Williamson pivoted to human health and nutrition after 15 years working as a vet, studying at King’s College London. There, immersed in the thinking of professor of genetic epidemiology Tim Spector, she learned about the vital role of the human microbiome – the bacteria, fungi and viruses that inhabit our intestines and underpin overall health. Besides bolstering our immune system, this vast, microbial ecosystem breaks down dietary fibre and synthesises essential vitamins, all while crowding out harmful, disease-causing bacteria.

It’s a similar picture in healthy soils, where bacteria and fungi help to unlock nutrients for plant roots. “When farmers aren’t using pesticides, crops have to build their own, natural pest repellents,” explains Williamson, whose book, Soil to Gut, is out this summer. “They do that by making more plant nutrients called polyphenols, and that process depends on soil microbes.”

Human diets rich in polyphenols – a type of antioxidant – have been linked to reduced risks of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s. “They’re rocket fuel for our gut microbes,” Williamson says. “Those microbes then produce vitamins and thousands of beneficial compounds, which impact our health beyond our gut. They balance blood cholesterol and help manage inflammation in the body, which we know contributes to so many modern-day chronic conditions.”

Diets rich in polyphenols – a type of antioxidant – are rocket fuel for our gut microbes

The idea that healthy soils might nurture healthy people isn’t new. In the early 1900s, English botanist and pathologist Sir Albert Howard – a leading light of the then nascent organic farming movement – was working as an agricultural adviser in India when he noticed a pattern. Traditional Indian farming practices produced healthier soils than conventional systems back in his UK homeland. Crops were abundant. Livestock and villages thrived.

Despite today’s resurgence in regenerative farming, modern science has yet to prove a definitive causal link between soil and human health – but it’s catching up. One study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that polyphenols in organically grown fruit and veg could be as much as 60% higher than in non-organic equivalents.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, a ‘food pharmacy’ initiative run by HarvestCare, a company bridging the gap between regenerative farming and healthcare, has been ‘prescribing’ organic food boxes to type 2 diabetes patients. The results of an independent study of HarvestCare’s work by researchers at Leiden University are due later this year, but anecdotal evidence suggests patients have seen health improvements.

Paris St-Germain have asked to postpone their Ligue 1 game against title rivals Lens which is sandwiched between the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.

PSG are scheduled to visit Lens in a top-of-the-table encounter on Saturday, 11 April – three days after hosting Arne Slot’s side and three days before the second leg at Anfield.

Liverpool are set to host Fulham in the Premier League on 11 April.

In response to PSG’s postponement request to France’s Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP), Lens – who are chasing a first league title since 1998 – issued a statement saying they are strongly against the “troubling sentiment” if the fixture was moved to a later date.

Lens added that their domestic league risks being “gradually relegated to the status of an adjustment variable at the whim of the European imperatives of some”.

“Beyond this specific case, the question raised is a more fundamental one: that of the respect due to the competition itself,” a club statement said.

“For one is entitled to wonder when, on its own soil, the league sometimes seems to be relegated to second place behind other ambitions, however legitimate they may be.”

Second-placed Lens currently trail leaders PSG by one point – and Lens head coach Pierre Sage said after Sunday’s 5-1 win over Angers that his side did not agree with a postponement.

In PSG’s previous Champions League tie against Chelsea, Luis Enrique’s side had the weekend off in between the two legs because their game against Nantes was postponed after a similar request. The European champions won 8-2 on aggregate.

Ultimately, the final call is with the LFP, and their stance is they will look to assist French clubs that are playing in Europe.

The LFP also confirmed Strasbourg have requested their league game at Brest on that same weekend to be postponed as it comes in between their Conference League games against Mainz.

PSG have been approached for comment.

Developers Peel Land have been given the go-ahead to restore the Dovecoat building at Hulton Park, an early 19th century structure that has long needed repair.

The proposal, lodged in November last year, was linked to the developer’s plan to build 1,450 homes at Lee Hall along with a link road at Park Avenue.

A heritage statement said: “Hulton Park was formerly the estate of the Hulton family.

