Category Archives: Views

360° Travel: An Aerial Tour Of Male, The Maldives (8K)

AirPano VR Films (September 15, 2023) – A 360°  aerial tour of the city of Male, capital of The Republic of Maldives, which comprises 26 atolls and nearly two thousand coral islands. Most of them are uninhabited and it is the area where nature reigns supreme.

Malé is the densely populated capital of the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It’s known for its mosques and colorful buildings. The Islamic Centre (Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam) features a mosque, a library and a distinctive gold dome. Near the harbor, a popular fish market offers the day’s catch, and a produce market is stocked with local fruit.

The New York Times — Friday, September 15, 2023

Image

Hunter Biden Indicted on Gun Charges

Hunter Biden outside the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Del., in July.

The Justice Department charged President Biden’s son after the collapse of an earlier plea deal and amid an impeachment investigation by House Republicans.

History Turns Upside Down in a War Where the Koreas Are Suppliers

A photograph released by North Korean state media showing President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia on Wednesday.

Desperate for munitions for the war in Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia have turned to their allies in South and North Korea, which kept stockpiling arms for decades after their own conflict.

What the Wildfire Stole From One Maui Family

A 7-year-old boy, his mom and grandparents tried to flee Hawaii’s deadliest wildfire in over a century, and ran into impossible challenges.

C.I.A. Discloses Identity of Second Spy Involved in ‘Argo’ Operation

The movie about the daring mission to rescue American diplomats from Tehran portrayed a single C.I.A. officer sneaking into the Iranian capital. In reality, the agency sent two officers.

Sailing Yachts: A Tour Of The 155’ Schooner ‘Gweilo’

Fraser Yachts Films (September 14, 2023) – Built in 2009 by the renowned Mengi Yay shipyard, GWEILO is a 47M/155’ luxury sailing schooner that undergone extensive refits in 2021/2022. With sleek lines and a distinctive Dykstra exterior design, GWEILO is crafted from a laminate wood construction.

With a beam of 8.35m and a draft of 4.7m, she boasts a generous volume of 157GT, providing ample space for relaxation and entertainment. Fully RINA LY2 commercially compliant, she is safe, fast, and possesses the proven capability to navigate the world’s most enchanting seas. GWEILO gracefully cruises at 11 knots, with a maximum speed of 16 knots thanks to her Caterpillar 3406E engine delivering 558hp.

Designed for both performance and comfort, GWEILO offers luxurious accommodation for up to 8 guests across 3 exquisitely appointed ensuite staterooms. This stunning 2009 Mengi Yay sailing schooner has been fabulously maintained. Impeccably cared for, she stands in superb condition, eagerly awaiting her next passionate owner to create unforgettable memories.

The New York Times — Thursday, Sept 14, 2023

Image

Libyan Flood Survivor Recounts Horror After Dams Burst

Ruined buildings and debris on a beach.

“We walked out barefoot and saw our friends and neighbors dying,” said a woman from the hard-hit city of Derna. More than 5,000 are reported dead and 10,000 more are believed to be missing.

Russia Overcomes Sanctions to Expand Missile Production, Officials Say

The site of a missile strike in Kyiv in August.

Moscow’s missile production now exceeds prewar levels, officials say, leaving Ukraine especially vulnerable this coming winter.

A Spectacular Marble Cube Rises at Ground Zero

The Perelman Performing Arts Center, a glamorous $500 million project, may yet turn the World Trade Center into a neighborhood, our critic writes.

Former Buildings Chief Accused of Trading Favors for $150,000 in Bribes

The former commissioner, Eric Ulrich, pleaded not guilty, as did five other men, several of whom raised money for the campaign of Mayor Eric Adams.

France Heritage: The Bulls & Manadiers Of Camargue

FRANCE 24 English (September 13, 2023) – We take you to discover a part of France that’s as fiercely proud of its heritage as it is of its character. The southern Camargue region and its wetlands are a paradise for flamingos, but the sacred animal here is the bull.

They live on these plains in semi-freedom and are reared by enthusiasts: the manadiers. These bulls are reared for one purpose: to become champions of the bullring in the Courses camarguaises. But the animals aren’t put to death and suffer no injuries. The raseteurs, wearing white, must collect the rosettes tied to the bull’s horns. We take a closer look.

Read more about this story in our article: https://f24.my/9mds.y

The New York Times — Wednesday, Sept 13, 2023

Image

More Than 5,000 Dead in Libya as Collapsed Dams Worsen Flood Disaster

In a catastrophe recalling Hurricane Katrina, a heavy storm burst through dams to unleash their waters on the city of Derna, sweeping away entire neighborhoods.

