A recent survey from Lakeland found that 31% of UK adults say they’re cooking from scratch more than a year ago, rising to 35% compared to two years ago and 44% compared to five years ago.

It may explain why sales of bread makers, soup makers, slow cookers and yoghurt makers are soaring – and why this compact model has seen a staggering 776% year-on-year sales increase.

First impressions: small but mighty

Lakeland has a huge range of bread makers, from the super-fancy to the small and simple.

The Compact Loaf Bread Maker (£69.99) is definitely on the smaller side.

At 31 x 21.5 x 25cm, it’s genuinely compact. My kitchen worktop is already battling for space with a KitchenAid, coffee machine and air fryer, so the fact this slots neatly into a corner is a big plus.

It also doesn’t feel like an appliance you have to permanently “commit” to displaying – it’s light enough to lift in and out of a cupboard without a struggle.

Despite its smaller footprint, it doesn’t look flimsy. The white finish is simple and clean, and the viewing window on the lid is surprisingly satisfying – I may or may not have stood watching the kneading cycle longer than necessary.

The smell alone is worth it

There is something deeply comforting about the smell of fresh bread baking. The first time I used it, I set the delay timer before bed and woke up to that warm, bakery-style aroma drifting upstairs. That alone felt like a lifestyle upgrade.

It makes a 1lb (500g) loaf, which I actually prefer to the larger family-sized versions.

It’s enough for a couple of days for two people and freezes well if you want to slice and store it.

How easy is it to use?

Very.

There are 11 pre-set programmes covering everything from basic white and wholemeal to French-style and gluten-free.

The controls are straightforward tactile buttons on the top, and each programme comes with a recipe in the booklet.

I started with a simple white loaf. It was genuinely a case of adding the ingredients in the order listed, selecting the programme and pressing start. No kneading, no guesswork.

There’s also a knead-only setting, which I used for pizza dough. That alone makes it feel more versatile than just a “bread-only” gadget, and has considerably speeded up our Saturday night pizza parties with the kids.

Full control over ingredients

One of the main reasons I wanted to try a bread maker was to cut down on ultra-processed foods. Shop-bought loaves often contain additives, preservatives and more salt than I’d like.

With this machine, I’ve experimented with wholegrain flour, mixed seeds and a handful of olives.

Knowing exactly what’s in the loaf feels reassuring, especially if you’re baking for children or managing dietary needs.

The gluten-free setting is also a big tick for households that need it.

The delay start: a game changer

The delay start feature is what elevates this from “nice to have” to genuinely useful. You can programme it so your loaf finishes baking exactly when you want it.

For busy weekdays, that means fresh bread ready when I walk through the door. For weekends, it means warm slices at breakfast without lifting a finger in the morning.

The non-stick pan works well too. Each loaf has tipped out cleanly so far, with minimal scraping.

Any downsides?

Because it’s compact and makes a 1lb loaf, it won’t suit large families who get through bread quickly. If you’re feeding four or five people, you may find yourself baking often.

For full disclosure, my husband and I ate the first loaf we made within 10 minutes of it completing its cycle.

It was so good that we had to make another straight away, and another after that.

It’s also not silent. The kneading cycle makes a noticeable whirring sound, though nothing excessive and certainly no louder than our dishwasher or washing machine.

I wouldn’t run it overnight in a studio flat, but in a standard home it’s fine.

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Is it worth it?

Given the reported 776% rise in sales, clearly plenty of people think so. After a few weeks of use, I can see why.

It’s simple, space-saving and takes the effort out of baking. More importantly, it supports that growing shift towards cooking from scratch and knowing what’s in your food.

For me, the biggest surprise has been how quickly it became part of my routine. What started as a test appliance has quietly become something I use every week.

If you love fresh bread but don’t love supermarket additives – or daily bakery trips – this compact bread maker makes the process almost effortless.

The simulator will be used as a coaching aid and to introduce new players to the sport

Plans for a golf simulator at Creigiau golf club have been approved by Cardiff Council. The proposal includes the construction of an outbuilding on the grounds of the golf course to house the simulator. According to the application, the “course professional” will use the simulator as a “coaching aid” and to introduce new players to the sport.

In a golf simulator, players hit a golf ball into a projection of a course on an impact screen. Using data from both the screen and the club, a visual representation of the swing is rendered.

