While your Deaf friends might get a good laugh when you accidentally sign “f**k you” instead of “thank you,” it’s still best to know the correct signs when interacting within the Deaf community.

Invented by Louis Braille in 1824, the tactile braille system has helped blind people read and write for nearly 200 years.

Knowing a bit of Dutch slang will not just help you find your bearings when you visit Amsterdam and its surroundings, but also earn you respect from the locals—who, despite being great at English, have a strong connection to their mother tongue.

You probably didn't learn about these ancient kings in history class.

Wondering how to get more bang for your buck in August? You’ll find great deals on laptops, back-to-school essentials, and outdoor furniture, plus a lot more.

'My Brilliant Friend' kicked of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan series and inspired an HBO adaptation.

Sun, sea and swimming pools may be the key ingredients for a fantastic summer holiday, but when it comes to hair colour maintenance, it’s a different story. UV rays, salt water and chlorine all have the power to turn rich brunette to mousy brown, ravishing red to sad salmon pink, and platinum blonde to yucky yellow. That’s why protecting your hair is so important during the sunnier months, whether you’re at home or on holiday abroad. Here, hair experts offer their advice on how to stop your hair colour from fading in the sun… 1. Use sun protection “The main reason why your colour fades in the summer is due to UV rays stripping away colour, especially if your hair is colour treated,” says Keiko Mizuno, education lead at Living Proof UK. “Naturally dark and light hair can get stripped from the sun too as UV rays lift all pigment, but it is more visible on lighter hair as blonde hair has less pigment compared to brunette hair.” Keeping your hair hydrated before you go out in the sun is the first step to lock in your colour. “Apply leave-in conditioner to repair and deeply nourish dry, brittle and dull hair, or create your own shade with a hat or parasol,” says Michael Kent, hair stylist at Blue Tit salon in London’s Streatham. “Try using a heat protector on your hair. This reinforces the structure of the hair and boosts natural defences against ultraviolet radiation.” 2. Apply a mask Not only are masks great for helping repair damage after a day in the sun, you can use them as a colour protector while sunbathing. “Using a hair mask while in the sun will enhance its conditioning benefits,” says hair stylist Adem Oygur, who recently opened his salon Adem in London. “You can dampen and mix a small amount to use as a setting product to keep stray hairs in place, whilst treating your hair to deep conditioning. When you wash your hair at the end of the day, it is hydrated and nourished.” Mizuno recommends adding a bonding treatment into your weekly summer hair routine: “Stronger bonds in your hair maintain colour vibrancy and longevity – plus it has UV protection as well as heat protection.” 3. Don’t wash your hair too often “Washing your hair every day with shampoo strips your scalp and hair of all its natural oil,” says Kent – meaning the colour can fade faster. “Instead of using shampoo, just use lukewarm water to remove the dirt from your hair without rubbing your scalp.” Alternatively, Mizuno suggests: “Elongate your clean hair by using dry shampoo.” 4. Use the right shampoo To keep dyed hair looking salon-fresh, make sure you tailor your shampoo choice. “Only use shampoos that are safe for colour-treated hair,” says Oygur. “You will cut down on how frequently you need to re-dye because these specially formulated shampoos won’t strip the colour, and will keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant throughout the summer.” To stop blonde tresses turning brassy, use purple shampoo followed by a hydrating conditioner. 5. Keep chlorine at bay While chlorine is necessary in pools for hygiene reasons, it can play havoc with your hair. “That’s because chlorine breaks down the proteins of the outer layer of the hair which leaves it feeling dry and rough,” Kent explains. “If the outer layers of the hair shaft have increased porosity, colour molecules can escape easily.” If you really want to protect your crowning glory, there’s only one solution, he says: “Put all your hair in a swimming cap – if you have long hair, braid or twist your hair up first and do not forget to tuck in all your edges.” If a latex cap is going to cramp your summer style, a moisturising barrier is the next best thing. “Rinse your hair with fresh water before you swim then gently coat it with conditioner, a hair mask, or some hair-friendly oils – this will create a barrier against the chlorine,” Kent says. “After your swim, rinse your hair with fresh water and shampoo and condition as normal.” Holiday hair heroes Fight the fade with these potent protectors… Hair Proud All Inclusive 5-in-1 Protection Milk, £8.95 Only Curls Heat Protect Spray, £16 Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray, £26 Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, £29.50 Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner, £35.50 Adem Pure Hazelnut Hair Repairing Mask, £39, Sephora Living Proof Triple Bond Complex, £42 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live This is why you keep waking up at 4am – and what you can do about it Hepatitis B and C could cause ‘significantly higher cancer risk’ than smoking daily pack of cigarettes Lauren James was told not to have role models – now she is one

Black widow venom is about 15 times as potent as a rattlesnake's, yet these charismatic spiders generally aren't a threat to humans.

