This is not the story I wished to write down. It is not the story I began engaged on a pair weeks in the past. 

It is the story I’m able to write right now.

Final week I used to be scanning the BBC web site for articles and photos in regards to the upcoming Beltane (1 Might) celebrations. BBC typically has protection of pagan occasions and holidays. I might hoped to see a point out of celebrations at Stonehenge and Newgrange.

As a substitute, I noticed this.

I have been horrified by occasions in Gaza since October of final 12 months. I have never stated a lot about it; it is sure that I haven’t got all of the details and possibly by no means will. There’s nothing I might say that hasn’t already been stated, and by individuals who stated it higher than I might have. And there is the truth that I nonetheless cannot wrap my thoughts round most of what I’ve seen, heard, and skim within the months since. 

I actually get pleasure from discussing the outdated methods, traditions, and present-day celebrations of our Pagan deities. Writing these tales has develop into a part of my private celebrations. I do know that different individuals get pleasure from these tales. And I’ve no intention of ending them; I am going to write about these items once more.

However proper now I merely cannot. I am unable to have fun Beltane whereas the reminiscence of this tiny child woman and what occurred to her and her household remains to be recent in my thoughts. 

I am unable to even actually clarify simply why this explicit story has affected me a lot. One little baby out of 1000’s who’ve been focused on this battle. One household out of 1000’s slaughtered in their very own properties. The truth that it was executed with the assist of my very own nation, my very own authorities. I am unable to clarify any of it. I am unable to even clarify it to myself. 

I am completely not saying that no person else ought to have fun.  I wish to make that very clear. Those that do, could this Beltane be fantastic for you. I am sitting this one out this time. I hope you will perceive. 

                                     •••••••

Thanks for studying. That is an open thread, all matters are welcome.

                                     •••••••

ETA the infant lived for 5 days earlier than dying. She was buried subsequent to her father.

Meta defends threat mitigation course of after EU says the businesses efforts at moderating content material was ‘inadequate’.

The European Fee has launched a disinformation probe in opposition to social media large Meta.

The EU introduced the investigation into the operator of Fb and Instagram on Tuesday, saying suspects the US firm of breaching the bloc’s on-line content material guidelines. Brussels has raised its efforts to clamp down on disinformation forward of EU elections in June.

The fee stated Meta’s efforts at moderating content material are “inadequate” and fail to sort out misleading promoting and disinformation.

The Digital Companies Act (DSA), which grew to become efficient final yr, requires “Huge Tech” to do extra to counter unlawful and dangerous content material on social media platforms.

“We suspect that Meta’s moderation is inadequate, that it lacks transparency of commercials and content material moderation procedures,” EU digital chief Margrethe Vestager stated in a press release.

“So as we speak, we have now opened proceedings in opposition to Meta to evaluate their compliance with the Digital Companies Act,” she stated.

The regulatory transfer comes as issues about Russia, China and Iran as potential sources of disinformation have risen within the run-up to the EU election.

Final month, an alleged Russian-sponsored community in search of to affect the June 6-9 vote was uncovered. Politicians from throughout the bloc had been reportedly paid to parrot Moscow’s narratives, particularly regarding its invasion of Ukraine.

Anti-establishment events are additionally accused of spreading their very own disinformation as they search to extend their presence within the subsequent five-year EU parliament.

Following the EU’s announcement, Meta sought to defend its threat mitigation processes.

“We now have a well-established course of for figuring out and mitigating dangers on our platforms. We stay up for persevering with our cooperation with the European Fee and offering them with additional particulars of this work,” a Meta spokesperson stated.

Nevertheless, the EU additionally expressed issues about Meta’s deprecation of its disinformation monitoring CrowdTangle with out an ample substitute.

Meta has stated it’ll exchange CrowdTangle with a brand new Content material Library, a expertise nonetheless beneath improvement.

