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Travel is both joyful and stressful. Here’s how I overcome anxiety on the road

World Mental Health Day: How I keep depression and anxiety in check while travelling.

As a long-time sufferer of mild depression and anxiety, I find travel bittersweet. Lost luggage, delayed transport, navigating an unfamiliar environment… the risks and hurdles can be especially triggering for those, like me, who are less resilient.

From crippling homesickness in Sarajevo to angst in Azerbaijan, I’ve had some very low moments across almost three decades of globetrotting.

Yet despite these pitfalls, travel has also been a vast source of joy. Spanning a rite-of-passage summer in Salamanca (in which my Spanish and self-confidence soared) to an eye-opening festival in India (involving coconuts and a group of holy nude men), my trips in over 55 countries have truly enriched my life. Refreshing and resetting, thrilling and wondrous, they’ve often conversely been a saving grace.

So, in light of the UK’s upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), I’m sharing a few tips I’ve discovered on managing mental health when travelling.

Medication mistakes can ruin a trip – I’ve learned the hard way

Ten years ago, my parents invited me to join them on an amazing trip to New Zealand. Unsurprisingly I jumped at the chance.

Unfortunately, though, I made a blunder; just before this journey-of-a-lifetime, I came off the antidepressants I’d been taking since my teens. My mild anxiety and depression seemed to be better, my dosage was low anyway and I’d weaned myself off gradually as per the doctor’s advice. Surely I’d be ok? Wrong.

No sooner had we got to Singapore (our outward stopover) than I was having panic attacks, worsened by the time difference and new surroundings. I muddled through the holiday with erratic mood swings and a persistent sense of dread. It was a massive shame: not least for my parents, who’d kindly invited me along.

The lesson: try to avoid major medication changes just before going away, no matter how confident you feel. Other tips include checking how to access medical facilities in your destination and being aware of any relevant rules; for example, certain countries require a doctor’s letter for prescription drugs.

Always disclose any health conditions on your travel insurance (although several insurers allow you to choose not to be covered for these if you feel it’s not necessary).

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How I lessen anxiety while travelling

Get anxious easily? Develop contingency plans to lessen the risk of stressful situations. I no longer book an airport connection of less than 90 minutes, in case of a delay with the preceding flight, and download plenty of escapist entertainment beforehand to make waits more bearable.

Group tours are another consideration if you’re solo and worry about logistics, though ensure the format’s right for you. I’ve found a happy medium in options like Intrepid’s ‘Original’ and G Adventures’ ‘Classic’ trips, which attract a wide range of like-minded travellers via comfortable lodgings and a mix of cultural inclusions and downtime.

Groups are typically capped at 16 people, and my companions have spanned twenty-something Europeans to middle-aged Aussies and a lively Canadian couple in their seventies. I also pay for a single supplement, as I find my own space invaluable.

One last pointer if you suffer from post-trip blues – plan a treat for after you return, maybe a day trip or meal out. If you have the luxury, book one or two days off work too, to help you ease back into daily life.

How to make travel more meaningful

Bungee jumping over a Nepalese ravine, spending time with Chinese yak herders, meandering around Europe’s fairy-tale cities… I’ve had countless enriching travel adventures. Some have even helped me make sense of my own life at home.

That said, travel can also feel draining and disappointing. In an age when so much is already known, and there’s endless content telling us what to see and do, it’s easy to lose curiosity and purpose – which in turn can affect wellbeing.

I enjoyed reading Stephen W Brock’s ‘Hidden Travel’ for handy hints on making trips more rewarding, from connecting with locals to stepping outside your comfort zone. One of my favourite suggestions? Having a goal, whether that’s seeking out Riga’s Art Nouveau treasures or brushing up on your Spanish in Mexico.

As well as boosting mental health generally, things like talking to a friend, journaling or a few minutes of meditation can help you find greater meaning in your experiences as well. A ‘digital detox’ could also be beneficial, if you dare.

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How I manage my expectations when travelling

I love author Alain de Botton’s dry observation in his book ‘The Art of Travel’: that when we travel, we bring ourselves with us. Your partner’s untidy habits will no doubt still annoy you, and that unresolved work issue will still niggle.

Add to this all the boring (and sometimes stressful) minutiae involved in travel, from the long wait at the baggage carousel to the mundane outskirts of that picture-postcard town, and it’s clear those curated Instagram feeds and colourful travelogues don’t tell the full story.

As I’ve found myself, travel can be escapist and often triggers moments of huge joy and wonder. But, as with life in general, there’s a lot of humdrum among the highlights. So try and be positive but pragmatic; manage your expectations accordingly, avoid comparisons with impossible ideals and anticipate things won’t always go to plan.

