Disney is no longer asking a Florida court to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit on the grounds that the victims family had signed up for its streaming service Disney+.The company filed a notice in Orange County court on Tuesday to withdraw the motion, which had drawn swift backlash when it became public.Josh DAmaro, chairperson of Disneys theme park division, said in a statement emailed earlier to The Associated Press that the entertainment giant will waive its arbitration rights and allow the suit, brought by the husband of a New York doctor who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating at a restaurant in Disney Springs, to proceed in court.At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations, he said in the Monday night statement. With such unique circumstances as the ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss.Disney had previously argued that Jeffrey Piccolo could not sue the company because he agreed to settle any lawsuits against the company out of court when he signed up for a one-month trial subscription to Disney+ in 2019.Piccolos lawyers didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.In a response filed this month, they argued that it was absurd to believe that the more than 150 million subscribers to Disney+ have waived all rights to sue the company and its affiliates in perpetuity because of language buried in the fine print.The company, in its bid to have the lawsuit dismissed, argued Piccolo had not agreed just to the arbitration terms in his Disney+ trial, but also again when he signed up for an account on Disneys website and app in order to purchase the couples tickets for their ill-fated theme park visit.Both sides had been slated to make their case before a judge in Orlando on Oct. 2.Arbitration allows people to settle disputes without going to court and generally involves a neutral arbitrator who reviews arguments and evidence before making a binding decision, or award.Disney, in a follow-up statement to The Associated Press last week, said that it was merely defending itself against Piccolos attempt to include the company in his lawsuit against Raglan Road, the Irish pub in Disney Springs where the family dined.Spokespersons for the restaurant didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. Disney Springs is owned by Disney, which leases some of the spaces in the outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment complex to other companies.Piccolos lawsuit claims the family had decided to eat at Raglan Road in October because it was billed on Disneys website as having allergen free food.Piccolos wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, a physician with NYU Langones office in Carle Place, New York, had a severe allergy to nuts and dairy products, and the waiter had assured them her food was prepared without allergens, the lawsuit states.But less than an hour after finishing their dinner, Tangsuan had difficulty breathing, collapsed and died at a hospital, despite self-administering an EpiPen, according to the lawsuit.The medical examiner determined she died as a result of anaphylaxis due to elevated levels of dairy and nut in her system, the lawsuit states.Philip Marcelo, Associated Press

The TV show Gold Rush may be in its 14th season, but evidently, the mother lode of investors is only now catching on.The price of gold is at record levels, with spot gold prices having eclipsed the $2,500-per-ounce mark at the end of last week. As of midday Tuesday, prices were near or above $2,550 per ounce. And, as Bloomberg News reported, the recent appreciation means that the average gold bar, which weighs 400 ounces, is now worth $1 million for the first time.While many people are likely only starting to pay attention to gold prices, investors in gold and precious metals have certainly been on a roll: Over the past six months, gold prices are up nearly 25%. Over the past year, gold is up more than 32%. Compare that to the stock market: The S&P 500 is up almost 13% over the past six months and 27% over the past year.With gold outperforming the stock market, its worth asking: Is 2024 the new 1849?Not quite. But the increase in gold prices is notable, especially since gold and other precious metals are, traditionally, seen as a particularly volatile investment. Between August 2012 and August 2022, for example, gold prices didnt appreciate much, if at all. So whats behind the recent spike in value? While numerous variables ultimately determine spot prices, there are a couple of key factors behind the recent bull run.Why gold prices are risingFirst and foremost is the recent bout of inflation in the United States and other parts of the world. Investors may turn to gold as a store of value to try and ride out waves of inflation; and though U.S. inflation has largely subsided after peaking a couple of years ago, it created a demand wave in the gold market that is still riding high.Central banks have also been buying up gold. Second-quarter data from the World Gold Council shows that central bank gold demand was up 6% year-over-year and that, cumulatively, central banks bought 483 tonnes (one tonne is equal to around 2,200 pounds), the highest first half year in the organizations data series.Additionally, economic uncertainty can increase the demand for