GE Boosts Profit Outlook Amid Surging Demand for Jet Engines
General Electric Co. raised its forecast for profit and free cash flow for the year as rebounding demand
2023-10-24 19:26
Spotify Sales Top Estimates on Subscriber Growth, Higher Pricing
Spotify Technology SA, the music-streaming giant, reported third-quarter sales that exceeded analysts’ projections and a surprise operating profit
2023-10-24 18:53
San Francisco Targets Hot Dog Stands, Homeless People in APEC Crackdown
San Francisco is cracking down on hot dog vendors and urging people living on the street to seek
2023-10-24 18:22
Hermes Sales Climb as US, Europe Shoppers Splurge on Birkin Bags
Hermes sales jumped as wealthy shoppers in the US and Europe splurged on the French company’s pricey Birkin
2023-10-24 14:46
Paramount Delays ‘Mission Impossible’ to 2025 Amid Actors Strike
Paramount Pictures is delaying the release of several movies, including an installment of its Mission: Impossible series, becoming
2023-10-24 08:16
Pulitzer, Amsterdam hotel review: Luxury, local cuisine and decadence in this Dutch period piece
In a nutshell: In Amsterdam’s oldest five-star hotel, no two rooms are the same, restaurants serve up local cuisine, and a 1909 saloon boat offers tours of the city’s canals. The neighbourhood Amsterdam attracts visitors from all around the world thanks to its rich history, eclectic museums, bike lifestyle and coffee shop culture. The city is wonderfully walkable and the five-star Pulitzer hotel places you in prime location to explore all the Dutch capital has to offer. Looming over the canal belt and in the heart of the historic Nine Streets neighborhood (right out of a Wes Anderson movie), this quintessential district is brimming with boutique shops, charming cafes and enticing restaurants. Located five minutes down the canal, you’ll find Anne Frank’s house while the Museumplein (home to Rijksmuseum, the Van Gough museum and Moco), Amsterdam Centraal and Vondelpark are a mere 20 minute walk away. If you’re keen to cycle like a local, the hotel is equipped with Pulitzer bikes and the erudite concierge Ron Stoevelaar is on hand to show you the best routes. The look Set within 25 Golden Age canal houses, the Pulitzer forms an entire block in the Nine Streets area. Founded in 1970 by Peter Pulitzer (grandson of the Pulitzer Prize founder Joseph Pulitzer), the hotel went through a £1.5 million restoration in 2016. The hotel combines 17th century Dutch elements and mid-century design (think beamed ceilings, historic fireplaces, period antiques and an impressive collection of art, books and music) with contemporary features. Every nook (and there’s many) of the hotel offers a glance into the past – whether it’s in the library of Pulitzer Prize winning books, the lobby with Persian rugs and paintings or in the four luxury collectors suites. Exemplifying the old meeting the new, look out for what appears to be a 17th century painting of a floral bouquet in the lobby. A closer look will reveal it to be a photograph of melted cutlery by a contemporary artist. The vibe Oozing elegance and class, the Pulitzer’s architectually impressive buildings are enriched with antique pieces and Dutch design details. A beguiling space, the grand lobby has a buzzy atmosphere thanks to the laid-back Pulitzer Garden bar and eatery that are tucked away toward the back, while the check-in and concierge desks are warm and welcoming. Upon arrival, you’ll spy an eclectic clientele of 30-somethings talking over old fashioned cocktails at the bar, upmarket travellers in the mid-century armchairs, older couples chatting to the concierge and families feasting in the lobby’s Italian-inspired restaurant. Stepping out of the Pulitzer doors and onto the canal side, picturesque Amsterdam – without the chaos of the main streets – is on your doorstep (just try not to collide with any of the bikes swishing past). Bed and bath Despite being home to more than 200 rooms, the hotel has a cosy, boutique feel owing to the canal house layout and warren of mood-lit interlocking corridors (there’s much enjoyment to be had in getting lost in the Pulitzer). Each room is unique and inspired by an aspect of Dutch design. With themed-collectors suites, family size spaces and canal-view rooms – as well as generous, cosy and classic spaces available – there’s a room to suit every kind of traveller. Featuring decadent marble bathrooms (complete with luxury Debaser toiletries and well-pressured power showers), the rooms boast custom