UK News
View All 9'Absolutely disgusting!' British tourist left with 38 parasites in her brain after holiday to India
A Cardiff woman has opened up on her shock after discovering 38 parasites living inside her brain following a holiday in India. Lowri Denman, 42, found a metre-long tapeworm while using a restaurant toilet, describing it as "absolutely disgusting, like Sellotape with like little ridges in it".The gruesome find was her first indication of neurocysticercosis, a rare brain infection caused by pork tapeworm larvae that triggers severe headaches, seizures and psychosis.Her consultant, Dr Brendan Healy, a specialist in infectious diseases and microbiology, believes she contracted the infection during a three-month journey through India in 2007.Despite deliberately avoiding meat throughout her travels to prevent food poisoning, Dr Healy suspects she unknowingly ingested pork containing microscopic tapeworm eggs.Only a handful of people in Britain receive this diagnosis every year.Three years passed before the tapeworm emerged in 2010, and Ms Denman flushed it away without realising its significance.She visited her GP, but stool tests returned normal results and she felt healthy, so she carried on with her life.Within 12 months, however, debilitating headaches began plaguing her.Her first seizure struck in 2011, leaving her struggling to form words before losing consciousness."The next thing I came around and I was in an ambulance and I was like: 'How has that happened? Why?'" she recalled.After she underwent brain scans in hospital, doctors delivered devastating news.HOLIDAYS FROM HELL - READ MORE:Couple left scared to leave their own holiday home as 'hordes of teenagers' wage campaign of chaosJet2 passenger 'left needing CPR after headbutting fellow traveller' on flight from hellOut-of-control passenger BITES fellow flyer mid-flight - sparking panicked message from pilot"The doctor sat me down and said: 'Right, okay, we've looked at your scans and we've found 38 parasites on your brain'," the 42-year-old said.Physicians initially suspected toxoplasmosis, but her mother connected the seizure to the tapeworm discovery, leading to the correct diagnosis.Ms Denman spent a fortnight in hospital receiving anti-parasitic medication and steroids.Treatment initially appeared successful, allowing her to travel to New Zealand, relocate to Bristol, participate in circus classes and complete half marathons.Then she collapsed at work, with scans revealing significant swelling around the parasites in her brain.Confusion, numbness and tingling sensations followed, forcing her to abandon her career and move in with her father in Carmarthen.Steroids changed her physical appearance, and as her world shrank, her mental health deteriorated catastrophically."This paranoia and psychosis started kicking in there was severe anxiety, panic attacks," she said, spending six weeks in a neuropsychiatric facility.Her friend of two decades, Nicola Brown, was shocked by the transformation after a month apart."I walked into the room and she was essentially behaving like a child," she recalled. "Crawling around on the floor, hiding behind a curtain, sitting on her dad's lap as if she was five."The visit ended with Ms Denman swearing at her friend and telling her never to return, later sending a text claiming police were pursuing her.Recovery proved lengthy and arduous, with the 42-year-old completing an art foundation course in Carmarthen before feeling strong enough by 2018 to return to Cardiff for an interior design degree.She resumed working in 2022, and the parasites have now calcified in her brain without requiring surgical removal.Dr Healy described her as a once-in-a-career patient whose case had been discussed by leading experts in Britain and the US. Ms Denman has been seizure-free since 2017, though she will take epilepsy medication for the rest of her life. "What I want to do now is progress in my life and spread awareness of this disease and do something positive with it," she said.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Florida woman killed and dismembered by 12-foot alligator as boyfriend tried to save her is named for first time
A 31-year-old woman has been named after she died in a horrific alligator attack.Brittany Clark had been swimming in Florida with her boyfriend when she was brutally killed by the reptile.Previously uncovered 911 audio revealed the frantic moments before Ms Clark's death as the alligator tore off both her arms.A new medical report has revealed how her boyfriend, Chance Allison, heroically attempted to save her and fight the 12-foot long alligator in Little Big Econ State Forest. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Mr Allison risked his life to pry his girlfriend from the reptile as it began its "death roll", the report - obtained by the Daily Mail - described.An alligator's death roll is a technique used to subdue the animal's prey by violently spinning.The devastating incident occurred when Ms Clark, her boyfriend, and an unnamed friend were swimming in "shoulder-deep water" in the Econlockhatchee River.The alligator grabbed Ms Clark by her arm while they were swimming and began the "death roll".The report read: "Her boyfriend Chance grabbed the alligator trying to get it to release her when it took them both underwater."Mr Allison successfully freed her arm from the alligator "for a moment" but it quickly latched onto her other arm."Chance attempted to bring them both to shore when the alligator finally let go and CPR was started on shore by her boyfriend, and 911 was called," the report added.He is believe to have still been dealing