In a recent episode of Waitrose’s Dish podcast, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan said that she used to check Rip.ie (an Irish site which tracks and publishes deaths) in her previous work at an optician’s.
She said many of the people who came into her shop were older, and she found out some had sadly passed away when ringing about missed appointments. So, she devised a system of checking the site and noting who had passed instead.
But she noticed an anomaly. “We got a lot of nuns,” she said in a viral Instagram clip. “So you’d be like, Sister Ignatius, born 1932… I started… in my head, guessing if people were dead,” and checking the site in anticipation.
“They were always alive. Nuns are immortal.”
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That’s not literally true, at least in the secular sense – but some science suggests they do live longer and healthier than many of us.
Why might nuns live longer, healthier lives?
Before her death in 2023, a French nun named Sister André was the oldest living person in the world. She passed aged just under 119.
One dementia researcher named David Snowdon found that “Catholic sisters had a mortality advantage that increased dramatically over calendar time, and from early to more recent birth cohorts”. In this research, he suggested this may be due to a lower rate of smoking.
She said in her book that nuns were “27% more likely to live into their 70s than their lay peers, and their likelihood of living longer increased with time”.
They also move regularly, which we know is important for a longer, healthier life, Corwin wrote for Yes!. She added, “nuns experience greater physical and emotional well-being at the end of life than other women”.
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You don’t need to become a nun to see these benefits
All of these health benefits are attainable to non-nuns. As we mentioned before, a better diet, enough exercise, community, a positive attitude towards ageing, and a sense of purpose are all science-backed ways to improve your odds of staying healthier for longer.
And recent research has found that tiny shifts in many of these habits go a long way. Those who slept five minutes longer, ate just a half-portion more of fruit and veg a day, and/or exercised an added two minutes than those in the bottom 5% of healthy lifestyle patterns were expected to live a year longer.
Corwin herself said, “The good news is that you don’t have to live in a convent to do the things that keep these nuns healthy and happy.
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“By staying active, cultivating caring relationships, and finding ways to talk bravely about death and dying, we can all benefit from what nuns know about healthy ageing.”
Tacoma Police have said that those injured include four students and one security guard, according to KVUE. The sixth injured individual is believed to be the suspect.
The Tacoma Fire Department has confirmed that all those injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
ABC News reported that the four students were in critical condition and are now stable. The security officer and suspect sustained minor injuries.
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The stabbing was reported shortly before 1.40pm local time.
Foss High School was previously the scene of a shooting in January 2007, which claimed the life of one student. Pupils were evacuated from the building following that incident.
The Moon’s monthly orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical rather than circular, which means its distance from us varies and so not all full Moons are the same.
When this year’s Flower Moon becomes full it will be close to its maximum distance from Earth – a point known as apogee.
That means this year’s Flower Moon will appear slightly smaller than usual because it is at the farthest point from Earth in its orbit – roughly 406,000km (252,000 miles) away.
The difference between apogee and perigee is approximately 43,000km (26,000 miles) – sounds huge, but to the naked eye the change is barely noticeable except in photographs.
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The overall effect is that a micromoon appears slightly smaller in the sky and may be a touch less bright than average.
Two Jewish men, Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were attacked on Wednesday in what police have described as a terrorist incident.
A 45-year-old man – a British national who was born in Somalia – has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Protesters surrounded the prime minister’s car while he was driving to the area to express his condolences on Thursday afternoon.
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The crowds booed him, shouting, “Keir Starmer, Jew Harmer,” “show your face” and “traitor”, while some protesters carried signs with similar messages.
The outrage comes amid fears of rising antisemitism in the UK following a spate of attacks on the Jewish community.
The PM told criminal justices agencies in Downing Street this morning that it is key to come together “very quickly now to take the necessary action”.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left meets first responders from Shomrim North West London during a visit to Golders Green, north west London, Thursday April 30, 2026
While praising the “incredible” response from the first responders on Wednesday, Starmer said: “There’s no getting away from the fact that this was not a one-off, this has been a series of attacks on our Jewish community, particularly in recent weeks, and there is a very deep sense of anxiety, of concern about safety, about identity.
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“It’s really important that we are able collectively to demonstrate that the response will be swift and visible.”
The PM added that the government will “stand with and support our Jewish community”.
He said: “It’s our fight as well. It’s the fight of everyone in this country, because it’s about what sort of a country that we want to live in.”
The government also announced an extra £25 million in funding for security within Jewish communities on Thursday morning.
