‘I was told I was too young to have Parkinson’s at 35 – these were the signs’

A man who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in his thirties after struggling to walk had been told he was “too young” to have the disease.

Toussaint Smith, 39, from west London, started to feel physically drained and more clumsy than usual in late 2019.

The father of one recalls the left side of his body becoming weak and being unable to move his hands easily, when he was just 33 – but he assumed it was a trapped nerve.

For months he ignored his symptoms, which included stiffness, illegible handwriting, shuffling and walking slowly until he researched it online – the result suggested he had Parkinson’s.

“I googled my symptoms and some of them seemed to resemble Parkinson’s, but I never expected to have it, especially at my age,” he told The Independent.

“I thought it was only older people that had Parkinson’s because there is no awareness around it,” he added.

There are around 1,800 people in the UK living with Parkinson’s under the age of 50, accounting for approximately 1.2 per cent of all cases, according to Parkinson’s UK.

However, it’s even rarer in those aged under 40, with just one or two people in every 100,000 aged 20-29 and four or five people in every 100,000 aged 30-39 diagnosed with the disease, the charity explains.

The neurodegenerative disorder has more than 40 symptoms, from tremors and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure. But it can be managed with medication, exercise and physical therapies.

Mr Smith says his symptoms have changed his life dramatically.

“I have to rely on other people now, especially when my medication isn’t working at its best. Sometimes I can’t function, and I can’t even walk. I need help doing daily tasks like cooking and I am not allowed to drive any more,” he said.

After months of not feeling himself, Mr Smith decided to go to A&E where he was referred to the neurology department and had a CT scan.

However, he claims a doctor told him they could not “pinpoint the issue” and added “it doesn’t appear to be anything sinister”.

Still unaware that Young-Onset Parkinson’s could occur in people in their thirties and forties, Mr Smith continued to worry about the cause of his severe symptoms.

It wasn’t until he struggled to sleep for almost six months – a common symptom of Parkinson’s – that he decided to see a private neurologist and movement disorder specialist.

Describing the moment he was diagnosed, he said: “I felt more relieved than anything. It was confirmation that I had been right – there was something wrong.

“This was especially meaningful because both I, at times, and many people had assumed I was just down, overly anxious or stressed. Now, I finally knew what I was facing and could put a name and diagnosis to it.”

But Mr Smith is not alone. A 2019 survey of more than 2,000 people for Parkinson’s UK found almost a quarter of those with the condition were told they were “too young” to have Parkinson’s.

“The main misconception about Parkinson’s that I would like to address is that this is a chronic condition that only affects the elderly and particularly white males,” he said.

Mr Smith also explained that a tremor is only one possible symptom among various physical and mental challenges people with the disease face.

As a young black person living with Parkinson’s, Mr Smith explained he has not seen many examples of people like him, which is why he joined a research group.

“I’m keen to lend myself to research to help others, both within and outside the community and get a better understanding of the condition,” he added.

Trump shares AI image of himself as pope

President Donald Trump has posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal regalia, just 11 days after Pope Francis’ death.

The image, posted on Truth Social, shows President Trump dressed in white wearing a papal hat, known as a mitre, with a large crucifix hanging around his neck.

It comes after the president joked that he’d like to be the pontiff when asked who he would like to succeed Pope Francis. He said to reporters on the White House lawn: “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”

Trump went on to say that he did not have a preference but that there was a cardinal in New York who was “very good,” likely referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

The conclave to select a new pontiff is now underway after the death of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure.

The post has been met with amusement and criticism, with many describing it as disrespectful.

“Please take this down,” pleaded one social media user. “Many Catholics, myself included, find this as a great disrespect to the past and future leader of our church.”

Another responded: “Trump, as someone outside the U.S., I find your post utterly disrespectful to the Catholic community worldwide. The papacy is a sacred institution for millions, and this mockery is an affront to their beliefs.”

“Completely disrespectful. The Catholic community is mourning and you post this?”

The president was criticised over his appearance at Pope Francis’ funeral last week, after he attended wearing a non-traditional blue suit and was seen chewing gum during the ceremony.

Some critics also suggested his meeting on the sidelines with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was inappropriate.

Williams beats Trump to seal spot in World Snooker Championship final

Mark Williams and Judd Trump’s closely fought World Snooker Championship semi-final will reach its climax tonight as Zhao Xintong awaits to discover who he will face in the Crucible final.

Beginning all square at 8-8 this morning, Williams soon moved into the ascendency with some oustanding near-perfect snooker, punishing the slightest mistakes by world No 1 Trump with frame-winning breaks, and the Welshman earned a 13-11 lead in their race to 17 going into the evening session.

