Every year, between 80,000 and 140,000 people die from snakebites worldwide. Hundreds of thousands more are left with amputated limbs or permanent disabilities.

India accounts for roughly half of these deaths, with around 58,000 people dying from snakebites each year. Many of the victims are farmers, labourers and children in rural communities, bitten while working in the fields or walking home after dark.

Yet the basic way we treat snakebite has changed little in more than a century. Traditional antivenom is made using horses: they are injected with small doses of snake venom, prompting their immune systems to produce antibodies. Blood is then collected from the horse and processed to make the antivenom.

This type of antivenom has saved countless lives, but it has drawbacks. The antivenom can vary from batch to batch, cause severe allergic reactions and is expensive to produce.

It can also offer limited protection. For example, in India, antivenom is mainly made using venoms from four snake species known as the “big four”: the Indian spectacled cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper. But these antivenoms do not always work well against venoms from other snake species, or populations of the same snake species, found across the country.

We wanted to know whether modern biotechnology could offer a better approach. Our new study in mice, suggests it might.

Small antibodies, big ambitions

Our approach uses nanobodies, tiny versions of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system that recognise and help neutralise harmful substances, including toxins. Nanobodies do a similar job but are much smaller.

Their size could make them useful for treating snakebites because they can move through tissue quickly and reach venom before it causes permanent damage. They can be also be produced in microbes, rather than using horses.

We have already developed nanobodies that can neutralise venoms from African cobras and mambas. Because different cobra species produce many of the same types of toxins, we wanted to see whether these nanobodies could also work against Indian cobra venoms.

In our lab, we mixed five nanobodies and tested them against venoms from several cobra and king cobra species from India. We found that all five were able to target the toxins across the different venoms. This was encouraging because the nanobodies had originally been developed using African snake venoms.

From lab to living animal

We then tested the cocktail in mice. When the venoms and treatment were given together, all of the treated mice survived. While untreated mice died within 30 minutes because of neurotoxicity, typical of cobra bites.

We also tested what would happen if the treatment was given after a simulated bite. The mice received venom first, followed by the nanobody treatment through a vein. This was to simulate someone reaching a clinic after being bitten by a snake.

We found that the treatment still saved the mice when given 20 minutes after the venom. The treatment also prevented the severe effects of the venom, including paralysis and breathing failure.

We checked that the nanobodies did not bind to human proteins, which is important as doing so could cause unwanted side effects. We also found that the nanobodies remained intact at high temperatures, which is important in places where keeping medicines cold can be difficult.

A long road still ahead

These results are promising, but this was a study in mice, so the findings do not necessarily translate directly to people. What works in an animal model may not work in humans in exactly the same way. So the results are best seen as an indication that this approach could be worth developing further.

The cocktail is also not a universal antivenom. Our tests showed that it doesn’t work against Indian kraits, meaning that additional nanobodies would be needed to target these and India’s dangerous vipers. More research is also needed to understand the right dose, how long the treatment lasts and how well it works when treatment is further delayed in larger animal and humans.

The next step would be to test the antivenom in people. First, we would need to make sure it’s safe, decide the right dose and produce it to pharmaceutical standards. The treatment would then be tested in people who come to hospital after being bitten by a snake.

So even though there’s some way to go before this way of making antivenoms could actually be used in humans, these results build on our previous work and suggest that nanobody-based antivenoms could eventually provide a more flexible and effective approach to treating snakebite.

This means that instead of developing a completely new treatment for every snake species, a shared set of nanobodies could potentially be combined and adapted for different geographical regions.

For the people and communities living with the greatest risk of snakebite, this could make an enormous difference. And potentially save tens of thousands of lives every year.

This series was commissioned as part of a partnership between Videnskab.dk and The Conversation, where articles are published in English and Danish.

Pro Ref, formerly PGMOL, have recognised that Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby was an error of judgment

Pro Ref have taken accountability for an ‘error of judgement’ during the Manchester derby and a review will take place after Erling Haaland’s winner was allowed to stand.Haaland scored the decisive goal for Manchester City against Manchester United when Josko Gvardiol’s cross deflected towards the back post, where the striker applied the finish.

Lisandro Martinez was positioned between Enzo Fernandez and Haaland, but the City midfielder launched himself toward the ball in an effort to convert a diving header. However, officials ruled that the former Chelsea man had not interfered with play.

The linesman initially raised his flag to deny 10‑man City, but VAR reviewed the incident and instructed Michael Oliver to award the goal. Further clarification has now been provided by Pro Ref, formerly PGMOL, who say VAR failed to recognise the likely impact of Fernandez’s position and should have recommended an on‑field review.

