Elaine Blackburne

Buddy, an eight-year-old pale-coloured cat rescued by Battersea, had both ears surgically removed after severe UV damage caused squamous cell carcinoma in one ear and precancerous cells in the other. The charity warns that light-coloured cats are especially vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer and advises owners to provide shade and water, keep pets indoors during the hottest periods, and use vet-approved animal-friendly sun cream without zinc oxide. Buddy has adapted well and is available for rehoming.

Drivers must renew their licences at age 70 and every three years thereafter, confirm they meet eyesight standards, and report medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive. The free renewal can be completed online, while the government is considering whether to introduce compulsory eyesight tests for drivers aged 70 and over. Evidence shows eyesight failures and crash-related risks increase among some older motorists, although the links between visual impairment and collisions remain subject to qualification. Great Britain had about 6.3 million full driving-licence holders aged 70 and over in 2025.

Disabled Motoring UK is asking disabled motorists and people accompanying disabled passengers to report parking experiences at Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Sainsbury's throughout August as part of its annual Baywatch survey. The campaign focuses on misuse of accessible bays, misconceptions about hidden disabilities and inconsistent enforcement, warning that supermarkets risk losing disabled customers and their spending if accessibility does not improve. The group plans to use the survey data to press retailers and parking operators for stronger enforcement and accountability.

Primark has recalled three brown and green pepper mill models sold across the UK for £8 after the Office for Product Safety and Standards found excessive lead concentrations. Customers are instructed to stop using the mills immediately and return them to a Primark store for a full refund. The notice outlines potential effects of lead exposure, with pregnant women, infants and young children identified as particularly vulnerable, and advises anyone with health concerns to contact a GP or NHS 111.

BWH Hotels, the parent company of WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Sure Hotels, said unauthorised access exposed some guests’ names, contact details, addresses and reservation information between October 14, 2025 and April 22, 2026. The company said payment and other financial data were not stored in the affected system. Privacy expert Peter Nguyen warned that criminals could use real booking details to make phishing emails, texts, WhatsApp messages or calls appear legitimate, particularly during the busy summer travel season. Affected guests are advised to verify messages through official channels, avoid suspicious links and requests for payment or credentials, contact their bank immediately if they disclosed financial details, and secure reused passwords and email accounts with two-factor authentication.

John MacDonald, who weighed nearly 28 stone and had been warned by his doctor that he might not reach 30, lost 16 stone 12 pounds through Slimming World. He collapsed with a panic attack at his first weigh-in and was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, but returned the following week and continued with the programme. By changing his diet, reducing sugary drinks and gradually increasing his activity, he reduced his weight to 10 stone 13 pounds, improved his breathing and sleep apnoea, and became more active. He celebrated his 30th birthday with his Slimming World group after maintaining the loss for more than two years.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has recommended Wegovy (semaglutide) for NHS use in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese, potentially expanding access to thousands of patients. The decision follows the SELECT trial, in which semaglutide reduced first major cardiovascular events by 20% compared with placebo, although gastrointestinal side effects led to more treatment discontinuations. Novo Nordisk and the SMC said the treatment could help reduce repeat heart attacks and strokes, particularly amid Scotland’s significant cardiovascular health inequalities. The recommendation brings Scotland into alignment with similar guidance in the other UK nations.

Ibuprofen can temporarily relieve joint, arthritis and back pain, but long-term or high-dose use may cause stomach irritation, ulcers, internal bleeding, kidney damage, raised blood pressure, fluid retention and heart complications. Anthony Paul Smith of the University of Essex warns that risks are higher for older adults, people with kidney or heart disease, those who are dehydrated, and people taking certain other medicines or who have NSAID-sensitive asthma. Short-term use at the lowest effective dose may be appropriate, while exercise, weight management, physiotherapy, pacing, heat therapy, supportive footwear and topical anti-inflammatory gels can help manage pain and improve long-term joint health.

Bisoprolol is widely prescribed in the UK for high blood pressure, angina, atrial fibrillation and other heart or circulatory conditions. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, headaches, cold extremities and bowel problems. NHS guidance advises contacting a doctor or NHS 111 for symptoms such as worsening breathlessness with a cough, swollen legs, irregular heartbeat or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, wheezing, chest tightness or signs of anaphylaxis require calling 999 immediately.

UK motorists taking domestic holidays may incur Clean Air Zone charges or penalty notices if they drive non-compliant vehicles into restricted areas without realising it. Birmingham can issue £120 penalties for unpaid £8 daily charges, while other cities including Bristol, London and Oxford impose different fees. Bath, Sheffield, Bradford, Tyneside and Portsmouth mainly charge commercial vehicles, whereas Scottish Low Emission Zones issue £60 fines to non-compliant vehicles, including private cars. Drivers are advised to check their vehicle registration and emissions status before travelling, particularly when using borrowed or hired vehicles.

Sunburn after the UK’s warm weekend can usually be treated at home by cooling the skin, applying unperfumed moisturiser or aftersun, drinking water, taking suitable pain relief and avoiding further direct sunlight. People should not apply petroleum jelly or ice, pop blisters, scratch peeling skin or wear tight clothing. Urgent advice from a GP or NHS 111 is recommended for blistering or swelling, very high temperature, shivering, dizziness, nausea, severe tiredness, headache, muscle cramps, or sunburn affecting a baby or young child, because severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

UK motorists are advised to use their cars’ air-conditioning recirculation function during hot weather to cool the cabin more efficiently and reduce fuel use. Drivers should ventilate vehicles before setting off, close windows above 50 mph, avoid idling unattended, drive smoothly, use cruise control where appropriate, combine short journeys, and carry water and other heatwave essentials. Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%, while open windows at motorway speeds reduce aerodynamic efficiency and may use more fuel.

