“Air purifiers are definitely beneficial, particularly for airborne allergies,” says Dr Costa, who formerly ran paediatric allergy services for a major NHS hospital. “The air purifier will collect and remove small particles from the air, reducing your exposure to things that could potentially be harmful.”

But he is clear that not all air purifiers perform to the same standard. “The effectiveness of using an air purifier depends on the quality of the device,” he says. “Not all of them are the same and not all filter out the smallest particles that can cause particular problems, such as cat dander. It is also important you use them alongside any medical treatment recommended by your doctor.”

While most air purifiers will filter out the most problematic small particles (called PM 2.5 and PM 10), some also clear even tinier particles (PM 1), as well as smoke and chemicals known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air.

Some of the best air purifiers also have extra features like cooling fans, warming heaters, dehumidifier functions and Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you can control the device from an app on your smartphone.

“Unfortunately, further work is required to ensure the high level station is safe for trains to operate. Our priority is to make sure that we can reopen Glasgow Central as soon as it is safe to do so and we will continue to work with emergency services, the local council and our train operators to restore services.

When the sirens sounded around the city of Beit Shemesh on the second day of the war, Rabbi Yitzhak Biton suggested to his son they find a safe space at home rather than go to the nearest shelter.

But Yaakov felt worried and preferred to go.

Follow live updates on war in Middle East

He and his two younger sisters, Avigail and Sarah, headed out for the shelter beneath the local synagogue. Their parents stayed in the house.

Three minutes later, the missile hit.

“There was a tremendous explosion and an enormous blast wave,” Biton remembers. “The ceiling fell in, the windows flew out, everything collapsed. It was a miracle we survived.”

The synagogue was destroyed and in flames.

Biton waited as rescue workers slowly began to bring out bodies. Eventually the police asked him to leave.

“We waited at home until they came to take a DNA sample. Then I understood where this was going.”

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Missile strike devastates Israeli town

School and synagogue razed

Nine people were killed at the missile strike on Beit Shemesh, including Yitzhak Biton’s three teenage children.

A school and a synagogue were razed to the ground. It was the deadliest strike on Israel since the war began.

We meet Biton and his wife, Tamar, sitting shiva, the Jewish seven-day mourning ceremony, in a Jerusalem hotel.

A steady stream of visitors come to sit with the family and offer their condolences. Their one remaining child, four-year-old Rachel, chases around the lobby on a scooter.

“The girl understands and knows, she sees the change,” Biton says, “but she is coping with it bravely. She knows they have gone to a higher place.”

Faith has helped the couple cope. Tamar does not wish to be interviewed but smiles beatifically for a photograph.

Read more from Sky News:
The impact of war on your finances
Why it took so long to deploy UK warship

Rabbi prefers to talk about children

Her husband is happy to talk to us about his children but as a religious man, he will not be drawn on politics or the decision his government made to attack Iran which has come at such terrible cost to his family.

“I do not interfere in such matters,” he says.

“They were very very special. But I understand that everything is according to the will of the Creator. It is known that in war, in the end, everyone comes out losing. There is no war in which a person comes out a real winner.

“Sometimes the victor is the defeated one.”

Public attention on grooming gangs has often centred on the north of England, but last month’s BBC investigation revealed a complex picture in London, with gangs from a range of ethnic backgrounds, including white, operating widely in the capital and frequently exploiting young women.

I hope this can mark a new chapter for the town

I was only two years old when Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were killed in Soham by the evil Huntley. I don’t remember it, but it’s always something that I remember being spoken about over the years. Especially living in Cambridgeshire, it was something I always knew happened just down the road.

Huntley died in hospital on Saturday (March 7) after being attacked in prison and as soon as my shift started on Monday, I headed out to Soham to speak to people in the aftermath.

We wanted to speak to the people of Soham and hear their perspective, both on the death, but also how it impacts their town, which has been “haunted” by the tragedy. I went into it apprehensive, as I knew it was a sensitive topic for people in the area.

It took a while for me to find people happy to speak. I tried knocking on doors and talking to people in the high street. For some, it was clear they didn’t want to talk as soon as I explained what the topic of conversation would be.

This was totally understandable, it’s not a nice thing to talk about and the impact on the town was clear immediately. For the people who were comfortable talking to me, they were still apprehensive, but they made their thoughts clear.

They said Huntley was a horrible man and his death was something people were happy about. On the flip side though it was immensely clear how sad people were that his evil crimes were what Soham was known for.

With his death, the town and families affected have been pushed into the spotlight once again. The final thought now that Huntley is dead, they just want the town to be able to move on.

While out in the town I walked to Soham Village College where Huntley worked at the time of the murders. The school was set back, but as I looked at its pretty building through the gates, I felt sad.

