“Paige is a fighter. Her smile lights up every room, and her strength inspires everyone who meets her.”

A major fundraising drive has been launched to help a seven year-old girl battling one of the world’s rarest illnesses.

Little Paige Headland is one of 500 people in the world to be diagnosed with CTNNB1 Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects brain development, muscle tone, movement and communication.

Paige’s mum Jayne grew up in Bangor but now lives in the north east of England with husband Craig and the couple’s other daughter Amelia, aged 8.

READ MORE: ‘Our community paediatric care team has been a lifeline for our family’READ MORE: Community rallies behind Co Antrim schoolboy battling rare and aggressive bone cancer

Diagnosed when she was just five years old, there is currently no cure for Paige’s condition. CTNNB1 Syndrome was only discovered in 2012.

Jayne said it wasn’t immediately clear that Paige was suffering from an illness but as she began to grow they noticed she wasn’t meeting certain developmental milestones like other children her age.

She explained: “From the very beginning, we knew that Paige was precious — full of light, laughter, and determination. But as she grew, we began to notice she wasn’t meeting certain milestones like other children her age.

“After countless tests, hospital visits, and years of searching for answers, in November 2024 we finally received a diagnosis that changed everything. For Paige, this means living with spasticity (stiff muscles) and dystonia (involuntary movements), as well as a heightened startle reflex that makes mobility even harder.”

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“Paige loves being around people and is always eager to communicate, but because her speech can be difficult to understand, she often becomes frustrated and anxious when she’s away from her family. Despite these daily challenges, Paige faces life with courage, joy, and determination that inspires everyone who meets her.”

In November 2023, Paige underwent double hip surgery to get her hips back into the correct position. Recovery was tough, and while the surgery was necessary, it initially increased her spasticity and reduced her mobility.

Since having the metalwork removed in July 2025, Jayne says Paige has made incredible progress through weekly private physiotherapy adding: “Every small step forward is a huge victory — but we know there’s still a long road ahead.”

The family have now been told that Paige could be eligible to be included in the first group of children being put forward for a groundbreaking clinical trial in Slovenia at a cost of €165,000.

Her mum added: “This treatment could be truly life-changing, offering children like Paige the possibility of improved mobility, communication and independence. While this isn’t guaranteed, as there is still a screening process once the trial is approved, if accepted treatment could begin very quickly.”

However, she said: “Unfortunately, accessing this treatment comes with enormous costs. We would need to travel to Slovenia and stay for around four months, covering medical expenses, hospital admission, insurance, accommodation and lost income while away from work.”

As so little is known about CTNNB1, Paige is taking part in a five-year longitudinal study with the CTNNB1 Foundation, helping researchers understand the condition and how it changes over time.

The CTNNB1 Foundation, established in 2021, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children with rare genetic conditions.

“From what has been learned so far, for many affected individuals, symptoms can worsen with age, and hard- earned skills may be lost. Without intervention, this condition can have a severe and lasting impact on quality of life. Right now, there is no cure — only supportive therapies to manage symptoms. But for the first time, there is real hope,” Jayne added.

“Because these are ‘orphan diseases’ (rare conditions) they are often overlooked by large pharmaceutical companies, leaving it to parents and small research groups to drive progress. Much of the funding so far has come from the tireless efforts of families and a handful of corporate and government supporters worldwide.”

Jayne recently put her best foot forward when she completed the Great North Run to raise funds for Paige’s physiotherapy treatment. The family have also set up a GoFundMe page while many relatives and friends back in North Down are also helping to raise money to give Paige this chance at gene therapy.

They are holding an event, Brass and Voices in Holywood Parish Church on Saturday, March 14. Compere Gerry Kelly will be joined by West End star soloist Alex Sharpe as well as Festival Brass and Donaghadee Male Voice Choir for an evening of music, with all money raised going to support Paige, who will also be attending alongside her family.

Jayne added: “We are determined to do everything possible to give Paige this chance — but we can’t do it alone. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to giving Paige — and other children like her — the chance at a brighter, freer future full of possibilities.

“Paige is a fighter. Her smile lights up every room, and her strength inspires everyone who meets her. With your support, we can give her the opportunity to take part in this groundbreaking therapy and show the world just how incredible these children truly are.”

You can support the family’s fundraiser here.

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The executive producer of hit TV spy thriller Tehran has been found dead in an Athens hotel, police have said.

Dana Eden was in Greece filming the fourth season of the show, Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported.

