Net Migration Fell by Almost 50% in 2024 Compared to the Previous Year, Acciting to the Office for National Statistics (Ons).
New Estimates Showed 431,000 More People Arrived in the Uk Than Left Over the 12 -Month Period, Compared to 860,000 a Year Earlier – The Larger Numerical Drop on Record.
The decreese was Driven by declining numbers of People Coming to Work and Study in the Uk Following Changes Introduced by the Previous Conservative Government, and Large Numbers of People Arrived on Study Visas After Covid-19 Pandemic Restrictions Eaading.
There was also a Large drop in the number of depares accompanying People achievement in the uk on work and study visas, the ons said.
The Previous Bigger Calendar Year Fall Was During the Early Stages of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Wen Net Migration Dropped From 184,000 in the Year Ending December 2019 to 93,000 in December 2020.
The Large Drop in the Number of Students Bringing Family Members to the uk was a key Objective of James Cleverly, The Last Tory Home Secretary.
At the Same Time, the end of the global travel restrictions caused by the pandemic meant People who delayed their intention to moving away went through with their plans.
That Group Included People Who Did to the Study and Have Now Left.
Cleverly Said he was “Very Proud” to have played a part in reducing net migration.
Talking to BBC Radio 4’s World At One Program, he said it was something to work on with the full support of then minister rishi sun.
“It was roundly criticized by the labour parties at the time, who are now trying to take the work for the work that I and other conservatives did when in government,” he said.
Separate DATA RELEASED ON THERSDAY BY THE HOME OFFICE SHOWED THE NUMBER OF ASLUM SEEKERS BEING HOUSED IN HAS FALLEN – But is Still Higher than Labour Came to Power Year.
Home Office Statistics Showed there were 32,345 Asylum Seekers Living in Taxpayer-ended Hotels in March 2025, Down from 38,079 in December 2024.
That figure is far Lower than the record of 58,636 under the last conservative government in june 2023.
Howver, IT Represents A 9% Increatation Since Labour Came to Power – The Number of Asylum Seekers in Hotels Was 29,585 in June 2024.
Detail figure show the home office has begun to speed up processing Asylum Claims – Including from People on Small Boats.
This means that regardless of how many rely on, more people are eather being allowed to stay as genuine refugees – and thereerair own Way Through work – or told they will be removed.
Ministers Hope that speeding-up, coupled with the evolving measures to combs cross-channel boats, Will Ultimately Slash the Numbers in Hotels.
On Thursday, The Government Highlightened Home Office Date Showing 29,867 People – Including Failed Asylum Seekers and Foreign Criminals – Had Been Returned to Home Countries.
Home Secretary Yvette COOPER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A “300,000 DROP IN NET Migration SINCE The ELECTION” LAST YEAR, and Promised the Government “Further Reduce Net Migration” by Implementing Its Measures Set out in the Immigration White Paper Last Week.
“These figures Show a Big Increase in Returns of Failed Asylum Seekers and Foreign National Offenders, Record Levels of Illegal Working Penalties, and the Asylum Backlog and Hotel Use Coming Down,” She Said.
“We are going it fourth by the introduction new counter terrorism style Powers to Boost Our Border Security and Smash the People Smuggling Gangs Responsible for Their Vile Trade.”
Meanwhile, Several Senior Conservative Figures Sough to take Credit for Drop in Net Migration.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp Said: “The Decisions Taken by the Last Conservatives Have Meant These Net Migration figures have fallen enormously … but let me honest, those steps are not Enough.
Tory Leader We have Badenoch Wrote on Social Media That “Numbers Are Still too High”.
Responding to the figure, reform UK Leader Nigel Farage Wrote on X: “Not as High as the great tory, but Still Disastrous.”
Liberal Democrat Spokeswoman Lisa Smart Howver, Said the Current Government was “right to take steps to fixed Broken Immigration System” AFTER IT LEFT IN “TATTERS” BY CONSERVATIVE “MISMANEMENT”.
Oxford University’s Independent Migration Observatory Said The Record-Breaking Decline Was “Primarily” Postsible Numbers Had been so High Previously.
The Unit’s Head, Dr Madeleine Sumpion, Said: “UK Migration Patterns in 2023 were Very Unusual, with Unexpectly Large Numbers of Visas for Care Workers, International Students, and Their Family Members.
“THIS MADE IT EASIER FOR THE BOVERNMENT AT THAT TO BRING DOWN THE NUMBERS.”
Dr Sumpion predicted the Changes Wold Have Little Impact on the Economy.
She Said: “The Groups that Have Driven the Decline, Such As Study and Work Dependants, Are Neether the Highest Skilled, Highest-Paid Migrants Who Make Substantial Contributions to Tax Revens, Nor Disadvantailed Groups that Require Substantial Support.” “
A bomb Attack on a school bus in Pakistan’s Balochistan Region Has Killed At Least Five People and Injured Dosens.
The bus was Carrying Around 40 School Children when it exploded at About 07:40 Local Time (02:40 GMT) Just Outside the remote town of khuzdar, policy toy the bbc.
Three of the Five People Killed Are Children, Police Said. Pictures Circulating on Social Media Show The Charred Wreckage of a Large Bus, with Backpacks Scattered AROUND IT.
No Group Has Claimed Responsibility for the Incident SO FAR, But Balochistan, A Turbulent Province in the Country’s South West, Has Been Wounded by A Long-Standing Insurgency and Human Rights Violations.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Condemned the incident as “sheer barbarism”, Calling the Attackers “Beasts Who Target Children” in an Attempt to destabilise the country.
Its Military Has ACCUSED Neighbouring India and It Proxies in Balochistan of Orchestrating the Explosion, Though there is no evidency of this.
Pakistan and India Are Just Emerging from a deadly two-week conflict sparked by a militant Attack on Tourists in Indian-Adminisred Kashmir.
Pakistan Denied Involvement in Those Attacks, but india followed up with a series of striches on sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Adminisred Kashmir.
Earlier in March, Some 21 Civilians and Four Military Personnel Were Killed During A Train Siege in Balochistan’s Remote Sibi District.
That Attack was carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (Bla), a separatist group that has waged a decadees-long insurgence to gain independence.
Pakistan Authorities, As Well As Several Western Countries, Including the UK and Us, have designated the Bla as a terrorist organization.
The Country’s Military Has Also Previously Accused it of Being an “Indian proxy” – a claim that the blus has rejunted.
But Baloch Activists have Also accused Pakistan’s Security Forces of Its Own Atrocities.
They Say Thousands of Ethnic Baloch People have Been Disappeaared by Pakistan’s Security Forces in the Last Two Decades – Allegedly detail with Legal Process, or Abducted, tortured and Killed In Operations A Decades -Old Separatist Insurgency.
DHS move to block international students is ‘unlawful’, says Harvard University
Harvard University has said that the Department of Homeland Security’s move to revoke its ability to enrol international students is “unlawful” retaliatory action that threatens serious harm to the university.
In a statement, the university said: “The government’s action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining its ability to host international students and scholars from more than 140 countries and enrich the university. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The move comes after Harvard refused to provide information homeland security secretary Kristi Noem had previously demanded about some foreign student visa holders who attend the university, the DHS said.
It marks a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign against the elite Ivy League university, which has emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent institutional targets.
Key events
Lauren Gambino and David Smith are reporting the latest on the killing of two Israeli embassy staff members:
Jeanine Pirro, the interim US attorney for Washington, said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon that authorities were also investigating as a “hate crime and a crime of terrorism” the killings that left the US capital in shock as world leaders condemned the “horrible” and “antisemitic” shootings.
The Trump administration has drawn condemnation from free speech groups, including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which said Noem is demanding a “surveillance state”, after the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.
“The Department’s demand that Harvard produce audio and video footage of all protest activity involving international students over the last five years is gravely alarming,” said Will Creeley, FIRE’s legal director. “This sweeping fishing expedition reaches protected expression and must be flatly rejected.”
The Republican-controlled Senate voted to revoke California’s progressive vehicle emission standards, including a rule that would’ve effectively banned the sale of new gasoline-only cars by 2035.
In a 51-44 vote, the Senate overturned a Biden-era waiver that enabled California and a contingent of Democratic-led states to enforce zero-emission requirements for the sale of new passenger vehicles.
Legislators struck down a landmark regulation that aimed to drastically accelerate electric vehicle sales in California and nearly a dozen other states that chose to follow its lead, substantially reducing air pollution and planet-warming carbon emissions from tailpipes.
California governor Gavin Newsomposted on X that the Senate is “trying to illegally wipe out California’s clean air rules – the same rules that have reduced pollution and kept generations of Californians healthy”.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was charged in Washington DC ahead of his initial appearance at E Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse.
Rodriguez is facing two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. He also faces charges of the murder of foreign officials, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Records say the suspect told police: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza”.
Man accused of killing two staff members of Israeli embassy charged with murder
The man accused of killing two staff members of the Israeli embassy in DC was charged with murder of foreign officials and other crimes, the AP reports.
The killings occurred shortly after 9pm on Wednesday evening, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where, according to officials, a gunman approached a group leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee and opened fire at close range.
We’ll have more details as they come in.
Donald Trump has raised at least $600m in political donations ahead of the midterm elections, the AP reports. That’s a record-breaking amount for a president who can’t run for office again.
