Category Archives: Travel

2025.05.09

‘Hollowing out’: New Zealand grapples with an uncertain future as record numbers leave
Surge of departures – mostly fleeing a weak economy – fuels concern over the longer-term impact on the country as some small towns scramble for survival
Michelle Duff in Wellington
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/09/leaving-new-zealand-record-departure-numbers

From sea sparkles to fireflies: Chasing Australia’s ‘big four’
Frankie Adkins
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250508-australias-mysterious-glowing-big-four

The best science fiction, fantasy and horror – reviews roundup
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie; The Incandescent by Emily Tesh; Land of Hope by Cate Baum; A Line You Have Traced by Roisin Dunnett
Abigail Nussbaum
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/09/the-best-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-reviews-roundup

Rediscovered Thomas & Friends pilot to be released
Paul Glynn
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czel5x60y7lo

The town where deer roam free (and mostly peacefully)
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0l5vc1h/the-town-where-deer-roam-free-and-mostly-peacefully-

Minnesota Songkran Festival: Celebrate Thai New Year at the Capitol this weekend
Also this weekend: Festival de las Calaveras brings live Mexican rock and wrestling to The Hook and Ladder Theater, while a Mother’s Day concert honors Black women in music at the Dakota.
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/things-to-do-twin-cities-songkran-fest-mexican-punk-jamecia-bennett/

2025.05.06

My coverage of the Met Gala:

Mall Park in Uptown: A missed opportunity for meaningful community engagement
Opposition to the redesign mostly came from renters adjacent to the Minneapolis park — not privileged residents fighting change.
by Mike Erlandson
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2025/05/mall-park-in-uptown-a-missed-opportunity-for-meaningful-community-engagement/

X-ray reveals ancient Greek author of charred first century BC Vesuvius scroll
Ink traces show text is part of work by Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, burned during AD79 volcano eruption
Ian Sample
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/06/x-ray-reveals-ancient-greek-author-of-charred-first-century-bc-vesuvius-scroll

Osteoarthritis study could lead to new treatments
Grace Shaw
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy48jynpm8wo

The enthusiast searching for stunning sea slugs
Zhara Simpson
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg1dk3km25o

I made a Wallace & Gromit contraption in real life! - Joseph's Machines

2025.05.05

Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison for ‘most ruthless offenders’
Plan to expand and reuse long-shuttered penitentiary off San Francisco described as ‘not serious’ by Nancy Pelosi
Edward Helmore and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/05/trump-plan-reopen-alcatraz-prison

Trump says non-US movies to be hit with 100% tariffs
Peter Hoskins Business reporter Maia Davies BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr7e2z1rxyo

US scientist who touted hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid named to pandemic prevention role
Steven J Hatfill, who promoted the drug despite scant evidence of efficacy, becomes special adviser at HHS
Chris Stein in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/05/covid-hydroxychloroquine-steve-hatfill

Madness, murder and rape on the Batavia: new theory on Australia’s most horrific shipwreck
Dutch academic says an ‘unlikely story about a mad heretic’ has been repeated for 400 years – and poses an alternative
Tory Shepherd
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/06/batavia-shipwreck-new-theory-what-happened

Three people killed after shooting in Phoenix restaurant
Five others injured while police say more than one person may have been firing a gun in Arizona restaurant
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/05/phoenix-arizona-shooting-restaurant

NZ airport to remove Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures
Koh Ewe
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7949plre0o

2025.05.04

Have you followed Trump’s 100-day disaster? Try this quiz!
Lawrence Douglas
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/04/trump-100-days-quiz

Trump feels tug of political gravity as economy falters and polls plunge
The president started his second term fast and furious with a flurry of activity – much of it legally dubious – but analysts say the honeymoon is over
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/trump-popularity-voters-economy-immigration

Trump says he doesn’t know if he needs to uphold constitutional due process
President also says he sees himself as leaving office at the end of his current term and not seeking a third one
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/trump-due-process-rights-constitution

Paris-based thriller offers fresh inside take on French-Tamil community
Writer, actor and director Lawrence Valin says that in Little Jaffna he wanted to ‘show new role models’
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/04/paris-based-thriller-offers-fresh-inside-take-on-french-tamil-community-little-jaffna