Fb and Instagram are amongst 23 “very giant” on-line platforms that should adjust to the DSA or threat fines working as much as 6 p.c of a platform’s international turnover, or perhaps a ban for egregious instances.

Different platforms embrace Amazon, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.

Meta has 5 working days to tell the EU about remedial actions taken to deal with its issues.

Prime Nationwide Hunt horse Shishkin has been put down following an accident.

The twin Cheltenham Competition winner, who was educated by Nicky Henderson and owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, fractured a hind leg after turning into forged in his steady on Sunday night (28 April).

Mr Henderson stated: “Tragically we’ve misplaced Shishkin this night after he acquired forged in his steady and fractured his hind leg. Everybody concerned with Seven Barrows, significantly his homeowners, Joe and Marie Donnelly, Jaydon [Lee, Shishkin’s groom], Nico [de Boinville, Shishkin’s jockey] and George [Daly, Mr Henderson’s assistant] are clearly devastated that such a terrific horse, good friend and warrior has gone.”

Shishkin received 14 races from 21 begins, incomes £798,668, together with his profession highlights together with victories within the 2022 Clarence Home Chase at Ascot, the 2021 Arkle at Cheltenham Competition, the 2020 supreme novices’ hurdle, additionally at Cheltenham Competition, and the 2023 Ascot Chase. The ten-year-old was resulting from have a tilt within the Punchestown Gold Cup in Eire on Wednesday.

“He was resulting from depart for Punchestown tomorrow morning however sadly that is now to not be,” stated Mr Henderson.

“He was an absolute celebrity and his CV is testomony to that – besides the King George is just not in it, although we consider it ought to have been,” Nicky continued, referencing the truth that Nico de Boinville was unseated from Shishkin on the second final within the 2023 King George when in competition. “The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle have been his Cheltenham highlights, however the battle with Energumene within the Clarence Home at Ascot was in all probability his best.

“It is a very unhappy night time. He was our star and we’ll always remember him. Thanks Shishkin for the great reminiscences.”

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H&H options, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an skilled journalist, having been a part of the H&H staff since 2014, who’s keen about all equestrian sports activities, together with racing and point-to-pointing. She has loved driving out for high trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took half in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting skills have taken her to quite a few five-star occasions round Britain and Europe, in addition to European championships.

Shishkin, among the finest staying chasers within the nation, has been put down after fracturing a hind leg in an accident in his field on Sunday afternoon.

After a torrid final third of the season, coach Nicky Henderson may fairly have thought his luck had modified when Jonbon and Improbable Girl each gained at Sandown on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the 10-year-old Shishkin, who was on account of depart early on Monday for Eire the place he was meant to conflict with twin Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs for the primary time within the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday, was discovered to have fractured his femur excessive up whereas forged in his secure on Sunday afternoon.

Henderson, who has 4 others to run at Punchestown, stated: “He was an awesome character. He gained six Grade Ones and between the Supreme and the Arkle he was virtually unbeatable. The match between him and Energumene at Ascot was his best second. He was positive to be overwhelmed two out and we knew then we’d spent too lengthy at two miles. That was sheer guts which bought him residence, he knew the right way to battle.”

He added: “His crowning day was set to be the King George. All of us thought he’d win however he all the time had a trick up his sleeve and to journey himself up together with his personal foot was very Shishkin. He had just a few foibles, he refused to start out as soon as and was all the time tough at first of a season at residence. 

“Final season he spent a month with Zara Tindall doing dressage, which was a month nicely spent. He liked it. We’re going to Punchestown but it surely gained’t be the identical with out our flagship.”

Shishkin gained the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2020 and the Arkle Novices’ Chase the next 12 months.

Horses turn into ‘forged’ once they roll inside the confines of 4 partitions of their secure, get caught with their legs tucked up in opposition to the wall after which battle to rise up. In a yard as huge as Henderson’s, it’d occur a few times a month however usually they are often turned again over with out damage by employees or get themselves up.

