MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 29, 2023--

An unprecedented infusion of aid money the U.S. government provided to schools during the pandemic has begun to dwindle

There’s oil and water, and then there’s writers and organization…or so we thought. To our own surprise, us R29 Shopping writers are quite the organized bunch — and it’s all thanks to some top-notch, undeniably cute organization products we once upon a time added to our carts.

Japan’s carmakers are staging their first motor show in four years to make the case they’ll remain major

For about a year and a half, Coca-Cola has experimented with limited-edition beverages that have mystery tastes — most of them with vague, futuristic concepts and undisclosed flavors.

The collapse of the Black Sea grain deal and a series of missile strikes on Ukrainian grain silos and ports have left farmers with few options to export their grain — and all of them are getting more expensive

There’s no place like home. For most of the Formula 1 grid, a return to familiar comforts at a much-loved circuit is something to behold, thrive and revel in. In fact, it’s only the Haas pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen and the Alfa Romeo team of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu who have not basked in such an experience in 2023. But all eyes for Zhou – Formula 1’s first Chinese driver in its 73-year history – now point firmly towards 21 April 2024. The sport’s return to one of the world’s powerhouses has, four times, been put on hold due to the pandemic – both the world-altering event itself and the country’s controversial zero-covid policy in the aftermath. Yet next year will see the Shanghai International Circuit host once more; all that was left was for Zhou’s presence to be confirmed. That came on Thursday morning. Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, the 24-year-old penned a one-year extension with Alfa Romeo to race with the Sauber-works team for a third-straight year. F1’s worldwide popularity boom has not diverted past China – and next spring we will see the full impact of Zhou’s spot on the grid. “It’s the dream fulfilled – the first Chinese driver in F1, it’s a huge thing for a massive country like us,” Zhou tells The Independent. “So many more Chinese fans are engaged in F1 compared to the past, obviously me getting into the sport means more people follow the races. “The pressure started two to three years ago, so it’s no longer a surprise. I’ve been through that period. I’m fine with the pressure. Now, it’s all about having a good example to set and inspire younger generations.” That pressure, both from the fanbase and within the paddock itself, is inescapable. Just ask Nyck de Vries: a Formula 2 and Formula E champion, he was ruthlessly axed from his AlphaTauri seat in July after just 10 races. For all the riches of the globe-trotting spectacle, F1 remains undeniably cut-throat. Yet you won’t see Zhou having too much sympathy. “There’s a lot of pressure in Formula 1,” he states. “Only winners stay in this sport. If you can’t perform, if you’re outperformed by others, you’re going to lose the seat. That’s the reality. It’s the way everyone lives. The pressure is there, you don’t have a lot of time and you’ve really got to get on with it. “If you can’t do that, then you won’t stay here for long.” Zhou’s performances behind the wheel of a struggling Alfa car this year – languishing ninth in the Constructors’ Standings no less – have clearly impressed enough for a third bite at the cherry. Four points from 14 races would, typically, be a topic of major concern. Yet with experienced team-mate Bottas only two points up the standings, it is difficult to place too much blame on the drivers in the cockpit. With Audi’s takeover looming large for 2026, work is hurriedly being done in the background. “The results have been difficult to take,” he says. “We didn’t expect Aston Martin and McLaren to be so fast this year. It basically means we are fighting for two positions every week. My total points don’t show how much I’ve improved as a driver. I made some mistakes last year, but this year it’s more about the car.” Zhou’s assuredness stems from a childhood of contrasts: his formative years spent in the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, followed by time as a teenager in the Steel City. Learning a new language and new culture, he went by the name of Steven at Westbourne School in Sheffield. “The culture and language are obviously completely different,” he says. “The education system too…” He pauses. He reflects on memories which quickened his acclimatisation process. “While in Sheffield, I really enjoyed playing pool. Not snooker, that’s more difficult! But also I was very surprised at how many Chinese people were going to university in Sheffield and at how many shops and restaurants there are. It’s quite far from London but you don’t feel like you’re too far out! Everyone was very laid back.” His ascension to F1 came as something of a surprise. Three seasons spent with the Alpine Academy in F2 – with a 2021 finish of third his best showing – saw Alfa come calling. He scored a point on his F1 debut in Bahrain last March. His start was impressive. But then came Silverstone. “It definitely set me back,” Zhou says now, recalling the time his Alfa spun upside-down towards a barrier at the start of the British Grand Prix. Miraculous images with a miraculous outcome: Zhou barely had a graze on him. “It happens. I recovered quite quickly mentally. It was just a shame because I had some very good momentum, I’d twice been in Q3, but I had to have a recharge afterwards. It wasn’t too bad.” Zhou is not one to reminisce too much. Everything is possible for the Chinese driver with a slice of Sheffield inside him. Audi’s arrival in less than three years is “still so far away.” However, he does admit: “Hopefully I can stay when Audi come.” But that’s in the distant future. For now, it’s on to this weekend and the twists and turns of Marina Bay. Read More Alfa Romeo confirm driver line-up for 2024 F1 season Max Verstappen breaks new ground with record victory at Italian Grand Prix Max Verstappen tells Toto Wolff to focus on Mercedes after snipe Hamilton labels Marko’s comments about Perez ‘completely unacceptable’ Sebastian Vettel refuses to rule out return to Formula 1

