The Int'l Man's Hot Links Archive 2025: January 1 -

Hot Links Archive 2025: January 1 -

• 
• Climate Clock - "The science is clear: we are in a Climate Emergency. Decades of increasing carbon emissions are harming the natural and societal systems upon which humanity depends, threatening untold ecological and human devastation if we do not #ActInTime. The good news: there is still time."
• Climate Change - "Check out all about climate change: 1700+ evidence, facts, information, news, reviews and resources."
• Doomsday Clock moved closest ever to destruction - "The Doomsday Clock symbolising how near humanity is to destruction has been moved one second forward to 89 seconds to midnight - the closest it has ever been."
• Our world in data - "Research & data to make progress against the world's largest problems."
• Artificial Intellignce: Apps, Books, Chatbots, News, Resources & Tutorials - "Everything you need to know about AI and Chatbots! 800+ resources."
• Ukraine war live - "Live coverage of the all the latest developments in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine."
• Middle East crisis live - "Live coverage of all the latest developments in the Middle East."
• Catch up on today's global news - "CNN Fast is a curated channel covering major news events across politics, international, business, and sport, and showcasing the most impactful stories of the day."
• Covid & mpox - "3800+ Up-To-Date Advice, Facts, News & Recources."

February 2025

• THIS WEEK'S ACRONYM - AGI.
• THIS WEEK'S TWO BUZZWORDS - ALPHABET SOUP.
• TIME's 2025 Women of the Year - "These extraordinary leaders are working toward a better, more equal world."
• Is ‘Zone 2’ the Magic Effort Level for Exercise? - "Enthusiasts claim that these long, slow workouts could be the key to longevity and better health. Here’s what the science actually says."
• Are Runny Egg Yolks Safe to Eat? - "It’s hard to beat a yolk-soaked breakfast sandwich. But undercooking your eggs carries real health risks."
• Isabella Rossellini: Model, Actress, Ethologist, Oscar Nominee - "A scene-stealing role in “Conclave” brought her unexpected acclaim, and tears, at age 72. But she has built more than a life onscreen."
• Jane Fonda, Sneakerhead - "The 87-year-old Oscar winner Jane Fonda, Sneakerhead. The actor and activist on aging into her latest role: sneaker model. For her Golden Goose ad campaign, Ms. Fonda wore her glittery Super-Star sneakers with a structured suit."
• Epstein files: ‘It’s a bigger story than the world has ever known’ - "The paedophile financier has been linked to countless famous people but what could Trump’s task force uncover about his crimes and contacts?"
• Finding Nirvana in a Pair of Socks - "They resemble foil balloons, make a crackling sound when slipped on and, for a growing number of people, have become a simple luxury. They are made in Italy and cost about $50 a pair - a price that some say is worth it for the joy that the socks have inspired."
• France’s Bayeux Tapestry to close to public for two years - "Visitors keen to see this legendary example of propaganda art will have to get their trip in before 7 p.m. local time on August 31, 2025, as the museum is set to close until October 2027 for a major renovation and conservation project."
• Apple launches the iPhone 16e, a cheaper new version of the iPhone 16 - "The iPhone 16e costs $599 and launches on February 28."
• Use the 2-7-30 Rule to Radically Improve Your Memory - "This is a column about a helpful trick that will radically improve your memory with minimal effort so you can learn faster. 150 years of science shows this brain hack can radically improve your memory. Entrepreneurs and anyone else who needs to learn things fast should take note."
• 10 Apple Notes Hacks to Boost Your Efficiency in iOS 18 - "Discover 10 Apple Notes hacks to boost productivity and stay organized. Perfect for students, professionals, and iPad multitaskers."
• The in depth history of Cartier, the watchmaker of shapes - "178 years is a long time, but it’s certainly not the oldest watch company, and nowhere near the oldest jeweller. And yet, Cartier has accumulated one of the densest and most revolutionary histories of any luxury brand. In an attempt to distil it all into a single coherent experience, this is the history of Cartier across its risky beginnings, a breakdown of the three famous Cartier brothers, and how the Cartier we know came to be."
• If it feels like there are suddenly way more plane crashes & incidents, here’s the truth - "Sometimes feelings can be deceiving. A look at the statistics suggests that the skies are about as friendly as they’ve ever been."
• How to Sound Smarter When You Communicate - "Statistic, chart, or image. This type of attention-grabbing start allows you to lay out your overall premise in a clear, memorable manner."
• Is Fake Meat Better for You Than Real Meat? - "Here’s what we do - and don’t - know."
• My trip to Mustique, William & Kate’s favourite holiday island - "The Waleses skipped the Baftas to go to the exclusive island, loved by the rich and famous. Having been myself, I can see why, says Gavanndra Hodge."
• Why the ‘Swiss Made’ Mark on Your Watch Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means - "Switzerland produces 300 million timepieces a year - some of which, despite the famous hallmark, use components produced on other continents. According to the labeling law, a watch with a gear train manufactured and assembled outside Switzerland can still be labeled Swiss Made provided the mechanism was first designed and later inspected and physically screwed into the movement domestically."
• 6 apps I can't live without on my Mac - "If you're looking to maximize your productivity on a Mac, here's my ultimate list of apps to really take it to the next level without having to spend any extra money: 1. MonitorControl. 2. AltTab. 3. A third-party web browser. 4. ForkLift. 5. MacsyZones. 6. Raycast."
• Apple’s competitive edge in AI hinges on these three unreleased Siri features - "Siri now sounds more natural, expressive, and clear. The voice is synthesized entirely on-device using Apple Intelligence's new language models."
• How much SSD space do you really need? We break down the math - "For the best PC/laptop experience, there's a minimum you don't want to drop below. 64GB storage is too little - 128GB is the true bare minimum - 256GB is good for average PC users - 512GB (or more) for avid gamers, downloaders, ..."
• Why I Bought an External SSD Rather Than More MacBook Storage - "Apple overcharges for internal SSD storage, external SSDs are a more cost-effective solution. Modern Macs have fast IO; external SSDs can match internal speeds in some cases. External SSDs offer convenience and portability while saving money for other key specs."
• What Happened to the Stigma of Wearing Fur? - "After years of protests and strides in fake skins, vintage furs are popping up all over."
• This is not the seat you paid for. Here’s what to do if you get downgraded on a flight - "Here’s why involuntary downgrades happen and some advice on how to navigate them - and get what you’re owed."
• Ten best moments as stars mark 50 years of Saturday Night Live - "A star-studded cast have taken part in a three-hour special to celebrate the 50th anniversary of legendary US comedy show Saturday Night Live. Some returned for the anniversary special, alongside younger acts. Here are some of the highlights:"
• Meghan puts new label on jams & lifestyle range - "Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has announced a new identity for her lifestyle brand, which will be called As Ever."
• Awards Watch: Why this is 'one of the closest & most thrilling Oscar races ever' - "The Baftas, which is often seen as a key indicator of where the Oscars are heading, left commentators none the wiser, paving the way for a tantalising finale to this year's awards season."
• Visualised: Europe's population crisis - "See how your country compares."
• The death of capital letters: why gen Z loves lowercase - "Young people have ditched capitalisation in favour of a writing style that reflects their values and attitudes to tradition. Will this change our language for ever?"
• BAFTA Film Awards 2025: See who won - "The 2025 BAFTA Film Awards took place on Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with actor David Tennant returning as the prestigious ceremony’s host. 'Conclave' led with 12 nominations and took home four by the end of the evening, including outstanding British film and best film. Period drama 'The Brutalist' won four awards, including best director for Brady Corbet and best leading actor for Adrien Brody."
• BAFTA Awards 2025: Best red carpet looks - "The sartorial mood skewed modest, with most guests opting to keep things simple in monochromatic black or white looks. It marked a continuation of the more pared-back styles that celebrities have largely opted for across this year’s red carpets, in response to the wildfires that devastated Los Angeles in January."
• The Best Saturday Night Live Hosts of All Time - "So from Alec Baldwin to Kristen Wiig, these are the 27 SNL hosts that never seem to disappoint."
• 5 dos & don'ts for handling jealousy, the green-eyed monster - "Jealousy is trying to tell you something. Five tips for handling it with grace."
• A glimpse at Picasso & Pollock masterpieces kept in Tehran vault - "It has been dubbed one of the world's rarest treasure troves of art but few people outside its host country know about it. For decades, masterpieces by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock have been kept in the basement of a museum in Iran's capital Tehran, shrouded in mystery."
• The $3bn art collection hidden in vaults - "A new book reveals a collection bought by the wife of the Shah of Iran in the 1970s. Alastair Sooke talks to Farah Pahlavi, who was known as the Jackie Kennedy of the Middle East, about works by the likes of Bacon, Warhol and Picasso stored in the vaults of a Tehran museum."
• Pathfinder 1: The airship that could usher in a new age - "Pathfinder 1, bankrolled by a Google billionaire, is an attempt to revive the airship. A century after terrifying disasters, is it a safe-enough bet?"
• How the 'White Lotus effect' is changing travel - "As White Lotus season three is released, executive producer Mark Kamine explains the behind-the-scenes wrangling and key challenges when choosing a filming location. It's being called the 'White Lotus effect': the way that major TV shows influence the way we travel, thanks to the hit TV show that's back on 16 February 2025."
• The real reason behind the DeepSeek hype, according to AI experts - "DeepSeek R1 can reason and 'think' through answers to provide quality results. 'Probably the best work I’ve seen come out of China,' - Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. 'Innovation that drives efficiency is a good thing.' - Tim Cook. 'DeepSeek is the TikTok of (large language models),' Etzioni said."
• Meditation & Mindfulness Can Have a Dark Side That We Don't Talk About - "Mindfulness is a type of Buddhist-based meditation in which you focus on being aware of what you're sensing, thinking, and feeling in the present moment. According to a review of over 40 years of research that was published in 2020, the most common adverse effects are anxiety and depression. These are followed by psychotic or delusional symptoms, dissociation or depersonalisation, and fear or terror."
• 11 COOL GADGETS TO TURN YOUR BEDROOM INTO A ZEN DEN - "Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a place of restoration that makes it easy to get a good night's sleep and leave the day's stresses behind. From calming lighting to soothing scents and clean air quality, your surroundings have a direct impact on your sleep quality and overall health."
• An Ankle Monitor? No, That’s My Apple Watch - "In pursuit of tracking fitness goals in a comfortable manner, a growing number of people are relocating their watches (and causing some confusion along the way)."
• Who killed Matthew Perry? Inside a Hollywood tragedy - "An addict, a trusted assistant, an A-list fixer, a ‘ketamine queen’, two doctors, a $55,000 drugs bill and a lethal injection: Keiran Southern untangles the last dark hours of the Friends actor’s life."
• Moths turned our £32m home into a scene from Alien - "With a swimming pool, spa, cinema, gym, wine room and £32.5 million price tag, it should have been the home of their dreams. The seller of a Notting Hill mansion has been ordered to refund almost the entire sale price after the new owners found millions of insects in the walls, the ceiling - and their cereal."
• 8 little phrases socially intelligent people use to turn small talk into meaningful conversations - "Small talk is easy - weather, weekend plans, the usual surface-level chatter. But turning that into something deeper? That takes skill. Here are eight little phrases socially intelligent people use to do exactly that: 1) 'That sounds really important to you.' 2) 'I'd love to hear more about that.' 3) 'That must have been really challenging for you.' 4) 'I never thought about it that way before.'"
• Your iPhone's Secret Feature That Sharpens Call Quality - "It's easy to miss this feature, but here's where to find it. When Apple released iOS 16.4 in 2023, it introduced a feature that significantly improves the sound quality of your calls: Voice Isolation. How to enable Voice Isolation: 1. Tap your Phone app. 2. While in a phone call, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to access your Control Center. 3. Tap Phone Controls near the top of your screen. 4. Tap Voice Isolation."
• Apple’s Reminders app has seven power user features worth your attention - "Apple's Reminders is no longer just a basic list app, here are seven power user features for pro-level task management: #1: Sections inside lists. #2: View as Columns. #3: Location-based reminders. #4: Sharing lists and assigning tasks. #5: Templates. #6: Smart Lists. #7: Tags."
• 11 Hidden iOS 18.3 iPhone Features You Should Probably Know About - "You may not know about these useful iOS 18 features. There's so much. Plenty of new settings aren't publicized, so they stay under the radar, but that doesn't mean they're not important. We've chosen our favorite hidden iOS 18.3 features you should know about: 1. Restart your iPhone from the new control center. 2. Use a QR code to share your Wi-Fi password. 3. Adjust the beam width of your flashlight."
• This hidden iOS 18 trick makes Apple’s Calendar app more useful than ever - "Apple's Calendar app added a powerful gesture in iOS 18 that lets you customize exactly how your Month view is displayed on iPhone."
• ‘The Love Boat’: How a TV show transformed the cruise industry - "'Come aboard, we’re expecting you!' The show, which spawned several spin-offs, has since been described as 'the greatest product placement' ever, serving as a complete introduction to cruising for many of its avid viewers."
• Kasparov, Karpov & the KGB? Four decades on from the most controversial chess match of all time - "If Karpov won, it would be a sign of life for the old guard in a country which seemed to be slipping towards inevitable dissolution. If Kasparov won, it would be confirmation that times were changing, that something fresh and exciting and terrifying was coming. In terms of popularity, chess in the Soviet Union was akin to the NFL in the US."
• Man who lost $800 million bitcoin in landfill wants to buy the garbage dump - "Buried deep in a Welsh landfill, beneath layers of years-old garbage, there is a hard drive that holds the key to almost $800 million in bitcoin – or so James Howells believes, after accidentally throwing the drive away in 2013."
• ‘White Lotus’ is back. Warning: You might be tempted to book a plane ticket to Thailand after watching - "‘White Lotus’ is expected to lure more tourists to Thailand. These are the locations featured on season 3 of the hit show. In recent years, no TV series has gotten viewers excited about luxury travel quite like ‘White Lotus’. It’s easy to understand why. It’s got murder. Sexy scandals. Gorgeous beaches. And, perhaps most importantly, wealthy travelers behaving terribly."
• ‘You’ve Blown a Hole in the Family’: Inside the Murdochs’ Succession Drama - "More than 3,000 pages of documents reveal how years of betrayals led to a messy court battle that threatens the future of Rupert’s empire."
• The name’s Bond, James Bond & I’m claiming it, says tycoon - "An Austrian businessman is challenging trademark registrations, including the 007 special agent’s catchphrase, from his island lair in Dubai."
• Tilda Swinton decries ‘internationally enabled mass murder’ at Berlin film festival - "Actor speaks out against ‘the unacceptable complacency of our greed-addicted governments’ as she picks up a Golden Bear award for lifetime achievement."
• The food to eat for better sleep & what’s keeping you awake - "Studies show that UPFs and sugar can lead to a disrupted night. Turkey, eggs and soya contain amino acids that boost sleep. Foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid long associated with better sleep, are widely available in our diet through foods like poultry, beef, eggs, soya beans, meat and seafood."
• Rafter Is Briefly ‘Swallowed’ by Whale in Chile, as His Father Films - "Paddling in the Strait of Magellan, Adrián Simancas was caught in a humpback’s lunge. 'I realized that I was in something’s mouth and I had been eaten,' he said."
• Creative (& Cheap) Valentine’s Day Ideas - "A meaningful gift doesn’t have to cost a lot."
• Looking for a red hot Valentine’s Day gift? Try a tin of tuna - "Canned fish and whiffy cheese are the unlikely choice for this year’s romantics, with sales driven by online influencers and celebrity chefs."
• Here’s your Valentine’s Day streaming list, no matter how you feel about Valentine’s Day. - "Love or Hate Valentine’s Day? Choose your streaming list here."
