Author: admin

  • Carlos Alcaraz stats: Record compared to tennis legends after US Open win

    Carlos Alcaraz stats: Record compared to tennis legends after US Open win

    Since Alcaraz joined the ATP Tour as a 16-year-old, he has been lauded for the variety of his play, being able to combine cutting low slices with ferocious forehands and deft drop shots to consistently catch opponents off guard and win points in breathtaking ways.

    But his ability to stitch together that kind of all-around quality on any surface is what is already setting him apart from anybody else.

    Alcaraz has now won two Grand Slams on each of the hard, grass, and clay surfaces – only Rafael Nadal (when aged 24), Mats Wilander (aged 24), and Novak Djokovic (aged 34), have ever achieved the same feat in the men’s game.

    The speed at which Alcaraz is racking up the majors is astonishing, too – he has taken only 19 tournaments to win six slams, second only to the record of 18 set by Bjorn Borg in 1978.

    Only Borg has won six slams at a younger age than Alcaraz, doing so by winning three on clay at Roland Garros and three on grass at Wimbledon.

    At 22 Nadal also had six (but won the last of those when he was a few months older than Alcaraz), while Pete Sampras was on five, and Wilander four.

    The likes of eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer (three) and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic (one) were way behind the pace of Alcaraz at his age.

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  • Jaismine Lamboria beats Pan American Games champion to storm into quarter-finals

    Jaismine Lamboria beats Pan American Games champion to storm into quarter-finals

    Paris 2024 Olympian Jaismine Lamboria stormed into the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Championships 2025 with a 5-0 win over Pan American Games champion Jucielen Cerqueira Romeu of Brazil in Liverpool on Monday.

    Competing in the women’s 57kg division, Jaismine once again dominated the Brazilian, whom she had also beaten for gold at the World Boxing Cup in Astana earlier this year.

    World Boxing Cup silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal also impressed, outclassing Mexico’s Hugo Barron 5-0 in his men’s 65kg second-round bout to keep India’s campaign rolling.

    However, there were setbacks for the Indian camp. Sakshi bowed out in the women’s 54kg after a 5-0 defeat to Turkiye’s Hatice Akba, while Sanamacha Chanu lost by the same margin to Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova.

    Later on Monday, four Indian boxers will fight for quarter-final berths.

    Sachin (men’s 60kg) against Kazakhstan’s Biibars Zhexen, Sumit (men’s 75kg) versus Bulgaria’s Rami Kiwan, Narender (men’s 90+ kg) against Italy’s Diego Lenzi, and Neeraj Phogat (women’s 65kg) against England’s Sacha Hickey.

    India have sent a 20-member squad to the inaugural World Boxing Championships, which features over 550 boxers from more than 65 nations, including 17 Paris 2024 medallists.

    Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain endured a disappointing return to the international ring with a second-round exit in the women’s 75kg on Saturday.

    Meanwhile, Nikhat Zareen made a confident comeback on Saturday, outclassing the USA’s Pan American Games silver medallist Jennifer Lozano 5-0 in the first round of the women’s 51kg category.

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  • Anisimova makes Top 5 debut, Osaka returns to Top 20

    Anisimova makes Top 5 debut, Osaka returns to Top 20

    The 2025 Grand Slam season is in the books, and each major crowned a different champion. At the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka shook off narrow losses at the year’s first three majors to defend her title and collect a fourth Grand Slam trophy. The victory keeps the World No. 1 ahead of Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek at No. 2 and Roland Garros winner Coco Gauff at No. 3 in the latest PIF WTA Rankings.

    Just below the Top 3, which remain intact, is a player mounting one of the sport’s most remarkable comebacks. Amanda Anisimova reached her second straight Grand Slam final, highlighted by a quarterfinal win over Iga Swiatek — the same opponent who had handed her a 6-0, 6-0 defeat in the Wimbledon title match. The victory erased that sting and propelled Anisimova into the Top 5 for the first time, climbing five spots from No. 9 to No. 4.

    Fourteen months ago, Amanda Anisimova was ranked No. 176 and had just fallen in Wimbledon qualifying while returning from a mental health hiatus. Now, at 24, she’s a two-time major finalist with a place secured among the game’s elite.

