The beach is also said to have some of the best sunsets in the county

A hidden beach that is very close to a royal estate is “perfect to walk all year-round”. Beaches are some of the most peaceful places to walk with views out over the waves.

One beach that is only an hour and a half drive away from Cambridge is at Snettisham. This beach is considered one of Norfolk’s most secret beaches, as it’s a less touristy spot. It has beautiful unspoilt sands that feel like a dream to walk along.

Rather than a beach to sunbathe on, this is a better beach for walking as it is made up of a mixture of shingle and sand. The beach also provides some pretty panoramic views across its lagoons, salt marshes and mudflats.

If you’re looking for a romantic date location or want to see a picturesque view, the beach is the perfect place to watch the sunset. According to locals, Snettisham beach offers some of the best sunsets in Norfolk.

For anyone who likes wildlife, it is also a great spot to see some. While on a visit, people may be able to spot different types of geese at the right tide times, as well as avocets, bar-tailed godwits, and shelducks.

The beach is also a popular place for sports, as the Snettisham Beach Sailing Club is nearby. If you visit there, you can enjoy a go at wind and kite surfing, paddle-boarding, or kayaking. There is also a busy social club.

A big draw for the beach is a royal estate only a stone’s throw away. This is the Sandringham Estate, a much-loved country retreat for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At Sandringham, there are more than 600 acres of parkland to explore, as well as gardens on the estate.

For anyone seeking a secluded beach getaway, a visit to Snettisham beach may be worth it.

A good frying pan should be versatile, durable (it won’t end up in the bin after three months) and good value for money, meaning it’s either pleasingly affordable or so long-lasting that it will be the last you ever buy.

There are lots of different frying pans out there, so we narrowed our search to three main fields: iron pans, which are highly durable but harder to maintain; non-stick pans, considered easier to maintain but generally less durable, and stainless steel, which are loved by the pros but trickier to use. For boiling or stir frying, you’ll want a saucepan or wok.

We’ve tested all the best frying pans on the market and you can read our reviews below, followed by advice from a cookware expert.

The best frying pans: At a glance

How to choose the best frying pan

The most important thing is to decide what you’ll be cooking, as each type of frying pan is suited to different tasks. For example, if frying eggs in the morning, non-stick is the best option and has the benefit of needing less oil.

If high temperatures are required – to sear steak, say – iron pans are superior. Stainless steel pans are a great in-between and are great for cooking sauces as well as frying vegetables. The downside is they tend to stick, so you’ll need plenty of oil.

Non-stick loosely describes pans that have one of two types of coating: Teflon (a form of plastic) or ceramic (a natural, mineral coating that’s non-stick and hard, but more fragile). However, several new technologies are emerging, included in the reviews below.

Non-stick pans are sold ready to use – you don’t need to season them – and they should retain their slick cooking surface through multiple uses.

How we test frying pans

His latest crimes were exposed by a bag of Walkers Sensations crisps

A high-level drug trafficker who boasted of “banana boat” smuggling routes and million-pound profits has been jailed for 13 years, the Liverpool Echo reports.

James Hitchmough, who operated under the EncroChat handle “Brutal Whale”, was brought to justice after detectives matched his fingerprints to an image he shared of himself holding a bag of Walkers Sensations crisps.

Hitchmough, of Kingsway in Huyton, had been a wanted man since 2020, fleeing to a bolthole in Dubai to avoid the fallout from the French police infiltration of the EncroChat network. However, the 35-year-old returned to the UK last October to “face the music”, telling the court through his lawyer that he “simply could not carry on any longer” as a fugitive.

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Liverpool Crown Court heard that Hitchmough ran a sophisticated criminal business that operated every single day across Merseyside.

Using the handles “Brutal Whale” and “Roll Play”, he orchestrated the supply of massive quantities of Class A and B drugs – including 64.5kg of cocaine, 37.5kg of heroin and 33kg of cannabis.

Prosecutors revealed that Hitchmough acted as a wholesaler, frequently purchasing 5kg blocks of cocaine for over £38,000 per kilogram. He was so established that he offered “deals of the day” to customers and invested over £2.4 million in dirty cash into properties abroad and luxury items.

The sentencing also brought to light Hitchmough’s history of extreme violence. In 2013, he was sentenced to nine years for a sickening assault on a 44-year-old dog walker in Bootle.

During that incident, Hitchmough and an accomplice waited in a white van before ambushing the victim and battering him with a hammer, rendering him unconscious. The victim, who suffered a fractured skull, was found bound and bleeding in the back of the vehicle.

