Note on Emerging Science: Orcas Wear Salmon as Hats

Science and Health

Orcas have been observed wearing dead salmon on their heads, and researchers posit that behavior may be linked to an abundant salmon season. Pictured above an orca playing in South Puget Sound, Washington. (Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Wise, MML-18)
Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have again been observed carrying dead salmon on their heads. Living on Earth’s Kayla Bradley explains what scientists think this unique behavior may indicate about orcas’ diet, health, and culture.

Note on Emerging Science: Orcas Wear Salmon as Hats

Science and Health

Orcas have been observed wearing dead salmon on their heads, and researchers posit that behavior may be linked to an abundant salmon season. Pictured above an orca playing in South Puget Sound, Washington. (Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Wise, MML-18)
Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have again been observed carrying dead salmon on their heads. Living on Earth’s Kayla Bradley explains what scientists think this unique behavior may indicate about orcas’ diet, health, and culture.

‘404’ Netflix Ending Explained & Film Summary: Did Nakrob Get Rid Of Lalita’s Ghost?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

The Netflix horror-comedy, 404 (404 Run Run), makes you aware in the first 15 minutes what kind of film it’s going to be, and I must say that it does live up to the promise. Beneath all the humor and jump scares, the film tells us what happens when we are not able to let go of that one aspect of our life that no longer serves us. That said, let’s recap the events and find out what happened at the end.

Spoiler Alert

Why Did Nakrob Buy The Sukhee Nirun Hotel? 

Nakrob was a house flipper, which in layman’s terms meant that he bought dilapidated properties, renovated them and scammed other people by selling them at a price that was much higher than the market rate. Nakrob had a team who helped him scam the customers. There was Suakrong, who considered Nakrob to be his brother, and then there was Nammon and his father, who also loved and supported Nakrob. So whenever a customer arrived to check out the property, Nakrob tried to give them the impression that the property was in high demand, and he made sure that the structure flaws stayed hidden. Lalyn Prachahjarus, aka Lyn, had told Nakrob that if he wanted to marry her, then he would have to stop all his illegitimate activities and do something productive with his life. Nakrob had asked Lyn to give him some time to pore over his potential, but instead of utilizing that time wisely, Nakrob kept doing the same thing and got himself stuck in a mess. Nakrob had taken a huge amount of money from a local goon, and when he was unable to repay his debt, the goon broke into his office and created a scene. Lyn was very disappointed when she got to know about what her fiancé was up to. She believed that he was a changed man, but he had been lying to her all that while. After Nakrob’s life fell apart, he decided that the only way he could make up for the losses was by playing a really big hand. He saw a property online that was for sale, and he decided to buy it since it was very cheaply priced considering the structure. Nakrob knew that if the real estate agent was selling it at such a cheap rate, then there were some issues with the property. But he also trusted his own abilities, and he knew that he would be able to flip the property and scam somebody to earn a huge profit.

What Did Nakrob Find Out About The Ghost? 

Nakrob and his team reached Takua Pa Phang Nga, and with the help of a few locals, found the property. Back in the day, the place used to be known as the Nirun Hotel, and it was probably the best one in the entire region. But after the original owners died, the place could never do business as it used to in its glory days. After the workers refused to work at the site, Nakrob met a woman named Jie-pen, who ran a karaoke-bar in town, and that’s when he got an idea about what had actually happened. The hotel was haunted, and the original owners, Lalita and her husband, Ong-ard, had met their fateful end in room 404. Jie-pen gave them the gist, but she also didn’t know the nitty-gritties of the incident. Nakrob’s intuition told him that he should just let go of the place and not waste his time there, but his stubbornness didn’t let him do that. From doctors to exorcists to monks, Nakrob and his team called whoever they could to get rid of the ghost of Lalita, but most of them ended up dead. Lalita killed whoever came in her way, and she told Nakrob that she was not going to leave the place, as it was her home. 

