It has been just over a week since the US launched strikes on Iran, sparking a conflict that has destabilised the entire Middle East region. The economic impacts are being felt across the world as the America and Israel continue to exchange fire with Iran, which has retaliated by hitting targets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq.
As fighting escalates, Iran has warned that it will “set fire” to any ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, delivering a sudden shock to the global economy. Around 20 per cent of the world’s gas and oil is shipped through the waterway, with the Iranian threat proving highly damaging for global trade.
Ten ships have reportedly already been hit since the conflict began, as a senior adviser to the Iranian military warns it will “not allow a single drop of oil to leave the region”.
The country’s approach has been called ‘economic warfare’, with the action threatening to hit economies across the globe. US president Donald Trump has indicated his military could “take over” the Strait of Hormuz to mitigate the impacts. At present, trade remains almost at a standstill.
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It has been just over a week since the US launched strikes on Iran (AFP/Getty)
In the UK, the situation has prompted similar financial anxiety to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which had a long-standing impact on the cost of living.
Addressing concerns in recent days, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “It is important to acknowledge that work is needed, because people will sense – you will sense, I think – that the longer this goes on, the more likely the potential for an impact on our economy, impact into the lives and households of everybody and every business.”
Shocks to global oil and gas trade can have a direct impact on household finances in ways that are both obvious and subtle. Here is an overview of what could happen in the coming days and weeks:
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Energy bills
Wholesale gas prices have risen by almost 50 per cent since Saturday 28 February, when the conflict began. Although not directly correlated, these rates are a major influence on energy costs in the UK and the level at which Ofgem sets its energy price cap.
The UK imports most of its gas supply from Norway at about 50 per cent, and a further 40 per cent is produced domestically in the North Sea. Meanwhile, Qatar supplies a small amount of liquified natural gas (LNG) to the country, about 1 or 2 per cent.
But despite Britain’s apparent lack of dependence on Gulf-produced gas, impacts on trade there can have massive knock-on effects on prices here.
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Founder of the new Verdant think tank and host of the Macrodose economics podcast, James Meadway, explains: “The impact, although initially it turns up in one market somewhere in the world, it starts to feed into what’s happening everywhere else as well.”
“This is a huge shock, and one that’s feeding already into gas markets in terms of the day to day price that wholesale companies pay, and what households – you and I – will be paying will change in about three months time and it’s likely to go very, very high.”
£160
The amount Iran conflict could add on to energy bills
In good news for UK households, the cap for April to June was set in February, meaning bills are effectively protected until July. The energy regulator announced a seven per cent, or £117, reduction to the figure, broadly in line with Labour’s pledge to cut energy bills by £150 from the start of the new financial year through scrapping an energy efficiency scheme.
The energy price cap sets the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge for each unit of energy for those on a standard variable tariff. It includes most households and is expressed as an annual bill for an average home.
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Ofgem will announce its cap for July to September by 27 May. This could be a steep increase of as much as 10 per cent, or £160, increase due to the situation in the Middle East, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight has warned.
The rise threatens to effectively wipe out the savings Labour was looking to pass to households over the year, however energy bills in this scenario are still lower than they would have been had the government not made the change.
Martin Lewis has urged households to consider a fixed tariff energy deal (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Archive)
In light of the situation, money experts have advised households to take action now to insulate themselves from the worst-case scenario rises. Martin Lewis has urged bill payers to consider a fixed tariff energy deal, which guarantees that customers will pay for their energy at a set rate for a set period of time, usually a year.
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Commenting on the situation, the personal finance guru said: “The end of May is likely crunch time: This is usually when the next Price Cap (July to Sept) is announced. It currently seems very likely it will rise, though just how much all depends on how long lived the current energy price spike is.”
“If rates haven’t dropped back down by May, and it looks like it’ll stay high so the October Price Cap will rise too, and no cheap fixes are available, then things get into real problem territory.”
