So, who in Minneapolis would pay £10,000 for a Lord Byron mourning ring? Inquiring minds wanna know.
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Monthly Archives: February 2025
2025.02.28
For one Minnesotan, a new heat pump brings comfort and savings Even in one of the coldest cities in the U.S., Kathy Palmer’s heat pump helps displace gas heating, lowers heating bills, and makes her home more comfortable.
by Alison F. Takemura
https://www.minnpost.com/other-nonprofit-media/2025/02/for-one-minnesotan-a-new-heat-pump-brings-comfort-and-savings/
‘Come back strong’: 19 Bar reopens in Minneapolis nearly a year after major fire
Nicole Ki
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/27/19-bar-reopens-in-minneapolis-after-major-fire
St. Patrick’s Day parade returns to Minneapolis after 5-year hiatus
Nick Halter
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/27/st-patricks-parade-returns-minneapolis-columbia-heights
Senate GOP demands Walz apology for ‘fascists and Nazis’ comment; Walz says he was talking about actual neo-Nazis
Gov. Walz said his comments, which Senate Republicans posted to social media, were not about President Trump or Republican voters.
Author: Danny Spewak
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/senate-gop-demands-walz-apology-for-fascists-and-nazis-comment/89-9a40b189-5c5f-4977-b3b9-c59de7bea4b5?ref=exit-recirc
Preserving your family’s immigration journey: Where to start
Last week, Sahan Journal and MPR News hosted a live community conversation, titled “My family immigration story — and yours” — about how artists, historians and community leaders record and preserve their community history.
by Katelyn Vue
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/minnesota-family-immigration-history/
‘They’ve lost my trust’: consumers shun companies as bosses kowtow to Trump
Americans are using their wallet to hurt where it matters – including during Friday’s planned ‘economic blackout’
Lauren Aratani in New York and Guardian community team
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/28/trump-consumer-protests-companies
Disney’s Snow White to Mickey 17: 10 of the best films to watch this March
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250227-10-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-march
‘I was born to be an actor’: Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen
Christopher Luu
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-derek-jacobi-influential-interview-katty-kay
Is there no such thing as Italian cuisine?
Thomas Fabbri
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250227-is-there-no-such-thing-as-italian-cuisine
Jim Gaffigan, Italian Flicks, Queer Soup Night: This Week’s Best Events
Plus fiber arts, art books, and A Bar of Their Own turns one.
By Racket Staff
https://racketmn.com/jim-gaffigan-italian-flicks-queer-soup-night-this-weeks-best-events
2025.02.27
The quiet Massachusetts towns that sparked a revolution
Annika S Hipple
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-the-quiet-massachusetts-towns-that-sparked-a-revolution
Edward II: Did a gay love affair spark a 14th-Century royal crisis?
Nick Levine
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-edward-ii-did-a-gay-love-affair-spark-a-14th-century-royal-crisis
Stonehenge-like circle unearthed in Denmark may have links to UK
Archaeologists suggest ‘woodhenge’ was built between 2600 and 1600BC on similar axis to English stone circle
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/26/stonehenge-circle-unearthed-denmark-woodhenge
‘It’s been a lifesaver’: millions risk going hungry as Republicans propose slashing food stamps
Snap helps more than 42 million people, and is considered the country’s most effective tool to fight hunger
Victoria Namkung
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/snap-foodstamps-republicans-propose-cuts
Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
Researchers believe personal stories are more persuasive than facts alone in addressing vaccine skepticism
Adrienne Matei
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/feb/27/how-anti-vax-parents-changed-their-minds
Jeff Bezos is muzzling the Washington Post’s opinion section. That’s a death knell Margaret Sullivan https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/26/jeff-bezos-washington-post-opinion
Trump administration memo orders Pentagon to identify and fire transgender members of US military
Memo says ‘service by these individuals is not in the best interests of the military’ in Trump’s latest attack on trans rights
Chris Stein and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/transgender-us-military-personnel-pentagon-memo-stood-down-trump-administration
Gene Hackman and wife’s deaths ‘suspicious enough’ for investigation, warrant says
Warrant raises questions about scattered pills, after Betsy Arakawa’s body had ‘mummification in hands’
Ed Pilkington
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-investigation
Obituary
Gene Hackman obituary
Prolific Hollywood character actor who won Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven
Brian Baxter
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-obituary
Michelle Trachtenberg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl actor, dies aged 39
The actor was found at a New York apartment on Wednesday, with the cause of death unknown but not being treated as suspicious
Benjamin Lee
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/26/michelle-trachtenberg-dead
2025.02.26
First measles death reported in west Texas as outbreak worsens Highly contagious disease spreads across nine counties in region where 14% of children are exempt from vaccination
Ed Pilkington and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/26/texas-measles-outbreak-cases
Fresh doubt cast on authenticity of Rubens painting in National Gallery
Exclusive: Art historian points to ‘bad craftsmanship’ in supposedly 17th-century work entitled Samson and Delilah
Dalya Alberge https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/26/fresh-doubt-cast-on-authenticity-of-rubens-painting-in-national-gallery-samson-and-delilah
