By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said on Thursday that the Justice Department is monitoring

Elisa Massoth will be part of Bryan Kohberger's legal team and will join public defender Anne Taylor who was appointed to represent him

Barefoot running seems to be rising in popularity, with fans hailing its many benefits – and some even tackling entire marathons without shoes. The thought of bare soles beating the pavement may leave many people wincing, and there are certainly things to consider before giving it a go. But the idea of exploring the most natural way to move – with our primitive bare feet on the ground – could be tempting too. So, what is the deal with barefoot running, and is it worth it? Are there any benefits to barefoot running? “Barefoot running really helps us reconnect with nature,” says Sammy Margo, a physiotherapist working with muscle and joint care specialists Deep Freeze and Deep Heat. For many, this is a big part of the appeal – and some fans of barefoot running say they’ve experienced benefits to their running form too. It’s important to remember our bodies may all respond differently to pressure and force, however, so how we react to barefoot running may vary. “The body, muscles, and joints will take on the ground pressure differently,” says podiatrist Dina Gohil, brand ambassador for CCS Foot Care. “Some people may experience improvement in pain in certain areas, and vice versa. The body works together and force is distributed to the best of your body’s ability to enable the movement you’re trying to achieve.” If you can physically feel your feet hitting the ground however, in theory, your body may become more aware of those forces and movement patterns. “Going shoe-free can help with your awareness of the position and movement of your body – proprioception. Exercising barefoot can also help restore natural running patterns and strides,” Gohil explains. For example, she adds: “Being barefoot can actually allow you to be more conscious of how the heel strikes on the ground, and at what pace and strength. So doing activities barefoot can help strengthen the foot and ankle, improve muscle strength, increase flexibility, and allow for proper movement.” Will you notice other changes? According to barefoot runners, the soles of your feet will also become a lot more resilient over time. “The best way to toughen feet is to try and walk on as many different surfaces as possible. Some people have also used newspapers on the ground to walk on to help with this process,” says Gohil. The muscles in your legs will develop differently too. Margo says: “Running barefoot also activates smaller muscles in our legs and feet, helping to improve strength and overall mobility.” Are there any risks or cons to think about? While many runners experience a range of benefits from going barefoot, there are certainly potential risks to consider. First and foremost, there’s the risk of wounding yourself if you stamp on something sharp – so always be sensible when choosing where to run barefoot. “Until your feet become acclimatised, you may find you are more prone to blisters until firmer skin or calluses have formed,” says Gohil. “There is also the increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis on the sole and heel of the foot. Other problems might include blisters, callus, cuts, infection, Achilles tendonitis, tight lower leg muscles, or stress fractures.” Margo adds: “As our muscles are working harder, [they] may become shorter and tighter, and you may feel some pain initially when you start barefoot running.” Having the support and comfort of a well-fitting running shoe can also be vital for many runners, particularly if you have a history of injuries or joint problems – so it’s advisable to speak with a healthcare professional before you attempt barefoot running. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How can you get rid of acne scars? From serums to laser treatments, experts talk through the options 5 viral TikTok fake tanning tips for the perfect summer glow Not got the A-level grades you needed? Here’s how to get started with the clearing process

Russia has barred 54 more British citizens from entering the country, in response to the UK's sanctions against its citizens and enterprises, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

David Fry had a game-ending hit and the Cleveland Guardians stopped the Atlanta Braves’ nine-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory in 10 innings Tuesday night

A truck driver who expressed hatred of Jews has been convicted of barging into a Pittsburgh synagogue on the Jewish Sabbath and fatally shooting 11 congregants in an act of antisemitic terror for which he could be sentenced to die

Paris has been engulfed by an infestation of bedbugs and people are horrified. Speaking to French TV station LCI on Friday, deputy mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire called the infestation that has led people to stand on the Metro rather than sit down, and post horrifying videos about the critters on TikTok, “widespread.” “You have to understand that in reality no one is safe, obviously there are risk factors but in reality, you can catch bedbugs anywhere and bring them home,” he said. And there are even concerns they could come to London, given the Eurostar from Paris to London is a little over two hours and people on social media have claimed they have spotted them on English trains. Bedbugs can be present in mattresses but also in clothes and luggage and come out at night to feed on human blood. They also often cause psychological distress, sleeping issues, anxiety and depression. While the pests are not known for carrying diseases, they can cause skin irritation. Those experiencing symptoms from bedbug bites are advised to wash clothing and fabrics at high temperature and contact pest control services to treat their home. Here's how social media has reacted to the insects: Grim, grim, grim. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day by paying tribute to "those who died so our nation might live" during his annual speech on the day that the US honors those who have served and died in its service.

A Texas man who has spent more than 30 years on Death Row for a murder he committed during a robbery when he was 19...

Tucker Carlson described Ukraine’s Jewish leader as “rat-like”, questioned the official story about 9/11, and claimed definitively that aliens are visiting Earth as he launched his new TV show on Twitter. The far-right former Fox News anchor opened the next act of his career with a pro-Kremlin rant claiming that it was “obvious” Ukrainian forces were responsible for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam on Tuesday. He referred to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as “sweaty and rat-like”, “a persecutor of Christians”, and in bed with American investment bankers. This story is breaking and will be updated.

There is panic in the city of Marrakesh as a 6.8 magnitude quake hits the country.

In a recent Instagram post, Kim Kardashian opened up about her choice to undergo an expensive MRI medical checkup that cost her almost $2499