FlashFeed

🇵🇱
From Rubens' patrons to ZUS subsidies: how artists have always needed financial support
🇵🇱 Poland

From Rubens' patrons to ZUS subsidies: how artists have always needed financial support

A Polish debate over ZUS social insurance subsidies for artists has turned heated, with critics labelling creatives "freeloaders" and "parasites." Art historian Grażyna Bastek points out that historical masters like Rubens relied entirely on wealthy patrons, the Church, and aristocracy — not market income — to sustain their work. The discussion raises a broader question: should artistic talent be expected to come with business acumen?

Should the state subsidise social insurance contributions for artists?

OKO.press · 2h ago · Source ↗
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Yankees' Chisholm ate a lollipop mid-game, manager Boone not amused
⚽ Sport

Yankees' Chisholm ate a lollipop mid-game, manager Boone not amused

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm was spotted eating a lollipop during Monday night's game. Manager Aaron Boone made clear the behavior left him unhappy. The incident sparked debate about on-field professionalism in MLB.

Is eating a lollipop mid-game a real problem for a pro player?

ESPN · 1min ago · Source ↗
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NCAA Division I approves new 5-year, age-based eligibility model
⚽ Sport

NCAA Division I approves new 5-year, age-based eligibility model

The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a new five-year, age-based eligibility model. The reform is designed to bring greater consistency to collegiate athletics at the Division I level. It marks a significant step in the NCAA's ongoing efforts to modernize its eligibility rules.

Is the NCAA's new 5-year age-based eligibility model fair to athletes?

ESPN · 1min ago · Source ↗
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Music Mogul Clive Davis Dies at 94 – Shaped Whitney Houston, Springsteen and More
🎬 Entertainment

Music Mogul Clive Davis Dies at 94 – Shaped Whitney Houston, Springsteen and More

Clive Davis, one of the most influential executives in music history, died at the age of 94. Though he never played an instrument, he transformed the music industry by discovering and shaping the careers of artists including Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen. He was widely known for his confidence, self-promotion, and dominance over several decades at the top of the business.

Variety · 27min ago · Source ↗
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FedEx Posts Strong Q4 Earnings in Final Quarter Before Freight Spin-Off
📈 Business

FedEx Posts Strong Q4 Earnings in Final Quarter Before Freight Spin-Off

FedEx reported strong fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday, beating market expectations. The results mark the company's last quarterly report to include its freight division before that business is spun off into a separate company. The solid performance signals financial stability for FedEx as it undergoes a major structural reorganization.

Is spinning off its freight division the right move for FedEx?

CNBC · 29min ago · Source ↗
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Storytelling and Human Connection Are the Skills AI Can't Replace for Job Seekers
💻 Technology

Storytelling and Human Connection Are the Skills AI Can't Replace for Job Seekers

Young Americans are struggling to stand out in a job market increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Career experts point to strong interpersonal and communication skills — particularly the ability to connect with people and tell compelling stories — as the key differentiator AI cannot replicate. These human-centered competencies are becoming the most valued edge for job applicants today.

Are soft skills now more important than technical knowledge for job seekers?

MarketWatch · 31min ago · Source ↗
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Batman: Knightfall Part 1 Gets First Trailer – DC's New R-Rated Animated Film
🎬 Entertainment

Batman: Knightfall Part 1 Gets First Trailer – DC's New R-Rated Animated Film

DC and Warner Bros. Animation unveiled the first trailer for Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Tuesday. The film is an animated adaptation of one of the most celebrated Batman comic storylines ever published and carries an R rating. Festival attendees were also treated to a full screening of the completed movie.

Is an R rating the right choice for an animated Batman film?

Polygon · 33min ago · Source ↗
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Oil Tankers Return to Strait of Hormuz at $280,000 a Day Danger Premium
📈 Business

Oil Tankers Return to Strait of Hormuz at $280,000 a Day Danger Premium

Large oil tankers are commanding up to $280,000 per day to sail into the Persian Gulf and pick up cargoes, despite ongoing security risks in the region. The lucrative freight rates are drawing shipowners back to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically sensitive shipping lanes. The high premiums reflect the elevated danger perceived by the shipping industry in the area.

Are shipowners right to risk sailing through the Strait of Hormuz for the money?

MarketWatch · 33min ago · Source ↗
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Ukrainian Women Plead for News of Disabled Relatives Held by Russia After 4 Years
🌍 World

Ukrainian Women Plead for News of Disabled Relatives Held by Russia After 4 Years

Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many people who lived in institutional care settings in occupied territories remain unaccounted for. Ukrainian women are pleading for any news about disabled relatives who fell under Russian control and have not been heard from since. Families have no contact with their loved ones, and their fate is unknown.

Is the West doing enough to secure the release of civilians held by Russia?

NYT World · 34min ago · Source ↗
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AC/DC Opens Pop-Up Shops on Tour – Win a Guitar Signed by Angus Young
🎬 Entertainment

AC/DC Opens Pop-Up Shops on Tour – Win a Guitar Signed by Angus Young

AC/DC has announced a series of themed pop-up shops tied to their ongoing concert tour. Fans can buy exclusive merchandise, enjoy AC/DC-themed food, and enter a contest to win a guitar personally signed by guitarist Angus Young. Locations and dates for the pop-up shops will be announced alongside upcoming tour dates.

Rolling Stone · 35min ago · Source ↗
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Nashville officials baffled: 70% of city's trash is liquid waste
🌍 World

Nashville officials baffled: 70% of city's trash is liquid waste

Nashville city officials are stumped after discovering that 70% of the city's trash by volume is liquid waste. The problem appears to be unique to Nashville — similar entertainment districts in cities like New Orleans and Las Vegas have not reported comparable levels. Officials have no clear explanation for the anomaly so far.

