People are marking the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with prayers, fireworks and festivities.
The activities ushered in the Year of the Horse, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, succeeding the Year of the Snake.
The Lunar New Year is the most important annual holiday in China and some other East Asian nations and is celebrated outside the region, too.
Temple crowds at midnight in Hong Kong
Advertisement
Incense smoke wafted into the air at a temple in Hong Kong where people line up every year to make wishes for the new year at midnight.
Holding up a cluster of incense sticks, many bowed their heads several times before planting the sticks in containers placed in front of a temple hall.
Entertainers in Vietnam sang at an outdoor countdown event before multiple fireworks shows at several cities in the Southeast Asian nation, where the festival is called Tet.
Advertisement
Light shows lit up bridges and skyscrapers as the fireworks went off and crowds clapped in rhythm to live pop music performances.
Chinese street fairs in Moscow
People sampled Chinese cuisine from stalls and strolled along snowy streets decorated with red lanterns and dragons as two weeks of events got underway Monday at various venues in the Russian capital.
The third annual Lunar New Year celebration comes at at time of warming relations between China and Russia — ties that have frustrated many European governments because of the war in Ukraine.
Advertisement
A temple bell rings 108 times in Taiwan
The solemn peal of a temple bell rang out 108 times — an auspicious number — as people flocked to the Baoan Temple in Taipei on Tuesday morning.
They lit incense sticks, bowed their heads and left offerings of colorful flower bouquets on outdoor tables on the temple grounds in Taiwan’s capital city.
The derelict Shotley Park Care Home in Shotley Bridge, Consett went up in flames on October 5.
At one point, five fire crews were deployed to takle the blaze, and by the time flames were extinguished, the building was unrecognisable, with much of the roof and windows destroyed.
The Shotley Park fire. (Image: CDDFRS)
An arson investigation was launched Durham Police and a 16-year-old questioned then released under investigation. Police also spoke to a “number of witnesses”.
A force spokesperson confirmed on Monday (February 16) that an investigation remains ongoing.
Advertisement
The former care home has been a target for anti-social behaviour.
Inspector Andy Liddell, from Consett Neighbourhood Team, said previously: “This building has historically been a hotspot for antisocial behaviour and criminal damage due to its derelict condition.
The Shotley Park fire. (Image: CDDFRS)
“The neighbourhood team have done extensive problem-solving working alongside partners to try and identify offenders and target harden the building against future misuse.
“Officers have also carried out education work with local schools around the dangers of entering disused buildings which may be structurally unsafe.”
Advertisement
Reacting to the blaze, one resident said the building looked to be “practically demolished”, while neighbour Martin Sharpe argued the blaze was “only a matter of time”.
He said: “The young’uns have been setting little fires all summer.
“My mam was in that care home in 2012 and I used to put stair lifts in it. There’d been rumours it was being turned into a hotel.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed a major review of PIP mobility and daily living will be completed this autumn
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer
04:00, 17 Feb 2026
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed eligibility for the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be reviewed alongside the daily living element, as part of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms will co-produce the review with disabled groups and charities, which will be completed this autumn.
Advertisement
During the State Pension and benefits uprating debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Sir Stephen confirmed the review will be published before 2027 after Conservative MP Rebecca Smith suggested it would not be available until next year.
Sir Stephen said: “I am co-chairing a review of PIP that will conclude by the autumn of this year; she (Rebecca Smith) said that she did not think that the review would happen until 2027, but it will conclude by the autumn of this year.”
PIP claimants awarded the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component can transfer some or all of the payment to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.
The latest figures from Motability Operations – the organisation behind the life-changing Motability Scheme – show there are now 815,000 customers across the UK, including approximately 80,000 living in Scotland, reports the Daily Record.
Advertisement
There are currently over 3.2 million Blue Badge permit holders across the UK, including over 235,700 in Scotland. DWP figures also reveal that just over 3m PIP claimants receive either the standard or higher rate of the mobility component.
This comprises 1,961,029 claimants receiving the higher payment award, worth £77.05 per week, and 1,111,219 on the standard award rate of £29.20 per week. There are currently nearly 3.9 million people claiming PIP across England and Wales – all Scots have now been transferred to Adult Disability Payment.
