BERLIN (AP) - The European Aviation Safety Agency has tightened a nearly month-old directive ordering inspections of some fan blades in engines like those used on a Southwest Airlines jet involved in a fatal accident. A directive published by EASA late Friday called for inspections within 20 days of blades ...

DIRIYAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Just outside Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, a group of elementary school children are on a field trip at Diriyah, where engineers and construction workers are busy restoring a 17th-century fortress, mosques and clay-colored structures that were once the ruling family's seat of power. The UNESCO ...

What: Fine JewelryWhere: Freeman’s Auction House, 1808 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USAWhen: May 9, 2018, 12.00 PMPublic Viewing: Thursday, May 3 10:00-5:00pm; Friday, May 4 10:00-5:00pm; Saturday, May 5 12:00-5:00pm; Sunday, May 6 12:00-5:00pm; Monday, May 7 10:00-5:00pm; Tuesday, May 8 10:00-5:00pmTop lots of the sale:- An impressive diamond solitaire ring, centering an emerald-cut diamond weighing 16.56 carats, flanked by tapering baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum. Estimate: $ 600,000 - $ 800,000- A diamond and eighteen karat gold pendant centered by a modern round brilliant-cut diamond weighing 4.16 carats, surrounded by circular-cut diamond frame within an eighteen karat white gold mount, suspending from a white gold fine link chain. Length: 18 in. Estimate: $ 80,000 - $ 100,000- A diamond and platinum solitaire, set with a pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 5.30 carats, flanked by tapered baguettes, mounted in platinum. Ring size: 3 1/2 (adjustable). Estimate: $ 70,000 - $ 90,000- A fancy intense yellow diamond pendant. The cushion-cut diamond weighing 4.09 carats surrounded by pink full-cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.55 carats, set within an eighteen karat rose gold mount, suspended from a fine link chain. Length: 15 in. Estimate: $ 65,000 - $ 85,000- A fancy intense yellow diamond, diamond and platinum ring, centering a cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut diamond weighing 5.12 carats set in eighteen karat yellow gold and flanked by two cut cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 0.91 and 0.90 carat respectively. Size: 3 3/4. Estimate: $ 60,000 - $ 80,000- A black opal and diamond ring, centered by an oval black opal weighing 7.04 carats, flanked by pear-shaped diamond, one weighing 1.01 carats, and one weighing 1.02 carats, set in an eighteen karat white gold mount, gallery accented by diamonds. Size: 4 (with sizing beads). Estimate: $ 50,000 - $ 70,000- An Art Deco diamond covered bracelet-watch. Cartier, France, set with baguette and circular-cut diamonds mounted in platinum, with a diamond-set cover; Estimated total diamond weight: 17.00 carats, dial signed Cartier, France, bracelet signed Cartier London, Number 17400, watch signed Cartier France, Number 19314, 28429, 2980. Length: 7 in.  Estimate: $ 30,000 - $ 50,000- An Art Deco diamond and rock crystal choker/bracelet, designed as a wide openwork strap set with round and circular-cut diamonds; Estimated total diamond weight: 35.00 carats, accented by a central rock crystal and cylindrical link, together with additional diamond link. 50.8 dwt.; Length: 7 1/4 in.; Width 1 in. Estimate: $ 30,000 - $ 50,000- A diamond solitaire, centering a cushion-cut diamond, weighing approximately 7.11 carats, mounted within a heavy eighteen karat gold bezel setting. Size: 6. Estimate: $ 30,000 - $ 50,000- An eighteen karat white gold and diamond necklace set with pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamond links alternating with straight baguette-cut diamonds; Estimated total diamond weight: 45.00 carats. 111.4 dwt.; Length: 15 1/2 in. Estimate: $ 25,000 - $ 35,000For details, visit: https://www.freemansauction.com/Click on the slideshow for the highlights of the sale.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/Founder: Louise Blouin

