US President Donald Trump praised Iran for halting what he said were plans to hang more than 800 political prisoners, calling the move worthy of “great respect.”
Donald Trump praises Iran for halting mass executions
Celebrity SAS star Graeme Swann opens up on ‘disgusting’ show and reveals nasty injury
Former England cricket legend Graeme Swann has revealed the toughness of Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins took him by surprise as he opened up on being made a ‘scapegoat’ at the end of his career
Graeme Swann has labelled Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins ‘disgusting’ – but admits he loved it. The former cricket legend, 46, was put through his paces on the brutal Channel 4 reality show and revealed it was so much tougher than he ever anticipated.
The Ashes winner might be known for aggressively tearing through batting orders as one of the best off-spin bowlers of his generation. But he admits he was surprised at how “mind-numbingly hard” the intense TV show is.
Graeme exclusively tells the Mirror: “It was way harder than I thought. I honestly thought because it’s television, I thought it’d be a bit watered down for what you see and a bit dramatised. It really isn’t. It is brutal.
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“I think Ben Cohen at one point said to me, this is disgusting. And that is a great adjective. It was disgusting. Like there’s some of those things you have to do and some of the cr*p you have to crawl through and swim through and just put your body through.
“It was way harder than I thought. I’ve got so much respect for those guys, for the actual guys. It was mind-numbingly hard.”
The former Nottinghamshire star admits he signed up for the show to prove to his kids that he is not a quitter following claims he “abandoned” England midway through their 2013 Ashes Tour. He fiercely rejects the claims, but sadly revealed he still gets abused about it to this day.
Explaining how he hit rock bottom at the time, Graeme tells us: “It was injury, unfortunately [that forced him to leave the series and retire]… They [the press] needed a scapegoat so they obliterated me in the press.
“I should never have gone on that tour. I had nerve damage in my elbow, and that was the end of my career. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I was good enough [as has been reported]. It’s that I couldn’t feel the ball in my hand.
“When you’re bowling for England and you don’t know where it’s gonna go, that’s not the ideal place. And my hand has never recovered. So, unfortunately, I’ve had to just live with that. But yeah, it was a low moment.”
And he admits it’s an issue that he still struggles with. “I can’t feel these two fingers for 90% of the time, the little ones, and weirdly it’s only when I bowl,” he said.
Opening up further on what happened, Graeme reveals he received a barrage of abuse by supporters saying he had “abandoned ship” and gone home. But in a staunch denial he continues to call out those criticising him, confessing it felt like it was the other way around.
“I was forced to retire and told to go home,” he continues. “The amount of people who just sort of abandoned ship and showed no support whatsoever. It was shocking. It included my employers. The ECB were horrific.
“I was just cast adrift. I didn’t hear from anyone for about two years. I mean it was in the days before anyone really took mental health seriously.
“I was depressed after that Tour. No one ever checked in. It wasn’t until I got started working… And I saw a team England doctor about two years later, and he said, oh, how are you, mate? Is everything all right? That was the first time anyone asked. It shows how far things ae hopefully coming. Because back then, no, you just got absolutely cast adrift.”
Graeme, who shares three kids – Charlotte, Wilfred and Jessica – with wife Sarah, was born in Northamptonshire and went on to become one of the greatest cricketers to play for his country.
The former Nottinghamshire star played in four Ashes series for England, winning three. In a history-making victory, he was part of an iconic win Down Under across Christmas 2010 and New Year 2011.
The sports star has been open about mental health since quitting the sport and is an advocate for better psychological support for players in cricket.
“The biggest advice I can give anyone is to learn to be resilient,” he says. “Society now doesn’t teach resilience. It teaches everyone to be like, everyone’s okay…
“I think it’s good now that mental health is not seen as a stigma anymore, because everyone suffers from it at some point…
“But the very fact that I still get abused every now and again for supposedly abandoning the team shows the mental health issue is being absolutely poo-pooed by people who aren’t playing sport and just thinking they can say what they want and can be absolute a**holes and get away with it.”
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, stream or watch live on Sundays and Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4
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The dramatic 24 hours that sealed Guehi and Glasner’s futures
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Losing your manager and captain in the same day are two heavy blows that will require time to recover from.
