Standing by the counter at the pharmacist waiting to pick up my prescription, I couldn’t help noticing the prominent display of probiotics on the counter. It was two years ago, and I was reading everything I could find on microbiomes and probiotics – whether in books, journals or in shops – in preparation for writing my book The Microbiome: What Everyone Needs to Know.

For days I had focused just on probiotics and here they were, temptingly in front of me, ready for me to buy. The packaging was so glossy and it’s claims so intriguing, I found myself picking up the box to see what they were saying.

“Supporting gut health.” “Friendly bacteria.”

I was about to get antibiotics for my tonsillitis. Should I get some probiotics? I’d heard they might help replace the “good” gut bacteria that antibiotics can wipe out.

The pharmacist knew me by sight, partly because he had just looked down my throat and prescribed them for me and partly because I’m a local GP. He nodded encouragingly and pointed at the display. “These are very popular,” he said.

I turned the box over. The packaging did best when describing what it contained. Thirty capsules to be taken every day, each containing 5 billion live cultures. I compared it with the others on the shelf. Some contained 2 billion, some 10 billion. One contained 25 billion bacteria per capsule. It was a huge number and a huge dosage range. Were these dosages safe?

It wasn’t so clear on what live cultures were exactly, describing them variously as “trusted” or “friendly”. Higher-dose brands described themselves as “diverse” or “powerful”, sounding more like the boardroom of a Fortune 500 company than a dietary supplement.

When it came to what they did, things became vague. Apparently, probiotics are there to “complement your natural gut bacteria” or alternatively to “complement your everyday life”.

It took a bit of time for the pharmacist to package up my medication and label it, so I carried on and read the small print. Each brand was very confident its ability to survive the stomach acid: they were also confident on the research. “Most researched live culture.” “Highly researched strains.” I had no difficulty in believing this, it was the lack of claims to efficacy that baffled me.

Finally, I found the actual ingredients. Each listed their various combinations of bacteria, some containing up to 15 different sorts, but always including several versions of lactobacilli and bifidobactera.

Lactobacillus acidophilus I knew as a bacteria needed to make yogurt. Bifidobacteria are also often used in the food industry. Both are typical residents of our guts, known to account for about 12% of our usual gut bacteria.

So why do probiotic products all seem to contain the same bacterial species? And why are their claims always so deliberately vague?

Almost one in 20 adults are taking probiotics: typically those of us with higher educational levels, higher incomes and better diets. If we just knew a bit more about microbes, would we still want to take them?

Stomach acid – the great destroyer

It is normal to consume a lot of bacteria on our food. Even with freshly washed or cooked food, on a typical day we consume 1.3 billion bacteria a day either on or in our food.

As soon as our food hits the stomach, our high levels of stomach acid kill or injure almost all the bacteria we consume. Only a few ever reach the colon and those few probiotic bacteria that survive usually only ever stay a few days.

But to swallow a probiotic capsule containing 25 billion, is 20 times the number of bacteria our body is used to handling: a huge microbial load. Even “friendly” probiotic bacteria can cause a serious infection if they get in the wrong place, such as the blood stream. It’s true that most people can manage this huge microbial load fine because of our innate gut defence systems. But probiotics should be avoided by those with weak immune systems, who may be less able to keep these bacteria contained and are at higher risk of them spreading and causing infection.

The reason that out of all the millions of bacteria available in the world, probiotic brands always home in on exactly the same microbes is because these are all bacteria that are known to be safe or used in the food industry since before 1958. If a microbe is officially designated “Generally Recognized As Safe”, then the producer need undertake no further research. And if the producer then sticks to general claims of efficacy – what’s known as a “qualified health claim”, they don’t even have to prove it works.

But even with no efficacy claims at all, the probiotic industry still seems to get its message across – and, as I handled the box of probiotics, I still had a strong feeling that this product was good for me, would make me healthier and that I should buy it.

I held the box uncertainly. “Do you want these as well?” the pharmacist asked.
I checked the price: £17.99 for 30 probiotic capsules (low dose) for something I already had inside me from eating ordinary food. I decided to stick to the antibiotic prescription only, for £9.90.

So, do probiotics work? I have learned to equivocate when asked this, because people who ask me – usually enthusiastically and with a smile – are invested in the concept of probiotics and have often already been taking them. To avoid upsetting people I now usually say: “Well, they probably haven’t done you any harm.” Apart from the cost.