Remember to look after your physical health too

Robust mindsets and a sense of meaning are all very well, but they’re hard to maintain if you don’t feel good physically. Once, failing to drink much in hot weather, I became quite dehydrated – something that took several litres of water, rehydration salts and a long rest to rectify. Needless to say, until my headache and fatigue shifted, my mood was pretty poor.

From activities and time zones to cuisine and climate, going away can mean many variations on your usual environment. Most of us know to wise up on specific advice for where we’re going, whether that means getting certain vaccines or swerving the tap water, but might forget that the usual health advice applies too.

Fresh air, exercise, healthy eating and drinking, a regular sleep pattern – they all still boost physical and mental wellbeing, wherever you are in the world.

Charli XCX’s ‘Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat’ – Euronews Culture’s verdict

Two members of the Euronews Culture team share their takes. One isn’t a fan of remix albums; the other ascertains whether Charli XCX’s new remix album is worth it and not just another cash grab.

Brat summer is over, but the hedonistic lime green pleasures behind Charli XCX’s culture-shifting album persist…

Today is the release of ‘Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat’, a remix double album that sees the British pop star revisit her 2024 release with a panoply of A-listers like Billie Eilish, Bon Iver, Lorde, Troye Sivan, Robyn, and many more.

Much in the same way I rolled my eyes when a deluxe edition previously dropped, titled ‘Brat And It’s The Same But There’s Three More Songs So It’s Not’, the idea of a third iteration made me cringe so hard I momentarily had abs.

There’s already been a re-release, which plays into one of the things I hate the most about zeitgeist-capturing LPs: it sees greedy record labels jump the shark and pummel fans with more editions to get consumers parting with more of their hard-earned cash because they really want those three extra songs that should’ve made the initial cut of the album in the sodding first place.

As much as I loved the club vibe of ‘Brat 1.0’ (as I’ve now had to rechristen it considering the growing amount of versions released) and was impressed at how it suddenly became a cultural cornerstone which managed to encompass a collective vibe shift, I couldn’t help but get judgy for this new and excessive marketing nonsense. It feels insincere and shamelessly tactical.

Plus, I’ve always been wary of remix albums. Not that I necessarily adhere to the strict yet romantic rule that the original mix is the best one. See: Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ ‘Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)’ for proof that an original cut can be surpassed. However, for me, full remix LPs feel like commercial opportunistism rather than artistic endeavours, a profit-oriented calculation that retools great songs into pale imitations which alter the emotional impact of the music.

Granted, there are exceptions to every rule, anomalies which actually have artistic merit and make it fun to hear a new take on the album. I can count them on the fingers of one hand.

Massive Attack vs Mad Professor’s ‘No Protection’; The B-52’s ‘Party Mix!’; Philip Glass’ ‘Rework’; Aphex Twin’s cheekily titled and point-proving ‘26 Mixes for Cash’; and Björk’s ‘Telegram’ (to a point)… All these bucked the trend. And before anyone starts having a go, Madlib’s ‘Shades of Blue’, Danger Mouse’s ‘The Grey Album’ and Jay-Z/Linkin Park’s ‘Collison Course’ don’t count. The first two saw one artist remix another’s work, while the third was a collaborative EP that absolutely slaps.

These examples aside, I’m happy to lump all the other remix albums in the hastily cobbled together / capitalistic gimmick category.

This brings us back to Charli XCX. I assure you that I’m keeping an open mind. I already really enjoy the new ‘Guess’ featuring Billie Eilish. Perhaps I’ll have to start using both hands to count the remix albums that are worthy additions to artists’ discographies, and this will be the victory lap Charli deserves following her commercial and cultural juggernaut?

I hope that’s the case and not the cynical cash grab I’m fearing. I’m off to listen to it now. I leave you in the safe hands of my colleague Jonny, who’s been giving ‘Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat’ a few spins and shares his take.

Grumpy David, out.

And Jonny in!

When I wrote the review for Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ way back in June, there was a moment – felt by many music journalists – that I felt certain about the album’s imminent cultural influence. It was the perfect combination of the zeitgeist with genuinely engaging party anthems. ‘Brat’ was always going to be the album of the summer. It’s been the album of my summer for sure. My lungs can attest to that. At Manchester Pride this year, a friend and I kept a tally on who got played more, XCX or Chappell Roan, the other artist du jour.

Interestingly though, in all the many clubs I’ve heard ‘Brat’ songs played in, they are rarely altered. DJs wholesale recognised the immediacy of tracks like ‘365’ and ‘Von Dutch’ for their dance floor capability. They didn’t need minimal house remixes, they were ready made for pleasure.