    Osaka returns to Top 20; Vondrousova, Krejcikova back in Top 50

    Anisimova wasn’t the only comeback player who made waves in New York. Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka reached her first Grand Slam semifinal since winning the 2021 Australian Open, and notched her first Top 5 win at a major along the way (over Gauff in the fourth round). Osaka returned from maternity leave at the start of 2024 and was back in the Top 100 by July. 

    Between October 2024 and August 2025, Osaka plateaued, with her ranking floating between No. 42 and No. 60. But last month, alongside new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, the 27-year-old hit her stride. She reached the Montreal final ahead of the US Open. She has now won 11 of her past 13 matches. After 10 months of little ranking movement, Naomi Osaka has needed only two tournaments to climb 35 spots. She rose another 10 places this week to No. 14, her first time back in the Top 20 since January 2022.

    Another pair of Grand Slam champions, Marketa Vondrousova and Barbora Krejcikova, are also on the way back up after missing significant chunks of the past year with injuries. Both made the quarterfinals in New York and both return to the Top 50 this week. Vondrousova leaps 24 places to No. 36, and Krejcikova 22 places to No. 40.

    Vondrousova, sidelined six months in 2024 and another three this year after shoulder surgery, dropped to No. 165 in June. Barbora Krejcikova, out the first half of 2025 with a back injury, was ranked No. 80 as recently as last month.

    Second-week runs boost Alexandrova, Li, Bucsa, Townsend

    Ekaterina Alexandrova, Ann Li, Cristina Bucsa and Taylor Townsend all reached the fourth round of the US Open — for both Li and Bucsa, it was the first time they had made the second week at any major.

    • Alexandrova, who has now reached the last 16 at the last three Grand Slams, climbs one place to a new career high of No. 11.
    • Li jumps 12 places to No. 46, returning to the Top 50 for the first time since January 2022. In April 2023, the American slumped out of the Top 200, but she returned to the Top 100 last October after reaching the Merida final. Li, 25, has added another two tour-level finals this year, in Singapore and Cleveland.
    • Bucsa, 27, upset Elise Mertens en route to the fourth round and leaps 33 places to No. 62. The Spaniard is just six places beneath the career high of No. 56 she set in January 2024.
    • Six years after notching her first career Top 5 win over Simona Halep en route to the 2019 US Open fourth round, Townsend did it again. The 29-year-old upset Mirra Andreeva — her third career Top 5 win — to reach the second week of a major for the second time. She’s up 27 places to No. 112.

    WTA 125 champions Eala, Erjavec, Chwalinska on the rise

    Three WTA 125 champions were crowned in the second week of the US Open.

    • Fresh from a first-round upset of Clara Tauson at the US Open, which made her the first Filipina to win a Grand Slam main-draw match, Alexandra Eala took her momentum to her first career WTA 125 title in Guadalajara. The 20-year-old climbs 14 places to No. 61.
    • Until last week, Veronika Erjavec’s career-best season had been focused around the Slams, where the Slovenian had compiled an 11-4 record (including a defeat of Marta Kostyuk at Wimbledon) compared to 12-15 outside the major tournaments. That changed as the 25-year-old collected her first career WTA 125 title in Changsha, a result that lifts her up 19 places to a new career high of No. 119.
    • In Montreux, Maja Chwalinska scored a first-round upset of home hope and No. 1 seed Jil Teichmann — then rode that momentum all the way to the title, her second WTA 125 trophy following Florianopolis 2024. The 23-year-old Pole leaps 43 spots to No. 134.

    Other notable rankings movements

    Clara Tauson, +2 to No. 12: Dubai finalist Tauson is also up to a new career high despite falling in the US Open first round.

    Jaqueline Cristian, +7 to No. 43: Before this year, Cristian had never gone beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. In 2025, the Romanian has made the third round at three of them, including the US Open — where she was the only player to take a set from Anisimova before the final. Cristian rises to a new career high.

    Laura Siegemund, +8 to No. 44: The 37-year-old German knocked out a Top 20 seed at a Grand Slam tournament for a third time this year at the US Open, defeating Diana Shnaider en route to the third round. Siegemund returns to the Top 50 for the first time since February 2021.

    Tereza Valentova, +19 to No. 77: For the second time this year, Valentova qualified for a Grand Slam and reached the second round, where she faced a Top 10 seed. At the US Open, the 18-year-old Czech held a 5-2 second-set lead, and four set points, against Elena Rybakina before falling. She’s up to a new career high this week.