The DWP has confirmed the household benefit cap is frozen again for 2026-27, with the maximum amount unchanged at up to £25,233 for eligible households in Greater London

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the maximum annual benefit payments available to UK households for the new tax year, which commenced in April.

Each year, the DWP establishes the benefits cap in accordance with government policy set by HM Treasury. Unlike the state pension and other benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, it is not automatically uprated annually.

For the 2026-27 tax year, the benefits cap has once again been held at between £14,753 and £25,233, depending on individual circumstances and location.

The cap was last increased in 2024, was frozen in 2025, and will not be raised in 2026 either.

This week, the cap has come under increased scrutiny following Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to crack down on benefits cap exemptions, such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which are not counted towards the cap — nor is the state pension, reports the Express.

Should the Tories return to power, they have stated they would only exempt households from the cap if all adults capable of working are in employment. Receiving benefits such as PIP would no longer serve as an automatic exemption, a move they claim would “stop those who abuse the system getting almost unlimited welfare payments”.

The cap is applied at varying rates for single people and couples, and differs between London and the rest of the country. Currently, the cap stands at £22,020 for couples and lone parents outside London, or £14,753 for single adults without children.

In Greater London, the cap is £25,233 for couples and single parents, and £16,967 for single adults.

While members of a household may qualify for various combinations of benefits, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit, the total amount received cannot surpass the Benefit Cap.

This means those who reach the cap will have one of their benefits, most commonly Universal Credit, reduced to ensure the total remains within the limit.

Official figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions reveal that a total of 119,000 households have had their benefits capped up until August 2025.

According to newly released DWP data, UK households are losing an average of £249 per month (equating to £2,988 annually) as a result of the Benefits Cap.

The Benefits Cap represents the maximum total amount a single household can receive in benefits, once all claims made by household members are combined.

Citizens Advice also outlines how the system operates, noting that certain exemptions allow households to exceed the cap.

It says: “The Benefit Cap is a limit to the total amount of money you can get from some benefits. If your Universal Credit payment is over a specific amount, the DWP might reduce it to bring it down to a certain level.

“The Benefit Cap will not apply if you’re working and earn at least £846 a month after tax. If you have a partner, your combined earnings need to be at least £846 a month.”

DWP benefits given Benefits Cap exemption

DWP guidance stipulates that state pensioners are exempt from the cap upon reaching state pension age. It further clarifies that the benefit cap does not apply to these benefits:

You’re not affected by the cap if you or your partner:

• Get Universal Credit because of a disability or health condition that stops you from working (this is called ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’)
• Get Universal Credit because you care for someone with a disability
• Get Universal Credit and you and your partner earn £881 or more a month combined, after tax and National Insurance contributions

You’re also not affected by the cap if you, your partner or any children under 18 living with you gets:

• Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Carer Support Payment
• Child Disability Payment
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (if you get the support component)
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Benefits (and equivalent payments as part of a War Disablement Pension or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme)
• Pension Age Disability Payment
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
• War pensions
• War Widow’s or War Widower’s Pension

This final category is precisely what the Conservatives have indicated they would target for reductions.

Recently, the government abolished the two-child benefit cap from April. This had previously placed a limit on claiming additional Universal Credit payments for more than two children. As a result, families will now be entitled to claim further funds for each additional child under the ‘children’ element of Universal Credit.

However, in a somewhat confusing twist, this remains subject to the overall Benefits Cap, meaning households will not receive any additional funds if doing so would exceed the cap.

As explained by Money Helper: “The benefit cap is the maximum amount your household can get in benefits. This means that if you already get the maximum amount your payment will not increase.”

Dominic Swan, chairman of the Romford Conservative Association (RCA), said: “We’ve been left with no choice. Andrew Rosindell and Reform UK have ignored every request to remove these signs, threatened anyone who’s tried to take them down, and is now attempting to fight a local election on a false prospectus.

Donald Trump told children Iran was two weeks away from nuclear capability during a White House sports event, before going on to make controversial comments mocking their dreams and aspirations

Donald Trump told a roomful of children that Iran had been “two weeks away” from killing them during a rant about the war.

The extraordinary moment was one of several inappropriate remarks as he went off script at a White House sporting event.

