Author: Andrew Rogers

Pizza Hut’s UK restaurant operator, DC London Pie, has gone into administration, resulting in the closure of 68 dine-in restaurants and 11 delivery-only sites nationwide. The closures affect locations from Finchley Lido in London to Carlisle in Cumbria and Rhyl in north Wales, putting about 1,210 jobs at risk. Corporate finance firm FTI was appointed as administrator on Monday. In a pre-pack administration deal, Yum! Brands – the US parent company of Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell – has purchased 64 of the remaining restaurants, securing 1,276 jobs and taking direct ownership of those sites. Matt Callaghan, joint administrator…

Millions of young people could miss out on new treatments because too few take part in medical research, experts say. Analysis shows 18- to 24-year-olds make up 8% of England’s population but only 4.4% of medical trial participants, leaving Gen Z underrepresented in studies that shape future healthcare. “Young people face unique health challenges, but most treatments are designed around older adults,” said Kirsty Blenkins of the Association for Young People’s Health. “That can make them less safe or effective for younger patients.” Barriers include low awareness, lack of targeted recruitment, and concerns about privacy. The NIHR is urging more…

A new “smart” cancer jab has shown remarkable results in shrinking head and neck tumours within six weeks, offering hope for patients whose disease has returned after standard treatments. The drug, amivantamab, was tested in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who had already undergone chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The findings, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference in Berlin, were described by researchers as “incredibly encouraging.” Professor Kevin Harrington, from the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “To see this level of benefit for patients who…

Paramount Skydance is preparing to lay off about 2,000 employees in the US as part of a $2 billion cost-cutting plan under new CEO David Ellison, according to a report from Variety. The layoffs are set to begin the week of 27 October. The job cuts follow the $8.4 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global, which was completed in August. Additional international layoffs are also expected, with full details likely to be announced in the company’s third-quarter earnings report on 10 November. In August, Variety reported that the company was planning to reduce its workforce by 2,000 to…

European NATO members are emphasizing unity and resilience as external threats challenge the region’s security. The alliance, with strong backing from the United States, is reinforcing collective defense measures and demonstrating its commitment to shared security. NATO officials highlighted the importance of cohesion among member states. In recent months, rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties have underscored the need for coordinated action. European members have responded by enhancing military readiness, conducting joint exercises, and improving strategic communication. The United States has played a key role in supporting European allies. Military aid, intelligence sharing, and joint training initiatives aim to strengthen…

A long-acting injection to prevent HIV is set to be approved for use in England and Wales, offering a major alternative to the daily pills currently used for protection against the virus. The treatment, called cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is administered every two months and is designed for adults and young people at risk of HIV who cannot take oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep). It is already available on the NHS in Scotland. Health secretary Wes Streeting hailed the approval as “gamechanging,” calling it a crucial step toward ending HIV transmission in England by 2030. “For vulnerable people unable to take other prevention…

Nestlé will cut 16,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years as part of a major cost-saving plan under new chief executive Philipp Navratil. The move, affecting about 6% of the company’s global workforce, includes 12,000 white-collar roles and 4,000 manufacturing and supply chain jobs. “The world is changing and Nestlé needs to change faster,” Navratil said, promising a “respectful and transparent” process. The company, which owns KitKat, Nescafé, and Purina, aims to save 3 billion Swiss francs (£2.8bn) by 2027 — up from its previous 2.5 billion target. Navratil, who replaced Laurent Freixe after his dismissal last month, said…

Rhizanthella is one of nature’s most remarkable plants—an orchid that spends its entire life hidden beneath the soil. It has no leaves, never emerges above ground, and survives by absorbing nutrients from a specific fungus that draws energy from the surrounding soil and the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata). First discovered in 1928 by a farmer ploughing his field in Western Australia, Rhizanthella quickly became an international curiosity. Even today, it remains incredibly hard to find. Botanists search for it by identifying suitable habitats and gently scraping away layers of soil to reveal its buried clusters of reddish…

OpenAI has reached a major agreement with Broadcom to secure a 10-gigawatt chip supply. This deal marks a significant move in the expansion of AI hardware and strengthens the infrastructure needed for large-scale AI models. The partnership addresses the growing demand for advanced chips as AI applications continue to surge across industries. By ensuring a steady supply, OpenAI aims to maintain its position at the forefront of artificial intelligence innovation. Broadcom, a leading semiconductor company, will provide the high-performance chips required for AI computing tasks. These chips are critical for training large AI models, running complex algorithms, and supporting AI-driven…

Alcohol consumption is a major driver of cancer across Europe, according to a new report from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Experts warn that stronger government policies to limit drinking could prevent thousands of new cancer cases and deaths each year. In the European Union — the region with the highest alcohol consumption globally — alcohol was responsible for over 111,000 new cancer cases in 2020, the report found. Worldwide, alcohol caused an estimated 741,000 cancer cases, with men making up nearly 70% of those affected. The economic impact is also severe. WHO…