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1 SAVE FIRST, SPEND LATER Around 60 per cent of us save money either every, or most, months, according to research. If you are struggling, try using the 50/30/20 approach to budgeting. This means allocating 50 per cent of your take-home pay on your needs (bills, food, minimum debt payments), 30 per cent on wants (eating out, leisure, sport, etc) and 20 per cent towards future you (saving for emergencies, short term and long-term goals). This split may not work for you when money is tight, so simply adjust the ratios as you go. 2 SPENDING DETOX Have a weekly no-spend day or monthly minimal spend week. It’s no bad thing to have the occasional spending detox – not only will your bank account feel healthier for it, it will make you more…

Assassination attempts on political leaders are mercifully rare in Europe, said Tony Connelly on RTÉ (Dublin). In 2002, a gunman fired at French president Jacques Chirac as he was reviewing troops on Bastille Day, but missed. In 2003, Serbian PM Zoran Ðindjic was assassinated in Belgrade and, the same year, Sweden’s foreign minister, Anna Lindh, was stabbed to death in a Stockholm department store. Since then, however, such threats have been limited. Until now. Last week, the Slovak PM Robert Fico was gunned down by a 71-year-old poet while glad-handing voters in a rural constituency. He was flown by helicopter to hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery and is now in a stable condition. No one’s yet sure of the gunman’s motive, said Alexandria Wilson-McDonald on The Conversation. But that this…

Hong Kong is one of the world’s great cities. Its electric skyline can make you feel as though you’re in New York or Shanghai. Its shimmering harbour could be in Sydney or Singapore. Its speedy public transportation system could be in Tokyo, and its vibrant nightlife in Berlin – but what about its dining scene? Well, it’s unlike anywhere in the world. A delicious assortment of dim sum restaurants, siu mei barbecue meat shops, cha chaan teng cafes and Michelin-starred fine diners has helped make Hong Kong one of the most exciting food destinations in the world. But how on earth to fit it all in? Whether you’re here for a quick stopover or a longer stay, here are our favourite spots to eat and drink in the aptly named ‘Fragrant…

HE'S ONLY BEEN A MEMBER of the PGA Tour since 2019, but Collin Morikawa already has written a near Hall of Fame résumé for himself. The former world No. 1–ranked amateur and collegiate standout at UC Berkeley has won six times on the pro circuit, including the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship. His record-tying final-round 64 in the former remains one of the great major performances in recent memory. (Oh, and for you punters out there, a tip: Morikawa has back-to-back top 10s at Augusta National and a pair of top 5s in our national championship.) At 27, Morikawa stands as one of the best iron players in the game. He's also one of the Tour's most accurate drivers. Stats don't lie: Since turning pro, he has gone…

Color me a virtual-reality optimist. Alongside writing for iPhone Life, I’m a video game developer, 3D artist, and sci-fi author. I own a Meta Quest 3 and use it all the time to play games and view 3D models as I work. My first experience of VR on a Valve Index is a cherished memory—it was so much fun to explore video game environments as if actually visiting them! When Apple announced its premium augmented reality headset, the Vision Pro, I was about as excited as anybody could be. That is, until I tried it. SOME QUICK DEFINITIONS FOR THE UNINITIATED Virtual reality (VR) refers to immersive worlds portrayed using headsets that have one screen for each of your eyes, so you can see in 3D. When you put on a VR…

We all know this famous quote by Lao Tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” But what happens next? What happens halfway through, when the body is exhausted, and the mind wants to flee? What happens when we find ourselves in challenging terrain, a long way from home, and a long way from our destination? Walking in nature can be meditative, it offers a pace and rhythm of movement that feels sustainable to me. The uneven ground which requires attention, the moment of wonder that captures the awareness and imagination, whether it’s a dramatic landscape, a wedge of geese returning for the winter, flashes of colour from wild orchids, or seeing a bird of prey. Walking in nature is yoga in action; the balance of…

MATERIALS • Arches Pastel and Fusain Laid Paper, 29.7 x 42 cm, Ingres MBM, 130gsm. • Charcoal. • Schmincke Pastels: White; Light Green; Grey Blue 1; Light Ochre; Greenish Grey; Greenish Umber; Olive Ochre Deep; Permanent Red; Carmine Red; Madder Lake; Gold Ochre; Manganese Violet. • Rembrandt Olive Green and Green Earth. • Sennelier Pastels: 133 Prussian Blue; 298 Light Yellow. • Unison Pastels: 44; A29; BV11; BV9; BG6; BG2; various other Blues. • Winsor & Newton Natural Sienna and Winsor Yellow. • Faber-Castell Art Eraser. STEP ONE Because this is a place that I love and know well, I did not use a photograph to provide inspiration … only my memory. I chose not to paint in the open air, when midsummer temperatures were in the late 30s and the plant life was seemingly dead. In South Africa, as…