Petrol
Petrol and diesel prices have hit their highest in nearly 20 months this week, latest data shows, increasing by between 4.68p and 8.59p per litre since Saturday 28 February.
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On average, drivers can now expect 137.51p per litre of unleaded petrol, and 150.97p per litre of diesel, at the pump.
This means the cost of filling up a 55-litre family car has increased by as much as £4.72 in just over a week, with further price rises expected in the coming days.
Commenting, AA president Edmund King has urged UK motorists to consider cutting out “non-essential journeys” as fuel prices rise.
£4.72
How much more it costs to fill a 55-litre car from last week
The rise has been fuelled by a spike in oil prices, which have a significant effect on the cost of wholesale fuel. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, jumped to over $100 a barrel on Monday for the first time since 2022.
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As with gas, “the price of oil is set internationally”, Mr Meadway says. “If something disrupts global production in some way … then the price of oil globally goes up. Then that turns pretty rapidly into the price you see at the petrol pump.
“This dramatic shock – perhaps the biggest single oil shock ever – that turns pretty rapidly into rising fuel pricing.”
Food
One of the less obvious cost of living impacts that may arise from the ongoing conflict is increasing the price of food and other grocery items, economists warn.
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In the short-term, this is because transport costs will increase as a result of rising oil prices, pushing up the cost of trade. With the UK importing roughly 40 per cent of its food supply, this could have a knock-on effect on the prices on shelves.
“Every bit of that supply chain is relying, typically, on petrol and diesel and bunker fuel to actually move this stuff around. That will turn into, quite likely, rising prices for food fairly rapidly,” says Mr Meadway.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of the world’s gas and oil is shipped (MarineTraffic)
But there is a “slightly more obscure” factor that threatens to push up food prices, the economist adds, which is “in many ways more fundamental”. This is the price of artificial fertiliser, which is a key product to the UK’s domestic agriculture.
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Mr Meadway explains: “The Gulf now is one of the world’s largest producers of artificial fertiliser and it does that because a big input to making fertiliser is natural gas, and there’s lots of natural gas in the gulf, so it’s quite cheap for companies to set up there.”
“If fertiliser supplies are disrupted for a period of time … then food prices will start to look pretty dramatic I think.”
As with any global conflict, the ongoing situation is volatile and unpredictable. The worst impacts of the Ukraine war were felt within the first year of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with inflation peaking at 11.1 per cent in October of that year, and the price cap hitting a record £4,279 in January 2023.
Should the conflict in the Middle East end soon, the worst impacts may be avoided. President Trump has already indicated that his war with Iran may be over “pretty quickly,” but for now the exchange of fire – and consequent disruption the the global economy – continues.
The building is being redeveloped to include student accommodation and restaurant space
Work to demolish a Cambridge restaurant and build new student accommodation with restaurant space has begun. The plans by Downing College will see a city centre site next to Parker’s Piece redeveloped into 26 student rooms with restaurant space.
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Several buildings located at 19-35 Regent Street will be demolished to some extent. These include the former Cuba Libre restaurant and bar.
Downing College Developments Ltd submitted plans to redevelop the buildings on Regent Street. These were approved by Cambridge City Council in September 2024.
CMP Architects, who designed the project, said that the site was “occupied by poorly maintained buildings, which had been heavily and incoherently manipulated over the years”.
The planned layout will see a retail unit on the ground floor. The project seeks to introduce a restaurant space that serves both residents and visitors.
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Student accommodation above the retail unit will include a total of 26 en-suites.
A council officer said the development would see a “modest reduction” in market housing but would provide more “much needed” student accommodation.
A spokesperson from Demcom Demolition, who are currently working on the site, said: “All of it is being demolished by hand, and all of the bricks are being kept because we are going to reuse them.”
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He said that the team is doing ‘enabling’ work in the inside before scaffolding can be erected.
