The Int'l Man's Hot Links Archive 2022: Jan 1 - June 30

Hot Links Archive 2017 - 2018 (1): - June 30	Hot Links Archive 2018 (2): July 1 - December 31
Hot Links Archive 2019 (1): January 1 - June 30	Hot Links Archive 2019 (2): July 1 - December 31
Hot Links Archive 2020 (1): January 1 - June 30	Hot Links Archive 2020 (2): July 1 - September 30
Hot Links Archive 2020 (3): Oct 1 - December 31	Hot Links Archive 2021 (1): January 1 - June 30
Hot Links Archive 2021 (2): July 1 - December 31	Hot Links Archive 2022 (1): January 1 - June 30
Hot Links Archive 2022 (2): July 1 - December 31	Hot Links Archive 2023 (1): January 1 - June 30
Hot Links Archive 2023 (2): July 1 - December 31	Hot Links Archive 2024 (1): January 1 - June 30

Hot Links Archive 2022 (1): January 1 - June 30

June 30, 2022

• Coronavirus: A-Z - everything you need to know | Face Masks - "3500+ Coronavirus COVID-19 Advice, News & Resources." UPDATED DAILY!
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases - by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
• CORONAVIRUS GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TRACKER - "Governments are taking a wide range of measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This tool aims to track and compare policy responses around the world, rigorously and consistently."
• Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide - "At least 218 countries and territories have administered more than 10 billion doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, since the first Covid-19 case was reported in China in late 2019. Several different vaccines have been developed at record speed, in large part due to years of research on related viruses and billions of dollars in investment."
• Climate Change - "Check out all about climate change: 1000+ evidence, facts, information, news, reviews and resources."
• Our world in data - "Research & data to make progress against the world’s largest problems."
• Russia-Ukraine war: Nato says Moscow is biggest ‘direct threat’ to west; Lysychansk under relentless shelling, governor says - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 127 of the invasion - "Nato says Moscow ‘most direct threat’ to security; Putin warns over installing military infrastructure in Finland and Sweden."
• 'We're stepping up': US to increase military forces across Europe, Joe Biden announces - "President says ‘US and its allies are going to step up’ as he arrives for summit of Nato leaders in Madrid."
• Russia's attack on Mariupol theatre a clear war crime, Amnesty says - "A Russian air strike on a theatre in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol where hundreds of civilians had been sheltering in March was a 'clear war crime' that killed at least a dozen people, human rights group Amnesty International said."
• Richard Branson tours bombed-out Ukrainian airport & views charred remains of world's biggest jet - "British billionaire Sir Richard Branson travelled to Ukraine yesterday, where he met president Volodymyr Zelensky and visited Hostomel airport - the scene of a bloody and destructive battle early in the war."
• Oligarch loses superyacht as US plans public auction - "The US authorities seized the yacht in Fiji and the Larsson-built superyacht Amadea has now arrived in San Diego having crossed the Pacific with an American crew, as reported by Superyacht Times."
• WHO warns 'sustained transmission' of monkeypox risks vulnerable groups - "The World Health Organization says 'sustained transmission' of monkeypox worldwide could see the virus begin to move into high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, immunocompromised people and children."
• Coca-Cola among brands greenwashing over packaging, report says - "Research ‘exposes litany of misleading claims’ by household names, including Coca-Cola and Unilever."
• Coke has a new flavor. It took inspiration from McDonald's - "The new flavor, which also comes in a zero-sugar variety, will be available for purchase starting on July 11 in the United States for a limited time. It will be offered in other countries later this summer."
• Vermont ski resort to change 'insensitive' name - "A popular Vermont ski resort originally known as Suicide Six has announced that it will change its 'insensitive' name in the weeks to come."
• The mystery of how dinosaurs had sex - "The strange search for dinosaur genitals. The sordid details of how dinosaurs had sex have long eluded scientists. Now there's a new idea emerging - could their most eccentric features tell us how they did it?"
• Once Upon a Time in Tabernas: Spanish spaghetti western set for sale - "An eight-hectare set built in the 1960s for one of Sergio Leone’s films is up for sale for €2.8m."
• Sea change: Magnum’s new NFT Collection - in pictures - "From Bob Dylan at work to the Hong Kong stock exchange, these images form part of Magnum’s first ever venture into the world of non-fungible tokens."
• ‘A massive betrayal’: how London’s Olympic legacy was sold out - "After so many other Olympic sites ended up left to rot, London 2012 was supposed to be different. But who has really benefited from this orgy of development?"
• How teapots were used to spread Russian propaganda - "In 1917, pastoral scenes gave way to smoking chimneys and telegraph wires on porcelain manufactured by a factory in St Petersburg, writes Deborah Nicholls-Lee."
• The last of Ireland's rare wild salmon - "Sally Ferns Barnes' wild smoked salmon is beloved by epicureans, yet the dwindling numbers of the fish in Irish rivers mean it becomes rarer with every passing year."
• The World’s Best Scotch Whisky - According To The 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition - "The San Francisco World Spirits Competition celebrated its 22th iteration back in April, and this time around it was bigger than ever. 'With over 5000 entries from 40 countries we are by leaps and bounds the largest and longest running blind judging event [in the world],' according to Amanda Blue, president of the event. 'This year cemented our status as the preeminent spirits competition in the world.'"
• How Are Auction Houses Preparing For A Potential Economic Downturn? - "A panel of auction-world and watch-industry experts respond - and try to forecast what might happen next."
• The Filson Dryden Backpack Is a Bag You'll Own Forever - "This bag may look basic, but it's capable of carrying everything you need (and then some) for years to come."

June 29, 2022

• The iPhone at 15: Steve Jobs Revealed His Greatest Product in 2007 - "The first iPhone went on sale on June 29, 2007 and it helped Apple grow into a $3 trillion company over the next 15 years."
• The iPhone at 15, through pro photographers' eyes - "This week marks 15 years since the iPhone first went on sale and ushered in a new era: the age of the smartphone. The modern smartphone has changed photography. To capture a snapshot of that change, we asked more than a dozen Associated Press photographers across the world who use iPhones - some of the most talented journalists in the business - to capture an image on their phone and submit it."
• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy calls Russia a ‘terrorist’ state at UN; Biden hails Nato deal for Finland and Sweden - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 126 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy calls on UN to visit site of Kremenchuk shopping centre attack as Turkey lifts objections to Finland and Sweden joining Nato."
• 22 Nostalgic Photos of the Royals at Wimbledon - "Since its inception in 1877, the British royal family has been a key component of the Wimbledon tennis championships. From Princess Margaret bringing a touch of fabulous to the tournament in the ’60s, through to the Duchess of Cambridge (now patron of the All England Club) presenting the winners with their trophies on court, the royal family is as much a constant at Wimbledon as Pimm’s and strawberries and cream."
• Serena Williams' return to Wimbledon ends with dramatic defeat against Harmony Tan - "Serena Williams' return to singles tennis after a year-long absence ended with a dramatic 5-7 6-1 6-7 (7-10) first-round defeat against France's Harmony Tan at Wimbledon."
• Air New Zealand to install world-first economy bunk beds on long-haul flights - "By 2024, passengers will be able to book four-hour sessions in flat sleeping pods on ultra-long-haul routes."
• Inside Kim Kardashian’s US$150 million private jet, aka Kim Air - "The cashmere-clad Gulfstream plane seats 18 and is pricier than even Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk’s rides."
• Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking crimes - "Maxwell’s attorneys had pushed for leniency after 60-year-old was convicted in US in December of five of the six charges she faced."
• Move yourself happy! How to exercise to boost your mood - whatever your fitness level - "There are plenty of workouts to improve your physical health - but what if you are exercising to improve your mental health? Experts offer their tips."
• How I Build a Good Day When I’m Full of Despair at the World - "Be the person you want to live with every day of your life."
• Italian tourism boss suggests stopping watch theft with cheap alternative - "A tourism chief in Naples has come up with a unique solution for any visitors worried about theft in the southern Italian city, after reports the French actor Daniel Auteuil recently had his luxury watch stolen in the area."
• 'Top Gun: Maverick' becomes the first $1 billion Tom Cruise film - "The sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, in which Tom Cruise reprises the famed role of Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, has crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, according to Paramount. 'Maverick' is the first film in Cruise's more than 40-year career to reach the billion-dollar milestone - and it's also the second-highest-grossing film in Paramount's long history in terms of domestic figures, behind only 1997's 'Titanic'"
• Outcry in Egypt as iconic Nile houseboats are destroyed - "For many locals and foreign tourists, the brightly painted wooden houseboats dotted along the River Nile are an iconic part of Cairo's rich cultural and architectural heritage."
• Airbnb permanently bans parties and events around the world - "Airbnb has permanently banned parties and events at homes on its platform, after a temporary measure during the pandemic proved popular with hosts."
• Why modern dating is exhausting - "Can online dating burnout be stopped? Scrolling, chatting, meeting, ghosting: online dating can be a depressing grind that leaves many singles feeling burnt out."
• Paris men’s fashion week SS23: the key collections - in pictures - "Great balls of fire! Jock straps! Cowboy boots! The Paris spring-summer 2023 collections were anything but dull."
• The genetic power of ancient trees - "Even as we discover the incredible benefits of the world's most ancient trees, we are losing them to climate change. But cloning could offer an answer."
• Woody Allen confirms he will shoot 50th film in Paris - but it may be his last - "In an Instagram Live interview with Alec Baldwin, Allen has said filming will begin in the French capital this autumn, but that much of the thrill of moviemaking has gone."
• how Prince Charles pressured ministers to change law to benefit his estate - "Newly discovered documents show government yielded to heir’s demands amid fears of a constitutional crisis."
• Cadillac’s Lyriq SUV is the exact EV it needed to build - "It's the automaker's first car on GM's Ultium battery platform."

June 28, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: rescuers dig for survivors of Kremenchuk shopping centre attack amid global outrage - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 125 of the invasion - "Russia’s attack on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk met with global outrage as officials confirm at least 16 killed in the strike."
• G7 pledges to stay with Ukraine until the end - "Leaders of the world's seven richest nations have promised to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" on the second day of a summit in Germany."
• CDC adds a Caribbean beach hot spot to its 'high' Covid-19 risk list - "The Dominican Republic and Kuwait, a Middle Eastern country known for its cultural offerings, are both now listed as 'Level 3: Covid-19 High.'"
• Chinese censors scramble after senior official suggests 'zero-Covid' could last 5 years - "Chinese censors scrambled to delete what appears to be a misleading quote by a senior Communist Party official published in state media Monday, which claimed the 'zero-Covid' policy would remain in place in Beijing 'for the next five years,' in an effort to tame an online backlash."
• France asks citizens to wear masks again on public transport - "French people should start wearing masks again in crowded areas, especially in public transport, as France has to deal with a new wave of COVID-19 infections fuelled by new variants of the disease, Health Minister Brigitte Bourguignon said on Monday."
• All of Monaco’s coronavirus indicators on the rise - "Monaco’s coronavirus incidence rate rose again over the seven days to Sunday, June 26, to 501 per 100,000 population from 411 one week earlier."
• Life expectancy at birth - Monaco's inhabitants' average life expectancy is 89.52 years - the longest in the world. The World Factbook.
• Live Long & Prosper: Five Countries Where People Live The Longest - "When it comes to life expectancy, Okinawa prefecture and its semi-tropical islands off Japan’s south coast have long been referenced as the benchmark location for living a long life. According to the WHO, the global trend for how long we live increased by more than six years over the first 20 years of the 21st century, with the average global life expectancy increasing from 66.8 years in 2000 to 73.4 years in 2019."
• UN head declares ‘ocean emergency’ as global leaders gather in Lisbon - "António Guterres says the world must turn the tide of rising sea levels, ocean heating, acidification and plastics pollution."
• Elon Musk now has over 100 million Twitter followers - "But how many of them are bots?"
• Toblerone loses Swiss exclusivity as production shifts east - "Toblerone maker Mondelez will shift some production of its triangular chocolate bars to Slovakia from Switzerland at the end of next year, losing the 'Swiss' attribute on its packaging in the process."
• 14 Gardens Every Design Lover Must See in Person - "Architectural Digest ADPRO tapped experts to name the most inspiring gardens around the world that have influenced their work—here’s what came back."
• Flight attendants reveal how they stay rested on long-haul flights - "There are some secret areas on widebody aircraft, where the pilots and cabin crew go to rest during long flights. Passengers can't access them under any circumstance and they're well hidden from view."
• Frescoes from the time of Hadrian unveiled at ancient Roman baths - "Frescoes dating back almost 2,000 years to the time of the Roman emperor Hadrian will now be on display to the public when they visit Rome's ancient Baths of Caracalla."
• How orange juice took over the breakfast table - "Orange juice used to be a treat you had to squeeze out yourself. More than a century ago, an overproduction of oranges helped create the morning staple we know and love."
• The Barkley Marathons: the hellish 100-mile race with 15 finishers in 36 years - "Participants in the Tennessee race must negotiate extreme temperatures, wild terrain and more than 50,000 feet of accumulated ascent."
• Do we need a new theory of evolution? - "A new wave of scientists argues that mainstream evolutionary theory needs an urgent overhaul. Their opponents have dismissed them as misguided careerists - and the conflict may determine the future of biology."
• ‘It’s dopamine’: why we love to track our watching & reading habits - "Sites such as Letterboxd and GoodReads encourage us to document our cultural consumption. But does gamification get in the way of actually enjoying the arts?"

June 27, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy likely to push for more weapons in address to G7 - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 124 of the invasion - "G7 leaders to address Ukrainian grain crisis at summit on Monday as Russia renews attacks on Kyiv."
• How Rage Giving Became Philanthropy’s New Normal - "A perfect storm of polarized politics, horrific headlines, and social media has transformed our giving habits."
• Prince Charles 'accepted a suitcase with 1m euros', report claims - "The Prince of Wales accepted a suitcase containing a million euros in cash from a former Qatari prime minister, the Sunday Times has reported."
• Prince Charles: calls for investigations into ‘cash in bags’ controversy - "Government and Charity Commission urged to examine claims Qatari sheikh donated €3m."
• Don't mention the smut! Warning to Queen over Denmark's porn industry before Her Majesty met monarch - "It is hard to imagine that the Queen would feel the need to discuss Denmark’s thriving pornography industry. But before she met Margrethe II during the Queen of Denmark’s state visit to the UK in 1974, she was advised not to mention the nation’s ‘reputation as the pornography capital of Europe’."
• ‘There is a lot of excitement’: Tour de France comes to Denmark - "Anticipation mounts in greatest cycling nation in the world for world’s greatest cycling race."
• BET Awards 2022: See the complete list of winners - "The BET Awards, which celebrate Black excellence in music, culture and sports, were presented Sunday."
• Cold War warning sirens are sounding across France. Here's why - "In France, on the first Wednesday of every month, sirens - initially envisaged as Cold War bombing warnings - let rip as a test of the alarms in some 2,000 towns and villages across the country."
• Prada & Louis Vuitton are using blockchain to stop fakes - "Crypto is crashing but the tech behind it could save luxury brands billions. Counterfeits are a huge problem for high-end designers around the globe: luxury brands lost $98 billion worth of sales to counterfeits in 2017 alone."
• Can you solve it? Are you smart enough to work for Elon Musk? - "The favourite interview question of the world’s richest man."
• 6 European villages tell hidden histories, from ruined castles to Tudor inns - "Intriguing signs of the past fill throwback towns in Spain, Hungary, and beyond."
• Kate Middleton’s Life in 14 Show-Stopping Dresses - "Ever since Kate Middleton showed off her dazzling sapphire engagement ring back in 2010, her fashion choices have been under close scrutiny. Thrust into a world of black tie balls, international tours and centuries-old ceremonies, the Duchess of Cambridge had to quickly get up to speed and ensure that her wardrobe matched the demands of her new public-facing role."
• The Worst Fashion Trends of Every Decade - "It's easy to romanticize the style of past decades as always inspiring, elegant, and magical—but in reality, bad fashion has been around since the start of mankind. If you're still having PTSD from the traumatic trends of the early 2000s, take comfort in the fact that every other decade has also faced many questionable sartorial choices. From squeezing into corsets to exercising in leg warmers to accessorizing every outfit with a Von Dutch hat, here's a roundup of the most cringe-worthy fashion trends from the past century."
• Madonna Then & Now: Photos Of The Music Icon’s Evolution - Hollywood Life.
• Who was the real Elvis Presley? - "How does the portrayal of 'The King' in Baz Luhrmann's new biopic compare to the reality? Kaleem Aftab explores the complex debate around Presley, civil rights and cultural appropriation."
• Why criticism lasts longer than praise - "Most of us are subjected to insults, sarcastic comments or bad feedback in our everyday lives. But we weren't built to deal with torrents of criticism."
• ‘All her movies are nonfiction’: remembering the life & work of Nora Ephron - "In an expansive new biography, the acclaimed writer and director’s complexities are explored and contextualised."
• 'I'm buying HermÈs bags to beat the stock market' - "As share prices falls, investors are turning to luxury goods and fine wines to protect their savings."
• Rolls-Royce Phantom 6×6 Conversion Proves The World Has Gone Mad - "It's like a posh monster straight out of a Mad Max movie. The Phantom has been hacked apart and extended, with creator Alexandre Danton making it 6.3 meters in length and 2.3 meters wide."

June 26, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by missile strikes; G7 leaders gather in Germany - live updates - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 123 of the invasion - "Focus of Russia’s campaign shifts to Lysychansk, as Putin says Russia will send missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Belarus."
• Russia on brink of default as debt deadline looms - "Russia is on the brink of its first debt default since 1998 as the Sunday deadline to make a $100m interest payment seems certain to be missed."
• UK, US, Canada and Japan will ban imports of Russian gold in an effort to hit Moscow's ability to fund the war in Ukraine - "Together, the G7 will announce that we will ban the import of Russian gold, a major export that rakes in tens of billions of dollars for Russia."
• Greta Thunberg makes surprise appearance at Glastonbury festival - "19-year-old activist warns world faces ‘total natural catastrophe’ unless citizens take urgent action."
• Macca, Greta & two sexy kangaroos: Saturday at Glastonbury - in pictures - "From the ultra-vivacious Yves Tumor, Megan Thee Stallion and Yungblud, to punters dressed as disco balls, feast your eyes on a spectacular day at Glastonbury 2022."
• Energy prices are causing chaos in Asia. Here's why the rest of the world should worry - "Wholesale electricity prices in the first quarter of 2022 were up 141% from last year; households are being urged to cut down usage and on June 15 - for the first time - the Australian government suspended indefinitely the national electricity market in a bid to bring prices down, ease pressure on the energy supply chain and prevent blackouts."
• WHO says monkeypox is not an international public health emergency, but it should continue to be monitored - "The WHO convened an emergency committee meeting Thursday to discuss the severity of the monkeypox outbreak. The result of the meeting was announced Saturday. 'Overall, in the report, they (the emergency committee) advised me that at this moment the event does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, which is the highest level of alert WHO can issue but recognized that the convening of the committee itself reflects the increasing concern about the international spread of monkeypox,' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the statement released Saturday."
• Dressing Simply, but Well. It’s Not So Simple - "Upselling the suit was on the agenda during this Milan Fashion Week, when Italian men’s wear returned in glory."
• ‘Shopping is a nightmare’: how ADHD affects people’s spending habits - "Research shared exclusively with Guardian Money shows the effects the condition can have on finances."
• Boeing 737 Max disaster casts long shadow as planemaker tries to rebuild fortunes - "As they host the world’s media in Seattle, Boeing’s leadership team must restore its reputation and its balance sheet amid an uncertain future for the industry."
• THE BEST INSTANT CAMERAS YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOW - The Verge.
• Guide to Capri: Where to Eat, Sleep & Sunbathe on the Mystical Island - "The mystical, magical island of Capri has bewitched visitors for centuries. Located off the Bay of Naples, the island sits like a generous dollop of volcanic rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea." VOGUE.
• 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Anne Hathaway - "Over the past few months, Anne Hathaway has returned to the spotlight with a series of high-profile roles (and some seriously impressive bombshell style along the way)."

June 25, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Sievierodonetsk defence being ‘reconfigured’, says UK; Germans face tripling of gas prices - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 122 of the invasion - "German gas prices could triple as Russia cuts supply; Ukrainian forces prepare Severodonetsk retreat; thousands of Black Sea dolphins killed."
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news and analysis - "EU leaders welcome Kyiv’s ‘historic’ bid to join union; documenting the scale of abuse against civilians; Kyiv residents strive for a sliver of normality."
• Chinese premier calls for more coal production as electricity demand soars - "Records for electricity usage broken in Shandong, Henan and Jiangsu after early summer heatwaves."
• World leaders are facing crises on all fronts. Putin will be watching if they fail - "Over the next few days, the leaders of Japan, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the European Union and host Germany will meet amid the seclusion of Bavaria's luxurious Schloss Elmau retreat."
• 10 million of Ireland's citizens left. Here's why you should visit - "With St. Patrick's Day a global phenomenon and Irish pubs found everywhere from Peru to Lanzarote, it can be easy to think you have a sense of Ireland without visiting, especially if you're one of the 70 million people worldwide who can claim Irish heritage."
• French government likely to re-impose health pass at borders from August - "According to a leaked document published by the Atlantico site, France is planning to re-introduce a health pass at its borders from August 1."
• You'll be charged to visit Europe from 2023 - "The EU has announced the launch of its long-awaited visa waiver scheme, ETIAS, to debut in May 2023."
• USS Samuel B Roberts: World's deepest shipwreck discovered - "The USS Samuel B Roberts went down during the Battle Off Samar in the Philippine Sea in October 1944. It lies in 6,895m (22,621ft) of water."
• Amber Heard is officially ordered to pay Johnny Depp $10M for damaging his reputation - "Lawyers for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have failed to reach a last-minute agreement which might have seen the damages the actress owed to her former husband be reduced, following their six week defamation trial which ended earlier this month."
• The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now - "New films, and classics, just keep coming, but you don’t have to drill down to find the finest selections to stream. We’ll do the heavy lifting. You press play."
• The 50 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now - "In addition to new Warner and HBO films, the streamer has a treasure trove of Golden Age classics, indie flicks and foreign films. Start with these."
• How to Shop for the Perfect Plain White Sneaker - VOGUE.
• Scottish castle on market for £1.25m after battle over £230 debt ends - "Previous owner of Knockderry Castle was evicted after refusing to pay bill that then spiralled to £30,000."
• Tom Hanks: the all-American good guy who stopped playing it safe - "After graduating from America’s best pal to America’s dad, the actor has been taking more risks in his later career, including a transformative role in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis."
• ‘Mid-century millennial’ - the ubiquitous look that took over a generation’s homes - "Curvy sofas, industrial finishes, pastel overload ... mid-century-ish furnishings have come to define the millennial look. What’s the appeal - and what will our homes look like next?"
• Nothing's Carl Pei thinks everyone else's smartphones are boring - "Nothing isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with the Phone 1, but it is trying to be different."
• Hublot’s Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater - "So what’s a minute repeater anyway? First of all, it’s one of my favorite complications in all of watchmaking, not only because it’s a challenge to construct, but also because it adds an aural feature I really enjoy. Minute repeater watches comprise an independent chiming mechanism that strikes different tones for hours, quarter hours, and minutes with the help of two small hammers, actuated on demand."

June 24, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine troops will have to withdraw from Sievierodonetsk, says governor - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 121 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy welcomes approval of Ukraine’s application to join EU as ‘historic moment’ while battle for two key cities in eastern Ukraine edges towards ‘fearsome climax’."
• The Fisherman’s Hut: inside the luxury Russian dacha linked to Vladimir Putin - "Leaked emails reveal complex with marble floors, a private brewery and a $10,000 bidet."
• A Guide to Social Media Image Sizes in 2022 - "An up-to-date guide on the best image sizes you should upload to the most popular social media services such as Facebook and Instagram."
• The first official joint portrait of Prince William & Kate has been unveiled - "The first official joint portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has been revealed to the public at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England."
• Watch Auction Trends Midway Through 2022 - "Ten Major Trends And Takeaways From The Spring 2022 Watch Auction Season."
• Glastonbury Festival fashion history: Remember when Kate Moss wore rain boots? - "As the historic festival returns to Worthy Farm for the first time since 2019, we look back at one of its most memorable fashion moments. After all, no British summer would be complete without copious amounts of mud."
• Abu Dhabi Fossil Dunes: A beautiful frozen landscape created by climate change - "150,000-year-old fossil dunes could be clues to Noah's flood."
• Full Metal Jacket & Kubrick: The ultimate anti-war films - "Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket was released 35 years ago. Gregory Wakeman explores how the film, and others by the director, revealed 'the mindlessness and cruelty of conflict' - as well as the transformation of young men into killing machines."
• Vaio laptops are back & they’re surprisingly affordable - "The Vaio laptop brand is dipping its toe into the affordable space with a new series of notebooks featuring several impressive specs at prices under $950."

June 23, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: EU leaders to decide on Kyiv bid; Russia aims to turn Donbas cities into a Mariupol, Zelenskiy says - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 120 of the invasion - "Forces edge closer to seizing last pocket of Ukraine resistance in Luhansk; footage shows drone crashing into oil refinery in Russia."
• What happens if Russia turns off Europe’s gas supply this winter? - "European countries are racing to prepare for the risk of Russia cutting gas exports. Here’s how things look."
• Western sanctions are 'weaponizing' world economy, China's Xi says - "Xi, who spoke at a business forum ahead of the virtual summit Thursday with leaders from the BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, portrayed the world as being at a critical juncture as it struggled to recover from the pandemic amid what he termed new 'security challenges.'"
• New coronavirus subvariants escape antibodies from vaccination & prior Omicron infection, studies suggest - "Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 appear to escape antibody responses among both people who had previous Covid-19 infection and those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, according to new data from researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, of Harvard Medical School."
• The world's most liveable cities for 2022 - "Overall, Europe dominated the list, with six spots in the top 11 (there was a tie for 10th place). Copenhagen, which CNN Travel pronounced Europe's capital of cool in December 2021, nabbed second place on the Global Liveability Index."
• She's visited every country in the world. Here's what she learned - "It has taken more than 450 flights and over a million air miles, but she'd made it to all 195 UN-recognized countries on the globe."
• This airplane seat could be the future of business class - "The airplane seat with headphones installed into the headrest."
• Global 8000 - "The Global 8000 private jet is the flagship for a new era where the fastest speed, the longest range and the smoothest ride converge in a single business aircraft with proven reliability and the healthiest, best-connected cabin in the industry."
• They Inherited Billions Upon Billions: Meet America’s Richest Heirs - "One of them, Rob Walton, just led a family group to bid $4.65 billion for the Denver Broncos NFL team. Here are the other heirs that rank the highest on Forbes’ list."
• Rupert Murdoch & Jerry Hall reportedly to divorce - "The divorce would be a fourth for Mr Murdoch, 91. Ms Hall, 65, was previously married to Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger."
• The 76 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time - VOGUE.
• The 43 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2022 - VOGUE.
• Dior Sauvage Sales Are Through The Roof Because Of Johnny Depp - "Dior’s long-standing partnership with Depp dates back to 2015 and centres around what is now the bestselling perfume worldwide - Dior Sauvage."
• Wobbly on one leg? Ability to balance is linked to a longer life, study finds - "An inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in later life is linked to nearly double the risk of death from any cause within the next decade, according to a new study."
• How Aussie farmers are hoping to win over tequila fans - "Thousands of large, spikey, cactus-like plants poke out of sun-baked earth, watched over by green-brown hills. When they reach maturity - in six to eight year's time - this crop, known as agaves, will be harvested. The plant hearts will be cooked, fermented, and then distilled to make Mexico's favourite type of spirit. Just don't use the word tequila, this crop is located 14,000km (8,700 miles) away from Mexico in Australia."
• How Studying Karsh, the Man & the Artist, Can Make Us Better Portrait Photographers - "Yousuf Karsh is widely regarded as one of the greatest portrait photographers of the twentieth century. In this essay, I discuss five ways that studying Karsh's life and photos can impact our own work as portrait artists."
• APPLE MACBOOK PRO 13 (2022) REVIEW: NEW CHIP, OLD THREADS - "Apple has put a 2022 CPU in a 2016 computer."
• Focus mode in iOS 16: How to link with Lock Screens, create custom Home Pages, use filters - "Alongside the ability to create custom Lock Screens for iPhone with iOS 16, Focus mode gets some useful upgrades that make it easier to set up as well more flexible and powerful. New features include Focus filters, the option to link Focus modes to specific Lock Screens, setting a custom Home Page, and more. Here’s a hands-on look at how to use Focus mode in iOS 16."
• iOS 16 Compatible iPhone List - "If you have an iPhone, you may be curious if your device can support the upcoming iOS 16 update."
• Suitcase packing tips: 'Stop rolling' - The wrinkle-free 'folding' method to 'carry more' - "Travel restrictions have eased around the world. But how can you fit more into your luggage allowance?"
• Montblanc Summit 3 is the latest Wear OS 3 smartwatch - "The Montblanc Summit 3 is the first smartwatch outside of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 to deliver Wear OS 3, a milestone for the platform."
• Bucherer, Jacob & Co. & Sotheby’s Collaborate On An Out-Of-This-World Triple Tourbillon - Forbes.

June 22, 2022

• See a rare alignment of all the planets in the night sky - The celestial show, best viewed between June 17 and June 27, will be the last time the five brightest planets cluster in the sky until 2040.
• Russia-Ukraine war latest: ‘significant’ blow against Snake Island occupiers, says Ukrainian army - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 119 of the invasion - "Ukraine launches airstrikes on Snake Island; Russians reportedly capture settlements near Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk."
• Covid surges across Europe as experts warn not let guard down - "Calls grow for greater measures against wave of BA.4 and BA.5 cases in countries from Spain to Denmark."
• Ben Stiller meets Zelensky in Kyiv as ambassador for UN refugee agency - "US actor Ben Stiller has met with Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as part of his role as ambassador for the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). Stiller told the Ukrainian president that he was his hero, and complimented his previous acting career."
• Bill Cosby found guilty of sexually abusing minor at Playboy Mansion - "Jurors at the civil trial ruled in favor of Judy Huth who accused the comedian of forcing her to perform a sex act in 1975 at 16 years old."
• Martin Sheen regrets changing his name - "While Martin Sheen says his name is still legally Ramon Estévez, he regrets changing it for his career."
• Elon Musk’s daughter legally changes name & cuts ties with her father - "‘I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form,’ she said in a petition."
• Mount Everest might have to move Base Camp - "According to Nepal's Department of Tourism Director-General Taranath Adhikari, Base Camp's location faces some risk from the melt of nearby Khumbu glacier."
• Dubai restaurants awarded first-ever Michelin stars for the Middle East - "The Michelin Guide Dubai 2022 was launched Tuesday, comprising 69 restaurants. Eleven were awarded Michelin stars and 14 received a Bib Gourmand (deemed to provide value for money) - along with 44 more 'Michelin-selected' restaurants. Spanning 21 cuisines, the guide aims to reflect the culinary diversity in a place where the vast majority of the population are foreign workers from around the world."
• Are you wasting your money on supplements? Most likely, experts say - "Vitamin, mineral and multivitamin supplements aren't likely to protect you from cancer, heart disease or overall mortality, the US Preventive Services Task Force said in updated guidelines released Tuesday in the journal JAMA. Since its last recommendation in 2014, the task force reviewed 84 studies testing vitamins in almost 700,000 people, including 52 new studies on the topic."
• Conservationists in court bid to halt $16bn Scarborough gas project citing damage to Great Barrier Reef - "Australian Conservation Foundation says global heating from fossil fuel development will compound coral bleaching on Great Barrier Reef."
• What if all roads went underground? - "Roads pollute cities, eat up public space and fragment habitats. Could moving them underground help?"
• Reinventing the airship for the 2020s - "Airships could offer a much cleaner and quieter alternative for some aspects of the aviation market. In a former airship factory, a new generation are taking shape."
• Why You Need To Stop Closing Apps On Your iPhone - "When an app launches, additional power and memory needs to be used in order to properly start the application. Doing this multiple times can cause a lot of battery drain on your iPhone, as former Genius Bar technician Scotty Loveless explained on LifeHacker."
• 10 AirPods Pro Tips to Master Your Wireless Headphones - "Get the most out of your AirPods Pro."
• A Sneaky Way to Message Someone on iPhone Without Anyone Ever Seeing - "All you need is this built-in Apple app."
• iOS 16 - here's all the new features for your iPhone - "iOS 16 bring some big changes including a reworked lock screen."
• Test-Driving The Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder - "Drive an Italian supercar with that famous charging bull on the badge and you know it’s not going to be a somber experience. You figure there’s going to be plenty of visual, audible, and gravitational stimuli. But if you think you’re fully prepared for what the Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder is going to deliver in those areas, well ... you’re probably not."

June 21, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow to summon EU ambassador over ‘openly hostile’ Kaliningrad cargo transit ban - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 118 of the invasion - "Moscow threatens to retaliate after Lithuania bans transit of goods to the Russian outpost of Kaliningrad; EU calls blockade of the Ukrainian grain a war crime."
• Russia tells Lithuania: your citizens will feel the pain over Kaliningrad - "A top ally of President Vladimir Putin told Lithuania on Tuesday that Moscow would respond to its ban on the transit of goods sanctioned by the EU to Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad in such a way that citizens of the Baltic state would feel the pain." Reuters.
• Two months on, Russia is still struggling to capture this small Ukrainian city - "It's been nearly two months since Russian forces began their assault on the city of Severodonetsk. But despite overwhelming firepower, they still can't dislodge determined Ukrainian resistance - nor cut the supply lines that provide the city's remaining defenders with a drip-feed of weapons and ammunition."
• Russian emails appear to show ‘network’ holding $4.5bn assets linked to Putin - "Questions over palaces, vineyards and yachts run by entities that appear to be part of a cooperative."
• From New Zealand to Nigeria: the global toll of the cost of living crisis - "Unsparing inflation across basics from food and energy to housing is pushing millions into poverty."
• 'Wishing The Duke of Cambridge a very happy 40th birthday!' - "Prince Charles leads the family tributes as he marks his eldest son's milestone with a sweet collection of throwback pictures."
• Truthful climate reporting shifts viewpoints, but only briefly, study finds - "Ohio State University researchers gauged responses to climate science versus scepticism and suggest facts bear repeating."
• Life will find a way: could scientists make Jurassic Park a reality? - "Just a few years from now, herds of woolly ‘mammoths’ could be roaming the Siberian tundra. Are dodos and dinosaurs next for de-extinction?"
• Boeing unveils new 777 'ecoDemonstrator' test jet - "US aircraft maker Boeing has just revealed its new 2022 ecoDemonstrator plane - a converted, 20-year-old 777-200ER that will be tasked with testing new technologies aimed at making air travel more sustainable and safer. The ecoDemonstrator will reportedly go through a six-month series of tests both on the ground and in the sky, starting this summer. Among the 30 or so technologies set for testing during the campaign include projects designed to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise, while incorporating more sustainable materials."
• What sitting in economy on Qantas' 20-hour flights will be like - "The world's longest flight: nonstop, 20 hours, as you recline in your wide armchair and decide whether you want to relax with the very best Champagne, enjoy a chef-designed meal with a traveling companion seated opposite, or get the crew to make your sumptuously soft bed with fresh linens. That's what's on offer for the six first-class passengers on board Qantas' Project Sunrise direct flights to Sydney from London and New York starting three years from now, and they can expect to pay the best part of five figures for it. What about the 140 economy class passengers who will be at the back of the 12 Airbus A350-1000s that the airline has ordered to work on the service?"
• THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY TO BINGE - "There’s a lot of big shared universes that should be easier to binge."
• World's biggest freshwater fish, a 660-pound stingray, caught in Cambodia - "Cambodian villagers on the Mekong River have caught what researchers say is the world's biggest freshwater fish ever recorded, a stingray that weighed in at 661 pounds (about 300 kilograms), and took around a dozen men to haul to shore."
• Running 104 marathons in 104 days - "'It showed me how strong our bodies can be,' says amputee athlete Jacky Hunt-Broersma after running 104 marathons in 104 days."
• Hong Kong: Iconic floating Jumbo restaurant sinks - "A floating restaurant that was a famous Hong Kong landmark has sunk, days after it was towed away from the harbour where it operated for nearly 50 years."
• 11 of the best restaurants in Lisbon to try - "The Lisbon restaurants we recommend, from fine dining to a twist on Portuguese." CN Traveller.
• The surprising benefits of fingers that wrinkle in the bath - "The skin on our fingertips and toes shrivels like prunes when soaked for a few minutes in water. But is this an adaptation that occurred to help us in our evolutionary past? And what can it reveal about your health today?"
• Stonehenge & the eerie allure of ancient stone circles - "Ancient stone circles act both as portals and reminders of a different time, writes Rosalind Jana, as an exhibition at the British Museum explores the mysteries of the deep past."
• Leadership by Henry Kissinger review - lessons in diplomacy from a master of the dark arts - "In this analysis of six national leaders, the grand old man of US politics offers a broad-brush history of international statecraft but ignores the death and destruction that sometimes resulted."
• ‘It’s a middle-class dream come true!’ How the utility room became the new status symbol - "Once they were grim spaces to stash away the mop. Now they’re must-haves for the rich and aspirational. What’s fuelling the desire for laundry-room luxe?"
• iOS 16 will let you bypass CAPTCHAs on some apps & websites - "It can automatically identify that you’re a real human."
• Japanese whisky fetches $600,000 in NY auction - "A bottle of Japanese whisky has fetched 600,000 dollars in a New York auction. The Yamazaki 55 single malt whisky by Suntory Spirits was sold by Sotheby's on Friday. The price was 100,000-200,000 dollars higher than expected."
• Why is the Cartier Tank watch so famous & is it a good investment? - "Ralph Lauren, Princess Diana, Yves Saint Laurent and Catherine Deneuve all owned one for a reason."

June 20, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy sounds warning as EU decision nears; European ministers to meet on grain blockade - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 117 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says he expects Russia will intensify attacks on Ukraine and possibly strike other European countries this week."
• Ukraine war could last for years, warns Nato chief - "The West must prepare to continue supporting Ukraine in a war lasting for years, Nato's chief has warned."
• From Vanuatu law school to the Hague: the fight to recognise climate harm in international law - "Vanuatu is leading a campaign to have the international court of justice issue an opinion on climate change – which could have huge legal ramifications."
• Bitcoin recovers, climbs as much as 7.6% to pass $20,400 - "Bitcoin, the world's biggest and best-known cryptocurrency, was up more than 16% from this year's low of $17,592.78 on June 18, when it tumbled on investor worries about growing troubles in the crypto industry and amid a general pull-back from riskier assets."
• Why 'natural' products aren't always better - "From sharks' livers to endangered plants - some claims about 'natural' products should be interpreted with caution."
• Social media is rife with skin-whitening products. But little is being done to regulate the market - "Skin-lightening products, from big brand names to homemade concoctions, have exploded in their availability on major social media platforms where there are few rules about how they are promoted or sold."
• 10 of Europe’s most enchanted off-the-radar islands - "Find unspoiled nature, uncrowded shores, peace and tranquillity on these small islands."
• A floating city in the Maldives begins to take shape - "A city is rising from the waters of the Indian Ocean. In a turquoise lagoon, just 10 minutes by boat from Male, the Maldivian capital, a floating city, big enough to house 20,000 people, is being constructed."
• A local’s guide to Hamburg: concerts, cocktails & dockyard cuisine - "Concert pianist Alexander Krichel reveals his pick of the best bars, vintage stores, ferry rides and sailor-sized dishes of Germany’s second largest city."
• E-scooters were supposed to fix travel in Rome. Then they became 'death traps' - "The current invasion of the Italian capital comes from e-scooters - more than 14,000 of them - modern chariots that block sidewalks, unnerve drivers and kill. Only 2% (around 270) of the foot scooters for rent are used on a daily basis."
• Heartwarming video shows penguins return home after being rehabbed in Argentina - "These Magellanic penguins were facing malnutrition and dehydration before they were rescued and rehabilitated by the Mundo Marino Foundation."
• The troubling legacy of the Lolita story, 60 years on - "The dubious aesthetic of Kubrick's film has endured in pop culture. But is it the film or the original book that is to blame for this perplexing phenomenon, asks Steph Green?"
• These Cupcakes Are Pure Childhood Magic - "Yotam Ottolenghi’s cream-soda-and-raspberry cupcakes can’t heal the troubles of the world. But they help for a moment."
• Gucci Ventures Into Mixology With Branded Cocktail - "The luxury brand tapped mixology maestro Giorgio Bargiani to develop Elisir d'Elicriso, its first signature cocktail."
• The resurgence of Venice's prized dorona grape - "Long thought to be extinct, the dorona grape was prized above all others by wealthy Venetians. Now, its chance rediscovery has ignited a revival in Venice's wine."
• Rowan Atkinson: ‘In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything’ - "The actor talks to Patrick Freyne about Mr Bean and Blackadder, cancel culture and his first starring TV role in decades."
• Jovial Jeff Goldblum steals Prada’s spring/summer 2023 show - "Actor was one of several celebrities in front row for parade of familiar yet trendsetting garments."
• You’re Still on Mute - "Hybrid or remote work is settling in as a permanent reality for millions. Their setups and technical skills can still feel like a temporary solution."

June 19, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Nato head says war could last years; Ukraine governor reports ‘tough battles’ near Sievierodonetsk - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 116 of the invasion - "Nato chief warns war could last years; Russia sends many reservists to Sievierodonetsk battle, says regional governor."
• ‘Marching towards starvation’: UN warns of hell on earth if Ukraine war goes on - "Unprecedented food shortages could spark riots in dozens of countries as Black Sea blockade adds to pressures, says WFP chief."
• North Korea reports 'epidemic' of unidentified intestinal disease after Covid wave - "North Korea has dispatched medical crews and epidemiological investigators to a province battling the outbreak of an intestinal disease, state media reported on Sunday. At least 800 families suffering from what North Korea has only called an 'acute enteric epidemic' have received aid in South Hwanghae Province so far."
• ‘We worry about it disappearing’: alarm grows over Italy’s drought-hit Po River - "Drought blighting country’s longest waterway continues as economic hub battles climate crisis."
• In pictures: Europe swelters in blistering June heat - "Parts of western Europe are experiencing more extreme heat this weekend under a wave of hot air that has moved north from Africa."
• Bitcoin value slumps below $20,000 in cryptocurrencies turmoil - "Digital asset slides to lowest level since November 2020 as rate rises increase pressure on markets."
• Is remote work worse for wellbeing than people think? - "Remote work is consistently touted as the best way for workers to feel mentally and physically well. But the reality is more complicated."
• Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers spin her childhood as a tale of neglect & abuse - "The socialite’s defense team seek a reduced sentence by depicting a woman made vulnerable to Epstein’s by a domineering father."
• Buckingham Palace 'BURIES' report on Meghan's 'bullying' - "Official inquiry into allegations the Duchess of Sussex bullied staff before Megxit 'will never be published'."
• Johnny Depp Through the Looking Glass - "Examining the madness that male beauty elicits."
• From Trump Nevermind babies to deep fakes: DALL-E & the ethics of AI art - "A neural network that can transform a text phrase into an artwork is transforming our understanding of creative thinking, but it opens new issues."
• TOP 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL SQUARES IN ITALY - "Italy has many beautiful squares and many worth mentioning, but we tried to highlight only ten of them, which we consider to be the most interesting. If you do not agree, tell us in a comment below." ITALYscapes.com.
• What Makes a Bathing Suit So Expensive? - "Inside the construction of a one-piece swimsuit, a complicated symbol of 'the most vulnerable time of the year.'"
• Why Are So Many Cakes Named After Fabric? - "Silk, satin, lace, and fur, but make it cake. It was kind of a logical thing to use fabric because fabric is so visual and textural, as are a lot of cakes and cookies and pies and tarts.” Beranbaum points out that the crossover language between fashion and cake can account for texture, but also presence and persona."
• Hands-On With iPhone 14 Models Showing New Sizes & Camera Design Updates - "Prior to the launch of new iPhone models, case makers often create dummy models based on leaked schematics and specifications. We've known about the design of the iPhone 14 lineup for some time now, and this week, we got a set of dummy units to see the design updates for ourselves."
• These are the only laptops thinner than the M2 MacBook Air - "The new M2 MacBook Air is incredibly thin - 0.44 inches (11.2mm), to be specific. But numbers don’t quite do it justice. Unless you were to hold this thing in your hands yourself, you might not realize just how thin this really is. But Apple didn’t claim this to be the thinnest laptop ever made - because it’s not."

June 18, 2022

• See a rare alignment of all the planets in the night sky - "The celestial show, best viewed between June 17 and June 27, will be the last time the five brightest planets cluster in the sky until 2040."
• Russia-Ukraine war: heavy fighting continues in Donbas; Russia renews push south of Izium, UK says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 115 of the invasion - "Putin says he has ‘nothing against’ Ukraine membership of EU; German chancellor calls for direct talks with Russian leader to end war."
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news & analysis - "Life inside Mariupol after it fell, fighting in Sievierodonetsk - a battle that could decide the course of the war - and the Russians fighting for Kyiv."
• Russia's Putin condemns 'mad & thoughtless' Western sanctions - "Speaking at a forum in St Petersburg, he said 'the economic blitzkrieg against Russia had no chance of succeeding from the very beginning'. Speaking at the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Putin claimed the EU could lose more than $400bn (£326bn) because of its sanctions against Russia."
• Compound extremes’: why a cocktail of natural disasters is battering the US - "As world heats up, ‘historic’ weather events will increase and overlap, testing the limits of nation’s resiliency and recovery."
• Everest’s base camp is melting - "Nepal is planning to move the camp off a glacier."
• Airline changes livery as passengers link it to Russian invasion symbol - "Tokyo-based Zipair - a lowcost subsidiary of JAL, Japan Airlines - has announced that it'll be removing the 'Z' from its tailfins as of June 18, replacing them with a geometric pattern of stripes."
• The World's Top 10 Airports of 2022 - "The World's Top 10 Airports of 2022, voted for by airport customers from across the world during the 2021-2022 World Airport Survey. View the Top 10 Airport Ratings 2022. Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is named the World's Best Airport 2022, with Tokyo Haneda Airport in 2nd place and Changi Airport Singapore ranked 3rd."
• We’re number one! Copenhagen rated the world’s most liveable city - "Monocle magazine praised the Danish capital for its culture, security, public transport and ability to constantly rethink itself."
• Summer in Copenhagen: Biking, Dining & Celebrating - "Add the Tour de France - starting in Denmark’s capital this year - to the roster of summer activities, which also includes music festivals, design exhibitions and indulging in buttery pastries."
• Can running shoes be used for walking? - "We speak to a footwear expert and ask can running shoes be used for walking? The answer is yes. And it is pretty good for you. It is best to wear road shoes for walking on sidewalks and smooth surfaces but switch to trail shoes if walking off-road or on muddy ground."
• Is walking cardio? - "With key studies proving the effectiveness of walking as a cardiovascular activity, the science is firmly behind you, should you elect to prioritize heels over wheels, weights or a trip to the swimming pool. As Ryan McLean puts it, 'Walking is great, it's easy, it's accessible and the risk of injury is low.'"
• Shanghai surprise: How I survived 70 days confinement in the world's strictest Covid lockdown - CNN World.
• Mapping the Migration of the World's Millionaires - "This graphic maps out the migration of millionaires across the globe, showing the top 10 countries the ultra-rich are moving to and from."
• Julian Assange can be extradited, says UK home secretary - "Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition to the US has been approved by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel."
• Paul McCartney at 80: A life of fun-loving fashion - "Renowned musician and former Beatle Paul McCartney has always had a playful sense of style. To celebrate his birthday on Saturday, we take a look back at his best fashion moments."
• French screen icon Jean-Louis Trintignant dies aged 91 - "Trintignant featured in Three Colours: Red, Z, The Conformist and Amour - which won an Oscar and the Palme d'Or."
• Jean-Louis Trintignant - a life in pictures - "Trintignant, the French actor closely associated with the European new waves of the 1960s and 70s, has died aged 91."
• Kim & Khloe Kardashian fuel rumours they've 'ditched implants' with 'shrinking curves' - "Kim and Khloe Kardashian have fuelled rumours they've gone back to their 'natural' ways after recent snaps showed the sisters looking slimmer and less curvier."
• The best art of Basel 2022 - "The Basel edition of Art Basel brings the international art world together this week. It features over 200 leading galleries and more than 4,000 artists from five continents. It’s the first Art Basel without masks, without restrictions. There was a buzz, which we’ve only known from pre-pandemic times."
• Sunday Times Giving List 2022 - "Find out who made the 2022 Sunday Times Giving List. Download the full list of the top 100 philanthropists in the UK."
• 29 Changes In Clothing Fashion That Made Stealing Easier Or Harder - "As Shared By Former Pickpockets And Magicians Online."
• The 100 Best Clothing Stores in the World - "Whether you go for the pants, to sip a matcha, or just to soak up some rarefied ambience, these 100 stores from around the world demand a visit."
• Mystery of Waterloo’s dead soldiers to be re-examined by academics - "Modern techniques to test traditional explanation that most bones from 1815 battle were ground into powder for fertiliser."
• Destination masterpiece: 75 great artworks to see across the UK - "From a Nubian god in Edinburgh to a Banksy in Bristol, our critics choose the most intriguing and important paintings, sculptures, installations for you to take in this summer."
• Inside London's The Savoy's swanky £16,000-a-night Royal Suite - "Gucci-designed furniture, Christie's curated artwork and TWO butlers."
• Test Driving The $500,000 Healey By Caton In The English Countryside - "For its first Healey example, Caton has kept things classically simple. Green-over-tan is always a winning formula when it comes to British sports cars from the 1950s, and it suits the Healey perfectly. Beneath that all-new aluminum body sits the foundations of an original Austin-Healey 100 - more specifically, this is based on a BN1-series built between 1953 and 1955. Its chassis number is enough for this creation to retain the identity of an Austin-Healey."
• Chopard Unveils 2 New Mille Miglia Watches For The 40th Anniversary Of Iconic Car Rally - "The 2022 Mille Miglia has begun and Chopard is once again the sponsor, official timekeeper and participant in this historic antique car rally in Italy. This year the four-day rally will run till June 18. A total of 404 cars by 63 car manufacturers are participating in the 1,000-mile route that begins and ends in the historic city of Brescia in Lombardy."
• A Brief Tour Of Piaget's Modern History In Nine Watches - "Piaget's Head Of Patrimony walks us through the brand's archive."

June 17, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: EU to give fast-tracked opinion on Kyiv bid; Russia low on troops and missiles, UK defence chief says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 114 of the invasion - "The leaders of France, Germany and Italy have vowed to support Kyiv’s bid to join the EU as Lavrov accuses the west of ‘dragging Ukraine into Nato’."
• Russia has ‘strategically lost’ war, says UK defence chief, as Lavrov says Moscow unashamed - "‘Russia is not squeaky clean. Russia is what it is’ - Kremlin foreign minister’s response to UN report claiming atrocities in Ukraine."
• Stock markets plunge again as flurry of interest rate hikes fuels recession fears - "Investors wary as other central banks follow US Federal Reserve in raising borrowing costs."
• How Long Does Covid Immunity Last? Will a Second Illness Be Worse? How Can I Prepare? - "Some reinfection questions, answered."
• Some Greenland polar bears adapt to hunt without sea ice - "Polar bears have long been seen as a symbol of global warming's damaging impact on the natural world."
• Congo peat: The 'lungs of humanity' which are under threat - "A giant slab of carbon-rich peat, discovered in central Africa, is under threat from uncontrolled development - posing a significant risk for future climate change."
• Denmark Overtakes Switzerland as World’s Most Competitive Nation - "Denmark rose from third place last year to take 2022’s top spot for the first time in the 34 years that the IMD Business School has published its World Competitiveness Ranking, according to a statement on Wednesday."
• Edmond Safra’s supposed killer arrested in Texas after vehicle theft - "Ted Maher, who spent eight years in jail after allegedly setting fire to a Monaco penthouse in 1999, killing two people, has been arrested in San Antonio, Texas following a FBI investigation. However, the Safra case was shrouded in uncertainties and doubts, despite Maher’s conviction for setting a fire that led to the billionaire banker’s death. Famously, Maher escaped from Monaco’s jail before being apprehended again in Nice."
• This European airline just ordered a fleet of airships - "As the quest for less environmentally damaging aviation continues, one Spanish airline has thrown its hat into the ring by ordering new hybrid airships - which pack as much of a punch visually as they are said to do environmentally. Air Nostrum, which operates flights under the Iberia Regional umbrella from its Valencia base, has ordered 10 Airlander 10 aircraft, with delivery scheduled for 2026."
• Lightyear 0 solar-assisted car will go into production this year - "Dutch company Lightyear has announced that this fall it will start making the world's first production car fitted with solar panels."
• Kim Kardashian did not damage Marilyn Monroe's dress, according to Ripley's - "That's according to Ripley's Believe It Or Not!, which owns Monroe's dress and lent it to Kardashian for the May event. The museum and events franchise said in a statement Thursday that despite claims otherwise, Kardashian 'did not, in any way, damage the garment in the short amount of time it was worn at the Met Gala.'"
• ‘The nation had lost its mind’: the extraordinary new documentary about the death of Princess Diana - "The team behind new film, The Princess, explain why the royal family possess all the vital ingredients to make them the perfect cinematic subjects."
• How 'bland' tofu became one of the world's hottest foods - "How an ancient Chinese elixir became today's 'it' food."
• Why Is My Sleep So Messed Up in the Summer? - "Though seasonal shifts can derail your sleep, there are things you can do to snooze more soundly when it’s hot out."
• How Useful Are Supplements? - "Multivitamins. Herbal remedies. A spoonful of cod liver oil. It’s estimated that the global market for supplements could be more than $65 billion dollars and as much as $200 billion."
• Post-pandemic home design trends reflect a need for more fluidity & nature - "After a year off due to the pandemic and a scaled-down iteration in September 2021, Milan's Salone del Mobile - the international design fair that's been held annually since 1961 - was back in full force last week. From sustainability to boundary-pushing designs and an emphasis on craft, here are some of the highlights and takeaways from the event."
• The Offer to Loot: the seven best shows to stream this week - The Guardian.
• The films showing sex workers in a new light - "New films like Good Luck to You, Leo Grande are challenging cinematic tropes about sex workers. It's a refreshing change, writes Rafa Sales Ross."
• Revlon files for bankruptcy - "Revlon, the 90-year-old cosmetics giant, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection because of its crippling debt and mounting celebrity competition. The nail polish and lipstick maker said the move will allow it to 'strategically reorganize' its finances, pointing to 'liquidity constraints' sparked by supply chain disruptions and inflation. Revlon is receiving $575 million in debtor-in-possession financing to help support its day-to-day operations."
• IWC Made a Pilot’s Watch Just for Owners of the Mercedes-AMG One Hypercar - "IWC's constant-force technology helps the timepiece stay accurate throughout its 96-hour power reserve."
• 4 rare, unique whiskies with stand-out flavour & design, from the Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique to decades-old bottles from Glenlivet & Yamasaki - "Only 600 decanters of the Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique, whose packaging is architecturally beautiful too, were ever produced, making the spirit a rare luxury to own indeed. The decanter mirrors the roof of Macallan’s new US$173 million Speyside distillery, while the crystal reflects its commitment to craftsmanship inherent in every dram."

June 16, 2022

• The strawberry moon - in pictures - "The moon reached its full stage on Tuesday, during a phenomenon known as a supermoon because of its proximity to Earth, and it is also called the strawberry moon because it is the full moon at strawberry harvest time."
• Russia-Ukraine war: European leaders expected to meet in Kyiv; US pledges further $1bn arms package - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 113 of the invasion - "Ukraine defies Russian ultimatum to surrender Sievierodonetsk as hundreds remain trapped in bunkers beneath chemical plant."
• Dr. Anthony Fauci tests positive for Covid - "Fauci, who has received two booster shots, is experiencing mild symptoms, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases."
• Eight million Australians urged to turn off lights - "Australia's energy minister has urged households in New South Wales - a state that includes the country's biggest city Sydney - to switch off their lights in the face of an energy crisis. Chris Bowen says people should not use electricity for two hours every evening if they 'have a choice'."
• New data reveals extraordinary global heating in the Arctic - "Temperatures in the Barents Sea region are ‘off the scale’ and may affect extreme weather in the US and Europe."
• Queen’s ‘seabed rights’ swell to value of £5bn after auction of plots - "British crown estate portfolio rises in value by 8.3% to £15.6bn."
• Bill Gates says crypto & NFTs are a sham - "Those digital asset trends are '100% based on greater fool theory,' the Microsoft co-founder said Tuesday at a TechCrunch conference, referencing the notion that investors can make money on worthless or overvalued assets as long as people are willing to bid them higher. Gates added that he's 'not long or short' crypto. And he mocked Bored Apes NFTs, joking that 'expensive digital images of monkeys' will 'improve the world immensely.'"
• John Hinckley gains full freedom 41 years after Ronald Reagan assassination attempt - "Hinckley, who shot and wounded the president in 1981 but was acquitted by reason of insanity, had decades of mental health supervision."
• Amber Heard says she still loves Johnny Depp & knows she's not 'a perfect victim' - "Amber Heard is afraid of potentially being sued again by her ex-husband Johnny Depp - even as she admits to still loving him."
• DNA analysis reveals source of Black Death - "The world's most devastating plague outbreak that is estimated to have killed half of Europe's population in the space of seven years during the Middle Ages."
• This classic Italian destination just limited tourist access - "With its cliff-chiseled road, dramatic curves and sheer drops towards the turquoise sea far below, the Amalfi Coast has become an iconic road trip destination."
• A first look at Ryan Gosling in 'Barbie' has sent the internet into a frenzy - "Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' film won't hit theaters for another year and change."
• How human-like are the most sophisticated chatbots? - "Chatbots have hit the headlines over the past few days after a Google engineer claimed that the firm's most advanced system has developed human-like feelings, or become sentient. Simply put, a chat bot is a computer program deliberately designed to mimic and respond to human speech."
• Personality Test: Your Nose shape reveals these personality traits - "For ages, there have been several studies and research to study the link between the shape of our noses and our genetic history. Scientists all over the world have studied 3D scans of people from distinct races and climate zones to decipher types of nose shapes. Experts look into the width of nostrils, the distance between nostrils, the height of the nose, length of the nose bridge, protrusion level of the nasal tip, area of the nostrils, and external area of the nose."
• Hong Kong bids farewell to Jumbo Kingdom, the world's largest floating restaurant - "A unique icon for residents and tourists alike, Jumbo Floating Restaurant has stood proud in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island for the past 46 years. Throughout this journey, it has been a great honor for us to share beautiful collective memories with local and foreign visitors."
• Is progress slowing down? - "Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'?"
• Expert shares impact Diet Coke can have on your body just one hour after drinking - "For many, nothing beats a refreshing Diet Coke when craving a satisfying, low-calorie beverage. However, some claim the fizzy favourite can have alarming effects just one hour after drinking."
• The UK's haven for alternative thinking - "Trailblazing scientists, architects and engineers are flocking to a sleepy Welsh town, where their environmental breakthroughs are changing – and helping to save - the world."
• ‘Wallets & eyeballs’: how eBay turned the internet into a marketplace - "The story of the modern web is often told through the stories of Google, Facebook, Amazon. But eBay was the first conqueror."
• How to make the perfect chocolate sorbet - recipe - "Harder to find than chocolate ice-cream, chocolate sorbet has an elegance other flavours cannot match and is surprisingly easy to make at home."
• Tag Heuer watches to display NFTs: The ultimate status symbol? - "Displaying NFTs in real life is the new cool. Frédéric Arnault, CEO of LVMH-owned Tag Heuer, explains all."
• Philips’ new projector looks like one I’d actually want in my living room - "A big image from a vanishingly small box."
• Bowmore’s Latest 52-Year-Old Single Malt Comes in a Futuristic Decanter by Aston Martin - "The Islay distillery and luxury automaker team up on a $125,000 scotch."

June 15, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russia tells Sievierodonetsk defenders to surrender; 500 civilians attempt to flee Azot plant - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 112 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says outcome of battle for Donbas will determine course of the war; Russia calls on Ukrainian forces in Sievierodonetsk to lay down arms."
• Sanctions force Russia to produce popular car without air bags, other safety features - "The first Russian car produced since the invasion of Ukraine had to sacrifice safety due to sanctions in "a very symbolic step backwards" for Russia's standing globally, experts said."
• IKEA takes the next step to scale down in Russia & Belarus - "The war in Ukraine has already had a terrible impact on so many people’s lives. It is a human tragedy that is continuing to affect people and communities."
• China's borders are closed, but it's building bridges to Russia - "For decades the Amur River has separated modern China and Russia - its waters cutting though more than 1,000 of their roughly 2,500 border miles. But it's always lacked one thing: a vehicle bridge. Now - as Russia's economic isolation in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine pushes it closer to Beijing - that is changing, with fanfare."
• For Its Next Zero Covid Chapter, China Turns to Mass Testing - "Residents in many cities must show negative P.C.R. tests to go shopping or use public services. The policy may hamper efforts to revive the economy."
• New Tools Can Make Our Covid Immunity Even Stronger - The New York Times.
• Vanuatu, one of the last Covid hermit nations, to open to tourists after two years - "The tourism-dependent Pacific country will reopen with almost no restrictions in July, though there are concerns about lack of airline deals."
• UN chief says the dash for new fossil fuels is 'delusional' - "Rich countries have made a dangerous dash for fossil fuels in response to the Ukraine war, the U.N. secretary-general said on Tuesday, warning that new investments being made in coal, oil and gas were 'delusional' given their impact on climate change."
• The 1977 White House climate memo that should have changed the world - "Years before the climate crisis was part of national discourse, this memo to the president predicted catastrophe."
• Sea level rise in England will put 200,000 homes at risk by 2050, data shows - "Due to the climate crisis, within 30 years these coastal properties will be potentially unsalvageable, researchers say."
• The 22 wildest lines from Donald Trump's 12(!)-page statement on the January 6 committee - "In response to the second public hearing of the January 6 committee, former President Donald Trump released a 12-page statement - yes, 12 full pages! - seeking to rebut the charges leveled against him."
• Trump’s raising of $250m for fund that ‘did not exist’ suggests possible fraud - "'The big lie was also the big rip-off,' says Democrat Zoe Lofgren after January 6 panel appears to make case for fundraising fraud."
• America’s Richest Self-Made Women - "Forbes’ Ranking Of The Country’s Most Successful Women Entrepreneurs, Executives And Entertainers."
• 9 Things To Pack For Paris To Avoid Looking Like A Tourist - "Trying to look like a local rather than a tourist does not mean that you will have to forgo comfort, ease, or security. You can still wear shoes which you can walk in for hours, you can wear comfortable clothes, and you might even be able to wear a backpack - for that, read on."
• The biggest bridal style trend in 2022? Whatever you please - "Wedding season is in full swing after two years of delayed or pared down 'micro' ceremonies, and one thing is clear: Classic is out, wear-what-you-want is in."
• Here's what it might be like to travel on a double decker airplane seat - "Flying economy for any extended period of time is an experience usually endured rather than enjoyed, but one airplane seat designer reckons his design could revolutionize budget travel."
• Ditch Siri & Put Alexa on Your iPhone Home Screen Instead - "Adding the Alexa widget to your iOS home screen puts Amazon's voice assistant just a short tap away. Here's how to set it up."
• iOS 16: New iPhone Features We're Excited to Try - "Your iPhone will become more customizable in iOS 16. You'll be able to choose how your lock screen looks, down to the font and color. You can even set up multiple customized lock screens with different widgets and easily swipe to switch between them."
• You can use your iPhone to unlock & start your car with amazing hidden CarKey feature - "Contactless payments boomed during the pandemic, but few people realise that you can actually use contactless to unlock and start your car - all you need is an iPhone or an Apple Watch."
• 5 reasons you should buy MacBook Air 2022 instead of the new MacBook Pro - "Since both the MacBook Air 2022 and MacBook Pro 2022 contain the latest slice of Apple silicon, it naturally leads to questions about which device is the better option. Given the 'Pro' moniker, and the fact that it costs $100 more than the Air, you might be tempted to say the new Pro is the one to buy. However, the MacBook Air is better in several ways."
• Apple M2 vs M1 chip: What's the difference? - "Apple's M2 chip is a notable upgrade over the M1 - here's how."
• SMART SWITCHES OR SMART BULBS? HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SMART LIGHTING FOR YOUR HOME - "Switches, bulbs, plugs, remotes, bridges, and hubs - smart lighting can be complicated. We’ll help you get it sorted."
• Microsoft to retire Internet Explorer browser & redirect users to Edge - "Company says decision to disable desktop app comes as web developers less likely to make sites compatible with browser, which first graced computers in 1995."
• Why cats go so crazy for catnip - "Catnip isn't just intensely pleasurable for cats. It's also practical."
• People in Pakistan urged to drink fewer cups of tea - "People in Pakistan have been asked to reduce the amount of tea they drink to keep the country's economy afloat. Sipping fewer cups a day would cut Pakistan's high import bills, senior minister Ahsan Iqbal said. Pakistan is the world's largest importer of tea, buying in more than $600m worth last year."
• Why top chefs are leaving Paris - "The exodus of Paris' chefs to the countryside. Many top culinary masters are abandoning the French capital in favour of greener pastures, where they can have a hand not just in choosing, but in growing their ingredients."
• The race to reclaim the dark - "Some 200 places around the world have now achieved Dark Sky status. Frankie Adkins explores the benefits nights without light pollution can bring."
• Yellowstone Park, Staggered by Rain & Floods, Will Stay Closed for Days - "Parts of the national park may stay off-limits for the rest of the season. Visitors were evacuated after record rainfall washed away roads and bridges, the authorities said."
• Test-Driving The 273mph Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - "This Is What It’s Like To Drive The 273mph Bugatti Chiron Super Sport."
• 101-Carat Diamond Could Fetch $10 Million At Sotheby’s New York Auction - "The 101.41-carat Juno diamond is the top lot at Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale on Thursday. The internally flawless, D-color pear-shaped gem is named after the queen of the gods and the goddess of light and fertility. Juno reigned supreme in the Roman pantheon. She was worshipped for her radiance and auspicious nature, serving as an apt namesake for this majestic and exquisitely voluptuous pear-shaped diamond. Its estimate is reportedly $10 million."

June 14, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Donbas battles ‘most brutal’ Europe has seen, Zelenskiy says; civilians trapped in Sievierodonetsk - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 111 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy calls fighting in Sievierodonetsk ‘one of the most violent battles in Europe’ as Russia destroys all three bridges to city."
• More than 15,000 millionaires expected to leave Russia in 2022 - "Data suggests exits after invasion of Ukraine, and UAE to overtake US and UK as top destination for world’s wealthy."
• Plastitar: mix of tar & microplastics is new form of pollution, say scientists - "Researchers in Canary Islands coin term for new type of marine pollution they say could be leaking toxic chemicals into oceans."
• How Covid Did Away With the Sick Day - "Some workers have no choice but to clock in. Others find the flexibility of remote work leads them to log in from their sick beds."
• Think you're OK because you only drink on weekends? Think again, study says - "'What this means is that an individual whose total consumption is seven drinks on Saturday night presents a greater risk profile than someone whose total consumption is a daily drink with dinner, even though their average drinking level is the same.'"
• Refresh your routine with this summer drink - "You're starting to slump but don't want another turbocharged cup of coffee. Why not turn to a refreshing glass of iced tea?"
• Top 10 attractions & amusement parks for 2022, according to Tripadvisor - "A dreamy, uniquely designed cathedral in Europe that's been under construction since 1882 is the top attraction in the world for 2022, according to Tripadvisor's reviewers."
• 9 Most Walkable Cities Around The World - "TravelAwaits’ 2022 Best Of Travel Awards."
• iOS 16: The complete guide to the next big iPhone update - "iOS 16 was announced at WWDC. Here's what you need to know about the new features, release date, and compatibility."
• How Apple is making its many devices more alike than ever - "Apple isn't simply trying to look to what's next, but to fix what's come before and level the playing field across all its platforms."
• Amazon to begin drone deliveries in US this year - "Amazon to begin drone deliveries in Lockeford, California this year. Amazon says it will begin delivering parcels to shoppers by drone for the first time later this year, pending final regulatory approval."
• North America’s 50 Best Bars 2022 - "New York’s Attaboy Wins Top Spot."
• 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition Revealed - "Porsche is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the iconic 356 America Roadster with a new 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition. The limited-edition convertible sports car - only 115 will be built in total - will arrive in showrooms later this year for the 2023 model year. The America Edition will only be sold in North America. With such a low production volume, the vehicle will be one of the rarest Type-992 models that Porsche has ever released."
• Bob Mackie says Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe's gown to Met Gala was a 'big mistake' - "'It was designed for her. Nobody else should be seen in that dress,' the famed designer who drew the original sketch for star's 1962 Jean Louis gown, tells EW."
• Oskar Barnack’s Leica Sells for $15M, is Now World’s Priciest Camera - "The 40th Leitz Photographica Auction has concluded with the sale of the most expensive camera ever. Oskar Barnak’s Leica 0-Series No. 105 sold for nearly five times the highest estimation: over $15 million."
• Sony would love if you bought its $3,700 Walkman for over-the-top audiophiles - "Are you the sort of music listener who'll happily pay more for a set of earphones than you would on a nice computer? If so, Sony has the MP3 players for you. The company has released two ultra-high-end Walkman MP3 players aimed squarely at audiophiles."

June 13, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: river crossing operations in Donbas likely to determine course of the war, UK MoD says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 110 of the invasion - "Fierce street fighting continues in Sievierodonetsk, where Russian forces destroyed a bridge cutting off possible evacuation route."
• ‘Ferocious’ Covid outbreak in Beijing traced to raucous bar - "Cluster comes week after city eased restrictions, raising fresh concerns over ‘zero Covid’ policy and economy."
• Stocks are falling & prices are skyrocketing. Here's how to protect your money - "Anyone expecting inflation to have peaked by now got a rude surprise this week. The latest inflation report showed prices in May rose 8.6% from a year ago - the fastest rate in 40 years. Add to that declining stocks, climbing interest rates and global economic troubles caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and it's understandable why people may not be feeling great about the economy, despite a still-strong job market. So if you're looking for ways to protect yourself financially, while also making the most of what you have, here are some options to consider."
• Travel news: US drops Covid testing & even Japan is relaxing entry - "This week in travel news, the United States is set to drop its Covid-19 testing requirement for inbound air travelers, and Japan is now allowing international tour groups. Plus, the world's most expensive cities and the country with Europe's cleanest bathing spots have been revealed."
• Dubai - a bolthole & a gateway - "A common refrain in Monaco when business owners are asked what happened to Russian clients after sanctions is: 'They’ve gone to Dubai.'"
• Best running gear: top gadgets to keep you motivated - "From music on the go to GPS watches and apps such as Strava, tech to help you clock up the miles."
• The 8 Best Whiskeys In The USA 2022 - "The Ultimate Spirits Challenge just announced their best of the best American whiskeys. Here are our tasting notes on each one."
• Simple eye examination could predict heart attack risk, says study - "Researchers find that patterns of blood vessels in the retina could help identify those likely to experience cardiac problems."
• World Cup 2022: When is it taking place & why is Qatar hosting? - "The last two spots in football's 2022 World Cup finals will be decided this week when the intercontinental play-offs are held in Doha, Qatar."
• CNN goes inside rebranded McDonald's restaurant in Russia - "Russia has relaunched McDonald's under new branding and ownership. CNN's Fred Pleitgen visited Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square, the same location where McDonald's first opened in Russia in 1990."
• What is 'low-carbon gardening'? - "How to turn your garden into a carbon sink. From patches of wilderness to decomposing plants, turning your garden into a carbon sink isn’t just about adding lots of trees."
• How Fashion Giants Recast Plastic as Good for the Planet - "An influential system overseen by retailers and clothing makers ranks petroleum-based synthetics like 'vegan leather' as more environmentally sound than natural fibers."
• Why you may have a thinking digital twin within a decade - "Most of us have been told by a friend that we have a doppelganger - some stranger they passed on the street who bore an uncanny resemblance to you. But imagine if you could create your very own twin, an exact copy of yourself, but one that lived a purely digital life?"
• Zhang Daqian, the Chinese painter who outsold Van Gogh - "Zhang Daqian may not be a household name in the West, but in China - and the global art market at large - he is on par with the likes of Warhol and Monet."
• A Restored Painting Recalls the Colosseum’s Christian Past - "The restoration of a wall painting depicting an idealized Jerusalem is a reminder that the Roman monument, known best for gladiatorial combat, was a sacred Christian space for centuries."
• Lolita at 60: Stanley Kubrick’s daring drama is a deft tightrope act - "The first, and greatest, adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov’s troubling 1955 novel still possesses a strange and unnerving power."

June 12, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: fierce fighting in Sievierdonetsk, as EU to decide on Ukraine candidacy - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 109 of the invasion - "EU to make recommendation on Ukraine’s candidacy this week; Biden says Zelenskiy didn’t want to hear warnings of Russian invasion."
• Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion - "Heavy fighting continues in east Ukraine, with key locations under intense bombardment from Russian forces."
• Climate change a bigger threat than war, Fiji tells security summit - "Fiji has told an Asian security summit that climate change is a bigger threat to the Pacific than military tensions."
• Thirty years of climate summits: where have they got us? - "Highlights and lowlights of Cop since Rio 1992, when countries set up a system to tackle climate crisis."
• Donald Trump, American Monster - "A man of pure narcissistic psychopathy feels no guilt and has no sense of the damage he does."
• Personality Test: Your sleeping position reveals these personality traits - "Why do you sleep on your stomach? Why do you on your side? Why do you sleep with a pillow? Today, we tell you your personality traits based on your favorite sleeping position."
• Punctuality Is Having a Moment - "'Fashionably late' falls out of fashion after more than two years of remote work, when, for many people, there was no good reason to be tardy."
• Transforming an Airbus A330 into a yacht-like luxury experience - "The fact that the mega rich go to great lengths to customize their private planes to fit their lifestyles is not new."
• Saudi money, blockbuster names & a unique format: everything you need to know about the LIV Golf series - "The new golf tour began on Thursday in London, with fans arriving at the Centurion Club to witness some of the sport's biggest names playing in the inaugural event just north of London."
• The Shocking History of Arsenic-Laced Wallpaper - "When we think of arsenic today, it’s pretty much synonymous with poison. But in the 19th century, as much as its lethal qualities captivated the public imagination, the substance became more and more common in everyday life. Newspapers sensationalized murder trials of wives who supposedly killed their husbands with 'inheritance powder,' while the average Victorian home often contained medicines, makeup, aphrodisiacs, clothing, children’s toys, and wallpaper laced with the very same chemical. So how, exactly, could a health hazard this serious remain so prevalent?"
• 8 Ingenious Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds - "Few give a thought to its byproduct, coffee grounds, which most people unceremoniously dump into the garbage. And that's a mistake, as there are a surprising number of things you can do with used coffee grounds. Some of this versatility comes from the fact that coffee is filled with valuable nutrients. Researchers from Spain's University of Granada found coffee grounds are rich in fiber and phenols, and their antioxidant effects are 500 times greater than those found in vitamin C. The grounds' coarse texture is another advantage, as is their ability to stain. Intrigued? Here are eight creative ways to reuse your old coffee grounds."
• Confessions of a 1980s flight attendant - "Remember when flying was glamorous and sexy, even fun? When airline food was gourmet, everyone dressed up for a flight, and stewardesses catered to our every need-at least in our imaginations?"
• Hollywood producer's quest to restore English stately home - "When US film-maker Hopwood DePree discovered his family's derelict English ancestral home a decade ago, he left Hollywood and started a new life near Rochdale to save the crumbling mansion. He has now told the story in a book called Downton Shabby."
• Welcome To Bezel World - "A look at the single most talked-about watch component of all time."
• The State Of Champagne: An Interview With G.H. Mumm - "With so many sparkling wine competitors in the world market, from Spain, Italy and California, Champagne has managed to maintain a healthy growth rate, even with the introduction of smaller estates in Reims and Epernay joining the big established marques. To assess the current state of Champagne, I interviewed Laurent Fresnet, Cellar Master at G.H. Mumm, while he was visitng New York last month."
• Mo Donegal crosses finish line first at Belmont Stakes - "Mo Donegal won the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York, on Saturday."
• This is the Harrison Ford scene you didn’t see in ‘E.T.’ - "E.T. did not phone Harrison Ford. The megawatt movie star was supposed to be in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 blockbuster - which turns 40 on June 11 - but his scene ended up on the cutting-room floor."
• Hands on: Everything new with CarPlay in iOS 16 - "Apple heavily featured CarPlay during this year's WWDC keynote. There are several changes planned - some imminent and some for down the line. Here is what's new with CarPlay and what we'll actually see in iOS 16."
• Everything new with Apple Music on iOS 16 - "One of the reasons to be excited about a WWDC is previewing what’s coming to Apple Music. With iOS 16, unfortunately, Apple didn’t announce a ton of new features to its music streaming service - different from all the other years. That said, there are still a few functions and tweaks that users will love when using Apple Music with iOS 16."

June 11, 2022

• The week around the world in 20 pictures - "The shelling of Sievierodonetsk, the aftermath of Hurricane Agatha, wildfires near Brasília and the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations in London: the most striking global images this week."
• Russia-Ukraine war: ‘intense street fighting’ in Sieverodonetsk with both sides suffering heavy casualties, says UK - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 108 of the invasion - "Cholera warning as Russia accused of razing high-rises in Mariupol without removing bodies; Serbia rejects call to impose Russia sanctions; fighting rages in Sievierodonetsk."
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news and analysis - "Ukraine ‘almost out of ammunition’; death sentences at a show trial; the battle for Sievierodonetsk."
• Restoration of empire is the endgame for Russia's Vladimir Putin - "'Peter the Great waged the Great Northern War for 21 years,' a relaxed and apparently self-satisfied Putin said. 'On the face of it, he was at war with Sweden taking something away from it... He was not taking away anything, he was returning. This is how it was.'"
• Burger & two fries? Russia unveils logo as it replaces McDonald’s - "More than 1,000 former restaurants of US fast-food chain to be taken over by as yet unnamed brand."
• Five key takeaways from the Capitol riot hearing - "After 11 months of work, the congressional committee investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol - and the events leading up to it - held its first public hearing to announce their findings."
• C.D.C. Dismisses Airborne Transmission of Monkeypox. Some Experts Disagree - "The virus 'is not known to linger in the air,' agency officials said. But the research is far from definitive."
• Singleness Is Not a Stigma - "It’s time we stop privileging romantic connections over all others."
• 'End of life' doctor reveals what happens when we die is 'best kept secret in medicine' - "Dr Kathryn Mannix, from Northumberland, specialises in palliative and end of life care and believes death is a 'process' which mirrors birth and is probably quite relaxing for most."
• When we'll be able to 3D-print organs & who will be able to afford them - "The soonest that could happen is in a decade, thanks to 3D organ bioprinting, said Jennifer Lewis, a professor at Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. Organ bioprinting is the use of 3D-printing technologies to assemble multiple cell types, growth factors and biomaterials in a layer-by-layer fashion to produce bioartificial organs that ideally imitate their natural counterparts, according to a 2019 study."
• Tiger Woods Officially A Billionaire, No Thanks To The Saudis - "He reportedly turned down a 'high nine digits' deal to play on the new Saudi-backed golf tour, but no matter. Thanks to endorsements and real estate, he is a billionaire anyway."
• How psilocybin, the psychedelic in mushrooms, may rewire the brain to ease depression, anxiety & more - "Shrooms, Alice, tweezes, mushies, hongos, pizza toppings, magic mushrooms - everyday lingo for psychedelic mushrooms seems to grow with each generation. Yet leading mycologist Paul Stamets believes it's time for fans of psilocybin mushrooms to leave such childish slang behind."
• 20 Everyday Carry Brands You Should Know - "Even if you’ve never heard of the concept before, there’s a pretty solid chance you’ve got an everyday carry loadout you rely on to get you through your days. This could be as simple as just a wallet, keychain, and smartphone. Or it could be far more comprehensive - comprised of a bevy of tools, devices, a blade or two, etc. The greater point is this: EDC is pretty damn ubiquitous, even for those not in the know. And that probably explains why there are so many options out there for good everyday carry gear."
• 30 Best Accessories For Everyday Carry of 2022 - HiConsumption.
• From the 'Clapper' to arsenic wallpaper, why objects go extinct - "The 'Clapper', literal snail mail, anti-gravity underwear - there are reasons why all of these objects are extinct. But now, a new book is exhuming them from the trash heap of history."
• Secrets of a prize-winning Sicilian gelateria - "Pizza, pasta and gelato: the holy trinity of Italian food. And while the first two have conquered the rest of the world, no other country yet has succeeded in making gelato quite like the Italians do. A more intense form of ice cream, containing less dairy and served slightly warge.. and spring... and winter."
• ET the Extra-Terrestrial at 40: Spielberg’s sci-fi smash remains a wonder - "The director’s lauded 1982 hit is about childhood empathy - four decades later, it’s still one of his most complete experiences."
• How to turn spent coffee into a brilliant vegan dessert - "This plant-based tiramisu is a fantastic way to make your ground coffee go even further."
• Bullet Proof Armored BMW I7 Electric Limousine On Its Way - "BMW will build an armored version of its super-luxury i7 limousine, sources at the German premium automaker have confirmed. An official announcement on the BMW i7 Protection is likely to be made after this month’s G7 economic summit in Germany, but the project will be BMW’s first official armored electric car."
• FIREFOX & CHROME ARE SQUARING OFF OVER AD-BLOCKER EXTENSIONS - "Mozilla will let extensions use the most privacy-preserving blocking techniques on network traffic."
• The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now - "New films, and classics, just keep coming, but you don’t have to drill down to find the finest selections to stream. We’ll do the heavy lifting. You press play."
• Tom Sachs' NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe could be Nike's most wearable shoe ever - "Tom Sachs has unveiled his NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe and it's one of Nike's most wearable shoes ever (and it won't cost the earth)."
• Limited Edition Gold Leica M10 is Being Released in Honor of the Thai King - "In a collaboration with Thai Beverage, Leica is set to make 10 gold Leica M10 cameras available in honor of the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and each is expected to cost around $50,000."

June 10, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: UK MP says captured Britons sentenced to death are ‘essentially being used as hostages’ by Russia - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 107 of the invasion - "Vladimir Putin compares his actions in Ukraine to conquests of Peter the Great; Zelenskiy says Ukraine ‘holding on’ to key frontline cities in Donbas."
• Putin compares himself to Peter the Great in quest to take back Russian lands - "President draws parallel with tsar who waged war on Sweden and says campaign in Ukraine stems from Russia’s ‘basic values’."
• Putin: West unlikely to reject Russian energy for years - "Russian President Vladimir Putin says the West will not be able to cut itself off from Russian oil and gas for several years."
• Mission accomplished? The meaning of Russia’s claimed land bridge to Crimea - "As its defence minister trumpets a key goal, Russia is pushing hard to subjugate areas of southern Ukraine it controls."
• Why Chinese warplanes are 'playing chicken' with US allies & why they're doing it now - "Chinese warplanes are targeting US allies in a high-stakes 'game of chicken' over the Asia-Pacific that risks spiraling out of control - raising the risk of an incident that could spark war."
• My Family Got Covid. So Why Did We Test Negative? - "The key to this household mystery may lie in our vaccination status, experts say."
• How to age well - Live for today the philosophical way - "What’s gone is gone, but don’t waste time worrying about that. Or on what comes next. The ideal way to age is to be in the moment."
• Trump's Air Force One plan has a paint problem (among many other issues) - "The two new Air Force One jets currently being built by Boeing are facing costly delays. Now there is a new potential problem to contend with: the paint job that former President Donald Trump ordered. Trump had criticized the jet's current color scheme, which has changed little since the Kennedy Administration, particularly the light blue stripe that runs the length of the plane. Trump instead wanted a red, white and dark blue palette that more closely matches the colors of the US flag."
• Nasa forms independent team to study unexplained UFO sightings - "The space agency’s mission chief said scientific community may see it as ‘selling out’ with study expected to begin this fall."
• With Elon Musk, the Drama Is the Point - "Elon Musk may be looking for a better Twitter deal as $44 billion seems too high with 20% of users being fake or spam accounts."
• The best podcasts of 2022 so far - "From the astounding story of magicians Siegfried and Roy to an addictive series on our obsession with reality TV, here’s the most essential listening from the last six months."
• Apple Announces iOS 16: It Could Disappoint Millions Of iPhone Users - "Surprisingly, it’ll work with fewer iPhones than many had predicted."
• #worktok: The surge of venting about the worst of work - "A couple of years ago, happy hour at the pub was workers' go-to destination for whinging about work. But after two years of social distancing during the pandemic, that's changed. Now, workers across the world have instead picked up their smartphones to vent about the 9-to-5 on TikTok, the social media app with a billion monthly users."
• A gourmet revival of Sierra Leone's bold flavours - "Sierra Leone recently got its first traditional fine-dining restaurant: a buzzing oasis where West African history and culture meet haute cuisine. Since November 2021, a new restaurant, The Cole Street Guest House, has put Sierra Leone's ancestral flavours front and centre, creating a buzzing oasis where history and culture meet haute cuisine."
• Where To Stay While Visiting The World's Greatest Beaches - "Each summer millions of vacationers flock to beaches throughout the world in order to soak up some rays and to feel the soft sand beneath their feet. With a seemingly endless array of beaches on the planet, travelers have plenty of choices from which to choose. From the shores of Ramatuelle to the beaches lying just above the equator in Thailand and Malaysia, water enthusiasts won’t be shortchanged. Of course, just as important as the beach you ultimately select are the accommodations you choose. These exquisite accommodations are sure to enhance any beach vacation."
• ‘So gorgeous you’ll shed tears of joy’: readers’ favourite beaches in Greece - "From Ithaca to Milos via the Peloponnese, our tipsters wax lyrical about glorious beach sojourns."
• Alexander McQueen fashion & the art it inspired - in pictures - "A new collection sits beside works by 12 female artists, turning the brand’s Mayfair store into an art gallery."
• Magnus Carlsen is closing in on his target of a 2900 rating - The Guardian.
• How Skagen Turns Ocean Plastic Into Watches For The Many - "The Danish-inspired brand is making waves with horological sustainability efforts."
• The DeLorean Is Back With An 88-Unit ‘Alpha V’ EV Concept - "Not many cars have the emotional pull of a DeLorean, the Future-Is-So-Bright 1980s automotive icon that was cemented into the public zeitgeist like few other cars after a star turn as a rolling time machine in the mega-hit movie Back To The Future - and the sudden and swift demise of the company and the man who created it."
• Ikea announces record player that might actually make it to stores this time - "Designed in collaboration with Swedish House Mafia for the collection called OBEGRÄNSAD, launching in Fall 2022."

June 9, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy says Sievierodonetsk seeing most difficult fighting so far in war - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 106 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy describes the battle for Sievierodonetsk as the most difficult seen so far as Russia claims to have begun to send grain from occupied areas of Ukraine to Turkey and the Middle East."
• War in Ukraine threatens to unleash “unprecedented wave” of global hunger & destitution, warns UN Chief - "More than three months since the start of the war in Ukraine, people globally are facing a cost-of-living crisis not seen in more than a generation, with escalating price shocks in the global food, energy and fertilizer markets - in a world already grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. An estimated 1.6 billion people in 94 countries are exposed to at least one dimension of the crisis, and about 1.2 billion of them live in ‘perfect-storm’ countries which are severely vulnerable to all three dimensions - food, energy and finance - of the cost-of-living crisis, according to the latest findings of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) on food, energy and finance systems."
• US has a "very serious" problem with Covid-19 vaccine uptake - "According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48.7% of people over the age of 12 have been fully vaccinated and received at least one booster dose in the US. That is a lower rate than in other countries with similar access to vaccines. For example, 69.6% of people over the age of 12 have been boosted in the United Kingdom and 55.5% in Canada. Across the 27 European Union countries, 62.6% of adults have been boosted."
• Parts of Shanghai return to lockdown, Beijing district shuts entertainment venues - "Shanghai and Beijing went back on fresh COVID-19 alert on Thursday after parts of China's largest economic hub started imposing new lockdown restrictions while the most populous district in the Chinese capital shut entertainment venues."
• Gruelling gaokao exams put China’s ‘epidemic generation’ to the test - "The class of 2022 is the first to have completed the entire high school curriculum under the shadow of Covid-19. As students across the country line up for the first day of the college entrance exam, Shanghai candidates must wait another month."
• Trials of new Covid vaccine raise hopes of once-a-year booster - "Moderna shot is said to produce eightfold increase in antibody levels against Omicron in first four weeks."
• Scientists have for the first time found microplastics in freshly fallen Antarctic snow - "Researchers from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand collected samples from 19 sites in Antarctica and each contained tiny plastic fragments."
• New Zealand's plan to tax cow & sheep burps - It would make it the first nation to charge farmers for the methane emissions from the animals they keep.
• Should we detach ourselves from nature? - "In the face of environmental collapse, humanity may need to turn to artificial replacements for nature - how might we avoid the most dystopian of these futures?"
• Prince Albert 0f Monaco joins the ranks of authors - "'Man and the Ocean' by HSH Prince Albert has been published by Editions Flammarion to mark World Oceans Day on June 8."
• The best test tracks to trial your hi-fi system - "Test tracks that are particularly telling of a system's talents."
• The ugly economics behind Apple’s new Pay Later system - "Apple’s foray into the buy now, pay later scheme poses some serious questions about consumer safety."
• Stage Manager is the new Mac multitasking interface we didn’t know we needed - "Apple new windows organizer in macOS 13 Ventura can be very helpful."
• The Toilet Paper So Soft Prince Charles Betrayed the Official Royal Supplier - "Charles’s affinity for Kleenex Velvet was revealed to Brown by Michael Fawcett, former senior valet to the prince."
• TikTok is Convincing People to Scratch Their Camera Lenses with Rocks - "Some photographers on TikTok are trying an unconventional technique for unusual results: taking a rock to the front of their lenses, scratching the glass, and destroying them in the process."
• The man who bought an entire village in Italy - "Italy has in recent years sold off hundreds of dilapidated homes for next to nothing, thanks to schemes to attract new residents triggering a wave of regeneration for rural communities. For one man, buying a single house wasn't enough. He bought an entire village."
• THE LIGHT OF AFRICA DIAMOND - A SENSATIONAL DIAMOND - "Sold for US$20,084,000 on June 8 at Christie's. 103.49 carats, D color, Flawless, excellent polish and symmetry, Type IIa."
• The New Dream List: 12 Once-In-A-Lifetime Travel Goals - "The old 'bucket list,' with its crowded monuments has given way to a new collection of dream trips—heavy on the nature and remote culture."
• ALL THE BIGGEST NEWS FROM NETFLIX GEEKED WEEK 2022 - "Sandman, Umbrella Academy, Resident Evil, and much more."
• The country calling 2022 the 'year of coffee' - "Coffee isn't just a drink in Saudi Arabia, it's an ancient tradition of hospitality - and as the country opens to tourism, it's also one of its most interesting draws."
• Beetroot juice may aid people with coronary heart disease - study - "Research suggests a daily glass reduces harmful inflammation by boosting nitric oxide levels."

June 8, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine defences in Sievierodonetsk holding, says UK’s MoD; Chornobyl radiation detectors re-start - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 105 of the invasion - "Ukrainian forces fight to stave off Russian attacks in Sievierodonestk as 800 civilians reportedly take refuge in a chemical factory in the city."
• Mystery Russian superyacht sets sail for the US after Fiji court ruling - "Russian oil boss, Eduard Khudainatov, linked to ‘Putin’s yacht’ at centre of US court case."
• The world's most expensive cities for 2022 - "Global mobility company ECA International has released its annual list of the world's most expensive cities to live in, and once again Hong Kong has landed at the top of the list."
• 25 Most Affordable & Most Expensive Michelin Restaurants in Europe - "You’ll be glad to know that there are very affordable options in the world of Michelin stars, where you can enjoy a fabulous meal for 30 euros or less." Chef's Pencil.
• The Best Luxury Luggage for Traveling in Style - "Bring back the golden age of travel with these gorgeous designer suitcases and weekenders."
• The best games of 2022 so far - "From racing round the Nürburgring and cerebral androids on the run, to compiling the first Pokédex and tackling robot dinosaurs, here are the best games of the year so far."
• Japan to let in foreign tourists, but only if masked & accompanied by chaperone - "Visitors from select countries will be allowed to return to Japan from Friday but will only be allowed to travel under strict conditions."
• ‘Gold rush’ for gas production threatens to lock in global heating - "New dash for gas driven by energy disruption and rising prices spurns warnings to cease exploration to meet 1.5 heating limit."
• Airline asks passengers to prove nationality with language test - "Ryanair under fire for asking South Africans to prove nationality with Afrikaans test."
• How Updates in iOS 16 & Android 13 Will Change Your Phone - "Soon, iPhone owners will be able to edit text messages, and Android owners will be able to send high-resolution photos. Many of the changes are long overdue."
• Apple explains how it’s making your iPhone a full-fledged webcam for your Mac - "A WWDC session details the new Continuity Camera for macOS 13 and iOS 16."
• Apple will be required to support USB-C charger under new EU policy - "Apple and other smartphone makers will be required to support USB-C as part of a single charging standard for mobile devices across the European Union by as early as the fall of 2024 under a new law announced Tuesday by EU officials."
• 'Napalm Girl' at 50: The story of the Vietnam War's defining photo - "The girl, since identified as Phan Thi Kim Phuc, ultimately survived her injuries. This was thanks, in part, to Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, who assisted the children after taking his now-iconic image. Fifty years on from that fateful day, the pair are still in regular contact - and using their story to spread a message of peace."
• A sponge may not be the most hygienic way to clean dishes, study suggests, but there is an alternative - "'Salmonella and other bacteria grow and survive better in sponges than in brushes, the reason is that sponges in daily use never dry up,' said Trond Møretrø, a research scientist at Nofima, a Norwegian food research institute. 'Brushes are the better choice to clean dishes, from an hygienic point of view.'"
• A tiny hotel on the edge of the world - "Norway's creative, isolated Arctic hideaway. On a remote island deep into the Arctic Circle, a passionate jazz musician runs a hospitality project like no other - and it takes all his improvisational skills to keep it going."
• Regent Seven Seas 2025 World Cruise To Stop In 97 Ports, Here’s How Much It Will Cost - "Here’s your chance to see the entire world! You just have to be willing to spend about 5 months on a cruise ship and fork over some serious money."
• Could we live without plastic? - "What would happen if we stopped using plastic? Plastic has seeped into every aspect of our existence. Can we live without it?"
• How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag, according to Dublin designer expert - "Sustainable fashion is the way forward - so investing in a luxury handbag is beneficial for both consumers and the planet. Paddy also counts the stiches and measures the zips to check for authenticity. The Louis Vuitton branding stamp is also one to look out for. Paddy makes sure that the distance between letters are all equal. 'There will be a date code inside these bags as well which will tell us what month or year the bag was made.'"
• The Ancient Greek Roots of Feta, The Oldest Cheese in Recorded History - "Feta is the soft white 'king' of Greek cheeses, renowned around the world. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times as the first mention of the famous cheese is as old as Homer’s Odyssey. In fact, it’s the oldest cheese in recorded history."

