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With flu season arriving early and NHS leaders encouraging people with symptoms to wear masks in public, a question arises: do masks actually work against the flu?

The short answer is that the evidence remains surprisingly weak. Studies conducted before the COVID pandemic generally found that masks made little to no difference in the spread of flu in everyday settings. There is little reason to think this has changed, although the COVID pandemic has taught us more about when masks can be helpful in reducing the spread of respiratory diseases.

This matters because flu cases began rising earlier than usual this year and are higher than we would normally expect at this point in the season.

While the number of people being admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of flu is still at moderate levels, the number of daily admissions is increasing. There are real concerns that we are heading towards an especially bad winter. This year, Australia suffered its worst flu season in at least 20 years.

The main flu strain currently circulating in the UK is a type of influenza A known as H3N2–subclade K. This strain probably appeared first in the US, from where it has spread globally, extending the flu season in Australia and New Zealand and causing the early start of the flu season in Europe.

In real-world studies, N95 masks perform no better than surgical masks (AFP via Getty)

Crucially, this strain is quite different from the one used in this year’s vaccine. This means the vaccine may be less effective at preventing infection, although it should still help protect against severe illness.

Against this backdrop, Daniel Elkeles, the chief executive of NHS Providers, told Times Radio that if you’re coughing and sneezing “then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport, to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else”.

The government guidance is less forthright, with a government spokesperson stating that people should consider wearing a mask in such circumstances, not that they must wear one.

Before the COVID pandemic, there had been several studies investigating the benefits of face coverings for respiratory viruses, including influenza. The most thorough of those reviews concluded that overall, masks made little or no difference to the spread of flu, either in the home or in public places.

They also concluded that N95 masks (tight-fitting, high-filtration masks) were no better than surgical masks in everyday settings. However, the authors were only able to identify a single low-quality study to support this finding.

In a review my colleagues and I conducted on the effectiveness of masks on the spread of respiratory infections prior to COVID, we found a similar poor effect overall. But individual studies in the review often gave very different results from each other.

Weaker studies were more likely to suggest masks work

Some studies suggested a strong protective effect, while others showed greater infection risk when people wore masks. Better-quality studies, such as randomised trials, generally found little or no benefit. In contrast, weaker study designs were more likely to suggest that masks worked.

The COVID pandemic added new evidence. The most robust recent review of masks and COVID in the community concluded that mask wearing was associated with a reduced risk of COVID transmission outside of healthcare settings. There was insufficient evidence to comment on the relative effectiveness of N95 respirator masks compared to standard surgical masks in public spaces, but in hospitals the balance of evidence was that there was little difference between the two types of mask.

About the author

Paul Hunter is a Professor of Medicine at the University of East Anglia.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

These real-world studies contrast sharply with laboratory studies, which have generally found masks to be highly effective at reducing the amount of virus people release into the air and showing that properly fitted N95 masks are more effective than surgical masks for COVID and flu.

In the flu study, the researchers reported that a properly fitted N95 mask reduced the amount of flu virus released into the air by more than 94%. However, a poorly fitting N95 mask performed no better than an ordinary surgical mask – a crucial finding that suggests the gap between laboratory and real-world effectiveness may come down to how people actually wear masks.

The COVID lesson

Some of the most convincing evidence for the effectiveness of masks at preventing COVID was the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) COVID infection survey. In this survey, up to 150,000 people were screened every two weeks for the virus, whether or not they had symptoms. For part of the time, the survey also collected data on mask-wearing.

My colleagues and I analysed data from the ONS survey and concluded that, in adults, always wearing a mask at work or in enclosed spaces – or both – was associated with about a 20% reduction in the risk of catching COVID during the time the delta variant was the dominant strain of the virus. But after the appearance of the omicron variant, there was little if any reduced risk in mask wearers.

In children, mask wearing was associated with less of a reduction in risk of testing positive for COVID, and during the omicron period there was even a small increased risk.

Evidence for the value of masks for flu remains less clear, suggesting little if any benefit. Nevertheless, I would still encourage people who are at risk of severe disease if they catch the flu to wear a mask in crowded indoor environments – especially if they have not yet received the vaccine.

If someone is ill with the flu, it is best that they stay at home. If they have to go out into crowded indoor environments, then I would also encourage them to wear a mask. I would not encourage mask wearing in children, given the lack of clear benefit and potential for improper use.

For most people, the overall evidence does not support routine mask wearing. I would also not encourage the general public to wear N95 masks because these masks need to be properly fitted for them to be effective. Nevertheless, wearing a mask is a personal decision, and people should be free to decide on what makes them feel most comfortable.

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December 9, 2025  Junior Achievement (JA) Africa successfully concluded the 15th edition of the JA Africa COY Competition, held from December 3–5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. Bringing together Africa’s brightest young entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business solutions aligned with the theme “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” The continental finals convened student companies from across Africa who had progressed through national JA Company Program competitions to compete across six innovation tracks: Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Media & Creation, Renewable Energy and Circular Economy & Sustainability.