Are actors getting better (and ‘bett-ah’) at Australian accents?
No longer must we wince through a jarring Cockney-Kiwi mix: Hollywood has finally cracked Aussie dialects. Is it the teaching, the spread of Bluey, AI – or something else?
Donna Lu
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/03/are-actors-getting-better-and-bett-ah-at-australian-accents

‘It was born to be a champion’: How Dubai chocolate conquered the world
Soumya Gayatri
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250502-how-dubai-chocolate-conquered-the-world

The bizarre space explosions scientists can’t explain
Jonathan O’Callaghan
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250502-cow-flares-the-bizarre-space-explosions-scientists-cant-explain

Scientists say they’ve found another source of gold in the cosmos
Ashley Strickland
By Ashley Strickland, CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/03/science/magnetar-flare-cosmic-gold?Date=20250503&Profile=cnn&utm_content=1746272935&utm_medium=social&utm_source=threads

Vietnamese artists trace the fragments of war and refugee life in new St. Paul exhibit
Fifty years after the first wave of Vietnamese refugees arrived, five artists map the diasporic experience through art installations reimagining nail salons, prisons booths and border checkpoints.
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/vietnam-war-diaspora-art-exhibit-st-paul-minnesota/

2025.05.03

Once bitten, twice shy. But oft bitten? A Wisconsin man has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times. Often on purpose, it turns out. Tim Friede “began injecting himself with small doses of snake venom and then slowly increased the amount to try to build up tolerance. He would then let snakes bite him,” according to MPR News and Associated Press. Now scientists are studying his blood. Via MinnPost

‘Unparalleled’ snake antivenom made from man bitten 200 times
James Gallagher
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5d0l7el36o

World may be ‘post-herd immunity’ to measles, top US scientist says
As infections pummel communities in the US, Mexico and Canada, fear of ‘the most contagious human disease’ grows
Jessica Glenza
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/03/measles-post-herd-immunity

Could DNA testing shed new light on 93-year mystery of Lindbergh baby case?
A new lawsuit seeks to examine ransom notes linked to the 1932 kidnap and murder of the transatlantic aviator’s son
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/03/lindbergh-baby-case-dna-testing

‘Clothes can contain a lot of emotion’: How black men have used flamboyant fashion to express pride and resistance
Deborah Nicholls-Lee
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250502-how-black-men-have-used-bold-fashion-as-resistance

From cassoulet in Carcassonne to patisseries in Paris – a tour of France in 10 classic dishes
France does many foods exceptionally well, but certain areas offer unique and exceptional culinary experiences. We select 10 delicacies and the best regions in which to try them
Carolyn Boyd
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/may/03/culinary-tour-of-france-french-food

The artichoke so prized that people sell fakes
Catherine Bennett
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250502-the-artichoke-so-prized-that-people-sell-fakes

Ribbon cutting for ‘modern Asian mall’ at new Pan Asian Center in Maplewood planned for this weekend
Toua Xiong’s long-range redevelopment plan for former Sears and Macy’s stores includes retail, restaurants, offices, a spa and event center.
by Alfonzo Galva
https://sahanjournal.com/business-work/pan-asian-center-maplewood-mall-redevelopment/

My local Shuang Hur Supermarket’s meat guy retired. They’ve lost the duck roaster! The whole pig roaster! Ittsa calamity!
http://shuanghur.com/

2025.05.02

Elliot Hughes at the Star Tribune reports: “Jill Sobule, whose 1995 single “I Kissed a Girl” was the first song with openly gay themes to hit the Billboard Top 20, died Thursday morning in a house fire in Woodbury.” Via MinnPost
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/05/i-kissed-a-girl-singer-killed-in-woodbury-house-fire/

Groundbreaking musician Jill Sobule dies in house fire
George Wright
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4l9nxjd0o

Trump officials gut 25 centers that monitor flooding and drought in the US
White House orders closure of USGS water science centers, which shares data with weather service for flood warnings
Tom Perkins
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/02/trump-administration-united-states-geological-service

