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Eamonn Holmes, the 66‑year‑old presenter of GB News’s breakfast programme, is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke last week.A GB News spokesperson confirmed that the Northern Irish broadcaster is responding well to treatment and has requested privacy while focusing on his recovery. The network added that “his colleagues and everyone at GB News wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”In Holmes’s absence, the channel said that Alex Armstrong will co‑anchor the morning slot alongside Ellie Costello for the coming week.Holmes, who previously fronted ITV’s This Morning and co‑presented with his former wife Ruth Langsford for 14 years, has a documented history of serious health issues. He has undergone spinal surgery, a double hip replacement, and endured multiple falls, including a live on‑air incident when a studio chair collapsed.Speaking about that on‑air fall, Holmes recalled, “It was a bit of a shock for me because I’d had a fall in my bathroom two weeks earlier that hospitalised me, and it hit me again right in the back.” He described the aftermath as “really, really sore.”His health struggles have also impacted his personal life. In 2022, Holmes told the Sun that chronic pain and mobility problems strained his marriage to Langsford, and he later disclosed a dislocated pelvis in 2021 that led to three slipped discs.Holmes is now in a relationship with 44‑year‑old counsellor Katie Alexander. The pair were photographed together at a recent event, with Holmes using a wheelchair.GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos expressed support, stating, “Eamonn is a loved member of the GB News family, and we’re with him every step of the way as he recovers.”

The recent return of the Artemis II mission to Earth has been hailed as a major achievement for NASA, marking the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years. The mission, which included astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, broke a distance record and demonstrated the capability to sustain human life beyond lower-Earth orbit.However, the celebration has been overshadowed by proposed budget cuts to NASA, with Donald Trump announcing a 23% reduction in funding, including a 46% cut for space science initiatives. Critics argue that these cuts, described as 'extinction-level', would severely impact NASA's ability to achieve its ambitious goals in deep space exploration.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman defended the budget proposal, stating that the levels are sufficient to meet mission priorities. However, Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society expressed concerns, highlighting the contradiction between the budget proposal and previous statements by NASA leadership.The Artemis program faces significant challenges ahead, including the development of a permanent lunar base. Despite these concerns, NASA is already looking ahead to Artemis III, scheduled for next year, which will test human lunar landing systems.Artemis II has been hailed as a crucial step in the US space program, providing a significant advantage in the new space race with China. The mission's success has brought renewed attention to the importance of continued investment in space exploration and the need for a stable and supportive budget.

When wages have been stagnant for almost two decades and a simple tube of toothpaste now costs nearly £7 at a major supermarket, the claim that “money can’t buy happiness” feels increasingly dismissive. The argument rests on a narrow view of what money can achieve. Spending cash solely on material goods yields only short‑lived pleasure. In contrast, the ability to afford time, experiences and mental‑health support expands one’s sense of freedom and purpose. Even basic needs such as leisure have become commodified; more disposable income simply translates into more opportunities to pursue what matters. As someone diagnosed with ADHD, I have learned—through personal trial rather than formal neuroscience—how to secure a steady supply of dopamine. The cheapest route is not a quick thrill, but activities that provide lasting satisfaction, such as novel experiences and moments of awe. One vivid example came during a winter trip to rural France, where two feet of snow turned the landscape into a scene straight out of Narnia. The awe‑inspiring view was a reminder that nature’s restorative power is often accessible only to those who can afford the travel, in my case a budget flight with Ryanair. Research supports the intuition that higher income correlates with greater happiness. A 2023 study by psychologists at Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania found that people with higher earnings report higher life satisfaction, though money cannot resolve non‑financial sources of unhappiness. Even the world’s richest are not immune to the paradox. Earlier this year, Elon Musk—on track to become the first trillionaire—tweeted that anyone who says “money can’t buy happiness” must be missing something. While Musk’s wealth may not guarantee personal joy, the same resources could provide a foundation for happiness for billions facing financial strain. Nevertheless, hoarding wealth like a dragon does not equate to fulfillment. The column suggests that redirecting a portion of vast fortunes toward travel, cultural enrichment, and shared experiences could transform isolated wealth into collective well‑being. In short, financial stability reduces stress and broadens horizons. It allows individuals to invest in the intangible assets—time, relationships, awe‑inducing experiences—that truly enrich life.

