Thursday, 5 June 2025
Behind the Adventure: The Story of Outdoor Boys and Their YouTube Farewell
Monday, 2 June 2025
Paul Joseph Watson - Paris Has Fallen
Paul Joseph Watson is a British commentator and writer known for his engaging analysis on politics and culture. He gained recognition for his sharp insights and thought-provoking content across various digital platforms. Paul combines wit and a distinctive style to explore current events, often sparking discussion and debate. With a strong online presence, he connects with a wide audience interested in contemporary issues and commentary.
COMPETITION: Win The Chelsea Detective: Series 3 on DVD
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Saturday, 31 May 2025
20 Years Since the First YouTube Video: 'Me at the Zoo'
Roughly 20 years ago, on 23 April 2005, the very first video was uploaded to YouTube. Titled Me at the Zoo, the 18-second clip features YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim standing in front of elephants at the San Diego Zoo. Filmed by a friend, the video is simple, casual, and understated, but it marked the beginning of a platform that would transform digital culture.
In the clip, Karim briefly comments on the elephants’ “really, really long trunks,” adding that “that’s pretty much all there is to say.” While the content itself is unremarkable, its significance lies in what it represented. This was the moment YouTube was officially born.
Since then, YouTube has grown from a small video-sharing site to one of the world’s largest platforms for content, community, and careers. From tutorials and entertainment to political commentary and education, the site now sees over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute and boasts more than 2 billion logged-in users each month.
The original video, Me at the Zoo, is still live on the site today. It remains a nostalgic snapshot of internet history and a quiet reminder of how far the platform has come.
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Haiti’s Dirt Cookies: A Harsh Reality of Hunger and Survival
In Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, a distressing symbol of survival persists. On the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and in many rural areas, dirt cookies – known locally as galettes de boue – are made from a mixture of clay, salt, and vegetable shortening. For many families, these are not a novelty or cultural tradition, but a desperate measure to calm hunger when food is unaffordable or unavailable.
What Are Dirt Cookies?
The clay used in these cookies is typically sourced from the central plateau of Haiti and sold in open-air markets. It is sun-dried, mixed with salt and shortening, then flattened into discs and left to dry on rooftops or pavements. Once hardened, the cookies resemble oversized crackers with a pale beige tone.
Though they contain no nutritional value, they are often eaten by children and pregnant women to reduce the feeling of emptiness in the stomach. Some believe the clay contains minerals, but health experts say the risks outweigh any potential benefit. Consumption of these cookies can lead to malnutrition, stomach pain, infections, and exposure to toxins, especially if the clay is contaminated.
The Roots of the Crisis
The widespread consumption of dirt cookies reflects the deep food insecurity in Haiti, a country facing compounding crises. Years of political instability, natural disasters, gang violence, and economic collapse have pushed millions into poverty. Inflation has made basic groceries inaccessible for many households, with prices for staples like rice, beans, and oil doubling or tripling in recent years.
The United Nations has consistently ranked Haiti as one of the most food-insecure nations in the world. According to the World Food Programme, nearly half the population faces severe hunger. In some neighbourhoods, even accessing clean drinking water or a regular meal is a challenge.
Why It Continues
Dirt cookies cost far less than proper food. In a country where many live on less than £2 a day, a handful of these cookies may be all a family can afford. Vendors continue to sell them because there is a steady demand, and many women who produce them rely on this trade to earn a small income.
For those eating them, it is not a choice made lightly. It is an act of survival in a system where safety nets are few and international aid, while present, cannot meet the scale of need.
Monday, 26 May 2025
COMPETITION: Win Under the Vines: Series 1 on DVD
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COMPETITION: Win The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Series 4 on DVD
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