‘My hair is now really thick and shiny – people keep commenting – (and) my skin seems plumper, too… It’s really made a difference to the quality of my life.’

As people age, the body’s natural collagen production begins to decline, impacting everything from skin elasticity to joint comfort. However, one brand, The Intelligent Health, says it has an ‘easily integrated solution to help replenish these vital reserves’ – and it can be added into coffee, smoothies, or shakes.

The Intelligent Health Collagen Powder (450g) is currently available from Amazon for £17.97, and more than 1,000 have been bought in the past month (there are also other sizes available for different prices). The product is made from 100% hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides, providing a reliable source of protein to complement daily nutrition, the brand says.

It is also sourced from high-quality, pasture-raised cattle, meaning the supplement is ‘guaranteed to be 100% grass-fed’, the brand adds. It is free from hormones, antibiotics, and unnecessary additives, offering a ‘clean, natural protein boost’.

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The product is said to be rich in Type I and Type III collagen, helping to improve the following: skin hydration and elasticity; the appearance of fine lines; the strength of hair and nails, and the maintenance of healthy bones, cartilage, and tendons. It is also said to help with gut health by providing key amino acids, such as Glycine, the brand says.

This ‘unflavoured’ powder is said to dissolve smoothly into coffee, smoothies, or shakes without altering the taste, making it an easy way to integrate collagen into daily routines. Or it can be added to cereal, porridge, homemade snacks and baking. Users just need to add one scoop, which is 10 grams, to achieve the recommended serving.

The powder is available to buy from Amazon

£17.97

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Shoppers have left an average 4.4 out of five-star rating for the product

For a more expensive option, Superdrug sells the Dose & Co Pure Marine Collagen Peptides (221g) for £32.99. Described as sustainably-sourced collagen, this is said to help improve skin elasticity and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. To use it, shoppers can add two large heaped teaspoons (13g) of powder into 200ml of water, milk, coffee, tea or smoothies once a day.

Or there are these Myvitamins Collagen Capsules for £12 at Boots. These contain type 1 porcine collagen, in hydrolysed form, which is quickly and more easily absorbed by the body, the site says, and one capsule should be consumed daily.

Shoppers have left high praise of the Intelligent Health Collagen Powder. One said: “I’m coming to the end of my first box of these, 90 in the box, two per day, about a week’s supply remaining. I don’t believe ANY supplement can give you a result in a couple of days as claimed by others, and I certainly did not see an instant response, but I kept going and there is a result.

“Firstly, nails, as others have said – (my) hand and toe nails (are) growing very nicely. Then my hair, I had noticed my hair was getting brittle and dry (I’m 57 so to be expected!) and these have restored the shine and strength very nicely. I suffer from psoriasis and I have also noticed a difference to my skin, a definite improvement to the eye area in terms of firmness.

“But all over, I think my skin appears improved in texture and less dry, so I’m about to buy my second bottle as, if all of these gradual improvements continue, I will be very satisfied.”

A second person said: “Fantastic product. I have (it) in my coffee every morning, no taste and completely dissolves. I’ve noticed my hair and nails growing stronger and faster too. Highly recommend.”

Some left some feedback for the product on Amazon, with one saying: “This is one of many collagen products I have now tried. I liked the quality ingredients in this product and a good price. But as all other collagen powders I tried, you can indeed taste it in your coffee and tea.” They recommended taking it with juice if other people can also taste the collagen.

Overall, however, most were pleased, as another person said: “I tried this as a cheaper alternative to vital protein. It’s just as good, if not better. My hair started thinning as I hit menopause, so I thought I’d try this. My hair is now really thick and shiny – people keep commenting – (and) my skin seems plumper, too. In fact my hair is a bit too thick now, but I love it. It’s really made a difference to the quality of my life.

“Also, my nails grow stronger and longer. No need for false nails. I’m just buying loads of nail varnish now. Usually they snap as soon as it gets to winter. Now they are really strong. I put it in my tea every morning before work – no taste – just a nice feeling. It helps me have luscious hair again.”

Manchester City and Arsenal are battling it out at the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City will be keen observers when Premier League leaders Arsenal visit Wolves tonight. The Blues revived their title hopes by coming from behind late on at Liverpool to earn a sensational win before seeing off Fulham last week.

Arsenal then dropped points at Brentford on Thursday night to leave the gap at four ahead of the Gunners visiting Molineux. Mikel Arteta’s men travel to the Midlands for a fixture that has been rearranged following Arsenal’s progress to the Carabao Cup final. The Gunners will meet City at Wembley and the Blues’ game with Crystal Palace will also have to be moved.

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There is no date for the fixture with the Eagles, with Palace involved in the Conference League play-offs this week and next, preventing the game from slotting into the same space as Arsenal’s game at Wolves.

