Haliey Welch, better known as “the Hawk Tuah Girl,” has broken her silence as she faces lawsuits related to an alleged “crypto scam” regarding her Hawk Tuah NFT.
“I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community,” Welch wrote in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 20. “I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter,” she continued. “If you have experienced losses related to this, please contact Burwick Law using the link below: https://burwick.law/newclient. @BurwickLaw,” the statement concluded.
Welch remained silent for more than two weeks following the collapse of her HAWK cryptocoin just a day after it launched on Dec. 4. In the moments after it launched, HAWK momentarily soared to a 500 percent increase from its starting price, which brought it to its market cap of $490 million just minutes after its debut. But 24 hours later, the market was singing a different tune. By the next morning, HAWK’s market cap had collapsed to $29.1 million as regulators began identifying “irregularities” in the memecoin’s control.
“We don’t want to break securities laws,” Welch's manager, Jonnie Forster, told Fortune prior to the release. “We would say that we’re almost, like, tokenizing, in a sense, Hailey’s fan base.”
Many of Welch’s followers sounded off in the comments section, ribbing the influencer about how long it took her to respond to the allegations. “Holy s--t, you finally woke up,” one fan joked. Others took the matter more seriously. “I think she was fooled by someone but she seems to be taking the right steps,” one commenter mused. “Number one rule in life: Don’t trust financial advice from a girl called “Hawk Tuah,” another advised Welch’s fans.
Billy Bob Thornton has starred in plenty of action films throughout his career, but when it came to becoming a part of Mission: Impossible, one of the most beloved action series of all time, the Landman star wasn't interested only because of the character he would play.
In a new interview on the Bingeworthy podcast, Thornton reflected on two villain roles he's turned down in his career: The Green Goblin in 2002's Spider-Man and arms dealer Owen Davian in 2006's Mission: Impossible III. Acting alongside Tom Cruise wasn't the problem, though his role in relation to Cruise's agent character Ethan Hunt was.
"I don’t have much interest in those kinds of roles," the Sling Blade star stated plainly. "With the Green Goblin, I didn’t feel like getting up at 4 a.m. for five or six hours of makeup. And with Mission: Impossible III, I didn’t want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise. If you’re the bad guy in a big movie like that, audiences remember it forever. I prefer to keep things looser and less predictable."
Still, the Mission: Impossible series remains strong after almost two decades in the cultural zeitgeist. Cruise's high-flying stunts—which he famously does himself—were featured during this year's Olympic closing ceremony as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Games. And the eighth installment in the franchise is due out in the spring, serving as a follow-up to 2023's Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is in theaters May 23, 2025. Thornton's new series Landman is now streaming on Paramount+.
Athleticism is in the Rodman family, as Trinity Rodman, the daughter of former basketball star Dennis Rodman, is a star soccer player for the Washington Spirit and earned a gold medal at this year's Olympics in Paris. But just because they have that in common doesn't mean they have the best relationship today, as Trinity recently lambasted her dad and his parenting skills in a new interview.
Now, the elder Rodman is responding to his daughter's disappointment in his fathering skills. He shared his honest thoughts in a Dec. 18 Instagram post showcasing photos of the two together set to Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses."
"Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be, but either way I still tried and I still try and never will stop. I will keep trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time," he captioned the post. "I’m always here and tell you all the time—rather, it’s your voice or voicemail—how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me. Hopefully one day I can get that."
"I’m here and I’m still trying pick up the phone you have my number," he added. "You see me calling. I’m still here."
He went on to share a recent experience he had where he tried to reconnect with his estranged daughter but was prevented from doing so. "I watch you play all the time. Actually flew in to watch you play and was told not to show up because who I was with instead and me just wanting to support you, so I watched you from my hotel balcony just to make everybody happy," he concluded. "I love all my kids."
The apology comes hours after Trinity didn't hold back in a Dec. 18 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. "He's not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else," she stated plainly. "He’s an alcoholic. That’s something that I don’t want to say, but I’m just like, f--k it. It’s just the truth."
The Washington Spirit's season kicks off next spring.
For decades pilates has been a popular form of exercise for fitness enthusiasts and celebrities alike. While it was first invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow helped really popularize it in the early 2000s. In the last decade, the popular fitness modality took a back seat to other forms of exercise like HIIT, weightlifting, and beyond. But in recent years pilates has taken back its crown as the favorite form of fitness once again, a new report from ClassPass confirms.
Courtesy of ClassPass
Top Fitness Modalities
After taking a look through ClassPasses Annual Look Back report, it's clear that fitness of all kinds is a central point of many people's lives. According to the report, fitness reservations have surged by 51 percent from October 2023 to October 2024.
Of those fitness reservations, the highest-growing workout was pilates with an 84 percent increase in bookings in the last year alone. Behind pilates were yoga, strength training, cycling, barre, boxing, and more. Regular gym goers generally have a set workout split by days with working and rest days planned out ahead of time. According to the ClassPass report, it seems like most fitness enthusiasts avoid Sundays like the plague.
Courtesy of ClassPass
Favorite Wellness Appointments
Salon and spa reservations have increased, too. In the last year, reservations have jumped by 38 percent, which shows people are definitely taking their overall health and wellness more seriously. Massages earned the top spot as the most-booked salon and spa service globally again this year. Reservations increased by 39 percent proving that now more than ever people are in serious need of some relaxation.
