The national chain lodged plans to increase the size of its Healaugh Park store last year by knocking into and extending the former Whitworth Chemist. 

Aldi had been considering an extension in the town “for some time” – and it was December that the proposals were finally approved by Stockton Borough Council.

Now, diggers and shipping containers have been pictured on site, with fences erected around the former chemist where the extension will be. 

A section of the car park has also been shut off to customers.

The Aldi supermarket at Healaugh Park in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

On one fence around Whitworths, a sign states: “Your new, extended Aldi, is coming soon”. 

Once the works are complete, Yarm’s Aldi will have an extra 353m2 of floor space and include a new entrance lobby, staff room, and customer toilet. 

A new paved area will be added to the side of the store, similar to what currently runs along the front of Whitworths, and the trolley bay will be extended. 

The Aldi supermarket at Healaugh Park in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The overall car parking spaces will actually increase to 89, with 85 customer spaces to the south and four staff spots to the north.

Re-roofing of the shop is also scheduled along with the widening of the service yard. 

Aldi previously confirmed the works were due to get underway in the new year, with hopes to be completed between July and September. 

The Aldi supermarket at Healaugh Park in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It has not yet been confirmed whether the store will close at any point during the works. 

A spokesperson previously said: “Works are underway at our Yarm store and are due to complete towards the end of summer.

“Shoppers can continue to access the store as normal.”

The Healaugh Park complex as a whole, which is also home to Presto Pizza and Chinese takeaway Yarm Fast Food, has been owned by Aldi for many years.

It was home to a Post Office and corner shop until last year, which has recently been taken over by Cohen’s Chemist.

The Winter Fuel Payment is worth between £200 and £300 depending on age and circumstances, and is usually paid automatically to eligible households

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From April 1, pensioners in England and Wales will have the option to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026/27, a move that could potentially help some avoid a later tax bill or adjustment.

Following rules implemented last year, the annual heating payment is now aimed at those with incomes at or below £35,000.

However, it will be paid automatically, even if someone’s income surpasses that level, unless they choose to opt-out before the September deadline.

For pensioners with higher incomes, any payment received will be reclaimed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), typically through adjustments to their tax code in the subsequent financial year. Opting out means the payment is not issued in the first place, eliminating the need for it to be repaid later.

The Winter Fuel Payment ranges between £200 and £300 depending on age and circumstances, and is usually paid automatically to eligible households.

Although the amount is based on household eligibility, it is paid to individuals. This means one person in a couple can opt out while the other continues to receive their share, depending on their income, reports the Daily Record.

Last year, some pensioners were unaware they could opt out before the qualifying week in September, resulting in them receiving the payment and later facing its recovery.

The qualifying week for the 2026/27 payment is typically the third week in September, so anyone wishing to opt out will need to do so before then. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will confirm the exact dates later this year.

Pensioners who opt out but later find their income falls below £35,000 can still make a claim for the payment up to March 31, 2027. Meanwhile, those who did not receive the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025/26 can still submit a claim before March 31 this year.

A British couple jailed for 10 years in Iran on “falsified” spying charges say they feel abandoned by the UK government – and have urged the prime minister to “step up and help us”.

Speaking from prison in Tehran, Craig and Lindsay Foreman said they feel “let down, alone and completely frustrated” with how their situation is being handled.

The 53-year-olds, from East Sussex, were jailed last month following their arrest in January 2025 while travelling through Iran during a global trip by motorcycle. They deny the allegations.

The couple are being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, which they say has placed them in a “life-threatening situation” as it is in an active war zone.

In a statement, Mr Foreman said: “We were charged based on falsified evidence that was fabricated to suit the maximum sentence.

“Our government are fully aware of this information and know we are 100% innocent.

“We are proud to be British, but by now we feel let down, alone, and completely frustrated by the lack of public defence by the people in charge of the government.

“It’s very difficult to understand why our innocence has not been said publicly. We are not spies. The charges against us are simply not true.”

Iran war latest: ‘Wide-scale wave of strikes’ begins

He added that Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper “know we are innocent”.

“Go public with the information – you have to clearly step up, step out of the shadows and help us. Our lives are constantly at risk,” said Mr Foreman.

