Author: Andrew Rogers

The rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly has had a strong year in Northern Ireland, thanks to warm weather and long-term conservation work. Once common across the UK and Ireland, the species declined sharply as farming practices changed and its key food plant, Devil’s-bit Scabious, became scarce. Butterfly Conservation has spent years helping farmers manage grassland to support the butterfly, and recent surveys show major improvements. One monitored site saw caterpillar nests rise from 24 to 53, another from 24 to 139, and a third from five to 27. Conservation manager Rose Cremin said weather can help in the short term, but…

A UK health advisory panel has recommended against offering prostate cancer screening to most men, saying the harms outweigh the benefits. The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) concluded that widespread PSA testing would lead to high levels of overdiagnosis, detecting many slow-growing cancers that would never cause harm but could result in unnecessary treatment and serious side-effects. Instead, the committee advised a targeted screening programme only for men with confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants, who are at higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. These men could be screened every two years between ages 45 and 61. Despite prostate…

Premier League clubs are bracing for increased wage costs after the UK government confirmed that, from April 2027, players’ image rights payments will be taxed as income rather than as corporate earnings. Many top-flight players currently receive a portion of their salary through image rights companies, which are taxed at the 25% corporation rate. Under the new rule, those payments will instead be subject to the 45% top income tax rate — leaving players with significantly higher tax bills. Agents say players will expect clubs to compensate for the difference, particularly when negotiating new contracts. Players who base their deals…

Archaeologists say they have confirmed that a vast circle of giant pits near Stonehenge was carved by humans more than 4,000 years ago. The Durrington pit circle, thought to be over a mile wide, contains around 20 huge pits, some measuring up to 10 metres across and 5 metres deep. It was first identified in 2020, but some experts questioned whether the features were natural. A new study using advanced geophysical tools, soil dating and ancient DNA analysis found repeating, structured patterns in the sediments that researchers say could not have formed naturally. The team concluded the pits were deliberately…

Scientists have identified five major phases of brain development across the human lifespan, with key “turning points” occurring at roughly ages 9, 32, 66 and 83, according to a large new brain-imaging study. The research analysed scans from nearly 4,000 people ranging in age from infancy to 90 years old. Instead of finding smooth, continuous change, the scientists discovered that the brain develops in broad epochs, with sharp shifts in its organisation at specific stages of life. The five brain “eras” were found to be: Researchers measured factors such as how efficiently brain regions communicate, how specialised different areas are,…

Idrissa Gueye was applauded by his Everton teammates after apologising for being sent off for striking Michael Keane during Monday’s win over Manchester United. The midfielder was shown a red card after slapping Keane during a heated exchange at Old Trafford, becoming the first Premier League player in 17 years to be dismissed for striking a teammate. The incident came after Gueye’s misplaced pass created a chance for Bruno Fernandes. With Everton securing a 1-0 win despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, Gueye addressed the squad in the dressing room after the game. He apologised directly…

People who stop taking the weight-loss jab Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are likely to regain weight and lose key health benefits such as improved blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar control, according to new research. The findings come from the Surmount-4 clinical trial, where participants took tirzepatide for 36 weeks before being split into two groups: one continued the drug, while the other switched to a placebo. Of those who stopped the medication after significant weight loss, 82% regained at least a quarter of the weight they had originally lost within a year. Researchers found that as weight returned, so did health…

Virgil van Dijk has criticised Liverpool’s disastrous title defence, admitting the team is “in a mess” and questioning whether his teammates are taking enough responsibility after a 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest. The loss left Liverpool in the bottom half of the Premier League with a negative goal difference. Van Dijk said Liverpool’s performance, particularly at the start of the second half, was “unacceptable” and claimed “panic kicked in” after Forest took the lead from a set piece — the ninth such goal Liverpool have conceded this season. The captain said the team are letting down manager Arne Slot…

Health officials in Washington state have reported what is believed to be the first human death caused by the rare H5N5 strain of bird flu. Authorities emphasized that the overall risk to the public remains low. The victim, an older adult with underlying health conditions, had been hospitalized since early November after developing a high fever, respiratory problems and confusion. According to the Washington State Department of Health, the person lived in Grays Harbor County and kept a backyard flock of poultry that had been exposed to wild birds. Officials said no other individuals who were involved in caring for…

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has said the club is not close to spending £100m on a single player, unlike rivals Arsenal. Spurs are undergoing major changes following Daniel Levy’s removal as chair and the introduction of a new leadership team. While the club plans to grow and aim for greater success, Frank admitted matching Arsenal’s big-money approach is not imminent. Arsenal’s £105m signing of Declan Rice in 2023 marked their intent, while Spurs’ record purchase remains Richarlison for £60m in 2022. Frank said long-term success depends on time, strong processes, and smart investment rather than simply spending huge sums.…