MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Canadian and Australian prime ministers on Thursday called for a de-escalation of the Iran war but added the Iranians must never gain a nuclear weapon.

Canada’s Mark Carney and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese discussed the war during their meeting in Australia’s capital, Canberra.

The meeting came after news that a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean and Turkey said NATO defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran before it entered Turkey’s airspace.

“We want to see a broader de-escalation of these hostilities with a broader group of countries than just the direct belligerents involved,” Carney said at a press conference with Albanese.

“We stress that that cannot be achieved unless we’re in a position that Iran’s ability to acquire a nuclear weapon, develop a nuclear weapon, and to export terrorism, is ended. So that process must lead to those outcomes,” Carney added.

He said the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which were “showing tremendous restraint,” should become involved in the de-escalation process.

Albanese said: “The world wants to see a de-escalation and wants to see Iran cease to spread the destinations of its attacks.”

“We’re seeing Gulf states, that have not been involved, attacked across the board, including the attacks on civilian and tourist areas as well. But we also want to see the objectives achieved. I want to see the possibility of Iran getting a nuclear weapon removed once and for all,” Albanese said.

Questioned by a reporter, Carney could not rule out the Canadian military ever becoming involved in the conflict.

“You’ve asked a fundamental hypothetical in a conflict that can spread very broadly,” Carney said.

“So one can never categorically rule out participation. We will stand by our allies when it makes sense,” he added.

Carney is in Australia on a trade-focused, three-nation visit that began in India last week. He addressed the Australian Parliament on Thursday and will fly to Japan on Friday.

A child under the age of 12 was allegedly found without the correct restraint inside the vehicle

The PSNI have announced the results of an operation yesterday, (Wednesday) which resulted in several prohibition notices for vehicles in a dangerous condition, and another seized in the Donegall Road area.

The operation was conducted alongside members of the DVA which saw both agencies work together to target unsafe vehiciles.

A PSNI officer said: “We recently carried out a joint operation with the DVA in which a number of vehicles were issued with prohibition notices for being in a dangerous condition.

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“On Wednesday evening we were carrying out patrols of the Donegall Road Area when we spotted this vehicle which was issued with a prohibition notice during the recent operation. Checks of the police system and information from the driver highlighted that the vehicle was still under a prohibition notice and therefore should not be driven on the road. It was also clear from the condition of the vehicle that not all the defects had been rectified.

“The vehicle has been seized for examination and the driver will be reported to the DVA and the PPS in relation to a number of offences, including carrying a child under the age of 12 without the correct restraint.”

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It’s been claimed that one of Cambridge’s biggest green spaces has been “abandoned” and “left to rot”. Locals have complained about the condition of Stourbridge Common saying that parts of the common have been left in a bad state.

Used needles, dumped mobility scooters and other rubbish are commonly flytipped at the park. Locals say that part of the common is often used as a campsite.

Ryan Henniker, chair of the East Chesterton Residents Group, says the common has been “abandoned” by local authorities. He said: “We have seen a wide range of wildlife there, everything from Kingfishers to muntjacs. It’s such a rich, biodiverse spot.

“During the winter, the common floods and creates an amazing environment for some creatures. However, the rubbish is pushing them [animals] out.

“What we have seen over the past three years is a steady lack of investment, support and care for the site, resulting in a decline in wildlife sightings and a lack of site use from the public.

“Most noticeably, there are two abandoned encampments which have been left to rot and ruin on for over two years now, each representing a significant threat to the public and wildlife, from used needles to excrement and non-biodegradable products.”

Ryan added that the common has a “historical significance in Cambridge” and it is “such an important area for wildlife”.

He added: “But, it’s impacting people using the area. It’s also dangerous with the needles. You wouldn’t let young children near there.”

Members of the East Chesterton Residents Group have tried to improve the area by cleaning up. Ryan said: “It’s a real shame. We feel like we are doing our part as the community, but the council is not doing their fair share.

“It’s saddening and frustrating.” Ryan also raised concerns about overflowing bins. The common is maintained by Cambridge City Council.

Ryan and the residents’ group would like to see clean-ups take place. He said: “I would like to see them clean up and put more measures in place to restrict people from being able to camp there.

