New York State

A HUGE new multi-million seaside project hopes to protect a much-loved beach in the UK.

The beach at Yaverland village on the Isle of Wight is at huge risk of erosion in the next few decades.

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Sea defences in Yaverland on the Isle of Wight could be improved under £40million plans[/caption]

Environment Agency

Under the plans, the sea wall will be raised ever so slightly to protect the beach and the seaside village from erosion and flooding[/caption]

Plans to upgrade sea defences in Yaverland were put forward by the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council yesterday.

The Yaverland Coastal Defence Scheme is expected to cost as much as £40.6million.

It will upgrade more than a mile of coastal defences in Yaverland, a seaside town on the British island.

Defences between Fort Street and the Yaverland Long Stay car park will be improved under the plans in the bid to save Yaverland Beach, nearby homes and business from erosion and flooding.

Local residents have been reassured that the current sea wall will only be raised slightly.

The new sea defences will also help to preserve over 300 hectares of habitat for the next 50 years and help to maintain sand levels.

Access to Yaverland Beach will also be improved under the plans.

The current seawall will also get a renovation, with artwork and mural to be added to make it look more aesthetically pleasing.

Construction work on the coastal defences is set to start later this decade.

It is hoped that the entire project will be complete by 2030.

Yaverland Beach is often regarded as one of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight.

The long sandy beach is great for swimming and is popular with watersports enthusiasts who can kite surf, windsurf and surf at Yaverland Beach.

It’s not the beach on the island undergoing huge improvements.

The nearby Shanklin beach also has plans for a £35million coastal defence project which is likely to start first.

Last year, the Isle of Wight was named the best region in the UK for caravan getaways by Go Outdoors.

It’s also said to be the sunniest spot in the country, with Met Office data revealing it’s the only part of the country to have more than five hours of sunshine per day.

But another beach at risk of disappearing is Covhithe Beach in Suffolk.

Despite attempts to reduce the risk of erosion, there are fears the wild beach could be gone as soon as 2040.

And Southport, one of England’s oldest seaside towns is at risk of losing its beach forever.

One woman has revealed how she swapped her fancy holidays abroad for staycations in the UK.

Laura Edwards and her family now holiday on the Isle of Wight once a month.

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Work on the coastal defences will start later this decade[/caption]

MATHEUS CUNHA (£5m) is Dream Team’s Swiss Army Knife; he does it all.

The Wolves forward is statistically the most in-form player in the game right now having amassed 41 points in his last three outings.

Dream Team

Oozes quality[/caption]

The 25-year-old has scored against Aston Villa, Blackburn and Liverpool in consecutive fixtures but his goal threat is only one aspect of his game.

Cunha has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season and ranks fifth for shots on target among assets in his position.

Furthermore, he ranks third for bonus points, third for big chances created, and second for tackles among strikers – a gargantuan effort without European fixtures to bolster his schedule.

And it’s the fact Cunha offers multiple routes to points that makes him such an appealing Dream Team option ahead of double Gameweek 25.

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Cunha has reached top form in recent weeks[/caption]

With all 20 Premier League clubs set to play twice, Wolves will not be on the wrong side of a fixture deficit, which is the main reason gaffers have resisted Cunha this season.

Vitor Pereira’s side are due to face Bournemouth and Fulham, two of the league’s best-coached sides both pushing for European qualification.

While that’s far from a favourable double header, Cunha has proven himself capable of success against tough opposition, as evidenced by his 12-point haul against Liverpool last time out.

Arne Slot was first in line to praise the former Atletico Madrid forward, saying: “Matheus Cunha is a quality player and has the quality to play for one of the top five teams in England.”

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Cunha took 12 points off Liverpool last time out[/caption]

The Dream Team Stats Centre paints the Brazil international in a very flattering light.

He averages 8.4 points-per-game this season, a rate only bettered by the absolute cream of the crop: Mohamed Salah (£8.3m), Cole Palmer (£5.9m), Bukayo Saka (£6.6m), Erling Haaland (£8.1m).

Even accounting for two deceptively difficult opponents, it would be reasonable to expect a healthy double-digit haul from Cunha in Gameweek 25.

Hence why he’s currently the fifth-most popular recruit ahead of Friday’s 6:30pm deadline.

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CUSTOMERS with Lloyds Bank, Santander and other major banks can get £2,000 cashback for making a few key changes to their home.

Several lenders offer cashback incentives to reward those who carry out energy-saving improvements to their properties.

