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In a heartfelt video posted on her birthday, the 58‑year‑old vocalist announced that her long‑awaited return to live performance is the best gift she could receive, confirming a series of concerts in Paris slated to begin in September.Diagnosed in December 2022 with stiff‑person syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that stiffens muscles and can cause severe pain, Dion was forced to cancel her 2023 Courage world tour. While there is no cure, ongoing treatment has helped stabilize her condition, allowing her to consider a full‑scale comeback.The 2024 documentary “I Am: Céline Dion,” which chronicled her struggle—including a seizure and intense pain—became Amazon’s most‑watched documentary ever. Later that year she made a surprise appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, delivering Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’Amour” to a global audience, marking her first live on‑stage performance since early 2020.Now, Dion will headline ten shows over five weeks at the Paris La Défense Arena, with the residency kicking off on 12 September. She told fans that, despite the challenges, she feels “great, managing my health, feeling good,” and even added that she’s “singing again, even doing a little bit of dancing.”From representing Switzerland at the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest to breaking international charts with 1993’s The Colour of My Love and the iconic 1997 Titanic anthem “My Heart Will Go On,” Dion’s career has spanned decades. Her upcoming Paris run signals not just a personal triumph over illness, but also a major cultural event for fans worldwide.

The United Kingdom's prohibition on single-use vapes, implemented last June as part of efforts to address environmental concerns and curb youth vaping, is showing mixed results. 5.4 million adults in Great Britain now vape daily or occasionally, according to official figures, making these devices an inescapable part of modern British life.The ban, which carries penalties including fines up to £200 for initial violations and potential jail time for repeat offenders, was designed to tackle two significant issues: the environmental impact of millions of plastic devices with lithium-ion batteries ending up in landfills, and the rising popularity of vaping among young people.Recent data from the recycling campaign group Material Focus indicates that 6.3 million vapes and pods are still being discarded weekly, representing a nearly 25% decrease since the ban's implementation. While this suggests some impact, waste management companies report that the devices remain a major problem, with their batteries frequently causing fires in disposal facilities."It is quite a small reduction, really," said Sarah Marsh, the Guardian's consumer affairs correspondent and former vaper. "What we are hearing from Biffa and other waste companies is that they still have a massive problem with the waste, and that has not really changed. There are still fires and people still dump rechargeable vapes and the pods."Waste companies emphasize that the ban has not adequately addressed their concerns, noting that rechargeable vapes remain too inexpensive and appear disposable to many users. The lack of sufficient effort toward changing consumer behavior has limited the ban's effectiveness."If you introduce a ban like this but you don't put the support in place to achieve your goals, like making it easy for people to recycle, the ban isn't necessarily going to work," Marsh explained. "A ban in isolation is ineffective."The environmental challenges persist alongside concerns about youth vaping. The World Health Organization has warned that e-cigarettes are driving a new wave of nicotine use among children, who are nine times more likely than adults to vape. At least 15 million children vape globally according to WHO figures.While the UK government is conducting a large-scale study on vaping's impact on children, with a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds having tried vaping, there is not yet clear evidence on whether the disposable vape ban has affected youth usage patterns."In short, disposables have driven the surge in youth vaping, and banning them should bring numbers down, but it won't fix everything," Marsh noted. "Big tobacco companies are already set up to adapt fast and keep the next generation using nicotine. It won't be easy."Waste management companies are calling for more comprehensive solutions, including potential deposit reward schemes and changes to vape design and pricing that would discourage disposal. The UK government maintains that the ban was necessary to address the environmental blight and youth nicotine addiction caused by single-use vapes.

