Category Archives: Travel

2025.03.30

When the physicists need burner phones, that’s when you know America’s changed
John Naughton
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/when-the-physicists-need-burner-phones-thats-when-you-know-americas-changed

The Observer view on JD Vance: spurned in Greenland and humiliated at home, the vice-president should resign
Observer editorial
His foolish foreign trip and the response to the Signal chat leak reflect the irresponsibility of White House team
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/30/the-observer-view-on-jd-vance-spurned-in-greenland-and-humiliated-at-home-the-vice-president-should-resign

Interview
‘I go for the jugular’: Carrie Coon on The White Lotus, female friendship and toxic politics
Eva Wiseman
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/30/i-go-for-the-jugular-carrie-coon-on-white-lotus-female-friendship-and-toxic-politics

Always roll your clothes! 13 travel packing hacks to save you space and money – according to seasoned travellers
We asked the experts about keeping luggage as light as possible (and still being ready for anything)
Hayley Spencer
https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/mar/30/travel-packing-hacks-uk

‘I’ve not heard of incel before’: Teenager dissects Adolescence with his worried parents
Anna Lamche
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93nzv49dg2o

No survivors after plane crashes into house in Minnesota
16 hours ago
Phil McCausland
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3evj8w8vy1o

Richard Chamberlain, Shogun star, dies aged 90
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v9xzw09z0o

2025.03.29

MinnPost News Quiz
https://www.minnpost.com/news-quiz/

Esme Murphy at WCCO News writes the proposed cut to Medicaid in Minnesota is $1.5 billion a year from an annual budget that, as of 2024, stands at roughly $18 billion. 1.3 million Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for their health care, 40% of Minnesota kids depend on it and, when it comes to nursing homes, 55% of nursing home residents rely entirely on Medicaid. Via MinnPost

Christopher Snowbeck at the Star Tribune is reporting UnitedHealth Group has scrubbed mentions of diversity, equity and inclusion goals from parts of its corporate website, including a page on careers and company culture that formerly included a dedicated section on DEI. Via MinnPost

Ya missed it?
Skygazers gather across northern hemisphere to glimpse partial solar eclipse
Eclipse peaked in London at about 11am on Saturday and was visible in parts of UK between about 10am and noon
Hayden Vernon
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/29/skygazers-gather-northern-hemisphere-glimpse-partial-solar-eclipse

From Greenland to Europe and Senegal: the partial solar eclipse – in pictures
The moon partly obscured the sun during an phenomenon that could be seen across the northern hemisphere
Lizzie Tucker
https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2025/mar/29/from-greenland-to-europe-and-senegal-the-partial-solar-eclipse-in-pictures

Top US vaccine official resigns over RFK Jr’s ‘misinformation and lies’
Dr Peter Marks was seen as a guardrail against any future politicisation of the FDA’s approval of life-saving vaccines
Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/top-us-vaccine-official-resigns-over-rfk-jrs-misinformation-and-lies-dr-peter-marks

Nearly 500 confirmed cases of measles across 19 US states, says CDC
Government reports largest outbreak is in Texas, and 70 people across US needing hospitalization
Guardian staff and agency
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/28/measles-cases-us-cdc

Myanmar earthquake: death toll passes 1,600 as search for survivors continues
Aid agencies warn of ‘extremely difficult’ response amid Myanmar’s continuing civil war with true scale of disaster yet to emerge
Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok, Esther J and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/29/myanmar-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-almost-700-as-search-for-survivors-continues

‘Our town looks like a collapsed city’: Myanmar earthquake – in pictures
The death toll is expected to rise after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated Myanmar and brought down a high rise building in the capital of Thailand. Its epicentre was about 11 miles (17.2km) from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city
Mike Hohnen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2025/mar/29/our-town-looks-like-a-collapsed-city-myanmar-earthquake-in-pictures

Fears for Bagan’s towering Buddhist temples after Myanmar earthquake
City is close to Sagaing faultline and monuments were significantly damaged after the last earthquake in 2016
Kevin Rushby
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/fears-for-fate-of-bagans-towering-buddhist-temples-after-myanmar-earthquake

