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‘It’s why I keep playing’: Wawrinka rolls back years in French Open marathon
Former champion Stan Wawrinka shrugged off his 38 years to reach the French Open second round on Monday, winning a five-set marathon against Albert Ramos-Vinolas which stretched to four hours and 35 minutes, and said: "It's why I keep playing". Wawrinka, ranked 89 in the world, came through 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 1-6, 6-4, and will next face Australia's world number 108 Thanasi Kokkinakis after winning a match at Roland Garros for the first time since 2020. Playing out on the semi-sunken Court 14 arena, the Swiss veteran fired 76 winners and committed 79 unforced errors in an all-out attacking performance which brought back memories of his 2015 title triumph in Paris. "It's one of the big reasons why I keep playing is to relive those emotions," said Wawrinka. "I think it was special today again to be here, a lot of support, a lot of fans here. It helped me a lot to stay in the match and to keep fighting for it. "I always try to make it special, try to have a connection with the people, with the fans, because as I say, it's one of the main reasons why I keep playing and I want to enjoy it as much as possible." With 14-time champion Rafael Nadal sidelined from the tournament for the first time since 2004 through injury, Wawrinka is one of only two champions in the draw -- the other is Novak Djokovic, the title winner in 2016 and 2021. "I won here many years ago, a long time ago. I was much younger and playing different tennis," said Wawrinka. "But it's always going to be special to be back here and always have that memory about 2015." Wawrinka, a three-time major winner, has been battling a series of knee injuries in recent years. The former world number three missed four successive majors after the 2021 Australian Open before returning to Paris last year. However, he was defeated in the first round at the French Open and then at Wimbledon, the US Open, and this year's Australian Open. Wawrinka and Kokkinakis, a player who has waged his own injury battles in recent years, have never met. "When he's healthy, like he's been this year, he's always a dangerous player," said Wawrinka. The post ‘It’s why I keep playing’: Wawrinka rolls back years in French Open marathon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alcaraz claims back-to-back Barcelona titles
Carlos Alcaraz brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on Sunday to claim a second successive Barcelona title and hammer home his status as likely successor to Rafael Nadal as French Open champion. The 19-year-old world number two won 6-3, 6-4 to bag his third trophy of 2023, after winning in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells, and the ninth of his career. With 14-time French Open champion Nadal sidelined since January with a hip injury and world number one and two-time Roland Garros winner Novak Djokovic struggling with an elbow problem, Alcaraz reinforced his credentials as a major contender to add the clay-court Grand Slam title to the US Open he captured last year. On Sunday, his only blip was dropping serve in the third game of the match. From that point on, Alcaraz powered to a 79-minute triumph against the world number five, his fourth win in four meetings with the Greek. Tsitsipas has now lost three finals in Barcelona after losing to Nadal in 2018 and 2021. "It is incredible," Alcaraz said. "To feel this energy and lift the trophy in Barcelona in front of my family and friends, and most members of my team are here as well. "Playing this level and to lift the trophy in front of them is a good feeling for me." After Tsitsipas broke for a 2-1 lead, Alcaraz won five of the next six games to take charge. His flamboyant shotmaking delighted his home crowd before a solitary break in the fifth game of the second set proved decisive. "Me and my team were talking before the match about staying relaxed," said Alcaraz who raced to the title without dropping a set. "To want to play the tough moments, staying relaxed is the most important part for me. To forget the mistakes, everything and be myself on court. Not to think about all the people watching, but just me, the court, the racquet, and the final." Alcaraz now heads to the Madrid Masters where he is also defending champion. The post Alcaraz claims back-to-back Barcelona titles appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Relaxed Halep will be favorite at French Open
Paris, France—Former champion Simona Halep arrives at the rescheduled French Open as the player to beat in a women’s draw missing title holder Ashleigh Barty and recent US Open winner Naomi Osaka, two of the world’s top three......»»
Injured Osaka withdraws from French Open
Freshly crowned US Open champion Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open with a sore hamstring on Thursday, in a fresh blow to the coronavirus-hit Grand Slam which is already missing world number one Ashleigh Barty. Japan’s Osaka made the announcement just days after lifting her third major title behind closed doors at the […] The post Injured Osaka withdraws from French Open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PSID exhibit showcases cross-cultural designs
The Philippine School of Interior Design-Ahlen Institute Inc. resumes its tradition of showcasing the works of its graduating students through a public exhibition three years after being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Batch 2023’s Phusion exhibit opened last 2 October at the Greenfield Tower in Mandaluyong City and will run every day until the end of the month. “The residential spaces you enter feature cross-cultural design,” the institute’s dean, Dr. Carol Peña, said in her message to exhibition-goers. “Through this theme, PSID-Ahlen aims to showcase how culture influences interior design — and conversely, how interior design exemplifies culture — through the creative adaptation of various design elements and the reimagination of layout.” At the press launch held last Thursday, DAILY TRIBUNE had a walk-through with exhibit guide Jade Vinco, a fourth-year student on the publicity and promotions committee. The exhibit, which serves as the final requirement for graduation, has 12 booths divided among 44 students with a maximum of five members per grouping. For inspiration, each group was given a client, either solo or a couple, representing the mixed cultures they would be fusing to create a unique design for a pre-assigned house area. The students shouldered their expenses with some help from sponsors. [caption id="attachment_193559" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Per Ankh’ Antoinette Nicole Mercado, Joana Mannel Lipana, Katrin Miriel Araja, Janiz Karen Adlawan and Katrina Marie Balkin. | PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOCELYN VALLE FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] Filipino x Egyptian: ‘Per Ankh’ Antoinette Nicole Mercado, Joana Mannel Lipana, Katrin Miriel Araja, Janiz Karen Adlawan and Katrina Marie Balkin chose to name their booth from the ancient Egyptian symbol per ankh, meaning “key of life.” But they came up with a very contemporary and homey take on the melding of cultures between a newlywed couple, one Filipino and the other Egyptian, as their clients. Thus, the choices and placements of cultural references — (from the Philippines) Malakas at Maganda, the Bulul and (from Egypt) pyramid pharaoh — look like personal belongings rather than museum pieces. The writings in hieroglyphics (meaning “ikaw at ako, habangbuhay”) and Baybayin (meaning “ikaw ang tahanan”) also make complementary effect. Another well-thought-out cultural fusion is exemplified by the pair of Egyptian interlocking chairs with cushions made of Maranao malong and a backrest in solihiya. [caption id="attachment_193561" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Buhay Ubuntu’ by Sofia Pascual, Cheska Mendoza, Sophia Chelsea Yling and Chloe Carpio.[/caption] Filipino x South African: ‘Buhay Ubuntu’ Sofia Pascual, Cheska Mendoza, Sophia Chelsea Yling and Chloe Carpio discovered the Philippines has many things in common with South Africa. The acacia tree, for instance, is where animals hide in safaris. That’s why they chose a dining set made in solid acacia wood and had it shaped round so their clients, a retired couple, could have a “personal dining experience with their guests.” They also took note of the similarities of Bahay Kubo to the traditional Tswana and Sotho huts in South Africa. Thus, the thatched roofs are made from synthetic materials. The other materials, though, are natural as both cultures utilize what they can find from their surroundings. [caption id="attachment_193562" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘FILLENIUM’ by Michelle Bagro, Rovina Manuel, Rosana Bandola and Romeo Gabriel Conge.