By that logic, a remix album by Charli XCX herself doesn’t seem all that necessary. When album of the year lists come around, I know already I’ll be making my case for ‘Brat’ at the top spot. This leaves one question. Does ‘Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat’ represent a genuine evolution and growth on the original, or is it a cynical cash grab?

In many ways, it’s neither.

Rarely have the beats been changed to make them more propulsive. XCX leans more on just adding reverb to wash out the tracks than combining them with the techno beats the rave-inspired album brilliantly utilised. ‘Von Dutch’, the album’s most aggressive single is remixed by long-time production collaborator A.G. Cook with additional vocals by saccharine TikTok popstar Addisone Rae. The effect neutralised any of the venom from the original.

That’s not what XCX is going for though. This isn’t a remix album in the traditional sense. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with artists to create a new spin on these songs. Myriad artists feature here, from obvious choices like Lorde and Troye Sivan, to huge pop names like Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, to the genuinely surprising such as Julian Cassablancas and Robyn.

The songs fall into one of three categories: club-focused remixes, alternative versions brandishing the feature, and stripped back retoolings.

On ‘Club Classics’, she interpolates the original version of ‘365’, an ironic shoutout to her own credentials while simultaneously removing the song’s verve for an overbearing beat. It’s the closest to a traditional remix, which is refreshing, but simply doesn’t make for anything massively notable.

A better example of the remix style is ‘Talk Talk’. Troye Sivan, who XCX is currently touring on shared bills with, features. Sivan’s queer pop perfectly fuses with XCX’s ‘Brat’ aesthetic and this song feels like a genuine duet between their two styles to make one of the original album’s weaker tracks a strength.

‘Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat’ borders on dull when on tracks that serve only to show off the status of who XCX can get in the studio. Ariana Grande adds nothing to ‘Sympathy Is A Knife’, as her verse discusses punishment through the limited lens of vanity while the track’s new higher energy detracts from its once truly biting lyrics.

On the other hand, tracks like ‘Everything Is Romantic’ doesn’t necessarily need Caroline Polachek’s inclusion, but her addition with cheeky lines like “Free bleeding in the autumn rain” winking at the original and Polachek’s iconic warble manage to elevate it to a new height.

As a fan of the quieter tracks on ‘Brat’ some of the most refreshing moments are when XCX doubles down on shying away from traditional remixes. ‘I Might Say Something’ was always a reflective slow burn, but that’s been taken to the max with Jon Hopkins’s neo-classical minimalist approach. The 1975’s Matty Healy bringing a verse that has his trademark toilet humour / earnestness fits into the dayglo hangover feeling as the pair ponder their anxieties. If nothing else, XCX has achieved the impossible and made Healy not insufferable.

It’s only at the end of the album that we get the sort of EDM inflections that a traditional remix album desires. The Shygirl inclusion doesn’t actually improve ‘365’ and leaves the o
riginal’s closer a little less bold despite its deeper bass. It’s not the finale anymore though. Now it’s bonus track ‘Guess’ with Billie Eilish in tow. Eilish adds a salubrious tone to the track that benefits the deep throb of the new bassline to end the album with a sense of gravitas. As Eilish seductively responds to XCX’s vocals, you’re brought into a world of glorious sapphic decadence.

If only the whole album were this good.

‘Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat’ is out now.

Irish politicians deny Kremlin ties after ‘Cobalt’ espionage claims

Multiple members of both houses of parliament have spoken up to deny they are in any way involved in Russian espionage.

Members of the Irish parliament are denying having any connections with the Kremlin after reports of a Russian asset among politicians in Dublin.

The story began with an report in the UK’s Sunday Times that detailed a Russian influence operation had captured an unnamed “agent of influence inside the Irish political establishment”, whom the paper nicknamed “Cobalt” and identified as male.

The story has left members of the Irish parliament, or Oireachtas, to deny that they are the alleged asset, whom the Sunday Times claimed may have been pressured via the gathering of compromising personal information, or “kompromat”, or via a honeypot operation.

The paper reported that Cobalt has been extensively investigated by Irish security services.

However, addressing the lower house on Thursday, Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin denied having been alerted to any active Russian espionage operation in Irish politics during his time as Taoiseach between June 2020 and December 2022.

“I received security briefings, but I was never told, and never briefed, that there was a spy in the Oireachtas,” he said.

“There’s a more fundamental question to be asked which I’m going to ask as minister of defence, because as minister of defence, I’ve never received a security briefing saying there’s a spy in the Oireachtas. There may be, there may not be, but I’ve never been briefed.”

