‘Incredibly heartbreaking’ – local campaigns for warning sirens after flood tragedypublished at 19:12 British Summer Time
19:12 BST
Gary O’Donoghue Chief North America correspondent, reporting from Texas
As the search continues, the focus is increasingly moving to
what could have been done, if anything, to prevent this tragedy.
One local campaigner, Nicole Wilson, has already set up a
petition with 450 signatures calling for flood sirens to be
set up in Kerr County along the Guadalupe River – something in place in other counties.
Such a system has been debated in Kerr County for almost a
decade but funds have never been allocated for it.
Nicole told me she thought sirens could have prevented the
tragedy: “When you’re a child, you expect somebody, an adult’s
going to come save you… It’s incredibly heartbreaking.”
Nicole, who has children who also go to summer camps in the
area, says she’s saddened by the decisions over the years not to invest.
“To have camps, to have RV camps, to have houses that
close to a river and it flood like that, I don’t understand why Kerrville and
Kerr County hadn’t invested in flood sirens,” she says.
President Trump is expected to visit the area later in the
week and Nicole says she wants him to arrive with, as she puts it, “a blank
cheque”.
Bluesky has updated its notification settings so that users have more control over when and why the social media app sends them a ping. Besides more granular controls over which things will trigger a notification, you can now receive alerts for any activity from a chosen account.
As a fledgling app, Bluesky has lacked the in-depth notification toggles you might find in something like Instagram, which has had over a decade to figure out when people want to be contacted. With this update, the situation on Bluesky has improved significantly. Now you can choose between receiving notifications from everyone, just the people you follow or no one. And those options can be applied to nearly every interaction in the app now, including when someone reposts something you repost or likes something you repost.
Bluesky
You can now also turn on Activity Notifications for any account you choose, if you want to receive notifications about what they’re doing in the app. Bluesky imagines it being useful if you follow news organizations who post about breaking news, but if you want to be the first person to like a friend’s new post, now you have an easier way to keep tabs on their account.
Bluesky’s new notification options join other recent updates to the X and Threads competitor, like the company’s new verification program for “authentic and notable accounts” and an experimental live streaming feature that will let you know when select accounts you follow are live on Twitch or YouTube.
The number of reported measles cases in the US has reached a 33-year high, with nearly 1,300 confirmed infections across the country as of Friday.
The data, released by John Hopkins University, marks a new milestone in an ongoing outbreak of the highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that was once thought to be eliminated in the US.
Measles cases have been reported in 38 states and the District of Columbia this year. At least three people have died from the illness, and 155 others were in hospital.
A vast majority of the measles cases – 92% – were in people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).
The worst hit state is Texas, CDC data shows, where more than 700 cases have been reported. Other states with dozens of cases include Kansas and New Mexico.
Health officials say that measles spread is occurring mostly in neighbourhoods where vaccination rates are lower, such as Mennonite communities in Texas that opt out of modern medicine.
The outbreak comes as anti-vaccine sentiment in the US and elsewhere has grown in recent years.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr had previously spread misinformation about childhood vaccinations and had minimised the outbreak. He later endorsed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as illness spread, saying in a post on X that it is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles”.
Measles cases in the US were at their highest in recent memory in 1990, with nearly 28,000 reported infections, according to CDC data.
The illness was later declared eliminated around the year 2000, when cases sharply declined to less than 90 thanks to high vaccination rates and rapid outbreak response.
Cases started ticking up slightly in 2014 and again in 2019, when 1,274 confirmed infections were reported. But cases in 2025 have just surpassed that figure, with 1,277 infections now reported across the US.
Public health experts have said that the US will lose measles elimination status if there is continued spread of measles at the current rate for more than 12 months.
As a result of the current outbreak, more people are now getting the measles vaccine in the US. Between 1 January and 16 March, Texas gave at least 173, 000 measles doses compared to 158,000 in the same time period last year, state health department data shows.
