In a recent episode of Waitrose’s Dish podcast, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan said that she used to check Rip.ie (an Irish site which tracks and publishes deaths) in her previous work at an optician’s.
She said many of the people who came into her shop were older, and she found out some had sadly passed away when ringing about missed appointments. So, she devised a system of checking the site and noting who had passed instead.
But she noticed an anomaly. “We got a lot of nuns,” she said in a viral Instagram clip. “So you’d be like, Sister Ignatius, born 1932… I started… in my head, guessing if people were dead,” and checking the site in anticipation.
“They were always alive. Nuns are immortal.”
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That’s not literally true, at least in the secular sense – but some science suggests they do live longer and healthier than many of us.
Why might nuns live longer, healthier lives?
Before her death in 2023, a French nun named Sister André was the oldest living person in the world. She passed aged just under 119.
One dementia researcher named David Snowdon found that “Catholic sisters had a mortality advantage that increased dramatically over calendar time, and from early to more recent birth cohorts”. In this research, he suggested this may be due to a lower rate of smoking.
She said in her book that nuns were “27% more likely to live into their 70s than their lay peers, and their likelihood of living longer increased with time”.
They also move regularly, which we know is important for a longer, healthier life, Corwin wrote for Yes!. She added, “nuns experience greater physical and emotional well-being at the end of life than other women”.
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You don’t need to become a nun to see these benefits
All of these health benefits are attainable to non-nuns. As we mentioned before, a better diet, enough exercise, community, a positive attitude towards ageing, and a sense of purpose are all science-backed ways to improve your odds of staying healthier for longer.
And recent research has found that tiny shifts in many of these habits go a long way. Those who slept five minutes longer, ate just a half-portion more of fruit and veg a day, and/or exercised an added two minutes than those in the bottom 5% of healthy lifestyle patterns were expected to live a year longer.
Corwin herself said, “The good news is that you don’t have to live in a convent to do the things that keep these nuns healthy and happy.
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“By staying active, cultivating caring relationships, and finding ways to talk bravely about death and dying, we can all benefit from what nuns know about healthy ageing.”
The US justice department says the video also shows Allen “casing the area” at the hotel, on the day before the dinner, when prosecutors say the defendant checked in as a guest. It appears to show him walking down a hotel corridor on the eve of the gala and popping into the hotel gym.
Further statements will be provided to give background to the treatment and care Laura Vasilisina received before her death.
13:00, 29 Apr 2026Updated 13:04, 29 Apr 2026
A coroner will review the mental health treatment and care received by a teenager before her death. Laura Vasilisina died aged 19 at her home in Cambridge.
The hearing by Coroner Simon Milburn took place on Wednesday, April 29, at Vantage House in Huntingdon. Mr Milburn decided the inquest will need to look at the treatment and care Miss Vasilisina received for her mental health and drug and alcohol use before her death.
Miss Vasilisina had been in contact with the liaison psychiatry service provided by Cambridge University Hospitals. She was being treated for a history of drugs and alcohol use that had affected her mental health, and had also been in contact with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
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A toxicology report showed there was a mix of drugs and alcohol in her system at the time of her death. Further statements will be provided by the liaison psychiatry service and doctors who had been in contact with Miss Vasilisina before her death.
The pre-inquest heard that Miss Vasilisina’s treatment and care history prior to her death “will be relevant to the background” for the inquest. The inquest was adjourned and will be reviewed in 12 weeks after the statements have been provided.
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Colin Straker has applied to turn a five-bed property at at 40, Gladstone Street in Scarborough into a seven-bed House in Multiple Occuptaion (HMO) for nine people.
However, neighbours and councillors have objected to the proposed conversion of the property, which is an eight-minute walk away from Scarborough Railway Station.
According to the applicant, the property is currently underutilised, and its conversion into an HMO would “optimise its use without significantly reducing the availability of family housing in the area”.
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Local residents are “beside themselves” over the scheme, according to councillors on Scarborough Town Council’s community and place committee.
Speaking at a committee meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Cllr William Stuart said: “The supplementary planning document is clear that no more than 10 per cent of residential properties within a 100-metre radius of an application site should be in HMO use in order to protect community balance and avoid harmful overconcentration.