Trump is aggressively fundraising with a goal of reaching $1bn to support his political agenda and help Republicans keep control of Congress next year, sources told the news agency.
By out-raising Democrats and boosting GOP candidates, the president aims to extend his political influence long after leaving office.
Any leftover funds could help him shape the Republican party’s future, possibly through 2028 or beyond, as a major political force and party kingmaker.
“It’s leverage,” Marc Short, who served as Trump’s director of legislative affairs during his first term and later as Vice-President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, told the AP. “It’s a reflection of the power that he still holds.”
The day so far
The Trump administration has said it is halting Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students and has ordered existing international students at the university to transfer or lose their legal status. On Thursday, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration notified Harvard about its decision following ongoing correspondence regarding the “legality of a sprawling records request”, according to three people familiar with the matter. The records request comes as part of an investigation by the homeland security department in which federal officials are threatening the university’s international student admissions. Story here.
A federal judge in California blocked the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of international students at universities across the US, reports the Associated Press. District Judge Jeffrey S White also barred the administration from arresting or detaining foreign-born students based on their immigration status while a legal challenge to earlier terminations proceeds through the courts. In the injunction, White said that the Trump administration has “wreaked havoc” on the lives of the plaintiffs as well as other international students.
Authorities were investigating a brazen attack that killed two young Israeli embassy staff members outside an event at the Jewish museum in downtown Washington DC, leaving the US capital in shock as world leaders condemned the “horrible” and “antisemitic” shootings. Early on Thursday morning, federal agents in tactical gear descended on a Chicago apartment believed to be the alleged gunman’s home. According to a post on X from the FBI’s Washington field office, agents in Chicago were “conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity” that it said was “in relation to yesterday’s tragic shooting in Washington, DC”. More here.
Donald Trump showed a screenshot of a Reuters video taken in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of what he falsely presented on Wednesday as evidence of mass killings of white South Africans, Reuters itself reports. “These are all white farmers that are being buried,” said Trump, holding up a print-out of an article accompanied by the picture during a contentious Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. In fact, the video published by Reuters on February 3 and subsequently verified by the new agency’s fact check team, showed humanitarian workers lifting body bags in the Congolese city of Goma. The image was pulled from Reuters footage shot following deadly battles with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Mahmoud Khalil, the detained Palestinian activist, was allowed to hold his one-month-old son for the first time after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to keep the father and infant separated by a plexiglass divider, reports the Associated Press. The visit today came ahead of a scheduled immigration hearing for Khalil, a legal permanent resident and Columbia University graduate who has been held in a Louisiana jail since 8 March.
A Republican push to dismantle clean energy incentives threatens to reverberate across the US by costing more than 830,000 jobs, raising energy bills for US households and threatening to unleash millions more tonnes of the planet-heating pollution that is causing the climate crisis, experts have warned. A major tax bill moving through the Republican-held House of Representatives will, as currently written, demolish key components of climate legislation signed by Joe Biden that has spurred a record torrent of renewable energy and electric vehicle investment in the US. Story by Oliver Milman here.
A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s executive order to shut down the Department of Education and ordered the agency to reinstate employees who were fired in mass layoffs. US district judge Myong Joun in Boston granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration from carrying out two plans announced in March that sought to work toward Trump’s goal to dismantle the department.
Republicans in the House of Representatives won passage on Thursday of a major bill to enact Donald Trump’s tax and spending priorities while adding trillions of dollars to the US debt and potentially prevent millions of Americans from accessing federal safety net benefits. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was approved in the early morning hours along party lines by the slim Republican majority, with 215 votes in favor and 214 against. Its passage ended weeks of negotiations that drew into question the GOP’s ability to find agreement on Trump’s top legislative priority in a chamber they control by just three seats. Story here.
A new report led by the health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, lays out a dark vision of American children’s health and calls for agencies to examine vaccines, ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of exercise and “overmedicalization”. Kennedy has made combatting the chronic disease “epidemic” a cornerstone of his vision for the US, even as he has ignored common causes of chronic conditions, such as smoking and alcohol use. More here.
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from revoking international students’ legal status
A federal judge in California blocked the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of international students at universities across the US, reports the Associated Press.
District Judge Jeffrey S White also barred the administration from arresting or detaining foreign-born students based on their immigration status while a legal challenge to earlier terminations proceeds through the courts.
In the injunction, White said that the Trump administration has “wreaked havoc” on the lives of the plaintiffs as well as other international students.
“At each turn in this and similar litigation across the nation, Defendants have abruptly changed course to satisfy courts’ expressed concerns,” the judge said. “It is unclear how this game of whack-a-mole will end unless Defendants are enjoined from skirting their own mandatory regulations.”
Trump’s image of dead ‘white farmers’ came from Reuters footage in Congo, not South Africa
Some more factchecking of yesterday’s chaotic Oval Office meeting in which Donald Trump repeated baseless claims of white “genocide” in South Africa to its president Cyril Ramaphosa – this time from Reuters.
During the meeting, Trump showed Ramaphosa and the media a screenshot of Reuters video taken in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of what he falsely presented as evidence of mass killings of white South Africans.
“These are all white farmers that are being buried,” said Trump, holding up a print-out of an article accompanied by the picture during the contentious meeting.
Cyril Ramaphosa looked on calmly during the chaotic meeting as Donald Trump flipped through news articles saying: “Death, death, death.” Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP
In fact, the video published by Reuters on 3 February and subsequently verified by the new agency’s fact check team, showed humanitarian workers lifting body bags in the Congolese city of Goma. The image was pulled from Reuters footage shot following deadly battles with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
The blog post showed to Ramaphosa by Trump during the White House meeting was published by American Thinker, a conservative online magazine, about conflict and racial tensions in South Africa and Congo.
The post did not caption the image but identified it as a “YouTube screen grab” with a link to a video news report about Congo on YouTube, which credited Reuters.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Andrea Widburg, managing editor at American Thinker and the author of the post in question, wrote in reply to a Reuters query that Trump had “misidentified the image”.
The footage from which the picture was taken shows a mass burial following an M23 assault on Goma, filmed by Reuters video journalist Djaffar Al Katanty.
“That day, it was extremely difficult for journalists to get in … I had to negotiate directly with M23 and coordinate with the ICRC to be allowed to film,” Al Katanty said. “Only Reuters has video.”
Al Katanty said seeing Trump holding the article with the screengrab of his video came as a shock.
In view of all the world, President Trump used my image, used what I filmed in DRC to try to convince President Ramaphosa that in his country, white people are being killed by Black people.
Maya Yang
As we reported earlier, in her statement revoking Harvard’s ability to enrol international students, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem ordered existing international students at the university to transfer or lose their legal status. Noem said:
The revocation of your Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means that Harvard is prohibited from having any aliens on F- or J-nonimmigrant status for the 2025-2026 academic school year. This decertification also means that existing aliens on F- or J- nonimmigrant status must transfer to another university in order to maintain their nonimmigrant status.
Leo Gerdén, an international student from Sweden, called the announcement “devastating” in the university newspaper Harvard Crimson.
Every tool available they should use to try and change this. It could be all the legal resources suing the Trump administration, whatever they can use the endowment to, whatever they can use their political network in Congress. This should be, by far, priority number one.
The university currently hosts nearly 6,800 international students, with many being on F-1 or J-1 visas, according to university records. International students make up about 27% of the university’s population.
Judge blocks Trump’s plan to dismantle education department and orders administration to reinstate fired employees
A federal judge blocked has blocked the Trump administration from carrying out his executive order to dismantle the Department of Education and ordered it today to reinstate employees terminated in a mass layoff, Reuters reports.
US district judge Myong Joun in Boston at the behest of a group of Democratic-led states, school districts and teachers’ unions issued an injunction blocking the department from moving forward with a mass termination announced in March of over 1,300 employees, which would cut its staff by half.
“The record abundantly reveals that defendants’ true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute,” wrote Joun.
Lawyers with the justice department argued that the mass terminations were not an effort to shutter the agency but a lawful effort to eliminate bureaucratic bloat while fulfilling its overall statutory mission more efficiently.
But Joun said the cuts were having the opposite effect, as the “massive reduction in staff has made it effectively impossible for the department to carry out its statutorily mandated functions.” “This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the department’s employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the department becomes a shell of itself,” the judge wrote.
He ordered the administration to not just reinstate the workers but also to halt implementation of Trump’s 21 March directive to transfer student loans and special needs programs to other federal agencies.
The administration swiftly appealed the decision, which education department spokesperson Madi Biedermann said came from “an unelected judge with a political axe to grind”.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields called the ruling “misguided.” “The president and his secretary of education have the legal authority to make decisions regarding the agency’s reorganization, and a leftist judge’s ruling cannot change that reality,” Fields said in a statement.
Skye Perryman, whose liberal legal group, Democracy Forward, represented the school districts and unions, said today’s ruling means “disastrous mass firings of career civil servants are blocked while this wildly disruptive and unlawful agency action is litigated”.
Faisal Ali
The State department has rejected allegations that Donald Trump “ambushed” South African president Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday when he requested a video be suddenly shown in the Oval Office to support his false claim that a white genocide is occurring in the country. The episode happened as the leaders sat across from each other taking questions from the press and Ramaphosa calmly pushed back against the claim.
