GP and TV doctor Dr Amir Khan is urging women in their 40s and 50s not to ignore a lesser-known symptom

Women born between 1966 and 1981 are being advised to pay attention to a lesser-known symptom that may be associated with menopause and perimenopause. In a video posted to his Instagram followers on Monday, television GP Dr Amir Khan drew attention to the link between menopause and frozen shoulder, warning that numerous women might wrongly attribute the symptoms to the ageing process.

Frozen shoulder develops when the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and constricted, resulting in pain, stiffness and a progressive reduction in mobility. While the condition has been well-documented by medical professionals, Dr Khan noted that experts are now exploring the potential role hormones might have in causing it.

In the video, he stated: “Did you know that frozen shoulder is much more common in women during perimenopause and menopause? We used to think it was just bad luck, but now we’re realising hormones may play a much bigger role than we once thought.”

Dr Amir revealed that frozen shoulder occurs most frequently in women aged 45 to 60. A prominent theory focuses on declining oestrogen levels, which possesses anti-inflammatory qualities and supports healthy connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments and joint capsules. As oestrogen levels shift and drop during the menopause, researchers believe the shoulder capsule may become increasingly susceptible to inflammation and the build-up of scar tissue, potentially triggering the pain and stiffness associated with the condition.

Dr Amir explained that scientists are still working to understand why the shoulder seems particularly prone to this. He pointed out, however, that the joint has the greatest range of motion in the entire body and depends on a delicate capsule to function correctly, which could make it more vulnerable to such changes.

The NHS states that frozen shoulder develops slowly and can result in pain and stiffness lasting several months or even years. It is most prevalent in those aged between 40 and 60, with women more likely to be affected than men.

Studies have also identified a connection between frozen shoulder and diabetes. Diabetes UK reports that people living with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop the condition compared to those without the disease.

Despite the significant discomfort it can cause, Dr Amir urged women not to simply accept deteriorating shoulder pain as an inevitable part of growing older.

“The most important thing is that if you’re in your 40s or 50s and develop shoulder pain that’s gradually getting stiffer rather than better, don’t just put up with it,” he said. “Don’t say it’s just down to ageing. It could be frozen shoulder and getting the right diagnosis early can help you access the treatments and exercises that may improve your symptoms.”

The NHS recommends that anyone suffering from ongoing shoulder pain, stiffness or restricted arm movement should seek medical guidance, particularly if these symptoms are starting to impact their day-to-day life.

SIDON, Lebanon (AP) — Christian religious leaders from Lebanon’s southern port city of Tyre called on the international community and Lebanese officials on Tuesday to act quickly to prevent Israel from attacking the Christian district of the city, as airstrikes on nearby neighborhoods killed eight people and wounded dozens of others.

The Israeli military has issued an evacuation warning for the port city, including the Christian quarter, which has been spared so far.

The statement by the Christian leaders was from George Iskandar, the metropolitan archbishop of Tyre for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church; Elias Kfoury, the Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Tyre, Sidon and Dependencies; and Charbel Abdullah, the archeparch of the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Tyre.

The warning from Israel’s military prompted hundreds of people to flee the Christian district along the Mediterranean coast, while members of the Civil Defense evacuated older people to safer areas, the state-run National News Agency said.

Cars packed with mattresses, luggage and household belongings stretched for kilometers along Lebanon’s coastal highway, as residents fled Tyre following the latest Israeli warning. Traffic ground to a halt as families crammed whatever they could into vehicles, with carpets protruding from rooftops, and trunks were left partially open to accommodate furniture and personal belongings.

“After the warnings in Tyre, we left. We picked up and left,” said Ali Bahar, who was traveling with his wife and three children in a car loaded with possessions.

“Where should we go? There is nowhere to go,” Bahar said. “We will end up in the streets. We are heading to Sidon.”

Nearby, Hussein Darwish sat in the gridlock after packing his vehicle with what he could carry.

“We left to be reassured and safe,” he said.

An Israeli airstrike Tuesday in another neighborhood in Tyre killed eight people and wounded 32 others, according to the Health Ministry.

The three Christian leaders called on the international community and Lebanese leaders to “take immediate and serious action to spare the old quarter of Tyre from destruction and human tragedies.”

The Israeli warning to Tyre came after Israel and Iran traded fire following Israel’s targeting of Hezbollah in Beirut on Sunday, triggering heightened tensions in the Middle East and fears that the conflict could spread further.

Over the past few weeks, Israel’s airstrikes have caused wide destruction in Tyre, the fourth-largest city in the country.

