Longevity experts list a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and adequate sleep as well-researched ways to increase your odds of a longer life.
But if you’re looking for a more recreational buffer against ageing, a new paper published in Innovation in Ageing has found that people who engage with the arts tend to age more slowly.
People, especially over-40s, who regularly engaged with culture had lower biological ages at the DNA level, and appeared to age 4% more slowly.
The benefits are “comparable to [those] found in previous studies between current smokers and ex-smokers,” University College London (UCL), whose researchers wrote the paper, said.
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How often people attended cultural events seemed to matter
The research, which involved 3,556 adults in the UK, found that, like exercise, regularity mattered.
Those who engaged with the arts (including by reading, listening to music, going to an art gallery, and/or taking trips to museums) at least once a week seemed to see the most benefits (4% slower ageing).
The authors also found that attending a cultural event once a week was as beneficial for those who usually never attended any, as exercising once a week was compared to physically inactive people.
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Meanwhile, participants who did an arts activity at least three times a year aged 2% more slowly. For those who did so once a month, that rose to 3%.
And the study’s lead author, Professor Daisy Fancourt, said that frequency wasn’t the only factor to consider. Variety might matter, too.
“Our study also suggests that engaging in a variety of arts activities may be helpful,” she shared with UCL.
“This may be because each activity has different ‘ingredients’ that help health, such as physical, cognitive, emotional or social stimulation.”
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Why might the arts help us to age better?
This paper didn’t seek to find that out. It just found a link, not a cause.
Nonetheless, senior study author, Dr Feifei Bu, said: “Our study provides the first evidence that arts and cultural engagement is linked to a slower pace of biological ageing.
“This builds on a growing body of evidence about the health impact of the arts, with arts activities being shown to reduce stress, lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular disease risk, just as exercise is known to do.”
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Professor Fancourt added, “These results demonstrate the health impact of the arts at a biological level. They provide evidence for arts and cultural engagement to be recognised as a health-promoting behaviour in a similar way to exercise”.
The victim of a Belfast knife attack, named locally as Stephen Ogilvie, is in a serious condition in hospital, as anti-immigration protests erupt across the city following the incident
The victim of Monday’s terrifying knife attack on a Belfast street has been named locally as Stephen Ogilvie.
Full details of the attack, which took place on Kinnaird Avenue in the north of the city, emerged after harrowing footage of the stabbing was widely circulated online.
The video shows bystanders, including one wielding a hurling stick, stepping in to restrain the attacker as he continued to assault the victim in the residential street, close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.
A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene.
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The brutal attack has drawn widespread condemnation, sparking large-scale protests across the city.
Senior police officers and political leaders urged restraint amid fears that planned anti-immigration demonstrations could turn violent.
The suspect is a Sudanese national. On Tuesday, police disclosed further details about the arrested man’s immigration status and how he came to be in the UK.
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He crossed into Northern Ireland via the Irish border in February 2023, having flown to Dublin from Paris.
The suspect lodged an asylum claim upon arrival and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028 in September 2023. Detectives have confirmed there is no suggestion that Monday’s knife attack was terror-related.
The 30 year old suspect also faces charges of possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill. He is set to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
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As properties and vehicles were set alight and protesters continued to fill the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland’s First Minister took to social media to condemn the violence.
Michelle O’Neill has stated that “groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice”.
In the five years since Myanmar’s military chief led a coup to overthrow the democratically elected government, civil war has torn the country apart.
Thousands have been killed and millions displaced by the conflict between the military and an alliance of ethnic and rebel groups.
More than two years ago, the rebels made a series of sweeping gains, but things have taken a turn for the worse for them. Forced conscription and increased drone power has put the military on the offensive in most parts of the country.
The BBC’s Quentin Sommerville travelled to Myanmar without the permission of the authorities – the only way to report from rebel-held territory.
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During his 10 days there, he spent time with rebel fighters and travelled to hospitals and front-line positions in Bago and Karen states to see how the war is unfolding.
A Yorkshire start to an international season was a canny choice, and better still, the typically Yorkshire weather forecast of rain at 6pm and 7pm to greet support acts Seb Lowe and The Guest List turned out to be wrong. There was no need to go chasing rainbows; that could wait until the end under the darkening Halifax skies.