With children and professional athletes gathered around him in the Oval Office, Trump swiftly glossed over notable sporting achievements in the United States — including America 250 this summer and World Cup ticket figures — before pivoting to the subject of war.

He said: “We have to make a journey down to Iran to take their nuclear weapon.

“They would’ve had a nuclear weapon within two weeks.”

“We sent that beautiful B-2 bomber in and we blew up their nuclear potential. It was obliterated – for those who are not aware.To a point where it will take them weeks to dig down.

“And we wouldn’t let them dig down. We have our eyes on it all the time. But it was a very important thing. So we would’ve had an Iran with a nuclear weapon. And maybe we wouldn’t all be here right now.

“I can tell you, the Middle East would’ve been gone. Israel would’ve been gone. They would’ve trained their sights on Europe first, then us. Because they’re sick people. These are sick people, and we’re not going to let lunatics have nuclear weapons. It’s not going to happen. And we have beaten them badly.”

The incident has gone viral across social media, alongside a separate moment in which he spoke about shooting protesters between the eyes – pointing to his forehead and saying: “Right there.”

He was joined at his event on Tuesday by Cabinet Secretaries Linda McMahon, Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

On Tuesday, the White House hosted a gathering announcing the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.

The accolade forms part of the currently-defunct Presidential Fitness Test, which was an annual assessment of school-aged children’s athletic capabilities.

During the occasion, one girl informed Trump that she aspired to play volleyball, to which he responded “soccer might be better” in reference to her height.

He then turned to a boy on his right, who revealed he played football, but was keen to take up powerlifting the following year.

“You’ll never compete against women in powerlifting,” Trump remarked, before enquiring: “Do you think you can take me in a fight?”

Wingates Brass Band will host Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out – LIVE! at the Bridge Church on Saturday, May 16.

The hour-long concert of family favourites will begin at 2.30pm, before the classic Aardman Animations film is shown on screen, accompanied by the band.

The programme will include well-known music from Disney films such as The Jungle Book, Hercules and Frozen.

A Grand Day Out (Image: Supplied)

Wingates Brass Band is one of Bolton’s best-known musical organisations.

It has been described as world-famous and multi-award-winning, and ranked as the “sixth most successful brass band in music history”.

Based in Wingates near Westhoughton, the band has been a cornerstone of the British brass band movement since its formation in 1873.

The band regularly represents Bolton at local, national and international levels.

National Champions of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971

Its success has been shaped by influential conductors and musical directors.

In 2024, Matthew Ryan, an experienced brass band conductor, became musical director.

With a track record of directing contest-winning performances and an active role in brass band education, he brought renewed energy and artistic vision.

Matthew said: “Brass band music was central to my upbringing in Bolton as an alumnus of Smithills Schools.

“With this concert, we want to share some of the magic of brass banding with a new generation of families, alongside some iconic British animation.

“The programme we have selected will hopefully delight the young and the young at heart.”

A Grand Day Out (Image: Supplied)

Tickets cost £12 for adults and £8 for children, with free entry for under-threes.

They can be booked online via the Wingates Brass Band website or at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/wingatesbrassband/2072288.

Tickets will also be available on the door, although organisers advise booking in advance.

Free parking will be available at the church for those attending.

The Department of Veterans Affairs investigated whether an employee broke agency rules about press interactions after she attended a vigil for Alex Pretti and spoke to the media, according to a report.

Federal immigration agents fatally shot Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse, in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Soon afterward, VA employee Becky Halioua attended a candlelight vigil for him in Augusta, Georgia, and spoke to local outlet WRDW.

The VA investigated whether Halioua violated agency policies about speaking to the press, CNN’s report says. The agency determined Halioua broke the rules because she had not requested permission before agreeing to speak to the media, she told the outlet.

Halioua said she didn’t talk to the VA because she was expressing a personal opinion and wasn’t speaking for the department. She told CNN: “I very strongly believe that I have not violated those policies.”

“The entire event was advertised very clearly as a vigil. It was not an action against the VA, against the government, against any organization. It was an event that was meant to honor the life of someone who had been killed,” she said.

Halioua also serves as president of a local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees. Thomas Dargon, the union’s deputy general counsel, told CNN that Halioua exercised her First Amendment rights at the memorial event and that her actions were in line with the rules.