[/caption] Filipino x American: ‘Fillenium’ Michelle Bagro, Rovina Manuel, Rosana Bandola and Romeo Gabriel Conge felt challenged designing a kitchen for their client, a Filipino-American in his 20s with a partner who’s a chef. The American influence is so prevalent that they had difficulties zeroing in on just one aspect. They finally decided to focus on the Hollywood Regency style born during the golden era of the world’s movie capital from the 1920s to the 1950s. Thus, the bold colors, specifically blue, with metallic accents and, of course, the iconic black-and-white tiles. A giant pair of kutsara’s tinidor serves as a centerpiece for some Pinoy reference and perhaps humor. [caption id="attachment_193550" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Relajarse’ by Maui Severino.[/caption] Filipino-Nicaraguan: ‘Relajarse’ Maui Severino opted to singlehandedly conceptualize the booth she’s named after the Spanish word for “relax.” She has an actual client — her aunt, a nurse married to a Nicaraguan and currently based in Hawaii. The bathroom she designed comes with a walk-in closet. It also has gold accents because “gold is Nicaragua’s main export.” Then there are Filipino elements, such as solihiya cabinets and closets, as well as ceilings made of abaca. Plus, the potted Monstera Deliciosa plants. It feels like being transported into Central or Latin America. Filipino x Brazilian: ‘A Diversao’ Irish Monique Cube, Reichel Alessandra Baytan and Chey De Guzman confessed to breaking away from their usual muted colors to vibrant hues in designing the den for their client. They then chose Brazilian elements with an organic connection with nature and colors inspired by the Amazon. From the Filipino side, they decided to use natural elements and materials. Thus, the padded walls and banig ceilings also serve as sound absorbers as their clients love music and to party. Filipino-French: ‘L’Amour du Monde Entier’ Alma Marie Lacman, Glovelle Palileo, Kristin Dominique Ramos and Sophia Ejercito designed a decidedly fused Filipino and French design for their client, a supermodel now married to a French national. They mixed the airiness and spaciousness of the French design with the Filipino references. Check out the Luna painting and the Banaue Rice Terraces. Filipino x Scandinavian: ‘Lagom’ Stephen Michael Chan, Maria Beatriz Guiterrez, Nicolette Lee and Carl Lois Mico cleverly and beautifully melded Filipino and Scandinavian elements to create an inviting and exciting dining area. There are mixed dining chairs, including a bench inspired by the bangko. For drama, there’s an accent wall, where, at first glance, “medyo nakatago pa ang accessories,” and then the Filipino elements are revealed. Then there’s a daybed at the back because Filipinos love to have a siesta after a meal. Filipino-English: ‘A Bachelor’s Tavern’ Regine Calupitan, Marielle Marzan, Izabela Galanto and Ailene Carino designed a British kitchen for their client, a Filipino-English rugby player. Thus, the choice of the Chesterfield furniture, which the aristocrats prefer because their clothes don’t get creased. The ambiance also resembles a pub but is elevated. Filipino-Italian: ‘Semantika’ Jana Loise Cruz, Sophia Denise Ignacio and Jeyna Francesa Meria were inspired by their clients’ love story that started in the heart of Milan in designing a romantic and opulent bathroom. They chose accent pieces highlighting both cultures’ craftsmanship and went for an open layout. There’s a bathtub because Italians supposedly love long baths and a garden outside to invite nature in. [caption id="attachment_193555" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘YAKKA’ by Kharen Urbano, Franchesca Eunice Co, Kristine Sempio and Kat Calloy.[/caption] Filipino-Australian: ‘Yakka’ Kharen Urbano, Franchesca Eunice Co, Kristine Sempio and Kat Calloy designed an office-cum-den that can be used for a studio condo unit. There’s a working station for the client who runs his own business. Then there’s a spot for relaxation with a hammock to boot! They also used wildlife and Outback inspirations and an original artwork echoing the Great Barrier Reef. [caption id="attachment_193557" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘PearL of the Orient Meet Prosperity’ by Victor Flores, Kaila Laido, Sophia Serrano and Jade Vinco[/caption] Filipino-Japanese: ‘Peart of the Orient Meet Prosperity’ Victor Flores, Kaila Laido, Sophia Serrano and Jade Vinco decided on a round concept for the bedroom they designed for their client. They explained that there’s a round shape in both the Philippine and Japanese flags. The number eight is also considered in Japanese culture. [caption id="attachment_193564" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘KANLUNGAN’ by Karen Cabalquinto, Isobel Merici Dator, Erica Leona Chua and Sheina Rose Gina[/caption] Filipino-Persian: ‘Kanlungan’ Karen Cabalquinto, Isobel Merici Dator, Erica Leona Chua and Sheina Rose Gina opted for a Filipino name to call their booth as it perfectly describes the coziness of the bedroom they designed for their client, who has two kids. They said having a bedroom with two sections in Iran is customary, so they did exactly that. They also used Persian floral patterns and other elements, Filipino elements, such as mahogany wood and Bulacan pattern furniture. The post PSID exhibit showcases cross-cultural designs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What are attoseconds? Nobel-winning physics explained
The Nobel Physics Prize was awarded on Tuesday to three scientists for their work on attoseconds, which are almost unimaginably short periods of time. Their work using lasers gives scientists a tool to observe and possibly even manipulate electrons, which could spur breakthroughs in fields such as electronics and chemistry, experts told AFP. How fast are attoseconds? Attoseconds are a billionth of a billionth of a second. To give a little perspective, there are around as many attoseconds in a single second as there have been seconds in the 13.8-billion-year history of the universe. Hans Jakob Woerner, a researcher at the Swiss university ETH Zurich, told AFP that attoseconds are "the shortest timescales we can measure directly". Why do we need such speed? Being able to operate on this timescale is important because these are the speeds at which electrons -- key parts of an atom -- operate. For example, it takes electrons 150 attoseconds to go around the nucleus of a hydrogen atom. This means the study of attoseconds has given scientists access to a fundamental process that was previously out of reach. All electronics are mediated by the motion of electrons -- and the current "speed limit" is nanoseconds, Woerner said. If microprocessors were switched to attoseconds, it could be possible to "process information a billion times faster," he added. How do you measure them? Franco-Swede physicist Anne L'Huillier, one of the three new Nobel laureates, was the first to discover a tool to pry open the world of attoseconds. It involves using high-powered lasers to produce pulses of light for incredibly short periods. Franck Lepine, a researcher at France's Institute of Light and Matter who has worked with L'Huillier, told AFP it was like "cinema created for electrons". He compared it to the work of pioneering French filmmakers the Lumiere brothers, "who cut up a scene by taking successive photos". John Tisch, a laser physics professor at Imperial College London, said that it was "like an incredibly fast, pulse-of-light device that we can then shine on materials to get information about their response on that timescale". How low can we go? All three of Tuesday's laureates at one point held the record for shortest pulse of light. In 2001, French scientist Pierre Agostini's team managed to flash a pulse that lasted just 250 attoseconds. L'Huillier's group beat that with 170 attoseconds in 2003. In 2008, Hungarian-Austrian physicist Ferenc Krausz more than halved that number with an 80-attosecond pulse. The current holder of the Guinness World Record for "shortest pulse of light" is Woerner's team, with a time of 43 attoseconds. The time could go as low as a few attoseconds using current technology, Woerner estimated. But he added that this would be pushing it. What could the future hold? Technology taking advantage of attoseconds has largely yet to enter the mainstream, but the future looks bright, the experts said. So far, scientists have mostly only been able to use attoseconds to observe electrons. "But what is basically untouched yet -- or is just really beginning to be possible -- is to control" the electrons, to manipulate their motion, Woerner said. This could lead to far faster electronics as well as potentially spark a revolution in chemistry. "We would not be limited to what molecules naturally do," but instead could "tailor them according to need," Woerner said. So-called "attochemistry" could lead to more efficient solar cells, or even the use of light energy to produce clean fuels, he added. The post What are attoseconds? Nobel-winning physics explained appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons
France's Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz, and Franco-Swede Anne L'Huillier won the Nobel prize in physics on Tuesday for research using ultra-quick light flashes that enable the study of electrons inside atoms and molecules. Their technique employs pulses measured in attoseconds, a unit so short that there are as many in one second as there have been seconds since the universe's birth over 13 billion years ago, the jury said. The laureates' research has made it possible to examine moves or changes so rapidly that they were previously impossible to follow, with potential applications in both electronics and medical diagnostics. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences likened the process to how the flapping wings of a hummingbird turn into a blur for the human eye but can be slowed and examined using high-speed photography. "We can now open the door to the world of electrons. Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons," Eva Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said in a statement. 'Not so many women' In 1987, L'Huillier "discovered that many different overtones of light arose when she transmitted infrared laser light through a noble gas," the Nobel Committee noted, adding that her exploration of the phenomenon laid "the ground for subsequent breakthroughs". In the early 2000s, Agostini and Krausz worked on how to isolate light pulses that lasted only a few hundred attoseconds. Agostini is a professor at Ohio State University in the United States, while Krausz is a director at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. "It was just atomic physics interacting with lasers," Agostini said of his early work, in an interview released by his university. "We were not really aware it would go that far, but a lot of people were interested both in the method and the result." L'Huillier, only the fifth woman to be awarded the Physics Prize since 1901, is a professor at Lund University in Sweden. She told reporters she was in the middle of teaching a class when she received the call from the Academy, making it "difficult" to finish the class, to whom she did not reveal the news. "I am very touched ... There are not so many women that get this prize so it's very, very special," she said. Before L'Huillier, Marie Curie (1903), Maria Goeppert Mayer (1963), Donna Strickland (2018), and Andrea Ghez (2020) were the only women to have won the award. Speaking later at a press conference, she encouraged young women interested in science to "go for it" and said it was possible to combine a research career with an "ordinary life, with a family and children." French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the trio. "What a source of pride for our nation!" Macron said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. L'Huillier and Krausz had been seen as contenders for the honor, having been awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize last year together with Canadian physicist Paul Corkum. Fellow Hungarian However, Krausz said he had not been expecting a call. "I was not sure whether I was dreaming or whether it was reality," he told the Nobel Foundation in an interview. The physics award is the second Nobel of the season after the Medicine Prize on Monday, awarded to messenger RNA researchers Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking technology that paved the way for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Krausz said he had actually been listening to an interview with Kariko when he received the call, adding he was especially impressed with her determination as she toiled away at her research despite struggling to achieve recognition and secure funding for it. "That's what I would like to convey to future generations," Krausz said. The Physics Prize will be followed by the Chemistry Prize on Wednesday, with the highly watched Literature and Peace Prizes to be announced on Thursday and Friday. The Economics Prize -- created in 1968 and the only Nobel not included in the 1895 will of Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel, which founded the awards -- closes out the 2023 Nobel season on Monday. The post Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons
France's Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz and Franco-Swede Anne L'Huillier won the Nobel prize in physics on Tuesday for research using ultra quick light flashes that enable the study of electrons inside atoms and molecules. Their technique employs pulses measured in attoseconds, a unit so short that there are as many in one second as there have been seconds since the universe's birth over 13 billion years ago, the jury said. The laureates' research has made it possible to examine moves or changes so rapid that they were previously impossible to follow, with potential applications in both electronics and medical diagnostics. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences likened the process to how the flapping wings of a humming bird turn into a blur for the human eye, but can be slowed and examined using high-speed photography. "We can now open the door to the world of electrons. Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons," Eva Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said in a statement. 'Not so many women' In 1987, L'Huillier "discovered that many different overtones of light arose when she transmitted infrared laser light through a noble gas," the Nobel Committee noted, adding that she has continued to explore this phenomenon, "laying the ground for subsequent breakthroughs". In the early 2000s, Agostini and Krausz worked on experiments that made it possible to isolate light pulses that lasted only a few hundred attoseconds. Agostini is a professor at Ohio State University in the United States, while Krausz is a director at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. L'Huillier, only the fifth woman to be awarded the Physics Prize since 1901, is a professor at Lund University in Sweden. L'Huillier told reporters she was in the middle of teaching a class when she received the call from the Academy, making it "difficult" to finish the class, to whom she told nothing. "I am very touched ... There are not so many women that get this prize so it's very, very special," she said. Before L'Huillier, Marie Curie (1903), Maria Goeppert Mayer (1963), Donna Strickland (2018) and Andrea Ghez (2020) are the only women to have won the award. Speaking later at a press conference, she encouraged young women interested in a career in science to "go for it". The laureate, who is married and has two sons, stressed it was possible to combine a research career with an "ordinary life, with a family and children." French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the trio, noting that "two of our brilliant French researchers" had been honoured. "What a source of pride for our nation!" Macron said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. L'Huillier and Krausz had been seen as contenders for the honour, having been awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize last year together with Canadian physicist Paul Corkum. Fellow Hungarian However, Krausz said he had not been expecting a call. "I was not sure whether I was dreaming or whether it was reality," he told the Nobel Foundation in an interview. Speaking at a press conference a few hours later, he said: "There are signs that it could be reality". The physics award is the second Nobel of the season after the Medicine Prize on Monday, awarded to messenger RNA researchers Katalin Kariko, a Hungarian like Krausz, and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking technology that paved the way for mRNA Covid-19 vaccines. Krausz said he had actually been listening to an interview with his compatriot when he received the call, adding he was especially impressed with Kariko's determination as she toiled away at her research despite struggling to achieve recognition and even secure funding for it. "That's the most important lesson for me, that's what I would like to convey to future generations, that if you believe in something and are convinced it's the right thing to do ... the important thing is to keep believing in it," Krausz said. The Physics Prize will be followed by the Chemistry Prize on Wednesday, with the highly watched Literature and Peace Prizes to be announced on Thursday and Friday. The Economics Prize -- created in 1968 and the only Nobel not included in the 1895 will of Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel, which founded the awards -- closes out the 2023 Nobel season on Monday. The post Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What are attoseconds? Nobel-winning physics explained