Should Nashville introduce fees for disposing of liquid waste?

The Independent World · 41min ago · Source ↗
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Montreal shooter Seth Hatfield, 25, killed two in attack linked to incel manifesto
🌍 World

Montreal shooter Seth Hatfield, 25, killed two in attack linked to incel manifesto

Quebec's coroner identified the Montreal shooter as 25-year-old Seth Scott Hatfield from Lethbridge, Alberta. Two victims were killed in the attack, with video footage capturing the terrifying moments of the shooting. Investigators are examining a possible incel manifesto allegedly left behind by the gunman.

Should incel manifestos be legally classified as terrorist material?

The Independent World · 43min ago · Source ↗
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Country singer Bailey Zimmerman accused of $16,000 hotel damage amid concert cancellations
🎬 Entertainment

Country singer Bailey Zimmerman accused of $16,000 hotel damage amid concert cancellations

Country singer Bailey Zimmerman, 26, is facing accusations of causing $16,000 worth of damage to a room at an Albuquerque, New Mexico resort where he was scheduled to perform in May. The allegations coincide with the cancellation of several of his concerts. Zimmerman has publicly addressed both the cancellations and the hotel room accusations.

Should the artist be held financially liable for the hotel room damage?

Rolling Stone · 43min ago · Source ↗
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Alibaba sues US military over 'Chinese military company' label
📈 Business

Alibaba sues US military over 'Chinese military company' label

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has filed a lawsuit against the US military, challenging its designation as a "Chinese military company." The company argues the affiliation claims have "no basis in fact or law." The case is the latest flashpoint in ongoing US-China trade and technology tensions.

Should the US be allowed to label foreign firms as military entities without a court ruling?

Al Jazeera · 44min ago · Source ↗
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Berkieta dominates again, reaches Plovdiv Challenger second round
⚽ Sport

Berkieta dominates again, reaches Plovdiv Challenger second round

Polish tennis player Tomasz Berkieta advanced to the second round of the ATP Challenger tournament in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, defeating Geoffrey Blancaneaux in dominant fashion. Berkieta has been in excellent form throughout the event, dismantling opponents with ease. His performances make him one of the standout contenders in the draw.

WP SportoweFakty · 44min ago · Source ↗
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AI price war threatens Anthropic and OpenAI IPO prospects
💻 Technology

AI price war threatens Anthropic and OpenAI IPO prospects

An ongoing AI price war could undermine the anticipated IPOs of Anthropic and OpenAI, as companies increasingly turn to cheaper models that perform nearly as well as the market leaders. Businesses have been vocal about AI's high costs, driving demand toward more affordable alternatives. The trend raises questions about whether premium AI pricing is sustainable long-term.

Will cheaper AI models ultimately displace market leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic?

CNBC · 46min ago · Source ↗
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Toxic cane toads can kill pets in 15 minutes — warning issued ahead of rainy season
🏥 Health

Toxic cane toads can kill pets in 15 minutes — warning issued ahead of rainy season

Authorities in the southeastern United States have issued a warning about mottled cane toads, which can kill pets in as little as 15 minutes if the animals come into contact with them. The approaching rainy season is expected to increase the toads' activity and spread, raising the risk for dogs and cats. Pet owners are urged to stay vigilant, especially during outdoor walks.

Should pet owners be legally required to leash dogs in areas where toxic toads are present?

The Independent World · 48min ago · Source ↗
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Kim Nilsson wins Swedish speedway title as injured Lindgren sits out
⚽ Sport

Kim Nilsson wins Swedish speedway title as injured Lindgren sits out

Kim Nilsson claimed the Swedish national speedway title after winning the competition held in Karlstad. The path to the title was opened up by an injury to Fredrik Lindgren, who was ruled out before the tournament even began. With Lindgren absent, Sweden has a new national champion for the first time in some time.

WP SportoweFakty · 50min ago · Source ↗
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Lords of the Fallen 2 delayed to 2027 to avoid GTA 6 release window
💻 Technology

Lords of the Fallen 2 delayed to 2027 to avoid GTA 6 release window

Lords of the Fallen 2 has been delayed from its planned fall 2026 release to 2027. The move is widely seen as an attempt to avoid competing with Grand Theft Auto 6, set to launch on November 19, 2026. The back half of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest release windows in gaming history, with many titles already shifting to September and October.

Is delaying a game release to avoid GTA 6 a smart business move?

Polygon · 50min ago · Source ↗
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India activates contingency plans as monsoon rains fall 43% below average
🌍 World

India activates contingency plans as monsoon rains fall 43% below average

India is drawing up contingency plans after monsoon rains came in 43 percent below average so far this season. The shortfall is expected to significantly impact the country's crops and food production. Authorities are preparing emergency measures to mitigate the agricultural fallout.

Is India's government doing enough to protect farmers from the drought?

Al Jazeera · 50min ago · Source ↗
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Rubio starts Gulf tour in UAE to push US-Iran nuclear deal forward
🌍 World

Rubio starts Gulf tour in UAE to push US-Iran nuclear deal forward

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates to kick off a Gulf tour aimed at advancing the ongoing US-Iran peace deal. He is seeking support from regional partners for the negotiations. The UAE is the first stop on the diplomatic trip.

Should the US pursue a peace deal with Iran?

Al Jazeera · 50min ago · Source ↗