Back slang is kind of like a lexical puzzle that everyone from costermongers and criminals of the Victorian era to today’s Wordle fans can appreciate.

While the bridal gown will usually be the sartorial focal point of any wedding (and rightly so), bridesmaid’s outfits are an important part of the overall aesthetic. As a bride, not only do you want your bridesmaids’ dresses to complement yours, you also want your BFFs to feel fabulous on your big day – and depending on the size of your bridal party, you’ll have several opinions to take into account. As with bridal gowns, bridesmaid trends come and go too, so what’s hot this wedding season? We asked fashion experts to run down the biggest bridesmaid fashion trends of the moment. Here’s what they had to say… 1. Sage green Six Stories Sage Halter Neck Satin Bridesmaid Dress, £120“Sage green is definitely the most popular colour for bridesmaid dresses this season,” says Lucy Menghini, founder of Six Stories. Following last year’s surge in deep green shades like emerald, now softer hues have come to the fore. “The good thing about sage green is that it can work all year round,” Menghini adds. “While it’s a beautiful shade for summer, the grey undertones make it a perfect pick for autumn/winter weddings too.” 2. Same shade, different styles Gone are the days when every bridesmaid had to wear an identical dress or the exact same colour. “With this trend, bridesmaids can wear a variety of different shape and style dresses, which are tied together by being similar hues of the same colour, or a range of complimentary colours,” says Kirsty Keoghan, global general manager of fashion at eBay UK. “I love this trend because it promotes individuality and helps bridesmaids feel their most confident selves on the big day.” It makes shopping a whole lot easier too, adds Menghini: “It also allows the bridesmaids to have a say in what type of dress they find most comfortable and flattering.” 3. Classic black dresses Monsoon Beatrice Crepe Bardot Maxi Dress Black, £87.50 (was £125)While a black wedding gown might not be for everyone, contrasting the white or ivory bridal look with black bridesmaid dresses creates a modern, minimalist colour palette. “Many people are often intimidated by a set of black bridesmaid dresses, however this look adds elegance and finesse to any wedding,” says Menghini. “Black dresses are also perfect for those with large bridal parties, who are looking for different styles of dresses in the same colour, as you won’t have to worry about matching the shades.” 4. Pre-loved pieces “One trend we’ve seen boom is bridesmaids wearing pre-loved wedding attire, with 58% of newlyweds looking at ways to shop sustainably and 75% of couples getting married looking to keep the costs down,” says Keoghan. Occasionwear is perfect for shopping second-hand, because many garments have only been worn once so they’re in excellent condition (plus there might be big savings to be made). Bringing together dresses from brands like, Monsoon, Karen Millen and Ted Baker, eBay has launched a pre-loved wedding hub. Keoghan adds: “Bridesmaids can look to the hub to find unique options from the high-street, to high-end, that increase the lifespan of the dress, for a fraction of the retail price.” 5. Satin no more Traditionally, bridesmaid dresses often had a silk or satin finish, but recently there’s been a trend for different materials and textures. “In particular, velvet dresses have emerged as a front runner in autumn and winter weddings, as a fabric which adds a new layer of elegance and luxe to the bridal party, while also providing a bit of warmth for the person wearing it,” says Keoghan. “Taking it a step further, we expect to see more bridal party styling to feature dresses which are made from an array of fabrics, whether it’s velvet, lace or chiffon.” 6. Style over symmetry New Look Pale Grey Satin One Shoulder Ruched Maxi Dress, £45.99“One shoulder silhouettes are set to take over weddings this summer – it is definitely the bridesmaid shape of 2023,” Menghini says. “Perfect for summer weddings, the asymmetric shape is stylish and sleek and is such a flattering shape.” Also, multi-way maxi dresses are a stylish solution for bridesmaids – the ribbon ties can be fashioned into an asymmetric neckline. How should you style a one-shoulder dress? “Accessories can be pretty minimal, as the neckline is the star of the show,” says Menghini. “Steer clear of necklaces and stick with simple earrings, rings and a bracelet.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Experts share 8 healthy habits to help you live longer Husband fired from family business after wife roleplayed with reborn dolls George Alagiah: What are the signs of bowel cancer?

National Park rules go beyond the general Leave No Trace guidelines. These surprising cover everything from wildlife to waste.

Over the last few years, much has changed regarding how we live and work, with