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.
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.
Following its transmission on the BBC, Acorn Media International announced Under the Vines Series 1 is set for release on DVD and digital from 2 June.
And to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a copy on DVD
Synopsis:
Renowned New Zealand star Rebecca Gibney (Wanted, Packed to the Rafters, The Flying Doctors) and British acting favourite Charles Edwards (The Crown, The Terror, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), are thrown together as two unlikely city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard in rural New Zealand.
Sydney socialite Daisy Munroe (Gibney) hops on a plane to Peak View, New Zealand for a holiday at her recently deceased stepfather’s winery, which she intends to sell. Little does she know that the vineyard has a co-owner, grumpy, British lawyer, Louis Oakley (Edwards), who has recently been disbarred and is heading to the remote wine region in order to escape a spiralling series of unfortunate life events.
Despite neither of them having done a hard day’s work in their lives and both despising each other on first meeting, the two must somehow make Oakley Winery successful so they can sell up, split the profits and get out. But nothing is ever as easy as it seems and the inexperienced duo face their own personal and financial crises, while fighting off the attention of a neighbouring vineyard who has their sights set on swindling the newcomers.
Escape Under the Vines for a delightful TV romp through scenic sights with laughs a plenty and maybe a refreshing drink or two along the way.
Who plays British lawyer, Louis Oakley in Under the Vines?
Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com
Quick Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 09-06-25
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.
The imitable Sally Lindsay is back in The Madame Blanc Mysteries Series 4 for more awesome amateur sleuthing, French finds and delightful drama in the fabulous French town of Sainte Victoire.
And to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a copy of Series 4 on DVD.
Synopsis:
If you’re in need of some escapist charm, this much-loved series is guaranteed to please with its lovable cast, unusual antiques, murder, mystery, sunshine and laughter.
Following its Channel 5 transmission, The Madame Blanc Mysteries Series 4 and Series 1 – 4 Box Set are set to arrive on DVD 2 June 2025, courtesy of Acorn Media International, just in time for some summer sleuthing. The Madame Blanc Mysteries Series 4 will also be available to download and keep weekly after each episode airs.
We return to sunny Sainte Victoire with our favourite cosy crime fighting antiques dealer Jean White (Lindsay). The series three finale saw an end to Dom (Steve Edge – Benidorm, The Reluctant Landlord) and Jean’s will-they-won’t-they, delighting fans when Dom (Edge) finally told Jean how he felt. But the course of true love never did run smooth and the couple must now navigate their budding romance together, while solving a brand-new set of mysteries..
From a brutal murder in a magical Christmas market to the unravelling of a curse from an Egyptian God, the dynamic duo has a fresh slew of mysteries to solve and as always, end up in La Couronne with Uncle Patrick (Tony Robinson – Blackadder, Maid Marian and her Merry Men, Man Down) to enjoy a well-earned glass of wine.
Series four sees the return of an impressive abundance of guest stars including co-writer Sue Vincent (Mount Pleasant, Bad Move) as mechanic Gloria Beaushaw, Robin Askwith (Confessions of a Window Cleaner, Bless This House) and Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses, The Green Green Grass) as Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James and Alex Gaumond (Derry Girls, Death in Paradise) as Chief of Police André Caron.
Sainte Victoire also sees some new faces as Samantha Power (Ackley Bridge, Brassic), Charlie Condou (Coronation Street, Nathan Barley), Richard Blackwood (EastEnders, The Richard Blackwood Show), Danny Hatchard (Eastenders, Our Girl), Graeme Hawley (Finding Alice, Coronation Street), Lorraine Burroughs (Sweetpea, DCI Banks) and Edward MacLiam (Doctors, Holby City) guest star.
Pack your sun cream and magnifying glass and take a sun-soaked trip to Sainte Victoire for a treasure trove of delightful mysteries infused with heart and humour in The Madame Blanc Mysteries Series 4.
Who plays Uncle Patrick in The Madame Blanc Mysteries?
Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com
Quick Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 09-06-25
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.
A 24-year-old self-taught gambler is accusing major casinos of unfair play after they refused to honour his winning bets, despite a potential payout of over $800,000.