GATLINBURG, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 12, 2023--

Looking for binge-worthy LGBTQ TV shows to watch this Pride? Or perhaps something awesome on

Pamela Anderson has revealed why she didn’t wear any makeup while attending Paris Fashion Week. The actor, 56, spoke candidly about the decision during a recent video interview with Vogue France, filmed while she was getting ready for the Vivienne Westwood show during fashion week. As she was moisturising her face and looking at the camera, she said that while she didn’t plan on attending the show without makeup, she had a change of heart when putting on her outfits during the week. “I didn’t come to Paris Fashion Week and think: ‘I’m not going to wear any makeup,’” she said. “I don’t know, something just kind of came over me. And I was just dressing in these beautiful clothes, and I thought: ‘I don’t want to compete with the clothes.’ I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.” The Baywatch alum continued to describe how she felt when she didn’t wear makeup to fashion events, adding: “I feel like it’s just a freedom. It’s like a relief.” The Vogue France video continued with Anderson wearing her outfit to Westwood’s show – a brown dress with a large matching hat – while noting that she “doesn’t have a stylist” for these events. “I don’t have a glam team,” she said. “I’m just kind of doing this freestyle.” She went on to document her laid-back process of getting ready, noting that it was “almost noon and the show’s at 1pm”. “I let my hair dry naturally, and I just put on some moisturiser because I am not into the makeup look right now,” she said, before recalling how her mother once told her that “at some point” in life, she’s not going to want to “wear makeup on [her] skin”. After noting that her mother “was right,” Anderson explained how she’s continued to “challenge” the meaning of beauty by choosing not to wear makeup. “If we all chase youth or we’re chasing our idea of what beauty is in fashion magazines and everything, we’re only going to be disappointed and maybe a little bit sad,” she said. She also confessed that she’s sometimes worried about going makeup-free to events. However, Anderson said that during those times of concern, she’s asked herself: “What am I worried about? Am I worried about what people think, how I look?” She then shared the reminder that she gives herself when she doesn’t wear makeup, explaining: “This is the time for me to kind of be, again, probably a little rebellious.” Anderson then acknowledged that, throughout her years in the spotlight, she’s been encouraged to set an example of what beauty means, which is another reason why she doesn’t wear makeup. She also expressed that she’s grateful for the different opportunities she’s had in life, before emphasising that she’s “comfortable” with who she is. “I also feel as a woman, and as a woman my age and a woman in the public eye, I just kind of think: ‘It’s also your job to be a model of everything, all sorts of choices,’” she said. “So I am just being me. You know, my kind of who I am in, all of these great clothes, running around Paris. So I’m very lucky.” The model concluded: “I think I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my own skin. It’s what’s inside the clothes that counts, and I think beauty comes from within. And I know it sounds cliché, but I love clichés.” Earlier this week, Anderson also made headlines when Jamie Lee Curtis first applauded her for not wearing any makeup, while making an appearance at fashion week. “THE NATURAL BEAUTY REVOLUTION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN! @pamelaanderson in the middle of fashion week with so many pressures and postures, and and and, this woman showed up and claimed her seat at the table with nothing on her face,” the Freaky Friday star wrote on Instagram, along with a snap of Anderson in a yellow dress. “I am so impressed and floored by this act of courage and rebellion.” In the comments of the post, many famous faces also went on to praise Anderson, with Chelsea Handler writing: “That’s pretty iconic.” Selma Blair also added: “Love this. Beautiful self-assuredness.” Last month, Anderson confessed to Elle that, after her makeup artist, Alexis Vogel, tragically passed away from breast cancer, she started going makeup-free to most events. “She was the best. And since then, I just felt, without Alexis, it’s just better for me not to wear makeup,” she explained. However, Anderson also doubled down on how the makeup-free look has been “freeing, and fun, and a little rebellious too”, adding: “Because I did notice that there were all these people doing big makeup looks, and it’s just like me to go against the grain and do the opposite what everyone’s doing.” The model went on to note that as she’s continued to age, she’s still happy with how her physical appearance has changed in the process. “I think we all start looking a little funny when we get older. And I’m kind of laughing at myself when I look at the mirror. I go: ‘Wow, this is really...what’s happening to me?’ It’s a journey,’” she said. “I feel rooted for. I feel good. I’m in a good place.” Read More Jamie Lee Curtis applauds Pamela Anderson for going makeup free at Paris Fashion Week Pamela Anderson reveals why she plans to sell ‘all’ her old clothes – including iconic Baywatch swimsuit Pamela Anderson shares heartbreaking reason she’s ditching makeup Jamie Lee Curtis applauds Pamela Anderson for going makeup free at Paris Fashion Week Millennials explain to Gen-Z how to rock ballet flats Crocs announces the launch of new cowboy boots to mixed reactions