‘The physics community has never split like this’: row erupts over plans for new Large Hadron Collider
Ambitious project could soak up funding for subatomic physics for decades, say opponents
Robin McKie, Science Editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/29/the-physics-community-has-never-split-like-this-row-erupts-over-plans-for-new-large-hadron-collider

New drug for lower back pain could be ‘a gamechanger’
Exclusive: early stage trials of drug that uses antibiotics finds benefits for people whose pain is caused by infection
Denis Campbell Health policy editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/28/new-drug-for-lower-back-pain-could-be-a-gamechanger

Alarm as Florida Republicans move to fill deported workers’ jobs with children: ‘It’s insane, right?’
Governor Ron DeSantis leads push to loosen child labor laws as immigration crackdown leads to workforce shortage
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/florida-republicans-immigrant-jobs-child-labor

Gold leaf and Gatsby: Brussels lays claim to birth of art deco with year of celebrations
Throughout 2025, the Belgian capital is marking 100 years of the movement with events, exhibitions and film screenings
Jennifer Rankin in Brussels
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/mar/29/gold-leaf-and-gatsby-brussels-lays-claim-to-birth-of-art-deco-with-year-of-celebrations

Where cider houses rule in Spain: a tour of Asturias
Loved by the Spanish but less known in the UK, the region is recognised by Unesco for its centuries-old cider culture – and has plenty more to offer
Alyssa McMurtry in Oviedo
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/29/where-cider-houses-rule-in-spain-a-tour-of-asturias

Meera Sodha: ‘I’m thrilled to have new ingredients in the kitchen’
Our cook on why she’s changing the way she writes her recipes
Meera Sodha
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/29/meera-sodha-im-thrilled-to-have-new-ingredients-in-the-kitchen

The return of Sicily’s ancient ‘white gold’
Vittoria Traverso
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250328-the-return-of-sicilys-ancient-white-gold

2025.03.25

You go to war with the clown car you have, not the clown car you might want or wish to have at a later time.
Stunning Signal leak reveals depths of Trump administration’s loathing of Europe
Andrew Roth in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/stunning-signal-leak-reveals-depths-of-trump-administrations-loathing-of-europe

‘They chose the billionaire’: Tim Walz returns to Minnesota as part of redemption tour
The former Democratic VP nominee’s tours around the US and vows to ‘bring revenge’ against Republicans
Rachel Leingang in Rochester, Minnesota
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/tim-walz-democrat-tour-minnesota

Nathan Lane says ‘homophobia is alive and well’ in Hollywood
In a Vanity Fair interview The Producers and The Birdcage star claimed that being an out gay actor cost him roles in his career
Andrew Pulver
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/25/nathan-lane-says-homophobia-is-alive-and-well-in-hollywood

Iron age hoard found in North Yorkshire could change Britain’s history
More than 800 objects unearthed near Melsonby show the north was ‘definitely not a backwater’ 2,000 years ago
Mark Brown North of England correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/25/iron-age-hoard-melsonby-north-yorkshire

The magical medieval tale revealed by a hi-tech camera
Donna Ferguson
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250324-the-magical-medieval-tale-revealed-by-a-100000-dollar-camera

Nasa rover discovers largest organic compounds yet found on Mars
Presence of long-chain alkanes in rock raises new questions about possible existence of life billions of years ago
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/24/nasa-curiosity-rover-mars-long-chain-alkanes-rock-sample-discovery

The image that changed our view of the Universe forever
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0l039dj/the-image-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe-forever

Stamp fanatic professor stole 3,000 items from Scotland’s national archive
Academic who died in 1987 is thought to be responsible for documents that vanished over a 30-year period
Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/25/stamp-fanatic-professor-stole-3000-items-from-scotlands-national-archive

Callooh! Callay!
US postmaster general resigns with immediate effect
Louis DeJoy led dramatic effort to restructure the US postal service over past five years
Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/postmaster-general-louis-dejoy-resigns

Tokyo court orders dissolution of ‘Moonies’ Unification church
Assassination of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe spurred official request for closure of South Korea-based sect
Associated Press in Tokyo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/tokyo-court-orders-dissolution-of-moonies-unification-church

