Ryanair Holdings Plc. resigned from a UK effort to bolster the country’s aviation sector after five months, saying

Oh, to be a guest at a dinner party thrown by Nigella Lawson. It’s the stuff of dreams. On TV, she always made hosting look so effortlessly elegant, passing around plates piled high with luscious-looking food to her laughing guests, fairy lights twinkling above them as though they were ethereal beings blessed by the Domestic Goddess herself. To my teenage self, having a glamorous dinner party was the height of adulthood – Nigella was a huge inspiration. But these days, Nigella says she is less inclined to host a big dinner party – the ones that the public see on her shows like Nigellissima and Nigella Feasts are actually rare. In a new interview with The Times, she revealed that she has fallen “out of the habit” of big gatherings, adding: “I’ll have a person or a couple of people over quite often and I keep planning to have people round in a proper grown-up way but I haven’t yet. I must! I feel a bit guilty because people have had me for dinner and I haven’t had them back.” One could argue that it’s fair for dinner parties to be a thing of the past for Lawson, who has been setting the bar for these things for the past 20 years or so. She can and should do whatever she likes that makes her comfortable. But for me, a woman in her thirties, I still haven’t had the pleasure of planning and throwing a Nigella-level dinner party, and that makes me rather sad. I want to be the hostess with the mostest. I sometimes fantasise about who I’d invite, what I’d cook, what dishes I’d use, what playlist I’d throw on. When I lived in Malaysia, I had a large flat all to myself for just a few months. This period coincided with a New Year’s Eve that, at the last minute, had me throwing a party for everyone who didn’t already have plans. It wasn’t a Nigella-esque party given its eleventh hour nature, but it was perfect for the time – we ordered pizzas and people brought snacks and booze, and we all stayed up late chatting, listening to music, ringing in the new year. What bliss! But modern living quarters have shrunk so much that it makes me claustrophobic just thinking about it. These days, even the idea of a dining room that is separate from the living room feels like a pipe dream for my generation. Entire houses that would have been occupied by one family have been sliced into flats that squeeze multiple households under one roof. The abominable creation of “studio apartments” that force tenants to cook, eat, and sleep in the same space hardly offer the means to have friends over for dinner. Don’t even speak to me about buying a house – I’m just trying to keep my head above water with rent prices, which reached record highs in June. And no, giving up lattes from Pret has not helped one iota. Inflation and wage stagnation have also stamped on my dreams of being a dinner party pro. I’m sorry to be That Person, but have you done a weekly grocery shop recently? I find myself wincing at the checkout more and more with each shop, and I’m only shopping for two. I can’t imagine buying a week’s worth of groceries for a family, let alone a party of more than four. This year, I made a Chinese New Year meal for six people – two of us had to eat on the sofa – and the cost nearly bowled me over. I desperately wanted to do it, but I did not relish looking at my bank balance afterwards. Then there’s the cost of decorations to think about. If TikTok videos are to be believed, decorating is easy as pie, with hundreds of influencers telling you that all you need is a unique table runner; huge bunches of beautiful flowers dotted around; mismatched tableware for a cutesy, vintage feel; tall candles; linen napkins tied up with string. But all of this costs more money than you’d expect, and “hacks” like getting up at 5am to go to Columbia Road Flower Market to get cheaper blooms aren’t all that helpful when work and other commitments demand your time. Of course, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Nigella’s suggestion of serving Twiglets as a starter is unconventional, but fun and cheap; as is her preferred method of making “a big plate of food, taking it out and seeing everyone eat”. Certainly, her latest Ocado recipe for sardine spaghetti – which uses humble tinned sardines in tomato sauce – is cheap, cheerful and entirely delicious, perfectly suited for feeding a large number of people on a budget. This isn’t too surprising: Nigella has always had her finger on the pulse of the public mood, and her other recent Ocado recipes, which feed four people for under £5, will come in handy for many who are struggling. But looking back at the dinner parties she’s hosted on her TV shows, perhaps they weren’t so lavish after all. The immense appeal and pleasure of Nigella’s gatherings has always stemmed from the fact that she cooks what she loves, for people she loves, no matter the number. Her shows, too, made these intimate parties look sparkly and lavish, but underneath all of them lay the bare bones of a great night in: sharing delicious food with wonderful company. I can’t help but grieve for the parties I could’ve had by now. I wish I could fill my home with people without worrying about whether there are enough chairs or if the neighbours above and below me are grinding their teeth, waiting for 10pm to roll around so they can knock on the door and tell us to keep it down. It remains my fervent aspiration, still, to someday throw a Nigella Feasts-worthy dinner party. Until then, I’ll just have to comfort myself with the reminder that even Nigella isn’t up for that these days – and that entertaining for a smaller number of people can be just as satisfying. Read More It took until my thirties to realise I might not be white Solitude used to mean sad singledom. Now it’s become a status symbol I’d waste hours watching ‘What I Eat in a Day’ videos. I can’t believe they’ve made a comeback

