BAD BUNNY called on a clan of big shots from Hollywood and beyond to jazz up his fiery Super Bowl halftime show.

The Puerto Rican’s saucy performance was always going to cause a stir – but he made absolutely sure that tongues would be wagging by recruiting A-list help.

Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny for a breathtaking performance of ‘Die With a Smile’ in Santa Clara.

And there was also space on the bill for Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin.

But those who looked closer spotted a number of other high-profile celebs dancing in the ‘casita’ – or ‘little house’ – which was part of the on-field set.

One of them was Chilean-American acting star Pedro Pascal, seen looking suave dressed all in white with a pair of tinted glasses.

Pascal, 50, is perhaps best known for his role in Narcos, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe.

Jessica Alba was another big name in the mix.

The Californian, 44, enjoyed the peak of her acting career in the 2000s and has since made millions as a successful businesswoman.

She was joined on stage by Cardi B – the New York rapper of Dominican and Trinidadian heritage whose boyfriend, Stefon Diggs, plays for the New England Patriots.

Donald Trump has launched into a furious rant over the Super Bowl halftime show, branding the performance ‘disgusting’ and ‘an affront to the Greatness of America’

Donald Trump has launched into a furious rant about the Super Bowl LX halftime show, with the 47th President of the US calling the performance “disgusting” and “one of the worst EVER “.

Trump skipped the NFL blockbuster match entirely, claiming his absence was due to “distance issues”. However, despite the distance, he made plenty of time to criticise Grammy Award-winning music superstar Bad Bunny from afar.

And it wasn’t long before he erupted on social media.

Bad Bunny appeared to direct a subtle jab at Mr Trump during his halftime spectacular, with clips of his Grammy Awards speech shown on a small television screen before a family – including a young child. In the footage, the artist stated: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out.”

It was that particular moment which prompted the US President into response. Using his own social media platform, Truth Social, Mr Trump condemned the show in his characteristic angry style, reports the Daily Star.

He wrote: “The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.”

He subsequently suggested viewers were baffled by proceedings, stating: “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting – especially for young children watching throughout the U.S.A. and all over the World.”

Mr Trump proceeded with his outburst by describing the performance as a “slap in the face” to America, before diverging into self-congratulation regarding the economy and criticising what he labelled the “Fake News Media” for inevitably lauding the show.

“There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show,” he fumed, forecasting enthusiastic coverage from publications that “haven’t got a clue what’s going on in the REAL WORLD”.

However, the interval controversy wasn’t his sole complaint.

The US President additionally targeted the NFL’s contentious kickoff regulation, which limits player motion before the ball is secured or touches the turf.

“And, by the way,” he continued, “the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”.

The nursery is not only full of history and surrounded by open fields, the staff ‘provide the best possible care and education for all children’

We all know that Cambridgeshire is filled to the brim with historic buildings, architecture, and generally aesthetically pleasing places. Whether that is Ely Cathedral, often cited as one of the most famous landmarks in Cambridgeshire, or Kimbolton Castle, the final home of King Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

However, the quaint village of Madingley is home to a private nursery school, housed in a building dating back to the 19th-century. Stephen Perse Cambridge Early Years is a nursery offering baby, toddler, rising threes, and Kindergarten classes.

This private nursery was opened in 2020 by the Stephen Perse Foundation, who operate four nursery schools located in the Cambridgeshire and Saffron Walden areas. This ”picture-book” Victorian schoolhouse has architectural features built in simplified Tudor style, including gault brick in rat-trap bond, fish-scale tiles, and coped gables and kneelers.

“Imagine a picture-book Victorian schoolhouse, overlooking open fields and next door to woodlands. It’s idyllic – and it’s our lovely rural site at Madingley”, says the Stephen Perse Foundation.

Madingley nursery, for ages 1-3, is located in a lodge, complete with creative spaces and cosy areas. The kindergarten and reception classrooms run in the gorgeous Victorian schoolhouse. They have a large playground with climbing frames and balancing equipment, aimed at improving kids’ coordination, and sensory play areas featuring a mud kitchen.

The school has the luxury of being situated in a rural area surrounded by trees and fields, so the children have the opportunity to explore and learn more about the wonders of nature. The school boasts about promoting curiosity and allowing young learners the freedom to experiment and explore environments designed to maximise their learning.