June 7, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Sievierodonetsk sees ‘fierce street fighting’; Zelenskiy says peace talks ‘at level zero’ - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 104 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says Sievierodonetsk and sister city Lysychansk are ‘dead cities’ as UN warns war is creating a human trafficking crisis."
• Federal judge authorizes US to seize two of Roman Abramovich’s private jets - "US justice department prosecutors say both jets flew to Russia in March, violating export restrictions."
• How do you get 20m tonnes of grain out of Ukraine? - "War presents diplomatic and logistical challenges as silos of world’s fifth-biggest wheat exporter fill up."
• Russia Seeks Buyers for Plundered Ukraine Grain, U.S. Warns - "American diplomats have alerted 14 countries, most in Africa, that Russian ships filled with stolen Ukrainian grain could be headed their way, posing a dilemma to countries facing dire food shortages."
• Singapore's dengue 'emergency' is a climate change omen for the world - "Singapore says it is facing a dengue 'emergency' as it grapples with an outbreak of the seasonal disease that has come unusually early this year. The Southeast Asian city-state has already exceeded 11,000 cases - far beyond the 5,258 it reported throughout 2021 - and that was before June 1, when its peak dengue season traditionally begins."
• Apple WWDC 2022: the 16 biggest announcements - "Here’s everything announced at the big event."
• Hands-on with the new, more colorful, M2-powered MacBook Air - "What Apple’s new laptop looks like in person."
• MacBook Air M2 hands-on: Bye-bye wedge - "Highlights include a new look, TouchID and bigger screen."
• Apple's next-gen CarPlay will better integrate with your car's infotainment system - "In-dash displays could soon mirror your iPhone screens."
• Apple will let you use iPhones for video chats on Mac - "(Because its webcams stink). iPhone users are walking around with great cameras in their pockets, so why not use that with their Macs? That's the basic idea behind Continuity Camera, a new feature coming to macOS Ventura that'll let you plop an iPhone on top of your Mac, and use those mobile cameras to power video chats in FaceTime, Teams and any other conferencing app."
• The symbolism behind the Queen's jubilee surprise - "Aware of the optics surrounding her unprecedented Platinum Jubilee, the Queen made sure to give the public a look at the future of the monarchy by opting to have Britain's next three Kings - Princes Charles, William and George - standing alongside her on the balcony."
• Elon Musk threatens to walk away from Twitter deal - "Elon Musk has threatened to walk away from his $44bn takeover of Twitter, accusing the social media company of 'thwarting' his requests to learn more about its user base."
• This landlocked country has been named Europe's best for bathing - "The quality of Europe's bathing waters has improved dramatically in recent decades, and a new report released this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals that almost 85% of its bathing sites now rank as 'excellent.' The annual Bathing Water Report monitored nearly 22,000 inland and coastal swimming spots across EU member states, Albania and Switzerland in 2021. The UK, having left the EU, was absent from the report for the first time. The landlocked country of Austria, known for its many beautiful lakes including the Alpine waters of Achensee in Tyrol and the emerald-hued Weissensee in Carinthia, is at top of the ranking, with 97.7% of its waters declared excellent."
• Rare inlaid Stradivari violin could fetch $11 million at auction - "The 'Hellier' Stradivarius 'is the finest inlaid violin ever made by... Stradivari and one of the finest Stradivarius instruments in existence,' said auction house Christie's which is offering the instrument as the top lot in its July 7 'The Exceptional Sale'."
• Overweight people lost 35 to 52 pounds on newly approved diabetes drug, study says - "A weekly dose of a medication recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat type 2 diabetes may help adults without diabetes lose weight as well, a new study found."
• Princess Charlene of Monaco tests positive for coronavirus - "HSH Princess Charlene has tested positive after showing symptoms of coronavirus infection and will not be taking part in the Riviera Water Bike Challenge on Sunday, June 5."
• Who really shot Bobby Kennedy? - "Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of the crime, but many - including Kennedy's friend Paul Schrade - suspect another gunman was involved."
• A seaweed drink that tastes of eggnog - "Belize's sweet, sustainable 'seaweed shakes'."
• Ukraine winery in area shelled by Russia wins gold at Decanter wine awards - "Beykush winery struggled to get bottles to judges in UK from its site on edge of Russian-occupied territory."
• ‘He has been forgotten’: why humorist Art Buchwald should be remembered - "A new biography celebrates the sharp humour and difficult life of the Pulitzer-winning newspaper humourist, once known as ‘the wit of Washington’."
• Ian Rankin: ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a perfect gem of a story’ - "The crime writer on being fascinated by A Clockwork Orange, inspired by Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and taking comfort in Muriel Spark’s novel."
• Image Quality is More Than Megapixels - "People often think higher megapixels equals higher image quality, but image quality is about a lot more than megapixels in a camera sensor."

June 6, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Putin warns of new targets; Zelenskiy visits troops on eastern front - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 103 of the invasion - "Putin warns that Moscow will hit new targets if west supplies Ukraine with long-range missiles as Kyiv reels from first attack in more than a month."
• WWDC22 | APPLE WORLDWIDE DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE - "Code one, code all." Join developers worldwide from June 6 to 10 for an inspiring week of technology and community. Get a first look at Apple’s latest platforms and technologies in sessions, explore the newest tools and tips, and connect with Apple experts in labs and digital lounges. All online and at no cost.
• ‘Humbled & deeply touched’: Queen thanks nation as four-day jubilee ends - "In a message at the climax of celebrations, monarch acknowledges her fragility but commits to continue her reign."
• Fashion highlights from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - "The Platinum Jubilee weekend was full of memorable fashion, from the Queen's pearl-embellished Trooping the Color outfit to Prince Louis' little sailor suit."
• Monkeypox: Cases outside Africa rise to 780 in three weeks - "There have been 780 confirmed cases of monkeypox in countries where the virus is not usually found, the World Health Organization says."
• Twilight of the NIMBY - "Suburban homeowners like Susan Kirsch are often blamed for worsening the nation’s housing crisis. That doesn’t mean she’s giving up her two-decade fight against 20 condos."
• Val Kilmer’s Top Gun: Maverick dialog was all AI since he can no longer speak - "Following a very difficult battle with throat cancer, which ultimately left him without much of his voice, the possibility of Kilmer returning to the role of Iceman might have seemed impossible. But, thanks to a special voice AI program, Kilmer was able to revisit his role, and catch up with his old friend Maverick. Val Kilmer’s voice in Top Gun: Maverick was actually created by an AI."
• Are You Rich? Updated Study Defines What It Means To Be Wealthy - "It's a common question that people ask themselves - how well off am I compared to the rest of the population? Am I earning above, below or about average for someone of my age and background? Well, a new report from L’Observatoire des Inégalités, an independent organisation which studies inequality in French society, has defined what it means to be wealthy and how many people that includes. To be considered rich, a person must have a revenue of €3,673 per month ($3,903) - this amount is double that of the average person and comprises 4.5 million people in France."
• 'Nightmare airport' debuts new $4 billion terminal - "Travel news: LaGuardia's makeover, the world's largest cave and destination inspiration."
• Why one of world's poorest countries adopted Bitcoin - "The Central African Republic's decision to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender came as a surprise to many, but the government argues that it will secure an independent financial future for the country, as the BBC's Damian Zane and Guy Bandolo report."
• Seven queens star in Sotheby’s show of power, prestige & pearls - "Exhibition brings together portraits, many held in private collections, of queens from Tudor times onwards."
• The 7 Best Nike Workout Shoes for Every Activity - Footwear News.

June 5, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: explosions shake Kyiv; Ukraine counterattacks have blunted Russian gains, says UK - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 102 of the invasion - "Ukrainian forces push back in Sievierodonetsk and Kyiv rebukes Emmanuel Macron for saying Russia must not be humiliated."
• Queen’s Platinum Party at the Palace - in pictures - "Elton John, Queen with Adam Lambert and Diana Ross among stars paying tribute to Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee at a concert held in her honour at the Mall."
• Which Tom Cruise film has made the most at the ticket booth? - "Tom Cruise is one of the most popular movie stars in Hollywood history. Here's a list of Cruise's biggest blockbusters at the domestic box office, adjusted for inflation, according to Comscore (SCOR)."
• Glasses or no glasses, this year’s WWDC is all about AR - "Apple needs to show us what a world looks like after smartphones."
• Apple Starts Connecting the Dots for Its Next Big Thing - "The company has enlisted Hollywood directors like Jon Favreau to help its effort to create products that blend the physical and virtual worlds."
• This illusion, new to science, is strong enough to trick our reflexes - "'Expanding hole' deceives our pupils to expand in anticipation of expected decrease in light."
• Climate-friendly diets can make a huge difference - even if you don’t go all-out vegan - "Changing habits can be hard but even partial shifts from meat-based menus could significantly decrease planet-heating emissions."
• Global heating is turning white Alps green, study finds - "Vegetated areas above treeline have increased by 77% since 1984, satellite data shows."
• How a hybrid tree conquered the world - "The world's cities have always been radically hostile environments for trees - but there’s one variety that’s proved to be remarkably resilient."
• Former Empress Farah Pahlavi on the Future of Iran - "In a rare interview - nearly 50 years after her iconic T&C cover - the former Empress of Iran, Her Imperial Majesty Farah Pahlavi, contemplates her role as a force of modernity in the Middle East and as a symbol of what was and what could be for Persians around the world."
• Is this the end of retirement as we know it? - "The ‘retirement ideal’ has been changing for years. Older people are increasingly unretiring, changing the shape of this life stage."
• The Official Bitcoin Billionaire's Handbook - "How to speak, act, and shop like a cryptocrat - even if you have no idea what a blockchain is."
• One of the most useful Microsoft Word features is finally coming to Mac - "It’s a good day for slow-typing Mac owners."
• The 10 Best Nike Walking Shoes, According to an Expert - "Walking shoes are a smart wardrobe staple for any person to have. They’re great for those who go out of their way to walk, of course, but they’re also great for running errands, exploring a new city or taking out the dog."
• ‘I’m living in the bubble’: the man who helped bring Nixon down, 50 years on - "John Dean speaks on the 1972 Watergate break-in and why he has never been more concerned about US democracy than now."
• How India’s new taste for local whisky is shaking up the global drinks market - "Sales of Indian single malts are booming as a new generation sheds old notions about the superiority of imported brands."

June 4, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukrainians push back in Sievierodonetsk; Africans are victims of the war, Putin told - live - The Guardian.
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news & analysis - "100 days of Vladimir Putin’s war; fight for Sievierodonetsk as eastern city becomes key war aim for Moscow; a closer look at Biden’s pledge to send high-tech rocket systems."
• Chernobyl scarred by Russian troops' damage & looting - "Ukraine says the Russian army looted or damaged more than 1,000 computers at the Chernobyl nuclear power station and stole trucks and radiation dosimeters."
• Carbon Dioxide Levels Are Highest in Human History - "Emissions totaled 36.3 billion tons in 2021, the highest level in history. As the amount of carbon dioxide increases, the planet keeps warming, with effects like increased flooding, more extreme heat, drought and worsening wildfires that are already being experienced by millions of people worldwide."
• Covid: Why do some vaccines protect you for longer than others? - "A measles vaccine can protect you for a lifetime. Tetanus gives you about 10 years of cover, while flu vaccines need updating every year. When it comes to Covid-19, we’re still not sure exactly how long protection from the vaccine lasts."
• How to Watch the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations This Weekend - VOGUE.
• Queen’s absence strikes symbolic note as royals gather at jubilee service - "Charles stands in for his mother at St Paul’s Cathedral in ceremony that pays tribute to her seven-decade reign."
• All the Best Photos of Trooping the Colour 2022 - "Under blue skies in London, the British royal family kicked off the Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend in style."
• IOS 16, NOTIFICATIONS & MACS: WHAT TO EXPECT AT WWDC 2022 - "Will once again be an online-only event when it takes place from June 6th through June 10th."
• Stream These 11 Titles Before They Leave Netflix This Month - "A lot of great movies and TV shows are expiring for subscribers in the United States in June. Here are the ones worth finding time for."
• The Greatest Life Hacks in the World (for Now) - The New York Times.
• Why Turkey changed its name: populism, polls & a bird - "The nation of Turkey has had it with being associated with a large bird that is best known as a symbol of the North American Thanksgiving holiday."
• NASA probably won't need Russia to send more astronauts to the ISS - "The agency arranged enough SpaceX flights to keep the ISS crewed through 2030."
• Nuclear power could be the future of expedition cruises - "The proposed 500-foot-long vessel is called Thor - a reference to both the Norse god of thunder and the element thorium, which would power its on-board nuclear reactor."
• New York state passes first-ever ‘right to repair’ law for electronics - "‘Repairs should become less expensive and more comprehensive’ because of the new measure, says iFixit."

June 3, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: UK warns of Russian tactical success in Donbas as war enters 100th day - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 100 of the invasion - "Russian forces now occupy about 20% of Ukraine’s territory as Zelenskiy notes ‘some success’ in battles at Sievierodonetsk."
• Devastation & defiance in Ukraine: 100 days of a war that is reshaping Europe - "How the Russian invasion has unfolded, from the desperate fight for Mariupol to economic turmoil around the world."
• 100 days of war in Ukraine: how the conflict has developed - "Today marks the 100th day of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. This is how the Russian president’s ‘special military operation’ evolved into a bloody war of attrition."
• After 100 days of war, Putin is counting on the world's indifference - "100 days later, whatever plans Putin may have had for a victory parade in Kyiv are on indefinite hold. Ukrainian morale did not collapse. Ukrainian troops, equipped with modern anti-tank weaponry delivered by the US and its allies, devastated Russian armored columns; Ukrainian missiles sank the guided-missile cruiser Moskva, the pride of Russia's Black Sea Fleet; and Ukrainian aircraft stayed in the air, against the odds."
• How Russian TV has reported the 100 days of conflict - "TV viewers in Russia see only the Kremlin’s version of events in Ukraine. At the start of the invasion, they weren’t even told it was a war. Now, the strident talk shows that dominate the schedules say repeatedly that Moscow faces a Third World War with the West."
• US Treasury sanctions Monaco-based Imperial Yachts & owner - "The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also announced on Thursday, June 2, that Imperial Yachts, a Monaco yacht management company, and its Russian CEO, Evgeeniy Kochman, are now subject to US sanctions."
• Queen pulls out of jubilee service due to 'discomfort' during Thursday's parade - "Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will miss a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral for her 70 year reign on Friday, after experiencing 'some discomfort' during the first day of her Platinum Jubilee celebration."
• Prince Louis steals the show at Queen's Jubilee - "See Prince Louis' reaction to royal flypast at Queen's jubilee."
• Queen Elizabeth II's line of succession - "Who's who in the House of Windsor."
• BEHIND THE HIGH-TECH COVID-19 TESTS YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD ABOUT - "OTC molecular tests combine PCR accuracy with the convenience of rapid antigen tests. WhenWhen you think about getting tested for COVID-19, you’re most likely picturing two types of tests: the at-home rapid antigen tests you can buy at the drugstore and the PCR test where the results are processed by a lab. What you’re probably less familiar with are at-home molecular tests that you can buy online."
• ‘Apocalyptic skies’: the dust storms devastating Gulf states & Syria - "Rising frequency of storms due to climate crisis is causing more loss of life and more destruction, say experts."
• New York lawmakers pass a moratorium on Bitcoin mining - "It was down to the wire. The Bitcoin mining boom in New York state hit a roadblock as the State Senate passed a bill that will halt new permits for certain fossil fuel power plants to be used in Bitcoin mining. The measure, which also initiates a study on the environmental impact mining facilities are having in the state, passed in the State Assembly earlier this year."
• Turkey has officially changed its name - "Turkey rebrands as 'Türkiye,' changing name at the United Nations."
• Scientists can reverse aging in mice. The goal is to do the same for humans - "Using proteins that can turn an adult cell into a stem cell, Sinclair and his team have reset aging cells in mice to earlier versions of themselves. In his team's first breakthrough, published in late 2020, old mice with poor eyesight and damaged retinas could suddenly see again, with vision that at times rivaled their offspring's."
• Sony says smartphones will be better cameras than DSLRs in two years! - "'We expect that still images will exceed the image quality of single-lens reflex cameras within the next few years,' said Terushi Shimizu, Sony Semiconductor Solutions CEO."
• The 12 best films of 2022 so far - BBC Culture.
• The $35 million 'oasis in the sky' that became a Netflix sensation - "SAOTA: How architects from 'one end of the world' created luxury homes around the globe."
• Dubai's luxury island where every room opens onto a private beach - "It is in fact part of the latest in Dubai's attention-grabbing mega-projects, Anantara World Islands, tucked just 15 minutes away from the city's shoreline. The resort is the first to open on the World Islands, an archipelago of 300 islands in the shape of, as its name suggests, the world. Think Dubai's very own Hamptons on the Persian Gulf."
• How to pick the right high jewellery to invest in: consider buying from Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels & other luxury brands - "Considering investing in high jewellery? Rarity is a most valuable commodity, apart from colour, clarity, cut and carat ... but don't forget ..."
• Why you have a favourite colour - "Why your favourite colour is probably blue. From a young age we are primed to choose a favourite colour, but strangely as we grow up our preference often changes - and it's largely due to influences outside our control."

June 2, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy says 243 children so far killed in war; Russia claims latest US weapons package is ‘direct provocation’ - live - The Guardian.
• 100 days of war in Ukraine: how the conflict has developed - "Friday marks the 100th day of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. This is how the Russian president’s ‘special military operation’ evolved into a bloody war of attrition."
• Russian oligarch goes to court in bid to open MC bank account - "Boris Rotenberg, a close ally of Putin, is trying to use his status as a Monaco resident in order to oblige a bank to open an account in the Principality, various news sources reported on Wednesday, June 1."
• ‘We were all wrong’: how Germany got hooked on Russian energy - "Germany has been forced to admit it was a terrible mistake to become so dependent on Russian oil and gas. So why did it happen?"
• Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee: Your guide to the celebrations - Queen Elizabeth II is the UK's longest-reigning monarch. This year, she became the first British sovereign to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee - that's 70 years on the throne.
• Depp-Heard trial verdict: jury rules in favor of Johnny Depp - "The focus of the case was a 2018 editorial Heard wrote calling herself ‘a public figure representing domestic abuse’."
• This verdict is much bigger than Depp or Heard - "The outcome of this trial affects far more than Depp and Heard, because it epitomizes just how much our society has regressed since the peak of the #MeToo movement."
• North Korea: The mystery of its Covid outbreak - "It's been three weeks since North Korea announced its first ever Covid case. The government claims to have the outbreak under control, but the details remain a mystery."
• Covid in North Korea is likely 'getting worse, not better': WHO - "North Korean state media has said the Covid wave has abated, after daily numbers of people with fever topped 390,000 about two weeks ago."
• Why city trees die young - "Why city forests are getting sick. The world's cities have always been radically hostile environments for trees - and they’re getting worse."
• Kim Kardashian’s New Skin Care Line Is Not for Quitters - "The nine-step beauty regimen mirrors her elaborate daily routine."
• Marilyn Monroe’s Definitive Bombshell Beauty Rules, Straight From the Icon’s Mouth - "Monroe’s own beauty routine is the stuff of legend, scoured over by countless women who remain captivated by her fresh-faced yet sultry look. Of course, few people have shed more light on her beauty philosophies and rituals than Monroe herself - and research turns up more than a few well-conceived pieces of advice. Here, in honor of her birthday, we break down Monroe’s five best secrets, in her own words."
• If you drink these types of coffee, you could have a lower death risk - "The earthy, caffeine-infused coffee drink may hold more power than waking you up in the morning. Drinking either sweetened or unsweetened coffee is associated with a lower death risk compared with not drinking the beverage, according to a new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine."
• 70 things we know about the Queen - from corgis & cornflakes to HMY Britannia & Bond - "She has carried out more than 21,000 engagements during her reign and sent 300,000 birthday messages to centenarians."
• How the Queen became a style icon - "From ballgowns to Barbours, why Her Majesty's evolving dress sense is a masterclass in royal image making."
• Prince Albert of Monaco opens up to Financial Times in frank interview - "In a wide-ranging and frank interview with the Financial Times, HSH Prince Albert spoke about several topics, from Russian residents to transparency to environmental concerns."
• What if airplanes were wider? Plane interior concept re-imagines inflight seating - "You might not know that the standard for today's airline seat sizing goes all the way back to 1954."
• 20 classic French dishes everyone needs to try - "Whether it's country fare or haute cuisine that inspires, French food is rife with dishes that could captivate even the most discerning of critics. Take a look at 20 of them."
• The US couple who bought a 48-room chateau in France - "Chateau Avensac, which measures roughly 1,200 square meters, with just under 3 hectares of land, set them back around US$1.2 million, including taxes."
• Borgen review - this antidote to real-life politics is like The West Wing 2022 - "The Danish political drama is a breath of fresh air, given the unbearableness of Westminster. How lovely to have it back."
• MB&F Unveils A World’s-First Chronograph: Two In One For Its 20th Caliber - "The all-new MB&F Legacy Machine Sequential EVO watch unveiled to the world today is a pretty big deal. Maybe not for some big group-owned brands, but for independent brand MB&F - this new watch houses the brand’s 20th caliber made since the brand’s founding just 17 years ago. Even better, it is a world’s first when it comes to chronographs - another feat not often reserved for the indie brands."
• Deep in Vatican Archives, Scholar Discovers ‘Flabbergasting’ Secrets - "David Kertzer has spent decades excavating the Vatican’s hidden history, with his work winning a Pulitzer and capturing Hollywood’s attention. A new book examines Pope Pius XII’s role in the Holocaust."

June 1, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Biden approves medium-range rocket systems to bolster Ukraine defences - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 98 of the invasion - "Sievierodonetsk mostly under Russian control; Kremlin further cuts gas supplies to Europe; seed bank in Kharkiv at risk."
• Himars: what are the advanced rockets US is sending Ukraine? - "High Mobility Artillery Rocket System can hit Russian targets up to 50 miles (80km) away, helping to ‘even the playing field’."
• China has the power to take Taiwan, but it would cost an extremely bloody price - "Many analysts say an invasion of Taiwan would be more dangerous and complex than the Allied D-Day landings in France in World War II. US government documents put the number of killed, injured and missing from both sides during the almost three-month-long Normandy campaign at almost half a million troops."
• We cannot adapt our way out of climate crisis, warns leading scientist - "Katharine Hayhoe says the world is heading for dangers people have not seen in 10,000 years of civilisation."
• Greenhouse gas removal ‘not a silver bullet to achieve net zero’ - "UK scientists say carbon capture is ‘hard and expensive’ and focus must be on reducing emissions."
• Trump Policies Sent U.S. Tumbling in a Climate Ranking - "The Environmental Performance Index, published every two years by researchers at Yale and Columbia, found only Denmark and Britain on sustainable paths to net-zero emissions by 2050."
• Shanghai lockdown: Relief & caution as city returns to life - "It was supposed to last just nine days - a staggered lockdown to lessen the impact on Shanghai's economy, state media said."
• During the Omicron Wave, Death Rates Soared for Older People - "Last year, people 65 and older died from Covid at lower rates than in previous waves. But with Omicron and waning immunity, death rates rose again."
• Your walking speed could indicate dementia - "A slower walk as you age has always been a warning sign of increasing frailty that could lead to falls and other disabilities, experts say. Emerging research in small groups of elderly subjects has also found that a slower gait from year to year may be an early sign of cognitive decline."
• Get louder every decade: the new rules for dressing your age after 50 - "In the rulebooks of how to age gracefully the don’ts make a lot more noise than the dos. Worrying about what to put on as you get on? Relax, we’ve got you covered."
• Kevin Spacey to Voluntarily Travel to Britain to Face Sexual Assault Charges - "The actor said in a statement to 'Good Morning America' that he will seek to prove his innocence against the charges."
• Val Kilmer on the Tom Cruise 'Top Gun: Maverick' reunion, that final hug: 'Straight from the heart' - "The beating heart of Tom Cruise's screen return as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell after 36 years is the emotional meeting with one-time 'Top Gun' pilot rival Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, played by Val Kilmer."
• 10 of the best films to watch this June - "Featuring an Elvis biopic, the Buzz Lightyear origin film and a gentle stop-motion about a shell - these are June's unmissable releases."
• F1 schism with FIA deepens after controversial decisions in Monaco - "Formula One’s owners are understood to be deeply dissatisfied with the sport’s governing body, the FIA."
• See baby sloth reunite with mom after rescue team finds it crying - "After a baby sloth fell from a tall tree, staff members at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica worked to make sure it was healthy before reuniting it with its mom."
• 'Completely unhenged': Stonehenge lights up with portraits of the Queen - "In the lead-up to Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking 70 years of her reign, there has been no shortage of the 96-year-old British monarch's visage on 'Team Queen' T-shirts, commemorative plates and decorative flags."
• 300lb of muscle in a a XXXXL T-shirt: how the World’s Strongest Man contest reinvented itself - "Once it was a sideshow - but this year, Ukranian soldiers competed with LGBTQ+ pioneers in a sport that’s being taken seriously."
• From fast food to fine art: the US chef who helped ramen conquer the world - "Ivan Orkin spent years learning about Japanese cooking - and especially how to perfect the celebrated noodles. He reveals the secret to the perfect bowl."
• Golden Goose Launches Sustainable Sneaker Made Out of Plant Material, Biodegradable Sole for Earth Day - "Golden Goose has teamed up with Italian materials production company Coronet to launch a new sustainable sneaker. Launching for Earth Day, Yatay, the made-in-Italy style is bio-based, made with material derived from vegetable sources. Components include recycled polyester and biodegradable rubber."

May 31, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: EU agrees ‘landmark’ Russian oil ban; Moscow claims a third of Sievierodonetsk under its control - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 97 of the invasion - "EU leaders reach ‘landmark decision’ to back an embargo on almost 90% of Russian oil to the 27-nation bloc by the end of the year."
• Ukraine war is Putin's death warrant, says wife of jailed politician - "Vladimir Kara-Murza’s wife Evgenia says Russian president will fall over war in Ukraine."
• China sends 30 warplanes into Taiwan air defence zone - "It came days after US President Joe Biden warned China against invading Taiwan, and on the same day as a US official visited the island to discuss security with leaders."
• Shanghai aims for business as usual but hurdles remain - "China's richest and most international city is trying to return to business as usual after a two-month lockdown, but some restrictions will remain in place."
• Monkeypox - how does it spread & what are the symptoms? - "The monkeypox virus is a less severe cousin of the smallpox virus. Dr. Sanjay Gupta says it has been spreading among younger people as they are less likely to have been inoculated against Smallpox, which was eradicated in 1977."
• Unlikely monkeypox outbreak will lead to pandemic, WHO says - "The World Health Organization does not believe the monkeypox outbreak outside Africa will lead to a pandemic, an official said on Monday, adding it remains unclear if infected people who are not displaying symptoms can transmit the disease."
• Coffee drinkers may be at lower risk of early death, study suggests - "Even people who take sugar seem at lower risk, say experts, but results may be due to coffee drinkers being more affluent."
• Qatar World Cup criticised for ‘problematic’ carbon footprint promises - "Carbon Market Watch says emissions likely underreported. Organisers have claimed that the 32-team showpiece will be the first “carbon neutral” World Cup, meaning any emissions would be limited and offset."
• The 'Mona Lisa' has been caked in attempted vandalism stunt - "The 'Mona Lisa' was the subject of attempted vandalism on Sunday when a visitor to the world-famous Louvre museum in Paris smeared frosting all over the Renaissance-era painting's protective glass."
• Vietnam's new glass bridge sets Guinness World Record - "A glass-bottomed walkway in Vietnam, which opened to much public fanfare in April, has been declared the world's longest bridge of its kind by Guinness World Records."
• Life-changing dishes that inspired famous chefs to start cooking - "These dishes made famous chefs fall in love with cooking."
• Over 100 previously unknown Iron Age settlements found north of Hadrian's Wall - "The 134 sites correspond to Indigenous settlements that date to Roman occupation. A study detailing the findings published Tuesday in the journal Antiquity."
• 11 TV shows to watch this June - BBC Culture.
• Why people believe their own big lies - "How self-deception allows people to lie. Self-deception can fool us into believing our own lies - and even make us more convincing."
• How to rescue the world's biggest cargo ships - "Enormous container ships ferry goods all over the world, but when one of them gets into trouble - as happened with the Ever Given and Ever Forward recently - how can they be saved?"
• The man who built his own cathedral - "For nearly 60 years, a former monk toiled almost single-handedly on an extraordinary building outside Madrid. Is it a folly or a masterpiece?"
• ‘File fashion’: how to organise your wardrobe to make getting dressed easier - "A well-organised wardrobe saves time and stress when getting dressed, and can help cut down on dry-cleaning bills and time spent ironing too."
• Mouratoglou Tennis Academy - "World Academy of Tennis." The world's most successful tennis academy founded in 1996 by Patrick Mouratoglou. 3550 Route des Dolines, 06410 Biot, France.
• DeLorean offers first look at its Alpha5 four seater EV - "It's targeting a 100kWh battery pack, 0-60 MPH in 2.99 seconds and $175,000 price."
• Glenfiddich’s New Grand Series Encourages Unexpected Food Pairings, Like Caviar & Crudo - "Whisky, particularly expertly aged single malt Scotch, isn’t traditionally associated as a complement to cuisine but rather an indulgence in itself, acting as a liquid dessert, perhaps with a sweet bite of chocolate, or a night cap. Glenfiddich's latest Grand Series, however, makes a statement that single malt Scotch can in fact elevate certain culinary experiences, just as well as a dram can stand on its own."
• Tom Cruise runs. But is he any good at it? - "IN 2018, TOM CRUISE finally joined Instagram, and fans sure felt the need for speed: He picked up 550,000 followers in less than an hour. Now he's up to 6.5 million followers, and they're greeted by the actor's self-assessment of his own career in his bio. He could have gone with 'Three-time Oscar nominee,' or 'Sold $10 billion worth of movie tickets.' But instead, he picked: 'Actor, producer, running in movies since 1981.'"
• How to turn your digital camera or iPhone into a powerful webcam - "Level up your Zoom meetings, Twitch streams, and even Skype calls by shifting away from the built-in webcam in favor of a better camera."

May 30, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: ‘heavy battles’ taking place in Sievierodonetsk; Zelenskiy to address EU leaders - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 96 of the invasion - "Russian shelling of Sievierodonetsk has destroyed ‘entire critical infrastructure’ of largest city still held by Ukraine in the Donbas, Zelenskiy says."
• ‘We need to lift the blockade’: Ukraine farmers unable to export grain - "Russia has blockaded and occupied all of Ukraine’s seaports, meaning about 22m tonnes of produce is stuck."
• Beijing man sends 5,000 people into quarantine after breaking Covid isolation - "Actions spark angry reactions amid growing frustration with China’s zero-Covid policy though some restrictions begin to ease."
• Can I Stop Isolating If I’m Still Testing Positive for the Virus? - "Some people may test positive for the coronavirus for 10 days or longer, but interpreting those results remains difficult, experts said."
• Nuclear fusion is the holy grail of clean energy. We're closer to it than ever - "Bottling the sun. The world has been trying to master this unlimitless clean energy source since the 1930s. We are now closer than ever."
• The trains of the future are coming at 400 mph - "Faster, cleaner, greener: What lies ahead for the world's railways."
• After court, Johnny Depp & Amber Heard's careers face another trial - "After six weeks of testimony in a defamation trial that has aired the good, bad and the very ugly of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's former relationship, the case is now in the hands of the jury."
• 'Top Gun: Maverick' soars to a big opening at the box office - "The sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, which has Tom Cruise reprise his most iconic role of Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, made an estimated $124 million domestically for its three day opening weekend, according to Paramount."
• Can Paramount Go It Alone? - "The dominance of Netflix and Disney in streaming has forced many companies to join forces. So far, Paramount has gone its own way."
• Sergio PÉrez triumphs in Monaco GP as Charles Leclerc fumes at botched stop - "Mexican roars to win after Ferrari errors hamstring Leclerc."
• Dropping Monaco would be a mistake for F1, says Ecclestone - "The Principality is in contract discussions amid plenty of debate about the future of the showcase race on a crowded calendar set to expand to other alluring venues such as Las Vegas. There has been speculation the race, part of the fabric of the sport since the first world championship season in 1950, could alternate."
• TAG Heuer Unveils New Monaco 'Dark Lord' Watch - "The new TAG Heuer Monaco Dark Lord watch, released in 2022, with expert analysis, specs, price, and photos."
• Why some animals appreciate art - "The animals with an artistic eye. Appreciating beauty may be one of the traits which makes us human, but some animals also seem to share it."
• Switzerland's ingenious cooling caves - "Nothing is more representative of Ticino life than its 'grottos', village taverns whose forerunners were natural caves used to store wine, cheese and meat."
• How to print from a Chromebook - "Even digital cloud-dwellers occasionally need paper."

May 29, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russian authorities in Crimea ordering hospitals to refuse civilian patients, says Ukraine - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 95 of the invasion - "Ukraine pleads for heavy weapons as Russia advances in the east, claiming to have captured strategically important Lyman."
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news & analysis - "Moscow gaining the ‘upper hand’ in Donbas ... the horrors endured by Mariupol’s survivors ... Russia’s use of cluster bombs and unguided missiles."
• Russia won't use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, says ambassador to UK - "Russia's ambassador in Britain has told the BBC he does not believe his country will use tactical nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine."
• Russia-linked superyachts ‘going dark’ to avoid sanctions threat - "Vessels with ties to Russian oligarchs hit by sanctions are no longer reporting their position to an automatic global locator."
• Charles Leclerc claims superb Monaco F1 GP pole as PÉrez & Sainz collide - "Ferrari occupy front row of grid with Carlos Sainz second. Charles Leclerc certainly had the feel for his home streets with some fine touch and judgment to secure pole for the Monaco Grand Prix. He has every chance to see off the curse that has blighted his luck here."
• 75th film festival de Cannes winners' list - Official Website.
• Cannes 2022 week two roundup: a bloated Elvis & a brush with greatness - "Baz Luhrmann’s Presley biopic was an extravagant bust, but Ruben Östland and Kelly Reichardt offered satirical entertainment and quiet wonder."
• Cannes 2022: South Korea scoops record awards haul - "Parasite star Song Kang-ho becomes first South Korean male to win an acting prize, while director Park Chan-wook wins for Decision to Leave."
• Why it matters that 'Top Gun: Maverick' is so much better than the original - "'Top Gun: Maverick' may well be the box-office hit of the year, thanks to a perfect storm of circumstance. It's Memorial Day weekend; people are feeling a tiny bit more adventurous; everyone needs an escape from the horrors of the real world; and... Tom Cruise."
• The Branded Marriage of Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker - "The latest wedding in the family became a walking ad for Dolce & Gabbana. Is this a new model for celebrity matrimony?"
• Canned cocktails & bolder seltzers are set to dominate summer - "When you crack open a cold one this summer, you may be drinking something other than beer."
• Inside Gucci Town, the Fashion House’s New Interactive Neighborhood in the Metaverse - "The permanent space features a cafe, exhibition spaces and a gaming zone, organized around a piazza shaped like the brand's logo."
• A Face Search Engine Anyone Can Use Is Alarmingly Accurate - "PimEyes is a paid service that finds photos of a person from across the internet, including some the person may not want exposed. 'We’re just a tool provider,' its owner said."
• PimEyes: Face Recognition Search Engine & Reverse Image Search - "PimEyes is an online face search engine that goes through the Internet to find pictures containing given faces."
• See Inside Yves Saint Laurent’s Lush Garden Villa in Morocco, Which Just Hit the Market for $4.2 Million - "The late designer and his partner Pierre Bergé bought the place in 1980."
• Apple Documents Reveal Futuristic MacBook Plans - "New documents from Apple suggest that the MacBook team are working on some radical ideas for future macOS laptops. Apple’s MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops have ripped up the form book on benchmarking when they were launched in 2020 but they rarely started away from a traditional laptop design. In fact, they were almost identical to the Intel-based laptops that hadn’t changed since 2016."
• Lester Piggott: Former champion jockey & nine-time Derby winner dies aged 86 - "Piggott won his first race at the age of 12 at Haydock in 1948 and went on to ride more than 4,000 winners before his first retirement in 1985; In 2021, Piggott was selected in the first draft of inductees into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame."

May 28, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Donbas will stay Ukrainian, vows Zelenskiy, as fighting rages in east - live updates - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 94 of the invasion - "Moscow planning ‘full-scale victory in Ukraine by autumn’ and besieged Sievierodonetsk almost completely surrounded by Russian forces."
• ‘Ukraine’s heritage is under direct attack’: why Russia is looting the country’s museums - "2,000 stolen artworks attest to Putin’s desire to erase a nation’s history - like so many despots before him."
• North Korea stockpiled Chinese masks, vaccines before reporting COVID-19 outbreak - "In the months before it acknowledged its first official COVID-19 outbreak, North Korea suddenly imported millions of face masks, 1,000 ventilators, and possibly vaccines from China, trade data released by Beijing showed."
• Monkeypox outbreak could be just ‘the peak of the iceberg’, WHO warns - "Pandemic preparedness chief Sylvie Briand says ‘unusual’ spread of virus can be easily contained with the right measures."
• Clamour on the Croisette: Cannes film festival - in pictures - "The street photographer Andy Hall turns his lenses on the hustle and bustle - as well as contradictions - as movie world descends on the French Riviera city."
• Eat plants, try pilates & stay positive: how to keep your body younger than your years - "Do blueberries make you live longer? Is pilates proper exercise? How do you avoid loneliness? Botox, yes or no? Here’s how to age better."
• Make Swimming Your Summer Workout - "With just 30 minutes and a few useful tricks, a trip to the pool can become serious exercise."
• Paris Hilton wants to be the 'Queen of the Metaverse' - "'I've always been an undercover nerd, so I've been obsessed with anything to do with technology and the future,' Hilton told CNN Business in an interview last month. 'Now my new nickname is 'The Queen of the Metaverse,'' she added, referring to a sobriquet she has used on the red carpet and in a number of her social media posts, which, according to her company 11:11 Media, first emerged in the NFT space on Twitter."
• The 'worst' drivers in Europe revealed - "A new survey has found that 79% of them have a negative opinion of their fellow drivers - while, of course, 97% of them take pride in their own excellent driving."
• The trap of unlimited paid time off - "The smoke and mirrors of unlimited paid time off. Having as much holiday as you want? Sounds great - until it’s not."
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now - The New York Times.
• Ray Liotta - a life in pictures - "The star of Field of Dreams, GoodFellas and Cop Land has died aged 67. Here we look back at some of his best known roles."
• There’s now a $950 Gucci version of the Oura Ring - "The Oura Ring was one of the buzziest gadgets during the pandemic. Not only did it spark a weird sleep competition between Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian, but it was also featured in the NBA’s COVID prevention plans, and there were several studies to see whether wearables could predict COVID-19. And now, there’s a Gucci version that costs an eye-watering $950."
• The Only Living Pay Phones in New York - "At one point in time, you couldn’t walk 30 feet on a New York City block without encountering a pay phone. A look at the last ones."
• Chanel Dresses Up The J12 With A High Complication & A High Jewelry Red Ruby Edition - "Chanel’s J12 Tourbillon Diamant and J12 X-Ray Red editions are evidence of the magic that can happen when a legendary haute couture brand reinterprets haute horlogerie - it’s the ideal mashup of hand finished Swiss watchmaking and high fashion sensibility. The Tourbillon Diamant contains a new movement, the Chanel caliber 5, the first flying tourbillon movement made in-house. The flying tourbillon has no upper bridge, so the rotating carriage can be admired without obstruction. This one has another special a touch: a solitaire diamond is set into the center of the carriage, where it rotates with the entire mechanism."

May 27, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russian attack kills nine civilians in Kharkiv; Zelenskiy accuses Moscow of ‘genocide’ in Donbas - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 93 of the invasion - "Fresh strikes in Kharkiv kill nine civilians as Ukrainian officials admit Russia has the ‘upper hand’ in fighting in the country’s east."
• Ukraine's richest man plans to sue Russia for huge losses - "Ukraine's richest man says he plans to sue Russia over what he said was $17 billon to $20 billion in losses caused by its bombardment of steel plants he owns in the devastated city of Mariupol."
• Where Death Rates Rose the Most During the Pandemic - "The United States had more deaths above normal levels during the pandemic than most other wealthy countries, according to data released by the World Health Organization this month. U.S. deaths were 15 percent above normal - a number surpassed by only four other large countries in the same income group: Chile, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania."
• Who Is Protected Against Monkeypox? - "Older people who received smallpox vaccinations may yet have some immunity, researchers say. Healthy children and adults generally do not become severely ill."
• The Joy Workout - "Six researched-backed moves to improve your mood."
• Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making - "Tony Fadell led the teams that created the iPod, iPhone and Nest Learning Thermostat and learned enough in 30+ years in Silicon Valley about leadership, design, startups, Apple, Google, decision-making, mentorship, devastating failure and unbelievable success to fill an encyclopedia. So that’s what this book is. An advice encyclopedia. A mentor in a box." Amazon.com.
• The Dos & don'ts of recycling - "How does recycling work? While the specifics of recycling vary around the globe, there are some common rules - and pervasive myths. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about it."
• People in US & UK face huge financial hit if fossil fuels lose value, study shows - "Strong climate action could wipe $756bn from individuals’ pension funds and other investments in rich countries."
• The Azores: Nine island gems with a volcanic past & a magical present - "Traveling to a paradise on Earth doesn't necessarily require a long, arduous or perilous journey."
• Edible tape invented to stop your burrito from falling apart - "The exact ingredients are a closely guarded secret due to a pending patent application, but the team says everything used is 'edible, food safe, GRAS [generally recognized as safe], and are common food ingredients or additives.'"
• Ray Liotta, Actor in ‘GoodFellas,’ Dies at 67 - "A good guy who played lots of bad guys, he also sparkled in 'Something Wild,' as Shoeless Joe Jackson in 'Field of Dreams' and on TV's 'Shades of Blue.'"
• Ellen DeGeneres walks away from her talk show empire & leaves behind a mixed legacy - "DeGeneres won over audiences after she came out in 1997. But recent criticism of a hostile work environment undermined her friendly reputation."
• Val Kilmer was once one of Hollywood's biggest stars. 'Top Gun: Maverick' could be his last role - "Val Kilmer returns to the screen to reprise his role as Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 blockbuster. Although Cruise is the marquee star of 'Top Gun: Maverick,' Kilmer has a notable role, but some younger moviegoers may not realize just how big of a star he once was."
• Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel recommended for parole - "She has been denied parole 14 times for the killings of actor Sharon Tate and four other people in 1969. She wrote 'Helter Skelter' on a wall using the blood of one of their victims."
• V&A to host exhibition on Coco Chanel’s career & designs - "Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will display 180 designs, jewellery, accessories and perfumes."
• World’s Largest Whisky Bottle - 86 Gallons Of Macallan - Sells For $1.4 Million At Auction - "At nearly 6 feet tall and more than twice the width of the average man, the bottle - dubbed 'The Intrepid' - was certified by Guinness World Records as being the largest bottle of scotch, whisky or whiskey in the world when it was filled last year."
• Behind The Making Of The Newest Rolls-Royce Boat Tail - "This Is What It’s Like To Order A One-Of-Three Rolls-Royce Boat Tail."
• AMAZON ASTRO REVIEW: TOO MUCH ALEXA, NOT ENOUGH ARMS - "While it’s not the robot we were looking for, Astro is rolling in the right direction."

May 26, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia says it will reopen Black Sea; Truss to warn against appeasement - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 92 of the invasion - "Eastern city of Sievierodonetsk increasingly in danger of being encircled as Ukraine’s foreign minister says his country ‘badly’ needs multiple launch rocket systems to match Russian firepower."
• Zelensky condemns Kissinger idea for negotiations with Russia as 1938-style appeasement - "Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky has made a blistering attack on former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who suggested on Tuesday that peace negotiations should be aimed at creating borders along the 'line of contact' in Donbas as it existed on the eve of the Russian invasion."
• Ukraine war weighs heavy as apocalyptic mood shrouds Davos - "From a warning of third world war to global stagflation or depression, gathering is unsurprisingly sombre."
• Vaccines offer little protection against long Covid, study finds - "The vaccines provide robust protection against hospitalization and death, but when it comes to long Covid, the protection is 'very modest.'"
• Scientists identify ‘trigger molecule’ for Covid-related changes to smell - "Molecule found in coffee typically described by people with parosmia as disgusting or repulsive."
• Roche develops unique PCR tests to detect the monkeypox virus - "Roche and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol have developed three different LightMix Modular Virus kits for the detection of the monkeypox virus."
• ‘It seems this heat will take our lives’: Pakistan city fearful after hitting 51C - "Residents of Jacobabad say loss of trees and water facilities makes record-breaking temperatures unbearable."
• Big Tech is pouring millions into the wrong climate solution at Davos - "The carbon removal tech they’re funding isn’t really meant to tackle Big Tech’s own emissions."
• Kevin Spacey charged in UK with 4 counts of sexual assault - "British prosecutors said Thursday they have charged actor Kevin Spacey with four counts of sexual assault against three men."
• Major New Zealand salmon producer shuts farms as warming waters cause mass die-offs - "Up to 42% of company’s fish have died in warm water areas this year, with CEO warning climate change is ‘faster than people think’."
• Made to measure: why we can’t stop quantifying our lives - "From ancient Egyptian cubits to fitness tracker apps, humankind has long been seeking ever more ways to measure the world - and ourselves. But what is this doing to us?"
• The train ticket that revolutionized European rail travel - "The Interrail pass was dreamed up by the International Union of Railways (UIC), a body overseeing Europe's railways that's since ceded control of Interrail to the independent Eurail company. The European Interrail pass, which allowed young people under 21, across 21 participating countries, to buy a £27.50 (at the time about $67) ticket for unlimited travel across Europe by train for a full month."
• People in China are paying over $3,000 to travel - "How airline ticket scalpers took over the Chinese travel market."
• You need to try Bionic Reading on the Amazon Kindle - "Bionic Reading revises texts so that the most concise parts of words are highlighted. This guides the eye over the text and the brain remembers previously learned words more quickly. The eye is guided through the text by means of typographic highlights."
• HOW TO ADD BIONIC FORMATTED BOOKS TO KINDLE - "Bionic reading is not yet built into the Kindle ecosystem. However, if you are excited about this revolutionary reading method, you can download bionic formatted books manually."
• 11 of the best products at High End Munich 2022 - "The hi-fi highlights from this year's show."
• The 10 best opening scenes in cinema history - "First impressions are everything, making the start of any movie one of the most important moments of any film. Whether a filmmaker is trying to envelop the viewer into the thematic world of their creation or attempting to give an early impression of the film’s intricate characters, there are many different ways a compelling introduction can welcome us into the world of the film."
• Why humans get less sleep than other primates - "The amount of time we spend awake and asleep compared to our relatives among the apes, monkeys and lemurs may have played a key role in our evolution."
• Thailand’s record-breaking schoolboy could shake up pro golf - "Golf's history-making schoolboy: The hectic double-life of 15-year-old Ratchanon 'TK' Chantananuwat."
• I Tried Apple’s Self-Repair Program With My iPhone. Disaster Ensued. - "Apple’s do-it-yourself tools and instructions are far from ideal for most of us. I know this because I broke my phone trying to use them."
• Biscotti So Good They Made Me Cry - "These chocolate biscotti, spiked with chiles and studded with cashews, possess the power to persuade even the staunchest doubters."
• Southeast Asia's 600-year-old fusion cuisine - "Six hundred years ago, women created Peranakan cooking - a Southeast Asian cuisine with multicultural roots - and have been shaping it ever since."
• Breitling Unveils Cosmonaute To Honor 60 Years Since Its First Historic Space Flight - "Breitling does it again. Today, the brand makes a real statement about its heritage and watchmaking prowess at a huge product-release event in Zurich. Not only is the Swiss watch brand releasing an all-new beloved Cosmonaute watch, but also it is recalling its rich aviation history for this release. The new timepiece recalls the watch worn by American astronaut Scott Carpenter in a space mission in 1962. Additionally, to set the tone for the release event, Breitling even brings the original watch worn by Carpenter (and fairly well destroyed in the seawater landing) to the forefront for the first time since the mission."
• Harley-Davidson made an electric mountain bike without front or rear suspension - "It's basically a '90s mountain bike."
• A Vogue Editors’ Guide to Palm Beach: Where to Sleep, Eat & Shop - "The savvy traveler knows not only of TSA PreCheck, they know to read up on the history of where they’re about to holiday. Those headed to Palm Beach should familiarize themselves with two people: Henry Flagler and Addison Mizner - individuals who put Palm Beach on the map. Without their contributions, the storied town would certainly not be the beachside Xanadu it is today, where glossy green lawns sit adjacent to sandy beaches and no one waits till cocktail hour to get things shaking."
• Gwyneth Paltrow’s vagina candle erupted in my front room - "Flames roared half a metre out of the jar and bits of molten wax flew out as it fizzed and spat."

May 25, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russians trying to destroy Donbas, says Zelenskiy, as fighting intensifies - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 91 of the invasion - "Invasion in ‘most active phase’, says Ukraine; Russian forces take control of three Donetsk regions; 200 bodies found in Mariupol basement."
• Ukraine invasion may be start of ‘third world war’, says George Soros - "Veteran philanthropist tells World Economic Forum civilisation ‘may not survive’ what is coming."
• Declassified US intel shows Russian blockade of Ukraine that risks global food crisis - "Russia's invasion has effectively halted all maritime trade at Ukrainian ports, according to declassified US intelligence, blocking grain exports and risking a global food crisis. The EU has accused Russia of 'weaponizing' food supplies."
• Kissinger Warns World Unprepared if Putin Uses Nukes - "Former U.S. Secretary of State warns we are in a ‘totally new era.’"
• We Must Prepare for Putin’s Worst Weapons - "Russia’s foreign minister and its ambassador to the United States have both signaled that Russia’s debacle in Ukraine could lead to a nuclear strike. By claiming that Russia is readying its weapons, by warning of a 'serious' risk of nuclear escalation and by declaring 'there are few rules left,' they purposefully rattled the ultimate saber. Vladimir Putin himself has noted that he has weapons his opponents do not and that he will 'use them, if needed.' Even the C.I.A. director, William Burns, has warned of the possibility that Mr. Putin could use a tactical nuclear weapon, even if there is no 'practical evidence' right now to suggest it is imminent. Nevertheless, we should be prepared; the former secretary of state Henry Kissinger has argued that we should give the threat consideration."
• The sanctioned oligarch’s son & a £160m London property empire - "Said Gutseriev says he has no financial or commercial links to his father, who was sanctioned last year for ‘supporting’ dictator of Belarus."
• Monkeypox: Cases detected in three more countries for first time - "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has became the first Gulf state to record a case of monkeypox."
• Monkeypox outbreak was waiting to happen, say scientists - "Proportion of people protected has fallen substantially in decades since smallpox vaccination ended."
• Shiny but deadly - don’t throw goldfish in rivers, pet owners told - "Unwanted lockdown goldfish pose a triple threat to native species in UK waterways, study reveals."
• How American-style cheesecake was born in ancient Rome - "It was nutritious, easy to prepare and great as a snack, especially when sprinkled with poppy flower seeds and served in cubes. The ancient Romans feasted on a delicious honey-crusted cheesecake called Savillum, which is believed to be the real ancestor of modern US-style cheesecake."
• 'Dr. Beach' names the top 10 US beaches for 2022 - "Coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman, also known as 'Dr. Beach', a professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, has been ranking America's best beaches since 1991. He uses 50 criteria to evaluate 650 public beaches in the US. The criteria include beach width, sand softness, water temperature and color, wildlife and more."
• Tech neck: what are smartphones doing to our bodies? - "Bending your head to use a phone stresses the spine, say chiropractors – and that’s not the only way the devices are injuring and changing us."
• Can Protein Powders Help Aging Muscles? - "Older adults typically need more protein than younger people. Here’s how to ensure you’re getting enough."

May 24, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war updates: Moscow to deepen ties with China, Lavrov says; west pledges to send more advanced weapons to Ukraine - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 90 of the invasion - "A veteran Russian diplomat has resigned over his country’s invasion of Ukraine as a Kyiv court sentences a Russian soldier to life in prison."
• Davos 2022: Global economy faces 'its biggest test' since WWII - "The global economy is being brought to the edge of a precipice by crisis upon crisis. As the first World Economic Forum to be held in person since 2020 opened in Davos, Switzerland on Monday, the International Monetary Fund said the economy faces 'perhaps its biggest test since the Second World War.'"
• War in Ukraine could cause recession in weaker economies, IMF boss warns - "Speaking at Davos, Kristalina Georgieva said anxiety about food prices was ‘hitting the roof’ globally."
• The War in Ukraine Is Getting Complicated & America Isn’t Ready - "U.S. support for the war is not guaranteed."
• Monkeypox virus outbreaks are containable - WHO - "Monkeypox can be contained in countries outside of Africa where the virus is not usually detected, the World Health Organization (WHO) says."
• Covid can cause ongoing damage to heart, lungs & kidneys, study finds - "One in eight Covid hospital patients have heart inflammation up to two months later, researchers find."
• European fruit with traces of most toxic pesticides ‘up 53% in nine years’ - "Analysis of nearly 100,000 samples found residues in a third of apples and half of blackberries."
• A new billionaire has been minted nearly every day during the pandemic - "Some 573 people have joined the billionaire ranks since 2020, bringing the worldwide total to 2,668, according to an analysis released by Oxfam on Sunday. That means a new billionaire was minted about every 30 hours, on average, so far during the pandemic."
• World's fastest passenger jet goes supersonic in tests - "The in-development Global 8000 will be 'the world's fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet.'"
• What would a flying-free world look like? - "Aeroplanes are incredibly polluting, but could we ever live completely without them?"
• Catch a Rising Star at the Auction House - "No longer does museum validation or scholarly attention determine a painting’s value. Now, the collectors’ hunger comes first, and institutions must follow."
• 'The Love Boat': How a TV show transformed the cruise industry - "From steam-powered ships, to mega-liners, the cruise industry has been through quite a transformation over the years. And the market has skyrocketed."
• Elizabeth line London: Crossrail complete after decades of struggle - a photo essay - "After years of knockbacks and fights over funding, this amazing feat of engineering is ready to open."
• London’s railway of the future is finally here - "Crossrail is one of Europe’s biggest modern infrastructure projects."
• The Kystriksveien: Earth's most beautiful road trip? - "Bucking and weaving along the rugged contours of Norway's fractured coastline, the 670km road to the Artic is a triumph of human ingenuity and perseverance."
• Test-Driving The Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible - Forbes.
• Logitech’s new mouse & keyboard offer a quieter click & more clack, respectively - "Say hello to the MX Master 3S and the MX Mechanical."
• best laptops 2022 - "'There's no shortage of sleek and powerful laptops out there. These are our favorites.'"

May 23, 2022

• TIME 100: The most influential people of 2022 - TIME.
• Russia-Ukraine war: up to 100 Ukrainians dying every day in east, Zelenskiy says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 89 of the invasion - "Kyiv says it will not agree to a ceasefire that involves handing territory to Russia; Ukrainian president says up to 100 Ukrainians dying every day on eastern front."
• Russia's brutal 'filtration' camps - "Ukrainians must endure a brutal 'filtration' process to escape Russian-held territory. Here's what that means."
• Kim Jong-un buries mentor amid North Korea Covid crisis - "State media photos show Kim carrying Hyon Chol-hae’s coffin and throwing earth into his grave as country battles ‘fever’ cases amid Covid outbreak."
• 'Formidable' challenges as monkeypox spreads - "World faces big challenges over Covid, monkeypox and wars - WHO."
• Cannes 2022 week one roundup: a return to form & Top Gun reborn - "Back in its traditional May slot, the film festival was in boisterous spirits. Week one’s wildly eclectic offerings ranged from Italian arthouse grandeur to Tom Cruise flying high."
• Food & energy billionaires $453bn richer than two years ago, finds Oxfam - "While elite gather in Davos, charity calls for wealth tax after rich benefit from soaring energy and food prices."
• South Korea's coolest export isn't K-Pop, it's this drink - "Makgeolli: How Korean rice wine is stepping out of soju's shadow."
• Pampered pooches ride Japan's bullet train in style - "Oh to be a pampered pooch on one of Japan's iconic Shinkansen trains heading to a beautiful resort town."
• Welcome to the Era of Unapologetic Bad Taste - "Bad taste is in. An over-the-top aesthetic connects with consumers who just want to feel something. ... In 2022, pop culture is doing the most." TIME Magazine.
• Inspired by spiders, one Japanese startup is inventing a new generation of textiles - "Five times stronger than steel, spider silk's unique qualities were recognized by the Ancient Greeks - and more recently, scientists have looked at applications from medicine to engineering."
• The world's true cradle of chocolate - "There are nearly a dozen artisan chocolate companies in Belize taking cacao from bean to bar, part of a robust movement to reclaim the small country's rich chocolate heritage."
• Want to become Italian? The 007 of lost Italian documents may be able to help - "Want to become Italian? If you have Italian ancestors in your family tree, it might be easier than you realize."
• The ‘E-Pimps’ of OnlyFans - "Clever marketers have figured out how easy it is to simulate online intimacy at scale, ventriloquizing alluring models with cheap, offshore labor."
• How to Read a Whiskey Label Without Embarrassing Yourself - "We’ve been making whiskey for centuries. Over that period of time things have gotten ... complicated."
• Why some ancient societies were more unequal than others - "Inequality affected some ancient societies, but not all. Changes in farming - and the animals used in it - might have been a factor which caused it to spiral."
• Inside ‘Secret,’ the Lavish 271-Foot Superyacht Owned by Walmart Heiress Nancy Walton Laurie - "Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie's 271-footer has an eclectic interior of black and gold, along with splashes of red, as well as other, well, secrets."
• Hayden Christensen on Star Wars & daring to return as Darth Vader - "When he first portrayed Darth Vader in the much-panned Star Wars prequels 20 years ago, fans vented their anger at him. So why is he risking more in a new TV series? He talks about George Lucas, the pressures of fame and his love of bulldozers."
• Maldives’ plan to reclaim atoll land for tourist resorts may ‘choke ecosystem’ - "Vulnerable island nation split over project to dredge millions of tonnes of sand to create land for resorts and industry at Addu Atoll, made a Unesco reserve for its seagrass and mangroves."
• MbappÉ saga shows football’s power lies with players, not clubs - "Mbappé staying in Paris has angered Real Madrid and La Liga but PSG argue the eye-watering numbers add up in their favour."
• Why Salmon & Rice Go So Well Together - "With a funky, umami-packed sauce this salmon bowl highlights the old saying: What grows together goes together."
• On a Remote Mountain, the ‘Sistine Chapel of Socialism’ Awaits Its Fate - "An enormous monument to the Communist Party in Bulgaria is now a decrepit ruin. The country is wrestling with how to deal with a symbol of an unwanted and, in many ways, deeply ugly past."
• Haiti's Lost Billions - The New York Times.
• How a French Bank Captured Haiti - "It helped finance the Eiffel Tower as it drained millions from Haiti."

May 22, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy says only diplomacy can end war; Polish president to address Ukraine parliament in Kyiv - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 88 of the invasion - "Moscow considers prisoner swap for Putin ally; Russia bans 963 Americans including president Biden from entering the country."
• Where things stand after nearly three months of war - "It is nearly three months since Russia invaded Ukraine - a 12-week period in which Russian forces have wrought devastation on the country and its people, resulting in death on a vast scale and causing millions to flee."
• Zelensky: Only diplomacy can end Ukraine war - "The war in Ukraine can only be resolved through 'diplomacy', President Volodymyr Zelensky has said."
• The Russian Orthodox Leader at the Core of Putin’s Ambitions - "Patriarch Kirill I has provided spiritual cover for the invasion of Ukraine, reaping vast resources for his church in return. Now, in an extraordinary step, the E.U. is threatening him with sanctions."
• Shanghai reopens some public transport after months-long Covid lockdown - "Partial restart comes as curbs tightened in other areas, highlighting difficulties of resuming life under China’s strict zero-Covid policy."
• Monkeypox: Time to worry or one to ignore? - "If you're still reeling from the Covid pandemic, well sorry but there's another virus to get to grips with. This time it's monkeypox and there are around 80 confirmed cases in 11 countries, including the UK, that would not normally expect to have the disease."
• Apocalypse now? The alarming effects of the global food crisis - "The Bank of England governor warned last week of ‘apocalyptic’ food price rises. Yet war in Ukraine, climate change and inflation are already taking their toll all over the world."
• Air travel is harming the planet. Here's how to fly greener - "From alternative fuels to rationing trips: A guide to more sustainable flying."
• A Daily Aspirin Regimen May Hurt More Than Help, Experts Warn - "Millions of Americans take aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. Now, doctors are advising against it - especially for people over 70."
• Elon Musk denies sexual misconduct allegations - "The world's richest man, Elon Musk, has denied claims that he groped and exposed himself to an employee at his SpaceX rocket company six years ago."
• The death of 'mandatory fun' in the office - "The pandemic put an end to required birthday cupcakes, team happy hours and forced ‘fun’ activities. Many workers are deeply relieved."
• In Court, Johnny Depp & Amber Heard Dress to Suggest - "Honesty, respectability, sincerity - the clothes make the argument."
• Samsung’s new Freestyle projector is ultra tiny, portable & the perfect home accessory - "Samsung always brings something wild to CES, and this year is no different. The Freestyle is a teeny, tiny $899.99 projector that feels tailor-made for the millennial generation. Yes, it can be your TV with the ability to project up to a 100-inch screen on seemingly any surface - but it can also be a speaker, a light or a groovy star show projector. Plus, you can even screw it into a standard lightbulb socket to power it."
• APPLE SHIPPED ME A 79-POUND IPHONE REPAIR KIT TO FIX A 1.1-OUNCE BATTERY - "'I’m starting to think Apple doesn’t want us to repair them.'"
• Boeing's Starliner successfully docks with the ISS despite issues - "This critical flight test will determine whether the capsule is ready to ferry astronauts to orbit."
• Why is there a global scarcity in luxury watches? Not just Rolex - "Demand is outstripping supply for Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Tudor and Patek Philippe too."
• Engraving Your Watch Case Back Is (Still) Such A Cool Thing To Do - "Check out these great examples and their stories from our very own Fratello readers."
• How to recover data from a hard drive - "Here's how to recover data from a hard drive on Windows and macOS."

May 21, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow declares victory in battle for Mariupol steel plant; Russia halts gas supplies to Finland - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 87 of the invasion - "Last group of Ukrainian soldiers in Azovstal steelworks surrendered, Russia’s defence ministry said late Friday."
• Mariupol: Russia declares complete victory at Azovstal plant - "The last fighters defending the city's Azovstal steel plant have now surrendered, Moscow officials said."
• Cosmopolitan no more: Russians feel sting of cultural & economic rift - "Magazines, production lines and consumer choices suffer as isolation from the west bites."
• US intel skeptical Putin will be swayed by Russian public opinion over war in Ukraine - "US intelligence officials are skeptical that any change in Russian public opinion against the Kremlin's war in Ukraine - even a dramatic one - would have an effect in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict, according to multiple sources familiar with the latest intelligence."
• Two types of Omicron classified as Covid variants of concern in UK - "Small number of BA.4 and BA.5 cases identified but data suggests ‘growth advantage’ over dominant BA.2."
• Monkeypox: 80 cases confirmed in 12 countries - "The World Health Organization has said another 50 suspected cases are being investigated - without naming any countries - and warned that more cases are likely to be reported."
• North Korea is facing a Covid disaster. What does that mean for Kim Jong Un? - "In a largely undeveloped and famously isolated country of 25 million, where the vast majority of people are thought to be unvaccinated, it has the potential to be a humanitarian disaster on the sort of scale that would threaten the grip on power of just about any government in the world. But Pyongyang isn't like any other government. In fact, some experts say that rather than weaken Kim the outbreak could make him more powerful - by giving him an excuse to tighten his grip."
• Global heating is cutting sleep across the world, study finds - "Data shows people finding it harder to sleep, especially women and older people, with serious health impacts."
• All the Best Fashion From the 2022 Cannes Film Festival - "Fashion lovers, rejoice! The Cannes Film Festival 2022 officially kicks off today. Held in Cannes, France, the annual event produces one of the glitziest red carpets in the world (competing only with the Oscars and the Met Gala). A-list stars will travel over from Hollywood to climb the event’s signature red steps, rocking their best suits and gowns, which are often custom, haute couture, or fresh off the runway. After being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, Cannes came roaring back in full swing last year, and stars are clearly once again ready to channel some extremely-glamorous energy this year."
• William & Kate join Tom Cruise on 'Top Gun: Maverick' red carpet - "British royalty and Hollywood royalty came together on the red carpet for the charity premiere of the new Tom Cruise movie, 'Top Gun: Maverick,' on Thursday night."
• Tom Cruise is Hollywood’s Last Real Movie Star - "At a time when superheroes dominate the box office, the film industry hopes the actor can bring grown-ups back to theaters. He’s the last remaining global star who still only makes movies for movie theaters. He hasn’t ventured into streaming. He hasn’t signed up for a limited series. He hasn’t started his own tequila brand."
• High End Munich 2022 - "The Leading International Audio Show." May 19-22, 2022.
• You can get unlimited summer travel for $9.50 in this European country - "Pack your bags, because the most affordable travel destination this summer, if we're going by transport, appears to be Germany. The German government has today approved the creation of a €9 ($9.50) monthly public transport ticket. It will be launched in June - just in time for a summer trip. The card can be used across the entire country, on local and regional transport - trains, buses and trams."
• Bill Gates reveals why he uses an Android & NOT iPhone as his personal mobile - "The Microsoft founder admits he's used Google-powered phones for years, but still occasionally dabbles with Apple gear."
• Bodies Pulled From Parched Lake Mead Stir Wise-Guy Ghosts of Las Vegas - "As climate change fuels grim discoveries across the West, Las Vegas is awash in bets on the identity of a suspected murder victim dumped in a barrel."
• How to turn keyboard lighting on & off - "There isn't just one way to turn on your keyboard lights. It can vary wildly among laptop and peripheral manufacturers and even among different laptop lines from the same brand. To bring a bit of clarity to the situation, we've gathered together six possible ways to turn your keyboard backlighting on or off. Read on to find the best method for your laptop or desktop keyboard."
• France's mustard shortage leaves sour taste - "French shoppers are facing a sour sight in supermarkets this summer - no mustard. The nationwide shortage is due to a lack of mustard seeds needed to produce the condiment. Severe drought in Canada, poor harvests in France and the war in Ukraine have combined to reduce the supplies of mustard seeds available to producers."
• Meet Artle, The Wordle Spinoff For Art Lovers - "The National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, D.C. has jumped into the game craze with a Wordle spinoff called Artle, which gives players four guesses to identify the creator of four works of art."
• LG's latest 4K CineBeam projector pumps the brightness up to 3,700 lumens - "The ultra short throw model projects a 120-inch screen from seven inches away."
• Versace & Fendi: Fendace men's collection - "The Versace by Fendi Collection." A coming together of two Italian brands, the Fendi by Versace collection stems from mutual friendship and respect. Discover men’s hoodies, belt bags, shoes and more with signature Greca, Barocco and FF motifs in unique Fendace designs.
• Louis Vuitton Meets Nike in Virgil Abloh’s Dream Sneaker - "The Air Force 1, manufactured in Italy, will be unveiled in a new installation in Brooklyn. It was one of the designer’s final projects before his death."
• Why Are We All Obsessed With Dirty Sneakers Again? - "Last week, Balenciaga released a pair of dirty sneakers - well, actually destroyed sneakers. The brand led with a photo of shoes as tattered as if they had survived an act of God, like a mudslide or a shredding by a rabid dog. A less distressed version are being sold as a limited edition of 100 pairs that will go for $1,800. For a more commercial option, Balenciaga is offering pairs that look as if they have been worn on countless subways, substantial walks, and late nights. These come in high-top and backless mule form, priced from $495 to $625."
• The best grilling gear - "Grills, gadgets and a very necessary sous vide."
• Aurangzeb: Why is a Mughal emperor who died 300 years ago being debated on social media? - "A Mughal emperor who died more than 300 years ago has become a hot topic of debate in India in recent months."
• JEANNE LANVIN’S APARTMENT, DESIGNED BY ARMAND-ALBERT RATEAU, 1924-1925 - "In 1920, the great fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin bought the mansion that formerly belonged to the Marquise Arconati-Visconti at 16, Rue Barbet-de-Jouy in Paris. She added a reception wing whose rooms (hall, library, gallery and dining room) were furnished by the designer Armand-Albert Rateau from 1921 to 1924."
• Orson Welles’ 'Don Quixote' & the Dangers of Uncontrolled Genius - "A deep dive into the unmade masterwork from one of cinema's greatest, and most egotistical, minds."

May 20, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russia has turned Donbas into ‘hell’, Zelenskiy says; US Senate approves $40bn in aid for Ukraine - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 86 of the invasion - "Donbas region has been ‘completely destroyed’, Zelenskiy says; Russia will consider opening Ukraine’s Black Sea ports only if western sanctions lifted, Moscow says."
• Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion - "Russian forces are continuing to focus their attacks on the east of the country but resistance from Ukrainian troops is slowing their progress."
• Russia's laser weapon claim derided as propaganda - "Russia claims to have used laser weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine, although the US says it has seen no evidence of this and Ukraine has derided it as propaganda. What are laser weapons and how effective could they be in the conflict?"
• Putin’s daughter flew to Munich ‘more than 50 times’ in two years, leaks reveal - "Investigation also suggests president’s youngest daughter is in a relationship with ballet dancer Igor Zelensky."
• Govor agrees to buy all McDonald’s in Russia & rebrand them - "Alexander Govor pays undisclosed fee after US burger chain pulls out of Russia over invasion of Ukraine."
• North Korea’s Covid caseload passes 2 million amid global concern about regime’s pandemic plan - "Experts believe North Korean authorities are underreporting deaths to prove that their response has been effective."
• Monkeypox cases investigated in Europe, US, Canada & Australia - "Cases of Monkeypox are being investigated in European countries as well as the US, Canada and Australia, according to health authorities and local media reports. The latest new cases were reported in France, Italy, Sweden and Australia."
• Environmental toxins are worsening obesity pandemic, say scientists - "Pollutants can upset body’s metabolic thermostat with some even causing obesity to be passed on to children."
• BMW IX XDRIVE50 REVIEW: A HIGH-TECH BEAST WITH BLING - "BMW’s all-electric crossover is packed to the gills with technology, power, and range."
• Coke's new bottle cap doesn't come off - "Coke knows that its soda caps often end up as litter. So it's trying to solve the problem by tethering them to the bottle, at least in the United Kingdom. Earlier this week, the British arm of the beverage company announced that it has started rolling out new versions of its plastic bottles. The new bottles feature an attached cap, a design that is supposed to make it easier to recycle the whole package at once - and keep caps out of the trash."
• Mercedes just sold the world's most expensive car for $142 million - "Mercedes-Benz confirmed on Thursday that it recently sold the world's most expensive car. A very rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz SLR coupe that had been kept in the German automaker's collection was sold to a private owner for €135 million, the equivalent of $142 million. That price makes it the most expensive car known to ever have been sold, according to Hagerty, a company that tracks collector car values."
• What's in those shoes, Tom? 5ft 7 Cruise stands shoulder-to-shoulder with 5ft 9 Kate Middleton at Top Gun: Maverick premiere - "She's already two inches taller than him and took herself over 6ft in a pair of stilettos. Tom, widely thought to wear lifts in his shoes, boosted his height with a pair of black suit shoes with a stacked heel as he stepped out in a black tuxedo at the premiere."
• Sean Connery's own classic Aston Martin is for sale - "The Bond car that the late actor Sean Connery first drove in the 1964 film "Goldfinger" was an Aston Martin DB5 replete with gadgets like machine guns, an ejector seat and an oil slick maker. More than 50 years later, Connery sought out a 1964 DB5 for himself and, after looking for over a year, finally bought one - without the movie car's guns and gadgets - in early 2018. Connery died almost two years later at the age of 90. His DB5, the only one he ever actually owned, will be offered for sale at an auction this summer. The car is expected to sell for between $1.4 million and $1.8 million, according to the auction company Broad Arrow Group. The car will be offered at Broad Arrow Group's Monterey, California, auction on August 18."
• Princess Diana’s Wedding Tiara Goes On Display For Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee - "The tiara worn by the late Princess Diana on her wedding day will go on display in London this summer for the first time since the 1960s as part of a landmark exhibit of aristocratic tiaras to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, which marks her 70th year on the British throne."
• Fyre Festival fraudster Billy McFarland released from prison early - "Billy McFarland, the fraudster behind the ill-fated Fyre Festival, was sprung from prison this spring after serving less than four years of a six-year sentence in connection with his disastrous 2017 Caribbean retreat."
• Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2023 Show Was All About Monograms & Metallic - "On a bright, sunny day in California, Louis Vuitton presented its Cruise 2023 show. It was a perfect day yesterday for a runway show at the Salk Institute, which is located in Southern California. With this presentation, Nicolas Ghesquiere continued his ongoing tradition of staging Louis Vuitton’s cruise runway shows at some of the world’s most renowned architectural spaces."
• Does hypnosis really work? - "With a history spanning the origin of psychotherapy, to bizarre experiments with snakes and acid, hypnosis is emerging as a powerful medical treatment. Can it shake off its reputation as a stage magician's trick?"
• ‘Really cool, day or night’: readers’ top modern European architecture - "From a giant Gulliver in Spain to a sleek basking whale in Budapest, readers tip 10 destinations with stunning contemporary buildings." The Guardian.
• What Your Dog Wants - "Dogs are 'really good at reading our emotions,' says one expert. But we’re not so good at reading theirs."
• The week in wildlife - in pictures - "The best of this week’s wildlife pictures, including an injured bird, hungry jackals and a rescued dolphin."
• MacBook buying guide: The right M1 laptop for each use case - "Still on Intel? Here's a quick primer on your options for an M1-based laptop."
• Breville’s PolyScience Control Freak is a pricey yet precise induction cooktop - "At $1,500, you might want to leave this one to the pros."

May 19, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: culture of cover-ups and scapegoating impacting Russian military efforts, says UK - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 85 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says Russian use of laser weapons shows invasion has failed; World Bank agrees $30bn global food aid plan."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Is Putin Sick - Or Are We Meant to Think He Is? - "An oligarch close to the Kremlin was recorded on a tape saying the president is ‘very ill with blood cancer.’ Is this true, idle speculation or disinformation designed to make an erratic and paranoid dictator vulnerable?"
• Ukraine war has stoked global food crisis that could last years, says UN - "Shortages of grain and fertiliser could cause ‘mass hunger and famine, says chief, as World Bank pledges another $12bn to ease shortfall."
• North Korea promotes traditional medicines in bid to fight Covid outbreak - "State media have told patients to use painkillers as well as unverified home remedies such as willow leaf tea."
• What to do if you test positive for Covid-19 now - "Covid-19 infections are on the rise, with most US states reporting an increase in cases. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highly contagious BA.2.1.21 subvariant of Omicron is now the dominant strain of coronavirus nationwide."
• Since you're already getting a flu shot, why not one for covid, too? - "Scientists and federal health officials are debating plans to pair coronavirus and flu vaccinations in the fall."
• Climate change is making record-breaking heatwaves in India & Pakistan 100 times more likely - "Climate change has made the odds of a record-breaking heatwave hitting northwestern India and Pakistan 100 times more likely to happen, scientists said Wednesday, as the two countries experience high temperatures that are disrupting daily life."
• Do Airline Climate Offsets Really Work? Here’s the Good News & the Bad - "Carbon credits could eventually play an important role in fighting climate change, but right now a few dollars’ worth won’t change much."
• Cost of living: Stock markets fall amid concern over rising prices - "Stock markets in Asia and the US have fallen over concerns that rising prices could send the global economy into a slowdown."
• Apple’s hidden setting instantly makes your video & audio calls sound better - "It doesn’t work everywhere, but when it does, it’s magic."
• 30 of the best fried foods around the world - "These are the world's best fried foods. How many have you tried?"
• How to make the most of that Instant Pot you just bought - "Few kitchen appliances have reached the same cult status as the Instant Pot. Years after its initial rise to fame, it’s as popular as ever, with new and improved models coming out every year. There always seems to be additional functions like customizable buttons, sous vide cooking or air frying. With more than 100 fan-created online groups, over 140,000 reviews on Amazon and accolades from the likes of The New York Times, it's no question that this kitchen marvel is a hit. Plus our favorite accessories and recipe sources."
• The endurance of Japan's simple street snack - "Eaten right off the coals, yaki-imo (roasted sweet potatoes) are a beloved centuries-old food, whether they're served by old-fashioned street vendors or modern 'imo' girls and boys."
• Have your cake & eat it: how to cut down on sugar - "As a doctor and baking columnist Tamal Ray was better placed than most to understand the pitfalls of his lifelong sugar crush. How can even the most sweet-toothed among us cut down?"
• What you should know to master portion control, according to an expert - "Portion sizes of some of your favorite foods have been getting bigger and bigger. Ultraprocessed foods and beverages, including chocolate, french fries, fast-food hamburgers and soda, are being sold in sizes up to five times larger than when they were first introduced, according to a December 2021 study in the American Journal of Public Health."
• One of the World's Greatest Watch Collections Is Going on Display - "One-hundred-and-sixty rare and exclusive watches go on display this week at the Design Museum."
• Can Bags Be Powerful? - "Especially in pop-movie culture, the concept of a 'Power Bag' belonging to the 'Boss Lady' seems particularly relevant, with the trusty carryalls of glamorous CEOs serving as perfect outfit inspirations to masses of devoted onlookers."
• The unusual new superyacht concept with a giant glass eye - "The 110-meter vessel, named Zion, features a stunning glass dome that looks like a gigantic eye, or a 'black hole.'"
• Porsche Design: 50 Years of Making Things Better - "In 2022, Porsche Design is paying tribute to some of its most iconic product creations. Among them is a faithful re-edition of 'the first all-black chronograph' from 1972, the legendary Chronograph 1."
• LEGO has reimagined Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' in 2,316 little bricks - "When New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) bought 'The Starry Night' from a private collector in 1941, the painting was not well known. In the 81 years since, Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece has gone on to inspire everything from a hit single for singer Don McLean in 1971 to mass-produced merchandise including scarves, umbrellas and water bottles."
• Art auction fetches $922 million for high-profile divorce settlement - "More than three years after the high-profile divorce proceedings of New York real estate developer Harry Macklowe and his wife, Linda, their art collection has become the most expensive to ever sell at auction, raking in $922.2 million over the course of two different sales."
• The remarkable story behind one of Asia's most beautiful trains - "How an open letter turned an 'aesthetic catastrophe' into an award-winning Taiwan tourist train."
• Bob Mackie, designer who sketched famous Marilyn Monroe dress, says it was a 'big mistake' for Kim Kardashian to wear it - "Early in his career, Mackie worked as a sketch artist for Paramount costumier Edith Head, and Jean Louis, for whom he illustrated the skin-tight gown worn by Monroe when she sang 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' to John F. Kennedy in 1962."
• The 50 Best Movies on HBO Max Right Now - "In addition to new Warner and HBO films, the streamer has a treasure trove of Golden Age classics, indie flicks and foreign films. Start with these."
• Netflix vs TikTok: The Battle Between Long & Short - "From the outside Netflix and TikTok may not look like competitors, but they are."
• Tom Cruise on Why ‘Top Gun’ Sequel Would “Never” Go to Streaming & Why He Does His Own Stunts - "Prior to 'Top Gun: Maverick' making its Palais debut at the Cannes Film Festival, the superstar sat down for a conversation about his career."
• Leaky Gucci & Adidas 'sun umbrella' sparks China outcry - "A parasol set to be sold in China by top western brands Gucci and Adidas for 11,100 yuan (£1,329) is causing an outcry for not keeping out the rain. It comes as Gucci's website says it is 'not waterproof and is meant for sun protection or decorative use'."
• Juan Carlos: Spain's ex-king to return after two-year exile - "Spain's former King Juan Carlos will return to the country this week after nearly two years in exile in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Spanish royal palace has confirmed."
• Britain's biggest ever EuroMillions winners are revealed as hairdresser, 44, & civil engineer, 49, from Gloucester after they scooped £184million jackpot off a lucky dip - "The winners of Britain's lottery winners have been revealed as a hairdresser and sales engineer with two children - winning on a lucky dip ticket. Joe and Jess Thwaite, a couple from Gloucestershire in their 40s, won the whopping jackpot on Tuesday."

May 18, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: UK says Russia has ‘significant resourcing problems’; fate of Azovstal soldiers remains unclear - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 84 of the invasion - "Russia and Ukraine trade blame for stalled peace talks; Finland and Sweden to submit Nato bids on Wednesday."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• The Answer to Stopping the Coronavirus May Be Up Your Nose - "A nasal vaccine could enter the mucus layer inside the nose and help the body make antibodies that capture the virus before it even has a chance to attach to people’s cells. This type of immunity is known as sterilizing immunity."
• Shanghai declares zero-Covid milestone but residents cast doubt on reopening - "Shanghai officials on Tuesday said they had achieved 'zero-Covid at the community level' in what appeared to be a turning point in a heavy-handed and costly campaign to tame an Omicron outbreak - but many residents remain skeptical the city will reopen anytime soon."
• World's largest aircraft owner lost 113 planes to Russia due to sanctions - "AerCap Holdings, the aircraft leasing giant that is the world's largest owner of jets, lost 113 planes and 11 jet engines worth $2.7 billion when Russia seized them in response to sanctions triggered by the war in Ukraine."
• Elon Musk's mother becomes oldest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model - "Her billionaire son may have dominated headlines recently, but 74-year-old Maye Musk is now in the spotlight after becoming the oldest model to feature on the Sports Illustrated (SI) Swimsuit cover."
• This band-aid like tracker could shed light on your insomnia - "We spend around a third of our lives asleep. At least, we're supposed to. In reality, many of us aren't getting enough sleep - in a global study conducted in 2020, over a third of adults reported sleeping problems, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic."
• Palau's world-first 'good traveller' incentive - "In a world-first initiative, visitors to Palau will be offered exclusive experiences based on how they treat the environment and culture, not by how much they spend."
• The Most Exclusive Place To Stay In Aspen - "No, it’s not a hotel. Rather, Aspen Valley Ranch is a gated community with homes that spans more than 800 acres and is just 10 minutes from downtown Aspen. Comprised of residences, the property is unlike anything else that currently exists in town. It’s a self-encompassing retreat with every imaginable luxury and amenity, and like any exceptional place to stay, it also offer amenities that you would never be able to imagine."
• The link between imposter syndrome & burnout - "Feeling like you’re bad at your job is miserable. Worse, it’s also more likely to lead to professional burnout."
• Tedcore: the self-help books that have changed the way we live, speak & think - "Bestsellers like Atlas of the Heart and Atomic Habits use feel-good philosophy to turn our anxieties into our identity."
• Going solo: Eating alone in public - in pictures - "For three decades, New York photographer Nancy A Scherl has shot solo diners in fancy eateries, burger joints and even makeshift tents during the pandemic. What do her images say about loneliness, social behaviour and our evolving attitudes in public spaces?"
• Plant-based 'whole' eggs could be served in US restaurants this year - "If you’re a vegan or eco-conscious consumer, there are plenty of options when you want a burger or chicken nuggets. But there aren’t many plant-based eggs. Sure, you can find powdered substitutes, but a “whole” egg with a runny yolk is a different matter. A startup wants to change that."
• 21 Cars From Eric Clapton's Rock N' Roll Car Collection - "Some of these cars were used as inspiration for songs of his, but the best of the bunch were bought to be driven."

May 17, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: bloodiest battle ends as Ukrainian fighters evacuated from Mariupol steel plant - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 83 of the invasion - "Fighters evacuated from steelworks in Mariupol; Ukrainian troops push back Russian forces from Kharkiv as far as Russian border."
• Mariupol: Hundreds of besieged Ukrainian soldiers evacuated - "Ukraine has confirmed that hundreds of its fighters trapped for more than two months in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks have been evacuated."
• How Often Can You Be Infected With the Coronavirus? - "The spread of the Omicron variant has given scientists an unsettling answer: repeatedly, sometimes within months."
• The COVID Testing Company That Missed 96% of Cases - "State and local officials across Nevada signed agreements with Northshore Clinical Labs, a COVID testing laboratory run by men with local political connections. There was only one problem: Its tests didn’t work." ProPublica.
• Apple rolls out iOS 15.5 with upgrades to Apple Cash & Podcasts. Everything New in iOS 15.5 - "The new updates aren't as feature rich as the prior updates and focus primarily on under-the-hood changes."
• Japan prepares to reopen to tourists for first time since 2020 - "‘Test tourism’ to begin in May in the form of limited package tours as a way of gathering information prior to full reopening."
• Europe's coolest metro line is upside down - "Unlike boring ordinary train lines that stay determinedly fixed to terra firma, suspension railways dangle beneath a track suspended from pylons. Their carriages swoosh over roads, rivers and other obstructions, while passengers get to enjoy the view. Today, the only suspension railways in operation are to be found in Japan and Germany. And it's in Germany that the original, and still very much the best, can still be found still going strong in all its steampunk glory - the Wuppertal Schwebebahn."
• Visiting Venice this summer? Here's the best art on show at the Venice Biennale - "If you're planning on being one of the millions of visitors flooding into Venice this summer and you're looking for an alternative way to enjoy the floating city, why not tour it with art as your guide?"
• Cannes 2022: 10 movies to watch out for in this year’s festival - "Austin Butler shakes his stuff as Elvis, Cronenberg gets creepy, Claire Denis takes on colonial agony and Hirokazu Kore-eda unwraps his first Korean-language film."
• Why the Queen is the last Royal icon - "From fairytale and formal to satirical and subversive - the art and photography that depict Her Majesty the Queen reveal some interesting truths. Holly Williams takes a look."
• Ferdinand Marcos Jr urged to stop pretending he has an Oxford degree - "University has said Philippines leader was awarded ‘special diploma in social studies’ in 1978, not a BA."
• Missing Picasso Found? Photo Suggests Philippines’ Imelda Marcos Might Still Have It - "What might be a lost painting by Pablo Picasso was spotted at the home of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines and the widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos–who allegedly embezzled billions of dollars from the Philippines before he was ousted–after her son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won the presidential election this week. The Marcos family is believed to have embezzled as much as $10 billion from the Philippines, the majority of which has never been recovered."
• How timing your meals right can benefit your health - "Eating well doesn’t necessarily just mean concentrating on the right diet – the time you eat (or don’t) can also make a big difference to your wellbeing."
• Number crunching: why ultra-processed foods have a calorie problem - "How we process a calorie depends on genetics, hormones and the food it’s in. The trouble is that 50% of our calories come from ultra-processed foods - everything from biscuits to hummus."
• The true origin of French macarons - "The French macaron shrouded in secrecy. The recipe for Macarons des Sœurs is only passed on orally to the succeeding pâtissier, who is the only one who makes the macaron, 'alone and away from prying eyes'."
• 10 little-known Mac features that will transform your desktop - "Here are ten macOS tips and features that you may not know or have forgotten about that can help you get more out of your Mac. Some of these are old, some just arrived in the past year, but all of them are incredibly handy to have in your arsenal."
• Can gravity batteries solve our energy storage problems? - "Could a cutting-edge technology that harnesses one of the universe's fundamental forces help solve our energy storage challenge?"
• Who owns Einstein? The battle for the world’s most famous face - "Thanks to a savvy California lawyer, Albert Einstein has earned far more posthumously than he ever did in his lifetime. But is that what the great scientist would have wanted?"
• Hot desking, tea rounds & surviving meeting irl: the new rules of the office - "Many of us have forgotten how it feels to be sharing a space with colleagues - and hybrid working has only added to the problems. Here’s how to navigate your post-pandemic workplace."
• Super flower blood moon - in pictures - "Dramatic total lunar eclipse coincided with a super moon, when the moon is at its closest point to Earth and reflects a red and orange light."

May 16, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Swedish PM to seek parliament’s support for joining Nato - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 82 of the invasion - "Sweden follows Finland in application to join Nato; Nato pledges open-ended military support to Ukraine; British intelligence estimates Russia has lost a third of invasion force."
• After 32 years, McDonald’s plans to sell its Russia business - "'This is a complicated issue that’s without precedent and with profound consequences,' said Chris Kempczinski, the chief executive of McDonald’s."
• Kim Jong-un calls in the army to respond to North Korea’s Covid-19 crisis - "Leader criticises healthcare officials and orders army to distribute medicine as more than one million are infected by ‘fever’."
• North Korea: More than a million Covid cases feared - "North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has lambasted health officials and ordered the army to help distribute medicine, as a wave of Covid cases sweeps through the country."
• Covid has hit China's economy harder than expected - "Retail sales contracted 11.1% in April from a year ago, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. That was well below the 6.1% drop forecast in a Reuters survey of economists, and also much lower than the 3.5% decrease seen in March."
• How Australia Saved Thousands of Lives While Covid Killed a Million Americans - "The United States and Australia share similar demographics, but their pandemic death rates point to very different cultures of trust."
• why are masks still worn in Japan & South Korea? - "Covid cases are stabilising in the countries but many may continue to wear face coverings, even if rules change."
• Full lunar eclipse creates rare super blood Moon - "Stargazers have been treated overnight to a stunning and unusual sight - a super blood Moon. Shortly after 03:30 GMT on Monday, Earth's orbit meant that for several minutes our planet was positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon."
• How 'revenge travel' became the latest trend - "The idea of 'revenge travel' seems to be more about loving to travel rather than expecting a specific destination to make amends."
• How long-haul travel will change post-Covid - "Airlines are rethinking long-haul travel as passengers cautiously return to flying. What’s likely to change?"
• Man Ray's 'Le Violon d'Ingres' photograph sells for record $12.4 million - "The original print of the masterpiece, widely considered to be Man Ray's most famous work, sold for $12.4 million, smashing sale estimates. Prior to the sale, it was expected to fetch between $5-7 million, the highest estimate for a single photograph in auction history, according to Christie's, which sold the work."
• Home decor ideas: 40 ways to make your home beautiful - "From simple home decor tricks to more dramatic room makeover, these ideas will help you transform your home."
• 12 Best Uses For Old iPhones - "Here are some novel ways you can give your old iPhone the second life it deserves."
• A Monument Rises From the Sand: Louvre Abu Dhabi - "The tale of the world’s newest cultural monument is tied to one of its oldest, though their evolutions bear little resemblance."
• This decadent dish showcases the famous black truffle - "'Essence of the Woods Pasta With Porcini and Truffle.' The dish combines the delicious flavors of beetroot, porcini mushrooms and black garlic to create a mouthwatering pasta sauce that complements but doesn't upstage the star of the show - a whole lot of truffle."
• Retsina - The 2,000-Year Old Wine Synonymous with Greek Summer - "Retsina is a refreshing Greek wine with a long history dating back to over 2,000 years. The beloved drink is linked to the warm summer months in the country."
• The 'can do' attitude that defines Hong Kong - "Many of Hong Kong's 7.4 million residents remain proud of their 'Lion Rock Spirit': a collective determination to better their lives against seemingly insurmountable odds."
• Guide to the Platinum Jubilee, Celebrating 70 Years of Queen Elizabeth’s Reign - "On February 6, 2022, the Queen became the first British monarch in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Seven decades have passed since she acceded to the throne at the age of 25 following the death of her father, George VI. In the intervening years, she has advised 14 prime ministers, met 13 U.S. presidents and acted as a steadfast figurehead as the nation navigated countless crises. To mark this unprecedented milestone, events will be organized throughout the year, culminating in a four-day weekend in June. The main events are set to take place between Thursday, June 2 and Sunday, June 5."
• Butt Lifts Are Booming. Healing Is No Joke - "Beauty, pain, race and money play out in Miami’s post-surgical recovery houses."
• 2022 Historic Grand Prix returns in deafening 13th edition - "The 2022 Historic Grand Prix can be marked as another success by the Automobile Club of Monaco, as thousands of spectators came out to see passionate drivers compete in their period-correct race cars from the golden age of motorsport."
• The Tesla Effect: Snowmobiles, Boats & Mowers Go Electric - "They’re quieter and better for the climate. But snow and water create new technological challenges for designers."
• The world's largest musical instrument - "Hear the epic sound of a 33,112-pipe organ in Atlantic City."
• Metatext Meets Murder in HBO’s Addictive The Staircase - "Ever since Big Little Lies became a TV phenomenon, HBO has cleared a lane for well-heeled crime dramas that are addicting as they are ludicrous. And now comes The Staircase, which shares DNA with the above: A-list cast, interesting director (Antonio Campos, whose film Christine has echoes here), a story that wraps up privilege, legal wrangling and violent death in a handsome eight-part package."
• Pro-Ject E1 Turntable Serves Up Crystal Clear Sound Without Deleting Your Wallet - "The Pro-Ject E1 Turntable is a fine example of what a re-energised industry can offer, as a quality entry point into the world of traditional hi-fi, which is priced to encourage people to join the wax-pressed revolution. Hand-made in Europe by the Austrian hi-fi company, the E1 features a 33/45 RPM electronic speed switch so you can enjoy any record from the comfort of your own home."
• Hands-On With GÉrald Genta's Personal Royal Oak - "Typically, a two-tone Royal Oak will also contain central bracelet links made of gold, but here only the bezel is crafted from the precious metal. According to Evelyne Genta, Gérald's longtime partner and widow, it was fitted to the watch by the man himself after acquiring the Royal Oak directly from Audemars Piguet. 'Gérald didn't own a Royal Oak until May 15, 1978, though he was obviously the Royal daddy,' she says. 'He bought that watch and told me he wanted to make it special, he wanted something more. In those days he already had his own workshop so he made that yellow gold bezel; it's not an original bezel. It's the ultimate combination of Audemars Piguet and Gérald Genta. He wore it quite often and it's unique. There's nothing more I can say other than it's unique.'"

May 15, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russians have ‘lost momentum’ in Donbas, says MoD; Finland set for Nato decision - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 81 of the invasion - "A convoy evacuating refugees from Mariupol arrives safely in Zaporizhzhia; US senators visit Kyiv; Ukraine rides wave of support to win Eurovision."
• Zelensky hails his country's Eurovision win & vows to hold next year's event in MARIUPOL - "President Zelensky has vowed to hold Eurovision in Mariupol next year after an outpouring of support from the European public propelled Ukraine to victory - as Britain's Sam Ryder earned a shock second place. Britain surprisingly topped the jury vote and led for most of the night before Ukraine were awarded a mammoth 439 points in the public vote."
• Ukraine’s ‘hero river’ helped save Kyiv. But what now for its newly restored wetlands? - "Kyiv repelled Russian forces by opening a Soviet-era dam on the Irpin River. Now, ecologists hope Ukraine’s newest wetlands can survive, or even thrive, after the war."
• Finland confirms Russia has cut electricity supply - "In a call with Finland's President Sauli Niinistö, Putin warned that joining NATO 'would be a mistake', as the Nordic country edges closer to becoming a member of the US-backed alliance."
• May's flower full moon will blossom in the sky this weekend - "May's full moon, known as the flower moon, will blossom in the sky on Sunday night into Monday."
• Full lunar eclipse to bring super blood Moon - "One of our planet's most stunning sights is coming to the skies - a super blood Moon."
• Coffee bad, red wine good? Top food myths busted - "We’re being bombarded with conflicting advice on what we should and shouldn’t put into our bodies. Finally, here are the definitive answers, according to the experts."
• Go with your gut: scientist Tim Spector on why food is not just fuel - "The scientist has spent years studying how gut health relates not just to nutrition, but to all aspects of our everyday wellbeing. He explains why it really is what’s inside that counts."
• Meal of a lifetime: what to eat at every age - "From training toddlers to socialising septuagenarians - here are the ideal ingredients to eat healthily at every stage of life."
• How to Grill the Perfect Steak - "Reverse-seared tri-tip may be the tastiest dish you grill all summer. Steven Raichlen guides you through the process."
• ‘This is about survival’: will Cop27 bring action on Glasgow climate pact? - "Amid an energy crisis caused by war in Ukraine, climate experts say November talks must act on plans to limit global heating."
• The World’s a Mess. So They’ve Stopped Saving for Tomorrow - "Many adults under 35 are throwing financial caution to the wind. It’s all about saving less, spending more and pursuing passions."
• Everything You Thought You Knew & Why You're Wrong - "A scientist and policy analyst examines the systems that rule our world, denounces easy solutions and makes the case for uncertainty."
• Fossils of a dinosaur that inspired 'Jurassic Park' sold for over $12 million - "His name is 'Hector,' he's over 100 million years old, and his fossils sold for more than $12 million in auction at Christie's. Hector is the most complete skeleton of Deinonychus antirrhopus ever found, according to Christie's. The specimen, excavated in Montana in 2013, dates back to the early Cretaceous period: 115 to 108 million years ago. It's in a 'remarkable state of preservation,' the auction house says of the specimen, consisting of 126 original fossils on a custom-built frame."
• The Rich Are Not Who We Think They Are. And Happiness Is Not What We Think It Is, Either - "A groundbreaking 2019 study by four economists, 'Capitalists in the Twenty-First Century,' analyzed de-identified data of the complete universe of American taxpayers to determine who dominated the top 0.1 percent of earners. The study didn’t tell us about the small number of well-known tech and shopping billionaires but instead about the more than 140,000 Americans who earn more than $1.58 million per year. The researchers found that the typical rich American is, in their words, the owner of a 'regional business,' such as an 'auto dealer' or a 'beverage distributor.'"
• An Outsider Takes an Inside Look at the Oxford ‘Chums’ Who Run the U.K. - "Simon Kuper has written a book that captures Boris Johnson and other future Conservative politicians when they were ambitious and misbehaving undergrads, planning their rise to power."
• In London, a Long-Awaited High-Tech Train Is Ready to Roll - "The Elizabeth line, 13 years in the making, will soon uncoil under central London with cathedral-like stations and roomy cars. Its managers say it’s a testament to the power of public transportation."

