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Kate describes cancer journey in personal video message
The Princess of Wales has spoken of how a cancer journey has "moments of fear and exhaustion" in a personal video message to mark World Cancer Day.

Kate, who is in remission after being diagnosed with cancer in 2024, addresses those affected by the disease, telling them: "Please know that you are not alone."

She tells how a cancer journey has "moments of fear and exhaustion" but also "moments of strength, kindness, and profound connection".

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It is accompanied by footage of her visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital in London last January, on the day she confirmed she was in remission.

Cancer, she says, touches "so many lives. Not only patients, but the families and friends and caregivers who walk beside them. As anyone who has experienced this journey will know, it's not linear".

World Cancer Day, she adds, is "a reminder of the importance of care, understanding and hope".

Kate has been carrying out more regular engagements recently after slowly easing back into her public royal duties over the past year and a half.

On Tuesday, she made a solo visit to west Wales, where a well-wisher outside Hiut Denim, a family-owned jeans manufacturer based in Cardigan, told her "I hope you're getting better really soon after what happened to you."

She replied: "Thank you very much. This is good for my soul meeting wonderful people."

The princess's message comes a day after the King posted his own video to mark the day in which he said that he had been "profoundly moved" by the "community of care that surrounds every cancer patient" following his own diagnosis.

In a message on the Royal Family's Instagram account, Charles pointed to the specialists, nurses, researchers and volunteers who "work tirelessly to save and improve lives".

A message accompanying the video said to "all those who care for patients and families and to everyone who offers support in ways seen and unseen - we thank you".

The King, who was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, revealed in December that his cancer treatment can be reduced this year.

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In a separate video message, he said his "good news" was "thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors' orders".

He called it "a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years".

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Murder investigation launched after student stabbed in Leicester
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a university student was stabbed in Leicester city centre.

Police were called just after 5pm on Tuesday following a report a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, near De Montfort University.

While officers were on their way to the scene, it was reported the victim - aged in his 20s - had been stabbed, Leicestershire Police said.

He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he died a short time later, the force added.

De Montfort University said the victim was one of its students.

The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Katie Normington, said: "We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.

"Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened.

"We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim."

Police said it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street, who left the scene before officers arrived.

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Detective Inspector Lorna Granville said: "CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation.

"We know a lot of people came to the aid of the victim before emergency services arrived and we want to thank them for their help.

"If you were one of these people and you haven't yet spoken to police, please make contact with us.

"We know the area was also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street.

"If you saw anything or captured footage on dash cam as you drove past the area we would also like to hear from you."


Saturday Night Live UK comedians revealed ahead of series launch
Saturday Night Live has announced the comedians cast for the first UK incarnation of the hit late-night US series.

They include Taskmaster stars Ania Magliano and Emma Sidi, Black Ops star Hammed Animashaun, and Ayoade Bamgboye, who was named best newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards last year.

Larry Dean, who has appeared on Live At The Apollo, and Celeste Dring, whose credits include This Country and Lazy Susan, also feature in the SNL UK cast of 11, along with Paddy Young (Everyone Else Burns and Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping) and "Instagram heartthrob" Al Nash.

George Fouracres (Steve), Jack Shep (Big Boys) and Annabel Marlow (Six The Musical) complete the line-up, billed as the "new generation" of British comedians.

SNL, broadcast on NBC in the US, is an American pop culture institution which has been running for 50 years, and launched the careers of stars including Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell.

The first UK version is set to launch on Sky in March, with a guest host helming the show each week.

Star hosts in the US last year included Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Josh O'Connor, Glen Powell, Golden Globes presenter Nikki Glaser and recent Grammy winner Bad Bunny.

"I just love sketch comedy," said Dean, on why he wanted to join the show. "There have been so many people who have appeared on Saturday Night Live, either as hosts or part of the cast, that are my comedy heroes - like Jim Carrey, Richard Pryor, Mike Myers, Dana Carvey."