“Whether that’s more patrols, I would like to see a strategy on how to make Stourbridge Common more user-friendly and ways of bringing it into the community.” A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council described Stourbridge Common as “one of the city’s largest and most historic open spaces”.

They added: “The common is designated a local nature reserve, and is managed by Cambridge City Council. Other neighbouring areas are owned and managed by different landowners.

“Bins on the common are emptied three times per week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Additional litter picking across the common will sometimes take place if there is an identified need, for example, following increased use of the park, specific reports, or due to seasonal pressures.

“People can report build-ups of litter, including dangerous litter like needles, and can request a litter pick in particular open spaces or streets, via the city council website. We routinely respond to reports of fly-tipping on the common and these are usually cleared within five working days of being reported.

“We respond to reports of needles within two hours where they are reported between 6am and 3pm. We are aware of a number of abandoned camps within the tree line at Stourbridge Common.

“Due to recent wet weather and boggy conditions, we have not been able to safely access these areas. Plans are in place to remove the waste and clear the affected area in the coming days.”

The council reiterated that camping on public land is “not permitted” in Cambridge. The spokesperson added: “We will investigate all reports of illegal camping on public or council-owned land, although some cases can be complex and take time to resolve. Wild camping can be reported to the council.”

Concerns were also raised about a number of trees that were cut down in the common. The council spokesperson said: “Regarding tree management, we have undertaken essential work with partners to ensure a small number of trees on the common did not compromise the safety of the railway line which crosses the common. In the coming weeks we will be checking fences, water troughs, gates, tree guards and cattle grids on the common before cows return in April for their grazing season.”

The common has an interesting history, as King John granted a charter in 1211 to allow it to hold its annual fair, which still runs today.

She was last seen on Wednesday, February 25

Police are growing increasingly concerned for a woman who has been missing for more than a week. Marem, 21, was last seen around 9.30am on Wednesday, February 25.

She is described as being approximately 5ft 5ins tall with shoulder-length black hair. Marem was last seen wearing a pink top, blue jeans and a big black jacket.

Anyone who has any information is urged to contact Hertfordshire Police. A spokesperson said: “If you believe you are with Marem now or have seen her in the last few moments, please call 999 immediately, quoting ISR 599 of 28 February, 2026.

“If you have seen Marem since she was reported missing or have information about where she has been, report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.”

REPRESENTING York is always an immense privilege. It’s the place I grew up, where my young family calls home, and a city full of wonderful people and businesses.

At the moment, though, it also feels like the sporting centre of the universe!

In this month’s column, I want to focus on York City and York Knights and the success they’re both enjoying on the pitch. Both teams have made a fantastic start to the season, and it’s worth celebrating the hard work that’s brought them here, work that has been building over several seasons. The truth is, neither club’s achievements are accidental. Their success relies on dedicated staff, hardworking players, and loyal supporters.

When both of our teams do well, it creates a buzz across the city, from cafés and pubs to chatter in offices and conversations in school playgrounds. It’s also a great source of rivalry for me speaking to other MPs before we play their teams at each weekend!

When it comes to football, those 90 minutes on a Saturday or a Tuesday night under the lights really matter. Like anyone else, I work hard all week and juggle a busy job with two young boys. I try to go when I can, but still celebrate even if I can’t.

Saturday evening was a perfect example of why I love following City, even if I can’t always be there. I was putting my boys to bed while listening in to BBC Radio York’s coverage of Morecambe away. A 99th-minute winner from Ollie Banks meant a very restrained celebration that threw off the bed time routine! Hats off to David Ward and the team for some fantastic commentary as always. Stuart Maynard has been phenomenal since coming in as manager, and Ollie Pearce just keeps scoring. Happy days!

The game against Rochdale on the final day is shaping up to be a real spectacle as we both aim for that automatic spot. Regardless of what happens, though, I joined other MPs in Parliament calling for #3UP the other week.

Losing out to Oldham in last year’s play-offs still stings. This is about fairness. We need a football pyramid that’s fit for purpose whether we go up or not, and I’m pleased to be working with the National League to make that case. Hopefully it’s job done by the Rochdale game, though!

