EastEnders Teases Anniversary Specials with Live Element and Star Returns

Baroness Casey of Blackstock, born in 1965, is a British government official who serves as lead non-executive director. She began her career with the Department of Health and Social Security, administering benefits for homeless people. In 1999, she was appointed head of the newly created RSU by Prime Minister Tony Blair, earning the nickname "homelessness czar." Casey is currently chair of the Institute of Global Homelessness. Her report on the Metropolitan Police Service found the force to be institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic.

Excavation at the former mother-and-baby institution in Tuam, County Galway, is scheduled to begin in the second half of June 2025. The Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT) will oversee the project, pending contractor appointment. The exact start date will be confirmed in mid-May. The exhumation aims to recover remains believed to be buried on the site, where 796 babies died between 1925 and 1961. The Institutional Burials Act of 2022 legalizes these excavations.

Liam Delap is a footballer who joined Ipswich Town in a deal worth £15 million with potential add-ons of £5 million and a 20% sell-on clause. He is the son of former professional footballer Rory Delap and brother to Finn Delap, who plays for Burton Albion. Delap has been loaned out to Stoke City and Preston North End. In July 2023, he joined Hull City on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for Hull City in a match against Fulham on August 31st, 2023. He was part of the England U19 squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

A man has been arrested following a hit-and-run crash on the M11 in which a 63-year-old motorcyclist died. The suspect, from Harlow, Essex, was taken into custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and driving unfit through drink or drugs. A separate incident on the southbound carriageway between junctions eight and seven A involved a car and two lorries resulted in the death of a 46-year-old man. Essex Police are asking for anyone with information or dashcam footage from either incident to come forward.

Aarons started his career at Luton Town before joining Norwich City's academy in 2016. He made his league debut in a draw against Ipswich Town in 2018. In January 2022, he reached his 150th appearance for Norwich City in the Premier League. Aarons earned a call-up to the England under-19 team in 2018 after establishing himself in Norwich's first team. He is of Jamaican descent and is the cousin of footballer Rolando Aarons. Aarons has transferred to Bournemouth for a fee that could reach £12 million with add-ons.

Hugo Lloris started as Nice's permanent goalkeeper after Gregorini left. He played in almost all league matches, achieving 13 clean sheets despite the team finishing 16th. In the 2007-08 season, a recurring knee injury sidelined him for three weeks. A difficult season culminated with a draw against his former club Nice. Lloris and the French national team qualified for the 2018 World Cup after victories over Bulgaria and Belarus. Hugo Lloris has signed with LAFC through 2024 with options until 2026.

James Norton is an English actor born on July 18, 1985, in Lambeth, London. He gained recognition for his role as Duncan Grant in the BBC Two mini-series "Life in Squares" (2015) about the Bloomsbury Group. His film credits include a classmate role in "An Education" (2009). He has also done voice work for video games like "Dragon Age: Inquisition" (2014).

Giroud began his career scoring goals in consecutive matches against Vannes and Créteil. He later netted his first goal for the club against Lens. In the 2009-10 season, Giroud became the lead striker after N'Diaye's departure. He scored crucial goals against Marseille and Lyon during the season. Giroud scored a goal for Arsenal in a dramatic comeback against Liverpool.

Ryan Hardie is a Scottish football player who plays as a forward for Wrexham A.F.C. He previously played for Rangers, scoring his 100th career goal against West Bromwich Albion in 2025. Hardie has experience as a strength and conditioning coach at various institutions, including Walsh University, Malone University, Ohio State, and Georgia. He holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Roksana Lecka, a 22-year-old nursery worker from Hounslow, has been convicted of abusing 21 babies in her care. CCTV footage captured Lecka kicking a baby boy in the face and stepping on his shoulder. She also pushed babies headfirst over cots and covered a toddler's mouth when he cried. These incidents occurred at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham between January and June 2024. Parents reported unusual injuries and bruising on their children, prompting an investigation. Senior crown prosecutor Gemma Burns described Lecka's actions as "exceptional cruelty." The case has raised concerns about nursery safety and the need for stricter oversight.

Mathew John Baynton (born November 18, 1980) is an English actor, comedian, musician, and writer. He rose to prominence for his work on the children's television series "Horrible Histories," where he acted, sang, and occasionally wrote. He was also a vocalist and guitarist in the band Special Benny.

Questions are being raised about the conduct of an Army helicopter pilot whose Black Hawk collided with a passenger jet over Washington, D.C., in January, killing 67 people. The helicopter pilot, Army Capt. [Name withheld], was flying alongside Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves and Staff Sgt. [Name withheld]. They were on a route described by a current Black Hawk pilot as "a recipe for disaster.” Fifteen seconds before the crash, flight instructor and co-pilot Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves asked the pilot if they had the passenger jet in sight. One second later, the airliner crew received a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) alert, but it's unclear if the helicopter crew heard it. Investigators believe the helicopter crew was wearing night-vision goggles that limited their peripheral vision. The incident is under investigation, with some pointing to the "obsolete" air traffic control system and federal diversity and inclusion efforts as contributing factors.

English actress Michelle Claire Ryan (born April 22, 1984) is best known for her role as Zoe Slater in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She has appeared in the series from 2000 to 2005 and returned in 2025. After leaving EastEnders, she acted in a run of "Who's the Daddy?" Ryan also participated in a Mr. Bean sketch for Comic Relief in 2007.

A Berkshire-based travel company, Great Little Escapes, has ceased trading as an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) holder, potentially affecting thousands of holidaymakers. The company specialized in various travel packages, including adventure, spa, beach, and city breaks, catering to both adults and families. Affected holidaymakers may be eligible for compensation through the ATOL scheme, which provides financial protection for customers booking package holidays with flights when companies fail. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently gathering information to determine the extent of the impact and facilitate compensation claims.

There are strong online theories that the new band President is a spinoff of the popular rock group Sleep Token. This speculation stems from various factors, including their debut on social media in February and similarities in musical style. While nothing has been confirmed, some evidence suggests potential links to other rock bands as well. For instance, both Sleep Token and President previously followed Slipknot on Facebook.

A wide variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are used for aerial firefighting. While bombers were once common, newer purpose-built tankers have become more prevalent. Very Large Airtankers (VLATs) can deliver thousands of gallons of fire retardant at once. Due to their size, they are less maneuverable than smaller airtankers and drop retardant at least 250 feet above vegetation. The DC-10, a type of VLAT, can carry up to 9,400 gallons of retardant and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Ascot Racecourse is a dual-purpose British racecourse located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, about 25 miles west of London. It attracts approximately 600,000 visitors annually, representing 10% of all UK racegoers. Royal Ascot originated from a four-day race meeting held at Ascot in 1768, but gained its current form with the introduction of The Gold Cup in 1807. The racecourse also houses Royal Ascot Cricket Club, established in 1883.

Lauren is determined, while Peter uncovers something concerning. EastEnders will celebrate its 40th anniversary in February 2025 with special episodes airing simultaneously on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7:30pm. The show plans to include a live element for the anniversary. Ross Kemp will also read a CBeebies Bedtime Story from the famous EastEnders 'caff'. Anita Dobson returns to her iconic role as Angie Watts after 37 years. Kat and Alfie face a significant choice.