Takaichi took office last October and rumours of a snap election began circulating almost immediately but observers expected the government to first pass the 2026 budget by March. Takaichi decided not to wait.
“I’m putting my future as prime minister on the line,” she said at a press conference after dissolving the lower house of parliament and calling the general election for 8 February. “I want people to decide directly whether they can entrust the management of the country to me.”
Analysts said the call for a snap election was mainly intended to use Takaichi’s strong popularity to bolster the LDP and reinforce the new coalition’s grip on power.
According to a new opinion poll released by The Asahi Shimbun over the weekened, the LDP is likely to surpass the 233-seat threshold needed for a majority on its own, improving on its current 198 seats. The ruling bloc together is projected to get over 300 seats.
Ahead of the election, however, the yen this week fell to near a two-week low, signalling distress in the economy that could affect the outcome.
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Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on 19 January 2026 (AFP via Getty)
Why does this election matter?
Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister. Her approval ratings have been strong since she took power, averaging above 70 per cent. She stands apart from her predecessors by commanding exceptional backing among younger voters, with more than 90 per cent of Japanese voters aged 18 to 29 showing support for her in several polls.
The LDP currently holds 198 of the 465 seats in the lower house after a poor showing in the 2024 general election under Shigeru Ishiba, making it overly dependent on Ishin. Analysts say Takaichi is seeking to win the LDP-Ishin coalition a clearer majority.
A big win for Takaichi may mark a major shift in Japan’s politics, Prof Margarita Estevez-Abe from Syracuse University, who specialises in Japanese politics and political economy, tells The Independent.
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“It will break the political ‘conventional wisdom’ that the LDP needs the electoral cooperation of Komeito to win. The LDP will learn that right-wing populism is the correct winning strategy. Any push toward the centre will vanish from within the LDP,” she says.
Komeito, Estevez-Abe notes, is “the political wing of the Soka Gakkai, which functions as an extremely well-organised political machine” and the LDF relied on it for decades to win elections.
Japanese Communist Party chair Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, Liberal Democratic Party president Sanae Takaichi, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya, Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi pose during a panel discussion at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on 26 January 2026 (AFP via Getty)
It was long believed the LDP would not be able to win in urban regions without the help of Soka Gakkai, she says. “It was primarily for this reason that the LDP kept Komeito as a junior coalition partner for so long.”
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If Takaichi can turn personal appeal into votes for her party, the LDP will more than offset the losses from cutting ties with Komeito.
But this will come at a price: the loss of a moderate partner will likely weaken Japan’s centre-left forces.
“Cutbacks on welfare benefits for the elderly and increased defence spending will be much easier in a political environment where the centre-left loses much significance,” Estevez-Abe explains.
There are other risks. Any loss of ground could damage the prime minister’s agenda and her standing at home and overseas.
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“Despite Takaichi’s popularity, support for the LDP remains in the 30 per cent range, reflecting ongoing public concerns,” Yuko Nakano, associate director of the US-Japan Strategic Leadership Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, says.
“Additionally, if the public perceives that Takaichi is prioritising politics over policy, this could have negative effects at the ballot box. Opposition parties, including Democratic Party for the People, which previously agreed to cooperate with the LDP on the timely passage of the budget, have already begun criticising her decision as putting economic priorities on the back burner.”
Sanae Takaichi speaks at an election campaign rally in the Akihabara area of Tokyo on 27 January 2026 (Getty)
What do the main parties stand for?
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Liberal Democratic Party:Japan’s ruling party was formed in 1955 by the merger of two conservative parties and quickly became the country’s dominant political force, promoting political stability and a pro-US orientation during a period of uncertainty following the Second World War.
In recent years, a funding scandal has weakened its standing and cost it majorities in both chambers of the parliament. Under Takaichi, the party has attempted to regain public trust with economic relief proposals including a temporary suspension of the consumption tax on food.
LDP supporters attend a campaign rally with Sanae Takaichi in Himeji, Japan, on 29 January 2026 (Getty)
Japan Innovation Party: The right-wing Ishin, as it’s popularly known, presents itself as a “reformist, next-generation party” focused on breaking with traditional Tokyo-centric politics.
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When Komeito quit the ruling coalition, Takaichi brought in Ishin, the third-largest force in the parliament, to form the government.
Headed by Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura alongside businessman Fumitake Fujita, the party sits to the right of Komeito ideologically. As a partner in the ruling alliance, the party has backed a distinctly conservative agenda: strengthening Japan’s military, maintaining male-only imperial succession, and speeding up the restart of offline nuclear reactors.
Centrist Reform Alliance: Started on 22 January by former rivals Komeito and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, it positions itself as an alternative to Takaichi’s conservative government, campaigning on cost-of-living relief led by a permanent zero consumption tax on food, tighter rules on political funding, and support for low- and middle-income earners. While ideologically mixed and widely seen as a pragmatic, temporary alliance, it promotes more moderate policies on nuclear power, social issues and governance than the ruling coalition.
