MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have released their annual Christmas card and it sends a message of “family power”, according to a body language expert.

The card – which included a rare new image of their kids Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – was a collage of photos from their year.

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The pose mirrored Diana extending a wide hug to William and Harry as young boys[/caption]

Twitter

The card features six snaps showing highlights from their year[/caption]

In the family snap, the young kids could be seen running towards Meghan and Harry’s outstretched arms in a garden.

Body language pro Judi James told Fabulous: “The parenting and the signals of love are shown as equal here though, with both Harry and Meghan performing the proffered hug. 

“Surrounded by their dogs, the message seems to be one of family power, strength and balance that he might see as missing from his own childhood.”

She pointed out that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s pose with their children is a “‘happiness echo’ from Harry’s childhood”, and is a nod to Diana.

She explained: “The gesture of throwing their arms out in welcoming delight as their children rush towards them is a nod the iconic photo of idyllic, tactile parental bonding that was taken when Diana threw her arms out in a rush of instinctive love as William and Harry ran to hug her on board the Britannia in 2018. 

“Harry’s flung arms and his facial expression of delight are almost identical here, as is the reciprocal response from his children.”

She also pointed out how the image was carefully chosen to maintain privacy for Archie and Lilibet.

Judi continued: “There’s no family greeting to camera and one of the most powerful messages is one of privacy. 

“We are allowed to glimpse the couple with their children but only from the kind of distance that we’d normally get from a paparazzi pic and even then with the children only seen from the back view.”

The couple have rarely exposed their children to the limelight and in the image their faces are not shown to the camera.

In total, six images are featured with the card, sent by email, which has the message: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year.”

One picture shows Meghan embracing a young girl while in another Harry puts his arm around his wife.

Another picture shows the couple laughing while sitting in a row of people, the fifth is at an outdoor event with the Sussexes wearing sunglasses and smiling, and in the final picture the duke clasps hands with a man lying in a bed.

Reuters

Lilibet was pictured with flowing red hair in the latest image. Pictured here in an image released for her first birthday[/caption]

Twitter

Twitter

Twitter

Judi added: “Apart from this one family picture, the couple’s ‘best bits’ focus on success, caring, via their tactile behaviours with people they are meeting on their tours, and of course their strength as a couple, with their displayed emotions coming from their laughter together and of course the image of romance and love from one of their most powerful PDA moments earlier in the year, as Meghan leans back in a ‘swoon’ of love for her husband.”

The card is intended for professional use by the couple and their team, with the Sussexes sending a separate card to their close family and friends which will remain private.

Previous cards

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The Sussexes opted for an Invictus event shot for their 2023 card[/caption]

Handout - Getty

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Meghan and Harry introduced Lilibet to the world on their 2021 offering[/caption]

In stark contrast, the couple’s kids didn’t even feature on last year’s festive card.

Instead, it had a single shot of Meghan and Harry in formal wear during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games, which took place in Germany.

Their first joint Christmas card came in 2018, half a year after their fairytale royal Windsor wedding in May.

Over the years the Sussexes have continued to send out a festive card, and often featured Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet front and centre.

In fact, the couple shared a photo of their daughter Lilibet for the first time on their 2021 card – but opted for couple shots for 2022 and 2023.

Sussex Netflix show

This follows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s polo series airing on Netflix.

Harry and Meghan are executive producers of the five-episode series which is shot primarily at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.

But journalist and author Phil Dampier said he wasn’t sure their new show would appeal to a massive audience.

He told The Sun: “Polo is a very niche sport. It’s very much a sport for very wealthy people.

“The average person can’t afford a polo mallet or stick let alone a horse or a horse box.”

THE San Francisco 49ers have cleared out De’Vondre Campbell’s locker and suspended him for the final three games of the season without pay.

Campbell, 31, refused to play on Thursday night during the 49ers’ 12-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The linebacker had started nine games this season but then refused to play the third quarter.

He could be seen walking back to the locker room with a member of the staff.

He was suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team” for the final three weeks of the NFL season.

Campbell has now seen his locker emptied and name plate removed, according to ESPN reporter Nick Wagoner.

The suspension will cost him around $260,000 in salary and game-active bonuses.

Campbell’s former 49ers teammates were not impressed with his actions, with the likes of George Kittle hitting out after the game.

After the loss, the star tight end said: “It’s just one person who decided not to play for his teammates, and I don’t think that makes the offense or the defense think ‘Hey, we’re falling apart.’

“It was one person making a selfish decision.

“I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that, and I hope I’m never around anyone that does that again.”