Glasgow demolitions and a Gaza umbrella: photos of the weekend
Elena Goodinson
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2025/mar/23/glasgow-demolitions-gaza-umbrella-photos-of-the-weekend

Most Britons do not know scale of UK’s involvement in slavery, survey finds
Vast majority unaware how many people were enslaved and for how long, although poll finds support for reparations is rising
Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/most-britons-do-not-know-scale-of-uks-involvement-in-slavery-survey-finds

2025.03.24

How did childcare in the US become so absurdly expensive?
Families are taking out lines of credit, working second jobs, commuting for hours and forgoing careers. It doesn’t need to be this way, experts say
Robin Buller
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/childcare-daycare-cost-absurdly-expensive

DNA testing firm 23andMe files for bankruptcy as CEO steps down
Co-founder Anne Wojcicki to pursue independent bid as California attorney general tells users to delete data
Julia Kollewe
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/24/dna-testing-firm-23andme-bankruptcy-ceo-anne-wojcicki-data

Prostate cancer surgery breakthrough offers hope for erectile function
Neurosafe procedure allows doctors to remove prostate while preserving as much nerve tissue around it as possible
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/24/prostate-cancer-surgery-erectile-function-neurosafe

‘The goal is to disassemble public health’: experts warn against US turn to vaccine skepticism
As measles sickens hundreds and health secretary RFK Jr spreads dubious information, experts sound the alarm
Jessica Glenza
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/vaccine-disinformation-trump-measles-covid

The one change that worked: I volunteered in a Paris bar – and found a whole new life in France
At first, I didn’t know my mouchoir from my torchon, but shifts at Le Bar Commun improved my French, opening up a world of opportunities
Megan Clement
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/24/one-change-paris-bar-french-opportunities

A French university is offering ‘scientific asylum’ for US talent. The brain drain has started
Alexander Hurst
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/24/french-university-scientific-asylum-american-talent-brain-drain

‘I’m not stepping down’: Chuck Schumer defies Democrats’ calls over funding bill
Party leader faces backlash over his decision to support Republican-led bill to avoid government shutdown
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/chuck-schumer-democrats-funding-bill

Francis Bourgeois explores Malaysia’s iconic jungle railway
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0kz9068/francis-bourgeois-explores-malaysia-s-iconic-jungle-railway

‘We use them every day’: In some parts of the US, the clack of typewriter keys can still be heard
Chris Baraniuk
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250321-the-people-who-still-use-typewriters

Pioneering trial could ‘switch off’ arthritis
Sharon Barbour
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynp17k23po

2025.03.23

More US states report measles cases amid vaccine misinformation
Ohio, Maryland and Alabama among states to report new cases, with 378 confirmed in first few months of 2025
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/measles-spread-vaccine-misinformation
Alabama (exposure)
Alaska
California
Florida
Georgia
Kansas
Kentucky
Maryland
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island,
Texas
Vermont
Washington

Three killed and at least 15 injured in mass shooting in New Mexico
Authorities responded on Friday to reports of gunfire at a park and have asked for videos from bystanders to aid in investigation
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/mass-shooting-new-mexico

Tribal land ruling undercuts marijuana law’s claims of undoing racial disparities
Hannah Harris Green
Chippewa member Todd Thompson sold cannabis after Minnesota legalized it, but police still seized all his merchandise
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/minnesota-tribal-land-ruling-minnesota-racial-disparities-canabis-charges

Flow review – beguiling, Oscar-winning animation is the cat’s whiskers
Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis’s enchanting eco-fable about a lone moggy in a flooded world is a triumph of imagination over budget
Wendy Ide
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/23/flow-review-gints-zilbalodis-oscar-winning-latvian-animation-eco-fable-flood

Ittsa hard, ittsa hard, ittsa hard quiz for you and me:
Trumpworld is failing this constitutional quiz. Can you pass it?
Lawrence Douglas
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/23/trump-us-constitution-quiz-satire

