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KYIV - The Ukrainian military claimed on Jan 31 to have struck a military air base in Russian-occupied Crimea, while Moscow said it had thwarted the attack by shooting down missiles but some debris had hit a military installation.
In a post on Telegram, Ukraine’s Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk thanked the military for conducting the operation, hitting Belbek airfield on the southwestern tip of the Crimea Peninsula near Russia’s main naval base at Sevastopol.
“Ukrainian aviators will definitely return to their home airfield,” he said, posting a video from social media of the purported strike.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Moscow thwarted an attack on Crimea and shot down 20 Ukrainian missiles - 17 over the Black Sea and three more over the peninsula.
The ministry said fragments of Ukrainian missiles fell on the territory of a military unit in Lyubimovka, which is near the Belbek military air base. The incident caused no damage to “aviation equipment”, it said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-hits-airfield-in-russia-occupied-crimea
| 2024-01-31T20:05:23Z
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PARIS - Air travel took another major leap in 2023 rising to 94 per cent of 2019 levels as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the main global airline body said on Jan 31.
The International Air Transport Association said domestic travel in key markets such as China, India and the United States had led the rebound but it expected a “normal” growth rate in 2024.
Based on revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), travel in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone was 98.4 per cent of where it was four years earlier, Iata said.
Lockdowns and border closures starting in March 2020 devastated the airline industry, with travel for the full year falling to 34.2 per cent of 2019 levels. Recovery was slow, rising to 41.6 per cent in 2021 and 68.5 per cent in 2022.
IATA said national travel was recovering faster than international flights.
Domestic flights reached 104 per cent of their 2019 RPK, driven by an end to travel restrictions in China, where travel rose 139 per cent from the previous year.
There was also strong growth in domestic travel in India and the United States.
International travel has been slower to recover, rising last year to 88.6 per cent of 2019 levels.
Flights to and from the Asia-Pacific region were at 72.7 per cent of 2019‘s numbers, while to and from Europe were 93 per cent and North America at 101.4 per cent.
Iata represents 320 airlines accounting for 83 per cent of the world’s travel. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/worlds-air-travel-edges-back-to-pre-covid-levels
| 2024-01-31T20:05:34Z
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WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the challenge of deconfliction across Gaza, where the Israeli military has intensified its campaign against Hamas, was the top obstacle to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches people in need.
Speaking in a hybrid town hall for State Department employees worldwide that Reuters observed, Blinken said Washington was pushing the Israelis "every day" to get more aid into the densely populated enclave and better protect civilians.
"Within the south, the single biggest problem is deconfliction: Making sure that the humanitarians know that they can go some place safely, to get the aid that's gotten into Gaza to places in Gaza that actually need it," Blinken said in response to a question.
"That's an ongoing effort and an ongoing push. We're pushing on every single one of these lines every day. And we're also intensely pushing on the need to better protect civilians."
Aid agencies in Gaza are struggling to move and communicate as Israel keeps up its bombardment of both Gaza City in the north and parts of Khan Younis in the south.
At the start of the war, after a Hamas assault on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,200 people, Israel announced it was cutting off all supplies to Gaza. It later agreed to let in humanitarian aid but far less is entering now than before Oct 7.
Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 26,900 Palestinians since Oct. 7, health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave say.
Intense fighting in the north was also an obstacle for aid distribution and for a U.N. assessment mission, a move agreed with Israel during Blinken's visit earlier this month but not implemented.
CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, including Blinken at the State Department, has faced growing criticism from within the government over its policy on the Israel-Hamas war. Hundreds of U.S. government employees have advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza.
At Wednesday's meeting, about 20% of the nearly 190 questions posted in the virtual chatroom were about Gaza. Some diplomats asked why the administration wasn't calling for a ceasefire while others questioned why Washington was still sending weapons to Israel.
Other questions related to U.S. protection of Israel, combating antisemitism and the well-being of Israeli hostages.
Highlighting divisions, one employee asked in the chat why calling for a ceasefire was "so politically fraught" while another asked "why isn't anyone asking Hamas" to cease fire. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/blinken-says-intense-fighting-in-gaza-top-challenge-to-distribute-aid
| 2024-01-31T20:05:44Z
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NEW YORK/BEIRUT/GENEVA - Any halt to operations by the U.N. Palestinian agency over Israeli accusations that some of its staff took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack could hamstring the entire humanitarian effort in devastated Gaza, aid agencies say.
Donors are demanding a swift investigation before resuming funding, though they have praised the work of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Gaza and its response so far to the allegations.
UNRWA believes it has responded rapidly and transparently to Israel's allegations, which came as Israel faced a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over the Gaza war, and after years of it calling for the agency to be disbanded.
Israel's offensive in the Palestinian enclave has caused the world's most acute humanitarian crisis, with 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants homeless, large numbers starving and others falling sick.
UNRWA is at the heart of all aid work in Gaza through its 13,000 employees in the enclave, its clinics and schools, many now acting as packed shelters, and its logistics hubs.
"The entire aid system in Gaza will be closer to the point of collapse," said Shaina Low, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council, calling UNRWA "vital in coordinating aid and providing shelter".
"No other organisation than UNRWA has the infrastructure to do the work that they do," said the U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Some 15 of the agency's most important donors, including top two the United States and Germany, have suspended funding over Israel's allegations.
About $440 million is at risk, said UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma.
"The decision to suspend funding from these countries is tantamount to a death sentence for Palestinians," the charity Action Aid said.
The agency and the wider U.N. now face a race to persuade donors they have responded appropriately to Israel's accusations before money runs out at the end of February.
PROACTIVE
It is not clear how long the investigation by the U.N.'s oversight office may take. It was important for it to be thorough and "unimpeachable", but also swift, U.N. spokesperson Dujarric said.
Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy accused UNRWA of acting "as a front for Hamas" and said it was "not bad apples" that were the problem but a systemic failure to address accusations of support for extremism in its ranks.
Responding to those comments, Touma said UNRWA had on Jan. 17 ordered an independent review to establish the truth of longstanding claims about UNRWA and its staff.
Inside the organisation, the accusation that 12 staff members took part in the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel had come as a deep shock.
"If these allegations are true, they are a betrayal of U.N. values and a betrayal of the people we serve," Touma said.
The organisation believes it has acted quickly despite Israel only making direct accusations to it about 12 staff while allegations were leaked to media that a larger number of employees have Hamas links.
"UNRWA took a very proactive approach," said Touma the UNRWA spokesperson. Its head Philippe Lazzarini went to the U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and to the U.S. and other top donors after Israel verbally told him on Jan. 18 it had evidence against 12 UNRWA staff, she said.
Lazzarini fired those allegedly involved, an unusual step he is allowed to take "in the best interests of the agency", Touma said.
"UNRWA then went public with the information before anyone else," she added.
Neither Israel nor any other official source has shared with UNRWA a dossier alleging that 190 of the agency's staff members in Gaza are Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants, but learned about it only when reported in the press, Touma said. Reuters viewed and reported on the Israel intelligence dossier on Monday.
UNRWA regularly shares lists of its employees with Israel and with the governments of countries hosting Palestinian refugees. It last did so in May 2023, Touma said. Israel has never provided a response to those lists "let alone an objection", she said.
A spokesperson for Israel's government did not respond to Reuters questions on what information they had shared with UNRWA and the UN and major donors or about how long it had known about Hamas links to UNRWA employees.
LONG-TERM ROLE
Israel has long criticised UNRWA and says its mandate should be given to other U.N. agencies. Its 30,000 staff provide schooling and primary health clinics for Palestinian refugees in several Middle East countries.
The first ever U.N. agency, UNRWA was established by a resolution of the body's General Assembly in 1949 to look after refugees who fled or were pushed from their homes when Israel was created.
Israel has long criticised the curriculum taught in schools UNRWA runs and disputes the agency's count of refugees - an important political issue in any eventual peace talks, with Palestinians demanding a right of return.
"Israel would like there to be an existential threat to UNRWA because they mistakenly think if you get rid of UNRWA then you suddenly get rid of the refugees and their right to return," said former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness.
"Palestinians have been told across U.N. facilities that they are still refugees from a war that took place decades ago, that they possess a right that does not exist," said the Israeli spokesperson Levy.
However, UNRWA's mandate was renewed by the U.N. General Assembly in 2023 until mid 2026 and the agency could only be disbanded by a new General Assembly resolution. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/donors-seek-fast-answers-to-allegations-over-un-agency-in-gaza-crisis
| 2024-01-31T20:05:55Z
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KYIV -U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland expressed confidence on Wednesday that Congress would back new aid for Ukraine reflecting broad U.S. support for its war effort, adding she was impressed with the "unity and resolve" she saw in Kyiv.
Ukraine is heavily reliant on support from its Western allies, particularly the United States, to hold its own against Russia's full-scale invasion, now approaching the two-year mark.
Uncertainty surrounds U.S. economic and military assistance for Ukraine as Congress considers an urgent request issued by President Joe Biden in October to approve an additional $61 billion.
The request has been stalled by Republicans' insistence that it be tied to an unrelated shift in immigration policy.
"Bipartisan support for Ukraine remains strong across the country," Nuland told reporters after a day of talks with Ukrainian leaders.
"The American people understand and admire the miracle that Ukraine has already achieved in defending itself against this vicious Russian aggression. They also understand what happens if you continue not only to survive but to thrive.
"I have great confidence that that understanding will be reflected in the vote that the Congress makes on this request from President Biden."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff has said that postponement of U.S. assistance for Kyiv would create a "big risk" of Ukraine losing the war with Russia.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told European Union officials on Wednesday that a failure by Congress to act on funding would hand a victory to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
Funding from the EU has also been stalled.
EU leaders will discuss the future of an EU military fund at a summit on Thursday and try to reach agreement on a four-year economic aid plan for 50 billion euros ($54.23 billion).
Nuland said she was leaving Kyiv "more encouraged about (Ukraine's) unity and resolve, about 2024 and its absolute strategic importance for Ukraine".
She predicted military successes for Ukraine in the year to come and that Putin "is going to get some nice surprises on the battlefield".
Long-running differences between Zelenskiy and the commander of Ukrainian forces, Valery Zaluzhnyi, prompted a flurry of reports this week that the president had asked his commander to step down.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that Ukraine's ground forces commander had declined an offer to take over the job. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/senior-us-official-in-ukraine-confident-congress-will-back-aid-package
| 2024-01-31T20:06:05Z
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WASHINGTON - In an unscripted scene during tense testimony on Jan 31, Meta Platforms chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg stood before a packed Senate hearing room and apologised directly to the families of children who were victims of sexual exploitation on social media platforms.
“I am sorry for everything that you have all gone through,” Mr Zuckerberg said on Jan 31, while facing a crowd of safety advocates and parents holding photos of their children.
“It’s terrible. No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered.”
The impromptu moment came during an an hours-long Senate hearing on protecting children online.
Mr Zuckerberg had faced intense criticism and pressure from Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who ripped into the executive personally and blamed Meta’s photo sharing app, Instagram, for an alleged failure to protect its young users against mental health issues and exposure to sexually explicit content.
Mr Hawley challenged the Meta co-founder on whether the victims of sexual exploitation online should be compensated by companies like Meta – and Mr Zuckerberg personally – and then prompted him to apologise directly to the families in attendance.
“Let me ask you this, there’s families of victims here today. Have you apologised to the victims?” Mr Hawley asked. “Would you like to do so now? They’re here, you’re on national television.”
“Would you like to apologise for what you’ve done to these good people?”
Mr Zuckerberg then stood up at the table and turned around to address the audience.
No stranger to the congressional hot seat, Mr Zuckerberg received most of the attention and attacks during the first few hours of the hearing, despite sitting next to the CEOs of Snap, TikTok, X and Discord.
At several points, he became visibly frustrated as senators hammered him, often talking over him.
At one point, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas raised his voice at Mr Zuckerberg, who pushed back.
“Senator, do you want me to answer your question?” Mr Zuckerberg quipped. “Give me some time to speak.” BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/meta-s-mark-zuckerberg-gives-impromptu-apology-at-child-safety-senate-hearing
| 2024-01-31T20:06:15Z
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Along the coast of Morocco, archaeologists have uncovered the oldest human footprints ever discovered in Northern Africa and the Southern Mediterranean. Dating to some 90,000 years ago, they are also “among the oldest footprints attributed to Homo sapiens worldwide.”
An international team of archaeologists recently discovered the footprints near the city of Larache on the Northwest coast of Morocco. While there are older fossilized remains of humans in North Africa at a mountainous site called Jebel Irhoud, no evidence has yet been found in the Larache region, some 250 kilometers (156 miles) north towards the coast.
In total, the researchers counted 85 prints along a beach area that spans around 2,800 square meters (30,000 square feet) in size. Based on the shape, size, and location of the impressions, the team concluded they were made by the feet of Homo sapiens.
The group was made up of at least five individuals, including a young child, an older child, an adolescent or small adult, a medium-sized adult, and an extremely tall adult. This last individual is believed to have been a male with a height of 189 centimeters (6 feet 2 inches), which is exceptionally tall for a prehistoric human.
Most archaeological sites like this contain less than a few dozen footprints, which makes the 85 impressions at Larache all the more fascinating. To fully appreciate the discovery, you must think about the unique circumstances that allowed a human foot to be imprinted into the ground and then preserved for tens of thousands of years.
To put a solid date on the tracks, the researchers used optically stimulated luminescence. This cutting-edge technique shows how long ago a grain of sand was exposed to sunlight, thereby showing how long that section of sediment has been buried.
This revealed that the footprints were made approximately 90,300 years ago, with a margin of error of about 7,600 years either way.
“The Larache footprints represent an important discovery. Indeed, no other site in North Africa has yielded footprints dating from the Pleistocene or Pliocene. They are, therefore, the oldest human footprints in this region and among the oldest footprints attributed to Homo sapiens worldwide,” the study authors write.
The researchers go on to explain that just two other regions have yielded older examples of confirmed Homo sapiens footprints: a set of tracks on the Arabian Peninsula dating to around 120,000 years old and another collection in South Africa that date back a whopping 153,000 years.
Prior to 2000, there were just a handful of sites where you could find ancient human footprints that were more than 50,000 years old, all of which were in East Africa and South Africa. However, excavations in the past two decades have revealed many more footprints older than this time.
Even in North America, where human presence is relatively recent, archaeologists have recently uncovered human footprints in present-day New Mexico that could be as old as 23,000 years.
The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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https://www.iflscience.com/90000-year-old-human-footprints-found-in-morocco-are-among-worlds-oldest-72722
| 2024-01-31T20:43:33Z
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The interaction between light from the Sun, charged particles, and molecules in the atmosphere can create a variety of glowing phenomena. The best known are the Northern and Southern Lights. They truly put on a show, but they are not the only ones. A more subtle phenomenon is called airglow, and while it is possible to see it from the ground, it is from space that you can get the best view.
In an image snapped by astronaut Andreas Mogensen, a double airglow is visible in the atmosphere. The yellow glow is due to the particles of sodium in the atmosphere, while the red is caused by the oxygen and, to a lesser extent, hydroxyl (oxygen plus a hydrogen molecule) that is present even higher in the atmosphere.
