Afghanistan and Pakistan have been fighting since last month

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Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of intentionally attacking a hospital in an airstrike that has reportedly left 400 people dead. Pakistan dismissed the accusation said the strikes did not hit any civilian sites.

The incident on Monday, March 16, is one of the latest since the conflict between the neighbours that sparked last month. The fighting has been marked by repeated cross-border clashes and air strikes inside Afghanistan.

The broader Middle East, meanwhile, has been drawn into a widespread regional conflict after the United States and Israel carried out joint strikes on key Iranian sites on February 28. Iran has retaliated, plunging the region into war for over more than two weeks.

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Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said, in a post on X, that the air strike had hit the hospital at about 9pm local time.

Fitrat said that large sections of the 2,000-bed facility were destroyed and the death toll had “so far” reached 400 people, while about 250 people had been reported injured.

Local television aired footage, posted on social media, of security forces using torches as they carried out casualties while firefighters fought flames among the ruins of a building.

Afghan officials just hours earlier said the two sides exchanged fire along their common border, in which four people in Afghanistan were killed, as the deadliest fighting between the neighbours in years entered a third week.

Afghan government spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, condemned the strike in a post on X and accused Pakistan of “targeting hospitals and civilian sites to perpetrate horrors”. He said the deceased and injured were patients at the hospital.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesman, Mosharraf Zaidi, said the allegations were baseless and no hospital was targeted in Kabul.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information, in a post on X, said the strikes “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban” and Afghanistan-based Pakistani militants in Kabul and Nangarhar, saying the facilities were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians.

It said Pakistan’s targeting was “precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted”.

The presenter is embarking on a 1,000km charity tandem bike ride from Weymouth to Edinburgh to raise funds for Comic Relief.

Greg has raised more than £190,000 and will be passing through County Durham on Wednesday, March 18, if all goes to plan.

His journey will take him north along the Durham coast from Hart to Seaham, passing through areas including Blackhall Rocks, Horden, Easington, and South Hetton.

(Image: COMIC RELIEF)

This leg of the challenge will see him cycle across former colliery land, now converted into scenic paths and viewpoints.

After reaching Seaham, the route continues into Sunderland via Ryhope and Hendon, moving from coastal scenery to city streets as he approaches the centre of Sunderland.

Supporters can track Greg’s progress in real time using Comic Relief’s official GPS tracker, which provides live updates of his location along the route.

The “Where’s Greg now?” page updates regularly as his GPS signal moves.

So, readers will be able to see when he’s closing in on Hart, Blackhall Rocks, Horden, Easington, South Hetton and Seaham.

Alternatively, you can track Greg on our page here:

This allows fans to see when he is nearing their area and find the best time to head out and show their support.

This is the radio host’s third major challenge for Comic Relief, despite previously saying he would not take on another.

In 2016, he completed five triathlons in five days, and in 2018, he cycled between and climbed the UK’s three highest peaks: Scafell Pike, Snowdon, and Ben Nevis.

Jamie Docherty, 34, was jailed for five years after threatening and stamping on a female police officer’s head in an attack outside of a hospital following his arrest

A man has been jailed after threatening to stab a female police officer, before stamping on her head, following his arrest.

Jamie Docherty was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to attacking PC Rebecca Martin-Palmer outside Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in 2025.

Docherty, 34, was in hospital on August 13 last year following an alleged assault. The High Court heard that he had previous convictions for violence, disorder and other offences.

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The court heard that after ordering her not to touch him, he was “in the officer’s face” with clenched fists, according to the BBC.

Martin-Palmer was then hit in the face with a plastic container before Docherty threatened to stab her.

Prosecutor Alasdair Shaw said Martin-Palmer pressed her emergency button for back-up. Shaw then told the court that Docherty shouted she was going to die as the officer continued her efforts to restrain him.

After she fell to the ground, he stamped on her head.

Docherty ran inside the building and despite her injuries Martin-Palmer continued to try and catch him.

He then threatened her by pressing a mobile phone to her neck, claiming it was a high-powered taser.

After the arrival of other officers he was eventually handcuffed.

The court in Glasgow heard that the officer received injuries to her nose and bruising and is yet to return to police work following the incident.

Due to a guilty plea, Docherty’s sentence was reduced from seven years. Lord Arthurson said in court on Monday, March 16: “Your assault was sustained, exceptionally violent and was to the danger of the officer’s life.

“The courts will continue to regard such deplorable attacks on police officers as offending of the utmost gravity and deal with the perpetrators with considerable severity.”

Superintendent Ross Aitken said: “This was a despicable act and Docherty will now face the consequences of his actions. It was a vicious and terrifying attack against an officer simply trying to do her job.