The Nobel Physics Prize was awarded on Tuesday to three scientists for their work on attoseconds, which are almost unimaginably short periods of time. Their work using lasers gives scientists a tool to observe and possibly even manipulate electrons, which could spur breakthroughs in fields such as electronics and chemistry, experts told AFP. How fast are attoseconds? Attoseconds are a billionth of a billionth of a second. To give a little perspective, there are around as many attoseconds in a single second as there have been seconds in the 13.8-billion year history of the universe. Hans Jakob Woerner, a researcher at the Swiss university ETH Zurich, told AFP that attoseconds are "the shortest timescales we can measure directly". Why do we need such speed? Being able to operate on this timescale is important because these are the speeds at which electrons -- key parts of an atom -- operate. For example, it takes electrons 150 attoseconds to go around the nucleus of a hydrogen atom. This means the study of attoseconds has given scientists access to a fundamental process that was previously out of reach. All electronics are mediated by the motion of electrons -- and the current "speed limit" is nanoseconds, Woerner said. If microprocessors were switched to attoseconds, it could be possible to "process information a billion times faster," he added. How do you measure them? Franco-Swede physicist Anne L'Huillier, one of the three new Nobel laureates, was the first to discover a tool to pry open the world of attoseconds. It involves using high-powered lasers to produce pulses of light for incredibly short periods. Franck Lepine, a researcher at France's Institute of Light and Matter who has worked with L'Huillier, told AFP it was like "cinema created for electrons". He compared it to the work of pioneering French filmmakers the Lumiere brothers, "who cut up a scene by taking successive photos". John Tisch, a laser physics professor at Imperial College London, said that it was "like an incredibly fast, pulse-of-light device that we can then shine on materials to get information about their response on that timescale". How low can we go? All three of Tuesday's laureates at one point held the record for shortest pulse of light. In 2001, French scientist Pierre Agostini's team managed to flash a pulse that lasted just 250 attoseconds. L'Huillier's group beat that with 170 attoseconds in 2003. In 2008, Hungarian-Austrian physicist Ferenc Krausz more than halved that number with an 80-attosecond pulse. The current holder of the Guinness World Record for "shortest pulse of light" is Woerner's team, with a time of 43 attoseconds. The time could go as low as a few attoseconds using current technology, Woerner estimated. But he added that this would be pushing it. What could the future hold? Technology taking advantage of attoseconds has largely yet to enter the mainstream, but the future looks bright, the experts said. So far, scientists have mostly only been able to use attoseconds to observe electrons. "But what is basically untouched yet -- or is just really beginning to be possible -- is to control" the electrons, to manipulate their motion, Woerner said. This could lead to far faster electronics as well as potentially spark a revolution in chemistry. "We would not be limited to what molecules naturally do," but instead could "tailor them according to need," Woerner said. So-called "attochemistry" could lead to more efficient solar cells, or even the use of light energy to produce clean fuels, he added. The post What are attoseconds? Nobel-winning physics explained appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Five things to know about Pope Francis’ Synod
Pope Francis opened the Synod of Bishops' general assembly in Rome on Wednesday, which in a historic first gives women a vote, after a vast global consultation on the future Catholic Church. Here are five things to know about the event: Input from faithful Since 2021, the world's 1.3 billion Catholics have been invited to express their views on the Catholic Church and its challenges to help guide the institution through the 21st century. The "Synod on Synodality" was launched by Francis, 86, as a way to make the Church more inclusive and transparent as it sought input from the faithful around the world. Insights from local dioceses were submitted to episcopal conferences, all contributing to a 50-page working document called the "Instrumentum Laboris" that will be used during the discussions that will take place over the next four weeks. A second session of the assembly is scheduled for October 2024, after which a final document will be given to the pope. He will then decide whether or not to incorporate its findings into a papal document known as an apostolic exhortation. "It's an important forum for reflection for the Church, on its way of being, of moving forward," Italian priest Giacomo Costa, the special secretary of this assembly, told AFP. 21st-century issues The current Synod is the first time the Vatican has waded into so many of today's contentious social issues so openly. The topics to be addressed include the place of LGBT+ people within the Church, whether women should be ordained deacons, and whether married men can serve as priests in regions with insufficient clergy, among others. While there has been consensus on some issues, "there are other issues on which we disagree in substance," said Costa. Contributing to discussions will be theologians, experts, and sociologists, he said. Women and laypeople The Synod is a consultative institution created by Pope Paul VI in 1965 that meets regularly through assemblies. Francis presided over three previous Synods: those of the Family in 2014-2015, Youth in 2018, and Amazonia 2019 -- where he rejected a proposal to open up the priesthood to married men in remote areas of the Amazon. The current Synod marks a major break from the past, however, with Francis' decision to allow women and lay people to vote. "It's a total change from Paul VI: this time, the people of God are being summoned, not representatives," a Vatican observer told AFP. The source said the laymen and women in the assembly will be trying to push past the "ecclesiastic culture" pervading the event. "They won't be satisfied with good words, there will be a demand for procedure, the will to change, efficiency," said the source. Busy calendar For four weeks, the 464 participants, including 365 voting members, will meet every day, divided into 35 working groups divided into five languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese). Among them are 54 women. The Synod will open and close with a mass presided over by Francis in St. Peter's Basilica and will be marked by periods of prayer. Francis said last month that discussions during the assembly will be behind closed doors to "safeguard" the synodal climate. Dissent Although Francis has warned that there is "no room for ideology in the Synod", there are likely to be differences. Vatican observers will be closely watching the conservative wing of the Church, which is hostile to the Argentine pope. Its members, which include Germany's Cardinal Gerhard Mueller and US Cardinal Raymond Burke, maintain that Francis risks creating confusion and division in the Church, given the Synod's reflections on possible doctrinal changes on thorny issues such as gay rights or celibacy. The post Five things to know about Pope Francis’ Synod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ChatGPT AI getting chatty with voice prompts
The company behind ChatGPT on Monday said it is adding voice and image capabilities to the generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform long limited to written prompts. Capabilities being added to paid versions of the service allow users to have conversations with the AI and even "show" it what they are talking about, according to OpenAI. "Voice and image give you more ways to use ChatGPT in your life," OpenAI said in a post. "Snap a picture of a landmark while travelling and have a live conversation about what's interesting about it." Examples of how the new features could be used included taking a photo of the inside of a refrigerator to get meal recipe suggestions or a picture of a child's math homework to get help solving problems. Voice and image capabilities are being rolled out to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise users over the course of the coming weeks, and are eventually heading for Apple and Google's smartphone operating systems, according to Open AI. "You can now use voice to engage in a back-and-forth conversation with your assistant," the ChatGPT creator said. "Speak with it on the go, request a bedtime story for your family, or settle a dinner table debate." OpenAI collaborated with voice actors to make spoken interactions more realistic, according to the startup. Generative AI programs burst into the spotlight late last year, with ChatGPT demonstrating an ability to generate essays, poems and conversations from the briefest prompts. Tech titans Google, Meta and Microsoft are among those racing to capitalize on the promise of generative AI while trying to avoid perils such as the technology's potential as a weapon for misinformation and cyber crime. In a separate announcement, Sweden-based music streaming platform Spotify on Monday said that it is taking advantage of OpenAI technology to enable podcasts to be translated into a variety of languages while maintaining the original speaker's style. "By matching the creator's own voice, Voice Translation gives listeners around the world the power to discover and be inspired by new podcasters in a more authentic way than ever before," Spotify vice president of personalization Ziad Sultan said in a release. Spotify is starting in coming weeks with English language episodes translated into Spanish, French and German, according to the company. The post ChatGPT AI getting chatty with voice prompts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mediatrix controversy
