Palm Sunday – a religious event which commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover – was celebrated today as hundreds gathered at York Minster to pay their respects.
In the gospel, Jesus arrives riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street to honour him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.
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To mark this day in York, a procession – including two donkeys – and led by members of the clergy gathered outside the South Piazza of the Minster to welcome worshippers.
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Crowds were greeted by a choir and led in prayer by Dean Dominic Barrington – holding their palm crosses in the air – before the procession began, entering into the cathedral via the West End.
After entering the Minster, various liturgies, gospels, and hymns were performed with a special sermon read by The Very Reverend Cythia Briggs Kittredge – Dean Emerita at the Semeniary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.
A spokesperson for the Minster welcomed worshippers ‘most warmly’ to the Palm Sunday Liturgy – noting that it marks the beginning of Holy Week.
The crowd raising their crosses (Image: Alice Kavanagh)
They said: “On Palm Sunday, the Church commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem to accomplish his saving work through his dying and rising again.
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“The Procession with Palms is the first of the commemorative actions of Holy Week. The procession is an act of praise to Christ the King who reigns and triumphs on the cross, and it expresses our readiness to take up our cross and follow our Lord.”
George the Donkey (Image: Alice Kavanagh)
The two donkeys involved in this year’s event were named Gary and George, with this year being the first time that George has taken part in the procession.
This afternoon, the Minster will hold a Choral Evensong service at 4pm, and the Ebor Singers choir will perform John Stainer’s Crucifixion at 7.30pm.
Dates for putting out the bins over the Easter bank holiday may change in your area
Easter is here, meaning it’s the time of year to indulge in lots of chocolate and hot cross buns. It’s also the time to enjoy a few days off as there is the long weekend for bank holiday.
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This year, Good Friday is on April 3, with Easter Monday on April 6. The day you put out the bins may change over the bank holiday weekend in Cambridgeshire.
Here are the days you will need to put your bins out over the bank holiday, depending on your council area:
Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council
Those living in the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council areas would normally expect to have their bins collected on Friday, April 3. However, this has been changed to Monday, March 30.
Fenland District Council
From Friday, April 3, people living in Fenland will have their bins collected a day later, with household waste bins set to be collected on Saturday, April 4, instead of Good Friday. Normal bin collections will resume from April 13.
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Huntingdonshire District Council
Those living in the Huntingdonshire District Council area will see no changes to their bin collection dates over Easter. Bins will be collected on Monday, April 6.
East Cambridgeshire District Council
Dates for bins being collected in the East Cambridgeshire District Council area have been changed for several days. These are:
Friday, April 3 will be collected on Tuesday, April 7;
Monday, April 6 will be collected on Wednesday, April 8;
Tuesday, April 7 will be collected on Thursday, April 9;
Wednesday, April 8 will be collected on Friday, April 10;
Thursday, April 9 will be collected on Saturday, April 11;
Friday, April 10 will be collected on Monday, April 13;
Monday, April 13 will be collected on Tuesday, April 14;
Tuesday, April 14 will be collected on Wednesday, April 15;
Wednesday, April 15 will be collected on Thursday, April 16;
Thursday, April 16 will be collected on Friday, April 17;
Friday, April 17 will be collected on Saturday, April 18.
Peterborough City Council
People living in the Peterborough area will have their bins collected as normal on Friday, April 3. Bins are not collected on Monday, so Easter Monday will not be affected.
Susan Rae, 58, lost over 40 pounds using the Simple app’s intermittent fasting approach, describing it as a ‘total life-changing’ experience
Eleanor Fleming and Bethan Shufflebotham Senior Fashion and Beauty Writer
17:33, 29 Mar 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The pressure to revamp health routines can feel daunting, particularly when quick fixes and restrictive diets promise dramatic results but seldom deliver long-term change. For many, the cycle of repeatedly starting anew becomes tiring, which is why more people are opting for simpler, more sustainable approachesthat fit into real life.
That’s precisely what attracted one user to the Simple app, which has quietly amassed a loyal following due to its personalised plans and emphasis on realistic habits rather than extremes. Instead of strict calorie counting or eliminating entire food groups, the Simple appfocuses on small, manageable changes.
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It’s worth mentioning that new users can currently benefit from significant savings, with up to 80% off plans using the code ‘REACH’. There’s also a two-for-one offer that allows them to share their subscription with a friend or family member.
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User Susan Rae, 58, has experienced incredible results with Simple, and she said: “I have lost over 40 pounds and 40 inches from my body using the Simple app.”