Fouracres said he had often watched clips of the US show and thought, "I wish we had that. Why don't we have something like that?"

Being part of the new show "blows my tiny mind", he added.

Producers announced the UK show's creative team in November and have said writers will also be revealed soon.

Written, rehearsed and performed in the week of each show, every episode will be staged in front of a live studio audience and feature an opening monologue, topical sketches, live music, and a UK take on SNL's famous news satire, Weekend Update.

Lead producer James Longman said the UK cast members represent "the freshest voices we have" and are "bold, exciting and of course, incredibly funny".

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The UK show will be overseen by US producer Lorne Michaels.

Phil Edgar Jones, executive director for unscripted originals at Sky, said the time is right for the show as "we all need a laugh like never before".

"The show's long-standing legacy of discovering and nurturing outstanding comedy talent speaks for itself, and this UK version will build on that legacy with the support of Lorne Michaels, a brilliant local production team, and an exciting new generation of voices," he said.

Saturday Night Live UK will be broadcast on Sky and streaming service NOW from 21 March.


Norwegian royal's son Marius Borg Hoiby cries in court and denies videos on his phone show rape
The eldest son of Norway's crown princess has denied that videos on his phone showed acts of rape as he broke down during his first day of testimony in his trial for rape and domestic violence.

Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson ⁠to Crown Prince Haakon, could face years in prison if found guilty of the most serious of the 38 charges against him.

The case has shaken the Norwegian royal family, which has historically enjoyed high favourability ratings.

On Tuesday, the first day of his trial, he pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges of rape and domestic violence, but admitted some lesser charges, including driving too fast.

He also said he was partially guilty - a plea allowed under Norwegian law - of aggravated assault and reckless behaviour.

On Wednesday, Hoiby broke down in tears during his first day on the witness stand, saying: "It is very difficult for me to speak in front of so many people.

"I have been surrounded by the press since I was three. I have been harassed ever ‌since."

He said he had received "heavy medication", and would try to do as much as he could.

Hoiby spoke about growing up as the son of a crown princess.

He said: "I have an extreme need for affirmation. A lot of sex, a lot of alcohol. Few can relate to the life I have led. A lot of parties, alcohol, some drugs."

Hoiby wore jeans and a dark blue jumper over a beige shirt, and spoke with his arms crossed, occasionally consulting handwritten notes from a notebook.

Some of the most serious charges against Hoiby are one count of rape ‍with sexual intercourse, and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which the prosecution says he filmed on his telephone.

He denied the videos on his phone show acts of rape, and noted that he had never shared them with anyone.

"If I had thought I had material that showed an assault, I would never have kept that material," he said.

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Hoiby's trial is scheduled to run until 19 March, and prosecutors have said that he could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The crown prince and princess do not plan to attend the trial of Hoiby, who is outside the line of royal succession and has no title.

A monarchy under pressure

The trial comes as the Norwegian royal family is facing challenges on multiple fronts.

Hoiby's mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is under intense scrutiny over her ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

An opinion poll conducted on ‍Monday for daily newspaper Verdens Gang, showed only 61% of Norwegians were in favour of keeping the monarchy - a drop of 11%.


Ex-head gamekeeper accused of shotgun murder of retired groundsman Brian Low ‘loathed' victim, court hears
A man accused of the shotgun murder of a retired groundsman "loathed" his alleged victim, a court has heard.

Prosecutors allege ex-head gamekeeper David Campbell, 77, gunned down Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in February 2024.

Campbell is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, and has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the murder accusation - claiming he was at home at the time of the alleged shooting.

The alleged murder is said to have taken place at Leafy Lane, near to the Pitilie track.

Mr Low was pronounced dead at 9am on 17 February 2024 by a paramedic.

Six days later, on 23 February 2024, a post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.

Jurors heard how Campbell worked as the head gamekeeper at Edradynate Estate in Perthshire between May 1984 and February 2018.

