UK safari park announces the birth of three lion cubs
The cubs arrived in April to 12-year-old Amber, and have just had their first health checks, confirming two males and a female.
West Midlands Safari Park's veterinary team and keepers have named them Nero, Nox, and Nancy.
The next steps for the cubs will be an introduction to the outside world, with the keepers allowing them access to an outdoor area, next to the lion house.
Just like a domestic cat, the lion cubs will need their second lot of injections and another health check before they are allowed to venture into the great outdoors to meet guests.
The birth of the cubs is significant as lions are classed as 'vulnerable' in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
The lion cubs' arrival follows a recent baby boom at the park, including three Sumatran tiger cubs, an Indian rhino calf, two blesbok calves, and a barasingha fawn.
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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Chilling rise of TikTokkers peddling dangerous ‘cures' for cancer & other deadly illnesses in sick bid to gain followers
It comes after wellness warrior Belle Gibson was exposed as a fraud who lied about her battle with cancer WHAT THE TOK? Chilling rise of TikTokkers peddling dangerous 'cures' for cancer & other deadly illnesses in sick bid to gain followers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) INFLUENCERS are peddling animal dewormer and other dangerous alternative medicines as "cures" for deadly illnesses like cancer in a sick bid to gain followers. Experts have slammed the tips given out on social media as "scary" and dangerous, warning people not to blindly follow influencers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 TikTok has deleted many of the videos flagged by The Sun 10 Some influencers are peddling dog dewormer as a cancer cure 10 Experts have said such videos can be dangerous Many people have tried out the bizarre "hacks", such as the "migraine meal" of drinking coke and eating McDonald's chips that went viral recently. But some TikTokkers are claiming to fix serious and life-threatening illnesses with a quick and easy "magic potion" you can whip up at home. Videos seen by The Sun have influencers confidentially telling their followers that taking dewormer for dogs or horses - which is harmful to humans - gets rid of cancer. Others posted recipes for homemade herbal teas, such as soursop tea, saying that they drank it every day for two weeks and it cured various diseases. Many influencers promote supplements that contain the ancient Indian herb ashwagandha - also saying it helps cure anxiety and a poor sex drive. Hundreds of social media users flocked to the comments sections, begging for more information, with experts worried many people will take such advice as gospel. Cancer sufferers are even among the commenters asking for recipes and recommendations to fight their deadly disease. When The Sun contacted TikTok about the videos peddling alternative cancer cures, those that we flagged were removed. VIRAL DOESN'T MEAN VALID Michael Baah, who is a cancer rehab coach, said it is "scary" people are relying on TikTok and social media for health advice. He explained: "The health advice I see on TikTok lately is wild. One minute it's 'walk 10k steps,' the next it's 'eat pickles to cure cancer' or 'bite a lemon to stop anxiety.' "And the scary part? People are actually giving it a go. "I coach cancer rehab clients every week, and I always tell them, if you're considering any supplement or remedy, speak to your consultant first. "Your health isn't a trend, and it shouldn't be treated like one. "Some of these so-called cures like dog dewormer, fermented pickles, or herbal teas are dangerous when taken seriously. Your health isn't a trend, and it shouldn't be treated like one. Michael Baah, cancer rehab coach "Just because something is 'natural' doesn't mean it's harmless, and just because it went viral doesn't make it valid. "If anything, it shows how easy it is to spread false hope to vulnerable people." Often, the TikTok videos point to the online shop in the app where people can buy the supplements mentioned. This advice - mostly from people without any medical knowledge - could lead to patients turning away from vital treatment. 10 Mental health cures are also being peddled 10 tiktokers-cancer-cures-sipplied-via-1004321750 10 A post claiming horse dewormer can cure cancer 10 Some videos claim fruit is better than chemo Other herbs or supplements could also interfere with any ongoing cancer treatment. Cancer UK warns: "One of the biggest risks of seeking alternative therapy is postponing or declining evidence-based conventional treatment, which might otherwise prolong or even save a patient's life." Gen Z particularly vulnerable New research from City St George's, University of London, recently found that 81 per cent of cancer cures touted by content creators on TikTok are fake. It also found that Gen Z is particularly vulnerable to cancer misinformation, as TikTok is used as a search engine and is a key means of accessing health information for this demographic. TikTok told The Sun that the study had a small sample size and only represented a tiny percentage of the content on the app. It said it takes steps to counter misinformation - which is a problem across all social media, not just the video-based platform. If anxiety could be cured by Skittles or cold drinks, mental health professionals would be out of business. Michael Baah It's not just cancer cures being promoted online, but for a range of both physical and mental illnesses. Anxiety sufferers are told to eat an orange while in the shower. Influencers confidently tell those suffering from the mental illness to bite into a lemon or eat sour skittles or sour patch kids to shock their system out of a panic attack. Others said to eat ice, have a cold drink or an ice bath along a similar vein. Some even claimed that eating fermented pickles also helps. TikTok health advice: What to look out for Check credentials Do they have any relevant qualifications? Are they a certified trainer, registered dietitian, or licensed professional in their field? Real experts will usually highlight their credentials clearly, signposting where they qualified from Do your own research Verify the information they share -don't blindly follow their advice. Look for scientific evidence or expert opinions backing up their claims - there are many health studies online. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Keep and eye out for red flags Be wary if they are promoting extreme products, quick fixes, or other unrealistic hacks. Don't trust overly sensationalised or extreme claims. Are they signposting you to a shop online or a service? They could be benefiting financially from this. Michael added: "Things like eating ice or biting lemons are just sensory distractions. "They might offer a few seconds of relief, but they don't address the root of what someone's feeling. "If anxiety could be cured by Skittles or cold drinks, mental health professionals would be out of business. "As a professional, I think it's important we stick to what's proven: science-backed strategies, structured support, and good old-fashioned common sense. "That's what gets results. Not trending audio and a camera filter. It's spreading misinformation "The bigger issue is how polished and convincing these videos look. "It's easy to get sucked in. But behind the editing and engagement, there's usually no evidence, no credentials, and no real accountability. "So yes, enjoy your orange in the shower if it gives you a lift, but don't confuse that with a treatment plan. "Real health takes consistency, not gimmicks." Dr Kirstie Fleetwood-Meade, who specialises in anxiety, agreed. Many TikTok 'anxiety cures' oversimplify a complex mental health problem Dr Kirstie Fleetwood-Meade, anxiety specialist She told The Sun: "Some people may find regular cold exposure (ice baths or cold showers) are a helpful way to reduce anxiety, alongside input from a qualified health professional, as it can help to regulate the nervous system. "Many TikTok 'anxiety cures' oversimplify a complex mental health problem, misleading people into thinking quick fixes are effective treatments. "This can delay seeking proper care and invalidate real struggles of people who live with anxiety every day. "Because these 'health' influencers often lack professional credentials, they can spread misinformation widely without accountability, and sometimes encourage risky or harmful behaviours." TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are flooded with self-proclaimed "wellness experts" confidently informing their followers of their "credentials". Research published in 2023 discovered that 84 per cent of mental health advice on TikTok is misleading, with 14 per cent of videos containing content that could be harmful. It has been found that "personal narratives are often prioritised over research-backed content". A TikTok spokesperson said: "TikTok is a place where people can share their personal medical treatment experiences and build supportive communities. "We proactively provide trusted health information in-app from the World Health Organisation, partner with independent fact-checkers to verify content, and rigorously enforce policies— to remove any content which breaches this policy." They said that their Community Guidelines ban health misinformation that may cause significant harm and they remove this content from the platform when they find it. Some professionals are beginning to adopt the influencer style of content online - further blurring the lines and making it confusing about who to trust. 10 A federal court ordered Belle Gibson to pay a $410,000 fine plus $30,000 in legal costs for misleading and deceptive conduct - a fine she hasn't paid Credit: AP 10 Belle Gibson arrives at the Federal Court in Melbourne, Australia, June 20, 2019 Credit: AP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR One expert pointed to the case of Australian influencer Belle Gibson, who was the subject of Netflix documentary "Apple Cider Vinegar" last year. The wellness warrior pretended to have brain cancer, and falsely told her thousands of followers she had cured herself through alternative therapies and nutrition. She gained a huge following online in 2013 after blogging about her "battle with cancer". Gibson amassed 200,000 followers on Instagram when it was still a new social media platform - a large number back then. CANCER CON I was diagnosed with cancer at 19 and then was scammed by con artist Belle Gibson who said she could cure it By Leanne Hall Belle Gibson is the latest fraudster to have a TV show made on how she swindled people out of money by pretending healthy eating and green juices cured her brain cancer. However, it soon became clear that Belle's natural remedies didn't work and that she never even had cancer to begin with. Starting as a blogger in 2009, Belle claimed she was diagnosed with "malignant brain cancer" and given "six to eight months" to live. However, Belle said she had chosen to withdraw from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, and instead embarked on "a quest to heal myself naturally… through nutrition, patience, determination and love". With 200,000 followers on Instagram at the time, many of whom were cancer patients, she conned them into thinking she had found a cure. And one of those was fellow Aussie Bella Johnston. At the age of 19, Bella was diagnosed with a paraganglioma, a rare endocrine tumour, in 2009 and was surrounded by older people in the hospital leaving her feeling isolated. So when she found Belle's social media and saw she was roughly the same age and battling cancer too, she was hooked. Bella saw that the influencer had claimed to manage