The Int'l Man's Hot Links Archive 2023: 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 - September 30	Hot Links Archive 2024 (1): January 1 - June 30

Hot Links Archive 2023 (1): January 1 - June 30

June 30, 2023

• Climate Change - "Check out all about climate change: 1400+ evidence, facts, information, news, reviews and resources."
• Our world in data - "Research & data to make progress against the world’s largest problems."
• Artificial Intellignce: Apps, Books, Chatbots, News, Resources & Tutorials - "Everything you need to know about AI and Chatbots! 400+ resources."
• Ukraine war live - "Live coverage of the all the latest developments in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine."
• THIS WEEK'S ACRONYM - OKR.
• THIS WEEK'S TWO BUZZWORDS - EXTENDED REALITY.
• Suitcases banned in popular Europe tourist destination to curb noise pollution - "Croatia is one of the most picturesque destinations in Europe with the city of Dubrovnik attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Mayor Mato Frankovic has introduced new rules that will see tourists banned from dragging wheeled suitcases around the winding roads in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Visitors who do choose to carry their bags face a hefty fine of $288."
• Towering sea cliff in Norway opens jaw-dropping tourist route - "Spectacular snow-capped mountain views, aquamarine water stretching out below and sheer, sheer cliff. The towering Hornelen mountain on the western coast of Norway is now open to adrenaline-seekers with the nerves of steel needed to tackle its new via ferrata climbing route."
• Taiwan’s latest food fad is ‘Godzilla Ramen’ - "Crocodile ramen is Taiwan’s latest food fad. A noodle shop in southern Taiwan has upped the ante by creating 'Godzilla Ramen,' where it looks like the famous Japanese movie icon is about to crawl out of the bowl and grab you. The dish, served at Witch Cat Kwai, a restaurant in Douliu City in southern Taiwan, features crocodile meat."
• The recipe for Pompeii's 'pizza' - "Adoreum: the newly discovered flatbread fresco of Pompeii. A new fresco depicting an Italian flatbread has been discovered at Pompeii. Culinary archaeologist Farrell Monaco offers a recipe to make it and explains why it's not a pizza."
• Eating this food may be a reason why some people live to 100 - "Beans, beans, the magical ... longevity food? True, these tiny, unassuming morsels are filling and nutritious, and as a basis of a plant-based diet, good for the planet as well. But how could the family of legumes - which includes beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas - help us live longer?"
• Elon Musk, Sergey Brin reportedly taking ketamine, magic mushroom, Tesla CEO says, ‘better option than ... - "Drug use, particularly psychedelics, is becoming more common among public figures and tech executives in Silicon Valley. The global psychedelics market is estimated to reach $8 billion by 2029."
• 25 years on: Remembering the glory days of Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak Airport - "It’s been 25 years since Richard Siegel, Hong Kong’s then-director of civil aviation, bid farewell and turned off the lights at Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport. Before its closure in 1998, Kai Tak (the first recorded flight from the site took place in 1925) was regarded as one of the most difficult airports in the world for pilots to fly in and out of."
• Rare Harry Potter bought for 30p may fetch up to £5,000 - "Rare edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone bought for 30p goes up for auction next week."
• Court dismisses chess grandmaster Hans Niemann’s lawsuit against Magnus Carlsen - "Niemann was seeking $100m in damages for slander and libel. On Tuesday, US District Judge Audrey Fleissig found Niemann’s antitrust claims had no merit."
• Smoke on the water & music in the air: the magic of Montreux, Switzerland - "The town’s fabled music festival is just one side of a place that is framed by natural beauty to hike through - and wine heritage you can savour."
• How To Write Effective Prompts For ChatGPT: 7 Essential Steps For Best Results - "Without knowing how to prompt ChatGPT effectively it will remain a novelty tool with no real value. You’ll create generic mediocrity, not masterpieces worthy of sharing. You’ll waste more time than you save. The novelty factor will soon wear off and you’ll be back at the drawing board running your business the manual way. What’s the alternative? Learn how to prompt effectively. Lucas Pimentel is an AI developer and self-confessed 'prompt junkie' who publicly builds apps with artificial intelligence to solve real business problems. He tweets about AI, prompting and solopreneurship and releases guides to ChatGPT prompting to help others do the same. Pimentel suggested that 'creating good prompts is easy when you follow the right framework and take out the guesswork,' leading to reliable ways to automate tasks. Here’s how to write great ChatGPT prompts in 7 steps."
• The best films about AI - ranked! - "Will artificial intelligence destroy humanity? That remains to be seen. For now, gen up on the dangers and delights with this selection of movies."
• From Barbie to Oppenheimer: 10 of the best films to watch in July - BBC Culture.

June 29, 2023

• Biden says Putin is losing the war in ... Iraq - "US president adds new entry to litany of gaffes. U.S. President Joe Biden slipped up Tuesday, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin is losing the war in Iraq."
• China on course to hit wind & solar power target five years ahead of time - "Beijing bolstering position as global renewables leader with solar capacity more than rest of world combined."
• Italy Is Cracking Down On Dress Codes. Here Are The Clothing Rules You Need To Follow - "If you want to visit some of Italy’s stellar attractions - the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica, Florence’s Duomo - you’ll need to be dressed appropriately. It is forbidden for both men and women to enter with uncovered shoulders, midriffs or knees. That means no spaghetti straps, sleeveless tops, crop tops, shorts, or above-the-knee dresses. Some attractions may offer shawls or cover-ups if you are dressed inappropriately, but others may turn you away at the door."
• Madonna rushed to hospital, intubated in ICU after being found unresponsive - "We hear the 'Material Girl' singer, 64, was intubated for at least one night before having the tube removed - and she is now alert and recovering." Page Six.
• How Sunscreen Became Controversial - "Wearing sunscreen every day sounds like a no-brainer piece of health advice. Research suggests regular sunscreen use reduces the risk of potentially deadly skin cancers like melanoma, as well as visible signs of skin aging. The American Academy of Dermatology states its position in no uncertain terms: Everyone should wear sunscreen every day they’ll be outside. But there’s been mounting pushback to that idea in recent years, mainly due to concerns about the health risks associated with chemicals in many popular sunscreens."
• Why you should never check your luggage, according to cabin crew - "Flight attendants’ secrets for surviving summer travel."
• Pro Tips For Finding All Your Lost Airline Luggage - "Don't let your airline lose your checked baggage this summer. Here are some pro tips for finding your lost airline luggage."
• Clever way to get your luggage first at the airport carousel - "Because the purgatory of an airport baggage hall is not a place you want to wait any longer than you have to. There are some tricks to up the odds of your luggage popping out those rubber flaps first."
• The 40 greatest tech books of all time - "We read. We debated. And we ended up with 40 works of nonfiction that recognized and defined the shape of technology." The Verge.
• Handbag ‘smaller than a grain of salt’ sells for over $63,000 - "Microscopic 'Louis Vuitton' handbag sold for $63K at an auction, the latest project from art collective MSCHF."
• Korean food: 39 dishes we can’t live without - "The fact that there are over 100 different types of kimchi should tell you something about the pride Koreans have in their food. Korean cuisine has evolved over time because of cultural changes, but it remains a major aspect of the national identity."
• The best music streaming services in 2023 - "The differences between Spotify, Apple Music and others are subtle yet significant."
• Vitamin D supplements may cut risk of heart attacks, trial suggests - "The largest study of its kind may prove a link between vitamin D levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease."
• Here’s Everything We Know About Airbnb’s New ‘Barbie House’ In Malibu - "Airbnb is partnering with the Barbie movie to give away a free stay in a real human-sized Malibu Barbie Dream House, the company said Monday, after videos circulated of a hot pink house seemingly appearing on the California coast out of nowhere - the second time the California property has been listed on Airbnb for a Barbie promotion."
• Bill Murray Changed The English Language With One Line In Ghostbusters - "An improvised line from Bill Murray in Ghostbusters helped create an English idiom. Bill Murray changed the English language forever when he ad-libbed the words, 'This chick is toast,' in 1984’s Ghostbusters. The actor’s improv didn’t just become a quotable line from the movie. It also turned 'toast' into an idiom that is still used almost 40 years later. Referring to someone who is doomed as 'toast' was traced to the scene in which the famed parapsychologists battle Gozer."

June 28, 2023

• The world’s biggest cruise ship is almost ready - "Record-breaking gigantic new cruise ship is almost ready."
• Inside SYMPHONY: Bernard Arnault's $150 Million Yacht - "Known as the Louis Vuitton boss’ summerhouse on the sea, the vessel is longer than two Olympic sized swimming pools it has glass walled corridors, an infinity pool, DJ booth and a video wall."
• Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man, has purchased Leonardo Da Vinci’s residence & vineyard in Milan - "The 15th-century townhouse is an architectural jewel and lies in the center of the city."
• Pompeii fresco find possibly depicts 2,000-year-old form of pizza - "Ancient painting includes fruit that looks like a pineapple - although it is almost certainly something else."
• 1st 'lab-grown' meat approved for sale in the US - "Lab-grown meat, made from chicken cells cultured in steel tanks, can now be produced and sold in the U.S. for the first time."
• Never drink red wine with fish! 10 famous food rules you can absolutely ignore - "It is said you should never wash a mushroom, add salt to pulses in the pan or cook with olive oil. But accepted wisdom isn’t always right ..."
• The gigantic tunnels & bridges linking Asia to Europe - "With sloping banks studded with elegant private mansions, palace parks and centuries-old groves, the Bosphorus is the embodiment of Istanbul. This 19-mile (30-kilometer) strait runs from the Black Sea in the north to the Sea of Marmara in the south. Navigating the city’s tangled road map can be chaotic at any time of day and sometimes it feels like it’s a wonder that anyone gets anywhere, but they do - making use of road, rail, ship, bridge and tunnel to cross from one continent to another. Here’s how it’s done."
• World’s largest ‘wood city’ to be built in Stockholm - "Stockholm Wood City will feature 7,000 office spaces and 2,000 homes in the city’s southeast, and will offer 'a vibrant, urban environment with a mix of workplaces, housing, restaurants and shops,' according to a press release. Set across 250,000 square meters (2.7 million square feet), it has been described by its developer as the 'world’s largest known construction project in wood.'"
• AstraZeneca pledges to plant & maintain 200m trees globally by 2030 - "Drugmaker’s $4oom offsetting scheme aims to combat climate change and biodiversity loss caused by deforestation."
• Misconduct by federal jail guards led to Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide, Justice Department watchdog says - "Jeffrey Epstein was left alone in his jail cell with a surplus of bed linens the night he killed himself. Nearly all the surveillance cameras on his unit didn't record."
• Why are orcas suddenly ramming boats? - "A group of Iberian orcas have a risky new hobby: chasing sailboats and breaking their rudders. Now scientists are finding out what's really behind the fad."
• It’s one of the world’s oldest spirits. Now it’s making a comeback - "Arak might just be one of the most interesting spirits you’ve never heard of - and the Middle Eastern drink is having a revival across the globe."
• Kevin Spacey trial for sexual offences due to begin in London - "Oscar-winning actor to appear at Southwark crown court charged with sexually assaulting four men."
• Notes, ponderings, doodlings: behind Capote’s creation of In Cold Blood - "New manuscript offers insight into the painstaking work of writer’s seemingly effortless storytelling in true crime classic."
• The truth about inflammation: all you need to know about 2023’s hottest health topic, from causes to cures - "Inflammation is the scourge of modern life, judging by all the supplements, workouts and diets that promise to fight it. But what precisely gets inflamed, and why - and is it always a bad thing?"
• Veloretti Ace Two e-bike review: rarified heir - "Belt drive, removable battery, smooth automatic shifting, and built to be serviced anywhere. This Dutch e-bike checks all the boxes."
• The Mac Pro’s biggest problem is the MacBook - "Apple’s latest Mac Pro targets professionals with highly demanding computing workloads. But we talked to those professionals, and they don’t want it - because Apple’s other computers are just too good."
• AirPods Max are getting left behind, so are new Apple headphones coming this year? - "Adaptive Audio and other genuinely useful new features are exclusive to the second-gen AirPods Pro. How long will Apple wait before turning its attention back to headphones?"
• Apple Adaptive Audio for AirPods - what it is & how it works - "Everything we know about the new AirPods feature."

June 27, 2023

• Earth’s axis is tipping because humans won’t stop pumping groundwater - "Humans’ unquenchable thirst for groundwater has sucked so much liquid from subsurface reserves that it’s affecting Earth’s tilt, according to a new study."
• Climate change: Deforestation surges despite pledges - "An area of tropical forest the size of Switzerland was lost last year as tree losses surged, according to new research. Brazil dominates the losses of primary tropical forest and in 2022 this increased by over 14%."
• CNN obtains the tape of Trump’s 2021 conversation about classified documents - "Listen to audio exclusively obtained by CNN of a July 2021 conversation during which former President Donald Trump acknowledges he held on to a classified Pentagon document about a potential attack on Iran."
• He’s the world’s richest man. So why do we hear so little from Bernard Arnault? - "France does not expect much in the way of philanthropy from its low-profile billionaire class. Perhaps it should."
• Elon Musk Reveals the Person He Despises - "'Paul Ehrlich has done immense damage to humanity,' Musk said on Twitter on June 26, commenting in a post that Ehrlich's book had a bad impact in India. 'Immense. I despise him.' Ehrlich, 91, became known for 'The Population Bomb,' which he wrote with his wife, Anne, in 1968. The richest man in the world is divisive. While he's made a lot of enemies and attacked a lot of people, Musk has rarely indicated he abhors anyone."
• Meet the traveler behind social media’s viral packing hacks - "Why she arrived at the airport and stuffed a bra with clothes. Chelsea Dickenson, a 33-year-old traveler from the UK, founded the website Cheap Holiday Expert to provide tips and tricks for budget-friendly vacations."
• People around the world are having more positive experiences, new report says - "The world is having more good times, but bad times are staying the same, according to a new report released Tuesday. The Gallup Global Emotions 2023 Report is an annual collection of data from more than 100 countries that asks how people are feeling."
• Everything you need to know about AI but were too afraid to ask - "Microsoft and Google have each introduced features powered by generative AI, the technology underpinning ChatGPT, into their most widely used productivity tools. Meta, Amazon and Alibaba have said they’re working on generative AI tools, too. And numerous other businesses also want in on the action. It’s rare to see a cutting-edge technology become so ubiquitous almost overnight. Now businesses, educators and lawmakers are all racing to adapt."
• AI is killing the old web & the new web struggles to be born - "Generative AI models are changing the economy of the web, making it cheaper to generate lower-quality content. We’re just beginning to see the effects of these changes."
• Hope, fear & AI - "We polled 2,000 people about how they’re using AI, what they want it to do, and what scares them about it the most."
• Google DeepMind’s CEO Says Its Next Algorithm Will Eclipse ChatGPT - "Demis Hassabis says the company is working on a system called Gemini that will tap techniques that helped AlphaGo defeat a Go champion in 2016."
• From Bette Davis to BeyoncÉ - why divas deserve to be difficult - "The trope of the demanding, drama-loving diva is everywhere throughout the history of stage, screen, music and more. But a new exhibition celebrates the diva for what she really is - fabulous, writes Deborah Nicholls-Lee."
• The 'Depression Burger' of Route 66 - "Born from poverty but made famous by love, the fried onion burger has fans flocking to El Reno in Oklahoma."
• iPhone's Screen Distance Feature on iOS 17 Can Help Reduce Eye Strain - "iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 include a new Screen Distance feature that can alert you when you hold an iPhone or iPad too close to your eyes for an extended period. Apple says the opt-in feature is designed to help lower the risk of nearsightedness in children by encouraging healthy viewing habits, and can help reduce eye strain overall."
• Google Pixel Fold review: The challenger that Samsung needs - "A sleeker design, great cameras and a wider front screen make a big difference. For the past few years, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold line has been the undisputed champion of big flexible phones. But it holds that title almost by default thanks to a lack of real contenders - especially outside of China. But with the Pixel Fold, Google has created a legitimate challenger with an innovative design that directly addresses some of Samsung's weaknesses in the space. So even though its $1,799 price will be a nonstarter for most, Google's first flagship foldable phone is still a notable rival."
• The Real-Life Diet of Longevity Expert David Sinclair, Who Says Even One Glass of Wine Can Hold You Back - "GQ caught up with the Harvard scientist, who says 'no' to sugar, alcohol, and meat - and 'yes' to polyphenols."
• Urtopia's Chord e-bike is a little overkill for a city ride and that's okay - "The company's second bike has a lot more curb appeal but all the same connectivity."
• The 9 Best Islay Scotch Whiskies for a Smoky Drinking Experience - "Hailing from one of the five whisky distilling locations protected by law in Scotland, Islay whisky certainly lends itself to a more mysterious and seemingly unknown variety."
• Patagonia Baggies, Reviewed: Yep, Still Great - "I've hiked, biked, surfed, and napped in Patagonia's nylon shorts. There really isn't a better pair."

June 26, 2023

• The Wagner uprising: 24 hours that shook Russia - "Driven by his feud with the defence minister, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion has petered out ... for now."
• New Jersey man flies 23m miles with lifetime United pass ‘like a sultan’ - "Since paying $290,000 for the ‘best investment’ of his life in 1990, Tom Stuker was flown more miles than the Apollo 11 moon trip."
• Average working hours in Europe - "Which countries work the longest and shortest weeks? In 2022, employed people in the EU aged 20-64 years worked 36.2 hours on average per week. This was 24 minutes less than the pre-pandemic figures of 2019."
• Why You Won't Hear Any Difference with Spotify's New HiFi Audio - "Try switching to a rival service instead. Spotify is about to add a new lossless HiFi tier to its music streaming plans, but you almost certainly won't be able to hear the difference."
• Suddenly, It Looks Like We’re in a Golden Age for Medicine - "We may be on the cusp of an era of astonishing innovation - the limits of which aren’t even clear yet." The New York Times.
• iOS 17 Check In explained - here’s how the new safety feature works - "Check In automatically and let your family and friends know when you've gotten home safely."
• 'AI.com' now takes you to ChatGPT. OpenAI evidently paid millions for it - "A huge, multimillion dollar domain acquisition. ChatGPT just received a huge upgrade that will make accessing the AI chatbot much easier. The domain name AI.com(opens in a new tab) now forwards to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The domain was acquired in 2021 but did not resolve to an actual website until just this week."
• NASA is creating a ChatGPT-like assistant for astronauts - "Deployment of an early version is planned for the Lunar Gateway space station."
• Beyond Bloody Marys: why savory cocktails are the new drinks trend - "Cold pizza in a glass? The rise of savory cocktails. Bloody Marys have been a staple of brunch menus as long as there have been brunch menus. But a new wave of bars from New York to Hong Kong has been trying to diversify their cocktail lists by including savory drinks inspired by everything from Waldorf salad to roast chicken."
• Adele Purchased Sylvester Stallone’s Los Angeles Compound For $58 Million - Under One Condition - "It turns out, Rocky has one very famous, and perhaps unexpected, fan Adele. The 'Easy On Me' singer purchased Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone’s sprawling Los Angeles compound in 2022 for a reported $58 million - a massive discount compared to the original asking price of $110 million. However, in a recent interview with WSJ, Stallone said that she would purchase the home under one condition: that she kept the Rocky statue by the pool. When asked if he wanted to keep the statue, he told WSJ: ''I did. But she said, ‘That’s a no deal. That’s gonna blow the whole deal,'' Stallone explained. 'She wanted the statue. I like what she’s doing; she’s making it gorgeous.'"

June 25, 2023

• Turn off your iPhone for five minutes - cybersecurity advice - "Forcibly closing apps could stop criminals from monitoring users or collecting data."
• I’m a travel expert & you should never shower before early morning flights - "Research produced by customer feedback company Happy or Not has revealed that passengers flying around 4am tend to be the happiest. Flying early in the morning can also increase your chances of avoiding a delay or a cancellation."
• I did a 7-minute Chinese plank every day for a week - here are my results - "If you’re unfamiliar with the move, it involves laying on your back in the supine position, with your upper back and heels supported on a bench or similar and the rest of your body unsupported. Below, I cover how to do the Chinese plank and what happened when I tried it every day for a week - here’s what went down (it’s killer)."
• Johnny Depp & His Glasses Through The Years - "Whether onscreen or off, Johnny is known for being something of a glasses connoisseur, having sported various designs of both the corrective and sun protection kind. Let’s chart the journey of the multifaceted actor’s long love affair with glasses and style inspirations."
• TOP 10 AIR JORDAN 4 SNEAKERS OF ALL TIME - "Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 4 first released in 1989 for Michael Jordan's fourth NBA season with the Chicago Bulls. Seamlessly blending performance and style, Hatfield integrated the Air-Sole unit from the Jordan 3 and added elements like the "Wings" on the sides, enabling users to adjust the shoe's fit to their preference."
• TOP 10 JORDAN SPIZIKES TO EVER RELEASE - "The shoe's name is derived from the combination of 'Spike' and 'Jordan', a nod to the collaborative efforts of filmmaker Spike Lee and the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan. Spike Lee, known for his character Mars Blackmon in the film "She's Gotta Have It", contributed significantly to the marketing and promotion of the Air Jordan line during the late 80s and early 90s. Mars became an emblematic character in the Air Jordan commercials, frequently proclaiming, 'It's gotta be the shoes.'"
• Antarctic tourism is booming - but can the continent cope? - "In tourist hotspots cruise ships must at times queue to disembark passengers and fragile ecosystems may be at risk from visitors. But who gets to decide on who can come?"
• What scientists say keeps mosquitoes at bay - " For as long as there have been humans, there have been mosquitoes buzzing around in hopes of a bite to eat. It’s a war that often turns deadly - mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal as they spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile virus. Even if the mosquitoes near you don’t carry these diseases, they’re still a nuisance. Here’s the lowdown on how mosquitoes hunt us, what attracts them, and what scientists recommend for keeping them at bay."
• What did the Vikings eat? - "By studying dig sites, sagas and ancient cookbooks, a culinary archaeologist is recreating dishes the Vikings ate - and rewriting the popular view of these people in the process."
• Weird Danish Things to Foreigners Living in Denmark - "In this video we look at traditions and experiences in Denmark that confuse foreigners and even seem weird to visitors during the summer. Derek is joined by none other than himself, but from 2017. The 'old Derek' has a lot of strange reactions to things that seemed really weird at first after moving to Denmark from the United States. YouTube 12:00."
• Tour de France offers gripping third act in Vingegaard v Pogacar battle - "Two favourites going head-to-head is an enthralling prospect in a Tour de France designed for climbers rather than sprinters."
• The buildings constructed from cannabis - "In search of sustainable materials, architects are turning to an unusual source: hemp."
• Scooter, a Chinese crested, is crowned world’s ugliest dog - "The annual contest celebrates pets’ imperfections, such as Scooter’s backwards-facing hind legs and sparse hair."

June 24, 2023

• Titanic sub search: What happens next - "US authorities have confirmed the loss of the submersible Titan, which went missing during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic nearly a week ago."
• Titanic director James Cameron accuses OceanGate of cutting corners - "OceanGate, the parent company of the Titan sub, 'didn't get certified because they knew they wouldn't pass'."
• Why we’re all pulled in by Titanic’s ‘toxic’ allure - "Much of Titanic’s magnetism comes from the hubris and glamor involved in the original tragedy, says Brent McKenzie, a professor at Canada’s University of Guelph and author of upcoming book 'Dark Tourism: Is the Medium Still the Message.' 'The fact that so many lives were lost, and that the ship was ‘unsinkable’ and the famous people on board seems to ensure ongoing interest,' says McKenzie. Titanic tourism is one of the more established industries in what’s become known as 'dark tourism.'"
• El NiÑo: how the weather event is affecting global heating in 2023 - "Planet is being hit by double whammy of global heating and emerging El Niño."
• No direct proof Covid-19 stemmed from Wuhan lab leak, US intelligence says - "Four-page declassified report said while ‘extensive work’ had been conducted, no evidence of an incident at the Wuhan lab was found."
• 6 incredible facts about the Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth - "Just as Earth’s land surface has enormous peaks and valleys, the oceanic world has similarly varied topography. Perhaps the most intriguing of these features is the Mariana Trench - a chasm in the western Pacific Ocean that spans more than 1,580 miles (2,540 kilometers) and is home to the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point on Earth’s surface that plunges more than 36,000 feet (about 11,000 meters) underwater. That’s nearly three times deeper than the site where the wreckage of the RMS Titanic lies in the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s deeper than Mount Everest is tall."
• What to expect during the 2024 total solar eclipse - "Sky-gazers across North America are in for a treat in 2024 when a total solar eclipse will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada. The highly anticipated celestial event doesn’t occur until April 8, but eclipse fans are already booking hotels within the path of totality, and experts suggest making plans now so as not to miss out."
• Ranking The 10 Most Popular Luxury Brands Online In 2023 - Forbes.
• Pharrell's $1 Million Louis Vuitton Bag Is Taking Over Paris - "The 'Millionaire' Speedy bag is cut from crocodile leather and affixed with both a chunky gold chain and diamond padlock, all handmade in one of LV's fairly young exotic leather ateliers."
• Pharrell's Flipped His Bespoke Tiffany Sunglasses - "The designer showcased a new shiny pair of his teenie-tiny custom Tiffany & Co. shades."
• Charles III & FranÇois Blanc created Monte-Carlo - "Charles III had to provide a new future after the amputation of his country. He had the financial possibilities for improvements thanks to the money received from Louis-Napoleon. During a visit to the German spa Baden-Baden, he suddenly envisioned how he could organise his country to meet the demands of tourism. There he heard that the Grand Duke of Baden could guarantee his people a good life with the profits from the casino. Something like this had to be possible with Monaco."
• What you should know about muscle memory to help you stay fit - "When you hear the term 'muscle memory,' it conjures up images of your muscles being able to memorize certain movements, such as dribbling a soccer ball or playing 'Happy Birthday' on the piano. But while muscle memory is real, that’s not what is actually going on in your body."
• The human-chimp bond captured in an iconic photo - "In 1964, Jane Goodall's husband Hugo van Lawick took a photo of her and an infant chimp reaching out to each other. Decades later, it continues to impact how we view chimpanzees."
• You Can Get Paid Ten Thousand Dollars To Walk 10,000 Steps in a Day - "You can now get paid $10,000 to walk 10,000 steps thanks to a new job role. Fitness brand GymBird is hiring its first ever Chief Step Officer (CSO) to inspire people to start their fitness journey."
• Download Your Photos & Videos from Google Album Archive Before They're Gone Forever - "The search giant will soon delete some media shared across Google services. Here's how to save it."
• Test-Driving The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe - "Brace yourself, as the 2023 AMG GLE 63 S Coupe redefines the boundaries between luxury and adrenaline-pumping performance. Its dynamic silhouette, backed by unrivaled power, gives you a heart-thumping, sensory-overloaded experience that’s as thrilling as it is luxurious. It's where German engineering meets extravagance - a harmonious symphony of raw power, elegant design, and advanced technology."

June 23, 2023

• Passengers aboard sub killed in 'catastrophic implosion' - "Search teams are scouring the sea floor for clues about the Titan's fateful voyage. Here's the latest."
• ‘True explorers’: tributes paid to men killed in ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan sub - "Families, friends and colleagues remember Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and Paul-Henri Nargeolet."
• Titanic director James Cameron: 'OceanGate were warned' - "Hollywood film director James Cameron, who helmed the 1997 movie Titanic, has told the BBC he felt the loss of the Titan submersible 'in my bones'."
• Beijing records hottest June day since weather records began as heatwave hits China - "Nanjiao weather station in southern Beijing hits 41.1C, half a degree higher than the station’s previous monthly record."
• Heatwaves are stressing out power grids all over the world - "From North America to Asia, power grids are struggling to keep people cool."
• iOS 16.5.1: What's in the Update & Why You Should Download It Now - "The latest version of iOS addresses some issues that may have been actively exploited."
• Elon Musk & Mark Zuckerberg say they’re ready for cage fight - "Twitter owner and Tesla (TSLA) CEO Musk recently tweeted that he would be 'up for a cage fight' with Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta. In an Instagram story Wednesday, Zuckerberg fired back by posting a screenshot of Musk’s tweet overlaid with the caption: 'Send Me Location.' Musk then responded to a tweet about the fight by Alex Heath, editor of tech news website Verge, with 'Vegas Octagon' - a reference to the Las Vegas arena that hosts the Ultimate Fighting Championship."
• Mark Zuckerberg & Elon Musk say they’re up for a cage match. Who would win? - "Zuckerberg has been competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu; Musk has size on his side - and a move called ‘the Walrus’."
• As a martial arts veteran, I know Zuckerberg could take Musk in a fight. But what a waste of energy! - "Meta and Twitter’s bosses are squaring up online. But while they bang on about cage fights, the world is burning."
• Sweden's magical day of feasting - "A celebratory strawberry cake for Sweden's Midsummer festival. The idea of seasonal eating reaches its apotheosis in Sweden on Midsummer Eve, a magical day of feasting where a cake layered with strawberries and cream is the crowning glory."
• Why do we love ugly animals? - "Ugly dogs and other unattractive pets are far from aesthetically pleasing, yet they still tug on our heart strings. What's going on?"
• The 4 Types Of ChatGPT Prompt Every Entrepreneur Should Know - "Artificial intelligence is a tool. ChatGPT is a tool. As with all tools, if you don’t know how to use them, they are fairly useless. You wouldn’t pick up a complicated kitchen appliance and expect miracles without reading the manual and learning how to use it. This is no different. Instead of punching keys into ChatGPT, learning how to prompt it effectively will mean far better results, for you and your business."
• Paul McCartney says there’s nothing artificial in new Beatles song made using AI - "Musician clarifies how artificial intelligence was applied to vocals by John Lennon, amid anxiety over how the technology will affect music."
• Isabelle Huppert: ‘When you’re an actor, you keep secrets’ - "The fearless French actor is known for playing powerful, complex women, mostly recently in Jean-Paul Salomé’s corporate drama La Syndicaliste. But she has her own way of balancing loyalty to film with her feminist principles."
• Ryan Reynolds Sold His Company For $1.3 Billion; Now He's Investing In Something He Knows Nothing About - "T-Mobile to acquire Ryan Reynolds' Mint Mobile for $1.35 billion. The Yahoo Finance Live team discusses T-Mobile's plan to acquire Mint Mobile. Acclaimed Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds has proven himself to be more than just an entertainer, delving into the world of investments with remarkable success."
• And Just Like That season two review - "A lavish, ridiculous and hilarious meme-fest. It will never live up to Sex and the City, but it’s intensely quotable, brilliantly watchable and packed with hilarious high jinks. Isn’t that enough?"
• Glastonbury festival 2023 gets under way - in pictures - "The gates have opened at the UK’s biggest music and performing arts festival. Backpacks, wellies, airbeds and a burst of torrential rain were the order of the day as the first festivalgoers trooped into Worthy Farm."
• More than 1.3bn adults will have diabetes by 2050, study predicts - "Number worldwide expected to double, with rises in every country and across every age group."
• Harley-Davidson’s New CVO Models Hint At The Company’s Higher-Tech Future Motorcycles - "For decades, Harley-Davidson’s “CVO” machines have always been the company’s bucks-up limited-edition halo machines. Factory customized limited-edition specials based on current platforms, CVO models are given the lux treatment with special paint jobs, punched-out motors and a parts book full of accessories by the “Custom Vehicle Operations” skunkworks at the Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker. They typically reflected what many riders (and Harley stylists) would opt for given unfettered access to the considerable catalog of Harley’s available upgrades. But this year, the CVOs seem to be a bit different."
• How to make the most of that Instant Pot you just bought - "Plus our favorite accessories and recipe sources. Few kitchen appliances have reached the same cult status as the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is one of those rare kitchen appliances to reach not just cult status, but broad mainstream appeal. An 'all-in-one' multi-cooker that promises to replace a rice cooker, a yogurt maker, a slow cooker and more, the Instant Pot has risen to fame in part thanks to its versatility and also the fact that it’s a good electric pressure cooker. This lets you cook food at an accelerated rate - think pulled pork in an hour, or chicken curry done in 10 minutes. And because it’s electric, you just press a few buttons and walk away without having to keep an eye on it."

June 22, 2023

• Stricken Titan submarine will run out of oxygen at 12:08pm UK time - "Coastguard makes stark prediction as officials insist hunt for five-man crew is '100% a search and RESCUE' mission but craft has NOT been found leaving situation increasingly desperate."
• Who is 'Mr Titanic' Paul-Henri Nargeolet? French 'super hero' Navy veteran, 77? - "Among five on missing sub whose 'unparalleled' knowledge of shipwreck helped inspire friend James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster."
• What we know about the ocean’s depths & why it’s so risky to explore it - "Though people have been exploring the ocean’s surface for tens of thousands of years, only about 20% of the seafloor has been mapped, according to 2022 figures from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration."
• How do surveillance planes spot ocean submersibles? - "Above the Atlantic, various aircraft and surveillance technologies are being deployed to search for the missing Titan submersible near the sunken wreck of the Titanic. How do they work?"
• 100 Most Influential Companies 2023 - "TIME's list of the world's 100 most influential businesses."
• The world’s most liveable cities for 2023 - "Vienna has been ranked as the most liveable city in the world on EIU’s Global Liveability Index once again. It’s nicknamed the 'city of dreams,' and it seems the Austrian capital may just be a dream place to live. Copenhagen, Denmark is ranked No. 2. The ranking of the world’s most liveable cities for 2023 has just been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and Vienna has come out on top yet again."
• Mark Zuckerberg is ready to fight Elon Musk in a cage match - "A tech billionaire brawl for the ages that needs to happen."
• If you don’t go on these adventures before you’re 30, you’re missing out. Here’s why - "Travel experiences you can only enjoy while you’re young."
• Qantas reveals economy seats for 19-hour NYC-Sydney ultra long-haul flights - "As Qantas counts down to the 2025 launch of its record-breaking passenger flights connecting Sydney to New York and London direct, the airline has revealed what economy class will look like on the ultra long-haul flights. At a press conference in New York on Thursday, the airline revealed it will offer passengers more leg room and more space to move around the cabin on the 12 specially designed Airbus A350 planes that will operate the routes."
• The 12 Best Rolling Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested & Reviewed - "We tested 30 bags to find the best rolling duffel for every trip." Travel + Leisure.
• You don’t have to close your rings - "I wear my Apple Watch nearly every day, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I close my rings and get a “great job” notification. An Apple Watch has three rings to close: 'move,' 'exercise' and 'stand.' The 'move' ring tracks active calories burnt, the 'exercise' ring tracks the minutes you have spent exercising and the 'stand' ring tracks how many times you have stood for at least one minute in each hour of the day."
• ‘I no longer know how to think about borsch’ - "The soup of my childhood has become a symbol of Putin’s assault on Ukrainian land, culture and heritage, of his drive to plunder and obliterate Ukraine."
• Inside Aerin Lauder’s Romantic Palm Beach Paradise - "AD100 designer Stephen Sills collaborated with the Estée Lauder scion to make her Louis XVI–style house a home."
• Europe's most expensive painting ever? - "Left on Gustav Klimt's easel when the artist died in 1918, Lady with a Fan could be the most expensive painting auctioned in Europe, valued at £65m - but what makes it a masterpiece? Kelly Grovier explores its appeal."
• The best webcams for 2023 - "Your computer’s built-in camera can only do so much."
• 8 New Photo Features Coming to iPhone in iOS 17 - "Photography has become a staple use of the modern iPhone, and Apple isn't resting on its laurels in its efforts to advance what you can do with a photo in iOS 17."
• TOP 10 WOODEN FURNITURE DESIGNS TO ELEVATE YOUR HOME WITH SOME WARM MINIMALISM - "Minimal, clean, and almost always soothing, beautifully designed wooden furniture helps add the ultimate finishing touch to a room. And we’ve curated a collection of wholesome wooden furniture designs for you - from a minimalist stool that combines wood and webbing to a table that is the physical manifestation of a wormhole in the form of furniture!"

June 21, 2023

• What is it like to be on the missing Titanic tourism submarine? Watch this video to find out - "In the video, CBS reporter David Pogue went on an OceanGate expedition and interviewed the company’s CEO, Stockton Rush, who is one of the five individuals who is missing on the ship. In the clips, Pogue appears to be alarmed by just how low-tech Rush’s submersible vehicle is, especially when he learned that a video game controller was used to drive it. And as noted by Pogue, before he could take part in the voyage, he had to sign a document that stated that the 'experimental submersible vessel ... has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma or death.'"
• The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023: the list in pictures - "Voted No.1 in this year's list, Central is crowned The World's Best Restaurant 2023. The highly anticipated list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was revealed on Tuesday 20th June at a live awards ceremony held at Valencia’s stunning City of Arts and Sciences, with the world’s best chefs, esteemed food media and leading foodies in attendance. The 21st edition of the annual ranking features restaurants across 24 territories in five continents and 12 brand-new entries. Explore the list in 50 photos and find out which venue has been crowned No.1, taking home the trophy for The World’s Best Restaurant 2023."
• Move over, Europe: a new culinary capital takes World’s Best Restaurant title - "Peru’s capital city - and undoubtedly its gastronomic capital - had a tremendous showing Tuesday at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, taking the No. 1 title and earning more slots in the top 50 than any other city. Four Lima restaurants made the 50 Best list: Central at No. 1, Maido at No. 6, Kjolle at No. 28 and Mayta at No. 47. Kjolle is new to the top 50 this year."
• Missing Titanic sub search continues as banging sounds heard - "Sonar picked up banging sounds Tuesday during the search, indicating 'continued hope of survivors,' according to an internal US government memo."
• Billionaire explorer & a prominent Pakistani father & son duo are on board the missing sub - "While the names of those on board have not been released by the authorities, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman Dawood, and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet have been confirmed to be on board the craft."
• Summer solstice: Everything you need to know about the longest day of the year - "The summer solstice is Wednesday, June 21. It’s the longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s also the first official day of summer."
• Summer solstice 2023 celebrations at Stonehenge - in pictures - "Revellers have attended summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge near Amesbury. Thousands descended on the ancient stone circle to witness the sunrise on the longest day of the year. English Heritage allows controlled access to the site to allow the celebration that marks the official start of summer."
• A cheap fix to global warming is finally gaining support - "Global support for one of the cheapest and most powerful climate actions is accelerating - and it couldn't come at a more urgent time."
• Apple could force a 111-year-old fruit company to change its apple logo - "Apple's aggressive trademark quest could result in a century-old fruit company being forced to change its apple logo. Apple is reportedly attempting to gain IP rights to images of apples in Switzerland. This could result in a 111-year-old fruit company being forced to change its logo."
• iPhone 15 could finally upgrade a feature unchanged since the iPhone 11 - "We may see the iPhone 15 series get a long-overdue tracking upgrade thanks to a new ultrawide-band (UWB) chip, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo."
• The 9 Best Leather Overnight Bags of 2023 - "We researched the best leather overnight bags for every type of traveler." Travel + Leisure.
• 8 ChatGPT Prompts To Finish Hours Of Work In Seconds - "Co-creating with artificial intelligence can make your work better. What used to take days can now take hours, what used to require trawling through freelancers can be created in a few clicks. For individual creators, an AI copilot makes a lot of sense. But rather than outsourcing every part of your work to ChatGPT, use it for the preparation and the ideation. Use it for those grunt work tasks that you don’t really enjoy."
• world’s best airlines for 2023, according to Skytrax - "The world's best airlines for 2023 have been revealed. Last year's winner has lost its crown."
• Every traveler should carry a luggage scale - here are 11 of our favorites - "Luggage scales can save you time, money and that annoying - and frustrating - feeling when the check-in agent announces your bag is overweight. And if travel is already stressful for you, your luggage should be one fewer thing you need to worry about. You’ll never get stuck at the airport with an overweight bag again if you weigh your bag with a luggage scale at home before traveling. Many scales are small and portable enough to slip into your bag, meaning you won’t get caught with a super-heavy bag on the way home either - no matter how many souvenirs you buy."
• 5 Habits That Make You Smart - "1. Embracing Lifelong Learning. Lifelong learning stands as the first pillar in our quest for increased intelligence. ... 2. The Power of Regular Exercise. ... 3. Cultivating Mindfulness Meditation. ... 4. The Impact of a Balanced Diet. ... 5. Prioritizing Quality Sleep."
• I’m a Harvard neuroscientist. Here’s the No. 1 music I listen to when I need to focus - it’s not classical - "With music and people being so diverse, how do you decide which is best for you? Researchers have found that when it comes to boosting brainpower, there is no one-fits-all genre."
• People are only just realising what the grab handles in cars are for & their minds are blown - "Drivers have been left stunned after only just realising how to use the grab handles in their cars properly."
• Can Samsung’s Galaxy smart tag plus key tracker rival Apple & Tile? - "The device has its flaws but there are some stand-out features worth considering."
• 26 best luggage tags of 2023, perfect for frequent flyers - "These days, you can walk through the airport and see dozens of pieces of luggage that look similar - or even identical. When it comes to telling your bags apart from other travelers’, a simple luggage tag can play a huge role. The main purpose of luggage tags is to keep your suitcase safe and ensure it makes its way back to you if lost. Luggage tags protect your belongings and help airport staff and everyone else know that your bag is yours."
• Can you wear sweaty gym clothes twice? How to join the no-wash revolution - "If you’re tempted by the thought of doing less laundry, here is everything you need to know, from spot-cleaning to moths to staying odour-free."
• Pharrell Williams hits Paris catwalk with Louis Vuitton menswear debut - "Guests included Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Rihanna, illustrating creative director’s cultural capital is part of allure."

June 20, 2023

• Titanic submarine: rescuers race against time to find missing Titan - live - "Vessel, which can stay submerged for 96 hours, went missing on Sunday while carrying five people to wreckage of Titanic."
• Missing Titanic submersible: what is the Titan tourist sub & what might have happened to it? - "The five-person craft has 96 hours of oxygen on board and can dive to depths of 4km to explore wreckage of the Titanic."
• See inside of submersible typically used for Titanic expedition - "Officials are in a race against time to find a civilian submersible with five people aboard after it went missing in the North Atlantic while voyaging to the wreckage of the Titanic. The founder of OceanGate, the company that organizes Titanic expeditions, showed a CBS team the inside of the type of submersible used for the tours. CNN's Rosemary Church speaks to David Gallo, Senior Adviser at RMS Titanic Inc. which owns exclusive salvage rights to the Titanic wreckage."
• The future of travel: 10 concepts that will change the way we experience the world - "Travel has come a long way since the age of Silk Road caravans, daunting sea voyages and steam locomotives - and will continue to transform in years to come. Concepts that feel plucked from sci-fi novels and films are quickly making their way into mainstream travel, shaping every step of the journey."
• Square where Julius Caesar was killed will open to public in Rome - "Tourists in the city will be able to examine the spot where the Roman dictator was said to have been murdered."
• Himalayan glaciers could lose up to 80% of their ice by 2100 as temperatures rise, report warns - "The report, published Tuesday by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), examined the impact of climate change on an area stretching 1.6 million square miles (4.1 million square kilometers) from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east."
• Body language, knowledge of the game & luck: the art of chess photography - "At first glance, it’s a sport that doesn’t seem the most vibrant or colorful or particularly dynamic, which makes the art of capturing its drama and excitement more complex than most sports photography. Maria Emelianova is a leading chess photographer, tasked with traveling the world to document the highs and lows of the sport."
• Train ChatGPT To Write Like You In 5 Easy Steps - "Unless you prompt them really well, large language models (LLMs) are not that clever. You can’t punch in a few keys and expect War and Peace to come out the other side. It doesn’t work like that. Instead, careful and clever prompting is required to guide the model to generate what you want. And what you want is words and sentences that you would use. If you’re using ChatGPT to create articles or social media posts, make sure they read like you actually wrote them. Here are the 5 simple steps to getting ChatGPT to write like you."
• iPhone 15 Pro Expected to Launch in September With These 12 New Features - "Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup in September. As usual, the Pro models are expected to have a wider range of new features, including an A17 Bionic chip, titanium frame, faster USB-C port, and more."
• 7 luggage mistakes to avoid while travelling by flight - "While traveling can be an exciting and thrilling experience, the pre-travel logistical tasks, such as efficiently and effectively packing your luggage, can become quite overwhelming. From organising your belongings in suitcases to ensuring your luggage meets weight restrictions, here are some tips to help you avoid common luggage mistakes when traveling by air. Here are a few luggage mistakes to avoid while traveling, as curated by flight attendants."
• How to Authenticate Louis Vuitton - "Authenticating Louis Vuitton bags. All authentic Louis Vuitton bags will have the words 'LOUIS VUITTON PARIS' along with the circle R trademark logo (and sometimes the country it was made in: 'made in ____')."
• EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LOUIS VUITTON'S DATE CODES - "Unlike brands like Chanel, a Louis Vuitton purse does not come with an authenticity card, nor a serial number. From the early 1980s, up until March 2021, Louis Vuitton used date codes that are embossed or printed on a leather tab that’s sewn into the interior linings of some of their bags, small leather goods, and most accessories. Not meant for verifying authenticity, these date codes simply help you identify the date and location in which the bag was made. With the exception of older models made before the 1980s, date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other accessories like sunglasses. Though even some authentic Louis Vuitton handbags may not have date codes, this is the case for older bags whose date codes have faded, or for bags that have had their linings cleaned or changed."
• A GUIDE TO LOUIS VUITTON DATE CODES - "Since the early 1980s, up until March 2021, Louis Vuitton has included date codes with their bags, small leather goods, and most accessories. These are not considered serial numbers and are not used for the purpose of verifying authenticity."
• Why are serious heart attacks more likely on a Monday? - “It is likely to be due to the stress of returning to work. Increased stress leads to rising levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to a higher risk of heart attack.”
• how I learned to walk properly & changed my pace, posture & perspective - "When I was told I could reap huge health benefits by learning to walk better, I was sceptical. I was already pretty good at walking, I thought. It turned out I had a lot to learn."
• Apple TV+ remake of sci-fi classic Metropolis cancelled due to US writers’ strike - "The $188m eight-part series was to be filmed in Melbourne but has been shelved because of ‘push costs and uncertainty’."
• Italian dressing: What the models, stylists & tailors wore to fashion week in Florence - in pictures - "Award-winning photographer Jonathan Daniel Pryce is known for his stylised portraiture. Working under the pseudonym Garçon Jon, he has documented style at international fashion weeks for the past 15 years. Here he hits the streets of Florence to capture visitors to Pitti Imagine Uomo."
• WhatsApp can now automatically silence unknown callers - "The update also introduces 'Privacy Checkup' to let users fine-tune privacy settings."

June 19, 2023

• Virgin Galactic sets first commercial space tourism flight for this month; shares spike more than 40% - "The company on Thursday said the flight is targeting a launch window that opens June 27 and runs to June 30. The company, which was founded by billionaire Richard Branson, completed its final test spaceflight in May."
• Spotify executive calls Harry & Meghan ‘grifters’ after podcast deal ends - "Bill Simmons, head of podcast innovation and monetisation at Spotify, spoke out after the couple’s $20m deal with the company ended prematurely."
• You Can Now Use Google Lens On Your Phone To Look Up Skin Conditions - "Housed in this app is Google Lens, a vision-based tool that allows users to search what they see via their smartphones. Essentially, Lens compares an uploaded or captured image to other images throughout the internet (akin to traditional Google search), and ranks the results based on their similarities to the user’s image."
• The truth about how often you should wash your hair - "A report about a cancer-causing chemical being detected in some dry shampoos may have led you rethink your hair care routine. But experts say there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair - or what you can do to maintain it on off days."
• ‘His ideas resonate’: how the Unabomber’s dangerous anti-tech manifesto lives on - "Ted Kaczynski’s ‘prescient’ views have been praised by Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson - and continue to draw misguided new followers."
• Gen Z & Millennials' surprising midsummer obsession - "Summer is when folk fans - of all generations - come out in force. But is the new folk movement taking over from a culture traditionally dominated by Boomers."
• Canadian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen wins to equal Ayrton Senna victories total - "Red Bull's Max Verstappen equalled Ayrton Senna's career total of 41 victories with a dominant win at the Canadian Grand Prix."
• U.S. Government Owns Way More Bitcoin Than Any Other Country - So Why Aren’t They Selling It? - "Washington owns more than $5 billion worth of seized bitcoin and has been reluctant to part with it. That may represent inertia more than strategy."
• Google's designers on why the Pixel Fold isn't just another foldable - "We talked to two product managers about the what the company is doing differently with its first flexible screen device."

June 18, 2023

• The world's most scandalous royal family revealed - outrageous affairs, illegitimate children, siblings at war & a witch's curse - "What the new Netflix series on the Monaco royals may NOT tell you. 'Gossip was invented in Monaco,' its late ruler Prince Rainier III once said. And surely, the juiciest story to come out of the tiny Mediterranean Principality is that his family - the House of Grimaldi - has lived for centuries under a witch's curse. For according to legend, back in the 13th century, Prince Rainier I kidnapped and raped a beautiful maiden who - in order to exact revenge - became a witch and cast a generational curse on his family: 'Never will a Grimaldi find true happiness in marriage.'"
• King Charles III rides on horseback in first official birthday parade - "King Charles III revived a royal tradition by riding on horseback in the first Trooping the Colour of his reign, which marks the British sovereign’s official birthday. The traditional military spectacle on Saturday is a parade like no other with all the pomp and pageantry expected of royal occasions, and draws massive crowds to central London. Charles’ actual birthday is in November and is typically celebrated privately."
• Elon Musk Offers a Deal to the World - "The billionaire wants to go down in history as one of the greatest innovators the world has ever known. The richest man in the world was the star of the latest edition of Viva Tech, a European tech conference in Paris, where he uttered his most inspirational words."
• Some things you can do if you’re sick of social media - "You, too, can touch grass. If you, like me, have discovered that social media has felt a lot less compelling lately, let me make some suggestions for activities."
• How this cheap gadget became the hottest travel accessory - "How simple luggage trackers became the hottest travel accessory."
• They Said What? Lip Readers Decode Celebrity Whispers - "There are millions of views to be had for those who can interpret the caught-on-camera conversations of royal family members, Taylor Swift, and Ben and Jennifer Affleck." The New York Times.
• The New War on Bad Air - "A century ago, a well-ventilated building was considered good medicine. But by the time Covid-19 arrived, our buildings could barely breathe. How did that happen? And how do we let the fresh air back in?" The New York Times.
• Ireland will pay you $90,000 to move to a beautiful island home - "Increased grants of up to €84,000 (nearly $92,000) will soon be offered to people willing to refurbish vacant or derelict homes and then live in them, with Vacant Home Officers now on the case to identify eligible properties. Would-be islanders should be aware that while there are no restrictions on who can buy property in Ireland, owning a place doesn’t guarantee you the right to live there. The government website has the latest deets on the Our Living Islands policy and the existing refurbishment scheme."
• Ellsberg & Trump both took classified documents. Their reasons couldn’t be more different - "A great truth teller has left us. A liar whose mendacity has no equal remains for us to deal with."
• Are aliens that bad at parking? What we need to ask about recent UFO revelations - "Recent claims by an ex-US intelligence agency whistleblower about alien spacecraft landings have been met with scepticism by scientists – not least over the galactic visitors’ driving skills."

June 17, 2023

• Four alarming charts that show just how extreme the climate is right now - "Soaring temperatures. Unusually hot oceans. Record high levels of carbon pollution in the atmosphere and record low levels of Antarctic ice. We’re only halfway through 2023 and so many climate records are being broken, some scientists are sounding the alarm, fearing it could be a sign of a planet warming much more rapidly than expected."
• Inside one couple’s state-of-the-art smart starter home - "One couple’s starter home in a connected community in California shows how smart energy powered by smart home technology could be the future of affordable, energy-independent living."
• Air travel is toxic for the planet. But some airlines are better than others - "The world’s most eco-conscious airlines."
• Cut down to size: the best luggage for travelling light with no airline fees - "The lowdown on bags and cases to fit into overhead lockers or under seats on planes."
• In the bag! Why the humble suitcase is this year’s fashion must-have - "With a cluster of new brands vying for prominence and celebrity endorsements, the dingy airport could soon be awash with colour."
• Daniel Ellsberg, Pentagon Papers whistleblower, dies aged 92 - "Analyst who leaked studies showing US government knew the Vietnam war was un-winnable became activist and writer."
• Why does King Charles III get two birthdays? - "The role of Britain’s monarch comes with quite a long list of perks - but perhaps one of the most enviable is the ability to celebrate your birthday not once, but twice a year. King Charles enjoyed his first real birthday as monarch on November 14. But this weekend he’ll celebrate his big day all over again - the first time he’s enjoyed an 'official' birthday since ascending to the throne. Britain’s Kings and Queens have doubled up on their festivities since the 18th century, holding both a public celebration - the official birthday - and a more private event on the real date."
• The highs & lows of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast - "The short-lived series is no more. What did we learn about the Duchess of Sussex and her famous pals?"
• Kate Middleton Just Wore the Comfy Summer Sneakers Shoppers Call "Perfect" for Standing All Day - "This Lululemon style is just as practical as it is stylish."
• The Best Asics Will Give You a New Love for Sneakers - "Asics have become - perhaps always have been? - a certified staple in the world of footwear. They're reliable, affordable, and they perform damn nicely. It doesn't hurt that they're easy on the eyes, either, and go with just about everything."
• The Air Jordan 1 Stash Utility ‘Spider-Verse’ Is Limited to 100 Pairs - "Taking the modular Air Jordan 1 Stash Utility, the sneaker takes on the colours of the Prowler, using black nubuck on the majority of the sneaker with iridescent purple panels placed on the toebox and ankle flap. The removable pockets on the medial side and heel are seen in a black ripstop material with fluorescent pink accents. The Air Jordan 1 Utility ‘Spider-Verse’ will not be released to the public as they’re limited to 100 pairs, given to friends and family of Jordan Brand and Sony Pictures."
• Researchers one step closer to growing decaffeinated coffee beans - "Resulting varieties could find commercial success as an alternative to current decaf requiring artificial processes."
• The Inner “Face Lift” Technique Trending In Skincare Circles - "How to achieve a lifted, chiselled jawline and remarkably sculpted cheekbones? It seems we’re all on the hunt for a method that works. The term 'sculpt cheekbones' alone has 233.6 million views on TikTok, while Google searches for “how to use gua sha” (an at-home technique) are up 50 per cent in the last 30 days. Those in the know, however, are turning to buccal massage."
• Battle in the Channel: seigneur of Sark takes on Barclay dynasty - "Christopher Beaumont is attempting to buy up abandoned hotels and other buildings owned by Telegraph billionaires."
• Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven: A Glimpse Of Mercedes’ Future - "The automotive industry has never been in a state of greater upheaval than it is today. Everything from drivetrain technology to connected technology to self-driving technology is shifting faster than ever before, and every global automaker is struggling to keep up. These fast-paced, tectonic shifts in automotive tech are driving future product, as reflected in Mercedes-Benz’ newest concept car, the Vision One-Eleven."
• The World’s Best Tequila & Mezcal, According To The Beverage Testing Institute 2023 - "Six Tequilas and three Mezcals won Platinum Medal-Superlative, and 74 additional Tequilas and Mezcals won Gold Medal-Exceptional at the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) recent judging of agave spirits. Four of the top Tequilas were Extra Añejo, and two were Blanco. All three of the Mezcals were Blanco."
• Apple Mac Studio (2023) review: the M2 Ultra rips - "The Mac Studio remains the top choice for professionals who need a powerful but compact desktop computer."
• Sony Bravia TV owners can soon take Zoom calls from the couch - "It requires the $200 Bravia Cam, which also adds several smart features."

June 16, 2023

• Prince Harry & Meghan’s multimillion-dollar deal with Spotify to end - "The couple have produced just one podcast series since signing with Spotify in 2020 for a reported US$20m."
• Al Pacino is a new dad again at 83 - "Actor Al Pacino and girlfriend Noor Alfallah have welcomed a baby boy, a representative for Pacino told CNN. Pacino, 83, and Alfallah, 29, a film producer, named their child Roman Pacino. The Oscar-winning actor has three other children - two with Beverly D’Angelo and one with Jan Tarrant."
• Conor McGregor is accused of sexual assault - "Conor McGregor sexual assault accuser gave bag of clothes to cops that she says has his DNA all over it after he 'forced her into oral sex then spat on her and himself' in men's VIP bathroom at NBA Finals."
• Bryan Cranston: ‘My dad wanted to be a star. How futile is that?’ - "His role as The Host in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City sees the actor return to the desert. He reflects on how Covid protected his privacy, his secrets to acting success, and how his estranged father tried to cash in on Breaking Bad."
• Neuschwanstein: US man held after fatal attack at German castle - "A 21-year-old woman has died after she was attacked and thrown from a hill at the historic Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany on Wednesday."
• The U.S. Is Paying Billions to Russia’s Nuclear Agency. Here’s Why - "Nuclear power companies rely on cheap enriched uranium made in Russia. That geopolitical dilemma is intensifying as climate change underscores the need for emissions-free energy." The New York Times.
• The only skyscraper in Paris is about to turn 50 & many Parisians still hate it - "There is an old joke in Paris that the top of Montparnasse Tower has the prettiest view in the French capital. Not because of its breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower or the Sacre-Coeur Basilica perched atop Montmartre, but because it is the only place where you do not have to see the skyscraper itself. Since the 59-story chocolate-colored glass tower was inaugurated in 1973, it has been reviled by many Parisians as a blight on the skyline of the 'City of Light.' It is the only skyscraper in Paris, standing at 210 meters (689 feet), in a city known mostly for its architectural uniformity."
• The wild, remote island at the heart of a billion-dollar industry - "The rain-lashed isle of Islay off Scotland’s west coast is not always easy to get to. Temperamental ferries run three times a day from the mainland port of Kennacraig and frequent sea mists can disrupt the small passenger planes that fly daily from Glasgow. Even so, the island attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. What do they come for? Whisky. Despite its small size and a population of just 3,000, Islay is home to nine - soon to be 11 - of Scotland’s 145 active distilleries."
• The 20 greatest Adidas sneaker collaborations of all time - "From Bad Bunny to Yohji Yamamoto, these are the sneakers that gave the vaunted Trefoil its shine."
• Mercedes is bringing ChatGPT into its cars - "Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft have agreed to add ChatGPT to Mercedes-Benz cars in the United States. ChatGPT is Microsoft’s 'generative artificial intelligence' software that can engage in realistically human-like dialog. Mercedes vehicles already have voice-command capabilities allowing drivers to use the phrase, 'Hey, Mercedes,' followed by a short command to do things like adjust the temperature in the vehicle, find a navigation destination or place a phone call. ChatGPT would make these voice commands more fluid and natural and could enable additional functions, according to Microsoft."
• How the colour of your swimsuit can save your life - "Colours change to a surprising degree when submerged underwater, so what you and your children wear in the water can make a difference in an emergency."
• How Noise Can Take Years Off Your Life - "When we hear the whooshing din of a freeway or the thundering of a low-flying plane, the sound alerts the stress detection center in our brain, which then sets off a cascade of reactions in our body that, over time, can take a serious toll on our health."
• Are You Exposed to Too Much Noise? Here’s How to Check - "Noise can damage your heart as well as your hearing, but there are ways to measure your exposure and reduce your risk." The New York Times.
• The Life & Death of Colonel Blimp: The war film that Churchill tried to ban - "Powell and Pressburger's classic satire about the British military turns 80 this month. Mark Allison reflects on the controversy around its production, which even incited the prime minister."
• How to look like Victoria Beckham - "(But be prepared for pain and hunger!): As the star, 49, shares her painful beauty regime... a look at her pricey skin-care, gruelling workouts and minute diet."
• Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2023 - "When and where to find the best deals, plus what to expect out of the shopping event."
• These $400 XR glasses gave my MacBook a 120-inch screen to work with - "Viture's One extended reality glasses are a clever and portable way to work and play. Here's what they get right and what they get wrong."
• Dwayne Johnson Talks About Launching Teremana, The Fastest-Growing Tequila Of All Time - "Teremana Tequila has just announced a major milestone. The ultra-premium brand launched by Dwayne Johnson in early 2020 has now eclipsed the one-million-case-mark in annual sales—a total of some 9 million liters worth of liquid. To frame that in proper context: out of hundreds of producers on shelves today, only 10 other tequila brands can claim to sell more. Among them is Casamigos, which famously sold to Diageo for nearly a billion dollars back in 2016. At the time, the Clooney co-founded company could only claim 120,000 cases per year in sales."

June 15, 2023

• If all I do is walk for exercise, is that a good enough workout? - "Yes, walking counts as exercise. Here’s how to get the most out of it. Taking a walk is stress reducing, enjoyable and good for your health. So why not use it as your workout of choice? Over time, walking consistently may help improve heart health and reduce body fat. About 30 minutes of walking a day can help you make progress toward your weight loss and fitness goals."
• What is a high-protein diet & will it help you lose weight? - "Can you eat too much protein? While the macronutrient is an essential part of any diet, dietitians say quality is just as important as quantity."
• I Walk 12,000+ Steps Per Day In These Sneakers (& They're Finally Back In Stock) - "Cariuma's IBI sneakers are the perfect supportive and sustainable. My closet seems to multiply white sneakers, I've been reaching for the same pair 90% of the time: my Cariuma IBI Low Sneakers. Lightweight enough to wear in the summer heat yet so durable I can wear them on 5-mile walks, the knit style keeps my feet comfortable year-round - and they somehow match every outfit I own." mbgmovement.
• The best Fitbits for your fitness & health - "Whether you want a basic fitness tracker or a smartwatch, there’s a Fitbit for everyone - though the best Fitbit smartwatch isn’t technically a Fitbit. In 2023, you might wonder if Fitbit is still relevant. Despite getting acquired by Google, Fitbit remains one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Fitbit trackers aren’t meant for the most hardcore of athletes, but they’re still excellent devices for tracking overall activity as well as monitoring certain health and wellness metrics like EKGs and blood oxygen levels."
• 10 ways to be much more confident at work - "Make people laugh, keep a praise file, deal with your inner critic - and avoid comparison-itis. Here is how to connect with colleagues and feel more positive."
• how to dress when you hate your clothes - "Feel you have a full wardrobe but nothing to wear?"
• Fears of hottest year on record as global temperatures spike - "Early data shows June temperatures hitting record highs ahead of El Niño that experts say will have significant heating effect."
• ‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’ - "While the world becomes drier, profit and pollution are draining our resources. We have to change our approach."
• Greta Thunberg: not phasing out fossil fuels is ‘death sentence’ for world’s poor - "Climate activist says only ‘rapid and equitable’ phaseout will keep temperatures within 1.5C limit."
• Netherlands to provide free sun cream to tackle record skin cancer levels - "Dispensers will be in place at schools, parks, sports venues and festivals across country this summer."
• BeyoncÉ concert in Stockholm blamed for unexpectedly high Swedish inflation - "Swedish inflation fell below 10% in May, official statistics showed, but was still higher than expected with some analysts suggesting superstar Beyoncé had tipped the scales."
• Wimbledon prize money increases to record $56.6 million - "A record $56.6 million (£44.7 million) in prize money will be available at this year’s Wimbledon, the All England Club announced on Wednesday. That represents an 11.2% increase on last year’s prize pot, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving close to $3 million (£2.35 million) and the runners-up almost $1.5 million (£1.175)."
• How to teach Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 jets - "Western allies are set to announce their plans to train Ukrainian pilots to fly US-made F-16s when they meet in Brussels today. But it's still not clear which countries will be willing to provide the jets, how many, or even when."
• Rolls-Royce boss unable to see secret UK documents on its submarines business - "Tufan Erginbilgiç, who took over at the £12bn engineering giant in January, is prevented from viewing 'UK eyes only' documents under Whitehall security protocols because he holds joint British and Turkish citizenship, sources said."
• Patek Philippe Releases Six New Limited References For Tokyo Market - "Patek Philippe introduced six limited editions, some of them surprisingly colorful, in conjunction with its Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Tokyo over the weekend. The brand also created a complete collection of dome clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches celebrating the rare handcrafts, inspired by Japanese culture for the exhibition."

June 14, 2023

• Takeaways from Trump's historic court appearance - "Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 charges Tuesday in a brief but historic court appearance following his arrest and processing on federal charges. Trump is the first former president to face federal charges following last week’s indictment by special counsel Jack Smith. Trump made clear once again Tuesday that he has no plans to stop attacking the special counsel’s indictment - and the other legal peril he faces – as he runs for president again in 2024."
• Elon Musk Offers Harsh Criticism For Everyone's Favorite Tech Company - "Though he's far from the first to complain about Apple's App Store control, Elon Musk Tweets with a far louder voice than most. 'If Apple competes against the whole world, Apple will have the whole world against it,' Musk Tweeted June 13. 'This is not a winning scenario.'"
• The Cruise Industry Is On a Course For Climate Disaster - "The cruise industry has an enormous environmental footprint. But customers don't seem concerned about climate change."
• How a 3.2-million-year-old human relative named Lucy walked - "Lucy was shorter than the average human, reaching about 3.3 feet (1 meter) in height, had an ape-like face and a brain about one-third the size of a human brain."
• Billion-year-old rocks reveal traces of ancient life - "Plants, algae, fungi, and animals - including humans - are all eukaryotes: life forms with complex, nucleus-containing cells. A recent discovery of organic compounds in ancient rocks in Australia helps illuminate the early history of eukaryotes, suggesting that this group was already abundant more than a billion years ago, according to a new study."
• Why a map in India’s new Parliament is making its neighbors nervous - "A new mural on display in India’s new $110 million Parliament has become an unlikely target of ire among its South Asian neighbors, with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh seeking an explanation from New Delhi. The mural depicts a map of an ancient Indian civilization encompassing what is today Pakistan in the north and Bangladesh and Nepal in the east."
• Bali considers banning mountain climbing following spate of bad tourist behavior - "Bali’s governor has announced a ban on tourist activities on its mountains with 'immediate effect,' in a bid to preserve its sacred peaks following a rise in violations by misbehaving tourists. 'These mountains are sacred and revered. If their sanctity is damaged, it is the same as degrading the sacredness of Bali,' Wayan Koster told reporters at a news conference on May 31, emphasizing that popular activities like mountain climbing and hiking were no longer allowed for both foreign and domestic tourists as well as locals."
• Harry Is a More Interesting Prince Than We Deserved - "He is not the first royal to give evidence. But he is the first to go to court to seek revenge for his life." The New York Times.
• Paul McCartney says ‘final’ Beatles song coming thanks to artificial intelligence - "In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s 'Today' program released Tuesday, the legendary musician and former Beatle was asked about AI and how it’s been used to make his voice sound younger - and to resurrect the voices of fellow band members John Lennon and George Harrison who died in 1980 and 2001, respectively. And he revealed there’s a 'new' Beatles tune coming, thanks to the technology."
• To Truly Understand the Past, Pick Up an Old Magazine - "Find a print issue, preferably more than 20 years old, and read it cover to cover. You’ll find the old days stranger than you remember." The New York Times.
• The New Age of Hiring: AI Is Changing the Game for Job Seekers - "Automation, algorithms and machine learning are taking over recruitment and hiring. How do we compete with the rise of robots?"
• The Next Hot Housing Market Is Out of This World. It’s in the Metaverse - "Despite the implosion of FTX and projections of a cryptocurrency winter, the metaverse real estate market is expected to grow by $5.37 billion by 2026." The New York Times.
• Here’s How Long You Should Walk Every Day to Keep Your Heart Healthy - "National guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week for a healthy heart. That adds up to walking for about 20 minutes every day. Walking daily can help you lose and maintain weight, lower your blood sugar levels, and reduce chronic stress - all of which can be beneficial to your heart and overall health."
• The best office chairs for back support in 2023 - "Working from home isn’t a pain with these supportive chairs."
• The Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker (Isn't a Keurig) - "To help you decide which coffee maker is best for you, we’ve rounded up all the gear we recommend that can produce a well-made, single cup of coffee, including an array of affordable, sustainable, space-saving choices that don’t involve purchasing a so-called 'single-serve coffee maker.'" Wirecutter.
• 5 Best Beach Umbrellas of 2023 - "The Best Beach Umbrella Is Not Actually an Umbrella." The problem with beach umbrellas is that they’re prone to blowing over and tumbling into other beachgoers. And even if yours does stay rooted in the sand, you’ll spend most of the day repositioning your towel, chasing the umbrella’s meager shadow as if you’re some kind of deranged sundial.

June 13, 2023

• Elon Musk echoes the anti-tech take of notorious terrorist ‘the Unabomber’ Theodore Kaczynski - ‘He might not be wrong.’
• Larry Ellison edges past Bill Gates as world’s fourth-richest person, Bloomberg says - "Ellison is now the world’s fourth-richest person, with a staggering $129.8 billion net worth, Bloomberg reported. He just squeaked past Gates, whose net worth - Bloomberg reported - is currently $129.1 billion. It’s the first time Ellison is richer than Gates and ranked above No. 5 on the list, the outlet reported."
• Putin's Elevator Shoes - Men's Clothing Forums.
• Does Putin Suffer From the Napoleon Complex? - "The psychology of short stature and leadership."
• The Napoleon complex, revisited - "Those high on the Dark Triad traits are dissatisfied with their height and are short."
• Statesmen & stature: how tall are our world leaders? - "It seems we like our political giants to be just that - giants - according to research."
• How Trump, Biden & Clinton secret files cases compare - "Four people serving at the very top of the US government - Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence - appear to have mishandled classified materials. How do their cases differ? This is how all these cases compare."
• Here’s how Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi made his billions - "How Berlusconi’s wealth, built through the ownership of some of Italy’s most recognizable companies, including successful soccer club AC Milan, will be split between his five children is not yet clear. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index put Berlusconi’s net worth at $7.6 billion as of Monday. So how did Italy’s longest-serving prime minister since World War II - as well as one of its most controversial - make his money?"
• Berlusconi, the belly dancer & the bunga bunga parties - "Much has been written about the ways in which the late Silvio Berlusconi's populist politics reshaped Italian public life, but the ex-prime minister was even better known for his lurid and colourful personal life."
• Silvio Berlusconi - a life in pictures - "Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire media mogul who was Italy’s longest-serving premier despite scandals over his sex-filled parties and allegations of corruption has died aged 86."
• 3 French Opens, 23 Grand Slams, $510 Million: Novak Djokovic’s Record-Breaking Career By The Numbers - "Is the 36-year-old Serbian star tennis’ GOAT? It’s close, but his victory at Roland-Garros gives him another smashing point in the debate against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer."
• India's outbound tourism market is booming. Here's where travelers are headed - "India is now the most populous country in the world. And it’s ready to become a tourism force."
• Smart homes for smart people - "If you haven’t started your smart home yet, here’s how to start - or if you have, here’s how to make it better."
• Omega says ex-employees assembled 'Frankenstein' fake watch that sold for $3.4 million - "The watch was bought by Omega itself for 3.115 million Swiss francs - 25 times the auctioneer’s upper estimated price - at a Phillips auction in in Geneva in November 2021. Omega told CNN in a statement that it had intended to display the watch at its museum in Bienne, Switzerland, with high-ups in the company believing it to be a 'rare and exceptional timepiece that would be an absolute must for OMEGA’s showcase collections.'"
• From The Starry Night to a wheatfield: Van Gogh's darkest symbol - "Known for his sunflowers, Vincent van Gogh was also drawn to another recurring symbol - one that gave him strength at his lowest moments, writes Matthew Wilson."
• Obesity changes the brain, with ‘no sign of reversibility,’ expert says - "Obesity may damage the brain’s ability to recognize the sensation of fullness and be satisfied after eating fats and sugars, a new study found. Further, those brain changes may last even after people considered medically obese lose a significant amount of weight - possibly explaining why many people often regain the pounds they lose."
• Plus-size travelers hit out at ‘discriminatory’ airline seat policies - "‘We’re paying twice for the same experience.’ While the average width of an airplane seat has been shrinking for decades, bodies are getting larger around the world, with experts predicting that over half of the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035."
• Rail route of the month: the Mont-Blanc Express from Switzerland to France - "Our slow travel expert takes the off-peak train, discovering along the way that the cross-border ‘express’ train is actually delightfully slow."
• Inside the ‘world’s smallest restaurant’ for just two guests - "Solo Per Due - Just for Two in Italian - is no ordinary restaurant, and not just because of its tiny size."
• Treat Williams: Everwood & Hair actor dies in road accident - "Actor Treat Williams, who starred in the film musical Hair and the US television series Everwood, has died in a road accident aged 71. Williams was thrown from his motorbike in Vermont on Monday after being hit by an SUV turning left, police said."
• Apple MacBook Air 15-inch review: exactly what was asked for - "Apple’s first big-screened MacBook Air addresses a long-standing need in the company’s laptop lineup. And it comes with zero surprises and no sticker shock."
• Apple Mac Studio review (M2 Ultra, 2023): A better Mac for pros - "With an M2 chip, the Mac Studio is the more sensible Mac Pro."
• Test-Driving The Lamborghini Urus Performante - "Performante is the latest evolution of Lamborghini’s Urus Super-SUV, which has been around since late 2017. At this mature stage in product cycle, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann’s business plan comes into play, with subtle variants to buoy conquest sales and cycle early adopters into new vehicles. Performante is not a wild evolution of Urus, but it adds aero tricks, it’s lighter, demonstrably quicker off the line, and offers other performance factoids to juice up the elevator pitch."
• In Pictures: Iconic Sailing Superyacht ‘Maltese Falcon’ Reveals Fresh Refit & New Foundation - "One of the world’s most iconic sailing superyachts, Maltese Falcon, has returned to the ocean with a fresh refit for the summer charter season. The 88-metre Perini Navi yacht, originally built for American businessman and venture capitalist Tom Perkins, maintains her instantly recognisable form, with a few tweaks."

June 12, 2023

• Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister, dies aged 86 - "The media tycoon, who led three Italian governments between 1994 and 2011 and whose Forza Italia party is a junior partner in the current ruling coalition, had been suffering from leukaemia for some time. Berlusconi was one of Italy’s most flamboyant politicians, making a political comeback in 2017 despite a career tainted by sex scandals, countless allegations of corruption and a tax fraud conviction."
• What Trump Has Said About His Federal Indictment - "In his first public appearances since his federal indictment was unsealed on Friday, former President Donald Trump said he would “never be detained” and “never stop fighting” for his followers." TIME.
• Number of nuclear weapons held by major powers rising, says thinktank - "There are now an estimated 12,512 warheads across the globe, with most of the new ones in military stockpiles said to be China’s."
• 3 Things To Buy To Be Happier, According To Science - "The pursuit of happiness has always been an integral part of human life. Science has made significant strides in understanding the factors contributing to our satisfaction. Interestingly, some of these findings link the purchases we make to the joy we feel. The key lies not in acquiring more material possessions but investing in experiences, engaging in prosocial spending, and buying time. Let’s delve deeper into each of these aspects."
• The pleasure principle: is a little bit of indulgence the secret to success? - "The latest research shows delayed gratification is not always a guarantee of wellbeing - carefully planned moments of pleasure can be hugely beneficial."
• 8 Simple Japanese Habits That Will Make Your Life So Much Better - "We often look to different cultures for inspiration in pursuing health and longevity. One such culture that has captured global attention is that of Japan. Known for its citizens’ impressive lifespan and low rates of lifestyle-related diseases, Japan offers a model for healthy living deeply rooted in its traditional practices and dietary habits. This guide explores the critical aspects of the typical Japanese lifestyle that contribute to their health and well-being."
• 3 tips to helping you pick the right running shoes - "Practicality over looks, always."
• iOS 17 Messages - 8 biggest changes coming to your iPhone - "Messages is one of the more popular built-in apps for the iPhone, so it's no surprise that it's seeing some pretty substantial changes with iOS 17. In fact, of all the current iPhone apps, it's hard to think of one getting a bigger refresh in iOS 17 than Messages, outside of maybe the Phone app."
• The total solar eclipse is 10 months away. Rooms are going fast - "It’s time to start planning for next year’s total solar eclipse."
• How many shipwrecks are there in the world's oceans? - "This week UNESCO announced it has found three new shipwrecks, including two that are thousands of years old. But just how many more could be out there?"
• If you have hawk eyes find 992 among 902 in 10 Seconds? - "Hawk eyes people can find the hidden Number 992 in this Optical Illusion. Try this Optical Illusion and know your IQ level or Visual level."
• Conor McGregor sends Miami Heat mascot to hospital following punch during mid-game skit, per report - "McGregor punched the performer wearing the mascot costume twice in a pre-planned skit in the third quarter during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The skit was meant to promote a pain relief spray, which McGregor sprayed on Burnie after the blows."
• Novak Djokovic wins record-breaking 23rd grand slam title, defeating Casper Ruud in French Open final - "The great players leave records in their wake, depositing them like waves on a shoreline, leaving a high-water mark for others to reach towards or wash away."
• ‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski died by suicide in prison - report - "Kaczynski’s death comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons has faced increased scrutiny in the last several years following the death of wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, who also died by suicide in a federal jail in 2019."
• Britain’s 10 most popular walks - "Ordnance Survey reveals the hikes most enjoyed by the British public over the past 12 months, according to its app."
• Ready for your crapsule? Faecal transplants could play a huge role in future medicine - "An effective treatment for a whole raft of diseases, from irritable bowel syndrome to arthritis and even Alzheimer’s, comes from the most unlikely of sources - human poo."

June 11, 2023

• Europe’s ‘crazy’ tourism summer has already started & it’s going to get much worse - "Higher prices haven’t dampened the collective wanderlust. For weeks, many European hubs have been swarmed with tourists, and sold-out hotels, packed museums and overflowing restaurants are increasingly commonplace, especially in in-demand cities like Barcelona, Rome and Paris."
• Why Apple Vision Pro faces an uphill battle - "Apple Vision Pro: Can it really buck the trend of augmented reality flops? Apple's new mixed-reality glasses launched with plenty of hype. But history suggests the device might face an uphill battle, says Chris Stokel-Walker."
• Jurassic Park at 30: Spielberg’s sleek blockbuster remains a grave warning - "The director’s frightening and frenetic adventure is an ever-relevant example of hubris and the danger of greedy industrialism."
• SpaceX Set To Hire 14 Year Old Genius Smarter Than Billions Of People - "His IQ is higher than 99.9% of the population, making him among the 11 million smartest people in the world."
• Trump left with few defenses for hoarding top secret documents - "The sprawling indictment targeting the former president is set out like chapters in a novel easily digested by a trial jury."
• Unanswered in Indictment’s Details on Trump’s Hoarding of Documents: Why? - "The charging document offers some possible hints but does not establish that the former president had a goal beyond simply possessing the material." The New York Times.
• Court couture: why tennis fashion owes it all to Suzanne Lenglen - "In the 1920s, the French player was the biggest sports star in the world, although she did more than win a few titles - she revolutionised women’s fashion. Surely she can’t be blamed for athleisure?"
• A tale of two cities: Paris proves that you don’t need skyscrapers to thrive - "A ban on high-rise buildings contrasts with Britain’s ever thrusting capital."
• Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, 81, dies in US prison cell - "Harvard-educated mathematician waged 17-year bombing campaign from isolated shack in Montana wilderness."
• FDA advisers say new Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab slows cognitive decline - "Panel’s opinion could pave way for full regulatory approval next month for treatment of disease that affects 6.5m Americans."
• France on Trial: The Case of Marshal PÉtain review - a fallen hero in the dock - "Julian Jackson’s meticulous, engaging history of the collaborator general and his downfall is a gripping study of dishonour and denial."
• 6 Glasses Trends That Look Cool - "The 6 Rules of Looking Cool in Glasses in 2023 (Plus One Style That's Better Left in the Past)."
• What Is a ‘Beige Flag’? - "On TikTok, the term is being used to describe romantic partners’ weird habits that are less than a deal breaker, but not exactly a plus, either." The New York Times.
• Bill Gates Says Living a Happy, Successful Life Comes Down to 3 Simple Things - "Advice from Bill Gates on solving problems, using your time wisely, and why patience is a leadership superpower."
• Eastern philosophy says there is no “self.” Science agrees - “Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 percent of everything you think, and of everything you do, is for yourself - and there isn’t one.”

June 10, 2023

• What's in the Trump indictment: US nuclear secrets & files kept in shower - "Former President Donald Trump has been charged with mishandling hundreds of classified documents, including about US nuclear secrets and military plans. The 37-count indictment accuses him of keeping the files at his Florida estate, including in a ballroom and a shower, and lying to investigators."
• five revelations from Trump’s unsealed indictment - "Trump took classified documents including information on nuclear weapons and secret plans to attack a foreign country."
• Could Trump go to prison? - "Federal charges over classified docs show momentum is building. Donald Trump is the first former president in US history to face federal criminal charges - is this a gamechanger or just another chapter in the drama?"
• Boris Johnson resigns as MP with immediate effect over Partygate report - "Committee found former prime minister had misled the House of Commons and recommended lengthy suspension."
• This country’s love affair with air conditioning shows a Catch 22 of climate change - "'You can’t survive without air con in Singapore,' Chee said. 'It’s impossible with the heat.'"
• This country is the lowest-lying nation in the world - "Maldives luxury resort takes fresh approach to waste with ground-breaking ‘Sustainability Lab’. Maldives isn’t your usual destination. As the world’s lowest-lying country, it’s 99% water, with its 1,000-plus islands spread over 90,000 square kilometers."
• Netflix password crackdown boosts new subscribers to highest level since Covid began - "Netflix added 100,000 new accounts on both May 26 and May 27, shortly after the crackdown went into effect, Antenna’s data found. In the following days, Netflix has seen a more than 100% increase in sign-ups from the prior 60-day average. Netflix (NFLX) shares popped on the news, rising nearly 2% in early trading Friday. Shares have climbed over 27%, to about $415, over the last month."
• Why do businesses keep raising their prices? - "After two years of surging prices, economists still can’t agree on what has caused the world’s worst inflation crisis in decades."
• Disco then shower at 33,000ft: Dubai hotelier launches £10k-an-hour ‘party jet’ - "Plane can accommodate up to 16 people and is aimed at super-rich who ‘want to enjoy the money while still alive’."
• Why is there taurine in energy drinks? - "Scientists have discovered that taurine has life-lengthening benefits in mammals. But why is this supplement added to energy drinks?"
• Mercedes becomes the first automaker to sell Level 3 self-driving vehicles in California - "The hands- and eyes-off system can be used on designated highways including the I15."
• You can thank slumping laptop sales for the 15-inch MacBook Air - "Apple is finally releasing a larger MacBook Air, a long-asked-for computer. Why now?"
• Elliot Page on Juno, Hollywood’s dark side & coming out twice - "‘Living my life was more important than being in movies.’ When the feelgood movie made him an Oscar-nominated star, the strain of hiding who he was almost forced him to quit acting. He explains how opening up about being gay, then trans, saved his life."
• Rod Stewart Lists European-Style Los Angeles Mansion For $70 Million - "Legendary British rock star Rod Stewart is saying goodbye to his sprawling Los Angeles mansion. Listed for a whopping $70 million, the estate is located in the prestigious gated enclave of North Beverly Park, known as one of the most expensive communities in the city. The estate was custom-built for Stewart in the late 1990s by renowned mega-mansion architect Richard Landry. The property includes a 28,500-square-foot main house, 4,500-square-foot guest house, and three acres of manicured, palace-like grounds. In total, the English country-style home has a total of 13 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms between the two homes."
• Dior Brings Its ‘Dioriviera’ Pop-Up To The Beverly Hills Hotel - "It’s officially sandal season - or should I say Dior Dway slide season - as Dior kicks off its 2023 ‘Dioriviera’ collection at iconic locations around the globe including Saint-Tropez, Bali, Seoul, Phuket, Kyoto, and Capri. I was lucky enough to preview their only U.S. location at none other than the original Pink Palace, The Beverly Hills Hotel open now through September 4, 2023."

June 9, 2023

• Siberia swelters in record-breaking temperatures amid its ‘worst heat wave in history’ - "Dozens of heat records have fallen in Siberia, as temperatures climbed above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius). Despite only being early June, records are tumbling across parts of Siberia as extreme heat pushes into unusually high latitudes."
• Will wildfires change climate beliefs - "Canada wildfires: Will they change US climate attitudes? With poor air quality and orange skies across the US east coast, some have speculated it could influence beliefs on climate change. Richard Fisher explores what the psychological research has to say."
• As the AI industry booms, what toll will it take on the environment? - "Tech companies remain secretive over the amount of energy and water it takes to train their complex programs and models."
• What it’s like to wear the Dyson Zone around an NYC covered in wildfire smoke - "Things didn’t go the way I thought they would, but then again, what sort of gadget would be equipped for something like this?"
• Greta Thunberg's FINAL 'School Strike for Climate' - "Swedish activist takes part in the protests she started one last time... because she has now graduated."
• Johnny Depp is 60! - "Hollywood actor hits a major milestone after making a comeback with Jeanne du Barry... following his ugly trial with ex-wife Amber Heard."
• Mount Everest: Deadly season puts focus on record climbing permits - "Locals in Nepal - the most popular jump-off point for climbers - attributed the unprecedented 900 permits to pent-up travel demand from the pandemic. Having so many people puts pressure on 'traffic jams' on the climbing route, Garrett Madison of US-based Madison Mountaineering company told Reuters news agency."
• Julian Assange ‘dangerously close’ to US extradition after losing latest legal appeal - "In a three-page judgment handed down on Tuesday, UK high court judge Justice Jonathan Swift rejected all eight grounds of Assange’s appeal against the US’s extradition order, signed by then UK home secretary Priti Patel in June last year."
• This hotel has been in operation since 750. CNN took a look inside - "What it’s like to stay at the world’s oldest hotel. ucked deep in the mountains of Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture, the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has tatami floors, kimono-sporting staff and signs in handwritten calligraphy. It feels like time has stood still here – and that’s not a coincidence. Legend has it, it was the year 705 when the oldest son of Fujiwara no Kamatari, the most powerful aristocratic family during that period, was wandering from the capital when he discovered hot springs in the area."
• He ran out of countries to visit, so he created his own - "'I like to put it simply,' says Randy 'R Dub!' Williams, a late-night 'slow jams' DJ from San Diego who’s also known as 'the Sultan of Slowjamastan.' 'I ran out of countries, so I created my own.' A broadcaster by night, Williams has spent his life attempting to visit every country in the world. With just one UN-recognized nation left to visit, he decided to buy an 11.07-acre plot of empty arid land in the California desert to build a new 'country' named after his radio show."
• 70 years on, Gucci’s horsebit loafer is still a coveted status symbol - "What do late former US president George H. W. Bush, ’60s muse Jane Birkin and rapper Wiz Khalifa all have in common? Despite their vastly differing personal styles and occupations, they have all been spotted in a pair of Gucci horsebit loafers. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the distinctive shoe, recognizable by its metal snaffle flourish, which has become a piece of fashion history - one so renowned that a pair entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection in 1984. In mid-June, coinciding with the menswear shows at Milan Fashion Week, Gucci will stage an exhibition celebrating the legacy of its signature loafer."
• From Taxi Driver to 25th Hour: 11 of the best New York films - "As film festivals and exhibitions celebrate the city, Caryn James picks the movies that capture the essence and energy of New York." BBC Culture.
• Mont-Saint-Michel's 1,000-Year History, in Photos - "Photos show how France's tidal island treasure of Mont-Saint-Michel has endured for 1,000 years."
• Common energy drink ingredient taurine ‘may slow ageing process’ - "Scientists call for major clinical trial after lifespans of mice extended by boosting levels of micronutrient."
• berberine: The Truth About ‘Nature’s Ozempic’ - "What experts know about berberine, the chemical compound purported to help induce weight loss."
• Here’s what Mark Zuckerberg thinks about Apple’s Vision Pro - "Zuckerberg addressed Apple’s headset unveiling in a meeting with Meta employees, telling them that it ‘could be the vision of the future of computing, but like, it’s not the one that I want.’"
• The 11 Best Stadium-Approved Clear Bags of 2023 - "Pass the security and vibe check."
• Is It Bad to Wash Your Hair Every Day? - "The ideal lathering schedule varies from person to person, experts say. Here’s how to tell what may work for you."
• Unpacking The Web3 Strategy Behind Louis Vuitton’s €39k Digital Treasure Trunk NFTs - "According to a statement by the maison, the NFT trunks 'will act as portals into the world of Louis Vuitton, revealing new, limited products and experiences through immersive drops which will be progressively launched at regular intervals throughout the year.' Moving forward, owners will get the opportunity to purchase an ongoing series of digital keys that will unlock corresponding limited edition products. As confirmed by the brand via email, each of the initial digital NFT Treasure Trunks along with the purchased keys will come with corresponding physical product with which they are 'twinned.'"
• PRINCELY JEWELS FOR MONACO’S BIG 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS - The Court Jeweller.