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Sanae Takaichi waves during an election campaign rally in Himeji on 29 January 2026 (Getty)
Democratic Party for the People: The centre-right party, headed by Yuichiro Tamaki, positions itself somewhere between the conservative LDP and the opposition left. Formed in 2018 by the merger of the Democratic Party and the Party of Hope and reorganised again in 2020, it argues for “policy-first” politics.
“We’ve sought a new form of politics that prioritises policy over political manoeuvring, placing the lives of the people and the economy first,” Tamaki claimed after the election was announced.
Japanese Communist Party: The left-wing party promotes economic equality, a robust welfare state and pacifism, while rejecting military expansion and nuclear energy. The party traces its origin to 1922 when it functioned underground and outside the law. It was formally legalised after the World War.
Now led by Tomoko Tamura, the party argues that Japan should loosen what it sees as an overly dependent relationship with the US and roll back the disputed security laws.
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Yoshihiko Noda of Centrist Reform Alliance greets supporters at an election campaign rally in Yokohama on 28 January 2026 (REUTERS)
Sanseito: The right-wing populist party is campaigning on a “Japanese First” agenda, combining strong nationalism with opposition to globalism, immigration, and what it sees as elite-driven policies. The party led by Sohei Kamiya rose to prominence by tapping into public anger against economic stagnation, inflation, overtourism, and rapid social change.
It’s pushing for stricter immigration controls, tougher defence policies, tax cuts, and selective welfare focused on Japanese citizens, using anti-establishment messaging and social media to mobilise younger, disillusioned voters.
Conservative Party of Japan: After Japan passed the LGBT Understanding Promotion Act in 2023, novelist Naoki Hyakuta and journalist Kaori Arimoto launched the party in opposition.
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The party says that it seeks to “protect Japan’s national polity and traditional culture”, and is defined by a far-right nationalist outlook, including a tendency to downplay the country’s wartime actions, notably the Nanjing Massacre in China.
Reiwa Shinsengumi: The left-leaning, anti-establishment party was founded in 2019 by former actor-turned-lawmaker Taro Yamamoto. It focuses on social justice and inclusion, advocating policies like scrapping the consumption tax, opposing nuclear power, raising wages, introducing basic income, rolling back Japan’s 2015 security laws, and strengthening protections for people with disabilities as well as animals.
It also strongly opposes constitutional changes that it says will expand the powers of the state.
The party gained attention by electing lawmakers with severe disabilities, prompting accessibility reforms in the parliament.
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Hirofumi Yoshimura, Osaka governor and leader of the Japan Innovation Party, delivers a campaign speech in Kobe on 27 January 2026 (Getty)
How many candidates are in the fray?
More than 1,200 candidates are contesting for the 465 lower house seats, with 289 decided in local districts and 176 through a proportional representation system that sees voters cast a separate ballot for a party in larger regional blocs, allowing smaller parties to win seats based on their overall support.
The LDP is fielding the most candidates followed by the Centrist Reform Alliance, Ishin, and Democratic Party for the People.
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Tetsuo Saito, leader of Komeito, at an election campaign rally in Kobe on 27 January 2026 (Getty)
What might a victory for Takaichi signal?
A recent Kyodo News poll suggested that Takaichi’s coalition was on track to secure a majority in the lower house. The survey projected the coalition to win 233 or more of the 465 seats, strengthening the mandate for the prime minister to press ahead with her fiscal and policy agenda.
Analysts warn that a victory for Takaichi may usher into a “new hawkish, anti-welfare and xenophobic era”.
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Takaichi will need allies in the upper house and, without Komeito out of the coalition, her only options are right-wing parties such as Ishin and Sanseito, Estevez-Abe notes. These partners are likely to push for hawkish, nationalist, and anti-welfare policies, meaning there may be few checks on extreme or risky government actions, she says.
“In sum, if Takaichi wins,” she argues, “the market might become the only brake left to stop her government from engaging in follies.”
Email exchanges allegedly between Sarah Ferguson and Jeffrey Epstein appear to have thrown new light on the relationship between the former Duchess of York and the disgraced late financier.
In the latest tranche of the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former wife features in multiple email exchanges with the convicted sex offender, in which she discusses the Royal Family.
The mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also appears in photographs released in the Epstein files, alongside unidentified young women.
There are also some points in the email exchanges at which Epstein appears to ignore Ferguson’s emails, while she continues to urge him to reply.
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Sarah Ferguson (right) pictured with an unknown female
US Department of Justice
Ferguson, who was married to Andrew until 1996, continued to live with the now former prince after their separation. The files have also included further mentions of her ex-husband, alongside images of him hunched over an unidentified woman on the floor.
Appearing in the Epstein files does not mean wrongdoing. Andrew has always denied the allegations made against him linked to Epstein.
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Several charities have severed ties with Ferguson since her alleged correspondence with Epstein became public amid the Epstein scandal.