May 14, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian general predicts when war will end; UK warns Russia likely to rig referendums in Ukraine - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 80 of the invasion - "Ukraine appears to have successfully driven back Russian forces from Kharkiv; Russia to suspend electricity to Finland after Helsinki announces Nato bid."
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news and analysis - "Russia marks Victory Day, the last civilians leave Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks, and Ukraine prosecutors set for first war crimes trials."
• LIVE: Ukraine wins battle for city of Kharkiv - reports - "More now on reports that Ukraine has forced Russian forces to withdraw from Kharkiv - apparently 'winning the battle' for the city, as a respected US think tank describes it."
• Ukraine is 'losing many more men now,' lawmaker says - "Situation on battlefield is 'far worse' than it was at the start of war, Ukrainian official says."
• Ukraine begins first war crimes trial of Russian soldier - "Ukraine has started its first war crimes trial since the beginning of Russia's invasion, with a 21-year-old soldier appearing in the dock accused of killing an unarmed civilian."
• United States passes one million Covid deaths - "The US has passed more than one million Covid-related deaths, says the White House."
• China tightens ban on 'non-essential' overseas travel as lockdown anger rises - "The administration justified the measures by claiming it was necessary to 'reduce the risk of infection when leaving the country, and of carrying the virus when entering the country.' Travel will only be permitted for 'essential' purposes, defined by the administration as resuming work, study, business and scientific research, as well as seeking medical care."
• North Korea: Kim Jong-un declares Covid outbreak a ‘great disaster’ - "Pyongyang reports 21 more deaths as it scrambles to slow spread of the virus across unvaccinated population."
• ‘Cash, coal, cars and trees’: what progress has been made since Cop26? - "Six months on, the war in Ukraine and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have derailed some changes agreed on in Glasgow."
• 60 quick ways to make yourself slightly happier - "Things feeling a bit stale? These small tweaks to your routine will turn things around, boost your mood and could even make you a better person ..."
• Longest suspension footbridge ever opens - 721-meter/2,365 feet-long-span - "Spectacular world's longest suspension footbridge opens in Czech Republic."
• Cannolo: The 'erotic' origins of Sicily's top pastry - "Making a trip to Sicily without indulging in a delicious cannolo pastry is akin to visiting Naples without tucking into an authentic pizza. Practically unheard of."
• Saudi man charged after Maserati driven down Rome's Spanish Steps - "When in Rome, don't drive your fancy sports car down historic stairways."
• Lewis Hamilton could face ban from racing in 2022 Monaco GP - "Lewis Hamilton has been warned that he could face substantial ramifications if he does not remove his permanent jewellery by the time the Formula 1 circus has arrived to the Principality for the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix."
• Test-Driving The McLaren 765LT Spider - "McLaren 765LT Spider: The Pinnacle Of The Pure Combustion Supercar."
• Cannes Film Festival: 75 years of era-defining fashion - "As the world's most glamorous film festival celebrates its 75th anniversary, take a look back at decades of red carpet highlights."
• Best Places To Retire In 2022: Sioux Falls & Other Hot Spots - "Forbes compared more than 800 locales in America on everything from housing costs and taxes to healthcare, air quality, crime and climate change and natural hazard risk. These are the top 25 cities for retirees."
• The iPod created the two-headed monster that finally killed it - "Apple's music player led to smartphones and streaming, both of which made the iPod obsolete years ago."

May 13, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine latest: first war crimes trial in Kyiv; UK says Russian commanders ‘under pressure’ after failed river crossing - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 79 of the invasion - "Kyiv court set to hear first war crimes trial of Russian soldier; Moscow threatens retaliation after Finland announces Nato plans."
• Two battlegrounds are emerging in Ukraine - "A meandering river in eastern Ukraine is hindering both sides in the war."
• Putin ‘very ill with blood cancer says top oligarch caught in secret recording' - "An oligarch with close ties to the Kremlin has been secretly recorded as saying that Vladimir Putin is 'very ill with blood cancer' it is reported, with his identity not revealed for his safety."
• Senator Rand Paul single-handedly holds up $40bn US aid for Ukraine - "Democratic and Republican Senate leaders both supported package but Paul objected to scale of spending."
• Forgetting the apocalypse: why our nuclear fears faded & why that’s dangerous - "The horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki made the whole world afraid of the atomic bomb – even those who might launch one. Today that fear has mostly passed out of living memory, and with it we may have lost a crucial safeguard."
• North Korea says six dead after admitting Covid outbreak for first time - "Regime has said it is imposing ‘maximum emergency measures’ and 187,800 people are being ‘isolated and treated’ after showing signs of fever."
• Monaco Mask rules abolished - almost - "Friday the 13th will be a lucky day for residents and visitors who have been looking forward to a further relaxation of the mask rules in Monaco."
• Elon Musk says his deal to buy Twitter is on hold - "'Twitter deal temporarily on hold pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users,' Musk tweeted on Friday."
• The Mundane Thrill of ‘Romanticizing Your Life’ - "A trend that took off early in the pandemic encourages people to appreciate life’s simple pleasures, a philosophy that resonates just as strongly two years later."
• The World’s Largest Hotel, Restaurant & Leisure Companies In 2022 - "With increasing vaccination rates and an eagerness among consumers to return to normalcy, many of the biggest names in the hotel, restaurant and leisure sectors have begun to rebound in Forbes’ annual ranking of 2,000 the world’s largest public companies. Fast-food chains have weathered the pandemic better than the rest of the restaurant sector, largely thanks to drive-thru service and digital ordering. Two prime examples are McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast-food chain, and Starbucks, which are the only restaurant companies in the top 500, at no. 222 and no. 301, respectively. Our rankings are based on a composite score calculated from revenue, profits, assets and market value."
• The Italian place where you don't eat 'Italian' food - "Everyone who travels to Italy knows the drill. A day of culture and maybe a little shopping, followed by aperitivo and piles of pasta for dinner. Or, possibly a pizza - or even risotto. Because that's what they eat in Italy, right? The people of Lake Trasimeno would beg to differ."
• There’s Never Been a Better Time to Visit Amsterdam’s Breathtaking Gardens - "This year, there’s a particular wealth of green-fingered delights to be had in the city, in no small part thanks to the return of the Floriade Expo, an international horticulture exhibition which takes place every ten years, this time situated in the nearby town of Almere. And while the kaleidoscopic fields of the Bollenstreek (the flower-growing region just south of the city) and the breathtaking tulip gardens of Keukenhof are undeniably at their best during the spring, there’s a case to be made for the city as a year-round destination for horticulturalists."
• How high is your toxic 'body burden'? - "The chemicals that linger for decades in your blood. Environmental journalist Anna Turns experienced a wake-up call when she had her blood tested for toxic synthetic chemicals - and discovered that some contaminants persist for decades."
• Your Next iPod Could & Probably Should, Be an Apple Watch - "'I ditched my iPod ages ago, because the computer on my wrist was more convenient.'"
• Here's How Apple's iPod Lasted for 20 Years - "The gadget survived music streaming, rival players and the iPhone."
• You’re Cleaning All Wrong - "A science-based guide for fellow germaphobes."
• The design that changed European cities - "In the 1930s, Slovenia's Jože Plečnik created a unique architecture utterly different from the prevailing style of the time - and changed the way we think about cities."
• Nicole Kidman’s 11 Best Onscreen Beauty Transformations - "Nicole Kidman’s Most Dramatic Onscreen Beauty Transformations, From Bold Wigs to Facial Prosthetics."
• This $59 Million Waterfront Mansion In Miami’s ‘Billionaire Bunker’ Could Become America’s Most Expensive Bitcoin Real Estate Deal Ever - "For roughly 1,903 Bitcoin at today’s conversion rate, Ivanka Trump, Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias, billionaire investor Carl Icahn, and dozens of other A-listers and titans of industry could soon become your neighbors in Miami’s most coveted address. Locally known as “Billionaire Bunker”, Indian Creek Island on Biscayne Bay on the backside of Miami Beach is by almost every measure the most exclusive, secure, and celebrity-saturated residential enclave in America (sorry Hamptons and Palo Alto). If it had its own zip code, it would be the most expensive as well, with most properties trading hands these days for north of $40 million."

May 12, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Moscow is ‘most direct threat’ to world order, EU leader says; Finland expected to launch Nato bid - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 78 of the invasion - "Russian-controlled administration in Kherson plans to request annexation; Ukraine claims it has recaptured Pytomnyk, north of Kharkiv."
• Inside the Azovstal steelworks - in pictures - "A series of photos published on the Azov Regiment’s Telegram channel this week appears to show the squalid conditions of wounded Ukrainian defenders holed up under the Azovstal steelworks in besieged Mariupol. The Azov regiment retains some far-right affiliations."
• Russia pushed back from Kharkiv - report from front line - "Ukraine says its forces have recaptured villages from Russian troops north and north-east of Kharkiv, pushing them back towards the border. The continuing offensive could signal a shift in the war's momentum and jeopardise Russia's main advance further south."
• Russian-linked billionaires have given enormous sums of money to the West's leading educational & cultural institutions - "Their names are etched in stone alongside some of the most powerful people and companies in American history - the Rockefellers, the Walgreens, and the Coca-Cola company."
• North Korea admits to Covid outbreak for first time and declares ‘severe national emergency’ - "Omicron infections create ‘biggest emergency incident in the country’, according to state media, as Kim Jong-un chairs response meeting."
• the ‘carbon bombs’ set to trigger catastrophic climate breakdown - "Oil and gas majors are planning scores of vast projects that threaten to shatter the 1.5C climate goal. If governments do not act, these firms will continue to cash in as the world burns."
• Luxury Watch Brands Are Showing How Circularity & Sustainability Can Co-Exist - "There has been a sudden enthusiasm amongst luxury brands for embracing the resale model to both increase revenues and meet their sustainability targets. This is true for watches too. After all, the circular economy creates economic value through reuse and preservation, whereas its opposite, the linear economy functions on the concept of 'more' and waste."
• 'Succession' star glues hand to Starbucks counter in protest - "Actor and activist James Cromwell has gone from 'Succession’s' Uncle Ewan to real-life supergluin’ - pasting his hand to a midtown Manhattan Starbucks counter on Tuesday to protest the coffee chain’s extra charge for plant-based milk."
• Can We Still Be Optimistic About America? - "This is a season - an age, really - of American pessimism. The pessimism comes in many flavors. There is progressive pessimism: The country is tilting toward MAGA-hatted fascism or a new version of 'The Handmaid’s Tale.' There is conservative pessimism: The institutions, from primary schools to the Pentagon, are all being captured by wokeness. There is Afropessimism: Black people have always been excluded by systemic, ineradicable racism. There is the pessimism of the white middle and working classes: The country and the values they’ve known for generations are being hijacked by smug, self-dealing elites who view them with contempt." The New York Times.
• US passes 1m overdose deaths since records began - "2021 was a record year for overdose deaths with an estimated 107,622, CDC says, an increase of 15% from the previous year."
• Elon Musk just made Donald Trump's life a lot more difficult - "On Tuesday, Elon Musk confirmed it: He wants Donald Trump back on Twitter. 'I do think it was not correct to ban Donald Trump, I think that was a mistake,' Musk, who is in the process of buying the social media company, said at a Financial Times conference. 'I would reverse the perma-ban. ... Banning Trump from Twitter didn't end Trump's voice, it will amplify it among the right and this is why it's morally wrong and flat out stupid.'"
• Covid mask rules relaxed for EU air travel - "Face masks will no longer have to be worn on flights and in airports in EU countries from next Monday, according to new official guidance."
• US airline passengers aren't happy. Here's why - "The airports are crowded, the flights are packed and air travel in the US is back in full swing. But the return to the skies in the wake of the pandemic hasn't been entirely smooth: passengers seem more badly behaved than ever, flight cancellations feel increasingly commonplace and airlines are hiking fares as fuel prices soar."
• Google Maps adds an ‘Immersive View’ of major cities - "Pan around popular tourist destinations directly from your phone."
• Why Larry Gagosian Bought Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe Portrait For A Record $195 Million - "When the gavel came down Monday evening at Christie’s for Andy Warhol’s 1964 portrait of Marilyn Monroe, the $195 million price broke multiple auction records, including a new high for the Pop master himself. Like Warhol and Monroe, the buyer, art dealer Larry Gagosian, is also a familiar face."
• 'The Rock,' the largest white diamond ever auctioned, falls short of expectations - "The largest white diamond to ever come up for auction has been sold for 21,681,000 CHF ($21.9 million) at Christie's in Geneva. The auction house had given the diamond a 30,000,000 CHF ($30.2 million) high estimate."
• Fragment of the asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs may have been found - "A tiny fragment of the asteroid that hit Earth 66 million years ago may have been found encased in amber - a discovery NASA has described as 'mind-blowing.'"
• 23 of the world's best sandwiches - "Is there a food more humble yet universally adored than the sandwich? And while one person's go-to hamburger snack might be another's katsu sando or chivito, there's hardly a country on the planet that doesn't turn to some type of bread with something stuffed inside it to cure a craving. Traveling the world's sandwiches is, in a way, like traveling the world."
• Why Ancient Greeks Mixed Wine With Seawater - "Seawater gives the wine a curious salinity which mixes with the sweetness of the grape and produces a delicate taste while at the same time preserving the wine longer."
• On Strawberry Fanta & Other Treats Imbued With Divine Status - "Whether because of religion, fad dieting or Instagram, humans have long made food offerings in the hope of connecting with the sublime."
• How nature & 'extreme wilding' can re-boot our minds - "Is it possible to 're-wild' ourselves, and find peace by living a slower, more rural existence in harmony with nature? Lindsay Baker speaks to the authors who think we can."
• ‘People say they want me arrested’: the owners putting their pets on vegan diets - "The vegan pet food industry is now worth billions. But can plant-based meals really meet a dog or cat’s nutritional needs?"
• One UK ticket holder has scooped a record-breaking £184m Euromillions jackpot - "The winning EuroMillions numbers were 3, 25, 27, 28 and 29 - plus the Lucky Star numbers 4 and 9. One ticket matched all seven numbers to win £184,262,899.10."
• Curse of lottery winners who have suffered after winning life-changing sums - "We all dream of winning the National Lottery one day - and one lucky winner in the UK woke up this morning to discover they have amassed £184 million on EuroMillions - making them richer than Ed Sheeran."

May 11, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: trapped and wounded Azovstal soldiers plead for rescue; Ukraine to suspend Russian gas pipeline to Europe - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 77 of the invasion - "US spy chief suggests Russia could use nuclear weapons if war continues to stall; Odesa comes under renewed missile attacks."
• Putin preparing for long haul, US intelligence says - "Vladimir Putin is preparing for a long war in Ukraine, with even victory in the east potentially not ending the conflict, US intelligence has warned."
• Putin's current dilemma was JFK's worst fear - "Reflecting on the Cuban missile crisis, President John Kennedy once warned that nuclear powers 'must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war.' The showdown with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine does not yet mirror the one-minute-to-midnight brinkmanship that brought the Soviet Union and the West to the cusp of Armageddon in October 1962."
• How junk revealed life on Soviet bases - "The revealing junk of abandoned Soviet nuclear bases. From toys to toothpaste, the forgotten possessions left behind on former nuclear weapons bases in Poland reveal fascinating insights about the Soviet officers and families who once lived there."
• Shanghai moves to impose tightest restrictions yet - "Shanghai officials will over the next few days further restrict access to food and hospitals in some parts of the city, the most severe phase of its extended lockdown yet."
• Lifting zero-Covid policies in China could risk 1.6m deaths, says study - "Authorities might let people isolate at home instead of quarantine centres but anger continues in Shanghai about heavy-handed tactics."
• WHO chief censored on China's internet after calling zero-Covid unsustainable - "The censorship on Weibo and WeChat, China's two largest social media platforms, targets WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' comments that expressed rare disagreement with Beijing's policies."
• Bill Gates tests positive for COVID-19, says he's experiencing mild symptoms - "The 66-year-old tech giant wrote in a tweet Tuesday that he is experiencing mild symptoms and is 'following the experts' advice' by isolating himself until he's healthy. 'I'm fortunate to be vaccinated and boosted and have access to testing and great medical care,' Gates tweeted."
• ‘Devastating’: 91% of reefs surveyed on Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching in 2022 - "Report reveals extent of sixth mass bleaching event with worst-affected reefs between Cape Tribulation and Whitsundays."
• Vanuatu’s push for legal protection from climate change wins crucial support - "1,500 civil society groups from 130 countries back Vanuatu’s move to seek protection from the international court of justice."
• How long will inflation last? The answer lies in the past - "The Federal Reserve's favorite inflation-related adjective used to be transitory, as in: Inflation is transitory and price increases should be temporary. That is no longer the case. Inflation rates have been increasing sharply since August 2021 and have been out of the normal 2%-to-4% range for a full year. The Consumer Price Index rose 8.5% for the year ending in March, a rate that hadn't been seen since December of 1981. So the central bank has broken up with 'transitory' and set its eyes on a new inflation-modifying term: entrenched."
• Prince Charles delivers Queen's Speech for the first time - "Britain's heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and Prince William took center stage at the opening of parliament on Tuesday, replacing the 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth who missed the grand set-piece event for the first time in almost six decades."
• Elon Musk says he would reverse Twitter's Trump ban - "Elon Musk said Tuesday that he would restore former President Donald Trump's banned account on Twitter if his deal to acquire the company is completed."
• What to expect at Google I/O 2022 - "Android 13, the Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch could all take the spotlight. May 11-12."
• A passenger with no flying experience landed a plane in a Florida airport after the pilot became incapacitated - "As the situation unfolded, the passenger can be heard telling air traffic control that he doesn't know how to fly the plane, according to LiveATC.net audio CNN obtained."
• The 2,000-year-old city where the language of Jesus is still spoken - "Mardin: Turkey's ancient treasure trove."
• Balenciaga selling destroyed sneakers for $1,850 - "Luxury fashion house Balenciaga has unveiled a new campaign promoting a series of roughed up sneakers with an eye-watering price tag, and the internet has thoughts."
• Luxury destination Monaco promoted as new air link launched - "Leading representatives of the Principality’s tourism sector have been in New York to promote Monaco as a luxury tourist destination now that coronavirus travel restrictions have ended. Another incentive for the initiative was the launch of a direct link from New York’s Newark airport to Nice Côte D’Azur."
• When a Warhol for $225 Has More Heft Than One for $195 Million - "Unlike the Christie’s retread, the Pop master’s 1962 'Green Marilyn' was crudely silk-screened, with blotches that convey the decay of a fallen star. It was a pathbreaking original."
• There's more to eyebrows than you might think - "She is bullied for her brows. Who decides what's beautiful?"
• All pandas look the same - but smart tech can tell the difference - "Smart tech is helping to save China's giant pandas. The giant panda has long been the face of animal conservation, ever since WWF adopted the adorable black-and-white bear as its logo in 1961. But, after decades of intensive conservation programs, pandas are no longer endangered."
• Remember this dancing baby? It's back with a new look - "The internet's famous dancing baby from 1996 is getting a new look."
• Who really discovered Tutankhamun's tomb? - "Howard Carter lead the team of archaeologists in finding Tutankhamun's tomb, but not much is said about the Egyptians who helped him. On the 100th anniversary of the discovery, an exhibition at the University of Oxford in the UK showcases some forgotten stories."
• ‘The spirit lives on’: Apple to discontinue the iPod after 21 years - "Apple is discontinuing its MP3 player, bringing an end to device that transformed how we listen to music."
• Who needs recipes? Why it’s time to trust your senses and cook intuitively - "Could off-the-cuff cooking help you be more relaxed and confident in the kitchen? Here are some tips for making dishes you love from what you have to hand."
• Bold Ventures by Charlotte van den Broeck review - architects of their own demise - "A poetic tale of 13 flawed buildings that spelled catastrophe for their designers."
• Sotheby’s Sells Gerald Genta’s Royal Oak For $2.1-million; Double-Signed Patek/Tiffany Pieces Up Next - "Gerald Genta, known as the Picasso of watches, famously designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. His personal Royal Oak, a customized version of the model, made in 1978, is the only known steel ref. 5402 with a gold bezel, sold at a Sotheby’s watch auction in Geneva on May 8 for CHF 2,170,000 (about $122,676)."
• An Exclusive Look at the OAK Collection, One of the World’s Finest Assortments of Watches - "Several hundred watches, collected over 35-plus years, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, curated down to 160. . .The numbers alone are enough to make The OAK Collection - which is about to open at The Design Museum in London ahead of its bow in New York this Fall - a must-visit for any horolophile, anywhere."
• Checking Out Karl Lagerfeld's Black-PVD Royal Oak - "The Royal Oak Supposedly Worn By Chanel Designer And Goth Lord Karl Lagerfeld. 'I donned my best all-black outfit to size it up at Phillips HQ in Geneva before it heads to auction this Friday.'"
• DJI Mini 3 Pro review: The most capable lightweight drone yet - "Advanced obstacle detection, 4K 60p video, tracking and superb maneuverability."
• How to make NFC automations to use with your iPhone - "Using the Shortcuts app on your iPhone, you can automate common tasks with just a tap. Here are some useful ideas from logging your coffee consumption to starting your workout."

May 10, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russia trying to storm Azovstal plant, says Kyiv; US plans $40bn aid package for Ukraine - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 76 of the invasion - "Azovstal defenders under attack after UN convoy leaves; missiles hit Odesa as president of European Council visits."
• Russia fires hypersonic missiles at Odesa - "Ukraine says second hotel, shopping mall hit as Russia fires hypersonic missiles at Odesa."
• Russia needs to sell oil. It's running out of options - "Russia has long been powered by oil and Europe's addiction to it. Now, Moscow is faced with an unprecedented challenge: If the continent bars imports of millions of barrels of crude, can it find new customers?"
• ‘No end in sight’: Shanghai residents chafe at harsh Covid measures - "Tensions rise again as lockdowns grind on and the city’s population tire of strict zero-Covid policy."
• Here Is What One Million Covid Deaths In The U.S. Looks Like - "According to official estimates from the CDC, Johns Hopkins University and other organizations that collect public health data, the United States is nearing the grim milestone of one million deaths from Covid-19."
• Climate change: 'Fifty-fifty chance' of breaching 1.5C warming limit - "The likelihood of crossing a key global warming threshold has risen significantly, according to a new analysis."
• Tony Nominations 2022: The Full List of Nominees - "The 2022 Tony Award nominations are here, and as ever, the shoo-ins, snubs, and surprises abound."
• What Is Happening to the People Falling for Crypto & NFTs - "What Is Happening to the People Falling for Crypto and NFTs. Web3, billed as the future of the internet, might create more problems than it solves. To understand the latest incarnation of the colossal crypto grifts that continue to engulf the internet, I suppose we should start with all those bored apes, because how could we not?"
• Why Bored Ape Avatars Are Taking Over Twitter - "N.F.T. clubs are all the rage among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Are they a get-rich-quick scheme or the future of culture?"
• Spot the difference: the invincible business of counterfeit goods - "Selling cheap fakes of a successful product makes horribly good business sense. Is there any way to stop it?"
• How Many Friends Do You Really Need? - "Social circles were shrinking even before the pandemic. Here’s what the science says about the number of close friendships we should have."
• Are decaffeinated coffee alternatives better for health? - "Many people are swapping coffee for alternatives, partly out of concerns about coffee's effect on health. But could sticking to decaffeinated coffee be a better decision?"
• TikTok May Be More Dangerous Than It Looks - "The app is best known for viral dance trends, but there was a time when Twitter was 140-character updates about lunch orders and Facebook was restricted to elite universities. Things change. Perhaps they have already changed."
• Elon Musk plans to quintuple Twitter revenue by 2028 - "If Elon Musk’s $44 billion bid to acquire Twitter is greenlit by shareholders and regulators in the coming months, the wealthy entrepreneur believes he’ll be able to quintuple the company’s revenue by 2028."
• 10 AirPods Pro Tricks You Should Be Taking Advantage of Every Day - "There's a lot you can do with Apple's AirPods Pro. Here's how to make them work best for you."
• Top 10 hotels in the world & the US for 2022, according to Tripadvisor - "Tulemar Bungalows & Villas in Costa Rica is the top hotel in the world for 2022, according to Tripadvisor's annual Travelers' Choice Awards. The travel site's hotel rankings come on the heels of top destinations and top beaches earlier this year."
• The world's most incredible rail journeys - "Free from the rigors of the daily commute, traveling by train is by far the most civilized way to get around and really get to know a new country."
• Tuscany's 'unattractive', unmissable town - "In the 1800s, Livorno boasted Italy's top seaside resorts and most famous guests. These days, it's largely ignored - and tourists are missing out on a vibrant city full of surprises."
• Shrinking Las Vegas lake reveals more human remains - "More human remains have been found in Lake Mead, just one week after the body of a suspected murder victim was found in the rapidly shrinking reservoir."
• Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe fetches a record $195 million - "One of Andy Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe portraits has become the most expensive 20th-century artwork ever to go under the hammer. The 40-square-inch 'Shot Sage Blue Marilyn,' one of dozens of images the artist made of Monroe in the 1960s, sold for a record $195 million at Christie's in New York Monday evening."
• Boeing is losing the plane race. So it packed up and left for Washington - "The company's Thursday announcement that it will move once again, to Arlington, Virginia, only gives critics more fuel: By moving into the shadow of both the Pentagon and Congress, Boeing seems to be signaling it has lost the commercial race to Airbus and wants to be seen as primarily a defense and space contractor."
• 'The Rock', a record-setting white diamond, goes up for auction - "The largest white diamond ever auctioned will go under the hammer in Geneva this week, part of a sale by Christie's that features two stones weighing more than 200 carats each. 'The Rock', a 228.31 carat pear-shaped stone roughly the size of a golf ball, is expected to sell for up to $30 million, the auctioneer said."
• The magic of silver - "Jony Ive reflects on the mystery of the noble metal, and selects his favourite pieces." Financial Times.
• How do art auctions really work? - "From the lead up to the sale to the moment the hammer comes down, former CEO of Christie's and art adviser Steven Murphy explains what happens at an auction."
• Buenos Aires' unusual pizza topping - "A century ago, Italian immigrants in Argentina's capital gave pizza an unusual new topping: a chickpea pancake known as 'fainá'."
• The New Porsche 911 Sport Classic & Porsche Design Watch To Go With It - "The iconic 911 Carrera RS 2.7 gets rejuvenated into a new 911 Sport Classic, with a new watch to boot."
• DJI officially announces Mini 3 Pro - "New image sensor, larger aperture, vertical filming, bigger battery, and a lot more expensive."
• How to care for special occasion clothes - "Beading, tulle, lace, and pleats: occasion wear can be difficult to clean and mend but there are tips to make it easier on you - and your dry cleaner."
• Hats off! How Frank Horvat changed fashion photography - in pictures - "The Italian-born photographer Frank Horvat, (1928-2020), took models out of the studio and shot them in inventive locations, as a new exhibition at Photo London 2022 shows."

May 9, 2022

• LIVE - Putin defends Ukraine invasion in Victory Day speech - "BBC News coverage as Russia marks Victory Day."
• Russia's annual Victory Day parade to feature aerial "Z" formation, defense ministry says - "Russia is marking Victory Day, an annual commemoration of the country's defeat of Nazi Germany at the end of World War Two, as Western officials speculate President Vladimir Putin could use the day to formally acknowledge Russia's war with Ukraine, allowing him to step up his campaign."
• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Putin to give speech to mark WW2 Victory Day - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 75 of the invasion - "Around 60 people sheltering in a school near Luhansk killed in Russian bombing; more than 170 civilians evacuated from Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol."
• Jill Biden makes unannounced visit to Ukraine and meets first lady - "Surprise trip on Mother’s Day as Biden meets with Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenskiy."
• Zelensky's iconic fleece sold for over $100,000 at Ukraine fundraiser - "A fleece jacket worn and signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sold for £90,000, or around $111,000, at a fundraiser for Ukraine in London on Thursday."
• Seizing an Oligarch’s Assets Is One Thing. Giving Them to Ukraine Is Another. - "It could take years for Russian assets seized by the United States to be permanently confiscated and sold to benefit the Ukrainian people. The Biden administration wants to speed up the process."
• How much travelers pay for some of the world's most expensive passports - "These are some of the world's priciest passports, plus some more standard price points. The costs below are in local currencies and US dollars for adult passports that last 10 years, unless specified otherwise. Currency conversions are approximate as of early May 2022."
• How to get a free pair of Nike sneakers & other life hacks - "Reading the fine print or understanding available offers means you could be saving money or taking advantage of refunds or freebies that you might not have otherwise known about, like a brand-new pair of Nike sneakers."
• New Brands at AXPONA | AXPONA 2022 - "I decided to focus on the new brands exhibiting at AXPONA 2022, or at least some of the companies that had returned with completely new or redesigned product line-ups. Of those, three loudspeaker manufacturers caught my immediate attention: Aretai, Rethm, and Valorem." Part-Time Audiophile.
• How to Pick a Projector - "If you want to buy a projector but are confused by the terminology, price points, and accessories, it’s okay. We’re here to break it all down for you and provide the basic knowledge you need to ensure you choose a projector that’s perfect for you."
• Behind the scenes of a famous James Bond shoot - How the 'Goldfinger' Alpine sequence gave rise to Bondmania.
• Why human brains were bigger 3,000 years ago - "Our modern civilisation may be the most advanced to ever exist on Earth, but around 100 generations ago, our ancestors had brains that were larger than our own."
• How our brains work when we love a book or audiobook - "Empathy and imagination help us to engage when we enjoy a book or an audiobook - but why do we feel so sad when we come to the end? Howard Timberlake survives the post-book blues."
• New Digital Guide Honors Pioneer of Landscape Architecture Frederick Law Olmsted - "Celebrating the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., known as 'the father of landscape architecture', the Cultural Landscape Foundation has created an ever-growing digital guide of Olmsted’s most notable works. The illustrated guide features more than 300 landscapes throughout North America, including Canada and 30 U.S. States, along with stories by practitioners who worked for, with, or were otherwise associated with Olmsted, Sr. and his successor firms."
• Sissy Spacek on acting, grief & her sci-fi debut at 72 - "The star of Carrie, Badlands and Coal Miner’s Daughter talks about losing her brother, working with Hollywood’s greats and infuriating Harvey Weinstein."
• Silent salons: why people are choosing to keep quiet at the hairdresser - "Requests for no-talking haircuts are becoming more common. Now some salons even provide pre-treatment questionnaires about the practice."
• Huge Solar Flare Bursting From The Sun Is Second of Its Kind This Week, NASA Says - "The X-class flare, the strongest produced by our star, was recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory as it burst from a sunspot on the lower left limb of the Sun at 9:25 am EDT (13:25 GMT) on Tuesday (May 3)." ScienceAlert.

May 8, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: dozens feared dead after bombing of Luhansk school; Kyiv claims sinking of second Russian ship - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 74 of the invasion - "Latest evacuation from Mariupol steelworks completed; missiles hit Odesa; Ukraine says it has destroyed another Russian ship."
• What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news & analysis - "Evacuees share horror of months in Avozstal steelworks bunker; why Putin’s shift to the east could lengthen the war; and tattoos of Ukraine resistance."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Putin now faces only different kinds of defeat - "Whatever else Russia's Victory Day parade is supposed to represent, it won't be any sort of victory over Ukraine, regardless of the spin President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin will try to put on it, writes defence analyst Michael Clarke."
• Video - Moment Italian police storm £570m superyacht 'owned by Vladimir Putin' - "Officers seize giant vessel near Pisa and serve papers to its British captain as part of sanctions against Russia over Ukraine invasion."
• Elon Musk thinks he can double Twitter’s revenue through subscriptions alone - "Musk expects 69 million Twitter Blue subscribers by 2025."
• Long-shot Rich Strike stuns crowd & wins the 148th Kentucky Derby - "Horse with longest odds in the field wins Kentucky Derby 2022."
• Best & Biggest Hats At The 2022 Kentucky Derby - "You have to tip your hat to the fans at Churchill Downs. For nearly 150 years, they have shown up on the first Saturday in May wearing their Sunday best - or better."
• Michelin menus in turmoil as France faces foie gras crisis - "France faces crisis over one of its favorite foods."
• Casu marzu: The world's 'most dangerous' cheese - "It's the world's 'most dangerous' cheese. Here's what it tastes like."
• Isso vade: The spicy snack that unites Sri Lanka - "These prawn-topped lentil fritters are beloved throughout Sri Lanka, managing to bring together locals across ethnicities, religion and class."
• What Is a ‘Nepotism Baby’? - "Gen Zers have turned a term of derision into one of admiration. That doesn’t mean they’re not jealous, though."
• want to stay asleep through the entire night? avoid these 6 foods before bed - "6 Foods & Drinks To Avoid Before Bed, According To A Dietitian."
• And Now, the $200,000 Face-Lift - "Luxury cosmetic procedures reach next level prices."
• In Honor of Their Red-Carpet Debut, a Timeline of Kim Kardashian & Pete Davidson’s Relationship - "In honor of Kardashian and Davidson’s big step, we’ve taken a little walk down memory lane. Below, find a breakdown of the pair’s relationship, from its humble beginnings to its present-day status." Vogue.
• Princess Diana’s ‘Wicked’ Stepmother review - AKA, why Di never stood a chance - "Raine Spencer was appalling, dazzling and pathologically bouffanted - no wonder her stepchildren gave her Marie Antoinette’s biography for Christmas."

May 7, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: conflict taking ‘heavy toll’ on Russian units, says UK; US defends passing intelligence to Ukraine - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 73 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says Mariupol being ‘tortured to death’, as UN security council omits words ‘war’ and ‘invasion’ from its first statement."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Superyacht allegedly linked to Putin blocked from leaving Italian shipyard - "Minister says there is evidence that connects the Scheherazade to senior members of the Russian government."
• Xi Jinping sends warning to anyone who questions China's zero-Covid policy - "China's top leader Xi Jinping has issued the strongest warning yet against anyone who questions the country's zero-Covid policy, as stringent, frequent lockdowns fuel public discontent and deal a devastating blow to the Chinese economy."
• ‘Record after record’: Brazil’s Amazon deforestation hits April high, nearly double previous peak - "Climate analysts are astounded by such a high reading during the rainy season, and is the third monthly record this year."
• ‘Nature doesn’t fix itself fast’: Greenland weighs up economy v climate crisis - "As the island eyes tourism and mining it is also mindful of controlling the cost."
• No Harry, Meghan or Andrew on balcony at start of jubilee events - "Queen decides only working royals will appear after the platinum jubilee trooping the colour on 2 June."
• Harry & Meghan will attend Queen's jubilee, but they're not invited onto Buckingham Palace balcony - "Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex will travel to the UK with their children for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next month - but the couple, along with Prince Andrew, have not been invited to join the monarch on the Buckingham Palace balcony."
• Prince Philip's Secret to a Long-Lasting Marriage with Queen Elizabeth - "Before he passed away, Prince Philip shared the secret to his 73-year-long marriage with the Queen."
• Tom Cruise, 59, looks as youthful as ever as he reprises Maverick role in Top Gun sequel 36 YEARS after starring in the original - "He was just 24 years old when Top Gun was first released in 1986. And 36 years later, Tom Cruise didn't look like he had aged a day as the sequel Top Gun: Maverick prepares for release after years of delays. The 59-year-old movie star is reprising his role as LT Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and looked as comfortable as ever as he slipped back into his pilot uniform."
• 41 super-rich's stunning planes, trains, automobiles & yachts - "Magnificent modes of transport that will make your jaw drop. Billionaires like to go from A to B in supreme comfort and style, and think nothing of splurging on the finest and most exclusive modes of transport imaginable. Read on to see the private jets, opulent trains, prestige cars and magnificent megayachts of the planet's richest people."
• Flight attendant explains 'how to ask' for free upgrade - "A FLIGHT ATTENDANT has revealed a few ways passengers can get free food and drinks on board, as well as an upgrade, but warned travellers about being 'dramatic' or 'lying' to the crew as this could have the 'opposite effect'."
• Why the airport 100ml rule could end soon - "We have the technology to end the airport liquid ban, so why is it still in place?"
• Celebrity-Favorite Cartier Crash Watch Sells For $1.5 Million, Nearly Doubling Previous Auction Record - "A Cartier Crash from the first release of the model sold for $1.65 million at auction Thursday, nearly double the previous auction record for the rare and recognizable watch that has surged in popularity in recent years."
• How the Cartier Crash Became The Most Important Vintage Watch of 2021 - "A new world-record auction price for the Crash is just the latest chapter in the history of this surreal Cartier."
• Your Mac can finally have a great webcam, thanks to your iPhone - "It’s no secret that the webcams on Apple’s Mac devices leave a lot to be desired, with no better example than the Studio Display’s recent issues. But the Camo app looks to solve this, with a new update that enables it to be used for FaceTime calls, alongside native support for Discord, WhatsApp, Slack, and more."
• AirTags are sending a new kind of false alarm, report says - "Apple’s anti-stalking features still need some fine-tuning."
• US Treasury issues first-ever sanctions against a cryptocurrency mixer - "North Korea allegedly uses Blender to launder stolen crypto."
• The Best Movies & TV Shows Coming to Netflix in May - "Here are the most promising new and returning titles for U.S. subscribers this month, including a new season of 'Stranger Things.'"
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now - "The sheer volume of films on Netflix - and the site’s less than ideal interface - can make finding a genuinely great movie there a difficult task." The New York Times.

May 6, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russia continues assault on Azovstal plant in likely attempt to capture Mariupol for upcoming Victory Day, UK says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 72 of the invasion - "Russia violated its promise of Mariupol ceasefire, Kyiv says, as US says it shared intel on the location of Moskva cruiser sunk by Ukraine."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Putin hopes to claim Mariupol as key prop in Victory Day, May 9, celebrations - "As large-scale propaganda campaign gets underway, fighting continues in the Azovstal steelworks."
• Vladimir Putin's army will DISOBEY nuclear bomb order as he's gravely ill, expert says - "Expert's say Putin's officers are not willing to risk being hauled before a modern equivalent of the Nuremberg trials for unleashing Armageddon if he will not be around to protect them."
• EU plans to put Putin’s rumoured girlfriend on sanctions list - "Alina Kabaeva likely to join Patriarch Kirill, who supports war in Ukraine, on draft document of travel bans and asset freezes."
• Moskva sinking: US gave intelligence that helped Ukraine sink Russian cruiser - reports - "The US provided intelligence that helped Ukraine sink the Moskva, Russia's flagship Black Sea missile cruiser, several US media report."
• Xi Jinping attacks ‘doubters’ as he doubles down on China’s zero-Covid policy - "President defends ‘scientific and effective’ mass lockdowns despite protests, shortages and damage to economic growth."
• The Vanishing Variants: Lessons from Gamma, Iota & Mu - "Studying the coronavirus variants that have faded away could help us prepare for what comes next, scientists say."
• Death Toll During Pandemic Far Exceeds Totals Reported by Countries, W.H.O. Says - "Nearly 15 million more people died during the first two years of the pandemic than would have been expected during normal times, the organization found. The previous count of virus deaths, from countries’ reporting, was six million."
• Bill Gates doubts Musk's Twitter buy, says draft SCOTUS decision overturning Roe is 'pretty disappointing' - "Bill Gates sounded a note of caution this week on Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, saying the Tesla CEO 'actually could make it worse' despite a strong track record with his other business ventures."
• How Italy created a delicious new type of chocolate - "Why Italy's 'king of chocolate' is so delicious."
• Vegan diet can help overweight people shed pounds, study shows - "Eating vegan for 12 weeks also led to lower blood sugar levels in overweight people or with type 2 diabetes."
• Swiss police seize 500kg of cocaine at Nespresso factory - "Workers at plant in Romont alert authorities to mysterious white powder found in sacks of coffee beans."
• Qianlong dynasty vase found in kitchen could be worth up to $186,000 - "The vase was purchased by a surgeon in the 1980s for a few hundred pounds, according to UK-based auction house Dreweatts, which is handling the sale later this month. The surgeon later passed it onto his son who, not realizing its value, kept it in the kitchen."
• This solar-powered plane could stay in the air for months - "Skydweller Aero aims to produce the world's first commercially viable 'pseudo-satellite' - a solar-powered airplane capable of staying in the sky for months at a time."
• Why one firm is banking on carbon fibre bikes in Europe - "There is growing demand from amateur cyclists for more affordable, carbon fibre bike frames. The material is light and strong, and among other things enthusiasts hope it will improve their speed. In Portugal, Carbon Team and its investors are betting on this appetite for high-end bikes growing in Europe."
• Why people behave badly on dating apps - "Cheating, ghosting and swiping - online dating brings out the worst in many people. Does it have to be this way?"
• Xinjiang cotton found in Adidas, Puma & Hugo Boss tops, researchers say - "Researchers say they have found traces of Xinjiang cotton in shirts and T-shirts made by Adidas, Puma and Hugo Boss, appearing to contradict the German clothing companies’ promises to revise their supply chains after allegations of widespread forced labour in the Chinese region. Recent reports have suggested more than half a million people from minority ethnic groups such as the Uyghurs have been coerced into picking cotton in Xinjiang, which provides more than 80% of China’s and a fifth of the global production of cotton."
• How to secure your phone before attending a protest - "If you’re attending or even just watching the protests, then be aware: not only is your phone a trove of information about you and the people you communicate with, but it also functions as a tracking device. That’s why it’s important to keep your digital footprint as small as possible - any evidence placing people at protests could be enough to get them arrested. You should account for the fact that your phone may get lost, stolen, or broken. There’s also a risk of your phone being confiscated by authorities - which means that if they’re able to unlock your phone, they’ll have access to data on you and people you know. In other words, it never hurts to prepare for the worst, especially considering recent events. The steps we’ve listed here are a basic start toward protecting your privacy before you attend a protest."
• Apple, Google & Microsoft will soon implement passwordless sign-in on all major platforms - "The tech giants want to roll out FIDO passkey technology in the coming year."

May 5, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: ‘bloody battles’ inside Mariupol steelworks; Ukraine claims it has retaken areas near Kherson - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 71 of the invasion - "Russian and Ukrainian forces remain engaged in ‘bloody battles’ inside Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol as 344 more people are evacuated."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Brazil president lashes out at Leonardo DiCaprio after actor tweets about Amazon rainforest protection - "Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has lashed out at Leonardo DiCaprio, saying it would better for the actor to 'keep his mouth shut' after he spoke out about the environmental importance of the Amazon. The rainforest has sustained severe deforestation since Bolsonaro took office and weakened its environmental protections."
• Stanford Gets $1.1 Billion for New Climate School From John Doerr - "The billionaire venture capitalist said the study of climate change and sustainability would be the 'new computer science.'"
• Why you are blamed for climate change - "How companies blame you for climate change. Businesses shape how we talk about climate change, and sometimes this can stop us from paying attention to their actions."
• Swapping 20% of beef for microbial protein ‘could halve deforestation’ - "Move would also lower emissions by reducing razing of trees and methane emissions from livestock, scientists say."
• How Covid-scarred Shanghai will finally exit lockdown - "It's taken more than a month, but Shanghai's leaders now think the city's Covid outbreak is almost contained."
• Are nasal sprays the answer to stopping Covid transmission? - "With the virus rampant despite jabs, trials are underway to create intranasal vaccines to block infections from the body."
• The Top Ten Safest Countries In The World To Visit - "The Institute for Economics and Peace conducts an annual ranking of which countries in the world are the safest, called the Global Peace Index. The 2020 report showed that the world was less peaceful than it was the year before, due to the pandemic, and the most recent report for 2021 shows that the world is still deteriorating in terms of global peacefulness, if only by 0.07% - it is the ninth year that global peace has deteriorated."
• Is reality TV also fuelling obesity? - "Love Island, Married at First Sight and Keeping Up with the Kardashians bombard viewers with junk food in up to 90% of episodes. Nine in 10 reality TV episodes show junk food, at a rate of once every 8 minutes."
• Bill Gates on Elon Musk feud & Jeffrey Epstein meetings - "In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Today programme, Bill Gates says conspiracy theories about him are 'crazy' and that being shouted at in public is 'awful'. He also told the BBC's Mishal Husain that meeting Jeffrey Epstein was a 'mistake' and talks about Elon Musk's recent public criticism of him."
• Most Americans don't know about these secret presidential powers - "Our Founding Fathers believed constitutional checks and balances among the branches of government would prevent the concentration of political power in the hands of a dangerous few. But they did not reckon with the accumulation of secret presidential powers to be used in times of national emergencies or threats to national security. Among the most shrouded are emergency powers created by presidential administrations in response to crises, real or imagined. They fall under the heading of Presidential Emergency Action Documents, or PEADs, and they only require the president to declare a national emergency in response to a crisis, which can then result in the suspension of many of our constitutional rights."
• The Stories Behind Some of the Weird Stuff on ‘Severance’ - "Catherine Miller, the show’s prop master, talks about how her team sourced and made the eerie objects that define Lumon."
• How to build a runway out of solid ice - "See how planes land in Antarctica."
• Kim Kardashian has a second sex tape: Ray J speaks after '14 years in the shadows' - "In a bombshell exclusive interview Ray J lays bare the truth about the sex tape with Kim Kardashian that became an international sensation."
• Gianni Versace's lavish New York mansion is on sale for $70 million - "The late fashion designer bought the seven-bedroom mansion in 1995 and fully refurbished the interior, according to the Sotheby's International Realty listing. The mansion, built in 1950, offers the buyer the chance to 'live like royalty' and 'own a piece of real estate and fashion history,' the listing says."
• Boris Becker faces DEPORTATION after his 30-month jail term - "Tennis ace does not have UK citizenship so could be booted out by the Home Office like any foreign criminal sentenced to more than a year."
• Inside the space hotel scheduled to open in 2025 - "Waking up in a chic hotel room with a view of the solar system could be the future of travel, at least if space company Orbital Assembly has anything to say about it."
• One euro home sell-off has created a 'Little America' in Italy - "There's a place on the Italian island of Sicily where you're increasingly likely to hear an American accent wafting down its narrow streets instead of the local language."
• Recreate the 2022 Met Gala Dinner With These Recipes - "Not everyone can attend the Met Gala dinner - but now, everyone can enjoy it. The chefs behind this year’s menu - Lauren Von der Pool, Melissa King, Marcus Samuelsson, and Amirah Kassem - are sharing their recipes for the delectable dishes served on fashion’s biggest night."
• The marine creature ancient Americans ate billions of that's now a delicacy - "Ancient humans ate copious quantities of oysters - shucking billions of shells over thousands of years in a way that did not appear to cause oyster populations to collapse as they have in many places today."
• Cabaret review - Liza Minnelli musical still divinely decadent and chillingly relevant - "Minnelli brings the razzle dazzle to a Berlin determined to ignore the gathering storm in this cinematic masterpiece."
• Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand Of God’ Jersey Sells For Record-Breaking $9.3 Million Amid Controversy - "A soccer jersey its sellers said was worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his notorious 'Hand of God' goal during the 1986 World Cup quarter final match sold for $9.3 million Wednesday, the highest price yet fetched by a piece of sports memorabilia at auction, despite claims by Maradona’s family that the jersey isn’t authentic and a reported attempt by Argentina’s soccer association to have it returned to Maradona’s home country."

May 4, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russia attacks Azovstal steel plant after first evacuated civilians reach safety - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 70 of the invasion - "Evacuees from Azovstal steelworks arrive in Zaporizhzhia, while Russia continued attacks on the plant where 200 civilians remain trapped."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Why Putin might declare war on May 9 - "It's a symbolic date in Russia, and a declaration of war against Ukraine would give Putin options. But it would also represent a big risk."
• Putin puts West on notice: Moscow can terminate exports & deals - "Russian President Vladimir Putin put the West on notice on Tuesday that he could terminate exports and deals, the Kremlin's toughest response yet to the sanctions burden imposed by the United States and allies over the Russian invasion of Ukraine."
• Fiji court rules US can seize yacht said to belong to Russian oligarch - "Vessel docked in port of Lautoka is believed to be owned by Suleiman Kerimov, who is facing sanctions."
• Horror as elderly man taken to morgue in body bag in Shanghai - while still alive - "The latest sign of dysfunction in the Covid-stricken city where millions of people remain under government-enforced lockdown."
• Beijing reopens mass isolation centre in fight against Covid - "Chinese capital ramps up efforts to control Omicron outbreak and avoid lockdowns."
• ‘A worldwide public health threat’: Rob Bilott on his 20-year fight against forever chemicals - "Chemical companies hid their knowledge of the damage caused by PFAS for decades. With a new class-action lawsuit, Bilott intends to hold them accountable."
• The Era of Cheap & Plenty May Be Ending - "Supplies of goods are coming up short in the pandemic, and prices have jumped. Some economists warn that the changes could linger."
• 103-Carat ‘Light Of Africa’ D-Flawless Diamond Could Fetch $18 Million - "In addition to its other attributes of size and purity, this emerald-shaped diamond also possess excellent polish and symmetry, according to Christie’s. It belongs to the rare Type IIa category, which make up less than 2% of all diamonds, making this one of the most rare and valuable diamonds. It was graded by the Gemological Institute of America. The diamond will go on a world tour beginning in Geneva May 6 - 11, followed by Hong Kong May 22 - 24, before returning to Christie’s New York Rockefeller Center headquarters where it will be on exhibit June 3 - 7, before June 8 auction."
• How the hamburger became an American staple & where to get classic burgers today - "The surprising origins of the classic American hamburger. The hamburger has a well-traveled history. The hamburger's origin story starts in 13th-century Mongolia when Mongols and Tatars were fighting."
• This iconic Paris attraction is now an Airbnb - "Stay in a sumptuous room inside the Moulin Rouge. Sitting atop one of the world's most famous nightclubs is a scarlet red windmill. And inside the windmill lies a secret room, hitherto unseen by the public. Next month, a select number of travelers will take a peek inside, as the Moulin Rouge partners with Airbnb to give a handful of guests the opportunity to stay inside the Parisian institution."
• Conscious spending: The finance approach that's both smart & fun - "When you think of money, do you feel like living in the moment and being responsible are mutually exclusive? Does guilt eat at you when you go out for lunch or a $7 oat milk latte? You don't have to think or feel this way, thanks to a flexible personal finance approach called conscious spending."
• Musk says Twitter may see 'slight cost' for businesses & governments - "Business and government users on Twitter may need to pay a 'slight' fee to stay on the social media platform, Tesla boss Elon Musk has said. It comes after the board of Twitter agreed to a $44bn takeover offer from Mr Musk."
• The only man Elon trusts to look after his $240 billions - "Secretive friend who runs Musk's family office controls his wealth - but also helped him investigate 'pedo guy' and was fired by Merrill Lynch. Jared Birchall, aged 47 or 48, is head of Elon Musk's 'family office' - the asset management firm to handle his finances."
• ‘I caused pain’: Bill Gates responds to allegations of affair a year after divorce - "Microsoft co-founder reflects on ‘a tough year’ after end of 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates."
• New York City Eliminates the Rules That Govern Art & Other Auctions - "Auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s will no longer need to be licensed as part of a sweeping package designed to promote a business-friendly climate."
• People can now get contact info cut from Google search results - "Personal contact information such as your phone number, email or home address, can now be removed from Google search results."
• Rail route of the month: Basel to Locarno, the slow Swiss Alps classic - "Astonishing scenery and glimpses of Switzerland’s history are offered up to passengers gliding along this classic line."
• Watch These 12 Titles Before They Leave Netflix in May - "A ton of movies and TV shows are disappearing for U.S. Netflix subscribers next month. These are the ones worth catching before they’re gone."
• The best days of disco: New York nightlife by Bill Bernstein in pictures - "From Studio 54 to Paradise Garage, Bernstein was there to document the euphoric late 70s peak of the New York City disco scene."
• The World's Largest Bottle Of Whisky - 5'11" & 86 Gallons Of Macallan - Could Break An Auction Record This Month - "The world’s largest bottle of scotch - which contains the equivalent of 444 standard bottles - could also break the record for the most expensive bottle ever sold when it goes to auction this month, auctioneers said."
• Anker’s new double-thick MagSafe battery is all about the mAh - "If you took one look at the first wave of modular magnetic wireless charging battery humps for the iPhone and thought, “Wake me up when they give us more than one full charge!” — then Anker may have the battery pack for you. The new Anker 633 Magnetic Battery, now available for $80 on Amazon, has twice the capacity at 10,000mAh. That’s enough to charge an iPhone 12 twice or an iPhone 13 Pro up to 1.8 times, according to Anker."

May 3, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow plans to annex Donetsk and Luhansk, US says; European Union preparing sanctions on Russia oil - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 69 of the invasion - "Evacuees from besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol reportedly arrive in Ukraine-held territory; US says Russia making ‘minimal’ progress in east."
• Germany will support an EU oil embargo on Russia - "Germany is ready to support a European ban on imports of Russian oil, and won't be 'blackmailed' by Moscow into paying for natural gas in rubles."
• Israel summons Russia envoy over minister’s Hitler comments - "Israel condemns comments by Sergei Lavrov, who said Hitler ‘had Jewish blood’ and the ‘most rabid antisemites tend to be Jews’."
• How Rich Is Putin’s Right-Hand Man? - "Inside The Murky Fortune Of Igor Sechin, The Darth Vader Of The Kremlin. The CEO of state-owned oil company Rosneft has most of his known fortune tied up in superyachts that have been frozen or seized by Western authorities."
• Why China is ignoring the science on Covid transmission & sanitizing everything - "China is obsessed with disinfection against Covid. But is it causing more harm than good? Hazmat suit-clad workers spraying clouds of disinfectant over city streets, building fronts, park benches and even parcels have become a common sight in pandemic-era China."
• Inside the 2022 Met Gala - "After hours of getting ready in their gilded glamour best, making their way through New York City traffic, and ascending the cacophonous red carpet, celebrities, fashion designers, and other notables finally entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Great Hall for the 2022 Met Gala. Greeting them? The artistic lenses of Hunter Abrams and Flo Ngala." Vogue.
• Met Gala 2022: Best fashion from the red carpet - "See all the best looks as the stars arrived at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening."
• What’s for Dinner at the 2022 Met Gala? A Look at the Menu & Table Settings - Vogue.
• The Met Gala accessory of the night - "ith a dress code honoring America's Gilded Age, the Met Gala's guests looked to the past for inspiration. And there was one accessory that stole the show Monday night: the vintage tiara."
• Kim Kardashian Takes Marilyn Monroe's “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Dress Out for a Spin - "No one loves a Met Gala surprise more than Kim Kardashian - so it’s no wonder rumors of her dramatic transformation into Marilyn Monroe were swirling 48 hours before the ball."
• Ron Galella, Celebrity-Hounding Photographer, Dies at 91 - "He personified the paparazzi - brazen and relentless in chasing the famous, particularly Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. But his pictures also came to be admired."
• Why is it so hard to control our appetites? A doctor’s struggles with giving up sugar - "We’ve become convinced that if we can eat more healthily, we will be morally better people. But where does this idea come from?"
• Vegetarian & meat-eating children have similar growth & nutrition but not weight, study finds - "If you're wondering how your child might fare on a vegetarian diet, a new study offers some factors to consider. Children eating a vegetarian diet and children who ate meat were similar in terms of growth, height and nutritional measures, but vegetarian children had higher odds of being underweight, according to a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics."
• Jacky Hunt-Broersma: The cancer survivor who ran 104 marathons in 104 days - "A woman who took up running after she lost her left leg to cancer has passed the Guinness World Record for most consecutive marathons."
• Garbology: How to spot patterns in people's waste - "Whether it's indulgent food choices, sexual habits or North Korean secrets, the stuff that people throw away can reveal all."
• The world's most dangerous road - "A drive down Bolivia's infamous 'Death Road' takes travellers into a world where two resources have provoked fascination, misunderstanding and controversy for centuries: coca and gold."
• The Ultimate Dinner Party Guests - "Who wants to dance and drink and eat alone? Certainly none of the soigne bons viveurs celebrated here. Though they were all well acquainted with the finest wines and the most succulent dishes known to man, this magnificent seven were far from being simply 'browsers and sluicers', as Sir PG Wodehouse used to put it."
• Try before you buy: how to spot well-made clothes in the change room - "From feeling the lining to moving around in the garment, here’s how to check the quality of clothes when trying them on."
• What a billion square feet of warehouses looks like - "E-commerce takes up a lot of space."
• Rare ‘Wicked’ bible that encourages adultery discovered in New Zealand - "First copy of the 1631 bible, which mistakenly reads ‘thou shalt commit adultery’, to be found in the southern hemisphere."
• Sony's Quantum Dot OLED TVs will start at $3,000 - "The company's overall 2022 lineup will begin at $1,400."
• KARL, Karl Lagerfeld’s Estate III, Evening Sale - 4 May 2022 - 19:00 CEST - Cologne. Sotheby's.

May 2, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol evacuations set to continue; explosions reported in Russian city of Belgorod - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 68 of the invasion - "Around 100 civilians released from Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he hopes evacuations will continue on Monday."
• Russian forces reportedly came close to capturing Zelenskiy during first hours of invasion - "Interview with Time magazine reveals that Russian troops made two attempts to storm the presidential compound while Zelenskiy and his family were inside."
• Ukraine war: A wake-up call for India - the world's biggest cooking oil importer - "Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of palm oil, announced last week that it would halt exports to stabilise spiking prices at home, which it blamed on the war in Ukraine and the pandemic. Cooking oil is an integral part of the Indian diet. So much so that India is the world's second-largest consumer and largest importer of vegetable oils. Some 56% of its requirements are imported from more than seven countries."
• 3 signs that prices could soon come down - "Inflation is at a 40-year high, and Americans are feeling it. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta breaks inflation into two categories: sticky and flexible. Sticky inflation is a basket of goods that tends to change more slowly and permanently in price, things like the cost of education, public transportation and motor vehicle insurance. Flexible inflation includes items that move up and down in cost more quickly: gas, clothing, milk and cheese."
• The U.S. Is in a 'Controlled Pandemic' Phase of COVID-19. But What Does That Mean? - "Why COVID-19 Isn't the Endemic Phase in the U.S. Yet." TIME Magazine.
• This Eminent Scientist Says Climate Activists Need to Get Real - The "The 'really' in the title of Vaclav Smil’s newest book, 'How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We’re Going,' is doing some heavy lifting. He aims to correct that - to recenter materials rather than electronic flows of data as the bedrock of modern life - largely through examining what he calls the four pillars of modern civilization: cement, steel, plastics and ammonia."
• Is veganism always best for the planet? - "The climate benefits of veganism and vegetarianism. In a two-week experiment, BBC Future tracked emissions from a vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous diet - and found some thought-provoking ways to lower emissions from our food."
• Rarely seen photos from the Met Gala show celebrities letting loose - "The Met Gala, known as fashion's biggest night, returns to its typical slot - the first Monday of May - after two years of disruptions due to the pandemic. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City coincides with the opening of part two of the exhibition, 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' hosted by the museum's Costume Institute. Guests have been asked to dress in 'Gilded Glamour and White Tie,' referencing the lavish Gilded Age, a three-decade period at the end of the 19th century that transformed American infrastructure and society life."
• How Technocrats Triumphed at Apple - "The man who helped give the world candy-colored computers eventually walked out the door. What does that mean for the company’s next big thing?"
• Apple Inc., ‘After Steve’ - "A new history of the trillion-dollar company in the wake of Steve Jobs."
• After Steve: How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul - "From the Wall Street Journal’s Tripp Mickle, the dramatic, untold story inside Apple after the passing of Steve Jobs by following his top lieutenants - Jony Ive, the Chief Design Officer, and Tim Cook, the COO-turned-CEO - and how the fading of the former and the rise of the latter led to Apple losing its soul." Amazon.com.
• Asia's 50 best bars for 2022 revealed - "With pandemic travel restrictions easing in much of the region, the annual Asia's 50 Best Bars ceremony took place in front of a live audience for the first time since 2019 on Thursday evening. A celebration of the region's best bars and the people behind them, the 2022 event was held at Bangkok's Mandarin Oriental hotel."
• Does 'dressing for success' still matter? - "Workplaces once had both official and unofficial uniforms. Now that work looks completely different, is the idea of 'dress for success' even still relevant?"
• Qantas announces plans for non-stop flights from Sydney to New York & London - "Airline plans flights from south-east Australia by end of 2025 to run up to 20 hours and be among world’s longest. Qantas has unveiled details of the ultra-long-haul aircraft it plans to run on non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York by the end of 2025, as questions are raised about the emissions benefits and spending priorities of the airline. The airline says the planes will be 'capable of flying direct from Australia to any other city' in the world, while being 25% more fuel-efficient than previous aircraft."
• The Wikimedia Foundation has stopped accepting cryptocurrency donations - "The WMF received around $130,000 (0.08 percent) in crypto donations last year. After a lengthy discussion with almost 400 members of the WMF community, the majority voted to do away with crypto contributions 234 to 94. Some of the main arguments concerned the environmental implications of Bitcoin."
• RÉgine, Whose Discotheque Gave Nightlife a New Dawn, Dies at 92 - "Credited with opening the first disco, she built an empire of glittering playgrounds for the Beautiful People in Paris, New York and beyond."

May 1, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: civilians escape from Azovstal steel works in besieged city of Mariupol; Nancy Pelosi visits Kyiv - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 67 of the invasion - "UK foreign office says Russia using a troll factory to spread disinformation, as handful of civilians escape Mariupol steel plant."
• Vladimir Putin, 69, 'has two secret sons with his gymnast lover Alina Kabaeva, 38' - 'says source close to obstetrician who attended both births.'
• Megayachts & oligarchs: ‘We’re scared of getting close to wrong money’ - "It's a seven-star resort you can take anywhere - the epitome of freedom and luxury. But as the West goes after the assets of wealthy Russians, the industry is bracing itself for stormy seas ahead."
• ‘A horrible plague, then Covid’: Biden & correspondents joke in post-Trump return to normality - "White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is first attended by a sitting president in six years after Donald Trump’s snubs, then pandemic."
• Washington parties on, as Covid threatens to crash the festivities - "Even as case numbers rise locally, thousands gather for the White House Correspondents' Dinner and a string of related gatherings for the first time since 2019."
• Met Gala 2022: The opulent fashion that inspired the 'Gilded Glamour' theme - "When celebrities take to the Met Gala red carpet on May 2, there will likely be no shortage of corset boning and bustles. That's because the dress code for this year's event, hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, is 'Gilded Glamour and White Tie,' referencing the lavish era of American fashion in the last decades of the 19th century, when industrialization rapidly amplified the country's wealth gap."
• Anna Wintour is still queen of fashion, but glitz won’t reign at her Met gala - "Guests at the New York event have been urged to ‘embody glamour’ as a new biography lauds the Vogue chief’s influence and power."
• Martha Stewart Welcomes You to Generation Ageless - "The octogenarian is the new face of skin care on TikTok."
• Is American Democracy Built to Last? - "Yascha Mounk’s new book questions deeply held beliefs about the stability of Western societies."
• New Yorkers don't feel safe at home anymore - "Residents say they're overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, as the NYPD struggles to rein in crime."
• What Is White Tie? The Definition - And Origins - Of Society’s Most Formal Dress Code - "The dress code for the 2022 Met Gala offers two style directives: the first, gilded glamour. The second, white tie."
• 54 Portraits of the British Royal Children Over the Years - "For fans of all things monarchial, a royal portrait release is an exciting time. And while any Windsor family moment is a fascinating one, there’s a particular frenzy around snapshots of the children - George, Charlotte, Louis, and Archie - since they aren’t seen at events quite as often as their parents. The most recent example? An adorable picture of Prince Louis playing on the beach, in honor of his fourth birthday."
• Bill Murray admits behaviour on set towards a woman led to halt to film - "Actor describes incident that took place during production of Being Mortal as a ‘difference of opinion’."
• Wky Ikea sells Swedish meatballs - "Ikea's restaurants were failing. Then it turned to Swedish meatballs."
• How to check if your AirPods Pro are eligible for free replacement - "If you’re experiencing staticky audio or sub-par noise cancellation, you might be able to swap out your earbuds for a new pair."

April 30, 2022

• Ukraine latest news: Russia forced to redeploy units in battle for east, says UK, after reports of ‘colossal losses’ - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 66 of the invasion - "Ukraine claims Russia has suffered ‘colossal’ losses as Pentagon press secretary condemns Putin’s ‘cruelty and depravity’."
• Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion - "Russian forces are continuing to make advances in east of the country but strong resistance from Ukrainian troops is slowing their progress."
• Russian state TV simulates nuking Europe - "Propaganda show calculates missile strikes on London, Paris and Berlin would hit up to 200 seconds after launch and there would be 'no survivors'."
• Putin keeps the ruble surging as Russia makes 11th-hour effort to avoid default - "Russia's currency hit a two-year high against the US dollar Friday. The ruble gained ground after the country said it managed to pay back creditors with dollars as Russia tries to avoid a default."
• As China looks on at a world opening up, can Xi Jinping survive zero-Covid? - "With 340m people living under lockdown or restrictions, the administration are sticking to their stance. But at what cost?"
• Shanghai’s month under lockdown - in pictures - "Shanghai city authorities have said they will start Covid-19 testing over the next few days to determine which neighbourhoods can safely be allowed a limited amount of freedom of movement. The city’s lockdown began a month ago, taking a toll on residents confined to their homes. While a small, lucky portion of people have been allowed to leave their homes in the past week, the vast majority of people remain confined."
• Venus & Jupiter Conjunction: Planets to almost touch in night sky - "Look up in the sky at the right moment on Saturday and you could see two of the solar system's brightest planets almost touching."
• Elon Musk sells $8.5bn-worth of Tesla shares after Twitter deal - "The Tesla chief executive has committed $21bn of his own money to the funding package for acquiring the social media platform, which he agreed to buy for $44bn on Monday. Since then Musk has sold 9.6m Tesla shares, or about 5.6% of his stake in the business, according to filings with the US financial regulator."
• Every ridiculous thing we learned today about Elon Musk’s plan to take over Twitter - "CEO Parag Agrawal told employees that executives hadn’t seen Musk’s plans for the company."
• Boris Becker jailed for two years for hiding assets after bankruptcy - "Former tennis star found guilty of four charges by a jury at Southwark crown court earlier this month."
• Prince Harry 'not the brightest' - "Veteran broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby has branded Prince Harry as ‘not the brightest’ and claimed he is ‘led by the nose’ by wife Meghan."
• Depp v Heard: What you might have missed this week - "We're now three weeks into Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his former partner, Amber Heard. Mr Depp has sued Ms Heard for $50m over an article she wrote in which she claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse. Ms Heard is countersuing for $100m."
• Michael Douglas says Debra Winger bit him, confirming longtime Hollywood rumors - "Appearing on the 100th episode of Rob Lowe's podcast 'Literally!,' the 77-year-old star confirmed longstanding Hollywood rumors that Winger lost the female lead role in the 1984 action adventure 'Romancing the Stone' following their bizarre encounter."
• Five Action Movies to Stream Now - "This month’s picks include a Polish gangland film recalling 'A Clockwork Orange,' an Indonesian fight flick interrogating toxic masculinity and more." The New York Times.
• Theranos merchandise on eBay sparks bloodlust among Elizabeth Holmes fans - "Demand for products emblazoned with ‘Theranos’ logo have soared with set of five pens selling for a eye-popping $150."
• 40 of the best beaches in Europe - "From flamingo-pink shores to wild coastlines and everything in between, our travel writers pick the continent’s finest sands, and places to stay nearby."
• British Virgin Islands: UK minister dispatched for governance talks - "The UK government has sent a minister to the British Virgin Islands after an inquiry called for a return of UK rule."
• ‘Deep-sea gold rush’ for rare metals could cause irreversible harm - "Mining companies are planning to profit from the new industry, but environmental campaigners warn of disastrous consequences."
• Picture perfect: how to take, store & print photos from your phone - "If you keep precious camera moments locked away on a mobile they are at risk of being lost."

April 29, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine decries ‘barbaric’ missile strikes on Kyiv; Russian gains in Donbas come at ‘significant cost’, says UK - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 65 of the invasion - "The Ukrainian capital was rocked by Russian missile strikes while the UN secretary general visited."
• Five days that changed the war in Ukraine - "This was the week when the war in Ukraine truly transitioned from one nation's bloody fight for liberation against Russia's vicious onslaught to a potentially years-long great power struggle."
• Biden wants to use assets seized from Russian oligarchs to help Ukraine - "The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a mostly symbolic bill urging President Biden to sell the frozen luxury assets of Russian oligarchs hit with sanctions and use the funds to provide additional military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine."
• US tries to seize yacht in Fiji. But which oligarch owns it? - "A judge in Fiji is due to rule Tuesday on whether U.S. authorities can seize the luxurious superyacht Amadea - worth some $325 million - which has been stopped from leaving the South Pacific nation because of its links to Russia. But a vital question remains over which oligarch really owns the Amadea. Only one of the two possible candidates faces sanctions."
• What’s Elon Musk Actually After? - "The world’s richest man has bought Twitter for $44 billion. This cash could completely cancel world hunger (with seven bil to spare) or give every American citizen a cold million in the bank."
• The world's most challenging cruise ship routes - "Navigating a colossal ship is no mean feat under any conditions, but certain routes, like the sandstorm-prone, narrow Suez Canal - infamously blocked by a container ship last year - or the windy, glacier-lined waterways of Alaska, are particularly challenging."
• 'Leonardo da Vinci of violins' goes up for auction in France - "Crafted in 1736 by revered Italian luthier Giuseppe Guarneri, it is owned by virtuoso Regis Pasquier and its sound has graced concert halls around the world."
• Virtual meetings can crush creativity, new study finds - "Collaboration has been behind some of humanity's greatest achievements - the Beatles' biggest hits, putting a man on the moon, the smartphone. Do Zoom and other forms of video interaction crush the creative process that led to such feats? Yes, according to new research published Wednesday that found it's easier to come up with creative ideas in person."
• Met Gala 2022: Everything you need to know about the 'Gilded Glamour' theme - "This year's event, hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, is 'Gilded Glamour and White Tie,' referencing the lavish era of American fashion in the last decades of the 19th century, when industrialization rapidly amplified the country's wealth gap."
• See the world's best food photographs of 2022 - "An exhibition of the 2022 finalists will be shown at The Royal Photographic Society, one of the world's oldest photographic societies, in Bristol, England. It will run from November 20 to December 12, 2022. Entry will be free."
• British Virgin Islands: Premier Andrew Fahie arrested in US drug sting - "The leader of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been arrested for alleged drug smuggling and money laundering in the US."
• 11 of the best films to watch this May - "May sees the release of the much-delayed Top Gun sequel, a documentary to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee and two chilling horrors about children with superpowers."
• Dog behaviour has little to do with breed, study finds - "Research shows high degree of variability between individual animals - with implications for owners."
• Should people get rid of their garden lawns? - "Perfectly manicured lawns have been status symbols for centuries. Many of us create or maintain lawns in our gardens without giving it a second thought. But could these innocent patches of greenery be a colossal waste of space?"
• Hidden France: why I fell in love with peaceful, scenic Auvergne - "From volcanoes to Vichy springs, this slice of dramatic rolling countryside below Burgundy is a revelation, complete with medieval villages and Michelin stars."
• Seven hours’ sleep is ideal amount in middle to old age, study finds - "Too much and too little sleep linked with worse cognitive performance and mental health."
• SNAPCHAT’S FLYING CAMERA - "Snap takes another stab at hardware with a selfie drone called Pixy."
• Inside The $20 Million ‘Ballers’ Mansion - "Contemporary Hollywood Hills Mansion Seen In HBO’s ‘Ballers’ Lists For $20 Million."

April 28, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Putin using energy as weapon, says Zelenskiy; Russia could become ‘cancerous growth’ in Ukraine, UK warns - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 64 of the invasion - "Vladimir Putin warns against western intervention in Ukraine; Liz Truss says the war must be a ‘catalyst for change’; António Guterres visits Kyiv."
• Russia deploys trained dolphins at Black Sea naval base, satellite images show - "Two dolphin pens were moved to the Sevastopol harbor base in February, concluded the US Naval Institute’s review."
• Russia's tanks in Ukraine have a 'jack-in-the-box' design flaw - "And the West has known about it since the Gulf war. The problem relates to how the tanks' ammunition is stored. Unlike modern Western tanks, Russian ones carry multiple shells within their turrets. This makes them highly vulnerable as even an indirect hit can start a chain reaction that explodes their entire ammunition store of up to 40 shells."
• US left behind $7 billion of military equipment in Afghanistan after 2021 withdrawal, Pentagon report says - "This equipment is now in a country that is controlled by the very enemy the US was trying to drive out over the past two decades: the Taliban. The Defense Department has no plans to return to Afghanistan to 'retrieve or destroy' the equipment, reads the report, which has been provided to Congress."
• Boeing 'probably shouldn't have taken' Trump-negotiated Air Force One deal, CEO says - "Boeing's CEO on Wednesday called the unusual deal his predecessor negotiated with then-President Donald Trump for the next generation of Air Force One a one-off that he hopes not to repeat."
• China grapples with political challenges as Covid death toll mounts - "For two years, China's Communist Party has enforced a costly regime of strict border quarantines, snap lockdowns, and mass digital tracking in the service of a single goal: Zero Covid cases. And Beijing points to the past successes of this strategy - including only two reported Covid-related deaths for all of 2021 - to burnish its claims of superiority over Western governments."
• China cracks down on price gouging amid food shortages - "Authorities warn against lockdown profiteering in Shanghai, as fears in Beijing also prompt run on supermarkets."
• Measles cases surge nearly 80% in wake of Covid chaos, with fears other diseases could follow - "Unicef says virus is ‘canary in the coalmine’ that shows up the gaps in vaccination campaigns for preventable illness."
• Which Animal Viruses Could Infect People? Computers Are Racing to Find Out - "Machine learning is known for its ability to spot fraudulent credit charges or recognize faces. Now researchers are siccing the technology on viruses."
• China detects first human case of H3N8 bird flu strain - "Experts say widespread transmission of flu in birds is increasing scope for avian viruses to mix and mutate."
• ‘Potentially devastating’: Climate crisis may fuel future pandemics - "‘Zoonotic spillovers’ expected to rise with at least 15,000 instances of viruses leaping between species over next 50 years."
• Queen will NOT strip Prince Andrew of last royal title despite mounting pressure - "Queen Elizabeth II will not force her son Prince Andrew to give up his Duke of York title which was bestowed upon him by the monarch in 1986 as a lifelong honorary position."
• 5 places business travel has changed post-pandemic - "As Covid restrictions and quarantines continue to lift around the world, work-related trips are bouncing back in a big way in 2022."
• Tourists crash drones into Italy landmarks in Rome & Pisa - "An out-of-control drone operated by a tourist crashed onto the roof of Rome's historic Palazzo Venezia on April 23, in Italy's third such drone-related incident this month."
• ‘Drone with a seat’ to make world debut in Monaco - "A few years ago a flying car from Slovakia created a lot of interest at Top Marques, the supercar show, and since then the drone has become ubiquitous as a camera platform and so much more, and especially as a weapon of war." Monaco Daily News.
• 9 of the world's best wellness retreats - "Whether you're looking for deep cleanses amid the snowy peaks of New Zealand, massages in the Maldives and Saint Lucia, or spa therapy in Saint Lucia, here are some of the best rejuvenation hotspots the world has to offer."
• 8 Celebrity-Favorite Hotels for Met Gala Weekend - Vogue.
• Is This the Most Expensive Pilates Class? - "Has inflation hit boutique fitness, or have workouts reached a new level of exclusivity?"
• Elon Musk Is a Problem Masquerading as a Solution - "It is a perfect marriage for an age of plutocracy: Twitter with its serious problems and Elon Musk, the embodiment of those problems. What happens when the incarnation of a problem buys the right to decide what the problem is and how to fix it?"
• World's largest blue diamond to come to auction has sold for $57.5 million - "Named 'The De Beers Cullinan Blue,' the massive 15.10-carat step-cut gem sold at Sotheby's in Hong Kong after an eight-minute bidding war among four hopeful buyers, according to Sotheby's. The winning bid, which surpassed its high estimate of $48 million, came from an anonymous buyer by telephone."
• Natural diamond engagement ring sales are falling. Here's why - "Why lab-grown diamond sales are surging."
• Venice Biennale 2022: Highlights From The Olympics Of The Art World - "The Venice Biennale, often described as the Olympics of the art world, can be a gruelling experience as there’s so much to see and experience. This year’s main exhibition features 213 artists from 58 countries, alone. There are also two other venues, the Giardini and the Arsenale, as well as countless offsite venues, official and unofficial. This year’s biennale is heavily female focused with 90% female artists in the main exhibition. And the artistic director of the 2022 biennale is Cecilia Alemani, curator of New York’s Highline contemporary art project. Golden Lion winners were just announced as American artist Simone Leigh for her brilliant sculpture in the Arsenale and Sonia Boyce’s UK pavilion."
• The 130 Best Met Gala Looks of All Time - "The Met Gala is where celebrities ascend to style icon status. On the first Monday in May, stars don’t just walk the red carpet, they climb the steps of the Metropolitan Museum in statement couture presenting their interpretation of the exhibition’s theme to the entire world. Unlike an awards show or a premiere, the goal isn’t to shine for a moment, it’s to create a look that resonates for decades."
• What Exactly Goes Into the Met Gala Seating Chart? - "Every successful party planner knows the key to a good event is good company. Eaddy Kiernan, the woman tasked with organizing Vogue’s Met Gala, takes that concept to a whole new level while masterminding the seating chart for the high-profile event that attracts hundreds of actors, singers, and society swans each year."
• Only at the Met: An Oral History of the World’s Most Glamorous Gala - "It was once the Party of the Year, now it’s the Met gala or the Met ball, and sometimes it’s the Costume Institute Benefit. Either way, it’s an event that no one forgets. But don’t let us tell you - in 2020, we compiled the memories of the people who know it best. To honor its heralded return to the first Monday in May, here is our oral history of the Met gala - from staffers, producers, starry attendees, and all sorts of characters in between."
• 61 Best Met Gala Dress-Code Rejectors of All Time - "There is a sub-section of stylish dressers who subvert the rules in more subtle ways: Enter the theme rejectors. Over the years, a number of stars have ignored the Met Gala’s dress code and marched to the beat of their own drum-like when Jennifer Love Hewitt wore a marabou-feathered ball skirt to the 1999 rock and roll-themed gala. Vogue is rounding up the 61 best moments where individuality ruled."
• Bitcoin becomes official currency in Central African Republic - "The Central African Republic (CAR) has approved Bitcoin as legal tender - just the second country to do so. CAR is one of the world's poorest countries, but is rich in diamonds, gold and uranium."
• The shipwrecks rewriting ancient history - "For centuries, historians believed that any physical evidence of the pivotal Battle of the Aegates was long gone. Then came a chance discovery - which led to dozens of shipwrecks."
• Henry Winkler Breaks the Curse of Stardom - "Now in his 70s, the pop culture icon has found his true calling on 'Barry,' as the king of character actors."
• The Flanders phenomenon: how Belgian buildings went from joke to genius - "Once derided as ‘the ugliest country in the world’, Belgium now has some of the greatest public architecture on Earth, from sculptural water silos to bombastic port HQs. What happened?"
• Bernie Madoff’s Former Hamptons Home Is Back On The Market For $22.5 Million - "Late disgraced financier Bernie Madoff’s former Hamptons home is back on the market, this time for $22.5 million. Madoff, who orchestrated one of, if not the largest, Ponzi schemes in history, was arrested in 2008 and pled guilty to 11 felonies, including securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. He was sentenced to 150 years in prison and died at the age of 82 in 2021 during his sentence."

April 27, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: blasts heard in Russian city of Belgorod; UK to call on Ukraine’s allies to ‘double down’ on military aid - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 63 of the invasion - "Russia halts gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria; Volodymyr Zelenskiy accuses Moscow of seeking to destabilise Moldova region."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russia begins ‘gas blackmail’ of Poland & Bulgaria ahead of UK call to boost Ukraine military aid - "Move follows Warsaw’s imposition of sanctions on 50 entities and individuals including Russia’s biggest gas company."
• UN chief appeals to Putin while Russia cuts gas to Poland - "It was a day of diplomacy over Ukraine as the UN's Secretary General António Guterres travelled to Russia and met President Vladimir Putin while Russia showed the first signs of following through on threats to restrict gas supplies to EU states."
• DJI suspends sales in Russia & Ukraine to prevent its drones from being used in combat - "Ukraine previously said that Russia was using DJI products to navigate its missiles."
• 5 signs Vladimir Putin is suffering from major illness - "From limp to violent shaking. The Parkinson's theory was sparked in November 2020 when political analyst Professor Valery Solovei cited Kremlin sources when he claimed tyrant Vladimir Putin is suffering both thyroid cancer and Parkinson's."
• Who is Putin's reputed girlfriend Alina Kabaeva? - "CNN's Nic Robertson reports on Alina Kabaeva, a woman linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin."
• What do we know about the new omicron mutant? - "A new omicron mutant that is a descendant of the earlier 'stealth omicron' has quickly gained ground in the United States."
• More than half of Americans have had Covid, including three of four children - "A CDC report showed a striking increase in those with coronavirus antibodies between December and February."
• Do Vaccines Protect Against Long Covid? - "Maybe, according to a growing number of studies, but there’s not yet a definitive answer."
• Global mystery hepatitis outbreak spreads to Asia & Canada - "Japan reports child with acute liver disease of unknown origin, and Canada investigating similar cases, with nearly 200 now recorded worldwide."
• As international travel picks up, several popular destinations remain off limits to tourists - "A scroll through the UNWTO's Destination Tracker reveals the majority of the places reliant on tourism dollars have dropped quarantine restrictions and are welcoming travelers - albeit some still come with a few caveats such as mandatory Covid-19 tests on arrival, tests before you fly, mandatory quarantines if tests come back positive and so on. But while most of world's popular destinations have reopened, there are a few tourism favorites that remain off limits to leisure travelers - regardless of their willingness to test, get vaccinated and quarantine. And the bulk of them are in the Asia-Pacific region."
• From Amman To Zurich, Forbes Travel Guide’s 2022 Star Award Winners - "Forbes Travel Guide has announced its 64th annual Star Awards for the world's most outstanding hotels, restaurants and spas."
• The World’s Best & Worst Passports, ‘As New Iron Curtain Descends’ - It's clear that the war in Ukraine has radically changed the power of certain passports in the region and beyond. How powerful is yours?
• A major recession is coming, Deutsche Bank warns - "Deutsche Bank raised eyebrows earlier this month by becoming the first major bank to forecast a US recession, albeit a 'mild' one. Now, it's warning of a deeper downturn caused by the Federal Reserve's quest to knock down stubbornly high inflation."
• The big winner in Elon Musk's Twitter deal - "Even the world's richest person needs financial advice. That's great news for Morgan Stanley, the investment bank of choice for Elon Musk."
• Concern over Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover wipes $126bn off Tesla value - "Fears that carmaker’s CEO may have to sell shares to fund $44bn acquisition of social network."
• What You Don’t Know About Amazon - "If you are like most Americans, you think you know Amazon. Recent polling shows that 72 percent of us view the company favorably. This makes it the second-most-trusted institution in the country, after the military. Industry research estimates that there are now 153 million Prime members in the United States, nearly as many as the number of voters in the 2020 election."
• Open-source encyclopedia puts 10,000 years of Indian art history in one place - "From prehistoric Bhimbetka cave paintings to works by contemporary art stars like Atul Dodiya and Shilpa Gupta, India has a rich cultural heritage dating back over 10,000 years. So, it came as a surprise to one of the country's leading collectors, the textile tycoon and philanthropist Abhishek Poddar, that there was no single source of authoritative information on the subcontinent's art history. Hoping to address this deficit, he has helped launch an encyclopedia of South Asian art with over 2,000 entries spanning famous artifacts, folk traditions, craft techniques and cultural institutions from the region."
• 30 classic Italian dishes that everyone should try - "Think of Italy and you're likely to think of food first, and all the other beautiful things it offers second. Italian cuisine - or some version of it - has colonized the rest of the world so successfully that there are probably uncharted corners of the Amazon rainforest where you can sit down at a red-and-white checkered tablecloth and order up a plate of pasta and sauce. There's a reason it's so good. Actually, there are hundreds of reasons scattered throughout the different regions Italy. But here are 30 of them."
• The surprising complexity of a classic Chinese condiment - "Oyster sauce is a cult ingredient of the Chinese dinner table. How is it made, and why is it so irresistible?"
• Watch the Venus-Jupiter conjunction at the end of April - "Venus and Jupiter will appear to touch each other in the sky at the end of the month, despite actually being millions of miles apart. The two planets will appear closest together around 3 p.m. ET on April 30, with Venus 0.2 degrees south of Jupiter, according to EarthSky. The distance is less than the diameter of the moon, the space site added."
• Against all odds, a Ukrainian artist & his curators bring 'Fountain of Exhaustion' to Venice - "As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, Pavlo Makov's work for the Venice Biennale carries with it a powerful message of determination and resilience."
• Why we snap-judge some people as 'boring' - "Why do people with certain professions and interests make us yawn - even before we get to know them?"
• The New Coussin De Cartier Takes The Brand’s Legacy Of Shaped Watches To The Next Level - "Cartier's shaped watches generally take their names from tangible objects or living things."

April 26, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: military aid means Nato is ‘in essence engaged in war with Russia’, claims Lavrov - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 62 of the invasion - "Western military support means the Nato alliance is ‘in essence engaged in war with Russia’, says Russian foreign minister."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russia accuses Nato of ‘proxy war’ in Ukraine as US hosts crucial defence summit - "Ukraine dismisses as scare tactic Sergei Lavrov’s war comments as diplomats from dozens of countries gather in Germany for US-hosted talks to navigate ‘critical’ phase."
• China & Russia Are Giving Authoritarianism a Bad Name - "The last decade looked like a good one for authoritarian regimes and a challenging one for democratic ones."
• Beijing tests 20 million residents amid 'fast & furious' Omicron outbreak - "Beijing has rolled out mass Covid testing for nearly 20 million residents in most of the city, as authorities race to contain a fresh Omicron outbreak that has sparked panic buying amid fears of a Shanghai-style lockdown."
• CDC moves Caribbean island from low travel risk to high for Covid-19 - "The tiny Caribbean island of Saba - a special municipality of the Netherlands known for its rugged hiking terrain and having the world's shortest commercial runway - was moved up to Level 3."
• Covid Lockdowns Revive the Ghosts of a Planned Economy - "China is meddling with free enterprise as it hadn’t in decades. The results are familiar to those old enough to remember: scarcity, and the rise of black markets."
• Covid Drugs Save Lives, but Americans Can’t Get Them - "Almost two months after President Biden promised to make lifesaving drugs against Covid widely available to Americans, the medications remain hard to get for many, despite supplies, leaving large numbers of Americans to face increased risks of avoidable death and serious illness."
• Elon Musk to buy Twitter in $44 billion deal - "What Elon Musk's $44 billion purchase of Twitter means for the platform."
• Jeff Bezos is already testing Elon Musk’s commitment to free speech by trolling - "Just asking questions."
• Take a look inside Elon Musk's $70 million private jet - "Which he says is the only exception to his disdain of luxuries like yachts and vacations."
• Alec Baldwin: Police release footage from set of Rust shooting - "Police have released footage from the set of the film Rust, including of the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin."
• AirPods Pro Tricks You Should Be Using Every Day - "With spatial audio, transparency mode and active noise cancellation, there's a lot you can do with the AirPods Pro."
• Dreamy beaches, no airport: A beautiful unspoiled corner of the Mediterranean - "Kaş: A beautiful unspoiled corner of the Med."
• Get Ready For the New, Improved Second - "Scientists are preparing to redefine the fundamental unit of time. It won’t get any longer or shorter, but it will be more precise - and a whole lot more powerful."
• How to save energy at home - "Soaring gas prices have increased demand for more energy-efficient, eco-friendly homes."
• This unusual fuel could power your car - "Whisky generates a lot of waste. It could soon help fuel your car. About 44 bottles of Scotch whisky are shipped around the globe every second, making it the world's most internationally traded spirit and generating export revenues of £4.5 billion ($5.9 billion) last year. But for every liter of whisky, there is a huge amount of waste: around 2.5 kilograms of solid by-products known as draff, 8 liters of liquid known as pot ale, and 10 liters of spent lees, a watery residue. This amounts to 684,000 metric tons of draff and over 2.3 billion liters of pot ale every year, according to Zero Waste Scotland. Some is used for animal feed, and some goes to landfill or is dumped in rivers and oceans."
• The large fruit that once fed mastodons - "The revival of a forgotten American fruit. Across large swaths of North America, an ancient fruit is growing wild but largely forgotten. However, a community of foodies, farmers and scientists is eagerly trying to change that."
• How 15 minutes of mental health hygiene can change your whole day - "You brush your teeth twice a day to keep plaque from building up and see a dentist regularly for extra maintenance. It's just good hygiene. But how often are you practicing mental hygiene? Whether you have a specific concern or are just trying to get through your day a little better, taking about 15 minutes each morning to maintain your mental health is something everyone could benefit from."
• The fascinating story behind Louis Vuitton’s iconic trunks: Steamships & railways, mahjong & Supreme - "The journey of Louis Vuitton’s trunks began with innovation in the 19th century and continued with evolution in the 20th - ever since then, those qualities have remained at the forefront of the maison’s creations."
• Amazon's proposed new building looks like this emoji - "The shape of Amazon's screwy new headquarters inspires mock and awe." CNN Videos.
• Ferrari Daytona SP3 Filmed Looking Like Two Million Bucks - "Ferrari brought the Daytona SP3 to the UK to attend the 2022 Salon Prive London where it wowed the crowds with its stunning design."

April 25, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Blinken and Austin in Kyiv for Zelenskiy talks; Russian oil depot on fire near border in Bryansk - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 61 of the invasion - "Most senior US delegation yet visits Kyiv for talks as concerns rise of a staged referendum in southern city of Kherson."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Covid lockdown fears spark panic buying in Beijing as largest district begins mass testing - "Residents hope to avoid Shanghai-style shortages as Chinese authorities rush to stamp out outbreak in the capital."
• US can manage BA.2 variant ‘without disruption’, top Covid adviser predicts - "Ashish Jha says spreading variant unlikely to have much effect on the nation’s pandemic recovery."
• Climate change linked to fewer bugs, study finds - "The research builds on a body of work that has some scientists ringing alarms about the pace of the decline of insect populations."
• Nano state: tiny & now everywhere, how big a problem are nanoparticles? - "Nanoparticles are added to food, fabrics, cosmetics and drugs with few controls - and often end up in the sea. Now scientists are asking how safe they are."
• How to make plastic disappear - "Most of human history has been plastic free, but it’s now become hard to imagine a world without it. Luckily, several entrepreneurs are working on it, and this Earth Day issue of Current Climate highlights innovations that aim to make plastic disappear. A few key words dominating those conversations: scale, pricing and integration into existing value chains."
• Why Buy a Multimillion-Dollar Home When You Can Live Aboard a Yacht? - "Wealthy boat owners are trading life on land for the high seas - but some are finding living on a large yacht for months on end comes with a cost."
• How to Charter a Superyacht: Everything You Need to Know About Booking a High-Seas Vacation - "Considering a yacht vacation this summer or even into 2023? Here are the ABC's to finding the best maritime fit for your family and friends."
• Elon Musk's next massive payday looms - "Does the richest person on the planet need another massive pay package? That's the decision facing the Tesla board of directors."
• Twitter ‘in takeover talks with Elon Musk’ after pressure from shareholders - "Company negotiating with Tesla CEO, say sources, after he wooed investors with details of his $43bn offer."
• 7 Celebrity-Owned Wineries & Vineyards - "These famous winemakers do more than just put their name on the bottle."
• The De Beers Blue - "Sotheby’s is proud to present The De Beers Blue, an extraordinary natural treasure and one of the most valuable blue diamonds ever to be offered at auction. This extraordinary 15.10 carat step-cut blue has been cut from an exceptional rough stone discovered in April 2021." Live Auction: 27 April 2022 - 8:00 PM HKT - Hong Kong.
• The island banning private vehicles - "La Digue: The Seychelles' tropical biking paradise. There are more bicycles than cars on La Digue, a 10-sq-km island that is doing everything it can to save itself - and one rare bird species - from overtourism."
• Tour a Hilltop Los Angeles Home That Features the Most Enviable Pool - "Constructed by Bestor Architecture to accompany a modernist gem, the house is all about indoor-outdoor living."
• A crystal-clear issue: The White House is in desperate need of new glassware - "It was during the George W. Bush administration that it was first noticed in earnest, and the massive state dinners of the Barack Obama era only solidified the situation: The White House was desperately in need of crystal. Not crystal balls, not crystal chandeliers - just crystal, the kind one drinks from."
• Construction starts on world's largest wildlife crossing to let animals roam over 10 lanes of L.A. highway - "Wild animals in Southern California soon will have more turf to roam thanks to the world's biggest wildlife crossing, which will span 10 lanes of Highway 101 in northwest Los Angeles to close a crucial gap for habitats."
• How to connect AirPods, AirPods Pro & AirPods Max to a Mac & how to control Audio Handoff - "Apple's AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max can be used with any and all Apple devices, but you need to know how to make them switch - and how to make them stop switching, too."
• best full frame mirrorless camera in 2022: Sony vs Canon, Nikon & Panasonic - "Choosing the best full frame mirrorless camera means choosing you want most – value, resolution, speed or video!" Digital Camera World.
• Meet Guo Pei, the world's most fantastical fashion designer - "Raised in the Cultural Revolution and inspired by her grandmother's tales of past dynasties, the visionary couturier is now the subject of a major US exhibition. Cath Pound speaks to China's queen of couture."
• Trump predicts to Piers Morgan that Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle will end - "Former President Donald Trump says Prince Harry is 'an embarrassment' for turning his back on Buckingham Palace - and predicted the runaway royal’s controversial marriage to Meghan Markle will have a 'bad' ending."
• Sharon Osbourne found herself blacklisted in the United States after defending Piers Morgan's right to condemn Meghan Markle - "'They were going to cut my throat': Sharon Osbourne slams cancel culture and admits she underwent ketamine therapy after fiery on-air debate led to TV suspension and death threats."

April 24, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Top US officials to meet Zelenskiy in Kyiv; eight killed in Russian attacks in Luhansk, governor says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 60 of the invasion - "Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Kyiv on Sunday as Russia continues attacks on southern and eastern Ukraine."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Ukrainian Military Intelligence reported on April 22 that several Russian officers have been fired or imprisoned for failures in Ukraine - Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 22. ISW | Institute for the Study of War.
• Back in the USSR: Lenin statues and Soviet flags reappear in Russian-controlled cities - "Colonisation appears to have superseded ‘denazification’ in Putin’s military goals for eastern Ukraine."
• Beijing races to contain 'urgent & grim' Covid outbreak as Shanghai lockdown continues - "Beijing is racing to track a Covid-19 outbreak that may have been spreading in the capital for a week, city authorities said on Saturday, raising the prospect more stringent restrictions could soon be implemented in line with other Chinese cities."
• How Covid Breaks All the Rules of Human Narrative - "How Covid Breaks All the Rules of Human Narrative. We have neither a shared language nor a shared understanding of what we've just been through."
• Twitter uses Earth Day to announce ban on climate denialism ads - "The platform has been a source of a growing wave of climate misinformation and said denialism ‘shouldn’t be monetized’."
• Living inside the box: my life with agoraphobia - "As a student, Graham Caveney suffered a severe panic attack while on a coach trip, a terrifying event that changed his life. He writes about the daily challenges of living with a fear of open spaces."
• Greece is grateful as the tourists flock back - "Not since the pre-Covid season, when 33 million holidaymakers visited, has business been as good. The buskers are out, hotels are full, archaeological sites are heaving, shopkeepers are smiling, and good luck if you want a table in a decent restaurant."
• Canouan Is the Charming Caribbean Island You Need to Visit Next - "Being relatively unfamiliar with the region myself and craving a quiet Caribbean jaunt, I set my eyes on Canouan, a 3.2 square mile island that’s just a 40-minute plane ride from Barbados. Canouan’s neighboring islands - which include Bequia, Mustique and Petit St. Vincent - draw high-profile crowds to its idyllic, yacht-dotted marinas and shores. And while Canouan has its fair share of jet-setting activities, including a $250 million marina full of retail shops and restaurants called Sandy Lane Yacht Club, it's the unobstructed mountainsides and quiet streets that allow the island to unfold slowly."
• The 17 Oldest Hotels in the World That Have Stunning Interiors - "From a big game reserve in South Africa to a landmarked masterpiece in Brazil, these stylish haunts are just as popular now as they were when they first opened."
• The World’s 6 Most Beautiful Buildings That Redefine Sustainable Architecture - "From Singapore to the UAE, these net zero structures are setting a new green standard."
• Inside Julia Roberts's Eclectic Real Estate Portfolio - "The Hollywood icon owns homes in New Mexico, New York, California, Hawaii, and more."
• How to Use the Gender Neutral Siri Voice - "Siri now has a non-binary gender neutral voice option available to users who prefer to not have a stereotypically male or female Siri voice."
• Have an old iPad lying around? Add a $20 wall mount & turn it into a HomeKit controller - "Making it easier to work to control my HomeKit accessories is something I am always thinking about. As easy as using the Home app on my iPhone is or turning items off and on with Siri, sometimes you want to make it even easier - especially for guests and non-smart home fans. You could certainly use the Brilliant panel, but what if you want something a bit easier to install? For example, have you considered an old iPad mounted on the wall? Read on to see how easier it is to configure so it can only work in the Home app."
• Here’s Everything Coming to Netflix in May - Vogue.
• 11 of the Most Compulsively Watchable True-Crime Documentaries on Netflix Now - "Almost seven years after the release of the Emmy-winning Making a Murderer, true-crime documentaries are still wildly popular on Netflix. The latest hits to have become part of the canon? The tale of a charismatic con artist which became a word-of-mouth sensation and birthed countless think pieces, and a staggering four-part saga involving a vegan restaurant owner, siphoned funds, a prized pitbull, and promises of immortality."
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent review - "Enjoyably meta Nicolas Cage buddy movie. Cage attempts to satirise himself and Hollywood in this goofy action comedy, but ends up part of an endearing double act with the charming Pedro Pascal."
• Andy Warhol Was Fragrance-Obsessed - Here Are the Perfumes He Loved Most - "As if he ever left, Andy Warhol is back in the cultural consciousness. From the recently released Netflix docuseries The Andy Warhol Diaries, which explores Warhol’s enigmatic life behind the lens, to the Brooklyn Museum’s current 'Andy Warhol: Revelation' exhibit, examining the influence of Catholicism on his work, there’s never been a better time to delve deeper into the world of the iconic artist. In fact, as part of the 'Revelation' exhibition, Jessica Murphy, a fragrance culture writer, educator, and manager of visitor experience at the Brooklyn Museum, is shedding light on Warhol’s lesser-realized olfactory imagination and passion for fragrance. Through June, Murphy is hosting monthly scent tours that hone in on Warhol’s longstanding interest in scents while pairing works from the exhibit to a special collection of perfumes."
• The Palace Papers review - "Rollicking ride through recent royal family history. Tina Brown’s sparkling prose and eye for detail enliven an entertaining exposé - with a little help from Prince Andrew and his 50-strong crew of teddy bears."
• 2023 BMW 7 Series: See The New Design Compared To Its Predecessors - "The new 7 Series polarizes like never before. Were its predecessors prettier?"
• This man is trolling his airline with PowerPoint presentations to find his missing bag - "From Dublin - the starting point for their trip, since flights were much cheaper - they were due to fly again with Aer Lingus to London Heathrow. Only, when they reached Dublin, their bags didn't turn up. Luckily, Sharod had a secret weapon: AirTags. He'd bought three of the Apple products, which emit tracking alerts via Bluetooth, and hidden one in each suitcase."

