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How to celebrate Jane Austen on her 250th birthday

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As travellers flock to the English countryside to celebrate the renowned novelist, we asked experts to weigh in on the best Austen-themed festivals, reenactments and balls of the year.

With bonnets and boarding passes ready, a brigade of Jane Austen fans from around the world is preparing to bombard Britain, eager to celebrate one of English literature’s greatest writers throughout 2025 on her 250th birthday.
From the dashing John Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility to the spirited Emma Woodhouse in the eponymous Emma, Austen’s characters have enchanted generations of readers, inspiring yearly pilgrimages to her home county of Hampshire and beyond to trace her footsteps. This year, these journeys take on a celebratory air as travellers flock to the English countryside for literary festivals, reenactments and Regency balls designed to pay tribute to the author.
Here are the year’s most ostentatious events, according to Austen experts – the ones promising fans an unforgettable birthday bash for a writer who presciently wrote, “One cannot have too large a party.”

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$1-billion Dubai skyscrapers to be linked by daring rooftop pool

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Two new 591-foot-tall skyscrapers, linked across the top by a daring “sky pool,” are set to rise above Dubai’s Marasi Marina.

But the soaring 43-foot infinity pool will not be accessible to the public, or even to most of the luxury towers’ residents — it’s part of what its architects describe as an exclusive “ultra-penthouse.”

Comprising 63 luxury residences, the new Regent Residences Dubai will be worth an estimated $1 billion upon its completion in 2027. The 35,000-square-foot penthouse features six bedrooms, a gym and a private elevator.

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Judi Dench says her vision loss is so bad she can no longer go out alone

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Dame Judi Dench always has someone with her when she is in public now for a reason.

During a conversation on the “Fearless” podcast with Trinny Woodall, the esteemed actress was asked about attending industry events.

Woodall pointed out that Dench is always with someone.

“I have to now because I can’t see,” Dench said. “And I walk into something.”

When asked about going solo, the star said she’s “not good at that at all.”

“Not at all. Nor would I be now,” Dench said. “And fortunately, I don’t have to be now.”

She laughingly said she has “no eyesight.”

It’s not the first time the Oscar winner has shared about her poor vision.

In 2012, she revealed that she had an age-related condition known as macular degeneration.

At the time she said she didn’t want news of her condition to be “overblown.”

“In response to the numerous articles in the media concerning my eye condition – macular degeneration – I do not wish for this to be overblown,” Dench said in a statement. “This condition is something that thousands and thousands of people all over the world are having to contend with. It’s something that I have learnt to cope with and adapt to – and it will not lead to blindness.”

Dench has previously discussed how the condition has made her work more challenging.

“I mean I can’t see on a film set anymore,” she told the Daily Mail. “I can’t see to read. So I can’t see much. But you know you just deal with it. Get on. It’s difficult for me if I have any length of a part. I haven’t yet found a way. Because I have so many friends who will teach me the script. But I have a photographic memory.”

Dench has had a long and storied career as an actress, including winning a best supporting actress Oscar in 1998 for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in “Shakespeare in Love.”

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Tina Turner song thought ‘lost’ rediscovered after decades

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song originally recorded for Tina Turner’s hit 1980s album “Private Dancer” and thought to be lost has been rediscovered after four decades.

“Hot For You Baby” has been unearthed from the vaults and was played for the first time Thursday when it featured on the UK’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

“It’s like Tina Turner meets AC/DC,” was one BBC listener’s reaction.

Recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, the song was written by Australian musicians George Young and Harry Vanda, and produced by John Carter.

Originally intended to be an album track, according to the song’s caption on Turner’s official YouTube channel, it’s unclear how the song became “lost to time.”

The song will be included in a special “Private Dancer” anniversary album slated for release in March.

“This thrilling discovery introduces a fresh chapter in the Private Dancer story,” reads the YouTube caption.

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