However, trust leaders acknowledged that while quality has improved, the service remains under strain.

Waiting times are still longer than they should be, with 361 patients waiting for a first appointment at the end of February this year.

Darlington Memorial Hospital (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Speaking at the meeting, interim chair Alison Marshall said it was vital patients continued to have confidence in the service despite its troubled past.

She said: “It’s too late for some of the women who came to harm, which we caused in the past. It’s important to note that it’s still a safe service.

“There may be some women out there unwilling to use the service, and it would be a tragedy if women didn’t use the service if they really need it.

“We are now a safe service, but I also understand that hasn’t always been the case.”

The University of North Durham Hospital (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Alongside efforts to improve current services, the trust continues to investigate past care through a major look-back exercise.

So far, 578 cases have been identified, with 357 reviewed. Of those, 45 involved moderate harm and nine involved more serious harm, including one death.

The review focuses on cases from 2023 to early 2025, but discussions are ongoing about widening its scope, with input from legal advisers, patient groups, regulators and other NHS trusts.

Around 1,500 cases are now under review in total, with more than 1,000 still outstanding, and additional independent clinical reviewers are being recruited to speed up the process.

Mr Amir Bhatti (Image: SUPPLIED)

The developments come as Durham Police continues to investigate the care provided to women treated by the service.

Amir Bhatti, who was clinical lead during the period when failures occurred, is no longer in that role and is prohibited from seeing or treating patients.

The highly-paid consultant was responsible for breast cancer surgery at the trust, and was also director of an outsourced private clinic, which an investigation revealed was paid a share of nearly £6 million over six years to treat women.

Mr Bhatti ran NHS “two-week-wait” clinics at Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital North Durham, and Spire Hospital in Washington, through companies including Durham Surgical Services.

Spire Hospital in Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/NORTHERN ECHO)

Mr Bhatti also operated on patients at the private practice, Washington Spire Hospital.

However, Spire has confirmed that the doctor isn’t currently practising clinically at Spire Washington, and they are not currently conducting a recall into his patients.

On his General Medical Council (GMC) profile, Dr Bhatti is still registered with a licence to practice.

Nearly 1,500 breast surgery cases, carried out between January 2023 and February 2025, are being examined as part of a major “look-back” exercise by the trust.

However, more than a thousand reviews into breast cancer treatment provided by the trust remain unresolved.

The trust confirmed Mr Bhatti remains employed on full salary while formal processes are ongoing.

One former patient, Yvonne, 85, from Belmont, Durham, said she was “shocked” the surgeon is still employed.

Yvonne, from Belmont, Durham, was a former patient of Mr Bhatti (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

She described being left waiting for hours for appointments and said she was only seen “for two minutes in total”.

“No one should go through the experiences I did,” she said. “I’m completely shocked that he’s still working at the trust.”

Despite the progress made, the trust acknowledged at Wednesday’s meeting the seriousness of past failings and the impact on patients.

In its report, it said improvements “in no way diminish” its responsibility for “unacceptable” failures and the harm caused to women, adding that it continues to offer its “heartfelt apologies” to those affected.

Chief executive Steve Russell previously said the trust is continuing to contact patients and offer support, including clinical reviews and psychological care, but admitted: “It is taking us longer than we would like to get through the reviews and give answers to the women.”

The trust says its focus now is on completing the look-back exercise, which has seen more independent reviewers brought in to try to get through the backlog of looking into past cases.

The pastry here is from the California chef Lindsey Shere and it’s wonderful – thin and buttery and almost biscuity. You make it in a slightly different way, creaming the butter and sugar for it and then smearing it little by little with the heel of your hand (the French term is ‘fraisage’) once the flour has been added. There are good how-to videos online for the pastry method.

Do follow the chilling times and only add the amount of blueberries given here, otherwise they’ll bleed too much.

Requires 3 hours chilling

It was presented by member David Haig, who was born in South Africa.

Southern Africa was the title of the latest colourful display given to the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society.

It was presented by member David Haig, who was born in South Africa.

He began by featuring South West Africa and explained how this was a territory under South African administration – having been taken from German control during WWI in 1915.

Many interesting covers and stamps of the territory from David depicted nature in all its forms, including wild animals, birds, whales and flowers.

A South Africa stamp showing Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret was overprinted in 1947 to allow its use to commemorate the visit of the Royal Family.

David also presented postcards ,with relevant stamp issues from the nominally independent ‘homelands’ which were established by the South African government during Apartheid.

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Another fascinating insight was given into stamps and postcards pertaining to the South Africa Flying-Boat Service.

This was first operated by Imperial Airways in 1937 between Southampton and Durban – and later, in 1946, by BOAC to Valdaam, Johannesburg.

Society vice-president, Graham U’ren, gave “warm thanks” to David for “presenting such an interesting and informative display of lesser known countries and history”.

The group’s next meeting in Hamilton’s Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, take place on Friday, April 17, at 7.30pm.

Members will present one board on any subject – or pay £1!

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history or postcards is welcome to attend; visit https://www.lanarkshireps.co.uk/ for further details.

READ MORE: School pupils enjoy STRUT Kids project as part of Rutherglen 900 anniversary celebrations

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Starting today, a new barrierless parking system has been installed at the T2 West multi-storey car park.

