Category: News

A young woman from Scotland says her breasts have continued to grow because of a rare medical condition that causes rapid enlargement of breast tissue. Summer Robert, 25, is only 4ft 9in tall, yet her chest now weighs more than four stone. Doctors have diagnosed her with macromastia, and they believe she may also have gigantomastia, a condition in which breast growth continues over time without slowing.

Summer says her chest began to develop unusually early. She was wearing B-cup bras at 10, and by 16 she had reached a double J. As an adult, her bra size now changes often, and in the past year she says she has gone up 10 sizes. The constant weight has caused severe back pain, and she relies on corsets and custom bras, some costing hundreds of pounds.

She explains that doctors once dismissed the sudden growth as normal puberty, and later told her to lose weight, even though she was slim. Being repeatedly told she was “too big” at a young age affected her deeply, and she says it contributed to an eating disorder in her teens. Her family helped her recover, but the struggle stayed with her.

Although one doctor agreed she needed reduction surgery, the procedure was denied because her BMI exceeded NHS guidelines. The decision left her without options for relief.

Summer has also faced years of unwanted attention and discomfort in public. Recently, she has tried to rebuild her confidence by creating online content, which she says has helped her view her body with more acceptance while she continues to seek medical support.

A young woman has shared how seeing explicit content far too early affected her view of herself and her relationships. Amelia Delgado, now 21, says she first came across adult material online at only eight years old. She was using a laptop for homework when a pop-up exposed her to videos she did not understand.

A new report from the UK Children’s Commissioner shows her experience is widespread. Seventy percent of young people say they saw pornography before turning 18. Many first viewed it accidentally on social media. A quarter say they were younger than 11.

Amelia explains that early exposure left her confused about body image and intimacy. By her early teens, she believed the behaviour she saw online was normal. It created pressure and insecurity, and she felt she had to meet expectations that were never realistic. At 15, she faced a teenage pregnancy, which became an emotional turning point. Her family supported her through the decision that followed, and she says she learned how unprepared she had been.

Today, Amelia is in a healthy relationship and says she now understands intimacy as something based on trust, comfort, and mutual respect. She hopes her story encourages more honest conversations about how online content shapes young people.

Experts warn that children who see explicit material too soon may struggle with shame, anxiety, or distorted expectations about consent and relationships. They urge parents to stay observant, keep communication open, and help children navigate the online world safely.

An Australian traveller is warning others about a common mistake many Aussies make when ordering food in Italy. Montana On Tour explained that a “parmigiana” overseas is not the same dish people enjoy in Australian pubs.

She said travellers should not expect a crumbed chicken breast covered with tomato, ham, and melted cheese. There are no chips and no salad on the side. Instead, most restaurants in Italy serve parmigiana di melanzane. It is a traditional baked dish made with layers of eggplant, tomato, and cheese. The result is soft, rich, and closer to a lasagna than the crispy pub meal Australians know as a “parmi.”

Montana admitted she enjoyed the Italian version even more, calling it deeper in flavour and surprisingly satisfying. Her video has reached thousands of viewers, and many said they had no idea about the difference. Some noted that eggplant parmigiana is available in Australia too, but it is usually listed separately from chicken parmigiana.

Montana also shared a few simple tips to help visitors adjust to Italy’s pace of life. She reminded travellers that riposo, the midday break, often leaves shops and businesses closed for several hours. Aperitivo offers a light and social pause before dinner, while the passeggiata invites people to take an evening stroll through busy piazzas.

Her message is straightforward: expect a different style of parmigiana, embrace Italy’s rhythm, and enjoy the experience without surprises.

Scientists in India have confirmed the discovery of a new gecko species living high in the evergreen forests of the Valparai Plateau. The animal was first noticed at nearly 4,600 feet above sea level, where researchers found it moving across large boulders. DNA tests later proved that it was genetically different from all known dwarf geckos.

The lizard, now called the Valparai dwarf gecko, lives in small rocky pockets near Tenkasi, a region known for its temples, tea estates, and protected forest areas. Although it is considered large for its family, it measures only about 4.5 inches. Its red eyes, scale pattern, and long fingers helped experts recognize that it was something new.

Researchers also observed striking differences in color. Two males showed yellow-brown bodies with darker patches on their tails, including one that had regrown part of its tail. The female was darker overall, with softer yellow markings and an orange-brown tail. All three were found in caves or on nearby rocks within a narrow elevation range.