New services like body scans, cosmetic treatments, and body sculpting also saw significant growth. When it comes to the most popular days to book, Fridays won the top spot while Sundays tended to be the least booked day for wellness treatments.
The highly anticipated for season 3 of The Traitors has arrived.
Peacock just dropped the teaser and key art for the Emmy-winning reality competition series hosted by Alan Cumming, which brings different TV personalities together to compete in a murder mystery game of "treachery and deceit."
Set in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, "contestants work together on a series of exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000," and "hidden amongst the Faithful are the Traitors, whose goal is to eliminate the Faithful and claim the prize for themselves."
Each night, the Traitors must murder a Faithful while the Faithful work to uncover and banish all of the Traitors. In the end, if the Faithful outlast and banish the Traitors, they share the cash prize fund, but if a Traitor (or Traitors) makes it to the end, they steal all the money.
This year's cast includes Bob Harper (The Biggest Loser), Bob The Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Britney Haynes (Big Brother), Carolyn Wiger (Survivor), Chanel Ayan (The Real Housewives of Dubai), Chrishell Stause (Selling Sunset), Ciara Miller (Summer House), Danielle Reyes (Big Brother), Dolores Catania (The Real Housewives of New Jersey), Dorinda Medley (The Real Housewives of New York City), Dylan Efron (Down to Earth with Zac Efron), Gabby Windey (The Bachelorette), Jeremy Collins (Survivor), Lord Ivar Mountbatten (British Royal), Nikki Garcia (WWE Hall of Famer), Rob Mariano (Survivor & Deal or No Deal Island), Robyn Dixon (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Sam Asghari (Actor & Model), Tom Sandoval (Vanderpump Rules), Tony Vlachos (Survivor), and Wells Adams (Bachelor in Paradise).
The Traitors season 3 kicks off with a three-episode premiere event on Peacock January 9 at 6pm PT/9pm ET. New episodes will drop weekly on Thursdays at 6pm PT/9pm ET, with the finale and reunion set for March 6 on Peacock.
NBC will also air the first two episodes of season 3 on January 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.
A runner on vacation in India got quite a surprise when she was arrested for one of her go-to trail running devices.
Tina Lewis is a Canadian citizen living in Colorado and is known for winning the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon in 2012. For two months this year, the 51-year-old traveled around India and documented her adventures online. But earlier this month, she was arrested by Indian authorities after airport security in Goa found a Garmin inReach device in her carry-on. The satellite communicator is often used by hikers and trail runners in case of emergency without phone service; using a satellite GPS device without permission is illegal in the country as part of the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933.
"I had the Garmin for camping and trekking solo. And to use when no reception to check in with family to let them know I’m safe," she told iRunFarof her experience. "As a solo female traveler, I think it’s wise."
Lewis was lucky enough to have a local connection that put her in contact with a lawyer. "I was detained at the police station, being questioned and literally about to go the hospital for a medical exam before jail when my friend’s lawyer showed up," she recounted. "But I spent several full days in court."
She handed over the inReach and ended up spending thousands of dollars in court fines and lawyer fees. In all, it took her six days to get her passport back.
"I’ve taken a few days to process and I don’t want this ruining my trip," she told iRunFar after it was all over. Still, she feels that the law needs to be brought into the 21st century. "This outdated law needs to be challenged at [a] higher court so other travelers do not experience what I, and others, have," she wrote on Instagram.
If you're planning on bringing one of these devices on your next international vacation, you might want to double-check the local laws around such technology.
Sydney Sweeney is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood right now, a position that sometimes attracts the worst kinds of criticism. Last week, candid photos circulated of Sweeney in a bikini, which elicited a barrage of crude and bizarre comments from the worst kinds of internet folks. From strange assertions that Sweeney was “mid” to the idea that these photos revealed she was somehow out of shape or never attractive to begin with, it felt, for a moment, like we were living in a bizarro universe.
Luckily, Sweeney has fired back against the zombie hordes of the comments section, with a somewhat tongue-in-cheek Instagram post. In the post, Sweeney screenshots all the most vile, and strange body-shamming insults before topping it all off with footage of her at the gym, brawling like a boss.
More than any recent female celebrity, the public discussion of Sydney Sweeney’s body seems to take up way may time and effort than it should. Smartly, Sweeney doesn’t seem to be letting the haters get to her, and her jovial candor in her gym footage proves why she has so many fans to begin with. Most of us can agree that the appeal of Sydney Sweeney is that yes, she’s gorgeous, but she also seems normal and down-to-Earth, too.
While Sweeney is rumored to be starring in a reboot of of the iconic sex-farce, sci-fi romp, Barbarella, that doesn't appear to be the next big project she's getting ready for. Instead, Sweeney is starring in an upcoming biopic about female boxer Christy Martin. She's almost certainly hitting the punching bag for that.
Either way, in a bikini, or a space suit, or the boxing ring Sweeney is cool as hell, and clearly, won’t ever let the bastards get her down.
