• "House of the Dragon" season 2 premieres Sunday on HBO.
• The show's first season was dense, fast-paced, and full of time skips. 
• Here's a recap of the important info you need to remember before season 2.

Warning: spoilers ahead — obviously — for all of "House of the Dragon" season one.

"House of the Dragon" season two is finally almost here — but it's been a few years since season one aired on HBO.

If you're anything like us, you probably need a bit of a refresher on everything that happened in the show's complex, time-hopping first season. Season one served as a kind of prequel to the true action of "House of the Dragon": the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

We've got a comprehensive summary of everything particularly important that happened in season one of "House of the Dragon," from King Viserys becoming the heir to the throne over his cousin Rhaenys to Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar killing Rhaenyra's son Lucerys and his dragon Arrax.

Here's everything you need to know before diving into "House of the Dragon" season two.

Aegon the Conqueror has a prophetic vision that's been passed down the Targaryen royal line.

Viserys tells his daughter Rhaenyra about a prophecy passed down the Targaryen line: "A Song of Ice and Fire," which should be a familiar name.

In Aegon's prophecy, a threat will descend on Westeros from the North — a long and dangerous winter. According to his vision, that threat can only be defeated by a realm united with a Targaryen on the Iron Throne.

The Grand Council names Viserys Targaryen the heir to the Iron Throne after King Jaehaerys, over Rhaenys Targaryen.

Near the end of the first century of Targaryen rule, a Grand Council convened to determine the path of succession following King Jaehaerys. Both of Jaehaerys' sons were dead, and the council decided that Viserys Targaryen would be his heir rather than Rhaenys Targaryen, his eldest descendant, a daughter.

Viserys assumed the throne after Jaehaerys, while Rhaenys came to be called the "Queen Who Never Was."

Viserys names his daughter Rhaenyra his heir over his brother Daemon before he has two sons with his second wife, Alicent Hightower.

The relationship between Viserys and his brother, Daemon, is strained following the death of Viserys' newborn son, Baelon. Daemon calls him "Prince for a day," which is the final straw in the two's strained relationship, following the City Watch's excessive use of violence under Daemon's orders.

As a result, Viserys names Rhaenyra as his sole heir, which Daemon takes very badly. But everyone else pledges to Rhaenyra as the future ruler.

Following his wife Aemma's traumatic death during childbirth, Viserys is pressured to marry Laena Velaryon, but instead, he chooses Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), who also happens to be Rhaenyra's closest friend. This is the inciting moment that starts to divide the girls.

Over the years, Alicent gives birth to three Targaryen children: Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena.

Daemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon defeat the Triarchy in the Stepstones.

The Triarchy is an alliance between the cities of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh that takes over the Stepstones to control the shipping lanes. Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and Daemon work together to battle the Triarchy, but they struggle to wipe them out with Daemon's dragon, Caraxes, because they keep retreating into the caves.

Daemon surrenders himself to get the army's leader, Craghas Drahar — AKA the Crabfeeder (Daniel Scott-Smith) — out into the open. With a little help from Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan) and his dragon, Seasmoke, Daemon wipes out a wave of Triarchy soldiers before butchering the Crabfeeder in a cave.

He emerges victorious by dragging out the Crabfeeder's bisected torso.

Rhaenyra marries Laenor Velaryon, Corlys Velaryon's son — but has a sexual encounter with Ser Criston Cole.

Under pressure from Viserys to marry, Rhaenyra entertains several potential suitors as a young woman, but none of them are to her fancy. She arrives at King's Landing at the same time as Daemon, who returns from the war in the Stepstones. She and Daemon venture into the city together in plain clothes, and they're spotted kissing at a pleasure house — unfortunately, word makes its way back to Otto Hightower.

When Rhaenyra returns to her room, she has sex with Ser Criston. Alicent confronts Rhaenyra after hearing the rumor that she had sex with Daemon, which Rhaenyra vehemently denies. After hearing the report from Otto, Viserys sends Daemon back to his wife in The Vale and tells Rhaenyra that she's to wed Laenor Velaryon, Lord Corlys' and Rhaenys' son. However, he also strips Otto of his position as the Hand of the King.

Rhaenyra and Laenor establish an understanding — their marriage will afford both of them the freedom to make their own sexual pursuits. But all's not well at their wedding: Alicent learns from Ser Criston that Rhaenyra was not a maiden when she was wed and arrives at the wedding dinner in green — for a Hightower, the color of war.

Laenor and Rhaenyra are wed, but not before Ser Criston brutally kills Laenor's paramour, Joffrey, at the celebration.

Rhaenyra and Laenor have three sons together — but they're actually Ser Harwin Strong's bastards.

Years later, Rhaenyra has given birth to three sons: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey, all under her marriage with Laenor.

However, it's an open secret that none of those children look like Laenor — in fact, they rather resemble Ser Harwin Strong.

Rhaenyra's sons each bond to a dragon: Jacaerys to Vermax, Lucerys to Arrax, and Joffrey to Tyraxes.

Viserys expels Otto Hightower as his Hand, appointing Lyonel Strong — but later takes Otto back.

Otto Hightower, Alicent's father, became the Hand of the King under King Jaehaerys, Viserys' predecessor. He retains the position under Viserys until the King expels him in season one, episode four, wary of his self-serving political maneuvering.