with the alligator as he dialled 911.ANIMAL ATTACKS - READ MORE:Big Brother star mauled by XL bully and left 'scarred for life' after horror attackChild golfers confronted by huge 3-metre boa constrictor after shot lands perfectly on exotic snakeMan arrested after child 'thrown into crocodile enclosure' on bail as suspect 'unfit for interview'Their friend was heard telling the call handler how one of Ms Clark's arms was "hanging by a thread".Ms Clark's older brother, Nick, told Fox's Orlando affiliate his sister loved the outdoors and adventure, sharing that when they were younger they often went wakeboarding and dirt biking together."She was an amazing person. She was nice and helpful with anyone that needed any kind of help," he added.Officials from Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) said two "nuisance alligators" had been killed after the attack.Trappers from the FWC captured a 12-foot long alligator at the scene of the incident and a 13-foot gator found nearby.Both of the animals have now been "harvested" and samples will be sent to a laboratory to determine if one was the animal linked to the attack.Chad Weber, Public Information Officer for Florida Fish & Wildlife, warned that in Florida, "every body of water could potentially have an alligator in it".It remains unclear what provoked the alligator to attack, but Mr Weber said "it doesn't look like they were doing anything malicious to the alligator". Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Doorbell camera helps neighbours pull woman from fire
This video can not be played Doorbell camera footage showed neighbours working together to rescue Phyllis A woman has praised a group of "hero" neighbours who ran into her mother's home to rescue her from a fire. Suzanne Wright was first alerted to the blaze 's doorbell camera, which showed the neighbours trying in vain to break into the property in Wigston, Leicestershire, as they waited for the fire service to arrive. Inside, 87-year-old Phyllis Day, who has Alzheimer's, was asleep and completely unaware the fire had broken out. Wright used the doorbell camera's remote intercom function to instruct the group how to enter the house and they were able to pull her to safety. Phyllis Day (second right) was rescued a fire in the house just before BST on Thursday and began trying to break down the door. Wright said: "There are smoke alarms, but she'd taken her hearing aids out and was in bed, completely oblivious. "I was in a panic. I said to my partner [to] get me a towel so I can go upstairs and take her down. "I was coughing - the smoke was the worst thing. "It was like you were physically getting choked . I came down twice to get fresh air and then back up to bring Sue's mum down." Smart added: "I just saw flames come straight through that kitchen door. "I panicked a little to start with. All I knew was that somebody was upstairs and I had to get up there and get her down as quickly as possible." Phyllis Day's house was badly damaged in the fire The pair had to wake Day up in her bed. Smart said: "She looked at me like I was going to rob her or something, but I got her out of bed. "Pav was next to me and we got her down, slowly, but in time." The group said the fire had brought them closer together.
Superdry co-founder was my boss when he raped me
This video can not be played 'I felt like I was going to have the whole world against me,' says 'Gemma' Warning: You may find some of the graphic detail in this story disturbing A woman who was raped -founder James Holder has told the BBC she had been working for him at the time of the attack and had to return to work to face him just days later. Gemma, not her real name, was attacked a Friday night in 2022. In an exclusive interview, she described feeling fear and dread on the following Monday morning as she walked into work at a new business Holder had launched after leaving Superdry in 2016. Asked whether he spoke to her that week, she said: "Yeah, he did. Very much like he would have spoken to me the week before. As if nothing had happened." Multi-millionaire Holder, 54, was jailed in May for eight years for raping Gemma, in what the court heard was a "despicable piece of sexual violence". If you have been affected , help and support can be found at the BBC Action Line. Due to her right to anonymity, Gemma's working relationship with Holder was unable to previously be reported. However, in her first media interview, Gemma revealed she had first worked for Holder at his fashion firm Superdry in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, before joining another one of his businesses. While at Superdry, she said she did not have any direct interaction with Holder, describing him as having an almost "celebrity-like" status. But when she later moved jobs to work at a new company he was launching, she said she became increasingly aware of his "controlling" behaviour. She described a work culture where there was "no room for mistakes" and everyone was on "high alert". "It certainly was a way of trying to command respect and a sort of allegiance to his agenda, for sure," she said. This video can not be played Watch: James Holder describes himself as like 'Mr Darcy' with women in a police interview The rape happened in May 2022, when a group of people from the company went for drinks at Gin and Juice, in Cheltenham. "It was just, you know, colleagues going out," Gemma said. "Early in the evening, there was nothing unusual… and then I would say later in the night, his [Holder's] behaviour sort of shifted." Towards the end of the night, a friend called Gemma a taxi, while another cab was called for Holder.