As I write this, I’m getting ready to go to Boreham Wood this evening. A Tuesday night in London is a long haul for most, but thankfully close enough to Parliament!

A personal note, though. One moment I’m especially looking forward to at the LNER is taking my little ones to their first game. Walking down the concourse and seeing their faces as the pitch comes into view isn’t just about football, it’s about passing something on. I’m sure that’s something a lot of dads in York will recognise.

People know I’m a big York City fan, and that the club is very close to my heart. But I’ll be really honest that I’ve followed rugby league much less.

Over the last couple of years though, as York Knights built momentum and earned promotion to the Super League, it’s been impossible not to take notice!

I was chuffed to be at the Knight’s first game in the Super League a few weeks ago, and it couldn’t have gone better. Reigning Champions Hull KR at home, a brilliant atmosphere, and late drop-goal to win. You couldn’t have scripted it. Like many in York, since then, I’ve been absolutely hooked, keeping an eye on every try and conversion. A cracking start, and big season ahead!

The turnout has been just as impressive, with 8,500 at the LNER. When a club is flying, people respond. The Knights deserve huge credit for bringing new supporters through the gates and inspiring a new generation of fans. I’m happy to say I fall into this category.

Turning away from sport, I was pleased to welcome Menfulness to Parliament. After taking Mike Hewitt to a Downing Street reception last year, I’ve since met CEO Jack and colleagues Emma and Matt to discuss their work supporting young people’s mental wellbeing in York at Inspire Academy. They are fantastic.

I’m also chuffed to say a permanent Post Office is reopening in Haxby. After pushing for a permanent solution, I’ve had confirmation that a new premises will be set up. This is a real win for residents who campaigned hard, and I want to thank Haxby Town Council for working with me on this.

I also want to thank the parents, carers, and others who met with me at the University of York to discuss the impact of social media on children. Your insights have been invaluable and fed into a recent parliamentary debate on screen time.

I want to end with a huge shout-out to The Scrap Box in Dunnington, voted the best chippy in the country! I was delighted to host them in Parliament as they headed to the National Fish and Chip Awards, and also to pop over to the shop for my tea last Friday night. Gavin and Aman run a fantastic business, but above all, they are truly top blokes.

If you need anything from my team or me, do get in touch. For now, enjoy the blue skies and warmer weather! Thanks, and take care.

Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 17e with premium features for a more attractive price

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Apple has opened pre-orders for it newest smartphone and it’s available with a pennies-per-day deal at one store. On Monday (March 2), the tech giant officially launched the iPhone 17e.

It’s the latest entry in Apple’s budget-friendly ‘e’ range, marketed as a more affordable alternative to the iPhone 17. The 17e is promoted as delivering ‘powerful performance and features at an exceptional value’, carrying a £599 price point that undercuts the flagship version by £200.

Despite the reduced cost, it still provides fast performance, a sophisticated camera system, Artificial Intelligence capabilities and double the initial storage capacity at 256GB. Pre-orders for the iPhone 17e are live now ahead of its March 11 release date, and Sky Mobile is offering it for 61p per day when customers place their order early.

When spreading the payment across one of Sky’s monthly plans, the iPhone 17e 256GB comes to £19 with £12 upfront. This equates to roughly 61p per day over a 31-day month.

Similarly, the iPhone 17e 512GB is priced at £25 with £12 upfront – or roughly 80p per day. Beyond storage choices, there are now additional colour options available, as Apple has introduced a new ‘soft pink’ variant alongside the standard black and white, reports the Mirror.

Sky’s iPhone 17e pre-order deal

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Sky Mobile is offering the new iPhone 17e for £19 per month or 61p per day when pre-ordering by March 10.

One aspect worth noting about Sky’s mobile contracts is their 36-month duration, although subscribers have the flexibility to switch to a newer handset after 24 months without additional charges. These deals include a 100MB data package, but this allowance will be quickly used up by most users, making an upgrade to a more substantial plan advisable.

Rival retailers like Mobiles.co.uk are also taking pre-orders, with the £28.99 per month 100GB tariff a standout option, while the £35.99 500GB tariff comes with free AirPods 4. For those who’d rather buy the device outright, launch prices typically remain consistent across retailers, so expect major sellers like Amazon and Argos to match the £599 price point.