Judge Garrett Byrne noted that this history showed a man “deeply entrenched” in a criminal lifestyle.

Despite his attempts to hide behind encrypted technology, Hitchmough left a digital trail that proved his undoing.

Merseyside Police identified him through several key errors which included other EncroChat users referring to him as “Jim” and “Jimmy” in messages and a series of images from a fishing trip Hitchmough had paid for which included a picture of his specific lakeside pitch.

The most definitive evidence, however, came from a photo he sent of himself holding a bag of crisps, which allowed forensic experts to map and match his fingerprints.

Hitchmough admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, and cannabis, as well as transferring criminal property.

Jailing him for 13 years, Judge Byrne remarked: “On any view, this was an established, large scale, highly active and sophisticated operation… Those who engage in this sort of conduct must expect to receive lengthy periods of imprisonment.”

Merseyside Police have now confirmed they will pursue a Proceeds of Crime Act application to seize Hitchmough’s international assets and ill-gotten gains.

Lewis Rimmer was critically injured when a Range Rover struck him and pinned him against a steel pillar outside Sainsbury’s on Darwen Road on October 27 last year.

Having spent over 140 days in hospital, Lewis has undergone more than 40 hours of surgery, spent three weeks in a coma and nine weeks in intensive care.

He has since been transferred to Salford Royal Hospital as he begins the next stage of his rehabilitation.

Lewis Rimmer with close friends and best men Andy and Ben. // A devoted dad is fighting (Image: Rimmer Family / SWNS)

Family friend Andy Tonge said Lewis has started an “intense” physiotherapy programme to help maintain muscle strength and flexibility.

However, he will require further surgery to reset the right side of his pelvis, a major procedure doctors say cannot yet go ahead while his abdominal injuries continue to heal.

Despite the challenges, there has been some positive news for the family.

A recent biopsy on a fluid collection in his pelvis came back clear.

Lewis’s partner, Sarah, said his recovery remains slow and painful, with progress measured in small steps.

She posted: “There’s also been a lot of physio.

“At the moment it’s focused on basic things, like simply sitting on the edge of the bed.

“The injuries were so serious and caused a lot of damage, so recovery is happening in very small steps, and it’s very painful.

“But progress, even small, is so important to us right now.”

Lewis was transferred from Royal Preston Hospital to Salford Royal on February 22.

Lewis Rimmer, 41, with wife Sarah and their daughter. // A devoted dad is fighting for his life (Image: Rimmer Family / SWNS)

Paying tribute to the care he received, Sarah added: “We can’t thank the team at Preston Hospital enough.

“Saying they saved Lewis’s life still doesn’t feel like enough to express what they’ve done for us over the past 15 weeks.

“We truly owe them everything.

“Now it’s a new place with new faces, and we’re hopeful this means we’ll soon be having that long-awaited conversation about discharge.

“I never imagined in a million years that Lewis would be away from us at home for this long after being admitted on October 27.”

Lewis suffered devastating injuries in the crash, including multiple breaks to his pelvis, both femurs, and a compound fracture to his right shin.

He also sustained internal injuries including a ruptured bladder and two bowel ruptures, as well as three fractured ribs.

His left foot was so badly damaged it had to be amputated.

Since the incident, more than £110,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe page to support Lewis and his family as they adjust to the long road ahead.

Lewis, a dad of two young daughters, had been out celebrating one of their birthdays shortly before the incident and had gone into the supermarket when the collision happened at around 12.50pm.

Greater Manchester Police said a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

He is on bail pending further enquiries.

As King Charles continues to distance the monarchy from Andrew, his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are reportedly being sidelined.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson may already be considered unwelcome at major royal events, but now it appears their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, could also be facing growing exclusion.

Even before Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, King Charles had largely kept his younger brother out of the spotlight. Aside from attending a family funeral, Andrew had not appeared publicly with the rest of the Royal Family for some time.

Then last October, ahead of the release of his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, the King issued a strongly worded statement announcing that, “notwithstanding” Andrew’s denials of wrongdoing, he would formally strip him of his royal titles and styles. Since then, the controversy surrounding the monarchy has only intensified.

Although King Charles positioned himself as supportive of survivors and took decisive steps to distance the monarchy from Andrew, the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice has reignited public scrutiny. Newly surfaced photographs appear to show Andrew in the company of young women whose identities have been redacted. Other images reportedly show Epstein with political figures including Peter Mandelson, once again drawing attention to Andrew’s past associations.