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Jonathan Powell KC, who works as the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism and state threats legislation, told the BBC’s The World Tonight that attacks on Jewish people in the UK now pose the “biggest national security emergency” since 2017.
However, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was treating it as an “emergency” not a “national emergency” because the phrase has connotations for democracy.
Speaking a week out from the local elections in England and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales, the cabinet minister warned using such a phrase could end up suspending parts of the democracy.
“That’s not quite where we are,” Mahmood added, but said this is a top priority for her.
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Protestors waiting for Keir Starmer to arrive outside Hatzola. PM arrives to shouts of “Keir Starmer, Jew Harmer”, “traitor” and “shame on you”! pic.twitter.com/Z7Ey9E1Qmo
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On their impressive European run, Palace have shown they are not just about individuals, but a team stepping up when it matters.
Japan midfielder Kamada had not scored since October 2024 before his composed finish on Thursday restored Palace’s lead just as Shakhtar looked to be taking control following their equaliser at 1-1.
Palace fans were in great spirits before the match in Krakow, and there’s a feeling that all connected with the club are pulling in the same direction.
There could be an air of sadness for the remainder of the campaign with boss Glasner, who led Palace to a fairytale FA Cup victory last season, just two games away from European glory before he departs this summer.
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But spirits instead seem high as the club work together to achieve the goal of winning more silverware.
“It’s an amazing group of people, of men, of characters,” said Glasner, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
“There is such a big spirit and great togetherness and we always believe in ourselves.
“There is no button we can press to switch it on. It is something we have created over months and years – that we know we can always come back and score a goal.”
The Race Across the World contestant broke down in tears during the latest episode
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
23:00, 30 Apr 2026
BBC Race Across The World contestant Kush was moved to tears while discussing his father’s death.
The 19-year-old competitor and best mate Jo, 19, from Liverpool are the youngest participants attempting the challenge of racing against rivals across more than 12,000km from Sicily to Mongolia.
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Hoping to claim the £20,000 prize, the duo embarked on another stage of their adventure during tonight’s (April 30) episode, marking the midpoint of the competition.
Together with their fellow competitors, they tackled the longest stretch of the race, journeying through Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked nation, before entering Uzbekistan.
Midway through their travels, they chose to visit a local gym to practise some judo, as Kush trains in Muay Thai back home, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The experience, however, triggered memories of his late father, who tragically took his own life during lockdown.
Speaking to camera, he began: “Coming to this gym, it means a lot to me. It’s more than just throwing and hitting fighting. There’s a lot of meaning behind it.”
In an honest moment, he revealed: “I think back to memories with my dad. I found it sick to do what your dad does. Being in the gym, I wonder what he’s thinking. He would be standing on the side with a particular sort of smirk on his face, watching me do judo throws.”
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Clearly emotional, Kush remembered: “I remember the day he passed. It was locked down and it was a real big shock. He had really poor mental health and he took his own life. You never forget that shock factor.
“I still think about him all the time. Being on this journey has brought back little moments and I wish I could sort of show who I am now because when you’re 14, I didn’t know who I was and I was still a child.
“I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger and I feel like, if I could sort of show him what I’ve learn’t…” The 19 year old was unable to complete his sentence as he became overwhelmed with emotion.
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Viewers at home were deeply affected by the poignant scene, taking to social media to express their feelings. One viewer posted: “Poor Kush. He’s a lovely lad, they both are. #RaceAcrossTheWorld.”
Another commented: “Kush opening up on the loss of his father at just 1 year old-oh man #RaceAcrossTheWorld.” A third shared: “kush is breaking my heart omg #raceacrosstheworld.”
Someone else posted: “Damn! Kush lost 2 dads at such a young age. I’m sure they’re proud of him #RaceAcrossTheWorld.” While another remarked: “Such a heartbreaking leg for Kush and Joe – what humble lads they are #RaceAcrossTheWorld.”
Race Across the World is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
He said that such a unit would provide specialist inpatient mental health care, allowing mothers to stay with their babies while receiving treatment, and such an approach is recognised as best practice.
22:01, 30 Apr 2026Updated 22:06, 30 Apr 2026
Northern Ireland’s first dedicated mother and baby unit should be open no later than 2029, the health minister has said.
Mike Nesbitt said it had been a personal priority to address the “unacceptable” lack of such a unit in Northern Ireland, making it the only part of the UK without one.
He said that such a unit would provide specialist inpatient mental health care, allowing mothers to stay with their babies while receiving treatment, and such an approach is recognised as best practice.