Moldy food, used underwear: inside the US prisons where Trump is jailing immigrants
As Trump dramatically expands detention, immigrants are moved to notorious penitentiaries where they report horrific conditions
Sam Levin in Los Angeles
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/trump-immigrants-federal-prisons

Mummy mystery solved: ‘air-dried’ priest was embalmed via rectum
Method of preserving 18th-century Austrian vicar has never been seen before, say researchers
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/02/mummy-mystery-solved-air-dried-priest-was-embalmed-via-rectum

David Beckham at 50: his gorgeous, outrageous life in 50 pictures
One of the most photographed men in the world, he has gone from captain of the England football team to elder statesman. We look back at the red cards, redemption, scandals, fashion and family life
Tim Dowling on David Beckham at 50
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/02/david-beckham-at-50-his-gorgeous-outrageous-life-in-50-pictures

Archaeological project maps historic boat sheds on Isles of Scilly
‘Pilot gigs’ were crucial for islanders for centuries and 90 important sites housing the boats have been identified
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/02/archaeological-project-maps-historic-boat-sheds-isles-of-scilly

‘Delicious seafood served with charm and ice-cold white wine’: readers’ favourite restaurants in France
From a hidden gem in Nice to a rustic revelation in Beaujolais and a bargain bistro in Brittany
Guardian readers
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/may/02/readers-favourite-restaurants-in-france

Thunderbolts* to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: 12 of the best films to watch this May
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250423-12-of-the-best-films-to-watch-in-may


Public Functionary launches free series by local filmmakers of color
Also this weekend: A community open mic honors elders at Indigenous Roots Cafe and a pop-up market at Eat Street Crossing features 26 local makers and six food vendors.
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/twin-cities-things-to-do-film-screenings-open-mic-pop-up-market/

2025.05.01

Robert De Niro supports daughter Airyn as she comes out as trans: ‘I don’t know what the big deal is’
After her announcement of her transition, the actor said: ‘I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter’
Andrew Pulver
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/01/robert-de-niro-daughter-airyn-trans

Lawyers for New Orleans clergy abuse survivors ramp up pressure to depose archbishop
Lawyers for hundreds of survivors argue Gregory Aymond should be questioned under oath about role in the clergy abuse crisis
David Hammer of WWL Louisiana in New Orleans
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-archbishop

Justice department civil rights division loses 70% of lawyers under Trump
More than 250 lawyers have left or been reassigned since January as critics fear ‘end of the division as we’ve known it’
Sam Levine in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/civil-rights-division-doj-trump

In the US, not even $11,000 a month can buy you dignity at the end of your life
After watching my father’s struggle in a system that values profit over compassion, I wonder: how much longer will we accept a future where most of us lose our sense of human worth in old age?
Laura Fraser
https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2025/may/01/nursing-home-assisted-living-costs-care

Shoes on at home or shoes off? If you care about your health, it’s a no-brainer
Polly Hudson
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2025/apr/30/shoes-on-at-home-or-shoes-off-if-you-care-about-your-health-its-a-no-brainer

Trial aims to silence tinnitus before it takes hold
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cd02x42z0ndo

The Underground Railroad went all the way to Canada – and a new photo exhibit preserves that legacy
For an estimated 30,000 Black people, the journey from enslavement in the US ended north of the border
Adria R Walker
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/01/canada-underground-railroad

Tate Modern: 25 jaw-dropping and unforgettable moments from the first 25 years
When the gallery opened in 2000, it transformed the artistic life of Britain – and the world. We look back at spiders, splinters, sexual dependency and sunsets
By Dale Berning Sawa, Eddy Frankel, Tim Jonze, Charlotte Jansen, Oliver Wainwright and Evan Moffitt
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/01/tate-modern-25-jaw-dropping-and-unforgettable-moments-from-the-first-25-years

Dachshunds, kangaroos and a tortoise on the loose – take the Thursday quiz
Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?
Martin Belam
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/01/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-208

That…: 10 of the best TV shows to watch this May
Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250429-10-of-the-best-tv-shows-to-watch-this-may