Drivers will now encounter no ticket barriers on either entering or exiting the building.

Cameras within the car park will recognise your car and automatically evaluate the length of your stay.

Customers can pay for their stay until midnight on the day after they leave the car park, with failure to do this incurring a £100 fine.

Payments can be made online, by phone, or automatically using an Auto Pay account.

Manchester Airport posted a statement: “From 00:01 on 25 March, a new barrierless parking system has been introduced at T2 West Multi Storey – P3, designed to make your journey quicker and easier.

“With no barriers on entry or exit, there’s no need to stop, queue, or use an on-site pay station. Simply drive in and out as normal – your vehicle will be recognised automatically.”

Customers can also pre-pay for parking on the Manchester Airport website.

Here are the works and closures in and around the town that you should be aware of this Thursday:

Blackwell: Major Gas Works and Road Closure

One of the largest ongoing schemes is at Blackwell, where Northern Gas Networks is carrying out extensive repair and replacement works.

This project, affecting the stretch from the junction with Bridge Road to the junction with Carmel Road South, is set to continue with a full road closure until April 15.

The works aim to replace existing gas mains with new polyethylene piping.

These works are considered major and impact the footway, carriageway, and verge, affecting a busy part of the road network. 

Carmel Road South: Lane Closures for Gas Network Upgrades

Carmel Road South is also experiencing significant utility maintenance by Northern Gas Networks.

Maintenance on this main road began on March 9 and will be ongoing until June 16, with lane closures in effect.

The works involve abandoning over 1,400 metres of older cast iron gas main and replacing them with modern polyethylene.

Multiple connections, relays, and transfers are included in this phase, and the footway, carriageway, and verge will all be impacted.

Drivers using Carmel Road South should expect significant delays as only a single lane will be accessible in places.

Clifton Road and Belvedere Road Back Street: Sewer Lining Works

Northumbrian Water is undertaking sewer lining works to the rear of 131 Clifton Road and Clifton Road West Back.

The road will be closed from March 25 to March 26. These works are major but do not require excavation.

Brighton Road and Belgrave Street Back Street: Emergency Water Repairs

Urgent repairs are taking place at the rear of 41 Brighton Road and Belgrave Street Back Street after a leak was identified.

Northumbrian Water’s works started on March 23 and are scheduled to run to March 27, with full road closures in place.

This work requires excavation at the existing boundary box to renew fittings, and the closure may cause inconvenience for local residents and businesses in the DL1 4AR area.

Victoria Road North Back: New Gas Service Connection

Northern Gas Networks has been granted permission for new service connection works at the rear of 119 Hotel, Victoria Road North Back.

These works will require a major road closure from March 23 to April 1.

Two metres of new gas service will be laid in the carriageway and footway. Access will be restricted during this time.

Geneva Road: Traffic Signals for Sewer Monitoring

On March 26, Northumbrian Water will be maintaining the sewer sensor outside 233 and 235 Geneva Road using two-way traffic signals.

Abbey Road: Ongoing Highway Improvements

Darlington Borough Council is in the midst of major improvement works on Abbey Road, with a road closure from Carmel Road North junction to just past Neville Road junction until April 17.

The scheme includes a new speed table installation and footway improvements as part of a multi-phase project.

Crown Street: Urgent Closure Due to Sinkhole

Crown Street is closed outside Sports Direct due to a sinkhole.

Darlington Borough Council is conducting an investigation, with works started on March 22 and set to last until March 27.

Further Road Closures and Traffic Controls

Pateley Moor Crescent is scheduled for major sewer cleansing works by Northumbrian Water, with a closure from March 26 to March 27.

Salters Lane North is seeing works by Northern Powergrid with stop/go boards in place until April 10.

Rotary Way and Faverdale are both affected by major works involving the use of multi-way signals, while Harrowgate Village and Beaumont Hill remain under long-term closures for highways improvement.

Advice to Motorists

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.

Delays and diversions will be in place across several areas of Darlington while essential utility and infrastructure works continue.

Residents may wish to check council updates for the latest information on road closures and alternative routes.

Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has confirmed he will refund a sum of $500,000 (£375,000) he allegedly “secretly” paid himself just days before his Grand Slam Track (GST) league collapsed.

Three GST events were held – in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia – before the project folded in December 2025.

Contracted runners had been promised lucrative prize money and salaries in the competition’s inaugural season, but the final event was cancelled and organisers later voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US.

A legal filing in Delaware by vendors claiming against Johnson and GST includes an accusation that eight days before the collapse, he “secretly” paid himself $500,000 (£375,000). GST called that accusation “unfounded and false”.

A GST spokesperson said: “While Mr Johnson has been clear that the $500k was a reimbursement and not a payment, to avoid disruption and continue moving forward he and Winners Alliance have agreed to fund the $500k to the plan so that all creditors can benefit and receive a greater distribution in connection with the company’s reorganisation and efforts to resurrect the league.”

In May 2025, Johnson put $2.25m (£1.68m) into the business, after Eldridge Industries decided not to invest $40m (£30m).

Johnson’s spokesperson said: “Michael has asserted defences to the claim, including that this was a partial reimbursement of over $2m (£1.5m) of expenses advances by Michael for the benefit of the athletes.”