The payment, which helps with the cost of heating your home in the colder winter months, has been made automatically to the vast majority of people over the age of 66, with over one million payments made by January 24.

Lanarkshire OAPs who have not yet received their Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this winter are being encouraged to apply to receive support.

The payment, which helps with the cost of heating your home in the colder winter months, has been made automatically to the vast majority of people over the age of 66, with over one million payments made by January 24.

Pensioners in Scotland who have not opted out will receive a payment of between £101.70 and £305.10.

However, some in this age group will need to apply for the benefit. People who deferred their State Pension since they were last paid Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment will need to apply.

People over State Pension age who are part of a couple with a joint award for Pension Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support or Universal Credit where the main person getting that benefit is under State Pension age will also need to apply.

For example, if the named person on the joint award of Pension Credit is aged 63 and their partner is 68, the 68-year-old will be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment but will need to apply.

Those who are eligible and haven’t automatically received the payment can apply by phone or by post. The deadline to apply for winter 2025 to 2026 is March 31.

Applicants can call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to apply for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment over the phone or to request a paper application form. Opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Before calling, applicants will need to know their National Insurance number, their bank or building society details, where they lived during the qualifying week (15 to 21 September 2025) and what benefits they got during this period.

READ MORE: Groups across North Lanarkshire to benefit from 2025 Grant Awards Programme

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A new sci-fi survival thriller has been added to Paramount+ and is already impressing critics and fans alike with its unpredictable plot twists and stunning visuals

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Paramount+ subscribers would be wise not to overlook a distinctive new thriller that’s just landed on the streaming service.

This remarkable fusion of survival drama and science fiction marks the feature film debut of director Hugo Keijzer, and it’s fair to say that both audiences and critics have been thoroughly impressed.

Whilst certain elements of the film have sparked debate, this pulse-pounding expedition into the wilderness has won over Rotten Tomatoes critics, currently holding an impressive 94 percent rating.

Early viewers who’ve experienced this unpredictable cinematic journey have also been captivated by The Occupant, which launched on Paramount+ today (Thursday, 19th February).

The film’s synopsis states: “Desperate to fund an experimental treatment for her sister Beth’s terminal cancer, Abby takes a high-risk but well-paid job at a uranium mine in Northern Georgia.”, reports the Mirror.

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READ MORE: ‘Gripping’ psychological thriller fans urged to binge-watch if they haven’t alreadyREAD MORE: BBC iPlayer’s must-watch true crime documentary leaving fans ‘shocked’

“Her attempt to return home after discovering a mysterious, potentially valuable mineral element is halted after her helicopter crashes in the remote mountains. Stranded, she finds hope through John, an American pilot radioing from nearby.

“As their connection deepens, Abby uncovers a disturbing truth about John, forcing her to make an impossible choice.”

Actress Ella Balinska, known for her roles in 2019’s Charlie’s Angels reboot and the recent Resident Evil series, takes the lead, appearing alongside Deadpool and Catastrophe star Rob Delaney as the mysterious John Fisher. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have described The Occupant as “powerful and striking”, as well as “intense, quiet, beautifully shot, and terrifying”.

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One review noted: “Majestically scaled, emotionally intimate and ambitious in its conceit, THE OCCUPANT will infuriate some with its narrative ambiguity but those attuned to Keijzer’s unique vision will be thoroughly rewarded.”

Enthusiasm carried over to Letterboxd, where one five-star review enthused: “The amount of times my jaw dropped and the amount of times I wrongly guessed what the plot twist was going to be. I LOVED THIS MOVIE.”

Another viewer concurred: “Amazing movie was super intense and trippy, would watch again.”

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A further enthusiast wrote in their four-star review: “A beautiful slowburn about grief, acceptance and resilience. The film’s different locations were gorgeous and the way it was shot really emphasised how small one is when lost in the wilderness.

“We were hooked from the start, sure it had some flaws but overall it was very enjoyable!”.

Science fiction enthusiasts would be well advised to add this remarkable debut feature to their watchlist without delay.

The Occupant is available to stream on Paramount+.

As well as the possibility of a civil war, such as experienced by Syria, Yemen and Libya, there is also the risk that in the chaos and confusion, ethnic tensions could spill over into armed conflict as Kurds, Baluchis, Azerbaijanis and other minorities look to safeguard their own people amid a nationwide power vacuum.

The UK has not agreed to allow the US to launch air strikes against Iran from a British base on Diego Garcia and another in Gloucestershire, it is understood.

The Times first reported the lack of permission.

The newspaper said, as a result of the UK’s reticence, Donald Trump had withdrawn his support for a deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer to hand the Chagos Islands, which include Diego Garcia, over to Mauritius.

US military plans to strike Iran involve the use of a British and American military base on Diego Garcia as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which hosts a US fleet of heavy bombers.

Under long-standing agreements between London and Washington, the Pentagon is only able to launch operations from the two sites, as well as other air bases in the UK that are home to US warplanes and personnel, with advance approval from the British government.

This has not yet been given in relation to any potential strike against Iran because of concern that such a mission would be a breach of international law, according to The Times.

President Trump on Thursday said the world would find out “over the next, probably, 10 days” whether the US would reach a deal with Iran to end its nuclear ambitions – or take military action.

He has been surging forces to the Middle East – including two giant aircraft carriers and supporting warships and jets – to increase his options for launching a significant military operation against the Islamic Republic should talks fail.

Mr Trump spoke on Tuesday evening by phone with the British prime minister. The topics covered included the Iran crisis, but not the Chagos Islands.

However, the following day, the president launched a new attack on Mr Starmer over the Chagos Islands deal, even after his own State Department had said it supported the UK’s decision to give the territory to Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia.

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In a post on social media, Mr Trump explicitly mentioned the utility of Diego Garcia and Fairford for US military operations against Iran, and appeared to suggest why it would be within international law for the UK to grant such deployments, given that it too could be under threat.

“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.

“An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries.”

He then said: “We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the UK, but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them.”

Read more:
Why is the Chagos Islands deal controversial?
Trump to PM: ‘Do not give away Diego Garcia’

The UK is not thought to be preparing to support the US in any military offensive against Iran.

However, the Royal Air Force has deployed six F-35 warplanes to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, and sent four Typhoon jets to Qatar, as part of efforts to bolster its own defences in the event of any Iranian counterattack in response to American strikes.

On the Chagos Islands deal, the government has repeatedly defended its decision to hand over the territory to Mauritius, saying it would avoid a costly legal battle while securing access to Diego Garcia for 100 years.

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.

Recommended reading:

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:
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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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1,000 days of war in Sudan

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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.