Neil Shaw

The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak on Wednesday night as Earth passes through debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet, with up to 150 meteors per hour potentially visible. Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer Ed Bloomer advises viewers to find a dark location, allow their eyes to adjust, and watch late at night when skies are sufficiently dark. Visibility is generally better in northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, although darkness and local conditions are more important than precise location. The meteor shower coincides with a major eclipse in the UK.

Rangers lost 2-1 to Jagiellonia Białystok in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying-round tie. After taking an early lead through Guilherme Montoia’s own goal, Rangers conceded twice to Kajetan Szmyt amid defensive errors. The team improved after halftime, but Findlay Curtis hit the post and Rangers could not equalize. International media described the club as a major rebuild or “construction site,” while noting that Jagiellonia now hold the advantage ahead of the return leg at Ibrox.

New UK cosmetics regulations will prohibit manufacturers and importers from introducing new batches of TPO-containing nail products to the market from 15 August 2026, with retailers and distributors barred from selling or supplying them from 14 February 2027. TPO has been classified as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant and can also cause skin sensitisation through repeated contact with uncured gel. Beauty expert Danielle Louise says customers do not need to cancel appointments because reputable salons and manufacturers are already switching to reformulated products, while people with allergies or sensitive skin should inform their nail technician and avoid unregulated products or unqualified practitioners.

A former British Army soldier explains how the Army roll packing technique can increase suitcase capacity by about 20 percent, helping travellers avoid extra baggage fees. The method involves tightly rolling clothing with a securing cuff and can also combine items such as shirts, socks and underwear into a single compact roll. Additional tips include using packing cubes and filling empty space inside shoes. Efficient packing can save travellers £30 to £60 per additional bag and reduce disorganisation when travelling.

Rory Griffiths donated 311 grams—about one-fifth of his liver and roughly the size of a Coke can—to his 22-month-old daughter Harriet after she developed chronic liver disease caused by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Surgeons at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham could confirm he was a suitable donor only after opening him for the operation, while Harriet underwent transplant surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Both procedures succeeded, Rory’s liver regenerated within about 12 weeks, and the family hopes Harriet can enjoy a normal childhood.

Learner drivers in Great Britain face average costs of at least £924 before obtaining a licence, including driving lessons, theory tests and practical tests. Nearly half of practical tests taken by 17- to 24-year-olds between January 2023 and March 2025 were unsuccessful, while average waiting times reached 12.3 weeks and were considerably longer in some locations. The financial burden is prompting 19% of young people to consider not learning to drive, with many cutting other spending and reporting reduced access to jobs, apprenticeships and social opportunities. First-year motoring costs can rise to £7,700 once a car, insurance, fuel and road tax are included.

The Wegovy weight-loss pill, containing semaglutide, is becoming available privately through UK pharmacies and online providers after approval by the MHRA, although it is not yet offered on the NHS. CheqUp specialists advise users to consult clinicians, avoid rapid dose changes or unsupervised use, and combine the medication with lifestyle changes and ongoing support. Patients switching from injections generally do not need to restart treatment, but must follow a clinician-determined equivalent dose. The tablet must be taken each morning on an empty stomach with up to 120ml of water, followed by a 30-minute wait before eating, drinking other beverages or taking medication.

Carol Kirkwood describes enjoying retirement after leaving BBC Breakfast to spend more time with her husband, Steve Randall, and pursue travel plans. After losing friends and family to cancer, she and her husband underwent comprehensive Bupa health assessments, which showed good results but motivated her to improve her fitness. She follows a healthy lifestyle, including a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, and has already travelled to the US and Italy, with plans for further destinations. She expresses contentment with both major experiences and everyday activities, emphasising her focus on living a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

A pharmacist warns that newly approved oral Wegovy requires strict use, carries familiar GLP‑1 side effects and should not be viewed as a simple needle‑free alternative. Patients are urged to follow a full care plan, avoid counterfeit tablets, adhere to timing and fasting requirements for proper absorption, recognize potential side effects and avoid self‑managed switching from injections. Proper prescribing and monitoring are emphasized to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Darren Cummins, a 34-year-old business development consultant from Falkirk living in Hua Hin, Thailand, was seriously injured when a car allegedly made an illegal U-turn across a multi-lane road and struck his motorbike. He suffered major fractures, lost five inches of tibia and damaged his Achilles tendon, requiring several surgeries and rehabilitation. His hospital bills have already reached £22,000, exhausting his savings, so he has launched a GoFundMe campaign. Cummins says the crash has upended his and his girlfriend Siena Cruz’s lives and may prevent him from walking normally or riding motorbikes again.

A Manchester mother used TikTok income to fund Mounjaro weight-loss injections, losing six stone over 18 months after struggling with obesity and low confidence. Her social media updates attracted large audiences, helping cover the £300 monthly medication cost. The treatment, combined with major lifestyle changes, improved her health, mobility and confidence, allowing her to be more active with her children. She intends to continue the medication under medical guidance as she works toward losing another stone.