April 23, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Kremlin wants to invade other countries, says Zelenskiy; ‘heavy fighting’ reported in Mariupol - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 59 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy warns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine just the ‘beginning’ as the Kremlin will push to capture other countries."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• 4 ways Russia is trying to prove it can live with sanctions - "The scale of the economic counter-offensive waged by the West since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, along with the rising tide of companies cutting off business with Russia to guard against reputational risk or future sanctions, was a shock. Meanwhile, here are some of the ways companies, industries, and officials are scrambling to live with Russia's new normal."
• Twenty photographs of the week - "A burial in Bucha, a holy week procession in Canosa di Puglia, the Russian bombardment of Kharkiv and demonstrations in Colombo: the most striking images from around the world this week."
• World's biggest food company has hiked prices by 5% - "Nestlé (NSRGY), the world's biggest food and drinks company, raised prices by more than 5% in the first three months of this year as it passed on rising costs to shoppers."
• World's largest brewer sells stake in 11 Russian breweries - "Budweiser brewer AB InBev is selling its stake in 11 Russian breweries."
• Why India can buy Russian oil & still be friends with the US - "All of a sudden, the West's tune changed. When Biden met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month, it was all diplomatic backslapping and soundbites about 'a deep connection between our people' and 'shared values.' Then on Friday UK leader Boris Johnson flew into Delhi to talk up trade ties and pose for costumed photo ops, all while glossing over 'differences' regarding Russia."
• UK gave sanctioned Russians ‘golden visas’ after first Ukraine invasion - "Government accused of ‘shocking complacency’ over awards to seven Putin cronies."
• Secrecy, sex & sun: captain reveals life aboard superyachts - "Billionaires’ excesses are under scrutiny like never before after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The secretive world of superyachts is the ultimate in billionaire excess, where tycoons cavort with celebrities, politicians and sex workers, and where privacy is protected by non-disclosure agreements ensuring absolute discretion from well-paid staff."
• Mount Everest: Even world's highest peak not immune to the Ukraine war - "Mountaineering in the Everest region has been hit hard by the pandemic. This season the sherpas were looking for things to pick up - then Russia invaded Ukraine."
• Venice to charge daytrippers up to €10 to enter in 2023 - "As the poster child for overtourism, Venice has long been a city of mounting lines, uncomfortable crowding and mushrooming Airbnbs which are blamed for pricing locals out of the city. Now, the city's mayor has announced that visitors can make reservations from this summer, with an entrance fee due from January 2023."
• French Polynesian island locking locals out of beaches - "A huge tourist boom on Mo’orea Island has seen privatisation of coastline, with just three public beaches left."
• How to blur sensitive information in images on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac - "If you're looking to share a screenshot or photo, but you don't want to expose anything too personal, here's how you can blur or otherwise censor them on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad."
• The Best Movies & Shows on Hulu Right Now - "We’ve handpicked the finest movies and television shows currently streaming on Hulu in the United States. Take a look." The New York Times.
• Netflix may clamp down on password sharing. Here's what that means - "Netflix shares plunged this week after the platform reported its first subscriber loss in more than a decade. One factor the company pointed to as hurting revenue: widespread password sharing."
• You can make Netflix forget - "You can actually make Netflix forget what you watch if you know where to look."
• Bill Murray reportedly accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ on film set - "Production of Being Mortal suspended by studio Searchlight while an investigation is being conducted."
• Forget the FAANGs. It's a stock picker's market now - "Investors who have been blindly buying all big techs got a rude awakening this week after Netflix imploded. But the good news from Tesla proves that some top momentum stocks can still thrive in this rocky market. The latest results from Tesla (TSLA) and Netflix (NFLX) show how silly it is for investors to buy into themes and memes like the FAANGs, or MT. FAANG, if you want to add Microsoft (MSFT) and Tesla to the Facebook (FB) (Meta)/Amazon (AMZN)/Apple (AAPL)/Netflix/Google (GOOGL) (Alphabet) quintet. This is a stock picker's market."
• Can The One Who Invented The “Roman IIII” (the “watchmaker’s four”) Numeral Please Stand Up? - "Some more and less plausible explanations for its existence."
• A. Lange & SÖhne Works Magic In German Watchmaking With Minute Repeater, Titanium Odysseus & More - "German watch brand A. Lange & Söhne is one of the most sought-after brands by serious watch collectors today. Not only are its timepieces exclusive and created in limited numbers, but also, they offer some of the most subtle German-influenced clean designs on the market. This year, when everyone was wondering if there was anything else this brand could introduce to surprise and delight watch lovers, the brand worked magic with several new timepieces."

April 22, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: satellite images appear to show mass graves in Mariupol; humanitarian corridors remain closed - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 58 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says Russia has rejected a proposed Easter truce, but remains hopeful of prospects for peace, as Moscow faces accusations of war crimes in Mariupol."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?
• Google doodle marks Earth Day 2022 with stark images of climate crisis - "Time-lapse satellite images show glacial retreat at Mount Kilimanjaro, Great Barrier Reef coral bleaching, deforestation in Germany and Greenland glacial melt."
• What’s Happening to Mask Mandates in the U.S.? - "At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping track of mask-wearing protocols can feel like an exercise in futility as governmental advice keeps shifting, and the Republican governors of states like Texas and Florida seem diametrically opposed to mask mandates in any capacity."
• Shanghai escalates Covid lockdown restrictions - "Authorities in Shanghai have said they will tighten the enforcement of lockdown measures, as a Covid surge continues in China's financial capital."
• See Queen Elizabeth’s Official Portrait for Her 96th Birthday - "In it, the monarch stands between two of her white fell ponies - named Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale - on the grounds of Windsor Castle. She wears a muted green coat in a shade that is similar to Prince Philip's official livery color."
• 31 Iconic Photos of Queen Elizabeth - "This April 21, Queen Elizabeth II turns 96 years old. To reach such an age is impressive for anyone - but especially for the royal, who continues to lengthen her record as the longest-serving monarch of the United Kingdom."
• Why Disney has its own government in Florida & what happens if that goes away - "Florida's legislature passed a bill Thursday that would eliminate the special legal setup that allows Disney to operate as an independent government around its Orlando-area theme parks. The move comes as Florida's Republican-led government has taken aim at Disney - the largest single-site employer in the state - for its opposition to a law restricting education on LGBTQ issues in schools."
• 20,000th Lamborghini HuracÁn delivered to client in Monaco - "The Lamborghini Huracán has been nothing short of a success for the storied Italian marque, and this fact has been further confirmed as the 20,000th Lamborghini Huracán has been sold and delivered to a lucky client in Monaco. This particular Lamborghini is a Huracán STO, perhaps the most extreme Huracán currently on offer, finished in a Grigio Acheso Matt colour otherwise known as grey."
• Why Argentina is embracing cryptocurrency - "In Argentina, there are traces everywhere of distrust and even trauma related to the economy."
• What is Bitcoin? An eight-step guide to the cryptocurrency - "Bitcoin is back in the news. Hackers tried to scam Twitter users to send them money via Bitcoin using high-profile social media accounts."
• Inside Chicago O'Hare Airport's $8.5 billion revamp - "The lion's share of the investments will go into modernizing the terminals, which will transform the passenger experience at O'Hare."
• Switzerland to build world's tallest timber residential tower - "World's tallest timber residential tower to be built. The project, named Rocket&Tigerli, will consist of four buildings including one that boasts a 100-meter-tall (328-foot) tower. The development will be built in the Swiss city of Winterthur, which is located near Zurich."
• The World's 25 Tallest Buildings Currently Under Construction - "Responding to the global challenges of dense cities and the inability to cater to the world’s 7.8 billion population living and working in congested urban areas, architects have been exploring the skyscraper typology for decades now, integrating commercial spaces and public amenities within residential buildings to offer tenants an all-inclusive experience."
• Elon Musk thinks Twitter's algorithm should be public. Here's what that could mean - "On March 24, weeks before he offered to buy Twitter, Elon Musk posted a poll on the social media platform: 'Twitter algorithm should be open source,' he wrote, with options for users to vote 'yes' or 'no.' Some of Twitter's technology is already open source, which means it's publicly available for anyone to view, rework, and use for other purposes. But what Musk was asking, essentially, was whether the rules that computers follow to determine what you see in your Twitter (TWTR) feed should be public, too. Over a million votes were tallied by the time the poll closed, with an overwhelming amount of 'yes' votes (82.7%)."
• World's richest man just got a whole lot richer! - "Elon Musk is poised to collect $23bn bonus after Tesla reports record profits."
• Is ‘manifesting’ dangerous magical thinking or a formula for success? - "The practice’s popularity picked up when it went viral on TikTok in 2020 - but indulged without action, it could untether us from our sense of agency."
• ‘The Northman’ Review: Danish Premodern - "Alexander Skarsgard, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicole Kidman star in Robert Eggers’s bloody Viking revenge saga."
• Norse code: are white supremacists reading too much into The Northman? - "Robert Eggers’ Viking blockbuster has already been hailed by white nationalists keen to exploit European mythology. Can Hollywood tell historical tales without unwittingly appealing to toxic ideologies?"
• The 1972 conspiracy that shaped the US - "Gaslit and Watergate: The enduring draw of a 1972 conspiracy. Fifty years after the Watergate scandal, a new TV series and exhibition explore the events that led to one of the biggest political crises in US history, writes Diane Bernard."
• ‘My dog’s haircut costs more than mine!’ A day at the groomers with Oscar, Bear, Otis & Zorro - "With more than 12 million dogs in Britain, the grooming industry is booming. But what does all this pampering say about our changing relationship with man’s best friend?"
• Four New IWC Top Gun Pilot’s Watches Combine Military Colors With Ceramic Cases - "Lovers of ceramic watches - and all things military - will appreciate the four new Top Gun Pilot’s Watch models introduced by IWC at Watches and Wonders earlier this month. They represent two of the brand’s specialties: military pilot’s watches and ceramic case technology. Two of the debuts are Top Gun Chronographs in new colors - Woodlands (green) and Lake Tahoe (white) - both with 44.5mm ceramic cases. The other two are black models: the Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Ceratanium chronograph with a 41mm case made of black Ceratanium (which combines ceramic with titanium); and the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Top Gun, made of black zirconium oxide ceramic."
• The New Ulysse Nardin Freak S - "Proving That The Freak Concept Is As Brilliant And Relevant As Ever. A technological statement that propels us into space and beyond."
• CNN+ will shut down April 30, just one month after launch - "Warner Bros. Discovery has decided to shut down CNN+ just weeks after it launched. Fewer than 10,000 people were watching CNN+ each day."

April 21, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine offers unconditional talks on Mariupol; Russian forces advancing on Kramatorsk, says UK - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 57 of the invasion - Ukrainian officials offer special negotiations in Mariupol as west warns of Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine’s allies.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?
• Donald Trump appears to storm out of Piers Morgan TV interview in advert - "Piers Morgan Uncensored 30-second trailer apparently shows former president irritated by US 2020 election questions."
• Shanghai’s Low Covid Death Toll Revives Questions About China’s Numbers - "The country’s largest city has recorded just 17 Covid deaths, despite surging cases. How China defines a Covid death may be part of the reason."
• This controversial rule is ruining Hong Kong's status as an aviation hub - "Hong Kong's Covid-19 curbs are continuing to severely limit travel into the city, with only one flight from outside the Asia Pacific region landing on Tuesday and Wednesday."
• Should you cancel your travel plans now that masks aren't required on planes & trains? - "How can people continue to keep safe on planes now that masks are no longer required? What about vulnerable individuals like immunocompromised people and young children who aren't yet vaccinated? Do you need to quarantine if you're visiting vulnerable people and you were just on a flight? Should people consider canceling their travel plans?"
• 10 travel firms turning green: new initiatives to boost sustainability - "Ahead of Earth Day on Friday, we pick operators taking action to help the planet and limit overtourism, with eco stays, fewer flights and support for local people."
• 5 unusual airlines that really existed - "In the late 1970s, the US government deregulated the airline industry, removing federal control over fares, routes and the entry of new airlines into the market. As a result, a flurry of new airlines appeared from the 1980s onward, and some of them were particularly unusual. Let's take a look."
• Luxury private island resort in Panama reveals new 'aerial' beach - "The adults-only resort, located in Panama's Bocas Del Toro province, has just revealed what its owner refers to as the 'world's first aerial beach.' Named Kupu-Kupu - borrowed from the Indonesian word for butterfly - the beach is approximately 90 feet long and 20 feet wide. Built on pilings over the water, it features white sand, palm trees, lounge chairs and a bar. A 10-foot-wide wooden boardwalk connects it to the island."
• How to convert a van into a home on wheels - "The travelers who created their own cozy campervans."
• How Loneliness Is Damaging Our Health - "Even before the pandemic, there was an 'epidemic of loneliness,' and it was affecting physical health and life expectancy."
• Scientists Find No Benefit to Time-Restricted Eating - "In a yearlong study, participants who confined meals to certain hours lost no more weight than those who ate at any time."
• We need to stop complimenting weight loss. Here's what to say instead - "If your friend has recently lost weight, you might want to tell her how great she looks. Maybe you also say that you wish you had her body or self-control or you ask her how she did it. Perhaps you've been on the receiving end of such a 'compliment' in the past. Such comments are well meaning but can have unintended negative consequences."
• The return of Bali's lost 'superfood' - "During Covid-19, people once again began to latch onto the benefits of moringa, a tree that's a highly nutritious food, medicine and magical talisman all rolled into one."
• Climate crisis could lead to rise of smaller bees, study finds - "Danger looms for larger species such as bumblebees, which have lower heat tolerance, leading to ‘cascading effects’ on ecosystems."
• Protected areas don’t always benefit wildlife, global study finds - "Study of wetland birds in national parks and other reserves shows that species-specific management is crucial to success."
• Europa's resemblance to Greenland bodes well for possible life on Jupiter's moon - "The landscape has parallels here on Earth."
• Alec Baldwin: Rust film producers were indifferent to gun safety - report - "The producers of a film whose cinematographer was accidentally shot dead on set by Alec Baldwin have been fined and strongly criticised by authorities for failing to follow safety guidelines."
• Netflix's world has been turned upside down as stock plunges 35% - "The company reported Tuesday that it lost subscribers for the first time in more than a decade. The news shocked Wall Street and sent shares plummeting 35% Wednesday morning, wiping out $50 billion in market cap. And this was after the company's stock had dropped more than 40% year to date. Simply put, Netflix's terrible 2022 has now become disastrous."
• 'It wasn't not racist': Netflix documentary charts the troubling rise of Abercrombie & Fitch - "Abercrombie & Fitch's website is, today, awash with Gen-Z-friendly nods to diversity and inclusion. There are people of color, sizes up to 3XL and even a Pride-themed collection featuring 'gender inclusive' rainbow tees. The brand's Instagram account, meanwhile, proudly promotes models in wheelchairs, stories of body-positivity and statements of LGBTQ solidarity. Yet, barely disguised in the label's new tagline, 'This is #AbercrombieToday,' is an admission that there is a yesterday it would rather we forget."
• Lincoln’s new electric concept car uses lo-fi beats & ‘fragrances’ to elevate your state of mind - "The Ford-owned automaker plans on introducing three new EVs by 2025."
• Lincoln's first electric vehicle concept is the Star SUV - "Ford's luxury brand promises four production EVs by 2026."
• Meghan Markle's favourite handbag brand Strathberry launch a unique new style for spring - "The latest Strathberry bag is sure to get the Duchess' seal of approval."
• The 20 Best Films To Celebrate 420 With On April 20 - "April is full of reasons to celebrate, from Easter to Arbor Day, from Earth Day to April 20th, or as it’s commonly known in cannabis culture circles, 420. Marijuana legalization continues to make headway in state after state, with Congress passing the MORE Act to end federal prohibition of marijuana and a sizable majority of U.S. states having already legalized medical or recreational marijuana, or both. So here are the top 20 best films to watch, to celebrate 420 this month."
• Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack can charge iPhones faster with a new firmware update - "You can wait for an update over the air, or plug a Lightning to USB cable from the pack to a connected Mac or iPad to get the fix, and then you’re off to the races, as they say."
• How to Watch the 2022 Met Gala Red-Carpet Livestream - "Ever wish you could be a part of the star-studded action at the annual Met Gala? With Vogue’s official livestream of the soiree, you now can: On Monday, May 2, the official Met Gala livestream will be hosted by Vogue and will give you a front-row seat to the event’s legendary red carpet. The stream will kick off at 6 p.m. E.T. and will be broadcast live across our digital platforms (as well as on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter)."

April 20, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: war would have ‘already ended’ with more weapons, says Zelenskiy; Mariupol ‘facing last days’ says commander - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 56 of the invasion - "Zelenskiy says Russia blocking humanitarian corridors in besieged city of Mariupol as fighting intensifies in the Donbas region."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• ‘Russian warship, go ...!’: Ukrainians queue for stamp celebrating act of defiance - "Country takes pride in limited-edition design featuring soldier giving middle-finger salute."
• Sea levels are rising in most of the world. Not in this country - "A drop in the ocean. As the world experiences sea level rise, Iceland’s waters are falling - and flowing to the other side of the planet."
• Plans for New York's largest 'all-electric' skyscraper unveiled - "American banking giant JPMorgan Chase has unveiled plans for its new global headquarters: a 60-story skyscraper powered entirely by renewable energy. Set to complete in 2025, the 1,388-foot-tall tower will become New York's largest 'all-electric' building, according to Foster + Partners, the architects behind the design."
• How the African rainforest is helping fight climate change - "In the midst of the African rainforest, one elusive animal wreaks havoc on vegetation - and in doing so, offers a big favour for the climate."
• Hunger & anger in Shanghai's unending lockdown nightmare - "With lockdown measures turning increasingly draconian, a once almost-unthinkable topic has struck a chord with residents in the city and beyond, more so than anything else: people going hungry in Shanghai in 2022."
• World’s richest man Elon Musk says he’s homeless & ‘rotates’ among friends’ houses - "Tesla and Space X founder has an estimated net worth of $251bn."
• They Are the Heirs of Nazi Fortunes & They Aren’t Apologizing - "The backbone of Germany’s economy today is the car industry. It’s not just that it accounts for about 10 percent of G.D.P.; brands like Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen are recognized around the world as symbols of German industrial ingenuity and excellence. These companies spend millions on branding and advertising to ensure they are thought of this way. They spend less money and energy on discussing their roots. These corporations can trace their success directly back to Nazis: Ferdinand Porsche persuaded Hitler to put Volkswagen into production. His son, Ferry Porsche, who built up the company, was a voluntary SS officer. Herbert Quandt, who built BMW into what it is today, committed war crimes. So did Friedrich Flick, who came to control Daimler-Benz. Unlike Mr. Quandt, Mr. Flick was convicted at Nuremberg."
• Masks & flying: Everything you need to know about new US rules - "What are the new rules? Do they apply to international travel? Will the Department of Justice appeal the judge's ruling? How safe is flying maskless? Here are the answers to some of the key questions."
• Does My Mask Protect Me if Nobody Else Is Wearing One? - "Masks work best when everyone in the room has one on, but you’ll still benefit from masking up even when those around you aren’t."
• Prince Harry said he is 'making sure the Queen is protected & has the right people around her' - "After Megxit, that Oprah interview and missing Philip's memorial, Harry tells US television he is 'making sure the Queen is protected and has the right people around her' - with the Palace braced against more sensational claims later today."
• 'The Batman' director Matt Reeves explains The Joker reference in the movie - "At the end of 'The Batman,' director Matt Reeves has a scene where Paul Dano's The Riddler is at Arkham Asylum, sharing a cell with an 'Unseen Arkham Prisoner' with a distinct laugh. Reeves has since revealed that the character, played by actor Barry Keoghan, is The Joker."
• Johnny Depp v Amber Heard: Actor says he never hit a woman - "Actor Johnny Depp has testified in his $50m defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard that he never struck her."
• Jennifer Grey Opens Up About Plastic Surgery, Patrick Swayze, Former Loves & a Dirty Dancing Sequel - "In Jennifer's memoir, Out of the Corner, she revises her own mythology, from childhood lessons on beauty and work ethic to her notable relationships with Matthew Broderick and Johnny Depp, formed at the height of her fame. She also revisits her rhinoplasty, two nose jobs which left her unrecognizable to some - and set up a legend she was shunned by Hollywood. 'I spent so much energy trying to figure out what I did wrong, why I was banished from the kingdom. That's a lie. I banished myself.'"
• Nicolas Cage reveals why he turned down roles in The Matrix & Lord of The Rings - "Actor says he rejected the film parts in the late 1990s and early 2000s."
• Ultimate sleazeball or tortured romantic? The truth about serial seducer Casanova - "He’s been portrayed as a lascivious lothario, a likable scamp and even a female librarian. But who was the real Casanova? As the world’s most infamous lover returns to the stage, our writer reveals all."
• Venice pushes ahead with €10 entry fee plan as tourists flock back - "Authorities hope charge for day-trippers will help control numbers after visitors hit pre-pandemic levels."
• 10 of Europe’s best holiday sites with natural pools - "From a treehouse camp in France to an organic farm in Ibiza, the author of new guide The Green Traveller picks 10 places to stay with eco swimming pools."
• A TikTok dentist says cavities are contagious - is the viral claim true? - "A Houston dentist is confronting TikTok with a brutal truth: you can get cavities from kissing."
• Audi’s Urbansphere EV concept is built for tomorrow's megacities - "Audi asks, what can a car be when it must no longer be just a car?"
• Louis Vuitton Watchmaking Factory Tour - "A Visit To La Fabrique Du Temps, Louis Vuitton's Audacity-Inspiring Temple To Fine Watchmaking. The world's largest luxury brand has an eye for detail."
• Charles Leclerc has 300,000 euro Richard Mille watch stolen from wrist in Italy - "Charles Leclerc became the victim of theft when his custom-made Richard Mille watch was stolen in the Tuscan region of Viareggio in Italy on Monday, April 18. The incident occurred at around 22:00, when the Monegasque Formula 1 star was recognised while out with friends, and obliged to sign autographs for a group of fans. In that moment the watch was stealthily swiped from the driver’s wrist."
• The Lingerie Addict Says Goodbye - "Since 2008, the blog has explored the ins and outs of intimate apparel with a fervor that has earned its creator, Cora Harrington, a considerable following."
• Espadrilles Are (and Will Always Be) the Only Shoe You Need For Summer - Vogue.
• Why Cockpit Doors Are Open During Boarding - "Overall, cockpit doors need to be kept open due to the number of people that need to enter and exit the flight deck prior to departure. For instance, the First Officer is required to leave to conduct an external walk-around preflight before returning. Along with this, keeping the door open allows the Captain to monitor the boarding procedure. Additionally, many ground staff members are also meant to keep in continuous contact with the pilot. These include technicians, fueling staff, and those responsible for cleaning and catering the aircraft."
• In 1903, New York Times predicted that airplanes would take 10 million years to develop - "Only nine weeks later, the Wright Brothers achieved manned flight. The pathologically cynical always will find a reason to complain."

April 19, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy says battle for Donbas has begun; dialogue between Macron & Putin stalls - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 55 of the invasion - "Volodymyr Zelenskiy says ‘battle for Donbas’ has begun as Russia mounts anticipated offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• CDC mask mandate for travelers no longer in effect following judge's ruling, official says - "A federal judge in Florida struck down on Monday the Biden administration's mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods, and a Biden administration official says the order is no longer in effect while the ruling is reviewed."
• When Covid Enters the House, What Should We Do? - "When someone in the family tests positive for the coronavirus, there are some guidelines to follow."
• The end of the suit: has Covid finished off the menswear staple? - "While formal clothing was already in decline in the years before the pandemic, working from home has accelerated the trend, and in the office smart casual rules."
• Why It’s Time to Start Caring Much More About Clean Hydrogen - "Today’s energy crisis has a familiar ring. In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy supplies have faltered and prices have skyrocketed. Americans are seeing costly gasoline, and in Europe, natural gas prices are around five times typical levels for this time of year, driving up the price of electricity and even threatening bankruptcies across industries that depend on gas."
• Julia Roberts Hasn't Changed. But Hollywood Has - "Julia Roberts is one of those few actors who have achieved a stardom that never really fades: She’s always up there in the pop-culture firmament, flashing that famous smile. So it comes as a bit of a surprise to learn that her role as the Watergate whistleblower Martha Mitchell in the new Starz mini-series 'Gaslit,' which premieres April 24, is her first acting work in four long years. As if making up for lost time, Roberts has found in the part of Mitchell - wife of the former attorney general and Nixon confidante John N. Mitchell, played in the series by Sean Penn - a character that affords her the opportunity to deliver the full Julia experience."
• Jennifer Aniston's insomnia is just her latest sleep issue - "Jennifer Aniston says she has long suffered from sleep problems. It has manifested as sleep anxiety, sleep walking and most recently insomnia that has had her counting the minutes she's not been able to drift off."
• The world's most over-the-top cruise ship cabins - "What's it like sailing the seas at the very height of luxury? The most lavish suites on cruise ships fuse the best cutting-edge technology with the timeless luxury of 24-hour butler service, catering to your every whim. The world's most incredible floating accommodations all have one thing in common: stunning views. Behold the wonder of glaciers and fjords or a chance encounter with dolphins and whales as you float by in the privacy of your own expansive terrace."
• A stunning drive in the French Riviera - "France's 130km Mimosa Route. Showcasing eight towns and villages, the stunning road brings a different kind of sunshine to the French Riviera, when the region breaks out in giant brushstrokes of rich yellow."
• ‘Spain is ugly’: El PaÍs editor takes on his country’s ‘cultural catastrophe’ - "Andrés Rubio charts the growth of towering megahotels and half-built structures in a provocative new book."
• Experts are predicting a summer of travel chaos. Here's why - "Countries on both sides of the Atlantic are seeing a slew of canceled flights due to lack of crew, long lines at airports thanks to understaffing, and the kind of rates for rental cars that make buying a vehicle look cheap. That's, in part, because everyone has the same idea as you. Facing unprecedented demand, the much-reduced industry is struggling to cope."
• World Car Awards Names 2022 Winners - Forbes.
• Is Balenciaga the New Gucci? How the Fashion House Became the Hottest Luxury Brand of 2022 - "Balenciaga has had a great couple of years, recently outpacing Gucci as the 'it' luxury brand. Both fashion houses now have broad appeal beyond the confines of designer fashion, but in 2022, Balenciaga has been in the news nonstop. Since its mainstream arrival, Balenciaga has been spotted on just about every A-list celebrity and was even jokingly said to be the sponsor of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s highly publicized divorce."
• Fighting with a loved one is healthy if you do it right. Here's how - "Forget the adage 'all's fair in love and war' when it comes to verbal sparring with a loved one. Low blows are definitely out, experts say, and sticking to loving, honest and open communication should be a priority."
• Japan researchers develop electric chopsticks to enhance salty taste - "Japanese researchers have developed computerized chopsticks that enhance salty tastes, potentially helping those who need to reduce sodium in their diets."
• Bloomsbury Group & Its Painterly, Mishmashed Aesthetic - Is Making a Comeback - "Designers are looking to these irreverent British bohemians for decorating inspiration."
• Coachella: high-energy hedonism, surprise stars & Covid concerns - "The first weekend of the returning California mega-festival brought with it a host of big names, albeit a lack of heritage acts, and a crowd of fans eager for fun."
• 19 Thoughts I Had About Harry Styles’s Dazzling Coachella Performance - "If you woke up in the wee hours of Saturday morning feeling a mysterious mix of FOMO and titillation, it was likely because at 11:35 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Harry Styles was emerging in a Gucci sequined jumpsuit and beginning his first-weekend headlining set at Coachella. 'We have a full moon, you have a ticket, and I have the flavor,' the consummate showman promised before delivering 80 minutes of sonic joy in the desert. So here are 19 thoughts I had about Styles’s Coachella debut (which you can also watch by scrolling back through the video below)."
• How to use AirDrop on Apple’s iPhone & iPad - "Share with friends or between your own Apple devices."
• Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay EX earbuds offer an AirPods-like design - "Would you pay $399 for that design?"
• Hands-on: Five must-have Mac accessories to streamline your setup - 9to5Mac.
• Samsung The Freestyle - "The hottest in entertainment from Samsung." Take your entertainment on-the-go with The Freestyle portable big screen experience. The 180 degree design gives you the flexibility to point, play and enjoy a big screen experience. The projector optimizes screen size, auto-focuses, and levels the image even when pointed on an angle. Access your streaming apps, listen to your favorite playlist, use voice assistants. The speaker sound waves in every direction for a deeply immersive and cinematic audio experience.

April 18, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Lviv hit by missiles as cities targeted; Mariupol fighters ignore surrender demand - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 54 of the invasion - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• First pictures of sinking Russian warship Moskva as survivor describes horrors on board - "Photos thought to have been taken by a passing Turkish ship show Russia's flagship Moskva before it sank after allegedly being struck by Ukrainian missiles."
• The biggest risk to the global economy no one is talking about - "Nearly 400 million people across 45 cities in China are under full or partial lockdown as part of China's strict zero-Covid policy. Together they represent 40%, or $7.2 trillion, of annual gross domestic product for the world's second-largest economy, according to data from Nomura Holdings. Analysts are ringing warning bells, but say investors aren't properly assessing how serious the global economic fallout might be from these prolonged isolation orders. 'Global markets may still underestimate the impact, because much attention remains focused on the Russian-Ukraine conflict and US Federal Reserve rate hikes,' Lu Ting, Nomura's chief China economist and colleagues wrote in a note last week."
• Is Covid More Dangerous Than Driving? How Scientists Are Parsing Covid Risks - "The coronavirus remains new enough and its long-term effects unpredictable enough that measuring the threat posed by an infection is a thorny problem."
• Mar-a-Lago Machine: Trump as a Modern-Day Party Boss - "Hoarding cash, doling out favors and seeking to crush rivals, the former president is dominating the G.O.P., preparing for another race and helping loyalists oust officials who thwarted his attempted subversion of the 2020 election."
• Disney, Built on Fairy Tales & Fantasy, Confronts the Real World - "The entertainment behemoth spent decades avoiding even the whiff of controversy. But it has increasingly been drawn into the partisan political fray."
• Striking portraits of British queens to go on show to mark Platinum Jubilee - "A showcase of portraits of queens who have ruled Britain will feature in a month-long program of exhibitions, events and auctions celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee."
• The revival of ancient beauty rituals - "Beauty and grooming wisdom from thousands of years ago is increasingly in demand. Bel Jacobs explores the ancestral methods that are helping people to live more consciously, for themselves and for the planet."
• Ajvar: The vegan 'caviar' of the Balkans - "Similar to how hummus is viewed in the Arab world, practically every Balkan country claims ajvar - a popular vegetable spread based on roasted red peppers - as its own."
• Should we be eating three meals a day? - "The idea that we should eat three meals a day is surprisingly modern. How many meals a day is best for our health?"
• The $1m challenge: ‘If the Turin Shroud is a forgery, show how it was done’ - "Expert on revered relic calls on British Museum to back up the results of its disputed carbon dating tests."
• A local’s guide to Rennes, France: Brittany’s medieval but vibrant capital - "Chef Arnaud Guilloux leads the way to the best street food, galleries, music haunts."
• Pots of gold: the world’s most expensive house plants - "With people paying upwards of £40,000, the rise of the ‘It plant’ has sparked a speculative frenzy not seen since tulipmania - and with it a green-fingered crimewave."

April 17, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Russian deadline for Mariupol defenders to ‘surrender or die’ passes - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 53 of the invasion - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• ‘A Beautiful Person:’ Why Sanctioned Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Finds Sympathy On St. Barts - "The Russian tycoon’s years of island spending and giving endeared him to a number of locals. They’re not the only ones whose love Abramovich has apparently bought."
• ‘You have to do things perfectly ... but it’s so secret’: how to build an oligarch’s yacht - Designers from Norway, construction workers from Germany and UK crews balance discretion with flamboyance in the finished product.
• (Video) Highlights from the Time to Watches 2022 Fair - "Although Watches and Wonders 2022 dominated the news cycle for the last few weeks, it wasn’t the only show in town, literally. Alongside the massive trade show was Time to Watches, an event of 30-something brands that took place at HEAD Genève, an art and design school."
• Can the world's largest plane ever fly again? - "Ukraine wants the world's largest plane to fly again. Here's what it will take."
• Here Are the 15 Most Expensive Artworks Sold at Auction Around the World in March 2022 - "Surrealism dominated the top and bottom of our list this month." Artnet News.
• Sun screens: 10 of the best - "Creams with a good SPF always used to be a bit thick and sticky, but the modern versions are light, easy to wear and should be part of your daily regime."
• The Unseen Scars of Those Who Kill Via Remote Control - "Capt. Kevin Larson was one of the best drone pilots in the U.S. Air Force. Yet as the job weighed on him and untold others, the military failed to recognize its full impact. After a drug arrest and court martial, he fled into the California wilderness."
• I Despise Festival Style, Except for Kate Moss’s - "When I run a Google Image Search for 'Coachella style,' I receive a flower-crown-wearing barrage of the same results: Cutoff denim shorts! Bandeau tops! A wide-brim hat! Something with fringe! While this look is largely for the people enjoying the beating sun and pulsating tunes of Coachella on the West Coast, let’s not forget Kate Moss, a festival icon in her own right." Vogue.
• Apple Watch: Four advanced health features you’re probably not using - "This in-depth guide covers four hidden Apple Watch health features that offer advanced insight to your current and future health."
• Fugitive Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau makes HK$64 million after auctioning off 414 wines at Christie’s - "Lau is selling off eight pieces of Chinese imperial porcelain at Sotheby's, plus rare wines at Christie's."

April 16, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine PM to head to Washington; Russian warship sunk by Ukraine missile strike, say US officials - live - The Guardian.
• Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 52 of the invasion - "Ukraine braces for revenge attacks after Russian warship Moskva sunk; bodies of more than 900 civilians found in Kyiv region."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russia near to defaulting on overseas debts, says rating agency - "Attempts by Moscow to pay creditors in roubles as a result of being cut off from foreign currency reserves could breach loan terms."
• Spy games: expulsion of diplomats shines light on Russian espionage - "The war in Ukraine has prompted an exodus of Russian ‘diplomats’. Does it mark the end of an era?"
• The multi-million-pound UK homes of sanctioned oligarchs - "A dozen sanctioned Russians are linked to an estimated £800m worth of property in the UK, analysis by the BBC reveals."
• China is sending its most advanced fighter jet to patrol disputed seas - "China has begun sending its most advanced fighter aircraft, the J-20, to patrol the East and South China Seas."
• US zoo celebrates 50 years of giant pandas - "The tradition of gifted pandas to the US from China hits a 50-year mark at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. It all began after US President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China."
• In pictures: Good Friday around the world - "Millions of worshippers marked the Christian festival with processions."
• Want Property In Europe? €1 Houses, Digital Nomad Visas, Cash & Other Enticing Offers - Forbes.
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now - "The sheer volume of films on Netflix - and the site’s less than ideal interface - can make finding a genuinely great movie there a difficult task. To help, we’ve plucked out the 50 best films currently streaming on the service in the United States, updated regularly as titles come and go. And as a bonus, we link to more great movies on Netflix within many of our write-ups below. (Note: Streaming services sometimes remove titles or change starting dates without giving notice.)" The New York Times.
• Freedom & fear: life in one of the few countries that Covid hasn’t touched - "Pacific island countries like Tuvalu are among the very last places that have remained Covid-free throughout the pandemic."
• Our food system isn't ready for the climate crisis - "The world's farms produce only a handful of varieties of bananas, avocados, coffee and other foods - leaving them more vulnerable to the climate breakdown."
• Seed banks: the last line of defense against a threatening global food crisis - "As climate breakdown and worldwide conflict continue to place the food system at risk, seed banks from the Arctic to Lebanon try to safeguard biodiversity."
• Iraq’s ancient buildings are being destroyed by climate change - "Iraq is known as the cradle of civilisation. It was here that agriculture was born, some of the world’s oldest cities were built. Water shortages leading to rising salt concentrations and sandstorms are eroding world’s ancient sites."
• Twitter adopts ‘poison pill’ plan to shield itself from Elon Musk takeover - "The social media company adopted a shareholder rights plan to protect itself from the billionaire’s bid."
• Elon Musk says his offer to buy Twitter is about 'the future of civilization,' not making money - "Elon Musk defended his offer to purchase Twitter on Thursday, saying during an on-stage interview at the TED conference that he sees the acquisition as nothing less than a turning point for civilization."
• Coachella is back. But have festivals escaped the problematic legacy of 'boho chic'? - "While the event was once classed among the most stylish outings on the cultural calendar - thanks to its celebrity attendees and exclusive adjacent parties hosted by a growing list of fashion brands, from Lacoste to H&M - recent editions have hardly set the tone for the rest of the summer."
• How ending mining would change the world - "Mining fuels the modern world, but it also causes vast environmental damage. What would happen if we tried to do without it?"
• The Wolf of Crypto - "Jordan Belfort, the inspiration for 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' is marketing himself as a cryptocurrency guru."
• Riding in the Mercedes Vision EQXX, the ultimate endurance EV - The automaker bets on efficiency for the future.
• Dogs use fast-acting face muscles to help them make puppy-dog eyes - "Dogs have more 'fast-twitch' muscle fibres around their eyes and mouths than wolves do, which allows them to make more facial expressions."

April 15, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: explosions heard in Kyiv as Russia threatens more missile strikes after Moskva sinks - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Moskva sinking: What really happened to the pride of Russia's fleet? - "The Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva rests deep beneath the Black Sea this morning. Whether it lies there as the victim of Ukrainian missiles, Russian incompetence, bad luck or a combination of all three is unclear. What is certain, though, is that the biggest wartime loss of a naval ship in 40 years will raise troubling questions not only for Moscow, but for military planners around the world."
• China's Covid controls risk sparking crisis for the country & its leader Xi Jinping - "Across China, cities are locking down their residents, supply lines are rupturing, and officials are scrambling to secure the movement of basic goods -- as its largest ever recorded outbreak of Covid-19 threatens to spiral into a national crisis of the government's own making."
• The training that helps your dog lead a better life - "Dogs, like humans, need to learn basic 'life skills'. The training helps them deal calmly with other dogs and humans - and lets them live a happier, stress-free life."
• Why Nicolas Cage is Hollywood's most misunderstood star - "n new film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Cage plays himself and pokes fun at his OTT persona. But his genuine greatness should not be forgotten, writes Anna Bogutskaya."
• The World’s Best Airline - What Makes Flying Better? - "The 'Best' airline status is most importantly conferred by London-based research group Skytrax, long the gold standard of ratings for all things aviation. Its annual World Airlines Awards is the most important ranking of its kind. But when it comes to recognizing the quality of Qatar Airways, other travel and aviation industry heavyweight tend to pile on."
• How Porsche’s Jewish Cofounder Was Driven Out Of The Company By The Nazis - "In an exclusive excerpt from Nazi Billionaires, German entrepreneur Adolf Rosenberger helped the famed car company get rolling in the early 1930s - until Hitler rose to power."

April 14, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russia says warship ‘seriously damaged’ after ammunition explosion; Zelenskiy calls for EU to stop ‘sponsoring Russia’s military machine’ - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russian navy evacuates flagship in Black Sea. Ukraine claims it was hit by a missile - "One of the Russian Navy's most important warships is either floating abandoned or at the bottom of the Black Sea, a massive blow to a military struggling against Ukrainian resistance 50 days into Vladimir Putin's invasion of his neighbor."
• Abramovich hit by multibillion-pound crackdown on assets in Jersey & France - "More than £5.4bn of Chelsea FC owner’s assets frozen in Jersey and 12 luxury French properties seized."
• Roman Abramovich Has $7 Billion In Suspected Assets Frozen In Jersey - "The Channel Island of Jersey, located between England and France, froze more than $7 billion in assets Wednesday suspected to be connected to Roman Abramovich, according to the Jersey government, as Russian billionaires face sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."
• Germany seizes the biggest superyacht in the world from Russian oligarch's sister - "512ft-long, US$648m vessel Dilbar with 80ft pool and two helipads is impounded at shipyard. A painstaking investigation revealed it belonged to Gulbakhor Ismailova. Ismailova is the sister of Uzbek-born Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov."
• Kremlin-connected children grew up in the very countries whose societies their parents claim to reject - "Theirs is a world of private jets, posh Parisian apartments, Austrian ski vacations and schooling at elite universities in London and New York. Their parents own prime real estate on the most exclusive avenues of Europe's capitals. Their social media profiles are filled with designer dresses and red-carpet events."
• How we verify social media posts from the war in Ukraine - "How do you tell if a photo or video posted online is real or fake? Here's a look at how the BBC's Disinformation team check and verify content shared online about the war in Ukraine."
• Germany faces $240 billion hit if Russian gas is cut off - "Germany would plunge into a deep recession if its supply of Russian natural gas was suddenly shut off, the country's top forecasters warned on Wednesday."
• Finland & Sweden move ahead toward possible NATO membership - "European Union nations Finland and Sweden have reached important stages on their way to possible NATO membership."
• Steven Seagal travels to Moscow for a 70th birthday party with some of Putin's closest henchmen - "Steven Seagal has been filmed expressing his love and support for close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a lavish meal in Moscow on Sunday to celebrate his 70th birthday."
• The Easter treat uniting two religions - "Maamoul: A sweet celebration for Christians and Muslims. Maamoul is made at the end of both Lent and Ramadan, leading up to Easter and Eid al Fitr. But this year, the biscuit is extra sweet as both religions celebrate it at the same time."
• 3 reasons Shanghai's lockdown matters to the global economy - "Located on the east coast of China, Shanghai is the country's biggest and most affluent city and one of the largest metropolises in the world. Together with the neighboring city of Kunshan - which locked down earlier this month - it plays an outsized role in the global economy."
• iPhone supplier Pegatron suspends production at two factories in China - "One of Apple's top suppliers is stopping work at its factories in and around Shanghai as the city of 25 million people remains under a strict Covid lockdown. Pegatron announced Tuesday that it had suspended production at its facility in China's largest city, as well as the nearby city of Kunshan, until further notice."
• Elon Musk offers to buy Twitter for $41.4bn - "Tech entrepreneur makes offer of $54.20 a share in cash for microblogging site."
• America's Highest Earners & Their Taxes Revealed - "Secret IRS files reveal the top US income-earners and how their tax rates vary more than their incomes. Tech titans, hedge fund managers and heirs dominate the list, while the likes of Taylor Swift and LeBron James didn’t even make the top 400." ProPublica.
• America's Top 15 Earners & What They Reveal About the U.S. Tax System - "An unprecedented trove of leaked IRS data shows who reported the most income in America from 2013 to 2018, as well as their tax rates, revealing that the very richest pay lower rates than the merely rich." ProPublica.
• How to File Taxes If You Used Cryptocurrency in 2021 - "What if I mined crypto or got paid for goods or services via crypto? Each of those is considered taxable income, which should be reported on your tax return on Schedule 1, as 'Other Income.' The value you must report is from the day and time you earned the cryptocurrency (as opposed to the day you filed the taxes)."
• CDC Extends Travel Mask Requirement to May 3 as COVID Rises - "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was extending the order, which was set to expire on April 18, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S."
• Covid shook up the world's top destination rankings. These places now lead the list - "There are many ways to judge a city's success as a tourist destination beyond the number of visitors it gets. There's infrastructure, sustainability and economics; how it copes with the challenges of attracting and accommodating travelers while maintaining quality of life for residents; and then there's the efficacy of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic."
• global climate plans can now keep heating below 2C, study shows - "But goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C will fail without immediate action, scientists warn."
• A hidden part of Venice opens for first time - Never-before-seen Venice landmark opens to the public. The Procuratie Vecchie in St. Mark's Square - one of the most famous buildings in one of the world's most famous city spaces - has opened to the public for the first time in history.
• Ancient altar rediscovered in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre - "Pressed against a wall in a back corridor of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a stone slab bore testimony only to the graffiti etched on it by multitudes of pilgrims through the ages."
• Rodrigues: The Indian Ocean island time forgot - "Marooned 600km north-east of Mauritius, and close to no other landform, Rodrigues is a world unto itself. It is also one of the world's most remote inhabited islands."
• Giant 205-Carat ‘Red Cross Diamond’ To Be Sold, With Some Of Proceeds Going To Namesake Aid Group - "One of the world’s largest diamonds is going up for auction next month, with a portion of proceeds from the sale set to go to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, which it has been associated with for more than 100 years. The auction will be held May 11 in Geneva, and Christie’s told Forbes a a 'significant' cut of the proceeds will be donated to the International Red Cross."
• How tall will Mount Everest get before it stops growing? - "Arching over 8,849 metres (29,032ft) into the sky, Everest is the world’s tallest mountain. But will it always be?"
• ‘Mountain of trash’: how Gibraltar was almost buried under post-Brexit rubbish pile - "As the territory grappled with post-EU paperwork, 6,000 tonnes of waste were left with nowhere else to go."
• Meet the people who want to spend the rest of their lives on cruise ships - "Considering retiring on a cruise ship? You're not alone. Deciding to retire or work aboard a cruise ship is rare overall, but not new."
• Gilbert Gottfried's final Instagram post was about Chris Rock - "'Which is the worst crime?,' the caption on the photo of Gottfried and Rock read. 'Chris Rock being physically assaulted or Chris Rock telling a joke?'"
• MARK ZUCKERBERG’S AUGMENTED REALITY - "Meta is racing to release its first AR glasses in 2024, but sources believe it’ll take a lot longer for them to become mainstream."
• Michel Bouquet, Award-Winning French Actor, Dies at 96 - "One of his country’s great theater performers, he went on to appear in more than 100 films playing ordinary men whose surface blandness masked complex lives."
• The ‘Consummate’ London Restaurateur Is Briskly Shown the Exit - "Jeremy King fell out with his Bangkok-based partner. His A-list customers vow never to return to the restaurants he made famous. It was a swift defenestration for a celebrated London restaurateur whose travails had become an anxious topic of conversation among his devoted diners. They spoke of it, sotto voce, as Mr. King glided past their tables at the Wolseley, the Delaunay, Bellanger, Colbert, Fischer’s and Zédel - glittering jewels in a gastronomic empire that many credit with transforming the city’s once-fusty restaurant scene. Princess Diana was a regular at his first place, Le Caprice."
• Google has a secret iOS app to help you switch to Android - "The unlisted Switch to Android app for iOS is now available to download."
• A new free app makes using iPads easier for people with hand tremors - "Its creators want to expand the tech to other devices, too."
• The New York Public Library makes four banned books free nationwide on its e-reader app - "The books will be available via NYPL’s 'Books For All' program for a month."

April 13, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Biden accuses Putin of genocide; Russia building up troops on eastern border, satellite images show - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Joe Biden accuses Vladimir Putin of committing genocide in Ukraine - "US president says Russian leader is ‘trying to wipe out the idea of even being Ukrainian’ in comments welcomed by Voldymyr Zelenskiy."
• Name, phone, address: The writing on a child’s back is now a symbol of Ukrainian parents’ terror - The New York Times.
• Fugitive Putin ally Medvedchuk arrested - "Ukraine says it has arrested fugitive pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, seen as President Vladimir Putin's closest ally in the country. President Putin is godfather to his daughter."
• Roman Abramovich has 12 properties seized including £90m chateau & Caribbean estate - "Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by several governments since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine nearly two months ago. Roman Abramovich's luxury estate on the Caribbean island of St Barts and his £90m chateau are among the latest assets to be seized by the authorities. Most of Abramovich's properties were bought using specially created French companies. They include Chateau de la Croe - his villa in Cap d'Antibes, a resort town located near Cannes - which was once the Riviera holiday home of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor."
• Italian Police seize properties valued at €105 million belonging to former Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin - "The former Haas driver and his father are included on a list of individuals sanctioned by the EU in early March following Russia's invasion of Ukraine."
• Taiwan issues first war survival handbook amid China threat - "Taiwan's military released a handbook on civil defence for the first time on Tuesday, giving citizens survival guidance in a war scenario as Russia's invasion of Ukraine focuses attention on how the island should respond to China's pressure."
• The climate crisis is supercharging rainfall in hurricanes, scientists report - "The rainfall from hurricanes during the deadly, record-breaking 2020 season was as much as 11% higher because of the human-caused climate crisis, scientists reported Tuesday."
• Shipping generates more CO2 than aviation. This solar-powered boat could change that - "Maritime transport drives over 80% of global trade, but it disrupts marine ecosystems, contributes to ocean acidification and accounts for more CO2 emissions than aviation each year."
• how Warhol overtook Picasso to become the most prized artist of the 20th century - "One of his portraits of Marilyn Monroe is expected to shatter records at auction next month. But was Andy Warhol just an ‘affectless hero’ of the media age? Or was he the greatest and most profound artist of his era?"
• The plane wing design that changed flying - "Why modern airplanes have winglets."
• Why City Pigeons Are Worth Watching - "It has much to do with learned behaviors and unique local conditions. To evade predators, lizards can shed their tails in an instant. How?"
• San Marino appoints world’s first openly gay head of state - "The world’s oldest republic has established itself as among the most progressive after naming the world’s first openly gay head of state. Paolo Rondelli named as one of two captains regent in country making strides on gay rights."
• The Met Gala 2022 Dress Code? Gilded Glamour - "At the bottom of the Met Gala invitations sent every spring is an inscription small in size but vital in importance: the dress code. In 2020, for 'Camp: Notes on Fashion,' it was studied triviality. In 2021, for 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,' it was American independence. And come May 2, 2022, for 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' it will be gilded glamour, white-tie."
• London Wine Competition (LWC) Announces The Top Wines Of 2022 - "The wines are rated across three main criteria: quality, value and packaging. To win a medal, wines must score a top rating in each of the three categories, although the score for quality is given disproportionate weight."
• How Coco Chanel’s orphanage upbringing inspired the 2.55 bag - "The iconic clutch with the chain strap that changed the world. How was a 1920s flapper to flourish a cigarette, grasp a champagne glass and dance a Charleston while holding a clutch? And so Coco’s revelatory chain strap was born. Named after its eventual design date in February 1955, the beloved Chanel 2.55’s distinctive diamond-shaped quilting was inspired by childhood home Aubazine Abbey’s windows."
• ‘People really need to know’: can we trust beauty products to be safe? - "In a shocking new docuseries, the highly unregulated and highly dangerous world of cosmetics is thrust into the spotlight."
• Actor Frank Langella, 84, is at center of sexual harassment probe over behavior on Netflix limited series The Fall of the House of Usher - "Langella, 84, being investigated over claims of inappropriate behavior. The Oscar-nominated actor has not been fired or suspended from show. He is accused of telling a joke that had sexual overtones."
• Prince Andrew spent two days alone on a luxury Californian estate watching porn on cable TV - "Prince Andrew spent two days alone on a luxury Californian estate watching porn on cable TV a year after he split from Sarah Ferguson, a new bombshell book has claimed. The Duke of York allegedly made a private visit to a 200-acre golf ranch in 1993 as a guest of Lee Annenberg, the wife of former US ambassador, Walter, at their Sunnylands Palm Springs property."
• The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor--the Truth and the Turmoil - "The gripping inside story of the British royal family’s battle to overcome the dramas of the Diana years - only to confront new, twenty-first-century crises." Amazon.com.
• ‘Can you hear me now?’ Study reveals why voices are raised on video calls - "Scientists find that as video quality deteriorates, people speak louder and alter gestures to compensate."

April 12, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Mariupol mayor says more than 10,000 civilians killed; Zelenskiy taking chemical weapons threat ‘seriously’ - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Extreme populists rise again in the US & Europe as Putin assaults the world order - "A fresh tide of extreme populism - feeding on economic strain, hostility to immigrants and cultural warfare - is challenging key democracies from the inside at the same time Russia escalates the most brutal assault on the liberal Western order in decades."
• ‘Firms will go bust’: Germany prepares for a future without Russian gas - "Germany is bracing for supplies to be cut by Moscow in retaliation for sanctions or as part of an energy embargo."
• Globalization Is Over. The Global Culture Wars Have Begun - "But globalization as the driving logic of world affairs - that seems to be over. Economic rivalries have now merged with political, moral and ..." The New York Times.
• Russia sets plan to steal $10 billion worth of foreign planes held in the country - "Russia has paved the way for domestic airlines to appropriate hundreds of foreign-owned planes trapped in the country, after foreign registries suspended certification of planes leased by Russian airlines."
• Russian law creates new hurdle for foreign plane lessors - "Russia on Monday passed a law allowing the country's airlines to place airplanes leased from foreign companies on the country's aircraft register - a manoeuvre likely to stoke Western fears of a mass default involving hundreds of jetliners."
• Hundreds of Russia plane leases to be axed after Western sanctions - "Aircraft leasing firms are set to terminate hundreds of leases with Russian airlines following Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine that give the sector a month to act."
• Tracking re-registered Russian jets - "The Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority has provisionally suspended the certificates of airworthiness of all aircraft operated by Russian airlines on the Bermudan registry. The suspension affects roughly 700 aircraft, including nearly 600 operated for Russia’s largest passenger airlines. Irish authorities have also suspended the certificates of airworthiness for Russian operated aircraft on the Irish registry."
• How a mysterious Putin ally, the ‘Russian Gatsby,’ moves his billions - "A trove of leaked financial records illustrates the difficulties regulators will face in enforcing sanctions on Russian oligarchs like Suleiman Kerimov."
• Hidden wealth of one of Putin’s 'inner circle' revealed - "Leaked documents seen by BBC News show how a sanctioned oligarch from Putin's 'inner circle' hid his wealth. They reveal how a Swiss tattoo artist was falsely named as owner of a company that transferred over $300m to firms linked to Suleiman Kerimov."
• FinCEN Files - "An ICIJ investigation reveals the role of global banks in industrial-scale money laundering - and the bloodshed and suffering that flow in its wake."
• Global banks defy U.S. crackdowns by serving oligarchs, criminals & terrorists - "The FinCEN Files show trillions in tainted dollars flow freely through major banks, swamping a broken enforcement system."
• An ocean of noise: how sonic pollution is hurting marine life - "Today’s oceans are a tumult of engine roar, artificial sonar and seismic blasts that make it impossible for marine creatures to hunt or communicate. We could make it stop, so why don’t we?"
• This airport has reclaimed its title as the world's busiest - "Move over, Guangzhou. Georgia's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is once again the world's busiest airport."
• Johnny Depp & Amber Heard court battle: What you need to know - "Three years after Johnny Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, the case is going to trial Monday in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia. Here's a refresher on what you should know."
• Top luxury watches unveiled for 2022 - "9 striking luxury watches coming to the market this year."
• Five Shades Of Blue, From Breitling, Rolex, Cartier, Lange & SÖhne & Swatch/Omega - "Sometimes it’s the subtleties that count the most. Take watch dial colors. First there were ordinary navy blue dials, then bright, intense blue dials, and they have reigned supreme for the past five years. Now, it’s all about ice blue, and as it turns out, there are several shades of the new blue hue. These five watches, from Breitling, Rolex, Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne and Swatch/Omega, demonstrate that icy blue is the new black for luxury watches. No collection should be without one."
• Hands-On: The New Santos De Cartier - "A Sporty Twist Of Color For A Cartier Classic. Because 'un petit peu de bleu' goes a long way."
• The 22 Most Beautiful Beaches For 2022 By European Best Destinations - "Assembled by European Best Destinations (EBD), a wing of the European Commission’s EDEN Network (European Destinations of Excellence), the 2022 list has something for everyone: from golden sand and secluded, hidden or wild beaches, for romantic escapes or family adventures, from intense water sports to unspoiled nature . and more. The 22 beaches selected are the most-voted by thousands of travelers from 82 countries - with 16% of the votes from the United States."
• When Concorde was the most glamorous way to travel - "Revisiting the luxury and glamour of Concorde."
• The surprising benefits of a whodunnit - "Mystery games are hugely popular and have inspired generations of amateur sleuths. But their appeal is more than trivial - they have surprising mental and emotional benefits, and can even help to explain the biases of real eyewitnesses."
• Email Is Slow & Creates Distance. That’s Why It’s Great - The New York Times.
• How to travel internationally with your pets - "A beginner's guide to pet passports."
• Art Deco: How Discovery, Invention & Fashion Created a Movement - "Art Deco or Arts Décoratifs originated in the 1920's, following the Exposition Internationale des Arts DÉcoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris (1925). However, it wasn’t until the 1930’s that the movement gained momentum across both Europe and the US, broadening Art Deco to cover all elements of decorative art including furniture, interior design, jewelry and architecture. Its popularity stems from its unique origins. Rather than a design movement driven by political or philosophical forces, it was created for the desire of glamorous and alluring change, a reflection of the golden age in Hollywood and a widespread economic boom."
• Why scientists want you to take your shoes off indoors - "Leave your shoes outside, these scientists say. You probably clean your shoes if you step in something muddy or disgusting. (Please pick up after your dog!) But when you get home, do you always de-shoe at the door? Plenty of people don't. For many, what you drag in on the bottom of your shoes is the last thing on the mind as one gets home. Although our examination of the indoor environment, via our DustSafe program, is far from complete, on the question of whether to shoe or de-shoe in the home, the science leans toward the latter. It is best to leave your filth outside the door."
• A Full-Body Strength Training Workout at Home - "If you’re willing to be creative, a set of elastic bands can be as effective as a gym full of weights."
• Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Handbag Brand Launches New Retro Style in Honor of Queen's Jubilee - "No accessory is more iconic than the Queen's handbag."

April 11, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Austrian chancellor to meet Putin; Ukraine prepares for fresh onslaught in east - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Ukraine economy to shrink by almost half this year, World Bank forecasts - "Bank says many surrounding countries will suffer severe hardship as result of invasion, with Russia predicted to fall into recession."
• Witnessing atrocities in real time in Ukraine is changing everything - "Daily on-the-ground evidence makes it more straightforward for the International Criminal Court to indict Vladimir Putin with war crimes."
• Chechen chief Kadyrov says Russian forces will take Kyiv - "Ramzan Kadyrov, the powerful head of Russia's republic of Chechnya, said early on Monday that there will be an offensive by Russian forces not only on the besieged port of Mariupol, but also on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities."
• One of the most powerful tools against Covid-19 is finally gaining traction - "Two-plus years into the Covid-19 pandemic, you probably know the basics of protection: vaccines, boosters, proper handwashing and masks. But one of the most powerful tools against the coronavirus is one that experts believe is just starting to get the attention it deserves: ventilation."
• Covid left me ‘exhausted’, Queen tells bereaved couple - "Monarch discusses experience with former Covid patient and wife during virtual visit to Royal London hospital."
• Shanghai Covid lockdown spurs race to stockpile food across China - "Reports of food shortages in the country’s commercial capital have prompted a flurry of interest in what essentials to hoard. Multiple survivors guides are circulating online and some bloggers are even selling survivalists guides."
• Satellite pollution is threatening to alter our view of the night sky - "The night sky has been a source of information and wonder since the dawn of humankind - and it looks almost the same now as it did then. But the night sky as we know it is on the precipice of changing dramatically due to the proliferation of satellites just a few hundred miles above Earth."
• Putin’s war shows autocracies & fossil fuels go hand in hand. Here’s how to tackle both - "Democracies are making more progress than autocracies when it comes to climate action. But divestment campaigns can put pressure on the most recalcitrant of political leaders."
• ‘Black carbon’ threat to Arctic as sea routes open up with global heating - "As climate crisis allows new maritime routes to be used, sooty shipping emissions accelerates ice melt and risk to ecosystems."
• SpaceX just launched paying customers to the ISS. Here's everything you need to know - "A SpaceX rocket carrying three paying customers and a former NASA astronaut took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday morning, kicking off a first-of-its-kind mission that will take the group on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station."
• Twitter CEO: Elon Musk will not join Twitter board - "Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who recently bought a large stake in Twitter, has decided not to join the social media company's board. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal tweeted the news Sunday night."
• Traveler told TSA he had 'no idea' a sword was concealed in his cane - "Transportation Security Administration officers at Boston's Logan International Airport discovered a long blade inside a traveler's cane on Tuesday."
• A Look At The Dreamiest Treehouses From Around the World - "At first, treehouses may seem like an unlikely choice of dwelling, particularly in our modern age. Humans, after all, are not natural climbers, nor does a sky-high locale lend itself to utilities like running water or electricity. Yet, somehow, we continue to romanticize treehouses in childhood and beyond, muses Philip Jodido in Treetop Hideaways: Treehouses for Adults."
• Dramatic photos cast Europe's ancient castles in a new light - "For centuries, medieval castles - hulking, isolated triumphs of masonry - have held a special place in the Western imagination, evoking at once a sense of history, fantasy, war and romance. They are the perennial backdrops for period dramas and children's books, travel brochures and fashion spreads."
• Sleeping pill dangers & how to avoid them - "If you are using, or thinking of using a prescription or over-the-counter sleep aid, what do you need to know to do so safely? We asked Dr. Jing Wang, an assistant professor of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City."
• Rags-to-Riches Stories Are Actually Kind of Disturbing - "From Horatio Alger and E.L. James to T. Boone Pickens and Charles Koch, books by and about the ultrawealthy reveal some of our darkest American fantasies."
• The First Lady review: A clunky show about White House wives - "This Showtime historical drama has some eye-opening moments but doesn't live up to its starry cast including Viola Davis, Gillian Anderson and Michelle Pfeiffer, writes Caryn James."
• Here’s what happens when cops pull over a driverless Cruise vehicle - "It’s been a little over two months since Cruise started letting the people of San Francisco catch rides on its driverless robotaxis, and one of its cars already had a run-in with police. In a video originally posted to Instagram last weekend, the user captures the awkward - and somewhat comical - interaction between the San Francisco Police Department and the autonomous vehicle after it’s pulled over for not having its lights on."
• Lifted Rolls-Royce Cullinan Overlander Has Roof-Top Tent & A Snorkel - "If you're going to go on an adventure, why not do it in style?"
• Gallery: 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup - "2022 GMC Hummer EV Is Big, Brash, and a Beast Off-Road. The Hummer EV not only weighs twice that of many cars - which helps explain why it’s the least efficient electric vehicle on the market - it also moves like a boss, both on road and off."

April 10, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy pushes for oil embargo to curb Russia’s ‘sense of impunity’, UK pledges to send more arms - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• How will Russia attack Ukraine's new front lines? - "The conflict in Ukraine has shifted to the east of the country where Ukrainian forces are battle-hardened and well-prepared."
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson & President Volodymyr Zelensky tour near-empty streets in Kyiv - "Mr Johnson's last minute visit to the capital was unannounced - the first sign he was there, came with a tweet by the Ukrainian embassy in London showing a photo of him meeting President Zelensky. Downing Street said the PM travelled to Ukraine in an attempt to show solidarity with Ukrainian people."
• Understanding Vladimir Putin, the man who fooled the world - "The Russian president has always shown us exactly who he is. So why did it take the invasion of Ukraine for us to believe him?"
• Putin takes 'nuclear football' to funeral of Russian politician - "Mourners were cleared from the cathedral amid fears of an assasination attempt on Mr Putin. Mr Putin was accompanied by a man in a dark suit who was carrying a briefcase, which contains the codes needed to authorise a nuclear attack remotely."
• Banks are making big money off of Russian debt - "The sell-off of Russian debt associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin's campaign on Ukraine and the sanctions that have ensued have created a window for a new type of arbitrage that some in the finance world are gobbling up, seeing it as easy money. The idea is what's known as a negative-basis trade, or purchasing dirt-cheap Russian government or corporate bonds along with credit-default swaps which act as insurance on the potential default of a borrower."
• Why Trump Jr. started pushing for a coup before Biden won the 2020 election - "A coup. That's what Donald Trump Jr. was advocating for in a text message to his father's then-chief of staff Mark Meadows that laid out ways to subvert the Electoral College process and keep his father in power."
• Chris Rock won't talk Oscars slap ... until he 'gets paid' - "Chris Rock seems to be showing a bit more of his cards on how he really feels about the Will Smith slap at the Oscars."
• Live the dream - Real Estate, Superyachts, Private Jets & Cars - "Our mission is to deliver the very best luxury solutions to ensure complete customer satisfaction. We work very hard to select the object we would want to own ourselves and never compromise with our quality. Our due diligence process mean that we never offer anything we have not vetted thoroughly. This way whatever you desire, you can be sure that what we offer will live up to your expectations." Wall Street Luxury.
• The rise of TikTok: why Facebook is worried about the booming social app - "Chinese-owned video platform is set to overtake the advertising scale of Twitter and Snapchat combined."
• How to Improve Heart Health After Covid - "Evidence suggests that Covid survivors have substantially higher chances of developing cardiovascular disease. But experts say there are effective ways to minimize the risk."
• What to Know About the XE Variant - "A new strain of Omicron, called XE, is spreading in the U.K., and a few cases have been identified elsewhere in the world. Here’s what we do - and don’t - know about the variant."
• Why ‘eco-conscious’ fashion brands can continue to increase emissions - "Nike and H&M are among firms whose environmental scores suggest progress. But how are these calculated?"
• He won $217 million in the lottery, then spent nearly all of it to help save the planet - "A lucky Frenchman has decided to dedicate most of his record-breaking $217 million lottery jackpot to a nature foundation he created, he told Le Parisien in an exclusive interview published Wednesday."
• A local’s guide to Valencia: home of paella, one of Europe’s best food markets & a unique green space - "Architect and graphic artist Juan Suay on the city’s rainbow-coloured market, bistros, bars and its unifying riverbed greenbelt."
• End of the line? Vintage train journeys at risk as coal supply fails - "Heritage railways, which make millions for UK economy, axe services as mines close and Russian sources are ruled out."
• Boris Becker: from tennis greatness to financial disaster - "German tennis star once worth £38m has been found guilty of four offences under the Insolvency Act."
• This motorized gaming bed lets you rest your gamer head - "I just wish it looked more comfortable."
• The Shocking True Story of the Kidnapping That Rocked European Society - "A thrilling new book tells the tale of the violent 1978 abduction of Baron Édouard-Jean Empain in Paris - an ordeal that changed the world of French privilege forever."
• The Last Baron: The Paris Kidnapping That Brought Down an Empire Hardcover - Amazon.com.

April 9, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Kyiv calls for global response to Kramatorsk ‘war crime’; reports of Russian military shake-up - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Abramovich-linked yacht in Netherlands changed hands on day of Ukraine invasion - "The 50-metre Aquamarine, modest by oligarch standards, is covered in scaffolding and sitting under a hangar in dry dock, one of many such boats being refitted in the Dutch port of Vlissingen."
• Finland & Sweden could soon join NATO, prompted by Russian war in Ukraine - "NATO officials told CNN that discussions about Sweden and Finland joining the bloc have gotten extremely serious since Russia's invasion, and US senior State Department officials said the matter came up at this week's NATO foreign ministerial, which was attended by the foreign ministers from Stockholm and Helsinki."
• Actor Will Smith banned from attending Oscars for 10 years - "'The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,' Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement on Friday."
• Discovery takes control of HBO, CNN & Warner Bros., creating new media giant - "The newly formed company, Warner Bros. Discovery, will begin publicly trading on Monday. Zaslav said he will hold a town hall event for employees of the combined company later in the week. The deal, first announced last May, is a climactic moment for Zaslav and his longtime deputies at Discovery, best known for brands like Animal Planet, TLC and HGTV. The merger adds HBO, CNN, TNT, Turner Sports, the Warner Bros. movie studio, and a huge raft of other media assets to the company."
• How to Sleep Better: The 4 Best Strategies, According to the Experts - "An irregular sleep pattern has been linked to everything from poor work performance and relationship problems (it’s a real libido killer), to heart disease and weight gain. So on World Sleep Day, experts weigh in on how to sleep better, from striking the right balance between quantity and quality to tips for relaxing and de-stressing."
• Paypal founder launches tirade against ‘gerontocracy’ over bitcoin - "Peter Thiel, the libertarian tech investor, says figures such as Warren Buffett are hindering cryptocurrency."
• Tax the rich: these one percenters want people like them to pay higher taxes - "Members of the Patriotic Millionaires say the income gap in the US has become a disaster – and it’s time to ‘take that money back’."
• The world's most polluted capital city - "Twenty-one of the world's 30 cities with the worst levels of air pollution are in India, according to data compiled in the 2021 World Air Quality Report. Six Indian cities are in the top 10. New Delhi has the highest exposure to toxic air in the country. People in India had the fifth highest annual recordings of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a particularly harmful form of air pollution. The year-round average for PM2.5 pollution in New Delhi was the worst of any capital city in the world by a large margin."
• What is the healthiest way to walk? We ask an expert - "Annabel Streets, author of 52 Ways to Walk, on how to get the most out of walking – for both your mental and physical health."
• Stream These 10 Titles Before They Leave Netflix This Month - "U.S. subscribers are losing a bunch of titles in April. Here are the best of the bunch."
• How Bourdain's favorite songs, movies & books inspired a film about his life - "'Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain' premieres Sunday, April 10, at 9pm ET on CNN. The film traces Bourdain's rapid transformation from line cook to writer to globe-trotting television host."
• World Press Photo winners 2022 - in pictures - "A selection of images from this year’s World Press Photo 2022 contest, with regional as well as overall winners for the first time, supported by a regional judging process."
• He bought a cruise ship on Craigslist. Here's what happened next - " It's not every day that you spot a cruise ship for sale on Craigslist. So Chris Willson was immediately intrigued when he stumbled across a 293-foot vessel listed on the classified advertisements website back in 2008. The retired 'pocket' cruise ship, built in Germany, was moored in the California Delta at the time, and its then owner was keen to offload it. He discovered that it was constructed by the Blohm+Voss shipyard in 1955, and had been the first significant passenger liner built by Germany after World War II."
• Princess Margaret's Love Affair With the Island of Mustique - "More than any palace, Margaret loved her villa on Mustique and the freedom she enjoyed on the private island."
• Danes revel in ‘dancing cow day’ for first time since Covid outbreak - "National event to mark organic dairy cattle’s release from winter barns has been online only since 2020."
• Grand Marnier Releases 1,000 Bottles Of Quintessence Cognac - "Cognac, orange essence, wood, and time: with the launch of Quintessence, Grand Marnier is proving how deep and complex a combination of these four elements can be in hands of a Master Blender. Grande Cuvée Quintessence is the first of two grand cuvées in the French Maison's Exceptional Range, both of which will be debuted this year in very limited quantities. (The second, Révélation, will launch later in 2022.)."
• Patek Philippe’s 1/10th Second Chronograph Ref. 5470P Redefines The High-Frequency Movement - "The new Ref. 5470P-001 1/10th Second Monopusher Chronograph is Patek Philippe’s first high frequency movement (5Hz, compared to the usual 4Hz), its first 1/10th seconds movement, and a new way to display 1/10ths of a second on a dial. Patek Philippe holds no less than 31 patents on the movement, seven of which are applied specifically to this reference. Essentially, its technical feat is the display of 1/10th of a second on the central dial simultaneously with the central chronograph seconds hand."
• Hummer EV first drive: An enormous electric super truck - "Military-grade EV fun in the desert of Arizona. The Hummer has always been ostentatious. So it should have been a surprise to no one that the Hummer EV is not only large, but also heavy, and really not all that efficient as an EV. But what it lacks in miles per kilowatt, it makes up for in over-the-top fun."
• DJI Mini 3 Pro leaked images & video show exciting redesign - "It looks like the DJI Mini 3 Pro could be here in a matter of weeks, thanks to a leaked video."

April 8, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Borrell & Von der Leyen off to Kyiv; Zelenskiy says Borodyanka ‘much worse’ than Bucha - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russia has lost 79 commercial jets to sanctions - "Sanctions put in place in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine have caused the nation's air carriers to lose 79 of their commercial jets, nearly 10% of their combined fleets."
• Artwork worth $46 million heading back to Russia seized by Finnish Customs - "Customs said that, due to European Union sanctions, it had confiscated three shipments of Russian paintings and sculptures over the weekend at Vaalimaa, a southeastern border crossing point. The artwork was returning to Russia via Finland after being part of international exhibitions in Italy and Japan."
• Maldives shelters sanctioned Russian billionaires’ yachts - "The cautious approach by authorities in Maldives to enforcing the sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means that the Indian Ocean island nation has emerged as an attractive destination for yacht-owning Russian oligarchs."
• The Forbes Ultimate Guide To Russian Oligarchs - "For a quarter-century, Forbes has been investigating billionaire oligarchs, digging into their political connections, murky holdings and maze of offshore assets. Here’s everything you need to know about the wealthy elite who have profited under Vladimir Putin’s rule."
• Omicron variant does cause different symptoms from Delta, study finds - "Data from UK’s Zoe Covid study confirms reports Omicron patients recover more quickly and are less likely to lose sense of smell or taste."
• As Yet Another Wave of Covid Looms, New Yorkers Ask: Should I Worry? - "The Omicron subvariant BA.2 is causing an increase in infections, especially in Manhattan. But hospitalizations have yet to rise."
• Do Home Covid Tests Expire? - A quirk in the regulatory process for home tests can mean the real expiration date doesn’t always match what’s on the box.
• One-Third of Americans Faced Extreme Weather in Recent Years, Survey Finds - "Hurricanes and winter weather, such as snow, ice storms and blizzards, were the most common events cited, according to a Gallup poll."
• French winemakers fan flames to save 2022 crop - "Climate extremes in France this spring have again made it a race against time for vineyard owners to protect their crops. March warmth and April frosts in 2021 resulted in one of the country’s lowest wine production in years. This year is proving every bit as tough."
• The least polluting way to shower - "Are homemade shampoos better for the climate? Ingredients like palm oil are criticised, often correctly, for their impact on our climate. But what else in our shampoos and soaps could be increasing our shower emissions?"
• I test-drove the all-electric Hummer. Can it win over America’s EV skeptics? - "A climate-friendly version of the macho, gas-guzzling pickup is aimed at obdurate devotees of US’s supersized car culture."
• Leonardo DiCaprio & Jeff Bezos have backed this lab-grown sushi startup - "How lab-grown sushi could help tackle overfishing."
• Trump says he regrets not marching on Capitol with supporters on January 6 - "Ex-president also rejects suggestions he used ‘burner phones’ on day of the assault in Washington Post interview."
• Mark Zuckerberg thinks this looks like a home office - "The Meta CEO’s vision of a VR workspace leaves a little to be desired."
• Warren Buffett is buying big again - "For years, billionaire investor Warren Buffett has been sitting on a mountain of cash. But with stocks at record highs, he struggled to find deals that caught his eye. Now, with many other investors in selling mode, he's going shopping. What's happening: Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway just disclosed that it bought almost 121 million shares of HP worth about $4.2 billion, giving Buffett a stake of more than 11% in the technology company."
• How to Invest in the Skyrocketing Watch Market - "The watch world has never been hotter, with demand skyrocketing right as supply slows to a trickle. But if you know where to look - and who to talk to, and how to spot value in an ocean of excess - there's no better time than now to find an investment-grade grail."
• Jason Isaacs: ‘Daniel Craig is more comfortable naked than with clothes on’ - "The Liverpool-born actor on going to school with Mark Kermode, massages with Mel Gibson and why he will never be James Bond."
• 10 of Europe's most beautiful train journeys - "It's where the 'flight shame' movement was born and no wonder - Europe is home to a superb rail network, including some truly spectacular journeys which are a vacation in themselves. Here are 10 of the most beautiful rides."
• One of the world's smallest capital cities - "Built on land reclaimed from the sea, Seychelles' tiny capital city can't get any bigger - but with a vibrant culture and fascinating history, it doesn't need to."
• World’s Favorite Scent Is Vanilla, According to Science - "Some smells are perceived as more pleasant than others, which means preferences for certain odors could have evolutionary roots in our past."
• Chemical analysis & origin of the smell of line-dried laundry - "We show that the smell of line-dried laundry is due to the unique combination of traces of atmospheric hydrocarbons, sunlight and a wet fabric surface. This surface photochemistry is likely to be widespread in the environment on surfaces of natural materials."
• LG OLED65G2 2022 OLED TV review - "LG dazzles with its finest OLED yet. The G2 is truly a thing of beauty: while clearly targeted at the no-expense-spared crowd, it will tempt many to step up to it from the C2, despite the high price."
• A Van With a View? This New Camper Concept Has Better Windows Than Your Condo - "Now you can take in your surroundings without every leaving your van."
• Apple WWDC 2022: Looks Like iOS 16 Will Be Revealed June 6 - "Apple's developers conference has been held entirely online the past two years. The tech giant will stick with that again this year."
• How to use Apple TV’s picture-in-picture mode to view a HomeKit camera feed - "Watch your home security camera while watching TV."
• How to use AirDrop on a Mac - "It’s one of the best features on Apple devices: Open a Finder window and select AirDrop in the 'Favorites' section of the sidebar. Alternatively, you can click on Go in your Mac's menu bar and then choose AirDrop. On the AirDrop screen, you'll see nearby AirDrop recipients. Simply drag and drop the file you want to share onto the person you're sending it to."

April 7, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine pleads for more weapons from Nato as Zelenskiy dismisses fresh sanctions - live news - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Why Tracking Putin’s Wealth Is So Difficult - "Amid speculation that oligarchs are holding cash and luxury assets for the Russian president, many of his extravagances can be traced elsewhere: the Russian state."
• Putin's daughters targeted by US sanctions - "The US has imposed sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, including his daughters."
• U.S. seizes mega yacht owned by oligarch with close ties to Putin - "The immobilized yacht is reportedly Tango, a 78-meter (254-feet) vessel that carries Cook Islands flag, and is anchored in the port of Palma de Mallorca, Spain."
• From Marylebone to Caribbean: wealth of Abramovich’s business partners revealed - "Documents seen by Guardian show empire of Russian steel barons Alexander Abramov and Aleksandr Frolov."
• Non-doms: 12% of residents in London’s richest parts claimed status in 2018 - "More than one in 10 paid no tax on offshore income in Kensington and the Cities of London and Westminster."
• Rihanna's journey to Forbes' billionaire list is about much more than music - "The singer turned entrepreneur, who ranks 1,729 (out of 2,668) with a net worth of $1.7 billion, first achieved billionaire status in August. She is the first billionaire of her home country, Barbados."
• A Slap Could Sting the Smith Family Brand - "Will Smith has spent decades radiating boundless likability. His family has become known for sharing therapy sessions online. His smack at the Oscars has complicated all of that."
• The world's skinniest skyscraper is ready for its first residents - "Steinway Tower, or 111 West 57th Street, has a height-to-width ratio of 24:1, making it 'the most slender skyscraper in the world,' according to the developers. At 1,428 feet, it is also one of the tallest buildings in the Western hemisphere, falling short of two others in New York City: One World Trade Center at 1,776 feet and Central Park Tower at 1,550 feet."
• New blood test predicts risk of heart attack & stroke with twice previous accuracy - "New technique, already available in US, could aid in development of cardiovascular drugs."
• Covid: Blood clot risk higher for six months after having virus - "After a Covid infection, there is an increased risk of developing a serious blood clot for the next six months, a study from Sweden suggests."
• Study reveals how Covid-19 infections can set off massive inflammation in the body - "From the early days of the pandemic, doctors noticed that in severe cases of Covid-19 - the ones that landed people in the hospital on ventilators with shredded lungs - most of the internal wreckage wasn't being directly inflicted by the virus itself but by a blizzard of immune reactions triggered by the body to fight the infection."
• Covid linked to 33-fold increase in risk of pulmonary embolism - "Infection with virus also associated with fivefold increase in risk of deep vein thrombosis, data suggests."
• Microplastics found deep in lungs of living people for first time - "Particles discovered in tissue of 11 out of 13 patients undergoing surgery, with polypropylene and PET most common."
• Is 30 Minutes of Exercise a Day Enough? - "Science says you may need less exercise than you think to live a long and healthy life."
• Why beer bottles are usually brown glass - "When hops in beer are exposed to strong light, a photooxidation reaction takes place, creating the compound 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol. To prevent the process of skunking from occurring, beer brewers have opted for darkly tinted glass. It's why you see so many beers in brown glass bottles today."
• The Royal Oak: A Watch Masterpiece at 50 - "Gerald Genta's design for Audemars Piguet, widely considered one of the most influential designs of all time, reaches a milestone."
• How to become a cruise ship captain - "It's a job unlike any other. Leadership skills are a must, as is being able to handle a crisis. Then there's understanding the oceans - the complex world of currents, tides and winds. Maritime engineering knowledge is a plus. As is the ability to command the logistical demands of a small city. At sea."
• The most-viewed episodes of 'Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown' - "The legacy of the late Anthony Bourdain is a long and complicated one. The new CNN Film 'Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain' attempts to contend with that legacy and reopen the conversation about how Bourdain is remembered. It may inspire you to do some remembering as well by revisiting Bourdain's extensive television catalog."
• America’s Best Whiskeys: The International Wine & Spirits Competition - "In the American Whiskey category, a total of six whiskeys, five bourbons and one rye whiskey were awarded the coveted Gold Outstanding medal. The winners ranged from iconic brands like Knob Creek and Larceny to less well-known brands like Distillery 291, one of Colorado’s preeminent craft distillers."
• Why It’s so Satisfying to Watch a World Built From the Ground Up - "In the fantasy depicted by the Primitive Technology YouTube channel, it is possible to bring a task to completion without interruption."
• Nakagin Capsule Tower to be Demolished Mid-April - "Following months of uncertainties and preservation attempts, Kisho Kurokawa's iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower will be demolished on April 12th of this year. Tatsuyuki Maeda, one of the current owners of the tower, explained that a team will try to preserve some of the capsules, and regenerate them as accommodation units and museum installations across the world."
• 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Renaissance Music - "Here’s your introduction to the shining, stirring sounds of a revolutionary period in cultural history."
• 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Classical Music - "We asked some of our favorite artists to tell us about the sounds they cherish. Listen to their choices. In the past we’ve chosen the five minutes or so we would play to make our friends fall in love with piano, opera, cello, Mozart, 21st-century composers, violin, Baroque music, sopranos, Beethoven, flute, string quartets, tenors, Brahms, choral music, percussion, symphonies, Stravinsky, trumpet, Maria Callas, Bach, the organ, mezzo-sopranos, music for dance and Wagner."

April 6, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: fresh sanctions loom as Ukraine says more than 4,000 alleged war crimes being investigated - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Satellite images of corpses in Bucha contradict Russian claims - "Analysis of the images date massacre to before Russian forces evacuated the Ukrainian city."
• ‘I couldn’t keep it inside’: ballet star Olga Smirnova on quitting the Bolshoi & fleeing Russia - "After Putin invaded Ukraine, the Russian dancer denounced the war, left the Kremlin-allied company - and flew out of Moscow that night. As she prepares for her debut at the Dutch National Ballet, Smirnova speaks for the first time."
• Why Germany Can’t Just Pull the Plug on Russian Energy - "Under increasing pressure to sever the country’s reliance on Russian energy, German officials must contend with deeply rooted economic ties."
• Chanel Restricts Sales to Russians Abroad - "The French luxury giant is refusing to sell to Russians unless they can prove they live outside the country and declare they will not take purchases to Russia, upsetting some clients."
• Shanghai’s ‘grim’ Covid outbreak threatens more global supply chain disruption - "Lockdowns imposed over China’s worst Covid outbreak has hit manufacturing and may lead to delays and higher prices."
• When will the world reach 1.5C of global heating? - "With 1.5C of heating now all but inevitable, scientists say the focus must turn to mitigation measures."
• Elon Musk is the richest person ever, Forbes says - "Elon Musk is worth more than twice Warren Buffett & has $100 billion on Jeff Bezos."
• The Richest Woman In The World 2022 - "For the second year in a row on Forbes’ list of the World’s Billionaires, the planet’s richest woman is L’Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers of France. Worth an estimated $74.8 billion, Bettencourt Meyers is an estimated $1.2 billion richer than a year ago, making her the fourteenth richest person in the world."
• World's most powerful passport list impacted by Ukraine conflict - "The closure of airspace due to Russia's military aggression and the opening of borders to Ukrainian refugees has begun to exert influence on global travel freedoms, according to the latest data complied on the world's most travel-friendly passports. While there's been little change at the at the top of a list of countries with so-called powerful passports - meaning those with the most visa-free travel options around the world - the recent conflict is starting to shake things up lower down the index compiled by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners."
• 42 previously unknown genes discovered for Alzheimer's disease - "'Lifestyle factors such as smoking, exercise and diet influence our development of Alzheimer's, and acting to address these now is a positive way of reducing risk ourselves,' she added.'However, 60-80% of disease risk is based on our genetics and therefore we must continue to seek out the biological causes and develop much-needed treatments for the millions of people affected worldwide.'"
• Long-lost Charles Darwin notebooks worth millions returned with a mysterious note - "'Happy Easter X': Missing set of valuable Charles Darwin notebooks returned with note. A set of rare notebooks filled with notes by Charles Darwin have been anonymously returned to the University of Cambridge, over 20 years after they were initially reported missing."
• German airline unveils candy-striped aircraft - "German airline Condor is the latest carrier to step up its livery game with a simple yet stylish paint job. Condor's fleet will soon be tricked out in candy-colored bold stripes, inspired by 'parasols, bath towels and beach chairs,' according to the airline."
• Watches And Wonders 2022 - Wrap-Up & Highlights from Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Cartier & More - "'It’s over, ladies and gentlemen. A whole seven days of Watches And Wonders in an unseasonably cold and snowy Geneva. And as unexpected as the sub-zero temperatures and frozen precipitation were, there were plenty of surprises taking place within the beige-cloth-lined plywood walls of Palexpo. Especially in the not-so-plywood comfort of the Rolex booth. But it’s not all about Rolex. Around 38 brands shared their latest creations with us these past few days.'"
• Mercedes-Benz launches limited-edition car designed by Virgil Abloh - "German car brand Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a car designed in collaboration with Virgil Abloh along with a collection of clothing designed by the late fashion designer's Off-White brand. Named Maybach by Virgil Abloh, the car is a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680 model."
• London’s Best & Most Secretive Address - "The longstanding rules governing life at Albany - the stately Georgian pile situated surprisingly, if conveniently, in the heart of Piccadilly - are mercifully straightforward: no pets, no children, no whistling, no noise and absolutely no publicity. Photographers have found themselves escorted from the premises, London’s oldest block of flats and one of its most exclusive addresses, for snapping off a frame of the interior courtyard. Residents who are deemed indiscreet risk a ritual scourging by the trustees."
• Humans bred dogs to have puppy-dog eyes - "in fact, we bred those doleful eyes into today's domesticated dogs starting some 33,000 years ago."
• How many HermÈs Birkins does Jane Birkin have? - "The Birkin was famously created after Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas bumped into Jane Birkin, who at the time was using a Kelly bag she thought was too small. Millionaires and celebrities hoard dozens of the expensive bags, but its namesake has only ever owned five or six, just using one at a time - and donating it to charity before replacing it."
• Twitter confirms it is working on an edit button - "Twitter has confirmed that it is working on an edit button that would allow users to change tweets after they have been posted."
• What’s better for cooking, gas or induction hobs? - "Do you go for the efficiency, cleanliness and response of induction, or the char-ability of gas - or both? We ask some of our favourite cooks what they prefer."
• ‘Mind-blowing’: Ai-Da becomes first robot to paint like an artist - "AI algorithms prompt robot to interrogate, select, and decision-make to create a painting."
• VanMoof refreshes its e-bike lineup with the $3,000 S5 & A5 - "The new models have a built-in halo ring interface, a phone charger and across-the-board upgrades."
• TEST-RIDING VANMOOF’S NEW S5 & A5 E-BIKES - "First look at the next, next generation."
• Nikon Z9 review: A versatile camera with solid 8K video recording - "All with no physical shutter."
• How to View & Clear Safari Download History on a Mac - "To clear the entire list of downloads, click the 'Clear' button in the upper-right corner of the Downloads pop-up window. Safari will wipe the Downloads list and the downloads (arrow) icon in the toolbar will disappear."
• How to enable Walking Steadiness notifications in iOS 15 - "Older and unfit people may have a higher risk of falling over, which could cause an injury. Here's how to check how sure you are on your feet with the iPhone's Walking Steadiness feature."

April 5, 2022

• Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World - "There are 2,668 of them on Forbes’ 36th-annual ranking of the planet’s richest people - 87 fewer than a year ago. They’re worth a collective $12.7 trillion - $400 billion less than in 2021."
• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy to address UN after warning Borodyanka atrocities may be worse than Bucha - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• could Vladimir Putin be prosecuted for war crimes? - The Guardian.
• The West is running out of ways to punish Putin - "Western outrage, new sanctions, and promised state-of-the-art weapons came too late to save the man found shot dead next to his bike on a grassy bank outside Kyiv. But the awful tragedy being revealed in Ukraine is that all of the measures the West is prepared to contemplate to punish Moscow and impact the long-term course of the war cannot do much to save civilians being targeted now."
• The big idea: how to win the fight against disinformation - "From Covid conspiracies to lies about the Ukraine war ... traditional fact-checking is no match for the power of the crowd."
• IPCC report: ‘now or never’ if world is to stave off climate disaster - "Greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025, say climate scientists in what is in effect their final warning."
• Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change - "The Working Group III report provides an updated global assessment of climate change mitigation progress and pledges, and examines the sources of global emissions. It explains developments in emission reduction and mitigation efforts, assessing the impact of national climate pledges in relation to long-term emissions goals." The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
• 5 Takeaways From the U.N. Report on Limiting Global Warming - "Current pledges to cut emissions, even if nations follow through on them, won’t stop temperatures from rising to risky new levels." The New York Times.
• Shanghai to New York in two hours? China joins the hypersonic flight race - "Beijing-based Space Transportation (aka Lingkong Tianxing in China) aims to make this prospect a reality with the development of a passenger-carrying vehicle that can hurtle across the skies at one mile per second - over twice the speed of Concorde."
• Images show destruction of world's largest airplane in Ukraine - "The full extent of the damage to the aircraft, named 'Mriya,' or 'dream' in Ukrainian, was seen by CNN journalists after Russian troops withdrew last week from Hostomel airfield outside Kyiv, which was among the first strategic targets of the invasion of Ukraine."
• How can US law enforcement agencies access your data? Let’s count the ways - "A hack using a forged legal request that exposed consumer data collected by Apple and Meta shed light on the reach of the law."
• Elon Musk buys 9.2% stake in Twitter, making him the largest shareholder - "News of the purchase sent shares of Twitter (TWTR) soaring 22% in early trading. Musk did not disclose what he paid for the shares, but his stake was worth $2.9 billion as of the close of trading Friday, and $3.5 billion after the spike early Monday."
• Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's total compensation package topped $212 million - "Nearly all of Jassy's compensation comes in the form of stock options that will vest over 10 years, according to the filing. Jassy's 2021 compensation marks a sixfold increase to his pay in 2020, when he was head of Amazon's profit-generating cloud-computing arm AWS."
• Why does coffee make you poop? Experts explain - "Coffee's effect on colon activity might have more to do with special compounds than just caffeine."
• The world's oldest dessert? - "Although chickpeas and beans don't usually belong in a pudding, they are core ingredients in one of the oldest - and, some say, one of the most delicious - desserts in the world."
• Samsung's 2022 TV lineup has something for everyone - "Samsung is even releasing its first new OLED TV in almost a decade."
• IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE SAMSUNG’S NEW, MATTE THE FRAME IS ACTUALLY A TV - "A matte finish makes The Frame’s signature trick even more convincing."
• I SAW SAMSUNG’S FIRST-EVER QD-OLED TV, AND IT’S IMPRESSIVE - "QD-OLED isn’t some revelatory improvement, but you can see the difference."
• Montblanc Unveils 1858 Geosphere Zero Oxygen Watch - "At the Watches & Wonders Geneva 2022 exhibition taking place live and digitally this week in Switzerland, a host of watch brands are releasing some world-first watches. Among them: Montblanc. The brand just releases its 1858 Geosphere Zero Oxygen watch, which will be tested in an ascent of Mount Everest on the wrist of mountaineer Nimsdai Purja beginning in May. The Everest ascent by Purja, an ex-Gurkha, will be done without the assistance of supplemental oxygen. The Zero Oxygen watch is also going to be oxygen free. It is cased in an oxygen-free vacuum compartment by Montblanc’s watchmakers to ensure no oxygen gets inside the case, which can affect the movement."

April 4, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy calls Russian forces ‘butchers’ after civilian mass graves found around Kyiv - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• How alleged atrocities in Bucha compare to previous Putin campaigns - "Russian president appears to have operated by a strict playbook in northern Ukraine that has served him well for decades."
• Oligarch chopper seized in Monaco - "Beneficial owner was Alisher Usmanov." Monaco Daily News.
• Walk like the KGB: get Vladimir Putin's 'gunslinger gait' - "The Russian president appears to have adopted a style of walking already favoured by several of his associates. Here’s how civilians everywhere can get the tough-guy look ..." British Medical Journal.
• Grammy winners 2022: The full list - "You can see the full list of nominees and winners in more than 80 categories here."
• Grammy Awards 2022: Best fashion on the red carpet - "The red carpet turned pink as music's biggest names brought fluorescent colors, playful accessories and plenty of drama to the 64th Grammy Awards in Las Vegas."
• Denzel Washington speaks publicly about Will Smith Oscar slap - "'Who are we to condemn?' Washington asked. 'I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation, but I know the only solution was prayer.'"
• A Ramadan etiquette guide for non-Muslims - "There are about 7.6 billion people in the world. And around 24% of them - 1.8 billion - are fasting from sunup to sundown. Every day. For an entire month. It's Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. You can earn some cool points if you follow these 10 tips."
• 13 of the best TV shows to watch this April - BBC Culture.
• How to Watch All 15 of 2022’s Oscar-Winning Movies - "Now that the dust has settled, here is where to watch all of 2022’s Oscar-winning movies."
• The Best in Show From Watches & Wonders 2022 - "With almost 40 brands showcasing the latest pieces, here are what we thinks are candidates for Best in Show." Monochrome.
• Why The Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques 222 Is My Sublime Favorite From Watches & Wonders - "This story is about one single piece of horology. One that, for me, stood out like a shining totem in the Vacheron press releases. The Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques 222 has the power to put diamonds, tourbillons, and perpetual calendars in the shade, and it seems very familiar." Fratello.
• A Private Collection of 128 Patek Philippe Contemporary Timepieces Heads to Auction - "A collection of 128 Patek Philippe contemporary timepieces, which Christie’s touts as the finest to appear at auction, will be offered across three sales this spring. Dubbed the Kairos Collection, it’s been assembled by a private, anonymous collector who has actively collected watches for more than 35 years, Christie’s said. The collection is named to reflect the two sides to the concept of time in ancient Greece, chronos and kairos."
• Everything You Need To Know About The 2022 Met Gala - "The 2022 Met Gala theme, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, is built around the tenets of American style, and celebrates unsung heroes of US design. Even though only eight months will have passed since Kim Kardashian climbed the Met steps in her Balenciaga mask by then, this year’s ceremony will take place on May 2nd - a return to the event’s traditional first Monday in May slot after two years of COVID chaos. The 2022 Met Gala will take place on Monday 2 May in New York City."
• Upon my death, delete: how to plan your digital legacy - "Whether you want your information destroyed, stored or memorialised, many tech platforms now offer options for handling users’ data after death."
• On Daylight Saving, There Are More Options Than You Might Think - "There are only so many hours of light in the day. When should we enjoy them?"
• Q. & A.: How to Fuel Your Runs - "What's the real benefit in refueling soon after a run? Can eating mid-run help speed recovery? Your nutrition questions, answered."
• In the Ocean, It’s Snowing Microplastics - "Tiny bits of plastic have infiltrated the deep sea’s main food source and could alter the ocean’s role in one of Earth’s ancient cooling processes, scientists say."
• German man suspected of having 90 Covid jabs to sell vaccination cards - "Police in Saxony investigate 60-year-old for issuing documents without authorisation and forgery."
• Intuition: When is it right to trust your gut instincts? - "Intuition is often lauded as the key to decision making. Should you always follow your gut, or is it more complicated?"
• BMW XM Voted World's Most Beautiful SUV - "The challengingly styled SUV has been a hit with trendy types." CarBuzz.
• Best external hard drives & SSDs for Mac in 2022 - "If you need more storage space on your new Mac, you have plenty of different options to choose from. Here are our favorite external hard drive and SSD choices for Mac, from smaller, zippy options to rugged hard drives that will protect your data, drop after drop."