‘Homegrown’ Swedish battery startup admits importing vital components
Northvolt, which claims to run Europe’s first homegrown gigafactory, admits it depends on Chinese suppliers for cathode active material
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/26/homegrown-swedish-battery-startup-admits-importing-vital-components
A White Lotus actor’s guide to Thailand Mayra Peralta https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-a-white-lotus-actors-guide-to-thailand
Koh Mak: The tiny island that’s redefining travel to Thailand Ron Emmons https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250220-koh-mak-the-tiny-island-thats-redefining-travel-to-thailand
2025.02.25
US threatens permanent visa bans on trans athletes based on sex markers Exclusive: State department memo directs officers to bar those deemed to misrepresent birth sex on applications Joseph Gedeon in Washington https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/visa-ban-transgender-athletes
How to change your settings to make yourself less valuable to Meta https://johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com/
Federal bill couples ending taxes on tips with banning sub-minimum wage Democrats in Nevada push bill that would provide further relief for tipped workers who can be paid as little as $2.13 Michael Sainato https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/25/nevada-end-taxes-on-tips
Mars once had an ocean with sandy beaches, researchers say China’s Zhurong rover finds evidence of shoreline buried deep underground Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/24/mars-ocean-sandy-beaches-radar-data-suggests
Early poems about Merlin portray him as environmentalist, say scholars Re-examination of Welsh poems dating back to 10th century show Myrddin as prophet concerned by human interactions with nature Steven Morris https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/early-poems-about-merlin-portray-him-as-environmentalist-say-scholars
Grace Slick on sex, drugs and Jefferson Airplane: ‘I was sober in the 80s. That was a mistake’
Tim Jonze
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/25/grace-slick-on-sex-drugs-and-jefferson-airplane-i-was-sober-in-the-80s-that-was-a-mistake
‘My life expectancy is short’: America’s most vulnerable – in pictures From train hoppers to addicts and prostitutes, Mark Laita’s photo series unpicks the complex life stories of those who exist on society’s fringe Mee-Lai Stone https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/feb/25/mark-laita-america-most-vulnerable-in-pictures
Seven planets to be visible in night sky for last time until 2040 Maddie Molloy https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd4z15r54o
2025.02.24
Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88 Much-loved singer known for Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson, had suffered a stroke in 2016 Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Safi Bugel https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/24/roberta-flack-soul-and-rb-icon-behind-killing-me-softly-dies-aged-88
Mitch McConnell is retiring from US politics. Good riddance
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/24/mitch-mcconnell-is-retiring-from-us-politics-good-riddance
2,000 year old book about Roman emperors enters bestseller charts The Lives of the Caesars, translated from Latin by The Rest Is History podcast co-host Tom Holland, details everything from ancient policy failures to sex scandals Ella Creamer https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/24/book-sex-scandals-roman-emperors-bestseller-charts-the-lives-of-the-caesars-tom-holland
‘It stirred the people to breathless wonder and scalding abuse’: The tumultuous history of the Sydney Opera House Myles Burke https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-the-tumultuous-history-of-the-sydney-opera-house
‘The flying bum’: can a UK firm making huge airships finally get off the ground?Airlander maker HAV scales up to build world’s biggest aircraft, which it says will have 90% lower emissions than a conventional plane Jasper Jolly https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/24/the-flying-bum-uk-firm-airships-airlander-hav
2025.02.23
Review ‘It could get an orgasm out of a cabbage’: the best vibrators, tested From bullets to rabbits to wand vibrators, our sexual wellbeing expert demystifies what’s available, and rates her top 16 models (she tested 53) Alix Fox https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/feb/23/best-vibrators-bullet-rabbit-wand
Coming soon to an unvaxed youngin near you: Texas measles outbreak grows to 90 cases, worst level in 30 years Epicenter of latest outbreak had one of state’s highest immunization exemption rates for 2023-24 school year Gloria Oladipo https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/texas-measles-outbreak
‘Something stirring beneath the surface’: What eight ghostly portraits found hidden inside masterpieces reveal Kelly Grovier https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-eight-portraits-found-hidden-inside-masterpieces
2025.02.22
Missouri lawmaker proposes registry of pregnant women ‘at risk’ for abortions Dubbed ‘eHarmony for babies’, bill would create connected databases for pregnant women and those looking to adopt Carter Sherman https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/missouri-abortion-registry-bill
Brazilian city in Amazon declares emergency after huge sinkholes appear In Buriticupu, about 1,200 people risk losing their homes, and residents have seen the problem escalate in 30 years Reuters in Buriticupu https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/21/amazon-brazil-sinkhole
Woman charged in dating app druggings and one death of older men in Las Vegas FBI says Aurora Phelps met men online for dating then drugged them and stole cars and money Associated Press https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/22/las-vegas-dating-app-druggings-death