Barney Ronay set out to test whether a disciplined betting strategy could turn a modest £10 stake into a sizeable profit. Over five days he managed to grow the amount to £120, a return that sounded impressive but left him emotionally flat. His experiment underscores a broader truth: sport betting is engineered to disturb and addict. The personal journey is set against a looming financial shock for English football. Nine Premier League clubs have warned they cannot replace the cash flow previously supplied by gambling sponsors, which will be barred from shirt‑front advertising next season under a voluntary industry agreement. One club executive summed up the anxiety: “Nearly everyone is losing money.” The shortfall is estimated at around £4 million for the affected clubs. These concerns arrive at a time when the gambling sector itself faces scrutiny. Recent data show that up to 1.4 million UK adults may have a gambling problem, a figure that has risen alongside the proliferation of mobile betting apps. The Guardian previously reported that the world‑champion club could incur losses of £335 million in a single season, illustrating the massive financial stakes involved. Ronay’s betting log reads like a sports‑fan’s diary. He began with a £10 wager on a Florida horse race, which paid out modestly. Subsequent bets on high‑profile matches – Manchester City versus Liverpool, Southampton beating Arsenal in the FA Cup – produced a rapid climb to £120. Yet each win felt hollow, prompting him to chase larger, riskier bets such as a four‑way accumulator on the Champions League semi‑finalists, a gamble that ultimately fell short. Beyond the numbers, the piece highlights how gambling permeates the football experience: logos dominate club kits, betting terminology infiltrates fan conversation, and promotional offers tempt even casual viewers. Ronay argues that this saturation turns a simple pastime into a “highly available, stimulating activity designed to hook” users, exploiting the brain’s natural reward pathways. In concluding, Ronay stresses two take‑aways. First, the industry’s promise of “extra money” for clubs is a façade – the money only comes out of fans’ pockets. Second, the impending £4 million sponsorship gap may actually serve as a catalyst for sensible self‑regulation, forcing clubs to reconsider reliance on gambling revenue.

Rehab did not happen to Lena Dunham; she walked into it. The writer describes the moment she entered a stone‑manor facility in the Berkshires, Massachusetts, and was immediately asked to remove her designer shoes and answer mundane questions about her diet, a surreal welcome that felt like a college orientation—except many of the fellow residents struggled with IV heroin. She notes the unsettling blend of patients and staff, all dressed in ordinary clothes, making it impossible to tell who was who. A tattooed man in a Harley‑Davidson shirt turned out to be a sober companion, while a grandmother knitting in slippers battled a severe Benadryl addiction that had once ruined her daughter’s wedding. “Never judge a drug addict by their Patagonia half‑zip fleece,” she writes. Using the pseudonym “Rose O’Neill” – after the pioneering cartoonist – Dunham reflects on feeling trapped in a cycle reminiscent of the late‑career decline of the early 20th‑century artist. It was only after she allowed staff to use her real name that she began to reclaim her identity. Her therapist, Dr. Mark, a kindly man in khakis, asked her to articulate the root causes of her admission. Dunham linked her descent to chronic physical illness, relentless stress from supporting multiple families, hormonal turmoil after a hysterectomy, and a fraught romantic relationship. She also disclosed past sexual trauma, describing the rehab experience as “a fever dream” that echoed those memories. Medication played a paradoxical role. While Klonopin eased anxiety and Percocet dulled pain, the initial IV dose produced a euphoric “shiver through the whole body, better than any orgasm.” She acknowledges the temporary relief as a “pause button” that allowed her racing thoughts to quiet, yet also recognized the danger of dependence. Group sessions revealed complex dynamics. A fellow patient, Walter, breached confidentiality, prompting staff to enforce policy and send him home. The ensuing discussion divided the group, with some defending Walter’s lapse and others demanding accountability. Dunham’s own voice was subdued, emphasizing the tension between personal safety and collective responsibility. In a values‑mapping exercise, Dunham listed ART, FAMILY, MAKING PEOPLE FEEL SEEN as her core priorities, contrasting them with the values of the people she had surrounded herself with during active addiction. This exercise highlighted the stark misalignment between her aspirations and the environment she had inhabited. Despite the strict regimen, Dunham was granted a brief leave to attend the 2018 Met Gala. The decision sparked intense debate among staff about safety, yet she ultimately walked the red carpet, feeling “wan and haunted” amid flashing cameras and champagne she could not enjoy. The experience underscored the surreal juxtaposition of celebrity life and rehab recovery. During the final week, she formally identified as an addict and faced the pivotal question from Dr. Mark: “Do you want to be sober?” The answer marked a turning point, culminating in a moment of pure joy as she ran outdoors, feeling her legs move of their own accord. She closes with a vivid scene of spotting a robin’s egg on the grass, a simple yet profound reminder of life’s unexpected beauty. The memoir Famesick, published by Fourth Estate on 14 April, expands on these revelations and invites readers into the often‑hidden world of addiction behind the celebrity façade.