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A host of lenders offer cashback offers to customers making their homes more energy-efficient[/caption]

Lloyds and Halifax customers can get up to £2,000 towards the cost of heat pumps and solar panel installation.

Meanwhile, Santander customers can get up to £500 in cashback for improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

Virgin Money dishes out £250 to households carrying out green improvements as well.

Lenders are increasingly offering these incentives as they see energy-efficient properties as less risky for them and more likely to hold their value over time.

Homeowners spending less on their energy bills every month should be able to meet regular mortgage payments more easily too.

We’ve rounded off what some of the major lenders offer in terms of cash incentives for improving the energy-efficiency of your home.

Halifax

You could be eligible for £2,000 cashback if you’re with Halifax and having a heat pump installed in your home.

You may also qualify for £1,000 cashback for installing solar panels or batteries and £500 for double glazing or insulation.

To qualify, you’ll need to be taking out a new mortgage or remortgage with Halifax and have a Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account at the time of claiming.

You also have to have installed the energy-efficient measure within one year of completing on a mortgage deal.

You can find out more via www.halifax.co.uk/mortgages/help-and-advice/green-living/green-living-offers.

LLoyds

Lloyds, part of Lloyds Banking Group like Halifax, also offers up to £2,000 cashback to customers getting a heat pump installed in their home.

The same cashback amounts of £1,000 and £500 are paid out if you install solar panels or a battery, or double glazing or insulation.

The same eligibility criteria applies as it does if you’re with Halifax.

However, you also need to have a Club Lloyds current account when claiming your mortgage.

The account comes with a £3 monthly fee that is waived every time you pay £2,000 or more into the account.

You can find out more via www.lloydsbank.com/mortgages/help-and-guidance/eco-home-hub/eco-home-offers.

Santander

Santander mortgage holders can get up to £500 cashback for carrying out green improvements to their home.

The lender also offers preferential interest rates to those remortgaging to a property that has an EPC rating of A or B.

However, these rates are only available via a broker and your loan-to-value (LTV) needs to be between 60% and 85%.

The LTV is the percentage of a property’s value that is borrowed.

You can find out more via www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/greener/support/greener-living/greener-homes/our-partners.

Virgin Money

Virgin Money offers £250 cashback to existing borrowers who need extra money to carry out green home improvements.

Mortgage holders can also get preferential interest rates if buying a home with an EPC rating of A or B.

You also need to have a maximum LTV of 85%.

You can find our more via uk.virginmoney.com/mortgages/green-reward.

Are heat pump and solar panels worth it?

Heat pumps work by taking in heat from the air, ground or water and then passing this through a heat exchanger and then into your radiators or hot water cylinders.

They use less greenhouse gases to create energy making them much better for the environment than gas or oil boilers.

Solar panels work by converting energy from the sun into power in the shape of electricity and heat.

The cost of having a heat pump installed is generally much higher than a traditional combi boiler.

Checkatrade says an air source heat pump will cost on average £15,000 to have installed while a gas combi boiler will set you back just £3,000.

You can get grants worth up to £7,500 from the government towards the cost of installing a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme though.

Combined with a cashback deal worth up to £2,000, you could wipe £9,500 off the cost of having a heat pump installed.

But you’d still be paying around £5,500 out of your own cash whereas having a new combi boiler installed is around £2,500 less expensive.

However, heat pumps can save you money on your energy bills over time, meaning you can make that money back then start saving on your electricity and gas.

Of course, how much you could save depends on what type of system you’re replacing with a heat pump.

The Sun spoke to one reader who saved more than £400 on his energy bills over three months after replacing his old-style heating oil heating system with an air source heat pump.

Solar panels can also save you money on your energy bills too, but can cost up to £12,000 to have installed.

You may be able to get money off the cost of installation though via a local council scheme.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

ONE of Iran’s oldest political prisoners who has spent more than 18 years in jail is feared to be next on the regime’s barbaric execution list.

Ali Moezi, 72, has been forcibly moved to the notorious Qezelhesser Prison – where brutal hangings are rife.

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Four Iranian convicts hanging after a public execution in 2007[/caption]

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Thousands held a mass demonstration in Paris against executions in Iran this month[/caption]

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Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran[/caption]

His plight comes as a British couple languish in an Iranian jail after being slapped with trumped-up espionage charges.

Moezi – who suffers from a number of health issues – was subjected to physical violence as he was transferred, it is understood.

The dad has been arrested four times in the 1980s, 200s, 2010s and most recently in 2022.

In total, Iran‘s brutal regime has kept Moezi in hellhole jails for more than 18 years on trumped-up charges.

