It is an image that will haunt very many people across Israel. A corner of Beit Shemesh, flattened by an Iranian missile; a synagogue destroyed; people killed while they sought refuge in a bomb shelter.
If you wanted proof that war, even this war, is not just about aerial defences and surgical strikes, this was it. A ghastly vista of sudden death.
When we arrived on the scene, we were told, repeatedly, that this was just a place where people lived, prayed and got taught. No military base, no hardware, not even a government office.
Advertisement
“Why would this be a target,” said one person. “There is no excuse.”
What we saw when we arrived was a chaotic aftermath. What we heard was a horror story.
Dozens of residents had gone to the bomb shelter after receiving an alert on their phone and then hearing an air raid siren. It is the sort of behaviour that is, at once, disconcerting and also normal.
Thanks to previous conflicts, including the 12-day war just eight months ago, Israelis are accustomed to getting such warnings.
Advertisement
The shelter was supposed to be their sanctuary. Instead, it became a tomb in a matter of moments.
Image: The aftermath of the strike in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Pic: AP
The missile somehow evaded Israel‘s formidable air defences.
“Nothing can be one hundred percent effective,” said one Israeli military official to me. “We cannot stop every single missile. We can try, but we know that eventually one will get through.”
And so it did, devastatingly. We watched as huge diggers were brought in to try to clear the rubble, and as search and rescue teams worked out how to look for survivors. There were soldiers, emergency workers, local residents, police and politicians.
Advertisement
We spoke to one of them, Amichai Eliyahu, Israel’s outspoken culture minister. He was surveying the destruction, his head shaking. This, he said, was an embodiment of why Israel needed to fight Iran.
“What did these people here ever do to them? What did these babies do to harm them?” he said to me.
“They have never done anything bad to Iran, we don’t even share a border with Iran. This was done for no reason at all, except pure hatred for the sake of hatred. So I’m asking all those who defend them in the world, who are you defending? Monsters, Monsters want to kill us.”
Lieutenant Colonel Yochay Manoff was more sanguine, when we spoke on a ridge overlooking the scene. He is a company commander in Israel’s National Rescue Unit, accustomed to difficult situations and traumatic problems.
But, for him, this one was difficult to accept.
“Just for reference, this is one missile that hit and affected so many buildings and so many lives,” he told me. “Think about the amount of missiles that were on the way from Iran to Israel over the last two days. The damage could be immense.”
Could be, but hasn’t been. Israel puts so much store by its aerial defence systems that sometimes its citizens can appear complacent, so confident are they in the military technology.
Advertisement
But this was proof that nothing works perfectly, all of the time.
Every now and then a missile will get through the array of defence systems that guard Israel’s airspace, and sometimes they strike with horrific impact. This corner of Beit Shemesh offered grim evidence of that.
The result is a production that is consistently watchable and intermittently very funny, but which stops short of being fully satisfying.
There is always a particular expectation when a new show from Grimes and McKee arrives on the stage. Over the past two decades, the duo have cultivated a loyal audience through their brand of locally rooted comedy, blending sharp political observation with an accessible, often affectionate, sense of humour. I Was the Voice of Gerry Adams, now running at the Waterfront Studio arrives with pedigree and goodwill, but what it delivers is more uneven than their strongest work.
Advertisement
Set against the backdrop of the early 1990s and the broadcasting ban on the voices of Sinn Féin representatives, the play draws on a curious and very Northern Irish slice of history where actors were hired to dub the words of politicians deemed too controversial to be heard directly. It is fertile comic territory, and in the programme notes Conor Grimes makes clear the personal origins of the story, recalling his time “popping in and out of the BBC” as a young actor. That autobiographical impulse gives the piece an authenticity that often works in its favour.
Structurally, the show is built as a two-hander romp through memory, media and the peculiarities of local politics. Both Grimes and McKee perform a wide range of characters, sometimes inhabiting the same figures with different inflexions. At its best, this showcases their well-honed comic chemistry. Their timing remains instinctive, and there are passages of genuine laugh-out-loud humour, particularly when the script leans into the absurdities of the era.
However, the device of rapid character-switching is also where the production begins to falter. Without clear enough physical or tonal differentiation, some transitions blur together. Audience members who momentarily lose the thread may find themselves working harder than they should to track who is who. In a comedy that depends heavily on rhythm and clarity, that occasional confusion disrupts momentum.