BODY BREAST FRIEND 3D mammograms, also known as tomosynthesis, are better at detecting breast cancer than traditional 2D screenings, according to various international studies, including a decade-long Canadian clinical trial of 6,354 women due to wrap up later this year. 3D scans require compression, just like 2D scans and expose women to about the same amount of radiation; but 2D mammograms take only two images of each breast, and the 3D version produces multiple images from different angles, providing a clearer picture. “The cancer stands out better and it increases detection,” says Dr. Jean Seely, head of breast imaging at Ottawa Hospital and principal investigator for the Ottawa site of the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre-led investigation. While results of this study have yet to be finalized, Seely says, “There’s clearly a benefit from tomosynthesis.” Further,…

Sam Oliner was 12 years old when German soldiers, Nazis, swept through his Polish village. The Nazis ordered all Jews to quickly pack a few belongings and then moved them into a crowded, sealed-off neighborhood 10 miles (16 km) away. Two miserable months of near starvation passed. Then the Nazis came again at dawn. They yelled and pounded on Sam’s door. His stepmother told him, “Run away, my child, so that you will live!” Still in his pajamas, Sam ran and hid on the roof. From high up, he watched the soldiers load everyone else onto trucks and drive away. It was 1942, and World War II was tearing Europe, and his family, apart. “I Will Help” The next day, Sam snuck back down to their rooms. His mother had…

New California has two sliding doors Pop-up roofs and doors that open on both sides will both be standard on the new Volkswagen California, launched at the start of May. Other innovative features include a plug-in hybrid option, available on all-wheel-drive 4MOTION models. On all but the most basic Beach, camping features are controlled by a new five-inch colour display on the C-pillar on the passenger side. Most can also be controlled with a phone, using the California app or via the app in the infotainment system. In addition, all LED and background lighting in these models can be controlled by a brief double tap on any switch in the interior. The new vehicle is based on the current long-wheelbase version of VW’s Multivan, and as such, is nearly 27cm longer than its predecessor, at 5.17m.…

As China’s president, Xi Jinping, arrived in Serbia for the second leg of his European tour last Tuesday, authorities across the continent were grappling with a wave of allegations about Chinese spying. Last week, the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, revealed that a “malign actor” had compromised British military payroll records, with reports pointing the finger at China. And in Germany, three German citizens were arrested last month under suspicion of arranging to transfer information about sensitive technology to China, while in another case, a man named as Jian G, who worked for a German far-right member of the European parliament, was arrested under suspicion of espionage. Maximilian Krah, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) MEP whom Jian G worked for, has denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile in Belgium, authorities opened a criminal investigation into…

K’GARI (Fraser Island) means ‘Paradise’ to the Butchulla people. But the first colonial settlers to arrive didn’t see the Island with the same vision as the traditional owners. Their vision was a paradise for exploitation. The tall trees of blackbutt, satinay and kauri were chopped down for valuable timber and the sands, which are the very core of the island, were mined and shipped to the mainland. Thankfully, times change and after long conservation battles in the ‘70s and ‘80s, K’gari is now protected with National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Status. It’s a paradise once again for the many tourists who visit. Most of those visitors are either having a whistlestop coach trip or are driving their own 4WDs on stunning 75 Mile Beach. But, to my mind, K’gari only…

Last July, shortly after announcing that Lillian-Yvonne Bertram’s speculative essay collection, A Black Story May Contain Sensitive Content, had won Diagram’s 2023 chapbook contest, editor Ander Monson received a raft of text messages from concerned friends. He discovered that he and Diagram, a literary magazine that publishes chapbooks through New Michigan Press, were being excoriated on X (formerly Twitter) because Bertram had created the chapbook using artificial intelligence (AI). “So many people were attacking us and Lillian-Yvonne for what they thought was an ethical breach,” Monson says. “They heard ‘AI-written book wins literary contest,’ which is not exactly what happened.” While Bertram did use AI, it was explicitly to engage the technology in an artistic experiment: Bertram employed a process called “fine-tuning” with GPT-3, the technology underlying the ChatGPT chatbot, in…

Home broadband is getting faster and faster. Many ISPs are now offering gigabit home internet connections in urban areas, and some go even faster. Community Fibre has one package that goes all the way up to 3Gbits/sec (communityfibre.co.uk). We’ve come a long way since 56Kbits/sec dial-up. But while the idea of an ultra-fast internet connection is appealing, once you’ve had the service installed you may find you’re not getting the speeds you expect. That’s probably because the infrastructure inside your home isn’t fast enough to let your devices get the full bandwidth of your internet line. On these pages we’ll find out why – and what you can do about it. The woe of Wi-Fi When you order a gigabit-class internet service, you can be fairly confident the line will run at the…