Disco Queen Alison Goldfrapp says the reason behind her vintage wardrobe is that it's hard to get designers to lend her clothes.

The more you talk to a toddler, the more it helps their brains to develop in early childhood, a study has found. Researchers discovered that two-and-a-half-year-olds who heard more speech in everyday life had more myelin in language-related areas of their brains. Myelin is a material produced by the body that forms around nerves, including those in the brain, that allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently. Scientists from the University of East Anglia said their findings demonstrate how speaking to toddlers can shape their developing brains. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, involved 163 babies and toddlers being given small recording devices to wear for three days. Researchers analysed just over 6,000 hours of language data in total, including words spoken by the children and speech from adults. When the children were asleep, they were carefully placed in an MRI scanner to measure myelin in their brains. The researchers found that toddlers who heard more speech everyday had more myelin, which they said is “likely to support more sophisticated language processing”. Lead researcher Prof John Spencer, from UEA’s School of Psychology, said: “We know that children’s brains develop very rapidly in the first two years of life, with brain volume at about 80 per cent that of an adult brain by the age of two. “Myelin is made up of protein and fatty substances and forms an insulating layer around nerves in the brain.” He added: “Imagine you have a hosepipe with lots of holes in it. “Myelin is like wrapping the hosepipe with duct tape – it insulates neural fibres, bringing more of the ‘signal’ from one brain area to the next.” The researchers said their study is one of the first to show that listening to speech is associated with brain structure early in development. Prof Spencer said: “Prior work showed a similar association in four to six-year-olds, but our findings push this association much earlier in development. Indeed, we even found associations between language input and brain structure in six-month-old infants.” He added: “Although there is still much more to learn about these processes, the message to caregivers is clear – talk to your baby, your toddler, your child. “Not only are they listening, but your language input is literally shaping their brains.” Additional reporting by PA Read More Rihanna and A$AP Rocky celebrate son’s first birthday ‘I don’t get angry’: Pierce Brosnan says meditation is key to managing anger TikTok Tattoogate: How a tattoo artist sparked backlash for ‘absurd’ pricing and design changes Dean Gaffney says I’m A Celebrity ‘saved his life’ after bowel cancer scare Talented boxer reveals first sign of brain tumour after collapsing at service station GB News in ‘significant breach’ of Ofcom rules over Covid vaccine claims