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I Hate This Place review – comic book survival horror

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I Hate This Place review - comic book survival horror
I Hate This Place – you’re not going to love this game (Broken Mirror Games)

A descent into Hell sounds like typical survival horror fare but this indie game based on a comic book is very different to Resident Evil and Silent Hill.

Comic books have been an inspiration for films, TV shows, and video games for a long time now. Inventive plots, artfully designed visuals, and characters that already have texture and backstory make them excellent prospects for conversion to complementary media. Although I Hate This Place is not a particularly well known comic series, its 80s horror aesthetic is very much in tune with Stranger Things, whose New Year finale is still fresh in many minds.

This video game adaptation begins with heroine Elena, and her friend Lou, trying to summon an evil god called The Horned Man, in the hope that he can help shed light on the death of Elena’s mother several years earlier. When Lou suddenly vanishes, Elena goes looking for her, walking past graffiti surrounded by candles, whose large letters simply say ‘RUN’ – it’s advice players themselves might be advised to follow. Ignoring it, she discovers the entrance to an abandoned bunker, where she suspects her friend may be hiding.

Instead, what she discovers seems to be the beginning of the path to Hell, populated by savage blind monsters, who are drawn to the slightest sound. Creeping about in a half crouch you can limit the noise of your footsteps and make your way around them, a process that’s hampered by expanses of broken glass and endless bloody coils of cartoon viscera that squelch underfoot, attracting exactly the wrong kind of attention.

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Presented in isometric view, I Hate This Place makes a decent first impression, its comic book art style working well within the constrictions imposed by its gameplay. Footfalls are accompanied by THUDs emerging from Elena’s feet, CRUNCHes as you cross fields of broken glass, and SQUELCHes when negotiating the guts that, for some reason, adorn large portions of its floors.

Although crouch walking lets you ease past the underworld’s sound sensitive denizens, straying even slightly over floor-based obstacles is a shortcut to a fight. That’s best avoided where possible, since even basic enemies are relentless bullet sponges, taking two or more refills of your snub-nosed revolver, or a couple of nail bombs before they finally keel over, and you rarely emerge from those encounters unscathed.

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The game’s survival horror leanings mean ammunition is initially scarce, but once you find a workbench you’re able to craft bullets and new weapons using the looted bric-a-brac you find absolutely everywhere. You soon craft a sawn-off shotgun, which is more effective than the pistol, and a lot more useful than Elena’s baseball bat – which is only really good for breaking crates and barrels, and dispatching the smallest variety of giant spider you find in the woods.

To bolster the already significant supply of raw materials you scavenge, Elena constructs what amounts to manufacturing facilities in the grounds of her aunt’s ranch, which has conveniently been built right next to all the supernatural goings on. Why anyone would choose to live somewhere so desolate is never adequately explained, but then few things are in I Hate This Place, a game that feels tragically undercooked on almost every level.

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Combat is the most obvious failing. Enemies’ capacity for absorbing damage, and your somewhat removed viewpoint, make weapons seem feeble. Once a monster detects you – often after you’ve tripped over a hazard that wasn’t visible from your isometric vantage point – you can attempt to toss an old can to distract it, but the throwing mechanics are so poorly engineered it’s an unreliable technique, especially under pressure.

Dialogue is stilted and unnatural, a sense made worse by second rate voice-acting – even Gal Gadot manages to inject more humanity and charm into her roles. The plot and Elena’s motivations within it are just as opaque, and you’ll regularly find yourself wondering just what you’re meant to be doing, strolling aimlessly around a forest whose day and night cycle seems to make almost no difference.

Side quests are equally half-baked. You’ll head off on a mission on someone’s behalf only to have it peter out with no particular reward or sense of closure. If there is a heart to the game, it’s crafting, with Elena’s elaborately convoluted Beverley Hillbillies-meet-Satisfactory production lines taking up increasing expanses of her aunt’s front garden.

But even that feels like an odd thing for a teenager to be doing when her friend’s missing and she’s notionally meant to be investigating her mother’s death. It also produces such a profusion of weapons and ammunition that any sense of survival horror tension is made impossible.