The inaugural Durham Jazz Festival will run from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25 and will feature established and emerging artists from across the country as well as the North of England.
John Lyons, one of the festival’s founders along with Alan Patrickson and Richard Turner, said: “We are an emerging festival and have big ambitions to put Durham City on the map for showcasing the very best of talent from the national jazz scene.
Emma Fisk’s Hot Club Du Nord (Image: Supplied)
“At the same time, we also aim to provide performance opportunities for up and coming local and regional talent – working in partnership with education establishments, grassroots promoter networks and music-focused arts organisations to develop our programme.”
The festival will feature a diverse mix of events, from club-style gigs in intimate venues to headline concerts at the Gala Theatre and the historic Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall.
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On Friday afternoon, Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord will open the festival with a performance of vintage swing and Gypsy jazz in the Gala Studio, inspired by the sounds of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli.
Marvin Muoneké (Image: Supplied)
Later that evening, Redhills will host the headline show: musicians from London’s world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club Present: The Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook.
The show promises big tunes, virtuoso solos and the unmistakable buzz of one of the world’s most iconic jazz venues.
Saturday and Sunday will include a packed schedule of concerts and collaborations.
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Abbie Finn of the Abbie Finn Quintet, which will play at Durham Jazz Festival. (Image: Supplied)
Pianist Dean Stockdale will lead a tribute to Oscar Peterson with his quartet at Durham University Music School.
On Saturday night, jazz vocalist Marvin Muoneké – a 2026 nominee for JazzFM’s Vocalist of the Year – will perform with the North East’s own Strictly Smokin’ Big Band in the headline show at Durham Gala Theatre.
Alan Patrickson, co-founder and an experienced gig promoter, said: “This is one unique show that is not to be missed.
L-R John Lyons, Richard Turner and Alan Patrickson (Image: Supplied)
“The festival has been designed to bring together major artists with the best of the region’s thriving jazz scene.
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“We are really excited about the programme we are curating for the 2026 festival – and many more artists are set to be announced.”
Other confirmed acts include the Abbie Finn Quintet, led by the dynamic UK drummer and known for their bold, contemporary jazz sound.
In addition to the main events, organisers are working with bars, restaurants and businesses around Durham to host pop-up performances, creating a city-wide jazz atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Richard Turner, a respected North East music promoter and curator of events at the Old Cinema Launderette in Gilesgate, said the aim is to make the Durham Jazz Festival a lasting fixture.
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Mr Turner said: “The long-term ambition is to establish the event as an accessible annual festival for audiences across the region.
“Our focus is on creating a welcoming festival that appeals to a broad audience.
“We want to bring the joy of live music to people who might not otherwise experience jazz, while also exciting seasoned fans of the genre.”
Further programme announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
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Full details and ticket information will be released soon through the official website.
For updates and bookings, visit durhamjazzfestival.co.uk.
“The law makes it clearer than ever that in Xi Jinping’s PRC non-Han peoples must do more to integrate themselves with the Han majority, and above all else be loyal to Beijing,” Allen Carlson, an associate professor of government at Cornell University said, referencing China by the initials of its official name.
Good news for Arsenal fans is that the most dominant team statistically – in terms of expected goal difference per game, excluding penalties – have won the Premier League in three of the past four seasons.
The exception came when Manchester City pipped the Gunners to the title two years ago.
With fifth place likely to lead to Champions League qualification again, just three points separate Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool for a place in the top five, with one of those sides looking set to miss out.
Some would say Aston Villa have the easiest run-in of the quartet. After a tough trip to Old Trafford this weekend, they face four of the bottom six in their next six games, although whether playing sides fighting for survival is an advantage at this stage is debatable.
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Liverpool are the team currently outside the top five. They have the chance to build momentum against a run of mid-table sides before tackling a daunting series of games in May when they play all three of their Champions League-chasing rivals in succession.
