News

Jo Whiley’s sadness at dad’s illness as she makes important vow

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article35581691.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_Just-For-One-Day-The-Live-Aid-Musical-Launch.jpg

Jo Whiley, a much-loved radio DJ and TV host, reveals that her life has been full of ups and downs this year.

Jo Whiley is determined to continue to live life to the full after her 60th birthday.(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

After turning 60, Jo Whiley claims she is choosing not to slow down and that milestones on birthdays are “not a big deal.”

After posing in a colourful magazine shoot she insisted: “We should never say someone looks good for their age, we should just say they look good!” BBC Broadcaster Jo certainly does look good and tried out a variety of outfits before sitting down to speak to woman&home.

She remarked, “Another birthday isn’t a big deal for me because I don’t consider age to be important,” when she turned 60 this month. You genuinely don’t want it to be something, but it does because everyone keeps asking and focusing on it. Being only one year older than I was last year and one year younger than I will be next year makes for an odd situation. There is a desire to reach specific milestones in response to one’s age. I have no idea what to say because people focus too heavily on it.

You wake up the following day, have a birthday, and carry on. Nothing has changed since I’m running my radio show, working out, and taking care of the kids. People used to retire earlier than they do now, and the idea is now mind-blowing. “There’s probably a focus.

She continued, “Your body undoubtedly changes as you get older, and things don’t look the same. One of my biggest revelations is how your skin changes. I work out, which has grown increasingly important, but no matter how many weights I lift, I can’t get rid of the papery texture on my skin or the skin that hangs off my arms. Why was that not disclosed to me? Apart from covering up and wearing long sleeves, I’m not entirely sure what the solution is. I’m terrible at self-care and moisturising my body all the time, but I’m not good at that.

I have so many aches and pains, but I consider myself very lucky to be healthy. I have got arthritis, which is really painful, and my rotator cuff in my shoulder is hurting at the moment. I haven’t had any serious health issues – I get migraines sometimes, but I think they are linked to the stress and strains of living.”

The Radio DJ and TV host has also been dealing with some real highs and lows of family and work life recently, having fronted some of the BBC ’s Glastonbury coverage in June and launched a new podcast called Dig It with friend Zoe Ball.

Jo Whiley in woman&home
Jo is pretty in pink for woman&home magazine(Image: Dan Kennedy)

But for the time being, she and her family have had to wrap their heads around some significant news involving her father, an ex-electrician.

Since 1991, she has been married to 60-year-old music businessman Steve Morton, who is also the parents of India, 32, Cassius, 26, and Coco, 16 respectively.

Jo stated, “It’s likely that the things that keep my feet on the ground are the same as what everyone else’s.” All of this is involved in dealing with parents who are getting older. I need to take care of my dad and support my mother because he just received a Parkinson’s diagnosis. You stay grounded in those everyday circumstances of life.

It was a good idea to get a diagnosis because we had been having a suspicion about something happening with my dad for some time, and we are now attempting to understand it all. He is still perplexed by the situation, which is still in its early stages. That helps you stop worrying about garbage and puts everything in perspective. In the real world, those issues will be handled by everyone. That’s true for my generation, which means having more obligations and people to look after.

She felt emotional after hearing about her father’s passing, and she frequently displays this side.

She explained that because of her sensitive nature, it’s difficult for her to hide her emotions.

It’s helpful to let us know how you’re feeling. I can’t recall a life without crying. I probably would if I could take a magic pill to stop myself and I would cried less. I will suddenly collapse for what seems like no reason because I cry when I’m tired.

Jo Whiley in woman&home
Jo Whiley is on the cover of woman&home for the September issue(Image: Dan Kennedy)

Someone will inquire as to what is happening, but I’m just exhausted. I’ll cry while I’m driving or swimming if I don’t want anyone to know how I’m feeling, and I have to make an effort to avoid ingesting a lot of water! Sometimes, your life and head are so intertwined that the only way to move on is to let the tears flow.

The family unit’s alteration as her children get older is another cause of tears. Jo must now get ready for Empty Nest syndrome.