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If I Hate This Place has an upside, it’s that its mercifully short, the closing credits arriving in under eight hours, depending on how immersed you get in those production lines. It does have some interesting ideas, and stealth games are a lot less common these days than they used to be, but when implementation is this haphazard it’s hard to eke out much enjoyment from it.

I Hate This Place review summary

In Short: A sorely underdeveloped, crafting-orientated survival horror game, whose neat comic book art style isn’t enough to compensate for sub-par combat and storytelling.

Pros: There’s fun to be had with the weirdly involved crafting production, and the comic book aesthetic looks good. Some atmospheric sound design.

Cons: Weak combat, clumsy controls, bad script and voice-acting, and frustrating stealth gameplay. Fixed camera angles make exploration fiddly and noise-making traps are often invisible. Not scary.

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Score: 4/10

Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Price: £24.99
Publisher: Broken Mirror Games
Developer: Rock Square Thunder
Release Date: 29th January 2026
Age Rating: 16

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I Hate This Place screenshot in the dark
The visual sound effects are cute (Broken Mirror Games)

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Does Carney Chukwuemeka show the demise of a 90-minute player?

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Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Barrow

Carney Chukwuemeka’s name was trending all over social media this week.

Had the Borussia Dortmund midfielder scored a worldie? Maybe he had produced an outrageous piece of skill?

It was a little bit stranger than that.

The former Aston Villa and Chelsea midfielder has now made 97 senior appearances across all competitions – but has never played a full 90 minutes.

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The 22-year-old made his debut for Villa on the final day of the 2020-21 Premier League season against Tottenham.

He has started 18 games but always been subbed off. The closest he has got to a full game is the 82nd minute, twice.

That was in a 4-1 loss for Chelsea at Manchester United in May 2023, and a 1-1 draw for Dortmund at Hamburg in November 2025.

His other 79 matches have all been from the bench.

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The breakdown of his games is 16 for Villa, 32 for Chelsea and 49 with Dortmund since his move in 2024.

This should be no slight on the player’s ability, with Dortmund boss Niko Kovac describing him as “sensationally good”.

“The way he takes the ball and carries it, the way he immediately turns in the direction of play, that is really unique,” Kovac said after a 6-0 win over Union Berlin last year.

“He has very good acceleration and technique. The boy will give us joy.”

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What does this tell us about the modern game with five substitutes?

Do any other players come close, or is Chukwuemeka an exception?

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Police hunt for Steven David Green in East Yorkshire

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Police hunt for Steven David Green in East Yorkshire

Steven David Green, 47, is wanted for failing to comply with court requirements following his release from prison partway through a sentence for sexual assault, North Yorkshire Police has said.

Extensive enquiries have been carried out by police to find Green, who also has connections in Newcastle and Liverpool.


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The force said: “As part of those enquiries we are appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows where he is now, to get in touch.

“Green previously lived in Newcastle and is believed to be in the North East area, however, he is originally from Liverpool, where he has connections.

“He also has connections to the Hull/Humberside area.”

Those with an immediate sighting of Green have been urged to contact police on 999.

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For non-urgent calls, please contact 101.

Please quote reference number 12260043991 when passing on information.

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Man declared fit to stand trial charged with attempted murder of three children in Dublin attack | World News

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Police at the scene of the attacks in Dublin in November 2023. Pic: PA

A judge has decided a man is fit to stand trial charged with attempting to murder three children in Dublin.

Riad Bouchaker, 52, of no fixed abode, is accused of an attack at Parnell Square East on 23 November 2023, hours before a riot broke out in the capital.

At a hearing on Friday, at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Tony Hunt considered medical and psychiatric evidence, including from two consultant forensic psychiatrists working for the defence and prosecution, who disagreed about whether Bouchaker should stand trial.

The judge said both psychiatrists accepted that the accused had a neurocognitive disorder arising from neurosurgery in 2021 before the incident, and a subsequent brain injury sustained in 2023.

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Riots erupt after Dublin stabbing in November 2023

Mr Justice Hunt said the accused had sufficient understanding of his situation and the proceedings, had demonstrated ability to provide a coherent and consistent account, could understand the evidence and had the ability to offer a defence.

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He said this could be done with “reasonable accommodations” to the proceedings, but the matter would remain “under review” as the trial progresses.

