Olivia Rodrigo Found the Cure and It’s a Collab with Robert Smith
She surprised Primavera Sound with a set and performance with Smith.
Simone Biles Says a Health Scare This Week Almost Killed Her
“But almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card earlier this week.”
On Top of Umbrella Rock: 30 Early 20th Century Portraits at Lookout Mountain
Perched dramatically on the edge of Lookout Mountain in Tennessee, Umbrella Rock became one of the most popular and iconic tourist attractions in the early 20th century. Visitors from across the country climbed the mountain to pose boldly atop this natural rock formation that strikingly resembled a giant umbrella.
These charming vintage portraits capture men in suits and hats, women in long dresses and elaborate hats, and families proudly standing on the rock’s edge, showcasing both the daring spirit and fashionable style of the Edwardian and 1910s era.
More than just scenic snapshots, these images reflect the growing popularity of tourism and the sense of adventure that defined early 20th-century America.
30 Stunning Portraits of Sophia Loren on the Set ‘The Miller’s Beautiful Wife’ (1955)
In 1955, at the age of just 21, Sophia Loren was already radiating the extraordinary beauty and star power that would soon make her an international icon. During the filming of the Italian comedy The Miller’s Beautiful Wife (originally titled La bella mugnaia), the young actress captivated everyone on set with her magnetic presence and natural charisma.
These stunning portraits capture Sophia at the very beginning of her meteoric rise: fresh-faced, sensual, and full of youthful vitality. Shot in elegant black and white, the images beautifully showcase her classic features, expressive eyes, and the effortless glamour that would define one of the greatest screen legends of all time.
The Heartbreaking Story of Palma, a Faithful Dog Who Waited for Her Owner for Two Years at a Moscow Airport From 1974
In the autumn of 1974, a passenger was boarding an Ilyushin Il-18 flight from Moscow. He was traveling with his German Shepherd, a dog he called Palma. However, upon reaching the steps of the aircraft, the crew refused to let the dog board because the owner lacked the proper veterinary health certificates.
Faced with a choice between missing his flight or leaving his dog, the owner made a heartbreaking decision. He took off Palma’s collar, unleashed her on the tarmac, and walked up the boarding stairs. Palma, thinking it was a game or a temporary separation, ran along the runway after the accelerating aircraft until it disappeared into the sky.
Palma didn’t leave the airport. Instead, she set up a daily routine near the runway, surviving on scraps given to her by sympathetic ground crew and airport staff. What made Palma’s story extraordinary was her memory. She didn’t just wait for any plane; she specifically watched for Ilyushin Il-18 aircraft, the exact model her owner had boarded. Whenever an Il-18 landed, Palma would trot up to the mobile boarding stairs, carefully scanning the faces of the passengers descending to the tarmac.
For two years, through scorching summers and bitter, freezing Moscow winters, she kept this precise vigil. Airport security initially tried to catch or remove her, but she was incredibly clever and elusive. Eventually, the airport staff grew to love and protect her, building her shelter and ensuring she was fed.
In 1976, a journalist named Yuri Rost from the prominent newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda heard about the dog. He visited Vnukovo, witnessed Palma’s routine, and published a moving article titled “A Dog on the Runway.”
The story exploded nationally. The newspaper received thousands of letters from citizens offering to adopt Palma, sending money, or expressing outrage at the anonymous owner. The article also included a plea for the owner to return.
The owner actually did see the article. He wrote a letter back to the editorial office (wishing to remain anonymous due to the immense public shame), explaining that he had been working in the far north and felt too guilty and embarrassed to return for her after so much time had passed. He never came back.