A new trial in the UK is testing a pain management program for women with endometriosis, a painful disease where tissue grows outside the womb. The study aims to see if a personalized treatment plan can help women manage pain better than current options. The program includes therapy, physiotherapy, advice on relationships, and medication.
Key Facts
Endometriosis causes cells like womb lining to grow elsewhere in the body, causing pain and sores.
Diagnosis can take many years, and there is currently no cure.
Charlotte McCann, 27, has stage 4 endometriosis and had to quit her corporate finance job due to severe pain.
She uses strong opioid painkillers, which cause side effects like nausea and weight loss.
The new trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian.
The trial will last five years and test a 12-week personalized pain management program.
The program includes cognitive behavioural therapy (therapy to change negative thinking), specialist physiotherapy, and help with relationships and communication.
The trial targets women whose pain is not well controlled by surgery or medication.
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A man in New South Wales, Australia, is accused of killing two relatives who lived on the same property, with the murders happening two weeks apart. The accused was arrested, charged with murder and vehicle theft, and will stay in jail until his next court date in December.
Key Facts
A 59-year-old man’s body was found in a shed on a property near Grafton, NSW.
The body was discovered two weeks after a 79-year-old man’s body was found on the same property.
The two men were relatives.
Police say the younger man came to help with the investigation and the older man’s estate.
The accused, 32-year-old Nicholas Scott, is a neighbour and was arrested at a hospital in Grafton.
Scott faces two murder charges and a charge of stealing a vehicle.
The deaths are believed to have involved similar injuries.
Police are still investigating under the name Strike Force Faneel.
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Arkadii Petrov, a young man who moved from Ukraine to Scotland as a teenager, was killed while fighting in eastern Ukraine. He lived in Dumfries and Galloway, attended Kirkcudbright Academy, and returned to Ukraine to join the armed conflict following Russia's invasion.
Key Facts
Arkadii Petrov moved from Ukraine to Scotland with his family during Russia’s 2022 invasion.
He attended Kirkcudbright Academy in Scotland for his final school year.
Petrov returned to Ukraine to fight on the frontline.
He was killed in action in eastern Ukraine.
The local Ukrainian community in Scotland expressed sadness over his death.
People described him as polite, serious, and thoughtful.
Petrov was 21 years old at the time of his death.
His former school and community have passed on their sympathies to his family.
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A heating oil supplier in the south of England says many customers are waiting to refill their tanks in hopes that prices will drop. However, this could lead to running out of oil or paying more if cold weather arrives suddenly and oil prices do not fall.
Key Facts
Heating oil prices in the UK have risen by about 75% since the Iran conflict began on February 28.
Sales of heating oil are lower than expected as customers delay orders to avoid high costs.
Customers risk running out of oil if they wait too long and colder weather arrives.
Experts advise buying heating oil now, as prices are expected to stay high until at least April or May.
The Fuel Distribution Association warns of possible increased demand, bad weather, or supply delays this winter.
The UK government announced a £50 million emergency fund to help families struggling with heating oil costs.
Some residents and suppliers say it is difficult to predict prices because they go up and down unpredictably.
People are trying to manage their oil purchases carefully to buy at the cheapest times.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will reduce the number of general and admiral positions in the U.S. military by 20 percent by January 1, 2027. This cut will affect leadership roles across the Army, Navy, and Air Force and follows a similar 10 percent reduction ordered last year.
Key Facts
The 20 percent reduction doubles the 10 percent cut announced by Hegseth in 2025.
About 800 general and flag officer positions exist across the military branches.
The cuts may impact officers of one-star rank or higher and equivalent Navy ranks.
President Donald Trump and Hegseth have fired or pushed into retirement over two dozen senior military leaders since January 2025.
The goal of the reduction is to remove redundant roles and simplify military leadership.
Some lawmakers, like Senator Jack Reed, worry the cuts could weaken military readiness and demand consultations with Congress.
The number of general officer positions is legally set, but positions can remain unfilled if nominations are not sent to Congress.