This allows players to practice their swing all year round in all weather conditions. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

The simulator will only be used by small groups or individuals to avoid “excessive or continuous impact events”.

The application received two objections from neighbours, both objections were concerned about damage to trees in and around the site.

One reads: “The golf club must confirm in writing that they will accept responsibility for any damage caused by the tree being uprooted due to an act of God or similar event.”

It continues: “This is a reasonable request, as we are not seeking to rely on personal insurance, which could lead to increased premiums.”

However, according to the application, the “mature tree” close to the site “would not be harmed” and tree protection is not needed due to an existing fence.

The greenery of the wider course will remain untouched by the building. The course includes greens, fairways and rough, alongside “significant areas” of tree and hedge planting.

The proposal also received a letter of support that reads: “This facility will significantly enhance access to golf by providing an inclusive, year-round environment for practice and training.

“The simulator will serve both adult and junior members, offering state-of-the-art technology to improve skills, support coaching, and encourage greater participation in the sport”

The application reads: “The level of noise would also be offset through the separation between the outbuilding, fencing, vegetatian and the distances to neighbouring properties.”

It continues: “While it is acknowledged that some sound may be heard, this does not automatically equate to harm.

“In planning terms, harms must be significant, sustained and out of keeping with the character of the area, which is not considered to be the case in this instance.”

The outbuilding that will house the simulator will be on an outside patio next to the first tee and will replace the current driving/ practice net.

There will be “sufficient room” for golf buggies to pass by the building to enter the course.

The application reads: “It is considered that the proposed outbuilding, in terms of its scale and design, would be in keeping with its surroundings and would not harm the character and appearance of the area.”

The Forbidden Corner, set within the Tupgill Park Estate near Middleham, has long been described as “the strangest place in the world”.

Originally created as a private folly, the four‑acre attraction has grown into a major draw for families across the North-East.

And now, as the attraction is heading into its Spring season on March 28, it is now inviting applications for people to join the team at what it describes as “the strangest place in the world”.

Do you have what it takes?

Forbidden Corner is full of weird and wonderful featuresForbidden Corner is full of weird and wonderful features (Image: GUY CARPENTER)

On a post on Facebook, the attraction said: “Do you have a passion for the peculiar?

“We’re officially recruiting for our 2026 Season at the Strangest Place in the World!

“Whether you’re looking for your very first job (ages 14+) or you’re a seasoned pro with a “bundle” of experience, we want to hear from you.”

The listing stressed that they hire based on attitude, energy and a love for making visitors days “magical”.

It adds: “We don’t just hire for skills; we hire for attitude, energy, and a love for making every visitor’s day as magical as the last, if this sounds like you, you’ll fit right in.

“Then tell us briefly why you would like to work here and we will send you back the application form if we think you’d fit in with us.”

Forbidden Corner is full of weird and wonderful featuresForbidden Corner is full of weird and wonderful features (Image: GUY CARPENTER)

The role can be applied for via email: info@theforbiddencorner.co.uk, with the subject line: “I would love to work there”.

For many families in Darlington and across the Tees Valley, the attraction remains a firm favourite for weekend outings, school breaks and summer adventures.

And as the new season approaches, the Forbidden Corner looks set to continue its tradition of delighting, confusing and surprising all who dare to enter it.

Forbidden Corner is full of weird and wonderful featuresForbidden Corner is full of weird and wonderful features (Image: GUY CARPENTER)

• Weekdays/Saturdays: Open from 12pm.
• Sundays/Bank Holidays: Open from 10am.

The Forbidden Corner has not yet announced a closing date for this application.

“The scripts for the series are excellent and will absolutely maintain the quality that the audience have come to expect from this fantastic show”

Robert Carlyle has been cast as a guest series lead in the new series of Line of Duty.

The BAFTA-winning actor, known for Trainspotting, The Full Monty and 28 Weeks Later, will play Detective Constable Shaun Massie in the next instalment of Jed Mercurio’s hit crime thriller when it films in Northern Ireland this spring.

Joining returning series leads Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, Carlyle is the first new cast member to be announced for series seven.

READ MORE: ‘AC12 in the house’: Fans excitement as Line of Duty stars enjoy pub reunionREAD MORE: TV and movie productions set to film in Northern Ireland in 2026

On joining the Line of Duty cast, Robert Carlyle said: “Having been a huge admirer of Jed Mercurio’s work for many years, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to join such an exceptional cast for series 7 of Line of Duty.