“It contains the remnants of an 18th century designed landscape, though its condition has deteriorated since the family vacated in the mid-20th century.

“It is bound to the east by Newbrook Road and residential development at Over Hulton, to the north by the A6, and to the south by existing residential development in the environs of Hag Fold station.

The Dovecoat is found on Hulton Park (Image: Newsquest)

“The western boundary includes residential development and open fields.”

It added: “The Dovecote that is proposed to be repaired and restored is grade II listed. It is a brick structure and dates from the early 19th century.”

The plans to restore the Dovecoat were received and validated by Bolton Council on Monday November 17 last year.

The heritage statement said: “The Dovecote was added to the statutory list in 2005 and comprises an early 19th century red brick structure with a grey slate roof.

“It is octagonal in shape, with a hipped roof and internal nesting boxes.

“It possesses historic and architectural interest as a good example of a dovecote of this period, and for its association with Hulton Hall, which was demolished in 1957.”

The restoration work will include stripping away the roof tiles with each one then to be recorded for re-use before repairs needed on the roof structure are looked at.

The pointing in the brickwork will be carefully raked away by hand before being 100 per cent re-pointed.

Any bricks that need to be replaced will be reclaimed from somewhere else on the Hulton Park the estate. 

Bolton Council announced on Friday March 20 that the restoration plan had been approved.

Iran launched another blistering attack against Israel and American allies in the Gulf on Tuesday after dismissing Donald Trump’s claims that Washington and Tehran were holding “productive” talks to end the war as “fakenews”.

The Israeli military reported a fresh wave of missile attacks, triggering air raid sirens across the country, including Tel Aviv, where blasts from interceptions were heard. Homes in the north were damaged by falling debris. No deaths were reported.

Kuwait also responded to drone and missile attacks overnight, while Saudi Arabia intercepted a wave of more than 20 drones and Bahrain activated alert sirens. Explosions continued to rock Iran through the night, heard in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan and Karaj.

There was no sign of de-escalation after Iran rubbished Donald Trump’s claims that talks towards a ceasefire were ongoing with an unnamed “top person” in Iran.

Administration officials told Politico yesterday that the White House was eyeing Iranian parliament speaker Ghalibaf as a potential US-backed leader, and an Israeli official told Axios that US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were negotiating with him instead of the new supreme leader.

Reassurances were further muddled as a social media account in Ghalibaf’s name said no negotiations have so far taken place, and Iran’s foreign ministry said the regime had not responded to American requests to talk.

Iran and Pakistan discuss war amid speculation around possible peace talks

Amid speculation around possible future talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad, Iran’s foreign ministry says it has held a call with its counterpart in Pakistan.

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Ministers emphasised the importance of safeguarding stability and lasting security in the region, a statement said.

Iran’s president also spoke with the prime minister of Pakistan, exchanging views on regional developments and the consequences of the war, Iranian media reports.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:46

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White House says diplomacy ‘fluid’ – but won’t yet commit to talks timeframe

The White House on Monday was cautious to handle rumours of a forthcoming meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan.

Responding to reports that US vice president JD Vance could lead a US delegation in talks in Islamabad, press secretary Karoline Leavitt would not rule out the possibility – but told reporters to await a formal announcement.

“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press,” she told the BBC.

“This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House.”

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James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:38

Iran has just 1,000 missiles left, estimates Israeli thinktank

An Israeli think tank estimates that Iran could have as few as 1,000 missiles left in its stockpile, having already spent more than half.

The Alma Research Centre estimates that Iran likely had around 1,500 missiles by the end of the 12-day war last summer.

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In the eight months that followed, it likely would have been able to build a further 1,000.

After three weeks of war, it estimates Iran’s arsenal could have fallen back down to 1,000 – even if it can quickly replenish stocks.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:32

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Iran arrests almost 500 accused of ‘stirring public opinion’ amid war

Iran’s police says it arrested 466 individuals accused of ‘stirring public opinion’ and ‘online propaganda in favour of the enemy’, according to the IRNA news agency.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:24

Sirens sounding across Israel as Hezbollah claims rocket attack

Sirens were sounding across Israel’s Acre and the Krayot suburbs of Haifa on Tuesday morning after Hezbollah claimed a rocket attack from Lebanon.

