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What’s behind the ‘pronatalist’ movement to boost the birth rate?
A once-fringe movement claims having more babies is the only way to save civilization. NPR reporter Lisa Hagen and sociologist Karen Guzzo explain who’s empowering pronatalism today.
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Author: Tonya Mosley
Wilco guitarist Nels Cline showcases his musical diversity on ‘Consentrik Quartet’
From indie rock to jazz, Cline is one of most versatile players on today’s music scene. His latest album is named after his new group, but in many ways it sounds like a retrospective of Cline’s work.
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Author: Martin Johnson
A first-time guide to Vichy, France
Vichy, in the center of France, is one of the 11 Great Spa Towns of Europe which in July 2021 were jointly awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Label. Just like its counterparts, Vichy is a town where people come for spa treatments, seeking curative and therapeutic effects from its natural mineral spring waters, which you will have drunk if you’ve ever bought a bottle of Vichy water.
Others just come for a day or two to soak in some 19th-century vibes with the architecture, take in some shows at the spectacular yellow and ivory art nouveau opera house, enjoy gourmet meals, and be sporty on and along the majestic Allier, one of Western Europe’s few remaining wild rivers.

What is Vichy known for?
But Vichy has also been trying hard for the past 80 years to shake off a darker image, at least in the eyes of the French. At its height in the late 19th and early 20th centuries Vichy had up to 250 hotels that could welcome more than 100,000 clients a year. This accommodation capacity, the presence of a modern telephone exchange, and its geographical position south of the German Nazi line of occupation were why the town was chosen by the collaborationist, contested government of France as its capital from July 1940 to August 1944.
Today Vichy is a thriving small town (population: 26,000) which continues to restore its elegant 19th-century heritage and care for its waters, already appreciated by the Romans. The first thermal establishment was built and promenades designed to accommodate Louis XV’s eight daughters (born between 1727 and 1737) enabling them to cool off after the warm baths, digest the water they’d drunk and take therapeutic walks.
But it was the Bonapartes who really pushed Vichy’s development. In 1812, at the request of his mother, Letitia, Napoleon I paid for more promenades to be built and fountains to be installed thereby creating the Parc des Sources, which links the water sources and the baths and forms the town’s backbone.
His nephew Napoleon III (1808–1873), who came five times to treat his renal colic, continued the work. For his first two visits in 1861 and 1862 the city authorities put the Villa Strauss at his disposal. In thanks, he decreed an urban development plan with a railway station, a new street layout and a casino, where visitors sedately played cards and board-games!
In 1863 architect Jean Lefaure built him a “chalet” (more of a small mansion!), the “Marie-Louise”, but it faced the boulevard and the emperor wanted greater privacy so had Lefaure build him two others facing the river Allier: one for him, one for his long-suffering wife the Empress Eugenie. These two chalets at 107 and 108 boulevard des États-Unis bear a discreet crown and initials “N” and “E” above their respective doors. They, and the four others in a row next to them, are privately owned so you can’t visit them but you get a very good view of them from the riverside park.
Lefaure also designed eight identical villas along the rue Alquié for the imperial guard, but after Napoleon ceased visiting Vichy these villas were sold. Each new owner modified their villa so n°21 remains the closest to the original design.

When should I go to Vichy?
May to October are the nicest months. Bring or rent your sumptuous crinolines, parasols and top hats if visiting in mid-June for the annual Napoleon III festivities when the town slides 150 years back to the hey-day of imperial gaiety. From September to May you can enjoy a wide variety of shows at the sumptuous art deco opera house and shop…even on Sundays because, since 1906, this is one of the very few towns in France where shops are permitted to open on that day.
How long should I spend in Vichy?
If you’re coming to just visit the town then you’ll see most of the sights in two days. You can also book up to five days of health and beauty treatments and intersperse these with cultural activities. If you come for a thermal cure prescribed by a doctor then the minimal stay is 21 days.
The Vichy cure is indicated for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent), high cholesterol and/or triglycerides and/or uric acid levels. It also treats digestive disorders and food allergies.
It is also prescribed by doctors for the treatment of arthritis, tendinitis, back problems; the after-effects of trauma (sprains, dislocations, fractures), fibromyalgia, algodystrophy and orthopedic surgery; osteoporosis; gout and inflammatory rheumatism.
Vichy’s medically prescribed spa treatments always last three weeks and include drinking the thermal waters, having mud poultices applied, taking thermal steam baths and showers and receiving underwater massages from a physiotherapist. The patient is seen three times by a doctor and has a multidisciplinary team at hand including nutritionists and psychologists.