• Donald Trump Keeps Teasing a Third Term. Here’s What to Know - "Here's how Trump could potentially seek a third term - and what legal experts say."
• Elon Musk takes his four-year-old son, X, to work. Why? - "Musk has described ‘Lil X’ as his ‘cuteness prop’ - but his mother seems less delighted."
• Bridget Jones would risk ‘death by chardonnay’ in real life - "Helen Fielding’s wine-drinking, chain-smoking character would have faced serious health problems as a result of her lifestyle choices, health experts say. Over a year she drowns her sorrows in 3,836 units of alcohol, chain-smokes 5,277 cigarettes and binges a 'repulsive' 11 million calories."
• Why your brain makes sure there’s still room for dessert - "Scientists discover the mechanism behind 'dessert stomach', where our craving for something sweet can override our feeling of fullness."
• We Finally Know Why Ancient Roman Concrete Was So Durable - "The ancient Romans were masters of building and engineering, perhaps most famously represented by the aqueducts. And those still functional marvels rely on a unique construction material: pozzolanic concrete, a spectacularly durable concrete that gave Roman structures their incredible strength."
• How the Airbus A321XLR is changing the air map of the world - "The A321XLR, or 'Extra Long Range': The derivative of the popular A321neo that debuted in 2017 can fly further than any other single-aisle plane on the market. Airbus also says it burns 30% less fuel per seat than previous-generation aircraft."
• Should Your Partner Really Be Your Best Friend? - "Expecting a spouse to be both friend and lover is a relatively new concept. Some think it’s asking too much."
• New York Fashion Week Street Style 2025: Quiet Luxury is Dead - "It is far less quiet, if the clothes on and off runways at New York Fashion Week were any indication."
• Sheikh loses battle to buy Idol’s Eye 70-carat blue diamond - "A judge has ruled on a tug of war between two sides of Qatar’s royal family over the 17th century gem thought to be the world’s largest cut blue diamond."
• Elon Musk will withdraw his nearly $100 billion bid for OpenAI if it remains a nonprofit - "Elon Musk says he is prepared to drop his attempt to buy OpenAI if the ChatGPT maker maintains its unusual current structure in which the world’s leading and most valuable AI company is operated by a nonprofit."
• Where do Valentine’s Day roses come from? - "More than chocolates in a heart-shaped box, more than dinner reservations and bright red teddy bears, it’s roses that have really come to symbolize Valentine’s Day."
• 7 Unforgettable Dogs at 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show - "Monty the giant schnauzer took home best in show, but each of the group winners left a lasting impression."
• Moment Monty the giant schnauzer wins prestigious US dog show - "A giant schnauzer named Monty has triumphed over more 2,500 canines to be crowned the Best in Show winner at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club dog show."
• Demi Moore, Naked & Liberated - "As she prepares for her first Oscars as a nominee, the star of 'The Substance' talks about the daring role that revitalized her career."
• The Rolex Daytona Oyster Paul Newman Panda Dial - "In-Depth Collecting: A data-driven deep dive into the most collectible Rolex ever made."
• Do You Own The Best Photography Book of All Time? - "The Decisive Moment is arguably one of the greatest photography books ever published, featuring photos from Henri Cartier-Bresson that capture the precise instant when all elements in a scene come together perfectly to create a powerful and meaningful image."
• A Chance to Buy a Bit of Personality - "Christie's is selling more than 200 items from Iris Apfel's maximalist collection of art, fashion and statement jewelry."
• Cartier’s iconic love bracelet has been re-imagined as a necklace - "The love bracelet design, a golden arc held together with tiny screws, has quickly become one of the world’s most recognisable and coveted jewellery pieces. Created by Italian jewellery designer Aldo Cipullo in 1969, the romantic bracelet was inspired, perhaps paradoxically, by his own heartbreak. In fashioning the design, Cipullo wanted an accessory that couldn’t just slip off—the wearing of which would symbolise eternal love and commitment."
• How much protein do you really need to get strong? - "From raw eggs to protein shakes, those hoping to expand their brawn are often encouraged to ingest vast quantities of protein. But how much is really necessary and what's the best way to consume it?"
• 6 reasons the 2025 Berlin Film Festival is set to make waves - "From Timothée Chalamet to TV's latest epic series. Today, the annual Berlinale begins, as the German city hosts 10 days of film and TV premieres from around the globe, complete with appearances from big-time directors and A-list stars. Here's what to look out for."
• Elon Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in surprise White House appearance - "The world's richest man took questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he stood next to President Donald Trump, who has tasked him with slashing the size and spending of the federal government."
• Coca-Cola says it may use more plastic due to Trump tariffs - "Coca-Cola may have to sell more drinks in plastic bottles in the US if President Donald Trump's tariffs end up making aluminium cans more expensive, the company's chief executive, James Quincey, said in a call with investors."
• Natural doesn't always mean better - "How to spot if someone is trying to convince you with an 'appeal to nature'. Suggesting that natural products or ingredients are inherently superior to those that are synthetic is a common flaw in reasoning used by influencers, brands and politicians alike."
• Danish petition supporting plan to buy California ‘reaches 200,000 signatures’ - "Denmarkification's campaign looks to 'Make California Great Again' and change the Golden State's name to 'New Denmark'."
• Jeffrey Epstein ‘client list’ among files to be declassified - "Other records to be released include those on the September 11 terrorist attacks, the origins of Covid and the assassination of JFK. According to the president, he and Epstein, both residents of Palm Beach, Florida, were associates who fell out in the 1990s, years before Epstein’s first arrest for soliciting sex from girls in 2008."
• ‘The White Lotus’ Is Back, With Wellness & Angst Included - "Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Blackpink’s Lisa celebrated the third season of the HBO show, this time set at a luxury resort in Thailand."
• Arnold Schwarzenegger awkwardly weighs in on son Patrick’s ‘White Lotus’ nude scene - "Arnold Schwarzenegger is no stranger to appearing in his birthday suit on screen. Remember the time travel scenes in the 'Terminator' franchise?"
• Bridget Jones is back - with a new approach to dressing in her 50s - "Twenty-four years since actor Renée Zellweger first appeared in the film adaptation of Helen Fielding’s literary bestseller 'Bridget Jones’s Diary,' she’s back for her fourth turn as an endearing, klutzy character looking for love. Although this time, in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,' she’s no longer a carefree young woman, but a widow in her 50s, with two kids."
• How to Deal With a Narcissist - "Often, the healthiest way to handle a relationship with a narcissist is to leave it, Brunell says. When it comes to a romantic relationship, anything that makes a person feel unsafe - any suggestion at all of violence - requires leaving. Those relationships must end."
• Travelers claim this TikTok seatbelt hack makes it easier to sleep on the plane. Experts say it’s ‘extremely dangerous’ - "Most of the time these efforts - futile as they may be - are completely harmless. However one so-called flying hack making the rounds on TikTok and Instagram in recent months has experts alarmed."
• See all the best looks & celebrity appearances - at New York Fashion Week - "What is the state of American fashion right now? It’s a question at least partly answered by New York Fashion Week, which concluded Tuesday, where brands including Thom Browne and Calvin Klein showed their latest collections in a season marked by major debuts, returns and decisive shake-ups for American designers."
• One of Paris’ most popular attractions is closing for 5 years. It’s about to be ‘reinvented’ - "The Centre Pompidou is closing until 2030. When it first opened in 1977, the Centre Pompidou sent shockwaves through Parisian society. The mammoth cultural center, with its industrial exterior and brightly colored exposed pipes, stood out like a sore thumb on the fringes of the French capital’s historic Marais district."
• Buying a VPN? Here's how to save some serious money - "Shore up your security without breaking the bank."
• The best VPN service 2025 - "Security, streaming and all the privacy you need – want to buy a VPN? You've come to the right place."
• Apple drops iOS 18.3.1 & more as we await major Siri upgrades - "This is a smaller update but it has bug fixes and other changes. Oh, and it's landed on a Monday, which is a sure sign it's an urgent update."
• Elon Musk leads an offer to buy ChatGPT’s parent company for nearly $100 billion - "In a high-stakes bid that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence, Elon Musk is leading a group of investors who have offered to buy OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, for $97.4 billion."
• AI chatbots unable to accurately summarise news, BBC finds - "Four major artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are inaccurately summarising news stories, according to research carried out by the BBC. The BBC gave OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot, Google's Gemini and Perplexity AI content from the BBC website then asked them questions about the news. It said the resulting answers contained 'significant inaccuracies' and distortions."
• At over $10,000 per kilogram, Africa’s first caviar is surprising the luxury food industry - "When Delphyne Dabezies first announced her plans to launch Africa’s first caviar manufacturer, some in the luxury food industry were incredulous. But now, 15 years since founding her company, Acipenser, with its Rova and Kasnodar Caviar brands, Dabezies’ products have made their way into some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world."
• Airbus exploring double-level airplane seat design - "Aviation start-up Chaise Longue, the brains behind the controversial dual-level seat, announced today it’s “exploring some early stage concepts” with aviation giant Airbus."
• What your fingernails can reveal about your health - "Fingernails help protect the underlying skin from injury, and they also come in handy when you want to scratch an itch or peel a satsuma. But what do they reveal about your health?"
• How Spain's economy became the envy of Europe - "The growth is led by a tourism boom, with Spain nearing France as the world's most visited country."
• 'It risks becoming a Venice in the desert': The dark side of Uzbekistan's tourism boom - "The Uzbekistan government is on an ambitious tourism drive - but is sparring with heritage experts over how to protect its historical sites."
• What not to do on WhatsApp - "Puzzles - How would this look on the news? - Always consider the paper trail - Groups should be used sparingly - WhatsApp is not Google."
• 8 things you don’t owe anyone an explanation for, according to a psychologist - "1) Your personal boundaries. 2) Your career choices. 3) Your relationship status. 4) Your lifestyle choices. 5) Your decision to have or not have children. 6) Your choice of attire. 7) Your past. 8) Your self-care routine."
• How To Check If Your Apple Watch Is Infected With Spyware - "When your watch is a sophisticated computing device, it’s also a target for hackers. Now you can scan your Apple Watch for spyware; here’s how."
• You can customize your Mac mouse pointer - here's how - "Make your Mac mouse pointer easier to see: 1. Access settings. Open System Settings and click Accessibility. 2. Go to Display. 3. Choose your colors. 4. Adjust the size. 5. Enable the pointer location feature."
• Eagles demolish Chiefs to deny them Super Bowl three-peat - "The Philadelphia Eagles demolished the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to deny them an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl."
• Taylor Swift, Lionel Messi, Jay-Z & Trump among big names at Super Bowl - "One of the biggest sporting events in the world took place in New Orleans as the Philadelphia Eagles clinched this year's Super Bowl with an emphatic 40-22 victory over defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs."
• Why the internet is fixating on Kendrick Lamar’s jeans - "Look of the Week: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl pants signal the return of flares. Lamar’s jeans were designed by one of the most influential figures in modern fashion, Celine’s former creative director Hedi Slimane, before he departed the French label in October."
• Ed Sheeran busted by Indian police for busking without permission - "Ed Sheeran took to a busy street in southern India this weekend to surprise fans with a live performance but police soon swooped and pulled the plug on the British singer, saying he hadn’t received permission."
• The global members club beloved by Justin Timberlake, Tiger Woods & my toddler - "Luciana Bellini and her four-year-old trial NEXUS in South Kensington, a swanky space for all ages with some starry names behind it."
• Inside Bentley tower’s $6m apartments with high-rise parking in Miami - "Can’t find a space for your car near home? These apartments could help the upwardly mobile driver."
• The real Iron Man’s flying jet suits - coming to a military near you - "Britain's answer to Iron Man is signing deals worth more than $30 million to supply his jet suit technology to special forces."
• Asian airline named world’s best for 2025 by AirlineRatings - "How important is extra legroom on a plane? Extremely important, if the results of the AirlineRatings.com annual round-up of the best airlines across the globe is anything to go by. Korean Air has been named Airline of the Year for 2025, beating out last year’s winner Qatar Airways, in the Australia-based aviation safety and product rating agency’s official list of the top 25 full-service airlines."
• 13 top luggage picks for international travel, from budget-friendly to luxury options - "In this guide, we’ll take you through our top carry-on and checked luggage options for international travelers and highlight their features and benefits."
• Trump is making himself inescapable - "Last year, President Joe Biden passed up a chance to be interviewed on the highly rated Super Bowl pregame show. This year, not only is President Donald Trump being interviewed, he is coming here for the big game in person."
• Trump rules out deporting Prince Harry: ‘He’s got enough problems with his wife’ - "Prince Harry can breathe freely in Montecito, because President Donald Trump has ruled out deporting the self-exiled British royal."
• How to Spot a Fake - "Are we just being paranoid, or is everybody out there trying to take us for a ride?"
• 7 things successful people almost never share about themselves, according to psychology - "In this article, I’m diving into 7 things successful people almost never share about themselves. These aren’t just random facts—they’re insights that can help you understand what success really looks like behind the curtain."
• The art of living well: 7 ways to cultivate daily happiness - "Well, I quickly learned that staying busy doesn't necessarily mean you're moving forward—it can also mean you're simply spinning your wheels."
• How to Master One of the Apple Watch’s Most Iconic Features - "It’s been an Apple Watch staple from the very beginning. No matter which Apple Watch you have, old or new, they all track your fitness similarly and sync with your iPhone's Fitness and Health apps."
• 4 clever uses for an old Mac - "Don't chuck your old laptop in a drawer. Repurpose your device to play video games or as the perfect media player."
• Ranked: The 15 Largest Countries in the World by Land Area - "Most Countries Are Forests and Farmland; 2, China, 24%; 3, U.S., 34%; 4, Canada, 40%; 5, Brazil, 59% ..."
• Microplastics have made it into our brains. Should we be worried? - "A growing problem for the planet has become one for the body too, as a new study shows a build-up of plastic where we least want it."
• The Curious Power of Tarot Cards to Explain & Reveal - "A new exhibition in London traces the evolution of tarot from Renaissance Italy to the present day, with the card designs shifting to reflect the times."
• The 42 Super Bowl Ads, Ranked - "Here is our critic’s evolving survey of this year’s Super Bowl commercials, from best to worst."
• I’ve Lived in Italy 15+ Years - Here Are 10 Unspoken Rules to Follow When You Visit - "As a foreigner visiting Italy, you’re probably not going to blend in - but you can still try: Dress nicer. - Eat later. - Don't share single portions of food. - Get out of the way. - Speak more quietly. - Greet people. - Be respectful in ..."
• 20 things you didn’t know you could do with Google Maps - "As Google Maps turns 20, we're sharing some of our favorite features and hacks: 1. Drive in style (new!) - 2. Ask Maps for inspiration with Gemini - 3. Get menu ..."
• 50 iPhone Features Apple Added to iOS 18 Since September - "We've listed 50 of the features and changes that have been rolled out through these recent updates. Keep reading to see if you picked up on them all."
• 33 best Netflix action movies in February - "Adventures galore await in the best Netflix action movies. Here's a wide-ranging gamut of the best blockbusters to stream."
• The Best Movies & TV Shows Coming to Netflix in February - "This month’s new arrivals include an insightful docudrama about a fraudulent wellness blogger and a rare TV role for Robert De Niro."
• It takes 32 minutes to boil a perfect egg, according to science - "Italian scientists claim to have found the scientifically best way to make a hard-boiled egg. After trying it for ourselves, we can confirm that the egg was delicious."
• Scientists Say If You Walk This Many Minutes Per Day, You'll Live 11 Years Longer - "New research shows just how much physical activity can extend your life."
• Casu marzu: The world’s ‘most dangerous’ cheese - "Casu marzu: A cheese dream for some, a nightmare for others. Some locals spin the cheese through a centrifuge to merge the maggots with the cheese. Others like it au naturel. They open their mouths and eat everything."
