4 hours ago Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human infection in US, CDC says

Mutations are rare but have been reported in some cases in other countries and most often in extreme infectionsThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the country last week showed mutations not seen in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient’s property.The CDC said the patient’s sample showed mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, the part of the virus that plays a key role in it attaching to host cells. Continue reading...

Science

7 hours ago Infectious disease expert reveals the pathogens that could spark another pandemic in 2025

Influenza A subtype H5N1, sometimes called bird flu, has sickened at least 66 people across ten states, sparking worry among infectious disease experts looking at public health threats in 2025.

Events

8 hours ago Covid restriction returns to UK as health experts issue urgent warning

Several hospital trusts across the country are re-introducing face masks for patients, staff and visitors in response to "low uptake of the flu vaccine" and the high number of flu, norovirus, RSV and Covid cases

Events

9 hours ago Recall of raw and frozen cat food in Oregon after feline dies of bird flu

Northwest Naturals has told customers to throw out Feline Turkey Recipe pet food after batch tested positive for virusA voluntary recall of raw and frozen cat food has been issued in Oregon after a cat that died of bird flu was linked to the product, state officials have said.Northwest Naturals has instructed customers of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food to throw out the product if its sell-by date falls between 21 May 2026 and 23 June 2026. Continue reading...

Events

9 hours ago Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley praised for 'beautiful' message as she admits feeling 'gutted' on Christmas Day

The actress shared a heartfelt message with her followers after spending Christmas with her family

Politics

10 hours ago The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern.

U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza

Events

12 hours ago Luis Diaz sends Liverpool transfer message amid Mohamed Salah contract talks

Liverpool star Luis Diaz has hailed his Colombian international teammate Jhon Duran who has produced a number of eye catching performances this term for Aston Villa

Politics

12 hours ago Pep Guardiola's three furious reactions during Man City vs Everton draw speak volumes

Pep Guardiola saw his Manchester City side miss out on three points once again as Everton came from behind to snatch a point with the Catalan having to endure a mixture of emotions

Politics

12 hours ago Nurse 'will never worry about money again' after winning £3m dream home in raffle

Catherine Carwardine won a £3 million dream house in the Lake District and said it's been 'life changing'

Economics

12 hours ago Urgent warning over pet food contaminated with bird flu after cat dies as recall issued

The Portland-based pet food brand, Northwest Naturals, has voluntarily recalled bags of its "Turkey Recipe" raw frozen pet food after a cat died from eating the bird-flu contaminated product

Events

13 hours ago Common bathroom cabinet product that's so toxic to pets, just a small amount of residue on your hands could KILL them

Dr Joe Whittington, a US-based medic with over 2million followers on TikTok , issued a warning about a common medication and the potential dangers it poses to family pets.

Events

13 hours ago The one thing you should do if you think you've got Covid, RSV, norovirus or flu this Christmas, warns the NHS

Hospital admissions for flu in Greater Manchester have surged 250pc in just 20 days

Events

14 hours ago ‘Attention spans are short. People want that dopamine hit’: Jordan Adetunji, the Belfast boy gunning for Grammys glory

Competing against Beyoncé, Future and others in the melodic rap category, the open-minded young vocalist explains how he ‘manifested’ his successFrom BelfastRecommended if you like Drake, Bryson Tiller, Cash CobainUp next New music anticipated in early 2025Standing among legends such as Beyoncé, Future, the Weeknd and Erykah Badu in the nominees for this year’s best melodic rap performance Grammy is Jordan Adetunji (pictured above), a 25-year-old from Belfast. While the Academy defers to Beyoncé at almost every opportunity, Adetunji could nab it with something he made in his bedroom. Continue reading...

Events

14 hours ago ‘A place to heal’: Native tribes urge Biden to protect sacred lands before leaving White House

Environmental groups are also petitioning Biden to protect Sáttítla, Kw’tsán and Chuckwalla in CaliforniaHidden amid a vast expanse of snow-brushed pines in northern California is a rare, half-million-year-old volcano called Sáttítla. Thousands of years ago, its flows created crystalline mountains of obsidian and dim grey bands of pumice rock, which from a bird’s-eye view look like ripples of taffy.“When you’re there, you really do feel like you’re in another world, or on the moon or even another planet,” said Brandi McDaniels, a member of the Pit River Tribe in northern California, whose ancestral homelands encompass the area. “The way it glistens and twinkles – deep black, but shiny like diamonds.” Continue reading...

Politics

14 hours ago Katt Williams, crypto and cat ladies: 2024 was the year of unexpected second chances

From comedy to courtroom drama, if you thought you’d seen it all before, that’s because this year you hadIf 2024 was defined by anything, it was a distinct feeling of deja vu. Donald Trump ran and won, Death Cab and Janet Jackson headlined music festivals, and aesthetes on social media lusted after Windows Vista design language circa 2007. Same old, same old – almost. Because 2024 was also the year of unexpected second chances: in some very special cases, those who suffered a fall from grace or otherwise unfortunate first run in the spotlight got another shot at glory. Call it a comeback, a redemption, or deja vu all over again for better or worse, it was their year once more. . Continue reading...

Events

14 hours ago US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years

Politics

15 hours ago Denzel Washington in Seven?: 13 actors who turned down movie roles – and then massively regretted it

Few actors are brave enough to admit that they turned down some of the most famous films in recent memory, but these ones did, writes Adam White

Culture

15 hours ago Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade

Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade

Politics

17 hours ago Ancient martyrs, fighting rules and disappearing cats – take the Boxing Day Thursday quiz

Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday, even on Boxing Day. How will you fare?The Thursday quiz cares not for your so-called Christmas traditions and bank holiday. It is Thursday, and so here we are, regardless of whether it is a national holiday in the UK or not. Although in reality, the quiz master is stuffed full of yesterday’s Christmas dinner and off to see Leyton Orient at home to Crawley Town, before stuffing himself again with festive leftovers, and actually wrote this weeks ago, with every question in it loosely tied to boxes. Have fun, guess well, and a very happy new year to you all!The Thursday quiz, No 190 Continue reading...

Sport