What: Modern DesignWhere: Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, 1338 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607, USAWhen: 7 May 2018, 10:00 am CTPublic Viewing: Thursday, May 3 | 10am – 5pm; Friday, May 4 | 10am – 5pm; Saturday, May 5 | 10am – 3pm; Sunday, May 6 | 12pm – 4pm; Monday, May 7 | 10am – 5pmLeslie Hindman Auctioneers will be featuring an exquisite collection of modernized art of worksTop lots of the sale:- Tiffany Studios. Early 20th Century. Nautilus lamp. Bronze with a shell shade. Signed Gudebrud and Stamped Tiffany Studios/New York. Height 15 1/2 inches. Estimate: $ 20,000 - $ 30,000- Francois Pompon (French, 1855-1933): Grand Duc. Designed in 1928 cast between 1934 - 1939. Bronze with black patina with Fonderie C. Valsuani stamp, and signed Pompon. Height 20 3/4 x width 8 1/2 x depth 7 1/4 inches. Estimate: $ 15,000 - $ 25,000- Katarzyna Kobro (Polish/Russian, 1898-1951): Standing Female Nude, c.1948. Edition 2 of 8 bronze. Signed on back of base K. Kobro, 2/8, with Fonderie C. Valsuani stamp. Height 18 3/4 inches. Estimate: $ 15,000 - $ 25,000- Rene Lalique (French, 1860-1945): A Perruches pattern vase, c.1919. M p. 410, no. 876. Clear and frosted blue glass. Signed R Lalique France to underneath. Height 10 1/4 inches. Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 15,000- Demétre Chiparus (Romanian/French 1886-1947): Egyptian Dancer, 1920s. Bronze, on marble base. Etched signature to base, with Edmond Etling and Cie Foundry mark. Height overall 28 1/2 inches. Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 20,000- Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941): Opaline Spined and White Sea Form Set, 1987. Hand-blown glass. Signed Chihuly 87 to larger. 28 x 26 1/4 x 10 inches. Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 10,000- Rene Lalique (French, 1860-1945): A Penthievre pattern, c.1926. M p. 412, no. 1101 clear and frosted amber glass. Signed R Lalique France to underneath. Height 10 1/4 inches. Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000- Tiffany Studios. Early 20th Century. An Abalone pattern desk set and table lamp, comprising a pair of blotter ends (1152), pen tray (1169), a pair of bookends (1173), picture frame (1166), a covered box (1149), inkwell (1157), letter rack (1151) and table lamp (604) gilt bronze and glass. Lamp: Height 15 3/4 x diameter 10 inches. Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000- Tiffany Studios. Early 20th Century. An Acorn pattern leaded glass lamp shade stamped Tiffany Studios/New York/1435, base stamped Tiffany Studios/New York/29939. Diameter of shade 16 inches, height overall 22 1/2 inches. Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000- Italian, Second Half 20th Century. A pair of garden chairs, in the form of a face carved marble. Height 27 x width 27 1/4 x depth 28 x seat height 15 1/2 inches. Estimate: $ 6,000 - $ 8,000For details, visit: https://www.lesliehindman.comClick on the slideshow for the highlights of the sale.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/Founder: Louise Blouin

What: Design, Modern & Contemporary ArtsWhere: Guillaume Le Floc'h, 1 ter, boulevard de la République 92210 Saint-CloudWhen: May 6, 2:30 PMTop Lots of the Sale:- «Aldrine on the moon» – Guomunddur Guomundsson says Erro (born in Olafsuk, Iceland in 1932); acrylic on canvas, signed and dated 1975 on the back (small gaps). Measured at High.: 98 cm - Width: 58.5 centimeters. Estimated Price: 8,000 - 10,000 € (US$ 9,850 - 12,280)- «Elysée floor lamp called »Lollipop« in brown lacquered metal, the circular base and reflector, the cylindrical barrel» (1971 - 1972) - Pierre Paulin (1927 - 2009). Edition Glass and Light. Estimated Price: 8,000 - 10,000 € (US$ 9,850 - 12,280)- «I doubt» - Benjamin Vautier says Ben (born in 1935); acrylic on canvas, signed lower right and countersigned and dated 1971 on the back (very slight gaps, small depressions). Measured at High.: 114 cm - Width: 146 cm. Estimated Price: 3,000 - 5,000 € (US$ 3,700 - 6,150)- «Model sofa »Koala«, the front legs in natural bronze slightly tapered, the structure, the backrest and the seat fully covered with yellow velvet» - Elisabeth Garouste (born in 1946) & Mattia Bonetti (born in 1952). Editions BGH. Marked BG. Measured at High.: 87 cm - Width: 156 cm - Prof. : 81 cm. Estimated Price: 3,000 - 5,000 € (US$ 3,700 - 6,150)- «Model »Koala« daybed» - Elisabeth Garouste (born in 1946) & Mattia Bonetti (born in 1952). Editions BGH; armrest on the right, the front feet in natural bronze slightly tapered, the structure. Measured at High.: 110 cm - Width: 160 cm - Prof.: 90 cm. Estimated Price: 3,000 - 5,000 € (US$ 3,700 - 6,150)- «Three lamps »Baghdad« model in white, red and black» - Mathieu Mategot (1910 - 2001); perforated sheet metal and folded geometric shape and brass ball (small chips). 1954. Measured at High.: 38 cm. Estimated Price: 2,500 - 3,500 € (US$ 3,070 - 4,300)- «Two-seater sofa model »2557«« - Florence Knoll (born in 1917); chromed metal base, cream leather seat. Knoll International Edition, 2014. Measured at Haut.: 79 cm - Width: 160 cm - Prof.: 80 cm. Estimated Price: 2,500 - 3,500 € (US$ 3,070 - 4,300)- »Pair of sofas model «Madison», armrests in varnished cherry, cream leather upholstery» - House Hugues Chevalier. Measured at High.: 78 cm - Width: 170 cm - Prof.: 95 cm. Estimated Price: 2,000 - 4,000 € (US$ 2,460 - 4,920)For details, visit:http://www.lefloch-drouot.fr/Click on the slideshow for the highlights of the sale.https://www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin

Swarovski and Design Miami have declared Frank Kolkman, Study O Portable, and Yosuke Ushigome as the winners for the 2018 Swarovski Designers of the Future Award.Established in 2006, the Designers of the Future Award acknowledges technologically and conceptually advanced designs across multiple disciplines, honoring promising young designers and studios behind these cutting-edge works. Swarovski and Design Miami have collaborated for this award for the fourth year in 2018 to provide the winners an opportunity to present their newly commissioned works to an influential audience of collectors, dealers, and journalists at Design Miami/Basel. Selected from designers across the globe, the 2018 winners —  Frank Kolkman, Study O Portable, and Yosuke Ushigome — will respond to the brief of ‘smart living,’ applying pioneering crystal technologies including psycho activation techniques, touch crystal, and energy crystal, which will be unveiled at this year’s Design Miami/ Basel, to be held from June 12 to 17. These artists will be commissioned to utilize the wide range of resources from Swarovski to develop prototypes or statements, such as wearables, inclusive design solutions, lighting and/or functional home objects, which will illustrate new ways of connectivity and co-existence within our environment, through the integration of new crystal technologies. Experimental Dutch designer Frank Kolkman will present “Dream Machine,” where he will combine the interface of Swarovski crystal with neurobiology, neuropsychology, and psycho-activation techniques to allow individuals to enter a state of deep relaxation or “artificial dreaming,” providing a smart solution to the cognitive demands of modern life. Study O Portable — a research based Dutch-Japanese practice — will explore the blurring of light and color created from the crystals utilizing Swarovski’s avant-garde technologies, and will create a series of surfaces that will be translated into objects, including screens, a table, and lights, evoking the blurry and fading colors associated with the sunset or changing colors of leaves on a tree. Yosuke Ushigome works at the Japanese design studio Takram’s London office as a creative technologist. His exhibition “Can Crystals Interface Us to AI?” will explore the potential of crystal as an alternative interaction between human and machine intelligence that occurs within the Smart Home environment.Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, said: “We are delighted to announce Frank Kolkman, Study O Portable, and Yosuke Ushigome as this year’s Swarovski Designers of the Future. We look forward to seeing these exciting innovators use Swarovski crystal as a creative medium to explore the relationship between human behaviour and new smart living technologies.”All the designs by Frank Kolkman, Study O Portable, and Yosuke Ushigome will be integrated into a single installation at Design Miami/ Basel. Alongside this artificial environment, Swarovski will present Atelier Swarovski’s new home décor collections as a ‘Curio’ exhibition within the core galleries at the fair, which will include functional and decorative table top objects, home accessories, and gifts. www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) - A rare fiddle believed to have once been owned by the late country music star Roy Acuff will be exhibited at a Tennessee museum after it was nearly sold at a Goodwill auction earlier. WBIR-TV reports that owner Lamar Peek, of Missouri, is loaning the fiddle ...

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Authorities say a woman was arrested after she disrupted a flight from London to Salt Lake City and attacked a federal air marshal. Documents filed in U.S. District Court in Utah allege that 45-year-old Sarah Beach threw coffee on passengers, overturned a drink cart and ...

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Authorities say a 45-year-old woman was arrested after she was accused of disrupting a London-to-Salt Lake City airline flight and attacking a federal air marshal. Documents filed in U.S. District Court in Utah allege that Sarah Beach threw coffee on passengers, overturned a drink cart ...

SEATTLE (AP) - Marvel's super heroes are assembling in Seattle. The Museum of Pop Culture is opening an exhibit exploring eight decades of heroes created by Marvel Entertainment. The «Universe of Super Heroes» show begins Saturday and explores the nexus between the comic book pages, the television shows and the ...

Like most folks who wear its clothing or use its outdoor gear, The North Face is a big fan of our national parks. This week, the company announced a new way it’s helping […] The post The North Face Turned Recyclables From National Parks Into Clothing appeared first on Geek.com.

Google has been struggling to come up with a compelling messaging app for its mobile platform. Two years back, it began work on Allo, a new application for Android users that would finally […] The post Google Rolls Out “Chat,” Another New Way to Message on Android appeared first on Geek.com.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Ranchers and the federal government have defeated a 15-year-old environmentalist lawsuit that claimed grazing imperils threatened bull trout in Oregon's Malheur National Forest. U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman has dismissed the complaint, which was originally filed by the Oregon Natural Desert Association and the Center for ...

