With the outbreak, and efforts to contain it affecting many students, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News: “It can be a bit similar sometimes to a hangover so I really urge people who have those concerns and symptoms to be checking on gov.uk website and of course go and get help.”

Beauty writer Eve Rowlands recently tried Charlotte Tilbury’s new Magic Hydrator Mist face spray. Here’s her honest review

I love a good face mist. My beauty arsenal has, over the years, included a range of brands from the Kendall Jenner-loved Caudalie Beauty Elixir (£28.80), to The INKEY List Hydro-Surge Dewy Face Mist (£8.80) and Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray for Sensitive Skin (£10).

A staple for revitalising my complexion at the start, throughout and at the end of the day, it also helps firm up my skin whilst illuminating and creating that dewy finish. So when I discovered Charlotte Tilbury was launching its own Magic Hydrator Mist, I was excited to try it out and see if it matches the brand’s reputation.

Typically priced at £35, the face mist – which currently has 20% off in the brand’s sale for £28 – is billed by Charlotte Tilbury as an ‘oxygenating, hydrating face mist with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and pollution defence for an instant dewy glow on-the-go’. It promises to diminish signs of ‘digital fatigue’ by 88% – which is great for those of us who work for hours on computers for our job.

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Reportedly influenced by the ‘power of an Oxygen Facial’ – a moisturising skincare treatment that employs pressurised oxygen to administer serums – the mist is loaded with skincare favourites like hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic mesh technology alongside glycerin and niacinamide to, allegedly, boost skin’s hydration in as little as an hour.

Alongside these hero ingredients often spotted in hydrating moisturisers and serums, the mist includes the unique Kombu extract. This extract supposedly diminishes the visible signs of tiredness (ie, lacklustre skin, puffiness) and helps its users maintain a radiant complexion all day long, reports OK!.

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The Magic Hydrator Mist from Charlotte Tilbury launched on Thursday, March 5, and claims to deliver an ‘instant dewy glow on-the-go’.

Designed to be applied as the opening step in any skincare regime – following cleansing, naturally – the mist can also be spritzed at any point during the day to deliver skin a surge of hydration. It can even be utilised for a cooling and soothing sensation after exercise

My review on Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Hydrator Mist

As directed, I applied this Magic Hydrator Mist following cleansing in the morning. After using my face wash (my current cleansing obsession is the Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil alongside its Vitamin C+ Brighten Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash) and gently patting dry, I applied several generous glides of the mist across my face, doing my utmost to ‘avoid the eyes’ – though this proved challenging.

The formula immediately calmed my complexion with its refreshing sensation and I practically straight away noticed a firming effect. Whilst it didn’t appear ‘dewy’ right off the bat – looking more damp as it dried – within an hour or thereabouts, my skin did have a lovely radiance.

Giving it time to sink in, I later applied my serums and moisturisers and this added to its luminousity – noticeably more so than usual. A friend of mine even remarked I’d achieved that desirable ‘glass skin’ look – which I’ll gladly accept.

As the day went on, I reapplied the mist in the afternoon to revitalise my complexion during the post-lunch slump and it certainly enhanced my skin’s glow and vitality.

While most of the mist’s properties had me impressed, one aspect that fell short of my hopes was brightening my eye area with the mist by itself. Several restless nights had created more pronounced shadows beneath them and I’d hoped the mist might address this but, sadly, I likely need a miracle eye cream to combat those.

I also found that the spray dispenser didn’t quite cover as wide a surface area as I’d expected. This meant I required several pumps to coat the entire base.

It’s important to note that the mist isn’t unscented – in fact it has a lovely fragrance. It boasts a bright, fresh, delicately floral aroma, courtesy of its ‘White Tea of Bali’ ingredient, which dissipates after a brief moment on the skin but leaves the bathroom smelling divine.

One additional feature I’d have preferred is a more see-through bottle. Whilst the weight serves as a reasonable guide to how much remains, it would be far more practical to gauge the exact level of liquid inside.

