NewsBeat

New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras with revelry, parades and costumes

Published

2 months ago

18 February 2026

New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras with revelry, parades and costumes

NEW ORLEANS, La. (AP) — People leaned out of wrought iron balconies, hollering the iconic phrase “Throw me something, Mister” as a massive Mardi Gras parade rolled down New Orleans’ historic St. Charles Avenue on Tuesday.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, marks the climax and end of the weekslong Carnival season and a final chance for indulgence, feasting and revelry before the Christian Lent period of sacrifice and reflection. The joyous goodbye to Carnival always falls the day before Ash Wednesday.

In Louisiana’s most populous city, which is world-famous for its Mardi Gras bash, people donned green, gold and purple outfits, with some opting for an abundance of sequins and others showing off homemade costumes.

The revelers began lining the streets as the sun rose. They set up chairs, coolers, grills and ladders — offering a higher vantage point.

As marching bands and floats filled with women wearing massive feathered headdresses passed by, the music echoing through the city streets, people danced and cheered. Others sipped drinks, with many opting for adult concoctions on the day of celebration rather than the usual morning coffee.

Each parade has its signature “throws” — trinkets that include plastic beads, candy, doubloons, stuffed animals, cups and toys. Hand-decorated coconuts are the coveted item from Zulu, a massive parade named after the largest ethnic group in South Africa.

As a man, dressed like a crawfish — including red fabric claws for hands — caught one of the coconuts, he waved it around, the gold glitter on the husk glistening in the sun.

Sue Mennino was dressed in a white Egyptian-inspired costume, complete with a gold headpiece and translucent cape. Her face was embellished with glitter and electric blue eyeshadow.

“The world will be here tomorrow, but today is a day off and a time to party,” Mennino said.

The party isn’t solely confined to the parade route. Throughout the French Quarter, people celebrated in the streets, on balconies and on the front porches of shotgun-style homes.

One impromptu parade was led by a man playing a washboard instrument and dressed as a blue alligator — his paper-mache tail dragging along the street, unintentionally sweeping up stray beads with it. A brass band played “The Saints” as people danced.

In Jackson Square, the costumed masses included a man painted from head to toe as a zebra, a group cosplaying as Hungry Hungry Hippos from the tabletop game and a diver wearing an antique brass and copper helmet.

“The people are the best part,” said Martha Archer, who was dressed as Madame Leota, the disembodied medium whose head appears within a crystal ball in the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney amusement parks.

Archer’s face was painted blue and her outfit was a makeshift table that came up to her neck — giving the appearance that she was indeed a floating head.

“Everybody is just so happy,” she explained.

The good times will roll not just in New Orleans but across the state, from exclusive balls to the Cajun French tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday Run — a rural event in Central Louisiana featuring costumed participants performing, begging for ingredients and chasing live chickens to be cooked in a communal gumbo.

Parades are also held in other Gulf Coast cities such as Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, and there are other world-renowned celebrations in Brazil and Europe.

One of the quirkiest is an international Pancake Day competition pitting the women of Liberal, Kansas, against the women of Olney, England. Pancakes are used because they were thought to be a good way for Christians to consume the fat they were supposed to give up during the 40 days before Easter.

Contestants must carry a pancake in a frying pan and flip the pancake at the beginning and end of the 415-yard (380-meter) race.

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‘Potted Plant’ Parenting And Why It’s Not For Me

Published

3 minutes ago

5 April 2026

NewsAdmin

'Potted Plant' Parenting And Why It's Not For Me

One morning last week, while sipping coffee in bed and scrolling on my phone, my social media feed presented an article about parenting teenagers using the “potted plant” method.

“Get this,” I said to my husband Chris, next to me in the bed. “This article says that teenagers don’t want to engage with their parents, but they still want them nearby, hovering quietly in the background – like a ‘potted plant,’” I said using air quotes.

Chris looked up from his phone. “So first it was helicopter parents, then snow plow parents, and now potted plant parents?”

He rolled his eyes and went back to Wordle. However, I was interested enough to read on.

The concept was introduced by clinical psychologist Lisa Damour in a New York Times article in 2016.

