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More than a million to be prescribed weight loss drug to prevent heart attacks and strokes
More than a million people with heart disease will be prescribed a weight loss jab to prevent them from having heart attacks or strokes.

The NHS's spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has approved giving semaglutide to overweight and obese patients living with certain heart and circulatory conditions to cut their risk of a major cardiovascular event.

The weekly jab, sold under the brand name Wegovy, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist – a type of drug that encourages weight loss by slowing down how quickly food is digested.

NICE said clinical trials have also indicated the drug works directly on the heart and blood vessels – and it expects that 1.2 million people across England could benefit.

Guidance says the treatment can be used by patients with a body mass index (BMI) score of 27 and above in addition to other medicines, such as statins, and alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise.

Treatment available 'within months'

Semaglutide is already available on the NHS in England as a treatment option for people with obesity and, under the name Ozempic, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Evidence from a clinical trial shows the injection reduces the risk of a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.

NICE said the study suggests the benefit was seen even before patients lost a significant amount of weight, suggesting the drug works on the heart and blood vessels.

Among the 17,604 people who took part in the study, there was a 20% reduced risk of a major heart event.

NICE said its evaluation shows the treatment is "cost-effective" for NHS use, with officials saying the treatment would be available on the health service "within months".

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"We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke are living with real fear that it could happen again," said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE.

"The evidence from the clinical trial is compelling. It showed that people taking semaglutide alongside their existing heart medicines were significantly less likely to have another heart attack or stroke."

Helen Williams, national clinical director for cardiovascular disease prevention at NHS England, said the treatment "could be life-changing".

"We know that people who have already had a heart attack or stroke face a much higher risk of having another," she said.

"Used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise, semaglutide could help prevent thousands of future major cardiovascular events and give many people the chance at a longer and healthier life."


Man charged after car hit pedestrians in Derby city centre
A man has been charged after a car mounted the pavement and hit pedestrians in Derby city centre on Saturday evening.

Seven people were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, after they were struck by a black Suzuki Swift outside a pub in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday.

Sandhu Ponnachan, 36, from the Alvaston area of the city, has been charged with six counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of possession of a bladed article.

Derbyshire Police said in a statement that he was arrested shortly after the collision, adding he is originally from India but has been in the UK for several years.

Ponnachan has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Seven people – aged between 36 and 52 – were hurt in the crash.

Four of them were taken to hospital and have since been discharged, police said.

Their injuries have been described by police as not life-threatening.

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Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said she hopes the charge "brings a degree of reassurance" but appealed for help as the investigation continues.

"This incident has, naturally, sent shockwaves through the community of Derby and the county as a whole," she said.

"My thoughts, and those of the wider force, remain with each of the seven injured people, their families, and witnesses at the scene.

"While today's charge is positive news and one that I hope brings a degree of reassurance, the investigation into the incident continues, and I would once again appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward," she said in a statement.


Tiger Woods 'stepping away for treatment' after not guilty plea
Tiger Woods has said he is "stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment" after being charged with driving under the influence.

The US golf legend released a statement on social media after pleading not guilty earlier on Tuesday.

He was charged after he attempted to overtake a truck at "high speeds" and rolled the Land Rover he was driving in Florida on Friday.

His statement in full:

Woods said: "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today.

"I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.

"This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally.

"I appreciate your understanding and support and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."

Woods 'slow and lethargic' after crash

The golfer's not-guilty plea was confirmed in court documents in Martin County, Florida, as details of his arrest were released in a sheriff's report.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office incident report said Woods had hydrocodone pills – used to treat pain – in his pocket and bloodshot eyes at the scene of his crash.

It described Woods' movements as slow and lethargic when speaking to deputies at the scene.

The report also said Woods, 50, appeared to be sweating as he spoke to deputies, his eyes looked glassy, and his pupils were dilated.

When asked by a deputy if he took any prescription medications, Woods said: "I take a few."

The 15-time major winner also told deputies he had taken prescription drugs earlier that morning.

Woods said he had been looking at his phone and fiddling with the radio before he clipped the truck in front of him, the report said.

The crash occurred on a beachside, residential road in Jupiter Island when the Land Rover clipped the truck and rolled onto its side, the sheriff's office said.

Woods and the other driver did not report any injuries.

The golfer agreed to a breathalyser test that showed no signs of alcohol but refused a urine test, authorities said.

During a field sobriety test, deputies noticed Woods limping, and he had a compression sock over his right knee. He explained he'd had seven back surgeries and over 20 leg operations and that his ankle seizes up when walking.

'Normal faculties were impaired'

The golfer was hiccupping during the questioning and continuously moved his head during one of the sobriety tests.