A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.

“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position. In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

The decision left Sky Sports co‑commentator Gary Neville baffled. “I’m going to need the offside law explaining to me, it’s lost me,” he said on air.

Meanwhile, Reds head coach Michael Carrick admitted he was deeply worried about the outcome, adding: “Confused, not even confused, we’ve put things in place to help referees’ decisions, screens, referees in an office somewhere. It’s more worrying about if that’s the interpretation about football.

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“If we’ve got people in place that are meant to understand the game of football or not interfering with play or impacting an attack, throwing your body at it with a defender next to him, it’s really worrying for me, if that’s how it’s interpreted. It’s a staggering decision. I can’t understand it once I seen it then the explanation almost makes it worse. Well, the explanation that he’s not interfering with play. Incredible.”

A furious Martinez made his feelings known after the game, saying he shifted towards Fernandez and away from Haaland because he was trying to score.

“I think he was offside,” he said. “And what I can’t understand is the rules, you know? He was there!

“I went to him because he was there in front of me. That’s why Haaland was free at the back [post]. I want to be calm now, I want to control myself. It is so hard. It is so hard because you lose a derby, you lose three points at home.

“Every season they [officials] come to our club and explain an hour, an hour-and-a-half the rules and they look so confident with that. Then after, five or six people [officials] doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League is unacceptable. It’s the best league in the world and you have the best teams and players in the world. We have to go home with this injustice.”

Haaland’s strike proved to be the winner, with City taking all three points despite being reduced to ten men. Phil Foden was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Bruno Fernandes.

Pro Ref have taken accountability after Erling Haaland’s controversial winner against Manchester United

Pro Ref have apologised to Manchester United for an ‘error of judgement’ to allow Erling Haaland’s Manchester City winner.

The organisation has provided clarity and taken accountability after it was deemed that Enzo Fernandez hadn’t interfered with play, despite being in an offside position when he made an attempt to steer home Josko Gvardiol’s cross.

A Pro Ref spokesperson said: “Following the incident in the 60th minute of Sunday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, we can provide clarification regarding Erling Haaland’s awarded goal.

“The on-field decision was offside against Erling Haaland – that was checked by VAR and he was found to be in an onside position.

“In the same attack, it was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.

“Contact has been made with Manchester United this evening to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place.”

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

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Speaking after his victory, Kerr referenced the “stick” he receives for not competing as much as others.

But he is in no doubt that it is because of that approach that he is able to seize the career-defining moments when they arrive.

In response to criticism from Ingebrigtsen over his decision to skip the European Championships in Birmingham, Kerr said he “was not a robot” and would continue to approach each season by targeting only a few competitions to avoid injury and maintain consistent high levels of performance.

While the Ultimate Championship was not one of those dates at the beginning of the year, it was no surprise that World Athletics made sure he could be present – nor that Kerr took the sport’s governing body up on the offer.

Kerr is, after all, blockbuster. He underlined his position as one of the sport’s biggest draws when he boldly announced his record-breaking intentions months in advance before delivering his historic mile performance in front of 60,000 British fans in July.

There were also no mistakes in Scotland, despite the pressure which came with his role as headline act in front of an expectant home crowd.

It is just 12 months since Kerr’s world title defence was ended by a calf tear in Tokyo.

But, having recovered to reach career-best fitness, the next three years now provide him with the opportunity to cement himself among the all-time greats.

With two World Championships – the second potentially in London – either side of the next Olympic Games, Kerr will continue to ignore the outside noise and follow his established winning formula.

“Obviously I get a lot of stick for not racing so much,” Kerr said. “But it allows me to come here fresh and ready to go.”

The incident happened at around 7.30pm on Sunday evening

Emergency services have tonight been in attendance at a serious road traffic incident in West Belfast.

It’s believed at least two cars collided at high speed with one another on the Monagh Bypass which links Kennedy Way with the Whiterock Road.

Footage shared on social media showed two badly damaged cars with members of the public attempting to assist those inside. Debris was scattered right across the four lanes and smoke was visible from one of the vehicles. The road remains closed as of 9pm on Sunday September 13.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue and Police Service of Northern Ireland were also on the scene within minutes. A number of casualties were attended to at the scene.

No further details on injuries are known at this time.

Sinn Fein MLA Aisling Reilly said: “My thoughts are with everyone involved in the serious road crash on the Monagh Bypass at Áit na Móna this evening.