No sooner had Manchester City struck an initial £20m deal to sign Crystal Palace’s captain Marc Guehi was head coach Oliver Glasner confirming he would be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season.
Neither development comes as a shock. BBC Sport revealed that City had accelerated their move for Guehi last Monday in light of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias suffering injuries.
On Thursday night, following talks between City and Palace, the England defender’s move to Etihad Stadium was agreed in principle.
Even if City had failed in their pursuit to sign Guehi this month, the centre-back’s contract expires in June and he was leaving regardless.
Similarly, with Glasner, while his announcement on Friday was unexpected, the fact he has decided to leave Selhurst Park is far from unanticipated.
Glasner said he had communicated his decision to chairman Steve Parish in October, the same month BBC Sport reported that Palace’s hopes of keeping him beyond this season were remote at best.
The pair, according to Glasner, had made a pact to keep the news a secret until they both decided to make their parting public.
That did not prevent speculation over Glasner, whose decision to leave Palace had become one of the worst kept secrets in English football.
Did the club’s decision to sell Guehi to City prove the catalyst behind Glasner’s surprising admission in his weekly press conference? Sources have indicated it was a factor.
But in many ways, the motivation behind Glasner’s bombshell media briefing, in which he also admitted the club are open to selling star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, is neither here nor there for Palace.
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How did it all unfold?
Glasner congregated all his players and staff at the club’s training ground just before noon on Friday.
What arrived did not necessarily shock the players, they all had to have been living under a rock not to know their manager was very likely leaving in the summer.
The timing, though, got tongues wagging. Why now?
Prior to his announcement to the players, his captain Guehi had confirmed his intention to join Manchester City.
Glasner is one of Guehi’s biggest supporters, he will continue to be when they part ways.
It was always the Austrian’s intention for him and his captain to leave at the end of the season, but with Guehi’s departure thrust forward it is, perhaps, no surprise that he has taken the decision to confirm his intention to go now, too.
Nevertheless, the cracks between Glasner and the Palace hierarchy began showing in the summer.
The Austrian coach had been vocal in his frustration at the lack of transfer incomings. The club signed only back-up left-back Borna Sosa and number two keeper Walter Benitez before the final week of the window, by which point the season was already under way.
They targeted a move for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande, but the club never got close to reaching an agreement.
Glasner was steadfast in his belief that the club should capitalise on last season’s euphoric FA Cup triumph by building a squad capable of pushing up the Premier League, but also one that could cope with the demands of playing European football for the first time.
Eventually, Palace signed Yeremy Pino in a deal worth £26m while young players Christantus Uche and Jaydee Canvot also arrived.
But Uche and Canvot have hardly played, with Glasner largely relying on the same squad as he did last season with minimal rotation, a squad that lost key player Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.
Palace started the season brightly, with many tipping a push for a Champions League place.
But Glasner feared trouble was round the corner. The coach is adept at juggling domestic and European football – he won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 after all.
Some behind the scenes believe his apprehension to rotate the team provided a clear indication that it was his intention not renew his contract.
“It’s been like he has been getting his pound of flesh from the players because he knows he is leaving anyway,” said one source.
Eventually Glasner’s concerns came to fruition. They are currently nine matches without a victory, their latest defeat arriving last Saturday against non-league Macclesfield as their efforts to retain the FA Cup came to an embarrassing end.
They are currently 13th in the Premier League heading into this weekend’s game at Sunderland.
Preventing Guehi from joining Liverpool in a deal worth £35m in the summer did represent somewhat of a victory for Glasner, who was adamant all along that the defender should not be sold even if it meant the club would lose him for nothing this summer.
Although denied by Glasner, a number of sources have indicated that the 51-year-old would have considered his position immediately had Palace sold Guehi in the summer.
Even after Glasner informed Parish of his intention to step down over dinner in October, you sensed Palace had not given up hope of somehow persuading their manager to U-turn.
For example, the club record signing of Brennan Johnson is said to have been driven by the Austrian.
Equally, Parish is understood to have played a key role in ensuring Johnson arrived early in the January window to deliver for his manager, which many interpreted as an attempt at trying to convince Glasner that the club were prioritising strengthening the squad with his imprint.