Veteran linebacker Charvarius Ward added: “He’s probably gonna get cut soon. He’s a professional, he’s been playing for a long time.

“If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out.

“He could’ve told them that before the game. I feel like there was some sucker s*** that he did.

“It definitely hurt the team because D went down, and we needed a linebacker.

“For him to do that, that’s some sucker stuff to me, in my opinion.”

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said on Monday: “I just lost all respect.

“I’m a person that’s going 110 percent every play.

“If I am hurt and the guy behind me is not backing me up and can’t come in or don’t want to go in, I just feel like he’s a cancer to the team.”

Campbell is yet to speak on the incident.

WITH over 50 incredible attractions, the Universal Epic Universe is promising to live up to its name.

After first being announced in 2019, here’s what we know about when this huge theme park will finally open in Florida and how to get a ticket.

The new Epic Universe takes the total of Universal theme parks in Orlando to four.

The other three parks are Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay.

According to Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO for Universal Parks & Resorts, the new park is the “most immersive and innovative” theme park of their Florida offering yet.

Guests will be taken on a journey where “beloved stories expand into vibrant lands”.

If that wasn’t enough, there are five massive themed lands inside, with something for everyone.

The theme park will be one of the biggest in the US, stretching across 750 acres.

The official opening date of the Universal Epic Universe is May 22, 2025.

How to buy a ticket

Anyone hoping to go, can bag a ticket now as they went on sale October 22, 2024.

Three-day tickets range from $352 to $521, depending on the dates – single day tickets are not on sale yet.

For Brits travelling to the park, they start at £399, and there are two choices.

First up there is the the 2025 Explorer Ticket, which includes 14 days at all the Universal theme parks in Florida and a one-day pass for the new Epic Universe.

The second option is the All Parks Ticket with unlimited access for all parks.

Five epic lands to enjoy

Celestial Park

Universal Orlando Resort

Step into the tranquil Celestial Park[/caption]

Step into this imaginative world full of gardens, waterfalls and nature trail-like pathways.

Visitors can take in the impressive architecture inspired by astrology and mythology.

Celestial Park also includes plenty of food options, ranging from Chinese to Italian.

If guests are in the mood for a drink, they can make a stop at The Oak & Star Tavern.

Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World allows guests to become players in this amazing attraction.

Blurring the lines between reality and video games, visitors can step into this Nintendo-themed land.

Players will be able to enter the world of their favorite characters, such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.

How to Train Your Dragon

Based on the much-loved movie How To Train A Dragon, visitors can find this attraction in the park’s specially built Isle of Berk.

Family rides include Dragon Racer’s Rally, Biking Training Camp and live show The Untrainable Dragon.

Visitors also shouldn’t miss taking a ride on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders which lets passengers fly through the air alongside Hiccup and Toothless.

Dark Universe

NBCUniversal

Dark Universe is the scariest part of the park[/caption]

Dark Universe sees guests head straight to the towering Frankenstein Manor, the focal point of the land.

Being billed as Universal’s “most terrifying ride yet”, guests can take on the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

As they travel through the catacombs of the Manor, they will be greeted by terrifying monsters following failed experiments from Dr. Victoria Frankenstein.

Creatures including The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature
from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others will terrify riders along the way.

Other activities include Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, with food served at Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern and De Lacey’s Cottage

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is based in both 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts series, and the iconic Ministry of Magic.

There will also be a full-scale live theatre experience with aerialists, special affects and puppetry.

To get fully into the spirit of all things Boy Wizard, visitors will be able to buy wands and the traditional Harry Potter butter beer.

Stay at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Visitors can make the most of their Epic Universe experience and book into the luxury on-site hotel.

This incredible place to stay can be found nestled in Celestial Park.

The 500-room Universal Helios Grand Hotel boasts a huge swimming pool and rooftop lounge.

Inspired by Helios, the Greek god of the sun, the hotel’s huge lobby features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Celestial Park, lush gardens and sparkling waters.

Those staying there are also treated to a private entrance into the theme park, which will cut down on queuing time.

COPS investigating a school shooting that left two people dead are probing a supposed manifesto that might be linked to the female shooter.

Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow was named as the shooter who opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.

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Families consoling each other outside the school[/caption]

One student and a teacher were killed in the rampage before Rupnow, 15, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.

Six people were injured as chaos unfolded inside a classroom containing mixed-grade students just days before Christmas.

Madison police have launched an investigation and raided Rupnow’s home.

