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The amount of money Northern Ireland universities are spending on mental health and wellbeing services for students has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Figures received via Freedom of Information requests have revealed the amount of money allocated has increased by an average of more than 40% since 2020. That includes the annual amount for salaries, wellbeing services and counselling. Northern Ireland's mental health champion welcomed the increased spending but called for a joined-up approach with statutory services. Professor Siobhan O'Neill said starting university very often coincided with the age at which most common mental disorders first present themselves. She put an increase in the recorded rates of poor mental health in students down to "increased financial and social pressure" as well as a "reduced stigma and a willingness to ask for help". "International students, and those from marginalised communiti...

HAVE you ever met someone who, one day, is full of energy, talking fast, making big plans, and then, a few days or weeks later, withdraws completely, feeling hopeless and drained? You might have thought, “This person is just moody,” but what if it’s something more? Let’s meet Ms. Grace, a 28-year-old woman who works in marketing. She’s the life of the office, full of ideas, always initiating new projects, and often volunteering to help others. But sometimes, without warning, Ms. Grace disappears from work. She won’t answer calls, doesn’t leave her bed, and feels like a failure. Her colleagues joke that she’s just being dramatic, but Grace is actually living with bipolar disorder. There have been misconceptions over the years, misconceptions just like those of Ms. Grace’s colleagues. Many still believe that bipolar disorder is a sign of weakness, laziness, or even a spiritual problem. But in truth, it is a brain-based condition influenced by a mix of genetics, chemical imbalance...

The death toll from a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has risen to 18, including nine children, according to regional officials. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – who comes from Kryvyi Rih – says the youngest to lose their life in Friday’s attack was just three-years-old. At least 72 others were injured, with the youngest being a three-month-old baby, in what authorities say was a ballistic missile attack. About half of them remain in the hospital receiving treatment, with 17 of them still in critical condition, according to regional Governor Serhii Lysak. “There can never be forgiveness for this,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s defence council. Local authorities said the strike damaged some 20 apartment buildings, close to three dozen vehicles, an educational facility and a restaurant. Authorities say the missile targeted a residential neighbourhood. Kryvyi Rih has a population of approximately 600,000 and lies ab...

New Delhi [India], April 6 (ANI): Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Sunday paid heartfelt tributes to the founding fathers and senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) on the occasion of the party's Foundation Day . In a post shared on the social media platform X, the Union Minister expressed deep gratitude toward the party's pioneers, acknowledging their sacrifices and dedication in building and expanding the BJP . "Today, on the ' Foundation Day ' of the Bharatiya Janata Party, I pay my heartfelt tributes to all the founding fathers and senior leaders of the organization, who nurtured the creation and expansion of the party with their blood and sweat and remained constantly engaged with it with all their heart and soul," the post read. Further, he also extended his best wishes to the party workers across the country, recognising their t...

STRUGGLING to afford food today could mean heart problems tomorrow. Young adults experiencing food insecurity have a 41 percent greater risk of developing heart disease in midlife, even after accounting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, according to a Northwestern University School of Medicine, United States, study published recently. Food insecurity—struggling to get enough nutritious food to stay healthy—affects one in eight households in the United States each year, the study added. “We’ve known that food insecurity and heart disease often go hand in hand, but this study shows, for the first time, that food insecurity comes first,” said Dr Jenny Jia, an instructor of general internal medicine and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine internist. “That makes it a clear target for prevention—if we address food insecurity early, we may be able to reduce the burden of heart disease later.” Related Death...

Austria has closed off two dozen border crossings with its neighbours Hungary and Slovakia in a big to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and prevent it from entering the country. Slovakia declared an emergency situation on Tuesday after the disease was found on three farms. Hungary had the first outbreak of the highly infectious disease in 50 years on Wednesday, leading the country to deploy soldiers and launch disinfection measures to contain it in an area bordering Slovakia and Austria. The diseases, which poses no danger to humans, mostly affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals like swine, sheep and goats. Infected animals experience fever and mouth blisters as part of the symptoms of the disease. Outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions and culls of some livestock. Austrian health authorities are conducting rigorous checks at the few open border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia. Cars have to cross over an epidemic rug to prevent the virus from ...