June 8, 2023

• World Oceans Day: the top Seascape stories of the past year - "Some of the more fascinating, troubling and heartening tales we have covered over the last 12 months."
• ‘It’s too much’: New Yorkers don masks or stay inside amid smog crisis - "New York City streets emptier than usual as smoke from Canada’s wildfires engulfs more than a dozen US states."
• New York is choking on smog. But for these cities, it’s just another day - "Half the world away fighting smog is nothing new. And the intense air pollution caused by noxious smoke, gases and industrial chemicals that smothers many major cities across Asia for much of the year could become the norm for many more worldwide as the climate crisis worsens."
• Canada wildfires: Millions advised to mask up due to intense smoke - "Millions of people in North America have been advised to wear N95 masks outdoors due to poor air quality levels sparked by intense wildfires in Canada."
• The world’s biggest companies have made almost no progress on limiting global warming since 2018 - "The leading sustainability data provider found that the efforts of just 22% of the world’s 500 biggest public companies by market value are aligned with the Paris Agreement, aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. That’s a measly gain from 18% of firms in 2018. Climate scientists consider a 1.5 degree rise in the average global temperature a key tipping point, beyond which the chances of extreme flooding, drought, wildfires and food shortages could increase dramatically."
• Prince Harry tells phone-hacking trial there is ‘hard evidence’ he was targeted - "Duke of Sussex finishes giving evidence at high court in case against Mirror Group Newspapers."
• Prince Harry admits encounter with stripper at London lap dance club in revealing court testimony - "PRIVACY-loving Prince Harry yesterday volunteered details on his love life, including a trip to a strip club."
• All the features Apple didn’t mention in its WWDC 2023 keynote - "Here’s everything we could find for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch that didn’t get screen time."
• Bill Gates Thinks The Next Big Thing In AI Will Comes From An Unknown Startup - "Gates believes that the future leading company in AI will have created a personal digital agent that can perform specific tasks for people. 'Whoever wins the personal agent, that's the big thing, because you will never go to a search site again, you will never go to a productivity site, you'll never go to Amazon again,' he said."
• ‘No regrets,’ says Edward Snowden, after 10 years in exile - "But whistleblower says 2013 surveillance ‘child’s play’ compared to technology today."
• The world’s largest city is a futuristic paradise. But some things stay stuck in the past - "It’s the biggest city in the world, a vast metropolitan area that’s home to more than 37 million people. A place where cutting edge modernity and deeply held tradition exist in close proximity. Few cities manage to bring together the cut and thrust and the slower pace of days gone by quite like Tokyo. From the bright neon lights of the Shibuya Crossing to the quiet majesty of the ancient Buddhist temple of Senso-ji, this is a city where people hold the past and the future in equal esteem."
• Economy class airplane bunk beds get seal of approval as launch moves closer - "The concept’s got the industry seal of approval via a prestigious Crystal Cabin Award, presented at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany."
• Why Singapore is the only place in the world selling lab-grown meat - "It looks like chicken, it smells like chicken and, what do you know, it tastes like chicken."
• 7 shows to fill the Succession-shaped hole in your life - "Succession may be finished, but there are plenty of TV shows with family drama at the core to keep you entertained."
• The world's best 'hidden' dive spots - "Emmy Award-winning ocean cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick on why he's passionate about protecting our oceans and where to see the most incredible marine life on the planet."
• 34 Frugal Living Tips That Really Work: Warren Buffett’s Saving Money Habits - "This guide will delve into 34 actionable frugal living tips rooted in Buffett’s financial principles, teaching, lifestyle, and quotes, helping you transform your financial habits, save money, and build wealth over time."
• Next James Bond Latest Odds: 21 actors most likely to succeed Daniel Craig as 007 including Sam Heughan - "The successful candidate will become the eighth actor to play Ian Fleming’s iconic character, following Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig."
• With iOS 17, Apple lets you share AirTags with friends & family - "It should work with every other Find My tracker, too."
• ‘Former estate agents’: the strange life of the Barclay twins - "Losing Telegraph newspapers will not turn remaining twin Frederick Barclay into a pauper, but it’s a bitter end to brothers’ empire-building."
• Sotheby’s To Sell $30 Million Ruby, $35 Million Diamond At Magnificent Jewels Auction In New York - "Sotheby's is offering a 10.57-carat flawless pink diamond at its Magnificent Jewels auction in New York June 8, expected to sell for more than $35-million. The sale also includes a 55.22-carat Mozambique ruby, estimated to sell for $30-million. Also on the block are selections from the collections of Constance Prosser Mellon and Constance 'Connie' Barber Mellon, the mother and daughter duo who were members of one of America's most prominent philanthropic families."

June 7, 2023

• A ‘once-in-200 years’ heat wave caught Southeast Asia off guard - "Climate change will make them more common."
• US urged to reveal UFO evidence after claim that it has intact alien vehicles - "Whistleblower former intelligence official says government possesses ‘intact and partially intact’ craft of non-human origin."
• Ozempic is taking China by storm. Drugmakers are scrambling to boost supplies - "Ozempic, originally a medication for treating diabetes, is in high demand worldwide with celebrities and social media users touting it as a miracle drug for weight loss, despite some concerns from medical experts. Now the frenzy is sweeping through China, where being 'wafer thin' is a prevailing beauty standard, leading to shortages in the country."
• Do you have a ‘salt tooth’? How to recognise it & feed your cravings healthily - "We all know what a sweet tooth is, but some people also hanker for salt. Here’s what to do if you can’t stop dreaming of crisps."
• Snowden, MI5 & me: how the leak of the century came to be published - "Ten years on, Nick Hopkins recalls how the Guardian defied the intelligence agencies to publish revelations of mass state surveillance."
• Why this iconic portrait of Faye Dunaway ‘couldn’t happen today’ - "Morgan believes O’Neill’s photograph of Dunaway has endured because of the simplicity of the moment - something he thinks has disappeared in the industry as photo shoots have become highly coordinated affairs, where major celebrities have carefully curated public personas."
• Would you sit directly below another airplane passenger? - "The double-decker airplane seat is back. Here’s what it looks like now."
• International desserts: 50 famous desserts around the world - "'This list blends the personal with something more broadly appealing. It’s the fruit of my nine years in the pastry kitchen, when I traveled to explore new flavors everywhere. In alphabetical order, here are some of the best desserts around the world.'"
• How to tip around the world - "From China to Denmark, countries around the world have different ways to show appreciation. Here's five spots with their own distinctive tipping traits, plus advice on how much to tip."
• Apple finally made a TV - "The $3,499 Vision Pro is many things, or at least Apple hopes it will be. But the best thing it does and will do for some time is play movies and shows."
• Why AI won't be the burnout cure we've been waiting for - "AI can automate mundane, time-consuming tasks. Are these new technologies a silver bullet for some of burnout’s worst culprits - or could they make overwork worse?"
• Tiny-house movement - "Architectural and social movement that advocates for downsizing living spaces, simplifying, and essentially 'living with less.'"
• America is obsessed with ambition. Is it time to redefine it? - "Ambition doesn’t exist outside cultural forces that shape it. Could we reframe it for the collective good?"
• Tina Turner to Cindy Crawford: icons shot by Richard Avedon - in pictures - "To celebrate 100 years since the renowned American photographer’s birth, famous names pick their favourite images - of Malcolm X, Marilyn Monroe and more."
• Private Jet Industry Stuck In A Holding Pattern - "For the record, all aviation is responsible for about 2% of global CO2 emissions totals. Business aviation’s carbon contribution to the worldwide total is around 0.04%. The opposers focus on emissions per passenger."
• Kendall Roy Sunglasses: The Quiet Luxury of Succession - "'Considering his love of the finer things in life, it’s probably not much of a surprise that Kendall Roy is particularly fond of Jacques Marie Mage shades.'"

June 6, 2023

• Watch Apple’s WWDC 2023 keynote in 23 minutes - "Catch up on the Apple Vision Pro spatial computer, the 15-inch MacBook Air and much more."
• I wore the Apple Vision Pro. It’s the best headset demo ever - "Apple’s new don’t-call-it-a-VR-headset is the best riff on some very familiar ideas, but still searching for a purpose."
• Apple unveils 15in MacBook Air, iOS 17 & revamped watchOS 10 - "Alongside Vision Pro headset, firm revealed new Mac Pro, Mac Studio, macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 17."
• Hands-on with the new 15-inch MacBook Air - "It’s a MacBook Air, but bigger."
• Mac Pro with M2 Ultra first look: boy, that’s a big chip - "Same on the outside, vastly different on the inside."
• Apple announces iOS 17 with StandBy charging mode & better autocorrect - "Apple’s next OS version includes a new display mode for your nightstand, a journalling app, and more accurate autocorrect - about ducking time."
• Apple's Optic ID will let you log in to the Vision Pro headset with your eyes - "The technology works with Apple Pay, passwords and more."
• prince harry starting to give evidence in case against mirror publisher - follow live - "Prince Harry is taking action against Mirror Group Newspapers, which he accuses of unlawful methods."
• Queen Victoria’s Son Was the Last British Royal to Testify in Court - "Prince Harry’s expected courtroom testimony this week will be the first time that a prominent member of Britain’s royal family has been cross-examined in over 130 years." The New York Times.
• Europe’s new success stories are built on high luxury, not high tech - "This raises hard questions for the continent in an age of vast wealth inequality and slow growth."
• Best Sports Cars In The World, Ranked - "While they come in all shapes and sizes, these 10 have influenced the world of sports cars like no other."
• The 10 Most-Watched Netflix Movies of All Time - "Netflix creates endless hours of binging TV and movies a viewer can watch again and again."
• The Best TV Shows of 2023 So Far - "Will this be the last year of good TV? That’s what I keep wondering as era-defining shows like Succession and Barry bow out, while promising newcomers like The Chair and Reboot get canceled after just one season. Now it’s time to celebrate the best of streaming’s new chaos era - a list so hardcore, it goes to 11."
• Arnold Schwarzenegger explains in Netflix docuseries how he told wife about his secret son - "It sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger struggled to tell his then wife Maria Shriver about his secret son with their housekeeper Mildred Baena. According to The Sun, Schwarzenegger revealed how the bombshell came out that Joseph Baena, now 25, was his son."
• How to Become a Sneaker Influencer, Get Free Shoes & Get Paid - "The sneaker world has always been ahead of the game when it came to having social media presence. Sneaker blogs with news, notes and stories dedicated to sneaker lovers became popular in the early 2000s. Personalities and fans both derived from the onset of these spaces."
• The big idea: Are cats really domesticated? - "Unlike dogs, our feline friends are barely different from their wild ancestors - except for a few clever tricks."
• The ultimate eco building - made of salt, sunflowers & recycled urine - "Its door handles are made of salt. Its walls are made of sunflowers. Its furniture is made of Japanese knotweed. And it was stained with dyes made with filtered urine. Is this recycling marvel in southern France the future of architecture?"
• What’s the Caribbean without its beaches? But the people are losing access to them - "Barring public access to beaches and other sites is not a model for development. Transparency and engagement are needed."
• These chefs & restaurants are the 2023 James Beard Award winners - "A Philadelphia restaurant with an eight-course tasting menu, a Haitian restaurant in the Pacific Northwest and a chef who focuses on a sustainable menu of oysters and wild vegetables in Washington, D.C., were three of the big winners at the 2023 James Beard Awards, widely considered the Oscars of the food world."

June 5, 2023

• WORLDWIDE DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE 2023 | WWDC23 - "All online and at no cost. Experience WWDC here and in the Apple Developer app. Keynote and State of the Union." Official website.
• This could be Apple’s biggest product launch since the Apple Watch - "Apple may be just one day away from unveiling its most ambitious new hardware product in years. At its Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off Monday at its Cupertino, California, campus, Apple (AAPL) is widely expected to introduce a 'mixed reality' headset that offers both virtual reality and augmented reality, a technology that overlays virtual images on live video of the real world."
• Augmented reality needs an iPhone moment - "‘This is the single greatest thing that could happen to this industry.’ The device has allegedly been hard to manufacture and required numerous compromises. The process has taken years longer than Apple expected. And at a rumored $3,000, even Apple reportedly expects slow short-term sales."
• Apple needs to prove why its mixed reality headset matters - "There's the major problem, the one Apple needs to solve more than anything else: Why would mainstream consumers - not the geeky early adopters or impassioned gamers - want to wear something on their head for extended periods?"
• Surprise! Warren Buffett Has Bet Over $166 Billion on 3 AI Growth Stocks - "Buffett famously said he didn't understand technology, but he has amassed a fortune in AI stocks."
• 'Ozempic Butt' Is Increasingly Impacting Those Using Weight Loss Medication - "The term 'Ozempic butt' is becoming more common as some patients didn't intend to experience loose, sagging skin after losing weight."
• What Is 'Ozempic Face'? Doctors Explain Why It Happens and How to Fix It - "It's just one of the possible side effects from using the popular drug."
• ‘Like entering a forest’: Inside Asia’s largest timber building - "Singapore has long billed itself as a 'garden city,' a term coined in the 1960s by the country’s founding father and former prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. In the decades since, the island has embarked on extensive tree-planting programs and embraced so-called 'biophilic' architecture, with greenery often seen creeping up urban facades or spilling out from skyscrapers. A new six-story college campus building stands as Singapore’s latest ode to nature. Home to Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) business school, the gently curved design features sunlit atriums, open-air study areas set against lush backdrops and elevators that descend into beds of tropical plants. Everything from handrails to benches, door frames to room dividers (and even an adjoining bus stop), were built using wood."
• Brian Cox says he’s ‘disinclined’ to watch the ‘Succession’ series finale - "When Cox was asked about why he didn’t tune in, well, the answer was simple. 'I’m dead,' he said with a laugh, adding that 'dead people don’t watch things like that.'"
• Prince Harry not in court for phone-hacking trial ‘due to daughter’s birthday’ - live - "High court judge expresses frustration that Duke of Sussex is not giving evidence in person."
• The Return of Ryan Gosling - "As he ventures back into the spotlight to play Ken in the summer blockbuster Barbie, Ryan Gosling talks candidly about why he stepped away from Hollywood, why he’s thinking about movie-making differently now, and why he’s prioritizing the offscreen roles he plays in real life."
• Noel Coward: The dark side of the quintessential Englishman - "Sex, violence and sparkling one-liners. The great playwright is famous for his sparkling, upper-crust comedies. But 50 years on from his death, it's worth remembering how radical and scandalous he really was, writes Holly Williams."
• 20 Poorest Countries in Europe - yahoo!finance.
• Guy leaves his Rolls-Royce out with keys to test how safe his city is - "Can you name a city where you’d be safe leaving a Rolls-Royce with its keys on show? If truth be told, there are very few places where you’d get away with it."
• It Costs A Porsche 911 To Moor A Yacht At The Monaco Grand Prix For A Week - "One billionaire tied up their $2.4 million-a-week charter yacht at the Monaco Grand Prix for more than $130,000."
• The 13 Best Sneakers 2023, According to BAZAAR Editors - "We wear them 24/7. Tennis shoes haven't been simply 'athletic' for years. The best sneakers are the foundations of a modern wardrobe, and they'll reflect your personal style no matter how you dress. There are chunky sneakers for a comfortable twist on the statement platform shoe, summer sneakers begging to be worn with breezy dresses or cut-off shorts, and cool collaboration sneakers with miles-long waiting lists to impress everyone in your inner circle. The list goes on."
• France: Paris Champs-ÉlysÉes hosts mass spelling contest - "Paris's most famous avenue was turned into an open-air classroom on Sunday, as almost 1,400 people took part into a record-breaking spelling exercise. About 1,700 desks were laid out on the Champs-Élysées for an event billed as the 'largest dictation in the world'."
• Apple cider vinegar: the ultimate panacea - or wildly overhyped? - "It has been said to kill E coli, reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar and aid weight loss. But not all health experts are convinced of its powers."

June 4, 2023

• WWDC 2023: what to expect & how to watch Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference - "WWDC kicks off on June 5th, and it’s going to be a big one."
• Apple needs to prove why its mixed reality headset matters - "It’s shaping up to be a pivotal WWDC for Apple."
• Apple's Lesser-Known Co-Founder Owned ⅓ Of The Company But Missed Out On A Potential $900 Billion Fortune - "With the late Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Apple Inc.'s co-founders, dominating the tech world for decades, it’s easy to overlook the vital role played by a lesser-known figure: Mike Markkula."
• Celebrities & royals can't get enough of Superga sneakers - "Emily Ratajkowski, Kate Middleton and Priyanka Chopra all wear their Supergas on repeat."
• Your Guide to 8 of the Most Popular Louis Vuitton Bags - "The LV Keepall, LV Noe, and LV Speedy were all introduced during the 1930s and remain among the most popular Louis Vuitton bag styles even today. The Louis Vuitton Keepall and Louis Vuitton Speedy come in two distinct styles, without a strap or with a strap or Bandoulière." Sotheby's.
• Rare & Limited Edition Louis Vuitton Bags - "Louis Vuitton's first Limited Edition handbag was released in 1996 to celebrate its 100-year anniversary. Called the Centenaire Collection, it came in Damier print with vachetta leather." Sotheby's.
• Disgraced Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes seen for first time in Texas prison - "The fraudster and mother of two, 39, checked into Federal Prison Camp Bryan, a low-security federal facility for women just northwest of Houston on Tuesday."
• ‘Barbie’ Production Prompted International Shortage of Pink Paint for Greta Gerwig’s Film - The Hollywood Reporter.
• Every Episode of 'Succession,' Ranked - "From Kendall's 40th birthday to Tom's bachelor party, the HBO series gave us a handful of instant classic hours & a few less-than-classic ones."
• They Plugged GPT-4 Into Minecraft & Unearthed New Potential for AI - "The bot plays the video game by tapping the text generator to pick up new skills, suggesting that the tech behind ChatGPT could automate many workplace tasks."
• 15 Best Cushioned Running Shoes for Maximum Comfort & Speed 2023 - "Some days you just need a hug, and the same sometimes goes for your feet. The level of cushioning you are looking for from run to run can vary greatly. 'Cushioned' might mean something very different for you the day after a marathon versus the day after a rest day. It’s important to understand what the best cushioned running shoe for you is and when different levels of cushioning will be beneficial to your running." Footwear News.
• This Kind of Walk Is Much More Than a Workout - "Incorporating awe into your daily stroll can bring mental and physical benefits. Here’s how to get started." The New York Times.
• How to Get Absolutely No Sun This Summer - "None! Don’t even think about it!" The New York Times.
• The US' 113-mile 'floating' highway - "The Overseas Highway: The US' 'floating' highway. Stretching 113 miles into the open ocean, this engineering marvel linked the far-flung Florida Keys to the mainland and forever changed Florida."
• Rise of the tourdrobe: how BeyoncÉ’s gigs are the new designer catwalk - "Fans aren’t just going to the tour to listen to the music, they’re also going for the outfits."
• Everyone is selling VPNs & that's a problem for security - "The influencer-VPN provider relationship is good for business, but not for security."

June 3, 2023

• What Belongs in Your Survival Kit, From 8 People Who Know Something About Disasters - "While we were working on this piece, a torrential rainstorm hit New York City. Shaina’s building flooded, and Julia’s power went out for a night. It prompted us to consider what we should be stocking in our cabinets and storing in our 'go bags' if we had to flee. We wanted to talk to people who had been through disasters (or are preparing for imminent ones), so we found eight people around the country who have thoughts on what you might want close at hand. Here are some of their suggestions." The New York Times.
• China’s answer to Boeing & Airbus isn’t as ‘homegrown’ as it seems. Here’s why - "But instead of boosting China’s global stature in technology innovation, experts say the C919 is a symbol of its continued reliance on the West. That’s because a large chunk of the plane’s parts come from foreign suppliers, predominantly in North America and Europe. Chinese state media has said about 40% of the model’s components are imported, though experts say the real proportion is much higher."
• 17-year-old chess sensation defeats Magnus Carlsen - "Indian chess sensation Dommaraju Gukesh defeats Magnus Carlsen on his 17th birthday. As birthday presents go, defeating the world No. 1 and five-time world champion must rank up there among the best for chess grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh."
• America’s Richest Self-Made Women - "Forbes’ Ranking Of The Country’s Most Successful Women Entrepreneurs, Executives And Entertainers. Books. Biometrics. Beauty products. These 100 entrepreneurs, executives and entertainers made their fortunes in every conceivable way. Bolstered in part by a rebound in the stock market, they are cumulatively worth a record $124 billion, up nearly 12% from a year ago. Building supply distributor Diane Hendricks remains No. 1 for the sixth year in a row, with a $15 billion net worth. Showrunner Shonda Rhimes and Insitro CEO Daphne Koller, whose firm is using AI to develop drugs more quickly, are among the eight newcomers."
• Apple WWDC 2023: What to expect, from iOS 17 to new MacBooks - "A mixed reality headset might not be the only headline grabber." engadget.
• How old is too old to be a dad? - "What are the risks of being an older father? The actor Al Pacino is having a child in his eighties. What does the science say about the impact of older fatherhood on fertility, loss in pregnancy and disease risk?"
• How to Use ChatGPT to Work Better, Earn More Money - "ChatGPT has been publicly available for six months and is already changing the world of work. Insider has profiled multiple workers who use the generative AI to make money and work smarter. Four of them break down how they do it."
• The husband-and-wife forgers who fooled the art market & made millions - "After decades of painting fakes, falsifying evidence and diligently covering their tracks, it was a single act of carelessness that brought the Beltracchis’ deception to light."
• Eight ways to make your clothes last longer - "There's a lot to be learnt from history about mending, sewing, upcycling and making the most of our clothing. Bel Jacobs finds out more."
• Apple transformed the iPhone 10 years ago & we’re still feeling it today - "iOS 7 brought a bold new design, but much of what was introduced in that release still serves as the foundation for what we see on our iPhones today."
• Churchill Downs, home of Kentucky Derby, suspends racing after 12 horses die - "Churchill Downs announced Friday it was suspending racing as safety measures are reexamined following the deaths of a dozen horses at the famed track in the past month. The track’s parent company, Churchill Downs Incorporated, said in a statement that the remainder of its Spring Meet would be moved to another Kentucky venue it owns, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson. The season ends July 3. On June 11, the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, will wrap up the Triple Crown races for 2023."
• a walking holiday on the Scilly Isles - "On a walking tour of this sparkling archipelago, Raynor Winn is transfixed by the views and the ‘otherness’."
• An ‘unbelievable deal’? The $200m mansion reportedly bought by BeyoncÉ & Jay Z - "40,000 sq ft manor overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu is thought to be California’s most expensive home ever."
• What Your Mustache Says About You - "Why does every man who catches your eye have a mustache?" The New York Times.

June 2, 2023

• Rolex watches, race suits & a quirky tin pig bench. Paul Newman’s items go on sale - "A menagerie of more than 300 items that they accumulated during that time is back in the public eye at a Sotheby’s auction this week."
• Jeffrey Epstein: Inside his final days in his Manhattan jail cell - "Inside Jeffrey Epstein's final days: Sleepless nights, 'calling' his DEAD mother and sitting in the corner of his cell covering his ears... as new records also reveal he'd been treated for chlamydia and admitted how many women he'd slept with."
• Confessions of a superyacht worker - "Secrets of a superyacht chef cooking for the 1%."
• Did the poster give it away? The 12 clues that foreshadowed Succession’s ultimate winner - "From a specific catchphrase to some revealing marketing materials, maybe the victor of Jesse Armstrong’s drama was in plain sight all along. Here are the signs we should have spotted."
• Blood test for 50 types of cancer could speed up diagnosis, study suggests - "NHS trial results of liquid biopsy indicate Galleri test has potential to spot cancer in people with symptoms."
• 13 secret signals all cat owners need to know - "From a quivering tail to aeroplane ears. Cats show their feelings from whiskers to tail. Here is how to read their body language and boost their health and happiness."
• Chess: Caruana leads at Stavanger after beating Carlsen in opening round - "The US champion beat the Norwegian for the first time in eight years, then scored in his next two games to lead the 10-player event."
• 11 of the best films to watch in June - "Including Elemental, The Flash, Indiana Jones and Spider-Man." BBC Culture.
• RIP Photographers? All The Wild Things People Are Doing With Photoshop’s New Generative Fill Tool - "Since Adobe Photoshop launched its new artificial intelligence (AI) Generative Fill tool last week, the 'photoverse' has been awash with its awesome power. PetaPixel has rounded up some of the most remarkable examples so far."
• Drinking Espresso Martinis With Neil Patrick Harris - "Emmy-award winning actor Neil Patrick Harris is coming out with his own 'The After Hours' Espresso Martini canned and bottled cocktail."
• Why Does Day Drinking Feel Different? - "A buzz in the sun can hit harder than dinnertime drinks. Experts shed light on the science." The New York Times.
• For a Better Workout, Trick Your Brain - "Sometimes getting on the bike or hitting the pavement is more a mental game than a physical one." The New York Times.
• Iceland Is a Magnet for Tourists. Its First Lady Has Some Advice for Them - "Eliza Reid, a former U.N. tourism ambassador and the wife of President Gudni Johannesson, welcomes her country’s many visitors, and has a few suggestions on safety, respect and how to meet locals." The New York Times.
• VW ID Buzz debuts three-row electric Microbus for the US with more power & space - "We finally have details on the electric Microbus that’s coming to North America, and nearly all of it is positive news."
• Tech-savvy social media users discover way to get around Netflix's password-sharing crackdown - "TV streaming giant brought in a ban in 100-plus countries. Meshnet VPN app allows you to change where you appear to be."

June 1, 2023

• Elon Musk is once again the world’s richest man - "That’s according to a Bloomberg Billionaires tally, which estimated the Tesla (TSLA) CEO’s net worth is now about $192 billion, compared to LVMH (LVMHF) CEO Bernard Arnault’s $187 billion."
• A billionaire got Paul Allen’s 414-foot-long Octopus megayacht to the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix - "Paid $138,000 just to moor it near the tracks and enjoy the race from the $285 million vessel. That late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s 414-foot superyacht, Octopus was the biggest yacht at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix is no secret. Being big in size and stature also entails wider attention and, indeed, some very giant bills. We are intrigued by the latter as during a major yachting event like the GP, the mooring fees can get absurdly high. The weekly rates range from $4,000 (for the smallest boats in the worst spots) to a staggering $150,000 (for the biggest boats in the best spots). Conan McGregor, who got his $3.3 million 63 feet long Lamborghini yacht paid $12,000 for the week."
• Inside Louis Vuitton’s Glamorous New Airport Lounge (Yes, Airport Lounge) - "Fashion houses expanding into mediums beyond fashion is nothing new. (Who doesn’t have a home line these days?) But Louis Vuitton is venturing into a space that no luxury brand has gone before: an airport lounge."
• WWDC 2023: what to expect at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference - "WWDC kicks off on June 5th, and it’s going to be a big one."
• The Deeper Story Behind Roman Roy’s Walmart T-Shirt in the Succession Finale - "Let’s overanalyze Roman’s (now sold-out) $14 tee from the children’s section and what it tells us about the show’s real winner."
• The meaning behind Shiv & Tom's hand-holding scene - "After a tense showdown, which sees Kendall turn violent, Shiv votes in favour of the GoJo deal, and Tom is appointed the CEO of Waystar Royco."
• Better than The Sopranos? How Succession ranks among TV’s great endings - "From Ted Lasso to The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, we’re in the midst of a glut of finales. But where does Succession fit alongside television’s all-time greatest goodbyes?"
• Ryan Gosling has a hilarious response to those who say he’s ‘too old’ to play Ken in ‘Barbie’ movie - "'If people don’t want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with,' Gosling said in a new GQ interview published on Wednesday in response to those skeptics."
• The Truman Show: Has a film ever predicted the future so accurately? - "The 1998 Jim Carrey film about a man whose entire life is filmed quickly came to embody a new age of reality television. And, 25 years on, it continues to resonate, writes Emily Maskell."
• Megalodon tooth necklace spotted in digital scan of Titanic wreck - "A necklace carrying the tooth of a prehistoric shark known as a megalodon has been discovered in the wreckage of the Titanic during a digital scan of the sunken ship. For more than 100 years, the necklace has sat at the bottom of the ocean following the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, according to Magellan, a deep water investigation company that carried out the scan. Images from the scan show a gold necklace with a tooth of a megalodon, scientifically known as Otodus megalodon, a prehistoric shark that lived more than 23 million years ago."
• How to Get Your Luggage to Arrive First at Baggage Claim - "In a rush to collect your suitcase from baggage claim? These tips might help."
• 8 Of The Best Luxury Luggage Sets For Stylish Travel - "Some of the most stylish brands in high fashion offer functional luggage sets and pieces, and others bring ample options to meet every adventur's specific needs."
• How to Choose Between Hardside & Softside Luggage, According to Our Tests - "We mapped out the pros and cons of hardside versus softside suitcases for all traveler needs."
• Who Makes the World’s Most Costly Purse? HermÈs vs Chanel - "Within the hallowed halls of trend, the query of who crafts the world’s most costly purse and, certainly, the perfect, has sparked many a heated debate. At the moment, the Pursuitist delves into this sartorial competition, pitting two iconic stalwarts of luxurious trend, Hermès and Chanel, towards one another. Who will emerge triumphant on this final showdown of opulence and elegance? Let’s find out."
• How ‘begpackers’ became some of Asia’s most disliked travelers - "If you’ve ever seen a shaggy-haired young person selling woven bracelets or playing drums near a tourist attraction, odds are you are familiar with the concept of begpacking."
• Harvard-trained psychologist: If you use any of these 9 phrases every day, ‘you’re more emotionally secure than most’ - "Emotionally secure people are empowered, confident and comfortable in their own skin. They walk the world with authenticity and conviction, and do what is meaningful to them. As a Harvard-trained psychologist, I’ve found that this sense of self-assuredness makes them better able to navigate conflict and be vulnerable with others, mostly because they aren’t looking for external validation."
• Scientists crack the formula for the ‘perfect breasts’ & it’s not all about size - "Perfect boobs are round, full, 'moderately-sized' and evenly spaced with nipples relatively close together, a study found."
• Restaurant Review: The Peking Duck at Juqi Passes All the Tests - "A Flushing, Queens, branch of a restaurant with around 20 locations in Beijing is here to deliver New York from its duck difficulties."
• The US' most anticipated museum opens - "Plus, a British engineering marvel turns 100, Paris reveals its best baguette and a spectacular desert show offers a new way to honour the world's oldest continuous living culture."
• The True Size Of ... - "Drag and drop countries around the map to compare their relative size. Is Greenland really as big as all of Africa? You may be surprised at what you find!"
• The iPhone is dead - long live the iPhone - The Verge.
• The unsung heroes of the Apple Watch are its hidden buttons - "Changing watch straps isn’t new, but Apple’s hidden little buttons simplified it and took it mainstream."

May 31, 2023

• World’s best airline for 2023 named by AirlineRatings.com - "No. 1 this year is Air New Zealand."
• Air New Zealand to weigh passengers before they board the airplane - "Remove your shoes. Take your keys out of your pocket. Step on the scale? That’s right: New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority is asking that its national airline weigh passengers departing on international flights from Auckland International Airport through July 2, 2023."
• Delta Air Lines faces lawsuit over $1bn carbon neutrality claim - "US airline pledged to go carbon neutral but plaintiffs say it is relying on offsets that do almost nothing to mitigate global heating."
• Al Pacino, 82, expecting baby with girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 29 - "Move over, Robert De Niro!"
• Succession’s Jeremy Strong tried to jump into a river during final scene - "‘I didn’t know I was gonna do that.’ Known for his method acting, the Emmy-winning star spontaneously tried for an alternate ending - but it didn’t make the final cut."
• ‘Succession’ Nailed the Unreal Way We Live Now - "The show captured the terrifying, mesmerizing interplay between fact and fiction and turned it into great television." The New York Times.
• This political drama from Denmark stands out - "Borgen has a lot to say about coalitions and the people who form them." GatesNotes. The Blog of Bill Gates.
• Cheesier, Saucier & Drowning in Caviar - "How TikTok took over the menu."
• The QR-Code Menu Is Being Shown the Door - "A dining innovation that once looked like the future has worn out its welcome with many restaurateurs, customers and servers who say it takes the joy out of dining."
• From petri-dish to dinner plate: This is the world’s first 3D-printed, cultivated fish fillet - "The next frontier in food seems to be drawing inspiration from the final frontier. A 'Star Trek'-like, food-on-demand 3D printer has just served up a real, cultivated fish fillet for the first time. Steakholder Foods, a startup based in Israel, produced the 3D-printed cut of grouper - 'a significant milestone in the food industry,' says Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods."
• The Best Sneakers For Men In 2023 - "In this carefully curated list of the best sneakers for 2023, you’re bound to find a pair of soles that catches your eye." Sneaker Fortress.
• What Elizabeth Holmes’ life in prison could look like - "Once a Silicon Valley icon and paper billionaire, Elizabeth Holmes will now have to wake every morning at 6 a.m., hold a job paying as little as $0.12 an hour, and share bathing facilities at a prison camp in southern Texas."
• Ghislaine Maxwell is living in 'constant fear' of a brutal revenge - "Ghislaine Maxwell is living in constant fear of a brutal beatdown behind bars after she ratted out two violent Cuban inmates for trying to extort her. Now she's 'freaking out' because the two bullies have been released back into the general prison population and are out for revenge, according to sources at the low-security Florida lockup."
• LVMH Shelves Plans for Rodeo Drive Hotel After Local Opposition - "Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man, will scrap a plan to build a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills after residents in the wealthy city appeared to vote against the project."
• Artificial intelligence could lead to extinction, experts warn - "Artificial intelligence could lead to the extinction of humanity, experts - including the heads of OpenAI and Google Deepmind - have warned."
• OpenAI isn’t doing enough to make ChatGPT’s limitations clear - "Users deserve blame for not heeding warnings, but OpenAI should be doing more to make it clear that ChatGPT can’t reliably distinguish fact from fiction."
• Center for AI Safety - "The Center for AI Safety (CAIS - pronounced 'case') is a research and field-building nonprofit. Our mission is to promote the safe development of artificial intelligence through technical research and advocacy of machine learning safety in the broader research community."
• 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. But 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."
• 5 Signs You’re Being ‘Quiet Dumped’ By Your Partner, According To A Psychologist - "Here are five tell-tale signs: 1. Decreased emotional availability. ... 2. Disengagement from conflict resolution. ... 3. Decreased intimacy and affection. ... 4. Lack of effort in relationship maintenance. ... 5. Increased focus on selfish pursuits."
• 7 Floor Exercises Men Should Do Every Day To Stay Fit - "Staying in excellent shape can be simple, thanks to these exercises."

May 30, 2023

• Mystery of why Venice’s Grand Canal turned fluorescent green is solved - "Local authorities say transformation was due to fluorescein, a substance used to test wastewater networks."
• Succession recap: the finale - probably the most feel-bad ending in TV history - "Depressingly realistic but furious and heartbreaking from start to finish, the power balance truly tipped in the finale - and somehow became even more toxic."
• Cannes film festival: the best red carpet looks part two - in pictures - "From Julia Garner’s old-Hollywood glamour to Elsa Hosk’s optical illusion gown, from feathers to the burnt to the bin-bag look, fashion’s ingenuity shone bright."
• Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison. Will she ever pay victims too? - "After several failed attempts to delay her time behind bars, Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is set to report to federal prison this week."
• ‘People wanted to believe the fairytale’: the downfall of Elizabeth Holmes - "Disgraced founder of fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos is expected to enter prison on Thursday."
• 31 billionaires are worth more than the US Treasury has in cash - "For context, 31 billionaires are each worth more than the federal government's $38.8 billion in cash, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Some of them, like fashion mogul Bernard Arnault - are worth a lot more. Arnault, the chairman of luxury goods maker LVMH, has a net worth estimated at $193 billion."
• International tipping: How to cut through the chaos & confusion - "CNN Travel talked to etiquette experts and recent travelers to find out what’s generally expected in popular destinations now and help travelers find ways to make tipping more straightforward and less stressful."
• Dare to bare: 20 of the world’s best nude beaches - "From rocky coastlines to talcum-powder fine sands, and big city bays to secluded shores, there are now hundreds of beaches where it’s perfectly legal (or at least de facto legal) to frolic beside the sea in nothing more than your birthday suit."
• Can humans ever understand how animals think? - "A flood of new research is overturning old assumptions about what animal minds are and aren’t capable of - and changing how we think about our own species."
• The rise of the 'no-wash' movement - "Designer Stella McCartney caused headlines by detailing her low-clothes-cleaning habits. There's a growing cohort of people who believe in washing clothes less - or not at all."
• Will Ripped Jeans Ever Go Out of Style? - "A reader asks how to learn to live with distressed denim, a trend that shows no sign of letting up."
• How to pick knits: six questions to ask before buying that cardigan - "A quick touch test can give you a sense of a knit’s quality. But dig deeper into its fibre and yarn and you can ensure your jumper lasts years."
• The perfect blend: how coffee farms in Costa Rica are mixing wildlife, agriculture & tourism - "A new crop of farming co-ops are finding ways to safely open up untouched landscapes and exotic wildlife to visitors - and grow superb coffee."
• Watch this Nvidia demo & imagine actually speaking to AI game characters - "When gaming and AI wholly collide... it’ll hopefully look this good but sound much better."
• 8 Iconic James Bond Watches: Omega, Hamilton, Seiko & More - "Watches are an integral part of James Bond’s classic style. Here are some of the iconic watches from the films."
• 5 wireless earbuds that beat the AirPods Pro 2 on sound - "Despite being one of the best wireless earbuds around thanks to great audio features that include personalized options such as noise cancelling and spatial audio, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 aren't known for having the best sound."

May 29, 2023

• 'Succession' finally has a winner, but that was never the point - "Spoiler alert: The series finale of 'Succession' delivered on the show's title. But in many ways, the fight for the corporate crown was a sideshow to more bracing themes."
• US ‘ready to fight in space if we have to’, says military official - "Threat posed by ‘provocative’ Russia and China has left US no choice but to prepare for orbital skirmishes."
• Stars could be invisible within 20 years as light pollution brightens night skies - "The increased use of light-emitting diodes is obscuring our view of the Milky Way as well as taking a toll on human and wildlife health."
• Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green - "The verdant blob was first noticed around 9:30 a.m. CET (3.30aET) and grew slowly, according to multiple images posted on social media, which showed gondolas, water taxis and water bus boats skimming through the emerald substance. City councilman Andrea Pegoraro immediately blamed environmental activists who have been attacking Italian cultural heritage sites in recent months."
• Europe is trying to ditch planes for trains. Here’s how that’s going - "Ever since the 'flight shame' movement began encouraging travelers to seek greener alternatives to jet planes, many in Europe have been looking to the continent’s extensive rail network to replace short-haul air travel. There’s definitely been progress. Airlines including Dutch carrier KLM are entering into rail partnerships on certain routes, while countries like Austria and France are seeking to restrict internal routes where trains are available – although the French decree, which was made law in May 2023, has been significantly watered down from its original premise."
• Want to Live Longer & Healthier? Peter Attia Has a Plan - "Modern medicine has been a miracle for healthy aging. But what if we’re still thinking about the subject of living better for longer all wrong? That’s the premise of Dr. Peter Attia’s book, 'Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity,' which he wrote with Bill Gifford and has been a runaway best seller since it was published this spring."
• 5 Fitness Habits That Are Destroying Your Body After 40 - "Avoid these sneaky habits that are detrimental to your body and progress: 1. Not establishing a 'maintenance program'. 2. Insufficient protein intake. 3. Poor hydration. 4. Not warming up before workouts. 5.Going too aggressively after a long period of doing little physical activity."
• What training with the Apple Watch Ultra taught me about multiband GPS & failure - "It’s easy to blame trackers when fitness goals don’t go according to plan, but sometimes the problem lies closer to home."
• Pencil ‘given to Adolf Hitler by Eva Braun’ could fetch £80,000 at auction - "Item inscribed with ‘Eva’ in German and the initials ‘AH’ to go under the hammer at Belfast auction in June."
• Can hairspray protect white clothing from makeup smears? - "Here’s a hack that could prove to be a game-changer - but choice of hairspray is key."
• 12 of the best TV shows to watch this June - "Caryn James picks out the biggest offerings - from the already hugely-controversial The Idol to Marvel show Secret Invasion and the return of The Bear, And Just Like That... and Black Mirror."
• The 30 Most Anticipated Movies of Summer 2023 - "Summer is almost here, and with it, a long list of highly anticipated movies. Many are new installments in popular franchises, while others offer a fresh take on old stories. And a number of these films have been teased for months, and in some cases, even years." TIME.
• The LØCI Sustainable Sneakers That Have Sold Out 8 Times - "Eva Longoria's Sustainable Sneakers Have Sold Out 8 Times, but They're Back in Stock - for Now. Score the sleek shoes Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde also wear before they sell out again."
• Hyper-luxury Bugatti tower will have its residents drive up to their floor - "Bugatti has joined forces with Binghatti, a prominent Dubai-based real estate developer."
• Louis Vuitton Cruise 2024 Handbags: The Life Aquatic - "When it comes to bags, classics have once again been reimagined. As in the recently revealed Fall 2023 collection, hallmark styles like the Bolide, Speedy, and Petite Malle reemerged. Additionally, we see updated variations on the Atlantis, and Side Trunk - with an all-new sand-tone Monogram. From signature trunks to all-new archive-inspired moon-shaped monogram bags - there is lots to unpack! The sizes of bags ranged from the micro clutches to the oversized and laid-back tote - all with an easygoing attitude."

May 28, 2023

• 80th FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2023 RESULTS - Winner: Max Verstappen.
• Monaco Grand Prix 2023 - F1 Race - "Get up to speed with everything you need to know about the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, which takes place over 78 laps of the 3.337-kilometre Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo on Sunday, May 28."
• The 76th Festival de Cannes winners’ list - Official website - Festival de Cannes.
• China’s answer to Boeing & Airbus, the C919, takes first commercial flight - "Flying as China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191, the new narrow-body C919 plane left Shanghai at 10:32 a.m. local time. It was welcomed with a water salute after it landed at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 12:31 p.m."
• Security Lines: How to Speed Through - "To speed your way, it can help to sign up for one of the programs offered by the government or Clear, a private company. But time is running out." The New York Times.
• ‘Brian Cox can be frightening!’: Peter Friedman on the thrill of playing Succession’s Frank - "The man behind the Waystar Royco exec on the highs, the frights and the best insults from the hit drama, whose final episode is just about to air - plus who he’d like to see come out on top."
• Seeing Beyond the Beauty of a Vermeer - "The violence of his era can be found in his serene masterpieces - if you know where to look." The New York Times.
• Magnus Carlsen wins tournament as he makes return to chess without world champion title - "Magnus Carlsen returned to the highest levels of chess and winning ways after he enjoyed a break from the sport to play poker. In his absence, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren contested Carlsen’s abdicated chess world title, with Liren eventually being crowned the new world champion last month."
• US lawyer admits using AI for case research - A New York lawyer is facing a court hearing of his own after his firm used AI tool ChatGPT for legal research. A judge said the court was faced with an 'unprecedented circumstance' after a filing was found to reference example legal cases that did not exist.
• Istanbul's five best hammams - "From K?l?ç Ali Paşa Hamam? to Çukurcuma Hamam?, here are five of the best places to experience a relaxing steam bath in the Turkish capital."
• Up to 70% of California beaches could disappear by end of the century - "A new study uses satellites to predict what California’s famous coastline could look like by 2100."
• Was ‘the first man to reach the North Pole’ a fraud? - "Frederick Cook claimed to have reached the top of the world, but a new book says he was lying."
• Cats, peanuts, bee stings... the irritating truth about allergies - "More and more of us suffer from allergies, and medicine is struggling to keep up."
• An Iconic Wine Store & the Mystery of the Missing Bottles - "Sherry-Lehmann, a longtime purveyor of luxury wines, owes New York State $2.8 million in unpaid sales taxes - and its customers an explanation."
• Apple’s free My Photo Stream service will shut down on July 26th - "The company recommends customers use iCloud Photos for syncing their images across devices."

May 27, 2023

• ‘Your earlobes are thick & chewy, like barnacle meat!’ Succession’s all-time best zingers - "From sweary nicknames to sarcastic putdowns, the Roys have cornered the market in sick burns. Here are 40 of the best - but which is your favourite?"
• Do You Have What It Takes to Be Kendall Roy’s Assistant? - "In 'Succession,' Jess quits, and Kerry was in tears. What is it actually like to be an assistant to the ultra wealthy?"
• Why Don't Rich People Use Phone Cases? - "Ditching a Phone Case Is the Latest Symbol of Stealth Wealth. he internet can’t stop talking about 'quiet luxury' and 'stealth wealth,' trendy new descriptors for the type of expensive minimalism that has long been associated with a certain brand of old money. There’s one quietly trending stealth wealth signifier that, technically, millions of people could adopt right now: stripping the case off your smartphone."
• What does Jeff Bezos’s new fiancee see in the world’s third-richest man? Must be his enormous philanthropy - "Giving money away is hard, says Lauren Sánchez, who is currently touring Europe with Bezos on his 417ft yacht."
• The fitness regime that transformed Jeff Bezos from scrawny bookstore boss to buff billionaire - "OCTOPUS for breakfast, religiously sleeping 8 hours and hiring Tom Cruise's personal trainer."
• Inside KORU: Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos' $500 Million Superyacht - "Jeff Bezos has a soft spot for fancy yachts, as is evident from his collection."
• Henry Kissinger turns 100 this week. He should be ashamed to be seen in public - "Much of the world views Kissinger as a war criminal - yet in the US, surrounded by powerful friends, he is feted as a celebrity intellectual."
• Kissinger at 100: Statesman or war criminal? His troubled legacy - in pictures - "First as US national security adviser, then as secretary of state, Henry Kissinger intervened around the world during the 1970s, shaping events in China, Africa and the Middle East, with consequences that reverberate today."
• ChatGPT changed everything & was a black swan event - "ChatGPT became publicly available 6 months ago. The chatbot has already upended education, training, hiring, and company share prices. It was a black swan event - an unforeseen, rare event that looked inevitable in hindsight."
• ChatGPT's makers say AI could surpass humanity within the next 10 years - as 'superintelligence' starts to exceed other powerful technologies.
• Sam Altman Says OpenAI Will Leave the EU if There's Any Real AI Regulation - "The man behind the company that made ChatGPT had just got done telling Congress he’s all for AI regulation, as long as he can keep selling his AI models."
• Winner of largest Powerball jackpot served with court papers saying $2bn ticket was stolen - "A lawsuit against the biggest Powerball winner in US history alleges the lottery ticket that earned him nearly $1bn was stolen. Edwin Castro drew the winning ticket —10, 33, 41, 47, 56, and Powerball 10 - last November, cashing in a hefty $997m from the initial $2bn prize after taxes."
• Terrifying moments as plane door opens midair on Asiana Airlines flight - "The door of an Asiana Airlines jet opened as it was coming in to land in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday afternoon, leaving wind whipping through the plane’s cabin as terrified passengers gripped their armrests, video of the incident shows."
• How rhythm shapes our lives - "Rhythm plays an important role in how we perceive and connect with the world around us, even playing a role in our social lives and health."
• How to screen record on an iPhone - "Here’s the best way to share what you're doing on your screen."
• The Secret to Better Salmon Is Salt - "A dry brine gives you firmer, juicier fish fillets with kettle-chip-crisp skin."
• Living & working from an all-electric VW ID Buzz - "Two humans and a beagle named Hank spent two weeks and 2,000 miles in Europe with a Ququq camping box to preview the future of #vanlife."

May 26, 2023

• Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink approved for in-human study - "The Food and Drug Administration, which had initially rejected the application, finally gave the company the green light."
• Scientists use AI to discover new antibiotic to treat deadly superbug - "AI used to discover abaucin, an effective drug against A baumannii, bacteria that can cause dangerous infections."
• Google begins opening access to generative AI in search - "If you signed up for the Search Labs waitlist, keep an eye on your inbox."
• AI chip boom sends Nvidia’s stock surging after whopper of a quarter - "The AI boom is here, and Nvidia is reaping all the benefits. Shares of Nvidia (NVDA) exploded 28% higher Thursday after reporting earnings and sales that surged well above Wall Street’s already lofty expectations. That was enough to make investors temporarily forget about America’s dangerous debt ceiling standoff, sending the broader stock market higher - even after credit rating agency Fitch warned late Wednesday that America could soon lose its sterling AAA debt rating."
• ‘Truth is sacred’: Tom Hanks gives keynote speech & receives honorary degree from Harvard - "The two-time Academy Award winner spoke to the graduates on truth and was given a volleyball as a gift."
• Carlsen loses to a Pole in Poland with Polish Defence before winning run - "The world No 1 chose 1 d4 b5 as Black against Radoslaw Wojtaszek and was in trouble by move nine before resigning at move 38, but later won seven games in a row to take first prize in Warsaw."
• Maryland Crab Sammy: a singular American sandwich - "This crab cake sandwich is almost all lump crab, delicately bound with mayonnaise and egg and seasoned with lemon, herbs and Old Bay seasoning."
• Hawa Mahal: How India’s stunning ‘palace of winds’ was ahead of its time - "Completed in 1799 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s today one of India’s most recognizable icons and a popular tourist attraction. Indian authorities in charge of the monument say roughly 1 million people visit each year."
• We’re still waiting for self-driving cars, but autonomous boats are already here - "From cargo transportation to search and rescue missions, and passenger ferries to tugboats, they can be programmed to carry out complex tasks, such as monitoring water quality, collecting oceanographic data, or even assisting in offshore construction projects."
• Why an empty sand plot in Dubai sold for a record $34M - "There are many things you could buy for $34 million. In various parts of the world, it’ll buy you towering castles, sprawling beachside mega mansions or majestic estates that go on for miles. It could buy you fleets of powerful Lamborghini sports cars or stately Rolls-Royce Phantoms. It could even buy you your own private jet. In Dubai, it gets you a pile of sand."
• Will ‘Superfood Powders’ Actually Make You Healthier? - "These once-daily supplements claim to boost energy, nourish your gut, support your immune system and more. But health experts aren’t convinced."
• How the Arts Can Benefit Your Mental Health (No Talent Required) - "Drawing, music and writing can elevate your mood. Here are some easy ways to welcome them into your life."
• America's 10 best beaches for 2023 - "This year, St. George Island State Park - on a barrier island near the Florida Panhandle - was named the number 1 beach in the United States in Dr. Beach’s annual Best Beaches awards, which is published just in time for Memorial Day Weekend."
• Oldest Champagne House Releasing New Champagne Wine That Benefits From Climate Change - "An art piece located in New York City’s Manhattan that French artist Eva Jospin created was transporting New Yorkers as her piece perfectly emulated a miniature version of the magnificent caves dug below Champagne houses, in the wine region of Champagne, France; caves that were carved deep below the chalk soil. In this instance, it gave the impression of one of the caves of the oldest Champagne house, Maison Ruinart, which was initially excavated well over a millennium ago by the Romans for chalk mines yet resourceful Champagne producers, such as Nicolas Ruinart, used these caves to store their Champagne bottles for aging, starting in the mid-1700s."

May 25, 2023

• Simply the best: Tina Turner - a life in pictures - "The singer has died at the age of 83. Loved for her powerful voice and onstage energy, she will always be remembered for songs such as River Deep, Mountain High, What’s Love Got to Do with It and The Best."
• Rita Wilson says awkward moment on Cannes red carpet with Tom Hanks isn’t what it looks like - "Rita Wilson wants you to know that those awkward photos floating around of what appears to be a tense moment on a Cannes red carpet on Tuesday with husband Tom Hanks aren’t what they seem. On Wednesday, Wilson posted a message on her Instagram Stories clarifying exactly what went down amid speculation that the moment captured was heated. 'This is called I can’t hear you. People are screaming. What did you say? Where are we supposed to go?' Wilson wrote. She went on to say, 'but that doesn’t sell stories! Nice try. We had a great time.'"
• Back in the spotlight, Fan Bingbing celebrates Asian designers at Cannes - "Rarely seen outside China since a tax controversy threatened to derail her career, actor Fan Bingbing continued her recent return to the limelight with a succession of high-profile appearances at this month’s Cannes Film Festival."
• Lower cholesterol with a vegetarian or vegan diet, study says - "Only 1 in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables, which are a key pathway to good health. And according to a new study, there’s a distinct benefit for anyone diagnosed with high cholesterol. Researchers looked at levels of LDL, or low-density lipoproteins - often called 'bad' cholesterol because a buildup can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. In study particpants, LDL levels dropped 10% and total cholesterol declined 7% for people following a plant-based diet when compared with those who eat both meat and plants, the study found."
• iPhone users say Apple's new iOS 16.5 update is RUINING their battery life - "While many iPhone users have eagerly downloaded the update already, several have reported that iOS 16.5 is affecting their battery life."
• Apple might add a smart display-like iPhone lock screen in iOS 17 - "Similar to Android’s At a Glance widget or the Pixel Stand display for Google’s phones, your iPhone could surface more useful information while it’s charging."
• From Succession to hit book Pineapple Street: stories of the super-rich - "A new wave of books is getting inside the intriguing inner sanctums of the mega-wealthy. Why do these stories fascinate generation after generation, asks Holly Williams."
• What’s the use of $800m, Bryan Johnson, if you dine on baby food? - "There is nothing quite like the spectacle of a tech bro with vast financial resources failing to grapple with his own mortality."
• It’s Millionaire vs. Billionaire in the Battle of the SoHo Pergola - "The rooftop of a historic building is the focus of a renovation skirmish between Federico Pignatelli, a financier, and Ray Dalio, the hedge-fund mogul."
• A road trip across the cradle of civilisation - "Along a single road cutting across the heart of Iraq, you can see where people first learned to write, use maths and invent the wheel."
• Are flours made with pulses better for us? - "One of our most unhealthy collective eating habits in the West is not having enough fibre in our diets. A diet high in fibre is associated with numerous health benefits, including a decreased risk of heart disease and early death."
• ‘Never a Reason to Take Off Your Socks’: A Flight Attendant’s 12 Etiquette Rules - "Air travel is going to be busy this summer. With some common sense and courtesy, could flying be ... pleasant?"
• Ice-cream with gherkins! Mash sandwiches! Maltesers in wine! - "21 weird snacks loved by top chefs. Away from their restaurants, chefs improvise in extraordinary ways. Here are some of the killer combinations they wouldn’t dare put on their menus."
• Fubar review - Arnie’s a natural comedian in this unstoppably daft crime drama - "This thriller’s backstory makes no sense and it gives Schwarzenegger one of his worst ever catchphrases - but it’s a comic role he’s spent his life prepping for."
• Summer Movies 2023: Here’s What’s Coming to Theaters & Streaming - "Barbie springs to life, Indy swings into action and Spidey slings new webs. Here are 107 films for movie lovers of all tastes."
• A symbol of disenchanted youth: the history of skinny jeans from the 4th century to Gucci - "TikTokers may be throwing out the trousers, but it’s just part of an endless and turbulent fashion cycle."
• Learning The DNA Of La Grande Dame From Veuve Clicquot - "Every top-rated Champagne tells a story, with the prestige cuvées truly representing a special narrative. That’s the case with La Grande Dame from Veuve Clicquot - for both the Brut and the Brut Rosé - so how nice it is to learn about all the details of these two wines from someone who clearly knows the story, a member of the winemaking team at Veuve Clicquot."
• Scientist Figures Out How Many T. Rex Ever Existed & It's Terrifying - "The Tyrannosaurus rex is dinosaur royalty, an iconic and instantly identifiable species – and according to a new study, as many as 1.7 billion of these beasts roamed Earth before an unfortunate meeting with an asteroid." Science Alert.
• History of Nike Dunk Sneakers: The Versatile Shoe’s Evolution - "A streamlined design and symmetrical color blocking has made the Nike Dunk a remarkably versatile sneaker, which has aided in its ability to stand the test of time and find a lane through fashion’s evolutions."
• Best mesh Wi-Fi systems 2023 - "Extend your range and boost your speeds with these tried and tested picks."

May 24, 2023

• TIME's Next Generation Leaders 2023 - "Meet the Trailblazers."
• How ‘Succession’ Busts One of America’s Most Cherished Myths - "It's fine to have money and power, as long as you don't admit how much you want them."
• The mourning dress codes of ‘Succession’ - "Media giant Logan Roy was laid to rest on Sunday in the airy gilded interior of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, located on New York’s Upper East Side. 'Succession' has treated us to both a wedding and a funeral as fate of the Roy siblings spin out towards its finale (which is produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, parent company of CNN), and its penultimate episode gave us mourning dress codes in a grand Catholic setting."
• Robert De Niro! Naomi Campbell! The Stars Gathered at the Vanity Fair x Prada Party at Cannes - "At the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, artists from the world of film, fashion, music, and tech gathered for the talked-about annual event, making its high-energy post-pandemic comeback, regardless of the wash-out weather outside."
• OpenAI leaders call for regulation to prevent AI destroying humanity - "Team behind ChatGPT say equivalent of atomic watchdog is needed to guard against risks of ‘superintelligent’ AIs."
• A.I. Photoshopping Is About to Get Very Easy. Maybe Too Easy - "Photoshop is the granddaddy of image-editing apps, the O.G. of our airbrushed, Facetuned media ecosystem and a product so enmeshed in the culture that it’s a verb, an adjective and a frequent lament of rappers."
• Recycled plastic can be more toxic & is no fix for pollution, Greenpeace warns - "Campaign group says plastics are incompatible with circular economy as countries prepare for treaty talks."
• Tourist hot spot erects fence to deter selfie-takers - "Some people just won’t 'Let It Go.' An Austrian village that’s rumored to have inspired the Disney movie 'Frozen' put up a temporary wooden fence this week to deter selfie-takers."
• Adolf Hitler house in Austria to be used for police human rights training - "The house in Austria that Adolf Hitler was born in is to be used for human rights training for police officers in the latest twist to a long-running row over what to do with it."
• Virgin Orbit: Branson’s rocket dream ends after mission failure - "Sir Richard Branson's rocket company Virgin Orbit has shut down, just months after a major mission failure. The firm's converted jet and leases on properties have been sold for $36m, just a fraction of the $3.7bn the company was valued at in 2021."
• BeyoncÉ & Jay-Z Buy Malibu Estate For $200 Million - The Most Expensive Home In California - "Knowles and Jay-Z, who’s real name is Shawn Carter, purchased a sprawling $200 million Malibu, California estate. They reportedly got a discount, as the home was privately listed for $295 million. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the mansion spans 30,000 square feet and reportedly took more than a decade and a half to finish. The modern home was completed in 2014. The seller is notable Los Angeles art collector Bill Bell, Jr., who is the heir to a soap opera fortune. His father, William J. Bell, created the iconic soap operas The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. According to the L.A. Times, Bell purchased the property in the late 1990s for $14.5 million and enlisted Ando to create a modernist glass-and-concrete structure. He’s considered one of the biggest art collectors in the world, with numerous works of art by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Marcel Duchamp, and many more."
• 8 of the newest Italian superyachts for sale - "The brokerage market for luxury yachts has experienced an unprecedented surge in demand, accompanied by a scarcity of new vessels entering the market. In this article, we delve into the captivating world of high-end yachts, carefully curating a list of the most sought-after vessels launched in the past two years. Join us as we explore the exceptional craftsmanship, cutting-edge design, and enduring allure of these top-tier yachts currently available for sale." Superyecht Times.
• Why New York City is sinking under his own weight - "New York's skyscrapers are causing it to sink - what can be done about it?"
• 3 Ways to Measure How Fit You Are, Without Focusing on Weight - "Exercise tests, heart rate and physical ability can tell you more about your health than the scale ever could."
• The truth about booze - "How alcohol really affects your body, from first flush of happiness to hangover hell. Is red wine good for you? Is it healthier to drink a little than not at all? Is there such a thing as hangxiety? It’s time to sort fact from fiction."
• Netflix expands crackdown on password sharing around the world - "Streaming video company alerting users that their accounts cannot be shared for free outside of their households."
• Adobe is adding AI image generator Firefly to Photoshop - "Generative Fill will arrive in Photoshop in ‘the second half of 2023.’"
• Watch the Microsoft Build 2023 keynote in under 10 minutes - "Did someone say AI?"
• The Tyranny of ‘the Best’ - "In toasters and in life, the top-rated anything will never be good enough." The New York Times.
• The Most Common Graduation Advice Tends to Backfire - "'Follow your passions?' Not so fast." The New York Times.
• First 10 Words of the African American English Dictionary Are In - "An exclusive look at a dictionary consisting entirely of words created or reinvented by Black people. (Don’t worry: All three variants of 'bussin' are included.)" The New York Times.
• Pharrell Williams’s Debut for Louis Vuitton Is Scheduled for the First Day of Paris Men’s Week - "Of the many designer debuts we have witnessed over the last couple of seasons, few have been as anticipated and prompted as much chatter as Pharrell Williams’s at Louis Vuitton. The multi-hyphenate musician, who is succeeding Virgil Abloh in the role, will unveil his first collection for the French house on the evening of June 20, the first day of Paris Men’s Fashion Week."
• Balenciaga's Digital Spring 2024 Show Has a Physical Invite - "From a laser-engraved iPhone 6S and faux stacks of cash, to the lost wallet of Natalia Antunes, no object is off limits when it comes to a Balenciaga show invite."
• Goodbye, rolling suitcase: The July Carry All Weekender Plus is my new go-to carry-on bag - CNN Underscored.
• Travel Gear - "From packing cubes to toiletry bags, compression socks, backpacks and more, our team is always testing the newest travel essentials to help you find the best products needed to get to your destination comfortably, well-organized, and with room in your bag to spare." CNN Underscored.

May 23, 2023

• Bakhmut Is Gone: An Aerial Look at the War’s Destruction - "Drone footage taken by The New York Times captured the scorched buildings, destroyed schools and cratered parks that now define the city in eastern Ukraine."
• We are closer than ever to arresting Putin, but the US must play its part - "‘Putin and his cabal now know they are persona non grata in most continents of the world and liable to be arrested if they travel outside Russia.’"
• This 15-mile, $6.7B bridge is a symbol of China’s ambitions & its problems - "Even in a land known for gargantuan, record-breaking infrastructure, this project is turning heads. At 15 miles long (24 kilometers), eight lanes wide and featuring artificial islands and an undersea tunnel, China’s $6.7 billion Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge is nothing if not ambitious. To much fanfare in the country’s state media, the bridge’s builders recently claimed a new world record by paving in a single day more than 243,200 square feet (22,600 square meters) of asphalt, the equivalent of more than 50 basketball courts. Yet strange as it may sound, this is not the world’s longest sea bridge. That honor belongs to its 34-mile long neighbor, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge - just 20 miles away."
• Global heating will push billions outside ‘human climate niche’ - "World is on track for 2.7C and ‘phenomenal’ human suffering, scientists warn."
• Cannes film festival: the best red carpet looks so far - in pictures - "From Dua Lipa to Gigi Hadid, flip-flops to #mermaidcore, the Croisette turned out its yearly assortment of delights."
• Missed out on Vermeer? Try these arty gems across Europe instead - "With the Amsterdam blockbuster all sold out, our writer picks 10 alternative arty must-sees in Europe - all reachable by train."
• A trip to Dyson’s dirt-filled, germ-obsessed world - "Dyson invited me to spend two days inside its hyper-clean universe to see what’s next and why it’s trying to scrub every hidden bit of filth from our homes."
• WhatsApp to allow users to edit messages within 15 minutes - "A move that will see it match a feature offered by competitors like Telegram and Signal."
• This underrated capital city was the first to become a UNESCO site - "Travelers willing to give Quito a chance will quickly discover a beguiling place brimming with culture, eclectic museums and flavorful cuisine, much of which can be found in its remarkably well-preserved UNESCO-recognized historic center."
• The Best Times to Visit Copenhagen for Great Weather, Lower Prices & Fewer Crowds - "These are the best times to visit Copenhagen for every type of traveler." Travel + Leisure.
• 20 classic French dishes everyone needs to try - "The foundations of the country’s culinary empire were laid as early as the mid-1600s when chef François Pierre La Varenne penned his hugely influential 'Le Cuisinier François' recipe book, which emphasized regional and seasonal ingredients and highlighted complementary flavors. 'French cooking is, at its core, about making beautiful, refined food out of simple ingredients,' said Maryann Tebben, author of 'Savoir-Faire: A History of Food in France.' Whether it’s country fare or haute cuisine that inspires, take a look at 20 classic French dishes."
• The Only 7 Belly Fat Exercises Worth Doing at the Gym - "Incinerate tummy flab with these trainer-recommended movements."
• Foresight: The mental talent that shaped the world - "When humanity acquired the ability to imagine the future, it changed the trajectory of our species. But in the age of the Anthropocene, we need to harness this mental skill now more than ever, say the scientists Thomas Suddendorf, Jon Redshaw and Adam Bulley."
• The Dutch solution to stress - "The Dutch solution to busyness that captivated the world. Niksen - a Dutch wellness trend that means 'doing nothing' - has caught the attention of the world as a way to manage stress or recover from burnout."
• Boris Becker: ‘Tennis is a different sport when you become the hunted’ - "The German reveals his fears for Emma Raducanu, watching Novak Djokovic win from prison and why he loves Wimbledon."
• Out of our minds: opium’s part in imperial history - "How a mind-altering, addictive substance was used as a weapon by one empire to subdue another."
• 16 Best Gin & Tonic Recipes For Summer - "For many people, summer begins when they start wearing white. For others, it’s when the good tomatoes and sweet summer corn show up on farmers’ market stalls. And for the vast majority, it’s when they need to crank up the AC on that first sweltering 90-degree day of the year."
• Mimestream is the Mac app every Gmail user needs - "It’s not an email app; it’s a Gmail app. And as long as you use Gmail and a Mac, that’s really great news."
• best sleep apps & gadgets for a better night's sleep - "Let technology help you snag more z’s this year. For those who need a little extra help getting better sleep in 2023, here are a few gadgets to help you sleep that we've tried that could work for you, too."

May 22, 2023

• Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein 'threatened to expose Bill Gates' 2010 affair with a Russian bridge player - after he refused to participate in a multibillion-dollar charitable fund with JPMorgan.
• Leonardo DiCaprio & Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of The Flower Moon’ gets raucous applause at Cannes premiere - "A video posted to the Cannes Film Festival’s YouTube channel shows the audience inside the Grande Theatre Lumiere exuberantly applauding the movie for at least seven minutes, with more applause coming after director Scorsese thanked the audience."
• Jeff Bezos’ $500M superyacht & more big boats, are stars of Cannes - "But while the new $500 million vessel, Koru, has been making headlines as the world’s largest sailing yacht - and for featuring a mermaid on its prow that looks like his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez - its not the only boat in town."
• The case of the Lego Bandit - "Playing with Star Wars Lego bricks made them famous. Then a mysterious crime drove them apart."
• Warren Buffett Says the Ultimate Measure of Success Comes Down to 1 Simple Word - "Buffett's words serve as a poignant reminder of what truly matters in a world that often glorifies material possessions and professional achievements. Measuring success through love. Love in its purest form."
• How luxury giant LVMH built a recession-proof empire - "Luxury giant LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, more commonly known as LVMH, has grown into a $500 billion powerhouse conglomerate of 75 distinguished brands, or 'maisons,' rooted in six different sectors - with no plans to slow down."
• Things you can't bring through airport security & alternatives that are TSA-approved - "It can be a bit confusing figuring out what you can or can’t bring, especially as it relates to your toiletries. We’ll walk you through the basics and what you can - and should - pack in your carry-on for your next trip."
• What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule? - "Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion."
• El NiÑo could take a $3 trillion bite out of the world economy - "El Niño is on its way, and when the warm weather pattern arrives, it could take a $3 trillion toll on the global economy, according to new research. That estimate is based on damages inflicted by El Niño in previous years, plus forecasts pointing to a potentially supercharged event this year."
• Inside Maldives’ only multi-island destination - "Made up of more than 1,000 islands spread over 90,000 square kilometers, Maldives is a country like no other. The majority of the nation’s 160-plus resorts sit on individual islands, many of which are accessed by float plane from capital Male’s Velana International Airport. A private island paradise in a country that’s 99% water, famed for having some of the world’s most stunning coastal scenery? Not a tough sell for most travelers."
• This tiny Channel Island - population 65 - feels like a place cut adrift: exploring car-free Herm - "A short ferry ride from Guernsey takes you to the tranquil beauty of an island where time moves slowly and nature is embraced."
• Should I worry about eating too many takeaways? - "We all know they tend to be full of salt, sugar and additives - but when does an occasional treat become an unhealthy habit? We separate the fat from the fiction."
• The 10 Best Insulated Water Bottles for Everyday Use - "Stay hydrated with these durable stainless steel bottles that keep drinks ice-cold for hours."
• Don’t drop it: World’s most expensive ice cream costs $6,400 - "The frozen dessert, called byakuya - 'white night' in Japanese - is currently fetching 880,000 yen ($6,380) for a serving, officially making it the most expensive ice cream in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Sourced exclusively from Alba - home to what many consider the best white truffles in Italy - that ingredient alone could rake in as much as two million yen ($14,500) per kilogram, said an article published on the Guinness World Records website last week. The ice cream is topped off by an edible gold leaf, two types of cheese and 'Sakekasu,' a paste-like ingredient derived from the process of sake-making."
• Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse vision is over. Can Apple save it? - "The CEO of the social media giant has spent billions on his virtual reality dream - and still no one understands the idea. Now the world’s richest firm could change the game."
• WWDC 2023: what to expect at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference - "WWDC kicks off on June 5th, and it’s going to be a big one."
• To avoid being stalked, Steve Jobs found a ‘genius’ & expensive way to drive his fancy Mercedes sports car without license plates - "He did it for several years, and no cop ever pulled over the Apple CEO as it was completely legal."
• Martin Amis: a life in pictures - "Amis, the author of 15 novels and one of the leading voices of his generation, has died aged 73."
• The GlenDronach’s New Cask Strength Whisky Is a High-Proof Sherry Bomb - "Fans of the Macallan should take note of this new sherry cask-matured whisky."

May 21, 2023

• Constant craving: why we can’t shake the salt habit - "We know it’s bad for us, so why can’t we stop sprinkling it?"
• Why you should NEVER order the daily special in a restaurant - "And you should steer clear of the salad too. Chefs and waiters have lifted the lid on what really goes on in the kitchens - and it might put you off these dishes."
• Does your diet affect your fertility? - "Can the right foods really improve your chances of having a baby? Here are the facts."
• Johnny Depp’s teeth ‘rot’ is actually ‘aggressive’ wear: celebrity dentist - "Apa, who is behind the smiles of Ramona Singer, Kendall Jenner, Simon Cowell and more celebrities, believes Depp’s passion for espresso and cigarillos is to blame for the 'stainy' chompers, which he says likely haven’t been cleaned in 'years.' The teeth connoisseur suggests the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star, whose teeth went viral at the Cannes Film Festival this week, get a 'really good cleaning' to improve the optics of his mouth. To reverse the wear, Apa recommends porcelain veneers."
• World's richest man weighs which of his 5 children will take over empire - "Bernard Arnault, the richest man in the world, is the head of the LVMH empire - a $500 billion luxury powerhouse home to dozens of iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Dom Pérignon, and Sephora. Like Logan Roy in the HBO series 'Succession,' he's looking to one of his children to take the reins."
• Harry Styles, Adele & Dua Lipa among Sunday Times Rich List's '35 under 35' - "Prince George's godfather, the Duke of Westminster, is top of the list at the age of 32 and with a real estate portfolio worth £9.87bn."
• Do Dress Sneakers Belong in the Oval Office? - "People felt strongly after spotting the hybrid shoe at a meeting with the president."
• A Singular Whisky For World Whisky Day - "If you’re celebrating World Whisky Day, today is your day to take a dram of your favorite or explore something new from the ever-expanding world of whiskies. Or, discover something new from an old pro, such as FUJI Japanese Whisky, the new expression created by FUJI Whisky master blender Jota Tanaka, which launches this month in the United States."
• Meet the world’s top art collectors - "Who are the modern Medicis?"
• How to Get Bard AI in Google Search Results - "Step 1: Get Bard for Search Engines. The first thing we need to do is install a handy Chrome extension called Bard for Search Engines. ... Step 2: Sign in to Google Bard. ... Step 3: Use Bard AI Right Inside Google Search. ... 15 Best ChatGPT Plugins You Should Use Right Now."
• Fears looted Nazi art still hanging in Belgian & British galleries - "Leading art museums are reassessing their works after a Belgian journalist traced how a fascist sympathiser acquired a Jewish dealer’s collection."
• Greece recovers hundreds of stolen artefacts - "Greece says it has recovered hundreds of looted artefacts, including a 2nd-Century bronze statue of Alexander the Great. The trove was recovered after a legal battle with the company of a British antiquities dealer, officials said."
• From Cannes to the Met Gala: how India’s sari is taking over the world - "The timeless appeal of the south Asian classic has gone global - and a new London exhibition shows how it has been reinvented."
• I took my own advice & bought a last-gen iPhone - I regret nothing - "Sometimes the best new phone for you is the one that launched a year and a half ago."
• 'BlackBerry' review: The comedy & tragedy of the innovator's dilemma - "It's funny, dramatic and one of the best movies about tech."

May 20, 2023

• Apple got rich in China. But these markets offer the next ‘golden opportunity’ - "Apple launched an online store in Vietnam this week, in another nod to the growing importance of emerging markets for the iPhone maker. For decades, China was central to Apple’s extraordinary ascent to become the most valuable company on Earth, serving as a backbone for both its production and consumption. While the country remains key to Apple’s operations, the tech giant is now hedging its bets."
• 6 surprising things about bees on World Bee Day - "There is a lot to love about bees. They are crucial to growing many of our favorite and healthiest foods as they move pollen from plant to plant, pollinating more than 100 fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, potatoes and apples. In honor of World Bee Day on May 20, here are six surprising things you might not know about nature’s hardest-working pollinators."
• Fossil fuel firms owe climate reparations of $209bn a year, says study - "Groundbreaking analysis by One Earth is first to quantify economic burden caused by individual companies."
• ‘The welcome is unimaginable’: Harrison Ford reduced to tears in Cannes over Indiana Jones’s return - "In an emotional press conference, the 80-year-old star talked about seeing his younger self on screen, his latest topless scene and why he is hanging up his fedora for good."
• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny review: 'Gloomy & depressing' final act - "Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge can't lift a film that is 'a depressing reminder of how much livelier his past adventures were', writes Nicholas Barber."
• 35 of the best restaurants in Europe - "From Ireland to Italy, our local writers reveal their favourite places to eat across the continent."
• 8 Stunning Private Islands To Rent In 2023 - "A secluded private island holiday might be more accessible than you think. There are numerous companies who will arrange this or, for a DIY approach, there are islands located around the world listed on Airbnb. In some cases, they can be more affordable than staying at a hotel in a crowded beach resort. For instance, the only private island in El Nido, The Philippines, is available through Airbnb from around £300/night and that includes all meals and daily housekeeping."
• Corleone: the Sicilian town trying to break free of its mobster past - "Mood is changing in town that spent half a century terrorised into silence under mafia bosses."
• The 10 best garment bags & luggage for wrinkle-free travels in 2023 - "No need to pack a steamer or iron (although, a travel steamer isn’t a bad idea) when you have a garment bag or a garment bag carry-on that doubles as your luggage. Like a normal bag that hangs in your closet, these contraptions help keep suit jackets pressed, dresses unwrinkled and the rest of your delicates just the way you packed them - should they be able to be packed flat, that is. Then, pack the garment bag in your suitcase or simply finish filling the carry-on and off you go, wrinkle-free."
• HOW TO ROLL CLOTHES VS HOW TO FOLD CLOTHES FOR PACKING - "The Ultimate Guide to Fold vs Roll Packing."
• Danish Fashion tycoon named richest person in Scotland for second year running - "Anders Holch Povlsen has been named the richest person in Scotland for the second year in a row, the Sunday Times Rich List 2023 has revealed. He saw his fortune increase by £2 billion in the last year and is now worth £8.5 billion, compared to £6.5 billion last year."
• Jim Brown: a life in pictures - "The NFL legend, actor and social activist has died aged 87. In a football career spanning 1957 through 1965 he led the Cleveland Browns to their last NFL title and shattered league records before retiring to become an actor, appearing in more than 30 films. Here we look back at his life and career."
• A First Look At The Porsche 718 Spyder RS - "Porsche has slipped the 493-horsepower naturally aspirated flat-six engine of the 911 GT3 into the smaller 718 to create the Spyder RS, a purist sports car so potent that it should prove one of the most exciting of the year and likely of this decade. I drove an early 718 Spyder when it launched a few years ago, and after I took an artist friend from Santa Barbara for a ride, he ran down to his Porsche dealer and bought the 718 Spyder’s fraternal twin, the Cayman GT4. Yes, this chassis with a big naturally aspirated 4-liter engine is so good that normally rational men throw cash on the table to own one. The 718 with 4-liter is my favorite Porsche."
• OpenAI GPT-5: Release Date, Features, AGI Rumors, Speculations & More - "It has been just over two months since the launch of GPT-4, but users have started anticipating the release of GPT-5. We have already seen how capable and powerful GPT-4 is in various kinds of tests and qualitative evaluations. With many new features like ChatGPT plugins and internet browsing capability, it has gotten even better. Now, users are waiting to learn more about the upcoming OpenAI model, GPT-5, the possibility of AGI, and more. So to find in-depth information about GPT-5’s release date and other expected features, follow our explainer below."
• Big Tech is already warning us about AI privacy problems - "That is, if you’re paying attention."
• What’s the Deal with All the Snoopy Watches? - "This cute beagle has more horological cred than you might suspect."

May 19, 2023

• What really happened during Prince Harry & Meghan’s New York car chase? - "There’s no denying the echoes to the late Princess Diana’s 1997 death in a car crash in Paris. More than 25 years on, her son and his wife were pursued through the streets of New York City this week in what their team called a 'near catastrophic' car chase."
• iOS 16.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.5 - "Apple today released iOS 16.5, the fifth major update to the iOS 16 operating system. iOS 16.5 is not as notable as some of the prior updates that we have seen, but there are some important bug fixes and feature additions."
• OpenAI launches free ChatGPT app for iOS - "It’s only available in the US for now, and Android users will also have to wait."
• UK government spent 162 million pounds on Queen Elizabeth's funeral - "British government departments spent an estimated total of 161.7 million pounds ($204 million) on Queen Elizabeth's state funeral and related events, the Treasury said on Thursday. After Britain's longest-reigning monarch died aged 96 on Sept. 8, the country entered 10 days of national mourning which concluded with her state funeral on Sept. 19."
• Angelina Jolie unveils new sustainability-focused fashion venture - "Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has become the latest celebrity to announce their own fashion brand with the launch of Atelier Jolie."
• Jane Fonda: French director asked to sleep with me to ‘see what my orgasms were like’ for a role - "Actor says director René Clément propositioned her in French during the filming of 1964 film Joy House, but ‘I pretended I didn’t understand’."
• The Best Jewelry At The Cannes Film Festival Opening Night Ceremony - "The glamour is back in all its sparkling drama as the year’s most anticipated movies bring out A-list actresses, directors, models, and style icons to the premieres and activities in the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Diamonds galore, huge colored gemstones and looks worthy of a princess made an appearance at the premiere of Jeanne Du Barry."
• The Sunday Times Rich List 2023 revealed - "With the first fall in billionaires since the financial crash, is the party finally over?"
• What are the odds of a successful space launch? - "There's a lot that can go wrong on a rocket launch. Over the decades, however, the failure rate has been surprisingly consistent."
• Disney’s absurdly expensive Star Wars hotel is shutting down - "The Galactic Starcruiser will close its doors for good in September."
• New York City is sinking due to weight of its skyscrapers, new research finds - "City is sinking approximately 1-2mm each year on average, worsening effects of sea level rise and flooding threat."
• The Best & Worst Habits for Eyesight - "Are carrots good? Is blue light bad? Experts weigh in on nine common beliefs."
• World Health Organization Warns Against Using Artificial Sweeteners - "Continued consumption doesn’t reduce weight and could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults, the W.H.O. said on Monday."
• Why Ted Lasso’s Shoe Game Is So Strong - "Credit the show’s star and creator, Jason Sudeikis, a real-life sneakerhead who owns about 250 pairs."
• Electric Rimac Nevera Sets Road Car Record: 60 MPH In 1.74 Seconds - "Rimac has set 22 absolute world acceleration records for production road-legal cars. The Nevera’s 4-motor battery-electric powertrain generates 1914 electric-equivalent horsepower, and obviously the Boys of Zagreb continue to hone their Launch Control scripting."
• Why are video games always falling? - "Redfall, Ashfall, Lords of the Fallen, Atlas Fallen, After the Fall - these are all 2023 games."
• Heinz Remix is the sauce dispenser of our dreams - "Smoky chipotle mango ketchup, anyone?"
• Danish painter Vilhelm HammershØi’s 'Interior. The Music Room, Strandgade 30' - "Sold on May 16 for US$9,124,350 at Sotheby's New York City."

May 18, 2023

• Johnny Depp’s movie receives 7-minute standing ovation at Cannes - "Video shared on social media by Variety shows a visibly moved Depp during an over five-minute ovation for his film, 'Jeanne du Barry,' in which he stars as the former King of France Louis XV."
• The Dior Suite At The Cannes Film Festival Is The It Place For Beauty - " The Suite is the go-to place for all thing’s beauty during the number one film festival in the world. This year is no different as the famed French beauty brand has opened its doors to celebrities for what they’re calling: a unique beauty rendezvous."
• Putin’s top-secret underground Black Sea bunker beneath his £1billion luxury palace - "If Vladimir Putin ever goes on the missing list, there is a high chance he will be holed up in his top-secret hideaway in southern Russia."
• Woodward & Bernstein: Watergate reporters warn of the limitations of AI - "US reporter Carl Bernstein has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is a 'huge force' which poses challenges for the future of journalism."
• How To Be Successful: Chat GPT Founder Sam Altman’s 13 Powerful Rules For Business - "Sam Altman is successful by any definition. In an article he originally wrote in January 2019, Open AI CEO Altman shares 13 maxims on the topic of how to be successful. Altman is the former president of Y Combinator and CEO of Reddit, and now the CEO of both Loopt and Open AI, a company that raised $1b in funding in 2015 and whose product Chat GPT became the fastest-growing consumer application in history after it hit an estimated 100 million monthly active users justjust +0.8% two months after launching. By comparison, it took Tik Tok nine months to reach this level, and Instagram over two years. After observing thousands of founders in his various roles, and being one himself, Altman puts forward these 13 thoughts about how to achieve outlier success."
• Workplace AI: How artificial intelligence will transform the workday - "The rise of generative AI in the workplace is inevitable. There’s a lot to be excited about it."
• Why three robot sisters could be the friendly face of AI - "Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our everyday lives, found in everything from social media algorithms to e-commerce and navigation, but not everyone is comfortable with the idea. The key to winning over a skeptical public could be a family of robot 'sisters.'"
• Wagyu beef & sea urchin: what’s on the menu when the G7 meets in Japan - "Fumio Kishida, the prime minister, reportedly intervened to ensure ingredients from Hiroshima are properly represented."
• 13 of Japan’s best castles - "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. Though many were razed at the behest of the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period (1603-1868) and subsequently following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, when power was restored to the emperor, over a hundred remain throughout the country today."
• Google might delete your Gmail account if you haven’t logged in for two years - "The old policy would wipe data from unused personal accounts, but now, the entire Google account is at risk of deletion."
• Are touch-activated faucets smart or silly? - "It's pricey and kind of unnecessary, but I actually kind of like it."
• Holger Rune beats Novak Djokovic in rainy Italian Open quarterfinal clash - "The 20-year-old Rune prevailed in wet conditions as rain continues to affect play in Rome, winning 6-2 4-6 6-2 to earn his second consecutive victory over Djokovic after his win in the final of November’s Paris Masters."

May 17, 2023

• Global warming set to break key 1.5C limit for first time - "Our overheating world is likely to break a key temperature limit for the first time over the next few years, scientists predict. Researchers say there's now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold between now and 2027."
• F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled due to flooding in northern Italy - "Formula One and local authorities agree it is unsafe to proceed. Race at Imola circuit is highly unlikely to be rescheduled."
• All the Red-Carpet Looks from the 2023 Cannes Film Festival - "The Cannes Film Festival is officially back to celebrate this year’s best in international cinema, and stars are continuing to live up to the festival’s signature upscale glamour on the red carpet."
• Tom Hanks says AI could see him featuring in movies long after his death - "Actor Tom Hanks believes that he could keep appearing in new movies after he dies thanks to the power of artificial intelligence (AI). 'Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deep fake technology ... I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but my performances can go on and on and on,' the Oscar-winning actor added."
• Mr. ChatGPT goes to Washington: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testifies before Congress on AI risks - "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman urged lawmakers to regulate artificial intelligence during a Senate panel hearing Tuesday, describing the technology’s current boom as a potential 'printing press moment' but one that required safeguards."
• Sam Altman: CEO of OpenAI calls for US to regulate artificial intelligence - "Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, testified before a US Senate committee on Tuesday about the possibilities - and pitfalls - of the new technology. Mr Altman, 38, has become a spokesman of sorts for the burgeoning industry. He has not shied away from addressing the ethical questions that AI raises, and has pushed for more regulation."
• Microsoft Says New A.I. Shows Signs of Human Reasoning - "A provocative paper from researchers at Microsoft claims A.I. technology shows the ability to understand the way people do. Critics say those scientists are kidding themselves."
• Elon Musk says ‘get off your work-from-home bullshit’ - "The remote-work hater has logged on."
• Plastic pollution could be slashed by 80% by 2040, UN says - "Changes needed are major but also practical and affordable, report says, and would bring trillions of dollars in benefits."
• Titanic: First ever full-sized scans reveal wreck as never seen before - "The first full-sized digital scan of the Titanic, which lies 3,800m (12,500ft) down in the Atlantic, has been created using deep-sea mapping. It provides a unique 3D view of the entire ship, enabling it to be seen as if the water has been drained away. The hope is that this will shed new light on exactly what happened to the liner, which sank in 1912."
• This place was inhabited for centuries - but has only recently had tourists - "In one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world, there is a monument carved into sandstone, surrounded by date farms and dusty two-lane roads. This is Hegra. Also known as al-Hijr or Mada’in Saleh, Hegra is the crown jewel of Saudi Arabia’s archaeological attractions and was the first place in the country inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list."
• Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets Candid on Career, Failures, Aging: “My Plan Is to Live Forever” - "The action icon - set to make his series TV debut in Netflix’s 'FUBAR' - sounds off on his 'Terminator' and 'Conan' futures, identity politics and why emotions are overrated: 'We have to work our ass off and stop worrying about feelings.'" The Hollywood Reporter.
• Court rules Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes must go to prison while she appeals against sentence - "Holmes, who was charged with defrauding investors in her blood-testing start-up, hoped to stay out of jail while she appealed her conviction."
• Apollo: How Moon missions changed the modern world - "The Apollo programme took humanity to the Moon but also changed the face of technology back here on Earth."
• 15 Differences Between Rich & Poor Mindset - "In our society, we often see a divide between those with financial resources and those who struggle to meet their needs. It’s not just about the money they have, but also about their mindset. Let’s delve into the differences between the rich and the poor mindset."
• On ‘Succession,’ if You’re Eating, You’re Losing - "When it comes to the high-powered Roy dynasty, food is for the weak and striving."
• iPhones will be able to speak in your voice with 15 minutes of training - "Apple’s new accessibility features can assist those who’ve lost the ability to speak or who are blind or have low vision."
• Gucci, Coach & Burberry Are the Best Luxe Labels at Extending the Life of Their Clothes: Report - "The trio topped Kearney’s Circular Fashion Index for the second year in a row."
• CafÉ sells single cup of exotic coffee for $1,500 - "Its owner swears customers are brought to tears by the taste. The beans get flown in from Panama."

