Just before 8pm on Monday night (March 2) the pair of dark unidentified aircraft flew over Salford Quays before landing in an open square.

The helicopters appear to be navy blue with a white underbelly – the same design as the SAS Blue Thunder.

Two helicopters were seen landing in MediaCity (Image: mich2255)

Emma Green, witnessing the helicopters, said: “Right, the SAS are currently circling my building  in blacked-out helicopters.

“No way, they’re coming down outside my window!

“What do you do when there are now blacked-out helicopters landing – I’m hoping it’s the British SAS, this could be anyone.

“I am literally freaking out.”

Other residents expressed concern that the helicopters could interrupt filming for Coronation Street – which looks to be filming night scenes.

Filming on Coronation Street was stopped by the helicopters (Image: Public)

Residents were quick to check online for flight trackers to identify the unknown aircraft but couldn’t find any signs.

The helicopters both flew away together before returning at around half past nine, when men in black were also spotted on the rooftops.

Video footage taken by a nearby resident shows a man in black descending from the helicopter onto the roof.

Filming on Coronation Street was also seen to have been halted entirely as a result of the helicopters and the sounds coming from their blades.

Emergency services were called to the crash on Monday (March 2) afternoon.

A man has been taken to hospital after a crash in a small hamlet. Emergency services were called to a crash in Main Road in Stonely just after 1pm today (Monday, March 2).

The crash involved a car and motorbike. The East of England Ambulance Service attended and transported a man to hospital.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called just after 1pm to a road traffic collision involving a car and a motorbike on Main Road in Stonely. An ambulance and rapid response vehicle were sent to the scene. An adult man was transported to Hinchingbrooke Hospital for further treatment.”

Cambridgeshire Police also attended. A police spokesperson said: “We were called at 1.07pm to Main Road in Stonely with reports of a collision between a car and a motorbike.”

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The developers said a new railway station would ‘benefit many’ and could form part of the next phase of proposals

A new railway station could be built as part of a large housing development. Urban&Civic is working on the fourth phase of plans for new homes at Alconbury Weald in Huntingdonshire.

The 1,000 new homes will include a range of one bedroom to four bedroom homes, as well as proposals for shops, a secondary school, and a health and community centre. A railway station could also be built.

Mike Jenner, development manager from Urban&Civic, said: “Phase 4 has an important role to play in the delivery of Alconbury Weald, connecting green spaces and key infrastructure. The design of Phase 4 ensures walking, cycling and public transport links connect to the wider site seamlessly, and supports the aspirations of our local transport partners to progress a rail station, which will benefit many.

“As with other phases of Alconbury Weald, the first step is to establish a development framework and design code for phase four. This sets the parameters for the detailed designs that will come forward for individual housing parcels, green spaces and infrastructure, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality neighbourhood.

“We hope residents and the wider community will review the framework plans and help us shape the next phase of Alconbury Weald.”

The developers said a railway station has “always been part” of the plans, and said it could play a “transformative role to unlock economic growth”. As a part of phase four, Urban&Civic is working with planning authorities, including the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.

The developers and authorities are working with Network Rail around the opportunities to deliver a new station along the East Coast mainline. Phase four will also look at the development’s “important connection” to green spaces.

The developers added: “The final section of Runway Park sits in Phase 4 and will include pockets of play space in a landscaped setting alongside a waterbody, which will form part of the sustainable drainage system and create a haven for wildlife.

“Marking the historic landing point for aircraft returning to RAF Alconbury, Touchdown Park will sit at the heart of this green space with a platform extending over the water that could be used for community events.”

The event, taking place from Saturday (March 7), will see about 50 venues across the city offer special dining deals, including new participants Ember at the Sheepfolds and The Korean Spoon on Fawcett Street.

Tamer Hassan, owner of Ember, said the restaurant is now ready to take part after 18 months of building its reputation.

Ember at the Sheepfolds is new to Restaurant Week this year. (Image: Ember)

Mr Hassan said: “When we first opened, our main focus was on establishing Ember’s reputation and building strong foundations as a new business.

“At the time, we were conscious that restaurant week could make us exceptionally busy, and we didn’t want to risk putting too much pressure on the team or compromising the standards we were working so hard to set.