“The scripts for the series are excellent and will absolutely maintain the quality that the audience have come to expect from this fantastic show.

“DC Massie is an extraordinary character and I look forward to bringing him to life.”

As previously announced, in series seven AC-12 have been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards.

Anticorruption work has never been more difficult and in this challenging climate Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming, and Ted Hastings are assigned their most sensitive case so far.

Detective Constable Shaun Massie is a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO), a veteran marksman, operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) to take down Organised Crime Groups.

A gruff loner, Massie keeps himself to himself, but when his boss, TO-7’s commanding officer DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator, Massie’s otherwise detached demeanour changes drastically.

Creator Jed Mercurio added: “On Line of Duty we’ve been honoured by the glittering guest leads who’ve joined the cast over the years. We couldn’t be more thrilled that Robert Carlyle will star in series 7 as Specialist Rifle Officer Shaun Massie.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Robert’s work for many years and it will be a career highlight to work with him. Robert always brings mesmerising power and depth to every role; I know viewers will be on the edge of their seats wondering what his character will do next, and why.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “Sometimes a piece of casting feels so right that you just can’t imagine anyone else. Robert Carlyle is one of our greatest actors and the perfect fit for the phenomenon that is Line of Duty.”

Line of Duty series seven is written and created by Jed Mercurio, who will also direct episodes 4-6. It is made by World Productions, part of ITV Studios, which is handling international distribution.

Jennie Darnell will direct the first three episodes, and the producer is Ken Horn. Executive producers are Jed Mercurio, Simon Heath for World Productions and Nick Lambon for the BBC.

Line of Duty will once again film in Belfast and is made with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

Series 1-6 of Line of Duty are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer. Line of Duty series seven is coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One next year

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An 18-month siege and mass killings carried out by Sudanese rebels during their seizure of a city in Darfur bore the hallmarks of genocide, UN experts have said. 

The Rapid Support Force paramilitaries are said to have committed atrocities and human rights abuses in el-Fasher during a campaign that started in 2023 and ended with they overran the territory in October 2024.

The conflict also saw Arab militias try to completely destroy non-Arab communities, with more than half the population slaughtered in the bloodbath, according to the independent fact-finding mission.

Mona Rishmawi, one of the authors of the report, wrote: “Starvation, denial of assistance, mass killings, rape, torture and enforced disappearance…leaves only one reasonable inference – these are the hallmarks of genocide”.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for “urgent action” from the international community, including criminal investigations “to ensure accountability for vile perpetrators, justice for victims, and to break the cycle of bloodshed”.

Rebel commanders “calculated to bring about the physical destruction” of non-Arab areas, in particular the Zaghawa and the Fur communities, according to the report released on Thursday.

UN officials said several thousand civilians were killed when the RSF and fellow paramilitary groups took over el-Fasher, which had been the Sudanese army’s only remaining stronghold in Darfur.

Only 40% of the city’s 260,000 residents were able to flee the assault alive, thousands of whom were wounded, the officials said. The fate of the rest remains unknown.

The report went on to say: “Thousands of persons, particularly the Zaghawa, were killed, raped or disappeared during three days of absolute horror.

“The wanton violations that were perpetrated by the RSF and allied Arab militia in the final offensive on el-Fasher underscore that persistent impunity fuels continued cycles of violence.”

One witness was quoted as saying that he saw bodies thrown into the air, “like a scene out of a horror movie”, according to the report.

Ms Cooper said: “The world is still failing the people of Sudan. When the stories started to emerge about the horrors of el-Fasher it should have been a turning point, but the violence is continuing.

“It is time to listen to the women of Sudan, not the military men who have been prosecuting this war. We need action for justice, accountability and peace.”

Ms Cooper is expected to raise the report at a UN Security Council meeting in New York today.

Sudan was plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-running tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders erupted in the capital Khartoum and spread to other regions, including Darfur.

Read more from Sky News:
Former South Korean president handed life sentence
How US military is assembling within striking distance of Iran

The war has seen more than 40,000 people killed, according to UN figures, but aid groups say the true number could be many times higher.

The RSF and their allied Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, overran el-Fasher on 26 October and stormed the city.