A great effusion of words:
Donald Trump’s imperial presidency is a throwback to a greedier, pernicious age
Simon Tisdall
His attempts to bully and exploit the weak hark back to an era when the US emulated the worst aspects of the British empire
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/22/donald-trump-peace-imperialism-ukraine-gaza

Egg prices have tripled, chicken has doubled: the cost of US inflation in 10 items
Egg prices are up 310% since 2005. But it’s not the only staple with soaring prices
Mona Chalabi
https://www.theguardian.com/business/datablog/2025/mar/22/egg-prices-us-inflation-cost

Rare Wright’s gardenia reappears in record numbers in Seychelles
Conservationists find critically endangered species thriving on Indian Ocean island of Aride
Patrick Barkham
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/22/wrights-gardenia-reappears-in-record-numbers-in-seychelles

Well! Could never happen here! Amiright?
‘Key lessons of Covid are being forgotten,’ UK scientists warn
The alarm has been raised by experts as the nation marks the fifth anniversary of the introduction of lockdown
Robin McKie Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/23/key-lessons-of-covid-are-being-forgotten-uk-scientists-warn

2025.03.22

US tourism industry faces drop-off as immigration agenda deters travellers
Westerners increasingly hesitant to travel to US out of fear of arrests and detentions as Trump enforces crackdown
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/tourism-trump-immigration-arrests

‘The Kite Runner’ author ‘bewildered’ by book ban in St. Francis Area Schools
By Soyoung Kim
https://www.fox9.com/news/st-francis-book-policy-takes-effect

Scientists identify ‘tipping point’ that caused clumps of toxic Florida seaweed
Giant blobs along 5,000-mile-wide sargassum belt has killed animals, harmed human health and discouraged tourism
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/cause-toxic-seaweed-florida-sargassum

Gold has surged amid economic uncertainty. Should you buy some?
Adam Gabbatt
As Trump escalates a global trade war, looking to gold to shield cash might not be the worst option
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/22/gold-price-trump-trade-war

Female-first travel: The ultimate guide
Lindsey Galloway
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250321-female-first-travel-the-ultimate-guide

2025.03.20

The Pioneer Press’ Steve Karnowski reports: “A jury found the alleged ringleader of a massive pandemic fraud case in Minnesota guilty on all counts Wednesday for her role in a scheme that federal prosecutors say stole $250 million from a program meant to feed children in need.” Via MinnPost

Ah, spring and the sweet smell of stadium subsidies in the open air:
Frederick Melo at the Pioneer Press reports: “Calling the home of the Minnesota Wild vital to the future of its downtown, the city of St. Paul will ask state lawmakers to cover half the cost of what’s being pitched as a $769 million, top-to-bottom renovation of the Xcel Energy Center and St. Paul RiverCentre, with the hockey team covering 30% and St. Paul splitting the remaining 20% of the price with Ramsey County.”

Where do swear words come from?

Where do swear words come from?

Don’t call it zombie deer disease’: scientists warn of ‘global crisis’ as infections spread across the US
A contagious, fatal illness in deer, elk and moose has taken hold in the US and is now reaching other countries. While it has not infected humans yet, the risk is growing
Todd Wilkinson in Yellowstone national park, US
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/chronic-wasting-disease-spread-zombie-deer-global-us-aoe

Dark energy: mysterious cosmic force appears to be weakening, say scientists
Findings could open up possibility the universe will end in a reverse big bang or ‘big crunch’, say cosmologists
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/19/dark-energy-mysterious-cosmic-force-weakening-universe-expansion

‘It’s beautiful, don’t you think?’ The urban miners unearthing treasure in Belgium’s homes and garages
As the historic town of Leuven strives to become carbon neutral, it is transforming how its building are made – and demolished. Are there lessons for the rest of the world?
Oliver Balch
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/19/its-beautiful-dont-you-think-the-urban-miners-unearthing-treasure-in-belgiums-homes-and-garages

Tesla’s challenges run deeper than ‘toxic’ controversy around Elon Musk
Theo Leggett
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz61vwjel2zo

