WEIRD STUFF

Yoghurt could help prevent cancer

Yoghurt could slash the risk of bowel cancer. Professor Justin Stebbing, an oncologist, has said the dairy product contains a bacteria called Bifidobacterium -- which is believed to have an effect that stops tumours from forming -- and it can reduce the risk by up to 20 per cent.

However, he insisted that people eat yoghurts with "live cultures" because different forms of the food may not be able to produce the same results because of "fermentation processes", which "can result in varying levels of beneficial bacteria".

The advice comes off the back of research in February 2025 that found those who consume at least two servings of yoghurt every week over 30 years are a fifth less likely to get bowel cancer.

Prof Stebbing -- who is a professor of biomedical sciences at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge -- wrote on The Conversation: " The emerging evidence suggests that regular yoghurt consumption may have a protective effect against certain aggressive forms of [bowel] cancer."

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Gen Z struggles with phone calls

Some Gen Zers are being taught how to have a phone call conversation. Accounting firm Forvis Mazars is rolling out a "major firm-wide" investment plan, with the launch of a "comprehensive learning and development programme" for its "digital generation" workers.

The "immersive" initiative -- which is thought to put their employees through challenging scenarios -- is to help boost the employability skills of those who were born between 1997 and 2012 and lack confidence in picking up their smartphone and calling someone.

James Gilbey, UK chief executive of Forvis Mazars, told The Telegraph: "We've committed to a major firm-wide investment to put relationship skills front and centre."

The help the company is providing follows rising fears that Gen Zers taking up roles in companies resort to text or email communication because of not having experience in talking to someone over the phone.

Victoria Bari, the head of training at Berry Recruitment Group, is quoted by MailOnline as saying: "There is certainly a generational divide and, for younger, more inexperienced consultants, emails and messaging are the first route of communication.

"But talking to people remains the most effective method of building relationships, which is a fundamental building block of sales."

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Big bucks for hero's medal

A George Cross medal bought in a car boot sale for PS20 (approximately J$4,000) could fetch up to PS2 million (approximately J$400 million) at auction.

The medal -- which is the highest award given to someone for their great acts of heroism or courage in scenarios of extreme danger -- was bestowed posthumously on Second Lieutenant Michael Paul Benner in 1957.

He died after trying to save Snapper Phillips -- who joined Michael and four other men as they took part in a mammoth 12,400 expedition to Austria's tallest mountain, Grossglockner -- after he slipped and fell on their descent because of the icy and stormy weather conditions.

With no hesitation, Michael tried to save him, but it ended in his also falling to his death.

After the medal was not seen for years, it was discovered in a box of military memorabilia at an East Yorkshire car boot sale, and it was slapped with a PS20 price tag.

Now, it is set to go under the hammer on April 1, 2025, at Heckmondwike Auctions in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire.

A reserve price has been set for between PS60,000 (approximately J$12 million) and PS80,000 (approximately J$16 million).

However, the auctioneers said another rare George Cross medal previously sold for PS2.1 million.