Ever wondered why people say they can smell rain before it rains? They are not pulling your leg - there is real science behind it. It is all because of petrichor, made up from the Greek words "petra", meaning stone, and '"ichor", which refers to the golden fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in their mythology. It basically means the the "smell of rain" with the phrase coined by Australian scientists Joy Bear and Richard Thomas in 1964. Jeff Weber, a meteorologist with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Unidata Program Center told the Mirror: "Petrichor is caused by oils derived from plants, primarily leaves, that accumulate over dry periods. These oils settle into soils or onto pavement over time and are released into the atmosphere by being disturbed by rainfall." According to the Met Office, the reason people claim to smell rain because it comes is because "when a higher humidity is experienced as a precursor to rain, the pores of rocks and soil become trapped with moisture forcing some of the oils to be released into the air". Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Despite some being released before it actually rains, the strongest smell is released during. This is when raindrops landing on soil "trap tiny air bubbles on the surface which then shoot upward" and "burst out of the drop throwing aerosols of scent into the air where they are then distributed by the wind". The smell is produced by a soil bacteria which releases a chemical called geosmin, which provides an "earthy", musky or fresh aroma. Before it rains, a person might be able to smell the scent of ozone, or O3, which is a naturally present gas in the atmosphere which gets its name from the Greek word 'ozein', or smell. It sometimes indicate that a storm is on the way because pockets of gas are pushed down to ground level by winds. This means that those who are sensitive to the smells will likely be able to pick them up. So now you know. 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.

A world in which robots and humans have a strained relationship, a mysterious murder, and

Israel’s military said it made a limited ground raid into northern Gaza with infantry and tanks, before withdrawing,

His shoes have been worn by everyone from Diana, Princess of Wales, to Beyoncé, but legendary designer Jimmy Choo said his greatest achievement is setting up his own fashion school. Professor Choo – as he’s known to his students – set up the JCA London Fashion Academy in September 2021, calling it his “dream”. “I feel very proud – I know my dream has come true,” he told the PA news agency ahead of the masters students presenting their final collections. “My father said to me: whatever you learn, put it back to the industry. So we are lucky we have the JCA – I can put all my spirit and my knowledge, [and] give back to the students.” Before becoming a professor, Choo, 74, made his name with glamorous high-fashion footwear. After moving from his native Malaysia to study in the UK, he set up his eponymous brand in 1996 – designing heels for Diana, as well as being worn on red carpets all over the world and getting a nod in an episode of Sex And The City (when Sarah Jessica Parker’s fashion-obsessed character Carrie Bradshaw famously laments: “I lost my Choo!”) He’s delighted with the JCA Academy, but in a nod to his glittering career, Choo added: “I’ve had a lot of proud moments, from personally designing shoes for Princess Diana and other incredible VIPs [to] seeing emerging designers that I’ve mentored succeeding in their careers.” And while he’s an industry veteran, Choo said he’s still constantly learning. “The best piece of advice I received was to learn as much as possible,” he said, which is particularly important in the fashion industry where “everything changes”. He said: “The material, design, machinery, fabric – everything changes. So you have to adapt. Whatever you do, you must learn something.” Sustainability is one of the biggest areas of change in the fashion industry. “Now people [are] talking about sustainability – how to help the environment and that kind of thing,” Choo explained. “Everyone has to think about the future of the earth – if you spend so much and waste so many things, nature will be in trouble and so will we.” He looks to his students for inspiration, who “never fail to amaze me”. “Sophie Park was one of our footwear designers who made shoes out of plant-based materials such as cacti, pineapple and leaves. Olivia Black and Polly McKevitt both have collections made out of deadstock and materials that would have otherwise been discarded.” Choo enjoys working with young people because “they will listen to you”, and added: “They’re also very down to earth, willing to learn – that’s very important.” In turn, Choo emphasises to his students the importance of asking questions. “You have to ask why,” he said, giving the example of making a suit that doesn’t fit right and questioning why you can’t button the jacket up. “Because you’ve cut the pattern wrong, so your button cannot close. [With] only one inch, you made the whole thing difficult. The key to success, according to Choo, is collaboration – something which isn’t necessarily the norm in the highly competitive fashion industry. At the JCA, he said he never wants anyone to think they’re “better than you, [or] you’re better than me”, he said. “If you’re better than anyone we should share their ideas and the whole thing benefits. We cannot be selfish.” It’s something he suggests is missing from the wider fashion industry. “Of course it’s important to own your ideas, but creativity flourishes when you can bounce ideas off other people. I think it’s important to have a network of people that you can speak openly with in the interest of improving and sparking creativity.” Among all the good advice propelling Choo’s career to the stratosphere, what was the worst he ever got? “Maybe it’s when someone told me I should retire.” Read More The grown-up guide to getting ‘balletcore’ right From tradwife dresses to racist polo shirts: What happens when your clothes become political weapons? Birkenstock or bust: How a deeply uncool shoe became a modern must-have This is shoe designer Jimmy Choo’s proudest achievement See Madonna’s extravagant tour outfits – including an updated cone bra Birkenstock or bust: How a deeply uncool shoe became a modern must-have