Viserys appoints Lyonel Strong as the new Hand. Lyonel attempts to resign in episode six, saying that his son Harwin Strong has brought disgrace. Viserys doesn't let him do so but does grant him leave to escort Harwin to Harrenhal, the seat of House Strong. Unfortunately for both, Larys Strong has edged his way into Alicent Hightower's inner circle, and he orchestrates a fire to kill both Lyonel and Harwin.

After Lyonel's death, Otto reassumes the position of Hand, though Alicent cautions her son Aegon II to dismiss some of his council as he assumes the throne.

Daemon kills his first wife and marries Laena Velaryon, who dies after giving birth to two daughters.

Daemon murders his first wife, Lady Rhea of The Vale, with whom he never consummated their marriage. After Rhaenyra's wedding, he marries Laena Velaryon, Lord Corlys and Rhaenys' daughter. They have two daughters: Baela, who is bonded to the dragon Moondancer, and Rhaena, who is unbonded.

Laena goes into labor while giving birth to their third child while the family resides in Pentos, but the birth goes wrong. Laena chooses to face Vhagar, her dragon, and commands her to kill her by fire. With seemingly great reluctance, Vhagar does.

Alicent and Viserys' second son Aemond claims Vhagar, Laena Velaryon's dragon.

After Laena's death, the Targaryen and Velaryon families attend her memorial at Driftmark. While there, Aemond, Alicent, and Viserys' second son bonds with Vhagar, Laena's dragon.

Baela, Rhaena, Jacaerys, and Lucerys confront Aemond for having stolen Vhagar, when one of Laena's daughters should have been the one to bond with her. The conflict ends with Aemond hurling insults about Rhaenyra's sons' parentage and Lucerys cutting Aemond across the eye.

The adults judge the conflict, and Alicent demands one of Lucerys' eyes in return for Aemond's. That doesn't happen, but Alicent does wound Rhaenyra with a knife.

Many of the Targaryen and Velaryon children are betrothed to one another.

As the children grow older, there are a few betrothals at hand. Rhaenyra proposes that Jacaerys, her eldest son, and Helaena, Alicent and Viserys' daughter, be wed to help bring peace to their families. Alicent decides instead to betroth Helaena to Aegon II, her brother. They are eventually wed and have children together.

Jacaerys and Lucerys, meanwhile, are betrothed to Daemon and Laena's daughters, Baela and Rhaena, respectively. Aemond is a free agent, though Aegon appears to offer him as a marriage prospect for one of the Baratheon daughters to secure House Baratheon's support in the war.

Daemon and Rhaenyra help fake Laenor's death and marry.

Shortly after Laena Velaryon's funeral, Rhaenyra and Daemon conspire to fake Laenor Velaryon's death with the help of Ser Qarl, his paramour. Laenor's parents, Corlys and Rhaenys, discover a burned corpse in a Driftmark fireplace — and, crucially, suspect that Rhaenyra is somehow responsible. Qarl and Laenor presumably leave together to live somewhere across the Narrow Sea, never to be heard from again.

That opens the door for Rhaenyra and Daemon to marry at the end of episode seven. Rhaenyra eventually gives birth to two of Daemon's sons: Aegon III and Viserys II. In the season one finale, she prematurely gives birth to a stillborn child — her only daughter, Visenya.

Lord Corlys' ailing health causes a conflict over the Velaryon succession.

Lord Corlys was grievously wounded at sea six years after Laenor's death, making the matter of Velaryon succession an imminent concern. Vaemond, Corlys' brother, does not want Rhaenyra's son Lucerys — who Corlys previously recognized as his heir — to take the Driftmark throne because he believes that Lucerys is a bastard (not wrong!).

The matter makes its way to King's Landing, where Vaemond and Rhaenyra make their cases in front of an ailing Viserys. Rhaenyra asks Rhaenys to back her in exchange for betrothing her sons Jacaerys and Lucerys to Rhaenys' granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena.

Ultimately, Vaemond accuses Rhaenyra's sons of being bastards before the King, and Daemon chops off half his head. Lucerys is established as the heir to Driftmark.

Viserys' illness finally takes him, and Alicent installs her son Aegon II on the throne.

In episode eight, it's very clear that Viserys doesn't have long left after suffering from a degenerative disease. He has open wounds across his face, he's missing his right eye, his left arm, and several fingers.

During his final moments, he mistakes Alicent for Rhaenyra and starts talking about Aegon Targaryen's prophecy that has been handed down over hundreds of years through the line of succession to Viserys.

However, Alicent thinks he's referring to her son, Prince Aegon, and mistakenly believes that Viserys is telling her that Ageon is now the heir to the throne.

In episode nine, it's confirmed that the Small Council had actually been planning for Aegon to take the throne all along. But unlike Simba in "The Lion King," Aegon really, really does not want to be king, and he goes into hiding. However, he's eventually dragged back to the Red Keep to do as he's told, and a coronation is planned.

Mysaria, the White Worm, helps the royal family find Aegon.

"House of the Dragon" introduces Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) as a prostitute Daemon sees. In episode two, Daemon steals an egg and occupies Dragonstone, saying that he intends to take Mysaria as his second wife and that she carries his child. Mysaria, however, isn't too happy about being used as Daemon's political pawn — she came to him for liberation. She leaves him.

