‘Campeones! Campeones!’: Jubilation in Spain as La Roja win 2026 World Cup

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July 20, 2026

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Low testosterone? Hegseth sparks conversation as doctors reveal warning signs every man should know

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With War Secretary Pete Hegseth fueling a national conversation about testosterone, many men may wonder whether their own levels are where they should be.

On July 15, Hegseth directed the Pentagon to begin mandatory testosterone-deficiency screening for active-duty and reserve personnel age 30 and older as part of their periodic health assessments, with testing available upon request for younger service members.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), when clinically indicated, will be voluntary, according to the Associated Press.

The screening protocol is designed to “optimize performance, combat ‘Operator Syndrome’ and maximize mission readiness,” according to a statement posted by the U.S. Department of War, as provided by Hegseth’s office to Fox News Digital.

“I think Hegseth has a good idea,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. “I already screen for it in men over 50, and it makes sense to check for it in men who rely on tip-top physical performance.”

With War Secretary Pete Hegseth fueling a national conversation about testosterone, many men may wonder whether their own levels are where they should be. (Cliff Owen/AP Photo)

Unlike the Pentagon’s policy, the Endocrine Society does not recommend routine testosterone screening for men without symptoms.

“There is insufficient evidence to support a general recommendation to perform population-level screening for hypogonadism in asymptomatic men with measurement of blood testosterone level,” the society states on its website.

What constitutes low testosterone?

There is no single ideal testosterone level for every man. A harmonized reference range cited by the Endocrine Society is 264 to 916 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter) for healthy, non-obese men ages 19 to 39, although ranges can vary by laboratory and testing method.

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The American Urological Association says that a total testosterone level below 300 ng/dL, when combined with symptoms of low testosterone, should be considered deficient.

The Endocrine Society estimates that hypogonadism affects roughly 2% of men overall, although rates vary by age and underlying health. The condition becomes more likely as men grow older, and certain medical conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, can also play a role.

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency

“Low testosterone can cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, bone and muscle loss, cognitive problems and increased body fat,” Siegel said.

The Endocrine Society estimates that hypogonadism affects roughly 2% of men overall, although rates vary by age and underlying health. (iStock)

The Endocrine Society shares the following list of common symptoms and signs of testosterone deficiency.

Decreased sex drive (low libido)
Erectile dysfunction
Reduced sperm count and infertility
Fatigue or low energy
Loss of muscle mass and strength
Depressed mood, irritability or difficulty concentrating
Breast enlargement or tenderness (gynecomastia)
Shrinking testicles
Hot flashes

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Over time, men with untreated testosterone deficiency may also experience loss of body hair, decreased bone density (osteoporosis) and anemia (low red blood cell count).

Sexual symptoms, such as reduced libido and erectile dysfunction, are more specific signs of testosterone deficiency than fatigue or difficulty concentrating, which can have many possible causes, experts say.

Diagnosing low testosterone

Because testosterone varies by time of day and can be temporarily affected by food intake, illness and other factors, diagnosis generally requires symptoms or signs plus low results on at least two separate early-morning, preferably fasting blood tests, per the Endocrine Society.

If low testosterone is confirmed, doctors may order additional blood tests to determine the underlying cause, including luteinizing hormone (LH), which helps distinguish whether the problem originates in the testes, pituitary or hypothalamus.

If low testosterone is confirmed, doctors may order additional blood tests to determine the underlying cause, including luteinizing hormone (LH), which helps distinguish whether the problem originates in the testes, pituitary or hypothalamus. (iStock)

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may also be measured, particularly when infertility or impaired sperm production is a concern.

In some cases, doctors may recommend testing prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Elevated levels of prolactin can suppress testosterone production and may indicate an underlying pituitary disorder.

Doctors may also measure free testosterone — the amount that is available for the body to use — if total testosterone levels are borderline or don’t fully explain a man’s symptoms.

Treatment methods

Before prescribing TRT, doctors generally look for potentially reversible or temporary factors, including obesity, certain medications, untreated obstructive sleep apnea, acute illness and excessive alcohol use.

“It makes sense to check for it in men who rely on tip-top physical performance.”

For men whose low testosterone is primarily related to obesity, weight loss is typically the first-line treatment, according to the Endocrine Society.

When consistently low levels and clinically significant symptoms are present, TRT may be considered after reviewing potential benefits, risks and treatment goals.

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TRT can be administered in the form of topical gels, transdermal patches, injections, buccal tablets, nasal gel or subcutaneous pellets, per the Endocrine Society.