She said: “The whole ‘empty nest’ thing is becoming more of a reality. It was the worst feeling in the world when India left home and went to uni. I was in floods of tears dropping her off. Coco has got two more years at home and then she’ll be going off to university, and I’m already panicking about it. Any parent will know that impending sense of doom when you’re shopping for kitchen utensils and feeling like you’re doing a funeral procession around Ikea. The drive to uni and saying goodbye is awful, followed by the horrible feeling of heading home knowing they won’t be there. I do know they’ll come back, though.”

Jo turns 60 this Summer and still enjoys going out and about to music festivals, but it’s more up to her to enjoy the parties.

She continued, “Festivals are great, but our house’s ones are my favorite parties. They take place over the course of a weekend. It’s a lot of fun and includes DJ decks, lighting, and candles. About 40 of us visit the Super Sausage, our neighborhood transportation cafe, for a fry-up the following day. Then, in the evening, it’s back to ours for movies and a curry. I adore those weekend getaways.

Continue reading the article.

* On July 24th, you can purchase the September issue of Woman&Home. Every Monday through Thursday, between 9 and 9 p.m., Jo Whiley is available on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Fiona Phillips in rare video message as she thanks fans for supporting Alzheimer’s memoir

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article35582171.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/1_Fiona-Phillips.jpg

Following the release of her memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, Fiona Phillips’ husband, Martin Frizell, shared a video message from the former GMTV host.

A video message from Fiona Phillips has been shared by her husband Martin Frizell this week. It comes following the release of her memoir in which she opens up about her experience of living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Former GMTV host Fiona, 64, announced in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with dementia the previous year. The Mirror columnist has since worked on the newly-released book Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, with the help of Martin, 66, and journalist Alison Phillips.

Following its publication, Martin took to Instagram this afternoon to share a message from his wife, who’s said to forgotten that she was writing a book by the time they reached its final chapters. He posted footage of Fiona thanking fans for their support over the memoir’s release.

In the video, Fiona showed her gratitude while Martin and I were in a park. Hello!, she wrote in the message to fans today. I appreciate you reading my book. That was really nice of you. I’m hoping you enjoy it. Okay, bye”!

Martin, who stepped down as the editor of This Morning earlier this year, shared in the caption that they had been out for a walk. He wrote: “Out for a walk and an Almond Magnum on a hot London afternoon and some words of gratitude for all the kind folk thinking of delving into her book.”

A video message from Fiona Phillips has been shared with fans this week following the release of her memoir(Image: @martinfrizell1/Instagram)

His post received a lot of messages of support. Oh my goodness, your wife looks so lovely, someone wrote. Another person praised Fiona’s appearance as “so nice.” A third person wrote, “I love you both, and it’s great to see you.”

Someone wrote, “Thank you Martin for this Fiona video,” in the comments section. It’s so lovely to see her. Another fan shared their thoughts, saying, “So lovely to see Fiona outside in the sunshine. Martin, I’m thinking of you both. “Big hugs”

Martin’s post was followed by a different user’s comment: “Lovely little clip. I appreciate you sharing. While another person said, “Awwww, it’s lovely to see you,”

Fiona Phillips and Martin Frizell in 2016.
The video, shared by her husband Martin Frizell, was met with supportive messages on Instagram(Image: Getty Images Europe)

A host of celebrities responded to the post too. Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid: “Loads of love to you both.” This Morning’s Alice Beer said: “Congratulations to you both on getting the words on the page. I think you will really help the many many others in a similar situation.”

Following her diagnosis, Fiona stated in a statement that she wanted to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s. She added, “I hope this book can provide some insight into the challenges faced by those with Alzheimer’s.”

Continue reading the article.

How frightful and perplexing is it. However, how much joy and value can still be had by life. And I hope this book comforts you if you or someone you love is just beginning Alzheimer’s. You are not alone, I tell you.

Dementia UK offers support and guidance if you have been impacted by this tale.

Jessie J in devastating admission as she reveals recovery struggles after mastectomy

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article35582209.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_Jessie-J-shares-photo-from-hospital-bed-in-honest-update-after-surgery.jpg

Four weeks after learning about her breast cancer diagnosis, Jessie J has acknowledged her struggles.