Where should I go for a spa treatment?
In 2025 while the historical Dômes thermal establishment, with its spectacular Moorish dome, is closed for renovations, the Vichy Célestins Thermal Spa is the only establishment in town that offers Vichy mineral water wellness and beauty treatments. The Callou Thermal Spa, which is where medically-prescribed treatments are given, also offers a five-day mini-cure, no prescription needed.
Can my thermal cure be paid for by my health insurance provider?
If you are a resident of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the UK and the health insurance system in your country of residence covers thermal cures, then your health insurance provider may cover you on condition that a thermal cure cannot be undertaken in your own country within a reasonable delay given your health. Contact your health insurance provider for personalized instructions.
Is it easy to get to and around Vichy?
Vichy lies 360km (224 miles) south of Paris. Come by train because you really don’t need a car in the town, which fans out from the train station to the Allier river just 1km (0.6 miles) away. Everything is walkable. There are nine trains a day from Paris (average travel time 3½ hours) and 10 a day from Lyon (2 hours), which is 160km (99 miles) southeast of Vichy. The journey from Paris costs €22.50–70 (US$26–80) and from Lyon, €18–35 (US$20–40).
If you’ve come by car, park it in the underground La Poste car park (€8/US$9 for 24 hours).

Top things to do in and around Vichy
Taste the famous Vichy waters at Hall des Sources
First go to the Hall des Sources designed by Lucien Woog and Charles Lecoeur at the northern end of the Parc des Sources where you can freely taste water (or fill your bottle) from five of the nine sources. I’ve tasted all five: Chomel – whose minerals are used to make the famous Vichy-État lozenges – is good for indigestion; Grande Grille, which needs to be drunk in homeopathic doses, can have surprising effects on the digestive system; Hôpital, which is very sulfurous; Célestins, the saltiest of all (actually bicarbonate of soda); and Lucas…well, let’s say I prefer tap water!
Promenade in Parc des Sources
The 280m-long (918ft) eastern and western edges of the Parc des Sources are both lined with a covered wrought-iron walkway built in 1901–02 by Émile Robert to allow ladies and gentlemen to promenade, protected from sun and rain. Imitate them to reach the southern end of the park where you’ll find the Grand Casino and Opera.
Tour Vichy’s iconic Grand Casino
The Grand Casino is Vichy’s iconic building. Inaugurated on July 2nd, 1865 it was designed by Charles Badger in a classical style, its facade decorated by caryatids representing the four seasons. It had a theater, games rooms, a gentlemen’s reading room, a ladies’ conversation room and a vast ballroom. But it quickly became too small so in 1903 a new art nouveau theater was added, the old one transformed into a huge games room. But after the tragedy of WWII, the casino fell into disrepair until 1988 when the town bought the building to turn it into a conference center. The art deco ornamentation inside has just been renovated so it’s worth booking a tour to see it.

Find the source of Célestins water
A little over 400m (1312ft) south of the casino, (go via the rue Hubert Colombier, once a private road with its extraordinary mix of neo-Flemish, art nouveau and neo-Gothic buildings all built between 1895 and 1905 for short-term rentals), have a look at the Célestins source, now protected behind marble and glass under an elegant, elliptical, 18th-century style pavilion designed by architect Lucien Woog. The water from this source is the one that’s bottled and sold the world over.
See the colors within Notre Dame des Malades
Then walk 100m (328ft) further south to Notre Dame des Malades church (aka Saint Blaise) built between 1925 and 1956. Don’t be put off by the austere reinforced concrete exterior. Inside you’ll find an explosion of colors from the slender lapis lazuli columns to the strong red, blues and greens of the stained glass windows via the shimmering gold of the mosaics.
Turning back north between the park and the river admire the flamboyant early 20th-century homes built for wealthy patrons on the boulevard des États-Unis, the rue de Belgique and the boulevard de Russie.