A statement released by the Ferguson’s spokesperson in in 2025 read: “The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.
“Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.”
Here are some of the things Ferguson allegedly discussed with Epstein that emerged in the latest tranche of documents.
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During one exchange, an email address that simply identifies as “Sarah” appears to praise the disgraced financier and ask him to get married.
The email was sent six months after Epstein was released from prison after he served a 13-month sentence for child sex abuse convictions.
“You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me,” the sender writes.
It’s not the only time that the email address appears to hint at the idea of nuptials. In September 2009, an email from Sarah appears to refer to a woman with a “great body”.
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“You can marry her too. She is single and a great body,” she writes, before adding: “Ok well Marry me and then we will employ her.”
US Department of Justice
2. “Brother I always wished for”
In 2009, Sarah heaped further praise on Epstein in another email dated August 3.
In the message, the sender appears to suggest that Epstein helped with a number of brand deals, including with the apparel brand Tommy Hilfiger.
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“In just one week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted,” the writer says. The message then goes on to suggest Sarah brought her ‘girls’ to see Epstein, which would have been one month after his release from prison.
“I have never been more touched by a friends [sic] kindness than your compliment to me infront of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for,” she wrote.
US Department of Justice
3. “Only friends with me to get to Andrew”
In another exchange in September 2011, a sender named Sarah appears to admit that the pair hadn’t kept in touch and even suggests she had been used.
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Reaching out on BBM, (BlackBerry Messenger), Sarah congratulated Epstein after hearing he had welcomed a baby boy, before saying she had been hurt by him.
There has never been any public acknowledgement that Epstein had children, but this email chain would suggest that people in his inner circle were aware of at least one baby, who would now be a teenager.
The news, however, seems to have hit a nerve with Sarah.
“You have disappeared. I did not even know you were having a baby. It was s00000 crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeply. More than you will know,” she wrote.
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US Department of Defense
4. Lunch plans after prison with daughters
On July 27, 2009, Sarah sent an email discussing plans for lunch with Epstein.
“What address shall we come to. It will be myself, Beatrice and Eugenie. Are we having lunch?” she asks.
A little over a week earlier, Epstein had been freed from prison after serving a sentence for soliciting sex from underage girls as young as 14.
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Sarah’s daughters would have been 19 and 20 years old at the time.
US Department of Justice
In July 2010, Sarah was left with “no words” after she claimed the UK press was “ready to exterminate” her.
Ferguson had been caught in a tabloid stitch-up, appearing to accept $500,000 in return for access to the then Prince Andrew, who was a UK trade envoy at the time.
Writing to Epstein after the scandal, she recalled how no woman ‘left the Royal family with her head”.
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“As I predicted many many months ago, the british press is ready to exterminate me, and it seems that Price WaterhouseCoopers and the palace system are not equipped to deal with all of this huge wave of negativity.” she wrote. “Therefore I have to return to the uk, and be exterminated and face the thunderous music.”
“I am now 1000 percent being hung out to dry, just as I predicted you will see, the Press will have me exiled. I am totally on my own now. This is beyond scandalous and nobody can do anything,” she continued.
She added: “Just as I always said, no woman has ever left the royal family with her head, and the cannot behead me, therefore they will discredit me.”
US Department of Justice
In the email chain, she also said that Epstein was her “pillar.”
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6. “I urgently need £20,000 for rent today”
In October 2009, Epstein appears to have emailed Sarah, informing her that there may be a “rat” leaking news of her money troubles to the press.
The same day, Sarah says the situation is being handled by her lawyer but she’s still facing money struggles.
“I urgently need 20,000 pounds for rent today. The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don’t pay. Any brainwaves?” she writes.
“It is getting more more and close. Aaaggh.”
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It’s unclear whether there was any further correspondence following this.
US Department of Justice
7. Eugenie’s “sh**ging weekend”
In another 2010 communication, a redacted email address tells the convicted sex offender about Eugenie’s love life, who would have been 20 at the time.
Epstein writes “NY?” to which the redacted email replies: “Not sure yet. Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a sh**ging weekend!!”
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US Department of Justice
8. “Tea at the palace”
It appears that Sarah was also willing to pull strings to get Epstein into the upper echelons of the Royal house, including tea at St James’ Palace.
Epstein would receive invites to fancy gatherings from the Duchess.
One invite, sent by assistant Amanda Thirsk, wrote: “Beatrice, Eugenie and I would love to invite you to celebrate the 50 years of Papa/Andrew.”
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US Department of Justice
9. Emails Jeffrey while he’s in prison
Ferguson also appears to have emailed Epstein while he was in prison, asking her for help with her business.
Epstein was released from prison on 22 July 2009 after serving 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting a minor.
On June 14, less than a week before his release, she emails Epstein saying, “I need to ask you how I start The Mothers Army company so it can be commercial, how do I do that? Can you help me?”
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Mothers Army is a company designed “to help amplify the voices of Mothers all over the world”, is listed in Ferguson’s name.