The VA has investigated three additional employees over media interactions, including one regarding Pretti, according to the report.

The Independent has reached out to Halioua through her union for comment. The VA declined to comment, citing privacy laws that prohibit the agency from discussing specific details about employees without their written permission.

Pretti was an ICU nurse who worked for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. He was killed just weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, in the same city. Their killings sparked unrest and protests nationwide.

Pretti was “very upset” with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, his father told the Associated Press.

“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael Pretti said in January.

“He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests,” he added.

Expect international food stalls, arts and crafts traders and live entertainment for the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival 2026 at Keel Square and High Street West, which returns from June 5 to 7 and attracted more than 50,000 visitors last year.

Roberta Redecke, head of business services at Sunderland’s BIDs, said: “The entertainment, the live music and of course the amazing food and drink vendors ensure this event goes from strength to strength.”

This year’s entertainment programme will get underway on Friday, June 5, with performances from North East girl band Northern Daughters, vocalist Ami Vaziri, and Re-Live the 90s.

On Saturday, June 6, ABBA tribute act Voulez 2 will take to the stage alongside Will Jennison Country Roads and tribute acts, Katy Perry Live.

Sunday’s line-up includes Run to You – a Whitney Houston tribute – The Story of Styles, and a showcase by the Inspire Stage School.

Younger festival-goers will be kept entertained with a full programme of children’s activities and workshops, plus outdoor games and workshops.

This year’s festival will take place during an especially busy weekend for Sunderland, coinciding with Pride in Sunderland and the Makers & Bakers market at the Bridges shopping centre.

Ms Redecke thanked Stagecoach North East for joining as headline sponsor, saying “We are so grateful to Stagecoach North East for agreeing to sponsor the Food and Drink Festival which really helps us in delivering a memorable event.”

Steve Walker, Managing Director for Stagecoach North East, said: “We’re proud to be headline sponsors of the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival; a fantastic event that brings people together and showcases the very best of the city.

Read more:

“As a business operating right at the heart of everyday life in Sunderland, it’s important to us that we support events that are fun, inclusive and add real value to the community.

“With our bus services, we’re looking forward to helping even more people enjoy everything the festival has to offer.”

More information and updates can be found at sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk.

The delivery driver who kidnapped and murdered a young girl was handed the death sentence as her family ‘try to honour the beautiful little girl whose life was taken in the most senseless and horrific way’

The FedEx driver who kidnapped and killed a 7-year-old girl has been handed the death penalty for his horrific crimes.

Tanner Horner, 34, was delivering parcels to Athena Strand‘s family home in Paradise, Texas in November 2022 before he kidnapped her in his truck and shut the door.

Athena, fought for her life in the back of his vehicle before he brutally killed her.

He pleaded guilty on April 7 to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

The jury took two hours and 50 minutes to decide whether Horner should be put to death.

When the decision was announced on Tuesday, May 5, Horner was emotionless.

After the execution was decided, Athena’s uncle Elijah Strand faced her killer directly, saying: ‘I want you to know that you are nothing.

“You are a footnote in Athena’s story.

“Her name will forever be remembered.

“Her name will forever be celebrated and everyone will forget you.”

Her uncle added that words couldn’t capture the devastation caused to everyone who loved Athena.

His actions forever changed who they are as a family and their trust in the world.

“Athena was more than a headline.

“She was laughter, curiosity, kindness,” Strand said.

“And she had dreams that she will never get to chase.

“Birthdays that she will never celebrate in a life she’ll never get to live because of his actions.

“Our family has been left with an emptiness that can never be filled.

“We are left to carry grief that never fades.

“We are left with questions that will still never have answers.

“And we are left trying to honour the beautiful little girl whose life was taken in the most senseless and horrific way.”

In the court on Tuesday, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton labelled seven-year-old Athena a ‘warrior’ for putting up a fight before her death.

Stainton showed the jury the shoes Horner was wearing on the day of the murder.

He said: “This is what it took [pointing at shoes] to beat the life out of her.

“If you want mercy, if you want someone to consider giving you life in prison when you gave no life to her, when you gave no mercy here.”

Stainton added that Horner is “proof why there is evil in society and we can never turn back” and the reason that Texas still has a death penalty.

Horner will be moved to the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in West Livingston, Texas with other inmates on death row.

