Smorgasbord of tasty news nuggets to help ensure it's a sunny day.
Barbie and Kim
Joe Biden has Air Force One, but when Kim Jong-un makes one of his rare journeys outside North Korea, he has an armoured train in which to while away the hours. As you know, the ghastly Kim (or should that be Ken?) is visiting the equally appalling Vladimir Putin in Russia, travelling by a train which includes a meeting room fitted out with what appears to be pink-hued wall-mounted lighting, wood panelling and pink leather armchairs. Whilst Barbie was banned in North Korea, it's clear that Ken (sorry, Kim) has seen the movie and updated his train's decor accordingly.
Coronation Chairs
Twelve chairs made for the King’s Coronation will be sold by Christie’s in the autumn. The auction house announced that it would open browsing in October for the six pairs of historic chairs which were used to seat members of the Royal family as well as dignitaries in Westminster Abbey on 6 May last year. It is understood that their specific occupants will be kept under wraps, however, to keep the pricing of the chairs at a similar level. The sustainably made oak chairs used for the King’s ceremony will be offered in London, New York and Paris on consecutive days. The sale will raise funds for four charities.
We're All Ears
A gorgeous photo of a pack of Jack Russell terriers in a perfect line of nine on a bale of straw. Danny Cassidy, owner of a pest control company, uses the dogs to clear vermin from farms. At the end of a long hot day at the weekend, he treated his pack to a bit of fun playing on straw bales on the Scottish Borders.
Paleolithic Cave Art
Archaeologists have discovered a major Paleolithic cave art site near Valencia in Spain. More than 100 ancient paintings and engravings, thought to be at least 24,000 years old, have been found in a 500 meter-long cave in Cueva Dones. The large number of motifs and the variety of techniques involved in their creation make the cave the most important Paleolithic cave art site on the eastern Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Findings of a study into the cave art, which highlight its true significance, are now published in the journal Antiquity.
Lithium From Seawater
Princeton researchers have invented a better way to extract lithium from saltwater using porous strings that naturally concentrate lithium salts as water evaporates. With potential for large-scale production from new sources like seawater, the breakthrough could reduce the cost of lithium-ion batteries, and support the growth and sustainability of clean energy technology.
Missing X-Wing
A long-lost model of an X-Wing Fighter that was used in the original Star Wars movie has been put up for auction. Bids are starting at $400,000 for the 20 inch model that was discovered in the collection of the late Oscar-nominated model-maker Greg Jein. Visual effects expert Gene Kozicki told The Hollywood Reporter that the model was regarded as a “white whale” because no one knew where it was. Heritage Auctions said it is the “pinnacle” of Star Wars artefacts to “ever reach the market”.
“If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you.” Calvin Coolidge
On this Day
13 September 122: Romans begin building Hadrian's Wall, Northern England.
Secondhand September
Preventing Potholes
Almost every driver, everywhere, loathes potholes and the risks they pose. Could a thermo-active solution solve the problem? Maybe...
From The Archives
Wit and Wisdom of Dr Seuss: A handful of quotes from one of the best known children’s writers of the 20th century. Enjoy...
Mood Booster
Bottlenose dolphins are incredibly intelligent. Off the coast of South Africa they surf the waves. As far as we can tell they do it for the sheer joy of it.