Hail ... Santa? 10 Songs That That May (Or May Not) Include Hidden Messages
The Beatles helped bring backmasking to the mainstream, but here are a few classic tracks that may (or may not) feature hidden messages, too.
1970-01-01 08:00
Mahsa Amini's uncle arrested ahead of one-year anniversary of her death
The uncle of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old woman whose death in the custody of Iran's morality police sparked nation-wide protests last year, was arrested last week, according to a family member and a human rights group.
1970-01-01 08:00
Martin Short dubs Jimmy Fallon a 'phoney' years before toxic allegations
Jimmy Fallon has issued an apology after an investigation exposed a string of toxic allegations against the American host. In a report by Rolling Stone, 16 allegations were uncovered from past and present employees of his Tonight Show, with one calling the dressing rooms "crying rooms." They described Fallon's behaviour as "erratic," before suggesting he had "angry" outbursts and they never knew whether they'd have a "good Jimmy day" or a "bad Jimmy day". The claims reportedly led Fallon to issue an apology to staff, saying: "It's embarrassing and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends." Now, one X/Twitter user has dug up a 2019 episode of The Tonight Show that featured Steve Martin and Martin Short, in which he says: "This is the greatest show on television because there is no host in late-night who pretends to care as much as you do." The viral post was soon flooded with comments, with one user writing: "At least some celebrities still stand up for what they believe in." Another said: "Jimmy said thank you with pride when Martin Short praised him being phony!! wow hahahaha." "He’s so brilliant," a third commented on Short. "He’s really mastered the art of well-received passive aggressiveness. He’s so diplomatic, but absolutely biting!" Some employees have since jumped to Fallon's defence, with one telling PEOPLE that Fallon is a "really, really positive guy". They continued: "He makes a point of commending you when you do a great job and when he's happy. I've never been belittled, yelled at, nothing like that." Another alleged staff member said they are "really happy to work there right now." In a statement, a spokesperson for NBC wrote: "We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority... As in any workplace, we have had employees raise issues; those have been investigated and action has been taken where appropriate." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter 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.
1970-01-01 08:00
Johnny Kitagawa's sexual abuse: Japan's worst kept secret
For decades, sexual assault accusations marred his career - and for decades, the media failed to investigate.
1970-01-01 08:00
PetroChina buys EV charging firm Potevio New Energy
PetroChina has acquired 100% of electric vehicle (EV) charging firm Potevio New Energy Co Ltd in the latest
1970-01-01 08:00
How the weather can change the way you dream
Everyone has a theory about their dreams and the science or meaning behind them. And when the weather hots up, the more bizarre they tend to get. “Dreams are a fascinating and enigmatic phenomenon that occur during sleep, encompassing a vast realm of imaginative experiences,” says sleep expert and CEO of MattressNextDay, Martin Seeley. “They are a collection of thoughts, images, sensations, and emotions that unfold within the theatre of our minds.” Why do we dream? When we sleep, our brain enters a complex state where it engages in various cognitive processes, explains Seeley, including memory consolidation, problem-solving and emotional regulation. “Dreams are thought to emerge from these processes, weaving together fragments of memories, desires, fears, and subconscious thoughts into a narrative or non-linear sequence,” adds Seeley. “And they can be surreal, vivid, or mundane, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy.” While the precise purpose and meaning of dreams remains a subject of exploration and debate, Seeley says they can serve as a portal into the inner workings of our minds: “Providing a canvas for exploration, processing of emotions, and glimpses into the subconscious depths of our psyche.” Why do we dream more when it’s hot? Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, says: “When the weather is hot, it can disrupt our sleeping patterns, making it difficult to fall asleep in the first place – and causes us to wake more often during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep phase.” REM sleep is where we experience intense dreaming, explains Artis – so waking during or at the end of this cycle can mean we are more likely to remember our dreams. “Dreams happen regularly, but are often forgotten and our mind’s way of unpacking the day’s events, dealing with stress and sorting through our day-to-day thoughts,” notes Artis. Our body heat generally peaks in the afternoon then starts to drop over an evening to prepare us for sleep, says Artis. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is produced when this happens.