He added that the area already “appears likely to meet or exceed the 10 per cent threshold set out”.
Submitted plans state that a “thorough analysis of the local area has been undertaken to ensure that the introduction of this HMO will not lead to an overconcentration of HMO’s, thereby maintaining the community balance”.
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The applicant added that the HMO would be professionally managed, “ensuring tenant screening, property maintenance, and responsible occupancy”.
“The conversion ensures minimal impact on local amenities, addresses parking concerns, and contributes positively to the housing mix in Scarborough.”
However, North Yorkshire Council’s housing team said the proposed floor plans “predominantly consist of self-contained studio units which do not meet the current space standards for the number of occupiers”.
“The proposed studios fall significantly below the expected minimum standards, with many being approximately half of the required floor space,” officers said.
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A neighbour, Joanne Burnley, said: “There is only parking on one side of the street with double yellow lines on my side of the street.
“It is hard enough to park in our zone as it is without an extra residence of seven people with the potential of seven more cars. This could really impact the value of our houses on our street.”
“Our street is quite busy with traffic, and with more cars it will become busier.”
Cllr William Stuart said: “Gladstone Street is a constrained residential street with parking available on only one side of the road. Parking pressures in the locality are already significant. Intensifying occupation to seven unrelated residents is likely to further increase demand for on-street parking in an area that is already struggling to accommodate existing residents and visitors.”
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Cllr Robert Everall added: “I’ve already been contacted by two people who live in Gladstone Street and they are absolutely beside themselves regarding this. They cannot park their cars there as it is.
“I know that a lot of the neighbours are really, really worried about this.”
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the proposal which is currently open to representations from members of the public.
Formula One returns after an early-season hiatus at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend.
We now have a shortened 22-race calendar and there has been no action since the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on March 29, where Kimi Antonelli, 19, made it back-to-back race wins to become the youngest driver ever to lead the world championship standings.
When is the Miami Grand Prix 2026?
The latest Miami Grand Prix takes place on Sunday May 3, 2026 at the Miami International Autodrome around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
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Miami Grand Prix 2026 start time
The race is due to begin at 9pm BST on Sunday evening, which is 4pm ET in Miami.
Welcome to Miami: Max Verstappen is sure to the the centre of attention once more in Florida this weekend
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Miami Grand Prix 2026 sprint schedule
The first and only practice session in Miami starts at 5pm BST on Friday, with sprint qualifying then coming up at 9:30pm BST.
The sprint race itself is on Saturday at 5pm BST, with qualifying for the grand prix at 9pm BST on Saturday night.
Miami Grand Prix 2026 starting grid
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The starting grid for the race will be confirmed after qualifying on Saturday night. Check back in then for the results in full.
How to watch the Miami Grand Prix 2026
TV channel: Every session from the 2026 Miami Grand Prix is available to watch live in the UK on Sky Sports’ dedicated F1 channel, with coverage of Grand Prix Sunday beginning from 8pm BST on Sunday evening.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch every session from Miami live online via the Sky Go app.
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Free highlights: Channel 4 will show free-to-air highlights of the race from 1:35am BST on Monday morning, with a later repeat at 10:25am.
Channel 4 will also show highlights from sprint qualifying, the sprint race and grand prix qualifying across the weekend.
Miami Grand Prix 2026 weather forecast
It is set to be hot and humid across the race weekend in Miami, where there will be a lot of sun and high temperatures of around 31 degrees.
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There is expected to be some cloudy conditions on race day, with a 40 per cent chance of rainfall, which could make things unpredictable on track.
A commercial pilot has shared cockpit footage of what it looks like to land a plane – and people have said one detail is so ‘terrifying’ they could never do it themselves
If you’ve ever assumed being a pilot was straightforward work, you might want to reconsider.
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When you step aboard an aircraft, you place enormous faith in your pilot to deliver you safely to your destination. Most of us recognise they face considerable challenges, requiring years of costly training and meeting rigorous requirements to obtain a pilot’s licence. In reality, you cannot even begin pilot training unless you satisfy strict criteria, including specifications around your height and eyesight.