This weak luminescence in the upper atmosphere is caused by the interaction between light and the molecules or atoms. Sunlight energizes molecules over the day, slitting them apart, or exciting electrons from their atoms. The energy is then lost in the following hours, due to collisions with other molecules. That emission of energy happens at a specific color, creating the characteristics of airglow that can be seen here.
As long as there are molecules and atoms to excite, airglow can form. While most of it comes from a fairly narrow region, between 50 and 300 kilometers (31 to 180 miles), NASA reports that it can extend over twice as far. And while it is a pretty spectacle, it can also be very useful, providing insight in the motion and distribution of the extremely rarefied layers in the highest portions of the atmosphere.
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https://www.iflscience.com/astronaut-snaps-breathtaking-view-of-earths-airglow-from-space-72725
| 2024-01-31T20:43:39Z
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In the depths of the Congo Rainforest, it’s said that a population of savage giant apes rules supreme. Known as the Bondo ape or Bili ape, murky accounts of these creatures suggest they walk on two feet, stand the size of a grown man, and nest on the ground like gorillas. So the tales go, they are ferociously aggressive and have picked up a reputation for being lion-killers. Some have argued they are a totally new species of great ape, while others contend they are a hybrid of gorillas and chimpanzees.
Shocking reports about the Bondo ape have been circulating for several decades. While it’s clear that something interesting is going on with the great apes of the Congolese rainforest, it looks like many of the reports have been overstated and sensationalized. Like many tales of this kind, the story of the Bili ape is likely to be a blend of both fact and fiction.
One of the first scientific efforts to track down the mystery ape was made by Karl Ammann, a Swiss Kenyan photographer and conservationist, in 1996. He reportedly came across a number of skulls held at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium that had been collected by Belgian colonizers near the town of Bili in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), about 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of the Ebola river.
The skulls featured a prominent “mohawk” ridge down the center just like a gorilla and, as such, were classified as gorillas. But something was off. Other aspects of the skull’s shape and size were more comparable to a chimp, plus there were no known gorilla populations living in the region where they were collected.
Suspecting he might be on the cusp of a new discovery, Ammann ventured to the northern reaches of the DRC. Here, he spoke to local hunters who told him about sightings of giant apes who killed lions and were seemingly immune to poisonous darts. Creepily, these strange beasts were also said to howl at the full moon. He also bought photographs from locals, showing bewildered people posing with the hulking bodies of massive apes they had hunted.
Although his mission managed to document some extremely large chimp poop and casts of footprints larger than a gorilla's, there was no conclusive proof of the Bili ape.
Another quest to identify the mystery ape came in the summers of 2002 and 2003. One of the researchers on the expedition was Dr Shelly Williams, who purportedly returned from the trip to the DRC and gave interviews to the media. This resulted in a number of mainstream publications like CNN, the Associated Press, and National Geographic reporting sensational articles about the Bondo chimp.
“The larger animal had a much flatter face and straight-across brow like gorillas and turned gray early in life [...] Two or three would nest on the ground, with others low in nearby branches. They made a distinct vocalization like a howl and were louder when the full moon rose and set […] The apes, she argues, could be a new species unknown to science, a new subspecies of chimpanzee or a hybrid of the gorilla and the chimp,” TIME reported in 2003.
However, in the following years, doubt was thrown onto these bold claims. A few years later, primatologist Dr Cleve Hicks and his team observed what were believed to be Bili apes for at least 20 hours in the wild.
As reported by New Scientist in 2006, Hicks argued they were almost certainly not a new species of ape nor even a new subspecies, but simply an interesting population of chimpanzees. DNA taken from poop samples confirmed this and showed the animals were, as suspected, eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).
Hicks' work showed that the Bili population of chimps was unusual, however. They did indeed have a ridge on their skull like a gorilla and made nests on the floor. They were also reported smashing up termite mounds and using a rock as an anvil to crack open the shell of a tortoise, which is not typical of chimp behavior.
As for the claims of lion-eating and walking on two feet, those claims have never been verified. Then again, the behavior of the Bili-Uéré region chimp is still not completely understood, especially since the area has been subject to a number of wars in past decades that have disrupted conservation efforts.
As ever, the world of great apes is always full of surprises.
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https://www.iflscience.com/bondo-ape-the-truth-behind-brutal-lion-eating-chimps-of-the-congo-67487
| 2024-01-31T20:43:45Z
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Since the 18th century, we've known that there are special points around two massive bodies in space as long as one orbits the other. There are places that move with the smaller orbiting object, never changing distance from it; they are great places to park spacecraft and telescopes. And it turns out, you can copy this setup and even trap light with it.
The setup involves the Lagrange points, named after the 18th-century Italian mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange who, together with Leonhard Euler, predicted their existence. Let’s take the Earth-Sun system, for instance. The five Lagrange points move around the Sun at the same time as the Earth, going around it in one year. The first one, L1, is located between the Earth and the Sun. The second one, L2, is located beyond the Earth, and it is where we have put some telescopes like JWST. The third, L3, is located diametrically opposite on Earth’s orbit behind the Sun.
The final two points, L4 and L5, are located in Earth's orbit as well, but they precede and follow our planet at a very specific angle – 60 degrees with respect to the line between the Earth and the Sun. In the case of Jupiter, those are the locations of the Trojan asteroids.
Researchers considered if something similar could be created in unusual optical systems (made of liquid or gases). The idea was to create a region that beams of light would naturally fall into and a team at the University of Southern California found out how to do it.
The team placed an iron wire inside a tube containing a silicon polymer. Electricity was then applied, creating heat and changing the optical properties of the polymer. The wire used was shaped like a helix and created changes that are comparable to the Lagrange points, capturing the light. The researchers are calling this trapped light "Trojan beams".
“Our work demonstrates that this process can trap light in a way that was not previously imaginable. These findings may have implications beyond standard optical waveguiding schemes and could universally apply to other wave systems such as acoustics and ultracold atoms," said Professor Mercedeh Khajavikhan, who co-led the research, in a statement.
"It is always fascinating to see how concepts that emerged in unrelated fields like celestial mechanics can be put in use in other areas like optics.”
The study is published in the journal Nature Physics.
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https://www.iflscience.com/celestial-mechanics-used-in-optics-to-trap-and-guide-light-72719
| 2024-01-31T20:43:52Z
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Visions of the future from the past tend to involve a lot more stuff flying around in the sky than ends up happening in real life. Disappointing as it is that we didn't get flying cars, we have also missed out on Cloud Nine; Buckminster Fuller's vision of the future population being housed inside gigantic flying spheres.
Fuller's idea was based on geodesic spheres, composed of triangular sections built into a thin-shell structure shaped like a giant sphere. The advantage of building in this pattern is that it distributes the stress of the building throughout the structure.
"The triangle is the only arrangement of structural members that is stable within itself without requiring additional connections at the intersection points to prevent warping of the geometry," one manufacturer of geodesic domes, Outdoor Igloos, explains on their site. "In other words, apply pressure to one edge of a triangle, and that force is evenly distributed to the other two sides, which then transmit pressure to adjacent triangles. That cascading distribution of pressure is how geodesic domes efficiently distribute stress along the entire structure."
Here's where it gets fun: geodesic domes and spheres become proportionately stronger as they get bigger. Not only that, but as the radius of a sphere increases, its volume increases at a higher rate.
Now to pause proceedings for a quick lesson on buoyancy. Buoyancy is an upward force in a fluid (any flowing substance, including air) exerted on all bodies within it. The force comes from the pressure within the fluid being greater the further down in the fluid you go. The pressure on the bottom of an object within the fluid is higher than at its top, causing the upward force.
If the buoyant force of a fluid is greater than the weight of an object placed within it, the object will float. Helium, being lighter than the other elements in our atmosphere, rises. It's the same when air is heated inside a hot air balloon, making it less dense per volume inside the balloon than it is outside, causing it to rise.
All this means that if you were able to increase the temperature – by 1°C (1.8°F) according to Fuller – and let some of the air escape, you could greatly reduce the overall mass of the sphere, and would potentially have yourself a futuristic floating orb city to fly around in.
Whether it would work in practice is a whole other matter. Some attempting their own calculations suggest that making living areas (presumably in layers) would quickly make the whole system too heavy, making it extremely impractical, even if you don't take into account potential damage to the sphere sending it careering towards the ground folk.
Fuller did not expect Cloud Nine (the name he gave to the idea) to actually happen. Instead, he was suggesting it as a way of making people think about how we can cope with a growing population. In 1969 the population was 3,475,400,000. Since then it has risen to over 8 billion, almost all of whom are not floating through the sky in a big balloon.
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https://www.iflscience.com/cloud-nine-the-1960s-idea-to-house-billions-of-people-in-the-sky-72638
| 2024-01-31T20:43:58Z
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The tentative detection of the first-ever exomoons – moons orbting planets outside the Solar System – was called into question at the end of last year when scientists using a new detection algorithm said they couldn’t find them. The exomoons have been at the center of plenty of drama over the five years since their potential discovery but the December paper appeared to have put an end to the saga. But a good saga can always come back with a sufficient twist.
The original discovery team has come back with a new yet-to-be peer-reviewed study rebutting the rejection of the exomoons' discovery and arguing the claims in December’s research are wrong. They say the exomoons are there and the problem is not with the data but with the detection algorithm.
Let’s rewind. Back in 2018, researchers announced the potential discovery of an exomoon around planet Kepler-1625 b. Over 3,500 exoplanets – planets that orbit a star other than our Sun – had been found by then but this was the first-ever exomoon. The original data suggesting the detection came from NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope, a planet-hunting telescope responsible for many planetary discoveries. The possible moon seemed to have played hide and seek in that data, not appearing often, but a follow-up with Hubble delivered more data that once again made the case for the exomoon.
Another potential exomoon was discovered a year later by the same team, this time around exoplanet Kepler-1708 b. Both candidate moons are huge, bigger than half the planets in the Solar System, and orbiting an even bigger planet. They are also the only exomoons found yet. Over 5,000 exoplanets have been found as of January 2024, and yet still only two exomoons. Seeing as moons vastly outnumber planets in our Solar System, this is strange.
Both exomoons are also far away, respectively 8,200 light-years and 5,500 light-years from Earth. The detections came from spotting the moons reducing the light of their star by a tiny fraction as they passed in front of it, just as their planets were detected. It's an orbiting needle in a haystack. For this reason, Dr René Heller and Dr Michael Hippke developed their algorithm to better search for exomoons. What they found is lower statistical evidence for the presence of exomoons around these two worlds.
"We would have liked to confirm the discovery of exomoons around Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708b," Dr Heller at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research said in a statement in December 2023. "But unfortunately, our analyses show otherwise."
Dr David Kipping and Dr Alex Teachey of the original discovery lead the rebuttal paper. They argue that the data from Heller and Hippke for the moon of Kepler-1625 b also shows the same potentially moon-like dip but that their analysis excludes it. For the moon of Kepler-1708 b, the team re-analyzed the data with the same parameters as Heller and Hippke, finding once again the moon signal with even better confidence than before.
“We conclude that both candidates remain viable but certainly demand further observations,” they wrote in their preprint paper.
So are the exomoons there or not? We don't know. The new study certainly makes a strong case for not discarding that hypothesis just yet.
The December paper was published in Nature Astronomy. The rebuttal has been submitted to the journal as a Rising Matter and is currently available on the ArXiv.
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https://www.iflscience.com/exomoon-or-not-astronomers-argue-over-possible-discovery-of-moons-beyond-the-solar-system-72716
| 2024-01-31T20:44:04Z
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TikTok abounds with techniques that will supposedly keep us looking young, which seems a tad odd considering the biggest proportion of its users are under 25. Regardless, it’s full of advice about 20-step skincare routines and “anti-aging” straws (yes, you read that right). And the latest trend? Face yoga.
What is face yoga?
The idea of face yoga has been kicking about for a while – like many anti-aging trends, it gets recycled every couple of years on whatever the most popular platform is. This time, it’s TikTok, where face yoga videos have totted up over 2 billion views. But what even is face yoga?
“Face yoga is a description for exercises performed to tone and stretch facial muscles,” Dr Amy B. Lewis, a dermatologist and certified yoga instructor, told Vogue. It usually involves rubbing, stretching, or pulling different areas of the face, often with the goal of targeting specific facial muscles.
If you think that sounds a bit like like a massage, you’re not wrong. “Face yoga actually has more parallels with massage and acupuncture. It’s massaging your face more than doing yoga,” explained human movement researcher Neha Gothe, speaking to Northeastern Global News.
Does it actually work?
The proponents of face yoga claim it’s brimming with anti-aging results, all the way from giving you a youthful glow and preventing wrinkles, to lifting and sculpting your face and neck. A 2018 study from a Northwestern University team of researchers set out to find out if any of those claims were true.
The team recruited 27 participants aged between 40 to 65 years old to carry out facial exercises for 30 minutes each day for eight weeks. Once the eight weeks were up, participants then had to carry out the exercises every other day for a further 12 weeks.
According to the study’s results, participants appeared nearly three years younger at the end of the 20 weeks. The facial exercises “seemed to improve mid-face and lower face fullness,” the authors concluded.
The key word there is “seemed”. Whilst interesting, the results can’t be generalized; there was no control group, the number of participants was only small and made up exclusively of middle-aged women, and 11 of them dropped out before the end of the study. There was also no follow-up to see if any of the participants stopped the regimen after the study finished and, if so, whether any benefits remained.
In other words, there’s little robust scientific evidence to support the claims made on social media of drastic anti-aging effects. Not only that, but it does seem like a bit of a pain to poke about your face for 30 minutes each day for months – probably why those 11 people dropped out of the study.
“Unless someone is highly motivated, it’s hard to sustain these facial exercises over a long period of time and achieve these results,” Dr Shilpi Khetarpal, a dermatologist, told the Cleveland Clinic.
That isn’t to say that face yoga is straight up useless though – it’s just not necessarily going to delete your fine lines as though they never existed. It’s basically a trendy name for a massage, which we know does have some benefits.
Massaging can help to release muscle tension and stimulate blood flow to the area, which could explain the “glow” that some people see with face yoga. “Anytime you bring blood flow into an area, it gets your capillaries (blood vessels) moving, which can promote a relaxation of the muscles and get fluids moving,” massage therapist Vickie Bodner explained to the Cleveland Clinic.
“Sometimes, people get puffy under the eyes or in the sinus area. Practicing self-massage on the face may help you release unwanted fluids.”
In summary: if it feels nice and helps you relax, face yoga could be for you. If you can’t be bothered with it but are worried you’ll turn into a bag of wrinkles otherwise, rest assured – you’re not missing out.
All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep information current.
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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https://www.iflscience.com/face-yoga-is-tiktoks-latest-anti-aging-trend-but-does-it-actually-work-72712
| 2024-01-31T20:44:10Z
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If worst comes to worst and atomic warfare erupts, seaweed could become the unlikely savior of humanity.
In a nuclear war, mushroom clouds and searing hot fireballs are just the start of the problems. Radiation will poison the land and vast plumes of soot will be blasted into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth’s surface in what’s known as a "nuclear winter".
This will result in a cooling of the planet, almost certainly leading to widespread crop failure and famine. However, some crops may be able to weather the storm better than others.
In a new study, scientists argue that seaweed could rise to become a much-needed food source amid the fallout of nuclear war.