What began as a casual download quickly evolved into a complete lifestyle shift. She continued: “I started using it 284 days ago, when I found it on Facebook, and I downloaded it, thinking it was going to be an app for women over 40 to do yoga, and I quickly found the intermittent fasting component and things took off from there.”
Instead of strict calorie counting or cutting out entire food groups, the Simple app centres around small, manageable changes
Within just a couple of months, she had already achieved her target. “It started in December, and by February, I had hit my goal weight,” she explained, adding that she has since gone even further without feeling restricted, reports the Mirror.
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“I’m 15 pounds less than my goal weight today through no effort, no grinding, no obsessing.” Like many, Susan had battled with her weight for years and had growing health concerns before trying the app. She said her cholesterol had been rising and her blood sugar levels were becoming a concern, but since making the switch to Simple, she has noticed significant improvements.
“My energy has been through the roof. I feel a million times better,” she said. At the core of the app is its personalised approach. After taking a short quiz, users receive a tailored plan designed around their goals, lifestyle and preferences. It includes features such as intermittent fasting tracking, daily workout plans and easy food logging, whether by typing, voice or simply taking a photo.
A standout feature is Avo, the app’s AI-powered coach,which provides real-time advice, recipe ideas and support. Susan described it as a game-changer in helping her stay on track and make better choices without feeling deprived.
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The platform also avoids rigid dieting rules, instead focusing on behaviour changes and sustainable habits. Users are encouraged to build routines that work for them, making it easier to maintain results long-term rather than slipping back into old patterns. Of course, intermittent fasting may not work for everyone but Susan has achieved impressive results.
Speaking about her advice to others, Susan added: “Lean in, lean into the program, lean into the community if you enjoy that stuff. You can do this, and it will be so worth it. Total life-changing, game-changing experience.”
She added: “I want you to know that if I can do it, anyone can do it, because I have spent a lifetime struggling with weight and trying to find something that felt easy enough to continue.”
For an alternative, there’s Noom, a weight loss platform that focuses on mindful eating, not strict diets. Highly scientific, Noom offers plenty of support to clients, stating it creates ‘fun’ personalised courses for people – with pricing depending on the plan and the individual.
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Or there’s MyFitnessPal– a food and fitness tracker designed to help people meet their targets and monitor their nutritional intake. There are premium options, but also some free sections available on the app.
Those who are using Simpleshared their views on Trustpilot, too, with one person saying: “This app is one of the easiest ones to see if your food is on target without counting calories. It also reminds you when your eating window that you chose starts and ends. Must say it’s worth picking a coach. Really positive experience and gives you ideas on how to tweak what you eat to make it better for a balanced meal.”
Another user shared their progress, stating: “Absolutely amazing app. I have lost over one stone using this. There is always help at hand when I had my struggles. The app is very easy to use. Love it.”
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One individual outlined what they’d like to see improved, saying: “Honestly a super supportive app that doesn’t make me feel bad if I miss a day or something. I do wish it had more options for drinks (lemonade for example is hard to track accurately) or an option to write in a drink or activities. Otherwise it’s great.”
However, another user was particularly impressed with the customer service, writing: “Results are key in my 5-star review. The excellent customer service is a HUGE plus; and the intuitive, interactive interface actively encourages users to try harder, without shaming. A few tweaks to customisation (diet options, exercise editing) will given an even richer experience.”
Key points after ninth week of Noah Donohoe inquest | Belfast Live
Need to know
The inquest into the death of the Belfast schoolboy, which is being heard with a jury, has finished its ninth week.
(Image: PA Media)
Police dedicated a “significant amount of officers” to search for Noah Donohoe in the days after the schoolboy went missing, the inquest heard this week.
A police witness told Belfast Coroner’s Court that he believed the high risk level of the case was recognised quickly. The inquest resumed on Monday morning with evidence from Inspector Bell, who was a sergeant in June 2020 and had been involved in the investigation to find Noah.
Inspector Bell told the inquest he had been carrying out inquiries in Northwood Road on Tuesday June 23, two days after the 14-year-old had gone missing. He said he had observed CCTV footage on a mobile phone of a youth cycling naked in the area. The officer told the jury that the previous day, he was the morning duty sergeant in Lisburn Road police station when he was told by an inspector he would be co-ordinating the investigation.
Inspector Bell gave a second day of evidence on Tuesday when was questioned as to why a map showing the last-known location of Noah’s phone was not provided to CCTV operators.