The iPhone 17e arrives a year after Apple introduced its inaugural ‘e’ model, the iPhone 16e. Several enhancements have been made since its predecessor, most notably the 256GB storage capacity – double the base storage of the earlier version at the same cost.

Performance has also been significantly boosted thanks to Apple’s cutting-edge A19 chip, identical to the processor inside the standard iPhone 17. Despite its more affordable price point, the iPhone 17e delivers high-end specifications including a 48MP Fusion camera capable of capturing stunning images and 4K Dolby Vision footage, the newest iOS 26 operating system pre-installed, and advanced Apple Intelligence features.

The 6.1″ Super Retina XDR screen benefits from Ceramic Shield 2 protection, which Apple claims provides three-times superior scratch protection versus the earlier generation. One minor drawback is the battery life, which falls slightly short of the standard iPhone 17 at up to 26 hours of video playback, compared to 30.

Unveiling the iPhone 17e, Kaiann Drance, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, stated: “The iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family. We know our customers want a product that will last, and iPhone 17e delivers just that.

“With A19 for incredible performance, double the entry storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and valuable for years to come.”

The case will now be investigated further by Cambridgeshire’s Coroner Court

The case of a boy who died less than two months after a now-suspended Cambridge surgeon operated on him has been referred to a coroner, as a review found “evidence that fatal physical harm was caused”.

Jack Moate, aged nine, was operated on by Kuldeep Stohr, an orthopaedic consultant who specialised in children, at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on September 28, 2015.

Jack, who had several complex medical needs and limited mobility, spent almost eight hours in surgery for an operation on his hips.

He died on November 21, 2015, with his mother saying he was “in agony” and his care has since been reviewed as part of a wider exercise. A letter from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) to Jack’s mother, Elizabeth Moate, seen by the Press Association, says that an independent clinical expert who reviewed Jack’s care found “there was evidence that fatal physical harm was caused”.

The letter, dated February 2 of this year, said: “In the NHS, fatal harm means at the time of reporting, the patient, in this case Jack, has died and the incident may have contributed to the death.”

It added: “We have reported Jack’s case to the coroner”, who would be in contact with Ms Moate “to discuss next steps”. The expert also found that “the care provided was not in line with the standards we expect”.

Dr Sue Broster, chief medical officer at CUH, said in a statement: “On behalf of the trust, I offer my unreserved apologies for the failings in Jack’s care.” Jack’s case was examined as part of a broader external clinical review commissioned by the trust last year into Ms Stohr’s practice following concerns about care that was “below the expected standard”.

Last March, the trust said that the care of “almost 700 patients who have undergone planned surgical procedures” would be reviewed. Concerns were raised as early as 2015 and were the subject of an external clinical review in 2016.

A separate independent review, which reported back last year, highlighted how the 2016 review raised concerns about Ms Stohr’s surgical technique and judgment but it was “misunderstood” and opportunities to act on the findings were “missed”.

Jack’s mother, who lives in Cambridgeshire, said her son had epilepsy and was largely wheelchair bound, although he could sit independently and unaided on the floor without any back support, and was able to stand in a standing frame and use a walking machine.

He had regular physiotherapy, which sometimes caused pain, but he mainly coped well with his many life-limiting conditions. He was also able to understand commands and communicate using facial expressions and noises.

Ms Moate said she was concerned about him undergoing surgery due to his complex conditions and as he was highly susceptible to infections. Jack suffered “significant blood loss” in a procedure which ultimately left his right hip wrongly aligned and his left hip unstable and unhealed. Ms Moate added: “I’ll never be able to forgive the hospital for what happened.

“They sent my boy home and he died in agony. I said I didn’t want him to have surgeries on both hips at the same time.

“I’d have much rather him had one operation at a time. I felt pressured into signing the consent form.”

She said she wanted “answers and justice for Jack”.

His cause of death was recorded at the time as deep vein thrombosis, cerebral palsy alongside epilepsy.

Solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal, of Hudgell Solicitors, who represents Ms Moate, said Jack’s death “pre-dates all investigations and reviews carried out into Ms Stohr’s practice”.