the disease with diet, exercise and alternative medicine and as a result, Bella wanted to follow in her footsteps. But unbeknownst to Bella, the cancer survivor she looked up to was a con artist who had never had the disease. She then released "The Whole Pantry", a health and wellness app. The fraudster claimed doctors told her she only has "six weeks, four months tops" to live - drawing in thousands of sympathetic followers. From there, she also published a cookbook and raked in $400,000 Australian dollars, pledging to donate a share to charity. In 2015, Gibson was exposed by journalists as a fraudster who lied about her medical records and diagnosis. A federal court ordered her to pay a $410,000 fine plus $30,000 in legal costs for misleading and deceptive conduct - a fine she hasn't paid. Her money-grabbing lies went on to inspire many documentaries. What's worse is that she is only one of a growing list of young, attractive and seemingly inspirational women who fake serious illnesses to make money. Sometimes the families themselves are in on the lie - as with the case of British teenager Megan Bhari. Not only were donors conned out of around £400,000, but they duped celebrities including Louis Tomlinson, Taylor Swift, even winning an award from Prime Minister David Cameron. Aged 15, her mother Jean told friends that her daughter - who already suffered from a disease causing a build-up of pressure on the brain - had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. They started a charity, Believe in Magic, a 'Make-a-Wish'-style organisation to bring hope to seriously ill children. Jean herself posted regular updates about her daughter's hospital visits - at one point even raising £120,000 in 48 hours for emergency treatment in the US, saying Megan's tumour had worsened. She even once claimed that Megan had severe sepsis and that doctors had given her only a 10 per cent chance of surviving the next week - but it was all a lie. An inquest later recorded she died of heart failure related to a fatty liver but there was no mention of a tumour on her medical records. The Charity Commission later launched an investigation into Believe in Magic before freezing its accounts following "multiple complaints." Her charity was dissolved after a probe found nearly £400,000 missing from its books. Police did investigate the complaints but said that there was insufficient evidence to take the matter any further. Do you know more? Email 10 The story of the world's most devious con-woman Belle Gibson and how her fraudulent business was finally uncovered was made into a Netflix series
Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Evening Standard
Families of Air India crash victims facing ‘pain and frustration' over delays
'I understand how frustrating it is for families who have not yet been able to lay their loved ones to rest, and I recognise the pain and frustration that this has caused. The Indian authorities are working around the clock with UK support to be able to do this.'
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
NHS pays tribute to 'dedicated' doctor and family who died in plane crash
Dr Prateek Joshi was flying back to the UK with his wife Komi Vyas and their three children on the doomed Air India plane after they planned to settle down in the East Midlands In an emotional tribute University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) and the NHS have shared their "deep sadness" following the tragic death of Dr Prateek Joshi and his family in the Air India plane crash this week. There were among the 242 passengers and crew on board, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Brits, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. Harrowing stories of the dead continued to emerge on Friday - including more tributes for Dr Joshi and his family who posted a selfie of them innocently smiling after boarding the Boeing 787 plane before it took off. Dr Joshi, 43, worked as a consultant radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton for four years, after moving to Derby from India in 2021. He was flying back to the UK with his wife Komi Vyas – a fellow doctor - their daughter Miraya, eight, and twin sons, Pradyut and Nakul, five, who planned to settle down in the East Midlands. The NHS has released a new tribute to the doctor and his family on Friday. Dr Rajeev Singh, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director for Imaging at UHDB, who knew the family well has shared some words which truly capture the person Prateek was. Dr Singh said: "Prateek was full of joy, he was a wonderful man, friend, husband and father, and an exceptional Radiologist who was highly respected in his field. He approached everything with a smile, radiated positivity and had a great sense of humour. "He moved to Derby, from India, in 2021, quickly becoming a beloved colleague. He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District. "He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many. "It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way. His passing has left a profound void, not only in his professional contributions but in the warmth and spirit that he gave to the world every day." Royal Derby Hospital described Dr Joshi as 'not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team'. Stephen Posey, Chief Executive, added: "We are profoundly and deeply saddened at the loss of our dedicated and talented colleague, Dr Prateek Joshi and his family. Prateek was not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team. "We are privileged that Prateek chose to give his skills, talent and knowledge to the NHS, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him." The NHS statement concluded: "Our thoughts are with Dr Joshi's family, friends and colleagues, and everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy, which is being felt across the world and within our local communities."
