Photographer Derek Ridgers’ introduction to the Cannes Film Festival arrived in 1984, when he was commissioned to shoot the DJ and rapper Afrika Bambaataa — in town to promote his cameo in Stan Lathan’s “Beat Street” — for the music magazine, NME. “I don’t think I’d ever really thought about Cannes, or the film festival, before I went,” Ridgers, widely celebrated for his distinctive portraits of British subcultures, told CNN via email. “Every year one sees items about it on TV, but it hadn’t impacted my life in any significant way.” Ridgers would return to the French resort town a further 11 times, during which he said he “only ever saw two films” — “Beat Street” and Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s “December Bride” (he’d been at art school with the director). “If you’re on the French Riviera and the sun’s out, why would you choose to go to the cinema if you didn’t have to?” he reasoned. Instead, Ridgers focused on the compelling and sometimes controversial scenes that unfolded around him, shooting celebrities, young models and upcoming actresses, as well as fellow photographers. Three decades on, some 80 images from Ridgers’ archive have been brought together in a new book, “Cannes,” published by IDEA. The festival it presents is in many ways a different kind of spectacle to its contemporary iteration. This year’s edition, which runs through May 24, will largely be experienced via social media (the official Festival de Cannes Instagram page has 1.3 million followers alone, while thousands of tagged videos populate TikTok). In Ridgers’ pictures, made in the 1980s and 1990s, there’s not a single cell phone and barely a point and shoot camera; star-making-moments, political statements and fashion history were all typically reported by TV and printed media. “My interest has always been people and, I suppose, a study of the human condition,” said Ridgers, who, alongside his professional assignments, spent much of the 1980s and the decade prior documenting London’s punks, skinheads and New Romantics. “The film festival was my first extended foray into reportage, but it’s still all people doing what people do,” he noted, reflecting on how his book “Cannes” was shaped by this same curiosity, in tandem with his rejection of the more traditional red carpet set-up. “There’s so much of life’s rich pageant on show during Cannes, there are great photographic opportunities almost everywhere,” he continued. Shooting both in color and black and white, Ridgers captured icons such as Clint Eastwood, Helmut Newton and John Waters, as well as then-up and coming models like Frankie Rayder, who appears on the book’s cover dressed in diamonds and fur (the surrounding crowd adopting casual jeans and T-shirts), and performers attending the Hot D’Or adult film industry awards too, including the late Lolo Ferrari. “During the years I was going, the film festival seemed to become a bigger and bigger deal,” shared Ridgers. “When the porn stars were having their awards show there as well (the Hot D’Or’s ran from 1992-2001), that added a layer of craziness and made for some interesting photographic juxtapositions. The main film festival seemed to take itself awfully serious, and having the porn stars there lightened the mood somewhat.” Young women then, adult entertainers and wannabe film stars alike, are a constant throughout the new book, posing with friends or performing for the camera; showing off in an attempt to emulate Brigitte Bardot’s culture-shifting debut at the festival in 1953, while promoting “Manina, the Girl in the Bikini.” Ridgers, adopting the gaze of a bystander, recorded it all, from the playful to the outrageous, and sometimes the outright questionable, as in the picture of another photographer taking an upskirting shot. “It seemed shocking then, too, which was why I took the photograph,” he explained. “I was appalled by the unabashed brazenness of it. Someone doing that nowadays would, rightly, get arrested.” Stressing that he never considered himself above his peers, Ridgers further recalled that he also never felt any sense of kinship with them, and the book concludes with an image of some photographers holding and discussing one of his images, oblivious to his presence. “The whole time I went to the festival, I don’t think I had one conversation with any of the other photographers,” he said. “They shouted at me occasionally, for getting in their way, but that’s hardly a conversation. It sounds terrible, I know, but I just ignored them. I’m competitive and very focused — if I’m standing around chatting, I may be missing a good photograph.” In “Cannes” however, the mood is one of debauchery with a light-hearted sensibility. “I’m serious about my work but this is not a particularly serious photobook,” said Ridgers, acknowledging the nature of its contents. “Most of the photographs are frivolous, and some are simply outrageous. These days, because of the French law of droit à l’image (a right to one’s image) it’s harder to publish photographs of people in public without their permission — how that works in the era of the camera phone, I have no idea. My photographs are testament to what fun, crazy and at times, ludicrous, things happened back then.”

