Top Lifestyle News

Nov 2, 2026 - Lifestyle

Kashmiri saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices. It’s primarily cultivated in the Pampore region of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Often referred to as ‘red gold’ because of its high value, saffron is prized for its rich aroma, distinctive flavour and quality Continue reading...

Nov 2, 2026 - Lifestyle

From Heidi Klum as her own severed hand to Lily Allen as a Ticketmaster seating plan, this year the celebrities didn’t disappoint Continue reading...

Nov 1, 2026 - Lifestyle

While Halloween is traditionally a family-oriented holiday and an occasion for children to dress up and go trick-or-treating, a unique spin on spooky season is taking off in Japan. ‘Jimi Halloween’ or ‘Mundane Halloween’ sees adult participants dress up as ordinary people in everyday life. They do highly specific tasks, embracing and celebrating unremarkable situations for the event, hosted by online magazine Daily Portal Z in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. Continue reading...

Oct 31, 2026 - Lifestyle

In a survey, ‘just to be clear’ came out as the most loathed phrase. But I think I can do betterA new contender for the most passive-aggressive email phrase has emerged. “Just to be clear” was chosen by 52% of desk jockeys in a survey by email verification company ZeroBounce, closely followed by the perennial pass-ag fave, “per my last email” (40%), which tied with the identical-in-intent “as previously discussed”. Further down the list came “for future reference” and “kindly note”.If you ask me, these all verge on actual aggressive. Imagine saying “just to be clear” out loud to another person: that’s a conversational poke in the ribs, isn’t it? It’s the kind of thing you unleash 10 minutes into an ill-tempered wrangle with your home insurance company about inflated renewal premiums. “Kindly note” is even worse – it’s a phrase from an angry message on the office kitchen wall about microwave abuse. Continue reading...

Oct 30, 2026 - Lifestyle

In the eight years since my graphic novel on death published, I’ve learned readers of all ages want to talk about loss and preserve their family’s storiesBecoming an author in my late 50s was unexpected, the result of my daughter Hallie’s own existential anxiety in her early 20s.Fearing my untimely demise, she begged me to write down advice that would cover all of life’s bases going forward. I agreed, but put the project off for years; it wasn’t until she cornered me with a laptop on vacation that I gave in. She asked countless questions, and I found, to my surprise, that I had plenty to say. Hallie helped shape the manuscript, and then spent a year painting its warmly emotional gouache illustrations.I lost a parent (or other loved one, including spouse or beloved pet) and your book helped me through.I gave the book to my kids and wrote my own notes in the margins.I can’t bear the thought of my mom or dad dying, but they don’t want to talk about it. I’m hoping that sharing the book with them will start some conversations. Continue reading...