Lamar Odom health update: Out of coma, reportedly making progress

Lamar Odom is said to be getting better. Last Friday, several news outlets confirmed that the former NBA star came out of a coma three days after being found unconscious in a brothel in Nevada. His ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian, is said to have stayed with Odom all throughout the ordeal, and a source told Us Weekly that Odom opened his eyes on Friday, Oct. 16 and that he grabbed the doctor's hand. The insider added that the 35-year old athlete's first word was "hello."

According to another source with E! News, Odom said "Hey, baby" to Kardashian before he fell back asleep. Kris Jenner also spoke with Access Hollywood and confirmed that Odom spoke to her daughter and that his condition has improved.

Since Odom regained consciousness, a source told Us Weekly on Sunday that not much has changed with regard to his condition, but "he's getting better little by little." The basketball star is also said to be breathing on his own.

"He's slowly saying more words," said the source. The insider said that Kardashian is continuing to stay with Odom as he recovers.

"She strokes his hand and kisses his cheek. It's very sad and sweet," said the source.

Meanwhile, a source close to the family told Entertainment Tonight that though Odom was able to get up with assistance, he's "still very weak." It was also reported that he has begun to communicate through hand signals.

Despite improvements, the star reportedly remains in the Intensive Care Unit and is still considered to be in critical condition. E! says that due to kidney failure, Odom remains on dialysis and that doctors are still running tests to know the extent of possible brain damage or other effects from his accidental overdose.

Odom was found unconscious on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada. Authorities say that various drugs were found in his system and that he was placed in a medically induced coma on Wednesday.

News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.

The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 

Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time. 

Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country

The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.