In June 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it has asked the FDA to update the prescribing information for TRT based on “a comprehensive review of new clinical data and existing scientific evidence.”

Before prescribing TRT, doctors generally look for potentially reversible or temporary factors, including obesity, certain medications, untreated obstructive sleep apnea, acute illness and excessive alcohol use. (iStock)

The proposed changes would remove labeling language stating that the safety and effectiveness of TRT have not been established in men with age-related hypogonadism and would update information about prostate cancer risk based on newer research.

“We are putting science back at the center of men’s healthcare,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a statement on the HHS website.

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“By updating testosterone therapy labels to reflect current evidence, we are giving patients and physicians clearer information, supporting informed medical decisions, and improving care for millions of American men.”

The announcement only pertains to drug labeling and does not change existing clinical guidelines.

Potential risks of TRT

Some patients may not be candidates for TRT, the Endocrine Society says.

Those include men with active breast or prostate cancer, elevated hematocrit (the percentage of total blood volume that consists of red blood cells), untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea, recent heart attack or stroke (within the previous six months) or thrombophilia (a blood disorder that increases your tendency to form abnormal clots inside your blood vessels).

“Low testosterone can cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, bone and muscle loss, cognitive problems and increased body fat,” a doctor said. (iStock)

Men who are trying to conceive should also avoid TRT, as it suppresses sperm production and can impair fertility.

Those receiving TRT should be monitored regularly by a physician, experts advise. Follow-up typically includes checking hormone levels, blood counts (as the treatment can increase red blood cell levels), symptoms and, when appropriate, prostate health and other potential adverse effects.

Latest evidence on TRT safety

In 2023, the TRAVERSE trial — led by Cleveland Clinic and published in The New England Journal of Medicine — found that TRT did not increase the overall rate of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death compared with placebo among middle-aged and older men who had confirmed hypogonadism and pre-existing cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk.

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The trial did, however, suggest increased rates of pulmonary embolism, kidney injury and atrial fibrillation in the testosterone group, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring.

While TRT has been shown to improve libido, sexual function, anemia, bone density, lean body mass and some symptoms in appropriately selected men, doctors emphasize that it is not guaranteed to improve energy, cognition or overall vitality. (iStock)

A separately published TRAVERSE substudy later found a higher rate of clinical fractures among men receiving testosterone.

“The results provide long-awaited reassurance about the cardiovascular safety of testosterone therapy when used as indicated in appropriately selected men,” said senior author Steven Nissen, MD, chief academic officer of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic, in a press release.

“Low testosterone can cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, bone and muscle loss, cognitive problems and increased body fat.”

“Although the trial showed some evidence that testosterone treatment may be safe for men with low levels of testosterone, these findings should not be used as a justification for widespread prescription of these products to large numbers of men.”

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While TRT has been shown to improve libido, sexual function, anemia, bone density, lean body mass and some symptoms in appropriately selected men, doctors emphasize that it is not guaranteed to improve energy, cognition or overall vitality.

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Why a £6.99 handheld fan may not be such a bargain after all

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July 20, 2026

Why a £6.99 handheld fan may not be such a bargain after all

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Portable handheld fans are now often stacked beside chewing gum and vapes at supermarket checkouts and discount stores, available for less than £10. Once mainly sold online, they’re convenient, affordable and increasingly popular.

Some people use them on the bus, in the park or while waiting for a train. But they’re another example of a growing environmental problem: fast tech. These typically low-cost electrical products are designed to be bought quickly, used briefly, then disposed of. Think charging cables, vapes and, increasingly, handheld fans.

Unlike traditional electrical and electronic equipment, many of these products have short lifespans and limited reuse and repair options. The result is a growing stream of waste electrical and electronic equipment, or e-waste, that is difficult to manage.

A handheld fan might only weigh 200g, but it contains a surprisingly complex mix of materials. Inside, you’ll typically find a plastic housing and fan, brushless motors that contain copper wiring and rare-earth magnets made from an element called neodymium, a small printed circuit board (the base of most electronic devices) and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. These materials all have environmental costs.

Mining and processing critical materials, including lithium and copper, requires large amounts of energy and water, and can have significant environmental consequences. Although each fan contains only small quantities of these materials, e-waste is a growing problem.