Following three days of dynamic pitching, mentorship engagement, exhibitions, and rigorous judging, Nigeria’s Smartgenix was crowned the overall Company of the Year 2025 for demonstrating exceptional innovation, execution strength, and high-impact potential. Mauritius’ Plantura claimed Second Place, while Uganda’s Renewablock secured Third Place, rounding out the podium with solutions focused on sustainability and inclusive development. As the continental champion, Smartgenix will proceed to represent Africa at the global finals of the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, where it will compete against winning teams from other regions for a grand prize of US $15,000.

Additional recognitions were distributed among other deserving teams, thanks to the generous support of various sponsors, including FedEx, PMIEF, FirstBank Nigeria, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Kuda Microfinance Bank, Boeing, and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Summary of Signature Award Winners:

• FedEx Global Possibilities Award: XeroLabs, Ghana
• PMIEF Best Application of Project Management Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, Eswatini
• FirstBank Nigeria CEO Entrepreneurship Award: Plantura, Mauritius

Summary of Branded Award Winners:

• Delta Air Lines Girls LEAD! Award: 16 girls awarded: Matse Takitsi, Fakudze Temantolo Siphesihle, Dlamini Gcinile Lenhle, Dhristi Gooroochurn, Ameydee Shalinee Chocken, Yezhilly Gopaulen, Lashna Gungabissoon, Ihimbazwe Niyikora Kevine, Uwayo Ange Kevine, Abarurema Hirwa Emma Reponse, Kendy Neilla Gisa, Atuhaire Gabriella Kusiima, Comfort Musukuma, Grace Chilinda, Ndanji Nanyangwe, and Wana Sanyikosa
• Bank of America Best Financial Performance Award: Renewablock, Uganda
• Kuda Young Entrepreneurs Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, Eswatini
• Boeing Sustainable Innovation Award: XeroLabs, Ghana
• Entrepreneurs’ Organizations Rising Leader Award: Ameydee Chocken, CEO of Plantura, Mauritius

Reflecting on the success of COY 2025, Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, said,

“The creativity, courage, and solution-driven mindset we witnessed at COY 2025 remind us why Africa’s youth are our greatest asset. Through entrepreneurship education, we are not just preparing young people for the future of work; we are empowering them to lead climate action, create jobs, and build resilient communities across the continent.”

The competition concluded with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening held on December 5 in Abuja under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Youth Dividend: Radical Pathways for Inclusive Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Systems.” The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, educators, private sector leaders, philanthropic institutions, and development partners to catalyze strategic collaborations aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education, expanding skills pathways, and scaling youth employment systems across Africa.

COY is anchored in the JA Company Program, which equips young people aged 14–17 with hands-on experience in business creation, financial management, teamwork, leadership, and venture pitching. As youth unemployment continues to pose a major development challenge across the continent, programs such as COY remain essential in bridging education to enterprise creation, equipping young people not only to seek employment but to become job creators and innovators within their communities. Alumni of the program across Africa have gone on to establish registered businesses, secure international scholarships and fellowships, and lead social and technology ventures.

The 15th edition of the JA Africa COY was made possible through the generous support of its partners:

• Headline Sponsors: FedEx, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), and FirstBank Nigeria
• Platinum Sponsors: Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, and Kuda Microfinance Bank
• Gold Sponsors: Boeing and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
• Media Partner: What Media Group.

JA Africa

Junior Achievement (JA) Africa is one of the largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs on the continent, reaching over 1.5 million young people annually across 23 countries. Through hands-on learning experiences in entrepreneurship, work readiness, financial literacy, and STEM education, JA Africa equips young people with the skills and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. JA Africa’s mission is to prepare and inspire Africa’s youth to become ethical leaders, job creators, and agents of change who drive sustainable development across the continent.

FedEx Corp

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. With annual revenue of $89 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions utilizing its flexible, efficient, and intelligent global network. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. 

PMIEF (Project Management Institute Educational Foundation)

For 35 years, PMIEF has helped put youth on the path to success by incorporating project management skills into their daily lives. Our goal is to forge partnerships with nonprofit organizations that support and prepare youth for success by offering project management expertise, resources, and volunteers to aid them in making their dreams a reality.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is a major United States airline headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operating nine hubs, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport serving as its largest. Together with its regional subsidiaries under the Delta Connection brand, the airline operates more than 5,400 flights daily and serves 325 destinations in 52 countries across six continents. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, expanding its global network, and is the second‑oldest operating commercial airline in the U.S. The airline ranks first globally in revenue and brand value among major airlines and consistently leads industry performance rankings, including The Wall Street Journal’s 2022–2024 airline rankings and Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Airlines in the U.S.

