Today's "executive butlers," who service the ultra-wealthy (who aren't just old-line nobility anymore) at England's grand country houses, are a cross between chief housekeeper, maître d', executive assistant, and concierge. - The New York Times
"(Two octogenarians) entered the British Library in London on Friday morning and 'smashed the glass enclosure that surrounds the Magna Carta.' After this, the pair glued themselves to the document’s enclosure and held up a sign that said 'The government is breaking the law,' Just Stop Oil said." - CNN
She leaves the foundation, which she started in 2000 with then-husband and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, three years after the pair announced their divorce. Bill is giving her $12.5 billion from his own fortune to continue charitable work on her own. - AP
“People wept in the street when the magnificent Mackintosh building was nearly destroyed by two fires. So why, 10 years on and despite overwhelming support for restoration, is there still no plan—or funding—for its repair" - The Observer (UK)
On Bluesky, the author wrote, “Calling the cops on peaceful protesters is a shameful act. ... I give all my best wishes and congratulations to the class of ’24 and pray for the safety of the Palestinian people, the return of the hostages, and an end to this terrible war.” - LitHub
“The starship model and its celebrated return is now the subject of a lawsuit alleging fraud, negligence and deceptive trade practice, highlighting the enduring value of memorabilia from the iconic sci-fi TV series.” - Los Angeles Times
“Rumours have been widespread … of the existence of a secret list of 10 men in the industry, including leading actors and directors, who have been abusive to women. The names, described as ‘explosive,’ are believed to have been sent anonymously to the National Centre for Cinema.” - The Observer (UK)
“Some chanted ‘Eurovision, united by genocide,’ reflecting the strength of feeling over the humanitarian toll of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which was triggered by the deadly Hamas attacks last October.” - BBC
Coffee houses are one of the earliest examples of ‘Third Places,’ a term popularized by urban sociologist Raymond Oldenberg, who described them as “public places on neutral ground where people can gather and interact. - Spacing Toronto
Were once-sepulchral towns reinvigorated by newcomers eager to put down roots? Were the new residents integrating into small-town life, or was an influx of new blood bringing unintended side effects? And did a town that drew enough newcomers lose the qualities that had attracted said newcomers in the first place? - Afar
Maybe this is a time to look for something else in art, to look at art that resonates with this moment on the precipice of authoritarianism, and to learn from it. What can be gleaned by reconsidering art made in similarly dangerous situations in the past. - Brooklyn Rail
For years, the numbers of fully-employed faculty have fallen as universities use poorly-paid adjunct professors instead. Yet tuition prices keep soaring. Why? Because the number of paid administrators keeps soaring, too. Maybe students and faculty should be eliminated so universities can be run by and for their bureaucrats? - The Atlantic (MSN)
"San Francisco philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem has promised UC Davis the largest gift ever to arts at the school — $20 million to create the multifaceted 'Maria Manetti Shrem Arts Renaissance' program at the College of Letters and Science." - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
Arts and cultural organisations that are achieving the strongest audience growth right now are not necessarily those pouring the most money into their branding and marketing campaigns. - ArtsHub
"The law, prompted by the frustration a legislator felt at not being able to buy tickets to Swift’s 2023 concert in Minneapolis, will require ticket sellers (for live events) to disclose all fees up front and prohibit resellers from selling more than one copy of a ticket, among other measures." - AP