More than an hour of video and audio that captured Athena’s final moments was played to jurors.

Previous evidence heard Horner calling Athena ‘sweetie’ and asking her about her school when he put her in the back of his van.

Horrifying audio heard the little girl ask her kidnapper: “Is this your house?” Horner replied: “No, I don’t live around here”.

“Where are we going? What are you doing?” Athena asked a few moments later.

Horner answered: “We are going to hang out for a while.”

Horner then ordered the girl to take off her top and hushed her when she asked why.

She began to cry and asked for her mother.

“Are you a kidnapper?” Athena asked through her tears and begs to go home. “Why are you doing this?”

Horner responded: “Because you are pretty. You know that?”

The seven-year-old’s body was found two days later, nine miles from her home.

During the trial, jurors also listened to the heart-wrenching testimonies of both of Strand’s parents.

Advertisement

It was ruled that Athena died from blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation.

The medical examiner’s report said Athena’s body did not show signs of sexual trauma.

However, former forensic analyst with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Jacqueline Ferrara, testified at Horner’s trial that male DNA had been found on swabs from Athena’s rape kit.

Originally, Horner said that he accidentally hit the girl with his van and strangled her in a panic.

Prosecutors ruled this an ‘absolute lie’ and said Athena was not hurt prior to the abduction, with footage from inside the truck showing the girl conscious and appearing unharmed.

England defender Guehi, who made a key error that led to Everton equalising in the second half through Thierno Barry, had posted on Instagram after the match, writing: “I need to do better, but we keep going and focused on the next. Thank you for your support as always. Thank you Jesus!”

Abusali Rahman, born 29/08/1989, a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford, is remanded in custody after being charged with the following offences: 

• 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting)
• 3 counts of publishing an obscene article (AI-generated sexualised images)
• 3 counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child (making AI-generated images)
• 1 count of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (sharing an upskirting image with another user)
• 1 count of attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming (via online chat)
• 1 count of operating equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent (the act of upskirting)

Thirteen girls have been identified, who were aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending, at seven high schools in Bury, Bolton and Salford.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say four girls from two high schools have not yet been identified, and officers are continuing to work directly with those schools. 

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, and the upskirting charges relate to alleged offending in schools. 

All affected schools and the parents of the 13 identified girls have been informed.

GMP say all necessary safeguarding personnel have been made aware of the investigation, and of the specialist support that they and their partners are offering them throughout this case.

Officers say that if you, as a parent, have not been personally informed, your child has not been identified as a potential victim in this case.

If GMP receive further information relevant to the investigation, then they will sensitively and directly approach impacted schools, like they have done so far, to ensure that parents are informed.

GMP have been in contact with all schools that Mr Rahman has worked at as part of their enquiries.

He has not worked in schools since he was arrested in June 2025 after a concern was raised by a parent about an image of their child in a school uniform being circulated by a social media account.

The discovery of further images prompted an upskirting investigation by the force’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT).

GMP say a significant amount of specialist and sensitive work has since gone into trying to identify girls on those images. 

Mr Rahman was charged and appeared at Wigan Magistrates’ Court in April 2026.

He has since been remanded in custody and will appear at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday, May 28. 

By law, alleged victims of sexual offences have a lifelong right to anonymity.

The force asks that people respect their privacy and protect the integrity of the case by not speculating or commenting on this case in-person or online.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division, said: “I must start by stressing that the parents of the girls identified, and their schools, are being kept informed and supported throughout this process. If you were not aware of this case prior to today, then your child has not been identified as an alleged victim.

“We have been in contact with all schools we know Mr Rahman worked at in the North West since he became a qualified teacher in July 2023.

“No further alleged criminal offences have been identified at this time. The police, schools, the local authorities, safeguarding leads and specialist support services are working closely together throughout this investigation.

“I understand the concern and upset that will come with this news. It is so important that everyone refrains from speculation, as this is an active case where the girls affected have a right to lifelong anonymity, and the defendant has a right to a fair trial.

“The last thing that is needed now is speculation around this case – if you know something, please report it directly to us.”

Anyone who wants to report an offence or has any information on this investigation should contact operation.messina@gmp.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Pomerie.

You can also pass details anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Support available

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester, provides a comprehensive and coordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support, as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

We Are Survivors provides specialist trauma-informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.