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Israel’s army says it intercepted most of the rockets.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:10

Trump determined to reach deal with Iran, Israeli officials believe

Donald Trump appears to be determined to reach a deal with Iran aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East, three senior Israeli officials said on Tuesday.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that they viewed it as unlikely that Iran would agree to US demands in any new round of negotiations, which broke down with the start of the war at the end of February.

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Those demands were likely to include curbs on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, the sources said.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:04

Major airlines cancel more flights as Middle East conflict escalates

Global air travel remains severely disrupted, with many people still unable to fly as planned to destinations after the Iran war forced the closure of major Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Among the airlines cancelling flights:

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IAG-owned British Airways has extended cancellations of flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31 and to Doha until April 30, while adding flights to Bangkok and Singapore. Flights to Abu Dhabi remain suspended until later this year.

Wizz Air has suspended flights to Israel until March 29, and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Jeddah from mainland European destinations until mid-September.

Qatar Airways said it would operate a revised limited number of flights until March 28.

Etihad Airways said it was operating a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and select destinations.

Emirates said it was operating a reduced flight schedule following a partial reopening of regional airspace.

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Germany’s Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways, has suspended flights to Tel Aviv through April 9, and to Beirut, Dubai, Amman, Erbil and Abu Dhabi until March 28. Flights to Tehran are suspended through April 30 and to Riyadh until April 5.

Air France has cancelled Tel Aviv and Beirut flights until March 28 and Dubai and Riyadh flights until March 24, as well as a March 25 departure from Dubai.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 09:00

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Iran threatens to strike Israeli troops in Gaza

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warn that they will target Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip “without any limit” if Israel targets civilians in Palestinian territories and Lebanon, per IRNA news agency.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 08:47

Watch: Aftermath of Iranian missile barrages in central Israel

James Reynolds24 March 2026 08:30

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Are Washington and Tehran in talks to end the war?

Donald Trump’s claims that the US and Iran were already in talks to end the war were pounced upon by the regime in Tehran, which said the US president was only trying to soothe damaged markets and denied any such conversations had taken place.

Trump said yesterday that negotiators spoke on Sunday and could speak again on Monday, sparking a flurry of market activity and hopes of de-escalation just hours from Trump’s deadline to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face ‘obliteration’.

Iranian officials cited in local media soon said there were no such discussions, before a spokesperson for the foreign ministry put out a statement claiming that while the US had tried to get in touch, Iran had not responded.

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Trump did say in his comments to reporters that he was speaking to a “top person” in Iran and did not acknowledge new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei as leader, indicating the US might not be going through the official channels.

An Israeli official told Axios that Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was negotiating with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, before Trump administration officials told Politico that Ghalibaf was being eyed for a future leadership role, supported by the US.

A social media account in Ghalibaf’s name on Monday afternoon said that no negotiations have been held with the US, claiming “fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets”.

James Reynolds24 March 2026 08:10

Danes are voting in a general election called early by the country’s prime minister, in apparent hopes of exploiting public support for her firm stance on Greenland.

Mette Frederiksen, 48, is hoping to secure a third term in office for her centre-left Social Democrat party in Tuesday’s poll, which she called several months before she had to.

Her popularity, which has faded during her second term, has been boosted by her refusal to bow to US President Donald Trump’s pressure over the ownership of the kingdom’s semi-autonomous territory.

Hoping to unseat her are two opponents from the centre-right, one of whom, Liberal Party candidate Troels Lund Poulsen, is defence minister in Ms Frederiksen’s coalition government.

The other, Alex Vanopslagh, of the Liberal Alliance, recently admitted he took cocaine earlier in his time as party leader, which may have dented his chances.

The anti-immigration Danish People’s Party looks well-placed to bounce back from a very weak showing at the last election in 2022.