The study, carried out by scientists from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, also identified four more related dwarf gecko species. Each one occupies its own small habitat, a pattern known as extreme micro-endemism. Several additional species may also live within a short distance on the nearby Anaimalai Tiger Reserve.

The findings highlight how India’s high-altitude evergreen forests still hold many hidden and highly specialized forms of wildlife, often found in areas no larger than a single stretch of hillside.

A popular Tunisian influencer has died at only 36 after suffering a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Malta. Farah El Kadhi was found unconscious on a yacht on June 17 and was taken to Mater Dei Hospital in Msida. She showed no signs of injury, and local reports say she had arrived for a one-week trip.

Only hours earlier, Farah had shared photos from the boat, smiling in the sunshine as it rested in a marina. Nothing in the posts suggested she felt unwell. An autopsy and formal inquiry are now underway to determine the cause of death.

Her close friend, influencer Soulayma Hneynia, became worried when she could not reach her. Soulayma, who lives in Malta, described Farah as kind, generous, and full of warmth. She said Farah had a spirit that touched everyone who spent time with her.

Farah balanced her work as an architect with a successful online career. She promoted her fashion brand Bazarbyfaf and collaborated with companies across Tunisia, building an audience of more than one million Instagram followers. Her page has since filled with tributes from fans and fellow creators.

Influencer Laurie Marquet wrote that she was shocked and heartbroken, adding that Farah would be deeply missed. Many others shared similar messages, expressing sadness at the sudden loss.

Farah’s death has left a strong impression on her community. She was enjoying a holiday in a peaceful setting, making her passing feel even more unexpected and difficult for loved ones to accept.

A retired couple from Australia has found an unusual and budget-friendly way to spend their later years. Instead of moving into a retirement home, Marty and Jess Ansen chose to live on cruise ships, booking 51 back-to-back sailings that will keep them at sea for 18 months. They say the cost of cruising is actually lower than paying for long-term accommodation on land, and the lifestyle offers far more enjoyment.

The couple had always loved being on the water, and when the pandemic halted travel, they missed the routine of cruising. Once ships began sailing again, they decided to make the Coral Princess their new home. They have been aboard since June 2022 and have no plans to slow down. Marty explained that he simply told his travel agent to book whatever cruises were available, which led to the long stretch at sea.

Life on board has become familiar and comfortable. They start each day with an hour of table tennis and enjoy meals without grocery shopping or cooking. Housekeeping is included, so chores are minimal. Marty jokes that they have been away from home for so long that they have forgotten how to wash dishes or make a bed.

The crew has come to know them well. Jess recently celebrated a birthday on board, and staff surprised her with a celebration. Even the ship’s hotel manager says seeing them feels like visiting family, since the couple has been aboard longer than many of the crew.

With eight months left on their current voyage, Marty and Jess are already planning another world cruise, followed by a year-long trip on a different ship. For them, life at sea has become the most practical and enjoyable way to spend retirement.

Recently uncovered home movies have revealed a softer side of Hollywood icon Joan Crawford. The reels, stored away for decades after her death in 1977, show moments far removed from the glamorous image she presented on screen. In them, she walks through streams, relaxes with her dogs, and smiles at a middle-aged man known only as “Charles.”

When biographer Scott Eyman began researching Joan Crawford: A Woman’s Face, he set out to learn who this man was. He eventually traced him to Charles McCabe, a powerful New York newspaper executive. Crawford briefly described a “mature” and supportive man in her memoir, a companion who brought calm during a demanding time in her career. According to McCabe’s family, letters once confirmed the relationship, though the correspondence was destroyed after his death to protect his widow.

The home movies, however, remained. They captured a private connection Crawford never discussed publicly. Eyman believes McCabe may have been the one great love she could not pursue openly. He was married, unable to leave his family, and Crawford kept the relationship hidden for the rest of her life.

After the affair ended, Crawford married actor Phillip Terry in 1942. She later resumed her long, on-and-off bond with Clark Gable. Friends often said her romantic life mixed ambition with caution, shaped by early struggles and the pressures of fame.

Although Crawford built a successful career and married again, those who knew her best felt she never forgot the man she could not have—and kept his memory preserved in those quiet, personal reels of film.