These criteria exist to ensure you’re in optimal condition to operate an aircraft carrying passengers from one airport to another across the globe. While it’s a demanding profession, hundreds of thousands of pilots worldwide undertake this responsibility every single day.
But have you ever pondered what the actual process of operating an aircraft looks like from their viewpoint?
Most of us drift off to sleep or become absorbed in an in-flight film when travelling by plane, meaning we don’t fully appreciate the complete experience of flying through the air. One pilot on social media has allowed the public a peek at what landing an aircraft entails – leaving some viewers utterly stunned.
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Mattias, an A320 commercial pilot, frequently posts videos on TikTok and Instagram showcasing his life as a pilot. In one recent TikTok video, he demonstrated what landing an aircraft involves, including precisely what occurs when the plane descends through the clouds back towards the ground.
The pilot, who uses a fixed-mounted camera to capture his footage so he can remain fully focused on flying, first revealed the brilliant blue sky the aircraft was cutting through, with clouds stretching out beneath the plane.
Yet as he began his descent, the plane plunged through the clouds into murky conditions below. The cloud cover was so dense that the camera couldn’t pick out any details until the runway lights suddenly emerged — along with neighbouring houses that appeared alarmingly close.
Mattias brought the plane down flawlessly and was seen guiding it to the gate, where passengers disembarked without a hitch, yet viewers were left utterly “terrified” by what they had witnessed.
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Some questioned whether pilots were simply “guessing” where they needed to land, given there appeared to be virtually no visibility, while others claimed the footage sent their “heart to the roof”.
One person wrote: “So… you’re just guessing?”
Another added: “I know it’s their job and what they are trained for, but just watching that landing sent my heart to the roof. The speed!! Carrying 1000s of people to safety. God bless all pilots!”
A third posted: “Well, that’s even more terrifying than I thought.”
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How do pilots know where to go?
Pilots navigate the skies using a pre-loaded flight plan stored in the aircraft’s computer, which links up via virtual GPS waypoints. They rely on a blend of methods, including cutting-edge satellite navigation such as GPS, ground-based radio beacons, and instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to remain on course.
According to a YouTube video posted by easyJet in 2021, the flight plan generates “virtual signposts” in the sky to steer the pilot in the correct direction, alerting them when they need to turn. These function even in poor visibility, meaning pilots can safely navigate the skies and land aircraft even in foggy or wet conditions.
“We stand together in condemning these deliberate acts”
Ministers, firefighters and police have condemned a series of “devastating” wildfires across Northern Ireland, including in the Mourne Mountains.
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Hundreds of firefighters have responded to six significant wildfires in less than a week, which have impacted an estimated 2,500 hectares of land, in what ministers said was an “unsustainable” amount of damage.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly urged those responsible for the wildfires “to stop” and reflect on their actions.
In the past week, firefighters have extinguished three major fires and continue to deal with two other incidents, one of which is believed to have been deliberately started. On Thursday, around 85 firefighters responded to several gorse fires in Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh, while around 30 firefighters tackled a 500m-wide wildfire on Polly’s Brae Road in Dungiven.
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People are being asked to avoid those areas.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The wildfires in the Mournes have left a trail of devastating damage and demanded a major emergency response, with hundreds of firefighters and partner agencies working around the clock to protect homes, land and lives. Their courage, professionalism and commitment have been outstanding.
“I want to sincerely thank the Fire & Rescue Service, the PSNI, landowners and all those involved in the response for their tireless work in these very challenging conditions. I would appeal to those involved to reflect on the serious harm this is causing to our communities and environment and to stop.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: “It is truly devastating to see the scenes emerging from the Mourne Mountains. These fires pose a real risk to life and have left communities living in fear and are destroying precious natural habitats and putting immense strain upon our emergency services.
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“We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful countryside here in Northern Ireland, and I would urge those responsible for these wildfires to stop and consider the consequences of their actions. I also want to recognise and thank our firefighters who are working tirelessly under extremely dangerous conditions to bring these fires under control.”