The rainy season comes with a lot of goodies. Talinum triangulare (waterleaf) is in season. Crassocephalum crepidioides, known as ‘efo ebolo’ in Yoruba, Crassocephalum biafrae, known as ‘efo worowo’, and Amaranthus viridis (tete abalaye) are also some of the vegetables that come with this season. Nobody plants all these vegetables—nature gives them to us! Please take advantage of this season by eating these vegetables, and do not forget to add locust beans each time you cook them. This week, I will be talking about the foods we need to eat and some lifestyle changes we need to imbibe to achieve good gut health. Before then, I would like to share the outcome of a large study published in the journal Nature Microbiology. For the study, more than 21,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy used an app to answer detailed questionnaires about what they ate regularly. Their diets were grouped into three categories: omnivore (including meat, dair...

Despite the official ban on child labour in Lagos, many children still toil at construction sites and engage in other perilous jobs in the shadows of the city’s dangerous streets just to support their families. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE, in this report, explores their daily fight for survival—heartbreaking stories of sacrifice and resilience amid harsh realities Every day, a disturbing reality plays out in Lagos, a city where children aged between five and 17 are legally barred from working at construction sites. As the morning sun streaks across the sky, the city’s skyline becomes dotted with the small, stooped figures of young labourers who navigate the hazards of construction sites every day, despite the protective legislation in place. They are also found in shadowy streets and bustling markets. Often no older than twelve, these children are not working out of choice but out of sheer necessity. For them, the daily grind is not an act of rebellion bu...

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, is billed to meet the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday. Sanusi was invited to the Force Headquarters in Abuja by Egbetokun through a letter dated April 4 and signed by a Commissioner of Police (Operations), Olajide Ibitoye. The IGP requested Sanusi to report to the Force Intelligence Department headquarters in Abuja by 10 a.m. According to the letter, the invitation is in relation to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration in Kano. Though the police did not give full details, multiple sources confirmed that the invitation is tied to the controversial Durbar procession held in defiance of a police ban, which led to tension and a tragic loss of life. The Kano State Police Command had, on March 30, 2025, arrested one Usman Sagiru in connection with the alleged killing and attack on vigilante members in Sanusi’s entourage on Eid-el-Fitr day. However, some Kano resid...

The problems could cost the equivalent of US$57 billion, around 22 per cent of the total national health budget China, plagued with famine six or seven decades ago , is facing an obesity crisis, prompting warnings that more than 65 per cent of adults could be overweight or obese by 2030. Beijing is racing against time before chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular problems place further pressure on the country's healthcare system. Last year, the National Health Commission (NHC) and other government departments launched a three-year plan to tackle the problem, which includes diet and exercise recommendations. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Last month it stepped up its efforts by announcing a plan to introduce m...

Sample 1: “The demolition which entered its second week was put on halt after the death of pastor Heinkpoyanwa last Saturday. To this end, the entire Makoko community have not seized to mourn this unfortunate incident … On the day of this ugly incident, his first wife who was briefed of what happened immediately drowned with her child. She is presently recuperating at an undisclosed hospital… when Justina Hunkpoyanwa, 25 heard the news of the death of her father, she collapsed but later regain consciousness… the late Baale had many children, he was only the breadwinner of the entire Hunkpoyanwa family… The second wife… also expressed deep sorrow to the unfortunate incident.”(Family of Slain Makoko Chief lament Ordeal, The Vanguard, July 8,2012 ). The first expression that catches our attention is “the demolition…was put on halt,” particularly the aspect put on halt. All the three words here (put on halt) are familiar words of English, but the collocation rings slightly unfamiliar....

