Author: Andrew Rogers

A new survey by the Migraine Trust shows that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK are more likely to receive poorer migraine care and to fear discrimination because of their condition. Among 2,200 respondents, 23% of mixed-ethnicity, 19% of Asian and 16% of Black participants said their ethnicity had negatively affected their treatment, compared with just 7% of white respondents. Black respondents were also far more likely to fear discrimination at work (37%) or worry that they would not be believed about their symptoms. Examples of poor care included being dismissed, misdiagnosed or facing stereotypes—such as assumptions that…

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s strengthened squad can absorb more injury setbacks after confirming Kai Havertz will be out for a few more weeks. The Germany forward, sidelined since August following knee surgery, suffered a setback when he tried to increase his training load and is not yet ready to return. Arteta must now decide who leads the line against Brentford on Wednesday: Mikel Merino, who scored against Chelsea, Viktor Gyökeres, who has just returned from a muscle injury, or Gabriel Jesus, who is nearing full fitness after 11 months out. Arsenal may also be without William Saliba and Leandro Trossard…

The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly has had a bumper year in Northern Ireland, thanks to warm weather and years of habitat restoration by Butterfly Conservation and local farmers. Once common across the UK and Ireland, the species declined sharply due to changing farming practices and the loss of its only food plant, Devil’s-bit Scabious. Conservation teams have been working with landowners to manage grassland more effectively, ensuring the right conditions for the butterfly to breed. Recent surveys of caterpillar nests show dramatic increases: one site rose from 24 to 53 nests, another from 24 to 139, and a third from…

A government health panel has advised against prostate cancer screening for most UK men, saying the risks of overdiagnosis outweigh the benefits. Instead, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) recommends screening only for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who could be tested every two years between ages 45 and 61. The committee found that widespread screening—whether for all men, those with a family history, or Black men—could slightly reduce deaths but would lead to large numbers of unnecessary diagnoses and treatments. Evidence for targeting Black men, who face higher risk, was deemed too limited. Prostate cancer is the…

Homeowners in the U.S. are increasingly opting to renovate their existing homes rather than move, suggesting greater stability in homeownership and growth in the home-improvement sector. Industry analysts said this trend reflects both affordability concerns and a desire to adapt existing properties to meet changing needs. Renovations allow homeowners to improve comfort and functionality without facing high moving costs or rising home prices. The home-improvement market is expected to benefit from this shift, with spending on renovations, remodeling, and upgrades likely to increase. Experts note that investments in kitchens, bathrooms, and energy-efficient upgrades are particularly popular. Analysts said that choosing…

Premier League clubs may soon face significantly higher wage costs after the UK government announced that footballers’ image-rights payments will be taxed as income from April 2027. Many top-flight players currently receive part of their earnings through image-rights companies, which are taxed at the 25% corporation tax rate. Under the new rules, those payments will instead be taxed at the 45% top income-tax rate — a major financial hit for high-earning players. Agents say that players signing new deals before 2027 are likely to demand higher wages to offset the increase, and clubs are expected to absorb much of the…

Scientists have identified five major phases of human brain development after analysing brain scans from nearly 4,000 people ranging from infancy to age 90. The research found that the brain goes through four major “turning points” at roughly ages 9, 32, 66 and 83, creating five distinct developmental eras rather than a slow, steady progression. Researchers say these shifts mark changes in how the brain’s wiring is organised and how efficiently different regions communicate. The five brain eras identified are: From birth to age nine, the brain undergoes “network consolidation,” where excess neural connections are trimmed while stronger ones remain.…

Idrissa Gueye received warm applause from his Everton teammates after apologising for the incident that saw him sent off for striking Michael Keane during their 1–0 win over Manchester United. The midfielder became the first Premier League player in 17 years to be dismissed for hitting a teammate after slapping Keane during a heated exchange in the 13th minute. The clash followed Gueye’s misplaced pass that led to a dangerous chance for Bruno Fernandes. After the match, with the squad celebrating a memorable victory at Old Trafford, Gueye asked to address the team and personally apologised to Keane and the…

People who stop using the weight-loss injection Mounjaro tend to regain lost weight and also lose key health improvements, including better blood pressure and lower “bad” cholesterol, according to new research. The study analysed data from the Surmount-4 trial, where participants first took tirzepatide (the active drug in Mounjaro) for 36 weeks, then either continued the treatment or switched to a placebo. Among those who stopped the drug, 82% regained at least a quarter of the weight they had initially lost within a year. Researchers found that weight regain was linked to a reversal in other benefits such as reduced…

Virgil van Dijk has delivered a strong public critique of Liverpool’s dramatic slump, admitting the reigning champions are “in a mess” after a 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest left them in the bottom half of the Premier League. Speaking after the loss at Anfield, the Liverpool captain said the team had let down head coach Arne Slot and questioned whether all players were taking enough responsibility for the club’s collapse. The defeat marked Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven league games and their eighth in 11 matches across all competitions. Van Dijk called the team’s start to the second half…