The Galapagos National Park said Tuesday that it had detected its first cases of avian flu on the remote islands, home to unique bird species that...

Somehow, we've reached the halfway point of 2023. If you're looking for some fuel to

A well-fortified NASA spacecraft flew through, and survived, an immense explosion from the sun. Scientists

The moment the first crates of English sparkling wine were pulled up from the depths of the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Sandnessjøen, Tani Gurra, the director of beverages for Norway’s Hurtigruten Coastal Express, shed a tear. Or so I’m told – I’m currently watching the raising of the third crate of wine from a boat alongside other members of the press. Prior to this bright but teeth-chatteringly cold day, all 1,700 bottles had been sitting 30 metres below the surface of the Arctic Ocean for six months, the first time any wine has been aged in these waters. It’s an exciting day for the Hurtigruten team and Rathfinny Wine Estate, the Sussex winery where the bottles have been sourced. Husband and wife team Mark and Sarah Driver are here, watching the dark bottles of their 2018 classic cuvee emerge from black Nordic waters. Everyone is anxious to see if they have survived their time under immense (43.5psi) pressure. To our relief, every bottle and wax-sealed cork ascend intact. Love wine but don’t know where to start? The Independent Wine Club features curated cases from small growers and expert advice on how to enjoy wine. Sign up now for free. Around 24 hours before this jubilant moment, I found myself on a Hurtigruten ship, sailing from the Lofoten archipelago to Tromsø. With it being late spring, we were quickly approaching midnight sun territory; at 12am, we were invited onto the deck to view the majestic Trollfjord. But instead of the pitch black of midnight, we were surrounded by the distinct blueness of twilight. The remaining snowcaps on the fjord almost glowed in the dark. Even though it’s been around for 130 years, Hurtigruten struggles to define itself – it’s not a ferry, despite ferrying thousands of Norwegians from town to town along the coast, nor is it a cruise, despite giving tourists who spend days fjord-watching a rather luxurious experience. Several times throughout the trip, people would ask: “So is it a cruise or a ferry?” And each time, the answer was something along the lines of: “It’s sort of both, and neither.” The ships have immense charm, despite their neither-here-nor-there status. The number of passengers each one can take varies, but the MS Nordkapp, on which I am sailing, boasts capacity for up to 590 passengers, around 480 of which can book cabins if they want to join 12-day voyages that will take them to numerous ports along the way. They are nowhere near as large as the behemoth cruiseliners that groan with the weight of on-board casinos, theme parks, ballrooms and spas, burping and farting tons of chemicals into the ocean. Hurtigruten’s fleet is tiny in comparison and each vessel has a limited number of facilities: two small hot tubs in lieu of a spa, a gym, a cafe with a bakery and an ice cream bar, a fine dining restaurant, and a bar with panoramic views of the outside world. From June, the ships will offer passengers hankering after a glass of bubbly a taste of their sea-sunken sparkling. The collaboration between Hurtigruten and Rathfinny is part of its 130th anniversary celebrations, but the goal is to make the wine their house sparkling. The classic cuvee is the estate’s “house-style” Sussex sparkling and gained critical acclaim almost immediately after it hit the market. The Independent named it the best classic cuvee in 2022 and described it as “exemplary English winemaking”, noting “precise flavours of citrus and apricots and hints of cream”. But sinking the bottles is something Rathfinny has never tried before, until now. It was Gurra’s idea. He and Andre Petterson, vice president of hotel operations at Hurtigruten, decided to give the method a shot after seeing news that a group of divers found 168 bottles of French champagne on an underwater shipwreck in 2010. The bottles, discovered in the Baltic Sea, were 170 years old and had spent decades in what could have been a watery grave – but instead turned out to be the perfect temperature-controlled cellar for ageing wine. “I started thinking and talking about it, and thought, ‘Why not? Why can’t we do something like this? The Arctic Sea is a part of us, and we already source food from all along the coast of Norway,” Gurra tells me. “For us, the fjords are fish stocks, the mountains are our vegetable and herb gardens. Why not the sea for wine?” But Norway is better known for its spirits, not its wine. They cast their eyes towards England, from which a significant portion of their passengers hail, and landed on Rathfinny. It is rather poetic that the Rathfinny Wine Estate has on its label the Seven Sisters – the iconic chalk sea cliffs that make the Sussex coastline so recognisable. The location where they’ve chosen to age their wines has its own Seven Sisters: a mountain range on the island of Alsten in Alstahaug Municipality. Mark and Sarah are buzzing to show off their label and the unexpected connection with Norway during the uncorking of their wines. Mark says: “We are really proud to showcase Sussex in Norway. English wines have been making a name for themselves and it really is something special for us to be on Hurtigruten ships, especially as they are really popular with English tourists.” I had the chance to taste the Rathfinny classic cuvee before and after the undersea ageing process. The before-wine was a lovely, dry sparkling; my notes read “sharp bubbles, fruity”. It’s easy to see why it’s a firm favourite among wine-lovers, considering its versatility and ease of drinking. How could six months underwater possibly change it, I wondered? During the uncorking, I am pleasantly surprised. The time the wine has spent in the sea has made it somehow rounder, gentler on the tongue. Gurra describes it as having a more “feminine touch” and being “softer, smoother” to drink. Nikolai Haram Svorte, who was crowned Norway’s best sommelier this year, was invited to be the first to try the wine and give his verdict. Against a steely grey sky, he sabered the first bottle and tasted a glass, declaring it “the start of something truly exciting”. He added: “The wine has retained more freshness than I anticipated. From the refreshing citrus tones to a mineral salty finish, like an oyster, it’s clear to me that this hugely intriguing experiment has revealed a unique setting to store and age sparkling wine.” My own feeling is that the newly aged bubbles will be a big hit among passengers of Hurtigruten. The softer mouthfeel makes it even easier to drink, and I can envision clinking glasses while watching Norway’s majestic landscape float past. Read More The curious history of sauvignon blanc – and what to drink if you hate it The Independent Wine Club best cases 2023: Wine from small growers Win a mixed wine case, perfect for pairing with food The Independent Wine Club best cases 2023: Wine from small growers Win a mixed wine case, perfect for pairing with food Uncorked: How do I keep my wine cool at a picnic?

