Guest Information for Ardtara Country Hotel

1. How to stay cool during feedback. No one enjoys hearing that they’re not meeting expectations, but constructive feedback is a valuable tool for growth. The next time you get feedback, keep your composure and focus on these three key strategies to make the most of it: READ MORE

2. AI plan unveiled. The Government has unveiled a 50-point plan to “mainline [artificial intelligence] into the veins” of the UK and so turn the country into an AI “world leader”. Written by a leading tech investor, the plan includes the creation of “growth zones” around the UK, where infrastructure such as data centres will be built. Public data sets, including anonymised NHS data, will be made available to help AI businesses grow; and a new supercomputer will be built as part of a drive to increase the UK’s state-owned computing capacity 20-fold by 2030. The Independent

3. Politicians are all talk and no action. Tony Blair once wrote, "Process is a worthy means to an end. The trouble is its tendency to become the end." In today's British politics, it's hard to argue with that. Leaders often respond to difficult issues by calling for more discussion. Labour promised to tackle social care reform but has set up a commission due to report in 2028. The Lower Thames Crossing decision, after endless debate, was delayed again with a new consultation. The Tories, meanwhile, are pushing for another inquiry on grooming gangs despite not acting on the last one. Process has become a way to avoid tough decisions, with the hope that more discussion will find a compromise. When the choice is between doing and discussing, British politicians instinctively opt for the latter. No wonder voters are disillusioned. As the comedian Billy Connolly once said: “Don’t vote for politicians, it just encourages them.” Editor

4. Birth rates to hit living standards. Birth rates are falling globally with deep implications for the economy and, by extension, people's wallets. Shrinking working-age populations could reduce GDP per capita in western Europe by $10,000 (€9,712; £8,184) on average, a McKinsey report has found. People are living longer while fewer babies are being born, and for Germany and the UK, that means productivity will have to double to keep up the current level of growth in living standards, the study found. France and Italy need productivity growth to triple by 2050, while Spain needs a fourfold increase to avoid a drop in living standards. Financial Times

5. What do you find most stressful at work? Nearly a third of workers aged 18-24 took time off due to stress in 2024, according to Mental Health UK. Workers aged 25-34 cited high workloads and job security fears, while stress-related absences declined among older employees. Only 56% of 18-24-year-olds felt comfortable discussing stress with managers, highlighting a trust gap between young workers and employers. Workplace stress is a common challenge that can affect both productivity and well-being. We’d like to hear about your experiences to better understand how stress is impacting people at work. Please take a moment to share your thoughts in our latest poll. VOTE HERE

6. Loneliness affects the blood. Loneliness leaves a mark on specific proteins in the blood, a study has found. Researchers tested the blood of 42,000 Britons aged 40-69 and compared their results with the participants’ degree of loneliness and social isolation. This enabled them to identify five proteins that seemed to increase as a direct result of loneliness. One affects how we respond to stress, another is associated with heart disease and a third with atherosclerosis. The findings “drive home the importance of social contact in keeping us well”, said the study’s co-author from the University of Cambridge. The Guardian

7. The odd tipple may stave off depression in retirement. Retiring early has been linked to an increased risk of depression, but moderate alcohol consumption may help some people adjust more smoothly, according to new research. The study suggests that retirees who enjoy an occasional drink tend to experience fewer depressive symptoms than teetotallers. However, excessive drinking or binge drinking was associated with worse outcomes. The latest findings, published alongside separate research exploring links between depression and DNA, highlight the complex relationships between working status, alcohol use, and mental health. The Times

8. Obesity should be reframed. Obesity should be reframed to ensure access to medication, a group of doctors have argued. One in eight people are obese – or have a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 – according to the World Health Organization, and weight-loss medicines are in high demand. Writing in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the researchers say BMI, a measurement of size based on height and weight, does not take the health of the individual into account. Doctors should diagnose people as having "clinical obesity", if they have associated health problems, or "pre-clinical obesity" if they do not. BBC

9. The new hot spot. Forget the pub, saunas are the new place to socialise. For young Londoners, it’s become standard practice to spend a chunk of your weekend sweating it out in one of the city’s many new facilities, from community saunas in Stratford to luxe rooftop pods in Hackney. The number of Finnish-style public saunas in the UK doubled between 2023 and 2024, jumping from 45 to 90 – a figure that’s predicted to exceed 200 in 2025. We’re still a long way behind Finland itself, though; nearly 90% of the population takes a sauna at least once a week. Vogue

10. The bottom line. 50% of British adults believe that Elon Musk is a threat to British democracy. The billionaire has a net favourability rating of -35. Nigel Farage’s sits at -18, Kemi Badenoch’s at -13 and Keir Starmer’s at -34. More in Common