George Russell said he has has banned himself from using social media and reading the news because it does not bring him any positivity. The Mercedes driver has a combined following of nearly seven million on X and Instagram. But Russell, 25, who was involved in a first-corner collision with team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the last round in Qatar, says he has stepped back from using the platforms. Speaking to the PA news agency, Russell said: “I stopped using Twitter (‘X’) about six months ago. “I work with a social team and everything that is posted is in my own words and is signed off through me. I want to stay connected with the fans. But I don’t use the app and I have started to do the same with Instagram. “I respect that everyone has an opinion. But I don’t need to read the praise because that doesn’t bring me anything, and I don’t need to see the negative comments because that doesn’t bring me anything either. “But when I stopped using Twitter (‘X’), whenever I was on my phone I was on Instagram, and when I stopped using Instagram, I thought I needed to look at something so I started to read the news. But every headline was negative. “Other than being informed about what is going on in the world, reading negative headlines one after another didn’t bring anything to me, so now I am totally off social media.” Russell heads into the final five rounds of the campaign eighth in the standings, 62 points and five places adrift of Hamilton. “It all stemmed after the the summer break when I didn’t use my phone at all,” added Russell, who will line up from fifth on the grid for his 100th race in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. “During that period when I had my family and friends around me I had an average screen time of 15 minutes. In a normal week I have an average screen time of three hours. “I saw a post that said ‘if you use your phone on average for four hours a day, by the time you die you will have spent 15 years looking at your phone’. “And when I read that, I was like, ‘Jesus I could spend 15 years of my life on my phone.’ I can do something wiser than scrolling through Instagram memes.”

The true beauty of Halloween is just how many ways one can celebrate, especially as an adult. You can pass out candy, or you can drunkenly pass out in your best Barbie costume at your friend’s annual monster bash. Even Halloween decor presents a kind of choose-your-own spooky adventure. They drastically vary in eeriness, cheeriness, and overall appearance. To help cover all your Halloween 2023 needs, we corralled a slew of spooktacular decor of all kinds that scream “This is Halloween!” in the spirit of Jack Skellington. We’re talking pitch-black witchy candles, Stranger Things merch for pop culture lovers, chic spiderweb cheeseboards for those who like to go all out in style, and more. Plus, we threw in a few utterly cute gems for those of us who diverge from the chilling ghostly norms. Trick-or-treat your way through the following best Halloween decorations — they’re worthy of a spot on your mantle, wall, front porch, and anywhere your Halloween-lovin’ heart desires.

There's a lot that's wrong with The Idol. HBO's latest Sunday slot, co-created by Sam

In 2023, Canada saw some of the worst forest fires ever recorded, burning a total

The internet, social media, and smartphones have added stress to our lives, so it’s only

And how does a range fit into all this?

TL;DR: As of June 11, you can get the Complete 2023 Cybersecurity Developer and IT

Singapore luxury casino Marina Bay Sands said an unauthorized third party accessed its customer data of about 665,000

