Researchers find ‘alarming’ effect on fertility across global species from simultaneous exposuresSimultaneous exposure to toxic chemicals and climate change’s impacts likely generates an additive or synergistic effect that increases reproductive harm, and may contribute to the broad global drop in fertility, new peer-reviewed research finds.The review of scientific literature considers how endocrine-disrupting chemicals, often found in plastic, coupled with climate change’s effects, such as heat stress, are each linked to reductions in fertility and fecundity across global species – including in humans, wildlife and invertebrates. Continue reading...
Lords told sales of Scottish shellfish among areas that may benefit – but agreement will not erase all paperworkEurope live – latest updatesA new agriculture agreement with the EU would not wipe out all Brexit paperwork but may greatly increase sales of Scottish langoustines and oysters, the House of Lords has heard.The UK and EU are close to finalising a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement to reduce Brexit trade barriers, and while it will have “modest” impact on the UK economy the agreement will be significant, peers on the European affairs committee were told on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Move marks government’s most radical attempt to weaken impact of soaring wholesale gas prices on electricity costsClean energy generation exceeded rise in global electricity demand in 2025The government has confirmed plans to move older wind and solar farms which make up almost a third of Great Britain’s power market on to fixed-price contracts to help protect households and businesses from future gas market shocks.Under the plans, first revealed by the Guardian, renewable energy projects that earn subsidies on top of the market price will be asked to sign up to contracts that pay a set price for electricity as part of the government’s plan to “delink the price of electricity from the price of gas”. Continue reading...
Review of original train order is meant to prevent service problems north of Birmingham, but it may do the oppositePlans to change the size of HS2 trains to maximise capacity are likely to inflate costs and mean fewer seats and slower services north of Birmingham, a senior government and rail industry figure has warned.The £2bn order for 54 high-speed trains, to be built in Britain by a joint venture of Alstom and Hitachi, is under review as HS2 Ltd seeks to cut costs and renegotiate contracts. Continue reading...
Deal for resident doctors was in sight when sudden change by ministers forced latest action, says Jack FletcherMinisters killed the chance to end strikes by resident doctors when they suddenly reduced the amount of money they were offering to secure the peace deal, the doctors’ leader claims.Dr Jack Fletcher accused the government of “playing games” and forcing resident doctors to embark on their 15th strike over pay and jobs, which is disrupting the NHS this week. Continue reading...
After suspending routes owing to Iran war, airline will operate more direct flights to India and KenyaMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritish Airways will offer a reduced flight schedule to the Middle East when it resumes services in July, and use the aircraft to operate more direct flights to India and Kenya.The airline has currently suspended services to the region because of the Iran war, and plans to resume flights to Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh in mid-May, as well as services to Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv on 1 July. It is cutting its Dubai flights from three-a-day to one daily flight, and reducing services to Doha, Tel Aviv and Riyadh from two to one a day. Continue reading...
Report by the prime minister’s office says a total ban would have a ‘higher net benefit’ but would hit sporting codes very hardFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government’s plans to restrict gambling advertising will reduce Australia’s annual gambling spending by $62.7m a year – or just 0.8% – according to a government report which said a full ad ban would have had “a higher net benefit” but a large burden on media and sporting codes.The report from Anthony Albanese’s Office of Impact Analysis (OIA) also revealed podcasts, app stores and even the NRL and AFL websites will be subject to Labor’s gambling reforms, which ban online wagering ads unless those platforms build an opt-out feature for adults. Continue reading...
Exclusive: research finds Jackdaw field would provide only about 2% of current demand, and Rosebank only 1%Opening major new fields in the North Sea would make almost no difference to the UK’s reliance on gas imports, research has shown.The Jackdaw field, one of the largest unexploited gasfields in the North Sea, would displace only 2% of the UK’s current imports of gas, which would leave the UK still almost entirely dependent on supplies from Norway and a few other sources. Continue reading...
