Author: Andrew Rogers

Eight U.S. cities are gaining attention as top destinations for young families, thanks to a combination of affordable housing, quality schools, and appealing lifestyle amenities. Experts say these factors are shaping family-friendly communities that support both work-life balance and long-term stability. Housing affordability remains a key driver. Cities with lower home prices and competitive rental markets are attracting families who want more space and better value compared to high-cost urban areas. Analysts note that the availability of modern housing and family-oriented neighborhoods makes these locations particularly appealing. Education quality is another major factor. Families prioritize areas with strong public schools,…

Max Verstappen strongly criticised Formula One’s new regulations after pre-season testing in Bahrain.He called the cars “anti-racing” and said the complex energy management makes them unpleasant to drive.He warned he could leave the sport if racing stops being enjoyable. Lewis Hamilton voiced similar concerns.He said the systems are so complicated that fans will struggle to understand them.He added that drivers now need extensive technical knowledge to operate the cars. The 2026 rules introduce new engines, chassis and tyres.Power now comes almost equally from combustion and electric systems.Drivers must constantly manage energy deployment while racing. Testing times revealed little about the…

US inflation fell to 2.4% in January after last year’s tariff-driven price swings. The consumer price index rose 0.2% from December. Core inflation increased 0.3% for the month. Economists expected a small decline in the annual rate. Prices dropped to 2.3% in April before climbing to 3% in September. Inflation eased again to 2.7% at the end of the year. The White House said its policies continue to control inflation. Investors watch the data for signals on interest rates. The Federal Reserve delayed cuts and will decide again in March. Jerome Powell expects tariff effects to raise prices only temporarily.…

The top legal adviser to the European Court of Justice has said billions of euros were wrongly released to Hungary. Advocate general Tamara Ćapeta argued that the European Commission should not have unfrozen about €10bn because required judicial reforms were not properly implemented. The commission had suspended funds in 2022 over concerns about corruption and rule-of-law backsliding under prime minister Viktor Orbán. In 2023, it decided Hungary had met reform conditions and made the country eligible for the money. The European Parliament challenged that decision, claiming serious errors and suggesting political motives linked to EU support for Ukraine. Ćapeta said…

Aerobic exercise such as running, swimming or dancing can act as a frontline treatment for mild depression and anxiety, researchers say. A major analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that physical activity can match, and sometimes exceed, the effects of traditional treatments in mild cases. Scientists reviewed 63 studies covering nearly 80,000 people. They found the greatest improvements among young adults and new mothers, groups considered especially vulnerable to mental health problems. Aerobic exercise that raises the heart rate delivered the strongest benefits, while resistance training and yoga also helped but to a lesser extent. Group…

Doctors say a return to traditional Nepali foods could help tackle a growing type 2 diabetes crisis. In Nepal, one in five people over 40 has the condition, while medication remains largely unaffordable. Researchers have found that diets based on lentils and rice, known as dal bhat, can reverse diabetes in many patients. A pilot study in Kathmandu helped 43% of participants achieve remission using a calorie-controlled traditional diet. An expanded trial in nearby communities has shown similar results, with about half of participants diabetes-free after four months and modest weight loss. Prof Mike Lean from the University of Glasgow…

People who drink a few cups of tea or coffee daily show a lower risk of dementia, scientists say.A US study tracked more than 130,000 adults over up to four decades.Those who drank two to three coffees or one to two teas daily had a 15–20% lower dementia risk. Researchers published the findings in Journal of the American Medical Association.Caffeinated coffee drinkers also showed slightly less cognitive decline over time.Decaffeinated coffee showed no protective link. Lead author Yu Zhang from Harvard University said the study cannot prove cause and effect.Caffeine users may differ in other ways that protect brain health.…

BP faces growing pressure from shareholders as it prepares to publish full-year results this week. Analysts expect weaker profits after oil prices fell for a third straight year in 2025. Forecasts put profits at about $7.5bn, down from nearly $9bn in 2024, after crude prices dropped below $60 a barrel. Incoming chief executive Meg O’Neill must outline a clear strategy to end years of instability. Investor groups want BP to explain how it will manage spending as long-term demand for fossil fuels declines. A resolution led by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, backed by Nest, calls for tighter control…

Houston and surrounding suburban markets are offering relief for homebuyers as housing affordability improves. Slower rent growth and better access to homes are making it easier for renters to consider buying for the first time. After years of rising prices and tight rental markets, the Houston metro area is seeing moderate changes. Rent increases have slowed, giving households more breathing room in their monthly budgets. This improvement allows renters to save for down payments and explore homeownership opportunities that were previously out of reach. Suburban areas around Houston are also seeing gains. Rising housing inventories and slower price growth in…

Researchers say menstrual blood testing could provide a simple alternative to cervical cancer screening.A sanitary pad with a sample strip can detect Human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers. Scientists in China compared pad-collected menstrual blood with clinician-taken cervical samples.The study involved more than 3,000 women aged 20 to 54 with regular periods. Results published in BMJ showed similar accuracy between both methods.Menstrual blood detected serious cervical abnormalities with 94.7% sensitivity. Researchers said the test could improve access for women who avoid clinic screenings.Cancer Research UK welcomed the findings but urged further trials. Eve Appeal said offering screening choices could…