Dustin Nelson also reports: “Paul Simon unretired a day after performing with Sabrina Carpenter during the ‘Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special’ and … will bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to Minneapolis for three nights at the Orpheum Theatre on April 20, 22, and 23.” Via MinnPost

Trump cuts threaten a ‘generation of scientists’ as many weigh leaving US President’s call to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ has led to slashes in NIH funding – endangering jobs and vital research Hannah Harris Green https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/trump-nih-funding-scientists

Factchecking Donald Trump’s claims about the war in Ukraine As US-Russia talks continue in Saudi Arabia, we look at the US president’s misleading and outright false statements Jakub Krupa and Pjotr Sauer https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/factchecking-donald-trump-claims-war-ukraine

DoJ prosecutors ordered to explain Eric Adams corruption indictment dismissal Federal judge asks prosecutors to explain decision in court as Hochul discusses removing mayor with party leaders George Joseph https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/eric-adams-doj-prosecutors-hochul

Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar as Thailand launches huge crackdown Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have become havens for criminal syndicates operating online scam operations and tricking thousands into enslaved work Leila Goldstein https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/myanmar-scam-call-centre-compound-rescues-thailand-crackdown

Environment more crucial than genes in risk of early death, study suggests Analysis of UK BioBank data shows importance of factors including living conditions and smoking, say experts Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/19/environment-more-crucial-genetics-explaining-risk-early-death-study

The people who can’t develop Alzheimer’s – but could be key to a cure
A man who was the only member of his blood family to avoid getting Alzheimer’s is shedding light on how the disease unfolds
Scientists have long been trying to understand the root cause of Alzheimer’s
Clare Wilson
https://inews.co.uk/news/science/people-cant-develop-alzheimers-cure-3539671

Life and style ‘Gaba is the off switch of the brain’: Is it also the answer to better sleep, sobriety and less anxiety? Products that enhance the uptake of this neurotransmitter are burgeoning – including drinks that mimic the effects of alcohol, without the hangover. Here’s what happened when I tried them Steve Rose https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/19/gaba-is-the-off-switch-of-the-brain-is-it-also-the-answer-to-better-sleep-sobriety-and-less-anxiety

Why is Spain’s economy booming? Thanks to migration – which proves xenophobia doesn’t pay María Ramírez https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/19/spain-economy-booming-migration-gdp-growth

Why are Americans toasting their fairy bread, and can the New York Times stop them? The delicacy for kids (and adults alike) requires just three ingredients – so how can people be getting the sacred recipe so wrong? Rafqa Touma explains it to Caitlin Cassidy https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/feb/20/why-are-americans-toasting-their-fairy-bread-and-can-the-new-york-times-stop-them

A kitchen in Rome Pasta Rachel Roddy’s recipe for hazelnut and mushroom ragu with pasta Its origins may be a mystery, but what is certain is that this luxuriant alternative to meat ragu is totally delicious Rachel Roddy https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/17/hazelnut-mushroom-ragu-recipe-pasta-rachel-roddy

Is it true that … retinol thins the skin? Side effects from using the vitamin A derivative may give people the wrong impression about how it works Kate Lloyd https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/17/is-it-true-that-retinol-thins-the-skin

Lewis Carroll collection given to his Oxford college in surprise US donation
Exclusive: Christ Church college taken aback to receive hundreds of the author’s letters, photos and rare items
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/16/lewis-carroll-oxford-surprise-us-donation

How an outsider captured the intimacy of Gullah Geechee life in 13 portraits Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe’s exhibit at the Whitney Museum depicts the rich culture of Daufuskie Island Gloria Oladipo https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/feb/08/jeanne-moutoussamy-ashe-whitney-museum-gullah-geechee

Three-hundred-year-old Stradivarius violin sells for $11m in New York Proceeds from sale of 1714 instrument will be used to fund scholarships for violinists at New England Conservatory Richard Luscombe https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/stradivarius-violin-auction-sale

Rediscovered, a young English novelist’s warning of the Nazi threat Crooked Cross, Sally Carson’s ‘electrifying masterpiece’ from 1934, to be republished Vanessa Thorpe Arts and media correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/08/rediscovered-a-young-english-novelists-warning-of-the-nazi-threat

Splat’s entertainment: I watched Rotten Tomatoes’ 40 lowest-rated films to find out which was worst Our brave victim writer sits through the film site’s 0%ers to see what makes a bad movie. Will she emerge with her sanity intact – and are all these flops really so bad?