Delta Air Lines is committed to empowering young people around the world through education and global citizenship programs. Its long-standing partnership with JA Africa expands access to STEM learning, leadership development, and real-world career exposure for Africa’s youth. 

First Bank Nigeria
FirstBank of Nigeria Limited is the premier commercial bank in Nigeria, with a history of over 130 years of providing dependable and reliable financial services. As a leading financial services provider in Sub-Saharan Africa, FirstBank has consistently supported inclusive economic development by enabling individuals, businesses, and communities to achieve their financial goals. It offers a comprehensive range of retail and corporate banking services, backed by an extensive network of branches and digital channels that ensure seamless banking experiences for millions of customers across Africa and beyond. FirstBank is a member of the FBN Holdings Plc group. www.firstbanknigeria.com/

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services.

Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Visit BofA Fast Facts for more information about the company.

Kuda Microfinance Bank

Kuda Microfinance Bank is a CBN-licensed subsidiary of Kuda Technologies, a fintech company on a mission to make financial services accessible, affordable, and rewarding for every African on the planet.
Founded in 2019 by Babs Ogundeyi and Musty Mustapha, Kuda offers a modern alternative to traditional finance by delivering free money transfers, instant credit, savings tools, and business banking through digital channels.
The company has raised over $90 million from institutional investors, including Valar Ventures and Target Global, and it serves more than 7 million customers across Nigeria. 

Boeing

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.
Boeing’s relationship with the Middle East extends back to 1945. Since then, Boeing has established a number of offices across the region, first in Riyadh in 1982, then a dedicated Boeing Defense, Space and Security office in Abu Dhabi in 1999, a regional headquarters in Dubai in 2005, an office in Doha in 2010, and a new office in Kuwait City in 2021. In addition, Boeing has field service teams across the region and two distribution centers for airplane spare parts in Dubai.

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itel has once again reinforced its leadership with the itel SUPER 26 Ultra winning the prestigious “Best Curved Display and AI-Powered Smartphone of the Year” at the 2025 Nigeria Technology Awards (NiTA).

The awards ceremony organised by Beta Media Group, held on December 6, 2025, at the VirginRose Resort, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together top players in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem to celebrate excellence, creativity, and industry growth.

This recognition highlights the SUPER 26 Ultra’s groundbreaking curved display design and its next-generation AI capabilities, which elevate the smartphone experience across photography, performance, personalisation, and security. As consumer expectations continue to rise, the SUPER 26 Ultra stands out for delivering premium, flagship-level features at an accessible price point, strengthening itel’s position as a trusted technology empowerment brand.

Winning at NiTA is said to align with itel’s strategic ambition to sustain consumer interest, increase brand visibility, and enhance credibility in the market. It also reinforces the brand’s commitment to designing high-quality devices that suit the lifestyle and aspirations of young, dynamic, and value-driven consumers.

Speaking about the achievement, Dolapo Olorun-nimbe, ATL Marketing Manager at itel Mobile Nigeria, expressed excitement and appreciation:

“This award is a testament to itel’s dedication to making cutting-edge technology available to everyone. The SUPER 26 Ultra, with its stunning curved display and intelligent features, reflects our commitment to blending style, innovation, and affordability. We are grateful to consumers who believe in our vision, and this recognition motivates us to keep raising the bar in design and user experience.”

Also reflecting on the milestone, Terngu Simeon Shagba, PR Supervisor at itel Mobile Nigeria, emphasised the significance of the recognition of brand trust and market positioning:

“Winning at NiTA is not just an award for us; it is proof that our efforts to stay ahead in innovation and deliver value-driven smartphones are being acknowledged at the highest level. This achievement strengthens our credibility, energises our brand presence, and reaffirms our promise to help consumers enjoy a better life through technology.”

With this milestone, itel is set to push boundaries within Africa’s tech landscape. The SUPER 26 Ultra represents the brand’s continuous drive to enhance the digital experience for millions through devices that combine top-tier design, intelligent features, and reliability.

On November 13, 2025, the itel SUPER 26 Ultra received the prestigious award for “The Best Curved Display Phone Under ₦260,000 (Top 1 Recommended Curved Display Phone Under ₦260,000)” at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards 2025.

As itel celebrates this major win, the brand remains focused on future-forward innovation and delivering products that empower individuals, connect communities, and accelerate technological advancement across emerging markets as a Tech Empowerment Brand. For itel, the NiTA 2025 award is said to be not just an accolade but a beacon for even greater breakthroughs ahead.

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Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

The winter solstice, a phenomenon revered by ancient civilisations, continues to hold profound significance today as it heralds the official start of winter.

This annual event marks the shortest day of the year, characterised by the fewest hours of daylight, and conversely, the longest night. It is also the precise moment when the sun reaches its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky.

