By 11:00 today (21 November), the Babcock International Group (LSE:BAB) share price was down 1% following publication of the group’s results for the six months ended 30 September (H1 26).
Let’s take a quick look at some of the numbers from the international defence company.
What did the results reveal?
In brief, it’s more of the same with most financial measures going in the right direction.
Compared to H1 25, revenue was up 5.4%. And operating profit improved by 27.5%. The underlying operating margin rose by 0.9 percentage points to 7.9%. Earnings per share were 21.3% higher.
Over the same period, its contract backlog increased by £400m.
The company say it’s on course to deliver full-year earnings in line with the consensus of analysts. This implies that the stock’s currently trading on 20 times forecast earnings. Although this is above the FTSE 100 average, it’s less than BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Holdings, two other companies operating in the sector.
Overall, it seems like another impressive set of numbers to me. And yet the share price is down slightly. Some of this could be explained by it not being a particularly good day for the market in general.
Some concerns
Or — despite this apparently positive picture — some investors might be reflecting on the risks associated with taking a position.
Principally, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone is comfortable investing in the sector. This means there’s a smaller pool of investors available to potentially drive the group’s share price higher.
Also, even after today’s 25% increase in its interim dividend, based on amounts declared over the past 12 months, its yield is one of the lowest on the FTSE 100.
But the company’s operating in an industry that’s clearly growing. In 2024, global military spending was $2.7trn. For context, that’s bigger than all but seven of the world’s economies. NATO members are committed to spending 3.5% of GDP on core defence by 2035.
No regrets
I already own shares of Babcock. And I don’t see anything in today’s results to make me question my decision to buy them. On this basis, others may want to consider adding the stock to their own portfolios.
Finally, it’s great to see a British company do so well. Since November 2020, its share price has risen 246%. This shows there are some UK stocks that can outperform a number of the more famous ones on the other side of the Atlantic. For example, over the same period, Apple and Microsoft have seen their share prices increase by ‘only’ 127% and 126%, respectively.
Ella Langley, the country music rising star, not just marked a significant turning point in her career at the BMI Awards but also went over the top by posting a stunning photo of her at the event, which immediately attracted her followers’ attention. The new coming artist’s attractiveness was highlighted by her striking red dress which resulted in a flood of compliments and happy surprises for her music journey from a dedicated crowd.
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Ella Langley just had a good time and even conveyed her post with a heart emoji and the tag of the BMI awards. The image showed the singer in a powerful position, and her blazing red dress made the entire event background look gorgeous. It was certainly a time when professional achievement and personal style merged and her family was very quick to observe both.
The response was nothing less than magnificent, as a person influenced the tone of the remarks by expressing his total conviction in the artists’ future. ‘More awards are going to you,’ the user wrote while adding a piece of honest advice that turned out to be a general agreement, ‘please do not change your music, it is the best.’ The bond the audience feels with her authentic creativity, a very appealing quality in country music, is what this sentiment elicits.
Another supporter detached the entire thing from the music world and focused on the beauty aspect, thus making the dramatic proclamation: ‘Red was MADE FOR YOU’ followed by fire emojis, a very straightforward yet very powerful statement on her fashion choice. The outstanding hue indisputably made its presence felt and became the center of discussions in the reviews. Even the venue got a slice of the spotlight with one notably attentive person claiming, ‘The red pool table was a lead support role,’ a witty remark that recognized how the entire mood worked in perfect harmony to create an unforgettable picture.
The vibe of togetherness around Ella Langley was very strong. Another singer Gabriella Rose congratulated her with a thankful text ‘So beautiful!!!! thank you so much for inviting me ilysm’ that points to the existence of a supportive network among the performers of the same genre. The official BMI account also joined in the festivity saying ‘stunning – congrats Ella!’ with a trophy emoji and thus officially recognizing the moment as a victory awarded.
In the midst of all the fire emojis and cannot stop talking about how beautiful she was, one topic that kept on coming up was the expectation of her live shows. ‘Love your music girl when you coming to ALABAMA,’ one of the followers even asked, thus implying that there is a very eager audience already waiting to see her performing not only in her home turf but also in other places. This combination of amazement at her current success and eagerness for the future is the vibe surrounding the singer. Fans are also eager to see her take a wild ride at future festival appearances.
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Ella Langley’s presence at the BMI Awards was a big step forward in her career, even though she was already under the spotlight. The awards are granted to the leading songwriters and publishers only, which means that Ella’s production is receiving an acknowledgment and is being respected across the music industry. The captivating photo she shared not only acknowledged this professional recognition but also provided her fans with an opportunity to be part of the celebration thus reinforcing the bond between the artist and her audience. Her recent stunning new collection has further excited her supporters. This is a moment when talent, acknowledgment, and fan support all combine to strengthen a country artist’s bright and continuous path ahead.
