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New York Times
12 hours ago
- General
- New York Times
We Need to Make America Grateful Again
We live in the most materially prosperous era in human history. Over the past half-century, child mortality has fallen by two-thirds in the United States, medical advances have made lives longer and more comfortable, education rates have soared, and material comforts like air-conditioning, plumbing and internet access abound. Although our country faces many challenges, the progress of the past decades has ushered in conveniences and opportunities that previous generations could scarcely imagine. Yet we are anxious, restless and often enraged. Why? It's not only about our circumstances. It is about how we perceive our lives. Although technology has elevated our standard of living, it has created a warped lens of comparison. Americans' many anxieties — about the state of our democracy, among other pressing worries — are increasingly born out of envy. Rarely has envy been so easily provoked, profitably spread or deeply embedded in daily life. This collective envy runs the risk of cutting the threads that hold our democratic system and civil society together. In his 'Divine Comedy,' Dante Alighieri described envy not just as a personal sin but also as a societal toxin. In 'Purgatorio' the envious are punished by having their eyes sewn shut — blinded to their own blessings, tormented by the success of others, which they can still hear about. That poem was written more than seven centuries ago. Today our punishment is the inverse: Our eyes are forced open, flooded with curated illusions of friends and strangers alike on social media. We scroll through images of other people's vacations, seemingly perfect families, luxury homes and effortless success, and we start to feel that we're falling behind, even if we are objectively thriving. There is a strong argument that social media can provide access to important information and a sense of community. However, the consequences of this technology and the slow drip of dopamine it administers present massive dangers to the well-being of our society. Social media didn't invent envy, but it industrialized it. It turned comparison into a business model. The average teenager spends almost five hours per day on platforms whose algorithms are finely tuned to monetize discontent. We have handed over the emotional development of an entire generation to corporations with an incentive to keep them scrolling and feeling less and less content. Into this fragile emotional landscape stepped Donald Trump. His genius was not policy but narrative. He told millions of Americans what they already felt: You are losing. Someone else is winning. And it is not your fault. Others are to blame. He named villains — immigrants, China, coastal elites. He successfully rebranded envy as righteous anger. His political project was never about making America great again. It was about explaining why other people seemed to be doing better. Ironically, essentially no one is taking advantage of America. The United States built the postwar order and wrote the rules of the global game. Our government designed the trade agreements and a financial system that benefited Americans. That's why the U.S. gross domestic product is almost 60 percent larger than that of its nearest rival, China. American companies have historically dominated in science, technology, aerospace and defense. They lead the way in banking and capital markets, media and entertainment, biotech and pharmaceuticals, professional services and higher education. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
EasyJet launches new flight route to ‘underrated' Italian seaside city with stunning golden beaches & historic sites
EASYJET has launched a new flight route to an "underrated" hidden gem in Italy - are you ready to explore? Holidaymakers were thrilled to learn more about the budget airline's latest seaside destination on offer. Advertisement 9 Rimini Riveria boasts nearly 25 miles of stunning coastline Credit: Alamy 9 It could make the perfect trip for any history buffs who wish to dive deeper into the area's rich past Credit: Alamy 9 Travellers can choose between two flights per week from London Gatwick Credit: Getty Adventurers can discover one of Italy's best kept secrets this summer - with packages starting at just £756 per person with flights and hotels included. Located in the northern Emilia-Romagna region, Rimini Riveria boasts nearly 25 miles of stunning coastline. Sunseekers will be sure to enjoy soaking up the rays at one, or many, of the breathtaking golden beaches. And, it could also make the perfect trip for any history buffs who wish to dive deeper into the area's rich past. Advertisement Read More Travellers can choose between two flights per week from London Gatwick. They have the option of checking into Hotel St Gregory Park in San Giuliano a Mare, or Milano Marittima's Grand Hotel Gallia - both of which boast four star ratings. Or, Cesenatico's five-star Grand Hotel Da Vinci is also available for those who desire an extra luxurious touch. Paul Bixby, EasyJet's chief commercial officer, said: "With sunshine and one of Italy's largest beaches, vibrant nightlife for couples