This month marks the start of the autumn/winter fashion season and it’s also Second Hand September, Oxfam’s annual event encouraging consumers to avoid buying new items for 30 days. You don’t have to go rummaging through charity shops or car boot sales if you want to refresh your wardrobe for autumn or stock up on basics – there’s now a swathe of amazing sites that let you shop for pre-loved clothes from the comfort of your own home. By saying no to new, you can help prevent good quality garments from going to landfill and save money when you bag a bargain for a fraction of what it would have cost originally – and you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pre-owned clothes shopping online. From resale platforms where users list their unwanted or unworn garments to vintage and designer-focused e-commerce retailers, here’s our pick of the best secondhand fashion sites… Vinted A peer-to-peer marketplace with a community of 75 million across the world, Vinted lets you buy direct from other users. The site has become so popular you might find the sheer array of products overwhelming at first. The key is to filter as much as possible. Try narrowing search results down by ticking the brands you usually buy on the high street (and avoiding the ones you don’t like), then sorting by price to find the cheapest options. Depop Hugely popular with Gen Z fashion obsessives, Depop is the go-to site for current trends, upcycled pieces and the latest vintage finds. Listings show how long ago an item was uploaded, so if it’s been on the site for a while you can try offering a lower price to the seller. Facebook Marketplace Connecting buyers and sellers in the same area, Facebook Marketplace is often the go-to site for people looking to clear out an overstuffed wardrobe or get rid of clothes when moving house. You just need a Facebook account to log in. Payment is completed via Messenger and you can arrange local pick-up or delivery (if the user offers that option). As well as individual items, look out for sellers offloading bundles of clothing in one size. eBay Having partnered with Love Island and appointed two former islanders as pre-loved ambassadors, online shopping behemoth eBay wants to be known as a leader in sustainable fashion. To simplify secondhand clothes shopping, the site now has a dedicated pre-loved fashion hub, where you can find items grouped by brand, trend, season, occasion, and more. ASOS Marketplace Focusing on the latest looks, ASOS Marketplace hosts independent brands and vintage boutiques – so make sure to tick the ‘vintage’ option under ‘condition’ when browsing for secondhand items. Charity shop sites While it’s great to support your local charity shops, you can also find some brilliant bargains and hand-picked premium pieces on charities’ online stores. Oxfam and Shelter have dedicated sites, while British Heart Foundation and British Red Cross have eBay shops. Vintage retailers If you’re lacking any decent vintage boutiques near you, don’t worry, because some of the biggest names in the game have online stores packed with gems from days gone by. Check out well-known brands like Beyond Retro and Rokit for retro threads dating as far back as the 1940s. Designer resale sites In the last few years, a crop of slick websites has popped up to serve shoppers hunting for secondhand luxury fashion. Head to sites such as Vestiaire Collective, Sellier, Lampoo and The Cirkel for designer clothes and accessories from brands like Burberry, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi and many more. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What are gynaecological cancers and how can you prevent them? Alzheimer’s: How and when to talk to someone about their memory loss As Simon Cowell shares positive therapy experience, how can it help even if you aren’t in crisis?

Sam Neill has been warned by doctors that his cancer treatment drug will stop working at some point, the actor said as he provided a health update months after revealing that he had been diagnosed with stage-three blood cancer. Earlier this year, the Jurassic Park star released his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This?, in which he revealed that he was being treated for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. At the time, Neill shared that he had originally undergone chemotherapy, but that the cancer had soon stopped responding. He then went onto an experimental anti-cancer drug. In a new interview, Neill, 76, shared that he’d upped his dosage of the “grim and depressing” drug from once a month to every two weeks. However, he said, he has now been in remission for 12 months. Neill told ABC’s Australian Story that while he would be on the treatment indefinitely, doctors have told him that, at some point, it will stop working. “I’m prepared for that,” he said, adding that he is “not remotely afraid” of death. The Piano star said that he had first found lumps in his neck in early 2022, and soon learnt that he had cancer. “I started to look at my life and realise how immensely grateful I am for so much of it,” Neill said. “I started to think I better write some of this down because I’m not sure how long I have to live. I was running against the clock." First sharing his cancer diagnosis in March, the New Zealand actor – who is best known for playing palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise – said that dying would “annoy” him. “I’d really like another decade or two, you know?” he said. “We’ve built all these lovely terraces, we’ve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And I’ve got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big. But as for the dying? I couldn’t care less.” In an interview with The Independent earlier this year, however, Neill threw out the idea of retiring. “The idea of giving up my day job? Intolerable!” he said. “I love acting. It’s really good for me to keep walking onto new sets with young actors and all that stimulation. New words, new ideas, there’s nothing like it. I never want to give that up. The idea of retirement, of having to play golf, fills me with untold dread,” he said. Read More Sam Neill says Robin Williams was ‘the loneliest man on a lonely planet’ Amy Dowden delights Strictly Come Dancing fans in surprise appearance amid breast cancer treatment Richard E Grant says there are friends he’ll ‘never speak to again’ after death of wife Joan 4 black women on their experiences with breast cancer Ed Gamble says he used to weigh himself every day amid ‘obsessive’ weight loss Some people are born with a ‘talent for happiness’ – so what’s their secret?