Meanwhile, Lyn got worried about Nakrob, and so she came to check up on him. Lyn felt deeply hurt and dispositioned to find out that even after everything that had transpired in the past, Nakrob was still on the same path. Lyn was just sick and tired of waiting for him to get his life back on track. Lyn confronted Nakrob, and obviously that conversation didn’t go down well as the ghost possessed Lyn and attacked her fiance. Nakrob lost his cool after Lyn left, and he decided to go for the kill and teach the ghost of Lalita a lesson. When Nakrob and his team finally came face to face with Lalita in the accursed room 404, they got to know what had happened in the past, because of which Lalita’s soul lingered there. Lalita’s parents had been against her getting married to Ong-ard, but she loved him, and she decided to go against her parents’ wishes, which told us the amount of trust she had in him. It was Lalita who arranged money for her husband to start his passion project, i.e., open a luxury hotel. The business was running well, when Ong-ard fell in love with an employee who worked at the hotel, and he decided to part ways with his wife. Lalita couldn’t imagine living her life without her husband, as he was the only family she had. Lalita got enraged during the confrontation, and accidentally, she ended up slitting her husband’s throat. She then used the same knife to stab herself, as she had nothing to look forward to in her life after that. Before taking her last breath, Lalita used her blood to write on the hotel wall thereby cursing the whole structure. So basically, for years, Lalita’s spirit had held Ong-ard’s spirit captive in the same room where they used to live, i.e., 404. Nakrob and his team realized that if they needed to get rid of Lalita, then they would need to stab her husband in his heart, because symbolically she had given her heart to him.

How Did Nakrob Get Rid Of The Ghost?

Nakrob was the kind of person who could go to any extreme length to get what he wanted. But that one time, he decided to not look out for his own interests, but to look at the larger picture. Lalita’s story made Nakrob realize certain things about his own life, because of which he decided to not only let her be but also change his line of business. Nakrob had lied to Lyn time and again, and he’d made her wait for a long period of time. There was no problem in Lyn waiting had Nakrob honestly worked towards his dream and lived up to the promises he made. But Nakrob kept scamming people even when he knew that that was not the kind of life that Lyn wanted. Even if Nakrob had been able to earn loads of money, Lyn wouldn’t have appreciated it. Lyn loved him, and so it was impossible for her to take the decision of leaving him even when she knew that he was not good for her. Nakrob realized that the onus of letting Lyn go lay with him. So before leaving town, Nakrob gave a call to Lyn, and this time he spoke the truth. He told her that she needed to leave him because he couldn’t be the kind of man he promised her he’d be. Lyn still loved him, but she knew that she needed to move on in her life. Nakrob went and had a chat with the ghost, i.e., Lalita, too, and he requested her to let her husband go if she really craved redemption. Although Lalita decided to let her husband leave, she decided to stay back at the hotel. Lalita knew that nobody would be able to sell the property, and so she made it open for all the ghosts who traveled through the town and needed a place to stay. Lalita hosted all sorts of ghosts, and finally, she was able to be happy. 

Nakrob, I believe, will stop scamming people in the future, and he will find some work where he could prove his worth. Had it been a fairytale, I would have said that maybe Nakrob and Lyn would get back together, but I don’t think that is going to happen. But, yes, what I do believe is that by making the correct decision, Nakrob made sure to get rid of his baggage and gave himself a chance to actually do something meaningful in his life. And it seems like destiny favored our hero by giving him a winning lottery ticket in 404’s ending. Maybe it was something he truly deserved for helping Lalita to make peace with her traumatic past and leave the human world so her soul could rest in peace forever.

Related

What’s in a name, book collector asks

Arts & Culture, Books

A Queenstowner has stumbled on a magical discovery.

Jim Davies, a longtime local who is originally from the United Kingdom, recently realised his collection of Harry Potter books held extraordinary value.Mr Davies purchased the set of all seven books from a friend in the UK who was a “collector of all sorts of things”.

“She bought the set of books as she was told they would be valuable one day,” Mr Davies said.

She’d already offered the set to a local bookshop — the owner, Mr Davies said, declined and said they were worth “nothing”.

“My friend was going to throw them out, so I said to her I’d purchase the books for $200.”

All seven were originally bought directly from publishing house Bloomsbury, and, to this day, have not been read.

While first-print Harry Potter books have become increasingly high in value, due to their rarity and demand from fans, one book in Mr Davies’ collection is particularly special.

His copy of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — the third novel in the series, published in 1999 — contains a rare printing error. In the copyright page, the author’s name is printed as “Joanne Rowling”.