We have all been there - feeling bloated or gassy after a big meal, a fizzy drink, or just because your stomach's not having it. It's uncomfortable, right? While most of us experience it occasionally, there are some who deal with it on the daily. And let's be real, it can get pretty awkward, especially when you're headed to an event or meeting. If you're constantly feeling bloated and gassy, you've probably asked yourself what you're doing wrong. Well, turns out, the answer might just be how fast you're eating. Yup, you heard that right! Recently, nutritionist Nmami Agarwal shared on Instagram how scarfing down your food could be messing with your stomach. Also Read:Struggling With Bloating? 5 Easy Ayurvedic Remedies To Tackle Digestion Problems Like A Pro
Photo Credit: iStock
Here's How Eating Fast Leads To Gas And Bloating, According To The Expert:
1. Swallowing Air:
When you eat quickly, you're also swallowing a lot of air. As Nmami explains, this trapped air builds up in your stomach, causing gas and bloating. The fix? Slow down and savour each bite.
2. Not Chewing Enough:
Another culprit? Not chewing your food enough. Nmami points out that when you eat fast, the food hits your stomach in bigger chunks, which makes it harder for your digestive enzymes to do their job. The result? Fermentation in your gut, leads to gas. So, take the time to chew thoroughly to help break down your food into smaller pieces.
3. Ignoring Your Fullness Signals:
Did you know that eating too quickly messes with your brain's ability to register when you're full? This can lead to overeating, which causes bloating, gas, and even a bloated stomach. That pressure on your digestive system only makes things worse.
How To Stop Gas And Bloating While Eating?
1. Be Mindful:
Take smaller bites and chew thoroughly - aim for 20-30 chews per bite. This helps break down your food before it even hits your stomach.
2. Slow Down:
Put your fork down between bites. It reduces air intake and gives your stomach time to process the food.
3. Drink Water:
Sip water throughout the day, but don't go overboard during meals, as it can dilute stomach acids and slow digestion.
4. Avoid Talking While Eating:
Chatting while chewing increases the chances of swallowing air, which only makes the bloating worse.
Most professional snowboarders have to learn to bartend somewhere along the way to pay the bills before those first big sponsorships come through. For Shaun White, the mixology skills came after his Olympic medals.
The former professional snowboarder and skateboarder got a crash course from PATRÓN representatives before he mixed drinks for hundreds of people at an F1 event at the Wynn in Las Vegas, NV.
“I feel like I leveled up,“ White said. "For the standard house party, I'm going to be crushing the game.”
The men’s halfpipe snowboarding’s Greatest of All Time teamed up with PATRÓN to serve drinks at lounges throughout the Encore Player’s Lounge. His signature cocktail? A spicy twist on a classic, crafted with PATRÓN Silver Tequila and habanero-infused agave.
Shaun White hosts the PATRÓN Tequila G.O.A.T. Circuit ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday, Nov. 22nd.
Steven Blanco
PATRÓN Tequila G.O.A.T.
Ingredients
2 oz. PATRÓN Silver Tequila
¾ oz. habanero-infused agave
1 oz. lime juice
Lime wedge (optional)
Kosher salt (optional)
How to Make It
Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously with ice to chill.
Strain onto fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Optionally, salt half the rim of the glass with kosher salt.
This bartending gig is just the latest side quest for White in retirement. He's already appeared in movies like Good Burger 2 and The Real Bros of Simi Valley. He went to the Paris Olympics. He gave Kid Cudi a snowboarding lesson. Not to mention he’s running a snowboard outerwear and hardgoods company, WHITESPACE, and creating an entirely new professional circuit for the sport called The Snow League.
Throughout his rise to the top of snowboarding’s pecking order, White has transcended the world of winter sports and entered into mainstream culture in a way few others have been able to. That might be because of his prominence as a professional skateboarder or because he grew up in Carlsbad, CA, rather than in a mountain town. Whatever the reason, he’s working hard in his post-professional snowboarder life to bring snowboarding to the people who might not regularly ride a chairlift.
Last year, his snowboard brand, WHITESPACE, collaborated with the Utah Jazz on a limited-release board and outerwear. The brand has also linked up with luxury brand Moncler for a run of limited-edition snowboards and jackets. When the partnership with PATRÓN was announced, White made a run of co-branded Whitespace x PATRÓN T-shirts for his family and friends to wear during F1 weekend.
The Snow League, a winter sports competition founded by White, will debut in Aspen, CO, in March 2025. It'll feature men’s and women’s halfpipe skiing and snowboarding and aims to pay the winners of both sides the same amount of prize money. In November, the league announced a broadcasting partnership with NBC Sports. As simple as the news might sound, it’s a monumental step for the league already.
Outside of the Olympics and X Games, watching contest snowboarding live has been nearly impossible. Fellow Olympic Gold Medalist Red Gerard touched upon the issue of live-streaming contests in an interview with the Mark My Bird podcast over the summer.
"You could say FIS [International Ski and Snowboard Federation] struggles with the most, out of anything, is not having live results. I don't understand why—in slopestyle and in boardercross—we can't have a live feed of those events," he said. "You're not going to get anyone to watch it if you don't have a live stream to watch it, and I think it's just something that we, as competitive snowboarders, struggle with so much."
The league has already raised the bar. The X Games announced it will partner with Australian snowboarder Scotty James to create its own year-round league that features a global schedule and team format. The hype this has brought to the world of competitive snowboarding is huge.
While sports like baseball and basketball have continued to see players’ salaries grow exponentially, many snowboarding professionals still struggle to make ends meet, even more so than during the early days of White’s career.
“I'm so thankful it's getting the reaction it's getting,” White said. “To lock in Aspen, a legendary mountain town, probably one of the most legendary, to lock in NBC as our broadcast partner, to show our athletes leading up to the Olympics and really tell their stories—gosh, that's an amazing thing.”
