Author: Andrew Rogers

Ryanair has said it could be forced to cancel up to 600 flights a day next week as French air traffic controllers stage fresh strike action. The industrial action by France’s biggest ATC union, SNCTA, is set for 7–10 October and is expected to hit routes across western Europe, including flights from the UK to Spain, Italy, Greece, and beyond that pass through French airspace. Chief executive Michael O’Leary said as many as 100,000 passengers a day could be affected. Airlines will only learn the full scale of cancellations once the strike begins, but Ryanair expects major disruption. In a…

Autism should not be seen as a single condition with one underlying cause, according to new research that reveals clear biological and developmental differences between people diagnosed in early childhood and those diagnosed later. The international study, drawing on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic individuals in Europe and the US, found that children diagnosed before the age of six typically showed early social and behavioural difficulties that remained stable over time and were linked to a distinct genetic profile. In contrast, those diagnosed after the age of 10 were more likely to experience worsening social and behavioural challenges…

Researchers in the US have created human eggs from skin cells in a development that could transform IVF treatment for those unable to conceive naturally. The work, led by Prof Shoukhrat Mitalipov at Oregon Health and Science University, could provide new options for women who are infertile due to age, illness or medical treatment, as well as same-sex male couples. The method adapts cloning techniques used in the creation of Dolly the sheep, by transferring the nucleus of a skin cell into a donor egg with its own nucleus removed. After fertilisation with sperm, the eggs were activated with a…

New Zealand’s only falcon, the kārearea, has been named the country’s bird of the year after topping the annual public vote in a rare scandal-free contest. The powerful raptor – capable of diving at speeds of 200km/h to catch prey – beat the cheeky alpine kea and the karure, a rare black robin, to take the title. It is only the third species to win the competition twice, after also triumphing in 2012. With just 5,000–8,000 birds left in the wild, kārearea are classed as threatened. They nest on the ground, leaving their eggs vulnerable to introduced predators such as…

Colourful cans promising “calm” and “focus” have become a familiar sight on supermarket shelves, with functional beverages booming in popularity. These drinks, often infused with ingredients such as ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushroom, L-theanine, magnesium, and CBD, claim to boost mood, reduce stress, and sharpen focus. But how much of this is science – and how much is clever branding? The global market for functional drinks is projected to reach €212bn by 2030, fuelled by a growing wellness culture and a shift away from alcohol, particularly among younger generations. “In a world that feels increasingly fast-paced, the idea of a quick,…

Jennifer Lawrence was honoured with the Premio Donostia 2025 at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, becoming the youngest recipient of the award at age 35. With an Oscar, Golden Globe, and a career spanning blockbuster franchises and acclaimed dramas, she joined a list of past winners including Penélope Cruz and Julia Roberts. “It’s a huge honour,” she said, before reflecting on the cultural climate in the US. “Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film, where we realise that we are all connected and need empathy and freedom.” Lawrence presented her new…

A Cambridge-led clinical trial has raised hopes for a new class of therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS) after finding early evidence that damage to the nervous system can be partially repaired. The CCMR Two trial tested a combination of metformin, a common diabetes drug, and clemastine, an antihistamine, in 70 people with relapsing MS. After six months, patients on the treatment showed faster electrical signalling between the eyes and brain compared with those on placebo – a sign of improved nerve function. While the effect was modest – just 1.3 milliseconds faster – researchers said it showed drugs could stimulate…

Women who skip their first breast cancer screening appointment are 40% more likely to die from the disease, according to a major new study from Sweden. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute analysed data from about 500,000 women who received their first mammogram invitation between 1991 and 2020, with follow-up spanning up to 25 years. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, showed that 32% of women did not attend their first screening. Those who missed the appointment were significantly more likely to die from breast cancer – 9.9 deaths per 1,000 women over 25 years, compared with 7 deaths…

The world’s oceans have failed a planetary health check for the first time, with scientists warning that rising acidity now threatens marine life. The 2025 Planetary Health Check from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found ocean acidity has crossed a critical boundary, making it the seventh of nine planetary limits to be breached. Researchers linked the crisis to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human-driven pressures. Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and help stabilise the climate, but the report says their vital role is under threat. Since the industrial era, surface pH has dropped by…

Amazon will close all 19 of its Fresh stores in the UK, just four years after launching the checkout-free shops. Five of the stores will be converted into Whole Foods Market outlets, the organic grocery chain Amazon acquired in 2017. The first Fresh store opened in west London in 2021, allowing shoppers to walk out without using a till, with charges tracked by cameras and sensors. But the concept failed to gain traction after the pandemic, with Amazon unable to challenge major rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Amazon did not confirm how many staff will be affected but said it…