This announcement will be made during Hegseth’s "State of the Force" speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
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A 12-year-old girl named Audrina from Derby, who has cancer experience, started a petition to improve hospital food because she found the meals unhealthy and unappealing. Her petition has gained support from a local member of parliament and the Department of Health welcomes ideas to make hospital food better.
Key Facts
Audrina was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer in 2018 and is now cancer-free.
She has spent more time in hospitals due to cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Audrina describes hospital meals as tasteless, lacking nutrition, and sometimes poorly prepared.
She started a petition asking the UK government to improve hospital food standards.
The petition needs 100,000 signatures to be considered for a debate in Parliament; it currently has around 500.
Audrina runs an Instagram series called £1 meals to show how to make healthy and tasty meals cheaply.
She suggests hospitals could use local food and grow fruits and vegetables on-site.
A local MP, Jonathan Davies, supports her campaign and wants ministers to listen.
The Department of Health said hospital food must follow national rules and welcomes new ideas for improvement.
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A six-year-old girl named Raseel al-Balawi in Gaza has undergone over 20 surgeries to treat infections caused by wounds from an Israeli air strike in late July. Israel’s military says it does not have a record of the attack and expresses regret for any civilian harm.
Key Facts
Raseel al-Balawi is six years old and lives in Gaza’s al-Mawasi camp.
She was injured when her tent was hit by a strike from an Israeli helicopter.
Since the injury, she has needed frequent surgeries to control infections.
The injury happened in late July during ongoing violence in Gaza.
The Israeli military states it has no record of this specific attack.
Israel expresses regret for any harm to civilians during its operations.
The BBC investigated Raseel’s situation and reported on medical challenges in Gaza.
Gaza’s infrastructure is near total destruction, affecting many children’s survival.
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A brown bear named Backpack won Alaska's yearly Fat Bear Week contest by gaining the most weight before hibernation. The contest, run by Katmai National Park, celebrates bears preparing for winter by eating enough to survive months without food.
Key Facts
Backpack won Fat Bear Week with 103,344 votes, narrowly beating another bear named 910, who got 98,253 votes.
Fat Bear Week is in its 13th year and is organized by Katmai National Park in Alaska.
Bears gain weight by eating a lot, especially salmon, from June to October before hibernation.
During hibernation, bears do not eat or drink and lose about one-third of their body weight.
Adult male brown bears average around 408 kilograms in summer and can get heavier by autumn; the largest can weigh over 540 kilograms.
Female bears usually weigh less but can still be over 300 kilograms.
Backpack is named for climbing on his mother’s back as a cub and is now ready to hibernate.
Last year, over 1.7 million votes were cast in the contest from more than 100 countries.
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President Donald Trump has a policy that sends migrants to third countries instead of directly deporting them back to their home countries. This policy affects certain groups of migrants and involves secret deals with other nations.
Key Facts
The policy is called the third-country deportation policy.
It sends migrants to countries that are neither their home countries nor the US.
This is done through agreements made in secret with other governments.
The goal is to reduce the number of migrants staying in the US.
It mainly targets certain groups of migrants, such as those seeking asylum.
The policy raises questions about the treatment and rights of migrants.
It is a continuation of immigration approaches used during President Trump’s time in office.
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The likeness of Greta Garbo, a famous Hollywood actress from the early 1900s, has been recreated using artificial intelligence (AI) for a new advertisement by a Swedish company. Garbo’s family members, who manage her legacy, said the AI version looks very lifelike and might be used in future film roles.
Key Facts
Greta Garbo was a Hollywood star known for silent movies and early sound films.
AI technology reanimated her image for a 99-second commercial for the ball-bearing company SKF.
Garbo’s family said the AI capture of her appearance, mannerisms, and voice was very realistic.
The AI version was made without using original images or videos, to avoid copyright issues.
A human actor performed the role, and AI created Garbo’s appearance over the actor’s.
The AI model used was based on text descriptions of Garbo’s features, like her blue eyes and hairstyle.
Other famous actors like Val Kilmer have also been recreated using AI technology.