I looked around and it really hit me that these are the roads he walked, these are the grounds he worked on and this was also the place where he dumped the poor girls’ clothes. I felt sad. So many young people have since come and gone from this school, but it is his murderous crimes that the school is most known for.

After seeing the school, I walked around to College Close, where Huntley used to live. I understand that his house was demolished not long after the girls’ deaths but when I walked around to the road, I didn’t realise how close it was, as it backs onto the school.

I also saw a sign for the Ross Peers Sports Centre, the place the girls were supposed to go to get sweets that tragic night. I felt even more sad and couldn’t imagine what it was like to live in this town at the time.

Hearing from people how much this murder affected such a lovely town, the pain was obvious. It’s clear this town has been hurting since 2002.

Two innocent girls had their lives taken away by an evil man. Now that he’s dead, I hope the town can move on.

The letter, coordinated by campaign group Culture Unstained, comes amid reports that the museum has removed the word “Palestine” from several of its gallery displays.

Last month, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raised concerns about references to Palestine in the British Museum’s displays, claiming that this risked “obscuring the history of Israel and the Jewish people”.

According to UKLFI, the museum has since changed panels in its Egypt galleries to replace “Palestinian descent” with “Canaanite descent”.

The letter described amending these displays as an “act of historical revision and potential erasure”, and said: “The British Museum (must) avoid complicity in genocide, either through its representation of Palestinians and their history or by providing direct support to those that perpetrate or profit from that genocide.”

It also took aim at the British Museum’s director, Nicholas Cullinan, and said: “(He) is reported to be ‘disgusted’ by these media reports – but many are more disgusted by his museum’s indefensible decision to host a private party for the Israeli Embassy last year while the fugitive Israeli Prime Minister is charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

“Many are also disgusted that his museum continues to partner with BP, a company that has profited from its supplying of fuel to the Israeli military throughout the bombing, violence and destruction in Gaza.

“The museum has ignored repeated calls to remove BP’s name from the museum’s lecture theatre.”

The British Museum renewed its sponsorship with BP in 2023, having signed a 10-year-long £50 million deal with the firm to help fund its redevelopment.

The oil company has faced controversy as it owns and operates the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which supplies Israel with crude oil.

The letter, which has also been signed by musician Brian Eno, called for the museum to “make its position clear” regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, and to express “clear and unequivocal solidarity with the Palestinian people”.

It also pushed for the museum to issue a statement apologising for its relationship with BP and to remove its name from the BP Lecture Theatre sign which it has on display.

The letter also said the British Museum should apologise for hosting a private event for the Israeli Embassy last year, and should recognise the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry which condemned the actions of Israel’s government.

It also advised the museum to consult with experts about how it presents Palestinian culture, including the “correct labelling of historic Palestinian artefacts as a necessary step towards returning them to their rightful owners”.

A British Museum spokesperson previously said: “It has been reported that the British Museum has removed the term Palestine from displays. It is simply not true.

“We continue to use Palestine across a series of galleries, both contemporary and historic.”

The British Museum has been contacted for comment.

Ellis was a major hit for Channel 5 when it first aired in 2024 but its series two debut proved to be “uninspiring”.

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Ellis series two has launched and it appears that fans have been expressing the same sentiment about the new season.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Ellis.

When it first premiered in October 2024, Ellis garnered glowing praise from Channel 5 audiences as straight-talking DCI Ellis (played by Sharon D Clarke) travels across the country assisting local police forces tackling challenging cases.

Therefore fans were eager for its comeback with Ellis launching its second series tonight, Tuesday, March 10, with the opening episode centring on the killing of a generous businessman.

Peter Barron (James Doran) had introduced a fresh programme to support young offenders by giving them jobs at a garden centre but not everyone in the community was pleased with the venture.

It wasn’t long before DCI Ellis and DS Chet Harper (Andrew Gower) were summoned as Peter was discovered dead at his property, launching this week’s case.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

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Despite its earlier success, it wasn’t long before fans began voicing complaints about the opening episode of Ellis series two.

“I am not as gripped by the new episode so far,” a viewer remarked.

Another concurred: “Disappointed. Loved the last series, but this has got off to a rather wooden and uninspiring series two.”

A third shared: “New to this but it seems very cliched. Will try and stick with it but so far it’s like it has been written from a kit.”

Another remarked: “Don’t really think much this programme,” whilst someone else commented: “That didn’t really feel like an ‘end of episode one’ scene in #Ellis.

“I suspect this was originally intended to be broadcast as a single two-hour story like the first series, rather than split in two.”

However, some were delighted to see the drama’s comeback, with one fan noting: “Good to have #Ellis back, I’ve been looking forward to it.”

The second series of Ellis will comprise four episodes altogether, with the run divided into two separate investigations. Viewers will be able to discover what became of Peter Barron tomorrow evening, Wednesday, 11 March.