Years later, Daemon again encounters Mysaria in King's Landing after his night out with Rhaenyra. But her most significant role in "House of the Dragon" happens in episode nine, after Viserys' death. Mysaria, who now has a functioning information operation, hears from a source in the castle about the King's death and secures Aegon II. She then bargains with Otto Hightower: Aegon's location, in exchange for protection for the children in Flea Bottom.

Unfortunately, things don't turn out well for her, and she appears to get burned to death on Larys Strong's orders.

Rhaenys doesn't take the opportunity to kill Aegon while leaving King's Landing.

In one of the first season's most memorable moments, Rhaenys (Eve Best) breaks out of her quarters in the Red Keep with the help of Ser Erryk (Elliot Tittensor), at the same time as most of the civilians are ushered into the Dragonpit to watch Aegon's coronation.

Rhaenys uses this to her advantage by heading down into the caverns under the Dragonpit to reunite with her dragon, Meleys. She causes chaos when Meleys bursts through the floor of the arena, killing a number of people in the process. Although she has the opportunity to kill Alicent, Aegon, Otto, and the rest of the Greens, Rhaenys chooses to let them live.

Rhaenyra is reluctant to start the war — but Aemond kills her son Lucerys.

After Aegon II assumes the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra is reluctant to be the one to start the war, and knows that bringing dragons into the fray is an irreversible decision. Her council takes stock of their supporters and, most importantly, their dragons, which outnumber those under the Greens' possession.

Rhaenyra sends her eldest sons to secure support from a few key houses: Jacaerys to House Arryn and House Stark and Lucerys to House Baratheon. Both of them pledge to act only as messengers and not fight.

Unfortunately, when Lucerys arrives at Storm's End to speak with Lord Borros Baratheon, Aemond has beaten him to the punch and offered a betrothal to one of the Baratheon daughters in exchange for his support. Lord Borros rebuffs Lucerys, but doesn't allow them to fight. Lucerys flees on his dragon, Arrax, and Daemon pursues him on his much, much larger dragon Vhagar.

At first, it seems like Aemond only intends to toy with Lucerys. But Arrax attacks Vhagar of his own volition, and both Aemond and Lucerys lose control of their dragons. Vhagar tears Arrax — and Lucerys — to pieces with her teeth.

That's about where things end in season one, leaving plenty of aftermath for "House of the Dragon" to tackle in season two.

• CNN and The New York Times gave a glimpse at how Biden and Trump may face off in their first debate.
• According to CNN, no pre-written statements or props will be permitted onstage.
• The first debate is poised to be much more structured and less chaotic than in the past.

In 2020, the first presidential debate between then-President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden devolved into a political grudge match, filled with insults. Trump largely disregarded the intended format of the debate by constantly interrupting Biden.

During the debate, then-Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, a journalist with decades of experience, struggled to contain Trump's behavior toward Biden during the acrimonious interactions between the two candidates.

But the 2024 election debates between Biden and Trump are poised to be much more structured and less chaotic.

CNN, which will host the first debate on June 27 in Atlanta, reported on several key rules that the Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to ahead of the event: Staffers won't be allowed to consult with the candidates during two breaks set aside for the 90-minute debate. No pre-written statements or props will be permitted onstage. And microphones will be muted for both Biden and Trump when the opposing candidate is speaking.

The New York Times also reported that Biden and Trump will forgo opening statements, which are usually a hallmark of debates as candidates try to set the tone for their appearances. Flashing red lights will signal both men that there are five seconds remaining for them to speak during their respective responses.

According to The Times, CNN's debate rules laid out a blunt warning: "Moderators will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion."

The network's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will co-host the debate.

Biden and Trump are locked in a highly competitive rematch. The election could come down to a handful of votes in swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The president nearly swept the 2020 battleground states — with the notable exception of North Carolina — but he faces much more challenging headwinds this year as voters continue to express concerns about the economy and the Israel-Hamas war.

For Biden, a strong debate performance can only bolster his case for reelection, especially among the young and minority voters who are noncommittal toward his candidacy and may be considering Trump or independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among others.

While the 81-year-old Biden has worked to address and move beyond questions about his age, it is a concern for many voters — and Trump has sought to question Biden's overall fitness for the presidency.

The debate will also be held just a few weeks before Trump, 78, is due for his sentencing in Manhattan. A jury in May convicted the former president on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a 2016 hush-money payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels.

• I've been to Las Vegas many times in 20+ years and I no longer go there for more than two nights. 
• The perfect Las Vegas trip is weekend-long and has a lot of good food, plus some chill days. 
• I maximize my trip by booking a hotel on the Strip and eating at good Vegas restaurants.

I've been going to Las Vegas regularly since the early 2000s and have adopted a firm policy to never stay more than two nights.

Why? Everything I adore about Vegas the moment I get there — the mesmerizing lights, the crowds of excited people, the nonstop party vibe, the around-the-clock sounds of slot machines and club music, and 24/7 access to food and drinks galore — begins to sour quickly after 48 hours.

When I stay longer, by the time I'm ready to leave, I'm usually a bit hungover, my feet and wallet hurt, I'm sick of lavish meals, and I desperately need alone time.

