All posts by Intellicurious

News, Views and Reviews for the Intellectually Curious

News: Hamas Delegation In Cairo For Ceasefire Talks, Greece ‘Iron Dome’

The Globalist (April 30, 2024): Egypt and Qatar flex their mediator muscles as a Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks, Greece pledges €2bn to build its own ‘Iron Dome’, Germany’s far-right is on trial and we hear about the continuation of Ukraine’s global relief programme despite the ongoing war.

Plus: newspapers, aviation news and Madonnamania takes over Brazil.

The New York Times — Tuesday, April 30, 2024

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Even With Gaza Under Siege, Some Are Imagining Its Reconstruction

International development agencies have been meeting with Middle East business interests and urban planners to map out an economic future for the territory.

Hope Rises for New Talks on Gaza Cease-fire as Israel Scales Back Demands

Israel reduced the initial number of hostages it wants released to 33. If Hamas agrees to attend, negotiations on a cease-fire could resume in Cairo this week.

8 Officers Are Shot, 4 Fatally, While Serving Warrant in Charlotte

Three of the four were part of a U.S. Marshals task force. The felon whom they sought was also killed.

College Protests Over Gaza Deepen Democratic Rifts

Scenes of chaos unfolding on campuses across the country are stoking internal divisions and carry political risk as a major election year unfolds.

Preview: MIT Technology Review – May/June 2024

MIT Technology Review (April 29, 2024): The new issue features ‘The Robots Are Coming’ – And they’re here to help; A brief, weird history of brainwashing; Office space in space; AI comes for bodycams…

The Build issue

Who says we can’t still build things? In this issue: a look at the robots we’ve always wanted; a new model for space exploration; and efforts to flood-proof Louisiana’s coastline. Plus a wild, weird history of brainwashing; designing cheese with AI; and glow-in-the dark petunias.

Is robotics about to have its own ChatGPT moment?

Researchers are using generative AI and other techniques to teach robots new skills—including tasks they could perform in homes.Stretch Robot Presents Rose in its gripper

International Art: Apollo Magazine – May 2024 Issue

May 2024 | Apollo Magazine

Apollo Magazine (April 29, 2024): The new May 2024 issue features ‘How national is the National Gallery?’; Alvaro Barrington’s winning hand; Fossil-fuelled: art and the oil industry…

Previews: The New Yorker Magazine – May 6, 2024

Sonny Rollins plays the saxophone on the Brooklyn Bridge.

The New Yorker (April 29, 2024): The new issue‘s cover features Faith Ringgold’s “Sonny’s Bridge, 1986” – The late artist’s work recalls her pioneering spirit through vivid, inventive designs.

Teresita Fernández’s Shifting Sculptural Landscapes

Also: Kamasi Washington, “The Outsiders” reviewed, Bang on a Can’s Long Play Festival, and more.

The Return, Again, of the Power Lunch

Four Twenty Five, a luxe new dining room from the mega-restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten, takes square aim at the expense-account crowd.

Donald Trump’s Sleepy, Sleazy Criminal Trial

The most striking aspect of the former President’s hush-money trial so far has been that, for the first time in a decade, Trump is struggling to command attention.

News: Israel-Hamas Cease Fire Talks, Africa Heads Of State Summit In Nairobi

The Globalist (April 29, 2024): Hannah McCarthy joins us to discuss the latest from Gaza. Also in the programme: Tara O’Connor explores the IDA for Africa Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, where leaders are meeting to discuss the continent’s financing and security.

Also in the programme: we speak to Sebastian Conran, designer in residence at Habitat, as the company celebrates its 60th anniversary. Plus: a flick through the day’s papers.

The New York Times — Monday, April 29, 2024

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Many Ukrainian Prisoners of War Show Signs of Trauma and Sexual Violence

As they return with physical and psychological wounds stemming from torture by their Russian captors, soldiers are being sent back to active duty — often without adequate treatment.

As Anger Grows Over Gaza, Arab Leaders Crack Down on Protests

Grief and rage over the war and Israel have led to demonstrations across the Arab world. Arrests suggest governments fear the outrage could boomerang.

Trump’s Trial Could Bring a Rarity: Consequences for His Words

The former president has spent decades spewing thousands and thousands of words, sometimes contradicting himself. That tendency is now working against him in his Manhattan criminal case.

Israeli Officials Believe I.C.C. Is Preparing Arrest Warrants Over War

The officials said they believed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israelis could be charged, and that the court was also considering warrants for Hamas leaders.

Design: ‘Border Street’ Tour, Byron Bay, Australia

The Local Project (April 26, 2024): Nestled on the beach in one of Australia’s most serene coastal enclaves, Border Street is an expensive home and eloquent response to the pristine Byron Bay environment where it resides. Artfully conceived by Workroom, the residence shuts out the rest of the world in its contemplation of place, form and materials.

Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to Byron Bay’s Most Expensive Home 01:00 – A Unique Location 01:35 – A Walkthrough of the Home 02:23 – Framing the Surrounding Landscape 03:01 – The Opportunities and Constraints of the Site 04:16 – The Material Palette 05:22 – Workroom’s Design Approach

“I like the sense of calm that you feel when you walk into the house; it’s not busy, it’s not loud, it’s not contrived either – it’s very relaxed,” says John Bornas, architect and creative director at Workroom. Perched on a dune hugging a rainforest that falls straight onto Belongil Beach in Byron Bay, the expensive home taps into Byron Bay’s breezy state of slumber without neglecting a sense of refinement. From the street, the house is concealed by a series of screens. “The idea was to try and create a sense of wonder; you don’t really know what’s going on behind that screen,” notes John.

Walking through the front gate, there is a substantial walk to the front door, allowing one to really experience the landscape the home is set in, rather than “just simply walking through a front door,” says John. One then enters the main living and dining areas, which are bounded by the pavilions that open up to the dune and the rainforest. As with many expensive homes, designing it was not without challenges.

News: Dutch PM Mark Rutte Meets Erdogan In Istanbul, Lufthansa CEO

The Globalist (April 26, 2024): Monocle’s Hannah Lucinda Smith on Mark Rutte’s visit to Istanbul to meet Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he seeks to woo support to become the next Nato chief.

Also in the programme: Ed Stocker sits down with Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter as the airline prepares to launch its new premium cabins known as Allegris. Plus: we discuss why the Indian city of Bengaluru is offering incentives for those who head to the polls and the latest news in film.

Opinion & Politics: Reason Magazine – June 2024

Reason magazine, June 2024 cover image

REASON MAGAZINE (March 21, 2024) – The latest issue features ‘The AI Issue’…

In the AI Economy, There Will Be Zero Percent Unemployment

AI developer Andrew Mayne explains why technology could create more jobs and lead to unprecedented economic growth.

The Future of AI Is Helping Us Discover the Past

An AI-generated image using the prompt, “Illustration of AI helping the study of history in the style of Da Vinci." | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson/Midjourney

Historical teaching and research are being revamped by AI.

VIRGINIA POSTREL

Will Antitrust Policy Smother the Power of AI?

An AI-generated image using the prompt, “Illustration of antitrust smothering the power of AI." | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson/Midjourney

Left alone, artificial intelligence could actually help small firms compete with tech giants.

PATRICK HEDGER