Michelle Obama recently set the internet abuzz with a candid comment about her marriage to former U.S. President Barack Obama. While speaking about wearing heels and reflecting on their relationship, she offered a rare glimpse into their dynamic. Her remarks have since sparked widespread discussion across social media.
Michelle Obama talks about Barack Obama and her height
Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, has opened up about their marriage, sharing new insight into their dynamic. During the November 19 episode of her podcast IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, the former First Lady joined Jane Fonda, Bethann Hardison and Jenna Lyons for a discussion aging, self-acceptance and love.
During the discussion, Michelle spoke candidly about embracing her 5-foot-11 height and her comfort wearing heels. She shared that she appreciates the way heels enhance her posture and appearance. “I love my height. I love a four-inch heel as long as I’m just walking from here to there! I love the silhouette of a heel — the way it makes your foot look,” she said. However, she prefers smaller heels when comfort is a priority. The author added, “Now, I feel like I completely own all of me — my height, all of it.”
Michelle also addressed how her height plays into her marriage. She noted that Barack Obama, who is 6-foot-1, has never shown discomfort about her wearing heels. “Fortunately, I have a tall husband. But I also have a husband who doesn’t mind when I’m eye-to-eye with him because I’ve got a heel on.
According to Michelle, Barack Obama responds positively when she stands beside him at full height. The former First Lady explained, “He’s like, ‘Okay, we’re going to be tall tonight.’ I’m like, ‘Yes, we are.’ And it helps, right, because my partner loves every inch of me. So that helps.”
Michelle and Barack Obama have been married since 1992 and share two daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on Mandatory.
Inside a dim New Orleans-style bar in Hollywood, dozens of strangers mingle under the thump of pop music while nursing complimentary cocktails. Each person is sporting a name tag along with a personality sticker, or a few, that best captures their vibe. Neat freak. Plant parent. Night owl. Craft beer aficionado.
The scene reads like a friendly singles mixer, but listen to their conversations and it’s clear the chemistry they are hoping for isn’t romantic. They are here to find the perfect roommate.
Participants mingle around the bar area during SpareRoom’s “speed roommating” event at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood.
(Kendra Frankle / For The Times)
Hosted by rental platform SpareRoom, the monthly “speed roommating” event connects people who are renting rooms with those who are looking for one in a low-key, in-person setting — no endless online profiles to fill out, no awkward interviews. Loosely based on speed dating, sans the timed interactions, attendees put on name tags indicating either “I need a room” or “I need a roommate” along with their ideal budget and neighborhoods. Then they wander freely. One woman passed out flyers for a furnished studio in downtown L.A. with air conditioning, a Murphy bed, an in-unit washer and dryer and streaming TV. Another woman showed people her rental on an iPad.
Pris Liora, 40, who was looking for someone to rent the extra room in her Koreatown apartment, didn’t prepare any questions for potential housemates, saying she just wanted to do a vibe check. Her only deal breakers? “No pets, no children, no cigarette smoking and no secret cocaine problem,” she says with a laugh.
With the average rent for a studio starting about $1,688 per month, $2,166 for a one-bedroom apartment and roughly $2,983 for a two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, according to Apartments.com, more people are embracing shared living arrangements. Rupert Hunt, founder and CEO of SpareRoom, says they’re doing so not only to cut expenses, but also to foster community. The company’s mixers can help spark those connections, he believes — they’ve been hosting speed roommating events in L.A. since June, following successful events in London, San Francisco and New York.
“There’s something so immediate about the event,” says Rupert Hunt, founder and CEO of SpareRoom.
(Kendra Frankle / For The Times)
“There’s something so immediate about the event,” Hunt says. “You meet 10 people in the time it would take you to meet one the traditional way.”
Hunt has even found a housemate for himself at one of the mixers. “I love sharing,” says Hunt, who notoriously rented out two rooms in his New York City apartment for just $1. “I think I’m a better version of myself. I think I get a bit lazy if I’m living on my own.”
At the event, Aeris DeLeon, who was wearing a sticker with the phrase “foodie,” says her mother was the person who told her about the speed roommating event. The 25-year-old was temporarily living in Bakersfield but recently moved back home to L.A.
“It was just dead over there and I was just home sick, and it wasn’t really working out for me,” she says.