With Andrew effectively exiled to Sandringham, attention has now turned to his daughters. Initially, it seemed that Beatrice and Eugenie might escape the scandal that engulfed their parents. In fact, Beatrice was appointed deputy patron of Outward Bound and attended a reception marking the role alongside her uncle Prince Edward at St James’s Palace last November. But in just a few months, the situation appears to have shifted dramatically.

During the Christmas period, the York sisters appeared to carry on as usual. They attended the traditional royal family lunch in London and joined King Charles and senior members of the Royal Family for church on Christmas Day. Now, however, reports suggest they may be barred from several high-profile royal events as the controversy continues.

According to reports, neither Beatrice nor Eugenie will attend Royal Ascot this year, and the restrictions could extend further. They may also be excluded from the Royal Family’s Easter Sunday church service and upcoming royal garden parties. A royal source reportedly said that King Charles believes their presence at public royal occasions could harm the monarchy’s image while the situation remains so sensitive.

Speaking about Royal Ascot, an insider told The i Paper that the sisters might still attend the races privately but would not be permitted to take part in the traditional royal carriage procession.

Royal biographer Russell Myers added that although Prince William previously invited his cousins to help host a garden party at Buckingham Palace with Catherine, Princess of Wales, it is unlikely that such invitations will continue this year. “He can’t be seen to go against the King,” Myers said, noting there is no indication William intends to take a different approach.

While King Charles is said to care deeply about his nieces, the ongoing controversy has reportedly forced him to distance the monarchy from them for the sake of its reputation. One insider told the Daily Mail that Beatrice and Eugenie have become particularly vulnerable as renewed attention is placed on their family’s links to Epstein. Although neither sister has been accused of wrongdoing, their past association with the financier has raised uncomfortable questions.

The situation has reportedly been emotionally difficult for both women, though they are said to be coping in very different ways. According to sources, Beatrice has tried to approach the crisis pragmatically but has been deeply affected by the collapse of the world she once knew and by what she perceives as the Royal Family’s cold response. Eugenie, by contrast, is said to be taking a more avoidant approach, hoping the controversy will eventually fade.

The sisters were reportedly taken by surprise by the decision to exclude them from this year’s Royal Ascot. Some commentators have pointed to signs of tension within the Royal Family long before the current scandal. Photographs from the 2017 Ascot show Catherine, now Princess of Wales, speaking with Zara Tindall while Prince William chatted with Mike Tindall. When Beatrice joined the group, observers noted a noticeable shift in body language, with William appearing to subtly position himself between her and the others.

Body language expert Judi James previously suggested that Catherine’s interaction with Beatrice in those images appeared somewhat distant, hinting that tensions between the York sisters and other royals may have existed even before the Epstein scandal intensified.

There have also long been rumours of cool relations between Catherine and the York princesses. Some reports claim that the sisters, influenced by their father, believed William was “marrying beneath his status,” which allegedly made Catherine’s early years within royal circles uncomfortable.

More recently, relations are said to have cooled further. Reports suggest that Beatrice and Eugenie were left off William and Catherine’s Christmas gift list. According to one source, once Andrew’s links to Epstein appeared more serious than initially believed, Catherine chose to distance herself from the entire York branch of the family.

The fallout has also affected Eugenie’s charitable work. She recently stepped down as patron of Anti-Slavery International, a role she had held for many years, and her name was removed from the organisation’s website amid the controversy. Both sisters have made only a handful of public appearances since the latest developments emerged.

Friends say, however, that Beatrice and Eugenie still feel a strong sense of public duty. They reportedly believe they should not be treated as though they have done something wrong, particularly given that neither has been accused of any crime.

Royal historian Andrew Lownie has suggested that both sisters are eager to maintain good relations with the Royal Family, partly because their futures — including potential business opportunities — remain tied to their royal status. Remaining princesses, he argues, allows them to maintain influence and credibility, particularly in international circles.

However, some experts believe their long-term position within the monarchy may become increasingly uncertain. Royal commentator Richard Palmer has predicted that the sisters could eventually lose their titles as the monarchy continues to streamline its ranks. In his view, being princesses who are not working royals already creates confusion, as they retain status without official duties.

Privately, the strain is said to be taking a heavy toll on Beatrice. Reports suggest she has been struggling emotionally as she confronts the allegations surrounding her father and the damage done to her family’s reputation.

