Bystanders stood in shock, surveying the destruction. Tensions quickly rose among onlookers. Some shouted angrily, directing blame at Israel, while a group of men raised a tall poster of Hezbollah’s slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah, marching it to the top of the pile of rubble.

Available for over a year

Donald Trump’s fight with US media has entered a new chapter since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. The president has taken issue with Wall Street Journal reporting on an Iranian attack against US tankers in Saudi Arabia, while going as far to accuse the “Fake News Media” of working with Iran to circulate AI-generated videos of the USS Abraham Lincoln in flames.

Until now the president has largely used the courts in his fight with the press, but he’s now considering revoking broadcast licences with the help of the Federal Communications Commission run by close ally Brendan Carr. It remains to be seen whether the administration would be prepared to follow through on its threats to broadcasters, but could it have a chilling effect on journalists covering the war, some of whom have already been banned from the Pentagon by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth?

And, top counterterrorism official Joe Kent has resigned from the Trump administration over the war with Iran, urging the president to “reverse course”. Who is Joe Kent, and what’s the real story behind his resignation?

HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles. The technical producer was James Piper. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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It was confirmed on Wednesday that the former Scotland captain had been arrested and released without charge last month

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has issued a statement after it was confirmed he was arrested again earlier this year.

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that Hogg, who currently plays for Montpellier in France, had been arrested last month. He was subsequently released without charge.

“A 33-year-old man was arrested in the Hawick area on Thursday February 12, 2026 in connection with a report of a breach of a non-harassment order,” said the spokesperson.

The confirmation of the arrest, in connection with an alleged breach of a non-harassment order, comes after Hogg was stripped of his MBE.

Following confirmation of the arrest, Hogg released a statement on his social media accounts – with the initial post on X stating: “I have something I’d like to say…”

The actual statement then read: “Over the past few days there has been a lot written and said about me once again, and I feel it is important to address that briefly.

“There has been no criminal charges brought against me in relation to recent matters that have been reported in the media.

“Recent coverage has included speculation and commentary once again relating to a private family matter. I cooperated fully with enquiries with Police Scotland and left shortly after. I continue and always have respect for the legal process.

“I have been involved in private family proceedings before the Scottish courts. As is common in these cases, there are legal restrictions which prevent me from discussing the details publicly. These restrictions exist to protect the integrity of the legal process and, most importantly, the privacy and wellbeing of our children involved.

“For that reason, I cannot respond publicly to many of the false and defamatory claims or commentary that continue to appear in the media.

“It is frustrating to see private family matters repeatedly turned into headlines, where people are profiteering from feeding the media fake news. While I am legally unable to explain the full circumstances. Stories built on partial information inevitably create a distorted picture of my life and my families life, this is extremely unfair and damaging.

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“I understand that public life brings scrutiny and I have always accepted that and taken responsibility for my actions. However, reporting should remain accurate and responsible, particularly where ongoing family proceedings and children are involved.

“The welfare and privacy of my children must come before public commentary, which is why I will not discuss matters that are properly before the court.

“Media organisations should remain mindful that reporting relating to family proceedings and children may engage legal protections under Scottish law. Writing fabricated stories, half truths is unfair to all involved in my life.

“I have cooperated with the authorities and will continue to respect the legal process. The truth of the situation will come through the proper legal channels rather than speculation.

“I am first and foremost a father and a professional rugby player. My focus remains on my children, my career and moving forward.

“I will not be making any further comment on private family matters at this time.”

Hogg was banned from approaching or contacting his estranged wife Gillian Hogg for five years after he admitted a single charge of domestic abuse.

In November 2024, he admitted shouting and swearing, tracking her movements, and sending her messages which were alarming and distressing in nature.

Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced Hogg to a community payback order with one year of supervision when he appeared at Selkirk Sheriff Court for sentencing in January last year.

He was also handed a five-year non-harassment order.

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Cold, damp or mouldy homes have been driving tens of thousands of hospital admissions, new data has revealed, as the UK faces a fresh cost of living crisis.

Poor housing conditions were recorded as contributing factors to serious respiratory and cardiovascular illness in almost 40,000 NHS hospital admissions in 2024, according to the figures.

The data comes as Britons face soaring fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. Following the US-Israeli attacks launched on Iran last month, oil and gas prices have been driven up as Iran throttles key shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, with commercial vessels coming under attack in the region.

