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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took aim at Russia at the UN Security Council on Thursday, accusing Moscow of "blackmail" over its recent withdrawal...

Nestlé USA announced a voluntary recall of some Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough bars due to the potential presence of wood fragments.

Attracting over 18 million tourists a year, Amsterdam has become the hot spot for travellers across the globe. Filled with tree-lined streets, picturesque canals and some of the finest culinary creations and art, the Dutch city has something for everyone – despite the stereotypes of being strictly sex and weed. Now, we can't speak about Dam without addressing the elephant in the room: Marijuana. You could be a foodie; an art enthusiast; a world traveller, or simply passing through the city on a connecting flight – but you'll inevitably be given the side eye from friends, family and peers asking: Oh, you smoke? Yes, pot and sex work are legal. But they certainly aren't the be-all, end-all. In fact, tourists who have had the pleasure of visiting Amsterdam recently would have noticed the absence of smoke in the air, which is down to a newly enforced rule last month. After years of complaints from residents, the city started its crackdown with a "stay away" campaign that initially saw a ban on weekend alcohol sales and earlier closing times for brothels and bars. People around the city now face a €100 (£87) fine if they smoke cannabis in public in the red light district, with an aim to "reduce crowding and nuisance in the area." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Nestled in the Museum Quarter of the city resides Jan Luyken, a townhouse surrounded by depths of culture and an elegant shopping street. Think, the Bond Street of Amsterdam. There's no wonder art lovers immediately fall for the place, with its eclectic decor woven through the newly-renovated hotel. The impressive attention to detail in every corner gives off rich colours and fringed lampshades, complete with reading areas and a help-yourself bar. There are also plenty of open spaces across the ground floor to wind down in, including the library and the dining room, which are designed to make guests feel comfortable and at ease. A true home away from home – especially for a solo traveller. Travellers can also enjoy the sun in the private garden, located next to an aesthetically pleasing gym that makes working out feel that little bit easier. With a hotel so impressive, it can sometimes be tempting to stay in and around it – but with 48 hours in the city, I went off to discover whether there was more to Amsterdam than the stereotypes. Museums Amsterdam does many things well, museums being one of them. The city is jam-packed with cultural experiences, from fine art to photography and history. Two days certainly won't get you through the array of galleries across the city, but there are two in particular that should not be missed. Moco Museum: Founded in 2016, the independent museum boasts a variety of modern, contemporary, and street art. Here, you will find pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Icy & Sot, JR, KAWS, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Yayoi Kusama, THE KID, Andy Warhol, Studio Irma, among many more. The Museum of Prostitution: While Amsterdam's sex industry remains open, there's still an air of mystery surrounding it. At the world's first prostitution museum, you will learn about the Red Lights Secrets through an interactive experience. Without giving too much away, the museum delves into the history of sex work in the city, what a typical room looks like and positive testimonials. It also does not shy away from the darker truths of the industry, such as trafficking and unsolved murder cases. Parks Vondelpark: Considered one of the city's most famous parks, this charming area makes the perfect destination to wind down from walking around the city after a long day. During the summer months, there's a host of activities, bandstands – and it even has its own Picasso sculpture hidden along the path. Food Dinner in the Pulitzer Garden: For the foodies, this al-fresco dining experience is a must. Inspired by modern-Dutch cuisine, it offers a wide range of impressive culinary creations and beautifully crafted cocktails. This gem is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with an idyllic view of the tranquil gardens. Still, for some, smoking in Dam remains a bucket list goal – and there's certainly no judgement here. The Dutch are some of the friendliest people and are happy to help – especially when an inexperienced tourist steps into a coffee shop. It simply comes down to asking. Coffee shops are filled with different strengths, and you can often purchase pre-rolled joints to avoid awkwardly trying to figure it out for the first time. For more information about Jan Luyken, click here. 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 US federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by chess player Hans Niemann, who was seeking $100 million from those who accused him of cheating...