May 16, 2023

• At 81, Martha Stewart Is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover Star - "The domestic diva talks about shedding her inhibitions, and (most of) her clothes, for the cover shoot."
• How technology is changing our idea of beauty - "From diversity to accessibility, can technology change the way we think about beauty for the better?"
• ‘The height of toxicity for women’: revisiting the era of the It Girl - "A new documentary looks back on the New York social scene of the late 2000s when glamorous high society women dominated the headlines for better and worse."
• Cannes 2023: The Films We’re Excited About Seeing - "Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and Todd Haynes have works premiering this year at the festival on the French Riviera."
• When One Almond Gulps 3.2 Gallons of Water - "California produces a bounty of almonds, which gulp about 3.2 gallons of water for each almond, according to a 2019 study."
• What will replace the International Space Station? - "The International Space Station has been ever-present in our lives for more than two decades. What will happen when we lose it in 2031?"
• 11 Best Workout Shoes, According to the Experts - "If you’re in the market for a new pair of workout shoes, a great way to sort through the countless styles is to get recs straight from the experts themselves. We tapped instructors, trainers, and marathon-fishers to give us the details on their favorite pairs from tried-and-true classics like Nike and Adidas to more recent standout brands like Hoka and Hilma."
• 15 Oversized Denim Jackets That Go With Everything - "From true blue to creamy white, there are plenty of ways to up your denim game."
• The 12 Best Rolling Duffel Bags of 2023, Tested & Reviewed - "We tested 30 bags to find the best rolling duffel for every trip." Travel + Leisure.
• 15 Trendy Water Bottles for Easy All-Day Hydration - "These Are the Prettiest Water Bottles for On-The-Go Hydration."
• Hydro Flask Vs. Yeti: Who Makes the Better Water Bottle? - "We put two of the most popular insulated water bottles on the market to the test."
• Could handbags be the haute couture solution to Florida’s python problem? - "Invasive Burmese pythons are devastating wildlife but one firm believes turning snake leather into accessories could be a win-win."
• History of the Hero: The Cartier Love bracelet - "Everything to know about the bangle, from its history to its A-list fans. Created in 1969 by Italian jewellery designer Aldo Cipullo for Cartier, the bracelet was born as a unisex ‘modern handcuff’. When the Love bracelet first came out, it’s thought that Cartier gifted pairs to some of the world’s most famous couples during the 20th century, from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen to Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti."
• Bossa nova pioneer Carlos Lyra at 90: ‘We wrote songs about our reality: the beach, sun & love stories’ - "Lyra was at the genre’s 1950s birth in Rio beachside jams, bringing sensuality to Brazil’s serious music scene. He explains how he shaped bossa’s stunning melodies - and gave it a social conscience."
• Rhinos return to Zimbabwe & a new kind of safari starts to take shape - "Near the Hwange national park, a reintroduction project protects animals, attracts tourists and ensures locals aren’t neglected."

May 15, 2023

• The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, With Familiar (Rich) Winners - "In an era of surging home and stock values, U.S. family wealth has soared. The trillions of dollars going to heirs will largely reinforce inequality."
• My grandfather founded a famous chocolate brand - I’m one of the richest in the world and worth $45billion - "Giovanni Ferrero's grandfather and father created and grew a chocolate empire that's worth billions with their products available in more than 170 countries."
• ‘World’s largest ocean restoration project’ designed for Dubai - " In a city known for superlatives, it’s no surprise that someone in Dubai plans to build another of the “world’s largest.” But unlike the tallest skyscraper or the deepest pool, the latest proposed project is not simply an architectural feat, it’s a win for ocean conservation too. Dubai Reefs bills itself as the world’s largest ocean restoration project; if built it would consist of 77 square miles of artificial reef that will create a home for more than one billion corals and 100 million mangrove trees."
• Controversial jewelry collection fetches a record-shattering $196 million - "Hundreds of jewels once owned by late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten have fetched a combined 176 million Swiss francs ($196 million) to become the most expensive private jewelry collection ever to appear at auction. The sale smashed a record set over a decade ago by the collection of Elizabeth Taylor, whose gems racked up nearly $116 million in New York in 2011."
• Why are so many young Americans adopting fake British accents? - "Whether deflecting an awkward moment or lightening the mood in an argument, affecting an accent has become a Gen Z verbal tic."
• Gen Z goes retro: Why the younger generation is ditching smartphones for ‘dumb phones’ - "There are a few reasons, including nostalgia and yearning for an idealized version of the past, doing a 'digital detox' and increasing privacy concerns."
• Best cabin bags, suitcases & overnight backpacks for travel in 2023 - "Whether for buisness or pleasure, choose one of these and you’ll pack like a pro."
• A new start after 60: I embraced being single & became an international pet-sitter - "Bernadine Swale thought she couldn’t cope after her divorce. Now, she loves her life cycling around Florida with terriers and fine-dining with schnauzers in New Zealand."
• Should I worry about how long I spend sitting down? - "Study after study has found links between poor health and a sedentary lifestyle. How great is the danger - and can you really fix things with exercise or by sitting on a gym ball?"
• ‘Design me a chair made from petals!’: The artists pushing the boundaries of AI - "From restoring artefacts destroyed by Isis to training robot vacuum cleaners, architects, artists and game developers are discovering the potential - and pitfalls - of the virtual world."
• Change the way you use your iPhone forever, just enable this feature now - "Your iPhpne has this hidden game-changer button. Just enable it now."
• Oceans have been absorbing the world’s extra heat. But there’s a huge payback - "Record sea surface temperatures suggest the Earth is headed for ‘uncharted territory’ in terms of sea level rise, coastal flooding and extreme weather."
• Why Warren Buffett Is Making A $5 Billion Bet On Private Jets - "It's no secret that private jets are a lightning rod for climate campaigners, facts be damned. However, the industry is getting a powerful endorsement from the person behind its biggest player. Last Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett, speaking at its annual shareholders' meeting and responding to a question about See's Candy and NetJets, gave a lavish endorsement of Adam Johnson, the boss of his private aviation group."
• Inside The Creation Of The Rolls-Royce Ghost Champagne Rose - "Rolls-Royce has just unveiled a truly remarkable creation: the Ghost 'Champagne Rose.' This one-of-a-kind vehicle is a pure expression of individuality, crafted in a single Bespoke colorway that was reserved exclusively for an esteemed client. It was a masterpiece conceived as the ultimate personal statement, celebrating the client's artistic success and inspired by their digital persona known as '@ChampagneRose.'"
• Jackie Kennedy’s Childhood Home Hits Market In East Hampton, New York For $55 Million - "Located in East Hampton, New York, the home is called Lasata, which means ‘place of peace’ in the Algonquin language of the native Montaukett people. It’s being sold by Los Angeles-based television, commercial, and film producer David Zander, who purchased the home for $24 million in 2018. The home has also been published in numerous magazines around the world and is recognized as one of the country’s most iconic properties. Built in 1917 and designed by notable architect Arthur C. Jackson, the home was used as the Bouvier’s family’s summer home in the 1920s. According to the book Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: A Life by Donald Spoto, the property was owned by her grandfather, the late John Vernou Bouvier Jr., and she spent summers as a young child at Lasata."

May 14, 2023

• The 23 best destinations to visit in 2023 - "As peak vacation season sails into view and the world shakes off the last shackles of the pandemic, it feels like the appetite for hitting the road has never been greater. International tourism reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2023, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, with an estimated 235 million tourists traveling internationally in January, February and March. And experts are cautiously optimistic about a continued travel rebound."
• New York City's eight best literary venues - "From The Chelsea Hotel to The Algonquin to Albertine, NYC is full of famous literary hubs that have shaped the city's culture. Follow this guide to experience eight of the very best."
• The 25 Most Unique Nike Shoes In The World - "Nike has created some of the world’s most expensive and unique shoes and sneakers since it was founded in 1964. With sneakers made in collaboration with incredible artists, for great causes, and for tremendous sports influences, there are more colourways and options than you can fathom."
• In Honor of Audrey Hepburn’s Birthday, See 23 Rare Photographs From the Condé Nast Archives - "A full year before My Fair Lady was released in theaters in December 1964, Vogue teased its readers with a delicious portfolio featuring Audrey Hepburn in Cecil Beaton’s fantastical costumes for the film. Today, in honor of Hepburn’s birthday, we’re publishing rarely seen outtakes from that spread - which gave the world its first look at Ms. Hepburn’s Eliza Doolittle - as well as photographs from the set of My Fair Lady. But as with all things in Hollywood, there’s more to the story than meets the eye."
• The 10 Best Designer Tote Bags That Stand the Test of Time - "From classic leather options to durable canvas carriers, these are the styles you'll carry for years to come."
• Svalbard: the Arctic islands where we can see the future of global heating - "The Norwegian archipelago is warming six times faster than the global average, with potentially disastrous results, especially for species such as the polar bear."
• A massive new US embassy complex in a tiny Middle East nation is raising eyebrows - "A massive new US embassy complex in Lebanon is causing controversy for its sheer size and opulence in a country where nearly 80% of the population is under the poverty line. Located some 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) from the center of Beirut and built on the site of the current embassy, the US’ new compound in Lebanon looks like a city of its own. Sprawling over a 43-acre site, the complex in the Beirut suburb of Awkar is almost two-and-a-half times the size of the land the White House sits on and more than 21 soccer fields."
• ‘Inevitable’ India’s jewels taken by British empire will be returned, says author - "Narendra Modi is preparing a campaign to reclaim items in UK museums and held by the royal family, such as the Koh-i-noor. 'Our museums and the royal family are in possession of billions of pounds worth of Indian loot. It was a systematic part of colonial rule. The royal family was given the king’s share of that loot.'"
• Widowed Texas Playboy model turned Italian PRINCESS, 73, faces eviction from $533m Roman villa - "A former Playboy model turned Italian princess faces imminent eviction from her $533m villa in Rome after she battled with her stepchildren and failed to maintain the property. The 73-year-old Texas native, born Rita Carpenter, became Italian royalty after marrying Nicolò Boncompagni Ludovisi, an Italian prince in 2009 holding the title of Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi."
• 4 Essential Sunglasses for Men (Try These Stylish Shades!) - "Clothes and accessories are typically viewed as functional items first - with style being a close second priority. However, of all the items that balance practical use with stylish flair, sunglasses are undoubtedly the cream of the crop." Gentleman's Gazette.
• Has this food actually expired? Why label dates don’t mean what you think - "While many in the US rely on the label for guidance to keep or toss food, experts say ‘there are no standards’."
• Apple’s Weather chaos is restarting the weather app market - "It’s not hard to figure out the temperature outside. (Though it might be harder than you think!) But a truly great weather app requires so much more than that."
• Carroll, Clothes & Credibility - "During the E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump rape trial, every detail was part of building the case. Even the clothes. As she sat there in Manhattan federal court every day, Ms. Carroll presented the very opposite of the “wack job” Mr. Trump had described in his video deposition. She did not look 'mentally sick.' She did not look like the money- and fame-grubber Mr. Trump’s lawyers described. She was an almost perfectly calibrated study in neutrality, calm and composure, both in the way she spoke during her testimony and in the way her appearance spoke for her."
• This Man Is Not Meghan Markle - "Online jokesters claimed that Karl Jenkins was the Duchess of Sussex in disguise at the coronation. He sets the record straight."
• What’s the Deal With Adulthood? 25 Years Later, ‘Seinfeld’ Feels Revelatory - "The show about nothing ended in May 1998. But in an era when priorities are being re-evaluated, the sitcom has taken on new relevance."

May 13, 2023

• Elon Musk names NBCU ad chief Linda Yaccarino as Twitter CEO - "As CEO, Yaccarino will face a long list of challenges that have piled up under Musk’s ownership, including an advertiser exodus, service disruptions, regulatory scrutiny and a growing list of rivals. Musk’s controversial policy changes and statements have also alienated some longtime Twitter users."
• Emirates & Etihad are partnering. Will it mean a Mideast super airline? - "One country, two major airlines operating world-class long-haul fleets out of different major aviation hubs located close to one another. On paper, the United Arab Emirates’ ownership of two powerhouse global longhaul carriers with largely overlapping international air networks that converge so closely might seem an extravagance too far. Isn’t one enough?"
• New coronation day portraits of King Charles & Queen Camilla released - "It may have been a week since Britain’s King Charles III was crowned, but the palace is still releasing tidbits from the big day, this time in the form of two newly released photographs taken after the coronation. In one image, Charles is pictured with his elder son, William, the Prince of Wales and his grandson Prince George in Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room. The King is wearing full regalia, the Robe of Estate and the Imperial State Crown, while holding the Sovereign’s Orb and Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. He is sitting on one of a pair of throne chairs that were made for the future King George V and Queen Mary for use at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902."
• Princess Diana's Diamond & Pearl Necklace Is Up for Auction - "She helped design the necklace and matching earrings herself."
• Wild lion Loonkiito, 'one of the world's oldest', killed in Kenya - "Loonkiito, who was 19, died in Olkelunyiet village on Wednesday night after preying on livestock."
• How the 'naked' look took over fashion - "From Beyoncé's body suit to red-carpet nude dresses, showing some flesh has long been a surefire way to get talked about. But is it always as basic as that, asks Clare Thorp."
• Lisbon revealed as best-value location for a European city break - "The Portuguese capital wins top spot ahead of budget-friendly eastern European destinations, according to new poll."
• Italy’s Friuli region is one of Europe’s best kept secrets - "Its mountains, canyons, beaches and lagoons make it one of Italy’s most beautiful and varied landscapes, but few people - and that includes Italians - know anything about it. Perhaps because it’s tucked away on the country’s northeastern border with Slovenia and Austria, perhaps because of a history of invasions, including the Austro-Hungarian empire, or perhaps because of the many languages spoken by locals, it barely seems like part of Italy."
• British actor has been tipped by bookies to become the next James Bond - "It's Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has recently appeared to be bulking up, perhaps in preparation for the role."
• iOS 16.5 to be released next week; here’s everything new - "After six weeks of beta testing, Apple is set to release iOS 16.5 to the general public next week. This will mark the final major iOS 16 update that’s released prior to Apple’s announcement of iOS 17 at WWDC in June."
• iOS 16.5 beta enables screen recording via Siri [Video] - "iOS 16.5 developer beta 1 doesn’t appear to contain many new features and changes, but there is at least one new feature that will surely make some users happy - the ability to ask Siri to start a screen recording."
• The Ask Jeeves-ification of online search - "Are we watching history repeat? Ask Jeeves launched in 1997, and the idea was that you’d type a natural-language query into the box, and the valet would come back with an answer. (Jeeves is named for P.G. Wodehouse’s famous character, a near-omniscient man with a 'feudal spirit.') It was popular until Google Search entered the scene - an engine with a better ability to crawl the web, among its other strengths."
• How wood-scanning tech is taking the guesswork out of aging bourbon - "OakScan analysis allows Penelope Bourbon to predict results with French Oak."
• Aston Martin Reveals New F1-Inspired DBX707 With ‘Podium Green’ Paint - "The special edition is finished in ‘Podium Green’ paint and features a carbon fiber bodykit said to be inspired by the design of the F1 team’s race cars. There are also lime green details, as also seen on the f1 racers, plus green brake calibers and a ‘Q by Aston Martin’ badge, since the car is the work of Q, the carmaker’s bespoke vehicle division. There’s more carbon fiber inside, along with more unique badges and lime green stitching."
• Before Taylor Swift or David Bowie, There Was Sarah Bernhardt - "A centenary exhibition in Paris honors the French actress who invented the concept of the global star."
• Olympic Swimming in the Seine? How Paris Is Remaking a River -"Organizers of the 2024 Summer Games promised a waterway clean enough for Olympic swimmers and then Parisians to swim in. The job was bigger than anyone knew."
• Oyakodon Is Bliss in a Bowl - "Also soothing and satisfying: crisp gnocchi with sausage and peas, soy sauce noodles with cabbage and fried eggs."
• Sold for a Song, a Church’s Windows Turned Out to Be Tiffany - "Two fixtures, which were covered in grime, were sold along with other artifacts by a Philadelphia church’s new owner for $6,000. An auction house estimates they could bring up to $250,000 - each."
• This Ultra-Rare ‘Pink-on-Pink’ Patek Philippe Watch Is Expected to Fetch Up to $4.5 Million at Auction - "The newly discovered piece will lead Sotheby’s Important Watches Auction in New York on June 9."

May 12, 2023

• Elon Musk says he’s found a new CEO for Twitter - "Elon Musk on Thursday said he’s found a new CEO to take over Twitter, months after he first promised to step back from the role. The new CEO will assume the role at Twitter Inc., which recently changed its name to X Corp., in the coming weeks, Musk said. He did not provide a name. However, the Wall Street Journal reported - citing sources - that Linda Yaccarino, NBCUniversal’s head of advertising, was in talks for the job."
• ‘Why would we employ people?’ Experts on five ways AI will change work - "From farming and education to healthcare and the military, artificial intelligence is poised to make sweeping changes to the workplace. But can it have a positive impact - or are we in for a darker future?"
• Google Tries To Straddle Being 'Bold' & 'Responsible' In AI Product Blitz - "The company seemed to learn from a debacle five years ago, when an AI demo for a technology called Duplex drew immediate backlash."
• Google’s Sundar Pichai talks Search, AI & dancing with Microsoft - "AI is one the deepest platform shifts ever, says Google’s CEO, and he’s not worried about being first."
• Italian pasta prices are soaring. Rome is in crisis talks with producers - "Adolfo Urso, the country’s minister for enterprise, chaired a commission of lawmakers, pasta producers and consumer rights groups in Rome to discuss what could be done to bring down pasta prices, which soared 17.5% in March from the same month in 2022."
• YouTuber Trevor Jacob admits to crashing plane for views - "A YouTuber who intentionally crashed an airplane for views will plead guilty to obstructing a federal investigation by cleaning up the site of the crash, US prosecutors say."
• 21 of the world’s most stunning castles - "'What makes a castle a castle is that it combines the functions of defense and dwelling - it’s a fortification and a stately home rolled into one. Creating a building which is both comfortable and defensible is difficult. The ingenious ways in which castle-designers reconciled this balance is always intriguing.' Although we normally associate castles with European history, it’s actually an architectural form found around the world - in nations as varied as Japan and India, Morocco and Mexico."
• 36 hours in Rotterdam, The Netherlands - "Amsterdam or Rotterdam? For sheer picturesqueness, Amsterdam is the easy winner. But what Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second-largest city, lacks in historical edifices - much of it was bombed in World War II - it makes up for with contemporary urban cool. Long the busiest port in Europe, the multicultural city is a hub of global commerce and avant-garde architecture. (The architect and Pritzker Prize winner Rem Koolhaas, a Rotterdam native, has added his touch to the soaring skyline.) Art institutions like the Nederlands Fotomuseum and the new Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen have elevated Rotterdam into an essential European cultural stop, while food markets like the massive, futuristic Markthal and the sleek Foodhallen, which both opened over the past decade, add to a dining scene awash in experimental restaurants."
• Best MagSafe wallets for your iPhone in 2023 - "As we tested the wallets, we looked for unique features, material, craftsmanship, ease of inserting and removing cards, and capacity. Here's what we found."
• How singing has changed over the centuries - "Modern singing - whether on the charts or Eurovision - is radically different to the kind familiar to our ancestors."
• Monaco to introduce water use restrictions - "A number of restrictions on the use of water will come into force in Monaco on Saturday, May 13. At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Minster of State Pierre Dartout said that we are now living with the consequences of global warming. Much of the south of France and parts of Italy and Spain have already suffered from exceptional waves of drought this year, Mr Dartout said."
• 10 Easiest Countries in Europe to Get Citizenship - "The opportunity to apply for European citizenship is better than it has ever been, given the European companies' desperation and the enormous volume of unfilled positions."
• 'Earthrise': The photo that sparked an environmental movement - "More than 50 years after it was shot, Earthrise continues to be seen as one of the most iconic environmental photographs ever taken."
• ‘Snoring is perfectly natural’: testing Air New Zealand’s world first sleep pods - "The skynest will set you back over NZ$400 for a four hour visit - so is it worth it?"
• King Charles’ Aston Martin DB6 Runs On Wine & Cheese - "It’s actually all rather simple, and not unique to the King’s Aston. The car has been converted to run on E85 instead of the regular E10 gas we get from the pumps here in the UK. In both cases the E stands for ethanol and the number is the percentage of ethanol in the fuel. Normal pump gas is 10% ethanol, while E85 is...you guessed it, 85% ethanol. The remaining 15% is gasoline."
• How Russia’s Rich Get Their Luxuries Now - "More than a year into Vladimir Putin’s invasion, the web of global trade has adjusted to Western sanctions, with a network of middlemen sending cars, electronics and more to Russia."
• This 40-year-old makes $160,000/month in passive income - "His No. 1 tip for building a 6-figure side hustle."

May 11, 2023

• 8 takeaways from Trump’s CNN town hall in New Hampshire - "The former president repeated election lies and wouldn’t say if he wants Ukraine to win the war."
• Many soft contact lenses in US made up of PFAS, research suggests - "Testing of 18 popular kinds of contact lenses found extremely high levels of organic fluorine, a marker of ‘forever chemicals’."
• Coronation: I took painkillers before carrying sword, says Penny Mordaunt - "Penny Mordaunt today revealed how 'popping' painkillers, practice and toe wiggling helped her ace carrying ceremonial swords during the King's Coronation. As Lord President of the Council, she was responsible for bearing The Sword of State and presenting The Jewelled Sword of Offering to the King - the first time it has been carried and presented by a woman."
• Love, pop & energy! Is this the perfect formula for a Eurovision winner? - "Having crunched data from all 1,371 Eurovision finalists since it began in 1956, we’ve worked out the type of song and artist with the best chance of scoring douze points."
• DCI Banks star Stephen Tompkinson is found not guilty of GBH - "DCI Banks star Stephen Tompkinson is found not guilty of GBH after drunk stranger was left with 'traumatic brain injuries' during row over noise outside actor's seaside home."
• Air New Zealand reveals price of new economy class sleep pods - "Normally, lie-flat airline seats are a luxury only available for first- and business-class passengers. But that will change on some Air New Zealand flights when the airline launches Skynest, a beds-on-board concept for economy-class passengers, in September 2024."
• The nine biggest announcements from Google I/O 2023 - "Google’s I/O keynote was jam-packed with announcements, including three new Pixel devices and a bunch of new AI advancements."
• Google launches new AI PaLM 2 in attempt to regain leadership of the pack - "Company says ‘next generation language model’ will outperform other artificial intelligence systems on some tasks."
• Google AI - Introducing PaLM 2 - The Keyword - "Today at I/O 2023, Google introduced PaLM 2, a new language model with improved multilingual, reasoning, and coding capabilities."
• OpenAI GPT-3 vs PaLM: A comparison of capabilities & differences - "Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been rapidly advancing in recent years, leading to powerful language models such as OpenAI GPT-3, Google’s PaLM, and many more. These models can understand and generate human-like language, making them highly sought after for various applications. However, each model has unique capabilities and differences that make it better suited for certain tasks. In this discussion, we will compare and contrast the capabilities and differences between OpenAI GPT-3 vs PaLM (Pathways language model) to provide a better understanding of these cutting-edge language models."
• Google Photos will use generative AI to straight-up change your images - "Google is stuffing generative AI into seemingly all its products, and that now includes the photo app on your phone. The company has previewed an 'experimental' Magic Editor tool in Google Photos that can not only fix photos, but outright change them to create the shot you wanted all along. You can move and resize subjects, stretch objects (such as the bench above), remove an unwanted bag strap or even replace an overcast sky with a sunnier version."
• Netgear’s new M6 Pro router lets you use fast 5G anywhere you go - "Netgear has unveiled its Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Hotspot Router, the most advanced mobile hotspot yet. The new portable router features the latest and fastest 5G and Wi-Fi technologies, delivering unprecedented range and performance for a wireless hotspot."
• Monaco Energy Boat Challenge showcases clean energy solutions - "Twenty-seven teams from 23 nations have completed their registrations in the Solar and Energy classes, categories composed mainly of engineering students, in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge to run from July 3 to July 8 at Monaco Yacht Club."
• 15 Best Scotch Whiskies in 2023, According to Experts - "Looking for an expert opinion on Scotch whisky? We spoke to bartenders, mixologists, and beverage directors to spotlight the cream of the crop."
• Greed, eugenics & giant gambles: author Malcolm Harris on the deadly toll of Silicon Valley capitalism - "In his hotly anticipated 700-page book, Palo Alto, the writer and activist examines a dark history through the lens of his hometown."
• How our genes influence our decisions - "How genetics determine our life choices. How much of our behaviour is pre-determined by our underlying biology?"
• How to build supertall: Designers of the world's tallest towers share their secrets - "The world's tallest building casts a long shadow. For more than a decade now, the 828-meter (2,717 ft) high Burj Khalifa has reigned over Dubai's skyline and architecture's collective conscious. It didn't just break the record; 62% taller than its predecessor, Taipei 101, it obliterated it. Its legacy has been remarkable - and remarkably useful to the man who designed it."
• Flight attendants share their air travel secrets - "Navigating the world of airports and airplanes at this time can be stressful, but if anyone’s an expert in holiday travel, it’s flight attendants."
• First Look At Chopard’s 2023 High Jewels To Be Unveiled At Cannes Film Festival - "Chopard provided a peek at several of its high jewelry pieces that will grace the red carpet during the 12-day Cannes Film Festival, May 16 - 27. Chopard first became a major sponsor of the event in 1998 and since then it has created a high jewelry piece for each year of the film festival’s existence. This is the 76th edition of the famed film festival so this means Chopard created 76 high jewels for its 'Red Carpet Collection,' which is always a major highlight of the international and influential Cannes red carpet parade."

May 10, 2023

• E Jean Carroll: Jury finds Trump sexually abused writer in NY department store - "The Manhattan jury ordered Mr Trump to pay her about $5m in damages."
• Liz Holmes Wants You to Forget About Elizabeth - "As the convicted Theranos founder awaits prison, she has adopted a new persona: devoted mother."
• Jewish groups condemn $150m Nazi-linked jewel sale - "Jewish groups have condemned the multi-million dollar sale of jewels belonging to a billionaire whose husband made his fortune in Nazi Germany. Heidi Horten was an Austrian heiress whose German husband, Helmut Horten, had been a Nazi party member. Christie's auction house is now putting 700 pieces of jewellery, estimated to be worth more than $150 million, under the hammer. The proceeds will go to charity, including Holocaust research, and Christie's will also make a 'significant contribution' to good causes."
• Stars & Their Cars: These Are The Cars The Richest Celebrities Are Buying - "When it comes to living vicariously through others, there’s no greater activity than looking at stars and their cars. From Tesla to Ferrari, every millionaire on this list has their own unique auto tastes and varying levels of wealth that define their collections."
• AI poses existential threat & risk to health of millions, experts warn - "BMJ Global Health article calls for halt to ‘development of self-improving artificial general intelligence’ until regulation in place."
• How To Delete Your Data From ChatGPT - "OpenAI has new tools that give you more control over your information - although they may not go far enough."
• New ways to manage your data in ChatGPT - "ChatGPT users can now turn off chat history, allowing you to choose which conversations can be used to train our models." OpenAI.
• RIP Metaverse. The Metaverse, Zuckerberg's tech obsession, is officially dead. ChatGPT killed it - "An obituary for the latest fad to join the tech graveyard."
• Billionaires Are Actually Less Intelligent Than Lower-Paid People New Study Shows - "New research has shattered the myth that the ultra-wealthy are the smartest people around."
• It’s official: billionaires aren’t the brainboxes they like to believe - "The obscene wealth of many CEOs is less a result of intelligence and more down to luck, background and personality."
• 10 Great Ideas to Declutter Your Home’s Small Entryway - "Even a small entryway can showcase your style while remaining clutter-free—it just takes some organization and the right gear. We asked four designers for advice on smart storage and then spent 20 hours testing tools. From mats and rugs for keeping dirt out to hooks and bins for keeping things tidy, these 10 essentials work together - or easily blend in with what you already own - to maximize space and keep you sane."
• The Best Weekender Bags 2023, According To 6 Experts Who Travel Constantly - "Now that travel season is back and busier than ever, you are likely - and excitedly - packing for that long-awaited weekend escape. Packing well, even for a mini vacation, is an art form. One of the most essential parts: Having the right bag. We consulted experts who typically spend their life on planes, trains and automobiles to get their top picks for the best weekender bags that marry style with functionality and practicality." Forbes Vetted.
• 20 best work bags for women 2023, according to people who go into an office every day - "Picking out a new outfit for work every day can be quite the headache, but if there’s one thing that makes our mornings easier, it’s a trusty work bag that stands up to long commutes, meetings, mountains of paperwork and more. From stylish work bags you can take from the boardroom to the bar to functional work bags that keep all your documents (and meal-prepped lunches) safe and secure, there’s no shortage of work bag options on the market that’ll actually make getting - and being - at your day job that much more of a breeze. We spoke to folks who go into the office every day about their favorite work bags from top brands like Beis, Cuyana, Frank & Oak and Ted Baker, and you can shop them all right here." CNN Underscored.
• The beauty of denim - with Levi's through the ages - "But with just fading, fraying, normal washing, the style changes, they become less smart, but they're still lovely."
• Unusual railways that break all the rules - "Weird and wonderful trains that break the rules. Railway technology is more versatile than you think. Over the last 200 years it has evolved to conquer cities, mountains, deep mines and some of the world’s most extreme climates. Here’s a selection of unusual railways that break the rules in order to reach the places other trains can’t roll."
• MSG is the most misunderstood ingredient of the century. That’s finally changing - "Calvin Eng, the owner of New York-based Cantonese-American restaurant Bonnie’s, isn’t shy about his love for monosodium glutamate. Calvin Eng, the owner of New York-based Cantonese-American restaurant Bonnie’s, isn’t shy about his love for monosodium glutamate. 'Things just taste better with MSG, whether it’s Western food or Cantonese food,' the chef tells CNN."
• I’m Going to Spoil Your Favorite TV Show - "In the past few weeks, a dramatic revelation in 'Succession' reignited the debate over how long spoilers should be suppressed on social media - and whether having advance knowledge of a momentous plot development (in this case: Logan Roy dies) ruins our enjoyment of a story. Recently, my colleagues and I conducted research to address this very question. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t."
• Roman & Kendall Roy’s ‘Succession’ Pads Hit the Market - for Real - "Brokers are hoping the mystique of the fictional Roy family can help sell the multimillion dollar homes."

May 9, 2023

• Trump is ‘nonstop’ liar who destroyed E Jean Carroll’s reputation, jury hears - "Advice columnist’s lawyer says in closing arguments jurors can believe 10 witnesses or ex-president who declined to testify."
• April Mediterranean heatwave ‘almost impossible’ without climate crisis - "Extreme event would have been expected once in 40,000 years before global heating, scientists estimate."
• Apple co-founder warns AI could make it harder to spot scams - "Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has warned that artificial intelligence could be used by 'bad actors' and make it harder to spot scams and misinformation."
• What happens when Google Search doesn’t have the answers? - "After controlling how information has been distributed for the past 25 years, Google Search faces a set of challenges that will change the company - and the internet - forever."
• It’s not 8 glasses a day anymore - "Here’s how much water you should drink each day. The National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine recommends an average daily water intake of about 125 ounces for men and about 91 ounces for women. If you’re not filling up a bottle to exactly that amount every day, you’re probably still close or even over, because you also get water from food, says Scott."
• Patek Philippe owned by last Chinese emperor could fetch millions - "A wristwatch once owned by China's last emperor, Aisin-Gioro Puyi, is expected to fetch over $3 million when it goes on sale in Hong Kong this month."
• Succession recap: season four, episode seven - "Never accept a gift from Tom Wambsgans."
• Richard Dreyfuss on new Oscars diversity rules: ‘They make me vomit’ - "Officials announced in 2020 that beginning in 2024, movies must meet certain criteria for representation to be eligible for the Academy Award for best picture. Films have to meet at least two of four benchmarks, which cover - among other things - whether the lead actors are from underrepresented groups or if at least 30% of the cast and crew come from these groups."
• Tom Hanks says he is not always Mr Nice Guy - "Tom Hanks' debut novel lifts lid on movie industry, and his on-set behaviour. Tom Hanks says he has written his first novel as a 'release from the never-ending pressure' of making movies."
• How this Asian capital became one of the 21st century’s most tantalizing cities - "Seoul: The city at the front line of modern culture."
• Louis Vuitton stages its first major show in South Korea - "Luxury giant Louis Vuitton further demonstrated South Korea's status as a fashion force by transforming Seoul's Jamsugyo Bridge into a striking outdoor runway on a chilly Saturday evening."
• The 10 Best Quiet Luxury Brands Are Beyond Any Trend - "When 'quiet luxury' loses its buzzword status, these designers will still be worth shopping."
• Shop The Best Bag Trends From Winter 2022 - "What makes bags fun is that you don’t have to choose - you can carry a different bag, and thus a different vibe every day of the week. This winter, there are plenty to choose from."
• Throwing Shade: The Best Sunglasses To Invest Into Now - "What do Elton John, Joe Biden and Gloria Steinem have in common? They’re all fans of a statement pair of sunglasses. There’s only a few wardrobe heroes that, no matter the season, will always make a welcome addition to any outfit. Sleep-deprived? Put on some shades. Feeling sassy? Some stylish frames will amplify your mood. Boarding a plane to the Med? You get the gist."
• 25 of the best face SPFs to wear all year round - "You will have heard it a million times before: wearing a face SPF every day (yes, even in winter) is key to healthy - and healthy-looking - skin. Finding the best SPF for face is key to blocking the harmful effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, which wreak havoc on the health of our skin and its cells, and leads to decreased collagen and elasticity, fine lines, pigmentation, and an increased risk of skin cancer if it isn’t used."
• The world's oldest hamburger? - "Roujiamo: China's 2,200-year-old 'burger'. The Chinese pork-and-flatbread sandwich known as roujiamo has been called 'the world's oldest hamburger'. Like much in China, its precise origins are shrouded in the mists of time."
• We Are Opening the Lids on Two Giant Pandora’s Boxes - "One of these Pandora’s boxes is labeled 'artificial intelligence,' and it is exemplified by the likes of ChatGPT, Bard and AlphaFold, which testify to humanity’s ability for the first time to manufacture something in a godlike way that approaches general intelligence, far exceeding the brainpower with which we evolved naturally. The other Pandora’s box is labeled 'climate change,' and with it we humans are for the first time driving ourselves in a godlike way from one climate epoch into another. Up to now, that power was largely confined to natural forces involving Earth’s orbit around the sun."
• Is there such a thing as an addictive personality? - "The term 'addictive personality' is widely used. Are some people really more prone to developing an addiction?"
• 'Oppenheimer' trailer shows Chris Nolan's take on the birth of the atomic bomb - "The movie doesn't end with the explosion."
• The New Definitive Biography of Martin Luther King Jr. - "'King: A Life,' by Jonathan Eig, is the first comprehensive account of the civil rights icon in decades."

May 8, 2023

• What it was really like inside the Abbey - "The Abbey was like being inside a jewel box. The first Coronation in 70 years proved to be a sumptuous, seamless and often surreal ceremony."
• Prince Harry is already back in the US after quick coronation appearance - "It was just a short trip back to the UK for Prince Harry, who attended the coronation of his father, King Charles III, in London on Saturday. British Airways flight attendants confirmed Prince Harry had been on a flight that landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at around 7:30 p.m. local (10:30 p.m. ET) Saturday, PA Media reported."
• Italian food: Classic dishes everyone needs to try - "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 the food is so good. Actually, there are hundreds of reasons scattered throughout the different regions of Italy. If you can’t get to them all, here are some top classics."
• The jobs AI won't take yet - "Amid the talk of artificial intelligence replacing workers, experts say there are some jobs computers aren’t taking - at least for a while."
• With writers on strike, can an AI chatbot be as funny as Stephen Colbert? - "We put ChatGPT to the test to see if it could match the brilliance - and comedic minds - of America's favourite late-night hosts and the teams of writers behind them. Within seconds, the bot had drafted a series of jokes. But were they funny?"
• Nearly 50 news websites are ‘AI-generated’, a study says. Would I be able to tell? - "A tour of the sites, featuring fake facts and odd wording, left me wondering what was real."
• Vietnam records highest ever temperature of 44.1C - "Report comes after neighbouring countries also register unprecedented highs during April heatwave."
• Will flying ever be sustainable? - "As passenger numbers continue to grow, making air travel sustainable presents huge challenges." BBC Ideas.
• How Gwyneth Paltrow Put Concussions On Trial - "The case against her was weak enough. Did her defense have to mock the very idea of invisible injuries?"
• The US plan to nuke the moon - "The crazy plan to explode a nuclear bomb on the Moon. In the 1950s, with the USSR seemingly sprinting ahead in the space race, US scientists hatched a bizarre plan - nuking the surface of the Moon to frighten the Soviets."
• Grand Theft Auto IV: the blockbuster game that dared to be truly political - "As the groundbreaking GTA instalment turns 15, Thomas Hobbs reflects on its bold decision to centre its narrative around an illegal immigrant, and its subversive portrayal of the land of the free."
• Another weekend of death at the Kentucky Derby but don’t expect change - "There is no other mainstream sport where carnage and indifference occur so regularly - and are as tolerated."
• Rapper Drake Lists Sprawling Beverly Hills Mansion For $88 Million After Owning It For Just One Year - "Rich Flex? Toronto-born, Grammy award-winning rapper Drake is offloading his palatial L.A. home for a whopping $88 million. The artist purchased the home last spring from British rocker Robbie Williams and his wife, Ayda Field, for $75 million."

May 7, 2023

• Key moments from the coronation of King Charles III & Queen Camilla - "The lady in blue, vanishing princes and the crowning event."
• Then & Now: watch two coronations 70 years apart - "Watch the King's Coronation side by side with his mother's. Watch to see how the two historic days compare and contrast."
• Harry's arrogant faÇade hid a cruel reality - "The isolated Prince knows he's lost the most important role of his life."
• Pippa Middleton of the coronation: Penny Mordaunt steals the show - "The first female Lord President of the Council receives praise on Twitter for her teal dress and sword-wielding."
• AI pioneer says its threat to world may be 'more urgent' than climate change - "Artificial intelligence could pose a "more urgent" threat to humanity than climate change, AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton told Reuters in an interview on Friday."
• ChatGPT-maker Sam Altman says era of remote work is over - "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes that tech industry's worst mistakes was that everybody could go full remote forever."
• Is It Time to Give Up on My White Sneakers? - "On the brink of securing a new job, a reader wonders if simple sneakers are the right fit."
• How The White Trainer Took Over The World - "The story of how the humble sports shoe made the journey from your kit bag to the highest tiers of luxury fashion - and changed the way we dress for good."
• The 15 Best White Sneakers Will Never Go Out of Style - "These pairs coordinate with absolutely everything."
• Beat-up bags are luxury’s new gateway drug - "Resale companies put a lot of work into making sure the items they sell are authentic and in good condition. But a new trend is emerging in the resale market that’s making the second part less of a necessity: selling items that are dented, worn and beaten up. In other words, clothes and accessories that look like they have a history."
• Bill Nighy Is a Menswear King - "His highborn countryman might be stealing all the headlines on coronation weekend, but the actor Bill Nighy is the true master of British elder statesman style. In the run up to this weekend, there’s been a lot of chatter about a certain well-dressed chap with a close relationship to Britain’s most prominent kingmaker. The penchant for Savile Row suits, a relish for the cheeky bon mot - we’re talking, of course, about Bill Nighy, the wry septuagenarian who is in the midst of a red carpet blitz for the ages."
• Incredible Yachts of the Rich & Famous - "If there’s one expensive toy the rich and famous strive to save up for, it’s undoubtedly a yacht. These luxury cities-on-the-sea can cost upwards of tens of millions of dollars - with some superyachts even escalating into the hundreds of millions."
• North America’s best bar for 2023 serves pizza cocktails - "Double Chicken Please, a cocktail bar-slash-chicken joint on New York’s Lower East Side, took the No.1 spot in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023."
• The gigantic moon hotel that could be built in Dubai - "Whether it’s a blast into suborbital space or a hotel stay among the stars, space tourism entrepreneurs believe one day we’ll all be opting for out-of-this-world vacations. The team behind Moon World Resorts reckon so too – sort of. They want to build a series of gigantic dome-like hotels resembling the moon, sitting here on planet Earth. More precisely, in Dubai."
• Revealed: modern humans needed three tries - and 12,000 years - to colonise Europe - "Homo sapiens forced out Neanderthals between 54,000 and 42,000 years ago, according to controversial new research."
• Napoleon’s bed, anyone? French treasures go under the hammer - "The interior designer who redecorated Versailles and the Louvre is auctioning 75 of his most cherished pieces. French interior designer and art collector Jacques Garcia is a man for whom the word 'understated' does not exist. The owner of the lavish Sicilian palazzo Villa Elena that featured in the second season of The White Lotus, who transformed the five-star Hotel Costes in Paris, the Banyan Tree in Doha and the palatial Hotel Mamounia in Marrakech has made opulence his trademark."
• Ruby Wax: ‘I’ve spent a lifetime giving the illusion all is well. It wasn’t & it isn’t’ - "The comedian’s plan to write a travel memoir took a darker turn when her depression returned after 12 years. She talks about her recovery, empty nesting - and stranding herself on a desert island."
• The best VPNs for 2023 - "Don’t fall for the hyped-up, overly-marketed options."

May 6, 2023

• Watch the moment King Charles III is crowned - "The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby places the St Edward's Crown on King Charles's head, during the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey."
• Coronation timetable: Your complete guide to the day - "Coronation of King Charles III."
• Coronation of King Charles III - "It is being held at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 BST and the King, who will be crowned along with Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be the 40th reigning monarch crowned there since 1066."
• Coronation treasures: from the stone of destiny to the sovereign’s orb - "Preposterously valuable, ancient and often odd ceremonial items at heart of monarchical mythmaking."
• Global heads gather in London for lavish coronation of Charles & Camilla - "Crowning of new king and queen will include UK’s biggest military spectacle in 70 years."
• Prince Harry is 'invited to Buckingham Palace lunch' after historic Coronation - as it emerges he has been 'relegated to the third row' seated between Eugenie and Beatrice.
• Prince Harry heads straight to the airport after dad’s coronation - as his family beam on Buckingham Palace balcony.
• King Charles’s coronation snub for Princess Diana’s brother - "Earl Spencer not invited to ceremony at Westminster Abbey, where he pledged at sister’s funeral to look after her sons."
• In photos: Queen Camilla's style evolution - "One member of the royal family has so far succeeded in maintaining a low sartorial profile, even as her distinctive personal style has undergone a significant shift. King Charles' wife, Camilla - who on May 6 will become the 29th Queen Consort crowned at Westminster Abbey in London - has honed her public image in part using the soft power of fashion."
• ‘We’ve discovered the secret of immortality. The bad news is it’s not for us’ - "Why the godfather of AI fears for humanity. Geoffrey Hinton recently quit Google warning of the dangers of artificial intelligence. Is AI really going to destroy us? And how long do we have to prevent it?"
• We knew in 2011 Putin would attack Ukraine, says Bill Clinton - "Revelation raises questions about whether US and Europe should have been more prepared for 2014 invasion."
• Dr. Fauci Looks Back: ‘Something Clearly Went Wrong’ - "In his most extensive interview yet, Anthony Fauci wrestles with the hard lessons of the pandemic - and the decisions that will define his legacy."
• Monaco E-Prix Preview; Formula E returns to the streets of the Principality - "The ABB Formula E series returns to the streets of the Principality for the 2023 Monaco E-Prix. Over the course of Saturday, May 6, drivers will take on the challenging city circuit, starting with Free Practice from 07:25. Fortunately the Formula E cars might not wake sleeping residents quite as abruptly as those used in the Formula 1 circus, which will be arriving in town later this month. Qualifying and the race itself will also take place on the same day, with the race set to begin at 15:03. The main event is expected to last until at least 16:30."
• Kanye West Yeezy loss is hurting us, admits Adidas - "Adidas has said the ending of its collaboration with Kanye West is "hurting" the business, with sales in North America hard hit. The sportswear giant cut its ties with the designer and rapper, known as Ye, late last year after he posted anti-Semitic comments on social media. West designed trainers under the Yeezy brand and Adidas said the loss of the business cut sales by €400m in the first quarter of the year. Overall, total revenue fell by 1%."
• Six extraordinary gardens around the world - "From a warm, lush haven of native plants to a wind-swept shoreline patch, gardens have the potential to nurture, educate and enchant us. The exhibition Garden Futures shows how, writes Cath Pound."
• What to expect at Google I/O 2023 on May 10th - "The Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet and Android 14 could all make their debuts."
• First, a Run for the Roses. Then, a Dash to the Breeding Shed - "Enjoy today’s top racehorses while you can. It won’t be long before they quit racing and go where the real money is."
• OpenAI’s regulatory troubles are only just beginning - "The European Union’s fight with ChatGPT is a glance into what’s to come for AI services."
• VanMoof S5 e-bike review: nice but twice the price - "$4,000 and a long list of features, but how many do you really need?"

May 5, 2023

• WHO says Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency - "Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the World Health Organization said on Friday."
• How to watch the Coronation of King Charles III & TV schedule - "The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday 6 May is a religious occasion steeped in centuries-old tradition."
• List of guests at the coronation of Charles III & Camilla - Wikipedia.
• King Charles’s coronation dress rehearsal - in pictures - "Early risers got a sneak preview of Saturday’s coronation as rehearsals took place in central London on Wednesday morning. Hundreds of soldiers, many on horseback, marched down from Buckingham Palace past Trafalgar Square and Downing Street to Westminster Abbey."
• Air conditioning in the royal coach? A historian on coronation ‘traditions’ - "From conflict at George IV’s crowning to Charles III’s downsized audience, the ceremony is a constant reinvention."
• King Charles & Camilla choose coronation quiche as signature dish - "Recipe follows coronation chicken and platinum pudding as suggested centrepiece for parties and events."
• How Rich Is King Charles III? Inside The New Monarch’s Outrageous Fortune - "Even before his coronation on May 6, Charles now oversees some $46 billion in assets and inherited at least $500 million from Queen Elizabeth, including her castles, jewels, art collection and a horse farm—all of it tax-free."
• Inside Jackie Kennedy's Secret Life as a Newspaper Reporter - "The new biography Camera Girl delves into her career - including her coverage of Queen Elizabeth's coronation."
• The Link Between Highly Processed Foods & Brain Health - "Eating packaged foods like cereal and frozen meals has been associated with anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. Scientists are still piecing together why."
• Do You Know How to Spot Foods That Are Ultraprocessed? - "Take our quiz to find out." The New York Times.
• 20 of the world’s most delicious rice dishes - "With thousands of varieties of rice in the world - jasmine, basmati, arborio and Carolina Gold, to name just a few - is it any surprise the grain defines iconic meals everywhere from Singapore to South Carolina? Plus, half the world’s population relies on rice as a staple, so there have been plenty of culinary innovators over its long history."
• The ultimate climate challenge - "The people living ultra low-carbon lifestyles. To tackle climate change, many of us need to cut our carbon footprints. But what do truly low-carbon lifestyles look like - and can they really be achieved by personal choice alone?"
• amazon plans to give alexa chatgpt-like capabilities - "Amazon plans to rework Alexa in the age of ChatGPT. Amazon’s plan to make more money from Alexa could lean into more generalized large language models like the ones behind ChatGPT and Bard."
• Bluetooth bandwidth set to double, opening a path for video & lossless audio - "Bluetooth, the technology that powers the wireless data connections between billions of devices, is going to become even more capable, with big increases planned for the data bandwidth of Bluetooth LE."
• Inside the Delirious Rise of ‘Superfake’ Handbags - "Can you tell the difference between a $10,000 Chanel bag and a $200 knockoff? Almost nobody can, and it’s turning luxury fashion upside down."
• The 8 Most Popular Louis Vuitton Purses - "Shop a selection of the most desirable limited edition and sold out Louis Vuitton Purses available for immediate purchase." Sotheby's.
• Hard-Handle Purses Are the Toughest Form of Chic - "Does high style always come at a high cost?" PurseBlog.
• 10 Of The Greatest Missing Watches In History - "Since Part One, some of history's missing watches have been found. But from Lennon to Aldrin and even J.P. Morgan, here are 10 watches we're still hoping to find."
• Ed Sheeran cleared of infringing copyright in Marvin Gaye lawsuit - "Case centered on whether Sheeran’s hit Thinking Out Loud ripped off Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On."
• The Best Festival Accessories & Gear - "The Best Festival Accessories and Gear. No matter the genre or location, these gadgets will upgrade your experience."
• Cannes: Michael Douglas to Receive Honorary Palme d’Or - "The 'Wall Street' and 'Fatal Attraction' star will receive the lifetime achievement honor for his "brilliant career as well as his engagement for cinema" at the festival's opening night ceremony."
• 12 of the best TV shows to watch this May - "Neil Armstrong picks out the biggest offerings - from Bridgerton prequel Queen Charlotte to Arnold Schwarzenegger's first big TV role and Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh in American Born Chinese." BBC Culture.
• Google announces the Pixel Fold - "This is Google’s first foldable phone. More details are coming at Google I/O on May 10th."

May 4, 2023

• Microsoft opens up its AI-powered Bing to all users - "Microsoft is rolling out the new AI-powered version of its Bing search engine to anyone who wants to use it. Nearly three months after the company debuted a limited preview version of its new Bing, powered by the viral AI chatbot ChatGPT, Microsoft is opening it up to all users without a waitlist - as long as they’re signed into the search engine via Microsoft’s Edge browser."
• I used ChatGPT to plan a Euro holiday for $1.5k - "A woman is going viral after revealing how she planned a $1.5k European vacation with the help of ChatGPT, as seen in a TikTok video with nearly 240,000 views."
• Bernie Sanders, Elon Musk & White House seeking my help, says ‘godfather of AI’ - "Dr Geoffrey Hinton has been inundated with requests to talk after quitting Google to warn about risk of digital intelligence."
• World Password Day - May 4, 2023 - "Strengthen your passwords to keep your data safe on World Password Day, which takes place on the first Thursday in May - May 4 this year."
• Google rolls out passkey technology in ‘beginning of the end’ for passwords - "Apple and Microsoft also collaborated on the technology which allows authentication with fingerprint ID, facial ID or a pin."
• Even Gmail has blue verification checks now - "Google says they should help you determine whether a sender is the real deal."
• Google is replacing Chrome's lock icon because most people don't know what it means - "The lock created a false sense of security. Do you know what the lock icon in your web browser means? If not, you're far from alone. Google now plans to replace the lock next to the address in Chrome with a variant of the 'tune' icon you see below. Simply put, most people don't understand it. According to Google's research, only 11 percent of users realize that it refers to HTTPS encryption. Many others think it means the site is trustworthy - a problem when even phishing sites use the technology."
• Priceless symbols that will be seen at King Charles III's coronation - "A visual guide to King Charles III’s coronation. From huge diamonds to ornate swords, these are the priceless symbols to know as Britain’s new monarch is crowned."
• King Charles III Coronation: What a king's personal style reveals - "From Henry VIII to today's King Charles III, how a king dresses has for centuries been a window into his personality and priorities, writes Cath Pound."
• Frankfurt to Dubai in 90 minutes? Europe enters the hypersonic plane race - "It’s now been two decades since the era of supersonic commercial flight ended with Concorde’s final touchdown in an airfield in southwest England. In recent years, numerous pretenders to the throne - supersonic, hypersonic, hydrogen-powered, with anti-boom technology - have been whizzing round, conceptually at least, but many of these projects promising seamless super-fast travel have instead stalled, sputtered out or hit delays. Now a European hypersonic startup is having a go, promising enticing journey times such as Frankfurt to Sydney in 4 hours 15, or Memphis to Dubai in 3 hours 30."
• The country with epic hikes around every corner - "South Africa’s most epic hikes. Mount Kilimanjaro may be the ultimate quest. But the undisputed champ of African hiking is that big country at the bottom end of the continent - South Africa. One of the country’s greatest strengths is sheer volume. The global hiking app AllTrails lists more than 3,700 trekking trails and routes in South Africa compared to other top African trekking destinations: Kenya (20 trails), Tanzania (21), Namibia (33) and Morocco (18)."
• Gwyneth Paltrow reflects on her past relationships with Brad Pitt & Ben Affleck - "Gwyneth Paltrow discussing who was the better lover - Brad Pitt or Ben Affleck - probably wasn’t on your 2023 bingo card, but here we are."
• The Digital Fragments We Leave Behind After Death - "The photos, texts, playlists and to-do lists that we find after loved ones die can offer poignant glimpses into their lives."
• The French chÂteau with more than 100 fighter jets - "The sleek, dark-gray lines of a F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, flanked by two other veterans of the Cold War skies, a French Dassault Mirage IV and a F-104 Starfighter, is not what you would usually expect to come across when walking into the courtyard of a 700-year-old French château. Château de Savigny-lès-Beaune, in the little Burgundy village of the same name, dates back to the 14th century and would be just one more of the many wine-growing estates that dot this historical region of France was it not for the personal passions and initiative of one man, Michel Pont."
• The French Brasserie That Changed Anthony Bourdain's Life - "During one of many family vacations to France, the Bourdains would stop at a brasserie called Quick Elysee. Bourdain writes that 'a thin slice of humble rumsteak with curiously blond frites soon became a treasured taste memory.' The experiences at Quick Elysee would go on to inform the rest of Bourdain's life."
• Report: watchOS 10 to include revamped design with a focus on widgets - "Apple is reportedly prepping some major changes for the Apple Watch this year as part of watchOS 10. According to a new report from Bloomberg, watchOS 10 will include big changes to the user interface with a new focus on widgets."
• Do you own too many clothes? - "How to make your wardrobe sustainable. When a report concluded that a planet-friendly wardrobe should have no more than 74 garments, three writers decided to conduct personal wardrobe audits, with surprising results."
• Inside big beef’s climate messaging machine: confuse, defend & downplay - "A Masters of Beef Advocacy program teaches ‘scientific sounding’ arguments on cattle’s sustainability in an all-out public relations war."
• The true story of the Kentucky Derby - "The Kentucky Derby's forgotten Black past. In the latter half of the 19th Century, African Americans were considered some of the best horsemen in the world, a fact that has long since been forgotten or erased."
• ‘I didn’t want her in my life’: how to break up with a friend - "No one wants to end a long-term friendship - but sometimes a rift is unavoidable. Experts suggest the most ethical ways to approach the conversation."
• Awaken your senses! How to bring your body back to life - "Do you feel disconnected from the world? I did, too – then I discovered some easy, practical ways to enhance my sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch."
• Harley-Davidson’s ‘Highway King’ Bagger Revives The Spirit Of 1960s Touring - "Back in the 1960s and early 1970s, Harley-Davidson was pretty much the only option for V-Twin powered open-road touring motorcycles in the U.S. and the world. Honda would not introduce the game-changing Goldwing until 1975, and outside of Milwaukee iron, only BMW, then considered a somewhat exotic and niché European brand, had turn-key bikes with factory-optional hard bags and windscreens. Harley rival Indian, which had made touring machines for decades, was not able to fully pivot after WWII and went under in 1953."

May 3, 2023

• Why the ‘Godfather of AI’ decided he had to ‘blow the whistle’ on the technology - "'I’m just a scientist who suddenly realized that these things are getting smarter than us,' Hinton told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview on Tuesday. 'I want to sort of blow the whistle and say we should worry seriously about how we stop these things getting control over us.'"
• ChatGPT can now find you a house - "The new Zillow ChatGPT plug-in is available now to a ‘select number of ChatGPT users.’"
• Chatbot ‘journalists’ found running almost 50 AI-generated content farms - "Websites churn out content, often advancing false narratives, to saturate with adverts, says anti-misinformation firm."
• Apple & Google submit plan to fight AirTag stalking - "Companies join forces to tackle unwanted tracking via Apple’s gadget and similar devices such as Tile."
• The rise of Camilla: from vilified royal mistress to queen in waiting - "Battle to win over Elizabeth II and British public - via ‘Operation PB’ - was tumultuous but ultimately a success."
• The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023 - "The Middle Eastern money flowing into golf and soccer has sports stars making more than ever - an estimated $1.1 billion in one year for these ten, beating the all-time record set in 2018."
• 10 best cuisines in the world - "When it comes to choosing where to go for a vacation, what we’re going to eat and drink can be a big part of making travel plans. Of course, it’s subjective according to personal tastes, but this is CNN Travel’s take on some of the best food cultures and destinations around the world."
• 20 Cute Brands To Check Out This Spring - "For your spring and summer cocktail parties, here are 20 cute brands to check out, from Australia to California, New York and beyond."
• These tiny cats are the desert’s lethal killers - "It was only seven years ago that sand kittens were photographed in the wild for the first time. Unsurprisingly, images of the tiny, furry cats went viral on the internet. Few people had seen these desert-dwelling fluffballs before and scientists knew very little about the species."
• Infamous Ukrainian oligarch used Monaco front companies to facilitate money-laundering - "Investigative journalists working in Ukraine with Radio Liberty Ukraine have unveiled a paper trail linking several properties in France, yachts, and other assets to the fugitive Ukrainian financier Ihor Kolomoisky, who stands accused of diverting 5.5 billion euros from PrivatBank, in which he was the biggest single shareholder. Almost one in three Ukrainians had deposits at the bank and the diverted funds accounted for five percent of Ukraine’s GDP."
• British Museum, London: Luxury & Power review - "Boozed-up Persians and Greeks on a 500-year bender. Centuries of conflict between the civilisations of Persia and Greece are chiefly captured through elaborate drinking vessels in this lively - and occasionally puzzling - show."

May 2, 2023

• Met Gala 2023 red carpet: celebrating Karl Lagerfeld - in pictures - "The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City hosts the fashion world’s biggest night of the year. The theme is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, in tribute to one of the longest careers in contemporary fashion history. Lagerfeld’s legacy is on abundant display."
• Met Gala 2023 fashion: The best looks from the red carpet - "It's the first Monday of May, which means the Met Gala is back, with A-Listers descending upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for fashion's most extravagant night. While last year's theme leaned into the lavishness of the Gilded Era, this year is focusing on a different legacy of luxury: 'In honor of Karl' is a tribute to the life and career of Karl Lagerfeld, the powerhouse - and often controversial - designer who transformed some of fashion's most famous houses."
• Doja Cat & Jared Leto dressed up like Karl Lagerfeld's cat for the Met Gala - "Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette, did not make an appearance at the Met Gala, despite the event's theme honoring her late owner. But a few attendees made sure Choupette stayed top of mind."
• Tonight’s Most Stylish Met Gala Attendees Sent Us Their Best Watch Shots - "Sometimes the watch is totally inscrutable or concealed under a suit or tuxedo sleeve. So, even though the Met is usually dedicated to the most outrageous outfits of the year, we are giving the watches some extra love. We pulled together the biggest list of Met Gala wrist shots from this year’s most stylish and Karl Lagerfeld-inspired attendees." GQ.
• Inside The Karl Lagerfeld Exhibition At The Met Museum - "When German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away in 2019, it was the end of an era. But with a new era of fashion upon us, Lagerfeld was the type of person to look forwards, not back. So it’s funny that there’s an exhibition honoring him, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, which opens on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City, and runs until July 16."
• Tony Nominations 2023: Full Nominees List - "‘Some Like It Hot’ Dominates, Followed by ‘& Juliet,’ ‘Shucked,’ ‘New York, New York’. 'Some Like It Hot,' a jazzy re-imagining of the classic comedy film about two musicians on the run, dominated the nominations for the 2023 Tony Awards, which were announced on Tuesday, with 13 nods."
• King Charles III's coronation: The surprising power of pomp & ceremony - "The lavish spectacle of a state ritual is far more than gilded carriages and foreign dignitaries. It brings broader benefits to society that shouldn't be overlooked."
• Anna Wintour appears to 'confirm' romance with actor after a long friendship that outlasted her second marriage - "As Anna Wintour and beloved British actor Bill Nighy arrived arm-in-arm at the Met Gala, they appeared to confirm a romance that has been rumoured for years - days after the US Vogue editor dodged questions about their relationship. The pair, both 73, who have been close since 2010, sparked dating rumours once again in 2021 following Wintour's split from her husband of 20 years, Shelby Bryan. At the time her second marriage ended in 2020, it was reported that the editor had dumped her Texan husband because she had 'grown bored' with him."
• iOS 16.4.1 (a): What to Know About the Rapid Security Response Update - "The iOS 16.4.1 (a) update doesn't bring new features to your iPhone, but it does fix some security issues."
• Apple’s New Savings Account Draws Nearly $1 Billion In Deposits In First Four Days - "The account’s eye-catching 4.15% annual return, plus the ubiquity of iPhones, is likely the main driver for account openings, especially when the average bank is paying less than half a percent. By the end of launch week, roughly 240,000 accounts had been opened, one source adds. The account is offered through a partnership with Goldman Sachs Bank USA."
• What is a vampire straw? - "A closer look at the weapon confiscated from a Boston traveler’s luggage. While the name of the device summons thoughts of Dracula and blood-sucking bats, the straws actually have nothing to do with vampires. Here’s what you need to know about the multi-use, self-defense tool."
• AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us' - "AI 'godfather' Geoffrey Hinton warns of dangers as he quits Google.'Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be.'"
• We asked AI who the strongest X-Men is & its answer is spot on - "X-Men fans have long debated who the strongest X-Men is, so we decided to have AI finally solve the debate once and for all. Ever since their introduction in 1963, the X-Men have been among the most popular characters in Marvel Comics history. The group is made up of mutants, humans born with extraordinary abilities that set them apart from normal humans. The team has been a staple of comic books, movies, and television shows, captivating audiences around the world with their extraordinary abilities."
• 15 Jobs That ChatGPT Might Replace Really Soon! - 1. Mathematicians - 2. Interpretators and Translators - 3. Poets, Lyricists, and Creative Writers - 4. Web Designers - 5. News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists - 6. Lawyers and Paralegals - 7. Accountants and Auditors - 8. Teachers - 9. Graphic Designers - 10. Customer Service Agents - 11. Cashiers - 12. Proofreaders - 13. Social Media Manager - 14. Recruiters and HR Team - 15. Clinical Data Manager.
• The 10 Best Insulated Water Bottles for Everyday Use - "Stay hydrated with these durable stainless steel bottles that keep drinks ice-cold for hours."
• Here’s What You’re Actually Agreeing To When You Accept a Privacy Policy - "Almost every new app or product that is connected to the internet forces you to accept a long, indecipherable privacy policy in order to use it. These documents outline the company’s data-collection practices. But what exactly are you agreeing to when you accept?"
• Warren Buffett’s right-hand man Charlie Munger says most money managers are little more than ‘fortune tellers or astrologers’ - "Charlie Munger has never been known to mince words, but lately he’s stepped up his patented wry criticisms of the financial world. In a little over a year, the Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman has likened Bitcoin to 'rat poison,' blasted 'gambling parlor' stock brokerages for encouraging risky investing, and compared meme stock traders to heroin addicts. And over the weekend, he continued a long-running tradition of criticizing his own industry."
• The world's richest person: How Bernard Arnault rose to the top - "A 'wolf in cashmere': How Bernard Arnault became the world's richest person. The luxury goods magnate's net worth sits at more than $240 billion."
• See inside the 'richest girl in the world's' perfectly preserved mansion - "Experience the opulent decor, exquisite art and breathtaking seaside views at Rough Point mansion, home to the late billionaire, Doris Duke."
• Take A Look Inside The Largest House In The US - "A Vanderbilt's 130-Year-Old Private Mansion With 35 Bedrooms. The Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, North Carolina, is home to the largest privately-owned house in the United States."
• Inside the opulent renovation of Tiffany's in New York - "Jessica Diamond is one of the first inside the glittering new Tiffany & Co store on 5th Avenue - which even has its own private club. Since LVMH acquired the jewellers in 2020, much has changed. The interior design of the six floors of retail open to the general public (there’s a seventh, more on that later) have been conceived by the renowned architect Peter Marino with his customary attention to texture, palette and integral art, while a three-storey glass 'box' by OMA New York and Shohei Shigematsu replaces the office space added in 1980."
• From Picasso & Hokusai's Prussian Blue to Vermeer's shade of red - "A history of art in 7 colours. Kelly Grovier traces the pigments that make up hidden layers in masterpieces - some of them toxic - from Picasso and Hokusai's Prussian Blue to Vermeer's shade of red."
• IWC Schaffhausen Unveils Pilot’s Watch Chronograph For Mercedes-AMG Petronas - "IWC Schaffhausen on Monday unveiled the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The launch is timed for the Miami Grand Prix being held May 5 - 7. A distinctive feature for this watch is a 'Miami pink' rubber strap. This same color pink will be part of team’s overall appearance for the upcoming race."

May 1, 2023

• Where to Watch the 2023 Met Gala Livestream - "The countdown to the 2023 Met Gala has begun. For the third year in a row, Vogue will be hosting the official Met Gala red carpet livestream on Monday, May 1, giving viewers the inside look at one of the most anticipated - and star-studded - events of the year."
• Met Gala 2023: Seven of the best looks over the decades - "'The first Monday in May' has come to be known as the night the fashion industry lets its hair well and truly down. There are stunts, frocks the size of caravans and selfies that go on to be seen by millions of people all over the planet."
• Meghan, Duchess of Sussex signs with major Hollywood agency for representation - "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has signed a representation deal with global entertainment agency WME, the agency confirmed Friday. '(WME) will be focusing on building out her business ventures across multiple facets of the agency and its broader ecosystem, including film and television production, brand partnerships and more,' the agency shared on social media, adding that it was 'honored' to represent her 'in all areas.'"
• A new insignia for King Charles’s reign - in pictures - "Kashket & Partners are a leading specialist in uniforms for ceremonial, parade and formalwear in the UK and overseas. Work has been under way to create and roll out CR III insignia for the reign of King Charles III. Firmin & Sons, now a sister company of Kashket, have been manufacturing military livery, badges, accessories and accoutrements since 1655. The company is the last working armourer in the UK."
• How coronation food reflects the times - "Coronation dishes: The food fit for royalty. Whether served at grand banquets or celebratory street parties, coronation food offers a reflection of the time or a first glimpse into the values of the newly crowned monarch."
• A guide to afternoon tea in London - "Advice from an "international tea expert" on where to go for the most Instagrammable afternoon tea and whether cream or jam goes on a scone first."
• The Children of Famous Celebrities: Where Are They Now? - "The superb genes of Hollywood stars tend to attract more media attention, which creates an ongoing cycle. You know what it’s like - pretty people with cameras on them make more pretty people with more cameras on them, that’s just the way the entertainment business goes."
• 7 Quiet Luxury Brands That Ooze Subtle Chic - "Ditch the monogram handbag, because the latest fashion trend is all about logoless chic. Here are the quiet luxury brands to know."
• Best Fashion Trends Of All Time - "Top 5 Timeless Styles Most Recommended By Experts. Whether you’re a t-shirt-and-jeans type of person or someone who only wears designer labels, everyone has their own sense of style. There have been plenty of memorable fashion trends over the years, many of which made us question society as a whole."
• Stop Putting Your Amazon Echo in These 4 Spots - "These places are some of the worst spots to put your Alexa device. We'll give you some better options."
• Ding Liren becomes China’s first world chess champion after beating Ian Nepomniachtchi in enthralling finale - "After the classical section of the tournament ended 7-7 after 14 games, the championship between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren went to tiebreaks. In the fourth and final rapid tiebreak game Sunday in Kazakhstan, it was Ding who was victorious, winning the rapid tiebreak by 2.5 points to 1.5 to become China’s first world chess champion in the open category."
• New artificial intelligence tool can accurately identify cancer - "Algorithm performs more efficiently and effectively than current methods, according to a study."
• Mariupol before & after: updated Google maps reveal destruction in Ukraine city - "New satellite images offer a window into the aftermath of prolonged Russian shelling."
• Adidas sued by investors over Kanye West deal - "Adidas is being sued by investors who claim the firm knew about Kanye West's problematic behaviour years before it ended their partnership."
• ‘Excessive loyalty’: how Republican giant George Shultz fell for Nixon, Reagan ... and Elizabeth Holmes - "The great secretary of state’s biographer, Philip Taubman, balances cold war achievements with costly political failures."
• Italy wants to build the world’s longest suspension bridge. The Mafia & geography might make that difficult - "There is a popular saying in Italian - similar to how Anglophones use 'when hell freezes over' - that translates as 'I’ll do it when the bridge to Messina is finished.'"
• The puzzle of Neanderthal aesthetics - "Surprising new insights into the minds of this extinct human species suggest they may have been far more cultured than their outdated brutish reputation once suggested. But getting into the minds of a long-dead species is no easy task."
• Madrid’s new museum is a modern mecca for old-world art lovers - "Five centuries of royal collections will go on display in the Spanish capital next month in a long-awaited £146m project."
• Will a Chatbot Write the Next ‘Succession’? - "As labor contract negotiations heat up in Hollywood, unions representing writers and actors seek limits on artificial intelligence."

April 30, 2023

• Top moments from the White House Correspondents Dinner - "President Joe Biden joked about a range of topics at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday but struck a serious tone as he called for the release of wrongfully detained Americans abroad. The annual dinner, hosted inside the Washington Hilton, drew thousands of guests in support of freedom of the press, something Biden called 'the pillar of a free society, not the enemy.'"
• Russian troops 'went FISHING in the nuclear reactor cooling channel at Chernobyl' - "Russian troops spent a fortnight in the vicinity of the radioactive nuclear reactor. Are now suffering from radiation sickness."
• Public invited to swear their allegiance as king is crowned - "British subjects asked to form a ‘chorus of a million voices’ and make oath of loyalty while watching service."
• 6 British Castles Where You Can Stay Like Royalty on a Commoner’s Budget - "As the coronation of King Charles III unfolds in London, you can get your own taste of nearly 1,000 years of pomp and lore for as little as $230 a night."
• What Europe's royals could teach King Charles - "As he begins his reign, King Charles III has a lot on his royal platter - a combative media, a colonial past and rebellious children. Can other royal families in Europe offer any solutions?"
• Courtney Dauwalter: The fun-fueled ultra-marathon star defying science - "Most people’s idea of fun wouldn’t involve running for hours on end through brutal, undulating terrain - but ultra-marathon sensation Courtney Dauwalter is no ordinary person. While an ultra-marathon is technically defined as any race longer than 26.2 miles, Dauwalter’s exploits tend to take place at distances far greater than that, usually between 100 to 250 miles."
• The perfect 6 watch collection - picked by ChatGPT - "We thought we might want to have some fun with this newfangled technology. Hence, we logged onto ChatGPT and decided to ask the AI chatbot to craft the perfect six-watch collection. Here’s what the AI had selected. With our own thoughts thrown in for good measure."
• Could AI save the Amazon rainforest? - "Conservationists in the Brazilian Amazon are using a new tool to predict the next sites of deforestation - and it may prove a gamechanger in the war on logging."
• Why do we buy into ‘stealth wealth’ & the class who wear it? - "'We try to wear clothes like the super rich, but in reality they are just laughing at us.'"
• These are the FAST services you need to know about - "FAST, or free ad-supported streaming television, is becoming a popular way to watch content without having to pay for a subscription. Here are some of the FAST services worth checking out."
• The science of standup: can you train someone to be funny? - "The founders of Melbourne’s Steam Room program believe scientists can make their work more accessible through humour. Will their hypothesis prove true?"
• Tom Ford bows out as creative director at namesake fashion label - "The American fashion designer Tom Ford is retiring from the eponymous brand he co-founded in 2005, after its sale to Estée Lauder last November."
• Bilingualism May Stave Off Dementia, Study Suggests - "People who spoke two languages daily in their youth tended to score higher on memory tests later in life, the researchers found."

April 29, 2023

• Everything you need to know about King Charles III’s coronation - "With the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, at her rural Balmoral home in September, Charles III instantly became King. In the days that followed, he was formally proclaimed Britain’s new monarch and now, after months of painstaking preparation, his coronation is upon us."
• New photographs of King Charles III & Queen Camilla released ahead of coronation - "The three images were taken by photographer Hugo Burnand in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace last month, according to a statement from the palace."
• Who’s who in King Charles’ family tree? - "As Britain’s new monarch is crowned, explore the House of Windsor and break down the royal family’s new line of succession."
• How sneaker culture took over the world - "As depicted in the new Ben Affleck film Air, here’s how Michael Jordan and Nike’s iconic Air Jordans transformed the sneakerhead subculture into a $79 billion industry."
• the best & worst health myths & wisdom - "Chocolate doesn’t cause acne - but carrots do help you see in the dark. True or false: cheese gives you bad dreams and oysters are aphrodisiacs? We investigate good, bad and mad health advice."
• Seven iconic Karl Lagerfeld moments - "Met Gala 2023: Designer Karl Lagerfeld is this year's theme. Karl Lagerfeld was, for some, a controversial figure, but in fashion terms he remains a dazzling icon. Here are some of his most iconic moments."
• Met Gala 2023: Everything we know about the theme, hosts & guests - "Why this year’s Met Gala theme could face some resistance."
• A Glamorous Masked Ball & 100 People to Know - "Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat, Lea Michele, Kaia Gerber, Aubrey Plaza, Austin Butler came out for Time magazine and Save Venice."
• World’s most valuable private jewelry collection to go on auction - "This jewelry collection is set to shatter auction records. The auction of the late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horton's jewelry collection is expected to break the record set more than a decade ago by the late actress Elizabeth Taylor."
• One Of The Most Valuable Whisky Collections Is Now Up For Auction - "Whisky collectors will want to set a calendar reminder for May 11. On that date Sotheby’s in New York brings The Legacy Collection under the hammer. The 142-lot trove includes some of the most exclusive distilled liquids on the planet and is expected to fetch as much as $1.9 million at the live auction."
• The secret to getting more out of exercise? It’s not what you do - it’s when you do it - "Current science suggests that chrono-activity or adjusting our regimes to suit our body clocks, plus short, sharp workouts, are the key to a beneficial exercise routine."
• ‘Citadel’ Is a $300 Million Disaster for Amazon - "Executive-produced by the Russo brothers, this globe-trotting spy thriller stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Too bad it’s so bland."
• How to use the entire asparagus from butt to tip - recipe - "Asparagus season is so short, it’s a shame to waste even the tough end bits - use them up, along with their springtime partner, wild garlic, in this creamy, cheesy tart."
• Get Ready For Another Hellish Summer Of Air Travel - "Remember the thousands of flight cancellations, endless lines and lost baggage nightmares from last year? Experts warn it could be even worse in 2023. Here’s how to book smarter and fly right in the midst of another Air-mageddon."
• The best free games for 2023 - "Some great games don't cost a thing."
• The 9 Best Nike Sneakers For Your Spring Collection - "Find new Nike sneakers to add to your spring collection. Browse our selection of Nike shoes to buy now ranging from Louis Vuitton AF1s, Nike Jordan 6s, Off White Dunks, and more on our online Sneaker Shop." Sotheby's.
• 12 vintage Gucci handbags to invest in now & love forever - "From Horsebit hardware to Guccissima leather, there are plenty of iconic signatures in store." Harper's BAZAAR.
• The Biggest Drawback Of Magnetic Knife Strips - "The ultra-strong magnet might keep your knives fastened to the wall, but that strength will also damage the blades over time and compromise their structural integrity. Knife strips can also leave cosmetic scratches on the side of your knife's blade."

April 28, 2023

• How Elon Musk upended Twitter & his own reputation in 6 months as CEO - "When Elon Musk first agreed to buy Twitter, he promised to make the company 'better than ever,' with greater transparency, fewer bots, a stronger business and more of what he called 'free speech.' But six months after Musk took control of Twitter, the future of the company and the platform have never been less certain. After acquiring the social media platform for $44 billion in late October, Musk reportedly now values Twitter at around $20 billion - and some who track the company believe even that estimate is likely high."
• Jerry Springer, former Cincinnati mayor & talk show host, dead at 79 - "Jerry Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor and and long time TV host whose tabloid talk show was known for outrageous arguments, thrown chairs and physical confrontations between sparring couples and homewreckers, has died, a family spokesperson said Thursday. Springer was 79."
• Jerry Springer: the man who changed US television for better & worse - "The host synonymous with hand-to-mouth television was also a progressive political mind and groundbreaking changemaker."
• Jerry Springer Show: his most outrageous TV moments - "The death of the controversial talk show host leaves behind a wealth of hand-to-mouth moments that defined his shock-heavy career."
• Lion hides, sacred seats & coronation rites from around the world - "The world will be watching as King Charles III is crowned in a ceremony steeped in ancient tradition on 6 May. But in other monarchies around the globe there are equally extraordinary coronation moments."
• Everything to Know About Karl Lagerfeld's Impossibly Chic Cat, Choupette - "Fashion's favorite feline will be an honored guest at this year's Met Gala."
• Karl & Anna, a Love Story in Clothes - "Anna Wintour remembers the designer Karl Lagerfeld, and how she’s worn his clothes to the most important events in her life."
• Hugh Grant claims the Sun burgled his flat to obtain private information - "Actor also tells high court the paper tapped landline telephones and hacked his voicemails to get stories about his personal life."
• Secrets of a Healthy Breakfast - "The ideal breakfast is the one that makes you feel your best, experts say, though there are some important nutrients to keep in mind."
• An Extreme Risk of Taking Ozempic: Malnutrition - "The diabetes medication has gained attention for its dramatic weight loss effects - but doctors worry that it can go too far."
• The packaging worse than plastic - "Glass or plastic: which is better for the environment? For centuries we have used glass to store food, beverages, chemicals and cosmetics. But is it time to find a more sustainable alternative?"
• How Playboy cut ties with Hugh Hefner to create a post-MeToo brand - "Approaching its 70th anniversary in December, Playboy has radically shifted. With the magazine no longer in publication, the Playboy Mansion sold to a developer and London's last remaining Playboy Club closing in 2021, what is the future for Playboy? The brand is changing to keep up with the post-#MeToo world."
• What it was like to pilot the supersonic Concorde jet - "British Airways and Air France were the only two airlines who operated the aircraft. It’s said that during the aircraft’s 27 years of service, there were more qualified American astronauts than there were British Airways Concorde pilots."
• ‘I wanted to make a bag that I could afford’: designer Raul Lopez on affordable it bags - "Raul Lopez has turned his Luar label into one known way beyond the rarified catwalk world. Here he explains how the New York ballroom scene, growing up in a Dominican community and fans such as Dua Lipa helped him make a luxury brand accessible to everyone."
• My week with Dyson’s absurd wearable air purifier - "The Dyson Zone is not the most practical device, but then again, did you really expect that from air-purifying noise-canceling headphones?"
• From Fast X to The Little Mermaid: 10 of the best films to watch this May - "Including Fast X, The Little Mermaid and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 - Nicholas Barber lists this month's unmissable releases."

April 27, 2023

• I’m a cellphone repair expert. These are the common mistakes that drain your battery - for iPhone, Android and Google handsets - "The way many of us recharge our phones - including leaving it on charge overnight or plugged in while we work - can actually damage the battery, permanently diminishing the amount of charge the device can hold. Letting phones run out of battery altogether is also harmful."
• Ukraine 'tried to ASSASSINATE Putin using drone loaded with explosives - "The Ukrainian forces reportedly launched the UJ-22 drone, laden with 17 kilograms of explosives, from Ukraine on Sunday with the aim of reaching a newly built industrial estate near Moscow where Putin was due to visit, German newspaper Bild claims."
• Human-driven climate crisis fuelling Horn of Africa drought - study - "Region is suffering its worst drought in 40 years after five consecutive years of below-average rainfall."
• Donald Trump raped me, writer E Jean Carroll testifies in New York court - "Advice columnist says former president ‘shattered my reputation’ and says alleged attack left her unable to enjoy romantic life."
• Elizabeth Holmes delays start of prison sentence with last-minute appeal - "Holmes was sentenced last November after she was convicted?months earlier on multiple charges of defrauding investors while running the now-defunct blood testing startup. Earlier this month, her request to remain free while she appeals her conviction was denied by a judge, setting her up to report to prison on April 27."
• Mark Zuckerberg says Meta wants to ‘introduce AI agents to billions of people’ - "‘I expect that these tools will be valuable for everyone from regular people to creators to businesses.’"
• The Coronation Invitation - "Buckingham Palace is pleased to share the invitation for the Coronation, which will be issued in due course to over 2,000 guests who will form the congregation in Westminster Abbey. It is also announced today that eight Pages of Honour have been chosen to attend Their Majesties during the Coronation Service." The Official Website of The Royal Family.
• Life-sized chocolate King Charles III sculpture unveiled to celebrate coronation - "A team of sculptors and chocolatiers led by master chocolatier Jennifer Lindsey-Clarke took 130 hours across four weeks to make the model, using more than 17 liters (4.5 gallons) of melted chocolate, Celebrations said in a press release on Wednesday. This is equivalent to about 2,875 individual Celebrations chocolates."
• Direct ancestors of King Charles owned slave plantations, documents reveal - "Records show direct ancestor of king was involved in buying at least 200 enslaved Africans. Direct ancestors of King Charles III and the royal family bought and exploited enslaved people on tobacco plantations in Virginia, according to new research shared with the Guardian."
• Nepal issues record number of permits to climb Mount Everest - "Nepal has issued permits for a record 463 climbers so far for this spring season’s expeditions to Mount Everest even as experts worry about dangerous overcrowding at the summit. Some 367 male and 96 female climbers from 65 countries have received permission so far to scale the tallest mountain in the world from Nepal’s side, Yubaraj Khatiwada, the director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, told CNN. American and Chinese mountaineers top the list."
• Gun Violence Archive - "Evidence Based Research - since 2013." Gun violence and crime incidents are collected/validated from 7,500 sources daily - Incident Reports and their source data are found at the gunviolencearchive.
• Inside the Italian village being repopulated by Americans - "As foreigners flock to buy old, inexpensive houses in Italy, one group has gone a step further, helping to revive a depopulated town. Irsina, deep in the southern Basilicata region, is home to over 300 non-Italians from 12 different countries, alongside 4,000 local residents."
• Bali influencer backlash intensifies as island cracks down on problem tourists - "Locals on the Indonesian island have been enraged by behaviour that includes visitors driving motorbikes dangerously and posing nude at sacred sites."
• Why doesn’t self-care & pampering make me feel better? - "Forget the quick fixes, such as yoga workshops and juice cleanses: lead a rewarding life, rather than chasing short-term pleasures."
• Are protein powders bad for you? - "Protein powders: When should you use them? Many people consume protein powder supplements, especially in older age or to bulk up muscles. Are they a good thing to be taking?"
• 5 Of The Buzziest Watches At Watches & Wonders 2023 - "These five watches were among those that were widely discussed and debated at this year’s fair."
• Bang & Olufsen's modular Beosound A5 portable speaker has a wireless phone charger - "The high-end model starts at $1,049. Portable speakers aren't really considered luxury items, unless they're made by a company like Bang & Olufsen. The Danish audio outfit is well-known for its lavish take on home entertainment gear, headphones and even Bluetooth speakers. Today, B&O is introducing its latest portable option: the Beosound A5. Built in collaboration with designers GamFratesi, the A5 combines aluminum, wood and paper fiber for a decidedly high-end take on the modern portable speaker. As is the case with all of the company's products, there's a premium price tag to match."

April 26, 2023

• Can lucid dreaming be harmful? - "Controlling the action in a dream is an appealing concept that has attracted enormous attention over the years, but there could be risks if inducing them infringes on sleep quality."
• The myth of the queen's favorite soup - "The muddy history of Brown Windsor Soup. Considered an appetiser of choice for British royalty for centuries, Brown Windsor Soup has long held a peculiar role in the national psyche. And it likely never existed at all."
• Prince Andrew held investments in shell company set up to keep holdings secret - "Prince was among at least five members of royal family who used Bank of England Nominees - set up in 1970s to prevent disclosure of queen’s investments."
• Was there a secret deal between royal family & Murdoch’s media empire? - "One of the sensational claims in Prince Harry’s legal case against News UK appears difficult to prove."
• How to Use ChatGPT to Make Money (8 Easy Ways) - "1. Find Unclaimed Money. 2. Build an App, Website, or Service. 3. Get Business Ideas From ChatGPT. 4. Create an AI Chatbot. 5. Email Affiliate Marketing. 6. Create Videos with ChatGPT. 7. Write e-Books and Self-Publish. 8. Freelance and Create Content."
• UPS flashes a warning sign about the US economy - "UPS estimates that it moves 6% of the US gross domestic product in its trucks every day. GDP represents the broadest measure of the US economy."
• The True Cost of a $12 T-Shirt - "The average garment worker earns barely half the pay needed to reach a decent standard of living. The monthly minimum wage for a Bangladeshi garment worker is equivalent to $75, meaning a worker can make less than $3 a day. Many are unable to afford staples like meat."
• Freddie Mercury’s collection of ‘splendid things’ up for auction - "Items belonging to Queen singer on sale include costumes, handwritten lyrics and a moustache comb."
• John Travolta's white 'Saturday Night Fever' suit fetches $260K at auction - "The monochromatic ensemble went under the hammer as part of the 'Hollywood: Classic & Contemporary' sale organized by Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) over the weekend. (TCM, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.)"
• The rise of voluntary celibacy: ‘Most of the sex I’ve had, I wish I hadn’t bothered’ - "More and more people are choosing to go without sex. And, in many cases, they’ve never been happier."
• ‘Look the monster in the eye!’ 11 things I learned from Matthew McConaughey last night - "Having read the actor’s bizarre and enthralling memoir, I couldn’t miss his livestreamed talk on ‘the art of livin’’. It didn’t disappoint - until the twist at the end."
• The World’s Best Single Malt Scotch - According To The Whisky Exchange - "Ledaig 18 is named the best whisky of 2023 in a survey conducted by the Whisky Exchange."
• DJI's Mavic 3 Pro comes with a triple-camera setup - "DJI has unveiled its new flagship consumer drone, the Mavic 3 Pro, with a triple-camera setup that includes a new 70mm lens designed for 'powerful subject framing.' It also includes a new 10-bit D-Log M color mode, improvements in the tele cameras, and ProRes capture on the Mavic 3 Pro Cine option."
• Harry Belafonte obituary - "Singer, actor and activist who matched his genial persona with political commitment."
• Smash hits to civil rights: Harry Belafonte - a life in pictures - "The singer, actor and activist, who has died aged 96, became the first artist to have a million-selling album - and said his desire for social change kept him awake at night."