The script itself is packed with recognisable Grimes and McKee hallmarks. There are nostalgic callbacks, knowing political winks and a fondness for heightened storytelling. Yet the narrative spine feels looser than in their most successful outings. Scenes sometimes drift rather than build, and while individual moments land, the overall arc lacks the cumulative punch one might expect given the subject matter.
Advertisement
Zoë Seaton’s direction keeps the staging clean and functional within the intimate Waterfront Studio space. The production values are solid without being showy. Isaac Gibson’s sound design and Ciarán Bagnall’s lighting support the action effectively, though neither element is asked to do particularly heavy lifting. Sarah Jane Johnston’s choreography is used sparingly but adds welcome texture where it appears.
What cannot be faulted is the audience response on the night. The crowd was warm and frequently vocal, and the show ultimately received a standing ovation. That said, the reaction was not entirely universal. From the press row, there was a more measured reception, reflecting the sense that while the piece entertains, it does not quite reach the bar set by the duo’s previous collaborations.
Part of the challenge may be expectation. Grimes and McKee have previously demonstrated an ability to balance broad comedy with sharp narrative drive. Here, the balance tips more heavily toward anecdotal humour without always delivering the same dramatic payoff. The result is a production that is consistently watchable and intermittently very funny, but which stops short of being fully satisfying.
There is still plenty for loyal fans to enjoy. The performances are committed, the local references land with knowing precision, and the central premise remains inherently appealing. But taken as a whole, I Was the Voice of Gerry Adams feels like a show that has not yet fully found its sharpest shape.
Advertisement
It entertains, certainly. Whether it lingers in the memory in the way of the duo’s best work is another question.
I Was The Voice of Gerry Adams runs at the Waterfront Studio until 14 March. Tickets are priced from £22.50 excl booking fee.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Googlemeans you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
Vows by Iran to punish the US and Israel for killing its supreme leader and starting a war have yet to translate into decisive military action despite the first American casualties.
Iranian forces have launched hundreds of drones and missiles in multiple waves across the Middle East, but without inflicting significant harm against American assets in the region, such as sinking a warship or destroying a base.
Image: Smoke rises from a warehouse in Sharjah City, UAE, but most of the drones and missiles have been shot down. Pic: AP
Then again, it is only day two of the war and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has pledged “severe, decisive and regret-inducing punishment”.
Yet the more time that passes without this rhetoric becoming a reality, the greater the questions about whether Iran’s most feared military forces still have the capability to locate, target and strike the US and Israeli warships and jets attacking them.
General Sir Richard Barrons, a former senior UK military officer, said a number of factors would likely be limiting Iran’s options for manoeuvre, not least the loss of so many top leaders.
Any move to fire missiles would also expose the launch site to American and Israeli attacks from the air, meaning Iran’s missile launchers would have “quite a short” life expectancy.
Advertisement
In addition, previous attacks by both the US and Israel against Iran over the past couple of years have already degraded its missile stockpiles, launchers and air defences to blunt the regime’s ability to detect incoming enemy aircraft.
Advertisement
Moment IDF hits Iranian headquarters
All of this could explain why so few US and Israeli military targets appear so far to have suffered much meaningful damage despite Iran firing hundreds of missiles and drones.
Though the full extent of any damage is unclear.
Advertisement
UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, warned that a wounded Iran still has the capacity to cause harm – just potentially in even more erratic ways with little regard for the impact on the millions of civilians who live across the Gulf.
“And people will be really concerned that it’s not just military targets, but civilian airports like Kuwait, hotels in Dubai and Bahrain are being hit.”
Advertisement
Tourist hotspots in the crossfire
Countries so far impacted include Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq, where a number of American bases are located.
Many of the munitions appear to have been intercepted, but falling debris can be deadly.
Damage in Dubai airport after Iranian strikes
Advertisement
With so much metal flying around, civilian and tourist locations have been caught in the crossfire, including one of the world’s busiest airports in Dubai, where all flights have been halted, and the entrance of a luxury hotel.
This would have been terrifying for those affected but these strikes appear to have done nothing to degrade the ability of the US and Israel to keep hitting Iran.
A high-value target for the regime must surely be two American aircraft carrier strike groups, led by the USS Gerald R Ford – thought to be located south of Cyprus – and the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Military analyst on what’s happening now in Strait of Hormuz
An attempt to hit these warships might explain why the UK says two Iranian missiles were fired in the direction of the Mediterranean island. Britain has bases on Cyprus but they are not thought to have been the focus of the attack.