It’s holiday time. That means there are tons of parties happening this season, and no one wants to arrive empty-handed. Bringing a good bottle of whiskey is always in style, but anyone can just go to the liquor store and grab a cheap bottle or some Costco whiskey. However, for the holidays, you might want to bring something a little special. For my seasonal gatherings, I'm bringing High West Bourye.
Bourye is a 2024 limited-edition bottle out of Utah’s High West Distillery. It blends bourbon and rye, as the name implies, into a magical holiday sipping whiskey. Pouring a glass of this will turn heads, as it’s not your normal Jim Beam—especially because of how the bottle looks.
The label pays homage to Western lore with a winking jackalope. It's a mythical creature that has a jackrabbit’s body and antelope antlers. In many bars out West, you'll find makeshift taxidermies of it mounted all over the walls. Under the image, the cheeky tagline "Spotted in the Wild" references the bottle's rare seasonal release.
But what exactly is in Bourye? First off, the barrel statement makes clear that the whiskey was aged in new charred white American oak barrels for at least a decade. The extensive mash bill is listed as a mix of straight rye whiskey and straight bourbon whiskey.
There are two ryes in this blend: one is 95 percent rye, 5 percent barley malt from MGP, the other 80 percent rye and 20 percent malted rye from High West Distillery. That marries two bourbons: one that's 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, 4 percent barley malt from MGP, and another that's 78 percent corn, 10 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley from Kentucky. There is no flavor added here and no chill filtration, meaning what you see is what you get.
Bourye is a delicious blend of whiskeys from High West Distillery.
David Young
Bourye is one of High West Distillery's most popular bottles, and it’s easy to taste why. The cherry and shortbread notes are ideal for the holidays. And the more than 10-year age statement adds a nice depth and complexity to the buttery-rich whiskey. And, bottled at 92 proof, it's accessibly strong for a fun holiday party. Being a limited release, it’s a real Christmas treat for those who gather for the holiday party.
If the jackalope label didn't seal it, the whiskey is firmly rooted in its Western heritage thanks to its Wanship, UT, home base. Based just outside of popular winter destination Park City, UT, High West Distillery has a Saloon, too, that's the only ski-in-ski-out bar of its kind.
High West was founded by David and Jane Perkins, who swapped their background in biochemistry for whiskey. The two specifically selected Park City for a home to the distillery in 2006 because of their love of the old west and its history of whiskey. In 1933, Utah cast its vote to end Prohibition and 73 years later, High West had the honor of becoming the state’s first legal distillery since 1870.
Today, High West is blending some of the most creative bourbons on the market, not just Bourye. The Wanship location is a blending house where workers meld different whiskeys together to create bottles greater than the sum of their parts. The result is a variety of different whiskeys that taste unique, such as the Double Rye or the Campfire.
As for Bourye, the distillery recommends drinking it around a campfire while looking at the Milky Way. But I find that sipping around a fireplace and looking at the Christmas tree with friends and family is equally enjoyable. Try it neat or with a little water for the best experience.
Bhagyashree recently flew to Indore to inaugurate a jewellery store in the city. Before fulfilling her work commitment, the actress checked into a hotel and was given a warm foodie welcome by the staff. During her stay, Bhagyashree was offered a spread of desserts and snacks. She shared a picture of the snack cart on her Instagram Stories. The post featured a variety of sweet treats. The top tier of the three-tiered stand had two round, green-dusted desserts, possibly mousse cakes with a fruit garnish.
The middle tier displayed three square-shaped chocolate desserts, likely rich brownies or chocolate truffles. The bottom tier offered a selection of round, golden-brown cookies. But that's not all—there were also jars of Indori sev, cheese straws and jeera cookies. Other plates included tiramisu, tart and a macaron.
In the next slide, Bhagyashree shared a picture of her scrumptious lunch plate featuring spinach ravioli in red sauce. The dish featured a bunch of olives, cherry tomatoes and sprinkles of grated cheese.
Earlier this week, Bhagyashree travelled to Jaipur where she tried the traditional Rajasthani drink - Bajre ki raabdi. The actress shared a picture of a dish on her Instagram Stories. Without revealing what it was, she asked her fans to guess the name of the drink. However, in the next slide, she answered the question herself and revealed that she had Bajre ki raabdi. Made by fermenting a mixture of buttermilk and bajra (pearl millet) flour, bajre ki raabdi or raab is a wholesome Rajasthani drink which is an important part of the daily diet of many people. Read more about it here.
Before that, Bhagyashree was in Bangkok, Thailand. The actress shared a glimpse of her unusual dinner on her Instagram Stories. The image featured a crocodile all set for grilling on a burner. It also showed marinated oiled skewers placed on bamboo leaves on the counter. In the caption, Bhagyashree wrote, “Oh my gosh!!” followed by a series of astonished face emojis. She hashtagged the photo with “travel tales by byb”. Read more details here.
Bhagyashree's food shenanigans are indeed our favourite.
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What's your favourite thing about winter? For us, it's definitely the chance to enjoy all the yummy achaars! Winter is when our kitchens are filled with jars of freshly made achaars, lovingly prepared by our nani's and dadi's. We hold these achaars close to our hearts, tucked away in a special corner of the kitchen. From gobhi ka achaar to amla ka achaar, we're all about that winter flavour. But have you ever tried Rajasthani mogri ka achaar? It's got a one-of-a-kind taste and is just what your dining table needs this season. Curious to know how to make it? Keep reading! Also Read:Karonde Ka Achaar: A Tangy Pickle Recipe That's Sure To Become A Family Favourite
What Makes Rajasthani Mogri Ka Achaar A Must-Try This Winter?