Thomas McPeek, who lives in the suburbs with his parents, says he spent months analysing betting markets and carefully structuring parlay bets that led to massive wins at two casinos in the United States. His gambling journey took him from Indiana to Iowa, where he placed a series of intricate sports wagers using kiosks instead of approaching betting clerks, hoping to stay anonymous and avoid detection.
“I was holding what should have been $800,000 worth of winning tickets,” McPeek said in an interview at his family home, surrounded by sports memorabilia. He claims his wins were the result of extensive preparation, referencing stacks of notebooks filled with research and betting strategies.
In August, McPeek visited the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, reportedly turning $30,000 into $350,000. A month later, he wagered again at the Isle Casino in Bettendorf, Iowa, this time winning another $450,000. Both casinos are operated by Caesars Entertainment.
But when McPeek returned to collect his winnings, the casinos refused to pay. According to McPeek, Caesars voided his tickets and pointed to house rules regarding structured betting and anti-money laundering regulations.
A printed policy sheet handed to him during his visit to the Iowa casino in January cited concerns around repeat wagering patterns and attempts to evade scrutiny. “Of course it’s not fair,” McPeek said. “They waited until the bets won before deciding not to pay me.”
McPeek admits to betting in small increments across numerous tickets to avoid triggering alerts, even changing his appearance with sunglasses and disguises to reduce recognition. “I just want to fly under the radar,” he said.
He has since been banned from several casinos, including Horseshoe and Blue Chip in Michigan City. While Blue Chip also barred him after a significant win, they did pay out over $127,000 before doing so. Caesars, however, has not issued any payment.
McPeek’s complaints to state regulators in Indiana and Iowa have so far seen limited success. Indiana’s gaming commission backed Caesars’ decision to void the bets. Iowa’s regulatory body is still reviewing the case.
Experts are split on the issue. Mike Lawton, a retired Nevada gaming regulator, suggested there may be behind-the-scenes details justifying the casino’s stance. Another former industry professional, Scott Morrow, was more critical of McPeek’s approach, arguing that his tactics aimed to circumvent established rules.
However, professional betting author Eli Feustel took McPeek’s side. “If Caesars had voided the bets before the games were played, it would have been fair. Waiting to see if he won first is the problem,” Feustel said.
McPeek is now considering legal action to reclaim his earnings, potentially setting the stage for a court case that could shine a spotlight on how far casinos can go to deny payouts based on player behaviour.
As it stands, his fate may ultimately be decided by a judge.
In a recent YouTube video titled Urban Kayaking | Exploring a Polluted Industrial River in NYC, creator Two Feet Outdoors takes viewers on a sobering yet fascinating paddle through a little-known stretch of the Hutchinson River. Launching from Mount Vernon, New York, he follows the waterway south into the Bronx, navigating through a landscape dominated by industry and heavy pollution.
In his own words, he expected the river to be toxic, but was still taken aback by the scale of the contamination and even witnessed what appeared to be active pollution during his trip. Despite the environmental damage, the video captures a surprising amount of wildlife, offering a stark contrast between nature’s resilience and the industrial sprawl that surrounds it.
This urban kayaking journey highlights the often-overlooked waterways of New York City and raises questions about environmental responsibility and restoration.
In the Atlanta episode titled "B.A.N." (Black American Network), the show delves into a satirical exploration of race and identity. The scene features a 17-year-old Black teenager, Antoine Smalls, who identifies as a 35-year-old white man named Harrison Booth. Smalls claims to be "transracial" and expresses his desire to undergo a "race transition surgery" to become white. The mockumentary-style interview humorously highlights the absurdity of his assertion while subtly critiquing the commodification and fluidity of identity in modern society.
While the scene is played for laughs, it raises uncomfortable questions about how race is perceived and constructed. Smalls’ mother dismisses his claim, arguing that identity cannot be altered through superficial means, which serves as a powerful counterpoint to the notion of "transracial" identity. By weaving this commentary into its trademark humor, Atlanta challenges viewers to think critically about the complexities of race, privilege, and how society interacts with these issues.