Several parliamentarians have taken the unusual step of ruling themselves out as the real Cobalt. One senator from Martin’s party, Timmy Dooley, told his colleagues in the chamber this week that they needed to do so for the sake of parliament’s reputation.

“I think its important in order to avoid any potential stain on this house, that members would voluntarily make a statement that they are not the subject of any investigation or that they have never been in the clutches of Russia. And before I sit down, I can declare that I am not such person.”

Neutral, but vulnerable

Aside from Cobalt’s identity, the question raised by the original report is why Russia would be targeting Ireland with espionage in the first place.

The two countries have long had less than cordial relations, and there is a history of Russian spies using Ireland as a base for operating within the EU. Plans to expand the Russian embassy in Dublin in 2018 were thrown out by the Irish government when it emerged they contained suspicious elements that could have housed spying facilities.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ireland has accepted tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. The Irish government has strongly supported the Ukrainian war effort, and it has sent nearly €400 million in humanitarian aid in the last two-and-a-half years.

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However, Ireland is not a part of NATO and has long maintained a policy of military neutrality, maintaining only a relatively small army whose principal role is to participate in multilateral peacekeeping missions.

Under domestic law, for the army to deploy more than 12 soldiers to a combat zone, it must seek a mandatory resolution from the United Nations Security Council, a formal decision from the Irish government, and the approval of the lower house of parliament.

Polling shows that the neutrality policy remains popular among the Irish electorate. However, domestic critics of the so-called “triple lock” argue that it essentially gives adversaries on the UN Security Council a veto over Irish military action — and that Ireland is essentially working on the assumption that its Western allies would come to its defence if necessary.

Brussels urges Turkey to ‘thoroughly’ probe alleged abuse in EU-funded migration centres

A media investigation has revealed a pattern of systematic abuse and unsanitary conditions in EU-funded migrantion centres located in Turkey.

The European Commission urged Turkey on Friday to “thoroughly investigate allegations of wrongdoing” inside the migration centres that the country operates to deport Syrian and Afghan refugees with the bloc’s financial help.

The plea comes after an explosive investigation led by Lighthouse Reports found systematic mistreatment across the removal centres managed by the Turkish government and backed by €213 million in EU funds, marking a new controversial chapter in the EU-Turkey agreement signed in 2016 at the peak of the migration crisis.

The media consortium details unsanitary and overcrowded conditions in the facilities, instances of abuse and torture against migrants, and a pattern of coercion to force detainees to sign documents of “voluntary” returns to their war-torn nations.

In one case, the journalists write, a man who had fled Afghanistan after the 2023 Taliban takeover was arrested in Turkey and eventually returned to his home country, where he was “shot dead, with gunshot wounds to the neck and head.”

“We found that the EU is aware that it is funding this abusive system, with its own staff raising alarm about it internally – yet senior officials choose to turn a blind eye,” Lighthouse Reports says in its investigation, which was supported by other European outlets, including Le Monde, El Pais and Der Spiegel.

The research covered 100 sources, including testimonies from 37 people who had been detained in 22 different EU-funded facilities.

In reaction, the Commission said all EU money provided for managing removal centres and voluntary returns in Turkey was “in full respect of EU and international standards.”

The EU executive, however, insisted the ultimate responsibility to probe and crack down on violations of fundamental rights was up to the Turkish authorities, effectively putting the ball in Ankara’s court.

“Türkiye has its own set of legislation when it comes to recognition of refugees and migration management. In this context, the enforcement and protection of these formal rights remain the responsibility of Türkiye,” a Commission spokesperson said on Friday.

“The fundamental rights of individuals and the principle of non-refoulement must always be respected when enforcing any return decisions,” the spokesperson added, referring to the international principle that forbids deporting migrants to nations where they would face persecution, torture or any other form of ill-treatment.

“It is the responsibility of the Turkish authorities to thoroughly investigate allegations of wrongdoing and we urge them to do so.”

The spokesperson did not confirm if the Commission had been made aware of the abusive conditions inside the removal centres and noted EU officials based in Turkey “regularly” conduct monitoring missions to the sites.

According to UN figures, Turkey is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries worldwide, with around 3.2 million Syrian refugees alongside other nationalities.

Since 2011, the EU has provided Turkey with almost €10 billion to support the management of asylum seekers.

While Brussels and member states argue the financing and the 2016 deal have helped curb flows of irregular migration, critics counter the scheme has empowered President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to threaten the bloc and extract concessions.