Airport liquid rules vary by departure and transit airport. At most airports, liquids in hand luggage must be in containers no larger than 100ml, although some airports now permit containers holding up to two litres. Travellers are advised to check the rules for every airport on their journey, including the return trip, and to carry exempt items such as medicines or baby food in accordance with applicable guidance. Passengers also suggested buying water after security or taking an empty bottle through security and refilling it at airport water stations.

Public Health Scotland is urging people to watch for Lyme disease after tick bites during the period of increased tick activity through October. People who develop a spreading rash or flu-like symptoms should contact their GP and mention any tick bite. The condition is caused by bacteria transmitted by infected ticks, is more common in areas such as the Scottish Highlands, and is generally easier to treat when diagnosed early. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, while some symptoms can persist after treatment.

Pest-control specialists say spring is the busiest period for ant enquiries because colonies become active and ants may forage indoors while outdoor temperatures remain low. Pest UK recommends insecticide bait, spray or dust and warns that ants can come from multiple nests connected by pheromone trails. Real-estate expert Thach Nguyen suggests mixing water, sugar and Borax, soaking cotton balls in the solution and placing them near ant activity so worker ants carry it back to the colony. Because Borax is not generally sold in the UK, the article notes that commercially available Borax substitutes can be used instead.

Tesco is extending its Aldi Price Match scheme to around 2,000 Tesco Express stores across the UK, covering more than 200 everyday products such as pasta, milk, lettuce and tinned tuna. The move is the programme's biggest change since its 2020 launch and is intended to support customers facing pressure on household budgets. Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad said the expansion will provide price confidence across convenience stores, larger shops and online. The announcement follows similar moves by Sainsbury's and the Co-op, amid warnings that UK food inflation could rise as high as 7%.

Air passengers are warned that airport liquid rules vary and can apply to skincare items including creams, serums, cleansing balms, sheet masks, eye patches, sprays and gels. Travellers may face delays or confiscation if liquids exceed airport limits, are split across multiple bags, placed in unlabelled containers or packed incorrectly. Most airports restrict containers to 100ml, although some allow larger containers, and exemptions apply for medicines, special dietary needs, baby food and sealed duty-free purchases. Passengers are advised to check the rules at every airport on their journey and simplify in-flight skincare routines to reduce skin irritation.

Home Bargains is selling a £9.99 Jardin Rattan Wall Basket featuring artificial multicolour flowers and a rattan-style finish. The retailer says it is weather- and UV-resistant, lightweight, easy to hang and requires no maintenance. Other artificial hanging baskets and planters are also highlighted, priced from £7.99 to £19.99.

Changes in toenail appearance can sometimes indicate health problems, although they may also result from minor injuries or common infections. Yellow nails may suggest fungal infection or psoriasis; dark stripes can rarely indicate subungual melanoma; swelling may be linked to gout or circulation issues; white nails can reflect injury, nutritional deficiencies, fungal infection or, rarely, diabetes and other systemic conditions; blue nails with cold toes may signal poor circulation or Raynaud’s disease; itchy toes may indicate athlete’s foot; persistent ulcers can be associated with diabetic foot complications; and spoon-shaped nails may point to iron deficiency or anaemia. People with concerning or persistent symptoms are advised to consult a healthcare professional.

Pollen from trees, grass and weeds can worsen hay fever and trigger asthma-like symptoms, while clothes, laundry, pets and severe thunderstorms may bring or break pollen into more easily inhaled particles. Pharmacist Claire Nevinson advises checking pollen forecasts, keeping windows closed, wearing wrap-around sunglasses, showering before bed, using nasal barrier balm, staying hydrated and removing pollen from pets. People whose symptoms do not improve with over-the-counter treatments should consult a pharmacist or GP.

Morrisons has reduced prices on thousands of grocery and household products in stores and online throughout April, including fresh produce, essentials and items in its Savers range. The supermarket says the cuts are intended to help customers manage low consumer confidence and rising household-budget pressures. Additional spring promotions, Easter reductions and forthcoming baby and cleaning events will offer discounts on a wider range of products.

Santander will close 40 UK branches between April 28 and May 20, 2026, following four closures in January. The bank attributes the move to increased use of digital banking, with 96% of customer transactions now conducted online, while warning that 291 jobs are at risk. Santander says affected communities will retain access to essential services through community bankers, Santander Local stores and shared banking hubs. The article lists each affected branch and its scheduled closing date.

Dr Tim Bond warns that climate change is making mosquitoes, midges, ticks and spiders more active and widespread in the UK as winters become milder, summers warmer and rainfall increases. He highlights the risk of tick-borne Lyme disease and notes Public Health England's national TICK Surveillance Scheme. His prevention advice includes wearing light, long-sleeved clothing, avoiding peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk, screening windows, reducing fragrances and using plant-based repellents and soothing products.

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has left BBC Breakfast after more than 25 years to spend more time with her husband, Steve Randall. She said severe food poisoning in early 2025 led to a loss of roughly one and a half dress sizes and changed her eating habits, prompting her to eat when hungry rather than snack routinely. Kirkwood says she now fits comfortably into size 10 clothing and sometimes size eight, while rejecting speculation that she used weight-loss injections. She plans to focus on her marriage and describes the timing of her departure as right.

UK petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply since conflict began in the Middle East, with average diesel reaching 182.8p per litre and the cost of filling a 55-litre family car exceeding £100. Although some stations have experienced limited supplies, the government says national fuel stocks and imports remain secure. The RAC offers ten ways to reduce consumption, including maintaining tyre pressure, avoiding excessive speed and acceleration, using the highest suitable gear, anticipating traffic, removing roof equipment and excess weight, combining trips, and using stop-start technology.