Style advice Whether you're starting from scratch and giving your home a complete makeover, or looking to update one or two rooms, deciding which colour combination is the right one for you and your space can often feel a little daunting. Fortunately, there are some simple tips and tricks that can help guide you through the process, so that you can create a home with flow and personality through a winning palette of colours. Before you pick up a paint brush, it's handy to know colour theory and the colour wheel, and how these tools can guide you towards a scheme that's not just visually pleasing, but appeals to your other senses, too. Need a space to be calming? There are hues that can help you achieve this. Want to…

The voice came calmly over the radio at just the right time, reassuring me that everything was fine: “Lilo, you’ve centred the thermal well now, so you’ll climb relatively quickly. It’s still about 300 metres to cloudbase. Fly two more circles in the thermal and then leave to the east and fly on.” Above me, I could see a growing grey mass that looked increasingly threatening. I couldn’t tell how far away it was. The voice belonged to Felix Wölk, flight instructor and guide for the trip. After helping us launch and guiding us into the thermals from the ground, he had taken off after us and was now coaching us from the air on our first XC flights. Below me, his bright yellow Sigma was already gliding out to…

Anything goes in Las Vegas, except excessive water use. Two decades ago, the city began to grapple with a reality that many other cities in the Southwest were trying to put off: Eventually, it could run out of water. In contrast with cities like Phoenix or Los Angeles, which get water from a number of sources, Las Vegas still gets about 90 percent of its water from the Colorado River, and it has little other water to tap into. By the time the river hit a record low in 2002, Las Vegas had begun taking aggressive water-saving measures to meet population growth and adapt to a drying river. The city known for excess and summer pool parties began counting every drop, even the small dribbles flowing onto asphalt. “We couldn’t have…

CURCUMIN, THE ACTIVE COMPOUND IN THE SPICE, may be just as good for treating indigestion as pharmaceutical interventions, according to a recent study in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. With anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, curcumin coats your stomach lining to combat excess acid. In this study, 206 patients aged 18 to 70 with recurrent upset stomachs of unknown cause were assigned to one of three groups, taking either curcumin, omeprazole (an indigestion drug) or a combination of the two. Researchers found curcumin to be safe and well tolerated by all and that patients in all three groups experienced similar improvements in their symptoms. BUY IT NOW Holland & Barrett High Strength Turmeric 600mg + Black Pepper (£16.99 for 90 capsules, hollandandbarrett.com)…

» MANUFACTURER: Sony » YEAR: 2009 » COST: £224.99 (launch), £75+ (today, boxed), £50+ (today, unboxed) While Sony was no stranger to tinkering with its hardware, the PSP got a lot of attention over the years – the PSP Go was the fourth major iteration of the hardware, and the most radical redesign. The new sliding form factor that hid the system’s controls beneath the screen was certainly striking, but far bolder was the decision to launch a digital-only system, with no UMD drive to support the hundreds of PSP games and films available. Owners of previous PSP models were unable to use their Memory Stick Pro Duo cards with the PSP Go, as well as any mini-USB peripherals such as the Go! Cam and the GPS receiver. The experiment…

Many factors come into play when determining whether a decorating scheme is successful, but Lauren Robbins’s longtime client Joye Richards conveyed her absolute satisfaction with perhaps the ultimate compliment: “I never want to live anywhere else!” This is the third house that Lauren has worked on for Joye, so she really understands what her client likes—elegance mixed with comfort. As Joye explains, “I don’t want people who visit to feel that they can’t touch anything.” While the architecture of the 1919 house, with its Mission-style leanings, double portecochères, and tall ceilings, could lead to the assumption of very formal interiors, Lauren knew exactly how to dispell that notion. She paired streamlined antiques with more contemporary pieces, adding in some edgier art finds along the way. When it came to selecting the palette…

THE BACKBONE OF THE INITIAL ALLIED ASSAULT against Erwin Rommel’s Atlantic Wall was the unsung heroes of the AAF’s Troop Carrier Command. Evolving from the pre-war Air Service & Ferrying Command, a specific need for the Army’s expanding parachute units led to the division of the now AAF’s transport units into the more commonly recognized Air Transport Command and new Troop Carrier Groups (TCGs). Dedicated to the mission of delivering airborne combat troops, gliders, and equipment directly to the battlefield, the first Troop Carrier Command was established in June 1942. The first two operational units were reorganized from existing Southwest Pacific transport units while training began in the States for what would eventually add another 26 groups to all theaters of war. The subject of this Kodachrome spread, “Mary Co-ED…

Planning trips these days can feel like a full-time job: flights to book, an itinerary to perfect, the best restaurants and hotel suites to reserve. Luckily, it literally is a full-time job for many knowledgeable people—and they’ll do all the planning and booking for you. There are thousands of travel advisors across the world who specialize in virtually every destination and type of trip. And they’re more in demand than ever as people seek authentic, meaningful, and conscientious experiences in a world of overtourism, air travel hassles, and climate concerns. But what value can travel advisors add in this interconnected age, when you can text almost any person or company around the world in an instant, and endless start-ups are replacing personal interaction with AI-formulated answers? They can add a…