Donald Trump ambushes South Africa’s president with video falsely claiming white genocide – video
Tammy Bruce, the state department spokesperson, said Ramaphosa would have been aware of the Trump administration’s position on the issue, and she “would argue against the idea that there was some kind of ambush”.
Bruce went on to explain that the US had broader concerns about the “trajectory of South Africa”, citing its decision to bring charges of genocide against Israel at the ICJ, “cosying up to Iran, and the general choices that they’ve made”. These issues, she said, create a “picture that is worthwhile having a conversation about in the Oval Office”.
RFK’s health report omits key facts in painting dark vision for US children
Jessica Glenza
A new report led by health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr lays out a dark vision of American children’s health and calls for agencies to examine vaccines, ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of exercise and “overmedicalization”.
Kennedy has made combatting the chronic disease “epidemic” a cornerstone of his vision for the US, even as he has ignored common causes of chronic conditions, such as smoking and alcohol use.
The 69-page report is the result of a February executive order by Donald Trump that established a “Make America Healthy Again” (Maha) commission and required it to report on children’s health.
While the report broadly summarizes scientific evidence about nutrition, mental health, chemical exposures and children’s mental health, it ignores the leading causes of death for children – firearms and motor vehicle accidents – and one of the most common chronic conditions: dental cavities.
Robert F Kennedy Jr testifies before the Senate committee on appropriations hearing on 22 May. Photograph: Ken Cedeno/Reuters
“We will save lives by addressing this chronic disease epidemic head-on. We’re going to save a lot more money in the long run – and even in the short run,” Kennedy said in a press call on Thursday about the report.
Notably, the report reflects some of Kennedy’s bugbears where science is unsettled, but argues research “demonstrates the need for continued studies”, such as on fluoride in water and electromagnetic radiation.
The report also criticizes the growth in the childhood vaccine schedule. The vaccine schedule is widely accepted in the medical community as safe and effective. Additions are publicly debated in meetings with both career government scientists and outside expert advisers.
It also points to research that the report argues “raise(s) important questions” about medications – such as antidepressants, stimulants, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and gender-affirming care – which are widely considered safe and even standard care.
The flavor of the report is well-represented in a section on “medicalization”, which describes the potential for “undetected but potentially major long-term repercussions”. The portion describes “established harms” as “the tip of a potentially vast iceberg representing both detectable short term negative effects, and potentially hidden negative effects with long term implications”.
US supreme court blocks religious charter school in split ruling
Marina Dunbar
The US supreme court on Thursday blocked an attempt led by two Catholic dioceses to establish in Oklahoma the nation’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school in a major case involving religious rights in American education that challenged the constitutional separation of church and state.
The 4-4 ruling left intact a lower court’s decision that blocked the establishment of St Isidore of Seville Catholic virtual school. The lower court found that the proposed school would violate the US constitution’s first amendment limits on government involvement in religion.
The conservative justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case, leaving eight justices rather than the full slate of nine to decide the outcome. Barrett is a former professor at Notre Dame Law School, which represents the school’s organizers.
When the supreme court is evenly divided, the lower court’s decision stands. The justices did not provide a rationale for their action in the unsigned ruling. It was not disclosed how each member of the bench voted, though it is likely that the three liberal-leaning justices favored upholding the block and if that was indeed the case it poses the intriguing question of which conservative-leaning justice joined them.
DHS move to block international students is ‘unlawful’, says Harvard University
Harvard University has said that the Department of Homeland Security’s move to revoke its ability to enrol international students is “unlawful” retaliatory action that threatens serious harm to the university.
In a statement, the university said: “The government’s action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining its ability to host international students and scholars from more than 140 countries and enrich the university. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
The move comes after Harvard refused to provide information homeland security secretary Kristi Noem had previously demanded about some foreign student visa holders who attend the university, the DHS said.
It marks a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign against the elite Ivy League university, which has emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent institutional targets.
Existing foreign students at Harvard must transfer or lose their legal status, says DHS
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Kristi Noem has ordered it to terminate Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.
The statement repeats the Trump administration’s claim that “Harvard is being held accountable for collaboration with the (Chinese Communist party), fostering violence, antisemitism, and pro-terrorist conduct from students on its campus”.
It goes on to say that as a result Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.
The statement reads:
Harvard’s leadership has created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students, and otherwise obstruct its once-venerable learning environment. Many of these agitators are foreign students. Harvard’s leadership further facilitated, and engaged in coordinated activity with the (Chinese Communist party), including hosting and training members of a CCP paramilitary group complicit in the Uyghur genocide.
On April 16, 2025, secretary Noem demanded Harvard provide information about the criminality and misconduct of foreign students on its campus. Secretary Noem warned refusal to comply with this lawful order would result in SEVP termination.
This action comes after DHS terminated $2.7m in DHS grants for Harvard last month.
Harvard University brazenly refused to provide the required information requested and ignored a follow-up request from the Department’s Office of General Council. Secretary Noem is following through on her promise to protect students and prohibit terrorist sympathizers from receiving benefits from the US government.
Noem says blocking Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students should ‘serve as a warning’ to academic institutions
Homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, has said that by halting the university’s ability to enroll international students, the Trump administration “is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism and coordinating with the Chinese Communist party on its campus”.
In a post on X she continued:
It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.
Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused.
They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law.
Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.
David Smith
Leavitt is asked to comment on politicians who fail to condemn last night’s killing of two Israeli embassy staff.
“It’s despicable,” she says, “and frankly we have seen a rise in antisemitic protests, of pro-Hamas protests, of terrorist sympathisers.” She adds:
We saw them on our college campuses and we’ve seen the Democrat party turn a blind eye and in some cases actually embrace such antisemitic illegal behaviour.
That’s why this administration has done more than any administration in history to crack down on antisemitism.
All the retailers that nike left and then went back
Back in 2020, Nike Made a bold Move: It Begin Cutting ties with a wide range of retail partners as part of its consumer direct Acceleration (CDA) strategy. The Idea was Simple – Sell More Through Nike‘S Own Stoles and Digital Channels, and Less Through What the Company Described As “Undifferentied” wholesale Accounts. Big-Name Retaillers Like Amazon, Zappos, Belk and Dilard’s Suddenly Found Themselves with Access to Nike Product, as the brand Focus on control its narrative and margin.
More from wwd
But just a few years late, the tides are tourning.
As nike faces increes Pressure to Meet Demand, Manage inventory and Keep Pace with Shutting Consumer Behavior, Its Quietly Rebuilding Relationships with Some Retaillers. The Biggest Headline? Nike is returning to amazon – Do not make coma after the height of its dtc push.
It ‘sign that the swoosh is rebalancing its strategy, acknowledging that wholesale – especilly with the right partners – Still plays a major in how and where to shop.
Nike Is Returning to Amazon AFT A SIX-YEAR HIATUS, RELUNCHING ITS OFFICAL STOREFRONT. The Move Follows Its 2019 Exit, When Nike Left the platform Citting Brand Control Concerns. Now, Amazon Will Block Select Third-Party Sellers Starting July 19 to Prioritize Nike’s Lisings. Alongside the return, nike announed price hikes this month of $ 2– $ 10 on adult apparel and equipment, and $ 5– $ 10 Increas on Most Footwear, Citting Tariff-Relay Pressures. Products Under $ 100, Kids’ Lines, and the Air Force 1 Will Be Exempt. The Strategy Reflects CEO Elliott Hill’s Broader Effort to Protect Margins while Expanding Reach.
2. Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW)
DSW Was Among A Host of Retaillers Caught in the Crossfire of Nike’s 2021 Retreat from Broad Wholesale. Once a High-Volume Channel for Athletic Footwear, The Chain Lost ASCES Nike Prioritized Tighter Distribution and DTC Growth. At the time, Bill Jordan, President of DSW Parent Company Designer Brands Inc., Said Sales of Nike Products Account for Less than 4% of Revenue In 2019. But in October 2023, The Swoosh Returned to DSW’s Floors – Albeit Under New Terms. The renewed partnership Includes Select Lifestyle and Performance Silhouettes, Avoidable Both in-Store and Online.
3. MACY’S
Once a Mainneins of Nike’s Wholesale Network, MACY’S FOUND ITSELF ON THE OUTS IN 2021 AS Nike Pulled Back from Doses of Traditional Partners in favor of Direct Channels. “Nike’s decision to no longer sell to nine multi-branded wholesale accuctions is posing for nike, as it takes control of it its,” Sushquehanna Financial Group Analyst Sam Poser wrote at the time.
But after a nearly two -ear absence, nike apparel and gear quietly returned to make in Fall 2023-Marking a calculated reversal. Macy’s Began Carrying an Expanded Selection of Nike Products in October 2023, Including Apparel, Plus Size Women’s, Big and Tall Men’s, Kids and Gear, Both online and in “Key Locations Nationwide,” according to CEO Jeff Gene. Nike Products were introded to additional story in 2024.
4. Foot Locker
Nike’s 2022 Shift Toward Selling Directly to Hit Consumers Foot Locker hard. With Nike Products Accounting for More than 60% of It Its Inventory at the Time, The Retailer Was Forced to Scale Projections after Learning It Wauld Receive Fewer Shipments. Shares Fell, and Foot Locker QUICKLY BEGAN CUTTING ITS RELIANCE ON LOCAL Single. That included bringing in reebok through an exclusive deal with authentic brands group, double down on puma, and building up partnerships like lamelo ball.
