Month: March 2026

Ellen White discusses pregnancy with Manchester United’s Celin Bizet Donnum

Former England striker Ellen White sits down with Manchester United forward Celin Bizet Donnum to talk through the Norwegian’s ongoing pregnancy journey – from the decision-making process to the support policies in place. They consider whether more female footballers are likely to start families during their playing careers.

WATCH MORE: ‘When you’re with me, you’re not bored’ – Malard bringing sunshine to Man Utd

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Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli wins first F1 in China; Russell second | Motorsports News

The 19-year-old converts his pole position into a historic win to consolidate Mercedes’s hold early in the F1 season.

An emotional Kimi Antonelli has won a Formula One grand prix for the first time in China ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who made his maiden podium for Ferrari.

The 19-year-old Antonelli converted being the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history into victory on Sunday after both McLarens dramatically failed to start the Shanghai race.

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“Thank you, everyone. Thank you so much. You made me achieve one of my dreams,” Antonelli said over the radio after taking the chequered flag.

“I’m speechless. I’m about to cry to be honest,” he said in his first interview as a winner in ⁠front of the Shanghai circuit crowd before doing just that.

It was ⁠a nervous finish for the Italian, who locked up and went wide with three laps to go, cutting his lead over Russell to 7.4 seconds and finishing 5.515 clear.

First-placed Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli (2L) celebrates winning alongside Mercedes' British driver George Russell (2R) and Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) after the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on March 15, 2026. (Photo by JADE GAO / AFP)
Antonelli wipes away tears before a pit-side interview after winning the Chinese GP [Jade Gao/AFP]

It was Mercedes’s second successive one-two after Russell led Antonelli in the Australian opener last weekend.

“I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack ⁠towards the end with the flat spot [on his tyres],” ⁠said the first Italian winner since Giancarlo Fisichella for Renault in Malaysia in 2006. “It was a good race.”

Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali, also Italian, congratulated Antonelli before the podium celebrations and the playing of the Italian ‌national anthem.

Winner Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli (C), second-placed Mercedes' British driver George Russell (L) and third-placed Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrate on the poidum after the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on March 15, 2026. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)
Antonelli, centre, celebrates on the podium with second-placed Russell, left, and third-placed Hamilton [Hector Retamal/AFP]

Antonelli briefly lost the lead at the start, but once he got back in front, the teenager controlled the pace to cruise home to the chequered flag. Charles Leclerc was fourth in the second Ferrari.

Hamilton, as he had done in Saturday’s sprint, got a great start and had taken the lead by the time the teams emerged from the first complex of turns.

Leclerc also launched brilliantly and managed to get past Russell, who started second on the grid.

The top four swapped places multiple times before a safety car on lap 11 brought them all into the pits.

Once the dust settled and they were racing again, Antonelli led Hamilton with Leclerc third and Russell fourth.

Mercedes' team members celebrate as Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli crosses the finish line to win the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on March 15, 2026. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)
Mercedes team members celebrate as Antonelli crosses the finish line [Hector Retamal/AFP]

By lap 29, Russell had got past both Ferraris and up to second and set off trying to catch his young teammate, who was by that time more than seven seconds up the road.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen continued Red Bull’s poor start to the new season when he was told to retire his car on lap 46.

McLaren’s reigning world champion, Lando Norris, and teammate Oscar Piastri both failed to start due to problems with their cars.

Oliver Bearman was fifth for Haas ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson.

Isack Hadjar took eighth for Red Bull after teammate Verstappen retired. Carlos Sainz was ninth for Williams, and Franco Colapinto was finally back in the points for Alpine in 10th after failing to score last year.

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‘I was on Coronation Street for three episodes and I’ll never do it again’

The Crown star James Murray started off his acting career on ITV soap Coronation Street but the experience left him terrified

James Murray has revealed why he won’t return to Coronation Street after just three episodes.

The actor shared that he featured in three episodes of the ITV soap when speaking to Alan Titchmarsh on Love Your Weekend on Sunday (March 15).

When asked to share who he played in the long-running serial drama, James told the ITV host he was Sandy the barman many years ago.

He commented: “I was Jack and Vera’s barman for about three episodes, it was a frightening experience.

“No good at the job! Thankfully, I think I was contracted for three episodes, so I was in and out, but it was so frightening because Bill Tarmey, who played Jack, was a wonderful man.

“You know how those things are filmed, it’s very quick. It’s like a sausage factory! There’s not much time for creative input from the actors, shall we say. You just stand on your mark, say your line, and we move on.

“That was my first introduction into the world of acting, screen acting. I walked into the Rovers, and I was absolutely petrified!

“The bright lights, I overlearned my lines, and I was just a mess. I was shaking and sweating.”

James recalled how Bill was polishing some glass during their scene together and noticed how nervous he was.

The actor added: “He [Bill] went, ‘You’re shaking like a leaf, son, either stop shaking or think of doing something else’.

“After that stint on Corrie, I said I don’t want to be an actor, or I don’t want to be an actor like this, because it was so frightening to me!

“Being thrown into the lion’s den, first off. I then went and did theatre and other things, but yeah, never again. My hat goes off to the way they act in those shows because it’s so quick.”

Luckily, it wasn’t enough to turn him off of acting completely as James has gone on to star in many well known shows. Recently, he appeared as Raef Lonsdale in the 2025 BBC drama series Wild Cherry, one of the more villainous characters in the show.

While speaking to Alan Titchmarsh he joked he ‘can’t remember’ the last time he didn’t play an evil character, admitting it may have something to do with his eyebrows.

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is available to watch on Saturdays on ITV from 9:30am

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

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City with ‘green wine’ & rooftop bars where you can get the cheapest five-star holiday is under 3 hours from the UK 

CITY breaks are a perfect short-haul holiday option for Brits, and in some cases even top-tier ones won’t break the bank.

TravelSupermarket has found the cheapest five-star European city holidays and the Portuguese capital has topped the list at under £310pp.

Lisbon has been revealed as the top city break destination for a cheap five-star holidayCredit: Alamy
A two-night city break at the five-star Vintage Lisboa starts from £269ppCredit: The Vintage Lisboa

TravelSupermarket found that the average price for a five-star break to Lisbon works out at £308pp.

On TravelSupermarket Sun Travel found some five-star accommodation deals for under £200.

A two-night city break at the VIP Grand Lisboa Hotel & Spa in March starts from £180pp – including flights.

The hotel has a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, room service, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and spa facilities.

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Another is The Vintage Lisboa where you can book a two-night city break in March from £269pp.

The boutique hotel is in the heart of the city and has modern interiors as well as a restaurant and bar.

Each room has a flatscreen TV, air conditioning and private bathroom with rain head shower.

It has a spa with a full menu of massages, as well as a sauna, steam bath, hammam and a gym.

The city itself is known for its steep streets, trams and its position on the coastline.

British expat Lauren Clark, who left her life in London for Lisbon reveals it’s an affordable city once you’re there too.

She even said that you can catch up with a friend over a glass of wine for the price of a coffee in the UK.

Lauren explained: “You can pick up a fruity ‘vinho verde’ from a quiosque or restaurant terrace, enjoyed in the sunshine, might set you back just a few euros.