From home decor to food and drink to a real-life Barbie DreamHouse, Barbiecore is inescapable right now. Of course, we have Greta Gerwig's Barbie to thank for that. It's no surprise the influence has spread across to fashion, given the fictional doll's iconic wardrobe. Since the hotly anticipated film was announced, interest in Barbie's style has soared across social media. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #barbieoutfits has reached almost 60 million views. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Over on Pinterest, there has been a significant increase in searches, with a 614 per cent rise across the globe, along with a further spike of 194 per cent for 'pink outfits'. To ride the wave, stylists at Boohoo have pulled together five tips to inject some Barbiecore into your wardrobe. Cowboy hats "Cowboy hats have been a huge hit in recent months, with Barbie herself seen sporting the accessory, pairing it with a pink Western-themed two-piece outfit. "Pinterest searches for ‘cowboy hat’ have risen 122 per cent in the past year. "Cowboy hats are a fun accessory, particularly during the summer months, to pair with denim outfits or a flared ensemble to recreate that Western style." The perfect handbag "Accessories are essential to perfecting your Barbie look, and the perfect handbag is ideal for achieving that look - but what colour bag is best? "Having a handbag in every colour isn't the easiest way of making sure you have one to pair with every outfit, especially as wardrobe space can be limiting (unless you are Barbie), which is why you should opt for one white, one black and even one pink bag if you want to make sure you have good options to cover any colour outfit. "If you have the basic shades or tend to only venture into creams, beiges, and nudes, why not inject some colour by purchasing a statement bag? Whether this be a pattern, a bright colour or a bag with sparkle or hardware, this will elevate even the most basic outfits." Statement shoes "The Barbie trailer opened with a Barbie’s perfectly pink stilettos with a feathery trim, highlighting that shoes can make or break a Barbie outfit. However, whilst heels are Barbie’s first choice of shoe, there are ways to style your flats in Barbie fashion: Heels - Barbie is known for showing up and stepping out, so you should include at least one or two pairs of killer heels to add elegance to your looks Trainers - If you do not want to invest in heels, choose cute, comfy trainers to pair with your casual outfits. Adding trainers with a platform is a great alternative to add height and elongate your legs without wearing heels Sandals - Strappy sandals scream all things fun, so pair your playful summer dresses, long flowy skirts and denim shorts with a pair of tie-up or slip-on sandals Western boots – Cowboy boots and Western-style boots are everywhere this summer, so finding the perfect pair when there are so many options is challenging. If you want to style these boots for an event such as a festival or party, try solid colours or play with metallics to stand out, just like Barbie Textures and fabrics "Barbie is not afraid of standing out and experimenting with different types of styles. Astronaut Barbie doll (1965) rocked a white jumpsuit and brown zip-up boots, Quick Curl Barbie doll (1973) showed up in a peach tailored suit co-ord and silver clutch, and even Extreme 360 Barbie doll (2000) experimented with a cute navy sweatsuit proving athleisure is fashionable. "If you want to channel Barbie in the best possible way, you should not be afraid to jump out of your comfort zone and experiment, which is why playing around with different textures and fabrics is a great place to start: Feathers – Feathers are a great way to jazz up any outfit. You could style a feathery top with your favourite jeans or trousers if you are heading on a night out with the girls. Why not pair a feathery mini skirt with a minimal top if you are going to a fun concert? Ruffles – Ruffles are very in this season which is great if you love to go for cute and girly outfits. Layered rah-rah skirts are perfect, or those with a bit of volume look great paired with a denim jacket or cowboy boots for a festival look. Denim – No wardrobe is complete without a splash of denim. Whether in the form of a dress, dungarees, jeans or a skirt, denim is a fabric staple. If you want to branch out and cover all basis of the material, try dark denim in indigo or navy, which will add an editorial feel to an outfit. Do not be afraid to play with contrast denim and shades of denim that complement each other; double denim is fashionable when done correctly. Last but not least, think pink "Unsurprisingly, if you want to channel Barbie into your wardrobe, you need to inject her favourite colour, and while every shade of pink is beautiful, sometimes it can be hard to find a shade that is right for you and that compliments your skin's undertone. "If you have a warmer or more golden undertone, opt for pinks with a yellow undertone. These are pinks such as coppers, rose golds, peachy-toned pinks and corals; they will highlight your complexion and accentuate your features perfectly. "If you have a cool or blueish undertone, you should match this with your pinks. These are magentas, plummy pinks and fuchsias." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Millionaire Stephen Prince is selling his private jet -- because of his concerns for the environment. The vice-chair of the Patriotic Millionaires group is also calling for higher taxes on top earners.