A well-planned weekend trip also makes it possible for travelers to use fewer PTO days — although almost half of US workers don't take all of their paid time off each year anyway.

So, I've learned how to maximize my weekends in Sin City.

I tend to group my activities together based on their vibe, which means one day of action, one day of relaxation to prepare for a big night out, and one last day of chill activities before flying home.

It's the perfect formula. Here's how my cousin and I spent a weekend in Vegas on my most recent trip.

We stay busy as soon as we arrive on Friday

After arriving around noon, we headed to The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort — it's my Las Vegas hotel of choice because it's roughly in the middle of the Strip for easy access to just about everything.

Plus, the Uber pickup area is a short walk from rooms here — other resorts can feel like a long maze of rooms and hallways.

If my room isn't ready yet, I typically unwind at Flight Club at Grand Canal Shoppes (attached to the property) with a few rounds of darts or a drink at the life-size carousel bar.

On this trip, once it was time for pre-dinner drinks, we headed to Cheri Rooftop at the Paris Hotel for fun, tasty cocktails and a DJ spinning tunes.

We sat under the hotel's iconic Eiffel Tower, overlooking the Bellagio Fountain. It was a great atmosphere to get our evening started.

Next up was dinner at The Bedford By Martha Stewart, which is also in the Paris Hotel.

The restaurant is inspired by Stewart's 1925 farmhouse in Bedford, New York, and has some of the best roast chicken. I'd come here just for the spectacular bread basket, which can come loaded with rolls, flatbreads, and focaccia.

Then, we strolled over to Horseshoe Lose Vega to see Dita Von Teese's current residency. We saw her famous martini-glass bath, entire dance crew, and sparkling costumes.

After a nightcap at Sala 118 at the Venetian Resort around 11 p.m., we headed back to our hotel.

Saturday is usually the chill day on the itinerary

We got a late start with a 10 a.m. brunch at COMO Poolside Café at Bellagio before popping over to the Cypress Pool a few steps away — this adults-only pool has comfy chairs with umbrellas.

Although I could happily lay here all day, we had spa treatments at the Waldorf Astoria calling our name. I love sitting in the spa's mosaic-tile lounges while overlooking the Strip.

Next, we headed to one of the highlights of any trip to Vegas: high tea at the Tea Lounge at the Waldorf. The room and its views are incredible, and the tea selection and assortment of sandwiches, scones, and sweets are absolute perfection.

For dinner, we headed to KYU at Fontainebleau Las Vegas for incredibly flavorful Asian-inspired and wood-fired dishes. I won't soon forget the stone-pot Thai rice with confit duck and pork-belly bao buns with pastrami crust.

Lastly, live jazz music at Nowhere at Fontainebleau is always a great time and the perfect warm-up for a serious night of dancing at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World.

The night we were there, T-Pain performed to a packed room of what seemed like one bachelorette party after the next.

Our last day starts slow, but we still do plenty

Getting back to the hotel at 4 a.m. meant a rough start on Sunday —the only reasonable cure was breakfast at Bouchon at The Venetian, where I could stuff my face with chef Thomas Keller's French pastries and truffle fries.

We needed some physical activity, so we headed to the PLAY Playground at Luxor. It has lifesize, immersive games, such as its version of the board game Operation and a parkour course.

Another cool spot to walk around is the Paradox Museum, which has various rooms with illusions that are pure Instagram gold.

Since our flight home wasn't until 7 p.m., we got an early dinner at Brasserie B at Caesar's Palace, one of Bobby Flay's restaurants. I loved his twist on the blue-crab salad and the yellowtail crudo topped with caviar.

Finally, after an action-packed weekend, we headed back to the airport.

• I work as a private chef and love making quick and easy recipes in my air fryer.
• I use some of my own recipes, like crispy chickpeas and chicken tenders.
• But I mostly use my air fryer to make perfectly crispy frozen tots, samosas, and arepas. 

I know it's ironic, but as a private chef, I barely have time to cook for myself.

After a day in the kitchen, the last thing I want to do when I get home is stand at the stove. And when I'm in the middle of school pick-up or trying to meet an article deadline, I need something to tide me over until we get back from the playground.

This is where my air fryer has become my close friend and ally. It's no wonder why the countertop appliances keep raking in profits.

I make some fresh items in my air fryer. But mostly, I like to crisp up something delicious I've picked up from the frozen aisle or batch-made in advance.

Here are some of my top choices.

Crispy chickpeas are a great snack.

My family always polishes off my air-fried chickpeas the day I make them — sometimes, I have to make two cans.

After rinsing the beans, I toss them in olive oil, salt, and seasonings (my favorite combination is za'atar and smoked paprika) and air-fry them until they're crispy delights.

I haven't found a better way to cook frozen arepas.

I buy the frozen arepas from Trader Joe's, and they are dangerously good.

I enjoy that there's a balance of salty and sweet flavors. Plus, they're gluten-free and actually quite filling.

There are a few ways to heat them up, per the package, but they turn out perfectly in my air fryer.

Tots are better when they're crispy.

I am always shocked by how well tots turn out in the air fryer. The little potato nuggets maintain their crispy shells and fluffy interiors.

It's almost as if I deep-fried them.

I'm always throwing frozen samosas in.

As a Pakistani, I always have bags of frozen samosas of all sizes in my freezer stash.