ICYMI: Kremlin says Britain was involved in Ukrainian missile strike on Russia
The Kremlin said on Wednesday it was clear that British specialists were involved in a deadly Ukrainian strike on the Russian city of Bryansk using Storm Shadow missiles.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Russia’s “special military operation” would continue to prevent what he called such “barbaric” attacks.
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A Ukrainian strike on Tuesday using Storm Shadow missiles on Bryansk killed at least seven people and injured 37 more.
Ukraine has not denied carrying out the attack, saying it struck a key factory producing components for Russian missiles, and therefore a legitimate military target.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 10:00
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Russia’s Gazprom says overnight attacks on two gas pumping stations were foiled
Russia’s energy giant Gazprom said that two of its gas pumping stations, Russkaya and Beregovaya, were targeted by air strikes overnight but the attacks were foiled.
The Russian defence ministry said earlier that Ukrainian drones had attempted to attack the Russkaya station overnight.
The stations are part of a network that sends gas via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines to Europe.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 09:52
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EU threatens to pull Venice Biennale funding over Russia’s return
The EU has threatened to withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale if organisers go ahead with plans to allow Russia to reopen its pavilion at this year’s edition.
Russia’s pavilion at the art fair was closed after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to Russian artists and institutions being excluded from major European cultural events.
“Member states, institutions and organisations must act in line with EU sanctions and avoid giving a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine,” an EU statement said.
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It added that the Commission would examine further action, “including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation”, which organises the contemporary visual arts event that runs from May to December in Venice’s historic shipyards, known as the Arsenale.
Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco described the festival as “a space of coexistence for the whole planet” without censorship that should remain open even to countries in conflict.
However, Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli said the government disagreed with the Biennale Foundation’s “entirely autonomous” decision.
Prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been a staunch supporter of EU sanctions against Russia, although before the invasion the co-ruling League party had close ties with Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party.
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Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and deputy prime minister Tetyana Berezhna urged the international art community to remain vigilant over Russia’s use of culture as a tool of propaganda.
“The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most authoritative art platforms, and it must not become a stage for whitewashing the war crimes that Russia commits daily against the Ukrainian people and our cultural heritage,” they said.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 09:36
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Ukraine’s low-cost killers draw both US and Gulf interest. A wartime ban blocks sales
Now, with Iranian drones having killed multiple US troops, American officials consider ignoring the initial outreach a major misstep.
“If there’s a tactical error or a mistake we made leading up to this [war in Iran], this was it,” a US official told Axios.
Last August, Ukrainian officials reportedly tried to sell the U.S. battle-proven technology to take on Iran’s low-cost, unnamed, one-way Shahed attack drones, which Russia has made a major part of its arsenal for the war in Ukraine.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 09:00
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Ukrainian ‘machine gunner robot’ sees off waves of Russian attacks
Ukrainian defence technology company DevDroid’s Droid TW-7.62 robotic platform was used by soldiers from the Disney Squad unit during an engagement in which Russian infantry attempted to advance on Ukrainian defensive positions.
According to DevDroid, the system first detected two Russian drones positioned near a road leading to the Ukrainian position. Described as “waiting drones”, they were destroyed before the robot opened fire on approaching infantry.
The company said the system then identified two Russian soldiers moving towards Ukrainian lines. One was killed by machine-gun fire and the other was wounded during the exchange.
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Russian forces subsequently shelled the area with artillery in what appeared to be an attempt to destroy the robotic platform.However, DevDroid said the system remained operational and fired at another group of Russian troops advancing towards the position, forcing them to withdraw and allowing Ukrainian forces to hold their ground.
The Droid TW-7.62 is a reconnaissance and strike unmanned ground system designed to carry a KT-7.62 machine gun. The platform includes a ballistic computer intended to improve accuracy and incorporates elements of artificial intelligence capable of detecting, tracking and engaging targets.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 08:30
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Putin gives Trump easy way out of confused Iran war strategy – and he might take it
The most recent concession to Vladimir Putin came after the first telephone call between the two presidents this year – one that the Kremlin says was initiated by the Oval Office to the Russian president.