Seaweed is relatively resilient and can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions. It's also incredibly nutritious. Along with containing basic carbs, proteins, and fats, it’s also loaded with nutrients like magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, iodine, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The research showed that seaweed could still be grown around the coast of the tropical oceans even after nuclear war. Within 9 to 14 months of the atomic bomb blasts, seaweed production could be scaled up to provide 45 percent of the global human demand, substituting 15 percent of human food, 10 percent of animal feed, and 50 percent of the global biofuel use.
“Once the whole seaweed farm area is saturated with seaweed, all yield thereafter can be used to produce food, feed, and biofuel. This is based on a low-tech seaweed farm design. Such designs consist mainly of seedling lines to attach the seaweed, longlines to attach the seedling lines, buoyant to keep the longlines afloat, and anchors to fix the farm in place,” the study authors write.
Of course, none of this should downplay the unbelievably horrific potential of nuclear war.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimates that a global all-out nuclear war between the US and Russia would cause at least 360 million immediate deaths.
Even a localized exchange between two nuclear-armed countries, let’s say India and Pakistan, could result in the immediate deaths of 50 to 125 million people. This is before we even consider the impacts of radioactive fallout and a nuclear winter.
Nuclear weapons have only been used once in warfare. On August 6, 1945, the US bomber Enola Gay cruised over the Japanese city of Hiroshima and dropped an atomic bomb. Just three days later, another nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Estimates vary, but between 110,000 to 210,000 people died in the initial blasts and the ensuing effects of ionizing radiation.
Following the end of the Cold War in 1991, the threat of nuclear war briefly subsided. Today, however, we are seeing the deterioration of nuclear arms treaties and, once again, rising tensions between atomically armed nations.
Consequently, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists believes our species is the closest it has ever been to annihilation – and no amount of seaweed can save us from that.
The new study is published in the journal Earth's Future.
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https://www.iflscience.com/hope-you-like-seaweed-because-well-all-be-eating-it-after-nuclear-war-if-you-survive-72710
| 2024-01-31T20:44:16Z
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A mysterious low noise regularly heard by residents in South Tampa, Florida, over the last three years may have an explanation.
In 2021, residents from Port Tampa to Davis Islands heard what has been described as a "mysterious deep bass sound".
"Everyone seems to have their favorite theory," resident Sara Healy explained in a crowdfunder to investigate the noise, "whether it’s a party boat, a club, a rager on Beer Can Island, a top secret project on MacDill Air Force Base, or even aliens."
None of those are correct, according to Dr James Locascio, Program Manager Fisheries Habitat Ecology and Acoustics at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Locascio provided a possible explanation back in 2022, which residents are raising money to confirm with underwater microphones. The expert in underwater sound and fish spawning believes that the noise could be caused by the sounds of mating black drum fish.
“This is a pretty uncommon phenomenon,” Locascio told the Washington Post. “All these people are surprised by it because it’s not well known.”
Drum fish are appropriately named, given the noise they produce.
"A defining characteristic of the drum family is the ability to create throbbing or croaking sounds by using special muscles to vibrate against the swim bladder," North Carolina Coastwatch explains. "Each species makes a slightly different sound."
A recording of a banded drum fish from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Macaulay Library.
Locascio is now planning to place microphones underwater to find where the noise is coming from, with local residents covering the cost of the equipment. Amazingly, this isn't the first time Locascio has solved the same fish sex-based mystery. In 2005, similar noises were heard off the Gulf Coast in Florida, and the city was ready to spend $47,000 fixing the problem, which they believed was due to the municipal utility system. In stepped Locascio to explain they were listening to fish sex.
“Black drum have taken a liking to the canal system in Cape Coral,” Locascio told the New York Times. “Their nightly booming is like a water drip torture that lasts for months.”
Locascio explained that the noises produced by the drum fish are low enough in frequency and long enough in wavelength to go through sea walls and into the ground, then into seafront homes, much like the rumble of passing vehicles. He suspects that the noise is carried in the same way this time, explaining why residents can hear it from kilometers away.
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https://www.iflscience.com/mysterious-low-rumbling-noise-heard-in-florida-for-years-gets-nsfw-explanation-72707
| 2024-01-31T20:44:22Z
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Bone fragments found near, Ranis, central Germany, prove Homo sapiens were in the area at least 45,000 years ago, possibly the earliest date for our species in northern Europe. The discovery indicates that modern humans and Neanderthals lived side by side for thousands of years, rather than our ancestors’ arrival spelling immediate doom for humanity’s nearest relatives.
The question of how humans and Neanderthals interacted is a crucial unresolved part of the story we can tell about ourselves. We know there was enough co-existence for substantial amounts of Neanderthal DNA to end up in the genomes of people of Eurasian descent.
However, we don’t know if these encounters were consensual or violent, if they took place during long periods of coexistence, or if the arrival of the newer model of human caused a quick replacement of the old. Knowing the answers might tell us something about humanity’s capacity to live with those who resemble us most closely, and therefore perhaps with ourselves.
Some of the answers may lie in a cave called Ilsenhöhle at the base of a castle near Ranis, where both bones and a type of stone blade known as a leaf point have been found. Leaf points were used all the way from what is now Poland to Great Britain, and are thought to be the product of a common culture, known as the Lincombian–Ranisian–Jerzmanowician technocomplex, or LRJ.
Previous studies of the Ilsenhöhle cave demonstrated it was at least 40,000 years old, but failed to answer the question of whether the tools were made by H. sapiens or Neanderthals. It’s assumed the answer to this question would be the same for leaf points throughout their range.
This is where Dr Elena Zavala of the University of California, Berkeley, and co-authors have produced a major advance. They first used bone proteins to show the skeletal remains at the site were from humans. Subsequently, they extracted mitochondrial DNA from 13 bones found at the site, and showed these came from a group of Homo sapiens that shared common ancestry on the maternal line.
The analysis was done on nine bones discovered, but not recognized as human, in the 1930s, and four found more recently by digging deeper into the cave, and removing a boulder that stopped the original excavation. The bones and tools were so intermingled the team are confident the owners of one made the other.
This proves "Homo sapiens made this technology, and that Homo sapiens were this far north at this time period, which is 45,000 years ago," Zavala said in a statement. "So these are among the earliest Homo sapiens in Europe."
There are signs that Homo sapiens made it to Greece a great deal earlier than this, but for whatever reason they didn’t flourish. The true conquest of Europe only came after arrival in southern France around 54,000 years ago, and may have taken a long time to reach northern Europe.
If Zavala and co-authors are correct, the time to expand into the bitter cold was not so long, despite temperatures 7-15°C (13-27°F) colder than today. The leaf points probably helped. On the other hand, it indicates that neither warfare nor competition caused Neanderthals to disappear soon after Homo sapiens’ arrival.
“Homo sapiens reached northwestern Europe long before Neanderthal disappearance in southwestern Europe,” said senior author Professor Jean-Jacque Hublin of the Collège de France.
These would have been significant advances on their own, but the mitochondrial DNA revealed something else. Twelve of the Ranis bones came from a surprisingly close relative of the woman who left behind a skull in a cave at Zlatý kůň in the Czech Republic a few thousand years later. The other bone was more closely related to an individual around the same time from Italy, even further afield.
"That raises some questions: Was this a single population? What could be the relationship here?" Zavala said. "But with mitochondrial DNA, that's only one side of the history. It's only the maternal side. We would need to have nuclear DNA to be able to start looking into this." Nuclear DNA is far harder to capture from bones this old.
Most of the DNA at the site wasn’t human at all, coming from a mix of prey the humans brought back, and cave bears and hyenas who sheltered in the cave when the humans weren’t using it. This was apparently most of the time.
The authors conclude these people were highly mobile and well adapted to the cold conditions, something that had previously been thought not to occur until much later. Nevertheless, despite these capacities, they don’t seem to have monopolized the area. Indeed, the earlier inhabitants of the continent persisted for a long time even in south-western Europe, which being warmer would seem likely to have offered more of an advantage to the recent arrivals from Africa.
Members of the team responsible for this study have published it along with accompanying papers on the diet and lifestyle of the human inhabitants of Ilsenhöhle, and the climatic conditions.
There’s a long way to go in unraveling how the two populations behaved toward each other, and why the Neanderthals eventually did die out. Nevertheless, there is something hopeful in the possibility that we could co-exist for thousands of years with a species so close to us that some consider them a subspecies of our own. Maybe there are lessons on how to get along with others of our own kind.
The main study is open access in Nature, accompanied by simultaneous publications in Nature Ecology and Evolution on the climate and diet of the inhabitants.
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https://www.iflscience.com/oldest-homo-sapiens-discovery-in-northern-europe-proves-long-overlap-with-neanderthals-72718
| 2024-01-31T20:44:29Z
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Over in the Facebook group Physics is Fun, one member stirred things up a bit by claiming "light takes on the velocity of its source", meaning that if you were to cycle forwards and turn on your bike light, the light emitted from it would travel at light speed + whatever incredible speed you are traveling at on your bike.
This, as several annoyed commenters pointed out, is incorrect. Light propagates at light speed, regardless of the speed of its source. But that doesn't mean it's a completely out there suggestion. After all, it took the actual Einstein to realize this in the first place.
The confusion comes from expecting light to act like matter. If you were to ride a bike forward and fire a gun in the same direction, you would instinctively expect that the bullet would travel at the usual speed of that bullet plus your cycling velocity. And you'd be correct.
Sound is different from light, but is a better analogy for explaining light than a bullet. As you probably remember from school, sound is a vibration propagating as an acoustic wave through a medium, be it liquid, solid, or gas. The speed of sound is dictated by the medium it is traveling through (meaning that it is different on Mars), and you can change it by altering the medium (e.g. by heating the atmosphere) but not by adding your own speed.
If you were to travel on a bike and shout forwards, you would probably instinctively understand that the sounds you produced would not travel at the speed of sound plus the speed of you on your bike. And you'd be right. In fact, you can increase your speed and overtake sound if you want to, showing that you are not adding speed.
Of course, sound is different to light, but it helps to think of something other than firing a bullet. The speed of light is a universal constant, meaning it is the same wherever you measure it in the universe, according to Einstein's special theory of relativity. Whether you're sat on Earth, Mars, or Zoozve, if you measure the speed of light you'll find it chugging along at a cool 299,792,458 meters per second (983,571,056.43 feet per second), the absolute speed limit of the universe.
Though Einstein gets credit (rightly) for the thought experiments that led him to realize the speed of light was a constant, it had actually been proven experimentally before that.
Before Einstein, there was a theory that light was carried through space by a frictionless and physically undetectable "luminiferous ether" permeating all of space and time. According to the theory, the ether would have a direction to it, like wind in our atmosphere. As Earth makes its way through its orbit, if this theory were correct, the wind would blow us from different angles, and the speed of light propagating through it would be different depending on its angle through the ether wind.
Physicists A.A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley, performing their respective experiments in 1881 and 1887, aimed to measure the speed of light in respect to the ether.
The idea was to send a light source at a beam splitter, sending it off in two directions. One would be in the direction that Earth is headed, another at a right angle to that. The beams then traveled toward two mirrors, which sent the light back at a detector. If the luminiferous ether theory was correct, then the light would be detected at different times, affected by its journey through the ether.
What the experiments found, however, was that light was the same speed in all directions, evidence that the speed of light was constant, and that the ether theory was incorrect.
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https://www.iflscience.com/people-are-asking-why-light-doesnt-take-on-the-velocity-of-its-source-72713
| 2024-01-31T20:44:35Z
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By comparing the DNA of individuals born with a range of birth defects, including extra fingers and toes, researchers have identified a new rare disorder and with it, opened up an avenue towards improved diagnosis and treatment.
The findings were described in a study that examined three children sharing a rare combination of traits: polydactyly, more often known as extra fingers and/or toes; a larger than average head circumference; and delayed development of their eyes.
These features suggested the young patients may share a disorder, although what had caused it was unknown. Researchers set to analyzing their DNA, which revealed all three had the same mutation in a gene called MAX. It’s a gene that encodes a protein known as a transcription factor, a molecule that’s involved in copying DNA into RNA.
Identifying this mutation means that it could be easier to diagnose others with the disorder in future, study co-lead, Dr James Poulter, explained in a statement. “Other patients with a similar combination of features can be tested to see if they have the same variant we have identified in our study.”
Poulter added: “Currently there are no treatments for these patients. This means that our research into rare conditions is not only important to help us understand them better, but also to identify potential ways to treat them.”
On that front, the study succeeded. The team identified a molecule that could be used to prevent worsening of the disorder and treat its neurological symptoms, though this would require extensive research before becoming an approved treatment. It helps that it’s already in clinical trials for another disorder, “meaning we could fast track this for these patients if our research finds the drug reverses some of the effects of the mutation,” according to Poulter.
Although a treatment may still be a while off, the authors plan to further investigate the MAX mutation and are keen to highlight the importance of this kind of research, which often gives patients and their families long-awaited answers. For example, the study used data from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study, a UK-based project that’s led to a multitude of diagnoses for patients with rare diseases.
“These are often under-represented conditions that have a huge impact on patients and their families. These families go through a long and complex diagnostic odyssey. The time from their first doctor’s visit as babies to getting a diagnosis can take more than 10 years,” Poulter explained.
“It is important that these patients and their families discover the cause of their condition – and if they can access a therapy based on their genetic diagnosis, that could be life changing.”
The study is published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
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https://www.iflscience.com/rare-disorder-causing-extra-fingers-and-toes-identified-from-dna-differences-72717
| 2024-01-31T20:44:41Z
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Ever feel like you’re being watched? More specifically, ever think to yourself, “I probably should/shouldn’t do that,” because someone might see you? Well, here comes science to throw a spanner in the works. When one group of researchers applied testosterone gel to some men, it made them much less sensitive to being observed, and consequently less likely to behave with others’ judgment in mind.
How we’re likely to be perceived by those around us has a marked impact on our behavior, whether we consciously realize it or not. Actions we take that are likely to make others view us positively are called prosocial behaviors. Whether it’s donating blood or throwing a few dollars onto the collection plate at church, research suggests humans behave more prosocially when others can see us doing it.
This idea of altering our actions in response to being watched also has a snappy name: the “audience effect”.
A recent study set out to investigate whether testosterone could have an impact on this effect. It’s understood from previous research that higher testosterone levels are associated with behaviors that enhance social status. The study authors suggested that this could go one of two ways: either men with higher testosterone levels could be less concerned with the opinions of others, or they could be more sensitive to the audience effect as a means to enhance their reputation and social standing.
To test out their theories, the team, led by Hana H. Kutlikova at the University of Vienna, recruited 192 healthy men aged between 18 and 40. In small groups, the men were instructed to apply a dose of gel containing 150 milligrams of testosterone, or an equivalent amount of placebo gel. They rubbed the gel onto their own upper arms and shoulders using disposable gloves, and then waited around for two hours for it to take effect.
The men then had to perform a task, in which they were told they could earn rewards either for themselves or for a non-governmental organization (NGO) of their choice. Some of the men were randomly selected to perform the task on their own, while others were watched by two women who had been introduced to the men as “NGO representatives”.
At various points throughout the experimental period, saliva samples were taken to measure the participants’ testosterone levels. After completing the task, they were asked about their perception of being watched.
“The results show that testosterone diminishes the typical audience effect present in the placebo condition,” the authors explain in their paper. “We show that exogenous testosterone fully eliminated strategic, i.e., feigned, prosociality and thus decreased submission to audience expectations.”
