From East to West: The Enchanting Blend of Architectural Styles in Yuanmingyuan
Yuanmingyuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace, was 20 kilometers northwest of The Forbidden City, the ancient walled city in Beijing. It was an enormous multi-functional complex for the emperor to work and live in. Even more, it was the alternative political center of the Qing Dynasty. Construction began in 1709 and continued for […]
Decoding Cangjie: Exploring Chinese Writing’s Legacy
Horse, cart, fish, eye, mountain. These ancient Chinese glyphs may not seem familiar to you, but you’ve certainly met their descendants. We’ve all seen Chinese characters before, whether on the menu of your local Chinese food restaurant or as a tattoo on an enthusiast who had a “spiritual awakening” on a backpacking trip through Asia. […]
New Comet to Make First Appearance in 50,000 Years
While looking up at the sky towards the North Star on February 1 and February 2, look out for a green object to fly by. No, it’s not a bird, it’s not a plane, and it’s not superman. It’s a green comet discovered by astronomers on March 2, 2022, at the Palomar Observatory in San […]
The Ruins of Paradise on Earth
Over the course of two days in October 1860, around 5,000 British and French soldiers took part in what has been described as the greatest act of cultural vandalism in modern Chinese history — the pillaging and destroying of The Old Summer Palace near Beijing. More accurately, the site was known for its garden, or […]
The Ruins of Paradise on Earth – The Old Summer Palace
Over the course of two days in October 1860, around 5,000 British and French soldiers took part in what has been described as the greatest act of cultural vandalism in modern Chinese history — the pillaging and destroying of The Old Summer Palace near Beijing. More accurately, the site was known for its garden, or […]
How the Kroger and Albertsons Deal Affects You
In a deal worth $24.6 billion at $34.10 a share, Albertsons Cos. agreed to a deal with Kroger Co. back in October of 2022. The buyout would mean the two largest grocers in the United States would become an emporium capable of offering much more than groceries. The companies expect the merger to be completed […]
Conservative Won Italy’s Regional Election
The Italian people have spoken, giving Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition wins in two of the major regions of the country. The conservative bloc won 50% of the votes in Lazio, where Rome is located, and 55% of the votes in Lombardy, centered on the financial capital of Milan. After Meloni won the election […]
Preparation for the Next Big Quake
With the major 7.8- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that rattled Turkey and Syria on February 6, people located in seismic zones are naturally thinking about the next “big one” that’s going to hit their community. In particular, residents of California are bracing for their next major quake. The last time a 7.8-magnitude quake hit the state […]
Earthquakes Rattle the World
By now, you’re probably aware of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria Monday morning on February 6. Over ten thousands of people have been reported killed and thousands more remain injured in the two countries, with thousands of buildings collapsed. A 7.8 magnitude is classified as a “major” earthquake and was followed […]
Netanyahu Asked to Mediate Between Russia and Ukraine
In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on February 2, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he was asked to mediate between Russia and Ukraine in the early days of the invasion. When questioned about who asked Netanyahu to mediate, the Prime Minister was less candid. “It was unofficial, so I didn’t even pursue it… […]