April 3, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russian retreat reveals atrocities against civilians; explosions seen in Odesa - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Why people are cold calling strangers in Russia - "The people cold calling to chip away at Russia's digital iron curtain."
• Who has Putin’s ear? Inside the president’s inner circle - "Western intelligence claim Russia’s leader is out of touch. But who has the upper hand in the Kremlin’s jostling factions - and is there a chance of a palace coup?"
• Trump's phone log gap could be much worse than Nixon's Watergate tape erasures - "A lot can be said in 457 minutes."
• Netflix Backs Away from Will Smith Film ‘Fast and Loose’ - "The project had already lost director David Leitch before the infamous Oscars slap, and now the streaming service has quietly moved the film to the back burner in the awards ceremony’s wake, according to sources."
• Prince Andrew ‘will chaperone Queen to the Derby’ - "Despite being told by Charles and William to ‘disappear’ following rape case payout."
• Lord Norman Foster - "‘I still get the same buzz from designing buildings.’"
• Covid cases rise in Shanghai as millions remain in lockdown - "Daily case numbers are some of the largest seen in China since the virus was first detected in Wuhan."
• Covid lockdown dreams reflected our claustrophobia & lack of control - "From the scary to the truly weird, our nights were full of apt visions in the early days of the pandemic, a study at University College London found."
• Wake up to a happy home: how to design a feelgood house - "Banish the gloom from every room with these 25 tips to give your house a mood-boosting makeover."
• Want to See the Weirdest of Wikipedia? Look No Further - "Look No Further. On @depthsofwikipedia, Annie Rauwerda is compiling some of the crowdsourced site's most bizarre pages. Did you know that there’s a Swiss political party dedicated to opposing the use of PowerPoint? That some people believe Avril Lavigne died in 2003 and was replaced by a look-alike? Or that there’s a stone in a museum in Taiwan that uncannily resembles a slab of meat?"
• SWEARING CAN INCREASE SELF-CONFIDENCE, PHYSICAL STRENGTH & RISKY BEHAVIOUR - "Keele University researchers have found that swearing can increase self-confidence and risk-taking behaviour, as well as boosting physical strength. Led by Dr Richard Stephens, the team carried out a study which aimed to identify the psychological pathway by which swearing can have beneficial effects on physical tasks. They were particularly interested in whether swearing increased ‘state disinhibition’, which is a state of lowered self-control and lack of restraint."
• The world's best breakfasts, pancakes & other morning snacks - "Why tiptoe into your day with a piece of toast when you can set yourself up for success with a 30-dish all-day breakfast banquet? If that's got your belly rumbling, take a look also at the Philippines' best breakfast foods, the world's most delicious pancakes and how people serve up morning meals around the world."
• 19 facts about the 2022 Grammy Awards - "The first awards will be handed out in Las Vegas at 12:30 on Sunday, a thrombosis-inducing eight hours before the album of the year prize is presented at 20:30 local time (04:30 in the UK). There are 70 categories in total, with everyone from Lady Gaga to Barack Obama on the nominations list."
• These 5 artists could make history at the Grammys - "After a delay of more than two months caused by an unpredictable pandemic, the Grammy Awards return Sunday with a slew of potential historical moments. For the first time, the 64th annual ceremony will be held in Las Vegas - away from its traditional home in Los Angeles. This year's event, hosted by Trevor Noah, also brings voting changes and two new categories. And several artists from this year's class of nominees - from hip hop to jazz to pop music - could potentially break records."
• PLPs: The platonic partnerships that pair up friends for life - "Do all primary-partner relationships have to be romantic and sexual? People choosing platonic life partnerships say a resounding no."
• Medieval Cambridge colleges demanded their rent in saffron - "The rich used saffron as a disinfectant, scattering it on floors and sprinkling it in fires. Known as 'red gold' in Britain, it was thought to ward off the plague, as well as adding flavour and a golden hue to food. All across medieval Europe, it was revered by aristocrats and royalty alike."
• THE REAL MAGIC MOUSE IS MADE BY LOGITECH, NOT APPLE - "And it hasn’t changed since 2017."
• DJI Mini 3 Pro leak shows obstacle avoidance sensors & a slightly bigger battery - "It will still weigh less than 250 grams."

April 2, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Russians are mining homes and corpses as they withdraw - Zelenskiy; US to give tanks to Kyiv, report says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• ‘No hope for science in Russia’: the academics trying to flee to the west - "Russian scientists are turning to partners abroad to help them escape, but face an uncertain future even if successful."
• Apple Releases iOS 15.4.1 With Fix for Battery Drain Issue - "According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes an issue that could cause the battery to drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4. It also includes fixes for Made for iPhone hearing devices and Braille devices."
• Will Smith resigns from Academy, saying he betrayed its trust - "Actor will accept ‘any further consequences’ the body’s board considers appropriate after Oscars slap."
• Will Smith: Can his career recover after Oscars slap? - "Will Smith went from beloved film favourite to Hollywood villain when he slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars last weekend. Has he done permanent damage to his image and career, and what punishment might he face?"
• Can the 64th Annual Grammy Awards yield as much drama as last week’s Oscars? - "The fallout from Will Smith’s slap threatens to overshadow music’s big night, but focus on the material and there is much to admire - particularly in 11-time nominee Jon Batiste." To be held on Sunday, April 3, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV, USA.
• Sean Penn calls for billionaire to step up and buy aircraft for Ukraine - "Actor urges someone to spend $300m on ‘12 aircraft with better tech than Russian MiGs or SU’s’."
• The Ukraine war's $7 billion hit to global tourism has Middle East hotspots 'trying to survive' - "As Russia's war rages in Ukraine, its impact on the Middle East is beginning to stretch beyond the food shortages that already had some policymakers worried. Home to some of the world's oldest civilizations and glitziest cities, the Middle East is one of its top tourist destinations. Cities like Dubai, Cairo and Istanbul are regularly listed among the top ten global tourism hotspots."
• Tripadvisor's most popular world destination for 2022 is ... - "Tripadvisor says a 20th-century fishing village that has boomed into a 21st-century global hot spot for high-end travel is its most popular destination in the world for 2022."
• The 2022 World's Best Cities To Live In: Discover the Top 20 - "Global Finance's ranking of the world's best cities to live in, during 2022 has just been released. Centered on 8 different parameters that calculate and compare the quality of life of people living in urban areas such as economy, culture, population, environment, etc., this year’s edition also took into consideration Covid-19 deaths per thousand for each country, to reflect the new reality we live in. With data from the Global City Power index, Johns Hopkins University, Statista, and Macrotrends, the list seeks to have a complete vision, putting together traditional metrics with new factors."
• Why this city is the world capital of breakfasts - "While Turkey is famed for its breakfasts, Van is the capital of the epic, sprawling serpme kahvalt, or breakfast spread. These morning banquets can contain up to 30 different dishes, and they often have a heavy emphasis on the prized dairy produce from livestock that graze on the surrounding Anatolian plateaus."
• Still hungry? How we fell out of love with small plates - "It’s over a decade since seven perfectly arranged beans came to constitute dinner. But is the age of small plates dining coming to an end? And if so, what’s next?"
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now - "The sheer volume of films on Netflix - and the site’s less than ideal interface - can make finding a genuinely great movie there a difficult task. To help, we’ve plucked out the 50 best films currently streaming on the service in the United States, updated regularly as titles come and go. And as a bonus, we link to more great movies on Netflix within many of our write-ups below." The New York Times.
• The truth about cats’ & dogs’ environmental impact - "UCLA researcher finds that feeding pets creates the equivalent of 64 million tons of carbon dioxide a year."
• Vacheron Constantin Unveils Updated Legendary 222 Watch - "It was 45 years ago in 1977 that the oldest continually operating Swiss watch brand, Vacheron Constantin, unveiled the 222 watch - better known by collectors as the Jumbo. It was designed by Jorg Hysek and created in celebration of the 222 anniversary of the brand. Now, to celebrate 45 years of that distinctive sporty-chic watch, Vacheron Constantin unveils the new 222 timepiece in 18-karat yellow gold."
• Raphael was radical & relentlessly inventive - "500 years later a new exhibition of his work will show he still is." National Gallery, London, 9 April - 31 July.
• French farmer finds rare coin featuring Charlemagne just before his death - "The portrait confirms that Charlemagne had a short neck."

April 1, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Germany rejects Putin’s gas supply ‘blackmail’; Russia drawing on forces from Georgia, UK says - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• IAEA investigates claim Russians fled Chernobyl with radiation sickness - "As occupiers abandon site and IAEA moves back in, power company says soldiers were exposed by digging trenches in radioactive zone."
• Razzies rescind Bruce Willis award after family reveals actor has aphasia - "The Razzies, a tongue-in-cheek award show that hands out honors to the worst cinema of the year, has rescinded its prize for Bruce Willis after the actor's family revealed he is struggling with aphasia, a medical condition that affects his cognitive abilities."
• ‘He just looked lost’: worries over Bruce Willis’s cognitive state surface - "Concerns over Willis, who is ‘stepping away’ from acting after an aphasia diagnosis, had been circulating on sets, report says."
• Why experts say Will Smith's Oscars 'act of love' is dangerous - "'Love will make you do crazy things.' That's what actor Will Smith said during his Oscars acceptance speech at Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony. That shouldn't include resorting to violence, said Joel Wong, professor and chair of the counseling and educational psychology department at Indiana University Bloomington."
• First-of-its-kind Covid study yields valuable new insight on how we get infected - "It takes just a tiny virus-laden droplet - about the width of a human blood cell - to infect someone with Covid-19."
• What Are COVID-19 Antiviral Pills & How Do They Work? - "There is some hope on the horizon in the fight to bring COVID-19 to heel. New antiviral pills have been introduced to manage the disease’s symptoms, but there’s been some confusion about President Joe Biden’s 'test to treat' initiative, which would allow COVID-positive individuals to access antivirals on the spot at various clinics, pharmacies, and other care providers. Here’s everything you need to know."
• Covid lockdown extended in Shanghai as outbreaks put economy on the skids - "China’s largest city and financial powerhouse is struggling to cope with the country’s worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic in Wuhan."
• Scientists sequence the complete human genome for the first time - "In 2003, the Human Genome Project made history when it sequenced 92% of the human genome. But for nearly two decades since, scientists have struggled to decipher the remaining 8%. Now, a team of nearly 100 scientists from the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium has unveiled the complete human genome - the first time it's been sequenced in its entirety, the researchers say."
• World Cup 2022 draw: Everything you need to know - "The draw for an unprecedented FIFA World Cup takes place Friday as teams discover their fates for the first winter edition of football's flagship event, in Qatar this December."
• Why is the Qatar World Cup so controversial? - "World Cup 2022: How has Qatar treated stadium workers? It is most controversial World Cup ever, with questions about the way Qatar won the right to hold it, how it's treating workers building the stadiums, and whether it is even a suitable location."
• Revealed: migrant workers in Qatar forced to pay billions in recruitment fees - "Guardian investigation finds labourers - including those on World Cup-related projects - were left with huge debts."
• Lewis Hamilton opens up on struggling 'mentally and emotionally for a long time' - "Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton said he has 'struggled mentally and emotionally for a long time' in a candid social media post on Thursday."
• The world's most agile countries - "With international travel opening up again, travellers may find more security visiting countries with a strong track record of adjusting their policies appropriately and swiftly."
• Why seed banks aren't just for doomsday - "Across the world, strategic seed banks keep safe seeds that could replenish agriculture after a cataclysm. But they aren't just for a worst-case scenario."
• 10 of the best films to watch this April - "Including a postmodern riff on fame with Nicolas Cage, a modern French fable, and Jared Leto as a 'pseudo-vampire' in Morbius, these are this month's unmissable releases."
• Liza Minnelli’s 20 best films - ranked! - "Her turn presenting best picture at the Oscars with Lady Gaga was a bit overshadowed, so ahead of the 50th anniversary of Cabaret, we give you the all-singing, all-dancing Minnelli Top 20."
• HermÈs Adds A World-Class World-Timer To Its Arceau Collection - "The watch division of Hermès has become distinctive for its decorative dials coupled with interesting complications, and the result is a unique approach to the classic genres of watchmaking. The Arceau Le Temps Voyageur is the latest example: it’s a standout in the world of World Time watches."
• This 308-Year-Old Violin - Heard On The ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Soundtrack - Could Break A World Record At Auction - "The violin was handcrafted in Italy in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari, the famed craftsman who made violins for the ultra-rich, including King James II of England, King Charles III of Spain and Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany. Tarisio, a New York-based auction house that specializes in stringed instruments and bows, expects the violin to go for between $15 million and $20 million."
• THE BEST ROBOT VACUUM YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOW - "These wonderful little robots do all the hard work for you."

March 31, 2022

• World Backup Day - March 31st - "Be prepared against data loss and data theft. March 31st is the day to backup and better protect your data."
• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Ukraine braces for attacks in east; US says Putin ‘misled’ by advisers - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Putin indicates he may turn off gas supplies to Europe overnight - Russian president signals supplies could be halted from Friday unless ‘unfriendly’ states start paying in roubles.
• Putin being misled by fearful advisers, US says - "Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misled by advisers who are too scared to tell him how badly the war in Ukraine is going, the White House says."
• Why is Vladimir Putin demanding Russian gas is paid for in roubles? - "Plan could be extended to include exports of oil, grain, fertilisers, coal, metals and other key commodities."
• Major jewellers to cease buying Russian-origin diamonds after increased scrutiny - "Several big name brands including Tiffany, Pandora and Chopard announce a pause on buying raw materials of Russian origin amid war in Ukraine."
• Will Smith refused to leave Oscars, Academy says & could face disciplinary action - "Academy initiates 'disciplinary proceedings' against Will Smith over Oscars incident."
• For Will Smith, the damage has been done - "Smith chose a totally theatrical and violent route, getting up from his seat, walking purposefully, uninvited, onto the Oscar stage and throwing a slap-punch at Rock's face, instantly turning a huge TV production - the most important night of the year for movie-making and the celebration of the life's work of dozens of winners (and nominees) - into a 'hey-look-at-me' moment destined to be all anyone would talk about or remember. Then he turned his acceptance speech into more 'look-at-me' theatrics, seeking to justify an ugly act of violence as some form of noble family values, even saying, 'Love will make you do crazy things.'"
• Chris Rock publicly addresses Oscars incident for first time - "Chris Rock made an emotional return to the stage on Wednesday night for the first time since Will Smith slapped him at the Academy Awards."
• Bruce Willis steps away from acting after aphasia diagnosis - "In a post on his daughter Rumer's verified Instagram account, the caption on a photo of the "Die Hard" actor read: 'To Bruce's amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities.'"
• Understanding the brain disorder affecting Bruce Willis - "You may have never heard of aphasia, but the brain disorder is 'more common than Parkinson's Disease, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy,' and affects some 2 million Americans, according to the National Aphasia Association. In fact, about 180,000 people are diagnosed each year, the association said."
• Who really needs a second COVID booster? Here's what to know - "Many Americans can now get a second COVID-19 booster, but it’s hard to tell who really needs another shot right now and who could wait."
• A new world's longest flight route could break the 10,000-mile record - "Russian airspace rerouting may create a new world's longest flight. Cathay Pacific may be about to operate the world's longest commercial flight by redirecting its regular service from its hometown of Hong Kong to New York over the Atlantic - a route that would steer clear of Russian airspace - instead of taking its usual path over the Pacific. Although it has yet to fully commit to the route, Cathay says its transatlantic flightpath would cover just under 9,000 nautical miles - equivalent to 10,357 standard miles or 16,668 kilometers. If confirmed, that would exceed the current world's longest flight for distance, which is 9,534 standard miles between Singapore and New York."
• An A380 superjumbo just completed a flight powered by cooking oil - "It's huge, it's wide, and it's potentially a lot more sustainable. The Airbus A380, a behemoth of the skies, has completed a trial flight powered on cooking oil. The test airplane completed a three-hour flight from Blagnac Airport in Toulouse - Airbus' French headquarters - on 25 March. It was powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF - predominantly made of used cooking oil and waste fats - and operating on a single Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine."
• An average of 500 climate-damaging ghost flights left the UK each month in 2021 - "MPs criticise ‘climate-degrading’ and ‘nefarious’ practice of flying near-empty planes to retain landing slots."
• How to be a sustainable fashion lover & why it matters - "Upcycling, visible mending and organising are among the ways fashionistas are giving their wardrobes a longer life. Bel Jacobs explores how caring for our clothes also means caring for the planet."
• Why 'bio' & 'green' don't mean what you think - "The reason to avoid 'green' buzzwords. The language brands use to promote their environmental sustainability can be misleading and unverifiable. How do you spot a buzzword from a real claim?' The language brands use to promote their environmental sustainability can be misleading and unverifiable. How do you spot a buzzword from a real claim?"
• Britain hands billions to projects linked to labour abuse & climate damage - "UK Export Finance used £5.24bn of taxpayer money to fund overseas energy and infrastructure ventures - despite its own review raising concerns."
• 8 Dreamy Airbnb Cabins to Fantasize About, From Finland to the Catskills - Vogue.
• 13 Best Luggage Brands 2022 for Every Type of Traveler - "From high-tech Away suitcases to classic duffles by T. Anthony."
• Jeff Koons’ Sculptures Are Going To The Moon As Part Of An NFT Launch - "Jeff Koons - who holds the record for highest auction price for a work by a living artist - hopes to take his pop art sculptures to even greater heights later this year when he launches a series of physical artworks into space, part of his first foray into non-fungible tokens."
• How Similar Are You to the Adults Who Raised You? - The "What personality traits do you share with your parents and other family members? How do you feel about those similarities?"
• Scientists Solve Mystery of High Quality Sound at Theater of Epidaurus - "The ancient mystery of the great sound quality at the ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus has finally been solved, researchers posit in a recent study."
• How to make omelette Arnold Bennett - recipe - "A step-by-step guide to mastering the super-rich brunch classic, featuring a smoky, fish-studded sauce and a melting, cheesy topping."
• How to remote access & control your Mac remotely from your iPhone - "Yes, you can control a Mac from your iPhone."
• Here’s why your iOS auto-updates often arrive late - "iOS chief Craig Federighi said Apple takes feedback from those who update early into account."
• You Can Scan Film with Your Smartphone Using Lomography’s New Kits - "I should note that Lomography sells a bunch of different film scanning kits, including one that only works with smartphones but costs just $40."
• Traeger's redesigned Timberline is full of smart grilling tech - "Touchscreen controls, induction side burner and wireless meat probes."

March 30, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Russian troop withdrawal designed to ‘mislead’, says Ukrainian military - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Why is Abramovich playing peacemaker after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? - "The presence of previously publicity-shy billionaire at talks in Istanbul has surprised many. Sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich is not officially part of the Russian delegation, but has apparently played a major role behind the scenes, jetting between Moscow, Kyiv and Istanbul since Russia invaded Ukraine."
• UK seizes first superyacht in British waters - "The £38m yacht, named Phi, is owned by an unnamed Russian businessman. The 58.5m (192ft) Phi was first identified as being potentially Russian-owned on 13 March but its ownership is "deliberately well hidden", the government said."
• Trump brazenly asks Putin to release dirt about Biden's family - "In a new interview published Tuesday, former President Donald Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to release any damaging information he has about the Biden family, in a brazen request for domestic political assistance from America's top adversary."
• How an Oscars photographer captured the moment Will Smith slapped Chris Rock - "The Reuters photojournalist Snyder was one of the photographers who captured the moment Sunday and his photo - which captured Smith slapping Rock at the moment of contact - would soon be everywhere, immediately going viral. Snyder was among a pool of photographers from various news outlets who were covering the show from the projection booth in the back of the Dolby Theatre. He said that he had two long lenses (200-400mm and a 600mm) and his responsibility for Reuters was to cover the show - onstage and the audience."
• Could the Academy take Will Smith’s Oscar back after he slapped Chris Rock? - "The Academy will meet later this week to determine if action will be taken against the Oscar-winner over the incident."
• Zelenskyy Didn't Speak at Oscars, So Sean Penn May Publicly Destroy His Awards - "On Saturday, Penn told CNN he'd publicly destroy the Oscars he's won if the academy didn't ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to speak virtually during the event."
• Asia's best restaurant is Den in Tokyo & this is what it's like to eat there - "What it's like to eat at Asia's best restaurant."
• Covid closures still affecting 400 million pupils - Unicef - "Schools in 23 countries, with 405 million pupils, are still partially or fully closed because of Covid, the United Nations Children's Fund says."
• ‘We have waited so long’: a cautious Tokyo celebrates cherry blossoms in shadow of Covid - "Rise in infections since quasi-emergency restrictions were lifted sparks concern that long-awaited hanami season could help fuel a resurgence."
• Climate groups say a change in coding can reduce bitcoin energy consumption by 99% - "A simple switch in the way transactions are verified could reduce bitcoin’s energy-guzzling mining habits."
• Is it cheaper to have a bath or a shower? Your energy questions answered - "From boiling pasta to vampire devices, experts explain how you can reduce your bills."
• Does Moderate Drinking Protect Your Heart? A Genetic Study Offers a New Answer - "By studying the relationship between gene variants and alcohol consumption, scientists found no real cardiac benefit to drinking, even modestly."
• Fast fashion: EU Europe plans fast fashion crackdown - "Europe is to crack down on fast fashion through proposals to make the clothing made and worn there more durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable."
• Secrets of Playboy - "Breaking Down the A&E Docuseries' Biggest Bombshells About Hugh Hefner's Empire."
• Mick Jagger on acting: ‘Jack Nicholson told me to start with a character’s sex life’ - "He stripped off in Performance, dragged up in Bent and wore a bucket on his head in Ned Kelly. As he lends his glorious voice to new spy thriller Slow Horses, the Rolling Stone relives his greatest roles."
• Johnnie Walker Releases Its First 50-Year-Old Whisky For $25,000 - "As the luxury whisky market keeps on booming, more Scotch whisky companies are looking to catch up with Macallan, eagerly jumping in with new high-end releases. This has included the blends. Some blended whisky brands already have edged into the premium market with bottles as expensive as some of the costliest single malts. Now, top blended-whisky brand Johnnie Walker has thrown its proverbial tam o'shanter into the ring by releasing its oldest whisky yet, the 50-year-old John Walker Masters’ Edition."
• Dyson’s bizarre new headphones have a built-in air purifier - "Dyson is getting into headphones in the most Dyson way possible: the Zone, a pair of noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones with air purification technology built in, thanks to a bizarre-looking magnetic face visor. It’s both the strangest and most ambitious product that the company has ever made."
• The Lotus Eletre is an electric SUV with hints of hypercar - "British sports car maker Lotus is jumping on the electric bandwagon with the reveal of the Eletre, a plug-in crossover SUV with design language inspired by the automaker’s Evija hypercar. The Eletre will also be the first of three new EVs that Lotus plans to roll out over the next four years, including a sports car (natch), a coupe-sedan, and another SUV."
• Kia's EV9 SUV will move from concept to reality in 2023 - "If you thought it wouldn't be long before Kia turned the Concept EV9 into a production model, you guessed correctly. The automaker has revealed that a road-ready version of the electric SUV will be available in Europe in 2023."
• The Rolex Daytona 116508 Yellow Gold with Green Dial - "'It wasn’t until I received ownership of one of my personal grail watches - the yellow gold, green sunray dial work of horological magnificence known as the reference 116508 - that I understood how a modern Daytona is that extraordinary combination of heart-stopping, almost constant palpitation-inducing beauty with ease of use and reliability that are without equal.'"
• The History of the World’s Most Famous Pilot’s Watch - "There is perhaps no wristwatch still in production that’s more associated with flight and pilots than the Breitling Navitimer."

March 29, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Don’t push us into a corner, Kremlin warns Nato; Ukrainians paying for ‘weak’ sanctions with their lives, says Zelenskiy - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• ‘I make no apologies’: Biden stands by ‘Putin cannot remain in power’ remark - "President says he was not calling for regime change but was expressing personal ‘moral outrage’ over Russia’s invasion."
• Roman Abramovich & Ukrainian Peace Negotiators Suffer Suspected Poisoning - "Russian oligarch developed symptoms that people familiar with the matter blamed on hard-liners in Moscow who they say want to sabotage peace talks." The Wall Street Journal.
• A familiar plot but truth may never be known about latest ‘Russian poisoning’ - There is a murky history behind the apparent targeting of Roman Abramovich and two Ukrainian negotiators.
• Kremlin: No need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine - "The next round of in-person talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held today in Istanbul, according to Russian and Turkish officials."
• Russian officials seize Swiss watches apparently worth millions - "According to Switzerland's NZZ am Sontag newspaper, the watches were seized by agents working for Russia's FSB security service from a Moscow subsidiary of Audemars Piguet. It happened just days after Switzerland abandoned its traditional neutrality to join Western countries in imposing sanctions against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine."
• Has Anyone Ever Given an Oscar Back Before? - "Violence, particularly a public display of it like Smith offered at the Oscars, should never be normalized or condoned, but it’s worth noting that accused sex offenders, including Woody Allen and Roman Polanski, have not only not been asked to return their Oscars in the wake of the sex-abuse allegations made against them by women under the legal age of consent, but they have actually been honored by the Academy after those allegations were brought to light. (Polanski was awarded his Oscar in 2003, 26 years after he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old, while one of Allen’s four Oscars came after his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow first accused him of sexual abuse in 1992.)."
• Will Smith issues apology to Chris Rock over slapping incident at Oscars - "Will Smith has issued an apology for striking presenter Chris Rock at Sunday's Academy Awards. In a post on Instagram on Monday afternoon, Smith called his behavior 'unacceptable and inexcusable.'"
• We Aren’t Just Watching the Decline of the Oscars. We’re Watching the End of the Movies - "Everyone has a theory about the decline of the Academy Awards, the sinking ratings that have led to endless Oscar reinventions. The show is too long; no, the show is too desperate to pander to short attention spans. The movies are too woke; no, the academy voters aren’t diverse enough. Hollywood makes too many superhero movies; no, the academy doesn’t nominate enough superhero movies."
• The 23 Most Shocking Moments in Oscars History - "For all its predictability, the Academy Awards ceremony has managed to serve up several surprises throughout the years—fashion risks, onstage mishaps, and powerful speeches among them. Here, we take a look back at some of the most shocking moments in Oscars history."
• Rolex & Cinema - "A movement perpetually reinvented." In 2017 Rolex became a partner to the film industry's highest authority, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For the sixth consecutive year, Rolex is the Proud Sponsor of the Oscars ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.
• Shanghai is locking down over 10 million people at a time. Why that's a big deal - "Many countries around the world have decided to live with the coronavirus, even as a new subvariant fuels another wave of infections. But China is an extremely important exception."
• Elon Musk reports testing positive for Covid-19 for second time - "‘I supposedly have it again (sigh), but almost no symptoms,’ Tesla and SpaceX billionaire tweets."
• Extraordinary Antarctica heatwave, 70 degrees above normal, would likely set a world record - "Scientists were shocked this month when a research station in Antarctica reported extraordinarily warm weather. The temperature at Concordia Research station atop Dome C on the Antarctic Plateau - typically known as the coldest place on Earth - surged to an astounding 11.3 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-11.5 Celsius) on March 18."
• Biodiversity: What is it & how are we protecting it? - "Governments from around the world are meeting later this year, to discuss how to stop human activities from causing the extinction of animal and plant species."
• Can a garden last 1,000 years? - "How long can a garden last? Even when they're utterly forgotten, gardens can be surprisingly resilient."
• How we lost our sensory connection with food & how to restore it - "To eat in the modern world is often to eat in a state of profound sensory disengagement. It shouldn’t have to be this way."
• This $30 Million White Diamond Is The Largest To Ever Appear At Auction - "Dubbed 'The Rock,' the jewel is a 228.31-carat pear-shaped diamond that was mined and polished in South Africa 20 years ago, according to Christie’s, which said it was among the finest gemstones to pass through the auction house since its founding in 1766. The gem will break the record for the largest auctioned diamond set in 2017, when a 163.41-carat white diamond sold for $33.7 million, also through Christie’s Geneva. The Gemmological Institute of America graded the gem as a G color, VS1 clarity diamond, and the sale will include a letter from the laboratory stating 'The Rock' is the largest pear-shaped diamond to be graded by the institute, according to Christie’s."
• Seborga: The Italian village that wants to be a country - "Atop an idyllic hill in the Italian Riviera sits a tiny village with a big dream: becoming an independent nation. The Principality of Seborga already has its own flag, national anthem, passports, stamps, currency and, of course, a monarch. It hopes to one day back them up with legal recognition of its sovereignty, which it has been seeking since the 1960s."
• The challenges of designing airplane evacuation slides - "Gone in 90 seconds: The evolution of the airplane evacuation slide."
• Elon Musk says he's seriously considering creating a new social media platform - "Elon Musk said he is giving 'serious thought' to creating a new social media platform in a tweet Saturday. Musk's tweet follows criticism of Twitter, where he claimed the platform doesn't allow for free speech."
• Can the super-rich solve America's budget problem? - "The proposal aims to capture more of the wealth created by the soaring stock market of the last few years. Under the proposal, America's 0.01% richest would face a minimum 20% tax on income. Crucially, it changes rules on calculating income to include gains from stocks, even if they were not sold by the investor being taxed."
• How to master your iPhone's camera presets - "Apple's Photographic Styles started on the iPhone 13 series and are now on the iPhone SE. Here's how to master these smart presets."
• The Secrets of Lasting Friendships - "Time is one crucial element in friendship. Jeffrey Hall, an expert in the psychology of friendship, studied 112 University of Kansas first years and found that it took about 45 hours of presence in another person’s company to move from acquaintance to friend. To move from casual friend to meaningful friend took another 50 hours over a three-month period, and to move into the inner close friend circle took another 100 hours."
• Puttering around: Why small tasks feel so therapeutic - "Especially when you’ve got a lot on, tiny household tasks can be soothing. Why do pleasant distractions feel oddly good?"
• Artificial intelligence beats eight world champions at bridge - "Victory marks milestone for AI as bridge requires more human skills than other strategy games."
• CHIPOLO CARD SPOT REVIEW: A LESS CREEPY AIRTAG - "Find My adds a ton of perks to this item tracker."

March 28, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Zelenskiy ‘looking for peace without delay’ as talks to resume - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Biden's declaration that Putin 'cannot remain in power' was not a gaffe - "President Joe Biden concluded his powerful speech this weekend in Poland about Vladimir Putin's barbaric attack on Ukraine with this line about the Russian leader: 'For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power.'"
• Why Biden's off-script remarks about Putin are so dangerous - "Over the past week, US President Joe Biden has made a series of unscripted remarks that have upped the temperature of US-Russia relations to near boiling point."
• Zelensky: Ukraine ready to accept neutral status - "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is ready to accept a neutral status as part of a peace deal with Russia but any agreement would have to be put to the Ukrainian people in a referendum."
• Oscars 2022: the full list of winners - Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
• Apple becomes the first streamer to win a Best Picture Oscar with 'CODA' - "Netflix's 'Power of the Dog' also took a historic win for director Jane Campion."
• Historic wins, Will Smith’s punch & silk pyjamas: Oscars 2022 - in pictures - "A selection of the best images from the 94th Academy Award - a dramatic night that saw wins for Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsure, Will Smith and Jessica Chastain among others, with Dune and Coda collecting several awards - the latter winning Best Picture."
• Will Smith hits Chris Rock over joke about Jada Pinkett Smith at Oscars - "During the third hour of the telecast, Rock took the stage to present the award for best documentary, and cracked a joke about Pinkett-Smith as being in 'GI Jane 2' - seemingly a reference to her shaved head. (Pinkett-Smith has been open in the past about suffering from alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.)."
• Chris Rock’s GI Jane 2 joke explained after Will Smith smack at Oscars 2022 - "Chris Rock directed a GI Jane 2 joke at Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia."
• The Best, Worst, & Wildest Moments From the 2022 Oscars - TIME Magazine.
• Coda’s best picture win overshadowed by Smith slap - BBC Entertainment & Arts.
• The Best Dressed Stars at the 2022 Oscars - "There is no greater stage than the Oscars when it comes to red carpet fashion. Informed by decades of Hollywood glamour, the event is an opportunity for actors to become movie stars, presenting themselves in high drama custom looks that highlight the best aspects of their public personas. Fittingly, 2022’s guests explored modern movie star glamour with outfits that nodded to the past while keeping in step with current concerns."
• Oscars 2022: the after parties - in pictures - "Award winners and nominees celebrate into the night in Los Angeles after the 94th Oscars ceremony including the Governors Ball and the Vanity Fair party."
• MONACO’S WORLD PLASTICS SUMMIT MAKES ITS MARK FIRST TIME OUT - "It was only the first time the event had been held, but there was no doubt at all that Monaco’s World Plastics Summit 2022 was a blockbuster success in bringing together top minds from across the globe to address one of the world’s most pressing problems."
• Country Overshoot Days 2022 - "The calculated illustrative calendar date on which humanity's resource consumption for the year exceeds Earth’s capacity to regenerate those resources that year."
• Panic at the supermarket as Shanghai forces residents into lockdown - "The two-phase lockdown - which saw the eastern half of the city close at 5 a.m. Monday for four days of mass-testing, with the western half to follow on Friday - comes as Shanghai emerged as the new epicenter of China's worst outbreak of Covid-19 in two years, reporting a record 3,500 cases on Sunday."
• Putting your Covid diagnosis on blast is no longer a thing - "Contracting Covid will no longer be something to shout from the rooftops about, while simply getting on with life will be something to cheer."
• Russian oligarchs: Where do they hide their 'dark money'? - "For decades, Russian oligarchs have moved billions of dollars of ill-gotten money abroad, putting it in shell companies to make it extremely hard to trace. Now, countries around the world are taking steps to track it down."
• Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is making a huge bet on this oil company - "Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate and investing firm run by billionaire Warren Buffett, increased its ownership stake in Occidental Petroleum to nearly 15% this week."
• Melbourne to Dallas in 17 hours: Qantas announces latest ultra long-haul flight to US - "As global travel continues to reopen in 2022, there will soon be another addition to the 'world's longest flights' list - a direct route between Melbourne, Australia and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) operated by Qantas."
• More than 5,000 worlds exist beyond our solar system. There could be billions more - "NASA has confirmed that we know of more than 5,000 worlds outside of our solar system. It's a groundbreaking moment for the fairly young field of exoplanet science - and experts estimate that there are likely billions of exoplanets waiting to be found."
• why do restaurants give us bread at the start of the meal? - "'Because more food is eaten. Bread causes a glucose and insulin spike, which results in you eating more and subsequently a blood-sugar crash 90 minutes later, so you are also more likely to order dessert.'" Readers reply.
• The 10 strangest artefacts in Australian museums - sorted - "From a hangman’s journal to ‘The Poo Machine’, here are some weird, unnerving and oddly touching objects in museums around the country."
• A new start after 60: I worked in a tiny office for 30 years - then I took up falconry & am out in rain, shine & cold’ - "After decades working in IT, with a window overlooking a car park, Mitch Law took redundancy and now watches his Harris hawk soaring in the wind."

March 27, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy calls on west for planes and tanks; Biden says ‘butcher’ Putin cannot remain in power - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Dubai throws open the doors for the rich Russians escaping sanctions - "Red carpet for rich Russians: Why oligarchs escaping sanctions are heading for Dubai. Roman Abramovich said to be among those looking for a luxury base in the UAE, which is unafraid to snub the west."
• Ukraine war: Chernobyl’s vodka producer remains defiant - "It started with 'Chernobyl moonshine'. Scientists who were studying crops grown in the Chernobyl exclusion zone decided to use some of their leftover grain to produce alcohol."
• oscar nominees 2022 | 94th Academy Awards - Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
• How to Watch the 2022 Oscars - on TV or Online - "Viewers can live stream the ceremony on abc.com or with the ABC app by signing in with your TV provider. You can also tune in to the proceedings via Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, DirecTV, or FuboTV - most of which offer free trials."
• Oscars 2022: Hollywood gears up for its biggest night - "Hollywood is gearing up for its biggest night of the year, as the stars get ready to attend the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles later."
• Who’s Performing at the 2022 Oscars? Your Guide to the Night’s Events - "On March 18, Oscars producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan announced that an 'all-star band' including Travis Barker, Sheila E., pianist Robert Glasper, and the evening’s music director, Adam Blackstone, would be on hand during the broadcast, as would DJ D-Nice. A few days later, the Academy revealed additional performers, covering four of the five best-song nominees: Beyoncé will sing 'Be Alive' from King Richard; Sebastián Yatra will sing 'Dos Oruguitas' from Encanto; Reba McEntire will sing 'Somehow You Do' from Four Good Days; and Billie Eilish will sing her James Bond anthem, 'No Time to Die,' with Finneas."
• Going for gold: where to stream the 2022 Oscar contenders - "In the run-up to Sunday’s awards ceremony, here are the films, shorts and documentaries tipped for a statuette - most of which can be found online."
• 70 Incredible Forgotten Photos From Oscar Nights Past - "Ahead of Oscar night 2022, immerse yourself in vintage photographs that capture the magic of Hollywood’s biggest night - from Cindy Crawford in full bombshell mode as Richard Gere’s date, to a red-carpet appearance from a young Lily Collins."
• 19 of the Best Oscars Beauty Looks of All Time - "Dakota Johnson made her Academy Awards debut with a bold red single-strap Saint Laurent gown offset by a youthful ponytail, a smudged smoky eye, and a simple wash of lip stain. Both Natalie Portman and Lupita Nyong’o found timeless winning looks via a glowing décolletage echoed by a thin, shimmering headband. Gwyneth Paltrow was ever the minimalist with a simple, side-slicked chignon. Zendaya complemented her rose-hued glow with a cascade of hip-skimming waves that fell all the way down her back to mermaid-like effect. And Lauren Hutton’s golden glow and laid-back waves were the stuff of naturalist dreams. From Elizabeth Taylor’s bold brows and expertly delineated lipstick to Winona Ryder’s ’20s-inspired pixie, here, 19 beauty moments to inspire this year’s Academy Awards attendees - and proof that you don’t have to take home an Oscar to go down in red carpet history."
• 'The most glamorous, radical and scandalous' Oscar looks & the stories behind them - "New book reveals real stories behind history's most unforgettable Oscar looks."
• Razzies: Diana the Musical named worst film at the awards - "Netflix’s filmed version of a Broadway show based on the Princess of Wales joins Jared Leto, LeBron James and Bruce Willis as the evening’s ‘winners’."
• Biden Administration Plans to Offer Second Booster Shots to Those 50 & Up - "After fraught discussions, officials decided that another shot might save thousands of lives if a new coronavirus wave hit before the fall. The F.D.A. could authorize the boosters next week."
• A superyacht is a terrible asset - "Russians hold a disproportionate number of the biggest ones."
• Take a closer look at Russian oligarch's $700 million superyacht that is one of the largest in the world - "Roman Abramovich is seemingly scrambling to avoid sanctions from the UK by moving his superyachts. One of those is The Eclipse, which cost $700 million to build and was once the biggest in the world. That yacht was once in New York City and we took some photos."
• Why Superyacht Owners Are Planting Verdant Gardens on Their Boats - "From the practical to the aesthetic, the benefits of having a yacht garden are bountiful."
• Drinking coffee could benefit your heart & help you live longer, research finds - "Contrary to worries among some doctors and the public, drinking coffee may actually protect your heart instead of causing or worsening heart problems. Drinking two to three cups of coffee daily has been associated with a 10% to 15% lower risk of getting heart disease, heart failure or a heart rhythm problem, or dying early for any reason, according to three research abstracts published Thursday."
• The Best White Jeans to Wear This Spring & Summer - "Whether you subscribe to the notion that white is meant to be worn in the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or you live for a winter white, ochre, and pristine ivory ensemble, the facts remain the same: white jeans are essential in any wardrobe."
• The Verge’s favorite pet tech - "Some of the gadgets we use to keep our dogs and cats comfortable, fed, and amused."

March 26, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy hails ‘powerful blows’ by Ukrainian army as Russia hints at scaling back offensive - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• J.K. Rowling hits back at Putin after he likened Russia to her in rant against cancel culture - "J.K. Rowling has hit back at Vladimir Putin after the Russian President compared the West's treatment of his country to a public backlash faced by the Harry Potter author. In a message shared on her Twitter account on Friday, the writer said critiques of cancel culture are 'not best made' by those 'slaughtering civilians.'"
• Inside GRACEFUL Yacht - Blohm Voss - 2014 - 82m - Owner Vladimir Putin - "The Graceful yacht was built by Blohm & Voss in 2014. The superyacht is designed by H2 Yacht Design. Her owner is reportedly Vladimir Putin."
• Inside Putin's Secret $1 Billion Mansion - "An inside look at Vladimir Putin's secretive $1 billion dollar palace." YouTube 6:34.
• Louis Vuitton’s latest jewellery collection features controversial letter ‘Z’ that attracts online condemnations & criticisms - "Z has gone from a military marking to the main symbol of public support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."
• oscar nominees 2022 | 94th Academy Awards - Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
• Oscars 2022: Who will win & who should? - "The Power of the Dog is the favourite for several awards - but there are bound to be a few surprises. Nicholas Barber and Caryn James give their predictions for the big categories."
• Everything We Know So Far About The 2022 Oscars - "From the date and venue to the nominees, this is your cheat sheet for the 94th Academy Awards."
• Netflix has a new 40-minute documentary that's Oscar nominated & 100% on Rotten Tomatoes - "The latest must-watch Netflix documentary tells an important story, with some stunning visuals."
• 13 Celebrities Who Have (Surprisingly) Never Won an Oscar - "An actor that you could swear is drowning in Academy Awards actually has no wins to their name. Is it fair? No. Should you and all the attendees at your Oscars party fight for hours about why these actors actually deserve the industry’s biggest awards? Yes."
• 48 Oscar-Nominated Movies You Can Stream Right Now - Vogue.
• 51 best Oscars red carpet dresses of all time - "The Academy Awards are one of the most-watched red carpet events in the world (along with the Met Gala, of course)."
• Was this the worst night in Oscars fashion history? - "This week marks two decades since Hollywood served up one of its worst-received red carpets of all time. On a night of big wins for 'A Beautiful Mind' and the first 'Lord of the Rings,' 2002's Academy Awards were - in true Y2K style - awash with spaghetti straps, visible midriffs and shapeless eveningwear."
• 52 Places for a Changed World - "The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution." The New York Times.
• How sanctions on Russia are shaking up the superyacht world - "Superyachts have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks as more and more vessels linked to Russian oligarchs are temporarily frozen."
• Museums Are Cashing In on NFTs - "There’s money to be made, though most institutions are wary of getting involved."
• There Is No Upside to an 8 A.M. Meeting - "The Early Bird in your office may do as he pleases, but he should not demand that you join him."
• The epic attempts to power planes with hydrogen - "During the Cold War, both the US and USSR researched liquid hydrogen as a way to fuel aircraft. Could this cleaner fuel finally be around the corner?"
• ‘Don’t get rid of your old Lego!’: Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught’s unlikely rise to fame - "McNaught is famous for his mastery of a toy. Now he’s got a following among ‘Adult Fans of Lego’ - and an exhibition made of more than 6m pieces."
• Jacob & Co. Launches NFT Collection Of Digital & Physical Watches Inspired By The Metaverse - "Jacob & Co. is reentering the digital space with the launch of a new NFT and physical watch collection that takes full advantage of the metaverse. The collection, 'Astronomia Metaverso,' was created in partnership with UNXD, an NFT marketplace for luxury and culture. Appropriately, the collection builds upon Jacob & Co.’s storied Astronomia line, with its myriad depictions of the universe, while extending it into a digital, crypto-native future."

March 25, 2022

• Ukraine war latest news: sanctions ‘a little late’ Zelenskiy tells European Council; Biden to visit Poland - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Questions swirl over whereabouts of Russia's defense minister - "Shoigu, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has kept a low profile recently despite having a leading role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The independent investigative Russian outlet Agentstvo reported Wednesday that Shoigu was in poor health, citing anonymous sources in the ministry."
• The number that puts Vladimir Putin at risk - "The official Soviet death toll during the Afghan War, which lasted more than nine years, was around 15,000 soldiers. It is therefore quite telling that the Russians may have already lost as many 15,000 soldiers in just one month in Ukraine, according to estimates given to CNN by senior NATO officials."
• Russia considers accepting Bitcoin for oil & gas - "Russia is considering accepting Bitcoin as payment for its oil and gas exports, according to a high-ranking lawmaker. Pavel Zavalny says 'friendly' countries could be allowed to pay in the crypto-currency or in their local currencies. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he wanted 'unfriendly' countries to buy its gas with roubles."
• ‘We’re going back to a USSR’: long queues return for Russian shoppers as sanctions bite - "After an hour and a half queuing for sugar, or worse still fighting for it in a market, Russians are feeling the effect of shortages caused by an unprecedented cutoff from the world."
• Want to talk? FBI trolls Russian Embassy for disgruntled would-be spies - "Recruitment ad hits social media feeds of mobile phones located outside or inside the diplomatic compound."
• 9 fossil fuel companies sent more than $15B in taxes to Russia since it annexed Crimea, NGOs say - "These fossil fuel companies sent more than $15B in taxes to Russia since it annexed Crimea, NGOs say. The groups, Global Witness, Greenpeace USA and Oil Change International, used data from the Oslo-based Rystad Energy, an independent energy research firm, to calculate how much money oil and gas companies based in North America and Europe had sent to the Russian state. They looked only at companies with exploration and production operations in Russia."
• Great Barrier Reef authority confirms unprecedented sixth mass coral bleaching event - "Aerial surveys show almost no reefs across a 1,200km stretch escaping the heat, prompting scientists to call for urgent action on climate crisis."
• The world’s forests do more than just store carbon, new research finds - "New data suggests forests help keep the Earth at least half of a degree cooler, protecting us from the effects of climate crisis."
• Satellite data shows entire Conger ice shelf has collapsed in Antarctica - "Nasa scientist says complete collapse of ice shelf as big as Rome during unusually high temperatures is ‘sign of what might be coming’."
• Flights are taking huge 'detours' around Russian air space. Here's what that means for the climate crisis - "Since Russia closed its airspace to airlines from dozens of countries at the end of February - in response to sanctions levied for its invasion of Ukraine - about 400 flights per month that had previously been routed over the country are being forced to take a wider berth, according to Flightradar24."
• Venice hotel guests issued with water pistols to shoot gulls - "Hoteliers find a solution to marauding birds that have become an increasing problem for guests dining al fresco."
• 7 Things You Need To Know About The New $5 Billion ‘Moon’ Resorts Coming To Planet Earth - "Only 12 people - all white males—have ever set foot on the Moon. So why not build four mini-Moons on planet Earth so 10 million people can visit a mock-up lunar surface each year? That’s the visionary idea behind 'Moon,' a truly spherical 735 feet/224 meters high construction designed to be a unique and luxurious destination resort. Primed to cost $5 billion to construct, it’s the work of Moon World Resorts Inc. (MWR), a Canada-based architectural design and intellectual property licensor."
• Age gaps: The relationship taboo that won't die - "Societies are increasingly progressive; today, many people accept that love presents in many ways. So why do people still judge couples who are many years apart?"
• What stops people from being kinder? - "The Kindness Test is the world's largest survey on what it means to be kind. It's shed light on the barriers that stop us being kind - but also that empathy truly is international."
• ‘He helped shape the modern world’: gif inventor Stephen Wilhite dies after getting Covid - "He created the image file format that defined an internet culture for decades in 1987 while working at CompuServe."
• Nicolas Cage Can Explain It All - "He is one of our great actors. Also one of our most inscrutable, most eccentric, and most misunderstood. But as Cage makes his case here, every extraordinary thing about his wild work and life actually makes perfect ordinary sense."
• Liv Ullmann: ‘I ran after Greta Garbo in the street. She outpaced me’ - "The actor and director answers your questions on how Ingmar Bergman changed her life, her feelings at receiving an honorary Oscar, and holidaying at a leper colony in Japan."
• ‘Jay-Z needs to decide which side he’s on’: Chateau Marmont workers to picket star’s Oscars after-party - "Jay-Z and Beyonce’s ultra-exclusive post-Oscars bash runs afoul of a worker boycott of the famed hotel, which laid off hundreds when the pandemic hit."
• Jeffrey Epstein’s Two Private Islands In The Caribbean List For $125 Million - "First reported by The Wall Street Journal, the pair of properties includes Great St. James and Little St. James. Great St. James is the larger of the islands, encompassing nearly 165 acres and situated near St. Thomas, and is fairly untouched. Little St. James, spanning roughly 72 acres, has a main residence, four guest houses, a helipad, private dock, gas station, three private beaches, two pools and a gym. The island, the same location where it was reported that underage girls were forced into sexual servitude, also has a flamingo-laden lagoon, library, cinema, and cabanas. The island also has a mysterious striped temple-like structure, and it’s unclear what the building’s purpose was."
• 10 new spectacular HQs in China designed by international architecture firms - "From Shenzhen to Beijing, the economic power of Chinese companies is represented through the spectacular 'globalized' architectures of Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, BIG and others."
• Ambitious plans unveiled for a libertarian city in the metaverse - "One of the most prominent architecture firms in the world is designing a new metaverse - a virtual city that hopes to be a libertarian utopia. Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has revealed renderings of the 'cyber-urban' Liberland metaverse, a small virtual city made of futuristic, curving buildings in the architectural style that made the late architect's firm famous. When complete, it will offer users the ability to traverse the hub as an avatar, and feature a city hall, collaborative working spaces, shops, business incubators, and a gallery for NFT art shows. The community it hopes to foster will have a focus on self-governance as well as fewer rules and regulations."

March 24, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Zelenskiy expects ‘meaningful steps’ at Nato, EU and G7 summits; reports Berdyansk port on fire - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• One month on: how a tragedy has unfolded in Ukraine - "Russia’s failure to score a quick victory has led to a grimmer phase of the war, and much still hangs in the balance."
• US formally accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine - "Blinken cited ‘indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities’."
• Russia's cost of living soars by more than 14% - "On Wednesday, Russia's economic ministry said annual inflation had jumped 14.5% in the week ending 18 March - the highest level since late 2015. The Federal State Statistics Service said the cost of sugar rose by as much as 37.1% in certain regions of the country and increased by an average 14%."
• MONACO YACHTING COMPANY AT CENTRE OF PUTIN YACHT REPORTS - "A yacht management and brokerage company with headquarters in Monaco has been thrown into the spotlight as speculation grows over the ownership of the Scheherazade, currently moored in Italy and reputed to belong to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin."
• How Europe Got Hooked on Russian Gas Despite Reagan’s Warnings - "A Soviet-era pipeline, opposed by the president but supported by the oil and gas industry, set up the dependency that today helps fund the Russian assault on Ukraine."
• Dumping vodka, banning Dostoevsky: some anti-Russian protests are empty gestures - "From cracking down on cultural figures to renaming food, disgust with Putin risks shifting into xenophobia. The reality is less than 1% of US vodka imports are actually made in Russia. Stolichnaya - which rebranded as Stoli this month - is produced in Latvia and was founded by a Putin critic who was exiled from Russia in 2000. Svedka? Made in Sweden. Smirnoff? Made in the USA."
• European countries now battling Covid BA.2 variant lifted restrictions too 'brutally,' WHO warns - "Several European nations are facing a new spike in Covid-19 cases because they scrapped pandemic restrictions too soon, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official has warned. The coronavirus is back on the rise in 18 European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany, Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for the continent, told reporters Tuesday."
• Fight Alzheimer's in your mid-30s by tracking these warning signs - "Having high cholesterol and blood sugar in your 30s may raise your risk for Alzheimer's disease decades later in life, according to a new study."
• 11 Most Exciting New Yachts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show - "From a $71 million, 206-foot superyacht to a 30-foot offshore dual console, this year's PBIBS has something for everyone."
• Maserati unveils new SUV - "Meet Maserati's new SUV Grecale. Maserati unveiled its new SUV Grecale only the second SUV in the Italian luxury brand's history. An all-electric version, releasing next year, will be the company's first EV SUV."
• Why the oldest jokes are still funny - "The jokes that have made people laugh for thousands of years. The phrase 'the old ones are the best ones' might not always be true. But some of the oldest jokes in history are still in use today. What makes a good joke? It’s worth going back a few thousand years to find out."
• Machu Picchu: Inca site ‘has gone by wrong name for over 100 years’ - "Peruvian historian and US archaeologist say the pre-Columbian town was called Huayna Picchu by the Inca people."
• ‘He raids the bin & eats the cat’s food!’ - the dangerous rise in obese pets - "A staggering 78% of vets say they have seen a rise in worryingly overweight pets in recent years, and lockdown has only made things worse. Could social media’s obsession with chonky cats and podgy pooches be to blame?"
• HBO Max adds a shuffle button to help you find something to watch - "Streaming made easy."

March 23, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: humanitarian convoy seized near Mariupol, says Zelenskiy, as he decries ‘constant bombing’ of city - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Oligarch linked to billions in 27 Swiss bank accounts in sister’s name - "Leaked documents raise questions over financial relations between relatives of billionaire ex-Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov."
• Putin Made a Profound Miscalculation on Ukraine - "Ukraine is once again at the center of a potentially global conflict. World War I, as the historian Dominic Lieven put it, 'turned on the fate of Ukraine.' World War II, according to the legendary journalist Edgar Snow, was 'first of all a Ukrainian war.' Now the threat of a third world war hinges on what could happen in Ukraine."
• ‘Mysterious’: the $700m superyacht in Italy some say belongs to Putin - "Activists linked to Alexei Navalny believe the Scheherazade is owned by the Russian president. For several months, the mysterious 140-metre-long, six-floor superyacht has towered over the smaller boats in the shipyard in Marina di Carrara, a town on Italy’s Tuscan coast, arousing chatter among its people over the identity of its wealthy owner."
• Friends beg Putin’s lover Alina Kabaeva to persuade him to end the war - "Friends of Vladimir Putin’s 'Eva Braun,' Alina Kabaeva, are begging her to go to Moscow to persuade him to end the war - as she faces expulsion from Switzerland."
• Chechnya’s losses in Ukraine may be leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s undoing - "Putin’s ally needs to show enemies at home and abroad his strength, but needs his forces intact to prop up his brutal rule."
• How protected are we against Covid-19? Scientists search for a test to measure immunity - "Millions of Americans - not just those with weakened immune systems - are wondering about their protection after a winter of booster shots and Omicron infections. As mask mandates are lifted and restrictions removed in a step toward normalcy, a test to measure immunity would be a powerful tool to measure individual risk."
• What an expert says about the new BA.2 Omicron variant & whether it should affect your plans - "A subvariant of Omicron, BA.2, is leading to a new wave of Covid-19 infections across Europe. Cases in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries are going up, driven by this very contagious coronavirus strain."
• Who’s Performing at the 2022 Oscars? Your Guide to the Night’s Events - "After last year’s hostless Academy Awards ceremony - a situation that befuddles me every time (give us Billy Crystal back! We’ve earned it!) - things will look rather different at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday, March 27, with not one, not two, but three hosts helming the mic and a slew of presenters joining them to hand out awards. Get all the details on the famous faces due to appear at this year’s Oscars here."
• Why this Chinese tea costs more than $184,000 per kilogram - "The Niu Lan Keng Rougui, a rare variety of Rougui tea from a valley brook of the same name in the Wuyi Mountains. The retail price? HKD36,000 ($4,560) for 25 grams, or $184,615 for a kilogram, at the time of writing. Enjoying one brew of the tea at the restaurant costs HKD28,000 ($3,577). o put this into context, a small 150-200 ml pot of tea is usually made with about five grams of tea leaves."
• Inside London's new $25B 'Super Tube' - "When fully opened, the new Elizabeth Line - better known as Crossrail - will make that Canary Wharf to Heathrow journey just 38 minutes. That's slashing it from at least an hour on the current underground system or about double that in a taxi, even in normal levels of traffic."
• ‘The casino beckons’: my journey inside the cryptosphere - "Not all cryptocurrency investors fit the cliches. Many are people looking to somehow claw their way out of a life of constant struggle."
• Top 5 Largest ‘Must-See’ Yachts At The 2022 Palm Beach Boat Show - "When it comes to yacht shopping in the United States (and easily being able to go aboard some of the world’s largest and most recognizable yachts that are for sale and/or available for charter), the Palm Beach International Boat Show that’s taking place along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach Island will be the place to be this weekend."
• Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier’s Turbulent Relationship, Retold With Compassion - "In 'Truly, Madly,' Stephen Galloway writes about one of the 20th century’s most glamorous couples, training an eye on Leigh’s mental health struggles."
• Bulgari Unveils Thin-As-A-Dime World Record Setting Octo Finissimo Ultra Watch - "Bulgari has been setting world records throughout the past decade, but this newest one - the 8th world record timepiece for the brand - shatters all the other records. The newest Octo Finissimo Ultra watch is the thinnest mechanical watch in the world. It measures just 1.8mm thick (the entire cased watch, not just the movement - meaning that it is just slightly thicker than the very thin American dime."
• The best Dolby Atmos scenes from the 2022 Oscar nominees to test your home cinema sound - "We run down our favourite scenes from this year’s Oscar nominees for best sound." What Hi-Fi?.
• Real-life ‘Succession’: LVMH’s billionaire owner Bernard Arnault to extend his tenure as CEO with his 5 kids in the running to take over - "In a regulatory filing, LVMH said it would seek to raise the age limit for its chief executive officer from 75 to 80 at its next annual general meeting. Arnault, who just celebrated his 73rd birthday this month, has run the company for almost four decades."

March 22, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy urges talks with Putin; Biden flags ‘clear sign’ Russia considering chemical weapons - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• $17bn of global assets linked to 35 Russians with alleged ties to Putin - "International collaboration tracks wealth of oligarchs and officials accused by western governments of being president’s supporters."
• Russian asset tracker - "Introducing a project to track down and catalogue the vast wealth held outside Russia by oligarchs and key figures close to Russian President Vladimir Putin." OCCRP.
• Putin sports $14000 designer jacket during pro-war rally - "He teamed the jacket with a £2,400 roll-neck sweater by Italian brand Kiton. Putin is also a fan of a £8,800 black Blancpain Grande Date Acqua Lung watch. He has also been spotted in a £605 pair of Loro Piana suede trim trainers."
• Zelensky calls out NestlÉ over its ties to Russia - "'Good food. Good life.' This is the slogan of Nestlé. Your company that refuses to leave Russia."
• China's zero-Covid policy shows signs of strain. But ditching it could be a disaster - "For nearly two years, China's daily Covid caseload rarely extended into triple digits, and often weeks went by without a single case."
• Omicron vs Zero-Covid: How long can China hold on? - "China and Hong Kong are seeing their largest spike in Covid cases in more than two years, despite determinedly pursuing one of the world's strictest virus elimination policies."
• What happened to the world's ozone hole? - "Back in the 1990s, the hole in the planet's ozone layer was a pressing global crisis - if we had ignored it, today there would be several."
• Ukraine war threatens global heating goals, warns UN chief - "António Guterres says countries seeking alternatives to Russian energy may increase use of fossil fuels."
• The big idea: can forests teach us to live better? - "Community, family, connection ... how trees could be the model for a new way of being."
• 'The Worst Person in the World' is going to the Oscars - "Joachim Trier ripped up the rom-com script with 'The Worst Person in the World.' He could win an Oscar for it."
• There are more than 5,000 worlds beyond our solar system, NASA confirms - "The latest addition of 65 exoplanets to the NASA Exoplanet Archive contributed to the scientific milestone marked on Monday. This archive is the home to exoplanet discoveries from peer-reviewed scientific papers that have been confirmed using multiple methods of detecting the planets."
• Lake Geneva as Shelley & Byron Knew It - "Switzerland is rarely thought of as a wild artistic center. Most of us recall the harsh verdict of Harry Lime, the character played by Orson Welles in “The Third Man,” who declared that the country’s most creative achievement was the cuckoo clock. It wasn’t always so."
• Frankenstein's monster inspires travel trail - "Frankenstein is a niche but growing attraction in Geneva, fueled by the bicentenary of the monster's creation. It was in June 1816, 200 years ago, that a group of five young people from England gathered in a villa overlooking Lake Geneva and tried to scare each other with ghost stories."
• Aberdeen to Penzance: the spectacular sights of Britain’s longest train journey - "The 13-hour train adventure offers epic snapshots of both cities and countryside."
• AnaÏs Nin’s Los Angeles Hideaway Still Keeps Her Secrets - "Shrouded by the pines of Silver Lake, the erotic writer’s minimalist, midcentury residence is a lasting monument to her life and legacy."
• This famous logo is hidden in paintings by Picasso & Manet - "Fascinating stories behind the world's oldest logos."
• How to Toilet-Train Your Cat - "Tired of an overflowing litter box? Charles Mingus has a pamphlet for that."
• Paws off: protecting clothes from your pets & what to do when you’ve failed - "From removing stray hairs to repairing chewed shoes, much can be done to fix pet-related wardrobe problems; but prevention is often better than cure."
• Orangutans use slang to ‘show off their coolness’, study suggests - "Primates come up with new ‘kiss-squeak’ alarm calls that spread quickly through communities, research says. Whether it is the rapidly shifting patois of teenagers or curious words found long-buried in the local argot of a rural community, our vocabularies are shaped by our social environs. Now, it seems, such influences might also be at play among orangutans."
• She Sells Cookie Dough That’s Better for You - "Sabeena Ladha is the founder of Deux, a raw cookie dough that is vegan and gluten-free."
• The Global Restaurant Brand With The Million Dollar NFT Membership Club - "Suppose you’re looking for an NFT with perks at a restaurant that is already open for business. In that case, you’re in luck: Chotto Matte, the pioneering global Nikkei dining destination with locations in London, Toronto and Miami Beach (and upcoming outposts in Doha, Riyadh, San Francisco and Beverly Hills), recently announced it would release its first NFT this April."
• Lucid Air Dream Edition review - "1,111 horsepower of EV luxury."
• DJI’s newest drone can fly in heavy rain & has its own robotic dock - "The DJI Matrice 30 Enterprise isn’t a hobby drone, though."

March 21, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Kyiv rejects Moscow’s deadline for Mariupol surrender; Biden to visit Poland - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• What are hypersonic missiles and why is Russia using them? - "Russia has deployed manoeuvrable Kinzhal missiles that can fly at 10 times the speed of sound."
• Closure of Russian airspace forces airlines to go polar - "Polar express: How airlines are plotting a new route to Asia."
• Covid restrictions easing across Europe despite surge in cases - "Germany to lift most controls despite daily record as cases also climb in Austria, Spain and France."
• Oscars 2022: Five ways the Academy is trying to stay relevant - "The 94th Academy Awards take place this Sunday. But with last year's viewing figures at an all-time low, organisers are under pressure to make the ceremony relevant again, particularly to younger audiences."
• ‘Basic Instinct’ at 30: A Time Capsule That Can Still Offend - "The erotic thriller starring Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone was a big hit that set off protests in its day, and it’s easy to see why even now."
• How Ikea tweaked its products to woo India's shoppers - "To better understand Indian consumers, Ikea visited more than 2,000 households with varying incomes in different cities. It placed furniture, home furnishing accessories and kitchens in many homes and tested them to see how they fared in the country's hot, humid and dusty cities."
• Manolo Blahnik & Birkenstock: Why high fashion finds this functional footwear brand irresistible - "Famed luxury shoe designer Manolo Blahnik and Birkenstock have unveiled a 'proudly glamorous' collaboration that reimagines two classic styles from the German brand - known for cork-soled comfort - in bright jewel colors and opulent materials."
• Louis Vuitton luxury trainers that cost £960 are compared to £12.99 pair designed by budget supermarket Lidl - "Top brand Louis Vuitton has been accused by some fashion fans of taking inspiration from budget supermarket Lidl."
• Norway’s £500m National Museum to open after eight-year wait - "Located on Oslo’s western waterfront, the £500m museum will be the biggest in the Nordic region when it opens on 11 June. Yet its director, Karin Hindsbo, has felt sufficiently contrite to apologise for extensive delays that kept renowned artworks such as Edvard Munch’s most famous version of The Scream out of public view for years."
• Butler to the World by Oliver Bullough review - bent Britain at your service - "This unmissable history traces Britain’s cynical transition over 70 years from imperial power to kleptocrats’ best friend."

March 20, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Mariupol art school sheltering 400 bombed, say officials - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Ukraine war: Western agents seek to get inside Putin's head - "Russia's leader Vladimir Putin is trapped in a closed world of his own making, Western spies believe. And that worries them."
• Russia denies cosmonauts board space station in Ukrainian colours - "Russia's space agency has rejected claims that three Russian cosmonauts boarded the International Space Station wearing Ukrainian colours, in a possible statement against the war."
• TikTok was ‘just a dancing app’. Then the Ukraine war started - "Many have called the invasion of Ukraine the world’s first 'TikTok war', and experts say it is high time for the short video platform - once known primarily for silly lip syncs and dance challenge - to be taken seriously."
• The destinations dropping all Covid rules for entry & more of the latest in travel - "This week at CNN Travel, we look at the countries dropping all their Covid-related rules for entry, innovative airplane cabin designs, new breathtaking bridges and why Finland is living its best life."
• Say hello to Horridus, one of the most complete Triceratops fossils found on Earth - "It's called Horridus, a name given to the specimen by its new owner Museums Victoria, Australia's largest public museum organization. The nickname is derived from its full name Triceratops horridus, and it lived 67 million years ago."
• The Most Unusual Celebrity Baby Names: Y, Gravity, Pilot Inspektor, and More - "Celebrities often opt for the unique when it comes to their children: take Ed Sheeran and his wife, Cherry Seaborn, who named their newborn daughter Lyra Antarctica, or Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost's son Cosmo. Then there's rocker Frank Zappa’s crew of bizarrely-bestowed children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, and Diva Thin Muffin. And how could we forget Apple Martin and Blue Ivy?"
• Julia Fox Teaches Us How to Get Her Uber Low-Rise Jeans in Under 4 Minutes - "Last night, Julia Fox stepped out in the sauciest take on the Canadian tuxedo known to man—the lowest low-rise jeans, a denim bandeau top, denim boots, and a denim handbag fashioned out of a pair of upside-down jeans by Alexander Wang. Though, if you want to get her same pants, you’ll have to put in some muscle. They were created by Fox herself, who helpfully posted a simple tutorial on her Instagram page."
• Kanye West barred from Grammys over ‘concerning online behavior’ - "Kanye West has been barred from performing at the Grammy awards next month due to 'concerning online behavior', a representative for the rapper and designer said."
• The Real-Life Newport Mansions That Inspired The Gilded Age - "'Why does everyone need to go to Newport now?' grumbles Christine Baranski’s grand dame character, Agnes Van Rhijn, in episode eight of The Gilded Age. While 'everyone' is an overstatement (New York’s population at that point was around two million), in Rhijn’s elite circle, it very much felt that way: the 1880s were the decade when the Rhode Island hamlet became the summer spot for the era’s tycoons. Indeed, the HBO show spends the next 40-or-so minutes laying the groundwork for its inevitable rise - and while, yes, the show is very much a piece of historical fiction, much of showrunner Julian Fellowes’s plot actually does borrow from real-life events."
• How Irving Penn ‘changed the way people saw the world’ - "Alastair Smart and Photographs specialist Rebecca Jones examine the legacy of a photographer whose elegant minimalism broke down boundaries - illustrated with works offered at Christie’s."
• Why collectors love ChÂteau Lafite Rothschild - "Château Lafite Rothschild is undoubtedly one of the world’s most prestigious and collectable wines. Tim Triptree MW helps explain why it’s so highly sought after." Christie's.
• Porsche is working on all-electric Macan & 718 vehicles - "The VW-owned automaker aims to have 80 percent of its sales be electric by 2030."
• How to get your grill ready for the outdoor season - "Tips on cleaning and, in some cases, updating your backyard cooking gear."
• Watch: Joaquin Phoenix & Ridley Scott spotted at Lincoln Cathedral during Napoleon filming - "Hollywood director Ridley Scott, famed for Gladiator, Blade Runner, Alien and more, is currently in the city for his latest film Napoleon, with the title role played by star of Joker and Walk The Line, Joaquin Phoenix."

March 19, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: Zelenskiy urges ‘honest’ peace talks without delay; Russian forces tighten grip around Mariupol - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russian oligarch’s yacht stuck in Norway as suppliers refuse to refuel - "Fuel sellers in Narvik say they will not sell to crew of Ragnar, which is owned by Vladimir Strzhalkovsky."
• Jewellery industry accused of silence over Russian diamonds - "Russian mines produce 30% of the world’s diamonds, and many of the globe’s largest jewellers remain tight-lipped about whether they will continue to buy the Russian gems as the war with Ukraine drags on. nsiders say current sanctions do nothing to halt flow of Russian gems to the west because majority are exported rough and get reclassified in India."
• Burger King franchise 'refuses' to close 800 Russian restaurants - "Burger King is trying to suspend its operations in Russia, but that's proving difficult. A business partner controlling 800 restaurants has 'refused' to close them, the company said."
• Roman Abramovich's jet among 100 planes grounded by US - "Nearly 100 planes with ties to Russia have been effectively grounded by the US government, including one owned by billionaire Roman Abramovich."
• Russia sets plan to steal $10 billion worth of foreign planes held in the country - "Russia has implemented a new law making it harder for foreign aircraft leasing companies to repossess their planes in the face of Western sanctions."
• russians have up to $213 billion stashed offshore in swiss banks - "Switzerland's secretive banks hold up to $213 billion of Russian wealth, the country's financial industry."
• A Guide To The Private Jets & Helicopters Owned By Sanctioned Russian Billionaires - "The aircraft are registered in offshore jurisdictions like the Isle of Man and Bermuda that are attempting to make it harder for the oligarchs to keep flying."
• How hackers, Arnold Schwarzenegger & the State Department are trying to pierce Putin's digital Iron Curtain - "The efforts echo Cold War-era radio broadcasts into the Soviet Union, but messaging apps and other free digital tools mean that an array of outsiders, from digital activists to Schwarzenegger, the Hollywood icon who posted a video addressing Russians on Thursday, can more easily join the campaign."
• Finland named world’s happiest country for fifth year running - "Experts say social support, honesty and generosity key to wellbeing, as Afghanistan and Lebanon struggle in global ranking."
• How should the world respond to the next pandemic? - "As the WHO mulls when to call the Covid pandemic over, attention is turning to the future."
• Could Ukraine war help end west’s reliance on hydrocarbons? - "Russian invasion diverts attention but may ironically help push world towards cleaner future, say experts."
• Is This 663-Foot-Long Concept Design The ‘Superyacht Of The Century?’ - "Here’s a question. How many people do you think can actually comprehend just how big a 663-foot-long private superyacht is? Can you? In fact, I’m not sure even I can even though I’ve been writing about the world’s largest and most over-the-top superyachts for a while now!"
• These airplane cabin designs could be the future of flying - "The airplane cabin designs shortlisted for the 2022 Crystal Cabin Awards."
• Turkey opens record-breaking bridge between Europe & Asia - "President Tayyip Erdogan opened a massive suspension bridge across Turkey's Dardanelles Strait on Friday, the latest in a series of major infrastructure projects which he has prioritized during his two decades in power. Connecting Turkey's European and Asian shores, the 1915 Canakkale Bridge was built by Turkish and South Korean firms with an investment of €2.5 billion ($2.8 billion). It has the longest main span - the distance between the two towers - of any suspension bridge in the world."
• How vegan cheese is made without milk - "Much like the processes used to make dairy cheese, artisan vegan cheesemaker Tyne Chease leaves fermented cashews to age for up to two weeks,"
• Julia Roberts & Sean Penn Are Unrecognizable in the First Trailer for Gaslit - "Julia Roberts is a movie star through and through, which means that you don’t often see the Oscar-winning 54-year-old on the small screen. Of course, there are notable exceptions - that episode of Friends where she steals all of Chandler’s clothes; Amazon Prime’s Emmy-nominated Homecoming - but her next TV role is set to be her buzziest yet. In the upcoming Starz series Gaslit, the actor will play Martha Mitchell, the Arkansan socialite who was married to John Mitchell (Sean Penn), the U.S. attorney general under Richard Nixon, and became a controversial figure after sounding the alarm on the president’s involvement in the Watergate scandal."
• Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon Z9 | Digital Camera World - We take look at the key specifications of the Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z9, two top pro cameras, to see how they compare.
• James Bond photographer Greg Williams designs new professional course - "007 photographer Greg Williams' interactive 20-part course is designed to help professionals elevate their business. Features of the course include lifting the veil on the business side of photography, with Greg's unique advice on the commercial and copyright aspects of the industry through invaluable insight and technical specifics."
• Here’s how the new Mac Studio compares to the rest of the Mac lineup - "Apple introduced an all-new Mac category with the Mac Studio landing as the most powerful machine yet with Apple Silicon. And until Mac Pro transitions from Intel, Mac Studio will become the go-to for many creative pros and other power users. However, with more choice comes more to consider and while it looks tempting, Mac Studio could be overkill for many. Let’s dive into Mac Studio vs the rest of the Mac lineup."

March 18, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: blasts heard in Lviv; Biden to warn Xi against backing Putin - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• What it means for Russia to default on its debt - "Russia is barreling toward a default on its foreign debt payments, threatening to plunge its economy deeper into crisis. For those of us who slept through their Intro to Macroeconomics class in college, let's unpack just what we mean when talk about this historic (and still potential) Russian default."
• Elon Musk Has an Original Idea to End Russian Invasion of Ukraine - "The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has already multiplied his gestures of support for Ukraine, which Russia invaded more than two weeks ago."
• Arnold Schwarzenegger appeals to Russian people to reject Kremlin misinformation - "The Hollywood star said in the nine-minute video on Twitter that the Kremlin was intentionally lying to Russians by saying the invasion was intended to'denazify' Ukraine. Russia describes its actions as a 'special operation'."
• ‘Stealth’ Omicron Is Stealthy No More: What’s Known About the BA.2 Variant - "The subvariant of Omicron is becoming more common in the United States but probably won’t cause another large spike."
• The world's happiest countries for 2022 - "Devastating loss of life and growing uncertainty have the world very much on edge, but there is a bit of good news for humanity: Benevolence is surging globally. That's one of the key findings of the World Happiness Report, a publication of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network that draws on global survey data from people in about 150 countries. Marking its 10th anniversary, the report looks at happiness around the world - the happiest nations, those at the very bottom of the happiness scale and everything in between, plus the factors that tend to lead to greater happiness."
• A fine-dining restaurant is serving meals in toothpaste tubes - "The Italian chef who puts lasagna in a toothpaste tube."
• Mike Tyson Is Making Pot Edibles in the Shape of a Bitten Ear - "The marijuana candies, called Mike Bites, recall the 1997 fight where Tyson bit a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear. The 1990s were crazy."
• Amazon closes $8.5 billion deal to acquire MGM - "James Bond is now an Amazon employee. The deal, which was first announced in May, brings MGM and its more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows under the Amazon umbrella. None of which is bigger than the James Bond franchise, which has racked up billions of dollars over the past 60 years. The suave British spy's latest film, 'No Time to Die,' has earned more than $770 million globally since its October release."
• Peter Bowles: To The Manor Born actor dies aged 85 - "Actor Peter Bowles, famous for starring opposite Penelope Keith in BBC comedy series To The Manor Born, has died at the age of 85, his agent has confirmed."
• The Rolex Daytona Is No Longer A Watch - It’s The Ultimate Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card - "When your Cosmograph becomes a currency or even a commodity, it’s no longer just any old chronograph."
• Frank Lloyd Wright Left 660 Unbuilt Designs & an Innovative New Project Brings Three of Those to Life - "There are no new Mozart symphonies to hear or paintings by Mark Rothko to see. Part of the sadness that comes from learning that an artist is gone involves the absence of getting to experience something new from them. At least, that’s how things usually go. But every once in a while, a previously-unseen work by a renowned creator is uncovered, or an incomplete posthumous work gets a technological boost and finds its ending."

March 17, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: one dead in Kyiv missile strike; Kremlin anger after Biden calls Putin a war criminal - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russia says it made a payment to avoid default - "Russia says it has ordered the $117 million in interest payments it owes Wednesday to be sent to investors, attempting to avoid its first international default in more than a century. But it's not out of the woods yet."
• A short list of Russian yacht seizures - "Russian oligarchs have been looking for ways to park their money outside Vladimir Putin’s control for a long time, and the tackiest method available to them is the megayacht - so obviously, there are a lot of them. It is remarkably satisfying to see the yachts get seized."
• Russia moves to seize hundreds of planes from foreign owners - "Russia is seizing hundreds of commercial jets owned by US and European leasing companies, a further sign of the challenges the country's airline industry faces due to sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. Western aircraft makers such as Airbus (EADSF) and Boeing (BA) have already cut off Russian airlines' access to the spare parts they need to maintain and safely fly their jets. Russian airlines operate 305 Airbus jets and 332 Boeing jets, according to data provided by aviation analytics firm Cirium."
• Russia’s richest man may have avoided freeze on £1bn Tui shares - "Alexei Mordashov sold most of 34% stake in world’s biggest tourism operator to firm in British Virgin Islands."
• The western elite is preventing us from going after the assets of Russia’s hyper-rich - "Why has no progress been made on an international financial registry? One simple reason: wealthy westerners don’t want one." Thomas Piketty | The Guardian.
• Covid. War. Inflation. Recession fears. The stock market can't keep up - "It's been a year full of worries for investors, from geopolitical conflict to inflation to the pandemic, and it doesn't look like the concerns will ease anytime soon."
• How countries get their national identities - "The easiest route to a strong national identity is to unite behind a common enemy."
• Germany hits record Covid infection rate since start of pandemic - "Over past 24 hours 262,593 cases have been recorded, but with testing facilities at capacity, number could be higher."
• Great Barrier Reef hit by sixth mass bleaching event, leading coral scientist says - "One of the world’s leading coral scientists claims a sixth mass bleaching event is unfolding across the Great Barrier Reef, with official monitoring flights now under way all along the Queensland coastline. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has confirmed monitoring flights are being conducted 'along the length and breadth' of the 2,300km world heritage reef."
• Can oysters save New York City from the next big storm? - "A new project aims to shore up the disappearing coastline of New York City’s Staten Island, while reviving a once famously thriving oyster population."
• ‘Scarface’ Mansion In Montecito Lists For $40 Million - "Treasured homes along the California coast often come with a Hollywood connection. In Montecito, El Fureidis, a grand mansion most notably featured as the home and symbol of extreme wealth for Al Pacino’s titular character in the 1983 film Scarface, is now on the market for $39,995,000. Designed by celebrated architect Bertram Goodhue for real estate tycoon James Waldron Gillespie - who is said to have traveled to Montecito because of its likeness to the fair-weather climates of the Mediterranean - the 10-acre estate was completed in 1906."
• Elite sleepers: are you one of the people genetically programmed to need less sleep? - "New research shows those who need less than six hours’ kip are at less risk of cognitive decline. And they could hold the key to a scientific breakthrough."
• iPad Air review: cheaper iPad Pro for the rest of us gets M1 power upgrade - "Stunning 10.9in tablet gets Apple’s top chip, long battery life and best-in-class smart video call camera."
• Supermodel Bella Hadid regrets having cosmetic surgery - "Supermodel Bella Hadid has confessed that she regrets having a nose job as a teenager. Gracing the cover of American Vogue's April issue, the supermodel said she wishes she had not gone under the knife at 14."
• Ancient sarcophagus found under Notre Dame cathedral in Paris - "Archaeologists said the lead sarcophagus probably belonged to a high dignitary and said it could date back to the 14th century, which - if confirmed - would make it a spectacular find."
• In pictures: 2022 Sony World Photography Awards - "The winners of the Open category of the 2022 Sony World Photography Awards have been revealed. More than 170,000 images were entered into this year's Open competition, with over 100 photographers shortlisted. Each winner will go on to compete for the overall Open Photographer of the Year title and a $5,000 prize. The overall winners in the Open, Student, Youth and Professional competitions will be announced on 12 April."
• The most remarkable Star Trek episode ever made - "The sci-fi franchise has ventured far and wide over its many decades - but it has never been bolder than when it travelled back to 1950s America and tackled anti-black racism head on."
• IWSC | IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition: The Best Single Malt Scotch Of 2022 - "The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) has just announced the results of the 2022 spirits judging. A total of 85, predominantly UK based, judges evaluated over 4,000 entrants across more than a dozen major spirit categories. In the Scotch whisky category, traditionally one of the competition’s largest and most competitive segments, a total of 38 single malt Scotch whiskies were awarded the coveted Gold Outstanding medal. The top three Scotch whiskies, each scoring 99 points out of a hundred, were, surprisingly, from two of Scotland’s lesser-known distilleries: Tomatin and Deanston."
• Netflix is testing ways to end password sharing & push viewers to pay extra - "Netflix is not only getting more expensive, it’s getting stingy."
• Audi A6 Avant E-tron concept is an elegant electric wagon that looks production-ready - "The latest concept EV from the German automaker. The A6 Avant E-tron is the first 'completely tangible look at future production models' that will be built on the PPE platform, Audi Board Member for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann said in a statement."
• Epson's latest laser projector promises 4K 120Hz output for $3,999 - "The LS11000 has many of the same features as the more expensive Pro Cinema LS12000."

March 16, 2022

• Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelenskiy says peace talks are ‘more realistic’; three EU leaders vow support on Kyiv visit - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Marina Ovsyannikova: Russian journalist tells of 14-hour interrogation - "A Russian journalist has been fined and released after she protested against the war in Ukraine on a live TV news programme and made an anti-war video."
• Nordic countries wonder if they are next on Putin's list - "The West's almost unprecedented unity on sanctions, political and military action has left many in Europe, despite the horrors of Putin's war, optimistic that the continent will emerge from this better equipped to deal with security threats. Nowhere is this truer than in the three Nordic nations that sit on the Scandinavian Peninsula: Norway, Sweden and Finland. Both Norway and Finland share land borders with Russia, though Norway's is significantly smaller at under 124 miles, compared to Finland's 800-mile frontier. Norway, the Western-most of the three, is a member of NATO but is not in the European Union, while Finland and Sweden are in the EU, but not in NATO."
• Spain has seized Russian oligarch’s $140m superyacht in Barcelona, PM says - "Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said ‘there will be more’ after the seizure as the west targets Russia over its invasion of Ukraine."
• In China, 37 million people are in Covid lockdown. Here's what we know - "Tens of millions of people are living under lockdown in China, as the country battles its worst Covid-19 outbreak since the early days of the pandemic."
• Pfizer asks FDA to authorize 2nd Covid booster for people 65 & older - "If the FDA authorizes it, the additional shot would go to people who are among those with the highest risk of serious illness."
• What to Know About a Fourth COVID-19 Vaccine Dose - "Public health experts are leaning toward an additional booster dose for the COVID-19 vaccine, but only for certain people." TIME Magazine.
• The island nation that saved its ocean - "As tourism has impacted parts of Seychelles' environment, the island nation now aims to protect its 72 low-lying coralline 'Outer Islands' from development before it's too late. Made up of 115 islands dotting the Indian Ocean off East Africa, Seychelles is known as a global hotspot for biodiversity."
• How to recycle your used & unwanted gadgets - "Because you love the earth as much as you loved your iPhone, right? You're probably used to sorting your garbage into bins: green for paper or blue for plastic and glass. But when it comes to electronics, we're still used to selling those off or tossing them into the trash heap. Unfortunately, our gadget addiction has real consequences for the planet, making it imperative that we dispose of everything responsibly."
• China's White Rabbit candy is taking over the world - "How Shanghai's White Rabbit candy became a globally beloved brand. The candy, first manufactured in Shanghai in the 1940s, is known for its iconic red-white-and-blue packaging and beloved by kids all over China. And when Chinese people began emigrating all over the world, their love for the white, creamy candy went with them."
• 7 benefits of using a VPN (spoiler: it could save you money) - "We all regularly use the internet nowadays for a variety of different purposes. Whether it’s to keep in touch with friends and family, to work from home, or to conduct our banking and bill paying online, it’s important to be secure. One of the best ways to keep yourself secure and your activity private is to use a VPN."
• Best camera phone 2022 - "When it comes to the best camera phones, there are plenty of great options. Different smartphone manufacturers take different approaches to how best to capture great images which is why this list is so long. Before you dive in, think about if you need the lens overload and extensive zoom of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, or whether the point and shoot simplicity of the iPhone 13 Pro would suit you better. Alternatively, there's always the great software of the Google Pixel 6 Pro too."
• Apple iPhone SE Review: A Phone for the Anti-Consumer - Why spend more if you don’t have to? The new $430 iPhone meets all the criteria of what most of us need in a smartphone.
• Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio - Which desktop Mac to buy at any pricepoint - "What desktop Mac you buy is an incredibly personal decision, driven by workflow as much as it is by financial considerations. Fortunately, there are wide varieties of machines you can buy at any price point. Here's how to pick."
• 5 ways to soothe a mind overstimulated by anxiety, stress & streams of information - "This Year, Try Spring Cleaning Your Brain."
• OK, but hear me out: the five best podcasts to change your mind - "Ready to refresh your brain? From reconsidering maligned public figures to reframing ideas around sex, there’s a podcast for that."
• It happened to me: I accidentally attended a crypto bro dinner - "At a Miami event, I found myself surrounded by a cult obsessed with minting bananas and trading Eth. Does it all mean anything?"
• Sun sets on Mexico’s paradise beaches as climate crisis hits home - "Rising sea levels and fierce storms threaten Quintana Roo’s coastline, and with it the ribbon of beach resorts and timeshares."
• Princess Charlene’s struggles with royalty exposed in throwback interview - "Princess Charlene of Monaco hasn’t just struggled with her health in recent days."
• Burkina Faso-born Kere First African to Win Pritzker Architecture Prize 2022 - "The Pritzker Prize, architecture's most prestigious award, was awarded Tuesday to Burkina Faso-born architect Diebedo Francis Kere, the first African to win the honor in its more than 40-year history."
• The Luxury Watch Market Presents Opportunities for the Savvy Investor - "The watch market has recently surprised even the most experienced watch experts."
• Answering The 'Dirty' Question - Is An Omega Speedmaster A Good Investment? - "Are you a flipper, or do you just want to make sure your money is well spent?"
• Jacob & Co Unveils $240,000 Batman-Inspired Gotham City Watch - "Working in collaboration with Warner Brothers Consumer Products and DC, Jacob & Co. unveils its newest horological hyper watch: Gotham City. Inspired by Bruce Wayne, aka, Batman, the 45.5mm watch features an artistic bat shaped dial outlined in bold yellow and a host of accents front and back that scream Batman."
• The private jet-inspired yacht concept that looks like a spaceship - "With more yachts being added to the global fleet than ever before, coming up with a concept that turns heads is no easy feat. However, the team at Lazzarini Design Studio have been doing their best to rise to challenge. Just months after unveiling a superyacht concept that can fly and sail, the Rome-based design company has released a new design for a futuristic vessel that wouldn't look out of place in a 'Star Trek' movie."
• Mercedes-Benz shows off the interior of the 2023 EQS SUV - "The optional 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen steals the show once again."
• Manolo Blahnik Crystallizes Birkenstocks for His Most Memorable Collab to Date - "As far as collaborations go, Manolo Blahnik is not short of creatives lining up to work with him. (Remember the Rihanna tie-up?) But his latest is not perhaps the most obvious partner for the high-heel connoisseur who keeps Carrie Bradshaw in stilettos. Welcome to the world: Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock."
• Best Places to Order Cakes Online - "Cake makes everything better - all the more reason to get one delivered."

March 15, 2022

• Ukraine war: large explosions heard in Kyiv; Zelenskiy calls on Russian troops to surrender - latest news - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• News editor interrupts Russian TV in war protest - "A woman holding an anti-war sign ran on to the set of a Russian evening news programme on the state-controlled Channel 1 on Monday evening."
• Activists break into French villa of Putin’s daughter Katerina Tikhonova - "Group changes locks and declares house a shelter for Ukrainian refugees."
• iOS 15.4 Features: Everything New in iOS 15.4 - "Apple yesterday released iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 operating systems that first came out in September. iOS and iPadOS 15.4 are huge updates that bring quite a few useful new features to the iPhone and the iPad."
• It’s time to update your Apple Watch software with watchOS 8.5 - "After a few weeks of beta testing, Apple is releasing watchOS 8.5 to all Apple Watch users. Here’s what’s new with the software update."
• Hands-on: Here’s how to use iPhone’s Face ID With a Mask in iOS 15.4 - "Apple has delivered a lot with iOS 15.4 and one of the headlining features is the ability to officially use Face ID With a Mask. Support is also included for recognizing multiple pairs of glasses. Follow along for how to get going with the handy new feature."
• China Covid cases hit two-year high with millions in lockdown as outbreak spreads - "Nearly 90% of new infections in Jilin province, while tens of millions of people across the country remain confined to their homes."
• CDC adds 1 destination to 'very high' risk category for travel - the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius.
• How Covid Changed Business Travel Forever - "Zoom meetings have fundamentally altered how and why people hit the road for work. Now 'bleisure' and 'return to base' are corporate travel buzzwords in the new normal."
• Are there more wheels or doors in the world? Why we can’t resist an internet debate - "Too many of us found ourselves hotly arguing about a pointless question last week. Why can’t we help wasting time on inconsequential online queries such as what colour is The Dress or how dogs would wear trousers?"
• Are NFTs really art? - "Collectible and cartoonish, these digital multiples, traded in cryptocurrency, confer membership of an exclusive club - sometimes literally. But do they have any aesthetic value? A critic weighs in."
• William Hurt obituary - "Acclaimed American stage and screen actor who starred in Body Heat, Broadcast News and Children of a Lesser God."
• US aircraft carrier that once collided with a Soviet sub sold for less than a dollar - "US aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk, site of a 1972 race riot at sea, on way to scrapyard. It was once the biggest symbol of American military power in the Indo-Pacific, battle tested from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf and a survivor of a collision with a Soviet submarine."
• World's most delicious pancakes - "The traditional Christian feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday is celebrated as a chance to eat well before the 40 days of sacrifices in the lead-up to Easter."
• Pies around the world - sweet & savory pastries to celebrate Pi Day - "March 14 is Pi Day in honor of the first three digits of the mathematical constant (3.1415...). But it's also a flimsy, yet delicious, excuse to celebrate an enduring culinary concept: the many edible varieties of pie around the world."
• I transformed my sleep with a speaker that costs less than a deli sandwich - "Restless nights? You need to try an under-pillow speaker."
• Hennessy Unveils A $7,000 Bottle Designed By Legendary Architect Daniel Libeskind - "With his style of using sharp angles and asymmetrical planes, Architect Daniel Libeskind's designs have ranged from the new World Trade Center site to the Jewish Museum in Berlin and Denver Art Museum. His latest work however showcases a much smaller treasure, the redesigned bottle of Richard Hennessy, the cognac distiller's namesake tribute to its founder."
• How to clean your AirPods - And any other wireless earbuds you have.
• APPLE’S NEW IPHONE SE IS A MODERN PHONE STUCK IN YESTERDAY’S DESIGN - "Yesterday’s iPhone, today." Everything about the iPhone SE is designed for the next few years except for one very important component: the screen. More specifically, the thick bezels that border the 4.7-inch LCD on the top and bottom. It’s a tired design straight out of 2017 that makes an already-small screen feel even smaller than it could be. That’s a shame because, otherwise, the SE is a fantastic midrange phone. With a starting price of $429, it will give you an excellent return on your investment.
• How to master your equalizer settings for the perfect sound - "EQ settings can now be found in everything from phones and wireless speakers to home theater soundbars and streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, but often in the form of safe presets such as 'Rock,' 'Hip-Hop,' or 'Bass Booster.' Understanding how exactly an EQ works and using it properly will put the power of sound-sculpting at your fingertips and can get you closer to the sound you want from your gear. But it can be intimidating, so we’re here to help with our top-to-bottom guide to mastering your equalizer for the perfect sound."
• Three Great Cameras in One. Leica M11 Review - "The Leica M11 is a fantastic camera that’s basically three cameras in one. Shooting at 60MP gets you tons of details. At 36MP, you’ll get a balance of details and a high dynamic range. At 18MP, you’ll get a small RAW file and lots of dynamic range. It also feels great in hand. But it’s also time for Leica to think about proper weather sealing, building in an EVF, and a new viewfinder style." The Photographer.

March 14, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: peace talks to resume; UK says Russian navy has blockaded Black Sea coast - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russian internet users are learning how to beat Putin's internet crackdown - "A digital Iron Curtain may be descending on Russia, as President Vladimir Putin struggles to control the narrative about his war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has already moved to block Facebook and Twitter, and its latest step in that direction came Friday as the government announced plans to block Instagram in the country, as well."
• Roman Abramovich 'fails to pay £10,000 rent to Queen' for land his mansion is on - "Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is unable to pay the Queen the £10,000 rent required for land on which his stunning £107million Kensington mansion is built."
• China shuts down city of 17.5m people in bid to halt Covid outbreak - "Authorities adopt a zero tolerance policy in Shenzhen, imposing a lockdown and testing every resident three times."
• Barack Obama announces positive test for Covid-19 - "Former president ‘had a scratchy throat but fine otherwise’ Michelle Obama negative and both are boosted, tweet says."
• BAFTA Awards 2022: See the full list of winners - "The 75th British Academy of Film Awards were presented Sunday. The ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall returned to an in-person event after going virtual in 2021 due to the pandemic. The Western drama 'The Power of the Dog,' directed by Jane Campion, won best film. The sci-fi film 'Dune,' which led nominations going into the night, won five awards."
• Oscar-winning actor William Hurt dies aged 71 - "Hurt won best actor Oscar for role in Kiss of the Spider Woman, before two more nominations for Broadcast News and Children of a Lesser God."
• The Godfather: Have we misunderstood America's greatest film? - "Fifty years after its premiere, Francis Ford Coppola's classic gangster movie is still considered one of the greatest artworks made about the US, but have we overlooked a key element, asks Nicholas Barber."
• Stonehenge was an ancient time-keeping system, archaeologist says - "The central axis of the megaliths was - and still is - aligned with the sunrise at midsummer and sunset at midwinter, the stones perfectly framing the rising and setting sun when days were at their longest and shortest."
• Blue-sky thinking: new rules allow digital nomads to work in the sun - "Setting up a remote ‘office’ is a freedom many are now used to. So why not do it in a beautiful part of the world?"
• Peranakan food: A guide to one of Southeast Asia's most popular cuisines - "One of Southeast Asia's most interesting cuisines, Peranakan food is primarily found in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia."
• Asia's version of the 'greasy spoon' - "Hong Kong's 'greasy spoon' cafes. Serving up a rarely changing menu of quirky Canto-European concoctions, the cha chaan teng is at the heart of the city's singular cultural identity."
• The innovative surfing tech making waves - "With more than 35 million surfers around the world, the sport is big business. The industry is increasingly turning to technology for bigger, better and safer thrills."
• 11 Best Self-Tanning Drops for a Streak-Free, Sun-Kissed Glow - "Trick everyone into thinking you just got back from paradise - your secret is safe with us."
• THE MAC STUDIO IS MYTH FULFILLMENT - "The myth of xMac, the midrange Mac tower that never was. Apple’sApple’s announcement of the Mac Studio on Tuesday may have fulfilled a dream that some Mac users have been clinging to for a couple of decades. Finally, there’s a modular desktop Mac that’s more powerful than the Mac mini without carrying the Mac Pro’s high price tag."
• Compared: Mac Studio versus Mac Pro - "Apple's new Mac Studio is the company's most powerful Apple Silicon machine yet. Here's how it stacks up against the Mac Pro, Apple's most powerful Intel-based Mac to date."
• Why opposites don't attract in love & sex - "The old adage tells us opposites attract. Not only is it wrong - but it may be less true than ever."
• The Nordic way to stop bullying - "Bullying can make children's lives a misery and cause lifelong health problems - but scientists are discovering powerful ways to fight it."
• Princess Charlene back in Monaco - "In its statement the Palace said that the Princess will soon share special moments with Monegasques, as soon as her health allows. She will continue her convalescence in the Principality."
• 23 Tequila Drinks More Exciting Than A Basic Margarita - "From paloma cocktails to mezcalitas, here's what to make and order."
• How to enable or disable messages by category in Google Messages - "Categories not your thing? Disable them."

