Lawmakers in England and Wales voted to support a change in the law to allow assisted dying, which means helping someone to end their own life in certain situations. This decision will now go to the House of Lords for further review.
Key Facts
Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons voted in favor of a law allowing assisted dying in England and Wales.
Assisted dying means helping a person end their own life, usually due to severe illness.
The vote in the House of Commons showed a narrow majority in favor, with a difference of 23 votes.
Assisted dying is sometimes also called "assisted suicide" depending on people's views.
This change in law will now be reviewed by the House of Lords before it can be finalized.
The change in the composition of the House of Commons, especially many new Labour MPs, helped pass this vote.
Assisted dying has strong public support, with a YouGov poll indicating that over 70% of people in Britain are in favor.
Previous attempts to change the law on assisted dying failed in 2015 and 1997.
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University of Edinburgh researchers found differences in the blood of people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome) compared to healthy individuals. The study suggests these differences could help create a future blood test for diagnosing ME/CFS. Some experts caution that the study's claims should not overstate its findings.
Key Facts
ME stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
The study used data from the UK Biobank, comparing 1,455 ME/CFS patients with 131,000 healthy people.
Researchers found consistent blood differences in ME/CFS patients linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and liver disease.
The condition's main symptom is post-exertional malaise, which is severe fatigue after minimal physical activity.
Other symptoms include pain, brain fog, and tiredness that does not improve with rest.
The study aims to develop a blood test for diagnosing ME/CFS in the future.
The research considered over 3,000 blood biomarkers, taking age, sex, and activity levels into account.
Critics say the study should not overstate its importance as both physical and mental illnesses can show blood differences.
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Liverpool has arranged a £40 million deal to acquire left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. The Hungarian player, who has been part of Bournemouth for two seasons, will join Liverpool, who have also recently signed other players, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Key Facts
Liverpool agreed to pay £40 million for Milos Kerkez, a left-back from Bournemouth.
Kerkez is 21 years old and represents Hungary at the international level.
Bournemouth signed Adrien Truffert as Kerkez's replacement.
Before joining Bournemouth, Kerkez played for clubs in Hungary, Italy, and the Netherlands.
During the 2022-23 season, Kerkez helped his previous Dutch team, AZ Alkmaar, reach the semi-finals in the Europa Conference League.
He played all 38 matches for Bournemouth last season, helping them achieve a ninth-place finish in the Premier League.
Liverpool is also in the process of signing Florian Wirtz for a club-record £116 million and recently signed Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million.
Kerkez will reunite with fellow Hungarian player Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool.
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Hannah Hampton, an England goalkeeper, was born with an eye condition that doctors said would prevent her from playing football. Despite these challenges, she has had several operations, improved her skills, and is now heading to Euro 2025 as England's top goalkeeper. She started her career as a striker, moved to goalkeeper at age 16, and has been praised for her talent and skill with both feet.
Key Facts
Hannah Hampton was born with an eye condition called strabismus, which affects vision and depth perception.
Doctors advised her not to play football, but she pursued her dream and succeeded.
She has undergone multiple surgeries to try and improve her vision.
Hampton transitioned from a striker to a goalkeeper when she was 16 years old.
She was a part of England's Euro 2022 winning squad, although she was later temporarily dropped from the team.
Her former manager, Carla Ward, and international manager, Rehanne Skinner, have recognized her talent and skills.
Hampton is known for her ability to play with both feet and her passing accuracy.
She made her senior debut for England against Spain in 2022.
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Kimberley Nixon, a Welsh actress, has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. She also experienced perinatal OCD after having her son in 2020. She says these diagnoses have helped her understand her past experiences better.
Key Facts
Kimberley Nixon is a Welsh actress known for "Fresh Meat" and other roles.
She was diagnosed with autism and ADHD after undergoing several assessments.
Nixon developed perinatal OCD after her son was born in the 2020 pandemic.
OCD involves unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
Perinatal OCD can occur during pregnancy or within the first year after birth.
Nixon described the diagnosis process as thorough and eye-opening.
She feels relieved and more accepting of herself following her diagnoses.