“While normally developing teenagers seek new levels of emotional and physical distance from their parents perhaps they, like toddlers, feel most at ease when their folks balance active engagement with detached availability,” she writes.

The research cited in the piece is convincing: physical proximity alone, whether or not you’re actually connecting, does appear to improve adolescent well-being.

Maybe, I thought to myself as I got out of bed to begin my day. But at what cost to the parents’ well-being?

My children are now 18, 20, and 22, technically past the teenage years the potted plant method targets. But they are not quite out of the nest, and so the article still landed. I recognised the instinct: that parental tug to stay nearby, available, just in case.

I also recognised the trap.

I know so many parents on the verge of an empty nest who don’t know what to do with themselves – who have been so busy being parents that they’ve forgotten to build a life of their own.

The potted plant method gives them permission to keep delaying that reckoning. When the baseball games end, and the rides stop, what’s left? In retrospect, refusing to disappear into the background has set me up for a full life, and I’m ready to step into it.

Do you remember that scene from The Goonies when Mikey Walsh gives that pivotal speech and declares, “It’s our time”? I’m ready to give that speech to myself. After 22 years of parenting, it’s my time. I am done. I know, I know. Older parents are already typing their responses: “You’re never done parenting, blah blah.” I respectfully cry bullshit. The late, great radio psychologist Dr. Joy Browne used to say: “Your job as a parent is to give your kids roots and wings. And the wings are the hardest part.” If you’ve done your job, the wings are what they’re using right now. Let them fly.

Here’s the thing. I actually was a potted plant for the first seven years of my parenting, present in body, not fully there in any other way. I suffered from the disease of alcoholism, and although I could check the boxes (packed lunches, PTA, tooth fairy), a layer of vodka acted as a barrier between my kids and me. I got sober through a 12-step program when my kids were 7, 5 and 3, and what followed were 15 years of genuine, engaged, present motherhood. However, I never gave up all of myself as these parenting trends seemed to suggest you should.

During those years, while the kids were at school, I worked part-time and took a memoir-writing class. As my children grew more independent – when they no longer needed rides and their math classes became so advanced I could no longer help with the homework – I joined the workforce full-time and dedicated more hours to my writing. My hard work paid off. My debut memoir, Sober Mom, is being published this summer.

Should I skip the writing conference because my daughter might want me in the room while she watches TV? Should Chris and I cancel our weekend away in case one of my adult sons needs someone to explain how the washing machine works?

What I want – what I’ve decided my kids actually need – isn’t my quiet presence on the periphery of their lives. I want them to see a woman who finished her memoir, who went to the writing conference, who kept showing up for her own life the same way she showed up for theirs. I want them to witness what a marriage looks like when two people still choose each other after 20-plus years – two people who still go away for weekends alone. And I want them to learn, by watching me, that parenting doesn’t have to mean disappearing.

So, if they pick their heads up from their phones and wonder, Where’s mom? Good. That’s the point. I’m not a potted plant.

Elizabeth Jannuzzi’s debut memoir, “Sober Mom,” will be published by She Writes Press in July 2026 and is available now for pre-order. Her work explores themes of loss, motherhood, and recovery from alcoholism. Her essays have been featured in Under the Gum Tree, The Rumpus, WOW! Women On Writing, and more. Elizabeth earned a Best of the Net nomination in 2023. She is the program director at Project Write Now, a nonprofit writing organization. She engages with her audience through a weekly Substack newsletter.

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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BBC’s EastEnders to see TV schedule change this week

Published

9 minutes ago

5 April 2026

NewsAdmin

BBC's EastEnders to see TV schedule change this week

Soaps are regularly changing their schedules due to other programmes being shown in their usual time slots, including football matches.

While fans of the soap will still get to watch an episode of EastEnders on Easter Monday (April 6), it will be at a later time.

Here’s what we know about the changes and when you can watch the soap this week.

The top five EastEnders villains

EastEnders to see TV schedule change this week

The Easter schedule will see Celebrity Escape to the Country fill EastEnders’ usual slot as it starts at 7.45pm, with EastEnders usually beginning at 7.30pm on BBC One on Mondays.