“Our Journey to Diversify Our Mix of Business and Expand Our Reach as a House of Brands and Banners is ongoing,” THEN-CEO Richard Johnson said at the time.
By the following year, the tide had starts to turn. Under New Ceo Mary Dillon, Foot Locker and Nike Rekindled Their Relationship. Nike returned to rest shelves with a more curated product mix, and the two companies resumed jaint planning effhorts-a sign that, with scaled-back allocations, the connection still weight.
5. Urban Outfitters
In 2021, Nike Discontinued Its Wholesale Relationship with Urban outfitters nor part of a broad strategy to streamline its retail partnerships and focus on direct-to-consumer sales. This decision was part of Nike‘s initiative to reduce it which which is over 50 percent, Aiming to concentrate on 40 Key retail partners and its dtc channels.
Around a year late, nike quietly resumed wholesale with Urban outfitters. In May 2025, Urban Outfitters Launched an Immerses In-Store Experience, “On Rotation,” WHICH The Company Says is Aimed at “Meeting the Evolving Needs of Gen Z and Deliver Community-Driven, Memmorable Retail Experiences.”
6. Zappos
Nike Stopped Shipping Products to Zappos in Late 2020, Part of a Move to Cut Back on the Number of Retaillers It Worked With. The Company was shifting its focus selling through its and website, as well as a tighter group of retail partners. Scrape was Among Several Names Dropped During That Shakeup, Alongside Chains Like Dilard’s and Fred Meyer. At the time, Nike Said it wanted to “Create the Marketplace of the Future,” Focused on Fewer, More Differentiated Partners.
But by Mid-2023, Amid Excess Inventory and Shifting Consumer Demand, Nike Re-Engaged with some of the retailers it has left bee. While not publicly detailed as returns to make or dsw, Reporting from “The Wall Street Journal” and “Business Insider” confirmed that zappos was Among the accuctions receiving product again.
7. Belk
WeNike Nike Implemented Its Consumer Direct Acceleration (CDA) Strategy, Belk was Also on the Chopping Block of Retaillers No Longer Carrying Nike. The 2020 Move Reflect Nike’s Broader Effort to Prioritizes Digital Growth and Own Retail Over What It Called “Undifferentiated” Wholesale Partners.
But by late 2022 and into 2023, that Approach Began to Shift. Analysts, Including Sam Poser, Pointed Out that Nike’s Direct Channels Weren’t Meeting All of the Consumer Demand. AS A Result, nike Started to Send More Product Back Into Wholesale, Especialy to Family and Moderate-Tier Retaillers-A Category that Includes Belk.
WeNike Nike Launched Its Consumer Direct Acceleration (CDA) Strategy, Shoe Show was Among the retail partnerships that ended. The 2020 Pivot Leaned Into Nike‘S Own Storefronts and Digital Platforms, Shedding Wholesale Partners IT Consider Less Integral.
But fast-forward to late 2022, and Things Started to Shift. Analyst Like Sam Poser Notes Nike’s Direct Channels weren’t fully Meeting Consumer Demand. The Brand Begin Realocating Product Back to the Wholesale Side-Especilantly to Moderates and Family-Focused Retilers Like Show Show. In Nike’s December 2022 Earnings Call, CEO John Donahoe Didn’t mince Words: “Wholesale play is a very important part of that. It provides a Very Strong Footprint, Both Physical Footprint As Well As Digital.”
The first time of the ever thought about aging in any serous way i was in my late 20s. I was working as a junior beauty and wellness editor for a Women’s Magazine in New York, Writing Fluffy Stories About Spas and the Latest Skin Care Trends. In the middle of an interview with a male dermatologist, my interviewing subject Reachhed over, placed a thumb on my forehead, sucked air through his teeth and said, “Oof, you should really think about botox.
The comment was a shock, an unexpectted jolt that left with vulnerable Feeling, Panicked and, Weirdly, Ashamed. I didn’t take my his Advice (i got bangs instead), but i fully absorbed the observation: i had be begun perceptibly aging. Moreover, these new signs of aging were a problem to be eradicated if i wanted to hold on to my value, or at the value of my youth.
What i’ve learned is that in an an ageist Society, there’s a need for the Women of a Certain Age to Receive Straightforward, Compassionate, Trustworthy Beauty from Who’s Been and Gets it.
In the decades Since, i’ve has all sorts of complicated – and conflicting – Feelings about my face. If you are a human female with skin, i’m sura you have too. At 52, i think about my crepey eyelids and ever-sagging jawline more than i’m proud to admit, ede though i’m certificate not alone. Accorting to a recent Yahoo/Yougov Survey, Nearly Half of All Women Concerned About Wrinkles, with Those Over 40 Feeling 20 Percents About Their Appearance than Women in Their 30s and Younger.
WHICH IS WHY My Yahoo Editors and I Though it was high time to create a new Beauty Advice Column, Specific, One Geared Toward the Needs of Women Over 40 (and Those Who Are Over-40 Curious). In the past few years, i’ve cohosted a podcast for just this demographic and i’ve also become a beauty editor again, Reporting on the latest skin care trends and “anti-aging” innovations each weeks.
What i’ve learned is that in an an ageist Society, there’s a need for the Women of a Certain Age to Receive Straightforward, Compassionate, Trustworthy Beauty from Who’s Been and Gets it. KnowLEDGE IS POWER AFTER ALL, SO – IF YOU CHOOSE TO NEVER APPLY ANYTHING MORE TO OUT Face is here to educate, Illuminate your options and, wen as asked, act as a gentle guide.
What to Expect From ‘Face Time’
Candid Conversations About Aging.
Expert Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions About Everything From In-Office Procedures to the Best Eye Creams.
Product Recommendations from Someone Old Enough to Know If Said Products Actually Work (IE, Not A 20-Yet-Old Tiktok Influencer with Genetically Immaculate Skin).
What you won’t find here
I’m not going to tell you to use Olive on your face or pretend it’s what i use on mine. And i’m not going to wax poetic about how any cream can reverse gravity, Because of Know It Can’t, No Matter the Price. That Said, I am not here to tell you to fall in love with your jawls Because, frankly, have a hard time loving mine. Nor Will I Be That Middle-Aged Crank Who Says nothing Will Work Except a FaceliFe, Because of Don’t Believe That’s TRUE.
What this column Will Do is Help Demystify What Its Like to Live with an Agging Face, expose what Everyone ellse is doing in the privacy of a doctor’s office to look so good (Again, not olive oil!) And guide you through your options you choose to take the aging ride.
Whether you want to know something as smaller as the best drugstore cream for a parched face or elaborate as the cost of a neck lift or eve just how to grows your back, i’m to offer the practical advice.
Ask with anyding, nor the Kids Say. I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years and you’re allowed to pick my brain – and the experts I will will be consulted too. Whether You’re Just Starting to Think About this Stuff like in my late 20s or you’re in full crisis mode over me, this is a Judgment-free zone and the exact moment in your life you are “face time.”
We want to hear from you!
Submit Questions Via the Comments Below, or email [email protected]. You can Also Send US A Message on Social Media; Find us @yahoolife on Instagram and Facebook.
Memorial Day Weekend is Almost here, and in My Book, That Means Summer Has Finally Arrived! I can hardly containe my excitement. I’m all about alfresco dining and beach days, and don’t get me start on the frysh new outfits of have my eye on – i am A shopping editor, after all. Luckily for with (and you), there are tons of memorial day sales Happening right now, offering up to 75% off on thusands of Items. While i’m seeing some fantastic discounts on tech and kitchen gear, i’m shat thrilled for all of the style deals.
As Much as I LOVE CUATING HEAD-TO-TOE CUTE LOOKS, WENNER THE HEAT KICKS IN, YOU’RE FIND WITH REACHING FOR A BREEDING DRESS AND CALLING IT A DAY. I’m on the hunt for some new options to add to my summer rotation, so i’ve scoured the Internet and waded through trove of over 20,000 Dress deals.
These are my top 10 stylish picks on sale for memorial day, from a sleek shirtdress to a flowy sundress and simple-yet-chic styles that Scream ‘Rich Mom’ and Beyond. One Last Note before we dive in: Certain Sizes and Colors are already Flying off the virtual shelves, so Grab your favorites while they’re’re still available!
Amazon
This Goes-Anywhere piece has a breezy design to keep you cool and comfy on sweltering days. It would be absurdly cute with a denim jacket, and don’t forget about its sits, cap sleeves and pockets. Amazon Reviewers Say This Maxi is Well-Made and Flattering.
I’m all about dresses like this, especilly for Summer Travel. They’re easy to mov around in, allow ample airflow and feel like you’re in your favorite overs overrong t-shirt. Avilaable in 13 Styles, Both solids and prints, in Sizes Small Through XXL.
$ 20 at Amazon
Amazon
Cute, comfy and oozing femininity, this gingham top-seller has smocking at the bust to create a distinct, Flattering Shape and Adorable flirty ruffles the neckline. The a-line silhouette creates a subtle hourglass look.
I’m fund of this neutral, but there are seven other colors in sizes xs-xxl. The red would be adorable at a barbecue – we’ll dub it tablecloth chic, and we mean that in the best positionible way.