• Jeff Bezos is spending $9 million to support a ‘cow fart’ vaccine - "How a ‘cow fart’ vaccine could help tackle climate change. The cow’s amazing ability to sustain itself by eating nothing but grass is one of the marvels of nature, but it comes at a cost."
• Trump offers to build a $100m ballroom at the White House - "The US president, who has criticised the practice of hosting foreign dignitaries in ‘old, rotten tents’ on the lawn, said he would pay for the extension himself."
• Boris Becker: I lost literally everything - but survived prison - "Boris Becker was the youngest Wimbledon champion in history at 17, but by his fifties he was bankrupt and then imprisoned. He tells Jane Mulkerrins what he learnt from losing it all."
• How magazine went from publishing Einstein to calling Jedi racist - "Scientific American has been accused of abandoning objective rigour for a ‘woke’ agenda."
• Lego is anti-LGBT & promotes only two genders, says Science Museum - "The plastic bricks may reinforce heterosexuality as the ‘norm’ because the blocks are seen as ‘male and female’, according to a tour at the London attraction."
• Forget Chrome - Google Starts Tracking All Your Devices In 10 Days - "The change to Google's policy means that fingerprinting could now replace the functions of third-party cookies.” This change of policy is now just 10 days away. From February 16th, the rules are relaxed and the data tracking industry can enjoy newfound freedoms as you lose yours."
• 7 Habits to Stay Focused in a World Full of Distractions - "Interruptions, both external and self-inflicted, are no longer the exception; they’ve become our default mode. How can you strengthen your attention and stay on track? Here are seven simple techniques to help you cut down on interruptions and increase your focus: 1) Lay the groundwork; 2) Train your brain’s attention; 3) Direct your emotions; 4) Interrupt your autopilot; 5) Tune into your energy patterns; 6) Practice active listening; 7) Replenish your attention reserves."
• What to Eat & Drink for a Good Night’s Sleep - "Tart cherry juice? Kiwi? Experts are still untangling how certain foods and diets may affect our sleep."
• How to Beat the Afternoon Slump - "This drowsy feeling is temporary but frustrating. Experts have ways to cope."
• THE SASS’ CAFÉ TRIAL SHEDS LIGHT ON MONACO’S AMBIGUOUS PROSTITUTION LAWS - "In April 2024, a trial was opened for pimping at the Sass’ Café in Monaco. 10 months later, at the appeal hearing, the case still has grey areas. Between social reality and the application of the law, this case highlights the ambiguous position of prostitutes in the Principality..."
• Is There Still a Rule Against Wearing Brown Shoes With Blue Pants? - "Our fashion critic discusses the evolution of dress codes, including how rules - like one discouraging brown shoes with blue or black trousers - can come in and out of favor."
• Bill Gates weighs in on Elon Musk's government role - "Microsoft founder Bill Gates joins CNN’s Anderson Cooper and discusses Elon Musk's role in President Donald Trump's government."
• Archaeologists uncover ‘lost’ home depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry - "Bosham is named on the Bayeux Tapestry, but the exact location of Harold’s residence depicted on the embroidery has not been clear."
• This 200-year-old cottage in the middle of nowhere has been given a Michelin star - "Homestead Cottage near Doolin, County Clare, Ireland. The restaurant is close to the Cliffs of Moher, by the Atlantic Ocean."
• Record January warmth puzzles climate scientists - "Last month was the world's warmest January on record raising further questions about the pace of climate change, scientists say. The world's warming is due to emissions of planet-heating gases from human activities - mainly the burning of fossil fuels - but scientists say they cannot fully explain why last month was particularly hot."
• The Oscars style guru behind the stars' red carpet looks - "'They'd be like, can I borrow a designer dress?' As the Oscars approach, Kate Young - the stylist who dresses Scarlett Johansson, Dakota Johnson, Margot Robbie and others - talks risk taking, intimacy, and why method dressing drives her 'nuts'."
• Swimming holidays are the ultimate in slow travel - "Since the pandemic, they've become more popular than ever."
• Ferrari considers ban on zany customisation from ultra-rich buyers - "Most orders used to be for the classic red. Now the eye-catching variations are as big as each driver’s net worth. Now bosses at Ferrari are concerned that the ever more flashy design requests from super-rich buyers could end up sending the brand to an early grave. The luxury car manufacturer is drawing up plans that could prevent drivers from ordering new cars with garish colour schemes or vinyl wraps."
• Are Eggs Safe to Eat as Bird Flu Spreads? - "Here’s what experts want you to know."
• What Should I Wear to Protest an Unspoken Dress Code? - "A reader asks how to push back against the resurgence of traditional dressing. Our critic discusses the history of rebellion through clothing and how to make a true 'fashion statement.'"
• A Fitting Dress Code for the 2025 Met Gala: ‘Tailored for You’ - "The Metropolitan Museum of Art also announced a new batch of co-hosts for its splashy fashion fund-raiser including Simone Biles, Ayo Edebiri, Usher and Doechii. Guests invited to the 2025 gala, scheduled for May 5, will be given the dress code 'tailored for you.' In recent years, the Met has prompted attendees to dress in outfits that recall everything from the career of Karl Lagerfeld to gilded age American glamour."
• A Surefire Way to Be More Productive - "Here’s how getting on a roll can help you achieve your goals."
• 3 Lessons for Living Well, From the Dying - "Hospice workers share their insights: Find joy in the ordinary. - Don't fret over the small stuff. - Consider what you've left unresolved."
• Donald Trump says US ‘will take over’ Gaza & Palestinians should leave - "Trump says US will take over Gaza and make it 'Riviera of Middle East'."
• Supersonic jets are making a comeback. Here’s what that means for air passengers - "Last week, American company Boom Supersonic flew faster than the speed of sound with its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft. It’s now the first piloted non-military aircraft to break the sound barrier since the Concorde was retired from service in 2003. It’s the first step in Boom’s ambitious goal to have supersonic airliners carry passengers by 2029."
• Airplane Safety Timeline 1970-2024 - "While the number of commercial flights globally has steadily increased (except for a dip during the Covid-19 pandemic), overall safety has increased as the number of fatal accidents has decreased."
• Things really do feel better in the morning, study finds - "Life satisfaction was highest, on average, between about 6am and 8am, while reports of depressive symptoms were at their lowest during the same early portion of the day. Similarly, happiness peaked at 6am and dipped at around 10am. People then rallied in the early evening, reaching another high at about 6pm."
• Universities urged to monitor students for 3D-printed guns - "A quarter of global incidents involving such weapons linked to right-wing extremists involved the UK. Universities are being warned by The National Crime Agency (NCA) to be on the lookout for students with an interest in 3D printers following a surge in homemade guns."
• China is building a giant laser to generate the energy of the stars, satellite images appear to show - "Images from space reveal an enormous X-shaped building rising up from rocky terrain in southwestern China. This is a huge nuclear fusion research facility, analysts say, and it could be a sign China is leaping ahead in the quest to harness this futuristic energy source."
• Light pollution is getting worse, but there is a movement to make our skies dark again - "Light pollution, the term for the brightening of the night sky by unnatural lights, is increasing worldwide. On average, skies are getting 10% brighter each year globally, with the fastest rate of change in North America. For a growing number of people, natural darkness has been lost. When the lights went out in 1977, New Yorkers could see how much they were missing."
• US Postal Service halts China parcels after Trump tariffs - "Chinese retailers, such as online giants Shein and Temu, have used the tax exemption to ship low value packages duty-free to the US and have benefitted from similar rules in the UK and the European Union to reach millions of customers."
• Billionaire & spiritual leader the Aga Khan dies - "Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Shia Muslims, who say they are direct decedents of the Prophet Muhammad. Born in Switzerland, he had British citizenship and lived in a chateau in France."
• I will not stop working, Anna Wintour tells King - "Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour has 'firmly' told King Charles she will not stop working, as she removed her signature sunglasses to receive an award at Buckingham Palace. Dame Anna, the longest-serving editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, was made Companion of Honour for her services to fashion."
• The truth about America's most vilified first lady - "'She thought of herself as the Queen of America': Why Mary Todd Lincoln became the US's most vilified First Lady. Abraham Lincoln's wife was long attacked for everything from her spending to her lack of emotional restraint. But with two new plays about her, she is finally getting better press."
• How to record audio & get transcripts in Notes on iOS 18 - "Notes can now save and transcribe your voice memos: With a note open on your iPhone, tap the paperclip icon on the toolbar underneath the note, then choose Record Audio. You get a new recording interface up on screen: Use the large red button to start recording, then tap it again to pause and resume recording."
• Apple Notes recently got a power user feature I’ve long wanted - "Apple Notes gained a variety of great features in iOS 18 last fall, like collapsible sections, color highlighting, audio recording with transcripts, and more. But I recently discovered one more change that answers one of my long-time feature requests, and could satisfy a lot of power users: Inside the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the app, there’s now a Recent Notes sub-menu. A simple, reliable way to speed up the process of switching back and forth between notes."
• 10 BEST TECH GADGETS OF JANUARY 2025 - "January 2025 has ushered in some incredible innovations in the tech world, turning imaginations into reality. From extending the Wi-Fi range to giving retro gadgets a futuristic spin, this month’s best designs showcase ingenuity at its finest. We have curated a collection of the ten best tech gadgets that deserve attention."
• How Apple’s ‘1984’ Super Bowl commercial changed advertising forever - "Apple’s iconic Macintosh advert, simply called '1984' and based on George’s Orwell’s novel of the same name, featured a 'Big Brother' figure addressing hordes of subjects from a giant screen and a woman who escapes riot police to smash the screen with a hammer. When viewed now, it is the epitome of the 1980s - CRT TVs, dramatic voiceovers and big hair. But back then, it was unlike any commercial America had ever seen."
• Uphill, in the snow: Why this laborious ski trend is booming at US resorts - "In ski towns, 'earning your turns' comes with inalienable bragging rights. The term, thought to originate from backcountry skiers in search of untouched snow, often involves bypassing ski lifts, gondolas and any other mechanized way up the mountain in favor of ascending on human power alone."
• 8 Ways to Shorten Your Wait for a Doctor’s Appointment - "If you've tried to schedule a doctor’s appointment recently, you might have had to flip your calendar to a different season. There simply aren’t enough physicians in the U.S.: By 2037, the deficit is expected to reach 187,130 doctors, including more than 8,000 cardiologists and 4,000 nephrologists."
• Could the Bird Flu Become Airborne? - "Scientists were slow to recognize that Covid spreads through the air. Some are now trying to get ahead of the bird flu."
• Kennedy, in His Own Words: Flu, Diabetes, Autism & More - "Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for health secretary, doesn’t just hold fringe views on vaccines. We fact-checked five recent statements."
• Michelin Guide competes with influencers to be top tastemaker - "Michelin is having to change the types of food it recommends and the countries where it operates as influencers’ reviews win the trust of diners."
• The Bridget Jones effect: high demand for classic food & drink - "The Nineties revival has stretched beyond crop tops and baggy jeans, with Jones’s chardonnay and leek and potato soup now feeling a boost in popularity."
• 67th annual Grammy awards - AWARDS NOMINATIONS & WINNERS - "The rich history of Music's Biggest Night is at your fingertips. From Henry Mancini, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to Kanye West, Taylor Swift and Adele, explore the winners and biggest moments from each GRAMMY Awards telecast."
• The Best, Worst & Most Memorable Moments of the 2025 Grammys - "The 67th annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, February 2 at Crypto.com arena, hosted by Trevor Noah, now a veteran of the broadcast, for the fifth consecutive year."
• Best red carpet looks at the 2025 Grammy Awards - "The Grammy Awards are renowned for outlandish fashion. But on a night of tributes to first responders and victims of LA’s recent wildfires, many guests struck a comparatively restrained note at the Crypto.com arena on Sunday."
• LOUIS VUITTON JOINS FORMULA 1 WITH DECADE-LONG PARTNERSHIP - "Louis Vuitton is accelerating into the world of Formula 1, bringing its signature craftsmanship and luxury to the pinnacle of motorsport. The iconic French fashion house has signed a ten-year partnership with F1, marking a new era where high fashion meets high speed. The collaboration will officially debut at the season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday, March 16, with a new slogan: 'Victory travels in Louis Vuitton.'"
• Why do arsonists set fires? The reasons are sometimes dark & surprising - "Psychologists point to some common characteristics: problems communicating, impulsive behaviors, difficulty expressing emotions and an interest in fire paraphernalia. Yet motives are often multiple and can be slippery to pin down."
• It’s Time to Bring Back the Duel - "Quarrels used to be settled with dignity and honor."
• The right order for brushing, flossing & mouthwash - "You have been brushing your teeth for most of your life, but are you sure you’re doing it right? The proper order of operations when cleaning your teeth all comes down to bacteria control."
• Chanel & Armani celebrate big milestones at Paris couture week - "Haute couture is an enigma to most. Accessible to only a select few (an estimated few thousand people globally) because of the eye-watering price tags that such extraordinary designs command, the fashion designers who partake in the exclusive event in Paris must ensure that strict criteria are met, in order to be approved by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, France’s governing fashion body."
• Bill Gates: We've given away $100bn, but my children won't be poor when I'm gone - "It's towards the end of our interview that Bill Gates reveals new numbers on how much his charitable Foundation has now spent in its efforts to combat preventable diseases and reduce poverty. His Foundation's 25th anniversary is in May."
• Five extraordinary night-time experiences around the world - "From fiery festivals to nature's most dazzling 'sky-dance', interest in the night skies is booming, with 'noctourism' poised to be a major travel trend in 2025."
• Want an Authentic Travel Experience? Try McDonald’s - "It’s a much realer version of the supposed authenticity we so often seek."
• How Sign Language Can Help Us All Be Better Communicators - "The emotionality of ASL can free you from the trap of precision."
• Trump’s tariffs are a $1.4 trillion gamble with the economy & prices - "The looming import taxes on Mexico, Canada and China will be a major test of Trump’s unorthodox use of tariffs, which he’s described as 'the greatest thing ever invented.'"
• Blue Ghost lunar lander is documenting its journey to the moon. The views are breathtaking - "The Blue Ghost lunar lander has captured its first images of the moon from the spacecraft’s orbit around Earth, the Texas-based company Firefly Aerospace announced this week."
• How Alexander the Great redrew the map of the world - "By the time he died, aged just 32, he had redrawn the map of the northern hemisphere, conquering land across three continents and ruling over states from Egypt to modern-day India - over 2,000 years ago."
• Looking for Faith? Here’s a Guide to Choosing a Religion - "A religious quest can still be a rational undertaking — not a leap into pure mystery."
• When Is Tamiflu Worth Taking? - "The flu is always a nasty foe - and it’s particularly vicious this year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been at least 12 million flu infections since the fall in the U.S., leading to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths."
• I Gave Up My Smartphone for a Dumbphone. You Can, Too - "The pleasures and freedoms of an old-fashioned flip phone."
• Can hard water cause eczema - or make your hair fall out? - "Numerous scientific studies over the years have shown a clear link between hard water areas and eczema."
• Helena Christensen at home: ‘I’m not a minimalist!’ - "Flea market finds and fashion memorabilia - the Danish supermodel shows us around her 'beautifully faded' Manhattan apartment."
• 34 cheese questions answered by an expert - "Can you freeze cheese? Where should I buy it? What’s the best wine to go with it? What’s the perfect cheeseboard? Why do some cheeses have holes? And is it good for you?"
• Mapped: The Most Popular Languages to Learn by Country - "Today, the top three most popular languages people want to learn worldwide are English, German, and Arabic."
• Charted: The Current State of the World’s Nuclear Arsenal - "This graphic illustrates the global nuclear arsenal, using estimated inventories from the Federation of American Scientists as of August 2024."
