A California peace activist who has worked to remove land mines from war-torn regions and replace them with grape vines, fruit trees and vegetables has been named the 2023 World Food Prize laureate

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The first teaser for Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon left us speechless with

Ever find yourself awake, staring into space at four in the morning? Is it just a bad habit, or is there something more sinister going on? And why does it always seem to happen at 4am? “We start to experience less deep sleep after around four to five hours,” says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, who have partnered with Simba mattresses. And once we’re in that lighter sleep faze, we wake much more easily. If you generally fall asleep around 11pm – which is a very common bedtime, 4am wake-ups are more likely. And there are many factors leading to these inconvenient stirrings. Hormones “Sleep is guided by our internal clock or circadian rhythm. One of the most significant and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle,” Artis continues. “Sleep is regulated by the levels of two hormones: melatonin and cortisol, which follow a regular 24-hour pattern. Melatonin assists you in dozing off, while cortisol helps get you up, and keeps you awake,” she explains. Keeping an eye on your hormones is important in preventing those late-night wake-ups. “Engage in calming activities before bedtime, such as reading, listening to soothing music, or practising relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation,” says Dr Mariyam H. Malik, GP at Pall Mall Medical. Equally, pop your phone down for a bit. “Blue light from electronic devices can suppress melatonin production. Try to avoid screens for at least two hours before bedtime, or use blue light filters. It is best to charge them in a separate room overnight,” Malik adds. Diet Caffeine, heavy meals, alcohol, sugar, and a lack of magnesium or B vitamins could lead you to have a more disturbed night’s sleep, according to Malik. Sugar and carbohydrates may have a particular impact. “A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause blood sugar fluctuations, leading to wakefulness during the night,” she says. “It’s unlikely you’ll feel hungry in the middle of the night if your blood sugar dips,” notes Artis, “but to reduce ungodly hour awakenings, trial alternatives for your last meal or snack of the evening. Instead of carb or sweet-based snacks, opt for protein-packed and magnesium-rich foods, like hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, pumpkin seeds, spinach, dark chocolate, cashews, chicken thighs or turkey.” Protein can take the edge off your night-time hunger, she says, while magnesium is known to support sleep. Needing a wee Do you wake up needing to wee at the same time every night? “Try not to drink excessive amounts of fluids before bedtime,” advises Malik. “It’s important to stay hydrated, but try not to drink anything for around two hours before your usual bedtime. Go to the toilet before you go to bed to empty your bladder. ” Age and life stage “Sleep tends to become more disrupted as people get older,” Malik explains. “Sleep patterns change with age, and various factors can contribute to sleep disturbances in older adults. Some common reasons for sleep disruption in the elderly include changes in your circadian rhythm, decreased melatonin production, medical conditions or medications, and potential sleep disorders.” It can also affect women during the perimenopause. “The reproductive hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – are entwined with the sleep and relaxation hormones, melatonin and serotonin,” says Artis. “When oestrogen begins to fall before and during menopause, it can create a disturbance in the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, meaning it can’t properly balance out cortisol. When this happens, the ability to fall and stay asleep is affected.” Recurring hot flushes, night sweats, dry skin, and low libido can signal waning oestrogen. Artis advises incorporating foods with high levels of phytoestrogens into your diet throughout the day to help with this. “Phytoestrogens imitate the natural estrogens found in your body. As a consequence, they can bind to your body’s oestrogen receptors and produce similar effects.” Try lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, tofu, edamame, spinach, cauliflower and broccoli. Worrying Stress is not good for sleep. One study by Bupa even found that 32 million Brits wake up worrying about their health at precisely 4:05 am. The report, which surveyed 4,000 British adults, revealed that more than three-fifths of us wake up in the middle of the night. If you are finding yourself awake at all hours worrying, or waking up with stressful dreams, there are a few things that may help. “Keep a journal by your bedside and write down your worries before going to bed. This practice can help get your concerns out of your mind and onto paper, making it easier to let go of them temporarily,” says Malik. You may also want to “engage in mindfulness or meditation exercises before bedtime. Mindfulness can help you focus on the present moment, reducing anxiety about the past or the future.” Read More Men have a problem – and it won’t be solved by either Andrew Tate or Caitlin Moran Elon Musk reacts to ex-wife Talulah Riley’s engagement to Thomas Brodie-Sangster Thomas Brodie-Sangster references Love Actually in sweet engagement announcement with Talulah Riley Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Tuesday night was a star-studded event, with Taylor Swift, American rapper Megan Thee Stallion and Shakira all in attendance. It took place at the Prudential Center in Newark and was hosted – for the second year in a row – by American rapper Nicki Minaj, who was also nominated for six awards, including video of the year and artist of the year. Here’s what the stars wore on the red carpet and onstage… American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift made a grand entrance onto the pink carpet in a sultry black Atelier Versace halter neck gown, with gold button detailing and a high slit. The 33-year-old styled it with a variety of necklaces and black barely-there stiletto heels, and swept the VMAs in nine categories, including her single Anti-Hero winning her the song of the year award. Clombian superstar Shakira wore the thigh-high trend too as she picked up the video vanguard award and gave a electrifying performance. Her flowy chrome blue Versace gown, which included the Italian luxury brand’s signature safety pins, really turned heads. She paired it with gold heels. Elsewhere underwear as outerwear seemed to be the theme of the night. Nicki Minaj wore a baby pink Dolce & Gabbana lingerie gown, finished off with a mermaid skirt. Underneath the lace detailing, was a satin strapless body suit. The 40-year-old finished off the look with a short veil in the same colour. American singer and actor Sabrina Carpenter wore a bright white strappy tulle diaphanous dress, over a silver embellished bralette. The 24-year-old who performed her songs Feather and Nonsense at the VMAs pre-show, paired her look with gold peep toe platform heels and a dainty necklace. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion wore a black custom made boned sheer corset fitted gown by designer Brandon Blackwood, who used two layers of bobbinet and silk grosgain, so it could appear as second skin. She paired the look with a diamond chocker necklace, matching bracelet and studs, to complete the look. While Sean “Diddy” Combs who accepted the Global Icon Award at the VMAs, took the audience back in time with a melody of hits, including I’ll Be Missing You and Bad Boy for Life. Dressed in red from head to toe, the 53-year-old rapper and business mogul wore a shiny three piece outfit, which used straps for detailing. He paired it with matching red trainers. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was the first superstar fashion designer, says curator of V&A exhibition 6 times Kate has worn London Fashion Week designers Pro-gamer Jukeyz ‘died for two minutes’ after cardiac arrest which left him ‘scared to sleep’