With an eye on the oil markets, Trump said that he thought the war against Iran would end soon, adding it was “very complete”, before declaring hours later that the fight would continue as we “haven’t won enough”.
His “secretary of war”, Pete Hegseth, then had a go at clearing things up, promising that Tuesday would see the heaviest strikes by the US and Israel so far and warned that Iran would suffer catastrophic consequences if it throttled Gulf oil exports.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 08:00
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Hungary accuses Zelensky of lying over visit
Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of lying after the Ukrainian president said he did not know what a Hungarian delegation was doing in Ukraine.
Hungary’s foreign minister said on Facebook that Kyiv had been officially informed about the visit in advance.
“Zelensky claims he did not know about the arrival of the Hungarian delegation in Ukraine because the Hungarian government did not coordinate the visit with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But what is the reality? Yesterday we officially informed the Ukrainians that a Hungarian delegation led by Deputy Energy Minister Gabor Czepek would visit Ukraine to inspect the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline, and we also requested a meeting with Ukraine’s energy minister,” Szijjarto said.
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He also shared a document dated 10 March showing a request from the Hungarian embassy in Kyiv to Ukraine’s foreign ministry stating that the delegation would be in the capital on Thursday and Friday. The embassy asked Ukrainian authorities to help arrange a meeting between the delegation and Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister and energy minister.
He further accused Ukraine of blocking oil supplies to Hungary at a time when maritime oil transport faces major uncertainty, arguing that the only alternative to the Druzhba pipeline is sea routes.“Therefore, the Ukrainian oil blockade is nothing less than a grave crime against Hungary,” he said.
Earlier, Zelensky said that as far as his administration was concerned, the Hungarian officials were visiting in a “private” capacity.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 07:30
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Zelensky says Trump needs to put more pressure on Russia not Ukraine
In an interview with Politico, Volodymyr Zelensky said Donald Trump needs to put “more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
“We need negotiations. We support them,” he told the outlet. “We don’t trust Russia, but I think, and I trust that Americans really want to finish with this war. I hope that they will help us, but we need more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
The comments come a week after Trump expressed renewed frustration with Zelensky, saying Ukraine’s leader needed to “get on the ball” and strike a deal, and suggesting he believed Vladimir Putin was more ready to negotiate a truce.
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Zelensky said talks with Trump’s envoys in December suggested the US could offer some form of security guarantee for Ukraine as part of a peace deal, but details remain unclear.
“President Trump told me, ‘Do you trust that our security guarantees can be stronger than Nato?’ I said, ‘Yes, it depends on you for today. It depends on you, Mr president. God bless if we will have stronger security guarantees than NATO. But what will be after you? And what will be after me?’” Zelensky said.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 07:00
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Witkoff says he met Putin’s envoy Dmitriev
A senior envoy for Donald Trump said he had met a Russian delegation led by an aide to Vladimir Putin, in a rare high-level contact between officials from the two countries as diplomatic efforts to address the war in Ukraine continue.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, said last night that the meeting took place in Florida with a Russian delegation headed by Kirill Dmitriev, who serves as Putin’s envoy.
Posting on X, Witkoff said the Russian delegation met a US team that included himself, Jared Kushner and White House senior adviser Josh Gruenbaum.
“Today in Florida, the Russian delegation led by Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with the US delegation, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum,” Witkoff wrote.
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He did not provide details about the discussions, limiting his statement to a brief summary.
“The teams discussed a variety of topics and agreed to stay in touch,” he added.
The meeting comes as Washington signals growing interest in reviving diplomatic channels related to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Shweta Sharma12 March 2026 06:57
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Zelensky arrives in French capital, sources say
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Paris today to meet French president Emmanuel Macron, sources at the French president’s office said.