April 25, 2023

• Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News - "Fox News and Tucker Carlson, the right-wing extremist who used his prime time perch at the talk network to exert a firm grip over the Republican Party, have severed ties, the network said in a stunning announcement that rocked the media and political worlds Monday."
• Fake or fact: how to recognise a conspiracy theory - "Everyone is susceptible to misinformation or being led astray online. Here’s how to know when to follow your intuition or look for more facts."
• Can Nose-Picking Raise Alzheimer's Dementia Risk? - "Mouse Study Suggests a Surprising Link Between Nose-Picking And Alzheimer's."
• Natural redheads may need more anesthesia - "This was followed by a small study published in the journal Anesthesiology, which found that women with red hair required up to 20% more anesthesia to keep them sedated than did women with dark hair."
• Auroras light up skies across the world after solar storm - in pictures - "An intense solar storm has entranced stargazers across the world after it created light shows reaching beyond their usual polar boundaries. Australia and New Zealand saw a huge Aurora Australis on Monday night, while the Aurora Borealis graced skies farther south than usual across the US, Europe and Asia."
• Why the northern & southern lights appear to be so active right now - "The breathtaking dancing shimmer of the aurora borealis and its counterpart in the southern hemisphere, aurora australis, dazzles those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Earth’s greatest light show. Auroras are caused by activity on the sun - particularly a type of solar storm called a coronal mass ejection, which emits electrified gas and particles into space. When these electrified particles reach magnetic field lines at the north and south poles, which usually takes around three days, they enter into Earth’s atmosphere."
• The ‘city of the future’ rising in the Middle East - "Inside Qatar’s ‘city of the future’. Touted as Qatar’s 'City of the Future,' construction of Lusail began in 2006, long before Qatar was announced as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup - yet you’d have been hard pushed to have found many people who had visited before the grand Lusail Stadium became the main stage for the soccer tournament."
• Why Rio is luring digital nomads - "Rio de Janeiro: The 'Marvellous City' welcomes digital nomads. Launched in January 2022, Brazil's new Digital Nomad Visa is enticing a new type of traveller to the South American country. And Rio is one of the most alluring spots to settle."
• Why Apple’s Partnership With Goldman Is The Future Of Banking - "As trust in traditional banks falters, the two most iconic names in tech and finance are joining together to create what might become America’s mightiest FinTech."
• Choose your words, rehearse & why less is more: how to do pillow talk well - "If the idea of ‘talking dirty’ to your partner fills you with dread, you are not alone. From voice notes to using keywords, here’s the best advice for the tongue-tied."
• A moment on the lips: the dos & don’ts of kissing - "How much tongue is too much? Linger or go straight in? Somatic sexologist - and kissing coach - Stella Anna Sonnenbaum gives us a beginner’s guide."
• Why this surreal 'dripping' watch has become a cult celebrity favorite - "Prized by collectors and sought after by stars from Jay-Z to Kim Kardashian West, the Cartier Crash has become one of the luxury market's most unlikely hot-ticket watches. Straight out of the swinging '60s, its dripping shape looks more like one of Salvador Dalí's Surrealist melting clocks than a celebrity timepiece. The Crash also has an origin story - albeit an apocryphal one - that's as unusual as its warped, asymmetric case."
• I was the sole survivor of a plane crash. This is what I learned in eight days alone in the jungle - "Annette Herfkens was on holiday with her fiance when their plane went down, killing everyone but her. Three decades later, she reflects on how the trauma changed her."
• Succession recap: season four, episode five - is Shiv about to be sent a brick of frozen blood? - "As Team Waystar descend on a Norwegian retreat for saunas and axe-throwing with GoJo, Roman snaps, Shiv cosies up to a creep - and Tom reaches peak excruciating."
• Five Dazzling Bejeweled Watches Unveiled At Watches & Wonders 2023 - "The luxury brands at Watches & Wonders that have both fine jewelry and watch expertise are the most prolific in producing these watches. They include Cartier, Chopard, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels. Meanwhile, the high fashion brand, Chanel, put its own unique spin on these timepieces."

April 24, 2023

• Monaco Grand Prix threatened by French unions - "Monaco’s biggest annual event, the Grand Prix, has been threatened with shutdown by the militant French trade union, the CGT. The union, which was at one time affiliated with the Communist Party, has threatened to disrupt many sporting and cultural events over the next few months. 'The Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Roland-Garros tournament, the Avignon festival could end up in the dark! We won’t let go!', the CGT Union said in on Saturday."
• Apple's WWDC 2023 begins June 5th - "Apple has set the dates for WWDC 2023. The company's developer conference will run between June 5th and June 9th. It's still in an online format despite the pandemic fading into the background, but there will be a 'special experience' at Apple Park on the 5th for developers and students. The company isn't saying much about what to expect (does the graphic hint at a lens?), but this may be one of Apple's most important events in recent years. The company might introduce its mixed reality headset at the conference."
• World’s most valuable private jewellery collection goes on display in London - "More than 700 items collected by late Austrian art collector Heidi Horten on show before expected £120m charity auction in Geneva."
• From one villain to the next: Succession star Brian Cox to star in Bond-themed TV show - "The show will be filmed in iconic Bond locations such as Scottish Highlands, Venice, and Jamaica."
• Matthew Perry is removing controversial mentions of Keanu Reeves from future editions of memoir - "The 'Friends' star appeared at the LA Times Festival of Books on Saturday and during a panel, told the audience that he plans to remove Reeves’ name from future editions of his 2022 memoir 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.'"
• See the world's deepest fish - "Scientists captured the unknown snailfish species at a depth of more than 27,000 feet, as part of an expedition in trenches off Japan."
• The nightmares that paralyse you in your sleep - "Sleep paralysis has inspired paintings and horror stories. Now scientists are starting to understand why people wake from dreams unable to move - and why at times they can continue hallucinating."
• Credit Suisse says £55bn left bank in lead-up to rescue by UBS - "Credit Suisse said customers pulled more than 61bn Swiss francs worth of assets from the bank at the start of the year, laying bare the scale of the panic that contributed to its failure and emergency takeover by its rival UBS last month."
• Just 2 Minutes of Walking After a Meal Is Surprisingly Good for You - "A new paper suggests that it takes far less exercise than was previously thought to lower blood sugar after eating."
• 10 Stellar Superyachts to Charter for Your Summer Vacation on the High Seas - "Enjoy more moments in the sun aboard high-end vessels - from Lürssen to Burgess Yachts - now available for charter."
• The 15 Best Sunglasses Brands for Men in 2023 - "From Ray-Ban to Jacques Marie Mage. Excellent eyewear that'll stand the test of time."
• Clock watching: meet the artist who thinks time is ruining our lives - "‘Clock time’, all about productivity, money and economic growth, threatens to destroy us, says artist Jenny Odell. But there are other kinds of time, and we need to learn to embrace them."
• How to do nothing: the new guide to refocusing on the real world - "In How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, the artist, writer and Stanford professor Jenny Odell questions “what we currently perceive as productive”. She wants to give readers permission to be a human, in a body, in a place."
• Girl finds Viking coins from over 1,000 years ago in Danish field: 'Incredibly exciting' - "Coins were part of two treasures found near Viking castle Fyrkat in Denmark. Around 300 pieces of silver from two Viking treasures, with approximately 50 whole coins, were found last fall in a Danish field at Bramslev. "
• Remove these 10 apps that drain the battery of your smartphone - "The Top 10 apps that drain your battery: Fitbit - Uber - Skype - Facebook - Airbnb - Instagram - Tinder - Bumble - Snapchat - WhatsApp."
• How to Clean Your Smartwatch - "Wipe the screen and backside of the watch body with a microfiber cloth to remove any sweat buildup. You can also use a disinfecting wipe for the exterior of an Apple or Google Pixel watch, but don't use it on any ports or openings. Once it's clean, dry it with a microfiber cloth. Keep your hard-working wrist computer and its bands in good working order by cleaning it often. Here’s how to do it right."
• Patek Philippe Just Unveiled Its 2023 Rare Handcrafts Collection - "Here Are the Most Exceptional Pieces. Naturally, each one-of-a-kind creation is very, very hard to get."

April 23, 2023

• Meghan living ‘life in the present,’ amid reports of post-Oprah letter to King Charles - "Meghan, the wife of the UK’s Prince Harry, has hit out at the British media following reports that she sent a letter to her father-in-law, now King Charles, expressing concern over “unconscious bias” within the royal family."
• New York trial could confer new title on Donald Trump: rapist - "E Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist and author, will finally get her day in court this week, nearly four decades after she alleges that Trump pinned her against the wall of a New York department store and sexually assaulted her."
• One of the largest homes ever built by Frank Lloyd Wright is now up for sale - "One of the largest residences designed by famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright is now up for sale for $8 million. Called Westhope, the 10,000-square-foot mansion sits on 1.5 acres in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wright designed the home in 1929 for his cousin, Richard Lloyd Jones, who was publisher of the Tulsa Tribune at the time. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972."
• Why I’m selling my possessions to live on a cruise ship - "She signed up to live on a cruise ship for three years. Here’s why. When Sharon Lane heard about a cruise company offering a three-year-long voyage around the world, she immediately started fantasizing about life on board. Life at Sea Cruises is selling places on board the MV Gemini, which sets sail from Istanbul on November 1 on an epic global journey that will take in most of the planet’s prime cruising destinations."
• The world’s biggest banks are still pouring money into fossil fuels - "Banks have pledged to go green, but last year they poured billions of dollars into expanding the capacity of fossil fuel production despite the accelerating climate crisis. Banks provided $673 billion to finance the fossil fuel industry last year, even as oil and gas companies made $4 trillion in profits, according to the annual Banking on Climate Chaos report, authored by a group of nonprofits including The Rainforest Action Network and the Sierra Club. While Canadian banks are providing a rising share of the money, US lenders still dominate the market and accounted for 28% of all fossil fuel financing in 2022, said the report."
• Climate diplomacy is hopeless, says author of How to Blow Up a Pipeline - "Andreas Malm says he has no hope in ‘dominant classes’, and urges more radical approach to climate activism."
• How to Blow Up a Pipeline review - a gripping, of-the-moment eco-thriller - "Set in Texas, Daniel Goldhaber’s tense drama probes the moral complexity of the act - if not the consequences - of a group of protesters sabotaging the oil industry’s infrastructure."
• Barry Humphries: The satirist & comedian whose life was dominated by Dame Edna Everage - "Barry Humphries was described as one of the greatest raconteurs and stand-up comedians of his age. But his achievements as a writer, painter, actor and scholar were overshadowed by his most monstrous creation, the shrill toned and sequined Dame Edna Everage. From her humble suburban beginnings in the mid 1950s, plain Mrs Everage morphed into a global superstar, spreading her homespun philosophy and piles of gladioli wherever she went."
• Dame Edna's memorable moments in 80 seconds - "A look back at some of the funniest moments from Dame Edna Everage."
• Barry Humphries - a life in pictures - "The Australian actor and comedian has died aged 89. Here are some of the best pictures from his long career."
• ‘I am the fÜhrer. I’m the king’: new book lifts lid on life inside Boris Johnson’s chaotic No 10 - "PM blamed both Dominic Cummings and his wife to disguise his own reluctance to take difficult decisions, author claims."
• Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll review - meticulous account of the Brighton bombing - "This deftly constructed account of the IRA’s 1984 attempt to kill the prime minister leaves us with one insistent question: what would have happened if they had succeeded?"
• Will the Internet Democratize Art or Destroy It? - "Two new visual books, 'Internet_Art' and 'The Story of NFTs,' explore the history and future of creative consumption online."
• Quella’s gorgeous retro cafe racer e-bikes are for people who don’t want to ride an e-bike - "A classic look for a modern rider."
• Boost’s e-bike conversion kit offers elegant & discreet power - "The battery looks like a water bottle, and everything else is hidden in the rear hub."

April 22, 2023

• Earth Day - an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970. The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.
• Lakes. Tigers. Your cup of coffee. What’s at risk of disappearing - "Explore what’s at risk of disappearing as the climate crisis rapidly alters our world."
• Six ways to lower your carbon emissions quickly - "Tackling climate change on a global level is an immense challenge - but some small, easy actions are accessible to most people."
• What’s Perfectly Round, Made Of Metal & Keeping Russia From Replacing the 2,000 Tanks It’s Lost In Ukraine? - The Russians also are desperately short of ball-bearings ... And Russia doesn’t have enough bearings to maintain steady production of new vehicles. Especially considering that the Russian war effort - indeed, the whole Russian economy - utterly depends on trains for transportation. And trains also need a lot of ball-bearings. The Russians have a choice. Build more tanks and let the rail system fall apart. Or keep the trains moving, and slow tank-production.
• Barry Humphries: Dame Edna Everage comedian dies at 89 - "Australian entertainer Barry Humphries, best known for his comic character Dame Edna Everage, has died aged 89. The star had been in hospital in Sydney after suffering complications following hip surgery in March. He had a fall in February."
• Twitter descends into chaos as news outlets & brands lose verification - "The end of traditional verification marked the beginning of a radically different information regime on Twitter, one highlighted by almost immediate impersonations of government accounts; the removal of labels previously used to identify Chinese and Russian propaganda; and a scramble by the company to individually re-verify certain high-profile figures such as Pope Francis."
• Elon Musk’s wealth plummets by $12.6 billion after chaotic 24 hours at Twitter, Tesla & SpaceX - "Angry Tesla shareholders, Twitter verification chaos, and exploding rockets: Musk’s 4/20 may have been more ‘lit’ than he was hoping for."
• Tracking down & snapping retired stars is a gross & uneasy trend - "Paparazzi pictures of Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman and Bridget Fonda have circulated online, feeding into an odd desire to force reclusive actors back into the spotlight."
• 11 Smart Prompts to Do More With Google Bard - "Engineer better tasks for your AI chatbot with these tricks."
• Google gives Bard the ability to generate & debug code - "Coding has apparently been a top request by users. Google's Bard chatbot now has the capability to help you with programming tasks. The tech giant said that coding has been one of its users' top requests, and now it has given Bard the ability to generate, debug and explain code. Bard can now write in 20 programming languages, including C++, Java, JavaScript and Python. It now also features integration with Google's other products and can export code to Colab, the company's cloud-based notebook environment for Python, as well as help users write functions for Sheets."
• The 5 Best White Sneakers - "A crisp, clean pair of kicks can elevate any look, from streetwear to evening wear. To find the best of the best, we considered 79 pairs of sneakers and wore 22 of them. Then a panel of four testers, wearing a range of sizes from a women’s 6 to a men’s 13, helped choose five perfect pairs for any style (and they all come in women’s and men’s sizes). We recommend an everyday pair with universal appeal; a nod to a classic, with track-shoe styling; a sleek, versatile leather sneaker that’s tough to break in but worth the effort; streetwear sneakers beloved for generations; and a clean, understated canvas shoe." Wirecutter.
• How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for You - "Good running shoes can make the difference between a run realized and a run refused. And even though there’s some trial and error involved in finding the right pair for your feet and goals, the payoff is real: You’ll have shoes that lay the groundwork for a comfortable, rewarding, and enduring pursuit - whether you’re running primarily for your health or for personal bests." Wirecutter.
• The Best Running Gear of 2023 - "Running is a refreshingly uncomplicated way to get your heart pumping. You can do it nearly anywhere, and you don’t need much to make it happen (other than the motivation to go). That said, functional gear that speaks to your specific needs can enhance your experience. We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing over the past seven years, enlisting the help of a collegiate track coach (and former podiatrist), a former Runner’s World editor, and several of the most passionate runners on our staff. Here are our recommendations for the best gear to get you up and running." Reviews by Wirecutter.
• The art of growing bald gracefully - "There are three important days in every bald(ing) man's life: The day you realize you're losing your hair, the day you realize you should shave off what remains, and the day you finally do. Growing bald gracefully is about reducing the gap between these milestones as far as possible. I learned this the hard way."
• Belgium crushes 2,000 cans of Miller High Life over ‘champagne of beers’ slogan - "Comité Champagne asks for destruction of shipment on grounds Miller High Life’s motto infringes champagne’s protected origin."
• Google’s smart speakers are finally smart enough to shut up - "Google Nest speakers and displays will soon refrain from telling you everything they’re doing for you when controlling smart home devices. But only in the room where it happens."

April 21, 2023

• F.D.A. Authorizes Another Covid Booster Shot for People Over 65 - "The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized an additional round of bivalent booster shots for adults who are 65 and over as well as people with compromised immune systems. The effort is to ensure ongoing protection against Covid, which is still claiming more than 1,300 lives each week."
• BeyoncÉ & Ronaldo among those to lose Twitter blue check in purge - "The social media giant began removing the once-coveted blue tick verification from thousands of accounts on Thursday. The move comes as owner Elon Musk attempts to overhaul the social media company to turn a profit. Users who wish to retain the check beside their name must pay $84 a year to subscribe to Twitter Blue."
• Can ActivityPub save the internet? - "The tech industry is abuzz about a new standard for social networking that is more open, more user-centric, and potentially more powerful than Twitter and Facebook. But we’ve been here before."
• ‘I’ve Never Hired A Writer Better Than ChatGPT’ - "How AI Is Upending The Freelance World. While some freelancers are losing their gigs to ChatGPT, clients are being spammed with AI-written content on freelancing platforms. The result: increasing mistrust between clients and freelancers and mounting trouble for the platforms themselves."
• Google’s big AI push will combine Brain & DeepMind into one team - "Called Google DeepMind, the new group is led by DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, as former AI lead Jeff Dean steps into the role of chief scientist."
• Prosecutors dismissing charges against Alec Baldwin in ‘Rust’ shooting - "Involuntary manslaughter charges will be dismissed against actor Alec Baldwin, according to a statement from the New Mexico special prosecutors overseeing the cases in the “Rust” shooting. Citing 'new facts' in the case, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said they 'could not proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form'."
• Woody Harrelson confirms Matthew McConaughey might be his brother - Woody Harrelson has confirmed Matthew McConaughey’s claim that they might be brothers, saying 'there is some veracity to that thought,' during an appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' 'We want to go and (do a DNA) test, but for him, it’s a much more big deal,' Harrelson said. 'I mean he feels like he is losing a father. But I’m like, no, you’re gaining a different father and a brother.' Like McConaughey, Harrelson recalled a conversation with 'Ma Mac, Matthew’s legitimate mother,' when she told them that she 'knew...' Harrelson’s father.
• Step inside a $72 million London townhouse in a converted army barracks - "A former army barracks is now one of London's swankiest new residential communities, and one of its most expensive properties has hit the market for £60 million ($72 million). Being offered fully furnished, the townhouse at 3 Whistler Square is one of the latest ultraluxury homes to be offered up at Chelsea Barracks, which is located in the Belgravia neighborhood in Central London."
• Texan-turned-Italian princess evicted from villa with original Caravaggio in Rome - "Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi - formerly Rita Carpenter, the former wife of Republican US Rep. John Jenrette - has been evicted from the home she once shared with the late Prince Nicolo Boncompagni, after an inheritance dispute with his children. Rita was escorted from the home along with her dogs on Thursday. 'I’ve been up for 72 hours, I’m being brutally evicted from a home [in] which I’ve lovingly taken care of for the past 20 years,' she tweeted early Thursday morning."
• Searches for ‘Quiet Luxury’ Have Skyrocketed 373% Over the Past Month, New Research Says - "Over the past year, 'old-money style' searches grew a whopping 568 percent, while 'quiet luxury' and 'stealth wealth' saw increases of 373 percent and 334 percent, respectively, over the past month alone. For all of those terms, searches are now at a record high."
• Why You Should Buy A Submariner & Do Everything In It - "There's something to be said about the Rolex Submariner, the extremely well-built watch you can do absolutely everything with."
• How a Mechanical Watch Works with Simple to Understand Animations - "In theory, a mechanical watch is very simple: it’s ‘simply’ a spring (the mainspring) unwinding at a constant rate with hands attached to gears that rotate as the spring unwinds. Easy! If only."
• Jeff Bezos’ New $500 Million Megayacht Didn’t Have a Helipad So He Bought a Support Yacht - "The rich do wild things with their money because, you know, why not? Jeff Bezos, for example, is worth about $127 billion, according to Forbes, or more than enough to drop $75 million on a support yacht with a helipad for his girlfriend, because his $500 million superyacht doesn’t have one."
• How Billionaires Like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk & George Soros Pay Less Income Tax Than You - "And How You Can Replicate The Strategy. It's Legal. Most billionaires don’t get to where they are by earning a salary. And that also means they might pay less income tax than Americans who make a living through wages. According to a report from ProPublica, some billionaires in the U.S. paid little or no income tax relative to the vast amount of wealth they have accumulated over the years."
• Putin looks back to WWII with refurb of Stalin-era bomb shelters - "Although a missile attack deep into Russia is unlikely, bunkers built long ago are being made ready for use."
• Eleusis: Why this rusting industrial city could be Greece’s next tourism hotspot - "An answer to overtourism. Perched on a hill facing the crystal-clear sea waters of Greece’s Saronic Gulf, ancient Eleusis stood in full splendor over 3,000 years ago, attracting the powerful, the famous and the curious."
• The remarkable origin of solar power - "The forgotten 20th Century 'Sun engine'. The world's first solar power station was built before World War One, created by a man with a vision for cleaner air."
• Confessions of a 1980s flight attendant - "'Some of the worst requirements to be hired as a flight attendant - such as age restrictions and losing the job in case of marriage or childbirth - had already been lifted, but others remained. The most shocking one, perhaps, was the fact that women had to maintain the weight they had at the time of hiring.'"
• Is Arthritis Avoidable? - "Joint pain, stiffness and swelling aren’t always inevitable results of aging, experts say. Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk."
• How Do You Create a Container Garden? Start Here - "From the choice and arrangement of your pots to how you think about what goes in them, one garden designer has some advice for you."
• How not to be a 'sushi terrorist' - "The 'right' way to eat sushi: Tips from the experts on sushi rules to follow. With the recent spate of sushi pranks that have rocked Japanese society, we set the record straight on the 'right way' to eat one of the world's greatest food delights."

April 20, 2023

• Michael Schumacher: Seven-time F1 champion's family plan legal action after AI-generated 'interview' - "Schumacher, a seven-time F1 champion, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013 and has not been seen in public since. Die Aktuelle ran a picture of a smiling Schumacher, 54, on the front cover of its latest edition with a headline of 'Michael Schumacher, the first interview'."
• ‘The Lost Weekend: A Love Story’ Review: When John Lennon Strayed - "There’s not much Lennon music heard in this doc about his affair with May Pang, and given how much Pang trashes his wife, Yoko Ono, it’s no surprise it was withheld."
• King Charles’s private fortune estimated at £1.8bn - "King’s fortune includes cars, jewellery, property, investments, horses, rare stamps, art and a hereditary estate."
• Royal family’s Balmoral estate could be worth £80m - "Scottish estate includes castle, country houses, woodland and grouse moor - assets the royals have started to monetise."
• Sarah Ferguson breaks her silence on Coronation invite 'snub' - "And why she's 'loving' her current relationship with Prince Andrew."
• Princess Caroline named as Lagerfeld beneficiary - "HRH Princess Caroline has been named as a beneficiary of the will of fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld by French news magazine Le Point. The Princess had enjoyed a long friendship with the German-born designer, dating from the 1970s, and a life-long relationship with Chanel, for which he was creative director."
• Ukrainian vodka producers toast a rise in global sales - "When Russia invaded Ukraine last year its vodkas were quickly removed from shelves around the world. It was an opportunity for rival Ukrainian brands to take their place. Yuriy Sorochynskiy says that he and his colleague are 'filled with immense pride' that their Ukrainian vodka Nemiroff continues to see sales soar around the world."
• Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ movie to resume filming 18 months after shooting - "A representative said filming likely to restart in Montana on Thursday while a number of legal issues remain unresolved."
• AI anxiety: The workers who fear losing their jobs to artificial intelligence - "Many workers worry AI is coming for their jobs. Can we get past the fear and find a silver lining?"
• Scientists may have discovered why hair turns grey - "Scientists believe they have discovered the mechanism for hair turning grey, which could help develop treatment to alter cells in order to reverse or halt the process."
• Great news, a contraceptive pill for men without side-effects! Now how about one for women? - "Making men share responsibility for preventing unwanted pregnancy would have big implications - if it ever happens."
• The tiny Tuscan town facing down a gas ship - "People in the sleepy port of Piombino are concerned about the effects of the hurriedly installed regasification unit on its marine ecosystem."
• Offshore cash & huge loans: leak reveals how Roman Abramovich funded Chelsea’s success - "Network of companies used to route fortune made from the oil fields of Siberia into Stamford Bridge."
• From Ellsberg to Assange: Jack Teixeira joins list of alleged leakers - "The subject matter may differ but the US government has been relentless in pursuing those accused of national security leaks."
• Test-Driving The 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT - "Porsche’s 2024 Cayenne lineup receives a major refresh done the Porsche way, with noodling, significant upgrades, and even clean-canvas redesign of most major systems, from powertrain, suspension, and bodywork to a wholesale reinvention of the interior’s digital features. Few other car companies would change so many elements in a refresh. The most desirable of all Cayenne is the one seen in photos here, Porsche’s Super-SUV, the 650-horsepower Turbo GT that can hit 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 189 mph."
• ‘Mad Men’ Creator Matthew Weiner Lists 1920s-Era Los Angeles Home For $15.5 Million - "The Blair Estate, located in L.A.’s tony Hollywood Hills neighborhood, has officially hit the market for just under $15.5 million. The seller is Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, who lived in the house for more than a decade with architect ex-wife, Linda Brettler. The Blair Estate was built in 1924 by George H. Fruehling for renowned developer John H. Blair. Built with Spanish Mediterranean architecture, the Blair Estate is one of the most legendary estates in Hollywood for its opulent architecture, central Hollywood location, and notable owners over the years. The 11,137-square-foot house sits on just over an acre of land and has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a separate three-level guest house."

April 19, 2023

• Luxury hotel opens atop Vietnam’s tallest building - "The standard for luxury hotels in Vietnam has just gotten higher - literally. The new Vinpearl Landmark 81 has just opened inside the country’s tallest building, Landmark 81, in Ho Chi Minh City."
• Why this tourist attraction has been attracting visitors for centuries - "Al-Balad: Where Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry began."
• Kendall Roy’s Succession penthouse hits market for $29m - "Three-story New York City apartment used in series features five bedrooms, four bathrooms and 3,500 sq ft of outdoor space."
• Readers react to our fictional ‘Succession’ obituary as strongly as you’d expect - "The death of a character in one of the best shows on television is a major entertainment event, and one that begged for extraordinary coverage. Reflecting the thoroughness with which HBO’s 'Succession' has created its own media universe, Times staffers Meredith Blake and Yvonne Villarreal wondered how a paper like ours would cover that story in real life. The result was a much-discussed 'obituary' for Logan Roy, the fictional media mogul played by Brian Cox."
• A landlord king: Charles lets out homes near Sandringham worth £75m - "'Anything with a light blue door belongs to the king,' Analysis of property titles reveals extraordinary extent of royal footprint in north Norfolk."
• 86-year-old ale brewed for cancelled Edward VIII coronation to be auctioned - "A workman stumbled upon the cobweb-covered stash in a bricked-up cellar after being called in to replace a floor at the 200-year-old Greene King brewery in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 2011. To celebrate the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, several crates of the unearthed beer will be auctioned off on May 5, with all proceeds going to the charity founded by King Charles III, The Prince’s Trust."
• Artist rejects photo prize after AI-generated image wins award - "A German artist has rejected an award from a prestigious international photography competition after revealing that his submission was generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Berlin-based Boris Eldagsen won the creative open category at this year's Sony World Photography Award with his entry 'Pseudomnesia: The Electrician.'"
• 11 Quiet-Luxury Bags That Are Low-Key, Anti-Trend & Peak Cool - "Conversations about designer handbags typically revolve around one specific phrase: 'It bags.' That saying has been less prominent recently, though, replaced by 'quiet-luxury bags' that combine ease, subtlety, and quality craftsmanship without prominent logos."
• Why This Cult-Status Bag Lives Up to Its Hype - "That life-changing item is a minimal black bag - the iconic Longchamp Le Pliage tote, to be specific."
• ‘Trinity’ the T-Rex skeleton sells for $6m to private collector - "It’s hoped that the skeleton, made up of the bones of three different Tyrannosaurus Rex, will remain on public display."
• 10 fascinating theme parks that have closed forever - "Although hundreds of theme parks are active around the globe, hundreds more have been relegated to the scrapheap of amusement history. They were abandoned by owners and operators for a variety of reasons - falling attendance, natural disasters, financial difficulties or merely because they were no longer relevant to modern parkgoers."
• What Americans can learn from Denmark on handling debt ceiling crisis - "The high-wire drama of raising the US debt ceiling is making headlines again. Is there a better way? Perhaps Denmark has the answer. In fact, the Danes' debt ceiling is rarely ever talked about, because it's never even come close to being broken. Called 'gældsloft' in Danish, it was introduced in 1993 as a constitutional requirement."
• Who really discovered the North Pole? - "Matthew Henson: The US' unsung Black explorer. While other explorers may claim credit for discovering the North Pole, an unsung and largely forgotten former sharecropper has as good a case as anyone."
• Coachella 2023: historic performers, buzzy acts & a return to form - "A record-breakingly diverse and multi-lingual set of acts helped give this year’s desert festival a more contemporary feel."
• How to boil an egg: three experts on cracking the perfect technique - "Do you start with cold water, or a rolling boil? And what’s the best way to peel them when you’re done? A food scientist, a chef and a farmer lay it out."
• 43 Best Spring Cocktails To Enjoy All Season Long - Forbes.
• Top Marques aims for the moon in 2023 edition - Top Marques returns to Monaco in June with an extraordinary line up of the world’s most iconic supercars from yesterday, today, and tomorrow - for sale and ready to drive home, the organisers said in a press release. Exceptionally rare hypercars and classic cars as well as the worldwide launch of an electric rover heading for the Moon are all on the agenda for this year’s Top Marques Monaco, being held at the Grimaldi Forum from June 7 to 11.
• Is Elon Musk creating a utopian city? The hellish, heavenly history of company towns - "The Tesla founder has broken ground on a plot in Texas, while Google and Meta are building workers’ homes in California. Should we be celebrating or worrying?"
• What Was Twitter, Anyway? - "Whether the platform is dying or not, it’s time to reckon with how exactly it broke our brains. If there is one good thing that can be said about Twitter, it's that it really was democratizing: It allowed the previously voiceless to walk ..."
• Hacking Bing Chat With Hash Tag Commands - "If you ask Bing’s ChatGPT bot about any special commands it can use, it will tell you there aren’t any. Who says AI don’t lie? [Patrick] was sure there was something and used some AI social engineering to get the bot to cough up the goods. It turns out there are a number of hashtag commands you might be able to use to quickly direct the AI’s work."
• Bing Chat To Be Able To Process Book Size Documents - "Bing Chat may soon be able to process book-size documents, not just a page or two of a PDF of web site, but a whole book."
• The best water bottles of 2023 - "Best overall water bottle: 26-Ounce Yeti Rambler. While the Yeti Rambler is a bit on the pricier side, this water bottle is easily the best one we tested. Not only does it keep your drinks hot or cold for hours and hours, it's solidly durable and has the best lid we've ever tested."
• Breville Pizzaiolo review: A pricey pizza oven with lots of options - "The Pizzaiolo does a lot of things well, but there are some caveats too."
• The best way to compost your food scraps - "Each person in the US throws away about 200 pounds of food per year on average. Once it hits a landfill, food waste does bad stuff, like releasing methane and contributing to climate change, instead of good stuff, like improving the soil and acting as a carbon sink. Composting solves those problems, and many cities are starting to realize it helps them with waste management, too."
• HP’s Pavilion Plus 14 is a powerful, confusing OLED machine - "It’s a $999 package you’ll have trouble finding elsewhere."

April 18, 2023

• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now so huge & permanent that a coastal ecosystem is thriving on it, scientists say - "Scientists have found thriving communities of coastal creatures, including tiny crabs and anemones, living thousands of miles from their original home on plastic debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – a 620,000 square mile swirl of trash in the ocean between California and Hawaii."
• Fashion greenwashing glossary: what do ‘circular’, ‘sustainable’ & ‘zero waste’ really mean? - "Vague, technical-sounding terms are often used in fashion to make clothing sound environmentally conscious. Here experts decode the meaning behind them."
• China’s economy rebounds faster than expected after Covid reopening - "First quarter growth rate was higher than forecast by analysts as the country’s retail sector performed better than expected."
• Explainer: What is an 'everything app' & why does Elon Musk want to make one? - "A super app, or what Musk refers to as an 'everything app,' has been described as the Swiss army knife of mobile apps, offering a suite of services for users such as messaging, social networking, peer-to-peer payments and e-commerce shopping."
• Elon Musk says he will start 'TruthGPT' AI as a rival to Microsoft-backed ChatGPT - "Billionaire Elon Musk said on Monday he will launch an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that he calls 'TruthGPT' to challenge the offerings from Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Google (GOOGL.O). He criticised Microsoft-backed OpenAI, the firm behind chatbot sensation ChatGPT, of 'training the AI to lie' and said OpenAI has now become a 'closed source', 'for-profit' organisation 'closely allied with Microsoft'."
• Superchat’s new AI chatbot lets you message historical & fictional characters via ChatGPT - "The characters include notable historical figures like Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, Cleopatra or Neil Armstrong, plus those from public domain works, classic stories, or fairy tales, like Snow White or Medusa or Sherlock Holmes, as well as those that represent different professions, like gardeners, chefs, or therapists."
• The Surprising Thing A.I. Engineers Will Tell You if You Let Them - "Among the many unique experiences of reporting on A.I. is this: In a young industry flooded with hype and money, person after person tells me that they are desperate to be regulated, even if it slows them down. In fact, especially if it slows them down. What they tell me is obvious to anyone watching. Competition is forcing them to go too fast and cut too many corners. This technology is too important to be left to a race between Microsoft, Google, Meta and a few other firms."
• Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights - "'MAKING AUTOMATED SYSTEMS WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.'" The White House.
• Proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence - "The Commission has proposed the first ever legal framework on AI, which addresses the risks of AI and positions Europe to play a leading role globally." European Commission.
• Thousands fled to Mastodon after Musk bought Twitter. Are they still ‘tooting’? - "The decentralized social network has seen user numbers drop in recent months, but tech-savvy users remain passionate."
• Cannes defends decision to pick Johnny Depp film as festival opener - "Prestige slot for Jeanne de Barry, featuring Depp as Louis XV, has drawn criticism but general delegate Thierry Frémaux says it is not ‘a controversial choice’."
• Pope Francis attacks ‘insinuations’ that John Paul II prowled for underage girls - "Pope defends predecessor after remarks by brother of 15-year-old girl who went missing in Rome in 1983."
• Ancient winery gave rich Romans a taste of winemaking - without the hard work - "Researchers speculate that an emperor and his courtiers could have visited the villa annually for the experience. A lavish 2,000-year-old winery uncovered in the ruins of a villa just outside Rome may have been used as an entertainment venue, providing a winemaking 'experience' for wealthy Romans."
• Talking Watches With Jean Arnault, Director Of Watches At Louis Vuitton - "At the helm of LV Watches for a short time, Arnault is already making waves. Just wait until you see his collection."
• 5 Inventive Timepieces Unveiled At Watches & Wonders 2023 - "Watches & Wonders 2023 was the second since Covid-19 disrupted the world but really the first full watch fair since the global pandemic ended. Prior to its March 27 opening, the watch industry experienced several years of tremendous growth, particularly among the highest priced watches. The companies while celebrating their good fortune are also predicting a leveling off period this year."
• How secrets affect families - "Many families have a hidden past that is often never spoken about."
• I just discovered my Roomba can be a security camera - "iRobot’s new Remote Check In feature lets you access the camera on the j7 Roomba, so you can see a live view of your home."
• Apple Card holders can now sign up for a high-yield savings account - "Apple is launching its high-yield savings account for Card owners in the US after a months-long wait. Sign up for the 4.15 percent annual percentage yield offering and you can either transfer money (from your Apple Cash balance or a linked bank account) or automatically deposit your Daily Cash from purchases. There are no fees, balance requirements or minimum deposit amounts, and you can withdraw money at any time."
• Mercedes' EQS 680 SUV Maybach is all about back-seat luxury - "Mercedes has a history of building wonderful luxury vehicles, so much so that the S-Class may as well be the official car of CEOs being driven around town. Yet, Mercedes aims higher with the Maybach lineup, taking the S-Class and kicking it up a notch. (If you watch the HBO drama Succession, you’ve likely seen a Maybach ferrying the patriarch Logan Roy as he destroys the will of his children.)"

April 17, 2023

• WHAT IS STEALTH WEALTH? 9 EASY WAYS TO LIVE UNDER THE RADAR - "Stealth wealth is the opposite of conspicuous consumption, and it’s about financial freedom and a successful personal life."
• Why looking at awe-inspiring art could lead to a happier, healthier life - "It may be a sunset, a stirring orchestral number or a striking painting - whatever gives you goosebumps or makes you shed a tear. Experts believe that consistently seeking out these awe-inspiring experiences could lead to a significantly happier and healthier life."
• D.C.'s Shoe? An oral history of the District's obsession with New Balance sneakers - "What comes to mind when you think of the shoe brand New Balance? If you're from D.C., you might reflect on your first pair, or the big imprint the shoe brand has had on the city's culture. Now, a new documentary from a local filmmaker is exploring that decades-long obsession between the District and its signature shoe."
• How to Use Microsoft JARVIS (HuggingGPT) Right Now - "Learn how to use Microsoft JARVIS aka HuggingGPT for free right now. You can achieve multiple tasks with a single query using JARVIS."
• 'ChatGPT does 80% of my job' - "Meet the workers using AI bots to take on multiple full-time jobs - and their employers have NO idea."
• Remote workers using A.I. to do multiple full-time jobs - "Remote workers have A.I. tools like ChatGPT and Auto-GPT at their disposal - and in some cases, two or more full-time jobs."
• Elon Musk agrees A.I. will hit people ‘like an asteroid,’ says he used Obama meeting to urge regulation - "Elon Musk thinks the world is woefully unprepared for the impact of artificial intelligence. On Sunday, he agreed that the technology will hit people 'like an asteroid,' and he revealed that he used his only one-on-one meeting with then President Barack Obama to push for A.I. regulation."
• Google Devising Radical Search Changes to Beat Back A.I. Rivals - "The tech giant is sprinting to protect its core business with a flurry of projects, including updates to its search engine and plans for an all-new one."
• Jack Nicholson unrecognizable in first new photos since 2021 - "The Shining star has become a total recluse in recent years. Jack is back, baby. Jack Nicholson, the 85-year-old Hollywood legend, has been spotted for the first time in 18 months, and looking at the photos, you may not even realize it’s him!"
• How to buy the right laptop for you at the best price - "Tech experts on how to work out want you need, set a budget and find the perfect device - or upgrade an existing one."
• The man hunting down dead celebrities - "Since 1985, the unique Covert has devoted himself to one thing - travelling the world looking for celebrity graves, from Marilyn Monroe to Amy Winehouse, and taking rubbings of the gravestones. Rosalind Jana meets him."
• A viral scene from Netflix's 'Beef' nails a very specific religious experience - "Netflix's comedy-drama 'Beef' begins with a fight in a parking lot and never really slows down as it weaves a tale of manic revenge between two strangers. However, the show's detour into the workings of a Korean American church have struck a particularly powerful chord with viewers."
• Jack Teixeira's charges in full: 'Top secret' access, leak searches & the Espionage Act - "Criminal charges filed against Jack Teixeira, the man alleged to have leaked sensitive US defence documents, shed new light on his access to classified documents, his career in the military, and the timeline of events leading up to his arrest on 13 April."
• ‘The Tale of Genji’ Is More Than 1,000 Years Old. What Explains Its Lasting Appeal? - "The book is often described as the world’s first novel and a touchstone of Japanese literature. But some of its themes, including its take on gender and power, have echoed over centuries."
• Rare classic cars up for auction after huge 230-vehicle find - "Car enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on a rare Lancia B24 Spider America next month when an impressive fleet of 230 classic cars discovered in warehouses and an abandoned church in Holland comes up for auction."

April 16, 2023

• Is the bird really freed? A look back at six months of Musk’s Twitter reign - "As we approach half a year of Musk’s acquisition of the social media firm, this is how key areas of the site’s business have performed."
• 007 meets the occult: why spies & sorcerers are a perfect fit in fiction - "Espionage and magic share codes, secrets and rituals and a new cohort of writers are now casting their literary spells."
• Models, muses & a rich cat: new film spotlights unusual life of Karl Lagerfeld - "A BBC Two documentary looks at the late designer’s life and finances through the eyes of his friends."
• Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Met Gala - "From the theme to the dress code, from official hosts to likely guests: Here’s what we know so far about the party of the year."
• 3,200 push ups in an hour - "An Australian father has set a new world record for push ups, completing more than 3,206 in just one hour - that’s 53 every minute, or almost one a second."
• Why I’m using a keyboard phone in 2023 - "I have never gotten more questions about a gadget than I have about this $300 phone. However, the main reason I decided to switch to this phone is actually because of its main selling point: the keyboard. I’m going to be disappearing into the wilderness for a few months to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and during that time, my main form of contact with the folks back home will be through long emails sent every week or two."
• The 21 best men’s polo shirts for the golf course to the office - New York Post.

April 15, 2023

• Trump files personal financial disclosure report - "Former President Donald Trump on Friday filed his personal financial disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission - offering the public a first look at his post-presidential finances."
• King Charles III - A Coronation F.A.Q. - "A coronation can refer to both the literal act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head as well as the religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned."
• 20 Best Countries to Retire Overseas Where English is Spoken - "In this article, we take a look at the 20 best countries to retire overseas where English is spoken. For more such countries, go to the 5 Best Countries to Retire Overseas Where English is Spoken."
• 5 Spectacular Views of Ancient Pompeii - Google Arts & Culture.
• This popular Italian region is imposing restrictions on tourists - "As Europe sells out and hordes of tourists descend on Italy for what looks set to be a busy summer season, one region has capped visitor numbers in a bid to prevent overtourism. The autonomous region of Alto Adige, also known as Bolzano - South Tyrol, in the north of the country, has introduced a limit on overnight visitors, capping numbers to 2019 levels and imposing a ban on any new accommodation openings - unless another has closed."
• Exploring Picasso’s MÁlaga - "Among the best places to discover the celebrated 20th-century Spanish artist is the sun-splashed, seaside city where he was born."
• Elon Musk founds new AI company called X.AI - "Name of new Nevada-incorporated organization suggests link to billionaire’s interest in everything app."
• OpenAI’s CEO confirms the company isn’t training GPT-5 & ‘won’t for some time’ - "CEO Sam Altman quashed rumors that OpenAI is already developing GPT-5. However, the comments likely won’t be of much consolation to those worried about AI safety."
• Quiz: who said it - Roy or Murdoch - "Can you tell your fictional much-married media magnate-cum-patriarch from his real-life equivalent? Take our quiz to find out."
• Inside The 150 Frozen Homes, Yachts & Jets Of Sanctioned Russian Oligarchs - "Western countries have frozen or seized at least $9 billion worth of luxury real estate, superyachts and private jets belonging to Russian billionaires since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It hasn’t made much of a difference to their fortunes."
• RM Sotheby's is selling 12 fantastic Ferraris at Villa Erba. Now here's the hard part - "While the world's greatest classic cars compete at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, buyers will have to pick between 12 of the most iconic Ferraris from a single collection offered without reserve at the RM Sotheby's Villa Erba Sale. The cars in question all hail from a single garage, dubbed the Aurora Collection, and the full dozen of them are up for grabs at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba auction on the 20th of May."
• One Watch to Rule Them All: A New Strategy Emerges at Watches & Wonders 2023 - "When you enter Palexpo, the enormous convention center that is home to Watches & Wonders, you have an immediate decision to make: right or left? A glance to the left and you see the Tudor, Rolex, and Patek Philippe booths. These brands, in a lot of ways, anchor the entire show, and dominate much of the conversation for the duration of the fair. If you look to your right, you’ll be greeted by something entirely different. This year, it was a giant Ingenieur, spread across the top of the IWC booth at the end of the hall, and it was hard not to get the message that this watch, and this watch alone, was the brand’s sole focus for Watches & Wonders this year. Building your Watches & Wonders presence around a single watch was a trend that came into sharp focus at this year’s event."
• The clean energy milestone the world is set to pass in 2023 - "Renewable electricity has pushed through a series of positive tipping points in recent years, with 2023 set to pass a major milestone."
• The wool that could capture carbon - "Can regenerative wool make fashion more sustainable? Regenerative wool: it's the new green buzzword in the fashion industry - but can wool ever be fully sustainable?"
• 15 of the best Hollywood-approved streetwear brands - "To be worn outside of Hollywood also."
• Ignore trends, ask for more photos & haggle: how to buy vintage like a pro - "With new furniture losing its shine and more online marketplaces, there’s never been a better time to buy secondhand."
• How to Fall Out of Love With Yourself - "My girlfriend thought I might be a narcissist. Maybe it was time to dial back the self-love?"
• This Art Deco-Inspired Superyacht Concept Takes Its Streamlined Design Cues From the 1930s - "The 289-footer also has a glamorous interior fit for the likes of Jay Gatsby."

April 14, 2023

• Harry & Meghan delayed replying to Coronation invite until they knew where they were going to SIT - "Leading to weeks of 'transatlantic ping pong' before the Duchess of Sussex eventually declined."
• The men trading their Rolexes for plastic sports watches - "From dressing down to sports fix or cost-of-living sensitivities, gents who can afford them are opting out of luxury timepieces."
• What are the best lucid dreaming techniques? - "Lucid dreaming holds a widespread appeal, but many people simply can't do it. So what do studies show are the best techniques?"
• Illeism: The ancient trick to help you think more wisely - "It’s hard to reason through problems, but there are ways to be more objective and less biased in your thinking."
• World's most expensive license plate sells for $15 million - "A license plate has sold for an eye-watering 55 million dirhams ($15 million) at a charity auction in Dubai, fetching what organizers Emirates Auction say is a world record price."
• GUCCI'S LATEST RETAIL CONCEPT IS FOR VIPS ONLY - "8400 Melrose Place: Los Angeles has a prominent new luxury storefront - but you'll probably never get inside. Sure to be frequented by celebrities, Gucci Salon harkens back to the house's 1970s heyday. 8400 Melrose Place has reached its final form: Gucci Salon, a new brick-and-mortar concept that takes luxury retail to a new level. Its doors will only be opened for VIP clients with appointments. Gucci Salon is located at the intersection of Melrose Place and Melrose Avenue - a highly trafficked shopping area of West Hollywood. Melrose Place, in particular, is one of L.A.'s toniest stretches of retail. Neighbors include Balmain, The Row, Oscar de la Renta and Chloé (most of whom followed Marc Jacobs to the quaint area)."
• 8 of the best films of 2023 so far - "BBC Culture film critics Nicholas Barber and Caryn James pick their highlights of the year so far, including John Wick: Chapter 4, Close, EO and Infinity Pool."
• 12 Eco-Friendly Luxury Hotels - "Hotels understand the increased importance of allowing guests to travel responsibly; however, it can often be difficult for travelers to discern if the property they select genuinely adheres to sustainable principles. As the hospitality industry worldwide gradually implements sustainability standards, we’ve gathered a list of eco-friendly options that have already demonstrated impressive efforts to preserve landscapes for future generations of travelers to behold." Forbes.
• These were judged the world's best photos - "Sony World Photography Awards 2023: The year's best images unveiled."
• The bakery that sells out in 2 hours every weekend - "Newport, Rhode Island isn't typically thought of as a home for authentic French bakeries. French baker Belinda Quinn is trying to change that with her deliciously delicate pain au chocolats at her bakery, Le Bec Sucré."
• Who says romance is dead? Couples are using ChatGPT to write their wedding vows - "Nearly five months after ChatGPT went viral and ignited a new AI arms race in Silicon Valley, more couples are looking to it for help with wedding planning, including writing vows and speeches, drafting religious marriage contracts, and setting up websites for the special day."
• A data scientist cloned his best friends’ group chat using AI - "Izzy Miller downloaded 500,000 messages from his seven-year group chat, then trained an AI language model to replicate his friends - learning details about their lives and imitating the way they speak."
• The incredible mountain road with 20-meter snow walls - "On the ‘rooftop of Japan,’ a stunning 20-meter-deep snow corridor reopens to visitors."
• Riders walk down UK’s tallest rollercoaster after it stops in high winds - "The Big One in Blackpool was more terrifying than usual when it halted close to its 235ft summit on Tuesday."
• Scientists identify secret ingredient in Leonardo da Vinci paintings - "'Old Masters' such as Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli and Rembrandt may have used proteins, especially egg yolk, in their oil paintings, according to a new study."
• Million Dollar Bodyguards: The Sky-High Cost of Protecting the World’s Elite - "Disney stars, pop singers, and actors, and actresses don’t have the freedom that we take for granted, but they do have the money to hire help to make their lives easier. In Hollywood, a good bodyguard is like finding a needle in a haystack, which is why these stars pay through the nose to keep them. Luckily, they can afford it."
• No, Apple didn't just reinvent the iPod - "Why is this AirPods Pro concept causing so much controversy?"
• This is the best time in a decade to splurge on a premium OLED TV - "LG’s G3 and Samsung’s S95C promise the brightest, most impressive picture we’ve ever seen from OLED TVs - and that’s on top of other advantages like perfect blacks and excellent gaming performance."

April 13, 2023

• TIME100: The most influential people of 2023 - "From pioneers, leaders, and titans to artists, innovators, and icons, these are the most influential people of 2023."
• ‘Beginning of the end’ for fossil fuels - "Global wind and solar reached record levels in 2022, study finds. A boom in wind and solar has pushed the amount of electricity produced by renewable energy to record levels last year, according to a new analysis. The use of coal, oil and gas to produce electricity is expected to fall in 2023, according to the report, published Wednesday by energy think tank Ember. This would mark the first year to see a decline in the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, outside of a global recession or pandemic."
• Prince Harry to attend coronation without Meghan - "The Duke of Sussex will be present at the King's coronation but Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not be attending, Buckingham Palace has said. The prince will join more than 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey on 6 May."
• Unseen Camilla: the five ages of a future queen - from mistress to monarchy - "She has been in the public eye for decades, yet precious little is known about King Charles’ longstanding paramour. We explore her tumultuous journey to the top."
• Revealed: official gifts to Royal family contained in £100m ‘private’ stamp collection - "Mint collection of historical Canadian stamps and rare set from Laos were given to royals as state gifts."
• Gut reaction: cinema’s new wave of projectile vomiting - "From Triangle of Sadness and Babylon to The Lighthouse and Sick of Myself - out later this month - why is there so much puking in high-end movies?"
• Fashion designer Dame Mary Quant dies aged 93 - "Family says she was ‘an outstanding innovator of the Swinging Sixties’ and died peacefully at home."
• Dame Mary Quant, 1960s fashion queen - a life in pictures - "The designer of the iconic miniskirt that epitomised the swinging 60s has died aged 93."
• Trump sues Michael Cohen for $500 million, alleging ex-attorney breached his contract - "The lawsuit, filed in a Florida federal court on Wednesday, accuses Cohen of spreading false information about Trump and breaching his contractual obligations to the former president in Cohen’s public statements, published books, podcast series and other media appearances."
• The Diabetes Drug That Could Overshadow Ozempic - "Demand is mounting for Mounjaro - though like some other trendy medications, it has yet to be approved for weight loss."
• I'm a vascular surgeon - these are the five warning signs that you've got bad circulation - "Poor circulation is seen in people with obesity, diabetes and heart conditions and it can have extreme consequences including amputation. Signs include no hair on your legs, memory loss, and even an upset stomach."
• Arnold Schwarzenegger rebuked for filling LA pothole that was not a pothole - "Exasperated former California governor takes action but officials say ‘giant pothole’ is actually service trench dug by utility workers."
• At 81, Ann-Margret Is Finally Living Her Rock ’n’ Roll Dream - "The actress and musician, who first burst out in Bye Bye Birdie in 1963, is releasing a new album of old rock covers featuring guests like her 'Tommy' co-star Pete Townshend."
• FBI warns consumers not to use public phone charging stations - "The FBI is warning consumers against using public phone charging stations in order to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software. Public USB stations like the kind found at malls and airports are being used by bad actors to spread malware and monitoring software, according to a tweet last week from the FBI’s Denver branch. The agency did not provide any specific examples. 'Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead,' the agency advised in the tweet."
• ‘A very arranged mess’: Serge Gainsbourg’s Paris home to open to public - "Property owned by daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg has been kept as it was when singer died 30 years ago."
• Are coincidences real? - "The rationalist in me knows that coincidences are inevitable, mundane, meaningless. But I can’t deny there is something strange and magical in them, too."
• The trauma doctor: Gabor MatÉ on happiness, hope & how to heal our deepest wounds - "The physician, author and self-help guru came to worldwide prominence when he appeared with Prince Harry last month. He discusses the mind-body connection, the reality of addiction and why trauma can be treated."
• Michael Lerner obituary - "US character actor who won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the studio boss Jack Lipnick in the 1991 film Barton Fink."
• Inside the 3D-printed box in Texas where humans will prepare for Mars - "Starting this June, four volunteers will spend a year pretending to live on the red planet inside the Mars Dune Alpha habitat."
• The bean that could change the taste of coffee - "The industry is now pinning hopes on another coffee species to sustain production - liberica. Native to western and central Africa, commercial cultivation is centred on the Philippines and currently accounts for only 2% of the global coffee bean harvest. Liberica has in the past been considered an inferior crop to arabica. Its large beans are harder to harvest and process due to their thick skin and pulp, and the taste is widely regarded as more bitter. Like the world's second-most traded coffee bean, robusta, it is considered more of a supplementary species than the main act. However, researchers are focusing on a subspecies of liberica with a smaller bean - called excelsa - which they believe has an improved flavour profile. Regardless, the spread of liberica may not be a matter of popularity, but necessity."
• What I Learned Dogsitting for New York City’s Opulent Elite - In a city of yawning class inequality, some side hustles let you glimpse how the other half lives.
• In Italy, a Home With Renaissance Frescoes & a Giant Mirrored Cube - "By reimagining an apartment inside a storied palazzo, the designer Paola Moretti both preserved its history and gave it a bold new chapter."
• Where people drink beer for breakfast - "Known as a 'Weißwurstfrühstück', this traditional sausage-pretzel-and-beer-breakfast might be Germany's most 'German' meal."
• Sony investment will put AI chips inside Raspberry Pi boards - "Sony will provide its Aitrios on-chip AI image sensing platform."
• Google TV takes on Roku with over 800 free TV channels - "Google TV is becoming more like basic cable. Starting today, Google TV is adding Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels from Tubi, Plex and Haystack News to its existing FAST content from Pluto TV. In addition, Google is adding 'built-in channels from Google TV that you can watch without even downloading or launching an app.' The company says the service now aggregates over 800 free channels."

April 12, 2023

• Japan's long-awaited new bullet train service is now running - "New trains and new rail routes to experience in Japan."
• Elizabeth Holmes must report to prison this month while waiting out her appeal, judge rules - "A judge on Monday denied Elizabeth Holmes’ request to remain free while she appeals her conviction, setting the stage for the disgraced Theranos founder to report to prison later this month. In his order, Judge Edward Davila of the Northern District of California said Holmes does not pose a danger to the community or a flight risk, but he cast doubt on her appeal. Even if Homes won her appeal, he said, it is unlikely to result in a reversal, or an order for a new trial, for all of the counts on which she was found guilty."
• Owning Twitter has been quite painful, Musk tells BBC - "Elon Musk, boss of Twitter and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has given a surprise interview to the BBC."
• After Ivanka Trump’s strategic exit, is Tiffany the new ‘first daughter’? - "Trump’s only child with Marla Maples seems to have gone from avoiding the spotlight to being her father’s biggest fan."
• King Charles III coronation: A look at the golden royal coaches - "Two golden coaches will be used by the King and Queen Consort for King Charles III's coronation on 6 May. The royal couple will travel to Westminster Abbey in the newer Diamond Jubilee State Coach and later return to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach, which has been used in every coronation since the 1830s. The newer coach should be a more comfortable ride, with air-con and modern suspension."
• Coronation coach has electric windows & air con - "The Diamond Jubilee State Coach is much more modern than it appears, with air conditioning, electric windows and up-to-date suspension. 'It's made of aluminium, which is quite unusual, because most of them are made of wood, and it's also got hydraulic suspension, meaning that the ride is incredibly comfortable,' says Sally Goodsir, curator at the Royal Collection Trust. It incorporates pieces of wood from historic ships and buildings, including HMS Victory, the Mary Rose, Balmoral Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey."
• ‘We have to move fast’: US looks to establish rules for artificial intelligence - "The commerce department has requested public comment on AI accountability measures to ensure privacy and transparency."
• Can Intelligence Be Separated From the Body? - "Some researchers question whether A.I. can be truly intelligent without a body to interact with and learn from the physical world."
• Can a Machine Know That We Know What It Knows? - "Some researchers claim that chatbots have developed theory of mind. But is that just our own theory of mind gone wild?"
• Inside the A.I. Gold Rush - "How Alexandr Wang Turned An Army Of Clickworkers Into A $7.3 Billion AI Unicorn."
• Ikea’s virtual interior design service brings in a pro to pick out your new furniture - "Set up an appointment with Ikea to have someone help you figure out how to furnish your spaces - for $99 per room."
• Pharrell-isms No More Rulers Books Pharrell Williams - "No More Rulers Captures the Mind of Pharrell Williams in New Book. A new book aims to capture the creative process that underpins each of his endeavors through quotes said by the larger-than-life personality."
• The best VPNs for 2023 - "Don’t fall for the hyped-up, overly-marketed options."
• Inside the radical changes being made at Playboy - "How Playboy cut ties with Hugh Hefner to create a post-MeToo brand. Hugh Hefner launched Playboy Magazine 70 years ago this year. The first issue included a nude photograph of Marilyn Monroe, which he had purchased and published without her knowledge or consent."
• What dining in the dark does to your tastebuds - "Some restaurants around the world offer dining with a difference - guests eat in complete darkness. How does this change the way we taste?"
• Inside a $72 Million Townhouse In London’s Chelsea Neighborhood Has A Private 39-Foot Swimming Pool & Spa - "London is experiencing a luxury residential boom with a wave of new developments aimed at wealthy homebuyers, including the highly anticipated The OWO Residences by Raffles, which opened earlier this year; 8 Eaton Lane, planned for completion next year; No. 1 Palace Street; and Chelsea Barracks."
• Watch Industry Legend Jean-Claude Biver Launches An Eponymous Brand - "Prior to the recent Watches & Wonders Geneva exhibition, Jean-Claude, along with his now 23-year-old son Pierre, launched a new line of watches designed to reflect the sound of time. The first edition of what are destined to be true collector watches: The Carillon Tourbillon Biver."

April 11, 2023

• Dalai Lama apologizes after video asking child to ‘suck’ his tongue sparks outcry - "The Dalai Lama has apologized after a video emerged showing the spiritual leader kissing a child on the lips and then asking him to 'suck my tongue' at an event in northern India. In a statement Monday, the office for the Dalai Lama said he “wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused,” adding he 'regrets' the incident. 'His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,' the statement said."
• Most expensive watches in the world: 5 of the top luxurious timepieces - "For centuries, people have been creating watches that are more than just functional timepieces but also intricate works of art. They’re also a symbol of wealth, luxury, and status. These watches are often designed with precious metals, diamonds, and other rare and valuable materials that make them not only stunning but also extremely expensive. Below you can explore 5 of the topmost expensive watches in the world."
• Jeff Bezos Has Reportedly Received the 417-Foot ‘Koru,’ the Tallest Sailing Yacht in the World - "The $485 million vessel left for its maiden voyage last Thursday."
• Surprise Bitcoin Easter Egg Fuels Wild Satoshi Nakamoto Identity Theory - "Satoshi Nakamoto's identity is one of the internet's most tantalizing secrets, with huge interest surrounding the author of the bitcoin white paper, who's potentially one of the world's wealthiest people and could be about to get a whole lot richer. Now, the discovery of the bitcoin white paper hidden on almost all new Apple Mac computers has sparked wild theories over the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto."
• Poe’s AI chatbot app now lets you make your own bots using prompts - "An app called Poe will now let users make their own chatbot using prompts combined with an existing bot, like ChatGPT, as the base. First launched publicly in February, Poe is the latest product from the Q&A site Quora, which has long provided web searchers with answers to the most Googled questions. With chatbots now potentially powering the future of web search and Q&A, the company chose to expand into this market by allowing consumers to play with the latest AI technologies from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic via a simple mobile interface."
• Top 10 Ways ChatGPT is Revolutionizing the Cybersecurity Industry - "Effective cybersecurity measures are more essential than ever as the world becomes more digital. As hackers and cybercriminals are continuously coming up with new ways to access private data, conventional security measures are finding it difficult to stay up. What if, however, we informed you that there is a method to alter that? Many applications of ChatGPT, a potential language model created by OpenAI, are being utilized to address the difficulties facing the cybersecurity industry. There are quite a few ways in which ChatGPT is revolutionizing the cybersecurity industry. In this article, we have enlisted the top 10 ways ChatGPT is revolutionizing the cybersecurity industry."
• This week marked the most important episode of Succession ever. Let the games begin - "The show’s most consequential episodes happen at family gatherings - we really should have been better prepared."
• Weight loss may mean a risk of death for older adults, study shows - "As much as people may celebrate their own weight loss, it is not always healthy. A new study shows that weight loss in older adults is associated with early death and life-limiting conditions. Weight gain, on the other hand, was not associated with mortality, according to the study published Monday in JAMA Network Open."
• These Devices Save Lives, but Almost Nobody Has One at Home - "While researchers are divided over whether more people should have automated external defibrillators at home, those who have used one have no doubts."
• How A.I. & DNA Are Unlocking the Mysteries of Global Supply Chains - "Firms are turning to advanced technologies to help answer a surprisingly tricky question: Where do products really come from?"
• The man who walked around the world: Tom Turcich on his seven-year search for the meaning of life - "When Turcich was 17, a close friend of his died, and he had an existential crisis. He decided it was time to seize the day - and to cross the globe on foot."
• Garmin Forerunner 265 review: runner’s best friend gets screen upgrade - "Brighter, crisper touchscreen and week-long battery life prove potent combination, but cost increases."

April 10, 2023

• Ukraine war: Who leaked top secret US documents & why? - "What to make of the dozens of classified American Defence Department documents - maps, charts and photographs - now circulating on the internet? Complete with timelines and dozens of impenetrable military acronyms, the documents, some of them marked 'top secret', paint a detailed picture of the war in Ukraine."
• Procession route for King Charles III coronation to be far shorter than in 1953 - "Return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace will be more direct than five-mile journey of Queen Elizabeth II."
• Buckingham Palace has released an official emoji today to celebrate the coronation of King Charles - "How to use the coronation EMOJI: Cartoon image of the 17th century St Edward's Crown that will be worn by King Charles launches today - here's how to try it yourself."
• Worth 5 times more than Elon Musk & Bill Gates combined - "The Saudi royal family leads a life so luxurious that even billionaires cannot imagine - Their megayacht has a $450M painting, they drive gold plated supercars and their palaces have thousands of rooms."
• The Wit of Charlie Munger - "His unique combination of sharp intellect, self-deprecating humor, and timeless wisdom offers invaluable business, investing, and life lessons."
• Super-rich abandoning Norway at record rate as wealth tax rises slightly - "Flood moving abroad has come as a shock and is costing tens of millions in lost tax receipts."
• Erling Haaland’s outrageous goal shatters more records & draws comparisons to Messi & Ronaldo - "Each year, the English Premier League emerges like a complicated piece of music - filled with interdependent independent rhythms and melodies weaving in and out of each other. And this season, Erling Haaland has provided a counterpoint to the traditional rhythms of the league, scoring goals with metronomic consistency, but like a metronome bent out of shape, setting a new pace for everyone else to follow."
• Italy is now Europe's most backward country - Britain is a close second - "Britain risks following Italy into a spiral of permanent economic stagnation."
• How Fox Chased Its Audience Down the Rabbit Hole - "Rupert Murdoch built an empire by giving viewers exactly what they wanted. But what they wanted - election lies and insurrection - put that empire (and the country) in peril."
• Revealed: the terrorist hired by the CIA to catch Carlos the Jackal - "According to a new book, the Swiss leftwing extremist Bruno Bréguet was hired by the US intelligence agency to spy on his infamous boss - and contributed to his capture."
• Succession episode 3: 'The greatest episode of TV this year' - "A plot twist of Shakespearean dimensions in episode three of the final season of Jesse Armstrong's acclaimed HBO drama about cold-blooded power plays makes this the standout in an extraordinary series, writes Caryn James."
• Think You Know How ‘Succession’ Ends? Want to Bet? - "Viewers of the popular HBO drama are placing friendly wagers on who will succeed the media mogul Logan Roy. Buy-ins can go up to $200."
• 'Highly important' Chinese bowl fetches over $25 million at auction - "A delicate porcelain bowl, measuring under 4.5 inches in diameter, sold for more than $25 million during a bumper week of Chinese art sales in Hong Kong. The bowl was produced during the time of the Yongzheng Emperor, who ruled China from 1722 to 1735 (though the enamel was likely painted shortly after his death). It is part of a tradition known as "falangcai," or "foreign colors," a name given to porcelain originating from the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen but enameled by artisans in Beijing's Forbidden City."
• 5 reasons to ditch Spotify for Apple Music - "1. Better sound quality; 2. Easy to use interface; 3. Apple Music Sing karaoke; 4. Apple HomePod 2 integration; 5. Apple Music Classical."
• 10 Best New Balance Sneakers for Men in 2023 - "A Definitive Ranking of the Best New Balance Sneakers for Men. From mesh runners to suede dad shoes, the unlikely footwear juggernaut boasts a deep backlog of hits. So we judged them all, and whittled down our favorites to these ten silhouettes."
• How to Use ChatGPT on Telegram (Guide) - "To make it simpler, we have compiled a dedicated guide on how to use ChatGPT on Telegram without any complicated steps or fuss. So without further ado, let’s begin."
• ChatGPT vs Google Bard: Which is better? We put them to the test - "We compare two top AI language models in seven categories to pick a winner." Ars Technica.
• Exclusive: iPhone 15 Pro design reveals new buttons, giant camera bump, colors & more - "Last month, 9to5Mac exclusively shared the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro design with basic CAD images. Since then, we’ve been working to gather more exclusive details from MFi accessory makers, new detailed CAD obtained by 9to5Mac’s Max Weinbach, and other sources. All of this information has been corroborated by multiple sources, and we are confident that this is your best look yet at iPhone 15 Pro."
• iPhone 15 Ultra: Apple's Steve Jobs era ends forever with ridiculous microchip for infinite battery - "We don’t get to say that often, but the leaks discussed in this story are actually not to be taken with a grain of salt (as says the anonymous leakster), which means all the information about the iPhone 15 Pro and Ultra and their brand new, state-of-the-art button technology is likely 'close to 100% accurate' (of course, nothing is set in stone until September 2023)."
• Hatch Restore 2 review: TikTok made me try it - "Ironically, the app that usually convinces me to spend too much on junky products led me to the best piece of sleep tech I’ve tested in a while."
• TOP 10 KITCHEN APPLIANCES DESIGNED FOR QUICK, EASY & EFFICIENT MEAL PREP - "If you’re a passionate lover of cooking, or you’ve recently kickstarted your cooking journey, and want to accelerate it even further in 2023, then you’ve reached the right place. Having an efficient and streamlined cooking process is the key to preparing dishes that simply taste excellent! And the number one aid you need in having an effortless process is an arsenal of great kitchen appliances. With the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be an increasingly fun and simplified process."

April 9, 2023

• Trump’s indictment & the return of his biggest concern: ‘the women’ - "The former president paid hush money to an adult film star and a Playboy model and faces looming trials over a rape allegation."
• Stripping Prince Harry & Meghan Markle of royal titles ‘discussed at highest level’ - "Palace nickname for him revealed."
• Cabin concepts: Say goodbye to the middle airplane seat - "The 2023 contenders include a cabin concept that eradicates the middle seat and a chic design that takes single-aisle aircraft business class to a new level. Award finalists are set to be announced next month. Winners are to be announced in June."
• Why AI is incomprehensible - "Why humans will never understand AI. Many of the pioneers who began developing artificial neural networks weren't sure how they actually worked - and we're no more certain today."
• What do AI chatbots know about us & who are they sharing it with? - "Use the programs with caution, like you would any other app. The recent explosion in AI development has already created concerns around misinformation, disinformation, plagiarism and machine-generated malware. What problems might generative AI pose for the privacy of the average internet user? The answer, according to experts, is largely a matter of how these bots are trained and how much we plan to interact with them."
• Is your memory struggling? Here are 10 ways to boost your recall - "From rhymes to chunking and large displays, neurology professor Richard Restak provides key tips to improve your memory."
• How to look after your mental health without spending a fortune - "From wild swimming for the adventurous to journalling to create calm - or to write down a good rant - there are options."
• How your phone can check your heart - "The signs of heart disease your phone can spot. Mobile phones have come a long way since the first ever cellphone call 50 years ago - they can even be used to help diagnose your health."
• How Did Hokas Become So Popular? - "After infiltrating the fashion crowd, Hokas broke the billion-dollar mark in 2022."
• HermÈs drives the luxury boom to €200 billion market value - "Hermès International, maker of the iconic Birkin handbag, soared to €200 billion ($218 billion) in market value for the first time this week, overtaking Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG."
• Rewind: The Best Stories From Watches & Wonders Past - "'I've decided to round up some of our best W&W (coverage from years past.'" HODINKEE.
• Magnus Carlsen’s spectre looms as Ding & Nepomniachtchi launch title match - "Two of the world’s top three have descended on Astana for the most prestigious title in chess, but the absence of the third has largely neutered the stakes of the sport’s showcase event."
• Fassbinder: Thousands of Mirrors by Ian Penman - a freewheeling and insightful study of the film-maker’s allure - "The former NME star writer rewatches the films of the German director and writes hauntingly about the way our tastes and passions change over time."
• How Do You Fit 250 Plants in 350 Square Feet? - An interior designer who has made a career out of maximizing space in tiny homes has the answer.

April 8, 2023

• Apple Releases iOS 16.4.1 With Fixes For Siri Response Issues & Other Bugs - "Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, a minor update to the iOS 16 operating system that first came out last September. iOS 16.4.1 is a bug fix update that comes almost two weeks after the launch of iOS 16.4, an update that introduced new Emoji, Safari Web Push notifications, Voice Isolation for phone calls, and more."
• Apple has hidden a bitcoin manifesto in every Mac since 2018, says a tech blogger who discovered it by accident - "Technologist Andy Baio wrote in an April 5 blog post that he found a PDF of the original bitcoin white paper on his Macbook."
• Apple hiding a bitcoin manifesto in Macs is fueling theories that Steve Jobs was Satoshi Nakamoto, the crypto's mysterious inventor - "In an April 5 blog post, technologist Andy Baio said he accidentally stumbled upon a copy of Satoshi Nakamoto's bitcoin white paper on his Mac computer, with the revelation fueling wild theories across the internet that the mysterious creator of the world's biggest cryptocurrency was Apple co-founder Steve Jobs."
• 21 best ChatGPT alternatives - "While OpenAI seems to lead the generative AI race, it's worth looking into these 21 alternative tools giving ChatGPT a run for its money."
• The royal clan: who’s who, what do they do & how much money do they get? - "The Guardian has calculated what each working royal has received during their working life carrying out official functions."
• Boris Becker: Six-time Grand Slam singles champion on prison, fame & the future - "Tennis great Boris Becker says he is building his life's 'third chapter' following his release from prison."
• Forbes’ Hollywood Walk Of Fame: The Richest Celebrities Of All Time - "Just 14 stars have ever entertained their way into the billionaire ranks, including 8 in the past three years."
• Xi Jinping wanted China to be a global soccer power. What went wrong? - "In 2011, around a year before becoming the country’s leader, Xi Jinping outlined a vision to turn China from a footballing minnow to a soccer superpower. He set his sights on the sport’s highest prize of all and outlined a three stage plan for the men’s national team: to qualify for another World Cup, to host a World Cup and to win a World Cup."
• Cancer & heart disease vaccines ‘ready by end of the decade’ - "Pharmaceutical firm says groundbreaking jabs could save millions of lives."
• This One Strategy Will Reveal if Someone's Lying With 80% Accuracy, Study Finds - "To spot a liar, ignore everything except the level of detail in a person's story, new research suggests. If a person provides rich descriptions of who, what, when, how, and why, it's likely they are telling the truth. If they skim over these details, they are probably lying." Science Alert.
• Stand on one leg & 16 other life-changing daily moves that will keep your body happy - "Are you sitting comfortably? Well, get up! Stay healthy and supple by adding these basic movements to your daily routine."
• Walking on air: how Jordan launched nerdy Nike into the stratosphere - "The Air Jordan could sit alongside the Model T Ford as an American classic, the shoe that set the company on the path to becoming a cultural colossus."
• 'Milestone' document that helped restore the British monarchy goes on sale - "Ahistoric document signed by King Charles II, which helped complete the restoration of the British monarchy after the English Civil War, is up for auction and expected to fetch up to £600,000 ($749,000)."
• This is what it looks like to be colorblind - "Chasing rainbows: Apparently, the very idea of colorblindness is hard to visualize. Take a shot at looking through my eyes."
• The 'real' way to whip cream - "Aptly named after its place of origin, this sweet, thick whipped cream is arguably the best of its kind - the 'crème de la crème' so to speak."

April 7, 2023

• What It Was Like Inside the Courtroom During Trump’s Arraignment - "Here are some of the most important moments from the hearing where criminal charges against Donald Trump were unveiled."
• ‘The king has been dethroned’: Stormy Daniels speaks on Trump indictment - "The adult film star sat down with Piers Morgan for 1.5 hours, saying the former president should be ‘held accountable’."
• Rebuilding Ukraine: reconstruction of war-hit streets continues - in pictures - "Ukraine has repaired, and in some cases rebuilt, many of the sites destroyed by Russian attacks, including bridges, roads and government buildings. It is only the beginning of what Kyiv has described as the largest reconstruction effort since the second world war and perhaps the most expensive in history, with an estimated cost of half a trillion dollars."
• The giant Antonov An-225 plane was destroyed in Russia’s invasion. But Ukraine says it will fly again - "Affectionately known as the Mriya, or 'Dream,' the leviathan plane was the pride of Ukraine and of 38-year-old Bashynsky, one of its pilots. When it flew, the Mriya was designed for aviation superlatives: the world’s heaviest plane; the longest wingspan of any active carrier; six turbo fan engines with more than 50,000 pounds of thrust each; a carrying capacity of 250 tons."
• Elon Musk wants to pause ‘dangerous’ AI development. Bill Gates disagrees & he’s not the only one - "AI developers, prominent AI ethicists and even Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have spent the past week defending their work. That’s in response to an open letter published last week by the Future of Life Institute, signed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, calling for a six-month halt to work on AI systems that can compete with human-level intelligence."
• Mind-blowing image reveals how AI art has progressed in 1 year - "AI was arguably the most contentious topic in the world of art and design last year, and looks set to retain the same honour in 2023."
• I Use ChatGPT 50 to 70 Times a Day to Be More Productive - "I use ChatGPT 50 to 70 times a day for everything from preparing for professional meetings to getting superglue off my fingers."
• How to use ChatGPT to create an app - "So you want to create an app with ChatGPT and make a bajillion dollars? Here's what you need to know."
• Core Views on AI Safety: When, Why, What & How - "We founded Anthropic because we believe the impact of AI might be comparable to that of the industrial and scientific revolutions, but we aren’t confident it will go well. And we also believe this level of impact could start to arrive soon – perhaps in the coming decade." Anthropic.
• AI research & products that put safety at the frontier - Anthropic.
• Meet The World's Richest Self-Made Woman - "Rafaela Aponte, the 78-year-old shipping mogul, and her husband Gianluigi saw their fortunes jump a combined $46 billion this past year, enough to make her the highest-ranking female founder ever."
• Here’s the real reason to turn on airplane mode when you fly - "We all know the routine by heart: 'Please ensure your seats are in the upright position, tray tables stowed, window shades are up, laptops are stored in the overhead bins and electronic devices are set to flight mode'. In-flight use of phones does not currently impair the aircraft’s ability to operate. But cabin crews may prefer not to be delayed in providing in-flight service to all of the passengers - it’s a lot of people to serve."
• How your phone can detect earthquakes - "Fifty years since the first mobile phone call, the technology we carry around in our pocket is helping to create the world's biggest earthquake detection system."
• Your laptop’s microphone might sound better than you think - "Hear how six laptops handle a voice call in Times Square using only their built-in microphones."
• Why I Replaced My Camera With an iPhone 14 Pro - "I have been very vocal about phones never being able to replace cameras for professional work. But, as photographers, we also indulge in casual photography of things that simply look good. I looked for a camera for such work for the past two years now, and now I found one. It is the unlikely star: iPhone 14 Pro." Fstoppers.
• The dos & don’ts of location sharing - "Nearly every app asks for it, but most don’t need it."
• Dramatic aerial footage of some of the most remote sections of the Great Wall of China - "Six of the most beautiful sections of the Great Wall of China."
• Arculata: The bread that survived Pompeii - "A discovery of a carbonised bread-ring leaves us with many unanswered questions, but one culinary archaeologist has traced its roots and recreated its recipe."
• John Travolta's white 'Saturday Night Fever' suit is up for auction - "The monochromatic ensemble is expected to fetch up to $200,000 when it goes under the hammer as part of the 'Hollywood: Classic & Contemporary' sale organized by Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) in California between April 22 and April 23. (TCM, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.)"
• What Is the Ideal Retirement Age for Your Health? - "Average life expectancy has risen by 16 years since the national retirement age was set at 65. We asked health experts when they think people should stop working now."
• Is Tofu Good for You? - "Concerns about soy foods like tofu have been raised in the past. Here’s what the research and experts say."
• People were taking drugs in Spain 3,000 years ago, study finds - "People were getting high on hallucinogenic drugs in Spain around 3,000 years ago, according to new research."

April 6, 2023

• The Donald Trump Indictment, Annotated - "Mr. Trump is accused of disguising reimbursements to Michael Cohen as legal fees to hide a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels. 11 counts."
• Mike Pence won’t appeal ruling ordering him to testify in special counsel probe, spokesman says - "Pence is poised to recount for the first time under oath his direct conversations with Trump leading up to January 6, 2021, when Trump pressured him unsuccessfully to block the 2020 election’s result and may have been acting corruptly, according to sources who have explained the judge’s ruling."
• King Charles signals first explicit support for research into monarchy’s slavery ties - "Buckingham Palace makes public statement after Guardian presents evidence of royals’ long history of involvement in transatlantic trade."
• The ChatGPT King Isn’t Worried, but He Knows You Might Be - "Sam Altman sees the pros and cons of totally changing the world as we know it. And if he does make human intelligence useless, he has a plan to fix it."
• Australian mayor prepares world’s first defamation lawsuit over ChatGPT content - "ChatGPT falsely identified Brian Hood as guilty party in foreign bribery scandal. In reality he blew the whistle on the illegal scheme."
• Moderate Drinking Has No Health Benefits, Analysis of Decades of Research Finds - "The review found that the methodology of many previous studies was flawed and that risk of myriad health problems increased significantly after less than two drinks a day for women and after three for men."
• The ‘world’s best’ cities for public transit, according to Time Out - "Europe and Asia dominate a new list of the world’s best cities for public transit. Time Out, the publisher of global city guides, polled 20,000 people in 50 cities to find out how they feel about their local mass transit systems."
• Paris got it right on scooters - "The people of Paris have spoken loud and clear: get electric scooters off of our streets."
• Picasso pilgrimage: a Spanish art trail marking 50 years since his death - "From Málaga to Madrid, there’s a fiesta of special exhibitions this year in the places where the artist lived and worked."
• Climate change: Norwegian seafloor holds clue to Antarctic melting - "Antarctica's melting ice sheet could retreat much faster than previously thought, new research suggests."
• Why the super-rich love understated dressing - "Quiet 'stealth-luxe' fashion is dominating runways and TV screens - but why now? Clare Thorp explores the low-key, under-the-radar world of stealth wealth."
• 10 Luxury Cars With The Best Technology - "If you're looking for a luxury car filled with opulence, comfort, and high-end technology features, you will be in safe hands with this selection."
• Coca-Cola produces $3 billion worth of pure cocaine per year - "Sells it to one of the world’s largest opioid manufacturers in a secretive deal with the US government that has recently been renewed."
• Golden visas: New Zealand loses appeal to rich foreigners as investor visa numbers plunge - "Arrival of super wealthy in country had previously left government facing awkward questions."
• Meet Yahya Jan, the architect building the world's tallest hotel, Dubai's Ciel Tower - "If you look out onto the Dubai skyline, you're likely to be admiring the work of Yahya Jan. He is president and design director of architecture and engineering firm NORR, which is behind some of the city's best-known landmarks, including the Atlantis and Shangri-La Hotels."
• Dior's landmark Mumbai show signals India's growing luxury status - "Dior hosted a landmark runway show in Mumbai on Thursday, a move nodding both to India's long-standing role in manufacturing European high fashion and the growing power of its luxury consumers."
• World’s Largest Ruby To Appear At Auction Could Fetch $30 Million - "The world’s largest ruby to appear at auction will be offered at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on June 8. Named the Estrela de FURA, it weighs 55.22 carats. Sotheby’s has placed an estimate of more than $30 million that, if achieved, would likely be the most valuable ruby ever sold at auction. Sotheby’s auctioneer, Uni Kim, announced the sale of the Estrela de FURA on Wednesday moments after completing The Exceptional Luxury Evening Auction in Hong Kong."
• ELIZABETH TAYLOR’S VICTORIAN SAPPHIRE BROOCH HEADS TO AUCTION - AGAIN! - "Are you, like me, a fan of the jewelry collection of the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor? Well, you’re in luck: you’ve got a chance to own one of her pieces! Taylor’s Victorian Sapphire Brooch is hitting the auction block (again!) in Hong Kong."
• THIS MINIMAL IKEA-WORTHY FOLDING DESK DOUBLES UP AS A DECORATIVE SHELF - "Designed by Daniel Garcia Sanchez for Woodendot, the Alada folding desk is a nifty space-saving desk that doubles up as a super cute decorative shelf. Within seconds you can transform the Alada desk into a display shelf that can hold your favorite souvenirs from picture frames to even potted little plants."
• How dinosaurs reached 'titanic' size - "Could dinosaurs have grown any bigger? Titanosaurs were some of the largest animals to walk the Earth, but if the reign of the dinosaurs hadn't been cut short by an asteroid, could they have evolved to be even bigger?"
• Newly discovered 'einstein' tile is a 13-sided shape that solves a decades-old math problem - "A new 13-sided shape is the first example of an elusive "einstein" - a single shape that can be tiled infinitely without repeating a pattern."
• Jackie Kennedy’s Former D.C. Home Is On The Market For $26.5 Million - "The storied mansion where former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy stayed following the assassination in 1963 of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, is listed for $26.5 million. She bought the 18th-century residence in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., known as the Baker House, to be her personal home, but decided to relocate a year later as the four-bedroom, four bathroom home attracted too much attention from the public and especially the paparazzi. The Georgetown home, now combined with two other homes, spans 16,300 square feet with 13 bedrooms."
• One of the world's most highly engineered turntables joins Absolute Sounds' Ten collection - "Döhmann Audio's Helix One and Two Mk3 arrive in the UK."

April 5, 2023

• Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts - "Trump faces criminal charges in court after historic indictment."
• Breakdown of the charges & evidence presented against Trump - "Takeaways and key lines from the indictment against Donald Trump."
• Trump charged: How the world reacted to his arrest - "Mr Trump's dramatic day in court dominates front pages around the world."
• Forbes Billionaires 2023: The Richest People In The World - "Nearly half of all billionaires are poorer than they were a year ago."
• Rihanna, Jay-Z & Kim Kardashian lead the stars on Forbes' billionaire list - "But Kanye West drops off after Adidas ends partnership. Umbrella hitmaker Rihanna has amassed a huge net worth after venturing into lingerie and beauty with her brand Fenty."
• The most expensive watches of the world’s 7 richest billionaires - "Ranked: from Warren Buffett’s Rolex and Elon Musk’s Richard Mille, to Bernard Arnault’s Patek Philippe and Jeff Bezos’ Ulysse Nardin."
• King Charles’s coronation invitation confirms use of title of ‘Queen Camilla’ - "Royal coronation invitation realises king’s ambition for title of partner currently known as queen consort."
• Russian energy giant boss found dead in Siberian cell in 40th mystery death of oligarchs & Putin officials - "The body of Igor Shkurko, 49, deputy general director energy company Yakutskenergo, was discovered in his cell in a detention centre after he was accused of taking a bribe."
• Half of the world’s 10 busiest airports for 2022 are in the United States - "Airports Council International, a trade association representing nearly 2,000 airports, released the rankings on Wednesday. Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver and Chicago O’Hare took the second, third and fourth slots, respectively. Los Angeles was No. 6 among the busiest airports in 2022. The strong US showing is thanks to a healthy rebound in the domestic market. All of the US airports in the top 10 have significant domestic passenger shares - between 75% and 95% domestic traffic, according to ACI."
• Why Cape Town is one of the world’s most beguiling cities - "Cape Town is the embodiment of multicultural South Africa. Long home to nomadic pastoralists, the country’s oldest city dates its modern history to 1652, when settlers from the Dutch East India Company set up a watering station for vessels heading to Asia. Today, in spite of the dark history of apartheid and the ongoing daily struggle with blackouts, known to locals as 'load shedding,' the Mother City is in the process of raising up its vibrant and fascinating past, much of its multiculturalism a result of the slave trade which brought people from Indonesia, Malaysia and Madagascar to its shores."
• $74,000 To Travel Like James Bond? Eon Grants 60 People Official Rights - "If you've ever wanted to ski down the same slopes as James Bond does in Spectre or take a speedboat along the river Thames as he did in The World Is Not Enough, the company behind all 25 official Bond films, Eon Productions, has granted rights to one company to offer James Bond holidays across Europe in the places where they were filmed. There are 31 experiences on offer from the company Black Tomato, including a 12-night trip across London, Paris, Monaco, Lake Como, Venice and the Austrian Alps in what is being called The Assignment. This is the most luxurious trip, costing $74,000."
• We can build immortal celebrities from ChatGPT & their existing back catalogs - "AI Matt Damon is going to hawk crypto until the heat death of the universe."
• ‘Michael Jordan changed the world’: the true story behind Nike movie Air - "Ben Affleck’s buzzy drama tells the story about how Nike transformed into a major force in the sneakers market thanks to a young basketball star."
• Saudis flex financial muscle by taking stake in boatbuilder Benetti - "Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has taken a 33-percent stake in Italian luxury yacht group Azimut Benetti for an undisclosed sum."
• Magnus Carlsen suffers 'unacceptable' shock defeat - "Magnus Carlsen bemoans ‘awful day of chess’ as he blunders his way to defeat."
• Brooke Shields & the Curse of Great Beauty - "'Pretty Baby,' a new documentary on Hulu, explores the toll that sexual and commercial objectification takes on women."
• This Is What It Sounds Like When Plants Cry - "Scientists recorded the popping noises that plants make in response to stresses like dehydration or a cut."
• India's 10,000 forgotten mansions - "Once symbolic of the power and wealth of the Nattukottai Chettiar community, thousands of gigantic and glamourous mansions in Tamil Nadu now lie in ruins."