In other words, the increased testosterone made the men less bothered about being watched, and less likely to change their behaviors to match what their observers might think they “should” do.
The authors point out some limitations to the study. They only included men due to sex differences in testosterone metabolism and a lack of data on how topical testosterone is processed in women, so more data is needed to know whether the results extend beyond males. In addition, it could be interesting to explore whether the audience effect changes depending on the gender or number of observers, since only female observers were used in this study.
While these results come down on the side of testosterone reducing the impact of the audience effect, other studies in the literature have produced contrasting results. It goes to show just how complex the effects of hormone fluctuations can be – it looks like there’s much more left for scientists to discover.
The study is published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
[H/T: ZME Science]
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https://www.iflscience.com/rubbing-testosterone-gel-on-men-made-them-less-aware-of-being-watched-72715
| 2024-01-31T20:44:47Z
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Fossils can tell us a lot about dinosaurs, and sometimes, it can be pretty surprising. That’s certainly the case for a new study that analyzed the bones of everyone’s favorite bipedal predators, the theropods. The research revealed that this group of dinosaurs may have been affected by bone diseases, and that particular types of theropods could be associated with specific patterns of disease and injury.
To reach this conclusion, the research team used a combination of CT scans and microscopic analysis (also known as histology) to examine the bones of three theropod species: Aucasaurus garridoi, Elemgasem nubilus, and Quilmesaurus curriei. All three were predatory dinosaurs with short arms and hefty skulls (like their fellow famous theropod, T. rex) that lived in South America around 90 to 70 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous.
The scans uncovered evidence of bone disease in all three dinosaurs. In the base of A. garridoi’s tail, the researchers found two vertebrae fused together, which they put down to a congenital disorder – it came out of the egg with it. E. nubilus also had evidence of bone fusing, as well as overgrowth; in this case, the researchers suggested that this could be the result of inflammatory arthritis.
The analysis also highlighted irregular bone formation in one of Q. curriei’s legs. This was a particularly rare find, as paleontologists haven’t found much evidence of disease in weight-bearing bones in theropods. Some mysteries remain, however, as the team couldn’t say for sure what the cause of the irregularity was. Regardless, it may well have given this dinosaur problems getting about.
In search of any patterns to which diseases affected theropods, the researchers then took to reviewing the existing literature on both bone disease and injury in this group. The three species analyzed in the current study all belong to the wider family Abelisauridae; the literature revealed that species in this family could be positively associated with bone inflammation, suggesting that they were probably fairly infection-prone.
The literature review also made some interesting findings when it came to bone injuries in theropods. We might expect a lot of broken bones, but it turns out that’s not the case for the family Tyrannosauridae. Instead, species in this group are more likely to be associated with bite marks on the skull (ouch), indicating that they got aggressive pretty often. The opposite was found for Allosauridae – that suggests they were active predators, so whilst they weren’t fighters, they weren’t exactly lovers either.
The study provides an example of just how much we can find out about dinosaurs and their lifestyles from bones alone. But if you think the presence of bone disease in therapods might have rendered them completely safe, remember – they still had pretty big jaws. Something to keep in mind, de-extinction enthusiasts.
The study is published in the journal BMC Ecology and Evolution.
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https://www.iflscience.com/some-dinosaurs-may-have-had-arthritis-90-million-years-ago-72724
| 2024-01-31T20:44:53Z
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While you might hear parrots and think of them flying majestically through the trees in the Amazon – or even that one time a flightless parrot in New Zealand got up close and personal with a zoologist – your mind probably wouldn’t go to the idea of them swinging through the forest by their beaks. However, a recent study has revealed a new kind of gait for these birds: “beakiation”.
By looking at the way four rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis rosiecollis) moved along a suspended pole using their beaks, the team thinks this is the first species to be recorded to move in this way. They have given the method of moving in the manner of suspensory beak-driven locomotion the name beakiation. These lovebirds have already been observed climbing up walls using their beaks, and have now taken the motion sideways.
The researchers set up two experiments to find out more about how the birds were moving. The first featured a suspended thin "branch" with pressure plates attached to a large wooden platform so the team could find out how much force was on a single limb and analyze the center of mass movements associated with beakiation, with 129 trials conducted in this manner. The branch was too thin to walk along, so the birds had to get creative.
“The smaller the substrate, the harder it is to stay upright without toppling over, so the natural solution would be to go underneath and just hang,” says co-author Melody Young told Smithsonian Magazine.
A modified version was also tested to collect the single limb forces acting during beakiation. The length of the support was shortened. In total, 500 strides from 142 trials were carried out using this modified apparatus. Movements of the birds in both experiments were recorded by two high-speed cameras.
No training was involved – rather, the birds simply used a way to move along the suspended beam when presented to it during the experiment. “We just put them up there, and all four birds chose to adopt this same behavior,” said Young.
Through studying the videos, beakiation was found to begin with the beak grasping the suspended rod, and then both hind legs being released to swing forwards with the center of mass. The feet then grasp a new position on the rod, and the beak then grasps in front of them before the whole process starts again (as can be seen in the above video).
The force on the beak is equal to the force a gibbon would place on its arms while swinging through the trees, though beakiation has a slower more careful nature, meaning the birds recover only about 25 percent of the energy between swingas compared to a gibbon's roughly 80 percent recovery.
The researchers believe this is a brand new undocumented method of locomotion for these birds and is different from other known methods of moving via beak, such as what has been observed from the Puerto Rican spindalis (Spindalis portoricensis), though this is only an oral account and has no video or photograph evidence.
The team highlights that while this new method of travel was carried out during experimental conditions, it should not hide the extraordinary capabilities of these animals and their beaks.
The paper is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
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https://www.iflscience.com/watch-a-parrot-swing-on-its-beak-like-a-monkey-in-world-first-footage-72714
| 2024-01-31T20:44:59Z
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Dylan Dreyer's family are big fans of her work on the Today Show, and her son Calvin even makes regular appearances on there with his own cooking segment, Cooking with Cal.
What's more, the seven-year-old has already discovered just what happens backstage on a live show, with his dad, Brian Fichera - a cameraman for NBC, giving him a backstage tour of Nightly News.
Brian even let slip on the hilarious antics behind-the-scenes in a tongue-in-cheek Instagram post uploaded this week.
The dad-of-three shared an image of himself filming in the studios as his son looked on. "Throw back to the time I made the mistake of letting cal listen to what is really being said over headsets. #gocalgo," he wrote in the caption.
Dylan's children have all grown up watching their mom on TV, with the star having worked on it for over a decade.
The pair tied the knot in 2012 and have been blissfully happy ever since, managing to balance their busy jobs with NBC while looking after their three young sons.
Dylan opened up about the way in which they keep their relationship alive during an interview with Today.com. "Golf is the thing we do together. We have a couple of drinks, we laugh. We remember why we fell in love. Then we go home and it's right back to family," she said.
The couple also always make sure to stay in touch during the day, despite their busy schedules. "Our schedules mean we don’t see each other much, but we text all the time,” Dylan said.
"Sometimes it’s even easier to have an important or deep conversation via text because we get all our thoughts out without being interrupted. "We don't find it impersonal. In fact, just the opposite.We know each other well enough to understand each other's tone so a lot gets accomplished through texting!"
Dylan and Brian share children Calvin, seven, Oliver, three, and one-year-old Rusty. While promoting her children's book Misty the Cloud: Friends Through Rain or Shine, Dylan spoke to HELLO! about her kids and whether she wants to add to her brood. "I think I've maxed out now," she said with a chuckle before admitting: "I wish I had started having kids sooner, because I really love everything about kids. "I never thought I would love it as much as I do. Being a mom is the best. I love fostering their ideas, I also somehow found more patience after becoming a mom."
Although she and Brian weren't always convinced that a family with children was in their future. "We didn't think we wanted kids at all," she said.
"We were living in New York City, traveling whenever we wanted to, doing whatever we wanted, and then suddenly it sort of came to us both. We were like 'let's have kids'. Both of us obviously love it."
The number three also holds a special place in Dylan and Brian's hearts as she explained: "When we decided to have children, I used to always want three. I grew up with two brothers, my husband is one of three. Three just feels right for us now."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512477/today-show-star-family-member-lets-slip-what-happens-backstage-on-show/
| 2024-01-31T21:09:17Z
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Kelly Clarkson is getting candid and shedding some light on what really inspired her to recently lose weight.
The American Idol alum, 41, has previously opened up about her health issues and struggles with her weight, which she has said fluctuated through the years, and after her two difficult pregnancies.
Now, she has given more insight than ever about the very real diagnosis she received that kick started her journey towards a healthier self.
This week on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kelly was in conversation with actor Kevin James when, after he complimented her appearance, she revealed: "Well, I was told I was pre-diabetic."
She maintained: "That's literally what happened," and candidly confessed: "I wasn't shocked. I was a tiny bit overweight."
Kelly went on: "But I wasn't shocked by it. They were like, 'You're pre-diabetic. You're right on the borderline.' And I was like, 'But I'm not there yet…'" before noting: "Then I waited two years and then I was like, 'OK,' I'll do something about it."
Earlier this month, she also gave insight into her weight loss experience – and how she did it – in a cover story for People, in part crediting the fresh start that was her recent move to New York City.
MORE: Kelly Clarkson's fans barely recognize her as she steps out on her show in boldest look yet
MORE: Sofia Vergara tells Kelly Clarkson to 'shut up' during disagreement on-air in moment you need to see
"Walking in the city is quite the workout," she said, noting that aside from hosting her show from Rockefeller Plaza, her days are filled with walks around the city with her kids – River and Remy, who she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock – and visits to the dog park.
She also shared: "I'm really into infrared saunas right now. And I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down."
MORE: Kelly Clarkson admits to difficulties in being friends with her exes: 'Hard pass'
Kelly keeps it simple when it comes to her diet too, and prioritizes the guidance from her doctor, which she admitted she didn't always do.
She said: "I eat a healthy mix. I dropped weight because I've been listening to my doctor – a couple years I didn't. And 90 percent of the time I'm really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway," before joking: "I'm a Texas girl, so I like meat – sorry, vegetarians in the world!"
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512478/kelly-clarkson-confesses-health-diagnosis-led-to-weight-loss/
| 2024-01-31T21:09:23Z
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A 30-year study of over 900 participants has found an association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and problems with memory and cognition. While it’s not possible to say for sure that PCOS caused the observed issues, the scientists behind the work say more research is now needed to better understand these potential risks of a condition that many struggle with for years before getting a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization estimates that PCOS could affect up to 13 percent of reproductive-aged women. Other figures have also been cited, and data can vary depending upon the inclusion of those assigned female at birth as well as cisgender women. However you slice it, though, up to 70 percent of those affected remain undiagnosed, so there’s a big gap in recognition of the condition that is not being filled at present.
As the name suggests, one of the symptoms of PCOS is the formation of cysts in the ovaries. The condition is characterized by hormonal imbalances, leading to things like irregular periods, lack of ovulation, excess facial and body hair, and weight gain. It’s a leading cause of infertility, and is linked to comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Quite apart from the debilitating physical symptoms, many people with PCOS also experience negative psychological impacts from the disease, including depression and poor body image.
Now a new study, which followed 907 female participants for 30 years, has uncovered a possible link between PCOS and problems with memory and cognition in middle age.
Study author Dr Heather G. Huddleston of the University of California San Francisco explained in a statement that while scientists have a understanding of how PCOS can affect metabolic health, “less is known about how this condition affects brain health.”
“Our results suggest that people with this condition have lower memory and thinking skills and subtle brain changes at midlife. This could impact a person on many levels, including quality of life, career success and financial security.”
The participants were aged between 18 and 30 years old at the start of the study period. After 30 years, at which time 66 members of the study group had PCOS, they were asked to complete tests of memory, verbal ability, processing speed, and attention.
One of the tests for attention was the Stroop test, which you’ve probably seen before: you’re presented with a list of color names written in different colored fonts, and you have to state the color of the text rather than reading the actual word. The study found that the average score for people with PCOS was around 11 percent lower than for those without the condition.
Overall, scores in three of the tests – focusing on memory, attention, and verbal abilities – were lower for those with PCOS, after adjusting for age, race, and education.
As well as the cognitive tests at year 30, a subgroup of the participants (291, of whom 25 had PCOS) also received brain scans at years 25 and 30. The scans revealed lower white matter integrity in the patients with PCOS, which the researchers say could indicate premature brain aging.
The study has some limitations, in particular the fact that the PCOS diagnoses were not made by a doctor but were based on tests of the patients’ hormone levels and their self-reported symptoms. It’s also not possible from these data to say definitively that PCOS caused the cognitive and brain changes observed, but the researchers believe there’s enough here to warrant further investigation.
“Additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine how this change occurs, including looking at changes that people can make to reduce their chances of thinking and memory problems,” said Huddleston.
“Making changes like incorporating more cardiovascular exercise and improving mental health may serve to also improve brain aging for this population.”
The study is published in the journal Neurology.
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https://www.iflscience.com/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-may-be-linked-to-memory-problems-in-later-years-72709
| 2024-01-31T21:31:27Z
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. energy secretary should build trust with the Republic of the Marshall Islands by developing a plan to communicate clearly over lingering threats from a radioactive waste dump left by U.S. nuclear weapons testing that is now seen at risk of floods from climate change, a U.S. agency said on Wednesday.
The U.S. conducted 67 nuclear bomb tests on the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1958. In the late 1970s it deposited radioactive soil and debris from six of the islands into an unlined crater created by one of the tests. The site, called the Runit Dome, was covered with a concrete cap but is now at risk of leaks from flooding due to rising seas caused by climate change, Marshallese officials have said.
The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, said in a report that the energy secretary "should develop and document a strategy for communications on radioactive contamination that is sustained, understandable, transparent, engages the RMI government, and builds on lessons learned."
The Department of Energy, which in the report concurred with the recommendation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The DOE is required by a 2011 law to conduct visual studies of the dome and analyses of the groundwater surrounding it.
The GAO report said rising sea levels could push up groundwater levels under the dome, "potentially creating a pathway for leaking radiation."
The DOE and the RMI disagree on the radiological dangers posed by the dome, it said.
The Marshall Islands embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The report, requested by Senator Tom Carper, a Democrat, also contains information about radioactive contamination in southern Spain after two U.S. defense aircraft carrying four thermonuclear bombs collided in midair in 1966, dispersing debris over a wide area. It also examines radioactive contamination in Greenland resulting from U.S. Cold War activities. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/us-needs-to-build-marshall-islands-trust-over-cold-war-nuclear-dump-us-agency
| 2024-01-31T21:36:23Z
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SINGAPORE – A new remittance service on the AXS app will allow money transfers to China for a flat fee of $1 through the UnionPay card network.
All transfers can be made securely and quickly within 60 seconds, said Mr Ryan Gwee, founder and chairman of global payment facilitator Aleta Planet, whose technology links users to the UnionPay network on the AXS app. Aleta Planet is licensed as a major payment institution in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
The first 5,000 customers will be able to make a first transaction of any amount for a transfer fee of $1 until March 31, 2024. Subsequently, users will have to transfer a minimum amount of $300. The transfer fee will remain at $1.
AXS and Aleta Planet on Feb 1 said they partnered up to offer this service after MAS announced on Dec 18 the suspension of the use of non-bank and non-card channels for cross-border money transfer services to China from Jan 1 to March 31, 2024.