I love the vegetarian ones that are big enough that I don't have to make too many to fill me up.

They're great served with a tamarind chutney.

My daughter can't get enough scallion pancakes.

My daughter loves scallion pancakes (so do I), so I keep a few in my freezer.

I air-fry them for her lunchbox or after-school snack, so they're crispy on the edges and a nice golden brown all around. My biggest tip is to flip halfway through cooking.

I like adding hot sauce and mayonnaise to mine or dipping them in soy sauce or a sesame dressing.

Plus, there are so many savory frozen pancakes on the market. After scallion, my next pick is kimchi.

If you haven't tried air-fried artichokes, this is your sign.

A coworker told me air-fried frozen artichokes were great, and I didn't believe her at first. But she was right.

In the air fryer, they get crispy edges with a savory, soft center.

I love these with a sprinkle of salt and a tangy aioli.

I eat taquitos as a snack or a meal.

Taquitos teeter the line between snack and meal, but I enjoy how they turn out in the air fryer.

Crispy on the outside with a steamy center, they're essentially a blank canvas for sauces and toppings.

And because I didn't deep-fry them, I don't feel heavy after enjoying a couple for my afternoon snack.

I make my own chicken tenders and heat them up in the air fryer.

I love chicken tenders. Some store-bought brands are good, but I like to batch-make my own.

To make, dredge organic chicken tenderloins in egg, then move them to seasoned flour (salt, pepper, garlic powder). Press them into panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little bit more salt and some sesame seeds before lightly frying.

When I prepare. batch, I cook them about 60% of the way in the oil, freeze them, and then pop them in the air fryer to finish them off whenever the craving hits.

• Oleksandr Mykhed is a Ukrainian author who became a soldier following the Russian invasion.
• Mykhed has written a book documenting his and others' experiences during the war.
• He told Business Insider his book is "a testament for rage, love, and memory."

"War changes everything," writes Oleksandr Mykhed in his new book, "The Language of War."

Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian author lived with his wife, Olena, and their dog, Lisa, in Hostomel, a town close to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

But on February 24, as Russian troops descended on Hostomel Airport, Mykhed and Olena fled to Chernivtsi in the southwest of Ukraine.

Within a week of the invasion, Mykhed, a renowned author who has published nine books, had enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and his former home had been destroyed by a Russian attack.

As the life he knew collapsed around him, he says he felt compelled to document what was happening to his country.

"You can take my previous life, you can take everything, but still I will be a writer, and I will find a way how to tell this story," he told Business Insider.

He says he began to write down his feelings on the first morning of the invasion, and these notes eventually developed into "The Language of War," which he describes as a testament to "rage, love, and memory."

Meeting me in London to discuss the book, Mykhed appears a hardened and determined figure, shaped by a conflict already stretching into its third year.

In the book, he lays bare the horrors of the conflict in a series of vivid, fragmented paragraphs that seem to reflect the chaos of warfare.

Central to the work is his view that the war is not Putin's but a war carried out by all Russians.

"I blame all of them," Mykhed says. "I think that he is the mirror of what they wanted."

He notes that few opposed Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and that public opinion of the full-scale invasion only began to shift after Putin announced a partial mobilization in September 2022.

He also points to those involved in atrocities committed in Bucha and Mariupol and double-tap strikes where rescue workers are targeted.

"We are fighting against all of them. It's not Putin who is pulling the trigger in Bucha," he says, referencing the massacre that took place in 2022.

Mykhed's parents survived the occupation of Bucha, as he recounts in his book.

"In those weeks when day after day we were waiting for text messages from my parents in occupied Bucha. And then, one short word finally appeared: 'Alive,'" he wrote.

As he talks, Mykhed's anger is evident.

He does not feel hate, he clarifies, as "hate is aimless," but rage.

"This is my fuel," he says. "Rage is a strong feeling that gives you power and motivation to keep on going."

But the war has also allowed him to feel "huge love," as it produces "amazing people," he says, mentioning foreign journalists documenting life in Kyiv as an example.

Mykhed also touches on how the armed forces have united Ukrainians from all walks of life, blurring the boundaries of age, gender, and politics.

"The particularity of the armed forces of Ukraine is that this is the mirror of the whole society," he says. "You won't find a person whose relative is not in the armed forces."

But he also offers a reminder of the brutal realities of the war: "You won't find a person who hasn't lost a friend, a relative, or somebody loved due to the invasion."

In late February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since Russia launched the invasion. In November 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said that at least 10,000 Ukrainian civilians had been killed as a result of the conflict.

Russian military casualties are estimated to be over 500,000.

The only challenge a writer has is to stay alive, he says

Mykhed's story is just one example of Ukrainian citizens' resilience in the face of the Russian invaders.

In spite of last summer's counteroffensive's failure, which was followed by severe ammunition and equipment shortages, Ukraine's resolve has seen Russia's recent advance around Kharkiv ground down and ensured that Russia failed to achieve its primary objectives for the invasion.

Nevertheless, the war in Ukraine rages on, and Mykhed offers me a stark reminder of that fact when talking about his book.

"In normal literature, you would speak about literary series, literary stylistics, you would experiment with words, you would be edgy, and you would like to be transgressive. In Ukraine, you'd better be just alive," he says.

"This is probably the only challenge a writer has."