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said: “We are deeply concerned by the latest wildfires affecting the Mourne and other areas, which are damaging our landscapes and precious habitats and putting lives, health and property at serious risk. We stand together in condemning these deliberate acts and in expressing our full solidarity with local communities, landowners, environmental organisations, emergency responders and volunteers who are working tirelessly to protect this special and iconic landscape.
“We are grateful to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and to all those on the ground responding to these incidents. While it is too early to fully assess the extent of the damage, it is likely to be significant.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt added: “From the April 25 to 29, 2026, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service was involved in resolving three significant wildfire incidents. 65 Fire Service Vehicles were deployed and over 300 crew attended the incidents. It has been estimated that approximately 2,500 hectares of land has been impacted. This level of impact is shocking and quite frankly unsustainable. As of today, that is six significant wildfires.
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“These wildfires threaten public health, devastate important habitats, impact local livelihoods and place unacceptable pressure on emergency and health services. Where they are started deliberately, those responsible should face criminal penalties.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant, to report any fires immediately to NIFRS, to share any information about suspicious activity with the PSNI, and to follow the advice of emergency services at all times.
“To address this ongoing risk, a Wildfire Action Plan has been launched, focused on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. These destructive attacks must stop, and by working together we can protect our communities, and safeguard precious habitats such as the Mournes for future generations.”
NIFRS Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright said: “In recent days, hundreds of Firefighters have been working in challenging conditions to bring these wildfires under control, whilst responding to other emergencies across Northern Ireland. I would like to thank Minister Nesbitt and Minister Muir for their support. I am appealing to the public to act responsibly when enjoying the countryside to help reduce the risk of wildfires.”
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PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “Local police have been working closely with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service over recent days as they work to bring fires in the Mournes under control, meeting several times daily to lend any support we can to their efforts.
“The unpredictability of fire is such that any outbreak represents a significant risk to the environment and wildlife, as well as threatening homes, farms and those local people who reside in the area.
“Whilst at this time it is not possible to ascribe a definitive cause to individual fires, more often than not they are caused by human activity – whether through carelessness and inattention, out-of-season agricultural practices, or malicious fire setting. Where it is found that a wildfire has been maliciously started, it will be fully investigated by police and when identified those responsible can expect to be arrested and prosecuted.
“Police will gather all available evidence to enable us to identify any action which would constitute a crime, and hold those responsible legally to account.”
Pilot Matthew Bird, 21, and passenger Oliver Dawes, 24, died after the two-seater Cessna FRA150L aircraft crashed in a field near Thorganby, south of York, on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
In a report published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) on April 30, 2026, a spokesperson confirmed that the crash took place after Mr Bird was unable to recover the plane whilst practising aerobatic flying – despite being a ‘particularly competent pilot’.
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They added that the aircraft “entered a fully developed spin to the left but, when recovery actions were commenced, the control column was not pushed far enough forward to un-stall the wing”.
The report states that the aircraft, containing Mr Bird and Mr Dawes, departed from Breighton Airfield at around 8.15am on the morning of the incident – informing radar control that they intended to perform aerobatic manoeuvres between 3,000 and 6,000ft.
Video footage inside the cockpit showed Mr Bird successfully performing manoeuvres, before attempting the final spin to the left where, despite his best efforts, he was unable to regain control of the aircraft.
A mayday call was made to air traffic control, but the aircraft remained in a spin until it struck the ground nose-down – fatally injuring the pilot and passenger.
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The recording showed that the engine was running throughout the flight, including during the landing, and that the pilots were not wearing parachutes – something that meant impact was ‘unlikely to have been survivable’.
Further investigation found that Mr Bird was described by his instructors as a “particularly competent pilot with an enthusiastic and conscientious attitude to flying”, adding that he had plans to begin further training at Sherburn on the day after the accident.
Despite this, he was still relatively inexperienced in aerobatic flight and spinning with analysis suggesting that, whilst he had been quick to recover the aircraft in training, he appeared surprised and startled when the aircraft did not recover quickly from the spin.
As a result, he did not realise that the control column remained “aft of neutral” – meaning it had become uncontrollable by a human pilot – and he was unable to recover the plane as it descended.