The term “solstice” itself is rooted in Latin, combining “sol,” meaning sun, with “sistere,” which translates to “to come to a stop” or “make stand.”

While the Southern Hemisphere embraces the onset of summer, those residing north of the equator will observe the opposite – the inaugural day of winter. This year, the celestial event is set to occur on Sunday 21 December at 3:03 pm.

Depending on where you are in the UK, the exact length of the day will differ. In London, there will be 7 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds of daylight. That means it is 8 hours and 49 minutes shorter than the June solstice.

While that means that the day is likely to be dark and dreary, the good news is that it also means that the days will get progressively longer, with more hours of daylight until the climax of the summer solstice.

The variation happens because the Earth orbits the sun at an angle of 23.4 degrees on its axis, according to the Royal Museums of Greenwich.

During the warmer periods, the North Pole is tilted towards the sun in the northern hemisphere, meaning longer daylight hours, while the southern hemisphere experiences the opposite. During winter the situation is reversed as the North Pole tilts away from the sun for the northern hemisphere.

People take part in winter solstice celebrations at Stone Henge in December 2023 (PA)

Arriving on the same day across the globe, a solstice occurs when the sun reaches its lowest or highest point in the sky during the year as a result of the Earth’s axis tilting to or away from the sun.

For the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite case, as 21 December marks the one day of the year with the longest period of sunlight.

Historically, the winter solstice has been of great importance to many cultures, such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome, often as a marker for the passing seasons, and a possible time of rebirth.

In northern Europe, from the Faroe Islands to Estonia, Germanic peoples have long celebrated the event, which became known as Yule.

While Yule dates back to the Norse people, who celebrated the sun’s rebirth for 12 days, it was also celebrated by Anglo-Saxon pagans.

According to Pliny the Elder, in Britain, druid priests would mark the important date by gathering mistletoe and sacrificing bulls – which was also likely a practical measure to limit the number of mouths to feed during months of famine.

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If your kitchen is starting to smell faintly of Christmas – nutmeg drifting from somewhere, a stray clementine peel on the counter – but the idea of a full-blown turkey dinner still feels a week (or three) too soon, this is for you. Consider this a festive warm-up lap: all the cosy, wintry flavours you’re craving right now, without the stress, the spreadsheets or the mountain of washing up that comes with the main event.

In this latest instalment of Budget Bites, Christmas takes a detour via Italy. Think turkey meatballs simmered in tomato sauce, golden chicken cacciatore paired with a nostalgic hit of bread sauce, and a rich, glossy orzotto that delivers proper comfort without requiring a carving knife. It’s festive food for December evenings when you want something reassuring and seasonal, but not yet ready to commit to sprouts, pigs in blankets and gravy by the pint.

Budget Bites is the monthly column we launched in collaboration with Sorted Food in response to the cost-of-living crisis – a reminder that cooking well doesn’t have to cost the earth. Every month, we bring you three recipes designed to share ingredients, keeping costs down and making your life easier. Fewer ingredients means less to buy, less to prep and, crucially, less washing up at the end.

To make things even simpler, we‘ve also pulled together one shopping list covering all three dishes, so you can shop once and cook your way through the week. Festive-adjacent, Italian-leaning and firmly budget-conscious, this is December cooking at its most realistic – comforting, flexible and quietly joyful.

Shopping list

• 1 brown onion
• 1 bulb garlic
• 200g wild mushrooms
• 2 red bell peppers
• 30g fresh parsley
• 500g turkey thigh mince
• 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
• 80g hard Italian cheese
• 1L milk
• Olive oil
• Cider vinegar
• 2 beef stock cubes
• Ground allspice
• 100g dried panko breadcrumbs
• Caster sugar
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
• 200g orzo
• 75g coarse dried polenta/coarse cornmeal
• 187ml red wine

Turkey meatballs with polenta and tomato sauce

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Turkey meatballs with polenta feel quietly Christmassy thanks to warm spice, but land firmly in easy midweek territory (Sorted Food)

If you can’t find polenta, swap it out for cheesy mashed potato.

Ingredients:

50g dried panko breadcrumbs

450ml milk

250g turkey thigh mince

½ tsp ground allspice

4 cloves garlic

2 tbsp olive oil

400g tinned chopped tomatoes

1 tsp cider vinegar

½ tsp caster sugar

75g coarse dried polenta/coarse cornmeal

15g fresh parsley

30g hard Italian cheese

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C and line a medium tray with baking paper. This will be for the meatballs later.

2. Tip 50g of breadcrumbs and 75ml of the milk into a large mixing bowl, mix to combine. We will use the rest of the milk later on.

3. Tip 250g of turkey mince into the bowl with the milk and breadcrumbs. Season with ½ tsp of allspice and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix to combine.

4. Shape the mix into 6 even-sized balls with moistened hands and plonk them onto the lined tray. Remember to wash your hands after handling raw meat!

5. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden in places and cooked throughout. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait.

6. Tip the remaining 375ml of milk and a generous pinch of salt into a medium saucepan and place it over a medium-high heat. While the milk comes up to a simmer, get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps.

7. Peel and thinly slice 4 cloves of garlic.

8. Fry the garlic in a medium frying pan over a medium heat in 2 tbsp of olive oil for 2-3 minutes, until golden in places. Crack on with a bit of washing up while you wait.

9. Tip in 1 400g tin of tomatoes. Add 1 tsp of vinegar, 0.5 tsp of sugar and a generous pinch of salt.

10. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until reduced by half. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait.

11. Once the milk on the stove has come to a simmer, slowly stream in 75g of polenta, beating all the while with a whisk.

12. Turn the heat down to very low and continue to cook the grains for 5-8 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the mix slightly dries and has the consistency of loose mashed potato. Add a splash of milk if it starts to get too thick. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait.

13. Finely chop 15g of parsley. While you wait for the rest of the dish to cook, crack on with a bit of washing up!

14. Once the polenta is ready, take the pan off the heat and finely grate over 30g of cheese. Add ¾ of the parsley and fold everything together we will use the rest of the parsley for garnish.

15. Divide the polenta between plates and add the meatballs. Spoon over the tomato sauce, scatter over the parsley and serve.

Cacciatore-style chicken thighs with bread sauce

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This cheat’s chicken cacciatore borrows the nostalgia of bread sauce and pairs it with punchy Italian flavours (Sorted Food)

Sauce chicken cacciatore is a classic Italian dish that usually takes AGES to cook. Whip up this cheat’s version in no time!

Ingredients:

5 tbsp olive oil

4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

1 brown onion

4 cloves garlic

2 red bell peppers

2 tbsp tomato purée

187ml red wine

1 beef stock cube

50g dried panko breadcrumbs

400ml milk

½ tsp ground allspice

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C.

2. Add 2 tbsp of the olive oil to a large, oven-proof frying pan and add 4 chicken thighs, skin-side down. Lightly season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the pan over a medium heat, allow the fat to render from the skin and fry for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait.

3. Prep the onion, garlic and peppers Halve, peel and thinly slice 1 onion and 4 cloves of garlic. Deseed and thinly slice 2 red peppers.

4. Once the chicken thighs are golden, transfer them to a plate. Fry the veg in the residual fat for 6-8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until soft. Crack on with a bit of washing up while you wait.

5. Once the veg is soft, add 2 tbsp of tomato paste. Fry everything for a further 2-3 minutes, until dark and sticky.

6. Whack the heat up to high and tip 187ml of wine into the pan. Reduce by half, stirring all the while.

7. Crumble in a beef stock cube and lay on the thighs, skin side up.

8. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced by half. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait.

9. Tip 50g of breadcrumbs into a medium saucepan. Add 400ml of milk, ½ tsp of allspice, a generous pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper.

10. Place the pan over a high heat and bring everything to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until thickened we are looking for a loose mashed potato-like consistency. Crack on with a bit of washing up while you are waiting for the rest of the dish to cook.

11. Divide the bread sauce between plates and spoon on the chicken cacciatore, making sure to serve 2 thighs on each plate. Tuck in!

Turkey and mushroom orzotto

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Orzotto brings risotto-style comfort with less stirring, making it a smart, budget-friendly December staple (Sorted Food)

If you aren’t feeling turkey, why not swap it out for sausage meat?

Ingredients:

200g wild mushrooms

3 tbsp olive oil

250g turkey thigh mince

200g orzo

1 beef stock cube

15g fresh parsley

50g hard Italian cheese

Method:

1. Rip 200g of wild mushrooms into bite-sized chunks.

2. Tip 2 tbsp of olive oil into a large frying pan and place it over a high heat.

3. Once the oil starts to shimmer and loosen, add the mushrooms and 250g of turkey mince. Fry for 6-8 minutes, until golden in places.

4. Add 200g of orzo to the pan and toss to coat it in the oil.

5. Crumble over 1 beef stock cube and add 700ml of water. Bring everything up to a boil.

6. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the orzo is soft but still has a slight bite. The liquid should ve reduced to a loose glaze that coats the grains add a splash of water if it gets a little thick. Get on with the rest of the dish in the next steps while you wait!

7. Finely chop 15g of parsley while you wait for the orzo to cook.

8. Once the orzo is ready, take the pan off the heat and finely grate over 40g of cheese we will use the rest later. Chuck in the parsley and fold everything together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

9. Divide the orzotto between plates and finely grate over the remaining 10g of cheese. Tuck in!

In response to the rising cost of living, we have teamed up with Sorted Food to bring you easy, affordable, quick and (most importantly) tasty recipes once a month. Find out more about Sorted and their nifty meal-planning app Sidekick, designed to help cancel boring dinners, at sortedfood.com/sidekick.