Upon arrival, attendees can pick out personality stickers with phrases like coffee addict, plant lover and early bird.(Kendra Frankle / For The Times)
She decided to attend the event because it’s more “personable than just going on Craigslist or Facebook, and it’s the best [way] to weed out scammers,” she says. Her mission was to find an apartment that cost $1,300 a month max with someone preferably close in age.
James Caton, 68, was just getting started in his search for a room. After learning that his apartment building — where he’s lived for nearly a decade — might be sold, he jumped into action.
“To me, as soon as you find out, it’s better to go ahead and start looking for something,” says Caton, who attended the mixer with his childhood friend who was looking to rent a room.
SpareRoom’s speed roommating events are free with an RSVP, and each person receives two complimentary drinks along with a one month trial of SpareRoom premium.
Speed roommating is free to attend and comes with complimentary drinks.
(Kendra Frankle / For The Times)
Even if attendees didn’t find a roommate at the event, several of them continued their conversations late into the evening. Some even stayed for karaoke at the bar. It seemed that in a world where talking about finances can be seen as taboo, having a space to openly discuss rent prices, how to deal with nightmare landlords and housemates and other grievances was its own win, a moment when they could feel a bit less alone.
In the architectural age of minimalism and millennial gray, a wild and whimsical antidote made of old clinker bricks and jumbled shingles sits on a quiet street at the edge of L.A. and Culver City.
Formally, the spellbinding property is named the Lawrence and Martha Joseph Residence and Apartments, named after the Disney artist and his wife who obsessively spent three decades building it. But locals call them the Hobbit Houses — fitting, since they look straight out of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel.
The complex looks comically out of place amid Culver City’s commercial corridor along Venice Boulevard. It’s surrounded by modern apartment buildings, boxy and inoffensive, built to blend in with today’s taste.
A bathroom in one of the Hobbit houses in Culver City adorned in glass tiles and ornate fixtures.
Amid that urban blur, the Hobbit Houses beg for your attention.
An electric lamppost flickers, mimicking fire. The tree in the front yard features a face, with eyes and a nose. The homes are filled with quirky leaded glass windows, uneven angles and heaps of wood shingles, resembling a thatched straw roof.
This year, the property hit the market for the first time. Offers poured in, and it sold to perhaps the most fitting possible buyer outside Bilbo Baggins himself: real estate agent Michael Libow.
At $1.88 million, Libow didn’t have the highest bid. His main qualification was that he owns and lives in one of the finest examples of Storyboook style in the region: the Witch’s House, a medieval-looking masterpiece that is more befitting a “Hansel and Gretel” adaptation than the streets of Beverly Hills.
The broker, seeing his connection to the style, promoted Libow to the seller, an out-of-state bank trust. The Hobbit Houses were his.
Michael Libow peers through a heavy wooden door of a Hobbit house that he purchased in early 2025.
“It’s like a companion piece to my own home,” Libow said. “It’s a little oasis in a city that’s been overdeveloped.”
Now that he owns both, Libow has declared himself, tongue-in-cheek, the “King of Storybook,” and said he intends to protect the property and be a spokesperson for the style.
“This is my legacy: bringing a little bit of joy to as many people as I can,” he said. “It’s about preservation, but it’s also about bringing a sense of awe and wonder to the world.”
The Hobbit Houses are one of Southern California’s finest examples of Storybook architecture, a fantasy style that fittingly emerged in L.A. in the 1920s around the start of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Inspired by cinema setpieces and centuries-old European cottages, architects designed playful homes with turrets and gables on the outside and nooks and crannies on the inside. When done well, the finished product looks lifted from a fairy tale.
A cat digs around on the roof of a Hobbit house in Culver City.
Disney artist Lawrence Joseph built the Hobbit Houses from 1946 to 1970. Over the years, the property developed a lore all its own. He rented out spare units to Hollywood tenants such as actor Nick Nolte and dancer Gwen Verdon, and the place also housed one of the men who kidnapped Frank Sinatra’s son (authorities found most of the ransom money Sinatra paid, $240,000, in one of the units).
Lawrence died in 1991, and his wife, Martha, got to work protecting the property. She obtained landmark status in 1996 and donated an easement to the Los Angeles Conservancy, ensuring that it can’t be remodeled or torn down.
The property, which includes nine units across four buildings, needed some work when he bought it, so Libow and his property manager, Ben Stine, have spent the last few months playing a developer’s version of “Minesweeper,” trying to make small improvements for the tenants — electric work, a tankless water heater — without disrupting anything protected by the L.A. Conservancy easement.
The Hobbit Houses came with a 15-page report detailing all the things protected on the property: not just the buildings themselves, but also the facade, landscape features and the interiors, including the custom furniture that Lawrence carved himself. Even the wallpaper can’t be touched.