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A spokesperson for AAIB said: “The pilot was known to be sensible and conscientious and there was nothing to suggest that this was not the case in this flight. However, this accident and the CAA ‘loss of control’ video highlight how unexpectedly challenging multiple turn spins can be.”
They added that, following this accident, the Civil Aviation Authority intended to promote to flying schools its safety sense leaflet and video about spin awareness and the use of parachutes.
It is also considering expanding its syllabus to include psychological, behaviour and attitude aspects.
In a statement made at the time, Mr Dawes’ family said: “Yesterday, we lost a dearly loved son, cousin, nephew and friend. Oliver will continue to live on in our hearts and memories as the kind, generous, hardworking and fun man he had become.
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“We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives, we are heartbroken.”
Mr Bird’s family said: “We have lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Matthew meant so much to so many. We are utterly heartbroken but he will live on in our hearts as we cherish the incredibly special memories he’s left us with.”
Air quality monitors deployed as major Port Talbot fire enters ‘controlled phase’ | Wales Online
Need to know
Neath Port Talbot Council have released an update on the huge commercial waste fire
The day after a fire on an industrial site near Dock road, Port Talbot. (Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)
Fire crews will remain at the scene on Dock Road, Port Talbot for the “foreseeable future”
Neath Port Talbot Council says the commercial waste fire in Port Talbot is now moving into a “controlled phase” and is being de-escalated.
Fire crews have been at the scene since around 3.36pm yesterday (Wednesday, April 29). According to the council they will remain there for the foreseeable future to continue damping down and dealing with any remaining hotspots, with support from Neath Port Talbot Council JCB teams.
It was further confirmed that air quality monitoring has been carried out throughout the day in areas affected by the smoke plume to assess any impact and help protect public health.
Residents and businesses are still being advised to keep doors and windows closed while smoke is present, and to reopen them once it has cleared. Anyone who feels unwell is being urged to seek medical advice.
Fire and rescue services will support the move into the recovery phase, working closely with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to keep the site safe and minimise any further environmental or community impact.
NRW officers have reportedly been on site all day providing specialist advice to fire crews and the site operator. Monitoring of the nearby River Afan has confirmed there has been no pollution entering the river from firefighting water run-off.
Both the A4241 Afan Way dual carriageway and the Afan Way/Water Street westbound carriageway have now reopened. However, the adjacent footpath and cycleway remain closed.
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When Millie Bright announced her retirement on Wednesday, her mum gave her a letter.
But as Bright continues to wrestle with the emotions of her big announcement, she says she has been unable to read it all.
The 32-year-old retired from England duty last year and has now left Chelsea after 314 appearances, eight Women’s Super League titles, six FA Cups and four League Cups.
A Euros winner in 2022, she has returned home to her family’s farm in Sheffield and is celebrating her dad’s 60th birthday – the sort of event she would have previously missed while juggling playing and training.
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Surrounded by her family and beloved horses,Bright says she is “at peace” with the decision to retire after what she describes as the most challenging two years of her life.
“Both physically and mentally, I have been ready to say goodbye,” Bright tells BBC Sport.
“The mental side of things for me, personally… life’s been very difficult, and the amount of abuse I have dealt with has been too much to handle.
“I think over the past year I have lost myself as a person, and it has taken me a long time to rebuild myself.”
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Bright withdrew from England’s Euros squad in 2025, as she felt she was unable to give 100% mentally and physically, and says that announcement led to her receiving a significant amountof abuse.
“It was difficult because I was trying to do the right thing for me and the team. I didn’t expect the abuse,” she says.
“I expected people to be like: ‘Why are you making this decision?’ I can tolerate that, but to question my integrity, my passion and dedication as a player… I can’t ever accept that.
“We are still humans, we have a life outside of football and I think that is forgotten 99% of the time.”
Tacoma Police have said that those injured include four students and one security guard, according to KVUE. The sixth injured individual is believed to be the suspect.
The Tacoma Fire Department has confirmed that all those injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
ABC News reported that the four students were in critical condition and are now stable. The security officer and suspect sustained minor injuries.
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The stabbing was reported shortly before 1.40pm local time.
Foss High School was previously the scene of a shooting in January 2007, which claimed the life of one student. Pupils were evacuated from the building following that incident.
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