Deputies had to instruct him several times to keep his head straight, the report said.

"Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed that Woods' normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle," the deputy wrote.

Woods was arrested and released on bail eight hours later.

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Woods was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

The truck, which was towing a pressure cleaner trailer, sustained $5,000 in damage, the sheriff's report said.

Woods has been involved in other crashes over the years, with the most recent taking place in February 2021, leaving him with serious leg and ankle injuries.

Woods is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on 23 April.

The PGA said he has its "full support" as he steps away from the public eye, describing him as a "legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course".

"But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well-being," it added.


BBC apologises for response after Scott Mills allegations raised last year
The BBC has apologised for its response after allegations about Scott Mills were raised with the broadcaster last year.

The Radio 2 star had his contract terminated at the weekend, with the corporation initially saying he was dismissed due to claims over his "personal conduct".

On Tuesday, it emerged Mills was investigated over allegations of "serious sexual offences" against a boy who was aged under 16.

The BBC has now issued a statement after the Telegraph reported the broadcaster knew of separate allegations against Mills almost a year ago but failed to investigate.

According to the newspaper, a freelance journalist contacted the BBC in May 2025 to say she had received information about alleged "inappropriate communications" involving Mills and asked whether the broadcaster was "ever aware of or involved in any related matters".

The BBC was also asked by the journalist whether it had ever received any "formal or informal complaints" about Mills "relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment" and whether it had ever conducted an internal investigation into him, The Telegraph said.

It added that she did not receive a response.

In a statement to Sky News, the BBC said: "We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.

"More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us."

The Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday it had launched an investigation in December 2016 "following a referral from another police force" relating to "allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy".

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

"As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018," the Met added.

It said the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately decided "the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges" and the case was closed in May 2019.

The charity Neuroblastoma UK said it had cut ties with Mills and that he was no longer a patron for the organisation.

Mills, who has not yet commented on his sacking, was taken off air by the BBC last Tuesday.

The 53-year-old signed off that show saying "back tomorrow" - but Gary Davies presented Wednesday's show.

Mills took over from Zoe Ball on Radio 2's breakfast show in 2025 after a long career at the BBC and regional radio. He was paid between £355,000 and £359,999.


Trump voices outrage after judge orders halt to White House ballroom project
Donald Trump has voiced outrage after a judge ordered a halt to the construction of his $400m ballroom at the White House.

US District Judge Richard Leon granted a preservationist group's request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts the construction project on the site where the East Wing of the White House was demolished.

The legal action was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to obtain an order to pause construction until the plan has undergone independent reviews and obtained congressional approval.

The judge wrote: "I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.

"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!"

The judge suspended enforcement of his order for 14 days, acknowledging that the case "raises novel and weighty issues, that halting an ongoing construction project may raise logistical issues".

In response, Mr Trump branded the National Trust for Historic Preservation "a radical left group of lunatics whose funding was stopped by Congress in 2005".

He added that the group "sues me for a ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the taxpayer, and will be the finest building of its kind anywhere in the world".

The major construction project has been funded by private donors, including Mr Trump himself.

The 90,000sq ft ballroom will be able to hold 999 people, Mr Trump has said.

The US president proceeded with the project before seeking input from federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. He has stacked both commissions with allies.

Mr Trump has championed the ballroom as a defining addition to the White House and part of his presidential legacy.

He has declared it will be the "finest" ballroom in the country.

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The National Trust first sued Trump and several federal agencies in December after the administration demolished the East Wing, which was originally constructed in 1902 and expanded four decades later under Franklin Roosevelt.

The group has argued that the president and the National Park Service do not have the authority to tear down the historic structure or build another without the approval of Congress.

The group launched another legal bid on 26 February. This was rejected by Judge Leon, who said the group had based its challenge on a "ragtag group" of legal theories and would have a better chance of success if it amended the lawsuit, which it did.

The Trump administration has said the ballroom will modernise infrastructure, improve security and ease strain on the
Executive Mansion, which often relies on temporary outdoor structures to host large events.

Its lawyers have argued that other presidents have not required congressional approval for other renovation projects.

"Many of those projects were highly controversial in their time yet have since become accepted - even beloved - parts of the White House," government attorneys wrote.

Construction was due to start in April.

Judge Leon said it was likely the administration would appeal the decision.

If the construction of the ballroom goes ahead, it would mark the most significant change to the White House since Harry S Truman added a balcony to the south side of the mansion.

Mr Trump has embarked on a push to revamp Washington's monuments, including plans for a 76m (250ft) arch and major renovations on the Kennedy Centre.


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