“Now, 18 months on, we feel much more established and confident in what we do.

The Korean Spoon on Fawcett Street is also a newcomer to Restaurant Week. (Image: The Korean Spoon)

“It feels like the right time for us to be part of such a brilliant event and to give something back to the community that has supported us so strongly since day one.

“We’re excited to welcome new guests through the door and showcase what Ember is all about.”

Rachel Meng, owner of The Korean Spoon, said the restaurant is looking forward to welcoming diners during the event.

Ms Meng said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in Sunderland Restaurant Week for the first time.

“The support we’ve received since opening has been incredible, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming both new and returning customers to discover our authentic Korean cuisine during the week.”

The full list of venues taking part this year is as follows:

1842
Acropolis
Angelos
Antico
Ashbrooke Home
Asiana
Babaji
BobaCat Kitchen
Burger Drop
Café Floriana
Chesters Lounge
Deep North
Diegos
Ember
Enfes
Esquires
Fausto
Gatsby
Goa
Grand Hotel
House of Zen
I scream for pizza
Keel Tavern
Koji
Marina Vista
Mexico 70
Mumbai Silk
My Dehli
Panda Garden
Pho 179
Port of Call
Rio
Roma
Rumour Has It
Saba Maison De Luxe
Signatures
SIX
Spent Grain
The 3 Stories
The Coffee Snug at The Chair
The Korean Spoon
The Mad Hatter
The Seaburn Bay
The Shipwrights
The Sweet Petite
Vito’s Osteria
WEAR
Yard Nine

Organised by the City Centre business improvement district (Bid) and seafront Bid, with support from Nexus, the event offers set menus at price points of £10, £15, £20, and £25.

A variety of cuisines are on offer, including Mediterranean, Asian, Turkish, and Indian.

Diners can download the required vouchers from the Sunderland Bid website.

The escalating conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has taken a critical turn. The strait of Hormuz – one of the most important shipping routes for oil and gas – is facing significant disruption. The strait is the main route connecting Persian Gulf ports in Iran and some of the region’s other oil producers to the open ocean.

The strikes on Iran are already having tangible effects: energy flows are slowing, markets are reacting and supply chains are under pressure. This is not just a regional conflict – it is a global supply chain crisis unfolding in real time.

As an expert on supply chains, I am acutely aware of how central the strait is – not only for the stability of the region but also to the functioning of the global economy.

This narrow corridor is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints – around a fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait daily. Its sudden disruption represents a “chokepoint failure” – a breakdown at a critical node that triggers cascading effects across global systems.

Tanker traffic has dropped sharply, with vessels waiting in surrounding waters as ship owners reassess the risks. Oil prices surged in response to the strikes and the threat to shipping routes. Analysts have warned that prices could climb significantly higher if the disruption persists.

But crucially, this reaction was not driven solely by actual shortages. Markets respond to uncertainty itself. The mere possibility that several million barrels per day could be disrupted is enough to push prices up, even before supply is properly hit. This reflects a broader feature of geopolitical risk: expectations and perceptions can be as economically powerful as material disruptions.

Because energy underpins almost every sector, these price increases transmit rapidly through supply chains. Higher fuel costs raise transportation expenses, increase production costs and ultimately feed into inflation across goods and services that eventually land with consumers.

The strategic importance of the Gulf states

The disruption is not confined to the strait. Instability across the wider Gulf region also affects the United Arab Emirates, as well as other strategically important energy producers and logistics hubs, such as Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

This dimension matters because the Gulf functions not only as an energy supplier but also as a crossroads in global trade and logistics.

Ports such as Dubai handle vast volumes of international shipping, linking Asia, Europe and Africa. As tensions spread, the reliability of these logistics systems is increasingly called into question.

The result is a shift to more widespread insecurity, where both energy flows and trade infrastructure – things like major container ports, shipping lanes, export terminals and storage facilities – are simultaneously at risk.

Energy is the heart of global supply chains. Manufacturing depends on electricity and fuel, transport relies on oil-based logistics and agriculture depends heavily on natural gas-derived fertilisers. When energy flows are disrupted or become more expensive, the effects propagate across entire networks.