Pep Guardiola is relishing the free midweeks City have for the final fortnight of February with the Blues securing a straight path into the Champions League last-16. But the European commitments mean fitting in the fixture with Palace could prove problematic, particularly if Oliver Glasner’s side continue to progress in the Conference League.

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Both sides have Premier League games in the first week of March and the following two midweeks will see European action with City guaranteed to be involved and Palace potentially playing.

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

Should both City and Palace progress to at least the semi-finals of their respective European competitions, the week beginning April 20 would be the first opportunity for the game to be scheduled

Both teams could have a free weekend in the first weekend in April if City are knocked out of the FA Cup in the fifth round. The Eagles are already out having been stunned by non-league Macclesfield in round three.

The only other certain available dates for the contest are in May, either the week beginning May 11 or May 18. Those two dates are the last two weeks of the season and it’s possible City will need to find a new home for their fixture with Bournemouth, scheduled for Sunday, May 17, if the Blues reach the FA Cup final on that weekend.

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A 14-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested on suspicion of poaching, trespassing with intent to search for/pursue hares with dogs, dangerous driving, failing to stop, and criminal damage on land close to the A161 near Swinefleet, Goole at around 10am on Monday (February 16).

They 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of poaching, driving dangerously and failing to stop for police.

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Humberside Police said: “It is believed two vehicles, a silver Mercedes and a blue Subaru, left the A161 – heading towards Eastoft.

“Patrol officers, along with Roads Policing officers sighted both vehicles nearby.

“When initially requested to stop by officers, both drivers reportedly failed to stop, and a short pursuit ensued with the two vehicles in convoy with one another.”

The police chase for the silver Mercedes ended close to Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, police said.

Three people were seen fleeing the car on foot.

Those arrested have since been released on conditional bail pending further investigation.

Police have launched an appeal to locate the blue Subaru and those involved.

If you were around the area at the time of the incident, please contact police on 101, quoting reference 26*21819.

NEW ORLEANS, La. (AP) — People leaned out of wrought iron balconies, hollering the iconic phrase “Throw me something, Mister” as a massive Mardi Gras parade rolled down New Orleans’ historic St. Charles Avenue on Tuesday.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, marks the climax and end of the weekslong Carnival season and a final chance for indulgence, feasting and revelry before the Christian Lent period of sacrifice and reflection. The joyous goodbye to Carnival always falls the day before Ash Wednesday.

In Louisiana’s most populous city, which is world-famous for its Mardi Gras bash, people donned green, gold and purple outfits, with some opting for an abundance of sequins and others showing off homemade costumes.

The revelers began lining the streets as the sun rose. They set up chairs, coolers, grills and ladders — offering a higher vantage point.

As marching bands and floats filled with women wearing massive feathered headdresses passed by, the music echoing through the city streets, people danced and cheered. Others sipped drinks, with many opting for adult concoctions on the day of celebration rather than the usual morning coffee.

Each parade has its signature “throws” — trinkets that include plastic beads, candy, doubloons, stuffed animals, cups and toys. Hand-decorated coconuts are the coveted item from Zulu, a massive parade named after the largest ethnic group in South Africa.

As a man, dressed like a crawfish — including red fabric claws for hands — caught one of the coconuts, he waved it around, the gold glitter on the husk glistening in the sun.

Sue Mennino was dressed in a white Egyptian-inspired costume, complete with a gold headpiece and translucent cape. Her face was embellished with glitter and electric blue eyeshadow.

“The world will be here tomorrow, but today is a day off and a time to party,” Mennino said.

The party isn’t solely confined to the parade route. Throughout the French Quarter, people celebrated in the streets, on balconies and on the front porches of shotgun-style homes.

One impromptu parade was led by a man playing a washboard instrument and dressed as a blue alligator — his paper-mache tail dragging along the street, unintentionally sweeping up stray beads with it. A brass band played “The Saints” as people danced.

In Jackson Square, the costumed masses included a man painted from head to toe as a zebra, a group cosplaying as Hungry Hungry Hippos from the tabletop game and a diver wearing an antique brass and copper helmet.

“The people are the best part,” said Martha Archer, who was dressed as Madame Leota, the disembodied medium whose head appears within a crystal ball in the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney amusement parks.

Archer’s face was painted blue and her outfit was a makeshift table that came up to her neck — giving the appearance that she was indeed a floating head.

“Everybody is just so happy,” she explained.

The good times will roll not just in New Orleans but across the state, from exclusive balls to the Cajun French tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday Run — a rural event in Central Louisiana featuring costumed participants performing, begging for ingredients and chasing live chickens to be cooked in a communal gumbo.

Parades are also held in other Gulf Coast cities such as Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, and there are other world-renowned celebrations in Brazil and Europe.