• Trump called for Biden to take cognitive test, but then misnames the doctor who tested him.
• Trump referred to Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson as "Doc. Ronny Johnson."
• Trump took a cognitive test in 2018, which indicated no mental ability issues.

Donald Trump told supporters that President Joe Biden should be forced to take a cognitive test but then confused the name of the doctor who performed the test on him in 2018.

Speaking at a Turning Point Action convention in Detroit on Saturday, Trump said, "He doesn't even know what the word 'inflation' means. I think he should take a cognitive test like I did."

But a moment later, the former president referred to Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, who was the White House physician from 2013 to 2018, as "Doc. Ronny Johnson."

"Doc Ronny Johnson. Does everyone know Ronny Johnson, congressman from Texas? He was the White House doctor, and he said I was the healthiest president, he feels, in history, so I liked him very much indeed immediately," Trump said.

Trump took a cognitive test in 2018 after which Jackson said he spotted "no issues whatsoever" with Trump's mental ability, adding that he was "very sharp" and "articulate" and that he got a perfect score on a gold-standard dementia test.

On Friday, the Trump campaign branded Biden a "brain-dead zombie" after a video appeared to show him wandering off from leaders at the G7 summit this week.

"From Italy to the United Kingdom to New York, millions of people around the world woke up to headlines about crooked Joe Biden's cognitive decline on full display at the G7 Summit," Karoline Leavitt, Trump's spokesperson, said.

The video later turned out to be cropped, and a wider angle of the same scene showed the president had turned to face a skydiver who had just landed.

The video, shared widely across right-wing media platforms, came after the Biden campaign acknowledged Trump's 78th birthday this week with a scathing statement which included 78 things Trump did this year, including a host of felony convictions.

"Happy birthday, Donald. You're a crook, a failure, a fraud, and a threat to our democracy, economy, rights, and future," said James Singer, a Biden campaign spokesman.

• After traveling solo since I was 18, I've hit over 80 countries.
• I've made my fair share of mistakes, but I've learned how to stay safe while traveling alone.
• Simple measures, like sharing my location, have helped me avoid unwanted situations.

I've been traveling on my own since I was 18. After visiting over 80 countries and 13 years of trial and error, I've learned a few important safety tips.

Although flight prices seem to be rising ahead of the summer surge, they're significantly cheaper than this time last year, so I'm itching to plan my next trip.

I follow these rules everywhere I travel — it doesn't matter how upscale or "safe" the destination is supposed to be.

Although some situations are unavoidable, here's what I do to stay safe and alert while traveling solo.

I always share my location and itinerary with someone close to me.

Before a trip, I always share my flight and hotel information with my mom. I've also gotten into the habit of sharing my live location with her (indefinitely).

Other than the fact that it gives her a sense of security, I know that if anything were to happen (or if she doesn't hear from me when expecting to), she would have enough information to make a few calls and confirm I'm safe.

It only takes a few minutes but can make a huge difference in the long run.

Wearing a flat crossbody or belt bag under my clothing is key.

I always avoid wearing backpacks and those trendy see-through bags — there's no need to make someone curious. I don't like having my purse and valuables super exposed because it makes me a prime target for pickpockets.

Although it's easier to wear belt bags in colder environments when I'm wearing layers, I can still manage in lighter clothing.

Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag, Athleta's Pacesetter Run Belt, and Peak Gear's Travel Money Belt have been my go-to for traveling. They're small and thin enough to wear under my clothing but can hold my essentials (cash, credit cards, a phone, my passport, and copies of my ID).

I don’t wear my expensive bling or designer pieces.

I typically want to look good for photos, but wearing expensive clothing and stand-out jewelry always attracts unwanted attention.

Wearing shiny necklaces and a stack of bangles while sporting a Gucci tracksuit makes it look like I have money, which is the opposite of what I want someone to think when I'm traveling alone.

It also means I'm less likely to successfully negotiate or barter a good price on items in markets.

There are basic things I research about each city or town I’ll be staying in.

I'm a super spontaneous traveler. Although I usually have a list of places I want to visit, I rarely follow a day-by-day itinerary.

Regardless, once I know where I'm going, I always take time to plan which area to stay in and book hotels in advance. I try to find the best neighborhoods, then I explore a list of hotel options and select them based on reviews, location, and overall vibe.

I also always ask the front desk staff if there are any areas I should avoid once I check in — not everything is online.

Sometimes, I'll even look for female-oriented hotels or ones with mostly female staff members because that makes me feel a little more comfortable.

Looking lost or scared is asking for trouble.

How you carry yourself is a big deal. If I'm lost, I typically use the Maps.me app, which allows me to use maps even while offline.

I try to pop into a coffee shop — or even a bathroom stall — to look at the map and get my bearings. If I can't find a place to make a pitstop, I'll walk to a more populated area with lots of traffic.

If worse comes to worse, I'll just hail a taxi to take me back to my hotel.

Looking lost makes it pretty obvious you're a tourist and gives the impression that you're willing to accept help from anyone. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of situations like that.

For the same reasons, I also never walk around looking frightened, even if I'm freaking out on the inside.

There are different transportation apps all over the world, so I make sure I have the right one.

Not everywhere has Uber or even many taxis. I always look up popular transportation apps wherever I'm traveling and download them on my phone.

