Over the past few weeks, as negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine drag on, I’ve thought back to Feb. 28, 2025: the day of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s heated visit to the Oval Office. Zelenskyy has called the tone of the meeting “regrettable” as he tries to salvage support for Ukraine. But in some ways, he has...
Culture
What Ancient Animal Fables from India Teach About Political Wisdom
In today’s volatile world, where wars can be fought over territory, commerce can be abruptly subjected to tariffs, and friendly nations can turn hostile after a single election, political leadership is more consequential than ever. So, one must ask, what makes a leader effective, and how should we choose who should lead? Classics such as...
Amadou Bagayoko: The Blind Malian Musician Whose Joyful Songs Changed West African Music
Amadou Bagayoko (1954-2025), Malian guitarist, singer and composer of the famed duo Amadou & Mariam – known as “the blind couple of Mali” – passed away on 4 April in Bamako. He was 70. The married singers, who met when she was 18 and he 21, took traditional Mali music and blended it with western...
Carmen Takes Miami: A Duel of Opera and Ballet
This spring, Miami will experience a cultural confluence unlike any other: two of the city’s premier arts institutions, the Florida Grand Opera and the Miami City Ballet, will simultaneously present Carmen — Georges Bizet’s fiery opera about love, jealousy, and fate. The unexpected, yet undeniably exciting, pairing of these two productions raises intriguing questions about...
A Night of Fire, Femininity, and Freedom: Inside the VIP Carmen Experience with FGO
Last Friday evening, Miami’s cultural enthusiasts gathered at Lafayette Steakhouse for a rare and intimate prelude to one of the season’s most anticipated operatic revivals—Florida Grand Opera’s (FGO) powerful new production of Carmen. Hosted in partnership with Haute Living and Mr. Hospitality, this exclusive VIP cocktail celebration offered more than just elegance—it provided a personal...
How Laure Prouvost Reimagined the Myth of Icarus in Marseille
In an exhibition at Mucem, the French artist immerses herself in the Mediterranean and examines the connections between humans, living beings, and objects Men in black clothing busy themselves around a purple crane preparing to hoist a metal sculpture. Rain is falling over Marseille. The ochre color of Fort Saint-Jean, constructed during the Middle Ages...
Women Are Reclaiming Their Place in Baseball
For most baseball fans, hope springs eternal on Opening Day. Many of those fans – more than you might think – are women. A 2024 survey found that women made up 39% of those who attended or watched Major League Baseball games, and franchises have taken notice. The Philadelphia Phillies offer behind-the-scenes tours and clinics...
Cincoro Tequila and AC Milan Unveil Exclusive Limited-Edition Bottle to Celebrate Club’s 125th Anniversary
Cincoro Tequila has announced a limited-edition in partnership with Italian football powerhouse, AC Milan to celebrate the Club’s 125th Anniversary. Crafted in an ultra-exclusive run of just 125 bottles, this limited-edition release features a striking black and red design, mirroring AC Milan’s iconic jersey colors. It is also adorned with embossed gold logos of both...
Who Does Darth Vader Vote For? Not the Same Party as Harry Potter
People think that Harry Potter, Spiderman and Gandalf would vote the same way they do, whereas Darth Vader, Cruella de Vill and Joffrey Baratheon would vote for the rival party. New research from the University of Southampton, published today [17 March] in the journal Political Science Research & Method, shows how people in the UK and USA...
The Dark Parallels Between 1920s America and Today’s Political Climate
As promised, the second Trump administration has quickly rolled out a slew of policies and executive orders that the president says are all aimed at “Making America Great Again.” This takes on different forms, including Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency quickly laying off thousands of workers at various federal agencies, and President Donald Trump...