General Barrons said an outmatched Iran on the battlefield might seek alternative ways to strike back such as by closing the Strait of Hormuz – a vital transit point for global oil and gas exports.
President Trumpis gambling that Iran lacks the capability to resist his overwhelming firepower. And that may well be the case.
But it only takes one Iranian missile penetrating American air defences to alter that calculation or at least dramatically increase the cost to Washington of its war.
Three members of the US military have been killed and five others wounded in the ongoing attacks against Iran, the Pentagon said Sunday. These are the first American deaths in the joint US-Israeli operation, reports the Mirror.
“They’re great people,” the President told the Daily Mail. “And, you know, we expect that to happen, unfortunately. Could happen continuous – it could happen again.”
Advertisement
Trump acknowledged the three deaths are the first in his second term, adding: “We’ve done pretty well. But they’re great people, with outstanding records, outstanding.” The president is due to meet the families of the deceased servicemembers “at the appropriate time” following his return to Washington later today.
He also said he wasn’t surprised by any of the outcomes of the joint operation so far, adding that “I think it’s going as per planned”.
“You know, other than we took our their entire leadership – far, far more than we thought. Looks like 48,” Trump said.
Advertisement
On Saturday, American missiles rained down on Tehran to target its regime, killing supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the attacks. Reports said the 86-year-old’s body had been recovered from rubble.
While Tehran retaliated, striking Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain in an apparent revenge, Trump celebrated the death of the leader, writing “justice” had been served.
However, the president warned the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue “uninterrupted” for “as long as necessary”. The joint US-Israeli mission, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, continued to wage on into its second day today.
Earlier today, Trump also told The Atlantic the country’s new leaders want to speak to him. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump said. “They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
He also revealed he had spoken with leaders of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and a “couple of others”, stating Saudi Arabia is “fighting too”.
Advertisement
“It’ll be very interesting to watch,” he added when asked if democracy could emerge in Iran. “But a lot of things could happen and a lot of very positive things could happen.”
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.
Global oil prices have risen sharply after Iran’s response to the bid for regime change by the US and Israel disrupted shipping, raising the prospect of a new energy-led surge in inflation.
Early trading in Asia, the first main financial market activity since Saturday morning’s airstrikes on Iran, saw the international benchmark Brent crude climb 13% to $82 a barrel – its highest level since July 2024.
It followed a jittery session for oil contracts on Friday when a 1% rise was explained by growing fears that US-Iran peace talks were off track, leaving Brent 8% higher through February.
The implications of an extended spike in oil prices
For the UK, the rise in oil costs threatens not only notable hikes at the fuel pumps later this month but also a wider lift in costs across the economy at a time when inflation had been forecast to ease sharply, largely on the back of lower energy prices – natural gas.
Last week, the vast majority of financial market participants had expected the Bank of England to cut interest rates at its next rate-setting meeting in just over two weeks’ time. That level of confidence may now be in jeopardy given the wealth of uncertainties now pressing on the price outlook due to the war.
Market commentators, however, suggested Monday’s oil price spike was likely limited by the fact that some members of the OPEC+ group of oil-producing nations, controlled by Saudi Arabia, had responded to the conflict by pledging a rise in production from next month.
Advertisement
It is not only oil…
Iran’s response to Saturday’s strikes has seen Gulf states targeted and nearby shipping run for cover. At least three tankers had been damaged by missile and drone strikes, according to news agency reports in the region.
Image: 20% of global oil and gas exports went through the Straight of Hormuz in 2024
The regime has not yet followed through with ferocity on a pre-war threat to close the key Strait of Hormuz through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies flow, but its attacks involving shipping have effectively created a pause.
The channel accounts for more than 20 million barrels of oil a day, according to the latest annual figures, and the likes of tankers are vulnerable because the strait is just 21 miles wide at its narrowest point – around eight miles, when islands are taken into account.
Advertisement
Maritime shipping in the Gulf – bordering the United Arab Emirates and Iranian coasts – has been shown to have made a dash for anchor in many cases while new sailings appear set to be subject to wartime insurance levels, according to industry experts.
Advertisement
The significance of the Strait of Hormuz
The disruption threatens to raise shipping costs, at least in the short term, and some Europe-bound vessels have been diverted away from the firing line and around Africa, instead of transiting through the Suez Canal.