Dua Lipa’s pickle-infused Diet Coke: What are your favourite weird food combinations?

Dua Lipa has gone viral with a beverage concoction that has divided the internet. But everyone has their own weird food combinations that shouldn’t work (but do). Here are some tips for you to step outside your culinary comfort zones.

This week, one of our favourite pop stars here at Euronews Culture shared a divisive drink combination.

Indeed, Dua Lipa split the internet with her now-viral TikTok post showing the ‘Levitating’ and ‘Houdini’ singer pouring a can of Diet Coke into a glass. Nothing strange about that. But then she added pickle juice and some jalapeño sauce to the mix. And yes, a few pickles and jalapeño slices did tip into the beverage.

She seemed to think it was delicious. British chef Gordon Ramsay even tried it in response to the clip, and he wasn’t levitating…

Much like her olive oil-and-ice cream tip earlier this year, we tried this new combo and… Well, it’s surprisingly good. It’s two-for-two for Lipa. As far as we’re concerned, she is fast becoming our culinary sensei.

While we wait for her to drop another unusual combination, we got thinking about our very own strange pairings, and thought we’d share our favourite food mashups. Just keep an open mind, and hopefully these will inspire you to step outside your culinary comfort zones.

And don’t call the authorities (or Gordon) – we’re fine, we promise.

Peanut butter & pickles

Peanut butter is the great love of my life. Together through thick and thin, crunchy and smooth, I’m convinced there’s no food or life circumstance it won’t make better.

Take, for instance, pickles. Pickles are delicious too. They’re salty and sour, tubby little things bursting with boisterous brine that temporarily satiates every human particle of yearning. Some people will relish in telling you this is wrong, but they’re the ones who are wrong – and clearly living on a lower, less joyous plane of existence.

However, no great snack comes without consequence. If you, too, have issues with self-control, you might well find yourself at the end of a gherkin jar with sandpapered taste buds and stinging lips. This is where the peanut butter comes in – as a sort of armour for acidicness.

Spread it onto the pickle like icing – don’t be precious, just really let yourself go if the mood takes – et voilà! You’ve got yourself a creamy barrier that offsets any sharpness with butteryness. Always go for crunchy peanut butter (obviously) for added texture, and have a hand towel nearby (it’s a bit messy). If you’re feeling lazy and don’t mind getting pickle juice in the peanut butter container, go right ahead and dunk the pickles straight in there.

Please note that this snack combination does sometimes come with moments of troubling self-reflection, but if, as the saying goes, “love means never having to say you’re sorry” then nope, I’m not sorry for choosing to live like this. Dill with it. AB

Goat’s cheese & Nutella

Sweet and savory is a thing, and let’s not pretend it’s not a glorious pairing for the ages. One which I’ve discovered works wonders is cheese and chocolate – specifically goat’s cheese and Nutella. Or whichever chocolate paste you favour, but it has to be said that Nutella works best.

Before you run for the hills or suspect they’ve let me out of my straitjacket for the day, hear me out. The distinct flavour of goat’s cheese marries well with the hazelnut goodness of one of Italy’s finest exports.

Yes, Nutella is manufactured by Piedmont’s Ferrero. Now you know.

Don’t be too decadent with the amounts you add – this isn’t Amber’s peanut butter and pickle recipe (which I’m definitely trying out tonight). Just some light dollops will do. However, once you do lovingly affix the paste to the cheese and top it with some pistachios if you’re feeling extra fancy, and mama mia, che delizioso!

And when you think about it, cheese is regularly enjoyed with jams and chutneys. So, is it that surprising another sweet paste works wonders?

Nutella also works a treat with Manchego cheese, cancelling out some of the saltiness and leaving you with an orgasmic snack that works particularly well if you’re in the mood for a grilled cheese… It may sound odd but it actually makes all the cheesy sense in the world. And if you’re not opposed to the idea, feel free to try out another one of my madcap Nutella / chocolate tricks: leave out the garlic from your hummus and add some Nutella and a swig of maple syrup. Beat all of that up like it owes you money, and go to town on that dip. Trust me – it’ll blow your socks off. DM

Mayonnaise & Nutella

Memory rarely comes as it’s presented in art. There are few crystal clear flashbacks dialogue recalled with perfect clarity. Nor is it vague moments covered in haze. Most often, it’s a selection of singular moments, preserved in amber. This is one of them.

I remember almost nothing from my Year 2 teacher Mrs Moses (I was 6 years old) aside from her sincerely suggesting we try this bizarre combo. I’ve loved it ever since.

