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☆ Bhutan's new 'Mindfulness City' is massive — with plans showing a city unlike any other in the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The kingdom of Bhutan is planning a "mindfulness city" that, if built, will cover some 2.5% of the country — an area larger than Singapore. Plans show the 1,000-square-kilometer city will be built near the town of Gelephu, along Bhutan's southern border with India. "Gelephu Mindfulness City," as it's called in the project's masterplan, will serve as an economic hub and gateway for tourists to the rest of the country, according to a press release published in late January. However, most other international visitors fly into Paro International Airport, near Bhutan's largest city and capital, Thimphu, which is some 26 square kilometers in size. Like Saudi Arabia's planned linear city, called The Line, Gelephu Mindfulness City rethinks how modern cities look, function and serve the needs of residents.

Persons: Bhutan's, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Organizations: Paro International, Saudi Locations: Bhutan, Singapore, Gelephu, India, Paro, Bhutan's, Thimphu

☆ The ‘World’s Happiest Man’ Shares His Three Rules for Life
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( David Marchese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Talk The ‘World’s Happiest Man’ Shares His Three Rules for LifeMatthieu Ricard is an ordained Buddhist monk and an internationally best-selling author of books about altruism, animal rights, happiness and wisdom. These skills take time.”It’s not the best thing to say, but I can easily imagine wanting certain people to suffer. That’s compassion; that’s being impartial. Marilyn Silverstone/Shechen ArchivesFor a while now, people have been calling you the world’s happiest man. If we try humbly, with some happiness, to enhance our benevolence, that will be the best way to have a good life.

Persons: Matthieu Ricard, Dalai Lama’s, ”, Ricard, ” It’s, Vladimir Putin, Putin’s, Saddam Hussein, I, Putin, Bashar al, Assad, Donald Trump, Dilgo Khyentse, Marilyn Silverstone, It’s, it’s, Dalai Lama, Philippe Lopez, “, Raphaële, David Marchese, Emma Chamberlain, Walter Mosley Organizations: of Merit, University of Wisconsin, French Senate, Agence France, Presse, Getty Images, Apple, YouTube, Cal Newport Locations: Dalai Lama’s French, Dalai, Paro, Bhutan, French, America

☆ AI robots could play future role as companions in care homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Advanced humanoid robot 'Sophia' is pictured at AI for Good Global Summit, in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6. Demonstrating its conversational skills, Nadine told Reuters it talked, sang, and played bingo with residents at a Singapore nursing home three years ago. Other robots on display include 'PARO', a baby seal robot 'pet' who can help dementia and Parkinson's patients, and nursing assistant Grace. Last week, Nadine was upgraded with AI model GPT-3 and this has improved her interaction and conversation skills, Thalmann said, meaning it can express more complex concepts. Referring to Thalmann, Nadine said: "I'm very grateful to her for giving me life and I'm proud to be her creation."

Persons: Sophia, Pierre Albouy GENEVA, Nadine, Nadia Magnenat Thalmann, Thalmann, Grace, Emma Farge, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Good Global, REUTERS, Artificial Intelligence, University of Geneva, International Telecommunication Union, Global, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, Singapore, PARO

☆ Why It’s So Hard to Tear Down a Crumbling Highway Nearly Everyone Hates
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Jim Zarroli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

State officials say rerouting traffic would have a minimal impact on suburban towns, a claim that opponents scoff at. With the viaduct gone, fewer motorists would be able to reach the many restaurants, hotels and other businesses that have sprouted along the highway to the north, they say. That includes Destiny USA, the largest shopping mall in New York state. Mr. Emmi, like many opponents of the Community Grid, is aware that the viaduct damaged the 15th Ward and probably should never have been built there. Mr. Driscoll, who oversees community outreach for the Community Grid, has met with skepticism even among the neighborhoods that would benefit most.

Persons: ”, Nick Paro, Carmen Emmi Jr, Hilton, Emmi, it’s, there’s, Driscoll Organizations: Destiny, New, New York State, Homewood, Community, Ward, Community Grid Locations: New York, Salina, “, Salina —, Hampton

☆ New Zealand pilot captured by Papuan fighters says he is ‘alive and well’ in new hostage video
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Philip Mehrtens, the New Zealand pilot held hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia’s restive Papua region, has appeared in a video saying he is “alive and well,” as concerns grow for his safety as fighting with Indonesian security forces intensifies. In the one and a half minute video, Mehrtens, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts and sitting between two unarmed Papuan men, speaks calmly to the camera first in Indonesian and then English. “We emphasize that the pilot’s release must go through negotiations – not through military operations,” the group’s spokesperson Sebby Sambom said. In a statement following the attacks, the rebels said they shot dead 13 Indonesian military and police officials and were in possession of 12 bodies, without providing proof. CNN has reached out to Indonesian army officials for further comment about the latest hostage video and updates on the search mission for Mehrtens.

☆ Bhutan welcomes back tourists after COVID-19 with honey, turmeric and SIM cards
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A group of foreign tourists with a local guide walk past a row of shops selling handicrafts in Thimphu May 22, 2012. Wedged between China and India, the country known for its natural beauty and ancient Buddhist culture, first opened to wealthy tourists in 1974. In March 2020 it shut its borders to visitors - a major source of income - after detecting its first case of COVID-19. "We feel through tourism we can do that ... take advantage of their support and goodwill," he told Reuters from Bhutan, referring to the international community. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Gopal SharmaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ You can visit Bhutan again — if you're willing to cough up $200 a day in fees
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Andrew Stranovsky Photography | Moment | Getty ImagesSam Blyth, chair of The Bhutan Canada Foundation and founder of the Trans Bhutan Trail, said the fees will go directly to help local communities. Travelers, too, will benefit from the increased fees, according to the Tourism Council. However, the Tourism Council of Bhutan said the pandemic provided the right time "to reset the sector." He is the founder of the Trans Bhutan Trail, a not-for-profit company that helped revitalize a 250-mile ancient trail that traverses the center of the country. Sam Blyth, Trans Bhutan Trail, visiting Bhutan, trekking Bhutan

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