The longer route can add up to a fortnight to transit times.
Advertisement
No price data was available on Sunday night but the maritime insurance industry news provider Lloyd’s List said that approximately 170 containerships in the region had reported delays.
Futures information from the brokerage IG suggested the FTSE 100 was set to open down by more than 0.9% after Friday’s record close at 10,910. That prediction, made late on Sunday, would be expected to shift in advance of the market open in Europe.
Advertisement
Energy stocks should benefit from higher wholesale prices. Precious metal miners could get a boost too from a rush towards safe havens, with gold for example building on Friday’s rise – an increase that came in sympathy with oil.
Kathleen Brookes, research director at XTB, said of the stocks at risk: “Airlines and hotel groups could sell off sharply at the start of this week, as flights are grounded and air space remains closed in the Middle East.
“Holiday bookings over the lucrative Easter period may also start getting cancelled, after reports that Iran launched drones at UK military bases in Cyprus”, she wrote.
In Asia, the dollar strengthened in early dealing and took more than half a cent off the pound, to stand just above $1.34 – sterling’s lowest level since late January.
There was also support for the safe haven Japanese yen and the Swiss franc.
Another source of safety in troubled times, gold, rose by almost 2%, above the $5,360 per ounce level.
Linfield are now eight points behind leaders Larne after one of their worst displays of the season at Solitude
Linfield’s unlikely title charge looks to have run aground as clinical Cliftonville put them to the sword in north Belfast.
Advertisement
Blues boss David Healy claimed afterwards that their away form has been ‘nothing short of disgraceful’, while adding that there was a sense of embarrassment over their display.
“Our away form this year has been nothing short of disgraceful,” Healy fumed afterwards. “We’ve put ourselves in a predicament in terms of winning the league.
“But if we’re not going to win the league, we need to finish second. And if we’re not going to finish second, you’re going to have to work hard to finish third.
“The players will be disappointed of course. I think they will be a little bit embarrassed about the level of performance and the way we lost today.
Advertisement
“As I always say, it’s always on to the next game. The players need to stick together, look after each other and hopefully be better.”
Linfield are now eight points behind leaders Larne after one of their worst displays of the season at Solitude.
Brian Healy’s powerful front running was on display early on as he drove at Darragh Leahy before firing a low shot at goal that Linfield keeper Chris Johns got fully behind to save.
Linfield began to take control though, and Adebayo Fapetu put in a pair of brave blocks to repel fierce efforts from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kyle McClean.
Advertisement
Kirk Millar was next to try his luck for the visitors, curling an effort over from distance after being teed up by the busy McClean.
Millar did better with his next effort after Reds keeper PJ Morrison went walkabout, bending a smart effort in on goal from a narrow angle that Shaun Leppard had to head clear, leaving the sides locked in stalemate at the break.
Joe Toole impressed with his industry for the Reds in the first half, and he made a lung-busting run up the right flank soon after the restart before sending a lovely cross to the far post, where Liam McStravick volleyed over.
McStravick was growing into the game well, and the livewire winger nearly came up with a spectacular goal when he weaved in from the left before letting fly from distance, forcing Johns into a brilliant tip over the bar at full stretch.
Advertisement
From the resultant corner, Cliftonville broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. Micheal Glynn clipped a dangerous in-swinger towards the back post and Leppard outmuscled Isaac Baird to get his head on the ball, diverting it down and past the exposed Johns.
Liinfield had a chance to quickly draw level from a corner of their own when Euan East’s ball in found Ethan McGee lurking with intent, but the full-back looped a poor header over the bar.
Blues boss David Healy threw forward Chris McKee on for McClean to bolster his attack, and the former Rangers man was quickly into the action, drawing a great stop from Morrison after he smashed a left-foot shot at goal.
Luke Conlan then came up with a super block to stop Kirk Millar scoring from close range after the ball broke kindly for the Linfield winger but the pressure was mounting.
Advertisement
Millar was left with his head in his hands in the 90th minute after showing great technique to connect with a left-foot volley from a McGee knockdown only for the ball to whistle just over.
It was left to Joe Gormley – on as a late sub for Healy – to apply the coup de grace, bundling the ball in after Ryan Curran flashed a shot across goal as Solitude erupted.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live?Making us your preferred source on Googlemeans you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simplyclick here.
