The broadcaster says she will be forever grateful to the woman who reached out after spotting her distress on TV

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Nobody would have realised that the well-known GB News presenter Nana Akua was battling an excruciating skin condition that left her feeling as though chemicals had scorched her face.

Concealing the problem beneath thick makeup, she maintained a composed appearance before the cameras and continued hosting her programmes – until a viewer got in touch to “save her skin”, reports the Express.

The television personality revealed: “One weird thing that did happen on GB News was that I had a weird thing going on with my skin.

“A woman who was watching and saw me on TV reached out and told me ‘I can see that your skin is in pain’”.

Speaking to Express, the TV star shared more details as she continued: “I was wearing make up and everything so I thought that you couldn’t tell.

“But anyway, she took me under her wing and I tried some products and now my skin is healed.

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“I’ve never used cheap stuff on my skin, but what I was using, I washed my face and put it on and it literally burnt my face. I used to get skin issues around my eyes, and I couldn’t work out what it was.”

The star went on: “But then I came off the products that I was using. I didn’t realise just how bad it was until the lady reached out and I tried this new cream.

“When you’re on TV all the time, you have to put make up on every single day. And it’s heavy make up. My skin has gone through a really weird phase. And then it only went worse when some products were burning me.”

“But I listened to this woman and she saved my skin – I have to thank her for that.”

The individual who provided this transformative guidance was skincare specialist and aesthetician Andria Vassiliou.

Throughout her career, Andria has maintained a deep commitment to addressing problematic skin conditions and has embraced every opportunity to help women tackle their most challenging skin concerns.

She graciously invited Nana to the Cetuem clinic to explore potential solutions.

A programme of treatments alongside a tailored skincare routine was implemented. Within several weeks, Nana’s skin had become calmer and had regained its radiance.

Nana now describes Andria as the “skin queen” and credits her as her saviour.

The row of retail units outside Cardiff Bus Interchange is filling up slowly

Sandwich chain, WhichWich? is opening a second venue in Cardiff, just months after debuting its first Welsh shop in January.

WhichWich is a Texan-based brand known for its fully customisable hot toasted sandwiches and is due to will open a second Cardiff unit at the Bus Interchange.

The brand saw its first unit in the UK outside of London open in Cardiff on January 17. It’s not known the opening date of the shop, which will face outwards onto Central Square, but the sandwich chain will join Starbucks and acai bowl spot, Kiwi, on the run of units at the interchange.

With a tag line claiming “superior sandwiches” Which Wich will have pre-made menu favourites like their California Chicken Club, Loaded BBQ Pork or Super Veggie wrap or you can pick from 40 more toppings to make your own.

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Alongside their lunch menu there’s afull toastie breakfast menu of English muffins, breakfast pots and fresh brewed coffee – which they claim to be “Seattle’s best.”

Founded in Dallas, Texas in 2003, Which Wich has an ‘innovative ordering system’ which sees customers grab their chosen sandwich type’s designated bag, writing on it your particular order and adding your name to said bag, before paying and handing it over to the cashier.

If, once you’ve recieved the bag, you are not 100% into your sandwich the Which Wich website says they have a ‘Sandwichfaction Guarantee’ and they’ll replace it, refund your money, or both if not.

This second sandwich spot for Wich Which? joins a number of new openings this spring, with work ongoing in the city centre for Solina pasta restaurant at the former Zero Degrees site and Roos at the former warden’s lodge in Sophia Gardens is also still undergoing work, aiming for a late spring opening.

Of the six British singles players who began the year in the top 100, Cameron Norrie is the only one to have avoided injury or illness, and he has returned impressively to the world’s top 20 in recent weeks.

Raducanu, 23, had been due to return at the Italian Open in Rome this week but withdrew after her media commitments on Tuesday with post-viral symptoms. Kartal is currently on track to reappear during the grass-court season, but the back injury the 24-year-old suffered during her run to the Indian Wells fourth round in March has cost her the entire clay swing.

Francesca Jones had a month out after a glute injury at the Australian Open and Draper’s comeback from his serious arm injury has been checked by a knee problem, while Fearnley came through qualifying in Rome after a seven-week absence.

British number three Katie Boulter, who tumbled out of the top 100 last year as she battled foot and hip injuries, says it can be hard to step away even if players have information to suggest their bodies are at breaking point.

Fitness trackers, which offer performance analysts a wealth of data, will be allowed on a trial basis at this year’s remaining three Grand Slams, as they have been for a while now on the men’s and women’s tours.

But Boulter, who has climbed back into the top 60, told BBC Sport: “I think it’s impossible as a tennis player to be like, ‘I’m going to take the week off because my wearable [device] says that I’m in red’.