In a written question to the DWP, former Labour and now an Independent MP, Rachel Maskell recently asked what steps it is taking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to co-produce policy changes to mobility allowances of PIP.
In a written response, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, said: “The PIP mobility element is in scope of the Timms Review, which aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future.
Advertisement
“We will co-produce the Review with disabled people, and their organisations to ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work. We will provide an update shortly. We will not make changes to PIP eligibility, including for the mobility element, until the Review has concluded.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to reform the Motability Scheme during the Autumn Budget. These reforms include ending the VAT relief on top-up payments, a one-off voluntary payment required to lease more expensive vehicles on the Scheme, and the application of Insurance Premium Tax on leases.
Tax alterations will not significantly affect vehicles that have been extensively modified for wheelchair users, or existing leases, and Motability will continue to supply vehicles at no extra cost to the value of eligible disability benefits.
Thin or fluffy, rolled or risen, pancakes come in all shapes and sizes and everybody has their way come Shrove Tuesday. For many, it’s hard to look beyond the gentle simplicity of a traditional crepe, a buttery batter stretched to become flat, with frilly edges, a softer centre, every inch doused heavily in lemon and sugar.
That’s not to say it’s not worth experimenting. Pancakes have been around since the Ancient Greeks after all, so who’s to say that retro dish is where the batter starts and ends. Here, for Pancake Day 2026, we’ve asked eight of the country’s best known chefs to tell us how they like theirs. Find eight expert recipes below.
Ci Ci’s low dairy pancakes
Issy Croker
“This recipe had to feature in my debut cookbook for two reasons: firstly because we had to reduce the dairy in our daughter Ci Ci’s diet, so I came up with this variation out of necessity. And secondly: because they’re a staple in our household. I’ve been making these pancakes with Ci Ci most Sundays since she was 3 years old. To remember her standing on a stool, barely being able to see over the kitchen counter, to seeing her now, getting ingredients out of the cupboard and weighing them herself, is just the best thing ever. You can adjust the consistency (thick or thin) by adding more or less milk.”
In a large bowl, combine all the pancake ingredients, except the butter, and whisk together.
Over a high heat, melt the butter in a small frying pan. Once the butter is brown and nutty, add a ladleful of pancake batter and tip the pan to spread the mixture evenly. Leave it to cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for a further 2 minutes more; until your pancake is golden brown on each side.
Remove from the heat and stack your pancakes on a plate to keep them warm while you repeat the process to cook the remaining batter.
To serve, Ci Ci and I like to fold each pancake into quarters. Eat with sliced bananas, raspberries and a dollop of Greek yoghurt and maple syrup – or keep things classic with lemon and sugar.
Extract from For the Love of Food by Paul Ainsworth (Pavilion Books).
Courtesy of tashas inspired
Many great dishes have been created by accident in the kitchens of absent-minded cooks and hot-headed chefs. One story of the origin of these crêpes tells how a young assistant waiter was finishing off a dessert for the Prince of Wales at the Café de Paris, when it caught fire. What the chef was thinking in entrusting this grand finale to an amateur we can only guess. But we’re grateful he did, because we now have this wonderful, burnt sugar and orange liqueur flambéed classic. Serve the crêpes with vanilla ice cream.
1 vanilla pod, seeds removed 1 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for frying
125ml beer, preferably lager
100ml Grand Marnier (or equivalent orange liqueur) NB. for serving
For the orange liqueur sauce
500ml orange juice
60g sugar
1 vanilla pod, seeds removed
2 oranges, zested and segmented
180g butter, softened
Sift together the flour and salt, then whisk together the milk, sugar, butter, eggs and oil.
Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Next, pour the batter through a fine sieve into a large mixing bowl.
Whisk in the beer, cover, and refrigerate for about 4-5 hours (although it’ll be best if left overnight).
Remove the batter from the fridge and let it stand to reach room temperature.
Once it has, heat a flat non-stick crêpe pan (though a frying pan will do) to medium heat, lightly brush with a little bit of oil and pour 125ml of batter into the pan.
