Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin When the world gathered in Glasgow, Scotland for the COP26 UN climate convention, the conversation had not yet added “war in Europe” to the dual challenges of sustainability and biodiversity. Now, eight months later, in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, European Union Council President Charles Michel has described Ukrainian silos “full of grain, wheat and corn ready for export” locked in place by Russia’s wartime blockade of Black Sea ports. Independent data cruncher World Population Review estimates Russia and Ukraine together account for 30% of the global wheat trade. Today, global grain supplies are facing the one-two punch of not only climate disruption but also wartime supply shortages. The food you eat, the food that your food consumes, and perhaps some of your favorite libations are all affected as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine moves into a third month. In a world that has changed everyone and everything, the … [Read more...] about From Odesa To Your Dinner And Dram: How The War Over Fossil And Caloric Energy Supplies Is Shaping The 21st Century
19th century to 21st century timeline
Sotheby’s London Unveils A Rare Tiara Exhibit To Celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Not since the Victoria & Albert Museum’s exhibit “Tiaras” curated by Geoffrey Munn 20 years ago with 200 ancient to antique head ornaments has there been another tiara exhibit of great magnitude. That is all about to change with Sotheby’s London’s Tiara exhibition which is being held in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from May 28 through June 15, 2022. The exhibition will feature approximately 50 tiaras of royal provenance and some of them will be exhibited publicly for the first time. Tiaras, diadems and bandeaus have been in the jewelry news in recent years due to series such as Do wnton Abbey (the series and the film), The Crown , Bridgeton , and other period small and silver screen productions. They have made headlines as celebrities brought them back into style, wearing them to red carpet events; while the most recent Met Gala secured their place among the best bejeweled looks and a trend that … [Read more...] about Sotheby’s London Unveils A Rare Tiara Exhibit To Celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Ciutadella: Menorca’s Curious Second City
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Along with Menorca’s capital Mahón, Ciutadella on the west coast is the Spanish island’s only other real city, and was itself the capital during the 18th-century British occupation. Still small today, Ciutadella is one of those Mediterranean towns made for wandering in which you might hardly see a soul spent in an afternoon along its narrow streets lined with honey-colored houses. While you can enter the lovely little open courtyard of the Bishop’s Residence, the 13th-century cathedral itself might well be closed, and folks are all long gone from the historic little cast-iron fish market. It’s a town of a few oddities—all good ones. In the main square, Es Born, stands a curious 72-foot-high obelisk erected in the 19th-century to commemorate a 16th-century Turkish raid that decimated the town. There, and all around, the festival of Sant Joan on June 23-24 is a celebration of the indigenous Menorcan horse. In what is a kind of … [Read more...] about Ciutadella: Menorca’s Curious Second City
Princess Diana’s Wedding Tiara Headlines Sotheby’s Expansive Tiara Exhibition
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Tiaras have again regained their popularity in both popular culture and in the more rarified setting of auction sales where collectors throughout the world are paying increasingly higher prices for these objects of royalty and aristocracy. To mark Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, Sotheby’s London will open the largest tiara exhibition staged in the UK in 20 years. The exhibition will feature approximately 50 tiaras of aristocratic and royal provenance, with some pieces to be exhibited publicly for the first time. Virtually all the tiaras in the exhibition were made for and owned by British nobility and together they offer a comprehensive review of all major tiara design styles, Sotheby’s said in a statement, including the Napoleonic Empire, Romantic Naturalism, Belle Epoque, Art Deco, Modern and Contemporary designs. The exhibition will be open to the public May 28 – June 15. Several tiaras in the … [Read more...] about Princess Diana’s Wedding Tiara Headlines Sotheby’s Expansive Tiara Exhibition
Manor House Boasts An Idyllic Setting Among The Vineyards In The South Of France
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Albi, set on the Tarn River in the south of France, has many claims to fame. The Episcopal city boasts the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia with its fortress-like brick exterior and lavish interiors. The consistent French Gothic architecture earned the cathedral, built over 200 years from the 13th and 15th centuries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Sharing in the historic designation is the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, which occupies a 13th century building that was originally the cathedral’s Bishop's Palace. The museum is largely devoted to the work of the Albi native son and post-Impressionist painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Beyond its historical relevance, Albi offers a vibrant quality of life with a music-oriented high school of note, a local rugby team, a contemporary art research laboratory and a gastronomic scene featuring such traditional Albigensian food as pot au feu, a sausage, beef, bean and … [Read more...] about Manor House Boasts An Idyllic Setting Among The Vineyards In The South Of France
