ANYONE with an Amazon Prime membership is eligible to claim a long list of freebies worth nearly £400 this month.

So if you’re already forking out for the monthly fee, you might as well get your money‘s worth.

Amazon

Amazon Prime gets you speedy deliveries – but that’s not the only benefit[/caption]

Amazon

Many Amazon customers don’t realise that their memberships also get them access to Prime Gaming.

It’s included as standard, and lets you claim a lengthy list of video games for free.

These titles are swapped out for a new lot each month, so you’ll want to claim the March selection before it disappears.

The games will be made available through March, with new entries released each Thursday.

“Prime Gaming is offering several free titles throughout March, with the first game available to claim starting today,” Amazon’s Chris Leggett said.

“This month’s lineup allows players to control the Saints at the height of their power in Saints Row: The Third Remastered.

“And live the life of a gangster during the Golden-era of organized crime in Mafia II: Definitive Edition.”

Here’s the list of free games that you can claim this month, along with their prices on online store Steam.

Today:

• Saints Row: The Third Remastered – £26.49
• Mafia II: Definitive Edition – £24.99
• Crime Boss: Rockay City – £15.99
• Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master – £20.99

March 13:

• Wall World – £5.89
• Syberia: The World Before – £34.99
• Endling — Extinction is Forever – £26.49
• Dark Deity: Complete Edition – £34.61
• Beholder 3 – £14.99

March 20:

• Wolfenstein: The Old Blood – £14.99
• Mutazione – £16.75
• Figment 2: Creed Valley – £20.99
• Legacy of Kain: Defiance – £5.99
• Mortal Shell – £24.99

Amazon

There are 20 free games available to claim for Prime Gaming in March 2025[/caption]

March 27:

• The Forgotten City – £20.99
• Deus Ex: Invisible War – £5.99
• Session: Skate Sim – £34.99
• Let’s Build A Zoo – £15.49
• Gamedec — Definitive Edition – £24.99
• The Wisbey Mystery – £5.59

To bag them, you’ll just need to head to the Amazon Prime Gaming website.

And you should, because they’re collectively valued at £397.18. Not bad.

Amazon / THQ

That’s not the only gamer-friendly freebie included with Prime Gaming either.

Amazon owns game-streaming website Twitch, and lets you link your Prime account with the app.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to claim a free monthly Twitch channel subscription.

That would normally cost you £4.99, so it’s a decent freebie – especially as you get a new one every month.

Amazon / Twitch

You can use Prime Gaming to bag free Twitch memberships[/caption]

ANTOINE DUPONT insisted Thierry Henry’s pep talk can help France tomorrow – but he offered no hand pass advice. 

Les Bleus face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in a potential Championship decider, and they invited France football legend Henry in to talk to them in the build-up. 

That he visited ahead of the Ireland game – Henry’s handball in the 2010 World Cup play-off crushed Irish dreams of going to South Africa – could be seen as mind games. 

But Dupont – who arranged the visit – insisted it was coincidence, and there was little talk of his knock-on at the Stade the France. 

The France captain said: “There is no link between his visit and the game.

“Most of the conversation, we talk about performance, high level, how we can deal with the pressure – away especially – during the important game. 

“But we didn’t talk a lot about the hand!”

France head coach Fabian Galthie added: “Ireland is not easy for him, he spoke to us about this episode. 

“Thierry Henry was generous, transparent, he gave a lot to the whole team, including the staff. He spent a moment with us in total freedom, he did not want it to be filmed. 

“He wanted to open up and he opened up with great frankness and loyalty. We learned a lot from his return.”

Meanwhile, France assistant coach Shaun Edwards insisted that a visit to Dublin is the hardest game in the Six Nations Championship. 

He added: “It’s the ultimate challenge in the northern hemisphere to come to Dublin and win without a shadow of a doubt. 

“The last two years have been absolutely marvellous haven’t they. They are great to watch as well. 

“We’ve all been preparing hard. I’ve been listening to Thin Lizzy all week and U2, been watching Steve Collins fights from the 90’s so I feel ready.”

SOME exciting new wines began to arrive on the shelves of Aldi this week as part of their spring and summer wine selection.

In all, 21 new additions to the range will be rolled out, with the remaining newbies arriving in store on April 4, and May 13.

Alamy

Wine lovers are in for a treat with the new selections in Aldi[/caption]

Five of them are viewed below, and there will be more bottles appearing here over the next two months, as the other 17 new lines arrive.

Besides the half-dozen bottles reviewed below, I was also impressed by the Cremant de Loire €14.99 (a blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc), a spine-tingling Verdejo from Rueda, and a white Rioja, both €8.99.

And for those of you who are fans of the Specially selected Costieres de Nimes Rouge, there is now a Blanc at €9.99 to go with it – a blend of no less than six grapes: Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Enjoy them all.

