List of All Articles with Tag 'life'

The COVID-19 public health emergency that started in January 2020 ended on May 11, 2023

When Russia invaded Ukraine, companies were quick to respond, some announcing they would get out of Russia immediately

Over three days at the end of spring, devotees of St. Constantine in a smattering of villages in northern Greece celebrate his feast with a series of intensely mystical rituals that include walking on beds of burning coals

She was the distinct voice behind hits like Proud Mary and The Best, but singer Tina Turner also became known for her on-stage fashion. Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, the singer, who died aged 83 on Wednesday, donned some iconic – and very glittery – looks over the years, and became synonymous with rock and roll. These are some of her most memorable fashion moments… The early years In perhaps one of the earliest iterations of the now commonplace ‘naked dress’, Turner dared to bare her figure in a sheer sparkly moment, with long, draping sequin strands.Off-duty diva During the Seventies, Turner was rarely photographed casually without her husband, Ike Turner, who she was married to from 1962 until their divorce in 1978. Her oversized leather jacket, messy straight hair and wool scarf were quite the deviation from her on-stage glamour, but showed her natural beauty. Fiery look Worn by Cher, Turner and Beyonce, Bob Mackie’s now infamous flame dress has become synonymous with stardom, and its glittering silhouette is one of Turner’s most well-known looks. The dress will feature in the V&A exhibition Diva, celebrating the “power and creativity of iconic performers” starting in June. Fabulously funny Turner appeared alongside Elton John in Wogan’s first show, sporting a very Eighties hairdo, huge earrings and a silky top, as she laughed and joked with the entertainer. The mane event Turner’s hair was allegedly overbleached in the Sixties and from then, she often wore wigs. Her iconic, wild, voluminous look became well known, and in her memoir, she commented that she was often nervous entering into new relationships with men, because of how they would see her wig. Legs for days When Turner performed on her Wildest Dreams tour in Cardiff in 1996, she wore a minuscule camisole dress covered in sparkles, bringing her own spin to the popularity of slip dresses in the Nineties. All that glitters In 2009, Turner took to the stage in Dublin in an angular gold top with a chevron pattern, and sparkling cut-offs with shining stilettos showing her truly glamorous style and ability to keep up on stage. Metallic, shiny looks were a staple for Turner throughout her career. Queen Bees At the 2008 Grammys, Beyonce channelled her fellow music icon, as the pair took to the stage, with Turner donning silver leggings and a tight corset with a short ‘do. In a tribute to the late star on her official website, Beyonce wrote “My beloved queen. I love you endlessly.”

Malta, Gozo and Comino are the three inhabited islands that make up the Mediterranean nation of Malta. From the world's oldest prehistoric temples to family-friendly beaches and top notch scuba diving, this diverse archipelago really has something for everyone.

A man who put his tiredness down to long Covid was told he actually had a brain tumour that had been growing for 10 years. Grant Churnin-Ritchie, 42, repeatedly visited his GP after a bout of Covid in July 2021 left him with constant tiredness and a tingling in his right arm. For several months, he was told it was long Covid, but Grant was convinced it was more serious. After blood tests, an ECG and an MRI scan, it was revealed he had a pituitary tumour. This type of tumour affects the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ in the brain which controls growth and development. Grant, a Microsoft specialist from Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, said: “I kept going to my GP who said I had long Covid. This went on for several months, but I really didn’t feel well in myself and felt it was something more serious. “I was so tired and I was experiencing a tingling sensation in my arms. “I had blood tests and an ECG at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds, which revealed an abnormal heartbeat.” Grant was also told he had adrenal insufficiency - in which the adrenal gland doesn’t make enough hormones - and hypothyroidism - an under-active thyroid gland. These are both symptoms of a pituitary tumour. The father-of-three said: “An endocrinologist at St James’ University Hospital said it could be caused by Covid or a pituitary tumour. “An MRI scan confirmed it was a brain tumour which had probably been growing for 10 years.” Grant waited 11 months for his operation before the tumour was removed on January 16 2023. He said: “Soon after, I started to feel a lot better. Removing the tumour allowed some of the adrenal gland to start functioning again. “Even though I now have to take medication, I can lead a normal life. “Even though surgeons removed the tumour, there is a 20 per cent chance of it growing back. “I have an MRI scan in July so I should know more then.” Grant raised £2.5k after running Leeds Half Marathon for Brain Tumour Research on May 14 with his wife, Hannah, 40. He said: “Being able to run the half marathon with my wife Hannah was great, and I’m glad to be able to raise awareness of brain tumours. “Because I only had two months to train for the race, I found it very hard to complete. Luckily, I had my wonderful family and friends cheering me on which got me through it. “I wanted to give something back, and this was my way of saying thank you to the medical teams and Brain Tumour Research for what they do for people with this disease.” Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “We’re really grateful to Grant for taking on the Leeds Half Marathon as it’s only with the support of people like him that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like him who are forced to fight this awful disease.” SWNS Read More Boy, 8, rushed to hospital after feeling constipated diagnosed with cancer A TikTok model made viral videos of her grandmother’s choice to die. Here’s why Parents of baby who died in maternity scandal say care concerns ‘batted away’ A 1D fan claimed she had a tumour. We still don’t know the truth after her death Talented boxer reveals first sign of brain tumour after collapsing at service station Father shares cancer symptoms he thought was too much coffee

