Using your phone on the toilet could be more damaging than you might think

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A gut specialist has delivered a stark warning urging people to “stop” scrolling on their phone while on the toilet. Spending extended periods sitting and browsing on the loo could present a significant health risk.

As smartphones have grown more widespread and sophisticated, people have increasingly grown accustomed to carrying them wherever they go. And this extends to the bathroom, with one YouGov survey revealing that 57 per cent of Britons frequently use their phone while sitting on the toilet.

While this might appear harmless, it could in fact be harmful to our bodies. In a clip posted to social media platform TikTok, Doctor Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist, said: “Stop scrolling through the phone while using the toilet.

“Hi, I’m a board-certified gastroenterologist, so hit that follow button for more such gut health tips.” First, he warned that this widespread habit could lead to haemorrhoids.

He said: “While it may seem harmless to scroll through your social media feed or answer some emails while on the toilet, it can actually have some serious consequences.

“First, you using your phone while doing number two can lead to prolonged sitting on the toilet, which can cause strain and pressure on your rectum and anus. This can lead to issues such as haemorrhoids, anal fissures, and even rectal prolapse.”

He added: “Another issue is that it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Studies have found that an average smartphone is dirtier than a public toilet seat.

“Try avoiding scrolling while using the toilet, but if you can’t help it, at least have a disinfectant wipe around to clean the phone after you’re done with the business.”

According to the Mayo Clinic in the US, sitting and scrolling on the toilet is a common cause of haemorrhoids.

“The veins around the anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell,” the clinic says. “Haemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to sitting for long periods of time, especially on the toilet.”

Other causes of haemorrhoids include:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Having chronic diarrhoea or constipation
• Being obese
• Being pregnant
• Having anal intercourse
• Eating a low-fibre diet
• Regularly lifting heavy items

Symptoms of haemorrhoids will depend where they are but can include:

• Painless bleeding during bowel movements
• A haemorrhoid pushing through the anal opening, called a prolapsed or protruding haemorrhoid
• Itching or irritation in the anal region
• Pain or discomfort
• Swelling around the anus
• Bleeding
• A hard, discoloured lump near the anus

The Mayo Clinic adds: “If you have bleeding during bowel movements or you have haemorrhoids that don’t improve after a week of home care, talk to your health care provider.

“Don’t assume rectal bleeding is due to haemorrhoids, especially if you have changes in bowel habits or if your stools change in colour or consistency. Rectal bleeding can happen with other diseases, including colorectal cancer and anal cancer.

“Seek emergency care if you have large amounts of rectal bleeding, lightheadedness, dizziness or faintness.”

Farren Hales is wanted on recall to prison.

Suffolk Police are appealing for help to find a man who is wanted. Farren Hales, 41, is wanted on recall to prison.

Hales was last seen in Colchester and has links to both the Ely area of Cambridgeshire and to north London. He is described as being white, around 5’8″ tall, and of slim build.

He has short brown, greying hair, and stubble. If you have seen him or know where he could be, you should contact Suffolk Police.

Anyone with information should report it via the Suffolk Police website quoting crime number 37/18760/26 or call 101. You can also report anything anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800555111.

In the event of an emergency, you should call 999.

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Locals praise the town’s transport links and green spaces – but they’d like to see more added to the town

People who live in a ‘new’ Cambridgeshire town have praised its transport and green spaces – but they’d like to see more pubs and restaurants. Up until 26 years ago, Cambourne near Cambridge didn’t exist.

Since then, the town has grown with more people moving in, and more facilities opening. However, some residents still feel the town could have more. As part of the Exploring Cambridgeshire series, we spoke to residents about what it’s like to live in Cambourne.

Aaron Kersey, who has lived there since 2022, wants to see more pubs and restaurants in Cambourne. “We have three dentists, but only one pub,” said Aaron.

He added: “Something like another supermarket would also be good. However, it [Cambourne] has what you need. The road networks are fine and safe. The only thing it needs is a train station, but there is talk about one coming.”

A long-term resident, who wished to remain anonymous, likes Cambourne’s green spaces. He said: “It’s got quite a lot of good community things going on as well, like a lot of different clubs and activities.

“I think it’s also good for transport.” However, the man would also like to see other things come to the town. He added: “Things like a public swimming pool and a change of shops would be good. It would bring more footfall in.”