The judge said Bouchaker “undoubtedly had cognitive limitations” but was “currently fit to stand trial”.

He added that any difficulties could be tackled without undermining the fairness of the process or the ability of the accused to take part.

Read more from Sky News:
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Bouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and a boy, and assault causing serious harm to a care worker.

He also faces three counts of assault causing harm to two other children and a woman in her 30s, as well as a charge of possession and production of a 36cm kitchen knife. He has not yet entered pleas.

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Sky’s Ireland Correspondent Stephen Murphy, who is following the case, said the attack plunged Dublin into “rioting later that day, as it became known that the alleged attacker on that day was from another country”.

He added that the subsequent violence caused millions of euros worth of damage, with police vehicles set on fire and officers injured.

Bouchaker, wearing glasses, a grey shirt, green jacket and green pants, spoke with his Arabic interpreter throughout the proceedings.

A trial date has been set for June and it is expected to last two weeks.

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FBI director gets his personal email hacked by ‘Iran-linked group’ and shared online

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FBI director gets his personal email hacked by ‘Iran-linked group’ and shared online

Kash Patel had his personal email hacked by a group of “Iran-backed hackers,” who published photographs of the FBI director and other documents on the internet.

The group, Handala Hack Team, claimed responsibility for the security breach Friday and said Patel “will now find ​his name among the list of successfully hacked ⁠victims.”

Among the material shared online by the group were old pictures of Patel smoking cigars and pulling silly faces while taking selfies, as well as what appeared to be a copy of his previous resumé.

A Justice Department official confirmed to Reuters that Patel’s email had ​been breached and said the material published online appeared to be authentic. The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment on the incident.

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Kash Patel had his personal email hacked by a group of Iran-backed hackers, who published photographs of the FBI director and other documents on the internet
Kash Patel had his personal email hacked by a group of Iran-backed hackers, who published photographs of the FBI director and other documents on the internet (Reuters)

“The so called ‘impenetrable’ systems of the FBI were brought to their knees in a matter of hours by our team,” the hackers wrote. “All personal and confidential information of Kash Patel, including emails, documents, conversations, and even classified files, is now available for public download.”

The group claimed the attack had been in response to the FBI “proudly” seizing its domains and announcing a $10 million reward for information on its members, which it described as a “ridiculous show.”

“This is the security the U.S. government boasts about?” the hackers added.

Handala, which calls itself ​a group of pro-Palestinian vigilante hackers, is considered by ​Western researchers to be one of several personas used by Iranian ‌government ⁠cyberintelligence units.

The group claimed the attack had been in response to the FBI seizing its domains and announcing a $10 million reward for information on its members, which it described as a ‘ridiculous show’
The group claimed the attack had been in response to the FBI seizing its domains and announcing a $10 million reward for information on its members, which it described as a ‘ridiculous show’ (REUTERS)

Handala recently claimed the hack of Michigan-based medical devices and services provider Stryker on March 11, claiming to have deleted a massive trove of company ​data.

Reuters was not ​able to ⁠independently authenticate the Patel emails, but the personal Gmail address that Handala claims to have ​broken into matches the address linked to ​Patel in ⁠previous data breaches preserved by the dark web intelligence firm District 4 Labs.

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A sample of the material uploaded by ⁠the ​hackers and reviewed by Reuters ​appears to show a mix of personal and work correspondence dating between ​2010 and 2019.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Four Banksy paintings are set to go up or sale at an ‘Extraordinary Auction’ in Belfast

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Belfast Live

“News broke about Banksy’s true identity being unveiled and I knew the time was right to sell”

Four original Banksy paintings are coming up for auction in Belfast.

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On The Square Emporium’s June event ‘The Extraordinary Auction’ is already living up to its name after a local collector of the elusive artist decided to sell his collection.

Due to the recent unmasking of Banksy, there has been a surge in interest in the famous street artist. The owner of the paintings said: “I have bought many things from On The Square Emporium and love the shop and their auctions.

READ MORE: Curry’s Fun Park Portrush opening hours for Easter 2026READ MORE: Full list of NI spots shortlisted for the final of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026

“When I heard of their ‘Extraordinary Auction’ I had already decided to put a few choice items in. But then the news broke about Banksy’s true identity being unveiled and I knew the time was right to sell”.