World News
View All 10Thousands of beer cans spill across Connecticut highway after tractor-trailer overturns
close Video Vehicle carrying fireworks erupts in flames on Tennessee interstate Exploding fireworks shot in multiple directions after a vehicle caught fire on I-75 near Chattanooga, forcing authorities to shut down traffic in both directions while crews extinguished the blaze. (Credit: Chattanooga Fire Department via Facebook) NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Thousands of beer cans spilled across a Connecticut roadway Tuesday after a tractor-trailer overturned, forcing authorities to shut down the highway for hours. Connecticut State Police said the crash took place around a. m. on Route 44 near Twin Lakes Road in Salisbury. Police said the tractor-trailer veered off the roadway and overturned. The truck sustained significant damage, spilling its cargo of beer across the roadway, police said. WILD VIDEO SHOWS INMATES RIOTING INSIDE JAIL AFTER FRUSTRATIONS OVER ACCESS BOIL OVER A tractor-trailer overturned in Salisbury, Connecticut, spilling thousands of cans of beer across Route 44, according to state police. (Connecticut State Police) Photos released -trailer lying on its side, with cans of Michelob Ultra and Bud Light strewn across the roadway. The roadway remained closed for several hours while crews cleared the debris and removed the overturned truck, according to state police. Police said the closure was necessary because of the "large volume of debris" and to safely remove the damaged truck. CALIFORNIA COUPLE SAYS MOVING COMPANY DOUBLED THEIR PRICE AND IS NOW HOLDING BELONGINGS 'FOR RANSOM': REPORT A tractor-trailer lies on its side after overturning on Route 44 in Salisbury, Connecticut. (Connecticut State Police) "Thank you to all motorists for your patience and for seeking alternate routes during the closure," state police said in a statement. State police said local firefighters, EMS crews, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Department of Consumer Protection and towing crews assisted with the cleanup. Police said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Thousands of cans of Michelob Ultra and Bud Light covered a Connecticut roadway after a tractor-trailer overturned Tuesday morning. (Connecticut State Police) The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said it was not notified of the crash, according to local reports. Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael. sinkewicz@fox. com
Another New Yorker says officers confronted him after he criticized ICE
close Video New York governor proposes new anti-ICE measures Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charges an ICE agent with assault, labeled 'America's wokest prosecutor' while critics question her priorities. Separately, NY Governor Kathy Hochul faces backlash for extreme anti-ICE policies following a deadly NYC apartment fire started . Victim families deliver emotional testimony at a Capitol Hill hearing on sanctuary policies. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A second New York resident said on Tuesday that federal authorities served him with a warning over an email that authorities deemed threatening after he criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s tactics. David Streever, of Rochester, was on a trip to Finland last week when two officers showed up to his home and handed his wife a warning notice notifying him that an email he sent earlier this year was deemed a threat, his lawyer told The Associated Press. Streever sent an email in January to Todd Lyons, who was the acting director of ICE at the time, after an ICE agent shot and killed U. S. citizen Renee Nicole Good during an immigration enforcement-related incident in Minneapolis. In the email, Streever told Lyons he was "a monstrous human being" who "will never know peace." MINNESOTA SENATE VOTES TO BAN ICE FROM WEARING MASKS, ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SUE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS Federal officers showed up at David Streever's home in Rochester, New York, in June 2026. (David Streever via AP) "The way you are protecting the obvious execution in Minnesota, even as we videos, will lead to your downfall. Even Trump will turn on you before the end, and you will be a sad, despised man who eats himself alive with shame at your own pathetic weakness," Streever said in the email, according to Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression who is representing Streever. Federal officers also attempted to confront Streever at a New York City hotel after he returned from Finland, but hotel staff turned them away, Steinbaugh said. Steinbaugh argued the email was protected speech under the First Amendment and does not represent a legitimate threat. "A true threat is a serious expression of an intent to commit violence. This email doesn't even come close," Steinbaugh said. "It's political speech, it's an act of petitioning your government." Streever said he was shocked that federal officers came to his home to question him over his email. "Like many Americans, I was deeply upset after the shootings in Minnesota and I felt compelled to do something," he said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Writing a letter to the head of ICE seemed like the least I could do to express my sense of outrage.
Melat Kiros, a Left-Wing Insurgent, Ousts a 15-Term Congresswoman in Colorado
Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist, unseated Representative Diana DeGette in a Democratic primary to represent the Denver area.
Democratic Outsiders Keep Rolling: 5 Takeaways From Colorado’s Primaries
A democratic socialist ousted a veteran congresswoman in Denver, and a U.S. senator lost his bid for governor. But the state’s other senator fended off a progressive primary challenger.
Politics
View All 10Far-left extends victory streak into Denver: Key takeaways from Colorado’s primaries
The far-left faction of the Democratic Party landed another major upset on Tuesday after democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated progressive Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) in the Democratic primary for a Denver-based House seat – a win that’s sure to delight Republicans while worrying House Democratic leadership ahead of November. Kiros, a former attorney who was fired for penning a letter criticizing the idea that…
U.S. Lifts Restrictions on Anthropic’s Most Powerful A.I. Models
The move allows Anthropic to bring its most powerful technologies back online, de-escalating a feud with the Trump administration.
Manny Rutinel, a Progressive, Wins Colorado Primary for Competitive House Seat
Manny Rutinel, a state representative and former activist, will face Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican seen as vulnerable, in the fall.
Hickenlooper wins Democratic primary, Baisley wins GOP nod
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) won his Democratic primary in Colorado, Decision Desk HQ projects, besting a progressive challenger in his fight for a second term in the Senate. Hickenlooper on Tuesday defeated Julie Gonzales, a labor organizer and state senator who mounted a surprisingly strong challenge from the left. She blasted the incumbent as “a…
Business
View All 10The job market is reaccelerating. Is the economy?
