Howard Lloyd

Buddy, an eight-year-old light-coloured stray cat, required surgery to remove both ears after severe UV damage caused squamous cell carcinoma in one ear and precancerous cells in the other. Battersea says pale-coloured cats are especially vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer on exposed areas such as the ears and nose, and advises owners to provide shade and water, keep cats indoors during the hottest periods, and use vet-approved animal-friendly sun cream. Buddy has adapted well despite impaired hearing and is available for adoption.

New UK cosmetics regulations will restrict TPO, a photoinitiator used in some gel nail systems, from entering the market in new products from 15 August 2026. Retailers and distributors will be barred from selling or supplying TPO-containing products from 14 February 2027. The ingredient has been classified as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant and is associated with skin sensitisation risks. Beauty expert Danielle Louise says customers do not need to cancel appointments because reputable salons are already switching to compliant formulations, with colours and treatment options expected to remain broadly unchanged. People with allergies or sensitive skin are advised to inform their nail technician and use reputable salons.

Holidaymaker Leah Norman said tourists at the Best Oasis Hotel in Salou, Spain, queued from around 8am before racing through the pool gates at 10am to claim sunbeds. She observed that some beds remained unused all day with towels on them, leaving families with young children unable to find loungers or parasol shade. Her account follows a similar incident filmed by another Scottish tourist, Chris, who said more than 40 guests took part in a frantic scramble before returning to their rooms or going to breakfast.

Capri has introduced 2026 rules to curb overcrowding and disruptive tourism. Organised tour groups are limited to 40 people, groups exceeding 20 must use wireless earpieces or headphones, and guides are restricted from using large umbrellas, flags and other oversized markers. A separate bylaw targets intrusive touting by tourism businesses, with fines of up to €500. Visitors are advised to check tour group sizes, use reputable operators, book transport in advance, avoid blocking narrow streets, follow local etiquette and allow more time during the busy summer season.

Glasgow Airport is urging passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time because ongoing roadworks on North Hanover Street may cause traffic congestion, bus-service disruption and longer journeys to and from Buchanan Bus Station. The works, part of Glasgow’s Avenues project, are expected to continue until November 2026. Glasgow City Council says the wider £123 million scheme will create safer routes, improved public spaces, greenery, drainage infrastructure and dedicated cycling facilities, with funding provided through the Glasgow City Region City Deal and backed by the Scottish and UK governments.

A reportedly intoxicated passenger on a Ryanair flight from Edinburgh to Palma de Mallorca was filmed punching a police officer during an attempted arrest after an argument involving a male and female passenger. Witness Ritchie Denholm said the pair had been drunk before boarding and that the incident frightened and shocked passengers. The footage shows officers restraining the man, with one apparently using a baton-like object. Ryanair was approached for comment.

Stan and Margo Gowrie, who have lived in a rural cottage near Mayfield, Midlothian, for 50 years, oppose plans by Barratt Redrow to build 926 homes around their property. They fear the development and its access road will bring a decade of construction disruption, heavy traffic, noise, dust and the loss of their views. Midlothian Council’s planning committee deferred decisions after raising unanswered questions about infrastructure, facilities and the development’s wider impact. Barratt Redrow said it remains in constructive discussions with council officials and members.

A Daily Record reviewer tested Tesco’s new Craft frozen pizza and pinsa range, produced by Germany’s Freiberger Group. The BBQ Meat Feast was the standout, praised for its crisp, flavourful base and generous toppings, while the Meatball Marinara and Garlic Cheese pinsas were also well received for their distinctive savoury bases and flavours. The Cheese Feast was judged acceptable but less impactful, and the Mac & Cheese and Spicy Chicken varieties were not tasted. The range does not completely redefine frozen pizza, but the reviewer would buy several products again.

Research led by Queen’s University Belfast examined 28,781 people with dementia in Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2020. It found a marginally elevated mortality risk among patients prescribed antidepressants and a considerably higher risk among those prescribed anti-anxiety medications. Researchers emphasized that these findings do not establish causation but support judicious prescribing and regular medication reviews by GPs or pharmacists.

Home Bargains is selling a £1.99 Travel Water Mist Spray Fan that uses cold water and optional ice to create a cooling mist during summer journeys. The retailer also offers a 99p handheld fan, a 99p foldable water bottle, a £4.99 stainless-steel bottle and a £2.99 pet water bottle, giving travellers several inexpensive ways to stay cool and hydrated.

Melanoma diagnoses in the UK reached a record 20,980 cases in 2022, according to Cancer Research UK, which linked the rise partly to ultraviolet exposure from sunlight and sunbeds. Fife tattoo artist Stacey Galfiskiy said she developed skin cancer decades after using sunbeds weekly for about a year at age 19. She underwent multiple operations to remove cancerous and potentially cancerous moles, developed severe health anxiety, and now has annual mole mapping. She urges people to avoid sunbeds and prioritize sun protection, emphasizing that a tan is temporary while UV damage can be lifelong.

Howard Lloyd reviews The Jolly Hog’s Marmite and Colman’s Mustard sausages after cooking them slowly in a pan. He finds both products juicy and flavourful, praising the Marmite sausages for balancing the savoury yeast-extract taste with pork and the mustard sausages for their strong English mustard flavour. His only criticism is that the mustard variety could have had more heat. A Marmite-sceptical taster tentatively approves, making future purchases likely.

