Month: January 2024

Vladimir Putin has claimed the downing of a plane containing Ukrainian prisoners of war was done with missiles from “the US or France.” Moscow accused Ukraine of downing the aircraft, which reportedly had 65 Ukrainian PoWs at the time. The Ilyushin Il-76 plane crashed in Russia‘s Belgorod region, an area close to the Ukrainian border which has experienced multiple missile strikes in recent months. Ukraine has not confirmed or denied whether it shot down the plane. But Kyiv has challenged Moscow’s version of what happened, including details of who was on the plane. Putin said it is “not yet clear” ... Read more

Britons planning to travel to France must stay alert as new advice has been issued for heading to the popular destination.  The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), responsible for offering guidance on travel risks for 226 nations and territories, has issued updated recommendations for individuals planning to travel to France.  The goal is to assist people in making informed decisions and ensuring their safety.  On Thursday evening, the FCDO issued a new alert for those intending to visit France. The updated guideline comes as roads in the nation have been blocked in a series of agriculture protests. Dumping produce ... Read more

The results are in and we now know exactly which UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are the best and worst when it comes to complaints. UK regulator Ofcom has put suppliers such as Sky, BT and Virgin through their paces and published a full list of winners and losers and there are some pretty big surprises. So who comes top and bottom of the pile in the latest customer report? Ofcom’s findings have discovered that Virgin Media was the worst ISP for broadband issues between July and September 2023. The popular provider, which has millions of customers across the UK, ... Read more

As tourism rapidly bounces back to pre-pandemic levels, 2024 will see a surge in travel among Britons. This surge will also be marked by popular travel trends, including slower days, relaxed itineraries, and taking the off-beaten path.  WizzAir used reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor to arrive at a list of ‘least known’ landmarks, for those keen on exploring local attractions, as well as a list of ‘hidden gems’, for those straying away from touristy hotspots. Tamara Vallois, head of communications at WizzAir said, “While most of us may be familiar with the famous landmarks in each country – from the Eiffel Tower to Stonehenge ... Read more

Jan. 24, 2024 – If old bottles of prescription medicines and over-the-counter pain relievers are gathering dust behind your bathroom mirror, you’re not alone. But it’s important to take stock of what medications you have, what you can get rid of, and figure out how to store and discard your pills with care.  Let’s start with the basics: Despite its name, you shouldn’t keep your pills in the bathroom medicine cabinet. There are two major reasons why, experts say.  The first is that medicine cabinets are usually in bathrooms. That comes with a lot of humidity and high temperatures. According ... Read more

The UK is urging the EU to step up in its efforts against Russian forces in Ukraine, warning any delays to challenges against Vladimir Putin‘s regime could prompt anti-Western actions from China. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stressed the critical juncture facing global democracies in 2024 in an op-ed for Politico on Wednesday. With nearly half of the world’s population heading to the polls, including in the EU for the European Parliament elections, Shapps claimed that this year may also determine the fate of Ukraine‘s vibrant democracy, issuing a stern warning to Brussels to “step up” in the face of escalating ... Read more

Justine Henin has insisted that Carlos Alcaraz has plenty still to learn after crashing out of the Australian Open at the quarter-final stage. She believes that he “fell into the same trap” as he did during his end to the 2023 season and will need to improve in order to repeat his US Open and Wimbledon victories. “The level Zverev has reached is crazy,” Henin told Eurosport. “He completely dominated Carlos Alcaraz and came onto the court so aggressively. He smothered Alcaraz, and the Spaniard looked like he was in trouble. “He was hoping for more after a complicated end ... Read more

For those looking to refresh their skincare routine for the new year, the next few weeks could be the last opportunity to take advantage of the sale prices. John Lewis has taken part in the January sales in a big way, and to round off the discounts, some deals have been moved into the clearance sections, with the prices dropped even further. A Clinique Beauty Gift Set that showcases some of the premium beauty brand’s bestselling skincare has been reduced from £210, to just £75. The set includes six full-sized products plus a makeup bag, and would make an ideal ... Read more

Whether you’re fed up with the busy city life or you’re just looking for a history-packed escape, a charismatic hilltop city in the south of France should be on your radar. With a population of 45,996 people, Carcassonne is a melting pot of culture, sights and good food. Built on the ruins of an old Roman fortress, the original settlements at the foot of the city were destroyed, which prompted King St Louis to authorise the local inhabitants to build a new town back in 1245. Now home to a stunning fairytale castle perched on a hill, the centre of ... Read more

How long do you need to take a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for rheumatoid arthritis before it’s fully effective? It depends on which one you use. But they all take a while, says Eric M. Ruderman, MD, a rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine Rheumatology in Chicago. In fact, he says, DMARDs used to be called SARDs, slow-acting antirheumatic drugs. When you take DMARDs, it usually takes 6-12 weeks to see a response, according to Ruderman. Why so long? Well, to explain that, it helps to understand what DMARDs do. How Do DMARDs Work for RA? Once, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such ... Read more