March 13, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest: 20 people reportedly killed after military base near Polish border hit by missiles - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• War has brought the world to the brink of a food crisis - "Two weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, the prices of key agricultural products produced in the region have skyrocketed. The biggest problem is wheat, a pantry staple. Supplies from Russia and Ukraine, which together account for almost 30% of global wheat trade, are now at risk. Global wheat prices hit an all-time high earlier this week."
• Paris Fashion Week: How luxury fashion responded to the war on Ukraine - "A week of fashion shows in the French capital, against the backdrop of a full-scale crisis in Europe, saw symbolic gestures, quieter moments of reflection and pledges of financial support from a number of houses."
• Roman Abramovich: Rabbi investigated over Portuguese citizenship - "Mr Abramovich was granted Portuguese citizenship in April 2021 under a law that offered naturalisation to descendants of Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from the Iberian peninsula more than 400 years ago during the Inquisition."
• Italian authorities seize one of world’s largest superyachts from oligarch - "Sailing Yacht A, owned by Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko, seized in Trieste on Friday evening."
• Saudi Arabia executes 81 men in one day - "Saudi Arabia says it executed 81 men on Saturday - more than during the whole of last year."
• China battles worst Covid outbreak for two years as cases double in 24 hours - "Nearly 3,400 cases were reported on Sunday, forcing shutdowns for millions of people and closure of schools in Shanghai."
• Shipwreck discoveries & a crowdfunded country: Travel news this week - "It's been 731 days since world health officials declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. That's about 940 flights from New York to Singapore, 650 trips on the Blue Train between Pretoria and Cape Town or five round-the-world cruises. Keen to make up for lost time? CNN Travel is here with our weekly roundup of news and inspiration."
• F1 2022: six things to look forward to in the new season - "The lowdown on all new cars, overtaking, tyres, weight, sprint qualifying and three-day weekends in the 2022 F1 season."
• Why uncommon baby names are surging - "Research shows today’s rising popularity of unique baby names reflects a move from collectivism to individualistic societies, and provides important contextual clues about whom parents want their children to be. Globally, it seems, parents increasingly value unique names to help children stand out, instead of fit in."
• The 23 Most Iconic Photographs of Princess Diana - "On March 4, two white-gloved curators hung a portrait of the late Princess Diana on the walls of Kensington Palace. While photos of the late royal aren’t rare - in the 1990s, she was one of the most photographed women alive, and even 30 years later, depictions of her abound daily on the internet - this one was taken by David Bailey in 1988, the black-and-white portrait is striking in its minimalism, showing simply the profile of Diana staring steadfastly ahead. It lacks the formality and grandeur of royal portraits past, like those done by the famed Cecil Beaton, and it has also never been seen before: whereas several other photos from the shoot were acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in the ’80s, this one remained for years in Bailey’s private collection."
• Who Was Andy Warhol, Really? - "A new Netflix docuseries, The Andy Warhol Diaries (released today), aims to delve further into the influential artist’s mind."
• A megalopolis of engineering: the verdict on London’s £18bn new Elizabeth line - "From Brexit and Covid to the war in Ukraine, the world has changed dramatically since work began on the Crossrail project. With its opening imminent, our architecture critic takes a ride."
• Canon wants to dominate the mirrorless camera market with the EOS R range - "Says it will expand its RF lens lineup at a steady pace."
• WaterBear is a Tiny Reusable Cleaning Pad for Your Lenses - "Kuvrd, the company known for making universal waterproof and dustproof lens caps, has launched a new product called the WaterBear. The company claims the tiny washable and reusable square can instantly and safely clean any kind of screen, lens, or display."

March 12, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: attacks intensify around Kyiv; conflict at ‘strategic turning point’, says Zelenskiy - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Exiled oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky makes prediction about Putin - "Exiled Russian oligarch says Putin's bankers need to be blocked. Exiled Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who led Russia's largest private oil company, speaks with CNN's Alex Marquardt about the Russia and Ukraine conflict and how the West can aid in ending the war."
• Roman Abramovich's £430m superyacht Solaris docks into 'safe haven' of Montenegro - "Roman Abramovich's £430m superyacht docked in Montenegro this morning as the under-fire oligarch apparently sought to protect his prize assets from being seized under sanctions. The luxury 460ft vessel arrived just before 8am UK-time in the port of Tivat after hurriedly leaving Barcelona on Tuesday - two days before Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government. It is believed that he wanted to move his yacht out of western European waters because of the risk of him being sanctioned by the EU over alleged links to President Putin."
• Russians seek to evade social media ban with virtual private networks - "After Russia put a block on access to Facebook and Twitter, internet searches for ways around it shot up."
• Spam website set up to reach millions of Russians - "A Norwegian computer expert has created a website enabling anyone to send an email about the war in Ukraine to up to 150 Russian email addresses at a time, so that Russian people have a chance to hear the truth their government is hiding."
• Grimes & Elon Musk secretly welcomed their second child in December - a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk.
• Feast your eyes on the new green iPhone 13 & 13 Pro - "How do the green iPhone 13 mini and alpine green iPhone 13 Pro compare to other green phones?"
• The homes powered by a kite - "The kites seeking the world's surest winds. To harvest wind energy from the heights where it blows fastest, the key may be to fly a kite."
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now - "The sheer volume of films on Netflix - and the site’s less than ideal interface - can make finding a genuinely great movie there a difficult task. To help, we’ve plucked out the 50 best films currently streaming on the service in the United States, updated regularly as titles come and go. And as a bonus, we link to more great movies on Netflix within many of our write-ups." The New York Times.
• Trust Your Ears. Dolby Atmos on Apple Music Doesn’t Sound “Right” - "Back in May, Apple announced a partnership with Dolby to deliver Spatial Music to all Apple Music subscribers. Keenly paired with Apple’s Airpods line of headphones, this is immersive audio’s most significant move to the mainstream. Those listening closely have noticed that their favorite songs sound different, and not just because of the obvious remix in surround sound. It seems that Apple’s flavor of Dolby Atmos sounds quite different from what is heard in the studio. At the risk of sounding reductive, Atmos+Apple Music sounds bad."
• Up to 10,000 Asian migrant workers die in the Gulf every year, claims report - "More than half of the deaths are unexplained, said the report, and are commonly recorded as due to 'natural causes' or 'cardiac arrest'. But Gulf states are failing properly to investigate why so many migrant workers are dying."
• There are few black-and-white issues in fashion - but the trainers you wear is one - "With heels going the way of cufflinks and hat pins, we’re all flat shoe wearers now."
• Crufts: the World’s Greatest Dog Show - in pictures - "Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre hosts the return of its famous canine competition this week as about 16,000 dogs of all shapes and sizes arrive from across the world to compete for the coveted best in show award."

March 11, 2022

• Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Russian forces ‘have killed more civilians than soldiers’ as bombs hit cities further west - live - The Guardian.
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Russia owes Western banks $120 billion. They won't get it back - "Goldman Sachs is the first major Western bank to get out of Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. More are likely to follow at a cost of tens of billions of dollars."
• McDonald's transformed Russia ... now it's abandoning the country - "After that first spot opened up January 31, in 1990, McDonald's expanded its reach within the country. As of last week, there were about 850 locations operating in Russia."
• As War Rages, a Struggle to Balance Energy Crunch & Climate Crisis - "Rising oil prices and increased demand for expanded production come at a time when scientists say nations must sharply cut the use of fossil fuels."
• How to evaluate the risk of nuclear war - "How do researchers gauge the probability and severity of nuclear war? Catastrophic risk expert Seth Baum explains."
• Ranked: The 25 Smartest Countries In The World - "Which people have contributed the most to our advancement as a species? Which does best at school, and which has the highest IQ. All important contributing factors when deciding where to visit next, no doubt. Luckily though, Vouchercloud has done the legwork for you and diligently researched and ranked the top 25 countries in the world by intelligence."
• Global Covid-19 death toll ‘may be three times higher than official figures’ - "The Covid-19 pandemic may have claimed 18.2 million lives around the world, more than three times the official death toll, a new study suggests. The higher figure is a better estimate of the true global casualty figure to the end of 2021, according to an analysis by a consortium of health researchers published in the Lancet."
• Amazon stock split could set it up for being included in the Dow Industrials - "Amazon’s 20-to-1 split makes it more palatable to the price-weighted Dow Industrials."
• Chinese tech stocks plunge after US names companies for potential delisting - "Popular Chinese tech stocks have plunged after the US regulator named five Chinese companies that could be removed from American stock markets for failing to meet audit requirements. Alibaba (BABA) fell more than 6% Friday in Hong Kong. Its US-listed stock ended down 7.9% on Thursday."
• Paris fashion week AW22: the key shows - in pictures - "Smoke machines, snowstorms, surrealism and socks - Paris fashion week was a sensory experience."
• Cameron Diaz’s Approach to Beauty & Aging Is Surprising & Refreshing - "Cameron Diaz has proved once again why she’s everyone’s favorite Hollywood star. In a new podcast conversation with RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Michelle Visage the actor opens up about navigating the “infantilizing” effects of fame, society’s unrealistic beauty standards, and why, deep down, she’s just like everyone else."
• The Best Golden Passports & Visas Programs: Malta & Portugal Top The 2022 List - "As golden passport and visa programs around the world undergo strict scrutiny and the European Union prepares to issue harsher controls, Malta and Portugal have secured top spots in the annual indexes published by Henley and Partners (H&P) ranking the world’s most attractive Investment Migration Programs."
• ‘An abundance of blooms’: readers’ best spring flowers in the UK & Europe - "Spring turns Florence into a vision in purple, a French garden into an impressionist revival, and churchyards into poets’ corners. Winning tip: Visions in pink and blue, the Azores."
• They bought a Caribbean island to start their own country - "Marshall Mayer is co-founder of Let's Buy an Island, an ambitious project that in 2018 set out to crowdfund the purchase of an island. By December 2019, the group's aspirations became reality, raising over $250,000 to complete the purchase of Coffee Caye, a 1.2-acre, uninhabited island off the coast of Belize."
• Bolivian soldier who killed Che Guevara dies at age 80 - "Mario Terán pulled the trigger to execute famed revolutionary guerrilla: ‘It was the worst moment of my life’."
• 2022 Porsche Macan: Reviewing The Most Popular Model - "The Macan Turbo, GTS, and S models have historically stolen the spotlight, but it’s the entry-level model, known simply as the Macan, that’s the real star of the show. In fact, the four-cylinder model accounts for a whopping 60 percent of Macan sales. And, as I found out after a week with the sporty crossover, for good reason."
• The best mobile microphones you can buy, plus how to pick one - "How to record anything and everything with little more than your mobile."
• King Tut's 'dagger from outer space' may have been a gift from abroad - "Debate ensues over where the pharaoh's dagger was forged on Earth." Live Science.
• We've built a fantastic premium hi-fi system that spins & streams superbly - "Excellent performance with a price tag to match." What Hi-Fi?.
• Best Integrated Amplifiers Below $3,000 - "We’ve been listening to a lot of integrated amplifiers over the past 12 months, and these 4 are some of the best below $3,000."
• UK's 60 best fish & chip shops revealed - "Brits are mad about fish and chips, and eat almost 400million portions of the stuff a year. Now the very best chippies have been revealed by using thousands of secret diners."
• Firefox on iOS Gains Safari-Like Adjustable Search Bar - "Firefox 98 for iOS devices introduces a new customizable mobile experience in the form of an adjustable search bar that can be set at the bottom or the top of the iPhone's display."
• RitchieCam is an iOS Camera App with Streamlined No-Edit Filters - "RitchieCam is a new camera app developed by Ritchie Roesch. Roesch sought to make a camera app that was both universally simple but still capable of making compelling photos."

March 10, 2022

• ‘Catastrophic’ cyberwar between Ukraine & Russia hasn’t happened (yet), experts say - "Experts says both sides may understand that large-scale cyber-attacks will result in ‘mutually assured destruction of systems’."
• Here are the companies pulling back from Russia - "Dozens of the world's biggest companies have abandoned or scaled back their operations in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Here's a look at the major corporate departures."
• UK sanctions Russian oligarch & Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - "The UK has added Russian oligarch and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich to its list of sanctioned individuals as part of its efforts to 'isolate' Russian President Vlamidir Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine - throwing the sale of the London club into doubt and prohibiting the buying or selling of players until further notice."
• The world may be facing one of the largest energy shocks ever, Goldman Sachs says - "Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the West's crackdown on Moscow has left the world economy exposed to an epic energy shock. 'The uncertainty on how this conflict and oil shortages will be resolved is unprecedented,' Goldman Sachs strategists wrote in a note to clients."
• 'How fast could you sell this?' Russian elites scramble to move, sell assets to get ahead of international crackdown - "The impact of coordinated sanctions from the US, United Kingdom and European Union has sent shockwaves through the Russian elite as oligarchs, some targeted and others taking steps in anticipation of what could come, look to move yachts, shed assets and adapt to a wave of sanctions that have come swifter than usual, and are more expansive than before."
• As Ukrainians contend with Russia's unprovoked invasion, Covid-19 is complicating the picture - "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is causing a devastating humanitarian crisis in the country, with at least two million people fleeing into neighboring countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that the deteriorating conditions will make it easier for Covid-19 to spread."
• Two tribes go to war: 50 years of Canon/Nikon professional camera rivalry - "Nikon Z9 or Canon EOS R3 is the latest question - but the Nikon/Camera pro SLR rivalry dates back to 1971."
• 2024 VOLKSWAGEN ID BUZZ ELECTRIC MICROBUS REVEALED: LESS FLOWER, MORE POWER - "VW resurrects its iconic microbus for an electric era. After five years of teases, the long-awaited debut of the Volkswagen ID Buzz is finally here. The German automaker revealed the all-electric van at a virtual event on Wednesday, where it positioned the ID Buzz as a recreation of its iconic Type 2 Microbus - think hippies, flower power, and peace signs - for a more modern era."
• Volkswagen officially unveils its ID.Buzz EV, the hippie bus reborn - "VW's newest electric vehicle will seat five people or carry nearly 4 cubic meters of cargo."
• See Volkswagen's iconic hippie microbus, but electric - "Volkswagen brings back its iconic hippie microbus. The new ID. Buzz is now fully electric with ample horsepower."
• The iPhone SE finally cuts through the 5G bullshit - "5G’s false start is over and the iPhone SE proves it. Apple built an iPhone without millimeter wave, and it matters."
• The House That Inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's Daisy Buchanan Turns the Page - "Just the mention of F. Scott Fitzgerald conjures images of Jazz Age romps through the French Riviera, Long Island’s Gold Coast, or Roaring ’20s Manhattan. Yet it was Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago, that the writer considered the most glamorous place in the world."
• The Romanovs' Final Palace Reopens After Years of Reconstruction - "Alexander Palace, Tsar Nicholas II’s favorite royal residence, has been lavishly restored and is now open to the public."
• Workcations: The travel trend mixing work & play - "We’ve been taught to keep work and play apart. Yet more of us are still taking workcations, years into the pandemic - and reaping the benefits. The trend could be here to stay."
• Watch Strictly, eat sauerkraut, win at Monopoly: expert tips for hacking your happy hormones - "Can we really harness our brain chemicals to give ourselves a blast of positivity? Researchers share their shortcuts to boosting oxytocin, serotonin and more."

March 9, 2022

• 7 biggest announcements from Apple’s Peek Performance event - "Apple has just finished its Peek Performance event, where it introduced a new version of the iPhone SE with its latest mobile processor and 5G, a new desktop Mac aimed at creative professionals, and an external monitor that doesn’t have a $5,000 starting price (finally). If you’re looking for a quick round-up, here are the biggest announcements Apple made in its hour-long presentation."
• Apple iPhone SE gains 5G, A15 processor & higher $429 price tag - "A truly small phone that’s still rocking the 2017 vintage bezels."
• Mac Studio vs. Mac Mini vs. Mac Pro - "Apple’s latest compact desktop uses the new M1 Ultra CPU."
• Apple unveils the M1 Ultra, its most powerful chip yet - "It's basically two M1 Max chips fused together."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• West hits Russia with oil bans & gas curbs - "The US and UK are banning Russian oil and the EU is ending its reliance on Russian gas, stepping up the economic response to the invasion of Ukraine."
• Saudi Arabia & UAE leaders ‘decline calls with Biden’ amid fears of oil price spike - "The Gulf nations have capacity to pump more oil to ease supply fears but relations with the US have chilled under Biden. During Biden’s election campaign he vowed to treat the kingdom as a 'pariah' state, saying there is 'very little social redeeming value in the present government in Saudi Arabia.'"
• McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola & Pepsi suspend Russian operations - "The pull-out of iconic western brands from Russia is gathering momentum, with Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi joining McDonald’s in pausing operations in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."
• A 459-Foot Mystery in a Tuscan Port: Is It a Russian's Superyacht? - "From Germany’s North Sea ports to the French Riviera, open season has been declared on superyachts. Across Europe, authorities are hunting down luxury vessels tied to Russian oligarchs in the effort to inflict pain on President Vladimir V. Putin’s allies."
• A Guide To All The Outrageous Mansions & Estates Owned By Sanctioned Russian Billionaires - "Investigation links ‘at least 36’ mansions, villas and luxury apartments - worth a combined $1.2bn - with ten targeted oligarchs, including some of England’s finest private homes ..." Forbes.
• Anchorage: The little airport on the top of the world - "This airport stepped up in the Cold War & Covid. Now that more than 30 countries have banned Russia from their airspaces, with Russia responding in kind - and Ukraine and Belarus airspace also closed - Anchorage could prove strategically important. You could almost say it's what this airport was built for."
• Why do some people get Covid when others don’t? Here’s what we know so far - "An increasing amount of research is being devoted to the reasons why some people never seem to get Covid - a so-called never Covid cohort."
• 6 key lifestyle changes can help avert the climate crisis, study finds - "Research shows that governments and individuals making small changes can have a huge impact in reducing emissions."
• PHILLIPS Perpetual Announces A. Lange & SÖhne Exhibition in London - "Phillips Perpetual is honoured to showcase an exhibition dedicated to the early production Lange 1 and Datograph from 1994 through to 2008." Dates: 9-14 March, 2022. Location: 3rd Floor, 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX, U.K.
• What ancient philosophers teach us about uncertain times - "For many people, the world is in a state of upheaval that can feel difficult to cope with, but can the teachings of the Stoics help in these troubling times."
• Con artists & disruptors - TV's latest obsessions - "Why are we so fascinated by the stories of scammers and corporate rule-breakers? Because they are so charismatic, brazen and compelling to watch, writes Caryn James."
• Winners & dinners: the World Nature Photography awards - in pictures - "The World Nature Photography awards winners of 2021 have been announced, with entries coming in from 20 countries across six continents. The overall winning photographer, Amos Nachoum, waited for hours on the remote Antartic island of Plano for the moment at low tide when seals stealthily enter a lagoon. Here he captures the moment that one prepares to devour a defenceless penguin."
• Prince Andrew was not given a PENNY of public money to pay off rape accuser Virginia Roberts - amid reports Charles lent his brother some of the £12m needed.
• Endurance: Shackleton's lost ship is found in Antarctic - "Scientists have found and filmed one of the greatest ever undiscovered shipwrecks 107 years after it sank."
• Skin whitening creams containing high levels of mercury continue to be sold on the world's biggest e-commerce sites, new report finds - "Skin whitening products containing high levels of mercury continue to be sold on the world's biggest e-commerce platforms, including websites run by eBay, Amazon and Alibaba, a new report by the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) finds."

March 8, 2022

• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Why has 'Z' become a Russian pro-war symbol? - "In Russia, the 'Z' is fast becoming seen as a staunchly pro-war symbol of President Putin's invasion of Ukraine. It has been sported by politicians, seen on the sides of cars, vans and advertising hoardings - as well as daubed on bus shelters. It has even been used by Serbs at pro-Russian demonstration in Belgrade. Photographs have been widely shared on social media."
• The digital Iron Curtain: How Russia's internet could soon start to look a lot like China's - "Like much else about the country, Russia's internet has long straddled East and West. Russian citizens, unlike their Chinese counterparts, have been able to access US tech platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Google, though they have been subject to censorship and restrictions - the defining feature of China's internet model."
• People around the world are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine. They don't plan to check in - "The call for guests to book Airbnbs in Ukraine started online, where supporters urged people to book rooms as close to a check-in date as possible to ensure hosts receive fees quickly. Airbnb typically issues a payout about 24 hours after a guest checks in."
• Apple Event: How to Watch & Everything to Expect - "Here's how to watch the March 8 'Peek Performance' Apple event live, and what to expect."
• Study links even mild Covid-19 to changes in the brain - "People who have even a mild case of Covid-19 may have accelerated aging of the brain and other changes to it, according to a new study."
• Covid can shrink brain & damage its tissue, finds research - "Worst effect on region linked to smell, while infected people typically scored lower on mental skills test."
• Queen & Charles to Lend Andrew Millions for Settlement That Can Be Paid Back From the Queen’s Will - "Andrew-loans and regular loans are not, of course, always exactly the same thing. A few months ago, it was revealed that Andrew, having borrowed $2 million from a private bank operated by a friend - the Conservative party donor David Rowland - he paid the money back with a personal gift from ... David Rowland."
• Ischia: The paradise island that offers a taste of the real Italy - "A quietly idyllic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ischia offers a heartwarming dose of Italian beauty, spirit and hospitality, with a generous splash of nostalgia for the Italy of yesteryear."
• Want to sleep better? Lift some weights - "Struggling to sleep? Put some muscle into your efforts by adding resistance training, otherwise known as weight training, to your weekly exercise routine."
• 20 Best Smart Home Devices to Buy in 2022 - "While some may label the idea of a smart home as a fever dream, it is now a reality thanks to a number of innovative brands around the world."
• Apple HomeKit: Why 2022 Is a Make-or-Break Year for the Smart Home Platform - "Matter could take a bite out of Apple. Here's how the Cupertino colossus could hold off the competition."
• The hidden dangers lurking in your kitchen - "Our modern kitchens are much safer than cooking over smoke-filled open fires. But not every danger has disappeared ..."
• Can't Draw with Finger on iPad? Here's Why! - "The reason you can't draw on the iPad with a finger is due to a setting regarding Apple Pencil that is enabled by default on most iPads, sometimes even if an Apple Pencil is not used with the device or not currently connected with the device."
• How To Use An iPad As An Extra Monitor - "The iPad is slim, lightweight, and easy to carry around alongside a laptop, making it a great way to expand your screen real estate while away from the office. Typically speaking, users will pull up certain content on their computer and other content on the tablet, but it's also possible to utilize the iPad as an extra monitor. Apple officially added support for this functionality with a feature called Sidecar, though that's only available for use with Mac computers."
• How to automatically unlock your Apple Watch with your iPhone - "You can unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch, but you can also do it the other way around. Here are the detailed steps you need to follow to automatically unlock your Apple Watch with your iPhone."
• Seven Steps From Basic to Advanced Composition: How to Effectively Frame Your Photographs - "The overall layout and the placement of subjects within the frame can make or break your photographs. You may know the rule of thirds and the golden section, but composition goes way beyond that, and most of it is about simple geometry."
• Sony Alpha 1 Teardown: The Inside of a Flagship Mirrorless Camera - "The Sony flagship camera is here, the first of the mirrorless full-frame 'holy trinity' of Sony, Canon, and Nikon to be released. Sony announced this beautiful beast back in January 2021, and today we’re going to take it apart, modify it into a full spectrum camera, and (hopefully) put it back together again."
• How to choose & set up a stereo amplifier - "All you need to know about buying and setting up a stereo amp."
• Sonos Roam SL vs Sonos Roam: which Bluetooth speaker will be the best? - "What are the big differences between the two Sonos models?"
• The world's rarest cookbooks? - "Rome's new museum dedicated to cooking. Renaissance-era ice cream moulds, 500-year-old cookbooks, recipes meant only for popes: Rome's newest museum is a fascinating homage to Italy's history of food and cooking."
• The Batman: Timepieces Fit For A Superhero - "With the release of The Batman this weekend, fans of the superhero are more interested than ever in the official merchandise that brings the movie to life in a variety of ways. And this latest round of offerings celebrating the film is particularly robust, with products ranging from apparel to toys to perfume to limited edition Oreos and watches. And, of course, LEGO sets."
• The Batman: Robert Pattinson’s voice, the Riddler’s brutality, Gotham’s makeover - discuss with spoilers - "Has Matt Reeves’ given us the caped crusader we’ve been waiting for? Does it take too long for Battinson to meet Paul Dano’s Riddler? Share your thoughts in the comments."

March 7, 2022

• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• American Express suspends operations in Russia & Belarus - "American Express (AXP) is the latest credit card company to announce it is ending its operations in Russia as its invasion into Ukraine escalates. Other credit card companies have taken similar steps this weekend."
• TikTok limits services as Netflix pulls out of Russia - "Video-sharing site TikTok and streaming giant Netflix have limited and cut their services respectively in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine."
• Fleeing sanctions, oligarchs seek safe ports for superyachts - "The AP then used two online services - VesselFinder and MarineTraffic - to plot the last known locations of the yachts as relayed by their onboard tracking beacons. Many are anchored in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. But more than a dozen were underway or had already arrived in remote ports in small nations such as the Maldives and Montenegro, potentially beyond the reach of Western sanctions. Three had gone dark, their transponders last pinging just outside the Bosporus in Turkey - gateway to the Black Sea and the southern Russian ports of Sochi and Novorossiysk."
• Death toll nears 6 million as pandemic enters its 3rd year - "The U.S. has the biggest official death toll in the world, but the numbers have been trending downward over the last month."
• What to expect from Apple’s ‘Peek Performance’ March event - "New iPhone SE with 5G, upgraded iPad Air, and maybe a Mac update."
• ‘The Batman’ Opens With Blockbuster Ticket Sales - "The movie took in nearly $250 million worldwide. In some domestic theaters, it was about $1 more for standard “Batman” tickets than for other movies."
• Matt Reeves Explains the Ending of ‘The Batman’ - "The film’s director and co-writer talks about the tumultuous conclusion and its chilling parallels to the real world. Read this after you’ve seen the movie."
• The best tablets in 2022 - "These are the best tablets for work and play - and for every budget - based on our research and testing."
• 7 things to know for using Apple Notes on iPhone to its full potential - "The Notes app is a frequently underused tool on iPhone. It’s a free product developed by Apple that comes on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Thanks to iCloud, you can seamlessly work on Notes across your Apple devices. While meant for iPhone, many of these tips can be used on the Notes app for iPad and Mac."
• Apple is rumored to be developing a 'Mac Studio' desktop & 7K display - "The Mac Studio would be a far more powerful Mac mini."
• Quickly Open Control Center on Mac or iPad with a Keyboard Shortcut - "Mac users can quickly open Control Center in macOS with the help of a keyboard shortcut. And to make matters even better, the same keyboard shortcut works to open Control Center on any iPad using a keyboard too."

March 6, 2022

• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "What’s the latest? Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• How London became the place to be for Putin’s oligarchs - "From its biggest private house to a disused tube station, London has long been an attractive place for the Russian president’s cronies to buy property. Their ill-gotten wealth permeated the capital at the expense of us all."
• The tight web of lawyers & PR firms who oil the wheels for billionaires - "Many of Russia’s super rich have made London the centre of their business dealings, enabled by a willing services sector."
• Russian Oligarchs Are on the Run - "How the Twitterverse is taking Russian billionaires to task."
• Roman Abramovich's superyacht sails away as net closes - "Roman Abramovich’s £330 million superyacht has set sail from a Dutch island in the Caribbean towards international waters as world leaders move to seize the assets of oligarchs."
• Mastercard, Visa suspend operations in Russia after invasion - "Mastercard said cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by its network and any Mastercard issued outside the country will not work at Russian stores or ATMs. Visa said it’s working with clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days."
• Queen Elizabeth leaves Buckingham Palace for good & will now permanently 'work from home' at Windsor Castle - "It is understood the 95-year-old monarch will never fully return to Buckingham Palace, where she is not believed to have spent a night since March 2020. She is instead opting for more of a 'work from home' approach to engagements, and is expected to meet dignitaries and officials at her Berkshire home."
• 41 Oscar-Nominated Movies You Can Stream Right Now - "The 2022 Oscars race is officially on. When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its list of nominees last month, the films in contention ranged from period dramas to shorts about sports, sci-fi flicks to festival documentaries. And while many were playing exclusively in theaters - Paul Thomas Anderson’s evocative Licorice Pizza, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and international favorites like Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, and Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers, for instance - most are now available to stream."
• The Best Time to Use Your Airline Miles? Now - "If you’re thinking of traveling and you’ve got points or miles sitting in airline and credit card accounts, the time to cash in may have arrived. Here’s what you need to know."
• How satellites may hold the key to the methane crisis - "A new generation of detectors will be many times better at tracking discharges of the dangerous greenhouse gas."
• When Did You Last Clean Bug Splatter Off Your Windshield? - "It’s probably been awhile - and that’s a problem, Oliver Milman writes in his new book, 'The Insect Crisis.'"
• The best MacBook Pro accessories in 2022 - "Get kitted up with the best MacBook Pro accessories around, from chargers and docks to cases and more."
• How to disable “Time to Stand” reminders on Apple Watch - "One of the health-related features is Time to Stand reminders, which as the name indicates, periodically sends reminders to the users to stand. While the feature is useful for many, it is not for everyone and if you are one of those who find it annoying, then you can disable it on your Apple Watch."
• The best waterproof phones in 2022 - "With the best waterproof phones, you don't have to worry about unlucky spills and splashes"
• I Didn't Really Like Watches - And Then I Bought a Royal Oak - "I came for the brutal design. And stayed for the way it made me feel."
• What Is ‘Bigorexia’? - "A social media diet of perfect bodies is spurring some teenage boys to form muscle dysmorphia."
• The Surprising True Story of How the Kennedy's Political Dynasty Began - "The family has given us senators, ambassadors, and a president—but their rise started in a most unexpected way."
• Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton in 20 Striking Vintage Photographs - "In honor of what would have been Taylor’s 90th birthday, we take a look back at 20 vintage pictures of the couple." Vogue.
• Origins of the 30000-year-old Venus of Willendo solved - "The Venus of Willendorf is a 4.4-inch Venus figurine, found in 1908 at a Palaeolithic site near Willendorf, a village in Lower Austria. In a new study published by the University of Vienna in collaboration with Vienna’s Natural History Museum, researchers applied high-resolution tomography, suggesting that the Venus originates from a region in northern Italy."

March 5, 2022

• Russia announces a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine after over a week of war - "A partial ceasefire has been agreed between Russia and Ukraine on Saturday so that humanitarian corridors are opened for civilians to leave the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha."
• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Why NATO hasn't imposed a no-fly zone in Ukraine - "Despite the bleak situation on the ground, NATO is unwilling to get directly involved in the conflict - including setting up a no-fly zone - beyond supporting Ukraine's resistance to an invasion that is killing innocent civilians."
• Why the war in Ukraine spells trouble for global travel - "More than 30 countries have so far closed their airspace to Russia, with Moscow reacting in kind. Russia's Civil Aviation Authority announced it has closed off its airspace to the carriers of at least 37 countries as of Tuesday. The airspace over Ukraine, Moldova and parts of Belarus also remains closed. In the short-term this means flight cancellations or a diversion of air routes. But the long-term consequences for the travel industry could be much more far reaching. Here's why."
• Did You Know Lufthansa Offers Private Jet Flights? - "The German flag carrier offers a bespoke experience serving over 1,000 destinations worldwide."
• Russian energy oligarch Igor Sechin's super yacht seized in France - "Sechin is the chief executive officer of Rosneft, one of the world's largest crude oil producers. Russian energy oligarch Igor Sechin's 280-foot Amore Vero super yacht has been seized by French authorities as part of European Union sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. When French customs officers arrived to inspect the yacht, its crew was preparing for an urgent departure despite repair work being unfinished. The yacht was immediately seized to prevent its departure."
• Hong Kong bet on zero-Covid. Now it's facing a 'preventable disaster' - "Morgues are nearly at capacity, hospitals overwhelmed and, as fears grow of a citywide lockdown, panicked shoppers have stripped supermarket shelves bare."
• How Covid lockdowns triggered record rainfall in China - "Scientists identify impact of sudden cleaning of skies and drop in greenhouse emissions in 2020."
• Royal observers wonder if the Queen will ever return to full duties - "When the Queen tested positive for Covid at the age of 95, it made headlines around the world. Buckingham Palace initially said she would carry on working but was soon forced to concede she needed rest and cancelled a series of virtual engagements. Now, royal observers are speculating whether the monarch will ever return to full duties."
• Inside the Royal Trial that Shocked Georgian England - "A new book takes us inside the courtroom where the Duchess of Kingston stood trial for bigamy - and became an international sensation."
• Just one drink per day can shrink your brain, study says - "Just one pint of beer or average glass of wine a day may begin to shrink the overall volume of the brain, a new study has found, and the damage worsens as the number of daily drinks rises."
• In a Run-Down Roman Villa, a Princess From Texas Awaits Her Next Act - "Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi, formerly Rita Jenrette, is locked in a battle over the estate of her late husband, a Roman prince." The New York Times.
• What to expect from Apple's Peek Performance event - "A new iPhone and iPad Air are essentially a given."
• Why Robert Pattinson's suit in 'The Batman' is unlike any other version - "What's next for the batsuit?"
• Inside the 2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan: A Sanctuary On Wheels - "The Cullinan takes Rolls-Royce ride and refinement qualities into new heights."
• How mindfulness can make you a darker person - "Mindfulness is thought to have multiple benefits - but it can also make you less likely to feel guilty about wrongdoing and derail your moral compass."
• Best phone battery life in 2022: The longest lasting smartphones - "These are the smartphones with the best phone battery life based on our tests."
• Tech’s cult of thinness needs to come to an end - "It’s time to stop sacrificing great products at the altar of thin."
• Should I use my TV in Eco mode? The pros & cons of energy-saving settings - "What does the Eco mode do and why should you be wary of it?"
• Michael Caine's Gold Rolex Oysterquartz Breaks World Record At Auction - "A collection of personal items - 183 pieces - including watches, belonging to legendary actor Sir Michael Caine and his wife have sold at auction in London. The star lot of ‘Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection Sale’ at Bonhams London was an 18K yellow gold Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date that the actor had worn on screen in several films including A Shock To The System and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which sold for £125,250 GBP (approximately $166,500 USD) setting a new world record price for that model and smashing the pre-sale estimate of £8,000-£12,000 GBP ($10,500 USD - $15,800 USD)."
• The Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now - "New films, and classics, just keep coming, but you don’t have to drill down to find the finest selections to stream. We’ll do the heavy lifting. You press play."
• Watch These 13 Movies Before They Leave Netflix in March - "It’s awards season, and a bunch of great Oscar-winning and -nominated films are leaving this month. Check them out while you can."

March 4, 2022

• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Ukraine conflict: Before & after images reveal Russian destruction - "Russian missile attacks have devastated cities, towns and villages across Ukraine. These before and after images show some of the destruction caused to civilian areas since the Russian invasion last week."
• Satellite imagery shows Ukraine going dark - "Before Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24, nighttime satellite imagery captured the bright lights of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Rivne and other urban areas. Now that same imagery shows a country that has gone dark, steeling itself against a brutal and unprovoked military attack. We compared the average nightly lightscape of Ukraine in January to February 25, the night after the invasion began, and found a dramatic reduction in lights across the country."
• Analysts identify top 10 ‘war myths’ of Russia-Ukraine conflict - "NewsGuard warns disinformation channels extend beyond sites and accounts with direct Kremlin links. Untrue claims about genocide and authorities in Kyiv supporting nazism are among the most common falsehoods pushed online amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to analysis."
• Roman’s empire: how the seeds of Abramovich’s demise were there all along - "Almost 20 years after his high profile purchase, the oligarch is looking to sell Chelsea. Here’s the story of how it unravelled."
• Biden imposes sanctions on Russian oligarchs, 'Putin's cronies' - "The new penalties will target members of the Russian elite, their families and close associates, cutting them off from the US financial system. 20 oligarchs - including Putin ally Alisher Burhanovich - and 47 of their family members will face US visa restrictions."
• Fate Of Russian Billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s Mega-Yacht In Germany Uncertain - "According to the Ministry for Economy and Innovation in the German state of Hamburg, the country’s authorities have not seized the Dilbar, a 512-foot yacht owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov. As Forbes reported on Wednesday, work on the ship has been halted at the Hamburg shipyard where it has been stationed for refitting work since October."
• Oligarch’s yacht seized in Port Hercule, Monaco - "The 104-metre Quantum Blue belonging to Sergei Galitsky had been moored in Port Hercule for two years and had been preparing to leave on Wednesday. However, technical problems reportedly delayed its departure by one day and the Monaco authorities and French customs officers boarded the boat on Thursday morning to prevent it leaving."
• Melinda French Gates details 'painful' divorce with Bill Gates, his Jeffrey Epstein ties - "In an interview with 'CBS Mornings' anchor Gayle King that aired Thursday, Gates opened up about splitting from the Microsoft co-founder after 27 years of marriage in the highly-publicized divorce finalized in August 2021."
• Apple is starting to remove mask requirements for its workers - "It’s still unclear when Apple plans to fully reopen its offices."
• Nosferatu: The monster who still terrifies, 100 years on - "From his shadow to his gaunt face, the vampire Count Orlok in 1922's Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror remains one of film's most spine-tingling creations."
• The myths & reality of modern friendship - "Over the past couple of years, digital connection has mattered more than ever, writes the philosopher Rebecca Roache. So, how is the nature of friendship changing?"
• The rise of 'solo polyamory' - "Does 'solo polyamory' mean having it all? With no ‘primary partner’ and a potential for multiple meaningful relationships, solo polyamorists are hopping off the heteronormative 'relationship escalator'."
• Hawaii's ultimate form of gratitude - "They're not as well-known as flower leis - but feather leis are part of a Hawaiian tradition dating back 250 years, one that a local family is working hard to bring back."
• Weight-loss techniques can halve meat consumption, Oxford trial finds - "Researchers tap into self-regulatory methods such as setting goals and keeping a diary. Setting daily meat reduction goals and keeping an online diary of intake helped frequent meat eaters to halve their consumption in just over nine weeks, a trial has found."
• Obesity rates likely to double by 2030 with highest rises in lower-income countries - "More than half of women in South Africa projected to have condition, with no country expected to meet WHO target of halting rise, according to World Obesity Atlas figures."
• What Is The Best Cinema Format To Choose For The Batman? - "If you haven’t already reserved your seat, where should you book to see it? As a 'tent-pole' movie, a high-quality movie theatre would seem like a must."
• molecular drinks printer - "Claims to make anything from iced coffee to cocktails." You'll pay by the drink for each of the thousands of beverages Cana One can seemingly mix.
• How many hours people will have to work to afford a Galaxy S22 around the world? - "We scoured Samsung retail websites across the world to find the cost of owning an S22 in over 40 different countries and using the median annual salary for each, calculated the number of hours people will need to work in order to earn enough money to buy a Samsung flagship around the world." MoneySuperMarket.
• What's a non-custodial wallet? - "With the advent of blockchain-supported decentralized systems - of which Bitcoin is the primary example - it became possible, for the first time, to provide non-custodial financial services at a large scale. In the non-custodial model, the customer retains full custody (possession) of their assets at all times, using the service provider merely as an interface for conveniently managing their assets."
• Nike Hot Step Air Terra Drake NOCTA White - the Nike x NOCTA Hot Step Air Terra will drop on March 3. As always, you can secure your guaranteed-authentic pair from StockX already.
• Sony A95K QD-OLED TV vs LG G2 OLED Evo TV - "Which will be the best 2022 OLED TV?" The battle of the next-gen OLED TVs.
• Qualcomm has found a way to support lossless audio over Bluetooth headphones - could Apple be next? - "Since Apple introduced lossless audio to Apple Music, the limitations of Bluetooth technology when it comes to bandwidth have become very clear. However, as the world moves toward a future with wireless headphones, companies have been working to deliver lossless audio over a wireless connection - which is exactly what Qualcomm has just announced."

March 3, 2022

• 2022 Women of the Year - "12 Women Working Toward a More Equal World." Creating a better future for women means building bridges - across generations, communities, and borders. These extraordinary leaders are working toward a more equal world. TIME Magazine.
• It's not the best time to be a Russian oligarch - "If Russia's oligarchs weren't already shaking in their custom Italian-leather boots, they probably are now. In his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin's cronies directly, telling them that the United States and its allies are coming to 'seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets.'"
• Biden & Allies Are Coming For Russian Billionaires’ Yachts: Forbes Tracked Down 32. Here’s Where To Find Them - "Most of the yachts are registered through offshore vehicles and docked in far-flung locales."
• The teenager who tracked Elon Musk's jet is now tracking Russian oligarchs - "Jack Sweeney, a Florida teen who tracks Elon Musk's private jet online has a new aviation-themed target: Russian oligarchs and billionaires."
• Monaco clamps down on Russian assets after Ukraine invasion - "Monaco, a tax haven often favoured by the super-wealthy, will proceed with freezing assets and imposing sanctions on certain Russians following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the Monaco Royal Palace said on Monday."
• Who's in Putin's inner circle & running the war? - "Vladimir Putin cuts a solitary figure, leading Russia's military into a high-risk war that threatens to tear apart his country's economy. As commander in chief, ultimate responsibility for the invasion rests with him, but he has always relied on a deeply loyal entourage, many of whom also began their careers in Russia's security services. The question is who has his ear, during this most fateful moment in his presidency."
• Could the international criminal court bring Putin to justice over Ukraine? - "Even if Russian leader were charged, he would have to be arrested in a state that accepts the court’s jurisdiction."
• Here are the companies pulling back from Russia - "A growing number of international companies, including Apple, Disney and Ford, are dialing back operations in Russia over its invasion of Ukraine."
• Ukraine's Secret Weapon Against Russia: Turkish Drones - "The drones are small and lightweight, (around seven times lighter than the U.S. military's Reaper drone,) with a 12-meter wingspan that allows them to remain in the sky for up to 30 hours at a time."
• From Russia with money: business jet departures from Russia - "As Russia prepared to invade Ukraine in the last week of February, those with the means to do so were preparing to leave Russia. More than 300 private flights left Russia from 24th of February through 27 February and nearly 1000 private flights departed Russia during the month of February. Those flights increased in tempo during the final weeks of the month, reaching a peak on 25 February." Flightradar24.
• Russia refuses to launch internet satellites, pointing at sanctions - "OneWeb, a London-based satellite startup striving for global internet connectivity and a key competitor to Elon Musk's StarLink satellite internet constellation, was set to launch a batch of 36 internet satellites Friday as part of its plan for a 648-satellite constellation. But those plans are now in jeopardy as Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, appears set to roadblock the effort."
• White House unveils Covid strategy to usher in new normal as pandemic eases - "‘Test to treat’ model will offer free anti-viral pills after a positive test as part of four-pronged approach."
• World leaders agree to draw up ‘historic’ treaty on plastic waste - "UN environment assembly resolution is being hailed as biggest climate deal since 2015 Paris accord."
• Apple will host its next hardware event on March 8th - "The company is widely expected to unveil the latest iPhone SE, new iPads and Macs."
• Never hand your iPhone to someone without changing photo settings first - "There's a clever hack to stop people from using your iPhone's Photos app."
• Carl Icahn documentary digs into life of billionaire, but don’t expect an exposÉ - "In a new film, the man who informed Oliver Stone’s Gordon Gekko makes for a compelling central figure."
• ONLY ATHLETES SHOULD GIVE A WHOOP ABOUT WHOOP - "Like the Oura Ring, Whoop is a buzzy fitness tracker worn by the rich and famous. That $30 monthly subscription is hard to swallow."
• Polestar's second concept car is a convertible with an integrated drone - "The 'O2' will be based on the same bonded aluminum platform as the Polestar 5."
• Billionaires Battle Over a Hotel & Quality of Life on St. Barts - "A legal feud over a hotel in St. Barts pits development against fragile nature on this tropical Arcadia for the ultrarich. It might also signal a turning point in the hyper-development of the island."
• A paradise with too many palm trees - "Seychelles' Bird Island was once covered in coconut groves. When a local bought the island, he took it in a different direction - one that's turned it into a home for 500,000 birds."
• Stronger Muscles in 3 Seconds a Day - "Men and women who briefly contracted their arm muscles as hard as possible once daily increased their biceps strength by up to 12 percent in a month."
• Will Cutting Out Dairy Give Me Clear Skin? - "Maybe, experts say, but the science is mixed."
• Inside A $65.8 Million Residence In The World’s Tallest Residential Building - "Central Park Tower and many of its residences are dominated by superlatives. Central Park Tower in New York is the world’s tallest residential building, located on Billionaires’ Row, and many of its residences are some of the highest you can live in in the world. Within those residences, Residence 123, which spans the entirety of the 123rd floor, is the most expensive residence listed in the building at $65.75 million. The five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom residence spans 7,074 square feet and has jaw-dropping 360-degree views of New York City and its glittering skyline."
• Vac to the future! Can robot mops & self-cleaning windows get us out of housework for ever? - "I despise chores - so I jumped at the chance to test the latest hi-tech solutions (and simple hacks) that promise to keep domestic drudgery to a minimum."

March 2, 2022

• The West's trillion-dollar bid to collapse Russia's economy - "The West has responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with round after round of punishing sanctions. The latest salvo is designed to spark a banking crisis, overwhelm Moscow's financial defenses and tip the Russian economy into a deep recession. Never before has an economy with the global importance of Russia's been targeted with sanctions at this level, according to analysts, who say there is now a high risk that Russia will face a financial crisis that pushes its largest banks to the brink of collapse."
• Armani pays tribute to Ukraine suffering with silent show - "Giorgio Armani switched off the music to hold his Milan fashion show in silence on Sunday, out of respect for the people caught in the Ukrainian conflict."
• Poignant Virgil Abloh Off-White show opens Paris fashion week - "Personal touch of designer, who died of cancer in November, evident in every detail of collection."
• Roman Abramovich hastily selling UK properties, MP claims - "An MP has claimed that the Russian oligarch and Chelsea football club owner, Roman Abramovich, is hastily selling UK properties to avoid potential financial sanctions."
• Elon Musk & Tesla Set Their Sights on a New Industry - "Musk now wants to expand the number of games compatible with Tesla cars. And to do this, he is aiming big. The billionaire wants to include more than 50,000 video games available on the popular platform Steam in the Tesla infotainment system."
• Ship carrying 4,000 luxury cars sinks off the Azores - "A cargo ship that was carrying thousands of luxury cars has sunk off the Portuguese Azores archipelago, nearly two weeks after it caught fire. The ship, named Felicity Ace, was transporting around 4,000 cars such as Porsches and Bentleys."
• California debates naming heatwaves to underscore deadly risk of extreme heat - "Experts and advocates are also exploring new ranking systems to add urgency to the growing disaster of rapidly warming landscapes."
• What pancakes look like around the world - "World's most delicious pancakes. The traditional Christian feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday is celebrated as a chance to eat well before the 40 days of sacrifices in the lead-up to Easter. Shrove Tuesday, which falls on March 1 this year, is also a great excuse - as if one were needed - to eat pancakes, as they usually combine butter and eggs, rich foods that were historically given up for the season of reflection."
• Can’t cook, won’t cook? Here are the tips that saved me from a life of terrible meals - "I used to survive on tinned lentils, microwaved eggs and the kindness of more gifted cooks. Then I learned to pull my weight in the kitchen - and if I can do it, so can anyone."
• The Best-Kept Vintage Secret in Paris - "For decades, Catherine B has been a fashion resource for celebrities and collectors alike."
• What is the best age to learn to read? - "In some countries, kids as young as four learn to read and write. In others, they don't start until seven. What's the best formula for lasting success? Melissa Hogenboom investigates."
• Do You Ever Ignore Text Messages? - "Is choosing not to respond to texts, emails and other digital messages rude? Or is it sometimes necessary?"
• Your iPhone Experience Could Be Better. Just Change These Settings - "Enhance use of your iPhone by making a few tweaks."
• You'll Want to Unlock This Hidden Trackpad on Your iPhone - "It makes typing and editing text easier than before."
• This useful iPhone trick lets you copy text from photos - "Tap on the Live Text icon on the lower right to interact with any text in the frame, select the text you want to copy by pressing down, the same as you would in Notes or a text message. Then hit Copy. 4. Now you can paste this text into another app such as Gmail or Notes."
• Can My Apple Watch Help Improve My Fitness & Health? - "Apple Watch Series 7 is the latest smartwatch with breakthrough health innovations and advanced display. The tech giant introduced its excellent device to help you monitor your health and attain your fitness goals. The article will tell you how you can use your Apple Watch to improve your fitness and health."
• Why Everyone Needs Two Duvets on the Bed - "A good comforter can't solve everything, but it can make for a happier relationship."
• Bruce Willis’ Former Estate In Turks & Caicos Lists For $37.5 Million - "Private island Parrot Cay in the Caribbean island of Turks & Caicos is known for its ultra-luxe real estate, five-star resorts and A-list clientele. So it comes as no surprise that actor Bruce Willis once owned this $37.5 million estate, dubbed The Residence, that recently came to market."
• Inspired by European palaces Vietnamese businessman has built one of the flashiest buildings in the country - "Called Mr. Trinh Dinh Xuan, the gentleman works as part of the country's construction sector. His new abode features an imposing facade with giant stone columns at the entrance, three large domes decorated with gilded statues, and a baroque architectural style inspired by European palaces."

March 1, 2022

• Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video & pictures - "Where is fighting happening and how did we get here?"
• Laundered Money Could Be Putin’s Achilles’ Heel - "The sums involved are mind-boggling. Novokmet et al. estimate that in 2015 the hidden foreign wealth of rich Russians amounted to around 85 percent of Russia’s G.D.P." The New York Times.
• Russia's economy is surprisingly tiny. Here's why it matters so much to you - "Russia isn't a superpower, at least not when it comes to the global economy. Its gross domestic product puts it as only the 12th largest economy in the world according to the International Monetary Fund, about 25% smaller than Italy and more than 20% smaller than Canada, two countries with a fraction of its population."
• ‘The damage is done’: Russians face economic point of no return - "Shoppers and business people express despair and disillusion as sanctions cause run on rouble."
• What are thermobaric weapons and how do they work? - "The ‘vacuum bomb’, which Ukraine says the Russians have used in the invasion, ignites a fireball that sucks in all surrounding oxygen."
• international criminal court (ICC) prosecutor to investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine - "Karim Khan says that although Ukraine isn’t a member of the ICC, it has awarded jurisdiction to the court."
• Elon Musk’s promised Starlink terminals have reached Ukraine - "The country’s vice prime minister asked Musk for help via Twitter."
• The world's first national park is now 150 years old - "Yellowstone National Park celebrates 150 wild years - and what a history it's been."
• Climate Change Is Harming the Planet Faster Than We Can Adapt, U.N. Warns - "Countries aren’t doing nearly enough to protect against the disasters to come as the planet keeps heating up, a major new scientific report concludes."
• Climate change: Five things we've learned from the IPCC report - "The report gives the clearest indication to date of how a warmer world is affecting all living things on Earth. Here are five things we learnt from it."
• Building for a flooded future: Architects are designing for the new climate reality - "Climate change is making cities more susceptible to flooding. According to a 2019 study, global sea levels are expected to rise between two and seven feet over the course of the century; by 2100, at least 190 million people could be living in areas below the projected high-tide line."
• Pfizer vaccine significantly less effective in children ages five to 11, study shows - "Strikingly higher rates of decline in effectiveness for younger children suggest the lower dose they receive may be the reason."
• Muscle strengthening lowers risk of death from all causes, study shows - "Half an hour a week of activities such as gardening, sit-ups or yoga could help reduce the risk of dying from any cause by a fifth."
• 10 of the best TV shows to watch this March - "Oscar Isaac joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Samuel L Jackson stars in a meditation on memory and family, and Bridgerton is back - Amy Charles lists this month's unmissable TV."
• A New Spa Has Opened In The Arctic & It Looks Incredible - "Octola, the five-star private wilderness retreat in Finnish Lapland, has recently opened the Arctic region’s first luxury spa with pools, saunas and treatment rooms."
• Pandemic spurred record numbers of ‘ultra wealthy’ in 2021 - "Rising global stock markets and increased property prices swelled ranks of ultra-high net worth individuals, according to new report."
• Italy's rare, surprisingly bitter honey - "Obtained from the autumnal flowering of the strawberry tree on the island of Sardinia, corbezzolo honey isn't sweet and has a history that dates back more than 2,000 years."
• Love Wordle? Here are three reasons why you’ll love cryptic crosswords - "Cryptic puzzles go beyond trial and error, backing up guesswork with definitions and amusing wordplay. So if you start your day with a word puzzle, the Guardian has a treat for you."

February 28, 2022

• Vladimir Putin: What’s going on inside his head? - "The Russian president’s intentions are now clear. The psychology behind them has been years in the making."
• Why the Chinese Internet Is Cheering Russia’s Invasion - "As the world overwhelmingly condemns the assault on Ukraine, online opinion in China is mostly pro-Russia, pro-war and pro-Putin." The New York Times.
• International Judo Federation suspends Vladimir Putin's honorary president status - "'In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin's status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,' the statement read."
• World's largest airplane destroyed in Ukraine - "The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225, has been destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, generating alarm and sadness among the aviation world in which it occupies almost cult status."
• See the incredible sky-high luxury of the super-rich's private jets - "Billionaire-worthy jets you won't believe. Hopping on a private jet might sound like the epitome of luxury, but for the super-wealthy no ordinary plane will do. In fact, some are willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the perfect plane. Read on to take a guided tour of some of the largest and most expensive private jets that money can buy."
• How The Rolex Day-Date Became A Million-Dollar Watch - "A President's Day guide to the quintessential power watch."
• Will we get a single, variant-proof vaccine for Covid? - The goal of a universal vaccine would have seemed a fantasy only a few years ago. But not now ...
• Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability - "The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report assesses the impacts of climate change, looking at ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global and regional levels. It also reviews vulnerabilities and the capacities and limits of the natural world and human societies to adapt to climate change."
• Chinese phone brands are carrying the torch for Europe’s biggest mobile show - "Chinese phone brands are likely to dominate MWC."
• The data game: what Amazon knows about you & how to stop it - "The tech giant has many ways of gathering information about its users’ activity - from Prime to Alexa. But how much can it collect and what can you do to keep your life private?"
• How to Watch the 2022 SAG Awards - "Below, find everything you need to know about this year’s ceremony, including what time they start, who the most nominated stars are, and - of course - how to watch."
• SAG Awards 2022: The winners list - "The 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards, which honor some of the year's best television and film performances by actors, aired Sunday."
• The noisy thrum of life in our soil - "The people eavesdropping on life underground. The worms, grubs and roots rummaging unseen beneath our feet produce a cacophony of sounds that we are only just starting to listen to in an attempt to understand more about life underground."
• How to clean iPhone speakers & improve the sound quality - "Here’s how to clean iPhone speakers without breaking them."
• 'Porpoising' is F1's new buzzword ... but what does it mean? - "The name describes a car mimicking the movement of a porpoise as it travels through water."
• Christopher Walken Shares the Secrets of Acting Like Christopher Walken - "No one looks like him, with his thick pompadour, sensuous, downturned lips and doleful eyes. No one talks like him - all those offbeat cadences, ..."

February 27, 2022

• Coronavirus came from Wuhan market & not Chinese lab, twin studies say - "International scientists on Saturday released two major studies which one participant said made it 'extraordinarily clear' a market in Wuhan, China was the source of the coronavirus which fueled the Covid-19 pandemic - and not a Chinese government laboratory, a theory championed in the US by rightwing campaigners, columnists and politicians."
• Will we get a single, variant-proof vaccine for Covid? - "The goal of a universal vaccine would have seemed a fantasy only a few years ago. But not now ..."
• A Kennedy’s Crusade Against Covid Vaccines Anguishes Family & Friends - "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has risen to become a major figure in the vaccine resistance movement. Those close to him say it’s 'heartbreaking.'"
• Largest, highest, tallest: Record-setters in travel - "Carnival celebrations are taking place around the world ahead of Mardi Gras, and the world's largest cruise ship is poised to set sail. But travel is also being impacted by Covid restrictions and the Ukraine invasion. Here are the biggest stories from CNN Travel this week."
• The Vogue Editors’ Guide to Paris - "And while the majority of travelers know the iconic tourist spots of Paris - the Eiffel Tower! The Louvre! Notre Dame! - the spots that encompass the soul of the city that so many of us seek are harder to find. With that in mind, Vogue asked its editors where they stay eat, shop, and visit across the arrondissements."
• Why aren't we being told more about the Queen's health? - "Elizabeth II's health is a big talking point right now, not just because she is elderly but also because Buckingham Palace is releasing so little information about it. So we thought we'd spend this week's edition answering your biggest questions and concerns."
• Truth Social: will Trump’s ‘free speech haven’ overcome its rocky start? - "Technical snags, criticisms of its terms of service and questions about copyright infringement plague the app’s kickoff."
• Millions in Bitcoin pouring into Ukraine from donors - "Cryptocurrency analysts say at least $13.7m has so far been donated to the Ukrainian war effort through anonymous Bitcoin donations."
• Could sanctions leave oligarchs’ super yachts high & dry in Spain? - "Russia’s wealthiest men own vessels worth millions. Now penalties might make it illegal to supply or service them."
• Abramovich hands ‘stewardship & care of Chelsea’ to charitable foundation - "Roman Abramovich has passed the stewardship of Chelsea to the trustees of the club’s charitable foundation. The Russian, who bought the club in 2003, remains the owner but has relinquished the running of Chelsea after a call in parliament for him to be sanctioned following the invasion of Ukraine."
• Here’s Everything Coming to Netflix in March - VOGUE.
• iOS 15 Features You Probably Didn't Know Existed - "In September 2021, Apple released its latest operating system update, iOS 15, for the iPhone lineup. The update brought a host of new features that will improve the way you use your phone and your overall experience. By now, you've probably already updated your device to iOS 15, but are you utilizing all of iOS 15's offerings?"
• iPhone 13 user? Check top 5 tips & tricks to use on your iPhone - "1/5 Stop apps from tracking you: There are several apps which ask for the permission to track you. This is mainly for the purpose of ..."

February 26, 2022

• How US intelligence got it right on Ukraine - "President Joe Biden and US officials got the intelligence right: They said Russia would invade Ukraine, despite Russia's assurances to the contrary. After a supreme miscalculation on how the pullout from Afghanistan would go, misguided intelligence on the run-up to the war in Iraq and many other mistakes, this is an important moment for the US intelligence community."
• Got a Covid Booster? You Probably Won’t Need Another for a Long Time - "A flurry of new studies suggests that several parts of the immune system can mount a sustained, potent response to any coronavirus variant."
• Lockdown lifestyles: how has Covid changed lives in the UK? - "Nearly two years after the first lockdown was implemented, legal restrictions related to coronavirus are finally being lifted. Here we chart what has changed in people’s lives."
• You should be eating citrus this month - "Who else needs a pick-me-up as we move through the last few weeks of winter? While a beach vacation might not be possible for everyone, you can always get a taste of sunny weather in the form of citrus."
• The truth about the 'love hormone' - "The chemical that sharpens our social skills. A small protein, sometimes called the 'love hormone' might play a much wider role in how we learn to bond."
• Airbus to test hydrogen-fueled engine on A380 jet - "Airbus just moved one step closer to launching the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035."
• Guinness names Shanghai eatery as world's highest restaurant in a building - "It's official, there's a new 'world's highest restaurant in a building.' In February, officials from the Guinness World Records awarded the accolade to the Heavenly Jin restaurant inside the J Hotel Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China."
• These African heritage sites are under threat from rising seas, but there's still time to save them - "On the shores of North Africa, ancient cities have stood for millennia. The columns of Carthage, in modern-day Tunisia, are a reminder of the once bustling Phoenician and Roman port, and along the coast in what's now Libya, lie the majestic ruins of Sabratha's Roman amphitheater close - perhaps too close - to the sea. Extreme weather events and rising sea levels mean that all three - and around 190 other spectacular heritage sites that line Africa's coasts - will be at risk of severe flooding and erosion in the next 30 years, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change."
• These animals went extinct in the wild. Scientists brought them back - "What do North Carolina's red wolves, the Eurasian beaver and Przewalski's horse have in common? All of them went extinct in the wild - and all of them came back, thanks to reintroduction programs."
• What digital public spaces might look like by 2035 - "Strange days out here on the internet. Dangerous days, too. Facebook groups have people drinking horse dewormer in anticipation of JFK Jr’s resurrection, Instagram’s filling kids up with eating disorders and suicidal ideations, while Twitter just peals along with that irate, mosquito-pitched whine you hear right just before everything goes red. Algorithmically-elected, engagement-optimized push notifications, suggestions, tips and tricks from the hottest thinkfluencers of the minute, pop, pop, popping up unbidden and inescapable, demanding the fealty of our screens as counted by our click throughs."
• Cap worn by Amelia Earhart when she crossed the Atlantic Ocean could fetch $80,000 - "According to Heritage Auctions, which is running the sale, Earhart wore the cap when she became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane."
• 15 Types of Photography: Photo Genres You Should Know - "While it is not unusual for a photographer to restrict themselves to one or more specific genres, especially when it comes to producing work professionally, experimenting with other types of photography is a great way to increase one’s general knowledge of the field and bolster skill sets. Many more types exist, but most can be sorted under one of these primary genres."
• 7 Essential Camera Accessories for Photographers in 2022 - "After a camera body and a lens, the next most important thing in a photographer’s kit is their accessories. In this article, we will discuss the most basic and essential accessories that a beginning photographer should look into adding to their collection of gear."
• How to Automatically Change Your Apple Watch Face Based on Time or Location - "If you find yourself regularly swiping to a different watch face on your Apple Watch depending on what you're doing or where you are, this article is for you. Because thanks to the power that Apple has built into its Shortcuts app, it's possible to make the watch face on your Apple Watch automatically change based on the time of day or your location. Keep reading to learn how."
• ‘The Dropout’ offers a timely reminder of the Theranos madness - "And how you shouldn’t trust any tech company."
• 2023 Ferrari Purosangue Leaked Providing Our First Look At The Super SUV - "Ever since Ferrari announced they would be making an SUV over three years ago, every mule and prototype we’ve seen of it so far has been exclusively under heavy camouflage. Now, out of nowhere, images of what appears to be a pre-production version of the Purosangue shot from the factory floor circulated on numerous social media pages today."
• Complete Guide to the Best Trench Coats to Shop Now & Wear Forever - Vogue.
• A LOOK ABOARD DISNEY’S $6,000 PER STAY, IMMERSIVE STAR WARS: GALACTIC STARCRUISER HOTEL - "A galaxy far, far away gets a whole lot closer."

February 25, 2022

• Russia Ukraine invasion: what we know so far - "Ukraine’s president says more than 130 people have been killed and that the country had been ‘left alone to defend our state’ as invasion enters day two."
• Ukraine invasion: Russia's attack in maps - "Russia has launched a major invasion of Ukraine from three main directions."
• Wheat prices jump to highest since 2008; stocks calmer after Wall Street gains - business live - "European shares rebound as Russian stocks, bonds and rouble recover, even as Russian troops advance on the Ukrainian capital."
• Russian Billionaires Have Lost Nearly $90 Billion In Wealth Amid Ukraine Invasion - "As Russian troops invade Ukraine, tens of billions have been wiped from the fortunes of Russia’s billionaires."
• Why has Putin’s Russia waged war on Ukraine? - video explainer - "Vladimir Putin has plunged Europe back into war and a conflict that ‘I think will reverberate far beyond Ukraine and have huge implications for Europe, for the rest of the world’, says Guardian foreign correspondent Luke Harding. Reporting from Kyiv, he examines why the Russian president launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour, if Putin can be stopped, and what might come next."
• Can Germany function without Vladimir Putin’s gas? - "Nord Stream 2 was meant to deliver 70% of country’s gas and switch to renewable energy has been slow."
• What is Swift & what would shutting Russia out of it achieve? - "The UK wants to bar Russia from the international payments network - but others doubt the sanction’s value."
• Crypto is making it easier than ever for Russians to evade sanctions - "Financial sanctions are easier than ever for Russians to evade. Thank Bitcoin. The US Treasury is well aware of this problem. In an October report, officials warned that digital currencies 'potentially reduce the efficacy of American sanctions' by allowing bad actors to hold and transfer funds outside the traditional financial system. 'We are mindful of the risk that, if left unchecked, these digital assets and payments systems could harm the efficacy of our sanctions.'"
• Covid-19 is killing more people now than during most of the pandemic. Here's who's still at risk - "Plummeting Covid-19 case counts across the United States are leading to lifted mask mandates and more conversations about steps toward normalcy - but more people are dying of the coronavirus now than during most points of the pandemic. More than 2,000 Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the United States each day for the past month. Average daily deaths are falling, but from a very high point. They dipped just below that mark in recent days, to about 1,900 on Monday; the federal holiday may have delayed reporting."
• Plastic summit could be most important green deal since Paris accords, says UN - "World leaders to gather in Nairobi next week to discuss first global treaty to combat plastic waste."
• Noor Muqaddam: The high society beheading that stunned a nation - "The rape and murder of Noor Muqaddam, by a man from the same circle of rich friends, outraged Pakistan - and it highlighted the shocking levels of violence women there face."
• DNA reveals biggest-ever human family tree, dating back 100,000 years - "Researchers have used genetics to create the largest human family tree ever made, allowing individuals to find out who their distant ancestors were and where they lived, as well as exactly how they are related to everyone alive today."
• Praggnanandhaa: How India is emerging as a chess powerhouse - "The frail-looking 16-year-old boy is the third Indian to beat world champion Magnus Carlsen in a tournament."
• Spain's 'white gold' super-drink - "Gluten-free, sweet and nutritionally dense, tiger nuts are being hailed as a rising 'superfood'. But in Valencia, Spain, these tasty tubers have been popular for centuries."
• 10 of the best films to watch this March - "Including Robert Pattinson's first outing as The Batman, a sci-fi action movie about multiverses and the latest Pixar animation, these are this month's unmissable films."
• Meghan's Oprah interview dress is named fashion museum's Dress of the Year - "The black Armani dress worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during her and Prince Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey has been selected as the 2021 Dress of the Year by the United Kingdom's Fashion Museum Bath."
• Intimate or irritating: are voice notes killing the phone call? - "For some generations, voice notes have replaced text messages and even phone calls. But are they the future of communication - or just plain annoying?"
• world's tallest vertical garden - "Imagine a 5.5 kilometer garden path (3.51 miles), about twice the length of New York's High Line, sprawling up the twisted façades of two towers, one of which rises more than 300 meters into the sky. That's what will greet visitors to STH BNK by Beulah - a new dual-tower 'greenscraper' complex planned for Melbourne that's set to include the tallest building in Australia when complete in 2028."
• How we are falling in love with tinned fish - from artisanal anchovies to vintage sardines - "Vogue loves the retro-artwork on the labels, while chefs love the high-end ingredients inside. Forget dusty cans of dry tuna – posh cans of fish are now surprisingly cool."
• London fashion week autumn/winter 2022: key shows - in pictures - "London fashion week is back with a bang, catwalk highlights include a surprise turn by Sam Smith at Harris Reed, debuts from Ahluwalia, Conner Ives and even a cat at Yuhan Wang."
• Inside a $125 Million Malibu Mansion - "For the ultimate in privacy, security and seclusion paired with luxury and great design, there are few better examples for sale than the estate on the bluffs of the world-renowned Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu, California."

February 24, 2022

• China's leaders may be watching Ukraine with an eye on Taiwan - "As the world's attention focuses on the escalating crisis between Russia and Ukraine, a spotlight has also been turned on an island halfway around the world - self-governing Taiwan. On the surface, there may be parallels: both Taiwan and Ukraine are Western-friendly democracies whose status quo could be upended by powerful autocracies."
• Bitcoin price falls after Russia attacks Ukraine - "The price of bitcoin fell below $35,000 early Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in the Donbas region of Ukraine. Bitcoin was trading at $34,969 as of 1:22 a.m. ET, according to CoinMarketCap. That's a decline of more than 8% compared to a day earlier."
• Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich 'has been effectively BARRED from living in Britain' - as he is named as one of the 'key enablers' of Vladimir Putin's regime. Sources now reportedly say it is unlikely he will be allowed to live in Britain again.
• London’s smallest microflat sells for 80% above asking price - "Seven-square-metre ‘posh cell’ in Lower Clapton fetches £90,000 at auction."
• World's top 10 best beaches for 2022, according to Tripadvisor - "Picture a warm, pristine paradise. White-sand beaches. Turquoise-tinged water clear as gin. And you've got the No. 1 beach in the world for 2022, according to Tripadvisor users. Coming out on top is Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos islands."
• Hot days lead to more mental health emergencies, study finds - "Extreme temperatures due to climate crisis are resulting in higher rate of hospital visits, say scientists."
• Pets can boost your brain power, study says - "Having a long-term pet companion may delay memory loss and other kinds of cognitive decline, a new study has found. Pet ownership was especially beneficial for working verbal memory, such as memorization of word lists, according to the preliminary research."
• Vegetarians have 14% lower cancer risk than meat-eaters, study finds - "Oxford University research also finds pescatarians have 10% reduced risk compared with those who eat meat regularly."
• Can you save money & the climate? - "How I made my pension sustainable. Setting up a sustainable pension is one of the most powerful tools we have to minimise our climate footprint. Here Jocelyn Timperley investigates how she can save for her retirement while also saving the planet."
• Ferrari To Finally Join Luxury SUV Segment With V8 Hybrid & 4WD - "For the longest time, Ferrari said it would not do an SUV. Zing! 180-degree about-face. Market conditions demanded it so enter Maranello’s first ever SUV, the Purosangue (meaning ‘thoroughbred’ in Italian). Come to think of it, this five-door was inevitable. High performance SUVs are the flavor of the decade, after all. Maserati did the Levante, Lamborghini launched the Urus, Bentley introduced the Bentayga and Aston Martin debuted its DBX, with all models quickly accounting for around half of all cars sold by each carmaker respectively. Ferrari cannot ignore these statistics."
• A Meta prototype lets you build virtual worlds by describing them - "In a prerecorded demo video, Zuckerberg walked viewers through the process of making a virtual space with Builder Bot, starting with commands like 'let’s go to the beach,' which prompts the bot to create a cartoonish 3D landscape of sand and water around him."
• Inventing Anna: Fake heiress drama tops Netflix ratings - "Inventing Anna has notched up the most viewing hours for an English-language series in a week since the service began a new ratings system last summer. The nine-part show stars Ozark's Julia Garner as fake heiress Anna Sorokin. It was watched for 196 million hours last week, on top of 77 million hours of viewing on the weekend of its release on 11 February."
• Charlize Theron ‘felt so threatened’ by Tom Hardy making Mad Max she required on-set protection - "New book details allegations of unprofessional behaviour and aggression during making of George Miller’s 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road."
• Scarlett Johansson Is Launching Her New Skin Care Line, The Outset - "Johansson will serve as the chairman of the new company, which is expected to officially launch on March 1. Cofounder Kate Foster will be the CEO. Foster was previously founder and CEO of SwearBy, a digital site focused on word-of-mouth product recommendations. The Outset will launch with simple skin care essentials."
• A ‘Godfather’ Guide: How Francis Ford Coppola’s Trilogy Has Evolved - "The newly re-edited version of 'Part III' is the latest in a string of editions of the sprawling Corleone tale. Here’s a primer."
• Apple AirTags: How to Protect Yourself From Being Tracked - "AirTags can be used to stalk someone's location. We've got some tips to safeguard against the risk."
• Fed Up With Google, Conspiracy Theorists Turn to DuckDuckGo - "The embrace by some conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists is part of a broader effort to shift people away from Big Tech."
• 10 statement ways to decorate a blank wall - "Bring your entryway wall decor ideas to life with these stylish tips from the experts. Whether it’s artwork, fabric or a mural masterpiece, changing just one wall can bring character to your space."
• Goodbye 3G, you helped make the iPhone what it is today - "AT&T is shutting down its 3G network."
• This 2005 Porsche Carrera GT With Just 182 Miles Is Set To Break Auction Records - "The Porsche Carrera GT features one of the most timeless designs in automotive history and today it stands out as perhaps the last analog supercar."

February 23, 2022

• Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin address fact-checked - "Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognising them as independent states. In a long, late-night televised address from the Kremlin, Mr Putin sought to justify his actions by making a series of claims about Ukraine."
• Life on Ukraine’s eastern frontier - in pictures - "Alienated civilians, ruined homes and Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline."
• CDC adds multicultural Asian favorite to its list of highest risk destinations - "Level 4, the CDC's highest, has now swelled to more than 140 places, illustrating the vast range and rapid spread of the Omicron variant around the world this year. In early January, there were around 80 destinations listed there."
• The World’s 50 Most Beautiful Countries (You Won’t Believe Where The U.S. Ranked) - "Who doesn’t look at travel photos on Instagram and fantasize about visiting the most beautiful places in the world? But what defines beauty? A new study from the website money.co.uk aims to rank the 50 most beautiful countries on earth by analyzing the amount of natural wonders in each place, from coral reefs and tropical rainforests to volcanoes, glaciers and more."
• How cross-country skiing in Norway became a chilling page-turner - "A trip into the winter wilderness - building his own igloo every night - left our writer feeling out of his depth. But it also set him on track to write his latest novel."
• Wildfires likely to increase by a third by 2050, warns UN - "Even previously unaffected countries likely to see uncontrollable blazes, says study, which calls for shift to spending on prevention."
• Trump sides with Putin as Biden tries to stop a war - "It took only 24 hours for Donald Trump to hail Russian President Vladimir Putin's dismembering of independent, democratic, sovereign Ukraine as an act of 'genius.'"
• Trump’s free speech app Truth Social is censoring content & kicking off users - "Nearly 500,000 people are on the app’s waitlist."
• How Swiss banking secrecy enabled an unequal global financial system - "Centuries-old code of silence helped Switzerland become a magnet for tax-dodging wealthy clients."
• Rolex is no longer a retail brand - "Cambridge English Dictionary defines 'Retail' as the activity of selling goods to the public, usually in shops. By that definition, Rolex stopped being a retail brand last year and shows no sign of returning any time soon. The reality today is that members of the public cannot simply walk into a shop and walk out with a Rolex."
• Breitling Teams With Triumph Motorcycles For Watches & Bike - "In a major motorcycle move, Swiss watch brand Breitling teams with Triumph for special-edition watches and a motorcycle that will have lovers of watches and bikes gunning their engines. The new Breitling Top Time Triumph watch is offered in two versions - one for the public with the beloved Zorro dial ($5,500) and one for owners of the new Top Time Speed Twin Motorcycle inspired by the café-racer culture of yesteryear (with ice blue sunday dial for $5,700)."
• 16-year-old Indian chess sensation Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa stuns world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen - "Praggnanandhaa, nicknamed Pragg, belied his age and his experience as he remained cool and collected, while Carlsen appeared to make mistakes to present opportunities to the Indian youngster. And although the five-time world champion fought to get back into the game, Pragg didn't give him an opening, eventually holding on for a famous victory in the rapid chess tournament."
• Five ways AI is saving wildlife - from counting chimps to locating whales - "Artificial intelligence has been identified as one of the top three emerging technologies in conservation, helping protect species around the world."
• Massive bear named 'Hank the Tank' on the run from California police - "A massive black bear named Hank the Tank is wanted by California police for breaking into dozens of homes in a Lake Tahoe neighbourhood since last summer. The bear burglar weighs 500lbs (227kg), much more than the average bear, and appears to have skipped hibernation in winter due to a constant food supply."
• Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla - why we've got the Vikings wrong - "As Vikings: Valhalla premieres on Netflix, Luke Walpole explores how images of marauding pagans are misleading - despite being part of the popular imagination since the 8th-Century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle."
• Scientists find part of brain responds selectively to sound of singing - "US results also confirm previous findings that some neurons respond to speech or music."
• Amazon’s Astro robot has been spotted in the wild ... bringing people beer - "Users are showing off what the $1,450 Amazon smart home robot can really do."
• DJI Ronin 4D review: The most advanced cinema camera ever created - "LiDAR autofocus, Z-arm stabilizer, incredible video quality and more."

February 22, 2022

• Global stock markets tumble & oil soars after Russia moves troops into Ukraine - business live - "Investors brace for a torrid day as west threatens sanctions; oil marches towards $100 a barrel."
• Crooks, kleptocrats & crises: a timeline of Credit Suisse scandals - "A string of controversies have beset Switzerland’s second-largest lender, including Japanese ‘shredding party’ and US sub-prime fraud."
• The world's biggest cruise ship is making its debut - "It's been three years in the making, but the world's largest cruise ship is finally ready to welcome passengers. Measuring a staggering 1,188 feet, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas was delivered last month and is due to begin its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean on March 4. The 18-deck cruise ship was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and has capacity for 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members."
• Germany hopes protein-based Covid vaccine will sway sceptics - "Germany will offer its population a new protein-based Covid-19 vaccine comparable to conventional flu jabs this week, in the hope of swaying a sizeable minority that remains sceptical of the novel mRNA technology used in the most commonly used vaccines."
• The Dark Century: Why Is Liberalism in Decline? - "In the early 1990s I was a roving correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, based in Europe. Some years it felt as if all I did was cover good news: the end of the Soviet Union, Ukrainians voting for independence, German reunification, the spread of democracy across Eastern Europe, Mandela coming out of prison and the end of apartheid, the Oslo peace process that seemed to bring stability to the Middle East. What the hell happened? Why were the hopes of the 1990s not realized? What is the key factor that has made the 21st century so dark, regressive and dangerous?"
• Courteney Cox says she looked 'really strange' after cosmetic procedures - "Courteney Cox has opened up about aging, career insecurity and her changing attitude to cosmetic procedures."
• Britney Spears set to write tell-all book in $15M deal - "Publishing insiders say Spears, 40, has reached a landmark deal with publishing house Simon & Schuster for her tell-all memoir about her career, her 'Toxic' life and her family. The deal comes after a bidding war from multiple publishers over her book, according to one insider, who claimed, 'the deal is one of the biggest of all time, behind the Obamas.'" Page Six.
• Truth Social: Banned from Twitter, Trump returns with a new platform - "Donald Trump's social-media platform, Truth Social, has launched, in a limited form, on the US Apple App Store."
• king of Jordan used Swiss accounts to hoard massive wealth - "Leak shows King Abdullah was beneficial owner of at least six Credit Suisse accounts."
• Switzerland at risk of EU blacklist after Credit Suisse leak - "Apparent due diligence failures by Swiss bank prompts centre-right calls for EU to review relationship with Switzerland."
• Apple is developing a foldable MacBook with a 20-inch screen - "Despite delays in the development of its foldable iPhone, a new report says Apple has set its sights 0n creating a 'foldable notebook' with a massive 20-inch display."
• A return to vegetarian Jewish cuisine - "Pastrami, schnitzel, gefilte fish: Jewish food isn't often known as plant-based. But there is a long tradition of Ashkenazi Jewish vegetarianism – one a new crop of chefs is reviving."
• The world's unlikeliest art thief - "The bus driver who confessed to stealing a Goya masterpiece. In 1961, a portrait by the artist vanished from the UK's National Gallery. As The Duke, a film about the theft, is released, Nicholas Barber tells the story of an incredible art heist."
• North Korea breaks ground on 10,000-home residential project in major housing drive - "North Korea has started work on a sprawling 10,000-apartment residential project as the country embarks on a housing drive in its capital, Pyongyang."
• An Insider’s Guide To Brussels - "Brussels is synonymous with the bustling Grand-Place, but there’s much to explore beyond one of Europe’s largest and most picturesque squares. The city boasts more than 2,000 restaurants, 500 art nouveau buildings (the architectural style began here), 200 hotels, 100 museums and, of course, 65 chocolatiers."
• Homage to Spain’s railways: take the slow train for the best scenic routes - "Spain excels in high-speed lines, but visitors will discover so much more on older tracks winding through deserts, sierras, sleepy villages and George Orwell country."
• Panasonic's 25-megapixel GH6 is the highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet - "It can also record 5.7K ProRes video but still lacks phase-detect autofocus."

February 21, 2022

• The highs & lows of the 2022 Winter Olympics - "The 2022 Winter Olympics came to a close on Sunday after weeks of hard-won victories and heartbreaking disappointments. Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of the Games for very different reasons. Erin Jackson delivered a historic speed skating performance, while Elana Meyers Taylor became the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history. And Norway did what Norway does best, topping the medal table after 109 events on snow and ice."
• A Winter Olympics that was farcical, disturbing & often exceptional - "The soul-destroying story of the young Russian skater Kamila Valieva will stick in the memory for all the wrong reasons."
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: day 16 - in pictures - The best images from the final day of the games, including curling, ice hockey, bobsleigh and figure skating.
• Revealed: Credit Suisse leak unmasks criminals, fraudsters & corrupt politicians - "Massive leak reveals secret owners of £80bn held in Swiss bank Whistleblower leaked bank’s data to expose ‘immoral’ secrecy laws. Clients included human trafficker and billionaire who ordered girlfriend’s murder Vatican-owned account used to spend €350m in allegedly fraudulent investment Scandal-hit Credit Suisse rejects allegations it may be ‘rogue bank’"
• Credit Suisse pushes back on reports of controversial accounts - "Credit Suisse pushed back Sunday after multiple media outlets reported that the Swiss investment bank had clients that included criminals, alleged human rights abusers and parties facing sanctions."
• What is the Suisse secrets leak & why are we publishing it? - "Banking secrecy is an issue of global public interest that can have a profound impact on the world’s poorest."
• Credit Suisse leak raises painful questions for the bank - "Bosses will have to prove their aversion to dubious wealthy clients if they are to regain trust of markets and regulators."
• How Covid changed medicine for the future - "The global pandemic sparked a huge superhuman effort to control coronavirus. But the billions spent have also had an unexpected impact on medicine and science."
• The Queen tests positive for Covid - "The monarch is experiencing 'mild cold-like symptoms' but expects to continue 'light duties' at Windsor over the coming week, the palace said."
• Why Eileen Gu is luxury fashion's dream model - "The 18-year-old's gold medal performance in the big air competition thrust her into the global spotlight Tuesday, sparking such a furor in China that social media platform Weibo crashed under the weight of interest. But Gu has spent years establishing herself as both a top athlete and a hugely bankable model who appeals to brands in both Asia and the West."
• 'I just love making planes look sexy' - "How this avgeek turned his hobby into a job."
• Trump’s social media app will reportedly go live on Presidents’ Day - "But just on iOS."
• 'Hillary Clinton Derangement Syndrome' is worse than ever - "There's something infecting right-wing circles, and it's showing no sign of letting up: a fixation on Hillary Clinton that I'm calling 'Hillary Clinton Derangement Syndrome,' or 'HDS' for short. The symptoms of this persistent ailment include an unhealthy obsession with the former secretary of state - from spreading lies about her past actions to blaming her for events with which she has no connection - combined with an insatiable longing to see her run for president again in 2024."
• How to turn your hobby into an income stream - "There are ways to make money but have a plan ... from a marketing strategy to doing your research."
• Is a Joint Bank Account Ever a Good Idea? - "'There’s a growing awareness of the dangers of joint bank accounts, particularly in an age where so many relationships are starting online, and there’s enormous potential for romance fraud. Pretty much everyone has come across a horror story where someone merged their finances completely with someone else, and it didn’t end well,' Iona Bain, author of Own It!, tells Vogue."
• The Hair Products Jennifer Aniston Swears By, According to Her Longtime Pros - "It’s not an exaggeration to say that Jennifer Aniston’s hair is the stuff of legend. Over the course of her three-decades long career, the actress has set off a hair craze with a career-making chop, experimented with different cuts in all lengths and styles, and ultimately, cultivated a signature California cool hair code oft coveted (and copied!)."
• The strange reason migrating birds are flocking to cities - "Some species of migrating birds are increasingly attracted to life in the big city - but these unnatural environments can be deadly."
• Oldest buildings in UAE discovered, dating back 8,500 years - "Archaeologists in the United Arab Emirates have uncovered the country's oldest known buildings, dating back at least 8,500 years. This is more than 500 years older than the previous record-breaking discoveries, according to Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism in a press release Thursday."
• Spain's ingenious water maze - "Invented by the region's Moorish rulers 1,200 years ago, Valencia's irrigation system is now a model for sustainable farming."
• Capcom announces Street Fighter 6 - "It’s coming, and that’s about all we know."
• batteries in Google’s Nest Cam & Doorbell won’t charge in freezing weather - "The company confirmed the issue in a recent support document."
• There are better ways to take a photo of your pet in iOS 15, thanks to Obscura 3 - "Taking photos in iOS has always been a relatively simple affair, just by using the Camera app by Apple. But third-party developers have gone further to make the iPhone camera work harder for you and the photos you take every day. This is what Obscura has been doing since its launch in 2015. This new version brings a redesigned gallery view, video capture, refined layouts for controlling exposure settings, and the multiple lenses of the iPhone models, alongside controller support. This allows anyone with an Xbox or PlayStation controller, to take a photo through Obscura 3."
• We've blended vinyl with streaming to create a sensational hi-fi system - "Four Award-winning products form an unbeatable team."
• The Best Time of Day to Take Outdoor Portrait Photos - "A guide to the best times of the day to shoot portrait photos outdoors, from blue hour and golden hour to tackling harsh midday sunlight."
• Instagram? Flickr? 500px? Where to Share Your Photos Online? - Fstoppers.
• Turns Out That Vintage Rolex Actually Is a Great Investment - "Your watch nerd buddy wasn't just blowing smoke; the prices have climbed significantly over the last ten years."
• World Car of the Year 2022 is on the way - "The WCOTY finalists are (in alphabetical order): Audi Q4 e-tron, Cupra Formentor, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Genesis G70, Honda Civic, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia EV6, Lexus NX and Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ. The finalists were chosen from an initial list of 28 contenders."

February 20, 2022

• Beijing’s Olympics close, ending safe but odd global moment - "The terrarium of a Winter Games that has been Beijing 2022 came to its end Sunday, capping an unprecedented Asian Olympic trifecta and sending the planet’s most global sporting event off to the West for the foreseeable future, with no chance of returning to this corner of the world until at least 2030."
• Sunday was a golden day for five European countries at Beijing 2022 - "The curtain falls on the Beijing Winter Olympics, with the closing ceremony set to begin at 8:00 p.m. local time."
• Winter Olympics day 16: GB win women’s curling gold before closing ceremony - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal." As is traditional, the table prioritises the number of gold medals won. On this basis in 2018 at Pyeongchang in South Korea, Norway and Germany were tied on 14 golds, with Norway’s higher tally of silvers - 14 to Germany’s 10 - making them top of the table. For obvious reasons, the Winter Olympics is dominated by a different set of countries to the summer games - Sweden, Austria and Switzerland were all in the top 10 last time.
• Why is Norway so good at the Winter Games? - "There's a familiar country atop the medal count in the Winter Olympics: Norway. The country has even set a new mark for most gold medals - after Johannes Thingnes Bø won his fourth of Beijing 2022 in the men's biathlon 15km mass start - in a single Winter Games with 15. This might surprise some given that Norway has only a little more than five million residents - not even in the top 100 most populated countries. So what's the secret to Norway's historical and current success? Two big factors really."
• Thrills, spills and Olympic figure skating dreams - in pictures - "A missed catch or quarter turn rotation are the margins between a fall and Olympic glory. We look at some of Beijing 2022’s highs and lows."
• Experts warn ‘not to get too cocky’ as US contemplates life after Covid - "Cases, deaths, and hospitalizations have plummeted - but transmission remains high across the nation."
• Americans Will Need To Register To Travel To Europe In 2023 - "While European countries are dropping their Covid-19 pre-arrival testing requirements, that doesn’t mean a longterm return to spontaneous travel. U.S. travelers consumed with keeping up with the ever-changing Covid-19 rules in European countries may have missed another chink of travel bureaucracy looming on the Atlantic horizon. Soon there will be an extra step to take before leaving for Europe."
• Donald Trump's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week in court - "Former President Donald Trump was 0-3 in three high-profile legal battles this week, with new rulings that boosted significant cases his opponents have brought against him. Perhaps the most significant of all the courtroom defeats suffered recently by Trump was a judge's refusal Friday to dismiss several civil lawsuits filed against him for his alleged role in the January 6 US Capitol attack."
• Trump’s social media app to be released in App Store on Monday: executive - "The beta version of Truth Social has been under testing since last week, with full launch date listed for 21 February."
• Carbon capture tech is advancing in the wrong direction - "It’s increasingly being paired with fossil fuel power plants."
• These Apps Turn Your Apple Watch Into a Fitness Tracking Machine - "If you're training or just looking to step up your workout game, these tools take your wearable to the next level."
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max - "The two best phones battle it out. Our Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iPhone 13 face-off compares the design, performance, cameras, battery life and more to crown a winner."
• The Tragedy of Macbeth - "Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth highlights how easily human beings can be lured into catastrophic delusion."
• The Ipcress File: The rebel spy who is the anti-James Bond - "Michael Caine's role in the film version of Len Deighton's 1960s spy novel made him an icon. As a TV remake premieres, Neil Armstrong looks at the creation of a unique secret agent."
• Cameras That Changed Photography Forever - "What do the Kodak Brownie, the first low-cost camera, launched in 1900, and a 2022 smartphone have in common? They are both popular photographic tools that best represent the spirit of their respective time. These two devices (small, portable box cameras and smartphones with cameras) also completely changed photography forever. Despite being separated by over 100 years and being polar opposites in terms of design, each contributed immensely to the art and science of photography."
• What in the world is happening to our beloved Wordle? - "Fans say the puzzle is getting harder, with some swearing they’ve had enough. We look at the psychology behind the game’s appeal and the rising discontent among players."

February 19, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day 15: men’s curling final, cross-country skiing & more -live! - The Guardian.
• So, can I eat on the bus again? And other pressing questions for the return of real life - "Forgotten how to behave in public? As Covid restrictions lift, a quick refresher on everyday encounters from shaking hands to sharing drinks."
• Bitcoin miners revived a dying coal plant - then CO2 emissions soared - "Critics say the enormous electricity consumption needed to sustain cryptocurrency is fueling the climate crisis and now threatens a partial resurrection of coal in the US."
• EXPLAINER: Why would world leaders balk at giving Putin DNA? - "If knowledge is power, knowing the intimate secrets of one’s DNA could be a powerful weapon. That might explain why the world leaders who hastened to Moscow in recent days for diplomatic talks seemed to balk at Russian-administered coronavirus tests."
• Charlie Chaplin's children reveal their fear of the film pioneer - "'Everyone who gets too close to him, he'll end up suffocating': Charlie Chaplin's children reveal their fear of the comedy pioneer - as a new documentary uncovers his obsession with teenage girls."
• Brad Pitt sues Angelina Jolie over vineyard where they got married - "The couple purchased a controlling interest in Chateau Miraval in 2008 and got married there six years later. Pitt says he and his former wife agreed not to sell their stakes in the venue without the permission of the other. But Jolie sold her share to a spirits manufacturer owned by a Russian oligarch, according to the lawsuit. Jolie has not yet commented."
• Man Ray's 'Le Violon d'Ingres' could become the most expensive photo ever sold - "The original print of the masterpiece, widely considered to be Man Ray's most famous work, is expected to fetch between $5-7 million when it goes under the hammer at Christie's in May - the highest estimate for a single photograph in auction history, according to the auction house."
• The man rethinking the definition of reality - "Across his career, the philosopher David Chalmers has challenged what we hold to be true about consciousness and the mind. As Tom Chatfield discovers, now he is questioning reality itself."
• Clocking in at under 10 minutes, this is the world's shortest international commercial flight - "There's no in-flight service. No business class cabin. No sipping Champagne, choosing beef or chicken, or watching a movie. At just eight minutes from takeoff to landing, there's no time for any of that. There are shorter flights - the hop from Westray to Papa Westray in Scotland's Orkney Islands clocks in at just 90 seconds - but the flight between the Caribbean islands of Anguilla and Sint Maarten is currently the world's shortest international commercial flight."
• ‘Should I use potato milk in my porridge?’: what you should really eat for breakfast - "From drinking coffee on an empty stomach to the merits of fasting, have we been getting breakfast all wrong?"
• How to Set up & Use Apple Watch Nightstand Mode - "Use your watch as an alarm clock."
• What is VO2 max & why should you set it up with Apple Watch? - "One of the useful and somewhat buried health features on Apple Watch is VO2 max. The measurement can be estimated by Apple Watch when recording specific workouts but it isn’t enabled by default and actually goes by another name. Follow along for a look at how to use VO2 max with Apple Watch and iPhone including why it’s important, how to set it up, and how to view your VO2 max levels."
• Thousands of Porsches, Lamborghinis & Bentleys Are Stuck on a Burning Cargo Ship in the Atlantic - "The ship’s 22-member crew was evacuated and no injuries were reported. A 656 foot-long ship named The Felicity Ace issued a distress signal on Wednesday after reporting that a fire had broken out on one of its cargo decks, according to the Associated Press. The ship, which had been en route to Rhode Island after leaving a German port earlier this month, was 200 miles off the coast of Terceira Island in the Azores when the blaze broke out."
• Chipolo’s Card Spot is an AirTag for your wallet - "It’s not as powerful as an AirTag, but its form factor is actually useful."
• The Most Prized Watch Brands You’ve Never Heard Of - "The rising prices of Rolexes and Pateks have collectors turning to what one expert called 'the dead brands society.'"
• Jungholz: A ski town stuck in the wrong nation - "An afterthought on the map of Austria, the exclave of Jungholz has carved out its own identity, even if the reality for those living there is far from straightforward."
• Bob Odenkirk on Better Call Saul & surviving a heart attack: ‘I have to keep going. Life is great’ - "Having escaped an ‘existential lightning bolt’, you might expect the comic actor to be slowing down. You’d be wrong."
• Rothko & Warhol among ‘legendary’ art collection being sold in divorce - "Further 30 works from Macklowe collection to be auctioned in New York in May after billionaire couple’s split."
• Luxury brand HermÈs plans new factories as handbag demand soars - "Hermès, the French luxury goods maker, is opening three new factories as it struggles to keep up with demand for its £5,000-plus Birkin and Kelly handbags. French fashion house to open factories in Louviers, Sormonne and Riom as bags become must-haves."
• Electrifying Classic Cars Is A Surging Business - With A Two-Year Wait List - "The business of restoring classic British cars and replacing their engines with electric motors is booming, according to Lunaz, a company that does exactly that. Demand for its electric Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Range Rover and Jaguar vehicles has been so high, the order books for 2022 and 2023 are now already closed. To cope with demand, the company has expanded its workforce by 500 percent in 12 months, to 120 employees."
• Ford's Mustang Mach-E ousts the Tesla Model 3 as Consumer Reports' top EV - "Reliability and ease of use gave Ford's EV the edge."
• Hublot Celebrates The Return Of Yellow Gold With Six Limited Editions In Core Collections - "The yellow gold watch, which has been overshadowed by stainless steel for the past two decades, is making a comeback. Hublot is participating in the renaissance with six special-editions in yellow gold across its core collections, including Classic Fusion Chronograph, Big Bang Integral, Big Bang Unico and Spirit of Big Bang."

February 18, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day 14: freestyle skiing, ice hockey & more - live! - The Guardian.
• China's Eileen Gu wins gold in freeski halfpipe to make Olympic history - "China's freeski sensation Eileen Gu won her second gold of the Beijing Winter Olympics on Friday, becoming the first freestyle skier to bag three medals at a single Games."
• Beijing Olympics: What’s wrong with natural snow? - "Heavy snow has been falling on venues at the Beijing Olympics, yet the organisers are still pumping out artificial snow on to competition slopes, saying it's more suitable for the events."
• US has suffered more than 1m excess deaths during pandemic, CDC finds - "The latest statistic hints at the breadth of Covid-19’s impact on health in the United States."
• ‘No light at the end’: How Hong Kong’s Covid response went so wrong - "A policy of admitting every positive case to hospital means thousands are being added to an already huge backlog every day."
• Parisian car ban now planned for 2024 - "Paris officials plan to ban private vehicles from the historic heart of the city by early 2024 in a move designed to decrease congestion and improve air quality in the French capital, the city has announced. Targeting 2024 represents a two year delay on the original 2022 timeline, which was announced last May by the city’s mayor, and French presidential hopeful, Anne Hidalgo. The ban is part of a wider push to improve conditions in the city ahead of it hosting the 2024 Olympic Games."
• Here's how to check you are tracked by an AirTag - "Useful advice for anyone worried that one of Apple’s trackers is following them without consent."
• Will Kering & HermÈs follow Louis Vuitton's lead on prices? - "When Gucci-owner Kering and Hermès report earnings this week, investors will be looking for signs that the big luxury fashion groups are confident that wealthy shoppers are willing to pay higher price tags for designer accessories."
• Europe's new train routes for 2022 - "What's the perfect accompaniment to Europe's gradual easing of its pandemic rules? A burgeoning international rail network for 2022. Meanwhile as more day trains are laid on across the continent, prices are falling. Italy's two high-speed networks are knocking out ever more fancy carriages to attract customers, while low-cost, high-speed trains have been rolled out in France and Spain."
• The people who grow ice - "Known as the 'Switzerland of America', Ouray is a bustling outdoor recreation hub, particularly for ice climbing - on waterfalls created by a small team of 'ice farmers'."
• Ship full of Porsches, VWs on fire, adrift in the middle of the Atlantic - "The Felicity Ace, ship full of luxury cars is shown on February 17, stranded in the middle of the Atlantic. It caught fire in the North Atlantic on Wednesday, as it carried cargo including Porsches and Volkswagens from Emden, Germany to Davisville, Rhode Island. After a fire broke out in the cargo hold, it spread and forced all 22 crew members to abandon ship. The crew was safely picked up by the Portuguese Navy."
• London’s smallest microflat up for sale at £50,000 for 7 square metres - "Property in a Victorian conversion in Lower Clapton has a bed, microwave, bathroom and incumbent tenant."
• Don't Put the Word 'Glen' on a Whisky Bottle if It's Not Actually from Scotland, European Court Rules - "After a nine-year legal battle, a German distillery is no longer allowed to use the word 'Glen' in the name of its whisky."
• Sleep apnea & snoring: 8 warning signs to look for - "Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which people stop breathing for 10 seconds or more at a time."
• Rocky’s shorts & Madonna’s bra on display in Madrid at Gaultier show - "Cine y Moda looks at fashion’s relationship with film, from Brando’s The Wild One to Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange."
• Spotify reportedly paid $200 million for Joe Rogan’s podcast - "Double what was initially reported."