A man flying from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney will face serious charges after allegedly attempting to open the plane's emergency door several times during the flight. The 46-year-old Jordanian man is accused of trying to open the rear emergency exit door mid-flight on Saturday evening. The dangerous alleged act sparked immediate concern from crew and passengers and the man was escorted back to a seat in the middle of the plane. However, the 46-year-old allegedly made a second attempt to open the middle emergency exit door. He was restrained by crew members and passengers with one worker allegedly assaulted in the process. Australian Federal Police arrested the man once the plane landed safely in Sydney. It is unclear which airline was affected by the incident. More to come... Read more

'Enjoy Sports Toto in good health with various Proto winning types!' Sports Toto Korea, a trustee of Sports Toto, a sports promotion voting ticket issued by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, said that Sports Toto can be enjoyed more soundly through various types of prototype winning ceremonies that can be purchased in small amounts. The biggest advantage of the prototype match is that anyone can easily participate even with a small amount of money. Combination games that predict multiple games can be purchased from at least 100 won, and you can predict the result by selecting two or more games. For customers who are not familiar with complex combinations of two or more games or want easier use, there is also a type of 'one game purchase' that predicts only one game. This type can be purchased from 1,000 won. It has the advantage that users who are new to Sports Toto can access it without burden. In addi...

As more Nigerians embrace the benefits of physical activity and fitness regimens, senior healthcare professionals have warned against abusing exercise and overexerting the body. The experts urged fitness enthusiasts to adopt moderate training routines for long-term health and wellness, noting that excessive workouts could lead to severe health complications, including sudden collapse and, in extreme cases, death. They also advised individuals to seek professional guidance to determine appropriate fitness plans instead of self-prescribing intense workout routines. Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise, a Professor of Physiotherapy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Rufus Adedoyin, said while regular physical activity is essential for optimal health, it must be approached with caution. He noted that overexercising could result in injuries, muscle strains, frustration and, in rare instances, fatalities. “Exercise can be abused just li...

Dermatologists have warned that individuals who use skin-bleaching products may experience delayed wound healing, increasing their risk of infections and other health complications. The experts noted that bleaching creams and soaps often contain harsh chemicals such as hydroquinone, potent steroids, and mercury, which can cause skin thinning, irritation, and long-term damage. Speaking exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe, said the chemicals in these products impair the skin’s ability to heal from injuries. According to her, bleaching creams, especially those containing steroids, thin the skin, making it fragile and slow to recover from cuts or injuries. “Yes, they can make it much harder for the skin to heal properly. The skin loses some of its natural strength, and wounds take longer to close. Hydroquinone also affects melanin...

Medical experts have said no hospital or doctor deliberately rejects patients but rather refers them to specialist hospitals if their cases exceed the capacity of the facility. The clarification follows a recent outcry by a man, Akinbosola Folajimi, who alleged that a hospital refused to treat his pregnant wife, Kemi, despite being in visible distress. In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians emphasised that referring a patient should not be misconstrued as rejection or refusal to provide treatment. The health experts also advised Nigerians to seek medical attention early to ensure timely and adequate care, noting that early presentation increases the chances of survival, especially in cases where referrals are necessary, thereby helping to prevent avoidable health emergencies. They urged Nigerians to enrol in health insurance plans, stating that doing so would help prevent cases of referral due to an inability to pay medical bills. ...

The situation surrounding the extreme choice of the late Kim Woong-seo, a health YouTuber and a franchise entrepreneur with 120,000 subscribers, is shocking. SBS 'I Want to Know It', which aired on the 5th, dealt with questions related to Kim's death, and the released transcripts and interviews with officials further raised the repercussions. Kim Woong-seo was found dead in February at the age of 38. At first, Hong Joo-young (pseudonym), a former cohabitant, said 'accident' and Kim's agency said 'heart attack', but during the funeral, a suicide note was posted on a YouTube channel and deleted in just four minutes, sparking numerous suspicions. In particular, Kim's mobile phone had more than 1,700 voice files he recorded himself while he was alive, and 430 of them were calls with Hong. Some of them were disclosed, adding to the shock that Hong seemed to plan the death of the deceased himself. In the r...

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for greater private sector participation in ongoing healthcare reforms, stressing the government cannot singlehandedly shoulder the burden of transforming the nation’s health system. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing critical deficits in the health sector through strategic partnerships and investments. Speaking on Saturday during the commissioning of the newly completed Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre in Sagamu, Ogun State, the Vice President described the facility as a critical addition to Nigeria’s emergency care infrastructure and a symbol of the administration’s resolve to prioritize healthcare delivery. Shettima revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a “comprehensive Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, including the creation of over 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres across the country and the upgrade of existing tertiary institutions to handle trauma, oncol...