and rich in history and culture, we're confident that Rimini will be popular with holidaymakers." Advertisement Most read in News Travel The Emilia-Romagna region is famous for its down-to-earth, hearty food. Situated close to the sea, and countryside, local chefs have a wide variety of ingredients to choose from. A pasta dish called Strozzapreti has become one of the region's most popular meals, alongside fried seafood platers such as piadina and fritto misto. The destination is also famous for it's authentic Italian gelato which can be found at several eateries and restaurants. Advertisement And, holidaymakers won't be short of activities, if lounging by the beach and pool becomes too laborious. The Fiabilandia theme park offers a fun-packed day on log flumes, rollercoasters and waterslides. 9 The Emilia-Romagna region is famous for its down-to-earth, hearty food Credit: Alamy 9 Holidaymakers were thrilled to learn more about the budget airline's latest destination on offer Credit: Alamy Advertisement 9 Milano Marittima's four star Grand Hotel Gallia Credit: Alamy For those looking to learn more about the culture, nearby Ravenna is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many of them date as far back at the fifth century AD. And, visitors can pay their respects to a man dubbed the "father" of the Italian language. Advertisement The tomb of Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet and philosopher who wrote the Divine Comedy in Tuscan, can be found there. The best time to travel is during the spring and summer months, as the mercury tends to dip in the winter. Highs of 29C can be felt in August, and slightly cooler temperatures hovering around 22C in May. This comes as easyJet also revealed their latest flights launching from Leeds Bradford Airport Advertisement The budget-friendly airline is adding new flights from the northern UK airport to the Spanish cities of Flights out of Leeds Bradford Airport to Palma, One-way flights start from £24. And, an island in Africa yet to be popular with Brits Advertisement The Tunisian island of Djerba is often overlooked by UK tourists, who instead often choose to head to the But easyJet has launched a number of new routes to the island destination. Starting last year, the flights operate from London Luton and Manchester, with flights as little as £81 return. Currently popular with French and Tunisian holidaymakers, the new flights are expected to make it a popular destination with Brits too. Advertisement Not only was Djerba said to have inspired Homer's Odyssey, but it was even used as a filming location for Tatooine, a planet in Star Wars. 9 The historical roman Tiberius bridge over Marecchia river in Rimini Credit: Alamy 9 A view of an old Italian town called Santarcangelo di Romagna Credit: Alamy 9 Nearby Ravenna is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bologna's leaning tower to be stabilised by late 2028, mayor says
By Alvise Armellini ROME (Reuters) - A leaning medieval tower in the centre of Bologna that was cordoned off due to the risk of its collapse is expected to be stabilised and restored by late 2028, the northern Italian city's mayor said on Tuesday. Like the more famous Tower of Pisa, the 12th-century Garisenda tower has leaned for centuries, as the ground on which it was built gave way soon after its construction. In October 2023, however, the area immediately surrounding the 48-metre structure, where the taller Asinelli tower (97 metres) is also located, was closed off. Presenting repair plans, Mayor Matteo Lepore said the process of stabilising the tower would allow the area to be reopened in 2028: a more optimistic target date than the 10-year time frame he initially gave in 2023. "It is a world-unique project, if anything, because ours is a world-unique tower," he said during a press conference, flanked by engineering experts. The Garisenda is a much-loved landmark, mentioned in Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" and "Le Rime", as well as in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Voyage to Italy" and Charles Dickens' "Pictures from Italy". The tower is expected to be reinforced using machinery and expertise previously tested on the Tower of Pisa. The project is expected to cost nearly 20 million euros ($22 million), Lepore said, with financing coming from local, regional and European Union funds, as well as private donations. Under the plan presented on Tuesday, which still requires approval from Italian art heritage authorities, two plinths will be erected next to the tower, topped with metal pylons reaching to a height of about 20 metres. Polyester bands attached to the pylons will wrap around the tower to gently counter its tendency to lean south and eastwards, the experts said, adding that the foundations will meanwhile be strengthened through injections. The Garisenda and Asinelli towers bear the names of the influential medieval families that built them. The Garisenda was originally about 60 metres tall, but it was lowered in the second half of the 14th century to improve its precarious stability. ($1 = 0.9003 euros)
The Star
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Bologna's leaning tower to be stabilised by late 2028, mayor says
