Author: Andrew Rogers

Pizza Hut has announced the closure of 68 restaurants across the UK after the company running its dine-in venues, DC London Pie, entered administration. The affected branches stretch nationwide, from Finchley Lido in London to Carlisle and Rhyl, while 11 delivery-only sites will also shut down. The closures put around 1,210 jobs at risk. Corporate finance firm FTI Consulting was appointed as administrator on Monday. In a pre-pack administration deal, Pizza Hut’s US parent company, Yum! Brands — which also owns KFC and Taco Bell — acquired the remaining UK restaurant operations, saving 64 restaurants and 1,276 jobs. FTI joint…

Millions of young people could miss out on effective treatments because so few take part in medical research, new data shows. In England, 18- to 24-year-olds make up 8% of the population but only 4.4% of medical trial participants, according to analysis of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) data. Experts warn this underrepresentation means new therapies may be unsafe or unsuitable for younger people. “Young adults face unique health challenges, but treatments are often designed around older patients,” said Kirsty Blenkins of the Association for Young People’s Health. “That can lead to poorer outcomes and reduced trust…

A new “smart” injection has shown remarkable results in shrinking head and neck cancer tumours within six weeks, offering fresh hope for patients with few remaining treatment options. The drug, amivantamab, demonstrated strong early results in patients whose cancers had returned or spread after both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Findings from the Orig-AMI 4 trial, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin, revealed that 76% of participants saw their tumours shrink or stop growing. “This could represent a real shift in how we treat head and neck cancer – not just in terms of effectiveness, but also…

Paramount Skydance will begin major layoffs in the US the week of 27 October, cutting about 2,000 positions as part of a $2bn cost-reduction plan under new CEO David Ellison, Variety reported. The cuts come just months after Skydance Media’s $8.4bn merger with Paramount Global, which was finalized in August. Additional international layoffs are also expected, with more details set to be announced in the company’s third-quarter earnings report on 10 November. Earlier reports suggested Paramount planned to eliminate between 2,000 and 3,000 jobs by early November. As of December 2024, the company employed nearly 18,600 full- and part-time workers,…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on the European Union to adopt a set of modest reforms to boost economic growth and improve competitiveness. The IMF described these measures as a “down payment” that could generate long-term gains for the bloc’s economy. EU leaders are facing slow growth and rising economic challenges, including aging populations, rising public debt, and increasing global competition. The IMF’s recommendations aim to address these structural issues while ensuring sustainable economic expansion. According to the IMF, even small, targeted reforms could significantly increase the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP). These measures could include labor market…

A long-acting injection to prevent HIV is set to be approved for use in England and Wales, offering a major new alternative to daily pills used for protection against the virus. The treatment, cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered every two months. It is designed for adults and young people at risk of HIV who cannot take oral PrEP, according to new draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). The injection is already available through the NHS in Scotland. Health secretary Wes Streeting described the approval as “gamechanging.”“For vulnerable people unable…

Nestlé will cut 16,000 jobs over the next two years — about 6% of its global workforce — as part of a major cost-saving drive under new chief executive Philipp Navratil. The layoffs will include 12,000 white-collar positions and 4,000 roles in manufacturing and supply chains. “The world is changing and Nestlé needs to change faster,” Navratil said, promising the cuts would be made “with respect and transparency.” The Swiss food giant, which owns KitKat, Nescafé, and Purina, aims to save 3 billion Swiss francs (£2.8 billion) by 2027, up from a previous goal of 2.5 billion. Navratil, who replaced…

Hidden beneath the soil, Rhizanthella is one of nature’s most remarkable orchids—an entire species that lives, grows, and even blooms underground. Lacking leaves and chlorophyll, it survives by drawing nutrients from a specialized fungus, which in turn connects to the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata). First discovered in 1928 by a farmer ploughing a field in Western Australia, Rhizanthella caused an international sensation for its unique subterranean lifestyle. Even today, it remains elusive. Botanists can locate it only by identifying suitable habitats and carefully scraping away soil to reveal its tiny reddish flowers, encased in creamy-pink bracts and…

Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to cancer in Europe, according to a new report from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research agency. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that alcohol is one of the leading causes of cancer across the continent, and stronger government measures to limit consumption could prevent thousands of cases and deaths each year. Within the European Union—the region with the highest alcohol intake globally—alcohol was responsible for over 111,000 new cancer cases in 2020. Worldwide, that number reached an estimated 741,000, with men accounting for nearly 70% of the total. The…

President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace efforts are receiving growing international recognition. Leaders around the world are praising the initiative, with Egypt’s president calling it the “last chance” to achieve peace in the troubled region. The proposal aims to bring together various nations and stakeholders to create a roadmap for Gaza’s future. It focuses on promoting stability, security, and economic development while addressing the ongoing humanitarian challenges. Diplomatic meetings have been organized to discuss the initiative’s framework. Participants include officials from Middle Eastern nations, as well as representatives from international organizations. The goal is to build a consensus on how to…