Widespread atrocities were committed during the offensive that included mass killings and summary executions, sexual violence, torture, and abductions for ransom, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

More than 6,000 people were killed between 25 October and 27 October in the city, the office said.

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Ahead of the assault, the rebels ran riot in the Abu Shouk displacement camp, just outside of the city, and killed at least 300 people over two days, it said.

The group’s commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has previously acknowledged abuses by his forces, but disputed the scale of atrocities.

An international convention known colloquially as the “Genocide Convention” – adopted in 1948 – sets out five criteria to assess whether genocide has taken place.

They include killing members of a group, causing its members serious bodily or mental harm, imposing measures aimed to prevent births in the group, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the “physical destruction” of the group, and forcibly transferring its children to another group.

The fact-finding team, which doesn’t have the final say on whether a genocide has been committed, said it found at least three of those five factors were met in the RSF’s actions.

Under the convention, a genocide determination could be made even if only one of the five were met.

The RSF acts in el-Fasher included killing members of a protected ethnic group; causing serious mental and bodily harm; and deliberately inflicting conditions of life to bring about the group’s physical destruction in whole or in part – all key elements of the crime of genocide under international law, according to the fact-finding team.

The fact-finding mission pointed to mass killings, widespread rape, sexual violence, torture and cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, extortion, and enforced disappearances during RSF’s takeover of el-Fasher in late October.

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

When I was a teenager, the pinnacle of high street shopping was undeniably Topshop.

I could (and did) while away hours browsing row upon row of stylish shoes and clothes with my pals of a Saturday afternoon.

And when I first experienced the massive flagship Oxford Street branch? Let’s just say I got lost in there, but I didn’t mind in the slightest.

After the pandemic did a major number on already struggling in-person retail, which saw the closure of Topshop’s stores, shopping on the high street just hasn’t looked the same.

But now, 32 John Lewis stores across the nation have given Topshop a high street home once more.

It’s like 2010 all over again – except the clothes are fit for 2026.

From edgy leather jackets to trendy barrel-legged jeans to elegant dresses and more, here are the best bits to shop before they’re gone.

And (unsurprisingly) this latest collection is already going fast…

Bryan Mbeumo has scored 10 goals since joining Manchester United from Brentford and has been praised for his impact at Old Trafford

Bryan Mbeumo’s influence at Manchester United has hugely benefited his teammates, according to Louis Saha. United brought in Mbeumo last summer from Brentford in a transfer worth up to £65million with the possibility of an additional £6million in add-ons.

Since his arrival at United, Mbeumo has netted 10 goals in all competitions, including nine in the Premier League. That performance has helped the Red Devils in rising to fourth position in the Premier League standings, with securing Champions League qualification being the primary objectivefrom now until the end of the campaign.

Mbeumo has delivered some crucial strikes for United in recent weeks following Michael Carrick’s appointment as the club’s interim head coach, with goals in the victories against Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. With Mbeumo making a significant impression during his debut campaign at Old Trafford, former United forward Louis Saha has outlined why such an impact can influence the entire squad.

READ MORE: Man United told to sign ‘two monsters’ as Casemiro replacements identifiedREAD MORE: Marcus Rashford learns Barcelona transfer plan as star gives agent ‘clear instructions’

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“Mbeumo has definitely had an impact, and this is a player who embodies the confidence, the drive, and the combativity of the team,” Saha told AceOdds.

“Every player has to understand this quickly when signing for a new club. He showed that straight away, but he’s also a quality player. He’s very balanced. When he makes a mistake, he comes back straight away. There’s no second thought.”

“It’s an obligation for forwards to give that effort and tempo because if the forward is lazy, it brings a similar feeling across the team and spreads like a virus. It’s important to have committed players up front who work hard.

“When you have Mbeumo, Cunha, and Bruno Fernandes, who show commitment, it spreads, and you get rewarded.” Saha’s assessment of Mbeumo follows similar glowing praise from his United teammate Matheus Cunha, who also sung the Cameroon international’s praises.

“He’s very intelligent, he’s very clever,” Cunha told Premier League Productions earlier this month. “So he can use his strength very, very good, like going to space, he shoots so well, so good. This is the kind of number nine we need to have.

“Of course, he’s someone that helped us so much and it’s a pleasure to play with him. He’s more than the position that he plays. Being around him in the pitch, we know he can create something special.”