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European armies already filling holes made by US withdrawals, says Rutte
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FirstFT: Europe defence drive benefits US jobs, Rutte says
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Introducing: The Story of Money
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Technology
View All 10The first early human eggs from stem cells
Company News • June 2026 Company News • June 2026 The first early human eggs from stem cells The first early human eggs from stem cells Summary Conception’s mission is to turn stem cells into human eggs and redefine fertility. We want to share an exciting update that we have generated the first early human egg cells (‘primary oocytes’) derived from stem cells. After performing a simple blood draw, we converted blood cells into stem cells, and then coaxed those stem cells into becoming miniature human ovaries that contain the early eggs. While there is still work ahead to grow these eggs to full maturity, we think this is a major scientific advance. Figure 1 – Human follicles, the base units of the ovary. Contains an early-egg cell surrounded . Summary Conception’s mission is to turn stem cells into human eggs and redefine fertility. We want to share an exciting update that we have generated the first early human egg cells (‘primary oocytes’) derived from stem cells. After performing a simple blood draw, we converted blood cells into stem cells, and then coaxed those stem cells into becoming miniature human ovaries that contain the early eggs. While there is still work ahead to grow these eggs to full maturity, we think this is a major scientific advance. Figure 1 – Human follicles, the base units of the ovary. Contains an early-egg cell surrounded . Why this matters Making viable eggs from stem cells has already been accomplished in mice. In 2016, our collaborator Katsuhiko Hayashi demonstrated that mouse skin cells can be turned into ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPSCs, which are engineered cells capable of becoming any kind of cell in the body) and then turned into usable eggs. These eggs produced healthy pups that lived normal lifespans and reproduced naturally, having healthy pups of their own. Figure 2 – Adult mice from eggs derived from pluripotent stem cells (Hikabe et al., 2016) This process, known as "in vitro gametogenesis” (IVG), has been far easier to achieve in mice than in larger animals. Still, given how dramatically impactful this technology could be, it is well worth pursuing for human application. IVG has the potential to redefine reproduction worldwide. From a simple blood draw, one could make as many healthy eggs as a family needs. This capability could create freedom from biological and genetic limits. It could dramatically expand families’ options for having healthy children and enable women to have children at a much older age– all without the hormone injections or surgical retrieval currently required for IVF.
Gemini Spark comes to Google's Gemini app for macOS
News AI Gemini Spark comes to Google's Gemini app for macOS The Spark agentic AI assistant is exclusively available to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US. By Mariella Moon June 30, 2026 pm EST Google has started rolling out its new agentic AI assistant, Gemini Spark, to Gemini's app for macOS. When the company launched Spark at its I/O developer conference in May, it explained that the assistant turns Gemini into an "active partner" that can actually do tasks for you. On Mac computers, for instance, you can ask it to (finally) sort the massive number of the PDFs in your Downloads into specific folders. You'll also be able to get it to do tasks on your Workspace apps using files in your computer, such as asking it to create a spreadsheet with invoices saved on your laptop. In the future, Google will also update Spark so that it can run tasks on your computer that you tell it to do from your phone. If you're away and need a specific file, for instance, you can ask Spark to find it for your laptop and then email it to you. All of those tasks, however, require you to trust Gemini with your information. If you're worried about privacy and security, well, Google says the assistant will only be able to access files you give it permission to use. In case you don't mind giving Spark access to more of your data, you can now link it with Google Tasks and Keep. Integration with third-party apps, namely Canva, Dropbox, Instacart, OpenTable and Zillow Rental, will also be available over the coming weeks. Gemini Spark for macOS is still currently in beta testing and is only available for users in the US 18 and older paying $100 a month for Google AI Ultra.
How to disable ACR on your TV (and why it makes such a big difference when you do)
Home & Office 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Close How to disable ACR on your TV (and why it makes such a big difference when you do) Written , Staff WriterStaff Writer and Chris Bayer, EditorEditor June 30, 2026 at p. m. PT Adam Breeden/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Smart TVs track viewing habits with ACR tech. Collected data fuels billions in targeted ads. Turning off ACR protects privacy but takes effort. Most modern smart TVs come with a silent partner: Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). This ad-tracking tech monitors everything on your screen in real-time, feeding your viewing history into a database to build a precise profile of your habits. It's the engine behind those eerily specific ads -- and it's likely running the moment you press the power button. Also: Own a Samsung TV? I changed these 6 settings to make the system run like new again What's the incentive behind this invasive technology? Companies buy and sell the tracking data collected from your search histories and media preferences to fine-tune targeted ad campaigns.
June research roundup: 6 cool science stories we almost missed
Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav It’s a regrettable reality that there is never enough time to cover all the interesting scientific stories we come across. So every month, we highlight a handful of the best stories that nearly slipped through the cracks. June’s list includes insight into the science of soccer’s scissors feint; the physics of poo’s distinctive coiled shape; a boron buckyball; and the latest breakthrough in the ongoing Vesuvius challenge to decipher the Herculaneum scrolls. The science of soccer’s scissors feint Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/Howcast Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/Howcast With the FIFA World Cup in full swing, even scientists’ thoughts are turning to soccer (or football for everyone else in the world). For instance, one common and highly effective dribbling maneuver is the “scissors feint,” in which a player uses the outside of their feet to fake going one way and then cutting to the other. Japanese scientists studied university and junior high school soccer players of varying skill levels to study dribbling dynamics, focusing on the scissors feint. The movements were captured with high-speed cameras. The researchers looked at several variables, including body speed, joint kinematics, distance between players, and changes in relative speed between attackers and defenders. They described their findings in a paper published in the Japan Journal of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences. Most notably, the team found that raw speed is not the only factor in skilled dribbling. The best players actively regulate their distance to the defender while maintaining a high body speed, for example. They can generate explosive, rapid acceleration . And they have minimal foot lift and a pronounced trunk inclination when executing feints, so their actions are quicker and more deceptive. Per The Guardian, this year’s FIFA ball design , the Adidas Trionda, seems to be giving goalkeepers a bit of trouble when it comes to reading the ball’s speed and responding accordingly. FIFA shifted last year to the four-panel ball with intentionally deep seams to create optimal in-flight stability and a more predictable trajectory. It’s also designed to function better in wet or humid conditions. So why are goalkeepers struggling to stop the balls? A paper published last month in the journal Fluids might hold the answer. The authors fired the Trionda ball through a wind tunnel and analyzed the aerodynamics. (It’s a common experimental approach used to study baseball aerodynamics, too.) They found that the ball traveled faster once it hit a certain velocity regardless of where it was struck.
