Author: Andrew Rogers

The United States has officially ended its longest government shutdown in history, with new legislation signed into law to restore critical federal services. The move brings relief to millions of federal workers, food assistance recipients, and other citizens affected by the prolonged closure. During the shutdown, many federal employees were furloughed or required to work without pay, while essential government operations faced delays. Programs providing food aid, healthcare support, and air‑traffic control were particularly affected, causing disruptions across multiple sectors. Officials say the legislation will immediately resume normal operations in key areas. Federal workers will receive back pay, and agencies…

Far from the crowded trekking routes of the Himalayas and the bustle of Kathmandu, Nepal’s Terai lowlands offer wildlife, culture and a style of hospitality rooted in tradition. Here, in the ancestral homeland of the Tharu people, visitors are welcomed not as tourists but as honoured guests. Staying in Bhada village through Nepal’s Community Homestay Network, travellers live within local families and take part in daily life. In one home, guests learn to cook Tharu dishes—like starfruit pickle sizzling with chilli, coriander and cumin—before joining villagers for the harvest festival of Auli. Marigold-decorated bamboo structures are raised in the fields,…

Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting up a dramatic final race of the season with title rivals Lando Norris starting second and Oscar Piastri third. Norris leads the championship by 12 points over Verstappen and 16 over Piastri, meaning he will become world champion if he finishes third or better, or simply ahead of both rivals. Verstappen must win and hope Norris misses the podium, while Piastri needs victory and Norris to finish sixth or lower. Verstappen set a 1:22.207 to secure pole, continuing his late-season surge. Norris and Piastri remain firmly in the…

A new study by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN) has found widespread contamination of cereal products with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a toxic “forever chemical” formed when Pfas-based pesticides break down in soil. Researchers reported average TFA levels in breakfast cereals at concentrations 100 times higher than those typically found in tap water. The study examined 65 conventionally produced cereal products from 16 European countries — the first EU-wide survey of its kind. TFA was detected in more than 80% of samples, particularly in wheat-based foods. Irish breakfast cereals had the highest levels, followed by Belgian and German wholemeal bread, and…

Former Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed he is being treated for prostate cancer which has spread to his pelvic bone. The 56-year-old discovered the illness after insisting on a PSA test during a routine check-up 18 months ago. An MRI and biopsy confirmed an aggressive form of prostate cancer, leading to surgery last December. Six months later, rising PSA levels showed the cancer had spread, and Hislop has since undergone medication and seven-and-a-half weeks of radiation therapy. Hislop encouraged men—especially those over 50, and those of African descent from age 40—to get tested regularly, stressing…

A new survey by the Migraine Trust has found that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK are significantly more likely to receive poorer migraine care and fear discrimination because of their condition. In the representative survey of 2,200 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. Many reported poorer treatment or even racism. Black respondents were also more likely to fear discrimination at work due to migraines (37% versus 26% for white respondents). Some worried they would…

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s strengthened squad can handle another injury setback after confirming Kai Havertz will be out for a few more weeks. The German striker, sidelined since August after knee surgery, suffered a setback in rehab and has been unable to “go to the next level,” delaying his return. Arteta must now decide whether to continue using Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker against Brentford or recall Viktor Gyökeres, who recently returned from a muscle injury. Gabriel Jesus is also pushing for involvement after 11 months out. William Saliba and Leandro Trossard remain doubts, meaning summer signings Cristhian Mosquera…

The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly has enjoyed a strong year in Northern Ireland, thanks to warm weather and long-term habitat restoration. Once common across the UK and Ireland, the species declined sharply as farming practices changed and its only food plant, Devil’s-bit Scabious, became scarce. Butterfly Conservation has spent years working with farmers to manage grasslands so the plant can thrive. Recent surveys show major increases in caterpillar nests: one site rose from 24 to 53, another from 24 to 139, and a third from five to 27. Conservation manager Rose Cremin stressed that while good weather helps, proper habitat…

A UK expert health 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 suggests a targeted programme only for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who are at higher risk of aggressive cancer. These men could be screened every two years between ages 45 and 61. The committee found that broad PSA testing could slightly reduce deaths but would lead to many unnecessary diagnoses and treatments, causing side-effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Evidence for screening Black men or those with…

Premier League clubs are bracing for higher wage costs after the UK government confirmed in its latest budget that players’ image-rights payments will be taxed as income from April 2027. Many players currently receive a portion of their earnings through image-rights companies, taxed at the 25% corporation rate. Under the new rules, these payments will instead be taxed at the 45% top income-tax rate, leaving players with significantly larger tax bills. Agents say players signing new deals before 2027 are likely to demand higher wages to offset the change – and many clubs may end up absorbing the increased tax…