I usually even enter and save my credit card information, so I'm ready to roll and don't find myself stuck when I reach the destination.

I make sure I have enough cash with me.

I've traveled to places where credit cards aren't widely accepted, or I can't withdraw cash from ATMs.

To avoid that panic, I always carry cash and exchange it for the local currency at the airport or hotel.

I don't keep it all on me when I'm exploring — I just carry some with me and leave the rest safely locked in my suitcase.

I've learned to not say yes to everything.

When I travel alone, I'm bound to meet new people, and sometimes they invite me to parties or for drinks. But I always politely decline.

Nothing good has ever come from drinking with strangers in a foreign place, in my experience. And I always want to be clear-minded enough to pick up on strange or dangerous situations.

I don't even share my plans with strangers I meet, and I never post my real-time locations on social media.

It might seem obvious, but I also don't accept rides from strangers because then they'll know my whereabouts.

• My dad had an impeccable sense of style. 
• After he died, I went through his stuff and kept some clothes for myself. 
• Wearing his clothes makes me feel like he's hugging me. 

Tangible items prove that our loved ones existed. Clothing is deeply personal. An item of clothing tells a story of our dearly departed, from the robes they wore as they enjoyed coffee to the jewelry they splurged on to celebrate a milestone.

It's common to preserve our loved ones through their clothing or accessories. "Wanting to wear the clothes of someone who passed is a way to stay close to them, stay attached, as well as honor the person," Gina Moffa, grief therapist and author of "Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go," told Business Insider.

My Uruguayan father was impeccably stylish. He prided himself on his appearance and was thoughtful about putting together ensembles. I never saw him miss a chance to catch his reflection and smirk as he declared that he looked good.

He died almost 2 years ago

Despite spending the last year of his life in a nursing home due to various comorbidities, he was conscious of his style. For his last Christmas, he asked for a tropical shirt with palm leaves, a print we both love. Uruguay isn't a tropical destination, and I went to dozens of stores before I found one. I gave it to him while wearing a dress with a palm pattern. He was tickled that we matched.

On his final birthday, he asked to wear his Uruguayan boina, an oversized beret typically worn by gauchos. As he adjusted it, that classic smirk lit up his face. It was his 75th birthday, and I gave him an azure-hued Egyptian cotton scarf I bought for him in Luxor, Egypt. It was the last gift I ever gave him.

Five months later, he died of COVID-19. At some point in the weeks we stayed by his bedside watching his demise, my mother removed his wedding band and her own, giving hers to me and his to my sister. I've worn the thin gold band ever since. Moffa also wears her mother's wedding band, which she says is her good luck charm. "Twisting it on my finger makes me feel close to her, which can bring comfort," she told BI.

I kept some of his clothes

Ritualistically, after a loved one dies, people go through their wardrobe to see what can be donated. My father's clothes were as familiar to me as my own. As I sorted his clothes with my mom and sister, we selected items to keep. My sister kept a denim jacket and my mother his boina. We each took a T-shirt with the logo from his bicycle shop, and we chose one for his cremation.

I kept several shirts. Because he wore them at the nursing home, his name is written on the collar. His name touches the nape of my neck, where he'd often rest his hand as we walked together. In the pocket of his denim button-up, I found a receipt for the bus fare for our last family trip together. I can't throw it away.

After my father's death, I went to Iguazu Waterfalls, a place he had always dreamed of showing me. On both days, I entered the park wearing one of his button-up shirts. My father was a foot taller than me, and wearing his clothes makes me feel protected, as if he's hugging me.

My father left me his most prized possession — a Rolex watch that he won in a bet during his treacherous passage from Uruguay to Mexico in the 70s when he escaped the military dictatorship after being tortured. He'd often sell it and steal it to get money to survive.

Grief and nostalgia often go hand in hand. I often see the pair of Keen sandals he wore, and every time, I'm hit by a wave of grief. It's illogical, but I'll wonder, for instance, if his shoes are outside because he's inside waiting for me.

• I compared premade frozen beef patties from Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods to find the best one.
• I thought the patties from Wegmans were a bit too greasy.
• I loved the burger patties from Whole Foods because they were full of great flavor.

When it comes to summer cooking, I always like to have frozen burger patties on hand. They're a quick and convenient meal that I can make whenever the mood strikes. 

But there are a lot of options out there. According to market intelligence company Skyquestt, the global packaged-burger market, valued at $44.5 billion in 2023, is set to be worth over 67 billion by 2031.

To find out which supermarket chain carries the best frozen burgers, I compared options from Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods.

I sampled each patty multiple times, both with and without cheese. To eliminate as many variables as possible, I thawed and cooked each store's burgers simultaneously.

Here's how the frozen burger patties stacked up, from worst to best.

Wegmans' Angus-beef burgers seemed promising but looked a little different than the other patties.

At $15 for six ⅓-pound patties, this option was more expensive than many of Wegmans' fresh-burger options.

The packaging on Wegmans' seasoned Angus-beef burgers suggested cooking them frozen, so I separated a patty from the stack and cooked it on a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

The juice didn't pool up on the top of the burger patty while I cooked it, and it kept an even shape and puffed up to the perfect size. However, I thought the seared outer layer took on an oddly orange hue.