Film studios and directors are increasingly exploring AI to make or enhance movies.
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The UK government plans to ban children under 16 from using high-risk social media apps starting in March and will impose new rules for older teenagers to limit harmful content. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said this is only the first step, and the government will keep working to make online spaces safer and better regulated.
Key Facts
Children under 16 will be banned from using social media apps considered high-risk.
Teenagers 16 and 17 will face restrictions on features like infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven content.
Age-verification checks on social media platforms will become stricter.
The new rules will begin in March.
The government plans to continue strengthening online safety laws beyond the current ban.
Public consultation showed 85% of parents believe social media risks outweigh benefits for children.
The government wants to promote safer, more inclusive, and empowering online spaces.
UK officials have criticized tech companies for poor cooperation with regulators.
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A Swedish company named SKF used artificial intelligence (AI) to create a digital version of the late movie star Greta Garbo for a short advertisement promoting their ball bearings. The AI version of Garbo appears to speak in a dull and stiff way, unlike her original screen presence.
Key Facts
Greta Garbo, a famous actress, died in 1990.
SKF, a Swedish ball bearing company, made a 99-second ad featuring an AI-generated Garbo.
The AI Garbo is based on old images, not her real movie footage.
Garbo once appeared in a promotional film for SKF in 1921 when she was a teenager.
The ad uses Garbo’s image to connect her smooth and stylish persona with the smoothness of SKF’s ball bearings.
The digital Garbo’s speech and style in the ad come across as dull and unnatural.
SKF may license this AI Garbo for future projects, possibly involving other classic stars.
The use of AI to recreate dead celebrities raises questions about ethics and control over their images.
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The UK government is expanding the Healthy Babies programme to all local areas in England. This programme offers support for parents with infant feeding, mental health, and bonding, along with health and midwifery services. It is part of a larger plan to create 1,000 family hubs by 2027, similar to the earlier Sure Start centres that helped families and young children.
Key Facts
The Healthy Babies programme supports infant feeding, parental mental health, and bonding with babies.
The programme will be available in up to 1,000 family hubs across England within two years.
Sure Start, a similar programme started in 1998, provided integrated services for families but was reduced under Conservative government spending cuts.
The Labour government is funding £500 million to open 1,000 new family hubs by April 2027.
More than half of local authorities currently have family hubs without Healthy Babies services, which will now change.
The programme aims to restore services seen as important for supporting disadvantaged children and families.
Early years teachers will be paid to work in the most deprived areas to improve children's outcomes.
Labour officials describe these services as key to reducing inequality and helping children get a better start in life.
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Andy Burnham, a UK politician, said the government should explore options to change the UK's relationship with the European Union, including possibly rejoining it. He wants to find a clear plan for the future, as he believes the current Brexit agreement has caused problems.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham suggested rejoining the EU as one option among others for the UK's future relationship with Europe.
He said the current Brexit deal has caused more harm than good.
Burnham aims to explore what is possible to fix relations with the EU.
This comes after his recent speech promising to seek closer ties with the EU.
His view differs from Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which supports making Brexit work without rejoining the customs union or single market.
Burnham wants to present a 10-year economic plan and clarify the UK's EU relationship at a delayed EU summit later this year.
Conservative politicians have criticized Burnham’s comments, accusing Labour of trying to reopen Brexit debates.
Burnham mentioned options like staying as things are, joining a customs union, joining the single market, or fully rejoining the EU.
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The UK government has introduced the Your First Home scheme to help young people buy their first house with a government-backed loan covering 20% of the price and a low deposit. Many young people struggle to save money and afford university or housing without family help, making it hard for them to achieve financial stability or home ownership.
Key Facts
The Your First Home scheme offers a loan covering 20% of a home's cost, requiring only a 2.5% deposit from buyers.
Young people often rely on family help, called the "bank of mum and dad," to afford housing, but some cannot access this support.
Chari, 19, uses her savings meant for the future to cover living costs due to delays in student finance and benefits ending.
