Portugal’s Outlook Raised to Positive by S&P on Falling Debt
Portugal’s government bond rating outlook was raised by S&P Global Ratings as the country’s economy is set to
2023-09-09 05:23
Fanta Releases Mystery Flavor for Halloween That Turns Your Mouth Black
The limited-edition soda from Fanta comes with a spooky side effect.
2023-09-09 04:24
What are Blue Zones and how do they impact your health?
The secret to living a longer life isn’t found in some elixir or fountain of youth. Rather, it’s said to be found in Blue Zones. Blue Zones are the five regions in the world where people are known to live long, healthy lives. These areas are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California. Here, the foods people eat aren’t just part of some diet - it’s a way of life. The term Blue Zone was popularised by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic journalist who travelled the world studying the cultures of these thriving communities. In a 2020 master class hosted by the Global Wellness Summit, Buettner shared the foundation of living in a Blue Zone: “The big epiphany of all these Blue Zones is that long-lasting health is very rarely successfully pursued; it ensues.” Now, not everyone can pack their bags and whisk themselves off to Italy, but there are many ways to adapt your daily routine to the Blue Zone lifestyle. Here’s what we can learn from these regions: Fibre, fibre, fibre Foods rich in fibre are prominently featured in the diets of those living in a Blue Zone. Beans and whole grains like brown rice and quinoa are high-fibre ingredients that can lengthen your life. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes are also natural sources of fibre. Fibre plays a key role in promoting gut health, managing your weight, and reducing cholesterol levels. Research shows that children and adults need at least 20 to 30 grams of fibre per day, but most Americans get only about 15 grams a day. Whether it’s garbanzo beans in Greek hummus to black beans in Costa Rican soup, increasing your fibre intake is key to living a longer life. Move naturally You don’t need to work out at the gym five times a week to increase your longevity. In fact, residents in Blue Zone areas rarely workout at all, as their exercise mostly comes from activities done throughout the day, such as walking and gardening. Incorporating 20 minutes of movement in your daily routine is just one way to live the Blue Zone lifestyle. Maintain a positive outlook On average, Americans spend nearly five to six hours on their phones a day, from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed. Instead, begin your daily routine with a positive meditation, or separate the work day with mini stress breaks. In Blue Zones, residents shed their stress by engaging in sacred daily rituals, such as remembering their ancestors in Okinawa or taking naps in Costa Rica. Or, do like the Sardinians do: happy hour. Connect with others Curating a social circle is one of the main pillars of living in a Blue Zone. In an era of Zoom calls and work from home, connecting with those around us has proven to be a little more difficult than in years past. Even if it’s just a small group, engaging with others who keep you active, eat a similar high-fibre diet, and care about you on a bad day can help you live until you’re 100. Read More 11 best healthy food subscription boxes delivered right to your door 10 best exercise bikes for smashing your fitness goals at home Five waste-free recipes to take your Veganuary up a notch What are Blue Zones and how do they impact your health? Three healthy recipes to get back on track after summer Best burgers in London: Where to eat top patties in the city
2023-09-09 03:23
Marc Bohan, former Dior creative director and friend to the stars, dies at age 97
Luxury fashion house Dior has confirmed that longtime former artistic director Marc Bohan has died at 97
2023-09-09 02:18
The Mesh Grating on Your Microwave Is Actually an Important Safety Feature
To block microwave radiation, all you need is a simple screen.
2023-09-08 23:20
Thousand Island vs. Russian Dressing: What’s the Difference?
Russian dressing and Thousand Island dressing are two creamy sauces that are often confused for one another. So what’s the story?