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Struggling with concentration or experiencing a decline in personal confidence during midlife could signal an elevated risk of developing dementia later in life, new research suggests.

Academics at University College London (UCL) identified six specific symptoms in middle age that may serve as “early markers of underlying neurodegenerative processes.”

The findings stem from an analysis of data from 5,811 participants in the UK Whitehall II study, who provided detailed information on their health, including mental well-being.

During a follow-up period of an average of 23 years, 586 people developed dementia.

Writing in the journal Lancet Psychiatry, researchers said six depressive symptoms “emerged as robust midlife indicators of increased dementia risk”.

These include:

• Losing confidence in myself
• Not able to face up to problems
• Not feeling warmth and affection for others
• Nervous and strung-up all the time
• Not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out
• Difficulties concentrating

Those who reported that they had lost confidence in themselves in midlife appeared to carry a 51 per cent increased risk of dementia in later life.

People who said they were “not able to face up to their problems” had a 49 per cent increased risk.

Reporting “not feeling warmth and affection for others” had a 44 per cent raised risk while feeling nervous and “strung up” held a 34 per cent rise in risk of dementia later in life.

Those who reported that they had lost confidence in themselves in midlife appeared to carry a 51 per cent increased risk of dementia in later life (Getty)

Those who were not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out had a 33 per cent increased risk of dementia more than 20 years later, while those who reported difficulties concentrating had a 29 per cent elevated risk.

“A distinct set of midlife depressive symptoms was associated with an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that these symptoms might be early markers of underlying neurodegenerative processes,” the authors wrote.

Lead author of the study, Dr Philipp Frank, from the UCL Division of Psychiatry, said: “Our findings show that dementia risk is linked to a handful of depressive symptoms rather than depression as a whole.

“This symptom-level approach gives us a much clearer picture of who may be more vulnerable decades before dementia develops.

“Everyday symptoms that many people experience in midlife appear to carry important information about long-term brain health.

“Paying attention to these patterns could open new opportunities for early prevention.”

Professor Mika Kivimaki, from the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences, who leads the Whitehall II study and co-authored the paper, said: “Depression doesn’t have a single shape — symptoms vary widely and often overlap with anxiety.

“We found that these nuanced patterns can reveal who is at higher risk of developing neurological disorders.”

Commenting on the paper, Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The connection between dementia and depression is complicated. It’s encouraging to see this new observational study begin to unpick how dementia and depression are interlinked.

“However, more research is needed to confirm whether these six symptoms also apply to women and ethnic minorities.

“It’s important to note that not everyone who has depression will go on to develop dementia, and people with dementia won’t necessarily develop depression.”

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Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Grimes says her ex, Elon Musk, who is the father of her three children, has blocked her on social media.

The 37-year-old singer, born Claire Boucher, responded to a fan X who spotted that she and Musk were no longer following each other on the platform. While confirming that she no longer followed Musk on X — which the Tesla founder bought and rebranded in 2022 — she also claimed that he was the one who blocked her.

“For context I’m just living my life. He followed me then blocked me,” she responded Thursday. “I’m not gna be following and unfollowing. My only priority is co parenting, i am not interested in public dramatics. This is so silly lol.”

Grimes and Musk were first romantically linked in 2018, after the tech entrepreneur messaged her on social media and they made the same pun about artificial intelligence. They welcomed their first child, son X Æ A-Xii, in 2020, and continued dating on and off. While they split in 2021, they welcomed their second child, Exa Dark Sideræl, in December of that year, and another son, TechnoMechanicus, via surrogate, in June 2022.

However, since then, the singer has repeatedly used her X account to urge her former partner to keep their children out of the public eye.

Grimes says she was ‘living her life’ when ex Elon Musk allegedly blocked her on X (Getty)

In March of this year, she responded to a follower on X who asked what she was doing to “protect her children” from misinformation.

She replied: “I, unfortunately, do not control the internet and cannot wipe this from the internet. I have tried begging the public and my kids’ dad to keep them offline, and I’ve tried legal recourse. I follow you here, I’ve seen young [people] destroyed by the internet too.”

Grimes went on to lament that there is no law in place to protect the privacy of young children, writing: “The state of my children’s lives being public is of grave concern to me and I think about how to solve this every day.”

“It’s insane to me that there’s no way to deal with this. I would hope there was some law that would allow a parent to veto small children from living public lives, but I don’t even trust the law to help me now if I tried to invoke it [to be honest]. We are in the Wild West of information content and the dismantling of privacy and it’s very concerning.”

Grimes had earlier spoken out after Musk paraded their four-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, or Lil X, around the Oval Office as Donald Trump signed an executive order to bolster the Department of Government Efficiency’s powers in government.

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A high school teacher has gone viral for her atypical appetite, but one of her simplest snacks is winning people over.