Following this, Ellis will return with a fresh storyline on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18.

Ellis season two continues on Wednesday, March 11, at 9pm on Channel 5.

Manchester City take on Real Madrid tonight in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.

Manchester City return to Spain tonight when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at the Bernabeu. The Blues enter the game full of confidence after beating Newcastle 3-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday night. That team was heavily changed with the midweek clash in mind.

Erling Haaland did not travel to St James’ Park, sparking fears he could miss the game against Real. The Norway international did not travel to Leeds due to a minor ankle issue but he did play against Nottingham Forest last Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola said after the game against Newcastle he wanted Haaland to rest as he monitors his recovery. MEN Sport has rounded up the latest injury news and return dates from the City camp ahead of tonight’s big game.

Erling Haaland

Injury: Knock

Haaland took part in first-team training on Tuesday ahead of the clash with Real Madrid. He has travelled with the squad to Spain for tonight’s match.

Potential return date: March 11 vs Real Madrid

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Ankle

It has been a frustrating season for Kovacic after suffering an ankle injury in October. Guardiola confirmed the midfielder would be back for the latter stages of the campaign and was training with the squad ahead of the trip to Madrid.

Potential return date: March/April

Max Alleyne

Injury: Knock

Alleyne has not been in the squad since the victory over Salford in the FA Cup. He picked up a knock in that game but did feature in first-team training on Tuesday before the trip to Real Madrid.

Potential return date: March

Josko Gvardiol

Injury: Leg

Gvardiol is a long-term absentee for City having fractured his leg in the January draw with Chelsea. The defender is in a race against the clock to be back before the end of the season and this summer’s World Cup.

Potential return date: May/June

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — The bishop of a small Chaldean Catholic community in the San Diego area has resigned amid charges that he embezzled $270,000 from his parish, Pope Leo XIV announced Tuesday.

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta pleaded not guilty on Monday to 16 felony charges, including money laundering, during a hearing attended by many of his supporters. The hearing followed his arrest Thursday at San Diego International Airport as he was trying to leave the country, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

Shaleta, 69, is accused of embezzling from the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, east of San Diego.

Last August, someone from Shaleta’s church provided a statement and documentation “showing potential embezzlement from the church,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The Vatican said in its daily bulletin Tuesday that Leo had accepted Shaleta’s resignation under the code of canon law for Eastern Rite churches, which allows for the pope to agree if a bishop asks to step down. It also said Iraqi Cardinal Louis Sako retired as patriarch of the global Chaldean Catholic Church, saying he wishes to pursue “prayer, writing and simple service.” It’s unclear if his retirement is connected to Shaleta’s case.

Leo actually accepted Shaleta’s resignation in February, but it wasn’t announced until this week, according to the Vatican embassy in Washington. The Holy See appears to have waited to announce the decision to avoid interfering with the police investigation.

Prosecutor Joel Madero said the allegations against Shaleta are connected to monthly rental payments of more than $30,000 from a tenant of the church’s social hall that allegedly were missing. He said there were discrepancies in church accounts and that Shaleta “provided completely unreasonable tales of where that money was going.”

The judge set bail at $125,000 and seized Shaleta’s passport. Madero said Shaleta was a flight risk, but the bishop’s attorney said Thursday’s flight had been planned for a while. Authorities didn’t say where he was headed.

During a Feb. 22 Mass, Shaleta addressed allegations against him, saying he has never “abused any penny of the church money.”

“On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly,” he said at the time.

Shaleta’s attorney, Sharon Appelbaum, said she planned to show that the allegations were false. The priests of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle released a statement expressing solidarity with Shaleta.

Shaleta could face 15 years in prison if convicted on all charges, the district attorney’s office said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 27.

On Tuesday, the El Cajon parish church’s doors were closed and its parking lot was empty. Leo named Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop as a temporary administrator.

Shaleta was ordained a priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Detroit in 1984. He was named to the San Diego branch of the Eastern Rite Catholic Church in the U.S. in 2017.

The Chaldean Catholic Church represents more than a million Aramaic-speaking Christians who are primarily from Iraq. While its beliefs align with Roman Catholic doctrine, including the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, the church maintains its own distinct, ancient Eastern traditions and identity.

Sako, 76, said in a statement that he freely offered his resignation to Pope Leo XIV, who granted it, and that he was leaving “of my own will.” As the head of the global Chaldean Catholic Church, he occasionally clashed with Iraq’s political leaders.

The Chaldean Community Foundation estimates there are about 500,000 members in the U.S. with the largest concentration — about 187,000 — in the Detroit area, and the rest concentrated in California and Arizona.

