
My 9 top summer style icons, from Tom Cruise to Arthur Ashe
Summer is almost here, which is troubling, particularly if you're a man who wears clothes. As the days lengthen and the temperature rises, we — men — are required to cast aside the easy comfort of coats, jumpers and trousers and transition into our summer wardrobe. It's a testing time with nowhere to hide. And while there is always the option of 'shorts and T-shirt', there's a real risk that you just end up looking like a toddler with gigantism, particularly if you're into Velcro sandals and ice lollies. Which unfortunately I am.
So what's the solution? It's mostly a question of inspiration — past or present. Look around you. Who looks good in hot weather? Whom can you copy? Because once you've identified your
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Times
18 minutes ago
- Times
Fifty tasters to test chocolate for a living with Cadbury
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The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Science is a human endeavor': astrophysicist uses art to connect Black and brown kids to the Stem fields
When practicing funeral ceremonies during the antebellum period, enslaved west Africans mimicked the sun's rotation as they danced counterclockwise in hidden clearings. They would sing and shuffle their feet to the beat of the drums in a ring shout, a ritual to honor the deceased that originated in Africa and which is still practiced by the descendants of enslaved people in the south-east US today. For the bereaved who grieved the recent death of a loved one, their practice orbited around the setting sun. So begins a chapter about our closest star in Painting the Cosmos, a recent book by UC Santa Cruz astrophysicist Dr Nia Imara. The book blends science and art in an ode to the diversity of the cosmos. While touching on astronomical tidbits, such as the fact that scientists measure the rate of the sun's spin by tracking the sunspots on its surface, Imara demonstrates the influence of astronomy on life and culture throughout history. She compares the sun's rhythmic cycle to the repetition found in the Black artist Alma Thomas's abstract paintings of space, and the patterns in the west African Bwa people's multicolored wooden masks depicting the sun and nature. As a painter and one of the only Black female astronomy professors in the US, Imara focuses on the contributions of Black and brown artists and scientists throughout her book. For Imara, it's important that young Black and brown people also see people in the sciences who look like them. That's why she created the non-profit Onaketa in 2020 to offer free science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) online tutoring for Black and brown youth throughout the nation, who are mentored by scientists of color. 'Oftentimes when we're taught science and math in school, the focus in our textbooks and in the classrooms is on the contributions of white folks, and it's really important to show people that science is a human endeavor,' Imara said. 'Astronomy is often considered the oldest science, and certainly people from all over the world have made really valuable contributions.' Diversity is necessary for harmony in the universe, Imara argues in her book. Our solar system consists of eight planets of varying sizes, temperatures and features. 'If you change any one of these eight planets, or you didn't have one of them for some reason, that would have serious implications for the development of life on Earth,' Imara said. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has a large gravitational influence that deflects meteors that would otherwise hit the Earth's surface; and if Saturn were any smaller that it currently is, the Earth's orbit around the sun would change and might no longer hold liquid water. 'One of the things that science has taught me is that there are so many metaphors like this in nature,' Imara said. 'And if we take them to heart and apply them to ourselves here, I think that would really go a long way in how we treat each other, and how our society works.' Imara became interested in astronomy at a young age as she pondered existential questions about human life: 'What is the meaning of all this, and where do we fit into the universe?' As a sophomore in high school, she took a physics class that answered some of her fundamental questions. 'My relationship to science now has evolved so that I don't think any more that science can answer all of these big, deep questions, which are often very religious, very philosophical and even moral in nature,' Imara said. 'But I appreciate science and nature even more for the metaphors that it has to offer and also because of its ability to connect to people.' More than two decades ago, Imara began practicing visual art as a way to exercise another side of her brain and heart. Art, she said, has helped address some of her queries about human connectedness that science failed to answer. In her book, she writes that art and science haven't always been viewed as diametrically opposed. The Great Pyramid of Giza, in Egypt, which was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu 4,500 years ago, merged science and art as the tallest building in the world until the 1800s. The monument displays precise geometry, and its shape nods to Benben, which was the first mound of land to be created according to ancient Egyptian religion. For Imara, the Great Pyramid is 'emblematic of how this incredible society brought together so many fields that we often treat as disparate. And it still blows my mind to think about the precision with which this monument was designed, conceived and constructed with all of the alignments with the cardinal directions, and the really precise alignment of air shafts within the pyramid to certain constellations and stars that were important to the Egyptians.' In pursuit of highlighting the achievements of Black and brown scientists outside her work as an astronomer and visual artist, Imara turned to education to create opportunities for marginalized youth. So she launched her organization Onaketa to offer personalized Stem tutoring to Black and brown youth. Middle and high schoolers are partnered up with Black and brown scientists who tutor them online on a weekly basis for up to a year. Over the past five years, six tutors have mentored more than 100 students throughout the country. 