One of the quirkiest is an international Pancake Day competition pitting the women of Liberal, Kansas, against the women of Olney, England. Pancakes are used because they were thought to be a good way for Christians to consume the fat they were supposed to give up during the 40 days before Easter.

Contestants must carry a pancake in a frying pan and flip the pancake at the beginning and end of the 415-yard (380-meter) race.

A yellow weather warning for snow comes into force on Wednesday afternoon, but we’re likely to see some snowfall before then

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for snow with forecasters cautioning that significant disruption could affect substantial parts of Wales on Wednesday and overnight into Thursday. The yellow warning predicts that a spell of rain and snow may cause disruption across most of the country for 14 hours.

Meteorologists have highlighted the possibility of settling snow, especially across higher ground. The warning – which will be in place between 4pm on Wednesday and 6am on Thursday – covers Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham.

Snow accumulations of 2-5cm could develop relatively widely across locations above 150-200 metres, with potentially 10-15cm above 250-300 metres throughout parts of mid and south-east Wales. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

Lighter accumulations, generally under 2cm, may occur at lower elevations, particularly from late Wednesday evening into the early hours of Thursday.

Strong easterly to north-easterly winds are anticipated alongside the snowy weather, potentially worsening conditions in certain locations, especially on roads.

According to the Met Office, Wednesday could see 2-5 cm of snow accumulate quite widely above 150-200 metres, with perhaps as much as 10-15 cm above 250-300 metres in mid and southeast Wales.

Below are the latest Met Office maps showing when and where it is likely to snow on Wednesday and Thursday:

Wednesday – 1am

Wednesday – 6am

Wednesday – 9am

Wednesday – 12pm

Wednesday – 3pm

Wednesday – 6pm

Wednesday – 10pm

Thursday – 6am

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates explained the outlook: “On Wednesday, weather fronts are expected to move in from the Atlantic into some western, southern and central areas of the UK.

“As they bump into the cold air already in place, we are likely to see some snow developing, although there is still some uncertainty around the details.

“Initially, we may see some snow over the highest parts of southern England, such as Dartmoor, but the main chance of snow will be across higher parts of the Midlands and mid and southeast Wales.

“Above 150 to 200 metres, 2–5 cm of snow may accumulate, with a few places -most likely above 300 metres -possibly seeing 10 cm or more.

“Temperatures will be around 3 to 5 °C for much of the UK on Wednesday.”

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The DWP has confirmed it will be sending letters to pensioners in April 2026 to inform them about tax code changes for Winter Fuel Payment repayments

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced it will be sending letters to pensioners who must repay their Winter Fuel Payment later this year.

The welfare department has confirmed that it will soon be contacting pensioners who are due to have their tax code altered in order to return the money. The government distributed payments of up to £300 to pensioner households during the winter months, but anyone with an income exceeding the £35,000 threshold will need to return the money to HMRC.

From November last year, Winter Fuel Payments were issued to those born before 22 September 1959, unless they had chosen not to receive the payment, to assist them with living costs. However, only pensioners with an income below £35,000 are eligible to retain it.

From April, HMRC will begin recouping the money from those who exceed the income threshold, reports the Manchester Evening News.

There are two methods by which the tax department will reclaim the cash, depending on how tax is typically paid. For pensioners who pay tax through PAYE, HMRC will collect payment for the 2025 to 2026 tax year by adjusting their tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year.

This will result in paying more tax each month to repay the full payment. For instance, for a typical payment of £200, you would pay approximately £17 per month extra in tax from April.

The government has now confirmed that these pensioners can expect a letter or email outlining the tax code change in April.

On the GOV.UK website, the DWP said in an update: “In April 2026, you’ll get a letter or an email notification to tell you that we’ve changed your tax code to take back your Winter Fuel Payment. This will show as an underpayment. Any tax code letter or notification before this will not include this change.”

The second way HMRC can collect take back the Winter Fuel Payment is through a self assessment tax return. For pensioners who do a self assessment tax return, the payment will need to be included.

For those who file online, the payment will be automatically included.

HMRC calculates income individually rather than as a household. That means that if your total personal income is above £35,000, you will have to return the money, however if you live in a household with someone who earns less than this amount they will still receive the payment.

For example, if you earn £36,000 and your partner earns £22,000, HMRC will take back your payment, but your partner will keep their payment.

YouTube has announced that all of its platforms are “are back to normal” after more than a quarter million users reported issues accessing the social media site.

More than 250,000 users reported issues accessing YouTube on Tuesday evening, according to the unofficial, crowd-sourced site Downdetector. The most reported problem was users saying they had issues using the YouTube app.