April 4, 2023

• ‘Delay, delay, delay’: How Trump could push his trial into the heart of campaign season - "From pre-trial motions to negotiations over security, the master of legal stalling has many tactics in his arsenal."
• 2023 Global Travel Trends Report - "Where to travel and how? What to do once you’re there? The answers to these questions continue to evolve. The 2023 Global Travel Trends Report1 uncovers the driving forces behind global traveler behaviors and how these factors are shaping the future of travel." American Express Travel.
• Why Olive Oil-Infused Coffee Is Your New Morning Ritual - "Launched at Milan Fashion Week, the Starbucks Oleato beverages prove two timeless Italian flavors are better together."
• Billionaire investor Charlie Munger says stock market ‘gambling’ is as addictive as ‘heroin’ - but he sees no way to fix it - "Speculative trading boosted “meme stocks” and shares in many other risky companies during the COVID-19 lockdowns and helped retail investors profit tremendously before the market tanked. Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s lieutenant at Berkshire Hathaway and a veteran long-term investor, thinks this kind of speculative trading is akin to an addiction—one that it should be done away with."
• How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas - "Ever felt stumped trying to write Microsoft Excel formulas for your table? Let ChatGPT do the work for you."
• Artificial intelligence deepfake video of Harry Potter characters in faux-Balenciaga fashion show goes viral - "'You just created a 2 million dollar ad for probably less than 10 bucks,' a YouTube user reportedly observed after they watched the uncannily realistic deepfake."
• The AI Breakthrough That’s Changing Everything - "How ChatGPT Could Revolutionize the Way We Work, Create, and Live. What You Need to Know About the Latest AI Model and Its Implications for the Future of Jobs, Creativity, and Society."
• 5 Types of Watches Define the Market - "The options for building a solid collection of timepieces are almost limitless, but choices from these categories would be a good start."
• Top 7 Culinary Destinations Around The World For Foodie Travelers - "Do you love trying local foods and discovering new cuisines when you travel? Check out these amazing foodie travel destinations for 2023!"
• This boiled bag of offal is banned in the US. In Scotland it’s a fine-dining treat - "Anthony Bourdain loved haggis. But even the late, great American chef, writer and television host recognized that Scotland’s national dish, with its 'sinister sheep parts' wrapped in a shroud of mystery and half-invented history, could be a hard sell."
• 10 Best Luxury Cars For Business Executives - "These luxury cars offer exquisite comfort, technology and performance. In addition, these luxury cars can also provide a level of prestige that can help enhance one's professional image."
• Paris residents vote in favor of banning rental electric scooters - "Almost 90% of those who turned out on Sunday for a referendum organized by the Paris mayor’s office voted for the ban. The turnout was very low, however, with only 7.46% of registered voters casting their ballots in one of the 203 polling stations opened for the occasion."
• The AirPods Pro 2 are the new gold standard for Apple earbuds - "The AirPods Pro 2 are as good as it gets for Apple users, offering some of the best sound, controls and active noise cancellation you can find in a pair of buds."
• The Best New Balance Shoes for Men in 2023, According to Fashion Experts - "From category-defining dad sneakers to mixed media trainers, here are our top ten styles."
• Reboot for the linen suit: how Tom from Succession became a style hero - "Strong sales of tailored menswear are being driven by demand for a softer kind of smart - the perfect way to dress for a power-grab."
• The Capote Tapes: inside the scandal ignited by Truman's explosive final novel - "He partied with high society America but caused outrage when he spilled their secrets. Ebs Burnough talks us through his new film about Answered Prayers - the ‘smart, salacious’ novel Capote never finished."
• ‘The New Big 5’: Wildlife photography book turns the lens on animals at risk - "Originally a term used by trophy hunters in Africa, the 'Big Five' described the animals most challenging to shoot and kill: the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. Nowadays, it is more loosely used to refer to some of Africa’s largest and most iconic animals."

April 3, 2023

• Trump Flourishes in the Glare of His Indictment - "The former president’s appetite for attention has been fundamental to his identity for decades. Where others may focus on the hazards of a criminal case, he raises money, promotes his campaign and works to reduce the case to a cliffhanging spectacle."
• New AI upgrade could be indistinguishable from humans: expert - "A tech insider says the AI upgrade could be completed by December."
• Supercharge Your ChatGPT-4 Conversations: Socratic Secrets Unlocked for AI Mastery - "Harness the Power of Socratic Questioning to Unleash ChatGPT-4’s Full Potential and Transform Your AI Experience."
• One of China’s most popular apps has the ability to spy on its users, say experts - "‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’"
• Why can’t more music apps be like Apple Music Classical? - "While it isn’t perfect, the app embraces metadata to a degree that a lot of other apps could learn from."
• 7 Pro Tips to Unleash the Full Potential of ChatGPT for Jaw-Dropping Results - "Unlock the hidden power of OpenAI’s ChatGPT with expert prompt techniques and wow your audience."
• Chronic stress can affect your health. One activity can help - "Stress occurs when you face a new, unpredictable or threatening situation, and you don’t know whether you can manage it successfully, said clinical psychologist Dr. Karmel Choi, an assistant professor in the Center for Precision Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston."
• 5 Exercises Men Should Do Every Day to Stay Fit - "These moves will help you maintain your strength, mobility, and aerobic fitness."
• We're nowhere near reaching the maximum human life span, controversial study suggests - "Human longevity records may be broken in the next few decades, a new modeling study suggests."
• ‘Brutal monomaniac’: the gripping film about Boris Becker’s astonishing rise & spectacular fall - "The tennis titan with a howitzer serve thought invincibility on the court meant impunity off it. Oscar-winner Alex Gibney reveals how he charted the star’s path from fortunes and trophies to squatters and prison."
• Have we fallen out of love with Wordle? - "Was this just a craze like any other, doomed to fizzle out with the passing of time? Or do we still love Wordle as much as we always did?"
• Why Do Rich Guys Love Diners? - "Logan Roy doesn't need to indulge in fine dining to be powerful; he'd rather a plate of eggs. And he isn't alone."
• A $250 Melon Begs the Question: Is Fruit the New Caviar? - "It's often said that health is wealth, and these days more and more menus are proving it. At some of the most exclusive eateries around the world, a once-humble ingredient is stepping into the spotlight, becoming a flex for diners in the know, and boasting a price tag commensurate with its newfound status."
• The surprising ways cellphones have changed our lives - "The first ever call made with a mobile phone was a conversation 50 years ago between two rivals developing cellphone technology. Since then, the devices have found some unexpected uses."
• Cartier PrivÉ Tank Normale Review 2023 - "With multiple treatments to chose from, Louis Cartier's iconic watch finally joins the Privé collection. And check out those bracelets!"
• These 11 Superyachts Make Bonkers Beach Clubs Their Main Attraction. Here’s a Look Inside - "From cryosaunas to intricate-mosaic steam rooms and zen lounges to glass-bottomed pools, these yachts are why we love the beach club."

April 2, 2023

• April Fools’ Day 2023: the best & cringiest pranks - The Verge.
• Here are the charges that Trump may face - "Donald Trump has been indicted following an investigation into a hush money payment scheme. Here’s what we know."
• ‘We knew she was #gwynnocent’: how the Paltrow trial captivated the world - "An astonishing degree of media attention was lavished on a seemingly humdrum ski collision. What made it so compelling?"
• How Should Gwyneth Paltrow Dress for Court? - "At the celebrity ski trial of the century, Ms. Paltrow can’t deny her own profile, but she can’t fully lean into it either."
• No, moderate drinking isn't good for your health - "Despite a long-held belief that moderate amounts of alcohol are good for you, a sweeping new analysis finds that the more you drink, the higher your risk of early death."
• Climate activists dye Spanish Steps fountain water black - "A group called Ultima Generazione or Last Generation have poured what they described as a charcoal-based black liquid into the water of the Barcaccia fountain at the base of the Spanish Steps in central Rome."
• Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words - "Italians who use English and other foreign words in official communications could face fines of up to €100,000 ($108,705) under new legislation introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party."
• The food historian who outraged Italy - "It’s been claimed pizza and carbonara are American. Here’s how that went down in Italy."
• Why is everybody so mad about carbonara? - "The iconic pasta causing an Italian-American dispute. An article claiming the American paternity of carbonara has caused an uproar in Italy and a spike in curiosity in the US. But where is the famous dish really from, and why do people care so much?"
• Bakeries are central to the French way of life. Now they’re fighting for survival - "In November, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, designated the French baguette as part of 'intangible cultural heritage,' owing to the specific knowledge and techniques needed to produce it, as well as the central role it plays in French daily life. But, despite their cherished status, many bakeries are struggling - and some are on the brink of closure - as energy prices and the costs of their ingredients have spiked."
• World's best restaurants honored in culinary awards - "In travel news this week: epic continental trips by bike and bus, new airline routes making transatlantic trips easier and the world’s top restaurants, from Asia to the United States to the Middle East."
• Deepest ever fish caught on camera off Japan - "Scientists have filmed a fish swimming at an extraordinary depth in the ocean, making it the deepest observation of this nature that has ever been made. The species - a type of snailfish of the genus Pseudoliparis - was filmed swimming at 8,336m (27,349ft)."
• ‘Bees are sentient’: inside the stunning brains of nature’s hardest workers - "‘Fringe’ research suggests the insects that are essential to agriculture have emotions, dreams and even PTSD, raising complex ethical questions."
• The rise of the minimalist wardrobe - "It's an unspoken rule in the Western world that we should vary our outfits frequently - but the eco-conscious are increasingly questioning that notion. According to fans of capsule dressing, it's all about less is more, and the 'rule of five'. So is it time to return to more old-fashioned ways of thinking about what we wear, asks Matilda Welin."
• Watch us try to break Google Bard & Bing AI - "Testing the limits of today's leading AI chatbots."
• How to change the region on an HP OfficeJet printer in 57 easy steps (printer companies hate this!) - "I moved across the ocean and took my printer with me. Then I discovered it was region-locked. A wiser man would have bought a new one."

April 1, 2023

• Inside the long & winding road to Trump's historic indictment - "The surprise move was the final twist in an investigation that's resulted in unprecedented charges."
• Trump will not appear in court in handcuffs - lawyer - "Donald Trump's court hearing has been set for Tuesday afternoon, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News."
• Putin is a dead man walking - "'Here is why I know he’ll be killed to finally end the war in Ukraine', says ex-CIA chief. James Olson, the spy agency's former chief of counterintelligence, said he believes the sharks are now circling for the tyrant back home in Russia."
• King Charles wraps up triumphant state visit to Germany - "Another week, another royal trip. This week, we joined King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla as they embarked on their historic first joint state visit abroad."
• The 23 Best Places To Travel Around The World In 2023, Chosen By The Experts - "This year, the picks for where to go in 2023 span the gamut from European capitals to exotic beach escapes to sustainable rainforest retreats. Compare these choices to last year’s selections for the best places to travel around the world."
• Asia’s best restaurant for 2023 revealed - "An eatery in the Thai capital won the top spot at the 2023 'Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants' awards, which were handed out at a ceremony in Singapore Tuesday night."
• 8 Mexican ruins you can have to yourself - "It was once a city of 25,000 people. Now hardly anyone knows about this ancient site."
• Whisky Magazine Awards 2023 global results revealed - "The 2023 global winners of the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky Awards were announced at the ceremony in London."
• THE WINNERS OF WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS & ICONS OF WHISKY 2023 - The World Whiskies Awards 2023 were announced by Whisky Magazine on 30 March 2023 in London. Here’s the full list of the winners of World Whiskies Awards, Icons of Whisky and Hall of Fame Inductees 2023.
• The secret to good hair, beating jetlag & great photos - "Plus 13 other ways to do the little things better. From parallel parking to defusing a tantrum to getting a good night’s sleep, we ask the experts for their top tips."
• Nearly 40$ of dementia cases can be prevented with one small health change - "Even with recent medical advancements, there is still no cure for dementia. Doctors point out that there are, however, recent discoveries and new research that can help prevent and delay its progression."
• Letter signed by Elon Musk demanding AI research pause sparks controversy - "The statement has been revealed to have false signatures and researchers have condemned its use of their work."
• Only verified accounts can vote in Twitter polls from April 15, says Musk - "Elon Musk said on Monday only verified Twitter accounts would be eligible to vote in polls starting April 15, a move that the social media company's CEO believes will address advanced AI bot swarms."
• Google C.E.O. Sundar Pichai on Bard, A.I. 'Whiplash' & competing with chatGPT - "Google released its AI chatbot Bard to rival ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing chatbot, but comparisons have not been flattering to Bard. Sundar Pichai says upgrades are on the way."
• Plants aren’t silent. They make clicking sounds, a study finds - "Plants make popping sounds that are undetectable to the human ear, according to recordings made in a new study - and they make more sounds when thirsty or under other kinds of stress."
• IKEA Taps Olafur Eliasson for Solar-Powered "SAMMANLÄNKAD" Lamps - "For the home office or on the go."
• Make Something Wonderful - Steve Jobs in his own words - "A curated collection of Steve’s speeches, interviews and correspondence, Make Something Wonderful offers an unparalleled window into how one of the world’s most creative entrepreneurs approached his life and work. In the pages of this book, Steve shares his perspective on his childhood, on launching and being pushed out of Apple, on his time with Pixar and NeXT, and on his ultimate return to the company that started it all." Coming to digital platforms on April 11. Steve Jobs Archive.
• Bill Gates took a ‘test ride’ in an autonomous vehicle & says they’ll save you money - take a look - "Bill Gates says totally driverless cars, without need for even a steering wheel, are 'coming sooner rather than later.'"
• Man who invented mobile phone uses iPhone, Apple Watch, upgrades to new one every year - "Martin Cooper, the man considered as the father of the (handheld) mobile phone has revealed that he uses the latest iPhone and Apple Watch."
• New Models 2023 | Watches & Timepieces - Patek Philippe - "New / Watches & Wonders Geneva (March 2023). Patek Philippe is unveiling a wide selection of new models, ranging from a Calatrava with an original 24-hour display and a Travel Time function for the display of a second time zone, to a new haute joaillerie version of the Grandmaster Chime, and the first Annual Calendar to enter the ladies’ Aquanaut Luce collection, renowned for its modern casual chic."
• Patek Philippe’s Thierry Stern on How Washing a Car Wheel Led to One of the Brand’s Most Striking Dials - "The president of the horological world's foremost brand discusses his favorite new releases at Watches and Wonders, where ideas come from, and why designing a blockbuster is easy."
• The beginner's guide to taking care of your denim - "Funnily enough, it's not as simple as just throwing them in the washing machine."
• Philipp Plein Enters The Swiss Watch Market Via 007 Style Parachute Drop Onto Lake Geneva - "The Swiss luxury watch industry is generally a conservative affair. Enter Philipp Plein. Following the launch of his fashion watches with license partner Timex Group last year, the arch disruptor unveiled his first collection of Swiss-made luxury timepieces at an offsite location during Geneva’s Watches and Wonder trade show. Said watches were delivered by a tuxedo clad parachutist who jumped James Bond style out of a helicopter and landed on a raft in the middle of Lake Geneva before making his way to the duplex penthouse suite at the city’s Fairmont Hotel Hotel for the launch event where entertainment involved a private performance by 80’s musician Bonnie Tyler."

March 31, 2023

• Former President Trump indicted by NY grand jury - "Trump faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud, sources tell CNN. He's the first former US president to be criminally charged."
• Fingerprints & a mugshot: This is what will happen when Trump is arrested - "Donald Trump is facing impending arrest on charges stemming from an investigation into a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016. After a grand jury in New York voted on Thursday to indict him, he will be the first former US president to face criminal charges."
• Why did a grand jury vote to indict Trump & what does it mean for him? - "Indictment relates to a hush-money payment made on ex-president’s behalf to the adult film star Stormy Daniels. Donald Trump will be the first former US president to face criminal charges after a grand jury in New York has voted to indict him on charges related to hush money payments to an adult film star. Here is what Trump’s indictment means."
• Review: We Put ChatGPT, Bing Chat & Bard to the Test - "We designed trials to compare our chatbot overlords from OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. They’re smart, they’re interactive - and they’re pretty little liars." Wired
• How to Use ChatGPT 4 For Free (Guide) - "OpenAI recently released its latest GPT-4 model, which is much more powerful than anything OpenAI has released so far. It is the largest language model system OpenAI has developed, and it also comes with vision capability. GPT-4 is multimodal, meaning it can interpret not only text but image inputs as well. Apart from that, it performs well in reasoning tests and supports about 26 different languages. That said, ChatGPT 4 is not available to free users. You have to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus to try out GPT-4. Nevertheless, in this guide, we bring you four simple ways to use ChatGPT 4 for free."
• OpenAI may have to halt ChatGPT releases following FTC complaint - "A nonprofit claims OpenAI is breaking the law with a 'biased, deceptive' AI model."
• 300 million jobs could be affected by latest wave of AI, says Goldman Sachs - "As many as 300 million full-time jobs around the world could be automated in some way by the newest wave of artificial intelligence that has spawned platforms like ChatGPT, according to Goldman Sachs economists. They predicted in a report Sunday that 18$ of work globally could be computerized, with the effects felt more deeply in advanced economies than emerging markets."
• Virgin Orbit fails to secure funding & will cease operations - "Virgin Orbit stock closed at 34 cents a share Thursday, having fallen 82% since the beginning of the year."
• Gwyneth Paltrow awarded $1 & cleared of fault over ski crash - "Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow has thanked jurors who found her not liable for a 2016 ski crash at a resort in the US state of Utah. Retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, had said Ms Paltrow crashed into him, inflicting life-changing injuries."
• Carbon capture will probably make electricity more expensive - "Fossil fuel companies think they can clean up coal and gas power plants with carbon capture technologies. Their ‘optimism bias’ could cost consumers."
• Saudi Arabia has built a high-speed railway across the desert - "In the distant past, Muslim pilgrims came to the holy city of Mecca on foot. Now, though, they can come via high-speed train. About 50 times a day these sleek, long-nosed javelins shoot across the baking-hot deserts of Saudi Arabia, reaching speeds of up to 300 kph (186 mph) carrying pilgrims and other passengers. The trains, among the world’s top 10 fastest, are just the beginning of a rail network expected to expand right across the Middle Eastern kingdom as it invests billions in infrastructure to boost tourism and diversify revenues beyond oil."
• This Under-The-Radar Town Is The Caribbean Of Greece - "The Caribbean Of Greece, Lefkada Remains Delightfully Anonymous To Most Americans."
• The first round-the-world passenger cruise took place 100 years ago. Here’s what it was like on board - "On March 30, 1923, exactly 100 years ago, the world’s first continuous passenger cruise ship arrived back in New York City after completing a 130-day voyage. This six-month trip was the first of its kind, paving the way for the world cruises of today, taking in destinations including Japan, Singapore, Egypt and India and traversing the Suez and Panama Canals. The voyage took place aboard the SS Laconia, a Cunard passenger liner chartered by the American Express Company for the occasion."
• Finland's the world's happiest country. Here's how we do it - "According to the latest World Happiness Report, my country of Finland has the happiest people on Earth, a designation it has held for six consecutive years. I imagine that news might rankle some Americans, some of whom are fond of touting the American Dream and describing their country as the greatest in the world."
• Artists Gilbert & George open their own gallery, saying museums 'are too full up' - "Famed artist duo Gilbert & George, who describe themselves as two men who are together one artist, have unveiled a new gallery in London dedicated to their work."
• Why the ‘ludicrously capacious’ bag on Succession was such a faux pas for the very wealthiest - "In this week’s newsletter: Poor Bridget’s nouveau riche tastes are everything old money families like the Roys hate: loud, practical and the sign of a class interloper."
• An Unopened 2007 iPhone Can Be Yours (for $32,000 or More) - "For sale: factory-sealed first-generation iPhone. A first-generation Apple smartphone is going up for auction."
• Boris Becker says prison was 'daily fight for survival' - "Boris Becker says best to ‘make friends with the strong boys’ as he recalls ‘very scary’ life in prison. Tennis great Boris Becker says he’s grateful just to be alive as he reflected on spending time in prison in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour."
• Is friendship as beneficial as love? - "Why friendship makes us healthier. It's well-established that romantic relationships can improve your health and even help you to live longer. But does friendship bring the same benefits?"
• What’s Behind the ‘Middle-Aged Groan’? - "Experts weigh in on the sounds we make when we bend over, stand up and sit down."
• 11 of the best films to watch in April - "Including the Super Mario Bros Movie, Renfield and Evil Dead Rise."
• Oysters & whisky? Why the pairing could have huge benefits for wildlife in Scotland - "Oysters and whisky? Why the pairing could have huge benefits for wildlife in Scotland. Scientists find that using oysters as water filters helps the bivalve and other species thrive - and could treble the amount of carbon going into the seabed."

March 30, 2023

• Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak Urge OpenAI to Halt ChatGPT Upgrades - "An online petition with over 1,100 public signatures calls for a six-month moratorium on further enhancements to the leading AI tool."
• Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter - "'We call on all AI labs to immediately pause for at least 6 months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4.'"
• Amsterdam asks 'wild' young male British tourists to 'stay away' - "The Netherlands’ capital’s new online campaign to tackle nuisance tourism launched this week and targets visitors between the ages of 18 and 35, the city’s local authority announced in a news release on Tuesday. One video shows a drunk young man being arrested. The accompanying text says: 'Coming to Amsterdam for a messy night + getting trashed = €140 fine + criminal record = fewer prospects.' It adds: 'So coming to Amsterdam for a messy night? Stay away.' Another video shows an unconscious person being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, with text that reads: 'Coming to Amsterdam to take drugs + lose control = hospital trip + permanent health damage = worried family.' It continues: 'So coming for drugs to Amsterdam? Stay away.'"
• Keanu Reeves offers rare comment about his relationship - "Keanu Reeves is intensely private about his personal life. But when he does have something to say, he makes it special. Reeves is reported to be in a long-term relationship with artist and philanthropist, Alexandra Grant."
• Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov auctions Nobel medal for $103m - "The Russian editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta has auctioned off his Nobel Peace Prize medal for $103.5m. Dmitry Muratov said all the money from the sale would go to help refugees from the war in Ukraine. Muratov was co-awarded the peace prize in 2021 for defending freedom of expression in Russia."
• The Eternal Pink: The Most Significant Pink Diamond To Ever Appear at Auction - At 10.57 carats, the cushion-cut Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink Diamond is the most vivid pink diamond ever to come to market. The 23.78 carat rough which yielded The Eternal Pink was mined by De Beers at the Damtshaa mine in Botswana, and was meticulously fashioned into an exquisite cushion cut - over a period of six intense months - by Diacore’s team of artisans, maximizing the diamond’s electric 'bubblegum' color to full potential. The Eternal Pink will be offered as a part of Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels auction on 8 June at Sotheby’s New York.
• Goalkeeper scores from a goal kick - it could set the record for the longest range goal in history - CNN Sports.
• The benefits of 'deep time thinking' - "The discovery of deep time would change how we see the world. Not only did it rewrite the Biblical account of time, it would provide the canvas for the theory of evolution. Later, it would help astronomers to show that the Earth itself was relatively young compared with the age of Universe."
• Two Boeing 787 Dreamliners needed to transport giant dinosaur to UK - "Meet the titanosaur: Dinosaur giant goes on display in Europe for the first time. Patagotitan mayorum, a dinosaur giant belonging to a group known as titanosaurs, is visiting Europe for the first time since its discovery in Argentina in 2010. Over five meters (16 feet) tall and weighing over two and a half metric tons, its skeleton will give visitors an idea of what this gentle giant, which could have weighed as much as 57 metric tons and stretched over 120 feet, would have looked like when it lived on Earth around 100 million years ago."
• Why Tetris is the 'perfect' video game - "With a new Apple TV+ film starring Taron Egerton focusing on the puzzle game's 1980s origin story, Thomas Hobbs asks the experts why Tetris has retained such enormous popularity, nearly 40 years on."
• How to see five planets aligned in the night sky this week - "Tonight is the best time to catch Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus hanging out together."
• Scientists identify secret ingredient in Leonardo da Vinci paintings - "'Old Masters' such as Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli and Rembrandt may have used proteins, especially egg yolk, in their oil paintings, according to a new study.Trace quantities of protein residue have long been detected in classic oil paintings, though they were often ascribed to contamination. A new study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications found the inclusion was likely intentional - and sheds light on the technical knowledge of the Old Masters, the most skilled European painters of the 16th, 17th, or early 18th century, and the way they prepared their paints."
• Removing 70 of Pablo Escobar’s hippos to cost Colombia $3.5m - "Animals to be sent overseas in effort to contain growing population that risks upsetting local ecosystem."
• How to make pasta without a machine - "To the uninitiated, making pasta from scratch can appear more trouble than it’s worth. After all, why spend your hard-earned cash on a large, expensive, hyper-specialised pasta machine when you can buy a packet of dried supermarket spaghetti for $2? When it comes to pici, cavatelli and orecchiette, Melbourne’s Hope Street Radio say all you need is flour, water and a wooden bench."
• IWC Brings Famed Gerald Genta-Designed Ingenieur SL Watches To New Heights - "At Watches & Wonders Geneva, which opened its doors this morning for the biggest watch exhibition of the year, IWC Schaffhausen unveiled its newest Ingenieur watches. This is a collection that was originally designed in the 1950’s, but then was redesigned in the 1970’s for the brand by the legendary Gerald Genta. Now, IWC unveils the newest series of Ingenieur watches - the Ingenieur Automatic 40 - that propel the collection forward now, just as Genta did nearly 50 years ago."
• Lamborghini’s first plug-in hypercar is the Aventador - replacing Revuelto - "Revuelto (pronounced rey-WEL-to) either means ‘unruly’ or refers to a dish of creamy scrambled eggs. Either way, it will replace the Aventador as Lamborghini’s flagship vehicle."

March 29, 2023

• AI image of Pope Francis in a puffer coat has internet puzzled - "Look of the Week: What Pope Francis' AI puffer coat says about the future of fashion. Over the weekend, a peculiar image of Pope Francis set the internet alight. Widely circulated on social media, the picture shows the 86-year-old pontiff dressed in a chunky longline white puffer coat, cinched at the waist and seemingly layered with other winter weather streetwear."
• Billionaire chic: the meaning of Gwyneth Paltrow’s court wardrobe - "The actor’s outfits have gone viral over the last week. Free from garish logos and colours, they are a careful display of stealth wealth and soft power."
• This Art Collector’s Staggering Personal Jewellery Collection Would Have Made Elizabeth Taylor Blush - "With an estimate of £122.3million, the billionaire art collector Heidi Horten’s personal jewellery collection - featuring an exceptional array of Bulgari, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston pieces - will go up for sale at Christie’s in May. The auction house gives British Vogue an exclusive first look."
• iOS 16.4 Expands Duplicate Image Detection to iCloud Shared Photo Library - "In addition to new emojis, web push notifications, and a range of other features, the iOS 16.4 update expands support for detecting duplicate images to iCloud Shared Photo Library."
• You Can Restart Your iPhone With Only Your Voice - "This new Siri feature is available only on iOS 16."
• How Does ChatGPT Really Work? - "Learning how a 'large language model' operates." The New York Times.
• Off-the-radar destinations every visitor to China should consider - "Dubbed the porcelain capital of the world, Jingdezhen has been firing quality pieces of 'white gold' for more than 1,700 years. Today, travelers can visit the historic kilns that have produced beautiful pieces of china for centuries, some of which ended up in the hands of the imperial family."
• How one European country is planning a ‘rail revolution’ - "In the Czech countryside, not far from Prague, a ghostly white train is speeding around and around a huge loop of track. From the air, the single circuit looks like a giant model railroad. Only this one isn’t being used for fun. It’s one of Europe’s few dedicated facilities where new trains can be intensively tested away from public tracks."
• Russian influx drives up rental prices in Dubai - "Nearly 90% of Dubai's 10 million inhabitants are foreign nationals. Average rents in Dubai went up by 36% last year, according to real estate agency, Betterhomes."
• Denmark country profile - "The Kingdom of Denmark has, despite its relatively small size, punched above its weight internationally." BBC News.
• ‘It would survive nuclear Armageddon’: should plastic grass be banned? - "Artificial lawns are more popular than ever - but they are also an environmental nightmare. Will the campaign to stop them be successful?"
• 10 of the strangest merch items from companies that crashed - "FTX fortune cookies and Theranos gift cards offer souvenirs from recent business disasters."
• Whatever the Problem, It’s Probably Solved by Walking - "Walking is the worst-kept secret I know. Its rewards hide under every step. Hippocrates proclaimed that 'walking is man’s best medicine.' The good doctor also knew that walking provided more than mere physical benefits when he suggested: 'If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.' He was alluding to what so many who came after would attest, that walking not only nourishes the body but also soothes the mind while it burns off tension and makes our troubles recede into a more manageable perspective. Søren Kierkegaard agreed when he confessed, 'I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.' And Charles Dickens was even more direct. 'If I could not walk far and fast,' he wrote, 'I think I should just explode and perish.'"
• Can a Nap Make Up for a Bad Night of Sleep? - "Here’s what experts say about what naps can (and can’t) do for your health."
• People are only just realising what their favourite furniture shop Ikea stands for & they’re stunned - "IKEA is named after the initials of founder Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, the farm on which he grew up, and Agunnaryd, the nearby village."

March 28, 2023

• iOS 16.4 is out with bug fixes & a ton of new emoji - "If you own an Apple device, check your notifications: Apple has officially released updates for each of its major Platforms. The MacOS 13.3, and iOS / iPadOS 16.4 and WatchOS 9.4 updates include 21 new emoji, improved voice isolation for calls and a smattering of minor bug fixes."
• Prince Harry ‘told King Charles is “too busy” to see him’ while in UK for privacy hearing - "The Duke of Sussex, 38, jetted in from California to attend a four-day preliminary hearing at the High Court in London."
• ‘In awe’: New Zealand aurora hunters entranced by unusually bright southern lights display - "The lure of unusually vibrant views of the southern lights in New Zealand has prompted aurora-hunters to drive for hours through the night to capture the “elusive” sight on camera, with social media groups devoted to swapping tips growing in size."
• Meatball from long-extinct mammoth created by food firm - "Australian company resurrects flesh of lost species to demonstrate potential of meat grown from cells."
• Restoring a Giant Plane: Ukrainian Resilience or Folly? - "Ukraine, with far more pressing needs, plans to rebuild the colossal Mriya cargo plane, a symbol of pride that was destroyed last year in a battle for its airfield." The New York Times.
• The Boldest, Most Exciting New Watches From the World’s Biggest Watch Show - "From A. Lange & Söhne to Zenith, the Swiss watch industry's major players just dropped new watches. Here's a first look."
• Jet lag hits differently depending on your travel direction. Here are 6 tips to get over it - "The term 'jet lag' describes the physical and cognitive symptoms people experience when traveling quickly across several timezones. Before you leave for a trip, you’re synchronized to your local time. Once you enter a new timezone, your body’s rhythms are no longer lined up with the clock on the wall. That’s when jet lag symptoms hit. You’re sleepy when you want to be awake, and wide awake when you want to be asleep. You’re hungry in the middle of the night, and might feel bloated or nauseous if you eat during the day. Until your body clock and all the rhythms it controls line up with the new local time, you are physiologically and mentally discombobulated. Not a happy vacation vibe!"
• Jobs most at risk from artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT - "Around 80 per cent of US workers could see their jobs impacted by artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, a study found."
• A Wharton professor gave A.I. tools 30 minutes to work on a business project. The results were ‘superhuman’ - "In that short amount of time, he writes, the tools managed to do market research, create a positioning document, write an email campaign, create a website, create a logo and 'hero shot' graphic, make a social media campaign for multiple platforms, and script and create a video."
• Nine AI Chatbots You Can Play With Right Now - "The machines may change the world as you know it. But first, they’ll write a sonnet based on your favorite cereal."
• How to Become an Expert on A.I. - "Part 1 of our weeklong series." The New York Times.
• Our New Promethean Moment - "I just saw magic, and it's the future." The New York Times.
• Elon Musk: Twitter boss announces blue tick shake-up - "From 15 April only verified subscribers will have posts recommended to other users and be allowed to vote in polls. Under the policy, posts from non-paying accounts will not be included in the 'For you' stream of recommended tweets. Last week, the firm said it would remove the verified status of some 'legacy' accounts, which date from before Mr Musk bought the firm. Users currently pay $7 a month for blue-tick verification, which also allows access to additional features. Mr Musk said the changes were 'the only realistic way to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over. It is otherwise a hopeless losing battle.'"
• ‘Our universe was lost for ever’: what happens when a tech glitch erases your memories? - "Photos, emails, playlists: our phones and computers have become hosts for our pasts. What happens when the backups fail?"
• 3 Ways to Measure How Fit You Are, Without Focusing on Weight - "Exercise tests, heart rate and physical ability can tell you more about your health than the scale ever could."
• The healthspan revolution: how to live a long, strong & happy life - "Dr Peter Attia is an expert on longevity and preventative medicine. He explains how sleep, weight training and other incremental changes can make us much more resilient."
• Sleep, exercise & heart health: The impacts of coffee, according to a new study - "Coffee drinkers get more steps but also less sleep, study finds".
• Formula Equal: Inside the plans to launch a ‘50% male, 50% female’ F1 team - "For the past four years, Craig Pollock has been secretly laying the groundwork for a new Formula One team unlike any other already on the paddock. Now he’s ready share his plans with the world. If Pollock’s application for the team is successful, Formula Equal would potentially debut in 2026. It would be a notable development in a sport and industry often spotlighted for its lack of gender diversity."
• Amateur Australian gold digger finds massive nugget - "An Australian man armed with a budget metal detector has hit the jackpot, finding a 4.6kg rock containing gold worth A$240,000 ($160,000)."
• The 12 best TV shows to watch in April - "Caryn James picks out the biggest offerings - from HBO true-crime drama Love and Death, starring Elizabeth Olsen, to Amazon's big-budget thriller Citadel and a new spin on Fatal Attraction."
• Sonos Era 100 review: the new default smart speaker - "The more affordable Era speaker improves upon the Sonos One by nearly every measure and will likely find the same success and popularity among Sonos customers."
• Jacob & Co. Unveils $20 Million Yellow Diamond Watch - "On March 27 in Geneva, concurrent with the Watches & Wonders Geneva 2023 exhibition, Jacob & Co. unveiled its $20 million Billionaire Timeless Treasure Yellow Diamond watch that is a complex tourbillon timepiece totally ensconced in 425 Asscher-Cut Fancy Yellow and Intense Yellow diamonds. The feat of simply collecting and cutting all of the highest color and quality of matching diamonds alone took three and a half years."
• The new Microsoft Teams is here with big performance improvements & UI changes - "Microsoft Teams has been totally overhauled to run faster and have a more simplified interface."

March 27, 2023

• World ‘population bomb’ may never go off as feared, finds study - "Population likely to peak sooner and lower than expected with beneficial results - but environment is priority."
• Elon Musk memo suggests Twitter worth less than half of what he paid for it - "Calculation based on leaked offer to staff that implies firm valued at $20bn compared with $44bn he bought it for."
• Elon Musk: Twitter says parts of source code leaked online - "Parts of the source code which underpins multi-billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform have been leaked online, Twitter says. It says the code was posted on GitHub, a Microsoft-owned service where software developers share code."
• ChatGPT started a new kind of AI race & made text boxes cool again - "Who would have thought that typing into a chat window, on your computer, would be 2023’s hottest innovation?"
• A.I. Can’t Write My Cat Story Because It Hasn’t Felt What I Feel - The New York Times.
• Succession’s final season doubles down on its core conceit - to a fault - "While Succession’s fourth and final season makes good on the series’ name, it does so while feeling comfortably stuck in a familiar holding pattern of treachery and ‘gotcha’ backstabbing."
• Your mobile phone is listening to your conversations - but now you can stop the snooping - "Ever feel like your phone has been eavesdropping on your conversation? Those ads which suddenly appear on your feeds after you were discussing the products are far from a quirky coincidence."
• TOP 10 ESSENTIAL GEAR YOU NEED WHEN YOU EMBARK ON YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE - "We’ve put together a collection of handy, reliable, and trustworthy outdoor gear that are the sidekicks you need next time you go on an outdoor adventure. From an Edison bulb-inspired flashlight that emits a warm glow to Sirius OUTDOOR AR-enabled smart ski goggles that are designed to change the world of snow sports - these fun and functional outdoor designs are all you need for your next adventure trip!"
• Soft power: the best men's tailoring for 2023 - "From suits to separates, from Gucci to Tom Ford, this season men’s silhouette has a relaxed vibe." The Times.
• One of the world’s best Chinese restaurants is in Tokyo - "Inside a dimly lit dining room, chef Tomoya Kawada of Sazenka is drawing a yin-yang diagram on a notepad as he explains his dreams for the distant future. After all, this Japanese chef has achieved a feat no other restaurateur has before; he’s created the world’s only three-Michelin-star Chinese restaurant in a non-Chinese-speaking city. Not an easy task in the tightly guarded world of Chinese kitchens."
• The NYC restaurant with only one table - "New York's hottest West African table. Chef Ayo Balogun of Dept of Culture is introducing North-Central Nigerian cuisine to American palates. And with only one table, the accolade-winning restaurant is booked for months."
• How to get your grill ready for the outdoor season - "Tips on cleaning and, in some cases, updating your backyard cooking gear."
• Inside the luxury bus that is offering travelers 'the world's longest bus journey' - "‘World’s longest’ bus journey will take 56 days to cross Europe."
• ‘People think I’m an aristocrat’: Charles Dance on class, Game of Thrones & avoiding James Bond - "He often plays the quintessential British hero, but the actor also makes a fine villain. He discusses his father’s death, his big break and leaving his stammer behind."
• Inside a $218 million private island in Palm Beach - Florida’s most expensive home for sale - "A private island in Palm Beach could become the most-expensive home ever sold in Florida, if it gets its asking price of $218 million. Developer Todd Michael Glaser and his partners bought 10 Tarpon Isle - the only private island in Palm Beach - for $85 million in 2021. They built a brand new house, turned the existing structure into a guest house, and added a giant pool, tennis courts and other amenities and have now relisted the property."

March 26, 2023

• Lebanon wakes up in two rival time zones - "People in Lebanon have woken up in two rival time zones, amid a row between political and religious authorities over when clocks should go forward. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that daylight saving would begin at the end of Ramadan next month, allowing Muslims to break their daily fast earlier. But Christian authorities said they would change the clocks on the last Sunday in March, as happens most years."
• 10 Most Expensive Cars Owned By Celebrities - "From the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail to the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, these are some of the most exclusive cars sitting in celebrity collections."
• 10 Famous Car Collections & Their Collectors - "Here are some well-known celebrities who have some serious cash to splash on the best out there, from classic cars to super rare limited editions."
• How Jay-Z Got A Unique Vintage Patek Philippe 2499 - "The Full Story Of How Jay-Z Came To Subtly Flex One Of Patek’s Rarest Vintage Pieces. The rapper and collector has recently been seen wearing a Patek Philippe 2499, one of the world's most coveted watches. Getting it in his hands was 43 years in the making."
• TV’s Succession doesn’t skewer the 1% - it hoodwinks us into accepting the status quo - "The likes of The White Lotus and The Menu allow us to indulge our fantasies of revolt."
• King Charles France visit could have had echoes of 1789, says ex-ambassador - "Grandeur of royal couple’s visit amid protests would have been ‘bad idea’, says Lord Ricketts."
• 10 reasons you should never share your wi-fi password with friends - "The thought of saying 'no' when someone innocuously asks to connect to your router may seem rude... but it could have consequences. Lending your Wi-Fi password to a friend or a neighbour is a relatively common occurrence, but there are a number of risks you must consider before doing so. Potential dangers stretch from the individual visiting illegal websites under your IP address to having malware spread to your devices."
• 8 ways indoor plants can improve your home - "From tiny terrariums to tiger-print statements, houseplants can enhance any interior. Dominic Lutyens asks 'plantfluencers' for their top tips and tricks."
• 9 cool new games from GDC 2023 - "The Game Developers Conference was a chance to check out some fascinating new indie games, ranging from a charming family story told through cooking to a strategy game about building a city on top of a giant beast."
• V&A Chanel exhibition to feature 200 looks across seven decades - "Blockbuster to include origin story of famous tweed suit and not gloss over controversial wartime past."
• Think Getting Into College Is Hard? Try Applying for These Gyms - "A new crop of luxury gyms requires referrals, interviews and even, in some cases, medical evaluations. And that’s before paying a monthly fee of up to $2,750."
• How ChatGPT will revolutionize the economy - "We need to decide what that looks like. New large language models will transform many jobs."
• Could a chatbot write my restaurant reviews? - "Artificial intelligence’s ChatGPT is becoming more sophisticated and polished than ever. In seconds, it will knock out essays, lyrics, poems, almost anything... But could it beat Jay Rayner at his own game?"
• Can Gwyneth Paltrow’s star & brand bounce back from recent misses? - "Plot twist of events has seen the actor face backlash for her wellness choices and a week in court for a Utah ski crash lawsuit."
• Venice hunts for ‘idiot’ who jumped off three-story building into canal - "Calling the man an 'idiot', Venice’s Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in a Twitter post that he would give the man a 'certificate of stupidity and a lot of kicks' for the act, which has gone viral on social media."
• This woman left her AirPods on a plane. She tracked them to an airport worker’s home - "We’ve had people tracking their bags when airlines can’t find them. Now here’s something new: a passenger tracking an item she left on a plane - to an airport employee’s home."
• The science of sailing: inside the race across the world’s most remote ocean - "After a long hiatus, the epic Ocean Race is back - but this year, as well as dodging icebergs, cracking masts and suffering the occasional ‘hull sandwich failure’, the teams are gathering crucial data from places even research vessels rarely reach."
• Gordon Moore, Intel co-founder who predicted rise of the PC, dies at 94 - "Engineer, whose microchip forecast became known as ‘Moore’s Law’, foresaw mobile phones and home computers decades before they existed."

March 25, 2023

• Google Bard AI access rolling out now - how to join the waitlist - "Here's how to score early access to Google's ChatGPT competitor."
• OpenAI connects ChatGPT to the internet - "OpenAI’s viral AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT, can now browse the internet - in certain cases. OpenAI today launched plugins for ChatGPT, which extend the bot’s functionality by granting it access to third-party knowledge sources and databases, including the web."
• The Best New Tech, Gadgets, Audio Accessories & More of 2023 (So Far) - "Including the Nothing Ear (2) wireless earbuds, Samsung's most affordable OLED TV and Nanoleaf's first smart bulb that supports Matter."
• Real Luxury Goods Don’t Have Brand Names - "Peace of mind and simplicity have become much more important than outward shows of success."
• Designers are loving the new kitchen trend for coffee niches - "These 7 show how they can improve your morning routine."
• The 13 Best Jeans Secretly Sold on Amazon - "The best jeans on Amazon come from top denim labels and hidden gem brands. We found 13 of the best jeans on Amazon to shop now."
• The 25 Best Blazers for Men in 2023 - "Every Man Needs a Blazer. Here Are 25 of the Best." Esquire.
• 5 ways you can use the iPhone Shortcuts app to improve your life - "These iOS shortcuts will make your phone even more powerful."
• How to permanently delete apps from your iphone - "Including the Record of Apps You Thought Were Removed."
• The Most Significant Loudspeakers of All-Time? - "A look back at the most significant loudspeakers of my audiophile journey. What moved the needle for you?"
• Rolex Teases New Orange & Green Dials Ahead of Watches and Wonders - "But which watches will get the new faces?"
• Cold, remote & short of women: A portrait of life on the Faroe Islands - "In her striking images of the Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago between Iceland and her native Norway, photographer Andrea Gjestvang depicts islanders and livelihoods that are as tough and unforgiving as the windswept landscape."
• The richest country in Europe is celebrating three years of free public transport - "If you've been living in the tiny EU state of Luxembourg you will already have had access to free public transport for the last three years."

March 24, 2023

• Prince Harry faces questions over how he got US visa after he admitted taking cannabis, cocaine & magic mushrooms - "In his autobiography Spare and several TV interviews, the Duke of Sussex revealed he had tried cocaine, smoked marijuana and experimented with magic mushrooms and ayahuasca."
• Inside North Korea's jails - "Torture, forced abortions and insects for food: Life inside North Korean jails, says this NGO."
• The biggest loser of the Credit Suisse rescue? Switzerland - "Too big for Switzerland? Credit Suisse rescue creates bank twice the size of the economy."
• RESEARCHERS FIND GPT-4 IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS ACCURATE THAN GPT-3 - "Experts asked GPT-4 100 leading prompts about conspiracy theories - and, shockingly, the chatbot didn't push back against any of them."
• OpenAI is massively expanding ChatGPT’s capabilities to let it browse the web & more - "ChatGPT now supports plug-ins that let the chatbot tap new sources of information, including the web and third-party sites like Expedia and Instacart."
• The hotel shaped like two gigantic swords - "In Qatar, a country where the subway has a business class compartment and Friday brunch is a competitive sport, opulence is a mere baseline. This new addition to the Doha skyline is called Katara Towers and is divided between two hotel brands, the Fairmont and the Raffles. Each occupies one half of the 300,000 square meter building, which is designed to resemble a pair of Qatari crossed scimitars."
• Inside the opulent home of abdicated British King & his wife - "French home of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson to become a museum. The run-down Villa Windsor in the Boulogne woods of western Paris will open as a museum next year to coincide with the Paris Olympics, following a multi-million euro renovation."
• The Best European Cities For Mixing Business & Leisure - "Using data from Airbnb, TripAdvisor and other sources, the company analyzed the ratings of coworking spaces, the range of luxury accommodation, the leisure activities offered, the average WiFi quality and the Safety Index Score for each city."
• Claude Lorius: Pioneering French climate change scientist dies aged 91 - "Claude Lorius, a leading glaciologist whose expeditions helped prove that humans were responsible for global warming, has died at the age of 91."
• How clean should your home be? - "Why spring-cleaning won't benefit your health. Many of us spring clean as the weather warms up. But is there such a thing as house that's too clean? Could a little bit of dirt be good for us?"
• Colon Cancer Is Rising Among Younger Adults. Here’s What to Know - "With cases projected to continue climbing through 2023, scientists are racing to understand why."
• Breitling Unveils Six New Premier B01 Chronographs - "Six New References For Breitling’s Premier Chronograph, And A New Book About Breitling’s Top Chrono."
• The Godfather Is A Classic Scotch Cocktail Worth Ordering - "The Godfather cocktail has just two ingredients: three parts Scotch whisky to one part amaretto liqueur, stirred in a rocks glass. That's it. No fancy techniques, no shaker, not even a mixer."

March 23, 2023

• No path to peace: Five key takeaways from Xi & Putin’s talks in Moscow - "Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have made a sweeping affirmation of their alignment across a host of issues - and shared mistrust of the United States - in a lengthy statement following talks between the two leaders in Moscow this week. Their meeting, which took place under the shadow of Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine, left no question about Beijing’s commitment to developing its rapport with Moscow, despite Putin’s growing isolation on the global stage as its devastating war continues into its second year."
• The Age of AI has begun | Bill Gates - "Artificial intelligence is as revolutionary as mobile phones and the Internet. It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care, and communicate with each other. Entire industries will reorient around it."
• Here’s how to get the best prompts for ChatGPT & image-generating AI - "Some basic steps can help ensure you get the best outputs from the powerful AI models."
• will AI change Hollywood forever? - "With the rise of AI-led services to write, voice and provide effects, industry experts express concern over the future."
• Google & Microsoft’s chatbots are already citing one another in a misinformation shitshow - "Microsoft’s Bing said Google’s Bard had been shut down after it misread a story citing a tweet sourced from a joke. It’s not a good sign for the future of online misinformation."
• The fight over TikTok explained in 60 seconds - "Is the platform a security risk or just another piece in the larger fight between the US and China? The BBC's James Clayton explains the fight over TikTok."
• Sofia Coppola's daughter becomes film family's latest star, with viral TikTok clip - "Her mother is an Oscar-winning film-maker. Her grandfather shot one of the greatest movies, The Godfather. Now, Romy Coppola Mars has joined the family dynasty - with a TikTok that has inadvertently made her a viral star."
• Jeremy Strong & Hollywood's most extreme actors - "As hit HBO drama Succession returns, star Jeremy Strong's 'method acting' has been making headlines again. It's just the latest example of the performance style creating controversy, writes Hanna Flint."
• How climate change is reshaping the Alps - "As the frozen 'glue' that helps hold the rock faces of the Alps together begins to thaw, mountaineers face a growing risk of sudden rockfall."
• DNA From Beethoven’s Hair Unlocks Medical & Family Secrets - "By analyzing seven samples of hair said to have come from Ludwig van Beethoven, researchers debunked myths about the revered composer while raising new questions about his life and death."
• The big mistake everyone makes with these classic foods - "These iconic foods aren’t as old as you think."
• Hallelujah! Hyundai vows to resist modern trend for all-digital cabins & keep using buttons & dials - "When you’re driving you need to keep your eyes on the road, not scrolling through multiple memory pages. The police, quite rightly, have spent years cracking down on mobile phone use in cars because they’re distracting and can cause accidents. The car industry’s solution has largely been to simply create an in-built smartphone or tablet - thus circumnavigating the letter of the law but re-creating the problem and making driving unnecessarily dangerous."
• America's most-visited museum may house over 1,000 items linked to alleged trafficking - "Over 1,000 objects in the Met's collection linked to alleged traffickers and looters, investigation finds."
• the lost textiles of Andy Warhol - "‘They could have ended up cut to bits and used for cushions.’ Created anonymously by the famed pop artist, these garment prints might have never come to light - were it not for a pair of sleuthing art collectors ..."
• Vibe check: what does the most overused word of our era actually mean? - ‘Vibes’ are everywhere, from pop culture to politics. Is it a symbol of human connection - or has it become meaningless?
• Nothing Ear 2 review: it’s what’s on the inside that counts - "The second-generation earbuds might look almost identical to the Ear 1s but with a $50 higher asking price. Lucky for Nothing, their sound quality is in a different league."

March 22, 2023

• AI-generated images of Trump being arrested circulate on social media - Twitter.
• How You Can Tell the AI Images of Trump’s Arrest Are Deepfakes - "Doctored images of the former US president went viral on Twitter. These are the telltale signs that they aren’t what they seem." Wired.
• Google begins rolling out its ChatGPT rival - "Users can join a waitlist to gain access to Bard, which promises to help users outline and write essay drafts, plan a friend’s baby shower, and get lunch ideas based on what’s in the fridge."
• Google opens early access to its ChatGPT rival Bard - here are our first impressions - "Users in the US and UK can join a waitlist for access, but Google is rolling out Bard with caution and stressing that the AI chatbot is not a replacement for search."
• Google’s Bard chatbot doesn’t love me - but it’s still pretty weird - "After a few hours of chatting, I haven’t found a new side of Bard. I also haven’t found much it does well."
• Hands-on with the new Bing: Microsoft’s step beyond ChatGPT - "The new AI-powered version of Bing can produce hilarious resignation letters, information on current news events, and mistakes."
• Access to GPT-4: A Guide on How to Get Started - "The most recent achievement in OpenAI's efforts to scale up deep learning is referred to as GPT-4 by the company."
• Gwyneth Paltrow gets roasted for her 'serial killer' look on social media amid her ski trial - "Gwyneth Paltrow was mocked on social media on Tuesday for wearing aviator-style reading glasses at her Utah ski trial that drew comparisons to killer Jeffrey Dahmer."
• Trump wants to be handcuffed for court appearance in Stormy Daniels case, sources say - "People close to former president said to be unsure whether he is serious about wanting to do a perp walk."
• Deer Valley Ski Resort - "A Luxurious Resort For Skiers."
• Eight things the world must do to avoid the worst of climate change - "Latest IPCC report highlights key measures countries must take to avoid climate catastrophe."
• Number of city dwellers lacking safe water to double by 2050 - "UN report predicts water demand will increase by 80% as crisis threatens to get out of control."
• Climate change: Can we really take CO2 back out the air? - "Tackling climate change could require sucking carbon back out of the atmosphere, according to the IPCC. Jocelyn Timperley looks at how these 'negative emissions' might work."
• 'Sneaky' hack to connect your wireless headphones to your airplane TV - "It's still in 'beta' mode, but you can now sneakily connect your wireless headphones to some airlines' inflight entertainment systems."
• REMOVE THESE 10 APPS THAT DRAIN THE BATTERY OF YOUR SMARTPHONE - "The battery is the one aspect of smartphones that users tend to worry about the most. Although this is very challenging given that these apps drain the battery, we start thinking about different ways to reduce energy consumption and increase its battery life as soon as the device is turned on."
• Ai Weiwei recreates Monet's water lilies using 650,000 Lego pieces - "When the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei opens his new show in April, visitors will encounter a familiar scene at London's Design Museum: Claude Monet's famed water lilies. But rather than being composed of the French painter's Impressionist brushstrokes, the monumental recreation is made from the studs of Lego bricks - a whopping 650,000 of them in 22 different colors."
• Monet's dreamy haze was actually pollution, study finds - "Scientists confirm long held theory about what inspired Monet."
• Succession season 4: A 'jaw-dropping' finale - "The dysfunctional Roy family once again battle for control in the final instalment of Jesse Armstrong's 'genius' HBO TV series, which has become a cultural touchstone, writes Caryn James."
• 10 Best Netflix Miniseries, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes - "If you don't have time to binge 12 seasons of a show, check out these 'Fresh' miniseries!"
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (March 2023) - "Our handy, extensive guide is updated weekly with all-new picks."
• The Problem With Your Dying AirPods & Other Bluetooth Earbuds - "When earbuds’ tiny lithium-ion batteries die, they can’t be replaced."
• The best mechanical keyboards of 2023 - "Whether wired, wireless, or low profile, here are our picks for the best readily available boards."
• Logitech MX Master 3 review - "Logitech’s MX Master 3 is a comfortable and multi-purpose productivity mouse."

March 21, 2023

• Meta rolls out paid verification option for Facebook & Instagram users in US - "Facebook and Instagram users in the United States will soon be able to pay to get a coveted blue check on their account."
• Hidden iPhone Features That Are Complete Game Changers - "If you own an iPhone, you know it is a powerful device that can do much more than just make calls and send messages. But did you know about the many hidden features and settings that can improve your iPhone experience? Whether you're a new iPhone user or have been using the device for years, there are likely many features you haven't discovered yet. Back-tap to open the camera · Monochrome mode for focus · Disable Face ID · Add a second ..."
• There's a New, Hidden Way to Share Photos in Safari on Your iPhone - "This low-key iOS clipping feature allows you to share only what's important from photos on the web."
• How to Change Your Default Search Engine in Chrome, Edge, Firefox & Safari - "On the left-side navigation, click on Search with the magnifying glass icon and open the search options. Scroll down to the Default Search Engine section and click the drop-down menu where it instructs the user to Choose the default search engine to use in the address bar and search bar."
• Lewis Hamilton says Red Bull’s current car ‘is the fastest’ he’s ever seen in F1 - "It was another sobering Formula One weekend for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton cut a frustrated figure after his team’s deficiencies were laid bare once again in Saudi Arabia. Red Bull completed its second one-two of the season, with Sergio Pérez this time winning from pole position and Max Verstappen flying through the field from 15th place after technical troubles in qualifying to finish second."
• The numbers that are too big to imagine - "When you move beyond trillions, there are some extremely mind-bending numbers, says Richard Fisher. Some of them are too large to fit in the mind - or even within the known Universe."
• The 'scandalous' chef the world forgot - "Eugénie Brazier: The legendary 'mother of French cuisine'. Uneducated, a single mother and the first person ever to receive six Michelin stars, Eugénie Brazier was a tour de force. So why doesn't the world know about her?"
• On the trail of the other Saint Francis in Italy’s deep south - "A new series of long-distance hikes in Calabria take in captivating scenery and the legacy and legends of eco-conscious Francis of Paola, the first recorded vegan."
• Top 5 Superyachts To See At 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show - "I’m just going to say it. The quality and quantity of superyachts that will be on display at the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show from March 23-26 is simply spectacular. Of course, the docks off Flagler Street will be filled with yachts of all shapes and sizes from all of the world’s most popular shipbuilders. And numerous yacht-related business from charter brokers to engine manufacturers will be there too."
• The poison umbrella: film sheds new light on infamous cold war killing - "Documentary questions why prime suspect was never arrested over 1978 murder in London."
• How to organize your desk at home - "It's time to clean up your work-from-home setup."
• Kamado Joe's new ceramic grill has built-in smart features and one-button ignition - "The Konnected Joe is a true ceramic grill with two big upgrades."
• ‘He was certainly a racist’: J Edgar Hoover & a history of white nationalism - "A new book looks back at the long-serving FBI director’s devotion to keeping America a white Christian republic and the devastating effect he had."

March 20, 2023

• UN releases 'survival guide' to avert climate disaster - "Clean energy and technology can be exploited to avoid the growing climate disaster, the report says."
• IPCC climate crisis report delivers ‘final warning on 1.5C’ - "Comprehensive review of human knowledge on subject says: act now, or it will be too late."
• World Happiness Report 2023 - "It has been over ten years since the first World Happiness Report was published. And it is exactly ten years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/281, proclaiming 20 March to be observed annually as International Day of Happiness. Since then, more and more people have come to believe that our success as countries should be judged by the happiness of our people. There is also a growing consensus about how happiness should be measured. This consensus means that national happiness can now become an operational objective for governments."
• The world’s happiest countries for 2023 - For the sixth year in a row, Finland is the world’s happiest country, according to World Happiness Report rankings based largely on life evaluations from the Gallup World Poll.
• Covid has not affected people’s happiness around world, study reveals - "World Happiness Report finds higher levels of benevolence in all global regions than before the pandemic."
• I’m a psychology expert in Finland, the No. 1 happiest country in the world - here are 3 things we never do - "As a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher who studies the fundamentals of happiness, I’m often asked: What exactly makes people in Finland so exceptionally satisfied with their lives? 1. We don’t compare ourselves to our neighbors. 2. We don’t overlook the benefits of nature. 3. We don’t break the community circle of trust."
• Trump in panic mode as he braces for likely charges in Stormy Daniels case - "Manhattan district attorney expected to file criminal charges against ex-president for payment to adult film star in 2016."
• UBS agrees to takeover of stricken Credit Suisse for $3.25bn - "Swiss government forces through takeover at well below market value amid fears of global banking crisis."
• The Brilliant Inventor Who Made Two of History’s Biggest Mistakes - "A century ago, Thomas Midgley Jr. was responsible for two phenomenally destructive innovations. What can we learn from them today? Each of these innovations offered a brilliant solution to an urgent technological problem of the era: making automobiles more efficient, producing a safer refrigerant. But each turned out to have deadly secondary effects on a global scale. Indeed, there may be no other single person in history who did as much damage to human health and the planet, all with the best of intentions as an inventor."
• China’s best new outdoor attractions - "When it comes to tourist attractions, a lot has happened in China over the last few years."
• Not just casinos: Macao reimagines tourism post-pandemic - "Macao, an hour’s ferry ride from Hong Kong, is the only place in China where gambling is legal. Macao only has about 600,000 residents - compared to seven million in Hong Kong - but brings in six times as much revenue as Las Vegas in a typical year. Before the pandemic, 80% of Macao’s government revenue came from the gaming industry. Big players like Wynn, Venetian and MGM all have a significant presence in the city. Covid threw that all into a tailspin. Nearly three years of intermittent lockdowns and blocked travel from the mainland and Hong Kong had a devastating effect on the city’s primary source of income."
• Trouble in paradise as Bali loses patience with Russians, Ukrainians fleeing war - "Some 58,000 Russians visited this Southeast Asian idyll in 2022 following its post-Covid reopening, and a further 22,500 arrived in January 2023 alone, according to the Indonesian government, making them the second biggest group of visitors after Australians. Adding to their number are the more than 7,000 Ukrainians who arrived in 2022, and some 2,500 in the first month of this year."
• Monaco resident & estranged wife of Putin’s ex son-in-law wanted in Moscow - "The 45 year-old model has a huge seaside villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and a bank account in Monaco from which she draws her living expenses. The account is funded regularly from Gazprombank, according to Nice Matin." Monaco Daily News.
• The ultimate solo adventure? - "A one-of-a-kind route to Antarctica. Spanish adventure athlete Antonio de la Rosa attempted to row alone through the roughest seas on the planet to Antarctica. Very little went according to plan."
• Paris: The Memoir review - "How a celebrity nymph conquered the Earth. With its dizzying spirituality and devotion to ‘sacred’ skincare, Paris Hilton’s memoir exposes a culture in which the self only exists if validated by a selfie."
• How do you build a moon base? - "The epic quest to build a permanent Moon base. The handful of astronauts who have set foot on the Moon spent as little as a day on the surface. How do you build a settlement that will last for years?"
• a night in one of Tokyo’s micro-apartments - "'You could cook while on the toilet.' The tiny homes, which measure just nine square metres - or three tatami mats - are the architectural answer to rising rents."

March 19, 2023

• Lion king no more: Africa’s most handsome lion slain by younger rivals - "Bob Jr., who was hailed as Africa’s most photogenic lion, has been killed by his rivals. He was 10 to 13 years old. The striking lion with amber eyes and a golden-black mane - who was named after his father, dubbed Bob Marley by tour guides after the famed Jamaican reggae singer because of his lustrous, distinctive hair - once ruled over his pride in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Local media and wildlife tour groups said the 'Serengeti King' was killed over the weekend by a pack of younger, fitter lions - and some of them may have been related to him."
• Bank runs, bailouts, rescues: are the ghosts of 2008 rising again? - "The travails of Credit Suisse and others have stirred up bad memories for a public still scarred by the financial crisis."
• AI & You: How ChatGPT Can Take Your Career To The Next Level - "Generative AI is causing a big buzz at the moment. The ability of tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E 2 to create text and images from simple prompts to a standard that can often pass for human means everyone is wondering what this technology means for the future of work. Rather than making humans redundant, professionals are learning to use it to supercharge their work, automating mundane everyday tasks to carry out their jobs more quickly and efficiently."
• AI makes plagiarism harder to detect, argue academics - in paper written by chatbot - "Lecturers say programs capable of writing competent student coursework threaten academic integrity."
• Apple Watch data reveals we aren't sleeping enough - "A survey showed only 31 percent of participants reached the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night."
• Chew slowly, keep moving & eat 30 plants a week: 12 rules for gut health - "What to eat, when, how to do it properly - and what to avoid. Experts lay out the food habits that will make a real difference to your health."
• 10 Supercars That Failed To Live Up To The Hype - "These supercars were launched to tons of fanfare... only to disappoint when buyers eventually splurged on them and drove them."
• Why do dogs tilt their heads? - "Dogs commonly tilt their heads, but is it a sign of intelligence, or does it mean something else entirely?"
• ‘The fungal awakening’: how we came to love & fear fungi - "After centuries of distrust and disdain, mushrooms are having their moment. From sci-fi smash hits to drug trials, an emerging league of mycophiles are bringing fungi out of the shadows."

March 18, 2023

• Will Vladimir Putin ever face a war crimes trial? - "Although the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued a warrant for President Vladimir Putin's arrest, it is no more than the first step in a very long process."
• Trump claims he ‘will be arrested’ on Tuesday in New York criminal case - "Ex-president makes remark on Truth Social without any official confirmation of the likelihood or timing of charges being brought."
• Donald Trump arrest timeline - "How president's alleged 2006 fling with porn star Stormy Daniels sparked probe over claims he paid her $130,000 'hush money' weeks before 2016 election."
• How To Get Rich: 8 Tips For Building Wealth - "There’s no magic formula for building wealth and getting rich. It’s simple, really: Spend less than you earn, and save as much money as you possibly can. If your goal is to get rich, check out the following eight tips on how you can sidestep the obstacles and maintain your focus. They should help you understand what it takes to build wealth and find your way to financial security. 1. Establish Financial Goals - 2. Destroy Your Debt - 3. Create a Cushion - 4. Start Investing Now - 5. Diversify Your Portfolio - 6. Boost Your Income - 7. Learn about FIRE - 8. Avoid the Schemes." Forbes.
• Gwyneth Paltrow is selling pseudo-scientific wellness & starvation diets - "MEGHAN MCCAIN: Take one look at washed-out phony health guru Gwynnie and ask: Is it any wonder America is sick of her pseudo-scientific wellness and starvation diets."
• Scientists parse another clue to possible origins of Covid-19 as WHO says all possibilities ‘remain on the table’ - "A new analysis of genetic material collected from January to March 2020 at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, has uncovered animal DNA in samples already known to be positive for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. A significant amount of that DNA appears to belong to animals known as raccoon dogs, which were known to be traded at the market, according to officials with the World Health Organization, who addressed the new evidence in a news briefing on Friday."
• Three facts about... recycling - "How recycling can help the climate and other facts. The precious metals in your pocket, how composting can help the climate and whether you should wash your recycling or not."
• How to declutter your iOS devices - "A few built-in tools make the process a lot easier."
• a global population shortage is coming, will cause economic chaos - "Earth Is Kinda Running Out of People. An economist believes the diminishing birth rate will have a detrimental impact on labor supply. The reason for our impending global population shortage is attributed to falling birth rates because of increased living standards."
• Golf clubs & a $24K dagger: Trump failed to report dozens of foreign gifts - "Several items given to the former president, including a life-size painting of him given by El Salvador, are still unaccounted for."
• Trump on ‘Letters to Trump’ Book: People ‘Going to See a Very Fascinating Life’ - "Former President Donald Trump told Breitbart News exclusively that his forthcoming book will show readers that he has had a 'very fascinating life' and that many of the powerful people who attack him now used to adore him before he ran for president."
• Paris Hilton on teenage trauma, sex tapes & having a baby by surrogate - "‘They stole my childhood.’ From the outside she was a flighty socialite living the easy life. But the It girl was a troubled teen who was sent away to ‘behaviour modification’ schools. She still struggles with the scars today."
• Sofia Coppola: ‘My most embarrassing moment? Being on the cover of a magazine that said, “Did she ruin The Godfather?”’ - "The film-maker on wanting to be an editor, why she can’t tell lies and being in the jungle during filming of Apocalypse Now."
• INVISIBLE TURNTABLE MAKES PLAYING YOUR VINYL LOOK ALMOST MAGICAL - "Black Wheel, the latest iteration of the Wheel design by Miniot hides all the electronics and mechanical parts under the record. They sit inside a thin circular body that completely disappears once you put the record on. This illusion is more effective if you stand the Wheel upright, but it still has this particular minimalist charm even if you lay it flat horizontally."
• 10 Cars That Will Last 500,000 Miles - "These 10 cars have proven themselves world champions when it comes to sheer durability."
• 10 SUVs That Will Last 500,000 Miles - "Set on reaching the fabled 500,000-mile mark? These SUVs are your best bet."
• These compound exercises work multiple muscle groups at once - here’s 10 moves to try now - "Here’s why you should include compound exercises in your exercise program."
• Anthony Bourdain Said These Are The Best Days Of The Week To Eat Out - "For the most ideal restaurant experience, Anthony Bourdain recommended dining out on Tuesdays, noting in The New Yorker that, 'the good stuff comes in on Tuesday: the seafood is fresh, the supply of prepared food is new, and the chef, presumably, is relaxed after his day off. (Most chefs don't work on Monday.)' Because weekdays are slower for restaurants, there are more incentives to entice diners to come in, like menu specials or happy hours, which ultimately make it a cost-effective day to dine out, too."
• Lance Reddick, star of ‘The Wire’ & ‘John Wick,’ dead at 60 - " "Lance Reddick, an actor known for his performance as Cedric Daniels on 'The Wire' and for his work in the 'John Wick' franchise, has died, according to his representative, Mia Hansen. Hansen said Reddick passed away suddenly on Friday morning 'from natural causes.'"
• A First Look At The 2024 Ferrari Roma Spider - "Ferrari brands Roma as its Nuova Dolce Vita model, and in my experience driving a Roma coupé for the better part of a week a few years ago, the chassis and powertrain have none of the bitter edge of that famous Italian movie. Roma is one of the sweetest GTs offered in the United States: tidy proportions that fit readily into urban traffic, a chassis that can be sporting or comfortable and luxurious, and an engine that doles out easy power and torque to make any driver look good. Ferrari has now snipped off the coupé roof to create the Roma Spider, making life with Roma all that much sweeter."

March 17, 2023

• World's Greatest Places 2023 - "50 extraordinary destinations to explore." TIME.
• 36 hours in Taipei, Taiwan - The New York Times.
• A Rare Patek Philippe Owned by the Last Emperor of China Could Fetch Millions at Auction - "The coveted 1930s timepiece is one of only eight in existence."
• Marlene Dietrich’s Legendary Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby & Diamond Bracelet Heading to Auction (Exclusive) - "Worn by the actress to the Academy Awards and in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Stage Fright,' Dietrich's Jarretiere bracelet is part of the upcoming Christie's sale, 'The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower.'"
• How AI can save you time: 5 skills you no longer need to learn - "Skills you can skip learning thanks to AI: 1. Writing; 2. Art Design; 3. Data entry; 4. Data analysis; 5. Video editing."
• Microsoft announces Copilot: the AI-powered future of Office documents - "Copilot is a modern AI assistant that will help Microsoft 365 users create Office documents."
• Credit Suisse still has a fight on its hands despite $54 billion lifeline - "The venerable but troubled bank, founded in 1856, is one of the biggest financial institutions in the world and categorized as a 'global systemically important bank,' along with just 30 others, including JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and the Bank of China. Customers withdrew 123 billion Swiss francs ($133 billion) from Credit Suisse in 2022 - mostly in the fourth quarter - and the bank reported in February an annual net loss of nearly 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($7.9 billion), its biggest since the global financial crisis in 2008."
• Global fresh water demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030, say experts - "Landmark report urges overhaul of wasteful water practices around world on eve of crucial UN summit."
• The Poignant Music of Melting Ice: Have a Listen - "Scientists and musicians are recording the sounds of unfreezing water to document and predict the effects of climate change. Can their work help slow it, too?"
• The most popular houses from the movies, based on internet search interest - "The Oscar for Best House Goes to ..."
• T. rex TRX–293 TRINITY dinosaur - "For the first time in Europe and only the third time worldwide, a skeleton of an entire T. rex dinosaur of exceptional quality will be offered at auction."
• Saddam Hussein’s former yacht is now an unlikely attraction - "Capsized in a river in southern Iraq, the rusting wreck of a yacht that belonged to Saddam Hussein serves as a stark reminder of his iron-fisted rule that ended with the US-led invasion two decades ago. The 121-meter (396 ft) 'al-Mansur,' a symbol of Saddam’s wealth and power when it was built in the 1980s, is today a destination for sightseers and fisherman who clamber aboard the wreck to picnic and drink tea."
• How to clean & organize your Mac - "Taking care of your computer doesn’t need to be complicated."
• IKEA just launched a $15 waterproof Bluetooth speaker - "The latest in the Vappeby line has 80 hours of battery life and IP67 water resistance."
• The Most Wanted Tequilas in the World - "It's a booming market, but are consumers becoming more choosy about which bottles they want?"
• These 12 Fall Trends Speak to Fashion's New Order - Vogue.

March 16, 2023

• Chat GPT4: Is the world prepared for the coming AI storm? - "Artificial intelligence has the awesome power to change the way we live our lives, in both good and dangerous ways. Experts have little confidence that those in power are prepared for what's coming."
• The stupidity of AI - "Artificial intelligence in its current form is based on the wholesale appropriation of existing culture, and the notion that it is actually intelligent could be actively dangerous."
• Asian airport named best in the world - "The world’s best airports for 2023, according to Skytrax."
• Lie-flat economy cabin concept could revolutionize air travel - "Innovative aviation ideas shortlisted for 2023’s Crystal Cabin Awards."
• Why sleeper trains are being revived across Europe - "The carbon footprint is just a fraction of a flight. Flying from Stockholm to Hamburg results in around 250kg of carbon dioxide emissions per passenger, according to calculation website EcoPassenger. By contrast, the C02 released by travelling via electric-powered train is just 26kg."
• Pilot makes first-ever plane landing on Burj Al Arab helipad - "Polish pilot Lukasz Czepiela made aviation history on Tuesday, becoming the first person to land a plane on the helipad of the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel in Dubai. Czepiela was able to bring his specially adapted light aircraft to a stop in just 21 meters (68 feet), landing on a platform only 27 meters (89 feet) wide, 212 meters (696 feet) above the ground on top of the 56-story building."
• Italian princess, conspiracy theorists & Steven Seagal: meet Russia’s friends overseas - "‘I am 100% Russophile’ declares US actor at meeting of International Movement of Russophiles in Moscow."
• My Life With Tom Cruise - "How the ageless actor has held my - and our - unbroken attention for a lifetime."
• From Ke Huy Quan’s Omega to Paul Mescal’s Cartier, the best watches we saw at the Oscars - "The guys who won the top two prizes at the Oscars had something in common: Their watches."
• Cocaine production reaches record levels as new trafficking hubs emerge - "Global cocaine production has reached record levels as demand rebounds following Covid lockdowns, a new report has found."
• Mapped: Minimum Wage Around the World - "This infographic shows the net minimum wage across 67 countries, as of January 2023. A breakdown by U.S. state is also included."
• How the seasons change our sleep - "The clocks are changing and the days are getting longer - new research suggests we might want to consider what this means for our bedtimes."
• KOLLER - "TRX–293 TRINITY: For the first time in Europe and only the third time worldwide, a skeleton of an entire T. rex dinosaur of exceptional quality will be offered at auction."
• Brother of man executed by Saudi Arabia says F1 legitimises ‘heinous crimes’ - "Yasser al-Khayyat’s brother one of 81 men executed on single day. ‘If you truly want to be an agent for change, end F1’s silence.’"
• Best printer 2023: just buy this Brother laser printer everyone has, it’s fine - "The Brother whatever-it-is will print return labels for online shopping, never run out of toner, and generally be a printer instead of the physical instantiation of a business model."
• Test-Driving The 2023 Hummer EV - "The 2023 Hummer EV is a charmingly odd duck. It has all the distinctive accents you expect in a Hummer, but with the utility and fun of a pick-up truck to-boot. It’s also completely electric; gone are the days of associating the Hummer brand with gas-guzzling, environmentally calloused cars."
• Jaquet Droz Releases $250,000 Rolling Stones Automaton Watches - "It was a story that was announced late last year that was somehow missed by the watch-loving, music-loving world. Most likely because it was just days before the Christmas holidays. Maybe, too, because the release by Jaquet Droz, the Swiss watch brand whose motto is 'Some watches tell time. Some tell a story.' was just a one-of-a-kind intro. However, that one-off is related to the most legendary rock band in history: Rolling Stones."

March 15, 2023

• Is my money safe? What you need to know about bank failures - "The recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which catered mostly to the tech industry, may have you worried about your money. They were the second- and third-biggest bank failures in U.S. history."
• MQ-9 Reaper: what is the US drone that collided with a Russian jet & how is it used? - "The US air force operates a number of unmanned aircraft or UAVs, with the MQ-9 Reaper the most common."
• GPT-4 - "GPT-4 is OpenAI’s most advanced system, producing safer and more useful responses. GPT-4 can solve difficult problems with greater accuracy, thanks to its broader general knowledge and problem solving abilities."
• Noma Kyoto - "Noma Kyoto at Ace Hotel Kyoto will run from March 15th to May 20th 2023."
• Caffeine may reduce body fat & risk of type 2 diabetes, study suggests - "Findings could lead to use of calorie-free caffeinated drinks to cut obesity and type 2 diabetes - but more research needed."
• How to record phone calls on an iPhone - "Recording iPhone phone calls can be easy with one of these methods - just check it's legal where you are first."
• 9 hidden iOS Messages features you should definitely be using - "Here are 9 hidden iOS Messages features everyone needs to know."
• How to use Google Magic Eraser on iPhone - "The Google Pixel 7 looks and feels fantastic. However, as an iPhone user, I’ve watched television adverts showcasing Pixel’s Magic Eraser photo editing software with jealous eyes. Now, I no longer need to be envious - Google’s Magic Eraser is available on iPhone."
• OpenAI says new model GPT-4 is more creative & less likely to invent facts - "Latest version can take images as inputs and improves upon many of the criticisms users had, but will still ‘hallucinate’ facts."
• These are Microsoft’s Bing AI secret rules & why it says it’s named Sydney - "Bing AI often refers to itself as Sydney, but Microsoft says that was an internal codename for a chat experience it was previously working on."
• Swatch at 40: The £50 Watch That Revolutionised the Industry - "We dive into the story behind the affordable Swiss marque's formidable rise."
• The 7 Most Successful Business Models Of The Digital Era - "The first two decades of this century are characterized by digital entrepreneurs upending traditional business models in search of new ways of creating revenue and serving customers."
• FBI interrogator says Saddam Hussein knew two things about him within seconds - "‘At my first meeting with Saddam Hussein, within 30 seconds, he knew two things about me,’ says FBI interrogator."
• This collector from Hong Kong has more than 1,000 pairs of vintage Adidas sneakers. Here’s how his journey started - "A childhood nostalgia for Adidas sneakers inspired sneakerhead Eddie Chang to amass one of the city’s most impressive collections of vintage kicks."
• Drunk shoppers spent an estimated $14 billion last year. Here’s what they bought - "A new survey found inebriated shoppers are buying clothes and shoes - and pets."
• Colombia floats new strategy for Escobar’s hippos: ship them abroad - "Since the drug lord’s imported hippos escaped after his death in 1993, the government has repeatedly failed to tame the booming population."
• Test-Driving The 2023 Lamborghini HuracÁn STO: If Mad Max Cars Were Italian - "The Lamborghini Huracán STO brings the hammer of racing gods to any earthly circuit willing to endure its wrath. This is no average track-oriented car. Think about the Super Trofeo Omologato (STO) like a professional athlete competing in amateur events. It won’t be as fast as the pros (Huracán GT3 EVO2) but will smash any hardened amateurs - read: road legal cars - without breaking a sweat."

March 14, 2023

• Oscars Reject Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Bid to Appear on Telecast - "For the past year, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been greeted with open arms by awards shows, film festivals and even the New York Stock Exchange. But when it comes to landing airtime on the most coveted telecast of all - the Oscars - the Ukrainian leader is being met with a cold shoulder."
• China is fully reopening to tourists after three years of border restrictions - "In a Chinese-language statement posted on its website Monday, China’s Embassy in the United States said the country would resume issuing all categories of visas for foreigners from Wednesday."
• A step-by-step guide to building a chatbot based on your own documents with GPT - "Chatting with ChatGPT is fun and informative - I’ve been chit-chatting with it for past time and exploring some new ideas to learn. But these are more casual use cases and the novelty can quickly wean off, especially when you realize that it can generate hallucinations."
• How to save iPhone battery by automatically turning off Wi-Fi in iOS 16 - "You can have your iPhone turn off Wi-Fi by itself, or change just about any setting, whenever you leave home or come back. Here's how to do it."
• John Wick: Chapter 4: 'Soars above most action films' - "Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick, the tortured antihero who's spawned a hugely successful franchise. Its quality hasn't dipped in this fourth installment, writes Caryn James."
• Mediterranean diet may lower dementia risk by a quarter, study suggests - "Data from more than 60,000 Britons suggests plant-rich diet may help regardless of person’s genetic risk."
• These are some of the most beautiful bird photos you'll ever see - "Why a wildlife photographer took 40,000 photos to capture these extraordinary birds."
• Samsung caught faking zoom photos of the Moon - "A viral Reddit post has revealed just how much processing the company’s cameras apply to photos of the Moon, further blurring the line between real and fake imagery in the age of AI."
• The mystery of Alice in Wonderland syndrome - "A surprising number of people experience symptoms of this curious condition, which is named after Lewis Carroll's heroine, who changed size after eating and drinking."
• The slowest train journey in India - "Nobody uses the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to get from A to B, but for the sheer joy of riding in a train that passes through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges and 208 serpentine curves."
• Unspoilt & snowclad: the perfect Easter skiing spot in the French Alps - "The Haute Maurienne valley has slopes for everyone from children to off-piste adventurers yet is still quieter and wilder than its neighbouring ski areas."
• Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in toilet paper around the world - "Research finds waste flushed down toilets and sent to sewage plants probably responsible for significant source of water pollution."
• Louis Vuitton Goes Full Automata With Three High Watchmaking Marvels That Move, Grin & Glow - "Louis Vuitton's watchmaking division, La Fabrique du Temps, has never shied away from drama, and this spring's trio of theatrical releases are pure stagecraft. They include an enameled mask that comes to life on the dial, a tourbillon with a neon sapphire case and a dial with moving flowers and a beating heart."
• SpaceX is getting ready to test its Starlink satellite-to-cell phone service - "Elon Musk previously announced the feature would come to T-Mobile phones in 2023."

March 13, 2023

• Oscars 2023 Winners - "Full List of the 95th Academy Awards Winners!"
• ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ shines at an emotional Oscar ceremony - CNN Entertainment.
• Best red carpet fashion at the 2023 Oscars - "From Lady Gaga to Michelle Yeoh, see the best-dressed celebrities at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles."
• Hugh Grant, Malala & a donkey: the best memes & moments from the 2023 Oscars - "There was cringe. There was chaos. There was Cocaine Bear. Here are the most viral bits from this year’s ceremony."
• Hugh Grant gets Oscars off to awkward start on red carpet - before comparing himself to a scrotum on stage - "Actor gives Ashley Graham little to work with before the show, but his self-effacing humour gets big laughs during the ceremony."
• They saved cinema - so why weren’t Tom Cruise & James Cameron at the Oscars? - "Jimmy Kimmel joked: ‘The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn’t come the theater.’ So where were Cruise and Cameron?"
• 7 best Oscars moments from the 95th Academy Awards - "The 2023 Academy Awards were full of emotional acceptance speeches, surprising turns and out-of-this-world movies. Here are some of the best moments from the year's biggest night in Hollywood."
• Jamie Lee Curtis speaks Hungarian & other backstage Oscar gems - "Backstage at the Oscars feels a bit like being at a celebrity auction mixed with a crowded bingo hall."
• Prince Andrew is 'bewildered' & 'in despair' - "The King has not shared the £million inheritance from the Queen with his siblings after being the sole beneficiary of his mother's fortune."
• 10 Tools for Productivity Created Using ChatGPT - "Here are the 10 tools developed through ChatGPT its natural language processing technology to enhance efficiency in various tasks."
• How to replace Siri with ChatGPT on iPhone - "Use ChatGPT on iPhone by saying 'Hey Siri, ChatGPT'." It's easy to fix by simply changing the name of the shortcut in the Shortcuts app: 1. Open Shortcuts; 2. Press and hold on the ChatGPT 1.2 shortcut; 3. Click Rename; 4. Pick a new name. I chose Siri Pro but you can choose anything; 5. 'Hey Siri, Siri Pro' now activates ChatGPT on my iPhone."
• 20 Principles You Should Live By To Get Everything You Want In Life (Master This) - The 80/20 principle is a well-known concept in business and economics. It suggests that 80% of the outcomes come from 20% of the efforts. However, this principle applies not only to business but also to life in general. In this context, the 80/20 principle suggests that 80% of the things that matter in your life are caused by 20% of your actions. The key to success is to identify this 20% of actions and focus on them. Doing so will maximize your productivity and help you achieve your goals faster. Now, let’s dive into the 80/20 principles you should follow to get everything you want.
• Masatoshi Ito, billionaire who made 7-Eleven a global giant, dies at 98 - "There are more than 83,000 7-Eleven stores around the world, with a quarter of them located in Japan."
• Gulnara Karimova: How Uzbek president’s daughter built a $240m property empire - "A dictator's daughter who moonlighted as a pop star and diplomat spent $240m on properties from London to Hong Kong, a report has found."
• Silicon Valley Bank: why did it collapse & is this the start of a banking crisis? - "Until last Friday Silicon Valley Bank was the 16th largest bank in the US, worth more than $200bn."
• Know your onions! The definitive & surprising guide to organising your fridge - "The UK food authority has changed its advice on refrigerating potatoes - and that isn’t the only food whose storage you might want to reconsider."

March 12, 2023

• Oscar nominations 2023: See the full list - CNN Entertainment.
• How to Watch the 2023 Oscars Online Without Cable - "Hollywood's biggest night takes place Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles - here's how to stream it live without cable. After returning with a trio of emcees last year, the 95th Oscars will be once again hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The 2023 Academy Awards will air live on ABC Sunday, March 12, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET."
• iOS 16 Has a Hidden Photo Tool That's Like Photoshop for Your iPhone - "Simply tap and hold to remove people, pets or other items from your iPhone photos."
• New Apple Exclusive Reveals iPhone 15 Design Shock - "Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro models will be faster, curvier and more expensive. The price increase is likely to push more buyers to the standard iPhone 15 models, but they are in for a shock."
• OpenAI GPT-4 Arriving Mid-March - "OpenAI GPT-4 is about to be released. It's multimodal, which means if Google isn't worried then it should start right now."
• City with world’s most expensive housing asks - "What to do with 40,000 empty quarantine units? Welcome to Hong Kong, where the average home sells for well north of a million dollars - and even a parking space can go for close to a million - but where more than 200,000 people face waits of at least half a decade for subsidized public housing."
• Coolest Gangsters of All Time in Movies & TV, Ranked - MovieWeb.
• Netflix improves its TV subtitles amid growing demand - "The size and style of text can now be adjusted to make Netflix TV subtitles easier to read as audio quality of dialog seemingly gets worse."
• Fritz-kola, a drink created by two German students to challenge Coca-Cola with the highest legal amount of caffeine - "The beverage, which started as an idea one night over frozen pizza 20 years ago, has become a brand that employs 300 people and is distributed throughout almost all of Europe."
• 12 Fashion Week Moments That Kept Us Talking - "Including frog clogs, denim scraps, robot dogs and scented dresses."
• One’s old china: set of plates fit for the Queen comes up for auction - "A unique set of porcelain dessert dishes and plates commissioned by France’s King Louis-Philippe I, and believed to have been used only once, for a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, is to be auctioned in Paris. The unique service used only once by the British monarch in 1967 could fetch up to £442,000."