“Protections within a structure are very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Libow said.
Detail of the flooring inside a Hobbit house in Culver City.
That means for renters, much of the furniture is included with the rent. The latest vacant unit — a two-bed, one-bath with a den — includes bar stools and a rocking chair that Lawrence carved.
The house is wrapped in clinker brick, a term for when clay bricks are set too close to the flames when being fired in a kiln, giving them distorted shapes and colors. Such bricks were sometimes trashed in older architectural eras, but these days, they’re prized for the unique look they bring to buildings, and perfectly natural for Middle Earth architecture in Culver City.
Inside, Lawrence’s sailing background shines through with nautical-themed interiors. A ship’s wheel serves as the chandelier, hanging above vertical-grain boat-plank floors that lead to a galley-style kitchen with a curvy bar.
“The idea behind Storybook is to have something fanciful and whimsical, which involves movement rather than rectilinear rooms,” Libow said. “There’s barely a right angle on the entire property. Everything’s amorphous in shape.”
Detail inside a Hobbit house in Culver City.
There are no knobs to be found; doors open with hidden latches and levers. A built-in fold-down desk pops out in the living room. In the master bedroom, a “cat door” slides open to provide easy access for felines that hang around the property.
The nine units range from 200 square feet to 1,200 square feet. The vacant unit, which spans around 1,000 square feet, hit the market a few months ago for $4,500 per month.
It’s a high price for the neighborhood — most two-bedroom apartments nearby fall in the $3,000 range — but interested renters still swarmed.
“These aren’t your typical tenants that need four walls and a sink. We get a lot of people in the creative industry,” Libow said. “You’re renting a lifestyle here.”
Libow said like his own home, which serves as a regular stop for Hollywood tour buses, the Hobbit Houses are a regular resting point for people walking through the neighborhood.
“Construction workers will walk by on their lunch to look at the turtles in the pond. It’s a break from reality, even if just for a minute,” he said.
Michael Libow outside one of his Hobbit houses in Culver City.
Libow and his property manager spend a lot of time on the grounds, looking for projects or small improvements they’re allowed to make under the conservancy. But for Libow, who bought it as a collector’s item as much as an investment, it’s a labor of love.
“It’s not the most functional style of architecture, but it is the coolest,” he said. “It’s weird, but I’m weird myself. I connect with weird.”
Fatima Bosch Fernandez, of Mexico, has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, rounding off a dramatic and controversy-ridden competition in Bangkok.
The 25-year-old had walked out of an event earlier in November after a Thai organiser publicly scolded her in front of dozens of contestants and warned that anyone who stood by her could be disqualified.
A week later, the turmoil deepened when two judges resigned, with one alleging that the organisers had fixed the outcome of the competition.
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Miss Universe director won’t quit after mass walk out
Reporters at the event claimed that one of the pageant’s organisers had called Ms Bosch a “dumbhead”.
She responded by saying: “You are not respecting me as a woman.”
At the livestreamed ceremony for nearly all 130 contestants on November 4, national director Nawat Itsaragrisil had scolded Ms Bosch for supposedly failing to follow his instructions regarding local promotional events.
When she tried to defend herself, Nawat called for security, and Bosch walked out of the room. Other contestants joined her in a show of solidarity, including the reigning Miss Universe.
Image: Pic: AP
Even Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, weighed in, saying at a news conference that she wanted to give “recognition” to Miss Mexico for voicing her disagreement in a “dignified” way.
“It seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices,” Sheinbaum said, adding that she has been told in the past that “women look more beautiful when they keep quiet”.
“We women look more beautiful when we raise our voice and participate, because that has to do with the recognition of our rights,” she said.
Nawat later apologised, appearing both tearful and defiant.
“If anyone was affected or felt uncomfortable by what happened, I am so sorry,” he said in front of the contestants. He then turned to them and said, “It’s passed. OK? Are you happy?”
The first runner-up was 29-year-old Praveenar Singh of Thailand, while 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser of Venezuela took third place.
Completing the top finishers were Ahtisa Manalo, 28, of the Philippines, and 27-year-old Olivia Yace, of Ivory Coast, who secured fifth place.
The pageant has a history of mishaps and controversies – the 2021 edition faced backlash for being hosted in Israel, upsetting supporters of the Palestinian cause.
On Wednesday, Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, slipped and fell off the stage during the evening gown segment, escaping serious injury.
Many people who take GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss experience unpleasant side effects. Brain scientists are trying to find ways to avoid them.
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Millions of Americans have shed pounds with help from drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound.
But people who take these drugs often experience unpleasant side effects.
