Tag Archives: March 2023

World Economic Forum: Top Stories- March 11, 2023

World Economic Forum (March 11, 2023) – This week’s top stories of the week include:


0:15 These ‘robo-boots’ may improve balance – They provide a super-quick blast of assistance to your muscles helping you to stay upright. Scientists asked a healthy participant to stand on a moving floor wearing the exo-boots. Then ‘pulled the rug’ out from under them. They programmed the boots to work using the same delay as human reflexes or artificially faster than humanly possible. The exo-boots only improved balance when they worked faster than our natural response. It means that, one day, wearable exoskeletons could deploy lightning-quick reflexes to help people with balance impairment.

1:35 This new telescope could help explain dark energy – A new space telescope is being launched by the European Space Agency to help scientists build a 3D map of the universe by photographing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away – across more than a third of the sky. Around 95% of the universe is ‘dark matter’ or ‘dark energy’ which doesn’t fit into our cosmological models. The super-sensitive telescope will effectively enable us to look back in time to how distant galaxies looked 10 billion years ago and to see how dark energy accelerated the expansion of the universe.

3:10 How to build earthquake proof buildings – When an earthquake strikes, it creates horizontal forces that shake the building from left to right. Concrete is very strong when compressed, but it has little flexibility, and when stretched, as it is during an earthquake, it’s liable to crack. So to create earthquake resistant buildings, designers add a flexible steel skeleton known as rebar. The steel is elastic and springs the building back into shape. Sometimes, when tension is too high, the steel may warp permanently. This is advantageous, though, because it keeps the building upright, enabling people to escape. There are other ways to make earthquake resistant buildings. Watch the video to learn more.

4:34 Climate doom is a dangerous myth – It’s the most common false claim about climate change, especially among young people. Some experts believe it’s more damaging than climate denialism. In fact, scientists say, it’s not too late to arrest global warming. Global temperatures will stabilize a few years after we reach net zero and the belief that it’s pointless trying to stop climate change only leads to inaction. Making it as unhelpful as denying climate change altogether.

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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.

Medieval Village Walks: Èze – The South Of France

March 2023: Èze Village, lying between Nice and Monaco, is basically two villages on three levels. The lowest is Èze-sur-Mer, through which the Nice–Monaco railway line runs. 427 m higher is Èze (Èze-Village), which I describe here. This medieval village, built on the very top of a hill, is today one of the places on the French Riviera most-visited by tourists. No wonder, because the views from above are so magnificent that they are almost unreal. The village is like a castle, with thick stone walls richly covered with colorful flowers.

Filmed and edited by:

Tourist Channel

Finance Preview: Barron’s Magazine – March 13, 2023

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Barron’s Magazine – March 13, 2023:

How Top Advisors Are Building Portfolios Now

How Top Advisors Are Building Portfolios Now

Inflation and higher interest rates brought an end to rah-rah returns for growth stocks. Advisors are adjusting by buying more bonds and shifting their focus away from once-sexy stock sectors.

Why the SVB-Triggered Selloff Is a Buying Opportunity in Big Bank Stocks

Why the SVB-Triggered Selloff Is a Buying Opportunity in Big Bank Stocks

Larger financial institutions have different funding sources and are subject to much tighter regulation.

Buying an EV? Here’s How Long Until It Will Pay Off.

Buying an EV? Here's How Long Until It Will Pay Off.

It could take five to 10 years for an EV to pay off financially compared with a gasoline-powered car. Here’s what to know if you’re thinking of going electric.

Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg, and 2 Other Spinoffs to Watch

Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg, and 2 Other Spinoffs to Watch

Kellogg, Johnson & Johnson, Crane, and BorgWarner are planning to hive off a chunk of their businesses in 2023. What investors need to know.

Front Page: The New York Times – March 11, 2023

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Silicon Valley Bank Fails After Run on Deposits

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation took control of the bank’s assets on Friday. The failure raised concerns that other banks could face problems, too.

U.S. Employers Keep Hiring, but Signs of Easing Are Seen

CREDIT

The economy added 311,000 jobs in February despite higher interest rates. But hourly earnings rose more slowly as the pool of available workers grew.

Its Georgia O’Keeffe Is Worth Millions. And Its Dorms Need Updating.

In the face of declining enrollment, Valparaiso University in Indiana wants to raise money to renovate two dormitories by selling treasures from its art museum. Not everyone is on board.

Saudi Arabia and Iran Agree to Restore Ties, in Talks Hosted by China

The deal between regional rivals underlines China’s growing economic and political importance in the Middle East, and what some analysts say is waning American influence.

The New York Times Book Review – March 12, 2023

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The New York Times Book Review – March 12, 2023:

Big Money, Big Houses and Big Problems in Brooklyn Heights

This is an illustration — done in white, yellow and shades of blue — of a gaggle of fancily dressed people in a well appointed living room. Their faces aren't visible but their jewelry and hair accessories are.

In Jenny Jackson’s debut novel, “Pineapple Street,” readers get a tour of a world they might learn not to envy by the end of the book.

22 Works of Fiction to Read This Spring

Watch for reality-bending explorations of time and space, a Western horror novel from Victor LaValle and new fiction from Han Kang. Plus: Tom Hanks (yes, that Tom Hanks) releases his debut novel.

The Marquis de Sade’s Filthy, Pricey 40-Foot Scroll of Depravity

A new book by Joel Warner traces the fate of the parchment on which the infamous author wrote “120 Days of Sodom,” a trail involving scholars, aristocrats and thieves — and lots of money.

