1 week ago Saving Kyiv’s heritage: a city rebuilding itself in the shadow of war

Volunteers and neighbours are restoring the century-old homes as an act of defiance against Russia’s assaultLesia Danylenko proudly showed off her new front door. Volunteers had nicknamed its elegant transom window the “croissant”, a nod to its curved shape. “I think it’s more of a peacock,” she said, admiring its branch-like details. The restoration project at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who celebrated with two pavement parties.It was also an act of resistance against Russia, she explained: “We are trying to live like normal people despite the war. It’s about arranging our life in the best possible way. We’re not afraid of staying in Ukraine. I could have left the country and moved away to Italy or Germany. Instead, I’m here. The new entrance shows our commitment to our homeland.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago The Lumbee Tribe's federal recognition is assured, with a final push by Trump

The Senate's passage of the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday has also secured the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina's federal recognition as a tribal nation

Politics

3 w. ago Delizioso! Six of Italy’s tastiest local food delicacies – and where to try them

It will come as little surprise that Italian cuisine has been added to Unesco’s cultural heritage list. Here are a select few of the country’s countless regional specialitiesLast week’s announcement that Italian cuisine has been added to Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage list came as no surprise to anyone familiar with that country’s obsession with food. Unesco called Italy’s cooking a “communal activity” in which “people of all ages and genders participate, exchanging recipes, suggestions and stories”.It might have added people of all walks of life, too, because in Italy being a foodie is not the “preserve” of the chattering classes. I’ve heard building workers in a low-cost trattoria gravely discussing what starter and wine best complement a certain lunch dish, and a shabbily dressed nonna at Turin’s Porto Palazzo market enthusing over a variety of carrot available only at her favourite stall. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Italy first country to win Unesco recognition for national cuisine

Italian cooking added to ‘intangible cultural heritage’ list after campaign by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right governmentUnesco has officially recognised Italian cooking as a cultural beacon, an endorsement hailed by the far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, whose government has put the country’s food at the heart of its nationalistic expression of identity.The announcement, made on Wednesday during the UN cultural body’s assembly in Delhi, means Italian cuisine – from pasta and mozzarella to wine and tiramisu – will be inscribed on the coveted list of “intangible cultural heritage”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago UK police forces lobbied to use biased facial recognition technology

Exclusive: System more likely to suggest incorrect matches for images of women and Black peoplePolice forces successfully lobbied to use a facial recognition system known to be biased against women, young people, and members of ethnic minority groups, after complaining that another version produced fewer potential suspects.UK forces use the police national database (PND) to conduct retrospective facial recognition searches, whereby a “probe image” of a suspect is compared to a database of more than 19 million custody photos for potential matches. Continue reading...

Events

last month Spain STILL top country where Britons search for homes abroad... but we're also now dreaming of Dubai while wealthy expats look to Italy

The property website has also revealed the five most-wanted holiday homes, from a humble cottage in Italy to a Mallorcan villa which sleeps 29 people.

Politics