This suspension came after the police said they had received more than 670 reports of remittances through non-bank and non-card channels, totalling around $13 million, being frozen as at Dec 15.
The remittance companies had processed the transfers through overseas licensed agents instead of using a direct bank transfer from Singapore to China.
During this period, remittance can be done only through a bank, a card network operator or a licensed financial institution that has engaged a bank or a card network operator.
AXS Services chief executive Chin Mun Chung said this partnership provides a faster, more secure and cost-effective remittance service for users who need to transfer money to China.
He said AXS will also explore expanding the remittance service “to more corridors to better serve our users”.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/axs-app-launches-china-remittance-through-unionpay
| 2024-01-31T21:36:33Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/cartoons/a-cartoonist-s-view-miel-feb-01-2024
| 2024-01-31T21:36:44Z
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A tech firm lays off about 100 staff. The announcement catches most investors and observers off guard.
If this was 2022 or 2023, you might have guessed we were referring to Grab, Google or frankly, any one of the major tech firms. Last year’s cuts were so staggering, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg termed 2023 “the year of efficiency”.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/economic-restructuring-on-steroids-retrenchments-as-annual-cost-cutting-exercises-in-tech-firms
| 2024-01-31T21:36:55Z
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Since I moved to Toa Payoh in 2019, I have always looked forward to the festive decorations around the area every year, from Christmas trees in December to figurines to welcome the Chinese New Year.
I especially appreciate the rows of decorative lights lining Toa Payoh Central and remember how enthralled my four-year-old daughter was when I cycled with her through the lit-up area.
I believe the People’s Association is in charge of the decorations, and I appreciate the effort to get people in the neighbourhood into the festive spirit.
Terence Tan Shien Yong
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-decorations-light-up-toa-payoh-in-festive-cheer
| 2024-01-31T21:37:05Z
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I read with interest the article “New guide on emergencies for outdoor adventure education after death of student in 2021” (Jan 24).
While I appreciate the efforts made to enhance safety measures, I believe that relying solely on human checks and balances is not foolproof.
Currently, the guide focuses on additional requirements and protocols, such as the steps providers should take before, during and after emergencies, and identifying types of emergencies commonly associated with the programmes.
However, it fails to address potential risks associated with human error.
I urge the Outdoor Adventure Education Council to consider incorporating innovative physical fail-safe solutions, such as extra straps, in the devices used.
The council should collaborate with higher institutions known for their expertise in design and engineering, such as the Singapore University of Technology and Design and the polytechnics.
These institutions could be tapped for their knowledge and resources to develop physical fail-safe mechanisms for various devices that may pose a danger when there is human error.
This would provide an extra layer of protection and minimise potential risks for students taking part in outdoor activities.
Hong Geok Hua
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-don-t-rely-only-on-human-checks-for-outdoor-adventure-activities
| 2024-01-31T21:37:16Z
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Malaysian football has taken a big step forward in recent months. Leading up to the AFC Asian Cup, Malaysia had lost only one match out of 11 matches played. Out of these 10 matches, Malaysia drew twice with Syria, and once with China, and defeated Kyrgyzstan.
What is noteworthy is that these opponents were ranked within the top 100 of Fifa rankings. At the AFC Asian Cup, Malaysia drew 3-3 with South Korea in their final group match (South Korea through to Asian Cup last 16 after 3-3 draw with Malaysia, Bahrain top, Jan 25).
The Malaysia national football team is punching above its weight in terms of results, and several key points of its successes are worth noting.
The appointment of South Korean coach Kim Pan-gon in 2022 has been a big factor in revolutionising the national team’s footballing philosophy, specifically the concept of proactive football. In a recent interview, he revealed that Malaysia now has a well-defined game model that it uses, allowing the team to “take on any team, any time”.
At every opportunity, the coach instils a sense of belonging, belief and a dose of patriotism into his players. An insider revealed that he wanted the team to be treated as representatives of the nation – Malaysia’s best who deserve respect.
The natural question which follows is how the Singapore footballers perceive themselves as ambassadors of Singapore football.
Such a perception has to follow from the level of support by the public, and is inextricably linked to the twin questions of the public’s belief in the Unleash The Roar project to uplift Singapore football, and commitment to supporting this project.
Finally, coach Kim maintains taking full accountability for Malaysia’s failure on the pitch, along with being transparent on his goals for the team. These goals relate to the current and subsequent Asian Cup tournaments.
I believe these goals are measured, practicable and, crucially, achievable. This is because the coach has largely built a foundation which the football ecosystem can relate to and give its full support.
So what is the evolution of Singapore football?
Cheng Zhongyi
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-lessons-to-learn-from-malaysia-s-improved-football-standards
| 2024-01-31T21:37:27Z
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These are not easy times to be a parent, preparing your children for the future. You wonder what sort of training will equip them for good jobs of the future, especially when artificial intelligence (AI) seems capable of carrying out many of the tasks done by humans. You also know that, on account of globalisation, they will face competition from highly skilled workers based anywhere in the world, who can do many jobs remotely.
Competition has intensified in both schools and the job market, with new technologies continuing to emerge. This means equipping our children with standard skills or simply training them for a particular field will no longer be enough, especially as those skills or pockets of training may get overtaken by technology and become outdated.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/teach-your-kids-critical-thinking-it-will-matter-sooner-than-you-think
| 2024-01-31T21:37:48Z
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Do you find your vision blurry when you try to read your phone screen up close? Does holding the phone farther away help?
There may be many reasons for this long-sight condition, including ageing, as our eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby objects.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/untreated-lao-hua-yan-a-major-public-health-concern-in-rapidly-ageing-singapore
| 2024-01-31T21:37:58Z
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Barcelona's 18-year-old Brazilian striker Vitor Roque came off the bench and scored with a header to snatch a 1-0 win against visitors Osasuna in LaLiga on Wednesday.
In their first game since manager Xavi Hernandez announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, Barca once again struggled up-front but managed to find the winner in the 63rd minute when Roque netted from a Joao Cancelo cross one minute after coming on.
It was his first goal for the club since arriving from Brazil earlier this month after Barcelona signed him from Athletico Paranaense.
Barca moved third in the LaLiga standings on 47 points, eight behind leaders Girona and seven adrift of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and will play at Getafe on Thursday. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/vitor-roque-scores-first-goal-to-lead-barca-to-1-0-win
| 2024-01-31T21:38:19Z
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HAVANA - Cuba put off a five-fold increase in gasoline prices planned for Feb. 1 due to a cyberattack, Economy Vice Minister Mildrey Granadillo said on Wednesday, a sudden about-face just hours before the controversial hike was due to take effect.
"This decision is influenced by the occurrence of a cybersecurity incident in the computer systems for the marketing of fuels, the origin of which has been identified as a virus from abroad," Granadillo said in the final minutes of the midday newscast on state-run TV.
Cuba in late December announced a series of measures, including hikes in fuel and public transport prices, to narrow a yawning deficit. Critics have described the measures inflationary, ill-timed and lacking incentives for domestic production.
Granadillo reiterated the government's rationale, calling the price hikes a "necessity" to help reverse a festering economic crisis.
Fuel will remain at current prices, he noted. "There will not be a stoppage in the services we provide for the sale of fuel to our population." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/cuba-delays-feb-1-fuel-price-hike-cites-cyberattack
| 2024-01-31T21:38:50Z
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Peruvian authorities have reopened the train route to Machu Picchu, the Andean country's railway operator said on Wednesday, after an agreement was struck to end protests that had blocked access to the famed Incan site and stranded tourists.
PeruRail said in a statement a partial service had restarted on Wednesday and that a regular service would return on Thursday from the city of Cusco to Aguas Calientes near the archaeological site.
The protests began late last week over a new centralized ticketing system, leaving hundreds of tourists unable to reach the ancient ruins high up in the Andes.
Protesters said they feared the new electronic ticket sales platform would hurt local businesses by shifting the administration of ticket sales to one private company authorized by the Ministry of Culture.
The two sides signed an agreement on Wednesday that will see a transition period to the new platform.
"We have to move forward to reactivate our economy," Peru's Minister of Culture, Leslie Urteaga, told a local radio station.
Agencies responsible for the preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage site have warned about overcrowding and tickets being oversold, leading authorities to find new ways to control visitor numbers as travel rebounds in the wake of the COVID pandemic. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/peru-reopens-train-route-to-machu-picchu-after-protests-end
| 2024-01-31T21:39:01Z
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STOCKHOLM -Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned "an attempted attack" against the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, after an object believed to be an explosive device was found outside it and destroyed by the national bomb squad on Wednesday.
Embassy staff had notified police of the object, triggering a large response from law enforcement, Swedish police said.
"This is very serious. An attempted attack on an embassy is an attack both on those who work there and on Sweden," Kristersson said in a social media post, adding police and Sweden's Security Police were investigating "who is or who are responsible".
Kristersson said surveillance of the embassy and of Jewish institutions in Sweden had been tightened.
The device was detonated in a controlled manner, a police spokesperson told the broadcaster TV4.
"We will not be intimidated by terror," Israeli ambassador to Sweden Ziv Nevo Kulman wrote on X.
Police declined to give any detail on the nature of the object, or of how it had gotten into the embassy grounds, and said they had launched an investigation.
The object was believed to be a hand grenade that was thrown over the embassy fence, landing close to the building, daily Aftonbladet reported, citing unnamed sources.
The embassy building was cordoned off at a distance of about 100 metres (yards). REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/swedish-pm-condemns-attempted-attack-against-israeli-embassy-in-sweden
| 2024-01-31T21:39:11Z
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WASHINGTON -The United States on Wednesday slapped further sanctions on Myanmar, marking the three-year anniversary of the coup as Washington targeted two entities and several people it said were closely associated with the junta.
Wednesday's sanctions were the latest aimed at the fuel the junta uses to conduct aerial bombings in its war with anti-coup forces that have often targeted civilians, as well as the military's ability to produce arms.
The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it targeted the Shwe Byain Phyu Group of Companies, its owner Thein Win Zaw, his wife and two adult children.
Treasury said the company imports and distributes petroleum for the military and has a profit sharing relationship with military conglomerate Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, which Washington imposed sanctions on in 2021.
Washington also targeted MEHL-owned shipping company Myanmar Five Star Line, which it said ships material for domestic weapons production for the military.
The Treasury Department said the two entities have enabled the purchase of foreign currency and the import of petroleum and other materials on behalf of the junta.
"We are taking this action to target the regime’s sources of revenue which support military activities against civilians," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement, reiterating Washington's call for the military to change course.
Myanmar has been locked in conflict since the military seized power in a coup in 2021 that sparked nationwide chaos and abruptly ended a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform.
The sanctions, which freeze any U.S. assets of those targeted and generally bar Americans from dealing with them, come as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is under pressure after a series of battlefield defeats that have seen rebel groups take control of at least 35 towns since October.
The generals are facing their biggest challenge since first taking power of the former British colony in 1962, with a youth-led pro-democracy uprising morphing into an armed resistance movement after a lethal crackdown on a wave of protests and post-coup dissent.
The junta has deployed heavy artillery and fighter jets to try to suppress militias allied with a shadow government and ethnic minority armies, several of which launched a coordinated offensive in October that stunned the military and has dented its battlefield credibility.
About 2.3 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations, while efforts by Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbors to initiate dialogue have seen no progress, with the junta refusing to negotiate with what it calls "terrorists."
“The United States, along with our allies and partners, will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit from, and provide support for, the violent oppression of the people of Burma," Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/us-marks-anniversary-of-myanmar-coup-with-further-sanctions
| 2024-01-31T21:39:21Z
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Tech CEOs told ‘you have blood on your hands’ at Senate
US senators on Jan 31 grilled leaders of the biggest social media companies and said Congress must quickly pass legislation, as one lawmaker accused the companies of having “blood on their hands” for failing to protect children from escalating threats of sexual predation on their platforms.
The hearing marks the latest effort by lawmakers to address the concerns of parents and mental health experts that social media companies put profits over guardrails that would ensure their platforms do not harm children.
“Mr Zuckerberg, you and the companies before us, I know you don’t mean it to be so, but you have blood on your hands,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, referring to Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg. “You have a product that’s killing people.”
Mr Zuckerberg testified along with X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi and Discord CEO Jason Citron.
Social media’s population breaks through 5 billion, study shows
The number of active social media users has risen to more than five billion, or about 62.3 per cent of humanity, according to a study published on Jan 31.
The number rose 5.6 per cent in 2023, outpacing the 0.9 per cent increase in the world’s population, said the report by media monitoring company Meltwater and social media agency We are Social.
The social network with the most users was Meta’s Facebook with 2.19 billion.
World’s air travel edges back to pre-Covid levels
Air travel took another major leap in 2023 rising to 94 per cent of 2019 levels as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the main global airline body said on Jan 31.
The International Air Transport Association said domestic travel in key markets such as China, India and the United States had led the rebound but it expected a “normal” growth rate in 2024.
International travel has been slower to recover, rising last year to 88.6 per cent of 2019 levels. Flights to and from the Asia-Pacific region were at 72.7 per cent of 2019‘s numbers, while to and from Europe were 93 per cent and North America at 101.4 per cent.
Napkin Messi signed to join Barcelona goes to auction
The napkin on which 13-year-old Lionel Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona will be auctioned in March for a starting price of £300,000 (S$500,000), British auction house Bonhams said on Jan 31.
The napkin was signed in December, 2000 when Carles Rexach, then Barca’s sporting director, agreed with Jorge Messi, Messi’s father, and agent Horacio Gaggioli to recruit the Argentine teenager who went on to become the club’s all-time top scorer.
The pivotal moment in football history happened after Rexach invited Messi senior to have lunch over his concerns at the lack of response following his son’s initial trials at the Spanish club.
‘Guten Tag babes’: Adele announces Munich concerts
Pop superstar Adele on Jan 31 announced four open-air concerts in Munich in August, her first shows in mainland Europe since 2016.
The British singer will perform at a specially-created, 80,000-capacity venue in the southern German city on Aug 2, 3, 9 and 10.
The 35-year-old said she had been on the last stage of her Las Vegas residency – “Weekends with Adele”, which runs until June – when she was approached about the Munich shows.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/while-you-were-sleeping-5-stories-you-might-have-missed-feb-1-4
| 2024-01-31T21:39:32Z
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JAKARTA – About 205 million Indonesians will head to the polls on Feb 14 to choose the country’s next president and vice-president.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of polling day in the world’s fourth-most populous nation:
Q: What is being decided in Indonesia on Feb 14?
A: In what has been called the world’s biggest election to be held in a day, millions of Indonesians will vote for their next president and vice-president.
Besides the presidential vote, the national parliamentary election will also take place on the same day, with the electorate choosing their executive and legislative representatives at all administrative levels across the nation.
About 205 million of Indonesia’s more than 270 million people are eligible to vote. And with just over half – or 106.4 million of the eligible voters – aged 17 to 40, the youth vote will play a significant role in this election.
Much attention has focused on the presidential race, as the country’s current leader, Mr Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, is finishing his second five-year term and is constitutionally barred from contesting again.
Q: Who is in the running?
A: Three pairs of candidates are vying for president and vice-president.
The first pair consists of current front runner Prabowo Subianto, 72, the defence chief, who narrowly lost to Mr Widodo in 2014 and 2019, and Solo mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 36, Mr Widodo’s eldest son.