Once the crêpe starts to bubble all over, it is ready to be flipped. This should be about two minutes per side.
Remove the crêpe from the pan, place on a platter and cover with a lid or dome to prevent the crêpes from drying out. Repeat until the batter is finished.
Heat the orange juice, then add the sugar, vanilla seeds and orange zest and bring to a boil.
Once the sugar has dissolved, whisk the butter in, bit by bit. When the sauce is smooth and thickened, add the orange segments and bring back to a boil.
Place the crêpes one at a time into the boiling sauce. Make sure they are completely covered. Fold them in half and in half again to make triangles, making sure you have a few orange segments inside each crêpe.
Once they are folded in the pan, covered in sauce and very hot, add the Grand Marnier. Carefully set the sauce alight, and allow it to flame briefly.
Serve with ice cream and the remaining sauce on the side.
Printed with permission from tashas inspired, available to purchase at tashas Battersea
‘Silver Dollar’ pancakes
Marcus Cobden
On a typical Shrove Tuesday, I make American-style “silver dollar” pancakes for my kids in the morning. They’re named after their small size and are really fun to stack up. We normally serve them with maple syrup and have them for breakfast that day. Then, in the evening, my husband James (Knappett, co-founder of Kitchen Table) will make us traditional English pancakes for dessert after dinner. He serves them classic, with sugar and lemon juice.
Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
In another bowl, combine the milk and vegetable oil. Add the egg yolks to the milk and whisk to break up the yolks.
Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Don’t worry, there will still be small lumps.
Place the egg whites in another bowl and beat until they have stiff peaks.
Add about 1/3 of the stiff egg whites to the pancake batter and stir it in to combine and lighten the batter.
Add the remaining egg whites and gently fold until no white streaks appear.
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Grease with butter or with nonstick cooking spray.
Pour about the size of a “silver dollar” of batter (about 4cm diameter) onto the hot griddle. Let the pancakes cook until bubbles form, then flip and continue to cook until browned and cooked through.
Continue with the remaining batter until all of the pancakes are cooked
Pancakes with berry compote, fresh berries and clotted cream
Press handout
“My secret to light and fluffy pancakes is to add the egg yolks first to your mixture and allow it to rest for three minutes. Then in a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and combine all ingredients together. If you want thin, crispy crepes, always make sure your pan is not too hot as the batter goes in; you should be able to tilt the pan, so the batter forms a thin (!) layer over the base. Then gradually turn up the heat and cook for two to three minutes on each side. Keep checking so it doesn’t burn.”
Sift the flour into a mixing bowl, melt the butter and separate the egg yolk from the whites.
Make a well with the flour in the bowl and in the centre add the yolks, sugar, butter and milk. Mix and adjust the texture with water and allow to rest for three minutes.
In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites into a foam and then combine with the rest of the mixture. Have your non-stick pan and some butter ready to cook.
Put a ladle full of batter into the pan and cook the pancakes for two minutes on each side, then finish in the oven for five to six minutes at 190°C.
For the compote, combine all the ingredients together in a pot, and cook them over on a low heat till it’s all reduced by half, then take it off the heat.
When everything is ready, assemble your pancakes. Top with clotted cream and garnish with a mixture of fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Add some good quality maple syrup and icing sugar, et voilà.
Sweet Goan pancakes filled with jaggery and coconut
Press handout
“There are hundreds of different pancakes across India, from sweet malpua to savoury dosa. I am constantly discovering new ones. This year I am making Alle Belle, which is a sweet pancake recipe from Goa and makes for the perfect afternoon treat. If you fancy going the extra-mile, then garnish the pancakes with a dusting of icing sugar and some chopped pistachios.”
50g fresh grated coconut, desiccated coconut is a fine alternative, toasted to a light golden brown in a dry pan
50g Jaggery or dark muscovado sugar
1 cardamon pod, grounded to a powder
A small pinch of Maldon salt
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, the egg and baking powder. Slowly incorporate the milk until you have a thin batter consistency. Leave this to one side whilst you make the filling.
Combine all the ingredients for the filling in a pan. Add a little splash of water to prevent the mixture from sticking.