• 7 Big Questions About Cancer, Answered - "Can pollution cause it? What about inflammation? And how do tumors spread? Here’s what scientists are learning about this complex disease."
• Long-haul Economy Class Comparison Chart - "You'll find information about Long-haul Economy and a sortable chart that can be used to compare Economy seating among different airlines."
• I'm a therapist who's worked with over 100 couples - what people in the happiest relationships do that most don't - "How long does it take to change the trajectory of your relationship? According to psychological research, five seconds is enough."
• The moments before 67 souls perished in a midair collision over the Potomac River - "In all, 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the commercial jet when it took off at 5:39 p.m. It ended as the deadliest US aviation disaster in nearly a quarter century."
• King Charles to star in Amazon Prime documentary film - "The King is filming at Dumfries House for the feature length film focused on his charity work and environmentalism."
• 50 THINGS WE SAY NOW, THANKS TO ‘S.N.L.’ - "Since 'Saturday Night Live' began, the show has introduced catchphrases that wind up in our own conversations. Isn't that special"
• The Best Sentences of 2024 - "Without further ado, here they are: words worth revisiting. Words worth keeping."
• Londoners are paying to live in deserted schools, office blocks & an old cathedral to avoid ‘insane’ rents - "The cathedral is managed by Live-in Guardians, a company finding occupants for disused properties, including schools, libraries and pubs, across Britain. The residents - so-called property guardians - pay a fixed monthly 'license fee,' which is usually much lower than the typical rent in the same area."
• Rat numbers are shooting up & scientists say they’ve figured out why - "There’s a saying that in a big city you are never more than six feet away from a rat. It’s an urban myth, but scientists are warning cities across the globe are becoming far rattier, and the boom is primarily driven by one factor: climate change."
• Cicciolina at 73: what Italy’s porn star politician did next - "She’s the adult film star who was elected to the Italian parliament and married the artist Jeff Koons. Now, Ilona Staller (aka Cicciolina) has written a memoir. Sex, politics, money and men - nothing is off limits."
• BeyoncÉ & Taylor Swift square off at Grammys - what to watch for - "The Grammys are music's biggest night, both literally and figuratively. The ceremony, which takes place in LA on Sunday night, runs for a staggering eight hours, attracting the biggest stars in pop, rock, country and hip-hop. Organisers will hand out 94 awards, recognising everything from best pop album to best choral performance."
• Your phone, a rare metal & the war in DR Congo - "There is a good chance that inside your mobile phone is a miniscule amount of a metal that started its journey buried in the earth of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where a war is currently raging. The tantalum within your device weighs less than half of the average garden pea but is essential for the efficient functioning of a smartphone, and almost all other sophisticated electronic devices."
• For sale: An iPhone with TikTok installed, $50,000 - "Following a TikTok ban in the US, phones and iPads with the TikTok app preinstalled are up for sale, and it seems some people are buying. Experts say it's a security disaster waiting to happen."
• Captain America: Brave New World to Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - 10 of the best films to watch this February - "From Captain America: Brave New World to Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, these are the films to stream and watch at the cinema this month."
• The surprising new dress code at Vienna's annual balls - "From sweatpants to cosplay, here are some surprising twists of Vienna's annual ball season. While the formal dress and classic dances of the Vienna balls have prevailed since the early 1800s, some events are taking unique approaches to the tradition."
• The Best Retro Sneakers to Buy Now - "The season’s vintage-inspired running shoes. Minimalist sneakers with a ’70s feel have been on the rise on the runways and city sidewalks."

January 2025

• Nearly half of Danes see US as threat & 78% oppose Greenland sale, poll shows - "Exclusive: More Danish people regard US as a threat than see North Korea or Iran as danger."
• Mapped: Organized Crime Hot Spots Around the World - "Organized crime groups have surged since 2000. In this graphic, we show the top 30 global hubs for criminal activity."
• Visualizing How Americans Spend Their Money - "In this graphic, we break down how Americans spend an average of $77300 annually across key spending categories."
• Caffeine in Your Blood Could Affect Body Fat & Diabetes Risk, Study Reveals - "The levels of caffeine in your blood could affect the amount of body fat you carry, a factor that in turn could determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases."
• 17 High-Protein Breakfasts to Keep You Full Until Lunch - "These 17 high-protein breakfasts are perfect for keeping you full and energized until lunchtime. From savory to sweet, each one is packed with the good stuff to fuel your day without the mid-morning hunger pangs. Perfect for busy mornings when you need a solid start."
• Flossing your teeth once a week ‘cuts risk of stroke by one fifth’ - "Research suggests the dental habit stops the build-up of harmful bacteria and plaque, which are linked to inflammation, blood clots and heart disease. Flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke (blood clots traveling from the heart) and 12% lower risk of AFib. The associated lower risk was independent of regular brushing and routine dental visits or other oral hygiene behaviors."
• The 10 Most Expensive Charter Yachts on the High Seas - "The top three cost more than $3 million per week, while the rest are not that far behind."
• Bill Gates Isn’t Like Those Other Tech Billionaires - "The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist is taking a break from the future to examine his past - and mulling where the billionaires now fit in."
• Marianne Faithfull - a life in pictures - "The British pop icon, known for her work as a singer, songwriter and actor, has died aged 78. Her career spanned six decades."
• OpenAI now wants to make DeepSeek look like the villain - "On Tuesday, Bloomberg and the Financial Times reported that OpenAI and Microsoft, its biggest investor, are looking into evidence that DeepSeek used OpenAI’s intellectual property to build its competitor, violating its terms of service."
• Apple is the biggest winner of DeepSeek’s new AI breakthrough - "This breakthrough means Apple can now develop competitive AI models without the multi-billion-dollar investments previously required. By staying out of the early stages of the AI arms race, Apple may have saved billions."
• Apple’s New ‘Game Changer’ iPhone Update Brings Starlink Satellite Access - "Apple has just released iOS 18.3, its latest iPhone update (full details here) and the software contained a surprise extra: compatibility with the Starlink satellite network, according to a new report."
• Does Hot Lemon Water Have Any Health Benefits? - "Influencers claim it helps with weight loss, digestion and more. We dug into whether that’s true."
• 3 Reasons to Love Frozen Food - "Nutrition experts say they’re not only as good as fresh, they’re often better. Frozen corn, green beans and blueberries, for example, had significantly higher levels of vitamin C than their fresh counterparts. And the vitamin E levels in frozen green beans, peas, blueberries and spinach were higher than in the fresh versions. The vitamin B2 levels were also higher in frozen broccoli versus fresh."
• How Healthy Is Citrus Fruit? - "Its immune-boosting vitamin C is only part of the story. Citrus fruits are famous for their high vitamin C content - and for good reason. One navel orange contains 83 milligrams of vitamin C and one half of a red grapefruit contains about 46. Both can go a long way in helping you meet the 75 to 90 milligrams recommended daily."
• The story of how Meryl Streep evacuated her home during the LA wildfires is harrowing - "Meryl Streep had to take matters into her own hands when evacuating from the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this month, according to her nephew."
• ‘Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story’ Review: Her Life as a Cabaret - "The fizzy, determinedly upbeat documentary charts how Liza Minnelli survived Hollywood. It’s inspiring, jaw-dropping and conspicuously incomplete."
• Inside Montecito, Harry & Meghan’s super-rich home town - "When the Sussexes left Britain for Montecito, few had heard of this small Californian enclave. Now Gwyneth’s just moved in to her new eco-mansion there. But the locals are complaining about their royal neighbours."
• 10 of the best places to visit in Switzerland - "Dramatic mountains, beautiful lakes and landmark cities, luxe resort towns, peak wine and train experiences - this country is the definition of an Alpine wonderland: 1. Gstaad - 2. Lake Lucerne - 3. Zermatt - 4. Zurich - 5. Appenzell - 6. Ticino - 7. Jungfraujoch - the Top of Europe - 8. Murren - 9. Lavaux Vineyards - 10. St Moritz."
• The 8 Best Gulfstream Jets, From the G800 to the Supersonic Quiet Spike - "With an owner list that includes Walt Disney, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Drake, Gulfstream is both a technical and cultural phenomenon. Here's why."
• New Research Ranks The 10 Smartest Countries In The World - "According to this World of Card Games ranking, Switzerland is the smartest country in the world based on a variety of criteria from average IQ to education levels. The U.S. also makes the top three."
• Doomsday Clock moved closest ever to destruction - "The Doomsday Clock symbolising how near humanity is to destruction has been moved one second forward to 89 seconds to midnight - the closest it has ever been."
• How to read the Doomsday Clock - "The Doomsday Clock depicts how close humanity is to armageddon – but where did it come from, how do you read its time, and what can we learn from it? Existential risk researcher SJ Beard explains."
• Trump tests limits of presidential authority - "Why Trump’s funding freeze is deepening fears that he seeks unlimited power."
• Boom: America’s answer to Concorde completes its first supersonic flight - "America’s answer to Concorde hits Mach 1.1 on its first supersonic flight. Boom, the American company building what promises to be the world’s fastest airliner. Several airlines have already placed orders."
• ‘World, watch closely’: Notes found on fallen North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine - "Suicidal tendencies and ’80s battlefield tactics: How North Korean soldiers are operating in Russia’s war on Ukraine."
• Key exercises you should perform as you age - "As you age, your body undergoes changes that can significantly affect your ability to move. Among the most impactful are muscle loss, joint deterioration and decreased bone density - issues that can lead to reduced mobility, chronic pain and an increased risk of fractures."
• Sam Altman’s Response to ChatGPT’s Biggest Threat Yet Is a Revealing Lesson - "DeepSeek is causing chaos in the tech industry. The response from OpenAI’s CEO explains why."
• The Middle East’s first super-luxury train will gleam gold - "Saudi Arabia’s Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region’s first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled."
• Chinese zodiac predictions: What’s in store for 2025 as we enter the Year of the Snake - "Bidding farewell to the mythical Dragon, the world welcomes the Year of the Snake on January 29 - the first day of the Lunar New Year. For those who celebrate this ancient festival, starting the year on a positive note is essential. In addition to eating auspicious foods and taking part in luck-enhancing activities, many people turn to the stars for hints about what lies in store for the months to come."
• In pictures: Welcoming the Lunar New Year - "Millions of people across Asia and the world are welcoming the Lunar New Year which coincides with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Fireworks, music, fairs, lanterns, dragon and lion dancing filled streets across Asia as celebrations that typically last about 15 days began."
• Roman Abramovich could owe UK £1bn over tax dodge that helped bankroll Chelsea FC - "Leaked papers reveal investments worth $6bn were routed through companies in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). But evidence suggests they were managed from the UK, so should have been taxed there. Some of the money that funded Chelsea FC when Mr Abramovich owned it can be traced back to companies involved in the scheme, the BBC and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) also found."
• Mona Lisa to Get Her Own Room as the Overcrowded Louvre Expands - "President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to alleviate crowds at the Paris museum and to charge higher fees for visitors from outside the European Union. Also, the Louvre Museum in Paris will move the Mona Lisa to a newly created exhibition space."
• Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods - "Apple regularly releases new firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, but the company has historically provided limited information on how to initiate an update. That changed today, and Apple updated its AirPods firmware support page with more specific instructions."
• ‘Sputnik moment’: US tech stocks plunge after Chinese firm unveils AI advancement - "A shocking Chinese AI advancement called DeepSeek is sending US stocks plunging."
• DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: Hands On With DeepSeek’s R1 Chatbot - "DeekSeek’s chatbot with the R1 model is a stunning release from the Chinese startup. While it’s an innovation in training efficiency, hallucinations still run rampant."
• iOS 18.3 is now available for everyone: Here’s what’s new - "iOS 18.3 is now available to iPhone users everywhere. The update includes changes to Apple Intelligence features and more. Just a reminder that only people with an iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max or the iPhone 16 lineup can access Apple Intelligence features for now. If you have any other iPhone, you won't have access to those features."
• Bocuse d'Or 2025 - "The Bocuse d'Or 2025 promises to be full of new developments and more in tune than ever with the societal trends in cuisine. The prestigious competition is constantly evolving to strengthen its role as a laboratory of excellence and inspiration for the gastronomy of tomorrow."
• Puzzling fossils unearthed in China may rewrite the human story - "A cache of human-like fossils from China has perplexed scientists for decades, defying explanation or categorization. It may be time to formally recognize a previously unknown ancient hominin, and they’ve proposed officially recognizing a species new to science."
• Here’s what trend forecasters think you’ll be wearing in 2025 - "For many of us, 2025 stretches ahead as a giant unknown. For trend forecasters, it’s already mapped out - or some of it, at least. From the surprising resurrection of the Gen Z-maligned skinny jean to an uptick in sophisticated sleepwear, here are five things experts believe you’ll be gravitating towards this year."
• Generation Z is losing a skill we’ve had for 5,500 years: 40% are losing mastery of communication - "Is Generation Z losing touch with handwriting? A shocking 40% struggle with this vital skill, risking their cognitive development and personal connections. Discover what’s at stake for future communication and the steps to bridge this gap. A recent study from the University of Stavanger has found something pretty alarming: around 40% of Gen Zers are losing their grip on handwritten communication, a skill that's been key to human interaction for about 5500 years."
• Auschwitz: How death camp became centre of Nazi Holocaust - "It was 80 years ago that Soviet troops liberated the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Some of the last survivors will be joined by world leaders on Monday, to commemorate the 1.1 million people murdered there."
• Roman Abramovich dodged millions in tax with superyachts-for-hire scheme - "The billionaire, who was sanctioned by the UK in March 2022 over his connection to Vladimir Putin's regime, bought five luxury yachts over the course of the 2000s that were involved in the tax scheme."
• How yoga can rewire your brain - "The mind-altering power of yoga could improve your mental health. Yoga has been found to increase grey matter and alter key networks in the brain. Now there are hopes it could be used to help improve people's mental health."
• Decoding Melania Trump's new official portrait - "US First Lady Melania Trump's new official portrait has been released. Shot in the White House one day after her husband was sworn in as president, the black and white photo shows her wearing a dark business suit and white shirt as she rests her hands on a reflective table in the Yellow Oval Room."
• The White Lotus to Zero Day: 11 of the best TV shows to watch this February - "From the return of HBO's holiday-resort satire to a political thriller starring Robert De Niro and the latest violent period drama from Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight."
• The World’s Best Scotch - According To Three Whisky Experts - "For over 30 years, Johnnie Walker Blue Label has sustained its status as one of the world’s premiere luxury scotch brands. It’s no small feat considering that when it first hit shelves in 1992, the market was vastly different than the one we know today. Blue Label is nothing if not a case study in complexity and structure. Nosing with honey, cedar and dried berry fruit, the marmalade-hued liquid deploys an unlikely union of toffee and campfire smoke on the tongue."
• How to survive a phone call with Donald Trump - "Former Downing Street officials tell POLITICO how U.K. prime ministers tried to play the TV show host at his own game ... without getting fired."
• Ships, sea drones & AI: How NATO is hardening its defense of critical Baltic undersea cables - "Under the Baltic Sea, there are dozens of vulnerable internet and power cables, laid mostly unprotected on the seabed. According to Rutte, more than 95% of internet traffic globally is carried via undersea cables, with some 1.3 million kilometers of such cabling securing an estimated $10 trillion dollars of international trade daily."
• Trump Alarms Denmark in an Icy Exchange Over Greenland - "President Trump told Denmark’s leader he wanted to take over Greenland, European officials say. Denmark has asked its E.U. allies not to inflame the situation until Mr. Trump’s intentions are clearer."
• Inside the race for Greenland's mineral wealth - "President Donald Trump has said he thinks the US will gain control of Greenland, underlining his persistent claim on the Arctic island, on one occasion pointing to 'economic security' as the reason. While the autonomous Danish territory has been quick to say it isn't for sale, its vast and mostly untapped mineral resources are in great demand."