Elliot, 18, worries about affording university and doubts they will ever earn enough to buy a home.
The government says the scheme aims to remove the deposit barrier for first-time buyers without family support.
Some Conservatives warn the scheme might increase debt for buyers and raise new home prices.
Labour leader Andy Burnham supports the scheme, highlighting young people's difficulty in affording housing.
Rising costs and low incomes in certain areas make education and home ownership challenging for young people.
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that enemies may try to attack Israel before the October 7 election. Opposition leader Yair Lapid disagreed, saying there is no need to panic the public and accusing Netanyahu of using security warnings to influence the election.
Key Facts
Netanyahu warned of possible attacks from enemies like Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority before the upcoming election.
Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, called Netanyahu’s warnings "fear-mongering" and said the election will happen on time.
Lapid criticized Netanyahu for using military bases in campaign videos and for ignoring warnings before the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
Over 76,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began after the Hamas-led attacks.
The election on October 7 is the first in Israel since the Hamas attacks and ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Netanyahu has denied reports that his Middle East partners warned him about the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Polls show a tight race between Netanyahu’s Likud party and opposition groups, with no clear majority winner.
Opposition leaders, including Lapid and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, are coordinating efforts to remove Netanyahu’s government.
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Inflation in Australia rose to 4% in the year to August, driven mainly by higher fuel prices and increased building costs. This rise has increased the chance that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will raise interest rates again before Christmas to try to control inflation.
Key Facts
Inflation increased from 3.5% to 4% in the year to August.
Fuel prices went up by 15% last month due to higher global oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
Building costs rose by 5.4% over the past year, pushing inflation higher.
Electricity bills increased compared to last year, despite previous government rebates.
The RBA recently raised its cash interest rate to 4.6%, the fourth increase this year.
Underlying inflation, which removes volatile price changes, stayed steady at 3.6%.
Economists believe another rate hike is likely before the end of the year.
Government spending is high and may be adding to inflation but is not seen as the main cause.
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has introduced new steps to fight the killing of women and violence based on gender. This decision follows the discovery of at least 11 women’s bodies near Johannesburg, which caused public concern across the country.
Key Facts
President Ramaphosa is responding to rising cases of femicide, which means the killing of women because of their gender.
At least 11 women’s bodies were found since July in an area east of Johannesburg.
These killings have sparked widespread calls for the government to take stronger action.
The new measures aim to reduce gender-based violence, which includes harm or threats targeting women.
This issue is serious in South Africa, where many women face violence every day.
The government’s response is part of an effort to make the country safer for women.
President Ramaphosa has publicly committed to addressing these crimes.
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Democrats believe that young voters, who usually do not vote much in midterm elections, are upset about issues like war and higher living costs. They hope this frustration will encourage more young people to vote and help Democrats gain control of Congress.
Key Facts
Young voters usually have low turnout in midterm elections.
Many young people feel unhappy about ongoing wars.
Rising costs for essentials are making life harder for young Americans.
Democrats see young voters as important for winning seats in Congress.
Political strategist Celinda Lake highlights the importance of young voter participation.
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A restaurant in South Korea named after Chinese leader Xi Jinping was vandalized by four Chinese men who then fled to China. The attack caused around $11,100 in damage, and police plan to ask Interpol for help in finding the suspects.
Key Facts
The restaurant is located in Seongnam, South Korea, and is named "Xi Jinping."
Four masked men attacked the restaurant early on September 24, damaging furniture and spraying lacquer.
The restaurant owner said he named it after Xi Jinping to be the best Chinese restaurant, without political reasons.
The restaurant has operated for eight years but has faced demands to change its name for about a year.
Some people offered money for a name change, including business claims from China.
A previous complaint about a dish named "Xi Jinping Special Rice" was reviewed and dismissed by South Korea's Ministry of Intellectual Property.
The attackers are Chinese men aged 20 to 40 who fled to Shanghai and Yantai, China.
South Korean police plan to request Interpol red notices to help find the suspects; these notices ask police worldwide to hold the suspects awaiting extradition.
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