THEY STOOD JUST THREE FEET SIX inches tall and were quickly dubbed Hobbits, after the diminutive Middle Earth creatures in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. A team of Australian and Indonesian researchers unearthed their remains in 2003 in a stalactites-festooned cave on the Indonesian island of Flores. This species of protohuman, which they named Homo floresiensis, was a new discovery. They had protruding brow ridges and a chimpanzee-sized brain similar to those found in Homo erectus—a form of early human that vanished about 110,000 years ago—as well as that of australopithecines, which went extinct more than 1 million years ago. Researchers determined at that time that these Hobbit people arrived on Flores about 700,000 years ago, had stone tools, hunted and cooked an extinct dwarf elephant known as…

cultural hub In alignment with the country’s ambitious tourism intentions and the megaproject The Line, renders of Saudi Arabia’s newest airport showcase a hyper-modern biophilic urban complex (also pictured on previous spread). The centre comprises ‘cities’, each with its own diverse microclimate stretching from the desert to the sea. Conceived by Kalbod Design Studio, NEOM City airport will function not only as a transit centre, but also as a cultural hub. The complex will include museums, galleries and exhibition spaces, attracting both locals and visitors. The transportation experience is often thought of as a liminal space between here and there – a temporal write-off deemed dull and mundane at best and stress-inducing at worst. Transforming spaces for such means into destinations involves incorporating a people-centric approach that recognizes human nature’s…

FOR YOUR WELLBEING… 1 PACK A PUNCH OF Antioxidants Honey is loaded with antioxidants to help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, keeping your heart and body in shape. Free radicals can damage human cells, which can speed up the ageing process and play a role in the development of diseases. 2 Soothe THAT SCRATCHY THROAT Ever had a throat that feels like sandpaper? Honey is like a cosy blanket for that throat. Its thick consistency coats the throat, providing relief from irritation, and its antimicrobial properties help fight infections. It's super soothing and helpful to calm down your cough or scratchy feeling. 3 Fight germs TO HEAL YOUR WOUNDS Think of honey as your bodyguard against germs. It has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial…

IN FINLAND WE HAVE A SAYING, “Kell’ onni on, se onnen kätkeköön.” In short, it means “whoever has found happiness, that happiness she should hide”. At first hearing, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this doesn’t sound very uplifting, but it is phrases like this that I believe have contributed to making Finland the world’s happiest country for the last six years. Not wanting to ignore this correlation, I have spent some time reflecting on what it is to be Finnish in a bid to help others maximize their happiness. It feels fitting that I write this as CEO of an organization dedicated to measuring happiness for businesses. Yes, those smiley-faced feedback buttons you see in airports and stores, that’s our Finnish company, HappyOrNot. I must start by saying that this happiness title is…

In today’s digital age, online dating has become increasingly popular. With countless dating apps and websites available, meeting new people and potential romantic partners has never been easier. However, successfully picking up women online requires more than just creating a profile and sending a generic message. To stand out from the crowd and make a good first impression, it’s essential to approach online dating with a thoughtful and strategic mindset. In this article, we will delve into the art of picking up women online and provide valuable tips to help you make a lasting impression. Smart Pick Up Lines & Ice Breakers When it comes to starting a conversation with someone you’re interested in online, a well-crafted pick-up line or ice breaker can make all the difference. However, it’s important to approach…

Angelina Jolie allegedly encouraged the kids she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt to “avoid” their father during custody visits, a security guard who worked for the couple claims in new court documents stemming from their ongoing legal battle over French winery Château Miraval. Lawyers for Pitt submitted to L.A. Superior Court a declaration from security company owner Tony Webb, who worked for Jolie from 2000 to 2020 and still works for Pitt. Webb alleged a Jolie aide tried to enlist his help three years ago to dissuade two bodyguards who had worked for Jolie, 48, via Webb’s company from testifying in her separate custody battle with Pitt, 60, over their children Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and 15-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. One of those security guards, Ross…

While Kate and William have been taking some much-needed time away from public life amid Kate’s cancer diagnosis, on the other side of the globe, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are busy with their own lives away from The Firm, ensconced in new ventures. Harry has been making video appearances for his sustainable Travalyst firm and Meghan has been hard at work promoting her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Most recently, she made headlines after sending out jars of jam to influencers across the US. The couple are also visiting Nigeria this month. Tom Bower, who wrote Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors, has never held back with his opinions of the royals – from labelling Meghan as a ‘real threat to the Royal Family’, to…

It’s a good time to be in the market for a used Tesla. Tesla’s significant price cuts over the past year on its new cars have caused the prices of used Teslas to drop significantly. But buying a used Tesla isn’t as straightforward as buying a used Toyota, especially if you’ve never owned one. Car experts outline five general tips for car shoppers who are in the market for a used Tesla. PICK THE RIGHT TESLA FOR YOU Most shoppers looking for a used Tesla choose between the brand’s two sedans and two SUVs. The Model 3 is Tesla’s smallest and most affordable model. It’s a small sedan that’s about the size of a Honda Civic. The Model Y, Tesla’s most popular model, is a small SUV based on the Model 3…