“They lose weight, which is a positive thing,” says Warren Yacawych of the University of Michigan, “but they experience such severe nausea and vomiting that patients stop treatment.”
So at this year’s Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego, Yacawych and other researchers held a session to describe their efforts to understand and solve the side-effect problem.
The weight-loss products are called GLP-1 agonists. They work by mimicking a hormone that reduces appetite and slows digestion.
Yacawych and his colleagues wanted to know if they could tweak these drugs to suppress appetite without making people queasy.
The team focused on two areas in the brain stem where GLP-1 drugs have a big effect.
“The first is affectionately known as the brain stem’s vomit center,” Yacawych says. “It’s naturally designed to detect any accidentally ingested toxin and coordinate the feeling of nausea and the vomit response.”
The second area monitors food intake and tells people when they’re full.
The team found a way to direct GLP-1 to the area involved in feeling full, while keeping the drug out of the vomit center.
When the researchers did this, the mice no longer felt sick. But they also didn’t get thin — probably because there are specific cells in the vomit center that do not induce vomiting but are critical to weight loss.
“So it’s very challenging,” Yacawych says, “to be able to separate these side effects, like nausea, from GLP-1’s intended effects, like weight loss.”
A possible workaround came from a team led by Ernie Blevins of the University of Washington. They gave obese rats a low dose of a GLP-1 drug along with the hormone oxytocin, which is itself an appetite suppressant. That allowed the rats to lose weight without feeling sick.
Not just nausea
Another side effect of GLP-1 drugs is a decrease in thirst, which could be dangerous for people who are already losing lots of fluids from side effects like vomiting and diarrhea.
“If you’re in that state of dehydration and you’re not feeling thirsty to replace those fluids, that would be a problem,” says Derek Daniels of the University at Buffalo.
To understand how GLP-1 drugs reduce thirst, Daniels and a team began studying the brains of rats. And they got lucky.
“We had a happy accident in the lab,” Daniels says. “And the happy accident involved a rat called the Brattleboro rat.”
Brattleboro rats are laboratory rodents with a genetic mutation that makes them thirsty nearly all the time. But the scientists discovered that these rats are also very sensitive to GLP-1 drugs, which drastically reduced their water consumption.
The team studied the rats’ brains to see where GLP-1 was influencing thirst. That led them to several areas of the brain that appear to affect thirst but not appetite.
The discovery could help scientists preserve thirst by designing drugs that “target good places but not bad places,” Daniels says.
Appetite and addiction
A team from the University of Virginia found that GLP-1 drugs are already targeting a brain area that plays a role in addiction as well as eating. It’s a region involved in emotion and the reward system.
When the researchers delivered GLP-1 to this brain area in mice, it reduced their desire for “rewarding food, like a burger,” says Ali D. Güler of the University of Virginia.
But the animals continued to eat healthy, nonrewarding foods, he says — a bit like people choosing a salad bar over dessert.
Identifying this brain area should help scientists find GLP-1 drugs that target the reward system while avoiding areas involved in appetite, Güler says. And that could lead to new treatments for alcoholism and other substance use disorders.
The finding also could explain the observation that people who take GLP-1 agonists tend to reduce their consumption of alcohol.
A Stocks and Shares ISA is a terrific way to build a pot of wealth to generate a long-term passive income for retirement. The ISA wrapper shields all capital gains and dividend income from tax, which means every pound is free to grow without HMRC taking a slice.
Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.
Creating a second income of £2,000 a month, or £24,000 a year, is more than doable but takes time. Using the 4% ‘safe withdrawal rate’ as a guide, the ISA pot needs to be around £600,000. If an investors built a portfolio generating income of 6% a year from dividends, they could cut that to £400,000. I think it’s always good to aim high though.
That’s a huge number, but spreading contributions across a working life can make it achievable. If someone puts away £500 a month (£6,000 a year) and the ISA grows at an average 7% a year, they’d hit the higher £600k target in roughly 30 years. They say assumes they reinvest all their dividends today, to buy even more shares.
FTSE 100 dividend stocks
My own ISA leans heavily towards solid dividend payers on the FTSE 100, including Phoenix Group Holdings (LSE: PHNX). It has one of the highest trailing yields on the blue-chip index, at 8.2%. That’s roughly double what I could get from cash, with potential share price growth on top. Obviously, there are more risks. Dividends are never guaranteed, as companies need to generate enough cash to fund them.