“The two leaders will discuss the current situation, the support of France and European partners to help Ukraine defend itself, and ways to increase pressure on Russia, particularly by targeting its shadow fleet,” the source told Reuters on Thursday.
Two Strictly Come Dancing stars and their real-life partners were seen enjoying a double ‘date night’ amid reports that a shake-up is on the cards for the hit dance show.
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There has been speculation of a professional dancer ‘cull’ on Strictly ahead of the 2026 series. No details have been officially confirmed by the BBC, with a statement reading: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”
However, one of the shake-ups viewers will see this year is to the hosting line-up after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down at the end of the 2025 series. In October, Tess and Claudia confirmed their plans to step down from the popular programme at the end of the 2025 series, with the news coming as a shock to their co-stars and fans.
But away from the reports, the Strictly stars have been sharing updates as usual and this week, Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley were reunited for both dancing and personal purposes.
Fans will recall that Kai joined the popular programme back in 2021. The dancer was among those seen competing during the most recent run of Strictly at the end of last year, having been paired with reality star and presenter Vicky Pattison.
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Meanwhile, Lauren has been part of the hit dance show since 2022 and those who follow the BBC One competition know that Lauren was recently seen participating in the show’s 2025 series with former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink.
Amidst Strictly hitting the headlines, Kai and Lauren were reunited and alongside their partners, Chloe Wells and Maximiliano Omar Montes de Oca, as they headed to see Strictly 2025 contestant George Clarke on tour with his podcast, The Useless Hotline, which he co-hosts with Max Balegde.
Alongside a smiling snap of the foursome, which Kai posted to his Instagram Story, the 30-year-old star said: “Date night @theuselesshotlinepod.” Lauren reshared the post and then said: “Come on @georgeclarkeey [raising hands emoji].”
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And fans were quick to share the update on other social media platforms. @clarkeyslesbian said: “kai and lauren at the useless hotline podcast show omg miss the strictly cast so much.” @ultimatesugg replied: “Ahhh love this. Wonder if they know what they’re in for?” @overthestreetss added: “No I actually smiled when I saw this it’s so cute.”
Steve Tandy has opted for cohesion against the Azzurri
11:19, 12 Mar 2026
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The word “growth” has been used throughout the course of this Six Nations Championship by the Wales coaching team but Saturday’s clash with Italy should fall into the must-win category.
Having taken on the toughest job in world rugby, Steve Tandy has been reluctant to put too much pressure on his squad, at least externally, when it comes to winning games. Wales have been here before back in 2003 when former head coach Sir Steve Hansen emphasised the need to focus on the performance, rather than results.
It was misunderstood at the time with Wales at such a low ebb that they had to focus on getting the performance right and only then would the results come.
Wales are in a similar place under Tandy and are not in a position where they can expect to beat most sides given their lowly place in the world rankings.
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It is a long-term plan and improvement was always going to be gradual before they can claim some much-needed victories.
Nobody gave Wales a cat’s chance in hell of beating Ireland in Dublin yet they took a huge step forward regarding performance.
Despite the defeat the overriding mood afterwards was one of optimism because Wales’ pack had fronted up, the set-piece was good and defensively they were far tougher to break down.
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But despite the obvious improvements a third successive Six Nations whitewash can never be deemed an acceptable result.
Yes, Italy are much improved and are currently a better side than Wales but finishing the Six Nations without a single victory would not be classed as progress in the eyes of many.
Nobody expects Wales to beat the likes of France or Ireland in their current state but there has to be at least one win to take into the summer.
By the time of the game it will have been three years – or 1,099 days – since Wales last won a Six Nations fixture. That has to change at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The Scarlets playmaker was outstanding in the narrow defeat to Scotland and it would have been a boost if the 25-year-old was available to take his place in the matchday 23.
But there is plenty to build on after two promising performances against Scotland and Ireland as Tandy continues to manufacture some cohesion in his side.