“One of the reasons why the top-notch wine is so affordable – with a bottle of my favourite white costing around three euros in the supermarket – is because Portugal is covered in swathes of vineyards.”

Vinho verde translates to ‘green wine‘, but it’s not actually anything to do with colour.

What is actually refers to is the young age of the grapes.

Wine doesn’t cost more than a few euros in LisbonCredit: Jordi Salas
While it doesn’t have beaches for sunbathing, Lisbon has great coastline viewsCredit: Alamy

When it comes to choosing where to drink – you can get views of the city if you go up high onto a rooftop bar.

One trendy place is Park Bar which is at the very top of a parking garage.

Here you can pick up a selection of beers and wines, sangria and some bar snacks – and on Sundays it serves up all-day brunch.

Another is Topo Chiado which has view downtown that one visitor described as ‘breathtaking’, and it has a DJ during the evenings.

While Lisbon is easily walkable it also has lots of trams – it has six different routes and 58 trams.

Lisbon tram tickets usually cost between €3.10 (£2.70) and €3.30 (£2.87) if you buy it onboard.

You can save money in Lisbon by getting a Lisboa card too, which you can buy from £27 and it then gives you access to 51 museums and galleries across the city.

Lisbon doesn’t have many main beaches for sunbathing as such – but just a short-ride away are some lovely coastal spots.

Two popular beaches are Praia da Ursa and Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo which are both less than an hour’s drive away from the city centre.

For Brits, Lisbon is easy to get to with direct flights taking just two hours and 50 minutes.

In April, flights from London Luton to Lisbon start from £21.

Eight airports across the UK offer direct flights including London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.

When it comes to other city break destinations, cheap five-star holidays include destinations like Krakow and Prague.

Berlin rounds out the top three at £357 per person on average.

Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket said: “There’s a real appetite among British travellers for luxury city breaks, but many assume five-star automatically means five-star prices.

“What this data shows is that destinations like Lisbon, Krakow and Berlin are delivering genuinely premium experiences at remarkably competitive price points.

“As ever, Eastern Europe in particular offers exceptional value, and with so much history, culture and food on offer in cities like Prague and Budapest.”

These are the top 10 destinations for a cheap five-star break…

Here are the cheapest destinations and the average price for a five-star city break in Europe from TravelSupermarket…

  1. Lisbon – £308pp
  2. Krakow – £321pp
  3. Berlin – £357pp
  4. Prague – £375pp
  5. Budapest – £430pp
  6. Venice – £500pp
  7. Barcelona – £539pp
  8. Rome – £555pp
  9. Amsterdam – £633pp
  10. Paris – £967pp

For more on cheap city breaks, here are some in Europe that are CHEAPER than an English train ticket.

And here is Europe’s ‘top trending city break’ destination has been revealed with flights for £15 and beers for £2.17.

Lisbon is the cheapest place for a five-star city breakCredit: Alamy

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I took my mum on a Mother’s Day themed trip to Spain with mimosa buffets, ABBA tributes and wine tours

WEARING protective suits, masks, hats and gloves, we approach the buzzing hive in front of us.

The Canarian black bee, our guide tells us, is a hardy species adapted perfectly to the high heat and dry lands that make up Lanzarote’s volcanic climate.

Puerto del Carmen beachCredit: Alamy
The pool at Seaside Los JameosCredit: Supplied
Hannah goes full beekeeperCredit: Supplied

My mum Rhona and I seem to have adapted pretty well ourselves, as we soak up the last of the afternoon sun.

The fourth-largest Canary Island, Lanzarote was the ideal destination for a pre-Mother’s Day trip, with its year-round “eternal spring” climate, lunar-like landscapes and white-sand beaches.

While a fly-and-flop holiday is always tempting, particularly when it’s 21C, I was determined to include some bonding experiences during our visit.

And our beekeeping tour was just that. Ahead of reaching the hive, our guide taught us all about the insects that live there.

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Then, after shedding our protective suits, we were treated to samples of the organic honey, taking note of the sightly different flavours depending on which plants the bees had visited.

We felt fully connected to the surrounding nature.

When we weren’t off exploring, we could relax at the 4H Seaside Los Jameos, in Puerto del Carmen, one of the island’s most popular resorts.

With its beachfront location, palm tree-lined pools, gym, spa and cactus gardens, the recently renovated hotel is an oasis within the town, with plenty of activities on site.

I’m lucky enough to have a mother who can run rings around me, so we started each day with a jog on the beach.

I picked up pace as the week progressed, but never quite managed to catch up with my mum.

It was the perfect way to work up an appetite for the plentiful buffet breakfast.

The Sun’s Hannah Hope and mum RhonaCredit: Supplied
A bee gets busyCredit: Alamy

My highlights were the mimosa station, with crisp cava and freshly squeezed orange juice, and the DIY waffle machines.

In the evenings, guests can expect live entertainment from acts such as an ABBA tribute band, as well as magic shows and children’s discos.

Outside of the hotel, nearby restaurants included beachfront tapas joint Restaurante El Molino, which was within walking distance, and Sebastyan’s Atlantico Lounge on the water (be sure to arrive in time for the stunning sunset).

Lanzarote also has a thriving plonk scene, with wineries dotted all around the island.

Our final First Choice excursion took us on a tasting and museum tour at Bodega Finca Mota, a charming family-run winery surrounded by Lanzarote’s distinctive volcanic landscape, where grapes grow in the black sand.

We started our visit with an introduction to vintage winemaking tools in the museum, before sitting down for some sipping.

We tasted three different wines accompanied by locally-produced cheese and traditionally-cured tuna, and enjoyed it so much we bought a bottle each to take home.

On our final day, we decided to explore the picturesque village of Yaiza, famed for its beautifully maintained whitewashed houses and palm-lined streets.

Mum and I both love to shop, so we enjoyed a potter around the boutiques selling jewellery and ceramics and found a delightful cafe to have coffee and baked goods.

Literally the cherry on top of the cake to end a dreamy Mother’s Day getaway.

GO: LANZAROTE

GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4* Seaside Los Jameos is from £719pp including flights from Manchester on April 30.

See firstchoice.co.uk.

OUT & ABOUT: A beekeeping tour is from £57pp and a wine-tasting and museum tour at Bodega Finca Mota is from £44pp.

For more details, see experiences.firstchoice.co.uk.

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Clippers drop game to Kings after Kawhi Leonard is injured

Russell Westbrook had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his 209th career triple-double and DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 118-109 victory over the Clippers on Saturday night.

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points before leaving with a sprained left ankle for the Clippers, whose four-game winning streak was stopped. It was Leonard’s 45th consecutive game with at least 20 points, topping Bob McAdoo’s franchise record set during the 1974-75 season when the team was based in Buffalo.

Leonard was injured with 9:27 left in the fourth quarter when he was guarding DeRozan and landed awkwardly before backpedaling a few steps and tumbling to the court. He popped up quickly, but limped noticeably to the Clippers’ bench before heading to the locker room. Leonard didn’t return to the game and there was no immediate word on whether he might miss time.

Precious Achiuwa added 25 points and 13 rebounds, Maxime Raynaud had 23 points and Daeqwon Plowden scored 15 for the Kings, who have won three of their last four games.