Science
View All 10Women with PMOS should have yearly NHS checks, says health watchdog
Women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) should have annual checks so doctors can spot the wide-ranging health issues that can come with this complex condition, says new advice for the NHS. PMOS, which affects around one in eight women, used to be known as polycystic ovary syndrome but was renamed in May, external to better reflect the broad impact it can have across the body. The draft guidance issued , external urges faster diagnosis along with better monitoring. PMOS is a major cause of female infertility. Symptoms can include irregular periods, excessive hair growth and weight gain. Despite between three and four million women having the condition in the UK, PMOS is still under-diagnosed and inconsistently managed, says NICE. It recommends the new annual checks cover not just the main symptoms, but also longer-term associated risks, such as diabetes and heart disease. Lifestyle changes, as well as treatment, could help to prevent more serious illness, says NICE. There is no cure for PMOS but the NHS already offers treatments, external to manage the symptoms, including hormone support and fertility drugs. The new guidance is clear that laser and light therapies for hair reduction is not recommended due to the cost. Sharon had to wait over ten years to be diagnosed with PMOS Sharon Manship has PMOS and was part of the committee that came up with the new guidelines after living with the condition for 30 years. She said she struggled to get a diagnosis despite having initially sought support in her early 20s for her symptoms. It took her more than 10 years to be told she had PMOS. "It was so disheartening to be told, until I was finally diagnosed in my mid-30s, that my symptoms were just part of being a woman," she said. "My hope is that with this new guideline, people with PMOS will be taken seriously, diagnosed earlier and provided with evidence-based support and care from healthcare professionals from the outset, rather than having to go what I went through." PCOS name change 'more representative of condition' Will the PCOS name change help young women get treatment? The guidelines recommend when to suspect PMOS, how to assess women and how to diagnose the condition. They also say PMOS should not be discounted in women who have been through the menopause. PMOS is thought to be more common in women of Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity, and healthcare professionals "should consider this when assessing symptoms", NICE says.
'Normal birth drive' criticism removed from maternity report, expert claims
A review into maternity safety in England was changed just days before publication to remove criticism of a "normal birth drive", according to a former member of the inquiry team. The campaign, which encourages vaginal birth without any medical intervention and is backed , has been found to have contributed to avoidable deaths and harm in other reviews. But Dr Bill Kirkup told the BBC that similar criticism was removed from the government-commissioned review, forcing him to resign. "I don't think it's right that we should push this under the covers," he said. "This is a patient safety danger and I think it should be called out as such." Asked to respond to his remarks, Baroness Amos refused to comment. The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation report was published on Tuesday. Examining care across England, it found that women were repeatedly not listened to . One of its key recommendations – that the government appoint a maternity commissioner to drive improvements – has been accepted by ministers. Many campaigners were, however, surprised that the review concluded that a "normal" birth agenda was not a contributory factor to poor maternity outcomes. Between 2007 and 2017, the Royal College of Midwives told its members to encourage women to have a vaginal delivery without any medical interventions, such as pharmaceutical pain relief or forceps, for instance. It argued that such a birth was better for women and babies. But its practice – which sometimes encouraged women to stay at home when they needed medical attention or denied caesarean sections – has been criticised in several reviews as contributing to avoidable deaths and harms. Writing last year, the former Health Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt said that "the language, and the thinking behind it, is still alive." Dr Kirkup chaired maternity reviews in Morecambe Bay and East Kent, and found the practice caused harm in both areas. He has been a long-term critic of efforts to promote normal birth in the health service and said he was "utterly shocked" by Kirkup's claims. "These events raise profound questions about the integrity and independence of the review process. Bereaved families deserve complete transparency," he said, adding that he felt "profoundly betrayed" . As well as the campaign , NHS England used to discourage trusts from performing caesarean sections, encouraging them to limit such procedures to around 20% of birth. It dropped the measure in 2022. However, author and midwife Leah Hazard welcomed the conclusion of the review. Writing on social media, she said: "The Amos review is out and it could not be clearer.
