Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in Chicago, USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Over the years, he has contributed to leading outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Recognized for his sharp reporting and thoughtful analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers updated on key national and global developments.
The weight-loss drug semaglutide—best known as the active ingredient in Wegovy—reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes regardless of how much weight people lose, according to a major global study published in The Lancet. Researchers from University College London (UCL) examined data from 17,604 adults aged 45 and over, all of whom were overweight or obese. Participants were randomly assigned either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo across 41 countries. Results showed that semaglutide cut the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20%, and this benefit remained consistent whether participants lost a lot of weight or only a little.…
New research from King’s College London and the University of Oxford has found that antidepressants can cause markedly different physical side-effects, including changes in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. The large-scale review analysed data from 151 clinical trials involving more than 58,000 patients and compared 30 different antidepressants. It revealed that some drugs can cause significant weight gain within weeks, while others can lead to weight loss. Patients taking maprotiline gained an average of 2kg in the first two months, while those on agomelatine lost about 2.5kg on average — a difference of roughly 4kg between drugs. Nearly half…
The company behind Pizza Hut’s UK restaurants has entered administration, resulting in the closure of 68 dine-in locations and 11 delivery-only sites across the country. The affected restaurants span from Finchley Lido in London to Carlisle in Cumbria and Rhyl in north Wales, putting about 1,210 jobs at risk. DC London Pie, which operated Pizza Hut’s UK venues under a franchise agreement, appointed administrators from FTI Consulting on Monday. The move comes amid financial struggles in the casual dining sector. Parent company Yum! Brands — which also owns KFC and Taco Bell — has stepped in to purchase the UK…
Millions of young people could miss out on safe and effective treatments because too few take part in medical research, new data shows. People aged 18–24 make up 8% of England’s population but only 4.4% of clinical trial participants, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Experts warn that without their involvement, future treatments may not meet young people’s needs. “Young adults face distinct health challenges, from mental health to chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes,” said Kirsty Blenkins of the Association for Young People’s Health. “If research excludes them, treatments may be unsafe or ineffective.”…
A new “smart jab” has shown remarkable results in shrinking head and neck cancer tumours within six weeks, offering new hope for patients with hard-to-treat cases. The drug, amivantamab, is a triple-action therapy delivered as a simple injection under the skin. It targets two key cancer pathways while also helping the immune system attack tumours. Early trial results suggest it could transform treatment for patients whose cancer has returned or spread after chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The findings, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin, showed that 76% of patients in the trial saw their tumours shrink…
Paramount Skydance will begin mass layoffs in late October, cutting about 2,000 jobs in the US as part of a $2bn cost-reduction plan under new CEO David Ellison, Variety reported on Saturday. The job cuts come two months after the $8.4bn merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global, which was finalized in August. Additional international layoffs are expected, with full details set to be announced in the company’s third-quarter earnings report on 10 November. Earlier reports suggested Paramount was preparing to eliminate between 2,000 and 3,000 positions by early November. As of December 2024, the company employed nearly 18,600 full-…
President Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Friday, marking a key moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations. The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and discussing shared security concerns. The two leaders engaged in a series of talks covering economic cooperation, defense strategies, and regional stability. This meeting is seen as a sign of closer collaboration between the two countries amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. President Trump emphasized the importance of a strong U.S.-Ukraine partnership. He highlighted ongoing support for Ukraine’s security efforts and praised Zelenskyy’s leadership during challenging times. Zelenskyy, in turn, expressed gratitude…
A long-acting HIV prevention jab is set to be approved for use in England and Wales, offering an alternative to daily pills currently used to prevent infection. The injection, known as cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is administered every two months and works as a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative individuals at risk of contracting the virus. In new draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended the treatment for adults and young people unable to take oral PrEP. The jab is already available through the NHS in Scotland. Health secretary Wes Streeting hailed the move as…
Nestlé will cut 16,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years — nearly 6% of its global workforce — as new CEO Philipp Navratil accelerates cost-cutting and growth plans. About 12,000 white-collar positions and 4,000 manufacturing and supply chain roles will be affected. “The world is changing and Nestlé needs to change faster,” Navratil said, promising the layoffs would be handled “with respect and transparency.” The restructuring follows the dismissal of former CEO Laurent Freixe and aims to save 3 billion Swiss francs (£2.8 billion) by 2027. Navratil said the company must become “bolder” and more performance-driven to regain momentum.…
Hidden beneath the surface, Rhizanthella is one of nature’s most remarkable orchids — a plant that spends its entire life underground. Lacking leaves and visible stems, it survives by feeding on nutrients provided by a symbiotic fungus, which in turn draws sustenance from the soil and the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata). The species first captured global attention in 1928, when a farmer ploughing a field in Western Australia unearthed its strange, subterranean blooms. Nearly a century later, Rhizanthella remains extremely rare and difficult to locate. Botanists must search in suitable habitats and gently scrape away soil to…