Author: Andrew Rogers

Daily GLP-1 tablets are widening access to obesity treatment and boosting industry expectations.Analysts now value the global market at up to $200bn by the early 2030s. Novo Nordisk launched the first oral version of Wegovy in the US.Early demand outpaced the original injection.Patients say pills feel easier to manage and avoid weekly shots.Lower storage needs and reduced prices also attract new users. Rival Eli Lilly is preparing its own tablet, orforglipron.More oral drugs from biotech firms are in development.Broader insurance coverage in the US will further expand uptake. Injections still produce greater weight loss.They will likely remain the choice for…

Driver unrest marked Formula One’s second pre-season test in Bahrain.Several leading drivers criticised the sweeping new regulations. Verstappen described the new Red Bull as “anti-racing”.He said the complex energy management makes the car “not fun to drive”.He compared it to “Formula E on steroids”.He warned he could leave the sport if he stops enjoying racing. Lewis Hamilton also criticised the changes.He said the new systems are too complex for fans to understand.He argued drivers need deep technical knowledge to manage the cars. The 2026 rules introduce new engines, chassis and tyres.Engines now split power almost evenly between combustion and electric…

US inflation dropped to 2.4% in January after last year’s tariff-driven price swings.Prices rose 0.2% from December, according to the consumer price index.Core inflation increased 0.3% for the month. Economists expected a slight decline to 2.5%.Inflation hit 2.3% in April, then climbed to 3% by September.It fell again to 2.7% at the end of the year. The White House credited Trump’s economic agenda for stabilizing prices.It rejected claims that tariffs caused lasting inflation. Investors watch the data for signals on interest rate cuts.The Federal Reserve paused cuts in January and will decide again in March.Jerome Powell expects a temporary tariff…

The top legal adviser to the European Court of Justice has said the European Commission should not have released billions of euros to Hungary. Advocate general Tamara Ćapeta argued that Hungary failed to implement the judicial reforms required to unlock around €10bn in suspended funds. The commission froze payments in 2022 over concerns about corruption and rule-of-law backsliding under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In 2023, it concluded that Hungary had made sufficient reforms and lifted part of the suspension. The European Parliament challenged that decision, claiming the commission committed serious errors. Ćapeta said the commission inadequately assessed Hungary’s judicial reforms…

Aerobic exercise such as running, swimming and dancing can act as a frontline treatment for mild depression and anxiety, researchers say. A large analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that physical activity significantly reduced symptoms, especially in young adults and new mothers. Scientists reviewed 63 studies involving nearly 80,000 people. They found aerobic activities that raise the heart rate had the strongest effect on depression. Resistance training and yoga also helped, though to a lesser degree. Group and supervised exercise delivered additional benefits, suggesting social interaction plays a key role. Neil Munro of James Cook University…

Doctors say Nepal’s traditional lentil and rice diet could help reverse a growing diabetes epidemic.One in five Nepalis over 40 now lives with type 2 diabetes.Medication remains unaffordable for many families across the country. Pilot studies in Kathmandu showed strong results from a calorie-controlled traditional diet.Nearly half of participants achieved diabetes remission within months. Researchers based the diet on dal bhat, yoghurt, and fruit.Participants lost only 4–5kg on average. The programme is led by University of Glasgow with Dhulikhel Hospital.Mike Lean said Asian populations need less weight loss to reverse diabetes. The approach relies on community support rather than hospitals.Volunteers…

People who drink a small amount of tea or coffee each day may face a lower risk of dementia, researchers say. A large US study found that those who regularly drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of caffeinated tea had a 15–20% lower dementia risk over four decades. They also showed slightly better cognitive performance than people who avoided caffeine. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analysed health data from more than 130,000 participants in long-running US studies. Caffeinated coffee drinkers showed less cognitive decline than those who…

BP faces growing calls to end years of strategic turbulence as it prepares to publish full-year results. Analysts expect weaker profits after oil prices fell for a third straight year in 2025. Forecasts put annual profits near $7.5bn, down from almost $9bn in 2024. Fourth-quarter earnings likely slumped after crude prices dropped below $60 a barrel. Incoming chief executive Meg O’Neill will face pressure to outline a clearer long-term strategy. Activist investors want BP to prepare for declining fossil fuel demand. A shareholder resolution led by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility urges tighter control of oil and gas spending.…

Researchers say menstrual blood testing could offer a simple, non-invasive alternative to cervical screening.A sanitary pad fitted with a sample strip can detect human papillomavirus, the main cause of cervical cancer.Women could use the test at home instead of attending a clinic. Researchers in China compared menstrual blood samples with clinician-collected cervical samples.The study involved more than 3,000 women aged 20 to 54 with regular periods.Findings were published in BMJ. The pad-based test detected serious cervical cell changes with 94.7% sensitivity.This matched the accuracy of clinician-collected samples.Specificity was slightly lower, but negative results were equally reliable. Researchers said the test…

A major review finds statins do not cause most side-effects listed on medicine labels. Researchers analysed 19 trials involving 124,000 people and published the results in The Lancet. Evidence supported only muscle pain, diabetes risk, and four minor effects, including liver test changes and tissue swelling. The study found no strong link between statins and memory loss, depression, sleep problems, or nerve damage. Lead author Christina Reith said benefits far outweigh risks for most patients. Experts called for updated labels to counter misinformation and support informed decisions.