Sako’s retirement “will give a chance for new leadership to emerge, hopefully, a younger leader who brings new life into the community,” said the Rev. Mark Morozowich, who heads the Center for Ukrainian Church Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington.

The bishop, meanwhile, is the “spiritual father” of the diocese, and Shaleta’s resignation is likely to cause turmoil beyond his Southern California parish.

“A bishop facing such serious allegations is a sad moment in the history of these wonderful Christians who are a small community that has historically suffered a lot under Iraqi occupation,” he said.

___

This story was corrected to reflect that Shaleta faces 16 felony charges, not 17, which the sheriff’s office reported.

___

Weber and Bharath reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press reporters Nicole Winfield in Rome and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Only one place in the UK was cheaper than renting in Northern Ireland with letting in the city slightly more expensive

Competition for rental homes has fallen to its lowest level for the month of February in six years, according to a property website.

Zoopla said the average number of inquiries per property was 4.8 in February, down from 6.5 last year, meaning fewer renters typically competing for each home.

It marks the lowest level in the month of February since February 2020, when there were around 4.2 inquiries per rental home.

Zoopla said this was “clear evidence” of the rental market becoming more balanced after a peak in competition seen in 2022 and 2023, with improved mortgage conditions having helped more renters to buy their first home.

UK rents for new lets increased by 1.9% over the year to January, reaching £1,319 on average across the UK the website said. In Northern Ireland average rent was £831, up by 8.4%. In Belfast rent averaged at £847, up by 7.6% making it the most cheapest place to rent in the UK regions surveyed – apart from the North East of England at £770, a rise of 4.2%.

The report said: “Rental growth remains stronger in more affordable northern markets where rents are lower. Cities such as Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow are still recording stronger increases of 3% to 4.6%.”

Zoopla said it expected rents to increase by around 2% to 3% on average across the UK during 2026.

Its rental market index is based on asking rents and adjusted to reflect achieved rents.

Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “Market conditions for renters are the best they have been for six years.

“The rental market is moving back towards balance as demand cools and more homes become available to rent.

“Renters are facing less competition for homes and slower rent increases than in recent years. Localised changes in demand and supply are resulting in rents falling in some cities but this will be only a short-lived trend.

“However, supply remains well below pre-pandemic levels, which means increasing the number of rental homes remains key to improving affordability for the UK renters over the long-term.”

Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, said: “More balance has returned across the UK but in the capital, where renting is twice as common, there is still a notable lack of supply in many areas that is pushing rents higher.”

Meanwhile, calculations from property firm Savills indicated that the value of the UK’s private rented sector fell by £48 billion in 2025, while the value of owner-occupied housing stock increased by £185billion.

The value of the private rented sector has shrunk for three years in a row, according to Savills’ calculations, with the value of homes falling by a total of £79 billion since 2022, as increased house prices have failed to offset the loss of stock.

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, said: “Over the past 25 years, we’ve grown accustomed to a story of the private rented sector expanding at the expense of people’s ability to get onto the housing ladder.

“But while deep-seated housing challenges remain, lighter regulation in the mortgage market and tighter oversight of the private rented sector are gradually beginning to shift that narrative.

“Changes in tenancy legislation, higher operating costs and increased mortgage rates have prompted many private landlords to reassess their portfolios.

“Larger landlords, better equipped to absorb added costs and requirements, have taken on some of this stock, contributing to a more professionalised PRS (private rented sector). But others have been sold to owner-occupiers, reducing the sector’s overall size.”

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of property professionals’ body Propertymark, said: “We currently have a rental landscape where demand for properties continues to outstrip available stock.

“When looking at the latest data available, Propertymark members report a near 7% increase in the number of landlords who have chosen to sell their properties year-on-year.”

Here are average monthly rents in regions, nations and a selection of major cities in January and the annual change, according to Zoopla:

• East Midlands, £925, 1.4%
• East of England, £1,251, 1.9%
• London, £2,187, 1.7%
• North East, £770, 4.2%
• North West, £958, 3.0%
• Northern Ireland, £831, 8.4%
• Scotland, £878, 1.8%
• South East, £1,397, 1.9%
• South West, £1,147, 2.6%
• Wales, £941, 2.3%
• West Midlands, £972, 0.3%
• Yorkshire and the Humber, £866, 1.5%
• Belfast, £847, 7.6%
• Birmingham, £998, minus 0.7%
• Bristol, £1,431, 0.8%
• Cardiff, £1,193, 2.6%
• Edinburgh, £1,323, 2.0%
• Glasgow, £1,030, 3.7%
• Leeds, £1,024, 0.8%
• Liverpool, £915, 4.6%
• Manchester, £1,167, 1.6%
• Nottingham, £992, minus 0.8%
• Sheffield, £861, 0.9%
• Southampton, £1,194, 2.1%

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