Research on geopolitical crises shows that disruptions to key inputs such as oil and gas quickly translate into broader supply chain instability. This affects production, trade and the availability of goods far beyond the conflict zone. The Iran crisis reflects this dynamic. What begins as disruption in a maritime corridor can become a global economic issue within days.

For decades, global supply chains have been optimised for efficiency. This means that they concentrate sourcing and production in regions that minimise costs. This model has delivered large economic benefits, but it has also created weaknesses in the structure.

The concentration of energy flowing through a single chokepoint such as the strait of Hormuz exemplifies this trade-off. When it is disrupted, the system lacks resilience.

In response, supply chains are likely to accelerate efforts to diversify and invest in alternative energy routes and sources. Countries that are heavily dependent on oil transiting through the Gulf will seek to expand strategic reserves, diversify their import routes and invest in pipelines that bypass maritime chokepoints.

But at the same time, geopolitical instability strengthens the case for renewable energy, electrification and regional energy integration. Expanding solar, wind and green hydrogen capacity reduces exposure to concentrated fossil fuel corridors. And cross-border electricity connections can improve flexibility during shocks. In this sense, resilience is also an energy transition issue.

At the same time, instability in conflict-hit regions can fuel the rise of informal and illegal supply chains, particularly where governance is weakened. These can include things like unregulated oil trading, goods being smuggled through informal maritime routes and labour exploitation hidden within subcontracting chains.

What’s more, supply chains themselves are increasingly shaped by geopolitical forces, as states use trade, energy and logistics networks as instruments of power.

For consumers, this could mean greater price volatility, shortages and reduced choice as firms adjust sourcing strategies in response to sanctions, trade restrictions or security risks. In some cases, it may also mean higher costs over the long term, as businesses prioritise resilience over efficiency.

A turning point for globalisation?

The situation in the strait of Hormuz may mark a turning point in how global supply chains are understood. It has shone a light on a fundamental tension at the heart of globalisation. Efficiency depends on sourcing and production being concentrated in a few locations, but resilience depends on diversification. When critical links in the chain fail, the consequences extend far beyond their immediate location.

This war demonstrates that supply chains are not merely economic systems. They are deeply embedded in geopolitical realities. The challenge ahead is not simply to manage disruption, but to redesign supply chains and energy sources for a world in which geopolitical risk is no longer exceptional, but structural.

Misty Roberts, 43, stands accused of having sex with a teenage boy at a pool party in 2024.

An ex-mayor is accused of having sex with her son’s teenage friend at a pool party – with her children claiming they witnessed the alleged offence.

Misty Roberts, 43, allegedly carried out the offence at a party in 2024 while serving as mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana. Her trial on a charge of third-degree rape began last week following numerous delays, according to local media. Roberts resigned from office in late July 2024, days before she was arrested and charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

Last week, jurors were shown pictures of the party in question, including of children holding drinks by the pool, reports the Mirror. In interviews played to the court, Roberts’ son told investigators he saw his mother having sex with his friend through the crack of a window, while her daughter told investigators she saw her mother and the teenager “on top of each other”, KPLC reports.

However, on Thursday, when both of Roberts’ children took the stand, her son told the court he was not certain what he saw that night. The prosecution presented a text message in which the son appears to tell Roberts: “He is seventeen.” The alleged victim of this case was identified as 16 years old at the time of the alleged offence, according to KPLC.

On Thursday, the defence and prosecution questioned two forensic interviewers who had spoken with children connected to the case. One interviewed three children, including the alleged victim, in July and August 2024. The second interviewed Roberts’ children in March 2025 at the request of the district attorney’s office.

Roberts’ nephew told the court that he used his phone’s camera to see what was happening in the room that night. He testified that he was unsure if he had hit “record”, but said that if he had, the video was never sent to anyone and he has since deleted it from his Snapchat memories.

When the defence asked Roberts’ nephew why he cleared his Snapchat before handing the phone to investigators, he said that he did it because it contained photos of him and his friends drinking, and he was worried about getting in trouble. He said he did not intend to delete any evidence.

None of the three witnesses who testified on Thursday said they saw any “private parts” of Roberts or the alleged victim. One witness said the teenage boy was shirtless.

After the alleged incident, the mother of the alleged victim texted Roberts to make sure she was not pregnant. The court was shown a screenshot of the message in which Roberts replied that she was on birth control.