Mr Low worked at the same estate as a groundsman between August 2000 and February 2023.

Local farmer Sally Crystal, 77, told Advocate Depute Greg Farrell how she was friends with both men, and helped out at Edradynate Estate during shooting season.

She told jurors the pair appeared to get along at first, but then noted: "At first it wasn't noticeable, but as time went on there was a coldness."

Ms Crystal told of one alleged incident where, after talking with Mr Low, Campbell reportedly stated: "I cannot stand that man. I loathe him.

"I cannot understand why you like him."

Ms Crystal then spoke of a second alleged conversation, where Campbell reportedly said of Mr Low: "I f****** loathe that man. I hate him."

Ms Crystal spoke highly of Mr Low, describing him as a "gentle" man.

She also agreed that Campbell, who she described as having a "very good shot", was "highly respected", took his job seriously, and helped ensure the estate was a commercial success.

Campbell is accused of previously showing "malice and ill-will" towards Mr Low, and is alleged to have discharged a shotgun at him, leaving him so severely hurt that he died at the scene.

Prosecutors allege he earlier disabled CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann in Aberfeldy's Crieff Road in an attempt to conceal his whereabouts.

He is further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between 16 February and 24 May 2024 by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and gun bag, disposing of a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun, having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike reportedly used during the shooting and dumping a box, a cartridge bag and bicycle tyres at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre or elsewhere.

Campbell additionally faces five separate breach of the peace charges spanning between July 1995 and September 2012.

He is said to have acted in a disorderly manner, putting three men and two women in a "state of fear and alarm".

One of the complainers, retired police officer Alan Stewart, 78, told the court that he became acquainted with Campbell due to the accused's work as a gamekeeper, and his own role in investigating wildlife crime.

Mr Stewart, who went on to become a civilian wildlife crime coordinator following his time in the force, accepted prosecutor Mr Farrell's submission that there was "tension" between the pair due to their jobs.

At Scone Palace's game fair in the summer of 1995, Mr Stewart claimed he was off-duty when he passed Campbell at the outdoor event.

The accused was said to have stated: "It's great what vermin you see when you haven't got a gun."

Mr Stewart added: "It wasn't said as a joke. It was said with a bit of venom."

He said that he was used to getting "threats" due to his line of work so it "didn't bother" him as much, but upset his wife and granddaughter.

During questioning from defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC, Mr Stewart agreed that Campbell would not have been the only gamekeeper in the region not on his "Christmas card list".

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Jurors also heard from other complainers who were allegedly threatened by Campbell over the years.

This included Leona Forrest, 62, who lived in a cottage on the estate with her family as her husband worked on the grounds.

She claimed that at some point in the spring of 1997, Campbell was "ranting and raving" about her husband and shouted in her face that he was "useless".

Ms Forrest said: "I could feel his spit on my face."

She claimed Campbell threatened to kill or shoot her husband, but when asked which one, she replied: "I'm not 100% sure."

Marta Oles, 42, also gave evidence and told of how she once rented a room at a property Campbell owned in Aberfeldy.

She claimed the accused became angry when he discovered she was keeping a black Labrador puppy at the house in 2012.

Ms Oles told the court that she wasn't aware dogs were not allowed in the property, adding: "He wasn't very pleased with me."

Ms Oles explained to Campbell that she would be shortly moving to another house, telling jurors: "He said he [didn't] care, if he sees the puppy again he's going to shoot the puppy and shoot us all."

This was said to have taken place in front of her eight-year-old daughter.

Ms Oles said: "I could see she was scared. She lay down on top of the puppy to cover him."

Defending, Mr Lenehan suggested "this was not a serious threat that was made". Ms Oles replied that she "didn't take it as I'm actually going to get shot" but added "it was in the back of my mind".

Campbell is further accused of possessing a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun between May 2017 and February 2024 without the relevant certificate, and discharging it on various occasions.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.


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