FILE PHOTO: A general view of the medieval Garisenda tower, also known as the "leaning tower", and the Asinelli tower in Bologna, Italy, December 3, 2023. REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo ROME (Reuters) - A leaning medieval tower in the centre of Bologna that was cordoned off due to the risk of its collapse is expected to be stabilised and restored by late 2028, the northern Italian city's mayor said on Tuesday. Like the more famous Tower of Pisa, the 12th-century Garisenda tower has leaned for centuries, as the ground on which it was built gave way soon after its construction. In October 2023, however, the area immediately surrounding the 48-metre structure, where the taller Asinelli tower (97 metres) is also located, was closed off. Presenting repair plans, Mayor Matteo Lepore said the process of stabilising the tower would allow the area to be reopened in 2028: a more optimistic target date than the 10-year time frame he initially gave in 2023. "It is a world-unique project, if anything, because ours is a world-unique tower," he said during a press conference, flanked by engineering experts. The Garisenda is a much-loved landmark, mentioned in Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" and "Le Rime", as well as in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Voyage to Italy" and Charles Dickens' "Pictures from Italy". The tower is expected to be reinforced using machinery and expertise previously tested on the Tower of Pisa. The project is expected to cost nearly 20 million euros ($22 million), Lepore said, with financing coming from local, regional and European Union funds, as well as private donations. Under the plan presented on Tuesday, which still requires approval from Italian art heritage authorities, two plinths will be erected next to the tower, topped with metal pylons reaching to a height of about 20 metres. Polyester bands attached to the pylons will wrap around the tower to gently counter its tendency to lean south and eastwards, the experts said, adding that the foundations will meanwhile be strengthened through injections. The Garisenda and Asinelli towers bear the names of the influential medieval families that built them. The Garisenda was originally about 60 metres tall, but it was lowered in the second half of the 14th century to improve its precarious stability. ($1 = 0.9003 euros) (Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Joe Bavier)
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Bologna's leaning tower to be stabilised by late 2028, mayor says
FILE PHOTO: Medieval tower Garisenda, also known as the 'leaning tower', is seen surrounded by a containment structure as it is facing the risk of collapsing because of excessive leaning in Bologna, Italy. December 3, 2023. REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo FILE PHOTO: A general view of the medieval Garisenda tower, also known as the \"leaning tower\", and the Asinelli tower in Bologna, Italy, December 3, 2023. REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo Bologna's leaning tower to be stabilised by late 2028, mayor says ROME - A leaning medieval tower in the centre of Bologna that was cordoned off due to the risk of its collapse is expected to be stabilised and restored by late 2028, the northern Italian city's mayor said on Tuesday. Like the more famous Tower of Pisa, the 12th-century Garisenda tower has leaned for centuries, as the ground on which it was built gave way soon after its construction. In October 2023, however, the area immediately surrounding the 48-metre structure, where the taller Asinelli tower (97 metres) is also located, was closed off. Presenting repair plans, Mayor Matteo Lepore said the process of stabilising the tower would allow the area to be reopened in 2028: a more optimistic target date than the 10-year time frame he initially gave in 2023. "It is a world-unique project, if anything, because ours is a world-unique tower," he said during a press conference, flanked by engineering experts. The Garisenda is a much-loved landmark, mentioned in Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" and "Le Rime", as well as in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Voyage to Italy" and Charles Dickens' "Pictures from Italy". The tower is expected to be reinforced using machinery and expertise previously tested on the Tower of Pisa. The project is expected to cost nearly 20 million euros ($22 million), Lepore said, with financing coming from local, regional and European Union funds, as well as private donations. Under the plan presented on Tuesday, which still requires approval from Italian art heritage authorities, two plinths will be erected next to the tower, topped with metal pylons reaching to a height of about 20 metres. Polyester bands attached to the pylons will wrap around the tower to gently counter its tendency to lean south and eastwards, the experts said, adding that the foundations will meanwhile be strengthened through injections. The Garisenda and Asinelli towers bear the names of the influential medieval families that built them. The Garisenda was originally about 60 metres tall, but it was lowered in the second half of the 14th century to improve its precarious stability. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