Epstein then gives her advice about finding five women who “will not get jealous of your success.”
Sarah then responds: “But Jeffrey what kind of women? You say 5.. I could get Joan Branson Jeanne, Geldof girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell Liz Murdoch Ali, Bono wife, Just for kick offs…”
US Department of Justice
10. “Always on your team”
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While many emails appear to conceal the identity of the sender, email chains could suggest that Epstein and Ferguson considered each other as close allies.
In August 2011, Epstein sends an email to an address only identified as ‘Ferg’ in which he writes: “when you first got in trouble, you said to me , jeffrey i know that as i told everyone youre either on the team or off I knew you were always on my team. that was right.”
The unidentified responder replies: “I am on yours and you on mine. With great love and strength.”
Leeming Bar Grange in Leeming Bar marked International Hugging Day with a visit from children at Little Bear Tiney Nursery.
The day was filled with playing, singing, and a flurry of warm embraces, with residents and children alike enjoying the simple joy of connecting through touch.
Liz Kellettt with one of the children (Image: Supplied)
It wasn’t just hugs that made the day special -children also crafted “keepsake hugs” for the residents to treasure.
Kathryn Billett, general manager at Leeming Bar Grange, said: “Celebrating International Hugging Day is a lovely way to spread joy amongst our residents and our local community.
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“We wanted to positively impact people and I think we did just that.
“It is amazing how a small gesture can put a smile on someone’s face and we all know how infectious a smile is.
Resident Muriel Tarn hugging a little one (Image: Supplied)
“We all had a wonderful time, it feels so good to make someone else happy with a little hug-shaped act of kindness.”
International Hugging Day, which took place this January, is an invitation to extend your arms and offer affection, understanding and warmth.
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The idea is that by promoting a simple but meaningful act of kindness in the form of a hug, we can transform people’s lives, one small gesture at a time.
Leeming Bar Grange is part of Barchester Healthcare.
Venues range from “affordable gems to remarkable experiences worth forking out for”
The UK’s finest restaurants have been revealed in a new map – with venues ranging from “affordable gems to remarkable experiences worth forking out for”.
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SquareMeal has published its Top 100 UK Restaurants for 2026. Based on “performance, value, and quality”, the restaurant, bar, and venue reviewer said that each establishment merits its place amongst the country’s leading restaurants.
Experts at SquareMeal said: “It’s no secret that the UK’s restaurant sector is facing formidable challenges. And yet, with each year that passes, hospitality pros continue to invest everything they have into projects for the love of what they do.”
Two Northern Irish restaurants made the top 100 this year.
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You can find them by searching our interactive map below…
Topping the list is Wilsons in Bristol, SquareMeal’s UK Restaurant of the Year. Run by Mary Wilson and Jan Ostle, it is marking its 10th anniversary in 2026 with a £39 set menu.
All the restaurants listed are outside London, with SquareMeal producing a different top 100 list, focusing exclusively on the capital.
The full UK’s Top 100 Restaurants (outside London) is:
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1. Wilsons (Bristol)
2. Skof (Manchester)
3. Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms (Nottingham)
4. Vraic (Guensey)
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5. L’Enclume (Westmorland and Furness)
6. Grace & Savour (Solihull)
7. The Greyhound Beaconsfield (Buckinghamshire)
8. JÖRO (Sheffield)
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9. Pine (Northumberland)
10. Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms (West Lancashire)
11. Ynyshir (Ceredigion)
12. Restaurant 22 (Cambridge)
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13. Lyla (City of Edinburgh)
14. Woven by Adam Smith (Windsor and Maidenhead)
15. Upstairs at Landrace (Bath and North East Somerset)
16. Myse (North Yorkshire)
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17. Updown Farmhouse (Dover)
18. Osip (Somerset)
19. The Little Chartroom (City of Edinburgh)
20. The Kinneuchar Inn (Fife)
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21. Opheem (Birmingham)
22. The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant (Perth and Kinross)
23. The Old Stamp House (Westmorland and Furness)
24. Lark (West Suffolk)
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25. Tallow (Tunbridge Wells)
26. The Angel at Hetton (North Yorkshire)
27. Alchemilla Nottingham (Nottingham)
28. Dogstar Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)
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29. Heft (Westmorland and Furness)
30. Argoe Newlyn (Cornwall)
31. Stow (Manchester)
32. Juliet (Stroud)
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33. Bavette (Leeds)
34. Paul Ainsworth at No 6 (Cornwall)
35. Hansom (North Yorkshire)
36. Vetch (Liverpool)
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37. Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall (North Yorkshire)
38. The Sportsman (Canterbury)
39. The Shed (Swansea)
40. The Parkers Arms (Ribble Valley)
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41. Higher Ground (Manchester)
42. Moss (City of Edinburgh)
43. Meadowsweet (North Norfolk)
44. The Pony Chew Valley (Bath and North East Somerset)
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45. Dongnae (Bristol)
46. Gorse Cardiff (Cardiff)