A controversial figure, Mr Prabowo has managed to sidestep past allegations of human rights abuses when he was special forces commander in the country’s armed forces over 20 years ago, and recent controversies surrounding his choice of running mate for the vice-presidency.
Former governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan, 54, who has also set his sights on the presidency, is running with former minister of manpower and transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar, 57, as vice-president.
Mr Anies, a former academic, is remembered by many for his adept handling of the situation in the capital during the Covid-19 pandemic, but some have criticised him for previously accepting the endorsement of hardline Islamist groups.
The third pair comprises ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle candidate and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, 55, and his running mate, Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD, 66.
Mr Ganjar, who has had a long career in public service, spent nearly a decade in the Indonesian House of Representatives before serving as governor for two terms.
Q: How will a winner be decided?
A: Indonesian law states that a presidential candidate needs a simple majority – or more than 50 per cent – of the votes to win. They also need to attain 20 per cent of the votes in half of Indonesia’s 38 provinces.
If that does not happen, the top two candidates will enter a run-off vote in June, with the third pair eliminated.
Surveys in recent months indicate that none of the candidates is set to exceed the required minimum of half the votes, with the Prabowo-Gibran pair hovering around the mid-40 per cent mark.
The next president will take office in October 2024.
Q: What have been the crucial issues during the campaigning period?
A: Dynastic politics has dominated headlines about the elections so far, with some accusing Mr Widodo of trying to continue his influence in the country with his son’s presence in the race.
Mr Gibran has been in the spotlight since Indonesia’s Constitutional Court issued a special ruling in October 2023 that effectively allowed him to run for the vice-presidency, despite him being younger than 40, the minimum age required to contest the election.
The court, chaired by Mr Widodo’s brother-in-law at the time, ruled that the age requirement would not apply to anyone who has held or currently holds a position won through a general election. Mr Gibran qualifies due to his position as mayor of Solo.
He has also attracted criticism for his behaviour during official debates, which some have called disrespectful, and for alleged campaign violations.
The upcoming move of the country’s capital from Jakarta to the new Nusantara city in East Kalimantan has also been an election issue that candidates have sparred over.
Mr Ganjar and Mr Prabowo have pledged to largely continue Mr Widodo’s development programmes, including setting up Nusantara in Kalimantan.
But Mr Anies has shot down the idea, saying this will create “new inequality” among the different regions. He has called for development not just in one location but also in other places.
Q: How is the election important to Singapore and the region?
A: Indonesia is Singapore’s neighbour, and both countries have substantive cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including education, culture, defence and the environment.
In 2022, Indonesia was Singapore’s top source of visitors, with some 1.1 million people – accounting for 17.4 per cent of total visitor arrivals – from the archipelago.
Singapore has been Indonesia’s top foreign investor since 2014, with total investments reaching $17.5 billion in 2022.
That year, Singapore was Indonesia’s fourth-largest trading partner, and Indonesia was Singapore’s sixth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $74.6 billion.
In Asean, Indonesia is the largest nation and also has the biggest economy.
In the realm of digital economy, Indonesia was the biggest online spender in South-east Asia in 2022, accounting for 52 per cent of the region’s total gross merchandise value (GMV), according to a report by Singapore-based venture firm Momentum Works.
Geopolitically, Indonesia has also increasingly become a big player.
In 2022, besides staging the first meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Indonesia also led the Group of 20 (G-20) nations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2023, Indonesia chaired Asean and navigated the bloc through three conflicts: the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the civil war in Myanmar.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/askst-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-the-indonesian-election-and-how-does-it-affect-singapore?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-31T21:40:49Z
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These are not easy times to be a parent, preparing your children for the future. You wonder what sort of training will equip them for good jobs of the future, especially when artificial intelligence (AI) seems capable of carrying out many of the tasks done by humans. You also know that, on account of globalisation, they will face competition from highly skilled workers based anywhere in the world, who can do many jobs remotely.
Competition has intensified in both schools and the job market, with new technologies continuing to emerge. This means equipping our children with standard skills or simply training them for a particular field will no longer be enough, especially as those skills or pockets of training may get overtaken by technology and become outdated.
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| 2024-01-31T21:40:59Z
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SINGAPORE - Early on in negotiations with four armed terrorists who had bombed the Shell oil refinery on Pulau Bukom and hijacked a boat, the Internal Security Department (ISD) made an impossible ask.
The authorities needed volunteer officers in a proposed exchange for the crew members of the Laju, the ferry that the terrorists had taken at gunpoint on Jan 31, 1974, in a bid to escape Bukom after their bombing.
Despite fears for his safety, Mr Saraj Din, then a newly-wed 28-year-old officer with ISD’s counter-terrorism unit, put his hand up to be counted.
“I had to volunteer because I was the officer dealing with the case,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Straits Times to mark the 50th anniversary of the Laju incident.
The story of how the Laju ferry hijacking crisis was defused has been told through the eyes of commanders such as former president S R Nathan, and former commissioner of police Tee Tua Ba, but never from the perspective of a rank-and-file officer such as Mr Saraj.
While the hostage swop never came to fruition, it would not be the last time that the young officer put himself in harm’s way during the case, which was Singapore’s first encounter with international terrorism.
When negotiations were under way, officers found an abandoned car near Labrador Park that had been spotted at Taman Serasi in Tanglin. The car, which the authorities suspected belonged to the hijackers, yielded a set of keys to a flat in Taman Serasi.
A decision was made to storm the flat, but many officers were apprehensive. “They thought the place was booby-trapped, and there may be people inside and there could be a shoot-out,” said Mr Saraj.
He decided to volunteer for the operation, given that he “had a lot of experience with tight situations”, including the race riots that broke out after Singapore and Malaysia separated.
The flat was thankfully unoccupied during the raid, but ISD officers found plastic explosives and some documents, confirming their suspicions.
Meanwhile, negotiations with the terrorists stretched for days, during which two hostages escaped by jumping off the boat. In exchange for the remaining three hostages, the hijackers demanded safe passage on a flight to an Arab country, with a group of guarantors aboard to ensure their safety.
An agreement was reached only after another group of terrorists took the Japanese embassy in Kuwait hostage on Feb 6 and threatened to kill embassy staff unless the Japanese government sent a plane to take the Laju hijackers to Kuwait.
Mr Saraj was informed at about 5pm on Feb 7 to go home, get his passport and get ready to be taken to the airport. Shortly before 2am on Feb 8, a special Japan Airlines flight departed for Kuwait from Paya Lebar Airport with the four hijackers, 13 Singaporean guarantors, two Japanese officials and 12 Japan Airlines crew members.
The 13 were led by Mr Nathan, then director of the Security and Intelligence Division, the Republic’s foreign intelligence service, and included Mr Tee, who had led negotiations as officer-in-charge of the Marine Police (today’s Police Coast Guard), and Mr Saraj.
During the flight, Mr Saraj and the other guarantors sat themselves between the Japanese crew and the hijackers – two men who were from the Japanese Red Army, and two from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Both groups were notorious for collaborating on aircraft hijackings and deadly attacks, including a 1972 massacre at Israel’s main airport that left 26 people dead.
The guarantors had to be alert and vigilant throughout the 10-hour flight, as they suspected that at least some of the aircrew were Japanese commandos.
Mr Saraj said: “We didn’t know if we would come back. Of course, I was worried that at any time something nasty could happen, but I kept myself calm.”
The one decision that still haunts him today was to leave without letting his pregnant wife know about his potential one-way trip. She was used to his long working hours, and had no clue he had left home that evening with his passport.
“She had told me just two weeks earlier that she was expecting our first baby, so it was quite sad to leave and not tell her,” he said, choking up. “I didn’t want to worry her because I was afraid she would get upset and lose the baby.”
When the plane finally touched down at Kuwait International Airport and the winter mist cleared, Mr Saraj was shocked to see the plane surrounded by army tanks and armed soldiers. Instructions from the air tower were that no one was allowed to alight.
Unbeknownst to him, the Kuwaiti authorities had allowed the plane to land on the condition that the terrorists stayed on the plane. The plane was to refuel and depart for another destination.
In his memoirs, Mr Nathan recounted the tough, hours-long negotiations with the Kuwaiti authorities for the guarantors to be allowed off the plane and to return to Singapore, having fulfilled their part of the deal.
At one point, the terrorists who had stormed the Japanese embassy arrived on the tarmac and boarded the plane fully armed with revolvers and grenades. With careful urging by Mr Nathan through Japanese officials, their ammunition was eventually stowed away.
“Mr Nathan managed to hold his ground... The good thing about him was that he was able to size up the situation and act accordingly,” said Mr Saraj.
Some time after, the guarantors were ordered off the plane and into waiting cars. Afraid that the hijackers might insist they be returned to the aircraft as hostages, in Kuwait City Mr Nathan gave each of the officers US$100 from the funds he had brought, and tasked them to disperse by going shopping.
Mr Saraj said the only thing he bought with the money was a US$10 bottle of perfume for his wife.
That evening, the Singaporeans boarded a Kuwaiti Airways plane to Bahrain, before returning to Singapore on Feb 9 on a Singapore Airlines flight.
Mr Saraj finally broke the news to his worried wife when he reached home. Tearing up again, he said: “She didn’t scold me; she said she was proud of me.”
Laju a turning point
Mr Saraj said much changed in the ISD after the Laju incident. Officers were better trained physically and had to keep abreast of geopolitical issues around the region.
“Laju was the turning point in our build-up of resources to handle such a situation, because an incident can happen any time and we must be prepared,” he said, noting that prior to the incident officers largely relied on their instincts and resourcefulness.
In the wake of the Laju hijacking, the police started the Negotiation Team to respond to terrorist and criminal hostage incidents.
Mr Saraj was one of the first officers to join the team and was involved in many security incidents, including the hijacking of Flight SQ117 in 1991, and an incident in 1996 when a drug trafficker and robber held two police officers hostage in a Criminal Investigation Department lock-up.
In 2002, the Negotiation Team was formalised as the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) under the command of the police’s Special Operations Command (SOC). This arrangement was to foster greater responsiveness between the CNU and SOC units, such as the elite Special Tactics and Rescue Unit, said police.
After a storied career of more than 36 years, Mr Saraj left the police force in 1999 as an assistant superintendent of police. He became managing director of a private security firm before retiring in 2011.
Now a grandfather of three, Mr Saraj and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2023.
Mr Saraj said the 13 officials made a pact not to go public with their accounts of the Laju incident until Mr Nathan did, and the former president did so in his 2011 autobiography.
But just as the ISD still operates in the half-shadows to neutralise threats to Singapore, the steely-eyed veteran said he prefers to keep some parts of the mission untold.
“When I tell my children about my experiences and the cases I did, they say ‘Papa, you should write a book’,” he said. “But no, I think some things are still very sensitive and should be kept secret.”
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| 2024-01-31T21:41:10Z
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MELBOURNE – “Dada, we have a match today. We can do this.”
It’s the Saturday morning of the Australian Open men’s doubles final and Tridha, who’s four, and who’s heard her mother say this, utters these lines to her father.
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| 2024-01-31T21:41:20Z
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SINGAPORE – Takayuki Nishigaya’s stint as Singapore national football coach was doomed from the start.
The 50-year-old Japanese was sacked by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Jan 29, but he should not be the only one held responsible for the Lions’ largely poor run of results over the past two years.
In December 2021, his predecessor Tatsuma Yoshida quit the post less than 11 months into his second two-year contract, but it took the FAS four months to appoint a replacement.
Budget was a concern, but there were still candidates who had international experience and pedigree.
One of them was Stephen Constantine, who took India to the 2019 Asian Cup and the top 100 in the Fifa rankings, and after being snubbed by Singapore, led Pakistan to the second round of World Cup qualifiers for the first time.
While it seemed like the Englishman had the CV to deliver, the FAS passed up on the opportunity – though there was no guarantee he would have succeeded here.
But what it failed to do was to give the national team every chance of succeeding.
The Asian Cup qualifiers in June 2022 were one example, with a kind draw and a single round-robin tournament presenting the Lions with a great opportunity to qualify for the continental showpiece for the first time. With just one international football window in March 2022 to prepare, it was baffling that the FAS took such a long time to appoint Nishigaya on April 25, 2022.
It would not be until May 26 that year that he held his first training session, giving him little to no time to understand and bond with the players before they set off. They had just one friendly against Kuwait on June 1, 2022 before the Asian Cup qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan a week later.
They led the hosts before losing 2-1, lost 1-0 to Tajikistan and beat Myanmar 6-2. Imagine what could have been if the team had more time to work with their new coach.
There are other questions to ponder.
Despite mediocre results at club level, Nishigaya was hired on the recommendation of the Japan Football Association.
Did the FAS seriously consider other options? Did it do its due diligence to check on Nishigaya’s personality, temperament and ability to communicate? Or did it simply trust that lightning would strike twice and he would, like Yoshida, work out?
Every good international coach needs a first break, and there are plenty of cases of coaches who succeed overseas despite not speaking the country’s native language.
Some, like former Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo, have a strong team of assistants and a skilled translator who can bring the coach’s ideas and messages across well. The Lions just did not have that.
The FAS and Nishigaya are not the only parties responsible for his failing. What can they do if some players feel it is a good idea to attend a New Year’s party a few days before a crucial Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship clash in January 2023 against Malaysia, which they lost 4-1?
But the coach has to take some of the blame – sources say that he is an introvert who made little effort to bond with his backroom staff and players.
Ultimately, the lack of synergy showed in the lack of identity in games, even if his record of eight victories, five draws and eight defeats is actually superior to Yoshida’s 6-4-10 report card.
Nishigaya was effectively a dead man walking after the Causeway derby humiliation and the rumour mill was rife with talk of his termination when The Straits Times reported that the search for a replacement had begun before the second round of World Cup qualifiers last November.
Albirex Niigata coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga and former Warriors boss Alex Weaver were in the running but did not get the job despite having won the Singapore Premier League title and their experience working in local football.
Former assistant coach of the Japan national team and their Olympic side, Tsutomu Ogura, is believed to have agreed terms with the FAS and was recently in town for medical tests.
The local fraternity is hoping that the FAS, its management and the team will learn from this failure, as a coach on his own can only do so much.
An effective communicator with the ability to inspire the team to play above themselves and a proven track record are ideal qualities, but the Lions must also play ball.
The next national coach must be given resources to build his backroom, organise quality training camps and friendly matches to build camaraderie and boost playing levels, as well as time for his philosophy to take root.
Clear targets and timelines must also be set. Forget the World Cup – the AFF Championship semi-finals will be a good start and qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup must be the main goal.
The FAS rarely sacks its foreign coaches and its decisiveness this time round, believing that “an early transition to a fresh successor would re-energise the team” must be matched by the right decisions moving forward.
Otherwise, we could be stuck in Groundhog Day and having this same discussion in two years’ time.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singapore-football-coach-sacking-limp-lions-not-solely-nishigaya-s-fault?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-31T21:41:31Z
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Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain hosted a diplomatic reception on Wednesday where the royals met with diplomats across the world, but one moment did not go to plan.
During these diplomatic receptions, the King and Queen stand side-by-side and shake hands with each ambassador as they pass. As Wednesday's ceremony came to an end, Letizia ended up suffering a small mishap, with Felipe even getting involved. See the moment below and how the royals reacted to the moment.