Offering everything from physical activity and mindfulness to musical experiences and role play, this school sets out to ensure each child’s learning is tailored to their needs and encourages further stages of development.

This distinguished school has a current outstanding rating on Ofsted, and their public report says: “Children flourish in this very welcoming nursery under the expert care of extremely caring and highly experienced staff.

“Leaders and staff promote a joint passion and dedication to providing the best possible care and education for all children.”

The Monday letters page is not convinced that physical game sales are dead yet, as one reader discovers the joys of Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Game of the years
We all know what the best-selling game of 2026 is going to be, but will GTA 6 be the most critically acclaimed? It probably will be, just because fans will go crazy against any reviewer that dares to say it’s bad, but somehow I doubt it’ll actually be the best. GTA 5 may have been a phenomenon, but I wouldn’t put it on any kind of best ever list and I can’t see Rockstar changing their approach, including bad combat and racing, because they know what they did last time sells.

So what will the be 2026’s critical darling? The equivalent of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Normally it’s hard to say because we don’t know what’s coming out later in the year, but thanks to GTA 6 probably not very much.

Resident Evil Requiem seems like a good contender and maybe Saros if it’s as good as Returnal (I guess, I didn’t play that). But how do you predict the impact of Marvel’s Wolverine, The Duskbloods, Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Control: Resonant? And what if Valve really do release Half-Life 3 this year?

People have been understandably down about the games industry this year, and I’m sure we’ll all be sick of hearing about GTA 6 soon enough, but there is a lot of interesting stuff on the horizon that could make 2026 a classic year.
Gorf

GTA 6 money
I am very curious as to what Sony and Microsoft are playing at with GTA 6. I would imagine that Microsoft is actually thinking early September for Fable and Gears Of War: E-Day, which shouldn’t be too much trouble. Although you’ve got the obvious problem that people have only got limited money to spend on games, and you can bet neither of those are going to get it over GTA 6.

I guess Microsoft is thinking that most people have already put aside their GTA 6 money but I’m not sure it’s something I’d bet on if I was them. As for Sony… they really do seem like they’re ignoring the problem and putting Wolverine out as their big Christmas game.

Maybe they figure that if there’s literally nothing else out then they can still do well. But this would mean that it’s something like the third time they’ve ignored GTA 6 when talking about games coming out this year. If they do know something that we don’t they’re not being very subtle about hiding it.
Tacle

Stick your neck out
I am fascinated by the idea of the Resident Evil Requiem neck speaker, especially the fact that apparently this is a thing that already exists and wasn’t just made for the game. What on earth benefit would that have above just wearing normal headphones?

I don’t see how it would help with immersion, because the sound would presumably be coming from your shoulders. I’d be very interested to hear from anyone that has used one of these and could explain why it exists. I guess it allows you to hear other things in the room better but isn’t that definitely less immersive?
Campbell

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Retro console
I’ve finally purchased a Switch 2 and have been enjoying playing Mario Kart World with my better half, especially in the tough online Knockout Tour mode.

Surprisingly though, considering the age of the game, my main enjoyment has come from revisiting GoldenEye 007 via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, played with the official N64 wireless controller I purchased. The visuals have been sharpened up, plus it runs at a noticeably higher frame rate (it needed too!). For me it’s by far the first person shooter ever.

Just need to wait a few weeks for the hotly anticipated Resident Evil Requiem now. Hopefully it has a good Mercenaries mode included.
Adams6legend

GC: If it has, they haven’t mentioned it yet.

Northern goodness
Just played through Thanks Goodness You’re Here! as it was free with PlayStation Plus Extra. I don’t think I’ve ever said, ‘What the hell?!’, while laughing incredulously as much before while playing a game.

Always nice to play something a bit different.
Matt (he_who_runs_away – PSN ID)

Touch only
I read the Reader’s Feature with the argument that digitally-downloaded games are better, linked with the demise of GAME.

Well, as most gamers would know, GAME went wrong when they closed as independent shopping units and went in-store with Sports Direct. The gaming section was then normally found right on the top floor, in a corner right at the back. If you are looking for games you don’t want to go traipsing past rows of trainers and tracksuits.