47. The Barn at Moor Hall (West Lancashire)
48. Fish Shop Ballater (Aberdeenshire)
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49. OTHER (Bristol)
50. Winsome (Manchester)
51. The Wilderness (Birmingham)
52. Restaurant Interlude (Horsham)
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53. The Pass at South Lodge (Horsham)
54. Furna (Brighton and Hove)
55. Big Counter (Glasgow City)
56. Roots York (York)
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57. The Swine Bistro (Leeds)
58. Seasonality (Windsor and Maidenhead)
59. The Muddlers Club (Belfast)
60. The Abbey Inn Byland (North Yorkshire)
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61. The Forest Side (Westmorland and Furness)
62. The Cottage in the Wood (Cumberland)
63. The Greyhound Inn – Pettistree (East Suffolk)
64. Root Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)
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65. Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (Lichfield)
66. Forge at Middleton Lodge (North Yorkshire)
67. Maré by Rafael Cagali (Brighton and Hove)
68. Waterman Bistro (Belfast)
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69. Gwen (Powys)
70. Bybrook Restaurant at The Manor House (Wiltshire)
71. Wild at Bull Burford (West Oxfordshire)
72. The Black Swan at Oldstead (North Yorkshire)
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73. Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai (Cumberland)
74. Long Friday (Newcastle upon Tyne)
75. Aven (Preston)
76. Olive Tree Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)
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77. Emilia (Teignbridge)
78. The Jackdaw Conwy (Conwy)
79. Manifest (Liverpool)
80. Shwen Shwen (Sevenoaks)
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81. Catch at The Old Fish Market (Dorset)
82. Riverine Rabbit (Birmingham)
83. Amari (Brighton and Hove)
84. Ardfern (City of Edinburgh)
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85. The Blue Pelican (Dover)
86. Skosh (York)
87. 670 Grams (Birmingham)
88. The Coach Marlow (Buckinghamshire)
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89. Gloriosa (Glasgow City)
90. Cardinal Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)
91. The Victoria Oxshott (Elmbridge)
92. Briar (Somerset)
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93. Bench Sheffield (Sheffield)
94. Henrock at Linthwaite House (Westmorland and Furness)
A council report shows that an administrative deadline had been missed by the applicant with the previous planning permission then expired in July 2022. A new application was entered in February 2023.
The co-founder of a major Northern Ireland distribution company has had plans for a Lisburn home refused despite a previous approval.
Planning officers had recommended a refusal of the Glenavy Road house and garage by applicant ‘Lynne Morrow’, but the building had already been granted permission in 2019.
In chambers, Matrix planning agent for the applicant, Andy Stephens said:”The critical issue here is over one not two dwellings.
“Officers say the gap on the site does not comply, but it is common sense dictates to approve these plans as the policy makes no sense.”
The PRM Group co-founded by Ms Morrow, which transports chilled and frozen foods, has announced plans (April 2025) to build a new £25m facility at its Lisburn headquarters, for which it has received planning permission.
The firm, founded in 1988, delivers well known food brands with over 300,000 cases of food every week transported across the island of Ireland.
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A council report shows that an administrative deadline had been missed by the applicant with the previous planning permission then expired in July 2022. A new application was entered in February 2023.
Lisburn North UUP councillor Nicholas Trimble said:”I think that the gap of 45 metres on the site can be for two houses.
“When you look at the other house on the site, right on the doorstep of these plans we have a precedent.
“Should there ought to be two dwellings in the gap? Probably not.
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“Perhaps we have been heavy handed in the past.
“However, to me this is a ribbon development with a gap for two dwellings.
“So there is enough wriggle room for me to go against the officers’ recommendations.”
The size issue before the chamber centres around a change in planning policy (June 2023) on space for an infill rural house being enough for two dwellings.
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The size of the new builds are compared to what is already on the site and a gap measured in between buildings.
Council officers suggest that there is not enough space at the Glenavy site and it is not an acceptable application for the countryside.
This led to a site visit by the planning committee (Jan 22) which caused a split in chambers over how councillors viewed the
Castlereagh East Alliance Alderman Martin Gregg added:”I would agree with Councillor Trimble in many things, but not that we have been heavy handed.
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“The policy has now shifted since and is being applied fairly.”
The planning committee voted with six supporting the refusal and three against.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here.To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
Scientists are calling for urgent action on free-living amoebas – a little-known group of microbes that could pose a growing global health threat. Here’s what you need to know.
Free-living amoebas are single-celled organisms that don’t need a host to live. They are found in soil and water, from puddles to lakes.
What makes them remarkable is their ability to change shape and move using temporary arm-like extensions called pseudopodia – literally “false feet”. This allows them to thrive in an astonishing range of environments.
What is the ‘brain-eating amoeba’ and how dangerous is it?