SWAT teams swooped on the house – around eight miles from the school – and hurled stun grenades into the property.

Neighbors told the CNN affiliate WTMJ-TV that they heard bangs and saw flashes as the grenades detonated.

“The front door was taken off and nobody was around, and the detectives are in there mopping up the mess,” one local said.

Shon Barnes, the Madison Police Chief, revealed Rupnow’s parents are cooperating in the early stages of the probe.

Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced online that a manifesto of some kind may be linked to the shooter.

But police have stressed they’ve been unable to verify the alleged document.

“We haven’t been able to verify that it’s authentic,” Barnes said.

“We’re certainly aware that it’s been posted, and the person who posted it alleged to have a connection with the victim.”

One law enforcement source told CNN that officers were probing notes that seemed to suggest Rupnow had been dealing with problems.

The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, but investigators believe Rupnow used a 9mm pistol to carry out the massacre.

They are unsure how she got hold of the weapon.

Police do not know where the gun came from.

Barnes also said cops believe Rupnow was at the school before the shooting unfolded.

A second-grader called 911 just before 11am local time to report the shooting.

Cops swooped on the school within three minutes of the 911 call.

In less than 10 minutes, Madison cops confirmed that the shooter was down and they had found a gun.

Cops and fire crews then combed the school to find victims before bomb dogs were brought in.

Nora Gottschalk, eight, told the CNN affiliate WISC-TV that she saw an injured teacher clutching her leg.

The second-grader said she was “really scared.”

Her dad, Karl, said the youngster didn’t have any shoes on when he collected her.

“I was in the hallway, and I was changing from my shoes to my boots to go to lunch, because I have recess after, but then I heard the shooting and screams,” Nora said.

TERRIFIED KIDS

“We went to the church right next to my school, and everyone was panicking still, because a lot of police were there.”

Meanwhile, Adler Jean-Charles, a sixth-grader, said he heard two gunshots.

“Some people started crying, and then we just waited until the police came and they escorted us out,” he said.

Students were told to lock down as the chaos unfolded.

The school had previously worked with the police force on what to do if there was an active shooter situation.

“When they heard ‘lockdown, lockdown’ and nothing else – they knew it was real, but they handled themselves brilliantly,” Barbara Wiers, the director of elementary and school relations for the school, said.

LOCK DOWN

Wiers hailed the children, saying they behaved “magnificently” even though they were terrified.

Of the six people that were injured, two are in a critical condition.

A teacher, and three students suffered non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released from the hospital.

The victims have not been identified.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden branded the shooting “shocking and unconscionable.”

“We cannot continue to accept it as normal,” he said in a statement.

“Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom.”

WISN

Reuters

POKEMON TCG Pocket users have complained that the game is crashing after downloading the new Mythical Island expansion.

The update is the first of its kind for the hugely popular mobile game, which launched at the end of October.

Creatures Inc

New update is out now[/caption]

Pokemon TCG Pocket has already been downloaded a whooping 30million times.

But the refresh hasn’t come without its problems as multiple users claim the game is crashing since updating.

It appears to be down to a serve issue.

A screenshot shared by players read warns of an “authentication error”.

“The server authentication process failed,” it reads.

“The game will restart now.”

However, it’s not clear how widespread the issue may be.

Server problems often occur with online game updates as engineers roll out new features and software, especially with popular titles.

Users have taken to social media to find out what is going on.

“pokemon tcg pocket crashing was inevitable,” one wrote on X.

“I’m so mad right now,” another commented.

The Mythical Island expansion comes with more than 80 cards.

There’s also five new Pokémon ex cards, including Mew, Celebi and Aerodactyl, as well as five new Trainer cards.

POKEMON TCG Pocket users have complained that the game is crashing after downloading the new Mythical Island expansion.

The update is the first of its kind for the hugely popular mobile game, which launched at the end of October.

Creatures Inc

New update is out now[/caption]

Pokemon TCG Pocket has already been downloaded a whooping 30million times.

But the refresh hasn’t come without its problems as multiple users claim the game is crashing since updating.

It appears to be down to a serve issue.

A screenshot shared by players read warns of an “authentication error”.

“The server authentication process failed,” it reads.

“The game will restart now.”

Breaking news… more to follow…

EAGLE-EYED Princess Diana fans have gone wild after spotting that Prince Harry’s children still have an iconic Spencer trait.

Yesterday, Harry, 40, and Meghan Markle, 43, released a rare new image of their two children, Archie, five and Lilibet, three.