• The World's 'Happiest' Countries Harbor a Dark Side, Study Reveals - "Measuring a country's subjective levels of happiness has become something of an international sport. People look with interest (and a little jealousy) to nations such as Denmark, which consistently tops the world's happiness rankings. It has also led to Danish practices such as the 'hygge' lifestyle gaining popularity elsewhere. If only we could add more coziness to our lives, perhaps we would be as happy as the Danish!"
• Everyone with blue eyes can trace their ancestors to a beautiful European coastal region - "From iconic historical figures to Hollywood stars - blue eyes have always been 'in'. Yet, few will have guessed they originated in this small corner of Europe."
• Survivors mark 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation - "Monday marks Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp complex. Approximately 1.1 million people were murdered at the concentration camp from 1940 to 1945, many of them Jews but also other victims of the Third Reich including Poles, the Roma, and Soviet prisoners of war."
• Japan defeats France to win the Pastry World Cup - "The biennial event features contestants from as far afield as Egypt, Mauritius and South Korea in a sweet showdown where teams compete to create the best once-in-a-lifetime desserts. This year’s competition took place on January 20 and 21. Each team had three members - specialists in chocolate, ice, and sugar respectively. And they only had five hours to pull it all off."
• DeepSeek: Chinese AI chatbot sparks market turmoil for rivals - "The surge in popularity of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek has sparked a selloff of shares in major tech companies after it overtook rivals such as ChatGPT to become the top-rated free app on Apple's App Store. It is powered by the open-source DeepSeek-V3 model, which its researchers claim was developed for less than $6m - significantly less than the billions spent by rivals."
• Why do people risk their lives to summit the world's deadliest mountains? - "Historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela explores life, love and death on Earth's second-tallest peak in the new season of Extreme."
• Jaguar Land Rover bets $80m on bespoke paint services - "The UK's largest luxury car maker, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), says it will invest £65m ($81m) to expand its bespoke paint services in response to growing demand from wealthy customers. It follows a similar move by Rolls-Royce, which announced earlier this month that it was investing £300m to build more highly-customised versions of its cars for super-rich customers."
• Rolls-Royce to build bespoke cars for super-rich - "Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce will expand its Goodwood factory and global headquarters to meet the growing demand for bespoke models. Rolls-Royce sold 5,712 cars in 2024, down from its record of 6,032 in 2023, but the total value of its sales was higher due to it selling more bespoke builds."
• 6 ways to experience family-friendly Hawaii - "The actress has deep Hawaiian roots and loves sharing her culture via music, films and moments spent with family. Here are her favourite ways to find 'ohana' in Hawaii."
• What this therapist says you can learn about a man from how he eats - "People reveal a lot of intimate things about their inner selves over a meal, Dr Andrea Oskis tells Anna Maxted."
• Inside Trump’s first week back in the White House: Bright moods & simmering tensions - "'Oh, what a great feeling,' Trump said of his return to the Oval Office, basking in the grandeur of one of the world’s most powerful rooms. 'One of the better feelings I’ve ever had.' The wooden box with a red button, used to summon a valet for a Diet Coke, was back on the desk."
• Sorry, Trump: this pact says Britain has first dibs on Greenland - "The president is said to be raging at Denmark for the right to buy the strategic Arctic island. But a century-old document could stand in his way. An undertaking from 1917, when America first made a tentative attempt to acquire the island, was still valid. Woodrow Wilson, the US president, subsequently agreed that Greenland, the world’s biggest island, was Danish and always would be. Wilson said: ‘No, it’s not worth anything at all. It’s just ice. I don’t want it.’"
• A 2025 guide to Lunar New Year as we slither into the Year of the Snake - "Seeing an overabundance of red lately? From clothing shops to city streets, the fiery hue is going to be on display a lot in the coming days. It’s all part of the fun as the world gears up to celebrate Lunar New Year, widely considered the most important event of the year in China and Chinese communities around the planet."
• CIA now says COVID-19 'more likely' to have come from lab - "The CIA says it has 'low confidence' in its assessment that a 'research-related origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is more likely' and notes in its statement that both scenarios - lab origin and natural origin - remain plausible."
• A photographer visited McDonald’s in more than 55 countries. Here’s what he found - "He didn’t set out to write a book about McDonald’s. And, even now, the James Beard Award-winning photographer still says that 'McAtlas' - his book about McDonald’s - is not a book about McDonald’s. Rather, it’s 'a visual social anthropology of the world's largest restaurant chain.'"
• How My Trip to Quit Sugar Became a Journey Into Hell - "For my whole life, I've been a hard-core sweets junkie. Could a spa help me quit in a week?"
• Forget the Mona Lisa. The Louvre Gets a Fashion Show - "The most visited museum in the world is wooing a new crowd by injecting glamorous new cool into its fustiest department. This is 'Louvre Couture,' the first fashion exhibition at the famed Paris museum in its 231-year history."
• What really happens to your phone when it’s stolen - "The racket fuelling organised crime is evolving beyond snatchers on bikes - and the Met police commissioner says Apple and Google could stop it if they wanted to."
• No star, no script, no plan: where's it gone wrong for James Bond? - "It has been ten years since Daniel Craig said he was done with 007 - and three since he died on screen. Jonathan Dean investigates how Bond HQ lost the plot."
• Why Time Flies Faster as We Age & How to Slow It Down, According to Experts - "Ever wondered why the summers of your childhood felt endless, but now the years seem to vanish in an instant? It’s not just nostalgia - there’s actual science behind this mysterious shift. From the way our brains process memories to how routine dominates adult life, experts have uncovered surprising clues. The Brain's Processing Speed This creates a fuller sense of time. However, as we age, neural complexity slows this processing."
• The 19 greatest Rolex watch models ever, ranked - "From the Daytona to the King Midas, GQ watch editor Cam Wolf dives deep into all the most significant lines in the Crown’s long and distinguished history."
• The Best Scotch From Every Region of Scotland - "Read on for exceptional bottles from all five regions, which are relatively easy to find at your local liquor store or whisky retailer."
• Trump’s ‘ice maiden’ freezes Elon Musk out of West Wing - "Susie Wiles, the president’s chief of staff, has denied the billionaire touted as ‘the real vice-president’ a permanent office in the heart of the White House."
• Bill Gates: Trump, Musk & how my neurodiversity made me - "He frequently failed at school, so how did the ‘weirdo’ teenager Bill Gates go on to found Microsoft and become a billionaire by 31? He talks about his memoir, Source Code - and what happened when he met Donald Trump last month."
• Final secret files are coming out on the murders that shattered the 60s. What we may learn on JFK, MLK & RFK - "'And everything will be revealed,' Trump said as his Sharpie applied his famously angular signature."
• Where to watch the best picture Oscar nominees - "As luck would have it, this year’s crop of best picture Oscar nominees - ten movies, to be exact - are largely available for viewing from the comfort of your own home."
• More than 1.4 billion people traveled internationally in 2024 as tourism returns to pre-pandemic highs - "France was the world’s most-visited nation in 2024, with 100 million tourists, according to figures recently released by the country’s tourism board. Spain made a strong showing with 98 million tourists to land in second place."
• the definitive list of all 31 Caribbean islands from best to worst - "Plus where to stay, the best beaches and unmissable bargains (and you'll never guess which comes top): 1. Anguilla - 2. British Virgin Islands - 3. Grenada - 4. St Lucia - 5. Bonaire - 6. St Barths - 7. Barbados - 8. The Bahamas."
• I Took 119 Flights Last Year & These Are the Best Business-class Seats in the Sky Right Now - "Business-class air travel has come a long way over a short period of time. It was initially conceived as an intermediate level of product somewhere in between economy and first-class. British Airways elevated things to new heights in March 2000 with the introduction of the first-ever convertible lie-flat seat. Business-class travelers could now enjoy a bed in the sky."
• Musk, MrBeast, Larry Ellison - Who might buy TikTok? - "Ultimately, President Trump is likely to have a major role in selecting a US buyer of TikTok."
• 'The baddies reflect the worries of today': How TV spy thrillers are booming in an age of distrust - "From Netflix mega-hit The Night Agent to Apple TV+'s beloved Slow Horses, tales of secret agents and sinister plots are becoming ever more popular again. That's because they resonate with the times."
• 150 Years of See & Be Seen at Paris’s Grandest Opera House - "It's been 150 years since the Palais Garnier opera house opened in Paris. Today, it is still a working theater - with 172 performances schedule4d for this season."
• The Devastating Legacy of Lies in Alzheimer’s Science - "Fraud in research needs to end."
• Trump’s D.E.I. Order Creates ‘Fear & Confusion’ Among Corporate Leaders - "The executive order signals that private businesses and organizations could be investigated over their diversity policies."
• 33 Travel Products That Will Get So Many Admiring Looks At The Airport & On The Plane - "Prepare for everyone to 'oooh' and 'ahhhhh' and your magical expanding carry-on suitcase."
• The 25 best places to travel in 2025 - "From bubblegum-coloured lakes in Australia to a solar-powered safari camp in Botswana, these are BBC journalists' top destinations this year."
• Oscar Snubs & Surprises: Daniel Craig Misses; Fernanda Torres Scores - "Sebastian Stan’s Trump portrayal is also rewarded after the film had a hard time getting distribution, while Marianne Jean-Baptiste was overlooked."
• ‘The Girl With the Needle’ Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events - "This grim and exceptionally stylish film centers on a Danish woman who becomes tied up in the black-market baby trade."
• Behind the Scenes of The White Lotus’ Bigger, Wilder, Darker Third Season - "On the scorching set with Mark White and the cast in Thailand."
• 10 Gut Myths, Corrected - "We asked leading authorities for the truth about probiotics, elimination diets, leaky gut and more."
• Searching for the Fountain of Youth - "The story of Ponce de León's search for the Fountain of Youth is now, factually speaking, dead. It was too perfect to be true. Modern historians have debunked almost everything about it. In all of his many journeys, Ponce never once made documented mention of the fountain."
• What Have We Learned From Centuries of Chasing Immortality? - "People, and men in particular, have long mixed solid science and serious quackery in the pursuit of longevity."
• Paris’ Louvre museum in dire state, problems ‘endanger’ art, director warns in plea for help - "The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum and home to Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Mona Lisa,' has requested urgent help from the French government to restore and renovate its ageing exhibition halls and better protect its countless works of art."
• Trump declassifies JFK files: ‘Everything will be revealed’ - "President also asks for documents on the assassination of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King to be made public."
• 97th Academy Awards | Oscars: Full List of Nominees - "Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang revealed this year's nominees after the announcement was twice postponed by the Los Angeles wildfires."
• Key lines from Trump’s first Oval Office TV interview - "Trump says it’s a ‘sad thing’ Biden didn’t pardon himself."
• ‘F**** off’: Danish official’s message for Trump on Greenland - "Anders Vistisen, a Danish member of the European Parliament, told President Donald Trump to "f**** off," in response to Trump touting the idea of buying Greenland."
• Elon Musk bashes the $500 billion AI project Trump announced, claiming its backers don’t ‘have the money’ - "Shortly after President Donald Trump announced a new massive AI infrastructure investment from the White House, 'First Buddy' Elon Musk tried to tear it down. 'They don’t actually have the money,' Musk wrote on his social media platform X. 'SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority'."
• China’s EV growth is off the charts. It could reshape the global oil economy - "China made a bet decades ago because it couldn’t compete with the US on cars. That bet is paying off big."
• Bringing Anne Frank’s Secret Annex to New York & the World - "Covered windows, peeling wallpaper: For the first time outside of Amsterdam, an exhibition reconstructs Anne’s hiding place during the devastation of the Holocaust."
• Are Dental X-Rays Safe? - "We asked experts if regular exposure to low levels of radiation could be harmful to health."
• secret iPhone trick cheaters are OBSESSED with: 'It's much harder to spot' - "'It's the humble Notes app. Yes, the same place you pop groceries lists and all those draft angry texts to your ex. In the Notes app, you can invite people to collaborate in real time on a note in iCloud, and everyone who has access can see the latest changes."
• Men got taller & heavier at twice the rate of women over past century, study shows - "The size of human beings has increased over the past century thanks to better health and nutrition - but this change has not occurred equally among men and women, a new study shows."
• At a Deluxe Dining Room on the 100th Floor, a Chef Toils in Obscurity - "In New York, private restaurants in luxury towers are a popular amenity. The public cannot eat there, and residents only drop in occasionally."
• Want to Train Your Brain to Stop Procrastinating? Read These Tips From a Neuroscientist - "Learn the science behind why you procrastinate - and can't seem to stop - plus simple tricks for kicking the habit for good."
• Richard Gere, his wife & their ?new life in Madrid - "The actor’s move to the city exemplifies how the capital has become a magnet for rich foreigners. Not everyone views it positively. Madrid was already booming, but the recent arrival of Richard Gere as a resident in the city has sealed its new status in Spanish eyes."
• How Scandinavian dressing can make us happier - "Nordic style is easy to wear - and can even cheer us up, say its fans. As Copenhagen Fashion Week approaches, we explore the fun, functional Scandi-girl style movement."
• Swede dreams: How Sweden is embracing its sleepy side - "Sweden's long, cold nights might put you off going there in winter, unless, that is, you are in search of that elusive 21st-Century luxury: a good night's sleep."
• Trump's frenetic pace delivers on early promises, but tests lie ahead - "Why Trump’s two days in the White House already feel like a full term."
• What Trump’s Executive Orders Really Mean for the Climate - "It didn’t take President Donald Trump long to take his first shots at U.S. efforts to tackle climate change. In a series of executive orders issued just after taking office on Monday, he began the process of pulling out of the Paris Agreement. All of these efforts were designed to stimulate the U.S. fossil fuel industry and 'drill baby, drill.'"
• Melania Trump is brimming with plans for second term - "First lady Melania Trump is returning to the East Wing bolstered by lessons from four years in an unelected job she has privately acknowledged was a whirlwind of responsibilities of which she was largely unaware. This time, she says, will be different."
• In pictures: First look inside the new Oval Office as Trump makes his mark - "The returning president wasted no time in redesigning the room ‘where wars start and end’."
• the 1645 painting that unlocks Trump's portrait - "Following the release of the US president-elect's official portrait, an expert reveals how scouring the pages of art history can help decode its meaning."
• Xi & Putin hold video call after Trump's inauguration - "Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a video call hours after Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday, pledging to bring bilateral ties to 'greater heights', according to state media on both sides. Calling Xi a 'dear friend', Putin said Russia and China were building ties 'on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support' despite external pressure."
• Prince Harry settles legal claim against The Sun publisher in unexpected move - "David Sherborne, the duke’s barrister, told London’s High Court on Wednesday that NGN 'offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.'"
• Tech giants announce $500bn 'Stargate' AI plan in US - "The new company, called The Stargate Project, was announced at the White House by Donald Trump who billed it 'the largest AI infrastructure project by far in history.' It is a partnership between OpenAI, Oracle, Japan's Softbank and MGX, a tech investment arm of the United Arab Emirates government."
• Fizzy water boosts metabolism & aids weight loss, study claims - "Fizzy water could assist weight loss by boosting the metabolism and making a person feel fuller, scientists have claimed. The carbon dioxide curbs hunger pangs and lowers blood glucose levels, say scientists - but not all experts are convinced."
• The best time to eat dinner, according to longevity experts - "Put your fork down at least three hours before bed, say the experts - but don’t stress if it’s your biggest meal of the day. Few lifestyle choices come with as much cultural baggage as the best time to eat dinner. There are all the national stereotypes - Americans eat early; Italians eat late; Spaniards eat even later - and in Britain, the issue comes weighted with class too. (The later you eat, the posher you are, supposedly.)"