Summer heatwaves are on the way, with temperatures predicted to jump into the mid-twenties this weekend and beyond. As lovely as this sounds though, as many of us have experienced year after year, sleeping in the heat can be challenging. So, why is sleeping harder when it’s hot? “Our bodies need to cool down in order to sleep” explains Theresa Schnorbach, psychologist and Emma sleep scientist. “As everyone’s bodies are acclimatised to different environments, there’s no hard and fast rule as to what temperature your bedroom should be, but it is recommended that your sleep environment be comfortably cool – usually this means between 15.5-19°C. If we are too warm, our core temperature is unable to drop, making it more difficult to fall asleep and causing sleep disturbances,” Schnorbach adds. So, how can you boost your sleep quality during summer heatwaves? 1. Ventilate wisely “Firstly, you should look to keep windows and curtains closed during the day to help keep your bedroom cool,” suggests Schnorbach. “During the night, you can open your windows and curtains to allow a fresh breeze in. A fan can also help to keep cool air circulating throughout the night, and the white noise produced by this can also have the added benefit of helping you to drift off.” Of course, only leave windows open if it’s safe and secure to do so. If that’s not an option, vents and fans may be your best friend for summer slumber! 2. Change your bedding if necessary “It’s also worth thinking about your mattress and bedding materials in warmer weather. Mattresses with open coil systems, for example, can allow air to circulate throughout,” says Schnorbach. “If you’re not looking to replace your whole mattress, a mattress topper can be a great alternative. When made from the right material, mattress toppers can keep you fresh and cool throughout the night by providing another breathable layer on top of your mattress, helping to regulate your body’s temperature and give you a comfortable sleep.” 3. Consider your pulse points It can be extremely frustrating when you’re tossing and turning due to over-heating. There may be additional steps you can take to boost that cool-down effect. “Utilise your body’s pulse points – areas where your blood flows closest to the surface of your skin, such as your wrists or the sides of your neck. Wrap an ice pack in a cloth or a towel – never apply ice directly to your skin – hold it against these pulse points to help you quickly cool off,” Schnorbach suggests. “Similarly, you can also use a hot-water bottle filled with cold water, a cool, damp flannel, or try splashing cold water on these pulse points. Your body’s blood vessels will react to the cool sensation and instantly bring your core temperature down. However, avoid your feet and hands, as this can prevent you from falling asleep.” 4. Take a lukewarm shower “While a freezing cold shower before bed may be what you’re craving to help beat the heat, I suggest opting for one that is lukewarm instead,” adds Schnorbach. “A shower that is too cold will actually cause the body to warm up again to re-balance the body temperature.” 5. Go nude or wear cotton “If you’re someone that can’t sleep without some kind of clothing on, wearing pyjamas of natural cotton is your best bet, as the material actually helps your skin breathe while absorbing your sweat during the night,” Schnorbach explains. 6. Munch on sleep-supporting fruits “A summer fruit that’s usually plentiful in the warmer months, cherries help to increase melatonin – a hormone that helps in promoting sleep. By producing more melatonin, your body can help better regulate its internal clock and you can doze off more easily at night,” Schnorbach explains. “Bananas are another fruit that can also help aid sleep. Bananas have high levels of magnesium and potassium, which can help to increase your sleep duration and promote relaxation.” 7. Have a cuddle And Schnorbach’s final tip? Have a snuggle. She says: “While it may feel counterintuitive, a cuddle before bed can help in reducing your core temperature by encouraging your blood vessels to dilate, thus losing excessive body heat.”