Merciless leaders have ramped up execution in recent months as a scaremongering tactic to squash rebellion.

Moezi’s most recent conviction was for “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime” – as well as for alleged connections with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

He was thrown behind bars most recently in October 2022 after security forces raided his home.

Moezi was put in solitary confinement and was interrogated before being taken to Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Six months later, he was again moved to solitary confinement before being sentenced to six years and three months.

Moezi has prostate cancer and cruel prison bosses have not allowed him to finish his treatment.

Medical care in Iranian prisons is often inadequate.

His condition has deteriorated and he also suffers from kidney problems, hearing loss and severe knee arthritis.

Hossein Abedini, deputy director of the UK offices of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, told The Sun his transfer is a sign of the “weakness and illegitimacy of a regime that can only maintain its rule through executions, torture, and instilling fear”.

He also pointed to the issuance of death sentences for ten other political prisoners condemned for their support of the top opposition party, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

Moezi was suddenly transferred from Evin Prison on Saturday at the same time as another political prisoner, Akbar Bagheri.

He spent six years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion” and “propaganda against the regime” but was released in 2023.

Bagheri was then rearrested in November and was sent to Evin Prison, where he was tortured and interrogated.

It comes as Iran’s manipulative regime has backed down to international pressure and postponed executions of two other political prisoners – for now.

Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 48, were jailed on trumped-up charges and were last month forcibly moved to Qezelhessar Prison.

Executions are notoriously completed at the hellhole jail, but both have now been returned to the general ward.

While their executions have been postponed, campaigners fear Ehsani and Hassani remain in imminent danger of being killed.

Kamran Dalir, of the NCRI, told The Sun: “The regime has not cancelled their execution order and they are still in Ghezelhesar Prison, and as has happened in previous cases, such as the case of the Wrestling champion, Navid Afkari, who was executed some later days, they are still in danger. 

“Experience has shown that the regime will back down a little under pressure and then carries on the executions after a while. So, it is important that we can maintain this pressure.”

Earlier this month, more than 20,000 Iranians held mass demonstrations in Paris – demanding a halt in executions.

They also condemned the regime for detaining foreign nationals and demanded their immediate release.

Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of NCRI, told crowds: “Ali Khamenei, the regime’s Supreme Leader, used to say: ‘If we don’t fight in Syria, we will have to fight in Tehran and Isfahan’.

“Now, with Syria and Lebanon slipping from their grasp, they desperately resort to executions across Tehran and all of Iran, hoping to maintain control.”

Iran’s tyrannical regime has been slammed by campaigners for detaining a British couple.

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Mehdi Hassani has been sentenced to death[/caption]

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Behrouz Ehsani, 69, was tortured following his arrest in December 2022[/caption]

Channel 4 stars Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested during a motorbike trip across the world.

They ignored advice from family and the foreign office to go to Iran and were taken into custody on unspecified security charges in January.

The couple, who previously appeared on Channel 4‘s A New Life in the Sun, have now been charged with espionage and continue to be held in prison.

Iran’s regime has accused them of “collecting information in several provinces of the country” while “under the guise of investigative and research work”.

But insiders believe Iran’s merciless leaders have made a “fabricated case” to use Craig and Lindsay as pawns in their sick game to get Western countries to give in to their demands.

United Against Nuclear Iran’s (UANI) policy director Jason Brodsky told The Sun while they are unlikely to face execution, they could be jailed for years and face torture.

He said: “Iran uses hostage diplomacy as a means to extract concessions from Europe and the United States. 

“Hostages have languished for years behind bars in Iran. 

“The Iranian regime has executed dual-nationals previously, or those with Iranian citizenship in addition to American or European nationality. 

“Since the Foremans do not have dual-nationality, an execution is unlikely but the danger of harm remains.

“The Iranian regime employs both psychological and physical torture methods depending on the situation.”

Rex

Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran[/caption]

MARRIED At First Sight viewers will be able to watch as the reunion explodes, as four stars break down in tears and a furious bride storms off.

An array of fan favourites are heading to the ultimate cosy country getaway for a dinner party full of drama.

Channel 4

Married At First Sight viewers will be able to watch as the reunion explodes, as four stars break down in tears and a furious bride storms off[/caption]

Channel 4

Hannah Norburn is among the stars breaking down in tears[/caption]

Channel 4

There are plenty of stars from the recent series braving the country retreat – but some notable omissions too[/caption]

Coming together for the first time since leaving the experiment, the brides and grooms will share their thoughts on what went down during their time in the process, where they are in their lives now and their wishes for the future.