“Financially, there might be people that don’t have that luxury to stop a week out of their schedule and not play – the majority of us are still trying to make a living.

“I’ve played through many injuries, I’ve also stopped through many injuries. Ultimately you have to make the best judgement call you can.

“It’s good to have that information, but it doesn’t necessarily marry up sometimes.”

The LTA has refreshed its entire physiotherapy staff over the past 18 months and believes it now has the right expertise to support the modern player. The next task is to consider how best to upgrade its recovery facilities.

British players have a lot more resources at their disposal than many other nationalities. An LTA physio was sent to Miami in March as Kartal started to realise the extent of her back problem, but the emphasis is also on players building their own support network.

Winning the final, where one of Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain lie in wait, will guarantee another €6.5m euros (£5.6m), and that also comes with an additional €4m (£3.5m) for reaching the UEFA Super Cup in August. That curtain-raiser for next season is worth €1m (£863,000) to the winner.

“This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack”

A heritage railway has hit out at ‘disgraceful’ vandals after trains were daubed with graffiti in a ‘deeply frustrating’ act of vandalism.

The Bury-based East Lancashire Railway said police are investigating the incident, which targeted an East Lancashire Railway (ELR) heritage set overnight during the May Bank Holiday. A locomotive and several coaches from the InterCity 125 rolling stock were daubed with extensive graffiti.

The heritage railway has described the ‘mindless attack’ as a ‘calculated act of destruction’. It comes months after one of the coaches had been repainted in February – while it also follows a similar incident last year.

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After discovering the graffiti, volunteers immediately stepped in and worked tirelessly for several hours top clean it up, using specialist materials to remove the graffiti before it could permanently set. ELR says the volunteers’ swift action prevented what could have been significant and lasting damage – although further polishing and restoration work is still required.

Mike Kelly, chairman of ELR, said: “This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack on a railway run largely by volunteers, with many steam and diesel traction owned either by the ELR or groups and in some cases, private individuals who give their time freely to preserve our railway. It is nothing short of a kick in the teeth for those who work so hard to maintain and preserve historic traction and rolling stock.

“What makes this even more infuriating is that this follows a similar incident less than 12 months ago, when nearly 30 glass panes across two coaches were smashed, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. We are working closely with the police and are determined to see those responsible identified and held accountable.

“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to our outstanding volunteers, whose immediate and determined response ensured the damage was contained. Their commitment stands in stark contrast to the senseless actions of those responsible.”

ELR says Greater Manchester Police attended the scene, gathered evidence and said patrols in the area would be stepped up. Additional CCTV coverage is also being installed as part of strengthened security measures. Anyone with information about those responsible is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

Podcasting has become one of our most intimate cultural forms. We often listen alone, through headphones, to voices that guide us through complex or deeply personal stories. Over time, we come to trust these voices not just for the information they convey, but for the sense that someone has listened, selected and shaped what we hear.

That relationship is unsettled by The Epstein Files, a new AI-generated podcast series that promises to process millions of Epstein-related documents into a coherent narrative. But when no one is clearly responsible for what we hear, the authority of the voice becomes harder to trust.

Created by data entrepreneur Adam Levy, the series draws on more than three million documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein and presents them as a “forensic audit” in the form of a conversational podcast between two AI-generated hosts.

Launched in February 2026, it’s had more than two million downloads so far. It’s a daily, self-updating show built through an automated pipeline that ingests, cross references and scripts material using AI systems, operating at a speed that traditional newsrooms could only dream of.

At first listen, The Epstein Files works, sounding like a carefully crafted podcast. But despite the jokes, cross-talk, hesitations and filler words that mirror shows like This American Life, Serial or S-Town, there are no identifiable human speakers behind the voices. From research to publication, the process appears to be largely automated, in line with Levy’s intention to “strip the emotion” from the story.

The hosts also claim that the podcast acts as a filter, combining AI-assisted processing with “human analysis” to review the records rather than speculate. But this distinction is harder to verify when the processes behind selection, interpretation and emphasis remain largely invisible.

Emotion, judgement and interpretation are seen here as irritations or threats. However, systems that select, rank and narrate information do not become neutral simply because those decisions bypass direct human involvement.

The series presents itself as “the first AI native” investigative documentary. Yet it lacks many of the features we’ve come to expect. There are no interviews, no location recordings, and hardly any sonic cues to guide the listener. Instead, it relies almost entirely on simulated conversation.