Williams will hope to carry his momentum into the finale as he looks to seal his place in Sunday’s showpiece against Chinese sensation Zhao, who will enjoy a well-earned day off after thrashing seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 17-7 with a session to spare on Friday evening.

Follow the score between Judd Trump and Mark Williams and all the key action from the World Snooker Championship below.

McCanns pay tribute to Madeleine on 18th anniversary of disappearance

Madeleine McCann’s family has marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance by remembering her as a “very beautiful and unique person” ahead of what would be her 22nd birthday.

Madeleine was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.

A statement from her parents Kate and Gerry McCann and the family said: “The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this.”

On May 12, Madeleine would be turning 22 and the family said: “No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day.

“We continue to ‘celebrate’ her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.”

The statement, posted on the Find Madeleine website, thanked supporters “for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine”.

It added: “We’re very grateful to the UK charity Missing People for their ongoing, invaluable work, and to all organisations, charities and police forces who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding and bringing home the many missing and abducted children.”

Ahead of International Missing Children’s Day on May 25, the McCanns said: “We continue to remember all missing children and their families, both here in the UK and abroad, thinking especially of all the children displaced from their homes & families in Ukraine and Gaza at this time.”

In April, ministers approved more than £100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleine’s disappearance.

Madeleine was three when she vanished while her parents went to dinner with friends, leaving their three young children asleep in their holiday apartment.

Prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of an elderly woman at her home in the Praia da Luz in 2005, has denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.

Vardy blows whistle to stop game after referee suffers injury

Leicester City captain Jamie Vardy took matters into his own hands on Saturday by blowing the referee’s whistle to stop play after the official had gone down injured.

Midway through the first half of Leicester’s Premier League game with fellow relegated side Southampton, referee David Webb suffered an accidental collision with Leicester’s Jordan Ayew and collapsed to the floor holding his head while play continued around him.

Vardy – who will leave Leicester at the end of the season after 13 years at the club – jumped into action, lifting up Webb’s arm to blow his whistle, which was wrapped around the referee’s right hand, in order to stop the game.

Webb, making his Premier League debut, was treated by medics and got to his feet before being removed from the pitch and replaced in the middle by fourth official Sam Barrott.

Earlier, Vardy had scored his 144th Premier League goal, taking him level in the charts with Robin van Persie. The 38-year-old’s 199th goal in a Foxes shirt set Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side on their way to a first win since January.

It ended Leicester’s long wait for a home goal, since Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s equaliser against Brighton on 8 December 2024, and Ayew then added a second after scoring a rebound from his own free-kick which had hit the wall.

The delay in treating Webb and readying Barrott to replace him led to 12 minutes being added on to the end of the first half at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy was a key member of the Foxes’ side which against all the odds lifted the Premier League title in 2016, and will depart in the summer in the wake of a relegation from the top-flight he has described as “such a s*** show”.

He also won the FA Cup with the club he joined as a 25-year-old from non-league Fleetwood for £1m in May 2012, and will go with almost 500 appearances and approaching 200 goals to his name, but has insisted he will play on elsewhere.

Speaking in a video message to fans last month, Vardy said: “To the fans of Leicester, I’m gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually.

“I’ve had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some downs, but the majority all highs. But it’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about, but I think the timing is right.

“I just want to sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own. Leicester will always, always have a massive place in my heart and I’ll make sure that I will be following for the years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club.

“But as for now, this is my goodbye but you will see me again soon, I promise. Thank you.”

Why this Mediterranean region is perfect for a Summer escape

Summertime in Dalmatia: lazy days swimming in sparkling waters and feeling the salt dry on your skin, feasting on freshly grilled fish in a rustic beach bar while watching the sun set over the Adriatic, losing yourself in centuries of history surrounded by intense beauty – it’s the stuff of dreams. But oh so easy to turn into reality. Between Dalmatia’s stretch of the Croatian coast and the enchanting islands just a ferry ride away, you have everything you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating summer break. Choose between laid-back islands with quiet coves to lively beach resorts offering watersports and entertainment – all of which you can fit into the same trip. To get you inspired, here are some of the highlights of a Dalmatian holiday.

Croatia’s sunniest island is also the country’s most visited, which isn’t surprising when you first set eyes on Hvar Town. Step into St Stephen’s Square, the largest in Dalmatia, and take in the baroque beauty of its cathedral. Follow the path uphill to the 16th-century Spanish Fortress for fantastic views before checking out Hvar Town’s chic beach clubs. Away from the island capital, Stari Grad offers a slower pace of life, despite being on a major ferry route from Split. Once you’ve explored its colourful port, take a hike in neighbouring Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO-listed site, where you can still see the vineyards and olive groves planted by the ancient Greeks nearly 2,400 years ago.