Courtney Cook Bales, 36, has acquired a devoted TikTok following for her video series about her daily lunches, which usually consist of unusual, savory pairings that she puts together in her Georgia classroom. While Bales has used ingredients like whole green onions, marinated eggs, and spicy ramen, the snack that has captured the internet’s attention is simply made up of a sweet potato and a block of cheese.

The mom-of-four often constructs easy “ploughman’s lunches” in her classroom that do not require much cooking or too many complicated ingredients. While the exact sweet potato and the cheeses vary in the recipe, Bales typically bakes the potato for over an hour and stuffs the cheese inside the potato so that it all melts together and can be eaten with just her hands — no silverware needed.

“It’s just so wholesome, so filling, it really gives me energy,” Bales said in a video posted December 10, which has since garnered over five million views.

The teacher uses Japanese or white sweet potatoes and adds dairy like cheddar, butterkäse, and cottage cheese. In a video earlier this month, Bales recommended letting the potato cool for hours so that it becomes syrupy before the cheese is added. Although the only two ingredients really needed are the potato and cheese, Bales often adds toppings like macaroni salad, sweet onion cups and pickles.

Courtney Cook Bales has gone viral on TikTok for her unusual snack pairings (TikTok/Courtney Cook Bales)

TikTok users have been equally grossed out and delighted over the “addictive” snacking series, with one comment on Bales’s posts reading: “I’m disturbed but intrigued at the same time.”

“Girl you’ve got TikTok on a sweet potato/cheese chokehold,” another wrote, with a third chiming in: “The amount of people you’ve influenced between the ploughman lunches and the sweet potatoes need to be studied.”

“You’d make a good saleswoman. Everything you eat, I WANT. Even if I know I don’t like it I want it. And on that note tomorrow I will be getting sweet potatoes for lunch,” another wrote.

Other TikTokers shared their experience trying Bales’s snack, with one writing: “I know this wasn’t really your intention, but you have me eating a sweet potato and cheese every dang day and it keeps me so full and cuts out so much food noise!! So not only have I added more fiber, I’m eating way less junk. So thank you!”

Bales told People that she did not expect viral fame from her cravings, gaining more than one million followers in under seven months, but said, “We are all figuring things out for the first time, and people will always have opinions, but I am learning to live for myself rather than shaping my choices around people who may not understand me.

“If my videos help someone feel more confident, joyful, and free with their own food choices, then that is exactly the message I hope to share.”

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Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

The Grinch is one of the holiday season’s most familiar icons. The grumpy, green, fur-covered misanthrope who plotted to sabotage Christmas in Dr Seuss’s classic 1957 work has now become a quintessential part of the yearly festive ritual he so despised.

But beneath that snarl and green fur, what kind of creature is he, really? Not even Dr Seuss really had an answer.

As an anatomist, I can’t help but wonder what the Grinch would look like on the dissection table – and what his skeleton, muscles and brain can tell us about his unique origins.

The skull

The Grinch’s most recognisable feature is, of course, his face. And underlying these characteristic features would be a unique skull – unlike anything you’d find in Whoville or on Earth.

Structurally, the Grinch’s facial skeleton would blend primate and canine traits: short, broad snout, high cranium and powerful jaws. It’s a face evolved for expression, adeptly capable of sneering, gloating and ultimately smiling with genuine warmth.

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Jim Carrey as the Grinch in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (Universal)

His zygomatic arches (cheekbones) are broad and flared to accommodate for the large zygomaticus major muscles needed to lift the corners of his mouth into his exaggerated, mischievous smirk.

Beneath his eyes would be a large bony canal, carrying nerves to his whisker-like facial hairs – granting exquisite tactile sensitivity to changes in air currents. Like a cat’s whiskers, they’d help him sense approaching Whos or dangling baubles – crucial for a creature who thrives on stealth.

His teeth would be similar to a chimp’s, with sharp canines for tearing through Who “roast beast”, sturdy molars for grinding tougher festive fare and incisors adapted for nibbling fruitcake or the occasional candy cane.

The upper jaw, or maxilla, would be robust and slightly vaulted, lending resonance to that infamous laugh echoing through Mount Crumpit.

The face

The Grinch’s yellow eyes, with large, forward-facing eye sockets, suggest a crepuscular lifestyle: most active at dawn and dusk.

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The Grinch’s yellow eyes are reminiscent of an owl or a cat (Getty Images)

Many animals with yellow eyes, such as owls and cats, are adapted to low light. The yellow pigment filters blue light and sharpens contrast, allowing movement to be detected in the half-light. Perfect for a nocturnal gift thief.

His nasal aperture would be tall and narrow, with a complex set of internal conchae (nasal bones) to warm the cold alpine air of Mount Crumpit. The constant twitching of his nose might indicate a highly attuned sense of smell to detect roast beast from a distance.