The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to fight off the dangerous virus, which can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and death. The jabs are 97% effective and also immunise against mumps and rubella.
Large measles outbreaks have been reported recently in other countries, including the UK. Last year marked the highest number of confirmed measles cases reported in England since 2012 at nearly 3,000.
Since January of this year, there had been 529 cases reported in England.
Canada is also experiencing a measles outbreak, with more than 3,000 cases reported in 2025 so far. The bulk of the cases are in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.
Three things are certain when July comes along: backyard barbecues, fireworks past midnight, and Samsung Unpacked.
Just last month, Samsung confirmed that the next Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, July 9, in Brooklyn, New York. This follows the host cities of Paris, France, and Seoul, South Korea, over the past two years — with the company suggesting that it’s chosen Brooklyn for its “bold ideas, creativity, and culture.”
Also: The best Samsung phones to buy in 2025
While the ZDNET team will report on all the announcements live from the event floor, we’ve also gathered the essential information you need to know before the Wednesday keynote. Here’s what we’re expecting to see at the upcoming Samsung Unpacked, including products that may make surprise appearances.
What’s expected at the Samsung Unpacked July event?
Foldable phones have been the trend for Samsung, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 slated for release.
Key improvements we’re expecting include lighter and thinner designs (partly inspired by the Galaxy S25 Edge), camera upgrades such as a 200MP Ultra-level sensor, and displays that match the quality of the well-tested S25 series.
Last year’s Unpacked July event saw the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (left) and Z Flip 6 (right).
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Considering how much focus Samsung has invested in making its phone displays more durable and brighter than ever, prepare for news on improved glass materials and hinge designs across the board. That’s in line with the company’s continued commitment to seven years of operating system and security updates, allowing the new foldable phones to stay feature-relevant until at least 2032.
Also: I changed 7 Samsung phone settings to instantly improve the battery life
With these upgrades in mind — and the unpredictable economic climate — it wouldn’t be surprising to see both the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 cost more this year. Samsung previously alleviated its price hikes with storage upgrades, doubling the base memory of select Galaxy phones from 128GB to 256GB.
Whether the company plans to repeat that strategy remains up in the air. Just don’t expect these phones to cost any less in 2025.
Last year’s Samsung Unpacked saw the unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Watch Ultra, and Galaxy Buds 3 series.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
If we’re lucky, we’ll also see a set of wearables and accessories to accommodate the handsets on Wednesday. Maybe a new Galaxy Watch Ultra? Galaxy Buds? Galaxy Ring? Regardless, the upcoming Samsung event will kick off the second half of the year for consumer hardware launches after a busy stretch of software-focused developer conferences.
Also: Did Samsung’s fitness coach just outpace Apple’s Workout Buddy?
What’s certain is that Samsung will continue to focus on interconnected health and fitness features with its next wave of wearables, with OneUI 8 introducing helpful AI tools like Running Coach, Bedtime Guidance, and more.
What about the tri-foldable phone?
It’s been long rumored that Samsung has been working on a foldable phone that bends in two ways. While the company wouldn’t be the first to do it — the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate gets that honor — it could be the first in the broader international market, including the US.
We don’t expect Samsung to fully launch a tri-foldable phone at Unpacked this week, but there’s a fair chance that the device will be teased to some capacity; perhaps through a sizzle reel at the end of the keynote. That’s become the company’s launch strategy for its most anticipated products in recent years, including the Galaxy Ring in 2024 and the Galaxy S25 Edge in 2025.
Reservation offer
Ahead of Unpacked, Samsung is opening up a reservation offer to folks who are interested in the upcoming devices. By placing a reservation to preorder — not to be mistaken with committing to buy — on Samsung’s website, you’ll get $50 worth of Samsung store credit (with the opportunity to save up to $1,150 off with a trade-in later) for free, applicable toward accessories and other products.