When Russia invaded Ukraine, companies were quick to respond, some announcing they would get out of Russia immediately

More than 500 companies have suspended their business in Russia, and a similar number have withdrawn completely

It appears that a new fashion trend has been ushered in at the Cannes Film Festival, worn by the likes of Sydney Sweeney, Scarlett Johansson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The iconic exposed bras of the early 2000s have made a comeback, but not everyone is fully on board with a seemingly half-baked iteration of a once-beloved trend. Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney stepped out in Cannes, France, wearing a silky slip dress layered over a powder-blue Miu Miu bra, with its cups and straps peering over the bustier top. While waltzing through the lobby of the Hotel Martinez with her fiancé Jonathan Davino, Sweeney paired the visible bra look with white platform heels and small diamond hoop earrings. Over on the Cannes red carpet for the premiere of Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, actor Scarlett Johansson showed off her own version of the exposed bra trend with a pale pink custom Prada number. The light pink column dress included a thin-strapped white bra built into the bodice. Meanwhile, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley embraced the exposed bra trend in Fendi couture. Her white thigh-slit gown came equipped with a sparkly bra insert. In fact, much of the Fendi Spring 2023 couture collection was dominated by visible bras and negligee-inspired ensembles. Underwear as fashion is nothing new. Pop icons of the early to mid-2000s, like Amy Winehouse and Nicki Minaj, were rocking the visible bra trend before it was cool. In the 2004 comedy Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan’s character Cady Heron unabashedly wore a hot pink bra under her satin strapless dress as she made her way to the top of the high school food chain. Plus, who could forget the recent revival of the controversial “whale tail” trend? Some people online are praising the return of the beloved exposed bra, while others believe these A-list celebrities aren’t fully embracing the resurgence. “Actually loving this ‘visible bra’ trend we’re seeing at Cannes! It’s so cute to me and pokes a bit of fun at a common faux pas that really shouldn’t be one imo [in my opinion],” said one person on Twitter, while another wrote: “Whatever this ‘exposed bra’ trend is I don’t like it, let’s get back to the drawing board.” Someone else pointed out that wearing visible cups “has to be done right,” as they showed images of rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice perfecting the exposed bra trend. On the other hand, many people believed that a black-tie, red carpet event like the Cannes Film Festival wasn’t the appropriate occasion for an otherwise casual fashion trend. Rather than accompanying bra straps with a floor-length gown, it seems fashion lovers would prefer if celebrities stuck to the basics. “They’re trying to make it classy and elegant when it has to be the exact opposite!” one user claimed. As exposed bras are set to become one of the biggest fashion moments of the year, others are hoping that the emerging trend will soon be done right, like one person, who wrote: “Maybe the executions so far are bad and we’re just not seeing the vision yet.” Aside from underwear and bras, there have been many best-dressed moments from this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Great star Elle Fanning turned heads with her silver Paco Rabanne dress – which was declared the “party dress of the season” and included long, shard-like sequins and two metal cut-out snowflakes that covered the actor’s chest. Jennifer Lawrence arrived on the red carpet on Sunday wearing a crimson Christian Dior couture gown featuring a corset bustier with ruffled bust and matching red shawl. But it was her footwear that really stood out as the Oscar-winner opted for a pair of casual black flip-flops instead of heels. Stranger Things star Maya Hawke wore a moss green Prada mid-length dress for the premiere of Asteroid City, while Natalie Portman donned a recreation of Christian Dior’s iconic Junon dress, which was first designed in 1949. Read More Elle Fanning wows fans with daring cut-out dress at Cannes: ‘My nips could never’ Maya Hawke raises eyebrows at Cannes as she pirouettes down red carpet From Elle Fanning to Jennifer Lawrence: All the best-dressed stars at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Exposed bras are the newest fashion trend, but not everyone is convinced All the best-dressed stars at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Dua Lipa reveals how she bonded with designer Donatella Versace

America got older, faster during the decade ended in 2020

The unofficial start of the summer travel season is here, with airlines hoping to avoid the chaos of last year and travelers scrounging for ways to save a few bucks on pricey airfares and hotel rooms