Most horses are likely to get down for a roll simply after train once they have been sweaty and so they have a pleasant mattress of contemporary shavings or straw to roll in. Their beds are banked up in opposition to the foot of the partitions to assist cease them getting wedged and, at the moment of day, there are often numerous employees about however, clearly, that’s not the case at evening or throughout the early afternoons once they have their downtime.

“Generally a horse has been forged in his field at evening, once they have been unattended for 11 hours, as a result of there are scrapes on the partitions or a horse has a bruise or minimize,” defined Henderson. “However it’s often not more than a small niggle at worst.”

Fatalities are very uncommon though the Group One-winning sprinter Highfield Princess sustained the same damage throughout the winter and couldn’t be saved.

Ralf Little has shared an emotional message with followers following the top of his nationwide tour with Will Mellor. The Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps co-stars hit the highway earlier this month to entertain followers in a variety of cities together with Leeds, Birmingham, Scarborough and lastly Sheffield.

Concluding their tour on Sunday evening, the pair appeared in excessive spirits as they stood in entrance of a three-tier crowd for an image om stage, which they shared on Instagram. Captioning the publish, the pair thanked followers for all their assist with the podcast and exhibits in an emotional assertion.

The caption learn: “To each single one who got here out to see us, purchased tickets, purchased some merch, spent this difficult earned cash on a little bit of enjoyable with our little pod, thanks from the underside of our hearts.

“We’ve had the perfect time this month a lot so, that we would simply do it once more someday quickly! A giant shout out to your hosts @willmellor76 & @ralf.little and likewise all of the group who put every little thing into these exhibits so you may have a enjoyable evening to recollect.”

Most of the pair’s followers flocked to the feedback part to specific simply how a lot they’d loved the present. One commented: “Fab present final evening in Sheffield, laughed from begin to end,” whereas a second typed: “Nottingham was sensible, by no means laughed a lot, had improbable evening!”

A 3rd typed: “It was one other wonderful tour, thank YOU a lot x.”

Ralf and Will’s tour comes simply weeks after the previous left his function as Dying In Paradise’s Neville Parker.

The actor performed Saint Marie’s lead detective for simply over 4 years making him the present’s longest-serving DI thus far.

Marking his exit, emotional scenes noticed Neville using off within the sundown on a ship with co-star Florence Cassell (performed by Josephine Jobert).

Simply hours after his departure was aired, Ralf advised The Large Concern of his exit: “It’s a little bit of a bizarre one.

“It hasn’t actually felt actual, despite the fact that I filmed the final day of the present as a result of I haven’t been in a position to inform anybody.”

The actor added: “However it’s very actual now the world is aware of, and it’s thrilling to be prepared for brand new adventures.”

Ralf went on to say leaving the present additionally felt “bittersweet” because the BBC drama had been “one of the profound and magical experiences in my life.”.

Since his departure, a complete host of names have been thrown into the combination about who may change him.

Final week, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint grew to become the brand new favorite in odds shared by Coral bookmakers, adopted by Mathew Horne, Simon Fowl, Martin Clunes and Diane Morgan.

Extra not too long ago, some followers have recommended that Past Paradise police officer Kelby Hartford, portrayed by Dylan Llewellyn, might be the brand new detective.

On a fan Fb web page, one mentioned of the potential transfer: “Kelby is so me, I am horrible at explaining issues. wager he solves the case… promotion to St Marie #beyondparadise.”

“Awww Kelby, my candy summer season youngster get him to St Marie, the place he can mature,” a second agreed whereas a 3rd echoed: “Sure to exchange Ralf Little.”

Regardless of hypothesis, the BBC are but to substantiate who the substitute will likely be.

Dying in Paradise is out there to observe on BBC iPlayer.