made headboards, a work desk with a mirror, mid-century drinks trolleys and chaise lounges. Thoughtful details such as bookshelves, a bike repair kit, an umbrella, French press and Dutch sweet treats all elevate the space, while windows either look out over the canal, the street below or the Pulitzer garden in the centre of the hotel. You can opt in or out of having your sheets changed each morning – the hotel reminds you of the importance of saving water – by placing a card on your bed. Food and drink There are two restaurants on site at the Pulitzer: the all-day dining eatery Jansz and the more laidback Pulitzer Garden restaurant. The former favours locally-sourced ingredients and classic Dutch cuisine, with the lunch and dinner line-up brimming with seasonal small plates, freshly caught fish dishes (the shrimp croquettes and octopus were a delight) and refined classics like burgers and steaks. Jansz is also where breakfast is served, with guests able to order a la carte (the omelette is a must) or try the continental buffet. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Pulitzer Garden has indoor and outdoor tables with a hearty menu inspired by Italian cuisine – think aubergine parmigiana, lobster spaghetti and chicken caesar salad. After dinner, be sure to head to the glamorous and deliciously moody Pulitzer Bar. Sink into the armchairs, sofas and bar stools to while away the evening with signature or classic cocktails (try the breakfast margarita and new Amsterdam). Public areas The neighbourhood-style complex includes the Jansz restaurant, Pulitzer Garden bar, restaurant and garden seating, the Pulitzer Bar and the resplendent lobby. Whether you’re a guest or not, the Pulitzer bar is a must-visit. Elegant and free from the havoc of city centre bars, the Art Deco-style bar looks over the canal and is the perfect spot for people watching. Open to guests, there’s also a 24-hour gym at the Pulitzer with machines, yoga mats, weights, towels and chilled water. When visiting the Pulitzer, you’ll notice two gleaming boats docked in front of the hotel. The Tourist (which famously took Winston Churchill on a trip through the city in 1946) and the smaller Belle are available for private and group tours for guests and the public at an extra cost. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the interiors are complete with polished teak and brass, luxurious carpeting, marble, leather and original bevelled glass. Lasting 90 minutes, the concierge’s guided cruises take you on a whistlestop tour of the city’s canals – and there’s a self-service mini bar for on-board drinks. Nuts and bolts Room count: 225 Freebies: Breakfast at Jansz restaurant (if included in your booking); gym access; Pulitzer tote bag; Pulitzer card deck; welcome stroopwafels; coffee or tea in the room. Wifi: Free. Extra charges: Room service; additional beds for children; pets. Disability access: There are fully fitted accessible guest rooms available to reserve. Pet policy: A small dog or cat is allowed in rooms at a cost of €50 per day. Bottom line Best thing: Impeccable service, prime location for exploring the city, excellent restaurants and an intimate bar. Worst thing: Some might not get on with the thin doors and walls in the bedroom (it is an old building after all), meaning you can occasionally hear movement in the corridor. Plus, we would have liked to see slightly more reasonable prices in the otherwise more laidback Pulitzer Garden restaurant. Perfect for: Upmarket travellers, foodies, couples and families. Not right for: Those after a budget city break. Instagram from: The moody Pulitzer bar, canal-view room, The Tourist boat tour or Jansz window tables. Room rate: Double rooms from £351 a night. Read more of our hotel reviews: The elegant Landmark Hotel London Luxury hotel meets B&B at The Dante House The Ritz-Carlton, Abama hotel review Read more on Amsterdam travel: Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do Best hotels in Amsterdam Everything British tourists shouldn’t do in Amsterdam Read More Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks Best UK hotels 2022 Best hotels in Paris for 2023 Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do and where to stay for a 2023 city break The best holidays to book for November, from winter sun in Oman to Scandi Christmas markets Best hotels in Europe 2023: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break
2023-10-24 04:55
Can You Fly a Real Helicopter After an Hour in a VR Simulator?
