Why Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham can't be seen 'losing fights' in 'Fast & Furious' films
The 'equal pain' clause in the three stars' contracts ensure that none of the major stars in the franchise can appear to have lost a fight
1970-01-01 08:00
Where is Jessa Duggar now? Reality TV star who compared abortion to Holocaust had an agonizing miscarriage
Jessa's absence from the clan's Christmas party has led to speculation about a possible rift within the Duggar family
1970-01-01 08:00
'I didn't know how to train': Henry Cavill reveals he couldn't bag James Bond role as director thought actor was 'too chubby'
The remark served as a wake-up call for 'Man of Steel's Henry Cavill, who admitted to having a poor diet at the time
1970-01-01 08:00
Woman turns her unpleasant experiences with men on the street into eye-opening art project
A woman turned unwanted and unpleasant experiences with cat callers into an art project, showcasing the dangers of street harassment. Noa Jansma was a student living in Amsterdam when she created the Instagram account @DearCatcallers. The account, which was most active in 2017 but has been recirculating online again recently, saw Jansma pose for selfies with every person who catcalled her while walking around the city. The selfies were taken in the month of September that year, and feature men from all different backgrounds – all appearing to show no shame for their actions. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter “They’re not at all suspicious because they find what they do completely normal,” Jansma said. Writing on her social media page, Jansma said: “This Instagram has the aim to create awareness about the objectification of women in daily life. Since many people still don’t know how often and in whatever context ‘catcalling’ happens, I’ll be showing my catcallers within the period of one month.” The account posted before the arrival of a 2018 law in the Netherlands which punishes catcalling and subjects offenders to fines of up to $220 (£175). New laws in the UK were also brought in at the end of last year. It was confirmed in December that sexually harassing women in public is set to be punishable by up to two years in prison under proposed laws backed by the Government. Home Secretary Suella Braverman declared her support for the new legislation, brought forward by former Tory minister Greg Clark, to make the behaviour a specific offence, as she insisted every woman should “feel safe to walk our streets”. Public sexual harassment was already illegal, but did not exist as an offence of its own. The Government wants to make the law “clearer” to the public and the police, encourage women to report their experiences, and emphasise the severity of the crime. 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
The US economy added 339,000 jobs last month, soaring past expectations — again
The US labor market isn't ready to slow down just yet.
1970-01-01 08:00
Antony ‘unlikely’ to feature in FA Cup final as Man Utd suffer further setback
Manchester United have been hit by a setback for Antony ahead of the FA Cup final, with Erik ten Hag saying it is “unlikely” the winger will be fit to face Manchester City. The 23-year-old winger went down in agony last Thursday during the first half of the penultimate Premier League game of the season against Chelsea. Antony left on a stretcher and Ten Hag feared a “serious” injury, only to allay concerns three days later by saying the “first assessment is not too bad” and that he had a “good opportunity” to face City. But this week has not gone as well as expected and the Brazil international now looks set to miss the first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final. “Unlikely (he will be fit),” he said. “Dos Santos (Antony) still has a chance but it’s a really small chance. “He didn’t make the progress, so he still has a chance but unlikely he is available.” Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek have long since been ruled out of the final, while Anthony Martial’s injury-hit season will end on the sidelines. The 27-year-old strained a hamstring towards the end of Sunday’s win against Fulham and will miss the Wembley showdown after scans showed a muscle tear. “These questions so many times about the absence of players in the last couple of months,” Ten Hag said. “Every time I say the same answer: it’s about the players who are available and many times we were successful. “We have a good squad and from that good squad we make a good team.” Absentee-hit United wrapped up third spot last weekend and are looking to complete the domestic cup double for the first time, having lifted the Carabao Cup in February. Ten Hag says Saturday will be a “good test” against Premier League champions City, who are looking to take another step towards the treble by winning at Wembley. United fans are desperate for their side to extinguish those dreams as Pep Guardiola’s men look to replicate Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 treble heroes. “We want to win, we want to win a cup,” Ten Hag said. “It’s not about stopping them. It is about that we win, that we win the cup. We have a great opportunity. “That’s great that we deserved that opportunity to be in the cup final and then meet Man City. That’s a great opportunity. “We fought so hard for it. I think we progressed that well that we are in that FA Cup final.” City won this season’s first meeting 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, with United coming back to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in January. Ten Hag’s Red Devils finished 14 points behind the Premier League winners and a big summer lies ahead as they look to launch a sustained title challenge. “I think they do a very good job,” the Dutchman said days after Ferguson named Guardiola as LMA Manager of the Year – a trophy that carries the United great’s name. “They play very good football, so they deserve it. “Of course I look at others because they are opponents and I evaluate it, but we look to ourselves. “You have to see where you are as club. From thereon, you have to make progress and I think we did over the last season. “We make very good progress, we are in a good direction and now we use the coming period as well. “Now we get the opportunity in the summer to make new targets, new goals on the short term. “But the longer term, yeah, that will stay the same. As I said last year, we want to restore Man United but we have a way to go.”