“An ideal temperature is around 16-18°C and anything around the 24°C mark can cause restlessness,” says Artis. “So, it’s no surprise that when we’re experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching over 30°C, it affects our sleep.”Can a heatwave really make dreams more surreal? The connection between heatwaves and the content or nature of dreams is not fully understood. However, there may be a few possible explanations if your dreams seem weirder when the weather heats up – although Seeley points out these are all speculative. First off, he agrees it may have a lot to do with the fact we’re less comfortable and waking more when it’s hot. “These frequent awakenings can interrupt the normal sleep cycle and result in a higher probability of remembering dreams, including the more unusual or vivid ones,” he notes. “So, during a heatwave, the increased frequency of waking up during the night might contribute to a greater recall of strange or funky dreams.” Secondly, the body’s physiological response to heat may influence brain activity, he adds: “Heat can affect neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in regulating mood and emotions. These alterations in neurotransmitter activity might impact the content and emotional tone of dreams, potentially leading to more surreal or bizarre experiences.” Psychological factors could also play a role. Heatwaves can cause restlessness and increased stress levels in some individuals. Seeley adds: “Stress and emotional fluctuations can manifest in dreams as strange or unusual scenarios, as the mind processes and attempts to make sense of these experiences.” Can we stop strange heatwave dreams happening? While it’s probably not possible to completely control the content of our dreams, there are certain strategies you can try to promote better sleep – and potentially reduce the likelihood of experiencing a restless night and unusual dreams during hot weather. Create a cool sleep environment: “Use fans, air conditioning, or open windows to circulate cool air in your bedroom – and consider using lightweight, breathable bedding materials,” says Seeley. Stay hydrated: “Drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, especially during hot weather,” he continues. “Being adequately hydrated can help maintain a balanced sleep cycle.” Practice relaxation techniques: “Engage in activities that promote relaxation before bed, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or taking a warm bath,” suggests Seeley. “These practices can help calm your mind and promote a more restful sleep.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What are the royals doing to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s death All the times Kate has channelled the late Queen’s style since her death YouTube begins verifying videos by UK doctors to tackle health misinformation
1970-01-01 08:00
G-20 Sees Risks to Long-Term Growth From ‘Cascading Crises’
Leaders of Group of 20 nations plan to warn that “cascading crises” pose challenges to long-term economic growth
1970-01-01 08:00
Venezuela’s Maduro Visits China for Help Before Election
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro arrived in China on Friday as he tries to secure financial support from President Xi
1970-01-01 08:00
Everything Apple Plans to Show on Sept. 12: iPhone 15, Watches, AirPods
Apple Inc.’s most important new product unveiling of the year gets underway on Tuesday, when the company will
1970-01-01 08:00
Grimes deletes message begging Elon Musk to let her see their son
Grimes appeared to take to X/Twitter where she begged Elon Musk to let her see her three-year-old son. The 35-year-old musician had responded to a tweet by Musk biographer Walter Isaacson, according to the screenshots. It comes following the release of his Time magazine article about the billionaire on Tuesday where photos featured of Musk alongside Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis and their twins. An image of Musk with X was also included in the story. In her response, Grimes tweeted: “Tell Shivon to unblock me and tell Elon to let me see my son or plz respond to my lawyer,” the tweet reads, according to the screenshot. “I have never even been allowed to see a photo of these children until this moment, despite the situation utterly ripping my family apart.” Grimes and Musk split in September 2021 and share two children together - three-year-old son X born in May 2020 and a one-year-old daughter Exa Dark Sideræl otherwise known as Y, born in December 2021, via surrogate. The twins Musk shares with Zilis were born a month before Y in November 2021. It's not the first time the Oblivion singer has taken to Twitter before deleting tweets, as she recently shared how she had experienced "the single most traumatic events of my life.” "A lot has been going on in my life for the last few years that I have mostly kept from the public,” she added. “I may still do that out of respect for others, but the last few days rly taught me that without fundamental change I’m gna die from stress and my kids won’t be ok.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter 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.
1970-01-01 08:00
Russia Plans to Cut Sea Diesel Flow by Quarter This Month
Russia plans to reduce diesel exports from its key western ports by a quarter this month amid seasonal
1970-01-01 08:00
Ukraine Recap: Russia’s Anti-Sanctions Strategy; Kryvyi Rih Hit
Russia is preparing a diplomatic offensive with countries it considers sympathetic to fend off a push by Ukraine
1970-01-01 08:00