The court was shown that Roberts sent a screenshot of her conversation with the boy’s mother to a group chat with her friends, who responded by telling her to take Plan B. A DoorDash driver testified that he delivered an emergency contraceptive to Roberts’ house.

The defence suggested in court that a key part of the interview with Roberts’ son was not transcribed. Defence attorney Adam Johnson claimed the interviewer told the boy: “Just say it once, and we can move on.” He also said the transcription notes are unintelligible.

Roberts had appeared in court in early February to enter her plea of not guilty to two felony charges of indecent behaviour with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

In her resignation letter in July 2024, Roberts said: “For nearly 15 years, my love and passion for DeRidder has been my foundation while serving as Mayor. I will forever be proud of what we have been able to accomplish – together. This role has rewarded me with many great relationships.

“I am humbled to have witnessed the hard work that took a community to come together and overcome through unprecedented times. However, I must adjust my focus and priorities. Please accept this letter as my formal resignation, effective today.

“To the residents of this city: Thank you for your trust, love and support in me to lead our city into our future of greatness. My love for DeRidder will never waiver.” Roberts was in the middle of a second term as the city’s mayor, to which she was re-elected in 2022 with sixty per cent of the vote.

DeRidder is a city in Louisiana with a population of just under 10,000 people.

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On Saturday, February 21, Hall Hill Farm, which first opened its doors to the public in 1981, welcomed visitors back, marking the start of a landmark season.

The beloved Lanchester visitor attraction, now headed by Ann Darlington and her son Richard, originated as a simple lambing event.

It has since flourished into an immersive farm experience renowned nationally.

Last year, the farm welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, confirming its popularity as a destination for hands-on farm activities among families.

Over time, Hall Hill Farm has won both regional and national tourism accolades.

In the North East England Tourism Awards in 2025, it was awarded the titles of Large Farm Attraction of the Year and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, further cementing its reputation.

The farm is now hiring guides to join its team.

null (Image: HALL HILL FARM)

A job advertisement on the farm’s wesbite reads: “Would you like to join our award winning team?

“Do you enjoy meeting people, could you handle rabbits and chicks, you will need to have a constant smile whatever the weather, and take pride in providing excellent customer service?

“If you are friendly and outgoing, we would love to hear from you.”

For those interested in part-time roles during the weekends and school holidays, the farm is looking for candidates who love animals, enjoy smiling, and meeting new people.

Duties will include interacting with the public, tending to animals such as rabbits and chicks, some feeding and mucking out, and general cleaning tasks.

Applicants must be able to work approximately 10am to 5pm on Saturdays or Sundays and bank holidays, and must be available for Easter holidays and all bank holiday weekends when the farm is open.

The minimum age for applicants is 16 and forms should be sent to chris@hallhill.co.uk.

First, look at the structure. Traditionally, foams are dense, but dedicated cooling memory foam or hybrid mattresses feature enhanced technology for better temperature regulation.

Look for phrases such as “open cell”, which means the foam may have gaps for air to pass through and “gel beads” or “phase change materials”, which both absorb excess thermal energy to draw it away from the body.

Air flows more freely through pocket sprung mattresses, due to the space between the coils. Some designs also incorporate natural materials, such as wool, to dissipate heat and wick moisture.

Composition is important for the cover, too. Natural fibres, such as cotton, are more breathable than synthetic fabrics. Textiles derived from wood pulp (any described as viscose, bamboo, eucalyptus or Tencel) also tend to be better for temperature regulation.

As for firmness, softer mattresses can trap more heat as you sink into them. For further advice, read our guide on how to choose a mattress.

This is Moroccan-inspired and very good with roast lamb or spicy barbecued mackerel. If you want to have it on its own, yogurt or labneh are good alongside and, of course, flatbread or couscous. It might seem like a hassle to roast the fennel and tomatoes separately but it does make things easier when you assemble the salad. Each element stays intact.

You can use coriander or mint instead of parsley in the dressing, and extend the salad by adding fresh leaves (rocket, watercress or baby spinach). Just note that if you add leaves you’ll need to make more dressing.

These days, gen Z appears to be pivoting towards skilled trades, perhaps driven by a desire for “AI-proof” job security. Many young workers now view blue-collar careers as more stable than office jobs in the face of rapid change.