That said, I am thoroughly enjoying the revitalising sensation it provides, not to mention the luminous radiance it gives my complexion when I’d rather skip the makeup. I’m also keen to observe its effect on the fine lines I’m noticing around the corners of my eyes, particularly given its claim to be a ‘radiant skin rescue essence for smoother, younger looking skin’.

Pros:

• Has an instantly firming sensation
• Cooling and refreshing
• Visibly leaves a dewy glow to my skin after an hour
• Smells lovely
• Instantly brightens my complexion

Cons:

• Spray nozzle isn’t continuous and requires a few spritzes to get full coverage
• The bottle isn’t transparent, meaning there is no telling how much is left in the bottle

Shop the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Hydrator Mist here.

Smith stole thousands of pounds’ worth of items, including gardening tools, machinery, and fishing equipment

A man has been jailed for more than four years after a nine-month long burglary spree across Cambridgeshire. Jj Smith, 21, of Green Lane, Northstowe, targeted homes in Haddenham, Ickleton, Stretham, Isleham, Brinkley, Longstanton, Over, Castle Camps, Weston Colville, Fowlmere, Cottenham, Histon, and Sturmer in Essex.

The incidents took place from May through to December. Smith stole thousands of pounds’ worth of garden tools, machinery, fishing equipment, and a Seat Ateca.

He also tried to break into homes in Soham, Brinkley, and Histon. Smith pleaded guilty to 10 counts of burglary, four attempted burglaries with intent to steal, theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of theft, theft from a shop, two counts of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, making off without making payment, and driving without insurance.

On Thursday, March 12, at Cambridge Crown Court, Smith was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for four years and a month.

Detective Constable Lee Steeden, who investigated, said: “Smith caused significant distress to residents across the county. His offending gravitated in seriousness from thefts to dwelling burglaries, stealing cars and actively making off from police.

“Thanks to the persistence of our officers and information from the public, Smith was arrested. We hope this result provides reassurance that we will take robust action against those who choose to steal from our communities.”

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You can start planning your day now

Belfast City Marathon organisers have officially revealed the route for the 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon & Team Relay, taking place on Sunday, May 3 2026.

Thousands of runners and relay teams from across Northern Ireland and beyond will take part in one of the city’s biggest annual sporting events, which will once again begin at the iconic Stormont Estate and finish in Ormeau Park.

The 2026 course largely follows the successful 2025 route, guiding participants through many of Belfast’s most recognisable streets and landmarks, with minor adjustments in North and South Belfast.

Participants in both the full marathon and the popular Team Relay will enjoy a scenic city-wide course with thousands of spectators expected to line the streets in support.

The relay changeover points will be situated at Montgomery Road, Boucher Road, Falls Road and Duncairn Gardens. These locations allow relay teams of two to five runners to each complete a section of the marathon distance before passing the baton to the next teammate.

Event organisers encourage participants and spectators to review the route details ahead of race day, particularly those travelling or living along the course, as temporary road closures will be in place to facilitate the event.

Further route information and event updates can be found on the Belfast City Marathon Social Media accounts and website.

With excitement building ahead of race day, organisers are looking forward to welcoming thousands of runners, relay teams, volunteers and supporters for another unforgettable race day experience in the city.

The Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Phoenix Energy, Translink, Kukri Sports, Belfast Live, Daily Mirror, Q Radio, Better, Runna, Marathon Photos Live, iTAB, Deep RiverRock, Charles Hurst, Mac in a Sac, Steigen, Applied Nutrition, Linwoods Health Foods and Belfast City Council. The Official Charity Platform is Give2You.

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The initiative is part of the Future Citizen 2026 programme, running from March 16 to 22, and aims to raise awareness of fast fashion and promote environmentally-friendly alternatives.

More than 25 schools and colleges in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are taking part in the campaign, which focuses on how fashion choices impact the planet.