Phoenix generated operating cash of £1.4bn in 2024, up 22% on the previous year. In June, it reported a £3.6bn Solvency II surplus and a 175% capital ratio in June, which helps to underpin the dividend. A very high yield always carries some risk, yet Phoenix has raised its shareholder payout for nine consecutive years. The average uplift was 3.02% a year over the last decade. That didn’t always keep pace with inflation, but it was at least consistent.
I’d expect dividend growth to slow to around 2% a year from this point, which still looks fair if inflation drops back.
Share valuation shifts
The shares have slipped 3.3% over the past week after the latest FTSE 100 wobble. That feels modest given the worries swirling around markets today. Over 12 months, the stock is still up roughly 32%. With dividends reinvested, the total return climbs past 40%.
That’s pretty nifty for a company many view as a steady blue-chip rather than a rapid grower. If interest rates continue to fall, reducing yields on cash and bonds, the Phoenix yield will look even more attractive, which could draw in more investors.
There are risks. Phoenix manages almost £300bn in assets to meet long-term liabilities, and a stock market correction would hurt. I’m not expecting the share price to keep climbing at recent speeds, which is why investors who consider buying should only do so with a long-term mindset. That also gives those dividends time to compound and grow.
Diversification matters. Different sectors move at different times, and a broad Stocks and Shares Isa portfolio smooths out the journey. With patience, a clear plan and an emphasis on long-term growth, that £2,000 monthly goal gets a lot closer. There’s no time to lose and with the FTSE 100 falling, shares are getting cheaper.
As winter looms and Britons head to office Christmas parties and family festivities, our bodies – as well as our wallets -can feel the strain. But one organ – nicknamed the ‘lion of the digestive system’ for its powerful role in breaking down food releasing potent enzymes to break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
The pancreas is essential for staying alive and healthy and sits behind the stomach withs two main jobs – producing those digestive enzymes but also hormones like insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar. Everyday habits such as heavy drinking and unhealthy eating can gradually damage the pancreas. Once injured, the consequences can be serious and include inflammation, diabetes and, in some cases, cancer.
Now Dipa Kamdar, senior lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at London’s Kingston University has revealed in The Conversation the five common lifestyle factors can put the pancreas under strain.
1. Alcohol:
“Regular heavy drinking is one of the leading causes of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis causes severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and often needs hospital care. Repeated episodes can develop into chronic pancreatitis, where long-lasting inflammation and scarring permanently reduce pancreatic function.
“This can lead to malabsorption of fats, vitamins and other nutrients, diabetes and a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers have several theories about how this damage occurs.
“Alcohol can cause digestive enzymes such as trypsin, which normally work in the small intestine, to activate inside the pancreas before they reach the gut. Instead of digesting food, they digest pancreatic tissue and trigger severe inflammation.
“Alcohol also makes pancreatic juices thicker and stickier. These thicker fluids can form protein plugs that harden into stones and block tiny ducts. Over time this causes irritation, scarring and the loss of pancreatic cells. When the pancreas breaks down alcohol it produces a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde that irritates and damages cells and triggers inflammation.
“Alcohol also encourages the release of chemical messengers that switch on inflammation and keep it active. This makes tissue damage more likely.
“Guidelines recommend drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. It is safest to spread this across several days and to avoid binge drinking.”
2. Smoking:
“Smoking increases the risk of both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis develops suddenly with severe pain and sickness. Chronic pancreatitis develops over many years and repeated inflammation causes permanent damage. Several studies show that the more someone smokes, the higher the risk. Another study found that quitting significantly reduces risk, and after about 15 years the risk can fall close to that of a non-smoker.
“Smoking is also strongly linked to pancreatic cancer. Scientists do not yet fully understand every mechanism, but laboratory studies show that nicotine can trigger sudden increases in calcium inside pancreatic cells. Too much calcium harms cells and worsens inflammation. Tobacco smoke also contains carcinogens that damage DNA.
“One of the earliest genetic changes in pancreatic cancer involves a gene called Kras, which acts like a switch that controls how cells grow. In more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancers this gene is mutated, which locks the growth switch in the on position and encourages uncontrolled cell growth.”
3. Diet:
“Diet affects the pancreas in several ways. Eating a lot of saturated fat, processed meat or refined carbohydrates raises the risk of pancreatic problems.
“One major cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones. Gallstones can block the bile duct and trap digestive enzymes inside the pancreas. When enzymes build up they begin to damage the organ. Diet contributes to gallstone formation because high cholesterol levels make bile more likely to form stones.
“Another type of fat in the blood is triglycerides. When triglycerides rise to very high levels, large fat particles known as chylomicrons can clog tiny blood vessels in the pancreas. This reduces oxygen supply and triggers the release of harmful fatty acids that irritate pancreatic tissue.