McCarthy, Facing an Ouster and a Shutdown, Orders an Impeachment Inquiry

Speaker Kevin McCarthy had long signaled he was moving toward an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

The move against President Biden, which Speaker Kevin McCarthy had been signaling for weeks, comes as some far-right House Republicans are irate over spending and threatening to depose him.

‘Wounds Will Need to Be Healed’: Collisions in a Fractured Israel

Israelis are deeply split about what kind of country Israel should be. Four encounters at four recent protests show how that division plays out in daily life.

Theaters of War That Make Up the Fighting in Ukraine

A “striking fist” in the North, and river crossings in the South. Along a jagged 1,000-mile front, the fighting is multifaceted — and relentless.

Culinary: Japanese Chef Prepares Kampachi Dishes

Bon Appétit (September 12, 2023) – Japanese chef Yuji Haraguchi, owner of OKONOMI // YUJI Ramen in New York, demonstrates how he butchers an entire kampachi and transforms it into six varied dishes.

Architecture: Boonburrh House In Noosa, Australia

The Local Project (September 12, 2023) – Located in Noosa, Australia is a beach house designed by Frank Macchia, Principal at Macchia Design Studio. Boarded by lush greenery on the eastern side and a magnificent ocean bay on the northern, Boonburrh House does not dominate the site but instead respects all that was there before it.

Video timeline: 00:11 – Introduction to the Stunning Beach House 00:40 – A Magical Beachside Location 01:07 – Respecting the Original Site 01:39 – Keeping the Home Discreet 02:05 – A Focus on The Landscaping 02:23 – Influences for the Design Process 03:11 – The Living Pavilion 04:05 – The Minimalistic Material Palette 04:48 – Proud Moments of the Design Process 05:20 – 2024 Dulux Colour Forecast

However, as the beach house sat on a public block – with a busy street out front – there was a need for the designer to make the family home private, secure, nurturing and comfortable, all while being open and connected to its surrounds. As such, Frank Macchia has used a range of interior design techniques that help to keep the home discreet from passers-by. One contributing idea for discreetness was to layer the beach house within the site while the second idea was a minimisation of the material palette.

As the beach house tour reveals, the landscape of the home has played a critical role for two reasons – one being that the designer wanted to establish a connection to the magic of the garden and the second to create a sense of privacy. Alongside these elements, there were many interior design influences for the family home that were discovered while the owners were on vacation in Sri Lanka. After staying at some of Geoffrey Bawa’s homes, the owners wanted to create a pull-apart home that would reveal a series of pavilions connected by open courtyards, link ways and verandas that are either partially opened or closed.

Complemented by Noosa’s perfect climate, Boonburrh House is further supplemented with open architecture that allows the owners to turn the extra courtyards and link ways into extra rooms. Exemplifying this is the living room pavilion, which has large glass sliding doors that disappear and open the space up to immediately connect to the garden. However, the home’s true appeal is the interplay of dark and light of the interior design where the main part of the residence is given access to both eastern and northern light.

Travel: An Aerial Tour Of The Isle Of Wight, England

Natural History Museum (September 12, 2023) – The Isle of Wight is full of beautiful landscapes, from rolling hills and luscious vegetation to dramatic cliffs and golden, sandy beaches. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to see it all from a bird’s-eye view? Well now you can! So, sit back and relax as we take to the air and soar across the island’s breathtaking land and seascapes.

The New York Times — Tuesday, Sept 12, 2023

Image

China Sows Disinformation About Hawaii Fires Using New Techniques

China’s most recent influence campaign suggests that it is making more direct attempts to sow discord in the United States.

Beijing’s influence campaign using artificial intelligence is a rapid change in tactics, researchers from Microsoft and other organizations say.

Fury as Quake Help Finally Arrives: ‘How Many Hours Has It Been?’

Men helping Mohamed Abarada, left, in green, search for his missing daughter in Douar Tnirt, Morocco, on Monday.

The people of a village high in the Atlas Mountains erupted in anger when the Moroccan government left them alone for three days to dig out and bury their loved ones.

Michelin’s Coveted Stars Can Come With Some Costs

As its universe of dining guides expands to new places, the company is asking those regions to help pay the bill. And some chefs fear the honors are fostering a world of restaurant clones.

America’s Fire Spotters Aren’t Ready to Fade Away Just Yet

Officials say the future of wildfire detection is cameras. But in northwest Montana, solitary humans on mountaintops still do more than machines alone can offer.