Amelia Twine, founder of A Single Thread CIC, the organisation delivering the programme, said: “When schools and colleges embed sustainable fashion skills into the curriculum or extra-curricular culture, they equip young people with practical ways to take climate action in their everyday lives.”

The campaign highlights the UK’s high rate of clothing consumption—an average of 28 new items per person each year—and the estimated 300,000 tonnes of clothing thrown away in household bins annually.

In North Yorkshire, Stokesley School and Sixth Form is taking part by organising a fashion show on March 19 to launch a preloved boutique on campus.

The boutique, supported by the local community, will offer students formalwear for events such as proms, parties, and interviews, while also promoting sustainable fashion.

Further north, Bishop Auckland College in County Durham is hosting a mending circle to encourage sustainability and clothes repair.

The session will promote the “make do and mend” philosophy, teaching students practical sewing and garment repair skills.

In Leeds, the Circular Fashion Incubator CIC is organising the International Circular Fashion Week Conference on March 16 and 17 at the Rose Bowl.

The event will feature talks, demonstrations, and student-led workshops on embroidery, garment embellishment, and repair techniques.

Young people in the Wirral will also have the chance to get involved.

Jane Gorden of Crafters and Makers is running a sewing machine workshop for children aged eight and above, alongside an after-school club focused on patching and visible mending.

Future Citizen’s 2026 theme is “Resilience in Style: Redefining Fashion,” which encourages young people to re-imagine fashion through creativity, community, and conscious decision-making rather than fast consumption.

Could ancient humans really have built the pyramids without extraterrestrial help? Or do such questions reveal more about modern anxieties than the past itself?

The idea that aliens assisted the builders of ancient monuments was promoted by the Swiss author Erich von Däniken in his bestselling book Chariot of the Gods – published in 1968. Von Däniken died in January 2026, but his vision of ancient astronauts still captivates millions.

The author had pointed to ancient structures such as the pyramids, along with enigmatic ancient artefacts, as supposed evidence that beings from beyond Earth shaped the civilisations of the past.

Though these ideas have been repeatedly debunked, television shows such as the History Channel’s Ancient Aliens continue to air similar narratives.

Erich von Däniken’s theories emerged at a distinct historical moment. They crystallised during the cold war, amid fears of nuclear annihilation, the space race and rapid technological change.

As humans prepared to leave Earth, while simultaneously confronting their own destructive power, the idea of ancient astronauts offered both cosmic reassurance and existential drama. The past became a stage for modern hopes and anxieties.

The reason some people feel able to believe in completely unfounded theories relates to the nature of archaeology itself. The discipline works with fragmentary evidence, layered deposits, and interpretations that rarely yield simple conclusions. Sites such as Giza in Egypt, Göbekli Tepe (a Neolithic settlement in modern Turkey known for its monumental pillars decorated with sculptural reliefs), and Troy – also in Turkey – are not unsolved enigmas but the result of decades of systematic excavation and analysis.

At Giza, archaeologists have uncovered planned worker settlements, bakeries and organised food supply systems, demonstrating how thousands of labourers could construct the pyramids over decades.

Göbekli Tepe shows that its monumental stone pillars were erected by hunter-gatherer communities millennia before the invention of writing – not through alien intervention, but through coordinated labour and ritual innovation. At Troy, successive settlement layers reveal centuries of rebuilding, adaptation and regional exchange rather than a sudden technological anomaly.

Archaeological conclusions are cautious, probabilistic and grounded in material evidence. To outsiders, however, caution can resemble hesitation. Pseudoscience fills that perceived gap with spectacle: aliens built the pyramids; mysterious forces raised Göbekli Tepe; forgotten super-technologies shaped Troy’s walls. Stripped of context, evidence becomes entertainment. Complexity is flattened into insinuation.

A typical “ancient aliens” argument illustrates the pattern: the pyramids are extraordinarily precise. Precision, the claim goes, requires advanced technology; therefore, humans without modern machines could not have built them.