“Frequent spikes in blood sugar from high sugar foods also strain the pancreas. Constant surges in insulin over time reduce insulin sensitivity and may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.”
4. Obesity:
“Obesity increases the risk of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Fat can accumulate in and around the pancreas, a condition called pancreatic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty pancreatic disease. This build up can replace healthy cells and weaken the organ.
“Excess body fat also increases levels of pro-inflammatory molecules such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, creating long-lasting inflammation that supports tumour growth. Obesity disrupts insulin sensitivity and hormone signals from fat tissue. Gallstones are more common in people who are obese and can increase the risk of pancreatitis.”
5. Physical inactivity:
“A sedentary lifestyle worsens insulin resistance and forces the pancreas to produce more insulin. Without activity to help muscles absorb glucose, the pancreas remains under constant strain. This metabolic stress increases susceptibility to diabetes and pancreatic cancer.
“Physical activity may lower pancreatic cancer risk both directly and indirectly. It supports immune function, improves cell health, reduces obesity and lowers type 2 diabetes risk. Regular movement strengthens antioxidant defences and increases the activity of disease fighting immune cells.
“Pancreatic cancer may lead to diabetes, as a damaged pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. Diabetes can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
“Adults are encouraged to include strength training at least twice a week and to aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
“Because pancreatic conditions can be life threatening, recognising early symptoms is important. Seek medical advice if you have persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting that do not settle, jaundice, greasy or foul smelling stools or chronic fatigue.
“Many risks are modifiable. Limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains and being physically active all reduce the likelihood of pancreatic disease. Even small changes such as choosing plant-based protein or cutting back on sugary drinks help lighten the load on this vital organ.
“By understanding how the pancreas becomes damaged and by noticing symptoms early, you can take simple steps to protect it. Look after your pancreas and it will look after you.”
Thursday’s episode of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” put Mandy’s brother front and center as Connor — long stuck in a state of arrested development — hit an emotional low point.
In the wake of last week’s pregnancy scare, which sent “Goddess of the Music Store” Chloe running for the hills, Episode 6 found him grappling with post-breakup blues, the reality of being 27, jobless and still living at home, and the creeping fear that his musical ambitions may never amount to anything.
Georgie, Mandy, Jim and Audrey all rallied around him — Georgie kept him company when he couldn’t sleep, Mandy offered to help with his résumé, and the whole family tried to lift his spirts with beer pong and pizza. And it was in that post-party haze that Connor vowed to pour everything into his music. He wrote and recorded a new song (“Do the Axolotl”) and sent a tape to Dr. Demento — aka Barret Eugene Hansen, the American radio legend who championed novelty songs, and only recently retired in October 2025 — who, in the episode’s closing moments, is seen listening to the track.
Though previous episodes have shone a spotlight on Dougie Baldwin’s character — first in Season 1’s “An Old Mustang,” which explored Jim’s strained relationship with his son, and later in “Goddess of the Music Store,” which introduced Chloe — Season 2, Episode 6 offers even greater insight into Connor’s neuroses and his growing awareness of what’s holding him back. That made this week as good a time as any to hop on the phone with Baldwin and pick his brain about the evolution of his eccentric alter ego.
CONNOR’S HEADSPACE
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TVLINE | Connor hits a real low point here. He’s not only sad, but ashamed and directionless. Prior to being dumped by Chloe, how aware do you think he really was that he was languishing in life? It makes me think about the road trip episode from Season 1 where Connor says, “Everything I do just disappoints my dad. Everything I do upsets him.” I don’t think Connor was that aware of how he was flailing in life, but I think he was aware of the backlash he can get from his dad, and that never felt good — or the overprotectiveness from his mom, and that doesn’t feel good. So I don’t think he was consciously aware, but I think there were moments of feeling a bit at sea or confused by his parents’ reactions to him. That would bother him. But I think now, in this episode, maybe he’s seeing that he needs to buckle down a bit.
TVLINE | His heartbreak over Chloe morphs into something much bigger — a full-blown identity crisis. Do you think this is the first time he’s found himself as worried about his future as Jim and Audrey have been in previous episodes? When you say that, the actor in me goes back and thinks about his childhood. I’m sure, given who Connor is, that there have been many moments in his life where he has sat by himself, not quite sure what to do, or where he fits in. There have been many moments we don’t see where he’s maybe panicking a little.
