Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if Iran attacks Israel, the response would be with a force they 'cannot even imagine,' amidst escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.

A new biblical comedy series, 'The Promised Land', reimagines the story of Moses and the Exodus as a mockumentary, portraying Moses as a relatable leader in the style of 'The Office'.

Threat of relegation looms over former league champions who can still be accused of living off past glories “We currently have zero self-confidence,” lamented Marco Friedl, “and it shows.” Werder Bremen had just come to the end of a 13th successive winless game and there was a sense that they didn’t realise that the bottom was quite this low – if indeed they are quite there. “I often have the right words, but today I’m pretty much speechless because I couldn’t have imagined the game ending li...

Fans of Twenty One Pilots in Romania can experience a special film-concert, 'Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined,' in cinemas months before the band's live performance at Electric Castle 2026.

An economist highlights that food price movements have a disproportionately larger impact on Estonian families and consumer behavior compared to wealthier countries, where food constitutes a smaller share of total spending.

Compared with wealthier countries, where food accounts for a smaller share of total spending, price movements have a proportionally greater impact on Estonian families and are reflected more quickly i

For nearly a decade in the making, E. Manawari's ‘The Bathala Games’ reimagines Filipino folklore for a new — and far-reaching — generation of readers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Iran, urging them not to attack Israel and threatening an unimaginable response.

Microsoft’s Head of Gaming to Retire After 38 Years at Company  The Wall Street Journal

A review of Richard Greenberg's new play 'Holiday,' which reimagines a classic romantic comedy.

On the tour bus, Bart and his buddies, like the band manager, Brick (Trace Adkins), an aging biker with the voice of Sam Elliott, engage in a form of badinage I would characterize as bro Christianity. They’re devout, but they’re just dudes. That’s kind of the point. "I Can Only Imagine 2" isn’t really caught in some Christian niche. It’s as universal a warm bath as a Hallmark Channel movie, and you can decide for yourself if that’s what Jesus had in mind.

Iconic figure skater Dorothy Hamill, a 1976 Winter Olympics gold medalist, shares her thoughts on the immense pressure modern figure skaters face due to social media.

The box office is set to see if new releases 'GOAT' or 'I Can Only Imagine 2' can surpass Emerald Fennell's adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights,' which has received mixed reactions.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed, reimagining the Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

The Battle review — John Niven reimagines Blur v Oasis as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed, which reimagines the iconic Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' reimagines the iconic Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed, reimagining the iconic Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

A review of 'The Battle' by John Niven, which reimagines the Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' reimagines the iconic Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom, receiving a review from The Times.