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Banksy was recently revealed as a 52-year-old Bristol-born man named Robin Gunningham, now going by the name David Jones.

It was uncovered that in 2000, Robin Gunningham was caught in Manhattan scaling a brownstone to deface a Marc Jacobs Poster. He signed the confession that Reuters found 24 years later.

Justin, owner and auctioneer at On The Square, said: “This is great timing. With Banksy back in the headlines the prices of his work is rising again.

“We are very happy to accept the entries of the Banksy Originals with full certification. The entries are Love Rat (estimate £14,000 to £18,000), Happy Choppers (estimate £14,000 to £18,000), Golf Sale (estimate £10,000 to £14,000) and Monkey Queen (£10,000 to £14,000).”

He added that the Banksys should prove very popular in the auction, but there are many other great lots, with over £400,000 worth of entries coming in.

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If you have something special that you would like to enter into the Extraordinary Auction email info@onthesquareemporium.com

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter.

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Former WWE star reveals moment referee genuinely thought they were dying in ‘puddle of blood’

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Former WWE star reveals moment referee genuinely thought they were dying in 'puddle of blood'

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TNA Wrestling star Elayna Black has revealed her most embarrassing moment in the ring, where even the referee thought she was ‘dying’.

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The 25-year-old wrestler, who rose to fame as Cora Jade in WWE before her release in MONTH 2025, first appeared for TNA in March that year as part of the partnership between the two companies when she represented NXT against then-Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich at Sacrifice.

Speaking exclusively to Metro before tonight’s Sacrifice event, Elayna recalled delaying her usual pre-match beet juice drink with just five minutes till her entrance.

Already feeling nervous, she ‘chugged’ the whole thing, and before the announcements were done, she was already feeling queasy.

‘The match starts, I just felt so sick the whole time, holding it down. I remember it was a double-down with me and Masha,’ she said.

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‘I was like, “Oh no, I have to throw up”. I tried to make it to the edge of the ring, but I didn’t, I threw up in the ring!

Elayna Black might be hardcore, but she has a hard time with the sight of blood (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

‘But because it was straight beet juice, it just looked like a puddle of blood… It was my throw-up! Everyone thought she hit me and I was bleeding. The ref thought I was dying!’

By the time fans saw what happened, it ‘looked like a mysterious puddle of blood’. Despite her love of hardcore wrestling, she admitted that she has issues with the sight of blood.

‘God, I just remember being very sick to my stomach afterwards,’ she said of her first deathmatch in her late teens. ‘I do not do good with blood, and I had clotting blood coming out of my elbow.’

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Tonight, she faces Mane Sade in a No Disqualification match, which could be a problem.

‘I’m worse 1774626381, if anything. I don’t know what’s happened to me as I’ve gotten older, but I get so queasy,’ she laughed.

‘Blood in wrestling doesn’t bother me, but when it’s on me and I’m looking at it, that bothers me.’

Metro EXCL: Former WWE star reveals moment referee genuinely thought they were doing in 'puddle of blood' Elayna Black
The wrestler, who was also known as Cora Jade, was released from WWE almost a year ago (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

Tonight is an opportunity for Elayna to prove herself after being released by WWE in May 2025.

‘”Damn, I’m so young still, and my dreams are over,”‘ she thought at the time. ‘”What the f**k am I gonna do for the rest of my life?!”‘

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Her mental health ‘took a turn’, and she stepped back from wrestling after some advice from CM Punk.

‘Punk left for 10 years and came back – obviously, the situation was different,’ she added. ‘But how many times has this happened where someone has been cut and not only came back, but came back a better version and more of a superstar?’

That doesn’t mean that TNA is a step back to WWE.

She’s trying to build herself and the company up, and she still sends her matches and promo to Punk for ‘honest’ advice, which is a ‘surreal’ experience after growing up watching everything he did.

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It was tough for Elayna to step away for a few months in 2025, and she totally closed herself off for the first time since becoming a fan at around eight years old.