When first printed, Bloomsbury made the call to swap “Joanne” for “J.K.”, thinking if the author was known to be a woman, young boys may be less inclined to pick the book up.

Just 2500 copies of the book were printed before the error was spotted.

As to the value of the printing error, one copy recently sold in Auckland through Webb’s Auction House for over $5000, while there is one in the UK for sale at present, via Bayliss Rare Books, for $18,606.

Mr Davies, who has kept the books in perfect condition, said he planned to sell the full set on Trade Me, but was not yet sure what he would ask for them.

Cruise passenger attacks another traveler for dancing barefoot in ship cocktail lounge, F.B.I. says

Travel

The C.E.O. of a California-based insurance company was arrested by the F.B.I. after attacking another passenger while onboard a Virgin Voyages cruise to the Caribbean. According to a criminal complaint, Kenneth D. DeGiorgio allegedly tried to choke another guest on March 31 while sailing aboard Resilient Lady. The cruise ship was about 70 nautical miles west of Fort-de-France, Martinique.The altercation began when DeGiorgio’s wife requested that the other passenger put on shoes while dancing at On the Rocks, one of the cruise ship’s bars. “Look, we are all grown-ups here. Can you put your shoes on?” she asked. In response, the man made a crude remark and gave her the middle finger. Security footage corroborated the incident, showing DeGiorgio with his hands wrapped around the unidentified passenger’s neck, as well as the victim flipping off his wife. The victim also claimed DeGiorgio threatened to kill him. “While on the dancefloor, VICTIM stumbles under the physical control of DeGiorgio…VICTIM stated that the unknown male used a lot of force and felt as if his throat was going to be ripped out,” the complaint reads.Consequently, the ship’s captain ordered DeGiorgio confined to his stateroom until the ship reached San Juan, Puerto Rico, the following day. Once in Puerto Rico, he refused to answer the F.B.I. agents’ questions and requested a lawyer. Read more: I’ve been on 15 cruises, but my first Virgin Voyage was different from any other. Here are 12 things that surprised me
DeGiorgio is the CEO of First American Financial Corporation, a U.S. title insurance company that reported more than $6 billion in revenue in 2024. He’s been with the company since 2010, serving as Executive Vice President for 11 years before becoming President in 2021 and C.E.O. in Feb. 2022. He and his wife were traveling on a 10-night cruise to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, calling at Tortola, BVI; St Johns, Antigua; Basseterre, St Kitts; Fort-de-France, Martinique; Castries, St Lucia;  Bridgetown, Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The complaint reveals the couple was staying in cabin 15339A, a Massive Suite part of the ship’s exclusive Mega Rockstar Quarters. Measuring over 2,100 square feet, it’s the largest stateroom onboard Resilient Lady and features a private hot tub, personal music room, and curated in-room bar. According to Virgin’s website, a Massive Suite on a 7-night cruise in March 2026 costs over $20,000.
“Violent crimes committed aboard cruise ships fall under federal jurisdiction, and we take them very seriously…If you break the law at sea, expect to face consequences on land,” Devin J. Kowalski said in a statement, reported The New York Times. Kowalski is the acting special agent of the F.B.I.’s field office in San Juan.Mr. DeGiorgio’s legal team provided a brief statement to The New York Times on Thursday, pushing back on allegations that he had been the aggressor:”Mr. DeGiorgio responded to the actions of an individual who harassed his wife, making her feel threatened and intimidated. Although charged with a simple misdemeanor, Mr. DeGiorgio looks forward to being absolved of any wrongdoing.”
He’s been released by the authorities but faces up to one year in prison if convicted of Assault Within Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States. Read more: 10 things I loved and hated about my first Virgin Voyages cruise

Friday, April 4 – These 9 New Horror Movies Released This Week

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Are you in the mood for another Popeye horror movie? How about the latest release from A24? A slasher from Finn Wolfhard? A genre movie starring Pedro Pascal?! This week has it all.
Here’s all the new horror that released March 31– April 4, 2025!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.