“It supports recovery, protects infant wellbeing, and strengthens the earliest bonds between mother and child, bonds which are critical for lifelong health and development,” he said.
He added that, after asking officials to assess all options for potential sites, that a permanent mother and baby unit would be established at a site at Belfast City Hospital.
He said a scoping exercise had “confirmed” that alternative locations or construction approaches would not deliver “a
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materially shorter timeline or better value for money”.
He said in some cases they would involve “additional costs, staffing pressures and increased clinical risk”.
“Most importantly, they would not offer the same level of safety and assurance for mothers and babies,” he said on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, no agreement was possible with clinicians on a temporary/interim solution. However, I have secured a significant shortening of the timeframe for construction, by at least two years, meaning the unit should open no later than 2028/29.
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“The outline business case for the facility has been approved at trust board level and submitted to the Strategic Planning and Performance Group.
“Departmental Health Estates has confirmed that preparatory work is complete and as the commissioner’s letter of support has been issued, a design team can be appointed immediately and the project can proceed to the next stage of delivery.
“This represents a significant step forward from commitment to delivery.”
A humanities teacher who was arrested after sending sexual messages to a 13-year-old girl has been banned from teaching “indefinitely”.
Liam Walker, 31, a teacher at Sir William Stanier School in Crewe, Cheshire, from 2023 to 2024, used Snapchat and another online chatroom where he used usernames including “HungTeacherMeet” and “Fit Teacher” to speak to the child.
Walker, who was in correspondence online with the child for a week, asked her “intrusive questions about her sexual history and made other sexualised remarks”, according to allegations upheld by a Teaching Regulation Agency panel.
According to the evidence, the girl, identified in the documents as “Child A”, informed Walker, “during their first online interaction” on 7 August that she was 13.
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Despite this, Walker continued to engage in online correspondence with her until 15 August.
“In many of the messages sent by Mr Walker to Child A he asked Child A intrusive questions about her sexual history and made other sexualised remarks,” the panel heard.
These included comments such as: “you never know what creeps are out there trying to get into your pants”, “are you a virgin?”, “you’re defo gonna get someone in trouble haha hope you don’t send nudes”, “are you looking for sex?”, and “I’m always a little worried to talk dirty to a teen as it’s illegal haha”.
Following his arrest, Liam Walker, 31, was immediately sacked from the Sir William Stanier School in Crewe (Google)
On 4 September 2024, Walker was arrested for engaging in sexual communications with a child, and five days later he was dismissed from his role with immediate effect.
The panel noted that Walker’s behaviour “took place in the summer holidays outside of the education setting”, but said he “had failed in his duty of care to children by exposing Child A to the risk of being groomed” and of failing to promote her safety and welfare.
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The panel also said Walker “appeared to be testing the boundaries with Child A”. They said “this conduct was exacerbated by his use of the usernames ‘HungTeacherMeet’ and ‘FitTeacher’ which were both capable of having sexual connotations”.
They said his actions amounted to “serious departure from the personal and professional conduct elements of the Teachers’ Standards”, as well as “sexual misconduct … involving actions that were sexually motivated or of a sexual nature and/or that use or exploit the trust, knowledge or influence derived from the individual’s professional position”.
The panel said the public interest considerations, the protracted nature of the communication with Child A and the intrusive and explicit nature of the conversation with her was a “significant factor” in recommending a prohibition order be imposed with immediate effect.
Assessing the panel’s recommendations, Stuart Blomfield, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, said: “The findings of misconduct are serious,” adding that “the panel has found all of the allegations proven and found that those proven facts amount to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.”
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He added: “In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession.”
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light was raided on Wednesday
The names of 25 people charged with public order offences have been revealed after hundreds of police officers raided addresses affiliated with a religious group in Crewe yesterday (April 29).
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Cheshire Police said that on Wednesday more than 500 officers from their force, with support of colleagues from neighbouring forces, conducted three warrants at three addresses in Crewe linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, including their headquarters.
It followed serious allegations alleged to have involved members of the group, including modern slavery, forced marriage and sexual offences.
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The co-ordinated raids followed reports in March of the offences, said to have taken place in 2023. The force confirmed all ten people arrested are members of the group and all offences relate to one victim, a woman, who was also a member of the group.
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Now, Cheshire Police has said that during the raids, 25 people were arrested for public order offences inside the property. Following questioning, 25 people have been charged and are scheduled to appear in court.