A bronze statue of Melania Trump near her hometown in Slovenia has gone missing, five years after it replaced a wooden statue damaged by arsonists. Slovenian police told CNN that they’d been informed of a theft in the village of Rozno, where the statue was situated, on Tuesday. Officers “conducted an inspection of the crime scene and collected information,” police spokesperson Alenka Drenik Rangus said in a statement Friday. “The investigating judge and the district state prosecutor were informed about the theft.” No further details were given by authorities. Photos published in Slovenian local media show most of the statue has been sawed off, leaving just its feet and ankles attached to the tree trunk it stood on. The statue was situated beside a river near Sevnica, a small, picturesque town about 90 kilometers (56 miles) east of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. Before this bronze statue was stolen, its original wooden incarnation was set alight in July 2020 by vandals. Badly burnt, it was then removed from its plinth before being displayed at an art gallery in the Slovenian town of Koper later that year and at an exhibition in Croatia in 2023. Artist Brad Downey told CNN that he had always intended to make a bronze version of the statue to exhibit in an institutional setting, but decided to use it to replace the wooden sculpture after it was badly burned. Downey had originally commissioned the wooden sculpture from local conceptual artist Ales Zupevc, better known as Maxi, who was born in the same hospital and the same year as Melania Trump. Its somewhat abstract depiction of the first lady in the sky-blue dress she wore to her husband’s first presidential inauguration in 2017 drew mixed reviews from locals. Sevnica is a sleepy town of 5,000 that has profited from its most famous daughter, placing itself firmly on the tourist trail and selling a range of Melania-themed products, including honey, chocolate and cake.

Many people will have experienced the excitement of receiving an online order, or that hit of dopamine that follows a new purchase. But what happens when you unbox the goods, only to find that it wasn’t what you were expecting? Worse yet, when it turns out that you spent a significant sum on a product that could potentially be counterfeit? That was the dilemma Joan Kim had to contend with. In a TikTok video uploaded in December 2024 that has since amassed over 1 million views, the Los Angeles-based content creator shared her frustration at “being scammed” by US luxury department store-chain Saks Fifth Avenue. “It’s the holidays and I wanted to buy a gift,” Kim said, gesturing to an ivory-colored leather bag on her shoulder. Priced at $2,600, it was a tote by The Row, the discreet, logo-free luxury label founded by actresses-turned-designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. “I’ve been needing a bag and I wanted one that wasn’t so ‘loud,’” Kim told CNN over email. (As) I already had The Row bag in medium, I wanted to buy the bigger size in black.” And while she was initially delighted to receive her order, made online through Saks Fifth Avenue (a receipt of the purchase was viewed by CNN), that joy quickly faded as she noticed discrepancies between her new purchase and the same style she already owned. Kim said that the dust bag it arrived in was a different color and fabric, its drawstring visibly thicker. The stitched-on rectangular logo, bearing the brand’s name, also looked dissimilar. “I had a feeling it was off,” said Kim, adding that when she opened the dust bag, what she found inside “was even weirder.” Looking at her cream bag, which she had purchased directly from The Row’s Melrose Place store, and the black version that had arrived from Saks, she observed multiple differences — from the material used in the lining to its shape when worn. Convinced that the new bag was a fake, Kim was deeply disappointed. After all, Saks Global, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue as well as luxury stores Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, is a respected entity, known for selling high-end brands including Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. She contacted Saks’ customer service department, which asked her to return the product via post. But Kim wasn’t satisfied with the response. Her concern, she explained, was that she would have no physical evidence to prove her claim — and that she consequently wouldn’t receive a refund — if she wasn’t believed. Ultimately, Kim took the bag to a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills and received a refund in gift card form, but the experience had left a sour taste in her mouth. “After the incident, I haven’t purchased anything online,” she told CNN, adding that in the future she would only shop for luxury goods in-person. Saks confirmed to CNN that the incident had been resolved, but did not comment on whether the returned bag was counterfeit and what had happened to it. “Return