“The road is currently closed in both directions while emergency services deal with the incident. I would ask people to please avoid the area and allow those responding to the crash to do their work.”

Local councillor Paul Doherty posted on social media: “The Monagh Bypass remains closed in the Aitnamona/Turf Lodge direction and is expected to remain closed for some time while emergency services continue to deal with a serious road traffic collision.

“Please avoid the area if you can and allow emergency services to carry out their work. Thinking of everyone involved.”

A brief statement from the PSNI said: The Monagh bypass in west Belfast is currently closed in both directions between the Glen Road roundabout and the junction with Springfield Road following a road traffic collision. Diversions are in place.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Apple’s traditional September iPhone event was very different this year. The company’s new CEO, John Ternus, hosted it (though the former CEO Tim Cook made a guest appearance), announcing the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch ultra 4 and a folding phone. Here’s everything that was announced, including when they’re coming and how much they’ll cost.

Channel 4 are hoping to have UK TV’s next big hit on their hands with the series

Apocalypse has arrived on Channel 4, but who’s in the full line-up, what are the rules and how do you win the survival series?

It’s been a winning period for reality TV in the UK. BBC viewers are patiently waiting for the next season of The Celebrity Traitors at the minute.

A new batch of 21 celebrities who will face one another for the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. As last year proved, with Alan Carr emerging as sole champion, anyone can win.

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Set in a Scottish castle in the Highlands, the game follows the celebrity contestants, the majority of whom are known as faithfuls, as they try to seek out the murderous traitors among them, who kill off players in the middle of the night.

With just weeks to go until the new series gets underway, perhaps Channel 4’s brand new programme will reach the same global heights. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the rules of Apocalypse?

Fourteen ordinary people from the UK and Australia face the ultimate test in Apocalypse. Two unsuspecting groups of strangers are dropped into a real abandoned town.

In a brilliant twist, each team is unaware of the other’s existence, presumably leading to a dramatic and realistic realisation.

Without electricity, running water or food, the survivors must scavenge, recycle, reuse and reinvent anything they can find just to get by. To make things even more tense, they’re surrounded by the remnants of modern life.

The teams must discover whether reverting to primitive instincts is what it takes to make it through the Apocalypse, or whether cooperation is the key to survival.

How do you win Apocalypse?

Unlike the bulk of reality competitions, there is no winner of Apocalypse. Instead, each contestant has signed on in an attempt to prove that they could survive in an end of the world scenario.

No one is voted off the programme, and there is no prize money at the end. The series is designed to test whether society crumbles or people cooperate when faced with a global disaster.

A Channel 4 spokesperson teased: “The survivors are split into two rival camps – Eastside and Westside – with no knowledge of who else is out there.

“With limited resources on offer, the Westside group soon find themselves in direct conflict with their Eastside counterparts when Eastside are first to break into the town’s only supermarket and loot its contents.”

Apocalypse’s Full Cast

EastSide Team

• Steven McKell – Content Creator, 32, from Lincoln
• Kiera Madison – Psychologist, 29, from Australia
• Bertie Watkins – Theatre director, 34, from London
• Kyra Muzvaba – Student nurse, 20, from Northamptonshire
• Louise Baker – Mechanic, 43, from Birmingham
• Scott McMinn – Beef farmer, 42, from Barongarook (Aus)
• Laura Powell – Paramedic, 38, from Bristol

Westside Team

• Ioan Humphreys – Farmer, 32, from Wales
• Freddie Browne – Event Emcee, 30, from London
• Brooke McCreaner – Cab driver, 42, from London
• Celia Hibbert – Politician, 43, from Wolverhampton
• Matthew Wilson (Matty) – Diesel mechanic, 33, from Perth (Aus)
• Kelly Cartwright – Paralympian, 37, from Geelong (Aus)
• Dean Sganga – Chef, 30, from NSW (Aus)

Apocalypse airs on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 13, at 9pm

The game has been rescheduled for next month

A Manchester Storm game at the AO Arena has been called off following a ‘technical issue with the ice’. The popular ice hockey team was set to take on the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup on Sunday evening (September 13).

The game was set to be the team’s first competitive match in the heart of of Manchester in more than 20 years. Last week, Storm made a triumphant return to the arena in a sold out pre-season friendly against the Sheffield Steelers on Sunday (September 6).

Fans been advised to keep their tickets which will be valid for the rescheduled fixture. The rescheduled game is set to take place on Wednesday October 14.

