NEW YORK (AP) — The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 11 adults saying they were current smokers, according to government survey data released this week.

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and it’s long been considered the leading cause of preventable death.

The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were based on survey responses from more than 24,200 adults. In the survey, CDC officials defined current cigarette smoking as smoking at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and now smoking every day or some days.

In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price hikes, smoking bans, public education campaigns and changes in the social acceptability of lighting up in public.

In 2024, the percentage of current adult smokers fell below 10% for the first time. Last year, it was 9%, according to the new survey.

The use of electronic cigarettes has been inching up among adults, but has held about steady in 2025, at about 7%.

“The continued decline in smoking is a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization.

Richardson said current smoking-prevention efforts have been set back by cuts President Donald Trump’s administration made that eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health and its “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising campaign.

She cited estimates that the “Tips” campaign alone helped more than 1 million Americans quit smoking and saved over $7.3 billion in healthcare costs.

“This critical work must be restored and sustained to continue reducing smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs nationwide,” Richardson said.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Death in Paradise fans have called for another spin-off series, this time centring on Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, played by Don Warrington

Devotees of Death in Paradise are calling for another spin-off series, this time centred on DI Selwyn. The cherished BBC crime drama has been broadcast since 2011, with Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little and now Don Gilet having taken the principal role.

In the wake of its popularity, Beyond Paradise launched in 2023, with Kris reprising his character as DI Humphrey Goodman. A second spin-off, Return to Paradise, featured a female detective in the lead for the first time, premiering in 2024. Viewers are now clamouring for a series focused on Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington.

On Reddit, one user posted: “I wonder what the communities thoughts are and whether there would ever be enough interest for the BBC to commission a show portraying Selwyn’s days as the DI.”

One respondent commented: “I’d be happy to see one tbh! Modern Selwyn narrating his memoirs of his more interesting cases.”

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Another speculated: “He’s been commissioner for 50 years, each season can be set in that particular decade,” reports the Express.

Another wrote: “I’ve seen this idea mentioned a few times, and I really do think it has legs! It would require a good amount of historic research to be period-accurate, though. I also don’t think Selwyn would be the typical DiP “Aha, I’ve solved the case from this trivial detail!” type of detective, so the style would need to be a bit of a departure from DiP and other in-universe shows in order for it to feel believable. BUT it could be incredible if done well!”

Another called the suggestion a “great watch”, while someone else said: “Young Selwyn series. I’d definitely watch it. Or even just a Xmas special,” as another fan echoed: “I would love this! Seems like an open goal to me.”

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Don had appeared to depart Death in Paradise last year, with an emotional season 14 finale appearing to be Selwyn’s farewell, only to make an unexpected return, leaving fans delighted.

He later urged viewers to “assume nothing” about his character’s future on the show, telling the i Newspaper: “That was just the storyline, nothing more.”

He continued: “The producers thought it would be interesting to have Selwyn reach some kind of crisis and then, after dealing with it, return.

“There was no Machiavellian intent. But it was certainly very nice to know my character had penetrated people’s consciousness to that extent, and that they liked him.”

The demand for another spin-off comes after the BBC confirmed Death in Paradise has been recommissioned for another two series.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “Death in Paradise is a global phenomenon and we are incredibly proud to have it on the BBC, where it goes from strength to strength. It’s with great pleasure that we share the news that we’ll be returning to Saint Marie for two more sun-soaked series and Christmas specials.”

Tim Key, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures commented: “We remain incredibly proud of the show and the team that makes it, and delighted that the audience continue to love it as much as we do.

“The response to our latest series has been wonderful and we can’t wait to get started again – we’ve got something very special lined up to kick off our 16th season, with a big surprise setting it up in our Christmas special. Watch this space…”

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The Met Office has said the record-breaking UK heatwave will “gradually reduce in intensity in the coming days”, with a temperature drop forecast to bring as low as 5C next week

Temperatures could nosedive to as low as 5C next week following a record-smashing stretch of scorching weather, according to the latest weather maps.

The closing days of May delivered an extraordinary burst of heat across the UK, with numerous regions experiencing full-blown heatwave conditions. According to the national weather agency, 23 stations shattered the previous UK May maximum temperature record of 32.8C set in 1922 and 1944, with the mercury climbing as high as 35.1C at Kew Gardens in Greater London on Tuesday, 26 May.

However, it now appears the Mediterranean-style warmth is set to fade for the time being. In an update on Thursday, the Met Office stated the heatwave “will gradually reduce in intensity in the coming days, with a transition to more unsettled and cooler weather by the weekend for many”.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “We’re now starting to see this spell of very hot weather break down. Many areas will begin to feel fresher conditions moving in through Friday and into the weekend as a weak cold front moves southeast and becomes more established across most of the UK by Saturday.