Considered one of the oldest metropolises of the world, Tyre has several archaeological sites, some of them submerged. The city was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

“The old city is not merely a residential area,” the clergy said in their statement. “It is the historical and human heart of Tyre, home to thousands of civilians, including families, children, and the elderly.”

They said that the old quarter also holds a rich cultural, religious and civilizational heritage dating back centuries.

“Any targeting or destruction of this neighborhood would constitute a humanitarian and national catastrophe with irreversible consequences,” they warned.

Kfoury said that the ongoing conflict isn’t only a war on Hezbollah.

“The war is against all of Lebanon, not just one particular group within Lebanon,” he said.

“They are destroying Lebanon. Period,” Kfoury said about the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel, two days after the U.S. and Iran began attacking Iran on Feb. 28.

He said that the fighting should stop because it’s a “destructive war.”

Last week, Israel warned the Christian neighborhoods in Tyre that Hezbollah members were among them. Many Lebanese Shiite Muslims fled to those areas over the past two weeks, because they were spared from the aerial bombardment along the Mediterranean coast.

After last week’s warning, the Lebanese army deployed to the Christian district of Tyre in an effort to prevent Israeli attacks there and to show that Hezbollah has no armed presence in the area.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, posted on X that as the military warned days ago that Hezbollah members were working inside the Christian district, the Israeli military “will have to act against their terrorist activities in the neighborhood soon.”

Adraee said that any building used by Hezbollah for military purposes “may be subject to targeting.”

The latest Israel-Hezbollah in Lebanon has killed around 3,500 people and displaced more than 1.2 million.

___

Bassem Mroue reported from Beirut.

The much-loved character will be part of the CBeebies House Party Live tour, arriving at the Stockton Globe on Sunday, August 9.

Appearing on selected dates of the tour, Mr Tumble will help deliver a show packed with songs, surprises and audience participation.

Mr Tumble will visit Stockton Globe as part of the CBeebies House Party Live tour, promising music, laughter and family fun for audiences (Image: Supplied)

Mr Tumble said: “Hello! It’s me, Mr Tumble! I’ve heard you need my help at the CBeebies House Party LIVE! I’m in charge of the party food!

“What could possibly go wrong?!? “It will be the party of all parties and you’re all invited!

“See you there! “Woo Hoo!”

Created and played by BAFTA award-winning Justin Fletcher MBE, Mr Tumble is best known for Something Special, which uses Makaton signs, speech and symbols to help children communicate and build language skills.

The CBeebies House Party Live tour promises music, laughter and “mega moments” for young children and families, with appearances from a rotating cast of CBeebies stars including Andy Day, Mister Maker (Phil Gallagher), George Webster, Evie Pickerill, Nigel Clarke, Rebecca Keatley, Rhys Stephenson, Joanna Adeyinka-Burford, Dodge (Warrick Brownlow-Pike), and Duggee.

British Sign Language interpreter Emma Jane Heap will be part of every performance, ensuring the fun is inclusive for all attendees.

The show has been described as “Glastonbury for kids” by the Manchester Evening News and a show “bursting with colour, music, laughter and a whole lot of love” by the Reviews Hub.

Written and directed by Justin Fletcher, the show has been specially created for young children and their families to enjoy together.

Produced by the team behind CBeebies House and CBeebies Bedtime Stories, the stage version promises a festival of fun from start to finish.

Audiences can look forward to dancing, singing, streamers, giant jellies, bubbles and more—and, of course, a CBeebies Bedtime Story.

Stockton is one of several stops on the tour, including stops in Aberdeen, Derby, Hull, London, and York.

Tickets for the Stockton Globe performance are on sale now via www.stocktonglobe.co.uk.

The tour is produced by the same team behind the much-loved CBeebies House and CBeebies Bedtime Stories, promising the same charm and entertainment that has made those shows so popular with young audiences.

At this time of year grass can shoot up quickly, but wet weather can limit the chances in which to cut it

As lawns across the UK surge into growth after some wet weather following the heatwave at the end of May, experts say Google searches for “cutting grass after rain” have jumped 250% this week. But while many homeowners will be eager to get mowing, experts are urging caution, sharing four essential dos and don’ts to help protect your lawn from damage.

Nick Ee, product training manager at home improvement specialists BLACK+DECKER, said: “It’s important to take precautions when mowing lawns after wet weather as damp grass tends to tear rather than being cleanly cut, causing jagged edges that leaves lawns more susceptible to pests and diseases. Not only that, but the grass clippings often clump together suffocating the grass beneath and creating an uneven finish.”