'Most of our students have never encountered a Black or brown scientist as a teacher or as a professor,' Imara said. 'To have somebody who is also a mentor who can guide them and show them new possibilities for themselves is really important.' Imara sees the program as a way to 'encourage Black and brown youth who have been actively discouraged and undermined from pursuing these fields. It's a matter of putting that attention, resources and love towards people who have been actively underserved.' Chima McGruder, an Onaketa mentor since 2021 who has a background in astrophysics, said that along with tutoring students in math through the program, he also serves as a role model for students who can see themselves in him. He's built up strong connections with some of the students whom he's mentored for several semesters. 'A lot of them don't get support that they would otherwise in math, or just someone who they can look up to who is not their parents,' McGruder said. 'I find those interactions very rewarding and it actually makes me feel like I'm making a difference.' McGruder said that it's important to expose Black and brown students to Stem fields at an early age since they are largely underrepresented in that sector. While Latinos compose 17% of the workforce across all jobs, they only represent 8% of people in Stem occupations, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center analysis of employment data. And Black workers make up 11% of the workforce and 9% of Stem workers. A diversity of perspective ensures that products and medicines are applicable to different populations, since some diseases have a correlation to race, McGruder said: 'Who you are and what your background is plays into the things that you create and the standards that you make.' Toward the end of the chapter about the sun's rhythm in her book, Imara reminds readers that everything they see is a reflection of the sun's light. And just as the star's own cycle waxes and wanes, so do the moments of our lives, Imara writes in the book: 'A government bent on war and defense will see a potential enemy in everything, including phenomena caused by the innocent sun. An enslaved people see in the same sun a powerful symbol that connects them with home, with their ancestors. It offers a perpetual reminder that life occurs in cycles – rhythms – and thus, their peculiar situation is not permanent.'


Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale review: These solar-powered scales are my go-to health tracker
What is the Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale? These scales are a popular choice for those looking for practical ways to monitor their health at home. Unlike many bathroom scales, this model features solar charging – meaning it can top up its battery from sunlight or indoor lighting, a welcome change from the usual reliance on disposable batteries. Sitting at the cheaper end of the market for smart scales, they offer a broad set of features, including measurement of 13 body metrics such as weight, BMI and muscle mass. The minimalist design fits easily into most bathrooms and supports unlimited user profiles, which works well for busy households. The standout here is the eco-friendly power source, which is still uncommon in this category. The scales sync with popular health apps and includes a baby and pet mode (which detracts the weight of the adult holding them) for added flexibility. For those seeking a set of smart scales that balances sustainability with solid functionality, these are a good choice. How we test scales I started by seeing how easy it was to get these scales up and running, as well as if there were any issues connecting to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or any accompanying apps. Accuracy was also key. I weighed myself and a test object – a 500g bag of dry pasta with a known weight – on each set of scales to determine the readings, while taking into consideration the maximum weight capacity and what the display was like, both for reading weights and other special features. These were some of the best value for money, with them also having a great range of features, particularly when you take into consideration the price tag. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. From running shoes to exercise bikes, all reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Accuracy Score: 9/10 These are some of the most reliable and accurate scales I've tested. Whether stepping on and off the scales multiple times in a row or over the course of an hour, the results were essentially identical. The same could be said when weighing something with a definable weight – a 500g bag of dry pasta. I weighed this bag a few different times, and each time the scales showed the weight as dead on 500g (or 0.5kg). You do have to step on the scales with both feet to wake them up before weighing an inanimate object, such as a suitcase or parcel, but after doing so they quickly register and display the weight, without having to be connected to the app or a specific user profile. Ease of use Score: 8/10 I had no issues setting up the scales, with them quickly powering up and connecting via Bluetooth to the brand's Health app. You don't necessarily need to use the app if you're simply looking to weigh yourself or an item, but without it you won't get access to all of the metrics and measurements, including your protein levels, bone mass, metabolic age and visceral fat. This is all measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, which in layman's terms, means the scale sends a small, safe electric current through your body and measures the resistance encountered. The measurements are estimates rather than medical advice, but I found them to be fairly accurate, based on what I know about my own make-up. Even though the scales are stable and won't slide around thanks to four anti-skid feet, my only bugbear was their overall size. They're one of the dinkier bathroom scales, which might make them too compact for larger feet. Their dimensions weren't an issue for my size fives and meant that I could easily store them away when not in use, but you might want to get out the measuring tape before purchasing if you, or someone who will be using them, has larger feet. Display Score: 7/10 With a basic monochrome digital display, the numbers are clear and large enough to read even from a distance. You can even increase or decrease the brightness, as you need, on particularly dull or sunny days. The display also includes the battery level, as well as alerting you as to whether or not the scales are connected to Bluetooth. The units (kg, lbs) are a bit smaller than I would have liked, and while I don't struggle with my eyesight, they might be trickier for some to see. Capacity Score: 8/10 Most bathroom scales have a capacity between 150kg and 200kg, so at 180kg these are in the middle of that range. For most casual users, a weight capacity of up to 180kg should be more than enough, as this is just shy of 28 stone. There are scales with higher capacities. This also works for heavy suitcases or packages that need weighing before you leave the house. Special features Score: 9/10 Compared to some other smart scales on the market, being solar powered certainly makes these stand out from the crowd. According to the brand, they have a battery life of 500 cycles – this includes each full calculation of the 13 health metrics after you step on the scales – so you don't need to worry about doing an initial charge or running out of battery anytime soon. Other key features include a calorie sensor, which tracks the number of daily calories burned and links to external apps like MyFitnessPal, as well as an athlete mode, that aims to provide even more accurate readings for those who are training for a specific event. There's a baby mode to make weighing little ones and pets that bit easier, too. To use this feature, you need to first step onto the scale to record your own weight. Then step off, and step back on with the baby or pet, and the scale automatically calculates the difference. Tracking 13 health metrics in total, including muscle mass, protein, subcutaneous fat and more, these are an excellent all-round option. Technical specifications Should you buy the Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale? If you're looking for a reliable health tracker without breaking the bank, these are a good option. Priced at just over £30, they sit at the value end of the smart-scale market, but include features that rival more expensive models, like the 13 body metrics and syncing with apps. Yes, if: You're looking for affordable smart scales You want a user-friendly app or to connect easily to another popular fitness tracking app You don't want to worry about charging them or buying batteries No, if: You have particularly large feet Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale FAQs How does solar charging work? These scales are powered by light, whether that be sunlight or artificial light. This means that you don't need to purchase batteries at an additional expense or charge them via a cable. I personally keep mine in my bathroom where they get a steady stream of daylight all year round. What body metrics does the Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale track? These scales measure and track 13 body composition metrics including weight, body fat, BMI, muscle mass and body water. Is the Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale accurate? Over the course of testing, I found these to be one of the most accurate scales, able to measure in increments of 0.2lbs/0.05kg. How do I pair the Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale with the app? All you need to do is download the official Renpho Health app – either from the App or Google Play Store – and follow the instructions on-screen to pair your scales via Bluetooth. You will need to do this to unlock all of the features. This also allows you to easily track your metrics and data. These scales can also be paired with external health apps and fitness trackers such as Fitbit, Apple Health, Google Fit and Samsung Health. Can multiple users share the Renpho Elis Solar 2 Smart Body Scale? Yes. They support an unlimited number of users, making them a great option for larger families or even sports teams.