“The bravery and professionalism she has shown throughout this process is admirable and I would like to thank her for her efforts. By the very nature of the job, police officers and staff find themselves dealing with volatile and dangerous situations to protect the people and communities we serve. However, being assaulted is not part of the job and it will not be tolerated.

“We take a zero tolerance approach to violence against emergency service workers and are committed to holding those responsible to account.”

Tings N Wings, based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, is a small, family-run fast food retailer that first opened back in 2021.

It is known for its “epic” wing flavours, smashed Angus burgers, and buttermilk chicken burgers and tenders.

At one point, the fast food retailer had three sites across the UK in Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, and Clacton-on-Sea.

Tings N Wings said it is focused on “dedication to quality” when it comes to food.

Its website continues: “We pride ourselves on serving our customers a menu completely free of preservatives and artificial flavourings.

“Each and every sauce is made entirely from scratch. We use only the best available real ingredients.

“Our quality is our identity – it’s who we are as a company. It’s what guides us and it’s what sets us apart. We will never change.”

Tings N Wings has received rave reviews from customers across the UK, since opening five years ago, being described as “THE BEST”.

Others have said they make the “best fried chicken about” and the “best wings in town”.

Tings N Wings set to close after entering liquidation

Tings N Wings launched a petition in October 2025, requesting support to help keep its final store in Welwyn Garden City open.

In January, the company was handed notice that it was to be struck off the Companies House Register and dissolved in less than two months.

In February, this strike-off action was suspended, according to Companies House .

However, Tings N Wings has now voluntarily entered liquidation.

Giles McCarthy of Netchwood Finance Ltd was appointed as liquidator on March 5, according to the London Gazette.

Turbulent start to 2026 for UK high street

It has been a rough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with several retailers entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street retailers, including River Island, Primark, and Poundland, have already been forced to close stores in 2026, while Revolution and BrewDog have shut the doors to 21 and 38 pubs, respectively.

Several other retailers have fallen into administration recently, including:

Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in the opening weeks of 2026:

EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, has also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

Tesco also recently revealed plans to cut 380 jobs in stores across the UK, while it’s been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, Superdrug, and Lidl.

Which recent shop closure has affected you the most? Let us know in the comments below.

“Given the importance of secure English language testing for the UK’s immigration system and the protection of our borders, we cannot endorse the proposed approach by bidding for this tender while retaining our commitment to responsible, trusted and secure assessment,” it said.

A further 250 people have been reported as injured in the wake of the blast

Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of killing at least 400 people in an airstrike on a hospital in Kabul.

The strike, which Afghan officials say happened late on Monday evening (March 16), marks a dramatic escalation in conflict that began late last month and has already seen repeated cross-border clashes and airstrikes, as well as air strikes inside Afghanistan.

Pakistan has strongly rejected the allegations it hit the hospital, insisting its military targeted only military infrastructure and did not civilian sites or facilities.

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Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said the strike hit the hospital in the capital at around 9pm local time. In a post on X, he said large sections of the 2,000-bed facility were destroyed.

Fitrat said the death toll had so far reached 400 people, while around 250 others were reported injured.

Footage shared by local television stations on social media appeared to show security forces using flashlights as they carried casualties away from the scene while firefighters worked to extinguish flames among the ruins of the building.

Fitrat said rescue teams were still working to control the fire and recover bodies from the site.

The strike came just hours after Afghan officials said forces from both countries exchanged fire along their shared border, leaving four people dead in Afghanistan.

The latest clashes mark the third week of what has become the most serious fighting between the two neighbouring countries in years.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the reported strike, accusing Pakistan of targeting hospitals and other civilian sites.

“We strongly condemn this crime and consider such an act to be against all accepted principles and a crime against humanity,” he said in a post on X.

Pakistan has dismissed the accusations.

A spokesperson for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the claims that a hospital had been targeted as baseless.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the military had carried out “precision airstrikes” on what he described as military installations in Kabul and the eastern province of Nangarhar.

He said the strikes destroyed technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities used by the Afghan Taliban government.

“All targeting has been done with precision only at those infrastructures which are being used by Afghan Taliban regime to support its multiple terror proxies,” Tarar wrote on X.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information earlier said Afghan claims were “false and misleading” and accused Kabul of attempting to stir public sentiment while concealing what it described as support for cross-border militant groups.

The strike came as the United Nations Security Council called on Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership to step up efforts to combat terrorism.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing militant groups — including the Pakistani Taliban — to operate from its territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies those claims.

The conflict intensified in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes that Afghan officials said had killed civilians.

The clashes disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Qatar last October following earlier fighting that left dozens dead.