Michael Abbott moved to Cambourne around 10 years ago, and admitted its “great” transport. He said: “We have regular buses that take you to Cambridge, so you can get into the city centre quite easily.

“We have a good supermarket, but it would be good to see one more to add a bit more variety. Cambourne is also a cheaper place to live if you need to commute to Cambridge for work.”

Just like Aaron, Michael would like to see more places to eat and drink. He added: “The local pub is good, but it would be good to have another one, again for more variety.”

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Kin Leu moved to Cambourne a few years ago with his wife and two children. He said: “My wife chose our house because we have two young children, and it’s close to bus stops. So, they can get on the bus safely.” Kin also wants to see more added to Cambourne.

He said: “For me, I would like one more petrol station and maybe another supermarket. I used to walk to Morrisons sometimes, but another supermarket would be nice.

“We have a good football pitch, but sports could be a bit better. A public swimming pool would be good.”

Christina Church has “no complaints” about living in Cambourne. She said: “Being in the centre means I am only a few minutes away from what I need, especially Morrisons.

“We have some fast food places like fish and chips and Domino’s, which are good.” Christina praises the transport, but also wishes the town could have a train station.

“If somewhere like Waterbeach can have one, why can’t we?,” added Christina. She said: “It’s a growing town and we need that sort of thing. It would also make it more desirable to live here.

“I also love the green spaces here. They are lovely to walk my dog around.”

“I don’t know [if Maddison will play this season], I don’t know yet. I don’t want to push too much because we lost Kudus in this way. I used to waiting the players when they are available, totally available to play and to restart the training. Because it’s better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another new injury.”

The Down native said he considered throwing his hat into the ring for the Derry job before deciding against it. He’ll share a sideline with the man he calls a “very good friend” later this evening at Find Insurance Celtic Park

Antrim boss Mark Doran said he was close to throwing his hat into the ring to succeed outgoing Derry manager Paddy Tally last autumn before deciding against it.

Ciaran Meenagh, someone Doran describes as a “very good friend”, ended up being the clear choice having already worked with Derry when he took over as interim manager following Rory Gallagher’s departure in 2023.

Doran took over from Andy McEntee and the Ulster SFC draw as pitted Antrim against Derry this evening.

Friendships will be put on hold for 70 minutes and Doran insists Derry have the best man for the job.

“It just didn’t feel right at the time. Make no mistake in my eyes Derry have the best man for the job,” stated Doran.

“It was close enough but it just didn’t feel right and you have to go with your gut and that’s just it.

“I think Derry now, at last, have got the right man in and the best man for the job and a man I know very well.”

“We know what we’re facing and, in my eyes, they’re still one of the best teams in Ireland.

“Again, it’s no coincidence they’re now starting to go well and they’re probably the most unluckiest team in Ireland winning five games and not getting promoted.

“I know how highly the Down boys rated Ciaran and I know what a good coach he is and I know, look at the end of the day it’s not me against him.

“It’ll be Antrim against Derry, but Ciaran would be a very good friend but I know Derry definitely have the right man but I know the size of the task ahead of us.”

He added: “If you ask a hundred people in a room I think there’d be 99 of them saying Derry will win.

“Derry are one of the top teams in Ireland and I do think they’re the unluckiest team but all we look to do is try and give the best version of ourselves and it’s a serious opportunity for Antrim because there are good players in Antrim.

“But it is a building project and we’re trying to take one step at a time. Small gains but look at the end of the day you’re hoping Antrim boys can seize the opportunity because it is a brilliant opportunity to go into Celtic Park.

“It probably will take us to have our best 70 odd minutes and maybe Derry to have an off day but look that’s why we all love football. There’s always that hope isn’t there?”

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A federal judge has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley made the ruling late Friday afternoon, finding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to prevail in their legal bid to stop the merger.

The deal, announced last year and approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, most of them local affiliates of one of the “Big Four” national networks: ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, had already issued an emergency order blocking the deal for three weeks. On April 7, he heard arguments over whether that block should be extended until a lawsuit brought by attorneys general in eight states and DirecTV is resolved.

The attorneys general, all Democrats, and DirecTV contend the merger will lead to higher prices for consumers, stifle local journalism and that the deal runs afoul of federal laws designed to protect against monopolies.