As with all great peculiarities, some of my sick pleasure comes from the instant recoil anyone makes when they hear you have dared combine the luxurious sweet treat of Italy’s national hero with the unctuous savoury condiment mayonnaise.

Dear reader, stay with me. You’re assuming that the Nutella is the main player here with the mayo acting as a sulphureous sideshow. It’s not. We’re adding complex nutty tones and deep chocolate hues to the masterpiece landscape oil painting that mayonnaise is.

Forget your gag reflex for one second and picture the pure decadence of everyone’s favourite emulsification complemented by everyone’s favourite sweet palette. Don’t think of it as Nutella and mayonnaise. Think of it as a poor man’s chocolate creme brulée. Add a bit of sugar on top and torch it, I dare you. JW

Wotsits & Kinder Egg

A bizarre food combination that I believe could pair disturbingly well with Dua Lipa’s evil pickle juice Diet Coke is what I like to call a Kinder Egg Wotsit sandwich.

If you’re scratching your head thinking, “What’s a Wotsit?”, just imagine a Cheeto – a bright, nuclear orange cheese puff crisp from the UK that I personally consider a national treasure.

To make this delicious monstrosity of a sandwich, first carefully split your chocolate Kinder Egg in half and throw away the sad little toy inside. Replace it with the real star of the show – two to three Wotsits. Seal it up and voilà – your sandwich is ready to devour however you please.

As you take a bite, you’ll first be greeted with the smooth, creamy chocolate goodness o
f the Kinder Egg, only to be pleasantly interrupted by the satisfying crunch and salty cheesiness of the Wotsits.

And for those who like to really live life on the edge, you can spice things up by using Flamin’ Hot Wotsits instead. You’re welcome! TF

Mashed potato & Marmite (and a whole lot more)

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I don’t think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport – I think about mashed potatoes.

There’s something incredibly soothing about forking a food into a smudgy then velvety texture, as if all life’s frustrations could be so easily melded into a meditative mush. It’s also this perfect foundation for stirring in crazy concoctions, like a witch tending to her love potion.

Obviously, olive oil and/or butter are no-brainers, but after that, I always go for a hefty spoonful of Marmite. You know it’s enough when the mash turns to the colour of fudge.

Next, Tabasco. Just about three or four blobs – I sometimes imagine it’s the blood of my enemies or tears from the devil, then fold it in. Add a little sprinkle of garlic salt because, why not? Then heat up some (thick) gravy, pour over, and tuck in.

I can’t exactly explain why this works – there’s the added umami flavour and hints of spice and garlic that bring extra excitement to the gloopy creaminess of the mash – but ultimately, it’s just a mad mash-up of things I like that together, somehow work and always make a bad day better. It’s quite beautiful, really.

Not the dish itself – that does, admittedly, look like a sewage spill. AB

Strawberries & basil (and pepper)

My esteemed colleagues have been regaling you with quite the lunatic (but bizarrely yummy-sounding) array of recipes, so I’m going to temporarily dial it back and stick with the basics.

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of this simple yet deliciously depraved combination, I pity you. Follow my lead.

Cut some fresh strawberries and place them in a bowl. Roll up a few basil leaves into succulent scented cigarette and chop some thin slices. Sprinkle them on top of nature’s candy and then crack some black peppercorns to season.

I’ve heard of some intrepid gastronomes who add a soupçon of balsamic vinegar glaze, lemon, or a mist of white sugar. Fine additions, but surplus to requirement. It’s the KISS principle in the kitchen that works best: Keep It Simple, Sous-chef.

Et voilà – a healthy and yummy dessert which sees the pepper and basil leaves neutralize some of the tartness and bring out some extra flavours in the strawberries. The magic condiments also work with a lot of citrus fruits – pineapple in particular.

Once you’ve been converted, the sky’s the limit. My tip: sliced peaches (thirds work best), halved strawberries and whole blueberries, with generous helpings of chopped basil and properly ground pepper. Add some granulated sugar this time, mix everything together and you’ve got yourself a fruitbowl you won’t forget in a hurry.

Now, brace yourselves for our final recommendation, which sounds like an artery-clogging nightmare… DM

Quorn mince & a whole lot of condiments

The instruction on the back of Quorn mince – the meat alternative that became a staple in the 2010s – says something to the effect of “combine with your favourite sauce and heat up”.

Being a hungry kitchen illiterate teenager, I took this instruction a little too literally and created a monster.

Instead of sauce being the pomodoro base of a typical ragu, I assumed it meant condiments. Naturally this meant putting a load of the frozen mince in a bowl and pouring in a hefty combo of ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard (the yellow American-style slop), brown sauce (always HP), Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce (Tabasco) and to give it some Asian satay flair, peanut butter.

