Author: Andrew Rogers

Driver unrest dominated Formula One’s second pre-season test in Bahrain.Several top drivers openly criticised the sweeping new regulations. Verstappen called the new Red Bull “anti-racing”.He said complex energy management makes the car “not fun to drive”.He compared it to “Formula E on steroids”.He suggested he could leave the sport if he stops enjoying racing. Lewis Hamilton echoed the concerns.He said the new systems are too complex for fans.He argued drivers need near-expert knowledge to manage the cars properly. The 2026 rules introduce new engines, chassis and tyres.Engines now split power almost evenly between combustion and electric systems.Drivers must carefully control…

US inflation fell to 2.4% in January after last year’s tariff-driven price swings. The consumer price index rose 0.2% for the month, while core inflation increased 0.3%. Economists had expected a slight decline to 2.5%. Inflation reached 2.3% last April, climbed to 3% in September, and ended the year at 2.7%. The White House said its policies continue to control prices and dismissed concerns about tariff-related spikes. Investors now watch the Federal Reserve for signals on interest rates ahead of its March meeting. Fed chair Jerome Powell expects tariff effects to cause a temporary rise in goods prices before stabilizing…

The EU’s top court adviser has said billions of euros were wrongly released to Hungary. Tamara Ćapeta, advocate general at the European Court of Justice, argued that the European Commission should not have unfrozen about €10bn in funds. The commission suspended payments in 2022 over concerns about corruption and judicial independence under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In 2023, it ruled that Hungary had met reform conditions and allowed the money to flow. The European Parliament challenged that decision, claiming serious legal errors. Ćapeta said the commission failed to properly assess whether judicial reforms were fully implemented. She added that EU…

Aerobic exercise such as running, swimming or dancing can serve as a frontline treatment for mild depression and anxiety, researchers say. A large analysis of 63 reviews covering nearly 80,000 people found that physical activity significantly reduced symptoms, especially in young adults and new mothers. The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that heart-rate-raising aerobic exercise had the strongest impact on depression. Resistance training and yoga also helped, though to a lesser degree. Group or supervised activities produced greater benefits, suggesting that social interaction enhances the mental health effects. Neil Munro of James Cook University said…

Doctors say a return to traditional Nepali food could help reverse the country’s rising type 2 diabetes rates. One in five Nepalis over 40 now lives with the condition, driven largely by western junk food. Many families cannot afford diabetes medication, and complications often cause severe disability or early death. Small studies in Kathmandu and nearby communities show promising results. A calorie-controlled diet based on lentils and rice helped about half of participants achieve remission within months. The approach relies on modest weight loss and strong community support rather than drugs. The research is led by University of Glasgow in…

People who drink a couple of teas or coffees a day appear to have a lower risk of dementia and slightly better cognitive performance, researchers say. A US study tracking more than 130,000 people for up to 40 years found that those who drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of caffeinated tea daily had a 15–20% lower dementia risk than non-drinkers. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, also showed slightly less cognitive decline among caffeinated coffee drinkers compared with those who chose decaf. Researchers caution the results do…

BP faces renewed shareholder pressure as it prepares to publish full-year results expected to show weaker profits. Analysts forecast earnings of about $7.5bn, down from nearly $9bn in 2024, after oil prices fell for a third straight year. Crude dipped below $60 a barrel late in 2025, hitting fourth-quarter results. Incoming chief executive Meg O’Neill will be pressed to outline a clearer strategy as investors question BP’s recent shift back toward fossil fuels. Activist shareholders, including groups led by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility and Follow This, want limits on oil and gas spending and plans for a future…

Researchers say testing menstrual blood could provide a simple alternative to cervical screening.A sanitary pad fitted with a blood strip can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers. Scientists in China compared pad-collected menstrual blood with clinician-taken cervical samples.The study involved more than 3,000 women aged 20 to 54 with regular periods. Results, published in BMJ, showed similar accuracy between both methods.The pad test detected serious cervical cell changes with 94.7% sensitivity. Researchers said the method could offer a non-invasive, home-based screening option.It may help reach women who currently skip clinical screening appointments. Cancer Research UK welcomed the findings…

A major review finds that most listed statin side-effects are not caused by the drugs.Researchers published the analysis in The Lancet after reviewing 19 trials with 124,000 participants.The study found evidence for only muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor side-effects.These included small liver test changes, mild liver abnormalities, urine changes, and tissue swelling.Researchers found no strong evidence for problems such as memory loss, depression, sleep issues, or nerve damage.They concluded that statin benefits far outweigh risks for most patients.Experts called for updated drug labels to reflect the evidence and support informed decisions.

Sellers promote unlicensed weight-loss drugs through giveaways on WhatsApp and Telegram.They offer injectable medicines like retatrutide as competition prizes. Retatrutide remains experimental and lacks approval anywhere in the world.Experts warn these promotions create serious health risks. Groups use countdowns and raffles to pressure users into fast decisions.Some prizes include other unapproved injectable substances. UK law allows weight-loss injections only with valid prescriptions.Unlicensed drugs cannot be legally sold or advertised. Some sellers disguise drug sales as fitness coaching programmes.Researchers say these tactics bypass safeguards and endanger public health.