Since launching her hair care model LolaVie, Jennifer Aniston has slowly however certainly rolled out a bevy of merchandise which have every develop into cult-favorites in their very own proper. The Glossing Detangler, as an illustration, has greater than 1,700 optimistic evaluations on the location and is my private prime choose as a result of it smells scrumptious and makes the post-shower brush-out a breeze (even for the gnarliest of tangles). Then there’s the Perfecting Go away-In, which ranks amongst Aniston’s favorites (if she was pressured to select!), as a result of it hydrates, fights frizz and leaves hair wanting glossier.

What I respect most about LolaVie, nonetheless, is the model’s methodical curation. Aniston’s option to debut with only one product (the detangler) speaks to the model’s complete vibe — LolaVie doesn’t inundate you with choices. As a substitute, every product in its catalog serves a definite goal. And that features at present’s debut, the Sculpting Paste.

“We’ve been engaged on this for greater than a yr,” Aniston tells CNN Underscored in an unique interview. “It’s the ultimate step within the hair routine — the final product you need to use earlier than you’re heading out the door. The interval on the finish of the sentence, if you’ll.”

Meant to sculpt and magnificence, the medium-hold paste was dreamed up by Aniston and her longtime hair stylist Chris McMillan. “Earlier than, Chris and I’d mix a sculpting paste from some great different firm after which combine it with a serum from one other great firm — as a result of the paste was too thick and sticky, and the serum was too tender and gooey,” she explains. “However when combined collectively, they have been the proper mixture, and that’s precisely what we formulated the Sculpting Paste to be.”

Nice for taming flyaways and child hairs — Aniston swears by it for a “post-workout zhush” — the Sculpting Paste can be utilized on blow-dried, air-dried or damp hair, and gently molds and holds, whereas creating texture. “It’s actually light-weight and a bit of goes a great distance,” says Aniston. “It’s going to offer you that piece-y, textured look. Or when your hair is up in a bun, or slicked again in any form of an updo, it’s nice for fine-tuning flyaways across the entrance of the face.”

What’s subsequent for LolaVie? Aniston says the model has extra hair care merchandise within the pipeline, however the firm’s “fewer, higher” mantra stays steadfast. “We simply proceed to take the identical method of solely launching a product as soon as the method is ideal, the packaging is ideal, the scent is ideal — we aren’t in a rush.”

Whereas LolaVie has, till this level, solely targeted on hair care, the actress identified ’around the world for her excellent tresses teased a pivot into the approach to life sector. “We’re primarily targeted on hair care proper now, however there are different issues we’re additionally probably engaged on which may edge us out of that space,” she says, including, “We’ve bought so much occurring over right here, cooking in our little minds.”

Under, Aniston offers us a sneak peek into her every day hair routine — take a look at her prime LolaVie picks (and the way she makes use of them!).

Prepared for the last word hair hack? Aniston combines LolaVie’s leave-in conditioner and hair oil on the common to create a pre-air or blow-drying serum. “Please attempt it,” she says. “It is such a pleasant texture. It simply provides a bit of bit of additional shine.” 

Designed to be utilized to damp, towel-dried hair, the Perfecting Go away-In makes use of substances like a superfruit complicated, the Rose of Jerichois and bamboo extract to hydrate the hair, struggle frizz and restore injury. The most effective half is that it leaves your tresses smelling scrumptious all day lengthy.

Chock stuffed with yummy substances like coconut, chia and bamboo, the Light-weight Hair Oil places a damper to frizz, whereas concurrently working to easy break up ends and enhance shine. A multi-tasker if we ever met one, the oil can be used on damp hair pre-blow drying as an added layer of safety towards warmth, or utilized to dry tresses add instant shine earlier than heading out the door.

Boasting substances like bamboo, birch and sugar maple saps and kale, carrot and lemon peptides, the Sculpting Paste can be utilized on damp or dry hair and may also help type each kind of hair, from quick and lengthy to wavy or straight. “I’ve been utilizing it after a exercise, when my hair’s gone a bit of loopy,” she says. “Simply add a bit of little bit of paste to tame the flyaways and off you go!”