“Had it been properly and fully investigated at the time, action to address her shortcomings could have been taken then, and we may well not be where we are now, with more than 700 cases being reviewed,” she said.

She has called for a statutory inquiry. Ms Maliakal added: “There is a wider pressing hospital patient safety issue to be addressed around the management and governance of specialist surgeons. We want a meeting with (Health Secretary) Wes Streeting as a matter of urgency.”

Dr Broster said: “Our thoughts remain with his family, and we are doing everything we can to support them at this extremely difficult time.

“We have passed all details of his care at the trust to the coroner to investigate the cause of Jack’s death and will continue to provide full assistance to them.

“The external retrospective clinical review, led by Andrew Kennedy KC, into the cases of patients who received care by Kuldeep Stohr remains ongoing and we continue to focus on supporting all patients and families affected.

“We will publish a summary of the review findings once all cases have been reviewed and discussed with those affected, and remain committed to implementing improvements to our services to ensure that cases like Jack’s cannot happen again.”

Ms Stohr was removed from clinical practice in 2024 and subsequently suspended. She remains suspended.

The clinical review process is anticipated to reach completion this summer, with the trust scheduled to release its findings and any recommendations.

Woolly mammoths. Sabre-toothed tigers. The dodo. There is one species we can’t allow to end up on this list of vanishing creatures: the bookworm.

In a world where screen time dominates a dwindling attention economy, readers are in serious danger of becoming a dying breed. Recreational reading among children and teenagers in the UK has fallen to its lowest point in two decades, with just one-third of eight- to 18-year-olds saying they enjoy reading in their free time – a 36 per cent decline since 2005. Adults are not much better: only around half of us regularly pick up a book, and even fewer parents like to read to their young kids.

But there are abundant benefits to reading. Young people who get into the habit of reading in early childhood are more likely to achieve high qualifications and upward social mobility later on; they’re more able to build empathy, develop their creativity and spark their imagination. Reading even makes you happier.

Fortunately, in 2026, the fightback has begun. This year, a major nationwide campaign is inviting people to fall back in love with reading. A Department for Education initiative, the National Year of Reading is supported by more than 60 partners, including literary sector charities, funders and pledge partners. Library cards for newborns; 72,000 new books distributed to those who need them most; a £27.5m package for libraries; libraries in Suffolk are even offering an amnesty for 15,000 overdue library books. It’s all about putting a stop to the bookworm extinction. Also working hard to promote the power of books is the Queen’s Reading Room charity, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year and connects over 186,000 book enthusiasts across more than 180 countries.

And yet for all the benefits of reading, sometimes life just gets in the way. But there are several tips and tricks to help you stay on track with your TBR pile. And who better to advise than some of the world’s leading authors and biggest bookworms?

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Ian McEwan

If you think you’re not reading enough, start with a novella, that entrancing form, short enough to hold you, not long enough to overwhelm you. Instead of a list, here’s one: Reunion by Fred Uhlmann.

Helen Fielding

Don’t google the Beckhams! Or do online shopping or look at your screens. Being hooked by a good book is like nothing else. You have to use your own imagination to do the things that video games, TV, movies and memes do. You have to make all the sights, sounds, smells and effects with your own mind. That’s what makes reading so absorbing, restful and good for the soul.

On that note, don’t read anything where you’re forcing yourself because it’s so heavy going. I ruined my love of Dickens for years by forcing myself to read Bleak House in two days at college because I’d failed to do my summer reading list. Read the books you enjoy – and mix in some classics. They’ve stood the test of time for a reason. And the stories can be even more complex and seductive than the Beckhams.

Salman Rushdie

Reading is a habit. You need to form the habit. Pick a convenient time of day and pick up a book at that time for 15 minutes. Do it every day for a couple of weeks and hopefully you’ll catch the bug. Oh, and make sure it’s a book you enjoy. If you find you’re not enjoying it, discard it and try another one. The book doesn’t matter. The pleasure does.

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Andrew Miller

Top tip: a comfy reading chair by a good light, and with a little table for your tea and glasses. You might also wish to invest in an elegant reading robe (or two: one for summer, one for winter).