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With two of the most highly anticipated film releases happening on the same day, film lovers are gearing up for a trip to the cinema to see the double feature of Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. When people found out that the two movies were both to be released on July 21, the internet had a field day creating plenty of memes about how they are opposite to one another, with Barbie's hot pink aesthetic, compared to Oppenheimer's dark black look in the marketing and posters. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Now there's a new dating term that has been coined from all this, called the ‘Barbenheimer effect'. So what is the Barbenheimer Effect? Well, apparently it's a modern dating approach favouring partnerships with polar opposites. Instead of going after your usual ‘type’, you value how contrasting personality traits and lifestyles can create a stronger coupling promoting growth and self-discovery. Key pillars of the Barbenheimer Effect: Opposites Attract The 'Barbenheimer effect' highlights the captivating magnetism that occurs when two individuals with contrasting personalities, interests, or backgrounds connect. It celebrates the idea that diverse traits can complement and enrich a relationship. Empowerment and Self-Discovery The 'Barbenheimer effect' encourages individuals to embrace their uniqueness and explore relationships outside their comfort zones. It promotes personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of genuine connections that transcend societal expectations. Power Couples The 'Barbenheimer effect' redefines the concept of 'power couples', emphasising that power is not solely derived from professional achievements or financial success. Instead, the power lies in the mutual exploration and education of one another’s life experiences, hobbies, and cultures to elevate your identity and become more versatile. Bye to Barbie & Ken While the idealised Barbie and Ken relationship aesthetic may seem desirable at first glance, many individuals yearn for something more authentic and fulfilling. The 'Barbenheimer' trend offers a refreshing alternative, celebrating the beauty found in the diversity of human connection. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Hollywood studios and the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union will resume negotiations on Tuesday, more than a week after suspending

With energy prices rising and summer heat looming, it’s a good time to make sure your home is running as efficiently as possible