Cook over a low heat until all the ingredients have come together, and you have a nice thick sweet paste with no liquid — this should take about 10 minutes. Allow to cool and set aside.
To make the pancakes, heat up a little ghee or clarified butter in a non-stick frying pan over a low to medium heat.
Pour a ladle of the batter into the pan, and swirl around to allow the batter to spread into a thin pancake. You don’t particularly want any colour on the pancake itself, so keep the heat relatively low and flip the pancake after a couple of minutes or so.
Once flipped, add some of the stuffing into the middle of each pancake and remove from the pan onto a serving plate. Roll up the pancakes, and repeat until you have used up all the batter and filling!
TWELVE TRIANGLES
“For crêpes, I would always say add an extra egg yolk, make sure the batter is thin enough and give it a good rest before cooking”.
150g buttermilk (the thick stuff from the supermarket)
30g butter
Weigh the dry ingredients into a bowl
Melt the butter in the frying pan you will use to cook the pancakes, then wipe off the excess with kitchen roll
Whisk the eggs and buttermilk with the melted butter. Add this into the dry ingredients and whisk to mix, it will be quite thick and start to bubble as the bicarb starts to react with the acid from the butter milk.
On a medium heat, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the frying pan and cook for a few minutes on each side, you will see bubbles start to come through the batter and you are looking for them to be a nice deep golden colour on each side.
Serve with yoghurt, roasted rhubarb and sweet dukkah for some crunch. These are also great with butter and jam if you have leftovers.
Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
Add the butter, flour, baking powder, milk and vanilla essence. Mix all ingredients together to make sure there are no lumps.
Place a dry crêpe pan over a medium heat. Once hot, pour in half a ladle of batter, immediately tilting the pan with your other hand to spread the batter evenly.
Cook until the edges begin to colour and you notice small bubbles appear all over the surface, and then flip the pancake.
Cook for a few moments on the other side and then slide onto a plate.
If you would like to serve straight away, keep warm until all the pancakes are cooked.
To serve the pancakes, top with chopped pecan nuts and drizzle with maple syrup.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, mashed banana, Thai cinnamon and vanilla extract until well combined.
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and gradually whisk in the wet mixture until you have a smooth batter. Let rest for 15 minutes.
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add a small knob of butter and let it melt.
Pour about 60ml of batter into the pan, tilting to spread evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface.
Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Keep warm while you cook the remaining pancakes.
For the topping, in a small pan, melt the butter and add the sliced bananas and Thai cinnamon. Cook gently for 2-3 minutes until the bananas are slightly caramelised.
To serve, stack the pancakes, top with the caramelised bananas, drizzle generously with condensed milk, and sprinkle with extra Thai cinnamon. Add crushed peanuts if desired.
Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, has offered a candid insight into life behind the cameras, revealing that while her nine children are close-knit, they certainly don’t always see eye to eye.
Amanda, Clem and Nancy lambing at Ravenseat during lambing season (Image: CHANNEL 4)
“Of course they don’t always get on,” she admitted during a recent Q&A, joking that she had just heard Annas “string a lot of swear words into one sentence” after Sidney knocked over a drink.
On another morning, she said, they were “hitting each other with icicles”.
“It’s not always like the Waltons,” Amanda added. “It can be pretty dysfunctional.”
Advertisement
Miles in a tractor near Anty John’s (Image: CHANNEL 4)
Despite the inevitable sibling squabbles, Amanda says the space and freedom of life at Ravenseat in Upper Swaledale allows each child to develop independently.
“Because they’ve got space around them and a zillion things to do, it means they can take off,” she explained.
Raven, Clem and Amanda with lambs and sheep at Ravenseat (Image: CHANNEL 4)
“If you were all trapped under one roof in confined quarters, it would be very, very different.”
The children are already carving out their own interests within farm life.
Advertisement
Annas has a particular affinity with the hounds, Clemmie spends hours with the horses, and Nancy has developed a love of dancing.
Clem, Nancy and Annas at Ravenseat (Image: CHANNEL 4)
Each is beginning to show their own strengths and passions, something Amanda says she finds “deeply rewarding”.
“They are very, very unique characters each and every one of them,” she said.