Kate Mosse

Trust your instincts – reading should be fun, nourishing, life-enhancing, brain-expanding, so if a book isn’t speaking to you, put it aside and try something else. It doesn’t matter. A story that isn’t to your taste now will still be waiting for you when the time is right. Enjoyment is everything.

Ian Rankin

Carve out some time, put down your phone, leave a book in a strategic spot – sofa, bedside, bathroom – and pick it up rather than your device!

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Tessa Hadley

Don’t ever think of reading as a duty. It’s a pure pleasure. Don’t wait till bedtime. Turn your phone off or leave it in another room. Make a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine (a small glass, you need to stay sharp), remove your shoes. Curl up in a comfortable armchair or on a sofa. Exit all the smallness of your life, move through the portal of your books into other worlds, other ways of seeing and thinking and feeling…

Tom Fletcher

Reading doesn’t only include traditional books. Stories live in song lyrics, comics and graphic novels – and audiobooks are a brilliant way to listen on the go. Follow your curiosity, read what excites you and explore your interests, not what you think you should be reading, and shift your mindset about what counts. For example, listening to audiobooks during a car journey is a fun way for families to read books together when the calendar is packed.

Jeanette Winterson

If there is any book you really loved… read it again! Then ask a friend for something they have enjoyed. Read that! Then choose something for yourself… Meanwhile, a short poem every day is like an espresso shot in the morning or a nightcap at bedtime. Try that too!

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Malorie Blackman

Read for pleasure with the emphasis on pleasure. Read what you love, what you care about, what challenges you, makes you think, makes you laugh or cry or feel. If you want to read graphic novels, books about hobbies or listen to audiobooks, then go for it. And enjoy!

David Mitchell

Keep a small fancy notebook on your bookshelf. On 1 January, write the name of the year – just “2026”. Every time you finish a book, write its ordinal number – 1st, 2nd, 3rd… 50th, etc. Do a deal with yourself – every year, you’ll finish more books than last year. You’re allowed to balance out a 900-page Dawn of Everything with a slim novella by Clare Keegan.

Also, as you read, keep a pen close by. (A pencil is better but who carries pencils around?) Whenever you encounter something that you don’t want to forget, put a dot at the top of the page. Put another dot in the margin next to the line where the non-discardable something occurs. When you’ve finished the book, go through the book, looking out for the dots at the tops of pages; transcribe the “dotted somethings” into another notebook. By hand, with a fountain pen. Revisit them from time to time. If you know the author or can reach them on social media, share a few of your favourite dots. Trust me, it will enhance or even transform their day.

Lastly, when tempted to kill an hour on YouTube or a mediocre documentary on Netflix, remember that you will wish you could get those wasted 60 minutes back. Spend that same hour with a good book and you’ll feel mentally richer, less alone, smarter and that bit wiser.

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Elif Shafak

Books are our beloved companions. I think it’s so important that we see reading as a continuous journey where we learn new things every day, sail to new horizons. When we dive into a novel, for a few days or weeks, we become someone else, we transcend the borders of the “self” and see the world through another person’s eyes, feel what they feel. We empathise with their sorrows, their joys, their dreams. Literature dismantles the duality of “us” versus “them”. This is a humbling exercise for the mind, for the soul.

Let’s read anything and everything that speaks to us – from cookbooks to political philosophy to literary fiction. I have never believed in that distinction between “highbrow literature” and “lowbrow literature”. Instead, let’s keep the curiosity of the mind alive and thriving. Let’s be intellectual nomads, constantly searching. That requires reading widely, both fiction and non-fiction. Across the board. If we are reading only one type of genre, or the same kind of books, it means we are not leaving our comfort zones. I find it very important that our reading lists be eclectic, diverse, connecting with multiple cultures, backgrounds, and traditions of storytelling.

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Tim Bouverie

The best tip for reading more is to read great books by amazing authors – Austen, Dickens, Tolstoy, Waugh, Hemingway, etc. But having a dedicated reading time, such as before bed, or commuting to work – any time when you can ignore your telephone and concentrate – can also help. Smartphones are addictive and unwholesome. Reading, when pursued with energy and dedication, is addictive and wholesome.