A US startup wants to lure customers with lucrative cargo space unavailable on today's narrowbodies. Natlius US startup Natlius unveiled plans for a dual-deck blended-wing jet with a level for passengers and another for cargo. It's a familiar setup, but the ultra-wide jet would hold more freight than existing narrowbodies. The smaller, cargo-heavy plane could be built as a designated freighter and replace the Boeing 757. Airbus' CEO recently said the future of flying is a B2-bomber-shaped "blended-wing body" plane with passengers housed inside the plane's one giant wing for maximum efficiency. Aleksey Matyushev, the CEO of the US aerospace startup Natilus, told Business Insider that his company has taken that vision one step further by redesigning its proposed blended-wing plane, Horizon, with plans to offer more lucrative cargo space while still delivering the 50% lower operating costs and up to 250 seats previously promised. Instead of the single-deck seating layout originally planned, the newly unveiled Horizon Evo — which the company expects to enter service as soon as the early 2030s — reimagines what cargo-heavy passenger jets can look like by adding a "dual-deck" layout. So far, Natilus' blended-wing vision is just a sketch on paper, and a mini-sized prototype it's been flying; actually developing and certifying the new plane type and getting it into the air is a much longer road. The dual deck design would have cargo sitting below the passengers, as is the case with traditional airplanes. Natilus Still, the dual-deck idea should be familiar to regulators and airlines, as it is the configuration of traditional tube-and-wing jets where passengers sit in a single level above the cargo hold. When installed on an ultra-wide blended-body, it results in a very cargo-heavy plane. Evo is expected to boast 2,600 cubic feet of dedicated cargo space on the lower level. For context, most Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s, which are at least 10 feet longer but have a cabin roughly half as wide despite similar wingspans, offer between roughly 1,300 and 1,800 cubic feet of belly cargo space. This cargo focus comes at a time when belly freight has become one of the most reliable money-makers in aviation (e-commerce helped keep airlines afloat during the pandemic). The lure could help break the Airbus-Boeing duopoly while also addressing a projected shortfall of roughly 15,000 narrow-body aircraft over the next two decades. "The market has gravitated toward a single-deck [blended-wing] layout because it's simpler to design and build in many ways, but I just don't see it as operationally better," Matyushev said. Natilus said its futuristic Evo jet will fit into existing airport infrastructure. Natilus California-based competitor JetZero, for example, is developing a single-deck version. Company leaders have previously said there is a lower deck for the landing gear and some cargo containers, but it could move that floor up to create more space. Making a dual-deck layout in a blended-wing aircraft is challenging. Unlike conventional jets, the design spreads volume horizontally rather than vertically, and stacking passengers above a cargo deck in this uniquely triangular-shaped airframe requires careful structural and engineering solutions. Evo's cargo economics could shake up the market for freight-reliant carriers. With roughly 11,000 cubic feet of cargo space across its two levels, Matyushev said Evo could serve as a dedicated freighter — potentially replacing planes like the Boeing 757. "There's a huge product gap left behind by the 757; companies like UPS and FedEx heavily rely on that configuration," Matyushev said. "Evo has the same volumetric capacity as a 757 but in a smaller airframe." Beyond cargo, Matyushev said the plane's unique geometry would similarly enhance the customer experience: airlines could fit the wide upper level with unique living spaces, such as a playroom or mini-offices. Natlius envisions a 12-abreast economy cabin with the potential to also install unique spaces that are not practical on traditional jetliners. Natilus He added that the economy cabin would feature more overhead bins and three aisles for better comfort, door access, and safety during evacuations: "It'd have four sets of three seats across, which is close to the A380," Matyushev said, referring to the superjumbo's possible 11-abreast seats." We're thinking about it like a widebody layout in a narrow-body type of footprint." Matyushev also said that Evo would have windows — something Airbus' top executive warned could be absent from some blended-wing designs. A windowless passenger jet could create a claustrophobic environment, and flight attendants may struggle to see outside as easily during an emergency. Natilus doesn't have a prototype of Evo, but a subscale model of its blended-wing cargo plane, called Kona, has been test-flying since 2023. Kona has secured orders from companies like US-based Ameriflight and Canada-based Norlinor, while Indian carrier SpiceJet has signed a conditional deal for 100 Evos. The above rendering shows Natilus' proposed "privacy pods" onboard the wide BWB jetliner. Natilus Natilus has raised $28 million in Series A financing to support its first full-scale Kona prototype and further development of Evo. It typically costs billions of dollars to develop passenger-ready commercial jetliners, and Natilus has a long way to go. The 737 Max cost around $2 billion to develop (before safety issues and the subsequent global grounding forced Boeing to redesign the plane). It was built on an older airframe that cost around $1.1 billion, in inflation-adjusted dollars, to develop. Meanwhile, the Airbus A320neo cost just over $1 billion to develop; it was also built on an older airframe, that originally cost around $3 billion to develop. Natilus isn't the only company betting on a Jetsons-like blended-wing aircraft. United Airlines has tentatively committed to buying up to 200 of JetZero's "Z4," which it previously described to Business Insider as a "living room in the sky." Airbus has also been developing a commercial flying wing since 2017 as part of its ZEROe program, which aims to build zero-emission airlines powered by hydrogen rather than traditional jet fuel. That project flew a demonstrator in 2019 but has since been delayed at least a decade from its initial 2035 timeline. Read the original article on Business Insider

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! Imagine you’ve been given the powers of the Erik Neander, and you are allowed to make […]

Tony Reno, who led Yale to five Ivy League championships over 14 seasons, resigned Tuesday because of health reasons. Reno had been on medical leave since the end of last season. “When I arrived at Yale 14 years ago, I could never have imagined what this journey would become," Reno said in a statement.