The challenge for the latest episode of Hello World was this: Could I go to Zurich, sit in
2023-10-23 23:59
As Rebecca Adlington shares heart-breaking miscarriage news: How to support others experiencing baby loss
Rebecca Adlington said she is “truly heartbroken” after suffering a late-stage miscarriage. The double Olympic gold medal swimmer found out about the devastating loss at a routine 20-week scan, sharing the news in a post on Instagram yesterday evening. “I don’t really have the words right now but unfortunately we went for our 20 week scan this week and they found no heartbeat. I gave birth to our angel, Harper on Friday at 7pm. We held her, and had time with her. We will forever love her and remember her always,” Adlington, 34, said. After thanking staff at Wythenshawe Hospital for their “kindness and care”, she added: “I don’t have the strength or words right now and don’t feel ready to share this news. However, I can’t pretend to be ok or fake a smile. I can’t have people ask me how pregnancy is or when I am due as I still look pregnant. I don’t have the strength to tell this news individually. “We are so truly heartbroken. Our beautiful girl. Rest in peace.” Adlington – who shares son Albie, two, with her husband Andy Parsons and has an eight-year-old daughter, Summer, from her previous marriage with Harry Needs – previously revealed she’d had a miscarriage 12 weeks into her pregnancy last August, resulting in emergency surgery. And as her Instagram post this week highlights, one of the many difficult things about losing a baby is telling other people. So, how can people respond supportively when a friend, relative or colleague shares news of a baby loss? Showing empathy “It’s about showing empathy as much as you possibly can, showing some form of understanding, and really just being there to listen to them,” Rochelle Love, a midwife working with baby loss charity Tommy’s, told the PA news agency. A late miscarriage is one which happens between 14-24 weeks of pregnancy, and is less common than early-stage miscarriage, occurring in an estimated 1-2% of pregnancies, Love explained. “We don’t always know why these miscarriages happen. They can be for a multitude of reasons, and the sad thing for expectant parents is that we may not always find a definite cause,” she added. “It may not necessarily be related to previous miscarriage.” Take care with ‘helpful’ comments Friends and family may try to comfort someone who’s lost a baby with well-meaning but sometimes way off-the-mark ‘helpful’ comments. Love said it’s crucial to be very careful about what you say. “I don’t think it’s ever up to us to make assumptions, and especially do not make comments like: ‘Don’t worry, you can have another baby’, ‘Don’t worry, you can try again’, or, ‘You were only 20 weeks pregnant’,” Love advised. “I think sometimes people just don’t know what else to say, so they make these throwaway comments, which are not necessarily the best things to say when someone’s grieving. It’s not up to us to say [these things] – how do you know, for example, that they can have another baby? Think about what you’re going to say before you speak to someone who’s had a loss.” Be mindful of terminology Remember this isn’t just a foetus to the grieving parents – it’s their child, and it can be very important to talk about it as such. Love said: “Address the baby as their baby, and if the baby has a name, then use it. Be very careful of the words you use.” Be there for them Instead of offering up platitudes, Love said it’s often better to just let people know you’re there if they need you. “Just let them know you’re there for them – you’re there if they want to speak, or if they just want to sit in silence – you’re available to be their support if and when they should need it,” she explained. Don’t forget their partner Love stresses that any kind of support needs to be extended to the partner as well. “Sometimes the partner is ignored and we just focus on the pregnant person, but the partner is the pregnant person’s closest support and they’ve also lost their baby and are also grieving,” she said. “I always advise anyone who’s had an unfortunate loss that if they decide to go for grief counselling, they should make their partner a part of that process as well, so they can go on that grief and healing journey together.” Remember everyone will grieve differently Loss and grief is experienced differently by everyone. “How I may grieve a pregnancy loss may be very different from how somebody else might grieve,” said Love – so it’s important to let people do things their way and at their own pace. Think about offering them helpIf you are close with them, offer practical help if you feel they may welcome it. Love said this could mean “getting someone’s groceries for them because they don’t feel they can face getting dressed and going out, or cleaning the house – anything at all could be very well received.” Tommy’s helpline is on 0800 014 7800 Read More What you need to know about new research into treating cervical cancer How to do Halloween make up and still take care of your skin Which houseplants best suit your star sign? 5 of the hottest new perfume launches for autumn/winter Consistent lack of sleep may increase risk of future depressive symptoms – study World Osteoporosis Day: The risk factors and early warning signs everyone needs to know about
2023-10-23 21:29
What you need to know about new research into treating cervical cancer