Adam Weymouth

I’ve had some reading droughts since becoming a parent. Thrillers are often my way back: something inches thick with a hundred chapters. I can devour one in a fraction of the time it takes me to get through something more literary, and by the time I’m done, I’m back in the habit. Robert Ludlum is a particular favourite.

Robin Stevens

The most important thing to me as an author and reader is the concept of fun. A book is a story – it’s entertainment – and I believe you should be looking for the kind of entertainment that truly makes your heart sing. What fun means to you is entirely personal, and nothing to do with how objectively pleasant a story might be (my own favourite genre revolves around at least one person being violently murdered), but as far as I’m concerned, that’s the only metric you should be judging your reading on.

Ellie Suttie, Aaron Loughridge and Scott Boyle, who are all from the local area, are working on the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) as part of the team from Laing O’Rourke, the project’s construction partner.

Apprentices working on the new Monklands Hospital have spoken of their work in supporting the huge NHS Lanarkshire project.

Ellie Suttie, Aaron Loughridge and Scott Boyle, who are all from the local area, are working on the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) as part of the team from Laing O’Rourke, the project’s construction partner.

Their work with the MRP is part of the project’s important programme of Community Benefits, which includes a commitment from Laing O’Rourke to employ local apprentices.

Aaron said: “I’ve always felt that the best way to learn is through real, hands-on experience, and an apprenticeship offers exactly that.

“Being able to apply what I’m learning straight away, rather than waiting years to use it in the real world, made the apprenticeship route feel like the most valuable option for me. It allows you to build confidence, skills and industry knowledge from day one.

“It means so much to me as it’s the local hospital for where I grew up and where I live now. The care they have provided for the people around me who spent time in the hospital was incredible, so I know how important this hospital will be.”

Ellie admitted she has enjoyed her role so far with the hands-on experience and support from the team helping her grow in confidence.

“I’d advise anyone applying for an apprenticeship to be clear about why hands-on learning suits them and to show genuine enthusiasm for developing practical skills,” said Ellie.

“Take time to research the company and role, and don’t be afraid to highlight your motivation and willingness to learn – those qualities stand out just as much as experience.

READ MORE: Council receives application providing more details on Gartcosh development

“I grew up only five minutes from the site, and the existing hospital has always been my local one, so I know first-hand how much of a difference the new development will make for local people.

“It feels meaningful to contribute to something that will have such a positive impact on the area I’m from.”

Scott has surprised himself with the knowledge he has gained within just six months of starting his role.

He added: “From an early stage, I’ve been encouraged to take ownership of tasks, build confidence in my decision making and develop the ability to work independently while still knowing when to seek guidance.

“This balance of support and responsibility has played a significant role in accelerating both my professional growth and my practical capability.

READ MORE: Victim nearly died after hammer attack on Larkhall street

“The prospect of being able to say, in the future, that I played a part in its successful delivery is particularly gratifying. The scale and complexity of the project provide a valuable opportunity to develop a broad understanding of multiple engineering disciplines.”

In December, the board of NHS Lanarkshire has met and approved the Full Business Case for the new University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie.

Board members agreed that the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) business case should now be submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration and final approval. Scottish Government approval will allow hospital construction to begin next year at Wester Moffat in Airdrie, with a targeted opening in 2031.

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Start by deciding whether you want an underblanket or mattress topper, which go underneath your bedsheets, or a heated throw, which lies on top of you on the sofa.

Then, the main points to consider are the electric blanket’s comfort, ease of use, energy efficiency and safety features. Look for soft, thick fabrics which cushion the wires. Anything too thin can be uncomfortable or feel too hot to touch.

If you and your partner prefer different temperatures, an electric underblanket or mattress topper with dual controls will stop arguments by enabling you to heat each side of the bed separately. Some have separate controls for warming the feet and body differently, too.

“Look for electric blankets that have built-in safety features like automatic shut-off and overheat protection and don’t buy them second hand as you won’t know the history of the blanket,” says Capanna.

Generally, it’s not advisable to wash electric blankets too often. But, it is worth reading the washing instructions carefully too, as while most electric blankets today are “machine washable”, some tolerate it better than others.

Finally, check the guarantee period as this will indicate the quality and durability of the product.