Nexstar’s attorneys told the court the deal has already been reviewed and cleared by the FCC and the Department of Justice. They said the FCC order commits the company to expand local journalism and programming, not shrink it.

The merger needed the approval of the Republican Trump administration’s FCC because the government had to waive rules that limit how many local stations one company can own. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in March that the company had agreed to divest itself of six stations.

In his emergency temporary restraining order, the judge noted that the merger would make Nexstar the owner of two or even three of the “Big Four” local affiliates in 31 local television markets. Once that occurs, Nunley wrote, multichannel video programming distributors such as DirecTV would have to comply with Nexstar’s demands for higher broadcast fees or risk leaving subscribers potentially unable to watch things like Sunday NFL football games.

It opens up more opportunities for buyers, but one broker has issued a note of caution

A major mortgage provider has announced it will now lend up to six times income, not just to first-time buyers, but also to home movers and those remortgaging. But with inflation rising and the public coffers under strain, potentially resulting in more tax hikes, a mortgage broker has warned that now may not be the time for households to put further pressure on themselves.

Leeds Building Society has extended its Income Plus range to home movers and remortgagers, not just first-time buyers (FTBs). They, too, will now be able to borrow up to six times loan-to-income (LTI) rather than 5.5 times LTI.

Leeds is now offering up to six times LTI to FTBs, home movers and remortgages with a minimum household income of £75,000. It will also lend up to 5.5 times LTI to home movers and remortgagers with a minimum household income of £50,000 and FTBs with a minimum household income of £30,000.

Leeds will go as high as 95% loan-to-value (LTV) for FTBs and up to 90% LTV for home movers and remortgagers. The product will be available for new builds and self-employed applicants and will be available on a five-year fixed rate term.

Leeds Building Society director of mortgage distribution, Martese Carton, said: “We’ve supported members into homeownership for over 150 years, but our research shows that a significant number of recent first-time buyers expect to outgrow their homes far sooner than anticipated.

“The increasing price gap between first and second properties presents a real affordability challenge. Many households need just one additional bedroom, yet the step up in price can be substantial and difficult to bridge under standard income multiples.

“By expanding our Income Plus range, we’re aiming to give next steppers greater borrowing flexibility where it’s affordable to do so, supporting more sustainable home moves and helping keep the housing market flowing.”

But one broker has warned that borrowers need to tread carefully when it comes to maxing out what they can borrow.

Martin Rayner, director at Compton Financial Services, a mortgage broker, said: “This is the latest example of a lender pushing affordability further, which can be great for some borrowers, but does have its risks.”

Martin said the ability to borrow more could make a real difference in pricier areas of the country, but that people need to ask themselves whether they are happy to be locked in for five years.

He added: “Yes, greater flexibility around what they can borrow will help some buyers, especially in more expensive and sought-after areas. But moving to six times income, combined with today’s higher mortgage rates due to the war in the Middle East, means significantly larger monthly repayments.

“And there’s the small matter that you are locked in for five years at a far higher rate than you could have secured just two months ago. People really do need to go into a product like this ‘eyes wide open’.

“They need to understand that early redemption charges will be payable if they need to exit the mortgage for whatever reason. Also, if the war in the Middle East ends and rates start falling again, they will have to watch on from the sidelines for the foreseeable future, as they will be locked into a far higher rate.

“I would recommend people think very carefully about this. Just because you can access six times income doesn’t mean you should — a lower mortgage may be far more sustainable.”

Martin also cautioned that people who are spending the absolute maximum on their mortgage can be vulnerable if taxes and other household costs rise, even slightly.

He said: “Borrowers need to consider what the next five years might look like, as they will have to live with these repayments for that whole period of time. What if the Labour government increases taxes or energy bills skyrocket? Very quickly the headroom in your finances could be gone and that mortgage payment could start to feel unaffordable.

“Six times income sounds great, but your finances could be hit for six if you are impacted by costs that you cannot control. This isn’t just about getting the mortgage, it’s about being able to live with it comfortably. There’s no doubt this product will be an absolute blessing for some, but seeking advice from a broker and properly considering potential lifestyle changes with products like this has never been more important.”

Gabriel Bannigan has battled an entensive injury list since taking over as Monaghan manager ahead of the 2025 campaign and one of his key players doesn’t know when he’ll be fit to return to action

Ryan McAnespie has been down this road before. Too many times. Itching to get back to action, but not knowing exactly when that will be.