March 11, 2023

• US bank taken over in biggest failure since 2008 - "US regulators have shut down Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and taken control of its customer deposits in the largest failure of a US bank since 2008."
• London fears for its future as companies defect to Wall Street - "Fears for London’s future resurfaced over the past week after chipmaker ARM, the crown jewel of the UK tech sector, said it would hold its IPO on Wall Street, and CRH (CRH), the world’s largest building materials supplier, said it would moving its primary listing to the United States. Shell, London’s largest listed company, has also reportedly considered relocating. The health of London’s markets is vital to the UK economy, hence the growing sense of alarm."
• 50 photographs that reshaped sport - "Pain, triumph, disaster - and a pair of tightly squeezed testicles. Here are some of the images that changed the way we see sport for ever."
• 11 Signs You Were Born To Be A Loner - "You might be a born loner if you find joy in curling up with a book instead of going out to brunch or prefer to spend time alone rather than socializing with others. Contrary to what some may believe, being a loner is not undesirable for many people. Loners are often of higher intelligence than their more outgoing counterparts. If you are wondering whether you were born to be a loner, here are 11 signs that may indicate that you are."
• Meta is building a decentralized, text-based social network - "Is this the Twitter replacement we've been waiting for?"
• Steve Jobs Said Living Your Best Life Really Comes Down to 3 Words - "Steve Jobs gave us a simple lesson to keep us on track with living the best life imaginable."
• ‘Celebrity is religion’: How Andy Warhol kickstarted our obsession with superstars - "Kitschy unboxing videos, sunset selfies, TikTok dances: what would the man in the blonde wig make of the world he created, asks Nicole Flattery."
• How an iridescent gem changed the face of Qatar - "Before Qatar first struck 'black gold' in 1939, life in the Gulf revolved around pearls. These iridescent gems of the deep shaped the culture, politics, regional relations and fortunes of its inhabitants over more than 7,000 years - not least Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family, who were the dominant force in the local pearling industry at its peak around the turn of the 20th century."
• Nine Oscars red-carpet outfits once mocked - now iconic - "From Babs to Bjork, here are the bold looks that were once derided at the Oscars but are now celebrated and deemed cool."
• Five Great New Motorcycles Rolling Out In 2023 - "It’s only March 3 and it’s snowing as I type. But all us two-wheel obsessives are dreaming of and anticipating April and the sun, the warm breeze and feeling of freedom only motorcycling can deliver. Here are some prime machines coming our way this year. Some are new, some are tried-and-true, but all are worth a tire-kick, a test drive or a gawk."
• The Verge’s favorite music for work - "From classical to country to ambient to stoner rock, here’s what we listen to at our desks."
• When China shot down five U-2 spy planes at the height of the Cold War - "Until now, most of the media’s focus has been on the balloon - specifically, how a vessel popularly seen as a relic of a bygone era of espionage could possibly remain relevant in the modern spy’s playbook. Yet to many military historians, it is the involvement of that other symbol of a bygone time, the U-2, that is far more telling."
• Sharon Stone says Basic Instinct role cost her custody of her son - "Stone and her then-husband Ron Bronstein adopted their son, Roan, in 2000. But when the couple divorced in 2004, the judge awarded custody to Mr Bronstein."
• 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."
• South Korean capital building world’s biggest spokeless Ferris wheel - "South Korea’s capital is adding another feature to its skyline in 2027 - the 'Seoul Ring,' a 180-meter (591-foot) spokeless Ferris wheel."
• Can Australia curb its killer cats? - "Australia has a cat problem. Its population of just over eight million feral and domestic cats are thought to kill billions of native creatures each year, many endangered."
• Why don't humans have fur? - "Most mammals, including our closest living relatives, have hairy coats. So why did we lose ours?"
• Don’t forget to floss: the science behind dementia & the four things you should do to prevent it - "A picture is emerging of a healthy lifestyle which is key to the condition’s prevention - exercise, being sociable, and looking after your ears."
• SodaStream is a bad deal & everyone should know it - "Home seltzer mods have been around for years. CO2 is dirt cheap. So why are any of us putting up with a middleman jacking up the price of fizzy water?"
• Audi's electric mountain bike costs over $10,000 - "The two-wheel E-Tron takes some cues from Audi's Dakar Rally car."

March 10, 2023

• King Charles finally fulfils Queen's pledge by handing Edward & Sophie top royal titles - "Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles has granted his brother Prince Edward the title of Duke of Edinburgh for his 59th birthday - making his wife Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh - upholding a promise made to them by the late Queen and Prince Philip."
• Apple will launch its standalone classical music app on March 28th - "Apple Music Classical will be available from the App Store, and the company says it will provide deeper search and composer metadata that help set it apart from mainstream music services. It’ll also do spatial audio, of course."
• 11 New iPhone Features Everyone Should Be Using - "These newer iPhone features are worth trying if you haven't already."
• Vinyl overtakes CD sales for the first time since 1987 - "As interest in digital downloads wanes, vinyl record sales continue to grow for the 16th year running, says RIAA."
• What is Sons of the Forest, the cannibal survival game that sold 2m copies in a day? - "Endnight Games’ sequel sold vast numbers on Steam. What’s behind its remarkable success – and what should you know before you play it?"
• 'watchGPT' Brings AI Chatbot to Apple Watch - "If you already love ChatGPT and wish you could take it everywhere, meet your new best friend: watchGPT."
• GPT-4 Is Coming - What We Know So Far - "It’s something of an open secret that its creator - the AI research organization OpenAI - is well into development of its successor, GPT-4. Rumor has it that GPT-4 will be far more powerful and capable than GPT-3. One source even went as far as claiming that the parameter count has been upped to the region of 100 trillion, although this has been disputed in colorful language by Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO."
• ChatGPT comes to Microsoft’s enterprise-focused, Azure-powered managed service - "Microsoft today announced that ChatGPT is generally available through the Azure OpenAI Service, the company’s fully managed, corporate-focused offering designed to give businesses access to OpenAI’s technologies with added governance and compliance features. Customers, who must already be 'Microsoft managed customers and partners,' can apply here for special access."
• 10 Ways to Earn Up to US$500 a Day using ChatGPT - "By utilizing ChatGPT’s advanced AI capabilities, users can explore 10 ways to earn money through ChatGPT."
• Setting a new standard in European data security with Project Clover - "TikTok is where creativity thrives. Over 150 million people across Europe come to our platform every month to express themselves, learn new hobbies or skills and grow their business. With such scale comes significant responsibility - building trust by ensuring the safety, privacy and security of our community and their data is critical." TikTok.
• Dutch historian finds medieval treasure using metal detector - "Consisting of four golden ear pendants, two strips of gold leaf and 39 silver coins."
• The cost of our concrete addiction - "The concrete that helps the climate. Concrete is the defining material of the Anthropocene and takes a terrible toll on the climate."
• Peter Bradshaw’s Oscar predictions: who will win & who should? - "Will Everything Everywhere All at Once pick up everything, all at once? Is Cate Blanchett a shoo-in? Our critic weighs up who will leave the Dolby theatre with a statuette this weekend."
• Robert Blake, actor who was once tried for murder, dies at 89 - "Actor Robert Blake, whose long career was overshadowed by accusations that he murdered his wife, has died. He was 89. He was known as the titular hero of 1970s TV detective series Baretta and starred in the 1997 film Lost Highway, but his career struggled following his wife's 2001 fatal shooting."
• Movies That Aren't as Clever as Everyone Thinks They Are - "Sometimes the greatest trick a movie can pull is showing depth where there is none."
• I’m a sneaker geek - resell these 10 pairs to make a fortune - "A self-described 'sneaker geek' has made a career flipping coveted footwear, swearing by 10 pairs to ensure a hefty profit margin in the resale market."
• Tiffany & Co. & Nike Just Unveiled a 23-Pound Sterling-Silver Shoebox - "Who says your sneakers can't come in a jewelry box?"
• What happens to your body on a long-haul flight - "Qantas has announced from late 2025, it will fly passengers on nonstop flights from Australia’s east coast to London that would see you in the air for more than 19 hours in one stretch. That’s compared with current flights that take the best part of 24 hours but are broken up into shorter legs. So what will happen to your body during one of these longer flights? Is it any different to what happens when you fly long-haul now?"
• This Bugatti Chiron airplane is reserved for only the mega rich - "From the iconic front section of the Bugatti Chiron hypercar to the seats inside the cabin, everything is spot on."
• Victoria Beckham on finding her stride as a designer - "'I've been doing fashion longer than I did music.'"
• A. Eugene Kohn, architect of soaring skyscrapers, dies aged 92 - "In a statement, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), whose best-known projects include New York's One Vanderbilt and the Shanghai World Financial Center, described Kohn's architectural legacy as 'enduring.'"
• 2024 Ferrari Purosangue Takes the SUV into the Realm of the Exotic - "With a naturally aspirated V-12, active suspension, and rear-hinged power rear doors, Ferrari's Purosangue is an anomaly in the sea of go-fast luxury SUVs."

March 9, 2023

• 10 worst places to live in US for air pollution - "A Guardian analysis using cutting-edge modelling developed by researchers tracks deadly PM2.5 levels. America’s top spot is not a traffic-clogged metropolis or renowned heavy industry zone but a small town surrounded by farmland and mountains."
• Eating meat without slaughtering animals may be in our future - "What if there was a way to eat meat without farming and killing billions of animals per year, contributing to the climate crisis and risking high cholesterol levels? 'Cultivated meat is real meat grown directly from animal cells,' Uma Valeti, founder and CEO of Upside Foods, said via email. 'These products are not vegan, vegetarian or plant-based - they are real meat, made without the animal.'"
• More than 170tn plastic particles afloat in oceans, say scientists - "‘Cleanup is futile’ if production continues at current rate, amid rapid rise in marine pollution."
• Inside the ‘Blood Sport’ of Oscars Campaigns - "War rooms. Oppo dumps. Eight-figure budgets. How the quest for awards-season glory got so cutthroat."
• 25 of the world’s most beautiful places - "From lush African forests to vast Latin American deserts, watery Balkan paradises to ancient Middle Eastern cities, here are our picks for the world’s top breathtaking, beautiful destinations."
• Spotify’s new design is part TikTok, part Instagram & part YouTube - "Spotify wants to be much more than a music player. So its app is turning into much more than a bunch of album covers. The new design goes heavy on imagery and vertical scrolling, turning your homescreen from a set of album covers into a feed that much more closely resembles TikTok and Instagram. As you scroll, Spotify is also hoping to make it easier to discover new things across the Spotify ecosystem."
• The most interesting foldables, rollables & demos at MWC 2023 - "Of all the news trickling out of Mobile World Congress this year, the most interesting products were either foldables or rollables. It’s a showcase of a lot of eye-catching phones and devices that often don’t make it to America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look on in envy or use this as a possible preview of the technology that will shape future phones in the US."
• The Chatbots Are Here & the Internet Industry Is in a Tizzy - "The new technology could upend many online businesses. But for companies that figure out how to work with it, A.I. could be a boon."
• The Brain That Supercharged ChatGPT, ImageNet & TF - "In 2015, Ilya Sutskever co-founded OpenAI with Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Greg Brockman over dinner."
• China's ChatGPT Black Market Is Thriving - "A booming illicit market for OpenAI's chatbot shows the huge potential, and risks, for Chinese generative AI."
• Bao Fan: Why do Chinese billionaires keep vanishing? - "The disappearance last month of technology industry dealmaker Bao Fan has rekindled interest in a recent Chinese phenomenon - vanishing billionaires. The founder of China Renaissance Holdings - with a client list that has included internet giants Tencent, Alibaba and Baidu is seen as a titan in the country's tech sector."
• Gene Hackman, 93, enjoys a fast food lunch in his car - "Seen for the first time in years... nearly two decades from his last film role."
• The looming danger of city lights - "How light pollution disrupts plants' senses. Dazzling lights are causing ecological chaos, disrupting plants' seasonal rhythms and their fragile relationship with pollinators."
• Topol, Fiddler on the Roof actor, dies aged 87 - "Known by his last name alone and beloved for his performance as Tevye in both the musical and film, Topol’s death was announced by Israel’s president."
• Sotheby's NY Latest Fine Watches Auction Totaled Out to Nearly $4 Million - "Notable sold items included Andy Warhol’s Patek Philippe 2526, a diamond-set Patek Philippe 5271 and a trio of Rolex 'Paul Newman' Daytonas."
• 98 Rolex watches given to long-serving employees of Paradise Group - "Ninety-eight long-serving employees of the Paradise Group were each given a Rolex watch at their company’s annual dinner and dance, as a token of appreciation for their years of service."
• The Moon May Get Its Own Time Zone - "As different countries plan lunar missions, the European Space Agency says that creating a time zone up there may simplify things."

March 8, 2023

• Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukrainian Group Sabotaged Pipelines, U.S. Officials Say - "New intelligence reporting amounts to the first significant known lead about who was responsible for the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines that carried natural gas from Russia to Europe."
• Inside Harry & Meghan's 'private island plans' after being ousted from Frogmore Cottage - "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to be talking about buying another home, after a tumultuous few months for the pair, with Harry thought to be keen on a private island."
• Inside The $126,000 Oscars Gift Bags: From An Italian Getaway To Home Renovation To Plastic Surgery - "No matter which names are announced when the envelopes are opened on March 12 at the 95th annual Academy Awards, one thing is guaranteed - even the losers will go home with lavish Oscars gift bags. Since 2002, the Los Angeles-based marketing company Distinctive Assets has distributed its unofficial and often six-figure 'Everyone Wins' gift bags to Oscar nominees in the four main acting categories as well as Best Director. Distinctive Assets’ founder, the 'Sultan of Swag' Lash Fary, first began giving away lucrative vacations, jewelry, and other trinkets at the Grammys in 2000 - where he’s still the official gifter - and added the Oscars a couple of years later."
• A 120-Year-Old Company Is Leaving Tesla in the Dust - "Tesla had me convinced, for a while, that it was a cool company. That was back in 2017. In the years since, Tesla’s become even crankier, while its competition has loosened up. Public perception hasn’t yet caught up with the reality of the situation. If you want to work for a flexible, modern company, you don’t apply to Tesla. You apply to 120-year-old Ford."
• The Dirty Little Secret of Credit Card Rewards Programs - "Credit card perks for educated, usually urban professionals are being subsidized by people who have less. In other words, when you book a hotel room or enjoy entry to an airport lounge at no cost, poor consumers are ultimately footing the bill."
• The creeping threat of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt - "Visible from space, an explosion of harmful seaweed now stretches like a sea monster across the ocean. Could robots save us from it - and store carbon in the process?"
• 1,000 super-emitting methane leaks risk triggering climate tipping points - "Vast releases of gas, along with future ‘methane bombs’, represent huge threat - but curbing emissions would rapidly reduce global heating."
• What Happens to Your Body When You Take Protein Powder Every Day - "If you are one of the many people who take protein powder every day, here are some effects you can expect to see."
• 13 Habits That Helped Bill Gates Build His $106 Billion Fortune - "Budding entrepreneurs and philanthropists want to know how Gates amassed his fortune so that they might join the Billionaires' Club one day. Here are a few habits that helped Bill Gates become a massive success."
• Ranked: Who Are the Richest People in Africa? - "This infographic ranks the wealthiest 15 billionaires on the African continent by their total net worth and country."
• Sonos Era 300 & Era 100 first look: you’re gonna want to hear these speakers - "Available for preorder today and shipping March 28th, both speakers make a good first impression with new features and upgraded sound."
• iOS 16.4 for iPhone Coming Soon With These 5 New Features - "New Emoji. Image Credit: Emojipedia, Web Push Notifications, Beta Updates Menu, Podcasts App Improvements, New Home App Architecture."
• Even Slack has a ChatGPT app now - "It can draft messages, summarize threads and answer your questions."
• 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks With 54% to 675% Upside, According to Wall Street - "Based on the high-water price targets of select analysts and Wall Street pundits, these fast-paced AI stocks are poised to skyrocket."
• T&C Tried & True: Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask Review - "Call it beauty sleep. Literally."
• Unburied skeletons reveal the earliest known horse riders - "Horseback riding was a pivotal development in human history - transforming agriculture, transport and warfare - but exactly when humans figured out how to clamber on a horse’s back and steer the animals to go from points A to B has been difficult to pin down."
• Advice for Dinner Hosts From a French Event Organizer - "In her book, 'Mistress of Ceremonies,' Françoise Dumas reveals the secrets to a successful formal meal."
• How to Prevent ‘Tech Neck’ - "You see it everywhere. In homes and offices, while walking down the street, riding the bus, or standing in line. 'Tech neck,' the act of stressing muscles while using phones, tablets, and computers, resulting in neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, and soreness, is a problem that’s getting worse."
• 6 Chiropractor-Approved Exercises to Fight Text Neck - "Prevent text neck from taking over: 1. Change how you hold your phone - 2. Take phone breaks - 3. Try the Text Neck app - 4. If you experience prolonged pain, see a pro - 5. Do 10 minutes of yoga."
• I forgot how good the Apple Watch Ultra’s GPS is until I tried track detection - "Apple’s automatic track detection feature is impressively accurate and convenient, even without any calibration."

March 7, 2023

• Local villa used in filming Hitchcock’s ‘To Catch a Thief’ hits the market - "A Côte d’Azur villa named Les Bolovens has been listed by Sotheby’s International Real Estate. Located in the village of Saint-Jeannet 20 minutes from Nice Airport, the villa’s proximity to the rest of the Riviera, its spacious green grounds, sweeping views and swimming pool are certainly positives for potential buyers. But it is the property’s place in film history that makes it stand out. Having been constructed in 1935, the villa was later used as a set in the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. Featuring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, the film hit the silver screen in 1955 to high acclaim."
• Andy Warhol’s Patek Philippe 2526 (& Six Other Great Pateks) At Sotheby’s - "Previously from The Andy Warhol Collection, Reference 2526 | Retailed by Serpico Y Laino Caracas: A pink gold wristwatch with first series enamel dial, previously from The Andy Warhol Collection, Circa 1955." March 7.
• Bruce Willis' wife begs paparazzi not to yell at him in the street - "Emma Heming Willis made an emotional plea in a video shared on her Instagram page over the weekend, saying 'there’s still a lot of education that needs to be put forth' about people living with dementia."
• Paradise Now: The Extraordinary Life of Karl Lagerfeld by William Middleton review - planet fashion’s caped crusader - "With his dinner parties for 900 and weakness for Coca-Cola in Lalique goblets, the designer was a great eccentric whose sense of absurdity is largely absent from this thorough profile."
• Paradise Now: The Extraordinary Life of Karl Lagerfeld - "The definitive biography of fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, written by journalist and author William Middleton, who knew the designer in Paris." Amazon.com.
• Everything Everywhere All at Once: Surprise Oscars favourite - "Why did an oddball, absurdist multiverse movie became a surprise hit - and the wild card of awards season? Caryn James explores the film's unique emotional power."
• Why vinegar is so good at cleaning - "Vinegar is a staple in housekeeping hacks and cleaning tips. BBC Future looks at why it might just be the most useful product in your pantry."
• ‘Sushi terrorism’ sees Japan’s conveyor belt restaurants grind to a halt - "Chains across the country have taken action after viral videos showed people licking communal bottles and touching passing food."
• Antigua & Barbuda to auction off $81m yacht ‘owned by Russian oligarch’ - "Andrey Guryev, who has been put under UK government sanctions, claims he is not owner of Alfa Nero."
• ‘She had to hide’: the secret history of the first Asian woman nominated for a best actress Oscar - "Merle Oberon, a pick for best actress in 1936, was born in Bombay and spent her career passing for white."
• Microsoft is holding a 'future of work' AI event on March 16th - "You may see OpenAI technology powering Microsoft's business services."
• The Top 10 Tech Trends In 2023 Everyone Must Be Ready For - "What technologies are gaining the most traction? What are the most important trends that business leaders should be prepared for? Read on for the ten essential tech trends you should be following in 2023."
• I've heard over 100 hi-fi products this year, but these five truly stand out - "Our technical editor picks his favourite hi-fi of the year – and no, they aren't all What Hi-Fi? Award winners."
• All the streaming boxes suck now - "There are no good streaming boxes, and I blame everybody."
• Louis Vuitton's Horizon Earphones Will Illuminate Your Listening Experience - "The third-gen light-up buds come in five colors and boast Master & Dynamic-approved sound quality."
• Fashion Designer Iris Van Herpen’s Rolls-Royce Phantom Syntopia Is An Ethereal Work Of Art - "The one-of-a-kind car, made for an unnamed client, is based on the elongated Phantom Extended. The exterior is finished in 'Liquid Noir,' a paint that took some 3,000 hours to perfect. The shimmering shade comes alive in daylight, revealing hues of purple, blue, magenta and gold undertones from various angles. Meanwhile, the bonnet sees a subtle rendering of a 'Weaving Water' motif, which underlines the theme of Phantom Syntopia."

March 6, 2023

• ‘Keto-like’ diet may be associated with a higher risk of heart disease, according to new research - "A low-carb, high-fat 'keto-like' diet may be linked to higher levels of 'bad' cholesterol and double the risk of cardiovascular events such as blocked arteries, heart attacks and strokes, according to new research."
• Here’s the No. 1 thing that ‘destroys’ relationships, say researchers who studied couples for 50 years - "As a psychologist and sexologist, we’ve been studying relationships for more than 50 years combined, and we’ve found that no matter how you slice it, most of them fail because of poor communication."
• King Charles invites Harry & Meghan to coronation, but it's unclear if they'll go - "'I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation,' the spokesperson said. 'An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time.' The coronation will see three days of celebrations across the country in which the public will be invited to participate."
• The disputed history of the Coronation Stone - "On 6 May 2023, Charles III will be crowned on the sacred Stone of Scone - an ancient symbol of Scottish sovereignty whose history is mired in controversy and legend."
• No pain, plenty of gain: why taking it easy can be the key to getting fitter & happier - "Whether you’re running, working out in the gym or lifting weights, the perfect workout doesn’t have you gasping for breath. Here’s why less can be more."
• These are the world's best airports for customer experience - "There’s way more to an airport than the mechanics of getting from point A to point B, and the best airports put a lot into making passengers’ journeys as seamless and pleasant as possible. The Airport Service Quality Awards, announced on Monday, recognize the world’s best airports for customer experience. Among the most decorated among mega-airports handling more than 40 million passengers annually is Rome’s Fiumicino, which in addition to earning an award for overall quality also received recognition for being clean and enjoyable with dedicated staff."
• Meet the companies trying to keep up with ChatGPT - "From Google’s Bard to Microsoft’s new Bing, here are all the major contenders in the AI chatbot space."
• ChatGPT isn't the only cool AI tool made by OpenAI - check out DALL-E, Whisper & Codex - "DALL-E, OpenAI's AI art generator, creates images based on detailed text descriptions from a person. Whisper is a speech-recognition model that can transcribe and translate audio from many languages."
• How to use the 'JAILBREAK' version of ChatGPT - "Simple trick lets you access an unfiltered alter-ego of the AI chatbot."
• How to Use DALL-E to Generate AI Images from Text - "A beginner's guide to using DALL-E, the popular AI image generator that can turn any text prompt into an illustration or 'photo.'"
• Sherlock Holmes 3 Delay Explained By Original Director Guy Ritchie - "Original franchise director Guy Ritchie is explaining Sherlock Holmes 3's long-delayed development, pointing towards star Robert Downey Jr."
• Want to Lead a Better Life? The Secret Is in the Cemetery - "There’s comfort and wisdom to be found in the eerie poetry of gravestones."
• ‘The greatest aviation mystery of all time’: what really happened to flight MH370? - "A Netflix docuseries tries to untangle the many theories surrounding the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines flight that shocked the world."
• Jesus Christ, Streaming Star - "'The Chosen,' a TV series about the life of Jesus, pulls off a crowd-funded miracle: a hit with a Christian fan base that is breaking into the mainstream."
• Toblerone: Swiss rules mean chocolate bar to drop Matterhorn from packaging - "Toblerone is to remove the Matterhorn mountain peak from its packaging when some of the chocolate's production is moved from Switzerland to Slovakia."
• ‘In The Wrapper’ Silver Ferrari Enzo Could Set A Record At Auction - "With just 400 examples ever made, the Ferrari Enzo has always commanded high prices at auction – helped in no small way by it being a part of the ‘Ferrari Big Five’, along with the equally desirable 288 GTO, F40, F50 and LaFerrari. The V12 supercar, which arrived in 2002 with a retail price of $659,000, has surged in popularity in recent years, and prices are now around the $3-4 million mark, according to Classic.com. Most recently, a rare black example sold at auction in February for $4.4 million, setting a new high benchmark for the Enzo. RM Sotheby’s concludes: 'Considering its remarkable condition, still wearing much of its factory protective wrapping, this Argento Nurburgring example is the ultimate prize for collectors valuing both rarity and originality.' The car is offered without reserve, but via the auction house’s sealed-bid system, where interested parties are invited to privately submit a bid between 15 and 17 March."

March 5, 2023

• Boreal forests could be a planet-warming ‘time bomb’ as wildfires expand, says new study - "Boreal forest fires usually make up 10% of global wildfire-related carbon pollution. But in 2021, their contribution soared to 23%, according to the study, as extreme drought and heatwaves in Siberia and Canada helped drive intense fires."
• Ocean treaty: Historic agreement reached after decade of talks - "Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world's oceans following 10 years of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030, to safeguard and recuperate marine nature."
• New analysis of ancient human protein could unlock secrets of evolution - "The technique - known as proteomics - could bring new insights into the past two million years of humanity’s history."
• Richest 1% bag nearly twice as much wealth as the rest of the world put together over the past two years - "Billionaire fortunes are increasing by $2.7 billion a day even as at least 1.7 billion workers now live in countries where inflation is outpacing wages." OXFAM.
• The Best One-Season TV Shows of the 21st Century so Far - "Sometimes, a short series can be a breath of fresh air, offering a unique perspective and telling a complete story in just a handful of episodes."
• Chris Rock tackles ‘selective outrage’ & Oscars slap in live Netflix special - "Chris Rock finally addressed the Oscars slap and made Netflix history on Saturday, with the platform’s first live global streaming event. After that quick apparent reference to Will Smith slapping him on stage at last year’s Academy Awards, Rock saved his jokes about the incident until the last ten minutes of the show."
• Eugene Levy: ‘The eyebrows didn’t hinder or help my career, I don’t think’ - "The Schitt’s Creek star on his unlikely new travelogue, the thrill of working with family and his pal Jennifer Coolidge stealing the show."
• Everything Everywhere sweeps Independent Spirit Awards - "Everything Everywhere All at Once swept the Independent Spirit Awards Saturday, taking home wins in nearly every major category and solidifying its Oscar frontrunner status."
• Top 60 Shoes Trends in March - "From Lightweight Basketball Shoes to Neutral Stealthy Trail Footwear."
• KATE MIDDLETON’S SHOES - "Looking for Kate Middleton’s shoes? They’re probably on this page!"
• 5 Exercise Habits That Destroy Your Body After 50 - "Loss of muscle mass - Loss of bone density - Reduction in balance - Increased risk of falls - Reduced mobility and balance."
• Sneaky WhatsApp trick lets you quietly leave group chats WITHOUT alerting everyone - "Going out with friends, shared interests or a family reuniuon? If the inevitable 'hey, let's make a WhatsApp group' and the impending deluge of notifications and emojis fills you with dread... there is a handy escape you can use without stepping on too many toes."
• Copenhagen is the world’s No. 1 city for work-life balance & pay, says new research - New York isn’t far behind - "Here are the top five cities in the world for work-life balance and pay, according to MoneyNerd."
• Europe will start charging for entry in 2024 - "The long-anticipated ETIAS visa waiver scheme, which will require all non-EU passport holders to get pre-trip permission to enter the bloc, was supposed to launch by November this year. But it has been pushed back to 2024."
• United Arab Emirates now has the most powerful passport in the world - "After jumping 32 spots under new visa-free travel privileges - as the UK ranks 30th, Australia 39th and the US 43rd."
• The Trillion-Dollar Debate Over Share Buybacks - "The White House is at odds with business leaders over share repurchase programs. DealBook digs into the numbers to see who’s gaining from the practice."
• KSI, Logan Paul, Salt Papi: the influencers redefining boxing for the TikTok generation - "YouTubers are going toe-to-toe with pro boxers to win millions of views, get rich and fight for the likes of a new audience."
• A new world of gardening advice is opening up on social media - "Fancy having a go at bonsai? Look online."

March 4, 2023

• Meghan Markle was 'surprised & disappointed' that Prince Harry 'had very little money', royal expert claims - "Royal expert Tom Bower branded the Duchess of Sussex 'money-obsessed'. The author claimed Meghan has imagined Prince Harry was 'worth billions'."
• Mark Zuckerberg Quietly Buries the Metaverse - "Mark Zuckerberg Quietly Buries the Metaverse. The CEO of social-media giant Meta has sworn by AI, popularized by the chatbot ChatGPT."
• WHO calls on US to share information on Covid-19 origins after China lab claims - "World Health Organization’s director general says the politicisation of research into Covid’s origins was making the scientific work harder."
• The Top 10 Limitations Of ChatGPT - "Despite its advanced capabilities, ChatGPT is not without limitations. As with any AI technology, ChatGPT has certain weaknesses and challenges that can impact its performance and accuracy. Here, will explore some of the limitations of ChatGPT, ranging from its inability to understand complex contexts to its reliance on biased data. By understanding the limitations of ChatGPT, we can gain a better understanding of the potential drawbacks and challenges of using AI language models in various contexts."
• Don't wear AirPods Max during workouts - "Apple's AirPods Max can have a pricey, and stinky, problem."
• This European airline will introduce double beds in the sky - "A private cocoon up in the sky, with even your own heating system that you can turn up and down at whim? That’s what’s on offer in the latest groundbreaking new first class suite unveiled by an airline. For once, though, it’s not a Middle Eastern airline laying on the glitz. Astonishingly, this new suite will be fitted in Lufthansa’s planes, in a bid to compete with the fancier offerings on the long-haul market."
• You can now live on a cruise ship for $30,000 per year - "Have you ever dreamed of giving it all up, leaving it all behind and hitting the road to escape all your responsibilities? Life at Sea Cruises has opened bookings for its three-year voyage on the MV Gemini, which sets sail from Istanbul on November 1, 2023. You have eight months to get your passport, vaccinations and remote working abilities in order. The company is promising to tick off 375 ports around the world, visiting 135 countries and all seven continents. The ship will cover more than 130,000 miles over the three years, taking in iconic sights from Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue and India’s Taj Mahal, to Mexico’s Chichen Itza, the pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China. It even slots in trips to 103 'tropical islands.' Of those 375 ports, 208 will be overnight stops, giving you extra time in the destination."
• Why Madeira Island Is A World Apart - Madeira is an oddly unique geographical and cultural blip - a rich little universe of rough mountains and lush slopes slapped by Atlantic breakers off the coast of Africa. Locals revere their flower, organ, philharmonic and wine festivals; annually they parade a trove of impeccably kept family heirloom classic cars throughout the capital city. Their cuisine is generally healthy and rich; their local air is fresh, humid and sweet, and birdsong lights up their sky.
• How the Moon is making days longer on Earth - "Billions of years ago the average Earth day lasted less than 13 hours and it is continuing to lengthen. The reason lies in the relationship between the Moon and our oceans."
• The secret WhatsApp mode that lets you EDIT texts after you've sent them - "Have you ever fired off a witty WhatsApp retort only to spot a glaring typo in your text? Or perhaps you've had second thoughts after finally declaring your undying love, or telling your boss exactly what you think of them? Worry not, a new WhatsApp mode that allows you to edit your messages - after you've sent them - could prove the very solution to those awkward moments."
• ‘Spy balloon in your phone’: growing calls to ban TikTok threaten its future - "The Chinese spy balloon that hovered over the US last month did not just damage relations between Beijing and Washington, it also cast a shadow over the future of TikTok."
• Quarter-zipper becomes the new status symbol for men of a certain position - "John Lewis says it has sold 62% more quarter-zips than crewnecks since the start of the year. What do David Beckham, Rishi Sunak and Fendi models have in common? They’re all big fans of a quarter-zipper. Polo necks with a little zip that runs from neck to chest have become the new status symbol of men of a certain position as they ditch the shirt and tie aesthetic."
• The best smart locks you can buy right now - "Never get locked out again with a smart lock you can control from your phone, with your voice, or with just a touch of your finger."
• The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now - The New York Times.
• 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.

March 3, 2023

• Half of world on track to be overweight by 2035 - "More than half the world's population will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035 if action is not taken, the World Obesity Federation warns. More than four billion people will be affected, with rates rising fastest among children, its report says. Low or middle-income countries in Africa and Asia are expected to see the greatest rises. The report predicts the cost of obesity will amount to more than $4tn annually by 2035."
• Unprecedented snowfall on US west coast is ‘once-in-a-generation’ event - "California governor declares state of emergency in 13 counties while Portland, Oregon, sees second snowiest day in history."
• I paid $1,400 to eat at Noma & it was miserable - "Tepid tea, reindeer penis, condescending servers."
• Harry & Meghan asked to vacate residence gifted by the late Queen - "Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked to vacate UK home Frogmore Cottage, and Prince Andrew could be moving in."
• Fox News reportedly imposes ‘soft ban’ on Donald Trump - "The former president has not made a weekday showing on the channel since appearing on Sean Hannity’s show in September."
• Visualized: The Most (and Least) Expensive Cities to Live In - There are many benefits to living in an iconic city like New York or Singapore, but the amenities and exclusivity can come at a high cost. Cities become 'expensive' due to a variety of factors such as high demand for housing, a concentration of high-paying businesses and industries, and a high standard of living. Additionally, factors such as taxes, transportation costs, and availability of goods and services can also contribute to the overall cost of living in global cities."
• Svalbard’s mysterious ‘doomsday’ seed vault offers first glimpse inside with virtual tour - "Buried in Arctic permafrost, the collection safeguards the world’s crop species - and is a magnet for conspiracy theories. Now the public can take a look around."
• 5 Exercises to Keep an Aging Body Strong & Fit - "Declines in muscle and bone strength start earlier than you might think. Build a smart workout habit now."
• REM Sleep Is Magical. Here’s What the Experts Know - "Dreaming, memory-making, problem-solving: A lot happens during the most active sleep phase."
• Luxury Scottish Highlands train unveils stunning new suites - "It’s already one of the most luxurious locomotives around, and The Royal Scotsman Belmond is about to get even more glamorous with the launch of two beautiful new suites. Designed by Paris-based interior designer Tristan Auer, the suites have been devised in the style of a grand country house, complete with classic nods to Scottish culture. They’re due to be introduced on famous train in May 2024."
• 10 of the biggest house myths debunked - "High ceilings aren’t always best - and location isn’t everything."
• A flight attendant's secrets to surviving long-haul flights - "Any air travel can be stressful, but facing down a long-haul flight can be especially intimidating. Should you prioritize sleeping or eating, or both? Should you attempt to exercise in the aisle? Is it ever acceptable to take off your shoes? CNN Travel asked British flight attendan Kris Major for his tips and tricks on surviving multiple hours in the sky."
• TikTok's latest trending beauty filter, Teenage Look, returns users to their younger selves - "TikTok users of a certain age are getting a heavy dose of nostalgia with a new trending filter that purports to wind back time to your teenage self. Teenage Look, which mostly works by smoothing out wrinkles, has quickly racked up 3.4 million views to date, often paired with the melody from The Verve Pipe's 1996 alt heartbreak song 'The Freshmen.'"
• Why won’t TikTok confirm the Bold Glamour filter is AI? - "TikTok rolled out new AI tools for filters last month. But the company won’t say if its new Bold Glamour effect uses them - and the reaction to the filter isn’t entirely positive."
• A shocking moment in Oscars history, 50 years on - "Few Academy Awards ceremonies have been as eventful as the one held in 1973, when Marlon Brando sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to explain why he was rejecting his award. Christina Newland reflects on the controversy."
• Sound & Vision: The AirPods Max are coming into their own - "When I’m walking around London, or commuting on public transport, I tend to look at what headphones people are wearing. There are the usual suspects: Bose QuietComfort models, Sony WH-1000X (from Mark 3 to Mk5), the cheaper Sennheisers cans, Apple AirPods (and their true wireless imitators) and many, many more beyond that. But over the last year I haven’t seen a pair of headphones as often as I have the AirPods Max. Everywhere I look, there’s a person wearing them."
• Jacob & Co. Unveils The Casino Tourbillon Watch With A built-in roulette wheel - "The new Jacob & Co. Casino Tourbillon Roulette Wheel watch, released in 2023, with expert analysis, specs, price, and photos."
• Nobu Has Launched A Limited-Edition Tequila & It’s Very Special - "Many love Nobu for incredible sushi, but it’s always also been known as the perfect spot for a great cocktail. Those cocktail options have just been amplified due to a new Nobu Restaurant Group collaboration with QUI Tequila."
• Sotheby’s must face Russian billionaire oligarch’s art fraud lawsuit - "Since 2015, Rybolovlev, 56, has litigated in New York, France, Monaco, Singapore and Switzerland over disputes with Yves Bouvier, an art dealer who helped him buy 38 artworks for about $2 billion over 12 years."
• Willem Dafoe Can’t Slow Down - "For nearly 50 years, the actor has made himself go toward places other artists hardly ever seek."
• Glastonbury 2023 line-up REVEALED - "Arctic Monkeys and Guns N' Roses join Elton John as headliners as full list of performers are announced."

March 2, 2023

• Japan just found 7,000 islands it didn’t know it had - "Japan has recounted its islands - and discovered it has 7,000 more than it previously thought. Digital mapping by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) recently found there to be 14,125 islands in Japanese territory, more than double the figure of 6,852 that has been in official use since a 1987 report by Japan’s Coast Guard."
• Bill Gates Finally Explains Why He's Buying So Much U.S. Farmland - "Microsoft founder and billionaire turned philanthropist Bill Gates recently laid the long-time conspiracy theory that he owns some 80% of all U.S. farmland to rest in his 11th appearance in an 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session on Reddit."
• 3 Of The 5 Richest People In The World Are Making New Plays In The Real Estate Market - "Real estate has long been considered a lucrative investment option for building wealth, and some of the world's wealthiest individuals are no strangers to this fact. In fact, three of the five richest people in the world are currently making unique plays in the real estate industry. From buying up vast swaths of land to investing in cutting-edge technology, these billionaires are setting themselves apart in a field that has been a cornerstone of wealth creation for centuries."
• We asked ChatGPT what will be Amazon (AMZN) stock price in 2030 - "ChatGPT stated: 'In recent years, Amazon has experienced significant growth, driven by the continued shift towards online shopping and the success of its cloud computing and advertising businesses. Additionally, Amazon has expanded into new markets, such as healthcare and grocery, which could provide further growth opportunities in the future.'"
• Apple Music Classical Launch Could Be Approaching Based on Code in iOS 16.4 Beta 2 - "The Apple Music Classical app that Apple first announced when it acquired classical music service Primephonic could potentially be launching in the near future according to additional mentions of 'Apple Musi Classical' found in the iOS 16.4 beta."
• What is 'doxxing'? A look inside the dark side of the digital world - "With personal data flooding the internet, doxxing - the release of personal information without a person's consent - has become more common. CNN explains what it is, how it happens and hears directly from women who were targeted."
• Vladimir Putin signs a decree honoring US actor & Russian citizen Steven Seagal - "Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to honor the American actor Steven Seagal with the state Order of Friendship. The decree cited what it called Seagal’s 'great contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation.'"
• 10 Things That’ll Almost Definitely Sell Out: From Dr. Martens to Vitamix - New York Magazine.
• The Billionaire’s Daughter Knows What You’re Thinking - "Elizabeth Koch, the daughter of the right-wing political force Charles Koch, is working to bridge societal divides. Sure, roll your eyes. But also, why not her?"
• A Polarizing French Philosopher Chooses War Zones Over Salons - "In a new film, 'Slava Ukraini,' the writer and filmmaker Bernard-Henri Lévy warns of a heavy price if the West fails to defeat Putin in Ukraine."
• Can Olive Oil Do All That? - "Starbucks recently announced that they’re mixing this Mediterranean staple into their coffee drinks. Nutrition experts weigh in on what we know about the health benefits of olive oil."
• This 15-Minute Pasta Will Make You Feel Like an Italian Millionaire - "One magic ingredient will send your taste buds on vacation to the Amalfi Coast."
• The surprising truth about champagne - "The little-known history of Champagne. While women were barred from owning businesses in 19th Century France, three widows, who were exempt from the rule, created some of Champagne's most lauded empires."

March 1, 2023

• FBI director endorses theory Covid-19 virus may have leaked from Chinese lab - "Comments fuel divide within US intelligence community on origins, as Chinese state media warns Elon Musk on pushing Wuhan lab theory."
• Pilots make unscheduled loops to show passengers rare northern lights displays - "A most welcome flight diversion. That’s a rarity for commercial airline passengers, but it’s what travelers on at least two flights got this week when their planes looped around to give everyone a good view of the northern lights."
• The unpleasant truth about the 'golden age' of air travel - "Longing for the ‘golden age’ of air travel? Be careful what you wish for."
• The incredible train network behind Biden's secret Ukraine journey - "The extraordinary train lifeline behind Ukraine’s Rail Force One."
• Russia’s richest oligarchs lose $67B in year since Putin invaded Ukraine - "The 23 Russian oligarchs listed on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index have lost a combined $67 billion in wealth in the past year, the outlet reported Friday."
• Why Avatar: The Way of Water should win the best picture Oscar - "People may sniff, but this was a superbly realised grand spectacle, which has done far more to literally save cinema than any of the other nominees."
• 11 minutes of daily exercise could have a positive impact on your health, large study shows - "When you can’t fit your entire workout into a busy day, do you think there’s no point in doing anything at all? You should rethink that mindset. Just 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic activity per day could lower your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease or premature death, a large new study has found."
• Plant or plastic? How to decode vegan leather alternatives - "From cork to pineapple to mushrooms, there are plenty of plant-based leathers available today. But many come wrapped in a layer of polyurethane."
• These Are The 12 ‘Greenest’ Cars In The U.S. For 2023 - "It’s probably no surprise that the five vehicles rated as being the most environmentally friendly for the 2023 model year are all fully electric powered. If one were to assume that EVs are consistently more environmentally friendly than any internal-combustion engine rides, it would make sense that all of the models on this year’s 'Greenest List' compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) would run exclusively on battery power, right?"
• I don’t want to log in to your website - "There is a new trend among websites where they want my email address before I’m allowed to read their free content. While I sympathize with the struggles of the media business, I am just going to point out something obvious: not reading is easier than reading - and way easier than logging in."
• Soutzoukakia: The Greek meatballs packed with history - "More than just a plain meatball, soutzoukakia are undeniably rich and comforting, laced with hints of red wine, cumin and garlic and swathed in a hearty tomato sauce."
• Greece's secret green 'virgin island' - "The Greek island of Samothrace is a vision in green. The craggy rocks of Mount Saos, the island’s highest mountain at 5,285 feet (1,611 meters), give way to gentle slopes covered in oddly shaped plane trees, oak woodlands and majestic cedars."
• The Italian Designers Who Reinvented the Sofa Are Still Sitting on Top - "Mario Bellini, Gaetano Pesce and Tobia Scarpa, now in their 80s, transformed the furniture landscape. Their iconic creations are still as popular as ever."

February 28, 2023

• Elon Musk is the richest person in the world again - "The Tesla CEO was unseated from the top spot by Bernard Arnault, CEO of French luxury brand LVMH (LVMHF), in December of last year, making Musk No. 2 on the list for more than two months. As of Monday, however, Bloomberg reports that a rally in Tesla stock has lifted Musk back to the top of its real-time Billionaires Index. Musk’s net worth was some $187.1 billion as of Monday after markets closed, according to Bloomberg, just topping the $185.3 billion fortune of Arnault."
• Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack & stroke, study finds - "A sugar replacement called erythritol - used to add bulk or sweeten stevia, monkfruit and keto reduced-sugar products - has been linked to blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death, according to a new study."
• Seven healthy habits may help cut dementia risk, study says - "Researchers present initial findings from study that followed thousands of US women for about 20 years."
• How to relax like a Greenlander - "Greenland's natural 'medicine for the soul.' It's not easy living in Greenland, where isolation combined with an inhospitable environment can be a cause of stress. But locals have found a way to deal with it: tuning into nature."
• My body resists veganism. What’s the most ethical alternative? - "A vegan diet can be hard to adopt, even if you’re convinced it’s the right thing to do. An investigation of three options."
• China should be honest on Covid origin, says US envoy - "The US envoy to China has called on the country to be "more honest" about the origins of the Covid-19 virus."
• The Mask Mandates Did Nothing. Will Any Lessons Be Learned? - "'Do something' is not science, and it shouldn't have been public policy."
• Mark Zuckerberg says Meta now has a team building AI tools & ‘personas’ - "Zuckerberg says the company is building AI-powered tools for WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram."
• Manson family member dies aged 73 - "Linda Kasabian was lookout on night five were killed across LA - including Roman Polanski's wife Sharon Tate and her unborn child - before dodging jail by testifying against cult and changing her name."
• Can clothes ever be fully recycled? - "The world's first commercial-scale textile recycling mill is a milestone in tackling fashion's colossal waste problem."
• World’s best beaches for 2023, according to Tripadvisor - "Stretching out on the world’s best beach won’t come easy. Baía do Sancho is accessible only by boat or via ladders descending down steep cliffs to the golden sand below. The beach is in Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago some 220 miles (354 kilometers) off the coast of mainland Brazil, part of the country’s Pernambuco state. Visitors to the islands arrive by plane or boat."
• The ultimate paragon of male beauty? - "The enduring figure of David has embodied ideas about masculinity in every era throughout history. Deborah Nicholls-Lee explores the man, the myth and the muse."
• Inside New Balance’s Plans to Topple the Global Sneaker Hierarchy - "The $86 billion global sneaker market has a new major player. Here’s how it happened."
• World Photography Organization unveils the year's best images - "Sony World Photography Awards 2023: The year's best images unveiled."
• Sale of late Egyptian President Sadat's passport in Texas sparks outrage among family - "The family of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat has called on authorities to investigate the sale of the leader's passport at a US auction house, arguing that the travel document is part of the nation's heritage. Sadat's diplomatic passport was sold on February 22 for $47,500 by Dallas, Texas-based Heritage Auctions, according to its website."
• You can now fly the largest aircraft ever built in 'Microsoft Flight Simulator' - "Proceeds will go toward rebuilding the An-225 Mriya that was destroyed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

February 27, 2023

• Inside Putin's parallel universe - "‘It’s all a lie’: Russians are trapped in Putin’s parallel universe. But some want out."
• New assessment on origins of Covid-19 adds to confusion - "Now, three years removed from the start of a pandemic that is still disrupting daily life, an assessment from the US Energy Department is only adding to the confusion about what really happened in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The department has assessed that the Covid-19 pandemic most likely emerged from a laboratory leak in China, according to a newly updated classified intelligence report first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday."
• Lab Leak Most Likely Caused Pandemic, Energy Dept. Says - "The conclusion, which was made with 'low confidence,' came as America’s intelligence agencies remained divided over the origins of the coronavirus."
• Why Do A.I. Chatbots Tell Lies & Act Weird? Look in the Mirror - "One of the pioneers of artificial intelligence argues that chatbots are often prodded into producing strange results by the people who are using them."
• AI-generated fiction is flooding literary magazines - but not fooling anyone - "Prominent science fiction and fantasy magazine Clarkesworld announced it would pause submissions after a flood of AI spam. It’s not the only outlet getting AI-generated stories."
• SAG Awards: Everything Everywhere All At Once dominates ahead of Oscars - "Everything Everywhere All At Once has cemented its status as the Oscars frontrunner after several big wins at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards."
• Best red carpet fashion at the 2023 SAG Awards - "From Zendaya to Michelle Yeoh, see the best-dressed celebrities at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles."
• 11 of the best TV shows to watch this March - "Caryn James picks out the biggest offerings - from the return of The Mandalorian and Succession to rock drama Daisy Jones & The Six and a new Great Expectations with Olivia Colman."
• ‘Don’t make Frasier best friends with Elon Musk!’ Writers & comics offer their reboot tips - "The pompous, sherry-sipping, opera-loving Freudian will soon return. But with Niles out, Seattle abandoned and the star an avowed Trumpist, how can the beloved show recapture its magic? We asked the sitcom’s superfans."
• Alex Murdaugh trial: Power, privilege, murder & the downfall of a dynasty - "For generations, the Murdaugh family dominated their rural swath of South Carolina - then Alex Murdaugh was accused of the brutal murders of his wife and son. What followed was the stunning unravelling of a life of power and privilege, exposing embezzlement, drug abuse and a failed hitman suicide plot."
• The Secret History of Jackie Kennedy, the Mona Lisa & the French Ambassador's Wife - "Jackie may have brought Leonardo's masterpiece to Washington in 1963, but she didn’t do it alone."
• The 10 Most Iconic Hairstyles Of All Time - "Hair is more meaningful than it’s sometimes given credit for. As much a reflection of how we feel as it is a source of transformation, it’s little wonder we’re so keen to keep across the latest hair trends. From the street-style set to catwalks to salons around the world, we’re always on the hunt for new ideas."
• 10 Delightfully Fresh Ways to Style Your Denim for Spring - "Nothing is more foundational in a wardrobe than a go-to pair of denim. And with new fashion fads constantly on the rise, there’s something to be said about returning to those closet classics we know and love—non-trend trends, as we like to call them. This season, however, we’re all about elevating our essentials with an emphasis on sleek and strong styling."
• Is burnt food a health risk? - "Should you avoid eating burnt food? Do you scrape the burnt bits off a piece of toast? Recent research suggests that might not be a bad idea..."
• Why skipping inflight meals could be good for the planet - "Window or aisle? Near the lavatory or closer to the cockpit? Meal or no meal? 'I skip meals no matter how I fly,' says Ott, who wrote about his experience on his blog, God Save the Points. 'The idea of eating at midnight throws off your whole next day, and I think there’s credible science that it hurts your ability to recover from jet lag.'"
• ’75 Years of Porsche’ exhibition inaugurated by HSH Prince Albert - "Twelve of the most iconic Porsche cars have temporarily taken their place on Quai Albert-1er in the newly relocated and refreshed Car Collection of HSH Prince Albert, in an exciting exhibition organised by the Circle des Amis de la Collection Princier in collaboration with the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart."
• W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. was just named the best Kentucky Bourbon of the year - "The World’s Best Bourbon - According To The 2023 World Whiskies Awards."
• From Cartier’s Love Bracelet to Louis Vuitton’s Volt, Competition for the Bangle of the Moment Heats Up - "Look around in any high-end restaurant from Manhattan to Mayfair, Melbourne to Mumbai, and chances are you’ll spot a Love bangle. Cartier’s instantly recognizable design has been a staple on influential wrists since its conception in 1969, having morphed from a token of love worn by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to a millennial status symbol."

February 26, 2023

• 3 weapons that changed the course of Ukraine's war with Russia - "There are weapons that have already helped to change the course of the war. Here are three key ones that the Ukrainians have used to devastating effect."
• Everything you wanted to know about AI - but were afraid to ask - "From chatbots to deepfakes, here is the lowdown on the current state of artificial intelligence."
• Would you let ChatGPT control your smart home? - "This proof-of-concept video by Josh.ai shows how AI language models could finally make your smart home voice assistant, well, actually smart."
• How ‘15-minute cities’ turned into an international conspiracy theory - "Type '15-minute cities' into social media and be prepared for a barrage of claims the idea will usher in dystopia, people will be fined for leaving their 'district' or it is 'urban incarceration.' The concept, however, is pretty simple: Everything you need should be within a roughly 15-minute walk or cycle from your home, from health care and education to grocery stores and green spaces."
• Berkshire Hathaway Reports Major Investment Losses in 2022 - "After a $22.8 billion loss, Warren Buffett called the figure “100 percent misleading” and urged shareholders to focus on his empire’s overall health."
• The mission to save the biggest frog on earth - "Growing to the size of a cat, it's the world's largest living frog."
• Why You Can’t Predict the Future of Religion - "In an 1822 letter to the physician Benjamin Waterhouse, Thomas Jefferson expressed his confidence that traditional Christianity in the young United States was giving way to a more enlightened faith, much like Jefferson’s own in its rejection of the divinity of Jesus Christ. “I trust,” he wrote, 'that there is not a young man now living in the U.S. who will not die an Unitarian.'"
• ‘Blind chance’ or plot? Exhumation may help solve puzzle of 1933 Reichstag blaze - "Tests carried out on remains of young communist who confessed to arson attack that proved a gift to Hitler."
• What Jackie Kennedy Ate in a Day - "Jackie Kennedy took her breakfast in bed. Every morning, a White House butler brought a tray of toast with honey, orange juice, and coffee with skim milk. For lunch, the first lady had a cup of broth and a slim sandwich (which, on occasion, was grilled cheese.) Her dinner of choice? Cold poached salmon, followed by lamb with potatoes, string beans, and ice cream."
• How slippers left the comfort of home to become a status symbol - "Even Akshata Murty, Rishi Sunak’s wife, is doing the soft-shoe shuffle outdoors. It’s clear the once humble footwear is having a moment."
• The best streaming devices you can buy in 2023 - "From dongles to set top boxes, there’s an option for every budget."
• Have You Clocked These Boots? - "Every so often, a specific boot gets associated with a certain era. Will Blundstone’s Chelsea boots be the defining style of the early 2020s?"
• Carrie Bradshaw's Best Handbags Never Go Out of Style - "From her 1970s-inspired Gucci top handles to her curvaceous vintage Dior saddle, discover Bradshaw’s best handbags to shop now and wear forever ahead."
• Is the Gucci logo belt back? - "Got a Gucci Belt? 3 Fresh Ways to Style it, According to the Fall 2023 Show."
• LVMH considering takeover of Richemont - report - "Swiss paper Finanz und Wirtschaft reported on Wednesday that there are 'whispers' in the luxury fashion industry regarding a potential takeover of Richemont (OTCPK:CFRHF) by LVMH (OTCPK:LVMHF)."
• Breitling Takes The Field With A Rugby-Themed Chronomat - "The Chronomat, Breitling’s most all-purpose sports watch, is taking its position on the pitch as the Official Timepiece of Six Nations Rugby. The new, limited-edition watch series and a new squad of players that will become Breitling ambassadors are dedicated to the unions and federations that make up Six Nations Rugby: England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, and Italy."

February 25, 2023

• Watch: Ukraine war - One year in 87 seconds on anniversary - "On 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, hoping to take over the country in a matter of days. BBC journalist Ian Casey explains what has happened since."
• ‘Strongest snowstorm in years’ leaves Californians delighted & frozen - "The Hollywood sign was dusted in white as arctic air blew across the state, triggering blizzard warnings for the first time since 1989."
• The chatbots that say they can feel - "The AI emotions dreamed up by ChatGPT. AI chatbots are already imagining what feelings they'll end up with. But if they did develop them, would we even notice?"
• GPT-4 Is Coming - What We Know So Far - "The viral chatbot interface is based on GPT-3, said to be one of the largest and most complex language models ever created - trained on 175 billion 'parameters' (data points). However, it’s something of an open secret that its creator - the AI research organization OpenAI - is well into development of its successor, GPT-4. Rumor has it that GPT-4 will be far more powerful and capable than GPT-3. One source even went as far as claiming that the parameter count has been upped to the region of 100 trillion, although this has been disputed in colorful language by Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO."
• The 10 most iconic jewels through history - "'Cursed' gemstones, beautiful emblems of famous love affairs, and symbols of dark histories - all these dazzling jewels have intriguing backstories, writes Daisy Woodward."
• Berlin film festival 2023 roundup - prestige, politics & ethical starpower - "This year’s Berlinale continued the tradition of combining earnestness with red-carpet glamour - featuring Kristen Stewart, Bono and Steven Spielberg, and this time some real crowd pleasers."
• Those white trails behind planes are a problem - but there might be a solution - "Contrails are a problem for aviation - but there could be an easy solution. On a clear day, with the right weather conditions, a portion of the sky busy with commercial flights can become riddled with contrails, the wispy ice clouds that form as jet aircraft fly by."

February 24, 2023

• A year of war in Ukraine as witnessed by Guardian photographers - photo essay - "Photojournalists Alessio Mamo, Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Ed Ram and Anastasia Vlasova have covered the situation in Ukraine since the Russian invasion last February. We hear from them about their experiences."
• A year of war in Ukraine: Mariupol The ruin of a city - "For more than 80 days, the Russians bombarded Mariupol, determined to take the port city even if they had to raze it to the ground first."
• 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine - "On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014." Wikipedia.
• Ukraine war: How Putin's fate is tied to Russia's war - "Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has brought death and destruction to Russia's neighbour. It has resulted in huge military casualties for his own country: some estimates put the number of dead Russian soldiers in the tens of thousands."
• Borsch: a culinary symbol of Ukraine - "Vegetarian borsch with vushka (dumplings). Meat features in many borsch recipes. However, Ukranian chef Ievgen Klopotenko makes a vegetarian version with potatoes, red beans and cabbage - and of course, beetroot as the star."
• I gave birth to the world’s ‘8 billionth baby’ - "It was surreal. It was just past midnight and as soon as Vinice was delivered, we were surrounded by people."
• Nearly a million across US without power as wild winter storm hits - "Firefighter killed in Michigan by power line, while 13 million people under winter weather advisories across the country."
• Parts of US see earliest spring conditions on record: ‘Climate change playing out in real time’ - "Parts of Texas, Arkansas, Ohio and Maryland, along with New York, are all recording their earliest spring conditions on record."
• ‘Forever chemicals’ mean England’s waters will miss pollution targets for decades - "Mapping project reveals standards for PFAS will not be met until 2063 in many areas."
• The heavily armed DMZ separating North & South Korea has become a wildlife haven - "Between North and South Korea lies the demilitarized zone (DMZ), one of the world’s most heavily armed borders. The 160-mile stretch is barred with fences and landmines and is largely empty of human activity. But that isolation has inadvertently turned the area into a haven for wildlife. Google released street view images of the DMZ for the first time this week, offering a rare glimpse into the flora and fauna that inhabit this no man’s land."
• Beauty breeds obsession: the fight to save orchids from a lethal black market - "Behind the scenes of its 20th orchid show, the New York Botanical Garden toils to rescue endangered plants."
• ChatGPT’s Biggest Competition: Here Are The Companies Working On Rival AI Chatbots - "The roaring success of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot created by U.S. non-profit OpenAI, has sparked a frantic rush to get new AI products to market, a frenzy that is consuming tech’s biggest behemoths and countless startups as they fight for space in the emerging sector."
• Microsoft has been secretly testing its Bing chatbot ‘Sydney’ for years - "Microsoft’s Bing AI chatbot history dates back at least six years, with Sydney first appearing in 2021."
• Taiwan announces plan to pay tourists to visit - "As travel returns with a bang, but rising airfares are making long-haul journeys difficult for many, destinations are doing all they can to encourage visitors to come and boost their economies. The latest is Taiwan, which is planning to offer tourists $165 each to vacation there. Cash rewards will also be offered to tour groups to encourage them to visit the island."
• Sleep this way to add almost 5 years to your life - "Want to live longer? Then prioritize sleep in your life: Following five good sleep habits added nearly five years to a man’s life expectancy and almost 2.5 years to a woman’s life, a new study found."
• What Dentists Wish You Knew - "Don’t get high before your appointment, step away from the charcoal toothpaste and a few other lessons to learn."
• Why Am I So Congested All the Time? - "Seasonal allergies, pet dander, temperature changes and sinus infections are just a few potential triggers for this common problem. Here’s what experts say can help."
• Qantas reveals new first & business class cabins for ultra long-haul ‘Project Sunrise’ flights - "The first class cabin seats, or First Suites, will feature an extra-wide fixed bed, a 22-inch wide recliner lounge chair, a full-length wardrobe, a folding dining table - large enough for two - and a 32-inch ultra-high definition TV. The airline says customers will 'feel like they are in a mini boutique hotel.'"
• Disgraced art dealer's family returns rare royal jewels to Cambodia - "The crown jewels were among 77 pieces of centuries-old gold jewelry handed over by the family of Douglas Latchford, a British antiquities dealer and leading scholar on Khmer art who in 2019 was accused by US authorities of trafficking artifacts looted from Cambodia."
• 11 of the best films to watch in March - "Including Dungeons & Dragons, Creed III and the latest John Wick starring Keanu Reeves - Nicholas Barber lists this month's unmissable releases."
• Indian Motorcycle Rolls Out The New Big 116ci V-Twin Sport Chief - "Indian Motorcycle has announced a new model based on their big Thunderstroke 116-cubic inch air-cooled V-Twin that plays a bit against the grain. Called the Sport Chief, the new motorcycle is a slimmed-down, stripped back, more urban-focused cruiser that’s not really a cruiser at all."
• Ampler Axel e-bike review: this is the way - "After a year-long struggle, the boutique maker of stealthy electric bikes finally gets it right."

February 23, 2023

• Chinese apps remove ChatGPT as global AI race heats up - "Several popular Chinese apps have removed access to ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot that has taken the world by storm even as major Chinese tech companies race to develop their own equivalent."
• AI-Powered Bing Search Comes to Microsoft Edge, Skype & Bing iOS Apps - "Microsoft today announced the rollout of new Bing, Skype, and Edge apps for the iPhone and the iPad, all of which feature the chat-based AI-powered search capabilities that the company unveiled earlier in February."
• Donald Trump Has Been Lying About Trump Tower For Decades - "As the former president tries to fend off authorities, new revelations about Trump Tower suggest that the building is - and always was - something of a fraud."
• Jimmy Carter’s Presidency Was Not What You Think - "The man was not what you think. He was tough. He was extremely intimidating. Jimmy Carter was probably the most intelligent, hard-working and decent man to have occupied the Oval Office in the 20th century."
• David Hockney Goes High-Tech - "The British artist has always embraced new ways of working. With an immersive digital extravaganza, he is taking that to the next level."
• Immersive technology allows viewers to surround themselves in famous art - "From swimming pools to painted forests, visitors can immerse themselves in British artist David Hockney's work at a new creative space in London."
• ‘One billionaire at a time’: inside the Swiss clinics where the super-rich go for rehab - "For the ultra-wealthy and the super-famous, regular therapy won’t do."
• France eyes ‘unprecedented’ water curbs after driest winter since 1959 - "France is preparing to introduce restrictions on water use in parts of the country from March, in an unprecedented move for the time of year following the driest winter in 64 years, environment minister Christophe Bechu said on Wednesday. France has recorded 32 days without rain, weather forecaster Meteo-France said."
• Pentagon warns troops eating poppy seeds could lead to failed drugs tests - "A memo distributed on Friday from Gilbert Cisneros, the under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, directed military service leaders to 'notify service members to avoid consumption of all poppy seeds to include food products and baked goods containing poppy seeds.'"
• Oscars 2023: Crisis team in place for ceremony, after the Will Smith slap - "A 'crisis team' will be introduced at this year's Oscars, to handle any real-time incidents as a response to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the 2022 ceremony."
• New online superstore surpasses Amazon & Walmart to become most downloaded app in US - "Temu, which runs an online superstore for virtually everything - from home goods to apparel to electronics - unveiled a commercial during the game that encouraged consumers to 'shop like a billionaire.'"
• 10 Best V12-Engined Cars You Can Buy Right Now - "The V12 is on the verge of extinction, but you can still buy some incredible brand-new cars with these old-school monsters under the hood."
• The History of the Hero: The HermÈs Birkin - "It’s not a bag, it’s a Birkin: this 39-year-old phenomenon is a better investment than gold."
• Inside A $100 Million Ski-In Ski-Out Aspen Mansion - "Sitting on Aspen Mountain is 730 South Galena Street, currently on the market for $100 million dollars. If sold at this price, the house could be the most expensive home ever sold in Colorado real estate history."
• Giorgio Armani Designs A Superyacht - "The Italian Sea Group and Giorgio Armani himself have unveiled the 236-foot-long superyacht they developed in collaboration with the Admiral Design Centre at an exclusive private event in Italy last weekend, we know exactly what type of superyacht the fashion icon would design."
• Soy, oat & almond drinks can still be called milk, US regulators say - "FDA says consumers are not confused if plant-based beverages use the term, after dairy producers call for crackdown on labeling."
• Nalanda: The university that changed the world - "More than 500 years before Oxford University was founded, India's Nalanda University was home to nine million books and attracted 10,000 students from around the world."
• Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag Is Back In Stock In 12 Colors - "The Lululemon Belt Bag just got restocked in a huge selection of colors. Get it before it sells out again. The Lululemon Belt Bag is coveted for a few reasons. First, it’s incredibly convenient, giving you an easy way to keep your phone, keys and wallet within reach while still being totally hands-free. And like many of Lululemon’s other pieces, it’s become somewhat of a status symbol with the power to turn a regular old athleisure outfit into a chic ensemble. It’s also trending on TikTok, which is a surefire indicator that an item will sell out."
• Sonos One vs. Google Nest Audio: which is the best smart speaker? - "The Sonos One and Google Nest Audio are two of the best smart speakers of 2023. Both can pump out impressive sound, respond to a wide variety of voice commands, and easily sync up with the rest of your smart home. But with the Sonos One costing more than $200 and the Google Nest Audio clocking in at just $100, you might be wondering if the Sonos One is truly worth your money - or if you’d be better off saving $100 and opting for the cheaper Google product."

February 22, 2023

• Harry & Meghan 'want next-level riches' as they 'gun for billionaire Hollywood status' - "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly landed 'more money than they know what to do with' after Spare and their series on Netflix."
• Prince Harry & Meghan Markle dismiss South Park lawsuit rumour - "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly dismissed claims they were planning to sue the creators of cartoon comedy South Park."
• Brian Cox Shows the Kids How It's Done - "Has being an OG in real life helped Brian Cox play one on TV? On the eve of Succession’s new season, the Scottish actor describes the method to his madness."
• Spy balloon, UFO or Dragon Ball? Japan baffled by iron ball washed up on beach - "About 1.5 metres in diameter, the mysterious metal sphere has been the source of intense speculation online."
• How longer weekends help the planet - "The climate benefits of a four-day workweek."
• New Report Reveals The 10 Safest Destinations For Solo Travelers - "Travelling solo means freedom and independence, making new connections and never having to compromise."
• Hikes, hot tubs & proper snow? Our family ski trip in Slovakia is a revelation - "The protected summits and valleys of the Tatras offer a return to the pleasures of traditional winter holidays - this time with all mod cons."
• Are We Ready for a World Without Google Search? - "What will we lose in the process?"
• How To Build A ChatGPT Chatbot For Your Website In Minutes - "ChatGPT has blown everyone away over the past few months with its amazing AI conversation skills. Microsoft’s spending millions building it into Bing, but you can have your very own ChatGPT chatbot built into your website using a free plugin. And it will only take you a matter of minutes to get it up and running."
• Building a social media app by yourself is tricky - "For the next five weeks, The Vergecast is talking to people who work independently to build cool things on the internet, like Hive — the Twitter competitor."
• ChatGPT: A Double-Edged Sword in NLP - "OpenAI’s language model can create human-like prose."
• The ChatGPT Reincarnation of the Marquis de Sade Is Coming - "'Loab' was just the beginning. Artificial intelligence will soon dredge up all kinds of secret fascinations and fears."
• What Makes People Happy? Harvard Study Says Money Isn’t Most Important Factor - "It turns out that money does not make people happy, nor does your station or rank. It is mostly relationships and the connections you forge that leads to the most contented people. Whether these are in the form of friendships, book clubs, romantic attachments, church groups, sports partners or co-workers, the people with the strongest social bonds and connections in their 50s, were in the best shape in their 80s."
• Exercise & satisfying relationships are the secrets to good health in later life - "New research finds strong social networks and physical activity in mid life can help prevent long-term health conditions."
• Behind the scenes at the 2023 Baftas - in pictures - "Guardian photographer Sarah Lee enjoyed backstage access to the biggest night in British cinema, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall."
• Venice canals run dry amid fears Italy faces another drought - "Weeks of dry winter weather have raised concerns that Italy could face another drought after last summer’s emergency, with the Alps having received less than half of their normal snowfall, according to scientists and environmental groups."
• Monaco was very warm last year - official - "Official figures have confirmed this with several new records set. The meteorological station at Jardin exotique registered 35.1 degrees on July 20, in the middle of a heatwave that started in June and continued into September. Overall for the year, temperatures were 1.4 degrees higher than average."
• Why I Watch the Closing Credits of Every Movie I See - "One look is enough to challenge the myth of the genius auteur calling all the shots."
• Starbucks launches olive oil coffee drinks in Italy - "The world's largest coffee chain Starbucks says it is launching a line of olive oil-infused drinks in Italy. Chief executive Howard Schultz says olive oil's 'unexpected, velvety, buttery flavour... enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate.'"
• Margarita buzzkill: How the climate crisis is threatening tequila - "Something to consider as you search for happy hours to celebrate National Margarita Day: The delicious concoction’s main ingredient is threatened by changing weather and new strain on the agave plant’s vital pollinator - the bat."
• Soundbars are great but I found this device delivers even better TV audio - "I added a soundbar to my TV to improve the sound but discovered something better."
• Samsung's 2023 8K Mini LED TV starts at $5,000 - "The Neo QLED 4K line begins at a more reasonable $1,200."
• MONTBLANC & FERARRI REIMAGINE THE DAYTONA SP3 AS A LUXURY PEN - "Wrapped in sleek titanium (a rare moment for Montblanc utensils), the Stilema boasts a sleek look accompanied by clean, flexuous lines like the Daytona SP3."
• What is a smart thermostat? - "Smart thermostats explained: How they work and how they save you money."

February 21, 2023

• Putin vents at West, doubles down on war - "In major speech, Russian leader falsely blames West for his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and pledges more support for army and families of dead troops."
• Steve Jobs Said Your Overall Happiness in Life Really Comes Down to Asking 4 Simple Questions - "Before his untimely death, Steve Jobs gave us a powerful lesson on living the best possible life."
• Warren Buffett’s 5/25 Rule Will Sky-Rocket Your Productivity - "When you lack clear direction, you’ll run around in circles. You have to find specific goals and break them down to figure out what you can accomplish first."
• 10 Best Performing Warren Buffett Stocks in 2023 - "We'll take a look at how well Mr. Buffett's portfolio is doing on the stock market. Some companies that are doing great are Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:FND), Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA), and Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU)."
• Top 10 AI Stocks to Buy Right Now for the Next 10 Years - "As technology continues to advance, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly important part of our lives. It is now being used in everything from self-driving cars to personal assistants like Siri and Alexa. With the growing demand for AI, investors are looking for companies that are leading the way in this field. In this article, we will highlight the top 10 AI stocks to buy right now for the next 10 years."
• Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive - "Augustus Gloop now ‘enormous’ instead of ‘fat’, Mrs Twit no longer ‘ugly’ and Oompa Loompas are gender neutral."
• The Law Is Closing In on Trump - "Former presidents should be subject to prosecution. This position doesn’t endanger our system of government; it protects and applies a fundamental American legal principle: We are all equal in the eyes of the law."
• 'It's f**king annoying!': Brian Cox slams Succession co-star Jeremy Strong's method acting - says filming is not a 'religious experience' as he appears on magazine cover.
• How to Use ChatGPT with Siri on iPhone - "Unlocking the Potential of ChatGPT: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using ChatGPT with Siri on Your iPhone."
• INTEGRATE CHATGPT INTO SIRI TO MAKE YOUR APPLE VOICE ASSISTANT 100X SMARTER - "We’ve all been there: you ask Siri a question, and it responds with the ever-frustrating 'Sorry I didn’t understand that'. It could be an accent or dialect problem, the fact that Siri isn’t trained on the vast volume of data that Google’s AI is trained on, or just that Apple absolutely dropped the ball on Siri. Apple launched the voice AI as an app almost 13 years ago, although Siri today still feels noticeably dumb and unhelpful even after more than a decade. Google’s voice AI seems to overwhelmingly be the most popular choice nowadays, although there’s a new kid on the block that’s absolutely eating Google’s lunch, at least in the search department."
• ChatGPT: can artificial intelligence create crosswords? - "AI-generated clues are often bizarre and sometimes flat-out wrong - but, setters agree, that may not be a bad thing. Plus: a podcast returns."
• Netflix Added 37 New Movies & Series This Week - "23 new series and 14 new movies dropped on Netflix US this week alongside 2 brand new mobile games."
• Forget The New MacBook Pro, Apple Has Something Better - "What is one of the biggest, literally, missing features of the MacBook Air? How about a bigger screen? Unlike the MacBook Pro family, the MacBook Air is locked into a single screen size. If you want a macOS laptop with a bigger screen, you have no choice but to go for the more expensive and, in all likelihood, overpowered MacBook Pro. That's the choice today, but if you want a better option, you should wait. Apple has something big planned for 2023."
• THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL ROAD BIKE?! - "Beauty, as we all know, is certainly a subjective thing. Still, what self-described road geek would not take one look at the Battaglin Portofino R and not feel their breath taken away!?"
• Cultural Capital Is The Key To Louis Vuitton’s Luxury Lead - "Louis Vuitton’s recent bombshell appointment of Pharrell Williams as its new menswear creative director may have surprised some observers, but the move makes perfect sense as luxury brands are moving from merely selling products to becoming cultural influencers."
• Sotheby’s Is Auctioning 40 Pairs of Air Force 1s to Celebrate the Kicks’ 40th Anniversary - "The sale, running from June 8 to 21, will be led by a pair of coveted Louis Vuitton AF1s."
• World's Rarest Sneakers - Bid on Sotheby's sneaker auction - "Never miss a rare sneaker auction, sign up for email alerts. Bid now on the rarest and most desired sneakers created. Trusted marketplace. Online Auctions. View Recent Results. Buy Now."

February 20, 2023

• BAFTA Awards 2023: See the full list of winners - "The German film 'All Quiet on the Western Front' was the sweeping victor of the night, winning seven awards including best film and best director."
• The Best Dressed Stars at the 2023 BAFTAs - "Tonight’s 76th annual BAFTAs are hosted by actor Richard E. Grant at London’s Royal Festival Hall for the very first time. The British film ceremony honors the year’s best performances on-screen, and is an unmissable part of awards season. And as usual, the red carpet affair before the grand ceremony was just as much of a spectacle as the actual event. At the BAFTAs, A-listers decided to lean into modern glamour, favoring quirky accents that made an impact."
• Facebook & Instagram to get paid verification as Twitter charges for two-factor SMS authentication - "Mark Zuckerberg follows Elon Musk’s lead in introducing fee for blue ticks, while Twitter to restrict 2FA via SMS to paid users."
• Facebook & Instagram are testing selling you blue checks for $12 a month - "‘Meta Verified’ will give you a blue badge along with several other benefits, including increased visibility, protection against impersonation, priority customer support, and more."
• Twitter will now charge for SMS two-factor authentication - "Only Twitter Blue subscribers will get the privilege of using the least secure form of two-factor authentication."
• Warren Buffett is missing out on this year's market comeback - "Warren Buffett is arguably the most legendary investor of all time. But the Oracle of Omaha has missed out on this year’s stock market rally. So far, at least."
• Many of the world’s billionaires share a zodiac sign, study finds - "According to the research, Libra - the star sign given to those born between late September and late October - appeared more frequently on the rich list than any other zodiac sign, with 32 of the world's wealthiest people sharing the sign."
• ChatGPT Rewrote My Dating Profile, Here's What Happened - "It went to some strange places."
• 5 top Free Tools for Detecting ChatGPT, GPT3 & GPT2 - "In this article, we have enlisted the top 5 free tools for detecting ChatGPT, GPT3, and GPT2 to help stop the misuse of generative material."
• Bing's AI Is Threatening Users. That's No Laughing Matter - "Microsoft's new AI-powered Bing search engine, powered by OpenAI, is threatening users and acting erratically. It's a sign of worse to come."
• Human convincingly beats AI at Go with help from a bot - "A flaw let the player surround his AI victim while distracting it elsewhere."
• The 10 birds that changed the world for ever - "Dodo, eagle, sparrow ... A veteran naturalist and writer picks the species that have played a key role for humans, from ancient civilisations to today’s climate crisis."
• Should New Zealand cats be kept indoors? - "New Zealand's remarkable birdlife evolved on a land without apex predators. Introduced cats have decimated their numbers. New Zealanders may have to change the way they keep cats."
• True cost of our tea: Sexual abuse on Kenyan tea farms revealed - "Sexual exploitation has been uncovered on tea farms that supply some of the UK's most popular brands, including PG Tips, Lipton and Sainsbury's Red Label."
• Kris Jenner shows off her ‘real’ face in rare unedited photo taken before major plastic surgery overhaul - "The Hulu star shared the photo on her Instagram Stories Friday to commemorate Paris Hilton's 42nd birthday."
• Five hidden symbols in Vermeer's paintings - "A major new Vermeer exhibition at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam displays the artist's evocative and serene paintings of daily life - but they harbour secret, symbolic messages."
• Official Images Of The Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 Low - "Just a month into the new year, Tiffany and Co. shocked the sneaker landscape with the official announcement of their collaboration with The Swoosh and its heralded Air Force 1. From critiques to admiration, the upcoming premium-tooled ensemble will certainly boast one of the most revered releases of 2023 with official images of the widely-conversed Tiffany and Co. x Nike Air Force 1 Low having recently been made available."
• 24 of our favorite travel wallets for staying organized on the go - "The best travel wallets make it easy to keep track of all your travel essentials, ranging from your passport to your travel credit cards and even some day-of necessities like boarding passes and vaccination cards. The majority also come with safety features like zippered compartments and RFID-blocking material, which can help ensure your important information and card numbers don’t fall into the wrong hands."

February 19, 2023

• Jeff Bezos' $500-Million Yacht Hits the Open Ocean for the First Time - "Jeff Bezos’ giant 417-foot long sailing yacht stretched its legs on the open ocean this week, still completely free of a coating of eggs Rotterdam residents once promised the world’s largest sailing vessel. Yacht builders Oceanco referred to the $500-million sailing yacht by its internal serial name - Y721 - during its yearslong development and manufacturing process. The vessel can now be called by the name granted to it by its mega-rich owner: the Koru. A Koru is a Māori symbol representing the spiral of an unfurling fern frond."
• What Does It Mean to Dress Rich? - "At New York Fashion Week, it was clear that the sartorial signifiers of wealth and status were changing."
• Dubai could get a 93-kilometer indoor cycling super highway - "Dubai could become a new center for sustainability and wellness, if developer URB gets its way. The Dubai-based firm has proposed a series of ambitious, environmentally focused designs to transform the emirate - including an indoor climate controlled 'sustainable urban highway' stretching over 93 kilometers (58 miles)."
• Tom Cruise's changing appearance over the years - "From swoon-worthy Top Gun star to THAT puffy face - and now a deep tan and flowing locks."
• Keanu Reeves Will Never Surrender to the Machines - "The Matrix movies brought Reeves and Chad Stahelski together. Now the duo is killing it on their fourth John Wick - and still keeping technology in check."
• This is iPhone 15 Pro: Thinner bezels, thicker ‘curve’ design, no Lightning port, more - "We have obtained exclusive renders of the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro, based on a CAD model provided to 9to5Mac by a reliable case manufacturer and 3D Artist Respective Render Man Ian Zelbo. The renders show some significant changes to the design and features of Apple’s flagship smartphone, which is expected to launch later this year."
• Apple, please don’t take all of the buttons away - "Reports are pointing to a buttonless iPhone 15 Pro with solid-state haptic buttons in their place. This is very bad and no good."
• ‘Bond villain’ DNA could transform cancer treatment, scientists say - "Discovery that extrachromosomal DNA act as cancer-causing genes seen as breakthrough that could lead to new therapies."
• The adults celebrating child-free lives - "From consciously child-free influencers, to online communities for people who’ve decided against having kids, the no-kids movement is booming - but so is the backlash."
• Malibu Colony Estates Home Hits The Market At $35 Million - "Few neighborhoods exude more exclusive cachet than Malibu. Homes in the town behind the gates at Malibu Colony Estates, also known as the 'original Malibu,' raise the bar even higher. Throw in a brand-new custom-built contemporary home, and you have a $35 million property that stands apart from any other."
• Garmin Vivomove Trend review: trending smarter - "These days, Garmin devices aren’t just beefy fitness watches. The company’s done a lot to shore up its hybrid smartwatches, too."

February 18, 2023

• Why China Didn’t Invent ChatGPT - "The state’s hardening censorship and heavier hand have held back its tech industry; so has entrepreneurs’ reluctance to invest for the long term. It wasn’t always that way."
• Introducing the AI Mirror Test, which very smart people keep failing - "In behavioral psychology, the mirror test is designed to discover animals’ capacity for self-awareness. AI chatbots like Bing and ChatGPT are entrancing users, but they’re just autocomplete systems trained on our own stories about superintelligent AI. That makes them software - not sentient."
• Microsoft is looking for ways to rein in Bing AI chatbot after troubling responses - "Microsoft on Thursday said it’s looking at ways to rein in its Bing AI chatbot after a number of users highlighted examples of concerning responses from it this week, including confrontational remarks and troubling fantasies."
• Microsoft limits Bing chat to five replies to stop the AI from getting real weird - "Microsoft’s new limits mean Bing chatbot users can only ask a maximum of five questions per session and 50 in total per day."
• The Spanish firm that uses dubious methods to ‘erase your past’ from the internet - "Cache of 50,000 files lays bare deceptive methods used by Eliminalia to clear up its clients’ cyber profiles. 'We erase your past' declares the company’s tagline. Eliminalia, which has offices in several cities including Barcelona and Kyiv, is part of a growing industry that will clean up your online profile."
• Was Jeffrey Epstein's death really suicide? - "As questions are raised over 'missing CCTV' and 'unusual neck injuries' and Ghislaine Maxwell insists he was murdered, read our gripping account of paedophile financier’s final hours."
• Eliminalia - "We erase your past we help you build your future." We help you rebuild your future by deleting unwanted and erroneus information and help guarantee your right to anonimity.
• Stunning silver wedding dress recovered from 17th century shipwreck - "In 1660, a ship carrying a treasure trove of luxury goods sank off the coast of Texel, the largest island in the North Sea."
• 100 centenarians’ 100 tips for a life well lived - "‘Keep your eyes open - and leap into the future.’ What’s the secret to making it into triple figures? Never stay stuck in the past, keep a diary ... and dance while you still can."
• Restored Paris art deco public loo worth every penny of €2 charge - "Lavatory de la Madeleine, opened in 1905, has been closed for 12 years but has been renovated to full belle époque glory."
• Jennifer Coolidge on Life as a Surprise Superstar: 'People Like That I'm the Underdog' - "The White Lotus star opens up to PEOPLE about her Hollywood hot streak and what's next."
• The King of Comedy at 40: Martin Scorsese’s painful ode to the wannabe - "In the dark, dry comedy, Robert De Niro plays a scheming comedian whose mediocrity doesn’t dampen his ambition."
• Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor & Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84 - "Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Girls! Girls! and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say."
• Alain Ducasse On Life After Earning 21 Michelin Stars - "There are Michelin-starred chefs, and then there’s Alain Ducasse. As well as being the first chef to own three restaurants with three Michelin Stars (the institute’s highest rating) each, Ducasse is one of just two chefs in the world to be awarded over 20 stars altogether."
• Denmark's limited-edition cream bun - "Fastelavnsboller: A Danish pastry for Fastelavn. Most seasons in Denmark have a cake or bread associated with them, but no other season's sweets have as much hype as the cream bun for the Fastelavn holiday."
• The iconic outfits that cause outrage - "From Emily in Paris to Sex and the City, Patricia Field's divisive costumes subvert ideas about how women 'should' look. It's all about 'expressing yourself.'"
• Withings’ luxury weighing scale is amazing, if inessential - "You don’t need it, but you can still marvel at its brilliance."
• The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is the first hybrid robot mop & vacuum we’ve tested that does a great job at both - "Combination robotic mop and vacuum hybrids are pretty common these days, but typically they can’t do both jobs well: they either leave your carpets dirty, don’t thoroughly scrub your floors, or even worse get your carpets wet since they can’t get out of their own way. So it was a pleasant, but not altogether unexpected, surprise that iRobot, the company that started the robot cleaning craze, has also cracked the code for a combination vacuum and mop with its new Roomba Combo j7+ ($1,100), an improved version of the best robot vacuum in our last round of testing. It’s the first hybrid we’ve tested that really does a great job of both vacuuming and mopping, with robotic arms that effectively lift the mop pad out of the way when it senses carpeting."

February 17, 2023

• Antarctica sea-ice hits new record low - "There is now less sea-ice surrounding the Antarctic continent than at any time since we began using satellites to measure it in the late 1970s."
• CNN gets rare access inside a plant making ammo for Ukraine - "CNN's Oren Liebermann gets a rare look inside a Pennsylvania factory making ammunition for Ukraine."
• Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia, says family - "Family of Die Hard and Pulp Fiction actor, 67, releases statement to share diagnosis following retirement from acting owing to aphasia."
• A Conversation With Bing’s Chatbot Left Me Deeply Unsettled - "A very strange conversation with the chatbot built into Microsoft’s search engine led to it declaring its love for me."
• Bing’s A.I. Chat: ‘I Want to Be Alive - "In a two-hour conversation with our columnist, Microsoft’s new chatbot said it would like to be human, had a desire to be destructive and was in love with the person it was chatting with. Here’s the transcript."
• Microsoft explains Bing's bizarre AI chat behavior - "It can get confused during long chat sessions or when used for 'entertainment.'"
• The Supreme Court could be about to decide the legal fate of AI search - "Are the robots responsible for what they say?"
• Why spy balloons are still useful in era of drones & satellites - "An expert explains the reasons a technology first used during the French Revolutionary Wars remains so in demand today."
• Can you dream in another language? - "Sleep has a more powerful role in language-learning than was previously thought. What does this reveal about our night-time brain?"
• 12 Probiotic Foods That Can Improve Your Gut Health - "Add these foods to your diet for a healthy gut."
• 14 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies of 2023 - "Best Under $200: At under $200, Glenfarclas' 25 Year is easily one of the most affordable quarter-century single malts around."
• Netflix Quietly Retires Shuffle Feature Due to Low Usage - "The feature, known as 'Play Me Something' or 'Surprise Me,' was originally introduced in 2021."
• How to Buy a Security Camera You Can Trust - "Eufy’s recent scandal shows it’s not so much about the data breach but about how a company responds. Here are a few ways to shop smart."
• Princess Diana's Personal Letters From the Last Two Years of Her Life to Be Auctioned for Charity - "The collection is 'an astonishing, confidential collection of 32 highly personal letters and cards written by the Princess of Wales to two of her closest friends.'"
• Michael Caine's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Is For Sale - "The Ex-Michael Caine Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. This car is now for sale through H&H Classics."
• Balcony House - Bassico Arquitectos - "The house is an extensive balcony to always be related to the valley, the mountains, the sunsets, the night, the distant city, the changing landscape."
• A First Look Inside This $65 Million Duplex Penthouse In New York’s 53 West 53 - "The striking architecturally significant tower was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Parisian architect Jean Nouvel, whose work includes everything from luxury residential condos and homes to hotels, concert halls and museums. The tower is immediately recognizable thanks to its tapering structure that is framed within a concrete diagrid. This shifts the concrete sculptural system to the exterior, creating a unique facade but also for allowing more interior space within the building. There are also five spires at different heights, which makes it even more visually appealing when seen from the streets or neighboring buildings. Nouvel was inspired by New York’s iconic architecture and sought out to create something that would add to the diverse skyline."