A police officer this week denied that “the urgency dropped off” the search for CCTV after Noah’s body was found. The inquest heard from PNSI Detective Sergeant Kitchen, who was tasked with gathering CCTV in the days of Noah’s disappearance and after his body had been found. He said his task when he was brought on to the case on June 24, when Noah had been missing for three days, was “continuing to build a picture to what happened prior to his disappearance”, but the primary purpose was “to find out where he now was”.
Also this week, a PSNI officer admitted to missing Noahon two CCTV cameras he is now known to have travelled past.. Jurors heard on Wednesday that an officer conducting initial searches on CCTV “fast-forwarded” footage on some cameras, leading to a suggestion from Noah’s mother’s legal team he was “not paying it the greatest level of attention”.
And this week a police officer said he cannot explain why he stated in evidence at the inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe that he had been tasked to search for a green coat belonging to the missing schoolboy. The constable initially told the jury at he had searched a flat for the missing coat, but later conceded he “didn’t believe” he had been told about the item. The officer also told the inquest he had been “briefed” by a team at Musgrave Street police station in Belfast before giving evidence on Thursday.
This type of soreness is often felt a day or two after exercise. Muscles can feel tight, tender and a bit uncomfortable when you move.
This happens because your muscles have been challenged in a new way. Small changes take place inside the muscle as it repairs and adapts. Over time, this is what makes you stronger.
A bit of soreness is nothing to worry about. It shows your body is responding to the work you have done. The key is learning the difference between normal soreness and something that needs more attention.
Normal soreness feels like a dull ache or stiffness in the muscles. It usually improves as you move around and eases after a few days. You can still go about your daily tasks, even if you feel a bit slower than usual.
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Pain is different. Sharp or sudden pain during exercise is a sign to stop. Pain in joints rather than muscles can also be a warning. If something does not feel right, it is always best to ease off and give your body time to recover.
Recovery is just as important as the exercise itself. This is where many people go wrong. They either do too much too soon or try to push through discomfort. Rest allows the body to repair and come back stronger.
There are simple ways to help with recovery. Gentle movement is one of the best. A short walk or light stretching can reduce stiffness and help muscles feel better.
Staying hydrated also helps. Muscles need fluid to recover properly.
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Food plays a role too. Eating enough protein supports muscle repair. This does not need to be complicated. Simple meals with good quality protein will do the job.
Sleep is another key factor. This is when the body does most of its repair work. Poor sleep can make soreness feel worse and slow down recovery.
The aim is to find a balance. Challenge your body, but give it time to recover. If you are always sore, you may be doing too much. If you never feel anything, you may need to push a little more.
Listen to your body. Build up gradually. Stay consistent.
Aldi is known for copying familiar brands, and I wanted to see how it compared to the real deal
There is nothing quite like a cheeky Nando’s at the weekend with your friends – but sometimes you just can’t justify the prices.
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With a craving for Nandos’ but a desire to stay cosy on a cold night, I decided to try a selection of Aldi’s Roosters range, which was recently brought back in store. The range includes mac & cheese, peri peri chicken thigh fillet sizzlers, peri peri vegan mayo and of course, the classic peri peri fries.
Aldi’s Rooster range has clearly taken inspiration from Nando’s, with the peri-peri seasonings, spicy sauces, and classic sides. In theory, it is a brilliant idea – offering a Nando’s style meal at supermarket prices sounds like the ideal night in. However I was eager to see how it compared to the real thing.
Each dish was relatively straight forward to cook. I put the chicken in the oven for around 30 minutes, but I found that it needed a little bit longer to crisp up. I put the fries in my air fryer which cooked in less than 15-minutes, and the mac & cheese took around four minutes in the microwave.
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First, the Mac & Cheese. This dish looked tasty from the get go, and I was excited to delve in. I fell in love after my first mouthful. It was creamy, easy to cook, and the perfect consistency. It was light, saucy, and I personally think that this is comparable to Nando’s.
However, I have one key point of feedback. Where were all the crispy ciabatta chunks scattered over the top? It needed a larger coating of the breadcrumbs to really finesse the dish. That texture of the chunks, combined with the creaminess of the sauce, would have been a winner.
Next, the main event – the chicken. I can sincerely say I enjoyed this. The spicy marinade was flavoursome, the medium heat hot sauce was divine, and the chicken was juicy and tender.
Possibly the most unusual and slightly disappointing product for me was the peri peri vegan mayo. Aldi, in support of inclusivity, offers an egg-free sauce. Sadly, this came at the cost of flavour. The peri flavours did come through but it still felt as though something was missing.