“You just get to see their independence and their characters and what they absorb and what they take in, and that never fails to surprise me.”
With viewers often wondering whether the Owen children will follow in their parents’ footsteps, Amanda’s reflections suggest that while farming remains central to their upbringing, there is no expectation that they must all stay on the land.
“They all stick together, but they can also go off and be their own individual selves,” Amanda said.
For Amanda, this current stage, as the children grow more independent and their personalities shine through, is her favourite so far.
“This stage is the best part,” she said.
Advertisement
“You feel rejuvenated. It does make you feel more alive when you’ve got these youngsters bobbing about doing their thing.”
The event, organised by Sunderland’s BID, will run from March 7 to 15 and feature special dining offers at restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars across the city centre and seafront.
Deals will be available at venues including Asiana, Rumour Has It, Babaji, Angelo’s Ristorante and I Scream for Pizza at Sheepfolds.
Sunderland Restaurant Week is back this March (Image: Sunderland BID)
Seafront favourites such as Goa, Fausto, Marina Vista, Seaburn Bay, House of Zen and Acropolis will also take part.
Roberta Redecke, Head of business services at Sunderland’s BIDs, said: “The city centre and Seafront have an abundance of independent restaurants, bars and cafés, specialising in a wide variety of cuisines and dishes. And one of the great aspects of Restaurant Week is that it encourages people to try somewhere new without worrying they’ll break the bank.”
Advertisement
Sunderland’s BIDs said last year’s Sunderland Restaurant Week attracted 16,997 diners and generated an estimated economic impact of £509,000. Organisers hope to match or exceed those figures.
Venues will offer deals at £10, £15, £20, and £25 (Image: Sunderland BID)
Businesses interested in taking part can email info@sunderlandbid.co.uk, and vouchers can be downloaded at sunderlandbid.co.uk/restaurant-week.
Participating venues will offer deals priced at £10, £15, £20, or £25, and are designed to attract both new and returning diners.
With the event supported by Tyne and Wear Metro, David Turton, marketing manager at Nexus, said: “We are pleased to continue supporting this important initiative, reflecting the growth of Sunderland’s vibrant restaurant sector.”
Advertisement
“With Metro providing convenient connections across Tyne and Wear, customers can enjoy Restaurant Week with ease.”
The Tuesday letters page wishes Sega had made a Dreamcast 2, as one reader feels the God Of War franchise should quite while it’s ahead.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
AI use case So it’s looking like this generation really could go on for much longer than usual. Not because Sony saw sense and didn’t push the PlayStation 6 when no one wanted, but just because of an outside influence (the RAM memory shortages) that they have no control of.
Either way it works out for us ordinary gamers. A PlayStation 5 generation that lasts until at least 2029 would be great. Time for the console to catch up with itself, time to put cross-gen games completely behind it, and time for developers to get to grip with the hardware and really push it.
Advertisement
Like people have said, I don’t even know what game Sony thinks is supposed to be pushing the console right now. Almost nothing is a true exclusive and Naughty Dog still hasn’t made a proper new game for it. Neither has Guerilla Games, if you don’t count cross-gen titles, and they’re the ones I’d look to for state-of-the-art graphics.
This may end up being the only thing AI is good for: preventing the start of the next generation and ensuring we only have to spend money on new games, not new hardware as well. Franky
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Advertisement
Fever dream I’ve been playing a lot of Mario Tennis Fever the last few days and I have to say it’s really good. I know it’s probably not a cool game to like, and it’s not really doing anything new, but I’ve had a lot of fun playing it with the whole family, which is not something that often happens.
I think a lot of people mistake what family friendly means. It doesn’t mean it’s just for kids, it’s kind of the opposite really because it’s something that appeals to everyone, and specifically not just kids, which is difficult and yet also second nature to Nintendo.
Well, sort of. They’ve messed up the tennis games a few times now, but I really like this one. Yes, you can play it without the trick rackets but even with them I’ve found it a lot of fun. They’re not instant win devices and you can learn to get around all of them with practice. I strongly recommend it if you’re going to be playing local multiplayer with other people. Titus
Advertisement
Hardware memories I have to admit I never knew all of Sega’s hardware was down to basically one guy. Kudos to Hideki Sato though, you made my childhood a lot brighter. It’s a shame everything ended with the Dreamcast but unfortunately the games business just became too big for them and they couldn’t keep up.