Forty-seven countries and around 10 and a half million square kilometres. That’s Europe, about a third bigger than Australia and roughly the same size as the United States. Its 287 languages might not seem a big deal compared to Papua New Guinea, where you’d need more than 800, but in Australia and the US you can pretty much get by with one. In Europe, each of those languages also tends to come with a different culture, different food and even its unique beer. It seems like a good idea then, to spend a bit of time on the road in Europe before the Bird of Time runs out of hours. Motorcycling is regarded fairly highly and motorcyclists are treated with respect. There are even several hotel networks specialising in looking after…

Eva Mendes doesn’t have a role in The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling’s new action-comedy, which topped the box office in its opening weekend. But according to the Barbie Oscar nominee, 43, his partner of more than a decade deserves credit for everything she did behind the scenes. “I couldn’t be here without her,” he told Extra on April 30 at the L.A. premiere, adding, “It’s endless how she helps me.” Mendes, 50, feels the same about the father of their girls, Esmeralda, 9, and Amada, 8. She recently told People that the actor has her back “in all the ways I need to be supported.” That mutual respect has been a cornerstone of their relationship since they became involved after meeting on the 2012 movie The Place Beyond the Pines. “Eva and…

Former U.S. President Donald Trump set off alarm bells in Europe when he told a campaign rally in February that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell” it wants to any countries he judged to be delinquent on their defense obligations. European countries were already fretting about the possibility of a second Trump term, and these latest remarks sent these concerns into high orbit. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times a few days later that Europe was facing a world that has gotten “rougher” and that “we have to spend more, we have to spend better, [and] we have to spend European.” But the question remains: Will Europe do enough to be able to defend itself? Complaints that European states are overly dependent on…

You’ve finally arrived in Cuba and your pockets are stuffed with pesos. One thing and one thing only is on your mind: cigars. And you’re ready to spend some serious coin. You can hardly contain your excitement as you approach the nearest La Casa del Habano shop. Which cigars are you going to buy? How many boxes? Montecristo No. 2? Cohiba Siglo VI? The possibilities make you pick up your pace, but when you walk through the door and B-line straight for the walk-in humidor, you find8230; a lot of empty shelves. And a lot of petit coronas. Some of the Cohibas you manage to spot are approaching $100 per cigar. Confusion and panic start to bubble up from your gut. What’s happening here? CIGAR AFICIONADO visited every Casa del Habano…

WE all make mistakes, but discovering you made one on your tax return can be particularly unnerving. If you simply made a math error, the IRS will correct it. But if you’ve excluded information that could affect your tax bill, you should file an amended return. About 3 million taxpayers file amended returns each year, and the process has become easier since 2020, when the IRS began accepting electronic submissions of Form 1040X, the document used to amend a federal tax return. Previously, taxpayers had to file the form on paper. You generally have up to three years from the date you filed your original return (or two years from the date you paid any tax due) to file an amended return. However, if you failed to report taxable income,…

When Amy Winehouse crossed the pond to Austin, Texas, for the South-by-Southwest music festival in March 2007 – a shining, shambolic soon-to-be superstar and not-yet-tragic hero – the concept of time dissipated in her wake. Buzzed at the ultra-hip festival as the future of music, the beehived British soul singer seemed to have emerged from an Atomic Age time machine, heavily influenced by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, the Ronettes and all things Motown. But her plentiful tattoos, Ghostface Killah remix and foreshadowing lyrics of booze, blow and Rehab revealed the post-millennial tension between Amy and her throwback muses. When she finally, tipsily, went onstage well past 1 a.m., backed by her eight-piece Brooklyn band, the Dap-Kings, she was messy and mesmerizing. Those of us lucky enough to be inside…

FOR YEARS, MY FAMILY WORRIED ABOUT how I survived on meat and buns alone — okay, and Safeway-brand cheese slices. Not the ones wrapped in fancy plastic sleeves, but those stacked in slabs (my mom wouldn’t buy Kraft). By the time I was twelve and allowed to turn on the stove, I’d begun making my own grilled sandwiches. Mom supplied the gross brown bread with seeds, when I’d rather have had pure white loaves. But never mind. I’d swab the spongy matter with room-temperature margarine (she was inexplicably against butter too), slap a cheese slice in between, and fry both sides in her Teflon pan. I didn’t like much in the way of food, but I’d gorge on these. Maybe that’s how I stayed alive? Trace non-stick chemicals and the…