‘My paedophile letters’: French surgeon to stand trial accused of abusing 299 patients, mostly children Joël Le Scouarnec’s ‘black books’ of handwritten notes in which alleged sexual abuse was recorded are at the heart of case against him Kim Willsher in Paris https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/22/my-paedophile-letters-french-surgeon-to-stand-trial-accused-of-abusing-299-patients-mostly-children
‘You dream about such things’: Brit who discovered missing pharaoh’s tomb may have unearthed another Archaeologist believes his ‘find of the century’ – of Pharaoh Thutmose II – could be surpassed by ongoing excavation Donna Ferguson https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/22/you-dream-about-such-things-brit-who-discovered-missing-pharaohs-tomb-may-have-unearthed-another
‘We’re clearly heading towards collapse’: why the Murdoch empire is about to go bang
An explosive succession trial and an astonishing interview with one of Rupert’s sons have exposed the paranoia and hatred at the heart of global media’s most powerful family. This could get messy…
Jane Martinson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/22/were-clearly-heading-towards-collapse-why-the-murdoch-empire-is-about-to-go-bang
UK soil breakthrough could cut farm fertiliser use and advance sustainable agriculture
Research group says discovery could lead to new type of environmentally friendly farming
Robin McKie, Science Editor https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/22/uk-soil-breakthrough-could-cut-farm-fertiliser-use-and-advance-sustainable-agriculture
Historic England acquires collection featuring some of UK’s oldest photos
Janette Rosing built up pioneering trove of 8,000 images dating back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution
Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/21/historic-england-acquires-collection-featuring-some-of-uks-oldest-photos
2025.02.21
Advocates decry judge’s removal of editorial critical of Mississippi leaders Judge issues restraining order over local paper’s editorial commenting on city council convening without notice Associated Press https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/20/mississippi-editorial-judge
Elon Musk in row with Danish astronaut over claim Biden abandoned ISS pair Musk claimed without evidence Nasa’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were left stranded on orbital outpost for ‘political reasons’ Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent and Agence France-Presse https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/21/elon-musk-butch-wilmore-suni-williams-nasa-astronaut-iss-claims-biden
‘Life-changing’ gene therapy for children born blind Smitha Mundasad https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ydnz2d75xo
Review A Thousand Blows review – the irresistible new boxing drama from the Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s latest series is a hugely fun journey into the murky world of Victorian bare-knuckle fighting. It’s a ripping yarn full of audacious dialogue Lucy Mangan https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/21/a-thousand-blows-review-the-irresistible-new-boxing-drama-from-the-peaky-blinders-creator
‘Avatar’ Sequel Series ‘Seven Havens’ Ordered at Nickelodeon, Set After ‘Legend of Korra’ By Joe Otterson https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/avatar-last-airbender-seven-havens-animated-series-nickelodeon-1236313495/
The sweet Dutch sandwich that makes no sense Deborah Nicholls-Lee https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250220-hageslag-dutch-sandwich
Scotch makers condemn English single malt whisky proposal Mitchell Labiak & Dearbail Jordan https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80yr1e4328o
Rare sketch portrait found in US wheelie bin Paul Burnell https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clydwgxl4dwo
2025.02.20
The sweet smell of hindsight in the morning!
Some Democrats now admit they screwed up by voting for Trump’s nominees Oliver Willis, author https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/2/20/2304999/-These-Senate-Democrats-regret-voting-to-confirm-Trump-s-awful-nominees?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_1&pm_medium=web
Are CEOs walking away from civic leadership? The answer depends on who you ask, but there’s no doubt the obstacles to CEO involvement in civic affairs are multiplying. by Liz Fedor https://www.minnpost.com/twin-cities-business/2025/02/are-ceos-walking-away-from-civic-leadership/
Minnesota colleges and public schools shaken as Trump takes aim at education Colleges and K-12 schools that fail to eliminate DEI practices and ‘wokeness’ threatened by funding cuts. by Ana Radelat https://www.minnpost.com/education/2025/02/minnesota-colleges-and-public-schools-shaken-as-trump-takes-aim-at-education/
Delta offers $30,000 to passengers in Canada plane flip – ‘no strings attached’ Plane caught fire and flipped at Toronto’s Pearson airport, hospitalizing 21 of 80 people onboard Jessica Glenza https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/20/delta-payments-toronto-plane-crash
Wot? No cherry on top? Let’s be clear – the US never had moral supremacy. With Trump, it’s not even pretending any more Owen Jones https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/20/us-moral-supremacy-donald-trump-president
Historic US ocean liner moves out of Philadelphia after nearly 30 years
The SS United States, once the largest passenger ship built entirely in the US, has been towed from Philadelphia after nearly 30 years.
Launched in 1951, the ship was a symbol of luxury and innovation, carrying nearly a million passengers before its retirement in 1969.
Now on its way to Alabama, it will be intentionally sunk to form the world’s largest artificial reef.
This transformation aims to support marine life and attract divers to the site.
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cx2gkxwpgggo
First pharaoh’s tomb found in Egypt since Tutankhamun’s
Frances Mao
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ym30v356po
Hotdogs and motorways: The ripples created by Denmark’s Ozempic and Wegovy boom Adrienne Murray https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20250220-hotdogs-and-motorways-the-ripples-created-by-denmarks-ozempic-and-wegovy-boom