gold. Earlier this month, following the release of the July jobs reportwhich subsequently led to a short-term market freakoutgold prices increased as anxieties about an upcoming recession likewise increased. Further, there are concerns about the national debt, prospective interest-rate moves by the Federal Reserve, and the upcoming electionand when you take those, add in geopolitical risks including wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, it becomes a bit clearer to see why gold has perhaps become the hottest commodity on the market.All that glittersMany of the structural bullish drivers of a real asset like goldincluding U.S. fiscal deficit concerns, central bank reserve diversification into gold, inflationary hedging and a fraying geopolitical landscapehave lifted prices to new all-time highs this year . . . said Natasha Kaneva, head of global commodities strategy at JPMorgan, in a recent research note. Nonetheless, precious-metals markets will be focused on any potential policy changes that could accentuate or alter one or more of these themes.As for what happens next? Its anyones guess, but some analysts expect gold prices to continue to climb. Analysts at UBS, for one, anticipate prices hitting $2,600 by the end of the year. But given golds volatile nature, it may be a good idea to remember Robert Frosts immortal words: Nothing gold can stay.

Attorneys general from 10 new states have joined a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and its ticket-selling unit, Ticketmaster, for allegedly monopolizing markets across the live concert industry.Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont have joined the lawsuit. This boosts the total to 39 states, plus the District of Columbia. The amended complaint, originally filed in May with the U.S. Justice Department, includes additional complaints filed against the entertainment giant. The group is now seeking treble damages against the defendants by adding claims under the federal anti-monopoly law, meaning that they can triple the amount theyre after in monetary damages. Live Nation manages more than 400 musical artists and controls around 60% of concert promotions at major venues across the U.S., according to the amended complaint. It also owns or controls more than 265 venues in North America, including more than 60 of the top 100 amphitheaters in the U.S. Through Ticketmaster, it controls roughly 80% or more of major concert venues primary ticketing.

Chocolate muffins blew up on TikTok during the Olympics, and their staying power has surpassed the Paris games themselves.Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen became TikToks muffin man throughout the 2024 Olympics after he documented his obsession with the cafeterias chocolate muffins. Christiansens videos racked up tens of millions of views and prompted other Olympians to jump on the pastry bandwagon. (There were even reports of cafeteria shortages). Though the Paris games have come to a close, the muffins are still a hot item in cafs and on recipe sites.The Olympic chocolate muffins are everywhere.Christiansens Olympic muffin journey began in July, when he posted a TikTok video reviewing the Olympic Villages food options. Over the course of the games, Christiansens videos showcased his hunt for (and tendency to hoard) the muffins. Eventually, the videos grew even more whimsical: In one, he fantasizes about their beauty, and rails against the muffins mortal enemy, the cookie, in another. @henrikchristians1 Olympic Village food review! A little surprise at the end too! Smash like and subscribe for part 2 #fyp #olympics #paris2024 #olympictiktok #olympicvillage #foodreview @Olympics @paris2024 @Mr.Nicho original sound Z7duckx_Music Z7duckx_Music Almost a month after his first TikTok post, imitations of the Olympic muffin has now made it to cafs and bakeriesand tastemakers are clamoring to try the treat. In New York City, Isshiki Matcha had a pop-up muffin sale, where the line wrapped around multiple blocks. (The shop had to limit customers to one Olympic muffin per person.)Meanwhile, Panifico Bake Shop in San Antonio, Texas, now offers a replica muffin called DEE-LI-SHUS, while Erie Coffee & Bakeshop in Rutherford, New Jersey, drips thick ganache over their replica.Dozens of foodfluencers and recipe bloggers have also jumped on the trend, creating a second TikTok cycle of at-home muffin alternatives. One recipe, posted on the popular Substack Bake Chats, is filled with glowing comments; one reader says the newsletter is doing the lords work.(For what its worth, The New York Times conceded that the Olympic muffins are, in fact, cakes.)The after-life of a TikTok trendBy now, Christiansen has weaned off of his beloved muffins (though he did take one home for good measure). Still, even without his content, the Olympic muffins continue to garner interest.For all the ephemerality of the internet, many of these food trends have staying power. Users are still making baked feta pasta and Emily Mariko-style rice bowls, years after those recipes first went viral. In January, Swedish candy blew up online, and candy shop owners across the U.S. are still struggling to meet surge in demand. The Olympic muffin could be the next iteration of this long-tailed TikTok mania: A short-form trend with sprawling national interest.

