NB! · Museums · Society

Milan's museums reopen from today, but all visitors must keep at least a metre apart

A white banner with a red diagonal stripe and three golden embroidered bees, displayed under glass in a museum.

NB! · Archaeology · Monarchies · Heritage

Napoleon's flag on Elba with three golden bees and the find in Childeric's tomb

That famous flag of Napoleon on Elba, with its three golden bees. The bees may well have been the oldest symbol of the rulers of France. In 1653 an image of bees was discovered in the tomb of Childeric, father of Clovis I, founder of the Merovingian dynasty, who lived

NB! · Observations · Science · Society · People

A reminder: Talia Khabrieva is Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation

A reminder: Talia Khabrieva is Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation. Also a Doctor of Law, a professor and a Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Does anyone have questions about science in Russia?

A nine by nine sudoku grid filled with medieval ornamental initials in green, blue and golden tones.

NB! · Archive · Books · Observations · Humour

Sudoku made of initials from Gerald of Wales's manuscripts on Ireland and Wales

I have seen a thing or two, of course. But a sudoku made of the initials from Gerald of Wales's Topography of Ireland of 1188, his Conquest of Ireland and his Journey Through Wales of 1191 is a first for me. Are you getting off at the next

Conical cap of green felt with worn patches and small holes. The lower edge is turned up, showing a yellow band with a grey-blue geometric pattern. Light grey background.

NB!

Old olive-green felt cap with a patterned turned-up brim

A large illuminated sphere showing the lunar surface floats at night on the dark water of a canal beside a stone embankment.

NB! · Observations · Saint Petersburg · Humour

Model of the Moon on Saint Petersburg's Obvodny Canal for the opening of the new Planetarium

But shocking models of the Moon can be found not only in Rochester Cathedral. Here a subscriber has sent a photograph of the Moon taken some years ago on the Obvodny Canal, when the new Planetarium was being opened in Saint Petersburg and the luminary was floated down the river.

A huge sphere showing the detailed lunar surface hangs in a church with stone arches and stained glass windows. Visitors stand below, looking at it.

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Large model of the Moon inside a Gothic church

NB! · Observations · Mores · Pop Culture

I see no scandal whatsoever in coloured socks on men, whoever the wearer may be

I see no scandal whatsoever in coloured socks on men, whoever the wearer may be. Bush Senior, for one, constantly sported cheerful little socks, and was particularly fond of pink ones.

NB! · Faith · Pop Culture · Humour

That Notorious Photograph of the American Bishop Bill Wack Showing Off His Bright Pink Socks

NB! · Books · Society · Society Pages

Intellectual Club 418 celebrated its seventh birthday in great style with an evening of poetry by contemporary authors

A white stone pillar bears a Fire exit sign, an arrow and a drawing of a figure jumping into water. A green door and old armchair stand at right; a gondola with books floats below on the can

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Fire exit onto a canal in a bookshop, with a gondola full of books

A coin showing a Megalosaurus, inscribed Buckland 1824, stands on its edge against a rock.

NB! · London · Palaeontology · Humour

British dinosaurs to appear on UK coins for the first time

At last, the native inhabitants of the planet will be shown the respect they deserve. British dinosaurs are to appear on the currency of the empire grrrrrr