    Caty McNally, +7 to No. 94: Former No. 54 McNally returns to the Top 100 for the first time since October 2023 after reaching the US Open second round.

    Priscilla Hon, +20 to No. 106: Nine years after making her Grand Slam main-draw debut at the 2016 Australian Open, Hon made the third round of a major for the first time at the US Open. The 27-year-old Australian is up to a new career high.

    Panna Udvardy, +16 to No. 118: Hungarian former No. 76 Udvardy reached her sixth career WTA 125 final last week in Guadalajara.

    Janice Tjen, +19 to No. 130: The 23-year-old qualified for the US Open to make her tour-level debut, then upset Veronika Kudermetova in the first round to become the first Indonesian to win a Grand Slam match since Angelique Widjaja at Wimbledon 2003. Tjen, who was unranked 15 months ago on graduating from Pepperdine University, is up to a new career high after compiling a 101-14 record since June 2024.

    Alina Charaeva, +35 to No. 159: 2020 Roland Garros junior runner-up Charaeva reached the final round of US Open qualifying and then the Changsha WTA 125 semifinals. The 23-year-old moves up to a new career high.

    Maria Timofeeva, +31 to No. 160: 2023 Budapest champion Timofeeva continued her resurgence by reaching the Changsha WTA 125 final last week. The 21-year-old was ranked No. 250 just seven weeks ago.

    Alina Korneeva, +30 to No. 163: Korneeva, who defeated Mirra Andreeva in the 2023 Australian Open girls’ final but who has suffered a series of injuries since, captured the Leiria ITF W50 title last week. The 18-year-old was sidelined between February and September 2024, then again between January and June this year.

    Miriam Bulgaru, +32 to No. 168: The 26-year-old Romanian is up to a new career high after winning 15 of her past 17 matches, including a run to last week’s Vienna ITF W75 final.

    Emerson Jones, +18 to No. 180: The 17-year-old Australian (and the highest-ranked 2008-born player) reached the final qualifying round for the second straight major at the US Open and is up to a new career high.

    Tyra Caterina Grant, +24 to No. 208: The second-highest ranked player born in 2008 is Italian 17-year-old Grant, who’s also at a new career high this week after reaching the Bytom ITF W50 final two weeks ago.

    Lina Gjorcheska, +43 to No. 239: The highest-ranked player in North Macedonian history, Gjorcheska has won 13 of her past 15 matches and reached three ITF finals in a row over the past month. The 31-year-old claimed the trophy in the third of those last week in Slobozia.

    Kayla Day, +76 to No. 342: Former No. 84 Day reached the Guadalajara WTA 125 semifinals last week, notching her first Top 100 win since 2023 over Emiliana Arango in the quarterfinals.

    Lilli Tagger, +46 to No. 347: Roland Garros junior champion Tagger reached the Vienna ITF W75 semifinals on home soil last week. The 17-year-old Austrian is up to a new career high.

    Noma Noha Akugue, +89 to No. 349: 2023 Hamburg finalist Noha Akugue won the Oldenzaal ITF W50 title two weeks ago.

    Jana Kovackova, +70 to No. 572: Ahead of winning the US Open girls’ doubles title with older sister Alena, 15-year-old Jana won her second ITF title of the year in Monastir. She’s the highest-ranked player born in 2010 with a pro record of 24-7, and she’s up to a new career high this week.

    Anna Pircher, UNR to No. 871: The 15-year-old Austrian enters the rankings after reaching the Vienna ITF W75 semifinals in just her second professional event.

    Polina Skliar, UNR to No. 1,031: The 14-year-old Ukrainian also enters the rankings this week after making the Kaltenkirchen ITF W15 final two weeks ago. Skliar is the third-youngest player on this week’s ranking list.

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  • Court staff cover up Banksy image of judge beating a protester | Banksy

    Court staff cover up Banksy image of judge beating a protester | Banksy

    A painting by Banksy of a judge using a gavel to beat a helpless protester appeared on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice before quickly being covered up by guards.

    Banksy confirmed the artwork was his by posting a picture of it on Instagram on Monday morning.

    Local workers said security guards were in position in front of the artwork, which is thought to be a reference to pro-Palestine protests.

    One, Matteo, said he passed by at 8.30am on Monday when the guards were trying to stop people from taking pictures. More staff then arrived with supplies to cover it up.

