President Trump announced Friday that his administration will launch a “major Tariff Investigation on Furniture coming into the United States,” setting the stage for new import duties on chairs, sofas and other home furnishings within the next 50 days.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the investigation will determine tariff rates on furniture imports from other countries. “This will bring the Furniture Business back to North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan, and States all across the Union,” he wrote

Magnitude 7.5 quake hits remote Drake Passage near Antarctica

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica late Thursday night, prompting Chilean authorities to issue a tsunami advisory for parts of Antarctica while no immediate damage or casualties were reported from the remote seismic event.

The Trump administration immediately suspended all worker visas for commercial truck drivers on Thursday following a deadly highway crash in Florida that killed three people, marking the latest escalation in the administration’s immigration crackdown.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the freeze on X, stating that “the increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers”.

Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian man suspected of coordinating the 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, according to German prosecutors, marking the first arrest in connection with one of the most mysterious acts of sabotage in recent European history.

The suspect, identified only as Serhii K. under German privacy laws, was detained overnight in the Italian coastal town of Rimini and is accused of being one of the key organizers of the underwater explosions that damaged the critical energy infrastructure. German authorities will seek his extradition to face charges of causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destroying critical infrastructure.

A federal judge dealt a decisive blow to the Trump administration’s controversial immigration detention strategy Thursday night, ordering the shutdown of Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” facility within 60 days over environmental violations. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the hastily constructed detention center in the Florida Everglades violated federal environmental laws and must cease accepting new detainees immediately.

Russia strikes US-owned factory as Trump backs Ukraine offense

Russian cruise missiles destroyed an American-owned electronics factory in western Ukraine early Thursday, killing one person and injuring 15 in one of Moscow’s largest aerial assaults of the year. The attack prompted President Donald Trump to support Ukraine’s right to launch offensive strikes against Russia, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy as peace negotiations appear stalled.

I’m proud to say I stuck to my goal. I managed to visit the beach every single day for 48 days.

While it gave me the chance to connect with the natural environment, the challenge presented some unexpected benefits too.

Instant relaxation

As I embarked on this challenge, I knew that the beach would have a calming effect.

But what I found was, even when I had only planned to go to the beach for a few minutes, I always stayed longer.

Giving myself the time to stop each day was such a treat. The feel of the sand, the salty smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves – it was a real sensory experience.

My mind was quieter and I felt my chest open. I took deep breaths and time slowed. I didn’t feel the need to “do” anything. It was lovely to just be.

Free pedicure

Sand is a great exfoliator.

I remember looking down at my feet one day and thinking how healthy they looked. My skin was clear, there was no flakiness and my toe nails were a soft pink.

I never expected the challenge to be physically beneficial for my body but, at the time, many people also commented on my natural glow.

Finding purpose

The beach challenge gave my day purpose, and having a reward or something to look forward to made tasks throughout the day easier.

As a freelancer, whose days are never the same, it also gave me some structure. I could incorporate the beach visits into my plan and build my day around it.

It often forced me to take the break I so desperately needed, and it became something that I prioritised.

Encouraging others

I used #lovellysummerbeachgoals as the hashtag for my beach challenge because I wanted to document it on social media and give people the chance to follow along, and maybe even get on board.

It still surprises how many people commented on my experience. Even now, two months on from it, people are genuinely interested in the challenge.

I get asked how I did, why I did it, and whether I am still doing it now. But the nicest thing is they have often said: “it made me think I should get to the beach more too”.

Getting back to nature

Reconnecting with the natural world is so good for the soul. To just be in nature can be so cleansing.

Last year I went to see a naturopath and cried – I was so exhausted and stressed, and sitting there with her just brought it all to the surface.

She prescribed me “30 minutes walking along the beach, a couple times a week”, along with other recommendations for my diet.

The health benefits of visiting the beach or swimming in the ocean are well documented, and I felt them during this challenge.

Continuing the good vibes post challenge

After I finished my daily beach challenge, I noticed how much my mental health was impacted by not going to the beach. My work-life balance was affected and I’d lost that calm I’d found.

Once I didn’t have to go to the beach anymore, I didn’t. And I found myself yearning and craving to get outdoors.

That clarity and space I had forced myself to have during the challenge was now gone.

But I now have an easy solution to make myself feel better – get outdoors. Whether it’s to the beach, to the park or to my balcony, all I need to do is get out in nature and it leaves me feeling a thousand times better.