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Diana fans are going wild as they notice Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie have inherited an iconic Spencer trait[/caption]

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After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry released their annual Christmas card, royal fans flocked to X to share their thoughts[/caption]

Times Newspapers Ltd

Not only did they comment on the young children’s height, but their vibrant hair too[/caption]

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Fans were pleased to see that the Spencer genes had been inherited by Harry’s children[/caption]

The picture was included among a series of snaps on their annual Christmas card, which showcased highlights from their year.

Meghan and Harry smile widely in what appears to be their garden as Archie and Lilibet run towards them for a hug.

Six images were featured with the card, sent by email, which has the message: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year.”

But excited royal fans are now all saying the same thing – that the young royals still have their late grandmother Diana’s red hair.  

Diana had red locks as a child but then opted for blonde highlights in the 1990s.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one person said: “Diana must be proud to know the Spencer hair genes [are] not going [anywhere] as her grandchildren inherited them.”

Another added: “The Sussexes, the ginger bunch. Meghan is outnumbered by her ginger children and her ginger husband!

“Princess Diana’s genes don’t play! And we love it, it is the superior [gene] after all. Archie and Lilibet are true Spencers!!!”

A third commented: “Prince Harry and his family are looking more like Spencer’s every time we see them.

“Princess Diana really said, a loyal son deserves to carry my genes and she hasn’t missed a step.”

Whilst someone else wrote: “I cannot get over how beautiful Prince Archie & Princess Lilibet are & look at those Spencer ginger genes!! Oh my world!

“Their Granny Princess Diana would have been over the moon seeing them & probably is watching over them!”

Prince Harry previously opened up about the “ginger gene” he passed down from his mother’s side to his son and daughter, and why he didn’t think his and Meghan’s children would inherit his hair colour.

The Spencer gene is very, very strong

Prince Harry

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Harry claimed that he “definitely” sees his mother, Diana, in his children, before joking that the “ginger gene is a strong one”.

He continued: “The Spencer gene is very, very strong.

“I actually really genuinely thought at the beginning of my relationship that, should this go the distance and we have kids, that there’s no way the ginger gene will stand up to my wife’s genes…But, I was wrong.”

As well as the children’s vibrant red hair, royal fans couldn’t help but notice how tall the youngsters now are.

Prince Harry and his family are looking more like Spencer’s every time we see them

Royal fan

One fan beamed: “Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet look so tall!”

A second wrote: “OMG look how big Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are.”

Meanwhile, another chimed in: “What a beautiful and happy family, Lilibet is almost as tall as Archie!”

Archie and Lilibet have made very few public appearances over recent years, with Harry and Meghan keen to keep their children out of the spotlight.

The couple did not include their children on their 2022 and 2023 Christmas cards, but did delight fans with a sweet family picture – the first-ever picture released of their daughter – to mark Christmas in 2021. 

A then-two-year-old Archie was seen perched on his father’s knee, whilst Meghan held Lilibet, who was seven months at the time.

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Harry previously said that the “Spencer gene is very, very strong”[/caption]

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Harry and Meghan have made a conscious decision to keep their children out of the spotlight[/caption]

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The couple did not include their children on their 2022 and 2023 Christmas cards[/caption]

AS there’s currently no cure for dementia, experts recommend focusing on ways to reduce your risk of developing the disease.

For some people, just going to work could do wonders for protecting the brain – as a new study found two specific jobs were linked to the lowest risk of death from Alzheimer’s disease.

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Taxis drivers have been linked to the lowest risk of death from Alzheimer’s disease[/caption]

Researchers raised the possibility that jobs that require frequent spatial processing—such as figuring out a taxi route or the best way to navigate to a hospital—could lead to lower rates of death from Alzheimer’s.

As part of their investigation, the team from Mass General Brigham used national data on the occupations of people who had died to evaluate risk of death from Alzheimer’s disease across 443 professions.

Their results, published in The BMJ, found taxi driving and ambulance driving were associated with a lower rate of death from the disease compared to other jobs.

“The same part of the brain that’s involved in creating cognitive spatial maps – which we use to navigate the world around us – is also involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” said lead author Vishal Patel, a resident physician in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“We hypothesised that occupations such as taxi driving and ambulance driving, which demand real-time spatial and navigational processing, might be associated with a reduced burden of Alzheimer’s disease mortality compared with other occupations.”

Dementia was the UK’s leading cause of death for the 13th year in a row in 2023.

At least 75,393 people died of disease – 11.4 per cent of all recorded deaths.