NB: I fell out of love with New World Sauvignon Blanc some years back.

I can happily drink it, but it would not be my first (or second) choice.

However, the two New World Sauv Blancs reviewed below were a joy to taste and had many of the characteristics, like those traditional aromas of fresh cut grass and asparagus. Wonderful.

Specially Selected Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (ABV 13.5 per cent)

€10.99 @ Aldi Outlets (NEW)

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, with 5 per cent Semillon

LIKE many Sauv Blancs emerging from western Australia, this one has a drop of Semillon in the bottle, which adds body, texture and allows the development of a little complexity.

With a light straw lemon colour, the herbaceous and floral nose has more than a wisp of fresh cut grass, along with a nice citrus note.

The palate is crisp, fresh and bright, with balanced acidity, and lingering hints of melon and citrus.

Enjoy with: Fish and chips.

Star rating: ***

Specially Selected Organic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (ABV 13 per cent)

€9.99 @ Aldi Outlets (NEW)

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, with 3 per cent Pinot Gris, and 3 per cent others

A MARLBOROUGH Sauv Blanc with that unmistakable, and signature, asparagus nose.

Pure and bright in the glass with a pale green hue, there is also citrus and passion fruit aromas.

The palate is quite generous, mouth filling and nicely balanced. It has zesty acidity, a touch of minerality with plenty of ripe tropical notes and a pleasant finish.

Enjoy with: Thai fish cakes.

Star rating: ***

Le Petit Poulet Rosé 2024 (ABV 12.5%)

€9.99 @ Aldi Outlets (NEW)

Grapes: Grenache Noir, Merlot, Cinsault, Syrah, Caladoc

ALDI’S answer to the extremely popular Perrin family pale pink Rosé from the southern Rhone with a couple of chickens on the label.

A light, dry and fresh wine made with a quintet of grapes, it is a dangerously enticing tipple, with citrus and summer red fruit flavours on the palate.

A little bit too early for sipping Rosé? Not at all. And Easter is just around the corner.

Enjoy with: Smoked chicken salad.

Star rating: ***

Specially Selected Lebanese Red 2022 (ABV 13.5 per cent)

€9.99 @ Lidl outlets from April 4

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan

BRILLIANT brambly flavoured blend from the Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, the nation’s main wine producing area. The heat-resistant Cinsault grape plays a big part here.

A deep red colour when poured, the nose has alluring notes of cherry and blackcurrant, along with a little muskiness.

The pleasing palate is rich and fruity with plenty of ripe soft black summer fruits, grainy tannins and good acidity. Good length.

Enjoy with: Red meat roasts.

Star rating: ***

Macedonian Primitivo Kratosija 2023 (ABV 13.5 per cent)

€8.99 @ Aldi Outlets (NEW)

Grapes: Kratosija & Primitivo

NORTH Macedonia is a burgeoning wine producing region, with its vineyards beginning to get international media traction – and Aldi have now introduced this very flavourful, easy drinking red.

A blend of the Balkan grape Kratosija and Italy’s Primitivo – with very many similarities – has aromas of ripe redcurrants and cherries.

The palate is rich and soft, with plum and blackcurrant notes and supple tannins. Deliciously satisfying finish.

Enjoy with: Pasta.

Star rating: ***

Selected Caladoc Rouge 2024 (ABV 14 per cent)

€11.99 @ Aldi outlets (NEW)

Grape: Caladoc

ONE of the joys of my life is tasting, and then writing about a new wine grape varietal.

In this case its Caladoc, a cross between Grenache and Malbec, created in 1958 in France.

Here it produces a deep red wine, with complexity, and a little rusticity. The fruit, grown in the Languedoc, delivers blackcurrant and plum flavours, along with wild herb notes.

The palate is juicy and fruit forward with grainy tannins. Nice length and a satisfying finish.

Enjoy with: Grilled lamb chops.

Star rating: ****

DOGS prefer travelling in electric vehicles to petrol and diesel cars, according to groundbreaking new research. 

A study carried out by This Morning’s resident vet Dr Scott Miller found that our furry friends are much more relaxed in an EV than a fuel powered car. 

PinPep

PinPep

The experiment involved monitoring a dog’s heart rate when travelling in three different cars – electric, diesel and petrol.

A one-year-old working cocker spaniel named Mango was driven around the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

During the ride, the car would reach speeds of 70mph.

Mango’s behaviour was monitored during each drive and his pulse rate checked after each journey.

His resting heart rate of 80 beats per minute (BPM) only rose to 100 BPM in the Elroq, Škoda’s electric family SUV.

In contrast, his heart rate surged to 120 BPM and 125 BPM in the petrol and diesel cars respectively, indicating significantly higher stress levels. 

In the EV, Mango was far more relaxed and he was even seen nearly falling asleep. 