1970-01-01 08:00
Experts advise on how to stay safe while swimming in open water
Each year, rising temperatures and longer days in summer encourage Britons to seek out bodies of water to cool off and have fun in. Swimming, paddleboarding and other water-based activities can provide a wholesome day for families and friends, whether that’s in lakes, rivers, or at the seaside. However, there are a number of safety measures individuals should remember when taking part in these. It comes after several people had drowned in rivers, lakes and in the sea in recent weeks, with four deaths occurring over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend alone. The incidents have prompted warnings from police reminding people to be “vigilant to the dangers of the coast and follow water safety advice”. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has also issued a safety warning for people planning to be around open water, regardless of whether you consider yourself a strong swimmer. Lee Heard, charity director at RLSS UK, said: “Sadly we see an increase in young men drowning in the summer months and we have tragically seen a number in the past few weeks during the warmer weather we have had. We don’t want to see any more families experience the devastating and sudden loss from drowning.” He added: “We urge people to consider what could happen, understand that the water is colder than it looks, and not take risks if they are not experienced with being in cold, open water. “Whether you are heading to the coast for the bank holiday weekend or even just planning a walk along a river, please ensure that you take precautions to ensure the safety of yourself of those you are with. We want everyone to enjoy the bank holiday but to so with water safety in mind.” When swimming in open water, people should consider the risks involved before jumping in, particularly because bodies of water can be much colder than people realise. Getting straight into very cold water can lead to cold water shock. According to the National Water Safety Forum, this is the body’s short-term, involuntary response to being suddenly immersed in cold water, and is considered to be a principal underlying factor in drowning. When a person gets into cold water very suddenly, the blood vessels in the skin close, which results in increased resistance to blood flow. The heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, which leads to increased blood pressure. At the same time, the body experienced a “gasp” response as well as a dramatic change in the breathing rate. The person will be unable to keep their breath steady for a while after they first get into the cold water. “The effect of these can lead to a sense of panic, inhalation of water, leading in some circumstance to a cardiac arrest,” the forum says. Cold water shock can be managed by wearing a well-fitting wetsuit and entering the water slowly. However, if a person has had an accidental fall into cold water without a wetsuit, the forum recommends using a technique called “float-first”, which involves tucking your legs and floating on your back, focusing on staying tucked and controlling your breathing until you feel you can self-rescue or be helped by others. When planning to go swimming in open water, people should check if the area is lifeguarded, has a safe-swim zone or is under any kind of supervision. A list of designated bathing waters in the UK, provided by the Environment Agency, also name many sites that are not supervised. In the instance that the water you are entering is not supervised, the forum recommends asking yourself if you have the right knowledge and experience to establish if conditions are suitable. It warns people to be particularly cautious in quarries and reservoirs, which can be “deceptively deep and cold throughout the year”, as well as in rivers with weirs and fast-flowing water, and potentially polluted locations. Heard adds: “If you or someone else finds themselves in difficulty in the water, it’s vital to remember the Water Safety Code: whenever you are around water you should stop and think to assess your surroundings and look for any dangers; stay together when around water and always go with family and friends; in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast. “Finally, float to live, if you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help, or if you see someone in the water, throw something that floats to them and resist temptation to go in.” Read More Mother’s warning after viral TikTok hack left skin peeling from her face How one hay fever medication helped my fight against the pollen bomb Dermatologist horrifies viewers by discussing mites that live in your skin How one hay fever medication helped my fight against the pollen bomb FDA warns against using off-brand versions of Ozempic, Wegovy for weight loss The £4 hay fever tablet that ‘cures all symptoms’
1970-01-01 08:00
NATO official calls for transparency over nuclear weapons
By Greg Torode Singapore A senior NATO official on Friday urged Beijing to be more open about its
1970-01-01 08:00
Why Rastafari smoke marijuana for sacramental reasons and the faith's other beliefs
Members of the Rastafari religion and political movement have for decades been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic use of marijuana
1970-01-01 08:00
How did Farrah Fawcett die? 'Charlie's Angels' star was 'determined to live her life' in the face of terminal diagnosis
'She was so determined right until the very end,' said Farrah Fawcett's friend Alana Stewart
1970-01-01 08:00
Best family-friendly hotels in the UK for style, location and value for money