The most notorious free-living amoeba is Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba”. It lives naturally in warm freshwater, typically between 30°C and 40°C – lakes, rivers and hot springs. But it is rarely found in temperate countries such as the UK, due to the cold weather.
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The infection happens when contaminated water enters through the nose, usually while swimming. From there, the amoeba travels along the nasal passages to the brain, where it destroys brain tissue. The outcome is usually devastating, with a mortality rate of 95%-99%.
Occasionally, Naegleria fowleri has been found in tap water, particularly when it’s warm and hasn’t been properly chlorinated. Some people have become infected while using contaminated tap water to rinse their sinuses for religious or health reasons.
Fortunately, you cannot get infected by drinking contaminated water, and the infection doesn’t spread from person to person.
Nasal rinsing with contaminated tap water is risky. Zaruna/Shutterstock.com
Why are these amoebas so difficult to kill?
Brain-eating amoebas can be killed by proper water treatment and chlorination. But eliminating them from water systems isn’t always straightforward.
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When they attach to biofilms – communities of microorganisms that form inside pipes – disinfectants like chlorine struggle to reach them, and organic matter can reduce the disinfectants’ effectiveness.
The amoeba can also survive warm temperatures by forming “cysts” – hard protective shells – making it harder to control in water networks, especially during summer or in poorly maintained systems.
What is the ‘Trojan-horse effect’ and why does it matter?
Free-living amoebas aren’t just dangerous on their own. They can also act as living shields for other harmful microbes, protecting them from environmental stress and disinfection.
While amoebas normally feed on bacteria, fungi and viruses, some bacteria – like Mycobacterium tuberculosis (which causes TB) and Legionella pneumophila (which causes legionnaires’ disease) – have evolved to survive and multiply inside them. This helps these pathogens survive longer and potentially become more dangerous.
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Amoebas also shelter fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans, which can cause fungal meningitis. It can also shelter viruses, such as human norovirus and adenovirus, which cause respiratory, eye and gastrointestinal infections.
By protecting these pathogens, amoebas help them survive longer in water and soil, and may even help spread antibiotic resistance.
How is climate change making the problem worse?
Climate change is probably making the threat from free-living amoebas worse by creating more favourable conditions for their growth.
Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater. As global temperatures rise, the habitable zone for these heat-loving amoebas has expanded into regions that were previously too cool. This potentially exposes more people to them through recreational water use.
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Several recent outbreaks linked to recreational water exposure have already raised public concern in multiple countries. These climate-driven changes – warmer waters, longer warm seasons, and increased human contact with water – make controlling the risks more difficult than ever before.
Are our water systems adequately checked for these organisms?
Most water systems are not routinely checked for free-living amoebas. The organisms are rare, can hide in biofilms or sediments, and require specialised tests to detect, making routine monitoring expensive and technically challenging.
Instead, water safety relies on proper chlorination, maintaining disinfectant levels, and flushing systems regularly, rather than testing directly for the amoeba. While some guidance exists for high-risk areas, widespread monitoring is not standard practice.
Beyond brain infections, what other health risks do these amoebas pose?
Free-living amoebas aren’t just a threat to the brain. They can cause painful eye infections, particularly in contact lens users, skin lesions in people with weakened immune systems, and rare but serious systemic infections affecting organs such as the lungs, liver and kidneys.
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What’s being done to address this threat?
Free-living amoebas such as Naegleria fowleri are rare but can be deadly, so prevention is crucial. These organisms don’t fit neatly into either medical or environmental categories – they span both, requiring a holistic approach that links environmental surveillance, water management, and clinical awareness to reduce risk.
Environmental change, gaps in water treatment and expanding habitats make monitoring – and clear communication of risk – more important than ever.
Keeping water systems properly chlorinated, flushing hot water systems, and following safe recreational water and contact lens hygiene guidelines all help reduce the chance of infection. Meanwhile, researchers continue to improve detection methods and doctors work to recognise cases early.
Should people be worried about their tap water or going swimming?
People cannot get infected with free-living amoebas like Naegleria fowleri by drinking water, even if it contains the organism. Infection occurs only when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to reach the brain. Swallowing the water poses no risk because the amoeba cannot survive or invade through the digestive tract.
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The risk from swimming in well-maintained pools or treated water is extremely low. The danger comes from warm, untreated freshwater, particularly during hot weather.
What can people do to protect themselves?
People can protect themselves from free-living amoebas by reducing exposure to warm, stagnant water. Simple steps include avoiding putting your head underwater in lakes or rivers during hot weather, using nose clips when swimming, choosing well-maintained pools, and keeping home water systems properly flushed and heated.
Contact lens users should follow strict hygiene and never rinse lenses with tap water. For nasal rinsing, only use sterile, distilled, or previously boiled water.
Awareness is key. If you develop a severe headache, fever, nausea, or stiff neck after freshwater exposure, seek medical attention immediately – early treatment is critical.