Throw the bowl, now resembling some kind of primordial soup, into a microwave for about 10 minutes. Enough to caramelise the sugars, evaporate the liquid and turn this war crime into a sticky-yet-crispy MSG nightmare. Finally, top with cheese and blast for a few more minutes to make it presentable.

I nicknamed this dish “Sploosh” after the magical treat from the book “Holes”. I can’t speak to Sploosh’s nutritional qualities, but I have a hunch it’s all you’d need to survive in any inhospitable environment. Much like all good cooking, it brings together all the key flavour profiles: sweet, salty, spicy, and bitter. Admit it, you’re intrigued. JW

Sweden updates a Cold War-era booklet with nuclear attack advice

The advice booklet was first published in World War II, before being reissued in 2018 reflecting Stockholm’s prior concerns of a worsened security situation in the Baltic Sea region.

Sweden will issue an update of a Cold War-era emergency advice booklet to reflect “today’s security policy reality” as Russia’s war in Ukraine nears its third year.

The booklet will include lessons from Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and advice on what to do in case of nuclear attacks, Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said during a press conference earlier this week.

“It is no secret that the security situation has deteriorated since the previous brochure was issued in 2018,” Bohlin said.

Bohlin added that the military threat against Sweden had increased since 2018, adding to a complex web of potential attacks that included cyberattacks, influence attacks, and sabotage.

The booklet notes Sweden’s formal entrance into NATO in March of this year, which ended the country’s decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment.

The 31-page booklet gives practical advice on cyber and terror attacks, pandemic, environmental threats and conventional warfare. It also outlines advice on self-defence, psychological defence, digital security and what to do during an air raid.

One new entry outlined how to stop a bleeding wound, with an excerpt on potential nuclear attacks reading, “In the event of an attack with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, take cover in the same way as with an airstrike. Shelters provide the best protection. After a couple days, the radiation has decreased sharply.”

The booklet was first issued during World War II and reissued in 2018 to reflect Stockholm’s concerns about a worsened security situation in the Baltic Sea region.

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The first edition bore the title “If War Comes”, with the updated version titled “If Crisis or War Comes.”

It was ultimately designed to give households “the knowledge they need to be able to act quickly in a crisis situation,” Bohlin said.

Over 5 million copies of the brochure’s updated version will be mailed out to households between 18 November and 29 November, with the advice also available digitally.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy meets Pope Francis as he continues European tour to push ‘victory plan’

After their private meeting, Francis gave Zelenskyy a bronze plaque with an inscription reading, “Peace is a fragile flower”.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday as he continues his tour of Europe to bolster support for a “victory plan”.

During his conversation with the head of the Catholic Church, Zelenskyy and Francis reportedly discussed the state of the war, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and well as how it could be brought to an end.

Zelenskyy has been city-hopping across the continent to promote a proposal which he says “aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war” against Russia.

Since the first Russian attack on Kyiv, Francis and Zelenskyy have made multiple visits, letters and phone calls to each other.

Francis has repeatedly and strongly called for an end to the war in Ukraine, focusing on prisoner exchanges and on reaching a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

The Pope drew some criticism from Ukrainian leaders in March when he suggested they should have the “courage of the white flag” and consider a negotiated end to the war with Russia, an notion interpreted by many as a call to surrender.

Rounding up support

A day before meeting the Pope, he had detailed the plan’s proposals to European allies after a planned summit including US President Joe Biden was derailed by Hurricane Milton.

He met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in London on Thursday before heading to France for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who signalled his support by visiting Ukrainian troops being trained in France.

Zelenskyy also met with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who ensured Italy’s full and continued support to put Ukraine in a position to build lasting peace.

The Ukrainian leader has yet to publicly present his proposals for victory, but the timing of his efforts to lock in European support appeared to have November’s US presidential election in mind.

Former President Donald Trump, who could return to the White House next year, has long been critical of US aid to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy had planned to present his blueprint at a weekend meeting of Western leaders in Germany, but it was postponed after sitting President Joe Biden stayed in the US to respond to Hurricane Milton, which has wreaked havoc in Florida.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy ends European tour with promise of more aid from Berlin

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy concluded his short European tour ahead of the US elections in Berlin on Friday by meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. But was the trip a success?

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Berlin on Friday, where Scholz promised further aid packages before the cold Ukrainian winter sets in.

During the tour that included visiting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Zelenskyy reportedly presented his peace plan, which pledges an end to the war in 2025.