The latest horror movie to put a gory twist on beloved pop culture icon Popeye is Shiver Me Timbers, and director Paul Mann’s bloody slasher is now available on digital at home.
Blending classic slasher thrills with off-the-wall comedy, Shiver Me Timbers pays homage to 1980s horror classics while bringing Popeye into “his most terrifying adventure yet.”
Here’s the synopsis: “In Northern California during the summer of 1986, Olive Oyl, along with her cinema- obsessed friends and brother Castor, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime camping trip to witness the dazzling meteor shower accompanying the arrival of Halley’s comet. But what starts as a serene evening of stargazing quickly turns into a harrowing nightmare when a meteor from the comet transforms Popeye, into a terrifying and unstoppable killing machine.”
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The once-in-a-lifetime experience of Opus is now available from the comfort of home, as A24 has released the film on Premium VOD for rent ($19.99) or purchase ($24.99).
The satirical film marks the feature debut of writer-director Mark Anthony Green.
Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich star with Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Young Mazino, Stephanie Suganami, Tatanka Means, and Tony Hale.
A young writer (Edebri) is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star (Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the middle of his twisted plan.
Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “Opus is at its best when it’s a campy satire of pop culture, led by two powerhouse performances, but it utterly fails as a genre exercise.”
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Director Steven LaMorte’s (The Mean One) new horror movie Screamboat embarked on its theatrical release beginning this past Wednesday from Iconic Events Releasing.
David Howard Thornton stars as Steamboat Willie in Screamboat, a twisted version of the black-and-white Mickey Mouse that was introduced in Disney’s animated short in 1928.
In the film, “Be our guest on a NYC ferry ride that turns into a hilarious nightmare when a mischievous mouse named Steamboat Willie becomes a monstrous reality. As passengers set sail, their trip turns deadly when the tiny terror unleashes murder and mayhem.”
From the producers of Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3, Screamboat is written and directed by Steven LaMorte (The Mean One). Quantum Creation FX, Inc. (The Last Voyage of the Demeter) created the creature from designs by concept artist Christian Cordella (Spider-Man: No Way Home).
The cast includes Allison Pittel (Stream), Amy Schumacher (The Mean One), Jesse Posey (Selena), Jesse Kove (Cobra Kai), Kailey Hyman (Terrifier 2), Rumi C Jean-Louis (Hightown), Jarlath Conroy (George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead), and Charles Edwin Powell (The Exorcist III), with cameos from Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Brian Quinn (Impractical Jokers), and stand-up comedian Joe DeRosa (Better Call Saul).
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Horror comedy Hell of a Summer is now playing in theaters from NEON. “Stranger Things” star Finn Wolfhard is the co-writer, co-director and star of the throwback slasher.
Hell of a Summer follows 24-year-old camp counselor Jason Hochberg (Fred Hechinger), who arrives at Camp Pineway thinking his biggest problem is that he feels out of touch with his teenage co-workers. What he doesn’t know is that a masked killer is lurking on the campgrounds, brutally picking counselors off one by one.
Finn Wolfhard wrote and directed the slasher movie alongside Billy Bryk (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), with both actors also starring in the film. The cast also includes Fred Hechinger (Fear Street 1994), as well as D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (“Reservation Dogs”), Abby Quinn (“Mad About You”), and Pardis Saremi (“Career Opportunities in Murder and Mayhem”).
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If you look for her, she will find you. 825 Forest Road marks Hell House LLC director Stephen Cognetti’s first feature outside the franchise, and it’s now streaming on Shudder.
After a family tragedy, Chuck Wilson hopes to start a new life in Ashland Falls with his wife Maria and little sister Isabelle, but he quickly discovers that the town has a dark secret. The ghost of Helen Foster has terrorized residents since her own suicide back in the ‘40s.
Finding Helen’s old home is key to ending the hauntings, but the address they have doesn’t match any of the town’s existing streets. When Chuck realizes his family might be in danger of Helen’s wrath, he takes it upon himself to locate 825 Forest Road before it’s too late.
Elizabeth Vermilyea, Joe Falcone, Kathryn Miller, Lorenzo Beronilla, Darin F. Earl II, and Leyah Rose star in 825 Forest Road. Watch the official trailer down below.
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The cure is way worse than the disease in Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse. The Mexican coming-of-age post-apocalyptic zombie film opened in select theaters today.
From the executive producers of Huesera: The Bone Woman, Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse is written and directed by Isaac Ezban (The Similars, Parallel).
In a dystopian future ravaged by a viral apocalypse, three young brothers find themselves isolated in a remote cabin deep. As they navigate this desolate world, they harbor a dark and disturbing secret in their basement—a presence they must feed to ensure their own survival.
Farid Escalante Correa, Leonardo Cervantes, and Mateo Ortega Casillas star with Norma Flores, Horacio F. Lazo, Carla Adell, Juan Carlos Remolina (“Who Killed Sara?”), and Noé Hernández (“Narcos: Mexico”).
Meagan Navarro wrote in her review out of Fantasia, “This coming-of-age horror fantasy gets bleak, as dystopian tales tend to, with Ezban plunging three young boys into gruesome, harrowing scenarios. But it’s offset with bursts of levity, whimsy, and a sense of impressive style that sets this post-apocalyptic story apart, even when familiar hallmarks creep in.”
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The Monkey was unleashed on Premium Digital at home beginning today – rent it for $19.99 or buy it for $24.99 – before hitting 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on June 24 via Neon.
Based on the Stephen King short story from 1985’s Skeleton Crew, the gory horror-comedy is written and directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) and produced by James Wan.
In box office hit The Monkey, “When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. 25 years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.”
Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy star.
Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “With brisk storytelling efficiency and a playful spirit, The Monkey delivers a Stephen King adaptation like no other. Perkins pushes back against logic in favor of entertaining midnight madness, and death has never been funnier or gorier as a result.”
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Gazer, a dark neo-noir thriller in the vein of Memento from director Ryan J. Sloan, was released in select theaters by Metrograph Pictures today. Be sure to check your local listings. 
The thriller follows “a young mother (co-writer Ariella Mastroianni) who, due to a unique condition that progressively affects her perception of time, is trying to save money for her daughter’s future before it’s too late. She takes a risky job from a mysterious woman with a dark past, which leads her to become entangled in a tense web of revenge, deceit, and murder.”
Marcia Debonis, Renee Gagner, Jack Alberts, and Tommy Kang co-star.
Sloan and Mastroianni produced the shot-on-16mm feature. From the press release, “The film was shot on a shoestring budget over weekends in the spring and fall for two years while Sloan worked as an electrician and Mastroianni in film programming in New York.”
Gazer is also described as “a fresh perspective on the legendary paranoia thrillers of the 70s and 80s, but also a masterful tribute to, and bold reinvention of, the work of many great cinema artists over several generations.”
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Writer/Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck interconnect four energetic, frequently bloody stories in infectious genre-hopping anthology Freaky Tales, now playing in theaters.
In the anthology, “Set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters — an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector — on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles.”
Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Ji-young Yoo, Angus Cloud, and Tom Hanks star in Freaky Tales.
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Foreign allies warn travelers: U.S. no longer a safe bet

