Metformin is the main treatment for type 2 diabetes but research is also investigating its potential for other conditions, including PCOS

People taking Metformin, the primary treatment for type 2 diabetes, have been informed that it can deliver numerous additional beneficial effects – alongside some adverse ones. Writing on The Conversation website, Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University, explained that it has helped millions manage their blood sugar levels, and has sparked renewed research interest in areas ranging from ageing and cancer to cardiovascular health and fertility.

The drug originates from a plant called galega officinalis, also known as French lilac or goat’s rue, which was originally used in folk remedies for symptoms now understood to be linked with diabetes, such as excessive thirst and frequent urination. During the early 20th century, scientists extracted blood sugar-lowering compounds from the plant, Ms Kamdar explained. Following years of development and clinical testing, metformin proved to be a relatively safe and effective treatment, and was launched in the UK during the late 1950s.

Clinical trials demonstrated that Metformin was successful at reducing glucose levels while also decreasing diabetes-related complications. It subsequently became the principal treatment for type 2 diabetes throughout much of the world.

Scientists are currently investigating whether Metformin could be beneficial for other conditions. Ms Kamdar said: “One common off-label use, meaning a medicine is prescribed for a condition it has not officially been approved to treat, is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

“Many people with PCOS have insulin resistance, which means their bodies do not respond properly to insulin and need to produce more of it to keep blood glucose stable. High insulin levels can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone.

“Raised androgen levels can disrupt ovulation and contribute to irregular or absent periods. By improving insulin sensitivity, metformin can help reduce these effects and may help regulate the menstrual cycle.”

Ms Kamdar revealed the drug was also being investigated for its potential impact on ageing and longevity. She said: “Although early findings are intriguing, there is still no conclusive evidence that it slows ageing in humans, and it is not approved for that purpose.

“Some research has suggested that metformin may have neuroprotective effects, meaning it could help protect the brain and nervous system, particularly with long-term use. But the evidence is inconsistent, and large, long-term clinical trials are still needed to determine whether metformin really can protect against dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.”

Those taking Metformin may encounter side-effects, Ms Kamdar noted – amongst them nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, changes in taste, and loss of appetite. More seriously, users can also be affected by vitamin B12 deficiency, which has consistently been observed in people with type 2 diabetes who take metformin. “This may happen because the drug reduces how well vitamin B12 is absorbed in the gut.

“Over time, low vitamin B12 can lead to anaemia or peripheral neuropathy. Anaemia means the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen properly, while peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage, usually in the hands or feet, that can cause tingling, numbness, pain or weakness.”

Read the full article here.

Confirming the news, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “In honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.

Firefighters are tackling the wildfire as it continues to burn throughout the night

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A fire in the peak district is causing clouds of smoke in the Glossop area as residents are issued warning by the fire service.

There is a wildfire burning into the early hours of Friday, May 1 off Snake Pass in the Peak District.

Snake Pass is a 26-mile scenic route in the Peak District National Park linking Sheffield and Manchester.

Partners from the Fire Operations Group (FOG) are currently dealing with the blaze.

The fire service were first informed of the incident at 8.58pm on Thursday, April 30 and flames continue to burn.

There is a large amount of smoke coming from the inferno according to Derbyshire Fire and rescue Service.

Residents have been issued a warning to shut all windows and doors as firefighters work to control the blaze.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We received the call at 8.58pm on April 30. The fire is likely to be causing a smoke plume in and around the Glossop area.

“Keep windows & doors closed.”

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have already put out a warning ahead of summer after there have already been six wildfires in the area this year.

Official data has revealed there have been 83 wildfires across Greater Manchester since 2021, including a significant rise in 2025 when 38 incidents were recorded.

Six wildfires have already been recorded so far in 2026, with warmer and drier conditions during the spring and summer likely to increase the risk, GMFRS said.

“Recent incidents have also highlighted the challenges faced by firefighters tackling wildfires,” a spokesperson said. “Crews have responded to multiple large-scale moorland fires in difficult terrain, often working for extended periods in remote locations and changing conditions to bring incidents under control and prevent further escalation.”

The US justice department says the video also shows Allen “casing the area” at the hotel, on the day before the dinner, when prosecutors say the defendant checked in as a guest. It appears to show him walking down a hotel corridor on the eve of the gala and popping into the hotel gym.

Further statements will be provided to give background to the treatment and care Laura Vasilisina received before her death.

A coroner will review the mental health treatment and care received by a teenager before her death. Laura Vasilisina died aged 19 at her home in Cambridge.

The hearing by Coroner Simon Milburn took place on Wednesday, April 29, at Vantage House in Huntingdon. Mr Milburn decided the inquest will need to look at the treatment and care Miss Vasilisina received for her mental health and drug and alcohol use before her death.

