Category: Life & Style

In the capital of Saudi Arabia, Nora screamed out loud, leaning against the microphone. During a recent gig, she performed a set with her bandmates. It would have been impossible to imagine a performance by the all-female psychedelic rock band Seera combining traditional Arabic melodies and the psychedelia of bands like Tame Impala years ago.

Seera is a symbol of how women in Saudi Arabia, a country long associated with strict gender segregation and ultraconservative Islam, are finding their voice and expressing themselves through the arts as the country liberalises certain areas of its society.

“We had no idea how people would respond,” the bassist for the group, Meesh, stated. “We are big supporters of individual expression. We were surprised to see that they welcomed us with open arms.

Seera notes that The Accolade, a 2008-formed female band that performed in secret, predates them as the first band in the kingdom. Since the reforms implemented by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a significant shift has occurred.

Seera has scheduled their first overseas performance in Dubai and intends to release their debut album later this year. Nora dreams that the band encourages the next generation to be authentic.

India-born Gopi Thotakura made history by being the first and second Indian to travel into space as a space tourist. He joined Blue Origin on its NS-25 mission, which marked the successful completion of the programme’s 25th flight and its seventh human spaceflight.

Thotakura, an Andhra Pradesh native, travelled with Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, Carol Schaller, and retired Air Force Captain Ed Dwight as one of the six members of the crew.

Senior Vice President of New Shepard Phil Joyce expressed gratitude to the astronaut clients for advancing Blue Origin’s goal of constructing a space highway for the good of humanity.

Thotakura talked about his love of aviation and the possibility of more accessible and reasonably priced space travel. He highlighted the amazing sensation of staring down at Earth from orbit as he thought back on his feelings.

He also emphasised the significance of preserving the environment, in keeping with Blue Origin’s motto, “For the benefit of Earth.” The goal of Blue Origin’s charity, Club for the Future, was to encourage future generations to pursue jobs in STEAM fields, and each astronaut took a postcard into space with them.

In 1984, Indian citizen Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first person to travel to space.

A herd of 170 European bison reintroduced to Romania’s Țarcu Mountains could significantly mitigate CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 43,000 US cars annually. Rewilding Europe and WWF Romania brought back European bison in 2014, after being extinct in Romania for more than 200 years.

Currently, there are over 170 of these animals in one of the largest free-roaming populations in Europe. Using a model created by the Yale School of the Environment and supported by the Global Rewilding Alliance, the study calculates how the bison affects ecological interactions that store carbon in soil.

With its 50 square kilometres of grasslands, the bison herd in the Śarcu Highlands has the potential to absorb an extra 54,000 tonnes of carbon per year—nearly 9.8 times more than it would if it weren’t there. This is equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 43,000 typical gasoline-powered US automobiles, or, because European cars are more energy-efficient, 123,000 cars.

Professor Oswald Schmitz emphasises how important it is for ecological balance that bison have an impact on the soil, nutrients, plants, and seed dissemination. The reintroduction of bison supports tourist and nature-based businesses by promoting biodiversity. To verify models and realise long-term advantages, further fieldwork is recommended.

Japan’s industry ministry has started talks to develop the country’s next basic energy plan, which will be in line with the ambitious objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

This action follows a significant policy change by PM Kishida in 2022 when he emphasised the need to quickly restart nuclear units to address energy issues, some of which were a result of the situation in Ukraine.

Approximately 70% of Japan’s electrical generation currently comes from fossil fuels, on which the country is largely dependent. Japan’s government updates its energy policy on average every three to four years.

Minister Ken Saito, speaking at a panel with energy and business experts, emphasised the importance of continuing to make energy security a priority in the face of the growing global push for decarbonisation. The current energy strategy was approved in October 2021 by advocating for fewer nuclear plants rather than more.

Japan’s approach to accelerating decarbonisation activities between 2035 and 2040 while maintaining a steady energy supply will be outlined in the next plan. It is important to reduce coal-fired power generation and ensure a steady supply of LNG to ensure a successful energy transition, which the administration finds crucial.

Serena Williams will serve as host of The ESPYS, which is an annual sports awards programme on ESPN, scheduled for July. The 23-time major winner, who is now retired, will take the lead for the fourth time as the event honours the achievements, athletes, and noteworthy moments of the previous year.

On July 11, a live broadcast of the ceremony from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre will take place.

Expressing her excitement, Williams stated, “This is a long-held aspiration for me, and I am thrilled for the opportunity.” She emphasised an exceptional year in sports as well as the outstanding accomplishments of female athletes. Having won 12 ESPYs in her tennis career, Williams is looking forward to honouring the athletic community in July.

On July 10, an eight-part series titled “In the Arena: Serena Williams” will debut on ESPN+, chronicling her remarkable career. The ESPYS will take place at the same time as this. Williams has broadened her interests since retiring following the 2022 US Open.

She introduced a beauty line in April and founded a venture capital firm that helps women and people of colour develop early-stage businesses. Additionally, she welcomed her second daughter in August last year.