“We are now in a prison in a war zone. We have gone from a challenging situation to a life-threatening situation.

“You have chosen to give us zero information on what’s happening to us, what to do and where to go if the prison doors were to open.

“There is a serious lack of commitment for our safety.”

A family spokesperson said conditions inside the prison are “deteriorating rapidly” with basic essentials “running out” and medical care “absent”.

Explosions are said to have struck close enough to send “shockwaves through the buildings, blowing out windows and forcing prisoners to dive for cover as debris falls around them”.

Ms Foreman’s son, Joe Bennett, called their detention a “slow-motion destruction”.

He said: “My mum is in pieces. She’s gone from always finding the positive to feeling completely lost.

“The sense that she’s been abandoned by her own government is breaking her.

“They are being held in appalling conditions – sleeping on metal bunks without mattresses, in constant pain. Craig is in agony with an untreated dental abscess.

“They have nowhere to turn. This isn’t just detention, it’s slow-motion destruction.”

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February: Couple sentenced in Iran

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran because of a “significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention”.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the FCDO said: “The welfare of British nationals detained in Iran is a priority for this government and continues to be during the current situation in the Middle East.

“Craig and Lindsay’s sentences are completely appalling and totally unjustifiable.

“We will continue to pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian regime until we see Craig and Lindsay safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family.

“We will continue to provide consular assistance to the couple and their families.”

With a host of highway and utility works scheduled or already underway, residents and drivers in Darlington are advised to check their routes and allow extra time for journeys.

Here are the works and closures you should know for Tuesday, March 24:

Blackwell: Major Road Closures for Gas Mains Upgrade

A major closure is in place for the section of Blackwell between its junctions with Bridge Road and Carmel Road South.

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out utility repair and maintenance works affecting the carriageway, footways, and verge.

The project involves the abandonment and replacement of extensive lengths of pipework and is scheduled to run until April 15.

During this time, the road will be fully closed to through traffic.

Carmel Road South: Lane Closures for Gas Works

Carmel Road South will also see major work as Northern Gas Networks undertakes a gas mains replacement between the roundabout and the opposite side of The Spinnery Junction.

The works, set to last until June 16, will include lane closures. Comprehensive replacements of existing cast iron pipes with polyethylene are planned, resulting in significant activity along the footway and carriageway.

Motorists should expect slower traffic and lane restrictions for the duration.

Abbey Road: Road Closure for Highway Improvements

Darlington Borough Council is carrying out major improvement works on Abbey Road, from the Carmel Road North junction to just past the Neville Road junction. Works are due to finish on April 17.

The closure is in place for the installation of a speed table and footway improvements, with phase two continuing subsequent works.

Vehicles will not have through access during this period.

Clifton Road and Belvedere Road Back Street: Sewer Maintenance Closure

A road closure is in force from the rear of 1 to 27 Belvedere Road, including Clifton Road and the Belvedere Road back street.

Northumbrian Water is carrying out sewer lining works, which will not involve excavation.

The closure will be in effect until March 27.

Park Lane: One-Day Road Closure for Testing at Train Station

On March 24, Park Lane outside Darlington Train Station will be closed for major maintenance works by O2 (UK) Limited.

The closure enables plate testing.

Victoria Road North Back: Service Connection Closure

Northern Gas Networks will close Victoria Road North Back at the rear of 119 Hotel, from March 23 until April 1.

This closure is required for a new gas service connection.

Eastbourne Road and Belgrave Street Back Street: Urgent Water Leak Repairs

Northumbrian Water will close the rear of 6 Belgrave Street from March 23 to March 27 for urgent repairs to renew a leaking boundary box.

No through traffic will be permitted for the duration.

Brighton Road and Belgrave Street Back Street: Sewer Repairs

Urgent works will also be carried out by Northumbrian Water at the rear of 41 Brighton Road between March 23 and March 27, requiring a road closure for leak repair works.

Geneva Road: Temporary Traffic Signals for Water Works

On March 24, Geneva Road at number 248 will see minor utility repairs by Northumbrian Water.

Two-way traffic signals will be in place for the duration of the works.