Miss Vasilisina had been in contact with the liaison psychiatry service provided by Cambridge University Hospitals. She was being treated for a history of drugs and alcohol use that had affected her mental health, and had also been in contact with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

A toxicology report showed there was a mix of drugs and alcohol in her system at the time of her death. Further statements will be provided by the liaison psychiatry service and doctors who had been in contact with Miss Vasilisina before her death.

The pre-inquest heard that Miss Vasilisina’s treatment and care history prior to her death “will be relevant to the background” for the inquest. The inquest was adjourned and will be reviewed in 12 weeks after the statements have been provided.

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​Colin Straker has applied to turn a five-bed property at at 40, Gladstone Street in Scarborough into a seven-bed House in Multiple Occuptaion (HMO) for nine people.

​However, neighbours and councillors have objected to the proposed conversion of the property, which is an eight-minute walk away from Scarborough Railway Station.

​According to the applicant, the property is currently underutilised, and its conversion into an HMO would “optimise its use without significantly reducing the availability of family housing in the area”.

​Local residents are “beside themselves” over the scheme, according to councillors on Scarborough Town Council’s community and place committee.

​Speaking at a committee meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Cllr William Stuart said: “The supplementary planning document is clear that no more than 10 per cent of residential properties within a 100-metre radius of an application site should be in HMO use in order to protect community balance and avoid harmful overconcentration.

​He added that the area already “appears likely to meet or exceed the 10 per cent threshold set out”.

​Submitted plans state that a “thorough analysis of the local area has been undertaken to ensure that the introduction of this HMO will not lead to an overconcentration of HMO’s, thereby maintaining the community balance”.

​The applicant added that the HMO would be professionally managed, “ensuring tenant screening, property maintenance, and responsible occupancy”.

​“The conversion ensures minimal impact on local amenities, addresses parking concerns, and contributes positively to the housing mix in Scarborough.”

​However, North Yorkshire Council’s housing team said the proposed floor plans “predominantly consist of self-contained studio units which do not meet the current space standards for the number of occupiers”.

​“The proposed studios fall significantly below the expected minimum standards, with many being approximately half of the required floor space,” officers said.

​A neighbour, Joanne Burnley, said: “There is only parking on one side of the street with double yellow lines on my side of the street.

​“It is hard enough to park in our zone as it is without an extra residence of seven people with the potential of seven more cars. This could really impact the value of our houses on our street.”

“Our street is quite busy with traffic, and with more cars it will become busier.”

​Cllr William Stuart said: “Gladstone Street is a constrained residential street with parking available on only one side of the road. Parking pressures in the locality are already significant. Intensifying occupation to seven unrelated residents is likely to further increase demand for on-street parking in an area that is already struggling to accommodate existing residents and visitors.”

​Cllr Robert Everall added: “I’ve already been contacted by two people who live in Gladstone Street and they are absolutely beside themselves regarding this. They cannot park their cars there as it is.

​“I know that a lot of the neighbours are really, really worried about this.”

​North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the proposal which is currently open to representations from members of the public.

A commercial pilot has shared cockpit footage of what it looks like to land a plane – and people have said one detail is so ‘terrifying’ they could never do it themselves

If you’ve ever assumed being a pilot was straightforward work, you might want to reconsider.

When you step aboard an aircraft, you place enormous faith in your pilot to deliver you safely to your destination. Most of us recognise they face considerable challenges, requiring years of costly training and meeting rigorous requirements to obtain a pilot’s licence. In reality, you cannot even begin pilot training unless you satisfy strict criteria, including specifications around your height and eyesight.

These criteria exist to ensure you’re in optimal condition to operate an aircraft carrying passengers from one airport to another across the globe. While it’s a demanding profession, hundreds of thousands of pilots worldwide undertake this responsibility every single day.

But have you ever pondered what the actual process of operating an aircraft looks like from their viewpoint?

Most of us drift off to sleep or become absorbed in an in-flight film when travelling by plane, meaning we don’t fully appreciate the complete experience of flying through the air. One pilot on social media has allowed the public a peek at what landing an aircraft entails – leaving some viewers utterly stunned.

Mattias, an A320 commercial pilot, frequently posts videos on TikTok and Instagram showcasing his life as a pilot. In one recent TikTok video, he demonstrated what landing an aircraft involves, including precisely what occurs when the plane descends through the clouds back towards the ground.

The pilot, who uses a fixed-mounted camera to capture his footage so he can remain fully focused on flying, first revealed the brilliant blue sky the aircraft was cutting through, with clouds stretching out beneath the plane.

Yet as he began his descent, the plane plunged through the clouds into murky conditions below. The cloud cover was so dense that the camera couldn’t pick out any details until the runway lights suddenly emerged — along with neighbouring houses that appeared alarmingly close.

Mattias brought the plane down flawlessly and was seen guiding it to the gate, where passengers disembarked without a hitch, yet viewers were left utterly “terrified” by what they had witnessed.

Some questioned whether pilots were simply “guessing” where they needed to land, given there appeared to be virtually no visibility, while others claimed the footage sent their “heart to the roof”.