$ 30 at Amazon
Amazon
I love the Square neck on this swingy frock, and the fact that it has pockets the sea deal for me. The back is smocked, so i is easy to play on and off (no dress is worth a played muscle!), And evening on the lotter size that the length works swimmingly with flip.
Better? IT’S MACHINE-WASHABLE, and itS BILLOWY, Tiered Skirt Delivers Volume that Will Make the Dizzy US Want To Twirl Nonstop.
$ 36 at Amazon
Old Navy
Do Dress That’s Just as Stretchy and Comfy As Your Go-To Tank Top? Yes, Pleas! This Figure Finds is made from Cotton with a hint of Spandex, so it hugs your frame in all the right places (but not where you don’t get it, fans say). The Length, Classic Scooped Neck and Minimalist Design Also Make this Pick Super Versatile.
There are five color to choose from in sizes xs-4x, and the dress is machine wasable.
$ 20 at Old Navy
Anthropologist
Yahoo initiatives editor Julia weys Her mom ouns three of these dresses from anthropologie and they are compliments. “AFT I BORROWED ONE TO WEAR TO DINNER, I SAW WHY MOM LOVES IT SO MUCH,” WeBb Explains. “The V-Neck Cotton Dress Features a Soft A-Line Silhouette, A Tiered Skirt, Short Sleeves and A Smocked Waist to Give it Shape. Its Machine-Washable and Fits TRUE to SIZE, and IT HAS PACKETS.”
Read Her Full Review of the Gorgeous Maxi Dress HERE, THEN SHOP ONE FOR YOURSELF DOWN TO $ 120. Want something with a short hem? A mini somersset is also on sale, as is an an uber-trendy butter yellow shirtdress version.
$ 120 at Anthropologie
Amazon
While you’ll offten Find with in leggings and sweats during the winter, in malmier seasons i practically live in comfy and cute exercise dresses. This popular option has two side side Pockets in the built shorts and crisscossing Straps in the back that fully adjustable for a customized fit. Say Say’s Flattering Without Being Too Tight. I’m eyeing it in the pretty indigo and lavender shades, but knowing me, i’ll end up ordering it in classic Black. Maybe All Three?
No Matter Which Color you prefer, they are all on sale right now – up to 40% off!
$ 40 at Amazon
Amazon
Wearing a shirt dress is one of the easiest ways to look “Put together” with little to no efffort – just slip ontty much any shoe and you’re set for the day. I LOVE THIS STYLE COCASE OF THE BUTTON-CUFFED SLEEVES AND TIE-WRAP AT THE WAIST THAT HELPS SHOW YOUR FIGHE.
Into The “Rich mom” trend? This Classic Fit-And-Flare Shirtdress exudes that “Quiet luxury” vibe, and you don’t need to overdo the accessories to make it look expensive. Avilaable in Nearly 20 Shades in Sizes 4-24 Plus, Note that Sale Prices Vary Slightly by Color and Size.
$ 31 at Amazon
Nordstrom
Made from an ultra-Soft Jersey Blend of Rayon and Spandex, This Slinky Sleeveless Number Mid-Calf, and the Tie-Belted Waist cinches ino an ultra-explattering silhouette. A High Halter-Neckline and Tiered Skirt Complete the Look. Avoidable in two Colors-Black (in Limited Sizes) and Maroon-In Sizes Xs-Xl.
$ 33 at Nordstrom
Amazon
This adorable halter dress features a tiered a-line skirt with a charming, subtle ruffle at the neckline. I Particularly Love That The Style Wraps up to a Bow at the back of your neck, so you can enjoy a little coverage with Sacrificing Style. Most BUYERS REPORT THE LENGTH HITS RIGHT AROUND THE KNEE, MAKING IT THE JUST ABOUT ANY OCCAZION.
Shoppers Rave About How Comfy and Flattering it is, and that it is suitable for many occasions, from the office and weddings to date nights and gradation ceremonies. Grab it in over 20 Colors in Sizes Small Through XXL.
$ 39 at Amazon
Amazon
Sophistic and feminine, this gem is flattering for many body types. I adore the sweet ribbon bow at the neckline and the shirred, Stretchy Bodice that Comfy Enough for All-Day Wear. With sizes ranging from small to xxl, it should be easy to find your ideal fit.
And if you love a print, this is the option for you. This lovely comes in 30+ Gorgeous and Colorful Styles Ranging from Pretty Florals to Classic Polka Dots.
$ 48 at Amazon
More Memorial Day Dress Deals:
Girly, Classic, Minimalist and More – Double Your Summer Dress Options by Taking Advantage of Memorial Day Savings. (Amazon, Anthropologie, Old Navy)
If you have amazon prime, you’ll get free shipping, of Course. Not Yet A Member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial times. (And by the way, those with the premium Still Get Free Shipping on Orders of $ 35 or More.)
Whether You’re Gearing Up for the Gym, Heading Out for a Run or Just Enjoying a Nice Stroll, Havinging A Supportive, Stourdy (and Oh Yeah, Comfortable) Pair of sneakers is a total must in any guy’s wardrobe! Alas, Most in-Demand Brands Can Really Put a Hurting on Your Wallet, Often to the Tune of $ 150 or More. But don’t worry! If you or someone special in your life is on the hunt for a freesh pair of kicks, we’ve found some fantastic deals from some heavy hitters (Think Asics, Brooks and More) at Top Retaillers Like Amazon, Rei, Zappos and Nordstrom.
We’re Talking Customer Faves for As Little As $ 54. That’s right, you can score hoka cliftons for just $ 94, top-rated adidas for 40% off and Crowd-Pleasing Under Armour Options for A MERE $ 59 RIGHT NOW. But you’ll have to act ACT FAST! Certain Colors and Sizes Are Flying off the virtual shelves as we speak (as we are?). SO Step to it, Fellas!
Amazon
Sure, these are Called running shoes, butse’ll handle every? Boasting Plush Cushioning and A Wide, Foot-Stabilizing Platform, have have received an APMA (American Potiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance. Sizes Range from 7 to 15, and Include wide styles. JUST REMEMBER, DISCOUNTS VARY BY SIZE AND COLOR.
“I’ve been wearing brooks for a few years now, and these are the best so far. First, they look great, and second, the cushioning and support make these a great choice for runners and walkers alike,” Raved One Owner. “AS HAVE GOTTEN OLDER (LATE 50S AND YES, I Still Run), a good cushioned shoe is important. Brooks does not disappoint.”
$ 100 at Amazon
Scrape
These shoes are Big, Bouncy and Built for Comfort. The cloudmons is online max-cushion shoe, with a drama sole that helps roll you through waalks or endless shifts on your feet. At the Same Time, they’re Light and Pampering Enough for Recovery Days or Casual Wear You’re Feeling Bold. Think Hoka-like Energy, But Sleeker and Swiss-Engineered. Grab This Sleek Gray Color while at it Its Lowest Price in 30 Days.
“I love these shoes. I WORK 8 HOURS STANDING, AND ITH’S THE ONLY SHEE BRAND O MODE THAT MY DON’T HURT WHEN I GET HOME. I ALREADY HAVE SEVERAL COLORS,” GUSHED ONE FAN.
$ 130 at zappos
Scrape
If you’ve seen a pair of hokas in the Wild, there’s a good chance they were cliftons. These are Among the Brand’s Most Popular Picks, and it is easy to see why. The knit upper is breathable, and the rubber sole provides great traction. They come in regular and gtx (Waterproof) Styles, Standard and Wide Sizes, and A Wide Range of Colors, SO Its Beyond to Land on a Favorite Look (or Two).
“Undoubtedly, the most comfortable shoe I’ve worn. I’m 68, and have tried many brands. HOKA exceeds the All,” Said One Five-Star Reviewer.
$ 94 at zappos
Amazon
Another Big Hit With People Who Routinely Spend Long Days on Their FEET, and it is easy to see why. They’ve got a plush cushioned midsole and a thick textured rubber soles that provides ample traction to prevent you from slipping and sliding on all types of surfaces.
Summed up this shopper: “Feels like clouds on your feet.”
$ 52 at Amazon
Rei
Rei Reviewers Rave About These Road Runners Because they’re Super Lightweight and Comfortable Straight Out of the Box. The Cushiony Foam Insole Offers a smooth ride from heel to toe and the Soft uppers are super breathable, so your feet won’t overheat as you work a sweat. Note: This version of the tempus has been discontinured, so is your last chance to rob them at 30% off.
“I’ve Run Almost 400 Miles in These Shoes. They are Lightweight, Comfortable and Very Durable,” Said One Fitness Fanatic. “I’m a heavy runner (215 pounds during most of the training) and these shoes well Worth the price.”
$ 112 at Rei
Amazon
Over 10,000 Amazon Shoppers are fans of these under arms – and for good reason. Have a shock-absorbing cushioning and a rugged sole to keep your own secure as you pound the pavement. There are 35 Styles to Choose From, and Most are on Sale right now.
“Bought these kids of the high ratings as the best walking shoes for men,” This Buyer Begin. “Went on a three-week trip to Asia and Walked 15-20,000 steps every day. … they are Hands down the best, Most comfortable i’ve ever haad. They are amazing.”
