Travel

ITALY: TORINO STOLE MY HEART

WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT TORINO  When my friends first invited me to their hometown of Torino, Italy, I will be the first to admit that I had had no previous desire to visit. It was not because I thought it would be boring or unattractive, but simply because I rarely thought about its existence within […]

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Travel

SALZBURG: THE SOUND OF MUSIC AND SILENCE

PLANNING FOR THE TRIP When my college friend and I brainstormed places to travel this summer, we thought, “Let’s go to Salzburg, Austria and sing!” Both Sound of Music fans, we could already hear the songs as we planned our trip. Vienna and Salzburg looked beautiful in the pictures: the elegant Baroque architecture and the medieval fortress […]

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Travel

PARIS: LOST AND FOUND IN THE LATIN QUARTER

Paris lies ravaged; Paris too shall rise. In the wake of all that’s just happened, my mind is consumed by thoughts of a city abounding with lyrical flirtations and life-changing revelations, from no more than a month ago. Amid fleeting glimpses of familiarity on the television and an ocean of pointless France-draped social media profiles, […]

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Pet

Cats with round faces and big eyes might be cute, but you can’t tell how they’re feeling – new research

For decades, humans have been selectively breeding cats and dogs to exhibit exaggerated features – particularly in their faces. When it comes to cats, the very flat, round faces of the modern Persian and Exotic Shorthair are classic examples. These breeds are likely a result of humans’ preference for infant-like features that may directly tap in […]

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Food

Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate is a popular creamy beverage recipe whose taste reminds you of the carefree and fun-filled days of your childhood! Made with rich cocoa powder, milk, and semi sweet chocolate, this hot beverage recipe is garnished beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream dusted with milk chocolate. Serve it boiling hot with a slice […]

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Pet

Coping with Losing a Pet

It’s natural to feel devastated by feelings of grief and sadness when a beloved dog, cat, or other pet dies. These tips can help you cope. Why does the loss of a pet hurt so much? Many of us share an intense love and bond with our animal companions. For us, a pet is not […]

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Pet

Make your Dog your Best Friend

Find creative ways to handle stress with a companion who will always be there for you. Your dog. Having your dog be your best friend in times of stress As many dog owners already know, taking the time to bond with your furry friend can turn your dog into a close companion for life. That […]

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Pet

The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets

Pets come with some powerful health benefits. Here’s how caring for a dog, cat, or other animal can help relieve depression and anxiety, lower stress, and improve your heart health. The benefits of pets Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of […]

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Travel

4 of Africa’s most exciting music cities, by Spoek Mathambo

South African singer/musician Spoek Mathambo picks 4 of Africa’s finest music cities, including Addis Ababa and Johannesburg, and highlights the great bands and singers you need to know about 1: Johannesburg, South Africa Johannesburg at night (Dreamstime) Johannesburg is a metropolitan, migrant city, with a mixed population and all 11 official South African languages to […]

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Travel

Rediscovering Algeria: a journey to the ‘Gateway of the Sahara’

Algeria was once a mecca for writers and artists. A century later – after a series of wars – travellers are starting to return, but will they still be inspired? Anywhere else, the childhood home of a world-famous literary figure would merit a sign. But this is Algiers, and visitors have to do a bit […]

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