February 17, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day 13: Canada beat US to win women’s ice hockey gold, curling & more - live! - The Guardian.
• Closer look at Prince Andrew's settlement is revealing - "Prince Andrew has settled with the woman who accused him of sex abuse. Where does he go from here?"
• Prince Andrew will be allowed to KEEP the rest of his royal titles despite fury following Virginia Roberts settlement - "Prince Andrew has faced calls to hand back or lose his dukedom of York title. He will remain Duke and can technically step in for the Queen if she becomes ill."
• how tech billionaires are trying to reverse the ageing process - "Jeff Bezos and Peter Thiel are pouring huge sums into startups aiming to keep us all young - or even cheat death. And the science isn’t as far-fetched as you might think."
• How to move: exercising after having Covid-19 - "Even a mild Covid infection can cause lingering fatigue, but exercise plays a crucial role in recovery."
• Oil firms’ climate claims are greenwashing, study concludes - "Most comprehensive scientific analysis to date finds words are not matched by actions."
• Pregnant mother’s vaccination protects baby from Covid - study - "Research finds much lower risk of infant hospitalisation when mother had mRNA vaccine during pregnancy."
• The Italian town that glows at night - "Walk round Ascoli Piceno, and in some ways it could be any Italian town. There are two big squares where locals watch the days go by, sit in cafes to people-watch, and do their nightly passeggiata stroll. There are centuries-old churches and even ancient remains dating back to the Roman period. But wander round - especially at night - and you'll notice one major difference: Ascoli appears to glow."
• Why you can't have legs in virtual reality (yet) - "The clip, which Facebook presented in October to help explain its name change to Meta and its new direction as an architect of the still-not-real 'metaverse,' is captivating. It envisions the ability to create true digital facsimiles of ourselves in a virtual world. But there's just one problem: It's still far beyond the capabilities of Meta's current virtual reality. Today, if you gallivant around Meta's flagship social VR app, Horizon Worlds, you do so without legs or feet. While you can customize your avatar to look somewhat like you, it will still have the ghostly appearance of a floating torso with only a head, arms, and hands."
• ‘The pleasure of a chancer unmasked’: why we are living in the age of schadenfreude - "Watching the misfortunes of Boris Johnson or Novak Djokovic is deliciously satisfying - and unmistakably human. But is it wrong to submit to our basest instincts?"
• The Largest Blue Diamond At Auction Is Expected To Fetch More Than $48 Million - "Sotheby’s is set to auction the De Beers Cullinan Blue Diamond in April during its Hong Kong Luxury Week sales, starting at an estimate of $48-million. The 15.10-carat step-cut diamond is the largest vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction and the largest internally flawless step-cut vivid blue diamond that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has ever graded."
• Rolex Watches Were One of the Highest Appreciating Assets in the Last Decade - "Luxury watches have been the 'it' alternative investment these past couple of years, with names like Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and F.P.Journe making headlines for their insane surge in price. One Swiss manufacturer, however, has always been the king in terms of consistent appreciation - and it’s none other than Rolex."
• Is America's best restaurant in Puerto Rico? - "Rooted in the rural tradition of cocinaos (casual cookouts), Bacoa takes rustic whimsy and elevates it into culinary excellence and once-in-a-lifetime meals."
• Mercedes reveals 677-horsepower electric performance sedan - "Mercedes' AMG performance division is most famous for making hand-built gasoline engines, but times are changing and electric motors are the new thing. Mercedes just unveiled its latest AMG model, the Mercedes-AMG EQE, a fully electric high-perfomance mid-size sedan. With two high-output electric motors engineered specifically for AMG - one motor for the front wheels and one for the back wheels - the Mercedes-AMG will be able to produce up to 677 horsepower when properly equipped."
• Future-proofed piste - sustainable skiing in the French Alps - "Serre Chevalier near Briançon is defying the sceptics with its solar, wind and hydro-powered shift towards building the ski resort of the future."
• The Real Charlie Chaplin review - the elusive personality of the little tramp - "New archive material brings Chaplin’s unparalleled celebrity, downfall and the women in his life into greater focus."
• The ‘Baby Shark’ Movie Is Coming In 2023 - "Just last week, the 'Baby Shark Dance' music video set a YouTube record, swimming its way to 10 billion views on the streaming platform." You’ve seen the music video and heard the song (let’s face it - everyone has). Now, the world can prepare for the 'Baby Shark' movie.

February 16, 2022

• Winter Olympics day 12: biathlon, ice hockey, curling & more - live! - The Guardian.
• How covid tests mess with your mind - "Hypochrondiacs: Why it's not always just in the mind. For some people, the act of just testing whether they have an illness can make them feel worse. Covid may have made it worse."
• how can people be positive on lateral flow & negative on PCRs? - "Reports of conflicting results are common if mystifying; however, scientists have a number of explanations."
• Vaccination reduces chance of getting long Covid, studies find - "UK health agency notes research that also suggests jabs can improve long Covid symptoms among unvaccinated."
• Bill Gates' three keys to ensuring there isn't another pandemic after coronavirus - "He has written a book, called 'How To Prevent The Next Pandemic', in which he outlines the steps that can be taken to ensure future viruses don't spread like COVID-19 did."
• Prince Andrew’s ‘arrogance’ prevented earlier settlement, lawyers say - "Attorneys for victims of Jeffrey Epstein hail victory for sexual abuse survivors but say case should have been settled sooner."
• Queen 'will help disgraced Prince Andrew pay £12million out-of-court settlement' - "The Duke of York and his accuser Virginia Giuffre announced an agreement in principle has been reached on Tuesday, meaning the royal will not appear in court later this year."
• Andrew Brettler: Who is Prince Andrew's Hollywood lawyer? - "In his fight against a civil sexual assault case, the Duke of York hired one of Hollywood's top lawyers - Andrew Brettler - to represent him in the US, where the case was filed. Mr Brettler has built a successful career of defending many rich and high-profile men who have been accused of sexual abuse."
• Donald Trump's financial & legal problems just got a lot worse - "On Monday, Donald Trump's long-time accountants made a very important announcement: They no longer stood behind a decade of the former President's financial information - and would no longer be working for him."
• Alec Baldwin & others named in wrongful death lawsuit filed by family of Halyna Hutchins - "The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer killed on the set of the movie 'Rust' last fall, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alec Baldwin, the film's production companies, its producers, and other key members of the crew."
• Lego offers £100m to find innovations tackling ‘global childhood crisis’ - "Lego is launching a £100m competition to find solutions that will make a positive impact on the lives of children in response to what the toymaker said was a 'global early childhood emergency'. Competition seeks entries supporting children’s play, health and education in wake of Covid pandemic."
• Why the sky is still full of empty 'ghost' flights - "In fact, more than 100,000 'ghost flights' will sail over European skies this winter, according to recent analysis from Greenpeace. The climate damage, claims the environmental group, is 'equivalent to the yearly emissions of more than 1.4 million cars.'"
• TOP 10 ARCHITECTURE TRENDS OF 2022 - "We’ve curated a collection of intriguing architecture trends that we feel are truly making waves in 2022 and could continue to dominate in the coming years. From sustainable and minimal tiny homes to architectural designs that literally float on water - these futuristic trends look like they are here to stay!"
• The animals that detect disasters - "For millennia, people across the globe have reported alarmed animal behaviour in the run-up to natural disasters. Could these signals be used to warn us of impending catastrophes?"
• Americans lost $1bn to Tinder-Swindler style romance cons last year, FBI says - "Americans lost more than $1bn in 2021 alone to 'romance scams' such as the one documented in the hit Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, according to the FBI. Victims ‘financially and emotionally devastated’ by scammers who prey upon vulnerable, often older, people, bureau finds."
• Stalin’s Library by Geoffrey Roberts review - the marks of a leader - "Joseph Stalin owned about 20,000 books, many with jottings in the margin. Does his library hold the key to his character?"
• Louis Vuitton Raises Prices Worldwide Due To Increased Costs & Inflation - "'The price adjustment takes into account changes in production costs, raw materials, transportation as well as inflation,' Louis Vuitton said in a statement to Reuters."
• Sony LinkBuds review: A unique design that lets the world in - "Open earbuds mean ambient sound is always on."
• Paramount+ hits 32.8 million subscribers; will offer Showtime for a fee - "It will soon become the exclusive home to Paramount movies."
• How much money can you actually save by turning off lights around your house? - "As a homeowner, your electricity bill is going to be a consistent line item in your budget. The good news is that you have the power to reduce your bill with just a few simple lifestyle changes. One of those changes that can help you save money on electricity - while also having the added benefit of helping the environment - is turning off your lights when you aren't using them. Keep reading to learn why it's important to turn off your lights and how much you can save by turning off your lights."

February 15, 2022

• Winter Olympics day 11: snowboard big air, women’s downhill skiing and ice hockey - live! - The Guardian.
• More than half of all travel destinations are 'very high' risk - "The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated a half dozen new places 'very high' risk for travel on Monday, including South Korea and French Polynesia."
• 10 hidden ski resorts in Europe you should uncover - "European ski resorts are legion and often legendary. But are there some alpine aces we've all missed? Are there any secret treasures out there, quietly delivering the goods while the spotlight falls elsewhere? The trouble is, one person's hidden gem is another's back yard. And if it's still hidden now, in 2022, can it really be much of a gem? Only one way to find out - get on the road and explore. Or two, if you count reading our guide to 10 of the best European resorts you may not have heard of."
• Flourishing plants show warming Antarctica undergoing ‘major change’ - "Dramatic spread of native plants over past decade is evidence of accelerating shifts in fragile polar ecosystem, study finds."
• Looking for bargains? Here are the stocks we love - "Most companies have reported fourth quarter earnings. The biggest takeaway for investors? This is a stock picker's market. Some companies are thriving while their competitors are not."
• Trump Organization's accounting firm says 10 years of financial statements are unreliable - "Former President Donald Trump's long-time accounting firm informed the Trump Organization last week that it should no longer rely on nearly 10 years' worth of financial statements and that they would no longer be their accountants, citing a conflict of interest."
• Amy Schumer, Regina Hall & Wanda Sykes to host the Oscars - "The comedic trio are expected to be formally announced as hosts, the show’s first since 2018, on Good Morning America on Tuesday."
• Novak Djokovic willing to skip French Open & Wimbledon over his vaccine stance - "Novak Djokovic has said he would rather miss out on future tennis trophies than be forced to get a Covid vaccine."
• Virginia Roberts now 'claims she's LOST notorious photo of Prince Andrew with his arm around her waist' - "The Duke of York's attorneys argue that without the hard copy original, there is no way to prove the image wasn't manipulated."
• Italy seeks Unesco heritage status for espresso coffee - "Italy is to apply for Unesco status for espresso coffee, claiming it is 'much more than a simple drink'. The drink quickly became an integral part of the national identity after its creation in Turin in the 19th century. It follows the art of the Neapolitan pizza-maker being added to the UN agency’s list of the world’s intangible heritage in 2017 as Italy aims to secure the worldwide status for another of its successful symbols."
• Agatha Christie's race problem - "Death on the Nile and addressing racism in Agatha Christie. With Kenneth Branagh's second Hercule Poirot film out, Christie is hot Hollywood property once more. But how should adaptors navigate her books' attitude to race, asks David Jesudason."
• Top 5 Superyachts To See At The 2022 Miami International Boat Show - "After we’ve all suffered through what seems like a lifetime of travel restrictions, I’m not sure if I’ve ever looked forward to a boat show more than I’m looking forward to going to the Miami International Boat Show that takes place next week (February 16-20). All the newest gear and technology along with a long list of new boats and water toys will be on display at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Sea Isle Marina, One Herald Plaza, and Museum Park Marina."
• Cryptocurrency’s big Super Bowl ads sold FOMO, not the future - "Crypto was everywhere at the Super Bowl; what happens next?"
• Watch Amazon's first trailer for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' - "The 60 second teaser dropped at Super Bowl LVI."
• Top 10 Movies to Help You Envision Artificial Intelligence - "A.I. may feel like a relatively recent phenomenon, but filmmakers have been thinking about it for nearly a century."
• Goodbye, Touch ID: iOS 15.4 shows Face ID is here to stay - "Apple could very well never adopt the Touch ID sensor on its flagship iPhones again, but since the pandemic started more than two years ago, rumors about this possibility ramped up. Now, with iOS 15.4 set to be released in a few weeks now, Apple shows how it could focus on Face ID for the indefinite future."

February 14, 2022

• Watch the 2022 Super Bowl ads - CNN Business.
• Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J Blige’s half-time show - an all-timer - "The supergroup of hip-hop and R&B legends delivered the most entertaining Super Bowl half-time show in years."
• Winter Olympics 2022 day 10: curling, snowboard & freestyle skiing - live! - The Guardian.
• COVID-19 Booster Effectiveness Wanes But Remains Strong - "'COVID-19 vaccine boosters remain safe and continue to be highly effective against severe disease over time,' said Kristen Nordlund, CDC." TIME Magazine.
• Cook Islands braces after Covid-positive traveller - "The Cook Islands is bracing for its first coronavirus cases after a visitor to the country tested positive."
• How serious is the presence of the Covid virus in deer for humans? - "Scientists think surveillance is urgent as deer could act as large reservoirs for the virus, and serve as a source for new variants."
• The cells that can give you super-immunity - "Memory B cells were discovered more than half a century ago. But scientists are just beginning to understand the crucial role they play in protecting people from serious illness."
• The vaccine invented in a garden shed - "Britain's miraculous, life-saving garden shed. Before the pandemic, Dr Jenner's House - where the world's first vaccine was given - was an obscure tourism site. Post-Covid, it could become a major international attraction."
• Goodbye Turkey, hello TÜrkiye - "Turkey is rebranding its internationally recognised name as 'Türkiye'. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the new name 'represents and expresses the culture, civilisation, and values of the Turkish nation in the best way'. But the change is about more than phonetic pronunciation. BBC Monitoring’s Ilgin Karlidag explains."
• Ivan Reitman, producer & director of 'Ghostbusters,' has died at 75 - "Ivan Reitman, a storied producer and director behind some of Hollywood's biggest comedies, has died, according to the CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group. He was 75."
• Don’t use a free VPN - you’ll be putting your data at risk - "With money tight, it’s super tempting to go with a free VPN, right? You really shouldn’t. At least not for long-term use. Sure, some of the best free VPNs could be worth checking out if you’re desperate but for the most part, you really need to sign up to the best VPN that costs money. Once you’ve delved into knowing exactly what a VPN is, it should make a lot of sense why going a paid route is a better option. If you’re still not sure, read on while we break it down for you."
• Apple spatial audio: what is it? How do you get it? And is it like Dolby Atmos? - "Everything you need to know about Apple’s 3D audio tech for Apple Music and movie soundtracks."
• New test shows AirTag’s safety precautions are far better than Tile, other GPS trackers - "Following Apple’s announcement of new AirTag and Find My changes to address stalking concerns, a new story from The New York Times offers a deep dive into this situation. The report explores using AirTag, Tile, and a standard GPS tracker for nefarious purposes - and it really shows how much more advanced Apple’s prevention features are."
• 10 romantic paintings that stir feelings of love - "Whether it's couples locked in a tender embrace or a still-life with sensuous qualities, classic oil paintings can have an enduring appeal. And throughout history, artists have used such works to capture the beauty and passion of love."
• Why French-inspired Toi et Moi rings have become increasingly popular amongst celebrities - "Meaning 'you and me' in French, Toi et Moi rings have soared in popularity thanks to the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Ariana Grande and most recently Megan Fox, whose incredible bespoke engagement ring was designed by famed Brit jeweller Stephen Webster, MBE. The two-stone ring features the couple's birthstones, diamond and emerald set opposite each other, with interlocking 18ct white gold thorn bands, representing a union between two people."
• ‘The Brad Pitt of mountain lions’: how P22 became Los Angeles’ wildest celebrity - "Griffith Park’s famous feline - who evades sightings better than any movie star - has inspired murals, songs and even an exhibit on his life."
• Cat Found in a Carrier with Her Kittens on Sidewalk, Is So Happy to Be Helped by Kind Neighbors - "Ellen Richter, a foster carer based in Las Vegas, was notified about a cat and her litter of six found outside in a neighborhood. Neighbors discovered two carriers, one of which had the mom and her kittens, and the other contained two adult cats believed to be the siblings of the cat mother."

February 13, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day nine: giant slalom, biathlon and more - live! - The Guardian.
• Why are cryptocurrency adverts taking over the Super Bowl? - "This Sunday the Los Angeles Rams will meet the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. But the game is about more than just sports - it’s also about the adverts. With an estimated TV audience of more than 100 million, it's the biggest single opportunity for advertisers to try to stand out and build buzz. This year several cryptocurrency companies have entered the fray."
• 37 Oscar-Nominated Movies You Can Stream Right Now - "Read on for our list of the 37 films up for Oscars this year that you can watch right now - and let the predictions begin!" Vogue.
• Travel restrictions ease but disruptive passengers still plague the skies - "All around the world, restrictions are easing for vaccinated travelers, and more and more people will soon be on the move. But with traffic set to rise, airlines are keen to put a stop to bad behavior in the skies."
• Finnair's fancy new airline seats don't recline - "Spacious, full of gadgets, and with infinite angles of recline as they sink down to a lie-flat bed: there's a reason why airplane business class seats are as pricey - and cushy - as they are. Finnair's new Airlounge seats, unveiled Thursday, are super spacious and ever so private, with their wide, 51-inch high backs curling round aisle-side, to provide a shallow barrier to passersby. The seats curl round to offer privacy in a 1-2-1 configuration."
• Street Photography: A Complete Guide - "A complete guide to the art of street photography for beginning photographers, from what the genre is to how to get compelling street shots."
• ‘Every move scrutinized’: Facebook’s rocky road to the metaverse - "The CEO has changed the world - but he faces regulatory, technological and branding troubles in his push to do it again."
• Freedom convoys: legitimate Covid protest or vehicle for darker beliefs? - "The blockade of Ottawa has sparked copycat action around the globe, and such disparate demonstrations of grievance may prove hard to shut down."
• Best key finder in 2022: AirTag vs. Tile vs. SmartTag vs. Chipolo - "The best key finders will help make sure you never lose your keys again. It's not as stylish as past Tile trackers, but it's still a very capable tracker. And that's why the Tile Pro remains our pick for the best key finder you can buy. It's got the best range of any key finder we've tested with a good, loud alarm."
• I Used Apple AirTags, Tiles & a GPS Tracker to Watch My Husband’s Every Move - "A vast location-tracking network is being built around us so we don’t lose our keys: One couple’s adventures in the consumer tech surveillance state." The New York Times.

February 12, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day eight: biathlon, cross-country skiing and more - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: Event-by-event guide - "Nearly 3,000 competitors from 91 delegations will participate at this year's Games in 109 medal events."
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: day seven - in pictures - "The best images from day seven of the Games, including curling, snowboarding, ice hockey and ski jumping."
• Fame & fury: China's wildly different reactions to US-born Olympians - "In the span of a week, three American-born athletes of Chinese descent have been thrust into the spotlight at the Beijing Winter Olympics -- to very different reactions in China."
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal."
• Farewell to the Flying Tomato: how Shaun White left an Olympic legacy - "The pioneering snowboarder Shaun White bowed out after his fifth Games and in doing so passed the torch to Ayumu Hirano."
• Beijing's cute Olympic mascot was a crowd favorite in China - until it started talking - "Fans of the beloved panda, known as Bing Dwen Dwen, took to social media to express their outrage after the Olympic mascot spoke with a deep masculine voice on a program aired Tuesday by state broadcaster CCTV."
• Russian figure skater's failed drug test confirmed - "Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Russian figure skating star who helped her team win Winter Olympic gold in Beijing, failed a drugs test in December."
• How much does a Covid test cost around the world? - "As the UK Treasury pushes for free tests to be scrapped, here’s how charges look in other countries."
• Kim & Kanye divorce poised to be glitzy, messy & very public - "Epic split between Kim Kardashian and rapper now known as Ye, with wealth, parenting disputes and trolling is perfect divorce for the Instagram Age."
• How to Actually Listen to Apple Music's Lossless Tracks on Your iPhone - "You need a portable DAC (and a good pair of wired headphones). These are the best ones to amp up your Apple Music experience."
• Slovenia's Julian Alps: Explore this fairy-tale landscape - "Think of Slovenia's Julian Alps and two images often spring to mind - the fairy-tale sight of Lake Bled and, if you're a winter-sports fan, the ski slopes of Kranjska Gora."
• Future of world’s most exclusive horse race on thin ice due to global heating - "White Turf race in St Moritz at risk because water in frozen lake is melting."
• Can bitcoin be sustainable? Inside the Norwegian mine that also dries wood - "Kryptovault’s operation is part of a fightback against criticism of the famously energy-intensive industry."
• The big question at this year’s Oscars - will anyone watch the ceremony? - "The last few years have broken records for low ratings. Can the Academy save the annual film awards spectacle?"
• My iPhone knows my inside leg measurement - "How FaceID could enable a revolution in fashion. A Taiwanese company, TG3D, has developed a method of using FaceID to scan the geography of your body to give you a suite of measurements in minutes."

February 11, 2022

• Winter Olympics day seven: Shaun White bows out as Shiffrin bombs out - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: day six - in pictures - "The best images from day six of the Games, including figure skating, curling, slalom and downhill skiing."
• Russian anti-doping agency allowed Kamila Valieva to compete in Olympics despite failed drug test - "The International Testing Agency (ITA) has confirmed that 15-year-old Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) failed a drug test taken in December, ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics."
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal. As is traditional, the table prioritises the number of gold medals won. On this basis in 2018 at Pyeongchang in South Korea, Norway and Germany were tied on 14 golds, with Norway’s higher tally of silvers - 14 to Germany’s 10 - making them top of the table. For obvious reasons, the Winter Olympics is dominated by a different set of countries to the summer games - Sweden, Austria and Switzerland were all in the top 10 last time."
• Why Eileen Gu is luxury fashion's dream model - "The 18-year-old's gold medal performance in the big air competition thrust her into the global spotlight Tuesday, sparking such a furor in China that social media platform Weibo crashed under the weight of interest. But Gu has spent years establishing herself as both a top athlete and a hugely bankable model who appeals to brands in both Asia and the West."
• Apple releases iOS 15.3.1 with security & Accessibility fixes - "Two weeks after the release of iOS 15.3, Apple is now rolling out iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 to iPhone and iPad users. Apple says this update includes security fixes as well as a fix for a bug impacting Braille displays."
• Macron was kept away from Putin in Kremlin for ‘refusing Russian Covid test’ - "‘We could not accept that they get their hands on the president’s DNA’ a member of Macron’s entourage said."
• Elon Musk's US tax bill: $11 billion. Tesla's: $0 - "Elon Musk has repeatedly bragged (or, perhaps, complained) that he'll pay more in federal taxes for 2021 than anyone has ever paid - about $11 billion. But Tesla apparently won't pay a cent. Tesla may not plan to pay federal taxes any time in the foreseeable future - even though the company just reported by far its most profitable year ever. In 2021, Tesla recorded net income of $5.5 billion, and adjusted income of $7.6 billion."
• Peter Jackson tops Forbes highest paid entertainer list - "Get Back and Lord of the Rings director made an estimated $580m last year, topping annual list that also features Bruce Springsteen, Dwayne Johnson and Kanye West."
• The rise in global inflation - the hit to living standards across the world - "From Pakistan to the US, Australia to Germany, the cost of living is rising to new highs and causing new hardships."
• Cabaret: How the X-rated musical became a hit - "Bob Fosse's ground-breaking 1972 film took on Hollywood taboos and became a hit. Its chilling message remains relevant today, writes Sam Moore."
• Ziggy bows out, Madonna scares the pope & Dylan goes electric: 50 gigs that changed music - "Five decades after David Bowie’s seminal tour, our music writers reflect on the concerts that have left a mark, from Billie Holiday to Billie Eilish."
• Apple says it will make unknown AirTags alert you sooner - "Following multiple reports of stalking, Apple says it plans to improve AirTag safeguards against unwanted tracking later this year. Specifically, Apple says users will be alerted sooner when an unknown AirTag is detected traveling with them. It also it’ll make unknown AirTags easier to find by 'adjusting the tone sequence,' which might make them sound louder, and by guiding people directly to a mystery AirTag using the ultrawideband chip available on newer iPhones."
• Sony Announces Two New Premium High-End Digital Audio Players - "Most of us play music on our smartphones, but audiophiles demand a higher standard and the market is large enough for big players in the consumer electronics industry to produce premium digital audio players for people who simply must have the best audio quality possible. Today, Sony is announcing two new premium music players including new the Signature Series Walkman NW-WM1ZM2 and the NW-WM1AM2. Both models have been designed with audiophiles in mind and have been fine-tuned and are crafted from high-quality materials. Sony says the new players set a benchmark for Sony’s award-winning signature series, offering an exquisite listening experience in an ultra-premium design. The NW-WM1ZM2 and NW-WM1AM2 are Wi-Fi compatible and run Android 11, giving access to a vast collection of genres and artists, from all around the world. Listeners can choose to stream favorite music streaming or download music files by connecting to a PC to download tracks and playlists."
• The New York Times runs Wordle now & stats are getting m-e-s-s-y - "Its FAQ says your win streak info should just transfer - but that’s not the case for everyone."
• Enigma Black Diamond Sells For $4.3 Million At Auction - "Sotheby’s sold a 555.55-carat Fancy Black Diamond—believed to have come from outer space—for an astronomical $4.28 million at auction on Tuesday. Bidding closed at £3.2 million, excluding buyer’s premium, and the diamond was offered without reserve."
• Adidas tweets 25 pairs of bare breasts to sell a new sports bra - "Adidas will soon debut a new sports bra line, but one of its ads doesn't show the bra at all. Instead, Adidas tweeted a photo grid of 25 pairs of bare breasts in all their natural, diverse glory."
• Piaget Unveils Polo Skeleton, An Over-The-Top High-Jeweled Mechanical Watch - "It isn’t often that brands get to showcase both their technical prowess and their Métiers d’Arts skills, but with the new Piaget Polo Skeleton, this venerable Swiss brand does exactly that. The new watch houses an ultra-thin movement on the inside and mega-diamond settings on the outside for a dazzling delight set for anyone who has the courage to outshine everyone. The 1,746 brilliant-cut diamonds are really only there, though, to accentuate the wonderful Caliber 1200S1 self-winding ultra-thin skeletonized movement seen via a sapphire crystal and case back. This is one of the world’s thinnest mechanical self-winding movements at just 2.4mm thick (the size of two paper envelopes)."
• Singer To Reimagine Porsche 911 Turbo Models - "Singer, the company celebrated for its visually and mechanically stunning restorations of 1989 to 1994 Porsche 911 models, has announced that it will begin reimagining turbocharged models. These 'Turbo Study' projects represent a new chapter in Singer’s automotive services, which first began more than a decade ago."
• How to build a budget home theater setup - "Decent surround sound comes cheaper than you think."

February 10, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day six: curling, snowboard cross and more - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal."
• What Artificial Snow at the 2022 Olympics Means for the Future of Winter Games - "One-hundred percent of the snow that athletes at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are competing on is artificial—pumped out by high-powered snow machines, rather than produced by Mother Nature. The lack of natural snow is a first for the Winter Games—though it’s hardly an anomaly." TIME Magazine.
• Oscars ceremony won’t require proof of vaccination to attend - report - "The lax rules contradict other major awards shows as report says high-profile actors may have had an influence."
• Prince Charles tests positive for Covid-19 for a second time & is self-isolating - "Prince Charles has cancelled a visit to Winchester today after testing positive for Covid-19 this morning and is now self-isolating, Clarence House has revealed."
• Blue states are rolling back mask rules - but experts warn it’s too soon - "The lifting of mandates is coming at a time when the CDC says a vast majority of the country is still seeing high Covid transmission."
• Razzie nominations 2022 - "'Diana the Musical,' Jared Leto and Bruce Willis make the list."
• How did Mission: Impossible 7 become one of the most expensive films ever? - "Tom Cruise led the way for tentpole movie production during Covid but recent reports suggest his latest action-packed instalment has ballooned to a $290m budget."
• The Highest-Paid Entertainers 2022 - "There has never been a better time to be a sellout - especially if you’re a superstar holding the rights to decades of hits. Almost half of the top 25 earners, including Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and rocker Bruce Springsteen, secured their spots in the ranks by unloading all or pieces of their studios or music catalogs." Forbes.
• Sneakers designed by Virgil Abloh fetch $25m, with one pair going for $350,000 - "Two hundred pairs of Louis Vuitton and Nike Air Force 1 shoes smashed expectations in Sotheby’s online auction."
• A giant donut-shaped machine just proved a near-limitless clean power source is possible - "There's no silver bullet to the climate crisis, but nuclear fusion may be the closest thing to it. In the quest for a near-limitless, zero-carbon source of reliable power, scientists have generated fusion energy before, but they have struggled for decades to sustain it for very long."
• A tiny tooth unearthed from a French cave is upending what we know about early humans - "The discovery of the molar from Grotte Mandrin, near Malataverne in the Rhône Valley in southern France, along with hundreds of stone tools dating back about 54,000 years ago, suggests that early humans lived in Europe about 10,000 years earlier than archaeologists had previously thought."
• Neanderthal extinction not caused by brutal wipe out - "New fossils are challenging ideas that modern humans wiped out Neanderthals soon after arriving from Africa."
• The world's most fascinating abandoned towns & cities - "Once thriving spots, these villages, towns and cities now stand abandoned. Their empty buildings, streets and even cars left for nature to reclaim over the years. Whether destroyed during war, evacuated for ammunition practice or cast aside after nearby precious metals and minerals turned out to be in short supply, here are some of the world's most fascinating abandoned towns and cities."
• Benin bronzes: ‘Africa wants to speak for itself’ - "This year marks the 125th anniversary of the British Punitive Expedition, which saw thousands of sculptures and cultural artefacts stolen during the destruction of Benin City (in present-day Nigeria). Many items ended up in museums or in private collections mainly found in Europe and North America. The anniversary has reignited the call by Africans for the return of millions of objects looted across the continent during the colonial era."
• Killer comeback: the big-star Hollywood whodunnit is back again - "The success of Knives Out and Murder on the Orient Express has led to a full-throated return of the keep-em-guessing murder mystery."
• The hidden legacy of the Seychelles' island cuisine - "Seychelles' fragrant, spice-laden cuisine is increasingly hard to find - but travellers-in-the-know can still feast on delicious traditional dishes around the Indian Ocean archipelago."
• Stephen Hawking exhibition hopes to unravel the mysteries of his blackboard - "Science Museum hopes fellow travellers of the late cosmologist will join visitors to display of his office miscellany."
• The Macallan Just Released Its Oldest Whisky To Date - "Here’s What To Know About The 81-Year-Old Single Malt. The Reach is a rare, 81-year-old single malt whisky, created from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask and crafted during WWII."
• Samsung Galaxy S22 hands-on - "While the outside might look familiar, Samsung has tacked on some major camera, display and performance upgrades."
• BRIGITTE BARDOT slams Kurt Zouma over cat-kicking videos - "French animal rights activist, 87, files legal action against 'imbecile' West Ham defender - as club loses SECOND sponsor over scandal."

February 9, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022 day five: Shiffrin out of slalom; snowboard cross final - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal." As is traditional, the table prioritises the number of gold medals won. On this basis in 2018 at Pyeongchang in South Korea, Norway and Germany were tied on 14 golds, with Norway’s higher tally of silvers - 14 to Germany’s 10 - making them top of the table. For obvious reasons, the Winter Olympics is dominated by a different set of countries to the summer games - Sweden, Austria and Switzerland were all in the top 10 last time.
• The best photos of the Beijing Winter Olympics - "Here are the most compelling photos we've seen from these Olympics so far."
• Is that a nuclear plant? The story behind those towers at the Winter Olympics big air - "Behind the skiers launching themselves off the 60-meter-high (196-foot) ramp are furnaces, tall chimney stacks and cooling towers on the site of a former steel mill that for decades contributed to the Chinese capital's notoriously polluted skies."
• And the winners aren’t: this year’s Oscarbait films the Academy shunned - "While The Power of the Dog and Dune lead the pack, a host of once-hyped star-led projects failed to resonate with voters."
• Adele sweeps gender-neutral Brit awards dominated by women - "In the first Brits ceremony to do away with gendered categories, women or female-fronted acts won 10 out of 15 overall awards."
• Changing your diet could add up to 13 years to your life, study says - "The study created a model of what might happen to a man or woman's longevity if they replaced a 'typical Western diet' focused on red meat and processed foods with an 'optimized diet' focused on eating less red and processed meat and more fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts."
• 6 ways to wake up without coffee - "An hour after you've gotten out of bed, you still feel sleepy and haven't started to tackle your big to-dos for the day. You want some pep in your step, but drinking coffee could makes you so anxious you feel like you could scale the walls. Or perhaps you're trying to kick a caffeine habit?"
• Putin’s massive table: powerplay or paranoia? - "Russia’s leader is using a five-metre table for one-on-one meetings, but is it just a super-cautious Covid measure?"
• Why are certain school books being banned in US? - "A growing number of US parents are alleging that school books are obscene or otherwise harmful to children. It's creating an increasingly divisive political battle that could spill over into upcoming national elections."
• Spotify’s problems are bigger than Joe Rogan - "A lack of transparency is eroding trust."
• How Telegram Became the Anti-Facebook - "Hundreds of millions of users. No algorithm. No ads. Courage in the face of autocracy. Sound like a dream? Careful what you wish for."
• Inside the secretive world of luxury authentication - "Luxury resale platforms and brands are improving their authentication processes in response to more sophisticated counterfeits."
• $3.6 billion in stolen cryptocurrency seized as feds arrest New York couple - "A New York couple has been arrested and charged with conspiring to launder $4.5 billion in stolen cryptocurrency funds. Law enforcement officials have seized $3.6 billion of those funds in what US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco called 'the department's largest financial seizure ever.'"
• How London almost got its own Eiffel Tower - "Somewhere beneath the pitch of England's national stadium in Wembley, London, lie the foundations of what could have been the city's tallest building. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Great Tower of London was poised to surpass it in height and reach almost 1,200 feet."
• Legal nomads - "Curious About Everything."
• How to live with your regrets - "Regret is often seen as undesirable, but it’s a crucial emotion in helping us develop. How do we harness its powerful lessons?"
• Marseille: France's 'good natured' city - "A French city that doesn't feel French. 'The city of 100 neighbourhoods' has long been overlooked for the same reasons that make it so great: it's not like Paris, Lyon or Aix."
• Claims that overwork killed China tech worker reignites ‘996’ debate - "A hashtag relating to the death of man employed at video platform Bilibili has been viewed hundreds of millions of times but company denies claims he was overworked."
• The $269 earbuds that don't play music (but they might just lull you to sleep) - "The QuietOn 3 sleep earbuds do one thing, and they do it very well."
• Leica L1 & L2 watches officially launched - "Available for sale only in seven stores around the world."

February 8, 2022

• Oscar nominations 2022 - "See the full list of nominees. The nominations for the 94th Academy Awards were announced Tuesday and included films in a wide range of genres."
• Winter Olympics 2022 day four: Men’s super-G; USA v Canada in ice hockey - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal."
• Winter Games mascot is melting hearts - "Panda-monium: From medal podiums to spectator stands, Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen is everywhere."
• Do you need a booster shot or do you have immunity after you've had Covid-19? - video explainer - "Guardian Australia's medical editor Melissa Davey looks at the difference between the immunity to Covid-19 that comes from vaccinations and boosters and that which comes naturally after recovering from infection. Overall, viewing Omicron infection as a ‘natural booster’ which makes a third vaccine dose unnecessary is unwise."
• Visualized: A third of Americans are already facing above-average warming - "Temperatures in 499 counties across west, north-east and upper midwest US have already breached 1.5C (2.7F)."
• 10 prettiest ski resorts in Europe for alpine fans - "Choosing the most beautiful ski resort in the Alps is like picking the prettiest diamond. Pristine peaks and sparkling snow make for an attractive package - even with some of our man-made 'creations' - but some alpine resorts just carry their beauty a little bit better. The setting, the architecture, the atmosphere, the personality - it all somehow adds up to more than the sum of the parts. These 10 European treasures will spark instant alpine urges."
• Flights of passion: how the mile-high club became big business - "For those looking for inflight fun, without having to squash into a tiny toilet, a new Las Vegas venture has the answer. But will the idea take off?"
• Rolls-Royce Has Given Its Spirit Of Ecstasy Mascot A Makeover - "The new figurine was revealed over the weekend, exactly 111 years since Rolls-Royce first registered the patent for its Spirit of Ecstasy, a sculpture of Eleanor Velasco by Charles Sykes. The new figurine is lower, more dynamic and with one foot ahead of the other. The new mascot will be debuted on the first electric Rolls-Royce, due at the end of 2023."
• Max Verstappen: ‘Is my title tarnished? Not at all. I really deserved - "The Formula One world champion reflects on the final-lap drama in Abu Dhabi that secured him a first world title at the expense of his fierce rival Lewis Hamilton."
• Did you solve it? Hurdles for Wordle nerdles - "The answers to today’s puzzles."
• how to prevent mildew on clothes & accessories in high humidity - "From mould-resistant fabrics to proper storage, there are plenty of ways to prevent mildew, but all is not lost if the rot has already set in."
• After more than 1,000 years, this English pub is closing its doors - "Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans, just north of London, has been in business since 793 AD, according to its website."
• Once stained by blood, Misery Beach is now Australia's top stretch of sand - "It was once flooded with blood, linked to convicts, synonymous with slaughter and haunted by pirates. But now, Misery Beach is the shock winner of the official 'Australia's Best Beach' award for 2022."
• What the Nordics can teach us about having fun - "The Scandi and Nordic attitude to play has had a big influence on current design and urban living. Clare Dowdy explores a world of mud, adrenaline and 'skrammellegepladser'."
• How to build a drone for Mars - "The drones that will fly in alien skies. If you could fly a drone in the skies of Mars, you could cover a lot more territory far more quickly than with a rover. But designing one is an enormous challenge."
• Is it rude not to reply to text ASAP? - "The crippling expectation of 24/7 digital availability. You sent a text - but it’s been an hour, and your friend hasn’t replied to your message yet. Why are you so angry about it?"
• Parmigiani Fleurier’s La Rose CarrÉe Is A Once-In-A-Lifetime Watch For A 25th Anniversary - "Parmigiani Fleurier’s La Rose Carrée is one of those just-because-we-could masterpieces that come along once in awhile to demonstrate how the craft of watchmaking can be raised to the level of art. Every millimeter of the watch was touched by the hands of artisans at the top of their craft, including watchmakers, restorers, enamelers, engravers, chain makers, case makers and dial makers."
• I love how extra Louis Vuitton’s new $3,400 smartwatch is - "The loud design notwithstanding, the proprietary OS is surprisingly competent."

February 7, 2022

• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 day three: women’s giant slalom, curling semi-finals and more - live! - The Guardian.
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table - "Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: latest medal table. Find out who’s leading the medals charge at this year’s Winter Games in China, and get details on the event and competitor for every medal."
• China's Olympic star is... American - "Eileen Gu is the poster child for a new type of Chinese athlete. But one wrong move could send her tumbling."
• Beijing’s Winter Olympics hit by athlete complaints - "On the eve of the Winter Olympics, China promised the world a 'streamlined, safe and most splendid' Games. But just two days into the event organisers are facing a litany of complaints from athletes and countries on multiple fronts."
• Vastly unequal US has world’s highest Covid death toll - it’s no coincidence - "As the US passes 900,000 Covid deaths, much of the blame has fallen on individuals despite vast income inequality and vaccine accessibility issues."
• Doubts cast over AstraZeneca jab ‘probably killed thousands’ - "‘Bad behaviour’ by scientists and politicians blamed for damaging reputation of Covid vaccine."
• No Covid restrictions, 81% of citizens vaccinated & welcoming visitors - "More countries have announced reopening plans. Denmark, whose population has a high 81% vaccination rate, has become the first EU country to lift all Covid-19 restrictions, while Morocco has announced plans to reopen to tourists on February 7. Even cautious New Zealand is gradually opening its doors."
• Change lane, whales ahead: Sri Lanka urged to reroute shipping traffic - "Unique colony of blue whales increasingly at risk from tankers and container ships, say marine campaigners."
• Barely 15% of the world’s coastal regions remain ecologically intact, study says - "Researchers call for safeguards to protect undamaged regions and for urgent work to restore degraded areas."
• Forget Wordle! Can you crack the Dickens Code? An IT worker from California just did - "The writer’s archaic shorthand has baffled experts for over a century. So they launched a deciphering competition for fans – with stunning results that cast new light on his love life and financial peril."
• Dramatic photos cast Europe's ancient castles in a new light - "In his latest book, 'Stone Age: Ancient Castles of Europe,' writer and photographer Frédéric Chaubin set out to disrupt the familiar stereotypes, using prose and photography to link the medieval with the Modernist."
• Best Turkish foods: 23 delicious dishes - "Turkey may be famous for its kebabs, but the popular dish is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Turkish cuisine."
• The fast fashion graveyard in Chile's Atacama Desert - "More than half of the 60,000 tonnes of clothes imported each year ends up in illegal desert landfills, with dire consequences for the environment and the local community."
• Why portraits have fascinated us for millennia - "From ancient times to today, portraiture has told us fundamental truths about humanity and identity, whoever the subject. Cath Pound explores the genre's most powerful examples."
• 14 Things I Learned from And Just Like That... The Documentary - Vogue.
• These are the 10 most obedient breeds of adorable dog that should always sit, stay & walk to heel - including the loving Labrador Retriever - "As demand for cute pups continues to soar post-lockdown, here are the dog breeds that will sit, stay and walk to heel."

February 6, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022: Day 2 schedule, what to watch, results as the Games get underway in Beijing - "Day 2 of Beijing Olympics features hockey, ski jumping, and speed skating."
• Queen wants Camilla to be Queen Consort when Charles becomes king - "Monarch expresses ‘sincere wish’ in candid message marking 70th anniversary of her accession."
• The British Royal Family - "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee." Official Website.
• Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 BAFTAs - "This year’s ceremony is set to take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, March 13."
• What Will Happen in the Next Season of And Just Like That...? - VOGUE.
• Bentley Residences - "Standing at 749 feet and over 60 stories high, Bentley Residences will be the tallest residential tower on a U.S. beachfront. More Than 200 Luxury Residences. The World’s First Bentley-Branded Luxury Residential. Rising High In Sunny Isles Beach, Florida."
• New Bentley SUV to be brand’s first all-electric car when it arrives in 2025 - "Bentley will launch its first pure electric car in 2025, and our exclusive image previews how it could look."
• Why Jay Leno Refuses To Own Even A Single Ferrari - "The car-crazy comedian describes the buying experience of a Ferrari like 'going to a dominatrix'."
• You can now buy 'silent' AirTags that won't beep - "Modification makes AirTags even better for stalking people, unfortunately."
• Leica M-System - "Closer to the decisive moment." Official Website.
• The Complete Guide To The Rolex Explorer - "A Comprehensive Collector's Guide To The Rolex Explorer I. Mapping the ascent of Rolex's go-anywhere watch."
• Battle of the super yachts: Jeff Bezos' Y721 versus Steve Jobs' Venus - "The spotlight is on Jeff Bezos' $500 million super yacht because it'll require the disassembly of a historic bridge. Here's how the Amazon founder's vessel compares to the yacht built for Steve Jobs."
• Amal Clooney’s Rare Red-Carpet Appearances Are All About Old-School Glamour - "When she’s not acing executive style on her way to court, Amal Clooney is photographed arm in arm with her Hollywood husband George Clooney on the red carpet. Although a rarity, Amal’s public appearances have landed her on many best-dressed lists over the years." VOGUE.

February 5, 2022

• Day 1 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - CNN World.
• China opens Winter Olympics with peace doves & a mighty provocation - "The ‘genocide games’ begin with a ceremony proclaiming that they will be held on Xi Jinping’s terms."
• Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony - in pictures - "The opening ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics has taken place at the distinctive Bird’s Nest stadium, its rim bedecked with the flags of the 91 competing nations and regions. The ceremony, a spectacle of music, choreography and technology, will culminate in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron."
• Vladimir Putin “falls asleep” as Ukrainian team walks past at Winter Olympics - "Vladimir Putin has been caught on camera appearing to nod off during the Ukrainian national anthem."
• All the Beijing snow is human-made - a resource-intensive, 'dangerous' trend as planet warms - "It would be hard to hold a conversation over the deafening sound of the snow machines preparing the Olympic venues northwest of Beijing. They are loud and they are everywhere, blowing snow across what will be this month's most-watched slopes."
• These 12 Countries Will Pay Their Olympians Six-Figure Bonuses For Winning Gold Medals - "Americans who stand atop the podium in Beijing will score a cash prize of $37,500 - not bad, but a pittance relative to what some other nations are offering."
• The Most Stylish Uniforms From The Beijing Games - "Winter temperatures typical for Beijing range from 14 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, often hovering above freezing. This is one of the myriad factors that designers of national uniforms must contend with while creating and manufacturing the garments for athletes to wear in training and competition, during leisure and official travel, and for the opening and closing ceremonies."
• US Covid death toll surpasses 900,000 - "The two-year total compiled by Johns Hopkins University comes less than two months after eclipsing 800,000 deaths."
• Record Covid cases in Russia & Ukraine complicate military plans - "Spread of Omicron variant cited as another factor that could determine whether Moscow launches offensive."
• ‘The case for masks became hugely stronger’: scientists admit their Covid mistakes - "Being proved wrong lies at the heart of scientific progress. Here, experts reveal what they got wrong during the pandemic."
• It's been 70 years since the Queen took the throne, but she's not celebrating yet - "Queen Elizabeth II is adding yet another achievement to her record-breaking reign, becoming the first British monarch to mark a platinum jubilee on Sunday."
• Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy age with strict diet & state-of-the-art technology - "The five-time Ballon d'Or winner may have now turned 37, but Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy his age with a strict lifestyle and even uses futuristic technology. Cristiano Ronaldo has now turned 37, but continues to have the body and the athleticism of someone half his age."
• Meta's market value just dropped by more than most companies are worth - "Meta Platforms, the company formerly known as Facebook, just had its worst trading day in its history as a public company. The company's shares closed down more than 26% Thursday, shaving off nearly $240 billion from its market value, after a rough earnings report released after trading hours on Wednesday."
• Stream big: how Netflix changed the TV landscape in 10 years - "A decade ago this month, the streaming platform released its first original series, and never looked back since. But, with competition building, can it stay on top?"
• Before you share your next Wordle score, remember this - "Wordle is, first and foremost, a pandemic story. Told as a love story in the pages of the Times, the game's creator, Josh Wardle, developed it for his partner, an avid word-game player. That idea - that a game created as an act of love soon won the hearts of millions of players - is a pleasantly wholesome respite from the start of a grindingly unpleasant new year (thanks, Omicron). It also allows a moment of shared experience at a time when, in parts of the country, in-person events have been canceled."
• A New Zealand parrot stole a GoPro & filmed its getaway - "A New Zealand family got an unexpected bird's eye view of a trail they had just hiked in Fiordland National Park, South Island, after a mischievous parrot stole their GoPro and took flight."
• Shock in France after giant trawler sheds 100,000 dead fish off coast - "Environmentalists spot floating carpet of blue whiting covering thousands of square metres after spill from the FV Margiris."
• The world's tiny islands inspiring green action - "Small island communities have often been pioneers for sustainability and climate action. Are they a snapshot of a greener future, or a distraction from bigger problems elsewhere?"
• Bsissa: North Africa's ancient convenience food - "When blended with olive oil and honey, this unassuming brown powder - which has been eaten by Tunisians and Libyans for millennia - transforms into a breakfast of champions."
• Well-dressed & distressed: why sad young women are the latest book cover trend - "Their lives are tough. Their clothes are stylish. Their faces are hidden. The cover girls of today’s book have a lot in common - but are they here to stay?"
• Testing Audi’s E-Tron GT, The Marque’s Pinnacle Electric Car - "The e-tron GT has an impressive stance. It sits low and rather wide, so much so that the driver who delivers Audi’s star electric car to my home in London parks it almost in the middle of our narrow road in fear of damaging the cool graphic wheels against the curb. The exaggerated width is on purpose: the muscles are designed to be extreme, especially on the rear half, sculpted to reference the GT’s four-wheel quattro drive."
• This is not a self-driving car - "Your periodic reminder to stop conflating advanced driver assistance systems with autonomous vehicles."
• The Lion Whisperer - Kevin Richardson - "The Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary's mission is to provide a self-sustaining African carnivore sanctuary for the purposes of wild species preservation."
• Hadrian’s Wall Path - "Follow in the footsteps of Romans and trek alongside an ancient monument on a coast to coast walk across northern England."

February 4, 2022

• Winter Olympics 2022: 10 things to look out for in Beijing - "Jamaica return to the bobsleigh after 24 years, Haiti and Saudi Arabia make debuts, while GB aim for curling glory."
• How to stream the 2022 Winter Olympics - "Where to find full coverage of the Games."
• Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 opening ceremony - "The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics officially kick off Friday with the opening ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium at 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET)."
• Winter Olympics: What is China's Covid policy & does it work? - "Beijing says it's taken all necessary coronavirus safety measures for the 2022 Winter Olympics."
• The elite & the damned: Beijing 2022 begins with dose of realpolitik - "Much as the IOC may want political and human rights issues to fade into the background, they show little sign of doing so."
• Chamonix 1924 - a look back at the inaugural Winter Olympics - "In the shadow of Mont Blanc, the French Alpine resort of Chamonix hosted the first ever Winter Olympic Games."
• As Omicron peaks, the US healthcare system is left ‘broken beyond repair’ - "Despite Covid hospitalizations trending downward, 80% of hospitals across the country are under ‘high or extreme stress’."
• World faces ‘bumpy, difficult’ Covid transition, says senior scientist - "‘I just don’t think you wake up on Tuesday and it’s finished,’ says former Sage adviser Sir Jeremy Farrar."
• Ice that took roughly 2,000 years to form on Mt. Everest has melted in around 25 - "The highest glacier on the world's tallest mountain is losing decades worth of ice every year because of human-induced climate change, a new study shows."
• Extreme weather has cost Europe about €500bn over 40 years - "Severe floods and other extreme weather have cost Europe about half a trillion euros in the past four decades, with Germany, France and Italy the worst-hit countries. Between 90,000 and 142,000 deaths were attributed to weather and climate-related events over the period 1980 to 2020, the overwhelming majority of them from heatwaves. European Environment Agency data shows worst-hit countries to be Germany, France and Italy."
• Visual guide to deadly US raid targeting Islamic State leader in Syria - "US says Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi killed himself when he detonated explosives in home in Atme."
• Melinda French Gates reportedly won't give bulk of her wealth to Gates Foundation - "French Gates is said to have decided not to give the bulk of her estimated $11.4 billion fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Instead, French Gates is expected to donate to other charitable endeavors, according to the report, though she may also continue to give money to the Gates Foundation."
• Elon Musk is placing a bet on robots. It could be a long time coming - "Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday that he believes the company's goal of a humanoid robot is the most important thing it's working on."
• Watch: Superyacht reportedly belonging to Bezos requires Dutch bridge to be dismantled - "The 'De Hef' bridge in the Dutch city of Rotterdam has stood since the 19th century, but now it's making way for one of the world's richest men. The historic steel bridge will be partially dismantled to allow the passage of a superyacht reportedly belonging to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The city's mayor promises the bridge will be rebuilt to its current form."
• Facebook owner Meta sees biggest ever stock market loss - "Facebook's owner Meta Platforms saw its stock market value slump by more than $230bn on Thursday, in a record daily loss for a US firm."
• From Queen Victoria to Cardi B, how this legacy watchmaker found itself in the zeitgeist - "This luxury watch brand has become the ultimate status symbol for young celebrities. From Joe DiMaggio to Albert Einstein, Princess Diana to Victoria Beckham, watchmaker Patek Philippe has long been a celebrity favorite. But the Swiss brand's reputation has taken an unexpected turn in recent years."
• 10 TV shows to watch this February - "Killing Eve bows out, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air gets a gritty reboot and the Jack Reacher novels are adapted for the small screen - Amy Charles lists this month's unmissable TV."
• Netflix’s 2022 movie slate looks absolutely stacked - "Netflix has never been one to slump during summer movie season, but it would be fair to say that the streaming studio’s been gearing up to make sure that you won’t be able to turn around without seeing one of its new feature-length projects this year. The good news is, more than a few of the new movies Netflix announced today sound like they might be worth tuning in to."
• 76 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time - "What is in a romantic comedy? It’s a genre that has lived in our popular culture for centuries - Shakespeare wrote several of them himself - with notable peaks and valleys in their power and prevalence. Yet their basic equation has remained the same: one part romantic love plus one part humorous high jinks. So, without further ado, here are the 76 best rom-coms for every situation, according to Vogue. We hope you love them."
• International Space Station to crash down to Earth in 2031 - "The International Space Station (ISS) will continue working until 2030, before plunging into the Pacific Ocean in early 2031, according to Nasa."
• Inside The World’s First Private Luxury Train From Top Yacht Designer - "French designer Thierry Gaugain, best known for his yacht design collaborations with Philippe Starck, is working on an incredible new project. The G Train, the world’s first private luxury train takes the decadence of great trains like the Orient Express one step further as it is designed for a single owner. Mr Gaugain says, 'it's not a public train or a passenger train.' And it comes with a hefty price tag as the estimated cost of the train is more than $350 million."
• DÜrer drawing bought for $30 at yard sale worth more than $10 million, experts say - "A 16th century drawing by one of the key figures of the German Renaissance has been valued in excess of $10 million after it was initially purchased at a yard sale for just $30 in 2017."
• One easy way to get moving again, according to science - "The fitness tracker on your phone or wrist may be doing more than just monitoring your steps - it could kick them up a notch."
• Shackleton's Endurance: The impossible search for the greatest shipwreck - "It is one of the most unreachable shipwrecks in the world. We know with good accuracy where Sir Ernest Shackleton's Endurance vessel ended up after sinking more than 100 years ago. So far, however, all attempts to sight its wooden carcass on the Antarctic seafloor have been defeated."
• Why adults should embrace their playfulness - "Playing has been shown to improve the mental health of adults, but most people stop in childhood. How can we rediscover the benefits of playfulness after the toys have been put away?"
• Saving the night sky: New Zealand's craziest experiment yet? - "The Pacific nation's audacious bid to become the world's first dark sky nation might provide a blueprint for the rest of the world."
• A royal collection - in pictures - "Margaret Tyler has collected thousands of items of royal memorabilia in her home in north London. She began collecting 40 years ago, and her collection now fills four rooms and a bedroom."
• GoPro says it’s going to expand its camera lineup - "It wants to create more specialized tools."
• Canon EOS R3 review: Innovative eye-control focus and speed, for a price - "High-speed action shooting with serious video chops, but mediocre resolution."

February 3, 2022

• Are we getting any closer to understanding long Covid? - "Extreme fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbances, chest pain and skin rashes. These are just a few of the on-going symptoms of long Covid, a disorder that can persist for many months after an initial Covid infection. With such a vast range of symptoms, and health organisations stretched to capacity by the acute stage of the disease, long Covid has continued to remain something of a mystery."
• Exposure to one nasal droplet enough for Covid infection - study - "Trial in which volunteers were given dose of virus is first to monitor people during entire course of infection."
• What Covid-19 could do to our brains - "How past pandemics may have caused Parkinson's. Surviving a pandemic isn't always the end of the story - some viruses can have health effects that linger on for decades, eventually leading to a range of devastating diseases."
• Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ keeps scientists at bay with iceberg & sea ice - "Attempts to study the deteriorating Florida-sized glacier that could raise sea levels by 2ft if it breaks off are being frustrated."
• Beijing 2022: Life inside the Winter Olympics bubble - "Robots serving drinks, temperature-controlled sleep pods and disinfectant everywhere."
• Inside Gwyneth Paltrow's serene California home - "Gwyneth Paltrow began building her dream home in 2015, after she happened upon a derelict lot for sale in Montecito, California,on a real estate app."
• 'Queen of Italian cinema' Monica Vitti dies at 90 - "Monica Vitti - a revered star of Italian cinema - has died at the age of 90, according to Italian politician and family friend Walter Veltroni, who made the announcement on Twitter."
• Monica Vitti obituary - "Star of Michelangelo Antonioni’s films in the 1960s who later turned to light comedies."
• Monica Vitti - a life in pictures - "Italian screen legend Monica Vitti has died at the age of 90. We look back over her career."
• Kim Kardashian poses in minuscule thong ahead of first Valentine's with Pete Davidson - "Kim Kardashian turned heads as she posed in a minuscule thong bikini while plugging her SKIMS Valentine's Day collection."
• What is it like to fly on a small plane compared to a big plane? - "Many misconceptions and preconceptions abound. Some people swear they only get airsickness on small planes, while others insist the on-board experience is more personalized. A small plane is one with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)."
• HOW ONE COMPANY TOOK OVER THE NFT TRADE - "The NFT gold rush made OpenSea into a $13 billion company - but can it stay on top?"
• is manifesting the key to happiness - or wishful thinking? - "The controversial concept of willing your goals into existence has leapt in popularity since Covid began. But how do you do it - and can it help you realise your dreams?"
• How thinking about 'future you' can build a happier life - "We should think more about whom we'll be in the future – because doing so has profound consequences for our health, happiness and financial security."
• The reason Mark Zuckerberg wears the same shirt every day - "'I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community. Even though it sounds silly that that’s my reason for wearing a grey t-shirt every day, it is true.'"
• Two or more chronic health problems in middle age ‘doubles dementia risk’ - "Risk 2.5 times greater for those with multimorbidity at age 55, long-term study of 10,000 Britons reveals."
• US intelligence community report says 'pulsed electromagnetic energy' could cause Havana Syndrome - "An intelligence panel investigating the cause of a spate of mysterious incidents that have struck dozens of US officials across the globe has said that some of the episodes could 'plausibly' have been caused by 'pulsed electromagnetic energy' emitted by an external source, according to an executive summary of the panel's findings released Wednesday."
• Instagram tips & tricks - "How to make photo collage in Instagram story."
• Hublot Leads The 2022 Charge To Yellow Gold Watches - "Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, watches were predominantly made from noble metals and in the realm of gold that meant yellow was king. Sure, there were a host of watches that came out in two-tone and even three-color gold, but predominantly yellow gold reigned supreme. Then, in the late 1990’s rose gold came on strong and by the turn of the new millennium, pink and rose gold were giving way to even darker hues of 5N rose gold - a trend that would last decades. Now, though, we are witnessing a resurgence of interest in yellow gold watches and Hublot is one of the brands leading the charge for 2022."
• Ducati’s Bespoke ‘Unica’ Program Crafts One-Off Bikes For Serious Enthusiasts - "The company is now offering a customization program called Unica that will allow owners to spice up their new machine direct from the factory."
• The Switch is now Nintendo's best-selling home console ever - "It just surpassed the Wii with 103.54 million sales since it launched in 2017."

February 2, 2022

• FBI urges Olympic athletes to leave personal phones at home ahead of Beijing games - "The FBI is urging Olympic athletes to leave their personal cell phones at home and instead take burner phones to the Beijing Winter Olympics this month, citing the potential for 'malicious cyber activities.'"
• Covid vaccine hesitancy could be linked to childhood trauma, research finds - "With almost 10% of UK population unvaccinated, Public Health Wales surveys effects of early harm."
• Extreme heat in oceans ‘passed point of no return’ in 2014 - "Formerly rare high temperatures now covering half of seas and devastating wildlife, study shows."
• America's national debt surpasses $30 trillion for the first time - "Government borrowing accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic as Washington spent aggressively to cushion the economic blow from the crisis. The national debt has surged by about $7 trillion since the end of 2019."
• Plane battling winds at Heathrow nearly topples over - "As storms buffet the UK, footage has emerged of a pilot pulling off a particularly challenging landing - but not before the plane appeared to nearly topple over and scrape its tail on the runway. British Airways flight 1307 traveled from Aberdeen to London on Monday - but the 80-minute flight had a bumpy ride at the end."
• 40 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings Of 2022 - "From Kauai to Kuwait, here are Forbes Travel Guide’s most anticipated hotel openings for 2022."
• Boeing 747 transformed into a $1,300 per hour 'party plane' - "Suzannah Harvey, chief executive of the privately owned Cotswold Airport near Kemble in England, bought the Negus 747 for £1 (around $1.30) back in October 2020 and has spent 14 months or so converting it into a trendy 'party plane,' with rates starting at about $1,300 an hour."
• Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms - "More and more adults are taking over-the-counter melatonin to get to sleep, and some of them may be using it at dangerously high levels, a new study has found."
• What next for Wordle & its fans? - "Wordle has become an internet phenomenon - without playing by many of the usual digital rules."
• How Wordle's Creator Feels About Selling His Viral Game - "The Wordle creator Josh Wardle talks about why he created the game, the internet's ethos, and why he sold to the New York Times." TIME Magazine.
• Wordle will be free forever because you can right-click to save the whole game - "The genius of the web. Wordle is the pandemic game we didn’t know we needed, so there’s understandably some fear that its brand-new owner, The New York Times, might eventually ruin it somehow. But as technologist Aaron Rieke brilliantly explains in a Twitter thread, there’s little chance of that - because Wordle is a webpage, and webpages can be saved."
• Are you short on personality? These email-writing apps can fix that - "Struggling to hit the right notes over email and chat? Perhaps you need the ‘sarcasm converter’."
• Ulysses by James Joyce - Amazon.com.
• Ulysses: Celebrating 100 years of a literary 'masterpiece' - "In the spring of 1921, Paris bookseller Sylvia Beach boasted about her plans to publish a novel she deemed a masterpiece that would be 'ranked among the classics in English literature'."
• Why 1922 was literature's greatest year - "Joyce's Ulysses and Eliot's The Waste Land are rightly hailed as masterpieces - but they unfairly overshadow the year's other great books, writes John Self."
• How we invented teenagers - "There's childhood, adulthood, and the messy bit in between. Here's how we've defined adolescence throughout history - and why it's time for a new category."
• New Aston Martin DBX707 Is The World’s Most Powerful Luxury SUV - "The car features an upgraded version of the company’s twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 engine. Maximum power has been increased by 155 horsepower to 697hp, while torque is up significantly, by 148lb ft to 663lb ft. For European readers, the power output is 707PS and the torque is a nice, round 900Nm."
• Ferrari's Daytona SP3 Voted Most Beautiful Supercar Of The Year - "Since 1987, Festival Automobile International has aimed to reward 'the most beautiful and cutting-edge automotive projects of the year' across various categories. Rules dictate vehicles in this category must be priced at more than €60,000 ($68,000), something that the SP3 has no problem overachieving at. Coincidentally, Ferrari's Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni, also scooped up an award for his influential and creative work in the automotive sector."
• 37th The Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2022 - since 1987. "Awarded by an expert and passionate jury from the automotive sports, architecture, fashion, design, culture and media industries, the Festival Automobile International’s Grand Prices reward the most beautiful and cutting edge automotive projects of the year." Festival Automobile International.
• Burning bright? Taking stock in the year of the tiger - in pictures - "As people gather to celebrate the lunar year of the tiger, a report by WWF highlights areas where progress has been made in tiger conservation during the past 12 years and examines the threats that remain for the largest of big cats."
• Apple's M1 Pro & Max chips are living up to the hype - "How does M1 Max stack up against AMD's 16-core 5950X?"
• A rare 1979 Steve Jobs business card is up for auction in mid-February - "A 1979 business card for Steve Jobs, Vice President Operations at Apple, is going up for auction in mid-February with bids ending on March 17."
• Hasselblad’s New 907X Camera Blends Old-School Looks With State-of-the-Art Tech - "The images it takes have an inherently lifelike and natural feel that’s evocative and filmic."
• How to Update Your Camera's Firmware - "A step-by-step guide to updating the firmware on a digital camera, from where to find the download to getting the file onto your device."
• How to choose what your iPhone plays when connecting to your car - "Generally, your iPhone will continue playing whatever you were last listening to, but every so often it will just start a seemingly random playlist, while other times it won’t play anything at all, even when you’d prefer that it did. Sadly, you won’t find any obvious way to control this in your iPhone’s Settings app. But the good news is that there are some tricks you can use to take control of the situation thanks to Apple’s relatively new Shortcuts automation tool. Whether that’s guaranteeing you have a silent commute or automatically queuing up your favorite playlist for each trip, Shortcuts has you covered."

February 1, 2022

• What it's like to fly into Beijing's Olympic 'bubble' - "The Beijing Winter Olympics is being hosted inside a veritable fortress - known informally as the 'bubble' - that takes weeks of careful planning to successfully penetrate."
• Beijing Olympics: Five things to know - "Covid bubbles, artificial snow and human rights are making Beijing's Winter Olympics hit the headlines. Here's what you need to know about the Games, which start on Friday 4 February."
• The long-term impact of Covid-19 - "Could Covid-19 still be affecting us in decades to come?"
• Denmark lifts all restrictions despite record cases - "Denmark scraps face masks, vaccine passes and limited opening hours."
• CDC moves 12 destinations into 'very high' risk category - "The CDC places a destination at Level 4 when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days. The CDC advises travelers to avoid travel to Level 4 countries."
• Visit These Bucket-List Rooftops Around The World - "The pandemic has given us all a renewed appreciation for welcoming outdoor spaces. Any place where you can feel a breeze, perhaps with a social beverage in your hand and with cool tunes backing up a buzzy scene, is a welcome respite from the isolation we’ve all been experiencing. With that in mind, I gathered a few enticing hotel rooftops — call it a pandemic bucket list of places to socialize in the open air."
• Joe Rogan: Four claims from his Spotify podcast fact-checked - "Spotify reportedly paid $100m in 2020 for rights to The Joe Rogan Experience, which is the streaming service's top podcast. It is reportedly downloaded almost 200 million times a month."
• Wordle: New York Times buys popular word game - "The New York Times has purchased the popular word game Wordle for an undisclosed seven-figure sum."
• Lunar new year celebrations 2022 - in pictures - "Despite Covid-19 dampening travel plans, millions of people from across the globe are welcoming the Year of the Tiger."

January 31, 2022

• Covid predictions? These experts are done with them - "Omicron was unexpected, but with the delta variant also still circulating, scientists say it’s too soon to know for sure where the pandemic is headed. Omicron, which has about 50 genetic mutations, developed outside of researchers’ view, with an evolutionary history far removed from the family tree of the once-dominant delta. Instead, its roots are in an old version of the virus thought to have faded away months ago."
• Omicron: what do we know about ‘stealth’ subvariant BA.2? - "Omicron’s ‘close cousin’ has mutations that could alter how it behaves and has begun to surpass Covid’s most common variety in parts of Europe and Asia."
• Spotify: Streaming giant announces plans to clamp down on Covid misinformation - "Spotify says that it is working to add advisory warnings to any podcast on its platform that discusses Covid-19."
• In Pictures: US cities clear up after big freeze - "Clean-up operations have begun in the US after heavy snows and gale-force winds battered the eastern seaboard in the first major blizzard to hit the region in four years."
• Cold iguanas could drop from trees in Florida, US weather service warns - "The lizards aren’t dead but merely immobilised when temperatures go under 10C, weather bureau says."
• Elon Musk offered a Florida teen $5,000 to delete a Twitter account tracking his jet. It wasn't enough - "Jack Sweeney, a 19-year-old from Florida, rejected a $5,000 offer from Elon Musk to delete his Twitter account that tracks the billionaire's private jet."
• Belgium launches new passport featuring national comic book heroes - "From 7 February, Belgium is launching a redesigned international passport, with illustrations of Belgian comic book characters, Foreign Affairs Minister Sophie Wilmès announced on Thursday."
• how fake passports allow IS members to enter Europe & US - "Seller whose passports have been used by those who illegally crossed Syrian border says: ‘it is not my job to see who is bad’."
• What is turnip cake & why is it a popular Lunar New Year dish? - "Not all Lunar New Year foods are created equal. Some only make a brief appearance at the festival for auspicious purposes. Others are so delicious they grace dim sum tables around the world all year."
• True story? Lie detection systems go high-tech - "Methods of lie detection have probably been around for as long as tall tales have been told. One of the first documented examples comes from 1000BC in China, where a suspect would have to fill his or her mouth with dry rice. The early 20th Century saw the invention of the first lie detection machines or polygraphs. The most well-known of these is the "analogue polygraph", which typically has three or four ink-filled needles that dance round on a strip of moving paper."
• The Designer Bags That Will Reign in 2022, According to Luxury Experts - "Whether you're looking to make an investment purchase or take your daily dose of online browsing, these responses are worth viewing. Keep scrolling to see, read about, and shop the bags that luxury experts are going to define fashion this year."
• Rafael Nadal: 21 grand slam salute - in pictures - "Victory at the 2022 Australian Open thrusts Nadal ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time men’s grand slam titles standings - we take a look back at the Spaniard’s triumphs."
• My new toy is a USB-C cable with a built-in power meter - "A neat tool - with caveats."

January 30, 2022

• ‘Like sewage & rotting flesh’: Covid’s lasting impact on taste & smell - "Many sufferers have been left unable to eat due to long-term distortions to their senses."
• Sport, politics & Covid collide at the Beijing Winter Olympics - "The Games will open on Friday in a country that hopes sport will be the talking point. But political twists or a resurgent virus could leave the event skating on thin ice."
• How do we solve bitcoin’s carbon problem? - "The cryptocurrency consumes more energy than Norway. As countries consider copying China’s ban, experts disagree on whether a greener version is possible."
• West accused of ‘climate hypocrisy’ as emissions dwarf those of poor countries - "Average Briton produces more carbon in two days than Congolese person does in entire year, study finds."
• Joe Rogan: rise of a highly controversial cultural power - "In a row over Covid misinformation, Spotify sided with the wildly successful podcast host over Neil Young."
• Warren Buffett is having the last laugh - "Banks, energy firms and other value stocks have rallied this year, which is great news for Buffett since the Oracle of Omaha's conglomerate invests in many of these companies. Value stocks typically have lower price-to-earnings ratios, and they're definitely not trendy. Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB) shares are up about 3% this year and near an all-time high, while all the FAANGs, Microsoft (MSFT) and Tesla (TSLA) are deeply in the red. FAANG refers to Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and and Google."
• As Biden Mulls Sanctions, Three Theories On How Putin Makes His Millions - "Those are mysteries Forbes has grappled with for 20 years. Figuring out Putin’s net worth is probably the most elusive riddle in wealth hunting–harder than the heirs, other heads of state and even drug lords that we’ve financially smoked out over the years. Uncovering private wealth is something we take very seriously, especially in Russia–the founding editor of Forbes Russia, Paul Klebnikov, risked his life for this cause, and was shot in the streets of Moscow in 2004 as he was investigating the fortunes of Russia’s early oligarchs. So where and how much is the fortune that Biden threatens to sanction over Russia’s aggression in Ukraine? We don’t know. But over the years, leaning on sources and expertise, we’ve developed some theories."
• How to block spam calls on iPhone & silence unknown callers - "iPhone users can download third-party apps to get notifications for spam calls. Here are a few options."
• What happened when 67,000 acres of farmland was left to run wild - "Where big cats roam once more: How one family's rewilding project returned lions and cheetahs to a corner of South Africa's Great Karoo."
• Why animal owners in Hong Kong are hiring private planes for their pets - "'Private jet for your pet' is the kind of phrase you might expect to hear from a movie star or media mogul. But in 2022 Hong Kong, it's just as likely to be a regular person looking into this very unusual expense."
• How science is uncovering the secrets of Stonehenge - "If you see the majestic stones on Salisbury Plain as an emblem of England, think again. A major new British Museum exhibition connects them to many points and cultures across Europe through 1,500 years of immigration."

January 29, 2022

• Week in pictures: 22 - 28 January 2022 - "A selection of powerful news photographs taken around the world this week."
• The week in wildlife - in pictures - "The best of this week’s wildlife pictures, including a big-headed frog, a relocated rhino and a hungry swan."
• Is it time to ditch cloth face masks for FFP2 or next-generation alternatives? - "As the Covid pandemic has unfolded, the choice of face coverings has mushroomed."
• US scientists develop cheap smartphone-based test kit for Covid - "Doing a test with new technique could cost a 10th of a PCR and has been as reliable in small-scale trial."
• Keeping the Olympics Covid-free: life inside Beijing’s ‘closed loop’ bubble - "The 11,000 foreign athletes, media crews and guests will be met at the airport by workers in biohazard suits."
• These are the world's 8 best-selling planes - "Size, energy efficiency, cargo and passenger load, comfort and cost. There are a lot of factors involved in making an airplane design appealing to airlines and, in turn, their customers. But which are the best-selling civil airplanes of all time, and what made them stand out from the rest? Let's take a look at the top eight, based on total deliveries as of December 31, 2021."
• Prince Andrew's 'plans to use shamed actor Kevin Spacey' in bid to clear name - "It comes as sources say the Duke wants to distance himself from Ghislaine Maxwell - former girlfriend of billionaire paedophile found guilty of five out of six charges of sex trafficking. The insider said: 'If Kevin can convince a jury he was the crucial link with Ghislaine, rather than Andrew, it distances the Prince from her somewhat - and that’s crucial. Andrew also believes such a gifted actor and public speaker could be a very compelling asset in front of a jury.' The Duke of York has hit back at accusations of rape and sexual assault made by his accuser Virginia Giuffre, who was this month handed the right to take the Queen’s son to trial in the United States."
• Apple Music trolls Spotify by calling itself 'the home of Neil Young' - "Just a day after Spotify agreed to remove Neil Young's music from its service, Apple Music trolled its streaming rival by giving the musician some rock star treatment."
• Breakfast around the world: How 21 different places start the day - "From creamy cornbread cake in Brazil and savory Tunisian chickpea soup to fluffy Ukrainian pancakes and sweet coconut jam toasts in Singapore, these 21 international specialties offer a food option for every palate."
• Italy's former royal family wants the crown jewels back - "The jewels were deposited in the Bank of Italy by a representative of the family on June 5, 1946 - three days after Italians voted in a referendum to remove the monarchy - to be kept at the disposal of 'whoever has the right.' The family now argues that it has a right to ownership."
• Joni Mitchell wants songs off Spotify in Covid row - "Singer Joni Mitchell has joined Neil Young in asking for her music to be removed from Spotify over Covid misinformation concerns."
• What is Wordle? The new viral word game delighting the internet - "A pleasant little daily brainteaser, Wordle is a simple, shareable word guessing game that is gaining popularity on Twitter."
• How to Get the ‘Wordle’ Game on Your Android, iPhone, or iPad Home Screen - "If you’ve joined the Wordle craze, you may be wondering why the game is only available on the web. That’s because Wordle creator Josh Wardle has no intention of spinning his 'labor of love' into an app. Thankfully, it’s easy to get Wordle on your Android, iPhone, or iPad home screen, where it will act just like an app."
• A $1.6-Million Grande Sonnerie Is Among Bulgari’s 2022 Timepiece Lineup, (Mostly) Created For Women - "Bulgari’s new lineup of watches, introduced on Monday as part of LVMH Watch Week, are a demonstration of how devoted this brand is to making great watches for women - not just seasoned collectors but fans of essential day-to-evening wear."
• ‘The One’ In Los Angeles Could Become The Most Expensive Home Ever Sold In The U.S. At $295 Million - "Once valued at $500 million, The One mansion in Bel-Air is being sold for $295 million and will be on the open market until it is auctioned off by Concierge Auctions, an online auction marketplace, from February 28 to March 3. The home will be sold without reserve, meaning it will sell to the highest bidder. Even if it sells close to the price it’s listed at, it will surely break records. Currently, billionaire and hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin’s $238 million New York penthouse in 2019 holds the record as the most expensive U.S. home ever sold."

January 28, 2022

• Apple beats estimates with all time record revenue - "Apple surpasses analysts’ predictions with 11% higher revenues compared with last year despite supply chain issues and Omicron surge."
• Vitamin D & fish oil supplements may help prevent autoimmune disease, study says - "aking daily vitamin D and fish oil supplements may help protect older adults from developing autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, thyroid diseases and polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disease that causes muscle pain and stiffness in the shoulders and hips, a new study found."
• Rare snowfall turns Jerusalem into winter wonderland - "Jerusalem and nearby cities experienced the heaviest snowfall since 2013, causing schools and several roads between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to close."
• America’s hottest city is nearly unlivable in summer. Can cooling technologies save it? - "Phoenix’s new ‘heat tsar’ is betting on less asphalt, more green canopy and reflective surfaces to cool the sprawling heat island."
• Sarah Palin dined at multiple New York restaurants despite positive Covid test - "Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate, has continued to dine out at New York City restaurants despite testing positive for Covid-19."
• How travel saved a woman from Covid anxiety - "With a former medical scare and prolonged isolation due to the Covid pandemic, Kimberly Davis' mental health was deteriorating - until a friend offered her a holiday to France."
• Inside the $128 million heist that shocked the world & the police chase that followed - "It took at least nine hard blows from an ax to smash the glass case in Dresden's historic Green Vault. Once the glass shattered, the two masked thieves grabbed 21 priceless diamond-studded artifacts and disappeared."
• 10 films to watch this February - "Jennifer Lopez stars in a romcom, the Jackass crew are back making mischief, and Joanna Hogg's sequel to The Souvenir is released: Nicholas Barber runs down February's unmissable films."
• Janet Jackson Has Revealed The Cruel Names That Michael Jackson Would Call Her - "Janet Jackson’s much-anticipated documentary, JANET, is set to hit our screens in the coming days after five years in the making."
• Queen launches own brand ketchup & brown sauce - "Her Majesty is selling The Queen's Tomato Sauce and Brown Sauce for £6.99. Flavoured with dates, apple juice and spices, it is on sale at Sandringham shop."
• McDonald’s new ‘menu hack’ includes a ‘Land, Air & Sea’ burger - "Burger giant McDonalds is causing something of a flap with a bizarre new set of forthcoming ‘menu hacks’ that includes a sandwich called 'Land, Air & Sea,' combining fish, beef and a bird with dismal flying abilities - the chicken."
• Melania Trump’s auction of NFT, hat & painting fall short of $250,000 opening bid - "Steep dive in crypto market resulted in final bid of about $170,000 - $80,000 short of the starting bid threshold."
• Chanel sends princess on horseback down the runway in Paris - "To the surprise of guests at the Grand Palais Éphémère, the French fashion house opened its show Tuesday with the help of Prince Albert of Monaco's niece Charlotte Casiraghi, who is also a competitive showjumper."
• F35-C fighter jet: Race is on to reach sunken US plane... before China - "The $100m F35-C plane came down in the South China Sea after what the Navy describes as a 'mishap' during take-off from the USS Carl Vinson."
• The meats that are hard to make vegan - "The reason some vegan alternatives don't taste like meat. Some of the qualities that make meat 'meaty' are hard to reproduce with plant-based alternatives. Should we be focusing on replicating them - or trying to make new, tasty alternatives?"
• Test-driving the Maserati MC20 - "The Italian Brand Gets A Serious Performance Injection."
• Why Spotify can’t afford to lose Joe Rogan - "The thinking behind an easy decision. You’ve probably seen this by now, but to catch you up if not: On Monday, Neil Young issued an ultimatum to Spotify: keep Joe Rogan or me. It can’t have both on the service."

January 27, 2022

• iOS 15.3 now available to iPhone users, here’s what’s new - "Apple’s latest round of software updates is now rolling out to the public. iOS 15.3 is now available to iPhone users with performance improvements, bug fixes, and security enhancements. Furthermore, iPadOS 15.3 is now available to iPad users, while watchOS 8.4 is rolling out for Apple Watch."
• What is SWIFT & why it might be the weapon Russia fears most - "The 'nuclear option' Russia might fear most."
• Prince Andrew: which other royal figures have faced legal action? - "Elder sister Princess Anne and King Charles I among predecessors who have had difficulties with the law."
• HARRY cashes in on Meghan's A-list connections! - "Duchess' close friend Serena Williams will appear alongside the Duke at virtual summit for his employer mental health start up Better Up in February."
• Apple creates personal safety guide as AirTag concerns mount - "The guide is meant to address 'technology-enabled abuse, stalking, or harassment'."
• Apple's AirTag uncovers a secret German intelligence agency - "A researcher has sent one of Apple's AirTags to a mysterious 'federal authority' in Germany to locate its true offices - and to help prove that it's really part of an intelligence agency."
• How Covid killed the one-night stand & made us all kinkier - "There has been a sharp drop in one-off encounters, researchers say, but more people are enjoying friends with benefits and getting experimental in bed."
• Bhutan is one of the world's most mysterious countries - "Visiting the Land of the Thunder Dragon can be challenging, but there's new incentive to finally cross it off the bucket list in 2022, as its breathtaking Trans Bhutan Trail will be reopening to travelers for the first time in 60 years."
• Airbus to charter its popular Beluga XL 'whale plane' - "Airbus plans to charter out its whale-shaped Beluga transport planes - whose main job until now has been to ferry aircraft parts between its plants in Europe - to help other industries haul urgently-needed outsized machinery by air."
• Flying without wings: The world's fastest trains - "Until someone proves otherwise, high-speed rail is the most effective alternative to air travel for journeys of up to 1,100 kilometers (700 miles). Shuttling passengers between city centers at speeds of 290 kph (180 mph) or more, it offers a compelling combination of speed and convenience."
• Is the Pilbara the oldest place on Earth? - "Dating to around 3.6 billion years ago, the Pilbara region of Western Australia is home to the fossilised evidence of the Earth's oldest lifeforms."
• Why climate change is inherently racist - "Climate change divides along racial lines. Could tackling it help address longstanding injustices?"
• Super-prime mover: Britain’s most successful estate agent - " Gary Hersham has been selling houses to the very rich for decades. At first, £1m was a big deal. Now he sells for £50m, £100m, even £200m. What does it take to stay on top in this cut-throat business?"
• America’s Top Givers 2022: The 25 Most Philanthropic Billionaires - "The billions keep piling up for many of America’s great philanthropists. So, too, do their charitable contributions. The nation’s 25 biggest givers have donated a total of $169 billion over the course of their lifetimes, according to Forbes’ estimates. That’s up from $149 billion last year, partly due to new information uncovered by Forbes - but mostly due to another year of huge giving by these 25 mega-donors."
• Will LVMH Owner Bernard Arnault Also Become Owner Of Patek Philippe? - "His Tiffany Blue Nautilus Ref. 5740/1G could be a glimpse of the future."
• 'Fight Club' has a new ending in China. And this time, the authorities win - "Chinese fans of David Fincher's cult classic were enraged over the weekend when they noticed a version of the movie available on popular Chinese streaming platform Tencent Video completely removes its iconic ending."
• Nineties pin-up Bridget Fonda, 58, looks unrecognizable - "Shy star is seen in public for the first time in 12 years after quitting acting career. Bridget is part of Hollywood's famed Fonda Dynasty, which includes her grandfather Henry, father Peter, and aunt Jane."
• Spotify says it will remove Neil Young's music, according to reports - "Spotify will no longer stream the music of Neil Young. For what it's worth, he asked for it."
• Apple is back on top in smartphone sales worldwide after a record win in China - "Apple has once again become the top-selling smartphone brand in top market China, along with the rest of the world. Apple's market share in China reached 23% in the last quarter of 2021, compared with 16% the same period the previous year. This surge came as total smartphone sales in China fell 9% year-on-year, according to Counterpoint. Apple overtook the Chinese smartphone maker, Vivo, which slipped 6%, researchers said."
• Canon officially announces the Canon EOS R5 C - " Imagine having the best of both worlds at your fingertips. A Canon camera with equal parts video and still digital imaging power, all in one compact-and-lightweight package. Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce the EOS R5 C Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, a hybrid, RF-mount 8K camera that has something for everyone. The new camera showcases video formats and features from the company’s award-winning Cinema EOS line, alongside select still capabilities that have made the EOS R5 camera a popular and trusted choice among imaging professionals and enthusiasts alike."
• Celebrating 50 Years Of Audemars Piguet's The Royal Oak - The “Jumbo” Journey - "The story of the Royal Oak didn’t start in 1972. Rather, it began two years before, right before the Basel watch exhibition of 1970. At the time Audemars Piguet produced about 6,000 watches per year. They were mainly small dress watches, some jewelry pieces, some extraordinary watches with complications, and of course, a lot of extra-thin watches. At the time, Audemars Piguet had around 70 employees."
• How to mass-delete all your emails on Gmail at once - "Knowing how to mass-delete all your emails in Gmail is a great way to keep your inbox tidy and easily readable. It also helps maximize your storage space by clearing out old emails, spam, and conversations you no longer need a record of. Here are the best ways to mass-delete your emails in Gmail to clean out your inbox."
• How to take better night photos with the Pixel 6 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, or digital camera - "Yes, even you can get a great photo of the night sky!"
• How to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac - "You can easily connect your iPad as a second display to use with your Mac computer, and you don't even have to download or pay for additional software."
• Max Verstappen’s Private Jet Costs $16 Million, Was Previously Owned by Richard Branson - "Max Verstappen is a Formula 1 World Champion, and his lifestyle proves it. The Red Bull driver acquired a private jet in 2020 for $16 million, which had been previously owned by billionaire Richard Branson."

January 26, 2022

• Long Covid: doctors find ‘antibody signature’ for patients most at risk - "Low levels of certain antibodies found to be more common in those who go on to develop long Covid."
• The end of the world order as we know it - "It's a confusing time for Americans when it comes to world affairs, with the government explaining on the one hand why it was time to pull out of Afghanistan, but on the other why it's also time to stand up for Ukraine."
• Airlines flying near-empty ‘ghost flights’ to retain EU airport slots - "Analysis from Greenpeace finds deserted flights are generating millions of tons of harmful emissions."
• Royal crown slips as Elizabeth prepares to mark 70 years as queen - "Celebrations this year marking Queen Elizabeth's seven-decade reign will mask a less happy reality for the world's pre-eminent royal family: the British monarchy is being questioned in ways that were unthinkable for most of the last 70 years."
• Flying car cleared for takeoff, but you'll need a pilot's license - "The 'AirCar' was awarded an official Certificate of Airworthiness by the Slovak Transport Authority after completing 70 hours of 'rigorous flight testing,' according to Klein Vision, the company behind the 'dual-mode car-aircraft vehicle.'"
• What's your sleep IQ? Take our quiz - "You’re dreaming of a great night’s sleep, right? It’s not a pipedream - if you practice good sleep habits throughout the day, you’ll slumber deeply and wake energized. Are you a sleep pro, or do you have some room to improve? Take our sleep quiz to find out."
• How to Get the ‘Wordle’ Game on Your Android, iPhone, or iPad Home Screen - "If you’ve joined the Wordle craze, you may be wondering why the game is only available on the web. That’s because Wordle creator Josh Wardle has no intention of spinning his 'labor of love' into an app. Thankfully, it’s easy to get Wordle on your Android, iPhone, or iPad home screen, where it will act just like an app."
• How to rearrange & delete your home screen pages in iOS 15 & iPadOS 15 - "If you're lost in a sea of icons and can't find the app you want, you may have too many pages of apps on your Home Screen. Here's how to switch the pages around and get rid of extra ones, in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15."
• Why You Should Use Your Smartphone Without a Case - "Common wisdom says that you should protect your precious iPhone or Android smartphone with a case. For some, it’s a good idea. But there are some strong reasons why most people might not need to. We’ll explore the options."
• All the Books Carrie Bradshaw & Co. Have Been Reading in And Just Like That... - "Eagle-eyed fans will have noticed a lot of books appearing on the series so far - Carrie is a writer and literature is her forte, after all. But many have clearly been put there to be noticed by viewers, with some (hello, Miranda’s book on sobriety) even having their own storylines. It turns out a lot of work went into carefully selecting every single one of the books—including the hundreds visible in background shots of Carrie’s bookshelves - and Sarah Jessica Parker helped to select them herself."
• The greatest film scenes never seen - "The iconic Hollywood films transformed by test audiences. Many classic movies could have been so different, had they not been screened to select members of the public first. Nicholas Barber lifts the lid on a very secretive process."
• Descendants of Italy’s last king attempt to reclaim crown jewels - "Bank of Italy took delivery of the jewels, comprising more than 6,000 diamonds and 2,000 pearls mounted on brooches and necklaces worn by various queens and princesses, on 5 June 1946, three days after Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and nine days before King Umberto II, who ruled for just 34 days, was banished into exile along with his male heirs."
• Hands-On With The Incredible Bulgari Serpenti Misteriosi Women’s Watch With Mechanical Movement - "Worn by actresses and the most privileged jet-set, what renders today’s Bulgari, and today’s Bulgari Serpenti creations, so special, in my eyes at least, is that the company and its craftspeople are still able to push the serpent theme."
• An Intro to Shadows in Photography - "What is a photograph? There are many different ways to answer this simple question, but in basic abstract terms through the lens of lighting, every photograph is a combination of highlights and shadows. The only reason we see depth and dimension is in fact shadow. Understanding shadows is crucial in growing as a photographer."
• Facebook’s embattled cryptocurrency project is likely coming to an end - "More than two years after it was first announced, the Facebook-sponsored cryptocurrency formerly known as Libra appears to be coming to an end. The Diem Association set up by Facebook to manage the digital token is exploring a sale of its assets after meeting resistance by regulators who opposed the initiative, according to a new report by Bloomberg."
• Apple's Most Questionable Design Decisions in Recent Memory - "Every once in a while even Apple gets it wrong, and a tech company's coherent rationale for the way a product should be designed can translate into end-user irritation, or even a customer's personal hell. Here we take a look back at a handful of Apple's most questionable design decisions in recent memory."
• CarPlay Stops Working for Some Users After the Latest iPhone Update - "iOS 15.2.1 was released earlier this month with some highly anticipated improvements, as this new update finally resolved CarPlay glitches impacting very popular apps, such as Google Maps and Waze."
• Mophie releases MagSafe travel multi-charger through Apple Store - "The number of official third-party MagSafe accessories has grown again with Mophie's new multi-device travel charger which is available for $150 exclusively through the Apple Store. Designed with travel in mind, this new 3-in-1 charger unfolds to power up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. It includes an official MagSafe charging puck, complete with Apple MFi-certification for up to 15W of wireless power for your iPhone."
• Louis Vuitton celebrates its ateliers & artisans in chic new tome - "Louis Vuitton Manufactures, published by Assouline, explores the French maison’s craftsmanship through specially commissioned photography."
• Richard Gere lists longtime upstate NY compound for $28M - "A year after shelling out $9.8 million for a new family home in upstate New York, Richard Gere is trying to unload his other upstate property he purchased back in 1986. The main residence at the Pound Ridge compound — only an hour away from New York City — is made up of eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and spans over 11,600 square feet."
• Not Jeff Bezos but this $400 million superyacht belongs to airport-owning Russian billionaire Dmitry Kamenshchik. The 446-foot vessel has a two-story spa, a massive dance floor, helipad & even a cryo chamber - "There are superyachts, and then there is Flying Fox, the standout Lürssen superyacht. It could well be christened the Flying Palace as it creates a ground-breaking, sea-stirring world of luxury in a way no other superyacht has. Among its many accolades, the 450-foot-long Flying Fox is the largest and most expensive yacht available for charter."

January 25, 2022

• UN data reveals ‘nearly insurmountable’ scale of lost schooling due to Covid - "Up to 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries lack basic reading skills, with learning losses seen from US to Ethiopia."
• UK scraps Covid testing after arrival for double-vaccinated travellers - "Requirement to take lateral flow test will end from 4am on 11 February, cheered by airlines as a ‘landmark’."
• CDC adds 5 more Caribbean island destinations to its highest level of travel risk - "In total, the CDC moved 15 places to Level 4, or 'very high' risk, showing the continuing grip the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has on the world right now. Last week, 22 destinations were added to Level 4."
• US to begin distributing 400m free N95 masks to pharmacies & health centers - "Biden administration’s latest effort to combat surge in cases caused by Omicron variant."
• Snowstorm blankets eastern Mediterranean closing airports, schools & vaccination centres - "Istanbul airport was forced to shut down while motorists were trapped in cars around Athens as rare heavy snow falls across southeast Europe."
• Heavy snow blankets Athens & Istanbul - in pictures - "A rare snowstorm has hit the capitals of Greece and Turkey, disrupting traffic, closing schools and coating the cities’ tourists sites in white."
• McKinsey: fundamental transformation of global economy needed for net zero - "$9tn of annual investment required to avoid most catastrophic climate impacts, consultancy says."
• Kanye West, Julia Fox & other highlights from the Paris Fashion Week menswear shows - "Paris Fashion Week's most recent iteration, which unveiled a bounty of menswear for the Fall-Winter 2022 season, took a demolition swing at old menswear conventions in the ongoing establishment of a new normal. With ideas that were often gender dismantled or blended, infused with surrealism and other uninhibited motifs, designers pushed forth an agenda that felt broader - and braver - than usual."
• Princess Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday alone - "Royal shares slideshow of snaps from happier times featuring Prince Albert, their children and her swimming career as she continues to receive treatment outside of Monaco."
• Skin whitening: What is it, what are the risks and who profits? - "The multi-billion-dollar skin whitening industry exposed."
• Behind the label: how the US stitched up the Honduras garment industry - "Among the manifold complexities of the global supply chain, a simple principle holds: corporations will always go where their costs - and their responsibilities - can be kept to an absolute minimum."
• The Beatles & John Lennon memorabilia to be sold as NFTs - "John Lennon's eldest son Julian is selling several pieces of music history from his personal collection."
• 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS: An EV For The Driving Enthusiast - "There are dozens of electric vehicles on the market today, but only one has been specifically engineered from the beginning with the discerning driving enthusiast in mind. That vehicle is the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS. The new trim level in the growing Porsche Taycan lineup slots above the Taycan 4S and below the Turbo model. The four-door shares platforms, a liquid-cooled lithium-ion 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus, and 800-volt architecture with its siblings - but the GTS boasts unique cosmetic enhancements and performance upgrades to make it visually unique and more dynamic on the road."
• Rolls-Royce buyers are shockingly young - "If you picture a typical Rolls-Royce owner, you probably imagine someone with white hair and maybe also white golf shoes. These are, after all, huge, cushy cars designed for comfort, just the sort of thing you'd think rich retirees would enjoy. But if you ask Rolls-Royce customers, the true purpose of a Rolls-Royce isn't just effortless quiet and comfort, acquired after a lifetime of toil. It's about the prestige, status - and, yes, pleasure - of a product they're fortunate enough to be able to purchase while their hair still retains some color. When it recently announced its record-breaking 2021 sales - about 5,600 vehicles sold worldwide - Rolls-Royce also announced the average age of its customers, in the United States and globally, is just 43 years old. That means many buyers are also much younger than that, like in their 20s or 30s."
• 20 Most Beautiful Five-Star Hotels In The World, According To Instagram - "A recent study by money.co.uk, a financial site based in the U.K., recently revealed its list of the 20 most Instagrammable five-star hotels around the world. Each one is worthy of a visit, whether you want to splurge for an unforgettable stay or - for the few that are connected to larger hotel brands like Marriott, Hyatt and MGM Resorts International - cash in some hotel or credit card points for a few nights spent in unbelievable luxury."
• Forever AndrÉ: Anna Wintour on Her Extraordinary Friend & Colleague - VOGUE.
• Jules and Jim: The relationship that's still taboo - "On the 60th anniversary of the French classic Jules and Jim, Gregory Wakeman looks at how the ménage à trois has been portrayed on screen."
• How the world's deepest shipwreck was found - "In 1944, the USS Johnston sank after a battle against the world's largest battleship. More than 75 years later, her wreck was finally located, 6km (3.7 miles) below the waves."
• Apple AirPods 3 review: solid revamp with better fit & longer battery - "Third-gen of popular earbuds have improved design, shorter stalks and virtual surround sound."
• Wise Words From Fashion Designer Thierry Mugler - "Here are some of the wisest things Mugler said in interviews over the years."
• Mother nature’s son: the exotic world of songwriter eden ahbez - "Long-haired and vegetarian, with no interest in money, eden ahbez, the writer of Nat King Cole’s 1948 classic Nature Boy, is only now being recognised as the first of the hippies."
• CRACKING A $2 MILLION CRYPTO WALLET - "First, he forgot his PIN - then he started looking for hackers."
• Now Is a Good Time to Update Your Recovery Email Addresses - "You know those 'emergency' email addresses you can use to get into your email and other accounts in case you're locked out? Make sure they're up-to-date."