Waymo has opened its largest robotaxi depot in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood to service its growing fleet of autonomous vehicles.

A review of 'I Can Only Imagine 2' starring Milo Ventimiglia critiques the sequel to the hit inspirational film, depicting the story behind another MercyMe song.

A review of the UK premiere of a joint concerto by five US artists, which reimagines patriotic songs and minstrelsy to offer an alternative perspective on American nationhood.

The Trump tariffs mess in the wake of his 6-3 Supreme Court loss on his misuse of "emergency" authority is even worse than you might imagine.

An opinion piece explores the concept of a Singapore free from intense competition, prompting readers to imagine an alternative societal structure.

NBA star Chris Paul shares his reflections on his career, stating he has achieved far more than he ever imagined.

“Over the next four weeks, I imagine that Dennis Cirkin will regain his place at left back, but that’s not guaranteed”.

'Wuthering Heights' maintains its top spot at the box office with $4.6 million, while new releases 'How to Make a Killing' and 'I Can Only Imagine 2' fail to unseat it.

The play 'Crown of Blood' reimagines Shakespeare's Macbeth by setting it in Yorubaland.

Filmmaker Raoul Peck uses George Orwell's own words to document the dystopian warnings presented in his novel '1984', offering a unique take on the author's work.

PwC, like many consulting firms, is investing heavily in engineering talent. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images PwC's engineers have created a new AI agent to tackle enterprise-grade spreadsheets. Spreadsheets are unsexy, but crucial to corporate operations, PwC exec Matt Wood told Business Insider. Traditional AIs "just kind of shrug and give up" when they meet a big spreadsheet, Wood said. The real way to judge a company's AI expertise isn't in the flashy headlines, but by looking at the "unsexy" work rolling out behind the scenes, Matt Wood, PwC's global and US commercial technology and innovation officer, told Business Insider. If Wood's theory holds — that real AI prowess shows up in unglamorous advances — PwC's latest launch is certainly notable. After all, what could be less sexy than spreadsheets? The Big Four firm announced this week that it has developed a "frontier AI agent" capable of reasoning over vast, enterprise-grade spreadsheets — something that conventional AI systems struggle with because of their complexity, size, and interdependencies. The agent can understand and navigate spreadsheets, mimicking "how experienced practitioners work: scanning, searching, jumping across tabs, integrating charts and receipts, and reasoning," PwC said in a press release. Why spreadsheets matter Wood, who joined PwC in 2024 from a role as vice president of AI at Amazon Web Services, said that when he started, he'd noticed the wraparound, ultra-wide monitors filled with spreadsheets: "That's all anybody was working on," he said. But these were not "your school soccer team budget spreadsheet," said Wood. The spreadsheets that power large enterprises are enormously complex, often containing millions of cells, charts, graphs, images, receipts, and dozens of interlinked workbooks. "They are more like financial engines than they are spreadsheets," he told Business Insider. These files often underpin business-critical decisions, yet PwC "found that even today's modern AI was very poorly suited to managing these big enterprise spreadsheets," Wood said. "They just kind of shrug and give up for want of a better word." Matt Wood, PwC's global and US commercial technology and innovation officer. PwC Creating an AI capable of understanding and reasoning across large, complicated spreadsheet applications is what PwC's engineers set out to solve. Their solution was a "genuine advance in the field," Wood said. The agent has unlocked use cases across assurance, advisory, and tax, and boosts time saving on some tasks "from literally days to hours," said Wood. He gave the example of audit walkthroughs, where teams previously spent weeks manually gathering and validating evidence across numerous complex spreadsheets that existing AI tools couldn't handle. Now, users simply upload the files, and the frontier agent automatically maps their structure, extracts relevant data, and performs validation and consistency checks — tasks that would otherwise require combing through millions of rows by hand. The result is faster meetings, less back-and-forth with clients, and cleaner, structured data ready for deeper AI-driven analysis, he said. Consulting powered by engineers PwC's AI spreadsheet agent was built in-house by engineers — a function the firm has been rapidly expanding as it shifts beyond the traditional roles associated with the Big Four. In January, PwC launched a dedicated tech engineering career track to attract more technical talent, saying it wants to become "a destination for top engineering talent." Previously, the firm offered only consulting and accounting career paths. Wood told Business Insider that adding the engineering track is "a signpost" of its future plans. At the same time, PwC is retraining non-technical employees. The US branch of the firm recently announced a companywide workplace learning strategy focused on knowledge sharing and on developing a mix of human and AI skills needed for the future. Wood described the work engineers do at PwC as having two modes: "transforming today" and "building for tomorrow." The first focuses on improving current workflows — reducing back-and-forth with clients, increasing trust, and delivering work more efficiently. The second reimagines professional services from scratch: "If you were to start from a blank piece of paper, what would professional services look like in an AI agent world?" said Wood. PwC engineers also work directly on client engagements, building AI systems tailored to specific projects. For example, they help organizations reorganize and redesign their finance functions from the ground up using agents, Wood said. Many of the consulting industry's top players are pursuing similar investments in technical talent as AI reshapes the work they do. Accenture, already one of consulting's most technically sophisticated players, has added nearly 40,000 AI and data professionals in the last two years. They now account for roughly 10% of its global headcount. EY, another Big Four firm, has added 61,000 technologists since 2023, according to its latest annual report. Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at pthompson@businessinsider.com or Signal at Polly_Thompson.89. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider

Melissa Barrera is heading to Broadway. Variety has learned exclusively that the “Scream” and “In the Heights” star will make her Broadway debut in the campy spoof “Titanique,” stepping into the role of Rose for the musical’s upcoming Main Stem bow at the St. James Theatre in New York. The award-winning comedy reimagines James Cameron’s […]

‘When you see a player upset, normally it’s for a reason’ Head coach reacts to Vinícius Júnior’s racism claims Liam Rosenior has called for players and coaches found guilty of racism to be banned from football for life and said experiencing abuse on a football pitch “is the worst feeling you can ever possibly imagine”. The Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior left the pitch after alleging that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him during their Champions League match on Tuesday. Prestianni has denied racist abuse and Benfica have said he was a “victim” of a “smear campaign”. The Argentinian faces a 10-game ban if found guilty by Uefa. Continue reading...

Charles Porch (with red flower), formerly of Meta and now OpenAI, at the Met Gala. Theo Wargo/FilmMagic OpenAI just hired Charles Porch, Instagram's head of partnerships. Porch has deep connections to celebrities and Hollywood, and plans to talk to them about their "fears" of AI. Maybe OpenAI is realizing they need celebrities to stop publicly hating AI so much. A "detriment" to human creativity, said Vince Gilligan, creator of "Breaking Bad" and "Pluribus" about AI. "Horrifying," said James Cameron about the possibility of AI actors. "I'd rather die," said Guillermo del Toro. "Incredibly destructive," said Cate Blanchett. It's not hard to see why OpenAI recognizes it has a bit of an image problem among some people in Hollywood. It appears that the company is now trying to change that. OpenAI just poached Charles Porch from Meta, where he oversaw celebrity partnerships for over a decade, as Vanity Fair reported earlier. Porch is generally recognized for helping make Instagram the cultural juggernaut it is today by helping celebrities who might have been confused by or disinterested in newfangled social media join and use the platform. Porch has deep connections in the entertainment industry — celebrities like Harry Styles attended his lavish wedding this summer in France. Porch wrote on his personal Instagram about his job change: "From helping Beyoncé figure out how to launch an album exclusively on social media to onboarding Pope Francis to Instagram (he held my hands and asked me to pray for him) to watching creators become the next generation of entrepreneurs, the impact on culture that me and the team have been able to have is something that I take great pride in." It's not clear exactly what Porch's new gig will entail. He told Vanity Fair that his first step will be to go on a "listening tour" to hear the hopes and fears about AI from creatives and celebrities. I've asked OpenAI for comment. For Hollywood actors, filmmakers, and studio executives, those fears are pretty big. Why wouldn't Brad Pitt be alarmed to see a passably real AI-generated version of himself in a fist-fight against Tom Cruise? The idea that AI could replace actors, screenwriters, and other creatives is alarming, especially as Hollywood as an industry is hurting. Box office sales haven't bounced back from the pandemic, streaming is complicated, fewer and fewer projects are being made, and efforts to cut costs by filming overseas have devastated Los Angeles' middle-class of film industry workers. On top of that, AI is, as far as I can tell, widely considered a theft machine that gobbled up tons of images and videos from movies and TV for training data, largely without permission or compensation. You can see a filmmaker or actor's point of view here: They stole my face and my work to build this tool, and now they want to use it to make soulless slop that will undercut the value of my work? Why OpenAI's hire has a tough road ahead Not great! I imagine Porch has his work cut out for him. OpenAI and other AI companies have started making deals with