Other Ongoing Closures

Elsewhere, road closures and traffic signals are in operation at Skinnergate, Crown Street (due to a sinkhole), Archdeacon Crescent, Rotary Way, Thompson Street West, Harrowgate Village, and Beaumont Hill, as various utility and council works continue in and around Darlington.

Drivers are encouraged to observe all on-site signage and plan for ongoing disruption as improvement and upgrade works progress across the town.

The public gallery was filled to capacity with Ms McNally’s family, friends and supporters as anticipation mounted that a verdict would be reached

Cheers erupted at Belfast Crown Court amid emotional scenes after Stephen McCullagh was convicted of murdering his partner Natalie McNally.

It came at the start of the fifth week of the trial of McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, at Belfast Crown Court.

The jury of six men and six women reached the verdict after around two hours of deliberations, and four weeks of hearing evidence which delved into Ms McNally and McCullagh’s relationship, his audacious staging of a six-hour livestream to give him an alibi and how he disguised himself to go to her house.

The trial heard Ms McNally died at her home in Lurgan after sustaining serious and multiple fatal injuries in an act which the prosecution described as a “planned, calculated, pre-meditated murder by the defendant”.

She had been 15 weeks pregnant with McCullagh’s son.

The public gallery was filled to capacity with Ms McNally’s family, friends and supporters as anticipation mounted that a verdict would be reached.

It was just after 3.30pm when the jury returned into the courtroom with their verdict.

McCullagh showed no emotion, dressed in the blue jumper, grey T-shirt and jeans combination which he had worn for most of the trial and standing between two members of prison staff as he awaited the verdict.

He simply remained looking towards the jury as the foreperson revealed their guilty verdict and the public gallery erupted with cheers, waving arms and embraces.

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As the cheers faded, the sound of sobbing could be heard as the enormity of the moment sank in.

The judge, Mr Justice Kinney, asked those in the public gallery to calm down as he continued with the remainder of the proceedings.

After the court session rose, there were also cheers from the public gallery for the detectives and police who worked to bring McCullagh to justice.

Ms McNally’s brothers Declan and Niall McNally spoke outside Belfast Crown Court after Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, was found guilty of her murder on Monday.

Niall thanked the McNally and Haddock families as well as “wider family and friends for their continued support over the past three-and-a-half years”.

He also thanked “all the communities from Lurgan, Craigavon and the whole of Northern Ireland and beyond for the support they’ve given us”.

Declan paid tributed to his sister, he said: “Having you in our lives was the greatest joy we’ll ever have.

“You would have been an amazing mother to baby Dean.

“We will love you forever and we hope you can now rest easy.”

He also delivered a message about violence against women: “As Natalie receives justice today, our hearts go out to all the victims of violence against women and girls

“Our hope is that all the victims and families get their day in court and the justice they deserve.

“Violence against women and girls is the shame of our society and we must do everything possible to end it.”

He also paid tribute to their “amazing” parents and said: “I don’t know how they’ve done it.”

He added: “They have the biggest strength you could ever think of.

“They’ve held us all together, it’s just amazing, we love you very much”.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

When Lucy* fled an abusive relationship, she took everything she could. Her phone was not one of them.

Smartphones, however, are a hard thing not to have these days. A phone might even be needed to scan a QR code to look at a pub’s food menu.

They’re also needed to phone domestic abuse hotlines, access website chats and attend remote meetings with support workers.

Buy Lucy is now one of more than one million people in the UK to get online through a government-funded programme, according to a report shared exclusively with Metro.

After being given a phone by the charity Happy Tears Foundation, supported by Virgin Media O2, Lucy was able to contact counselling services.

‘Having my own phone made me feel safe again,’ Lucy said.

‘I could talk to people who understood and start to rebuild my life in my own time.’

Maria*, a single mother, knows this feeling well. When she escaped violence with her two young children, she lived in temporary accommodation and relied on social welfare to get by.

Without a laptop, the mum had no way to write up her CV and cover letter, let alone apply for the many jobs which rely on online portals.

But receiving a second-hand laptop through a government pilot scheme ‘made a big difference’ to her rebuilding her life away from the hold of violence.

The government launched its Digital Inclusion Action Plan last year to help vulnerable, disconnected people and off-the-grid communities get online.

Tech officials told Metro that all commitments made in the plan have been fulfilled.