For the event, the Spanish royal looked incredibly glamorous in a floor-length navy-blue dress that covered her footwear. As for accessories, Letizia chose a stunning diamond bracelet, alongside a pair of sapphire earrings and a gorgeous necklace gifted to her 20 years ago by King Felipe's parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
Despite being an annual occurrence, there always seems to be a little bit of drama at Spain's diplomatic meetings. During last year's event the royal was apparently snubbed by an Iranian ambassador when he didn't shake hands with her.
It does appear that there was an innocent explanation for the moment, with the ambassador seemingly giving a different gesture to Letizia, as per Iranian custom. This dictates that a man should not shake hands with a woman unless she extends the arm first. However, he may still choose to refuse to shake hands at the time.
It's been a busy week for Letizia who was out in Madrid on Monday attending the National Disability Awards. Upon arrival, Letizia was received by the president of the National Heritage Administration Council, Ana de la Cueva.
The 51-year-old looked radiant in a pale blue wrap dress by Adolfo Dominguez that featured cuffed sleeves and a cinched waist. The knee-grazing garment was styled with a pair of nude leather pumps by Magrit with a kitten heel.
Letizia is certainly known to be a style icon, and earlier in the month, she looked incredible as she stepped out for a meeting with the AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer). For the event, the royal wore the 'Manet Austrian Jacket' by Frambua – a navy light tweed style with black piping and statement silver buttons.
The outfit was worn undone to reveal the 'Banora' blouse by Hugo Boss which was a white top with gathered fabric around the neck which Letizia wore tucked into a pair of black cigarette trousers that cut off at the ankle.
SEE: Queen Letizia wows in waist-cinching trousers and gorgeous boots
LOOK: Queen Letizia stuns in ultra-trendy shoes and cropped jacket with special meaning
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/512479/queen-letizia-wardrobe-malfunction-bracelet-in-front-guests/
| 2024-01-31T21:44:19Z
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Russian authorities have intensified charges against Kyrylo Barannikov, a Crimean resident and a master of sports in orienteering.
Barannikov, illegally detained by Russian security forces under the pretext of his involvement in alleged railway sabotage in Crimea, now faces grave accusations of state treason and participation in a terrorist organization.
The accusations, reported by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, reveal a disturbing trend of repression and human rights violations in the occupied Crimea.
Barannik’s arrest occurred on 30 May 2023 on the embankment in the occupied city of Simferopol. He was blindfolded and taken for interrogation, during which he reportedly confessed to his sabotage activity in the settlement of Poshtove on 23 February.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian authorities have initiated legal proceedings related to railway sabotage against 137 individuals, with more than half of them being under the age of 20, as per UkrInform.
Read also:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/31/media-crimean-athlete-faces-life-sentence-after-accusations-of-state-treason-by-russian-occupation-authorities/
| 2024-01-31T22:08:13Z
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In the wake of the Russian occupation, Melitopol, once home to around 150,000 residents, witnessed a mass exodus, with over half of its citizens fleeing to Ukrainian-controlled territories and abroad after 24 February 2022.
However, Mayor Ivan Fedorov reveals a concerning shift in the city’s demographics after its seizure by Russian troops. Despite the outflow, the mayor claims that nearly 100,000 Russian citizens, including military personnel, labor migrants, and other foreigners, have been relocated to Melitopol by the occupiers within almost two years.
“The population of temporarily occupied Melitopol has become larger than before the full-scale invasion and occupation… Occupiers are uprooting Ukrainians, relocating thousands of migrant workers from Russia, and reshaping the nation’s gene pool,” emphasized the mayor.
Despite the challenges posed by the occupiers, Melitopol’s underground resistance persists, staging secret acts of defiance.
In November 2023, the partisans targeted the Russian-occupied premises of the local postal office, repurposed as a headquarters by the invaders.
Ukraine’s Intelligence: explosions in occupied Melitopol killed two Russian officers
The explosion resulted in the death of at least three Russian National Guard officers during a meeting with Federal Security Service (FSB) officials.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/31/melitopol-mayor-says-moscow-has-relocated-at-least-100000-russians-in-the-city-since-2022-invasion/
| 2024-01-31T22:08:53Z
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During her visit to Kyiv on 31 January, US Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland warned that Vladimir Putin can expect surprises on the battlefield in Ukraine.
“Mr. Putin is going to get some nice surprises on the battlefield, and Ukraine will make some very strong success this year,” stated Nuland before leaving the Ukrainian capital.
“Mr. Putin is going to get some nice surprises on the battlefield, and Ukraine will make some very strong success this year,” stated US Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, who visited Kyiv on 31 January.
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) January 31, 2024
📹 RFE/RL pic.twitter.com/0doVT1EzQP
In Kyiv, Nuland met with Ukraine’s President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker, and representatives of parliamentary factions.
The visit occurred amidst delayed Western aid to Ukraine, with the Biden Administration’s request for over $60 billion in additional assistance currently stalled in Congress.
Late on 30 January, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder confirmed that Ukraine would receive the ground-launched bombs (GLSDB) from the US. However, he explicitly stated that he would not confirm specific timelines. A media report indicated that Ukraine was scheduled to receive the first batch of the GLSDB on 31 January.
Referring to four unnamed sources, Politico stated that Ukraine was set to receive the first batch of Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) on 31 January, a novel long-range weapon not yet in the US arsenal capable of hitting targets 150 km away.
The Financial Times reported on 19 January that Russian forces likely intend a large-scale summer 2024 offensive aimed at fully capturing the four Ukrainian regions Moscow claimed to annex in September 2022 – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
However, a Western official told FT the prospects for either side making an operational breakthrough in 2024 remain small.
Read more:
- Pentagon confirms GLSDB supplies to Ukraine, avoids confirming timelines
- FP: US, Germany push to delay Ukraine NATO membership invite
- Bloomberg: Western diplomats warn that without US aid, Ukrainian Army to confront significant challenges by late spring
- Latvian Defense Minister outlines steps to supply Ukraine with 1,000,000 artillery rounds
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/31/nuland-putin-to-get-some-nice-surprises-on-the-battlefield/
| 2024-01-31T22:09:33Z
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According to a statement by the Swiss government, Switzerland has joined the 12th package of EU sanctions, which includes a ban on the import of Russian diamonds.
“Switzerland thus joins the measures agreed at the G7 summit on 6 December 2023 to deprive Russia of this important revenue stream,” the government’s communique notes.
The measures come into force on 1 February.
Switzerland also prohibited exporting and selling chemicals, lithium batteries, certain motors for unmanned aerial vehicles, machine tools, and machinery parts to Russia. Furthermore, more entities have been added to the list of companies subject to restrictions on goods for civil and military use (dual-use goods).
In the financial sector, Russian nationals and individuals living in Russia will be banned from controlling companies in Switzerland that provide crypto-asset services. There are also additional measures to support the enforcement of the oil price cap for Russian crude oil and petroleum products and to counter attempts to circumvent the cap.
Switzerland has also placed an additional 147 individuals and companies under sanctions, taking the total to 1,422 individuals and 291 organizations.
Switzerland has joined previous rounds of EU sanctions since the start of the war almost two years ago. Therefore, Russia has stopped considering it a neutral country and classified it as “unfriendly.” Switzerland itself continues to consider itself neutral, which was manifested, in particular, in its refusal to supply weapons to Ukraine.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/31/switzerland-bans-import-of-russian-diamonds/
| 2024-01-31T22:10:13Z
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On 31 January, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov held a meeting with US Inspector General of the Department of Defense Robert Storch in Kyiv.
The visit comes while Republicans in the House of Representatives continue to block a $66 billion aid package to Ukraine amid partisan squabbling ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.
In December 2023, Czech President Petr Pavel said Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on the victory of Donal Trump in the 2024 US elections to negotiate with him on the future of the Russia-Ukraine war without the involvement of any European state, as per EurActiv.com. Trump himself said that as president, he would be able to resolve the Ukraine war in one day.
These facts may suggest that the former US president plans to decide the fate of Ukraine with Putin without taking into account Ukraine’s views on how to end Russia’s war. Therefore, the possible lack of assistance to Ukraine may be a way to leave the country without options during the possible negotiations between the two leaders.
During the meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov briefed the American delegation on ongoing institutional transformations within the Ministry, including the implementation of a robust oversight system, risk management, compliance, and anti-corruption measures in procurement, alongside the introduction of democratic control tools in the defense sector.
Umerov also expressed confidence that by the end of April, all supervisory mechanisms would be fully operational, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing control and transparency, particularly in the use of security aid provided by Ukraine’s allies.
At the meeting, Storch signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine’s Main Inspection of the Ministry of Defense and the Office of the General Inspector of the US Department of Defense, aiming to strengthen cooperation in overseeing the use of international assistance.
The memorandum outlines provisions for information exchange to identify, confirm, and prevent fraud or corruption related to US security aid to Ukraine, joint efforts to combat fraud, the establishment of a mutual request mechanism for investigations, and meetings to define collaborative priorities.
The Ukrainian signatory was Admiral Igor Voronchenko, the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense.
Read more:
- EU commissioner advocates for redirecting 40% of EU ammo exports to fulfill Ukraine’s million-round need
- Borrellll: EU could achieve 1 mn artillery goal for Ukraine by redirecting exports
- EU (predictably) admits it will fail artillery shell pledge for Ukraine
- Lithuania: EU supplied Ukraine with only 300,000 shells, while DPRK already sent 350,000 to Russia
- NATO countries must prioritize security of their societies to defeat Russia, Zelenskyy says
- CNN: Biden warns top lawmakers that US soldiers on the line if Russia-Ukraine war expands into NATO territory
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/31/ukraine-us-sign-memorandum-to-enhance-monitoring-of-defense-aid/
| 2024-01-31T22:10:54Z
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The entertainment world mourns the loss of Hinton Battle, a prodigious talent whose footprints on Broadway and beyond have left an indelible mark.
At the age of 67, the revered actor and singer passed away at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
His death was confirmed by his representative, who stated that Hinton's family has chosen not to disclose the cause of his passing at this time.
Hinton was celebrated for his electrifying original portrayal of the Scarecrow in the Broadway production of The Wiz in 1975, a role that would later be famously reprised by Michael Jackson in the movie adaptation.
His diverse talents continued to shine across various platforms, including his memorable performance as Wayne in the 2006 movie Dreamgirls, which featured powerhouse talents like Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson.
Jennifer Hudson, Hinton's Dreamgirls co-star, offered heartfelt homage to the late performer. On the social platform X, she shared her sorrow and admiration:
"We lost two irreplaceable Broadway icons this week. Chita Rivera and Hinton Battle! I’ll always be grateful for their unique artistry and impact and the way our lives intersected! Rest well, legends!"
Hinton's contributions to the arts earned him prestigious nods, including SAG and Critics' Choice nominations for his role in Dreamgirls.
However, his accolades did not begin nor end there; he was a three-time Tony Award winner in the featured actor in a musical category.
His performances in Sophisticated Ladies (1981), The Tap Dance Kid (1984), and Miss Saigon (1991) each garnered him the esteemed Tony recognition, solidifying his status as a Broadway luminary.
His talents also graced the small screen, perhaps most notably in a musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2001.
Hinton not only performed as the suave demon Sweet in the episode Once More, With Feeling but also lent his expertise as the choreographer, infusing the show with his distinctive flair.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512480/jennifer-hudson-leads-the-tributes-as-dreamgirls-co-star-hinton-battle-dies-aged-67/
| 2024-01-31T22:41:17Z
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Mike Tindall and wife Zara might have a fairytale romance, however, it appears that it didn't start this way with Mike admitting he barely talked to his future wife the first time they crossed paths.
Mike and Zara first met in a Sydney bar during the 2003 Rugby World Cup, with Zara's cousin, Prince Harry, introducing the pair. But reflecting on their first meeting when speaking with Manish Bhasin for The Gambling Zone, Mike revealed that his emotions from being dropped from the squad clouded the day for him.
"When we met, I basically only said hello," Mike admitted. "I didn't really even talk to her because I was, as I said, I was still quite down."
During his time in the I'm a Celebrity jungle, Mike opened up about dating Zara, revealing that the pair were friends before they started seeing each other. "We were friends first and then William and Harry were massive England fans at the time, so we’d met them numerous times," he told fellow campmate Owen Warner. "Met more of the family than you'd normally have met of the woman you start dating."
The father-of-three also revealed what happened on the couple's first date, sharing: "First actual date, just went out for lunch locally. And ended up being quite a boozy one. Then we figured out that we both quite like getting smashed. It was a good start."
Zara took their relationship to the next level when she invited Mike to join her at the North Cotswold Ball. By 2004, the besotted couple became "official" and Mike was often spotted appearing at public events with the royal.
Mike proposed to Princess Anne's daughter in December 2010 after five years of dating. Speaking to HELLO! in 2009, the rugby player teased: "I don't think it is about whether we will get married but when."
"I was upstairs, plucking up the nerve to do it, while Zara was downstairs watching television," he told The Daily Mail when remembering the special moment. "It was all about shock value—I wanted to catch her when it was quiet, and she wasn't expecting anything."
The couple were at home, when he walked in and got down on one knee with a ring and popped the question. Her reaction? "She started laughing", Mike revealed. "She was in complete shock. Then, when she stopped laughing, she said yes. That was a relief."
The couple tied the knot at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh in July 2011, and the ceremony was attended by senior members of the royal family including the late Queen and the late Prince Philip, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Zara and Mike went on to hold their wedding reception at the Queen's official Scottish residence, Holyrood Palace, where her mother would stay while she was at Gordonstoun.
PHOTOS: Mike Tindall's sporty daughter Lena, 5, takes after him during 5k charity run
RELATED: Meet Zara and Mike Tindall’s three adorable children: Mia, Lena and Lucas
The couple have gone on to welcome three children, Mia, ten, Lena, five, and Lucas, two.
LISTEN: Why a reconciliation between King Charles and Prince Harry is set to happen
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/512481/mike-tindall-surprise-confession-first-time-zara-tindall-didnt-talk/
| 2024-01-31T22:41:23Z
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NEW YORK - US stocks tumbled on the last trading day in January after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady while dashing hopes for interest rate cut as soon as March.
The three major US stock indexes were already weighed down by weakness in tech and tech-adjacent megacap stocks the day after disappointing Alphabet results.
All three extended losses after the Fed’s announcement and chairman Jerome Powell’s subsequent press conference. The S&P 500 closed with its steepest daily loss since Sept 21.
All three indexes still notched gains for the month.
As expected, the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) left its key policy rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent against a backdrop of gradually cooling inflation and a resilient economy.
In its statement, the FOMC said it “does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably towards 2 per cent,” disappointing investors who had hoped for a quick dovish pivot.
“There were no surprises in the Fed statement,” said Mr Oliver Pursche, senior vice-president at Wealthspire Advisors, in New York. “It does appear that further rate hikes are off the table, which is a positive, but investors should continue to expect higher for longer as we’re still quite a ways away from the sort of economic data that would push the Fed to lower rates.”
The indexes gyrated move after Fed chairman Jerome Powell said the FOMC was confident it will be appropriate to reduce rates once it has confirmation inflation has been reined in, but effectively ruled out a March rate cut.