Meanwhile, additional scrutiny has emerged after reports that both sisters received payments from David Rowland, a controversial billionaire associate of Prince Andrew. Sources close to the princesses have said they have no recollection of the alleged payments. Rowland previously helped settle a £1.5 million loan owed by Andrew in 2017, and he later attended Eugenie’s wedding.

Such revelations have prompted some commentators to call for greater transparency from the York family. Others argue that remaining silent may be the wiser course. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward suggested that speaking publicly could worsen the situation and that the sisters have likely been advised to keep a low profile.

Questions also remain about how well Beatrice and Eugenie knew Jeffrey Epstein. Their names appear in documents connected to him, though this alone does not indicate wrongdoing. Most observers assume their initial contact with Epstein came through their parents’ social circle. However, even as adults, the sisters appear to have had at least some level of acquaintance with him, which continues to fuel public speculation.

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Nicholas Brendon, who was best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer between 1997 and 2003, and Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds, has died.

TV star Nicholas Brendon, famed for his sex year stint in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 54.

The actor passed away on Friday, March 20, in his sleep, his family has confirmed. They said in a poignant post on his Facebook page: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes.

“Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart.”

The actor, born in Los Angeles, California, was well-known for playing Xander Harris on the 90s hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He played Xander for six years and was in all but one of the shows 144 episodes, according to Australian news site news.com.

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Brendon also appeared in Criminal Minds as as Kevin Lynch between 2007 and 2014. His family, though, said that while most people know Nicholas for his acting work, he had found a love for painting and art in recent years, reports the Mirror.

Their statement continued: “In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

“While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”

Before his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Brendon was in other popular films and programmes, such as sitcoms Dave’s World and Married… With children on CBS and Fox respectively.

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This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has confessed to an ‘awful’ moment on Strictly Come Dancing.

Alison Hammond has revealed a mortifying Strictly Come Dancing confession, admitting to an embarrassing incident during her time on the programme.

The This Morning host shot to prominence on Big Brother in 2002, and has subsequently featured on shows including Strictly, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and as presenter of The Great British Bake Off.

Alison graced the Strictly dance floor in 2014, paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, with the duo placing 10th overall. She has now owned up to “breaking wind” during the competition.

The 51-year-old recounted a particular incident from the show whilst appearing alongside Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar, comedian Richard Ayoade and Ready or Not 2’s Kathryn Newton on The Jonathan Ross Show, broadcasting tonight (Saturday).

She recalled performing to Robin Williams’ Friend Like Me during week seven of the competition, hoisting Aljaz off the ground at one stage, before confessing: “Oh, it was awful. At the time he couldn’t lift me so we thought don’t worry I’ll lift you, I can do it,” reports Birmingham Live.

“There is a moment where he does a cartwheel and I had to kind of pick him up and then help him over. He goes into this cartwheel and I pick him up and I break wind. I look at him and I go, ‘Let’s never talk about this again.’

“I didn’t realise that he’s quite a heavy guy – it literally took the wind out of me.” Alison has previously spoken about her experience on Strictly, and her bond with her former dance partner, Aljaz.

Amid several scandals Strictly has faced in recent years, including Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice being dropped from the professional line-up, Alison said: “I had Aljaz Skorjanec and he was absolutely incredible and as you know going back into Strictly.

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“He was so amazing to me and gentle as well and kind. I’ve never experienced anything bad really.”

Elsewhere on The Jonathan Ross Show, Alison speaks about her new programme, Your Song.

She explains: “Your Song is exactly that. It’s your song that you feel emotionally attached to – it got you through a rough time at school or you know, it reminds you of someone who has passed on. A song that really means something to you.

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“People come from around the country and perform it on a stage. People go on stage who have never sung before and they sing a song to a random audience. It’s just one of the most beautiful shows ever.”

The Jonathan Ross Show airs tonight from 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla shared affectionate words at Windsor Castle

The royal family’s trademark grandeur and ceremony was on full display this week as the King and Queen played host to the president and first lady of Nigeria for the first state visit of 2026.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were received at Windsor by Prince William and Princess Kate on Wednesday, before being accompanied to Windsor Castle for their introduction to Charles and Camilla.

William and Kate joined the King and Queen on the dais for the inspection of the guards, where the Princess of Wales shared a touching moment with Queen Camilla, reflecting the warmth between the two women.

As they greeted one another on the grounds of Windsor Castle, Kate and Camilla leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek, with a lip reader casting light on the heartfelt words they shared.

Speaking to the Daily Express, lip reader Nicola Hickling said she believes Kate opened the conversation with: “Good morning, how are you?”, before telling Camilla, “you look beautiful!”