Resident Evil Requiem – have you played it yet? (Capcom)
The Monday letters page thinks there’s less crossover between console and PC gamers than publishers pretends, as one reader tries to imagine a Capcom console.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Evil weekend Been playing Resident Evil Requiem over the weekend and I’m loving it so far. I was surprised how relatively serious it was at first and then the bit with Leon and the chainsaws is… I think that may be one of my top five Resi moments ever.
Grace’s longer section after that was amazing too and I’ve just finished that and very much looking forward to the rest of the game. I think it’s obvious the game has lived up to the hype and I’m only sorry it’s not going to last me that long, but there’s no way to make a game of this intensity last forever.
Advertisement
Resident Evil games have neve been long and they’re definitely not going to get any longer given how expensive games are to make now. Plus, the appeal would probably wear off if they were 60 hour epics. I mean, how many times can you go searching for weird-looking keys?!
But it gets top marks from me so far: great graphics, great atmosphere, and Leon’s gameplay (and one-liners) are great. Roll on Resident Evil 10! Bouncer
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Advertisement
Each to their own So just finished Resi, 12 hours to complete. And while it was good I was left a little disappointed as I’d been looking forward to it for a while. I really enjoyed the Grace parts, especially with my headphones on. I did also really like 7 and Village and the 2, 3, and 4 remakes.
However, I did find this to be a step backwards, personally. I also found it to be a little bit grey in places, taking me back to Xbox 360 days. I’m glad I got it on disc, as I can now trade it in. I will say I’m still happy I played it and I did enjoy it, but it’s got me in the mood to play through The Last Of Us again now, which In my opinion is a better game. P B
On a roll Capcom are on great form recently. Resident Evil Requiem looks really good, but it’ll have to wait for me, I’m mid-game replaying the great Resident Evil 4 remake again, which brings me to… Dragon’s Dogma 2, another great game.
Advertisement
I played the first game all those years ago and while the base game was good, the Dark Arisen DLC made it better. It was brutal! I was hoping for similar DLC to be released for Dragon’s Dogma 2, but it appears Capcom have forgotten about it.
Damn shame really. It would be great to go back to Bitterback Isle on the PlayStation 5 but it appears the ferrywoman on the pier is busy elsewhere… Chevy Malibu (PSN ID)
GC: They do run hot and cold on that franchise in a very peculiar manner.
I first played the games on the Wii, where you play Commander Video jumping, dodging, and kicking to a funky soundtrack. It’s currently a third funded with 16 days left to go. If you back it at $25 dollars and above you get a Switch 2 code for the ReRunner game and your name in the credits of the Switch 2 version. There are optional add-ons for the previous games on Steam and PlayStation 5 at half price their usual store prices.
On PlayStation 5 there is only one game available but on Steam four different Bit.Trip games are available at 50% off to help fund bringing ReRunner to Switch 2. I’ve backed at the $25 level and also added an add-on for one of the other games. I haven’t got a Switch 2 yet, but when I do the code will be sitting there waiting for me. Andrew J.
Advertisement
Second sequel A couple of people wrote in about it and whether Kitana is in the original Mortal Kombat film. I picked up the Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection really cheap (massive nostalgia) and it got me in the mood for the films. Kitana is in the first film a lot and plays a major part in the plot and Talisa Soto is gorgeous too.
I’m also really looking forward to the Karl Urban Mortal Kombat 2 film in the summer, as everything he is in is usually great. Simon
Very important people Is there many electronic industries where we seem to take an obsessive interest in who the new boss is, etc.? Do we buy a mobile phone and wonder who is in charge of Motorola or Nokia? Do we buy a TV from LG or Hisense and wonder whom is on their board? Or do we buy a PC and really care about Asus, Nvidia changing their boss?
Personally, as someone who has owned an Xbox Series X for four years, I could not care less who the Xbox CEO is. Or whether she likes or plays games; why is that important to me? Saying that though, I think Peter Moore was great for Xbox, but was he a gamer? I doubt it.
Advertisement
And I totally agree with your comments in one article expressing reservation about the new CEO trying to appeal to gamers online. One suspects that some of it feels forced and she would be best not bothering and focusing on strengthening the Xbox brand.
Why does she need to bother but instead make decisions that will put the fun back into Xbox and make it a strong contender again. Perhaps price cuts for Xbox Series X/S before next gen Xbox arrives and free multiplayer for Series consoles.