Hollywood. Disney made a $1 billion deal with OpenAI around the time Sora 2 launched, licensing Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Darth Vader, and also becoming a customer and investor in OpenAI. Lionsgate and AMC made deals allowing their catalogs to be used for training Runway. (Business Insider, through our parent company, has a somewhat similar deal with OpenAI.) But those deals with studios, while they might stave off copyright lawsuits and create some cash flow, aren't winning over the hearts and minds of the celebrities and creatives — the kinds of people who make headlines when they call AI "horrifying." Perhaps OpenAI is realizing that celebrities still hold the kind of cultural capital that can't be built in the Bay Area. And while OpenAI has been pretty successful in pushing its agenda in Washington, thanks to an AI-friendly administration, it still has an uphill battle to win over the general public, which remains fairly skeptical of AI. And for that, you need to get the celebs on board. There's a beautiful irony now that these big AI companies are paying big bucks to hire human writers, and VCs are now obsessed with the concept of "taste." It turns out that kinds of "soft skills" that had long been undervalued in Silicon Valley are more relevant than ever now that AI can do a lot of the technical work. And someone like Charles Porch, who has the connections and ability to charm a roomful of Hollywood types and other cultural elites, is more valuable than ever. That's the kind of job AI can't take. Read the original article on Business Insider

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed, reimagining the iconic Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

A review of 'The Battle' discusses John Niven's reimagining of the Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed as a reimagining of the iconic Blur versus Oasis rivalry in the format of an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed, reimagining the iconic Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

A review of 'The Battle' discusses John Niven's reimagining of the Blur v Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' reimagines the iconic Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

A review of 'The Battle' discusses John Niven's reimagining of the Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

A review of 'The Battle' by John Niven describes his reimagining of the Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

Sunday's game between Sunderland and Oxford United was far from an FA Cup classic, but it offered us a reminder of just how fortunate we are to have Luke O'Nien at our football club. Luke has been written off more times than I have had hot dinners down the years - yet almost eight years since he signed when we were in League One, he's still here, and absolutely smashing it and proving people wrong. Obviously, he's a lot older and wiser now, and has improved so much, but I'm not even sure Luke himself could have imagined back then that he'd still be playing for Sunderland all these years later as a Premier League footballer.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is open to resurrecting his parliamentary career if actively drafted by the Liberal party.

A review of Sophie Ward's novel 'Our Better Natures' highlights its ambitious exploration of power and social justice in 1970s America through the stories of three women, two real and one fictional.

Musical artist Wisp performed a cover of Green Day's 'Last Night on Earth' on triple j’s ‘Like A Version’, stating she chose the song because she found it 'cute'.

A review of 'The Bluff' praises Priyanka Chopra Jonas for her convincing and swashbuckling portrayal in the pirate-set action film, which re-imagines the tale in a post-colonial world.

The singer-songwriter reimagines the 2002 Christina Aguilera hit for her long-awaited next solo album. Watch the video here

An Indian reviewer has come forward with allegations of racism experienced at a resort in Mauritius, claiming she was forced to 'beg after paying Rs 3.5 lakh'.