At the time I thought it was a shame Microsoft didn’t go through with their plans to buy them, since then they’d have infinite funds. But now we see what Microsoft does with the companies it buys it’s a blessing they didn’t. In the end we all have good memories and the company is still going and (sort of) independent, which is more than you can say for many from the same era. Terry Gold
Memorable start Shame to see High On Life 2 getting bad reviews, but the first one didn’t review well either and I quite enjoyed that, so I was going to give the sequel a chance. But if the humour’s changed then I think I’ll wait and see. I’ll probably watch some streams and if it seems the reviews are right I’ll give it a miss.
Advertisement
That’s what I do with most games now, that I’m not dead set on. I try to find someone that’s about halfway into the game though, as I don’t like having the beginning spoiled. That probably doesn’t make sense, but I love that feeling of starting a new game and having no idea what’s coming up.
Unfortunately, I also like that feeling of not having wasted my money, so you have to compromise. But I feel a random bit from the middle is much better to be spoiled than the whole cinematic opening, doesn’t matter what game it is. Korbie
6.5 million seconds to go Just a heads-up for GameCentral readers and Underboxers, the Jurassic Park Collection is being delisted from all digital store fronts on Tuesday, 31st March. I was going to pick it up physical on Amazon for about £25 or so but then saw it is on sale for £6.24 on PSN Store on PlayStation 4 and 5 until Wednesday, 25th February, so picked it up there instead.
Advertisement
It is even cheaper if you have PS Plus and also slightly cheaper on PlayStation 4 too. It’s also on sale on Steam too but at the time of checking Monday evening it is not on sale on Xbox or Switch stores, unfortunately. Andrew J.
Story’s end I’d forgotten that David Jaffe was the original creator of God Of War and that he barely had any involvement after the first one. When you remember, it does fit his personality personally and I knew before you even said anything that he wouldn’t like the new games because Kratos was too nice. I mean who wants character growth in their stories, huh?
Add me to the list of people that see little point in remaking the original games. You either keep them more or less the same and they seem very dated and bad, in terms of gameplay and story, or you retcon them and upset all the fans.
To be honest, I’m against a retcon too because the new games work better knowing what an unredeemable monster Kratos is and then have him slowly become a better person, to actually be redeemable after all. It’s really well done in the game because it’s not pushed too hard and it takes a long time to happen.
Advertisement
The new games don’t work without the old ones but that doesn’t mean I want to go back and play them. To be honest, I don’t know what you do with the series though, because Kratos’ story is told now. You either have more adventures of him being a nice guy (or becoming angry again for no good reason) or you follow Atreus, who I’m not interested in at all.
Artistically speaking, the series is done but it can’t die because there’s a TV show coming out, so we’re getting prequels and remakes and who knows what next. I’m not looking forward to it. Zeiss
A fool and his money Everything about that story about Logan Paul selling his Pokémon card for £12+ million disgusted me. But especially the guy that bought it, whose stated in goal in life is to buy expensive things, because what else are you going to do with money?
I dunno? Build a hospital? These people are awful and it’s extra ridiculous when it’s for a little bit of card you could print out and keep for yourself and it’d be almost identical to the real thing. Anyone willing to pay me 12p for it? Gadfly
Advertisement
Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source
As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
GameCentral has been delivering unique games news and reviews for over a decade
Four good ones A few remarks on the back of some notable and excellent Reader’s Features.
Advertisement
Concur, there’s absolutely no need for a new generation of consoles anytime soon, when the current crop are more than capable of churning out games of the quality, depth, and substance to keep us all happy. PlayStation 5 has sold some 90 million consoles, yet go to any CeX store and the PlayStation 5 aisle only covers a single column. If the gaming market wants to stop the rising cost of triple-A titles then ditching the current gen for a new one would be suicidal right now.
The announcement of the God Of War trilogy remake, from a pure gamer point of view, shudders me with dread, especially if the remake follows the equivalence of the gameplay style of the latest Norse entries. Where are the new IPs from Santa Monica and Naughty Dog?