However, with the Honesty Box returning too, there are tears and tantrums, as it exposes problematic areas in relationships and puts couples on the spot in front of their peers.

And the first look shows just how explosive things get, as Hannah Norburn breaks down in tears and Tasha Jay is seen storming out.

Then, in another scene Nathan Campbell can be seen breaking down in tears as he says: “It breaks my heart man. I’m just a bit devastated, do you know what I mean?”

The MAFS reunion episode starts off well as they all gather on the sofas and share a drink.

But it’s not long until things take a turn for the worse as the voiceover says: “Old rivalries reignite.”

Kieran asks Hannah: “Why are you emotional?” as she’s seen crying.

To which she replies: “Me and Holly,” and she’s seen taking some time out away from the group.

The narrator also says “secrets are revealed and romance blossoms,” as the explosive trailer plays out.

Lacey tries to fight back tears too, as she gets emotional while talking to Nathan.

Those braving the country retreat are: Adam Nightingale, Amy Kenyon, Ella Morgan (series 3), Erica Roberts (series 3), Hannah Norburn, Holly Ditchfield, Kieran Chapman, Kristina Goodsell, Lacey, Matt Pilmoor (series 3), Nathan, Orson Nurse, Paul Liba (series 3), Sacha Jones, Shona Manderson (series 3), Sionnain Carmichael, Tasha Jay (series 3).

Viewers will be able to see them on Monday, February 24 at 9pm on E4, or they can stream on Channel 4.

There are some notable omissions from the guestlist though.

One former bride who was gutted not to be asked back is Charlie Curtis, 30, who was married to Eve Reid, 31, on the show.

Speaking about the reunion show to the MailOnline, she said: “I wasn’t invited.

“It really upset me; I was so upset when they told me I wasn’t going.

“I felt so disheartened. I wanted to go back with the girls, as I’m friends with them now, but no one saw any of us being friends on screen.”

Charlie then revealed how she found out she wasn’t invited to the reunion, saying it came to light in the cast’s WhatsApp chat.

She said that everyone was talking about it in the group and she thought her invite must have gotten lost in the post.

Other familiar faces who won’t be appearing are Polly Sellman, Luke Debono, Richelle Cade, and Ross McCarthy, to name but a few.

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Tasha runs out crying[/caption]

Channel 4

Nathan says he’s ‘devastated’ as he wells up[/caption]

A RECORD number of people are now claiming State Pension and are set to get a bumper boost to their income in April, figures show.

New statistics published by the government this week revealed that the number of people claiming State Pension hit 13million in August 2024, an increase of 203,000 from the previous August.

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The number of people claiming State Pension has hit 13million[/caption]

This was a 1.6% rise in the number of people claiming the benefit over a one year period and is the highest figure to date.

Many of those people are set to get a hefty £473 increase to their annual State Pension from April thanks to the government’s triple lock guarantee.

The triple lock ensures the State Pension rises in line with the highest of wages for May to July, September’s inflation figure, or 2.5%.

This year, payments will rise by 4.1% in line with wage growth in the three months to July last year.

This will take the full new State Pension to £11,973 a year, up by £473 from just over £11,502, with a weekly rise from £221.20 to £230.31.

Meanwhile, older pensioners who retired before April 2016 will get £9,175.61 annually, up from £8,812.96, with a weekly rise from £169.48 to £176.45.

Retirees on a low income can get their State Pension topped up via Pension Credit. This benefit will increase by the same amount as the State Pension.

Not everyone will receive the headline amount, however, as what you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance (NI) contributions you have.

And while many retirees will see a bumper rise to their State Pension income in spring, it comes after millions lost the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 this winter.

The government limited the payment to those claiming Pension Credit last year, leaving many pensioners out of pocket and largely wiping out the benefit of this year’s State Pension rise.

Inflation is also creeping back up after falling below the government’s 2% target last year, with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measurement of inflation jumping to 3% in the 12 months to January.

This was up by 0.5% from 2.5% in the year to December.

Inflation is the measurement of how quickly prices rise over a period of time. If prices are rising more quickly, this erodes the value of any pay rises.

How do I get the full State Pension amount?

The amount of State Pension you receive depends on your National Insurance (NI) record throughout your adult life. 

If you have made at least 35 years of qualifying NI contributions or have received equivalent credits for raising children or providing care, you should get the maximum new State Pension. 

If you don’t have 35 years, you may be able to top up your record by paying in voluntary NI contributions. 