A fatal accident inquiry found that 68‑year‑old gardener Norman Mackenzie died from a severe infection days after falling onto a bamboo cane while working at Darnaway Castle. The sheriff concluded the accident could have been avoided with safer equipment and clearer supervision but found no evidence that NHS Grampian’s clinical decisions contributed to his death. Moray Estates has since removed bamboo canes, strengthened supervision, improved reporting procedures and reviewed risk assessments.

Capri has introduced new 2026 regulations to manage overtourism, limiting organised tour groups to 40 people and requiring groups over 20 to use earpieces instead of loudspeakers. Large umbrellas and flags traditionally used by guides are restricted, and aggressive touting is now subject to fines. Visitors may face delays if tour operators are not compliant. The measures aim to ease congestion in popular areas and improve the experience for both residents and tourists. Travellers are advised to verify tour sizes, avoid unofficial touts, book ahead and plan flexible itineraries to avoid peak crowding.

A pharmacist highlights how vitamin B12 deficiency can be overlooked and explains that certain medications, including omeprazole and metformin, may increase the risk by affecting absorption. Symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, numbness and concentration issues are noted, with advice to maintain adequate dietary intake, consider supplements and seek medical assessment when necessary. Long‑term users of several drug categories are urged to monitor symptoms and undergo periodic testing to prevent complications.

Research from the University of Glasgow using data from more than 91,000 UK Biobank participants shows that sitting or lying down for over 30 minutes at a time increases the risk of cancer death, with each additional hour of uninterrupted inactivity raising the risk by 10 percent. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity reduces the danger, including a 12 percent lower risk with an hour of light activity, an 8 percent reduction with 30 minutes of moderate activity and a 22 percent drop with five minutes of vigorous activity. The findings highlight the importance of breaking up sedentary periods, suggesting even light movement can be protective.

A cardiologist outlines six habits to avoid after 6pm to support cardiovascular health, including skipping strong mouthwash, reducing evening blue light exposure, avoiding intense static exercises late in the day, being cautious with calming supplements, not holding the breath for extended periods during breathwork, and fasting for three hours before bedtime. These practices aim to reduce blood pressure, oxidative stress and strain on the heart to support better overnight recovery.

A family holiday in Hurghada, Egypt led to a medical emergency when 19‑month‑old Cillian contracted E.coli, which progressed into Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome. After returning to the UK, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to urgent treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital including dialysis, transfusions and intensive monitoring. He suffered seizures and was at risk of cardiac arrest before gradually recovering after a 21‑day hospital stay. Now eight, he continues to face long-term kidney and digestive complications. His mother urges parents to trust their instincts and seek immediate medical help if their child shows signs of severe illness, especially after travelling abroad.

Fruit products sold by major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose and M&S, are being recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. Prepworld issued the recall, and the Food Standards Agency advises customers not to eat the affected items and to return them for a refund. Salmonella infection can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, with vulnerable individuals at greater risk, and the NHS advises staying home for 48 hours after symptoms stop to prevent spreading the infection.

Falling sales, high operating costs and reduced international travel are prompting duty‑free retailers to cut stock and raise prices, with some reconsidering the viability of airport retail altogether. Analyst Molly Monks warns that declining demand and rising fuel‑related travel disruption leave businesses unable to pass tax savings to consumers, eroding traditional airport bargains and risking empty retail units. Travellers are advised to shop in advance and treat any airport deals as a bonus.

A couple in Orleton say their garden is 6ft shorter than intended after a boundary fence was installed at the wrong angle, causing part of their land to be incorporated into a neighbouring property where a garden office was built. They plan to remove the fence to force a legal resolution, arguing that land registry plans show the correct boundary. Shropshire Homes, which reduced the house price by £10,000, maintains it has met its legal obligations and will not transfer the disputed land while the matter remains unresolved. The couple fear losing rights to the area after ten years if no action is taken.

A man in Gloucester has paid nearly £18,000 for security to protect a small wall he says he inherited from his father, amid a dispute with developer Lioncourt Homes over ownership and planning permissions for an emergency access route to a new housing development. Roger White argues documents prove the wall and land are his, while Lioncourt and Gloucestershire County Council maintain the access can be lawfully implemented on developer-owned or adopted highway land. White hopes to reach an agreement that would allow him to dismantle and rebuild the wall as a tribute to his father.

A survivor of severe child abuse is campaigning for sentencing reform after her mother, convicted of historical offences, served only eight months of a 20‑month sentence due to legal limits based on the offence dates. Current law limits sentencing for pre‑2005 child cruelty cases to a two‑year maximum, whereas the same crimes today could bring up to 14 years. She has launched a petition and gained political support while highlighting failures by authorities during her childhood and calling for updated retrospective sentencing guidelines.

A large U.S. study of more than 161,000 obese, non-diabetic patients found that GLP-1 weight‑loss medications were associated with a 41% reduction in obesity‑related cancers over two years, with even greater reductions in certain subgroups such as men and endometrial cancer patients. The benefit was not observed among Black participants, suggesting possible differing risk factors or access issues. Researchers emphasized that the findings do not prove causation but indicate that GLP‑1 drugs, including tirzepatide, may play a future role in cancer prevention and warrant further investigation.