Handheld fans are useful during heatwaves – but alternatives are available (Getty)

Our research estimates that more than 8 million handheld fans will be purchased in the UK in 2026. If current market trends continue, annual sales are expected to reach 9.8 million by 2030. With more frequent heatwaves, sales could exceed 11.4 million each year.

Just under half of fans are discarded annually, and only 62% are formally collected. This often means the remainder is probably being thrown into household rubbish bins or stored at home. We estimate that around 1.8 million handheld fans will end up in residual household waste in 2026, rising to 2.6 million by 2030 if current trends continue.

This is a problem because these products contain valuable materials that are lost instead of being recovered and recycled. Much of the residual waste is incinerated.

In addition, most handheld fans contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. When these batteries are crushed or punctured in waste collection vehicles or sorting facilities, they can ignite. Fires as a result of damaged batteries are a huge problem across the waste management sector.

Many handheld fans are inexpensive enough that replacing them is often cheaper than repairing them. But price isn’t the only barrier: many models are difficult to open without damaging the casing. Batteries are often glued in place, spare parts are unavailable, and repair instructions rarely exist.

Lucia Corsini is an Associate Professor, Head of the Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab, University of Oxford.

Ana Outeirinho Morgado is a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Systems and Engineering Design for the Circular Economy.

Aya Abdelmeguid is a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Design for the Circular Economy, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford.

This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

Rather than designing for durability or repairability, some manufacturers seem to be competing to sell more. Some offer features like digital screens stating your fan’s wind speed, or options to add aromatherapy pods and essential oils.

The challenge isn’t simply that products are cheap. It’s that many are designed in ways that encourage conspicuous consumption (buying products to flaunt them and signal social status) while making reuse, repair and recycling more difficult.

Pause before purchasing

Handheld fans certainly have a place, especially during heatwaves and for people who are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures.

But before buying one, it’s worth asking a few questions. Do I really need one? Could I choose a simpler design with fewer unnecessary features? Does the retailer offer warranties or take-back services? Will I still be using it in a few years’ time?

Whatever you do, don’t throw a handheld fan into your household rubbish bin. You can take your unwanted e-waste to household recycling centres that accept small electrical items. Some retailers provide free instore electrical recycling, and local collection points are listed online.

Creating a less wasteful, more circular economy isn’t just about recycling. It’s about designing products that last longer, and that can be reused and repaired.

EU policies, such as the eco-design for sustainable products regulation and right to repair measures, ensure that products are designed for durability and repairability. This makes it easier for people to access repair services and therefore extend product lifetimes.

Similar reforms are also being considered in the UK, as part of an environmental policy called extended producer responsibility (making brands and manufacturers financially and operationally responsible for the entire life-cycle of their products, including disposal). The UK’s right to repair law, introduced in 2021, requires manufacturers to make spare parts and technical manuals available for major household appliances.

But until those changes become more widespread and applicable to more products, consumers still have an important role to play – by minimising unnecessary consumption (for example, by considering alternatives like paper fans or damp cloths) and avoiding improper disposal.

The next time you see a £6.99 handheld fan at the checkout, ask yourself: will I still be using this in three summers’ time? If the answer is no, it may not be such a bargain after all.

Student loan defaults hit record highs in wake of COVID-tied payments pause expiration

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July 20, 2026

Student loan defaults hit record highs in wake of COVID-tied payments pause expiration

Defaults on student loans have surged across the United States, reaching record levels as borrowers struggle to keep up with payments.

The numbers have spiked since payments came due again following a lengthy pause intended to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, around 9.5 million people – 1 in 5 federal student loan borrowers – are in default, meaning they are more than nine months behind on their payments.

While credit scores can suffer when borrowers are just a few months behind, entering default brings the possibility of more serious consequences, including garnished wages or Social Security payments. For now, the Trump administration has held off on such involuntary collections.

Despair on the rise

“Folks are struggling to make ends meet and cover all the rising costs of everything else. The growing student loan bills are making things worse and folks are falling behind,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director for the advocacy group Protect Borrowers.

The Education Department allowed borrowers to suspend federal student loan payments during the economic tumult of the pandemic. Though payments technically started coming due again in 2023, the Biden administration provided a one-year buffer period that ended in the fall of 2024.

Loans couldn’t enter default during that time, and federal programs designed to help delinquent borrowers and debt forgiveness initiatives brought millions out of default.

Starting in June 2025, with the pause having ended nine months prior, borrowers began defaulting again for the first time since the pandemic.

Since then, the number of defaulted borrowers has exploded from 5.3 million to around 9.5 million, according to data from the Office of Federal Student Aid. Out of $1.7 trillion in federally-backed student loans nationwide, $233.3 billion are in default.

Problem could get worse

Another wave of defaults could be on the way. The Trump administration has eliminated the most generous income-driven repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, as part of its overhaul of the federal student loan system. The millions of borrowers who had been enrolled in SAVE now will face the strain of paying more each month.

Starting this month, new borrowers pick between one standard repayment plan and one income-driven option, as opposed to having several options. The Education Department has described the changes as a simplification of a “fragmented and confusing” system.

Many of the states with the highest concentrations of defaulted borrowers are in the South, an AP analysis found.

Mississippi has the nation’s highest default rate, 28.3%. Others near the top include Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas. Rounding out the 15 states with the highest default rates are Alaska, Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico and Nevada.

Of those states, New Mexico was the only one President Trump didn’t win in 2024.

“These are folks who live in states that President Trump won in the previous election,” Bañez said. “And why I bring that up is, you know, there’s a lot of misconceptions and tropes about who student loan borrowers are, and who are the ones who are falling behind.”

She said many are “working-class folks who just cannot keep up with these bills on top of everything else.”

Meanwhile, the territory of Puerto Rico had a 30.9% default rate, higher than any of the states.

Students who attended for-profit colleges struggle more than others to pay back their loans. Thirty-three percent of those borrowers were 90 days or more behind on their student loan payments, a rate more than double that of borrowers who attended public schools, according to data by the Office of Federal Student Aid released this year to help schools understand and identify default risks.

Out of the schools in the top quarter for nonpayment rates, 76% were for-profit schools.

The FSA argues that a high nonpayment rate represents a “serious risk” of developing a high default rate.

An association for private trade schools and career colleges is so concerned it has created a task force to reach out to students about the importance of loan repayment.

Jason Altmire, the head of the group, Career Education Colleges and Universities, said some of it can be chalked up to the pandemic. Other borrowers are confused over the Biden administration’s failed loan forgiveness effort. Still, he said the issue will be discussed at the association’s summer convention.

“We take it seriously,” he said. “It’s a real problem.”

In:

Why do we procrastinate?

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July 20, 2026

The cause can be hidden or buried, says Dr Itamar Shatz, a lecturer at Cambridge University who is publishing a book on the subject this week.

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Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

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July 20, 2026

Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

Emergency services for Castilla y León said it had received several calls about the collapse of the fountain. Part of the structure gave way after several people climbed on it to celebrate Spain’s win, local media reported.

The emergency service said it had notified the city’s local police, as well as Salamanca’s Civil Guard, its fire brigade and the local emergency medical service – which dispatched a mobile intensive care unit and a basic life support ambulance to the scene.

The emergency medical service later requested the presence of the Civil Guard at the local health centre to investigate the death of the boy who was treated there, the Castilla y León’s regional government’s website said.

It also requested the Civil Guard activate psychological support for the family.

The city’s council said it “hopes for a speedy recovery of the others who have been affected by the incident”.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday after Ferran Torres scored in extra time.

It is the country’s second ever World Cup win, after their last victory in 2010.

Earlier this month, three people died from suffocation during World Cup celebrations in Mexico City, while a 30-year-old man also died in an epileptic crisis.

WTA to require tennis players to undergo genetic sex testing

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July 20, 2026

WTA to require tennis players to undergo genetic sex testing

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is to require all players to undergo genetic sex testing in order to compete on the WTA Tour.

In the latest edition of its women’s eligibility policy, which will come into effect on Tuesday, players will be required to provide a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample to test for the presence of the SRY gene which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop.

Players will be tested just once in their lifetime and only a negative result, showing no presence of the gene, will permit them to compete on the Tour.

If they test positive, players will face further medical assessment before being allowed to play.

The new policy also requires players to sign a document that states they could face disciplinary action if they refuse testing.

The WTA’s previous policy, last updated in 2024, allowed transgender women to compete on the Tour if they had lowered their testosterone levels to below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years.

There are no known transgender women currently playing on the WTA Tour.

“The WTA’s women’s eligibility policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities in women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments,” the governing body said.

“Since first being introduced in 1975, the eligibility policy has undergone periodic review in light of developments across international sport.

“Following the most recent review, which included consultation with WTA members and evolving standards across women’s sport, the WTA board approved an updated WTA women’s eligibility policy beginning in 2026 based on biological sex.”

It added: “The WTA recognises that this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way.”