Darius Garland added 25 points and Bennedict Mathurin had 24 for Los Angeles, which had won its last five at home.

The game was close early and tied at 39 with 7:04 left in the second quarter, but Sacramento took over from there. The Kings led 68-54 at halftime and made it a 20-point game — their largest lead — at 90-70 on Plowden’s three-pointer with 2:19 left in the third quarter.

But the Clippers, even without Leonard, stormed back in the fourth and cut the deficit to 103-100 on a pullup basket by Mathurin with 4:15 remaining. Sacramento outscored Los Angeles 15-9 the rest of the way to seal the win.

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Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews ‘ran up HUGE bill’ at luxury Dubai hotel for wedding

KATIE Price’s new husband Lee Andrews has “ran up a HUGE bill” at the luxury hotel where they got married.

The self-confessed ‘millionaire’, 41, and the former glamour model, 47, tied the knot just two weeks after meeting each other, leaving her family in shock.

Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrew has ‘ran up a huge bill’ at the luxury hotel where they marriedCredit: Instagram/@wesleeeandrews
Self-proclaimed millionaire Lee has STILL not paid the outstanding costs six weeks onCredit: wesleeandrews/Instagram

The Sun revealed that the pair had married in a very intimate ceremony at The One&Only Royal Mirage, a 5-star luxury beachfront resort.

Our exclusive photos showed Katie in a white cut-out gown saying ‘I do’ in a private gardens as they exchanged their vows while holding hands.

But now it has been claimed that Lee has not coughed up a penny, which is believed to run into the thousands of pounds.

Despite promising to return and pay the outstanding cost, he still hasn’t paid and it has reportedly left staff “frustrated”.

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“Lee Andrews has not yet paid the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel where he and Katie Price got married. He promised to settle the outstanding bills but still hasn’t, and it’s been over six weeks,” an insider told the Mail.

When the publication approached Lee for comment and he insisted it was “fully paid”, adding: “It was an SMS on my HSBC locally. I will ping it to you so you can see it.”

But they have still not been provided any proof of payment.

The Sun has reached out to Lee for comment.

It comes just The Sun revealed that Lee had been begging women for money just a week before be proposed to Katie.

Self-proclaimed millionaire Lee whinged about surviving on 20p ready meals weeks before he married Katie.

He even begged a former friend for $4,000 just mere days before proposing to the former glamour model.

Lee popped the question to Katie on January 23, and the couple tied the knot in Dubai just 48 hours later.

He recently boasted about his love for his new wife the The Sun, and Katie even showed us  “proof” he owned a £36million property in Dubai.

Katie also claimed Lee had paid for every single one of her first-class flights to and from Dubai.

She also said he had forked out for all the romantic dates they had been on since January, with her not spending a penny.

Katie recently gushed to The Sun: “I can reassure everyone at home that I haven’t gone for a con man.

“I haven’t gone for a scammer.

“There was no love bombing.

“I’ve gone for a beautiful human being who genuinely makes me happy, who I’m so in love with,” she gushed.

The Sun revealed that Lee had been begging women for money just a week before be proposed to KatieCredit: instagram

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People can’t believe how much hotel in one of the UK’s top tourist cities cost

A TikToker shared his experience staying at a hotel in one of the UK’s most popular cities with tourists, and people were completely flabbergasted by how much it cost

Edinburgh attracts millions of visitors from across the globe annually, so it comes as little shock that even the most modest accommodation in Scotland’s capital can leave a sizeable dent in your wallet. A couple of nights’ stay can easily run into hundreds of pounds, with costs skyrocketing exponentially during major occasions like Hogmanay or the Festival Fringe.

That’s why one TikToker left viewers gobsmacked after discovering a hotel within walking distance of the city’s premier landmarks for a mere £49.50 per night. Spencer Lyon, who has 135,000 followers on TikTok, where he routinely dishes out bargain-hunting tips, booked a room at the Edinburgh House Hotel.

Kicking off the video, Spencer approaches the hotel on Pilrig Street before walking into reception. “Oh my goodness, this is like Fawlty Towers,” he remarks. “Amazing.”

Moving along, Spencer proceeds to check in and is asked for a £100 security deposit. Locating his room, Spencer steps inside to discover not one but two beds – a double alongside a single, reports Edinburgh Live. “I feel like the three little bears for some reason,” he says.

Inspecting the all-important tea and coffee facilities, he comments: “I’m liking how close it is to the pillow so I can boil the kettle with my ear. Loads of options. No shortbread biscuits, that’s a shame.”

Spencer gazes through the window at the view – predominantly overcast skies – before shifting his focus to the telly, remarking: “Teeniest TV in the game, but I’m not paying to sit and watch TV am I?” He then inspects the bathroom, noting the toilet is tucked away round a corner, before bouncing on one of the beds – after removing his shoes, naturally.

He also draws attention to a modest clothes rail mounted on the wall, observing: “There’s no wardrobe in here, it’s just hang it on the top just there.” Wrapping up, he notes: “This was a last little minute endeavour ‘cos I’ve not been booking them on the go. But yeah, this was £49.50.”

Viewers shared mixed opinions in the comments section. One wrote: “That’s better than I expected. The deposit is a little expensive. Could have stayed at easyHotel in centre for probably same price.”

Another commented: “£100 refundable deposit for a £50 hotel is mad to me. Literally just stayed in Edinburgh end of November in a modern hotel that was like £120 a night and was only a £50 refundable deposit. Like, what in that room is costing them £100 to get it fixed or replaced besides the TV and even then they can get it cheap enough in charity shops.”

However, another responded: “I mean.. you get the £100 back and you’d be shocked at the amount of damage that inconsiderate guests can cause. This just gives the owner some peace of mind and you get the money back anyway so I don’t see the issue.”

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Others were taken aback by the price. One commented: “Very cheap for Edinburgh. Looks perfectly acceptable.” Another posted: “That’s ridiculously cheap for Edinburgh rates.” Whilst someone else remarked: “Looks absolutely fine, for £50 it’s decent.”

The Edinburgh House Hotel presently holds a rating of 2.5 out of five on Tripadvisor. A quick online search reveals rooms at the establishment begin at a mere £38. The hotel’s description on Tripadvisor states it “offers a budget-friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers like you.” It notes the renowned Royal Mile sits within a 1.3-mile stroll, alongside other prominent attractions in close proximity.

True to its 2.5 rating, guest feedback proves divided. One branded it “run-down and poorly maintained”. “Room was in an awful state of disrepair,” they claimed. “Happy with basic accommodation but this fell well below that standard. Endless list of faults and damages in the room we stayed.”

However, another guest countered: “Clean and tidy place, beds very comfortable had a great night sleep. Bit dated but I would stay again.”