fraud has become a pervasive issue for retailers, and, as a result, we consistently evaluate our returns approach,” a global spokesperson for Saks said in an emailed statement. “As part of this, we’ve identified the need to take additional steps in our processes, including more time for careful product quality inspection and authentication, to ensure that customers receive high quality authentic merchandise in future orders.” The spokesperson added: “Our fulfillment centers manage millions of shipments every year, but it is unacceptable for any customer to have this experience. Our top priority is ensuring our customers enjoy the luxury shopping experience for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known, and we continuously work to improve our processes.” A global occurrence Kim’s experience isn’t as unusual as you might think, with shoppers across the world reporting similar incidents. Tiffany Kim (no relation), a California-based dental hygienist, was also shocked to discover that a recent purchase — a top-handle bag, also by The Row — could potentially be counterfeit. She had bought it from Ssense, a Canadian online luxury retailer that stocks Bottega Veneta, Loewe and Auralee, among other fashionable labels. When Kim received the bag in January, she had her suspicions, because the quality didn’t match her expectations. She ended up purchasing the same style directly from The Row. On placing the two bags side-by-side, they appeared distinctively different in size, shape and material. The product that had arrived from Ssense was also missing a warranty card. Kim was astonished. “This bag is not cheap; it’s about $1,000,” she said in a video shared with her 39,900 followers on Instagram. Kim did not respond to requests for comment from CNN. On her video alleging that she received a fake product, Ssense commented that it had gotten in touch directly in hopes of resolving the issue. In a statement provided to CNN, Ssense did not comment on whether the bag that Kim received was counterfeit but said: “We are committed to ensuring the authenticity of all products sold. We have measures in place to prevent the sale of counterfeit items.” Ssense added that all returns undergo “thorough examination.” British retailer Flannels, which sells high-end brands including Versace, Burberry and Moncler, has also been subject to complaints from multiple shoppers, who claim that their purchases, ranging from a Saint Laurent belt to pair of Gucci monogrammed sandals, are counterfeit. (The shoppers did not respond to requests for comment from CNN seeking to verify their purchases.) Similar complaints have plagued Flannels for years: In 2018, the retailer was accused of selling fake products by disgruntled shoppers who had purchased Moncler items, after the Italian label said that their purchases were not genuine products. When approached by CNN, Flannels declined to comment on the allegations that the products they sold online were fake, and what it was doing to prevent potential fraudulent returns. Cracks in the system In a sector where trust and credibility are paramount to success, it’s unlikely that an established department store or multi-brand boutique — which tends to have longstanding relationships with luxury brands — would knowingly sell a counterfeit product. Yet, as global supply chains increasingly diverge from traditional models, in response to inflationary pressures and geopolitical and economic changes, they’re getting more complex — and more challenging to police. It’s through these avenues that counterfeits may be slipping through, warned Simon Geale, executive vice president of procurement at Proxima, a supply chain firm owned by Bain & Company. One method that fake products enter the retail system may be through fraudulent returns, in which a customer returns a completely different item while claiming they’re the original product, Geale told CNN over the phone. Processing returns is a complicated and costly process, and it is possible that some stores may not have the infrastructure in place to thoroughly inspect the returned items, he warned. “It’s rare, but the impact is substantial,” Geale said, noting financial loss and reputational damage. Ona Simpson, a luxury supply chain consultant and the co-founder of Uncovered Agency, whose clients have included Burberry and Vivienne Westwood, asserts that big retailers are well equipped to handle returns, but the issue may be with the suppliers. While the luxury industry has traditionally operated a wholesale model (high-end stores typically purchase and hold inventory from brands), a growing number of retailers, including Net-a-Porter and Nordstrom, have turned to e-concessions or drop-shipping, because it enables them to source high-end products while avoiding less upfront investment. The danger is that stores have less oversight over where the product has come from, said Simpson. “As a customer you might go onto a website — let’s say Saks. You might buy a Prada