Doctors are warning that dependence on everyday painkillers is rising sharply, especially among people who never imagined they were at risk. Over-the-counter medications such as codeine-based tablets are common in most homes and often used for back pain, headaches, or recovery after surgery. Yet these same drugs can lead to addiction within weeks, with consequences that touch families across the UK.

For many, the downward spiral begins after a legitimate prescription. That was the case for 61-year-old Philly J. Lay, who developed a dependence on codeine and other opioid medications after a difficult spinal surgery. What began as a way to manage severe pain soon took over her life, leaving her bedridden, isolated, and unable to take part in family events. She later described the period as a haze of pills, fear, and overwhelming fatigue. Even routine moments with her children became strained under the weight of addiction.

Other patients have shared similar stories. Abby Johnson, a mother from Gloucester, became dependent on codeine after complications from weight-loss surgery. When her prescriptions ran out, she turned to online pharmacies and over-the-counter products containing codeine and ibuprofen. The cost pushed her deep into debt, and the addiction weakened her relationships and career. She eventually sought help and has now been free of the drug for more than a year. She hopes her story encourages others to seek support early.

Not everyone has such an outcome. Diana, from Devon, lost her adult son after years of hidden codeine misuse. Although his death was attributed to pneumonia, she believes the drug masked his symptoms and delayed lifesaving care. She now speaks openly about the risks that come with medications many people view as harmless.

Health experts say codeine becomes dangerous because it converts to morphine in the body and creates tolerance quickly. Users may take more pills for the same effect, often without realising the risks. Doctors urge clear warnings, better support for those in pain, and early intervention for anyone struggling to stop.

Families affected by addiction hope their experiences help others recognise the warning signs and seek help before the cycle becomes unmanageable.

Doctors across the United States are reporting an unusual rise in hand, foot and mouth disease this year. The illness, normally a mild childhood infection that peaks in late summer, is spreading faster than expected and affecting more people than in recent seasons. Health experts estimate that cases in 2025 could approach one million, far higher than the typical annual figure.

States including Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Virginia and West Virginia have all seen sharp increases. Clinics in New York City have also raised concern about growing numbers on Staten Island. In some areas, pediatricians say they are seeing four to five times more cases than they observed last year. Several physicians describe this as the most intense surge they have witnessed in a decade.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by viruses in the enterovirus family, most often coxsackievirus A16. It spreads easily through coughs, saliva, contaminated surfaces and even the fluid inside blisters. The infection is most common in young children, especially those in daycares and schools, but doctors are now seeing older children and adults fall ill as well.

The early symptoms often resemble a cold, with fever and sore throat. Painful mouth sores and small blisters on the hands and feet typically follow. Most people recover in about a week, though severe mouth ulcers can slow healing. Very young children occasionally face complications that require medical attention.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for HFMD, so prevention relies on hand-washing, disinfecting shared spaces and keeping sick children home. With cases rising nationwide, doctors are urging families to stay alert and take simple steps to reduce the spread.

An 18-month-old boy from Birmingham is facing a long and difficult recovery after he accidentally drank drain cleaner, believing it was milk. The child, Sam Anwar Alshameri, picked up the bottle while his mother was cleaning the bathroom. She had placed the cleaner on the floor while working, unaware that he had followed her inside.

The damage was immediate and severe. The corrosive liquid burned Sam’s lips, mouth, tongue, and airway. His father, Nadeen Alshameri, said the injuries were so extensive that his son could no longer eat, drink, or speak. When Sam arrived at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, he went into cardiac arrest. A team of doctors and nurses managed to revive him after nearly three minutes.

Sam spent two months in intensive care. His lips have begun to seal shut, leaving only a tiny opening that prevents him from swallowing. He now receives nutrition through a tube placed directly into his stomach. Doctors have told the family that his condition is rare, and his father says they have heard differing opinions about when surgery should take place.

The family fears waiting too long. Sam is at home but still urgently needs reconstructive procedures. His father says there is no clear timeline for treatment through the NHS, and he worries each day about his son’s condition. Because of the uncertainty, he hopes to take Sam to specialists in Germany or Turkey and has started a fundraising campaign to cover possible medical costs.

The family’s focus now is on securing the care Sam needs to regain the ability to eat, speak, and breathe comfortably. His father says they are doing all they can but need help to give him the best chance at recovery.