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High school baseball and softball: Saturday’s scores

Saturday’s Results

BASEBALL

CITY SECTION

Cleveland 6, San Pedro 4

Gardena 11, Animo Leadership 2

LA University 12, Environmental Charter 1

Santee 22, Mendez 13

South East 3, Sylmar 2

Verdugo Hills 1, Franklin 0

Wilmington Banning 7, Port of LA 0

SOUTHERN SECTION

Aliso Niguel 9, Murrieta Valley 4

Aquinas 12, Capistrano Valley 2

Buena 7, St. Bonaventure 3

Calabasas 1, Santa Monica 0

Claremont 8, Adelanto 2

Colton 5, Arroyo Valley 0

Dos Pueblos 6, Lompoc 3

El Dorado 2, West Ranch 0

Foothill Tech 5, Trinity Classical Academy 4

Ganesha 2, Mission Viejo 1

Glendora 7, Charter Oak 6

Golden Valley 16, Nordhoff 12

Granite Hills 2, Fontana 1

Hacienda Heights Wilson 13, Tustin 7

Jurupa Hills 8, Orange Vista 2

Kaiser 1, West Covina 0

Katella 14, Chaparral 3

Laguna Beach 5, Costa Mesa 3

Linfield Christian 3, El Toro 0

Long Beach Jordan 12, El Monte 0

Loyola 8, Cathedral 0

Mayfair 22, Lynwood 0

Mira Costa 7, Lakewood 0

Moorpark 17, Channel Islands 0

Mountain View 5, Avalon 3

Norco 1, Great Oak 0

Nuview Bridge 8, Eisenhower 4

Oaks Christian 9, Hart 0

Pasadena Marshall 9, Santa Clarita Christian 8

Ramona 8, Sunny Hills 6

Redlands 13, Rim of the World 0

Rio Hondo Prep 10, Orange Glen 1

Riverside Prep 5, Yucaipa 2

San Gorgonio 14, Big Bear 7

Santa Ana Foothill 14, Walnut 2

Santa Ynez 27, Dunn 0

Silverado 5, Pasadena Poly 1

St. Anthony 17, Artesia 11

Tesoro 4, Sunny Hills 1

Torrance 10, West Torrance 0

Trabuco Hills 10, Long Beach Wilson 8

Troy 13, Victor Valley 3

University Prep 22, Immanuel Christian 0

Valencia 8, Simi Valley 0

Valley View 13, Heritage 5

Warren 7, Santa Fe 1

Whitney 7, Western 6

INTERSECTIONAL

Bloomington Christian 13, Austin (TX) NYOS Charter 4

Burbank Burroughs 6, LA Marshall 5

El Dorado 17, Campo Verde 4

Garfield 3, Whittier Christian 1

Hueneme 9, Idaho Falls (ID) Skyline 2

Indian Springs 20, Public Safety Academy 2

Oxnard 4, Idaho Falls (ID) Skyline 3

Palm Desert 5, Rancho Bernardo 2

Palos Verdes 4, Palisades 3

San Jose More 11, Valley Christian Academy 1

Sonora 11, Legacy 4

Temecula Valley 7, Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman 4

University Prep 9, Boron 2

Valley Christian 10, South Gate 9

SOFTBALL

CITY SECTION

LA Marshall 12, Bell 1

Santee 27, Mendez 25

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agoura 4, Torrance 0

Alemany 15, Montebello 2

Alemany 18, Irvine 3

Alhambra 10, Ramona Convent 4

Arcadia 8, Paramount 0

Alta Loma 6, Summit 5

Alta Loma 5, Los Osos 1

Capistrano Valley 9, Corona Santiago 4

Chaparral 11, Katella 7

Downey 11, La Palma Kennedy 1

Elsinore 10, Covina 3

Etiwanda 10, Redlands East Valley 4

Firebaugh 11, Long Beach Cabrillo 6

Glendora 5, Yucaipa 3

Glendora 4, Capistrano Valley 2

Grace 6, Hemet 5

Hesperia 16, Victor Valley 14

Highland 6, Apple Valley 2

Highland 18, Apple Valley 6

Hillcrest 1, Diamond Bar 0

JSerra 6, Oaks Christian 1

Jurupa Hills 11, Garden Grove 10

Kaiser 12, Flintridge Prep 2

Kaiser 11, Lompoc Cabrillo 0

Lakewood 4, Whittier Christian 3

Lakewood St. Joseph 8, Placentia Valencia 3

Lakewood St. Joseph 8, Warren 3

Maranatha 7, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 5

Mayfair 9, Garden Grove 3

Mayfair 19, Jurupa Hills 2

Northview 7, Grand Terrace 6

San Dimas 9, Paramount 4

Santa Fe 9, Riverside North 0

Santa Fe 6, Downey 4

Santa Monica 8, Bishop Montgomery 4

Schurr 11, Covina 0

Schurr 11, Elsinore 4

Segerstrom 9, Walnut 7

Simi Valley 3, Redondo Union 0

South Hills 6, Hemet 2

South Torrance 13, West Torrance 0

Upland 8, Arrowhead Christian 0

Valencia 2, Buena 0

Victor Valley 11, Hesperia 8

Vista Murrieta 9, Oak Hills 5

Walnut 7, Katella 5

Warren 12, Placentia Valencia 1

Western Christian 8, Summit 5

Whittier Christian 17, Grace 5

Yucaipa I, La Palma Kennedy 1

INTERSECTIONAL

Carson 15, Bishop Montgomery 6

Carson 12, Culver City 1

Cypress 5, Granada Hills 0

Fountain Valley 11, LA University 1

Glendale 15, Maywood CES 5

Granada Hills 14, El Rancho 6

Legacy 5, San Dimas 2

Maywood CES 17, St. Mary’s Academy 10

Redondo Union 7, San Pedro 1

Riverside King 12, Sanger 0

Simi Valley 4, Wilmington Banning 1

Venice 4, Maranatha 0

Venice 13, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 4

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MotoGP postpones Qatar Grand Prix due to Middle East conflict | Motorsports News

The Qatar GP, scheduled for April 10-12, has been rescheduled for November 8 amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

The Qatar Grand ⁠Prix ⁠that was scheduled to be held next month has ⁠been postponed due to the ongoing conflict ⁠in the Middle East, the sport’s governing body announced.

“MotoGP confirms that the Qatar Grand Prix, originally ⁠scheduled for April, has been ⁠postponed to November ⁠8 due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East,” ‌MotoGP said on Sunday.

The Lusail International Circuit was set ‌to host the fourth round of the 2026 championship from April 10-12 but it has now been rescheduled for ⁠November 8, organisers said ⁠in a statement.

“Following extensive ⁠scenario planning and calendar analysis, the ⁠revised date has been chosen to ensure minimal disruption to the wider MotoGP schedule.”

The Portuguese Grand Prix will now take place on November ⁠22 and the season finale in Valencia will move to November 29, ⁠organisers added.

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi leads the ⁠championship after the first round in Thailand. The next two races will be held in Brazil (March 20-22) and the United States (March 27-29).

Earlier on Sunday, Formula One and its governing body, FIA, said the Grands Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not happen in April due to safety concerns related to the Iran war.

Both countries have been hit during Iran’s retaliatory attacks after the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran.

The announcement was made in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” F1 said. “While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April.”

F1 was due to race in Bahrain on April 12 and in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on April 19.

“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1.

“The FIA will always place the safety and well being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind,” FIA’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said.

The FIA did not explicitly rule out rescheduling the races and, along with F1, did not use the words “cancel” or “postpone” in announcing that the series would not be in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia next month.