Using existing drugs to treat cervical cancer before standard treatment could lead to a 35% reduction in the risk of relapse or death, a new study suggests. Researchers from the UCL Cancer Institute and UCLH looked into whether a short course of induction chemotherapy (IC), where a drug is used to destroy as many cancer cells as possible, before chemoradiation (CRT), could help with this. Here’s everything you need to know about the findings… What is cervical cancer? According to the NHS website, cervical cancer is a type of cancer found anywhere near the cervix – the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus), which is also known as the neck of the womb. Most cervical cancers grow very slowly and are caused by an infection from specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and mostly affect women under the age of 45. According to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, symptoms include vaginal bleeding that is unusual to you, changes to vaginal discharge, discomfort during sex and pain in your lower back or pelvis. Changes to cells can be spotted by a cervical screening, and then treated before they turn into cancer. There are around 3,200 new cases every year in the UK, with the five-year survival rate being around 70%, according to Cancer Research UK. CRT has been the standard treatment for cervical cancer patients since 1999, but even though there have been overall significant developments in radiation therapy techniques, up to 30% of people experience their cancer coming back. What did the research involve? Over a 10-year period, 500 patients who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer – that was large enough to see without a microscope but hadn’t spread to other parts of the body – took part in the Interlace trial at hospitals in the UK, Mexico, India, Italy and Brazil. Researchers looked into whether a short course of IC before CRT could reduce rates of relapse and death. What results were found? After five years, researchers discovered that 80% of the people who received a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were alive, whilst 73% had not seen their cancer return or spread. A major benefit, according to researchers, is that it can be incorporated into standard of care treatment relatively quickly, because cheap, accessible and already-approved ingredients such as carboplatin and paclitaxel are needed for IC. “Our trial shows that this short course of additional chemotherapy delivered immediately before the standard CRT can reduce the risk of the cancer returning or death by 35%,” said Dr Mary McCormack, lead investigator of the trial from UCL Cancer Institute and UCLH. “This is the biggest improvement in outcome in this disease in over 20 years. “I’m incredibly proud of all the patients who participated in the trial; their contribution has allowed us to gather the evidence needed to improve treatment of cervical cancer patients everywhere. “We couldn’t have done this without the generous support of Cancer Research UK.” Why is the research important? Dr Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: “Timing is everything when you’re treating cancer. The simple act of adding induction chemotherapy to the start of chemoradiation treatment for cervical cancer has delivered remarkable results in this trial. “A growing body of evidence is showing the value of additional rounds of chemotherapy before other treatments like surgery and radiotherapy in several other cancers. “Not only can it reduce the chances of cancer coming back, it can be delivered quickly using drugs already available worldwide. “We’re excited for the improvements this trial could bring to cervical cancer treatment and hope short courses of induction chemotherapy will be rapidly adopted in the clinic.”
2023-10-23 20:22
Blizzard Is Rewarding Diablo IV Players for Donating Their Blood
Blizzard is celebrating the release of Season of Blood for Diablo IV by asking players
2023-10-23 20:19
Disney Said to Near Multibillion-Dollar India Deal With Reliance
Reliance Industries Ltd., controlled by Asia’s richest tycoon Mukesh Ambani, is nearing a cash and stock deal to
2023-10-23 19:27
Naomi Osaka opens up about fighting thoughts that she ‘won’t be a good mom’
Naomi Osaka has reflected on battling self-doubt and difficult thoughts as a new mother. The four-time Grand Slam tennis champion gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Shai, in July 2023. She shares Shai with her partner, rapper Cordae. On Sunday (22 October), Osaka shared some insights into her personal life with her fans to mark turning 26 earlier in the week. In an extended post on X, formerly Twitter, the Japanese athlete wrote about taking stock of her life so far, and wondering whether or not she’s taken the “correct path”. “I often try to retrace my steps to figure out how did I end up here,” she explained. “I know I say this often but I truly still feel like that kid playing on public courts in Queens, NY. “Randomly I wonder if I’m doing OK, is there a correct path to take in life or have I veered off onto the scenic route for a little bit? However, I’ve now come into the mindset that I can only keep moving forward and everything that will be, will be.” Osaka then shared her specific feelings of worry about her capabilities as a parent. “Something I had to conquer recently is fighting the thought that I won’t be a good mom,” she wrote. “So many doubts raced through my head I had to swat them away like mosquitoes. “Looking into Shai’s eyes and holding her I always think, ‘Wow this little person depends on me so much, I have to do better.’ It’s such a strange feeling watching your kid grow, you blink and they’re double the size in a few months. “Gratefulness reminds me to breathe and take in the little things (and the big ones).” Osaka ended her post by expressing her gratitude for having “another year” and for the people who support her. Osaka’s last competitive match was at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in September 2022, before she withdrew from the tournament due to abdominal pain. She announced her pregnancy in January 2023 shortly after stating that she wouldn’t be competing in the Australian Open later that month. Last month, Osaka spoke about her year away from playing tennis and mentioned how other female tennis stars’ longevity has influenced her desire to keep competing. “The whole process, it felt long and short at the same time,” she told the American sports news channel ESPN. “When I stepped away, it was Tokyo, that was the last tournament I played. I just remember watching the Australian Open and being very devastated, because I’ve never missed an Australian Open. “When I was watching Serena and Venus [Williams], I was thinking, ‘Ah, I probably no way will ever play at their age’, but sitting here, I’m like, ‘You know what? I might do that actually.’” Read More ‘Truly heartbroken’ Rebecca Adlington reveals late miscarriage Should we stop putting the clocks back? What the experts think ‘I lost over a stone on Ozempic, but now it’s run out what am I to do?’ ‘Truly heartbroken’ Rebecca Adlington reveals late miscarriage Should we stop putting the clocks back? What the experts think ‘I lost over a stone on Ozempic, but now it’s run out what am I to do?’
2023-10-23 17:21