Metro EXCL: Former WWE star reveals moment referee genuinely thought they were doing in 'puddle of blood' Elayna Black
She’s been a fan of wrestling herself since she was a child (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

‘During that time, I wasn’t thinking about wrestling at all. I wasn’t watching it. I wasn’t looking at it online,’ she added.

That was a conscious move.

‘I wanted to miss it, because I told myself, if I didn’t miss it, then I didn’t want to do it anymore, period,’ she said. ‘[Now] I have a second chance.’

As a lifelong fan, she appreciates people wanting to meet their idols, but after the recent drama surrounding Chappell Roan and a young fan approaching her at a hotel, Elayna thinks there has to be a line.

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She’s been that fan sitting outside for hours hoping that a wrestler would give them a few seconds of their time, but hotels are ‘not the place to do that’, she stated.

‘There have been a lot of times people have been weird, and you feel uncomfortable and you don’t feel safe… It’s just not okay, and it’s very much an invasion of privacy,’ she said.

As well as meet and greets, Elayna connects with fans through her OnlyFans account.

Metro EXCL: Former WWE star reveals moment referee genuinely thought they were doing in 'puddle of blood' Elayna Black
Elayna predicts they’re going to ‘tear the house down’ tonight (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

‘I’m very much someone who thinks that women should be able to do what they want with their bodies,’ she said. ‘People are gonna sexualise and objectify you, no matter what. It’s sh***y to say, and it sucks that it is that way.

‘But if I’m able to make an OnlyFans and post pictures and get paid to do so, why would I not do that?’

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Elayna is grateful that she gets to ‘live her dream’ as a wrestler, while also being able to make money in another way.

‘I had never seen income like that before,’ she admitted. ‘I’m not touching it right now, but it’s there for the future.’

Speaking of what’s to come, Elayna still has some dream matches, including AEW’s Mercedes Mone and WWE legend AJ Lee.

Tonight, she’s hoping to add to the company’s rich history of bloody and violent matches.

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‘Hopefully someone will say one day that this was their favourite hardcore match in TNA,’ she said.

‘It’s pressure, but good pressure. And I think we’re gonna tear the house down.’

TNA Sacrifice airs tonight at midnight on TNA+.

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Clinique’s bestselling ‘miracle in a bottle’ helps dry skin ‘look fresh and young’

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Wales Online

The Moisture Surge Overnight Face Mask has been reduced from £42 to £33.60 and is described as ‘one of Clinique’s best products’

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Beauty enthusiasts battling dry or lacklustre skin following winter might want to consider purchasing an overnight face mask. Since skin cells regenerate during the night, applying a hydrating mask during these optimal hours can help maximise results and help skin feel smoother and look younger.

Amazon offers numerous choices, with Clinique’s Moisture Surge Overnight Face Mask being amongst its most sought-after option. Normally retailing at £42, the mask has now been reduced to £33.60. It is oil-free, creamy, and functions to hydrate and plump the complexion.

The sleep mask contains panthenol and assists in supporting the skin’s moisture barrier. It’s also fragrance-free and intended for evening use as the final stage in a skincare regimen. It can be applied to both the face and neck, according to Clinique.

Likewise, another popular option is Medicube’s Collagen Overnight Wrapping Face Mask, currently £23.40, reduced from £26 at LookFantastic. This variant features a peel-off format that claims to result in ‘visibly plump, glowing skin’ by morning.

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Another alternative is Fenty Beauty’s Dew N Plump Nectar Glow, discounted to £24 at Space NK, down from £30. The leave-on facial mask promises to seal in moisture for up to 72 hours, reports the Daily Star.

Clinique Moisture Surge Oil Free Overnight Face Mask

Clinique Moisture Surge Oil Free Overnight Face Mask

£42.00

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The product has received glowing reviews, one user describing it as ‘a miracle in a bottle’, and has been reduced by 20% on Amazon.

Nevertheless, it’s difficult to ignore the impressive reviews for Clinique’s Moisture Surge Overnight Face Mask. One customer commented: “I have always been a fan of Clinique products, but somewhere along the way I strayed and have found myself going back to them.

“Recently, I’ve struggled to heal my skin on my lower lip. It is always so dry and then it will crack. I’ve tried everything, and nothing has really worked… until now.

