Author: Andrew Rogers

A new Migraine Trust survey of 2,200 people has found that ethnic minority patients in the UK are more likely to receive poorer migraine care and face discrimination. While migraines affect about one in seven people, 23% of mixed-ethnicity respondents, 19% of Asian respondents and 16% of Black respondents said their ethnicity negatively affected their care—compared with just 7% of white respondents. Black respondents were also more likely to fear workplace discrimination (37% vs 26% for white respondents) and to worry they would not be believed about their symptoms. Some patients described stereotypes affecting their treatment. Black respondents in particular…

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s strengthened squad can handle their growing injury list after confirming Kai Havertz will be out for several more weeks. The German forward has been sidelined since August following knee surgery and suffered a setback when attempting to increase his training intensity. With Havertz unavailable, Arteta must choose whether to continue using Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker against Brentford or turn to Viktor Gyökeres, who recently returned from a muscle injury. Gabriel Jesus is also pushing for a comeback after 11 months out. Arsenal may again be without William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, meaning summer signings…

The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly has had a strong year in Northern Ireland, helped by warm weather and years of conservation work. Once common across the UK and Ireland, the species declined sharply as farming practices changed and its key food plant, Devil’s-bit Scabious, disappeared from many grasslands. Butterfly Conservation’s latest surveys show major increases in caterpillar nests on managed sites — some doubling or even quadrupling compared with last year. Conservation manager Rose Cremin credits close collaboration with farmers, who help maintain suitable grazing and grassland conditions. While good weather helps in the short term, Cremin stresses that long-term…

A UK government health advisory panel has recommended against offering prostate cancer screening to most men, saying the risks of overdiagnosis outweigh the benefits. The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) instead proposed targeted screening only for men with confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who face higher risks of aggressive cancer. These men could be screened every two years between ages 45 and 61. The committee found that widespread PSA testing could slightly reduce deaths but would lead to large numbers of men being diagnosed and treated for slow-growing cancers that would never cause harm, resulting in unnecessary side-effects such…

Premier League clubs may be forced to increase player wages after the government announced in its budget that image-rights payments will be taxed as income from April 2027. The change means players who currently receive part of their earnings through image-rights companies — taxed at a 25% corporate rate — will instead pay the top income-tax rate of 45%. Agents say many players will expect clubs to make up the difference, especially when negotiating new contracts. Some foreign players have clauses that protect them from major tax changes, making clubs liable for any increased costs. Others may demand higher salaries…

Archaeologists say they now have strong evidence that huge pits forming a vast circle near Stonehenge were dug by Neolithic people more than 4,000 years ago. The feature, known as the Durrington pit circle, is thought to consist of around 20 enormous pits spread across more than a mile, centred on the ancient sites of Durrington Walls and Woodhenge. Some pits measure up to 10 metres wide and 5 metres deep, suggesting remarkable engineering effort. First revealed in 2020, the formation was initially controversial, with some experts arguing the pits could be natural. A new study published in Internet Archaeology…

Scientists have identified five major phases of human brain development, with key “turning points” occurring at roughly ages 9, 32, 66 and 83, according to a large study of nearly 4,000 brain scans from infancy to old age. The research shows the brain does not develop in a smooth, steady way, but instead shifts through distinct eras: The strongest shift happens around age 32, when the brain moves into its long-lasting adult mode. Researchers say understanding these turning points could help explain when the brain is most vulnerable to mental health disorders and age-related cognitive decline.

A federal judge has dismissed criminal cases against former FBI director James Comey and Letitia James. The decision comes after it was revealed that the prosecutor who filed the charges had been unlawfully appointed. This procedural issue made all charges against them invalid. The court ruling emphasizes the importance of proper legal appointments in criminal prosecutions. Federal law requires that prosecutors be officially and lawfully designated to bring charges. If this step is not followed, any cases they file can be dismissed. In this instance, the judge concluded that the prosecutor did not meet these legal requirements. James Comey, who…

Idrissa Gueye received a round of applause from the Everton squad after apologising for his extraordinary red card during Monday’s 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Everton midfielder became the first Premier League player in 17 years to be sent off for striking a teammate after slapping Michael Keane during a heated exchange in the 13th minute. The incident followed a misplaced pass by Gueye that almost led to a goal for Bruno Fernandes. Despite playing with 10 men for more than 85 minutes, Everton produced a heroic performance to give David Moyes his first win at…

People who stop using the weight-loss injection Mounjaro not only tend to regain lost weight, but also see a reversal in key health improvements such as lower blood pressure and reduced “bad” cholesterol, according to new research. Mounjaro, which contains the drug tirzepatide, has been shown to help people lose around 20% of their body weight over 72 weeks. However, previous studies have already shown that much of this weight is often regained once treatment stops. The latest findings suggest that the wider heart-health benefits also fade as weight returns. The research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, analysed data from…