Camilla cut an elegant figure in a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare, complemented by a pink beret-shaped hat by Philip Treacy, reports the Mirror. She also wore the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Cartier flower clip pair of brooches, as crowds lined the streets of Windsor to witness the ceremonial welcome.

That evening, William and Kate departed from convention in the run-up to the state banquet. Prior to each state banquet last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales would share a portrait on Instagram before proceedings got under way, affording royal enthusiasts an early preview of their attire.

Yet on Wednesday evening, no such image was uploaded. Instead, the official Instagram account for the Prince and Princess of Wales released a video featuring highlights from the glittering occasion.

William and Kate eventually shared the portrait, waiting a full 24 hours after the event before posting the striking photograph. Numerous royal fans flocked to the comments section to express their delight, having been made to wait an entire day.

One person wrote: “Thank you so much! We were all expecting this portrait last night and we were sad to not see it since the ones last year were amazing. You both look absolutely gorgeous and elegant.”

Kate donned the Lover’s Knot Tiara alongside a flowing emerald gown with a high neckline by British-Nigerian designer Andrew Gn, a nod to the colours of the Nigerian flag.

President Tinubu’s visit to the UK marked the first incoming state visit in nearly 100 years by a Muslim leader during the holy month of Ramadan, during which many Muslims fast and abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset.

As a result, there was no traditional lunch on Wednesday with the King in the castle for the president during the day. Instead, it is believed the Nigerian president privately broke his fast before joining the royal family in St George’s Hall for the banquet.

BEIRUT (AP) — A 19-year-old star wrestler and two other young men were hanged in Iran this week, raising alarm among rights groups that a wave of executions may be underway as authorities facing relentless attacks from the U.S. and Israel seek to squelch public dissent.

The three men are the first to be executed from among the tens of thousands who were arrested during a January crackdown on nationwide protests. Rights groups say more than 100 others could face death sentences.

The wrestler, Saleh Mohammadi, was hanged early Thursday morning — along with Mehdi Qasemi and Saeed Davoudi — in Qom, just south of the capital, Tehran, according to state media. They had been sentenced on charges of “moharabeh,” or “waging war against God,” for allegedly killing two police officers during protests in the city.

Amnesty International said the convictions of the three, and of others arrested during the protests, came in “grossly unfair trials” that used confessions extracted by torture.

The executions were “intended to instill fear in society and deter new protests” amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, an Oslo-based group that has documented detentions.

Amiry-Moghaddam said he worries many more “executions of protesters and political prisoners may be imminent.”

At least 27 arrested during protests face death sentences

Amiry-Moghaddam said his group has documented at least 27 death sentences that have been issued against people arrested during the protests. Another 100 face charges that carry the death penalty, and Iranian state media have aired hundreds of forced confessions to crimes punishable by death, he said.

Nationwide protests that began in late December peaked in the first week of January, prompting the deadliest crackdown by Iranian security forces since the Islamic Republic took power in 1979.

A complete death toll has been hard to gauge because of internet restrictions by authorities. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists New Agency, which relies on a network of contacts inside Iran, said it confirmed that more than 7,000 were killed and that it was investigating thousands more. It said over 50,000 were arrested in just over six weeks. The government acknowledged more than 3,000 were killed.

At the height of the protests, Iranian authorities signaled that fast trials and executions lay ahead.

At the time, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested military action might be an option to stop the deadly crackdown. But he soon announced that he learned that plans for executions were halted, signaling that a military operation was no longer on the table.

Just a month later, Israel and the U.S. launched an intense airstrike campaign against Iran, pounding military installations and targeting the top political and security leadership of Iran. The security agencies believed to be responsible for the deadly crackdown on protesters are also being targeted.

War has not stopped Iran’s crackdown on dissent

Despite the war, Iranian authorities have kept up the crackdown on dissent. Authorities say scores have been detained since the war began on Feb. 28, including some who took part in the January protests.

Because of Iran’s internet blackout, there have been scant details about the three men executed Thursday. Amiry-Moghaddam said Davoudi was born on March 20, 2004, meaning he was executed a day before his 22nd birthday. Qasemi’s age was not known, he said.

Mohammadi appeared to be a standout in wrestling, a sport that is wildly popular in Iran. In 2024, he won a bronze medal at an international youth freestyle wrestling tournament in the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk.