Mogri (aka radish pods) is a seasonal veggie that shows up in the winter months, from December to February. And let us tell you, this achaar is not just tasty-it's also packed with nutrition. Low in calories and rich in vitamins A and C, mogri ka achaar gives you a healthy yet flavourful bite that's perfect for the winter season.
How To Store Rajasthani Mogri Ka Achaar
If you want to make sure your achaar lasts, storage is key. Keep it in an airtight container, stored in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh. If you want to make it last even longer, pop it in the fridge-it'll stay good for up to two weeks!
How To Make Rajasthani Mogri Ka Achaar | Rajasthani Mogri Ka Achaar Recipe
This simple and delicious recipe comes from MasterChef Aruna Vijay's Instagram. Follow these steps to make it yourself:
1. Wash The Mogri
Start by washing and cleaning your mogri (radish pods). Put them in a bowl and add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, amchoor powder, and salt. Toss everything together until it's well mixed.
2. Prepare The Oil Tadka
Heat oil in a pan over low-medium heat. Add saunf, kalonji, and hing. Pour the hot tadka over the mogri and mix well.
3. Add A Burning Coal
Taste and adjust the seasoning, then place a burning coal on top. Add ghee and cover the bowl to let the flavours infuse.
4. Serve And Enjoy
Your Rajasthani mogri ka achaar is ready! It pairs perfectly with thandi puri or crispy khakras.
How do we introduce the phenomenon that is Izumi? It is well-known as one of Bandra's buzziest hotspots, one of Mumbai's most sought-after reservations and one of India's leading Japanese restaurants. But is the attractive halo created by such descriptions just smoke and mirrors? We are happy to report it's more of a light that exudes warmth through simply delicious food. We had the chance to dine at Izumi Bandra on its reopening night following a three-month hiatus. It was our first visit to this famous spot and we got to try the revamped menu.
Photo Credit: Izumi
After the restaurant closed its doors, Chef Nooresha Kably travelled along with a team of 12 enthusiasts to three cities in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo. The new dishes are inspired by their discoveries during the trip. Izumi's menu as a whole does not try to tell a story - but some of the individual dishes are narratives in themselves. Chef Nooresha recalls, "After our train journey with views of the Sea of Japan to Otaru, we visited Sankaku Market, where we sampled some of the freshest seafood that Japan has to offer, like king crab, uni (sea urchin), scallops, and the sweetest shrimp. In Otaru, we were introduced to Kaisen-Don by a local fisherman. Those beautiful seaside flavours stayed with us, and we couldn't wait to bring them back to India."
Photo Credit: Izumi
We started our meal with Ohitashi Tomato and Crispy Tofu Salad, a vibrant combination that also included lotus root, cucumber and white onion. Drizzled with a light yuzu dressing, it set the stage for the more indulgent treats to come. We also liked the refreshing Avocado Tartare enhanced with habanero oil. The smoothness of corn cream, the crispiness of the sweet potato strands and the bite of the tartare came together quite well. From the hot non-veg small plates section, we tasted the Kushi Katsu ( a deep-fried cutlet-like dish on a skewer). We chose the Cinnamon Pork Korokke with balsamic and honey reduction, which had scrumptious layers of sweetness, heat and (a hint of) spice. This was followed by Izumi's classic Pork Gyoza and we fought amongst ourselves for the last bite of it! The meat with almond chilli oil was encased in perfectly soft wrappers like little pockets of heaven.
Photo Credit: Izumi
Izumi's drinks menu has 18 new cocktails, many of which are inspired by Chef Nooresha's last trip where she visited different bars across Japan. Highlights include The Zen & Zest (rum/gin, yuzu, honey, ginger, fresh basil), Uji Twilight (Sencha-infused Japanese whisky, peanut butter bourbon, Amaretto, sweet vermouth, Amaro) and Tokyo Bloom (sake, gin, cherry blossom, kaffir lime). A special mention also for the mocktails here - we thoroughly relished Yuzual Suspect (a bubbly concoction with yuzu puree and kaffir lime) and Sinner Man (orange juice spiked with cinnamon syrup).
Photo Credit: Izumi
Izumi's sushi selections have remained the same, except for the addition of the Open Rolls. Chef explains that these rolls are designed to be individually consumed: "If you must, you may bite into one end of the open roll and share it with someone." The fillings were stacked inside a semi-folded sheet of crisp seaweed with a layer of rice at the bottom and reminded us of tacos in a way. We highly recommend both the veg Shimeji with Crispy Almond (with lettuce, carrot and ginger cream) and the non-veg Shime Saba (marinated mackerel and miso cream). We enjoyed the subtly sharp taste of the pickled fish - derived from the vinegar it's marinated in. There are also cool new options for the Robata grill. While meat may seem like an obvious choice, don't overlook the vegetarian possibilities. Case in point: the gloriously juicy and smoky Dashi Red Bell Pepper with Maple Butter.