The Grinch’s expressiveness would involve a complex set of muscles – many of which would be unusually large so he can convey every scheme, doubt, pang of guilt and emotion he experiences. For example, he would probably have very distinct levator labii superioris alaeque nasi – “Elvis muscles” – so he can lift his upper lip sneeringly.

The spine

If you watch the Grinch walk, he’s upright but fluid, almost serpentine. His spine would probably resemble a cross between a gibbon and a cat – long, flexible and sinuous.

About the author

Lucy E. Hyde is a Lecturer in Anatomy at the University of Bristol.

This article was originally published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

The lower back would be extended and highly mobile, allowing that characteristic slouch and coiled posture. The thoracic vertebrae (found in the middle and upper back) would produce a gentle outward curve – creating a hunched silhouette suited to skulking. His cervical vertebrae (neck bones) would be elongated, letting him tilt and crane his head with exaggerated expressiveness.

Like a cat, he’d be digitigrade – meaning he walks on the balls of his feet and toes rather than on the soles (as humans do). This stance softens each step – allowing for the quiet, agile motion needed to lurk through Whoville stealing presents on Christmas eve.

Though his pelvis supports an upright posture, his centre of gravity sits slightly forward and low — a design that sits somewhere between human and primate.

The brain

Anatomy often mirrors personality. Judging by behaviour, the Grinch’s frontal lobes, particularly his prefrontal cortex, would be on the small side – explaining his flat and small forehead.

Given this region governs planning, impulse control and moral reasoning, it would explain why he lacks these faculties at the story’s start. Having a smaller frontal lobe also explains his rash decisions and inability to foresee consequences beyond the next stolen bauble.

His temporal lobes would be large and active. They process sound and memory – ideal for recognising (and despising) Whoville’s Christmas carols. They also house functional areas that process smells – important for sniffing out hidden cans of Who-Hash.

His occipital and parietal lobes would also be well developed, supporting the sharp vision, coordination and spatial awareness he needed to climb, leap and slide down chimneys.

The Grinch’s amygdala (also involved in experiencing emotions) would probably be hypertrophied – explaining his emotional volatility, paranoia and exaggerated reactions. Combined with his limbic system, part of the brain’s memory and emotion centre, creates a creature ruled by passion and reactivity.

The heart

No anatomical analysis of the Grinch is complete without addressing the moment when “his heart grew three sizes”.

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A Newcastle United fan wears a Grinch mask (AFP via Getty Images)

Biologically, such a sudden expansion would be catastrophic. In humans and other mammals, cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) is a dangerous condition linked to heart failure, arrhythmias and poor pumping efficiency.

A real heart simply cannot enlarge in an instant of emotional revelation. But the brain can change rapidly.

The Grinch’s transformation is probably better understood as a neurological shift – with increased activity and connectivity occurring between the prefrontal cortex (empathy and regulation) and the limbic system (emotion and reward). His “growing heart” is probably not an anatomical miracle but a metaphor for his brain becoming more socially attuned.

Anatomy of a redemption arc

To anatomists, the Grinch is more than a Christmas curiosity. He’s a case study in form and function. And in his final form, anatomy and morality align.

The muscles that once powered a sneer now lift into a genuine smile. The hands that stole presents now carve roast beast. His limbic system now fires with satisfaction.

So perhaps the real message of the Grinch’s anatomy is this: change is always possible.

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Marketsquare, one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous grocery retail brands, owned by Sundry Markets Limited, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development with a food donation initiative that supported about 100 vulnerable individuals in Rivers State. This effort is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which aims to improve lives and foster social impact.

Speaking on the initiative, Emmanuel Patrick Isangediok, Head of Marketing at Sundry Markets, highlighted the company’s dedication to giving back to the communities where it operates:

“We believe that giving back is not just a responsibility but a privilege. Each beneficiary received food items worth ₦50,000, and we hope this gesture brings relief and contributes to the well-being of families during these challenging times.”

Beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation for Marketsquare’s generosity, noting that the support would significantly ease their burdens. This initiative underscores Marketsquare’s unwavering commitment to making a tangible difference in society.

Over the years, Sundry Markets Limited is said to have consistently championed impactful CSR projects, including food donations to flood victims at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, medical outreaches, and blood donation drives to mark World Blood Donor Day. These efforts are aimed at reflecting the company’s dedication to improving lives and strengthening community resilience.

Through initiatives like this, Sundry Markets Limited is set to continue demonstrating that business success and social impact go hand in hand.

About Marketsquare

Marketsquare, owned by Sundry Markets Limited, is one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous grocery retail brands, renowned for its customer-centric approach and commitment to quality and affordability. Beyond retail, the company actively engages in initiatives that promote social welfare and sustainable development. Marketsquare currently operates 37 stores across 16 cities in Nigeria.

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