This marks a steady rise from 74,261 in 2022 and 69,178 in 2021, according to the Alzheimer’s Research UK’s latest analysis.

Increased testing along with an ageing population and an increase in lifestyle habits linked to the disease are believed to be behind the rise.

They include smoking, excessive alcohol, little physical activity and low levels of socialising.

But don’t worry if you’re not a taxi driver or ambulance driver, as plenty of research suggests other small changes to your lifestyle could slash your risk of developing dementia.

For example, just one extra portion of veg a day in your 40s could lower the risk of the brain-eating disease.

Here are some other things proven to reduce dementia risk.

1. AVOID BINGEING BOXSETS

There is nothing better to do on a slow weekend than binge episodes of your favourite show — but don’t do it for too long

A 2018 study from biomedical database UK Biobank found people who watched more than four hours at a time were 24 per cent more likely to develop dementia, due to it being a “passive activity”.

Instead, they recommended spending an hour surfing the web, due to it being a “higher cognitive task”.

2. DO CROSSWORDS (WITH YOUR OTHER HAND)

Wordy activities like doing a crossword can help reduce your chance of dementia by up to nine per cent.

A team from Monash University, in Australia, said the words-based pastime, puzzles and card games help by “stimulating the growth of neurons and synapses”. 

It may seem odd, but trying to do writing tasks, like crosswords, with your non-dominant hand could help too.

Neuroscientist Dr Rahul Jandial previously told the Sun it helps by “building brain connections”, which keeps you sharp.

3. BE A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

In case you need an excuse to meet up with friends or family members, it turns out that staying social can support brain health. 

Research from University College London found meeting new people, and increasing time spent socialising can help delay the onset of the condition, reducing risk by between 30 and 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, separate studies have found loneliness, depression, and isolation – all linked to not socialising enough – increase the chances of dementia. 

4. GO MEDITERRANEAN

High salt consumption has been linked to both heart disease and dementia. 

Up to 75 per cent of the salt we consume ­is found in processed food and items eaten away from the home.

The Alzheimer’s Society recommends sticking to a Mediterranean diet, which could reduce dementia risk by 23 per cent.

 It consists of a high consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, a moderate intake of oily fish and dairy, and a low intake of meat, sugar and saturated fats. 

5. LOSE WEIGHT

Shedding the pounds can also help reduce your chances of the debilitating disease.

A UK study, published in 2020 found that being overweight between the ages of 35 and 65 has been found to increase the risk of dementia by up to 30 per cent. 

If you are considered overweight or obese, losing between five and ten per cent of your excess weight can reduce your risk.

Find out if you are overweight by taking the NHS test.

Visit the NHS website for weight loss plans or talk to your GP for advice.

6. TAKE 2P VITAMIN

Multivitamins that cost as little as 2p could stave off Alzheimer’s, a study shows.

Experts at Mass General Brigham in the US found people who take the tablets every day have slower brain ageing and less memory loss.

They said the improvement was similar to being two years younger.

7. HAVE MORE SEX

Getting it on in the bedroom can help protect against dementia by increasing blood flow to the brain, research shows.

The quality of sex and climax was most closely linked to mental sharpness in 62- to 74-year-olds, experts found.

Over-75s, on the other hand, benefited most from romps at least once a week.

Prof Shannon Shen, of Hope College, Michigan, said: “Sex is physical exercise and exercise is linked to better cognitive performance by increasing the blood flow in the brain.”

8. DRINK MORE COFFEE

There is arguably nothing better than a cup of old Joe first thing in the morning to help you get up and out.

And now, we have even more reason to grab a mug of the good stuff.

Scientists have found that coffee could help prevent a cause of Alzheimer’s building up.

Espresso may stop proteins that are linked to the disease from tangling in the brain, the study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found.

The drink rendered the protein clumps non-toxic to brain cells, making them less likely to lead to dementia, they said.

9. DANCE

Having a boogie has also been shown to be an effective way of protecting yourself against the memory loss condition.

Not only does it offer a fun way of exercising, but remembering steps and the social element also help stimulate the brain.

One study, published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, found older adults who did six months of ballroom dancing saw better outcomes than those walking on treadmills.

Dr Helena Blumen, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said: “Social dancing generated greater improvements on cognitive tests than treadmill walking.”

10. USE VIAGRA

Men who take Viagra may have up to a 54 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a study suggests.

Scientists from University College London found men who pop sex-boosting drugs like Viagra and Cialis were 18 per cent less likely to develop the brain-eating disease compared with those who went without the drugs.