Photo Credit: Izumi
Izumi's ramen boasts legions of passionate followers, so we were not exactly surprised by how good it was. However, we managed to discover new dimensions of appreciation as we tasted the Tokyo Chicken Chintan Ramen. The wholesomely light broth with flavours of shoyu and thyme, the slurp-worthy noodles and the double bite delight of chicken charsu and chicken liver pate dumplings... it was a one-bowl-meal that felt inexplicably healing.
Photo Credit: Izumi
We ended our evening with two of the new desserts: the fuss-free Monaka (wafer biscuit with coffee ice cream) and the indulgent Orange & Berry Parfait. The latter reminded us of Gadbad ice cream (a loaded dessert popularly found in some parts of Goa and Karnataka). It was a fun mix of orange blossom ice cream, berry compote, raspberry jelly, ice cream, fresh fruits and crumble. Despite the number of components, the level of sweetness was controlled very well and we loved the burst of freshness that accompanied each bite.
Photo Credit: Izumi
It would be safe to simply declare that "Izumi Bandra lives up to the hype." But our experience was about so much more. It introduced us to new favourites and satisfied cravings we were not even aware of. Now that's what makes a meal truly memorable!
It’s always fun to discover a new single malt Scotch whisky. What that usually means, however, is that it’s new to you and not actually new to the market, because most distilleries in Scotland have been around for at least a century. However, there're a few that haven’t been available here in America until recently. Such is the case with Longmorn.
If you’re unfamiliar with Longmorn, you’re not alone. The distillery was founded in 1894 in the Speyside region of Scotland, which is home to other much better-known distilleries like Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, and The Macallan.
Longmorn is owned by French drinks company Pernod Ricard, and for many years the whisky has been used as a key component in the Chivas Regal blend. The distillery has also been releasing single malts for years; it’s just that, aside from the occasional Secret Speyside release you could find on the secondary market, Longmorn hasn't had much of a presence stateside.
That changed last winter with the introduction of two excellent age statement whiskies, an 18- and 22-year-old, clearly defining the brand as part of the luxury whisky market.
Just last month, the distillery introduced another new high-end whisky to American drinkers: a 30-year-old single malt that's worth the splurge. Previously, 30-year-old versions of Longmorn have appeared as part of the Chivas Brothers Lost in Time collection and as a single cask release, but this new whisky will be a permanent member of the lineup released in annual batches.
Longmorn 30 Year is a new luxury addition to the brand's portfolio.
Courtesy Image
The whisky was aged for at least three decades in a combination of hogsheads and American oak barrels. It’s bottled at cask strength of 44.5 percent ABV. There’s a rich complexity to this whisky, which after 30 years in casks has achieved a nice balance of sweetness, spice, and oak flavors. There are notes of vanilla, burnt orange, dark chocolate, molasses, burnt sugar, and oaky smoke on the palate—though this is an unpeated whisky—and just the right amount of tropical fruit that often arrives when a Scotch reaches this age.
Longmorn 30 is a pricy bottle at about $2,000, but this is a single malt that is worth the splurge. You can find it available now at speciality retailers around the country.
As a style editor and scent fanatic, a highlight of my work is sampling colognes. Every so often, I stumble upon a unique fragrance so intoxicating that I’m tempted to gatekeep it. But it is my job is to share the good stuff, and Stag by The Maker is one of those fragrances that demands to be talked about.
A little context regarding artisanal aromas: Over the past decade, niche fragrance houses have exploded, offering an alternative to mass-produced scents that once dominated the market. Like Swiss watchmakers, these brands prioritize craft, quality, and timelessness, rejecting alcohol-heavy, overly synthetic fumes and "sport"-labeled fragrances. The Maker Stag Eau de Parfum embodies this artisanal ethos—it justifies its slightly higher price with a distinctive aroma crafted from high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, many of which are cruelty-free. This isn't department-store banality; it's a scent designed to be as individual as its wearer.
When The Maker Hotel opened in upstate New York in 2020, it established itself as an elevated bohemian retreat, blending eclectic design and curated ambiance. Over time, it’s evolved into a “maker” of bespoke lifestyle products, including a fragrance line that’s become a modern classic. Each scent in The Maker’s collection draws inspiration from spaces within the hotel, and Stag takes its cues from the Architect Studio—a tribute to the brand’s artistry and storytelling.
When Stag debuted a few years ago, it earned widespread acclaim, even winning the 2022 Indie Fragrance Foundation’s Fragrance of the Year. Those in the olfactory world know about it, but here’s the thing: Many people in my life don’t. So I consider it my duty to share this gem with everyone.
Simplicity is key here. Three key notes dominate: palo santo, agarwood, and leather, which create an irresistible, smoky, woodsy aroma ideal for the cooler months. But calling it simply "woodsy" doesn't do it justice—Stag is sultry without ever going overboard. It smells like the pages of a moody winter mystery novel brought to life, yet it can be worn anywhere from the office to holiday parties or date nights.
Palo santo adds warmth and depth with its subtle creamy sweetness, while agarwood lends a resinous, almost church-like richness. This is all anchored by a musky leather base for a wearable edge. And trust me, you'll catch whiffs of it on your cashmere all day—and yes, people will notice.
Since it is gift-giving season, it's worth pointing out that the packaging is as striking as the scent, drawing inspiration from old-school apothecaries with a modern sleekness. The ribbed glass bottle resembles a whiskey tumbler and is oddly satisfying to hold—compact enough to travel with, but it will also elevate your scent shelf or medicine cabinet. The typeset has an Old World charm. While the bottle size is medium-small and likely will last up to a full season with everyday use, the presentation and longevity more than justify this cologne: Two sprays, and you (or your lucky gift recipient) are good for the day.
