‘A very tough moment’: how Trump has put museums in jeopardy

‘A very tough moment’: how Trump has put museums in jeopardy

A study has shown the devastating impact of arts funding cuts on institutions across America and many within the industry are concerned for what’s next From Times Square to the Washington Monument , America saw in the new year with a bigger bang than usual, celebrating the fact that 2026 marks the nation’s 250th birthday. Yet as the US looks back, precious repositories of the nation’s history are facing an uncertain future. Museum attendances are down. Budgets are precarious. Cuts in federal funding are taking their toll. And Donald Trump’s culture wars are spreading fear, intimidation and self-censorship among some directors and donors. Continue reading...

Make your pancakes as fluffy as IHOP with ‘top secret’ recipe – but it all depends on your mixing technique

Make your pancakes as fluffy as IHOP with ‘top secret’ recipe – but it all depends on your mixing technique

BREAKFAST lovers are sharing the little-known recipe for making perfect fluffy pancakes from the International House of Pancakes. One Reddit user shared the “top secret” recipe used by the breakfast chain, IHOP. In a post titled “IHOP pancake recipe,” the user posted a picture from a cookbook that says “Top Secret Pancakes from International House...

‘I think they want to break us’: Russian strikes on energy grid give freezing Kyiv some of its darkest days

‘I think they want to break us’: Russian strikes on energy grid give freezing Kyiv some of its darkest days

Impact of raid on infrastructure rivals early weeks of war when tanks tried to force their way into Ukraine’s capital On the night of 9 January, amid warnings from Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of massive and imminent Russian airstrikes, Tetiana Shkred began cooking for her children at midnight. Concerned that the power was once again about to be knocked out in her apartment block on Kyiv’s left bank – the side of the city that has been most affected by Moscow’s attacks on energy infrastructure – she cooked until 3am, when her flat was plunged into freezing darkness. Continue reading...

Boosting trade - UAE and Philippines sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi

Boosting trade - UAE and Philippines sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Abu Dhabi

"Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr, President of the Republic of the Philippines, oversaw the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and the Philippines. Footage filmed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday shows Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and President Marcos attending the signing ceremony, during which UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Philippine Minister of Trade and Industry Christina Aldeguer-Roque signed the agreement. The ceremony was held on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said relations between the UAE and the Philippines continue to develop steadily, driven by a shared vision to enhance cooperation in ways that serve the interests of both countries. He expressed hope that the agreement would mark a qualitative shift in bilateral cooperation, strengthening joint development goals and opening new horizons for future generations. He added that the deal reflects the UAE’s commitment to expanding global partnerships that promote economic growth and shared prosperity. For his part, President Marcos welcomed the signing of the agreement, highlighting its importance in strengthening economic cooperation and reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to advancing joint development objectives. The CEPA aims to reduce customs duties, remove trade barriers, and boost investment and private-sector cooperation, supporting supply chains and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to expand internationally according to media reports. The agreement is a key component of the UAE’s global trade programme. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $940 million in 2024 and $853.7 million in the first nine months of 2025, representing annual growth of 22.4%. The UAE is also the largest market for Philippine exports in the Arab and African regions."