The dos and don’ts to follow when mowing lawns after rain

Check the lawn is dry enough before mowing

Nick said: “One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make after periods of heavy rainfall is assuming a dry morning means the lawn is ready to mow. While the surface may look dry, the grass and soil underneath can still be holding a significant amount of moisture, particularly in gardens with poor drainage or compacted soil.

“Before mowing, I’d recommend walking across the lawn and checking whether your shoes pick up moisture or leave visible footprints behind. You can also brush your hand through the grass blades. If your hand comes away damp, it’s a sign the lawn needs more time to dry out.

“Mowing wet grass doesn’t just affect the appearance of your lawn, the damp clippings can also clog up the mower deck, put extra strain on the motor and dull the blades more quickly. Waiting until both the grass and the ground have properly dried will give you a cleaner cut, a healthier lawn and help protect your mower from unnecessary wear and tear.”

Raise the cutting height

Nick added: “After weeks of wet weather, grass can grow quickly thanks to the combination of moisture and warmer temperatures. While it may be tempting to cut it back to its usual height straight away, lowering the mower too much can put unnecessary stress on the lawn and leave it looking patchy.

“I recommend raising the mower height by one or two settings and avoiding the temptation to remove too much growth in a single cut.

“As a general rule, never remove more than a third of the grass blade at once. Taking a gradual approach will help the lawn recover more effectively, encourage stronger roots and leave you with a healthier, more even finish.”

Clear debris before you start

Nick said: “Before reaching for the lawnmower, it’s worth taking a few minutes to clear the lawn of fallen twigs, leaves and other garden debris that have been blown around by the wind and rain. If left this debris can interfere with the quality of the cut and potentially damage the lawnmower.

“Running over sticks, stones and larger debris in particular can dull the mower blades, block the deck and put unnecessary strain on the motor.”

Avoid mulching wet grass

Nick said: “Mulching can be a great way to return nutrients back into your lawn, but it’s something I’d recommend avoiding after heavy rainfall. This is because the clippings are more likely to clump together when the grass is still damp rather than disperse evenly across the lawn.

“These wet clumps can block sunlight and airflow from reaching the grass underneath, potentially leading to patchy growth and an untidy finish. Instead, it’s better to collect the clippings, which helps to keep the lawn healthy while reducing the risk of blockages in your lawnmower.”

US economic growth is picking up again after a slowdown towards the end of 2025. According to price data released on May 28, US GDP grew by 1.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. This is despite energy prices rising and consumer confidence falling since the US president, Donald Trump, went to war with Iran in February.

Confronted by higher prices for gasoline and a range of other everyday products, US households are spending more in total, rather than cutting back on their purchases. This defies the many economic forecasters who expected that paying more for the basics would discourage consumers from spending money on less essential items, holding back expenditure and GDP growth overall.

Kevin Hassett, the director of the US National Economic Council, has hailed the rise in consumer spending – and the associated surge in borrowing – as signs of an economic boom. It seems hard to argue that people are better off if they are having to pay more for the same goods and services as before, and are taking on more short-term debt to fund the extra spending.

Hassett is statistically correct, however. If people pay more for everything, and the higher prices are not entirely matched by extra cost for producers, more value is being created in the economy and GDP will rise in real terms. To the extent that higher bills are affordable to consumers and generate more profit for producers, the cost of living crisis may actually be promoting GDP growth in the US.

This contradicts the conventional economic opinion that views inflation as harmful to economic growth. But growth can happen under these conditions when consumers cannot or will not switch away from goods or services whose price rises faster than average.

This effect has long been visible in performing arts and other creative industries. These industries depend on individuals who, even with technical help, are unable to keep producing more in a day without losing quality.

While audiences often complain about the ever-rising cost of tickets for live music or sport, these events still sell out. So long as audiences keep paying, the real output of these industries keeps growing, even if there is no increase in the number of matches or concerts played.

Uneven growth

There are other reasons why recent GDP growth has not made the average US household feel better off, or revived the fortunes of Trump and his governing Republican party. Polling by the Economist suggests that 58% of Americans currently disapprove of Trump. This makes him the most unpopular US president since 2009, when Barack Obama was grappling with intense public anxiety over the global financial crisis, despite the uptick in growth.

GDP is a measure of total economic output. It is calculated by adding up the sum of all final incomes earned within a country’s borders, including wages, profits and taxes on imports. The calculation does not account for how much – or how little – individuals receive.

Much of the recent gain in the US has flowed to people already high up the income and wealth scale, shifting the distribution of GDP from wages towards profits. Expectation of a continued profit boom is one reason stock markets have continued to rise despite Trump’s tariff regime and wars, as well as other global turbulence since 2021.