Also: I changed 10 Samsung phone settings for an instant performance boost
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Nico Hulkenberg finished third at Silverstone for Kick Sauber to score his maiden F1 podium at the 239th time of asking. For a driver one month short of his 38th birthday, it was an incredible result – not least because it was achieved from 19th on the grid.
The German made his F1 debut all the way back in 2010, and his career in the sport looked to be over when he was left without a seat at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
But after two years on the sidelines bar a handful of ‘super sub’ appearances, Hulkenberg was handed a lifeline to return to F1 in 2022 with Haas – and since then has put in a string of strong performances.
You only have to look at the last handful of races, since Kick Sauber introduced an upgrade package, to see the kind of performances the German is delivering. P16 on the grid in Spain became fifth at the flag, P13 on the grid in Canada resulted in an eighth-place finish and then Hulkenberg started 20th last weekend in Austria, climbing up to finish ninth.
All of those results were dwarfed by his drive at Silverstone, with his colleagues old and new swift to offer their congratulations.
Team mate Gabriel Bortoleto was on hand to hug the German as he parked up at the end of the race, saying: “Congratulations to Nico! Seeing him fight for the podium and achieve this result after so many years in Formula 1 means a lot. He is the best teammate I have ever worked with – both as a driver and as a person – and he absolutely deserves this moment: I am genuinely happy for him.”
Max Verstappen was also swift to go over to Hulkenberg in parc ferme and shake his hand, before saying afterwards that “the race wasn’t that enjoyable for me but it was nice to see Nico get his first podium and I’m sure he will be celebrating tonight.”
Oscar Piastri shared the podium with Hulkenberg, and while the Australian was another left disappointed with their own result, seeing the Sauber driver’s celebrations at least tempered Piastri’s own frustrations.
“Well done to Nico – I think that’s the highlight of the day,” Piastri said in his post-race interview.
‘He’s always been a top-five driver’
Williams’ Carlos Sainz – a former team mate of Hulkenberg at Renault in 2018 – was also hugely complimentary towards the German after he secured his long-awaited podium. “Congrats – he must have done a very solid race to be up there in P3,” the Spaniard told media.
“Honestly, for me, the fact that people kept cursing him, the fact that he didn’t have any podiums, for me it was completely irrelevant. For me, he’s always been a top-five driver in the grid every time he’s been in F1 – his level of talent and race execution is incredible.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles also added: “Congratulations to Sauber and to Nico – an extraordinary result today and well-earned in these difficult conditions.”
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was the man chasing Hulkenberg in the closing stages of the race, unable to get close enough to steal the podium position and maintain his streak of podium finishes at Silverstone.
While his own streak came to an end, the Briton praised what the Sauber driver had achieved. “Third place felt within reach at times but credit to Nico on his first podium, he drove a strong race,” Hamilton concluded
“Congratulations to Nico for his podium, it’s a great achievement for him and his team,” added Hamilton’s team mate Charles Leclerc, before team boss Fred Vasseur gave his own opinion: “Finally, congratulations to Nico on his first podium. Given his undoubted talent, he deserves it.”
The last word had to go to Piastri though, who turned to Hulkenberg in the post-race press conference and asked the German how he felt about his first ever F1 trophy being made of… Lego.
“I love Lego!” laughed the German. “It’s good. My daughter can play with it too.
“You’ve always got to see the bright side. But, you know, a bit of silver or gold would have been nice too, but I won’t complain.”
Levi-Mariah Verrall had been using sunbeds since she was 16
A woman from Kent has warned of the dangers of excessive sunbathing and sunbed use after she had surgery on her face for skin cancer.
Levi-Mariah Verrall, 33, from Rochester, started using sunbeds when she was 16.
She described herself as “pale-skinned and freckly”, but said she would “lay in the sun whenever I could”.
Ms Verrall said: “We’re all told about the dangers of sunbeds now, and having too much sun, but you never think it’s going to happen to you.”