Scale is not judgement

The use of AI in podcasting is not simply a technical development. It disrupts the way shows are produced, structured and distributed. Rather than acting as a tool, these systems are beginning to reshape or obscure editorial processes that usually rely on human judgement.

The Epstein Files demonstrates how effectively AI can process vast quantities of material, producing a narrative that sounds coherent. But coherence is not the same as sense making, and pattern recognition is not interpretation. Deciding what matters, what is credible, and what should be left out remains a human task.

Automation does not remove judgement. Instead it relocates it, often in ways that are harder to see. Decisions are embedded in training data, system design and weighting mechanisms while appearing as neutral or unbiased outputs.

When information can be processed at scale, the question is no longer just what we know, but how we decide what counts as knowledge. Editorial standards don’t disappear, but they become harder to identify.

Why audio makes this harder

The human voice carries assumptions of authenticity. It signals presence, experience and connection. When we hear someone speak, we tend to assume a relationship between voice and responsibility. That assumption becomes more difficult to sustain when the voice is artificial yet sounds convincingly human.

These nameless hosts are not neutral. They are modelled on familiar broadcast styles associated with authority in western media. In doing so, they reproduce ideas about professionalism and trust, while remaining detached from any identifiable speaker.

What is striking about The Epstein Files is how persuasively authority is performed. The conversational structure suggests multiple perspectives, the tone implies neutrality, and the pacing suggests careful deliberation. But none of this guarantees that the material has been critically evaluated.

Content that creates itself

It could be argued that automation results in more transparency. But this relies on the assumption that volume can substitute for editorial oversight. When material is misinterpreted, stripped of context or simply wrong, it’s often unclear how those mistakes might be identified or addressed.

This is particularly troubling with material such as the Epstein case, which centres on human harm and exploitation. Such stories demand sensitivity, restraint and clearly traceable accountability. The way these stories are processed and retold can also feel detached from the people most affected by them.

At the same time, AI generated podcasts are growing. They are cheap to produce and increasingly difficult to distinguish from human made content. Their appeal may lie in speed, availability and the impression that someone has already done the work of sorting through chaos.

For audiences, the question is not only how to identify what is true or false. It’s also about recognising what is missing. Listening has typically meant encountering different voices, perspectives and forms of responsibility. When those elements are reduced or removed, the act of listening itself begins to change. The Epstein Files offers little sense of a right of reply for its audience. There is no clear editorial voice and no visible chain of accountability.

Broadcasting always depended on relationships between voices and listeners, and between storytelling and editorial judgement. This is beginning to change. The Epstein Files does not signal the end of podcasting or investigative journalism. But it marks a moment in which the cultural meaning of the voice is being tested.

Co-presence and community is central to radio and podcasting. But in The Epstein Files, nobody is there. There may be voices but if you listen very closely, you’ll notice that no one ever takes a breath.

The Bolton comic was ushered off stage after a bomb hoax at his Birmingham show on Friday

Peter Kay has issued his first statement following a alleged bomb hoax at one of his shows on Friday night. On Friday (May 1) fans at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, were evacuated less than an hour into a performance from the Bolton comic.

Kay was ushered off stage and the show, attended by almost 13,000 people, was cancelled. Omar Majed, 19, was subsequently charged over the alleged hoax and has been remanded in custody.

This morning (May 6), a statement has been issued via the comedian’s social media channels. A statement on X reads: “We are pleased to share that following the disruption to Peter Kay’s performance on Friday 1st May, we have arranged a rescheduled date for all ticket holders on Saturday 25th July 2026.

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“The safety of the audience, artist, and staff is always the highest priority, and we apologise sincerely for the inconvenience caused by the precautionary evacuation by venue management on the advice of West Midlands Police.

“All tickets will remain valid for the new date. Customers who are unable to attend will be entitled to a refund.”

Peter Kay was just 45 minutes into his tour performance on Friday evening (May 1) when when was ‘bundled off stage’. Confused audience members were told by production staff: “Due to unforeseen circumstances we are going to have to stop the show.”

On Monday 4 May, Omar Majed was ordered to go down to the cells part-way through an 11-minute hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. The court was told the teenager allegedly “barged” his way into Birmingham’s Utilita Arena without a ticket.

The charge against Majed alleges that he communicated to a police officer and others information, which he knew or believed to be false, that a bomb was present in the arena.

After confirming his address and date of birth at the start of the hearing, Majed, of Graham Road, Saltley, Birmingham, was repeatedly asked to be quiet by District Judge Michelle Smith. Ms Smith, appearing in court via a video-link, also made several requests for Majed to sit down.