Jessie J is recovering from her mastectomy(Image: @jessiej/Instagram)

Jessie J has candidly revealed what she is struggling with following her mastectomy operation. The singer, 37, had surgery four weeks ago after confirming she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Now, after confirming no cancer had spread, the mum-of-one has admitted to what she is finding most difficult in her recovery period. Taking to Instagram on Friday, Jessie confessed she was heartbroken at not being allowed to lift her two-year-old son, Sky.

In the depressing update, the singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, stated that her feelings were “catching up with her.” She said that her hopes for the future and having the strength to lift her son are what are keeping her through.

Jessie J
Jessie J has opened up about her recovery(Image: jessiej/instagram)

She shared a number of rehashed photos of her and her son working in a recording studio on Instagram. It will be four weeks since my breast cancer surgery on Saturday, according to the caption. I’m feeling well. Some days are more difficult than others.

“I’m moving well, but I’m still very sore, but I’m always getting more and more like myself.” It’s all catching up with me now, mentally. thus allowing for some passive observation. It’s undoubtedly a rollercoaster.

Sky has spent two weeks away from his Danish family so I can rest and get some physio. (And reorganize the entire house using my sister and my mother as my bodies), lol. My adhd and ocd are still in good health.

The singer continued, “I just want to hold him like this and spin around. I’m not allowed to pick up Sky for a few months. However, having my health and remaining here are only two more things in the long run.

“The day will come I can lift him up for a cuddle. I can’t wait for that day. That day is what gets me through these days. These days are weird. I love being your Mum Sky. I miss my boys.”

In the comments section, there was a lot of support for the sincere confession. While others claimed to be praying for the star, many of her followers reached out to her and said, “You’ve got this.”

The latest update comes a week after she announced the news that her cancer hadn’t spread by posting a picture of her son saying, “Mummy’s going to be OK.” And I’m okay, the results mean there’s no cancer spread, and I’m actually happy tears, she wrote in the post. Thank you for the joy, joy, love, well wishes, and general upbeat spirit.

“This video was made the night before my surgery.” It was called a boy. The darkness will never overcome you because you are my greatest source of light. There will still be some healing and more surgery to transform these cousins into sisters, but for the moment, I’m reviving my name to “The LopJess monster.”

Continue reading the article.

US attorney general paves way for more convicted criminals to own guns

US Attorney General Pam Bondi has started a process to make gun ownership easier for those with criminal convictions in Washington, DC.

The administration of President Donald Trump’s administration is pressing harder to fulfill campaign promises to gun rights organizations, which allege that restrictions on gun ownership violate the Second Amendment of the Constitution. In February, Trump mandated a review of the government’s gun laws.

Gun control advocates have meanwhile expressed concerns about the administration’s ability to accurately determine who convicted of crimes would not be a threat to public safety.

Regardless of whether they actually pose a threat, people with serious criminal convictions have been disenfranchised from exercising the right to keep and bear arms, which is a right that is constitutionally equivalent to the right to vote, the right to free speech, and the right to free exercise of religion.

She continued, “No longer.”

Bondi wants to reclaim the authority to choose whom to turn over weapons to her office in the plan.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is currently in charge of overseeing that exemption process. However, Congress has relied on its spending authority for decades to halt the processing of exemption requests.

The proposed change, according to the Department of Justice, “will keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals and illegal aliens while providing citizens whose firearm rights are currently under legal disability” have an option to regain those rights.

According to the department, the US attorney general would have “ultimate discretion” to grant relief.

Some people would be “presumptively ineligible” for the restoration of their gun rights, according to the statement, “absent extraordinary circumstances.” “violent felons, registered sex offenders, and illegal aliens” are some of them.

A “proposed rule” was submitted to the Federal Register on Friday, outlining the strategy. Before being adopted, it will go through a final public comment period.

US Pardon Attorney Edward Martin Jr. stated in a statement on Friday that his team was already creating a “landing page with a sophisticated, user-friendly platform for Americans petitioning for the return of their gun rights,” which will make the process simpler for them.

Brady, a gun control organization, was one of the groups that voiced opposition when details of Bondi’s plan first surfaced in March.