The reasoning sounds logical – but it rests on a false dilemma. What disappears from view is precisely what archaeology studies: logistics, labour
organisation, tool assemblages, accumulated craft knowledge – and small imperfections that reveal human hands at work.

The lure of the extraordinary

Such explanations satisfy a deep psychological impulse. Where once religion explained purpose, science explains process. The “ancient astronauts” hypothesis exploits proportionality bias – the intuition that extraordinary achievements must have extraordinary causes.

Just as medieval legends framed the pyramids as protection against cosmic catastrophe, modern narratives cast humanity as part of a grand design guided by superior beings. Archaeological sites become props in a cosmic drama.

Humans cease to be creators; the past becomes extraordinary because it was “helped”. The appeal is not confined to fringe audiences. Surveys suggest that many people consider extraterrestrial life possible or even likely.

Many scientists agree that, given the vast scale of the universe, such life is statistically plausible. But plausibility is not proof – and it is certainly not evidence for alien intervention in antiquity.

Distrust amplifies the effect. Universities, museums and academic journals are often portrayed as gatekeepers suppressing inconvenient truths. Scientific refutation becomes evidence of conspiracy.

Academic prose – careful, qualified and precise – struggles to compete with dramatic certainty. Questions such as: “How could humans have built this without modern technology?” already contain the insinuation.

Digital media turbocharge the pattern: visually striking claims circulate faster than methodological explanations. Archaeology emphasises gradual change and cumulative knowledge; pseudoscience promises revelation.

Pseudoscientific archaeology is not just a set of beliefs – it is a lucrative industry. Books on ancient astronauts sell millions of copies worldwide. Television franchises generate steady revenue, and leading figures attract audiences in the hundreds of thousands online.

By contrast, scholarly work circulates in a radically different economy: monographs are printed in small runs and generate little profit. This is not only a battle of ideas but a battle for attention: spectacle is rewarded more visibly than caution.

Von Däniken’s rhetorical genius lay in ambiguity. He rarely made definitive claims, preferring suggestive questions and selective juxtapositions that turned uncertainty into insinuation.

As he once remarked: “Chariots of the Gods was full of speculation – I had 238 question marks. Nobody read the question marks. They said: Mr von Däniken is saying … I did not say – I asked.” The strategy is disarmingly simple: frame speculation as inquiry and criticism as misunderstanding.

Reclaiming the story

The popularity of pseudoscience is not simply ignorance. It reflects the difficulty of interpreting fragmentary evidence, a hunger for meaning, declining institutional trust and the dynamics of digital amplification.

Yet dismissal alone is not enough. Archaeology does more than recover artefacts; it constructs narratives about how humans organised labour, shared beliefs and transformed landscapes. Those narratives are shaped by contemporary questions — and acknowledging this strengthens rather than weakens the discipline.

Debunking alien claims matters. But so does telling richer, more compelling stories about how humans shaped their own past. Archaeology shows that uncertainty is intellectual honesty, that incremental knowledge is cumulative achievement, and that context deepens wonder rather than diminishes it.

Monuments, cities, and human creativity are achievements of our own making, not traces of lost cosmic visitors. Through cooperation, experimentation and resilience, humans created the extraordinary – without any extraterrestrial assistance.

Through rigorous scholarship and compelling storytelling, archaeology shows that the extraordinary was never alien. It was always human.

Marcus Rashford has already reached double figures for goals and assists during his Barcelona loan spell

When Barcelona face Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, the match will represent another chance for Marcus Rashford to compete against one of his former Manchester United colleagues. Rashford, who is currently on loan, won’t be playing against his parent club this season due to United’s failure to qualify for Europe but does have ex-team-mate Anthony Elanga standing between him and a run at Champions League glory.

Elanga, who joined United’s academy as a teenager, came on as a substitute for Rashford when he made his senior debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He played 55 times for the club before moving to Nottingham Forest in 2023 and then transferring to Newcastle for £55 million last summer.