• A beauty mogul's guide to luxury self-care in Dubai - "Dubai is synonymous with luxury and pampering, and Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan knows where to find it. Here are her Dubai picks, from heavenly massages to crystal shopping."
• How to celebrate Jane Austen on her 250th birthday - "As travellers flock to the English countryside to celebrate the renowned novelist, we asked experts to weigh in on the best Austen-themed festivals, reenactments and balls of the year."
• Digital British passport to be available on smartphones - "The British passport is to be made available on smartphones by 2027, paving the way for it to be accepted for international travel. The digital passport is part of the new government 'wallet' where people can save documents to their phone using an app."
• 6 USB-C GADGETS EVERY IPHONE USER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT - "Portable charger - Portable external storage - Mobile gaming controller - Lavalier microphone..."
• trump pardons nearly 1600 capitol riot defendants as he signs first orders of presidency - "Trump wields huge power to kick start his new ‘Golden Age’. Trump begins first full day in office with climate and deportations top of his agenda."
• What executive orders did Trump sign on day one? - "Donald Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders on everything from immigration, climate to pardons after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Executive orders carry the weight of law, but can be overturned by subsequent presidents or the courts. Here is a rundown of what he's done so far."
• Donald Trump’s full speech: Text of the inaugural speech of 47th President of US - "Here is the full Text of Donald Trump's inaugural speech as 47th President of the United States."
• ‘He’s at the Apex of Power Now’: A Preview of Trump’s Second Term - "One by one, they had all trickled into the walnut-paneled Mansfield Room. Donald Trump had just made another improbable return: his first visit to the U.S. Capitol since a mob of his supporters stormed the building on Jan. 6, 2021."
• Inauguration highlights: missing the Bible, failed kiss, a cappella & more - "Donald Trump's second inauguration ceremony was marked by an awkward kiss, technical problems and breaks with tradition."
• Mark Zuckerberg Has a Funny Idea of What It Is to Be a Man - "The standards of masculine energy have fallen."
• Traitors, beware - how to spot a talented liar - "It’s hard to detect a lie, as the TV series shows. Here’s what the experts look for."
• Do LED Face Masks Work? - "These light-emitting devices are all over the internet. We asked experts if they can reduce wrinkles, clear acne and more."
• A Simple 10-Minute Workout to Improve Mobility - "Daily movement breaks are important. This no-equipment routine can help you move more freely."
• A Vanity Fair takedown - now what for Team Sussex? - "After a ‘distressing’ exposé in America’s glossy celebrity bible, Harry and Meghan appear to be floundering. So how do they recover, asks Hilary Rose. And so it is with hearts full of joy that we find ourselves once again in Montecito. It’s been a long time since the world’s most maligned lovely people did very much of note, but rejoice."
• Inside Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Big Business Ambitions, 5 Years After Their Royal Exit - "Ensconced in their cozy Montecito mansion, the Sussexes are living the American dream. By all accounts, the love is real. But their foray into moguldom has not always been a smooth ride." Vanity Fair.
• The 10 Worst Oscar-Winning Movies of All Time, Ranked - "1 'Suicide Squad' (2016) Won: Best Makeup & Hairstyling. 2 'The Broadway Melody' (1929) Won: Best Picture. 3 'Cimarron' (1931). 4 'Coquette' (1929). 5 'Cavalcade' (1933). 6 'In Old Arizona' (1928). 7 'Army of the Dead' (2021). 8 'Earthquake' (1974). 9 'The Nutty Professor' (1996) Won: Best Makeup. 10 'The Iron Lady' (2011) Won: Best Leading Actress (Meryl Streep) and Best Makeup."
• The 10 Best Porsche 911 Versions Ever - "With over six decades under its belt, the Porsche 911 has had almost too many different variants to count over the years – here are our 10 favourites: 10. 996 GT3 RS - 9. 992 Dakar - 8. 964 Carrera RS - 7. 993 GT2 - 6. 993 Turbo - 5. 991 Touring - 4. Carrera 2.7 RS. - 3. 992 S/T. - 2. 930 Turbo. - 1. 997 GT3 RS 4.0."
• Trump to be sworn in as 47th president - live updates - "The theme of Trump’s inaugural address is 'restoring confidence'."
• What to watch at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration - "Here’s what to know about Inauguration Day."
• In pictures: The inauguration of Donald Trump - "The inauguration is set to take place inside the US Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold temperatures projected in the nation’s capital."
• Donald & Melania Trump launch a pair of meme coins ahead of inauguration - "Melania Trump launched her cryptocurrency $MELANIA in a social media post Sunday, sending her husband’s cryptocurrency $TRUMP, announced two days earlier, plummeting."
• Decoding Donald Trump's new official portrait - "Photographers describe the photo as 'serious', 'ominous' and a 'message picture'."
• What are executive orders? The powerful tool used by US presidents - "Executive orders are a key tool for any US president wanting to make their mark on government policy - and it appears that Donald Trump will waste no time on his return to the White House."
• What Melania Trump’s clothes reveal about an inscrutable First Lady - "Dressing the first lady: What fashion-watchers expect from Melania Trump’s second turn as FLOTUS."
• 80 Years of First Lady Fashion - "From Eleanor Roosevelt to Jill Biden, first ladies have often made statements through what they wore on Inauguration Day and to the inaugural balls."
• United States presidential inauguration - "Between 73 and 79 days after the presidential election, the president-elect of the United States is inaugurated as president by taking the presidential oath of office. The inauguration takes place for each new presidential term, even if the president is continuing in office for another term."
• Why Inauguration Day Is on January 20 - "Events on the day include the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural address, and the inaugural luncheon."
• Why is TikTok back after being banned for one day? - "TikTok briefly went dark in the US over the weekend, after the Supreme Court denied a bid by Chinese owner ByteDance to overturn a law banning it. But it was back after a day with a message thanking incoming president Donald Trump for his 'efforts' in restoring the app."
• Some Raw Truths About Raw Milk - "Despite the serious risks of drinking it, a growing movement - including the potential health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - claims it has benefits. Should we take them more seriously?"
• 5 Things We Know About Chronic Pain - "After developing chronic pain, I started looking into what scientists do - and still don’t - understand about the disease. Here is what I learned: 1. Understand it. - 2. Exercise helps. - 3. Control pain from the source. - 4. Reframe your thoughts. - 5. Use helpful descriptive language."
• Get ready for the world’s first trillionaires - "Move over billionaires. The first trillionaires are on their way. Five people are expected to amass at least $1 trillion in wealth within the next decade, if current trends continue, according to Oxfam’s annual inequality report, released Sunday. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, currently the world’s richest person worth more than $430 billion, should cross the mark in just under five years. He will soon be joined by Amazon founder LynchianJeff Bezos, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and family."
• The world's most expensive home worth £3.6bn - 27 storeys with cinema & snow room - "This property is one of the most lavish in the world with an incredible array of unique features inside. The 400,000-square-foot palace is towering 27 storeys over downtown Mumbai. The home is the residence of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family in India, it is known as Antilia and has a striking appearance."
• Piers Morgan interview: ‘Trump will win the Nobel Peace Prize in two years’ - "He’s riled up royals and critics alike, but the firebrand has become an expert in staying one step ahead of the outrage machine."
• Trump says he will 'most likely' give TikTok 90-day reprieve from ban - "It comes after the social media platform warned it would "go dark" on Sunday unless the outgoing Biden administration gave assurances the ban will not be enforced."
• Here’s What Happened When India Banned TikTok in 2020 - "Despite the ban, TikTok did just fine in expanding around the world, while national and international tech companies rushed to fill the Indian void, in the process transforming their global approaches to social media."
• Trump launches cryptocurrency with price rocketing - "US President-elect Donald Trump has launched his own cryptocurrency, which quickly soared in market capitalisation to several billion dollars. By Saturday afternoon, hours after its launch, the market capitalisation for $Trump reached nearly $5.5bn (£4.5bn), according to CoinMarketCap.com."
• 6 ways to experience Greenland - "A tour of Greenland with the country's first female prime minister. Greenlandic politician and Inuit educator Aleqa Hammond shares her top ways to experience the country, from sampling Greenlandic cuisine to viewing the Northern Lights in Ilulissat."
• A Meteorite Is Caught on Camera as It Crashes Outside a Front Door - "Home security-camera footage shows a puff of smoke, with the sound of an explosion included, as the space rock lands in Canada. Home security-camera footage shows a puff of smoke, with the sound of an explosion included, as the space rock lands in Canada. A geologist said it was a rare recording."
• Visualizing the Global Population in 2035, by Generation - "This graphic compares each generation's current population share with projections for 2035, emphasizing Gen Beta's growth."
• The World's Best Watch Brands, Explained - "45 Watch Brands Every Person Should Know: Omega, Timex, Patek Philippe, and More. An exhaustive guide to all the names worth your time, from age-old Swiss institutions to homegrown American upstarts."
• David Lynch: A Life in Pictures - "The filmmaker possessed a singular vision - and a knack for finding collaborators who could convey it."
• 5 Scenes That Define David Lynch’s Singular Vision - "The director developed such a distinct style that 'Lynchian' became a go-to term for any sort of surrealism onscreen. These scenes from his work get to the heart of what that term embodied."
• A life in quotes: David Lynch - "The visionary film-maker and prolific artist, purveyor of the dark, mysterious, abstract and unspoken, died aged 78."
• An Arctic blast will give Trump the coldest inauguration in 40 years - "The coldest air of winter so far will blast into Washington, DC, on Monday as President-elect Donald Trump stands up in front of the capitol to take his oath of office. The temperature on Inauguration Day at noon - when the president-elect swears in - is expected to be in the low-20s, which is around 20 degrees below normal."
• TikTok says it will 'go dark' on Sunday without US government action - "The Supreme Court earlier upheld a law that would ban the video app in the US unless its Chinese parent-company sells it. TikTok has said it will be forced to 'go dark' in the US on Sunday unless the government intervenes before a ban takes effect."
• The Movies That Fashion Designers Watch Again and Again - "Nine designers discuss the films that continue to inform their aesthetics, from 'In the Mood for Love' to 'The Exorcist.'"
• The age we start turning into our parents - it’s 43 - "According to a new poll the shift to embracing parent-like habits hits at the average age of 43. Complaining about the weather is the most glaring sign that you've become your mum or dad, with 36 per cent choosing this trait as the top indicator."
• 15 predictions Bill Gates made in 1999 that will amaze you with their accuracy - "Bill Gates' 1999 book Business @ the Speed of Thought predicted 15 tech trends that have become integral to modern life."
• 10 Chinese New Year traditions everyone should know about - "From sharing food with family to visiting temples, here are common Chinese New Year traditions you need to remember for a prosperous year."
• The family home next to Auschwitz is opening its doors to the world - "With its manicured garden and spacious interior, the three-story villa was once described as 'paradise' by the mother who raised her five children there. And much was done to preserve the household’s tranquility, given its immediate neighbor: the largest and most notorious Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz."
• The world’s most turbulent flights revealed - "Turbulence on flights is usually caused by mountains, storms or powerful jet stream currents, so it’s not surprising that rocky ranges feature prominently in a new list of flight routes that had the most turbulence in 2024, according to tracker site Turbli.com."
• Here’s Who’s Attending Trump’s Inauguration, From Foreign Leaders to Big Tech Executives - "President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration will be attended by some of America’s most influential billionaires and politicians as well as some foreign leaders and celebrities who have embraced the incoming President. Read here for some of the notable guests who will be in attendance."
• Scientists say they are close to resurrecting a lost species. Is the age of de-extinction upon us? - "Advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology are making resurrecting animals once lost to this world a tangible prospect. The organizations and companies at the forefront of de-extinction efforts are promising success — and surprisingly soon."
• David Lynch, director of ‘Twin Peaks’ & ‘Mulholland Drive’, dead at 78 - "Lynch’s almost-50-year cinematic career was distinguished by a series of distinctive, highly stylized films that often feature surreal situations, fragmented timelines, and supernatural elements."
• Why David Lynch's Mulholland Drive is the greatest film of the 21st Century - "It puzzled many viewers but delighted critics. We explain why the late, great David Lynch's Mulholland Drive topped BBC Culture's poll to find the greatest films of the 21st Century."
• The secret to Hollywood’s greatest comebacks, from John Travolta to Demi Moore - "If there's anything that audiences and awards voters alike love, it's seeing a faded star revitalise their career with one breathtaking performance. But finding the right role to reannounce yourself to the world is a real art."
• How AI can spot diseases that doctors aren't looking for - "Applying AI in the background to systematically comb through scans and automatically identify early signs of common preventable chronic diseases that might be brewing - regardless of the reason the scan was originally ordered - is new."
• A million-dollar challenge to crack the script of early Indians - "For over a century, experts - linguists, scientists and archaeologists - have tried to crack the Indus script. Theories have linked it to early Brahmi scripts, Dravidian and Indo-Aryan languages, Sumerian, and even claimed it's just made up of political or religious symbols."
• Pompeii excavation unearths private spa for wooing wealthy guests - "Thermal bath complex is latest discovery among ruins of Italian city destroyed by Vesuvius eruption in AD79."
• Do I Need to Worry About Microplastics in Tea Bags? - "Not all tea bags shed them. We asked experts if it’s risky to use the ones that do."
• Sharing a few drams leads to £158,914 whisky bar bill - "Scotch enthusiasts ran up the eye-watering tab at The Fife Arms in Aberdeenshire sampling rare tipples."
• New Obesity Definition Challenges Current Use of B.M.I. - "An international commission made the case for focusing on body fat quantity and the illnesses people experience."
• 7 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health - "We asked cardiologists for their advice on how to keep your heart healthy for years to come: Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle and makes the body more efficient at pulling oxygen out of the blood. It also brings down blood ..."
• The 25 best places to travel in 2025 - "From bubblegum-coloured lakes in Australia to a solar-powered safari camp in Botswana, these are BBC journalists' top destinations this year."
• BAFTA Film Awards nominations revealed - "Holy smokes, a film that dramatizes the process to choose a Pope leads the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards. 'Conclave' earned 12 nominations, beating out the musical about a drug lord getting gender affirming care, 'Emilia Pérez,' which had 11. Period drama 'The Brutalist' scored nine nominations."
• Swapping red meat for plant-based proteins could reduce your dementia risk by nearly 20%, study says - "Keep your red meat to these limits to protect your brain health, experts say. A serving of red meat is usually around 3 ounces, which would be either two slices of bacon, 1.5 slices of bologna or one hot dog, according to a news release on the study. Researchers also found that an extra daily serving of processed red meat on average was associated with a 1.6-year acceleration in brain aging, according to the study."
• Jeff Bezos blasts into commercial space race with rocket launch - "Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's space company has blasted its first rocket into orbit in a bid to challenge the dominance of Elon Musk's SpaceX. The New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 02:02 local time (07:02 GMT)."
• What's the secret to Denmark's happy work-life balance? - "'Danes are actually happy at work,' he tells the BBC. 'Almost 60% of Danes say they would continue to work if they won the lottery and became financially independent.' Policies include the right to a minimum five weeks of paid vacation per year, in addition to public holidays. In the UK most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, but in the US it can be as low as just 11 days."
• The Decade That Changed Fitness Forever - "The ’70s brought American exercise into the modern era. Here are five workouts that changed the game."
• Not Drunk, Not Dry: What it Means to Be ‘Soberish’ - "Conscious of the health risks of alcohol, more people are experimenting with cutting back on drinking."
• AI Brad Pitt dupes French woman out of €830,000 - "A French woman who was conned out of €830,000 ($850,000) by scammers posing as actor Brad Pitt has faced a huge wave of mockery, leading French broadcaster TF1 to withdraw a programme about her."