Built as a cloth hall for handloom weavers to sell woollen cloth, the 18th century architectural splendour of the Grade I listed Piece Hall makes a natural amphitheatre for outdoor concerts – hence the busier-than-ever 2026 programme – and Shed Seven supporters turned out in full number, 6,500 filling the courtyard and the tiers above that transform as if by magic from two to three tiers. This is Yorkshire’s answer to summer opera at Arena di Verona, no less!
Shed Seven’s anniversary show at The Piece Hall, Halifax. (Image: Cuffe & Taylor)
The York band had last played here in their first gig out of Covid lockdowns on September 25 2021: strange circumstances, where proximity was gradually being reintroduced; circumstances too where drummer Alan Leach and guitarist Joe Johnson were in their last days before taking an “indefinite break” from the line-up.
The Sheds returned on the crest of their second wave: two number one albums in 2024, a new album and biggest ever ShedCember tour on the way, and drummer Rob Maxfield’s gold drum kit and guitarist and keyboards player Tim Wills settled into their groove alongside the familiar axis of bassist Tom Gladwin, guitarist Paul Banks and frontman Rick Witter.
Shed Seven supporters turned out in full for the band’s anniversary show at The Piece Hall, Halifax. (Image: Cuffe & Taylor)
Saturday’s focus, however, was on the past. Advance notice had suggested the set would open with 1996’s A Maximum High in track order, but Witter had promised surprises in his York Press interview. Wasn’t that Dirty Soul, the opening track to 1994 debut album Change Giver, cutting through the Halifax air after the band entered to Elmer Bernstein’s The Magnificent [Shed] Seven theme tune? Indeed so, to be followed by early favourites Mark and Dolphin.
The grimy Shed Seven graffiti that formed the backdrop in black and white should have been a clue. Then Witter, as alert as ever to the audience vibes, chipped in: “We know why you bought your tickets. We’re not stupid! It’s coming but not quite yet.” Cue Speakeasy, Witter’s first mention of his mum being in the audience, and Ocean Pie.
By now, the brass band, such a swell innovation at the Sheds’ brace of York Museum Gardens shows in 2024, and five-part Shed Seven Choir, as featured at Scarborough Open Air Theatre and Glastonbury last summer, had made their entry.
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The Shed Seven scrawl made way for A Maximum High’s album cover – matched by trombonist Tim Hurst, saxophonist Andy Cox and trumpet player Jamie Brownfield’s T-shirts – and Witter jettisoned his black shirt in favour of a sparkling red number. He could have gone for gold, but maybe that was in the glitter.
Like any album, A Maximum High has its highs and lows, but those highs a very high – Getting Better, Where Have You Been Tonight?; Going For Gold and On Standby, all from the A-side, where track two, Magic Streets, held its own, preceded by Witter’s story of the song referring to “a house of ill repute above the Early Learning Centre”. “It’s about prostitutes. No-one knew!” he revealed.
After the audience sang its lusty version of On Standby before Witter joined in, there followed the lesser lights of Out By My Side, Lies This Day Was Ours, Ladyman and Falling From The Sky, some brought out of the vaults for the first time in two decades.
The Sheds gave them their all, Banks’s guitar parts especially so, but it was a lull, nonetheless, saved by the knowledge of what was coming next: schooldays’ crowd favourite Bully Boy, as belligerent and cocksure as ever, and Parallel Lines, the one helluva party album closer, with a light show to boot.
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The swanky Shed Seven logo, familiar from the past few years, returned for the rushing thrill of encores: High Hopes, latter-day landmarks Talk Of The Town and Let’s Go Dancing and the swaggering finale of Disco Down and Chasing Rainbows, sung by one and all as they exited as always.
Thomas Tuchel says Bukayo Saka needs to be carefully steered back to full fitness as England head into a World Cup where they must “dare to dream”.
History is against 1966 winners England, head coach Tuchel pointed out.
But his view is that “a bit of luck”, plus sharp focus and self-belief, could make his team serious trophy challengers if they come through the early rounds.
Having his most important players available may be key, and Saka ranks highly among that contingent.