Author’s note: In the last column, I wrote that the 1951 Pius XII decree that said the Mediatrix apparitions had “no supernatural character or origin” is not binding because it was never promulgated officially. Pope Francis recently appointed a new Prefect of the Dicastery, Cardinal-to-be Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, SJ. Like his predecessor, Fernandez is a Jesuit and an Argentinian. He is the “theological alter ego” of Pope Francis. How will controversial Archbishop Fernandez handle the 70-year-old Mediatrix issue? Will the current Dicastery, which is vehemently anti-Mediatrix, under the helm of Archbishop Fernandez tone down its stance? As a background, there was a decree of the Dicastery but not of Pope Pius XII. The Dicastery of 1951, whose members have died, claimed Pope Pius XII directly approved its decision (not to recognize the Mediatrix apparitions), but it was never formally entered into the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, the official Vatican publication, a requirement of Canon Law for it to take effect. What are the implications if the 1951 Pius XII decree is in truth non-existent? Under the domino principle, this implies that technically all subsequent declarations and orders of the Dicastery for 70 long years are also not binding, including the latest, wherein Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera was ordered by the Dicastery to ban all celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Mediatrix apparitions. However, the Dicastery never authenticated the Mediatrix apparitions, so the apparition celebrations are rightfully banned. But there is a contradiction that must be resolved — since the original 1951 Pius XII decree is in question. The members of the Dicastery in 1951 were caught in a lie because then apostolic administrator Bishop Rufino Santos stated in his decree of 12 April 1951 that he was still awaiting the Vatican decision regarding Lipa — when the Dicastery reported in its Protocol 226/1949 that a decision had been made, contradicting Bishop Santos. Archbishop Fernandez has to resolve this issue because the evangelization of Asia, which is the focus of Pope Francis, is at stake. Pope Francis looks to the Philippines, the only Christian nation in Asia, as the launch pad for the evangelization of Asia and the “conversion” of China. Conversion means stopping the persecution and massacre of Christians in China, permitting churches there to open, reuniting the Underground Church (who are the target of assassinations) and the Vatican-led Church, and finally, changing China’s belligerence to benevolence in the South China Sea to prevent a full-blown US-China confrontation. The Virgin can bring peace to Asia better than any military solutions. A well-publicized message of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace was a warning about China: “Pray hard for China’s dream is to invade the whole world. The Philippines is one of its favorites.” (17 October 1949). There is a Mediatrix shrine in a chapel in a small village near Nanjing that was built by Metropolitan Bank when it was commissioned by the Chinese government to develop two villages. This “foothold” in China is evidence the Virgin Mediatrix is fulfilling her mission of evangelization and conversion. Archbishop Fernandez and Pope Francis must be informed of the history of the Mediatrix to sharpen their perspectives on its geopolitical ramifications. The continued suppression of Mediatrix devotion and of the entire Philippine Church may hamper the Church’s efforts to evangelize Asia. In truth, Satan is scared of the Mediatrix, that is why, in his panic, he tortured Mediatrix visionary Sr. Teresing Castillo, as she wrote in her second diary that the Vatican failed to destroy but which is now available on the Internet. Is Satan behind the suppression of the Mediatrix by using Cardinals in the Vatican without them knowing it? For centuries, Satan has been penetrating the sacred halls of the Vatican and using the Cardinals without their being aware of it. That Satan works in the Vatican is nothing new. Historically, the Spanish Inquisition in the Middle Ages beheaded on mere suspicion about a thousand “heretics.” The ongoing “apostasy” (civil war) within the Vatican, which Fatima prophesied, is another sign of Satan’s works. It is thus in the interest of the Vatican to consider the Marian evangelization that it is suppressing — to have a change of heart. In the end, the Virgin will triumph over the Vatican, if need be, as revealed in the Bible. The Lord said, “I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the Woman (Mary), and between your offspring (demons) and hers (Jesus). Her offspring will crush your head and you will bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15. “A huge red dragon stood before the Woman about to give birth, to devour her Child. She gave birth to a Son destined to rule all nations. In utter rage, the serpent waged war against the rest of her offspring, those bearing witness to the Son born of Her womb.” Revelation 11:1-17 (excerpts). *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Mediatrix controversy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kylie Minogue: having young fans is ‘alarming and exciting’
A viral TikTok hit this summer means Kylie Minogue has added another cohort to her multi-generational fan base -- many of them so young they have never heard the hits that made her a star. "Padam Padam", the first single from the new album "Tension", which is out on Friday, has put Minogue back on dance floors around the world more than 35 years after she first broke out. It has also seen youngsters around the world recreating the dance routine from the video on TikTok -- a new experience for the Australian star. "To have this new generation loving it -- they're so open-minded and accepting of me at my age -- it gives me more energy," the 55-year-old told AFP during a visit to Paris. "It's funny because I see people who have discovered me through 'Padam' and they've never heard of 'Locomotion' or 'Can't Get You Out of My Head', which is alarming but also exciting," she said. Minogue was just 19 when she released "Locomotion" in 1987, transforming her from daytime soap actress on Australian show 'Neighbours' to international pop star. Her place was confirmed with follow-up single "I Should Be So Lucky" that propelled debut album "Kylie" to more than five million sales. That was just the start. Her record company says she has sold more than 80 million records and had more than five billion streams across her career. - 'Crazy things' - The title "Padam Padam" had many in France wondering if Kylie was covering the famous song of the same name by Edith Piaf but she admits the similarities start and end with the name. "A lot of crazy things have happened to me in my life and that's another one -- being linked in the same sentence as Edith Piaf," she said with a laugh. "I did wonder if the French would be 'd'accord'," she added. The singer was able to judge the warm reception in France at a listening party for the album at a Paris club last week. Lucky attendees were surprised to see her come down from the stage to dance in the audience, dressed like Little Red Riding Hood and perched on high heels that she kicked off to move more freely. Having another pop hit in her mid-fifties was a surprise, she said. "I was completely blown away... Every song release, I have nerves and excitement, but I can honestly say I did not see this coming." As always in her career, "Padam Padam" has been a particular hit in LGBT clubs. Her gay fan base dates back to her earliest days -- she remembers the first time she heard about a "Kylie Night" at a club on Sydney's Oxford Street. "I've since been to the drag shows and I'm the least Kylie there. There are these supersonic versions of me. I couldn't compete!" she said. pgr/er/gil © Agence France-Presse The post Kylie Minogue: having young fans is ‘alarming and exciting’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vive Versailles! A right royal welcome for British monarchs