bag thinking it’s coming from the Saks warehouse, but that might not be true.” As to why a store might resort to such means, Simpson pointed to the exclusive nature of luxury goods, where scarcity is typically associated with desirability and value. Increasingly, to control their image and brand integrity, luxury brands have been limiting which distributors or stores can sell their products, as they instead prioritize direct retail channels (such as their own stores or e-commerce site). For example, Chanel notoriously does not sell its fashion and handbag collections online (those items can only be purchased in the brand’s physical boutiques). That can make it difficult for retailers to keep up and cater to trendy customers who want the latest launch or the buzziest brand of the moment. “A lot of high-end retailers now (stock) products from independent boutiques and suppliers because they have found this to be a way to (sell) brands they want,” said Simpson. However, that puts the retailers at risk of receiving counterfeit products without realizing, she noted. “(Stores) are trying to keep customers happy, but (fraudsters) are taking advantage of that.” Simpson’s hope is that the recent incidents will give stores a wakeup call to take greater preventative measures that protect their integrity, as well as seek greater differentiation at a time when retail has become increasingly homogenous. It’s a decision that would also benefit shoppers, who are now seemingly faced with the same choices everywhere they go, as stores stock the same fashion labels and products. “There are increased counterfeits floating around, so every step of the way, there’s a greater chance of mistakes or fraud happening,” Simpson warned.

A public health alert has been issued for some ready-to-eat wraps amid concerns that the products may be contaminated with listeria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) earlier this week issued the alert for Rachel's Food Corp. chicken and bacon ranch wraps sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. A recall was not requested because the affected products are no longer available for purchase, according to the announcement. "The problem was discovered when a state public health partner notified FSIS of a product sample that tested positive for listeria monocytogenes," the FSIS said. The wraps were sold under the brand names Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 by Price Chopper. Both items come in a 10-ounce clear plastic clamshell package with a sell-by date of May 7 and the lot code of 25122. The wraps have the establishment number P34657 inside the USDA mark of inspection. Mike Pepin, vice president of operations for Massachusetts-based Rachel's Food Corp., told Fox News Digital there is no immediate concern regarding the wraps since they are out of circulation. "Listeria infection is an illness caused by bacteria that can spread through many foods," according to the Mayo Clinic. No illnesses have been reported "due to consumption of these products," the FSIS said. The items were produced on May 2. Although the wraps are no longer on the market, the FSIS is "concerned that some products may be in consumers' refrigerators," according to the announcement. Anyone who has purchased the wraps is "urged not to consume them."

Daredevil to swim shark-filled waters in celebration of 'Jaws' 50th anniversary Lewis Pugh will swim in 47-degree waters without a wetsuit to change the public perception of sharks Ashley J. DiMella By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News Published May 16, 2025 1:26pm EDT Facebook Twitter Flipboard Comments Print Email close Shark can't escape trio of fish in 'awesome' underwater chase A daring endurance swimmer is taking it to the next level as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws." Lewis Pugh, 55, will be swimming 62 miles around the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts with the water temperature predicted to be 47 degrees. "On this swim, it’s very different: We’re just talking about sharks all the time," Pugh told The Associated Press (AP). He said that he plans on wearing his usual swimming uniform, which is not a wetsuit. Rather, he'll be wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, he said. The daredevil has gone swimming near glaciers and volcanoes, as well as among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh said his goal is to raise awareness of the need to protect sharks and to change public perception of the mighty fish. The American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates about 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day. Pugh said the popular 1975 movie "Jaws" showcased sharks as "villains, as cold-blooded killers." He told AP, "It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks … It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them." He added, "We need to protect life in our oceans — all our futures rely on it." On the swim, safety