$ 64 at Amazon
Amazon
AS A RULE, ASICS ARE DESIGNED TO BE LIGHTWEEight and Breatable, and their soles have special technology to absorb impact with every step. No Wonder Players and podiatrists are fans.
“These Fast Becoming My Everyday Walk-Around-Town Shoes,” Related This Shopper. “Originally Purchased to Wear on an UpComing Travel Trip, I like the so Much i Ordered Another pair for every day.
$ 72 at Amazon
Nordstrom
These Gender-Neutral New Balance Tennis Shoes are up to 40% off right now in Certain Colors. Great for Hitting the Court or Just Going for a Walk, they have a love profile that keeps say look cool and freesh, and a wide toe-box to your tootsies fuashed.
“Wasn’t Expecting say to be comfortable being a classic shoe, but it is by far the most comfy shoe got. Pleasantly surprised and highly recommend,” Noted One Owner.
$ 65 at Nordstrom
Amazon
We’re bookending this roundup with another pair from brooks. A Great Daily Trainer, these sneaks have ample traction and durability and are versatile enough to wear for gym training too. Swim only will break have ultra-brightweight cushioning, a breathable upper and a system of shock absorbers to prevent Foot Pain, but these ghosts come in a variety of color coombos and widths.
Said One Reviewer: “These shoes have ben fantastic so far-right out of the box, they felt comfortable with no break-in. The cushioning is just right:
$ 110 at Amazon
Run Don’t Walk to Score these Major Sneaker Deals! (Rei, Amazon, Zappos, Nordstrom)
If you have amazon prime, you’ll get free shipping, of Course. Not Yet A Member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial times. (And by the way, those with the premium Still Get Free Shipping on Orders of $ 35 or More.)
The Reviews Quoted Above Reflect the Most Recent Versions at the Time of Publication.
My mom has always had amazing taste, and it is more of the not saying of mySelf borrowing pieces from her closet to wear to weddings and other special events. From her wardrobe to her jewelry and accessories, she knows what she likes and what suits her best, so be i say she’s bought the sun Item than once, I take notice. I recently Spotted Three versions of the Same Dress – Anthropologie’s Somersset Maxi Dress – Hanging in Her Closet, I know it must be something special.
Read More: ‘SO Flattering’: Meet the Anthropologie Dress that an instant compliment magnet
Anthropologist
This-Catching Dress Can Be Styled for Practically Any Occoation. Pair it with the Flat Sandals and a Jean Jacket for the Daytime or Toss on Heels and Some Jewelry for An Evening Out.
$ 168 at Anthropologie
AFT I BORROWED ONE TO WEAR TO DINNER, I SAW WHY MOM LOVES IT SO MUCH. The V-Neck Cotton Dress Features a Soft A-Line Silhouette, A Tiered Skirt, Short Sleeves and A Smocked Waist to Give It Shape. Its machine-washable and fits true to size, and it hass pockets!
Be as asked her why she did a fan of the somersset, my mom raved: “I love all of the fabrics and patterns the drasts in – they’re colorful and unique. That’s what first drew with to the dresses. SOE THOUGH THEY’RE THE SAME’SIGN, TheyerysiTali Different. Also Super Comfortable and Have Pockets.
She Also noted that while the somersset coma in solid Colors, she preferences the All-Over patterns as they help the smocking at the waist blend in instead of the focal point of the dress.
The Somersset Comes in Tons of Patterns, but This Black Floral is My Favorite. Its ALSO Wildly Comfortable and Flattering. (Julia Webb/Yahoo)
Anthropologie has released the in-Demand design in mini, jumpsuit, strapless and romper silhouettes, as well as fabrics like Eyelet, Linen and Denim. Sizing is a cink Becauses Most Iterations of the Somersset Come in Petite and Plus.
My mom isn’t the only fan. Yahoo Shopping Writer Ellie Conley Ouns the somersset in satin (Sadly, it’s no Longer Avilaable). She explained, “I actually boughat my somersset dress after saw another woman wearing it at a press e. Way Home.
My mom ouns the somersset in three vibrant prints – and she looks fabulous in all of me. (Julia Webb/Yahoo)
The Dress has Earned Hundreds of Stellar Customer Reviews too. “I think this is a magic dress,” Said One Gobsmacked Buyer. “THIS DRESS SOMEHOW MADE ME LOOK ABOUT 30 Pounds Thinner. No Kidding. It Hids My Menopause Belly. The Proportions Are Just Right for: The neckline is not too.
“I don’t think the Photos of this dress do it justice, but once i tried it on in store, I fell in love!” Raved Another Shopper. “It”s Flowy and Extremely Flattering. I will be it was a tad bit short, but the length does itelf to being versatile for winter or Summer.
While the dress is on the pricier side (the Cotton maxi is $ 168), if you wear as much as my mom, the cost for wear ends up being incredibly reasonable. If you’ve been searching for that goldilocks-like dress that can be worn to prepy much any event, season after season, give the somersset a shot.
By the way – Anthropologie is currently Having a Memorial Day Sale Where Shoppers can an extra 40% off Sales (here’s what i’m buying). DON’T WAIT TO SHOP!
Anthropologist
While my mom loves the longer version, i’ll confess that i’ve been eyeing this short hem for Weeks. I have a feeling it will be my go-to vacation dress all summer long.
Fisherman Larry Hugo, Right, Was Nearly Rammed by a Chinese Coastguard Ship
At JUST 37 HECTARES, The Philippines-Controlled Island of Pagasa-or “Hope”-Is Barely Big Enough to Live on. There is almost not.
The 300 or so inhabitants live in a cluster of Small, Wooden Houses. They Fish in the Clear, Tururoise Waters, and Grow what vegetables they can in the Sandy Ground.
But they are not alone in these dispropped water: just off shore, to the West, Lies an Armada of Ships.
These are all chinese, from the navy, the coastguard or the so-calared maritime Militia-Large Fishing vessels repurposed to the chinese domination of this sea. Nor Our Plane Approached the Island We Counted at Least 20.
For the past 10 years, china haen been expanding it presence in the south china sea, taching over submerged Coral reefs, building three away Air bases on say, and deploying noto ships, to refinement its claim to almost all of the strategic sea Lanes Run Cities on the chinese coast.
Few of the South East Asian Countries Which Also Claim Islands in the Same Sea Have Dared to Back Against China; Only Vietnam and the Philippins have done so. The militaries of Both Countries are Much Smaller than China, but they are Holding on to a handful of reefs and islands.
Pagasa – Also Known as Thitu and Other Names, as it is claimed by several other counries – is the distance of these.
Chinese Ships Are a Permanent Intimidating Presence to the People of Pagasa
What Makes It Exceptional, Though, Is The Civilian Population, Found on Few Islands in the South China Sea. From the point of view of the philippins this, and the fact that savisa is solid Land, not a partially submerged reef or sandy Cay, Strengthns its Legal Claims in the Area.
“Pagasa is Very Important to us,” Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director-General of the Philippins National Security Council, Tells the BBC.
“It has a runway. It can Support Life – IT HAS A Resident Filipino Community, and Fishermen Living there.
“And gioven the size of the island, one of the Few that did not need Need Reclaiming from the Sea, Under International Law it Generates Its Territorial Sea of 12 Nautical Miles.
“SO it is, in a Way, a Linchpin for the Philippine Presence.”
Reaching Pagasa is a two-to-three-day boat ride from the philippins island of palawan, or a one-hour plane ride, but both at the mercy of frequen stormy weather.
Until they surfaced the Runway Two Years Ago, and Legened it to 1,300m (4,600ft), Only Small Plans Could Land. Now they can bring in Big C130 Transport Aircraft. Traveling in say, as we did, is a bit like riding a bus in rush hour.
Everything has to be Brought from the Mainland, which is why out plane was packed, floor to ceiling, with mattresses, Eggs, Bags of Rice, A Couple of Motorbikes and Pilas of Luggage – Not to Mension of Military Personnel, Most of Whom Had to Stand for the Entre Fluctule.
All supplies have to be brought in from the mainland including motorbikes
A lot has Changed in recent years. There is a new hangar, Big Enough to Shelter Aircraft During Storms. They are budilding a control tower and dredging a small harbour to allow bigger boats to dock. We were driver Around the Island by some of the philippins marines who are stations stations there, though gioven size it hardly seamed necessary
The Philippines seized Pagasa from Taiwan in 1971, wen the Taiwanese Garrison Left It During a Typhoon. It was formally Annexed by the Philippines in 1978.
Later, The Government Started Encourage Civilians to settle there. But they need Support to survive on this remote sliver of Land. Families Get Official Donations of Food, Water and Other Groces Every Month. They now have Electricity and Mobile Phone Connectivity, but that Only came Four Years Ago.
Aside From Government Jobs, Fishing is the Only Vaable Way to Make a Living, and Since the Arrival of the Chinese Flotillas that has be Become Difficult.
Fisherman Larry Hugo Has Lived on the Island for 16 Years, and has chronicle the increasing chinese control of the area. He filmed the initial construction on subi reef, Around 32km (20 miles) from Pagasa, which eventually became a full-size military air base. One of His Videos, Showing His Little Wooden Boat Being Nearly Rammed by A Chinese Coastguard Ship in 2021 Made Him A Minor Celebrity.
The Island of Pagasa is home to some 300 People
But chinese harassment has forced Him to fold in a smaller area closer to home.