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My favourite item, and one I will definitely be buying again, was the peri peri fries. The seasoning, combined with the crunchiness of the chips, almost had me believing I was eating in Nando’s. Aldi truly has mastered the signature peri-peri flavour.
The chicken thigh fillets that came with a spicy peri-peri sauce cost me £3.29, the mac & cheese was £1.79, the peri-peri fries were £1.49, and the vegan peri peri mayo was 99p. This cost me a total of £7.56.
Other options from Aldi’s Roosters selection include lemon & herb half chicken, mini corn on the cobs, garlic ciabatta squares, spicy mixed olives, the popular spicy rice, mighty peas (with chilli and herbs), and coleslaws.
Overall, I would say this was an impressive effort from Aldi – and I had no problems polishing off my entire meal. There were even moments where it felt as though I was eating a Nando’s takeawy.
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My standard order at Nando’s is a classic Chicken Butterfly at a medium heat level, peri-salted chips and I switch between the PERI-mac & cheese and the spicy rice. So I was able to recreate my order relatively well with the Aldi Rooster range – and it’s certainly a good alternative to going to the restaurant and spending £16 on a meal.
Even though I had to prepare the food myself instead of having it brought to my table, it required minimal effort to cook. I will definitely be back to give this selection another go, and test out some of the other yummy options like the spicy rice.
Indie rock legends Bloc Party debuted three new tracks – Coming on Strong, Love Bombed and Pigwig to the crowd at Band on the Wall on Friday (March 27).
Bloc Party at Band On The Wall, Manchester (Image: Shirlaine Forrest/BBC Radio 6 Music)
They were supported by garage rock band The Horrors in the smaller venue which has a maximum capacity of 520 people.
This year’s focus on smaller independent venues saw Yard Act take to the stage at YES’s Pink Room – supported by Sorry.
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Leeds quartet Yard Act performed hits like Dark Days, The Overload and We Make Hits which got the whole audience singing along to every word.
Yard Act at YES, Manchester (Image: Shirlaine Forrest/BBC Radio 6 Music)
The rising stars of the North’s post-punk scene then cracked into some newer songs with frontman James Smith thanking the audience for their patience.
When they left the stage the calls for an encore were enormous and the band eventually returned for two more songs.
The 2026 edition of the festival places a spotlight on independent venues across Greater Manchester, with events running from 25–28 March at spaces including Band on the Wall, YES and, new for this year, the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.
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The festival also features new partnerships with local promoters FaT OuT and Homobloc.
BBC Radio 6 Music, the UK’s most‑listened‑to digital‑only station with a weekly audience of 2.4 million, will make performances and DJ sets available on BBC Sounds throughout the festival.
Highlights will also appear on BBC iPlayer and BBC Music’s YouTube channel.
US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which began on 28 February, have killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as several other top Iranian officials. More than 1,551 Iranian civilians have also died so far as a result of the bombings, according to HRANA, a US-based group that monitors human rights violations in Iran.
Groundforce workers will strike at 12 major Spanish airports over Easter, with thousands of Irish holidaymakers facing potential delays and cancellations during the busy travel period
Joe O’Shea Editor, Ruairi Scott Byrne and Martin McCullough
16:42, 29 Mar 2026
Holidaymakers travelling to and from Spain this Easter face some of the most extensive industrial action at airports the country has seen in years – with as many as 12 major airports bracing for days of strikes by ground handlers and additional staff.
Spain’s three largest unions have confirmed final arrangements for thousands of Groundforce employees, which manages much of the logistics for airports and numerous airlines, to down tools from Monday, March30. The unions have selected the first genuinely busy weekend of the year – as millions journey for the Easter break – to inflict maximum disruption on their Groundforce parent company Air Europa, as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and job security. The unions have also indicated they’re willing to pursue strike action throughout the summer if their demands aren’t satisfied.
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The strikes by ground handling personnel will commence early on Monday, March 30 and will disrupt all operations at: Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Valencia, Málaga, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There are additional 24-hour actions involving baggage handlers on March 28 and March 29, as well as on April 2 and April 6.
As many as 3,000 ramp, baggage and cargo agents will cease work in three daily periods – early morning 5am-7am, 11am to 5pm, 10pm to midnight – in actions designed to maintain traffic flow through airports, but to reduce it to a crawl. Travellers at these airports should anticipate substantial delays or cancellations – and naturally, any hold-ups will create ripple effects across airports in Ireland and throughout Europe.