For his first state visit as sovereign to France, which had to be postponed for six months due to riots, Britain's King Charles III will receive the gold standard of French welcomes -- a reception at the Palace of Versailles. The palace, which was the seat of the monarchy before the French Revolution of 1789, is now a museum, but it is still used by French presidents to host leaders they want to impress, from Queen Victoria to Vladimir Putin. 'Long live the king!' France, which beheaded its own king and queen, has a long-running love affair with the British royal family and over the past 170 years has often wined and dined them at Versailles. Emperor Napoleon III threw a ball for 1,200 guests at the royal opera in Versailles when Queen Victoria visited in 1855, the first trip to Paris by a British monarch in 400 years. In 1938, as Europe stood on the threshold of another world war, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II swept into Paris to cries of "Long live the king!" and were too hosted at Versailles, in this case for lunch. Less than two decades later, President Rene Coty pulled out all the stops for the young Queen Elizabeth, Britain's longest-serving monarch who died last year, on her first state visit to France with her husband Prince Philip. After a night at the Paris Opera, the pair had lunch in Versailles' Hall of Mirrors, where the World War I reparations treaty was famously signed in 1919. Fondness for foie gras The land where food is king has served up an eye-popping array of delicacies for its British visitors. But Victoria, known for her voracious appetite, had only faint praise for French cuisine, writing that while "the fowl and bouillon are quite delicious" French cooking has "less variety than ours". Her son Edward VII was treated to a 16-course feast in 1903, complete with fattened chicken, quail and glazed ducks. By Elizabeth II's time, the menu had been slimmed down to four or five courses, with one recurring staple: foie gras. The Francophile queen had a fondness for the controversial pate obtained by force-feeding ducks or geese, but it is unlikely to feature on the menu for Charles, who has banned it from his household. Open for business Versailles has hosted many distinguished commoners as well. In the post-war years, President Charles de Gaulle used it to host John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon when they were US presidents, as well as the Shah of Iran. Socialist president Francois Mitterrand threw open the palace gates to communists when he used it to host Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. By contrast, Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande rarely used Versailles, with the exception of late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi for the former and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the latter. In 2017, before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine turned him into a pariah, Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed there by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Macron has also used Versailles to tout France's charms to foreign investors, including Tesla founder and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk who was invited to a business summit there in May. The post Vive Versailles! A right royal welcome for British monarchs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Women’s tennis returns to China after Peng Shuai boycott
Professional women's tennis tournaments return to China on Monday, less than two years after the WTA vowed to boycott the country out of concern for player Peng Shuai and risks to its players and staff. The WTA tournament opening Monday in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou will be the first in mainland China since 2019 -- and while no top-20 stars are expected to attend, it is set to attract plenty of attention. The WTA suspended activities in China in December 2021, when former world doubles number one Peng briefly disappeared after making -- and then withdrawing -- accusations of sexual assault against a senior Chinese leader. Saying the issue was "bigger than business", the tennis body insisted it would not hold events in China until Beijing guaranteed the safety of Peng. "Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China," WTA chief Steve Simon said at the time. Peng published a long social media post in November 2021 saying she had been "forced" into sex during a years-long, on-and-off relationship with Zhang Gaoli, a married ex-vice premier of China 39 years her senior. She has since denied she accused anyone of sexual assault and described the situation as a "huge misunderstanding". Peng has not been seen outside China since the allegations were made. In April this year though, the WTA announced the resumption of tournaments, admitting its "principled stand... a powerful message to the world" had not been able "to bring about change". "It was, in my opinion, a complete capitulation, because it was pretty obvious to anyone who knows anything about China that China wasn't going to offer a free or fair investigation into the sexual assault claims," China-based sports expert Mark Dreyer told AFP. "I really do feel they've undone all that good will that they had gained by taking a principled stance." Dreyer added that the suspension had been largely symbolic as most international sporting events were put on hold during the pandemic under China's strict zero-Covid policy. - An economic choice - China is a crucial market for the WTA, given the quality of local infrastructure and investment as well as TV rights and sponsorship deals with mainland partners. "The choice to return is an economic one," Lionel Maltese, a former member of the executive committee of the French Tennis Federation, told AFP. "The income generated in China has a strong impact on the financing and income of all players." Before the pandemic, the WTA organized 10 tournaments in China each year -- with a total of $30 million in prize money -- out of more than 60 tournaments globally. These included the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, which in 2019 offered the largest tennis prize in history: $4.4 million. China is also home to five players on the world's top 100 list. They include 20-year-old Zheng Qinwen, world number 22 and recent quarter-finalist at the US Open, and 21-year-old Wang Xinyu, this year's French Open women's doubles winner. These stars have boosted the popularity of tennis in China, along with the market's economic potential. "If you have enough big names, the money will come, the tournaments will come," Dreyer told AFP. - 'Convictions' - The headliners in Guangzhou are likely to be world number 24 Magda Linette from Poland and Romania's Sorana Cirstea, currently world number 26. It is unclear if any players will be vocal about Peng, with Maltese saying there was "no leadership among players on ethical issues". "Very few athletes are taking a stand," he said. But France's Alize Cornet, ranked 99th globally, announced this week she would skip the tournament. "Staying true to my convictions and careful about my health, I decided that I will not be playing in China this year," she wrote on social media. Peng herself could make an appearance. After her initial disappearance from public view, she has made what appeared to be orchestrated appearances at multiple sporting events, including the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022. ehl-tjx/reb/qan © Agence France-Presse The post Women’s tennis returns to China after Peng Shuai boycott appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gauff defeats Sabalenka to win US Open crown
American teenager Coco Gauff came from behind to win the US Open on Saturday, clinching her first Grand Slam title with a battling win over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Gauff, 19, produced a gutsy performance on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 2hr 6min to complete a fairytale transformation in her season's fortunes. The sixth seed from Florida had gone into the final as the underdog against the hard-hitting second seed Sabalenka, who will become world number one in next week's rankings. But with both players making a slew of mistakes throughout an error-strewn final watched by a record crowd of 28,143 it was Gauff who held her nerve when it mattered to seal a deserved victory. The win completed a remarkable turnaround for Gauff, who was left distraught after a first round exit at Wimbledon in July. However she bounced back to win titles in Washington and Cincinnati and has now landed the biggest win of her career, after a shattering loss at the French Open last year. "It means so much to me," an elated Gauff said afterwards. "I feel like I'm a little bit in shock in this moment. "That French Open loss (last year) was a heartbreak for me. That makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine." Gauff, the third American teenager to win the US Open after Tracy Austin and Serena Williams, also used her victory speech to thank those who doubted her talent. "Honestly thank you to the people