Nigella Lawson is ditching extravagant dinner parties for more relaxed mealtimes with friends. You might have assumed that the celebrity chef and food writer, who is known for the polished, decadant style of her TV cooking shows, regularly hosts glamorous dinner parties for her friends and family. But in a new interview, Lawson, 63, has explained that this is now a rare occurrence, and that she prefers to serve Twiglets to her friends instead. “I’ll have a person or a couple of people over quite often and I keep planning to have people round in a proper, grown-up way but I haven’t yet,” the food writer told The Times, explaining she has got “out of the habit” of hosting dinner parties. Lawson revealed that she prefers a more relaxed environment and would happily encourage her friends to arrive at her home wearing their pyjamas. “I’m very happy for a friend to come over in their pyjamas to have supper.” “I recently served Twiglets as a starter,” she told the publication. “There were some Americans there and I felt it my duty to introduce them.” She added that the idea of clearing plates, knives and forks before the main course is “so unrelaxing” and can make things feel “choreographed”. “I like to do a big plate of food, taking it out and seeing everyone eat. I like abundance and I feel that’s easier to do with one course,” she said. When she does host friends, Lawson prefers a more laid-back buffet-style dinner. At her open-plan home in Chelsea, she has two tables, one for the people to be seated at, and one for the food. “I think narrow tables are better for conversation, so we sit at one and I put the dinner on the other so people can help themselves.” It comes as Lawson responded to a viral “girl dinner” trend that is sweeping the internet. On Saturday, The New York Times detailed the new TikTok phenomenon in an article with the headline: “Is It a Meal? A Snack? No, It’s ‘Girl Dinner’”. According to the publication, the phrase was coined a few months ago by TikTok user Olivia Maher, who posted a video in which she spoke about the virtues of a medieval-style dinner. “I can’t find the TikTok right now but a girl just came on here and said in the Medieval times, peasants had to eat nothing but bread and cheese and how awful that was,” she says in the clip, which has since been watched more then one million times. “And she was like, ‘That’s my ideal meal,’” Maher added before showing her dinner to the camera, revealing a selection of bread, cheese, grapes and pickles. The article has prompted a mixed response on social media, with some accusing it of promoting disordered eating while others claim the diet is nothing new and mimics those adopted by mediterranean cultures. Lawson responded to the article by tweeting: “And we call them Picky Bits.” Read More Woman shares co-worker’s ‘infuriating’ response to her decision to not have children 5 late summer blooms to plant now Buckingham Palace responds to Joe Biden’s ‘protocol breach’ with King Charles ‘We call them Picky Bits’: Nigella Lawson responds to viral ‘Girl Dinner’ trend Get set for Wimbledon with top pastry chef’s strawberry recipes How to cook kohlrabi

Major League Baseball’s quest for the crown of cool will be on display Tuesday when its top players strut down a red carpet show at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market ahead of the All-Star Game