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The Arsenal winger missed part of the climax to the domestic season because of an Achilles injury, though he did return in time for the club’s run-in as they won the Premier League title.
Tuchel said Saka, who has scored 14 goals in 48 appearances for the Three Lions, still requires careful attention before the tournament – which has raised some concerns given he is a key player.
“We still have to take a little bit of care for Bukayo [Saka] who had an injury in March and carried it through the club campaign,” Tuchel told a news conference.
“He made himself available at the end of the season and did so brilliantly, but he was managed in between matches. That continues a bit at the moment – we are building him up.
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“We just came from training and everyone was involved including Bukayo.”
Tuchel said he must assess Saka and the rest of his England squad before deciding who starts the final warm-up match against Costa Rica on Wednesday (21:00 BST).
Having made 11 changes at half-time in Saturday’s 1-0 win against New Zealand, Tuchel will give some players a longer run-out to build their fitness before the tournament opener with Croatia on 17 June.
John Stones is among the players who could benefit from more game time having played a peripheral role at Manchester City last season.
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“Of course [Stones can start]. Everyone can start – everyone is fit and ready and John is one of them,” said Tuchel.
“Before this, we have two more matches to play and hopefully we take the next step. Hopefully we all stay healthy and have the full availability for Croatia.
“No-one needs a break. Everyone is available which is very good news. No [injury] complaints after the first match.
“[We’ve had] one day of recovery and two good training sessions. We are ready to give it a push tomorrow – meaning more than 45 minutes.
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“Players will play 60, maybe 70 minutes. We will make this decision in the afternoon.”
Conservative pundit Steve Hilton has advanced alongside former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra in California’s open primary for governor, pitting the two men against each other in November’s general election.
In a “jungle primary” in which candidates of all parties appear on the same ballot, with the top two going through regardless of party, the result, finally called by the Associated Press on Tuesday evening, sets up a two-horse race between a Republican and a Democrat.
The winner will succeed the term-limited Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom, a sharp critic of President Donald Trump and possible future White House contender, in taking charge of a $4 trillion economy and confronting deep challenges on issues from water and affordability to homelessness.
Hilton is a British-born former Fox News host who became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and was endorsed by Trump. He was previously well-known as an adviser to former U.K. prime minister David Cameron, with a reputation for eccentricity.
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He has likened his candidacy to that of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the last immigrant to become the Golden State’s governor.
“My mission is clear: to go to Sacramento, clean up the corruption, cut your costs, help your business, and fix our schools,” Hilton said in a statement.
“Xavier Becerra is the ultimate career politician. After 36 years in the political machine, his policies gave California the highest poverty rate, the highest unemployment rate, and the highest cost of living in America. Now he promises ‘no change’ to those policies.”
Former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra and ex-Fox News host and spin doctor Steve Hilton will battle it out to be California’s next governor (AFP/Getty)
Becerra is a former state attorney general and congressman from Los Angeles who went on to serve in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, leading the Department of Health and Human Services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Democrats coalesced around his candidacy after former frontrunner Eric Swalwell left the race and resigned from Congress in April after being hit by sexual assault allegations, which he denied.
Set in the 19th century, the story follows a boy born into slavery who manages to flee to America, only to return to his homeland years later, where he uncovers a sinister conspiracy and finds love.
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Eugene Choi (played by Lee Byung-hun) comes back to Korea in 2018’s Mr Sunshine as a US Marine Corps officer following the 1871 military conflict between America and Joseon Korea.
Upon his return, he discovers Japan’s plans to colonise Korea, while simultaneously falling for an aristocratic freedom fighter.
Despite Mr Sunshine comprising a substantial 24 episodes, each exceeding an hour in length, this hasn’t deterred Netflix subscribers from heaping praise upon it.
“It’s a beautiful movie and the balance between the heavy plots and storylines and the quirky, perfectly delivered humour was exceptionally performed”, one viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes.
“I knew it would break my heart but it was too beautiful to not watch.”
Another concurred: “Best historical drama ever. I cried a lot, but every little detail is just perfect. This is a masterpiece.”
A third remarked: “This is one of the best drama series I have ever watched.