An adventurer was rescued after nearly a week stranded in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, The Associated Press reported, and he credited his survival to a small kitten named Peach.
Ukrainian native Vladislav Duda, 28, was discovered by rescuers deep inside a 437-foot-deep crevice in the northern Maramures region. When found, Duda was “soaked and frozen,” suffering from severe hypothermia and malnutrition, having run out of food four days earlier and subsisting only on melted snow since then. But he had only one thought on his mind: that of the small furry companion zipped into his jacket.
Duda, a journalist, had fled Ukraine with Peach to avoid being drafted into the country’s ongoing war against Russia. He and Peach, who is less than a year old, spent a week hiking through the mountains seeking sanctuary before they became lost and eventually trapped in the ravine.
It took dozens of rescuers five hours to extract Duda. When they unzipped his coat, they found Peach nestled between his owner's stomach and the jacket’s lining. "The cat was warm and was warming him…so he saved his life," explained Dan Benga, the director of the Maramures mountain rescue service. "The only thing we saw he is caring about is the cat. He doesn't care about himself."
Benga recalled Duda telling rescuers: "I'm happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.”
Duda agreed that Peach was indisputably the reason for his survival. "What I remember is the fear of the unknown and the fear of not making it through the night alive," he recalled. "My Peach kept me alive. When escaping we were afraid of everybody, not to be sent back to fight in a war that is not ours.”
Duda is receiving anti-inflammatory medication and blood circulation therapy to treat his hypothermia, while Peach received a full veterinary workup on Dec. 9. A local community center for Ukrainian refugees is overseeing the duo’s recovery.
From 1952 to 1964, Ian Fleming wrote nearly one James Bond book a year. These books comprise twelve unique novels and two short story collections. If you think that these books are the only things Fleming wrote in his lifetime, you'd be (mostly) correct. Fleming wrote a few nonfiction books, too, but those were somewhat Bond-adjacent; the travelogue book Thrilling Cities, and the true-crime expose The Diamond Smugglers.
But, in all of that, Fleming also wrote one audacious children's book about a flying car: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, published in 1964. And now, that book is about to get rebooted into a new film by the same people who make the James Bond movies, EON Productions.
According to Deadline, the Bond producers are working on a new movie version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was previously made into a musical film in 1968 starring Dick Van Dyke. Back then, the movie was partially adapted into screenplay form by Roald Dahl, a close friend of Fleming's, who went on to write the screenplay for the 1967 James Bond movie, You Only Live Twice.
Dick Van Dyke, Heather Ripley, Adrian Hall and Sally Ann Howes sit waving from their seats in the car, in a publicity portrait issued for the film , Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 1968. The 1968 musical, directed by Ken Hughes (1922–2001), starred Van Dyke as 'Caractacus Potts', Ripley as 'Jemima Potts', Hall as 'Jeremy Potts', and Howes as 'Truly Scrumptious'. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
There's no word yet on what approach the new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang might take, but it will almost certainly have to feature a flying magical car, as that is the central premise in the book and famous film. The real question is whether or not this version will be a historical piece, or somehow set in modern day. Plus, who could play Dick Van Dyke's character Caractacus Potts? Maybe Ryan Gosling could nail it?
While the news of a new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is cool, it may come as a disappointment that EON and MGM are developing this film before announcing a new James Bond movie. Back in 1964, Bond fans would have loved one more Bond novel before Fleming's untimely death. And now, it seems like we might get a a new Chitty before we get a new 007.
The Hovermax H10K Pro Electric Scooter is on sale for $300 right now—a 63% discount on its normal $800 retail price and the lowest price we've ever seen. This is one of Walmart's bestselling e-scooters online, and it's earned over 550 five-star ratings from shoppers who say it's "perfect" for casual riders, city commuters, and even students for getting around campus.
Hovermax H10K Pro Electric Scooter in White, $300 (was $800) at Walmart
This folding electric scooter features a 500-watt motor and can hit speeds of up to 19 mph with a max range of 22 miles on a single charge. It's built for nearly any riding environment thanks to thick, treaded tires, front and rear suspension, and an elevated platform, and it's even equipped with head, tail, and blinker lights for safer riding. Unlike basic models, this scooter features three riding modes, including a battery-saving eco mode. And, despite its size, it only weighs 35 pounds—easy enough to carry around a subway, office, or school.
Those who get around on this Hovermax scooter say it's easy to put together and performs wonderfully. "It came pretty much totally assembled—a couple of clicks in place and it was ready to go, as it also came charged," a shopper said. "Already have 70 miles on it. I was concerned about how it would handle the hills in our area, but it does great. It averages about 18 mph with an adult on it, and the battery life is great. I bought it for my daughter to get to work, which is about a 2-mile ride. She makes it there and back with no problems. Love the lights, blinkers, etc., and the brakes work great. It's also so compact and light enough for me to pick up and throw in the back of my car."
Regardless of where you're heading, a trusted e-scooter like this one from Hovermax can save you time and money, especially if you're a chronic Uber rider. Make sure to grab yours soon, though, because the reduced price could shoot back up at any time.