'PROMISE' me the moon? NASA wants to send spare nuclear-powered Mars rover to the lunar surface
PROMISE was developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, where it has been used as a test platform for fixes or commands that engineers want to try on the ground before permanently sending them to Perseverance and Curiosity. Now, NASA wants to send PROMISE on a mission of its own. Though sending PROMISE to the moon would leave Perseverance and Curiosity — both of which remain active on Mars — without an Earth-based testbed, Isaacman thinks it would be worth it. "We've had years now of experience operating the two rovers on the surface of Mars, and we've got this hardware that the taxpayers have invested a lot in," he said. "So the question was posed: 'What if we send it to the moon?'" With a little refurbishment, PROMISE would help advance NASA's lunar plans, Isaacman added. Like Perseverance and Curiosity, the test rover is powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), which converts heat from naturally decaying radioactive material into electricity. So it wouldn't require sunlight to operate — a real benefit on the moon, where most locations experience long stretches of darkness. (NASA plans to build its Artemis base near the moon's south pole, which is thought to harbor an abundance of water ice and also has a relatively complex lighting environment.) The other robots currently in the works to launch on future missions to the moon, including the landers announced during today's update, are all solar powered. Through 2029, NASA hopes to launch up to 20 such missions as part of the CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative to support the first phase of the agency's moon base plans, and the landers announced today will be some of the first in that lineup. Already expected this year was Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo lander. It's slated to launch on the company's New Glenn rocket, which exploded last month during an engine test. That anomaly has complicated the Blue Moon timeline, though Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp has voiced confidence that New Glenn will launch again this year. Two lunar deliveries were awarded to Astrobotic's Griffin 1 lander, one of which will fly Astrolab's FLIP rover the surface of the moon in the second half of 2026. Contracts to Firefly and Intuitive Machines call for the use of their Blue Ghost and Nova C landers, respectively, on CLPS missions in the next few years. Three artist renderings depict commercial lunar landers from Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines, and Firefly on the moon.
Rocket Lab aborts launch of Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite at last second
ET on June 30: Rocket Lab tried to launch "The Grain Goddess Provides" mission at 9 p. m. EDT on June 30 but aborted the attempt at the last second. It's unclear at the moment what caused the abort or when the company will try to fly again. Rocket Lab will launch a Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit tonight (June 30), and you can watch the action live. An Electron rocket carrying the QPS-SAR-13 satellite is scheduled to lift off from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site tonight at 9 p. m. EDT (0100 GMT and 1 p. m. local New Zealand time on July 1). Latest Videos From View more Watch full video here: You can watch the launch live here at Space. com courtesy of Rocket Lab, or directly via the company. Coverage will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff. A Rocket Lab Electron stands on the pad shortly after a launch abort on June 30, 2026. ( Lab)Japan-based iQPS is building a constellation of 36 satellites in low Earth orbit that study Earth using high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR). SAR spacecraft can peer through clouds and gather data at night as well as during the day. Tonight's launch, which Rocket Lab calls "The Grain Goddess Provides," will be the eighth, out of a total of 15, that it will perform to assemble iQPS' constellation. If all goes according to plan tonight, Electron will deploy the iQPS satellite — which is nicknamed Mikura-I, after a Japanese goddess associated with abundance and prosperity — about 50 minutes after liftoff, into a circular orbit 357 miles (575 kilometers) above Earth. The patch for Rocket Lab's "The Grain Goddess Provides" mission, which is scheduled to launch on June 30, 2026. ( Lab)"The Grain Goddess Provides" will be Rocket Lab's 92nd mission to date and its 13th of 2026 already. The vast majority of these launches have involved the 59-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) Electron, which gives small satellites dedicated rides to orbit. A small number have been performed by HASTE , a suborbital version of Electron that helps customers test hypersonic technologies. Tonight's launch will come just a day after Rocket Lab made a big business move: On Monday (June 29), Rocket Lab announced that it's acquiring the communications company Iridium for $8 billion. " @IridiumComm’s global satellite communications network and rare spectrum, Rocket Lab becomes a fully integrated, self-launching, tier-1 space power, delivering critical communications capability to millions of users worldwide," Rocket Lab said via X on Monday. Spaceflight and Tech Editor Michael Wall is the Spaceflight and Tech Editor for Space. com and joined the team in 2010.
Environment
View All 10Can giant batteries unlock Africa’s green industrial future?