    “I think it’s disgusting that they would just cover it up,” added Matteo, who witnessed arrests at a pro-Palestine protest in London on Saturday. “They are clearly afraid of the response this will get.”

    Police detained close to 900 people in the demonstration against the banning of the protest group, Palestine Action.

    A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, which has organised protests against the banning of Palestine Action, said: “When the law is used as a tool to crush civil liberties, it does not extinguish dissent – it strengthens it. As Banksy’s artwork shows, the state can try to strip away our civil liberties, but we are too many in number and our resolve to stand against injustice cannot be beaten.”

    Banksy’s Instagram photo showed a lawyer and a cyclist passing the artwork, which is on the wall of the Queen’s Building at the court complex.

    The protester lies on the ground holding a white placard with a red mark on it resembling blood.

    A HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson said the artwork was taken down as the court was a listed building and they were “obliged to maintain its original character”.

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    Banksy, whose identity is not known, has a reputation for political works and has painted on the separation wall that Israel erected along the boundary of the occupied West Bank.

    In May, he posted a picture of a work in Marseille – a stencilled lighthouse and the words: “I want to be what you saw in me.”


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  • Taylor Swift’s new album will have midnight release at these Target stores in Illinois, Indiana

    Taylor Swift’s new album will have midnight release at these Target stores in Illinois, Indiana

    CHICAGO – Attention Swifties! If you want to be one of the first to get your hands on Taylor’s newest music, prepare to get in line.

    What we know:

    Target is planning a midnight release for Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” when it drops next month.

    Five hundred select stores across the country will stay open past midnight on Friday, Oct. 3, to sell three Target-exclusive CD editions of the album.

    Here’s where you can grab your copy in the Illinois/Indiana area:

    Illinois

    • Bloomington Normal  |  301 Veterans Pkwy
    • Champaign  |  2102 N Prospect Ave
    • Chicago Near North Elston  |  2656 N Elston Ave
    • East Peoria  |  480 W Washington St
    • Edwardsville  |  2350 Troy Rd
    • Quincy  |  3701 Broadway St
    • Rockford  |  6560 E State St
    • Shiloh  |  3400 Green Mount Crossing Dr
    • Springfield  |  3445 Freedom Dr

    Indiana

    • Avon  |  10209 E US Highway 36
    • Bloomington  |  2966 E 3rd St.
    • Carmel East 151st Street  |  1600 E 151st St.
    • Evansville Lloyd Expressway  |  6625 E Lloyd Expy
    • Fishers  |  11750 Commercial Dr.
    • Fort Wayne SW  |  1102 S Thomas Rd.
    • Ft Wayne Glenbrook  |  3801 Coldwater Rd.
    • Greenwood South  |  895 S State Rd 135
    • Lafayette  |  3630 South Street
    • Mishawaka  |  155 University Dr E, Granger
    • Muncie  |  3601 N Barr St.
    • Southport  |  4850 E Southport Rd, Indianapolis
    • Valparaiso  |  2420 Laporte Ave.
    • Waterford Park  |  1125 Veterans Pkwy, Clarksville

    The backstory:

    Taylor Swift unveiled her 12th studio album titled “The Life of a Showgirl” while guest starring on “New Heights,” a podcast hosted by her fiancé Travis Kelce and his brother Jason.

    Taylor Swift unveils ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ album release date and track list

    The album is set to drop on Oct. 3.

    “The Life of a Showgirl” will feature 12 tracks, including one featuring Sabrina Carpenter, and is set to drop on Oct. 3.

    The Source: The information in this report came from the “New Heights” podcast, Target and Taylor Swift.

    EntertainmentIllinoisIndianaNews

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  • Globally Acclaimed Theater Show Come from Away Set for First Production at Sea on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth

    Globally Acclaimed Theater Show Come from Away Set for First Production at Sea on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth

    The Moving Story of Enduring Friendship Will Mark Its 10th Anniversary on the High Seas

    VALENCIA, Calif., Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cunard will bring Come from Away — the Tony Award and Oliver Award-winning show — to sea for the first time ever in an exclusive production in collaboration with Music Theatre International.

    The highly anticipated revival during Queen Elizabeth‘s maiden Caribbean voyage on October 16, 2025, comes as the heartwarming production celebrates 10 years since its debut.