Energy costs in the UK consequently look set to jump in the next price cap announcement, in a fresh blow for households, which have already been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Campaigners warn that this oil and gas crisis is especially concerning in light of the link between poor housing conditions and serious illness, especially for vulnerable households.

Respiratory and cardiovascular conditions are rising, with the UK Health Security Agency’s first Cold Mortality Monitoring Report estimating there were 2,544 cold-related deaths during winter 2024-25.

Analysis by Asthma + Lung UK last month found that emergency pneumonia admissions rose 25 per cent between 2022-23 and 2024-25, reaching 579,475 cases, with cold, damp and mouldy homes identified as a leading cause, while a survey by Health Equals last year found 28 per cent of UK adults now report living in homes affected by damp, mould or cold, suggesting the underlying problem continues to grow.

Health Equals warned long-term exposure to damp, cold and mould can cause or worsen existing conditions like asthma, lead to other respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, trigger cardiovascular issues like heart palpitations, or contribute to mental health conditions like stress, anxiety and depression.

Poor housing can, in the worst scenarios, cause deaths, as was the case with two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing association home.

The new data, obtained by home improvement specialist Purebuilt via a Freedom of Information request, highlights the increasing dangers of cold, damp and mould-affected homes on people’s health.

It shows that London, the UK’s most populous city, recorded the highest number of admissions to NHS hospitals as a consequence of these poor housing conditions. The capital saw 8,335 cases in 2024, with Greater Manchester following in second place. Working-age adults were found to account for more than four-fifths of all admissions.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The link between cold, damp homes and serious illness is already clear, and that makes the current oil and gas price crisis even more worrying.

“As fossil fuel markets become more volatile again, there is a real danger that more households will be pushed into cutting back on heating or living in unhealthy conditions they cannot afford to escape. That is why it is so important that support is ready to go in practice, not just promised in principle.

“The government must ensure help reaches the households living in the coldest, dampest homes first, while also preparing wider emergency energy support in case this crisis deepens.

“That means targeted financial help for those hit hardest, faster action to improve the energy efficiency of the worst homes, and a clear plan to stop rising global oil and gas prices from translating into higher bills that could lead to more illness, misery and pressure on the NHS.

“No one should be made ill because they cannot afford to keep their home warm and dry.”

It comes amid warnings that the government’s main home energy support scheme, ECO4, is confirmed to end in December, with no successor obligation in place, while the £15bn Warm Homes Plan replacement still has key eligibility details to be finalised.

Michael Davie, home improvement specialist at Purebuilt, said: “The NHS is picking up the cost of a problem that could be prevented through proper investment in insulation, heating upgrades and fair access to retrofit support.

“With ECO4 now confirmed to end in December 2026, and the Warm Homes Plan still taking shape, households urgently need clarity on what support will replace it.

“Without accessible, fully funded programmes for insulation and heating upgrades, health inequalities will deepen, and next winter will be no different.”

The Independent has approached the UK government for comment.

The Martian remains one of the most crowd-pleasing space epics of the modern era.

The film is based on the 2011 book by Andy Weir, the author who also wrote best-seller Project Hail Mary, which has also been adapted for the screen and hits cinemas March 19.

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, The Martian follows an astronaut stranded on Mars who must use science, ingenuity and sheer stubbornness to stay alive while NASA races to bring him home.

The film became a global phenomenon, pulling in over $630 million at the box office and earning multiple Oscar nominations.

It also stands as Scott’s highest-grossing film to date, which is no small feat for a director with a catalogue that includes Alien and Gladiator.

Now streaming on BBC iPlayer, the survival story is being rediscovered by viewers as they prepare to embark on another sci-fi epic with Project Hail Mary – and judging by audience reactions, it’s lost none of its impact.

Fans have been quick to praise The Martian’s blend of tension and humour.

One viewer called it ‘an absolute must see’ in a review on Rotten Tomatoes, while another said it ‘kept me interested for the full two hours’ — no easy achievement in an era of endless distractions.

Others highlighted Damon’s performance, with the actor repeatedly singled out as the driving force behind the film’s success.

What makes The Martian stand out is its tone. Despite the life-or-death premise, it leans into optimism, problem-solving and even comedy, famously turning a desperate survival situation into a story involving disco music and potato farming on Mars.