My favorite thing to do in Vichy
I really enjoy visiting the art nouveau Opéra de Vichy, which opened in March 1903 and is the only one in Europe with a yellow, ivory and white color scheme. With seating for 1400 people, it is still today the biggest pre-modern opera house in France outside Paris. I love the two white peacocks painted over the proscenium arch and the jewel-studded heads painted on the ceiling between the arches. I recommend taking a guided tour as this is where you’ll also learn about Vichy’s role in WWII.
How much money do I need to visit Vichy?
You won’t spend much if you’re just visiting the town, but expect to part with considerable sums if you want some wellness and beauty treatments thrown in!
- Cup of coffee: €2 (US$2.30)
- Beer: €3.50 (US$4)
- Three-course meal: €35 (US$40)
- Night at a hotel: €85–234 per night (US$97–266)
- Four half-day beauty treatments at the Célestins Spa & Thermal Hotel: €855 (US$973)
- Detox at Célestins: €930 (US$1058)
There are about 20 hotels in the vicinity of the Parc des Sources to choose from. Top of the range is the Maison Decoret (€234/US$266 a night for two). But perfectly comfortable is Le Patio, which will only set you back €85 (US$97) for two. But for a real 19th-century vibe try the pavilion of Le Chalet Impérial Clermont-Tonnerre (one of those “chalets” mentioned above) for just €95 (US$108).
For something more medieval you can stay for €210 (US$239) in the moat-surrounded Chateau de la Mothe, just a half-hour’s drive west of Vichy.
The choice for food is vast, from the Maison Decoret’s 1-star Michelin restaurant (€135/US$154 or so for dinner) to a three-course meal for as little as €28 (US$32) at the Michelin-recommended Les Caudalies.
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The Absolute Coolest Porsches At California’s Air|Water Auto Show

Air|Water returned to Costa Mesa, California for the third annual all-Porsche celebration of new and old, race and street, polish and patina. Introduced as an extension of the world-class Luftgekühlt event series, which focuses strictly on early air-cooled models, Air|Water runs the gamut from the earliest racers to the latest EVs, and everything in between — from a 1954 bent window 356 to gleaming new 2026 911s. Photographer Robert Kerian, who last summer shot Monterey Car Week for Maxim, on top of capturing breathtaking images of the Bugatti Tourbillon, was there to gather snapshots of the automobile industry’s latest and greatest vehicles, including hypercars, sci-fi-worthy concepts, track day weapons and more.
Stars of the show included Alain Prost’s championship-winning McLaren MP4/2B powered by the Porsche-TAG turbo engine. There was also an art installation by Joshua Vides, known for his work with Cincoro Tequila, and the latest twin-turbo 963 LMDh prototype racer. Porsche even thrilled visitors with high-speed rides in the newest 911 models on a handling course, all as visitors dodged unexpected April rain. But perhaps the highlight was the the Broad Arrow live auction, in which a super rare 1989 RUF CTR Yellowbird was brought to the podium. Just how much did this automotive unicorn sell for? Read on to find out.

This 1985 McLaren MP4/2B was powered by 1.5-liter turbocharged V6 turbo engine jointly developed by Porsche and McLaren with support from TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde). Driven by legends Alain Prost and Niki Lauda, it scored the Frenchman’s first of four famous championships, dominating the ’85 season with five wins to claim the title by 20 points over Michele Alboreto’s Ferrari. With assistance from Lauda, the MP4/2B also won the Constructor’s Championship thanks to six wins from 12 races.

Gunther Werks brought its Project Tornado Turbo to Air|Water 2025. The 4.0L engine develops 750hp. The company also introduced its GW9-904 magnesium monoblock wheels shown on a 992 GT3 RS.

Following a recent five-day exhibition in Los Angeles, Vides brought his unique artwork to Air|Water. Working with A|W’s Creative Director Jeff Zwart, they created a unique installation celebrating Porsche’s air- and water-cooled heritage. Vides’ “Check Engine Light” solo show graces New York City May 1-6.