Pakistan has since declared it is in what it described as an “open war” with Afghanistan, raising concerns among the international community.

Officials have warned that the instability could allow militant organisations such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State group to strengthen their presence in the region.

Pakistan claims its forces have killed hundreds of Afghan Taliban fighters during the fighting, while Afghan officials say Pakistani casualties have also been significant.

Both sides have rejected each other’s casualty figures.

Key changes to the rules around savings are coming in soon

Martin Lewis has issued a caution for savers as you could be missing out on greater returns. The advice from the consumer champion comes as major changes to savings allowances are just around the corner.

During a recent question time edition of his BBC podcast, Mr Lewis was questioned by a man about whether he could open a junior ISA for his nieces and nephew. A key benefit of ISAs is that these accounts are completely tax-free. The financial specialist initially told the uncle that regrettably he wouldn’t be able to open the account himself, as a junior ISA can only be established by a parent or guardian on behalf of a young person. Mr Lewis said: “You as an uncle can’t do it, it generally has to be the person who has the guardianship or the parentship of the child, to be able to open their ISA, so you will have to do it through them.”

This should be your focus

Nevertheless, if you are creating a junior ISA to save up for your little one, Mr Lewis had a firm word of caution regarding which type of account to go for. He said: “I tend to almost always get questions about cash junior ISAs.

“I think junior ISAs are one of those areas where you really, really want to be always be focusing if you possibly can on investing.” Mr Lewis explained there is a straightforward reason why, given how the account operates.

He explained: “You’re generally locking money away for 18 years that cannot be accessed. The rule of investing is if you’re locking money away for more than five years – and if you’ve got emergency funds and you haven’t got any high debts, which hopefully children won’t – then you should look at investing over savings because on a balance of probabilities, it will outperform.”

You can deposit up to £9,000 annually into junior ISAs on behalf of a child for whom you have parental responsibility. This sum can be allocated as preferred between cash ISAs or stocks and shares ISAs.

A junior ISA is held in the child’s name, but whoever opened the account manages it. When the child turns 16, they can become the registered contact for the account, and upon reaching 18, the account converts to an adult ISA, allowing them to access the funds. Mr Lewis continued in explaining that money placed into a junior ISA is in the “sweet spot” as you are saving funds which you don’t require and the sum has a lengthy period to grow.

Change to ISA rules

Several significant changes are approaching for ISA allowances. Distinct from the junior ISA allowance, adults can presently save up to £20,000 annually into ISAs.

This can be divided as preferred between cash ISAs and stocks and shares accounts. From April 2027, this is set to change, with the maximum deposit into cash ISAs being capped at £12,000 each tax year.

The remaining £8,000 must be allocated towards investment-based accounts. People aged 65 and above will be exempt from these new regulations and will maintain the existing allowance.

“If you’re here to talk about opportunity for America in America through Ireland, or for young Irish to thrive and prosper and be world leaders, irrespective of what one’s views are, it’s a really important and critical element of good connections in politics that Ireland, whoever the Taoiseach is, has established a very strong tradition of being able to talk to whoever the American president is.

The hospice, which relies heavily on charitable donations, is hoping to raise £75,000 to purchase the specialist beds, which will be included in every room.

Cuddle beds are wider than the standard hospital beds and are extendable to accommodate two people – providing patients with the opportunity for a partner, child, friend or pet to lie beside them.

The hospice currently has nine cuddle beds, which cost £15,000 each.

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Speaking about this, head of fundraising at St Leonard’s, Channon Barlow, said: “Every family deserves a chance to be together at the end, and not have to say goodbye from a distance.

“We want to make sure that everyone who comes through our doors is able to benefit from that closeness when they need it most.”

Another member of the St Leonard’s team, Nikki Smith, shared her experience of the hospice from the other side.  

‘Somewhere along the way, I had stopped being his partner and became his carer’

The Healthcare Assistant was comforted during one of the most difficult periods of her life when her partner Darren became ill and was admitted to St Leonard’s.

She said she remembered sitting beside his hospital bed prior to the hospice and holding his hands through the rails.

 “I’d say goodnight from inches away, but it felt like miles apart,” Nikki said.

She added: “Somewhere along the way, I had stopped being his partner and became his carer.”

When Darren arrived at St Leonard’s, there was a cuddle bed in his room.

The larger, adjustable bed meant Nikki could lie beside him safely and comfortably.

She explained: “For the first time in a long time, we were together again.

“We talked, laughed and rested in each other’s arms. That closeness meant everything.”

To find out more about the Cuddle Bed Appeal and donate, please visit https://stleonardshospice.org.uk/cuddle-bed-appeal/.