The group’s president, Kris Brown, stated in a statement that “if and when gun rights are restored to an individual, it needs to be through a robust and thoughtful system that minimizes the risk to public safety.”

She added that the administration’s decision to grant gun rights to those who were found guilty of a crime and later pardoned for their role in the US Capitol’s destruction on January 6, 2021 raised questions about how it would exercise its discretion.

Palestinian child shot dead in West Bank by Israeli forces amid land grabs

In the wake of more violent raids by soldiers and settlers and the Israeli government’s plan to seize more land, Israeli forces have shot and killed a Palestinian child in the occupied West Bank.

Amr Ali Qabha, 13, was shot with live ammunition in a Yabad street on Friday, according to local Palestinian sources, and ambulances were unable to arrive because of soldiers’ blocking of his path. He was denied medical care.

According to the Wafa news agency, Qabha’s father attempted to reach him but was severely beaten and detained by Israeli soldiers. The child was later declared dead at the hospital after an ambulance managed to transport him there.

Since Israel’s occupation of Gaza began on October 7, 2023, more than 1, 000 Palestinians have died in the occupied West Bank. At least 204 of those figures were children.

Last month, there were at least 129 Israeli settler attacks that left Palestinians dead or property damage, according to the UN humanitarian office (OCHA).

More than 2, 200 Israeli settler attacks were reported between the beginning of 2024 and the end of 2025, according to OCHA figures, resulting in more than 5, 200 Palestinian injuries.

Nearly 36, 000 Palestinians were forced to flee across the West Bank during that same time as Israeli military operations, settler violence, or home demolitions carried out by the Israeli government.

ongoing harassment and raids

Israeli soldiers continued their raids across the occupied territory on Friday, which included arrests, and aid settlers in their attacks on Palestinians.

Israeli forces were pelting Palestinians in the village of Raba, Jenin, as they were protesting the confiscation of their land and property.

Palestinians who protested the Israeli-occupied West Bank’s Raba, close to Jenin, on July 18, 2025, are surrounded by Israeli forces with tear gas.

Five Palestinians were taken into custody in the town of Dura, which is located south of Hebron, as a result of a raid that included the looting of several homes.

In Kafr Laqif, in the same district of Qalqiliya, six more were detained, and two more were detained in Sir, in the same district.

After being summoned by Israeli intelligence to the Gush Etzion settlement, a Palestinian man was detained in Bethlehem. One person was shot and wounded before his arrest in a raid on Nablus, which resulted in his arrest. In the refugee camp in Askar, another arrest was reported.

About 1, 000 people without water because of Israeli soldiers’ destruction of a main water pipeline in the village of Umm Safa near Ramallah.

Families living in a residential building were made to leave in Beit Hanina, East Jerusalem, to make way for the demolition of their homes. Following an order from the Israeli government, the Palestinian families were forced to demolish the buildings themselves because the municipality would fine them more if the building is destroyed.

In the village of al-Malih in the northeast of the occupied territory, armed Israeli settlers launched a violent attack earlier on Friday. According to Wafa, they vandalized tents and other property, killing at least 117 Palestinian sheep, and also snatched at least 117 sheep from the country.

Israel’s strategy for dividing the upcoming Palestinian state

Despite international criticism, Israeli authorities intend to illegally seize additional Palestinian land as well.

The United Kingdom objected to Israel’s announcement on Friday to renew plans for construction in the occupied West Bank’s E1 area, which would divide the Palestinian territory.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office said the UK is “sheeply opposed” to the announcement by Israel’s civil administration’s central planning bureau to reintroduce the E1 settlement plan, which has been stalled since 2021.

According to the statement, the plan would divide a future Palestinian state into two, and “mark a flagrant violation of international law” by constructing more than 3, 000 houses east of Jerusalem.

West Bank
Israeli settlers in the Palestinian town of Burqa, near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on July 15, 2025 [Mohammed Torokman/Reuters]

In a joint statement released on Friday, US Democratic Senators Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Van Hollen condemned Israel’s long-awaited plan to annihilate and expel Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta, in the South Hebron Hills.