Casa Albă a publicat pe rețeaua X o imagine în care un vultur pleșuv își înfige ghearele în capul unei gâște canadiene, la scurt timp după ce echipa masculină de hochei pe gheață a Statelor…

Sanju*, a foreign domestic helper of Nepalese ethnicity, never imagined her Hong Kong dream would turn into a nightmare. The 34-year-old arrived in Hong Kong in 2023, driven by a simple wish to work in the city of her dreams. However, her first employer paid her 30 per cent below the statutory minimum wage, allowed her only two hours of sleep a day, and gave her just three rest days over six months, during which she was only paid two months’ salary. After six months, she was dismissed and thr...

Gian Erik M. Adao's book 'Si Jonas at ang Malaking Isda' offers a 'Filipino bible fan fiction' take on the classic biblical tale of Jonah.

Makai Lemon would be a huge NFL draft story if he is picked by the Baltimore Ravens. Imagine Lemon with Lamar - they would cook

Pokémon Royal Sapphire is an ambitious ROM hack that reimagines the original Gen 3 game while preserving its core charm, offering an ultimate experience for fans.

Footballer Lamine Yamal has shared a preview of J Balvin and Travis Barker's reimagined version of a Van Halen hit, which will serve as the anthem for the FIFA World Cup.

Allegro MicroSystems outlined a 'Reimagined' plan at its Investor Day, targeting 20% sales growth and over 55% margins.

A couple has saved $3 million for retirement and is now evaluating if it's enough to live the life they've always imagined.

The striker “wants to go to a team that can be champions”

The Battle review — John Niven reimagines Blur v Oasis as an ITV sitcom  The Times

The Times offers reviews of various cultural events, including a film review praising Rose Byrne's performance in 'If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,' a concert review for Raye, and a book review reimagining Blur vs Oasis.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed, reimagining the iconic Blur versus Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' is reviewed as a reimagining of the Blur versus Oasis rivalry in the style of an ITV sitcom.

John Niven's 'The Battle' reimagines the iconic Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom, receiving a new review.

The film adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' is embroiled in controversies, ranging from casting decisions to director Emerald Fennell's interpretation of the classic novel.

A review of 'The Battle' discusses John Niven's reimagining of the Blur vs. Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom.

Hudson Williams is collaborating again with Crave for 'Yaga,' a new half-hour drama series starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Noah Reid, and Clark Backo, which reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga.

A review of 'The Battle' by John Niven, which reimagines the iconic Blur v Oasis rivalry as an ITV sitcom, has been released.

Milo Ventimiglia has joined the cast of 'I Can Only Imagine 2,' the sequel to the 2018 faith-based sleeper hit that earned $83 million domestically.

(ANSA) - ISTANBUL, 17 FEB - The life and works of Michelangelo Buonarroti, in a book translated into Turkish, were the focus of an event organized yesterday by the Italian Embassy at the Palazzo di Venezia in Istanbul, as part of a new promotional program dedicated to Italian genius in all its forms. The occasion was a lecture on the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti by art historian Costantino D'Orazio, author of the book 'Michelangelo. Io sono fuoco' (Michelangelo. I am fire). "Tonight, let us reflect together on Italian genius, that of Leonardo, who imagined a stone bridge over the Golden Horn, and that of the Italian companies that actually built two bridges over the Bosphorus five hundred years later," said Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo, opening the conference that brought together leading figures from the world of economics, culture, and entrepreneurship in Turkey and the Italian community in Istanbul at Palazzo Venezia. "This is a book that tells his story from his perspective. It is as if Michelangelo were describing his works and his life in his own words," D'Orazio emphasized when speaking about his essay, published in Italy by Sperling & Kupfer and in Turkish by Ketebe, during the evening event organized in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Istanbul. Read article...