• She Is in Love With ChatGPT - "A 28-year-old woman with a busy social life spends hours on end talking to her A.I. boyfriend for advice and consolation. And yes, they do have sex."
• Endangered heritage list reaches final frontier: the moon - "The moon was nominated to become one of the 25 at-risk places on the World Monuments Watch by the International Council on Monuments and Sites. As a new age of space exploration dawns, the World Monuments Fund says 90 historical areas on the celestial body are at risk. Plus, see our gallery of the other sites that are under threat."
• Ranked: The 50 Most Valuable Companies in the World in 2024 - "See a breakdown of the world's 50 most valuable companies, which represent $34 trillion in combined market capitalization."
• 7 Most Expensive Private Helicopters in the world 2025 - "The list includes a presidential helicopter, a special-edition ACH130 co-designed by Aston Martin, and the sleek Bell 525, appropriately named 'Relentless.'"
• The World's Safest Airlines for 2025 - "AirlineRatings.com, the world’s only airline safety and product rating website, has announced its Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines and Top 25 Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2025 from the 385 airlines it monitors."
• Europe’s biggest airline wants a 2-drink limit for passengers at airports - "Ryanair, Europe’s biggest airline, has called for the sale of alcohol to be limited at European airports to minimize the disruption caused by drunk passengers onboard flights."
• Starbucks ends its ‘open-door’ policies -"A 'back to Starbucks' approach: Starbucks doesn’t want to be America’s public bathroom anymore. Starbucks is scrapping a policy that had let anyone hang out at its cafes or use the restrooms without making a purchase. The new rules are part of a larger effort to improve Starbucks’ cafe experience and deter homeless people and non-paying customers who have come to use Starbucks solely for shelter and bathroom access."
• 10 Wake-Up Calls We Often Get a Little Too Late in Life - "There’s a big difference between empty fatigue and gratifying exhaustion. Life is too short not to focus more on what matters most."
• The art of not caring: 8 simple ways to live a happy life - "Living a happy life isn’t about pleasing everyone around you. It’s about mastering the art of not caring – not in a cold, indifferent way, but a liberating, stress-free kind of way: 1) Embrace imperfections - 2) Learn to say no - 3) Spend time in nature - 4) Practice ..."
• Families of Jack the Ripper victims call for inquest - "Relatives say recent DNA evidence should lead to the killer being named in court after 130 years. Descendants of some of the victims murdered by the unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper have backed calls for the investigation to be reopened after new evidence emerged. Eleven murders between 1888 and 1892 around Whitechapel, east London, have been linked to the Ripper."
• 11 architecture projects set to shape the world in 2025 - "The past year has seen the opening of the world’s second-tallest skyscraper, the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral and the announcement of countless futuristic urban mega-projects. Yet, the architecture world has, increasingly, recognized the value of altogether humbler pursuits."
• 15 Modern Words With Unusual Medieval Origins - "Many everyday words have roots in the Middle Ages but have come to be used in surprising ways in modern times. From medieval philosophies to long-forgotten customs, these words reveal how the past continues to shape our language in unexpected ways. Here are 15 examples of this fascinating evolution."
• Maps & images reveal scale of LA wildfire devastation - "It's a rapidly changing situation - these maps and pictures show the scale of the challenge, where the fires are and the damage they have caused. The largest blaze, in the Pacific Palisades area is the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. More than 23,000 acres have now burnt."
• Prince Harry & Meghan Markle described as 'disaster tourists' - "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are 'offended' by Justine Bateman's claims that they were only helping out in the LA wildfires for a 'photo op' as they are 'disaster tourists'."
• What is RedNote, the Chinese social media app that US TikTokers are flocking to? - "As Supreme Court justices ponder the future of TikTok in the United States, a growing number of American social media users have responded by moving to an unlikely alternative: Xiaohongshu, a hugely popular social media app in China. The app, which means 'Little Red Book,' often shortened by US users to RedNote, surged to the top position on Apple’s US App Store on Tuesday."
• One of the world’s greatest religious spectacles is underway & the numbers are staggering - "Millions of Hindu devotees are bathing in sacred waters as the world’s biggest religious gathering begins in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Over the next six weeks, a staggering 400 million people are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, or the festival of the Sacred Pitcher, on the riverbanks in the city of Prayagraj."
• Oscars 2025: Our predictions for next week's nominations - "Ahead of next week's announcement, BBC Culture's film critics forecast the likely contenders – from a musical about a trans crime boss to an architectural epic with Adrien Brody."
• Where to go in 2025: The best places to visit - "CNN Travel’s belief is that every place has reasons that make it worth visiting. However, our staff has curated this list of 25 destinations we think are particularly worth visiting in 2025."
• A brief history of sunglasses, from Ancient Rome to Hollywood - "Sunglasses, or dark glasses, have always guarded against strong sunlight, but is there more to 'shades' than we think? The pupils of our eyes are delicate and react immediately to strong lights. Protecting them against light - even the brilliance reflected off snow - is important for everyone. Himalayan mountaineers wear goggles for this exact purpose."
• Queen not officially told for years about Palace spy, MI5 papers reveal - "Queen Elizabeth II was not officially informed for almost a decade that one of her most senior courtiers had confessed to being a Soviet spy, according to newly released MI5 files. Art historian Anthony Blunt was for decades Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, overseeing the official Royal Art Collection, and in 1964 admitted he had been a Soviet agent since the 1930s."
• How often should you wash your towels? - "Why you probably aren't washing your towels often enough. The towels we dry ourselves with get a lot of use and pick up a lot of microbes along the way. But how long should you wait before throwing them into the laundry? If you share a towel with others, the risk of picking up something unpleasant increases. 'Home hygiene is all to do with prevention, and prevention is better than treatment.' Professor Elizabeth Scott suggests laundering towels once a week. However, this recommendation is not a set rule."
• le canard À la presse (pressed duck): Why France's most elaborate & macabre recipe is back on the menu - "France has more than its fair share of flamboyant dishes – but the most elaborate of all is pressed duck, where a roast duck's bones are crushed to create a decadent 'blood sauce'."
• 35 Simple Health Tips Experts Swear By - "Here on the Well desk, we’re constantly asking experts for research-backed advice on how to eat better, stress less and generally live healthier, happier lives. But which habits really make the biggest difference?"
• Do Our Dogs Have Something to Tell the World? - "Many owners think so, thanks to the 'talking buttons' craze on TikTok and Instagram. Scientists are less convinced."
• How Sign Language Can Help Us All Be Better Communicators - "The emotionality of ASL can free you from the trap of precision."
• Royal treasures hidden since World War II recovered from cathedral - "Historical treasures hidden for decades have been uncovered in the crypts of a cathedral, with items including burial crowns and insignia belonging to Medieval European rulers. The cache from Vilnius Cathedral, in Lithuania, has not been seen since the outbreak of World War II in 1939, according to a press release from Go Vilnius tourism promotion agency on Wednesday."
• 20 things you must do on the French Riviera - "The place is a dream come true for travelers, explorers, swimmers, sun-bathers, and fans of art, food, and sunshine. Few coastal regions can compare to the Cote d'Azur, a stretch of turquoise ocean that spans from St. Tropez to the Italian border. Inspiring artists and tourists for centuries, it's a wonderful dream for all."
• The Best Places to Go in Europe in 2025 - "For barely trodden islands, historic villages, and storied wine trails. From new hotel openings in Marseille to celebrations of musical legends in Vienna, and Geneva taking center stage in the global sporting arena."
• In pictures: From the Swiss Alps to the Rocky Mountains, these are the world's most incredible train journeys - "Pass through awe-inspiring mountain ranges while eating delicious food on these once-in-a-lifetime train journeys."
• This Stealthy Charger Promises Endless iPhone Battery Life - "Believe us, you’ve never seen a smartphone charger like this before."
• 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Rolex GMT-Master II - "The Rolex GMT-Master II is an icon of horology. Embodying the perfect blend of functionality, craftsmanship, and style, it is a watch that gets seasoned collectors and first-time buyers equally excited with its rich history, timeless design, and impact on watch-collecting culture that it is arguably Rolex’s most desirable collection outside of the Daytona."
• 5 Largest Private Jet Charter Providers In The US - "In this article, we will take a deeper look at the five largest jet charter companies operating in the United States today: 1 NetJets, Inc. Total 2023 flight hours: 609,515. 2 FlexJet, Inc. Total 2023 flight hours: 204,836. 3 Vista Global Holding Limited. Total 2023 flight hours: 136,511. 4 Wheels Up, Inc. Total 2023 flight hours: 127,685. 5 flyExclusive. Total 2023 flight hours: 55,211."
• ‘We’re in a New Era’: How Climate Change Is Supercharging Disasters - "Extreme weather events - deadly heat waves, floods, fires and hurricanes - are the consequences of a warming planet, scientists say."
• 2024 Brought the World to a Dangerous Warming Threshold. Now What? - "Global temperatures last year crept past a key goal, raising questions about how much nations can stop the planet from heating up further."
• How Much Would Buying Greenland Cost? - "President-elect Donald Trump wants to buy the territory from Denmark, which says it’s not for sale. DealBook asked experts how they’d approach the deal. For the low-end valuation, he adjusted the purchase price of the Virgin Islands for the 500-fold growth in Denmark’s G.D.P. since 1917. That implied a Greenland price tag of $12.5 billion. Adjusting the $7.2 million cost of the Alaska purchase for the growth in U.S. G.D.P. produced the high end of $77 billion."
• Google searches for deleting Facebook, Instagram on the rise after Meta ends fact-checking - "Google searches for how to cancel and delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts have seen explosive rises in the U.S. since Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company will end its third-party fact-checking system, loosen content moderation policies, and roll back previous limits to the amount of political content in user feeds."
• Why have car headlights got so bright & what are the dangers? - "The sheer power of LEDs isn't the only factor in play. 'They give off a higher colour temperature compared to the old-style bulbs,' said Paramdeep Bilkhu, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists. 'They're whiter, closer to daylight.'"
• My day wearing Meta smart glasses, secretly filming everyone - "Would you notice the little white light on my Ray-Bans? It’s the only signal they’re recording."
• Is Flying Business Class Actually Worth The Cost? - "Put simply, you will get more done while you travel. In lounges and on the flight itself, you'll be set up to work far better than in economy."
• Visualizing the Top 20 Most Valuable Companies of All Time - "1. Dutch East India Company: $8.28 trillion. 2. Mississippi Company: $6.8 trillion. 3. Saudi Aramco: $6.58 trillion. 4. South Sea Company: $4.5 trillion. 5. Apple: $3.29 trillion. 6. Microsoft: $3.21 trillion. 7. Nvidia: $2.86 trillion. 8. Alphabet: $1.95 trillion. 9. Amazon: $1.94 trillion. 10. META (Facebook) $1.35 trillion."
• On Meds? You May Be Able to Eat Grapefruit Again Someday - "Scientists have identified a gene that causes production of a substance in some citrus that interferes with many medications."
• 11 Surprising Things You Can Put in Your Dishwasher (& 7 You Can’t) - "In a perfect world, all the dirty dishes and utensils piled up in your sink would be safe to toss in the dishwasher. But in reality, some items require a more delicate approach."
• Best of CES 2025: The top 25 new gadgets - "Our pick of the best gadgets at this year's show. Here’s the top 25 gadgets of CES."
• Weirdest gadgets from the CES technology show - "Want a robot to cool your tea? Or a solar panel hat to charge your phone on the go? The Las Vegas exhibition has you covered."
• Massive ice core is a ‘time machine’ that could help solve an ancient climate mystery, scientists say - "An international research team has successfully drilled and retrieved a 9,186-foot-long (2,800-meter-long) ice core from Antarctica that dates back 1.2 million years. The sample extended so deep that it reached the bedrock beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet."
• Danes struggle with response to Trump Greenland threat - "Copenhagen's gloomy January weather matches the mood among Denmark's politicians and business leaders. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen downplayed Trump's own suggestion that the US might use military force to seize Greenland. 'I don't have the fantasy to imagine that it'll ever get to that,' she told Danish TV."
• Inside the mind of Elon Musk, by those who worked for him - "Insiders reveal the moods and methods of Donald Trump’s ‘first buddy’ - as we track his increasing fixation on Keir Starmer and visualise his inner circle."
• Generation Beta is here - what kind of world will it inherit? - "AI might cure their diseases, or steal their jobs. And they could see the first global population decline in 700 years. So what else is in store for those born in 2025."
• The world’s most turbulent flights revealed - "In travel news this week: misbehavior on planes, secrets of a cruise ship doctor and the flight routes that were most prone to turbulence in 2024. Turbulence on flights is usually caused by mountains, storms or powerful jet stream currents, so it’s not surprising that rocky ranges feature prominently in a new list of flight routes that had the most turbulence in 2024, according to tracker site Turbli.com."
• A Finnish ironwoman's guide to Finland's best outdoor icy plunges - "Elina Mäkinen was the first Finnish woman to complete the Ice Mile. Here are her top ice bathing experiences, from plunges under the Northern Lights to paying homage to Arctic gods."
• How to transform your home with art - "'It's about what speaks to you': Displaying paintings, prints, textiles and sculptures can all help create a fresh living space for the new year - here's how, according to the experts."
• As Art Sales Fall, Auction Houses Pivot to Luxury - "With both supply and demand for big-ticket art in a slump, Sotheby’s and Christie’s are making major bets on selling handbags, classic cars and niche experiences."
• The top 10 largest economies in the world in 2025 - "Get insights into the top 10 largest economies in 2025, and learn about the global economy's growth as the world propels itself towards a prosperous future."
• 100 Years Since Patek Philippe Released the First Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch - " 2025 marks 100 years since Patek Philiipe introduced the first perpetual calendar wristwatch, the Patek Philippe 97975."
• CES 2025 Day 4 - 9 new gadgets you need to see - "Flying cars, AR glasses, AI pillows and more. CES 2025 saw the Land Aircraft Carrier on show, showing off a Cybertruck-looking design that houses an eVTOL Air Module in the back."
• USA TODAY's 50 Top Picks for CES 2025 - "These are tech expert Marc Salzman's top CES picks for USA TODAY after his hands-on with future gadgets and gear in Las Vegas."
• All the Best Speakers, Headphones & Hi-Fi Gear from CES 2025 - "Another year of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is nearly in the books (it technically ends on January 10th). And, as is tradition, a lot of new audio gear has been announced - everything from noise-canceling headphones and portable Bluetooth speakers, to high-end turntables and hi-fi separates."
• Trump to endure embarrassment of criminal sentencing after last-ditch Supreme Court appeal fails - "The court’s 5-4 decision Thursday to deny the president-elect’s last-minute effort to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case sets up a stunning moment - a Friday court date just 10 days before Trump is sworn in for a second term."
• Earth has entered ‘a new era’ with its hottest year on record - "Scientists say climate change caused by humans pushed 2024 above the 1.5C warming target set by the Paris Agreement almost ten years ago."
• L.A. Fires Show the Reality of Living in a World with 1.5°C of Warming - "The planet crosses an important temperature threshold while wildfires ravage southern California."
• Could the humble Birkenstock be elevated to a work of art? - "Beuys, Bauhaus ... Birkenstock? That is the question confronting judges at one of Germany's highest courts as they prepare to rule on whether four lines of footwear from the sensible sandal-maker should be protected as works of art. The German sandal-maker is seeking protected status to ward off copycat fashions."
• ‘Ultra-penthouse’: $1-billion skyscrapers to be linked by infinity pool - "$1-billion Dubai skyscrapers to be linked by daring rooftop pool. Two new 591-foot-tall skyscrapers, linked across the top by a daring 'sky pool,' are set to rise above Dubai’s Marasi Marina."
• 10 Ways to Eat Better - "We consulted nutrition experts for their best advice on how to eat for improved health: 1. Eat more legumes. 2. Scale back on sweet drinks. 3. Put vegetables in everything. 4. Eat fewer ultraprocessed foods ..."