Key injuries led Manchester City to act
Guehi’s exit will also cut deep. But for the England defender, the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola, head straight into a title race and play Champions League football was too good to refuse.
That said, it was never Guehi’s intention to leave Selhurst Park in January. Having missed out on a move to Anfield on summer transfer deadline day, the defender was clear in his decision to stay until the end of the season.
In that scenario, it is understood Liverpool and Bayern Munich were the favourites to sign him.
Of course, Liverpool’s interest in Guehi is long-standing and you wonder now who they may turn to in search of a new centre-back.
Equally, Bayern had made a strong play for Guehi, with iconic Premier League central defender Vincent Kompany – head coach at the Allianz Arena – taking a particular shine to the 25-year-old.
England team-mate Harry Kane was keen for Guehi to join him in Germany, too.
City were also in the mix at the end of the season and believed they had a strong case to convince Guehi.
But the injuries suffered by defenders Gvardiol and Dias in the draw with Chelsea this month meant City accelerated their interest.
Once the necessary paperwork is signed off, Guehi is expected to travel north in the next 72 hours to complete the formalities.
With Dias and Gvardiol out, the expectation is Guehi will play immediately.
There will be some that question his decision, particularly with Guardiola’s long-term future far from certain.
It also goes without saying the centre-back will earn a huge pay increase, though finances are not the determining factor for him.
In joining City, Guehi has as close a guarantee as you can get of competing for major trophies on a regular basis – with or without Guardiola.
Finally, you have to wonder what Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta makes of Guehi’s switch in terms of the title race.
Arsenal made a late call to check on the status of Guehi’s future and to register their own interest earlier this month.
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US says Canada will regret decision to allow Chinese EVs into their market
Officials of the administration of United States President Donald Trump have said that Canada will regret its decision to allow China to import up to 49,000 Chinese EVs, and that those cars would not be allowed to enter the US.
“I think they’ll look back at this decision and surely regret it to bring Chinese cars into their market,” US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Friday at an event with other government officials at a Ford factory in Ohio to tout efforts to make vehicles more affordable.
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Canada in 2024 imposed 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) following similar US duties. But on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a trade deal in Beijing that would allow in up to 49,000 Chinese EVs at a tariff of 6.1 percent on most-favoured-nation terms. That move has prompted alarm in the US that it could help China get a broader foothold in North America even as Washington takes an increasingly hardline on Canadian vehicles and parts.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the limited number of vehicles would not impact US car companies exporting cars to Canada.
“I don’t expect that to disrupt American supply into Canada,” he said. “Those cars are going to Canada – they’re not coming here.”
The Canadian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.
Greer, in a separate CNBC interview, called Canada’s decision “problematic” and added, “There’s a reason why we don’t sell a lot of Chinese cars in the United States. It’s because we have tariffs to protect American auto workers and Americans from those vehicles.”
As per the trade agreements announced in Beijing on Friday, Carney said he expects China to lower tariffs on its canola seed by March 1 to a combined rate of about 15 percent, down from 85 percent.
Greer questioned that agreement. “I think in the long run, they’re not going to like having made that deal,” he said.
Cybersecurity of vehicles
Greer said rules adopted in January 2025 on vehicles that are connected to the internet and navigation systems are a significant impediment to Chinese vehicles in the US market.
“I think it would be hard for them to operate here,” Greer said. “There are rules and regulations in place in America about the cybersecurity of our vehicles and the systems that go into those, so I think it might be hard for the Chinese to comply with those kind of rules.”
In contrast, President Donald Trump has said he would like Chinese automakers to come to the US to build vehicles.
However, lawmakers from both major US parties have expressed strong opposition to Chinese vehicles as major US car makers warn China poses a threat to the US car sector.
Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican, said at the event he was opposed to Chinese vehicles coming into the US — and drew applause from the other government officials.
Improved Allocations To Govs Not Reflecting In Nigerians’ Lives, Says ADC
The African Democratic Congress (APC) has accused governors of not improving the livelihood of Nigerians despite getting more allocations from the Federal Government.
ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said this on Friday, claiming that with the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigerian governors have more money in their coffers but have not done much with it.