I agree that the Wii U was an excellent console brimming with great games across several genres. It paved the way for the Switch to be a huge success. And finally, if Sony has had enough of gaming fair dos, leave whilst you’re on a high and let Sega make a comeback to gobble up their market share! We can only wonder about Dreamcast 2… Sam
Inbox also-rans Kudos to that Become indie game, that is the best pun I’ve heard in a long time. Also, I’m impressed that apart from sperm it looks quite realistic. (I think, or at least I assume that’s what it looks like.) Grol
Advertisement
So just to clarify something, GC. Is Rockstar and GTA likely to be at the Summer Game Fest thing that took over from E3? It’s run by the same people as The Game Awards, but I don’t think they’ve ever been at that. Bantz
GC: Rockstar has never been at a Geoff Keighley event, so far as we recall. They have featured in Sony showcases (and Xbox ones, back in the Xbox 360 era), but only rarely.
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.
Advertisement
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.
Two people, including a child, were killed and a dozen injured when a bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded near a police station in northwestern Pakistan, local authorities have said.
The attack took place in Bannu, a district in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, local police official Fida Mohammad said.
Mr Mohammad didn’t provide any further details but said the dead and wounded had been taken to a nearby hospital.
Though no group immediately claimed responsibility, suspicion was likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP.
Advertisement
Toheed Gandapur, senior police officer, said: “The blast happened in front of Meryan police station, on the road.
“So far, 12 people have been wounded and two other civilians have been killed. They were all brought here to the hospital.”
Image: The attack took place in Bannu, a local police official said. Pic: AP
He added: “We are receiving threats on a daily bases and we are taking precautionary measures according to those threats.
“The whole district police is on high alert. God willing, we are trying our best to make sure that this kind of incident never happens.”
Advertisement
It comes against a backdrop of an increase in violence in Pakistan in recent years, with the government frequently blaming the outlawed TTP.
The group is separate from but closely allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban who returned to power in 2021.
The increase in attacks has strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, as Pakistan accuses the TTP of operating freely inside Afghanistan, a charge both the TTP and Kabul deny.
“Paige is a fighter. Her smile lights up every room, and her strength inspires everyone who meets her.”
A major fundraising drive has been launched to help a seven year-old girl battling one of the world’s rarest illnesses.
Advertisement
Little Paige Headland is one of 500 people in the world to be diagnosed with CTNNB1 Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects brain development, muscle tone, movement and communication.
Paige’s mum Jayne grew up in Bangor but now lives in the north east of England with husband Craig and the couple’s other daughter Amelia, aged 8.
Diagnosed when she was just five years old, there is currently no cure for Paige’s condition. CTNNB1 Syndrome was only discovered in 2012.
Advertisement
Jayne said it wasn’t immediately clear that Paige was suffering from an illness but as she began to grow they noticed she wasn’t meeting certain developmental milestones like other children her age.
She explained: “From the very beginning, we knew that Paige was precious — full of light, laughter, and determination. But as she grew, we began to notice she wasn’t meeting certain milestones like other children her age.
“After countless tests, hospital visits, and years of searching for answers, in November 2024 we finally received a diagnosis that changed everything. For Paige, this means living with spasticity (stiff muscles) and dystonia (involuntary movements), as well as a heightened startle reflex that makes mobility even harder.”
“Paige loves being around people and is always eager to communicate, but because her speech can be difficult to understand, she often becomes frustrated and anxious when she’s away from her family. Despite these daily challenges, Paige faces life with courage, joy, and determination that inspires everyone who meets her.”
In November 2023, Paige underwent double hip surgery to get her hips back into the correct position. Recovery was tough, and while the surgery was necessary, it initially increased her spasticity and reduced her mobility.
Since having the metalwork removed in July 2025, Jayne says Paige has made incredible progress through weekly private physiotherapy adding: “Every small step forward is a huge victory — but we know there’s still a long road ahead.”
The family have now been told that Paige could be eligible to be included in the first group of children being put forward for a groundbreaking clinical trial in Slovenia at a cost of €165,000.
