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Articles by Nathan Heath
'My army dream was ended by childhood eye surgery'
Lewis Jackson cannot remember a time when he did not want to join the army and continue a family tradition of military service going back to World War One. That dream was shattered, though, when his application was rejected on medical grounds. "Serving my country has always been a dream of mine and I never considered that I'd do anything else," said the 21-year-old. Jackson, from Cirencester, was turned down by the Army because he had cataract surgery at the age of three.
Closing the Gap: Consolidating Terrorist Threat Intelligence in Frontier AI Governance
Government and industry leaders alike increasingly employ frameworks to assess and mitigate notable AI risks.
Could weight-loss jabs be behind rising gallbladder removals?
Rachel Stonehouse - BBC West Investigations; Nathan Heath - BBC West Investigations Fri, January 30, 2026 at 12:03 a.m. UTC 6 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. NHS England recorded more than 80,000 gallbladder surgeries in 2024-25 [BBC] More research is needed into whether there may be a link between weight-loss injections and an increase in gallbladder removals, specialist doctors have said.
Gay men's choir 'act of resistance' against hate
The chorus is made up of gay men who share a love of singing and performing [BBC] A 60-strong choir of gay men has been described as "an act of resistance" - using harmony to push back against hate. Bristol Gay Men's Chorus staged its annual Christmas concert at Tyntesfield's historic chapel in north Somerset to a sold-out audience on 14 December. James Joseph, who joined the choir two years ago for well-being and community, said it had made a "huge difference" to his life.
'The horsebox we bought was a death trap'
Young horse riders say they have lost thousands of pounds and had their lives put at risk after being sold dangerous and unusable horseboxes. Customers who bought vehicles from Southwest Horseboxes Ltd claim they broke down at speed, filled with smoke or had wheels detach while moving, with one vehicle being described as a "death trap" by a mechanic. Paige Halliday, 18, said the issues she faced after buying a vehicle from the company "put a stop" to her dreams of competing professionally.
Extended Deterrence of North Korea and Iran: Interests-Objectives-Analysis Framework — Global Security Review
On June 22, the United States struck multiple Iranian nuclear sites, marking a tipping point in its deterrence of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. It was no longer enough to institute unilateral or multilateral sanctions against the regime, carry out strikes against its proxies, or support Israel’s own military action; direct American military power was needed against Iran itself. After all, Iran was dangerously close to producing a nuclear weapon.
'I live in a peaceful corner of Bristol. But the house next door is empty and full of rats'
Ann Devereaux lives next to a property which has been empty for decades [BBC] Across England, the number of empty homes has been steadily rising, with councils "increasingly concerned" about both the impact they have on local communities and the lost resource. "It makes you feel afraid because you don't know what's going to happen next." Ann Devereaux has cherished her home in a peaceful corner of Bristol for more than 25 years.
'Scammers used fake app to steal from me in person'
A man who lost £1,000 worth of tools after being scammed by a fake banking app has said it makes you "lose faith in humanity". The apps mimic legitimate mobile banking platforms and allow fraudsters to fake bank transfers in person, show the seller a "successful payment" message and then walk away, leaving sellers thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Blood scandal victims demand faster action on compensation Original
Blood scandal victims 'shout into void' on compensation Nathan Heath Carolyn Challis is one of thousands waiting to be compensated Victims of the infected blood scandal are demanding faster action on compensation as the body set up to handle claims admits it has "started small". More than 30,000 people contracted HIV and hepatitis from contaminated blood products between 1970 and the early 1990s, but just 14 of those eligible to receive a final pay out have had one.
Homeowners feel trapped by rising fees
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'We are being robbed': Homeowners feel trapped by rising fees
Homeowners locked in to maintenance contracts have said they feel "trapped" by rising fees and poor service. Residents of some new-build estates across the West said service charges - the bill for the upkeep of communal areas - set by property management company FirstPort have surged.
Be Kennedy, Not Kissinger: What Cold War Competition in Guinea and Angola Can Teach Us About U.S. Influence in Western Africa
Since 2020, a number of African governments have distanced themselves from the United States and its allies while deepening ties with Russia and its Wagner Group mercenaries. Moscow has ramped up its security, diplomatic, economic, and information influence efforts across Africa. Several Western African nations have stood out in the extent of their tilt toward the Putin regime.