Asked by reporters about Trump’s unambiguous call “to nationalise the voting,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to spin his authoritarian urge as merely an endorsement of Republicans’ desire for a voter ID law.
“What the president was referring to is the SAVE Act,” she said Tuesday, referring to Republican legislation that would likely disenfranchise millions of voters. “Because it provides very common sense measures for voting in our country, such as voter ID.”
Leavitt added that Trump “believes there has obviously been a lot of fraud and irregularities that have taken place in American elections.”
Beyond Trump’s constant lies about the 2020 presidential election, there’s no evidence that’s the case.
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Leavitt’s spin is a stark departure from Trump’s actual comments Monday on Dan Bongino’s podcast, where, without any evidence, he claimed to have won states in 2020 he actually lost and urged Republicans “to take over the voting.”
“We have states that I won that show I didn’t win,” Trump told Bongino, who resigned as deputy FBI director in December.
“I won in a landslide. I won everything. I won a thing called counties,” Trump said.
“The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over — we should take over the voting in at least, many, 15 places,’” he continued. “The Republicans ought to nationalise the voting. We have states that are so crooked, and they’re counting votes.”
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The president then pointed to last week’s FBI raid of the election headquarters of Fulton County, Georgia, and ominously predicted people are “going to see something” result from it.
Federal agents walked off with “24 pallets, which encompassed 656 boxes of 2020 election documents,” WSB-TV reports.
Trump lost Georgia in 2020 and has spent the last six years fuelling conspiracies to the contrary. After he lost, he infamously told Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger during a private phone call to “find” 11,780 more votes so Trump could declare himself the winner.
People with cancer who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could be almost 60% more likely to die from their disease, research suggests. Those with the highest intake were far more likely to die earlier than those who consumed the least, researchers in Italy found.
UPFs have been linked to poor health, including an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer and early death. Examples of UPFs include ice cream, processed meats, crisps, mass-produced bread, some breakfast cereals, biscuits, many ready meals and fizzy drinks.
UPFs often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and additives, which experts say leaves less room in people’s diets for more nutritious foods. They also tend to include additives and ingredients that are not used when people cook from scratch, such as preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial colours and flavours.
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The new study was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Researchers followed 24,325 people from 2005 to 2022 who were 35 or older at the start of the study and living in the southern Italian region of Molise.
Within this group, 802 cancer survivors (476 women and 326 men) had filled in detailed questionnaires on their diet at the start of the study. Experts then calculated UPF food and drink intake by the weight consumed each day, and they also looked at the calories.
People were then divided into three groups based on the weight ratio of how much UPFs they had, with researchers also taking factors such as smoking, body mass index, exercise, medical history, cancer type, and overall diet quality into account. The study found that during an average follow-up of 14.6 years, there were 281 deaths among the 802 cancer survivors.
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Those in the highest third of UPF intake had a 48% higher rate of death from any cause and a 59% higher rate of death from cancer compared with those in the lowest third. A higher calorie ratio of UPFs showed similar results for cancer death, but not other causes.
Dr Marialaura Bonaccio, from the department of epidemiology and prevention, IRCCS Neuromed in Italy, said: “The substances involved in the industrial processing of foods can interfere with metabolic processes, disrupt gut microbiota, and promote inflammation.
“As a result, even when an ultra-processed food has a similar calorie content and nutritional composition on paper compared to a minimally processed or ‘natural’ food, it could still have a more harmful effect on the body.”
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Dr Bonaccio and colleagues also looked at the ways the body may be affected by processing in UPFs, including examining inflammatory, metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers in people in the study. She said: “These results suggest that increased inflammation and elevated resting heart rate may partially explain the link between higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased mortality, and help to clarify how food processing itself could contribute to worse outcomes among cancer survivors.”
The team also examined data for seven specific groups of UPFs such as sugar-sweetened beverages, artificial sweeteners, and spirits; processed meat and salty snacks and savoury foods. Some food groups were linked to higher mortality, while others showed no clear pattern.
Dr Bonaccio said therefore that working out the differences in UPFs can be challenging, but added: “The main message for the public is that overall consumption of ultra-processed foods matters far more than any individual item. Focusing on the diet as a whole and reducing ultra-processed foods overall and shifting consumption toward fresh, minimally processed, home-cooked foods is the most meaningful and beneficial approach for health.
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“A practical way to do this is by checking labels: Foods with more than five ingredients, or even only one food additive, are likely to be ultra-processed.”
From the police angle, it all reeks of self-congratulatory back-patting. We’re led, step by step, through how their case came together: babies at the neonatal unit started dying, but those deaths stopped when Letby was taken off the unit. People started getting suspicious. She was arrested three times, and each time, the police trawled through her house in search of evidence. Eventually, they found some, which, paired with apparently suspicious interviews, saw her charged with murder.
Drivers over the age of 70 will be affected by some major changes as the government seeks to make the roads safer
Older drivers could be facing a new slate of rules, tests and mandatory requirements if they want to continue being on the roads once the government’s Road Safety Strategy comes into play. The proposed strategy will have a wide-reaching impact from car manufacturers to town planners and drivers.