At present, US growth is fragile. This is because of its reliance on borrowed money to fuel consumer spending. Household debt in the US was already at levels that trouble some economists before the latest cost-of-living squeeze. Total US household debt is greater now than when it reached crisis proportions in 2008, tipping the US and the world into recession.

US company debt is also higher now than in 2020, when the COVID pandemic began, though it has been declining since 2021 as firms have used recent profits to pay it down. There are fears that companies’ debt-to-income ratio may be higher than officially measured, due to a recent sharp rise in private credit. This form of debt is not monitored or regulated as heavily as debt from traditional sources.

The situation for indebted households and firms will improve if interest rates fall, as Trump has demanded from his newly nominated Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh. But financial markets are anticipating the opposite, as higher prices and government borrowing generate inflation that typically pushes interest rates up.

This leaves it doubtful that the bright start to US growth in 2026 can last through the rest of the year. Any rises in borrowing costs or a fall in stock markets would begin to squeeze consumer spending and business investment, even if the high oil prices have subsided by then.

The cause of the fire is under investigation

Firefighters were called to a busy road in Cambridge after receiving reports of a house fire on Tuesday, June 9. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 11.12am to reports of a house in flames on King Hedges Road in Cambridge.

Two crews from Cambridge attended the scene to battle the fire. Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters extinguished the fire using a hose reel. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

Police warned the public to “avoid” the road during the incident. The road has since been reopened.

At the time of the road closure, traffic monitoring site Inrix said: “Kings Hedges Road in both directions partially blocked, slow traffic due to an Emergency Services incident between Northfields Avenue and Campkin Road.”

Louise Cameron was found barely conscious next to her son Rhys when her mothe Carole and sister Donna called at her Billingham home to check on her on September 15 last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard the 41-year-old made a series of heartbreaking confessions as police tried to get to the bottom of what happened to her eight-year-old disabled son.

A jury was told the mother-of-three allegedly poisoned her son with methadone and morphine over the weekend in September last year.

Mrs Justice Heather William DBE told jurors that they would not have to find the defendant guilty or not guilty of murder but rule on the facts of the evidence heard during the trial.

Cameron is accused of killing Rhys between Saturday, September 13, and Monday, September 15.

The ambulance service alerted police after attending a property on Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, and finding the young boy.

Opening the case, David Lamb KC, prosecuting, said: “Rhys was lying on the left side of his mother’s bed, on his back with the covers pulled over him.

“To Donna it looked like Rhys was asleep however she knew that he was dead. He had white foam around his mouth.”

Jurors heard how it was clear to paramedics that the youngster had been dead for some time and no attempts were made to resuscitate him.

Mr Lamb said Cameron made a number of statements to police officers which were captured on their body-worn cameras.

The clearly distressed mother was heard to say she was “getting done for murder” and that “I’ve just murdered Rhys, haven’t I?”.

The barrister added: “The defendant stated that ‘I wasn’t leaving Rhys to be, because I know what will happen to him and it’s not happening, I didn’t want to hurt him, I didn’t want to have to stab him, or drown him or hurt him, I didn’t want to hurt him’.”

The trial continues.

The force said it is carrying out an ongoing investigation into reports of a serious assault which took place outside a bar in Saturday Market, Beverley, around 8.30pm on Saturday, February 28.

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A Humberside Police spokesperson said: “Since receiving that report, extensive enquiries have been conducted including gathering CCTV from the area, speaking to businesses and several witnesses.

“As a result of these enquiries, we are releasing CCTV images of two men which we believe may be able to assist in our enquiries.

“We are appealing for help to locate and identify both men.

“If you see them, know who they are or have any other information which may assist with our investigation, contact us on our non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference 26*28611.

“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous you can make a report via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A man from Sudan has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast which prime minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned as “horrific” and “abhorrent”.

The man aged in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the “brutal” assault on Monday night which left the alleged victim with significant injuries to his face, neck and back, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

The PSNI has launched a “critical incident” in response to the attack, which was captured on video and appears to show a man stabbing at the victim’s head and neck while he was on the ground.

The clip shows people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the man attacking the victim in the residential area close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.

Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn thanked those who tried to stop the attack, saying “you showed the very best of humanity”.

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, matches will be played across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Millions of fans will arrive through multiple airports and will pack into stadiums, airports, hotels, bars and public transit systems over five weeks.

That makes the World Cup not just a sporting event but a weekslong experiment in global mixing that creates a perfect environment for infectious diseases to spread. Events of this scale rarely cause major outbreaks, but they do create opportunities for outbreaks and for health systems to be tested.