Labor Day Weekend is here, meaning a long weekend chock full of backyard barbecues, day-to-night beach bonanzas, and, of course, the other main event that comes to mind when we think of the end-of-summer holiday: the summer's best sales. And, in the back-to-school/college/office/couch-and-laptop spirit, we've set our sights on LDW's majorly discounted tech essentials.

UPDATE: Jun. 21, 2023, 12:15 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest

After it collapsed into administration twice from 2019, Bonmarche has found a new lease of life by opening at least seven new stores.

By Katherine Masters NEW YORK Stocking shelves with low-priced notebooks and slashing prices on sneakers and uniforms, major

If you spot four Ferraris on a street in China, chances are a woman is behind the wheel

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law Friday that legally protects doctors who prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in states where abortion services are outlawed or restricted.

One of the benefits of Spotify Premium is that users can download their favorite songs,

Tori Kelly’s husband has updated fans on the singer’s health after she was rushed to hospital. On Sunday (23 July), the singer was admitted to hospital to reportedly be treated for blood clots in her lungs and legs. According to a report by TMZ, Grammy winner Kelly, 30, was out for dinner with friends when she suffered from an increased heart rate. Kelly reportedly passed out “for a while”. Her friends reportedly drove her to Cedars-Sinai hospital, where she is said to have been treated in intensive care for blood clots around her vital organs. On Wednesday (26 July) night, Kelly’s husband André Murillo shared an update on her condition, explaining that while Kelly was not “out of the woods” yet, her condition was improving. “Tori is smiling again and feeling stronger,” basketball player Murillo wrote on Instagram Stories. “Not fully out of the woods but we see the sun. Just waiting on a few more answers.” Addressing her fans, he added: “Your love and kindness has been overwhelming. Thank you so much!” The Independent has contacted Kelly’s representatives for comment. Following news of her health condition, fans of the Sing 2 voice actor flooded her social media with messages of support. Many said that they were sending prayers to Kelly, who is Christian. “Many prayers for you Tori, prayers for healing and a speedy recovery,” one follower wrote. “I pray in the name of JESUS that Tori gets the help she needs and comes back stronger and healthier than ever,” another commented. One comment read: “I am praying for you!! I had the same thing happen to me!! Passed out in my bathroom December 2020 because of blood clots in my lungs!! I know the power that prayer has and I’m praying hard for you!! You are a goddess and one of my favorite singers!!” Another fan said they were “praying for a miraculous healing” for Kelly. Initially gaining an audience on YouTube as a teenager, Kelly rose to fame on American Idol in 2010. Three years later, she signed with Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun and got a record deal with Capitol Records, under whom she released four studio albums. In 2019, Kelly won two Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance/Song for her 2018 sophomore album Hiding Place. Earlier this year, Kelly announced that she had signed a new deal with Epic Records. Her forthcoming EP, titled tori, is scheduled for release on Friday (28 July). Read More Men have a problem – and it won’t be solved by either Andrew Tate or Caitlin Moran Bethenny Frankel criticises Harry and Meghan’s post-royal lives as a ‘botched job’ Couple files $75,000 lawsuit after finding hidden cameras recording in Airbnb The most unhygienic things in your kitchen revealed – and how to get them clean Husband fired from family business after wife roleplayed with reborn dolls Sarah Jessica Parker shares rare glimpse into her family life