Around the World in a Flash
From South Korea to Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands to China, our global tour begins!
Back in the innocent days of the internet, there was one legendary scam email that made the rounds: “Bill Gates is giving away his fortune!” Well, they say if you repeat something forty times, it comes true — and guess what? This time, he actually is.
Bill Gates is now officially giving away his entire fortune (yep, all $108 billion of it) through the Gates Foundation, which he founded with his ex-wife. The plan? To spend it all on projects over the next 20 years like a billionaire on a mission.
And here’s the plot twist: on December 31, 2045, the foundation will throw one last New Year’s party… and then cease to exist. Boom. Mic drop.
Istanbul Palace & Museum Ticket Prices Increased Again (as of June 1, 2025)
As of June 1, 2025, ticket prices for major historical sites in Istanbul—like Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Palace, and Beylerbeyi Palace—have gone up by up to 80%. These hikes happen every 6–8 months to help keep prices stable in USD terms due to the Turkish lira’s volatility.
Here are the updated prices for foreign visitors, with USD estimates:
- Dolmabahçe Palace:
1,800 TL → approx. $50 (previously $38) - Topkapı Combo (incl. Harem & Aya Irini):
2,400 TL → approx. $60 (previously $53) - Beylerbeyi Palace:
700 TL → approx. $20 (previously $13)
Price changes apply to locals as well, but the biggest impact is on international travelers. Consider combo tickets to manage your sightseeing budget better.
Archaeologists at the University of Michigan uncovered how Homo sapiens survived the magnetic pole shift 41,000 years ago. Their survival tactics? Seeking shelter in caves, making special clothes, and applying ochre pigment to protect their skin from the sun. Interestingly, Neanderthals, who disappeared around the same time, apparently couldn’t adopt these measures.
Innovations Worth Watching
Philips just announced “Philips Fixables,” a program allowing users to 3D print replacement parts for broken beard trimmers and hair removal devices—making repairs easier and more sustainable.
Smartphones are battling in two new arenas: ultra-thin bodies and foldable screens. While we wait for Apple’s rumored “iPhone Air,” Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25 Edge, boasting a razor-thin 5.5 mm case with a 6.7-inch screen.
Tech & Geopolitics
The U.S. government recently relaxed export restrictions to China for 90 days, sparking a surge in tech stocks worth $800 billion. However, new sanctions target Chinese AI chipmakers like Huawei’s Ascend series, accusing them of stealing U.S. technology and threatening penalties on any users worldwide.
Meanwhile, during his Middle East tour, former President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia for U.S. AI firms. Nvidia, in particular, received massive chip orders from the kingdom, alongside major deals signed in the UAE.
AI and Security Alerts
Beware fake AI service websites! Hackers posing as platforms like CapCut and Luma trick users into uploading files that secretly install malware such as “Noodlophile infostealer” or “Xworm” on their devices.
In corporate news, Microsoft announced layoffs affecting 6,000 employees (around 3% of its workforce) to reallocate resources towards AI investments—a sign of how fiercely the AI race is reshaping tech giants.
Google Deepmind unveiled “AlphaEvolve,” an AI system that can discover new algorithms and write its own code. Integrated with Google’s Gemini language model, it automates software testing and improvements—ushering a new era of AI-assisted development.
Cool Robot Innovations
Researchers at the Netherlands’ AMOLF Institute designed ultra-low-cost robots with inflatable joints that move without programming or control, self-balancing on two or four legs. Truly a sight to behold!
YouTuber Levi Kelly built the world’s tiniest house—a fully functional home with solar panels, kitchen, and bed—all squeezed into just 1.95 square meters inside a 1998 Honda Acty truck bed. You can subscribe (free) by entering your e-mail address in the form below.
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