Vladimir Putin wins a fifth term in Russia, partly because the Kremlin made sure he didn’t have real opponents. / BBC News
Thousands of Russian voters silently protested Putin by showing up to the polls at noon. / Reuters
Berlin’s techno scene is now registered as part of Germany’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage.” / euronews
See also: “If there’s a specific skill that needs to be mastered, Japanese have a strong desire to have it formally recognized.” Explaining a surge in Japan of “wine masters.” / The Japan Times
The new normal in Washington DC is said to be “functional dysfunction.” / Wake Up to Politics
One potential key to solving homelessness in the States? Bringing back SROs and boarding houses. / Cornerstone
Related: If you don’t know, Andrew Callaghan/Channel 5 (aka All Gas No Brakes) are back and doing terrific reporting. / YouTube
Since the start of the artificial intelligence boom, the combined market capitalization of Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft has increased by $2.5 trillion. / The Economist
The astrolabe, an eleventh-century invention, is said to be the world’s first smartphone. / Open Culture
A round-up of “breakout artists” from this year’s Whitney Biennial. / artsy
It seems a stretch to say young people in Britain are back to smoking pipes? / The Guardian
See also: “We are getting closer and closer to a movement where ‘straight’ women and ‘gay’ men start dating.” / The Trend Report
Week three begins in this year’s Rooster event/madness/conversation. Jump right in! / The Tournament of Books