    The multi-award-winning production will debut on Queen Elizabeth in the Caribbean






    The multi-award-winning production will debut on Queen Elizabeth in the Caribbean

    The globally acclaimed show, written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein*, depicts the remarkable true story of the 6,579 air passengers grounded in a small Canadian town in the wake of 9/11, and the Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives. A reflection on friendship, hope and gratitude, it has captivated sold-out crowds – including on Broadway and in London’s West End.

    After a decade of moving audiences worldwide, Cunard is now bringing this uplifting display of resilience and understanding to the high seas. At a time when its message rings truer than ever, this special production promises to be an unforgettable experience.

    Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “We are very excited to bring Come from Away to Queen Elizabeth for her maiden Caribbean season. It’s a show that resonates deeply with audiences, celebrating compassion and connection – values that we share at Cunard. We are incredibly passionate about the power of timeless storytelling, and our long-standing affiliation with London’s West End and Broadway in New York ensures that unparalleled entertainment is at the heart of the Cunard experience. Our 2026 Entertainment Residencies will build on this commitment, offering our guests unforgettable access to the very best live performances at sea.”

    John Brant, Producer of Come from Away, said: “Even after ten years, it’s still incredible to see the impact this show has on people. Now more than ever, we believe it’s important to gather friends and family to see it together, with the hope that it inspires them to find common ground in their lives. This partnership with Cunard is a meaningful opportunity to bring our story to new corners of the world, and we can’t wait for passengers to experience it for themselves.”

    Come From Away will be performed in Queen Elizabeth’s majestic Royal Court Theatre twice during each voyage, with matinee and evening performances available. This exclusive production has been specially crafted for the stage at sea, featuring one hour and 40 minutes of powerful storytelling, music and an ensemble of 12 talented stage performers. New and returning Come from Away fans will be wowed by a fresh perspective that remains true to the magic of the original production.

    For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, travelers can contact their Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

    For Travel Advisors interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSourceCruises.com, or call Cunard at 1-800-528-6273.

    About Cunard
    Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, and this year celebrates an incredible 185 years of operation. 2025 is a momentous year in Cunard’s history, which will be marked with several iconic land-based events and special Event Voyages. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and outstanding White Star service. From a partnership with a two-Michelin starred chef, to inspiring guest speakers, to world class theatre productions, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys and round world voyages, destinations sailed to also include Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East and Australia.

    There are currently four Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and new ship, Queen Anne, which entered service in May 2024. This investment is part of the company’s ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally, with the brand now boasting four ships in simultaneous service for the first time since 1999. Cunard is based at Carnival House in Southampton and has been owned since 1998 by Carnival Corporation & plc. www.cunard.com (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

    Please note, once directed to the page you will need to “Register for an account.” Your request may take up to 24 hours for approval to access the library of assets. You will be notified via email to complete your registration.

    Image caption: Come From Away was performed at the Olivier Awards in 2019. 

    Come From Away rehearsal b-roll can be downloaded here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/HZ4M64TklR

    Social Media
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard
    Twitter:     www.twitter.com/cunardline
    YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline

    Media Contact: 
    Cunard: [email protected]

    SOURCE Cunard


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  • NHS urges people to avoid ‘extremely painful’ leg-lengthening surgery | NHS

    NHS urges people to avoid ‘extremely painful’ leg-lengthening surgery | NHS

    It is the ultimate eyebrow-raising kitchen table confession in Celine Song’s romantic comedy-drama, Materialists.

    After matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) grows suspicious of scars on her new partner’s body, financier Harry (Pedro Pascal) makes a startling admission: he has had leg-lengthening surgery – and gained six inches in height.

    The couple split soon after. But amid a wave of interest in the cosmetic procedure and clinics in Turkey offering discounts, the NHS in England has issued a stark warning, urging people against it.

    The surgery involves breaking the bones in the legs before pulling them apart to lengthen them over weeks or months.

    Invented by the Soviet surgeon Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov in the 1950s, it was used to treat patients with clinical needs, but is now offered privately for cosmetic purposes.

    China’s health ministry banned cosmetic leg lengthening in 2006, over fears about the risks to patients, but the practice is booming elsewhere. The global limb-lengthening industry will be worth $8.6bn (£6.4bn) by 2030, according to estimates.

    Private treatment in the UK can cost more than £50,000, with some surgeons charging £240,000. Clinics in Turkey offer the procedure for £24,000.