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Where are these forgotten Oscar stars now? From celeb who ‘vanished’ to award given ‘by mistake’ & ‘blacklisted’ actor

THE OSCARS is back for another year, and will see the crème de la crème of Hollywood clamouring to snatch one of those famous golden statues.

But despite the prestigious nature of the Academy Awards, they don’t always guarantee an A-list life forever in Tinseltown – as these past winners have found out…

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique was riding high in her career when she scooped the Best Supporting Actress gong for PreciousCredit: Alamy
However, shortly after winning the gong, the actress says she was ‘blacklisted’ from HollywoodCredit: Getty

Let’s kick off our look at forgotten Oscar winners with Mo’Nique, who claimed she was “blacklisted” after her win at the Academy Awards.

When she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2010 for her performance in Precious it was her acceptance speech that got people talking, which began: “First, I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics.”

Mo’Nique was referring to a fallout which started long before the Oscars.

It came when she refused to travel the world to promote the film – against the advisement of director Lee Daniels and producers Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey – despite the movie having “Oscar buzz”.

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Following this fallout, Mo’Nique declined to thank filmmaker Lee during her acceptance speech, leading to a HUGE Hollywood feud – during which the actress alleged that he had “blackballed” her from the industry.

And shortly after winning the coveted statue she practically vanished from Tinseltown.

The star has since reflected on being a victim of so-called “Oscarscurse” – where stars suffer bad luck in their career after winning an Academy Award.

Speaking to CNN in 2020, Mo’Nique said: “I believe winning that Oscar award, just as Hattie McDaniel, she said, ‘I felt like I was cursed instead of winning something that should be congratulated’.

“That award was something that I did not ask for, but because I didn’t respond the way people thought that I should have responded, as Lee Daniels said, I was blackballed.”

Mercedes Ruehl

Mercedes Ruehl won the Academy Award for The Fisher King in 1992Credit: Alamy
The actress returned to the stage after the movie roles failed to pour in after her Oscar winCredit: Getty

At the 1992 Oscars, Mercedes Ruehl was having the time of her life after scooping the Best Supporting Actress gong.

Despite her movie The Fisher King being led by Hollywood heavyweights Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, Mercedes was the one who took home that coveted gold statue.

But even though she won such a huge award, the movie roles failed to pour in after her night of glory and the actress “vanished” from Hollywood.

Reflecting on the “curse” of winning such a top prize, she told the HuffPost: “It’s hard to get a job after that.

“People think you want more money.”

Instead, Mercedes returned to the stage and went on to win a Tony award the same year as her Oscar – she has remained a fixture of Broadway ever since.

Harold Russell

Harold Russell (centre) won the Best Supporting Actor gong for The Best Years of Our LivesCredit: Alamy
Harold was the first non-professional actor to win an OscarCredit: Getty

Harold Russell’s Oscars tale is very different to the others.

The late star lost both his hands in World War II and had them replaced by hooks.

Harold had never acted before when he played the role of Homer Parrish in The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946.

He was cast after the director of the film saw him in Diary of a Sergeant, an Army film about rehabilitating war veterans.

Despite his lack of acting experience, Harold proved to be a huge hit in The Best of Our Lives, and he won not one, but TWO Oscars for his role.

At the 1947 Academy Awards he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor and a special Honorary Academy Award for bringing hope and courage to fellow veterans.

Harold was also the first non-professional actor to ever win an Oscar.

But despite all this glory, he took a step back from acting and didn’t appear in another film until 1980.

Instead, he decided to get a business degree and devoted his life to charity.

Speaking about why he didn’t continue his Hollywood career, he told the Los Angeles Times in 1996: “Wyler (the director) told me I should go back to college because there wasn’t much call for a guy with no hands in the motion picture industry.

“I figured he was right. [In the handful of roles I’ve taken since then,] I always play a disabled veteran.

“And this is what Wyler said, ‘After a while they’re going to run out of ideas’—and he was absolutely right. How many times can you play the same role?”

Harold died in 2002 at the age of 88.

Roberto Benigni

Italian actor Roberto Benigni scooped the Best Actor gong and Best Foreign Film at the 71st Academy Awards in 1999Credit: Alamy
The actor is seen here at the Venice Film Festival in 2021Credit: Getty

Next up we have Italian actor Roberto Benigni, whose double Oscar win in 1999 caused quite a reaction.

The star won two gongs for the foreign film La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful), taking home the statues for Best Actor and Best International Feature Film – as he directed the movie too.

The film was the first non-English speaking picture to win the Best Actor award.

But Roberto, who was up against Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen, Nick Nolte and Ed Norton for the award, faced a huge backlash for his “over the top” reaction to winning the coveted gong.

He was seen climbing over audience seats to accept the award, which was slammed as being “chaotic”.

Roberto was also criticised for his “disingenuous” acceptance speech, where he appeared to make light of winning such a huge award.

“This is a terrible mistake. I used up all my English!” he joked, upon being handed the award.

Despite his big win, the actor retreated back to his native-Italy to make films instead of in Hollywood.

Speaking about life as a two-time Oscar winner, Roberto once told The Guardian: “The most important thing is to continue to be yourself.

“The day after the Oscars, you have to get on with your life. To be honest and true to yourself. I could have made a small film and kept all the money from Life is Beautiful. Instead, I spent more money than I had on Pinocchio, a very risky film.”

The actor is referring to his 2002 movie Pinocchio, which was only released in Italy and received mixed reviews from critics, with one calling it “the worst movie ever made”.

Marcia Gay Harden

Marcia Gay Harden won the Best Supporting Actress award for Pollack in 2000Credit: Alamy
The actress later called her win ‘disastrous on a professional level’Credit: Getty

Marcia Gay Harden beat the odds to scoop the Best Supporting Actress award for Pollack in 2000.

The actress was up against massive stars including Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand and Julie Walters, so her win was the HUGE surprise of the night that everyone was talking about.

Critics were also shocked that Marcia won the Oscar as she hadn’t been nominated for any other major award in the run-up to the ceremony.

Despite the actress’s huge win, her movie career stalled and she headed back to the small screen.

Reflecting on being a victim of the “Oscar curse”, Marcia once told the LA Times: “It’s disastrous on a professional level.

“Suddenly the parts you’re offered and the money become smaller. There’s no logic to it.”

Mira Sorvino

In 1996, Mira Sorvino was the toast of the OscarsCredit: Alamy
However, these days she is best known for Romy and Michele’s High School ReunionCredit: Getty

Mira Sorvino

Fans of the quirky movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion may be surprised to know that the film’s co-leading actress, Mira Sorvino, actually won an Oscar before starring in the cult classic movie.

A few years before, the actress won a huge amount of praise when she played a prostitute in Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite.

She wowed so much, she scooped the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996 for the role.

Despite going on to star in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion the following year, the movie roles after that failed to pour in and she has switched her focus to TV.

Marisa Tomei

Film fans may be surprised to know that Marisa Tomei won an OscarCredit: Corbis Historical – Getty
The actress faced some backlash over her Oscar win, with a rumour going around that she was ‘given it by mistake’Credit: Getty

Last but not least, we have Marisa Tomei.