This includes getting people plugged into the internet, securing more affordable rates and accessing support, devices and skills training.

More than 22,000 laptops, phones and tablets were donated by organisations like Virgin Media O2 to the government’s digital device donation pilot scheme.

The Department of Science and Technology confirmed to Metro that 41 organisations have so far signed up to a charter committing to recycle old electronics rather than chuck them in landfills.

What does life without the internet look like?

Around 5% of people have no access to the internet at home, according to the media regulator Ofcom.

But anti-poverty campaigners have long warned that these figures likely underestimate how many people don’t have regular internet access.

Even if they have a connection, it could be patchy and slow, and high-speed services may be too costly for low-income households.

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, which partnered with the government for the donation scheme, says the gap between the internet haves and have-nots is growing every day.

‘As more essential services move online, digital access is no longer optional; it is fundamental to participation in everyday life,’ she tells Metro.

‘Yet millions remain excluded, not because the infrastructure is not there, but because they lack the means to access it.’

Rebecca Goshawk, director of business development at women’s aid group Solace, tells Metro this is especially an issue for domestic abuse survivors.

‘Without access to a laptop or smartphone, survivors of domestic abuse face barriers to the most basic steps needed to rebuild their lives, including applying for jobs, accessing services and staying in touch with support networks,’ she says.

Goshawk adds that the government supported Solace to provide a library of refurbished laptops for survivors. 

‘The devices will be loaned with practical guidance to help women get online safely and rebuild their independence without added risk,’ she says.
 
‘Access to safe, secure online spaces can be a lifeline, enabling women to seek help discreetly, regain financial control and begin rebuilding their lives on their own terms.’

‘Everyone in the country should be able to take advantage of opportunities of being online’

Government officials funded more than 80 courses with the £11.9million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund as part of the plan, according to the progress report.

Among those is Harooj, who was out of work for 11 months when she signed up for a six-week course provided by Women’s Wellbeing.

The Birmingham mum was hired as a part-time receptionist after learning skills like using the employment platform LinkedIn and AI -powered tools, which can move at breakneck speeds.

‘Before Women’s Wellbeing, I felt stuck, but this course helped me believe in myself again and build skills I never thought I’d have,’ she said.

Harooj added that the course emboldened her to apply for jobs she long assumed were out of her depth.

Technology secretary Liz Kendall said: ‘We want everyone in the country to be able to take advantage of opportunities of being online.

‘Whether that is staying connected with family and friends, finding work, accessing government services or getting better prices for everyday goods.

‘Our digital inclusion efforts are already changing people’s lives for the better.

‘But we are determined to go even further so we can we build a future that works for all.’

*Names have been changed by Metro to protect their anonymity.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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The Tempus, part of the Charlton Hall Estate near Chathill, received the honour at the 2026 North East England Tourism Awards.

A spokesperson for the hotel said: “This is a proud moment for our team and a reflection of the care, attention, and hard work that goes into everything we do.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our staff, whose dedication makes The Tempus what it is.

“To our guests, thank you for choosing to stay and dine with us.

“We look forward to welcoming you back and continuing to evolve what we offer.”

The Tempus is a boutique hotel featuring around 30 to 33 individually designed rooms and suites, some of which are dog-friendly and include hot tubs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ashleigh Whitfield (@ashluxlifeuk)

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Located near Alnwick and Bamburgh, the hotel blends country-house style with playful, Alice in Wonderland-inspired interiors.

It has previously been named in The Times’ Top 100 Places to Stay and has received multiple Travellers’ Choice awards.

At the heart of The Tempus is The Orangery, a restaurant and terrace offering all-day seasonal dining, a cocktail bar, and a weekend tipi with live music.

The North East England Tourism Awards, run by Destination North East England in partnership with VisitEngland, recognise outstanding visitor experiences across the region.

Destination North East say online: “Our annual local awards are delivered by Destination North East England and ran in partnership with VisitEngland.

“The North East England Tourism Awards (NEETA) celebrate quality, innovation and best practice, showcasing the fantastic range of high-quality experiences on offer for visitors in our region.

“Those who enter the tourism awards help to further strengthen our offer, showcase excellence and share best practice across our whole region.”

Eligible winners are then put forward for the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in London.