The video service’s homepage returned an error message when an Independent reporter tried to use it, though individual videos appeared to still be loading and playing properly.

Around 10 p.m. Eastern time, YouTube confirmed the “issue has been fixed” across its platforms.

“The issue with our recommendations system has been resolved and all of our platforms (YouTube.com, the YouTube app, YouTube Music, Kids, and TV) are back to normal! We really appreciate you bearing with us while we sorted this out,” a statement on the YouTube help page reads.

Before the fix was announced, YouTube also said it was working to resolve a “small number of reports that some people are unable to login to YouTube TV.”

“This is related to the broader issue across YouTube, and we’re also working on a fix here,” YouTube said.

YouTube initially confirmed the outage in a post on X: “If you’re having trouble accessing YouTube right now, you’re not alone.”

“Looks like YouTube isn’t working properly,” Indiana-based journalist Hannah Adamson wrote on X. “I can still access saved and recently viewed videos, but nothing on the home page loads. Seeing a lot of people on X saying YouTube isn’t working for them either.”

The issues on YouTube quickly inspired jokes online.

A YouTube gaming creator ParrotMode wrote on X that YouTubers were now “writing 45 minute scripts about The Great YouTube Outage of 2026.”

Young U.S. voters are starting to turn on President Donald Trump over concerns about his economic agenda, a new report reveals.

Trump saw a surge of support from Generation Z voters (born between 1997 and 2012) during the last presidential election. But now, young Americans are abandoning Trump “faster than any other voting bloc,” according to a new report in The Atlantic by Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark.

Longwell, who runs weekly focus groups with voters, reports that many young Trump voters initially backed him over his economic promises. As Trump enters his second year back in the White House, some young voters have said they’re disappointed and concerned about the economy, according to Longwell.

Kim, a Gen-Z Trump voter from Virginia identified only by her first name, said during a January focus group: “There are things that are very disappointing and very rough right now.”

Lizabel, a Florida resident whose last name was also withheld, reportedly said “things are pretty chaotic lately.”

“You just see all this stuff on the news, and you see a lot of people are struggling to find jobs. A lot of people are feeling kind of pessimistic about what things are going on,” she added.

Sam, a voter from Minnesota, also cited concerns about “affordability” and the “unemployment rate for youth,” Longwell reports.

When reached for comment, White House spokesperson Kush Desai touted Trump’s economic policies.

“In just one year, President Trump’s policies have cooled inflation, raised real wages, accelerated GDP growth, and slashed the prices of prescription drugs and gasoline. Americans can rest assured that, as these policies continue taking effect, the best is yet to come,” Desai told The Independent.

A Wall Street Journal poll published last month found that two-thirds of voters ages 18-29 disapprove of the president’s priorities. The survey also revealed that nearly half of voters under 30 said they would back a Democratic candidate if the 2026 midterm elections were held today, while 43 percent said they’d choose a Republican.

A poll conducted this month by Economist/YouGov found that 25 percent of U.S. adults ages 18-29 approve of the way Trump is handling his job, while 67 percent disapprove. This marks a significant change from the results of a February 2025 Economist/YouGov poll, which found 50 percent of U.S. adults under 30 approved of Trump and 42 percent disapproved.

This comes as Trump braces for the 2026 midterm elections.

Historical trends show that the president’s party typically loses seats in a midterm election, which could mean trouble for Republicans, who are currently in the majority in both chambers of Congress.

While midterm elections are still months away, recent surveys have shown that Democrats running for Congress currently have a modest advantage, according to The New York Times’ polling aggregator.

Dr Adrian James, NHS England’s national medical director for mental health and neurodiversity, said: “While it’s encouraging that thousands more people facing mental health conditions are accessing NHS support than before the pandemic, we know that millions more could benefit from vital NHS Talking Therapies.

The lowest temperatures first thing are expected across parts of eastern Scotland. Whist Tuesday saw lows in the Highlands down to -7.2C (19F), Wednesday morning could be even colder at around -8C (18F) or -9C (16F).

However, a sub-zero start to the day is also expected in many other areas including central and northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland.

Many places will be dry first thing, but the weather is set to turn much more unsettled during the day. Low pressure approaching from the south-west will bring rain initially to Northern Ireland in the early morning, which will then spread into western parts of England and Wales.

As the rain bumps into cold air, it will increasingly turn to sleet and snow across Wales and later on into parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and the West Midlands.

There could be around 2-5cm of snow fairly widely, and up to 10-15cm over the highest ground in Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire. This is likely to lead to some travel disruption and potential power cuts.

The more widespread UKHSA cold alert, external covers all of England except for London and the South East.

This warns of the risk of minor impacts on health and social care services. Vulnerable people in particular may be affected by this spell of colder weather, with increased use of healthcare services and an increased risk to life.