If you are a man who was born before April 6, 1951 or a woman born before April 6, 1953 then you will get the old state pension.

This has a slightly different system with different payment amounts.

You need 30 years of NI contributions or credits to qualify for the full basic amount, but may get more if you get additional State Pension, or SERPS.

To get any State Pension at all, you will need at least 10 years on your NI record. 

You can check your NI record by visiting: gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record.

You can find out more about Pension Credit, including how to apply in our guide.

WITH its formidable, icy terrain and extreme temperatures, a war fought in the Arctic would be unlike anything many Nato troops have ever encountered, a former Finnish general has warned.

Military pro Pekka Toveri, 63, who served in the Finnish Army for 35 years, says the -40C conditions would make it difficult to even survive an increasingly-likely battle in the area – let alone fight.

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Arctic warfare requires highly specialised equipment and clothing and would be like nothing many Nato troops would have encountered before[/caption]

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US Green Berets and Finnish Army special forces train together in the Arctic Circle in preparation for cold-weather war[/caption]

The Arctic has increasingly become an arena for the struggle between global superpowers – meaning a war involving Nato in the region grows ever-more likely.

Russia is adding missile-laden nuclear submarines to its Northern Fleet, China is steaming ahead with its “Polar Silk Road” policy, and the US and Canada are building new Arctic-scanning radar bases.

Possibly imminent flash points include Russia’s borders with its Nato neighbours Norway and Finland, and Greenland – which President Trump has threatened to take by force.

Russia has also ramped-up military exercises on its side of the 830-mile border with Finland since the Scandinavian country joined Nato in 2023.

Additionally, it was reported Putin sent in neo-Nazi group Rusich to “reinforce” patrols there last September, a paramilitary battalion sanctioned by the West for “extreme cruelty” – including collecting its victims’ ears as trophies.

Meanwhile, Denmark is in “crisis mode” after Donald Trump insisted he wants to take over Greenland – which lies in the Arctic Circle.

Although it’s unclear how a US invasion of Greenland would unfold, a Russian attack on Finland would spark a Nato response – with troops, potentially including thousands of Brits – obliged to fight.

Gearing up for potential conflict, Brit troops are currently being put through their paces deep in the Arctic Circle as part of drills dubbed Operation Clockwork.

And another 3,000 practised close combat fighting in Nato’s largest drill of the year at Smardan, eastern Romania in a warning shot to Putin.

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If called up to fight in the Arctic, Nato troops would need to deploy a whole new set of strategies[/caption]

‘More of a burden than support’

But what would a war fought in ice and snow look like?

Retired general Toveri, who is chair of the EU-Ukraine parliamentary association in Brussels, briefed The Sun on the brutal reality British troops would face if summoned to the region by Nato.

He said that everything has to be adapted – mentality, equipment and strategy – and warned that Nato troops would be unprepared.

Even a standard compass does not work up there as the nearby magnetic pole interferes – so the Finns have learned to navigate using nature alone.

He said: “Fighting in the Arctic is unique, and very challenging,” before warning untrained Western troops would be “more of a burden than support” to the elite Finns – who might struggle to keep them alive.

They would have no idea for example how to launch attacks on skis or build snow caves for warmth – which are two key tactics in Arctic warfare.

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AFP

The Arctic wilderness, like this scene in northern Finland, presents major challenges[/caption]

Extreme conditions

Every member of the Finnish Army is put through an intense “survival course” that teaches them how to build a snow cave and avoid freezing to death if they fall through ice, among other life-saving tips.

The extreme conditions mean it is “difficult just to stay alive”, let alone fight a war in the Arctic.

Toveri said the main challenges are the polar weather, the extreme daylight hours, and the severe terrain.

Temperatures can plunge to minus 40 degrees, there is permanent snow cover in winter and the landscape is often engulfed by blizzards.

You don’t get wet in minus 20C. It is so cold that the ice and snow stays dry… The deadliest weather is actually when its close to zero – it gets wet and then freezing, and that kills you very fast.

Pekka Toveri

Toveri said: “Equipment is number one, and most Nato troops do not have the right stuff.

“Even French Alpine forces who work in the snow, their equipment is totally different to ours, and they don’t mix.”

The Finns wear highly specialised cold-weather gear including numerous layers and wool-lined rubber boots to stay warm.

They also sport a high-tech wintry cammo pattern called M05 Lumikuvio to blend in with the scenery.