Secondly, GAME is highly overpriced. They want people to stop buying online but charge £10+ more per game compared with online outlets. Plus, there must be a high percentage of gamers that miss the old enjoyment of picking up used game bargains; GAME used to do 3 for £10, for instance. Who remembers those deals? Not every gamer can afford £30-60 for a new game.

And there it is, yes, let’s imagine just a digital download arena for purchasing games. No more bargains then, like Nintendo. Everything will just keep rising in price because gamers will be forced into this only way of purchasing. Buy it at that price or give up gaming near enough, is what we will be told.

Plus, just the general joy of letting your other family members mooch around the shops for an hour or so, looking at clothes while you can have that hour to yourself to look through shelves of bargain games. Games which you can also then sell on again, if you wish, to the delight of another fellow.

Looks like CeX will still be my only place to go now. How long will they last before they too are pushed out by government taxes or corporate muscle? I will enjoy my little weekend jaunts while I can. Long live the physical touch.
Jools

Physical existence
While I agreed with the sentiment of Gannet’s Reader’s Feature, regarding the so-called business of GAME, I completely disagree with what he said about physical games being dead too.

If that was true, why are CeX queues always full of people with second-hand games in hand?

No doubt these very gamers could easily and knowingly not have to tramp out in the UK’s current rainy weather and simply download the game from the comfort of their home.

Regardless of what ‘the industry’ says, physical media will never leave us.

There is a thing (trend?) on TikTok now where people are starting to re-buy DVDs and even CDs because they are fed up of streaming services removing media they’ve prepaid for, and quite rightly so.

A friend of mine has even complained about this, saying certain songs from her Spotify playlists have simply disappeared.

I’ve always seen Spotify as an utterly complete waste of money, as all my music is ripped from my CDs of yore (and some are MP3 files from BandCamp).

I am currently holding off on buying certain games (Marvel Cosmic Invasion being one of them) as I’ll wait for the physical release, as I did with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind.

I just think paying more than £15 for a game you don’t own, and can’t sell or trade if you don’t like it, is crazy.
LeeDappa

The smell of gaming
It is a definite shame about the final GAME shops closing down, although not surprising. It’s still an achievement to have survived as long as they did in the ever-usurping digital world of gaming.

I had many enjoyable conversations with staff members over the years, finding out about games I may not had heard of and getting them from that shop. It was not only at GAME retailers but other local high street gaming shops, where if you know and get on well with a member of staff.

I was not one to exchange games or get a previously purchased second-hand game, as I am one of those folks who likes that cellophane-wrapped brand new game feeling. But I have purchased rare games that you couldn’t get anywhere at all anywhere, as no new versions of these games were being made anymore!

But for me it’s watching new games on their TV screens and being in a shop with like-minded fans of gaming. Also, I miss that sweaty type of smell at some of their locations, which was always very invigorating to breathe in!

It’s that less interaction with our fellow humans that’ll be missed, especially as I work from home! But I do go to places like Waterstones, HMV, hobbyist shops, and city or town markets to support them. I’m hoping the future for these retail businesses will survive in some form or another into the near and far future.
Alucard

Inbox also-rans
Any news on Days Gone 2?
Tony

GC: None at all. At this point it’d be very surprising if it ever happened.

I have Wrestlemaina 21 and is the next gen Xbox played that game.
Barry

GC: Pardon?

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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.

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Bethesda overrated as a game developer?

MORE: Games Inbox: What will a post-GTA 6 video games industry be like?

MORE: Games Inbox: When will GTA 6 Trailer 3 be released?

KENNETH Walker and the Seattle Seahawks unleashed chaos on Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

The Patriots had no answers to the Seahawks throughout their 29-13 big game loss at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

New England just never got things going on offense as Maye was sacked a stunning six times.

The second-year star was also strip-sacked by Devon Witherspoon nd Uchenna Nwosu returned it for a touchdown.

And the Patriots defense couldn’t stop Kenneth Walker, who finished with 131 yards.

Walker averaged 5.9 yards per attempt and recorded two receptions for 26 yards.

Sam Darnold didn’t need to be on his A or B game to help Seattle come up with the win.

The 28-year-old completed 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown.