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“Surely left me heartbroken for Eugene’s ending but I will never forget it or move on from it.”
While another enthused: “Just amazing and I’m obsessed. Setting the bar very high for Korean historical dramas.”
Meanwhile, another fan enthused: “An absolute must-watch! Plot, making, acting, even dialogues were perfection! To say that I was mindblowned is an understatement.”
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Taking the leading role of Eugene is actor Lee Byung-hun, renowned for portraying Hwang In-ho, otherwise known as The Front Man, in Netflix’s Squid Game.
He’s accompanied by Kim Tae-ri from The Handmaiden, Hospital Playlist’s Yoo Yeon-seok, and Byun Yo-han, known for Misaeng: Incomplete Life.
Which? researchers opened the charger’s case and found a lump of modelling clay inside it, which they believe was used to give the charger a more weighty, robust and genuine feel. One customer who bought the charger posted on the listing to say that it had overloaded and ruined their iPad and phone, both of which had stopped charging.
A Welsh castle with a James Bond link is helping to fuel a £4.5m tourism surge as thousands of high-spending tourists from Japan make their way to north Wales this summer.
Tourism chiefs report that Japanese visitor numbers have rebounded strongly following the pandemic, with arrivals now matching and in some instances surpassing the pre-Covid high of more than 4,500 per year. The rising influx is providing a significant boost to local businesses, with visitors spending an average of more than £1,000 each during their time in the north of the country.
Central to this success is Conwy’s longstanding partnership with the city of Himeji in central Japan. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
Himeji’s deputy director for international affairs, Hiromi Tanaka, has just concluded a five-week visit to Conwy where she was hosted by North Wales Tourism (NWT) CEO Jim Jones and Conwy Mayor Sian Grady. Throughout her stay she was accompanied by NWT Japanese Ambassador Emiko Corney, reports North Wales Live.
The two regions share a historic arrangement between Conwy Castle and Himeji Castle. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and, despite being more than 9,000 miles apart, the two formidable fortresses were constructed within 50 years of each other during the 13th and 14th centuries.
The striking five-storey wooden castle in Himeji served as a backdrop for the classic 007 film, You Only Live Twice. Conwy Castle recently welcomed film crews for a major live-action adaptation of the dark fantasy video game Elden Ring.
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Jim Jones remarked: “We are once again seeing very many Japanese tourists in the area and the indications are that numbers are already above the pre-Covid levels.
“Businesses are seeing more Japanese visitors coming through their doors and numbers are growing and they are big spenders – you should see the size of their suitcases!
“Hiromi remarked how much there is in common between the people of North Wales and those of her home region – the friendliness and warmth as well as the pride in their area and its culture and language.”
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Hiromi was present in Conwy when the initial castles partnership was established.
On this occasion, she experienced a more immersive exploration of the region’s heritage, with Glenn Evans hosting her at the Royal Oak and Waterloo Hotel estate in Betws y Coed.
Her schedule featured destinations including Portmeirion, the Welsh Highland Railway, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Great Orme mines, Bodnant Gardens, and the Aber Falls and Penderyn Whisky Distillery. She also explored Llandudno alongside Lord Mostyn and discovered how to prepare bara brith and Welsh cakes.
The objective was to reinforce connections between the two regions, which has already resulted in Japan recognising Conwy as one of the “30 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Europe”. The nation has also designated the A55 amongst the “20 Most Beautiful Roads in Europe”.
Hiromi explained: “I’ve spent five weeks staying and working in Conwy and North Wales to understand the tourism offer here. It’s another step in cementing the relationship between Conwy and its castle and Himeji and its castle. This is also an important tourism site which attracts three million visitors a year.
“I have very much enjoyed the culture of North Wales, the scenery and the people who have been very welcoming.
“I very much liked bara brith and have been eating it for breakfast every morning. Now I know how to make it I will be sharing the secret with people in Japan!”
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Hiromi undertook part of her work placement at Conwy Town Council, where her responsibilities included assisting in the preparation of bilingual information for Japanese visitors, as well as raising awareness of the twinning arrangement and its importance to both communities.