'Shame stopped me reporting spiking incident'
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'Shame stopped me reporting spiking incident'
Spiking victims have spoken out about their ordeals as police warn "harmful myths and stereotypes" mean the crime is still under-reported. The BBC spoke to a number of people who said they had not reported their experiences to police, citing reasons such as "shame, embarrassment and the belief nothing would be done".
Modern slavery gang masters 'beat' workers 'for fun'
Modern slavery gang masters 'beat' workers 'for fun' By Nathan Heath, BBC West Investigations BBC Tania was a victim of modern slavery in the UK Modern slavery gang masters beat workers "just for fun", one victim has told the BBC. Tania was part of a crew of agricultural workers ferried across farms in England. She says they were paid 30p per day, forced to sleep in shipping containers and beaten if they spoke. “We became slaves, not allowed to talk, not allowed to cry, only work,” she said.
Organ Mapping Antibody Panel (OMAP) for Antibody-Based Imaging of Human Kidney with Cyclic Immunofluorescence
DOI 10.1101/2024.02.21.581450 Markdown [](https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.21.581450) reStructuredText ..
'We lived a double life to hide my little boy's HIV'
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments.
'We lived a double life to hide my little boy's HIV'
“We were living a double life, lying to everyone around us. We never told anybody about our little boy's HIV because we wanted him to have a normal life - he was just a child, like any other, but he was given a deadly infection.” Lee was just two when he was infected with HIV in the infected blood scandal, which has been called the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history.
Paul Wells' family 'appalled' police officer shared dead body pictures Original
The family of a man who was killed by his neighbour have said they are "appalled" that a police officer shared images of his dead body. Paul Wells, who was originally from Middlesbrough, was found stabbed to death in the garden of his home in Highbridge, Somerset, on 25 June 2020. His family spoke ahead of the sentencing of former PC Lewis Wood, who shared footage of investigations. "We'll never know why he did it - which hurts," said Mr Wells' brother, Colin. "Why would you do something like that?
AD Paving customers owed thousands for 'nightmare' garden projects
A landscaping firm which was paid tens of thousands of pounds for unfinished work has left scores of people with "nightmare" gardens. Customers of AD Paving Ltd say projects were left in dangerous and unusable conditions, and former employees say they are owed thousands in wages. Run by Daniel Wright, the Wiltshire firm is now facing a Trading Standards investigation after going bust. Mr Wright declined to comment when approached by the BBC.
Bristol to host first regular drug checking service
A regular drug-checking service, aimed at saving lives, is set to launch for the first time in the UK. Harm-reduction charity, The Loop, will be offering a monthly drop-in drug testing service combined with health advice in Bristol from Saturday. Licensed by the Home Office, it will focus on dependent, frequent and problematic use. It is hoped the new scheme will reduce drug-related medical incidents, overdoses and hospital admissions.
Christmas debt: 'My shameful 22k credit card bill'
"It felt so shameful that I had got myself into this mess. To the outside world I was intelligent, I had a degree - all of these things I so-called 'achieved' - but I could not control this very important and basic aspect of life." Those are the words of Sarah Douglas, from Bristol, who, unbeknown to those around her, fell into £22,000 of debt. It was mostly through using credit cards, which were originally interest free, to pay for shopping sprees as well as essentials for her family.
Bristol: The Barton House residents left in limbo for weeks Original
On a dark and cold evening in November, hundreds of people were told to pack a bag and leave their homes immediately. Surveys had shown Bristol's oldest tower block would be unsafe if there was a fire or explosion. Many families thought they would be in emergency accommodation for just a few days. Now, nearly five weeks on, they are hoping to be told more about the building's future. The BBC has been following some of the people affected.
Former police officer admits sharing images of dead body Original
A former police officer who shared images of a dead body has pleaded guilty to three counts of misconduct in a public office. Lewis Wood, 42, of Bridgwater, Somerset, shared the images from police computers to family and friends on WhatsApp between 2018 and August 2020. He accessed Avon and Somerset Police computer systems at least seven times and recorded footage to his phone. He will be sentenced on 9 February at Exeter Crown Court.
No-fault evictions: Families 'in fear' of being forced out of their homes Original
Thousands of tenants are facing being turned out of their homes after government plans to ban no-fault evictions were delayed last month. Families say they are living in a state of "fear and uncertainty" as they struggle to find somewhere to live in the lead up to Christmas. "Sorry, we don't take pets. Sorry, we don't take kids and sorry, you do not earn enough." These are words single mum Esther Lohneis said she has heard "time and time again".