“My skin has become so dry recently from the weather turning colder and I absolutely love how soft, plump, healthy, and hydrated my skin looks the morning after using this product. It has made a huge difference in my skin.

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“If you’re struggling to get your skin feeling moisturised, this is a miracle in a bottle. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.”

Another satisfied customer simply stated: “It’s a very good nighttime product. Skin looks fresh and young.”

A third buyer commented: “Fantastic overnight moisturiser. I put a generous amount on my face, and it absorbs into the skin quickly. In the morning, super soft and plumper feeling skin.”

Not every reviewer awarded it full marks, with one individual deducting stars due to the texture. They noted: “I find it very sticky. It doesn’t absorb well.”

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Another shopper had a more positive experience, saying: “I add this as an extra at night and my skin feels smooth and comfortable on the morning.”

Another review reads: “One of the best products Clinique does. Will always buy it.”

A final customer observed: “I absolutely love this product. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft. It’s has got a cooling effect. It’s not oily and it doesn’t have a fragrance. It doesn’t irritate my skin, so that’s great.”

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Person rushed to hospital after car and lorry crash

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Cambridgeshire Live

One person was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital this morning (Friday, March 27)

A person has been taken to hospital after a crash on a major Cambridgeshire A-road. Emergency services were called to a crash on the A10 near Ely at around 9.45am today (Friday, March 27).

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The crash involved a lorry and car. One person was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital by the East of England Ambulance Service.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “An ambulance came across a road traffic collision while driving on the A10 near Ely this morning. One patient was transported to Addenbrookes Hospital.”

Cambridgeshire Police also attended the scene. A police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 9.45am this morning to the A10/A142 roundabout, at Ely, after reports of a collision between a car and a lorry. There looks to be no serious injuries, no arrests and the road was cleared at about 11am.”

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

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Man accused of driving wife to suicide says her death was ‘worst day of my life’ | News UK

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Man accused of driving wife to suicide says her death was 'worst day of my life' | News UK
Christopher Trybus arriving at Winchester Crown Court, where he is charged with the manslaughter of his wife Tarryn Baird, who died of hanging in November 2017 (Picture: PA)

A man accused of driving his wife to suicide after subjecting her to a ‘tsunami’ of abuse has told a jury that finding out about her death was ‘the worst day of my life’.

Christopher Trybus, 44, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the manslaughter of Tarryn Baird, who was aged just 34 when she ended her own life in November 2017.

Prosecutors say he Trybus is legally responsible for her death even though he was away when she was found hanged in the garage of their Swindon home.

He is also accused of controlling and coercive behaviour and two charges of rape.

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Trybus, 44, told the court that he was in Germany when he received a call informing him of his wife’s death.

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He said that as he was driving back to the airport to return home, he ‘broke down’ in tears.

The software consultant said: ‘Halfway down the drive, I broke down and cried. I got to the airport, dumped the car, asked them to put me at the front of the plane because I wanted to get out as soon as possible.

‘It’s not something anyone can prepare themselves for, it’s a cliche but you never think it’s going to happen to you.

‘So, worst day of my life, just absolutely terrible, I don’t know how else to describe it.’

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The court has heard that Ms Baird had a history of mental health issues, including a diagnosis of potential PTSD having witnessed ‘traumatic’ car-jacking incidents in South Africa where the couple grew up before moving to the UK in 2007.

Trybus told the court that he believed Ms Baird’s mental health had improved in the weeks before her death after she had taken up a volunteer role for court witness support.

He said that he thought she was ‘mostly back to her normal self, she seemed to bounce back and be on the mend. I felt like things were starting to improve’.

When asked how he felt about being abroad for work regularly in the months before her death, Trybus said: ‘I wish I could have done more.

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‘Possibly I could have stayed home, I could have taken some time off of work but when you are in it, you do not see it, you just think it will never happen.’

Trybus is accused of subjecting Ms Baird to a ‘tsunami of abuse’ that left her with no escape but to kill herself.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: KnowMore/BNPS Pictured: Tarryn Baird A 42-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a woman who killed herself more than seven years ago. Christopher Trybus is alleged to have engaged in controlling and coercive behaviour while in a relationship with Tarryn Baird. He is also accused of raping her. Ms Baird committed suicide by hanging in November 2017. After her death her mother Michelle founded a business to help people struggling with their mental health, domestic abuse and coercive control.
Tarryn Baird ended her life at their Swindon home in November 2017 (Picture: KnowMore/BNPS)

He allegedly strangled her with a belt and rope, battered her with a metal pole and kicked and punched her in the face and abdomen.