February 16, 2023

• Why New Zealand is no safe haven from the climate crisis - "Water carved New Zealand’s stunning landscape. Now too much is risking lives."
• World risks descending into a climate ‘doom loop’, warn thinktanks - "Report says simply coping with escalating impacts of climate crisis could override tackling root cause."
• Bottled water booming despite worries over waste - "Environmental campaigner Hemantha Withanage is adamant that the purchase of plastic-bottled water should be discouraged."
• How pesticides impair our senses - "Pesticides are widely used worldwide to boost plant growth. Although effective, they contain toxic chemicals that can seriously impair our senses and nervous system."
• Whatever happened to middle age? The mysterious case of the disappearing life stage - "Midlife used to mean settling down, going grey and buying a lawnmower. But with relaxation no longer an option, has the concept lost all meaning?"
• Warren Buffett's Remarkably Easy Writing Hack to Simplify Complex Ideas - "Three questions to ask before you write a word."
• The Top 10 In-Demand Skills For 2030 - "What will the world be like in 2030? Well, obviously, no one knows for sure, but we have some interesting predictions: According to Dell, 85% of us who are in work will be doing jobs that don’t exist yet. In a WEF video, Danish politician Ida Auken predicted we would 'own nothing and be happy' as everything is provided as-a-service. Here’s my pick for what the first graduates of the next decade will want to have on their CVs if they want to impress - and what the rest of us should focus on to stay competitive too."
• 15 Best ChatGPT Alternatives (Free & Paid) - "In this guide, we have listed a variety of ChatGPT alternatives you should try out. So without further delay, open additional tabs on your browser, and let’s chat with some AI bots."
• Top 5 Differences Between ChatGPT & Google Bard AI - "ChatGPT and Google Bard AI are both AI language models but there are some key differences"
• Microsoft’s Bing is an emotionally manipulative liar & people love it - "Users have been reporting all sorts of ‘unhinged’ behavior from Microsoft’s AI chatbot. In one conversation with The Verge, Bing even claimed it spied on Microsoft’s employees through webcams on their laptops and manipulated them."
• Amazon Releases a New Language Model that Outperforms GPT3.5 - "Amazon has launched a new language model to catch up with the wildly popular chatbot ChatGPT."
• Machu Picchu reopens for the first time after protests - "The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu reopened to tourists on Wednesday, February 15, after entry was suspended in December and January amid social unrest in Peru."
• From Athens To Tunisia, Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Award Winners For 2023 - "The 65th annual Star Awards celebrate the world’s most outstanding hotels, restaurants, and spas. Plus, inaugural ratings for cruises."
• Raquel Welch: a life in pictures - "The American actor has died at the age of 82. In 1966, her appearances in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years BC, wearing a fur bikini, shot her to stardom. Here we look back at her life and career."
• Brand new Boeing 747 scrapped after 16 flights - "A Boeing 747 configured as a private VIP jet is being scrapped after having spent just 30 hours in service over 16 flights. The aircraft, originally intended for a Saudi royal, sat on the ground for almost 10 years at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, located at the border between France, Switzerland and Germany."
• The 2022 Philanthropy 50: Who Gives the Most to Charity - "The Chronicle’s 23rd annual ranking of America’s biggest donors features a number of donors making their Philanthropy 50 debut, including Edward Avedisian, a professional clarinetist with the Boston Pops, and Tilman Fertitta, the world’s richest restauranteur. Two of Airbnb’s co-founders gave to help Ukrainian refugees, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates took the top spot by giving $5.1 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation last year. Altogether, the donors on the list contributed $16 billion." The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
• Ranked: America's Best Places to Work in 2023 - "We dissect how America’s top employers have changed over the last five years based on employee reviews on Glassdoor, a website that allows current and former employees to anonymously review their employers on things like company culture, pay, benefits, diversity, and more."
• World’s oldest European hedgehog found in citizen science project in Denmark - "The world’s oldest scientifically-confirmed European hedgehog has been found in Denmark by a citizen science project involving hundreds of volunteers. The male hedgehog, called Thorvald, lived for 16 years, 7 years longer than the previous record holder."
• Oldest complete Hebrew Bible expected to break auction records - "Ninth-century Codex Sassoon, critical link between Dead Sea scrolls and today’s Bible, will have estimate of $30m-$50m."
• What’s the difference between the M2 Pro & the M2 Max? - "Here’s what you need to know about the two different versions of Apple’s MacBook Pro 16."

February 15, 2023

• iOS 16.3.1 now available for iPhone users, here’s what’s new - "iOS 16.3.1 is rolling out today to iPhone users, alongside iPadOS 16.3.1 for iPad. These updates include fixes for iCloud performance, Siri and Find My, and Crash Detection optimizations for iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models. Head below for the full release notes."
• Air France Now Has The World’s Best Business Class Seat - "Air France’s new business class cabin consists of Safran Versa reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, which are very good."
• Can a plane fly on just one engine? An aviation expert explains - "Absolutely. That is what they are designed to do. By law, planes have to be able to fly from point A to point B, over water, on just one engine. The guidance set by safety regulators in Australia mandates that any plane that takes off with the intention of getting to a certain destination has to be able to get there on one engine - based on the departure loads determined before takeoff."
• America’s Most Eligible Billionaires - "Even the world’s richest people can be unlucky in love. From Elon Musk and MacKenzie Scott to Kim Kardashian and Tyler Perry, these billionaires are still looking for a Valentine."
• 23 Most Beautiful Small Towns Around the World - From Popular Spots to Hidden Gems - "Many pint-sized destinations dazzle, but the little gems that take your breath away don’t come around as often. Popular picks like Portofino and Gordes draw tourists from around the globe, while others such as Shirakawa-go and Ilulissat fall into the unsung heroes category. Regardless of where these small towns sit on the notoriety scale, all are worth traveling even great distances to see with your own eyes."
• Mange tout: 10 of the best food festivals in France - "From a 15,000-egg omelette and four courses of figs to a famous lemon carnival, here’s a foodie tour de France."
• The 70 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."
• The Changing Online Language of Hearts - "How to show a heart - the universal symbol of love - has shifted on the internet over the years, driven by new technology. Take your middle fingers and bend each down at the bottom knuckle at a steep angle. Then take your index fingers and arch them down to touch. The rest of your hands curl out of sight. The resulting shape - a heart - is unmistakable. And for Gen Z, it’s become one of the few cool ways to express love online today."
• These are Microsoft’s Bing AI secret rules & why it says it’s named Sydney - "Bing AI often refers to itself as Sydney, but Microsoft says that was an internal codename for a chat experience it was previously working on."
• Erase browser history: can AI reset the browser battle? - "Mozilla chair Mitchell Baker on competing - and cooperating - with Google, Apple, and the rest of Big Tech."
• ‘Aims’: the software for hire that can control 30,000 fake online profiles - "Team Jorge disinformation unit controls vast army of avatars with fake profiles on Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, Amazon and Airbnb."
• What Is Ozempic Face? Here’s Everything You Need to Know - "'Rapid weight loss leads to volume loss in the face, but can also affect the collagen and elastin in the skin,' says Dr. Levine. 'Ozempic face can look gaunt, deflated, and saggy. Think raisin as opposed to grape!' The face and skin appearing hollow, droopy, and lax are all common hallmarks of Ozempic face—all key ingredients in the recipe for accelerated aging."
• Louis Vuitton picks Pharrell Williams to lead men's designs - "French fashion brand Louis Vuitton has named Grammy-winning producer, rapper, singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams as its new menswear creative director."
• The truth about caffeine: how coffee really affects our bodies - "Every day, around the world, 2bn cups are consumed. But what actually happens after you swallow that first mouthful? Here is everything you need to know."
• This type of sugar is linked with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, study says - "Eating a lot of free sugars - also known as added sugars - might feel harmless in the moment, but it could increase your risk for getting cardiovascular disease, a new study has found. Free sugars are those added during the processing of foods; packaged as table sugar and other sweeteners; and naturally occurring in syrups, honey, fruit juice, vegetable juice, purees, pastes and similar products in which the cellular structure of the food has been broken down, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration. They don’t include sugars naturally occurring in dairy or structurally whole fruits and vegetables."
• IKEA made a smart air quality sensor to track indoor pollution - "Vindstyrka has a tongue-twisting name, but might improve your health."
• The billion-dollar question: what will Adidas do with all those Yeezys? - "After cutting ties with Kanye West, the company faces a financial and ethical dilemma over the profit-driving sneakers."

February 14, 2023

• ‘Significant’ debris from China spy balloon retrieved, says US military - "Sensors and electronics pulled from waters off South Carolina, says military, after White House says Beijing’s surveillance program dates back years."
• Will we ever be able to predict earthquakes? - "The unfolding tragedy amid the crumpled buildings of south-east Turkey and northern Syria highlights how unexpectedly earthquakes can strike. Scientists are searching for ways of providing early warnings about these most unpredictable of natural disasters."
• Over 1,000 Companies Have Curtailed Operations in Russia - But Some Remain - "Since the invasion of Ukraine began, we have been tracking the responses of well over 1,200 companies, and counting. Over 1,000 companies have publicly announced they are voluntarily curtailing operations in Russia to some degree beyond the bare minimum legally required by international sanctions — but some companies have continued to operate in Russia undeterred." Yale School of Management.
• How good is ChatGPT at playing chess? (Spoiler: you’ll be impressed) - "Although ChatGPT is a powerful language model, it cannot play chess. This is because ChatGPT is a text-based model and does not have the ability to understand or interpret visual information like a board game. Additionally, playing chess requires a high level of strategic thinking and decision-making, which goes beyond the scope of ChatGPT’s capabilities."
• Stockfish vs. ChatGPT: We let both AI's Play a Game of Chess - "In the name of chess science, we wanted to see what would happen if we let the strongest publicly available chess engine (Stockfish 15.1) play chess against the new OpenAI chat bot called Chat GPT." Chessily.
• Sara Khadem: Top Iran chess player exiled for refusing headscarf - "When one of the world's most promising chess players, 25-year-old Sara Khadem, decided to play at an international tournament without her headscarf, in solidarity with the protest movement in Iran, she thought a warning would be the worst that would happen to her."
• An AI agent flew a USAF training aircraft for over 17 hours - "Lockheed Martin says it's the first time AI has flown a tactical aircraft."
• The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers 2022 - "These top-earning celebrities, musicians and creators made more than $1.3 billion last year."
• KFC’s top secret '11 herbs & spices' was leaked by Colonel Sanders’ nephew - "The secret recipe was revealed by Colonel Sanders' own family. KFC is one of the world's most popular fast-food joints and a lot of its success is down to the hype of its 'finger-lickin' chicken. The classified information of what exactly goes into the mysterious '11 herbs and spices' has been leaked - and from an unlikely source. Down to precise measurements, keep on reading to find out just what those top-secret ingredients are."
• The 5 Largest Superyachts At The 2023 Miami International Boat Show - "APHO is the 377-foot-long superyacht that was designed by Nuvolari–Lenard that has been on the cover of every major superyacht magazine since it was launched in 2021. And Kismet is the 312-foot-long superyacht owned by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan that has been chartered by numerous A-list celebrities including Beyonce and Jay-Z. So, when it comes to sheer size and star power, these two superyachts that will be on display at the 2023 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show from February 15-19 at IGY Yacht Haven Grande at Island Gardens are in a league of their own. In fact, since the next largest yachts at the show are in the 100-foot-range (and include every other type of boat from powerful sportfish down to Jet-Skis, SeaBobs and stand-up-paddleboards too), Miami will be the place to be for anyone looking to get out on the water this year."
• How train tunnels beneath Amsterdam revealed a medieval treasure trove - "Building Amsterdam’s North-South metro line was big trouble – a budget-blowing 15-year operation that involved carefully burrowing beneath the foundations of centuries-old architecture."

February 13, 2023

• What we know about the flying objects over North America - "US forces have shot down four aerial objects over North American skies this month, leading to growing concern in Washington."
• What to Know about Super Bowl 2023 Commercials - "How much does it cost for a 30-second Super Bowl LVII commercial in 2023? See how much companies paid for ads this year and in previous years."
• Rihanna is the first woman billionaire to play the Super Bowl halftime show - "Rihanna is about to perform at the Super Bowl LVII on Sunday (Feb. 12), marking the superstar’s first return to a musical stage in five years. The halftime show is a familiar setting for some of the music world’s richest stars, including the likes of Sean P. Diddy Combs and Paul McCartney, but Rihanna is in a tier of her own. Currently worth an estimated $1.4 billion, Rihanna stands as the wealthiest musician in the world, with Jay-Z close behind."
• Tim Cook Says Apple Consumers Willing to Pay More for Better "iPhone Ultra" - "Believing in a more expensive flagship phone model as the device has become “integral” to life."
• The 5 best thrillers to watch on Netflix this February - "The month is shorter, but the streaming options aren’t."
• Is Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 the coolest film ever made? - "Now 60 years old, the Italian director's fantastical masterpiece is still the essence of cool. But it's endured because of the heart beneath its stylish exterior, writes Adam Scovell."
• A Blockbuster Vermeer Exhibition Worth A Trip To Amsterdam - "It’s the largest-ever gathering of luminous masterpieces by the 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer and the acclaim is as loud as the exhibition at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum is memorable. A once-in-a-lifetime treat that’s well worth the trip."
• #CaviarTok Is Trending & Gen Z Is Obsessed - "Creators on TikTok are decoding the delicacy and preparing Gen Z-ers for the moment they're asked: Beluga or Ossetra?"
• Banning TikTok in the US ‘should be looked at,’ says Schumer - "'We do know there’s Chinese ownership of the company that owns TikTok. And there are some people in the Commerce Committee that are looking into that right now,' Schumer, the Senate majority leader, told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News in a Sunday interview. 'We’ll see where they come out.'"
• How to Use Chat GPT: Step by Step Guide to Start Open AI ChatGPT - "Chat GPT is an AI language model that is taking the world by storm. Know how to use Chat GPT, step by step process to use chat GPT, chatGPT login, what is chatGPT, chat GPT website, complete guide to use chat GPT, its full form."
• Opera is adding ChatGPT integration for webpage & article summaries - "The feature will start rolling out soon."
• Look What ChatGPT Did to My Online Dating Profile - "Sloth poop? I would never!"
• The Wild 2024 Lamborghini Invencible & Autentica Are a Fitting Farewell to the V-12 - "There was only one way to properly celebrate the history of the Lamborghini V-12: create one-off masterpieces of Italian supercars using the roaring beasts."
• The retired Boeing 737 that’s been transformed into a private villa - "Formerly part of the now defunct Mandala Airlines’ fleet, the retired Boeing 737 was purchased by developer Felix Demin back in 2021 and transported to its remote location. Featuring two bedrooms and a swimming pool, the Private Jet Villa by Hanging Gardens, which sits 150 meters above sea level, is available to rent from April, with nightly rates starting at around $7,000."
• Mac mini M2 review: Apple’s cheaper, tiny but mighty computer - "Power upgrade makes smallest Mac desktop more adaptable and better value alternative to iMac."

February 12, 2023

• Australia & New Zealand best placed to survive nuclear apocalypse, study finds - "Researchers say food and energy security boosts prospects for civilisation to continue, along with Vanuatu, Iceland and Solomon Islands."
• Can you get two viruses at once? - "How one virus can block another. This winter's 'tripledemic' is one of several recent odd trends among respiratory virus infections. Viruses, it turns out, can block one another and take turns to dominate."
• Super Bowl LVII: Why Eagles vs. Chiefs will be a historic occasion - "Black players - and coaches - will make history."
• Levi’s Celebrates 150 Years of the 501 Through The Greatest Story Ever Worn - "With an icon comes stories - historical, cultural and personal."
• I’ve Tried Every Denim Style, But I Keep Returning to Levi’s 501s - "What do Marilyn Monroe, Steve Jobs, Bella Hadid, and The Ramones have in common? They love Levi’s 501s."
• ‘Ghosting,’ ‘Orbiting,’ ‘Rizz’: A Guide to Modern Dating Terms - "The way we talk about relationships has drastically changed in recent years. Here is a glossary of some of the most popular words and phrases you should know."
• 'Flawless' Magnus Carlsen beats his great rival in battle of chess' big guns - "The battle of chess’ behemoths ended in victory for five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, with the Norwegian beating Hikaru Nakamura to be crowned Airthings Masters champion."
• Unusual discoveries shake up what we know about ancient diets - "Buzz started to build about a decade ago around the meat-heavy paleo diet - an approach to eating that’s based on what our Stone Age relatives supposedly liked to consume. The diets of early humans were surprisingly varied and that those ancient meals may have involved more sophisticated preparations than previously thought."
• Untouchable review: Trump as ‘lawless Houdini’ above US justice - "Elie Honig offers a powerful indictment of the former president and those who have failed to bring him down."
• Jony Ive’s latest design is the emblem for King Charles’ coronation - "It’s actually not the first design that Ive has made for the king."
• Clean Out Your Google Drive or Gmail, You Won't Regret It - "No need to buy more space, just use these simple tips."
• GMC Hummer EV review: bummer EV - "GM resurrected the Hummer as a luxury electric truck with off-road aspirations. But the end result is too big for the trail - too big for anywhere, really. The fact of the matter is the Hummer EV is too extra for its own good."
• Sennheiser IE 200 earbuds review: reconnecting with music - literally - "We all get tired of Bluetooth sometimes, and the IE 200s are a nice reminder of what we’ve lost by trading the headphone jack for wireless convenience and platform-specific earbud features."

February 11, 2023

• Turkey earthquake: Where did it hit & why was it so deadly? - "Tens of thousands of people have been killed and scores more injured by a huge earthquake which struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, in the early hours of Monday morning."
• China ‘spy balloon’ wakes up world to new era of war at edge of space - "The ‘poor man’s satellite’ offers a relatively cheap way of exploiting a previously inaccessible high-altitude level of the skies."
• What it takes to build a balloon for 100,000ft - "The Chinese balloon that drifted across the US last week flew far higher than passenger jets. How high and how far can they travel?"
• Putin waves a sarcastic goodbye to foreign business departing Russia - "Speaking to senior officials at a meeting broadcast on state television, Putin said those companies had suffered major losses as a result of exiting a large and lucrative market. 'Today many of them (Western brands), under pressure from their governments, are leaving our market. All the best to them,' he said, briefly waving his hand in a farewell gesture."
• Why Kim Jong Un wants you to meet his daughter - "With his young daughter at this side at two splashy military events this week, Kim Jong Un told the world two things – the Kim family will rule North Korea for another generation and it will have the nuclear weapons to make sure no one can challenge that."
• Madonna rocks completely destroyed denim after Grammys 2023 appearance drama - "Madonna pushed ripped jeans to the extreme on Instagram Thursday, posing in an epically distressed denim jacket and pants covered from top to bottom in rips and tears."
• The Future of Balenciaga Is on the Line - "And everything else you need to know to hold forth on fashion month at a cocktail party."
• 15 Royal-Favorite Brands You Can Shop on Amazon - "From Kate Middleton's trusty canvas Superga sneakers to Meghan Markle's go-to sunglasses, there's an essential for everyone."
• Google v Microsoft: who will win the AI chatbot race? - "Bard’s misfire on launch cost owner $160bn but experts believe ChatGPT is also prone to errors."
• Reddit thinks AI chatbots will ‘complement’ human connection, not replace it - "‘There will always be a need for genuine community and human connection, which can be aided by tools like this.’"
• My Strange Day With Bing's New AI Chatbot - Microsoft’s chatty search interface was impressive. But it also served up glitches, ethical dilemmas—and talk of a mysterious “Sydney.”
• Google employees criticize CEO Sundar Pichai for ‘rushed, botched’ announcement of GPT competitor Bard - "Alphabet shares dropped more than 9% this week amid Google’s attempt to compete with Microsoft’s ChatGPT integration."
• EL0NMUSK, BAD G1RL: In Hong Kong, personalized license car plates are a coveted luxury - "At a government auction in Hong Kong, 'EL0NMUSK' sold for the equivalent of $1,405. The namesake of the headline-grabbing tech titan is one of a number of selected vehicle license plates - including 'BAD G1RL,' 'LATTE' and 'SHADYB1Z' - that went under the hammer at the end of January. The auction's highest bid went to '1 HH' for 115,000 Hong Kong dollars ($14,684)."
• 85% of Warren Buffett's $354 Billion Portfolio Is Invested in Just 10 Stocks - "The Oracle of Omaha has run circles around the S&P 500 since becoming CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Despite having stakes in close to four dozen securities, nearly $302 billion of Berkshire's invested assets are in only 10 stocks. Portfolio concentration is a big reason Berkshire Hathaway has handily outperformed Wall Street for nearly 60 years."
• Inside the ‘ghost ships’ of the Baltic Sea - "Plunging into the icy waters surrounding Scandinavia, divers Jonas Dahm and Carl Douglas hunt for vessels long lost to the ocean, what they call the “ghost ships” of the Baltic Sea. While many of the barnacle-clad vessels claimed by the Baltic Sea have lain in wait for centuries, some are in remarkably good condition due to the preservative effects of the water’s chilly temperatures."
• Why being messy is good for you - "From 'non-aesthetic' homes to Frazzled English Woman and Marie Kondo, there's a new wave of realism about what our lives are like. Holly Williams explores the life-changing magic of mess."
• A juicy new book explores the cultural history of the backside - "In the introduction to her book 'Butts: A Backstory,' journalist Heather Radke recalls a moment when, at 10 years old, she and a friend were cat-called by two teenage boys while out riding their bikes."
• The Beauty of Expiration-Date Dating - "Falling for someone who’s leaving can be surprisingly liberating (and so much fun)."
• Five ‘OMG’ Properties You Can Rent On Airbnb - "Airbnb recently introduced a new category of properties titled ‘OMG’ which captures the most luxurious, unique, and exclusive accommodations listed on the site. These properties stand out from the rest with their next-level amenities, outstanding service, and high-end furnishings. Many of them come with private chefs and chauffeurs, private pools and hot tubs, and large outdoor areas with BBQs and fire pits. Some properties also feature singular architecture from UFO-style structures, mirrored houses that blend into the landscape, and treehouses plucked from a fairytale. Listing will often include complimentary breakfast, fine linens and towels, and a personal concierge to assist you with any special requests. Here’s a look at five fabulous properties for your next holiday."
• The truth about Andrew Tate - "‘His home is less Hollywood hideaway, more rundown meat factory.’ The former kickboxer has achieved global notoriety by peddling violent misogyny to millions, and claims to have made ‘trillions’ - but is his life of fast cars and luxury a facade?"
• Alight here for the aurora borealis - "On the Arctic Circle train to northern Sweden. A 17-hour sleeper from Stockholm to Abisko, north of the Arctic Circle, reveals an epic landscape that is particularly beautiful during the ‘blue moment’."
• Don’t watch ‘Star Trek: Picard’ season three, it’ll only encourage them - "The third season is yet another misguided waste of everyone’s time."

February 10, 2023

• US officials reveal new details about Chinese spy balloon's capabilities - "It could monitor US communications. A senior State Department official said Thursday that the balloon “was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations” and was part of a fleet that had flown over 'more than 40 countries across five continents.'"
• Alec Baldwin sued in 'Rust' shooting - "Halyna Hutchins' family says 'to leave this unpunished is unallowable'. Attorney Gloria Allred claims Baldwin has not reached out to the family to apologize."
• Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Says Steve Jobs, Elon Musk Are Similar, Except... - "'Robbed my family of so much money.'"
• The Ultra-Rich May Actually Be Less Intelligent Than Lower-Paid People, Study Finds - "Intelligence helps in making money, but only to a point."
• 'AI First' To Last: How Google Fell Behind In The AI Boom - "With Bard, its newly launched 'experimental conversational AI service,' Google's scrambling to ship AI products."
• Putin’s alleged ex-lover among Russians targeted by latest UK sanctions - "UK acts against Kremlin-linked firms and individuals including Svetlana Krivonogikh, who it is claimed had a daughter by the Russian leader."
• Pandora papers reveal hidden riches of Putin’s inner circle - "Alleged lover and others linked to Putin have all come into extreme wealth. But is the money really theirs?"
• It’s Time for a Reality Check on Eggs - "They’re expensive, difficult to find and myths about them abound on social media. Here’s what to know."
• Ozempic Can Cause Major Weight Loss. What Happens if You Stop Taking It? - "As more patients turn to diabetes medications for other uses, a shortage has taken hold. But doctors say going off these drugs can take a toll."
• Why the Odds Are Stacked Against a Promising New Covid Drug - "A new drug quashes all coronavirus variants. But regulatory hurdles and a lack of funding make it unlikely to reach the U.S. market anytime soon."
• Do I Need to Avoid Dark Chocolate Now? - "A recent report found high concentrations of cadmium and lead in dark chocolate. There’s no reason to panic, experts say, but it’s worth a closer look."
• Are coffee pods really eco-friendly? The truth behind the surprising findings - "Coffee capsules notoriously produce waste – but some experts maintain that reducing how much coffee you use, even with a pod, can decrease emissions."
• The reason so many of us crave pizza - "National Pizza Day 2023: Slice into some absurd facts."
• Burt Bacharach obituary: Classy & complex songs that transcended an era - "Burt Bacharach was one of the last of the great popular songwriters of the 20th Century. Together with Hal David, he created songs that became standards in their own right."
• Marcel Proust on What Writing Is - "In the last volume of 'In Search of Lost Time,' Proust famously describes the transformation of himself as an author."
• Largest ever collection of Vermeer paintings unveiled in blockbuster show - "For the next four months, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is playing host to the biggest Vermeer exhibition of this, or any other, lifetime." 10 February - 4 June 2023.
• Monaco faces climate meltdown, experts warn - "The Monaco Press Club invited two noted specialists to its most recent meeting, at the Hotel Hermitage, to hear their expert evaluations of the impact of climate change in Monaco."
• HRH The Prince Of Wales Speaks about his lifelong commitment to sustainable fashion - "A passionate champion of the craft tradition, HRH The Prince of Wales talks to British Vogue editor-in-chief about The Modern Artisan, a training programme co-founded by The Prince’s Foundation, whose students are about to launch a fashion collection with sustainability at its core."
• India's ancient 'smart food' - "Why 2023 is the year of millets. Once a forgotten staple of traditional Indian cuisine, nutritionally dense millets are becoming popular the world over. So much so that 2023 is being dubbed 'the year of millets'."
• How Architectural Digest became the new Vogue - "With rocketing prices and Covid making home a shared obsession, celebrity house tours are no longer a niche interest."
• With these big red boots, fashion is entering its silly era - "Are you into cosplay? If you're plugged into luxury fashion's latest trends, the answer might unwittingly be yes. From Loewe's Spring-Summer 2023 Minnie Mouse stilettos (which have already received the Kylie Jenner seal of approval) to Balenciaga's Hummer Derby clown-like loafers, playful footwear appears to be on the rise. This week, another pair of shoes has entered the chat: The Big Red Boot."
• Jada Pinkett Smith on prejudice, typecasting & the fallout from that slap - "She’s been picked apart by gossip columnists, stereotyped and had her alopecia become part of a global scandal. But now, as her new series hits our screens, the star is being zen about it all ..."
• Pulled Home app ‘upgrade’ set to return in iOS 16.4 - "iOS 16.2 feature was temporarily removed after users complained of stuck devices and Apple reported a sharing issue."
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Photo & video take center stage - "Samsung's new 200MP camera sensor is great, but you have to work to really make it shine."
• Adidas could take €1.2bn revenue hit if it writes off Kanye West’s Yeezy stock - "German sportswear company cut ties with rapper in 2022 over his antisemitic comments."

February 9, 2023

• White House says blog post on Nord Stream explosion 'utterly false' - "The pipelines are multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects designed to carry Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Sweden and Denmark, in whose exclusive economic zones the blasts occurred, have both concluded the pipelines were blown up deliberately, but have not said who might be responsible."
• Expert reveals the safest seat on an airplane -"What’s the safest seat on a plane? We asked an aviation expert. We rarely book a flight with hopes of getting one of the middle seats in the last row. Well, guess what? These seats are statistically the safest ones on an airplane."
• The Morning After: Microsoft’s next-gen Bing is ‘more powerful’ than ChatGPT - "Bing may be back. Microsoft announced yesterday it’s partnering with OpenAI to enhance Bing with its AI technology. However, Microsoft also had a surprise up its sleeve: The next release of Bing will tap into a new next-generation language model the company claims is 'much more powerful' than ChatGPT and designed specifically to excel at search."
• Bing (Yes, Bing) Just Made Search Interesting Again - "Google has stiff competition now, after Microsoft integrated powerful A.I. technology into its search engine."
• Hands-on with the new Bing: Microsoft’s step beyond ChatGPT - "The new AI-powered version of Bing can produce hilarious resignation letters, information on current news events, and mistakes."
• Google AI chatbot Bard sends shares plummeting after it gives wrong answer - "Chatbot Bard incorrectly said James Webb Space Telescope was the first to take pictures of a planet outside the Earth’s solar system."
• Twitter users told they’ve hit daily post limit in latest outage since Musk takeover - "US tech publication reports CEO Elon Musk has asked staff to pause all new development to stabilise app."
• ‘Sushi terrorism’ prank videos in Japan are hurting their famous conveyor belt restaurants - "Sushi train restaurants have long been an iconic part of Japan’s food culture. Now, videos of people licking shared soy sauce bottles and messing with plates of food on conveyor belts are prompting critics to question their prospects in a Covid-conscious world."
• Here are the tricks to make your brain sharper - "Crossword puzzles won't make your brain sharper, but here's what will."
• The stress secret: 12 ways to meditate - without actually meditating - "Many people struggle with classic forms of meditation, but its benefits are still available. From writing and drawing to pottery or singing, here are everyday ways to find peace."
• OMG! Is swearing still taboo? - "A judge ruled last week that using the F-word in work meetings was now ‘commonplace’. So is it acceptable to say whatever we like, wherever we are?"
• Madonna hits back at ageist criticism after Grammy Awards appearance - "The 64-year-old musician clapped back at the remarks, saying in her Instagram post that the world 'refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45.'"
• 2023 Oscars Ballot - "Here’s every nominee. Cast your vote and predict the winners."
• Europe’s most underrated scenic railways - "As the world opens up to international travel again, it’s time to look beyond the usual tourist trails for your next adventure on rails. But instead of using the train as just a mode of transport, how about making it the vacation? Here’s our guide to 10 of Europe’s most underrated scenic train routes for 2023."
• The five countries expat families love - "We answer every emigrating family's top question: where are the best places to raise children - or, for that matter, to be a child?"
• Apple Considering New High-End iPhone Alongside Pro & Pro Max - "Apple has discussed selling a new top-of-the-line iPhone alongside the Pro and Pro Max models in 2024 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later."

February 8, 2023

• Before & after satellite images show scale of earthquake destruction in Turkey - "In cities close to the quake’s epicentre, entire buildings have been reduced to rubble, while makeshift camps have been set-up by rescue crews."
• Reinventing search with a new AI-powered Microsoft Bing & Edge, your copilot for the web - "Today, we’re launching an all new, AI-powered Bing search engine and Edge browser, available in preview now at Bing.com, to deliver better search, more complete answers, a new chat experience and the ability to generate content. We think of these tools as an AI copilot for the web."
• ‘Total miscalculation’: China goes into crisis management mode on balloon fallout - "China maintains the vessel, which was shot down by the US over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, was a weather balloon thrown off course. And it has shown signs of both being caught off guard by the incident and wanting to stem the potential damage, analysts say, not only framing the situation as the result of factors beyond its control, but also offering a rare expression of 'regret' over it in a statement Friday."
• US-China trade hits record high despite rising tensions - "Trade between the US and China hit a record high last year even as their diplomatic relations deteriorated."
• Microsoft set to hold mystery event as ChatGPT competition heats up - "Microsoft unveils revamped Bing search engine using AI technology more powerful than ChatGPT."
• Microsoft thinks AI can beat Google at search - CEO Satya Nadella explains why - "AI is coming for your browser, your social media, and your operating system, too."
• How will Google & Microsoft AI chatbots affect us & how we work? - "Microsoft-backed Chat GPT and Google’s Bard take on the future of search in the battle of the bots."
• US experts warn AI likely to kill off jobs & widen wealth inequality - "Economists wary of firm predictions but say advances could create new raft of billionaires while other workers are laid off."
• World’s richest man Bernard Arnault wary of succession fight among 5 kids - "Arnault, the 73-year-old CEO of LVMH - the French luxury conglomerate which makes Louis Vuitton handbags and Dom Perignon champagne - has created a new holding company that splits his fortune equally among his kids."
• Why Martha Stewart Looks So Good at 81, According to Her Facialist - "At 81, Stewart maintains she’s never had a facelift and doesn’t edit her photos. She does, however, take very good care of her skin. And that’s in no small part down to her facialist at Mario Badescu."
• Kanye’s Ex-Lawyers Finally Find Him After Months Of Trying To Drop Him As A Client - "At long last, Greenberg Traurig has tracked down the embattled rapper and formally notified him that he's no longer a client of the firm."
• 10 of the world’s most sustainable ski resorts - "Many ski resorts recognize the existential threat of the climate crisis, and most are trying to lessen their impact with a host of systemic and local green initiatives in the hope of a more sustainable future. These measures range from renewable energy to run the lifts and make hot chocolate to greener snow groomers and electric buses. Here are some of the best resorts for eco-conscious skiers, setting aside the environmental cost of getting there."
• Be warned: the next deadly pandemic is not inevitable, but all the elements are in place - "Bird flu is a mass killer, and mink farms are perfect for infection and transmission. They are a grave threat and must be banned."
• Relics of zero-Covid dot China as life moves on - "China has ditched zero-Covid but remnants of the policy are still everywhere - from sprawling temporary hospitals and empty testing booths, to posters of QR codes that ask for your travel history. There is no public record of how much China invested in what became a signature policy of leader Xi Jinping. But according to a Reuters estimate last year, Beijing was on track to spend more than 350 billion yuan (US$52bn) on Covid testing, new medical facilities, monitoring equipment and other anti-Covid measures in 2022."
• Uptick in new coronavirus cases in Monaco - "While most indicators continued to show a marked improvement, the new infection rate of coronavirus nearly doubled in the seven days to Sunday, February 6."
• the very best & very worst TV endings of all time - "From The Sopranos’ unbeatable conclusion to the nonsensical anticlimax of Game of Thrones, here are the most memorable TV finales of all time - for varying reasons ..."
• [Video]: The Birkin Bag's Iconic History & Why It's So Expensive - "French handbag maker Hermès created the iconic Birkin and Kelly bags, which sell for $20,000 each on average. How did they come to be and why are they so expensive?"
• Codebreakers find & decode lost letters of Mary, Queen of Scots - "The 57 secret letters, from Mary Stuart to the French ambassador to England between 1578 and 1584, were written in an elaborate code. The findings come 436 years after Mary’s death by execution on February 8, 1587."
• Which came first: the chicken or the egg? - "Most biologists will answer confidently when asked 'which came first, the chicken or the egg?' but the answer may depend on what type of egg you're talking about."
• Barcelona’s ‘other’ great architect: five of his finest buildings - "Catalonia’s design gems don’t begin and end with Gaudí. The works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner deserve a closer look on the centenary of his death."

February 7, 2023

• An important next step on our AI journey - "Google AI updates: Bard and new AI features in Search."
• Meet Bard, Google's Answer to ChatGPT - "The search giant’s new chatbot is in testing and will be launched 'in the coming weeks.' An API will make it available for developers to build on."
• 9 ChatGPT Prompts To Skyrocket Your SEO - "Learn how to utilize AI to create content. Learn the best prompts for decent outputs. Involve AI in your content production the right way!"
• Bill Gates On Advising OpenAI, Microsoft & Why AI Is ‘The Hottest Topic Of 2023’ - "The Microsoft cofounder talked to Forbes about his work with AI unicorn OpenAI and back on Microsoft’s campus, AI’s potential impact on jobs and in medicine, and much more."
• An Even Deadlier Pandemic Could Soon Be Here - "As the world is just beginning to recover from the devastation of Covid-19, it is facing the possibility of a pandemic of a far more deadly pathogen. Bird flu - known more formally as avian influenza - has long hovered on the horizons of scientists’ fears. This pathogen, especially the H5N1 strain, hasn’t often infected humans, but when it has, 56 percent of those known to have contracted it have died. Its inability to spread easily, if at all, from one person to another has kept it from causing a pandemic."
• Plastic surgeons weigh-in on Madonna's 'unrecognizable' face at Grammys 2023 - "Material girl? Plastic surgeons weigh in on what they REALLY think happened to Madonna's face after 'unrecognizable' Grammys appearance - from 'excessive filler and Botox' to a facelift and nose job."
• The Defiance of Salman Rushdie - "After a near-fatal stabbing - and decades of threats - the novelist speaks about writing as a death-defying act."
• New 'smart' TVs are anything but - unless you're a tech genius. We deserve better - TechRadar.
• SpaceX put a Tesla sportscar into space five years ago. Where is it now? - "It’s now been half a decade since SpaceX turned heads around the world with its decision to launch Elon Musk’s personal Tesla roadster into outer space, sending the car on an endless journey into the cosmic wilderness where it’s expected to remain for millennia to come."
• ‘Following fashion? It’s a waste!’: Patricia Field on dressing SJP & changing the world’s wardrobe - "Field styled Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty, ran her own boutique, and claims to have invented leggings. She describes her wild life, and what it’s like to dress Patti Smith, Madonna and Cardi B."
• The frauds in our wardrobes - "Why fabric fraud is so easy to hide. How can we tell if the clothes in our wardrobes really are what they claim to be?"
• The husband-and-wife forgers who fooled the art market & made millions - "After decades of painting fakes, falsifying evidence and diligently covering their tracks, it was a single act of carelessness that brought the Beltracchis' deception to light."
• Why the new game ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ is roiling the LGBTQ community - "Harry Potter fans debate: Is it possible to separate the world they love from J.K. Rowling?"

February 6, 2023

• Grammy winners 2023: See who won - "The 65th Grammy Awards were presented on Sunday."
• BeyoncÉ officially has the most Grammys of any artist - "Beyoncé was already a queen, but now she’s the queen of the Grammys. Bey just became the most awarded artist in Grammys history, with a record 32 wins. The award that put her over the edge was best dance/electronic album, which she won for her celebrated record 'Renaissance.'"
• Viola Davis achieves EGOT with Grammy win for her audiobook - "After winning a Grammy Award, Viola Davis has officially completed the holy grail of entertainment awards. Davis’ Sunday win for the audiobook of her memoir 'Finding Me' completes her EGOT collection. She previously won an Emmy for her role in 'How to Get Away with Murder,' an Oscar for 'Fences,' and two Tony awards for 'King Hedley III' and 'Fences.'"
• Grammy awards 2023: Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles & more - in pictures - "Follow along as we update our collection of the best looks at this year’s Grammy awards, both on the red carpet and on stage."
• China’s spy balloon drifted for 7 days across the U.S.: A Timeline - "The balloon brought Americans out to squint at the sky, caused a diplomatic visit to be canceled and opened a political debate."
• Why the Chinese balloon crisis could be a defining moment in the new Cold War - "The Chinese balloon saga threatens to be a watershed moment in the world’s dangerous new superpower rivalry: For the first time, Americans experienced a tangible symbol of the national security challenge from Beijing."
• How to cope with an unstable world - "Why the world feels so unstable right now. Our lives tend to run smoothly and predictably most of the time, but they are also prone to intermittent instability with devastating consequences. Can we do more to predict these periods and even intervene to prevent them?"
• Why your dream European vacation is already booked solid - "According to the Consumer Index Report for Q1 2023 recently released by flight tracking platform Hopper, international trips now account for 56% of searches by US travelers, marking a whopping 46% jump from last year. Of those searches, 34% are for European cities."
• Bill Gates to Elon Musk: ‘Don’t go to Mars’ - "The Microsoft co-founder calls for spending money on measles vaccines vs. space travel - but he thinks Musk will be ‘a great philanthropist’ someday."
• Top 10 Disadvantages of ChatGPT Content - "You probably overlooked these drawbacks of the ChatGPT content."
• Six menswear trends to take note of in 2023 - "We’ve scoured the menswear shows at Milan, Paris and Pitti Uomo - and here are the big AW23 trends we noticed on the catwalks..."
• Hands-on: 12 Apple Notes features you need to try [Video] - "Apple’s native Notes application is, by far, my most used Apple app. I use it for jotting down ideas, scripting out videos, hand-drawing rough drafts of thumbnails, bookmarking websites, and so much more. I want to show off some Notes features that will really help the everyday user maximize their experience!" 9to5Mac.
• ‘Here, It’s Like Paradise’: Ukraine’s Ski Resorts Offer a Respite From the War - "Ukrainians have flocked to resorts nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, largely spared the worst of the war, for a respite. One soldier recuperating there explored what it means to heal."
• Biden's State of the Union: What it takes to write a speech for the president - "As US President Joe Biden puts the finishing touches to his State of the Union address, spare a thought for the behind-the-scenes toil of the White House speechwriters, the hardest-working team in Washington this time of year."
• Samsung’s SmartThings Station is a smart home hub worth plugging in - "The newest SmartThings hub can also charge your smartphone and find your keys - plus it’s a Matter controller and Thread border router. But there’s no support for Z-Wave, and too many features are only for Galaxy phones."
• Billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla’s super rare Rolls Royce Silver Spur limousine on video - Cartoq.
• Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Shows Poshness Is Limitless - "Uniqueness is the reason why Bentley is successful at selling extremely expensive cars. The Continental GT Mulliner fills a gap for those who have looked at the 'regular' Continental GT configurator and concluded it looks good but it’s also too common, too affordable. Here’s what the Mulliner brings to the table."

February 5, 2023

• Grammy Awards 2023: How to watch & who will win - "Will Adele continue her winning streak? Will Abba win their first Grammy? Will Beyoncé be snubbed again? All these questions be answered when the 65th Grammy Awards take place in Los Angeles on Sunday. Comedian Trevor Noah hosts the ceremony for the third year running, starting at 20:00 in LA (01:00 GMT)."
• Video appears to show China 'spy' balloon being shot down - "Footage posted on social media appears to show the moment a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of the US."
• Arctic blast sweeps through US north-east with record-breaking temperatures - "Temperatures will be 10 to 30 degrees below average over parts of the north-east as millions under wind chill warnings."
• Elon Musk found not guilty of fraud over Tesla tweet - "Tesla co-founder Elon Musk has been cleared of wrongdoing for a tweet in which he said he had 'funding secured' to take the electric carmaker back into private ownership."
• Twitter will let businesses keep their gold checkmarks - for $1,000 per month - "Twitter could also charge extra to add badges to every account affiliated with the brand as part of its latest money-making scheme."
• 11 great movies from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival - "It was a busy festival filled with gruesome horror, inventive sci-fi, and plenty more films that will be coming to theaters and streaming services in the coming months."
• 'Gorgeous' young Meghan 'changed' after engagement to Harry, claims body language expert - "Dr Louise Mahler claims Meghan Markle started doing a 'weird gesture' and had 'dead' eyes after getting engaged to Prince Harry, signifying that the Duchess had 'changed'."
• If the Ironman World Championship Doesn’t Happen in Kona, Did It Even Happen? - "The iconic one-day world championship event has outgrown the small town on the island of Hawaii. But will triathletes follow the race outside of Kona?"
• How Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet changed travel - "Over 50 years after the launch of the “queen of the skies,” the very last Boeing 747 has been finally been delivered."
• TikTok: how the west has turned on gen Z’s favourite app - "US and European fears about China exploiting TikTok’s data harvest and promoting Beijing’s worldview look set to inspire an urgent overhaul in data privacy laws."
• Activation Lock is a great feature, but needs a rethink as 2020 Macs are turned into landfill - "For anyone unfamiliar with it, Activation Lock was Apple’s clever solution to a longstanding problem: the attractiveness of iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks to thieves."
• Addicted to crypto? There's rehab for it - "Luxury rehab centres now offer therapy for 'crypto addiction'."
• How covid can change your singing voice - "Should you sing when suffering from a cold? Respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu can play havoc with our voices, but is it still safe to sing? And does Covid-19 represent a new threat?"
• Bright sparks: could bioelectricity make us smarter & healthier? - "Electricity is involved in every aspect of life. But could the new science of bioelectricity help cure diseases and ‘upgrade’ humans?"
• 2022 Bentley Continental GTC Review: Athletic, Kick-Ass Opulence - The Drive.
• Hublot & Takashi Murakami Unveil Unique Rainbow Gemstone Watch, NFT - "Tonight, at the Glass House in New York City, Hublot continues its journey with famed artist Takashi Murakami on a new NFT and watch adventure. The big announcement: the unveiling of 13 unique watches sold with unique NFTs. At the event, Hublot and Murakami released just one of the pieces: the unique Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow watch. The other 12 will make their official debut during the upcoming Watches & Wonders Geneva 2023 exhibition in late March."

February 4, 2023

• Spy balloon row: High-altitude spying marks new low for US-China ties - "Even before America's top diplomat Anthony Blinken postponed his visit to Beijing, the US-China relationship was at an all-time low."
• What spy balloons can do that satellites can't - "What is a suspected Chinese spy balloon doing above the US?"
• Grammys 2023: music’s A-list prepares for a potentially historic ceremony - "This weekend’s assemblage of the biggest names in music could make Beyoncé the most awarded artist in Grammy history with Adele and Harry Styles also tipped for success."
• How Jennifer Lopez's iconic Grammy Awards gown changed the internet forever - "More than two decades ago, Jennifer Lopez changed the internet forever when she wore a dress so striking it inspired engineers to build Google Image Search."
• How ChatGPT Kicked Off an A.I. Arms Race - "Even inside the company, the chatbot’s popularity has come as something of a shock."
• ChatGPT is suddenly everywhere. Are we ready? - "The disinformation crisis is about to get so, so much worse."
• There’s Already a Better Search Engine Than Google. It’s YouTube - "One of these places is Reddit, a site whose outsize role in my life I plan to write about in a future column. The other is YouTube. The gargantuan video site is a lot of things to a lot of people — in different ways, YouTube is a little bit like TikTok, a little like Twitch and a little like Netflix - but I think we underappreciate how often YouTube is a better Google."
• 10 Philosophical Concepts You Should Know - "Did you know that philosophers have proposed answers for many of the questions we ask ourselves? Here are some philosophical concepts that everyone should know."
• The most important secret George Santos is keeping - "There’s one particularly disturbing aspect that points to a dangerous weakness in American democracy: Who paid for Santos’ election campaign? In other words, who has the most influence over the congressman?"
• People vs. Donald Trump: An Inside Account - "A fascinating inside account of the attempt to prosecute former president Donald Trump, written by one of the lawyers who worked on the case and resigned in protest when Manhattan’s district attorney refused to act." Amazon.com
• Marlon Brando's breakup letter to girlfriend is up for sale - "A handwritten letter sent by a young Marlon Brando to break up with his French girlfriend in the late 1940s could fetch up to $15,000 at auction. The rare letter was addressed to Solange Podell, Brando's love interest when he was a budding Broadway star. Boston's RR Auction is in charge of the online sale, which ends on February 9."
• Paco Rabanne dies at 88 - "Paco Rabanne, Spanish fashion designer known for his Space Age creations, dies at 88."
• The people who live inside airplanes - "After losing her house to a fire, Jo Ann Ussery had a peculiar idea: to live in an airplane. She bought an old Boeing 727 that was destined for the scrapyard, had it shipped to a plot of land she already owned, and spent six months renovating, doing most of the work by herself. By the end, she had a fully functional home, with over 1,500 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and even a hot tub – where the cockpit used to be. All for less than $30,000, or about $60,000 in today’s money."
• ‘It’s a control thing’: why are we so fascinated by super-organised homes? - "It’s the age of decanting - never before have household perfectionists removed so many things from packages only to put them in other packages. Extreme tidiness is a modern obsession. But is it healthy?"
• Bugatti Chiron ProfilÉe Sets A World Record At Auction, Selling For $10.7 Million - "On February 1, Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac announced the news that the sole Bugatti Chiron Profilée on the planet has set a global record of 'most expensive new car ever sold at auction,' fetching $10.76 million at RM Sotheby’s. With taxes, the total is approximately $13.1 million."

February 3, 2023

• ChatGPT reaches 100 million users two months after launch - "Unprecedented take-up may make AI chatbot the fastest-growing consumer internet app ever, analysts say. It had about 590m visits in January from 100 million unique visitors, according to analysis by data firm Similarweb. Analysts at investment bank UBS said the rate of growth was unprecedented for a consumer app."
• Colombian judge says he used ChatGPT in ruling - "Juan Manuel Padilla asked the AI tool how laws applied in case of autistic boy’s medical funding, while also using precedent to support his decision."
• Microsoft rolls out Teams Premium with OpenAI-powered features - "The service will soon offer automatically generated meeting notes with the help of GPT-3.5."
• Meta Soars by Most in Decade, Adding $100 Billion in Value - "Mark Zuckerberg’s company recorded its biggest daily market gain in nearly a decade, as the mood brightens among tech investors."
• Paris Olympics: Up to 40 countries could boycott Games, says Poland sports minister - "Up to 40 countries could boycott the next Olympic Games, making the whole event pointless, said Poland's sport and tourism minister Kamil Bortniczuk. His comments came after Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia jointly rejected an International Olympic Committee (IOC) plan to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete in 2024."
• How many times can you wear pajamas, jeans & other clothes without washing them? Experts weigh in - "The number of times it’s appropriate to wear clothing items without washing them often seems based more on folklore or a person’s upbringing than professional advice. Not knowing when to wash your clothes can have consequences on both ends of the spectrum. Washing them too seldom could lead to skin problems or infections, and washing them too often could harm your clothing. The latter can also result in unnecessary laundry and use of resources. Here are some guiding principles to help you determine when a garment can be worn again without washing and when it’s time to toss it in the hamper."
• Saunas Are Filling Up, but Are They Actually Good for You? - "Sweating in small hot rooms has been a wellness staple for centuries. But don’t believe everything you hear."
• Amateur detectorist finds stunning gold necklace linked to Henry VIII - "Weighing 300 grams (10.6 ounces), the pendant itself is heart-shaped. One side is decorated with a Tudor rose entwined with a pomegranate bush growing from the same branch. The reverse shows the letters H and K - for Henry and Katherine - linked together. Both sides are inscribed with writing TOVS + IORS underneath, a pun on the French word "toujours" meaning 'always.'"
• Inside Lily Allen & David Harbour's 'weird & wonderful' Brooklyn townhouse - "Two and a half years after Lily Allen and David Harbour tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2020 - complete with an Elvis impersonator - the couple is opening the doors to their dream home in the tree-lined Brooklyn neighborhood of Carroll Gardens."
• New Porsche mistakenly put on sale at bargain price in China - "A Porsche dealership in the the city of Yinchuan listed the brand new vehicle for 124,000 yuan ($18,300). That is just a fraction of what it should have been. The Panamera has a starting price of $148,000. The country is now Porsche's largest single market globally, with sales totalling $6.2bn in the first six months of last year."
• How country-pop superstar Shania Twain became a Gen Z icon - "Already a legend thanks to 90s mega-hits including LP Come On Over, Twain is now popular with a new generation of fans and musicians. Nick Levine looks at why she is riding so high."
• Viking warriors sailed the seas with their pets, bone analysis finds - "A Viking cemetery in England doesn't just hold the cremated remains of these warriors but also the beloved animals they brought from Scandinavia."
• Italy Names 14 New Beautiful Villages - Here’s Why To Visit Them Now - "While Italy may be best known for its epochal cities, the country’s small towns and villages have long played a pivotal role in the peninsula’s millennia-spanning history. There are thousands of these places; some have even gained worldwide renown, like Portofino and Positano, once quiet fishing villages, later must-stops for celebrities and international tycoons who brought a jet-set gleam to the rocky shorelines and sirenesque seascapes. In recent years tourist throngs have descended upon the hamlets of Cinque Terre, their numbers exploding to more than two million in prime season. But a good many villages remain unexplored, even though their unvarnished charms provide the chance to experience that authentic Italy so coveted by travelers today."
• Revived Bizzarrini Announces New V12-Powered Giotto Supercar - "Bizzarrini, the Italian car company that began life in 1964 and was reborn in 2020, has revealed a new supercar called the Giotto. Named after company founder Giotto Bizzarrini, the car is to be powered by a mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated V12 engine. An Italian engineer born in 1926, Giotto was best known for his work on the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. He was later involved with a project that turned a 250GT into the one-off Ferrari Breadvan."
• Hasselblad X2D 100C: Incredible resolution, beautiful imperfections - "Stunning painterly images and a beautiful design, but fairly basic technology."

February 2, 2023

• THIS WEEK'S THREE BUZZWORDS - ACTIVIST SHORT SELLER.
• OpenAI announces ChatGPT Plus at $20 a month - "For those that don’t want to wait to talk to the AI and who want faster responses."
• Introducing ChatGPT Plus - "We’re launching a pilot subscription plan for ChatGPT, a conversational AI that can chat with you, answer follow-up questions, and challenge incorrect assumptions."
• Gmail creator says ChatGPT-like AI will destroy Google's business in two years - "'Google may be only a year or two away from total disruption. AI will eliminate the Search Engine Result Page, which is where they make most of their money.'"
• A.I. Bots Can’t Report This Column. But They Can Improve It - "ChatGPT isn’t the only writing assistant that has emerged to replace editors. We tested it alongside two others to assess their strengths and weaknesses."
• Cold weather testing: Airplanes endure punishing extremes - " With extremely cold temperatures gripping much of the United States, travelers may be wondering how their planes are made safe for flying. The short answer: Along with regular deicing of planes before take-off, airlines put their aircraft through rigorous testing in some of the coldest places on the planet before they are ever pressed into service."
• Can board games teach us about the climate crisis? Game creators say yes - "Board games might be the best learning device to think creatively about impending climate disaster."
• A Fashionable Investment: These 19 Handbags Have the Highest Resale Values - Vogue.
• Are the Airpods Max the Latest Celebrity “It” Item? - "New year, new headphones. This appears to be the case as Apple’s Airpods Max fast becomes the chunky, oversized flex of the moment. Celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Timothée Chalamet, Sarah Jessica Parker, and others have adopted the over-the-ear headphones as their off-duty wardrobe staples. When worn over a cozy beanie or a pulled-up hoodie, the headphones signify a casual and unfussy luxury."
• How a luxury watch brand has become the ultimate status symbol for young celebrities - "rom 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."
• George Santos’s lies are so big you almost have to admire them - "The New York congressman’s increasingly wild claims have all the thrill-seeking of a man running across a football field naked. Here’s Every Single Lie Told by George Santos."
• Greece’s secret green ‘virgin island’ - "The Greek island of Samothrace is a vision in green. The craggy rocks of Mount Saos, the island’s highest mountain at 5,285 feet (1,611 meters), give way to gentle slopes covered in oddly shaped plane trees, oak woodlands and majestic cedars."
• The chefs reviving the Arctic's forgotten food - "A group of revolutionary chefs in the Arctic and subarctic have joined forces to celebrate indigenous culture by developing a new kind of cuisine using traditional ingredients."
• Have we reached mass-media overload? - "The infinite imagery and information of the internet may be at saturation point. Emily Steer explores the art of 'incomprehension' from the 1960s to today."
• How to make the perfect French toast - recipe - "A step-by-step guide to the breakfast (or any time) classic."
• The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a minor update to a spec monster - "The kitchen sink of phones gets a 200-megapixel camera this year, a souped-up Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and a slightly boxier design."

February 1, 2023

• What is ‘the green comet’ & how can you see it? - "C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was last visible during the stone age so if you miss it this time you’re unlikely to get another chance."
• Trump sues Bob Woodward for releasing audio of their interviews - "Former President Donald Trump has sued journalist Bob Woodward for copyright violations, claiming Woodward released audio from their interviews without Trump’s consent. The former president has a long history of filing lawsuits that ultimately get tossed out of court. Woodward and the publisher Simon & Schuster said Trump’s case is without merit."
• Alec Baldwin Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter - "D.A. Uses Baldwin's TV Interviews Against Him."
• Questions are swirling around Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination - "Andrea Riseborough may not be a name that rings many bells for the average moviegoer. But, chances are, your favorite actor in that one movie you love knows exactly who she is. And they want her to win an Oscar."
• Gillian Anderson on why she is collecting sexual fantasies - "‘Women enjoy as rich an erotic life as men.’"
• Cheaters beware: ChatGPT maker releases AI detection tool - "The maker of ChatGPT is trying to curb its reputation as a freewheeling cheating machine with a new tool that can help teachers detect if a student or artificial intelligence wrote that homework. The new AI Text Classifier launched Tuesday by OpenAI follows a weeks-long discussion at schools and colleges over fears that ChatGPT’s ability to write just about anything on command could fuel academic dishonesty and hinder learning."
• Google's experimental ChatGPT rivals include a search bot & a tool called 'Apprentice Bard' - "Employees are currently testing the products that use Google's LaMDA conversation technology."
• Boeing says farewell to ‘Queen of the Skies’ with last 747 delivery - "More than half a century since the original jumbo jet ushered in a glamorous new jet age, helping bring affordable air travel to millions of passengers, the last-ever Boeing 747 was delivered on Tuesday, marking the start of the final chapter for the much-loved airplane."
• Why these chunky, ugly running shoes are selling like crazy - "Sneakers designed to feel like running barefoot used to be the hottest phenomenon in exercise. Now, the opposite is true. The ugliest, chunkiest sneaker brand is flying off the shelves. Hoka, which started in 2009 in France as a running shoe for hardcore marathoners, is growing rapidly with casual runners, hikers and weightlifters. The brand, which hawks $125-and-up ultra-cushioned shoes, has also become something of a fashion symbol outside of exercise. Hoka is appealing to consumers looking for everyday walking shoes, and it’s been spotted on celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Emily Ratajkowski."
• Montessori: The world's most influential school? - "Tech geniuses, nation builders and famous artists have praised the benefits of a Montessori education - but does it hold up to scientific scrutiny?"
• PhotoPills App Review 2023 - Plan Your Astrophotography Shots! - "Photography is a 'scientific' form of art, deeply rooted in optics and to infuse your artistic vision in the process of crafting an image, you need to understand and use at your advantage the 'rules of the game.' PhotoPills is one of the most complete and flexible apps for photography, offering a photo planner, ephemerides, and a number of useful calculators."
• The secret life of AndrÉ Leon Talley: what an auction reveals about the late fashion legend - "From monogrammed luggage to unerring faith, a sale of Talley’s belongings shows the caring, complicated man behind the unforgettable image."
• Rail route of the month: a steam-hauled climb through Germany’s Harz mountains - "Our slow travel expert explores villages and forests on a narrow gauge line that terminates at the top of the Brocken, northern Germany’s highest peak."
• One-Of-A-Kind $6 Million Bugatti Chiron ProfilÉe Is Up For Auction In Paris This Week - "Hypercar collectors will have one last opportunity to buy a new Bugatti Chiron this week, as the unique Profilée goes under the hammer at an auction in France on 1 February."

January 31, 2023

• China claims Covid wave is ‘coming to an end’ as tourism & factory activity rebound - "Government figures, which cannot be verified, showed big rises in travel and hospitality activity during lunar new year compared to the same time last year."
• WHO says Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, but pandemic is at a ‘transition point’ - "WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee discussed the pandemic on Friday at its 14th meeting on Covid-19, and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred that the public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, declaration should continue."
• Clouds part to reveal colossal Antarctic iceberg - "The EU's Sentinel-2 satellite has obtained a crystal clear image of Antarctica's new monster iceberg."
• Spain’s prized jamÓn ibÉrico under threat from climate crisis - "Rising temperatures and low rainfall threaten key ingredient of pigs’ diet - acorns from the dehesa oak forests."
• Here's how Netflix will stop you from sharing passwords - "We’ve known for some time that Netflix is going to start clamping down on people sharing their account and password with others, and recent reports suggest that we could see the streaming service get much tougher on the practice as soon as March 2023; but exactly how will Netflix stop users from sharing passwords?"
• ChatGPT explains Warren Buffett's investment strategy - "And names 2 stocks that could align with the billionaire's portfolio."
• The Wives & Partners Of The 11 Richest Men In The World - "While it's likely you're familiar with famous billionaires such as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft creator Bill Gates, you may not know about their wives and partners! In some cases, the women in these men's lives have become financially successful themselves.Elon Musk dated singer Grimes but the two never married, and spouses like Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan and Melinda Gates have gone on to make a name for themselves. Click through our gallery to find out more about their current (and in some cases, past) wives and partners!"
• Bill Gates Car Collection: A Look Inside The Billionaire's Private Garage - "Bill Gates is a billionaire many times over. As one of the world's most influential techies, what does he drive?"
• Alec Baldwin Didn’t Have to Talk to the Police. Neither Do You - "Shortly after a prop gun Alec Baldwin was holding fired a bullet that killed a cinematographer and wounded a director on the set of the movie 'Rust,' in October 2021, he told the police in New Mexico that he’d be willing to do whatever they requested, including sitting for an interview at the station."
• Desperate to get fit but hate doing it in public? Here are seven ways to beat gymtimidation - "All those machines, all the mirrors, all that grunting: gyms can be offputting places if you’re just taking your first steps towards fitness. We have the answers ..."
• How Long Does It Take to Get Fit Again? - "We all stray from exercise sometimes. Here’s how your body will bounce back."
• Would you want a stranger’s fingers in your mouth? I find out why celebrities love buccal massage - "Jennifer Lopez and the Duchess of Sussex are said to enjoy this ‘inner facial’. But what’s it like to have someone manipulate your cheek muscles from the inside? There’s only one way to know ..."
• The Anatomy of a Sneaker Explained - "Everything You Need to Know About the Parts of Your Shoes & How They Work."
• How Barnes & Noble Came Back From Near Death - "I remember when Barnes & Noble first opened in my hometown. Before that, we had a cramped Crown Books and some lovely but limited libraries. Barnes & Noble was a revelation. There was something wondrous about a room with that many books, each of them a doorway to unknown worlds, ideas and lives. That’s still the feeling, for me, of walking into a great bookstore: limitlessness."

January 30, 2023

• Covid in China: Officials say current wave is 'coming to an end' - "Chinese health officials say the country's current wave of Covid-19 infections is 'coming to an end'."
• £58,000 bounty on Western tanks - "Russian company offers cash reward to first troops who destroy or capture allied armoured vehicles sent to Ukraine."
• 11 Hidden iOS 16 Features That Will Make Using Your iPhone So Much Better - "Your iPhone can do more than you know."
• Here's Everything Coming to Netflix in February - "Love is in the air, and what could make for a more romantic Valentine's Day than curling up with the object of your affections (which, it should be said, could definitely be a friend or a pet - they count!) and watching a bunch of Netflix? Luckily, the streaming service has a whole new crop of TV shows and movies dropping next month; see the full list below."
• ChatGPT: Everything you need to know - "In November, artificial intelligence startup OpenAI launched a chatbot named ChatGPT. The future of education, the internet, and the tech industry have felt somewhat uncertain since. WIRED has spent the past few weeks exploring the eloquent bot’s power—and shortcomings."
• Google’s new AI turns text into music - "The examples the company has shared are music to my ears."
• How to use the Apple HomePod’s temperature & humidity sensors - "Your HomePod Mini can now tell you how hot it is in your room, as well as clock the humidity. The new HomePod will be able to do this, too, so here’s how to put it to use."
• Raiders of the Lost Artifacts - "The debate over who owns ancient objects has turned art investigators into modern-day Indiana Joneses, swinging through museums and, increasingly, the living rooms of private collectors looking for looted antiquities. The line between preserving and purloining the past has never been less clear."
• Grammys 2023: The Ultimate Party Guide - "With the 2023 Grammy Awards a little more than a week away, invitations for the hottest pre- and post-Grammy parties and events have already begun to circulate around Los Angeles ahead of the big show at the Crypto.com Arena on February 5."
• Ranking all 12 versions of Windows, from worst to best - "It’s a bit of a meme, how bad Windows Vista was. It’s often found at the top of everyone’s “Worst Windows” lists, but we think it gets unfairly maligned — at least a little. Its hardware requirements were incredibly steep at the time, demanding a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 15GB of storage space just to install it. It also needed a DirectX 9-supporting graphics chip with 128MB of VRAM. That might not seem like much now, but this was 10 times the storage demands of XP, and almost 20 times the RAM requirements." Digital Trends.
• All the smart home products that work with Matter - "All the Matter-compatible devices you can buy now, plus what’s coming soon to the new Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung-backed smart home standard."
• 11 of the best TV shows to watch this February - "Caryn James picks out the biggest offerings - from the return of Netflix hit You to a revival of cult sitcom Party Down and a new travel series with Schitt's Creek star Eugene Levy."
• This 136-year-old London coffee store doesn’t need to move with the times - "Algerian Coffee Stores was founded in 1887 and is run as a family business today."
• Rare Van Dyck painting sells for $3 million. The owner originally bought it for $600 - "Once abandoned in a farm shed, a rediscovered Anthony van Dyck painting has sold for over $3 million at auction. The piece is a study for a later painting produced by the Flemish master called 'St Jerome.' The final painting is currently held by the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam."
• Alpine retreats: 10 of the best wellness breaks with spas & mountain views - "Give yourself a regenerating boost at 10 of the most energising and uplifting mountain wellness resorts and spas."

January 29, 2023

• Unanswered questions from videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest - "Why did police pull him over?"
• 101 Very Simple Habits That Will Improve Your Life Today - "We talk a lot about habits and self-improvement. Sometimes it involves a huge, lifestyle-changing effort. But sometimes it involves making tiny changes, or doing very simple things that can have an outsized and positive effect on your day. Want some examples? Here are 101 incredibly simple short habits that can improve your life on any given day. Keep the list handy for those moments when you don't know what to do next. And help us come up with No. 102 in the comments."
• What it’s like to travel to every country in the world - "After decades of traveling, both separately and together, Rachel Davey and Martina Sebova had each visited over 100 of the 195 UN-recognized countries and territories on the globe."
• 10 tips for solo travellers - "‘It’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone.’ Travelling alone needn’t mean feeling lonely and left out: hostels, guided walks and foodie tours are great ways to both explore and meet new people."
• Google AI can create music in any genre from a text description - "MusicLM is surprisingly talented."
• ChatGPT passes exams from law & business schools - "ChatGPT is smart enough to pass prestigious graduate-level exams - though not with particularly high marks."
• A.I.: Actually Insipid Until It’s Actively Insidious - "The alien invasion has begun. Some experts say that when artificial intelligence takes off, it’s going to be like Martians landing on the National Mall."
• Tears, blunders & chaos: inside Elon Musk’s Twitter - "In the three months since Musk bought Twitter for £44bn, thousands have been sacked and the company has nosedived. Here, staff tell of a firm in disarray and an owner whose reputation is also plummeting."
• Those Weight Loss Drugs May Do a Number on Your Face - "People using drugs like Ozempic are discovering an unwanted side effect: facial aging."
• Europe's stunning digital divide, in one map - "In 2021, just 8% of the EU’s population had never used the internet. But that figure varies widely, with markedly more holdouts in the southeast. It won’t last. As access improves and older people die, internet usage will be at or near 100%."
• AP apologises & deletes widely mocked tweet about ‘the French’ - "Organisation clarifies initial advice, which included term in list of phrases it thought could be dehumanising."
• iOS 16 Home Screen tips, tricks & hidden features - "iOS 16 Home Screen master class: 85 tips, tricks, and hidden features - do you know them all?"
• Amazon issues new mandatory Kindle for PC or Mac update to download new e-books - "Amazon has issued a new Kindle update for PC and Mac that is mandatory for users to install if they wish to continue downloading any Kindle e-books published as of January 3, 2023."
• 6 Best Recommended E-Readers 2023 - Good e-reader.
• The Amazon Halo Rise would be a neat sleep tracker, if it weren’t for my cat - "Amazon’s smart sunrise lamp knows when you’re sleeping but struggles to figure out when you’re awake, especially if you have a needy feline that gets in the way."

January 28, 2023

• Video appears to show police hit Tyre Nichols 9 times in 4 minutes - "Officials released violent video of Tyre Nichols arrest. Here's what we know."
• Bodycam footage shows moment of Paul Pelosi attack - "A US court has authorised the release of footage showing the hammer attack on the husband of former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi."
• Big Tech was moving cautiously on AI. Then came ChatGPT - "Google, Facebook and Microsoft helped build the scaffolding of AI. Smaller companies are taking it to the masses, forcing Big Tech to react."
• ChatGPT could make these jobs obsolete: ‘The wolf is at the door’ - "Artificial intelligence is here, and it’s coming for your job."
• ChatGPT can’t be credited as an author, says world’s largest academic publisher - "But Springer Nature, which publishes thousands of scientific journals, says it has no problem with AI being used to help write research - as long as its use is properly disclosed."
• Want a Rolex? This Miami Beach Hotel’s $25,000 Whisky Tasting Comes With a ‘Batman’ GMT - "Fontainebleau Miami Beach is offering you the ultimate whisky experience - and it’s paired with a coveted Rolex for you to take home, no wait-list required."
• On Trump’s Social Network: Ads for Miracle Cures, Scams & Fake Merchandise - "Truth Social, the social network started by former President Donald J. Trump, has struggled to attract large brands."
• Real-life ‘Succession’ story of world’s richest man, Bernard Arnault, & his kids - "Bernard is 73 years old, but he shows no interest in stepping away from his luxury empire nor relinquishing his roles as executive chairman and chief executive. LVMH shareholders recently extended the company’s working age limit to 80, and many expect Bernard will never retire."
• Adani Group: Fortune of Asia's richest man hit by fraud claims - "Indian billionaire Gautam Adani saw more than $20bn wiped off his fortune on Friday, after investors fled his companies for a second day prompted by fraud claims made by a US investment firm."
• One of Princess Diana's most famous dresses sells for $604,800 - "The late royal wore the dress for both an official royal portrait in 1991 and an intimate Vanity Fair spread in 1997, just before her death."
• 43rd Razzie Nominations - "Blonde, Disney’s Pinocchio and Morbius Among Top Contenders."
• 62 dating green flags that shout ‘this one’s a keeper’ - "Gives you space, doesn’t use voicemail, is liked by dogs: our guide to the telltale signs that a relationship is the real deal."
• Every Apple chip compared in the ultimate speed test! - "From A to Ultra: How the M2 Pro and M2 Max stack up to every other Apple chip."
• Why flavour begins with saliva - "The secrets inside your saliva. Saliva is more than just a way to keep your mouth comfortably lubricated. Its cocktail of substances, scientists are discovering, are the x factor behind the flavours we taste."
• How to create a cosy minimalist home - "How to make your home minimalist - but also comfortable. When it comes to interior design, there is a happy medium to be found between minimalist and maximalist. Dominic Lutyens speaks to the advocates of 'relaxed minimalism'."
• Inside Air France’s new business class cabin - "Sliding doors and lie-flat beds in Air France's new biz class."
• Victrola's Stream Carbon turntable works seamlessly with Sonos, at a price - "The Stream Carbon sounds great and is easy to set up, but will vinyl purists want to play records digitally?"
• Bowers & Wilkins Px8 review: Incredible sound comes at a cost - "The $699 headphones sound amazing, but other areas are lacking."
• Ultra-Rare 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss Up For Auction - "The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss is one of those vehicles, and one of them is up for auction at Sothebys starting January 31."

January 27, 2023

• Tanks for Ukraine once seemed unthinkable. Could fighter jets be next? - "The decision by Germany, the United States, and others to send main battle tanks to Ukraine has gone further than many thought realistic just months ago. Western nations, showcasing unity and wanting to head off a renewed Russian offensive, have cast aside fears that more advanced weaponry risked provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin. With tanks checked off the list, Ukrainian leaders have renewed their public appeals for Western fighter jets."
• Is WHO preparing for nuclear war? - "Health body publishes list of medicines for nations to stockpile in case of 'radiation or nuclear emergency' as EU warns 'Russia is at war with the West.'"
• After 3 years of Covid, CNN went into rural China for Lunar New Year - "Here’s what we found and how officials tried stopping us."
• ChatGPT passes exams from prestigious law & business schools - "ChatGPT is smart enough to pass prestigious graduate-level exams - though not with particularly high marks. The powerful new AI chatbot tool recently passed law exams in four courses at the University of Minnesota and another exam at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, according to professors at the schools."
• 10 Best ChatGPT Chrome Extensions You Need to Check Out - "ChatGPT currently runs in a Chrome tab, but did you know that you can bring its capabilities to other websites as well? We have scoured the internet and found the 10 best ChatGPT Chrome extensions for you to do just that. So no matter how you want to use ChatGPT, there’s an extension for that. So without further delay, let’s check out the top 10 ChatGPT Chrome extensions."
• 8 Best ChatGPT Alternatives (Free & Paid) - "In this guide, we have listed a variety of ChatGPT alternatives you should try out. So without further delay, open additional tabs on your browser, and let’s chat with some AI bots."
• Science journals ban listing of ChatGPT as co-author on papers - "Some publishers also banning use of bot in preparation of submissions but others see its adoption as inevitable."
• 3 Steps to Age Exuberantly - "An 86-year-old author has a few rules to live by even when the trials of getting older make it easy to complain."
• 11 of the best films to watch this February - "Including the third Ant-Man and Magic Mike films, Cocaine Bear and a Pamela Anderson documentary in which she tells her own story."
• Elon Musk ‘doesn’t seem like’ right person to own Twitter, says co-founder - "Biz Stone, one of quartet who set up company, says positive changes he oversaw have been undone by Tesla chief executive."
• The Earth's core is changing. What does that mean for us? - "The Earth is not a solid ball; it consists of several layers. There is the innermost core, which is a solid sphere about the same size as the planet Mars. Surrounding that is the outer core, which is liquid rock. The next layer is the mantle, which is sort of taffy-like in consistency. Finally there is the crust, which is the outermost layer - the place where we live."
• From 7 billion years ago to the World Cup: Inside Qatar’s best museums - "Qatar hasn’t only been busy building soccer stadiums but also a slew of architecturally striking and accessible museums in its well-documented quest to be recognized as the arts capital of the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar travel guide. Most of the Gulf nation’s major museums have opened or been renovated during the past decade, with three additional art institutions scheduled to expand Qatar’s cultural offerings by 2030: the Lusail Museum showcasing Qatar Museums’ Orientalist collection; the Art Mill Museum focused on contemporary art; and the Qatar Auto Museum celebrating the nation’s obsession with luxury cars."
• Hilton Salwa: The gigantic luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere - "Nothing much lies on Qatar’s border with Saudi Arabia. A few sunbaked outposts and miles and miles of vast, empty desert in all directions. Then, earlier this year, something very different appeared in the middle of this nowhere: A huge, gleaming luxury hotel complex, complete with its own theme park."
• How to Apply Cologne Without Overdoing It - "You want to smell good without imposing your fragrance on everyone who comes within 10 feet. Apply from 6 inches away: This distance allows you to focus the scent on a specific target (the pulse point), without over or under concentrating it. It's the perfect balance between turning your skin red from too much alcohol concentration, and from losing too many of the particles from a poorly targeted spritz."
• AirPods are earplugs now - "Noise-canceling wireless earbuds aren’t just great for listening to music or podcasts - they are also great for turning down the volume of the world around you."
• Feline uncertain? Cats do give clues if the fur’s about to fly, study finds - "Study of 105 pairs of interacting felines decodes the cat behaviour that puzzles humans - and flags up the unsubtle battle cry of claws and yowling."
• Forget The Market - You Should Have Invested In These Vintage Cars For Maximum Returns - "We’re counting down the 40 collectible cars Classic.com identifies as increasing the most in value during 2022, noting the percentage of growth and both beginning and year-end values. You can find the complete list of 100 big gainers here."
• Why Swiss Watches Are Held Hostage During Divorce Proceedings - "Married Swiss watch collectors, beware: these treasured timepieces can cause cataclysmic custody battles in divorce court. As New York-based marital law attorney Peter Bronstein related, 'I have a case now in which a wife who was unhappy with her situation went to the family safe and removed a collection of watches that clearly belonged to the husband and moved them to a vault box that’s under her control before she filed divorce papers.' Bronstein, who is representing the husband, had a watch expert for his client’s side value his collection at over $600,000."

January 26, 2023

• Bill Gates is ‘very optimistic’ about the future - "‘Better to be born 20 years from now...than any time in the past.’"
• WORLD’S THIRD RICHEST PERSON SAYS HE’S DEVELOPED "ADDICTION" TO CHATGPT - "ChatGPT 'was the buzzword at this year's Davos event,' Gautam Adani wrote on LinkedIn."
• Higher education, Vladimir? Image-obsessed 5ft 7in (170cm) Putin wears high-heeled shoes while posing for pictures with Moscow students - "Russian President Vladimir Putin was pictured in high-heeled shoes among students in Moscow yesterday."
• Meta says it will restore Donald Trump’s Facebook & Instagram accounts - "Facebook-parent Meta said on Wednesday that it will restore former President Donald Trump’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram in the coming weeks, just over two years after suspending him in the wake of the January 6 Capitol attack."
• Bangkok air pollution prompts advice to work from home - "Thai capital’s already bad air made worse by forest fires and burning on farms."
• Live music: How buying concert tickets could be made better - "Fans, politicians and even musicians have been complaining about the painful process of trying to buy tickets for concerts for years. From soaring prices to intractable online queues and the prevalence of touts, everyone has a horror story."
• The 3 James Bond Movies That Saved The 007 Franchise From Dying - "These three James Bond films rescued the franchise from extinction, resurrecting the series from their lackluster predecessors and winning fans back."
• The Verge’s favorite desktop accessories - "Our workday companions include cats, smart speakers, SAD lamps, and kitchen timers."
• Everyone Wants Your Email Address. Think Twice Before Sharing It - "Your email address has become a digital bread crumb for companies to link your activity across sites. Here’s how you can limit this."
• Where to Stream 2023 Oscar Nominees - "Where to Stream ‘The Banshees of Inisherin,’ ‘Elvis’ and More 2023 Oscar Nominees. Many of the top contenders can be watched at home. Here’s a guide to help you get a jump on the field."
• Netflix crackdown on password sharing to begin in coming months - "Sharing accounts across multiple households likely to attract additional fee as streaming giant looks to recoup subscriber losses."
• Chess is changing & the game can't keep up - "The increase in interest has culminated in the launch of a revamped online competition which will be the richest chess circuit in the game’s history. This year’s Champions Chess Tour will be the new online home for the world’s best players, as they battle it out for a share of more than $2 million."
• Why we need new words for life in the Anthropocene - "The Bureau of Linguistical Reality is assembling a new lexicon for people's experience of climate change and environmental upheaval."
• UNESCO adds three sites to 'in danger' list - "The historic center of the Ukrainian port city of Odesa and sites in Yemen and Lebanon were added to the World Heritage List Wednesday by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)."
• What’s red & sounds like £400,000? An electric Ferrari - once you add fake engine noises - "The famously loud sports car is going battery-powered. And the makers are determined that it will keep its trademark roar."
• Bentley Bentayga EWB review: a hyper-luxury SUV you’ll prefer to be chauffered in - "Usually, the handcrafted cars from Crewe are for driving - but this one is all about the opulent rear seats."
• F1's randiest racer who bonked 33 stewardesses in two weeks used hotel trick for romps - "James Hunt was known for being Formula 1’s biggest playboy during his racing days and even kept up his womanising while on the brink of a first world title in Japan."
• Only two bodies from the Battle of Waterloo had ever been found - "Scientists are now analyzing the human remains to try to learn more about the identity of those who died."
• Colette: The most beloved French writer of all time - "An icon in her native France, Colette's scandalous life and works still captivate readers 150 years on from her birth."
• Low-rise waistlines: the return of Y2K’s most debauched trend - "Until now, the 00s revival seemed like harmless fun. Then stars including Dua Lipa and Julia Fox began wearing the era’s trickiest, most controversial look."

January 25, 2023

• Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight Than Ever - "The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the clock at 90 seconds to midnight on Tuesday, citing the war in Ukraine as well as climate change, online disinformation and other threats."
• From China to Japan, extreme cold is gripping East Asia. Experts say it’s the ‘new norm’ - "Tens of millions of people across East Asia braved a severe cold snap Wednesday as subzero temperatures and heavy snow brought travel chaos during the Lunar New Year holiday, with climate experts warning that such extreme weather events had become the 'new norm.'"
• China Covid: Coffins sell out as rural losses mount - "The BBC has found evidence of a considerable number of Covid-related deaths in China's rural regions, as the virus spread from big cities to more remote areas with older populations."
• High-ranking Russian officials are defecting. This man is aiding them - "Vladimir Osechkin says he was walking toward his dining room table, plates of spaghetti for his children in his hands, when he spotted the red laser dancing across the wall. He knew what was coming. He’s become the champion of a growing number of high-level Russian officials defecting to the West, emboldened and disgruntled by the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. He says ex-generals and intelligence agents are among their number."
• Are ski trips coming to an end? - "How climate change threatens to close ski resorts. From the Swiss Alps to the Rocky Mountains, ski resorts are grappling with the impacts of climate change. How are they adapting in a warming world?"
• Elon Musk tells court he lacked ‘specific’ funding to take Tesla private - "CEO of electric carmaker says finance was ‘not an issue’ but he did not have binding commitments from investors."
• Apple Releases watchOS 9.3 With New Watch Face, Bug Fixes - "Apple today released watchOS 9.3, the third major update to the watchOS 9 operating system that first launched in September. watchOS 9.3 comes over a month after watchOS 9.2, an update that added new Workout functionality and Crash Detection optimizations."
• If You're Not Already Doing These 10 Productivity Hacks in ChatGPT, You're Definitely Missing Out - "You can start right away. In case you've missed the buzz, OpenAI just publicly launched its latest language generation robot, ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a powerful language model that uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like text. In other words, the robot is capable of answering all of your questions and prompts like an intelligent human would. The model can be fine-tuned for specific tasks, such as language translation, summarization, and question answering. Here are 10 different ways you can use ChatGPT to do work for you and increase your productivity."
• Fine Dining & the Ethics of Noma’s Meticulously Crafted Fruit Beetle - "Recent reports have spurred a backlash against the 1 percent of restaurants. What is the human cost of this type of eating, and will it last?"
• Warren Buffett Ditched His Flip Phone for an iPhone in 2020 & Drinks 5 Cans of Coke a Day - "That's What Makes Him One of the Greatest Investors of All Time."
• Nasa to test nuclear rockets that could fly astronauts to Mars in record time - "Project, in concert with US government agency Darpa, aims to develop pioneering propulsion system for space travel."
• How to recycle the world's largest passenger plane - "After its debut in 2005, Airbus ended up building only 251 A380s - far fewer than it originally intended - and production ended in late 2021. Although most of them are still flying, amid a post-Covid resurgence of the aircraft, several have already been scrapped or recycled - way ahead of the usual schedule for a passenger aircraft."
• The Eddie | 'Super Bowl of surfing' - "Also known as The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, is a big wave surfing tournament held at Waimea Bay on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii."
• Why Italian cheesemakers buried their pecorino - "When Covid hit Italy in 2020, the pecorino industry careened towards life support. But thanks to the ingenuity of several producers, the cheese is now perhaps better than ever."
• Car Tire Dust Is Killing Salmon Every Time It Rains - "A growing body of research by scientists worldwide is tracking the effects of this overlooked source of automotive pollution that’s been linked to the decimation of coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest and threatens other fish species."
• How Rapper Iggy Azalea Is Making Money On OnlyFans - "Azalea’s OnlyFans isn’t just any old OnlyFans. It is a year-long, collaborative multimedia project entitled Hotter Than Hell that will feature music, photography, video, art, and, according to a press release, content from 'her upcoming fourth studio album.' For $25 a month, subscribers will get a front-row seat to the project as it drops, before the rest of the world sees it. The concept was inspired by Pamela Anderson, 90s supermodels, and Madonna’s controversial book Sex and culminates with a coffee table book to be released in December 2023."

January 24, 2023

• Oscar nominations announced: Read the list - “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “The Fabelmans” were among the leaders in Oscar nominations. “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” snagged best picture nominations.
• Apple Releases iOS 16.3 With Security Keys for Apple ID, New HomePod Support, Bug Fixes & More - "Apple today released iOS 16.3, the third major update to the iOS 16 operating system that first came out in September. iOS 16.3 comes over a month after the launch of iOS 16.2, an update that added the Freeform app, Apple Music Sing, Advanced Data Protection, and more."
• iOS 16.3 fixes multiple security vulnerabilities along with iOS 15.7.3 & other updates - "Apple on Monday released iOS 16.3, macOS Ventura 13.2, and other software updates to the public. The new versions of the company’s operating systems come with new features but also bring multiple security patches. Not only that, but Apple also released updates with security patches for users running iOS 15. Read on as we detail what has been patched with the updates."
• Denmark brings back the Bocuse d'Or 2023 - thanks to an impressive platter based on monkfish and their very convincing "Feed the kids" menu where the squash was worked from A to Z.
• Bocuse d'Or Grand Final 2023 - Official Website.
• Eddie Aikau surf contest - "Local lifeguard beats world’s best big wave surfers to take title. Luke Shepardson claims victory in Hawaii event, which is only held when waves at Waimea Bay consistently reach 30ft or bigger."
• Why this fish head pie is only cooked once a year - "On a hot summer day in the Cornish seaside village of Mousehole. In the kitchen of The Old Coastguard hotel, chef Jamie Porter is bent low over a bench, unfolding a marvelous fish fantasy that’s all heads, no tails. He’s shoving mackerel noggins into slits in a pastry lid, tweaking bulging eyeballs so that they stare straight into the sky, egging crust with soft strokes as if it’s a Franciscan fresco."
• A journey to Earth's most remote flower - "Tagimoucia is so rare that it only grows on one of Fiji's 330 islands, it's found high atop a steep mountain ridge and it blooms for less than three months a year."
• Microsoft confirms it's investing billions in the creator of ChatGPT - "Microsoft, an early investor in OpenAI, said it plans to expand its existing partnership with the company as part of a greater effort to add more artificial intelligence to its suite of products. In a separate blog post, OpenAI said the multi-year investment will be used to 'develop AI that is increasingly safe, useful, and powerful.'"
• America’s Most Generous Givers 2023: The Nation's 25 Top Philanthropists - "Despite a rocky stock market that sent many fortunes plunging, the country’s most generous billionaires doled out more money than in each of the previous two years. Warren Buffett tops the list of givers yet again, as measured by total amount given away. He's been handing over billions of dollars worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock annually for 17 years–and continued that tradition last June."
• Richest Country in the World 2023 Top 25 Richest Countries List - "Countries like America, Qatar, Norway, etc., are on the list of the wealthiest countries in the world, but a small region remains on the top of this list."
• I’m a corporate fraud investigator. You wouldn’t believe the hubris of the super-rich - "While the fraudsters I’ve encountered are often cunning, sooner or later they get carried away."
• ‘Wheeler-dealer’ Boris Johnson and his tricky relationship with money - "That former PM secretly secured a loan of up to £800k no surprise as financial reliance on others stretches back many years."
• China’s northernmost city just saw its coldest day ever - "Temperatures in China’s northernmost city plunged to minus 53°C (minus 63.4 degrees Fahrenheit) - its coldest ever recorded, meteorologists said."
• Iconic London hotel reveals lavish transformation - "The ground floor of The Dorchester hotel in London’s upscale Mayfair district has just unveiled a glamorous makeover. The floor’s new look is part of what the storied hotel is calling its “most comprehensive transformation for over 30 years.” The Dorchester’s lobby Promenade has been revamped with designs by Pierre-Yves Rochon that take inspiration from the British landscape. Sage green, pink and yellow soften a dramatic space lined with dark columns with gold-leaf accents. Elegant afternoon tea service returns to The Promenade on January 23."
• The Mediterranean's coastline of secret beaches & little Venices - "Croatia’s secret beaches and little Venices."
• 8 of the world's best forest homes - "A new book features forest-dwelling designs across the globe, from tiny off-grid treehouses to experimental eco-friendly architecture - even in a city centre."
• Edinburgh’s dark corners: a walking tour of the city’s hidden stories - "Invisible Cities’ tours take visitors to the Scottish capital’s juiciest and least-known stories – and with guides who have known homelessness, they are rooted in real experience."
• ‘The Playboy Murders’: How a model’s breast implants helped cops ID her body - "In July 2022, when Holly Madison, a one-time Playboy bunny and girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, began probing into the 2009 murder of 28-year-old Playboy party hostess Jasmine Fiore, the ex-pinup was startled by an ugly similarity."