• How to Grocery Shop Like a Nutrition Scientist - "Today we’re looking at ultraprocessed foods in the wild."
• New AirTag Max could be Apple’s next best move after AirTag 2 - "Apple could expand its AirTag lineup by launching not just the AirTag 2, but also a new AirTag Max product. AirTag Max would do basically what TimeCapsule does today: offer significantly longer battery life in exchange for a bulkier case. 10 years of battery for an AirTag with no add-ons required?"
• A Masterpiece of Sound: The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius - "A rare chance to acquire a legendary "Golden Period" Stradivari Violin, one of the most important musical instruments ever to appear at auction. Crafted by the legendary Antonio Stradivari in 1714, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is an embodiment of over three centuries of musical history."
• CES 2025 Day 3 - 11 new gadgets you need to see - "There's almost too many great announcements to keep up."
• Weirdest gadgets & tech announced at CES 2025: See list - "CES delivered a treasure trove of quirky and innovative gadgets that push the boundaries of creativity and utility."
• Anti-ageing vaccine is ‘closer than ever’ - but what helps now? - "Some scientists believe mobilising the immune system against decline is no longer fantasy."
• How to supercharge your brain - the experts’ rules - "Want to know the secret to improving your cognitive function? Two leading neuroscientists have whittled it down to a nine-point plan: 1. Risk failure to improve your cognitive flexibility. 2. Why 'running therapy' can boost your mood. 3. Cardio and strength training can improve ..."
• Salmon among quarter of freshwater species threatened with extinction - "Of almost 24,000 species worldwide, 24 per cent are at high risk of becoming extinct, primarily because of water pollution including sewage spills."
• The Massive Difference Between A 'Tourist' & A 'Traveler,' Per Rick Steves - "Rick Steves told the The New York Times that one can travel like a tourist, a traveler, or a pilgrim."
• The Best Transportation Method For Efficient Sightseeing In European Cities, Per Rick Steves - "If you are exploring an unfamiliar European city, intelligent and purposeful sightseeing is key to tick everything off your list. The most efficient transportation method for sightseeing in European cities is the humble subway system, according to Steves."
• CES 2025 Day 2 - 11 new gadgets you need to see - "But day 1 was only a taste of what CES has to offer, with day 2 offering even more incredible reveals. Whether you’re looking for new gaming handhelds, bizarre new TV concepts, robot companions, or even solar power for the beach, CES apparently has something to offer. And we’re still pretty early on in the show."
• Trump’s threats to Greenland, Canada & Panama explain everything about America First - "There was a characteristic element of farce as the president-elect’s son, Donald Jr., flew the family’s Boeing to Greenland, with a bobblehead of his father perched on the cockpit control panel. 'Make Greenland Great Again!' the president-elect posted on his Truth Social network shortly before his son landed."
• Why Trump is so interested in Greenland - "Trump wants to buy Greenland again. Here’s why he’s so interested in the world’s largest island."
• 52 Places to Go in 2025 - "Where will the new year take you? Kick-start your travel plans by selecting favorites from our annual list."
• This is the 'World's Healthiest Meal', According to Science - "A leading food researcher has created an ultra-healthy three-course meal based on thousands of health claims."
• The 9 things you should eat every day to stay healthy - "From avocados to apples, Peta Bee on the easy-to-find foods that will deliver big benefits."
• How long does it take to walk 10,000 steps? - "‘Walking 10,000 steps a day depends on your cadence - how many steps you take per minute, which depends on the length of your legs, your stride, your age, and your fitness level. For a cadence of 100 steps per minute, walking 10,000 steps could take you one hour and 40 minutes. Walking at a cadence of 130 steps per minute would take you one hour and 16 minutes."
• Ranked: the world’s best beaches for 2025, according to Lonely Planet - "The publication’s latest guide encompasses coasts from Thailand to Norway, Mexico to Australia."
• Revealed: The world's 15 most stunning train rides (& three you should probably avoid) - "'Here are my absolute favourite rides out of the hundreds I've been on - and one or two that should be avoided...'"
• 7 Apps To Learn A New Skill For 15 Minutes A Day In 2025 - "Mastering a new skill doesn't need to overhaul your already hectic schedule. Gone are the days of poring over books for extended periods of time, or lavishing money on expensive training courses. The future of upskilling in 2025 is simple, affordable, flexible, AI and games-driven, and adaptable to individual learning preferences."
• Morning coffee could reduce risk of heart disease - "Good news for those who love their morning caffeine habit as research suggests getting your fix before lunch is good for you."
• How AI & Nasa can help gardeners lacking a green thumb - "A ‘Nespresso for houseplants’ is one of the gadgets that aims to take the hassle - and the heartbreak - out of amateur gardening."
• CES 2025 day 1 - 9 new gadgets you need to see - "Here are the best new reveals at CES 2025 so far."
• Apple Releases iOS 18.2.1 With Bug Fixes - "According to Apple's release notes, iOS 18.2.1 addresses important bugs, and it is recommended for all users."
• Meta platforms ditching third party fact-checking - "Meta is getting rid of fact checkers. Zuckerberg acknowledged more harmful content will appear on the platforms now. Meta is abandoning the use of third party fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram and will replace it with X-style 'community notes', where commenting on the accuracy of posts is left to users."
• What We Know About HMPV, the Virus Spreading in China - "While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV is common and decades old."
• How lead pollution reduced the Romans’ IQs - "Chemical deposits in Arctic ice reveal high atmospheric concentrations that caused ‘widespread cognitive decline’ across the empire, scientists believe. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, concluded that the levels of lead in the air seen during the Pax Romana would have knocked 'at least' 2.5 to 3 points off the average IQ at the time."
• The rise, fall & rise again of Demi Moore - "Derided as a ‘popcorn actress’ and damaged by drugs, the star experienced difficulties in her career and married life. But at 62, she has finally received recognition."
• 10 Simple Bodyweight Exercises To Build Strength All Over - "These exercises meet you wherever you are in your fitness level."
• The 10 most comfortable walking shoes, according to podiatrists & shoe experts - "Walking can be an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages. But in order to stay healthy, comfy and, most importantly, free from injury, you’ll want to be sure you’re wearing the right pair of walking shoes. Luckily, you have a variety of brands, styles and materials to choose from these days. To better help you in your quest, we asked multiple podiatrists and seasoned long-distance walkers exactly what to look for when selecting the best walking shoes."
• 8 Countries Where You Can Get Citizenship If You Buy Property - "Make expat dreams your new reality. In many of these destinations, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to buy a home."
• ‘A Floating Piece of History’: How the Gucci Family Restored This 214-Foot Sailing Yacht - "Moving beyond fashion, Maurizio Gucci and his daughters, Allegra and Alessandra, became avid sailors. Their prized possession? The world's largest wooden sailing boat, Creole, which the family rescued and restored to its former glory."
• Why the Swiss Water method is a game changer for decaf coffee lovers - "Clean Label Project urges decaf coffee drinkers to learn about the Swiss Water decaf coffee method, an alternative, water-based process for decaffeinating coffee without using chemicals."
• Best moments from the 2025 Golden Globes - "The Golden Globes aired Sunday night and the unofficial kickoff to Hollywood’s award season served glamour, laughs and a few sentimental tears. Globe voters honored TV and films that explored themes of aging, immigration, acceptance and survival, but the tone of the show was largely light and celebratory, in keeping with an event historically considered Hollywood’s biggest - and booziest - party."
• Motorcycle-sized tuna fetches more than $1 million at Japan auction - "Michelin-starred sushi restaurateurs Onodera Group claimed the 608-pound (276-kilogram) fish with its million-dollar bid at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on January 5, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported."
• Drinking plant-based milk ‘increases risk of depression’ - "People who consume semi-skimmed are less likely to suffer from low mood and anxiety. People who drink plant-based milks are more likely to suffer from depression than those who drink cow's milk, according to a study."
• Brain implant that’s ahead of Elon Musk in the race to read minds - "A stent with a set of electrodes is allowing paralysed patients to send WhatsApp messages. Are we on the brink of a revolution in neuroscience?"
• Safari on Your Bucket List? Pick the Right One - "Choosing an operator that is conservation-minded, with ties to the local community and well-trained guides can add up to the trip of a lifetime and also nurture nature."
• American Skiers Are Rapidly Discovering Andermatt, Switzerland - "Tucked away in the majestic Swiss Alps, Andermatt offers both skiers and non-skiers the opportunity to experience one of the country’s true hidden gems with activities both on and off the slopes. In 2022, Vail Resorts acquired the majority of Andermatt's ski operations, so Epic Pass holders have access to the slopes. As a result, Andermatt is rapidly becoming the go-to European ski destination for American visitors, with a 70% increase in overnight stays from U.S. guests between 2022 and 2023."
• Coffee flavor can be greatly improved with a simple trick - "By adding a small amount of water to the beans before grinding, the researchers showed that static electricity could be reduced. This simple adjustment produced a smoother grind and improved consistency, enhancing the quality of the coffee."
• What's The Difference Between Espresso & Coffee? - "You’ll need more than your coffee maker for this Italian classic. Espresso is bold, creamy, and intensely concentrated, while coffee is lighter and often served in much larger quantities."
• Scandi Sleeping - "What Is the Scandinavian Sleep Method? In the Scandinavian sleep method, couples use two separate duvets to lessen sleep disruption."
• The Most Popular visualizations on Voronoi in 2024 - "In 2024, there were over 3,000 visualizations posted on Voronoi by 100 different data creators. We round up the most popular, most discussed, and most liked visualizations of 2024 on Voronoi, our new data storytelling platform."
• Apple Intelligence now requires almost double the iPhone storage it needed before - "Apple Intelligence launched with 4GB of storage requirements, but now that number has almost doubled already - and adds up with each device."
• I Updated My iPhone to iOS 18.2, So Why Does Siri Look the Same? - "If you're not seeing the new Apple Intelligence design on your iPhone, this is why. After installing iOS 18.2 (or iPadOS 18.2 or MacOS Sequoia 15.2), you need to go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and tap Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist > Join Waitlist. The new Siri effect shows up only after you've requested and been granted access."
• Robert De Niro: ‘How am I as a father? I try my best’ - "At 81, the actor is in the Caribbean overseeing his most ambitious hotel project yet, where rooms cost $2,500 a night - and doing the morning feeds with his baby daughter Gia."
• How Nobu became the ultimate celebrity hotspot - "Thirty years ago, a tiny sushi joint in New York became the A-list’s favourite hangout - and it still is."
• 27 Shows to Watch This Winter - "A ton of intriguing shows are coming, including the gruesome frontier drama 'American Primeval' and Robert De Niro’s first American regular-series role."
• Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Golden Globes - "The 82nd Golden Globes will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, January 5 at 5 PM PT/8 p.m. ET."
• Why We Say Yes When We Don’t Want To - "Even in our personal lives, studies show that those who are conscientious or have agreeable dispositions are more likely to acquiesce to others' demands. It's no wonder, then, that saying 'yes' feels easier, safer, and even expected—while saying no can feel like swimming against a tide of social conditioning."
• The Fitness Trends That Experts Hate - "If you want to get fitter this year, here’s what to focus on instead: Skip the '75 hard' challenge. - Don't be fooled by targeted weight-loss workouts. - Steer clear of 'what I ..."
• Do Your iPhone a Favor in 2025 & Start Clearing Your Cache - "A monthly clear of your browser cache only takes a few seconds and will clear out old webpage data. It's a great time to decide how you want to spend 2025. My recommendation: Start clearing your iPhone's browser cache more regularly. Your browser cache stores website data for faster retrieval, which can keep things a little snappier when everything matches up."
• 10 Tips to Help You Eat Healthier in 2025 - "Throughout the past year, we reviewed seed oils, ultraprocessed foods, Bruce Springsteen’s diet and more. Here’s what we learned."
• Simple 'ancient' exercise used by military 'improves strength & breathing' - "Callisthenics has been practised since the time of the ancient Greeks and doesn't require any equipment."
• Yes, You Can Get a Workout in 10 Minutes - "This full-body routine fits into even the busiest schedule. If you're truly exercising at high intensity, you can expect your muscles to burn and you shouldn't be able to talk by the end of each interval."
• 3 Books To Read & Master In 2025 For Success - "As we look ahead to 2025, three books stand out as must-reads for anyone seeking to achieve success: 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway' by Susan Jeffers, 'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight, and 'Getting Things Done' by David Allen."
• How to Improve Your Life - "From home organizing ideas to beauty advice to travel hacks, here’s a roundup of practical guides for the New Year."
• Ranked: The World’s Top Companies by Revenue in 2024 - "Looking beyond the U.S., many of the world’s leading companies by this measure are in the energy sector. Notable heavyweights, such as Saudi Aramco and China National Petroleum, are predominantly state-owned with expansive global operations. Here are the world’s leading companies by annual revenues in 2024, including both public and private companies that report financial data."
• 9 Personal Branding Trends For 2025 - "In 2025, video remains critical to effective personal branding. As remote and hybrid work persist, video's ability to create a richer, more engaging experience will continue to grow in importance. Platforms like LinkedIn have proven that video posts receive significantly more engagement than text-based updates."
• 11 Phrases Nice People Use To Politely Say No To Things They Don’t Want To Do - "Saying no doesn't have to be a bad thing."
• 12 Ways to Get Fitter in 2025 - "At its core, the secret to a healthy fitness routine is simple: Find ways to move. There are limitless options these days, but the best exercise is whatever you enjoy enough to keep doing it. Here are some ideas to get you moving in the year ahead."
• 9 European Exhibitions Worth Traveling for in 2025 - "From big shows in London and Amsterdam to a Cézanne tribute in the south of France, these art experiences will be worth the journey."
• Scientists Are Racing to Develop a New Bird Flu Vaccine - "Scientists are working on an updated vaccine for H5N1, or bird flu. The most promising approach uses mRNA."
• What Makes Rembrandt So Great? A Look at 10 of His Most Iconic Works - "From 'Night Watch' to loving portraits of his wife, these are the paintings that define the Dutch Old Master."
• 7 Best Places In The World To Live Rich Without Much Money - "Beautiful cities you can call home for a smaller price than you might think."
• 10 Upper-Class Lessons Men Learn Too Late In Life - "This requires understanding the difference between wealth and income, developing multiple revenue streams, and making intelligent investments."
• Singles Differ in Personality Traits & Life Satisfaction Compared to Partnered People - "New research finds that lifelong singles have lower life satisfaction scores compared to those in relationships."
• The only movies to ever win ‘The Big Five’ Academy Awards - "Keen not to sideline the majority of technical awards, the ‘Big Five’ refers to the awards that the Academy simply gives the most attention and most significance. As well as the crowning achievement of ‘Best Picture’, the other four awards include ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Actor’, ‘Best Actress’ and ‘Best Screenplay (either Original or Adapted)’. To gain these statuettes is to etch yourself into the history of cinema."
• New year goals: 25 ways to make your life easier, cheaper and more fun in 2025 - "Expert tips and handy hacks for saving on bills, bagging a bargain, kicking fitness targets and boosting your wellbeing: 1. Incorporate short bursts of vigorous activity into your everyday life. - 2. Use half the recommended amount of laundry powder. - 3. Use the timer on your appliances to run them during peak power generation. - 4. Take the 4-45-3 approach to make your fitness goals stick ..."
• New Year’s celebrations around the world - in pictures - "Fireworks are lighting up night skies around the world as New Year’s revelers ring in 2025. It takes 26 hours for the new year to be welcomed across 39 different time zones. Christmas Island in Kiribati, an island country in the central Pacific Ocean, is the first to celebrate every year. Hawaii, American Samoa and many of the US outlying islands are among the last places."