With the World Cup well underway in North America, you’d think the president would be revelling in the beautiful game, but, as Alex Pattle writes, he’s so tired of being booed that he has set up a huge UFC ring in his back garden to watch big men duke it out in the presidential garden for his 80th birthday.
You read that right. The president of the US is 80 years of age, and the last one was no spring chicken either. Of course, being of a certain age doesn’t mean you have nothing to offer – look at David Attenborough – it’s just that, when you’re the leader of the free world and appearing to nod off in briefings and events of all kinds, maybe it’s a problem. Jon Sopel writes about why Dozy Don is much more of a danger to America – and the world – than Sleepy Joe ever was.
The UFC element of Trump 2.0 is really no coincidence, given the current toxic masculinity trends. The logic that knocking seven bells out of each other makes you more of a man is one pushed viciously in the “manosphere” by the likes of Andrew Tate. Stephen Adubato realised this and has started trading in the boxing ring for the ballroom. First embracing his Greek roots and then branching out into different styles of dance, he’s found confidence and discipline through cutting a rug, because real men can learn strength, grace and charm from the art of dance.
And speaking of charm, the art world lost a legend on Friday with the passing of David Hockney. The Independent’s former arts editor remembers the one constant in the late painter’s work: life-affirming colour. In this special piece, David goes through each decade and picks a painting that spoke to him. What emerges from them – and all of his work – is an irreplaceable artistic genius.
In Merano, an Italian paradise that Hockney would’ve appreciated for its natural beauty, Victoria Harper travelled to a longevity spa to find out whether the wellness obsession with living optimally is enlightening or exhausting. Phyto-algae treatments? Cryotherapy? Brain gyms? She did the lot, and the doctor gave her the good and the bad news while she enjoyed the views.
Longevity is the buzzword for everyone at the moment, but what it means can differ between men and women. In fact, there are a fair few differences between the two sexes, as Steve Stewart-Wilson laid out in a paper that got him no end of criticism. He discusses them at length in his new book, but gives us the condensed version here. He argues that the differences are hardly well-guarded secrets, but understanding them better will lead us all to benefit.
And the good news is, we can still all benefit from delicious meals even if food prices continue to rise. The 12 recipes in her collection come from some of Britain’s most trusted budget cooks, including Jamie Oliver, Miguel Barclay, Jack Monroe, Ian Bursnall, Pinch of Nom (aka Catherine Allinson and Kay Featherstone) and gluten-free champion Becky Excell.
In fact, I’m off to make one now and watch the president’s punch-up; have a good one!
Liam Murphy-Robledo
Digital Features Publisher
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