personnel in a boat and kayak will follow Pugh. They'll have a "shark shield" device that uses an electric field without harming sharks to deter them. He plans to start the swim on Friday, which is estimated to take about 12 days. "Jaws" was released in June 1975; it was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Peter Benchley. It starred Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Lorraine Gary. The film tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the island of Martha's Vineyard. The film tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the island of Martha's Vineyard. A famous bridge known to tourists and locals as "Jaws Bridge" is on Beach Road connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The bridge is popular among beachgoers, with people jumping off the ledge into the water. Pugh said he will spend the rest of his time on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Angler shatters previous fish state record by reeling in black crappie Black crappie record set when he caught a 3.6-pound freshwater fish Ashley J. DiMella By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News Published May 16, 2025 6:36am EDT Facebook Twitter Flipboard Comments Print Email close Little boy impresses dad by catching his first fish A West Virginia angler just broke a fish record in the Mountain State. Jerry Porter of Harts, West Virginia, caught a black crappie while fishing at East Lynn Lake in Wayne County. Porter reeled in the 17.7-inch fish that weighed in at 3.6-pounds, according to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The sunfish was caught on a minnow-tipped jig on a 6-pound test line. The previous black crappie state record was a 3.15-pound, 17.76-inch fish caught in 2024. Black crappies stretch 10.8 inches on average, with the heaviest ever reported at six pounds, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (FWS). The fish are commonly found in freshwater lakes, often traveling in schools while swimming in clear water, according to FWS. Porter’s record marks the third state record shattered so far in 2025. Two West Virginia fishermen recently broke state records while reeling in their catches on the same day in April. Two West Virginia fishermen recently broke state records while reeling in their catches on the same day in April. Split image of fishermen Two West Virginia anglers managed to break state records while fishing on the same day. (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR)) Jason Floyd caught a 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker, according to the WVDNR and as previously reported by Fox News Digital. John Plott caught a hefty 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, marking his second record-breaking catch of the species. In order to fish in West Virginia, anglers over the age of 14 must obtain a state fishing license.

A daring endurance swimmer is taking it to the next level as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws." Lewis Pugh, 55, will be swimming 62 miles around the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts with the water temperature predicted to be 47 degrees. "On this swim, it’s very different: We’re just talking about sharks all the time," Pugh told The Associated Press (AP). He said that he plans on wearing his usual swimming uniform, which is not a wetsuit. Rather, he'll be wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, he said. The daredevil has gone swimming near glaciers and volcanoes, as well as among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh said his goal is to raise awareness of the need to protect sharks and to change public perception of the mighty fish. The American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates about 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day. Pugh said the popular 1975 movie "Jaws" showcased sharks as "villains, as cold-blooded killers." He told AP, "It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks … It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them." He added, "We need to protect life in our oceans — all our futures rely on it." On the swim, safety personnel in a boat and kayak will follow Pugh. They'll have a "shark shield" device that uses an electric field without harming sharks to deter them. He plans to start the swim on Friday, which is estimated to take about 12 days. "Jaws" was released in June 1975; it was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Peter Benchley. It starred Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Lorraine Gary. The film tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the island of Martha's Vineyard. A famous bridge known to tourists and locals as "Jaws Bridge" is on Beach Road connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The bridge is popular among beachgoers, with people jumping off the ledge into the water. "Jaws" was an "instant blockbuster and the highest-grossing film in movie history until it