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A statement from the club reads: “Unfortunately today’s Manchester Storm game vs PanthersIHC has been suspended due to a technical issue with the ice.

“We sincerely apologise to supporters and ticket holders for the disruption and would like to thank everyone in attendance for their patience.

“We advise attendees to retain their tickets which will remain valid for the rescheduled fixture. Those with single-game tickets for this game and seeking a refund are advised to contact their point of purchase.

“The rescheduled game will take place on Wednesday 14th October 2026. Manchester Storm and AO Arena would like to thank attendees for their understanding.”

Ukraine’s rail operator has said that a Russian drone attack may have been aiming at the train carrying Boris Johnson and other dignitaries on the Ukrainian border with Poland

A Russian drone attack that hit a Ukraine railway station “quite possibly” had targeted a train carrying Boris Johnson which left early.

A train at Yahodyn station, on the Polish border, was hit by one of the missiles shortly after the locomotive carrying the former UK prime minister had gone ahead of schedule.

Johnson had been returning from a major conference in Kyiv along with former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt and a number of European security advisers.

Ukraine rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in a post on Telegram it was “quite possible” that the drone had been aimed at Johnson’s train.

The company said the train “had departed the station earlier than scheduled due to real-time adjustments to train timetables necessitated by the constant threat of Russian strikes”.

It added that former CIA director David Petraeus had been on a different train that was still at the station when the drone struck. No casualties have been reported.

In the wake of the attack, Johnson praised Ukrzaliznytsia staff and passengers as “absolutely heroic” and called for more support for Ukraine.

He said: “I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning. What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day – even on civilian railways.”

He added: “When are we going to give them the air defences they need? Why won’t we unfreeze Putin’s cash and give it to Ukraine? There is more than 140 billion euro in a Belgian bank account – and about £10 billion in London. Britain could show a lead.”

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as “barbaric” and said they represented “Putin’s terror ‘knocking’ directly on the doors of the EU and NATO”.

Former Swedish premier and foreign minister Carl Bildt, who was on the same train as Johnson, also said the train immediately after theirs was hit by the drone.

He told how they were told to evacuate before managing to escape across the border to NATO territory in Poland.

“This wasn’t our train [that was hit], but the one just minutes after us by the [Polish] border crossing,” said Bildt. “It was evacuated as the [Russian] drone approached and no one was hurt. Very good safety system. Our train just had an evacuation warning but could proceed to Dorohusk. The [Russian] attacks against [Ukraine] are intensifying.”

The Conservatives described the incident as a “stark escalation” by Moscow and urged the UK Government to increase defence spending.

Stuart Anderson, who was appointed shadow minister for war preparedness on Sunday, said: “It is yet another reminder that Russian aggression is a real and growing threat to European security and, ultimately, our own national security.”

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The strikes on Ukraine today, including on the gas works near Nato’s border, serve as a stark reminder of the bombardment that Ukrainians face every day.

“Reckless, dangerous attacks on civilian infrastructure so close to Poland also underline the wider security threat Russia poses. The UK continues to stand firm with Ukraine and will continue working with allies and partners to bolster European security.”

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca believes Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off alongside Phil Foden in the first half of his side’s 1-0 win in the Manchester derby.

Foden was given a straight red card for lashing out at Fernandes with a wild kick in the 23rd minute after the Manchester United captain had fouled him.

Fernandes also appeared to aim another kick at Foden’s back after the initial foul, sparking the reaction from the City man that eventually got him sent off.

However, Fernandes received no punishment for the foul or the second kick, and VAR backed up the original decision made by referee Michael Oliver, with official Matt Donohue confirming: “That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement.”

Speaking on Sky Sports, commentator Gary Neville said that he was “surprised that Fernandes has got away without a booking”, while former United midfielder Roy Keane said that the Portuguese “is the one who is violent here”.

And City boss Maresca was also clearly confused by the decision, suggesting that Fernandes should also have seen red if Foden did.

“It can be a red card [for Phil Foden], but I think in the same action it can be a red card for Bruno [Fernandes], in the same action,” explained the City manager. “So, anyway… It is what it is. Red card for us. We won,” he added.

The sending off did not impact the result negatively for City in the end as the 10 men earned a memorable victory on the road, though Erling Haaland’s winning goal was another contentious decision on a dramatic afternoon at Old Trafford.

The result leaves City second in the Premier League after four games, with themselves and Arsenal the only two teams to hold a 100 percent winning record so far.

Maresca’s side host Norwich City in the League Cup in their next game on Thursday, before facing Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday, 20 September in the final game before the international break.