Groundforce might not manage all or even most luggage at the 12 principal airports – however, ground handling operations are so precisely calibrated in contemporary airports that any disruption in one section will rapidly impact others.
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Baggage handlers from alternative companies and personnel from different departments may also down tools in solidarity as the unions attempt to increase pressure, reports Cork Beo.
Irish travellers can adopt certain measures to reduce the risk of delays and disruption – if you’re able to manage with only hand luggage, this might enable you to avoid the problems at the baggage carousels in Spain’s major airports.
Irish passengers should also keep a very close eye on advice from their airlines and the latest information on arrivals and departures from Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports.
British holidaymakers face considerably worse prospects – these industrial actions overlap with the implementation of the new Entry Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals throughout Spain’s international airports.
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The pairing of walkouts by airport personnel and the difficulties surrounding launching an entirely new visa, passport and border control framework could result in British tourists experiencing a dreadful ordeal attempting to enter and leave Spain this Easter.
A 37-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assault and two counts of assaulting emergency workers after an incident involving a delivery driver and police officers in Walton.
A woman has been arrested following assaults on a delivery driver and two police officers. Merseyside Police officers were in the County Road area of Walton this morning (Sunday) dealing with a separate investigation when they witnessed a delivery driver being attacked.
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The force confirmed the incident was reported and uniformed officers in the vicinity attended the scene, arresting a woman on suspicion of assault. A force spokesperson said that following her caution, she “assaulted one of the officers and ran off”.
However, as she fled, the woman tripped and caught her arm on a spiked, low metal fence surrounding the front door of a property on Church Road West. Merseyside Police said the woman allegedly went on to assault another officer who was attempting to administer first aid alongside a paramedic.
The 37-year-old woman was taken to the hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment for an arm injury, reports theLiverpool Echo. Alongside the initial assault allegation, she was further arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault on an emergency worker.
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Residents on the street told the Echo the incident took place at around 11am. Upon arriving at the scene, the Echo found a small stretch of Church Road West cordoned off, covering approximately half a dozen houses on either side of the street.
Officers from two vehicles, including an unmarked car, were also present.
A forensic officer from one of the force’s scientific support units was conducting investigations on the pavement outside one of the properties.
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One local resident told the Echo they became aware of the incident after they “heard shouting and screaming”, adding that upon looking out of their front door they “saw someone lying on the ground in pain”.
A second resident claimed they had been informed that “two women were on the floor wrestling”, while a third reported witnessing a paramedic vehicle arrive at the scene.
Despite the wet weather, queues formed outside the hall and around the grounds as visitors came to sample sweet and savoury treats from traders across the region.
The annual event, which ran from 11am to 4pm, once again brought together cheesemakers, chocolatiers, and other local producers for a day celebrating Britain’s favourite flavours.
It was held in the church gardens as well as Ramsbottom Civic Hall.
Inside, the hall was busy with people milling around rows of stalls, browsing and chatting with sellers. Live music provided the backdrop, while younger visitors were kept entertained with face painting, crafts, and a roaming magician making their way through the crowds.
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Emma, from Emma’s Homemade Cookies, based in Ramsbottom, said the turnout had been “incredible”. Visitors queued down the road to get in, with her rainbow sprinkle cookies proving a hit with children and classic chocolate cookies remaining a firm favourite.
Emma from Emma’s Homemade Cookies (Image: Danny Crompton)
“The way people have come out to support it is brilliant,” she said. “This is a hobby for me, but it’s nice that friends and family will come by. You see people that you know, and you get to chat to the other stallholders, we build a bit of a community. It’s just a really nice day, and one of the reasons I like living in Ramsbottom. It’s good for the whole town.”
Peter, from Jeni’s Brownies in Lancaster, said it was their first time trading at the festival. The salted caramel brownie had been their best seller.
“It’s been a really good day, very busy despite the weather,” he said. “We do events all over but this is our first time here. Everybody’s come out and it’s been really good – especially nice that it’s inside!”
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Ramsbottom Chocolate and Cheese Festival (Image: Danny Crompton)
Also based in Ramsbottom, Zareena from The Samosa Hut said her biriyani had proved the most popular item. “It’s been very good, very busy,” she said. “There’s a great community feel.”
An event spokesperson previously said the festival aims to bring visitors into the town for a relaxed day out while supporting independent traders and local businesses.
First held in 2009 as a chocolate‑only celebration, it has since evolved into one of Ramsbottom’s best‑loved community events, drawing people from across Greater Manchester and beyond.
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