Sentinel Lifestyle
Once shaped by court rituals, China’s imperial cuisine lives on today
BEIJING | It is said that Empress Dowager Cixi once dreamed of a pastry during the final decades of imperial China. The same treat was served to her at breakfast the following morning. Delighted, she summoned her chef and rewarded him with a silver ingot. “It was originally called ‘minced pork pancake,’ but because it […]
The warming climate is forcing marathons to consider changes to keep runners cool
DES MOINES, Iowa | Paul Grinvalds has completed 114 marathons in all 50 states, but he still wilts when he races in temperatures beyond 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 Celsius). It’s the same for most runners, as the body can’t cool down during exertion, and heat makes that even harder. “One thing about marathoners is typically […]
OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbot
SAN FRANCISCO | OpenAI is launching a version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers — the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence — who are already using it for schoolwork, questions about daily life and even companionship. The San Francisco-based company says ChatGPT for Teens, which launches Tuesday, is tailored for kids aged 13 […]
The best fabric for extreme heat? It’s more complicated than you think
When it’s really hot out, getting dressed seems pretty simple: Wear something light, loose and made for summer. But textile researchers say it’s actually a little more complicated than that. The fabric matters. But so does how heavy it is, how the clothing is made, how it fits and even what color it is. What […]
Pull up to the window, please, for a glimpse of an American icon: The drive-thru
WASHINGTON | Full disclosure: this should really be two tales. How better to pay tribute to the natural and perhaps inevitable combination of two distinctly American icons: fast food and cars? Those two massive sociological forces had already joined up, Voltron-style, early in the 20th century with the development of the drive-in restaurant – that […]
An ‘influencer’ degree? Colleges bet on content creator major as critics question its value
Ask a teen what they want to be when they grow up, and there’s a fair chance being an influencer is on their list. Digital media and the people who star in it have been cultural mainstays for teens’ entire lives, so creating social media, video or podcast content seems a natural, albeit nontraditional, career […]
The hidden politics of time: How clocks, calendars — and now-contentious time zones — came to be
NEW YORK | It flies. It heals all wounds. It can be of the essence, and it can be money. We thrill in the best of it, lament the worst. We’re warned not to waste it, since we can’t turn it back — even as we try to make up for when it’s lost. And […]
Bedbugs can cause people to lose sleep — and blood. Here’s what to do about them
NEW YORK | Bedbugs are sometimes called the vampires of the insect world — hiding during the day and coming out at night to feast on human blood. Generations of children have been told: “Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Well, bad news: Bedbug infestations are increasing. This is the time of year when […]
The livin’ is no longer so easy: How carefree dreams of ‘summertime’ are fading in 2026’s swelter
LONDON | Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to consider the death of the summertime state of mind. The season itself is in no danger; climate change, mainly caused by the burning of oil, gas and coal, is warming the weather year-round. Viewed this way, summer-like weather is ascendant. It’s setting records across the […]
3 big questions to ask your aging parents
One of the toughest things to go through as an adult is helping your parents as they get older. Life is finite, and both you and your parents might be reluctant to talk about what type of support they might need. But as difficult as these conversations can be, it’s important to make time for […]