Nixon is speaking out to raise awareness about perinatal OCD and its effects.
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Pro-Palestinian activists entered RAF Brize Norton, a UK airbase, and sprayed red paint on two military planes, raising concerns about security at the base. The Ministry of Defence condemned the act and is collaborating with police to address the issue.
Key Facts
Activists from Palestine Action entered RAF Brize Norton and sprayed red paint on two planes.
The Ministry of Defence called this action "vandalism" and is investigating with police.
Footage shows activists inside the airbase at night, using scooters and spray paint.
RAF Brize Norton is key for UK military transport and refueling operations.
Palestine Action claims they disrupted the planes with repurposed fire extinguishers.
The activists reportedly used crowbars for further damage, though it's not shown on the video.
This incident added to past activities by Palestine Action, which targets arms companies.
Officials expressed concern over the breach and its impact on national security.
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Chris Brown, a US singer, has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge in a London court. He is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw with a bottle at a nightclub in 2023, and his trial is set to begin in October 2026.
Key Facts
Chris Brown faces charges related to an alleged assault on Abraham Diaw in a London nightclub in February 2023.
He pleaded not guilty to grievous bodily harm and other related charges.
The incident involved an alleged "unprovoked" attack where Diaw was struck with a bottle.
Brown must remain in the UK and has surrendered his passport as part of his bail conditions.
He paid a £5m security fee to be released from custody.
Brown is allowed to travel for his ongoing European tour, receiving his passport back for travel when needed.
His next court appearance is scheduled for after the European leg of his tour.
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A 69-year-old woman named Jennifer Abbott was found dead in her home in Camden, London, with signs of being fatally stabbed. Nancy Pexton has been charged with her murder, and police are investigating the potential link to a missing diamond-encrusted Rolex watch from Abbott's home.
Key Facts
Jennifer Abbott was found dead on 13 June in Camden, a part of north London.
Abbott was discovered by her niece and neighbors with tape on her mouth.
The police charged Nancy Pexton with Abbott's murder.
A missing diamond-encrusted Rolex watch is part of the investigation.
The cause of death was identified as sharp force trauma.
Abbott's family has been notified and is receiving support from police officers.
Jennifer Abbott was well-known in the community, frequently seen walking her dog.
She had a varied career including work as a doctor, actor, and director in America.
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Harry Gilbertson, who was 14 when he fatally stabbed 12-year-old Ava White in Liverpool over a Snapchat video argument in November 2021, has been named now that he is 18. He was convicted of Ava's murder, sentenced to at least 13 years, and previously could not be identified due to age-related reporting restrictions. Ava's mother, Leeann White, expressed mixed feelings about his identification but remains focused on preserving Ava's memory through the Ava White Foundation.
Key Facts
Harry Gilbertson stabbed Ava White during a dispute about a Snapchat video in 2021.
He was 14 years old at the time of the attack and is now 18 years old.
Gilbertson was convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in prison.
Reporting restrictions previously kept his identity hidden until he turned 18.
Ava's mother is focusing on maintaining Ava's legacy through a foundation.
The Ava White Foundation provides bleed control kits that have reportedly saved lives.
An incident involving Gilbertson using social media from prison was reported, but he faced no formal punishment.
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Celtic will start defending their Scottish Premiership title at home against St Mirren on Sunday, August 3. The first weekend of the season includes several matches, with Kilmarnock playing Livingston on Saturday and Falkirk facing Dundee United on Sunday. Last season, Celtic finished well ahead of Rangers, winning 13 out of the last 14 titles.
Key Facts
Celtic will play St Mirren at home on Sunday, August 3, to begin their season.
Kilmarnock and Livingston will play on Saturday, August 2, at 3:00 PM BST.
Falkirk, newly returned to the league, will host Dundee United on Sunday.
Celtic won their 13th title in 14 seasons last year, finishing 17 points ahead of Rangers.
The league has no winter break due to busy European schedules.
The first Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers is on August 31.
The league splits into two parts after 33 games for the last five matches.
The season's final five matches will run from April 25 to May 17.