Hydrologists have been piggybacking off the renewed popularity of Pokemon in the wake of the success of its mobile app (you all know the one I mean), to help learn more about how […] The post How Pokemon is Inspiring Citizen Science appeared first on Geek.com.

Forget Peak TV. We’re living in an age of Peak Content, period. There are so many cool shows and movies and games and weird internet videos you could consume at any given moment […] The post Westworld & Into the Badlands: Let Geek Tell You What to Watch This Weekend appeared first on Geek.com.

Science isn’t always an exact science: A team of Stanford researchers accidentally discovered a new way of creating gold nanoparticles and nanowires using water droplets. The technique—a “bewildering” surprise, the analysts said—is the […] The post Scientists Accidentally Usher in New Era of ‘Green Chemistry’ appeared first on Geek.com.

Nintendo Labo has arrived! Finally, you can fold up a bunch of cardboard, stick the Nintendo Switch tablet inside, and create all sorts of cool kid- (and eco-) friendly toys. We’ve already gotten a taste […] The post Purchase Nintendo Labo Repair Kits or Print Them Yourself appeared first on Geek.com.

NEW YORK (AP) - Southwest Airlines has sent a letter of apology and is offering compensation to passengers who were on a flight earlier this week that made an emergency landing following an engine explosion. ABC News reports that it obtained a letter to one passenger signed by Southwest CEO ...

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Researchers examining forests in northern Wisconsin say Native American reservations have older trees and better plant diversity and tree regeneration than surrounding state or national forests. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that Dartmouth College and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers recently published their findings in an issue ...

The English architect, historian, critic and educator Kenneth Frampton is the recipient of the «Golden Lion» for Lifetime Achievement of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition.The decision was made by the Board of La Biennale di Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta, upon recommendation of the Curators of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara.Trained at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, Kenneth Frampton has taught since 1972 at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University, New York. As architect, writer and critic, as teacher and researcher, he has affected and inspired several generations of students and architects. Modern Architecture: A Critical History is one of his most recognized books.His seminal books include “Towards a Critical Regionalism”, which was a leader in the influencing of architects to re-value context, place and culture. His Studies on Tectonic Culture was a key work in highlighting the connection between the language of construction and language of architecture. In “A Genealogy of Modern Architecture: Comparative Critical Analysis of Built Form”, he captures with incisive clarity the inner workings of projects, de-coding them to make them legible for us all.Kenneth Frampton (1930, London) is trained as an architect at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London. He has worked as an architect and as an architectural historian and critic, and is now Ware Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University, New York. He has taught at a number of leading institutions in the field, including the Royal College of Art in London, the ETH in Zurich, the Berlage Institute in Amsterdam, EPFL in Lausanne and the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio. Frampton is the author of numerous essays on modern and contemporary architecture, and has served on many international juries for architectural awards and building commissions. In addition to “Modern Architecture: A Critical History”, his publications include “Studies in Tectonic Culture”, “Labor, Work and Architecture”, and “A Genealogy of Modern Architecture: Comparative Critical Analysis of Built Form”.The acknowledgment will be awarded to Kenneth Frampton on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Ca’ Giustinian, the headquarters of Venice Architecture Biennial in an award ceremony  followed by the inauguration of the Architecture Biennial 2018, which will open to the public at 10 am on the same day.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/                             Founder Louise Blouin                                     

It should be no surprise that life tends to “enjoy” (and I use the term loosely because we’re talking about lots of different kinds of life here) sex. It’s one of life’s main […] The post Fruit Flies Love Sex and Will Booze Up if They Can’t Get Any appeared first on Geek.com.

Famed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (previously) is known for her color explosions, light matrices, and proclivity towards covering many of her works in a dazzling layer of dots. In one of her most interactive installations, the artist hands her interest in dot making over to the visitor. The Obliteration Room invites guests to “obliterate” a domestic interior by placing colorful stickers onto the walls, furniture, and floors. More

While well-heeled Earthlings pack for their first trip to Mars, scientists are revealing fresh details about the red planet’s ancient climate. Early last year, analysts announced the discovery of possible desiccation cracks in […] The post Cracks in Martian Rocks Help Bring Planet’s Watery Past Into Focus appeared first on Geek.com.

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Several people and groups are joining forces to promote south Alabama's Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and its natural resources. The formation of the Alabama Delta Alliance was announced at a news conference this week. The alliance aims to support the region and attract tourism. Mobile Mayor Sandy ...

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A small ship cruise company is beginning the Alaska tourism season early as part of an effort to move the industry to set sail earlier. The Juneau Empire reports UnCruise Adventures is launching ships a few weeks before the large cruise companies are due in Juneau ...