Bernie Ecclestone has said he would be surprised if Ferrari pulled off the biggest transfer in recent Formula One memory by signing Lewis Hamilton – and believes it is Mercedes or bust for the British driver. Hamilton’s future in the sport remains under scrutiny with six months to run on his current £40million-a-year deal at Mercedes. Both Hamilton, 38, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff have said they expect a new deal will be agreed. The Daily Mail this week reported that Ferrari are preparing a blockbuster bid for Hamilton – which could involve a swap deal with Charles Leclerc – while La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Hamilton has already received an offer from the Italian team. Speaking to the PA news agency, F1’s former supremo Ecclestone, who remains well connected in the sport, said: “I would be surprised that Ferrari would want to get rid of Leclerc to sign Lewis because they are very much in love with Leclerc. “Lewis has said that when he does decide to stop he would still want to be connected with Mercedes so it would surprise me if he wanted to leave. “And if I was Lewis and I saw that Leclerc is happy to leave Ferrari, I would think there has to be a problem there. “I also don’t know why Lewis would think he would be better off at Ferrari than where he is at the moment. He knows everything well and truly at Mercedes. They know him, and they have a lot of respect for him so he couldn’t be better looked after anywhere. “Ferrari is not a retirement home either. They want to win the world championship more than anyone. So personally, I think he will stay as Mercedes, or he will retire.” Hamilton is gearing up for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix and is set to address his future in the Principality on Thursday. The seven-time world champion qualified 13th at the last race in Miami before driving well to finish sixth, but he is already 63 points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the championship standings. “I don’t know what has happened to Mercedes and how they have suddenly got in the state that they find themselves in the moment,” added Ecclestone, 92. “I can understand Lewis being frustrated because he has been there for all that time and done well for Mercedes and for himself. But his contract is a lot of money to walk away from and that is a big problem. “The only place Lewis can go to to win that eighth world championship is Red Bull, but for sure there is no room there. It is impossible. There is no chance.” Hamilton’s Mercedes team will bring a major upgrade to the sixth round of the season in Monaco, but Wolff has already warned his superstar driver that his new machinery will not haul him into championship contention. “It won’t be a silver bullet because from my experience, they do not exist in our sport,” Wolff said. “We hope that it gives the drivers a more stable and predictable platform. Then we can build on that in the weeks and months ahead. “F1 is tough competition and a meritocracy. We are not where we want to be but there’s no sense of entitlement. It’s just about hard work to get us to the front.”

Small island states sinking under rising seas are encouraged by a summit starting Thursday charged with revamping the global financial system to better cope with climate change and other 21st-century challenges...

The number of abortions being performed in Indiana has fallen significantly in advance of the implementation of the state’s abortion ban at the beginning of August, state reports showed. Indiana, for now, remains one of a handful of states in the Midwest that does not have any major restrictions on abortion. But that is about to change, following a state Supreme Court ruling that the ban passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature last year does not violate the state constitution. That ban is now set to take effect on the first day of next month, at which point abortion will be almost completely banned in the state. The Associated Press first reported on the falling abortion numbers. It’s a seismic shift from last year, when the number of abortions performed in Indiana increased by 22 per cent – the numbers were boosted by patients from states like Kentucky and Ohio who travelled to the state to receive care after their home states passed bans. Of the 9,529 abortions performed in Indiana in 2022, 1,827 people came from other states to receive care. But the month-by-month numbers tell a somewhat different story. The monthly abortion rate dropped by a third or more in the final months of last year as the state’s abortion ban briefly took effect before it was blocked by a court order. This year, in advance of the looming ban, the number of abortions being performed in the state has continued to fall off. Observers believe that decline has happened in part due to the fact that people are fearful and anxious about the looming ban. “We have seen a lot of fear and a lot of misunderstanding of patients who believe that abortion access has been restricted and isn’t available in Indiana,” Dr Amy Caldwell, an Indianapolis obstetrician who performs abortions for Planned Parenthood, said last week. She said anxiety has increased among those who do not understand the legal battle taking place in the state. Two of the seven clinics that provide abortions in Indiana, a Planned Parenthood facility in Indianapolis and a Whole Woman’s Health Center in South Bend, also reported performing no abortions during the first three months of the year. The Whole Woman’s Health Center has closed, while Planned Parenthood cited staff training issues for its gap in care. That facility told the Associated Press that it is now performing abortions again. Indiana residents may soon, however, have to travel to other states to receive abortion care. Abortion remains legal in neighbouring Illinois and Michigan as well as Minnesota and Pennsylvania further afield. It also remains legal for the time being in Iowa, though a possible special session of the state legislature could change that later this year. The splintering of the abortion landscape following the reversal of Roe v Wade by the Supreme Court last year has created a scenario in which certain areas of the country lack access to abortion care while the status quo in other areas has remained largely unchanged. Every state in the southeast, for instance, has passed an abortion ban – though South Carolina’s ban for now remains blocked in court. Read More Iowa's Republican governor calls a special legislative session to revive abortion restrictions Ohio man guilty of raping a 9-year-old who traveled for legal abortion gets life sentence US prepares for potential end of Roe v Wade - live When will there be a Roe v Wade decision? Why these prosecutors are refusing to enforce anti-abortion laws