2023-09-08 22:27
Three healthy recipes to get back on track after summer
With September often thought of as a second January, it’s the perfect time to set goals and form new habits. Meal prepping is a great way to help you stay on track and reach your goals. Benefits include helping you to stick to healthier foods, saving money, minimising food waste, saving time and reducing stress. Sophie Dillon, head of nutrition at Fresh Fitness Food, has put together a few nutritious recipes (breakfast, lunch and dinner) that take less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Yoghurt and granola with berries Greek yoghurt is a great source of protein, and can also be beneficial for your gut, as it is a food-sourced probiotic (so long as it’s labelled to contain live cultures), and this homemade granola recipe is packed with slow-release carbs, providing a sustained energy release for your morning, and to help keep your blood sugar levels more stable. Tip: Batch-cook your granola and store in an airtight container for ease and an on-demand, nutritious addition to your yoghurts, smoothies, or if you just fancy a simple carby snack. Serves: 2 Time: 25 mins the first time, 5 mins once you have the granola on hand Ingredients: Handful of berries of your choice ½ cup ricotta cheese ½ cup Greek yoghurt ½ vanilla pod 1 scoop of vanilla whey For the granola: 50g buckwheat groats 100g oats 20g maple syrup 5ml olive oil ½ tsp ground ginger Method: 1. Blend the ricotta cheese till smooth and then mix in the Greek yoghurt, vanilla pod and whey protein. 2. Preheat the oven to 170C. 3. Place all ingredients for the granola into a bowl and thoroughly mix together. 4. Line a baking tray with some grease-proof paper, pour the granola mix onto the tray and pop in the oven for 10 minutes. 5. After 10 minutes, remove the tray and mix around the granola to break up any large clumps. 6. Place back into the oven for a further 10 minutes, then take out to cool. 7. Place the yoghurt in a bowl and top with granola and the berries of your choice. Bang bang chicken stir-fry Quick, easy meals are key when it comes to nailing your fitness goals, and this stir-fry is an easy lunchtime winner. We’d recommend cooking an extra couple of portions and popping them in the freezer for an easy dinner on busy days. Tip: If you end up with extra chicken, put it to the side to have in a bang-bang chicken salad. Serves: 2 Time: 15 mins Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips ½ juice of a lime 1 tbsp peanut butter ½ tsp tamari sauce ½ tbsp sriracha ½ carrot, julienne or grated ½ red pepper, sliced 1 spring onion, sliced 1 tbsp oil of choice (we recommend sesame for a nice, nutty flavour) 3 nests rice noodles ½ tbsp sesame seeds (optional) ½ red chilli, sliced and de-seeded (optional) Method: 1. Mix together the sriracha, lime, salt, lime, peanut butter and tamari thoroughly with a whisk. 2. Mix all ingredients together so the chicken is well coated 3. Heat the sesame oil in a wok. Once hot, add the chicken to the pan, and cook until golden. 4. While the chicken is cooking, cook your noodles per the instructions on the packet, and leave to stand for one minute before adding to your pan. 5. At the same time, add your carrots and red pepper and stir until everything is coated in the sauce/oil mixture. 6. Once the chicken is cooked and the veg is soft, mix in your spring onions, and plate up. 7. Garnish with sesame seeds and chilli, if desired. Crispy tofu poke bowl Tofu is a great source of plant-based protein, containing all the essential amino acids your body needs. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron and vitamin A. The great thing about crispy tofu, aside from its nutritional benefits, is that it works just as well in leftovers, too. Throw it in a tofu satay curry, pad thai or into a salad for a plant-based protein boost. Serves: 2 Time: 30 mins Ingredients: 1 block of firm tofu 1 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cornflour ½ carrot 100g cucumber 50g edamame 50g peas 150g uncooked rice 100g tenderstem broccoli 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional) 1 nori sheet, sliced into strips (optional) Salt to taste Method: 1. Drain the tofu and cut into equal-sized pieces. 2. Mix the tofu with cornflour, salt, olive oil, smoked paprika, and tofu together. 3. Roast on lined trays at 190C until brown and crispy – around 20 mins. Drain once cooked. 4. While the tofu is cooking, cook your rice as per the instructions. 5. In the meantime, prepare your veg. Chop and de-seed your cucumber. 6. Steam your tenderstem, peas and edamame. 7. Once your tofu is crispy and your rice is cooked and drained, plate everything up, and garnish with the nori and sesame seeds. Read More Is bottomless prosecco going to be killed off by climate change? Budget Bites: Three ways to pimp up university student classics Epicurus: American fast food meets the Middle East in Camden Market ‘How being thrifty in the kitchen helped me get on the housing ladder’ How to make spinach and mushroom quiche For a quick sugar fix, try this Biscoff microwave mug cake
2023-09-08 16:59
Should you swap your foundation for a lightweight skin tint?