• A new study from Project Viva shows that replacing 30 minutes of daily sitting time with exercise significantly lowers type 2 diabetes risk in teens aged around 13.
• Researchers analyzed data from over 800 adolescents in Eastern Massachusetts who wore movement trackers and kept sleep logs for up to 10 days.
• Results exceeded expectations, highlighting small lifestyle changes' strong protective effects against future diabetes in youth.
• Research analyzing U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data found that 31.9% of adults reported social isolation and 8.2% reported physical isolation, with both often overlapping.
• Isolation was strongly associated with material deprivation including food insecurity and trouble paying bills, with 82.1% of physically isolated adults experiencing financial hardship compared to 30.9% of those not physically isolated.
• Both types of isolation were linked to lower odds of receiving preventive health services including COVID-19, flu, and pneumococcal vaccinations, as well as cancer screenings, though financial hardship partly explained these associations.
• United Airlines Holdings (UAL) announced plans to reduce scheduled capacity by approximately 5% in the second and third quarters of 2026, citing economic pressures.
• The airline's stock fell 1.95% in pre-market trading on Monday following the capacity reduction announcement.
• The move reflects broader market concerns about supply chain disruptions and financial contagion stemming from escalating geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs impacting corporate profitability.
• American Airlines integrated Google AI forecasts into its flight planning on a trial basis to suggest routes avoiding contrail-forming areas or altitude changes.
• The technology significantly reduces contrails that trap heat, presented as a cost-effective, scalable climate solution for aviation amid industry pressure.
• Announced Thursday, this collaboration highlights AI's role in sustainable aviation practices for US carriers.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, with the CDC identifying colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer for both men and women in the United States. Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian Julia Zumpano emphasized that a healthy, diverse microbiome reduces inflammation, which is linked to increased colorectal cancer risk, and recommended dietary changes including high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes alongside fermented and probiotic foods such as yogurt and kimchi. In addition to dietary modifications, regular physical activity has been shown to reduce colorectal cancer risk, though individuals experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms should seek medical attention. The preventive approach focuses on gradual lifestyle transitions rather than overwhelming dietary overhauls.
Persistent inflammation in the gut, lungs and skin might lead to Alzheimer's disease, but lifestyle choices - from getting vaccinated to eating well - can keep inflammation under control
Institutional investors and hedge funds executed defensive portfolio adjustments on Friday, March 13, 2026, reducing exposure ahead of the weekend due to escalating geopolitical risks in the Persian Gulf region and growing stress in the global private credit market. The Nasdaq declined 1.78% to 22,111 and the Dow dropped 1.56% to 46,777 as surging oil prices and Iran-related fears triggered broad risk-off sentiment across markets. Market observers noted that sophisticated investors remained in defensive positions pending clarity on the Strait of Hormuz, with key monitoring points including tanker traffic, Sunday night oil futures, and potential ceasefire negotiations. The S&P 500 has fallen approximately 3% for the month of March, placing the index in negative territory for the year.
On March 13, 2026, institutional investors, hedge funds, and traders quietly cut risk positions before US markets closed for the weekend, amid escalating Persian Gulf conflict and Strait of Hormuz uncertainties. This defensive shift reflects pressures from geopolitical risks, hedge fund losses, and stress in global private credit markets, unrelated to recession or earnings. Key weekend indicators include tanker traffic, Sunday oil futures, US naval moves, and ceasefire talks, with S&P 500 futures reaction signaling Monday's open. Smart money remains cautious until Hormuz clarity emerges.
On March 13, 2026, institutional investors and hedge funds trimmed stock positions before the market close due to escalating geopolitical risks, hedge fund losses, and stress in the global private credit market. The Nasdaq slid 1.78% to 22,111, Dow dropped 1.56% to 46,777, and S&P 500 fell 3% for March amid broad risk-off selling. These moves signal defensive positioning until clarity emerges on Persian Gulf naval operations and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Key weekend indicators include Sunday oil futures and S&P 500 futures reaction.