With more and more of us discovering the joys of holidays close to home – from England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland – there’s intense demand for hotels that treat children as mini VIPs, not a huge hassle – meaning parents can relax properly. Whether you’re looking for a city break with plenty of museums and attractions to keep the kids entertained, a rural adventure in the countryside, or a seaside escape with scope for rockpooling and water sports, we’ve scoured the country to find the perfect place for you and your clan. You can even stay in a luxury treehouse – surely a dream come true for many kids (and those of us who are still young at heart). We’ve covered all kinds of locations, too, from Scotland to Cornwall and myriad places in between. Wherever you’ve set your sights, here are the UK’s best family-friendly hotels to make time away with your loved ones that little bit extra special. These are the best family-friendly hotels in the UK: Best hotel for lakeside living: Another Place Best hotel for seaside and spa: Fowey Hall Best boutique hotel: The Victoria Inn Best hotel for rockpooling: Cary Arms & Spa Best hotel in the capital: The Resident Kensington Best hotel for active thrills: Crieff Hydro Best hotel for water sports: Watergate Bay Hotel Best hotel for wildlife: Bovey Castle Best country house hotel: Woolley Grange Best hotel for luxury treehouses: Chewton Glen Hotel Best hotel for safari: The Bath Arms Best hotel for bike rides: The Ickworth Hotel Best hotel for lakeside living: Another Place Location: Cumbria The sight of Ullswater’s dramatic lakescape through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the swimming pool here got everyone’s attention when Another Place – a contemporary country hotel – opened in 2017. Joyously, it’s not just spa bunnies who will enjoy this shoreside retreat. The hotel piles on fun for families, and its relaxed, non-chintzy atmosphere makes it a firm favourite for modern-day Swallows and Amazons. Days can be spent wild swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking on Ullswater. The Ofsted-registered Kids Zone offers free childcare each day and there’s babysitting available too. Even the tiny but gorgeous shepherd huts, out in the grounds, have bunks for younger children. Price: Doubles from £225 Book now Best hotel for seaside and spa: Fowey Hall Location: Cornwall Situated above Fowey estuary, the lawn of this Victorian hotel looks across rooftops that spill down to the harbour. Fowey Hall has recently completed a multi-million-pound expansion and refurbishment, including new spa suites and an outdoor pool, providing panoramic views of the ocean. Children are allowed in the spa, which has an indoor pool and offers health treatments. Most of the spacious bedrooms take extra beds for little ones, too. While parents read or sip cocktails on the terrace, kids can burn off energy in the Wind in the Willows-themed play area. The Four Bears Den is a kids’ club for under-eights, with up to 90 minutes of free childcare provided daily. If you fancy going further afield, grab a picnic and discover the idyllic coves nearby – one of which is less than 10 minutes away. Best boutique hotel: The Victoria Inn Location: Norfolk Set between glorious parkland where kids can run freely and the undulating dunes of Holkham’s beach, “The Vic” has an appealing setting for families. The two period buildings (housing 20 bedrooms) are attractive, with creeper-clad brickwork and the air of a welcoming inn. The rooms are simply dressed, with some featuring wooden beams, and include large family suites. The fabulous restaurant is a boon, serving seasonal food made from quality produce, such as local seafood and vegetables from the Holkham Estate’s walled garden. Children can expect a dedicated menu for both lunch and dinner. Best hotel in the capital: The Resident Kensington Location: Kensington If what you want from a London hotel is good looks, a convenient location, a kitchenette – should you need one – and super value, The Resident in Kensington ticks all those boxes. Taking over a white Edwardian townhouse on a leafy mews, just four minutes’ walk from Earls Court tube, the handsome rooms are design-conscious, with Paul Smith Anglepoise lamps and furniture made locally in West London. In-room amenities include coffee machines and interactive TVs. Kids are sure to appreciate the Luxury Bunk rooms, which come with bunk beds, of course, and private bathrooms. The hotel’s just a 15-minute walk to the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A. Best hotel for rockpooling: Cary Arms & Spa Location: Devon This traditional seaside hotel caters for families in the old-fashioned way, by providing ample buckets, spades and fishing nets for guests to borrow, followed by dinner (with a kids’ menu) in a stone-walled inn afterwards. Over the years, The Cary Arms has renovated a range of family-friendly accommodation beside its original hotel, which has a small spa. Alongside the two-bedroom suites in the main property are seven seaside cottages of various sizes, with their own working fires, gardens, dining terraces and barbecues. Families can walk the South West Coast Path together or ride the clifftop railway. Kids will lose track of time pottering between rocks in Babbacombe’s bays. Best hotel for active thrills: Crieff Hydro Location: Scotland Wrapped in the Perthshire countryside, this grand Victorian hotel is perfect for adventurous families who want to let off steam. With on-site activities including alpaca trekking, archery tag, treetop ziplines, an adventure