If you’re looking to streamline your morning beauty routine and create a beautiful your-skin-but-better base, a skin tint might be the answer to your prayers. Part of the new wave of hybrid make-up heroes, these lightweight complexion perfectors are similar to BB creams or tinted moisturisers, but come with added skincare benefits. “A skin tint is aimed at evening skin tone and adding hydration rather than helping to hide imperfections,” says Samantha Kendrew, head of education for Mii Cosmetics. Unlike full-coverage foundation, skin tints are “usually of a much lighter consistency, feel almost weightless when applied to the skin and give sheer coverage”. Make-up with benefits Infused with hydrating ingredients, these fluid formulas glide on easily and some contain sunscreen – depending on your skin type, you might not even need moisturiser underneath. “A skin tint is a great choice if you’re looking for a lighter product to give you a dewy glow,” says Kendrew. “They are also buildable, so you can create a fuller coverage if you choose to.” Thanks to a flood of new launches, skin tints are blowing up on TikTok, with beauty influencers raving about their glow-giving effects. “The ‘no make-up make-up’ trend is hugely popular and a skin tint is a good way to achieve this look,” Kendrew explains. They are part of the “trend towards enhanced versions of our natural skin as they are so sheer – it gives a barely-there hint of colour so your skin can look its healthiest”. Dab and blend The best way to apply a skin tint is using your fingers and after completing your usual skincare routine – just make sure to wash your hands first. “Apply a small amount of product onto your fingertips – remember you can go in with more and build the coverage as needed,” Kendrew advises. “Dab the product in small dots on your forehead, cheeks and chin, and blend in circular motions. It’s always worth waiting a few minutes before getting dressed to allow the skin tint to dry completely.” For a super-quick everyday make-up look, simply add mascara and lip balm, or go glam with a few extra steps. “You can use concealer with a skin tint to help hide any blemishes or imperfections,” Kendrew says. “You can also use a brightening concealer under the eyes if you need a little more coverage here to disguise dark circles.” Add definition to your cheekbones with bronzer or a pop of colour with a warm-toned blusher. “You want to work with textures that enhance each other,” Kendrew recommends. “Cream blushers and bronzers are great as they help to enhance that dewy finish rather than a powder formula which can be mattifying.” Here are five of the best new skin tints to try now… Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum, £23 Formulated with moisture-giving ceramides and hyaluronic acid plus soothing centella asiatica water, this serum delivers silky, sheer coverage. Mii Skin Secret Cream Tint SPF25, £24 Combining high-factor sunscreen with encapsulated pigments, this vitamin E and white tea extract-infused tint blends out to create a glowy, radiant finish, and comes in four versatile shades. Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, £49 With hyaluronic acid and squalane (big hitters in the hydration stakes), this non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t block pores) and vegan skin tint comes in 18 shades. Delilah Wake Up Radiant Skin Tint, £39 Ideal if you want to add some warmth to your complexion, this tint comes in four shades (opal, amber, bronze and solar) for dewy, sun-kissed skin all year round. Ciaté Dewy Skin Tint, £29 A cult favourite that’s back after a hiatus, this ultra-dewy formula is what you need to get the coveted ‘glass skin’ glow. Available in 10 shades, it contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid plus antioxidant-rich yuzu and dragon fruit extracts. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What should you do if you think your child is being bullied at school? What women should do if they experience violence online Athlete who ran over 200km through the desert shares advice for running in a heatwave
2023-09-08 15:51
Sophia Bush repurposes one of her wedding dresses for Beyoncé concert after Grant Hughes split
Sophia Bush may have split from Grant Hughes, but she refuses to let one of her wedding dresses go to waste. Bush was one of the attendees at Beyoncé’s last shows as part of her Renaissance World Tour at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday 4 September. To abide by the silver dress code the singer set, Bush dug up the dress she wore at the afterparty of her wedding to Grant Hughes. The dress was an ombré paillette mini dress, courtesy of New York City bridal designer Cristina Ottaviano, and originally helped Bush channel the disco ball theme of her wedding afterparty, she told Vogue at the time. The outlet described it as a “wearable disco ball,” and Bush called the afterparty look “very country western glam”. For the concert, she paired the dress with tall black boots and an off-white cowboy hat. “Speaking of @beyonce…” Bush wrote in an Instagram post after she attended the concert. “The queen said ‘wear silver’ and we said ‘yes ma’am.” She continued: “She called her #Renaissance ‘a place to dream/escape/to feel free/adventurous/to create a safe space/without judgement/a place to be free/to scream/release/feel freedom/a beautiful journey/exploration.’ Can confirm.” The silver dress code came from Beyoncé’s request for fans to wear the colour in honour of her birthday on 4 September. The “Cuff It” singer turned 42 on Monday and had asked fans to wear the colour in honour of the zodiac period Virgo season for the final dates of her world tour, which began in May. “Virgo season is upon us,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “This tour has been such a joy and as we approach the last month, my birthday wish is to celebrate with you wearing your most fabulous silver fashions to the show 8.23 – 9.22.” “We’ll surround ourselves in a shimmering human disco ball each night. Everybody mirroring each other’s joy, Virgo season together in the House of Chrome. See you there!” Last month, Bush changed her name on Instagram to remove her married surname Hughes. The switch came amid reports that the two had split after 13 months of marriage. According to People, Bush filed for divorce on 4 August. A source told the outlet: “Sophia and Grant were friends for 10 years and bonded during Covid through their love of community service. They continue to run their nonprofit together and remain good friends.” Less than two months before the reported divorce, Bush had made a tribute post to Hughes in honour of their one-year anniversary. “Best decision of my life,” she wrote in a now-deleted post. “It still feels just like this. Ecstatic. Running toward the future, grinning and laughing, together. I love you, my favourite. Happy Anniversary.” Hughes had also made a post of his own for the special occasion on Instagram, which has since been taken down. “Happy first anniversary, my love,” he wrote. “What a full, beautiful, dynamic, exciting, growth-filled year we’ve had together. I truly love doing life with you!” “As the card I gave you this morning said: ‘There are seven billion people on this planet. You are my favourite.’” After sharing a passage by writer Rachel Signer, he added: “Ecstatically excited for all the adventures ahead!” Before Hughes, the actress had previously married her One Tree Hill co-star Chad Michael Murray in 2005. The couple divorced in 2006. Read More Sophia Bush called ‘TV prostitute’ at Chicago bar by man who told her she was ‘piece of meat’ One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush changes name after ‘filing for divorce’ from husband Sophia Bush pulls out of 2:22 A Ghost Story as replacement announced Woman’s ‘terrifying’ NYC apartment tour shocks the internet Woman said she was ghosted by man after she flew to meet him for second date Tattoo artist astounds clients by singing during appointments
2023-09-08 05:45
19 Fascinating Facts About ‘The Crow’
Alex Proyas's 'The Crow' was marred by tragedy when its star, Brandon Lee, was killed in an on-set accident just days before filming wrapped.
2023-09-08 05:22
Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori sparks confusion after using pillow to cover nearly nude outfit in Italy
Kanye West’s rumoured wife, Bianca Censori, has sparked confusion with her latest outfit, which saw her holding a pillow over her chest while walking around Italy. On Wednesday 6 September, the rapper – who legally changed his name to Ye – and Censori were photographed in unique ensembles while walking through the streets of Italy. The outing came days after the pair were reportedly banned from a boat company in Venice due to their alleged behaviour on board one of its vessels. In recent photos that circulated online, Censori was seen walking in sheer beige stockings and a matching spaghetti strap bodysuit. She was also holding a purple cushion over her chest, seemingly in an effort to cover the top half of her body. The architect completed the look with a pair of heels. Meanwhile, West opted for an all black look, which included a short-sleeved shirt, pants, slippers, and hooded scarf, which covered the majority of his face. On X, formerly known as Twitter, people expressed their confusion over Censori’s look, with some questioning the pillow accessory. “Is [Ye] going to use her as a couch?” one person asked, while another wrote: “I hate all her looks and they’re always nylon, like quit playing with the pantyhose.” Others suggested West had been styling Censori – who reportedly “married” the rapper in a non-legally binding ceremony – and criticised him for it. They also acknowledged that West previously styled his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, when they were together. “I feel like Kanye is making her dress like this,” one fan wrote, while another asked: “Why is he making her dress like this?” “Remember Kim and then all his GFs after her started dressing similar to this [during his] whole dating them,” a third wrote. “Then they break up and they’re back to normal human clothes!” Other social media users offered their own suggestions as to why the pair were walking around in the surprising outfits, with one claiming “they’re clearly doing it for reaction purposes… but it is very bizarre”. Following the outing, the DailyMail reported Censori was spotted with the pillow while she and West were leaving their hotel in Florence on 6 September. A source alleged to the publication that Censori wore the ensemble throughout the day, including during a shopping trip in the city. However, according to another source, Censori had changed into a long-sleeved bodysuit by the time she went to dinner with West that evening. This isn’t the first time that one of Censori’s outfits has sparked mixed reactions. In June, the pair made headlines when they were pictured heading to West’s church service in all-black ensembles, with West wearing a black T-shirt with the word “Polizei”, the German word for police, emblazoned on it. He also sported a pair of black leggings that covered his feet in what appeared to be sock