Both Rashford and Elanga were in the starting line-up when Barcelona defeated Newcastle in the first match week of this season’s Champions League, with the former netting twice in a 2-1 victory. However, they were denied a second reunion in the first leg of the knockout tie between the teams, as Elanga started for Newcastle but was substituted before Rashford came off the Barca bench.

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The round of 16 clash is finely balanced after Lamine Yamal’s late equaliser denied Newcastle, who thought they had claimed victory through Harvey Barnes. While the Manchester United reunion provides an interesting side story, the second leg will also give Rashford a chance to move closer to realising his dream of a first Champions League title to add to the Europa League he won in 2017.

“I’m learning a lot, it’s a new style of football,” the England international told TNT Sports after his brace in September. “But it’s making me a better player. Honestly, it’s an amazing experience. I’ve always been a huge admirer of Barcelona, every player my age has watched them play, it’s amazing football.”

He also had kind words for Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, saying of the German: “He’s very important. I feel the confidence he’s given me. I knew he was a top manager before I arrived here, but to work with him is a pleasure. I hope the good relationship will continue for the rest of the season.

“For sure, everybody dreams of winning the Champions League. Now I’m at Barcelona, the dream is with Barcelona. I hope we can win the tournament, there’s some very good confidence. Hopefully we can go game by game and keep improving as a team.”

Rashford finished the league phase as Barcelona’s joint-leading scorer in Europe, equalling Fermin Lopez’s tally of five goals. He has reached double figures for goals and assists across all competitions, with a permanent switch to Camp Nou at the season’s conclusion looking likely.

Flick’s side picked up 16 points from their eight league phase fixtures, losing against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea but securing a top-eight berth when they fought back to defeat FC Copenhagen on the final matchday. They found the net 22 times throughout their eight matches, with only league leaders Arsenal managing more.

Barcelona clinched the Champions League title four times in a decade from 2005 to 2015, but the subsequent ten years have proved less successful. Their best result in the competition since that 2015 is a run to the semi-finals, something they achieved in 2019 and 2025.

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There could be a mix of one to five bedded homes

Plans have been submitted for 80 new homes, including affordable housing, in a Cambridgeshire town. Taylor Wimpey proposes to build the homes on land off Brook Street in Soham.

The houses are proposed to have between one and five bedrooms. Of the 80 homes, there could be 16 ‘affordable’ homes and four self-build plots, giving “residents the opportunity to shape their own homes”, the developers said.

The range of homes will include maisonettes, houses and bungalows. Taylor Wimpey said this “ensures broad appeal to different household sizes and supports a sustainable community structure”.

The developers added that sustainability is at the “heart of the scheme”, with homes designed to be energy efficient. They said: “The proposed scheme will deliver a well‑structured and landscape‑led development, incorporating public open spaces, a new play area, and strong pedestrian connections to The Commons and existing walking routes.

“Carefully arranged streets, varied housing types and integrated green ecological corridors create a cohesive layout that enhances accessibility, supports active travel and provides an attractive, high‑quality environment for new residents.”

The site will also include spaces and ecological features including bat boxes, bird boxes, and habitats for wildlife. Taylor Wimpey is seeking local views before it submits a reserved matters application to East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Anyone who would like to express their views can email brookstreet-soham@taylorwimpey-pr.co.uk. People can submit their comments up to midnight on March 30.

The Rivington Brewing Company has been honoured with a Gold Award from CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – in its Champion Beer of Britain Awards, for which Rivington Brewery has won the Northwest heat.

The award was for its Beach House Ale – a hoppy pale ale with notes of citrus, fruit, and lime – at the recent Liverpool Beer Festival.

Chris Sandison CAMRA’s Northwest Regional Tasting Panel Coordinator said: “Congratulations to the team at Rivington Brewery who gained Gold with their Beach House Pale, a fantastic achievement when you consider that they were up against breweries from across the whole of the North West.”

