World Briefs

Singing star Adele has told her fans she is “on the mend” after she had an operation on her throat in a bid to cure the problems which have threatened to wreck her voice forever.

The Someone Like You singer cancelled a string of shows in the UK this month after she was diagnosed with a vocal cord haemorrhage.

She had earlier complained of her voice just “switching off” when she was forced to call off a US tour.

Writing on her website this week, she said: “I’m doing really well, on the mend, super happy, relaxed and very positive with it all. The operation was a success and I’m just chilling out now until I get the all-clear from my doctors.”

Nuclear emergency is a test

Local UK businesses were wrongly told that a nuclear leak had taken place at a power station.

Firms surrounding Heysham power station in Lancashire were under the impression for about 10 minutes that a real-life emergency was under way.

The gaffe took place as a test exercise was carried out at the site and led to people following guidance to stay indoors and take anti-radiation iodine tablets.

Airline thief goes for cash

An airline passenger was arrested on suspicion of stealing $300 from a flight attendant’s handbag while the plane was in flight over Greenland.

Police met the Iceland Air flight as it arrived at Logan International Airport, Massachusetts and arrested the man.

When the flight crew confronted him, he returned some foreign currency but then locked himself in the plane’s toilet, where he is believed to have flushed away the cash.

Would-be burglar is a loser

A teenage would-be burglar was pulled from a chimney by firefighters after being stuck for more than 10 hours.

Police in Atlanta, Georgia, said the 17-year-old boy was eventually heard yelling for help by a passer-by.

He was screaming when fire crews arrived and told them he had been stuck there since 3 a.m.

Garlic against heart disease

Garlic may provide protection against heart damage as well as vampires, research suggests.

The pungent bulb contains an ingredient that has the power to prevent the destruction of heart tissue. Scientists tested the compound, diallyl trisulphide, on mice at risk of heart damage from blocked coronary arteries.

Treatment just before blood flow was restored reduced the amount of heart tissue damaged by 61 per cent.

Diallyl trisulphide releases hydrogen sulphide, which has previously been shown to protect heart tissue in low concentrations. Further research reported by the team suggests diallyl trisulphide could also reduce heart enlargement caused by heart failure. (PA)