Migration is the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another. In the case of birds, migration typically occurs between breeding grounds and wintering grounds. This incredible journey often spans continents, with some birds travelling thousands of miles each year. A perilous journey across continents Migration is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various animal species, including birds. It’s a dangerous journey that spans thousands of kilometres and involves remarkable adaptations and behaviours. Educating communities about the importance of migratory birds, their conservation needs and responsible bird-watching practices fosters appreciation and support for these remarkable creatures. Why do animals migrate? There are several reasons why animals, including birds, migrate: Food availability: Birds migrate to areas with abundant food sources. Breeding grounds: Some birds migrate to specific areas for breeding. These locations often provide ideal nesting sites, mating…

APRIL 7 MARKED SIXTH MONTHS SINCE Hamas’s blood-curdling attack on Israel and its people, a shocking act of violence which served as a sobering reminder of how brutal life can still be in the twenty-first century. Since then, six months of intense fighting in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths, with thousands more unaccounted for. Despite some early cooperation on hostage releases, signs of a realistic diplomatic conclusion have been few and far between. Such a grave situation deserves a reasoned, mature response from policymakers here in Britain. Unfortunately, our national debate on the situation in the Middle East has been characterised by petulant moralising on both sides. Too many pundits have abandoned realpolitik altogether, preferring to retreat into sweeping narratives about the ethical righteousness of…

Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, “fuelling uncertainty at a time of increased tensions in the Middle East”, say Bita Ghaffari in and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in the Financial Times. The regime is confident any fallout will be contained, but the death of the “hard-line conservative”, who was viewed as a possible successor to the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, comes at a “difficult time” for Iran. The economy is “struggling in the face of US sanctions” and last October’s terrorist attack on Israel by Tehran’s proxy Hamas has caused the “shadow war” between Iran and Israel to break out into the open. Succession struggles Some think the death of Raisi, known as the “Butcher of Tehran”, could be an opportunity for the Iranian regime, which controls…

“Growing up, there was always that one house where all the kids would end up, and I wanted our home to be ‘that house’ for our twelve-year-old daughter and her friends,” says interior designer Tiffany Hinton of Lola Interiors. How could it not be? Located on one acre overlooking the river, the Hintons’ Amelia Island new build boasts resort-style amenities—a gym, pool, and putting green, to name a few—combined with all the comforts of home. The neighborhood tweens are not the only ones who have declared the residence their de facto headquarters. On many Saturday afternoons, husband Wes can be found sipping cold drinks on the porch with this golf buddies and, on most Sunday nights, four generations of family are gathered around the kitchen table for supper. “When we embarked on…

JAZZ LEADS A HAND-TO-MOUTH EXISTENCE. IT WAS BORN IN THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT OF NEW ORLEANS IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, AND HAS NEVER FULLY OVERCOME ITS DISREPUTABLE ORIGINS. JAZZ LACKS THE SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENTS, FOUNDATIONS, AND RICH DONORS THAT OTHER, MORE DECOROUS ART FORMS ENJOY. JAZZ IS TOO MUCH OF THE STREET TO BE CONSIDERED HIGH CULTURE, YET ITS AUDIENCE IS TINY COMPARED TO THE MASSES WHO CONSUME POPULAR MUSIC. POP STARS LIKE TAYLOR SWIFT PERFORM IN HUGE STADIUMS. IMPORTANT JAZZ MUSICIANS PLAY THE BAR BAYEUX IN BROOKLYN. On a recent trip to New York, I went to the Bar Bayeux. I was surprised by how small it is. (I should not have been. The Village Vanguard, the most iconic jazz club on the planet, holds 132 customers.) Important artists…

While it’s true that ‘summer bodies are built in winter’, let’s face it, most of us don’t plan that far ahead. When your holiday is just around the corner and your fitness goals are lagging, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But fear not, because there’s still hope for those last-minute transformations. By focusing on strategic, high-impact techniques, you can achieve remarkable results in record time. Whether you’ve got a couple of months, a few weeks, or you’re already packing your bags, we’ve got the advice you need to rock the beach with confidence. So dive in to start looking and feeling your best. 8 WEEKS TO GO Two months is more than enough time to make major changes to your body – so long as you have a smart session…

The Tiaré began as the dream of 5 cousins, discussed over a summer dinner party. This dream to create a luxurious dive boat built by the master builders of South Sulawesi came together with careful design, the sturdiest and most beautiful materials sourced from sustainable sources, high-tech components and safety equipment… and of course, time. Experience diving in the rich waters of the Indonesian archipelago and meet people from the many different cultures on the diverse Indonesian islands that you would never have the opportunity to see while staying in more tourist-heavy areas. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ON BOARD TIARÉ Tiaré offers a spectacular experience for divers as well as non-divers, with bright airy cabins, spacious bathrooms and a large front deck where you can socialize, eat under the stars…