“Their Ships Are Huge Compared to Ours. They Threateen us, Coming Close and Sounding their Horns to Away. They Really Scare US. Fill Our tubs like we used to. “
Realyn Limbo has been a teacher on the island for 10 years, and seen the school glow from a small hut to full-size school teaching more than 100 pupils, from Kindergarten to 18 years old.
“To me island is like paradise,” she says. “All out basic needs are taking care of. It is clean and peaceful – the children can play basketball or go swimming after school. We don’t need shopping or all that materialism.”
Pagasa is Really Quiet. In the Fierce Midday Heat We Found Most People Snoozing in Hammocks, or Playing Music on Their Porches. We came Across Melania Alojado, A Village Health Worker, Rocking a Small Baby to Help It Sleep.
“The Biggest Challenge for Us Is Wen People, Especilantly Children, Fall Ill,” She Says.
“If it is serious that we need to evacuate say to the mainland. I am not a registered nurse, so i cannot perform complicated medical task.
“Be that happens we just have to get for say as best we can.”
Pagasa has Both A Sleepy Charm and the Feel of a Garrison Community
But she too values the tranquillity of island Life. “We are free of Many Stressses. We get subsidked Food, and we can Grow some of the Our.
We have saw a few new houses Being Built, but there really isn’t Room for Pagasa to Accommodate Mary More People. With Very Few Jobs, Young People Usually Leave the Island Once They Finish School. For all of it Sleepy Charm, and stunning White-Sand Beaches, it has the Feel of a Garrison Community, Holding the Line Against the Overpowering Chinese which is Clearly visible just offshore.
“The Chinese at the Airbase on Subi Reef Always Challenge US WENE WE APPROach Pagasa,” The Pilot Says. “They always warn us we are entering chinese territory with the permission.”
Will they Ever try to stop you? “No, it is a routine. We tell say this is philippins territory. We will this every time.”
Jonathan Malaya Says His Government Has Made A Formal Diplomatic Protest Every Week to the Chinese Over the Presence of Its Ships in what the Philippins Views as the Territorial Waters of Pagasa. This is in marked contrast to the previous administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, which avoided confrontations with china in the hope of getting more investment in the philippines.
“I Think We Will Get More Respect from China IF WE HOLD OUR GROUND, AND SHOW THEN WE CAN THIS GAME AS WELL. BUT THE PROBLEM OF DEMOCRACIES LIKE THE PHILIPPINES IS CAN CAN with new administrations.
With warmer weather beckoning, many of us are looking to break free from cold, rainy days and spend some time outside. And what better way to embrace the spring and summer than with the best fire pits for 2025, a mix of shiny tables and bowls that will let you get more use out of your patio, deck or beyond … and well into the night?
“Nearly 60% of our designs now include fire pits,” says Allison Messner, co-founder and CEO of Yardzen, a virtual landscape and outdoor design company, of the growing interest in these gadgets. “We also saw a 19% increase in clients requesting outdoor fireplaces in their yards over the last year.”
With increased popularity often comes an influx of options, and fire pits are no exception. Not to fret, because we asked landscapers, campsite directors and chefs — among them a James Beard-nominated barbecue king! — for their glowing recommendations.
These are the fire pits our experts rely on at home and on the road, along with a select group of top-rated gas fire pits, smokeless fire pits, charcoal fire pits and wood-burning fire pits beloved by other outdoor enthusiasts. While you’re at it, consider rounding out your space with one of our favorite grills or pizza ovens. (We’ve also got expert-recommended outdoor heaters for cooler nights and added ambiance.)
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Updated May 14, 2025:We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for best fire pit remains unchanged.
Solo Stove’s low-smoke fire pits have garnered a cult-like following among campers and beachgoers, with the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 among their most popular models. It’s compact, intuitive and versatile (hence why it’s backed by nearly 3,000 Solo Stove site reviews).
Just take it from Carolin Fuller, director of partnerships at Campspot, an online camping resource and directory.: “My husband and I enjoy camping and exploring the wilderness in spots off the beaten path, so the size and portability of a fire pit are important to us,” she said. “The Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is small enough to fit among the rest of our gear but big enough to throw off plenty of heat during cold nights in camp. It comes in a convenient carrying case, the removable ash pan makes for easy cleanups, and the smokeless design means we don’t have to play musical chairs to avoid stinging eyes.”
Fuller noted that many of her Campspot colleagues — and fellow nature lovers — appreciate all the accessories, like “a removable shield to minimize flying embers and a cast iron cooktop that turns your fire pit into a portable griddle — perfect for morning eggs and bacon!”
For larger spaces and groups (of 4 to 6), the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is also among expert- and editor-recommended steel fire pit picks. Don’t forget the Solo Stove fire poker for (safely) maneuvering those wood logs and sticks!
Dimensions: 22″D x 22″W x 14.75″H | Weight: 47 lbs | Fuel type: Wood
If you’re willing to splurge, the Breeo is another quality fire pit for those who want to recreate the campfire experience without the need for goggles or excessive cleanup (after all, less smoke equals more fun!). Available in rustic corten steel or sleek stainless, the X Series 19, in particular, is a whiz at filtering out extreme smoke and smells. Bonus: The pit is compatible with Breeo’s Outpost Grill and SearPlate Griddle (basically grill grates) for cooking up a hearty meal.
“The Breeo creates a smokeless fire, so you get all the benefits of a fire pit without the burning-eye sensation as you watch your marshmallow perfectly roast,” said Michael Scheinman, CEO of Campspot. “And the fire pit is not only beautiful but durable. I like how the thick walls guard it from excess wind and weather. My only word of caution is you will want all of the accessories, which will turn you into a grillmaster as well!”
Dimensions: 24.75″D x 24.75″W x 18.75″H | Weight: 43 lbs | Fuel type: Wood
This modern-looking fire Tiki fire pit is among Amazon’s Choice (meaning it’s well priced, ready to ship and comes highly recommended, in this case with over 2,000 perfect reviews). The medium size is versatile; the black-coated steel frame stylish and durable. Even more, the Tiki Fire Pit comes with a stand and weather-resistant cover, along with an instant wood-light pack and removable ash pan for cleaning up ashes from kindling with ease.
“Great quality,” wrote one reviewer. “We assembled this fire pit in no time and used it as soon as we received it. We compared it with a competitive brand, and I am so glad I chose this one instead of the other. It is smokeless as stated. It is attractive and puts out the heat. The starter packs are great too. I highly recommend Tiki! My son is considering getting one now that he has seen ours. Good buy, highly satisfied!”
“Better than expected,” affirmed another. “I was a little hesitant at first to get this since I had not seen it in real life. I’m really impressed. The build quality is good, and the fire is really nice. The wood packs make it really easy to start. I would definitely buy it again. I would recommend getting the grate and the tabletop if you have the means.”
Dimensions: 38″W x 38″D x 14″H | Fuel type: Propane
For larger spaces, Messner likes this luxurious fire bowl from Retreat, which brings natural beauty to the backyard and is built to endure. The fire bowl is constructed of weather-, UV- and rust-resistant concrete with a steel inner frame and promises rich, even flames for up to 22 hours (a bed of lava rocks adds to the allure, while a polyester cover offers protection when not in use).
“Its curved silhouette is made from glass-reinforced concrete, making it a durable, weather-resistant option. While gas fire pits don’t usually give off as much heat as wood-burning styles, this model includes eight jets to produce ample flames that will keep your guests or family warm,” said Messner, who noted the Retreat Outdoor Propane Fire Bowl is the third most popular pick among Yardzen’s design clients.
Dimensions: 32″D x 32″W x 25″H | Weight: 27 lbs | Fuel type: Wood
If you’re seeking a rustic fire pit for grilling up some grub, this top-rated model from Bali Outdoors could be your meal ticket. Close to 4,000 outdoor enthusiasts recommend the unit for its sturdy, food-friendly design — composed of FDA-compliant alloy steel — and generous size. It features an adjustable, removable grate for firing up meats and veggies on the fly.
“ …. Fantastic, very adjustable, sturdy cooking rack. Up, down, side to side, easily removed. Fire-cooked food tastes better. Pit itself has a wire rack holding burning wood off the bottom …. ” wrote one reviewer.
“This was fairly easy to assemble and it gives off great heat … enough to keep 6-7 of us warm with one bundle of wood from the grocery store. I love the additional burner for grilling. We’ve cooked corn, burgers and steak on this thing, and so far, so good,” confirmed another five-star fan.
Dimensions: 8.25”H x 25.75”L x 15.25”W | Fuel type: Propane
The three-in-one Coleman 1900 is backed by a near-perfect rating for its durability (cast-iron grates), portability (complete with handle), power (24,000 BTUs) and precision (two adjustable burners allow for added heat control). A removable cast-iron pan and aluminized steel cooktop also make for easy cleaning. While “less of a fire pit and more of a cooktop,” Kirby Farmer, a lauded graduate of the Culinary Institute and executive chef at The Gem, a smokehouse and bar located in Bolton Landing, N.Y., refers to the Coleman 1900 as “a tried-and-true classic.”
“I’ve used this model since back in the day, when I was a camp counselor and would lead multi-day culinary excursions in the mountains of North Carolina, outward-bound style,” he said. “I’ve also used it to cook up meats on the deck outside at the bakehouse at the Gem.”