The charges in full
Mammadagha Abdullayer, 35, of Timbrell Avenue, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 25 June. (Nationality – Azerbaijan)
Raimah Batul, 18, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 25 June. (Nationality – British)
Laure Delogne, 31, of Underwood Lane, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – Belgium)
Tahani A Hashem, 27, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – British)
Maryham Marfoug, 32, of Gresty Road, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – Morocco)
Dareem Charles, 36, of Redwood Drive, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 16 June. (Nationality – Tobago)
Jahmeel Musa, 32, of Redwood Drive, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 16 June. (Nationality – British)
Aydin Onur, 36, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 June. (Nationality – Germany)
Gustavio Ruiz-Quinteros, 34, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 June. (Nationality – American)
Soufiane Ben Abdeslam, 32, of Nantwich Road, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable and assault of an emergency worker. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 June. (Nationality – Belgium)
Ahmed Elhaouss, 20, of Redwood Drive, Crewe, was charged with assaulting a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 June. (Nationality – France)
Rad El-Kanami, 47, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 June. (Nationality – Iraq)
Ramazan Demirovic, 59, of Richard Street, Crewe, was charged with assaulting a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 June. (Nationality – American)
Hussein Khadum, 18, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 June. (Nationality – Sweden)
Diniy Sisyam, 19, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 June. (Nationality – Malaysia)
Mohammad Hiary, 32, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – Jordan)
Hatem Sider, 42, of Wandon Road, London, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – British)
Marc Ferreira, 38, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – France)
Hamidreza Saghari, 39, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 25 June. (Nationality – Iran)
Sarah Batul, 32, of Badger Avenue, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 June. (Nationality – British)
Raimah Batul, 18, Webb House, Crewe, was charged with assaulting a constable. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 25 June. (Nationality – British)
Taymour Elalfy, 37, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 June. (Nationality – Egypt)
Alireza Khatib Haghighi, 40, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with obstructing a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 25 June. (Nationality – Iran)
Mohamed Ayob, 38, of Webb House, Crewe, was charged with assaulting a constable. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 25 June. (Nationality – Egypt)
Myrah Hashem, 27, of Blount Close, Crewe, was charged with failing to comply with a section 35 direction excluding a person from an area. She will appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 June. (Nationality – British)
CCTV footage has been released of the moment the White House Correspondents’ Dinner suspect appears to shoot at a US secret service agent.
Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for DC, says the footage was released to the public to prove ‘there is no evidence the shooting was the result of friendly fire.’
Earlier on Thursday while answering questions from reporters, President Donald Trump said “it wasn’t friendly fire,” adding that “it wasn’t us”.
The agency wants hospitals to “align their food purchases with the dietary guidelines in order to enjoy continued eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare payments,” Kennedy said at a press conference last month.
“We shouldn’t be giving … people who are sick Jell-O and Cheerios and rubber chicken and sugar drinks,” he added.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said hospitals ‘shouldn’t be giving … people who are sick Jell-O’ (Getty Images)
Officials have since threatened to withhold millions in crucial federal funding from healthcare facilities for violations, according to a KFF Health News report published via CBS News. But experts said it’s unclear how this could be enforced.
Dietitian and research scientist Kevin Klatt told the outlet: “Most of this is political theater. HHS doesn’t have the power to do much.”
The new guidance “does not establish new mandates, change Medicare Conditions of Participation, or create any new penalties for hospitals or nursing homes,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon told KFF Health News.
“There are no changes to enforcement, survey, or accreditation processes associated with this guidance,” he said.
The Independent has contacted HHS for comment.
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HHS is urging hospitals to ‘align their food purchases with the dietary guidelines in order to enjoy continued eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare payments,’ Kennedy said (Getty)
Calley Means, one of Kennedy’s top advisers, asked members of the public to report hospitals that serve sugary drinks earlier this month. His social media post included a link to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, where users can submit complaints about healthcare facilities.
“If a hospital is serving patients sugary drinks, they are out of compliance with government standards and are putting their reimbursements in jeopardy,” Means wrote on April 1. “If you see patients being served sugary drinks, please post information below or let CMS know.”
When KFF Health News contacted Means, he pointed the outlet to another X post he shared on April 17.
“It is very sad that Trump Derangement Syndrome is leading Democrats to defend the medical importance of mass serving soda and junk food to American patients – 94 percent of whom have signs of metabolic dysfunction,” he wrote.
Nixon also downplayed Means’ post, according to KFF Health News, and told the outlet that “references to external websites or hotlines are not connected to this guidance and do not reflect HHS or CMS policy.”
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