As one fan neatly put it, it’s ‘like the Mars version of Castaway but potatoes instead of a volleyball.’

The film’s production was just as ambitious as its story.

Shot across vast sound stages in Budapest and the striking deserts of Jordan’s Wadi Rum, it creates a convincing vision of the red planet without losing its grounded, human focus.

A decade on, The Martian still feels like a rare kind of blockbuster.

Stream The Martian on BBC iPlayer now.

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He said: “When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square, when I see Hindus celebrating Diwali, when I see Jews celebrating Chanukah live, when I see Christians performing the Passion of the Christ, or Muslims praying, that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country.

Leanne Abeyance from Telford paid £3,000 for dental implants in Turkey, but the procedure went wrong leaving her with severe complications and unable to eat

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When Leanne Abeyance flew to Turkey in May 2024 to swap her 13 year old veneers for implants, she never anticipated the ordeal that awaited her.

Leanne, hailing from Telford, Shropshire, opted for treatment overseas due to the hefty £40,000 price tag attached to the same procedure in the UK. The Turkish clinic quoted her £8,000, of which she paid an upfront fee of £3,000, with the balance due upon completion of the treatment.

Following a dentist’s advice, she underwent a sinus lift and bone grafts, receiving eight implants on the upper jaw and seven on the lower. Prior to this nightmare, Leanne had been working as a DJ. She had her teeth extracted and replaced with screws and implants.

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Two days post-surgery, the 40 year old was fitted with temporary teeth. She was scheduled to return to Turkey five months later for her permanent set and initially, she was pleased with her interim smile.

Unfortunately, Leanne began suffering from severe headaches and sinusitis just weeks after the operation. A scan at a private dental practice revealed that two of the implants had penetrated her nasal cavity – leaving her terrified of losing her upper lip, reports the Mirror.

Leanne shared her harrowing experience: “I was constantly in and out of the doctors and given antibiotics, but nothing was clearing it. I got hospitalised overnight on an IV feed. A few weeks back, I was in the worst pain of my life, going back and forth to AandE, where they couldn’t do anything.”

The situation remains much the same today. She explained: “I’m scared that I’m going to have no lips left. It’s [the hole] already gone under my top lip and onto my gums.

“It doesn’t stop leaking and bleeding. I can’t even eat properly anymore because it’s so sore and painful. And the fact that I have to keep the gauze on, I can’t breathe.”

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Leanne described how “thick gunk” continuously seeps from the wound – images we’ve opted not to publish due to their graphic nature. She feels “angry, frustrated, tired and fed up” at being unable to secure help at A&E, as her situation apparently falls into a “grey area”.

Leanne is currently waiting for her GP to confirm whether she’s developed osteomyelitis, a severe bone infection, typically bacterial, that triggers inflammation, pain, fever and swelling.

The impact extends beyond the physical toll, as Leanne is also grappling with unkind responses she’s encountered online.

There may, however, be hope on the horizon. She revealed: “I have contacted my original surgeon in London and he has given me an appointment in a few weeks, so fingers crossed.”

Leanne strongly advised anyone facing similar circumstances to “please go private, do not leave it. Do not accept no for an answer”.

Addressing those posting hurtful comments on social media, Leanne also appealed: “Start being kind to one another, we are all human, and there’s only so much one can take”.

Holly Maclean is aiming to make her mark again at Miss GB Glasgow having been a finalist last year.

A stunning Wishaw beauty is aiming to wow the judges and make it all the way to the final of Miss Great Britain.

Holly Maclean, who is a nursery practitioner at Kirkstyle Early Learning Centre in Carluke, is aiming to make her mark again at Miss GB Glasgow having been a finalist last year.

The 23-year-old, who lives in Overtown, will be using her time in the competition to promote the Lanarkshire mental health charity You are my Sunshine (YAMS) as well as raising cash for Cancer Research UK.

The former Clyde Valley High pupil said: “It was a really good opportunity for me last year and I had such a good time. It would mean a lot if I made it to the final, it would mean the world to me.

“I would encourage anyone to do this. If I can inspire other girls to follow their dreams then it would be amazing.

“The girls are all incredible and you always have a great time. Last year I was able to do some travelling after I got some modelling opportunities.

“I’ve been to Miami and will be heading to Italy and then Las Vegas later this year.