Advertisement
Her mum added: “This treatment could be truly life-changing, offering children like Paige the possibility of improved mobility, communication and independence. While this isn’t guaranteed, as there is still a screening process once the trial is approved, if accepted treatment could begin very quickly.”
However, she said: “Unfortunately, accessing this treatment comes with enormous costs. We would need to travel to Slovenia and stay for around four months, covering medical expenses, hospital admission, insurance, accommodation and lost income while away from work.”
As so little is known about CTNNB1, Paige is taking part in a five-year longitudinal study with the CTNNB1 Foundation, helping researchers understand the condition and how it changes over time.
Advertisement
The CTNNB1 Foundation, established in 2021, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children with rare genetic conditions.
“From what has been learned so far, for many affected individuals, symptoms can worsen with age, and hard- earned skills may be lost. Without intervention, this condition can have a severe and lasting impact on quality of life. Right now, there is no cure — only supportive therapies to manage symptoms. But for the first time, there is real hope,” Jayne added.
“Because these are ‘orphan diseases’ (rare conditions) they are often overlooked by large pharmaceutical companies, leaving it to parents and small research groups to drive progress. Much of the funding so far has come from the tireless efforts of families and a handful of corporate and government supporters worldwide.”
Jayne recently put her best foot forward when she completed the Great North Run to raise funds for Paige’s physiotherapy treatment. The family have also set up a GoFundMe page while many relatives and friends back in North Down are also helping to raise money to give Paige this chance at gene therapy.
Advertisement
They are holding an event, Brass and Voices in Holywood Parish Church on Saturday, March 14. Compere Gerry Kelly will be joined by West End star soloist Alex Sharpe as well as Festival Brass and Donaghadee Male Voice Choir for an evening of music, with all money raised going to support Paige, who will also be attending alongside her family.
Jayne added: “We are determined to do everything possible to give Paige this chance — but we can’t do it alone. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to giving Paige — and other children like her — the chance at a brighter, freer future full of possibilities.
“Paige is a fighter. Her smile lights up every room, and her strength inspires everyone who meets her. With your support, we can give her the opportunity to take part in this groundbreaking therapy and show the world just how incredible these children truly are.”
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Googlemeans you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
It also urged the media and the public to refrain from publishing unverified claims.
Tehran has been a huge hit for Apple TV and stars Niv Sultan, Hugh Laurie and Shaun Toub.
Advertisement
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Coco Gauff says it is “tough to wake up” and see what is happening back home in the United States and she will continue to speak out about issues that matter to her.
The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is among a host of American athletes who have voiced their displeasure with US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Protests have taken place across the United States since Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed in Minneapolis last month by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Gauff, 21, spends most of the year competing overseas and the world number five learned of their deaths while in Australia for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Advertisement
“I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing,” Gauff told reporters in Dubai, where she is set to compete this week.
“It is tough to wake up and see something because I do care a lot about our country. I think people think I don’t for some reason, but I do. I’m very proud to be American.
“You don’t have to represent the entire values of what’s going on in the leadership. I think there’s a lot of people around that believe in the things I believe in, believe in diversity and equality.”
When asked about issues in the US during the Australian Open, Gauff called for “more peace and kindness” in America.
Advertisement
Compatriot Madison Keys championed immigrants and the diversity they have brought to the US, saying she hopes the country “can come together”.
Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy, who grew up in America, said he has received death threats after posting an anti-ICE message on social media.
Speaking at the Winter Olympics, freestyle skier Hunter Hess added that “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US”, and President Trump responded by calling him a “real loser”.
Bea Kim said the US is “very divided” but “diversity is what makes us a very strong country”, while fellow snowboarder Maddie Mastro said she is “saddened with what’s happening at home. I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that.”
Advertisement
Chloe Kim, a silver medalist in Milan-Cortina, feels that athletes should be “allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on. And I think that we need to lead with love and compassion.”
Gauff says she feels confident giving honest answers when asked about politics, partly because of her maternal grandmother.
Yvonne Lee Odom helped desegregate public schools in the 1960s, becoming the first black student to attend public school in Delray Beach, Florida.
“My grandma is literally an activist,” Gauff added. “This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions.”