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Wales matched Ireland’s physicality for large parts of the game and they will have to do the same again if they are to get the better of the Azzurri.
The set-piece will also have to function as well as it did at the Aviva Stadium, while defensively they will have to be on their mettle.
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Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello is a world-class player who proved to be the difference between winning and losing in Rome last Saturday.
His centre partnership with Ignacio Brex is one of the most proficient in world rugby.
If Wales cannot find a way to contain Menoncello and Brex, they will not emerge victorious.
The Wales centre partnership of Joe Hawkins and Eddie James has slowly improved from game to game, even if it has not fully fired in attack.
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This is a fourth consecutive start for Hawkins and James which is important because the last time a Wales centre partnership started four games together was Nick Tompkins and George North back in 2022.
Wales have taken great strides forward up-front and they are also clinical in the opposition 22 but they will need to cut out the unforced errors while also firing more shots with ball in hand.
Italy are ahead of Wales but the challenge will be an emotional one after the high of a first-ever victory over England.
If Wales can combine the physical edge they showed in Dublin with greater accuracy and intent in attack, this is a game they are capable of winning.
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The progress has been evident in recent weeks, but at some stage improvement has to translate into a result. After three years without a Six Nations victory, Saturday would be the ideal time to put an unwanted record to bed.
An easyJet flight from Tunisia to Belfast had to be diverted on Tuesday after a medical emergency on board.
The flight from Enfidha was diverted to Liverpool following the incident. Belfast Live approached the airline for comment after a source told us the flight landed at its final destination more than two hours after the scheduled time due to the incident.
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A spokesman told Belfast Live: “Flight EZY3072 from Enfidha to Belfast International on Tuesday evening was diverted to Liverpool due to a customer onboard requiring urgent medical attention.
If you spend any time on social media, you may have noticed a curious trend: wellness influencers singing the praises of nicotine. Not smoking or vaping but nicotine patches and pouches, repackaged as cognitive enhancers, productivity boosters and even weight-loss aids. But does the science support this rebrand, or are we watching a familiar substance undergo a very modern makeover?
Nicotine is primarily a stimulant and derived from the tobacco plant. Small amounts of nicotine are also found in other members of the nightshade family, including tomatoes, aubergines, potatoes and green peppers. However, the levels in these foods are minimal compared with those in tobacco.
Nicotine works by latching on to specific receptors found throughout the body, triggering the release of various brain chemicals such as dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin. These receptors, along with a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, play an important role in attention, learning and memory.
The evidence on whether nicotine can enhance cognitive performance is mixed. One large review of 41 trials involving healthy adults – both non-smokers and smokers – found that nicotine produced small improvements in areas such as fine motor skills, attention and aspects of short-term and working memory.
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An animal study demonstrated nicotine increased working memory and boosted levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein important for learning and brain resilience. However, other research shows that in healthy non-smokers, nicotine often has neutral or even negative cognitive effects.
This difference comes down to starting point. People who already have cognitive difficulties have more room to improve, while those with healthy brain function are already performing close to their best. Because of this, nicotine is unlikely to offer any real benefit to people who don’t have cognitive impairments.
Small experimental studies have explored whether nicotine patches might help people with mild cognitive impairment, with one trial reporting slight improvements in memory test scores over six months. Research suggests nicotine may have protective effects in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, partly because it reduces inflammation, prevents cell death and supports cognitive function.
Nicotine has also been linked to weight loss and reduced appetite. It appears to influence the parts of the brain that control hunger and makes the body burn more energy by triggering the release of stimulating hormones like adrenaline. While some animal studies suggest nicotine can reduce body weight by speeding up fat burning, there is not yet strong evidence that this holds true in humans
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Where nicotine is useful is in smoking cessation. Nicotine replacement therapy is an effective way to help people stop smoking. But this benefit comes from reducing exposure to tobacco smoke, which contains a cocktail of chemicals and cancer-causing agents – not from nicotine itself being healthy.