The possibilities range from the dramatic but unlikely (an imported Ebola case) to the much more probable (flu and measles spreading through crowded venues) and the largely overlooked (spikes in sexually transmitted infections and mosquito-borne diseases gaining footholds in new areas).

As an infectious diseases physician studying how outbreaks affect peoples’ health, and an avid soccer fan – I root for the Colombian team – I have been watching closely as public health experts prepare for the event.

Here are some of the infectious disease threats they are monitoring as the world’s largest sporting event kicks off:

Ebola – scary but unlikely

In May 2026, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda caused by a rare strain called Bundibugyo, which kills roughly 1 in 3 people it infects.

No approved vaccines, rapid diagnostic tests or treatments exist for this strain. And the global response has been complicated by deep cuts to international health aid and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

If a case is detected, rapid identification and isolation are critical to prevent further local transmission.

Still, the risk of Ebola reaching a World Cup stadium is very low. That’s because the virus spreads only through direct contact with bodily fluids like blood or saliva, not through the air, and infected people aren’t contagious until they show symptoms.

The U.S. has banned entry for non-U.S. citizens and green card holders who have been in the affected countries in the past 21 days and is screening all passengers traveling from affected areas. It is also urging European countries to embrace similar procedures as World Cup travel picks up. Mexico and Canada also have travel restrictions in place.

Measles, flu and COVID-19 – the bigger dangers

The more likely threats for soccer fans attending the World Cup are respiratory infections — illnesses spread by coughing, sneezing and breathing in crowded spaces.

Of special concern is measles, which is surging in the United States as well as in Canada and Mexico. As of June 4, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 2,030 cases of measles in the U.S. in 2026 – close to the total count for all of 2025 and significantly higher than in previous years.

Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases on the planet. A single infectious traveler passing through Denver International Airport in 2025 triggered an outbreak of at least 10 cases. An infected fan in the stands, at an airport or in a bar could easily cause an outbreak.

On top of that, the 2025–2026 flu season reached a 30-year high, and COVID-19 continues to cause an estimated 290,000 to 450,000 hospitalizations per year. And big gatherings can amplify the risk of transmission.

In the background, avian influenza H5N1 — the bird flu circulating in dairy cows and poultry — has caused 70 human infections in the U.S. since 2024. No person-to-person spread has been detected, but scientists are watching closely for mutations that could change that.

Mosquito risks

Mosquito-borne diseases add another layer of risk to health authorities and travelers, especially for matches in southern U.S. and Mexican host cities during peak summer mosquito season.

Dengue – a tropical virus that causes high fever, severe body aches and sometimes life-threatening complications – set a U.S. record in 2024, with nearly 3,800 cases. That was a 359% jump over the prior 14-year average.

Most cases occurred in travelers returning from the Caribbean and Central America. Still, locally acquired cases have cropped up, mainly in Los Angeles.

There’s also the risk that fans will bring infectious diseases from their home countries.

Yellow fever, a potentially deadly viral infection, is absent from the U.S. but remains a threat to fans traveling from parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and South America, where the disease is native. A 2024 yellow fever outbreak in South America outside the Amazonian jungle, where transmission generally occurs, hinted that its spread to urban areas is possible.

And Oropouche virus, a once-obscure mosquito-borne illness, exploded across Latin America in 2024 in the largest epidemic ever recorded, with over 8,000 confirmed cases in Brazil alone. Although infection is usually mild, it can have dangerous complications such as brain inflammation and bleeding disorders and can harm a developing fetus. No vaccines or treatments exist.

Travelers carrying these infections may need medical care, but familiarity with them among U.S. physicians tends to be low. There’s also a small risk that illnesses may spread locally through mosquito bites.

Sexually transmitted infections under the radar

One category of possible risk that’s getting less media attention is sexually transmitted infections.

About 1 in 5 international travelers engages in casual sex, according to one study, and nearly half of those encounters are unprotected.

Mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close physical contact, continues to circulate in the U.S and is a particular concern at large public events. Syphilis is also seeing a global resurgence.

Public health in action

Public health authorities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico have scaled up monitoring efforts amid preparations for keeping World Cup travelers safe.

In the U.S., a coalition of academic institutions, companies, nonprofits and public health organizations led by Georgetown University and nonprofit healthcare provider MedStar Health, called the Health Security Operations Center, will be keeping close tabs on disease transmission during the event. But some experts have raised concerns about U.S. resilience to public health threats at the World Cup due to significant cuts to public health infrastructure since 2025, including to the CDC.

Fans can take several steps of their own to protect themselves. They can make sure their routine vaccinations – especially measles, flu and COVID-19 – are up to date; practice safe sex; use mosquito repellent; and stay home or wear a mask if they feel sick.