CNN BUSINESS | Audi unveils a shape-shifting concept car

Monterey, California (CNN) – Audi’s latest concept car, the skysphere, will be able to drive itself, the company claims. But the real hook is that, as it changes from human driving to self-driving, the body of the skysphere expands by 10 inches from end-to-end.

The concept car’s long hood extends forward and the steering wheel and pedals fold away. The driver’s side of the dashboard, really a glass display panel, and the gear selector also pull away, creating a more comfortable space for the driver to relax.

All this is possible because the skysphere is an electric car powered by a motor that’s mounted behind the seats. That means there’s not much under the hood to get in the way as the front end moves forward and backward.  —read more—

CNN | Lamborghini reinvents an icon with it’s all-new hybrid Countach

The car that made Lamborghini famous is back in all its V12 hybrid electric glory  —watch— 

CNN Health | Why more women are deciding not to have kids

(CNN) – Dyanna Volek was never someone who dreamed of becoming a mother.

From an early age, she knew deep down that she didn’t want children. Maybe it stemmed from seeing her mother sacrifice her dream of becoming a flight attendant and work three jobs to raise two kids alone. Or maybe it was that other endeavors interested her more.

“I’m always looking forward to the next thing,” said Volek, who works in local government in San Francisco. “Being a parent was never one of them.”

Still, the idea of not having children seemed taboo, so she didn’t dwell on it much. It wasn’t until a few years ago when she started getting serious with her partner that she really reckoned with her feelings. By the time she and her husband got married last November, they had reached a conclusion: They didn’t want kids.  —read more—

CNN style Arts | Picasso artworks displayed in a Las Vegas restaurant could fetch over $100M

Eleven Pablo Picasso artworks that were on display at a Las Vegas restaurant for over 20 years will hit the auction block this October, just two days before what would have been the artist’s 140th birthday.

Part of MGM Resorts’ sizable art collection, the pieces had long been a fixture at Picasso, a Michelin-starred French and Spanish eatery in the Bellagio that is inspired by its namesake’s life and work.

The collection — which includes paintings, works on paper and one ceramic work — has a combined top estimate of $104.2 million, according to Sotheby’s auction house, which is organizing the sale.  —read more—

CNN HEROES | This restaurant owner spends his free time fixing old cars and donating them to people in need

(CNN) – When Eliot Middleton was a little boy, he followed his father around everywhere, watching the talented mechanic carefully fix car after car.

Less than a year after his death, Middleton, 38, now a restaurant owner, is honoring his father’s legacy by fixing junk cars and donating them to people throughout rural South Carolina, where public transportation is sparse.

To get the cars, he trades a plate of ribs from his restaurant, Middleton’s Village BBQ, to anyone willing to part with a broken-down vehicle.

Middleton also launched an online fundraising campaign to support the project.  —read more— 

HGTV | The 70 Most Beautiful Places in the World

The planet’s leading travel experts reveal the most beautiful places they’ve ever seen.  —see more— 

The planet’s leading travel experts reveal the most beautiful places they’ve ever seen.  —see more— 

CNN World | They fell in love during World War II. 75 years later, they reunited (2019)

(CNN) – Armed with only a name and a picture from 1944, journalists helped a 97-year-old World War II veteran find and reunite with his long-lost love.  —watch video— 

CNN Sports | Allyson Felix becomes most decorated US track and field athlete in Olympics history

(CNN) – Allyson Felix became the most decorated US track and field athlete in Olympics history after helping Team USA win the women’s 400m sprint relay on Saturday.

It was Felix’s 11th Olympic medal and her seventh gold, overtaking sprint legend Carl Lewis’ haul of 10 medals. She remains one short of Finland’s Paavo Nurmi all-time track and field record of 12 medals.

The US team of Felix, Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu stormed away to the win, with Poland taking home the silver with a national record and Jamaica securing the bronze.  —read more— 

CNN style Arts | Bryan Adams photographs Rita Ora, Cher and Iggy Pop for star-studded Pirelli calendar

The days of stadium concerts may feel like a distant memory, but singer-turned-photographer Bryan Adams is recreating the touring lifestyle with the likes of Iggy Pop, Jennifer Hudson and Grimes for this year’s Pirelli calendar.

The 2022 edition of the star-studded calendar, themed “On the Road,” will see the Canadian rock star reimagining backstage moments with a cast of celebrity musicians.

Although the final images will not be unveiled until November, new behind-the-scenes photographs show Rita Ora kicking her legs up in a bathtub and Cher dragging red lipstick across a bright dressing room mirror.  —read more— 

CNN BUSINESS | GM’s Chevy Bolt recall comes with a huge price tag

New York (CNN Business)General Motors’ very expensive Chevy Bolt recall highlights one big risk of building electric vehicles.

GM (GM) is preparing to spend $800 million to fix — or possibly replace — the batteries in nearly 70,000 Bolts due to a fire risk. That comes out to about $11,650 per vehicle, making it one of the most expensive recalls ever on a per-car basis.

Meanwhile, Hyundai (HYMTF) is spending $874 million to replace the batteries in 82,000 of its own EVs (also for a fire risk, though these are different battery models. That comes to just under $11,000 per vehicle.)

These costs are staggering — and exponentially higher than the average price tag of an auto recall over the last 10 years, which was only about $500 per vehicle, according to Mike Held, director of the automotive and industrial practice at consulting firm AlixPartners.  —read more—