It’s not all bad news though, as you can still get your soap fix on Monday as EastEnders will start an hour later than usual – at 8.30pm on the same channel.

Despite this schedule change, soap fans will be able to watch EastEnders on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at its usual time this week.

ITV makes schedule changes to Coronation Street and Emmerdale

Fans of Corrie and Emmerdale can also expect some schedule changes this year because, back in 2025, ITV announced changes to its soap schedule.

From January 2026, the broadcaster introduced a “soaps power hour” on weekdays with 30-minute Emmerdale episodes at 8pm and 30-minute Coronation Street episodes at 8.30pm.

Emmerdale’s most shocking deaths

Coronation Street previously aired for three hour-long episodes a week, while Emmerdale aired four 30-minute episodes and one hour-long instalment.

In May 2025, ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall said the company was making “good progress” on a cost-cutting drive, and that she expected to make £30 million of non-content savings during 2025.

ITV also introduced changes to its popular daytime TV shows such as Good Morning Britain (GMB) and Lorraine.

From January this year, GMB has been extended by half an hour, while Lorraine Kelly’s morning talk show has been reduced to 30 minutes for 30 weeks of the year.

Are you happy about the EastEnders schedule change this week? Let us know in the comments.

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NewsBeat

Five in hospital after Midridge Road Newton Aycliffe crash

Published

22 minutes ago

5 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Five in hospital after Midridge Road Newton Aycliffe crash

Emergency services were called to Midridge Road just before 8.30pm on Saturday (April 4) after the smash.

In total, five ambulances were sent to the scene and took five people to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The circumstances of the crash are not yet known. Durham Police have been contacted for more information.

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to a road traffic incident on Midridge Road, Newton Aycliffe, shortly before 8.30pm on April 4.

“We dispatched five double-crewed ambulances and a clinical team leader. Five patients were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.”

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Easter treat that can help lower blood pressure – but Brits must be specific on choice

Published

29 minutes ago

5 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Some popular Easter treats could be helping your heart

Samantha Leathers Senior Money & Lifestyle writer

11:29, 05 Apr 2026

Millions of chocolate Easter eggs are set to be devoured this weekend and, while overindulging in the beloved sweet treat is never advisable, choosing the right kind of chocolate could actually bring some surprising health benefits.

Health specialists have shed light on the potential advantages of dark chocolate and its possible effects on your heart, cholesterol and brain function. Dark chocolate typically contains between 35 and 90 per cent cocoa solids, considerably more than other varieties, while also tending to have lower levels of sugar and dairy.

Heart health

It is the elevated cocoa content that gives dark chocolate its edge when it comes to cardiovascular protection. As BHF Senior Dietitian Dell Stanford explained: “Cocoa solids are a good source of flavanols, a type of chemical that naturally occurs in plants.

“Flavanols give dark chocolate its slightly bitter taste, and its potential health benefits such a helping to lower blood pressure and making blood vessels more flexible.”

A 2025 review established that foods containing flavanols, cocoa amongst them, showed potential in reducing the risk of heart and circulatory conditions, as well as helping to bring down high blood pressure. However, commercially produced chocolates tend to contain lower flavanol levels than the cocoa bean products typically used in research studies.

Cocoa nibs boast some of the highest concentrations of flavanols, while milk chocolate contains none at all. Notably, the flavanol content in both milk and dark chocolates can vary considerably and bears little relation to the stated cocoa percentage.

Flavanol levels aren’t typically displayed on packaging, making it virtually impossible to determine how much your preferred chocolate bar contains. In the UK, cocoa-based products can only be labelled ‘rich in flavanols’ if they deliver 200mg daily, a threshold most chocolates simply cannot meet.

It’s also practically unfeasible to obtain all the necessary flavanols from dark chocolate alone, as consuming the required quantity would lead to adverse health consequences from excessive sugar and fat intake.

Brain

The flavanols present in dark chocolate may also enhance oxygen supply, nerve function and blood circulation to the brain. According to ZOE, these flavanols have been associated with increased nerve cell development, particularly within the hippocampus.

Previous research involving rats has indicated that flavanols might shield the brain from deteriorating function and conditions such as dementia, though further studies are required to establish this conclusively.