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One of the headline proposals in the strategy will introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over the age of 70 as well as options for cognitive testing for older drivers. The strategy notes: “The government is consulting on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over age 70 and will develop options for cognitive testing for older drivers These measures aim to reduce deaths and injuries involving older drivers, without unnecessarily restricting their mobility and personal freedom.”
As the population ages there is more older drivers on the roads. The strategy recognises the independence driving provides for this age group but warned that issues like declining vision, cognitive function and increased frailty can pose a danger to all road users.
Since 2012, the number of licenses held by people over 70 has almost doubled from 3.9 million to 6.2 million according to DVLA statistics. The Older Drivers Forum noted: “No one wants unsafe drivers on the road, and regular vision checks can actually help people continue driving for longer by identifying issues early and enabling timely treatment.”
When facing these eye tests, a driving licence will only be withdrawn if a person’s eyesight no longer meets the legal standard for safe driving. People over the age of 60 are already entitled to free NHS-funded eye tests in England.
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Older motorists with certain medical conditions could also face cognitive assessments in the future in order to keep their licenses. This is also meant to emphasise the importance of telling the DVLA if you have a notifiable medical condition.
Cognitive tests like this are already available through platforms like Driving Mobility, which provides personalised advice, vehicle adaptation recommendations and clear reports for the DVLA, all in an effort to ensure drivers can be on the road safely for as long as possible.
There is no statutory age at which you’re required to stop driving, although over-70s must renew their licence every three years. When you choose to cease driving or are advised by your GP to do so, you’ll need to inform the DVLA and send them your licence.
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, wrote in the foreword of the strategy: “Bereaved families don’t need sympathy, they deserve action. This strategy, the first in over a decade, shows a government that’s not just listening, but leading.
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“Our vision is clear: to ensure that people can travel safely on our roads however they choose. This strategy is not just a document; it is a call to action for government, local authorities, road safety groups, emergency services and the public. Together, we can build a safer future for all road users.”
Other proposed changes in the strategy include stricter drink-drive limits, a minimum three or six-month learning period for new drivers before taking their practical test and the National Work-Related Road Safety Charter for businesses that require people to drive or ride for them.
The meeting forms part of the committee’s inquiry on the State Pension age.
Nineteen people aged over 50, some not yet of State Pension age, met with committee members in a session organised by Age UK County Durham.
Participants spoke openly about the financial pressures they face after leaving work due to health issues or caring commitments, and their struggle to get by without a pension.
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Debbie Abrahams, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: “We heard today from people in their 50s and 60s, some of whom have been forced to retire ahead of State Pension age due to the issues they face, either due to caring responsibilities or health conditions.
“That people approaching State Pension age face particular issues, such as increased hardship, is something we came across in a previous inquiry, which is why we decided to look specifically at this problem.”
Attendees described being pushed into debt or relying on dwindling savings and insecure work to survive.
Many said they felt too proud to seek help, while others criticised the lack of clear, accessible information about their options.
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Robyn Holmes, CEO of Age UK County Durham, said: “This has been an excellent opportunity for people aged over 50 who live and work in County Durham to be heard on many issues that potentially have a huge impact on their well-being.
“We’ve heard some real concerns about income gaps, particularly from those who care for others, and those with long-term health issues.
“We’ve heard very clearly about the need for quality, local advice, for information and support on these issues.”
Gender differences also came to light: women often faced lower retirement incomes due to gaps in their National Insurance record from time taken out to care for family, while men who had spent years in manual work were likely to have fewer healthy years in retirement.
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Participants also raised issues with Jobcentre support and the loss of Carer’s Allowance when they claim the State Pension.
Suggested solutions included better access to free financial advice, simpler communications about retirement, and practical help for those with limited digital skills.
Tackling ageism in the workplace was also flagged as a priority.
One attendee, Steve, said: “I’ve been looking forward to actually have a say to MPs to maybe make a tiny little bit of difference to other people’s lives.
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“We talked mainly about our experiences. We all had things to say and it was absolutely brilliant.
“I think the event was great and I am chuffed to have had the experience and the chance to do this.”
Age UK County Durham runs a support programme for people aged 50 to 69, offering guidance on financial planning, health, and preparing for retirement.
The risk of poverty is high: nearly one in four people over 60 live below the poverty line, and when the State Pension age last rose to 66, poverty rates among 65-year-olds doubled.
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The committee will publish its findings from the inquiry later this year.
Ms Abrahams said: “We needed to hear of the impact that the challenges pre-pensioners encounter as they aim to get the comfortable retirement they deserve.”
Ms Holmes said: “That’s why Chapter 50: Future You, a piece of work initiated by Age UK County Durham, is so important in raising awareness of leaving employment, of impending retirement, and preparing financially, socially, and physically for a more sustainable and enjoyable later life.”