Share: X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Print When Tropical Storm Ana made landfall in Malawi in 2022, it hit the landlocked country's electricity system hard, destroying a third of its hydropower capacity and causing nationwide system shutdowns. Even before the storm, Malawi's power supply - generated mostly from renewables including solar and hydro - had been unreliable for many years, suffering from persistent outages. The Malawian government is now hoping to improve the stability of its grid power with the construction of a battery energy storage system (BESS) in its capital that will charge up with surplus electricity generated when the sun is shining and hydropower dams are running, and release it when needed. More than 80% of Malawi's electricity comes from renewables and the country has been expanding capacity 78 megawatts (MW) of diesel generation. But climatic impacts such as cyclones disrupt the grid and threaten to reverse energy transition gains. West Africa’s first lithium mine awaits go-ahead as Ghana seeks better deal Already have an account? Log in here → Continue reading with free access For 15 years, Climate Home News has rigorously reported on the decisions shaping our climate. Join the community of readers who make this work possible. Join free and keep reading → It takes less than a minute. ×Log in to your account Forgot your password? When Tropical Storm Ana made landfall in Malawi in 2022, it hit the landlocked country's electricity system hard, destroying a third of its hydropower capacity and causing nationwide system shutdowns. Even before the storm, Malawi's power supply - generated mostly from renewables including solar and hydro - had been unreliable for many years, suffering from persistent outages. The Malawian government is now hoping to improve the stability of its grid power with the construction of a battery energy storage system (BESS) in its capital that will charge up with surplus electricity generated when the sun is shining and hydropower dams are running, and release it when needed. More than 80% of Malawi's electricity comes from renewables and the country has been expanding capacity 78 megawatts (MW) of diesel generation. But climatic impacts such as cyclones disrupt the grid and threaten to reverse energy transition gains. West Africa’s first lithium mine awaits go-ahead as Ghana seeks better deal To ensure a more stable supply, Malawi is building the 20 MW/30 megawatt hour (MWh) battery storage system in Lilongwe with support from the Global Energy Alliance (GEA), under Mission 300 - an initiative led 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Dangerous heatwave to hit US ahead of holiday weekend
This video can not be played Ben Rich looks at the heatwave developing across the eastern United States bringing stifling heat and humidity A prolonged and dangerous heatwave will intensify across a swathe of the US this week, ushering in scorching daytime heat, high humidity and stifling overnight temperatures, forecasters predict. Some 120 million people, external nationwide are under an extreme heat warning as of Tuesday, as Americans head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. To the north, much of Canada began experiencing its own heatwave on Tuesday, with temperatures up to 37C (99F) expected in Ontario. It comes after Europe's unprecedented early summer heatwave scorched several countries over recent days, with temperature records broken across the continent. Europe's heatwave linked to 1,300 deaths, WHO says, as Germany hits record 41.7C The heatwave is forecast to hit a large area of the country, from the US east coast to central areas of the country. The extreme temperatures caused by a heat dome, will peak in the Midwest and Mississippi Valley by Thursday, the NWS predicted. It will shift east into the Ohio Valley and East Coast on Thursday and into the holiday weekend, according to the weather service. Temperatures ranging from 95F-105F (35C -40.6C) combined with high humidity will bring the heat index to 100F-115F (38C-46C). Daily temperature records are expected to be broken on Thursday and Friday, with some monthly and all-time records possible. Officials are warning people living in the affected areas to limit time outdoors, stay hydrated and ensure access to air conditioning or cooling centres. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani activated a heat emergency plan with hundreds of cooling centres set to open across the city on Wednesday. Detroit, Michigan, where temperatures could reach 100F (38C), opened a dozen recreation centres with air conditioning for residents to cool down. With the intense weather, some World Cup matches could have heat indexes exceeding the threshold where global players' union Fifpro consider it too unsafe for play. The hottest weather will be in Texas, which will mostly hit fans travelling to and from the air-conditioned stadiums in Houston and Arlington. This may also be the case for the England v DR Congo match on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is moving parts of its Fifa World Cup Fan Festival into cooled tents on Thursday and Friday. Extreme heat in the US could make World Cup matches 'unsafe' this week In Canada, temperatures were expected to remain high until Thursday, particularly in the province of Ontario, where it could hit 37C (99F) this week.
Potentially dangerous heatwave to sweep across the eastern United States
A heatwave developing across the eastern United States will bring daytime heat, high humidity and stifling overnight temperatures as Ben Rich explains.
With extreme heat now a public health crisis, local data can save lives
Share: X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Print Eric Mackres is senior manager of urban analytics for the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and attended London Climate Action Week during the June 2026 heatwave. Usama Bilal is an associate professor of epidemiology and co-director of the Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University. As thousands gathered in London for one of the year’s largest climate gatherings last week, Western Europe faced its most severe heatwave ever recorded. The irony was not lost. Across Europe, over a dozen countries issued urgent heat warnings and the World Health Organization recorded over 1,300 excess deaths. In London, where air conditioning is rare in buildings and on trains and buses, temperatures soared past 36 degrees Celsius (97F) and schools closed early. The mayor announced the city’s first heat action plan - an important step. Extreme heat is now a public health crisis for many of the world’s cities, as the urban heat island effect intensifies dangerous temperatures - and it’s growing worse. Around 500,000 people die from extreme heat every year. As global temperatures rise, and with a severe El Niño getting underway, even more people will die and be hospitalised unless cities act soon. But most cities are still taking a far too one-sized-fits-all approach to tackling heat, looking only at temperatures and not its local effects on people and their health. Log in here → Continue reading with free access For 15 years, Climate Home News has rigorously reported on the decisions shaping our climate. Join the community of readers who make this work possible. Join free and keep reading → It takes less than a minute. ×Log in to your account Forgot your password? Eric Mackres is senior manager of urban analytics for the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and attended London Climate Action Week during the June 2026 heatwave. Usama Bilal is an associate professor of epidemiology and co-director of the Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University. As thousands gathered in London for one of the year’s largest climate gatherings last week, Western Europe faced its most severe heatwave ever recorded. The irony was not lost. Across Europe, over a dozen countries issued urgent heat warnings and the World Health Organization recorded over 1,300 excess deaths. In London, where air conditioning is rare in buildings and on trains and buses, temperatures soared past 36 degrees Celsius (97F) and schools closed early. The mayor announced the city’s first heat action plan - an important step.
