Good Morning! 🌞 

In today’s newsletter we’re reporting on the promising future of nuclear fusion and the prospects of clean, limitless energy. What used to be a dream, is actually turning out to be a serious concept; albeit not yet fully turned into a reality. Make sure to also check out the linked article we published on this subject a few months ago, in which we explain the concept further!

Innovation

Clean Limitless Power

A recent in depth article at Euronews.com delves into the groundbreaking work at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Provence, France where a colossal endeavor to mimic the sun’s energy through nuclear fusion is underway. Laban Coblentz, the head of communications, reveals the ambition behind constructing what is possibly the most intricate machine ever, aiming to prove nuclear fusion's viability on a large scale.

The project, a collaboration among over 30 countries including the US, EU, Russia, China, India, and South Korea, focuses on the ITER tokamak - the world's largest magnetic confinement chamber. Designed to withstand extreme temperatures and generate significant energy, the tokamak represents a pivotal step toward clean, limitless power. Jeanette Schranz, a key figure in the project, highlights the reactor's aim to produce net energy, marking a significant leap toward sustainable power solutions.

Nuclear fusion, the process driving this massive endeavor, promises a clean and abundant source of energy by fusing two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion offers a safer, waste-free alternative, potentially revolutionizing how we generate power. Despite the technological and logistical challenges, including delays and budget expansions, the ITER project is still moving forward.

The initiative offers a glimpse into the potential of fusion energy to reshape our energy landscape. As the project progresses, the hope is to lay the groundwork for a world powered by the same forces that light up the stars.

Not long ago we wrote an article about the very recent groundbreaking success in creating a nuclear fusion reaction that created more energy than it took. We also briefly explore the differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission (our current nuclear power).

Culture

Beautiful Hotel that Melts Every Year

The Icehotel in Sweden is a unique and stunning hotel, first established in 1989 by Yngve Bergqvist. It features rooms and art installations made of ice and snow, drawing artists from around the world to contribute to its construction each year. The hotel offers both temporary ice rooms that melt in the spring and year-round ice rooms that are kept cool using solar-power cooling technology.

With 18 year-round ice rooms and 36 temporary ice rooms in the winter, the Icehotel also provides 44 warm rooms and 28 warm chalets for guests who prefer more traditional accommodations. The hotel's unique appeal lies in its impermanence and one-of-a-kind ice rooms, offering a truly unforgettable experience for visitors.

If you are in one of the ice rooms, the temperature is generally between 19.4 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The Icehotel offers expedition-style sleeping bags for guests staying in the ice rooms. Visitors can check into their rooms at 6 p.m. and have 24-hour access to a heated facility, where they can store their belongings, shower, and use the bathroom. This ensures that guests have a comfortable and convenient stay, despite the unique nature of the ice accommodations.

The hotel also recommends staying for multiple nights, with the first or last being in one of the ice-rooms.

The Icehotel's success has transformed the once-desolate winter months in Jukkasjärvi into a thriving tourist season. The ice blocks used in the construction are harvested from the nearby Torne River at the end of the winter. They are then stored all summer until the next winter when they are crafted into the seasonal portion of the hotel.

The Icehotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, just outside the town of Kiruna in Swedish Lapland. This is a beautiful region in northern Sweden, where you can expect to discover a land of forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains. In winter, the region is cloaked in a blanket of sparkling snow. The hotel is only a 15-minute drive away from the Kiruna airport, making it easily accessible for travelers.

Each year, the Icehotel receives applications from artists around the world to design the suites. When the temperature drops to levels required for snow gun operations, usually in mid-November, the building process begins. The Winter portion of the hotel is open from December to April, offering guests the opportunities to go dog sledding, see the northern lights, and even try ice sculpting themselves.

The Icehotel is a unique and unforgettable experience, combining the beauty of the natural surroundings with the creativity of artists and the comfort of a well-managed hotel. Whether you're looking to explore the untouched wilderness of Swedish Lapland or to enjoy a stay in a one-of-a-kind ice suite, the Icehotel is the perfect destination for an unforgettable winter adventure.

Sports

Charlie Woods Shoots for His First PGA Tour

Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old progeny of golf legend Tiger Woods, has embarked on a journey to qualify for a PGA Tour event, setting his sights on participating in the Cognizant Classic.

Charlie's quest will kick off at the Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, serving as one of the four initial pre-qualifying venues. The competition is stiff, with only the top 25 performers and those tied for those positions at each location advancing to a crucial final qualifying round on Monday. Success there means a coveted spot among the four qualifiers for the tournament scheduled from February 29 to March 3 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Achieving entry into the Cognizant Classic, previously known as the Honda Classic, would not only mark Charlie Woods' PGA Tour debut but also set a new record in the Woods family. At 15 years and 21 days old, he would surpass his father, Tiger Woods, who made his first tour appearance at 16 years, 1 month, and 28 days old during the 1992 Nissan Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club.

Having already captured public attention through his participation in the last four PNC Championships alongside his father, Charlie has showcased his burgeoning talent. This past fall, he secured a tie for 17th place at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship and played a pivotal role in leading his high school golf team to a state championship victory.

The qualifying field also includes other notable names such as Cameron Kuchar, the 17-year-old son of PGA Tour professional Matt Kuchar, and Austin Lemieux, the 27-year-old offspring of Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux.

The 2024 Cognizant Classic promises an enticing $9 million purse, with the champion earning $1.62 million. The event has already attracted top golfers like Rory McIlroy, Tom Kim, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, and the defending champion, Chris Kirk, ensuring a highly competitive tournament.

World News

Ghana Artifacts Returned by US Museum

Seven royal artifacts, taken by British colonial forces from Ghana's ancient Asante kingdom 150 years ago and housed in a United States museum, were returned and presented to the kingdom. This marks the latest instance of treasures being returned to various African countries.

Originally looted during the 19th century from British-colonized Ghana and later transferred to the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles, the artifacts include an elephant tail whisk, an ornamental chair made of wood, leather, and iron, two gold stool ornaments, a gold necklace, and two bracelets.

Kwasi Ampene, a lecturer involved in the negotiation process, emphasized the significance of the repatriation, stating it "signifies the return of our souls."

All seven items are being returned unconditionally and permanently, though the kingdom allowed replicas to be made. “We are globally shifting away from the idea of museums as unquestionable repositories of art, as collecting institutions entitled to own and interpret art based primarily on scholarly expertise, to the idea of museums as custodians with ethical responsibility,” said Silvia Forni, director of the Fowler Museum.

For Samuel Opoku Acheampong, a staff member at the Asante palace, having these artifacts back is a dream come true, representing symbols of prestige and reverence for the Asante ruler. He remarked, "Our forefathers and our fathers told us about the artifacts, and ever since, as a kid, I had the vision that one day we shall have all these artifacts back to our Asante nation."

Mind Stretchers

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How many bricks does it take to complete a building made of brick?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Eleven. Because Lisa lost three games to Susan, she had lost $3 ($1 per game). So, she had to win back that $3 with three more games, then win another five games to win $5. 😵‍💫 

Galen Garretson got the first correct answer today!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.