TVLINE | Connor internalizes Chloe leaving as a judgment on who he is and what he’s capable of. How much self-blame do you think he’s carrying after that breakup? I think there’s a lot [of self-blame]. The week we filmed that episode, there was a conversation I had with one of the producers about the anger he’s feeling — the anger around, “Why would she do this? I don’t understand.” There’s a frustration at feeling confused and not knowing what happened. At the heart of that is someone who’s heartbroken and does blame himself, and has been made to feel small. Especially in last week’s episode, when Connor’s mom comes into his room and invades his privacy — that makes Connor feel small. That makes him feel like he has to be looked after, like his mommy has to come help him. Behind the anger is: “Oh, I’m not worthy. I’m not good enough.” And I think that’s maybe true of many people as well.
THE FAMILY STEPPING UP
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TVLINE | Since the pilot, we’ve seen how much Connor appreciates Georgie — namely, I think, because his brother-in-law doesn’t treat him any differently. In that sense, Georgie offering emotional support this week isn’t surprising. But how do you think Connor receives Mandy, Jim and Audrey stepping up to support him? Does he perceive it as pity, or genuine affection? I see it as genuine affection. There was a moment — one of the scenes in the kitchen where Mandy drunkenly suggests burning all of Chloe’s clothes, and Audrey jumps on top of that — and I remember feeling in that moment, “This is so nice.” I don’t think Connor’s used to being comforted in this traditional college, getting drunk way, but I think he really likes it. He feels surrounded and warmed by it. It’s a bit of a novelty — like, “Oh, now I’m just like everyone else. I’m just getting drunk with everyone else.” I think he accepts it with a lot of warmth.
UNDERSTANDING CONNOR AS A CHARACTER
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TVLINE | This isn’t the first Connor-centric episode. “An Old Mustang” and “Goddess of the Music Store” immediately spring to mind. But I’m curious at what point it finally clicked for you who this character was — what propels him, what holds him back, and how he processes the world around him. Was there a specific moment, or episode, where it all crystalized for you? “Goddess of the Music Store” felt like a big turning point. From memory, it was the first time I’d had that much to do on set. There was also that sense of, “Oh, he’s actually fine. He doesn’t need Georgie’s help.” There’s a line where I say, “I’m a musician. We get chicks,” and that always made me laugh. I enjoyed doing that line because I thought, “Yeah — in his world, this is normal for me. You’re all projecting way more concern than you need to. Actually, I’m fine.” I think that episode helped a lot because it was like, “Oh, he’s in more control than you think.” He really is trying — trying to be funny, trying to be helpful. His strangeness doesn’t come from apathy; it comes from him trying to be brave and be who he is, in whatever way feels safe.
A MUSICAL TURNING POINT
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TVLINE | We get a montage of Connor recording “Do the Axolotl,” with glimpses of him playing each instrument. Are you actually playing on any of that, or is it all TV magic? I’m going to be very honest: the recording of the song is not me. Our wonderful musical consultant played and wrote all of that. But I was able to play the drums and that little bass bit. I was not able to play the guitar solo — I completely gave up on that. I can do little bits and sell it, for sure, but that wasn’t me.
TVLINE | Were you aware of Dr. Demento prior to this episode? No, not one bit. I was driving my car and got a text from one of the producers saying, “Hey, listen to this.” They’d sent me “Fish Heads,” one of Dr. Demento’s songs. I remember listening and thinking, “This is the strangest thing.” I had no idea who he was, but it was cool to find out he was the guy who put Weird Al on the map.
TVLINE | One of my favorite runners in Season 1 was Connor’s friendship with Jay Leno. Throughout this episode, I thought to myself, why doesn’t he reach out to Jay in his efforts to make a real go at a music career? Jay’s just his buddy. He’s just his friend. He’s not trying to go work for him — he’s just like, “That’s my friend.”
TVLINE | But Jay did leave him that voicemail welcoming him to sit in with Branford Marsalis and the Tonight Show Band if he ever got out to Los Angeles… Listen, that’s in the hands of the producers. I would love to go hang out with Jay Leno and pretend to play in his band. That would be such a funny turn.
LOOKING AHEAD
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TVLINE | Overall, this episode feels like a pivot — either he steps up or he gives up. Have the producers given you any sense of Connor’s trajectory after this episode? In the ones you’ve shot, does he keep making strides? He’s definitely making strides. Honestly, we get the scripts on a Wednesday, and have our table read and first rehearsal on Wednesday. We get them so on the fly that we’re waiting each week for the scripts the same way the audience waits for the episodes. There are always chats with the producers about how they’re feeling about characters at particular moments, but we rarely get a roadmap. I kind of like that.
What did you think of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” Season 2, Episode 6: “Heartbreak and the Refuge of the Downtrodden”? Did this episode give you a better understanding of Mandy’s brother? Drop your thoughts in a comment below.