Weather
View All 6Today: Light Rain Showers, Minimum Temperature: 15°C (59°F) Maximum Temperature: 21°C (70°F)
This video can not be played Today will see cloudy periods and sunny breaks. The odd light shower cannot be ruled out. , it will turn cloudy and breezy, with a few spots of light rain. Tonight will turn cloudy with light rain moving in. Becoming windy for most as well. , clear breaks will develop, but scattered light showers will linger in places. Tomorrow will start windy with a few lingering showers. Turning dry later. , winds will ease and plenty of sunny spells will develop. Outlook for Friday to Sunday Friday looks to be dry with plenty of sunshine, hazy at times. A few patches of mist and fog in the morning. Saturday will become cloudy and breezy with a few spells of light rain moving in from the northwest. Another cloudy and breezy day on Sunday. A few spells of rain in the morning, becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Average wind speed 3 Miles per hour, West South Westerly3Average wind speed 5 Kilometres per hour, West South Westerly5 Humidity: Humidity: 93%,93% Visibility: Visibility: Very Good, Very Good Pressure: Pressure: 1021 millibars, Rising,1021mb, Rising Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° North, 2.383° West)Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° N, 2.383° W) Our favourite Weather Watchers photos nearby Report for Chelford, Cheshire East TimboReported , Bolton keithReported , Wigan Northern Rambler Reported , Tameside DavidUpOnTheLowReported by DavidUpOnTheLow
Thursday: Sunny Intervals, Minimum Temperature: 11°C (52°F) Maximum Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
This video can not be played Today will see cloudy periods and sunny breaks. The odd light shower cannot be ruled out. , it will turn cloudy and breezy, with a few spots of light rain. Tonight will turn cloudy with light rain moving in. Becoming windy for most as well. , clear breaks will develop, but scattered light showers will linger in places. Tomorrow will start windy with a few lingering showers. Turning dry later. , winds will ease and plenty of sunny spells will develop. Outlook for Friday to Sunday Friday looks to be dry with plenty of sunshine, hazy at times. A few patches of mist and fog in the morning. Saturday will become cloudy and breezy with a few spells of light rain moving in from the northwest. Another cloudy and breezy day on Sunday. A few spells of rain in the morning, becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Average wind speed 3 Miles per hour, West South Westerly3Average wind speed 5 Kilometres per hour, West South Westerly5 Humidity: Humidity: 93%,93% Visibility: Visibility: Very Good, Very Good Pressure: Pressure: 1021 millibars, Rising,1021mb, Rising Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° North, 2.383° West)Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° N, 2.383° W) Our favourite Weather Watchers photos nearby Report for Chelford, Cheshire East TimboReported , Bolton keithReported , Wigan Northern Rambler Reported , Tameside DavidUpOnTheLowReported by DavidUpOnTheLow
One dead after heavy rainfall floods Puebla metropolitan area, Mexico
Emergency response to flash floods in central Puebla. Credit: Coordinación General de Protección Civil del Estado de Puebla The Government of Puebla deployed personnel from the General Coordination of Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management to municipalities across the Puebla metropolitan area on June 28 after heavy rainfall affected the region. The operation was coordinated with the Secretariat of Public Security and local authorities. According to the coordination’s automatic weather station, 62 mm (2.4 inches) of accumulated rainfall was recorded at about LT. The incident caused the death of one person. State Civil Protection personnel, together with State Police and Firefighters, carried out rescue and assistance at the scene. Flooding reached depths of up to 70 cm (2.3 feet) at different locations in Puebla city. Civil Protection personnel assisted with the preventive evacuation of elderly residents, and authorities reported no injuries during those operations. Civil Protection personnel also assisted motorists stranded on Diagonal Defensores de la República, Boulevard Carlos Camacho Espíritu, Vía Corta a Santa Ana, and streets in Puebla’s Historic Center. Verification tours continued across the Puebla metropolitan area as authorities assessed conditions following the rainfall. The Government of Puebla urged the public to exercise caution and report emergencies through the 911 emergency line. References: 1 Protección Civil atiende afectaciones por lluvias en zona metropolitana – Gobierno de Puebla – June 28, 2026 Reet Kaur I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Gulf of California, Mexico
Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake in Gulf of California, Mexico on June 30, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google The epicenter was located 75 km (47 miles) SSW of El Progreso (population 1 137), 95 km (59 miles) SSW of Guasave (population 71 196), 98 km (61 miles) SSW of Leyva Solano (population 27 536), and 100 km (62.1 miles) SSW of Adolfo Ruiz Cortines (population 12 978). 13 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking, 2.6 million light and 334 000 weak. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake. The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and adobe block with concrete bond beam construction. No significant landsliding is expected. Epicenter of M6.0 earthquake in Gulf of California, Mexico on June 30, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking Selected cities exposed Regional seismicity References: 1 M6.0 earthquake Gulf of California, Mexico – USGS – June 30, 2026 2 M6.0 earthquake Gulf of California, Mexico – EMSC – June 30, 2026 Teo Blašković I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers. news.
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