park, swimming pool, a three-storey soft play and a den of retro games, children won’t have time to be bored. You can even take them off-site to paddleboard on nearby Loch Earn. Stay either in the main house or in self-catering lodges amid trees in the grounds. Grown-ups can escape to the adults-only Victorian baths and spa. Best hotel for water sports: Watergate Bay Hotel Location: Cornwall While parents watch waves crash over Watergate Bay’s two-mile beach from a hot tub, older children can sample a range of water sports at the hotel’s popular surf school. Surfing lessons are offered from beginner level, or kids can try paddleboarding too. Expansive sea views and brightly stylish furniture combine to make the hotel’s luxurious Loft Suites particularly tempting for families. The Family Suites are more traditional, coming with a bunk room. A supervised games room and play space takes care of bad-weather days, plus there are four restaurants to choose from, satisfying even the pickiest of eaters (parents included). Price: Doubles from £345 Book now Best hotel for wildlife: Bovey Castle Location: Dartmoor Set within 275 acres of countryside in the Dartmoor National Park, Bovey is an imposing house with plenty for active families to get stuck into. Children will love exploring nature trails through ancient woodland, spotting deer in the grounds and the many organised activities, such as archery, bushcraft, falconry and meeting ferrets. For adults, there’s the Elan Spa to retreat to, with an Art Deco pool that has views across the hills. Alternatively, enjoy an afternoon tea or just the sound of silence when wild swimming in the lake. Family rooms are available or, for more space, luxurious granite lodges have kitchens and are a short walk away. Hot meals can be delivered if you want a night off from cooking. Best country house hotel: Woolley Grange Location: Wiltshire Part of the Luxury Family Hotels group, Woolley Grange is a shabby-chic manor house that’s a 10-minute train ride from Bath and half-an-hour’s drive from Longleat Safari Park. Set above the charming wool town of Bradford-on-Avon, the hotel has a creche with free childcare and a children’s den, plus gardens filled with games, a fairy garden and a heated outdoor pool. A luxurious tented camp is set up for glampers in the summer, when staff lay on all manner of activities – from football championships to scavenger hunts. Children eat early, so adults can enjoy their dinner alone, thanks to a sleep-monitoring service. The spa even offers mini-me treatments alongside those for parents. Best hotel for luxury treehouses: Chewton Glen Hotel Location: Hampshire For five-star family-fun, Chewton Glen in the New Forest is hard to beat. Children stay for free during the school holidays and budding chefs, aged eight and above, will rave about the hotel’s state-of-the-art cookery school. The children’s club is supervised, while outdoor activities include tennis, mountain biking, falconry, duck herding and wild swimming. For larger family groups – or for those wanting to seriously splash out – the treehouse suites sleep up to 14 people and have beautiful features, such as wrap-around wooden balconies between the branches and special hatches for food hampers to be delivered. Best for safari: The Bath Arms Location: Wiltshire This traditional, ivy-covered inn occupies a corner of the Longleat Estate, meaning 9,000 acres of towering forest and parkland are right on your doorstep (plus a less grand but handy sand pit in the garden), as is Longleat Safari Park. Use this pub-with-rooms as a base for visits to the nearby lions and hippos, and you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere that is ideal for families. The restaurant is inventive in its use of strictly local, seasonal produce, and offers a kids’ menu. Large, stylish rooms accommodate an extra child’s bed or cot (both are available on request). Price: Doubles from £130 Book now Best hotel for bike rides: The Ickworth Hotel Location: Suffolk Little ones are especially well catered for at this hotel, which takes over the wing of a National Trust-owned manor house in Suffolk. As with other hotels in the Luxury Family Hotels group, 90 minutes of free childcare per night is included in the stay. Children rule the pool (though parents can nip to the spa) and there is an Ofsted-registered creche. What stands out are the opportunities for walking and cycling through woodland, past roe deer, a magnificent Rotunda and the Italianate gardens. The National Trust has bikes for hire – including balance bikes for toddlers – and you can even borrow all-terrain pushchairs from the hotel. Children eat early, so parents can dine in peace, with a complimentary baby-monitoring device. Read more of our UK hotel reviews: Family-friendly hotels in Cornwall Where to stay in Devon The best Wiltshire hotels Read more about UK travel: The ultimate Lake District guide Best family-friendly hotels in London The UK’s best dog-friendly beaches Read More Best hotels in Pembrokeshire 2023: Where to stay for Welsh coastal charm Best family holiday destinations for 2023 that kids of all ages will love The best country hotels and manor houses in the UK for spas, romance and families Best hotels in the Peak District 2023: Where to stay for nature walks and contemporary cool Family-friendly Paris guide: From top attractions to the best hotels for a city break with children 12 places you won’t believe are in England
1970-01-01 08:00
The Best of Computex 2023
To be sure, at Computex 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan, the AI wave was inescapable, with
1970-01-01 08:00