An effective way to quit smoking. Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com
Highly addictive
Nicotine is not harmless and regular use can lead to dependence. Nicotine activates receptors in the brain that trigger the release of several chemical messengers, including dopamine (the so-called feel-good hormone). This surge in dopamine creates the pleasurable sensations and reinforcement that contribute to nicotine’s addictive effects.
Studies in animals show using nicotine during the teenage years can lead to long lasting changes in the brain and behaviour, including higher risk of other drug use, reduced attention and mood problems.
Teenagers have more nicotine receptors in the brain’s reward areas than adults, which makes nicotine’s effects stronger and the developing brain more vulnerable. Similar effects can be seen in a developing baby during pregnancy.
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Common side-effects of using nicotine include nausea, vomiting and headaches. It can also cause more serious heart and blood-vessel harms.
Nicotine triggers the release of chemicals such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, and studies show that higher levels of these can raise heart rate, increase blood pressure and make the heart work harder.
Nicotine also damages the inner walls of blood vessels by causing inflammation, raising blood pressure and disrupting normal blood vessel function. The evidence is clear that no nicotine product is safe for the heart and cardiovascular system – a conclusion now officially backed by major health organisations, including the World Health Organization.
Is nicotine safer without smoke? Yes. Is it safe? No.
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Reduced harm is not the same as benefit. The scientific picture is complicated: possible cognitive effects, potential therapeutic avenues, but clear risks and strong addictive potential.
The science does not support using nicotine as a cognitive enhancer or lifestyle supplement for healthy adults. What it does support is using nicotine replacement therapy to help people stop smoking. Outside that context, the risks outweigh the hype. Wellness trends come and go, but addiction is far harder to shake.
Skatefest 2026 will take place on Saturday, July 18, promising a full day of skate competitions, live music, street art, and community activities.
The grassroots event is organised by Ryedale Skate School in partnership with Norton Town Council.
It aims to create an inclusive space where people of all ages and abilities can experience skateboarding culture.
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Ryan Swain, local skateboard coach and youth advocate, said: “Skatefest is about much more than skateboarding. It’s about community, belonging and giving young people a positive space to express themselves.
“We’ve seen how powerful skate culture can be in bringing people together and building confidence, and we’re proud to be working with Norton Town Council to bring this event back bigger than ever.”
Visitors can enjoy a packed programme throughout the day, including vert and mini ramp competitions, live DJs and music performances, street art demonstrations, and free skate lessons for beginners.
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Food and drink vendors, artisan stalls, charity raffles, and a tombola will also be on offer.
Ryan said: “Whether you’re a lifelong skater, someone who’s never stepped on a board before, or just want a great day out with the family, Skatefest is for everyone.
“Events like this help build stronger communities and give young people positive opportunities to connect, learn and thrive.”
Mayor of Norton, Di Keal, said: “Norton town council is delighted to be supporting Skatefest again this year after a hugely successful event in 2025.
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“We are installing a second shelter at the skatepark shortly funded by a grant from Live Like Ralph, a charity established in memory of keen skater, Ralph Roberts, who sadly lost his life during the Covid pandemic.
“Ralph’s father, Neil and the Live Like Ralph team visited last year on a fundraising bike ride from Scarborough to Lytham and they loved the skatepark that has been created in Norton. The town council is using the grant to purchase the new shelter, which will be decorated live by a street artist at Skatefest and will feature the Live Like Ralph logo.
“The team at Live Like Ralph will hopefully be joining us to celebrate and enjoy Skatefest and I would encourage families from across our twin towns to visit the skatepark on July 18 to enjoy the event and witness some spectacular skating and stunts.”
The organisers are encouraging local businesses, charities, and independent traders to get involved by hosting stalls or supporting the event.
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Interested organisations can contact ryedaleskateschool@gmail.com.
Skatefest 2026 will run from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, July 18.