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter featuresthe closing of a hotel in a Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper.Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.A hotel in Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower is set to close temporarily amid reports that the owner has sold historical items without obtaining "review or approval" from the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy."Readers reacted to the news with one stating, "Even with missing pieces, this is still the best tower of all time." Another asked, "Did the new owners agree to The Conservancy's terms when purchasing from the previous owner?'"Populous releases visuals of Aramco Stadium planned for Saudi World CupOther stories in this week's newsletter that fired up the comments section included plans for a stadium in Saudi Arabia by Populous, a family home in Australia by State of Kin and a woodland kitchen that uses fermentation.Dezeen DebateDezeen Debate is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.The post Dezeen Debate features "the best tower of all time" appeared first on Dezeen.

Architect Iaki Echeverria has completed the first phases of an eco-park three times the size of Manhattan in Mexico City, using some of the infrastructure of the cancelled Foster + Partners-designed airport.Named the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park, the project entailed the regeneration and building of public infrastructure on a massive wetland environment on the eastern side of Mexico's capital city. It opened to the public last month.Mexican architect Iaki Echeverria has completed work on the Lake Texcoco Ecological ParkThe project covers 14,030 hectares of land, making it one of the largest urban parks in the world, and is protected by federal decree as an ecological site. It was designed to mitigate the effects of density and climate change and to improve communal welfare.Echeverria, who accepted the commission of the project on the condition he also became the director of the park, said that the project is "a key to the larger regeneration of the area".Aspects were built on the site of a cancelled airport terminal"This is not really a project about Mexico City it is a larger endeavour, it's the entire valley," Echeverria told Dezeen."By itself, it cannot guarantee the future of the valley, but it's a key to the larger regeneration of the area," he continued."Ecological restoration is not only about aesthetics it's about subsistence."Regeneration works and infrastructure were included in the programOnce the site of one of the massive lakes that filled the Valley of Mexico in pre-colonial times, Lake Texcoco Ecological Park sits on highly salinated land and is covered by lakes, informal settlements and agriculture. It is now bordered on all sides by water filtration systems and dense residential neighbourhoods.Much of the project entailed the restoration of the wetlands, including the building of greenhouses to grow and plant native species in the area. The total park is nearly three times the size of Manhattan.The first thing built was a nursery to facilitate the reintroduction of native plantsBuildings such as a viewing platform, visitors centre, sculptural pavilions and a sports park was constructed, the latter on the portion of the park that was allotted to the Foster + Partners-designed airport that was scrapped after a public referendum in 2018.At the time, local architects criticised the referendum and cancellation, with Mexican architect Fernanda Canales saying that the move was "completely against the law" and based on personal rather than public interest.It includes several pavilions for gatheringEcheverria has written about potential uses of the park since the early 2000s and began work on a concept that led to the current outline before the announcement of the park. He said that "rhetoric" was used to obfuscate prior attempts to preserve the ecology of the site, which he said goes back to at least the early 1900s."There is this idea that somehow this project of regeneration stopped the airport," he said."I look at it the other way around; it's it was the airport that stopped the project of regeneration."Sports facilities were built where the most building for the airport had happenedHe said that up until the 1970s, the park was not "desiccated" and that the high salinity of the soil has always made it difficult to build.The team used aspects of the airport's infrastructure and roads to facilitate the building of the sports park including the recycling of one of the bridges for public access to the land to minimise impacts on the ecology."We found a lot of concrete and barren land, so we decided that whatever we were going to build more intensely in terms of architecture would happen there and the rest would be less humanized or urbanized."It sits on the eastern side of the Valley of MexicoIt includes several pitches that are organised as "islands" to minimise the impact and also to preserve the sports facilities during the annual flooding of the area.He said that the project will bring both social and environmental benefits, in the lowering of surrounding temperatures