No single party is expected to win a majority under Denmark’s system of proportional representation, meaning another coalition from either the leftist “red bloc” or right-wing “blue bloc” is the likeliest outcome, possibly after lengthy negotiations.

Ms Frederiksen’s outgoing three-party administration was the first in decades to straddle the political divide.

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From January: Why Trump backed down on Greenland

Greenland, which took up much of the government’s energy in recent months, hasn’t been prominent in the campaign because there is broad agreement on its place in the kingdom.

Ms Frederiksen warned in January that an American takeover of the vast Arctic island, a proposal heavily criticised by Denmark’s European allies, would mean the end of NATO.

The crisis has since receded, as Washington joined talks with Denmark and Greenland over an Arctic security deal.

Read more on Sky News:
Iran attacks Tel Aviv and Gulf states
Russia launches wave of strikes on Ukraine
Why this video is freaking out Hollywood

More than 4.3 million people are eligible to vote for the new Folketing, or parliament, in Copenhagen, which is elected for a four-year term.

The single-chamber body has 179 seats, with two each representing Greenland and Denmark’s other semi-autonomous territory, the Faroe Islands.

Petrol and diesel have risen in cost again, new figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero show.

On 16 March, the average price of unleaded petrol at pumps in the UK was 140.28p per litre. For diesel, the average price stood at 158.78p per litre.

Today, the department announced the average price on 23 March was 144.16p for unleaded and 166.88p for diesel.

That is a weekly rise of 3.9p for unleaded and 8.1p for diesel.

The rise in fuel prices comes amid the continued energy crisis sparked by the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Tehran is blockading the Strait of Hormuz, stopping the flow of oil through a vital shipping route leaving the Middle East.

However, motorists should not drive slower nor buy fuel differently because of the oil crisis, an energy minister has said.

Michael Shanks said British drivers did not need to change their habits, despite suggestions from the International Energy Agency (IEA) aimed at conserving fuel.

The IEA has advised motorists across the world to reduce their speed on highways, share rides and work from home when possible to reduce how much petrol or diesel they use.

Asked by Times Radio if British drivers should change their habits, Mr Shanks was a told the broadcaster: “They should do everything as absolutely normal because there is no shortage of fuel anywhere in the country at the moment.

“We monitor this every single day, I look at the numbers personally. There’s no issue at all with that.”

The minister added: “People should go about their business as normal. That’s what the RAC and the AA have said. It’s really important people do that.

“There’s no shortage of fuel and everything is working as normal.”

Jane Ashton, head of music and entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “This is such a special fundraiser for us as Oasis have been huge supporters of the charity for almost 25 years, and we’re so very grateful to them for choosing us to receive the proceeds from the first edition, as well as be associated with such an iconic tour and product.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Danish voters went to the polls Tuesday in a general election, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seeking a third term at the helm of the Scandinavian country after a standoff with U.S. President Donald Trump over the future of the kingdom’s semiautonomous territory of Greenland.

More than 4.3 million people are eligible to have their say in the vote for the new Folketing, or parliament, in Copenhagen, which is elected for a four-year term.

Frederiksen called the election in February, several months before she had to in apparent hopes that her resolute image in the crisis over Greenland would help her with voters in the European Union and NATO member country.

In her second term, her support had waned as the cost of living rose — something that, along with pensions and a potential wealth tax, has been a prominent campaign issue.

The 48-year-old center-left Social Democrat is known for strong support of Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion and for a restrictive approach to migration — continuing a tradition in Danish politics that now goes back two decades.

Seeking to counter pressure from the right and pointing to a possible surge in migration because of the Iran war, Frederiksen announced proposals this month that include a potential “emergency brake” on asylum and tighter controls on criminals who lack legal residence. Her government had already unveiled a plan to allow the deportation of foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year in prison for serious crimes.

Two center-right challengers hope to oust Frederiksen as prime minister. One is in her current government — Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen of the Liberal, or Venstre, party, which headed several recent administrations.

The other is Alex Vanopslagh, 34, of the opposition Liberal Alliance, which calls for lower taxes and less bureaucracy, and for Denmark to abandon its refusal to use nuclear power. But a recent admission from Vanopslagh to taking cocaine earlier in his time as party leader may have dented his chances.

