The ugliest buildings in the world

The world spent $1.1 trillion transitioning to clean power in 2022, the same as the amount spent producing gas and oil. / Bloomberg

The United States' switch to electric vehicles may require three times as much lithium as is currently produced for the entire world. / The Guardian

Alissa Walker: We can't lithium-mine our way out of the climate crisis. / Curbed

See also: A new report suggests the US can have a zero-emissions future without a lithium-mining boom. / Grist

Last year only 12% of Afghan women told Gallup that females are treated "with respect and dignity." / The Economist

Murtaza Hussain: Turkey is maybe one election away from slipping into "a personalist regime revolving around its leader." / The Intercept

A departing Tokyo correspondent says Japan is stuck and frightened. A counterargument says that's totally wrong. / BBC News, Noahpinion

Helen Branswell: Two new studies paint an encouraging picture of the updated Covid-19 vaccine's performance. / STAT

Why is inventing a vaccine for AIDS tougher than for Covid? Mostly, it's the rapid rate at which the AIDS virus mutates. / NPR

David Wallace-Wells: In December, as many as 500 patients per week were dying in Britain because of emergency room waits. / The New York Times

A start-up sells clothing that confuses AI cameras. / PetaPixel

A wearable bean-bag pillow means you can rest anywhere, anytime! / Spoon & Tamago

Cameras equipped with sound meters in New York City are issuing tickets to vehicles emitting illegal amounts of noise. / The Associated Press

New York is said to be filling up with "shoppy shops," boutique grocery stores that sell the same things—from the internet. / Grubstreet

Ten of the world's ugliest buildings, judged by the language people use about them on Twitter. / Buildworld


Hello! Here is why we ask readers to support us. 🥰 Consider becoming a Sustaining Member today or supporting this newsletter via PayPal, crypto, or Venmo (open in app).

✔️  Got a correction or a link we should consider? Email us or just reply to this newsletter.

Your headlines are sourced and written by Andrew Womack and Rosecrans Baldwin, Monday through Saturday. View this edition and the latest headlines at TMN.