due to the regenerated ecosystem and the cultural benefits of gathering for events and observation of the landscape.Read: Concrete-based urban areas "will fail due to their non-resilience" says Kongjian YuEcheverria also noted that the presence of a water filtration system and infrastructure around the park allows for the "blue and green infrastructure" to be more rationally integrated into the city in phases rather than hard boundaries."This project is what I've been calling for a while soft infrastructure. or soft engineering," he said."Engineering has to move on to something much more sensible, where you occupy the same space in much more efficient terms."The sculptural pavilions and sports facilities were designed as "islands"More than 11,000 people worked on the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park over the last decade, and Echeverria hopes that they will be able to continue adding aspects to the project. Though, he said, with the new administration in place at the top of the federal government it's "unclear" what the next steps are.Other regeneration projects include a landfill in New York converted into a nature preserve by landscape studio Field Operations.The photography is courtesy of Iaki Echeverria.The post "Regenerative" eco-park opens on site of cancelled Mexico City airport appeared first on Dezeen.

London studio EBBA Architects has completed the renovation of a terraced house in Camden, London, adding a metal frame structure that takes cues from Victorian design.Named Camden Residence, the project comprises a number of sensitive alterations within the existing building as well as a glazed, double-height extension based around a rigid white frame structure.Nestled into a sunken portion of the back garden and spanning the full width of the plot, the framed extension was designed by EBBA Architects to brighten the Victorian house and enhance its connection to the garden.EBBA Architects has renovated a Victorian terraced house in London"The main aim of the renovation of the house was to try to create a better connection between different areas within the home, and at the same time bring light down into what used to be very dark spaces," studio founder Benni Allan told Dezeen."The clients wanted to create spaces that felt better connected, and enjoyed the initial suggestion to make a void that could connect three different parts of the house the kitchen, living and study," he continued."At the same time they loved to be in the garden, which inspired the Victorian-like lightweight metal structure that helps to frame the garden."A glazed, double-height extension was added to the homeThe newly added double-height structure comprises glass panes set back within a white steel frame that takes cues from a Victorian metal terrace that the studio found at the back of the property and demolished to make space for the new extension."The feature we enjoyed discovering when first seeing the house was an external metal terrace that the clients described enjoying as a place to stand and watch people during their summer parties," said Allan."It was this that inspired the double-height volume and the interior balcony, helping to retain that aspect and connection to the floor below."Use of white steel takes cues from a Victorian metal terraceIn addition to adding the extension, EBBA Architects fully renovated the existing building, retaining its historic features including original timber work and stairs as well as a portion of the floorboards."The house was fully renovated and we purposefully kept all the original features, while the new interventions helped to add a new layer to the history of the house," said Allan."The original timber work and stairs were restored and repainted. Similarly, apart from the lower and ground floors, we retained and painted all of the floorboards as a way to keep to the character of the house," he continued.The extension aims to brighten the house and enhance its connection to the garden. Photo by Stale EriksenThe framed volume was designed to act as a void that brightens the rest of the house. Accessed from a sunken, brick-lined terrace, the extension contains an empty space that has been intentionally left open to the spaces within the existing volume.On the ground floor, the extension opens onto a dining area flanked by rhythmically profiled white walls.Read: Benjamin Hale Architects extends light-starved Victorian home upwards and outwardsDirectly beyond this, the dining area opens onto the kitchen, where dark wooden finishes across the cabinets, kitchen island, and a built-in bench match the wood of the adjacent dining table."We chose to use ash because of its interesting markings and the way it can be treated to bring out the grain," said Allan. "The dark tone was intended to work with the bright spaces, adding warmth and texture."Dark wood features across the kitchen interior. Photo by Stale EriksenThrough keeping an open plan, EBBA Architects aimed to frame views of the garden outside throughout the property."The surprising experience in being inside and looking out is that the framing of the new windows helps to blend in with the large tall trees that sit at the back," said