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Jannik Sinner, a top-ranked tennis player, has teamed up with famous Italian singer Andrea Bocelli to release a song called "Polvere e Gloria." The song features Sinner's speeches and is sung in both Italian and English, with a music video showing scenes from their lives.
Key Facts
Jannik Sinner and Andrea Bocelli released a duet titled "Polvere e Gloria," meaning "Dust and Glory."
Sinner is a 23-year-old tennis player who is currently ranked number one in the world.
The song includes parts where Sinner repeats his winning and losing speeches.
The song's music video shows footage of Sinner and Bocelli during the recording and childhood scenes.
Andrea Bocelli is a well-known singer who has been blind since age 12 and frequently participates in sports-related projects.
Sinner previously won the US Open in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025.
Bocelli has performed at notable events, such as Leicester City’s Premier League title celebration.
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Hunter Bigge, a Tampa Bay Rays player, was hit by a 105mph ball during a Major League Baseball game. He was injured while in the dugout and taken to the hospital for evaluation, but he was conscious and communicating the entire time.
Key Facts
Hunter Bigge is a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.
He was hit by a ball traveling at 105mph.
The incident happened in the team's dugout during a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Bigge wasn't playing in the game due to a muscle strain.
Medical staff put him in a neck brace and took him to the hospital.
The game paused for 10 minutes while he received treatment.
Bigge remained conscious and talked to medical staff after being hit.
He gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as he left for the hospital.
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An English family experienced a shooting near their hotel while on holiday in Cancun, Mexico. The incident involved a clash between gang members and undercover police at the Riu Palace Costa Mujeres hotel. The family remained in lockdown at their hotel and later faced another potential threat while being transferred to another location.
Key Facts
Colin Nulty and his family heard gunshots at the Riu Palace hotel in Cancun.
The shooting happened near the pool area where guests were relaxing.
Colin's daughter was told to lock the door and not go outside after the shooting began.
A man was shot dead during the incident, and more gunmen were seen.
The hotel went into lockdown with searches conducted for gang members.
The family was later transferred to another hotel but faced another shooting event nearby.
Colin is seeking a refund for their holiday from the travel company TUI.
TUI has offered partial compensation, but Colin wants a full refund and may take legal action.
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Andy Farrell, head coach of the British and Irish Lions, is set to lead the team in a game against Argentina in Dublin. Known for his focus on building team connections, Farrell previously succeeded with the Ireland national team and was recognized as coach of the year in 2023.
Key Facts
The British and Irish Lions will play against Argentina at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 20.
Andy Farrell, the Lions’ head coach, has also led Ireland to two Six Nations titles.
Farrell emphasizes the importance of players being their best selves and creating an inclusive team environment.
Johnny Sexton, a member of Farrell's coaching team, praises the atmosphere Farrell creates for the players and coaches.
Farrell has a background in rugby league, having played for Wigan Warriors and captained Great Britain.
He transitioned from rugby league to rugby union in 2005 and began his coaching career with Saracens.
Farrell was announced as the head coach for the Lions' summer tour to Australia in January 2024.
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A man named Steve Mills found a surprising note written by his wife 50 years ago inside a book he bought from a charity shop. The note, discovered while he was arranging his book collection, included information about his wife's childhood in Staffordshire. This discovery led the couple to find two more books with annotations by Mrs. Mills.
Key Facts
Steve Mills discovered a note from his wife in a novel he bought from a charity shop.
The note was written 50 years ago and shared details of her childhood.
The book was originally given away by Mrs. Mills' mother in the 1970s.
Mr. Mills realized the connection while tidying his bookshelf.
The book was found in Rayleigh, about 160 miles from where it was first given away.
Mr. Mills owns about 50 books by author Enid Blyton.
They found two more books with Mrs. Mills' notes.
Mr. Mills feels the discovery strengthens their shared love for books.
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An investigation is underway after 28 people in the north-east of England developed botulism from fake anti-wrinkle injections. Hospitals struggled to find enough anti-toxin because of the sudden rise in cases, which are usually very rare. Authorities are now looking into the illegal sale of fake Botox products.
