What started as a fun homage to a fictional sport has evolved into a serious, fully regulated athletic game known today as Quadball (formerly Quidditch). Launched in 2005 at a Florida “Harry Potter” convention, the sport now thrives in over 30 countries and features mixed-gender, full-contact matches with defined roles, equipment and scoring. In a…
Jennifer Connelly’s career reflects a rare blend of intelligence, grace, and longevity in an industry known for reinvention. Born in New York in 1970, she began as a child model before making her film debut in Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Her early work in Labyrinth (1986) turned her into a cult favorite,…
In 2025, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped into a new realm of public life with her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. The show blends elements of lifestyle programming—cooking, gardening, conversations with friends—while inviting viewers into her personal world beyond royal headlines. By placing herself not just as a public figure but a curator of homespun…
Indonesian batik is a wax-resist dyeing art form that goes back centuries, most strongly rooted in the island of Java. Using methods such as batik tulis (hand-drawn) and batik cap (stamped), artisans apply hot wax to fabric to resist specific dye baths, repeating the process if multiple colours are desired. The motifs range from geometric…
The World Chess Championship has long stood as the pinnacle of intellectual sport, tracing its origins back to 1886 when Wilhelm Steinitz defeated Johannes Zukertort to become the first champion. After more than a century of giants like Emanuel Lasker, José Raúl Capablanca, and Garry Kasparov, the 2024 Championship marked a new era. Indian grandmaster…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the film and television industry in 2025, transforming various aspects of production, from scriptwriting to post-production. AI tools are now employed to analyze audience preferences, predict box office success, and even assist in generating content ideas. This integration allows creators to tailor stories more precisely to viewer interests, enhancing engagement…
The Cities of the Weft trilogy by Alex Pheby introduces readers to a mesmerizing world unlike many in contemporary fantasy. Set across an archipelago of cities, each ruled by powerful Masters or Mistresses, the series weaves political intrigue, magic, and personal ambition into a tapestry of dark wonder. What stands out is the vividness with…
In 2025, a captivating trend is sweeping interior design: drawn-on decor. This movement embraces the charm of hand-drawn illustrations on furniture, walls, and accessories, offering a personal touch that digital designs often lack. Designers like Jess Murphy of The Lawns Collective and artist Tess Newall emphasize the desire for authenticity, uniqueness, and emotional connection to…
Sean Wang, a Taiwanese-American director, is rapidly carving out a name for himself on the global cinema scene through work grounded in emotional authenticity and cultural nuance. His short documentary Nǎi Nǎi & Wài Pó clinched both the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award at South by Southwest in 2023, and later earned a nomination…
Nia DaCosta has rapidly emerged as a cinematic powerhouse in contemporary Hollywood. Her debut feature, Little Woods (2018), not only won the prestigious Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival, it also marked her as a voice of compelling narrative depth and directorial precision. Building on that strong foundation, DaCosta directed the rebooted Candyman…