Allan. "It's the first time you could be inside and appreciate the scale and quality of the trees, and the benefit of the spaces being flooded by light."The upper floor spaces overlook a double-height void. Photo by Stale EriksenOn the first floor, the spaces that border the new extension were left open to the double-height void, with shutters and a new white railing added to mimic the Victorian balcony that used to run along the back of the property.The pale colour scheme continues across the rest of the home, with pale walls and clay tile-lined floors complemented in places by dark ash finishes and stone."The choice to go with light floors and walls was intended to draw as much light as possible into the depth of the plan," said Allan. "Where it was needed, a stone is used to line sinks and vanity units, giving a robust finish that complements the warm timber.""We enjoy working with natural materials that can capture the changing light throughout the day," he continued.Original detailing feature in the living spaces. Photo by Stale EriksenSpaces on the first floor include a living room and newly added study that open onto the double-height void and feature original detailing that has been intentionally left exposed.Connected by the retained original staircase, the upper two levels of the four-storey home contain bedrooms and bathrooms, including a main en-suite centred around a bespoke wooden bath."Bespoke joinery was designed and crafted for each function within the house, from a sprawling freestanding central island in the kitchen to a lineup of custom pieces in the bedroom and main en-suite," said the studio."A traditional Japanese bath, positioned in the centre of the main en-suite, creates a focal point enhanced further by the softly textured clay walls."A bespoke wooden bath features in the main en-suite. Photo by Stale EriksenOther renovations of Victorian homes recently featured on Dezeen include a terraced south London home that has been extended in two directions and a Victorian home redesigned with a "soft minimalism" approach.The photography is by Rikard Kahn unless otherwise stated.The post EBBA Architects brightens home in Camden with "Victorian-like" metal extension appeared first on Dezeen.

Two stations designed by architecture studio John McAslan + Partners have opened as part of the latest phase of the Sydney Metro, which opened to passengers yesterday.Completed as part of the Sydney Metro, which is reportedlyAustralia's largest public transport project to date, John McAslan + Partners designed the addition to Sydney Central Station and the underground Waterloo station.John McAslan + Partners has designed two metro stations in Sydney. Photo by Brett BoardmanThe stations were built as part of the first phase of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest line, which runs from Chatswood to Sydenham through central Sydney. It connects to the Metro North West line, which opened in 2019.The second phase of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest line will run from Sydenham to Bankstown and is set to be completed in 2025.Geometric openings draw daylight into Sydney Central Station. Photo by Brett BoardmanAt both stations John McAslan + Partnerssought to "emphasise clarity and calm" to improve daily experiences for passengers."Public transport performs a critical function in relation to urban fabric and today, more than ever, it is fundamental to the impression and liveability of any city," John McAslan + Partners founder John McAslan said."In this way we hope that our designs for both Sydney Central and Waterloo stations transcend their immediate function by making the passenger experience as effortless and enjoyable as possible."Read: Foster + Partners reveals visuals of over-station skyscraper in central SydneyAiming to celebrate Sydney Central Station's historic fabric, the studio used the existing 20th-century terminal as a backdrop to the new structure.It is organised around a spacious hall and is topped with a new vaulted roof that draws daylight in through geometric openings.The Waterloo station references the area's Indigenous identityFurther south on the line, the newly-built Waterloo station occupies an entire city block and was designed as an "important landmark" within the Waterloo Metro Quarter.It stands next to a public square, where an over-station development remains under construction and will form the next part of the scheme.According to the studio, local artists collaborated with the studio to incorporate the area's Indigenous identity into the station's design, which is highlighted through architectural details, decorative elements and artworks within the station.UK studio Fosters + Partners is also designing seven station as part of the Sydney Metro including the Gadigal and Barangaroo station, which also opened yesterday.Elsewhere, designs for the US' first high-speed rail system in California have been unveiled and New York's Midtown Bus Terminal has been redesigned to unify different transport hubs into one building.The photography is by Peter Bennetts unless otherwise stated.The post John McAslan + Partners unveils two stations for Sydney Metro appeared first on Dezeen.