Dedicated waterproof camera gear is needed for shooting underwater, although it’s often possible to take pictures in tidal pools and shallow waterways with a regular camera that has adequate weatherproofing. Water is death to electronics, which is why ‘weather resistance’ has become so important in the marketing messages of camera manufacturers. But the term can be ambiguous because most manufacturers don’t quantify the level of weather resistance in their equipment. Check out the box on the next page for details. Weatherproofing standards The International Standards Organisation (the same group that’s responsible for sensitivity standards) has two specifications covering weatherproofing: IPX1 and IP53. There are significant differences between them although, in both cases, the protection is provided by flexible seals around removable items, such as lenses, along with tight construction standards…

The Golden Gate Bridge stands tall: a testament to human ingenuity, and a beloved icon of the San Francisco skyline. It’s been prominently featured in a multitude of Hollywood films, and is recognizable at a glance by many Americans. But to fully appreciate the magnitude of this structure, one must witness its splendor firsthand—its sheer size, and the intricacies of its design that film and photographs never really capture. On its 50th anniversary in 1987, this long and flexible bridge withstood the weight of about 300,000 attendees, causing the curve of its central span to flatten—descending by seven feet—temporarily. And yet, this marvel stands. As you delve into the amazing story of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge on the following pages, prepare to be captivated by the long,…

INTRODUCTION If you have diabetes, it is likely that you have been given advice about what to eat to help in managing your blood glucose levels. And this should still be the first consideration when making dietar y changes. However, when you eat is also important for managing your diabetes, weight and overall metabolic health. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to meal timing, this new area of research known as chrono-nutrition is finding that there are certain eating patterns that can have a significant impact on your health. MEAL TIMING AND BLOOD GLUCOSE MANAGEMENT There is now a large body of evidence showing that the timing of meals is important for managing blood glucose levels. Researchers have found that eating patterns that align with our circadian rhythms may help…

Remember when two-strokes ruled the waters and pre-fuel injection four-strokes were a leery choice often riddled with chronic carburetor issues? Hint: It was around the same time you threw out your cassettes and started listening to your favorite songs via new-fangled CD’s (which by now have probably ended up at the same dump as your two-stroke). Then along came the clean-burning Yamaha F9.9A. First unveiled in 1984, it was a four-stroke, 232cc 9.9 horsepower engine that, coupled with stricter emission laws, would change the trajectory of engine demands for the decades that followed. Fast forward to today. While our waters are ruled by four-stroke, gasoline-injected, internal combustion engines that burn orders of magnitude cleaner and get up to 50 percent better fuel economy than most two-strokes, there might be a…

Jamestown, Rhode Island NEW ENGLAND’S BEST-KEPT SECRET With its grand, shingle-style cottages crowning broad lawns, tidy downtown with all of one (blinking) stoplight, sailboat-dotted marina, pair of picturesque lighthouses, and sandy coves and rocky promontories with sweeping sea views, it’s a wonder that this small town that occupies its own 9.5-square-mile island at the mouth of Narragansett Bay isn’t as famous as Southampton, say. But that’s the genius of life in Jamestown (population 5,531), and its residents cherish their slowed-down pace just a bridge-jaunt from Newport, with Boston less than two hours’ drive away. But who would leave? Not when there are three state and town parks, a suddenly surging restaurant scene, and a new bike path for “commuting” from north-island neighborhoods to the town’s soccer fields to pin one happily—maybe forever—in…

Ranch Chicken Salad Heroes A double layer of lettuce leaves adds crispness to these overstuffed sandwiches—plus it keeps the rolls from getting soggy until your gang is ready to dig in 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 5 leafy ribs celery 1¼ cups bottled ranch dressing 2 Tbs. Tabasco sauce 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar ½ tsp. salt 6 long soft hoagie rolls, 2½ oz. each 12 leaves romaine lettuce 1 medium red onion, sliced 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers from a jar Cracked black pepper (optional) • In pot, combine chicken with enough cold water to cover; over high heat, bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer chicken, turning once, until no longer pink in centers, 7–9 min. per side; drain. Let chicken cool; cut into ½” pieces. • Remove leaves from celery; chop enough…

On 8 May, an unusual art installation called “The Portal” opened in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, and New York in the US, creating a link between the two cities. Unfortunately there have been problems. Two round sculptures – one in each city – feature large circular screens showing a live video feed from the other city, so people can watch what’s happening in real time, 24 hours a day. Both screens are located in busy locations, in Dublin’s O’Connell Street and outside New York’s famous Flatiron building. Excited Dubliners and New Yorkers used the portal to wave and pass messages to people more than 3,000 miles away. The artist behind the project is Benediktas Gylys from Lithuania. He called the portal an invitation to “experience our world as it…

One of the fascinating aspects of the Taylor Swift phenomenon, as her Eras tour makes its triumphant way around the globe, is the claim that it is bridging the generation gap and the parents of her fans have taken her songs to heart every bit as completely as their teens and tweens. To those of us who grew up on the notion of pop music as the soundtrack to youthful rebellion, this seems decidedly odd. If I were a teenager right now I would very quickly find some new idol if my parents announced themselves as ‘Swifties’. Yet it seems it’s just not like that anymore. Two of the most popular items at the merch stands at the superstar’s concerts are apparently t-shirts bearing the legends #SwiftieDad and #SwiftieMom. Entire…