It’s not just the youngest workers. A growing sense of unease about AI is reshaping how many people think about work. Within younger groups, this shift is showing up in hard numbers. In the UK, hiring of gen Z workers (those born in or after 1997) in construction and trade roles rose by 16.8% in the year to January 2026. The result is what some are calling the “toolbelt generation”.

But elsewhere in the workforce, many professionals are taking a pragmatic approach. Instead of competing with automation, they are learning how to work alongside it. Building fluency with AI tools is increasingly seen as a form of career insurance.

The goal is to move into roles designing, managing or directing AI systems. In that model, technology becomes a force multiplier (that is, it increases productivity), rather than a threat.

This shift is also driven by economics. AI-related skills command a clear premium in the jobs market. Beyond pay, there are other benefits. AI systems are particularly effective at handling repetitive, process-heavy tasks. When those functions are automated, employees can redirect their energy towards strategy, creative problem-solving and higher-value decision-making.

Many find that this shift not only improves productivity but also makes their work more engaging and meaningful.

Importantly, entering the AI space does not always require a computer science degree. Through online learning, bootcamps or just practical experimentation, workers can gain expertise in areas such as prompt engineering, workflow automation or AI application. The barrier to entry is lower than many assume, especially for those who already understand a specific industry.

Industry knowledge is, in fact, a major advantage. Organisations increasingly want people who can bridge domain expertise with technical capability. A healthcare professional who knows what patients need as well as understanding AI tools; a finance specialist who can apply machine learning to risk analysis; or a tradesperson who uses smart systems for efficiency can all bring unique value.

These hybrid profiles are becoming central to how companies integrate AI, creating interdisciplinary roles that did not exist a few years ago.

The flip side: risks and challenges

AI is creating opportunity, but it also brings risks and trade-offs. One of the most immediate challenges is the pace of change. Keeping skills current can feel like trying to hit a moving target. Over time, constantly doing more can lead to fatigue and burnout, particularly in highly competitive environments where staying relevant is tied to job security.

There is also an upfront cost. Transitioning into AI, especially into more technical or advanced positions, can require an investment of time and money before any financial return materialises.

And AI is said to be contributing to a hollowing out of traditional career ladders. Many entry-level roles, once considered stepping stones into industries such as finance or marketing are being automated or cut back. As a result, entry pathways into certain professions may narrow before new ones are established.

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AI could mark the end of young people learning on the job – with terrible results

Finally, working in AI often means grappling with complex ethical and safety questions. Workers must consider issues such as data bias, privacy, transparency and accountability. Decisions made during system design and deployment can have wide-reaching consequences. Navigating these responsibilities requires sound judgement and a clear understanding of these consequences.

Looking ahead

In many sectors, AI is unlikely to eliminate entire professions. Instead, it will reshape them. Tasks will be automated, workflows will evolve and job descriptions will shift. For most professionals, the practical response is not to abandon their field, but to integrate AI into it.

At the same time, technical fluency alone will not be enough. As automation takes over routine and rules-based work, human skills become more important. Critical thinking, judgement, empathy, communication and complex problem-solving remain difficult to replicate with algorithms. The more advanced the technology becomes, the more valuable distinctly human strengths appear to be.

There is also a widening gap across industries. AI is generating new, high-paying roles in areas such as engineering, data science and AI strategy. However, in positions where automation only partially replaces tasks, productivity may increase while wages do not. In some cases, partial automation can stifle pay or reduce opportunities for promotion.

Retraining and career pivoting in the AI age is becoming a mainstream response to structural change. AI is reshaping how work is done across sectors, while opening up new roles that are centred on oversight, integration, strategy and innovation. For many professionals, the question is not whether change is coming but how proactively they choose to respond.

The most resilient path forward is rarely about abandoning your field entirely. More often, it involves layering AI fluency on top of existing expertise. A finance professional who understands automation tools, for example, is better positioned than someone relying on legacy skills alone. In this sense, the objective of retraining is to move closer to the decision-making layer of work.

Ultimately, the AI era is not about a binary choice between optimism and fear. It is about positioning. Retraining and career pivoting are becoming central strategies for navigating this shift with intention rather than reacting after the fact.