“It was the hardest movie I ever did,” Billy Bob Thornton said ahead of its release. “We were squeezing 10lb of shit into a 5lb bag. We didn’t have enough money or enough time […] We hope we do you proud with the film. If we let you down, I apologise in advance, but we sure gave it our best.” It’s a moving quote…

Rebecca Liu https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/08/watching-rotten-tomatoes-lowest-rated-films

Trump says he will appoint himself chair of Kennedy Center President plans to fire board members and chair David Rubenstein to bring about ‘golden age in arts and culture’ Dara Kerr https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/trump-kennedy-center

All 10 people aboard Alaska plane that crashed died, says US Coast Guard Authorities found the plane, which was carrying passengers across Norton Sound, about 34 miles south-east of Nome Marina Dunbar and agencies https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/alaska-missing-plane

Crew on boat that hit rocks off Tasmanian coast rescued by swimming police officer The 13-metre vessel, crewed by a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s, hit rocks near Wynyard just after midnight on Friday Cait Kelly https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/08/crew-on-boat-that-hit-rocks-off-tasmanian-coast-rescued-by-swimming-police-officer

Donald Trump revokes Joe Biden’s security clearance in latest revenge move US president cites Biden’s removal of Trump’s security clearance in 2021 in the wake of the January 6 attacks and attempts to overturn the 2020 election result https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/08/donald-trump-revokes-joe-bidens-security-clearance-in-latest-revenge-move

Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for beetroot risotto with curry leaf butter All the rich, savoury creaminess of a risotto with an enticing Indian temper of spice, chilli and lime Meera Sodha https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/04/vegan-beetroot-risotto-with-curry-leaf-butter-recipe-meera-sodha

AI helps researchers read ancient scroll burned to a crisp in Vesuvius eruption Writing on PHerc. 172 papyrus, found at Roman mansion in Herculaneum, revealed after 3D X-rays and software competition Ian Sample Science editor https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/05/ai-helps-researchers-read-ancient-scroll-burned-to-a-crisp-in-vesuvius-eruption

‘Everyone is on tenterhooks’: Santorini streets empty after days of tremors Thousands of locals and tourists have fled Greek island amid fears of bigger earthquake or volcanic eruption Helena Smith in Athens https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/05/santorini-streets-empty-after-days-of-tremors-greece

Australian scientists produce kangaroo embryos using IVF for first time Team has produced more than 20 embryos using method used in humans, though there are no plans for live joeys Donna Lu Science writer https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/06/australian-scientists-produce-kangaroo-embryos-using-ivf-for-first-time

New Orleans clergy abuse: Lawyer says claims that Saints emails protected by court order have no basis Saints attorney maintains disclosure of messages showing team execs’ aid in softening media coverage was ‘violation’ Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/05/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-saints-emails

US Postal Service briefly halts packages arriving from China and Hong Kong Normal service resumes after initial suspension, in latest episode of growing trade war between the US and China Helen Davidson in Taipei and agencies https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/05/trump-in-no-rush-to-speak-with-xi-after-chinas-retaliatory-tariffs

The rise and fall of Emilia Pérez: how did it all go so wrong for the Oscar-nominated film and its star? Less than two weeks ago, the movie was flying high, with 13 Academy Award nods. Then came a social media scandal and a serious backlash Steve Rose https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/05/the-rise-and-fall-of-emilia-perez-how-did-it-go-so-wrong-for-oscar-nominated-film-star

How to protect yourself from scams: six easy ways to stay safe Whether on social media, online shopping or fielding calls, there is plenty you can do to cut the risk of being caught out Rupert Jones https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/05/how-to-protect-yourself-from-scams-six-easy-ways-to-stay-safe

How to make cassoulet – recipe A superbly rich bean stew laced with duck fat, sausages and pork belly Felicity Cloake https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/05/how-to-make-cassoulet-recipe-felicity-cloake

Paprikash fish and leek and olive stew: Irina Georgescu’s recipes from the Danube Two traditional and homely dishes from Romania Irina Georgescu https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/05/paprikash-fish-and-leek-and-olive-stew-recipes-mancare-irina-georgescu-romania