Regarding exclusives, I’m content with what’s been on offer from Xbox, because I only have so much time and money to play them. For example, this year I will get Resident Evil Requiem and GTA 6, which leaves little room for anything else.
So, in summary I would rather most business heads were kept in the background and allow the product to do the talking. Maybe that was an issue with Phil Spencer as Xbox seemed at times to be more about him and not the consoles itself. Stephen
Advertisement
Capcom Entertainment System Great to see Resident Evil Requiem being launched multiplatform, scoring high and selling tremendously well. Even on their worst days Capcom makes decent games, a standard they’ve maintained since the ‘80s in the heyday of arcades.
When the Street Fighter franchise was at its most popular in the ‘90s/‘00s Sony (and Sega before) must have been thanking their lucky stars that Capcom never entertained the idea of entering the console market. If they had, they would have truly ruffled a few feathers and who knows how the market would look today. Sam
Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source
As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
Advertisement
GameCentral has been delivering unique games news and reviews for over a decade
Separate formats Seeing Ishi’s comment that Sony exclusives should remain exclusive I had some thoughts.
Personally, as a PC exclusive gamer, I think Sony (and Microsoft) porting games to PC is a good thing. But then I would say that I guess!
They do have very different strategies – Microsoft release games on PC at the same time as Xbox. Whereas Sony only release games on PC a few years after the original release, where, let’s face it, if you haven’t bought a PlayStation to get a specific game by that point, you are very unlikely to!
Advertisement
I personally am extremely unlikely to buy a console. I have already spent enough on my PC and its various peripherals that I’m not going to invest in another ecosystem. I also have a huge amount of games to choose from. I have literally hundreds of games I have never even downloaded thanks to Epic giveaways and Humble Bundles and the like.
There are games in the Sony ecosystem I would like to play, sure! But there isn’t a single one I would buy a whole new console for. I am currently playing Spider-Man on PC. I’m a huge Spidey fan and it looks fantastic in super-ultrawide 5120x1440p.
But if it hadn’t been released on PC I simply wouldn’t have ever played it. I also have The Last Of Us and Uncharted on my Steam wishlist that I will buy eventually, and if Wolverine ever comes to PC (and if GC reviews it well) I will probably buy that.
I honestly don’t think there is a huge crossover between PC gaming and console owning. Most PC gamers I know, if they do have a console, will usually have a Switch to play Mario Kart with their kids.
Advertisement
Obviously my view is entirely biased though! So perhaps take it with a pinch of salt.
Whatever you game on, enjoy! The Dude Abides
Inbox also-rans Just beaten got to Racoon City in Resident Evil Requiem and that whole bit was great. Fantastic game so far and I think the two character thing works really well. It’s like a best of hits for the whole series. Toni
A Pokémon game with good graphics? What an incredible innovation that no one could possibly have anticipated. Let’s just hope that trailer is accurate to what it will actually look like. Ant
The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
But if the regime survives, and it may well, then Washington’s triple demands of Tehran will come back into focus, namely: a curb on Iran’s suspect nuclear programme, including a return to inspections; an end to Iran’s ballistic missile programme; and an end to Iran’s support for proxy militias around the region, such as the Hezbullah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
Which? consumer champion analysed 86 products in total and found some contain up to 20g of sugar per 100g
Some mueslis sold in UK supermarkets may not be any healthier than chocolate cereal, according to a new Which? investigation.
Advertisement
The consumer champion analysed 86 products in total and found some contain up to 20g of sugar per 100g.
Which? scored the muesli out of 100 based on positive nutrients, such as fibre and protein, and negatives, including sugar, saturated fat and calories.
The least healthy item in the Which? study was Raw Gorilla Keto Mighty Muesli, which scored 46.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Advertisement
This is because while it is a specialist keto product and low in sugar (1.5g per 100g) it is higher in calories than standard muesli and is high in saturated fat (12.2g per 100g) due to coconut chips.
Eat Natural Gluten Free Buckwheat Toasted Muesli was the next least healthy, with a score of 50. This contains 15.3g of sugar per 100g and is also high in saturated fat from coconut (7.4g per 100g).
Advertisement
In comparison, Which? found that Nestlé KitKat cereal – which is almost a quarter sugar at 24.9g per 100g – scored 56 out 100.
Which? found that some value mueslis, built around simple wholegrains with modest amounts of fruit and nuts, scored top marks.