The Caribbean and Latin America are facing a critical moment in their relationship with Cuba, as they succumb to US pressure to expel Cuban doctors. These medical professionals have been a lifeline for many in the region, providing essential healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Cuban doctors have been a cornerstone of healthcare in the Caribbean and Latin America, with programs dating back 50 years. However, under pressure from the US, countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have terminated these agreements. Only St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago have yet to follow. The US has branded these programs "forced labor" and "human trafficking" because the Cuban state retains a share of salaries. However, this ignores the fact that Cuban doctors are trained free of charge by the Cuban government, unlike their counterparts in countries like the UK, who often graduate with significant student debt. The consequences of expelling Cuban doctors are severe. Millions could lose basic healthcare, with Indigenous communities particularly exposed. The region's healthcare systems, already fragile, are being strained, and the poorest will pay the price in untreated illnesses, unattended births, and undiagnosed cancers. Cuba has built a global medical network of more than 50,000 professionals working across dozens of countries, generating billions in foreign revenue and sustaining its economy under embargo. However, US pressure is disrupting this model, and Cuban medical personnel are being withdrawn, cutting off one of the island's few reliable sources of income. The Caribbean and Latin America are complicit in this economic warfare against Cuba. Sanctions restrict trade, finance, fuel, and medicine, shrinking economies, deepening poverty, and punishing citizens rather than governments. In Cuba, the effects are stark: blackouts, shortages, and collapsing productivity. A notable exception is Barbados, whose Prime Minister Mia Mottley has defended Cuba's medical missions and rejected the insinuation of "trafficking." She has made it clear that Barbados will stand by what is right, even at the cost of US punishments, highlighting that sovereignty is not merely constitutional but also moral.

Real Madrid's chances of winning La Liga have taken a hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Girona. Federico Valverde put Real ahead in the 51st minute, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.The draw extends Girona's winless run to three games in all competitions and gives leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top. Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich looming.The contest finally flickered into life after halftime, with Real pushing for a winner but Girona holding their shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd. The final whistle was greeted with unease around the Bernabeu, as Real's stuttering form leaves the title race tilting ever more firmly towards their old rivals Barca.

British authorities have taken a significant step in addressing the tragic loss of life during a recent Channel crossing attempt. A 27-year-old Sudanese man was arrested on suspicion of endangering another person after four individuals lost their lives while trying to cross the English Channel from France.The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported that the suspect was detained at a migrant processing centre in Manston, southern England. The arrest was made under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, specifically for endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK.The incident occurred when two men and two women were swept away by strong currents while attempting to board a small boat off the coast of Saint-Etienne-au-Mont, near Calais in northern France. This tragic event follows a similar incident last week where two men, one Sudanese and the other Afghan, died trying to make the crossing.The NCA is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, working in conjunction with French prosecutors. 74 people were on board the boat, with 38 being returned to France. The agency's Deputy Director, Craig Turner, emphasized their commitment to identifying and bringing to justice those responsible for these tragic deaths.The UK government has vowed to continue preventing these perilous journeys and to bring those responsible to justice. Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, highlighted the strengthened powers under the Border Security Act to disrupt and take down the operations of criminal smuggling gangs.

Oppdal, a mountain village in central Norway, hosted its first interspecies council on a snowy morning at the Bjerkeløkkja conference centre. Thirty‑eight local participants each represented a different species – from a northern bat to a birch tree – and voiced the needs of the natural world in a structured decision‑making process.The council draws on the legacy of the Council of All Beings, a practice created in the 1980s by environmentalists John Seed and Joanna Macy. Phoebe Tickell, a scientist and “moral imagination” activist mentored by Macy, adapted the ritual into a governance methodology that expands representation beyond humans.Facilitators first identified the multispecies stakeholders in the region, then briefed human representatives – chosen either randomly or for expertise – on the perspectives they would embody. The session concluded with a manifesto of principles for human governance and an impact‑evaluation plan to track participants’ connection to nature six months later.Oppdal’s mayor, Elisabeth Hals, noted that the village’s population swells from 5,000 to over 30,000 in winter as tourists flock to private cabins (hytter). The municipality plans to add 1,000 new apartments by 2035 to promote year‑round tourism, a move that has sparked debate over land use, farming, and conservation.During the council, a birch “worried there’s too much of me,” while a rockfoil flower urged humans to “slow down and listen to where nature can tolerate more activity.” The River Driva lamented being treated as a mere resource, and a fox enthusiastically pointed at a wader, highlighting the emotional range the exercise seeks to capture.Proponents argue that such empathy‑building exercises are crucial as wildlife populations have fallen by roughly 70 % over the past 50 years. Tickell contends that “imperfect representation beats exclusion” and envisions interspecies councils becoming as routine as environmental impact assessments.Across the UK, 13 councils have recognised river rights since 2023, and a coalition of artists, ecologists, lawyers and policymakers is exploring similar biodiversity governance around the North Sea. In London, multispecies assemblies have already informed stewardship of the River Roding and land‑use consultations.Oppdal’s experiment aims to create “institutional trace” – genuine decision‑making power backed by robust methodology and longitudinal research – rather than a tokenistic green‑washing exercise. If successful, the model could be replicated internationally, giving non‑human nature a formal seat at the policy table.