Tomorrow’s game against Cavan will come too soon. McAnepsie isn’t prepared to tempt fate.

When asked about his fitness after tweaking his hamstring against Dublin back in February, McAnespie was coy about putting a time frame on his comeback.

“I suppose there’s the… I can’t even know what number of hamstring injury this is now,” said McAnespie.

“We haven’t really put a date in terms of return. It’s more so how I’m feeling, you only really know when you get back fully trained and what way it is. We’ll have to take it from there.

“At the minute I’m just tipping over with the rehab and see how it goes, but there’s no date.

“I don’t want to put a date on it. This last year I’ve been trying to put dates on it, and even in club football to get back for this date or get back for that date.

“It just doesn’t work out that way, you just have to give it the time it needs. It’s more so how it feels. Hopefully over the next few weeks we’ll see a big improvement with it.”

A mainstay of Monaghan teams for the last decade, the Emyvale clubman has endured a frustrating 24 months of injury woes.

It is something Gabriel Bannigan is familiar with at this stage having rarely been able to name close to a first-choice team since taking over as Monaghan boss from Vinny Corey ahead of the 2025 season.

McAnespie is hopeful of being able to aid the Farney cause at some point in the near future.

“It’s frustrating surely. You get back and then you’re back for a couple of weeks and then it just goes again,” added McAnespie.

“It’s something that I’ve learned to get on with. I suppose you can’t really moan about it either. You don’t really have time to.

“It’s frustrating especially when you get to the stage of the year, the Championship and all that. It’s the time of year you want to be playing football. Hopefully, I’ll make some sort of appearance this year in the Championship.”

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President Donald Trump tore into NATO on Friday during a speech at a rally in Arizona, alleging that the longstanding U.S.-led alliance had belatedly offered to help America clear the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil-shipping lane that’s been reopened for the time being as negotiations continue surrounding the Iran war.

“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is nearly over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would like some help,” Trump told the crowd at a Turning Point Action event in Phoenix.

“I told them I would have liked your help two months ago, but now I really don’t want your help anymore, because they were absolutely useless when we needed them,” Trump continued. “But actually we never needed them. They needed us.”

“If it teaches us any one thing, we have to rely on ourselves,” the president said elsewhere in his remarks. “We can’t rely on outside countries and outside sources.”

Earlier Friday, both sides in the Iran conflict announced that the strait was being reopened, though some of the details clashed.

Iran said the strait is open for all commercial vessels for the duration of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in the regional conflict, while President Trump wrote on social media on Friday that the strait is “fully open,” a status not “tied, in any way, to Lebanon.” The U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports will continue, Trump wrote, until “OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.”

The Republican also claimed Friday that Iran had agreed to give up its enriched uranium, which the country strongly denied.

“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help,” Trump added in the flurry of online updates. “I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL.”

The Independent has contacted NATO for comment.

NATO and other U.S. allies previously refused to join in the American blockade on Iranian ports. They have kept their distance overall from the growing conflict, though the U.K. has allowed U.S. forces to use British bases for defensive purposes.

On Friday, the president thanked other U.S. allies, praising the “terrific” leaders of Pakistan, which has facilitated talks between Washington and Tehran.

He also praised U.S. allies in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, countries which have faced attacks from Iran on U.S. bases and vital domestic energy infrastructure as part of the conflict.

“It took courage for them,” Trump said.

At the Arizona event, the president repeated his regular (and oft-disputed) claim that he has ended numerous wars while in office, arguing that diplomatic developments in Iran had once again upped his tally of successful peace deals.

“It may be a little early to say this, but if we add Iran and Lebanon, that will be 10 wars ended and many, many millions of lives saved,” the Republican said.

“Iran was the bully of the Middle East,” Trump said during another portion of the speech. “They’re not the bully anymore.”

In his remarks, the president also hailed the “great partnership” with Venezuela that has occurred since the U.S. attacked the country, ousting and arresting president Nicolas Maduro.

The president also hinted at further diplomatic developments to come in Cuba, which is reeling from a catastrophic energy crisis as Washington blocks oil shipments from the island’s longtime patron Venezuela.

Trump said a “new dawn for Cuba” was on its way, and that people should “watch what happens.”

The U.S. State Department has reportedly met in Havana with top Cuban officials, including the influential grandson of de facto Cuban leader Raúl Castro.