Labour Party Not Aware Of Coalition, Abure Tenure Has Expired — Interim Natl Secretary

https://www.channelstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Abure_.jpg

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), according to Darlington Nwokocha, interim national secretary of the Labour Party (LP), notifying the party that it is unaware of any coalitions involving opposition figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and others. The LP has its internal structure and has not yet merged with any alliances.

Nwokocha distanced the party from the ADC-led coalition, which hopes to overthrow the All-Party (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

“Well, I don’t know about that, and I’m not sure if the rings have been opened up to me.”

Already the Labour Party has the tools for internal coalition, according to the article. When asked if the Labour Party was ready to join the coalition, Nwokocha claimed on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the party was becoming “extremely strong.”

Nwokocha noted Peter Obi’s involvement in the coalition activities does not equate to the party joining any alliance, even though the former Anambra governor is still revered as the party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer.

Peter Obi is a person, he says. We respect him because, like everyone else, he carried our flag in 2023.

We respect him in that way. Even if he makes a decision to relocate, it does not indicate that he has joined ADC or something similar. He is a mature person who should be open to discussion; it is possible to cross-pollinate ideas.

READ ALSO: Coalition: Peter Obi Will Leave Arabambi’s Labour Party

Abure’s Tenure Was Expired

Julius Abure, the party’s national leader, is captured in a photo.

Nwokocha cited a “political accident” as the cause of the formation of the interim leadership in response to the leadership crisis in the Labour Party. He affirmed that Julius Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had come to an end.

Abure was, of course, our nation’s chairman. You should forget everything when your term is up. Additionally, the interim National Working Committee steps in if a political accident turns fatal.

There is no other thing to do after the term has ended, aside from creating an interim committee. The interim national secretary stated that the party cannot operate in a vacuum.

Nwokocha responded when asked if he was concerned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still recognized Abure as chairman on its website. “Putting your picture in a location does not make you the owner of the location,” Nwokocha said.

Have they (INEC) permitted him to attend any meetings? He has never been permitted. He has tried every method, but they have never let him attend the meetings.

READ ALSO: LP’s Kennedy Ahanotu Appointment of Interim Committee, Chairman Illegal, and Unacceptable

On November 26, 2022, Alex Otti addressed the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ACCIMA).

In response to a question about Alex Otti’s role at Friday’s NEC meeting, he clarified that Otti was a legitimate NEC member in accordance with the party’s constitution.

He is a NEC member, he says. There are irregularities, and constitutions vary. The NEC is the next organ in the Labour Party constitution, followed by the NWC.

It is now the NEC, in place of the Administrative Arm of the National Working Committee. Since the National Working Committee was sacked in total, the NEC is made up of three members from the EUC, three from the NLC, and any elected governor and their deputy.

These are the National Convention’s statutory members. He said that the NEC, to which Otti belongs, is next in the hierarchy of our constitution.

Nwokocha further revealed that INEC had been properly informed of the NEC meeting and that Usman, the party’s former leader, was in an emergency and would return before the weekend was up.

He argued that the court had already decided the issue, adding that the focus should be on resolving it internally.

You can’t resolve a dispute that the Supreme Court has already resolved. The impact is different between political and legal resolution. Going to court to seek legal resolution is a requirement for legal resolution. He claimed that internal political resolution is carried out.

When asked if the Abure-led faction’s comments concerned him, he replied, “No, they are our former members. They have been suspended. We will forgive them for whatever reason, even if they come back and say “we are sorry.” Do they not belong to Nigeria?

Labour Party
Nenadi Usman/LP photo combination

Nwokocha made his remarks shortly after the Labor Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which was led by Governor Otti, appointed Senators Darlington Nwokocha as interim national secretaries and Senator Nenadi as interim national chairman.

A temporary working committee will be established to manage party affairs until a new executive is elected at a national convention.

The schedule for the congresses’ ward, local government, state, and zonal meetings, which culminated in the national convention, was also approved.

On the same show, Kennedy Ahanotu, the Labour Party’s National Youth Leader, criticized the appointments, calling them “unconstitutional” and “illegal.”

He cited the Electoral Act and the constitution of the Labour Party to insist that Abure continue to be the party’s leader.

Since the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party has been at odds with its leadership.