Take me home, Roman roads

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Two thousand years ago, all roads led to Rome. Now, thanks to modern data science, they finally do again — this time in high resolution. A newly released digital atlas Itiner-e what they call a “Google Maps for Roman roads.”It is being hailed as a kind of “Google Maps for the ancient world”, charting nearly 300,000 […]

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Qatar builds its own oversight mechanism to monitor itself on climate — what could go wrong?

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Qatar, the world’s richest LNG exporter, is building its own climate “oversight” system — one that reports to itself. Through its government-run Global Accreditation Bureau and national MRV framework, Doha now claims to monitor, verify, and accredit its own greenhouse-gas emissions. On paper it looks like progress; in reality, it’s self-certified sustainability. With no free press or independent audit, Qatar’s climate watchdog is just another extension of state control. The result is a polished illusion of transparency masking continued gas expansion. As one analyst put it, “Qatar’s climate governance isn’t about measurement — it’s about marketing.”

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Ski Japan and skip the cherry blossoms

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apan’s winters reveal a quieter magic far from the cherry blossoms — a landscape of deep snow, mountain silence, and steaming hot springs. From Niseko’s legendary powder in Hokkaido to the Olympic slopes of Hakuba and the ancient baths of Nozawa Onsen, Japan offers some of the world’s most sustainable and culturally rich ski experiences. With efficient bullet-train access, renewable-powered resorts, and geothermal onsens under falling snow, this is how to ski Japan responsibly — where tradition, technology, and climate awareness meet on the same mountain.

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Built to Last: How Michael Shanly Turned Five Economic Crises into Enduring Strengths

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Most developers see economic downturns as something to endure. Michael Shanly has consistently seen them as opportunities to strengthen his business for the long term. Across five major crises – from the 1974 property crash to the COVID-19 pandemic – his approach has remained remarkably steady: adapt quickly, stay close to operations, and make decisions that build resilience rather than short-term relief.

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Inflatable concrete homes: a California and Ontario case study

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Across Ontario and California, builders are rethinking concrete housing through inflatable-shell design—an approach that replaces wooden formwork with air and innovation. A 1,000-square-foot low-carbon concrete shell, insulated with hempcrete, can be erected in a day and cost far less than conventional construction. Over time, the savings in energy, materials, and mortgage costs make this model a realistic response to rising living expenses and climate stress. With low-carbon cement, hempcrete walls, and renewable energy, inflatable concrete homes show how even the world’s most carbon-heavy material can become part of a sustainable future—if built smartly, and within local building codes.

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