In a nutshell: Around the corner from London’s Drury Lane, Hotel Amano in Covent Garden offers a pre-theatre sophistication with an encore of late-night decadence. Its location is hard to beat if you’re a culture vulture, with the West End and all the entertainment, shopping, drinking and dining it has to offer right on your doorstep. The neighbourhood Hotel Amano Covent Garden is tucked right behind the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which means you’re also a stone’s throw from some of London’s cultural and historical heavyweights. Take a stroll along Embankment before ducking into Somerset House or the Courtauld to admire the latest art exhibitions. From there you can check out the Strand on your way to Trafalgar Square, taking your pick of any number of afternoon teas at the Ritz, the Savoy, the Langham or the Dorchester. Work up an appetite before an evening of dinner and the theatre with a walk around Hyde Park, perhaps stopping to admire Buckingham Palace on your way back. The vibe Despite being smack bang in the heart of London’s flashy, bustling West End, the Amano’s facade is surprisingly dignified. Without the guests walking in and out with their luggage, you could confuse the interior with the entrance of some ultra-exclusive spa. Impressive, yes, but it also feels as though designers Woods Bagot missed a trick, particularly given the hotel’s restaurant, Penelope, is based around the vibrant Israeli-Spanish heritage of Amano co-founder Ariel Schiff. Instead, rooms are business-like and modern, all grey walls and grey felt headboards, with dark wood accents and gold fixtures, along with unremarkable prints of moody women on the walls. For an extra injection of glitz, in the Goldy rooms you’re also treated to a freestanding gold bathtub; bath salts and oils are provided (though some bubble bath wouldn’t go amiss). The rooftop terrace and restaurant are more of the same – classy and elegant, yes, but somewhat lacking in character and originality. Service is mixed. While the reception desk is warm, helpful and efficient, the rooftop staff take some time to attend to a drink spillage, after not one but two requests for napkins. Yet the restaurant team are a delight, with maître d’ Paolo a warm and effusive personality who makes the experience of dining at Penelope feel like you’re visiting a friend’s home. Bed and bath The Hotel Amano has 141 rooms, including its five Goldy suites. Sizes range from “Cosy” to “Roomy Plus” – the former is certainly compact, but still comes with a queensize bed. All the other rooms, from “Comfy” to “Roomy”, have a king bed, coffee and tea station, and plenty of smart storage space. Bathrooms are kitted out with full-size toiletries, including a delightful exfoliating handwash from German brand Daluma. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the corner-set Goldy bedrooms are impressive, sure, but you have to edge around the bathtub in order to close the curtains (the window isn’t made from privacy glass, so unless you’re planning on flashing the cast of Frozen, we’d advise on doing so). Food and drink Penelope has potential to become the crown jewel of the Amano Covent Garden, perhaps after a touch of fine-tuning. Here, the dark and moody decor contributes to the decadent atmosphere set by much of the menu, put together by Shimon Peretz, head chef at Amano’s Mani restaurant in Berlin, and Penelope’s executive chef Fezile Ozalgan, formerly of Barboun, Shoreditch. Start with a pre-dinner cocktail – the intriguing Psichee with tequila, mezcal and squid ink, or the smoky, spicy Pasión de Malaga – before perusing the restaurant’s excellent wine selection. The small plates are a little hit and miss, but winners include the tuna ceviche and rough taboon bread served with green harissa, spicy yogurt and whipped cod’s roe. The main dishes of chicken shawarma with mujaddara and the hake with haricot beans are remarkably salty, which is a shame as both (small) portions are well-cooked. At £25 and £32 a pop, you’d expect a slightly more generous serving. We’re won over by the sinfully rich baklava cheesecake, with its crisp pastry soaked in honey syrup and generous scattering of pistachios. You can find more cheesecake on the rooftop bar menu, along with Israel-style meze, snacks, and mains including a Hereford sirloin, whole seabass and paella. The compact but inventive cocktail list, along with extensive wines, champagne and digestifs, is also available, while the staff are happy to whip up an off-menu (but classic) espresso martini. Breakfast is served in the same space as Penelope, with either a classic continental spread of pastries, breads, fresh fruit, yogurt and cheeses, or hot options including a brilliantly spicy shakshuka (a single egg, as opposed to the plural baked “eggs” advertised on the menu), buttermilk pancakes with figs and orange cream, or smashed avocado and poached eggs. Public areas If you’re looking for a hotel with built-in entertainment, you’re likely to be disappointed. The Amano Covent Garden doesn’t offer amenities outside of the rooftop bar and restaurant, so you’re out of luck if you prefer your hotels to include a spa or gym. But, with so much of London’s best bits on offer within walking distance, it’s hard to imagine you’d feel bored during your stay. Nuts and bolts Room count: 141 rooms including five “Goldy” suites. Freebies: Tea and coffee station, bottle of water. Wifi: Free. Disability access: Accessible rooms come with large wet rooms with benches, while the corridors and lifts can accommodate wheelchairs. Pet policy: Dogs are welcome, with a £10 per night fee per pet. Service animals are exempt from fees. Bottom line Best thing: The location, which is about as close to the action as you could want while still offering a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and the glamour and fun of the restaurant. Worst thing: For the prices, the dinner menu needs a little work, while the decor could also use a rethink to make it feel more in-keeping with its excellent location. Perfect for: A sophisticated stay for well-heeled couples, or for those looking to be within easy reach of London’s culture while in town on business. Not right for: Families, or those who like to include a morning workout or spa treatment in their hotel stay. Instagram from: The rooftop terrace, either with the surprisingly real-looking floral arrangements in the background, or views towards the South Bank. Read more on best London hotel reviews Read More The best luxury hotels in London for a stylish city break The best spa hotels in London for pampering and indulgence Best boutique hotels in London 2022 How a corner of Whitehall became a playground for the super-rich The Landmark London review Where to watch this year’s Notting Hill Carnival

I know gel manicures are probably not the greatest thing for my nails, but between the instant dry time, chip-free wear, and super-glossy finish? I can’t resist — I’m only human! However, as I’ve recently been taking a break from gel, I’ve been pampering my natural nails and trying to get them to a longer, stronger place. Unsurprisingly, my iPhone algorithm caught on and began to serve me endless home alternatives to salon gel. Most of them looked sketchy to say the least, but one of them managed to stop my thumb from scrolling: Manicurist Paris’ Green Flash system. It boasts instant dry time with its LED lamp, in addition to long, chip-resistant wear — all with an easy removal process that doesn’t damage natural nails. It sounded too good to be true, so naturally, I had to see for myself how it worked.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The

By Arriana McLymore NEW YORK Amazon said on Tuesday it had begun selling users of mobile games related