Financial Times Analysis: $1.4 Billion of Tesla Assets “Appear to have gone astray”
by Citizen Earth
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/19/2311341/-Financial-Times-Analysis-1-4-Billion-of-Tesla-Assets-Appear-to-have-gone-astray?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

‘The melodramatic penis’: How The White Lotus reveals the hidden codes of male nudity on screen
Laura Martin
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250319-why-on-screen-male-nudity-is-still-rare-and-taboo

A local expert’s guide to seeing the most beautiful tulips in the Netherlands
Eva Sandoval
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240330-a-local-experts-guide-to-seeing-the-most-beautiful-tulips-in-the-netherlands

At Squirrel Haus Arts donated space: Karen E.Cooper, author, historian and Friends member, will present a free talk sponsored by Friends of Minnehaha Park.
More Famous than Niagara:
Minnehaha Falls in the 1850s
Thursday, March 20
6:00pm—7:30pm
Squirrel Haus Arts
3450 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis
https://www.squirrelhausarts.com/events

2025.03.19

Alex Derosier at the Pioneer Press reports: “Minnesota Republicans are calling for the resignation of a state senator police arrested Monday on suspicion of seeking sex from someone he believed was a minor.” Via MinnPost

George Orwell and me: Richard Blair on life with his extraordinary father
Simon Hattenstone
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/19/george-orwell-me-richard-blair-life-with-extraordinary-father

Sponsors drop San Francisco Pride as festival decries ‘rights backtracking’
Comcast, Anheuser-Busch and others cancel funding as US becomes increasingly hostile toward LGBTQ+ communities
Dani Anguiano
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/anheuser-busch-coors-pull-sponsorship-san-francisco-pride

Scientists hail ‘avalanche of discoveries’ from Euclid space telescope
Data from European Space Agency’s mission has allowed researchers to create detailed catalogue of 380,000 galaxies
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/19/scientists-hail-avalanche-discoveries-euclid-space-telescope

Nasa releases first high-def images of sunset on the moon
Scientists eager to examine images to research phenomenon known as lunar horizon glow, first documented in 1972
Richard Luscombe
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/18/nasa-images-sunset-on-moon

Fancy a Belgian city break without the crowds of Ghent or Bruges? Mechelen might be the answer
The majestic Flemish city is dotted with renaissance palaces, great bars and eye-catching contemporary art – yet it’s firmly off the tourist trail
John Brunton
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/19/belgium-city-break-ghent-bruges-mechelen

Piper, no! Parker Posey’s viral White Lotus accent is a gift to us all
The actor’s lorazepam-fueled North Carolinian line delivery in the comedy drama series has taken the internet by storm
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/18/parker-posey-accent-white-lotus

Resurrection plants: The drought-resistant ‘zombie plants’ that come back from the dead
Alex Riley
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250318-resurrection-plants-the-drought-resistant-zombie-plants-that-come-back-from-the-dead

Ben & Jerry’s boss ‘ousted over political activism’
João da Silva
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg8pk9rpx4o

2025.03.17

How, err, convenient?
Jeff Wald at FOX 9 reports: “Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management licensing website shut down at 9 p.m. on Friday, leaving business applicants scrambling to complete the process by the 11:59 p.m. deadline.” Via MinnPost
https://www.fox9.com/news/mn-cannabis-licensing-down-hours-before-deadline

Happy trails, Peter Callaghan, your Minnesota legacy lives on
State government reporter Peter Callaghan ended his time at MinnPost on Friday after more than 10 years.
by Elizabeth Dunbar
https://www.minnpost.com/inside-minnpost/2025/03/happy-trails-peter-callaghan-your-minnesota-legacy-lives-on/

Let the heavy avalanche of sternly worded letter begin!
Democrats demand investigation into Musk over possible criminal corruption
Leading figures urge Pam Bondi to examine ‘Mr Musk’s activities at the FAA’ amid conflict-of-interest concerns
Martin Pengelly in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/17/democrats-elon-musk-investigation

A missile here, a missile there, pretty soon we’re talking WWIII.
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact
Gavin Blair in Tokyo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/17/japan-long-range-missiles-north-korea-china-us-security-pact