Three people have died aboard the Dutch ship, which is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, and five other suspected cases of the disease, known as hantavirus, have been identified

As passengers aboard a cruise ship where three people have died following a number of cases of a potentially fatal viral infection face continued uncertainty, one doctor has explained why the outbreak is so serious. Three people have died aboard the Dutch ship MV Hondius, which is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, and five other suspected cases of the disease, known as hantavirus, have been identified.

A Dutch passenger died on board the ship on April 11, followed by their wife on April 27. Both deaths have been confirmed to be connected to an outbreak of hantavirus. A German passenger also died on May 2, although the cause is yet to be confirmed.

There are 19 Britons aboard the ship, one of whom – a crew member – is due to be evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment, alongside a Dutch colleague and a passenger. Another British passenger was medically evacuated from the ship on April 27 and remains in isolation in hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. An additional case has been confirmed in a Swiss man who had previously been on board the ship, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced this morning.

Now an A&E doctor has explained why medical teams are treating the outbreak so seriously. Dr Ahmed, who has almost 500,000 followers on TikTok, described the outbreak as “scary” on the social media platform.

“What is alarming doctors and scientists about the hantavirus on board the cruise ship is the fact that, normally, hantavirus spreads through the droppings and urine of rodents like mice and rats, except for the Andes strain, which can transfer from human to human and is endemic in the exact area where the ship left from in Argentina,” he said. “The Andes strain can pass from human to human through long terms of close contact – exactly the kind of contact that can be enabled by a cruise ship.”

The strain of hantavirus connected to the outbreak has since been confirmed to be the Andes variant. Dr Ahmed continued: “This is especially concerning because the first person to be affected and pass away from the virus was a Dutch woman who was diagnosed and passed away in early April, and the virus has since had a month on board the ship.”

But he ended with a note of optimism, saying the chance of this escalating into a global pandemic is “very low”. “I think we should all save our energy and spend it for praying for the people, passengers, and staff on board, and their families who are eagerly waiting to see what the next steps would be to help their families and friends,” he said.

Although the ship is due to sail to the Canary Islands once the passengers with suspected infections have been evacuated, the region’s president has said he opposes the plan. Passengers are currently confined to their cabins while “disinfection and other public health measures are carried out”, the WHO said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said plans are being made for the “safe onward travel” of Britons on the ship. And the Foreign Office has confirmed that it has been directly in touch with all British passengers on board the ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde.

What is hantavirus?

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says hantavirus is actually a group of viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats. It is transmitted by their droppings and urine.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• extreme fatigue
• muscle aches
• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• shortness of breath

In some cases people develop severe breathing difficulties and need to be admitted to hospital. Symptoms usually appear between one and four weeks after exposure, although there are reports of this happening up to eight weeks later.

Infections occur when people breathe in air contaminated with virus particles. It can also enter the body through cuts, the eyes, or a rodent bite, although this is rare. Infections are most common in rural and agricultural areas.

Most types of hantavirus do not spread between humans, although the Andes variant, confirmed to be the type seen in the outbreak, can spread this way. When this does happen, it is through very close and prolonged contact.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment. People with the virus are treated according to their symptoms.

A locomotive and several coaches from the InterCity 125 heritage set were covered in graffiti during an overnight attack during the May Bank Holiday.

The damage included a coach that had only been repainted in February.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, said: “This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack on a railway run largely by volunteers, with many steam and diesel traction owned either by the ELR or groups and in some cases, private individuals who give their time freely to preserve our railway.

East Lancashire Railway are asking anyone with information to come forward (Image: East Lancashire Railway)

“It is nothing short of a kick in the teeth for those who work so hard to maintain and preserve historic traction and rolling stock.”

The damage was described as a ‘calculated act of destruction’ rather than opportunistic vandalism.

Volunteers acted quickly to remove the graffiti using specialist cleaning materials, preventing it from becoming permanent, though further restoration is still required.

Volunteers removed the graffiti (Image: East Lancashire Railway)

Greater Manchester Police attended the scene and collected evidence.

Patrols in the area will be stepped up, and additional CCTV coverage is being installed immediately as part of strengthened security measures.

Mr Kelly said: “What makes this even more infuriating is that this follows a similar incident less than 12 months ago, when nearly 30 glass panes across two coaches were smashed, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

“We are working closely with the police and are determined to see those responsible identified and held accountable.”

He also praised the volunteers who responded to the attack.

The damage included a coach that had only been repainted in February (Image: East Lancashire Railway)

Mr Kelly said: “I want to place on record my sincere thanks to our outstanding volunteers, whose immediate and determined response ensured the damage was contained.

“Their commitment stands in stark contrast to the senseless actions of those responsible.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.