Singer Vehicle Design brought three of its reimagined Classic Turbo models, demonstrating the precise attention to detail that imbues each vehicle. Finished in an elegant color palette, the display reinforced the impenetrable position Singer holds in the Porsche resto-mod movement. Broad Arrow hosted another live auction, which surpassed the $15.6 million in total 2024 sales with an initial estimate of $18.5 million this year. To achieve that lofty goal, the assembled collection of cars included a 1-of-29 RUF CTR Yellowbird, complete with desirable W09 designation and RUF Zertifikat. Famed for its record-breaking 213-mph top speed, the numbers-matching CTR boasted a 469hp 3.4-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine and RUF six-speed manual transmission.
Price estimates were $4.5-5.5M and it sold for $4,680,000. There was also a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach in Martini livery (estimated value $2.7-3M, sold for $2,590,000), 2005 Carrera GT (sold for $1,650,000), 1966 Porsche 906 ($1,528,500), 1990 Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer ($1,006,000), 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 X88 ($555,000), 2012 RUF Rt 12 S with factory-fitted R-spec engine ($480,000), 2019 911 Speedster ($461,500), and more.

This 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera was extensively restored and modified by Makellos Classics in Escondido, CA.

A 1977 Porsche 911 with 935 Moby X conversion by Bisimoto utilizing “Moby Dick” 935 Long Tail bodywork was created from the original Andial Porsche racing molds. The car features a custom single-drive AC three-phase electric induction motor, generating 403 volts with an 18,500 RPM Redline. Its 640 horsepower is modulated by an AEM VCU200 controller tuned by Bisimoto, which also built dual boxes to accommodate LG Chem 32KwH batteries.

A #912 Porsche 911 RSR was driven by Earl Bamber, Laurens Vanthoor, Mathieu Jaminet in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. It raced with its sister car in the 2018 Petit Le Mans 24 Hours in a livery inspired by the 1998 Le Mans-winning 911 GT1.

A total of six examples of the Schuppan 962CR were built by Reynard Motorsport from 1992-1994 by Australian driver Vern Schuppan as a tribute to his 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans victory. These very rare cars have a carbon fiber monocoque, mid-engine 3.3-liter Type-935 flat-6 twin-turbo engine producing 600 hp and claimed top speed of 230 mph. The cars cost $1.5 million in 1994.

AO Racing displayed its Rexy and Roxy Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr together for the first time in public at Air|Water. The green Rexy will be replaced at the next IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round by Roxy, giving it a chance to score a class win of its own.

The 1988 Texaco Havoline Porsche 962 (chassis 962-139) was designated a 962C with short-tail bodywork and was campaigned by Bayside Disposal Racing Team. It placed third overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona with drivers including Klaus Ludwig, Bob Wollek, Jochen Mass, and James Weaver. The car was powered by a 700 hp 3.0L flat-6 twin-turbo motor.

The 1970 Porsche 914-6 GT (chassis #1017) is one of about 25 cars built by Porsche Motorsport. It famously won its class win at the 1971 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing seventh overall. Sponsored by Sunoco of Canada, it was co-driven by owner Jacques Duval.

The Porsche 906 Carrera 6 was built in 1966 as a street-legal racer for Group 4 competition, replacing the 904. It was constructed from glass fiber to reduce weight, tipping the scales at around 1,300 lb. It was powered by a 210 horsepower six-cylinder engine.
Follow Deputy Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.
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Author: Nicolas Stecher
MING’s All-Titanium ‘Ghost Watch’ Is A Metallic Stunner
Although they fly under the radar among luxury watch brands, independent horologist MING treats every watch release as an event, a momentous occasion that pushes boundaries rather than working within an existing form. It’s intoxicating, especially when one considers the ultra-minimal new MING 37.02 Ghost Watch.

The MING 37.02 Ghost Watch bolsters the company’s commitment to “refined aesthetics paired with innovative materials, mechanics and engineering,” a fitting focus given founder Ming Thein’s design, photography and business background. Like the rest of the covetable MING watch lineup, the new titanium wrist game upgrade is minimal and striking in form: This handsome timepiece boasts a difficult-to-perfect all-titanium build (grade 2, to be specific).