Designer Mijoda Dajomi has created the Daughters of Rain headwear collection, which can harvest rainwater in anticipation of future water shortages.Created as Dajomi's graduate project at London College of Fashion, the collection consists of hats which double as vessels to collect and store rain water.Mijoda Dajomi designed a collection of rain-harvesting hatsThe rain-harvesting hats were designed to draw attention to the effects of climate change on weather and natural water sources."While my hats are designed to function as rainwater harvesting tools, their primary purpose of my work is to provoke thought, raise awareness and spark conversation about our relationship with water and the environment," Dajomi told Dezeen.The pieces are crafted with waxed cotton to ensure that they are waterproofThe hats were crafted with a waxed cotton fabric, donated through a sponsorship from luxury brand Barbour.Dajomi then applied a beeswax coating to the fabric to ensure a maximum water repellency, which also creates a leather-like appearance."The organic beeswax coating was particularly essential on the inner vessel portion of the hats, where water is collected, ensuring that the fabric can effectively gather and retain rainwater without leaks," Dajomi said.The form of the hats reference lay sisters' attireThe shape of the headwear was informed by the attire of lay sisters women who live in a convent, but are not members of the clergy for their works of charity and devotion to social causes."These sisters embodied the mission of their orders, uniting women across the globe and throughout the centuries in a shared creative purpose," she explained.Read: Charlotte McCurdy creates "carbon-negative" raincoat from algae bioplasticThe project envisions a world in 2085 where water is in short supply, with the Daughters of Rain emerging as a group akin to lay sisters to serve communities in crisis."While lay sisters engage in acts of service and sacrifice as part of their religious vocation, the Daughters of Rain serve their communities by collecting, managing and distributing rainwater," said Dajomi."They are imagined as key advocates in shaping a more sustainable, resilient and harmonious relationship between humanity and water, acting as guardians of rain's precious embrace."The hats can hold up to five litres of waterDajomi hopes the rain-harvesting hatswill draw attention to the growing water crisis and other environmental issues."As a designer with a deep passion for the environment, nature and headwear design, my goal is to blend creativity with environmental consciousness," she said."My project aims to make an environmental statement, using the language of fashion to raise public awareness about critical ecological issues."Dajomi hopes to make a statement on the negative effects of climate changeDajomi is based in Berlin, Germany, graduating with an MA in Fashion Accessories and Product Design.Other student projects from London College of Fashion to be featured on Dezeen include Harikrishnan's inflatable latex trousers and an adaptive clothing collection by Monika Dugar for people with Parkinson's disease.The post Mijoda Dajomi designs rain-harvesting hats for a water scarce future appeared first on Dezeen.

Some years ago in New York, the Times Square Alliance commissioned several designers to create street furniture for the site. Industrial designer Joe Doucet's JDXP contributed a series called The Village, described as "totemic structures that reflect the iconic New York skyline, using soaring height and bright colors to make them easily visible above the heads of the crowds in the square." I was wondering why Doucet chose wire. Turns out it's a clever, practical solution to a persistent urban problem:"Understanding that broad, flat surfaces end up being canvases for graffiti, the structures were created using metal wire to discourage vandalism and give a lightness to their presence in the square."