The giant blue-grey sei whales have reappeared off Argentina’s Patagonian coast after over a century of absence due to intense hunting during the 1920s and 1930s. Over the past century, as a result of worldwide prohibitions on commercial whaling, their population has been gradually increasing. The astonishing comeback of sei whales, who breed every two to three years, is evidence of the effectiveness of conservation measures.

Researchers implanted some whales with satellite trackers to trace their migration patterns in response to recent sightings, which revealed the whales’ return to once-familiar waters. This achievement highlights how crucial the worldwide ban on whaling is to the recovery of sei whale populations.

However, any withdrawal from this agreement that would threaten the progress made is advised against. Sei whales’ comeback in Patagonia is evidence of how resilient nature is and how important conservation efforts are to preserving biodiversity.

Their return highlights the possibility of recovery even after a protracted absence, acting as a beacon of hope for other endangered species. The return of these magnificent animals not only benefits the surrounding marine habitat but also presents an opportunity for the area’s ecological balance to be restored.

The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi (DoH) and M42 have launched the Abu Dhabi Biobank, the region’s largest hybrid cord blood bank, at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week 2024. Through this partnership, Abu Dhabi will be established as a leading hub for life sciences, which will improve the accessibility and effectiveness of healthcare.

With the goal of personalised healthcare, the Abu Dhabi Biobank functions as a fundamental bioasset that supports therapeutic interventions, research, drug discovery, and disease prevention. Stem cells from cord blood offer promise in treating various disorders, making the Biobank’s cord blood facility crucial for meeting demand and advancing regional innovation.

The Biobank, which has the ability to hold five million pan-human samples and 100,000 cord blood samples, will generate a diversified dataset that will improve access to better-matched stem cells worldwide. Its cutting-edge infrastructure promotes continuous medical advancement by guaranteeing safe storage for up to 30 years.

The cord blood bank enables expectant parents to save their baby’s stem cells, promoting national self-sufficiency and a healthier community at the same time. The initiative exemplifies Abu Dhabi’s dedication to progressive healthcare practices and the welfare of the community.

Nepal’s renowned mountaineer, Kami Rita, has scaled Mount Everest for the 29th time, surpassing his own remarkable achievement, confirmed expedition organisers. Taking advantage of the wonderful weather, Kami Rita and the Sherpas from Seven Summits Treks accomplished this achievement early on Sunday morning.

Posting on Instagram from base camp last week, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fulfil his dream once again.

When Kami Rita successfully climbed Everest twice in a week last year, he set the first record. With 27 summit ascents to his credit, fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa has been a friendly rival to him. As the son of a pioneering Sherpa guide, Kami Rita, often known as the “Everest Man,” has been an invaluable guide for international climbers since his first trip in 1994.

Nepal expects a busy climbing season as it grants hundreds of climbing permits to international tourists this month. Even though the majestic summit of Everest is so alluring, the past year’s climbing season was tragic, with 18 deaths out of the more than 600 successful climbers.

However, Nepal continues to be an ideal destination for climbers, home to eight of the ten highest peaks in the world, and it attracts thousands of enthusiasts each spring.

After the strongest solar storm in more than 20 years, the northern lights adorned the skies, giving the entire planet a beautiful show. Due to a strong G4 geomagnetic storm, weather journalist Nahel Belgherze reported hundreds of reports of Northern Lights across Europe.

Experts explained this remarkable phenomenon as the result of an “extreme” geomagnetic storm that struck Earth, leading to safety measures to prevent possible disruptions to electrical systems, satellites, and aeroplanes.

With 6.7 million views, the breathtaking auroras—which could be seen all the way to northern Italy in the south—showcased vibrant purple, pink, and indigo tones. The aurora borealis spreads its brightness over the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia, while it is usually limited to the Arctic.

People were in awe of nature’s power as social media was ablaze with images of the auroras’ ethereal beauty.

Apart from the auroras being seen all around the world, witnesses in Russia, notably in Moscow, Saratov, Voronezh, and southern Siberia, also reported seeing them. Although the northern lights are usually limited to areas nearer the Earth’s magnetic poles, like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Alaska, their widespread visibility during this event highlighted an incredibly amazing celestial event that fortunate observers around the world will always treasure.

Alok Shukla’s lifelong dedication to preventing coal mining in the lush forests of central India was a result of his strong ties to these regions. Shukla was awarded the esteemed Goldman Environmental Prize. His small victories and unwavering determination have characterised his journey.

The 657-square-mile Hasdeo Aranya forest was in imminent danger due to coal mining, putting precious animals and native tribes at risk. Shukla responded with determination and speed. He educated the neighbourhood’s residents about their legal rights and established the Save Hasdeo Aranya Resistance Committee.

Shukla carried out effective efforts to block proposed mines, using community pressure to gain crucial land designations, despite the obstacles provided by a worldwide pandemic. His persistence over a 12-year period resulted in the revocation of 21 coal blocks. However, the struggle continues with the constant problems of restoring ravaged lands and safeguarding vulnerable trees.

Shukla’s recognition with the Goldman Prize serves as a testament to the power of grassroots activism. He is still committed to his goal of inspiring similar movements around the world. Shukla views each tree in Hasdeo Aranya as a symbol of resistance, and his commitment to conserving them highlights environmental protection’s eternal significance in the face of corporate pressures.