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Toveri believes the arrogance of Putin and his army could lead them to wage war on Finland – even after becoming a part of Nato[/caption]

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Arctic terrain is very rocky making it difficult to manoeuvre, like forest in the Oulanka National Park, Finland[/caption]

Plunged into 24-hour darkness

Close to the poles, the usual cycle of day and night also dissolves, creating another unique challenge.

Toveri said: “The summertime is an endless day, and in winter you don’t see the sun for months.”

The harsh terrain also makes just moving around incredibly difficult, and the challenges change depending on the season.

He said: “There’s a lot of rocks. There are swamps. There are forests.

“And the road network is quite sparse. The infrastructure is not that developed.”

Surprisingly, Toveri explains that manoeuvring is actually easier in the winter because “the lakes, rivers and especially the swamps freeze over”, meaning combat vehicles can drive straight over them.

He said ‘higher’ temperatures in the summer – still only around freezing in parts – can be more dangerous as troops and their clothes will get wet from the snow.

Toveri explained: “You don’t get wet in minus 20C. It is so cold that the ice and snow stays dry.

“The deadliest weather is actually when its close to zero – it gets wet and then freezing, and that kills you very fast.”

These sub-zero conditions are what face the warring troops of Russia and Ukraine right now on the front line in eastern Europe.

Concerns that Nato reinforcements would be ill-prepared to fight in the Arctic conditions have been echoed in formal security meetings.

Minna Ålander, a senior defence researcher, asked at an Arctic Security conference: “We have [Nato] troops – but do they know how to survive in the Arctic before they even get into combat?”

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Finnish troops are trained to launch attacks from skis[/caption]

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The current army learned hard lessons from the great Finnish success in the Winter War against the Russians in 1939[/caption]

Warfare strategy

On-the-ground operations in Arctic warfare are also unlike anything Nato troops have practiced at home.

Toveri says: “If we attack, we do it by skis. The Americans, they prefer to use snowshoes, but that’s bulls***.

“And we use special bindings so you can take them on and off in seconds.

“I’ve seen the Americans doing it in Alaska – when they do use skis it’s a two-minute project just to put them on.”

Facing off against the Russians, allied troops would also encounter gun-wielding snowmobiles.

Putin’s army has a fleet of the high-tech military vehicles with in-built machine guns and heated cabs, seating two and able to tow another solider behind on skis.

But our troops would be more prepared for this mode of attack than one might expect.

Last year, the Royal Marines were kitted out with a fleet of 159 snow mobiles with the express purpose of preparing for Arctic war, so at least some Brit soldiers would know what they are doing.

The front lines would also look very different to anything Nato troops know.

Toveri said: “We don’t use zig-zag trenches on the front line, like they do in other wars, because digging trenches is very difficult, especially in the places where you need most protection further north.

“It’s a very hard surface and there are a lot of rocks.”

Instead, Nato forces would have to dig in a series of “platoon bases with 360 defence” every five to 10 kilometres.

Toveri explained that each base would consist of “a trench going 360 degrees around, and then from that trench you have fighting positions for two soldiers so that their fields of fire are covering each other”.

He added: “Anybody attacking will be shot from different directions. And then you build protective places for accommodation underground.”

Toveri said these setups have always been built with overhead protection to ward off artillery, but “nowadays it’s even more important with the drones being a threat”.

The US Army

US Special Forces on the Arctic warfare Jaegar training course in Finland[/caption]

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The Finnish Army’s Jaeger Brigade is the ultimate Arctic warfare force[/caption]

Freezing to death fear

Another major challenge is dealing with the wounded because there is a serious risk an immobilised soldier will “freeze to death” in the sub-zero chill.

Toveri said: “You need special equipment to keep the wounded warm, and we try to have surgeries as close to the front line as possible.”

Some Nato troops have experience training under these conditions and strategies, like the armed forces in Norway and Sweden, and would be valuable assets on the front line.

But “the troops from the United States and UK – that’s a different story,” Toveri said.

“They would be more of a burden than support – just keeping them alive would require our reinforcements.”

Finland is constantly training up Nato troops, including Brits and Americans, to get them more battle-ready – recognising the very serious possibility they will be called in.

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Brit soldiers storm trenches, forests and buildings during Steadfast Dart war drills in eastern Romania in a warning shot to Putin[/caption]

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Some 3,000 Brit troops practised close combat fighting in Nato’s largest drill of the year in Smardan, eastern Romania[/caption]

‘Never underestimate Russians’

The two areas most likely to be flash-points of war in the Arctic are the Russian borders with Finland and Norway and Greenland, owned by Denmark – but tensions are increasing all over the region.

