Grace Dean

Early research and personal accounts suggest that GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic may reduce alcohol cravings or make drinking less appealing for some people. Users report drinking less, becoming intoxicated more quickly, or experiencing nausea and hangovers, while others notice no change. The reduced drinking can be welcome for some but may disrupt the social lives of others. Experts stress that official guidance is limited, clinical trials have largely focused on people with alcohol-use disorder, and longer-term research is needed before these drugs can be approved as an addiction treatment. Potential side effects, affordability and the appropriateness of prescribing them to people without obesity or diabetes also remain unresolved.

Current students and university wellbeing advisers offer practical advice to new undergraduates on making friends, coping with homesickness, budgeting maintenance loans, balancing study with work and activities, and seeking support. Students are encouraged to join societies, plan their finances, manage their commitments realistically and contact universities if they have doubts about their course. The article also stresses that changing courses, taking a gap year or choosing an apprenticeship are valid alternatives to university, with examples of young people who found degree apprenticeships better suited to their goals.

Weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic appear to change alcohol consumption for some users by reducing cravings, increasing nausea or fullness, and lowering tolerance. Lisa Rees and Warren Thomas report drinking substantially less, while Faye Goodwin says medication-related nausea and reflux have restricted her social life. Early studies suggest GLP-1 drugs may help people with alcohol use disorder, but research remains limited, particularly for occasional drinkers. Experts say larger, longer-term trials are needed before these medications can be approved for addiction treatment, while safety, affordability and side effects—including rare pancreatitis—remain concerns.

Primark is cutting prices by up to 29% on hundreds of items, including jeans, jumpers and socks, as falling like-for-like sales and competition from Shein, Temu and other online retailers pressure its value-fashion model. Analysts say rising input costs, younger shoppers’ expectations of ultra-low online prices and the cost-of-living crisis have made value increasingly important. Primark plans to use lower prices on core products to attract customers, encourage impulse purchases and reduce excess stock, while also promising improvements in quality, fit and style. The move comes before parent company Associated British Foods plans to spin off Primark on the London Stock Exchange, but the retailer still faces environmental and ethical criticism associated with fast fashion and intense competition from secondhand platforms and supermarket clothing ranges.

Primark is cutting prices by up to 29% on hundreds of clothing items as it faces growing competition from online fast-fashion marketplaces Shein and Temu, alongside pressure from TikTok Shop and Vinted. Analysts say the retailer is using low-priced staple items to attract shoppers, much like supermarkets use cheap essentials, while hoping to increase wider basket purchases and reduce excess stock. Rising production, wage, shipping and energy costs have made Primark more expensive, while cost-of-living pressures have made consumers more focused on value and cost per wear. The price reductions will not apply across the entire range, and Primark is also promising improvements in quality, fit and style. The strategy comes ahead of Associated British Foods' planned spin-off of Primark and highlights the economic and environmental tensions surrounding the fast-fashion sector.

Several of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s children are pursuing legal name changes to remove their father’s surname, reflecting personal estrangement and identity shifts. Similar experiences from others illustrate how changing a surname can provide emotional distance, relief, or a stronger sense of belonging. Experts note that such decisions often follow careful consideration and are shaped by complex family dynamics. Legal processes and costs vary across regions, with requirements ranging from deed polls to court filings.

Several of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s children have begun legal steps to drop their father's surname, reflecting a broader pattern among people distancing themselves from estranged or emotionally disconnected family members. Interviews with individuals who changed their surnames highlight themes of identity, emotional separation and relief. Experts say such decisions often stem from a desire to detach from painful associations and are made with considerable thought. The article also outlines legal processes and costs for changing surnames in the UK and the US, noting practical hurdles such as updating official documents.

Chilled red wine is gaining popularity in the UK, particularly among Gen Z and young millennials, as wine bars, retailers and consumers embrace serving lighter reds at lower temperatures during hot weather. Bar owners and wine experts cite a break from traditional wine myths, increased exposure while travelling and a preference for lighter, fruitier varieties as key factors. Retailers report rising searches and new products catering to the trend. Experts recommend chilling red wines briefly before serving and choosing low‑tannin, lighter styles, while noting that serving temperatures affect flavour and that most reds are typically served too warm.

Younger drinkers in the UK are increasingly chilling red wine, driven by hot weather, generational preferences and exposure to the practice abroad. Wine bar owners and industry experts report rising demand, with consumers favouring lighter, fruitier reds that benefit from lower serving temperatures. Retail searches and product launches reflect the trend, while experts emphasize proper chilling methods and the outdated nature of traditional room‑temperature norms.

Proposed reforms in England and Wales would expand the rights of cohabiting partners, allowing inheritance without a will after a qualifying period and offering limited financial protections after separation. The Ministry of Justice’s consultation explores criteria for determining “marriage‑equivalent” relationships and includes options for couples to opt out. Supporters argue the changes would protect vulnerable partners, including those experiencing economic abuse, while critics say the reforms undermine deliberate decisions to keep finances separate. Comparisons with systems in Australia and Sweden highlight similar protections and challenges, particularly in proving the existence of a relationship.

Proposed UK government reforms would grant co‑habiting couples limited inheritance and separation rights, reflecting changing living patterns. Unmarried partners could become primary beneficiaries if a partner dies without a will, provided they meet cohabitation criteria, though they would still face inheritance tax obligations. Additional proposals include allowing partners to receive lump‑sum or property transfers after separation based on basic needs. Supporters argue the changes would protect vulnerable partners, particularly those facing economic abuse, while critics say they undermine the deliberate choice not to marry. International comparisons with Australia and Sweden show similar systems already in place. The consultation aims to determine eligibility criteria and whether couples can opt out of the new framework.