Birmingham Hospice is launching a 24/7 Specialist Palliative Urgent Response (Spur) to help patients, families and healthcare professionals access end-of-life and palliative care at home. The hospice says the service aims to fill gaps in out-of-hours provision and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Victorian towns hit by bushfires, while authorities reported about 300 structures destroyed and roughly 350,000 hectares burned; a state of disaster remains in place.
Singer Jesy Nelson’s twin daughters were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy after months; the UK does not currently include SMA in routine newborn screening across England, while pilots and a Scotland rollout are planned.
The public consultation on the proposed Abingdon reservoir has closed; the plan could cost up to £7.5bn and customers of Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water are expected to pay through bills. Local businesses and some MPs have raised concerns about local impacts, costs and Thames Water's ability to deliver.
Sadiq Khan says London reached its lowest per capita homicide rate on record last year and credits increased City Hall investment in the Metropolitan Police and prevention programmes for reducing violence.
Metropolitan Police recorded 97 homicides in London in 2025, the lowest total in over a decade, and officials say the per‑capita homicide rate has fallen to 1.1 per 100,000 residents.
Researchers at Moorfields used injections of a surgical gel (HPMC) to restore eye shape and improve vision in seven of eight patients with hypotony after 12 months.
A study published in BMC Genomics reports that PET microplastic exposure in a porcine model led to pancreatic cell death, protein changes and increased fat droplets; the authors say these changes could point to metabolic disturbances and call for more research.
The NHS warns using certain over-the-counter decongestant nose sprays for more than seven days can cause rebound congestion and may lead to dependence. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society found many pharmacists say patients are unaware of this risk and has called for clearer packaging warnings.
Hays County authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Australian jiu-jitsu competitor Izaak Michell on a sexual assault charge; he is believed to be in northern New South Wales and Hays County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information.