Sian Grady, Conwy Mayor and Constable of Conwy Castle, noted that the placement demonstrated the tangible advantages of international collaboration and cultural exchange.
She commented: “It’s great that the Welsh Government want to put Wales on the international map and they need to have a look at what’s happening in Conwy and support it. Hopefully the fact that the (government’s) new leader is from Anglesey means he will understand the importance of tourism to North Wales.”
Hiromi’s visit also encompassed trips to Ysgol Aberconwy, Ysgol Bro Gwydyr and Ysgol Awel y Mynydd, where she treated pupils to demonstrations of origami and the art of wearing a kimono.
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NWT CEO Jim Jones highlighted that North Wales boasts tremendous diversity across its landscapes, history and culture. He continued: “We have seen in Wrexham where the success of the football club and its Hollywood owners has attracted visitors from the USA – we just need them to head west as well.
“On Anglesey the cruise ship market is growing at Holyhead with thousands of visitors arriving in North Wales by sea. There is so much for people from overseas to see and what we need now is for the new Welsh Government to work with us.
“Plaid Cymru has said it wants to put Wales on the international map and that’s what we’re doing in places like Himeji in Japan and at Champery in the Swiss Alps. At the latter we have links through the Llandudno ski slope and with mountain biking.
“We just hope they can see the potential in the tourism industry in North Wales and work with us to realise that potential.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is “deeply alarmed” by the renewed strikes in the Middle East.
He called for an immediate end to the attacks and urged parties to fully respect the ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran and Gaza.
“There is no military solution to the conflicts in the Middle East,” Guterres said. “The only way forward is through dialogue & negotiations. I urge all concerned to work towards diplomatic solutions that advance regional & international peace & security.”
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Meanwhile, Christian leaders in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre have called on the international community and Lebanese authorities to act quickly to prevent Israeli strikes on the city’s Christian district.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation warning for Tyre, including the Christian quarter, which has so far been spared.
The statement from the Christian leaders was from George Iskandar, the metropolitan archbishop of Tyre for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church; Elias Kfoury, the Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Tyre, Sidon and Dependencies; and Charbel Abdullah, the archeparch of the Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Tyre.
England did almost everything right in their qualifying group, winning five of their six matches, including the victory over Spain at Wembley in April.
They also scored 13 goals, conceded just five – four of which came against Spain – and kept four clean sheets.
But it is not easy to qualify automatically and England were given a rough draw with world champions Spain in their group. The quest for top spot was always likely to come down to their head-to-head record.
That is what happened as England ultimately missed out because they were thumped in Majorca.
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That humbling defeat – which showed the gulf between the two teams when Spain are at their best – was their downfall.
Wiegman opted for experience in the starting XI against Spain. Despite not featuring for England since October, and only returning from a four-month injury in April, midfielder Ella Toone was given the nod over Lucia Kendall and Laura Blindkilde Brown.
Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze started at right-back despite an injury in the build-up to the game.
In the end, England’s midfielders were too passive and easily controlled by Spain, while the usually explosive frontline of Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James proved ineffective.
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At the back, England struggled to live with Spain’s creativity and dynamism, with only Esme Morgan impressing in a generally dismal performance.
England’s sloppiness was compounded by the fact Spain produced one of their best performances to date and Wiegman could not come up with an answer for it.
Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live this week that she is “absolutely convinced” England can match Spain at their best if they are to meet again next year.
But that one crucial defeat showed just how difficult it is for England to qualify for major tournaments and why they cannot afford an ‘off day’ against the best teams.
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“We have mixed feelings, of course. We were very disappointed with the way the game went [against Spain],” said midfielder Georgia Stanway, a scorer on Tuesday along with Jess Carter and Beth Mead.
“It’s very rare that you get 15 points and still not make it out of the group. I think that it shows our level, our consistency, but we know our performance wasn’t good enough against Spain.”
Wiegman said it was a “good thing” that there is more competition throughout Europe but admitted it was tough to miss out on such fine margins.
“The Nations League brought more competition in Europe. I think that’s really nice. We also noticed we have to play Spain so many times,” she said.
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“I was excited for this group to play Iceland as we hadn’t played them. It’s something for Uefa to have a look at, at least. The good thing is there is a lot of competition.”
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