UK pet owners must follow strict legal and environmental rules when burying animals on private property, including owning the land, avoiding water sources, and ensuring adequate burial depth. Regulations under environmental and animal by‑products laws apply, especially for euthanised pets or larger animals. Authorities advise consulting a vet when drugs may be present in the animal’s body and outline additional rules for scattering ashes to protect wildlife and watercourses.

Warm weather has accelerated breeding of noble false widow spiders in the UK, prompting experts to warn that a coming temperature drop will drive them indoors. Hospital admissions for spider bites have doubled over the past decade, and searches for identification guidance have surged. Ecologists attribute the increase to heatwaves boosting outdoor populations before cooling conditions push the spiders through gaps in windows, doors and vents. Homeowners are advised to reseal frames, replace worn threshold seals and cut back vegetation touching exterior walls to reduce entry points.

A Scottish teenager, Leon Scott, built a lucrative business reselling pre‑owned designer clothing after leaving school at 16, generating £560,000 in sales in 2025 and nearly £400,000 so far in 2026. Starting with small sales through Vinted and eBay, he shifted to live‑streamed auctions on the Tilt app, accelerating his growth and eventually expanding into a 3,000‑square‑foot storage unit. His earnings have funded travel and allowed him to support family, while he continues to run high‑volume daily live‑stream auctions. He credits his success to consistency and reinvestment and encourages others seeking alternatives to traditional jobs.

An 11-year-old girl from Ayrshire suffered facial burns and risked losing her sight after microwaving a squishy toy that exploded as part of a social media trend. Her mother is warning parents about the dangers of the viral practice. The toy’s manufacturer plans to add 'Do Not Heat' labels, while Tesco advises adherence to safety guidance. The child may require a future skin graft as doctors monitor her recovery.

Morrisons recalled its Savers Cashews after fears some packets may contain glass, covering several best-before dates. The Food Standards Agency advises customers not to eat the product and to return it for a refund, with notices displayed in stores explaining the recall and required actions.

Research from Queen's University Belfast indicates that antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may increase mortality risk in people with dementia. Analysis of nearly 29,000 dementia patients in Northern Ireland showed a slight rise in death risk among those prescribed antidepressants and a higher risk among those receiving anti-anxiety drugs. Researchers stress the need for careful and regular review of medications for dementia patients due to the absence of effective treatments and the high prevalence of additional medical conditions in this group.

A family in Kent received the ashes of their 19‑year‑old cat Gizzy after she was euthanised shortly following her disappearance and transfer to the RSPCA and then a veterinary hospital. The RSPCA said attempts were made to contact the registered owners and an independent vet determined the cat was suffering and should be put down on welfare grounds. The family disputes the assessment, arguing Gizzy’s condition reflected age and recent illness, and believes stress from transportation affected her breathing. The incident has caused distress within the household, prompting questions about communication and the effectiveness of microchipping.

A GP highlights lesser-known causes of insomnia, including high-tyramine foods, hormonal changes, and the harmless but disruptive ‘exploding head syndrome’. She recommends improving sleep routines, using CBT-I, and considering over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids such as Nytol, Kalms, Quviviq, or melatonin. Persistent insomnia should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

A 17-year-old from Fife experienced a year of severe symptoms that were repeatedly dismissed by doctors as normal effects of contraception or adolescence before being diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2025. After treatment and eventual remission, she now advocates for young women to insist on further medical investigation when they feel something is wrong.

New UK rules restricting advertising of less healthy HFSS food and drink led to the first bans on promotional content from Lidl and Iceland. The Advertising Standards Authority ruled that certain featured products, including sweetened bread items and confectionery, met criteria for restricted advertising, prompting ad removals and clarification from both retailers. Some other ads were cleared because the foods shown were not classed as less healthy or were incidental to the content. Authorities emphasised the rulings as early examples guiding consistent enforcement of the new law.

A UK-born dual national was stranded in Spain after new border rules barred her from re-entering the UK without a British passport or a digital certificate of entitlement. She lacks documentation needed to prove her mother’s former EU free movement rights, leaving both options costly or uncertain. The situation has highlighted communication gaps around the rule changes introduced in February. The Home Office maintains the requirements were well publicised and align with international norms.

McBride, a major supplier to Tesco and Sainsbury's, announced temporary price increases and warned of early signs of global supply chain shortages driven by rising costs from the Iran war. The company cited escalating expenses from petrochemical feedstocks, energy use, and shipping disruptions as triggers for the price adjustments. UK supermarket representatives met with senior government officials to discuss the conflict’s impact on costs as oil prices exceed $100 per barrel. McBride also revealed a £34.5 million acquisition of French cleaning tablet producer Eurotab.

Asda Pharmacy reduced the price of its Meningitis B vaccine to cost level after confirmation that recent cases in a Kent outbreak were linked to MenB. Vulnerable groups, especially 18–25 year olds, will be prioritised. The UK Health Security Agency reported 29 cases, including two deaths, while experts warned of potential secondary infections but said the initial peak had likely passed.