The Tuesday letters page is surprised to find how big Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss is, as one reader is doubtful as to whether Screamer will be a hit.

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

May contain annoyances
So I bought Crimson Desert on Saturday, after reading several reviews and watching some YouTube videos of the game with the intention of getting a refund if I didn’t get on with it. The funny thing is it wasn’t even on my radar really until everything blew up, but it really got me curious as to how some reviews were really high on it and some very average.

Long story short, I didn’t refund it and I’m several hours in now and I’m hooked. It’s just such a fascinating game to play, I’m finding the flaws almost endearing and even though the controls certainly are a choice you do get used to them. It’s not what I thought it would be at all either, it’s closer to a sandbox fantasy simulation with so many interconnected systems and depth.

It feels like every suggestion for a minigame or feature was evaluated by asking the question, ‘Will this be fun for someone?’ and if the answer was yes it went in and that feels quite refreshing, especially since it seems like you can ignore those quite happily if you don’t want to bother with them.

I will say, however, that this is almost certainly the most Marmite game I’ve ever played. It will either draw you in or you’ll bounce off it, I think. So I can totally see why there isn’t as much of a consensus on this as something like The Witcher 3.

It reminds me in some ways of Destiny, when that first came out. There was something so compelling about that game, that just hit the spot for those of us who really got into it and this feels exactly the same to me. So, I don’t think the people who are saying it’s good and enjoying it are kidding themselves.

Hopefully over time the annoyances and the issues will be ironed out, as the dev team do seem to be responding quickly to the community. But even if those issues remain, I’m still enjoying my time with the game, warts and all.
Carl

Money to burn
I love how all this stuff coming out about the developers of Crimson Desert just spamming the game with random features and parts of other games, is exactly how the reviews described it and imagined it must’ve been made. What I wonder is how the game ever got founded, because I definitely would not be giving a bunch of people who have only ever made one MMO before the cash to make a… whatever Crimson Desert is supposed to be.

It’s funny how often the biggest disasters in gaming can be seen from a mile away but I guess as long as the right people are making money from it all the madness is left to continue.
Sagat

GC: Pearl Abyss is actually a really big company, with over a thousand employees; they also own EVE Online maker CCP. Black Desert Online is very popular in Asia.

Resist temptation
The fact that Rockstar Games is paying some people less than minimum wage is beyond disgusting. I don’t care if they’re the cleaners, this is the company that makes the biggest entertainment product in human history and they have to have their knuckles rapped by the government in order for its employees to earn a living wage.

I’m extra shocked that this is happening in the UK, although I guess the US government would never have cared and we wouldn’t have found out. But c’mon Rockstar, try and do better. It’s not that hard not to be evil.
Bootles

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Exception to the rule
I appreciate the review of Screamer, which I had never heard of until now (including the old 90s game). It sounds great: inventive and unique, which is why I’m sure it won’t sell at all and then everyone will complain why are there no arcade racers? Or whatever your favourite rare genre happens to be.

People have to vote with their wallets to get anything noticed and yet we constantly see great games do badly and then there’s no follow-up, from either that developer or another. I’m still shocked that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a hit because it seemed to have everything going against.

Sure it was good, but if that was all you needed for something to be a hit the world would be a very different place.
Hordak

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Still in the game
I have to hand it to Microsoft, they are trying to carry on as if everything is normal. That Partner Showcase thing sounds like it’ll be a bit of a dud but they’re doing it anyway, as if everything was normal and the Xbox was still a viable format.

I’m very interested to see what they’re going to be like when they unveil the next gen console. Probably very arrogant and trying to pretend they’re king of the world, but I can’t pretend I’m not interested in seeing what they put out. It’s obvious they haven’t given up yet.
Holstis

Remasters and remakes
I have to admit I am very impressed with what I have seen with Resident Evil Requiem. Although I did not buy this game I did watch a 100% walkthrough and I can assure everyone this game absolutely delivers. From an honest perspective I am an original Resident Evil 2 fan and that was the game that got me into Resident Evil, alongside Resident Evil 1.

Also, with new DLC coming for Requiem we have been spoiled savage by Capcom and hope that we will see them consider continuing with new DLC in the foreseeable future, as the game has already sold 6 million copies. I’d love to see them do DLC adding more characters with unique campaigns, such as past Resident Evil characters making a return, like Alyssa has.