Between its facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and Kuala Lumpur, the horologist focuses intensely on the properties of color and light when building out its watches, and the ultra-sleek Ghost Watch speaks to that focus in a statement-making way on the wrist. The 35-gram watch manages to be highly water-resistant, but its build comes from more mystical beginnings: The Ghost Watch was born from “the idea of ethereal light playing off a forest of architecturally finished metallic surfaces.”

That approach informed the decision to use grade 2 titanium, otherwise known as pure titanium and a departure from the watchmaking industry’s typical use of grade 5 titanium. Somewhat incredibly, the entire case, dial and buckle are crafted from the difficult-to-machine, highly flammable material. As MING notes, the watch (boasting 260 meters of water resistance), “is lighter and looks thinner and more ethereal on the wrist than its dimensions suggest.”

The pursuit of a watch with a look at once industrial and elegant was a tall order for MING, but as the horologist noted, “given how many of our design inspirations are architectural, it would be remiss of us not to try.” Consider this mission accomplished handily, and in stylish fashion, at that.

The super-sleek 38mm watch ticks along thanks to an all-anthracite Sellita SW300 movement made exclusively for MING, while its watch hands and indices pop nicely on the crisp dial through blue Super-LumiNova X1 finishing. A grey goat leather strap gives the elegant and technically savvy MING 37.02 Ghost Watch an even more polished and refined appeal.

Just 250 units of the latest groundbreaking MING watch are hitting the market, priced at about $4,200 (a relative steal given the precise machine work, engineering and design used to craft the grey-and-silver stunner). The ultimate mission of MING (“pieces that dynamically reflect their environment”) continually offers up new avenues in build, design and inspiration, and the impressive MING 37.02 Ghost Watch again makes the case that the independent horologist isn’t one to overlook.
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Author: Beau Hayhoe
why parasites could be a missing piece in your health journey
Sharing my parasite cleansing journey and some of the things that helped. If you’re interested in downloading my parasites freebie, check it out here! If this topic grosses you out, please feel free to skip this post and I’ll see ya tomorrow!
Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having an amazing week so far. Earlier this week, Kristi and I had a fun photo shoot, I recorded a couple of podcast interviews, and I’m here trying to batch as much as I can before we leave for our trip. I can’t wait!!
So, I hope you’ve had breakfast already because I’m chatting about parasites today. If this topic makes you squeamish, I get it. It freaked me out for a long time! Please keep in mind that this isn’t medical advice – I’m just sharing my experience.
When I first started learning about parasites, I had no idea they could be affecting my energy, digestion, immune system, and even my mood. It wasn’t until I personally went through a parasite cleanse – and saw (yes, SAW) multiple foot-long parasites leave my body – that I truly understood how lifechanging this process could be. I was equally disgusted and EXCITED. Better out of my body than in, ya know??
Since then, I’ve guided clients all over the world through their own parasite cleanse journeys, and the results have been absolutely incredible. Today, I wanted to chat about why parasite cleansing is so important, the biggest mistakes people make when they start, and a FREE downloadable cheat sheet you can grab to support your own journey.
why parasites could be a missing piece in your health journey
First things first:
How do you know if you might have parasites?
You don’t have to have traveled to a foreign country or had food poisoning to have parasites. They’re far more common than most people realize. Many symptoms we write off as “normal” could actually be signs your body is dealing with an infection, like:
Chronic bloating or gas
Brain fog
Fatigue
Skin issues
Allergies
Cravings (especially for sugar)
Sleep struggles
Autoimmune flares
Unexplained weight changes
Parasites don’t just live in your gut, either. They can live throughout your body, in your organs, your lymphatic system, even your brain. Crazy, right?!
What to do before a parasite cleanse
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned (the hard way) is that preparing your body properly is KEY.
Here’s what you need to know before you dive in:
You MUST be pooping at least once a day.
Otherwise, when parasites die off and release toxins, your body has no way to eliminate them, which can lead to even worse symptoms.
You need to plan for at least 2 month protocol.
Parasites lay eggs as they die, and a short cleanse can actually make the problem worse if you stop too early. This is why I’m not a believer in “full moon parasite cleanses.” They’re releasing a ton of eggs and this can make the problem worse.
Detox support isn’t optional.
As parasites die, they can release a storm of toxins (including mold, heavy metals, yeast, and more) into your body. If your detox pathways aren’t open, you’ll feel it.
Good detox support looks like:
Sweating (saunas are amazing for this. I love my sauna blanket! Code is FITNESSISTA15)
Daily movement
Lemon water with sea salt
Liver support (like milk thistle tea, cruciferous vegetables, artichoke, eliminating alcohol, or Advanced Tudca)
Dry brushing (code FITNESSISTA15)
Castor oil packs
Supporting your body’s glutathione production
Detox support can be the difference between feeling amazing vs. feeling like roadkill during your cleanse.
Why I Recommend Preparing First
I strongly recommend completing a functional medicine detox before starting your parasite cleanse.
A 7–21 day detox can help you:
Lower your total toxic burden
Open up liver and lymphatic pathways
Make the parasite cleanse experience smoother and more effective
(You can learn more about the detox I recommend here and use my discount code: FITNESSISTA10.)
The Cleanse Itself: What It Looks Like
ALL of the details for my favorite parasite cleanse are in this freebie. I break it all down for you! The good news is that it’s supplements only; no dietary requirements. Of course, check with your doctor before making any changes to you supplement routine.
A friendly reminder:
Parasite cleansing is NOT a quick fix. It’s a helpful tool that you can choose to implement in your health journey and working on foundational habits, like diet, exercise, stress, rest, emotional balance, toxin removal, etc. After doing this myself and working with so many clients, I know it can completely change your energy, digestion, immunity, skin, and life. If you’ve been doing “all the healthy things” and still feel stuck, parasites could be the missing link you’ve been searching for.
If you’re ready to learn more, I created a FREE Parasite Cleanse Cheat Sheet that covers everything you need to know to get started: how to prep your body, key detox practices, the exact products I recommend, and what to expect.
So, tell me, friends: have you tried a parasite cleanse? Would you do it??
I’m heading into a functional medicine detox this week and will do my parasite cleanse when we’re back from our trip.
Talk to you soon!
xoxo
Gina
The post why parasites could be a missing piece in your health journey appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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Author: Fitnessista
What To Do When Your Friend Unfollows You
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Author: Yinfan Huang
Charli XCX To Star In New Movie From Japanese Horror Director Takashi Miike