January 24, 2022

• Omicron could mean ‘pandemic endgame’ in Europe, WHO says - "WHO Europe director says body anticipates period of quiet before potential Covid return at end of year."
• Dr. Fauci: US ‘confident’ Omicron will soon peak even as hospitals struggle - "Biden chief medical adviser also predicts ‘a bit more pain’."
• Thierry Mugler, iconic French fashion designer, dies aged 73 - "French fashion designer Thierry Mugler, whose flamboyant creations transformed haute couture, has died at the age of 73, according to a message posted to his official Instagram account."
• Virgil Abloh’s Last Bags for Louis Vuitton Just Debuted In Paris - "See bags from Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Fall 2022 collection now."
• Does Louis Vuitton Really Destroy Unsold Bags? - "Louis Vuitton works with a strict business model and any products that go unsold are quite literally burnt to pieces every single year. This is a practice adopted by many luxury brands as it ensures exclusivity, prevents theft, and avoids having to discount any items."
• Millionaires call on governments worldwide to ‘tax us now’ - "Group of 102 wealthy people say tax would help tackle gulf between rich and poor."
• Bitcoin value tumbles almost 50% since record November - "And it's not just Bitcoin, as cryptocurrencies in general have had a dismal start to the year. Bitcoin has fallen over 8% in the last 24 hours, and was trading at $35,479 as of 9:30 am ET, according to CoinDesk. The world's most valuable cryptocurrency has plummeted over 20% since the beginning of the year. In November it was trading at a record high of $68,990."
• These apps mean you may never have to buy a car again - "City dwellers are used to switching between apps to decide the best way to get from A to B. Is it quickest to get the train or the bus? What about a taxi or a city bike? Which provider has the nearest e-scooter?"
• The world's most influential actor? - "Why Buster Keaton is today's most influential actor. The silent-film star's deadpan style combined with his kinetic energy have inspired today's most acclaimed stars, from Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver to Awkwafina. Nicole Davis explores why the actor and filmmaker's style is still a fitting response to modern life."
• best compact cameras in 2022 - "Small enough for a pocket but still top quality."
• Porsche Design celebrates its 50th anniversary - "Porsche AG congratulates Porsche Design on its golden jubilee. Two very special cars are the highlights of the anniversary year: the exclusive Porsche 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design and a historical 911 S 2.4 Targa from Porsche Design’s founding year of 1972, which has been faithfully restored by Porsche Classic."
• More bad news for Peloton: Another TV show character has a heart attack while riding its bike - "And to round it off, another TV show character experienced a heart attack on the interactive bike - this time (spoiler alert) it's Mike Wagner (David Costabile) on the season 6 premiere of Showtime's 'Billions.'"
• If your iPhone storage is running low, you need to tweak these settings - "Don't upgrade to a phone with more space just yet. We'll walk you through how to make the most of the iPhone storage you have now."
• Your iPhone’s Apple logo can turn into a secret button - here’s how to ‘unlock’ it - "If you have an iPhone then you need to try this hidden feature that utilizes the Apple logo on the back of your phone. Apple iPhones come equipped with several clever features, one of these features includes 'Back Tap.'"
• The hidden trackpad on your iPhone & iPad makes typing so much easier - "Use this keyboard feature on iOS to better move your cursor and edit text."
• Make your WhatsApp messages disappear; Know how to - "You can make your messages disappear by enabling the WhatsApp Disappearing Messages feature on the app on both iPhone and Android."
• 10 Rarest Cars From The Sultan of Brunei's Collection - "Several of these incredibly rare cars were specifically made for the Sultan himself by the likes of Ferrari and Bentley."
• Johnny Depp to Star as Controversial French King Louis XV in Maiwenn’s Next Film - "Filming will take place for three months on location across Parisian landmarks, mainly at the Versailles Palace."
• Is Idris Elba Too Old To Play James Bond? Not Exactly - "As the James Bond role remains vacant, and Idris Elba is linked to it once more, will age be a factor in deciding who will play 007 next?"
• Ricky Gervais Explains Why He Doesn't Like James Bond Movies - "While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ricky Gervais reveals the reason he is not the biggest fan of the James Bond movies."
• Why A Patek Philippe Isn’t For Everyone - "Let’s face it: most of us are never going to own a Patek Philippe. Most of us will never own an Hublot. If we’re being realistic, most of us watch aficionados may never even own a Rolex either. I’m here to tell you that’s okay. Really. It may, in fact, be good. We shouldn’t strive to own everything we appreciate, and we should be mindful of what is lost in attaining these luxury and hyper-luxury watches."
• Canon Unveils the EOS R5 C ‘True Hybrid’ Full Frame Camera - "Canon has announced the EOS R5 C, what it calls a 'true hybrid' full-frame mirrorless camera that bridges both its stills-focused EOS technology with Cinema EOS into one robust, actively-cooled, super-thick camera body."
• Future AirPods could shut off noise cancellation if a code word is spoken - "Apple is researching how future AirPods could allow specific spoken codewords, or your partner's voice, to break through noise cancellation settings."
• Virgil Abloh’s Last Bags for Louis Vuitton Just Debuted In Paris - "See bags from Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Fall 2022 collection now."

January 23, 2022

• Cloth or N95? Covid mask disputes pit employees against bosses - "Public health agencies worldwide struggle to promote best practices as understanding of virus evolves."
• Why It's Still So Complicated to Get Free Home Covid Tests - "The Biden Administration's effort to make at-home Covid tests free and accessible is complicated by private insurers' rules and paperwork." TIME Magazine.
• China Uses Anal Tests To Detect Omicron As COVID Variant Spreads Before Winter Olympics - "Chinese health authorities are ordering the use of controversial but more precise anal swabs to detect COVID-19 for a third year running as an Omicron cluster in Beijing grew to three people as of Wednesday." Newsweek.
• How Omicron is hitting cruise ships - "What it's like to cruise during Omicron."
• The 30 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2022 - "As the year rolls around, there’s a new crop of TV shows to be on the lookout for - from prestige period dramas like HBO’s The Gilded Age and the return of The Crown to cheekier odes to recent pop culture like Hulu’s Pam & Tommy and Shonda Rhimes’s Inventing Anna on Netflix. We even hear that a certain family whose iron grip on reality TV has lasted over a decade will be making a return. (Clue: Their name begins with a K.)"
• A history of Gucci in 10 bags - "As Gucci celebrates the opening of Vault, an experimental online space for vintage pieces from their first century, Christie’s specialist Rachel Koffsky chronicles the designs and craftsmanship that built the brand."
• Calories on menus ‘may not be helpful’ in drive against obesity - "Campaigners say compulsory menu labelling could put too much emphasis on calorie counting."
• Prince Andrew refused to give up toilet designed for Prince Charles - "Prince Andrew got in trouble with the Queen over his tantrums."
• James Bond: George Lazenby was conned out of thousands of pounds by 007 villain Telly Savalas - "JAMES BOND star George Lazenby was only part of the 007 franchise for one film, but during that time he was scammed out of thousands of pounds by the film's Blofeld villain, Telly Savalas. The Bond producers were forced to step in and help the star out."
• All the James Bond movies ranked, from No Time to Die back to the start - "From Sean Connery in Dr. No back in the '60s to Daniel Craig's finale in No Time to Die, here's how all the 007 movies stack up."
• Your iPhone has TEN Harry Potter spells that really work with Siri - "Ordinary muggles can cast spells from the Harry Potter universe provided they have an iPhone. Apple's voice assistant, Siri, responds to close to a dozen magical commands taken straight from JK Rowling's megahit books."
• How to check if your iPhone 12 is eligible for the no sound recall - "Just about a year after launching the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, Apple started a service program for devices that see their speakers fail. Here’s how to check iPhone 12 no sound recall eligibility."
• iPhone 13 Pro & Pro Max Teardown Wallpapers - "This year’s iPhone internals look so good they are begging to be wallpapers. While the outsides of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max may not look much different than their predecessors we had plenty to say about the internals."

January 22, 2022

• Omicron has changed the shape of the pandemic. Will it end it for good? - "Some scientists are cautiously optimistic that the variant could move us closer to an endemic stage of Covid."
• Studies raise new questions about what fully vaccinated means - "Boosters provide the best protection against Omicron variant, CDC studies show, raising new questions about what it means to be fully vaccinated. Three large new studies from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight the importance of getting a booster shot to provide the best protection against the Omicron coronavirus variant. This is the first real-life data to examine the effect of boosters against Omicron, which now accounts for more than 99% of coronavirus cases in the United States. The studies, released Friday, raise the question of whether people with just two vaccine doses should still be considered fully vaccinated."
• Covid reinfection: how likely are you to catch virus multiple times? - "Omicron may have affected risk in England, but other factors could include vaccination and severity of previous infection."
• After the Omicron wave, here's what experts say could come next in 2022 - "Picture a not-too-distant future when you can book that summer trip to Italy or you don't have to remember to take off your mask for graduation photos. After the past 25 months, forgetting the pandemic for even a little while may sound like a fantasy - after all, the coronavirus has gotten our hopes up before. But infectious disease experts say there just may be an end in sight. Maybe. Well, let's say it's not outside the realm of possibility for 2022."
• Beijing's Olympic 'bubble' will be the most ambitious Covid quarantine ever attempted. Will it work? - "The Winter Games is just two weeks away and outside Beijing's Olympic venues, the banners and decorations are up. But so too are long rows of metal fences and guard posts, dividing the Chinese capital and barring anyone without an official Covid-safe pass. Having been largely sealed off from the world for two years, Beijing is bracing itself for the arrival of thousands of foreign Olympians, officials, journalists and support staff - including from countries where the highly transmissible Omicron variant is raging."
• Enormous superyacht squeezes under Dutch bridges - "It's not every day that you spot an 80-meter superyacht squeezing under a bridge with just a few inches of clearance."
• Martha Stewart reveals why she broke it off with Anthony Hopkins - "Martha Stewart has revealed she ended her romance with Anthony Hopkins because she couldn't separate the actor from his most notorious film role."
• ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER INVOLVED IN BAD CAR ACCIDENT - "Arnold Schwarzenegger was just involved in a bad car accident ... so bad his monster SUV rolled over on top of another car, and that driver was badly injured. Arnold was driving a Yukon SUV when it collided with a red Prius at around 5:00 PM PT. His SUV started to roll and ended up on top of the Prius, then continued rolling to the left into a Porsche Cayenne."
• India's hidden dinosaur wealth - "Why India's fossil wealth has remained hidden. India has some of the most spectacular fossils on the planet, from vast beds of dinosaur eggs to strange prehistoric creatures new to science. But many are just sitting in the ground."
• New 50p to enter circulation for Queen's Jubilee & here's where you can get one - "The commemorative 50p coin has been personally approved by Her Majesty and will enter the hands of the public at Post Office branches nationwide from next month."
• HermÈs suing American artist over NFTs inspired by its Birkin bags - "French luxury brand says Mason Rothschild’s furry MetaBirkins digital tokens ‘rip off’ its trademark."
• Scents & sensibility: what’s behind the rise of extreme smells? - "From tomato-scented candles to perfumes reeking of intimate body parts, the world of smell is getting weirder. But are we ready to take our olfactory desires to the next level?"
• How to Make Your iPhone's Voice Memos Sound Better - "The 'Enhance Recording' feature can reduce background noise and increase the volume of speech."
• 7 tips & tricks to extend iPhone battery life - "Whether you’ve got an older iPhone with a worn-down battery or have a newer one that isn’t lasting as long as you’d hope, there are a number of ways to improve battery performance. Follow along for a look at 7 tips and tricks to extend iPhone battery life."
• The Best Photo Sharing Sites in 2022 - "We exist in a constantly churning sea of content: there were 1.4 trillion photos taken in 2021 and an estimated 1.6 trillion shutter buttons will be pressed this year. With so many taken, where is the best place to share photos?"
• Photographing Birds with an iPhone: Leave the 600mm Lens at Home? - "'The benefit of shooting on the iPhone was less gear to carry, just a phone, tripod, and smartphone tripod adapter, with a camera whose video quality has changed perceptions about what a cellphone camera was capable of. And the iPhone produces awesome timelapse videos. Not as sharp as my Sony, but a whole lot less work to create and so easy to share online moments afterward.'"

January 21, 2022

• ‘Not sustainable’: Omicron tests China’s zero Covid policy as first cases detected - "With the Winter Olympics imminent, experts predict more extreme measures but question strategy’s wisdom."
• American Airlines flight bound for London turns around mid-flight over mask rule compliance - "'American Airlines flight 38 with service from Miami (MIA) to London (LHR) returned to MIA due to a disruptive customer refusing to comply with the federal mask requirement,' American Airlines said in a statement."
• Saudi Arabian deserts covered with snow - "Several recent snow and hailstorms in the region have transformed landscapes in and around Saudi Arabia, stirring excitement among locals and causing a sensation on social media."
• Everything We Know So Far About the 2022 Oscars - "Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the biggest night in film."
• Here’s everything to expect from Apple in 2022 - "Apple had a remarkably busy 2021, announcing its latest round of new Macs amid the Apple Silicon transitioning, the new iPhone 13, long-awaited AirTag item tracker, and much more. Looking ahead to 2022, there are even more new devices on the way across all of Apple’s major product categories - and even the potential for an all-new product category."
• The world bought more champagne than ever last year - "Champagne houses are celebrating after sales and exports set new records last year even as pandemic lockdowns forced many bars and restaurants to close. Comité Champagne, a trade association representing more than 16,000 winegrowers and 320 Champagne houses, said Wednesday that France exported a record 180 million bottles of bubbly in 2021, an increase of 38% over the previous year. Global sales of champagne also hit a record €5.5 billion ($6.2 billion)."
• No amount of alcohol is good for the heart, new report says, but critics disagree on science - "In a bold move, the World Health Federation released a policy brief Thursday saying that no amount of alcohol is good for the heart."
• World's oldest evidence of drinking straws discovered - "The gold and silver straws, each measuring about 3.6 feet (1.1 meters) long, are over 5,000 years old. While these straws sound comically long, with Dr. Seuss-like proportions, researchers believe they were used to drink beer from communal vessels during banquets to honor the dead."
• The race to make a multipurpose vegan egg - "Vegan eggs now come scrambled, fried, boiled and even poached - but none can yet match the versatility of those produced by chickens."
• Oura’s third-generation Ring is more powerful, but not for everybody - "It's the perfect wearable for people who don't like wearables."
• Napoleon's gravity-defying 325km road - "The Route Napoleon gives visitors the chance to put themselves in the boots of the emperor, deep dive into Gallic culture and unlock the beauty of unspoiled natural landscapes."
• Gainsborough's Blue Boy: The private life of a masterpiece - "Few other paintings in art history have become such a powerful symbol of non-conformist gender identity and same-sex attraction, writes Matthew Wilson."
• Tales from the crypto: lira crisis fuels Bitcoin boom in Turkey - "Lack of trust in official currency has led to surging interest in cryptocurrencies - despite their volatility and government opposition."
• Virgil Abloh’s final collection for Louis Vuitton debuts in Paris - "The artistic director’s Paris swansong dismantled masculine stereotypes and deconstructed cliches."
• 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid: Delivering Whisper-Quiet Efficiency - "How does a 103-year-old British luxury automaker, which is celebrated for building some of the world’s finest 12-cylinder combustion engines, transition into an electric world? The answer is with innovative, technically advanced, and fuel-efficient sedans such as the new 2022 Flying Spur Hybrid - arguably the finest example of premium hybrid luxury in showrooms today."
• Denison Yachting Debuts Striking New Superyacht Concept - "Denison Yachting has teamed up with SkyStyle (an Italian design studio that’s known for advanced aviation design) to produce this 232-foot-long Project UNIQUE 71 superyacht concept, I’m psyched to see they are bringing that same energy to new yacht design and construction too."
• Here is a picture of the Nikon Z9 camera capturing a bullet fired from a rifle - "'Put the new Nikon Z9 up for a speed test today. With an exposure time of 1/32,000 and 120 frames per second you can catch a bullet as it leaves the rifle.'"
• How to clean a MacBook screen & get rid of smudges - "Here’s how to clean a MacBook screen without breaking it."
• Here’s how & why you should set up Cardio Fitness on Apple Watch & iPhone - "One of the valuable, and lesser-known health features on Apple Watch is Cardio Fitness. The measurement is based on your VO₂ max which Apple Watch can estimate when recording certain workouts. Follow along for a look at how to use Cardio Fitness on Apple Watch and iPhone including why it’s important, how to set it up, and how to measure/view Cardio Fitness levels."

January 20, 2022

• WHO advises lifting travel bans; Austria to introduce €500 lottery prizes for vaccinated people - "Blanket travel bans ineffective against Omicron spread, WHO says; Austria to introduce national vaccine lottery to encourage people to get jabs."
• Antimicrobial resistance now a leading cause of death worldwide, study finds - "Lancet analysis highlights need for urgent action to address antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. More than 1.2 million - and potentially millions more - died in 2019 as a direct result of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, according to the most comprehensive estimate to date of the global impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The stark analysis covering more than 200 countries and territories was published in the Lancet. It says AMR is killing more people than HIV/Aids or malaria. Many hundreds of thousands of deaths are occurring due to common, previously treatable infections, the study says, because bacteria that cause them have become resistant to treatment."
• how the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green - "In northern Norway, trees are rapidly taking over the tundra and threatening an ancient way of life that depends on snow and ice."
• The journey of jeans: what's your fashion footprint? - "The fashion industry is responsible for 8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, more carbon than the aviation and shipping industries combined."
• $535 million villa with rare Caravaggio gets discounted price tag after failing to sell - "Now Villa Aurora's owner, Texas-born Rita Carpenter - better known as Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi, third and final wife of the late Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi - will try again in three months. According to her lawyer, Beniamino Milioti, the second attempt by auction house Fallco Zucchetti will take place April 7 at a 20% price reduction, with a starting bid of 282 million euros ($320 million)."
• Prince Charles' bizarre morning routine & very strict bath demand - "Future King Prince Charles has a team of staff helping him navigate everyday life - and it appears those who help him out form a pivotal part of his elaborate and somewhat bizarre morning routine that sets him up for the day."
• How to look your best on a video call - "Five tips for looking (and sounding) great."
• Apple AirTags - 'A perfect tool for stalking' - "The button-sized devices are designed to work with Apple's 'Find My' network to locate lost items. But there have been multiple reports in the US of the devices being used to track people."
• Japan's best castles to visit at least once - "During Japan's Sengoku "Warring States" era (1467-1615), castles were constructed, bolstered and fortified all across the Japanese archipelago, resulting in approximately 5,000 individual keeps."
• A68: 'Megaberg' dumped huge volume of fresh water - "The monster iceberg A68 was dumping more than 1.5 billion tonnes of fresh water into the ocean every single day at the height of its melting. To put that in context, it's about 150 times the amount of water used daily by all UK citizens."
• 'He really believed he owned these women.' How Hugh Hefner demanded orgies five nights a week - "Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was a 'vampire' who manipulated and drugged dozens of young women into taking part in degrading orgies, while masquerading as a champion of sexual freedom, according to a shocking new documentary. 'Secrets of Playboy', a 10-part docuseries premiering on A&E on January 24, is set to lift the lid on the 'dark underbelly' of Playboy and how its venues became a seedy playground for drug use, sexual abuse, and even bestiality."
• Watch the Secrets of Playboy Trailer, Which Addresses the "Dark Sides" of the House that Hef Built - "Women in the Playboy orbit are sharing never-before-heard details about the darker side of Hef's world in a new docuseries. Watch the E! News exclusive trailer ahead of the Jan. 24 premiere."
• How to read the Doomsday Clock - "The Doomsday Clock depicts how close humanity is to armageddon - but where did it come from, how do you read its time, and what can we learn from it? Existential risk researcher SJ Beard explains."
• Moyenne Island: The world's smallest national park - "Once a neglected wasteland, this paradisiacal eco-reserve stands as a reminder of what the Seychelles were like before tourism arrived."
• Expanding national parks not enough to protect nature, say scientists - "‘Urgent’ coordinated action to tackle overconsumption, farming subsidies and the climate crisis also needed to halt biodiversity loss."
• ‘I read all 27,000 Marvel comics & had a great time. Here’s what I learnt’ - "Did Dark Reign foresee Trump? Was Iron Man about US military might? Who was Unbeatable Squirrel Girl - and was her superpower really non-violent conflict resolution? Only one man knows ..."
• CIA says 'Havana Syndrome' not result of sustained campaign by hostile power - "In about two dozen cases, however, the agency can’t rule out foreign involvement, including many of the cases that originated at the U.S. Embassy in Havana beginning in 2016."
• Fresh powder: the best French ski resorts you’ve never heard of - "If Chamonix is beyond your budget, don’t despair - there are plenty of small but charming resorts in the Alps and beyond. We round up some of the best."
• True blue: how to fall in love with jeans again - "The tracksuit era is over, and denim is back. But with a dizzying number of styles - and claims of sustainability to wade through - which will you pick?"
• ‘So self-important’: Hamptons airport vote pits wealthy against super-rich - "Town board expected to pass plan that would allow it to limit traffic and noise of airport used by ‘the 1%’."
• Canon’s EOS R5C is a 2-in-1 stills & cinema camera - "Better video capability in exchange for a little chunk."

January 19, 2022

• Return of the flu: EU faces threat of prolonged 'twindemic' - "Influenza has returned to Europe at a faster-than-expected rate this winter after almost disappearing last year, raising concerns about a prolonged 'twindemic' with COVID-19 amid some doubts about the effectiveness of flu vaccines."
• Genetic risk factor found for Covid-19 smell & taste loss, researchers say - "Six months after contracting Covid, as many as 1.6 million people in the U.S. are still unable to smell or have experienced changes in their ability to smell."
• WHO warns pandemic not over amid Europe case records - "The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning to world leaders that the coronavirus pandemic 'is nowhere near over'."
• Omicron might mark the end of Covid-19's pandemic phase - unless a certain scenario happens, Fauci says - "It's still too early to predict whether Omicron's rapid spread will help push coronavirus from the pandemic phase to a more manageable endemic phase - but 'I would hope that that's the case,' Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday."
• ‘Nocebo effect’: two-thirds of Covid jab reactions not caused by vaccine, study suggests - "US researchers show negative version of placebo effect behind many symptoms such as headaches and fatigue."
• Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile review - a grisly story of sexual abuse & royal palaces - "How did a newspaper tycoon’s daughter become a paedophile’s accomplice? And how does the royal family fit in? Abuse survivors and others speak out in this disappointingly brief show."
• Tripadvisor's most popular world destination for 2022 is ... - "While ultramodern Dubai snags the top spot, it's not the only Middle Eastern entry. And this year's list ranges from European stalwarts to coveted tropical and desert getaways."
• Trieste: Italy's surprising capital of coffee - "Home to the Mediterranean's biggest coffee port and one of Italy's biggest coffee brands, Trieste is a city built on caffeine."
• Naples' new tourist site rewrites ancient history - "Opening in June, the Ipogeo dei Cristallini - Hypogeum of Cristallini Street - is part of an ancient cemetery, located just outside the walls of Neapolis, as the city was called 2,300 years ago."
• The best ever A380 airline stunts - "Last August, Emirate's video ad went viral after Nicole Smith-Ludvik ascended 828 meters to the very top of the building's spire, dressed in skirt, heels and the airline's instantly recognizable hat and scarf."
• Dubai's Burj Khalifa: Inside the world's tallest building - "Located in thriving downtown Dubai, the needle-shaped super scraper takes center stage in the famed skyline with millions of visitors and VIPs flocking each year to arguably the most prestigious address in the world."
• A 555.55-carat black diamond believed to come from space is going on sale - "555.55-carat black diamond that is truly from out of this world has been unveiled by auction house Sotheby's Dubai. The rare gem, which Sotheby's has dubbed 'The Enigma,' is believed to have come from outer space - either created from a meteoric impact or from a 'diamond-bearing' asteroid that collided with Earth."
• 5G phones: How serious is the threat to US flights? - "5G relies on radio signals. In the US, the radio frequencies being used for 5G are in part of the spectrum known as C-Band. These frequencies are close to the ones used by radio altimeters on aeroplanes, which measure the height of the aircraft above the ground, but also provide data for safety and navigation systems. The concern is that interference from 5G transmissions could stop these instruments from working properly, and cause safety problems, particularly when aircraft are coming in to land."
• Can a blockbuster still win big at the Oscars? - "Sony’s bullish FYC campaign for smash hit Spider-Man: No Way Home has reignited a debate over what kind of film the Academy should be rewarding."
• AndrÉ Leon Talley: a life in pictures - "The former Vogue editor-at-large and fashion trailblazer has died at 73, leaving behind a long and glamorous history."
• Roman Villa With Caravaggio’s Only Ceiling Painting Fails To Sell At Auction - "The starting bid on a Roman villa with the world’s only Caravaggio ceiling painting, which was expected to fetch $533 million at auction, has been slashed after the property failed to sell Tuesday."
• The Most Expensive U.S. Real Estate Sales For 2021 - "Marc Andreessen’s $177 million Malibu dream house topped the list of luxury home purchases last year. See the other lavish properties in Palm Beach, the Hamptons and beyond."
• Weber's 2022 smart grill lineup includes gas & pellet options - "Today, Weber announced it's 2022 lineup of smart grills with options for cooks who prefer gas or pellet-burning options. No matter the fuel source, all of the new models teased here are equipped with the company's WiFi-enabled Weber Connect technology. With it, you can control and monitor your grill from your phone, keeping tabs on the cooking process while you work on side dishes or relax with guests."

January 18, 2022

• China says tickets for Winter Olympics will not be sold to general public due to Covid-19 - "Tickets for the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing will not be sold to the general public in response to Covid-19 but will instead be distributed by authorities, the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee announced Monday."
• Plastic crisis needs binding treaty, report says - "Pollution from plastics is a global emergency in need of a robust UN treaty, according to a report. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) says there's a cascade of evidence of harm from plastics."
• Chemical pollution has passed safe limit for humanity, say scientists - "Study calls for cap on production and release as pollution threatens global ecosystems upon which life depends."
• the hidden cost of our obsession with fish oil pills - "The market in this prized commodity is worth billions - but are the supposed benefits worth the cost to global ecosystems?"
• US airline officials warn of ‘catastrophic’ crisis in aviation with new 5G service - "Introduction of the new technology near airports could interfere with critical airplane instruments such as radio altimeters."
• Ghislaine Maxwell ends fight to keep eight 'John Does' secret, court to decide whether names should be unsealed - "Ghislaine Maxwell will no longer fight to keep the names of eight 'John Does' secret and will leave it to the court to decide whether the names should be unsealed, according to a January 12 letter to federal Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York. The documents containing the names are connected to a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claimed Epstein sexually abused her while she was a minor and that Maxwell aided in the abuse. The case was settled in 2017."
• 20 ways to cope with January blues - "This Year, the January Blues Seem Turbo-Charged - Here’s How to Banish Them."
• 7 stunning new Maldives resorts to visit in 2022 - "It's the definitive escape for celebrities, honeymooners and families, all intent on kicking back in a picture-perfect paradise. Sitting serenely in the warm azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives guarantees the whitest of white sand beaches, pods of dolphins, dreamy sunsets and an unforgettable underwater world."
• The Verge’s favorite tools to stay organized - "Ways that we try to keep our lives in order."
• Tea - Ultraslim Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier - "High Definition Music. Lossless Streaming Audio." MagSafe compatible: "Khadas Tea" magnetically attaches to your iPhone 12 or newer smartphone, or an Android phone equipped with a MagSafe compatible case. No more messy wires and dongles, just freedom of pure style. 'Tea' measures just 7.95mm at its thickest point, which means it can still comfortably slip into your pocket even when magnetically attached to your smartphone. 'Tea' brings back the analog audio jack to your smartphone with 3.5mm output, so you can use your favourite high-fidelity headphones to listen to lossless streaming audio directly from your streaming app. Supports up to 300 ohm impedances.
• 12 of the Most Underrated iPhone Features, According to Reddit - "Sure, everyone and their mother has an iPhone, but that doesn’t mean the entire experience is overrated. Quite the opposite, in fact; there are plenty of features on iOS that simply don’t get talked about enough in the public sphere. We all know how convenient iMessage and FaceTime are, or how good the photos and videos you take on your iPhone can be, but what about the other, more subtle experiences we don’t discuss?"
• How to easily use your iPhone or Android as a webcam - "If you're looking for a simple, cost-effective way to upgrade your work-from-home setup, you can use your phone to improve the video quality on video chat apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Here's how."
• Disabling these iOS features will improve your iPhone's battery life - "Regardless of which iPhone model you have, you can improve the battery life on the device by following a simple set of directions that were posted by a TikToker named 'kadama' who has 1.9 million followers."
• How to turn off in-app review requests on iPhone, iPad & Mac - "Feeling bombarded with apps asking you to rate them? Read along for how to turn off in-app review requests on iPhone, iPad, and Mac."
• How to Close Apps on an iPhone 12 - "Normally you don’t need to close apps on your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini. When you switch away, they stay suspended, using few resources. But if an iOS app malfunctions, it’s easy to force the app to quit. Here’s how."
• Apple’s AirTags are too good at tracking - that’s a problem - "Apple’s AirTags may be pitched as tools of convenience, but they are turning into a tool for criminals as well. The company’s tracking tool, intended to be used to keep track of lost and stolen property, is paradoxically also a tool that enables theft of property and a potential threat against people. New reports pop up by the day of people using AirTags against women and expensive cars with malicious intent. And furor is growing online."
• How to change your Gmail name - "There are many reasons why you may want to change your name in Gmail. Some people made their first Gmail account in middle school and no longer wish to be identified with the embarrassing username they signed up with. Some people wish to change their last name after they marry. We have developed a short and easy guide for those of you who wish to change your username in Gmail."
• Cold-case investigation names surprise suspect in Anne Frank's betrayal - "A six-year cold case investigation into the betrayal of Anne Frank has identified a surprising suspect in the mystery of how the Nazis found the hiding place of the famous diarist in 1944."
• Prince Andrew's servants 'had sketch of exactly where to put teddy bears on bed' - "Prince Andrew would allegedly 'scream and shout' if Buckingham Palace servants failed to follow his exact plan for the arrangement of his cuddly toys whenever he stayed there."
• Predjama: The world's largest cave castle - "Predjama is one of the most extraordinary castles in the world, built in the mouth of a cave complex at the end of a valley in southwest Slovenia. Set halfway up a 400-foot (123-meter) vertical cliff face, it appears in records from 1202 and is listed by Guinness World Records as the world's largest cave castle."
• That time France tried to make decimal time a thing - "Though Marie Antoinette would be hard-pressed to care, the French Revolution of 1789 set its sights on more than simply toppling the monarchy. Revolutionaries sought to break the nation free from its past, specifically from the clutches of the Catholic church, and point France towards a more glorious and prosperous future. They did so, in part, by radically transforming their measurements of the passage of time."
• The Spanish town lost in France - "Geographically, Spain's Val d'Aran should be part of France, but it's neither French, Spanish nor Catalan in culture, history or even language."
• ‘Waiter! A bottle of 1975 Warhol please’ - why every great artist has to do a wine label - "Picasso chose a Mouton Rothschild, Yoko Ono a vintage chianti. But why do artists love doing wine labels - and can they enhance the quaff? Our writer enters a world where labels are so prized, drinkers get them as tattoos."
• Collarwali: Remembering India’s ‘super mum’ tigress - "One of the most famous tigers in the country, Collarwali died over the weekend aged 16. She played a big role in changing the fortunes of the sanctuary where she lived - Pench Tiger Reserve in the central state of Madhya Pradesh."
• What happens to fascist architecture after fascism? - "Across Europe, many controversial monuments still remain. Alex Sakalis visits a small Italian town that has found a way to contextualise and defuse the architectural legacy of fascism."
• How to kill a god: the myth of Captain Cook shows how the heroes of empire will fall - "In the 18th century, the naval explorer was worshipped as a deity. Now his statues are being defaced across the lands he visited."

January 17, 2022

• Australia has decided to 'let Covid rip.' Is that a good idea? - "In just over a month, the country’s Covid cases have sharply risen from around 1,000 a day to more than 100,000 a day - but its deaths remain low."
• Beijing locks down office building with workers still inside after single Omicron case detected - "At an office building in China's capital on Sunday, Covid control personnel lugged boxes of pillows and bedding through the closely guarded entrance for workers stuck inside, preparing for what may be days of lockdown as Beijing rushes to prevent the spread of Omicron ahead of the Winter Olympics."
• China is risking a big hit to the economy and supply chains with zero-Omicron approach - "The Chinese government's unwavering insistence on stamping out any trace of the coronavirus is facing its biggest test yet as authorities grapple with Omicron's quickening spread. And it could cost the world's second largest economy dearly this year."
• ‘I have no intention of getting infected’: understanding Omicron’s severity - "Experts on whether getting Covid is inevitable and why, despite claims of ‘mildness’, the variant is highly dangerous."
• Covid vaccine: Your concerns answered - "Over half of the world’s population has received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine. Supply is still a big problem, especially in poorer countries where less than 10% of people are vaccinated. But even when vaccines are available, some remain hesitant to take them. BBC Reality Check's health reporter Rachel Schraer answers some of your concerns - from pregnancy side effects to the speed at which vaccines were developed."
• Melania Trump's hat auction has even those who know her scratching their heads - "Melania Trump's announcement last week that she was autographing and auctioning a hat for personal profit with two other items - for an opening bid of $250,000 - has left even those who know the former first lady well puzzling over her decision."
• Wealth of world's 10 richest men doubled in pandemic, Oxfam says - "Lower incomes for the world's poorest contributed to the death of 21,000 people each day, its report claims. Oxfam typically releases a report on global inequality at the start of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. However for the second year running, the meeting (scheduled for this week) will be online-only after the emergence of the Omicron variant derailed plans to return to an in-person event."
• Dystopia-core: what is the new pandemic-era punk look? - "Continuing the grunge and goth revival, the look takes inspiration from sci-fi fantasies such as Dune. Dystopia-core, which is in direct opposition to 'dopamine dressing' - wearing overtly fun clothes to help lift your mood - can be seen as the next step of the grunge and goth revivals."
• Walmart is getting serious about the metaverse - "The company’s recent trademark filings indicate plans for NFTs and cryptocurrencies."
• Noises off: the battle to save our quiet places - "We wouldn’t condone litter in our parks and countryside, so why do we put up with sound pollution? Alex Moshakis meets the people tasked with ‘saving quiet for the benefit of all life’ and hears their stories."
• The surprising ways that Victorians flirted - "A lesser-known art form allowed British aristocracy to circumvent rules of propriety, with in-jokes and suggestive messages hidden inside seemingly innocent images, writes Holly Williams."
• How to read the James Bond books in order - "Here is the definitive reading order for the complete collection of James Bond novels from 1953 to present day."
• Apple's iPhone Weather app has a must-try hidden feature - "The iPhone's Weather app has a hidden feature you need to know - here's how to access the interactive weather map."
• Hands on with the best MagSafe compatible accessories at CES 2022 - "With CES 2022 in the review mirror, we walk you through the best MagSafe-compatible accessories that we tested at the annual tech show." AppleInsider.
• What It's Really Like to Design a Luxury Yacht - "The floating oases are often more involved than (on land) homes."
• “Mickey Mouse One”: Meet Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I - "It’s often said that there’s no business like show business, and this is certainly the case when it comes to aviation. Private aircraft offer celebrities an exclusive means of getting from place to place, away from the hustle and bustle of commercial flying. Over in the US, Walt Disney acquired a Grumman Gulfstream I for this purpose, and it remains intact today."
• These Rolls-Royce Bespoke Cars Helped the British Carmaker Achieve Record Profit - "Even though they didn't sell in large numbers, Rolls-Royce Collective vehicles helped the British carmaker increase its 2021 profit thanks to their high value."
• Second Rolls-Royce Boat Tail Model to be Unveiled at Villa d’Este - "When Rolls-Royce took the veil off of the Boat Tail custom-build model back in May 2021, the company specified that it was one of three models built specifically to the customer’s request. The second car in this coachbuilt series is going to be revealed in May 2022, at the famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The news was hidden deep in a press release issued today by the Bespoke division in Goodwood."
• TOP 10 EARBUDS DESIGNS OF 2022 THAT ARE EVEN BETTER THAN THE APPLE AIRPODS 3 - "This collection of exciting designs has a pair of earbuds for everyone! From earbuds that magnetically hang like a necklace to the world’s first TWS earbuds that actually protect your hearing - these earbuds provide unique design solutions and are a must-have for audiophiles!"
• Leica’s new M11 gains some resolution and sheds some weight - "The M11 bucks some traditions but preserves many more."
• Selling photographs as NFTs: a pro travel photographer gives his top tips - "Marco Bottigelli explains how selling NFTs helped him find scarcity in an overly photographed world."

January 16, 2022

• Texas scientists’ new Covid-19 vaccine is cheaper, easier to make & patent-free - "Dr Maria Bottazzi says their vaccine, called Corbevax, is unique because they do not intend to patent it."
• Expect more worrisome variants after omicron, scientists say - "Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind spread across the globe practically ensures it won’t be the last worrisome coronavirus variant."
• Life after lockdown: how do we best recover from the pandemic? - "Two years of Covid have wreaked havoc with the nation’s mental health. What can be learned from the survivors of other traumas and is there a way of thinking ourselves to a happier, healthier place?"
• Key moments: Dr Anthony Fauci & the pandemic - "After nearly two years as the face of America's fight against Covid-19, Dr Anthony Fauci was caught calling a senator 'a moron' in a hot mic moment during a congressional hearing. Having served under two administrations during the pandemic, here are the moments that reveal how his attitude shifted."
• Novak Djokovic saga ends - "The unvaccinated world No. 1 tennis star is deported from Australia after losing a lengthy visa battle, dashing his hopes of defending Australian Open title."
• Prince Andrew would 'scream if maids messed up teddy bear collection', royal cop says - "Prince Andrew used to 'shout and scream' and throw a tantrum if maids messed up his collection of 50-60 teddy bears and toys that were piled high on his bed in his private quarters, a royal cop with access to the apartment claims."
• iOS 15 settings you'll want to change on your iPhone today - "Get the most out of your iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11 or older iPhone model with these tricks."
• How to mirror an iPhone to your TV - "Wondering how to mirror an iPhone or iPad to your TV? Our guide will show you what to do."
• Using Gmail on iPhone should now finally be a lot easier - "New updates and features arrive for Google Meet and Gmail on iPhone."
• How to set up daily App Usage limits on Android & iOS - "It’s pretty easy to infer what daily app limits are. If you think you’re using an app on your phone for too long and whittling away time while also harming your eyes, you can set a timer for the app. The app will work only till the timer lasts. Once the timer elapses, you won’t be able to open the app again till the next day. It’s a good way to curb your social media addiction or at least a way to start your journey towards spending less time in front of a screen."
• Can You Shoot Underwater Photos with an iPhone? - "It doesn’t seem that long ago that we tried to revive wet smartphones by sticking them in a bag of rice and hoping for the best. Now, most modern smartphones are “water-resistant.” If water gets into them, they won’t be destroyed, like in years past. Still, we’re not supposed to dunk them in the water. But try telling that to kids."
• The Best Vitamin C Serums for a More Vibrant Complexion - "Whether you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, skin dullness, dark marks, or sagging skin, seeking out the best vitamin C serum is likely important to you. 'I look at vitamin C as that little black dress in your closet. It’s definitely one of those things you must have. It works to boost circulation, amplify the skin’s complexion, and stimulate collagen production,' founder of Dermasaa and in-house esthetician at Brooklyn Face & Eye Samantha Mims tells Vogue."
• Nino Cerruti: Italian fashion great dies aged 91 - "He always insisted on trying on his own creations first. Many of them were kept at the textile factory his grandfather founded in the town of Biella in 1881."

January 15, 2022

• As Covid-19 peak seems to near, experts warn against letting guard down - "Hospitalizations and cases seem to be subsiding in states with high vaccination rates, but experts caution against celebrating too soon."
• The Enthusiast's Guide To At-Home COVID-19 Tests - "A writer takes five at-home COVID-19 tests to see which is the most fun to use." TIME Magazine.
• Nearly quarter of world’s population had record hot year in 2021, data shows - "World ‘warmer now than at any time in the past 2,000 years’. Nearly a quarter of the world’s population experienced a record hot year in 2021, as the climate crisis continues to unleash escalating temperatures around the globe, according to new data from leading US climate scientists."
• Bill Gates’ climate fund looks to funnel billions into carbon removal, green hydrogen & more - "It’s starting with projects in Europe and the US."
• FedEx asks permission to add anti-missile system to some cargo planes - "FedEx wants to operate cargo planes outfitted with lasers that throw off incoming heat-seeking missiles, according to a newly published federal documents."
• Prince Andrew: Ruthless royals move to limit the damage - "This was a ruthless piece of palace politics, distancing the Royal Family from one of its own."
• The ultimate sex tape scandal: how Pam & Tommy’s stolen video shook the world - "She was a cartoon beach beauty. He was a tattooed drummer. As the story of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s stolen sex tape is turned into tense TV, we remember the events that changed celebrity culture for ever."
• 20 of the world's best soups - "If a steaming bowl of soup strikes you as the ultimate in old-fashioned comfort, you've got plenty of company. Soup is one of the world's oldest and most universal foods, said Janet Clarkson, author of the book 'Soup: A Global History.'"
• Do Celebs Freely Shill Unhealthy Eating on Social Media? - "Celebrities commonly endorse unhealthy foods in traditional advertising, but they're also promoting these foods - mostly without compensation - on Instagram, researchers reported."
• The princess & the Caravaggio: bitter dispute rages over Roman villa - "‘It’s like a museum,’ says princess caught in inheritance feud over one of the world’s most expensive homes."
• Three Great Cameras in One. Leica M11 Review - "I didn’t read the rumors of the Leica M11 purposely before I went into the meeting with Leica. To that end, I was genuinely surprised as to what I saw and experienced. For one week, I had personal play-time with the Leica M11. And overall, this has to be the best Leica M digital camera yet. The company gave us a ton of versatility while also giving us the Leica M9’s colors back. It’s almost the perfect M-camera. But even better, you’ll be delighted staring at the colors."
• Don't Buy Apple's Accessories - "Apple might try to sell you on their charger, but it's not worth the cost. Apple makes a lot of accessories: cases, keyboards, headphones, you name it. I really like the Magic Keyboard, and I use my AirPods every day; these aren’t the accessories I’m talking about. For the purposes of this article, I’m referring to Apple’s favorite submarket of cables, chargers, and adapters."
• James Bond: Why David Niven's 007 Was Forgotten - "George Lazenby Isn’t the Only Forgotten 007. Over the decades, many names have taken on the role of James Bond. But as the list grows, one actor has largely been forgotten to time."
• Halls of power: how the White House inspired a homely renovation in upstate New York - "Richly patterned wallpaper layered with portraits and antiques define this 1920s clapboard kit house in the Hudson Valley."
• Rolls-Royce Bespoke Presents An Imaginative Collection Of Unique Luxury Cars In 2021 - "Hidden cyphers and codes are concealed in the design, ready to be discovered for a prize. Adventurer George Eyston’s 1938 record-breaking Thunderbolt inspires the Dawn and Wraith’s starry skied headliner. A collaboration with Hermès features the French atelier and Pierre Péron’s timeless horse motif. These are just some of the quirky creations in the 2021 Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collection."
• Khadas' Tea DAC is a compelling MagSafe accessory - "As more music streaming services introduce lossless or high-definition audio to their offerings, interest in DACs (digital-to-analog converters, or 'headphone amplifiers') has picked up pace - so much so we created this guide. What was once the reserve of audiophiles is slowly becoming a go-to gadget for those who want more than what their phone and AirPods can deliver. But they’re not without caveats. For one, they’re often expensive, and sometimes they aren’t much smaller than the phone you’re attaching them to. Enter the Tea DAC by Khadas."
• 28 Rare Ferraris From the Collection of French Racer Marcel Petitjean Are Heading to Auction - "The Frenchman is sending some of his finest Ferraris under the gavel at RM Sotheby’s in Paris this February."

January 14, 2022

• How long you can wear your N95 mask, according to experts - "You're ready to swap your old cloth masks for N95s as some experts recommend, but the higher price tag and two little words - 'single use' - are giving you pause. How long can you really wear an N95 and still protect yourself and others from Covid-19 risk?"
• These Charts Show That COVID-19 is Still the Pandemic of the Unvaccinated - "These charts show why, despite breakthrough infections and milder symptoms overall, the Omicron variant is a major risk to the unvaccinated." TIME Magazine.
• Covid created 20 new ‘pandemic billionaires’ in Asia, says Oxfam - "While wealthiest got richer, 140m people fell into poverty as jobs were lost, wiping out years of gains for poorest, report finds."
• The Billionaires Who Died In 2021 - "From a gambling tycoon with a global empire to a member of the storied Rothschild banking family, a total of 27 billionaires passed away this year, leaving behind legacies of entrepreneurship - and billions of dollars. That’s out of a total of 2,755 billionaires Forbes found for our 2021 list of the World’s Billionaires, published in April 2021."
• New Study Highlights The Best Cities To Live In For A Healthy & Happy Life - "A recent study out of the United Kingdom has confirmed the impact of five major lifestyle factors - including smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, body weight, and diet - can have on a healthy and happy life and exactly where on earth it’s the easiest to achieve a happy lifestyle that helps increase life expectancy and decrease chronic illness. The study analyzed 44 global cities across 10 metrics ranging, from sunshine hours to the average cost of a gym membership. Here, the top cities that have been ranked the highest based on the levels of happiness and health of its citizens."
• Apple Releases Minor iOS 15.2.1 & iPadOS 15.2.1 Updates - "Apple today released minor 15.2.1 updates for iPhone and iPad users, and the software comes one month after Apple launched iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 with a slew of improvements."
• It's not about the green bubbles, Apple - "Apple's iMessage has a well-documented history of separating people into "blue" and "green" bubbles based on whether they're using an iPhone or Android phone. But that problem is now far bigger than just looking cool in our group chats."
• India's richest man is pouring more than $80 billion into green energy - "His conglomerate, Reliance Industries, announced Thursday that it would allocate a whopping 6 trillion rupees (approximately $80.6 billion) to renewable power projects in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where it hopes to help generate a million new jobs."
• Norway blows up hydro dam to restore river health & fish stocks - "Campaign by local angling club to free fishes’ migratory routes is part of move across Europe to create free-flowing rivers."
• Djokovic's Australian visa canceled again - "The decision has all but ended the ambitions of the world's No.1 men's tennis player to contest the Australian Open and win a record 21st grand slam."
• Prince Andrew loses military roles & use of HRH title amid sex abuse lawsuit - "Britain's Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and charities, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday, a day after a judge ruled a sexual abuse civil lawsuit against the Queen's son could proceed. Andrew will also no longer use the style 'His Royal Highness' in any official capacity, a royal source told CNN on Thursday. The source said the decision was "widely discussed" among the royal family."
• Passenger airplanes might soon have just one pilot. Here's why - "Why airplanes might soon have just one pilot. If you boarded a passenger plane in 1950 and peeked into the cockpit, you would have seen five people in there (almost certainly men): two pilots, a radio operator, a navigator and a flight engineer."
• ‘Travelers who were lost forever’: why tourists experience ‘India syndrome’ - "Some travelers who spend longer periods of time in India exhibit a curious condition: a spectrum of behavioral and psychological changes that can be all-consuming."
• Why global banks are rushing into China - "China is still the ultimate prize that Western banks can't resist."
• 'Baby Shark' becomes the first YouTube video to hit 10 billion views - "'Baby Shark,' the inescapable earworm beloved by some children and often feared by their parents, has hit a new milestone - 10 billion views on YouTube. Not only is it the most-viewed video on the platform, a record it set in November 2020, but it's now the only video on the site to reach 10 billion views, YouTube confirmed to CNN."
• From A to Z-endaya, 2021's best celebrity red carpet trends - "After a year of awkwardly Zoomed-in awards show speeches and tie dye hoodies, it's been a relief to see stars returning to the red carpet. Glamour came back with a vengeance, filling our feeds with color, sparkle and flashes of nostalgia. With highlights like Billie Eilish's frothy Met Gala ballgown and Lady Gaga's extraterrestrial Valentino microdress, 2021 was the year stars had an opportunity to redefine their wardrobes - and many delivered. Below are a few notable trends."
• Secret audio sheds light on toppled dictator’s frantic last hours - "The BBC has obtained extraordinary recordings which we believe to be of phone calls made by a former Middle East dictator, Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, as he flew out of the country in 2011. These final moments show how his authority crumbled, sealing the fate of his 23-year dictatorship and sparking the region's wave of pro-democracy "Arab Spring" uprisings."
• North Korea hackers stole $400m of cryptocurrency in 2021, report says - North Korean hackers stole almost $400m worth of digital assets in at least seven attacks on cryptocurrency platforms last year, a report claims. Blockchain analysis company Chainalysis said it was one of most successful years on record for cyber-criminals in the closed east Asian state.
• The Anomaly by HervÉ Le Tellier review - high-concept thrills - "In this playful French prizewinner, the mysterious duplication of a plane and its passengers kickstarts an interrogation of reality."
• The Anomaly - "New York Times: Best Thriller of the Year. CrimeReads: Best International Crime Novel of the Year."
• Swedish Watch Brand GoS Brings Northern Lights To The Wrist - "Just about 15 years young, Swedish watch brand GoS, which utilizes Swiss-made movements for its Sweden-inspired watches, unveiled its first watch to the world. Now, the brand releases its Northern Lights (Norrsken) series of watches that bring the incredible beauty of Earth’s atmosphere to the dial."
• Sony A7 IV review: A powerhouse of a hybrid camera - "Rolling shutter issues mar a near-perfect package."

January 13, 2022

• ‘A banana, concrete - those are good gifts’: the recycling group turning strangers into friends - "There are 7,000 Buy Nothing groups with more than 5 million members worldwide. But their appeal goes beyond the chance to swap everything from nettles to power tools."
• Omicron so contagious most Americans will get Covid, top US health officials say - "FDA head Janet Woodcock says most people will become infected, while Fauci says variant will ‘ultimately find just about everybody’."
• What We Know About Omicron Symptoms So Far - "Early data suggest Omicron mostly accumulates in the upper airways, as opposed to penetrating the lungs. This could help explain both its ..." TIME Magazine.
• It might be time to upgrade your mask - "If you're still wearing a cloth or surgical mask when you're out and about, it's time to rethink your face covering."
• Types of masks - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• What Is Throat Swabbing & Should You Be Doing It to Detect Omicron? - "It began, as so many dubious trends do, on TikTok. On December 31, reporter Alison Hall posted a video of herself swabbing her nose with an at-home test designed to detect COVID-19 and being met with a negative result. 'I was reading online that the omicron variant actually lives more in your throat, so I decided to swab my throat,' said Hall, showing the camera that she received a positive result after swabbing her throat. She later confirmed the result with a PCR test."
• ‘Not the cruise I signed up for’: 30-fold increase in Covid cases upends industry - "The surge has led to passengers stranded on ships, staff shortages and tour cancelations in addition to ports turning ships away."
• The passports unavailable to most travelers - "The passports that open all doors. Chances are you only have one passport - maybe two if you have dual nationality. But find yourself in a particular job - diplomatic, investigative or even presidential - and you may get your mitts on documentation that's altogether inaccessible to the hoi polloi. Here are some of the nonstandard passports and passes out there."
• Who is Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre? - "American Virginia Giuffre says she was the victim of sex trafficking and abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful associates when she was a teenager."
• San Francisco's 'leaning' skyscraper tilted up to 3 inches last year - "San Francisco's swanky Millennium Tower is slowly sinking - and, as a result, the 58-story skyscraper tilted up to 3 inches to both its north and west last year, according to the engineer tasked with fixing it."
• 2022 SAG Awards Nominations: List Of Movie & TV Nominees - "SAG Awards Nominations: ‘House Of Gucci’, ‘Power Of The Dog’, ‘Succession’, ‘Ted Lasso’ Top Lists."
• As things fall apart, the super-rich spend $2m on whisky. We need a wealth tax - "ou may need a stiff drink to believe this. Last October, a new record was set: a cask of Macallan 1991 whisky sold for a cool $2.33m. At least this was an entire cask of premium liquor: earlier last year, a luxury case of 30-year-old Irish malt featuring a gold Fabergé egg was auctioned off for $2m, only slightly more than a single bottle of scotch at the end of 2019."
• How to get full-screen Caller ID on iOS 15 - "Stop incoming calls showing as a small banner at the top of your iPhone screen by switching Caller ID to full-screen mode."
• THE NEW LEICA M11 - "A Legend Reinvented." Expand your creativity with the new Leica M11. Enjoy maximum flexibility with the exclusive new full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology, providing you with the choice to create brilliant images at 60, 36 or 18 megapixel resolution.
• Audi Grandsphere Concept: A Look Into The Future - "Audi has envisioned the Grandsphere concept as a private jet for the road. The 5.35 m (17.6 ft) long Grandsphere combines the greatest comfort with the luxury of private travel. The sedan will have level 4 autonomous driving, with the interior morphing into a spacious lounge area, with the disappearance of the steering wheel and pedals, giving occupants nearly endless possibilities. The Grandsphere is a proof of concept whose technologies and design features will trickle down to future Audi vehicles."
• Carrie Bradshaw’s New It-Bag Has Serious Fashion History - VOGUE.
• A letter to all the bosses I’ve begged for a job - "'I’ve sent hundreds of applications, competing with thousands for yet another ‘bullshit job’. And like many in the US, I’ve had enough'"
• These Are America’s Most Dangerous National Parks - "Since the spring of 2020, attendance at national parks across the United States has soared as international travel, and even domestic air travel, have experienced serious swings in feasibility, nudging Americans back to the open road and reviving the nearly forgotten romance of the road trip. As national parks often contain expansive tracts of the country’s most diverse and precarious landscapes, the potential for injury in these remote and occasionally dangerous terrains is a serious consideration, and hundreds of ill-prepared or merely unfortunate visitors require search and rescue (SAR) efforts annually."
• James Bond's No Time To Die Just Shattered A Guinness World Record & Other Films Are Going To Have A Hard Time Beating It - "Another page in the history books, thanks to superior firepower!"
• Daniel Craig - "One of only six actors to have ever played James Bond, and the one who has held the part the longest, reflects on why he almost turned down the offer to join the iconic film franchise, what he found most challenging and gratifying about being part of it and what's next for him following his fifth and final installment."
• Apple glasses could adjust lenses to match user's prescription - "Apple Glass could potentially be used by people that need vision correction, with lenses that adjust to correct the wearer's vision."
• Sir Michael Caine's Rolex Oysterquartz Is The Watch I Didn't Know I Needed - "It's up for grabs in March, at Bonhams." March 2, 2022, London, New Bond Street.

January 12, 2022

• Djokovic admits he didn't immediately isolate after positive Covid test - "In a statement published to social media, he also apologized for an apparently false travel declaration, saying it had been submitted on his behalf by a member of his support staff in 'human error.'"
• 5 reasons you should not deliberately catch Omicron to 'get it over with' - "The idea of intentionally trying to catch Omicron is 'all the rage,' said Dr. Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, with an exasperated sigh. In case the thought had crossed your mind, here are five reasons why you should not purposely try to catch Omicron."
• Half of Europe to be infected with Omicron within weeks - WHO - "The World Health Organization has warned that half of Europe will have caught the Omicron Covid variant within the next six to eight weeks. Dr Hans Kluge said a 'west-to-east tidal wave' of Omicron was sweeping across the region, on top of a surge in the Delta variant."
• Covid loses 90% of ability to infect within minutes in air - study - "Findings highlight importance of short-range Covid transmission."
• highly contagious Omicron variant will 'find just about everybody,' Fauci says, but vaccinated people will still fare better - "'Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,' Dr. Anthony Fauci told J. Stephen Morrison, senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 'Those who have been vaccinated ... and boosted would get exposed. Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected but will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well in the sense of not having hospitalization and death.'"
• Covid has undermined fight against global heating, says WEF - "Sharper divisions between rich and poor countries are making a united response more difficult, survey finds."
• Types of masks - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Prince Andrew WILL face civil trial over claims he had sex with Virginia Giuffre - "The Duke of York will face a civil sex case trial after a US judge dismissed a motion by Andrew’s legal team to have the lawsuit thrown out."
• World's most powerful passport for 2022 revealed - "There's a widening gap between the global north and the global south when it comes to travel freedoms, says the first 2022 report by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners. The firm's Henley Passport Index, based on exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has been regularly monitoring the world's most travel-friendly passports since 2006."
• The residential cruise ship offering a 'more affordable' life at sea - "Launching in 2024, Storylines is offering up fully furnished one-to-four-bedroom residences, along with studios and two-story penthouses, on board its upcoming ship, with prices starting at $400,000 and rising to $8 million."
• Why the 'ugly' clog is the style statement of our times - "From clunky Dutch workwear to controversial fashion favourite, Daisy Woodward explores why the distinctive wooden-soled shoe is a symbol of now."
• iPhone through the ages: the original to the iPhone 13 - how much has it changed? - "Celebrate 15 years of iPhone by seeing where it all started."
• I interviewed hundreds of people in search of the perfect routine. I realised there isn’t one - "In our pursuit of improvement, we’re often told consistency is key. But obsessing over productivity means ignoring how our days vary - and how we vary within them."
• How To Choose Your Headwear With Royal Milliners, Lock & Co. - "The home of hats since 1676, Lock & Co. is not only the oldest hat shop in London, it’s the oldest hat shop in the world, and impressively, it’s still a family-owned business."
• It fills me with glee that Canon printers now think Canon’s own toner is fake - "Chip shortage + DRM = schadenfreude."
• 12 Designers Share the Best Styling Advice They’ve Ever Heard - "Styling - whether you’re taking on an entire room, a coffee table, or just a single bookshelf - can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re a beginner. The good news is that if you’re feeling stumped by a corner of your home at the moment, you’re in luck. We spoke with designers who shared the most helpful styling advice they’ve received over the course of their careers. After reading through their suggestions, we’re feeling amped up and ready to make some Insta-worthy updates."

January 11, 2022

• Pfizer CEO says omicron vaccine will be ready in March - "Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said an omicron vaccine will be ready in March, and the company is already manufacturing doses."
• Will Covid-19 become less dangerous as it evolves? - "Experts warn that viral evolution is not a one-way street and a continuing fall in virulence cannot be taken for granted."
• Earth is 73% of the way to a critical threshold scientists warn should be avoided - "The last seven years have been the seven warmest on record for the planet, new data shows, as Earth's temperature continues its precarious climb due to heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions."
• Email shows Boris Johnson aide invited No 10 staff to lockdown ‘BYOB’ party - "Police investigating reports that Martin Reynolds invited 100 employees and PM attended at time when social mixing was banned."
• Canada deemed 'very high' risk for travel - "The world's second-largest country by total area, Canada has seen a steep rise in cases as the Omicron variant spreads. The country recorded 294,437 new cases for the week ending January 8, according to Johns Hopkins University figures, its highest weekly total of the pandemic."
• Crypto CEO becomes one of the world's richest billionaires - "Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, who runs the crypto exchange Binance, has joined the ranks of the world's top billionaires, with an estimated net worth of at least $96 billion, according to new calculations from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published Monday. Zhao's projected fortune now rivals that of Oracle (ORCL) founder Larry Ellison and surpasses that of Mukesh Ambani, the Indian tycoon whose fortune has also soared over the last two years."
• Kazakhstan is huge for crypto mining. Political upheaval could jeopardize that - "The Central Asian nation plunged into chaos as violent protests sparked by rising fuel prices left dozens killed and hundreds injured. As part of the mayhem, internet and telecommunications cuts have been reported nationwide - and that's having an impact on local cryptocurrency mining operations, which are among the largest in the world."
• Watch Steve Jobs Unveil the iPhone Exactly 15 Years Ago - "It was January 9, 2007, when Steve Jobs strolled confidently onto a San Francisco stage to unveil the very first iPhone. Wearing his trademark black turtleneck, blue jeans, and white sneakers, the then Apple boss told the expectant audience at the Macworld Conference at the Moscone Center: 'Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.'"
• Apple iPhone review - "This is the review of the original first-generation iPhone model, released June 2007." CNET.
• Apple’s road to $4 trillion starts with its rumored headset & Apple car - "Apple (AAPL) on Monday made history by becoming the first publicly traded company with a market cap of $3 trillion. It’s now seesawing back and forth between the mark for the thrill of it. Apple will need to enter uncharted territory to reach $4 trillion."
• Michael Caine is selling his art and film memorabilia & even his glasses - "Personal items including the 88-year-old star's gold Rolex watch - estimated to fetch as much as £12,000 ($16,300) - and paintings from his personal collection will go under the hammer in London on March 2."
• Signal, WhatsApp & Telegram: Here's which secure messaging app you should use - "Looking for a more secure messaging app? We break down the key differences between three of the most popular apps, including the one Elon Musk recommends."
• How to Read Your iOS 15 App Privacy Report - "Your iPhone now gives you lots of transparency into what your downloads are up to. Here's what to look out for."
• Audio Trimmer lets users easily trim any audio files on iOS - "iOS offers native tools for editing images and videos, but there’s nothing when it comes to audio editing. With this in mind, a developer has created an app called Audio Trimmer that comes to solve just that, as it lets users trim any audio files on iPhone and iPad."
• How waterproof is your iPhone or Android phone? IP68, IP67 ratings explained - "Can you get your new phone wet? Here's what those IP ratings mean."
• How to Find All the Old Product Icons Apple Has Hidden in macOS - "From vintage Macs to iPhones, these icons will take you on a trip down memory lane—but they serve a purpose too."
• Yes, there's an iPhone trick to ditch Apple's Mail & Safari apps - "Want to use Gmail, Google Chrome or a third-party email or web browser on your iPhone or iPad? We'll walk you through how to set those as the default."
• 22 techniques for taking your photography to the next level in 2022! - "Master these creative projects over the coming months and make 2022 your most productive and rewarding photo year so far!"
• 12 Ways You Are Making Your House Look Cheap & Tacky - "Avoid these home decorating mistakes, unless you want your house to look gross, weird, and depressing."
• Your James Bond Travel Guide For 2022 - "Chances are, if you’ve travelled internationally at any point in life, you’ve crossed paths with James Bond. Not literally, of course, but for a franchise that is about to mark six decades of weaving itself into the cultural fabric of society, there are few corners of the world yet to be visited by the enigmatic 007 across his 25 official films."
• Daniel Craig Knew How He Wanted to End James Bond tenure in 2006 - "'It was 2006. Barbara and I were sitting in the back of a car driving away from the Berlin premiere of Casino Royale,' Craig said. “I said to Barbara, ‘How many of these movies do I have to make?’ Because I don’t really look at contracts or any of those things. And she said, ‘Four,’ and I went, ‘Oh, okay. Can I kill him off in the last one?’ And she didn’t pause. She said, ‘Yes.’ So I struck a deal with her back then and said, ‘That’s the way I’d like it to go.’ It’s the only way I could see for myself to end it all and to make it like that was my tenure [then] someone else could come and take over.”"
• Sean Connery called George Lazenby 'a prize s**t' but the producers said worse - "JAMES BOND actor George Lazenby only ever made one 007 movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, but why? He later released a statement admitting he had been "a total fool" but also blamed his agent. Sean Connery called him a "prize s**t' and Bond producers said he was the 'biggest mistake we ever made.' How did it all go so wrong?"
• world's shortest scheduled airline service - "The journey, made two to three times daily, connects Westray, an island on the edge of Scotland's northerly Orkney archipelago, to the smaller, even more remote island of Papa Westray. This, according to Guinness World Records, is the world's shortest scheduled airline service, a trip that covers just 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) in less time than it takes most passenger airplanes to reach cruising altitude. On a good day, with favorable winds and light luggage, it takes 53 seconds."
• Why fasting can be good for you - "The benefits of intermittent fasting the right way. Intermittent fasting offers the tantalising promise that changing mealtimes, and not the meals, can be good for you. But what are the dos and don’ts of eating less frequently?"
• Stendhal syndrome: The travel syndrome that causes panic - "Affecting travellers every year, this bizarre phenomenon sees visitors to Florence suffer psychological breakdowns after being overwhelmed by the city's abundance of great art."
• Why Lady Macbeth is literature's most misunderstood villain - "Shakespeare's murderous queen has long been demonised as a wicked seductress. Yet Frances McDormand is the latest actor to show she deserves far more understanding, writes Hanna Flint."
• Electric Motorcycle Startup Damon Motors Adds 200hp Naked-Style ‘HyperFighter’ To The Lineup - "Canadian electric motorcycle startup Damon Motors revealed a new high-performance, tech-laden machine called the HyperFighter at the 2022 CES electronics convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday."
• How Jackie Kennedy & Lee Radziwill Found Careers & Happiness in the 1970s - "After lives marked by glamour and tragedy, the Bouvier sisters embraced their second acts in New York City."
• You should change these Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV & Chromecast privacy settings now - "It can be hard to find the privacy settings on your streaming devices. Here's how to make sure your viewing habits aren't being tracked."

January 10, 2022

• Will we ever reach herd immunity to Covid? - "Access to vaccines, masks and tests will help us make the awkward transition from pandemic to endemic."
• Omicron wreaks havoc on Broadway - "After a successful reopening, Covid-19 has yet again forced many hit shows to either take a hiatus or close for good but industry insiders are optimistic."
• Golden Globes: West Side Story & The Power of the Dog win at subdued event - "This year's event was dramatically pared down - it took place without any celebrities in attendance and the ceremony was not even televised."
• CES 2022: 5 takeaways from the giant tech trade show - "This year's CES was also a grand experiment in how to hold an in-person event during a pandemic. Covid-19 rapid tests were handed out to attendees, and masks and proof of vaccination were required."
• You'll want to change these iOS 15 settings on your iPhone 13 - "You can unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch if Face ID isn't working. Unlock your phone while wearing a face mask."
• How our ancestors used to sleep can help the sleep-deprived today - "Ekirch's subsequent book, 'At Day's Close: Night in Times Past,' unearthed more than 500 references to what's since been termed biphasic sleep. Ekirch has now found more than 2,000 references in a dozen languages and going back in time as far as ancient Greece. His 2004 book will be republished in April."
• The forgotten medieval habit of 'two sleeps' - "For millennia, people slept in two shifts – once in the evening, and once in the morning. But why? And how did the habit disappear?"
• Is this the worst film ever made? - "While Plan 9 from Outer Space had little regard for continuity or cinematic convention, the film wasn't some cynical hackjob, but a truly eccentric labour of love, writes Nicholas Barber."
• $8M Marble Arch Mound to close after just six disappointing months - "Just six months after opening, London's newest tourist attraction is shutting its doors."
• Can you solve it? GÖdel’s incompleteness theorem - "The proof that rocked maths."
• Chop, chop ... Why unique haircuts are in vogue for 2022 - "In top salons the hot new trend is ‘instinctive cutting’ - for clients eager to embrace a look that works just for them."

January 9, 2022

• Cyprus reportedly discovers a Covid variant that combines omicron & delta - "Leondios Kostrikis, professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus, called the strain 'deltacron,' because of its omicron-like genetic signatures within the delta genomes, Bloomberg said."
• Chinese city of Tianjin to test 14 million people after Covid outbreak - "The port near Beijing began mass testing after 20 children and adults tested positive, including at least two with Omicron."
• Global spread of autoimmune disease blamed on western diet - "New DNA research by London-based scientists hopes to find cure for rapidly spreading conditions."
• 4 plant-based foods to eat every week & why science suggests they’re good for you - "A review of research published in May 2021 looked at 12 studies with more than 500,000 people who were followed for up to 25 years. It found those who ate the most plant foods were less likely to die from any cause over follow-up time periods that varied across the studies from five to 25 years, compared to those who ate the least."
• How to learn the trick of confidence - "Can ‘confidence-whisperer’ Nate Zinsser help Jamie Waters boost his wavering self-belief?"
• Alec Baldwin rejects allegations of non-compliance with shooting probe - "The actor Alec Baldwin has hit back at suggestions that he is not complying with an investigation into the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set last year."
• Golden Globes lose their shine as A-listers shun ‘unethical’ ceremony - "There’s no red carpet or even TV coverage - so film fans will have to wait until the Baftas for pre-Oscar glamour."
• Disclosure or deception? New UFO Pentagon office divides believers - "The U.S. government hasn't comprehensively studied UFOs in decades - but not all ufologists are excited about a new Pentagon investigative office."

January 8, 2022

• The rise of lateral flow tests: are these ‘heroes’ of the pandemic here to stay? - "After missteps and controversy, the quick and easy tests are well on way to becoming part of daily life."
• Fourth Covid jab not yet needed, JCVI says, as booster protecting older people - "Latest figures show protection against hospitalisation for over-65s at 90% three months after third jab."
• 'Mild' Covid-19 doesn't always feel that way - "Many people are hearing from their doctors that they have a 'mild' Covid-19 infection amid a surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but your illness may not feel as minor as 'mild' sounds."
• More than 400 weather stations beat heat records in 2021 - "More than 400 weather stations around the world beat their all-time highest temperature records in 2021, according to a climatologist who has been compiling weather records for over 30 years."
• Why zoomer green is the new millennial pink - "Bottega’s famous shade is the chic, punchy, sustainable colour of now."
• 8 iOS 15 hidden features every iPhone user should know about - "Sometimes the best features are the lesser-known ones."
• How to unlock the hidden trackpad on your iPhone & iPad - "This clever iOS trick will make it easier to edit your text messages, emails, notes and more."
• 10 beauty myths busted - "Shaving your legs won’t make your hair thicker. Is frequent hairwashing bad? Do false lashes ruin your own? Will plucking lead to disastrous brows? Our beauty columnist separates fact from fiction."
• Sidney Poitier: a life in pictures - "Actor, director and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier has died at the age of 94. Poitier, who took on many challenging and groundbreaking roles, was the first Black person to receive a best actor Oscar."
• Sidney Poitier, Oscar-winning actor & Hollywood's first Black movie star, dies at 94 - "Poitier overcame an impoverished background in the Bahamas and softened his thick island accent to rise to the top of his profession at a time when prominent roles for Black actors were rare. He won the Oscar for 1963's 'Lilies of the Field,' in which he played an itinerant laborer who helps a group of White nuns build a chapel."
• Sidney Poitier: The actor who broke down Hollywood's racial barriers - "Sidney Poitier, who has died aged 94, once turned down the role of Othello because he did not want to be typecast as a black actor."
• The best of CES 2022 - "Engadget's top picks from 12 categories, and our overall favorite from this year's show."
• THE VERGE AWARDS AT CES 2022 - "The things that got us most excited, bewildered, and delighted at CES 2022."
• First look: Apple smart glasses may revolutionize augmented reality as soon as 2025 - "Apple's work in augmented reality is expected to culminate into 'Apple Glass' - a wearable heads-up display straight out of sci-fi. Here's what it looks like and what to expect for the peripheral, based on very early leaks."

January 7, 2022

• Deadly Omicron should not be called mild, warns WHO - "The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against describing the Omicron variant as mild, saying it is killing people across the world. Recent studies suggest that Omicron is less likely to make people seriously ill than previous Covid variants."
• Vaccine mandates, fines, gym bans: how Europe hopes to persuade unjabbed - "Several countries are ramping up pressure amid Omicron wave, but sceptics say mandates will be hard to police."
• Military deployed at London hospitals due to Omicron staff shortages - "Support, which includes 40 army doctors, shows ministers can no longer ignore scale of understaffing, union leaders say."
• These U.S. Billionaires Kept Funding Legislators Who Refused To Certify The Election After Jan. 6 - "More than 50 billionaires donated in the second half of 2021 to legislators who voted against certifying the presidential election, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission records." Forbes.
• The Novak Djokovic saga has turned the spotlight on deep divisions in Australian society - "This was not part of Novak Djokovic's plan. The tennis star who posed with a big grin Tuesday, planes on the tarmac behind him, announcing that he'd been granted a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open and was about to fly Down Under, was instead about to embark on a saga of epic proportions."
• Queen refuses to pay Prince Andrew's bills - "Prince Andrew 'is trying to force through sale of his £17m Swiss ski chalet because Queen refuses to foot legal bills in Virginia Giuffre sex abuse case' after it emerged he may SETTLE if trial is given green light to go ahead."
• Hands on one of Big Ben's four faces are pictured stuck at midday - "World's most iconic clock continues to undergo £80million refurbishment."
• LA 'gigamansion' could become America's most expensive house - "A Los Angeles megamansion could sell for $295 million. 105,000-square-foot mansion in Bel Air, dubbed 'The One,' could become the most expensive property to sell in the United States when it hits the auction block next month."
• Why we are in 'the age of artificial islands' - "We are building more islands than ever before. In the latest edition of our photographic series Anthropo-Scene, we explore the striking results of humanity's attempts to colonise the world's lakes and oceans with new land."
• Quit Your Job & Live Abroad: 11 Places So Cheap You Might Be Able To Stop Working In 2022 - "Have you ever fantasized about quitting your job and moving to a country where it’s so cheap you don’t need to work? International Living advises people on how to do just that in its magazine and website, which shows readers how to find, embrace and celebrate the best the world has to offer - from good-value living to great foods to warm year-round weather to interesting cultural traditions. The company has just announced its Annual Global Retirement Index, listing the 25 cheapest and best places to live around the globe. And this list isn’t just for retirees: It’s a great resource for anyone who has ever thought of moving abroad."
• Drone helps save cardiac arrest patient in Sweden - "The drone delivered a defibrillator to a doctor helping the man, who became ill while shovelling snow outside his house in Trollhättan, Sweden."
• This color-changing concept BMW will mess with your head - "The BMW Flow electric SUV concept can change hues at the press of a button, going from white to gray or black and back again in moments. While it can't go beyond shades of gray and, even at that, it lacks the subtlety and depth of real car paint, the effect is startling. The trick isn't done with paint at all, but with specially formed wrapping cut to fit the SUV's body panels. The wrapping has the same sort of e-ink technology used in electronic readers. The colored panels were cut precisely to match the shape of the SUV's body panels and then electric wiring is attached to each section."
• 22 films to watch in 2022 - "From a psychological thriller starring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, to Robert Pattinson as The Batman, and sequels to Avatar and Knives Out, our critics pick the best releases slated for 2022."
• Peter Bogdanovich, acclaimed writer-director, dies at 82 - "The Oscar-nominated film-maker, known for The Last Picture Show and Paper Moon, has died of natural causes."
• Peter Bogdanovich (1939-2022): a life in pictures - "The Oscar-nominated writer-director Peter Bogdanovich, known for films such as Paper Moon and The Last Picture Show, has died aged 82."
• Tilda Swinton: ‘My ambition was always about having a house by the sea & some dogs’ - "The actor opens up about her queer years with Derek Jarman and her latest clutch of films, and reveals her plans for a career change. And all while taking her five spaniels for a walk."

January 6, 2022

• New Covid variant IHU - symptoms, mutations & how it differs from Omicron - "A new variant of the coronavirus, discovered by scientists in France, has emerged. Little is currently known about the 'IHU' variant, but here's all the information we have so far..."
• Two 'strange' Omicron Covid symptoms to look out for & how fast they appear - "Recently two strange symptoms of the virus have been reported in sufferers - pink eye, or conjunctivitis and hair loss."
• Why are so many people getting re-infected with Covid-19? - "On Wednesday, 194,747 daily confirmed Covid cases were reported for the whole of the UK. But this doesn’t include all the people who have caught the virus for the second, or even third time. In fact, official figures for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland don’t include those who have had Covid before, despite warnings from scientists that up to 15% of Omicron cases could be reinfections." Podcast 00:13:49.
• January 6 may have just been a dress rehearsal - "The January 6 insurrection was both a peak of contemporary American White nationalism and a dress rehearsal for what will likely come next. Simply put, the attack on the US Capitol was the culmination of political trends in the United States that have festered for decades - and a warning from history about how the politics of the next several years may unfold."
• The world's safest airline for 2022 revealed - "This year, Air New Zealand has come out on top on the annual safety table, which monitors 385 carriers from across the globe, measuring factors such as the airlines' crash and serious incident records, the age of their aircraft, as well as Covid-19 protocols and operational innovation."
• Grammy Awards 2022: Omicron postpones music's biggest night - "The 64th annual Grammy Awards Show due to be held in the US later this month has been postponed due to coronavirus, organisers have said."
• The most exciting exhibitions around the world in 2022 - "This year's must-see exhibitions include the return of the Venice Biennale and Documenta, blockbuster shows of Donatello and Cézanne, and a sculpture festival for the Qatar World Cup. Because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, please check exhibitions are going ahead before you travel."
• The striking architecture projects set to shape the world in 2022 - "Notable for their design, potential cultural impact or the conversations they are likely to generate, here are nine architecture projects to look forward to."
• MI6 chief thanks China for ‘free publicity’ after James Bond spoof - "Rare response from Richard Moore comes after state news agency posted video mocking western intelligence."
• James Bond’s Long-Lost Aston Martin DB5 Has Finally Been Found After 25 Years - "The iconic silver ride, which is estimated to be worth $25 million, has been located somewhere in the Middle East."
• Sony is gearing up to make an electric car - "The Japanese tech company will set up a new operating subsidiary called 'Sony Mobility Inc.' in the coming months and is considering the commercial launch of an electric vehicle, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said at the CES consumer tech trade show on Tuesday."
• Lithium batteries' big unanswered question - "As the world looks to electrify vehicles and store renewable power, one giant challenge looms: what will happen to all the old lithium batteries?"
• Your work is not your god: welcome to the age of the burnout epidemic - "The reason why so many of us are at the end of our rope? We allowed work to be what gave our lives meaning. The rich are irrational when it comes to work. Out of everyone in our society, they have the least need to earn more money, but they work the most."
• What existed before the Big Bang? - "How our Universe was born from nothing or if there was something that existed before it remains a mystery, but that is not stopping some physicists from trying to figure it out."
• Awe: The 'little earthquake' that could free your mind - "Intentionally seeking the feeling of awe can improve memory, boost creativity and relieve anxious rumination."
• Harman would like to sell you some $1,000 headphones - "If you thought the AirPods Max were expensive, hold on to your butts."
• Here’s what Steve Jobs might have been worth with Apple valued at $3 trillion - "Apple on Monday became the first company to hit a market capitalization of $3 trillion - more than nine times what the company was worth when founder Steve Jobs died in 2011. Unlike other legendary tech moguls like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Jobs actually owned very little of Apple at the time of his death."
• Apple Is Now Trying to Terrify You Into Opting For an LTE Apple Watch - "Its new commercial gave me anxiety, and it's only one minute long."

January 5, 2022

• 'We can't vaccinate the planet every six months,' says Oxford vaccine scientist - "A leading expert who helped create the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine said Tuesday that giving everyone in the world booster shots multiple times a year is not feasible."
• In 'zero-Covid' Hong Kong, this is what happens when you test positive - "Darryl Chan tested positive for Covid-19 when he landed in Hong Kong last month. More than two weeks later - and despite never showing any symptoms - he remains isolated in a hospital bed with no sign of being allowed to leave. 'I think the worst part is not knowing when I'll be able to get out,' he said. 'You're almost feeling you are back at school, with controlled wake-up and bedtime, (and) not being able to control what you can eat.'"
• Covid: President Macron warns he will 'hassle' France's unvaccinated - "French President Emmanuel Macron has warned he intends to make life difficult for people in France who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19."
• Fossil fuel firms among biggest spenders on Google ads that look like search results - "One in five ads served on search results for 78 climate-related terms placed by firms with interests in fossil fuels, research finds."
• Smartphones, laptops & oddball gadgets: CES 2022 showcases tech's latest innovations - "CES, one of the world's biggest tech trade shows, kicks off Wednesday in Las Vegas with its first in-person event since the start of the pandemic. While the conference may look a little different in 2022, it's still showcasing the familiar mix of innovative and wacky products that make an appearance year after year."
• The rise & fall of Elizabeth Holmes: A timeline - "A Wall Street Journal investigation poked holes into Theranos' testing and technology, and the dominoes fell from there. Holmes and her former business partner, Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani, were charged in 2018 by the US government with multiple counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. (Both pleaded not guilty.)"
• Run that marathon! Write that novel! How to make 2022 the year you finally smash your goals - "Every year millions of us resolve to learn a new language, get super fit or master a new skill ... then never start. How can we make it happen? Experts explain all."
• China's longest underwater highway tunnel opens - "At a length of 10.79 kilometers (6.65 miles), the Taihu tunnel stretches under Lake Taihu in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, about 50 kilometers east of Shanghai."
• Mediterranean diet named best diet for 2022 - "It's a winning streak that just won't quit. For the fifth year in a row, the Mediterranean diet was first across the finish line in the annual race for best diet, according to ratings announced Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. Coming in a close second, in a tie: The DASH diet, which stands for dietary approaches to stop hypertension and emphasizes reducing salt intake; and the flexitarian diet, which encourages being a vegetarian most of the time - but is flexible enough to allow a burger once in a while."
• Like Pillows for Your Feet - Meet (and Shop!) the Sleeping Bag Shoe - "After all the time spent at home in recent years, shoe trends have undergone an evolution - like survival of the fittest footwear. For a while, unwalkable heels and blister-inducing shoes reigned, but no longer. After many experienced an almost sedentary, stay-at-home lifestyle, shoes that weren’t comfortable became extinct in our wardrobes."
• The quirkiest videos of the year that won over the internet - "The nominees for quirkiest stories of 2021 are ... CNN's Jeanne Moos has the envelope. From the guy who swallowed an airpod to the teen smacked by a seagull while on an amusement park ride we look back at some of the videos that won over the internet in 2021."
• ‘Thematically richer than the Bible’: what I learned at the first annual Boss Baby symposium - "Academics gather online to explore the philosophical underpinnings of a movie about a baby who is also a boss."
• Interior Design Trends to Know in 2022 & What’s on Its Way Out - "For millennia, interior design trends have been used as aesthetic aids in our attempts to find some sort of inner peace: take the ancient Chinese art of feng shui, where spatial positioning corresponds with energy flow, or wabi sabi, the Japanese practice of embracing an imperfections, or ancient Rome's fondness for using earth-tone colors and geometric patterns in order to mimic the harmony of nature. 'There is more and more research that shows the direct influence that our homes have, not only on our moods, but our overall health and well-being,' interior designer Timothy Corrigan of Timothy Corrigan Inc. tells Vogue. So is it any wonder that in 2022 - our third consecutive year in a global pandemic - the top interior design trends are again focused on making us feel emotionally at ease?"
• Taiwan buys 20,000 bottles of Lithuania rum destined for China - "Taiwan is sharing tips with the public on how to drink and cook with rum after it bought 20,000 bottles of Lithuanian rum bound for China."
• Nine TV shows to watch this January - "From the glitzy The Gilded Age to a James Gunn prequel series to The Suicide Squad and a darkly comic psychological thriller, Amy Charles picks the series not to miss this January."
• What’s Going On With the 2022 Golden Globes? - "Once a fixture in the awards season calendar - the raucous party known for boosting the campaigns of Oscar hopefuls - the Golden Globes have become mired in controversy and will not be broadcast by NBC this year. From the criticisms leveled against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the small group of international journalists who vote on the awards) to the possibility of its return to screens in 2023, here’s what you need to know."
• Teh tarik: Malaysia's frothy 'national drink' - "Mixing Indian, Chinese and British influences, teh tarik embodies Malaysia in a glass and has long helped bring the diverse nation together."
• how gardening helps me find peace - "Our columnist, thanks to an elderly neighbour, fell into tending her garden and has not stopped reaping the fruits of her labours in terms of mind, body and soul."
• Samsung’s tiny Freestyle projector is fun so get over it - "Think TikTok, not Blu-ray. Samsung’s new barrel-shaped Freestyle projector was just announced at CES. The 1080p projector goes up for preorder today for $899. What matters more than its spec sheet, according to Samsung, is that this highly portable and swiveling visual lightshow with integrated speaker and voice control is coming to support your carefree 'lifestyle' and nomadic 'experiences.'"
• A 1962, near-mint copy of 'The Incredible Hulk' comic sells for record price - "The comic, in which the Hulk appears in his original grey, not his signature green, sold for $490,000 at auction. It's the most expensive copy of the first Hulk story ever sold."

January 4, 2022

• Apple has become the world's first $3 trillion company - "Apple has reached yet another major milestone. The iPhone maker topped a market value of $3 trillion Monday - the first publicly traded company ever to be worth that much. Shares of Apple (AAPL) were briefly up about 3% to a new all-time high of $182.88, surpassing the $182.85 per share it needed to be worth $3 trillion. The stock later pulled back from that level."
• China locks down city of 1.2 million after 3 Covid cases found - "Authorities in Yuzhou, Henan province said all residents will be confined to their homes, mirroring the strict restrictions imposed on Xi'an."
• Omicron might be less dangerous, but it's twisting the US in knots - "Every American is being drawn into a reckoning over how much risk is acceptable to get the nation back on its feet as the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 rages out of control."
• Can weight loss help protect against Covid-19? - "People who are overweight or obese are at a much higher risk of much more severe disease and even death from Covid-19, and one new study suggests that losing weight can reduce that risk."
• Prince Andrew accuser’s 2009 deal with Jeffrey Epstein made public - "Virginia Giuffre agreed not to sue anyone connected to Jeffrey Epstein who could be described as a 'potential defendant', a 2009 damages settlement against the sex offender shows."
• Elizabeth Holmes found guilty on four out of 11 federal charges - "The charges Holmes was found guilty of include one count of conspiracy to defraud investors, as well as three wire fraud counts tied to specific investors. Holmes faces up to 20 years in prison as well as a fine of $250,000 plus restitution for each count."
• The rise & fall of Elizabeth Holmes - "Once hailed as the 'female Steve Jobs,' Elizabeth Holmes has been found guilty of knowingly defrauding investors, but found not guilty of defrauding patients. The BBC's James Clayton spoke to one former investor about the downfall of Theranos, Holmes' Silicon Valley blood testing start-up once valued at $9bn."
• long lines, superfans & the enduring power of Elizabeth Holmes - "The trial of Elizabeth Holmes has seen plenty of courtroom drama, but outside the courthouse in San Jose, California, a spectacle of another sort has unfolded week after week."
• The best new hotels to book in 2022 - "From cool urban hideaways in Oslo, Sydney and New York to far-flung island escapes in Mozambique, Indonesia and the Maldives, there's an exciting array of hotels opening across the world. Starting rates are included where available."
• 11 Top Wellness & Medical Spas - "If you want to start the year by breaking from routine or to address mind and body issues, a health-focused resort is ideal. Rather than booking a resort with a sauna, pool and hot tub, try one that offers more in terms of treatments and therapies. Here are some of the world’s best wellness retreats that will help you feel rejuvenated, relaxed and healthier. There’s even one spa that offers programs to deal with long-covid."
• Top US phone firms agree delay of 5G rollout - "Two of the biggest US phone firms have agreed a government request to delay the rollout of 5G services this week. Plane makers have warned that C-Band spectrum 5G wireless signals may interfere with sensitive aircraft electronics and could disrupt flights."
• TVs in 2022: 8 trends to know, from cheaper OLED to better sound - "What to expect from the world of 4K and 8K TVs over the next year."
• The surprising upsides of bad moods - "Why 'mood shame' is bad for you. It's sometimes tempting to beat yourself up for not feeling sunnier - but there's good reason to embrace those grumps."
• Why the tiny house is perfect for now - "Just as minimalism found its moment, now it's the turn of the tiny house movement. Beverley D'Silva explores why, when it comes to dwellings, small is beautiful."
• David Bowie: publishing rights to song catalogue sold for $250m - "Warner Music Group deal for songwriting adds to company’s recent acquisition of Bowie’s recorded music."
• Dakar 2022: An Exclusive Pre-Race Look Behind The Scenes With Can-Am - "It’s December 31 and South Racing Can-Am has just wrapped their preparations for the start of Dakar 2022, a monumental race known for pushing competitors mentally and physically over 7,000 kilometers over a span of almost two weeks. This year marks the 44th year of the race and its third year in Saudi Arabia."
• Hands off: Moen’s new smart faucet doesn’t even need a handle - "Gesture control makes this tap totally touchless."
• Netgear expands WiFi 6E router lineup with two new options for 2022 - "The Nighthawk RAXE300 offers high performance at (slightly) slower speed."

January 3, 2022

• From Queen’s jubilee to Qatar World Cup: the big dates of 2022 - "Elections in Hong Kong, France and Brazil, independence milestones, Abba gigs and Cop27."
• 2022 will be the year of ... - "Meet 18 people who think they know what will happen this year."
• The 26 Most Anticipated New Hotel Openings of 2022 - "The most anticipated hotels of 2022 can’t be categorized by a single location, design style, or even star designation (while some love a grand five-star resort, others love an intimate boutique hotel—to each traveler, their own). The one commonality, however? They’re all, well, cool."
• Britain got it wrong on Covid: long lockdown did more harm than good, says scientist - "A new book outlines the mistakes and missteps that made UK pandemic worse."
• Denmark to make domestic flights fossil fuel free by 2030 - "In her New Year's address, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she wanted to 'make flying green'."
• Are New Year's resolutions powerful or pointless? - "1 January may seem like an arbitrary date to start self-improvement, but there are good psychological reasons for doing so."
• The big idea: should we eat like our ancestors? - "Are eating plans like the paleo diet really healthier - or more ethical - than the way we eat now?"
• Out with the meat, in with the plants as world’s top chefs offer vegan menus - "From London to San Francisco, haute cuisine is joining the food revolution. Michelin-starred chefs explain they’re going meat-free."
• Can you think yourself young? - "Research shows that a positive attitude to ageing can lead to a longer, healthier life, while negative beliefs can have hugely detrimental effects."
• Why The North Water is the best TV series you missed in 2021 - "A period drama like no other, this gut-wrenching show about a doomed voyage in the Arctic flew under the radar last year. Christina Newland explains why it deserves belated attention."
• US intelligence errors helped build myth of Nazi Alpine redoubt, says historian - "New book claims intercepted cables sent in second world war by Allen Dulles, later head of CIA, enabled disinformation campaign."
• What Does Your TikTok Algorithm Say About You? - "It’s not that the TikTok algo can predict your future, but it can reveal certain things about your predilections and preferences that perhaps you haven’t fully realized."
• Daniel Craig is awarded the same title held by James Bond after his final 007 film No Time To Die - "Daniel Craig has been made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for the 2022 New Year's Honours. The same gong was awarded to his 007 character in the film franchise and famous novels by Ian Fleming."
• Super poo: the emerging science of stool transplants and designer gut bacteria - "As more people turn to faecal transplants for their health benefits, researchers in Adelaide are harnessing the power of high-quality poo in new treatments that can simply be swallowed."
• Samsung's 2022 QLED TVs include the first 144Hz 4K & 8K sets - "MicroLED TVs are now bezel-free, too."
• Samsung’s 2022 TV lineup has big software changes, smaller hardware upgrades - "A redesigned home screen, more HDMI 2.1 ports, but still no Dolby Vision."
• Samsung is putting NFTs in its smart TVs - "Given that 2021 was a blockbuster year for NFTs, it’s not particularly surprising that major tech companies are incorporating Non-Fungible Tokens into their CES lineup. The latest comes from Samsung, which revealed a new 'NFT Aggregation Platform' designed for its smart TVs."

January 2, 2022

• One important - and dangerous - way the Omicron surge is different than previous surges in the US - "The high number of healthcare staff out with the virus will also have an impact on Americans' doctors appointments and could make for dangerous circumstances when people are hospitalized with Covid-19, Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of Baylor University's National School of Tropical Medicine, said Friday. 'That's a different type of one-two punch: people going into the hospitals ... and all of the healthcare workers are out of the workforce,' he told CNN."
• How much longer can China keep up its zero-Covid strategy? - "As Beijing pursues its solitary path, observers are asking whether the policy is about protecting public health - or social order."
• Covid is now 'extraordinarily contagious' & previous mitigation measures are 'out the window,' expert says - "The Covid-19 case surge is altering daily life across the US. Things will likely get worse, experts warn."
• New studies reinforce belief that Omicron is less likely to damage lungs - "Six research groups’ findings all suggest variant multiplies more in throats and causes less serious disease."
• 5 Science-Backed Ways to Feel Happier During the Pandemic - TIME Magazine.
• Antarctic outpost hit by Covid-19 outbreak - "A Belgian scientific research station in Antarctica is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19, despite workers being fully vaccinated and based in one of the world's remotest regions."
• Where to travel 2022: The best destinations to go - A lesser known Caribbean island is a top destination for 2022 - "Travel is more challenging now than it has been in a long time. Borders tentatively reopen only to slam shut again. A once-simple visa on entry is replaced with piles of paperwork. And the whole world is brushing up on the Greek alphabet whenever a new variant makes headlines. Let's all try to channel a sense of wonder if and when we're able to travel in 2022 and beyond."
• Here are the winners in tech for 2021 - "Some of the bright spots we (begrudgingly) recognize in yet another hellish year."
• Your attention didn’t collapse. It was stolen - "Social media and many other facets of modern life are destroying our ability to concentrate. We need to reclaim our minds while we still can."
• Lost your get up & go? Here’s how to get it back - "After a lifetime of loving exercise, Martin Love lost his motivation. But where had it gone? And could he get it back? Plus, five experts on how to maintain your mojo."
• Ghislaine Maxwell, the Demon Queen, is behind bars. Does she have a secret that could unlock her shackles? - "Our writer sat through the trial in New York and reports on the humiliation of the mwah-mwah princess, her repeated failures to end Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and the chances of her cutting a deal with the Feds."
• Prince Andrew has been driving brand new £80,000 Range Rover around Windsor estate - "The royal opted for a green hybrid model with a 2L engine and 25 miles of range on the electric plug-in - about the distance from his home to Buckingham Palace."
• BlackBerry will die on January 4th, 2022 - for real this time - "Legacy BlackBerry devices will lose text, call, and data functionality in 2022."

January 1, 2022

• New Year’s Eve 2021 around the world - in pictures - "New Year’s Eve is celebrated across the globe despite Covid restricting some events."
• Follow the New Year around the globe - "It'll take the entire world 26 hours to ring in 2022."
• WHO chief optimistic disease will be beaten in 2022 - "The World Health Organization (WHO) chief says he is optimistic that the coronavirus pandemic will be defeated in 2022, provided countries work together to contain its spread."
• What to expect for Covid in 2022 - "It won't be a pandemic forever. Here's what could be next."
• ‘Tit for tat’: why hunt for Covid’s origins still mired in politics and controversy - "Scientific consensus absent as impasse between China and west continues to hamper tracing effort."
• 2021: a year of climate crisis in review - "A look back at 12 months of key summits, devastating weather and alarming discoveries."
• Stock markets in 2021: from big tech & crypto to takeovers - "The biggest moments of a year when shares rallied to record levels and deal-making soared."
• How many superyachts on order for 2022 - "Despite some initial wobbles in 2020 when Covid-19 first struck, the superyacht industry has largely shrugged off the pandemic to record a third year of consistent order book growth. The 2022 Global Order Book records an impressive 1,024 projects in build or on order, a rise of 24.7 per cent on last year’s 821."
• And the biggest losers in tech in 2021 are ... - "Here’s a recap of the year’s worst developments in tech."
• A pandemic-scarred year ends in darkness - but with hope on the horizon - "The year dawned in a blaze of hope that new, effective Covid-19 vaccines - free and available to all - would deliver the country from the worst public health emergency in 100 years, in which 350,000 Americans had already died. The promise of a new President, Joe Biden, to shut down the virus rang in the nation's ears after his predecessor had lied about Covid-19's severity, botched the government response and prized his political goals over its health."
• 2022 - "Predicted and scheduled events." Wikipedia.
• French ban on plastic packaging for fruit & vegetables begins - "Cucumbers, lemons and oranges are among the 30 varieties banned from being wrapped in plastic."
• They eat what? New Year's food traditions around the world - "New Year's Day is meant for food. As the new year arrives around the world, special cakes and breads abound, as do long noodles (representing long life), field peas (representing coins), herring (representing abundance) and pigs (representing good luck). The particulars vary, but the general theme is the same: Enjoy food and drink to usher in a year of prosperity. Here are some of the New Year's food traditions around the world."
• The everyday foods that could become luxuries - "Everyday foods such as coffee, meat and spices could become luxury items due to global climate impacts and changing tastes."
• This is the ultimate snack food - and it's better for you than you think - "It's a snack that really fills you up. Popcorn is an unprocessed whole grain: In fact, it's the combination of a starchy core inside a fibrous outer hull that makes popcorn pop. It's also high in fiber, containing nearly 4 grams per 4-cup serving, and contains a significant amount of polyphenols that can help lower blood sugar levels and help digestion. In addition, 'popcorn is a filling snack due to the volume it takes up in your stomach, which keeps us from over-snacking,' said registered dietitian nutritionist Julien Chamoun of RDN Nutrition Counseling in New Jersey. Popcorn has been shown to be more satiating than potato chips, meaning you'll feel fuller after eating it."
• Why flying will never be the same after 2021 - "How air travel changed in 2021. As we end 2021, the thousands of holiday flights canceled due to the rampaging Omicron variant is delivering another hammering to an industry that's struggling with lost revenue, disruptive passengers, and being at the front line of both interpreting and enforcing governments' Covid regulations."
• Obituary: Betty White, the Golden Girl with a heart of gold - "Betty White was US television's Golden Girl with the heart of gold, celebrated for her comic acting abilities from TV's early days up to the 21st Century, while remaining committed to her animal activism."
• The art of Yves Saint Laurent: design house marks 60th anniversary - "Five Paris museums to display fashion designer’s creations with artwork that inspired them."
• Is Bluetooth holding back Apple's AirPods? We asked the man who made them - "'We would like more bandwidth.'"
• New Year’s Eve 2021: celebrations around the world amid concern over Covid - live updates - "Latest updates as fireworks and parties make a comeback around the world following a year of lockdowns and new variants."