Political Analysis: Is Taiwan Part Of China?

If countries were people, the relationship between China, America and Taiwan would be a love triangle like no other.

Taiwan is by some reckoning the most dangerous flashpoint between China and America. Though Taiwan is in most respects an independent country, China insists it is part of the People’s Republic and is not ruling out taking the island by force. If that were to happen it could ignite an all-out war between America and China. This film explains how this precarious situation came about and how might it play out.

New Wildlife Books: ‘Last Of Their Kind’ By Joachim Schmeisser (April 2021)

“Some of the largest and most wonderful creatures in Africa have become very dear to me over the years,” Schmeisser writes. His book of portraits carries two messages. “It [is] a homage and warning at the same time—a visual message with the aim of sharpening our clouded view of the one, infinitely complex and vulnerable nature and to recognize which treasures we are about to irretrievably lose,” he writes.

There are exactly two black rhinos left in the world, a subspecies of the white rhino, the very last of their kind. In this deeply poignant tribute, photographer Joachim Schmeisser presents these rhinos as well as other wild animals in the Amboseli National Park in Kenya, where Maasai tribespeople ensure that nobody endangers them. With his breathtaking black-and-white images, Schmeisser brings us up close to these extraordinary and endangered creatures, creating a powerful document of nature’s splendor and fragility.

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Views: ‘Grossglockner High Alpine Road’, Austria

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. It connects Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Törl and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m. The road is named after the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. 

Morning News Podcast: Biden Speech Highlights, Markets, Amazon Workers

A.M. Edition for April 29. WSJ White House reporter Sabrina Siddiqui on key moments from President Biden’s speech to Congress as he pushes a broad economic agenda. 

A look at the markets as the president marks 100 days in office. Amazon workers are set for a pay raise. Marc Stewart hosts.

Chateau Tours: Světlá nad Sázavou, Czech Republic

Světlá nad Sázavou is a town in the Havlíčkův Brod District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of about 6,500. The Sázava River flows through the town.

This incredible complex has more than 5,500 sq. meters of usable area and a garden with a park that occupies 14,306 sq. meters. The chateau also has extensive attics and cellars.

The history of the chateau dates back to the Middle Ages when a Gothic fortress was built on the site, which was then a Renaissance hunting lodge was built. Over time, the chateau complex grew to include a Baroque wing and an Empire-style part, as well as a famous orangery. In the 19th century, under the leadership of a prominent Viennese architect, a demanding reconstruction and modification of the complex took place in the Neo-Renaissance style. With this reconstruction, the chateau gained its present appearance. A one-story historic building with four wings was built, which encloses a rectangular courtyard with a fountain. The building combines Renaissance, Baroque, Empire, and Neo-Renaissance elements.

Aerial City Views: ‘Atlanta – Georgia’ (4K Video)

Atlanta is the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia. It played an important part in both the Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Atlanta History Center chronicles the city’s past, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times. Downtown, Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Olympics, encompasses the massive Georgia Aquarium. 

Science Podcast: How Brain Cells Use Energy, Lobster Bellies & Red Meat

Ultra-precise measurements connect brain activity and energy use in individual fruit-fly neurons.

In this episode:

00:45 How brain cells use energy

A team of researchers have looked in individual fruit-fly neurons to better understand how energy use and information processing are linked – which may have important implications for future fMRI studies in humans.

Research Article: Mann et al.

07:04 Research Highlights

A tough but flexible material inspired by lobster underbellies, and research reveals that red meat consumption hasn’t dropped since the 1960s.

Research Highlight: Material mimicking lobster belly cracks the code for toughness

Research Highlight: Meat lovers worldwide pay climate little heed

10:15 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, early results for a new malaria vaccine look positive, and researchers unearth the latest chapter in a long-running plant experiment.

Nature News: Malaria vaccine shows promise — now come tougher trials

BBC News: Malaria vaccine hailed as potential breakthrough

New York Times: One of the World’s Oldest Science Experiments Comes Up From the Dirt

Science: Salt Water Evaporation Creates “Crystal Critters’ (MIT)

A team of MIT researchers have observed that when salty water evaporates from a heated, superhydrophobic surface the crystal structures that form can easily be removed or roll away on their own.

This phenomenon could make it possible to use brackish or salty water, without any pretreatment, rather than relying on freshwater sources, for cooling systems in power plants.

Modern Architecture: ‘Glass & Steel House’ – Malibu, California (Video)

Designed by architect Ed Niles, this four bedroom, four bathroom home sits on two private acres overlooking the Pacific and is currently listed for sale at $13.5 Million.

Analysis: Russia’s Military On Ukraine’s Border (WSJ)

Clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists continued after Moscow’s large-scale military maneuvers at the border. WSJ’s Georgi Kantchev reports from the front line of a conflict that is seen as a test for the Biden administration. Photo: Anastasia Vlasova for The Wall Street Journal