'It's never too much' - Somerset Halloween enthusiasts Original
A couple of Halloween enthusiast hotel owners who spend hours displaying more than 1000 spooky decorations say "you can never have too much". Leeann and Will Austin, who manage the Radstock Hotel in Somerset, have spent 29 hours decorating the hotel's bar, dining and pool rooms. Some of their displays are 8ft (2.43m) and come to life with animatronics. "I love Halloween, it takes a long time and it's tiring, but I absolutely love it," said 55-year-old Ms Austin.
GWR train passengers face disruption amid upgrade works
Train services will be affected over the weekend due to rail improvement works taking place. Signalling upgrade work means there will be no trains between Gloucester and Kemble or Yate on Saturday and Sunday. Track renewals will also mean no train services can stop at Bristol Parkway on Sunday until after 17:00 GMT. Replacement buses are planned between all affected destinations, Great Western Railway (GWR) said.
Bodies of Lianne, Noiya and Yahel Sharabi were found 'cuddled together' Original
The parents of a British-Israeli woman killed in her home by Hamas alongside her two children say they were found "all cuddled together". Bristol-born Lianne Sharabi, 48, and her two teenage daughters were killed when Hamas stormed their home in Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel, on 7 October. Gill and Pete Brisley said Lianne was a "devoted mother" who "tried to protect her daughters to the end".
Swindon waste collection days change to improve recycling rate Original
Waste collection days are changing in Swindon as part of plans to improve the recycling rate in the town. Food waste collections are to be rolled out to the majority of households from 27 November and residents will have to separate their recycling into different boxes. Currently less than 40% of household waste is recycled in the town. Letters will be sent to households on Friday to advise of the new collection day, Swindon Borough Council said.
Salisbury train crash: Driver 'not prepared' for line conditions Original
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Two trains collided east of Salisbury Station in 2021 A train driver was not effectively prepared to deal with conditions caused by leaves on the line, leading to a crash, inspectors have found. SWR said it had since reviewed its driver training. Network Rail said it had introduced new technology including high-definition cameras and drones to help combat conditions caused by autumn leaf fall.
Salisbury charity art auction features leading artists' work Original
Image source, Woolley & Wallis Image caption, All proceeds made at the art auction will support Horatio's Garden, a charity supporting people with spinal injuries By Nathan Heath & Clara Bullock A charity art auction featuring paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography donated by some of the UK's leading artists has launched online. Proceeds from the Salisbury-based auction will go to Horatio's Garden, a charity supporting people after spinal injuries.
Wayne Seeley: Paraglider's memorial stone disappears Original
Police are investigating the disappearance of a memorial stone dedicated to one of the UK's top paragliders who crashed to his death. The family of Wayne Seeley, 41, are offering a £500 reward for information leading to the return of the plaque stolen from Selsley Common near Stroud. Mr Seeley died in June 2020 after hitting power lines close to his home at nearby Eastington. He had been paragliding for 25 years, having started at the age of 16.
Somerset farmers criticise Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg over hormone-injected beef
Farmers say it is "unbelievable" their MP is calling for hormone-injected beef to be allowed into the UK. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg told Conservatives he favoured ending the ban on using hormones in cattle in a bid for cheaper imported beef. Hormone-treated beef has been banned in the UK for more than 30 years due to animal and human safety concerns. The North East Somerset MP said his point was that "free trade is beneficial to everyone".
Bath: Murder accused claims he was acting in 'self defence'
A teenage boy accused of murder pulled out a knife in a fight because he thought he was going to get "his head kicked in", a court has heard. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies the murder of Ben Moncrieff, 18, outside a McDonald's on Southgate Street, Bath, on 6 May. The boy became involved in an argument with Mr Moncrieff and another man.
Trowbridge minibus vandalism a 'mindless attack, say parents Original
The vandalism of minibuses used to take children with special educational needs to school was a "mindless and pointless attack", parents have said. Repairs are taking place to fix seven vehicles which had their windscreens smashed at Silverwood School in Trowbridge over the weekend. Some children have not been able to come into school as a result of the vandalism, the school said. The school's head of learning said they are "incredibly upset".
Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter future in doubt over legal row Original
Image source, Ashton Gate Image caption, The new sporting quarter will sit next to Ashton Gate Stadium By Nathan Heath & Pete Simson A sporting development is in doubt due to a legal row between a waste company and council planners. Work on Bristol Sport's Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter - a basketball arena, hotel and car park - was due to start in the summer.
Man runs 30 marathons in 30 days 'to break stigma' Original
A man who ran a marathon every day for a month is hoping to "break the stigma" around men sharing their emotions. Jake Burnham, a personal trainer in Bristol, raised £2,500 for charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) while completing the challenge over September. He has faced his own mental health battles and uses running as a way to confront his fears and anxieties. "It only takes small steps to improve your mental health," he said.
Bristol Airport invests £60m in transport hub and car park
Image source, Bristol Aiport Image caption, The airport plans to increase capacity from 10 to 12 million passengers a year Bristol Airport is investing more than £60m in creating a public transport hub as part of a plan to expand capacity. The project hopes to enhance services and accessibility for customers arriving or leaving the airport. A public transport hub will be created on the top level of a new car park enabling the airport to have one of the region's largest bus interchanges.
The universities of Bristol and Bath are supporting students in the fight against litter
By Nathan Heath and Alice Bouverie BBC News 6 hours ago Universities are helping students combat their moving waste by offering thousands of donated items to freshmen. Thousands of items are left behind by departing students every year, but universities in Bath and Bristol have launched recycling and reuse programs. The University of Bristol hosts Take a Plate events where freshers can pick up free kitchenware. “It was so successful,” said Izzy Russell, a student housing representative.
Bristol and Bath Universities help students combat move out waste Original
Universities are helping students combat their moving out waste by offering thousands of donated items to freshers. Every year, thousands of items get left behind by departing students but universities in Bath and Bristol have started recycle and reuse schemes. The University of Bristol is running Take a Plate events where freshers can pick up free kitchenware. "It's been so successful," said Izzy Russell, a student living officer.
Gloucestershire Police improves to move out of special measures
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The police watchdog found vast improvements in services A police force is no longer in special measures after a watchdog found it had made improvements to services. Gloucestershire Constabulary had been in a process called enhanced monitoring by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services (HMICFRS) since 2021. The watchdog said it had found vast improvements in crime recording, call handling and victim services.
Gloucestershire Police improves to move out of special measures
A police force is no longer in special measures after a watchdog found it had made improvements to services. Gloucestershire Constabulary had been in a process called enhanced monitoring by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services (HMICFRS) since 2021. The watchdog said it had found vast improvements in crime recording, call handling and victim services.
Swindon Hindu celebration filled with 'joy, beats and smiles'
Read full article More than 1,000 people took part in the procession A Hindu celebration which was attended by more than 1,000 people was filled with "joy, heart-throbbing beats and the smiles on faces of young and old". The Swindon Hindu Centre is celebrating Ganesh Utsav, a religious celebration commemorating the birth of the Hindu god Ganesha, from 18 to 23 September. The event on Monday featured a Ganesha idol carried on a chariot in a lively procession of dancing and music.
Swindon Hindu celebration filled with 'joy, beats and smiles' Original
Image caption, More than 1,000 people took part in the procession A Hindu celebration which was attended by more than 1,000 people was filled with "joy, heart-throbbing beats and the smiles on faces of young and old". The Swindon Hindu Centre is celebrating Ganesh Utsav, a religious celebration commemorating the birth of the Hindu god Ganesha, from 18 to 23 September. The event on Monday featured a Ganesha idol carried on a chariot in a lively procession of dancing and music.
Minehead Butlin's closes after flood damage in Somerset Original
A seaside holiday resort has been forced to shut after heavy rain caused flooding across parts of Somerset. The Butlin's resort in Minehead has announced a four-day closure after the site was damaged during extreme weather conditions on Sunday. Severe weather warnings in the area have been lifted, but more heavy rain is expected this week. Butlin's said they were "very sorry" to anyone whose holiday had been affected and full refunds would be made.
Swindon Council services for vulnerable kids rated 'inadequate'
Image caption, Council leaders have vowed to make urgent improvements Council services for vulnerable children in Swindon have been rated as "inadequate" by Ofsted inspectors. The watchdog found a significant deterioration in the quality and impact of services to protect and help children in Swindon Borough Council. The report said some children are left in situations where they are at risk of harm and they experience too many changes of social worker.
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