Author: Ms. R.

Born in 1900, Žanis Lipke fought for Latvian independence following World War I before marrying his wife Johanna Novicka and starting a family in western Riga and taking up work as a stevedore and dock worker at the local port. However, Lipke also had strong left-leaning political inclinations and became involved in subversive activities against the government in 1934, although he was never jailed. When German forces invaded Latvia in 1941, Lipke ended up working in warehouses near the……

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Japan is a country of sacred mountains. Some can be easily scaled by funicular or other transportation, while others require a hike. None, however, are arguably more difficult and dramatic than Ota Shrine, one of the five major sacred sites of southern Hokkaido. The journey to the top starts with a 45-degree flight of stairs, with the aid of ropes. Then comes a steep trek through the forest, in which vipers, bears, and insects are common dangers. Halfway up……

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Imagine a large palace in the style of the castles of Europe, overlooking the red rocks and foothills west of Denver. This was the dream of John Brisben Walker, who envisioned a summer home for the presidents of the United States. He donated land and lobbied for support to build a picturesque estate. Plans were drawn up for a 22-room, 5-story castle on Mount Falcon. Unfortunately, the funding never materialized and support dwindled. A foundation and cornerstone of white Colorado……

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The Museum of Water, opened to the public in 2003 as a gift to Saint Petersburg for its 300th anniversary, is located in a 19th-century water tower and treatment facility near the south bank of the Neva River. Combining the old with the new, the functional with the artistic, the complex features three main exhibitions: The World of Water of Saint Petersburg, where the history of plumbing across various cultures and the evolution of water supply in Saint Petersburg……

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Wall Street is best known for its connection to the financial markets, as it is the birthplace of large banks and stock exchanges. However, not many consider the origin of the street’s name.  Wall Street is named after the literal wall that was built in 1653, separating New Amsterdam from the rest of Manhattan, to protect against invaders. Nevertheless, the British took control of the colony in 1664, renaming it New York. The wall had fallen into disrepair by……

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Born in 1878 near Chesterville, Ontario, James Francis Melville “Frank” Moodie came West to Calgary in 1901 and attempted to establish a jewelry and watch repair business with his brother. Lacking demand for their services, Moodie moved on to other enterprises, including prospecting in British Columbia, which boosted his knowledge of geology. Moodie returned to Calgary in 1907 and married his cousin Lucy. Four years later, he opened Rosedale Coal & Clay Products southeast of Drumheller. His mine was……

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Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps. Elah Feder: A few weeks ago, I contacted someone named Judith Finell, not really expecting to hear back from her, because Judith is a forensic musicologist, and she’s in very high demand. On a typical day, she’s advising companies like Disney and Netflix to help them avoid copyright infringement, or she’s sharing her expertise in high-profile legal cases. Remember when Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were sued……

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The area of Kasba Peth in Pune is full of narrow, criss-crossing lanes, alleys, and old buildings. It is the oldest area in the city. Along one of the many lanes in the area, one can hear the rhythmic striking sound of hammer against metal. This lane is called Tambat Ali, which translates to Coppersmith Alley or Coppersmith Lane. (Tamba means “copper,” while tambat means “coppersmith.” In the 17th century, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj developed Pune into his administrative center…….

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