One person wrote: “So… you’re just guessing?”

Another added: “I know it’s their job and what they are trained for, but just watching that landing sent my heart to the roof. The speed!! Carrying 1000s of people to safety. God bless all pilots!”

A third posted: “Well, that’s even more terrifying than I thought.”

How do pilots know where to go?

Pilots navigate the skies using a pre-loaded flight plan stored in the aircraft’s computer, which links up via virtual GPS waypoints. They rely on a blend of methods, including cutting-edge satellite navigation such as GPS, ground-based radio beacons, and instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to remain on course.

According to a YouTube video posted by easyJet in 2021, the flight plan generates “virtual signposts” in the sky to steer the pilot in the correct direction, alerting them when they need to turn. These function even in poor visibility, meaning pilots can safely navigate the skies and land aircraft even in foggy or wet conditions.

“We stand together in condemning these deliberate acts”

Ministers, firefighters and police have condemned a series of “devastating” wildfires across Northern Ireland, including in the Mourne Mountains.

Hundreds of firefighters have responded to six significant wildfires in less than a week, which have impacted an estimated 2,500 hectares of land, in what ministers said was an “unsustainable” amount of damage.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly urged those responsible for the wildfires “to stop” and reflect on their actions.

READ MORE: Emergency services respond to “concern for safety” near CarrickfergusREAD MORE: Wildfire battles rage in Mourne Mountains and Hilltown as NIFRS warns of deliberate blazes

In the past week, firefighters have extinguished three major fires and continue to deal with two other incidents, one of which is believed to have been deliberately started. On Thursday, around 85 firefighters responded to several gorse fires in Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh, while around 30 firefighters tackled a 500m-wide wildfire on Polly’s Brae Road in Dungiven.

People are being asked to avoid those areas.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The wildfires in the Mournes have left a trail of devastating damage and demanded a major emergency response, with hundreds of firefighters and partner agencies working around the clock to protect homes, land and lives. Their courage, professionalism and commitment have been outstanding.

“I want to sincerely thank the Fire & Rescue Service, the PSNI, landowners and all those involved in the response for their tireless work in these very challenging conditions. I would appeal to those involved to reflect on the serious harm this is causing to our communities and environment and to stop.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: “It is truly devastating to see the scenes emerging from the Mourne Mountains. These fires pose a real risk to life and have left communities living in fear and are destroying precious natural habitats and putting immense strain upon our emergency services.

“We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful countryside here in Northern Ireland, and I would urge those responsible for these wildfires to stop and consider the consequences of their actions. I also want to recognise and thank our firefighters who are working tirelessly under extremely dangerous conditions to bring these fires under control.”

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said: “We are deeply concerned by the latest wildfires affecting the Mourne and other areas, which are damaging our landscapes and precious habitats and putting lives, health and property at serious risk. We stand together in condemning these deliberate acts and in expressing our full solidarity with local communities, landowners, environmental organisations, emergency responders and volunteers who are working tirelessly to protect this special and iconic landscape.

“We are grateful to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and to all those on the ground responding to these incidents. While it is too early to fully assess the extent of the damage, it is likely to be significant.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt added: “From the April 25 to 29, 2026, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service was involved in resolving three significant wildfire incidents. 65 Fire Service Vehicles were deployed and over 300 crew attended the incidents. It has been estimated that approximately 2,500 hectares of land has been impacted. This level of impact is shocking and quite frankly unsustainable. As of today, that is six significant wildfires.

“These wildfires threaten public health, devastate important habitats, impact local livelihoods and place unacceptable pressure on emergency and health services. Where they are started deliberately, those responsible should face criminal penalties.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant, to report any fires immediately to NIFRS, to share any information about suspicious activity with the PSNI, and to follow the advice of emergency services at all times.

“To address this ongoing risk, a Wildfire Action Plan has been launched, focused on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. These destructive attacks must stop, and by working together we can protect our communities, and safeguard precious habitats such as the Mournes for future generations.”

NIFRS Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright said: “In recent days, hundreds of Firefighters have been working in challenging conditions to bring these wildfires under control, whilst responding to other emergencies across Northern Ireland. I would like to thank Minister Nesbitt and Minister Muir for their support. I am appealing to the public to act responsibly when enjoying the countryside to help reduce the risk of wildfires.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “Local police have been working closely with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service over recent days as they work to bring fires in the Mournes under control, meeting several times daily to lend any support we can to their efforts.

“The unpredictability of fire is such that any outbreak represents a significant risk to the environment and wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and those local people who reside in the area.

“Whilst at this time it is not possible to ascribe a definitive cause to individual fires, more often than not they are caused by human activity – whether through carelessness and inattention, out-of-season agricultural practices, or malicious fire setting. Where it is found that a wildfire has been maliciously started, it will be fully investigated by police and when identified those responsible can expect to be arrested and prosecuted.

“Police will gather all available evidence to enable us to identify any action which would constitute a crime, and hold those responsible legally to account.”

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