It may come as a surprise to film fans to find out that the actress won an Oscar in 1993 – but that is nothing compared to what happened on the actual night.

Shockwaves went through the prestigious ceremony when the relatively-unknown actress at the time scooped the gong for Best Supporting Actress, beating veteran stars like Joan Plowright and Vanessa Redgrave.

But it didn’t stop there, as poor Marisa, who won the award for her role in My Cousin Vinny, faced rumours that she had been given the Oscar “by mistake”.

Vicious gossip began to circulate that suggested that presenter Jack Palance had misread the envelope and mistakenly given the Oscar to Marisa instead of “its rightful owner”, Vanessa.

However, the Academy addressed the conspiracy theory and denied that she had been given it by “mistake.”

Speaking about the cruel rumour, Marisa once said: “That was really hurtful at first.”

Despite the fall out from her Oscar three decades ago, she has been nominated for two more since.

These days Marisa is best known for playing Spider-Man‘s mum in the famous franchise.

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NWSL: Why US soccer franchises have bespoke women’s football stadiums, and will WSL teams follow suit?

Like with WSL clubs, most US teams share another franchise’s premises, be it a men’s team’s ground or a venue usually reserved for other sports, such as NFL stadium Lumen Field for Seattle Reign.

Kansas City buck this trend, and Denver Summit president Jen Millet believes it makes financial sense to follow suit.

“A big part of a sustainable business model is controlling revenue streams,” Millet says. “Women have been tenants and missed out on those things – food, beverage, parking, rentals, retail.

“It’s massively important to operate your own stadium.”

Having their own venue has also enhanced KC Current’s marketing strategy – something Kirsten Ross, president of official supporters’ club The Blue Crew, says has greatly raised the team’s profile.

“[The club] do a really good job of ramping up when the team is playing,” she says.

“Previously, people had no idea FC Kansas City existed. Now you can’t walk anywhere without knowing there’s a game for KC Current.”

Chris Long argues a bespoke stadium brings the best out of players – after all, Kansas City dominated the 2025 regular season and won the NWSL Shield by 21 points, even if they lost in the play-offs.

“It’s the feeling of belonging,” he says. “If you’re a tenant, the schedule isn’t based on you… you put your stuff in the locker room but have to take it out because it’s temporary.”

Jemison adds: “You feel like a visitor in your own home. We didn’t want that.”

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Vietnam holds general election, 93% candidates from ruling Communist Party | Elections News

Vietnamese elect members of parliament from a list of candidates ⁠almost exclusively fielded by the governing party.

Voters in Vietnam are casting their ballots for members of the National Assembly, the country’s top legislative body, which serves mainly to ratify decisions by the governing Communist Party.

Nearly 93 percent of the 864 parliamentary candidates in Sunday’s election are Communist Party members, while 7.5 percent are independents, according to the national election council, down from 8.5 percent in 2021.

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The five-yearly elections in the tightly controlled one-party state will see more than 73 million voters elect 500 members of the National Assembly and representatives for local councils.

The Communist Party, which has ruled the Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people unopposed for decades, holds 97 percent of the parliamentary seats.

epa12820474 People look at the lists of candidates at a polling station in Hanoi, Vietnam 15 March 2026. Vietnam holds general elections for the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term on 15 March. EPA/LUONG THAI LINH
People look at the lists of candidates at a polling station in Hanoi, March 15, 2026 [Luong Thai Linh/EPA]

Voters expressed hope their representatives would continue modernising Vietnam, whose booming economy is undergoing major reforms introduced by top leader To Lam.

Red-and-yellow banners fluttered from lampposts and traffic lights in the capital, Hanoi, where well-dressed senior citizens were some of the first to vote.

“I do expect top leaders after this election will make major changes to make our country better,” Nguyen Thi Kim, 73, told the AFP news agency at a polling station set up in a community room of a high-rise residential block in Hanoi.

But in a country where major policies and projects are decided by senior cadres, many citizens feel lukewarm about elections. “I don’t think who wins will have any impact on my life,” said a woman, who gave her name as Huyen, in Hanoi.

Most polling stations are scheduled to close at 7pm (12:00 GMT), with results expected on March 23, parliament Chairman Tran Thanh Man told local media.

Vietnam election
Voters cast ballots in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 15, 2026 [Hau Dinh/AP]

The opening plenary session of the National Assembly is scheduled for early April, when ⁠lawmakers are expected to approve the state’s top leaders previously nominated by the party, including the president and the prime minister.

The party confirmed Lam as its general secretary, Vietnam’s most powerful position, during ⁠its five-yearly congress in January, when it also selected the 19 members of ⁠the Politburo, its top decision-making body.

After voting on Sunday morning in Hanoi, Lam said on live television that the election aimed “to choose the most prestigious people to continue leading the country to more development”.

First-time voter Nguyen Kim Chi, 18, said she cast her ballot in the capital for “all the young” candidates.

“I know top positions are already set,” she added, “but I still hope my votes count.”

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Medvedev ends Alcaraz’s winning run, sets up Sinner final at Indian Wells | Tennis News

Medvedev, who arrived in the US after leaving the UAE via Oman amid Iranian attacks, ends world number one’s 16-match run.

Daniil Medvedev has handed top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz his first loss of the year and advanced to the final at the Indian Wells Open after arriving at the tournament from the midst of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The 11th-seeded Medvedev advanced with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory on Saturday and will face second-seeded Jannik Sinner, who beat Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4 in the California-based tournament.

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Alcaraz had won 16 straight matches this year, including titles at the Australian Open and Qatar Open, but Medvedev ended the possibility of an Alcaraz versus Sinner final.

Medvedev had dropped his last four meetings against Alcaraz, including a loss in the Indian Wells final in 2024. This was Medvedev’s first victory over him since the US Open semifinals in 2023.

The Russian player was stuck in the United Arab Emirates for three days following his title win at the Dubai Tennis Championship on February 28, the day the United States and Israel attacked Iran to launch a region-wide conflict.

Medvedev’s participation in the premier US West Coast-based tournament looked doubtful after he was unable to leave Dubai for two days due to airspace closure.

The 30-year-old was able to exit on the third day by crossing over into Oman by land after a six-hour drive along with fellow players Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov.

From Oman, the players boarded a flight to Istanbul before leaving the Turkish city to arrive in the US two days before their opening matches at Indian Wells.

“You feel like you’re in a Hollywood movie,” Medvedev told the Russian media outlet Bolshe of his multi-leg journey to arrive at the tournament that he seemed likely to miss.

Medvedev had been scheduled to play in the Eisenhower Cup, a one-night Tie Break Tens doubles event alongside fellow Russian Mirra Andreeva on March 3, but missed the exhibition event.

Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, left, is congratulated by Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, after Medvedev defeated Alcaraz during a semifinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Alcaraz, right, congratulates Medvedev after their semifinal in Indian Wells, California [Mark J Terrill/AP Photo]

Meanwhile, Sinner made quick work of Zverev in the second semifinal, beating the German in one hour, 23 minutes. Sinner notched six aces against the fourth-seeded Zverev.

Zverev won his first eight points on serve. But Sinner broke Zverev in the fifth and seventh games to secure the first set. Sinner now leads the head-to-head series against Zverev 7-4.