Afew years ago, I started using the weathering skills I’ve developed over years of building armor models on a variety of other subjects. I like to experiment with different colors, finishes, and weathering techniques across modeling genres. Such was the case when I turned my attention to a Tamiya 1/24 scale Subaru Impreza WRC ’99 (No. 24218). This was my first attempt at a rally car, and as I learned, this genre has some challenges I hadn’t faced building military subjects. The aesthetics and highlights are often the opposite to what I was used to from building military vehicles. Obviously, the rough metal texture sought when building a heavy World War II tank is the exact opposite of the smooth finish of a glossy modern car. Dealing with large clear plastic…

BOW RESPECTFULLY at the temple gate. Cleanse hands and mouth at the fountain. Sound the bell. Leave a name slip with your wish in the main hall, light a candle and three sticks of incense, toss coins in the offering box, and chant sutras. Get your pilgrimage book stamped. Exit the gate, and bow again. Follow the red markers to the next temple. Repeat 87 times. Or not. On the Shikoku Henro, one of the longest pilgrim routes in Japan, there are many ancient customs but few hard-and-fast rules. You don’t even have to walk it: Many Japanese now take cars or bus tours; others ride trains or bikes. You can tackle the trail counterclockwise instead of clockwise. Or break the circuit into segments. You can wear the traditional white vest or…

1 USE KEYWORDS Milda Mitkute, Vinted co-founder, says this significantly boosts your item’s discoverability. People search using different terms, so the more relevant terms you use in the description, the better. Instead of ‘black T-shirt’, try ‘plain black, short-sleeve T-shirt with V-neck.’ See the difference? If an item hasn’t sold after a few weeks, rewrite the title, checking all the relevant item filters are selected. 2 PHOTO-PERFECTION The first photo is the most important as it determines whether someone taps on your listing to find out more, says Emma Sullivan, creative director. Choose a photo that clearly shows the entire item from the front. You want to aim for natural light and a neutral background. With lighter-coloured items, use a dark background. 3 ADD A BIT EXTRA People like a good haggle on Vinted, but…

What happened Donald Trump’s hush money trial took a lurid turn this week with the testimony of porn actress Stormy Daniels, while his repeated violations of a gag order threatened to land the former president in jail. Daniels testified that she and Trump met at a Lake Tahoe golf championship in 2006 and Trump invited her to dinner. She said she didn’t expect to meet with him in his hotel room—nor for him to be partly undressed, to compare her to his daughter Ivanka, or to mention that he no longer shared a bedroom with his wife. At first, she said, the two discussed the business aspects of the porn industry and his ability to get her a TV job—but then Trump demanded sex, and she eventually acquiesced. She said she…

IT that long ago that co-working spaces were riding what seemed like a massive wave that would never break. New brands were launching every few months (East Room in Canada, Second Home in Europe and NeueHouse in the U.S. were just some of the more interesting iterations from a design perspective), while established co-working companies like WeWork were opening spaces at warp speed. Then WeWork started to teeter and eventually collapsed in the face of insurmountable debt and crippling losses, COVID-19 reared its disruptive head, and much of the planet was ordered to work from home. Suddenly, the future of co-working seemed anything but certain. A few years on and co-working has survived, largely due to corporate employees who find themselves without an office to go back to post-lockdown. Many employers…

THE Grand Cliff Top Walk is a scenic 19km/two-day walk linking Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba. Walkers will be able to stop and enjoy a night in a mountain village, choosing from a variety of accommodation options, and complete the track the following day. Great Walks was lucky to do the walk just before its official opening plus we took five with Tim Lanyon, Principal Project Officer, Blue Mountains Branch, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (see pg 89) Day 1: Wentworth Falls to Leura – 11km As the 8.12 am train from Central lumbers into Wentworth Falls Station, school students shoulder heavy backpacks for their day ahead. Swinging mine into place, relieved to feel the floatiness that comes from a light day pack, there’s a jaunt in my step as I…

We can’t help but wonder. Did the name come first? Or did Ground Shatter come up with the concept for a fantasy-themed follow-up to 2021 deckbuilder Fights In Tight Spaces and picked the most natural title from there? Either way: bravo. Hats off, too, to the Bristol studio for not merely reskinning its previous hit. From a mechanical standpoint, it may not be wildly different – as before, you’ll draw cards to manoeuvre around grid-based environments and to deploy a variety of attacks against the enemies that drop in – but this time you’ll recruit party members, creating opportunities for team-based attacks. The illustrative art style is a clear improvement on Fights’ stylish but spartan look: those scratchy lines add extra grit to these brawls, whether you’re slamming heads into…