2025.04.30

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy, err. night
US economy shrinks in first quarter of Trump 2.0 amid sweeping tariffs
Drop comes amid a huge fall in consumer sentiment which in April dropped 32% to lowest level since 1990 recession
Lauren Aratani
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/30/economy-gdp-q1-trump-tariffs

We are witnessing slow constitutional collapse in the US
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2025/apr/30/we-are-witnessing-slow-constitutional-collapse-in-the-us

The US left Vietnam 50 years ago today. The media hasn’t learned its lesson
Norman Solomon
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/01/us-vietnam-war-media

Florida to become second state to ban fluoride in water, alarming experts
Following Utah, Florida passes DeSantis-backed bill to block flouride use, ignoring CDC guidance on child health risks
Jessica Glenza and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/30/florida-fluoride-water-ban

Erin Patterson concocted cancer diagnosis to ensure children missed fatal mushroom lunch, murder trial hears
Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she served at her house in South Gippsland in 2023
Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/30/erin-patterson-mushroom-poisonings-murder-trial-ntwnfb

Runaway kangaroo on the loose named Sheila shuts down Alabama interstate
Marsupial spotted hopping along side of interstate before police surrounded area and owner used dart to tranquilize it
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/kangaroo-sheila-alabama

Woman’s eyesight saved by cutting-edge test after mystery infection
Fergus Walsh
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx45vze0vyo

The experts: neurologists on 17 simple ways to look after your brain
Sleep well, swap butter for olive oil, learn a musical instrument – or embrace some other ‘magnificent obsession’. Here is what doctors do themselves to delay the onset of cognitive decline
Sarah Phillips
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/30/the-experts-neurologists-on-17-simple-ways-to-look-after-your-brain

Scientists use live human brain tissue to speed up hunt for dementia cure
Exclusive: British team exposed live cells to toxic proteins to gather rare insight into how dementia develops
Andrew Gregory Health editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/30/scientists-use-living-human-brain-tissue-mimic-early-stages-alzheimers

Billion year old meteorite ‘influenced early life’
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yg3pg4edro

Piers Morgan warns rise of YouTube is a ‘wake-up moment’ for traditional media
Presenter is expanding his own business on the platform and likens change to when vinyl music went digital
Michael Savage Media editor
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/apr/30/piers-morgan-warns-rise-of-youtube-is-a-wake-up-moment-for-traditional-media

Is Doctor Who doomed?
With record low ratings and Ncuti Gatwa rumoured to be departing, the Time Lord faces an uncertain future. Could this be it for good?Martin Belam
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/30/is-doctor-who-doomed-ncuti-gatwa-russell-t-davies

Carême review – a sexy French romp about a chef who’s too spicy to handle
It’s hard to resist this moreish story about Napoleon’s renegade pastry chef (who is also a spy). Orgies, opium and tantalising fun with whipped cream are all on the menu
Rebecca Nicholson
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/30/careme-review-french-superchef-drama-is-bake-off-in-the-tuileries-even-if-its-not-the-bear

Thunderbolts* review – Florence Pugh is saving grace of Marvel’s hit-and-miss mess
The Oscar nominated actor is the most impressive member of a ragtag Suicide Squad-esque team in an often charmingly unusual yet still baggy adventure
Radheyan Simonpillai
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/apr/29/thunderbolts-review-florence-pugh-marvel

2025.04.29

Jeremy Olsen at the Star Tribune reports: “Minnesota is entering a bittersweet phase in its fight against HIV: Improved treatments have helped people with the disease live so long that they are dying of other age-related causes.” Via MinnPost

100 days of Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/29/trump-100-days-president

Trump’s first 100 days – in numbers
We measure this presidency so far on polling, actions, economy and immigration.
https://www.bbc.com/news/resources/idt-17e9c07b-93f4-45b3-9558-7590b9eaf3ad

Trump 100 days: delusions of monarchy coupled with fundamental ineptitude
Trump has wasted no time in trying to remake the US in his image – with results that are sweeping, vengeful and chaotic
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/trump-100-days-doge-trade-wars-economy