Further to the right, the anti-immigration Danish People’s Party looks well-placed to bounce back from a very weak showing at the last election in 2022.

No single party is expected to come anywhere near winning a majority. Denmark’s system of proportional representation typically produces coalition governments, traditionally made up of several parties from either the “red bloc” on the left or the “blue bloc” on the right, after weeks of negotiations.

Frederiksen’s outgoing three-party administration was the first in decades to straddle the political divide. It remains to be seen whether this election will result in a repeat, with the centrist Moderate party of Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen possibly acting as the kingmaker.

Greenland, which took up much of the government’s energy in recent months, hasn’t been a significant issue in the campaign because there is broad agreement on its place in the kingdom.

Frederiksen warned in January that an American takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of NATO. But the crisis has simmered down, at least for now.

After Trump backed down on threats to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries that opposed the U.S. taking control of the vast Arctic island, the U.S., Denmark and Greenland started technical talks on an Arctic security deal.

Denmark’s single-chamber parliament has 179 seats. Of those, 175 go to lawmakers from Denmark itself and two each for representatives from thinly populated Greenland and the kingdom’s other semiautonomous territory, the Faroe Islands.

___

Moulson reported from Berlin.

Madonna has recreated an iconic scene from the “Like A Virgin” music video with the help of Hollywood actor Julia Garner.

The pair sat in a Gondola as they lip-synced the words to the pop star’s 1984 hit, which features the singer riding down a canal in Venice on one the iconic boats.

“Like A Virgin……again and again,” the 67-year-old wrote as she shared the clip on Instagram on Monday (23 March).

Madonna and Garner are both in the city to film for season two of the AppleTV+ series The Studio. Garner is also set to play the pop princess in a potential biopic, though in September 2025, the actor confirmed the film remains a “work in progress”.

Andy Murray retired from tennis in 2024 and has been spending more time on the fairways instead of at home

Andy Murray was spotted on the golf course with wife Kim Sears at the weekend, breaking a rule that he believes she set for their relationship.

The former tennis great previously said he believes his wife prefers him to be out of the house and on the fairways himself. Sears’ appearance on the course alongside their dog Bonnie therefore goes against the rule he claimed on the Romesh Ranganathan Show.

Discussing how his wife feels about his consistent appearances on the golf course, Murray said: “I don’t think she wants me in the house all day bothering her, to be honest. So, yeah, she’s fine with it, so long as I help drop-off and pick-up [the kids to and from school].

“I don’t think she massively wants to see me during the day. [At least] That’s what I think.”

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It seems that the pair were enjoying a child-free date at the weekend as Murray posted a photo to his Instagram story of Kim sitting on the fairways grinning. The ex-tennis star’s partner posed for the camera alongside Bonnie with some casual wear on, including a hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a pair of sunglasses.

Murray put one red love heart emoji above the picture, showcasing his love for his partner and his pet. The pair share four children together – Sophia, ten, Edie, seven, Teddie, five, and Lola, four.

However, the couple look to have sent their kids elsewhere as they enjoyed a quiet weekend together. Murray has been enjoying sharpening his golf game since retiring from tennis and admits he has considered a career switch.

He said: “I’m considering becoming a golf caddie, hopefully for a professional golfer at some stage. I love golf and if you love that sport, it would be a great job.

“If you are working with a top golfer and being there when they have a great moment on the course, and feeling like you can help a little bit with decisions and things like that, I think it would be a brilliant job.”

In fact, Murray also seems to want to test himself on the greens as well. He added: “I want to try and play in the regional qualifying [of The Open] at some stage.

“A couple of my friends have done it, and it would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that, I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for The Open.

“I’m fully aware of how good the players that play in those events are and how good the pros are in comparison to amateurs. Even guys that play off +2, 3 [handicap] are miles off what these guys are.”

It seems that wife Kim would support her husband in pursuing a golf career, especially if his words are anything to go by in terms of getting peace and quiet at home.