Africa Views: Tassili n’Ajjer National Park In Algeria

Six days deep into the heart of the Sahara (in October-November 2022), into one of the most picturesque parts of the desert: Tassili n’Ajjer National Park of Algeria, near the borders with Libya and Niger.

Video timeline: Day 1 0:00 Day 2 1:22 Day 3 9:06 Day 4 15:12 Day 5 26:21 Day 6 34:52

Located in a strange lunar landscape of great geological interest, this site has one of the most important groupings of prehistoric cave art in the world. More than 15,000 drawings and engravings record the climatic changes, the animal migrations and the evolution of human life on the edge of the Sahara from 6000 BC to the first centuries of the present era. The geological formations are of outstanding scenic interest, with eroded sandstones forming ‘forests of rock’.

Filmed and edited by:

Amazing Places on Our Planet

Architecture Tour: Family Heritage House In Sydney

The Local Project (March 10, 2023) – Perched over Sydney harbour, the architects and designers of Family Heritage, Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors, inject a renewed modern character into the residence.

Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to the Elegant Family Home 00:40 – The Award-Winning Architects 01:00 – Behind the Name ‘Family Heritage’ 01:30 – The Clients Brief 02:03 – A Walkthrough of the Family Home 04:59 – The Award-Winning Interior Designers 05:17 – Fresh and Modern Interiors 05:50 – The Materials Used Throughout 06:20 – Favourite Aspects 07:00 – Difficult Aspects 08:07 – Working with Heritage Listed Homes

Originally built at the turn of the century, the renovated home rejects the idea of historical structures being restricted, dark or difficult for modern families. Defeating these misconceptions, the architects and designers have used soft curves, calming colours and material palettes, and welcome a wealth of natural light inside. From the front veranda, guests enter into the front atrium, which has been turned from a dark entrance into light-filled foyer.

Featuring a newly opened staircase, the interior architecture of the atrium tells a story of gentle curves to soften the arrival, before passing into the arched hallway. As the hallway leads to the family room and study, the choice has been made to keep it dark with hues of blue, navy and greys for concentration, study, reading and reflection. Leading from this is the arrival to the main living space, a light-drenched space with wide doors that open to the garden to expand the living space outdoors for entertainment and family use.

Additionally, on the opposite end of the main living space is the fireplace, which has been designed uncentered to allow for the addition of artwork. Moving upwards, the curved staircase leads to a viewing room in which the skyline of Sydney can be viewed. The first-floor landing then also holds the original doors of the home, which the architects and designers have reused for the linen cupboards. The house tour next leads to the private living spaces, including the children’s rooms, guest room and main bedroom.

The main bedroom offers a vastness that is similar to that of a hotel room, with a precise arrangement and thoughtful detailing. Additionally, the room is fitted with a large window looking over the backyard and dancing shutters that open and shut in synchrony. Showing the character of each child, the architects and designers have allowed the children’s bedrooms to share the front veranda to provide them with additional connections to the front gardens. Evident through their long-standing work relationship, the collaboration between the architects and designers makes it seem as if the home has been designed by one set of hands.

Using a calm, white base, the home builds character with tobacco, pink and blue tones through each living space. Accommodating for a busy family, the architects and designers carefully asses the function of spaces and imbue rooms with durable materials to handle daily wear and tear. Evoking different emotions throughout the home, the interior material choices have purposely been selected by the architects and designers to showcase the home’s unique character and charm.

Culture: New York Times Magazine – March 12, 2023

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The New York Times Magazine – March 12, 2023:

The Daring Ruse That Exposed China’s Campaign to Steal American Secrets

How the downfall of one intelligence agent revealed the astonishing depth of Chinese industrial espionage.

Inside the ‘Blood Sport’ of Oscars Campaigns

Oscar campaigns are often run by professional strategists, essentially a specialized breed of publicist. Their job begins as early as a year before the awards, sometimes before a film is even shot. They advise on which festival a film should premiere at, shape a campaign platform and hope that the film gains enough momentum to propel it into awards season. 

The Quest to Restore Notre Dame’s Glorious Sound

Much of the cathedral’s restoration, projected to be completed in 2024, will address these large holes. They affect not just the structure of the building, but also something that cannot be seen: the acoustics. “Notre Dame has lost about 20 percent of its acoustics,” says Mylène Pardoen, who is the co-director of the acoustics team working on Notre Dame — under the aegis of the French Ministry of Culture and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), a research organization from whose ranks specialists have been drawn for the restoration. The holes caused a measurable decline in the glorious resonances that gave the building its unique sound.

Reviews: ‘The Week In Art’

March 10, 2023: Is the Old Masters market struggling? As Tefaf opens its fair in Maastricht, we look at this major moment in the market calendar and what it tells us about the strength or otherwise of the market for historic art.

The Art Newspaper’s Acting Art Market editor, Anny Shaw, joins us from the fair. The Institut du Monde Arabe, or Arab World Institute, in Paris has just received a major gift of more than 1,600 modern and contemporary works from the French-Lebanese dealer and collector Claude Lemand and his wife, France—a collection that will transform the displays in the institute’s museum. We talk to the director of the museum,

Nathalie Bondil, about her future plans and the €6m project to transform the institute. And this episode’s Work of the Week is a self-portrait in red chalk by the Venetian Rococo artist Rosalba Carriera. Dagmar Kornbacher, the director of the Kupferstichkabinett in Berlin, tells me about the drawing, which is a key work in Muse or Maestra?, the museum’s new exhibition of work by historic Italian women artists.Tefaf Maastricht, until 19 March.Muse or Maestra?: Women in the Italian Art World, 1400-1800, Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin, until 4 June.