When you haven’t tried the LolaVie x Moist Brush collab but, you’re lacking out. Good at detangling and massaging the scalp, the comb additionally has open vents, which makes for quicker drying. “Oh gosh, I exploit this brush all day lengthy — dry hair, moist hair, you title it,” she says. “Particularly after a exercise, it is actually good to offer a bit of further like to your hair and never rip via it. My pals with daughters who’ve hair right down to their butts swear by this brush, too, it’s made bathe time for them a lot simpler.” 

Stuart Hogg has revealed checking right into a rehabilitation centre allowed him to “reset” after the previous Scotland captain was arrested and charged by police following an incident in his hometown of Hawick earlier this yr.

Scotland’s all-time main scorer was arrested at a property within the Scottish Borders on February 25. Hogg retired from taking part in forward of the Rugby World Cup final yr and introduced a need for a brand new profession.

Hogg posted a message on social media on Sunday and stated he needed to “study myself and speak about how I felt, with out being judged” whereas in rehab.

Following his arrest, the 31-year-old was “launched on an endeavor to look at Jedburgh Sheriff Courtroom at a later date”, Police Scotland stated.

Hogg stated: “I used to be misplaced, wanted assist, path, time away from the highlight to have the ability to take a deep breath and suppose.

“I’ve been so involved about what individuals considered me, how I used to be coming throughout, the affect I might have on them and the way I might survive the day. I lived each second in my head and it wasn’t wholesome.

“Spending time at a rehabilitation centre allowed me to reset, study myself and speak about how I felt, with out being judged.

“It’s not been simple however it was the best factor to do. Taking accountability was step one in the best path. I settle for I’ve made errors and perceive why l acted as I did.”

Hogg added: “Private, non-public points being performed out within the public eye and on-line abuse are issues which have impacted me considerably. I’ve not been capable of take care of it. On-line abuse shouldn’t be okay.

“Having a while away has allowed me to see the world in another way, be thankful for the issues I’ve and most significantly, be enthusiastic about what’s in entrance of me within the quick, medium and long run.

“Thanks to everybody who has been in contact and provided help, friendship and love. You may have helped me by way of the darkest of instances and I’ll look ahead to embracing what’s subsequent with you all.”

Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has revealed he has “reset” at a rehabilitation centre after being arrested and charged earlier this yr.

Hogg, 31, was launched by Police Scotland on an endeavor to later seem at Jedburgh Sheriff Court docket following an alleged disturbance in his hometown of Hawick on 25 February.

In an replace on Instagram on Sunday, the previous Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs full-back stated: “I used to be misplaced, wanted assist, course, time away from the highlight to have the ability to take a deep breath and assume.

“I have been so involved about what individuals considered me, how I used to be coming throughout, the impression I might have on them and the way I might survive the day. I lived each second in my head and it wasn’t wholesome.

“Spending time at a rehabilitation centre allowed me to reset, find out about myself and discuss how I felt, with out being judged.

“It is not been straightforward but it surely was the best factor to do. Taking accountability was step one in the best course. I settle for I’ve made errors and perceive why I acted as I did.”

Hogg retired from rugby final July after successful 100 caps for Scotland and scoring a report 27 tries.

The daddy-of-four was awarded an MBE within the 2024 New Yr’s Honours checklist.

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Hogg added: “Private, non-public points being performed out within the public eye and on-line abuse are issues which have impacted me considerably. I’ve not been capable of take care of it. On-line abuse is just not okay.

“Having a while away has allowed me to see the world otherwise, be glad about the issues I’ve, and most significantly, be enthusiastic about what’s in entrance of me within the quick, medium and long-term.

“Thanks to everybody who has been in contact and supplied assist, friendship and love.

“You might have helped me by means of the darkest of occasions and I’ll sit up for embracing what’s subsequent with you all.”