Police said she was found dead on Sunday in a hotel room and an investigation had been launched.

The 52-year-old Israeli was found after a relative made several failed attempts to reach her.

The cause of death has not been confirmed but police said it was being treated as suicide based on evidence and testimonies.

International production company Donna and Shula Productions released a statement dismissing any “unfounded” rumours about the death.

“This is a moment of great sorrow for the family, friends, and colleagues,” it said.

“The production company wishes to clarify that rumours regarding a criminal or nationalistic-related death are not true and are unfounded.”

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It also urged the media and the public to refrain from publishing unverified claims.

Tehran has been a huge hit for Apple TV and stars Niv Sultan, Hugh Laurie and Shaun Toub.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

Coco Gauff says it is “tough to wake up” and see what is happening back home in the United States and she will continue to speak out about issues that matter to her.

The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is among a host of American athletes who have voiced their displeasure with US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Protests have taken place across the United States since Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed in Minneapolis last month by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Gauff, 21, spends most of the year competing overseas and the world number five learned of their deaths while in Australia for the first Grand Slam of the year.

“I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing,” Gauff told reporters in Dubai, where she is set to compete this week.

“It is tough to wake up and see something because I do care a lot about our country. I think people think I don’t for some reason, but I do. I’m very proud to be American.

“You don’t have to represent the entire values of what’s going on in the leadership. I think there’s a lot of people around that believe in the things I believe in, believe in diversity and equality.”

When asked about issues in the US during the Australian Open, Gauff called for “more peace and kindness” in America.

Compatriot Madison Keys championed immigrants and the diversity they have brought to the US, saying she hopes the country “can come together”.

Team GB skier Gus Kenworthy, who grew up in America, said he has received death threats after posting an anti-ICE message on social media.

Speaking at the Winter Olympics, freestyle skier Hunter Hess added that “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US”, and President Trump responded by calling him a “real loser”.

Bea Kim said the US is “very divided” but “diversity is what makes us a very strong country”, while fellow snowboarder Maddie Mastro said she is “saddened with what’s happening at home. I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that.”

Chloe Kim, a silver medalist in Milan-Cortina, feels that athletes should be “allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on. And I think that we need to lead with love and compassion.”

Gauff says she feels confident giving honest answers when asked about politics, partly because of her maternal grandmother.

Yvonne Lee Odom helped desegregate public schools in the 1960s, becoming the first black student to attend public school in Delray Beach, Florida.

“My grandma is literally an activist,” Gauff added. “This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions.”

The latest episode of Industry has left fans devastated with what seemed to be a sudden farewell to one of its main characters.

After the fourth season of HBO’s twisty finance drama brought a long-awaited alliance between Eric Tao and Harper Stern — played by Ken Leung and Myha’la, respectively — viewers were stunned when the sixth episode, “Dear Henry,” ended with Eric abruptly exiting their joint fund due to being blackmailed.

Without Eric ever giving Harper the real reason for his exit, the episode ended with the credits rolling over footage of Eric walking down a long road, away from the camera — marking the first time that Mickey Down and Konrad Kay’s show featured a character in its end-credits scene.

Leung confirmed to TV Insider that the scene was his final time appearing in season four, and to his knowledge, the rest of the show, which has not yet been renewed for season five.

However, some viewers could not accept the shocking ending, with one writing on X: “This can’t be the end of Eric Tao in Industry.”

open image in gallery

open image in gallery

“Pleaseee don’t tell me this is Ken Leung’s final episode,” another commented on Instagram. A third fan chimed in on X: “I’m gonna be honest if Eric really is gone gone on Industry, I’m gonna be extremely disappointed bc the Eric/Harper dynamic is one of the best parts of the show and I don’t really know how they’re gonna replace that.”

One person claimed on Instagram: “Eric is the reason most people watched. Now that he’s been written out of the show, there’s no point in watching the final two episodes. We all know how it’s going to end.”

Leung’s castmates also shared their shock at his character’s exit from the season.

Myha’la, who has anchored the show since its premiere in November 2020, recalled in multiple interviews how the twist stunned her when she first read the script for the episode.

“I literally was like, that’s crazy,” Myha’la told the Hollywood Reporter. “And it’s so sad. We worked so hard to build this thing and now you’re just going to leave me.”

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For his part, Leung said that filming his goodbye with Harper, who is emotionally wrecked by Eric’s abandonment, was cathartic in more ways than one due to filming it with his longtime scene partner Myha’la.