Key Facts
28 people in north-east England got botulism after receiving fake anti-wrinkle injections.
Hospitals usually have very few cases of botulism, so they did not have enough anti-toxin.
Nicola Fairley, a patient affected by the fake injections, had severe symptoms including drooping facial muscles.
The University Hospital of North Durham typically sees no cases of botulism requiring treatment in an average year.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is investigating the illegal sale of fake Botox.
Botulinum toxin, used in genuine anti-wrinkle treatments, requires medical licensing in the UK.
Fake or poorly used Botox can cause nerve damage and a condition called botulism.
Hospitals sought additional anti-toxin from other hospitals due to the sudden spate of cases.
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Trade Minister Douglas Alexander stated that public support for spending on international aid has declined. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a reduction in the aid budget to increase defense spending, a decision that faced criticism from charities. Alexander expressed concern that the justification for aid spending needs to be renewed as many nations have cut back on international development funding.
Key Facts
Trade Minister Douglas Alexander says public support for international aid spending has decreased.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cut the aid budget to increase defense spending.
Charities criticized this move, arguing it harms vulnerable people and the UK's global interests.
Alexander believes investing in aid is "morally right" and beneficial but admits the argument must be re-made to gain public support.
Some countries like the USA, France, Germany, and Norway have also reduced their aid contributions.
In the past, the UK aimed to spend 0.7% of national income on aid, but this was reduced to 0.5% in 2021.
Keir Starmer plans to cut the aid budget further to 0.3% by 2027.
A YouGov survey showed 65% of people support shifting funds from aid to defense.
Romilly Greenhill from Bond claims public support for aid is still strong, urging leaders to restate the case for aid.
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Experts say many children with lazy eyes are not getting treated early enough because some schools in England don't offer vision screening. This screening, which helps find the condition early, is not available in about 11% of local areas due to funding and capacity issues.
Key Facts
A lazy eye, medically called amblyopia, is when one eye is weaker than the other.
Correcting a lazy eye works best if done before a child is seven years old.
Around 2-5% of children are diagnosed with amblyopia each year.
The UK National Screening Committee advises schools to screen children aged four to five for vision problems.
About 11% of local areas in England do not provide school vision screenings.
Around 75,000 children live in places without school vision screening.
In some areas, parents are given advice or directed to free tests at local opticians.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland already provide school vision screenings for children.
The Local Government Association urges more funding for school-based vision screening.
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The UK might experience its hottest days of the year, with temperatures potentially reaching 33°C on Friday. A heatwave has been declared in some areas, and health warnings are in place due to the expected hot and dry conditions, which may bring health risks and have impacted social services and firefighting efforts.
Key Facts
UK's temperature may hit 33°C on Friday, potentially breaking the year's hottest day record.
The heatwave is characterized by temperatures staying high for three days; this has already happened in Suffolk.
UK Health Security Agency issued health alerts to warn about risks from the heat.
On Saturday, temperatures could reach 34°C, with thunderstorms expected in North Wales and northwest England.
A brief relief in heat is expected on Sunday, with cooler temperatures in some areas.
Despite current heat, it's still less than the 35.6°C record set in June 1976.
The high temperatures are caused by high pressure bringing hot weather from Western Europe.
Firefighters report a significant increase in wildfires, with a 717% rise compared to the same time last year.
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The healthcare regulator has downgraded maternity services at two Leeds hospitals from "good" to "inadequate" due to significant risks to women and babies. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found problems with staffing and care quality, requiring the hospitals to make immediate improvements.
Key Facts
Maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals were rated "inadequate" by the CQC.
Two hospitals involved are Leeds General Infirmary and St James' University Hospital.
Inspections revealed risks to safety and quality of care for mothers and babies.
The CQC issued a warning notice demanding quick improvements.
In 2024, 170 "red flag incidents" related to staffing were reported.
Neonatal services were downgraded to "requires improvement" due to staff shortages.
35 new midwives are set to start in autumn as part of improvement efforts.
The CQC will monitor the hospitals closely to ensure safer care.
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