But Darnold didn’t commit a turnover as he didn’t throw an interception or fumble throughout the postseason.

The Seahawks controlled the game on defense.

They didn’t allow a single point in the first three quarters of the game.

However, Seattle also didn’t score a touchdown in the first 45 minutes.

But they finally saw AJ Barner record a touchdown reception.

The teenager was killed on Thursday, February 6 and four people will appear in court on Monday, February 9 after being charged with his murder

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Four people have been charged with murder after the death of a teenager in a South Wales village.

Three men aged 18, 24 and 26 and a 24-year-old woman were remanded into custody over the killing of Tristan Shae Kerr. They will appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 9, Gwent Police said.

Police said a 28-year-old woman from Hereford, who was arrested on Friday, February 6 on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released under investigation.

Officers attended a property in Lower Francis Street, Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at about 5.45pm on Thursday, February 5 after receiving reports that 17-year-old Tristan had been attacked.

The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.

“We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this investigation, however we would ask people not to speculate about the identities of those involved,” Detective Chief Inspector Jitka Tomkova-Griffiths said.

Detective Tomkova-Griffith asked anyone with information to speak to officers or contact the force.

The force can be contacted on 101, by direct message on social media or on the website, quoting log reference 2600038325.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The new stores will be opened in 2026 and details of where they will be built have been disclosed

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A major chain is opening many new stores across the UK, it has announced. Health and beauty chain Superdrug has revealed plans to open 30 new stores this year, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to the UK retail sector. The retailer said the expansion of its store footprint will create around 600 jobs across the UK.

The Croydon-based business, which was founded in 1964, currently runs more than 780 shops across the UK and Ireland. Bosses at the retailer said the plans for further openings come on the back of “strong customer demand” in its stores.

Superdrug said it will continue to invest particularly in “large-format destination stores and retail park locations”. It confirmed that new sites include:

Scotland

• Dundee Gallagher Retail Park,
• Kilmarnock Retail Park,
• East Kilbride,
• Strathkelvin Retail Park
• Linwood Phoenix Retail Park

England

• White Rose Leeds,
• Crawley,
• Waterlooville Retail Park,
• Newport Retail Park,
• Isle of Wight in England

Wales

• Cwmbran Retail Park in Wales

Shoppers will be able to buy new beauty products and treatments such as ear piercing, manicures and eyebrow threading at Superdrug Beauty Studios, the group added. The retail chain also said it plans to complete 60 store refits during the year as it commits “significant investment” across its estate of site.

Clare Jennings, Superdrug’s property director, said: “Superdrug continues to see strong demand for physical, experience-led retail, and our 2026 store opening programme is a clear vote of confidence in UK bricks and mortar retail. By opening 30 stores, we’re not just increasing our footprint, we’re creating destinations that bring together beauty, healthcare and affordable treatments under one roof.

“Our customers want more than convenience, they want expertise, products and services they can trust, delivered in welcoming spaces within their local communities. This investment allows us to bring bigger, better Superdrug stores to more locations across the UK, unlocking more access to healthcare, beauty products and treatments, while creating hundreds of new jobs and long-term career opportunities for our colleagues.”

The DWP has confirmed that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will rise by 3.8 per cent in the 2026/27 financial year – here are the new weekly payment rates

The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has announced that disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance will rise by 3.8 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year. The updated weekly payment rates will take effect from April 6, 2026.

PIP is presently valued at between £29.20 and £187.45 per week, with payments typically made every four weeks which translates to awards ranging from £116.80 to £749.80. A 3.8 per cent uplift will see payments increase to between £30.30 and £194.60, equating to £121.20 and £778.40 every four-week payment period.

The Scottish Government has also announced that devolved benefits such as Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), Carer Support Payment and Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance will similarly increase by 3.8 per cent in April.

PIP payment rates 2026/27

PIP comprises two components – daily living and mobility. From Monday, April 6, PIP will be paid at the following weekly amounts, reports the Daily Record.

Daily Living component

• Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Mobility component

• Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
• Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)

PIP payment combinations 2026/27

Those receiving PIP may be granted the lower rate of one or both elements, the higher rate of one or both elements, or a combination of the lower or higher rates of each component.