“As the heat starts to ease, the weather will also turn more changeable, with some showers and thunderstorms possible. By the weekend, temperatures should be much closer to average for the time of year with accompanying rainfall for many through the weekend and into the start of next week.”

Forecast data gathered by WXCharts indicates that maximum temperatures across much of the UK next week will hover around the mid-teens Celsius. However, by Sunday, temperatures could plummet to as low as 5C in Scotland, around the junction of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross at 7am BST on Sunday, June 7, according to maps published this morning.

These showed maximum temperatures ranging from approximately 7C to 11C across Scotland and England, and between 7C to 10C in Wales at that point. The mercury was recorded as climbing to between 8C and 10C in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, maps now indicate temperatures climbing to the mid-teens by 1pm, before surging back to around 21 or 22C across much of the southern half of England by 7pm on Thursday, June 11.

Regions likely to experience the highest temperatures could include large areas of the East Midlands, East of England, the South East and Greater London, with temperatures ranging from around 11C to 20C throughout the remainder of the country.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast covering Tuesday, June 2 to Thursday, June 11, anticipated that during the first week of next month, “Atlantic weather systems are expected to move in from the west, bringing showers or longer spells of rain at times”.

“The best of the drier conditions are more likely towards the south and east, with more frequent rain across the west and northwest, although there will be drier interludes here also,” it said.

“Drier weather may start to become more dominant as we head into the second week of June. Temperatures will be near-normal overall, with the warmest spots most likely across eastern areas. It will also be breezy at times, especially across western parts, and notably so around exposed coasts.”

A cordon is in place as an investigation into the ‘shocking act of violence’ gets underway

A man is fighting for life after being stabbed in Wigan tonight (Friday, May 29).

Police were called to reports of a knife attack on Avon Road at around 8:30pm.

When officers arrived at the scene, in the Norley Hall area to the west of the town, they found a man with serious stab wounds.

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He has been taken to hospital with what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are describing as ‘potentially life‑threatening’ injuries.

No arrests have yet been made. No further details about the man or the incident have been disclosed.

A cordon remains in place as enquiries continue.

In a statement issued tonight, Detective Inspector Jonathan Waywell from GMP’s Wigan CID said: “This was a shocking act of violence, and our thoughts remain firmly with the victim and his family at this deeply distressing time.

“Knife crime is taken extremely seriously and will not be tolerated. Incidents like this have devastating consequences for victims, families, and communities.

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“I would like to reassure the public that we believe this was a targeted attack and that there is no wider risk to the public.

“We understand how worrying this will be, and there will be an increased police presence in the area. I would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to our officers.

“A scene will remain in place while our investigation continues, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from the area at the time which could help detectives is asked to call GMP on 101 or by using the LiveChat service on their website, quoting log number log 3508 of 29/05/26.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

On another sweltering afternoon in Paris, Djokovic began in cruise control, breaking his young opponent in the opening game of the match and twice more across the opening two sets as he built a 2-0 lead.

Although Djokovic was broken himself in the eighth game of the first set, he responded in style with a hold to love while in the second, he soared to his crowd-pleasing best, pointing to the sky and gesturing for Court Philippe-Chatrier to raise the noise after belying his age to chase down a drop-shot before stretching for a forehand winner.

As in his second-round meeting with Valentin Royer, Djokovic’s level dipped in the third set but on this occasion, he was unable to reassert his dominance.

He became increasingly vocal in the frustration he directed at himself and his coaching team and looked fatigued, leaning over his towel box in exhaustion on several occasions while, at the opposite end of the court, Fonseca crunched booming forehands and toyed with the 39-year-old with multiple drop-shot winners.

Djokovic came out fighting after taking a lengthy break before the decider but, although he struck the first blow – breaking Fonseca in game four, it was the teenager – playing a fifth set for just the third time in his career – who rose to the occasion as the match reached its crescendo.

After hitting just 13 winners across the opening two sets, he struck 22 to Djokovic’s 14 in the fifth, including three drop-shot winners in quick succession – which elicited pained smiles from his opponent to produce the decisive break at 5-5.

Djokovic earned a break point – his 16th – as Fonseca served for the match but the Brazilian nervelessly fired down three successive aces to secure a remarkable comeback win at the first attempt.

“In this new political landscape of electoral fragmentation, even a small share of the vote could be decisive.”

– Luke Tryl, More in Common

Katie Price’s Instagram was taken down amid Lee Andrews’ ‘disappearance’ and later discovery – as it has now been revealed why that happened

Katie Price’s real reason for being booted off Instagram has been revealed.

The former glamour model has reportedly had her account temporarily disabled on Instagram because of her posting content. Katie had been searching for ‘missing’ Lee for weeks.