The healthiest mueslis on test – six out of 86 muesli products – achieved a score of 80 out of 100. Three of them are from supermarket value ranges including Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys.
The own-brand products were also the cheapest, costing less than 10p a bowl (20p per 100g) – eleven times cheaper than one of the priciest products Which? looked at.
Advertisement
However, Which? found that muesli is still generally a healthy choice as core ingredients deliver fibre, and if eaten with milk or fortified plant-based milk alternatives, it can also contribute to daily calcium intake.
Which? rated the mueslis using the 2004 Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM).
Shefalee Loth, Which? Nutritionist, said: “Muesli remains a solid option for a balanced breakfast, thanks to its combination of convenience and fibre. However, not all blends are created equal.
“In fact, the healthiest options are often the simplest and the cheapest, so it’s worth reading the small print if you are worried about sugar or saturated fat.”
A Mornflake spokesperson said: “Mornflake produces a wide range of breakfast cereals to offer choice for different consumers.
“More than 90% of our range is HFSS compliant; the product reviewed is one of only a small number classified as HFSS, but it contains no added sugar and is high in fibre.
“We provide clear ingredient and nutritional information, including front-of-pack labelling, so shoppers can make informed choices. We have not received consumer complaints regarding the nutritional content of this product.
Advertisement
“Reformulation to help shift taste preferences takes time, but we are actively reducing HFSS across our range and working with UK Government departments to support long-term improvements in diet and health.”
A spokesperson from RawGorilla said: “Comparing a specialist KETO product to sugary ultra-processed cereals highlights the limits of the NPM method, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ mathematical model.
“RAWGORILLA KETO Mighty Muesli is a 100% organic whole-food product, made with activated seeds and nuts, with zero added sugar.
“It is designed for a KETO diet. While the system penalises the natural energy density and the fat content of our seeds and nuts, it ignores the vital difference between unprocessed whole foods and ultra-processed products.
Advertisement
“Unlike refined cereals, which cause a quick sugar spike, our ingredients provide slow-release energy. We urge shoppers to look past the maths and read the ingredients list; real health is about the quality of the food, not just a calorie count.”
A Waitrose spokesperson said: “There’s absolutely no added sugar in this muesli.
“All sugars come from wholefoods including sultanas, raisins, dried apricots and dates – in fact, the product contains 10 different plants varieties, which when eaten as part of a balanced diet, is beneficial for health.”
Eat Natural declined to comment.
Advertisement
Top 6
Asda Just Essentials: 5.3g sugar; 0.8g saturated fat; 366 calories; 9g fibre; 12g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
H&B 15 Plant Fruit & Nut: 8.3g sugar; 1.4g saturated fat; 337 calories; 9.2g fibre; 11.5g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
Morrisons Savers: 5g sugar; 0.9g saturated fat; 360 calories; 8.9g fibre; 10.7g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
Sainsbury’s Fruity: 23.1g sugar; 0.5g saturated fat; 339 calories; 7.2g fibre; 8g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
Sainsbury’s Stamford Street Co: 4.9g sugar; 0.8g saturated fat; 353 calories; 9g fibre; 11.2g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
Tesco Finest Fruit Nut & Seed: 12.7g sugar; 1g saturated fat; 374 calories; 7.1g fibre; 14.7g protein – TOTAL SCORE 80
Bottom 4
Waitrose Essential No Added Sugar: 19.5g sugar; 3.5g saturated fat; 387 calories; 8.9g fibre; 9.7g protein – TOTAL SCORE 62
Mornflake Classic Fruit & Nut: 18.5g sugar; 3.1g saturated fat; 379 calories; 8.4g fibre; 9.3g protein – TOTAL SCORE 60
Eat Natural Gluten-Free Buckwheat Toasted: 15.3g sugar; 7.4g saturated fat; 482 calories; 7.8g fibre; 12.3g protein – TOTAL SCORE 50
Raw Gorilla Keto Mighty Muesli: 1.5g sugar; 12.2g saturated fat; 594.7 calories; 10.2 fibre; 21.4g protein – TOTAL SCORE 46
New figures show the average time to receive a diagnosis in NI is over nine years
A woman from Belfast has opened up about her 19 year wait to be diagnosed with endometriosis, describing it as “hell.”
Advertisement
Kathleen Mulholland said the pain she experienced was so bad she had to visit A&E on multiple occasions before being listened to. She said the condition has impacted every area of her life.