shoes. Meanwhile, Censori wore a stocking-like ensemble that covered her entire body, including her face. She also wore her arms inside the black pantyhose, while a ring of black fabric circled the lower half of her face and neck. Days before they were photographed in Florence, a Venice boat company, Venezia Turismo Motoscafi, issued a statement declaring that they were no longer welcome on future trips. The ban came after they were photographed on the boat in what appeared to be a compromising position, as West had his trousers down and bottom exposed, while Censori appeared to be crouching between his legs. Following the release of the photos, a spokesperson for Venezia Turismo Motoscafi – whose celebrity clientele reportedly includes Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and Ben Affleck – explained that the driver had not seen “these obscenities” because they were looking out for traffic on the water. The statement added that, if the driver had witnessed the couple engaging in any lewd behaviour, they would have “immediately disembarked and reported the transgressors to those in authority”. In recent years, the rapper has been at the centre of several controversies, making headlines for a slew of antisemitic remarks. In 2022, West was dropped by both Adidas and Balenciaga over his “hateful and dangerous” comments relating to Jewish people. CAA, one of the biggest celebrity talent agencies in the US, also cut ties with the musician. Read More Kanye West and ‘wife’ Bianca Censori banned from Venice boat company after ‘obscenities’ on board Fans think viral video shows Kanye West crashing stranger’s wedding in Italy Bianca Censori confirms relationship status after influencer asks for her number Kanye West to buy Parler as George Floyd estate threaten to sue - live Kanye West hits out at Pete Davidson and Trevor Noah George Floyd’s family may sue Kanye West over claims about his death
2023-09-08 05:18
Julia Fox hits back at criticism over her nearly nude look at New York Fashion Week: ‘It’s just my body’
Julia Fox has shared a candid response to the criticism over her latest look at New York Fashion Week. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, published on 7 September, Fox, 33, addressed the backlash she faced over the outfit, which consisted of a chain bra with metal pasties and chain bottoms that she was wearing underneath a black trench coat. As she described some of the remarks that people made about her look, she also questioned why the outfit was an issue in the first place. “I got in trouble for that one,” she said. “There were a lot of haters, being like: ‘This is unacceptable. This is setting such a bad example.’ But, it’s like: ‘Why?’ It’s just my body.’” The Uncut Gems star continued to make quips about why online trolls were criticising her body. “Is my body, like, ugly? Is my body a crime?” she joked. “Did my body slap your grandma? The way that they were acting, it was like, What the heck!” She also spoke candidly about why she chooses the memorable outfits she wears when attending major events. “If people could see what I dress like in my day to day, it’s literally like boxers, stained, dirty T-shirts, Adidas slides. It’s not this,” she said. “That’s kind of why when I do get dressed up, I want to go all out because my real life is so unglamorous.” This isn’t the first time that Fox has made headlines with one of her outfits. In May 2022, she went viral when she was seen wearing a black and white bra-and-underwear set from Alexander Wang while at a supermarket. Although she didn’t have a top over the bra, she was wearing an oversized denim jacket, and a pair of calf-length denim boots. Amid the confusion over why she wore the outfit, Fox took to Instagram Stories to make some clarifications. Sharing a meme of herself, which read “when it’s laundry day but you have errands to run,” Fox said: “I just think that if it’s socially acceptable at the beach it should be the same everywhere lol.” Earlier this year, Fox also hit back at criticism over her appearance, with the actor shutting down rumours that she’s taking Ozempic, a Type 2 diabetes medication that has been used for weight loss. “All these people are coming for me saying that I take the weight loss things...people are saying that I’m taking Ozempic or whatever it’s called,” she told ET in March. “I’m not and I never have...I would never do that. There are diabetics that need it.” During her recent interview with ET, which took place at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, Fox quipped that the semi-sheer dress and pair of black wings she was wearing was “pretty tame” look. However, she still poked fun at how she styled her long, black hair, adding: “We’re rocking a mullet today because I think Fashion Week is a mullet — it’s business in the front, party in the back.” She also expressed her excitement about walking the runway for Victoria Secret’s 2023 fashion show. “I’m really happy about it. I grew up wearing Victoria’s Secret and stealing the underwear and bras, but that’s the old me,” Fox said. “Now I get it for free! Still not paying, take notes.” Read More FASHION PHOTOS: Naomi Campbell struts the runway in shimmery silver in new fast fashion collab Julia Fox blasts celebrity use of Ozempic for weight loss: ‘There are diabetics that need it’ Irvine Welsh and Bernardine Evaristo on book festival line-up Pamela Anderson reveals why she plans to sell ‘all’ her old clothes Tabi Swiper: How a woman’s Tinder date committed a ‘sinister’ fashion crime 4 viral TikTok make-up trends you’ll actually want to try
2023-09-08 03:23