was bested by 1977’s Star Wars," according to History.com. A famous bridge known to tourists and locals as "Jaws Bridge" is on Beach Road connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The bridge is popular among beachgoers, with people jumping off the ledge into the water. Pugh said he will spend the rest of his time on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A National Association of Realtors economist said 'there is this middle-income paradox' Housing affordability and supply have been ongoing challenges for many Americans as they look to buy homes. A newly released report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Realtor.com found that nationwide inventory has gone up compared to last year as of March, but "access to affordable homes remains out of reach for many buyers." Among the income levels that the report looked at, middle-income buyers with $75,000 in annual pay saw the biggest year-over-year increase in the share of homes listed on the market that they are financially able to purchase, with it going from 20.8% in March 2024 to 21.2% this year. At the same time, that remains 27.6 percentage points lower than the share in pre-pandemic 2019 and 26.9 percentage points short of what they should be capable of buying in a balanced market, according to the NAR and Realtor.com’s "Housing Affordability & Supply" report. Middle-income buyers have an "affordability gap" of more than 415,900 homes priced below $254,780, the report said. "This income group, middle-income buyers, face the largest shortage of affordable listings," NAR Senior Economist and Director of Real Estate Research Nadia Evangelou told FOX Business in an interview. "So middle-income buyers gained the most, and that’s very encouraging, yet still have the furthest to go, so there is this middle-income paradox, like biggest gains and biggest gaps." Upper-middle-income buyers also saw the share of homes up for sale that they can afford go up from March 2024 — rising 0.2 percentage points to hit 37.1% — but like middle-income earners, there is still a big deficit of affordable homes for them. According to the report, a balanced market should have 742,870 homes with prices manageable for them, meaning nearly 363,700 homes sporting price tags of $339,700 or lower are necessary. As for low-income buyers, Evangelou said there has been "no improvement" in the share of listings on the market that income group can afford. Households with annual incomes of $50,000, $35,000, $25,000 and less than $15,000 all contended with the share of listings they can bear the expense of shrinking between March 2024 and March of this year, the report showed. For example, the proportion of up-for-sale homes accessible to homebuyers who make $50,000 decreased 0.7 percentage points year-over-year, hitting just 8.7%. The report said $50,000 income earners "should be able to afford to buy one-in-three listings if the market were in balance." Evangelou said that while national inventory posted a 20% increase from March last year, the country is "still far away from where we need to be." She said more homes need to come on the market. Evangelou noted there has been an "interesting shift" in home builders constructing smaller homes, something that she said was a "development in the right direction" and that can "help having more choices at price points" that income groups like middle-income buyers can afford. "More homes alone won’t fix the affordability crisis, not unless they are priced right, so we need to better match between what’s being built and what people can afford," she told FOX Business. "That means also rethinking local zoning, incentivizing smaller and more modest homes, supporting builders and expanding access to financing tools like down payment assistance." The NAR and Realtor.com "2025 Housing Affordability & Supply" report also looked at how the largest metropolitan areas and states have been doing in terms of housing affordability and supply. Of the 100 metro areas examined, the report found 30% were "areas getting closer to balance" for affordable home supply across income levels, while 44% saw "areas stuck in the middle" with "misaligned but not at crisis level" housing supply and demand, according to NAR. The other 26% of the metros saw housing affordability weaken. Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia stood out as the five states home to housing markets "closest" to balanced, while Montana, Idaho, California, Massachusetts and Hawaii were found to be those with the "largest shortfall of affordable listings." "If we want a housing market that works for everyone, not just the top earners, we need to be intentional about what we build, where we build it, and who we are building it for," Evangelou said, noting the needs can be "totally different" depending on the location. In January, a separate survey released by Realtor.com found many U.S. adults – 75% – still consider homeownership to be a component of the American Dream.