Travel

Traveling to the United States now comes with more fine print.

Amid the Trump administration’s recent wave of deportations targeting criminal illegal immigrants and pro-Hamas protesters, a slew of updated travel advisories from U.S. allies now warn of new risks to visitors.

Germany’s foreign office cautions that “neither a valid [Electronic System for Travel] authorization nor a valid U.S. visa constitutes a right to entry into the USA” and that “even a slight overstay of their visa … can lead to arrest, detention and deportation.”

Three German nationals were recently detained, according to several reports, including a legal U.S. resident now held at Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island.

The United Kingdom, too, updated its guidance to say: “You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.” The shift followed the detention of 28-year-old Welsh tourist Becky Burke, who was detained after a visa mix-up at the Canadian border.

Canada also revised its guidance, warning: “Foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States government” or face “penalties, fines and misdemeanor prosecution.”

And New Zealand’s travel site now urges citizens to “exercise increased caution” in the U.S. because of “the threat of terrorism” and it notes elevated levels of violent crime.

The Trump administration’s January executive order on biological sex also has spurred travel advisory changes. Under the new rule, anyone applying for a visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization must mark the box for the sex they were assigned at birth — with no exceptions.

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In response, Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Portugal are urging LGBT citizens to consult their local U.S. embassies for more information on how to approach travel in the U.S.