Bruce Hornsby, the acclaimed pianist and musician, has experienced an unexpected resurgence in his career, releasing four studio albums in just five years. His latest album, Indigo Park, marks a significant shift towards more personal and reflective songwriting.In a recent interview with The Guardian, Hornsby shared insights into his life and music, revealing a dry and zany personality with an innocence that belies his years. He discussed his upbringing in the segregated south, where his aunt was a prominent voice in support of integration, and how these experiences influenced his music, including his hit song The Way It Is.Hornsby's musical journey has been marked by eclectic influences, from jazz and classical to rock and folk. He studied jazz in Miami and later attended the prestigious Berklee College in Boston. His respect for the everyday beauty of American music is evident in his work, which often combines atonality with satisfying resolutions.The artist has had a long and varied career, playing with notable artists such as Sheena Easton and Huey Lewis, and even being an unofficial member of the Grateful Dead. His political activism is also reflected in his music, with songs like The End of the Innocence and The Don of Dons, a satire of Donald Trump.Indigo Park, described as "an old bastard looking back on life," showcases Hornsby's musical genius and emotional depth. The album was inspired by personal experiences and dreams, including one where his late father appeared in his bedroom. Hornsby's creative process involves driving to the center of Williamsburg to play his music for friends and family, seeking their reactions and validation.As Hornsby continues to tour and perform, he remains cautious about his health and selective about his engagements. His music halls and festival tours with his jam band, the Noisemakers, are highly anticipated events.

Female athletes are on the verge of a major breakthrough in insurance coverage, addressing critical gaps in support for pregnancy, contraception, menopause, and health conditions that disproportionately affect women. This development stems from the Carney review, an independent assessment of women's football led by former England international Karen Carney.The Women's Football Taskforce, established by the government to implement the Carney review's recommendations, has collaborated with Loughborough University and leading insurance providers to ensure female athletes receive appropriate insurance coverage. Loughborough University, ranked the world's No. 1 university for sports-related subjects for a 10th consecutive year, played a pivotal role in driving these changes.The changes aim to address 'blind spots' in insurance policies, particularly concerning pregnancy, contraception, menopause, and conditions like Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (Red-S), a complex syndrome caused by low energy availability. Red-S can lead to metabolic, hormonal, and physiological changes, with indicators such as stress fractures and disruptions to the menstrual cycle.Karen Carney praised the development, stating, “Seeing the recommendations being taken seriously and resulting in tangible improvements is always amazing.” She emphasized the importance of the report and thanked those involved in making these changes a reality.Stephanie Peacock, the minister for sport and chair of the Women's Football Taskforce, welcomed the positive change, highlighting the collaborative effort with insurers and Prof Jo Maher of Loughborough University.The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is working with major brokers like Aon, Willis, and Marsh to revise policies. Aon has already extended its personal accident policies to include miscarriage as a result of a sporting accident as standard. Axis and Association for British Insurers are also reviewing their products to better support female athletes.Prof Jo Maher noted, “Developing products for female athletes marks an important step in ensuring we drive world-class and equitable standards in women’s sport.” She emphasized the collaborative effort to level the playing field and support the growing success of women's sports.

Roy Hodgson, the veteran English football manager, has made a remarkable return to the sport at the age of 78. He has taken on an interim managerial role at Bristol City for the final seven games of the Championship season. Hodgson, who managed Crystal Palace until February 2024, was tempted out of retirement by Richard Scudamore, the former Premier League chief executive.Hodgson insists that he does not require a 'crutch' to manage the team, despite his advanced age. He believes that his general health is good, and he is probably fitter now than when he left Palace. Hodgson mentioned that he has been doing a lot of work at home, including using a gym and walking, which has helped him lose 5-6kg.The 78-year-old manager acknowledged that he must be cautious about the strains of the job, referencing the recent collapse of 80-year-old Romania head coach Mircea Lucescu. Hodgson joked that he has no intention of 'dying on the bench' like Jock Stein and will take necessary precautions to ensure his well-being.Hodgson's return to Bristol City comes 44 years after he was sacked by the club in 1982. He described his time at the club as a 'fond memory,' despite the financial difficulties they faced back then. Hodgson's second spell at Bristol City begins with a match against Charlton on Good Friday.The veteran manager's decision to return to football was influenced by conversations with his former assistant Ray Lewington. Hodgson emphasized that he aims to enjoy this period and will assess whether he has made the right decision after facing challenges ahead.