5 Top Hotels In Santorini, Greece
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Santorini has been ranked the world's top island by many travel magazines and experts, with over two million tourists visiting annually. And it’s no wonder when you consider the gorgeous white stone villas, private pools and incredible views over the Caldera, the volcanic crater submerged in the Aegean sea. The architecture and landscape of Santorini create a picture postcard setting. Here are five of the best Santorini hotels to enjoy. 1. Athina Luxury Suites Situated near the quaint town of Fira, on the cliffs of the Caldera with views of the famous volcano, the sunset and the whole island, Athina Luxury Suites is a superb place to stay in Santorini. Recently renovated, the suites feature a minimalist design, and quality amenities. The large heated infinity pool on the clifftop offers wonderful views stretching from Oia to Akrotiri. A bar in the water open all day until sunset is a decadent touch. Other … [Read more...] about 5 Top Hotels In Santorini, Greece
Innovation Lessons, Insights, And Secrets From Six Industry Leaders
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Often, innovations aren’t as electrifying as Thomas Edison’s light bulb or as likely to stir up a discussion as Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone. Yet even the smallest of inventions can leave a widespread ripple effect. Consider Margaret E. Knight’s 19th-century contribution to the world. It might seem humble, but it has affected society’s ability to conveniently transport goods for nearly 150 years. What was Knight’s innovative brainstorm? It was none other than what we call the flat-bottomed paper bag . The point is that you don’t have to be a Steve Jobs or Sir Isaac Newton to be a forward-leaning pioneer and make a difference. So in honor of National Inventors Month, I’ve asked six thought leaders to share their insights, tips, and ruminations about innovating. I encourage you to use their wisdom springboard for your own ideas, no matter how modest. After all, sometimes the most basic of concepts can … [Read more...] about Innovation Lessons, Insights, And Secrets From Six Industry Leaders
MGTC, KeTSA to encourage more firms to implement sustainable energy via EMGS certification
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) is committed to working with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) to encourage more firms to implement sustainable energy management system through the Energy Management Gold Standard (EMGS) certification. Chief executive officer Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor said the move was in line with the nation's aspiration to drive the energy efficiency agenda towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. “Climate change and global warming are the main challenges faced by the society in this century. "Beginning with the industrial revolution, humans have carried out rampant burning of fossil fuels to produce heat and electricity," he said during the EMGS certification award ceremony under the ASEAN Energy Management Scheme (AEMAS) here on Tuesday (May 17). Citing a United Nations report, he said the earth's temperature has increased by one-degree Celsius since the … [Read more...] about MGTC, KeTSA to encourage more firms to implement sustainable energy via EMGS certification
Today’s top design innovators have it all wrong. Here’s how to think bigger
Charles Eames was once asked to define the boundaries of design. “What are the boundaries of problems?” he replied. That was more than 50 years ago. The impact of design has only grown. As the boundaries of problems have expanded, so has design. We believe it must expand even more in the years to come. advertisement advertisement The problems facing business and, indeed, humanity are becoming even more intractable, intertwined, and complex. The global population will be nearly 10 billion by midcentury. Cities will house some 2.5 billion people by 2050, making them more crowded and clogged. Meanwhile, the global demand for everyday goods, housing, and transportation is rising—requiring material resources that we don’t have and squeezing our planet’s ecosystems. Mass migrations, booming income inequality, raging pandemics, and the impact of AI and automation add dramatically to the challenges we face. The world is screaming out for new solutions to … [Read more...] about Today’s top design innovators have it all wrong. Here’s how to think bigger
Five ways to tell if a market is right for disruption
That innovators aren’t always treated fairly by market forces is an obvious lesson for those of us who grew up during the dot com boom of the late ’90s. Some ideas are just ahead of their time. advertisement advertisement Consider Webvan, which pioneered online grocery delivery way back in 1999. Webvan’s innovations didn’t catch on 20 years ago because the market wasn’t big enough. There wasn’t a motivated customer base to scale because consumers were willing to grocery shop in person. Fast forward 20 years, and many of us used similar services during the pandemic. Today, companies like Shipt have gained major traction in this space. There are five key indicators that a market is ripe for innovative ideas that will disrupt the market and be embraced in large enough numbers to sustain a customer base. SLOW TO NON-EXISTENT INNOVATION advertisement Any industry still doing things the same way after 100 years is ready for innovation. … [Read more...] about Five ways to tell if a market is right for disruption