An outbreak at either of these pressure points would involve Nato, meaning British troops would be called up to fight.

Were that to happen, the Army’s 1st Division would likely be the first to deploy, but the number of troops committed would depend on the size of the conflict.

Toveri said he could not rule out the “obnoxious” Russians extending the current front line up to Finland and Norway.

He explained: “I always say never underestimate Russians because there’s one thing they are best at in the world: their capability to take losses.

“They can sacrifice, as we see in Ukraine, huge amount of troops just for diversion. And they obnoxious.”

Toveri believes the arrogance of Putin and his army could lead them to wage war on Finland – even now that it is part of Nato.

“They think Westerners are spineless and can’t fight anything.

“They think: ‘We are the real warriors because we eat iron and s*** chain.’

“So, they might be stupid enough to try something.”

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Soldiers in the British Army are trained to fight in very different conditions to those in the Arctic[/caption]

The Finnish Army

British troops have been training in Finland to familiarise themselves with Arctic warfare – General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith pictured here in the country[/caption]

A fight of fire and ice

The other potential Arctic war-zone is Greenland, where European leaders have threatened to deploy Nato troops after Trump repeated his insistence that the US will “get” the island.

General Robert Brieger of Austria, the top EU military official, said it “would make perfect sense” to station EU troops in Greenland.

He added: “That would send a strong signal and could contribute to stability in the region.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also said in an interview with France’s Sud Radio that France had “started discussing [troop deployment] with Denmark”.

Trump’s determined bullish statement about the autonomous Danish territory came just days after a fiery phone call between him and Denmark’s Prime Minister.

Toveri says, were the Russians to spill the war north, the Finnish generals would relish the opportunity to squash them – as had been done before.

In the Winter War of 1939, a small army of Finns repelled a much larger Soviet force and inflicted losses five times their own.

The Finns pulled off the unlikely victory by using their mastery of the Arctic landscape to their advantage.

“Cuckoo” snipers hidden in trees and skilful ski-mounted troops were particularly deadly.

Toveri said: “If the Russians decide to make an operation up north, I’m sure that in Finnish Command would pop bottles of champagne, and say: ‘That’s great, the idiots made the same mistake a third time.'”

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The Finnish landscape is home to numerous lakes and swamps[/caption]

AFP

A frozen road through a forest near Vaasa, western Finland[/caption]

“CROSSBOW Cannibal” Stephen Griffiths was left bruised and battered after a prison attack, it has been claimed.

The serial killer, 54, was beaten up by another lag on Valentine’s Day and is now said to be “too scared to leave his cell”.

PA:Press Association

Stephen Griffiths was jailed in 2010 after he dismembered and ate his victims[/caption]

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Victims Susan Rushworth, 43, Suzanne Blamires, 36, and Shelley Armitage, 31[/caption]

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The alleged attack took place at HMP Full Sutton[/caption]

The triple killer, who dismembered and ate his victims, was attacked after allegedly lashing out at a rival inmate in high security HMP Full Sutton, The Sun can reveal.

A source said: “He was going round saying he wanted to kill someone.

“He started talking to another lag in his cell and all of a sudden tried to attack him.

“It turned into a fist fight. There were no weapons – the other inmate got the better of him and he was screaming ‘get off’.”

The fiend, who murdered three prostitutes before eating their body parts, suffered bruises to his face and head but did not require medical treatment.

The police are not investigating.

A Prison Service spokesperson declined to comment on individual prisoners.

Griffiths got a whole life term in 2010 for the Bradford murders of Susan Rushworth, 43, Shelley Armitage, 31, and Suzanne Blamires, 36.

Since then he has been repeatedly attacked by other prisoners.

In November last year he was knocked out with a single punch thrown by a jailed pal of Ms Blamires.

The monster suffered injuries to the face and was “knocked unconscious” when he fell back from the force of the blow.

Griffiths was arrested in May 2010 after CCTV footage of him attacking Ms Blamires at his block of flats was discovered by a caretaker at the complex.

The court heard Ms Blamires was later seen being dragged on the floor by her leg by Griffiths, who was seen to have something in his hand.

The woman was shot with a crossbow, the court heard, before Griffiths “gestured” by holding a finger up to the CCTV camera.

Suzanne died from severe head injuries caused by a crossbow bolt, and was also found with knife wounds.

Her remains were recovered from the River Aire, Yorkshire, in May 2010.

Griffiths, a student researching murders in Bradford in the 19th Century as part of his thesis, told the officers arresting him: “I’m Osama bin Laden.”