On his Instagram account, Mohammadi posted photos and videos of his matches and his workouts, along with inspirational “no-pain-no-gain” messages. In his last post in late December, he posted a video of himself in the gym and wrote: “We endured beyond our imagination. Back again #bodybuilding #training #wrestling.”

“He was full of energy,” said Shiva Amelirad, an Iranian teacher living in Toronto who spoke with Mohammadi in 2022 while he was still in high school.

Amelirad said Mohammadi had participated in anti-government protests that erupted earlier that year when Mahsa Amini died in police custody after being detained for not wearing her headscarf properly. Those demonstrations were also met with a heavy crackdown by authorities.

She said Mohammadi told her that workouts and eating ice cream were his only ways “to forget all this catastrophe that we are facing.”

“He always tried to show that he was happy,” said Amelirad.

Rights groups say theocracy has forced confessions from protesters

Mohammadi, Qasemi and Davoudi were arrested in Qom on Jan. 15, according to multiple human rights groups. The circumstances of their arrests are not known, and it is not clear if they knew each other beforehand.

They were charged in the killing of a police officer on Jan. 8 and convicted in early February, according to Amnesty and Iran Human Rights.

During his detention, Mohammadi was beaten and one of his hands broken, Amnesty said in a Feb. 19 open letter to Iran’s judiciary criticizing the prosecution of dozens of arrested protesters. Amnesty said Mohammadi denied the charges and retracted his confessions in court, saying they were extracted under torture.

“Authorities have systematically subjected those arrested in connection to the protests to enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, torture to extract forced ‘confessions,’” Amnesty said in the letter.

Mizan, the Iranian judiciary’s official news agency, announced the execution of the three on Thursday, showing video of them sitting in prison uniforms in court. It said they had confessed to killing two police officers with “knives and swords,” and showed video of them allegedly reenacting the killings for judicial officials.

Amiry-Moghaddam, of Iran Human Rights, said the Islamic Republic is struggling for its survival “and is well aware that the main threat to its existence comes not from external actors, but from the Iranian people demanding fundamental change.”

______

Keath reported from Cairo. Frankel from Jerusalem.

Mike Tindall has reacted strongly after some of his 2003 World Cup colleagues paid a visit to the England camp during the Six Nations

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Mike Tindall laid into some of his fellow World Cup-winning heroes with an X-rated rant as he defended the current England squad.

England finished fifth in the table following a 48-46 defeat by France in Paris last weekend, with their victory over Wales in round one the only win from a tournament that began amid high expectations but ended in huge disappointment. It has left head coach Steve Borthwick fighting to save his job, with the RFU launching an investigation into the wretched campaign.

Tindall, along with ex-England forward Joe Marler, has been dissecting England’s woeful performance on their The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. Host Alex Payne brought up the visit by a group of 2003 heroes to the squad following the defeats to Scotland and Ireland.

The likes of Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Ben Kay, Phil Vickery and Jason Leonard spent time with the squad, going out for a curry. The Times has subsequently reported that some of the ex-players felt it was a “bad environment” and were concerned about the squad’s reserved nature, lack of critical thinking and limited knowledge of their opponents.

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Members of the group were also said to be alarmed at the current players’ reaction when a World Cup winner challenged the squad to devote their lives to the sport over the next 18 months ahead of the World Cup in Australia. It was suggested that the players had not been spoken to like that before.

Tindall didn’t take kindly to those claims, blasting: “Outside of one person, not one of them has ever f****** coached, so what the f*** do they know?

“Like, they’re all my best friends, but not one of them has coached. Ben Kay, you could say he’s like a coach because he’s watching so many f****** games [as an RFU non-executive director].

“But Johnno’s [Johnson, who coached England to the Six Nations title in 2011] the only one who’s been in Steve’s position right now. A good figurehead; has had a coaching [career].

“Will Greenwood, [coach at] Maidenhead, well done! But does watch a lot of games as well. Lol [Dallaglio], never coached, never looked like coaching.”

Marler then weighed in, arguing that players must be treated differently now compared to 10 or 20 years ago. He said: “It’s a different kettle of fish now. The youngsters, the generation coming through, you have to treat them differently, you have to talk to them differently.”

Borthwick’s future as England coach will hinge on the RFU’s annual Six Nations review. The process is expected to last several weeks, with players, Borthwick and his backroom staff asked for their views on the reasons behind the defeats to Scotland and Ireland and the late collapse against Italy.

While England were edged in the climax to the tournament at the Stade de France, it was a stirring performance full of intent and attacking endeavour that may have bought the 46-year-old some time.

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