Also, I think now that in 2026 it is time Capcom considered making future Resident Evil games more open world, with PlayStation 6 and Next Gen Xbox coming.

Finally, there is one point I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention. Someone has done an AI 4K HDR10 overhaul of the original Resident Evil game with up-to-date graphic enhancements and it looks and plays glorious, here’s the video.

If this can be done with an AI overhaul surely Capcom could do this with Resident Evil’s Directors Cut, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in a remastered HD Collector’s Edition that would be sweet and nice for fans.
gaz be rotten (gamertag)

Loveable Evil
Kudos to the people that organised that Resident Evil fan film. I can’t believe the amount of effort it must have taken to organise, on top of all the normal problems of making a film. I’d love to know how much convincing the actors took. They apparently couldn’t get Jill Valentine but I’m amazed any of the others wanted to remind people of their roles, so kudos to them.

Despite all the gore and horror, Resi really is such a loveable series. It’s so dumb and honest and fun. I agree that it should never be taken seriously because that completely robs it of half its appeal. The skill from Capcom is in riding that line between cheesiness and real scares.
Necktie

Never again
Crimson Desert is indeed many things: ambitious, overstuffed, bloated, disappointing, and a generic single-player title that I pre-ordered and in less than 24 hours traded in immediately to CeX. Because it is, from what I’ve played and the many reviews, a very barebones title. Personally, I am very glad to be rid of it and just from seeing the awfully bland graphics, the awful controls, the lack of a narrative to grip you. It is indeed one of the most disappointing games of 2026.

It’s no surprise that Pearl Abyss’s stock has fallen, but my mistake is one to be learnt from. I ignored the countless red flags, the shady tactics by Pearl Abyss to implement a review embargo so very late and the lack of any explanation, as far as any hints to the narrative beats and overall themes of the world. It was only false window dressing, disguised as the next great open world feature.

Patches can only do so much to fix or even try to fix what is essentially a title that will be forgotten very soon, especially when we are less than a month away from the release of Saros and Pragmata. They seem infinitely more interesting, but I cannot stress this enough, I’ll be waiting for reviews for both releases.

I’m more confident about Saros, since it’s a continuation of the systems introduced in Returnal, but if my mistake has taught me anything. It’s that always trust your instincts. I only wish I hadn’t even gazed at Crimson Desert or given it a glance at all. That’s truly a regret I have to come to terms with.

As far as the reviews go, it sits at a 78 on Metacritic. In my opinion, it’s far too high of a score for such a wasteful opportunity. It deserves far much less. Even GC scoring it a 6 is far too kind. It’s more or less a 4 or a 3 out of 10. For utilising a beautiful world but lacking in many important factors.

May there never be a sequel to this debacle. On a final note, it would be absolutely phenomenal if GTA 6 was to release on the Nintendo Switch 2. But it is even possible? We’ll have to see and wait.
Shahzaib Sadiq

Inbox also-rans
Sympathies in advance to whatever penniless students end up having to walk around the Minecraft theme park wearing a bunch of cardboard boxes to look like the characters. I feel grateful my boy has never shown any interest in the game.
Scourge

Agree on adding more character moments to Resident Evil. The next game definitely has to have Leon and Ada putting on a dinner party for Chris and Jill and the rest. And then zombies attacking, obviously. (Or maybe Hunters? They were always my favourite and it feels like we haven’t seen them for years.)
Grossman

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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 Marathon worth playing?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Crimson Desert worth getting?

MORE: Games Inbox: Are people right to criticise Nvidia’s DLSS 5 tech?

Donald Trump has issued a five-day deadline, as he warned Iran it could be “annihilated” if it does not reach a peace deal with America.

The US president insisted that “very good and productive” discussions on ending the war were taking place — a claim which has since been labelled as “fake news” by the Iranian parliament speaker, who said there had been no talks.

Mr Trump has also announced a five-day pause on US military strikes on Iranian energy sites, just hours before a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Mr Trump to Tehran over opening the Strait of Hormuz was due to expire.

Speaking on Monday, the president said: “We were planning tomorrow on shooting down some of their power plants, we’re gonna hold that up, hopefully we won’t have to do it.