As a spirits writer and judge who tastes thousands of expressions per year, I generally don’t care for bottled or canned ready-to-drink cocktails. They're often too sweet, fruity, or watered down, and pretty much bear no similarity to the real thing. That being said, Gold Fashioned is a high-end exception to my somewhat flexible rule, and the Via Carota RTD lineup is also pretty good. But what about a machine that acts as your personal bartender and can make a cocktail for you with the push of a button?
Bartesian is exactly that: a Nespresso-style cocktail machine that doesn’t require mixology skills. You only need to supply the booze, as the company offers coffee pod-style capsules to make virtually any drink you can think of, from an old fashioned to a Manhattan, a martini to a cosmopolitan, or a mai tai to a zombie.
I’m not a drinks snob by any means. But I definitely doubted how good Bartesian's drinks would actually be. I approached the task of sampling these cocktails with an open mind—and truth is, the results are a mixed bag.
There are two main models: the larger and more expensive Bartesian and the smaller and cheaper Duet. There’s also a Professional version that is marketed towards businesses.
I tested out the regular Bartesian, which has four glass canisters to fill with liquor. I went with Brother’s Bond bourbon, Myers's rum, Loca Loka blanco tequila, and Painted Sky vodka. Bartesian has various cocktail pod collections to choose from, so I went with Whiskey Lovers, Rum Lovers, and—somewhat trepidatiously—the Tropical Margarita Collection.
The Bartesian has four canisters that you fill with liquor.
Jonah Flicker
Operating the machine is simple. I just opened the top, popped in a pod, closed it, chose the strength of my drink (ranging from strong to non-alcoholic), and hit start on the touchscreen. The machine intuitively knows which cocktail it's making and which spirit to use based on the capsule you’ve inserted. The screen tells you what type of glass to put under the spout and which type of ice to use, and the boozy mixture comes out in a measured pour.
There were highlights and lowlights depending on the drink, but I'll start on a positive note. The old fashioned was a totally serviceable version of the classic drink, with some citrus and sweet notes that played nicely against the bourbon’s vanilla and oak character. The classic margarita was also a decent pour—though perhaps a bit on the sweet side and slightly watered down—but as good as many restaurant margaritas I’ve had. The Mai Tai was commendable as well, if a bit sweet, but the tropical fruit flavors didn't taste artificial and the rum shone through.
Moving onto the failures. I didn't like the Manhattan. Bartesian's version of this drink, one of my favorites, tasted like fake cherry, as if someone poured artificial maraschino juice into a glass of whiskey. The blackberry margarita was also, as I suspected, incredibly sweet, and kind of reminded me of a liquid Jolly Rancher. And the painkiller had strong nutmeg notes that overpowered the rum.
Once you insert a capsule, you close the lid and use the touch screen to choose how to make your cocktail.
Jonah Flicker
It’s worth considering just who Bartesian is for, however. It's not a machine for spirits and cocktail aficionados who, when making Manhattans, choose the finest bitters and vermouth, meticulously stir exactly 40 times in a mixing glass to achieve perfect dilution and temperature, and garnish with expensive Italian cherries. Bartesian is for those who don't have the time, interest, or space to curate a home bar with high-end spirits and cocktail components.
Of course, you do need to purchase the booze in order to use this machine, and naturally, the drinks will be better if you use higher quality liquor. That being said, you could get away with cheap bourbon or budget tequila here and still have something that's totally drinkable, if perhaps unremarkable. It’s worth noting that Bartesian requires ample counter space, which could be an issue in small apartments.
The regular Bartesian and smaller duet are on sale now for $300 and $200, respectively. The cocktail capsule kits range from variety packs of eight for $25 to subscription services at various price points.
Bottom line: Bartesian is going to provide decent drinks at its best and some that're sweeter than candy at its worst. But if you’re looking for an easy way to enjoy an old fashioned or whiskey sour at the end of a long day without having to do much work, it might be the machine for you.
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Deals on power tools are running rampant on Amazon right now, with stellar deals on everything from Craftsman tool sets to DeWalt miter saws and so much more. But some of the most prized promotions are on spare batteries, and if your collection is Milwaukee red, you're in luck—one of the brand's most powerful M18 models is over half off right now.
This set of two 6Ah batteries works with any of the 200-plus tools in Milwaukee's M18 series. They've been designed to run cooler than other 18-volt battery packs while offering fade-free power and even hold up in rough weather thanks to a shell design that drives water away from the electronic components. There's also a battery life gauge display that conveniently depicts how much runtime is left.
Buying batteries online makes some shoppers weary of knock-offs, but those who have used this set have fully backed it. "Genuine and long-lasting," a shopper claimed. "Purchased a year ago. Repurchasing again as my tool collection is ever-expanding. Genuine Milwaukee—they last long and have a power output that's second to none. The cheaper price is because these batteries are assembled in Mexico, but the real deal they are."
Others have commended the batteries' construction and ability to withstand constant use without overheating. "The best batteries for high-output tools," a shopper said. "They last much longer on high-draw tools, i.e., grinders and heavy hammer drills. We had four or five standard Milwaukee batteries and bought these. What a difference! They charge in the same amount of time, don't get hot when being used and last over an hour in most tools."
Whether you're stocking up for your tool collection or scooping up a gift for a Milwaukee user on your holiday shopping list, it pays to have powerful batteries like these attached to your tools for longer and more efficient run times. Don't wait though—we're not sure how much longer the savings will last.