“As far as I know, it’s our last scene. So there was that in it,” Leung told Insider. “And even though we’re friends and remain friends, and hopefully we’ll be friends forever, to have what we created the past six years come to an endpoint, it’s very poignant. It’s not just sad. There’s celebration in it. It’s everything. It’s beautiful.”

The season’s final two episodes are set to air February 22 and March 1.

Raducanu finally registers her first point of the match, courtesy of an error from Ruzic, who finds the net with a backhand. That then gives Raducanu to win the next point with a strong backhand across the court to go 30-0 up.

Raducanu sends down her first ace of the match, with Ruzic unable to get across to her right to return. Raducanu thought she was going to win the game to love but a forehand shot that should have been the winner goes out. Ruzic keeps the game alive with a lovely forehand winner and now Raducanu is under a bit of pressure; she looked like she was easing to the game to love but now needs to win the next point to save the game going to deuce.

Raducanu goes long and we do go to deuce. Ruzic then wins the next point at the end of a lengthy rally and suddenly the Croatian has gone from 40-0 down to now having a break point. Raducanu needed that though, at risk of being broken, as she brings the game back to deuce with a fantastic forehand winner hit with some venom.

A fantastic ace down the centre gives advantage to Raducanu, but she is unable to take it. Now is not the time for a double fault for Raducanu as Ruzic now has a second break point. This time the Croatian takes the break point opportunity and moves 2-0 up in this match. Not a great start for Raducanu.

People are marking the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with prayers, fireworks and festivities.

The activities ushered in the Year of the Horse, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, succeeding the Year of the Snake.

The Lunar New Year is the most important annual holiday in China and some other East Asian nations and is celebrated outside the region, too.

Temple crowds at midnight in Hong Kong

Incense smoke wafted into the air at a temple in Hong Kong where people line up every year to make wishes for the new year at midnight.

Holding up a cluster of incense sticks, many bowed their heads several times before planting the sticks in containers placed in front of a temple hall.

Fireworks light up skies in Vietnam

Entertainers in Vietnam sang at an outdoor countdown event before multiple fireworks shows at several cities in the Southeast Asian nation, where the festival is called Tet.

Light shows lit up bridges and skyscrapers as the fireworks went off and crowds clapped in rhythm to live pop music performances.

Chinese street fairs in Moscow

People sampled Chinese cuisine from stalls and strolled along snowy streets decorated with red lanterns and dragons as two weeks of events got underway Monday at various venues in the Russian capital.

The third annual Lunar New Year celebration comes at at time of warming relations between China and Russia — ties that have frustrated many European governments because of the war in Ukraine.

A temple bell rings 108 times in Taiwan

The solemn peal of a temple bell rang out 108 times — an auspicious number — as people flocked to the Baoan Temple in Taipei on Tuesday morning.

They lit incense sticks, bowed their heads and left offerings of colorful flower bouquets on outdoor tables on the temple grounds in Taiwan’s capital city.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that two in five people over 45 can’t touch their toes while standing up, as adults typically notice body aches in their mid- to late-40s

A recent study has revealed that seven in ten adults over the age of 40 enjoy being active, but nearly a third (31 per cent) feel held back by aches and pains.

The survey, which involved 2,000 adults in their fifth decade, found that two in five people over 45 can’t touch their toes while standing up. Only three in ten have tried yoga, with knees and lower back being the first areas to cause discomfort.

Adults typically start noticing these pains in their mid- to late-40s, with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) saying their issues are chronic.

However, 65 per cent wish they could be more active, with 59 per cent prioritising their physical and mental health as they age. The research was commissioned by Voltarol to coincide with the launch of its Movement Coach website, which offers free advice on holistic pain management.

A spokesperson commented: “It’s interesting to see how little people are truly aware of the importance strong balance can have, particularly later in life. It’s not something you tend to think about but when you stop and give it some thought, it’s actually crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle as you get older.”

They also highlighted the desire for increased activity, despite aches and pains proving a hindrance. The research discovered that nearly half of the population (46 per cent) were unaware of the link between good balance and overall health, with 28 per cent claiming their discomfort is bothersome but not limiting them.

Meanwhile, an enthusiastic 57 per cent believe that embracing ageing with youthful energy is crucial, as demonstrated by the 47 per cent who adopt a “grin and bear it” approach towards bodily aches.