Following her singles featuring Billie Eilish and Sam Smith, Charli XCX is throwing an intriguing curveball with her next artistic collaborator: famed horror director Takashi Miike. The filmmaker, who gained cinematographic notoriety for a prolific 100-production-plus output and his shocking depictions of gratuitous violence in movies like 1999’s Audition, 2001’s Ichi the Killer and 2010’s 13 Assassins, will helm the yet-titled project, while the Brat artist has been announced as a star and producer through her new Studio365 banner, according to Variety.
Charli XCX has been rapidly adding entries to her resume since ushering in the seasonal sensation that was 2024’s “Brat Summer.” She’s also co-producing and starring in the upcoming mockumentary The Moment, which follows a pop star preparing for her first headlining tour. That’s in addition to the several other roles she has in forthcoming flicks The Gallerist, I Want Your Sex, Sacrifice and Faces of Death, a horror remake of the 1978 movie by the same name.
And that’s not to say anything of Charli XCX’s presence in the fashion world. She recently become the face of Acne Studios’ Spring/Summer 2025 campaign, while H&M teased a collaboration and rave event with her during London Fashion Week. And who could forget Charli XCX’s soaking wet campaign for Kim Kardashian’s Skims shapewear.
It seems like Charli XCX is poised to make an even bigger statement this summer.
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Author: Maxim Staff
Georgian filmmaker embedded in a birth clinic for a year to make abortion drama

Dea Kulumbegashvili embedded for a year inside a maternity clinic for her new film, April, about an obstetrician in rural Georgia, as the country faces increased abortion restrictions.
(Image credit: Arseni Khachaturan)
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Author: Leila Fadel