Neither Medvedev nor Sinner has dropped a set yet in this tournament. Sinner has won his last three matches against Medvedev, including the US Open quarterfinals in 2024.

In the women’s doubles final, Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova beat Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic 7-6 (4), 6-4. The victory marked Townsend’s first at Indian Wells and Siniakova’s second. Siniakova also won in 2023 alongside longtime partner Barbora Krejcikova.

In the men’s doubles final, Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard topped Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot 7-6 (3), 6-3. In mixed doubles, Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli beat top-seeded Gabriela Dabrowski and Lloyd Glasspool 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.

Jannik Sinner, of Italy, celebrates after defeating Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during a semifinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Sinner celebrates after his win over Zverev [Mark J Terrill/AP Photo]

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‘Elegant’ period drama inspired by classic Jane Austen novel airs tonight

Period dramas are more popular than ever thanks to the likes of Bridgerton and Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights.

Five things about The Other Bennet Sister’s Ella Bruccoleri

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice universe is far from just Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy as a new BBC adaptation is ready to air.

Netflix fans are curious to see how the iconic novel written by author Dolly Alderton will take shape this year but there’s an alternative with a twist on BBC One in the meantime.

Based on the best-selling 2020 novel of the same name, The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow is finally being brought to life in the shape of a 10-episode period drama.

But rather than telling the love story of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, the BBC series will be told from the perspective of Mary Bennet, the “seemingly unremarkable” middle sister of the Bennet family.

She may be considered the “overlooked middle sister” of Pride and Prejudice but, in this series, Mary Bennet will stand in the spotlight for the first time.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Debuting with a double bill tonight, Sunday, March 15, at 8pm on BBC One, The Other Bennet Sister “follows Mary as she steps out of her sisters’ shadows in search of her own identity and purpose, finding herself in the middle of an epic love story along the way.

“Her journey will see her leave her family home in Meryton for the soirées of Regency London and the peaks and vales of the Lake District, all in search of independence, self-love, and reinvention.”

Bringing the 19th Century Regency drama to life are an abundance of familiar faces, led by none other than Call the Midwife actress Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet.

She is joined by stars including Gavin and Stacey’s Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet, The Capture actress Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner and Saltburn actor Richard E Grant as Mr Bennet, just to name a few.

Despite not yet airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, The Other Bennet has already won itself a legion of fans thanks to Hadlow’s hit book.

Taking to Goodreads, a fan described it as “Beautifully written, moving and plausible, and very much in the spirit of Austen.”

Another echoed: “I would think that Austen herself wrote this book if I didn’t know better.

“Hadlow completely nails Austen’s witty, sharp sense of humor and elegant turns of phrase.”

“I absolutely love this – it’s a lovely, powerful and sweet book and I just adored it”, a third said.

While fourth added: “This is a fantastic re-telling of a classic novel and its characters, reforming our view of Mary Bennet, and elevating her into a heroine in her own right.”

The Other Bennet Sister premieres tonight, Sunday, March 15, at 8pm on BBC One.

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Amazon shoppers race to snap up ‘dream’ Samsonite luggage with £100 price drop

A collage of Samsonite Base Boost Soft Luggage in black and dark blue, with one open and one closed.

TRAVELLERS are rushing to Amazon to bag a large-sized Samsonite suitcase that’s now almost half-price in the retailer’s Spring Sale.

This soft-shell, big-brand luggage usually costs £209, but has since dropped to £112.

Samsonite Base Boost soft luggage.
Samsonite’s soft-shell Base Boost case has a 112.5-litre capacity

Samsonite Base Boost Soft Luggage, £112.19 (was £209)

The retail giant’s Spring Deal Days sale is now in its penultimate day, with thousands of prices plummeted across the site.

With the holiday season fast approaching, small wonder the online giant has decided to drop prices across a wide range of suitcases.

And yes, you’ll find all sorts of third-party options for much less – but if you’re looking for assured levels of quality on your hols, then go for a well-known maker like Samsonite.

Originally £209, the Base Boost Soft Luggage Suitcase has been dropped to just £112.19.

That 46% saving has made this a best-seller on the Amazon site.

For mini-breaks and weekend trips, you’ll likely be looking for Ryanair-friendly underseat options.

This, by contrast, is a 112.5-litre beast that’s best for families and those long trips away.

Despite its size, it remains incredibly lightweight at just 3.1kg, which gives you more of an opportunity to fill up the case while steering clear of those dreaded overweight baggage fees.

It comes in black and navy blue, with the black being a little cheaper.

For security, it’s got a fixed TSA combination lock built-in for stress-free travel, and inside, it’s got a buckle system to keep your clothes in place and a zipped mesh divider for easy organisation.

Better yet, Samsonite also includes a 10-year warranty with this case.

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The suitcase has already racked up over 6,300 five-star reviews on Amazon, with shoppers hailing its durability.

One delighted customer wrote: “This is a traveller’s dream come true.

“With its sleek design and practical features, this suitcase makes packing and travelling a breeze.

“But perhaps the standout feature of this suitcase is its spinner wheels.

“With four multi-directional spinner wheels, manoeuvring through crowded airports and busy streets is effortless.”

Another fan added: “Love this bag! Lightweight and sturdy.

“[It] has travelled with me about 10 times now and looks good as new.”

A third traveller shared: “Very light and manoeuvrable.

“[I] needed a new case to last me a week for a business trip, and decided this was the one — I am not disappointed.

“It’s a very lightweight case with great expansion capability. Love the addition of the strap holders for when you are packing.”

If you want to pick this up at the reduced price, best act fast.

The Amazon Spring Deal Days sale is set to end tomorrow at midnight (Monday 16th March).

Head to our Amazon Spring Sale deals page for our pick of the very best bargains.

For some tried-and-tested recommendations, head to our pick of the best suitcases.

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‘I have the island to myself’: how to be a castaway in Cornwall | Cornwall holidays

It is just after dawn and from a viewpoint on Looe Island, Cornwall, I watch two seals on the beach below. The pair entwine in the surf, her freckled, creamy belly against his, flippers wrapped around each other, eyes closed in blissful bonding. I feel like a peeping Tom, watching from behind a bush. It feels too intimate a moment to be spying upon, but the emerald-eyed cormorants guarding the beach seem unbothered.

I had arrived on Looe Island, also known as St George’s Island, off the south coast of Cornwall, the previous morning via the romantically named Night Riviera sleeper train from London, changing early in the morning in Liskeard, then 15 minutes across the waves in a small fishing boat. The island is managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and can only be accessed on organised visits, and while most people come on day trips, I’m staying for a little longer. I have come loaded down with all the food and bedding I will need for my three-night visit, but also with the mental baggage of workaday life. Now, that weight lifts as I watch the male seal court his lady in the shallows.

Rain threatens, and I return to Smuggler’s Cottage, a pretty whitewashed house that sleeps two, tucked into a garden of fruit trees and fading flower heads. The cottage, with a bedroom, tiny kitchen, bathroom and cosy living room with a wood burner, is a homely place and was once lived in by a pipe-smoking, fist-fighting smuggler called Black Joan and her brother, Finn. The rain drips steadily from the sycamore trees clambering up the hillside and clings like frost to the spiders’ webs hanging from the windowsills. I snuggle back into bed with a cup of tea and feel the warmth that comes from a wildlife encounter in which the wildlife never knew you were there.