There’s something special about festival fashion. It gives you a license to get a little wild, a little weird, and get out of your comfort zone with over-the-top maximalist fashion that might feel a little, well, over-the-top for day-to-day life. There’s something freeing about wearing things like bikinis as tops and sequins in the daytime, and having it not only be accepted as the norm but celebrated. There’s also a liberating aspect of rejecting the societal strictures of what we “should” and “shouldn’t” wear, especially when it comes to size — I saw more plus babes in crop tops this Governor’s Ball than I have in ages, and they all looked amazing.

A woman has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly abandoning her dog at a Pennsylvania airport before boarding a flight to a resort in Mexico. Allison Gaiser, 44, allegedly ditched her brown-and-white male French bulldog at Pittsburgh International Airport on 4 August after she was denied boarding by the airline because it did not meet the criteria for an emotional support animal, the Allegheny county police said on Thursday. She also did not have a proper kennel required to bring the animal onto a flight, the authorities said. After leaving the ticket counter, Ms Gaiser was seen on surveillance cameras pushing the dog in the stroller back toward a moving walkway enclosure, next to glass exit doors in the airport's short-term parking lot. She later moved to an area where a county police officer found the dog unattended in the stroller about 40 minutes later at around 5.03am, authorities said. The dog, which was licensed and had an identification microchip, was found unharmed and turned over to an animal care facility. He was later sent to a foster home and is doing well, the police said. Authorities were waiting for Ms Gaiser when she returned to the airport about 12.30am on 10 August. She admitted leaving the dog behind because the airline wouldn't allow it on the plane but claimed to have made arrangements with her mother to pick up the animal at the airport, according to the Associated Press. She allowed the police to review text messages between her and her mother, but authorities said it was apparent that no immediate arrangement was made for Ms Gaiser's mother to pick up the dog. The mother said she only found out about the incident when Ms Gaiser's ex-husband shared a news story about the dog being left at the airport. Ms Gaiser has been charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, summary violations of animal cruelty, animal neglect and abandonment of animals by owner. Her initial court hearing is scheduled for 16 October. "There are many pets still looking for a home, and we would encourage anyone interested in adoption to reach out to Animal Friends at 412-847-7000," the police department said on Facebook. Read More Dog owner documents rescued maltese’s ‘journey to walking again’ after she was suddenly paralysed Dogs being killed, poisoned, beaten and mutilated on massive scale, says RSPCA Britney Spears called out by PETA over her alleged decision to buy new puppy instead of rescue

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 5, 2023--

TikTok trends are often as random as they come and one current obsession on the video app revolves around a rather delicious-looking cinnamon roll. The roll, which contains a heavy serving of cream, was actually created by chef @marleysrose back in May 2022 but has since gone viral again and the recipe has now been viewed more than one million times. This is hardly the first time a cinnamon roll has gone viral on TikTok but this heavily cream-drenched version is the one currently doing the rounds. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter If you are wondering why there is so much cream it's because it makes the dough less dry compared to the traditional icing topping that usually accompanies the dessert. That being said, less of the technical stuff and let's just find out how to make them. @marleysrose Cinnamon Roll hack with heavy whipping cream #cinnamonrolls #cinnamonrollhack #breakfast #brunch Obviously, you'll need a few things to start with such as a baking tray, an oven and all the necessary ingredients. Recipe: Put your pre-made cinnamon rolls in a baking dish. Then pour half a cup of whipping cream on top of the rolls. Put the rolls and the cream for the amount of time that it says on the packet. Once ready top with the icing of your choice. And that's it. Bon appetite and enjoy. 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.

Lululemon Athletica Inc. jumped after posting better-than-expected profit and sales in the first quarter and projecting full-year results

Delta Air Lines Inc. says some of its aircraft have been flown with engines using improperly documented components,