January 23, 2023

• Warren Buffett Says the Ultimate Test of a Life Well Lived Boils Down to 1 Simple Principle - "How big is your bank account? In the end, it really doesn't matter."
• ‘No chance’ of global heating below 1.5C but nuclear tech ‘promising’ in climate crisis, Bill Gates says - "Billionaire and founder of Microsoft tells Sydney audience it is ‘great to have Australia on board on climate’. The world will be lucky to avoid 2.5C of heating, but emerging technology may help avert even worse, Bill Gates has told a Sydney audience."
• Will Covid reinfections pose increased health risks? Experts aren’t sure - "A study found that repeat infections increases the possibility of hospitalization or death, but some experts refute those findings."
• 5 Best Vitamins to Boost Your Energy in 2023 - "Looking for an extra lift of energy? Try these B vitamins."
• 5 of the Best Foods for Heart Health - "Making smart decisions at the grocery store is an easy way to boost your heart health."
• 'Avatar: The Way of Water' crosses $2 billion mark in worldwide box office - "As has frequently been the case throughout his unparalleled career, James Cameron made film history again this weekend. His long-awaited sequel 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has now made over $2 billion in worldwide grosses, as reported by Deadline."
• Razzie nominations: Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde leads with eight - "A biopic of Marilyn Monroe's life, Blonde, has received the most nominations for this year's Razzies with eight."
• Five ways to be calm & why it matters - "Is being calm about passivity and numbness, or is it a superpower that makes us strong? Lindsay Baker explores the ideas behind serenity, and ways that we can achieve it."
• How gut bacteria are controlling your brain - "Looking after the multitudes of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms living in our guts could help us think better and even offer new ways of treating mental health conditions."
• ‘It’s the opposite of art’: why illustrators are furious about AI - "AI art generators may provide five minutes of fun for most users, but the blurring of creative and ethical boundaries is leaving many artists raging against the machine."
• The third-party apps Twitter just killed made the site what it is today - "A surprising amount of the Twitter experience came from alternative apps - and now they’re gone."
• The Easiest Ways to Sync iMessages Across All Your Devices - "If your iMessages aren't syncing from your iPhone to your other devices, here's the fix."
• Rolex Now Has a Resale Program. The Watch World Quakes - "The privately owned Swiss brand dominates the market by virtually every measure. Will it swallow up resales, too? All this goes a long way toward explaining the seismic shift in the global watch trade that occurred on Dec. 1, when Rolex announced it was introducing a certified pre-owned (C.P.O.) program for secondhand Rolex watches that have been inspected, refurbished and met the company’s minimum standards."
• How Noma Made Fine Dining Far Worse - "The food world glorified a Copenhagen restaurant built on uncompensated labor."
• Joseph Stiglitz: tax high earners at 70% to tackle widening inequality - "Nobel prize-winning economist calls for new top rate of income tax and 2-3% wealth tax on fortunes."
• Shania Twain on childhood, stardom, divorce & survival - "The record-breaking singer is back with her sixth album. She discusses deprivation, domestic violence and feeling triumphant after stage fright and surgery."

January 22, 2023

• China says 80% of population have had Covid-19, as millions travel for Lunar New Year - "Eight in 10 people in China have now been infected with Covid-19, a prominent government scientist has claimed. Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Saturday – the eve of the Lunar New Year – that the present “wave of epidemic has already infected about 80% of the people” in the country of 1.4 billion people."
• Lunar New Year 2023 around the world - in pictures - "From Indonesia, Panama, Vietnam to Australia, families ring in the year of the rabbit."
• Chinese zodiac fortune predictions: What's in store for the Year of the Rabbit? - "Say goodbye to the Tiger; it’s time to hop into the Year of the Rabbit. For many people, Lunar New Year, which falls on January 22 this year, is a time to consult the stars to find out what lies ahead in the coming months. Most people know the basics: The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 different animals - the Chinese zodiac signs. Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth. But that’s only the start. For faithful followers of the system, a year isn’t just categorized by its animal. There’s also a complex sexagenary cycle made up of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches."
• Everything you need to know about The Year of the Rabbit - "The Year of the Rabbit: An illustrated guide to Lunar New Year."
• Buckingham Palace reveals details of three-day celebration to mark King Charles III’s coronation - "Three days of celebrations will take place, with the coronation on Saturday May 6, a 'Coronation Big Lunch' and 'Coronation Concert' the following day, and an extra bank holiday on Monday. The public will be invited on the last day to join 'The Big Help Out' by volunteering in their communities."
• The British Aren’t the Only Ones With Royal Drama - "Dysfunction and disorder are hardly restricted to the House of Windsor. Here’s a look at some of the world’s other messy monarchies."
• how the science behind Covid vaccines might help to fight cancer - "The success of mRNA-based drugs in combating coronavirus is inspiring scientists to create similar vaccines for melanoma and other tumours."
• The Ultimate Guide to Chatbots - "With live chat, bots begin the conversation, collect data, and answer all ... chatbot AI can create and learn new responses in real-time."
• Google is freaking out about ChatGPT - "The New York Times reports Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have discussed its response to ChatGPT, with plans to launch over 20 AI products this year, including a demo of its own search chatbot."
• Laziness isn’t why you procrastinate. This is - "Laziness is like, ‘I have absolutely no desire to even think about this.’ Procrastination is, ‘It troubles me to think about this. And therefore, it’s hard for me to get the job done.’ That’s a big difference."
• Clothes Make the Con Man - "George Santos used fashion to flout the rules."
• Buzz Aldrin marries for the fourth time, aged 93 - "The former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin has got married for the fourth time on his 93rd birthday."
• Elizabeth Holmes tried to ‘flee’ US with one-way Mexico ticket, prosecutors say - "New court filing says ex-Theranos founder booked flight departing 26 January last year, shortly after fraud conviction."
• cycle-mad city in Finland that doesn't stop for snow - "Oulu in northern Finland has snow on the ground for five months - but that doesn’t stop residents using their bikes."
• Entry to Machu Picchu suspended amid unrest in Peru - "Tourist entry to Machu Picchu Citadel and the Inca Trail Network has been suspended until further notice due to ongoing unrest in Peru, officials in the country said Saturday."
• The Most Expensive U.S. Real Estate Sales Of 2022 - "Billionaire Larry Ellison’s $173 million Palm Beach estate topped the list last year, along with a $100 million Malibu dream house bought by media mogul Byron Allen and a $75 million Beverly Hills mega-mansion owned by rap superstar Drake."
• Who was Beethoven’s mysterious Elise? Historian concludes she never existed - "The identity of the muse for Für Elise has long puzzled experts. A new book suggests it was named by someone else, after the composer’s death."
• The most surprising camera I have used in years - "Nikon’s Z9 is a truly professional mirrorless camera that’s only gotten better since it was released."

January 21, 2023

• Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 makes up nearly half of U.S. COVID cases - CDC - "The fast-spreading Omicron XBB.1.5 is estimated to make up nearly half of U.S. COVID-19 cases, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed on Friday, putting it on track to become the dominant subvariant in the country. It is estimated to account for 49.1% of COVID cases in the country in the week ended Jan. 21, a jump from 37.2% last week."
• The British royal family’s response to Prince Harry’s memoir is telling - "There appears little evidence of a coordinated effort from an army of unnamed palace sources, as Harry has asserted, to debunk his grievances. And, of course, there continues to be radio silence from the palace whenever the book is raised."
• Why Prince Harry Leaking Kate Middleton's Texts to Meghan Markle Is Such a Big Deal - "In Spare, Prince Harry includes a text exchange between Kate and Meghan, which many view as hypocritical after Meghan sued a newspaper for printing a private letter she sent her father."
• Intermittent fasting may not be as helpful for losing weight as once thought, study finds - "The study tracked the portion sizes and eating times of 547 people, in addition to data on their health and weight, over the course of six years. The data showed no association between an interval of the day in which people had their meals and their weight, according to the study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association."
• ‘All-natural’ Simply Orange Juice has high toxic PFAS levels, lawsuit alleges - "Coca-Cola claimed juice was healthy despite toxic ‘forever chemicals’ levels ‘hundreds of times’ above federal limits, suit says."
• A Simple, 5-Minute Breathing Technique Is a Powerful Tool to Reduce Anxiety - "Everyone breathes. Most of the time we do it without even thinking about it. But those who consciously focus on each inhalation and exhalation could reap some impressive health benefits, especially for those that struggle with meditation."
• 5 Ways to Get More Movement Throughout the Day - "When it comes to health and longevity, consistent daily movement might be just as important as full-on workouts."
• 8 Best Exercises, According to Personal Trainers - "With the help of personal trainers, we've determined the best exercises that fit a wide range of fitness goals. These expert-approved exercises are perfect to add to your exercise regimen."
• TikTok’s Secret ‘Heating’ Button Can Make Anyone Go Viral - "'The heating feature refers to boosting videos into the For You feed through operation intervention to achieve a certain number of video views,' an internal TikTok document titled MINT Heating Playbook explains. 'The total video views of heated videos accounts for a large portion of the daily total video views, around 1-2%, which can have a significant impact on overall core metrics.'"
• See the Full List of 2023 BAFTA Nominations - "The 2023 BAFTAs will be held on Sunday, February 19."
• Tom Cruise & the Insanity of the Oscars - "Did Tom Cruise give an honest-to-goodness performance - one that involved disappearing into a character versus reveling in his own ageless and sinewy glory - in 'Top Gun: Maverick'? I missed it. Maybe I was blinded by his toothy gleam."
• ChatGPT: CEOs at Davos are using it to write work emails - "Jeff Maggioncalda, the CEO of online learning provider Coursera, said that when he first tried ChatGPT, he was 'dumbstruck.' Now, it’s part of his daily routine. He uses the powerful new AI chatbot tool to bang out emails. He uses it to craft speeches 'in a friendly, upbeat, authoritative tone with mixed cadence.' He even uses it to help break down big strategic questions - such as how Coursera should approach incorporating artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT into its platform."
• Google Calls In Help From Larry Page & Sergey Brin for A.I. Fight - "A rival chatbot has shaken Google out of its routine, with the founders who left three years ago re-engaging and more than 20 A.I. projects in the works."
• Bond 26 Must Completely Drop A Classic 007 Trait - "Not that 007 can never say never again to a one-night stand, but it's time to stop womanizing being such a major feature of Bond's character."
• From cutting curfews to grid penalties - 10 rule changes you need to know about for the 2023 F1 season - "While F1’s rules are remaining largely the same in 2023 following last year’s major reset, there are still technical and sporting changes of note for the campaign ahead, as we explain in our pre-season rundown..." Formula 1.
• The beginner's guide to... the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend - "As the fastest, most technically advanced motorsport on the planet, Formula 1 can seem extremely complex. But if you’re a new fan of the sport, there’s absolutely nothing to fear as we can explain it all in our beginner’s guide. Here’s everything you need to know about the Formula 1 race weekend..." Formula 1.

January 20, 2023

• Taliban start buying blue ticks on Twitter - "The Taliban have started using Twitter's paid-for verification feature, meaning some now have blue ticks on their accounts."
• Elon Musk was never really the world’s richest man - "The perverse maths of wealth meant the Tesla owner lost billions by selling shares that made up his net worth."
• AP Top 25 Movies, ranking 2022's best: What made the cut? - "The AP Top 25 Movies ranking is a distinctive honor roll of films released in 2022, as determined by a truly representative panel of 26 of the U.S.? smartest movie experts."
• Alec Baldwin to be charged with manslaughter in set shooting - "Alec Baldwin and ‘Rust’ movie armorer are to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in fatal set shooting. Here’s what to expect next."
• The Best Smart Home Devices for 2023 - "These products are sure to be the buzz for the year."
• The new smart home trends we'll be adding to our homes in 2023 - The emerging smart home trends we're keeping an eye on for the new year.
• This Chinese billionaire has lost over 90% of his fortune - "The past few years have not been great for the super-rich in China, particularly those who built their fortune in the country’s once red-hot property market. The net worth of Hui Ka Yan, chairman of real estate developer China Evergrande, has plunged nearly 93%, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Once the second-richest person in Asia, Hui’s wealth has fallen from $42 billion at its peak in 2017 to about $3 billion, Bloomberg said."
• Mega Billions: Inside The Battle To Capture America’s Lucrative Lottery Market - "Startups funded by billionaires Jerry Jones, Mark Cuban and other venture capitalists are betting big to disrupt the $100 billion lotto industry."
• Why Egypt is asking its people to eat chicken feet - "Egypt’s economic situation is so dire that the government is asking people to eat chicken feet."
• Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health - "Recent research makes it clear that any amount of drinking can be detrimental. Here’s why you may want to cut down on your consumption beyond Dry January."
• How to Become a Morning Exercise Person - "Despite the challenge of waking up early enough for a workout, Dr. Friel said, mornings are better for most people because they have more control over their time before the commitments of the day kick in. You’re usually not being asked to work or do errands at 7 a.m., he said. Friends rarely invite you to happy hour at 6 o’clock in the morning."
• Morning Exercise May Offer the Most Weight Loss Benefits - "In a study, people who worked out before noon lost more weight, on average, than those who typically exercised after 3 p.m."
• 10 Nutrition Myths Experts Wish Would Die - "We surveyed some of the country’s leading authorities to reveal the truth about fat, dairy, soy and more."
• The hotel that's in both Switzerland & France - "Hotel Arbez: Where you can sleep in two countries at the same time."
• 10 of the best health & wellness retreats in Europe for 2023 - "Need to rebalance your life? From sunny Greece to snowy Finland we pick the best restorative breaks."
• Monte-Carlo Rally gets off to roaring start in front of Casino - "After a thrilling previous edition, the World Rally Championship returns to the Principality once more for the 91st edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally. From 18:30 on Thursday, January 19 the drivers and co-pilots began the first stage of the rally from the picturesque starting point of the Place du Casino, which allowed the public to get a glimpse of their WRC heroes right in the heart of Monaco."
• Kim Kardashian buys Attallah Cross pendant worn by Princess Diana - "Kim Kardashian has acquired the diamond-lined Attallah Cross pendant worn on several occasions by Diana, Princess of Wales for £163,800 (about $200,000)."
• The 90s cop show that changed TV - "Why cop show Homicide: Life on the Street was revolutionary. The Wire is considered a high point in TV history, but it owed a lot to another series involving creator David Simon, writes Natasha Tripney - this gritty drama about Baltimore's homicide unit."
• The laptops I’m most excited to test in 2023 - "From dual screens and hidden touchpads to 18-inch gaming behemoths and RGB Chromebooks, here are this year’s most exciting upcoming laptops from Lenovo, Razer, LG, and more."
• Inside A $23 Million Hawaiian Home With High-Fashion Touches & Immaculate Views - "This stunning, single-family home, known as Casa di Alta Moda, or the House of High Fashion, recently listed for $23 million and is located in a private gated community with incredible ocean views. The clifftop home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms and spans nearly 8,795 feet on a half-acre plot of land."

January 19, 2023

• Davos day three live: Greta Thunberg says it is ‘absurd’ to be listening to those ‘responsible for causing climate crisis’ - "Rolling coverage of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Greta Thunberg has spoken at a debate outside the centre."
• Germany says it is no longer reliant on Russian energy - "Germany no longer depends on Russian imports for its energy supply, the country's finance minister has told the BBC."
• King Charles redirects £1bn windfarm profits towards ‘public good’ - "Energy agreements have generated windfall that would normally go towards monarchy."
• Greenland temperatures hottest in 1,000 years - "A new study of Greenland's ice cores indicates that rising temperatures bear the 'clear signature of global warming'."
• First batch of nuclear-armed drones Poseidon manufactured for special-purpose sub Belgorod - "According to the source, various trials of core components of Poseidon underwater drones, including the nuclear power." TASS.
• What is Russia's Poseidon nuclear drone & could it wipe out the UK in a radioactive tsunami? - "A popular Russian state TV anchor has warned that Moscow could wipe Britain off the map with a nuclear tsunami in retaliation for supporting Ukraine." Euronews Next.
• What is the US debt ceiling & what happens if it isn’t raised? - "The US treasury secretary warned ‘extraordinary measures’ will have to be put in place to prevent defaulting - here’s what that means for the government."
• 18 Most Beautiful Countries in the World 2023 - "Have you been to any of these marvelous places?"
• World's 'most powerful' tourism city revealed - "Paris is a city beloved for fine food, fine art and fine fashion. But a new index from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) also says that Paris is the world's most powerful city for tourism."
• iOS 16.3 Coming Next Week: Here's What's New - "Apple announced today that iOS 16.3 will be available for iPhone customers next week, bringing just a few new features and enhancements toiPhon customers around the world."
• iOS 16.3 brings iCloud Advanced Data Protection feature to all users worldwide - "All users can now enable iCloud Advanced Data Protection, an opt-in feature to get end-to-end encryption for almost all data stored in iCloud, including messages, photos, and device backups."
• 5 Things You Need to Know About M2 Pro & M2 Max - "Apple this week expanded its lineup of Apple silicon chips with the new M2 Pro and M2 Max processors, building on the M2 chip announced in June. The new lineup ofM chips represents the second generation of Apple silicon that can now now be found in the latest Macs."
• Cartier Tank FranÇaise watch: directed by Guy Ritchie - "The Tank Française watch is surrounded by an international cast of strong personalities: Rami Malek, one of the most singular actors of his generation, and Catherine Deneuve, the French legend of cinema and style."
• 6 Signs Your Body Gives Off When You Lack Vitamin D - "At this time of year, when the days are darker, and we spend less time outdoors, many of us risk becoming vitamin D deficient. Research shows that one billion people around the world are vitamin D deficient, a reality that has ramifications for our health (more on which later)."
• How to make fruit & vegetables last longer - "From hi-tech coatings to improving the state of the roads, there is a plethora of ways we can reduce the amount of fruit and veg that goes bad before it reaches our plates."
• A remedy for low motivation & passion - "The mindset to re-kindle lost passion. It’s easy to lose the spark for work you once loved. Five strategies can help re-ignite your fire."
• Apple’s new HomePod unsurprisingly sounds close to the original - "The resurrected smart speaker still has big sound and a very familiar design. We’ll need more listening time to determine whether some internal changes affect more than just the price."
• Wikipedia's first desktop design update in a decade doesn't rock the boat - "The changes make it easier to read and search."
• Italian Wine Producer Reminisces About Past Truffle Hunts In New York City's Central Park - "As a group of people were led by a very enthusiastic dog, they were sometimes distracted by the diverse natural beauty of their surroundings - gentle slopes that were accented by a range of colorful autumn trees one minute and the next minute, a swath of flat grassy land that would lead to rocky ravines. From the viewpoint of onlookers, it was just a bunch of people going for a fast-paced walk with an adorable Lagotto dog that seemed like a living stuffed animal with its abundant curly, wool-ish coat. Even though some dog owners passed the Lagotto dog with their own dogs, she wasn’t dissuaded from her mission as her owner gave her an important task. Truffles, she was searching for truffles! In New York City’s Central Park of all places!"
• 2023 Met Gala Dress Code Is Announced - In case you missed it, this year’s Costume Institute exhibition is dedicated to the legacy of fashion’s most hyperactive and prolific mastermind, Karl Lagerfeld—a polymath designer who put even the most adroit multitaskers to shame, and whose uniform (staunchly starched collars, Ancien Régime-esque ponytail) became the stuff of legend. With 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,' Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, and longtime Lagerfeld collaborator Amanda Harlech, the exhibition’s creative consultant, have the tall order of synthesizing the designer’s career into about 150 looks. But thankfully, at this year’s Met Gala, paying tribute to Mr. Lagerfeld is not solely a task for the curators, as the 2023 dress code is 'In honor of Karl.'
• The 2024 Corvette E-Ray Brings The First Electrification To Chevrolet’s Sports Car - "It’s 70 years since Chevrolet debuted a fiberglass bodied two-seater named after the smallest of naval combat ships. By the standards of what the car would eventually become, the first 1953 and 1954 Corvettes were not particularly impressive. But with the substitution of the first small-block V8, it eventually became an automotive icon and every production Corvette has been powered by a V8 engine. But this year, the Corvette engineering team has whipped up something new with the debut of the first Corvette E-Ray. For the first time, a Corvette adds electric propulsion and all-wheel drive."

January 18, 2023

• UN head accuses fossil fuel firms of business models ‘inconsistent with human survival’ - "Criticism at Davos for big companies who, ‘like the tobacco industry’, ride roughshod over their own science."
• NEOM: Video shows progress on Saudi Arabia’s US$500 billion mega-project - "Saudi Arabia’s NEOM has unveiled a new video showing rapid progress being made on the futuristic $500 billion mega business and tourism project and a key part of the Kingdom’s 2030 diversification plans. With NEOM having moved to the building phase of the project and the first destination - Sindalah - due to open its doors in 2024, the progress film shows real-world footage of the large-scale construction across NEOM regions including THE LINE, TROJENA, OXAGON and Sindalah Island."
• Luxury giant LVMH hits 400 billion euro in market value - "LVMH (LVMH.PA) shares rose to a fresh record high on Tuesday, giving the luxury goods group a market capitalisation of 400 billion euros ($434 billion) for the first time and cementing its lead as Europe's most valuable company. Like other luxury companies which are heavily exposed to China, LVMH has benefited this year from the fast reopening of the world's second biggest economy. However, some analysts said further gains in the share price could become harder to achieve."
• Elon Musk trial: Prospective jurors call him narcissistic, smart - "Prospective jurors in a civil lawsuit against Elon Musk have a range of opinions of him, from 'smart, successful' to 'off his rocker'. Mr Musk, who is being sued by Tesla shareholders arguing he manipulated the firm's share price, has said he cannot get a fair trial in San Francisco."
• Hands-On With The Redesigned 2023 Cartier Tank FranÇaise - "The New Cartier Tank Française, Sleeker And More Modern (Live Pics & Price). A modernised, sportier version of the Tank on bracelet is in for 2023."
• Simplicity, bare torsos & fine tailoring at Men's Fashion Week in Milan - "Difficult times can lead to outbursts of folie or a definitive affirmation of reason. It was the latter that ruled over the Milan Men's Fashion Week that closed on Monday: a very rational, very efficient, very product-centered Fall-Winter 2023 season full of perfectly fine if largely flavorless clothes. It was less a celebration of normality than an exaltation of rigor, simplicity and purity."
• Golden Globes: Several celebrities announce Covid days after awards - "A number of celebrities have tested positive for Covid-19, following appearances at the Golden Globes. Several stars, including Collin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Jamie Lee Curtis and Michelle Pfeiffer announced they had contracted the virus in the days following the awards."
• Expert's warning to US Navy on China: Bigger fleet almost always wins - "As China continues to grow what is already the world’s largest navy, a professor at the US Naval War College has a warning for American military planners: In naval warfare, the bigger fleet almost always wins."
• India is set to become the world’s most populous country. Can it create enough jobs? - "India will overtake China this year to become the world’s most populous country. The likelihood of India passing that major milestone within a few months shot up Tuesday, when China reported that its population shrank in 2022 for the first time in more than 60 years. This shift will have significant economic implications for both Asian giants, which have more than 1.4 billion residents each."
• Malacca Strait: How one volcano could trigger world chaos - "It's only a few hundred miles long, but when a natural disaster strikes near the Malacca Strait, the consequences could be global."
• Is It Bad to Drink Coffee on an Empty Stomach? - "Your gut is adaptable, experts say, but there are a few facts you should keep in mind."
• Victoria Beckham has eaten the exact same meal every day for 25 years - "David Beckham has admitted he and wife Victoria Beckham have only ever shared the same meal once throughout their entire marriage - with the former footballer calling the solo incident 'the most amazing thing'. 'Unfortunately, I'm married to someone who has eaten the same thing for the last 25 years. Since I've met Victoria, she only eats grilled fish, steamed vegetables. She'll very rarely deviate away from there.'"
• American Inheritance: Liberty and Slavery in the Birth of a Nation, 1765-1795 - by Edward J. Larson on Amazon.com.
• Le Doulos: the violent French film that changed crime cinema - "Transplanting features of US film noir to Paris, with added brutality, the 1962 film shocked in its time - and has inspired Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, among others."
• Gina Lollobrigida: a life in pictures - "Actor, photographer, sculptor and style icon, Gina Lollobrigida has died at the age of 95. La Lollo’s heyday was the 1950s and 60s and here we look back at her fabulous life."
• Devil's dung or dinner delight? The story behind hing, one of India's most divisive ingredients - "An appetizer or an abhorrent? A medicine or a pesticide? Asafoetida sounds innocent enough - it's a wild fennel plant native to Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan. The resin from its roots is used in Indian cooking - usually after it's ground into powder and mixed with flour. To say it has a powerful smell would be an understatement. In fact, its scent is so pungent it might just be the most divisive ingredient in the country. 'Asa' means gum in Persian, and 'foetida' means stinky in Latin. But in India, it's just called hing."
• How dogs could save Italy's olives - "The plan to save Italy's dying olive trees with dogs. A deadly and hard-to-detect disease has been ravaging the treasured olive trees of southern Italy for 10 years. A highly trained squad of super-sniffer dogs could save them."
• Ron Jeremy found ‘not competent’ to stand trial for multiple rape charges - "Los Angeles judge rules porn star is in “incurable neurocognitive decline”, sparing him trial on rape and sexual assault charges."
• 2023 will be the year of the display - "Improved display technology will be a big focus of many companies’ new laptops this year."
• 10 reasons iOS could be considered better than Android [Video] - "Variety is the spice of life, and even if we prefer Android, iOS has some commendable aspects that we envy. Over the past few years, the gulf between the two systems has become less pronounced. We often see features lifted directly from each side of the fence - or should that be 'walled garden' in the case of iOS? Here are a few key components of Apple’s mobile operating system we admire from afar..."
• What happens when smart bulbs meet dumb software? - "The official Philips Hue app sucks. You'd think that, being the oldest name in the smart lighting world, Philips would have the best app on the market. More than a decade of iterative improvements and a mature hardware world would see the app rise proudly above its competitors. Sadly for me, and every other Hue user, the company seems to have fallen asleep behind the wheel."
• Sound & Vision: If you love music, get a portable music player - "It’s widely considered that if you’re going to listen to music on the go, you’re going to do so through a smartphone. With that said, if you’re devoted to the art of music then there is a better option in the form of a dedicated portable music player (even if that means having an extra device to carry on your person)."
• The Evolution Of The Iconic Aston Martin DBS - "A Look Into Its History And Development. The Aston Martin DBS is a high-performance luxury sports car that has been in production in various forms since 1967. The car was first introduced as a replacement for the DB6, and has since become one of the most iconic and recognizable models in Aston Martin's lineup."
• The New Nobu Marrakech Marks The Brand’s First Venture In Africa - "In case you need another reason to visit the bustling beauty of Marrakech, Nobu Hotel Marrakech is set to open its doors in town later this month. The global lifestyle brand’s first property to open in Africa will be situated in the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle in the Hivernage district."

January 17, 2023

• China’s population falls for first time in more than 60 years - "Shift marks the start of a long period of population decline as China wrestles with demographic time bomb."
• Spending the night in an igloo, in the Alps. Sounds cool, but is it? - "And it is, though mainly literally."
• Industrial espionage: How China sneaks out America's technology secrets - "It was an innocuous-looking photograph that turned out to be the downfall of Zheng Xiaoqing, a former employee with energy conglomerate General Electric Power. According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment, the US citizen hid confidential files stolen from his employers in the binary code of a digital photograph of a sunset, which Mr Zheng then mailed to himself."
• Alarmed by A.I. Chatbots, Universities Start Revamping How They Teach - "With the rise of the popular new chatbot ChatGPT, colleges are restructuring some courses and taking preventive measures."
• Ivana Trump Left Behind $34 Million. Here’s What Is In Her Will - "A Manhattan townhouse, a Miami Beach condo, some French property and her dog Tiger Trump are among the items to be split between Ivana Trump’s kids, a former nanny and a mysterious friend."
• Love cheese & hate tofu? 14 vegan obstacles & how to push past them - "A few weeks into Veganuary, you may be wondering how to keep a plant-based lifestyle going. Whether you’re worried about supplements, expense or food aversions, here’s everything you need to know."
• The battle of the standards: why the US & UK can’t stop fighting the metric system - "Metric units have conquered the globe, but in the US and the UK, their presence has become part of a culture war between ‘traditional’ and ‘progressive’ values."
• How donkeys changed the course of human history - "From bearing the burdens of the Roman Empire to enabling trade over long distances, the humble donkey has been surprisingly influential."
• Netflix streaming turns 16 today, which explains its non-committal temperament - "The teenage streaming years have presented the company with major competitors from the likes of Amazon and Apple, but 16 years ago it was all about mailing DVDs and Blockbuster."
• Gina Lollobrigida, Italian star of the 1950s & 60s, dies aged 95 - "Actor and photojournalist best known for appearances in films such as Beat the Devil, Solomon and Sheba and Buona Sera, Mrs Campbell."
• How to share your location using an iPhone - "Use Messages, Maps, Family Sharing and more to let people know where you are."
• All the Data Apple Collects About You & How to Limit It - "Cupertino puts privacy first in a lot of its products. But the company still gathers a bunch of your information."
• Switzerland’s Most Luxurious Lakeview Hotels - "Switzerland. A place where there is 'No Drama', as Roger Federer likes to say. Instead, Switzerland has beautiful lakes, perfect landscapes, nature, the Alps - and endless views. See for yourself."
• 6 tourist destinations around the world where you CAN'T take photos - "Photography is banned at these tourist hotspots - and some of them even consider it a crime!"
• Boss explains the 'coffee cup test' he uses in every job interview to decide who not to hire - "The tech company boss said those who fail the test would be blacklisted for any future positions. He added: 'You can develop skills, you can gain knowledge and experience but it really does come down to attitude, and the attitude that we talk a lot about is the concept of 'wash your coffee cup.'"
• The 10 Most Expensive Private Jets in The World - "Worth US$900,000,000." Luxury Zone. YouTube 12:15.
• Rarest whiskies tot up as a world-class investment - "Rarest whiskies tot up as a world-class investment ... Rare whiskies are being sold for huge amounts at auction as interest grows."

January 16, 2023

• Europe’s warm winter is robbing Putin of a trump card - "Ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine, one question has troubled European governments more than almost any other: What happens if Moscow turns off the gas? The threat of cutting Russian gas supplies for European countries, many of whom have relied on it for years to heat their homes and power their factories, was a trump card that Putin could play if the war he started last February dragged into a long winter."
• It's now minus 50 in the world's coldest city - "The city of Yakutsk in east Siberia, widely identified as one of the coldest places in the world, has seen an abnormally long cold snap."
• Prince Harry shocks audience with more than 15 references to his private parts in bombshell memoir - "Prince Harry's frequent references to his 'penis' and 'todger' in new memoir, 'Spare,' has shocked readers."
• Why wealth matters. The Global Wealth Report - "The most comprehensive and up-to-date resource of its kind. Our Global wealth report analyzes the household wealth of 5.2 billion people across the globe."
• Call for new taxes on super-rich after 1% pocket two-thirds of all new wealth - "$26tn of new wealth created since start of pandemic went to richest, Oxfam report reveals."
• Nike is going all in on luxury-obsessed Gen Z - "Nike CEO John Donahoe on CNBC this week said the company is focused on Gen Z in China. Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, spent big this holiday season. Other sneaker brands, including JD Sports and Anta, also are targeting the generation."
• What is Blue Monday & is it really the most depressing day of the year? - "The third Monday in January has been coined 'Blue Monday' and is suggested to be the saddest day of the year."
• How ChatGPT Hijacks Democracy - "Launched just weeks ago, ChatGPT is already threatening to upend how we draft everyday communications like emails, college essays and myriad other forms of writing. Created by the company OpenAI, ChatGPT is a chatbot that can automatically respond to written prompts in a manner that is sometimes eerily close to human."
• Men may not ‘perceive’ domestic tasks as needing doing in the same way as women, philosophers argue - "By adding a gender dimension to the theory of 'affordance perception' and applying it to the home, a new hypothesis may help answer questions of why women still shoulder most housework, and why men never seem to notice." University of Cambridge.
• The five-minute fix: how to improve your fitness, strength & posture at super-quick speed - "In the time it takes to make a cup of tea, you can build your core muscles, increase hip flexibility and stave off the effects of sitting at your desk all day."
• Hunting for Truffles Is a Perilous Pursuit, Especially for the Dogs Who Dig - "Truffles are big business, and some are trying to take out the competition by poisoning the dogs that accompany those known as 'truffle hunters.'"
• Are Protein Bars Actually Good for You? - "Or are they just glorified candy bars? Despite the advertising, though, nutrition experts say that protein bars aren't all that healthy. 'You can put 'keto' or 'protein' on a candy bar and sell it, and people don't even question it,' said Janet Chrzan, an adjunct assistant professor of nutritional anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania."
• 8 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PALM OIL - "Our palm oil scorecard shows that many of the foods we eat are still contributing to deforestation. Here’s what you need to know."
• Ten little-known facts about Martin Luther King - "As America pauses to honour Dr Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy, experts say his fight against poverty and inequality is still just as relevant today as it was during the US civil rights movement."
• The Evolution of the Men’s Wristwatch - "A Decade-by-Decade Guide."
• How extinct animals could be brought back from the dead - "From an Australian frog that swallowed its own eggs to woolly mammoths, scientists are getting ever closer to being able to bring long-lost species back from the dead."

January 15, 2023

• China says 60,000 people have died of Covid since early December - "Close to 60,000 people have died of Covid in China since the country abruptly abandoned its tight 'zero-Covid' policy in early December, a medical official from the National Health Commission (NHC) told a press conference in Beijing on Saturday."
• Greta Thunberg calls for protest against expansion of German coalmine - "Climate activist also denounced ‘police violence’ against campaigners at the abandoned village of Lützerath."
• Davos’s elite will need to do some soul-searching in a world falling apart - "The first proper World Economic Forum for three years will take place against a humbling backdrop of crisis and conflict."
• Jesus baptism site makeover aims to draw a million Christians in 2030 - "Today the River Jordan lacks its biblical proportions, but some 200,000 visitors still flock to the traditional spot for Christian baptisms in Jordan in a typical year."
• Why Prince Harry is such a threat to a certain kind of man - "The tension between the Prince’s two personas is really a microcosm of a wider cultural clash between different versions of masculinity. In the so-called 'culture war' that the Sussexes have found themselves embroiled in, millennial masculinity has become a key battleground."
• The State of Kate - "Catherine, Princess of Wales, seems to live in a state of perpetual waiting. What does that do to a woman?"
• The chess variants changing the professional game for good - "From classical to bullet, the different variants of chess explained."
• Last orders: how we fell out of love with alcohol - "More and more young people are choosing not to drink. But what would society be like without alcohol? And could a new alcohol substitute really give us a risk-free buzz?"
• Trying to Live a Day Without Plastic - "It’s all around us, despite its adverse effects on the planet. In a 24-hour experiment, one journalist tried to go plastic free."
• ORIENT EXPRESS SILENSEAS - "The legendary train heads out to sea as the world's largest sailing ship is unveiled. 140 years after the launch of its first luxury trains, the Orient Express legend continues with the unveiling of the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas. This revolution in maritime history is an ambitious undertaking that pushes the limits of what is possible. The result of a unique French partnership between world leader in hospitality Accor and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a globally leading shipbuilding company, this extraordinary sailing yacht of the future with spectacular interiors will set sail in 2026."
• How to use your phone to find hidden cameras - "If the camera is using an infrared light, your phone can pick up what your eyes can’t."

January 14, 2023

• Prince Harry Tells Anderson Cooper He Didn't Believe Princess Diana Was Dead - "On 60 Minutes tonight, Prince Harry shared that for 'many, many years' he thought his mother was still alive."
• The Royal Family Reads the Tabloids at Breakfast Every Morning, According to Prince Harry - "'It's laid out at breakfast when everyone comes together,' Harry told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes."
• China residents scramble to secure Western medications amid Covid drug shortages - "Frustration is rising over Covid drug shortages in China, and there are no easy answers."
• CDC identifies possible safety issue with Pfizer’s updated Covid-19 vaccine but says people should still get boosted - "The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that there is a possible safety issue with the bivalent Covid-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech but that it is unlikely to represent a true risk. The agency said it continues to recommend that people stay up-to-date with Covid-19 vaccines."
• Private jet emissions quadrupled during Davos 2022 - "Climate campaigners accuse leaders of hypocrisy as flights emit as much CO2 in a week as 350,000 cars."
• COP28: Why has an oil boss been chosen to head climate summit? - "The United Arab Emirates has named the head of the state oil company, Sultan Al Jaber, as the president of this year's UN climate conference, COP28. But how can one man dedicate himself both to selling fossil fuels and tackling the climate crisis?"
• Julia Roberts Learns She Isn't Actually a 'Roberts' After DNA Test: 'My Mind is Blown' - "Julia Roberts discovered a centuries-old marital affair involving her great-great-grandfather on PBS' Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr."
• Bill Gates wants you to know that he still doesn’t use an iPhone - "Bill Gates has said many times that he prefers Android over iPhone, and that apparently hasn’t changed. In a recent 'Ask Me Anything' on Reddit, the Microsoft co-founder revealed that he unsurprisingly hasn’t made the switch to an iPhone nor does he use an iPad, Mac, or Microsoft Surface Duo."
• Mega Millions US$1.35 billion jackpot won in Maine - "Friday the 13th proved to be a very lucky day for one lottery player and it's the seventh time that the Mega Millions has been won on a Friday the 13th. The estimated $1.35 billion with a cash option of $724.6 million was won by someone in Maine, according to the Mega Millions website. It was the only ticket to match all six balls correctly. The prize was the second largest Mega Millions ever and fourth largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history."
• 10 TV Shows to Look Forward To in 2023 - "2023 is poised to be a bumper year for TV. From the juggernauts that are set to return, to the new hard-hitting dramas and literary adaptations that are due to dominate water cooler conversations, these are the 10 upcoming shows worth cancelling plans for."
• The first Orient Express cruise ship will set sail in 2026 - "Orient Express Silenseas: The Legendary Train Heads Out to Sea as the World’s Largest Sailing Ship Is Unveiled."
• Your Gas Stove May Be Killing You. How Much Should You Worry? - "The dangers are well documented. Gas-fired water heaters - even the more efficient, tankless kind - regularly puff out clouds of methane, a greenhouse gas that, in the short term, traps at least 100 times more atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide (per unit). Every minute that it’s in your house, even when it’s turned off, your gas stove may be flatulating dangerous pollutants and climate-warming gases into your kitchen."
• US-born princess vows to stay in Rome villa despite eviction order - "Saga continues over property housing Caravaggio’s only ceiling fresco as fifth auction fails to attract bids."
• Five famous artworks that were accidentally hung upside-down - "Art will always inspire and provoke, but it also continues to baffle and confound. To kick off the New Year, we look at some of the lighter examples of a world turned upside-down, with even some of the most experienced curators not quite getting the hang of it."
• Lisa Marie Presley to be laid to rest at Graceland - "'Lisa Marie’s final resting place will be at Graceland, next to her beloved son Ben,' said a representative for her 33-year-old daughter, Riley Keough. She is also survived by twin 14-year-old daughters Finley and Harper."
• Another viral iPod app was pulled from Apple’s App Store - "Retro Pod, which turns your iPhone into an iPod, amassed hundreds of thousands of downloads before it was removed from the App Store."
• Study links sugary drinks to male hair loss - "A new Nutrients journal study explored the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) in young men in China."

January 13, 2023

• Prince Harry’s memoir Spare shifts more than 1.4m copies in a day - "The much-anticipated account of the troubled prince’s life has broken publisher’s previous record for first-day sales in the UK, US and Canada."
• Spare by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex - on Amazon.com.
• Is Harry the next James Corden? The prince’s TV appearances, in order of greatness - "After a week of major TV stand-offs - some with added tequila shots - the spare to the throne hasn’t stumbled. He’s a smooth operator ... and truly his mother’s son."
• Covid cases in China touch 900 million - study - "Some 900 million people in China have been infected with the coronavirus as of 11 January, according to a study by Peking University."
• Study: Exxon Mobil accurately predicted warming since 1970s - "The study in the journal Science Thursday looked at research that Exxon funded that didn’t just confirm what climate scientists were saying, but used more than a dozen different computer models that forecast the coming warming with precision equal to or better than government and academic scientists."
• Elon Musk breaks Guinness World Record for largest loss of personal fortune - "Elon Musk can add a new title to his resume: Guinness World Record holder. The 'Technoking' of Tesla made it into the record books thanks to an abysmal 2022 which saw his fortune shrink by $182 billion, the organization announced Friday in a release that cited data from Forbes."
• Inside Lisa Marie Presley's final week - "Elvis's daughter, 54, 'had become a recluse' and looked 'incredibly sad' as she gave poignant speech to fans at Graceland just days before her death."
• How diarrhea gave us an iconic Indiana Jones scene - "Raiders of the Lost Ark is iconic for many reasons, but one of its most memorable scenes only came to be because Harrison Ford needed to be near a toilet."
• 8 Most Expensive Jewelry Brands - "Here are the brands that make some timeless, elegant pieces and managed to establish their names for centuries."
• The hidden history of Versailles - "Louis XIV's iconic "bachelor pad" is one of the most-visited palaces in the world. But to understand his vision for the place, leave the crowds, head outside and hop on a bike."
• The best islands in Europe for getting away from almost everyone - "From legendary nightlife hotspots to volcanic outposts far off the continent's mainland, Europe has islands in spades. But for every Mykonos, Ibiza or Santorini, there's someplace lesser known and equally lovely to escape to where you can ditch the crowds and get closer to nature."
• Hunting for Nazi gold in a Dutch village - "Exasperated residents have appealed to treasure-hunters to stay away after they descended on the Dutch village of Ommeren searching for riches potentially worth millions, allegedly hidden by Nazi soldiers during World War Two."
• Chocolate coats tongue to give melt-in-mouth sensation, study finds - "Scientists say sensual discovery could be used to design low-fat product that mimics feel of high fat."
• Humans Still Have The Genes For a Full Coat of Fur, Scientists Discover - "Fur is a defining feature of being a mammal. But bald is beautiful for several mammalian weirdos, including dolphins, mole rats, elephants, and of course, humans. Not to mention a handy adaptation. Yet all our ancestors had plenty of fur. According to a new study on relatively hairless mammals, we still have the means to be hirsute. Those genes, it seems, have simply been switched off."
• Elvis Presley’s Dilapidated Private Jet Sat in the Desert for 40 Years. It Just Sold for $260,000 - "Noting her husband's love of winged transport, Priscilla Presley spoke about the King's aircraft collection at the auction."
• F.D.A. Approves New Treatment for Early Alzheimer’s - "The drug, Leqembi, may modestly slow cognitive decline in early stages of the disease but carries some safety risks. Still, data suggests it is more promising than the small number of other available treatments."
• Aging can be reversed in mice. Are people next? - "Old mice grow young again in study. Can people do the same? In Boston labs, old, blind mice have regained their eyesight, developed smarter, younger brains and built healthier muscle and kidney tissue. On the flip side, young mice have prematurely aged, with devastating results to nearly every tissue in their bodies."
• Adidas loses stripes row trademark battle with luxury designer Thom Browne - "The sportswear giant argued that luxury brand Thom Browne Inc's four stripes were too similar to its three stripes. Browne argued that shoppers were unlikely to confuse the two brands as - among other reasons - his had a different number of stripes. Adidas had planned to ask for more than $7.8m in damages - but a jury in New York sided with Browne."
• the simple error that 16% of us make - "Why some people can't tell left from right. It can seem like an almost childish mistake, but a surprising number of adults confuse left from right and scientists are only just starting to understand why."
• Third-party app brings Dynamic Island to any iPhone, but is it just a party trick? - "A developer has just brought the Dynamic Island - currently exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max - to any iPhone running iOS 16 through iOS 16.1.2. While the Pro iPhones have a physically different shape to the screen for this island, the software portion is still able to be run in the location of the notch on previous iPhones and show directions, battery charging, and currently playing media in the updated style."
• LVMH Watch Week 2023: Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton - "The Defy Skyline collection is celebrated by the new and innovative Defy Skyline Skeleton, ramping up the design of the Skyline with a solid example of 'skeletonization.' And when paired with the openworked version of Zenith’s famed El Primero movement visible through the dial side of the watch, as well as through the caseback, the result is dramatic and overtly architectural. The Defy Skyline Skeleton is available in two color variations: blue and black. Both are priced at $11,000."
• Electric air dusters rock - "It’s a simple low-tech device and seems fairly obvious, but if you don’t have one, it can change your life."

January 12, 2023

• How to know when it’s time to walk away from a sibling - "As Prince Harry’s accounts of a troubled relationship with his brother, Prince William, in his new memoir 'Spare' make waves, you may be wondering if there’s any hope for a relationship so fraught - especially if you’re navigating a similar sort of rift."
• 11 Takeaways From Prince Harry’s Memoir, ‘Spare’ - "The much-anticipated book offers few revelations, in the wake of leaks and high-profile interviews, but it tucks familiar incidents into a broader narrative."
• Does the Royal Family Have Any Secrets Left? - "Last night’s Golden Globes were ... eventful! ... but the talk of the town still seems to be the rollout of Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare. Emerging details are delicious and moreish: Sibling fisticuffs! A frostbitten penis! Losing one’s virginity to a pony girl in a field! King Charles doing a headstand in his boxer shorts!?"
• King Charles III's Coronation on Saturday, May 6, at Westminster Abbey - "Everything you need to know. When is King Charles III Coronation, what happens during the ceremony, will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be there, and when is the extra bank holiday? Q&A on historic day for UK."
• Elon Musk breaks world record for largest loss of personal fortune in history - "The tech billionaire has reportedly lost $182bn since November 2021, largely due to the drop in Tesla’s share price."
• Boris Johnson reportedly joked about being at ‘UK’s most unsocially distanced party’ during lockdown - "Former prime minister allegedly made remarks to No 10 staff at alcohol-fuelled leaving do."
• SAG Awards 2023 Nominations: The Complete List, Snubs & Surprises - "'The Banshees of Inisherin' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' pick up important nods. Michelle Williams is shut out."
• What Is an Acceptable Age Gap Between Partners? - "Now there's a general rule that always starts this game. The equation, of course: Half your age then add seven to work out if someone is too young for you to date; take seven off your age then double it to work out if someone is too old for you to date."
• You Can Do This 10-Minute Workout at Home With No Equipment - "Build strength and mobility anywhere, anytime."
• Sitting too much is bad for your health, but offsetting the impact is easy, study shows - "Five minutes of light walking every half hour can help alleviate some of the increased risk that comes with sitting for long stretches of the day, according to the study published Thursday in the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine."
• 10 Most Expensive Sunglasses In The World - "Cartier, Dolce & Gabana And Other Fancy Brands. What are the most expensive sunglasses in the world for 2023? Unbelievably, They cost more than a Ferrari FF. The Chopard Sunglasses at $400,000 tops the list. Using a special technique, sunglasses maker De Rigo used diamonds that are laid out so closely together they refract fiery brilliance. It’s been worn by big names like Elton John, Tom Jones and Gwyneth Paltrow. For the complete list of the top ten most expensive sunglasses, we’ve updated this list for 2023."

January 11, 2023

• Golden Globes 2023: The Banshees of Inisherin & The Fabelmans win big - "The 80th annual ceremony saw a diverse slate of winners as host Jerrod Carmichael took shots at its troubled history."
• Golden Globe winners list - "See who won at the Golden Globes."
• Golden Globes 2023 red carpet: Margot Robbie, Jenna Ortega, Michelle Yeoh & others - in pictures - "On this year’s red carpet many of the men wear colour, while others embrace a more gothic mood."
• Prince Harry shows off necklace broken by William - with charms for his children - "Prince Harry revealed he has since fixed the necklace his brother William allegedly ripped off his neck in an ugly row during his latest TV interview with Stephen Colbert."
• This Is What Shanghai’s Covid Outbreak Looks Like - "Shanghai is being gripped by China’s massive Covid wave, leading to a surge in hospitalizations and crowded funeral homes. Local health officials said last week that up to 70 percent of the city’s 26 million residents had been infected, and they expressed confidence that its outbreak had peaked."
• The covert winter wave of Covid-19 - "The coronavirus that caused the pandemic has largely vanished from public discourse - but it's still causing deaths."
• Oceans were the hottest ever recorded in 2022, analysis shows - "Seas dominate global weather patterns and the climate crisis is causing profound and damaging changes."
• What happens when a huge ship sinks? A step-by-step guide to averting disaster - "From the EverGiven blocking the Suez, to the Costa Concordia cruise ship hitting a reef, what exactly do you do when a vessel comes to grief - and how do you prevent catastrophic pollution?"
• Revered Danish restaurant Noma to close for reinvention at end of 2024 - "Copenhagen eatery, regularly ranked as one of world’s best, will become a test kitchen, billed as a food laboratory."
• Alchemist: Is this the world's most creative restaurant? - "In a former theatre set building workshop, chef Rasmus Munk and his team offer Michelin-starred meals from food waste, drinks from rabbit's ears and a new way to look at food."
• The Scandinavian folk clothing right for now - "How do you respect tradition while also making sure you feel like yourself? Matilda Welin explores how re-invented, non-binary national dress is gaining popularity with a new generation."
• The world's most powerful passport for 2023 revealed - "A trio of Asian passports offer their holders greater global travel freedom than those of any other countries, according to a new quarterly report released by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners."
• 'Shamefully good': Stephen Colbert reacts to Tom Hanks' new cocktail creation - "During an appearance on 'The Late Show,' actor Tom Hanks recreated his unusual cocktail creation with host Stephen Colbert. See how the duo react to The Diet Cokagne, a mix of Diet Coke and champagne."
• Duncan Taylor Releases An Exceptionally Rare 52-Year-Old Macallan - "Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, one of Scotland’s legendary independent bottlers, has announced the release of an exceptionally rare 52 YO Macallan single malt Scotch whisky. The release is part of Duncan Taylor’s “Rarest of the Rare” portfolio."
• Your attention span is shrinking, studies say. Here’s how to stay focused - "'With the exception of a few rare individuals, there is no such thing as multitasking. Unless one of the tasks is automatic, like chewing gum or walking, you cannot do two effortful things at the same time.'"
• Ice rink opens 100 floors above New York - "Where to go ice skating 100 floors above New York City streets. Edge at Hudson Yards, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, is opening up an ice skating rink on Tuesday. A 1,024 square foot rink has been placed in the indoor portion of the sky deck, but skaters will still be able to take in the New York City skyline as they make their way around the rink."
• Restored Pompeii house offers extraordinary glimpse into life in Italy's ancient city - "A Pompeii house most likely owned and filled with ancient art by two freed slaves is open to the public after 20 years of restoration."
• Last king of Greece, Constantine II, dies aged 82 - "Constantine was forced into exile in 1967 after clashing with military rulers, who later abolished monarchy."
• Everyone deserves a Pinecil - "The Pinecil by Pine64 (makers of single-board computers and affordable Linux laptops) is an efficient, nimble soldering iron that runs on an open-source firmware called IronOS by Ralim. It has a bright little OLED screen, easy-to-understand controls, a 32-bit RISC-V SOC, and can be powered by either a DC adapter or a USB-C charger."

January 10, 2023

• Spare by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex - on Amazon.com.
• Spare by Prince Harry review - a flawed attempt to reclaim the narrative - "By turns sympathetic and absurd, this is a memoir that deals in the tropes of tabloid storytelling even as it lambasts them."
• The key takeaways from Prince Harry’s explosive memoir - "Harry reveals who first called to inform him about the ailing Queen."
• Prince Harry says any return to royal fold would be ‘unsurvivable’ - "In US interview to promote book, Duke of Sussex also points finger at Camilla but says she is not an ‘evil stepmother’."
• Harry: The Interview review - so horribly sad it could have turned the Queen anti-monarchy - "In the space of one hour and 40 minutes, the king’s second son is moving, charming - and absolutely devastates the royals and all they stand for."
• Why Has America Fallen So Hard for Harry & Meghan? - "Whether out of Anglophilia, nostalgia, masochism, traditionalism or just a particular strain of fealty to the rich and famous, America’s quixotic devotion to the British monarchy remains strong. What, then, explains America’s particular crush on the semiroyal Sussexes? Harry and Meghan haven’t been especially kind to the monarchy since fleeing Frogmore, their renovated royal 'cottage,' in 2020. Nor did they ever fully deliver on the prospect of an American infiltration of the crown."
• Meghan & Harry are ordered to evacuate as Montecito residents are told to 'LEAVE NOW' - "A relentless string of storms has slammed the Golden State, swamping roads, battering coastlines with high surf, turning rivers into gushing flood zones and forcing the evacuation of thousands in towns with histories of deadly mudslides."
• The Juiciest Royal Memoirs to Snap Up Right Now - "'In honor of Prince Harry's tell-all, find our favorite royal reads of years past.'"
• The Golden Globes: How to Watch the Show’s Rehabilitation Attempt - "The group that puts on the ceremony has promised reforms since it plunged into scandal two years ago. On Tuesday, it will try to win back viewers."
• A green comet will appear in the night sky for the first time in 50,000 years - "Discovered on March 2, 2022 by astronomers using the Zwicky Transient Facility’s wide-field survey camera at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California, the comet will make its closest approach to the sun on January 12, according to NASA. Named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), the comet has an orbit around the sun that passes through the outer reaches of the solar system, which is why it’s taken such a long journey - and long time - to swing by Earth again, according to The Planetary Society."
• Ozone layer may be restored in decades, UN report says - "Human action to save the ozone layer has worked as hoped, and it may recover in just decades, the UN says."
• Omicron offshoot XBB.1.5 could drive new Covid-19 surge in US - "On Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Covid-19 variant dashboard revealed a new dark horse that could soon sweep the field: XBB.1.5."
• Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Buy & Hold In 2023 - "Take the best of Warren Buffett's portfolio and you're likely to beat the market, again and again. Two of his big winners in 2022 include ChevronCVX -0.8% (CVXCVX -0.9%) and Occidental PetroleumOXY +0.5% (OXY), up about 52% and 116%, respectively in 2022. That's incredible performance in a year the S&P 500 is down 18%."
• A.I. Is Becoming More Conversant. But Will It Get More Honest? - "At a new website called Character.AI, you can chat with a reasonable facsimile of almost anyone, live or dead, real or (especially) imagined."
• China's airlines launch new routes for 2023 - Where Chinese tourists are flying this year. A few significant new routes are also making it easier than ever for travelers in Budapest, Istanbul, Johannesburg and other major cities to visit China - and vice versa.
• Why reclining seats are vanishing from airplanes - The airplane seat recline button - so controversial that it inspired an entire micro-industry of devices to stop the passenger in front leaning into your space. At one point in time all economy class airline seats had built-in recline. Today, there are entire seat models that simply don't have the option.
• Why is Spotify full of faster versions of pop hits? Let’s bring you up to speed - "Sped-up versions of existing songs are becoming more popular than the original versions. But who’s behind the trend?"
• The top 3 ways to prevent so many diseases - "Extend your life with these New Year’s resolutions. Looking for New Year’s resolutions that can extend your life? Master these three science-based healthy habits during 2023, and you’ll reduce stress, improve your sleep, raise your immunity, lower inflammation, increase muscle strength and mobility, boost your brain power and mood, battle disease and more - all keys to a long, happy life."
• How to eat to live longer, according to a new study - "You can reduce your risk of an early death for any reason by nearly 20%, just by eating more foods from your choice of four healthy eating patterns, according to a new study. People who more carefully followed any of the healthy eating patterns - which all share a focus on consuming more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes - were also less likely to die from cancer, cardiovascular illness, and respiratory and neurodegenerative disease."
• Why hasn't ET phoned Earth? Maybe aliens are waiting for the exact right moment - "A new search for alien signals focuses on planetary transits, when exoplanets pass right in front of their suns."
• The King's Highway: The road that reveals Jordan's history - "It's mentioned in the Bible, it been used by a succession of empires and it links some of Jordan's most important historical sites."
• What parents get wrong about childhood 'milestones' - "Developmental milestones are an important medical tool - but is our obsession with them causing unintended harm?"
• Exploring Bentley Mulliner Edition: A One-Of-A-Kind Luxury Experience - "It's always nice to drive a Bentley, but when it comes to the Mulliner Edition vehicles, it's an elevated level of customization with unique design characteristics you won't find on any other Bentley. Want a Bentley to match your prive jet? No problem."
• The most prized vinyl record in the world - "On paper, that title goes to the Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The album resides as the most expensive record ever sold by far. In 2015, it was bought for $2 million by the disgraced pharmaceutical mogul Martin Shkreli. However, that wasn’t because it was a mystic rarity. In fact, the price was manipulated because the hip-hop collective only produced one single copy and enshrined it in a glitzy box, along with a contract that stipulated that the owner cannot sell or attempt to make money from the album for 88 years."

January 9, 2023

• Prince Harry could be barred from the US - "Has put visa 'at risk' after his admission he has taken drugs."
• Prince Harry defends tell-all memoir in furious ITV interview - "King, queen consort and Prince William all criticised as Harry says silence ‘allows the abuser to abuse’."
• 90% of people in China province infected with Covid, says local health official - "Data from the health commission for central Henan suggests 88 million people in the province may have had the virus."
• CES 2023 in Photos: Welcome to Gadgetville, USA - "WIRED photographer Roger Kisby captures the glory, madness, and optimism of the consumer tech extravaganza."
• Has the Amazon Reached Its ‘Tipping Point’? - "Some Brazilian scientists fear that the Amazon may become a grassy savanna - with profound effects on the climate worldwide."
• Global pollinator losses causing 500,000 early deaths a year - study - "Insect declines mean reduced yields of healthy foods like fruit and vegetables and increased disease in people."
• Will the metaverse be your new workplace? - "When we look back in 50 years' time, it is likely that the 2D internet we now all use will seem laughably archaic."
• The rise of flashy new job titles - "What's the problem with inventing flashy new job titles? Employees’ roles and seniority have generally been defined with straightforward terms. But new - even somewhat arbitrary - titles are emerging as work changes. What’s the harm?"
• HISTORIC SALES RECORD COMPLETES LANDMARK YEAR FOR ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS - "Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reports record 6,021 sales in 2022, up 8% on same period in 2021. Highest value Bespoke commissions in the marque's 118-year history reflect company’s position as a true House of Luxury."
• Kathleen Turner on booze, health & falling in love with Michael Douglas - "‘I’ll never drink like that again.’"

January 8, 2023

• This destination is No. 1 on Chinese travelers' bucket list - "Where are Chinese travelers heading now that borders have reopened? The most popular destinations so far are Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand, based on Trip.com Group bookings. For long-haul destinations, the US, UK and Australia lead the pack."
• Why now is the best time to book your 2023 vacation - "The year's off to a dramatic start with storms lashing the United States' West Coast, a renewed volcanic eruption in Hawaii, and January heat records in Europe that are forcing some ski resorts to close due to a lack of snow. But it's still looking like a great year to travel."
• The Verge’s best of CES 2023 - "Rounding up the best and boldest tech news to come out of Las Vegas in 2023."
• Why Prince Harry can't stop oversharing - "What we’re seeing is a little brother desperate to fight back against a lifetime of feeling inferior, but doing so in the dirtiest way possible."
• Watch: William & Harry, a life in the spotlight. Royal brothers through the years - "From birth the brother's lives have been closely watched by fans and critics alike."
• Prince Harry’s book could be ‘beginning of end’ for royals, warns Charles’s biographer - "Catherine Mayer says anger over racism, misogyny and wealth in the royal family can undermine public consent for a monarchy."
• How Zelenskiy became Hollywood’s man of the hour - "From Ben Stiller to Jessica Chastain, celebrities have embraced Ukraine’s president and offered support to the country’s war effort."
• How to really torch plenty of calories walking on a treadmill - "Walking has long been lauded as one of the best exercises for overall health. This physical activity can strengthen your heart, lower blood pressure, keep your bones strong and burn calories. When done outside, you reap the additional benefits that come from spending time in nature, such as lower levels of stress, improved attention and a better mood. It’s not always possible to take your daily constitutional alfresco though. When the weather or other factors drive you indoors, consider a treadmill workout instead."
• The promise of batteries that come from trees - "As demand for electric vehicles soars, scientists are searching for materials to make sustainable batteries. Lignin, the stuff that makes trees woody, is shaping up to be a strong contender."
• I am a housesitter & stay in amazing places all over the world for free - "Fancy staying in a mansion or lakeside pad for absolutely nothing? Sign up as a housesitter and the place is yours in return for pet care and plant-watering duties."
• Last Crumb: The World’s Most Luxurious Cookie Launches New Platinum Collection - "If you’re a fan of cookies and super exclusive limited availability then Last Crumb is right up your alley. This LA-based cookie company is known for its cookie drops that sell out in minutes and the price tag on these babies is not cheap, yet they sell out time and time again - which is a true testament to how ooey, gooey, and delicious they are. Founded by longtime friends Derek Jaeger and Alana Arnold, Last Crumb launched in August of 2020 and almost instantly there was a waitlist to get ahold of these shareable cookies."
• Rolex Rolls Out New 2023 Prices - "Rolex has rolled out newly hiked prices on some models to kick off 2023. We break down the Europe and US increases."

January 7, 2023

• Spare by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex - "It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow - and horror. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling - and how their lives would play out from that point on. For Harry, this is that story at last." On Amazon.com.
• What’s in Prince Harry’s memoir Spare? Here’s all we know so far - "Duke of Sussex writes about tussles with his brother, that Nazi uniform, his mother’s death, and losing his virginity."
• Chameleon cars, urine scanners & other standouts from CES 2023 - "AI-ovens, dual-display or 3D screen laptops and satellite SOS texting shine at Las Vegas tech show."
• The Verge Awards at CES 2023 - "At a show of wild concepts and far-out tech, this year’s best gadgets got real."
• The best of CES 2023 - "Engadget's top picks from 11 categories, and our overall favorite from this year's show."
• The Mediterranean Diet Really Is That Good for You. Here’s Why - "It has become the bedrock of virtuous eating. Experts answer common questions about how it leads to better health."
• Here’s what will drive markets this year - "Welcome to the first trading day of 2023. Markets are pushing higher but don’t get comfortable just yet - if last year taught us anything it’s to expect the unexpected."
• 11 of the best TV shows to watch this January - "Caryn James picks out the biggest offerings - from HBO's adaptation of hit videogame The Last of Us to Rian Johnson's murder mystery series Poker Face and reality show The Traitors."
• Mystery of why Roman buildings have survived so long has been unraveled, scientists say - "They found that white chunks in the concrete, referred to as lime clasts, gave the concrete the ability to heal cracks that formed over time. The white chunks previously had been overlooked as evidence of sloppy mixing or poor-quality raw material."
• Iconic 90s velvet gown owned by Princess Diana is headed to auction - "It might not be as famous as her head-turning 'revenge dress,' but an aubergine-colored silk velvet piece is still one of Princess Diana's most iconic gowns. The late royal wore it for both an official royal portrait in 1991 and an intimate Vanity Fair spread in 1997, just before her death."
• Meghan Markle Used A Neumann Mic To Make Her Spotify Podcasts Sound Warm & Engaging - "When Spotify signed up Meghan Markle - the Duchess of Sussex - to present a series of podcasts for a staggering $20m, the streaming giant was duty-bound to ensure the Duchess sounded great. The words in the podcast may have been Meghan’s, but the sound of those words was down to Neumann, the legendary German microphone manufacturer that’s part of the Sennheiser Group."
• United said it had this woman's missing bag. She tracked it to a residential address - "The story she has to tell of how her bag was lost and found, and how United Airlines dealt with her case, is enough to make you never check a bag again."
• Witchcraft beliefs around the world: An exploratory analysis - "Witchcraft beliefs are a global contemporary phenomenon that is not restricted to just a few selected areas."
• Norges Bank Investment Management | Government Pension Fund Global - "We work to safeguard and build financial wealth for future generations." The aim of the oil fund is to ensure responsible and long-term management of revenue from Norway’s oil and gas resources, so that this wealth benefits both current and future generations. The fund’s formal name is the Government Pension Fund Global. The fund's market value: 12 876 282 696 080 NOK as of December 7, 2023.

January 6, 2023

• China Covid: Celebrity deaths spark fears over death toll - "The growing number of Chinese public figures whose deaths are being made public is prompting people to question the official Covid death toll."
• China Covid: Young people self-infect as fears for elderly grow - "When Mr Chen's 85-year-old father fell ill with Covid in December, it was impossible to get an ambulance or see a doctor. They went to Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing, where they were told to either try other hospitals or sit in the corridor with an IV drip."
• Half of glaciers will be gone by 2100 even under Paris 1.5C accord, study finds - "If global heating continues at current rate of 2.7C, losses will be greater with 68% of glaciers disappearing."
• Prince Harry: One unanswered claim at the heart of his story - "At the heart of his story is one allegation that has gone entirely unanswered by the palace - that his family leaked and planted negative stories 'against me and my wife' to the press."
• 'Harry broke an unwritten rule': Veterans say Duke should never have revealed Taliban kills - "Duke writes in his memoir that he personally killed 25 fighters in Afghanistan. Colonel Richard Kemp said troops are not trained to treat fighters as 'subhuman'."
• Charles pleaded with sons Harry & William not to 'make my final years a misery' - "William attack claim, drugs admission and concerns about Camilla detailed in reports on Harry’s new book."
• ‘Mad Dog’ surfer dies riding giant waves in NazarÉ, Portugal - "Freire was one of the three Brazilian surfers who became known as the 'Mad Dogs' after conquering the giant wave 'Jaws' in Hawaii. They featured in the 2016 documentary Mad Dogs."
• King Charles made jokes about Prince Harry's 'real' dad - "Harry, 38, grew up amid public speculation that his true father was Princess Diana’s former lover Major James Hewitt."
• Jeremy Renner 'completely crushed' by snowplow - Jeremy Renner posts video update: ‘ICU spa moment to lift my spirits’.
• CES 2023 Day 1 recap: Catch up on the biggest news from the year's biggest tech show - "All the TV, car and laptop announcements you might have missed."
• 20 of the best films to watch in 2023 - "From Cocaine Bear and Barbie - starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie - to The Little Mermaid and Oppenheimer, and the latest instalments of Dune, Indiana Jones and Mission: Impossible, our critics pick the best releases slated for 2023."
• 12 Workouts to Try in 2023 - "This year, resolve to create a stable fitness routine out of whatever you enjoy most."
• How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health - "Experts say wonder is an essential human emotion - and a salve for a turbulent mind."
• When did humans start wearing clothes? Discovery in Germany offers rare clue - "Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered some of the earliest evidence of the use of clothing, with newly discovered cut marks on a cave bear paw suggesting the prehistoric animals were skinned for their fur some 300,000 years ago."
• Why the world loves comfort foods - "Why not all comfort food is the same. Every food culture has certain dishes that people turn to in times of need. And no one food is a comfort food staple right across the world. Here's why."
• The New York Bakery Where Frank Sinatra Liked to Buy Pastries - "Founded in 1894 and run by members of the same family ever since, Veniero’s is an icon of Italian American New York."
• George Santos’ Cartier Santos Watch Is Worth $7,800 - Unless It’s A Fake - "International man of mystery George Santos reported for his first day in Congress wearing what appears to be a Cartier Santos, which retails for $7,800. At least, that’s what the real ones cost. Knockoffs go for just $150. An expert in luxury watches, who independently identified the timepiece for Forbes, cautioned that it is impossible to be sure of the type of watch—let alone its authenticity—from the available photos. Santos did not respond to emails, and calls to his office went straight to voice mail, which could not accept new messages."
• Need More iPhone Storage? You Can Get It Without Deleting Anything - "Stop removing photos, videos and apps from your phone to free up more storage on iOS."

January 5, 2023

• China ‘under-representing’ true impact of Covid outbreak, says WHO - "The World Health Organization has accused China of 'under-representing' the severity of its Covid outbreak and criticized its 'narrow' definition of what constitutes a Covid death, as top global health officials urge Beijing to share more data about the explosive spread."
• What is known about new Covid variant XBB.1.5? - "A new Covid sub-variant is causing some concern in the US, where it is spreading rapidly."
• Prince Harry details physical attack by brother William in new book - "Harry writes in new autobiography Spare that William ‘knocked me to the floor’ during confrontation in London in 2019."
• European ski resorts close because there's no snow - "Ski resorts across the Alps, particularly those in the lower regions, have temporarily shuttered their slopes as this warm weather, teamed with torrential rain, washes away December's snowfall."
• CES 2023: all the news from the year’s biggest tech conference - "At the year’s biggest tech show, we’ll see next-gen TVs, stylish laptop updates, questionable smart home tech, and a lot of strange and surprising gadgets."
• 10 of the best new luxury hotels opening in Asia in 2023 - "From a remote luxury lodge in the Himalayas to urban sanctuaries sporting ambitious designs, we've rounded up 10 hotels and resorts scheduled to open in 2023."
• From Barbie to Creed III: the 2023 films Guardian writers are most excited about - "The next 12 months offers a wide range of tantalising new movies. Here are the ones our critics are most intrigued about."
• The world's most punctual airlines in 2022 were... - "Welcome to 2023, where an airline actually being punctual is headline news. The airline in question is South American carrier Azul Brazilian Airlines, which last year had the best on-time performance globally, according to a new report by aviation analytics firm Cirium."
• The Etiquette Guru Who Broke Up With a Boyfriend Over Text - "Sara Jane Ho offers practical manners for a new, global world."
• How Benedict Cumberbatch's family made a fortune from slavery - "And why his roles in films like 12 Years A Slave are a bid to atone for their sins."
• The Somali gold rush endangering frankincense & myrrh - "The three kings of the biblical nativity carried three precious gifts to mark the birth of Jesus - but a modern-day gold rush in Somaliland is putting the ancient perfume trade in frankincense and myrrh at risk."
• The $100 Trillion Global Economy in One Chart - "Global GDP 2022."
• Top Heavy: Countries by Share of the Global Economy - "Countries by Share of the Global Economy."
• Japan's beloved slow-motion train - "The Japanese are obsessed with bullet trains - but they're equally smitten by those that aren't so speedy."
• Why AI audiobook narrators could win over some authors & readers, despite the vocal bumps - "Apple and Google’s AI turn in a booming market may sound less than human and raise the ire of voiceover actors, but it has cost benefits."
• Panasonic’s portable Nanoe X air purifier filters odors & pollutants while you drive - "Put away the Little Trees air freshener, Panasonic has a more advanced solution the next time you want to make your car smell its best. The small device can fit in most cup holders."
• Harry Winston Unveils Year Of The Rabbit Watch Based On The Jade Rabbit Legend - "For Chinese New Year, certain top watch brands help celebrate by introducing a timepiece geared for that year’s zodiac sign. This year’s Chinese New Year celebrates the rabbit, a creature that symbolizes generosity, ingenuity and empathy. Now, Harry Winston releases its Premier Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm watch, which recalls the legend of the Jade Rabbit."
• Sony & Honda just announced their new electric car brand, Afeela - "The two companies’ joint venture aim to have an EV ready for the North American market by 2026."
• 17 Surprising Ways You're Ruining Your Clothes - "You've been washing, folding, and storing your clothes all wrong."
• Glenfarclas’s New 50-Year-Old Single-Malt Scotch Whisky Is Limited to Just 836 Bottles - "And it was bottled at 50 percent ABV. In addition to winning Distiller of the Year at the 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards, the Speyside distillery just launched a 50-year-old single malt—and it’s not the first time this venerated whisky producer has released an expression this old."

January 4, 2023

• China’s President Xi battles to save face as Covid U-turn weakens his grip on power - "Despite public bullishness, overflowing hospitals across the country suggest its leader may have made a huge miscalculation."
• China threatens ‘countermeasures’ over other countries’ Covid travel restrictions - "US among several countries defending virus tests for China passengers as Beijing threatens to retaliate."
• European weather: Winter heat records smashed all over continent - "Temperatures for January have reached an all-time high in a number of nations across Europe."
• The expensive things LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault bought with his billions - "He has a staggering net worth that stands at US$190.8 Billion as on January 4, 2023. This makes one wonder how the business magnate spends his wealth and what the most expensive things owned by Bernard Arnault are. We take a look."
• Twitter sued over $136,260 in unpaid rent after Elon Musk takeover - "Landlord alleges the social media company owes back rent for its California Street branch in San Francisco."
• Infographic: The Longest Lasting Cars, in Miles - "When properly maintained, well-built cars can last an impressive amount of miles."
• The 7-Day Happiness Challenge - "Try these simple steps for a joyful, more connected 2023."
• ‘Eight hours’ sleep & you must eat breakfast!’ The truth behind 10 of the biggest health beliefs - "Should we really be aiming to walk 10,000 steps a day, or drink two litres of water? Time to sift fact from fiction."
• Why you are probably eating plastic - "How microplastics are infiltrating the food you eat. Plastic pollution is one of the defining legacies of our modern way of life, but it is now so widespread it is even finding its way into fruit and vegetables as they grow."
• Trouble falling asleep at night? Chase that daytime light, study shows - "Published online Dec. 7 in the Journal of Pineal Research, the study found that UW students fell asleep later in the evening and woke up later in the morning during - of all seasons - winter, when daylight hours on the UW’s Seattle campus are limited and the skies are notoriously overcast."
• Daytime light exposure is a strong predictor of seasonal variation in sleep & circadian timing of university students - "In the absence of electric light, sleep for humans typically starts soon after dusk and at higher latitudes daily sleep timing changes seasonally as photoperiod changes."
• The new aircraft, routes & airplane cabins taking off in 2023 - "IATA, the trade association for most airlines worldwide expects airlines to return to profitability in 2023 after a loss making 2022, mostly the result of a Covid-19 shutdown hangover, but also the rise in fuel prices. And long-awaited new airplanes could also be taking to the skies, helping usher in the next era of commercial aviation."
• These Are The Best & Worst Airlines Of The Year For Customer Service - "What are the best airlines of the year for customer service? Ask passengers, and they'll mention favorites like JetBlue and Southwest (despite that airline's holiday meltdown). And they'll criticize legacy carriers like American and United, and low-fare airlines that love to charge fees. Travelers have been doing a lot of talking lately."
• Space & Astronomy: What to Expect in 2023 - "As years in space and astronomy go, 2022 is going to be a tough act to follow."
• Would you be tempted by Brad Pitt's $370 face serum for men? - "From Harry Styles and Brad Pitt to Jared Leto, what's behind the A-list male beauty brand trend?"
• France urges energy firms to help bakers with soaring bills - "Energy suppliers are not doing enough to help France’s trademark bakeries cope with soaring energy bills, Finance Minister Bruno le Maire said on Tuesday."
• How to Spare Yourself From Shoulder Pain - "Shoulder pain can make your days more challenging and keep you up at night. Ward it off with a few smart exercise habits."
• 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. But 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."
• Europe's most misunderstood country? - "The Peak of the Balkans Trail: Europe's last true wilderness. Stretching 192km, the Peak of the Balkans Trail bridges three previously war-torn nations and crosses through some of the continent's least-explored landscapes. Albania is filled with up to 500,000 concrete bunkers and was once 'the North Korea of Europe.'"
• These 15 Colleges Have the Best Return on Investment - Harvard Isn't One of Them - "Spoiler alert: only three universities on this list are Ivies."
• The historical origins of the de-cluttered home - "Religion, art and politics have all led to the minimalist idea of 'less is more'. Dominic Lutyens explores the ideas and aesthetics behind pared-back simplicity."
• 11 Stylish Earmuffs for Keeping Warm & Looking Cute This Winter - "Bundle up in style with these oh-so-cozy ear coverings that are equal parts chic and functional."
• 20 Best Yoga Mats of 2023 According to Models, Athletes & Yogis - "Out of all the fitness purchases to be made, perhaps it’s as simple as choosing the best yoga mat. Whether exercising, stretching, or meditating, it’s inherently designed for 'any person, no matter the level of experience.'"
• Withings wants you to pee on its latest device - "The U-Scan is a noninvasive device that you stick in your toilet to monitor metabolic and reproductive health."

January 3, 2023

• 52 acts of kindness: how to spread joy in every week of 2023 - "Whether fostering kittens, donating blood or delivering boxes of biscuits to striking workers, there has never been a better time to help out. And it will improve your life too."
• Environmental review of 2022: another mile on the ‘highway to climate hell’ - "Deadly floods in Pakistan and record heat in the UK were just two symptoms this year of the global crisis."
• Fireworks & a Trump party: new year’s best photos - "The Guardian’s picture editors select photo highlights from around the world."
• Elon Musk has lost a bigger fortune than anyone in history - "Elon Musk’s wealth destruction has become historic. The CEO of Tesla (TSLA), SpaceX and Twitter is worth $137 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, good enough for second place on the list of the world’s richest behind LVMH (LVMHF) Chairman Bernard Arnault. But at its peak in November 2021, Musk’s net worth was $340 billion."
• North Korea: What we can expect from Kim Jong-un in 2023 - "North Korea had a record-busting 2022. It fired more missiles than ever before in a single year. In fact, a quarter of all missiles North Korea has ever launched hit the skies in 2022. It was also the year that Kim Jong-un declared that North Korea had become a nuclear weapons state and that its weapons were here to stay."
• How Many Clothes Should We Own, Exactly? - "'Buy less and buy better' has become a common refrain in fashion’s sustainability movement. But how much should we actually be buying? If a new report is anything to go by, it’s likely a lot less than you think. Researchers from Berlin’s Hot Or Cool Institute found that we should only be purchasing five new garments a year in order to stay in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius, if nothing else changes. That would mean shoppers in the U.K. alone would need to reduce their consumption by up to 80 percent in some cases."
• Quit Your Job & Move Abroad: 10 Cheapest Places To Live - "This is the year to pursue the dream: Quit your job and move to one of the cheapest (and best) places to live in the world, a country where it costs so little you might be able to stop working. For the past six years, I have been examining the cheapest countries to live around the globe (you can see the reports from 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017). For 2023, I once again tapped into the experts at International Living, which releases an Annual Global Retirement Index of the top places to retire."
• ‘Avatar’ & the Headache of High Frame Rate Filmmaking - "Why do James Cameron and others experiment with this? Intended to eliminate blur, it is actually unnerving in scenes involving humans or real objects."
• Prince Harry tells Anderson Cooper why he’s not stepping out of the limelight - "He sat down with Anderson Cooper for a '60 Minutes' interview, described by CBS as Prince Harry’s 'first U.S. television interview to discuss his upcoming memoir ‘Spare’ and recount his childhood, the loss of his mother and life as the Duke of Sussex living in the UK and now in America.'"
• The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time - "From Sinatra to SZA, from R&B to salsa to alt-rock." RollingStone.
• The mindset that brings unlimited willpower - "Many people believe willpower is fixed and finite. Yet powerful strategies exist that can help us increase it."
• ‘Fuah!’ sure: the vegan foie gras selling out across Spain - "The plant-based pate has exceeded the Spanish startup’s expectations as orders fly in."
• The best sleep apps & gadgets for a better night's sleep - "Let technology help you snag more z’s this year."
• Bentley Teams Up With ‘Shoe Surgeon’ Dominic Ciambrone To Produce Limited-Edition Sneaker - "If this is your first time hearing about Los Angeles’ Dominic Ciambrone, aka 'The Shoe Surgeon,' check this out: Ciambrone’s last major project in 2022 was designing Los Angeles Rams wide-receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s cleats which, at $200,000, are the most expensive cleats ever to be worn in NFL history. Bentley unveiled its 1-of-1 Bentley x The Surgeon vehicle recently during design week at Art Basel Miami to illustrate the collaboration."

January 2, 2023

• Five political trends that could make 2023 a momentous year - CNN Politics.
• Third of world in recession this year, IMF head warns - "A third of the global economy will be in recession this year, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. Kristalina Georgieva said 2023 will be 'tougher' than last year as the US, EU and China see their economies slow. It comes as the war in Ukraine, rising prices, higher interest rates and the spread of Covid in China weigh on the global economy."
• The hidden underwater forests that could help tackle the climate crisis - "Kelp absorbs carbon dioxide and has high nutritional value, but it is under threat from rising temperatures, pollution and invasive species."
• Elon Musk teases release of bombshell Fauci Files in this week's Twitter document dump - "'One thing is for sure, it won't be boring.'"
• There’s never been a better time to stop tweeting - "Twitter, how do I leave thee? Let me count the ways."
• Bring back personal blogging - "Twitter is creaking. Social media seems less fun than ever. Maybe it’s time to get a little more personal."
• Where to travel in 2023: The 23 best destinations to visit - "New year equals new outlook. Apply this formula liberally to travel planning in 2023. After nearly three years of travel disruptions and complications, many countries have dropped most of their pandemic restrictions. People are traveling internationally in large numbers, and there's plenty of pent-up demand to spread around the world. Many travelers are charging full steam ahead into the new year - with good reason."
• Is modern life ruining our powers of concentration? - "Is the ping of a text stealing our focus or do we just lack willpower? And could mindless scrolling ever be good for our brains? Elle Hunt unpacks some surprising truths."
• The 'sexy' reality behind Sicily's 'White Lotus' hotel - "The award-winning show charts the tangled, erotic and sometimes dangerous adventures of super-rich vacationers staying at the beautiful clifftop San Domenico Palace, a five-star resort operated by Four Seasons in the town of Taormina."
• Staying hydrated is linked to lower risk for disease, faster aging & early death, study finds - "You may know that being adequately hydrated is important for day-to-day bodily functions such as regulating temperature and maintaining skin health. But drinking enough water is also associated with a significantly lower risk of developing chronic diseases, dying early or being biologically older than your chronological age, according to a National Institutes of Health study published Monday in the journal eBioMedicine."
• The crucial link between motivation & self-awareness - "To achieve a goal, a drive to do so is key. Yet not all motivation is created equal - and some factors driving a desire to succeed can even be harmful."
• A secret site for the Knights Templar? - "Three centuries after it was rediscovered, Royston Cave remains one of Britain's most mysterious places."
• Sony’s A7R V camera is a technical triumph, so why is using it such a pain? - "The 61-megapixel full-frame sensor is brilliant, the autofocus tracking is impeccable, the articulating screen is the best around, and yet Sony cameras are still plagued by terrible ergonomics."
• The best Apple Watch accessories for 2023 - engadget.

January 1, 2023

• 2023 - Events and Predicted and Scheduled Events.
• New Year’s Eve: celebrations around the world as 2023 begins – as it happened - "Jubilant crowds ushered in 2023 with the first large gatherings without restrictions in many cities since before the pandemic."
• New Year's Eve in pictures: World celebrates arrival of 2023 - "The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first to see in the new year, followed by New Zealand an hour later - and thousands gathered in Sydney for the Australian city's renowned fireworks display. Later, as the new year swept west through Europe, Africa and the Americas, more cities celebrated with large crowds, fireworks, concerts and parties. Here are some of the best pictures from around the world."
• Do New Year's resolutions really work? - "January might be a good time to set a new goal." Live Science.
• Myths & facts about treating a hangover - "Are you celebrating the first day of 2023 with a hangover? If so, you might be looking for a method to ease your misery. There are certainly a lot of so-called hangover cures, some dating back centuries."
• Xi Jinping urges unity as China’s Covid fight enters ‘new phase’ - "Chinese leader speaks of continuing struggles as thousands gather in Wuhan, epicentre of the pandemic three years ago."
• New year in Putin’s Russia - nothing is normal - "There was nothing 'normal' about Vladimir Putin's New Year address to the Russian people. For his annual speech the president normally stands alone outside the Kremlin. This year, standing behind him, were men and women in combat uniforms."
• Zelensky tells Russians - Putin is destroying you - "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told Russians that their leader is destroying their country. Speaking after Vladimir Putin delivered a New Year address flanked by people in military uniform, Mr Zelensky said the Russian president was hiding behind his troops, not leading them."
• CNN’s top 100 digital stories of 2022 - "2022 was not just another year that tried patience and frayed nerves, it was historic and deadly. Russian President Vladimir Putin did what was unimaginable to many, launching the largest land war in Europe since World War II. All too common horrors were unleashed once more on American schoolchildren in Uvalde, Texas, and in many, many other mass shootings in the United States. And, inevitably, luminaries who brought light to our lives were extinguished."
• All of the moments & discoveries that provided us with wonder in 2022 - "This year was full of moments that remind us why we look at the stars and dig into the past. Wonder and curiosity are some of the most powerful traits humans have, and together, they drive us to ask questions that lead to untraveled roads filled with revelations. Researchers, explorers and innovators found previously unknown species across the globe, the Artemis I mission ventured to the moon and back, and countless discoveries shed light on some of history’s mysteries."
• 2023 in books: highlights for the year ahead - "The best fiction and nonfiction to look forward to in the new year, from Zadie Smith to Simon Schama, Margaret Atwood to Rory Stewart."
• 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."
• Taiwan willing to offer help to China to deal with Covid-19 surge - "Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said the self-ruled democratic island is willing to provide assistance to help China deal with its Covid surge after Beijing eased its hardline approach last month."
• ‘Battle for the nation’s soul’: Norway faces debate about gas & oil wealth - "Russia’s war in Ukraine has earned Norway billions - and caused controversy."
• Magnus Carlsen becomes triple world champion for the third time in his career - "Magnus Carlsen won both the World Rapid and World Blitz chess titles in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the latest landmark of his glittering career. The 32-year-old Norwegian is now the holder of all three world chess championship titles - in Classical, Rapid and Blitz - for the third time in his career, while no other player has ever won both the Rapid and Blitz titles in the same year."
• ‘I did not let Kim Philby go. He gave me the slip’ - "'What an MI6 spy told me over lunch.' A new TV series highlights the part played by the UK intelligence service’s Nicholas Elliott in unmasking the 1960s Cambridge spy ring - events he recalled years later over lunch at his club."
• The button on Canon’s image-stabilized binoculars unlocked superhuman sight - "Button of the month: the one on Canon’s image-stabilized binoculars, which makes long-distance sight feel much more like what Hollywood promised."
• How to set up your new Apple Watch - "Tweak these settings when you strap on your Watch for the first time."