"Eat more fiber" might be a common recommendation from your doctor or healthcare provider. But getting the recommended amount can actually be a simple task, according to Robin DeCicco, a New York-based certified holistic nutritionist. DeCicco told Fox News Digital that fiber can help with disease prevention, weight loss, lowering cholesterol and digestion issues such as constipation. Harvard Medical School data has found that people who ate more fiber from fruit, vegetables and whole grains were able to prevent dying from heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes by 16% to 24%. The "huge" percentage stems from eating about 25 to 29 grams of fiber per day, which the nutritionist said is "not complicated." For breakfast, DeCicco recommended adding some berries and ground flaxseed to yogurt for a fiber boost. For lunch, packing a sandwich with extra lettuce and tomatoes can have the same effect, she said. Eating vegetables with hummus or a handful of nuts like almonds and pistachios, she said, can also serve as high-fiber snacks. For dinner, DeCicco suggested having a side of high-fiber vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, zucchini or salad. "Just think about how to add a little bit of fiber to each part of your day, and you'll get to those 29 grams instantly," she said. While there are many ways to get in more fiber, DeCicco shared creative ways to incorporate ground flaxseed into various meals. This can include mixing it into soups, sauces, chilis and stews, as well as yogurt, smoothies or oatmeal. Meats such as chicken and turkey can be breaded with ground flax, while it can also be added to a ground-beef mixture for meatballs, meatloaf or burgers. Ground flax can also be used as breading on fish or eggplant as a healthier option. "When you're roasting or baking all of those other foods, the proteins and the vegetables, it can actually get crispy from using the flax," DeCicco said. The nutritionist recommended a daily serving of one to two tablespoons of ground flax, which is best for digestion and absorption. Flax contains properties such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, which are responsible for anti-aging, reducing inflammation, preventing disease and protecting overall brain and heart health, according to DeCicco. Although there are incredible benefits to consuming flax, DiCicco said, it's best to start out slow with a half-teaspoon to help the body to get used to it. She also recommended drinking lots of water as fiber intake increases. "It helps to reduce how fiber can bulk in your stomach," she said. "And your body uses it more readily and then is able to excrete the fiber as opposed to it bulking in your colon." DeCicco shared a fiber-filled energy ball recipe as a great dessert alternative. Easy No-Bake Protein Energy Bites Servings: About 12 energy balls Ingredients 1 cup rolled oats (use gluten-free oats if needed) 2 cups natural organic peanut butter (or any all-natural nut/seed butter with no added sugar or oil) 3 tablespoons cacao nibs (with no added sugar) ½ cup ground flaxseed A few handfuls of dried no sugar added cranberries or dried blueberries 3 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds (chop up) 2 to 3 teaspoons wild honey (Optional: Can add more nuts/dried fruit to mixture; can change nuts/seeds/fruit options.) (Note: Have all ingredients on hand and more than the amount listed above, as this type of recipe calls for adding in more than the above-mentioned measurements depending on how easily or not the dough sticks together.) Directions 1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until it looks like an evenly distributed uniformed dough. 2. Refrigerate the bites for 30 minutes. 3. Once the dough is hard, roll into balls. 4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week and in the freezer for several months.

A painting by South African artist Marlene Dumas has sold for $13.6 million at auction, setting a new record for a living female artist. “Miss January” is Dumas’ “magnum opus” and stands 9.25 feet (2.82 meters) tall, according to a statement from auction house Christie’s on Wednesday. “We were thrilled with the outcome of our sale this evening,” Isabella Lauria, head of the 21st century evening sale, said in the statement, calling the price “incredible.” The painting had been expected to fetch between $12 million and $18 million, according to a separate statement from Christie’s published earlier this month. “Through its monumental scale and singular subject matter, Miss January is truly the magnum opus of Marlene Dumas,” said Sara Friedlander, deputy chairman of post-war and contemporary art at Christie’s, in the May 2 statement. “In this painting, Dumas triumphantly demonstrates a formal mastery of the woman’s body while simultaneously freeing it from a tradition of subjection, upending normalized concepts of the female nude through the lens of a male-centric history,” she added. Painted in 1997, the work sees Dumas revisit “Miss World,” an artwork depicting the forms of 10 models, which she painted 30 years prior at the age of 10. Today, Dumas is known as one of the most influential painters in the world, according to Christie’s, which said she “is known for her emotionally charged, psychologically complex portraits — often based on found photographs — which explore themes of sexuality, race, grief, motherhood, and the body.” While the sale of “Miss January” sets a new record price for a work of art by a living female artist, works by male artists have traditionally sold for much more. At Wednesday’s auction, a 1982 triple portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat, titled “Baby Boom,” sold for $23.4 million, and the record for the most expensive artwork by a living male artist is the $90.3 million paid for US artist Jeff Koons’ “Rabbit” sculpture in 2019. And the gender gap in valuations is a systemic issue, according to 2022 BBC documentary “Recalculating Art,” which found that works by female artists sell for 10% of the value of those by men.