Dimensions: 30”D x 72”W x 70”H | Weight: 75-lb basin | Fuel type: Wood
While it’s on the pricier end, experts consider Cowboy Cauldron Co’s selection of handcrafted, steel-suspension fire basins a worthy investment. Or, as Rick Mace (aka “BBQ King”), a camping enthusiast, James Beard-nominated chef and co-owner of the Tropical Smokehouse restaurant located in West Palm Beach, Fla., likes to put it, “a buy once, cry once purchase.”
“The Urban Cowboy Cauldron is constructed of thick plate steel that can hold up to many years of backyard fire tending,” said Mace. “Its design is smart and simple, with a heavy, round kettle suspended from a sturdy tripod that elevates the fire, making it more visible and less threatening to the grass. Accessories can turn this into a formidable live-fire cooking setup (that customers can enjoy) in addition to its fireside ambiance.”
Dimensions: 49″H x 17″W x 17″L | Weight: 35 lbs | Fuel type: Wood
If you’re in the market for something outside the box (ahem, bowl), look no further than this geometric wood-burning chiminea from Terrain. It adds a layer of height and interest to any landscape, and its heat-resistant, pre-oxidized alloy steel develops a cool rustlike finish when exposed to the elements. “A timeless choice,” according to Messner. “It gives you more of a fireplace vibe. Its patina … adds instant charm.”
She noted the sleek, narrow profile allows for use “in smaller spaces where you might not have room for a fire pit surrounded by a large circle of chairs.” And, according to Yardzen’s design director and licensed landscape architect, Kevin Lenhart, the chiminea has remained the top fire pit alternative for the company’s design clients over the past year.
Dimensions: 28″D x 28″W x 25″H | Weight: 57 lbs | Fuel type: Propane
When it comes to fire pit tables, more than 3,500 Amazon reviewers stand by this propane-fueled option from Ciays, which is perfect for smaller patios and cooler nights (it reaches 50,000 BTU for ample heat output). Lava rocks lend to the ambiance, while an external knob allows for added control. Out of propane or not in the mood to flame? Secure the lid to create a stylish table for serving or resting drinks and snacks. A “nice product for the money,” according to this verified buyer. “Simple to set up. The flame is adequate in size on low. Nice to have on the patio or deck. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for a smokeless option. Propane is the way to go if you’re in the city.”
“Ordered this fire pit because it was an Amazon top pick, and I haven’t been disappointed with my choice,” wrote another. “Directions were very easy to follow, and the parts were well labeled. The unit is very sturdy and there’s some weight to it so it will stay secure …. “
Dimensions: 12”H x 39.9”W x 39.9”D | Weight: 83 lbs | Fuel type: Propane (not included)
For a more robust option, Messner recommends this top-rated fire pit table from Joss and Main, crafted of lightweight, weather-resistant concrete with an output of 50,000 BTU for keeping larger areas and groups cozy. It boasts an adjustable flame and comes fully assembled for easy setup (cover included; choose from light or dark gray). “If you’re all about simplicity and want a warm fire at the flip of a switch (or the light of a match), I’d recommend going with a gas fire pit,” advised Messner. “The push-button ignition makes this one easy to turn on, and it comes preassembled for an easy setup. The boxy silhouette works especially well in contemporary designs.”
Messner’s clients love it too: “This model is Yardzen’s most requested option among fire pits with an attached propane tank (and the second most used fire pit in Yardzen designs overall). It has a 60-inch fuel hose, providing multiple ways to orient or hide the tank and cover nearby.”
Dimensions: 5.1”D x 6.8”H | Weight: 1.4 lbs | Fuel type: Wood pellets or fuel
Turn any table into a fire pit table with the innovative Solo Stove Mesa, endorsed by over 12,000 site reviews for its signature 360-degree (smokeless!) airflow and compact stainless steel and ceramic design (available in six shades/patterns).
Scott Fischer, president and CEO of Happy to Meat You, a provisional meat company and online store delivery service, owns this version and refers to it as “a little ball of contained fire.” “I use the Solo Stove Mesa for atmosphere and heat on my condo balcony,” he said. “It’s small enough to sit on an outdoor patio table — even a two-seater bistro table — and robust enough to emit a warm flame on cool summer nights, and cold winter nights as well.”
Being a chef and former catering owner, Scott notes that he looks for versatile products that fit into various aspects of his life. “My wife and I take the Mesa with us when we roadtrip to see our daughter and grandchild in Colorado. Camping is a must with our grandchildren, who love using the Mesa to make s’mores (with supervision, of course).” And, as other experts here have pointed out, you don’t want to sleep on Solo Stove’s accessories, “from chunk wood and fire starters to color packs that add a vibrant multicolor flame experience — really cool!”
Dimensions: 13”W x 27”L x 15.8”H | Weight: 19.8 lbs | Fuel type: Wood or charcoal
Last but not least, this pop-up pit from BioLite comes recommended by adventure seekers and barbecuers (including the Barbecue Lab) for allowing its users to fire up — and, thanks to a compatible griddle, grill — in a flash. A rechargeable battery pack fans your fire for up to 30 hours, while patented airflow technology works to minimize smoke and bluetooth integration enables you to control the flames from the palm of your hand. The intuitive, dual-fuel design also boasts foldable legs for easy carrying — just click and go!
A savvy purchase, according to this satisfied customer: “I love my BioLite fire pit and grill. It is exactly what they claim, a great camping tool. I love the fan for the fire. It keeps the smoke down and the heat up.” Added another, “Smokeless and efficient …. With its app-controlled airflow system, rechargeable battery and sustainable materials, the (BioLite) is a well-designed and reliable option for outdoor enthusiasts who want a hassle-free fire experience.”
Intended usage: The first step in evaluating a fire pit when looking to make a purchase is to put some real thought into where and how you’ll actually use it: “Wood-burning fire pits are ideal for traditional fires, fire pit tables usually allow room for drinks when entertaining, and gas-powered fire pits offer convenience,” notes Messner. “If you plan to move your fire pit around or take it on camping trips, you may benefit from a portable and lightweight option.”
Preferred fuel type and taste: “Wood-burning fire pits provide an authentic campfire experience but require a steady supply of firewood and tend to produce more smoke (meaning more cleanup). Gas fire pits offer cleaner and smokeless options but lend a different look and feel,” noted Messner. “Fire pits also come in a wide range of designs — from rustic fire bowls to sophisticated fire tables — so consider how it will complement your existing furniture or overall backyard aesthetic.”
Safety and space: Messner advises looking for “sturdy construction, a stable base, a spark screen or lid to contain embers (if burning wood) and safety shut-off valves (for gas-powered pits) to help prevent accidents.” You should also avoid discarding any foreign materials into the flame and ensure the fire pit is properly secured and guarded when not in use. “Additionally, you’ll need ample room around and above the fire pit for air to flow, along with a solid, heat-resistant surface such as gravel or concrete below.”
We put a lot of elbow grease into this guide, culling through thousands of reviews — on brand sites, Amazon.com and other retailer forums — to see feedback from real customers. We prioritized verified shoppers who used their hard-earned cash to make the investment (meaning they’d have high standards) and have owned their fire pits for at least a season, in many cases having put their fire pits through the ringer over the course of several years.
Then we talked to the experts, including outdoor landscape designers and campsite directors who’ve had access to a range of fire pit models and experience using fire pits for personal recreation; their knowledge relied upon by clients and communities nationwide. We also spoke to renowned chefs who regularly use fire pits for camping and especially grilling, including pit masters and barbecue pros. Lastly, we consulted Yahoo’s own shopping editors and writers, who tested and vetted many of the items in this list.
The National Association of Realtors recommends traditional fire pits be placed at least 10 feet away from your house, shed, deck and any vehicles, and you should also steer clear of low-hanging branches and other potentially flammable landscaping elements. In some cases, local laws mandate a distance of 25 feet, so check your local guidelines. We suggest opting for more compact, tabletop fire pits (such as the Solo Mesa) for smaller spaces, and consulting local authorities to better understand any specific laws that might be enforced in your area. You’ll also want to heed caution when manning and enjoying the fire pit once it’s in place, ideally sitting at least a few feet away from any open flames and being extra diligent when children are in the vicinity.
Does a backyard fire pit add value to a home?
A fire pit can be an investment — especially when you get into the multi-hundred or even thousand-dollar range — but a worthwhile one at that, as some landscape experts suggest a quality fire pit enhanced by a well-designed landscape can increase the value of your home. It’s easy to see how adding valuable structures and beautiful architecture to a property could render it more appealing to potential buyers. But, just as with installing a pool or planting trees, this is an instance where the beauty (or at least the practicality) is in the eye of the beholder.
Do fire pits attract bugs?
Our research suggests that, at least for some customers, there’s some concern around fire pits drawing bugs, mostly attracted by firewood (of interest to termites, carpenter ants and other wood-destroying insects) and, in the case of fire pits with grilling elements, fragrant foods. Outdoor pests typically come with the outdoor territory (after all, nature is their home too), but there are several things you can do. Opt for a wood-burning fire pit with a mesh covering for added protection, invest in some pest-repelling citronella candles, ultrasonics or bracelets, and be sure to put firewood and food away — in a contained space — when you’re through.