“The governors, by their own, by the president’s own declaration, he has given more money to the governors than maybe any president has ever given to governors in our history. And how has that reflected in the improved livelihood of the people in the states?” the ADC spokesman asked on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“I’m not saying all of them are bad, but what I’m saying is that they have received more money than any other generation of governors have received in the history of this country,” the former minister said on the current affairs show.
“You can say devaluation. The reason that we have more money going to the states is because they removed subsidy, and that money is now going to the states. In what way has that reflected a better life for the people in the states?”
On his assumption of office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidy, leading to a sharp rise in the cost of the essential commodity.
He said the monies from the subsidy removal would be used to support infrastructure and other needs.
Since his move, governors across the country have seen a spike in their allocations, a fact several of them acknowledged at different times.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the most recent to admit that states now have more funds due to increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
“I want to tell you something that some people do not even know. More money is coming to the states. I am not a governor who will hide it. What am I going to hide it for?” the governor of the coastal state said at a January 13 event for the construction of the N39.3 billion Otovwodo flyover in Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State.
“The money is coming from somewhere. Some people want to hide that there is no money; there is money. Use the money, as we are using it in our state. Use it in your state, so that the people will be very happy.”
At a caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on February 25, Tinubu said, “Today, I can beat my chest and each of the governors here that allocations to the states are triple”.
Martin Freeman’s colourful life from younger girlfriend to relationship with ex Amanda Abbington
Sherlock star Martin Freeman is now happily settled with his actress girlfriend who is 23 years younger than him but he was once in a long term romance with Amanda Abbington, who ‘he supported’ during her Strictly battle despite their split
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Renowned British actor Martin Freeman has enjoyed a highly successful, award winning career since shooting to fame as sales rep Tim in The Office alongside Ricky Gervais. Currently starring in Netflix’s new Agatha Christie murder mystery Seven Dials as Superintendent Battle, his high profile roles have led to great fame for the star both at home and in America.
Now 54-years-old, the TV and film talent prefers to keep his personal life as private as possible – particularly when it comes to romance. His girlfriend is a French actress and writer and although they have been together for over five years, the couple largely stay out of the limelight.
This wasn’t so much the case when he was involved in a long-term relationship with fellow Brit actress Amanda Abbington, with whom he shares two teenage children. Although their split left her in “a mess” mentally, it seems they have managed to keep relations very amicable after they both moved on with their lives.
It is believed Martin met his current love, French born Rachel Benaissa, well over five years ago. Although they aren’t often spotted in public together, she does support him at professional events, such as on the red carpet at last year’s Olivier Awards and at the premiere for Seven Dials.
Not much is known about Rachel, who is believed to be around 31 – making her 23 years younger than her famed beau. However she was born in Toulouse, France and is herself an actress who appeared as a teaching assistant in BBC smash Normal People, with Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones. She also featured in Netflix film Irish Wish with Lindsay Lohan and in commercials for Santander, Heineken and Dublin Airport.
As well as her fledgling acting career, Rachel is a writer. Her agency describes her work as blending “drama with dark humour” covering topics such as mental health, multi-heritage and the absurdity of everyday life. Perhaps a sign of their commitment to each other, Martin and Rachel recently set up production company One Trick Pone together. Their first two projects are feature film The Greatest, starring Freeman and a short called A Tiny Thing.
Although Martin has stayed relatively tight-lipped on his relationship with Rachel he did let slip a few details about their home life last year. Appearing on Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, Martin revealed he and his love adore cooking together in their spare time. Because of Rachel’s heritage, Lennie asked: “She’s French. Is she Cordon Bleu?”
Martin replied: “She’s not a Cordon Bleu… she’s a massive cheese and wine w***e. That’s what she would say about herself. She says that about herself, ‘I’m a cheese and wine w***e’. It’s not all she is, but no, she loves all that stuff. We like cooking.'”
In a separate interview the star, who played Doctor John Watson in Sherlock, also told Jonathan Ross that he and Rachel had visited a Sherlock-themed escape room with his two children. He shares Joe, 19 and Grace 16, with Amanda but he described going to the venue with his “other half and my two kids”. Daughter Grace has also posted a TikTok video of Rachel with her brother Joe dancing along to She’s The Brightest Star from Martin’s Christmas movie Nativity.