Before April, the DWP will send letters to all claimants outlining their updated payment rates.

There are eight potential awards, which are outlined below.

Single component award only

You might receive either the lower or higher daily living or mobility component:

• Standard daily living only – £76.70 per week, £306.80 per pay period
• Enhanced daily living only – £114.60 per week, £458.40 per pay period
• Standard mobility only – £30.30 per week, £121.20 per pay period
• Enhanced mobility only – £80.00 per week, £320.00 per pay period

Lower rate for daily living and mobility

If you’re receiving the lower rates of both components, your new payments are projected to be:

• Standard daily living and standard mobility – £107 per week, £428 per pay period

Higher rate for daily living and mobility

If you’re receiving the higher rates of both components, your new payments are projected to be:

• Enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility – £194.60 per week, £778.40 per pay period

Lower rate of one component and higher rate of the other

If you’re receiving the lower rate of one component and the higher rate of the other, your new payments are projected to be:

• Standard daily living and enhanced mobility – £156.70 per week, £626.80 per pay period
• Enhanced daily living and standard mobility – £144.90 per week, £579.60 per pay period

Bear in mind, PIP and all disability benefits are exempt from tax and don’t impact the benefit cap.

Forestry England is hosting a programme of activities as part of the North East Dark Skies Festival.

Kielder Forest, which is celebrating its centenary in 2026, is taking part with a Dark Sky Run on March 7 and 8, designed to blend endurance sport with the wonders of the night sky.

Forestry England is encouraging visitors to turn their evening into a night away. 

In the Northumberland forest, options include Kielder Castle motorhome stays and Kielder Village camping and caravan site.

However you cut it, this is a one-woman story.

Sanae Takaichi has landed a mandate, a landslide so decisive that just a few months ago it would barely have been believed.

And it could well change Japan and this region.

When she assumed the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in October, following the resignation of her unpopular predecessor, the government she inherited was floundering; losing seats, losing trust and struggling to recover from a financial scandal.

In just four months, she’s managed to turn this into a supermajority, winning more seats than her party ever has since it was founded in the 1950s.

Alongside her coalition partner, she now has the numbers to not only change the constitution but override any challenge from the consultative upper house of Japan‘s National Diet.

It is, in essence, a carte blanche for her to see through her vision.

And see it through, she almost certainly will.

Indeed, many people we spoke to here cited her straight talking, consistent and “get-it-done” approach as being one of her biggest attractions.

“I think Japan will get better and better,” smiled one man enthusiastically at an LDP candidate’s watch party.

But Takaichi also comes with clear convictions about what it is she stands for and what she wants to achieve.

Indeed, behind the drum-playing, selfie-taking and motorbike-riding force that has undoubtedly livened up a normally pretty dry political scene, she has an ultra conservative vision and a resolutely nationalist outlook.

Among the changes she is most likely to make are increasing Japan’s defence spending and altering the constitution to explicitly recognise its armed forces.

Read more:
Japan’s China-provoking PM raises the stakes
Can Japan’s first female PM tighten her grip on power?

This is controversial, as officially Japan is still a pacifist country whose forces are only meant to defend.

But support for these changes seems remarkably broad, even among younger voters.

Indeed, at a gathering of students watching the results together in Tokyo, the idea that Japan should be more confident, even assertive, was clearly a motivating factor, a sense, perhaps, that post-war apologism is now somewhat outdated.

“She used the catchphrase ‘strong and prosperous Japan’, and until now Japan’s prime ministers had not taken such a clear stance on national defence”, says one young woman.

“By using the word ‘strong’, I feel like it kind of broke through that sense of stagnation and cleared it away.”

But be in no doubt, China is watching, and it does not like what it sees.

Aside from having suffered enormously under Japanese aggression during the Second World War, Takaichi has also made comments about the so-called Taiwan question that China finds deeply provoking.

The result has been a plunge in relations to their lowest ebb in over a decade.

Her victory will do nothing to fix that.

In the end, there could hardly have been a more decisive endorsement of everything Takaichi stands for: her conservatism, her nationalism, her vision for a more confident, more militarised Japan.

It matters not just because of what it says about changing sentiments here – a notable shift to the right – but also because of what it might mean for the stability of this region.