Undoubtedly it was to preserve moments such as these that the former owner of Looe Island, Roselyn “Babs” Atkins, left her home to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve. Babs and her sister, Evelyn “Attie” Atkins, were women who defied the conventions of their time. The pair never married and instead invested in their careers and took up hobbies such as mountaineering and rifle shooting. Then, when Attie was in her mid-50s, the chance came to realise a long-held dream to own an island. She bought Looe Island along with her sister in 1965 for £22,000 and became a daffodil farmer; Babs joined her later when she retired.

Smuggler’s Cottage, a cosy holiday home for two on Looe Island

Cornwall Wildlife Trust took over the island in 2004, after Babs’s death, and the charity manages the 9 hectares (22 acres) of woodland, maritime grassland and rocky shoreline for the benefit of wildlife, including one of Cornwall’s largest breeding colonies of great black-backed gulls (stately birds with a wingspan of over 1.5 metres) and marine wildlife such as the graceful compass jellyfish, which can be spotted in the rock pools.

Apart from the cottage, visitors can stay in a bell tent, which sleeps two, overlooking Trelawny Island to the south-east, where breakers crash on the rocks and seals sleep, nose skywards, kissing the surf. Additional revenue comes from the landing fee charged to day trippers, who come across with Looe Sea Safari a few times a day when the weather allows. There is also a diminutive museum and giftshop, where wardens Claire and Jon, who live on the island year-round, sell homemade chutney, chillies from their veg garden and charming books on island life written by Evelyn Atkins.

Today, the seas are too rough for day trippers and I have the island to myself. I read in a meadow, something I never find the time to do at home, and explore the winding pathways that climb steeply up to the summit, 47 metres above the sea.

There’s a self-guided trail (free from the bookshop) for further exploration. One of the stops is Babs’s meadow, where she is buried looking out over her beloved home. The whole route could easily be walked in an hour, but why rush? The trail winds past Island House, Roselyn and Evelyn’s old home, and follows the coastline, with views out over the reefs that fringe the island, before returning through woodland bright with bird calls.

In the afternoon, I head for a swim on the island’s main beach, where the black-backed gulls roost in between fishing trips. I try hard to follow Claire’s instructions, staying close to the tree line and not looking in the birds’ direction to avoid disturbing them, and am delighted when the colony largely ignores me. The sea is icy and the surf threatens to pummel me, but I spot silver striped mackerel swimming inches away and relish the thrill of taking a dip from a little-visited cove. Afterwards, dried and bundled in layers, I sit propped up between the boulders, hands warming around a cup of hot chocolate from my Thermos as I catch the last light of the dying sun. I gaze across the water, my mind clearer than it has been in weeks, as the gulls take off into the wind and sail past along the coast.

Aerial view of Looe estuary. Photograph: Wirestock/Getty Images

When I watch the two seals again later that evening with Claire and Jon, she explains that they hope to encourage visitors to respect coastal wildlife and minimise disturbance. “When the seals are resting,” she says, “they are laying down layers of fat from their meals, which helps the adults survive the winter and enriches the milk females give to their pups. Each time they are woken by a boat, even if it’s only for a few minutes, they use up a little bit of energy and the effect accumulates.”

For each seal, disturbance can be the difference between life and death, she says, but agrees that protection needs to be balanced against the need for people to engage with wildlife in order to increase empathy and support. Staying on – or visiting – a nature reserve is one way that people can get to know the wildlife on its terms. “The island forces them to slow down, to notice the small things,” Jon says. “People put their phones away and spend the afternoon watching a spider building its web.”

After only a day watching the seals, I can already feel that kinship. After all, these animals look so much like us that they were once mistaken for mermaids. It is these priceless moments of connection that Claire and Jon hope will stay with guests and teach them to be humble in the way they live alongside other creatures.

I have come to realise, as Babs and Attie did before me, that it is the lordly gulls and the amorous seals who are the real owners of the island. Still, I am grateful for the opportunity to share their home, if only for a few days, and for the sense of peace and reconnection with the wilder world it has allowed me.

The trip was provided by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Smuggler’s Cottage is available to rent from spring until October and costs £450 for a three-night stay for two. Looe Sea Safari runs day trips either side of high tide in daylight hours and fair weather, £12 adults, £7 children 10 and under, plus Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s landing fee of £8 adults, £3 children.

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Spend 24 hours in London on £150 budget with ‘accessible and affordable’ stay

One in five adults living outside London haven’t visited the capital in over 10 years due to costs – but a new challenge proves you can experience the city on just £150

easyHotel challenges presenter to budget stay in London

A fifth of adults living outside of London haven’t set foot in the city for more than 10 years. A poll of 2,000 adults who live outside the capital found more than half (52%) admitted the cost of accommodation makes it too expensive to visit. Additional factors preventing people from visiting include transport costs (50%), the price of dining out (27%) and lacking the time to organise a major trip (21%).

Meanwhile, one in 10 have avoided it because the Tube leaves them baffled. However, 58% would welcome the opportunity to discover the city, with more affordable accommodation, reduced attraction prices, smaller crowds and a straightforward itinerary likely to entice them.

The study was commissioned by easyHotel, which tasked presenter Hattie Carter with experiencing London in 24 hours on a £150 budget, beginning from its Croydon location which has recently completed a full renovation.

Nathan White, UK operations director for the hotel chain, said: “There’s no denying that London is often seen as expensive and out-of-reach for those on a budget, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise. However, with a few simple hacks such as opting for affordable accommodation, the capital becomes much more accessible to all.

“Croydon has quick transport links reaching central London in under 15 minutes, so it’s a great option for those who want to spend their budget on the experiences that make a London trip worth it.”

The survey revealed that a quarter of adults typically organise their trips between two and six months ahead, although younger travellers are leaning towards more spontaneous plans, with 60% of 18- to 24-year-olds preferring to book within one month or less.

Kew Gardens (51%), Tate Modern (50%), and Camden Market (44%) were the top attractions people expressed a desire to visit. Additionally, 36% of participants indicated they would be most likely to visit London during the summer season.

Cheaper travel options are what 44% of adults claim would make them more inclined to visit London in the forthcoming 12 months – with the average adult prepared to spend £66.15 on a return train ticket.

Accommodation ranked second to travel as 37% of those surveyed via OnePoll.com would be persuaded if it was more affordable, expressing willingness to pay an average of £118.13 for an overnight stay.

However, despite 32% brimming with excitement at the prospect of planning a trip to the city, 24% feel anticipation – and 21% associate it with stress.

A spokesperson for easyHotel Croydon, where an average overnight stay costs just £58.27, commented: “It’s clear there is still a huge appetite to visit London and explore everything the city has to offer, but for many it’s about how to make it happen without breaking the bank.

“Our £150 budget challenge proves it can be done. By staying smart at an accessible and affordable hotel, London is doable.

“We want to help more people visit the capital for a memorable and positive experience, while keeping their budget firmly under control.”

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