The coercive control charge alleges that he controlled Ms Baird through using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family.

When his barrister Katy Thorne KC asked him if he was a ‘violent and domineering man’, he replied: ‘No, I do not think so.’

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And when asked if he was responsible for Ms Baird’s death, he replied: ‘No, not at all.’

He also denied raping, sexually assaulting, being violent towards her and controlling her.

When asked by prosecutor Tom Little KC if he was angry at being labelled a ‘wife-beater’ by his late wife who accused him of assaulting or sexually assaulting her on 25 occasions, Trybus replied: ‘It’s difficult to be angry with someone who is dead.’

He added: ‘It’s difficult to know what was going on in her troubled mind. It’s someone I love very dearly, I try to understand it, not get angry about it.

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‘Me being angry with her isn’t going to change it, I try to hold on to good memories we have.’

He said he would have got ‘upset, not necessarily angry’ with Ms Baird during arguments but had not shouted at her or lost his temper.

Trybus, who is a software consultant and developer, denies the charges and the trial continues.

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Ben Duckett: England opener makes professionalism a priority after Ashes and excessive drinking claims

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England batter Ben Duckett during a training session at the 2025-26 Ashes series

England opener Ben Duckett says greater professionalism this summer will be a major “priority” for him following a winter Ashes series blighted by off-the-field issues.

Australia clinched the Test series 4-1 to retain the urn but the disappointment of England’s defeat was compounded by claims of excessive drinking by players, especially during a break between matches in the coastal town of Noosa.

One video which emerged on social media appeared to show Duckett drunk and the 31-year-old acknowledged on the eve of the English county season that aspects of his behaviour fell below the required standard.

“If we’re winning that series, it’s probably not news and no one cares. If Travis Head’s in that video, everyone’s probably absolutely loving it,” Duckett said.

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“We were struggling as a side, I was struggling as a player. But you shouldn’t be getting yourself or putting yourself in a position like that. Any human being, let alone a professional sportsman.

“I think it’s no secret that we can definitely tighten up on some areas and I think that will be the case moving forward. And to be honest, I’m all for it.”

Duckett has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League in an attempt to hold on to his place in the England side and will instead play in the early rounds of the County Championship for Nottinghamshire.

He is planning to speak to England coach Brendon McCullum in the next couple of weeks but “does not know” if will be in the XI for the first Test against New Zealand in June.

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The left-handed batter struggled for form towards the end of last summer and hit just one half-century in 16 innings across all formats this winter.

In the Ashes he made 202 runs in 10 Test innings at 20.20 with a top score of 42.

Duckett said it’s “not a secret” that professionalism is something he’s “struggled with throughout my career” but has always been willing to “hold his hands up” when he’s transgressed.

During the 2017-18 Ashes, when Duckett was part of a England Lions tour shadowing the main squad, he infamously poured a drink over the head of James Anderson in a Perth bar.

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However, the Nottinghamshire batter hopes placing a greater emphasis on fitness and being in the right frame of mind will prevent his international career from ending before he wants it to.

“Throughout the Ashes I was working hard and I don’t think I was in really bad shape but I’ve always kind of gone up and down with it [fitness levels],” Duckett explained.

“I think at 26, 27 or 28 you can get away with it. Whereas I’m obviously getting older now.

“I definitely want to make that a priority moving forward. I want to prolong playing cricket for England and the professional side of that is certainly going to help.”

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Duckett and England fast bowler Josh Tongue are set to sit out Nottinghamshire’s opening match of the season against Somerset, which starts on Friday, 3 April, but should be back for the following week’s visit of Glamorgan to Trent Bridge.

“I’ll just do everything I can over the next four or five weeks to make sure I’m in the best shape of my life,” Duckett added.

“I can’t promise that I’m going to average 75 for Notts in these games, but giving everything I can to in this little block and just see where we go from there.”

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