What’s more, a revealing indicator of advancing years for an overwhelming three-quarters of those polled is making sounds when getting up from a bed or chair, according to the research by OnePoll.

Following these findings, Voltarol created an amusing video putting people’s balance to the test. A spokesperson from the company emphasised the uniqueness of balance, stating: “Everyone’s different, and balance varies from person to person, but it’s important to continue to work on this, even if there’s niggly aches and pains.”

They added: “By focusing on balance, you may be able to help alleviate pain and discomfort, which could open doors to a more active lifestyle.”

Voltarol’s objective was evident as they aimed to provide a personalised pain management plan featuring exercises and expert guidance, offering hope for an active future despite age-related obstacles.

Coronation Street is set to air the special episode tonight (February 16), with a glimpse into future events that will send shockwaves through Weatherfield.

The episode will open with a tense police interview featuring Betsy Swain, played by Sydney Martin, who is questioned about discovering a dead body.

She tells detectives the body was found on the day her mother, Lisa Swain, married Carla Connor.

5 potential victims for Corrie’s shocking flashforward episode revealed

Taking viewers into the future to April, the episode will then rewind to the present day, revealing a list of characters who could be at risk.

The five potential victims are: Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon), Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn), Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown) and Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard).

Each character has been drawn into dark and dangerous plotlines, setting the stage for what could be a fatal outcome.

Megan Walsh finds herself increasingly anxious that her secret relationship with teenage student Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson Wale) will be exposed.

Complicating matters, Will was arrested on Christmas Day for attacking her boyfriend, Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).

Megan’s growing paranoia that the truth could come out may be putting her in danger.

Maggie Driscoll is also at risk due to her decision to give Will a false alibi for the Christmas Day assault.

As the pressure builds, her involvement could put her directly in harm’s way.

Carl Webster is facing the consequences of letting his mother, Debbie (Sue Devaney), take the blame for the accident that killed Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).

With guilt and family tensions bubbling beneath the surface, Carl’s storyline could be heading toward a tragic end.

Theo Silverton’s storyline has taken an even darker turn as his controlling relationship with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) escalates when Todd is seen gripping a knife menacingly.

Corrie’s top 5 villains

The scene suggests Todd may be planning something desperate to break free from Theo’s toxic hold.

Jodie Ramsey also appears to be in danger as her secrets begin to unravel.

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With each of the five characters facing mounting threats, the flashforward episode leaves viewers guessing who will meet a violent end.

The special episode ends with all five suspects on the cobbles during the wedding fireworks before Betsy is heard screaming.

Viewers will have to wait until Thursday, April 23 to find out which of the five is going to meet a brutal end.

The White Lotus actor Walton Goggins, who starred alongside Duvall in 1997’s The Apostle, thanked him for “changing” his life and for his years of friendship, in an emotional tribute on Instagram, while Michael Keaton – who acted alongside Duvall in 1994’s The Paper – said he “was greatness personified as an actor”.

British two-man bobsleigh team Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence suffered a disappointing start to their Olympic campaign – now sitting eighth at the halfway point of the competition.

Their combined time of 1:51:54 after two heats leaves them 1.64 seconds off the pace of German team Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer in top spot with two more German teams occupying the other podium places before Tuesday’s medal-deciding runs.

Hall and Lawrence, who is a serving Royal Marine, were unable to improve on their run-one position after a heavy bump near the top of the track on their second heat led to more errors and a struggle to make up time.

“It was definitely a very difficult day. The track is extremely difficult to be consistent down, especially in a bobsleigh,” said Hall, who is GB’s most decorated bobsleigh World Cup pilot.

“We didn’t quite do well enough on our second run, we lost quite a bit of time to some and gained on others. We need to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do better tomorrow.”

Pilot Hall will also lead the charge for a medal in the four-man event later this week. While Germany’s Francesco Friedrich, who is currently third, is aiming to do the treble double – win two and four-man gold for the third Games in a row.

Meanwhile, Adele Nicoll said she was “speechless” after a disappointing final run meant she finished 18th in the women’s monobob.

The Welsh slider, who is also a three-time British shot put champion, produced three solid runs before clocking 1:01:03, which she described as “the worst run of my life”, in the fourth heat.

“I know everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong and it is just one of those nightmare performances that I’ll hopefully move on from. I need to pull it together for the two-woman,” she said.

American Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, took gold to become the oldest Olympic champion at a Winter Games while Germany’s Laura Nolte was second and another American, Kaillie Armbruster Humphries was third.