Howard Lloyd

Krispy Kreme is launching a limited-edition Pokémon doughnut collection in participating UK shops from August 18, 2026, marking Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. The initial range includes Pikachu, Charmander and Jigglypuff designs, with two mystery Pokémon doughnuts due on September 7. Individual doughnuts, multipacks, collector boxes and a Pokémon-themed cup containing Original Glazed Gold Bites will be available in shops, through Krispy Kreme’s website and app, and via delivery partners, with prices starting at £2.59.

Abigail Louise, a 36-year-old mother of two from London, spent several years being told that breathlessness, fatigue, chest pain and declining exercise tolerance were caused by anxiety or panic attacks. After an emergency visit in December 2024, cardiologists identified a leaking heart valve and referred her to Royal Brompton Hospital, where she was diagnosed with the rare congenital defect Ebstein’s anomaly. She underwent a nine-hour cone procedure in May 2026, followed by complications including pneumonia, collapsed lungs and temporary complete heart block. After a four-week hospital stay, she was discharged and is preparing for cardiac rehabilitation, remaining optimistic about her recovery.

Manchester Airport says sun cream is one of the items most commonly confiscated at security because liquids in hand luggage remain limited to 100ml. The airport also restricts multiple lighters and bans various potentially dangerous items, including firearms replicas, fireworks, camping stoves and mercury-containing devices. The policy has drawn criticism because Heathrow and Gatwick permit liquid containers of up to two litres, while Luton and Stansted retain the 100ml limit.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by jewellery retailer F. Hinds indicates that couples are reducing wedding costs amid the cost-of-living crisis. A quarter are choosing micro weddings, 14% are considering eloping, and others are cutting expenses through BYOB receptions, buffet catering, DIY beauty services and less traditional clothing. Core traditions remain important, with exchanging rings ranked highest, followed by exchanging vows and walking down the aisle. The survey also found growing interest in coloured gemstones and lab-grown diamonds, particularly among younger adults, while social media is increasingly being used to find practical, low-cost wedding ideas.

Jan Gazda and Lizzie Jones moved onto the £40,000 narrowboat Harvest Moon nearly five years ago to reduce their London housing costs and live more sustainably. They pay about £75 a month in onboard bills, £3,000–£5,000 annually for maintenance and upgrades, and roughly £800 a month on a specialist marine mortgage charging 15% interest. Although the boat provides modern amenities and has nearly been paid off, continuous cruising requires changing moorings every two weeks and presents maintenance challenges. The couple are particularly concerned about Canal & River Trust licensing changes, including a planned 25% surcharge for boats without home moorings by 2028, which they say creates uncertainty about whether they will be able to continue living aboard.

Laura Budreviciene, from Mansfield, lost 24 stone after doctors warned that her severe obesity could shorten her life and affect her ability to have children. Following a miscarriage, she underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2020, lost more than 20 stone in the first year, later used weight-loss injections, and now weighs 13 stone. She credits the weight loss with enabling her to have two daughters and plans skin-removal surgery in Turkey while encouraging others to begin their own health and weight-loss journeys gradually.

A mother from Gloucestershire recounts a long struggle with cocaine addiction that led to heavy debt, selling household items, and hiding her drug use from her children. After years of worsening dependence and isolation, she committed to recovery in May of the previous year, embracing self-help resources and creating a platform to support others facing addiction. She now aims to inspire those seeking help and emphasizes the importance of reaching out rather than suffering alone.

A three‑year‑old Welsh boy, initially misdiagnosed with minor illnesses, was found to have hydrocephalus and optic pathway glioma. After failed surgeries and three unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy in Cardiff, his family is preparing to travel to Latvia for targeted treatment using Tovorafenib, a drug available only in the EU. His mother, who is fundraising to cover travel and living costs, hopes temporary chemotherapy will stabilize him enough to fly later in July.

New NICE guidance approved two non-invasive diagnostic tests, Endotest and EndoSure, for NHS use to speed up endometriosis detection, which currently takes women in the UK an average of more than nine years. The tests analyse saliva or measure gut electrical signals, allowing earlier referral and treatment while more data is collected. Several patients described how delayed diagnoses affected their lives and how the new tests finally enabled proper care. Medical experts said earlier identification will reduce suffering and relieve pressure on NHS surgical services.