The Fairfield family says Kevin Fairfield's body was left unembalmed and severely decomposed for 12 days at a Co-op funeral home in Dunfermline after they had requested embalming and hoped to visit him. Another funeral director reported that no preparation had been carried out, preventing the family from saying goodbye. Co-op Funeralcare acknowledged that its standards were not met because of a procedural error, apologised, said internal action had been taken, and maintained that Fairfield was treated with dignity. The family accepted a confidential five-figure settlement but continues to seek clear answers, accountability and safeguards to prevent similar incidents.

Dog trainer Adam Spivey identifies three behaviors that can make dogs feel threatened and potentially trigger bites: holding out a hand to sniff, touching an unfamiliar dog on top of the head, and grabbing a nervous or tense dog by the collar from behind. He advises standing sideways and allowing a dog to approach, avoiding head-touching, and using treats or the lead to redirect a tense dog instead of pulling backward or grabbing its collar. The guidance emphasizes that bites may be panic reactions rather than signs of inherent aggression.

Dundee couple Loraine and Rob Deering have spent more than a year living in a caravan and temporary accommodation after a £126,000 bungalow renovation by RPM Group Scotland stopped before completion. A survey found the home uninhabitable, with the kitchen, bathroom, heating and electrical fittings missing and less than half the work completed, despite the couple paying 90% of the bill. The couple say they lost ten years of savings and have reported the matter to Police Scotland, while Veterans First is helping them seek legal support. RPM Group, now being dissolved, says the couple requested substantial additional work that caused unforeseen costs and cash-flow problems; the couple deny this.

Dog trainer Adam Spivey urges parents to teach children never to disturb dogs while they are sleeping or eating, warning that many serious bites involve familiar family pets. Children, particularly those under five, are especially vulnerable because they may miss signs of stress, invade a dog’s space or unintentionally hurt it. The article also stresses constant supervision and cites UK dog-bite statistics and research on the circumstances surrounding attacks.

Defra has reminded travellers returning to Great Britain from the EU and several associated European countries that personal meat and dairy products are generally prohibited because of ongoing animal-disease outbreaks, including foot-and-mouth disease. Travellers may still bring items such as fish, poultry, eggs, honey, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds under specified conditions, while limited quantities of powdered infant or medically required food are allowed. The restrictions are intended to protect British farmers; foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious among livestock but does not pose a risk to humans.

Carpenter Duncan Tout left his full-time job in January 2025 after his French Bulldog TJ’s social media accounts became lucrative enough to earn more than Duncan’s hourly carpentry rate. What began as an Instagram collection of memories grew into viral videos, brand partnerships, sponsored travel and more than 700,000 TikTok followers. Duncan now manages TJ’s account full-time, while the dog remains unaware of his fame.

Dog trainer Adam Spivey recommends a three-second rule for teaching dogs to sit: give the command once, wait three seconds, and gently guide the dog into position if it does not respond, provided the dog is healthy and understands the command. He advises rewarding immediate compliance and avoiding repeated commands or shouting. The RSPCA says sitting on command improves safety, supports calmer behavior around people and other dogs, and provides a foundation for further training.

Household and cleaning-products manufacturer McBride, which supplies retailers including Tesco and Sainsbury's and produces Oven Pride, has introduced temporary price surcharges as fuel, energy, petrochemical and packaging costs rise amid the Iran war. The company says the first signs of possible global supply-chain shortages are emerging. Supermarket representatives have discussed the impact on costs and consumer living standards with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. McBride also announced a £34.5 million agreement to acquire French cleaning-tablet manufacturer Eurotab.

Glasgow GP and television doctor Punam Krishan describes the intense health anxiety and fear of cancer recurrence she has experienced since being treated for breast cancer. She explains that minor physical sensations can trigger panic and hypervigilance, and says cancer survivors may struggle with sleep, reassurance-seeking and loss of trust in their bodies. Drawing on her own experience and a conversation with a patient, Krishan urges families and clinicians not to minimise these feelings, emphasising that support, therapy, self-compassion and time can help survivors adjust to a new normal. The article also notes that the UK’s cancer population has grown to nearly 3.5 million, partly because of an ageing and growing population, improved diagnosis, greater awareness and better survival rates.

Groundforce workers are striking at 13 Spanish airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and several Canary Islands airports, disrupting Air Europa services and leaving some passengers without checked luggage. Travel expert Simon Calder advises Easter travellers to expect delays and disruption. He also warns that the EU’s Entry/Exit System could create queues of two hours or more when fully operational, although he expects the rules may be temporarily suspended if delays become severe.

Jackie Cameron, a 42-year-old mother from Innerleithen, gained significant weight while recovering from stage two rectal cancer and celebrating her all-clear with takeaway food, snacks and Greggs products. After weighing 17 stone and being diagnosed with diabetes in February 2025, she began using Mounjaro, adopted regular meals and limited her calorie intake. She has since lost 7 stone 2 pounds, reduced her clothing size from 24 to 10 and come off Metformin after her diabetes was reversed. Cameron is awaiting further tests in 2027 to confirm remission and hopes to lose another half-stone while continuing a maintenance dose of Mounjaro.

Cornwall Insight forecasts that Ofgem’s typical dual-fuel price cap could rise to £1,929 between July and September 2026, increasing annual household bills by £288, or 18%, from the April level. The projected rise is being driven by higher wholesale gas and electricity costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East, although prices have partially steadied. The government says it will consider targeted support if necessary, while Ofgem is due to confirm the next cap on May 27. Summer’s lower energy demand may soften the immediate impact, but sustained high wholesale prices could make the October cap more consequential.