Sudan's war has left university lecturer Ali Seif without pay for months. To make ends meet, he has turned to making soap in his room...

We love gliding our palms across the best rugs IRL as much as the next person, but the world wide wide web has quite an enticing selection of floor decor. Especially because it’s home to the trendy, affordable carpet hub Boutique Rugs. Scratch that. These rugs aren’t just trendy and affordable; they’re downright bestselling bargains thanks to the retailer’s high-quality craftsmanship and valuable promo codes, that is.

It’s no secret that Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell retired her famed flag dress and ditched her platform booties for preppy pieces and flat shoes, and now she has explained why. According to the 51-year-old, as her “Ginger Spice” era ended, so did her desire to don daring clothing like shimmery pencil skirts and ultra-cropped tops. Halliwell said that, as she’s gotten older, she’s started to feel a desire to streamline her wardrobe. During a conversation with Jenna Bush Hager for the 4 October episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, Halliwell said: “I don’t know about you, but as you get older, you want to keep it simple. And one thing I’ll say is everything matches. It’s just fast, fast.” From halters to high-neck solid shirts, the “Wannabe” singer explained her style change to be inspired by men surprisingly. “You look at the men who are always wearing these same things, a uniform,” Halliwell remarked. “Can’t I do the same? Why not?” Now, the music icon – known for her eccentric on-stage energy and fiery red hair with bleached streaks – has assumed a neutral palette, sticking to mostly monochromatic looks. When asked about her iconic Union Jack mini, Halliwell admitted the design was motivated by a common kitchen essential. “I made that dress out of a tea towel,” she confessed. While the vibrant performer may not wear jewelled one-pieces, she’s adopted versions of her former favourite. Most recently, Halliwell lengthened the Union Jack gown, before reimagining the entire design to be a ball gown with a straight neckline. Speaking to Vogue in 2020, the author opened up about how altering her old emblem only made the garment more special. “I felt a sense of power in developing the dress into something different, something even more timeless,” she noted. “For me, it shows the revolution of being a woman.” “The way I dress has always reflected how I feel about myself at that time,” she continued. Halliwell tied the knot with Christian Horner in May of 2015. The two were first aquainted during her Ginger Spice days when the group of girls were invited to the 2009 Monaco Grand Prix with Bernie Ecclestone. However, Halliwell and Horner ignited their whirlwind romance in 2014, developing their connection for one year before saying “I do.” Before getting hitched, Halliwell welcomed her daughter Bluebell, 11, with her previous partner. In 2017, she gave birth to her second child, Montague. Read More Spice Girls star Geri Horner says having children is a ‘better’ achievement than a No 1 record Geri Halliwell says her ‘sillier self came out’ when she met husband Christian Horner Geri Halliwell recalls learning her father died while studying Hamlet: ‘It woke me up to my own mortality’ Kim Kardashian criticised for modelling in Balenciaga after brand’s campaign scandal 4 must-have denim trends for autumn, from wide-leg jeans to split skirts Zendaya recreates Naomi Campbell’s iconic Louis Vuitton 2004 ad in an elevator

Have you ever been typing a text message on your iPhone, only for the built-in