Wimbledon is underway and that means the classic British summertime treat of strawberries and cream is ready to be dished out across the courts, with a staggering 1.92 million strawberries expected to be consumed during the tournament. When buying strawberries, we are attracted to the deeper coloured fruits as they are the ripest, but it’s worth being mindful of when you plan to eat them as fully ripe strawberries are best served the same day. Always check the bottom of the punnet to see if the strawberries are starting to bruise as this is a sign they are beginning to be past their best. When it comes to cooking, if you overcook strawberries, you can get a jam-like taste rather than a freshness, so it’s best to use recipes that don’t require a lot of heat and keep it simple for a more refined flavour. Simple touches like adding a dash of lemon will help the strawberries to pack a punch and elevate any recipe. I also like to add a crack of pink peppercorn to macerated strawberries in whatever I’m using them for, this helps enhance the floral notes of the strawberries, as when you eat them the pepper helps open up the nasal passage. Final-worthy dessert: strawberry shortcake Ingredients: For the shortcake: 115g cake flour 5g baking powder 5g salt 3 eggs, separated 1 pinch cream of tartar 175g sugar 15g unsalted butter, softened 5g vanilla extract 125ml milk For the topping: 500g strawberries 1 lemon 75g caster sugar 1 pinch of ground pink peppercorns Method: For the shortcake: Sift and combine all the dry ingredients, then rub the butter into the flour mix. Whisk the egg whites and sugar together until they form medium peaks. Combine the egg yolks and milk with the dry ingredients. Separate into equal-sized balls and bake at 180ºC until golden. For the topping: Quarter or roughly dice the strawberries, cover with the sugar, pepper and lemon zest and leave to sit for 15-20 minutes in the fridge. To serve: Place a few of the shortcakes at the bottom of a bowl or on a large plate. Top with a dollop or two of whipped cream or thick yoghurt, cover with the fresh strawberries and drizzle with the strawberry syrup. Finish by crumbling a shortcake or two over the top. For extra flair: Baste the halves of two peaches and sear in a pan with beurre noisette and a sprig of thyme on a medium heat. Serve on the side of the strawberry shortcake. Quickly served treat: brioche with passion fruit and strawberries Ingredients: For the fruit mix: 500g strawberries 8 fresh passion fruits 60g caster sugar 1 pinch salt For the topping: 200g mascarpone 3 tbsp honey Zest of 1 lemon Brioche to serve Method: Scoop the passion fruit seeds into a small pan and bring to a gentle simmer on a low heat. Add the sugar and the salt and simmer for about 5-6 minutes, until the seeds are shiny. Remove from the stove and allow to cool for five minutes, then pour over your halved strawberries. Place them in the fridge to marinate. To serve: Slice the brioche with a generous thickness, and toast in a pan over a medium heat with a knob of butter, until golden. Flip and repeat. Mix the mascarpone, honey, and lemon zest, spread over the brioche and add a generous amount of the strawberry fruit mix. For extra flair: Roast a handful of pistachios and crush them slightly. The green of the nut against the rich red of the strawberries will add a punch of colour. Read More The Norwegian sparkling wine aged at the bottom of the sea I was an air fryer sceptic – now I can’t stop using it Ditch Deliveroo – make these healthy, 30-minute pizzas instead Three quick and easy vegan fakeaway recipes The dish that defines me: Eddie Huang’s Taiwanese beef noodle soup How to cook kohlrabi

Mexico’s coalition of opposition parties announced on Monday the registration of a slate of candidates who will be

Study this map of global etiquette rules before your next trip abroad.

Joe Biden’s sartorial choices have been called into question after the president was seen wearing sneakers seemingly without socks as he boarded Air Force One. On Sunday, the president boarded Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base as he headed to London. For the trip, Biden was dressed in blue slacks, a pale blue button-down shirt, and a blue blazer. He completed the look with a pair of navy and grey Skechers slip-in shoes. However, according to New York Times reporter Doug Mills, one thing the president was missing was his socks. Mills sparked a debate about the apparent fashion faux pas when he tweeted on Sunday that the 80 year old had allegedly gone sans socks for the flight. “@Potus boards Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base as he departs for London, England. Biden was not [wearing] socks with his sneakers,” Mills tweeted, along with a photo of Biden’s full outfit, as well as a close-up shot of the president’s sneakers and bare ankle. The tweet, which has been viewed more than 4.2m times, has prompted a conversation about the president’s fashion choice, with some questioning whether Biden’s apparent decision not to wear socks with sneakers was newsworthy, while others argued that Biden was actually wearing the footwear correctly. According to others, the president was likely wearing no-show socks. “How do you know he doesn’t have very low-rise socks? Anyway, what’s the problem with not wearing socks with sneakers?” one person asked, while another said: “Probably the invisible or low-rise socks. Everyone I know wears them.” Someone else claimed that “it’s pretty normal for beach locals to go without socks” while noting that Biden and his wife Dr Jill Biden had just returned from a trip to their Delaware beach home. “It’s pretty normal for beach locals to go without socks and he had just spent a day at his beach home. If he’s more comfortable this way on his flight, why does it matter?” they asked. According to others, Biden was actually wearing the shoes, which happened to be a $90 pair of Men’s Skechers Slip-Ins Ultra Flex 3.0, correctly. “Slip-on Skechers are designed to be worn without socks. The fabric is lightweight and breathable, allowing feet to stay cool and dry,” one person claimed in response. “Plus, the sole of the shoe is designed to provide maximum cushion and comfort without the need for socks.” On Skechers’ website, it notes that the “easy-wearing style” is designed with “air-cooled memory foam” that cushions the insole, and a “Stretch-Fit design for sock-like comfort”. However, on the shoe company’s website, it also includes a video of various individuals stepping into the shoes, with each wearing a pair of no-show socks. Although it is unclear whether the president was indeed wearing no-show socks, or whether he had actually chosen to wear the shoes without socks, many defended Biden on the basis that his fashion choices aren’t important. “Oh thank god, here’s the news finally - we were on the edge of our seats waiting to hear if he had socks on. This was riveting, thank you,” one person tweeted sarcastically, while another added: “Impeach!!” “So? Sneakers with socks isn’t in the Constitution. Find something else to complain about,” someone else wrote in response to Mills’ tweet. The reporter’s tweet also prompted some to compare the situation to the uproar after former President Barack Obama wore a tan suit, which his critics deemed unacceptable, in 2014. “Omg, tan suit again yawn,” one person tweeted. As of now, the president, who is currently in the UK meeting with King Charles III and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a NATO meeting in Lithuania, has not addressed the fashion choice. The Independent has contacted Skechers for comment. Read More Biden relaxes on Delaware beach with wife Jill The Rolling Stones and Skechers launch shoe collaboration with iconic tongue logo Watch as Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle Joe Biden to meet with the King at Windsor Castle What is sleep apnea and how is Joe Biden treating his using a CPAP machine? Margot Robbie hits Barbie red carpet in 1960s Mattel-inspired gown