The policy change comes a year after World Athletics announced new regulations – brought into effect in September 2025 – requiring athletes wanting to compete in the female category for world ranking competitions to take a one-time gene test.

World Boxing also approved the use of the SRY test in May 2025 when it introduced mandatory sex testing for all athletes wanting to compete in the women’s category.

Meet Gitanjali J Angmo: Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, an educator and social entrepreneur who holds a black belt in karate

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July 20, 2026

Gitanjali Angmo is leading a protest march to Parliament today. Her husband, Sonam Wangchuk, remains hospitalized after police intervention at Jantar Mantar. Angmo, a social entrepreneur and educationist, co-founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh. She is now spearheading Wangchuk’s legal and political fight for educational reforms. Angmo also holds a black belt in karate and trained in ballet.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk stays in the hospital after being taken away by police from Jantar Mantar. His wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, has stepped up as one of the most visible faces of his protest demanding transparency and accountability in the education system.Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike for three weeks for an indefinite period, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, and through it all, his wife has stood firmly by his side.Now, Gitanjali J Angmo is set to lead the Cockroach Janta Party’s march to Parliament today, July 20.

Photo: Gitanjali J Angmo/LinkedIn

Who is Gitanjali Angmo?

Gitanjali J Angmo is a social entrepreneur and educationist, well known as the founding CEO and dean of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), a role which she has held since 2017. She reportedly co-founded the institute alongside her husband, activist Sonam Wangchuk, focusing on sustainable education and practical solutions suited to mountain communities.

Her career spans consulting, healthcare, and education

Before HIAL, Angmo worked across renewable energy, healthcare, education, and business consulting. She began her career at Deloitte, later served as director at WinDForce Management Services and Pushan Projects, chaired AUM Hospitals, and headed Lister Technologies’ European operations and KC High School in Chennai.According to her LinkedIn profile, Angmo completed her doctorate in education from Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence in 2025.She also holds an MBA from the Xavier Institute of Management (XIM), Bhubaneswar, and a bachelor’s degree from Fakir Mohan University in Balasore.

She holds a black belt in karate and trained as a dancer

Beyond her professional roles, Angmo is trained in Odissi and Russian ballet and holds a black belt in karate. She also teaches Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita and was honoured with the Women Transforming India National Award by the Government of India for her work in education.

She is now leading Sonam Wangchuk’s legal and political fight

After the Delhi High Court refused to order Wangchuk’s transfer to a private hospital, Angmo moved court again, arguing the order violated his rights under Articles 19 and 21, including his right to choose treatment and continue his protest. She also announced she would personally lead the CJP’s July 20 Parliament march if Wangchuk remained unable to participate.

Iran live updates: Kuwait attacked, Bahrain sounds sirens after night of US strikes

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July 20, 2026

Iran live updates: Kuwait attacked, Bahrain sounds sirens after night of US strikes

United States forces conducted another wave of attacks against Iran Sunday evening, marking the ninth consecutive night of strikes, according to U.S. Central Command.

“The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said.

Strikes targeted “Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks,” in an effort to weaken Iran’s ability to control the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said.

Ryanair profits drop as Iran war puts off passengers and lifts fuel costs

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July 20, 2026

Ryanair profits drop as Iran war puts off passengers and lifts fuel costs

Ryanair’s profits have fallen sharply as war in the Middle East sent jet fuel prices soaring and customers reluctant to book flights.

The Irish airline’s pre-tax profits dropped 34% to €593m (£503m) between April and June while sales were flat as the company was forced to cut fares to stimulate demand.

Ryanair also said it expects summer fares to be slightly lower than last year due to “consumer hesitancy” around air travel.

The price of fuelling a plane has jumped since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February and while Ryanair said it had “hedged” or struck deals for the most future fuel costs, those not included in these arrangements had more than doubled.

Overnight, crude oil prices continued to rise, surpassing $90 (£67) a barrel for the first time in a month, after a weekend of intense exchanges of fire between the US and Iran.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – an essential route for global oil and gas supplies – has ground to a halt.

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, rose by 2.5% on Monday.

The airline warned that its results for the year will be “highly sensitive” to external factors such as conflict escalation in the Middle East and Ukraine as well as the price of unhedged jet fuel.

Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at AMP, a fund manager, said: “The longer the strait remains closed and the war escalates, the greater the risk that oil prices will have to rise to around $150 a barrel to bring demand down to match the hit to supply.”

He said: “This is not our base case but it’s a high risk again.”