The pills work by widening blood vessels to improve blood flow to the penis – and could also boost circulation to the brain.

This is not to say people should start taking Viagra to prevent dementia.

You should speak to your doctor before taking Viagra to make sure it’s safe for you.

Viagra can cause adverse reactions in people with certain health conditions or who take certain medicines.

11. WALK

Something as simple as getting out and walking more could cut your risk of developing dementia.

According to Claire Steves, a professor of ageing and health at King’s College London, going for a stroll just a handful of times a week can make a big difference.

Speaking to Jonathan Wolf on an episode of the ZOE podcast, Prof Steves said exercising was “key” to improving your cognitive health.

“I tell all my patients to make sure they’re physically active at least three times a week, and they’re going out every day,” she said.

“To improve your cognitive health, you need to do more exercise than you’re doing now.”

Unless, of course, “you’re an Olympic athlete”, she added.

12. LOOK AFTER YOUR TEETH

Looking after your pearly whites is always important – especially now that oral and brain health have been closely linked.

A new Taiwanese study found that those with chronic gum disease for more than a decade were 1.7 times more likely to be at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth and gums.

You can remove this plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.

Scientists have even found evidence of plaque lodged in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’s.

Experts believe the toxins could travel from the blood to the brain, where they cause long-term damage over time.

13. PROTECT YOUR SENSES

It’s natural for our senses, such as vision hearing and smell to decline as we age.

But now, experts have linked a decline to an increased risk of dementia.

Research published in 2023 found that dual impairment in hearing and vision was associated with a higher risk of dementia.

Be sure to stay on top of checkups, wear sunglasses when you’re out in the sunshine and take regular breaks from headphones.

Some research has found that smell training in older adults can help; try smelling various different scents every day for several weeks.

These can include cloves, lemon and cinnamon. 

14. GET LOTS OF SLEEP

Sleep is vital for overall good health.

It’s not just the hours you get – to really show your brain some love and keep it sharp, you need to be getting good quality sleep for at least seven hours.

A lack of sleep can cut your ability to learn new things and take on new information by 40 per cent according to US research.

Other studies have found that even one night of sleep deprivation can increase the amount of beta-amyloid in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS

A timely diagnosis is vital to ensure more people get the support and care they need to live with the illness.

Thousands more individuals are being diagnosed each month and more medication reviews are being done within 12 months.

The NHS is calling on people to come forward and get checked if they have any common early signs or symptoms.

Dr Jeremy Isaacs, national clinical director for dementia, NHS England, said: “Getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people, with a wide range of NHS services able to help.

“NHS staff have worked hard to recover services with the number of people with a diagnosis rising significantly over the last year, and now at a record level, but there is more work to be done.

“Thousands more individuals are being diagnosed each month and more medication reviews are being done within 12 months.

“Common early symptoms of dementia include forgetting bits of information, saying the same thing repeatedly, struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word, and being confused about time and place. Usually these problems will be more obvious to the person’s family and friends than to the individual themselves.

“If you have noticed that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment – the sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can help.”

Alzheimer’s Society policy manager Dr Alex Osborne welcomed the progress but stressed the importance of early diagnosis.

She said: “An early, accurate diagnosis is vital for unlocking care, support, and treatment.

“We’re close to meeting the existing target of a 66.7 per cent diagnosis rate – so now we’d like to see bold, ambitious but achievable new targets set for the future to ensure everyone gets the diagnosis they need.”

Dementia UK’s head of policy, campaigns and public affairs Andrew Pike said: “It is positive that dementia diagnosis rates are on track to recover their pre-pandemic levels and a step closer to meeting the national target rate. However, for a diagnosis to unlock the support that a family needs, it is also essential that we see more done to bridge the gap between health and social care systems.

“Dementia is a complex condition, and, with diagnosis rates increasing, disparities risk being further exacerbated by a lack of specialist post-diagnostic support. For too long tens of thousands of people have been left to cope the with the devastating effects of dementia alone.

“That is why we are calling on the new Government to put dementia on the agenda and deliver expert and personalised support for people after a diagnosis, as well as increasing access to specialist dementia nursing, like that offered by our Admiral Nurses, in hospital settings.”

The latest figures show 86,434 people with a dementia diagnosis had their medication reviewed in the preceding 12 months.

The figure for June 2023 was 77,112.

Pinag-iingat ng Bureau of Fire Protection ang publiko sa paggamit ng mga saksakan para maiwasan ang sunog ngayong Kapaskuhan.

A measure seeking to defer for one year the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has hurdled the House of Representatives.