Surrounded by mesmerising blue-green waters, the smooth white pebbles of V-shaped Zlatni Rat on Brač’s southern coast create Croatia’s most famous beach. Its unique geography draws windsurfing fans from around the world to the pretty nearby village of Bol as they zoom across these waters. Bol is also a handy base for hikes up to Vidova Gora, the highest point in Dalmatia and worth the visit for far-reaching views. Head to the northern coast for picturesque villages such as Pučišća, whose stonemasonry school is the oldest in Europe and continues a centuries-old tradition. When you explore the hinterland, you’ll be tempted to stop by rural restaurants that serve authentic Dalmatian cuisine featuring produce from their own farms and olive groves.

Off limits to tourists until 1989 while it served as an army base, the far-flung island of Vis has been slow to catch up on Croatia’s tourism boom – which suits everyone just fine. The long Venetian-style waterfront of Vis Town will look familiar to fans of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, which was filmed here. The island’s other main village, Komiža, is a delightfully laid-back spot from where you can join boat trips to the jaw-dropping natural phenomenon that is the Blue Cave on the tiny neighbouring island of Biševo. There’s more awe in store when you make the rocky trek down to Stiniva Bay on the southern coast, where the pebbly beach is almost entirely encircled by towering cliffs.

Just across the sea from Split but curiously off most tourists’ radar, Šolta is one of Dalmatia’s lesser-known jewels. Sailors will have moored in its deeply sheltered coves such as Šešula Bay, as well as its attractive villages Maslinica and Stomorska, which bookend the island and give an enticing slice of Dalmatian life. In between you’ll see acres and acres of olive groves that produce award-winning liquid gold – a delicious companion for Šolta’s indigenous robust red wine. Explore Šolta’s heavily indented southern coast if you want true serenity while swimming in secluded pebbly coves backed by fragrant pine-covered hills.

For nearly 40 miles, the Makarska Riviera south of Split offers one alluring beach resort after another – Brela, Tučepi, Baška Voda, Podgora, Drvenik, Gradac and Makarska itself – all in the shadow of the impressive Biokovo Mountains. The sheer variety of beaches and resorts is extraordinary, including the beautiful Punta Rata Beach in Brela and peaceful Nugal Beach just south of Makarska. Follow the long seafront promenade to Baška Voda’s family-friendly beaches including the outstanding Nikolina Beach. And above it all are the hiking trails in Biokovo Nature Park, including the hair-raising Biokovo Skywalk, whose D-shaped glass floor hovers over the cliff and gives you an unforgettable thrill – rather like summer in Dalmatia itself.

For more travel inspiration, information and to plan your trip visit Central Dalmatia

Labor wins Australia election as ‘Trump factor’ swings voters

Australia’s centre-left Labor Party, led by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is projected to win the federal election against the conservative opposition, according to early vote counting analysis by Sky News Australia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Both broadcasters indicated that the Liberal and National coalition was unlikely to secure enough seats to form a government.

ABC election analyst Antony Green went further, declaring a Labor victory.

Key voter concerns during the campaign included cost of living pressures and anxieties surrounding US president Donald Trump’s policies.

While cautious about claiming outright victory, defence minister Richard Marles expressed optimism to broadcaster 7Network, stating that early results were encouraging and that a Labor majority government “remains a possibility and it is what we are trying to achieve”.

Polls closed at 6pm (0800 GMT) in Australia’s most populous eastern time zone, while voting in Western Australia, home to the city of Perth, ended at 1000 GMT.

Opinion polls had shown Labor ahead, after trailing in the polls as recently as February to Peter Dutton’s conservative coalition.

As counting got underway, treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Labor government had been “in all sorts of trouble” at the end of 2024 but got back into the contest because of Mr Albanese’s strong campaign performance, policies that addressed concerns about the cost of living and the Trump effect.

“The economy became a positive from a negative – the interest rate cut was part of the story,” he told ABC.

The central bank cut rates in February, on the eve of the election being called, reversing course after 13 interest rate rises that had ratcheted up home mortgage repayments for households.

“The sense of the influence of American politics” had also helped, Mr Chalmers added.

Opposition Liberal Party spokesperson, Senator James Paterson, defended the conservative campaign, which he also said was negatively affected by “the Trump factor”.

“It was devastating in Canada for the conservatives … I think it has been a factor here, just how big a factor will be determined in a few hours’ time,” he told ABC.

The expected bounce in the centre-left Labor Party’s fortunes mirrors those of Canada’s Liberal Party, which returned to power this week in a come-from-behind victory after Mr Trump’s tariffs and remarks on Canadian sovereignty sparked a backlash from voters.