From sewage and scum to swimming in ‘blue gold’: how Switzerland transformed its rivers
In the 1960s, the Swiss had some of the dirtiest water in Europe. Now, their cities boast pristine rivers and lakes – and other countries are looking to follow their lead
Phoebe Weston in Geneva
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/17/from-sewage-and-scum-to-swimming-in-blue-gold-how-switzerland-transformed-its-waterways-aoe

‘All the birds returned’: How a Chinese project led the way in water and soil conservation
The Loess plateau was the most eroded place on Earth until China took action and reversed decades of damage from grazing and farming
By Helen Davidson
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/14/how-china-led-way-water-soil-conservation

Bad Art Expert! Bad! Bad! Bad!
The art expert did it: LGG Ramsey revealed as 1951 thief of Van Dyck painting
Exclusive: How one historian’s investigative work led to artwork finally being returned to ‘English Versailles’
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/mar/17/art-expert-did-it-lgg-ramsey-revealed-1951-thief-van-dyck-painting

Avoid the White Lotus effect: Thailand travel without the tourists
The country is no stranger to pop-culture fuelled overtourism. But behind the scenes there are islands, wild places and temples to explore
Eloise Basuki
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/17/white-lotus-filming-location-setting-koh-samui-four-seasons

Ittsa chewing gum and a floor wax!
The explosive potential of custard powder
Veronique Greenwood
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250313-the-explosive-potential-of-custard-powder

May your green beer look half as fine coming up as it did going down:
Dublin goes green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Kevin Sharkey
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwygjq5jv93o

2025.03.15

Minneapolis set a record Friday (75 degrees, fondly Fahrenheit or ~24 C for the rest of you). Of course, snow is forecast, but it ain’t here yet.

‘Brain pacemakers’: implants to be tested to help alcohol and opioid addicts
Trial will determine whether electrical pulses can control and decrease yearnings
Robin McKie, Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/15/brain-implants-alcohol-opioid-addicts-trial

‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds
Ancient Mesopotamian stone tablets show extraordinary detail and reach of government in cradle of world civilisations
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/15/stone-tablets-mesopotamia-iraq-red-tape-bureaucracy

‘They’re on. They’re off. We can’t plan’ – bourbon makers dazed by Trump tariffs
The president’s chaotic policy on import duties makes planning impossible, says the CEO of a Kentucky distillery – and state Republicans are unhappy, too
Callum Jones in Louisville, Kentucky
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/15/bourbon-makers-trump-tariffs

Baby wombat-snatching US influencer apologises and says she was ‘concerned’ for Australian animal
Sam Jones, who left Australia on Friday, posted a 900-word statement questioning outrage in country where ‘slaughter of wombats’ is permitted
Nino Bucci
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/15/baby-wombat-snatching-us-influencer-apologises-and-says-she-was-concerned-for-australian-animal-ntwnfb

How a New Zealander working from her mum’s kitchen started a news service read by Madonna
The success of Shit You Should Care About has been down to Lucy Blakiston’s focus on social media at a time where news avoidance is growing
Eva Corlett in Wellington
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/mar/15/shit-you-should-care-about-lucy-blakiston-media

Clothes brand gets 100 complaints a day that models are ‘too fat’
Jennifer Meierhans
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xjd41g33o

Trump is coming for your poppers: Major producer closes amid FDA crackdown
Several other companies seem to have followed suit.
By Mey Rude
https://www.out.com/news/poppers-fda-crackdown-double-scorpio

U of M Regents Pass Resolution Gagging Faculty
Plus the Wolves basketball boss, weird weed rulings, and don’t drive like a dumbass in today’s Flyover news roundup.
By Racket Staff
https://racketmn.com/university-of-minnesota-regents-pass-resolution-gagging-faculty-speech

Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for Lebanese moussaka with five-garlic-clove sauce
The Lebanese take on moussaka is a simple vegetable stew of aubergines, chickpeas, spices and herbs, here spruced up with a lively garlic sauce
Meera Sodha
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/15/lebanese-moussaka-five-garlic-clove-sauce-recipe-meera-sodha

Wallace and Gromit on the couch:

Animators React to Wallace and Gromit!