Scholz promised new air defence systems and other weapons, along with a fresh military aid package, in collaboration with other NATO partners, worth €1.4 billion. €170 million has also been earmarked for Ukraine’s energy system, according to Scholz.

All eyes on Washington and 5 November

Zelenskyy was originally set to meet with US President Biden along with other key NATO members at a meeting on the Ramstein airbase scheduled for Saturday. However, the meeting was postponed after Biden stayed in the US as parts of the East coast were battered by hurricane Milton.

With no rescheduled date on the table for the meeting, experts suggest that Ukraine could be nervous ahead of the US election, less than a month away, as a visit from Biden may not carry as much weight when his presidency is coming to an end.

The polls are currently on knife edge between Trump and Harris and if Trump manages to win, experts are predicting that support for Ukraine will dry up from the US side.

The question remaining is how quickly Ukraine could be become a NATO member and if it would be the whole of Ukraine, or simply the territories not occupied by Russian forces. It is clear a lot will depend on the outcome of the US election next month.

Nearly 50% of U.S. Investors Plan to Invest in Crypto ETFs: Charles Schwab Survey

Crypto was the leading asset class among millennial ETF investors, topping even stocks and bonds, the survey showed.

U.S. investors are very much keen on investing in exchange-traded funds (ETF) that hold cryptocurrencies, a new survey commissioned by financial services giant Charles Schwab showed on Thursday.

Some 45% of respondents said they plan to invest in crypto via ETFs over the next year, up from 38% a year earlier, surpassing demand for bonds and alternative assets. Only U.S. equities fared better, with 55% of participants planning to invest.

Among millennial ETF investors, though, crypto was the leading asset class, with 62% saying they plan to allocate to that sector versus only 48% for U.S. stocks, 47% for bonds and 46% for real assets such as commodities.

Boomer ETF investors were much less keen on digital assets, with only 15% of the respondents having plans to invest.

“Pretty stunning,” Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said about crypto’s high ranking in investment plans in the survey.

The implications of the survey, which asked 2,200 individual investors between the age of 25 and 75 with at least $25,000 to be invested, could be a boost for the nascent and growing class of crypto-focused ETFs, which are being marketed as a diversification tool for traditional investment portfolios of stocks and bonds.

While U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs hardly need the help, having attracted nearly $19 billion of net inflows since their debut in January, spot ether ETFs have languished on a relative and absolute basis since their launch a few months later. Exits from the incumbent Grayscale Ethereum Trust have overwhelmed inflows into the newer entrants, with net outflows for the group as a whole topping more than $500 million, according to Farside Investors.

Bitcoin Tumbles Below $59K Amid Inflation Worry, Regulatory Onslaught on Crypto

Uniswap’s UNI token was the only CoinDesk 20 constituent in the green over the past 24 hours.

Cryptocurrencies continue to face headwinds on a number of fronts, with Thursday bringing a faster-than-hoped inflation report for September and yet another U.S. government regulatory action against a sector participant.

In mid-afternoon U.S. trading, bitcoin (BTC) was lower by about 4% over the past 24 hours. At $59,000, the price has returned to levels not seen since the U.S. Federal Reserve unexpectedly slashed its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points in mid-September. Altcoins outperformed somewhat, with the broad-based crypto benchmark CoinDesk 20 Index declining just under 3% during the same period. Ether (ETH) dropped 3.5%, while only decentralized exchange Uniswaps’s token (UNI) had positive return during the day on news about the platform’s own layer-2 plans.

Crypto began the day on a weak foot after the U.S. Consumer Price Index report showed an unexpected re-acceleration of inflation in September. The news seemingly drove a stake through any idea that the Fed could cut interest rates another 50 basis points in November, with some market participants now wondering if the U.S. central bank might even decide to pause its rate-cutting cycle at that meeting.

Prices dived even lower during afternoon hours following news that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued major digital asset market maker Cumberland DRW, raising concerns once again about the challenging regulatory environment for U.S. crypto firms. The SEC alleged DRW traded crypto assets that were sold as securities without registering as a securities dealer.

Cumberland pushed back against the lawsuit in an X post, saying that “we are not making any changes to our business operations or the assets in which we provide liquidity as a result of this action by the SEC.”

The SEC lawsuit was only the latest regulatory action by the U.S. government against crytpo this week. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice charged four market makers and more than a dozen individuals over market manipulation charges. Also Wednesday, SEC Chair Gary Gensler was very dismissive about the idea that bitcoin or crypto might catch on in any sort of significant way as a means of payment. He called out the crypto industry for being filled with “fraudsters,” and asserted that the “leading lights” of the sector were either in jail or soon to be on their way behind bars.