A recent study led by Prof Becca Levy of the Yale School of Public Health has found that a positive mindset can significantly influence the aging process. The research, which followed over-65s for up to 12 years, discovered that individuals with positive beliefs about aging were more likely to experience improved physical or cognitive function.According to the study, nearly 45% of participants showed an improvement in their physical or cognitive performance over the study period. If extrapolated to the entire US population, this would suggest that more than 26 million older persons are experiencing an improvement in functioning.The findings, which may come as a surprise to some, suggest that having a positive outlook on aging can have a tangible impact on one's health and wellbeing. As the research notes, previous studies have also found that negative aging stereotypes can predict biomarkers for Alzheimer's.While the idea that a positive mindset can influence aging may be unwelcome news for pessimists, it highlights the importance of maintaining a positive outlook on life. As the author notes, it may be time to embrace a more optimistic approach to aging, rather than resigning oneself to a decline in health and wellbeing.

The Bank of England's initiative to feature nature on future banknotes has sparked a call to include flora and fungi in the designs, rather than just animals. This would better represent the natural world and highlight the crucial role these species play in sustaining life.The article in The Guardian notes that plants and fungi form the essential fabric of ecosystems, shaping landscapes, sustaining animals, birds, and insects, and supporting environmental health. By featuring them on banknotes, the Bank of England can bring attention to their immense value and inspire a deeper public appreciation for the living systems that sustain us.Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Plantlife International, emphasizes that celebrating plants and fungi on banknotes would recognize their vital importance and promote a greater understanding of the natural world. This move would be a significant step towards acknowledging the often-overlooked foundations of ecosystems.

The UK's retail industry is bracing for the impact of reforms to guaranteed working hours, which could affect over half of retail jobs. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the changes, set to take effect from April, may make it harder for shops to employ people, particularly young workers, in part-time roles. The Employment Rights Act will introduce new protections for workers on sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave, and trade union recognition. Additionally, the act will provide rights to guaranteed hours for those on zero or 'low hours' contracts, flexible working, payment for short-notice cancellation of shifts, and barring fire-and-rehire practices in most circumstances. The BRC, representing major UK retailers, suggests that guaranteed hours protections should only apply to contracts of eight hours a week or fewer, and the reference period to be at least 26 weeks – or ideally a full year. This, they argue, would better reflect seasonal working patterns and ensure reforms address genuine problems without undermining jobs. Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, emphasized that flexible retail jobs are vital for millions of people, providing opportunities for students, parents, and those managing health conditions. She warned that if reforms treat flexibility as a problem rather than something workers actively choose, the risk is fewer opportunities and reduced access to work. The BRC noted that 55% of retail roles are part-time, significantly above the UK average of 33%. A survey of 2,000 adults by Opinium for the BRC found that 52% of UK adults think the ability to flex working hours around their lives is important. However, the shop workers' union Usdaw and the TUC have expressed support for the reforms, arguing that they will deliver benefits to those in insecure employment, particularly women and disabled workers, and provide greater job security and predictability for working people.

In a unique display of environmental activism, a group of artists from Wiveliscombe, known as artistsformallyknownasWiveyXR, recently gathered at Hurstone nature reserve in Exmoor national park to symbolically 'marry' the River Tone. The event, held on World Water Day (March 22), was a creative response to the call to action by Extinction Rebellion. The group, dressed in elaborate costumes and papier-mache masks, including Frog, Badger, and Barn Owl, made their way to the river's edge, accompanied by music and chanting. The ritual was inspired by a similar event in Bristol, where a young activist Megan 'married' her local river, the Avon, in 2023. The River Tone, located just seven miles from its source, was described as 'sparkling and clear' during the ceremony, a stark contrast to the polluted state of many rivers in England. According to the Rivers Trust, 0% of the 3,553 river stretches in England assessed were in good overall status. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting waterways and the alarming state of river health in the country. During the ceremony, a participant, Eileen, dressed as a salmon, paddled downstream on her hands and knees, committing to 'love and honour' the River Tone and protect it 'in sickness and in health'. The event was a powerful expression of the community's commitment to environmental activism and the preservation of natural resources.