She said she used oil for sunbathing, adding: “I didn’t use high-factor sunscreen or cover up when I was out.”
In 2022, her partner noticed a white patch on her face.
She said: “I thought it was just pigmentation, because it didn’t look like a mole or what I took to be the usual signs of skin cancer.
“Even the GP thought it was pigmentation.
“But I wasn’t happy because it just didn’t look right so I pushed for some tests.”
A biopsy revealed she had basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer which develops from cells found in the deepest part of the outer layer of the skin.
For most people, this type of cancer does not spread.
It can be removed by surgery and no further treatment is required.
However, Ms Verrall’s carcinoma needed a deep and lengthy incision to remove all traces of it.
Levi-Mariah Verrall
Ms Verrall was operated on when she was 30
Around 3,100 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the south-east of England, according to Cancer Research UK.
Ms Verrall, who runs an industrial door company, said she is now passionate about urging people to look after their skin.
“What I went through was traumatising and I don’t want other people to experience that,” she said.
Beth Vincent, Cancer Research UK health information manager, said: “Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.
“Even on a cloudy day, the sun can be strong enough to burn between mid-March and mid-October.”
Until now, the only healthy alternatives to sugar have been known as stevia, truvia, monk fruit extract, coconut sugar, date sugar and more. All of these might be healthier for consumption than sugar but do have similar harmful effects on the body in lesser quantities.Now, an expert has shared a unique alternative to sugar that not only doesn’t spike blood sugar and insulin levels but also reduces fat. Dr Alok Chopra, cardiologist and functional medicine expert defined the alternative as allulose, which is 70% as sweet as sugar.“Allulose is a rare sugar alternative that doesn’t spike blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a promising option for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance,” shared the doctor on Instagram. Additionally, he added that 70% of allulose is absorbed in the blood and passes out in the urine.
What are the benefits of allulose?
The doctor even mentioned the benefits of consuming allulose:Low calories: With just 0.2-0.4 calories per gram, it consists of only 1/10th of the calories of sugar.Vital for organs: It is safe for vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and fat tissues and also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.Healthy for blood-sugar: With its low glycemic index, allulose improves insulin sensitivity and reduces post-meal glucose spikes.Increases energy: Allulose not only boosts mitochondrial function but also improves endurance and protects the body against diabetic nephropathy.Improves metabolism and reduces fat: Allulose also helps in fat burning, reduces body fat and enhances feelings of satiation.
What are the natural sources of Allulose?
Image credits: X
Naturally, allulose is present in small amounts in wheat figs, raisins, molasses, maple syrup, jackfruit, kiwi, caramel, juices and coffee. In terms of commercial production, they are made enzymatically by converting fructose, making it affordable and accessible.
How is Allulose better than other alternatives?
Well, according to the cardiologist, all other sugar alternatives are nothing when compared to allulose. He added how stevia and truvia are often mixed with artificial sweeteners and their long-term use can increase craving and weight. Other sugars such as coconut and date are natural but have varying glycemic impacts.According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, a 5g-10g intake of allulose per meal is effective enough to lower postprandial blood glucose levels.Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. Consult a certified physician before pursuing any new changes in diet.
The US drug agency’s authorisation provides hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients with the first new on-demand treatment in over ten years.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first oral on-demand therapy for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in individuals aged 12 years and older.
This rare genetic disease leads to tissue swelling attacks in the body that can be life-threatening. It is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction in the C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) protein and subsequent uncontrolled activation of the kallikrein-kinin system, KalVista Pharmaceuticals shared.
The company’s novel plasma kallikrein inhibitor Ekterly® (sebetralstat) “enables people to treat attacks the moment symptoms begin, wherever they are,” commented Ben Palleiko, CEO of KalVista Pharmaceuticals.