Margot Robbie pulled out all the fashion stops at the world premiere of Barbie, where she once again wore a red carpet ensemble inspired by the Mattel doll. The 33-year-old actor, who stars as the titular Barbie in the upcoming live-action film directed by Greta Gerwig, arrived at the Los Angeles premiere wearing a black sparkling dress that accurately resembled the 1960s Barbie’s Solo in the Spotlight outfit. The custom black Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress, which was embellished with sequins, featured a strapless neckline with a layered tulle hem, adorned with a single red rose. Much like the special edition doll, she accessorised the look with black opera gloves and a pink silk mousseline scarf. Robbie’s red carpet moment was finished with a pair of black Manolo Blahnik heels, diamond earrings, and a diamond choker necklace from Lorraine Schwartz. For a bit of old Hollywood glamour, she styled her hair in a ponytail with side-swept bangs and a touch of red lipstick. Her stylist, Andrew Mukamel, has been the mastermind behind Robbie’s Barbie-inspired press tour fashion. On Instagram, he confirmed the black sequin dress was an homage to the Solo in the Spotlight Barbie doll. In addition to Robbie, Ryan Gosling also attended the Los Angeles premiere of Barbie. The 42-year-old actor plays Barbie’s paramour, Ken, in the forthcoming film. For the event, Gosling arrived in a pink Gucci suit. However, it was his chain necklace with the letter “E” dangling from it – in the same typeface used for the film – that received praise from fans. Fans immediately noted the initial was in reference to Eva Mendes, with whom Gosling shares two children: Esmerelda, eight, and Amada, seven. “Ryan Gosling rocking not just a sexy little chain but a sexy little chain with a Barbie font E for Eva on it,” tweeted one person. “How cute wearing a necklace with an E for Eva. He really is making sure his wife feels secure,” added another. Early reactions to the Barbie movie have already rolled in, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Gosling was singled out as a “scene-stealing” highlight, while Variety’s social media editor Katcy Stephan wrote: “Greta Gerwig delivers a nuanced commentary on what it means to be a woman in a whimsical, wonderful and laugh-out-loud funny romp. The entire cast shines, especially Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in roles they were clearly born to play.” Throughout the press tour for the highly-anticipated movie, Margot Robbie has stunned in a number of Barbiecore looks. Just days before the Los Angeles event, she attended the Mexico City premiere in a pink leather Balmain minidress inspired by the “Earring Magic” Barbie doll from the ‘90s. In Seoul, Robbie wore two custom Versace looks inspired by the Mattel doll’s “Day to Night” ensemble from 1985. And while promoting the Barbie film at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, her black and white striped minidress paid tribute to the first-ever Barbie doll, which was released in 1959. Barbie premieres in the US and UK on 21 July. The film also stars Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Emma Mackey, Michael Cera, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and more. Read More Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far Ryan Gosling fans praise actor’s subtle nod to wife Eva Mendes at Barbie premiere Barbie: First reactions single out Ryan Gosling as ‘scene-stealer’ deserving of an Oscar Ryan Gosling fans praise actor’s subtle nod to wife Eva Mendes at Barbie premiere Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far The Barbie press tour has finally rescued Margot Robbie’s red carpet reputation