However, as he was found in a Dubai prison, Katie’s social media went offline, and fans were left puzzled if it was linked. It has now been reported that Katie was taken off Instagram for a very different reason.

“It is all slightly ludicrous: you don’t follow Katie Price for home decor inspo or cake baking. She is a fun, irreverent glamour model with millions of fans all over the world,” the source told The Sun.

“The spotlight is on her like never before at the moment, so miserable keyboard warriors with nothing better to do write in to complain about her content. She posts a lot about her CBD oil and gummies but these are perfectly legal, and she obviously has a deal in place and certain commitments.”

The source added: “And I don’t think anyone can really complain about a hint of boob when things like OnlyFans are in existence. Anyway it’s all been sorted now, and she should be back up and running within the next 24 hours. It was a lot of fuss about nothing and just quite annoying, really.”

Katie issued a worried statement two weeks back when Lee went ‘missing’.

“Hey everyone, I don’t really know where to begin, but I know there’s all this speculation about Lee from when I met him but something really, really serious has happened,” she said.

“I’ve been forced that I have to say this now because my sister’s been getting emails now from the media. It was put up on my Instagram that Lee is taking time out from social media because of all the trolling, the media frenzy, the speculation. I put that up because the truth is that Lee has been missing for three days. The last time I heard from Lee was Wednesday night at 10pm. He was trying to go through the border in Dubai to get on a flight to me.”

Lee was later allegedly found in a Dubai prison, two weeks after he went ‘missing’.

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David Harker, 51, has been eligible for parole since 2013

A killer who boasted that he had eaten parts of his victim with a plate of pasta has had his application for parole refused for a ninth time. David Harker, now 51, killed mother-of-four Julie Paterson, 32, in Darlington in 1998, and only some of her remains have ever been found.

Harker is currently serving a life sentence after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. It previously emerged that he had told friends and psychiatrists that he had fried part of his victim’s thigh and eaten it with pasta and cheese.

He has been eligible for parole since 2013, and a ninth hearing was held this month to determine whether he should be freed or moved to an open prison.

The Parole Board said it was still not considered safe to allow him to be released or to be transferred, based on the continuing need to protect the public.

Harker was 24 when he was sentenced in 1999.

Psychiatrists agreed he had a severe psychopathic disorder when he killed Ms Paterson, meaning he was not guilty of murder.

The Parole Board said the law required Harker’s case to be assessed regularly.

A report into his recent behaviour found that his behaviour in custody had “significantly improved”, with no disciplinary findings since 2015.

Previous decisions have been made using documents but the latest, ninth, heard oral evidence.

Harker did not attend or make representations.

The panel considered a dossier containing 356 pages of reports, including submissions on behalf of the Secretary of State arguing against release.

It heard from the person responsible for managing Harker in jail, two probation officers who would be responsible for managing him in the community, a psychologist and someone who worked with him on a programme in prison.

While the person who worked with him on the programme was not allowed to recommend a course of action, the others said Harker did not pass the test for release.

In its conclusion, a Parole Board summary of the decision said: “The panel carefully analysed all the evidence and formed its own independent assessment of risk.

“It decided not to direct the release of David Harker, nor to recommend to the Secretary of State that David Harker should be transferred to open conditions.”

The ex-Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal forward – who is also a 82-time England international – was stopped by police after crashing his car into the motorway barriers on the M3.

Raheem Sterling has been arrested for driving whilst unfit through drugs after crashing his Lamborghini. The ex-Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal forward, who is also a 82-time England international, was stopped by police after crashing his car into the motorway barriers on the M3.

A statement from Hampshire Police said on Thursday: “Just before 9am on Thursday, we received reports that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange. No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

“The driver, a 31-year-old man, from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of a Class C drug and failing to provide a specimen. He has been bailed while our enquiries continue.”

As reported by the Mirror, the footballer was eventually released on bail pending further investigation. Sterling has endured a very difficult few years when it comes to his footballing career. The winger enjoyed a successful period with Liverpool ahead of a move to Manchester City.

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He won four Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium but was sold to Chelsea in 2022. Sterling spent just two seasons at Stamford Bridge before being loaned out to Arsenal where he scored just one goal in 28 appearances.

His remaining contract with Chelsea was ripped up in January, with the wide-man then moving to Dutch side Feyenoord.

He made just eight appearances, though, and did not score a goal. Speaking about Sterling after his final appearance for the club, Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie said: “Personally, I struggle with the cynicism surrounding him. I think respect is more appropriate. In any case, I don’t like cynicism. I can’t stand the whole atmosphere around him.

“Everyone has to know their place in that. And I think we sometimes go a bit overboard in the Netherlands regarding that.”

“He has scored 200 goals in England and played 82 international matches,” Van Persie added. “And that is regardless of whether you think he plays well or not. But I think the way we handle this as a footballing nation is really very bad.”

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