who didn't believe in me," she joked. "To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, they were putting gas on my fire and I'm burning so bright right now." - First set struggle - Gauff was in trouble in the opening game, Sabalenka breaking her straight away with a rasping backhand that drew a roar of "Come On!" from the Belarusian. She held easily to take a 2-0 lead but Gauff then took advantage of a shaky service game from Sabalenka to break at 2-2 in the fourth. The Belarusian double-faulted twice to allow Gauff to get back on level terms. But that hard-won parity was surrendered in the next game as Sabalenka broke back to go 3-2 ahead. Sabalenka then wobbled on her own serve once more as Gauff eked out two break points in the sixth game. But Sabalenka got it back to deuce with an ace and then took a 4-2 lead with an emphatic smash. Gauff's problems on serve continued and Sabalenka broke for the third time to race 5-2 ahead, and she duly wrapped up the set by holding in the next game. Yet with the match threatening to become a rout, Gauff finally clicked into gear in the second set, making fewer unforced errors and ironing out the kinks in her serve. Instead it was Sabalenka who began to show signs of brittleness as the tension mounted. She double-faulted to hand Gauff the only break of the set and a 3-1 lead. Gauff fended off a break point in the next game to hold for 4-1 and went on to hold for the remainder of the set to level the match when Sabalenka smacked a forehand long. The momentum remained firmly with Gauff in the final set and she secured another crucial break in the opening game when she put away an underhit Sabalenka lob with a smash. Gauff then held easily for a 2-0 lead as Sabalenka struggled to regain any semblance of composure. She coughed up four unforced errors to gift Gauff a break and a 3-0 lead, and the American then held with ease to go 4-0 up. Sabalenka stopped the rot by holding serve in the fifth game, before taking a medical timeout to receive treatment on her left thigh. Gauff was in no mood to let her grip on the match slip though. Although Sabalenka held and broke Gauff to cut the lead to 4-2, Gauff hit back when Sabalenka double-faulted to present a break point. Gauff cashed in to break and grab a 5-2 lead and then swept to victory in the next game, holding to love with a backhand winner. rcw/mw © Agence France-Presse The post Gauff defeats Sabalenka to win US Open crown appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
World of flavors in one deli shop
One World Deli recently opened its second branch in San Juan City. The event welcomed more than 200 guests who gathered to partake in a night of delectable indulgence and culinary education. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as attendees walked into the space marked by various pods, from meats to seafood and more. The grand opening, a testament to the deli’s commitment to excellence, promised a sneak peek into the remarkable offerings that awaited the eager public. Jun Sy, the man behind One World Deli, kicked off the night with a few words of welcome as guests gathered around the deli floor. A highlight of the evening was the unique opportunity to engage with experts from various fields, whose items are available on the deli shelves and counters. Among them were Christian Schmidradner of SeaTrace International, Nicolo Durian of Pedro Farms, chef John Lees of The Tattooed Baker, Jamir Ocampo of Tsaa Laya, Michael Harris Conlin of Henry & Sons, chocolate expert Christian Valdes, Gelato Manila’s Zarah Manikan, One World Deli’s own Ian Santos for wine and Nadine Howell for pasta and pizza, as well as Ana Niguidula and Pia Sy of For Keeps. As the evening unfolded, tantalizing aromas wafted through the air, offering a preview of the gourmet treasures that One World Deli San Juan had in store. Those in attendance sampled a selection of meats which were handpicked by meat experts Vicky Lauchengco and chef Migs Gianan. While at the Seafood Bar, Irish Gallagher oysters and fresh yellowfin tuna from SeaTrace were in abundance. Libations were aplenty at the Top Tipples area, where AWC Philippines poured glasses of their fine wines, while Fever Tree, KMV Cruxland, and Perrier presented a selection of gin and mixers. Asahi, Heineken and Monkey Eagle also provided cold beers, and Fruit Garden served refreshing fresh juices. Other partners that showed their support for One World Deli that evening included A Buzz from the Bees, Baken, Burrp, Cux Salt, Happy Brew, Hijo, Pili & Pino, The Tattooed Baker, Tierra de España and Unang Gisa. With an unforgettable night of education, entertainment and epicurean bliss, the event showcased the essence of One World Deli — where passion, flavor and one’s love for food in all forms converge. One World Deli San Juan is located at The Corner House, C.M. Recto Street, corner P. Guevarra Street, San Juan City. One World Deli is part of PYC Foods Corporation, which is the company behind such food concepts as Pardon My French, One World Butchers, Fleur, and soon-to-open Japanese concept, Tokugawa. The post World of flavors in one deli shop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
TONY BENNETT : GRIT AND GRACE
Tributes have continued to pour in for Tony Bennett, the last of the great mid-20th-century American crooners who died on 21 July at 96, after outliving his fellow giants in popular music such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and gaining a whole new generation of fans in the era of social media with his number-one duets album with Lady Gaga. That 2014 late-career triumph had made Bennett, at 88, the oldest living American performer to notch a number-one album on the charts. It was more proof at the time of the extraordinary odds-defying grit that undergirded the grace and elegance of Bennett’s persona as the living embodiment of classic American standards, a sound that in the post-rock era many had banished to the dismissive-sounding “adult contemporary” category. Sinatra himself crowned Bennett as “the best singer in the business” in a 1965 interview with Life magazine. “He excites me when I watch him. He moves me. He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind, and probably a little more,” said the Chairman of the Board. Fifty-eight years later, Elton John, decades and a whole music era removed from Sinatra, was moved to say at Bennett’s passing: “Without doubt the classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see. He’s irreplaceable.” Indeed, Bennett was sui generis, from his singular sound to his defiant artistry. “Neither a fluid singer nor an especially powerful one, he did not have the mellifluous timbre of [Bing] Crosby or the rakish swing of Sinatra,” wrote the New York Times in its obituary. “If Louis Armstrong’s tone was distinctively gravelly, Mr. Bennett’s wasn’t quite; ‘sandy’ was more like it.” You can hear that sandy rasp even in his early, ebullient years, in signature hits like “Rags to Riches,” “Cold Cold Heart” (originally a country ditty by Hank Williams, remade by Bennett and sublimely covered 51 years later by Norah Jones), and of course, his timeless “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Touch of roughness The touch of roughness was what gave Bennett’s sound a rich, warm quality sort of like the hiss and pop of a vinyl record, conveying a more grounded, open-hearted, truthful sense to everything that he sang. In later years, as his lung power diminished with age, he cannily pruned his singing to a more direct, compact style, the belts now occasional but always at surprising moments, the lovely loping line maintained along with the heartfelt near-whispers. He kept to that sound and refused to change his style in the face of the sea change in popular music that would engulf his generation of swinging, jazzy entertainers. “Mr. Bennett stubbornly resisted record producers who urged gimmick songs on him, or, in the 1960s and early ’70s, who were sure that rock ’n’ roll had relegated the music he preferred to a dusty bin perused only by a dwindling population of the elderly and nostalgic,“ wrote Bruce Weber in the New York Times. Eight decades Time an unprecedented eight decades in the business some 20 Grammy awards, and the reverence of his peers and the public ultimately proved Bennett right: that his music still had a place in the modern world, that he could stick to what he did best — sing like nobody else the Great American Songbook, that canon of masterworks by the likes of Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen — and people of whatever stripe and age, undeterred by his gentleman’s suit and courtly manners from a bygone age, would sit and listen. Because great songs are great songs no matter the era, and as he once put it, “I wanted to sing the great songs, songs that I felt really mattered to people.” Asked if he ever got bored of his repertoire, Bennett said: “No. Do you get tired of making love?” “I was taught never to compromise; to never sing a cheap song,” he explained. “I never look down at the audience and think that they are ignorant, or think that I’m more intelligent than they are.” Bennett said these words in 2012, when, at 86, he had just released a new album, was doing grueling concert tours, and was also dabbling in painting in his free time. His historic 11 o’clock peak was two years away — the Cheek to Cheek album with Lady Gaga that made him an octogenarian with a number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart. (Attesting to his longevity and range, before Gaga he had collaborations as well with other epoch-defining female performers such as Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.) “Here I am today, at 86, and I’m even more passionate now than ever before. I feel that I’m at the top of my game, and things just keep getting better and better,” he said with characteristic cheer in his 2012 book Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett. In announcing Bennett’s passing on Friday, the Twitter account under his name revealed: “Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was ‘Because of You‘, his first #1 hit.” What grit. What grace. The post TONY BENNETT : GRIT AND GRACE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The power of respect, kindness and humility in effective human relationships
