The carbon dioxide shortage will start affecting some supplies to supermarkets this weekend, the Food and Drink Federation has warned. CO2 is used to stun farm animals, put fizz in carbonated drinks and is used in packaging, but is in short supply. Federation chief executive Ian Wright said carbon dioxide supplies were not expected to resume until next week. He said that while stocks would not run out, “choice will be eroded”. Mr Wright told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We will see fewer chicken dishes, fewer pork and bacon dishes. “We’ll see probably less carbonated drinks and certainly bakery and other things that benefit from what’s called modified atmosphere packaging, which is plastic packaging with a tray underneath and a dish of food in them.” A number of companies have reported disruption to production because of the shortage. Warburton’s, the UK’s biggest producer of crumpets, said it has been forced to halt production at two of its four plants. The company uses carbon dioxide to give its crumpets a... ...

Patients who see the same doctor again and again have lower death rates, a study suggests.The benefits applied to visits to GPs and specialists and were seen across different cultures and health systems. University of Exeter researchers said the human aspect of medical practice was “potentially life-saving” but had been neglected.GPs’ leaders said they recognised the value of patients seeing “their own” doctor.Because of intense workforce pressures, however, this could mean waiting even longer for an appointment, the Royal College of GPs said. The study, published in BMJ Open, analysed the results of 22 studies in nine countries, including England, France, US, Canada and South Korea. Eighteen of the studies indicated that contact with the same doctor over an average of two years meant fewer deaths over the periods studied, compared with other patients. The researchers said continuity of care was important and should be given a higher priority in healthcare planning. Prof Philip Evans, from the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “Continuity of care happens when a patient... ...

Many people were feared dead yesterday while 54 vehicles were gutted by fire when a petrol-laden tanker crashed along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The incident happened around 5 pm on the Otedola Bridge of the expressway with many motorists trapped, as the tanker which was leaving Lagos lost control and subsequently crashed and spilled its 33,000-litre content. This immediately triggered explosion, leaving many vehicles in flames. While some occupants of the vehicles escaped, others were caught up in the explosion. According to a report by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which was made available to the press, the accident involved one tanker, five buses, two trucks, one tricycle and 45 cars. The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Hyginus Omeje and LASEMA General Manager, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu confirmed that nine people died while four people were injured with various degrees of burns.  “The situation now is that we are on recovery. The wreckages are being taken off the road. All the dead bodies have been deposited in the morgue. The injured ones have... ...

Cabinet has endorsed the creation of a National Fitness Day to address the raising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) like diabetes, cancer and hypertension. According to a statement issued by executive director of Uganda Media Centre Mr Ofwono Opondo, the resolution to launch the National Fitness Day on July 8, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds was reached during a cabinet meeting chaired by President Museveni on Monday at State House, Entebbe. The day, according to the statement will be celebrated under the theme “my health is my responsibility” Mr Opondo said the National Physical Activity Day is aimed at encouraging the population to adopt physical activity as a routine in their lifestyles in order to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases. It will also be used to equip members of the public with more information about the importance of physical activities in prevention and control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). At the physical fitness day, according to Mr Opondo, experts in the area of NCDs will provide talks and also conduct screening for major diseases and their risk factors.... ...

It is feared that around 100 migrants who were aboard a boat off the coast of Libya have drowned.A coastguard official said only 14 survivors were rescued, the Reuters news agency reports. The vessel appears to have got into trouble in waters to the east of the capital, Tripoli, but exactly what happened is not yet clear. Many migrants from Africa and elsewhere set out from Libya in dangerously overcrowded boats as they attempt to reach Europe. The latest drownings come as the EU leaders agreed, after marathon talks at a summit in Brussels, that secure centres for migrants may be set up in EU states to process asylum claims. They also agreed an ambitious partnership with Africa, offering incentives to North African countries to host facilities where migrants can be assessed for resettlement in Europe. However getting North African countries to host such centres could be very difficult and Morocco again on Thursday rejected the idea. 3.Uganda: Government to Launch National Fitness Day ...