    Limb-lengthening surgery involves two main steps. A surgeon performs an osteotomy, cutting the bone into two segments, and then attaches a limb lengthening device to the two segments. The device comprises a thin metal frame and is attached to the bones with pins or wires. Most of the device is outside the body, making it hard to wear certain clothes. Newer options involve a screw-like device placed inside the bone.

    Patients face a period of recovery and cannot walk for several weeks. Next, they begin adjusting their leg-lengthening device several times a day for several months. Each adjustment separates the bone segments a small amount. As the bones separate, the body creates new bone to fill the gap between them.

    However, if not done carefully, the risks are high. Bones separated too quickly will not mend or will grow together with tissue too fragile to bear the body’s weight.

    Some legs can end up being different lengths. Patients also risk infection, nerve damage and permanent disability.

    Prof Tim Briggs, an orthopaedic surgeon and NHS England’s national director for clinical improvement and elective recovery, said leg lengthening surgery was “not a quick fix”.

    “It is a serious, invasive procedure that can be beneficial for patients when there is a genuine clinical need but carries significant risks and requires informed discussions between patient and surgeon.

    “Patients face months of treatment, which can be extremely painful, with the possibility of infection, nerve damage, blood clots and even permanent disability.

    “Anyone considering this surgery for cosmetic reasons abroad, should think very carefully about the long recovery and the risks, and I would urge against it unless well informed about where they are seeking treatment.

    “Don’t gamble with your health or your life for a few extra inches without fully understanding the risks.”

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  • Pill shows promise in lowering blood pressure, slowing kidney disease

    Pill shows promise in lowering blood pressure, slowing kidney disease

    A novel pill that blocks the hormone aldosterone shows promise for lowering blood pressure and potentially delaying the progression of kidney disease in people with both conditions.

    The preliminary findings were presented Saturday at an American Heart Association meeting in Baltimore and simultaneously published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

    The Phase 2 clinical trial, known as FigHTN, found that the new medication, baxdrostat, yielded a roughly 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure when given to patients with chronic kidney disease who were unable to control their high blood pressure with existing medications.

    Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It measures pressure against your artery walls as the heart beats, according to the AHA.

    “These findings are encouraging for people living with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure, two conditions that often go hand-in-hand and create a dangerous cycle,” said study leader Dr. Jamie Dwyer, a professor of medicine at University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City.

    Unmanaged blood pressure can worsen kidney function, and declining kidney function can, in turn, further elevate blood pressure, creating a challenging loop for patients, he explained.

    Reported previously in HealthDay News, the new drug also showed benefit in other patients with treatment-resistant high blood pressure when taken once a day for three months.

    In an additional analysis, researchers investigated the drug’s potential impact on kidney function directly.

    Participants taking baxdrostat had a 55% reduction in the amount of albumin lost in their urine compared to those on a placebo.

    High levels of albumin in urine are considered a predictor of heart and kidney disease.

    This discovery gives researchers hope for a longer-term benefit, according to Dwyer.

    “The reduction in urine albumin gives us hope that baxdrostat may also help delay kidney damage,” he said. He added that this potential is now being further evaluated in two large-scale Phase 3 trials.

    The FigHTN study included 195 participants with an average age of 66 who were already on existing blood pressure medication but still had a high average systolic blood pressure of 151 mm Hg.

    The participants also had a level of chronic kidney disease, but were not in kidney failure. For 26 weeks, they were given either a low-dose or high-dose of baxdrostat or a placebo in addition to their standard care.

    The most common side effect was elevated potassium levels in the blood, which occurred in 41% of those on the drug compared to just 5% in the placebo group, although most cases were mild to moderate, researchers noted.

    Dr. Jordana Cohen is deputy director and associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine and immediate past chair of the AHA’s Hypertension and Kidney Cardiovascular Science Committee.

    After reviewing the findings, she noted their importance for patients with kidney disease.

    “It is particularly reassuring to know that patients with chronic kidney disease, who have very high rates of hypertension and elevated renin-angiotensin aldosterone activity, were represented in their own study, tolerated the medication well, and had both blood pressure and albuminuric benefits,” she said in an AHA news release.

    “This medication class could be a game changer in the management of hypertension in this patient group,” Cohen said.

    The study was funded by AstraZeneca, developer of baxdrostat.

    More information

    The Mayo Clinic has more about chronic kidney disease.

    Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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  • Banksy unveils a new mural of a judge beating a protester outside London court

    Banksy unveils a new mural of a judge beating a protester outside London court

    LONDON — A new mural by elusive street artist Banksy showing a judge beating an unarmed protester with a gavel has appeared outside a London court.

    The mural depicts a protester lying on the ground holding a blood-splattered placard while a judge in a traditional wig and black gown beats him with a gavel. Banksy posted a photo of the work Monday on Instagram, his usual method of claiming a work as authentic. It was captioned “Royal Courts Of Justice. London.”

    While the artwork does not refer to a particular cause or incident, activists saw it as a reference to the U.K. government’s ban on the group Palestine Action. On Saturday almost 900 people were arrested at a London protest challenging the ban.

    Defend Our Juries, the group that organized the protest, said in a statement that the mural “powerfully depicts the brutality unleashed” by the government ban. “When the law is used as a tool to crush civil liberties, it does not extinguish dissent, it strengthens it,” the statement said.

    Security officials outside the courthouse covered the mural Monday with sheets of black plastic and two metal barriers, and it was being guarded by two officers and a CCTV camera.

    Banksy began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists. His paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction and have drawn thieves and vandals.

    Banksy’s work often comments on political issues, with many of his pieces criticizing government policy on migration and war.

    At the Glastonbury Festival last year, an inflatable raft holding dummies of migrants in life jackets was unveiled during a band’s headline set. Banksy appeared to claim the stunt, which was thought to symbolize small boat crossings of migrants in the Channel, in a post on Instagram.

    The artist has also taken his message on migration to Europe.

    In 2019, “The Migrant Child,” depicting a shipwrecked child holding a pink smoke bomb and wearing a life jacket, was unveiled in Venice. A year prior, a number of works including one near a former center for migrants that depicted a child spray-painting wallpaper over a swastika were discovered in Paris.

    Banksy has also created numerous artworks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the years, including one depicting a girl conducting a body search on an Israeli soldier, another showing a dove wearing a flak jacket, and a masked protester hurling a bouquet of flowers. He also designed the “Walled Off Hotel” guesthouse in Bethlehem, which closed in October 2023.

    Last summer, Banksy captured London’s attention with an animal-themed collection, which concluded with a mural of a gorilla appearing to hold up the entrance gate to London Zoo.

    For nine days straight Banksy-created creatures — from a mountain goat perched on a building buttress to piranhas circling a police guard post to a rhinoceros mounting a car — showed up in unlikely locations around the city.

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  • When Sushmita Sen addressed dating rumours with Ricky Martin: ‘I knew he was gay, more power to him’ |

    When Sushmita Sen addressed dating rumours with Ricky Martin: ‘I knew he was gay, more power to him’ |

    While Ricky Martin’s music has been wooing people for years now and he achieved great success professionally, his personal life has also always been in the limelight. Ever since the beginning of his career, he was always surrounding by dating rumours which travelled even to India. Did you know that Ricky was once linked with Sushmita Sen. The actress had also addressed these rumours. While the duo did not speak about it earlier, it was only after Ricky announced to the world that he’s homosexual that Sushmita also spoke about it. The actress had once said in a chat with DNA, “All the time I have known him, I’ve been so proud of him. It takes tremendous courage to accept your own DNA. I knew he was gay. More power to him. It is a fantastic feeling to be able to love who you want to and that’s a choice no one can make for you.”For those not in the know, the singer, songwriter came out about being gay and called it the most important announcements of his life. He wrote on his official website, “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am. Too heavy for me to keep inside. Something worth celebrating. Many people told me… ‘all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse’. It fills me with strength and courage.”Martin had always expressed his desire to be a father, and in 2008, he welcomed twin boys, Matteo and Valentino, via surrogacy. Years later, he met artist Jwan Yosef on social media in 2015, and the two married in 2018. That same year, they expanded their family with a daughter, Lucia Martin-Yosef, followed by a son, Renn Martin-Yosef. However, after six years of marriage, the couple decided to part ways. Their divorce was finalised 2023. Meanwhile, as far as Sushmita is concerned, the actress is continues to be loved for her strength, grace and wisdom. She was in a relationship with Rohman Shawl, but the duo announced their break-up. They have continued to remain friends since then. She recently admitted on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast that she’s been single for the last three years atleast. On work front, she was seen in ‘Aarya 3’ last year and ‘Taali’ on OTT.


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