How much has Elon Musk’s Doge cut from US government spending?
Lucy Gilder, Jake Horton and the Data Science team
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4j33klz33o

Irish woman living in US for decades detained by immigration officials
Cliona Ward, who had returned from trip to Ireland, held over criminal record from almost 20 years ago
Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/28/irish-woman-cliona-ward-us-detained-immigration

‘I didn’t know they existed’: US exhibition highlights rarely seen Picasso artwork
Gagosian, New York
Veronica Esposito
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/29/picasso-gagosian-exhibition-new-york

Drinking champagne could reduce risk of sudden cardiac arrest, study suggests
Maintaining a positive mood and eating more fruit may also help lower risk, researchers find
Andrew Gregory Health editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/29/drink-champagne-reduce-risk-sudden-cardiac-arrest-study-suggests

2025.04.28

Sarah Ritter at the Star Tribune is reporting: “The National Weather Service is advising Twin Cities residents to have plans in place in case they need to take shelter on Monday due to a threat of strong thunderstorms and tornadoes.” Via MinnPost

Dustin Nelson at Bring Me the News reports: “President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee raised a record $239 million for his January inauguration, which included a sizable donation from Minneapolis-based Target, according to new filings from the Federal Election Commission.” Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-business/target-donated-1m-to-trump-inauguration-before-backing-away-from-dei-initiatives

Twin Cities metro fails air pollution report card
Alex Fitzpatrick, Torey Van Oot
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/04/25/twin-cities-air-quality-report-2025

Mercado Central, one of Minnesota’s oldest Latino markets, weathers another storm
Three decades ago, the market helped lead a revival on Lake Street. Vendors hurt by the current immigration crackdown say city efforts — and their own creativity — will help them bounce back.
by Alfonzo Galvan
https://sahanjournal.com/business-work/mercado-central-lake-street-minneapolis-loan-forgiven-immigration/

What your earwax can reveal about your health
Jasmin Fox-Skelly
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250424-what-your-earwax-can-reveal-about-your-health

Ultra-processed foods may be linked to early death
Philippa Roxby Health reporter
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm30kwvv17o

Spain and Portugal hit by massive power outage causing blackouts
Phones, traffic lights, Spanish parliament and newsrooms all reportedly affected as metro stations plunged into darkness
Jon Henley, Ashifa Kassam, Sam Jones and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/spain-portugal-power-outage

‘I wish I’d never written that damn movie’: Rust director Joel Souza on finishing his film after the fatal on-set shooting
Ryan Gilbey
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/28/rust-joel-souza-alec-baldwin-halyna-hutchins-shooting

Greta Garbo documentary reveals star as ‘a relaxed, silly, funny person’
Exclusive: Previously unseen footage of actor larking about with friends at home upends Garbo’s aloof image
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/28/greta-garbo-documentary-reveals-star-as-a-relaxed-silly-funny-person

No more ‘subway spaghetti’! New Yorkers adjust to first new transit map in 50 years
The first major overhaul since 1979 seeks to simplify the map’s old illegible squiggles – but faces opposition from change-averse New Yorkers
Matthew Cantor
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/28/nyc-new-york-subway-map

Watch: Londoner creates live 3D Tube map https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cd6jlvev478o

Sea bass in space: why fish farms on the moon may be closer than you think
The Lunar Hatch project aims to blast eggs into space, hoping that aquaculture will provide protein for astronauts on missions
Kim Willsher in Palavas-les-Flots
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/28/sea-bass-in-space-lunar-hatch-fish-farms-moon-aquaculture

Chicago: security truck drops money bags worth $300,000 on its rounds
People found scrambling away with the money after it fell when the back door of a truck opened
Guardian staff
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/28/chicago-security-truck-money

Two suspects arrested for theft of Kristi Noem’s purse, Secret Service says
Noem’s purse was nabbed on Easter Sunday and reportedly contained about $3,000 in cash, her keys and identification
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/27/kristi-noem-purse-suspects-arrested

Uncovering a hangar full of rare historic campervans
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0l5rbbx/uncovering-a-hangar-full-of-rare-historic-campervans