In the current world situation, there’s so much hostilities, anger, hypocrisy and distrust that create miscommunications — thus, eroding personal and professional relationships. Why is this happening and so prevalent in today’s day-to-day interactions? Because there is so much ego-bashing, glory-takers, fake news and simple selfishness that prevent people from effectively reaching out to each other to create harmonious and productive relationships. It is therefore incumbent for all of us to make the effort to practice certain rules and protocols which can mitigate and prevent relationships into becoming a permanent loss. Listening with respect and an open mind is a positive ice-breaker that fosters trust, goodwill and friendship. This act of listening intently communicates to the other party that you are interested to know their thoughts and this makes them feel valued and respected. Giving credit where credit is due allows for a win-win situation between the person being honored and the honor giver. Putting a closure to every argument and quarrel allows both parties to walk away feeling peaceful and confident knowing that the closure allows the respect and the trust to remain. [caption id="attachment_160508" align="alignnone" width="2560"] KINDNESS, respect and humility propel relationships to a higher and more meaningful level. | Photograph Courtesy of pexels/anna shvets[/caption] Kindness, respect and humility are the key values that ensure that effective communication is enhanced. Practicing the golden rule of doing to others what we want others to do unto us is the most powerful tool we can use daily to ensure that our personal and professional relationships are smooth and working well. Working on my books is a good example. Crucial to book writing are the interviews conducted. I have come to realize that many interviewees are nervous to share their stories because their information are mirrors of who they are — their beliefs and principles in life. What I do when I first meet them is smile and extend my hand for a handshake and this act of respect actually sets the mood right and they feel at home and relaxed. So, the interview becomes seamless and flowing. Listening is an art and I have mastered this act, so much so, that persons I interview become so engaged in their responses which is critical to book content. In the case of my book team, I always endeavor to give them a full picture of the book’s objective and I clearly define each member’s responsibility. This method of open communication always works well because each team member feels important as I give them that cognizance that their individual inputs and expertise are integral to the success of the book. I must admit that having produced 45 notable coffee table books in the last 25 years has given me the vast experience of dealing with different kinds of persons. As such I treat each one as an important member of my Seagull family and, to date, I have maintained my friendship with everyone even if many of them have pursued their own careers. [caption id="attachment_160507" align="alignnone" width="1707"] GIVING recognition to people who do good work is essential to the success of every project, big or small. | Photograph Courtesy of pexels/pixabay[/caption] I have also learned early on in my career that giving recognition to people who do good work is essential to the success of every project big or small. Every human being desires to be affirmed. When we validate their good performance this propels them to perform even better. It is, therefore, the values of kindness, respect and humility that empower all the effective communication work that we do that propel our relationships to a higher and more meaningful level thus producing the best work. The post The power of respect, kindness and humility in effective human relationships appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alcaraz’s ‘dream’ Wimbledon can signal changing of the guard
Alcaraz ended Djokovic's run of four successive Wimbledon titles with an epic 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory in a final for the ages on Sunday. The 20-year-old wore down Djokovic over four hours and 42 minutes of unrelenting drama on Centre Court, clinching his first Wimbledon crown and the second major title of his career. After two decades of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominating the sport, Alcaraz says his victory could be the start of a new era. "It's a dream. I'm 20. I didn't experience many moments like this. Making history like I did today, it's the happiest moment of my life," Alcaraz said. "Beating Novak at his best on this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on this court is amazing for me. "It's great for the new generation to see me beating him and make them think they are capable of doing it as well. It's great for me, and the young players as well." When Djokovic won his first major at the Australian Open in 2008, Alcaraz was still three months shy of his fifth birthday. But with Federer retired and Nadal close to the end of his glittering career, Alcaraz has emerged as Djokovic's biggest challenger. Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, has replaced the Serb at the top of the world rankings and his Wimbledon victory may hasten the emergence of a new generation to replace the "Big Three". "Beating Novak, winning Wimbledon is something I dreamed about since I start playing tennis," Alcaraz said. Djokovic was aiming for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and could also have matched Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam singles crowns. Instead, the 36-year-old leaves Wimbledon licking his wounds after beating over-powered by the relentless Alcaraz. In an ominous warning to Djokovic, Alcaraz said his All England Club win can provide a foundation for more success when they meet again. 'I grew up a lot' -"Probably before today I didn't think I was ready to beat Djokovic in five sets in an epic match like this, to stay good physically and mentally against a legend like Djokovic," Alcaraz. "I will remember this moment in other Grand Slams and think I am ready to play five sets against him. It probably changed my mind a bit." Alcaraz's previous clash with Djokovic had ended in defeat in the French Open semi-finals in June, when the Spaniard fell apart after suffering stress-related cramping. Learning from that painful loss, he held his nerve superbly this time. "I am such a different player since the French Open. I grew up a lot. I took lessons from that match. I prepared a little bit differently mentally," he said. "I handled the nerves better than I did at the French Open. I fought until the last ball. It was a long match. The mental part allowed me to stay there for five sets. "If I had lost the second set probably I couldn't have got the trophy, I would probably have lost in straight sets. That gave me a lot of motivation." Djokovic's frustration at Alcaraz's stubborn resistance boiled over when he smashed his racquet against the net post after being broken in the final set. But the Serb had no complaints about the defeat and even labelled Alcaraz a combination of himself, Federer and Nadal. Asked about that glowing tribute, the ultra-confident Alcaraz said: "It's crazy that Novak say that. But I consider myself a really complete player. "I have the shots, the strength physically, the strength mentally. "Probably he's right. But I don't want to think about it. I'm the full Carlos Alcaraz, let's say." smg/dj © 1994-2023 Agence France-Presse The post Alcaraz’s ‘dream’ Wimbledon can signal changing of the guard appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»