Cholesterol

Dark chocolate typically contains elevated levels of polyphenols. These compounds can boost ‘good’ cholesterol levels in your body while simultaneously reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol. Nevertheless, according to the BHF, these advantages can be negated if you’re consuming excessive amounts of chocolate due to its sugar and saturated fat content.

Professor Tim Spector from ZOE advises choosing chocolate containing at least 70 per cent cocoa, while remaining cautious of varieties that may appear dark but still harbour high quantities of refined sugar or dairy products.

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Nine of the best garden furniture sets on sale this spring

Published

36 minutes ago

5 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Great deals are available on garden furniture sets for every occasion, size and budget – from Habitat and IKEA to Dunelm and Argos

Rahaf Ali and Grace Salmon

11:35, 05 Apr 2026

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

With longer evenings and brighter days firmly upon us, now is an ideal moment to splash out on some new garden furniture. We’ve pulled together nine of the finest discounted lounge sets, dining sets and comfortable chairs to carry you through to the warmer months.

Although it can feel like a considerable outlay, investing in quality garden furniture is genuinely worthwhile. That said, it’s always sensible to make the most of any deals on offer, and a host of retailers from Habitat and Dunelm to IKEA and Wowcher have launched their spring sales.

From Scandi-inspired dining table and chair sets to Mediterranean-style rattan sofas and snug hanging egg chairs, there’s something to suit every garden size and aesthetic, reports the Mirror.

Habitat Malta 6 Seater Garden Corner Sofa Set. Was £800 Now £640 (using code GREEN20)

Habitat has truly excelled with their garden furniture range this year, delivering seriously stylish pieces without the eye-watering price tag, and this garden corner sofa set is no different.

Wowcher Acorn Dove Grey Rattan Garden Lounge Sofa Set. Was £449 Now £299

Rattan never goes out of fashion and is a wonderful way to introduce a Mediterranean vibe to your outdoor space. This grey rattan set from Wowcher is currently slashed by nearly £200, with both 5 and 10-seater options to choose from.

Argos Home Sicily 6 Seater Metal Patio Set. Was £230 Now £184 (using code GREEN20)

If you enjoy throwing an outdoor dinner party, this 6-seater patio set ought to be near the top of your garden shopping list. The chairs are stackable, making storage incredibly straightforward when you require the additional space.

OUTSUNNY 4 Piece Garden Furniture Set with Cushions Coffee Table. Was £648.99 Now £248.20

Among the finest garden bargains we’ve spotted thus far comes from Debenhams. They’ve reduced prices on numerous sets, including this 4-piece collection from OUTSUNNY. The black metal framework gives it a considerably more premium appearance than its now-under-£300 price point would indicate.

Abdul Metal 2 – Person Seating Group with Cushions. Was £668.99 Now £599.99

Keen to establish the ideal relaxation spot in your garden? Then this 2-person outdoor collection is the answer. Constructed from a lightweight aluminium framework, this pair is incredibly simple to relocate around the garden, whether you wish to be in the sunshine or shade.

Dunelm Singapore Double Egg Chair. Was £399 Now £299

Dunelm hasn’t got many reductions on garden furniture collections, but they have cut £100 from this double egg chair. If you’re limited on space, this is an excellent substitute for a large 4 or 6-seater collection.

IKEA JUTHOLMEN 4-seat conversation set. Was £429 Now £373 (until 24th May with IKEA Family membership)

If you possess an IKEA Family membership, this is the moment to utilise it. The Scandinavian homeware retailer has reduced prices on dozens of furniture pieces, including several garden collections like this 4-seater option.

Miacomet Modular PE Rattan Garden Sofa Set and Table. Was £1,464.97 Now £670

Wayfair is currently offering substantial spring discounts, and the reduction on this modular rattan garden set is simply too impressive to overlook. Slashing nearly £1000 from the original price tag, this collection is ideal for warm days spent outdoors.

Habitat Scandi 6 Seater Metal Patio Set. Was £500 Now £400 (using code GREEN20)

For those seeking to add a splash of colour to their outdoor area, this Scandi-influenced green metal patio set from Habitat is the ideal solution. Understated, stylish and vibrant without being excessively bold.

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