However, in the internal combustion engine cars, he appeared more tense, stiffening his posture and looking around anxiously.

Škoda carried out the campaign to mark their partnership with Crufts, the world’s largest dog show.

Dr Scott Miller oversaw the experiment at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, a location famously used by BBC’s Top Gear.

Dr Scott Miller said: “The experiment clearly shows the health and psychological benefits of travelling in an EV for dogs.

“Observing Mango’s reactions while traveling at the same speed on the same track in alternative powertrains made it clear that battery electric cars provide a smoother and more calming experience.

“The lack of mechanical moving parts, reduced vibrations and noise, and the spacious interiors of EVs create a soothing environment for dogs, ensuring a more relaxed and enjoyable travel experience for our furry companions.

“Additionally, EVs tend to have a lower centre of gravity compared to traditional fuel-powered cars, which may contribute to a more stable and secure feeling for dogs.”

The results are further supported by a national survey of 1,500 dog-owning drivers, revealing that nearly a third (32 per cent) worry about their dog’s anxiety during car journeys.

Others cited concerns about their pet’s safety (38 per cent), lack of space (seven per cent) and difficulty securing their dog safely (seven per cent) were also highlighted.

More than half (53 per cent) of dog owners hit the road with their pets once a week – yet more than half (54 per cent) have avoided driving with their dog altogether, and 51 per cent would steer clear of specific journeys if their pup had to come along.

PinPep

For those who do travel with their pet pooch, the biggest things they try to avoid include long motorway or A-road trips (50 per cent), journeys over 30 miles (46 per cent), and navigating busy built-up areas (40 per cent).

Dog owners value their four-legged friends so much that nearly half (41 per cent) would factor their pup’s comfort when choosing their next car.

According to the OnePoll research, “almost a third (31 per cent) believe EVs offer a quieter, comfier ride.”

Dog behaviourist expert Anna Webb said: “Mango’s body language clearly showed his preference for travelling in an EV where he’s lying down on the back seat, relaxed, with soft semi-closed brown eyes.

“In traditional fuel powered cars, he’s sitting bolt upright and tense. 

“Turning his head dramatically with rapid wide eye movement, showing the whites of his eyes all clear physical signs of stress.

“Confirming Mango’s adrenalin and stress levels were physiologically higher in the traditional vehicles, his resting pulse rate at 80 BPM raised to just 100 BPM when travelling in the EV.

“In contrast, it increased to 120 BPM in the petrol model and 125 BPM in the diesel vehicle.

“As dogs’ hearing is four times more acute than ours, they pick up on sound frequencies of the traditional engine noises that are inaudible to people.

“Similarly, the vibrations of the petrol and diesel cars can cause ‘motion sickness’, raising Mango’s heart rate by feeling nauseous.”

BOXING stars Ebanie Bridges and Kell Brook announced the birth of their child.

Bridges, 38, shared the happy news on social media with a touching post.

More to follow

BURGUNDY dominated winter, but now it’s time to make way for pink as the longer days creep in.

Sorbet shades are synonymous with spring, and this year, icy powder-pink is set to be bigger than ever. 

Titkok/@fandflongeaton

Fashion fans are loving this new Tesco co-ord in the colour of spring[/caption]

Titkok/@fandflongeaton

The waistcoat-style top could also be paired with jeans[/caption]

Titkok/@fandflongeaton

The trousers will be comfy and flattering with an elasticated waist and wide leg[/caption]

Influenced by catwalk designers Miu Miu, Chloe and Bottega Veneta (and, of course, good witch Glinda), the high street is already packed with the must-have colour. 

And Tesco has got in on the action with a “stunning” new co-ord that will be perfect for the summer season too.

Showing it off in a short TikTok video, staff at the supermarket’s Long Eaton store said: “Pretty pink set perfect for holiday, new at Tesco.”

The F&F co-ord in question is a pink waistcoat-type top bow fastenings across the front, and a pair of wide leg trousers with elasticated waistband.

Both pieces are priced at £22.50 and can be worn together or can be mixed and matched with jeans or a baby tee.

And people are already dreaming of looking pretty in pink as they race to bag the new spring arrivals, with the clip racking up 172,000 views.

One gushed: “The most perfect spring co-ord I’ve ever seen [in] F&F Clothing. 

“If you have a larger bust then I’d definitely recommend sizing up.”

A second wrote: “The colour is giving Spring!! Love it!”

“This is stunning!!!!! I need it”, cried a third.

A fourth added: “This is a need!!! Love love love.”

A fifth echoed: “The pink set is a must.”

Meanwhile, a sixth simply insisted she was “running to Tesco”.

Unfortunately for many, Tesco’s F&F range is currently unavailable to buy online.

However, it was revealed by Drapers in September last year that bosses are working on a way to relaunch F&F online in the near future.

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