Preferences among supporters of Australia’s minor parties and independents could be crucial under the country’s ranked-choice voting system.

In the 2022 election, the primary vote split almost equally among Labor, the Liberal-Nationals, and “others”. Analysts predicted a third of voters would again opt for independents and minor parties in Saturday’s election.

It’s never been more important to protect our right to a free press

As we mark World Press Freedom Day today, let us remember journalists around the world who are in jail, or face intimidation and threats for their work reporting the truth – and let us draw attention to repressive laws designed to restrict media freedom.

First and foremost, before talking about press freedom globally, let us remember and pay tribute to the more than 175 journalists who have lost their lives in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon over the past 18 months, the highest death toll of journalists in recent years. Wherever you stand in the Israel-Gaza conflict, their killings must end. According to last year’s World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, recent years have seen an alarming decline in respect for media freedom and increasing pressure on media workers from governments or other political actors.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that in 2024, at least 124 journalists were killed around the world, making last year the deadliest in more than three decades. At least 361 journalists were in jail last year – a near record high.

Aside from Israel, China and Myanmar are reportedly among the worst offenders, along with Belarus and Russia. Among those still in jail today are the 77-year-old entrepreneur and British citizen Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily in Hong Kong, the citizen journalist Zhang Zhan in jail in China for reporting on Covid-19, and Myanmar reporter Sai Zaw Thaike, sentenced to 20 years in prison for his coverage of Cyclone Mocha in 2023. In Hong Kong’s jails alongside Mr Lai are Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, the editors of Stand News, a publication which, like Apple Daily, was forced to shut down as a result of the draconian national security law imposed on the city by Beijing, violating the international treaty commitments it made that it would respect human rights in Hong Kong following the city’s handover to Chinese rule in 1997.

In mainland China, the world’s worst jailer of journalists, at least 110 are in prison today. These include former state media reporter Dong Yuyu, sentenced last year to seven years in jail on espionage charges, and independent journalist Li Weizhong. Zhang Zhan, who had been released in May last year after serving a four-year sentence, was re-arrested a few months later. In Myanmar, more than 200 journalists have been jailed since the military coup in 2021, with 51 believed to be currently behind bars.

In addition to threats and arrests of journalists, repressive laws are being introduced to stifle press freedom.

Over the past five years since the imposition of Beijing’s draconian national security law in Hong Kong, press freedom has been almost entirely dismantled in the city and almost all independent news outlets shut down. More than 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, while Hong Kong has plummeted in global press freedom indices, ranking 135 out of 180 in RSF’s index last year. In 2002, it was ranked 18th in the world, and until the crackdown in 2020 was one of the bastions of press freedom in Asia.

The introduction of a further domestic security law last year only makes conditions for journalists even more challenging. A new cybersecurity law introduced in March this year, aimed at strengthening the protection of the city’s critical infrastructure, carries with it further potential implications for whatever remains of freedom of expression online. The new law may grant the government excessive investigative powers to request information if it suspects an offence has been committed, therefore compromising data privacy.

In another concerning development in Hong Kong earlier this year, a former senior official at Meta – Facebook’s parent company – has claimed that a new censorship tool to monitor viral content in Hong Kong and Taiwan has been developed. These allegations raise significant concerns about user data privacy and the extent to which global tech companies might compromise their principles to access the Chinese market. Such tools could have implications for freedom of expression in democracies such as Taiwan too. Last month, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong revealed that 65 per cent of its members surveyed say they self-censor, while 33 per cent are considering leaving the city due to the unravelling of press freedom.

Press freedom – and freedom of expression more broadly – is a fundamental human right, essential for any open society. A free, independent media helps keep people informed, ensures that debate is kept alive and that those in power can be held accountable.

I began my working life as a journalist, in Hong Kong, two months after the handover of the city to Chinese rule in 1997. In the five years I lived there, Hong Kong’s media was vibrant, dynamic and free. I was able to publish articles critical of the governments in both Beijing and Hong Kong. If I was still in Hong Kong today, those articles would never see the light of day and even writing them could land me in jail.

That is why today, on World Press Freedom Day, all of us who have freedom must speak out for Jimmy Lai, Zhang Zhan, Li Weizhong, Dong Yuyu, Sai Zaw Thaike and every other journalist in jail in Hong Kong, China, Myanmar and around the world. We must declare, loud and clear, that journalism is not a crime.

Benedict Rogers is a human rights activist and writer, senior director at Fortify Rights, co-founder of Hong Kong Watch and author of “The China Nexus: Thirty Years In and Around the Chinese Communist Party’s Tyranny”.