New data from Endometriosis UK has revealed the average time to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in Northern Ireland has now reached 9 years and 10 months. Alarmingly, this figure has increased from an average of 8 years 6 months reported in 2020.
The findings, from a survey by Endometriosis UK, highlight the struggles of individuals seeking diagnosis and treatment to reduce the severity of symptoms. 39% of UK respondents reported needing to visit their GP ten times or more before endometriosis was suspected. Additionally, 55% of respondents attended A&E with their symptoms, but 46% of these were sent home without treatment.
Advertisement
Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It’s common, affecting around 1 in 10 women.
Symptoms vary from person to person and can be severe and debilitating. Common symptoms include: pelvic pain, painful periods that interfere with everyday life, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pain during or after sex. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with endometriosis.
Kathleen Mulholland from Belfast said the condition has impacted all areas of her life. The 40-year-old said: “It took me 19 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis. The pain got so bad that I had to go to A&E seven times over two weeks before someone would listen to me.
“It’s something which has affected every area of my life; my education suffered, I’ve had to give up jobs, I’ve stopped being involved in hobbies, sports or socialising, my mental health has been badly hit and, sadly, it’s meant I haven’t been able to have children. It’s been hell.”
Advertisement
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “It is unacceptable that those living with endometriosis in Northern Ireland have to endure years of pain and uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis.
“Our findings underscore the urgent need not only for increased awareness and understanding of endometriosis and menstrual health among healthcare providers, but for this to be translated into action, with appropriate levels of resources allocated by the NHS to overcome far too long waiting lists and enable access to care where and when it’s needed.
“Endometriosis care has been neglected for too long and the situation is getting worse. Governments across the UK must treat endometriosis as a common, chronic condition that requires systematic action and we want an unequivocal commitment to reduce average diagnosis time to one year or less by 2030.”
Endometriosis UK is calling on all UK governments to commit to reducing the average time for diagnosis to one year or less by 2030.
Advertisement
This will need targeted action to reduce waiting lists for gynaecology services, appropriate levels of funding and resources, mandatory and effective endometriosis and menstrual health training for healthcare practitioners, menstrual health education in schools and an acknowledgement endometriosis is a common chronic condition that must be treated as a long-term condition by the NHS.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
The Foreign Office has issued new travel advice for Cyprus as UK terror threat is reviewed following Iranian missile strikes in the region.
21:00, 01 Mar 2026Updated 21:17, 01 Mar 2026
The Foreign Office has updated its guidance for British travellers following missile launches directed at UK military installations.
Yesterday saw US-Israeli forces conduct ‘Operation Epic Fury’ strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of the nation’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran responded swiftly, targeting American air bases in Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain with retaliatory missiles.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified the UK has “played no role in these strikes” whilst confirming British aircraft “are in the sky”. With the crisis continuing to unfold, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed the UK’s terror threat level is “absolutely” being reassessed amid fears of Iranian reprisals.
Advertisement
Two Iranian missiles appeared to be on course for Cyprus yesterday – home to a pair of UK military installations. These bases accommodate thousands of British service personnel on permanent deployment to the Mediterranean island.
The missiles ultimately fell short of their apparent target, plunging into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea instead. Nevertheless, the Foreign Office maintains there remains an ongoing risk in Cyprus, urging British nationals to exercise “sensible precautions” whilst in the territory, reports the Mirror.
The updated guidance warns: “There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts. British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances”. Recommended safety measures include consulting government guidance regarding overseas crises, registering for FCDO travel advisory email notifications, keeping abreast of domestic and international news coverage, and subscribing to additional local information services and resources.
Advertisement
Defence Secretary John Healey, however, stated the UK government does not believe the missiles were deliberately aimed at the bases. He said: “We don’t believe they were targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless it’s an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region.
“It demonstrates how our bases, our personnel, military and civilians at the moment are at risk with a regime that is increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrollable in the attacks it’s mounting,” Mr Healey added.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which continues to update its travel guidance as the conflict intensifies, has now recommended against all travel to Turkey, one of Cyprus’s bordering nations.
Advertisement
It recommends against all travel to areas within 10km of the Syrian border owing to “fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”. The department has additionally issued guidance “against all but essential travel” to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, urging British nationals in these countries, along with Palestine and Israel, to “should shelter in place” and “register your presence” with the UK foreign office.
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.