Rivington Brewing Company’s headquarters (Image: Rivington Brewing Company)

Now that it has won the North West heat, Beach House will be entered into the finals of 2027’s Champion Beer of Britain competition to find the best real ale in the country.

The beer will compete against the winners the other regional competitions at the awards.

Beach house clocks in at only 3.8 per cent, making it uncharacteristically light for a craft ale, marking it out as a session IPA.

The Rivington Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by two friends – Ben Stubbs and Mike Richardson.

The duo started on a small plastic brewing kit that Mike received as a wedding present, with no prior experience other than reading ‘How to Brew’ by John Palmer.

The logo for the (now award-winning) Beach House IPA (Image: Rivington Brewing Company)

The team opened their own taproom and bar on a Rivington farm – Home Farm – in 2019.

The farm and attendant campsite overlook Rivington reservoir, framed by views of Rivington Pike.

As well as beer and street food, the team have introduced various extracurricular events into their community.

This includes a monthly walking club, cycling club, and a running club that regularly hosts 70 people.

The Wales boss was dismissing the idea that if his side beats Bosnia in their World Cup play-off semi-final that will be playing Italy

Craig Bellamy believes Northern Ireland have a fair chance of beating Italy in Bergamo to stay on course to reach the finals for their first time in 40 years.

The Wales boss was dismissing the idea that if his side beats Bosnia in next Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final in Cardiff it is a no-brainer that they will meet Italy in the final 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Should Michael O’Neill’s side beat Italy and Wales beat Bosnia, it will mean a trip to the Cardiff City Stadium on 31 March.

“All I keep hearing from everyone is that if we beat Bosnia we’ll be playing Italy. You wait until you see Northern Ireland,” said Bellamy at the Wales squad announcement.

“This team do not play with the ball, they don’t want the ball, so Italy having the ball is not a problem to them.

“When you haven’t qualified for two major tournaments as a top team like they are, just imagine the pressure Italy are going to be under. I am going to be so intrigued as a football fan to see how they handle that.

“If we take care of Bosnia, and that’s a big if because they are a top team, it wouldn’t surprise me whichever team we faced.”

Wales and Northern Ireland both made their World Cup debuts in 1958 with the Irish squad returning to the finals in 1982 and 1986. Wales didn’t make their second appearance until Qatar four years ago.

“You have to do your homework and I’ve watch both Italy and Northen Ireland. They are two completely different teams, so how we would plan to meet Italy would be different in structure to facing Northern Ireland,” continued Bellamy.

“Bosnia play a little bit similar to Italy in their structure without the ball, even though the Italians can switch. We might be able to use some of our Bosnia groundwork if we played Italy, but if it’s Northern Ireland they press in a completely different way.

“Our structure of work is already planned and already ahead because we don’t have time and we must be ready to hit the ground running as soon as the first game is ticked off.”

Wales’s injury list includes Ben Davies, Keiffer Moore and Chris Mepham, but will have the very much in-form Fulham star Harry Wilson, a hat-trick scorer in the 7-1 final pool win over North Macedonia in their last outing in November, fit to play next week.

When the draw for the qualifiers was made Bellamy warned everyone not to write off O’Neill’s team and claimed they were “the one team I didn’t want to play”.

“Everyone’s writing them off but I’m telling you now, watch out for that result – it’s not going to be straightforward. It will be a tough, tough game for Italy,” Bellamy said.

“Down the years they’ve just had something and they know what they are. They’ve got a brilliant manager who I really, really like.

“I was lucky enough to spend a bit of time with him as well, and I loved him. And no wonder his players do as well. They won’t be playing at their home ground, but I just feel they’ll be comfortable in any situation you throw them into.

“If I was Italy going into that game, with everyone expecting you to win, I’m telling you I’d be edgy. I wouldn’t be comfortable with it.

“Italy is one of the greatest nations in football and that’s a lot of responsibility to shoulder. To have to play a team like Northern Ireland I’d just be thinking ‘let’s get through this and see what happens in the other game’.”

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