The Trump administration has defended the travel policy as a return to biological clarity in federal documentation. Officials argue the move ensures consistency across agencies and prevents ideologically driven confusion within immigration and identification systems.

“There are only two sexes — male and female,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “President Trump promised the American people a revolution of common sense, and that includes making sure that the policy of the U.S. government agrees with simple biological reality.”

8 realistic ways to start a business with zero money in 2025

Business News

Ever feel like the idea of launching your own business is impossible when your bank balance is practically mocking you?
In 2025, that’s not the barrier it used to be.
The digital world has opened up countless avenues for those of us running on ambition rather than money.
All you really need these days is reliable internet and a willingness to put in the work. Forget the notion that you have to court investors or stockpile product in your garage.
Below are 8 tried-and-true methods for starting a zero-cost business that can actually go somewhere, provided you stay focused.
If you’re serious, you can dive in today without writing a single check for inventory or office space.
1. Tap into free AI tools for content creation
We’re smack in the middle of an AI revolution, so why not ride the wave?
Whether you’re planning to freelance, do affiliate marketing, or even create a course, tools like ChatGPT can help generate outlines, social media copy, or basic research.
You don’t have to be a tech wizard — just feed in prompts and refine the results.
Some folks worry about originality, but here’s the trick: treat AI outputs as a starting point, then add your personal flair.
This can streamline your workload, freeing you up to handle tasks that AI can’t, like forging relationships or brainstorming a big-picture strategy.
The best part?
Most AI tools have a free tier, so you’re not bleeding cash on monthly subscriptions.
2. Turn local needs into offline gigs (promoted online)
Not all zero-cost ventures need to be fully digital.
Sometimes the fastest path to profits is catering to neighbors who just need stuff done.
This could be dog-walking, errand-running, light handyman work, or personal organization.
Use local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or even a quick Instagram post to advertise. Stick to tasks you’re confident handling — like assembling furniture or yard cleanup.
Trending around the web:

You set your rates, and because you don’t need any fancy gear to get started, it’s effectively zero-cost.
As you become used to it, you might branch out, hire extra help, or shift to offering premium services (like custom garden landscaping) for more specialized gigs.
3. Offer your services as a virtual assistant
So many small business owners are drowning in admin tasks — emails, appointment scheduling, social media replies.
They’d love to hand those headaches off to someone organized.
That’s where you slide in as a VA.
Begin with simple tasks like managing an inbox or proofreading documents, then gradually take on more complex projects.
Leverage platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, or even pitch yourself directly in business forums. Once you earn a few solid testimonials, word-of-mouth can do a lot of the heavy lifting.
Before you know it, you might be juggling multiple clients, all paying you to do tasks that cost you nothing but time.
4. Launch a micro online course based on what you already do well
You don’t need to be the ultimate guru to teach something valuable. Maybe you know how to meal prep in under 30 minutes, or you’re pretty good at writing resumes.
Package that knowledge into a mini online course.
Record a few lessons using your phone or a basic screen recorder, then host it on a free or low-fee platform like Gumroad or Teachable’s starter tier.
Market your course through social media or relevant online communities. The goal is to solve a problem your audience genuinely wants to fix.
Keep it straightforward:
A short video series, maybe some checklists, and a supportive email sequence.
As you refine it (based on feedback) you can raise your price or expand the content. The key is you’re leveraging existing know-how, so no extra expense is necessary.
5. Flip items for profit (with zero upfront inventory)
If you’ve got an eye for bargains, flipping stuff can be a low-risk side hustle.
Start by scouring your own closets, attic, or garage. You’d be amazed at how many “junk” items can be polished up and sold for a decent sum online.
Then, as you collect profits, reinvest in picking up undervalued finds at yard sales or thrift stores.
Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark make listing a breeze. Quality photos and honest descriptions are key.
The trick is to stick to niches you understand — maybe vintage sneakers, retro video games, or secondhand furniture. If you don’t want to store bulky goods, stick to small, shippable items.
Over time, some people turn flipping into a full-fledged enterprise, but you can keep it lean and easy from day one.
6. Monetize an audience with affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing isn’t dead, but the game has evolved.
Spamming links on social media won’t cut it in 2025. Instead, build a small, dedicated audience around a niche — fitness for busy moms, eco-friendly travel tips, or minimalist home decor.
Offer real value, whether that’s blog posts, TikTok clips, or Instagram stories.
As trust builds, weave in product recommendations with affiliate links.
For instance, if you run an eco-friendly blog, link to a reusable water bottle you genuinely love. Every time someone buys, you pocket a commission.
Sure, it might start slow, but if your content resonates and you stay consistent, affiliate sales can become a passive trickle of income that grows each month.
7. Try “knowledge brokering” (coaching or consulting)
If you’re the friend everyone calls for advice — maybe you’re a career pivot whiz, a budgeting guru, or a marketing problem-solver — turn that into a coaching or consulting service.
A typical setup: schedule sessions via Zoom, charge per hour or per package, and deliver targeted guidance.
No fancy overhead required.
You might start by coaching one or two friends at a discounted rate, then gathering testimonials to show future clients. Offer small group workshops if you’re comfortable teaching multiple people at once.
The key is to pinpoint a clear problem you can solve: maybe you’re the “resume revamp guy” or the “social media ads gal.”
Clarity helps clients understand exactly why they should hire you.
8. Use print-on-demand for custom merch
If you’ve got a creative streak — or can partner with someone who does — print-on-demand can be a zero-cost entry into e-commerce.
You whip up designs, place them on T-shirts, mugs, or tote bags using a platform like Printful or Redbubble. When someone orders, the company prints and ships it.
You pocket the difference.
Targeting a niche is key here, too. For example, if you’re into gaming, create witty gamer-centric slogans or art. Share your designs on social media or relevant forums.
No inventory, no shipping hassles and no big investment in stock.
It’s all about showcasing designs that connect with a particular crowd. If your ideas spark interest, you’ve effectively created a mini-brand overnight.
Wrapping up
Closing it out, but not to be overlooked — 2025 is practically tailor-made for zero-cost entrepreneurship.
Between AI tools, social media, and an endless array of platforms, the obstacles to launching something real have never been lower.
Whether you’re freelancing a skill, flipping thrift-store gems, or teaching an online course, the strategy is the same: start small, stay consistent, and reinvest your gains into gradual growth.
Sure, it might not morph into a massive empire overnight, but it can generate respectable cash flow and serve as a foundation for bigger dreams.
Until next time, friends.

Discover courage amid chaos during One Book, One Batavia at Batavia Public Library

Arts & Culture, Books

It was a time that required cooperation, sacrifice and steely resolve.Just saying the words “World War II” evokes powerful memories, grainy images from long-ago newsreels and hazy stories related by grandparents or great-grandparents.This year’s One Book, One Batavia communitywide reading program brings home harrowing tales of international intrigue, resilience, courage and empowerment – uniting us in a different time that’s maybe not so distant.New to One Book, One Batavia this year is an opportunity for residents from every age group to enjoy these exciting stories. The Batavia Public Library selected three books to unite us with one geared for adults, one for teens and one for children.• Adult selection: “Good Night, Irene” by Luis Alberto Urrea• Teen selection: “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys• Youth selection: “Allies” by Alan GratzIn “Good Night, Irene,” we follow Irene Woodward, who has abandoned an abusive fiance in 1943 New York. She “enlists with the Red Cross and heads to Europe. She and Dorothy Dunford, a towering Midwesterner with a ferocious wit, are part of a group of women nicknamed Donut Dollies who command military vehicles … at the front lines, providing camaraderie and a taste of home that may be the only solace before troops head into battle.”This communitywide reading experience is designed to spark conversations about the stories and their themes, as well as enrich our lives by exposing us to a variety of books and ideas.To learn more about the companion books, “Salt to the Sea” and “Allies,” visit bataviapubliclibrary.org.One Book, One Batavia is presented by the library and co-sponsored by the Friends of the Batavia Public Library. The Friends provide a substantial portion of the funding needed to host the endeavor with additional costs picked up by the library.Librarians have created exciting programs to help immerse our community in these stories, bringing them to life in fascinating, delightful and wacky ways.Visit bataviapubliclibrary.org or pick up a program guide in the library for more information.