Local governments across South Korea are scrambling to find new uses for shuttered schools amid a declining student population, while a parallel movement is unfolding on social media, where individuals are taking the initiative to renovate and reimagine closed campuses. According to the Ministry of Education, the cumulative number of shuttered schools surpassed 4,000 in 2025, with South Jeolla Province recording the highest number at 854. In contrast, only seven schools have closed in Seoul sinc

Cheska Hull decided to call off her wedding and move to Phuket, Thailand with her son. Provided by Cheska Hull Cheska Hull left the UK for Thailand after calling off her engagement. A networking connection in Phuket landed her a hotel PR job. She says Phuket offers her the perfect blend of career and high quality of life for her and her son. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cheska Hull, 40, a British reality TV star and PR professional who relocated to Phuket. Her words have been edited for length and clarity. My move to Phuket was about choosing a fabulous place to live while continuing my freelance career. I feel like I've been part of the island's community for years. I'd visit annually for a couple of weeks at a time, maintain friendships, and get to know local business owners. Every trip had me dreaming about potential jobs and interesting opportunities. I'm a PR specialist who has always worked in the luxury sector, across food, beverage, and hospitality. In London, I specialized in private members' clubs. That work also led me into radio and television, where I starred in the reality show "Made in Chelsea" for nearly four years. It helped me understand the evolving world of influencers and celebrities. Having lived on both sides of the PR and fame spectrum, I gained a deep understanding of that industry. Her life in London involved hosting A-list celebrities and attending big events. Provided by Cheska Hull I happened to be born in Thailand My parents lived in Phuket in the 1980s, when my dad was head of Standard Chartered Bank for Phuket, which is why I was born here. We moved back to England when I was young. Being born in Thailand didn't simplify moving back as an expat. I still had to go through all the same steps as everyone else. Initially, I came on a DTV digital nomad visa while freelancing for my UK clients. I told all of them, "I want to live in Thailand. That's my dream." I wanted the best of both worlds. There were a few reasons for the move I've always been drawn to the famous Thai "sabai sabai" — take-it-easy — lifestyle. But when it comes to business, I'm driven. I could never just move to Phuket and not work. Even between projects, I was constantly networking, talking to people, and pushing for collaborations with brands I'd worked with before. Now, I get to do what I've always loved in a place I love. My son was also at the right age for a big change. As a single mom, the stress came from knowing how significant the move was and wondering, "Have I made the right decision?" My main priority in life is his happiness. If he hadn't been happy, I don't think we would have stayed. But he's 8, and he was able to fit in quickly — learning some Thai at school and thriving. There was another catalyst, too. At the time, I was engaged to be married and realized that wasn't the path for me anymore. Once I called off the wedding, the door felt wide open. Nothing was holding me back. She says her 8-year-old son is learning Thai in school and was able to fit in quickly Provided by Cheska Hull Finding my career groove in Thailand Browsing jobs in Phuket started as a guilty pleasure. Through meeting people and networking, someone told me about a new opening at Anantara, a hotel I already knew well. It seemed perfect. And so now, as cluster director of public relations, I have a work permit. I've had to quickly learn Thai workplace customs, like addressing colleagues respectfully using "khun" before names or navigating the widespread use of nicknames. It's about understanding a different culture and being respectful within it. One of my favorite rituals happens every Friday during my team's morning meeting. We go outside to a huge tree in front of the hotel with two spirit houses. We all take incense, make a prayer, and privately speak to the spirits. It's so different and unique, I find it special. It's a meaningful part of their culture that I've come to love. I can't imagine trying to get everyone in London to do that, they'd laugh. Cheska Hull decided to call off her wedding and move to Phuket, Thailand with her son. Provided by Cheska Hull Thailand is my long-term plan There haven't been many hard parts to settling in. The main challenge of living on a small, seasonal island like Phuket is traffic. You get used to a calm pace, and then suddenly there's a massive influx of people. But that comes with the territory in hospitality and tourism, which is ultimately what we want here. My move to Thailand is long-term. Looking back, there was an element of risk. I came with a bit of an "Eat, Pray, Love" vision. I knew I loved it here and wanted it to work, but I also told myself, "If it doesn't, you can just go back." For me, the quality of life, the people, the food, the weather — just about everything about Phuket — makes it a place I want to call home forever. Island life simply couldn't be better right now. Do you have a story to share about living abroad? Contact the editor at akarplus@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider