March 6, 2023: Ukraine’s battle for Bakhmut: is the eastern city about to fall to Russia? Plus: a special interview with James Olson, former chief of counterintelligence at the CIA; a round-up of stories from Asia; and a US Supreme Court copyright case involving Andy Warhol.
Monthly Archives: March 2023
Front Page: The New York Times – March 6, 2023
In Florida Legislative Session, a Chance for DeSantis to Check Off His Wish List
Republican lawmakers have indicated the session will be guided by Gov. Ron DeSantis’s priorities, including a proposal that would expand gun rights.
Using A.I. to Detect Breast Cancer That Doctors Miss
Hungary has become a major testing ground for A.I. software to spot cancer, as doctors debate whether the technology will replace them in medical jobs.
Ukrainian Soldiers, Nearly Encircled, Push Russians Back
The battle for Bakhmut is not over — at least not yet. Ukrainian assault brigades offered Moscow a bloody reminder of that over the weekend.
They’re Exporting Billions in Arms. Just Not to Ukraine.
As traditional weapons suppliers like the U.S. face wartime production shortages, South Korea has stepped in to fill the gap, while trying not to provoke Moscow.
Travel Guides: Top Ten Places To Visit In Brazil
Ryan Shirley Travel Videos (March 2023) – Brazil, officially Federative Republic of Brazil, Portuguese República Federativa do Brasil, country of South America that occupies half the continent’s landmass. It is the fifth largest country in the world, exceeded in size only by Russia, Canada, China, and the United States, though its area is greater than that of the 48 conterminous U.S. states.
- Rio de Janeiro
- Pico Paraná
- Santa Catarina Mountains
- Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
- Iguazú Falls
- Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
- Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
- Chapada Diamantina National Park
- Amazon Rainforest
- Fernando de Noronha
Brazil is the fifth most-populous country on Earth and accounts for one-third of Latin America’s population. Most of the inhabitants of Brazil are concentrated along the eastern seaboard, although its capital, Brasília, is located far inland and increasing numbers of migrants are moving to the interior. Rio de Janeiro, in the eyes of many of the world, continues to be the preeminent icon of Brazil. The nation’s burgeoning cities, huge hydroelectric and industrial complexes, mines, and fertile farmlands make it one of the world’s major economies. However, Brazil struggles with extreme social inequalities, environmental degradation, intermittent financial crises, and a sometimes deadlocked political system.
Tribute: ‘Peanuts’ Creator Charles M. Schulz (CBS)
Travel Films: The Amazon Rainforest In Ecuador
Known as the Oriente, Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest is home to truly astounding biodiversity, with more than 300 species of mammal, 800 species of fish and 350 species of reptile.
Occupying approximately one third of Ecuador’s land area, the Amazon basin lies to the east of the Andean Highlands. It’s easily accessed by visiting the main gateway city of Puerto Francisco de Orellana, which is more widely known as El Coca.
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Sunday Morning: Stories From London And Tokyo
March 5, 2023: Emma Nelson, David Bodanis, Constantine Buhayer and Monocle’s Tokyo bureau chief, Fiona Wilson, discuss the weekend’s hottest topics. We also hear the latest from our editorial director Tyler Brûlé in Marbella.
Front Page: The New York Times – March 5, 2023
How the Fall of Roe Turned North Carolina Into an Abortion Destination
The state, which is near others with abortion bans and restrictions, has had a 37 percent rise in abortions since the constitutional right to abortion was overturned.
A New Front Line in the Debate Over Policing: A Forest Near Atlanta
Six weeks after a protester was shot and killed, officials are bracing for more confrontations with activists seeking to stop a police and fire training center.
Whirring Into Action in Ukraine’s Skies
Against the odds, Ukraine’s helicopter brigades are not only still operational, but are an inspirational component of its war effort.
Inside the Panic at Fox News After the 2020 Election
“If we hadn’t called Arizona,” said Suzanne Scott, the network’s chief executive, according to a recording reviewed by The New York Times, “our ratings would have been bigger.”
Tours: Casa Di Campo In Werribee South, Australia
Video timeline: 00:00 – Surfshark VPN 00:10 – Introduction to the Modern Farmhouse 00:42 – Designing in Response to the Landscape 01:03 – The Brief and the Clients 01:34 – Impressions On Arrival 01:50 – A Walkthrough of the Home 03:00 – The Different Aspects 03:21 – The Material Palette and Textures 04:49 – Proud Moments 05:17 – Surfshark VPN
Located in Werribee South, Victoria, where homes are spaced out by green fields and red dirt landscapes, the family of second-generation market gardeners requested a modern farmhouse. Responding to the client’s brief, Neil Architecture built a home with inward facing courtyards, a private garden space and a pool that the family could find reprieve in. Whilst a calming residence from the inside, Casa di Campo appears as a solid monolithic form that stands out from nearby farming houses.
Once inside, the house tour first reveals a lush green garden that is designed like a Roman courtyard. With a portico that runs along two sides, the pond traditionally included is instead a swimming pool. Acre also installs cut granite boulders as stepping stones that become a major aspect to the garden’s function. Following a short passage leads into the family living rooms, which have been divided by a large centre fireplace.
With no white walls featuring in the interior design of the modern farmhouse, the architects have used textures throughout to provide a unique aspect to the home. The floor is also distinct, appearing as one poured slab with smooth edges and a fine aggregate finish that the clients have fallen in love with. Separate from the living zone, the children’s bedrooms offer a view through the colonnade and into the garden, giving them ample space to play and enjoy the modern farmhouse.
At the eastern end of the home, the main bedroom holds a small private courtyard that invites in the morning sun and offers a space for the parents to unwind and enjoy. Putting together material elements of the modern farmhouse, the architects employed rammed earth for its warm pale tone and unique interior experience. Alongside the rammed-earth architecture is timber wall panelling, Quartzite stone in the kitchen and bathrooms and a green elemental tone within the bathrooms and hallways that helps to sooth the interior features of the modern farmhouse.
Although set among the fields, where the brown rich soil and the bright greens mix harmoniously, the residence separates itself from the working environment and becomes its own destination. Taking on architecture, interior design and styling, Neil Architecture turns a family home into a pleasantly surprising paradise with an exterior that provides no clues as to what is inside.
World Economic Forum: Top Stories – March 4, 2023
0:15 Columbia holds a court case in the metaverse – This tech makes it easier and faster to access the justice system according to the magistrate in charge, Judge María Victoria Quiñones. The metaverse is a fully immersive digital reality, generally accessed through XR (Extended Reality). The judge said the metaverse meets the needs of a fair justice system. It provides a neutral space for all parties and allows for a free exchange of information while removing the need for everyone to gather in the same physical space. The judge also made use of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. She asked it to explain terms such as ‘metaverse’ and ‘avatar’ to the participants and she consulted ChatGPT on the best way to verify their identities. The metaverse is still in its infancy but it’s growing fast. 54% of experts believe it will have half a billion users by 2040
1:36 5 lifesaving technologies bringing relief to Turkey – Here are five life-saving technologies that are helping relief efforts in the aftermath of the Türkiye earthquake. One of them is an online open-source hub that was set up within hours of the earthquake. This simple website hosts links on everything from blood donations to temporary accommodation and emergency food supplies in the areas impacted by the Syria and Türkiye earthquake. It has handled more than 14 million requests for information already from more than 1 million unique visitors. Watch the video to learn more about how these technologies are aiding the Türkiye earthquake relief work.
3:05 3 completely new jobs you can get hired in – Skills-based hiring is the smart, ethical way to fill these vacancies. Hiring for skills is 5 times more predictive of job performance than hiring for education and 2.5 times more predictive than hiring for work experience.
5:08 Third HIV patient cured with bone marrow transplant – He received bone marrow stem cells to treat his leukemia from a donor with natural HIV resistance. Slowly, the healthy immune cells replaced HIV-infected ones. Now, a decade after the transplant and 44 months after stopping HIV medication the patient is in good health, with no signs of infection. Around 1% of the population is naturally immune to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The ‘Düsseldorf patient’ is the third to be cured of HIV with stem cells from bone marrow.
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The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
Alpine Views: The Grimsel Hospiz Hotel, Switzerland
Boomers Daily 