The brute – who introduced himself in court as “the crossbow cannibal” in court – told police after his arrest: “I’ve killed loads.”

Describing the previous prison attack – launched by a pal of Ms Blamires – an insider said the inmate was “unhappy being on a wing with his friend’s killer.”

They added that Griffiths was “knocked unconscious” when he fell back from the force of the blow.

The killer also dodged death in 2019 when another inmate tried to plunge a wooden spear into his heart.

Horrified prison officers rushed to save the monster, 49, as he lay screaming in pain.

He suffered a “large puncture wound” to his chest but recovered before being transferred to another nick.

Griffiths was a student at the time of the murders, researching murders in Bradford in the 19th Century as part of his thesis.

Ross Parry

Griffiths was also attacked in November last year at HMP Full Sutton[/caption]

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU is battling to play again in 2025 as his Arsenal injury hell continues, admitting: “It has been the toughest period of my career”.

The Japanese defender has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery this week in the hope of finally correcting an issue that has troubled him since last summer.

Instagram @tomiyasu.t

Takehiro Tomiyasu has suffered with a knee injury[/caption]

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Tomiyasu has made just one appearance this season[/caption]

And it leaves Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with yet another body in the medical room, following blows to the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

After an initial procedure in August during pre-season, Tomiyasu, 26, completed his rehab and made a six-minute Prem cameo off the bench against Southampton in October.

But he has failed to make a single appearance since, his last start coming on the final day of last season in a 2-1 victory over Everton on May 19, in which he scored and played the whole game.

With Arsenal confirming in a statement the player’s current rehab programme is “expected to be completed towards the end of this year”, it could now be over 12 months between his next appearance and his last.

The club believe this is the best approach to take with Tomiyasu, opting to prioritise his long-term health and fitness over rushing him back this term.

In an Instagram post, Tomiyasu said: “I’ve had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I’ve already started my rehab to do what I love the most again.

“It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support and see you again.”

Since Tomiyasu signed from Bologna for around £16m in August 2021, he has made just 50 starts in all competitions, and just 17 Prem starts since the 2022/23 campaign.

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He has suffered SEVEN separate injuries in that time to his calf and knee.

Despite this, the versatile full-back has always been highly valued by Arteta, with his contract expiring in June 2026 with the option to extend by a further 12 months.

However, there was previously talk of Tomiyasu being sold this summer to raise funds, especially with the rise of full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, but those plans will have to be shelved for now.

It was a similar story with Jesus. The Brazilian striker ruptured his ACL last month and is fighting to play again before 2026. His future in North London was also being considered before the injury.

Tomiyasu is the FIFTH Arsenal play to go under the knife this term. Right back Ben White – who is now back fit – had a minor knee operation in November.

Alongside Jesus’ procedure, Saka had hamstring surgery in December and is racing to be back before the end of March. Havertz also required hamstring surgery last week and is out for the season.

Fortunately for Arteta, he has options at full-back with White, Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney to choose from.

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Tomiyasu has been forced to watch from the sidelines this term[/caption]

A MAN has appeared in court charged with stabbing an “adored” woman to death with an axe.

Rita Lambourne, 58, suffered catastrophic injuries at her home in Bexhill, East Sussex, on February 12.

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Rita Lambourne was allegedly stabbed to death[/caption]

Brighton Pictures

Donald Excell appeared at court charged with murder[/caption]

Police believe she was killed with an axe, which has so far not been located.

Donald Excell appeared at Lewes Crown Court today charged with murder.

The 48-year-old spoke only to confirm his name and did not enter a plea.

Excell, of Bexhill, was remanded into custody to next appear at the same court in May.

A 39-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of murder and a 32-year-old man held on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released with no further action.

The horror unfolded just after 10pm when emergency crews swooped on the seaside home.

Tragically, Rita couldn’t be saved and was declared dead at the scene while Excell was arrested shortly after.

Sussex Police are asking locals to check their bins and gardens for the missing axe and a navy blue North Face rucksack.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell said: “This has been a hugely distressing incident, not least for the family and friends of Rita but also the wider community.

“I’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while our officers have conducted enquiries in the local area.

“Our officers will remain on patrol for reassurance, and, in the meantime, I would still urge anyone who can assist us in our investigation to please come forward and contact us.”

Rita’s heartbroken family paid tribute in a statement issued by police.

They said: “Rita was a much loved member of the community and was adored by her family and friends.

“Rita’s family would be extremely grateful for any information that can be offered, and would like to request privacy at this difficult time.”

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Police are searching for a blue North Face rucksack[/caption]