Significance of the FDA’s hereditary angioedema treatment approval
“This is an important moment for patients, giving people living with HAE a treatment option that could provide greater independence and control over managing their condition,” explained Dr Marc Riedl, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director, U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association Center at the University of California, San Diego, and an investigator for the KONFIDENT Phase III trial.
“Until now, on-demand treatment relied on injectable subcutaneous or intravenous administration, often resulting in delayed intervention. Having an oral option empowers patients to treat attacks early, which aligns with treatment guidelines and advances our goal as physicians to reduce the overall burden of disease.”
“Until now, on-demand treatment for [hereditary angioedema] relied on injectable subcutaneous or intravenous administration, often resulting in delayed intervention”
The Phase III KONFIDENT clinical trial, part of the largest clinical trial programme conducted in HAE, found that Ekterly “achieved significantly faster symptom relief, reduction in attack severity and attack resolution than placebo, and was well-tolerated with a safety profile similar to placebo”, KalVista Pharmaceuticals shared.
These results for the small molecule therapy are further supported by data from the extension KONFIDENT-S clinical trial. As of September 2024, attacks could be treated with Ekterly in a median of 10 minutes following onset.
Adult-onset atopic dermatitis presents unique diagnostic challenges, particularly in patients with darker skin tones where traditional clinical presentations may differ significantly from textbook descriptions. This 55-year-old African American patient’s case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating new-onset eczematous conditions in adults, including considerations for contact dermatitis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and drug-induced rashes. The patient’s history of occasional childhood rashes suggests possible long-standing disease that remained undiagnosed, emphasizing the need for improved disease recognition and earlier intervention.
Delayed diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis disproportionately affect patients with skin of color, often resulting in more severe disease presentation and greater functional impairment by the time patients seek dermatologic care. In darker skin tones, the characteristic erythema of atopic dermatitis may present as hyperpigmentation or violaceous discoloration rather than bright red inflammation. Additionally, patients with skin of color may develop different disease variants, including more nodular, papular, or follicular presentations, which can complicate accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.
Treatment planning for this patient required careful consideration of multiple comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. Although these conditions do not represent absolute contraindications to any specific therapy, they influence treatment selection toward options with favorable safety profiles. The patient’s concerns about postinflammatory hyperpigmentation necessitated specific counseling about realistic expectations for improvement, as hyperpigmentation resolution can take months to years. Education about the relationship between inflammatory control and hyperpigmentation prevention becomes crucial for treatment adherence and patient satisfaction.
This case study illustrates the critical decision-making process when managing severe pediatric atopic dermatitis that significantly affects a child’s quality of life and development. The 5-year-old patient presented with severe disease covering greater than 10% body surface area, experiencing 4 to 5 nighttime awakenings and demonstrating academic performance issues requiring parental intervention with school officials. The presence of comorbid conditions, including food allergies and mild asthma, further complicated the clinical picture, highlighting the interconnected nature of atopic diseases and the need for comprehensive treatment approaches.
The case demonstrates clear indicators for systemic therapy escalation, including disease severity, significant sleep disruption, and functional impairment affecting school performance. The patient’s additional allergic conditions, particularly asthma, influenced treatment selection toward dupilumab, which offers proven efficacy for both atopic dermatitis and asthma management. Findings from clinical studies demonstrate dupilumab’s effectiveness beginning as early as 2 to 4 weeks after initiation, with substantial improvements typically observed by 16 weeks and sustained benefits over 52 weeks, providing families with realistic expectations for treatment response.
Shared decision-making in pediatric atopic dermatitis requires careful balance between parental concerns and age-appropriate patient involvement. Health care providers must communicate in language accessible to both children and parents, ensuring all parties understand treatment options, expected outcomes, and safety considerations. The excellent safety profile of dupilumab in pediatric populations, with approval for patients as young as 6 months, provides reassurance for families considering biologic therapy. Successful treatment adherence strategies include addressing injection anxiety through techniques such as vibration tools, ice application, and positive reinforcement systems.