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“While speculative, if the US judges that further action is needed to deal with that specific threat, and if again we believe such action is in our national interest and to protect vital UK security interests, then we should grant the use of our bases if and where required, including RAF bases in the UK, and Diego Garcia.”

Persistent concerns about poor behaviour in UK secondary schools have led to the widespread implementation of disciplinary behaviour management strategies. These include the use of isolation rooms, where children are sent to work alone.

In some schools, it may also include zero-tolerance sanction systems such as “Ready to Learn”. This is an approach in which a graduated sanction system is applied for non-compliance: any minor rule-breaking gets a warning, and any further infractions mean going to isolation.

However, a new wave of research is challenging the long-standing dominance of punitive strategies. My ongoing research with colleagues has shed light on the perspectives of young people, school staff and behaviour experts, revealing the need for a critical reassessment of school behaviour management policies and practices.

Our study on behaviour in schools was initiated by members of our Young People’s Advisory Group, which provides a way for young people aged between ten and 18 to contribute to health and care research. The young people raised deep concerns about the impact of disciplinary behaviour management strategies being used in secondary schools.

We systematically reviewed the evidence to investigate the impact of disciplinary strategies on students, and found they may have a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing and behaviour. We then interviewed 15 young people and 17 secondary school staff and experts in behaviour to understand their views and experiences.

The young people we worked with felt that disciplinary behaviour management strategies, particularly isolation use, were ineffective at addressing poor behaviour. They also believed that it had a negative effect on their mental health and wellbeing, as well as their academic and social lives. They described the Ready to Learn approach as harsh, confusing, and inconsistent. One said:

If you had the wrong-coloured socks on or something like that you’d get a warning or a detention. Then that would lead to you getting angry and you’d get an isolation.

Another commented that: “They don’t try to find out why you’ve done it or anything like that. They just put you in isolation. They don’t really care.”

Addressing causes

The young people voiced a preference for disciplinary approaches rooted in relationships and understanding. Approaches that seek to address the causes of behavioural issues, rather than those that rely on sanctions and exclusionary practices. One suggested:

People would go to a room and sit down on a table with everybody, work together to work out what they did wrong in the lesson, how they could be better next time. And not only what and how, but why. Why is this occurring and then that would also create a platform for anyone to seek help and support of any needs that they had as well.

We also talked to school staff. Some described Ready to Learn as beneficial due to its clarity, consistency, and ability to reduce classroom disruption. Its centralised structure, affordability, and simplicity were seen as advantages. However most expressed the desire for a more therapeutic approach alongside Ready to Learn.

One teacher said:

What we’re missing, is a complementary or alternative narrative at whole-school level to RTL [Ready to Learn]. So, the idea of RTL sitting as a structure but alongside therapeutic or trauma-informed, more relational approaches to dealing with behaviour.

Interestingly, both school staff and experts in behaviour agreed on what encourages positive behaviour. They mentioned clarity, consistency, fairness, and – crucially – positive communication and relationships. They described what works: a supportive school culture that is warm and structured with predictable routines and boundaries, and high expectations delivered with empathy and support.

Here, the use of relational practices is key. This approach recognises behaviour as a form of communication, and aims to build relationships with students to help them understand their emotions and behaviour rather than punishing them.

One student described how this could work:

Talking to the student, trying to help them. Even if they’ve got anger issues and they’re being rude all the time, they could have something that’s causing them to be like that. I think that would be more beneficial.

But relational practices are rarely used. “We aren’t trained, we don’t have that expertise,” a deputy headteacher explained. “So even if we had time for it, we can’t necessarily implement it because we don’t know what we’re doing if I’m honest.”

Schools face significant structural and cultural barriers. Government and most school policies encourage disciplinary behaviour management strategies and a focus on academic outcomes. They are embedded in schools and staff fear change and loss of control. Some school staff see their role as to impart knowledge, not provide pastoral care. Most lack training and expertise in relational approaches and schools face resource constraints.

Disciplinary behaviour management strategies offer an illusion of control but are failing to improve behaviour in meaningful and lasting ways. With growing evidence, especially from those directly affected, suggesting that they may be doing more harm than good, a rethink is needed.

This isn’t about going soft on behaviour. It’s about creating compassionate, inclusive schools that are smart about how they view and respond to poor behaviour.