I also tried thawing another Wegmans burger before cooking it, and this patty was noticeably grayer than the others I tried. However, I wasn't worried because color isn't always an indicator of freshness.

These burgers were a little too greasy and spongy for me.

When I bit into my first Wegmans burger, there was an enormous explosion of greasy juice. However, this could have been because I let them sit for a little bit before eating them.

I thought these patties were a little on the salty side, but to be fair, they were preseasoned with sea salt. The Wegmans patties stayed moist, but they seemed a bit greasy, even by burger standards. I also thought they had a spongy texture.

I'd eat one again if someone served it to me (it was a fine burger), but I'll skip them next time I'm at Wegmans.

I was curious to see what the Kirkland Signature Angus-ground-chuck-and-beef patties would be like.

At $28 for 18 patties — each weighing ⅓ pound — Costco's house brand represents the best deal for frozen patties of the three stores. These hearty-looking, pink patties were easy to separate from the stack. 

The packaging suggested cooking these patties frozen, but to be fair, I tried cooking them both thawed and frozen.

I found it very easy to overcook them, especially when I started with a thawed burger. These patties were large in circumference but thin, so they cooked faster than I expected. The first three came out fully well done when I was aiming for a medium temperature.

Still, they took on a nice brown crustiness when seared on the skillet and maintained a decent size.

I didn't think the Kirkland Signature patties had a ton of flavor.

Unfortunately, I didn't think these burgers tasted like much. They were a bit juicy when I cooked them to medium, but they didn't offer much flavor.

That being said, when I garnished them with cheese, ketchup, and the like, they were good. If I served them at a barbecue, no one would ever complain.

I preferred them to some other frozen burgers I've tried in the past, and due to the cost and convenience, I could imagine myself picking up a package of these during barbecue season. 

Whole Foods' organic grass-fed beef burgers were smaller than the other patties.

The Whole Foods burger patties were the most expensive of the three, at $8.50 for four ¼-pound patties. They were slightly more costly per pound than Wegmans' and the only organic-beef option among the three I tried. They were also smaller than the other patties.

The box I got was frozen solid, and the burgers were pressed so tightly in their packaging that it was impossible to separate them without at least partially thawing them first. Unlike the other two brands, Whole Foods suggested thawing these patties first.

The small patties cooked very fast. They were so thin that, at times, I wound up with dried-out edges even when the center of the burger was still juicy. They shrunk in the pan and didn't look especially appealing. 

Surprisingly, the Whole Foods burger was my winner.

In my opinion, these patties tasted distinctly better than the other two options. There was a rich, meaty, almost gamey flavor that tasted as much like skirt steak as ground beef. Each patty also had a nice, crusty texture from the skillet.

When I tried all three burgers side-by-side, completely unadorned, this was the only one I finished.

Once I run out of the remaining Kirkland Signature burgers in my freezer, I'll pick up the Whole Foods patties to cover the rest of the summer.

• Bernie Sanders said the CEO of Novo Nordisk will testify on the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy.
• Lars Jørgensen will appear before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
• Sanders, who chairs the committee, said the hearing would focus on the "outrageously high cost" of the drugs.

US Senator Bernie Sanders has announced that the CEO of Danish drug company Novo Nordisk will testify on the high cost of the weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

Lars Jørgensen will appear on a solo panel before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) in September, according to a press release.

The hearing will focus on what was described in the press release as the "outrageously high cost" of the drugs, which have soared in popularity over the last year.

Sanders thanked the CEO for volunteering to testify and said a vote on whether to subpoena Novo Nordisk to answer questions about the drugs' pricing would be canceled.

"The American people are sick and tired of paying, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs," Sanders continued. "Novo Nordisk currently charges Americans with Type 2 diabetes $969 a month for Ozempic, while this same exact drug can be purchased for just $155 in Canada and just $59 in Germany."

"Novo Nordisk also charges Americans with obesity $1,349 a month for Wegovy, while this same exact product can be purchased for just $140 in Germany and $92 in the United Kingdom," he went on. "The Committee looks forward to Mr. Jørgensen explaining why Americans are paying up to ten or 15 times more for these medications than people in other countries."

Sanders had previously written to Jørgensen in April to inform him that HELP was investigating the costs of Ozempic and Wegovy.

He said those involved in the development of the drugs deserved "great credit" and that they could be a "game changer" for US citizens dealing with obesity or diabetes. But he noted that the drugs were unaffordable to many, despite studies suggesting that they are priced far higher than their production costs.

An investigative analysis published in JAMA Network Open found that supplies of drugs like semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy that helps people feel full by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 — could cost less than a dollar to produce.

Novo Nordisk issued a response to Sanders in May, claiming it retained around 60% of the list price of Ozempic and Wegovy in the US after rebates and fees paid to middlemen, Bloomberg reported.

The company said it was prepared to work with lawmakers to tackle "systemic issues so that everyone who can benefit from its medicines is able to get them." It noted that it expected net prices of the drugs to continue to fall.

Earlier this week, a top UK doctor warned people against using drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to get "beach body ready" for summer.

Speaking at the National Health Service (NHS) Confederation conference, NHS England medical director Stephen Powis said: "We know these new drugs will be a powerful part of our arsenal dealing with obesity, but they should not be abused. Buying medication online without a doctor's supervision can lead to complications and dangerous consequences."