“It’s not a voting system, there will be interviews and on-stage rounds, it will be down to the judges on the day.”

Holly has put her energy back into something positive having already raised £1200 for YAMS through a pyjama party at nursery and a sponsored spin-athon at New Age Fitness in Wishaw.

READ MORE: North Lanarkshire rules out World Cup bank holiday

And she is putting the same commitment to raising cash for the cancer charity this time around.

She added: “I went through a tough few months after a relationship ended. I liked supporting You are my Sunshine because they focus on both children and adults.

“I thought with the job I do in the nursery, that it’s important to raise mental health awareness at a young age.”

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READ MORE: Wishaw Post Office set to move to new location later this month

Leanne Abeyance, 40, from Telford, Shropshire, jetted to Turkey in May 2024 to replace her 13-year-old veneers with implants – but scans showed two implants had pierced her nose

When Leanne Abeyance flew to Turkey in May 2024 to swap her 13 year old veneers for implants, she never anticipated the ordeal that awaited her.

Leanne, hailing from Telford, Shropshire, opted for treatment overseas due to the hefty £40,000 price tag attached to the same procedure in the UK. The Turkish clinic quoted her £8,000, of which she paid an initial £3,000, with the balance due once her new teeth were in place.

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Following a dentist’s advice, she underwent a sinus lift and bone grafts, receiving eight implants on the upper jaw and seven on the lower. Prior to this nightmare, Leanne had been working as a DJ, but found herself having her teeth extracted and replaced with screws and implants.

Two days post-surgery, the 40 year old had her temporary teeth fitted. She was scheduled to return to Turkey five months later for her permanent set and initially, she was pleased with her interim smile.

However, Leanne soon began suffering severe headaches and sinusitis in the weeks following the operation. A private dental scan revealed two implants had penetrated her nasal cavity, leaving her terrified she might lose her upper lip, reports the Mirror.

Leanne shared her distressing experience with us: “I was constantly in and out of the doctors and given antibiotics, but nothing was clearing it. I got hospitalised overnight on an IV feed. A few weeks back, I was in the worst pain of my life, going back and forth to AandE, where they couldn’t do anything.”

The situation remains equally dire today. She explained: “I’m scared that I’m going to have no lips left. It’s [the hole] already gone under my top lip and onto my gums.

“It doesn’t stop leaking and bleeding. I can’t even eat properly anymore because it’s so sore and painful. And the fact that I have to keep the gauze on, I can’t breathe.”

Leanne described how “thick gunk” continuously seeps from the wound, which we’ve opted not to display due to the graphic nature of the images. She feels “angry, frustrated, tired and fed up” after being unable to secure assistance at A&E, as her situation is reportedly a “grey area”.

Leanne is currently waiting for her GP to confirm whether she’s developed osteomyelitis, a severe, typically bacterial, bone infection that triggers inflammation, discomfort, fever, and swelling.

The challenges extend beyond the physical toll, as Leanne is also grappling with hostile responses she’s encountered online.

Nevertheless, there appears to be hope on the horizon, as she revealed: “I have contacted my original surgeon in London and he has given me an appointment in a few weeks, so fingers crossed.”

Leanne implored others facing comparable circumstances to “please go private, do not leave it. Do not accept no for an answer”.

Addressing online trolls posting hurtful comments on social media, Leanne also stated: “Start being kind to one another, we are all human, and there’s only so much one can take”.

The Manor House, on High Lane in Maltby, closed its doors to punters on Monday (March 16) following reports of bookings being cancelled over the weekend.

The reason behind the closure, and whether it is temporary or permanent, is not yet known – with owners the Sir John Fitzgerald Pubs not yet commenting on the news.

Pictures taken on Tuesday showed how one half of the venue had been boarded up with panels on its windows and doors. 

And today (March 18), The Manor House’s section on the Sir John  Fitzgerald Pubs website now brings up an error. 

null (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The pub remains on the chain’s list of venues but, when clicked upon, the website states “page not found” followed by: “It looks like nothing was found at this location.”

The Manor House has been run by Sir John Fitzgerald Pubs for several years and has garnered rave reviews for its “delicious” chicken parmesans and “excellent” Sunday lunches. 

Before being The Manor House, it was known as the Yorkshire Dragoon and long before that as the New Inn. 

The Northern Echo has contacted The Manor House and the Sir John Fitzgerald Pubs firm for more information.