“At the end of this [five-day] period it could very well end up being a very good deal for everybody. As good as if we went all the way and just literally annihilated the place, which if we don’t have to do that, that would be a good thing not a bad thing”.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bager Galibaf, has rejected claims of talks with the US, saying: “No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped”.

Trump’s special envoy travels to Pakistan: report

Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, has travelled to Pakistan, The Times has reported.

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Pakistan has offered to host in-person talks between the US and Iran, but prominent Iranian officials have not signalled that they’d be there, according to The Times.

Rachel Dobkin24 March 2026 02:30

Trump says Strait of Hormuz may be controlled by ‘me and the ayatollah’

US President Donald Trump has said the Strait of Hormuz will be controlled by “me and the ayatollah”.

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CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked Trump Monday, “What about the Strait of Hormuz? Who’s going to be in control of that?”

Trump said it would be “jointly controlled,” possibly by him.

“Maybe me. Me and the Ayatollah. Whoever the Ayatollah is, whoever the next Ayatollah is”, the president said.

After the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed early in the Iran war, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, took over as the country’s leader.

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The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil, has been effectively closed by Iran amid the war, and Trump has been trying to open it.

Rachel Dobkin24 March 2026 02:15

WATCH: Iran denies Trump’s ‘desperate’ peace-talk claims

Rachel Dobkin24 March 2026 02:00

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Iranian energy infrastructure damaged in strikes: report

Iranian energy infrastructure has been damaged in airstrikes, the Associated Press reported, citing the Fars news agency.

Fars, a semiofficial Iranian news agency close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reported that natural gas infrastructure in Isfahan was hit, and a gas pipeline for the Khorramshahr power plant was targeted.

Rachel Dobkin24 March 2026 01:45

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Kuwait’s energy ministry says ‘air defense operations’ caused a ‘partial power outage’

Kuwait’s energy ministry has said “air defense operations” caused a “partial power outage”.

Seven overhead power lines were damaged by falling debris in several areas, the ministry said in a translated statement early Tuesday morning local time, adding, “Work is underway to restore power as quickly as possible”.

Rachel Dobkin24 March 2026 01:26

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Saudi Arabia shoots down nearly 30 drones in a few hours

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced that it shot down 28 drones in a few hours early Tuesday morning local time.

In a series of social media posts, the ministry announced the interception and destruction of dozens of drones in the eastern region.

Rachel Dobkin24 March 2026 01:09

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In pictures: Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli strike

Bryony Gooch24 March 2026 00:30

Israeli minister calls for annexation of southern Lebanon

An Israeli minister has called for the annexation of southern Lebanon after Israeli troops bombed bridges and destroyed homes in an escalating military assault.

The comments by the far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich were the most explicit yet by a senior Israeli official on seizing Lebanese territory in a fight Israel says targets Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

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Lebanon was pulled into the regional war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel.

Since then, Israel has ordered all residents to evacuate south of the Litani River as it pummels the area with air strikes, viewing it as a stronghold of Hezbollah, which has kept up rocket attacks on Israel.

Lebanese authorities say the Israeli air and ground assault has killed more than 1,000 people, and more than a million have been driven from their homes.

Reuters witnesses heard at least three blasts in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district late on Monday, as the Israeli military said it had attacked Hezbollah sites in the city.

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An earlier strike in Beirut on Monday killed a commander of the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the Israeli military said.

Bryony Gooch24 March 2026 00:00

Airstrikes on Iraq’s Shi’ite PMF site kill six including Anbar commander

Six people are now reported to have died in airstrikes in western Anbar.

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Airstrikes targeting a site belonging to Iraq’s Shi’ite Popular Mobilisation Forces in the western province of Anbar killed six fighters and wounded 15 others, including the PMF’s Anbar operations commander, security sources said.

Harriette Boucher23 March 2026 23:46

US claims to have hit nearly 10,000 targets since beginning of Iran war

America has struck more than 9,000 targets and damaged or destroyed more than 140 Iranian vessels since it launched strikes last month, the US Central Command said in an update.

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“CENTCOM forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritising locations that pose an imminent threat,” it said.

Harriette Boucher23 March 2026 23:40