“The good news is we can forget about any more tightening,” said Mr Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth in New York. “The bad news it’s ‘when’, not ‘if’, they’re going to cut rates, and that ‘when’ has been pushed out to what had been the fringes of consensus.”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 317.01 points, or 0.82 per cent, to 38,150.30, the S&P 500 lost 79.32 points, or 1.61 per cent, to 4,845.65 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 345.88 points, or 2.23 per cent, to 15,164.01.
All 11 major US stock indexes ended red, with communication services and tech shares suffering the largest percentage losses.
Fourth quarter earnings season has shifted into overdrive, with nearly one in five companies in the S&P 500 slated to report this week.
Thus far, 176 have posted results. Of those, 80 per cent have beaten expectations, according to LSEG.
Analysts now see aggregate fourth quarter S&P 500 earnings growth of 6.1 per cent year-on-year, an improvement over the 4.7 per cent forecast at the end of the quarter, per LSEG.
Alphabet shares slid 7.5 per cent the day after Google’s parent reported disappointing ad sales and projected an increase in capital spending to boost its artificial intelligence capabilities.
Microsoft also forecast rising costs to develop AI features, but its quarterly results beat analyst expectations. Its shares were last off 2.7 per cent.
Shares of New York Community Bancorp tumbled 37.7%, touching their lowest level in over two decades after posting a surprise loss and slashing its dividend. The KBW Regional Bank index slid 6.0%.
A spate of economic indicators released on Jan 31, including fourth quarter employment costs and ADP’s employment index, suggested some easing in the labour market, viewed by the Fed as a necessary precondition for bringing inflation down to its 2 per cent annual target.
Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 3-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 326 new highs and 56 new lows on the NYSE.
On the Nasdaq 1,136 stocks rose and 3,160 fell as declining issues outnumbered advancers by about a 2.8-to-1 ratio.
The S&P 500 posted 59 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows while the Nasdaq recorded 132 new highs and 125 new lows.
Volume on US exchanges was relatively heavy, with 13.3 billion shares traded, compared to an average of 11.5 billion shares over the previous 20 sessions. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/wall-st-ends-lower-after-us-fed-holds-rates-steady-rules-out-march-rate-cut
| 2024-01-31T23:08:30Z
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Argylle (PG13)
139 minutes, opens on Feb 1
3 stars
The story: Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a renowned spy novelist and a loner. A fan, Aiden (Sam Rockwell), approaches her on a train. He appears to be oblivious to her growing discomfort and, worse, seems to be a conspiracy theorist. Through that encounter, Elly is caught in a scheme much larger than she could have imagined.
As a director, Matthew Vaughn has made his name as a storyteller with a gift for comic-book scenarios.
In superhero movies Kick-A** (2010) and X-Men: First Class (2011) through to The King’s Man (2021), the British film-maker has crafted a highly controlled form of storytelling that revels in music-driven action, sparse settings, striking colour schemes and dialogue-driven humour.
Argylle, unlike much of his most well-known work, is not a comic-book adaptation. It is based on an original screenplay from American screenwriter Jason Fuchs, whose resume includes the DC Extended Universe feature Wonder Woman (2017) and the animation Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012).
The result is a film that bears many of Vaughn’s signature flourishes, including extended fight scenes that feel more like music videos, characters who speak combatively and a plot that does not really matter. Watch this for scenes, not story.
But what is missing in this PG13 outing is the edgy material that made Vaughn the poster boy for laddish cinema – see the sex jokes and exploding heads in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and the cool violence of Kick-A**.
Stripped of shock value, the story of Howard’s Elly as a fish out of water in the crazy world of espionage has to stand on its own. It does, while also feeling disappointingly generic.
Top names are added for colour: Dua Lipa offers sensuality and glamour, John Cena is again the Caucasian version of South Korea’s Don Lee – the human bulldozer with a heart of gold – and Henry Cavill as the superspy of the title does a passable impression of the smugly suave 1980s-era James Bond.
The cat shown in the trailer is just one more running gag.
This is a story that cries out for sharper jokes and much more heart. Unless one empathises with Elly, the wacky escapades which find her – and her cat – screaming and hanging on for dear life become repetitive.
Hot take: This espionage comedy features a story that has been done better elsewhere, but is saved by Vaughn’s imaginative handling of action visuals.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/at-the-movies-spy-comedy-argylle-features-cool-visuals-in-a-generic-story
| 2024-01-31T23:08:40Z
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Premier League Nottingham Forest have signed Borussia Dortmund's 21-year-old midfielder Gio Reyna on loan until the end of the season, both clubs said on Wednesday.
The loan deal is without an option to buy and the English-born U.S. international has also signed a contract with Dortmund until 2026.
Reyna, who joined the Bundesliga club in 2019, has played 11 league matches this season, mainly as a substitute.
Forest, 16th in the Premier League table, travel to Bournemouth on Sunday. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-31T23:08:50Z
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Italy striker Andrea Belotti has joined Fiorentina on loan from AS Roma, Fiorentina said on Wednesday.
Italian media reported that Belotti has joined Fiorentina on a six-month loan worth around 750,000 euros ($811,000) without a buy option.
The 30-year-old, who has played 44 times for his country, joined Roma in 2022 after seven seasons at Torino. He failed to score a Serie A goal last season and has only netted three times in the current campaign.
Fiorentina are sixth in Serie A with 34 points. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-31T23:09:01Z
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MANCHESTER, England - Pep Guardiola heaped praise on his Burnley counterpart Vincent Kompany following Manchester City's 3-1 Premier League victory on Wednesday, suggesting the latter will one day be in charge at the Etihad Stadium.
Two goals by birthday boy Julian Alvarez and a Rodri strike gave City a comfortable win as they welcomed Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones back into the starting line-up, and had striker Erling Haaland on the pitch in the second half after missing the last 10 games with injury.
City are second in the Premier League table, five points behind Liverpool with a game in hand.
There was a tribute to Burnley manager Kompany before the match in recognition of the former City defender’s 11-year stay at the club during which he made 360 appearances.
"Vinny sooner or later will finish here," Guardiola told reporters. "I have the feeling he will finish here. He is already a big manager, what he did last season with Burnley. You can see the ideas they have, the way they try to defend. I like what he does."
City were never troubled despite a late consolation goal for Burnley's Ameen Al Dakhil.
"Today the game was not close," Guardiola said. "There are games with this score that feel closer, this was not. We had players who have less control than usual, we had more runners, more speed.
"Burnley is not an easy team to face, they never give up. Today, we won because of the quality of players we have, not because we controlled everything or where better at all aspects."
The return of De Bruyne to the starting side for the first time since the opening day of the season, ironically also against Burnley, was welcomed by Guardiola.
"It's a long time, five months, he didn't play. He comes back with energy. He played really, really good. Him and Erling are going to help us in this part of the season," the manager said.
Kompany took positives from his team's performance.
"We have to look at the easy goals we conceded but also the chances we created," he said. "I thought we looked after the ball ever so well. Every time we had the ball we looked threatening. When we defended, we have to defend better." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/guardiola-praise-for-kompany-after-man-city-beat-burnley
| 2024-01-31T23:09:11Z
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BERLIN - Kaiserslautern eased past hosts and fellow second-tier club Hertha Berlin 3-1 on Wednesday to book a spot in the German Cup last four, a decade after their last semi-final appearance.
Kaiserslautern coach Dimitris Grammozis made no changes to his line-up that crushed Schalke 04 4-1 and the decision quickly paid off for the visitors.
They took a fifth-minute lead when Jan Elvedi rifled home after Hertha failed to clear a free kick floated into the box.
Richmond Tachie completed a quick move with a fine shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-0 and pile pressure on the hosts.
Hertha, who reached the last four in 2016, had a chance to cut the deficit three minutes after halftime but Haris Tabakovic could not beat keeper Julian Krahl from six metres.
Kaiserslautern scored again as Filip Kaloc pounced on a Hertha error in midfield, charging through and drilling in a low shot from outside the box to kill off the game.
Fabian Reese managed a stoppage-time consolation goal for Hertha.
Second division Fortuna Duesseldorf are through to the semi-finals. Bayer Leverkusen host VfB Stuttgart and Saarbruecken take on Borussia Moenchengladbach next week in the other quarter-finals. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/kaiserslautern-cruise-into-german-cup-last-four-with-3-1-win-at-hertha
| 2024-01-31T23:09:22Z
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MADRID - Memphis Depay's last-gasp goal salvaged a 2-1 home win for Atletico Madrid against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday which lifted Diego Simeone's side back to third in the LaLiga standings.
Atletico moved up to 47 points, level with Barcelona but ahead on goal difference.
They are eight behind leaders Girona and seven adrift of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and play at Getafe on Thursday.
Defender Reinildo Mandava put Atletico ahead with a towering header from a Rodrigo Riquelme free kick in the 35th minute but a fine first-half strike from the edge of the box by Alvaro Garcia levelled the scores seven minutes later.
One minute into added time, Antoine Griezmann found Depay inside the six-yard box and the Dutch forward reacted quickly to secure victory for the hosts. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/last-gasp-depay-strike-earns-atletico-2-1-win-over-rayo
| 2024-01-31T23:09:32Z
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LIVERPOOL, England - Twenty-year-old Conor Bradley scored his first goal for Liverpool and then set up one for Dominik Szoboszlai as Juergen Klopp's team moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea on Wednesday.
Liverpool, who are unbeaten at Anfield this season in all competitions, have 51 points after 22 games. Manchester City, who have a game in hand, are second and level on points with third-place Arsenal with 46. Chelsea are 10th with 31.
Liverpool played with such intensity from the opening whistle, their stifling press had Chelsea struggling to get out of their own half.
While Darwin Nunez peppered Chelsea's goal with seven shots in the first half, it was Diogo Jota who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when he bundled past a couple of Chelsea defenders to score.
Bradley whipped the Anfield fans into a frenzy in the 39th minute when he hammered home an angled shot to the far corner after a surging run.
The youngster from Northern Ireland then left a defender in his wake in the 65th minute before launching a pinpoint cross that Szoboszlai leapt to head past Djordje Petrovic.
Christopher Nkunku pulled one back in the 71st but Liverpool's Luis Diaz replied with a goal eight minutes later to send many of the Blues fans in attendance to the exits. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/liverpool-move-five-points-clear-at-the-top-after-4-1-rout-of-chelsea
| 2024-01-31T23:09:42Z
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MANCHESTER, England - Julian Alvarez celebrated his 24th birthday with two goals as Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Jan 31 to climb to second in the Premier League table.
It was a stroll for the champions as Rodri added a third goal to ensure a 13th win in a row against Burnley, during which time City have scored 46 goals and conceded two. Ameen Al Dakhil netted a late consolation for the visitors.
Pep Guardiola’s side moved to 46 points from 21 games, two behind leaders Liverpool, who play Chelsea later on Wednesday. Burnley are second bottom and seven points from safety having played a game more than Luton Town in 17th.
City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne made his first start for City since the opening day of the season and striker Erling Haaland came off the bench for the final 20 minutes after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.
It was freezing cold in Manchester, but a night to warm the heart of Guardiola following a routine win, players successfully returning from injury and a celebration of his former City captain Vincent Kompany, now Burnley’s manager, before kick-off.
But there would be little sentiment once the game started. City took 16 minutes to have an attempt on target, but they opened the scoring from it.
Matheus Nunes broke down the right flank and his cross from the byline provided a simple headed chance for Alvarez to score and the Argentine doubled his tally six minutes later.
De Bruyne played in the striker with a clever low pass from a free kick to catch the visitors unaware and Alvarez produced a cool finish.
It took City 25 seconds in the second half to increase the lead to 3-0.
De Bruyne picked out Phil Foden on the right wing and his pass to Rodri on the edge of the box resulted in the Spaniard drilling the ball low into the bottom corner.
Burnley had a rare chance through Zeki Amdouni, but he shot wildly over the crossbar with only goalkeeper Ederson to beat.
They did get a scrappy consolation in the 93rd minute, however, as Al Dakhil forced the ball over the line following debutant David Datro Fofana’s low cross into the six-yard box. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/man-city-up-to-second-as-alvarez-brace-sinks-burnley
| 2024-01-31T23:09:53Z
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LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur climbed to fourth place in the Premier League as a second-half broadside fired them to a 3-2 home victory against struggling Brentford on Jan 31.
Neal Maupay prodded a lively Brentford into an early lead and Tottenham were ragged before halftime but they responded after the break with Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison all scoring in a devastating eight-minute spell.
Sensational going forward, Tottenham left back Udogie’s defending was less impressive and his mistake allowed Ivan Toney to halve the deficit with plenty of time left.
Chances were created at both ends in the closing stages of an absorbing contest and Tottenham were indebted to a superb stoppage-time save by Guglielmo Vicario to secure a fourth successive home league win.
Ange Postecoglou’s side moved above Aston Villa on goals scored with both clubs on 43 points from 22 games, three points behind third-placed Arsenal.
Brentford’s sixth defeat in seven league games left them only four points above the relegation zone. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/tottenham-go-fourth-with-comeback-win-against-brentford
| 2024-01-31T23:10:03Z
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BRUSSELS - The European Commission will start informal high-level meetings with member states on Saturday on the details of a proposed new set of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, three diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.
The EU is keen to put a 13th package of measures together to mark the second anniversary of the war on Feb. 24.
The discussions that begin on Saturday are a final step before the Commission officially delivers a new package to be debated and voted on by EU countries in the Council.
The proposal is expected to focus on closing more loopholes on circumvention, especially for items that can be used on the battlefield, as well as a number of new listings on individuals and entities.
One source added that some minor sectoral measures such as new import bans were also likely.
Poland and the Baltic states have been calling for import bans on Russian aluminium and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
With EU elections looming in June, the bloc is pushing hard to secure more funding for Ukraine through a potential 50 billion euro ($54.06 billion) package, military aid as well as using revenues from frozen Russian central bank assets. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/commission-to-discuss-new-russia-sanctions-proposal-with-eu-countries
| 2024-01-31T23:10:14Z
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A Russian bomb struck a hospital in northeastern Ukraine on Wednesday, slightly injuring four people and prompting an evacuation, the governor of Kharkiv region said.
Oleh Synehubov, writing on Telegram, said 38 people had been evacuated from the facility in the town of Velykyi Burluk, northeast of Kharkov, Ukraine's second largest city. The four injured were treated at the site.
The hospital's facade, windows and roof sustained damage. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/russian-bomb-hits-hospital-in-northeastern-ukraine-four-injured-governor
| 2024-01-31T23:10:24Z
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LONDON - Britain's opposition Labour Party will pledge to fix Britain's stagnating productivity at a conference for businesses on Thursday, its latest charm offensive to companies and investors ahead of a national election expected this year.
Keir Starmer, leader of the left-leaning party, will tell assembled executives that Labour will "get under the bonnet to fix an unprecedented stagnation in British productivity growth."
Labour, which leads Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives by around 20 percentage points in opinion polls, has sent senior policy chiefs to the World Economic Forum in Davos as part of Starmer's pitch to the business community.
He will also tell the conference that Labour has changed and is now the "party of business", offering stability under his leadership, in contrast to the "permanent cycle of crisis" which has seen five Conservative prime ministers in eight years.
"The depth of the changes we've made to transform the Labour Party's relationship with business is something I take immense pride in," he will say, according to extracts released by the party.
Labour will also launch a plan on Thursday called "Labour's Partnership with Business for Growth," setting out more details of how to improve skills in the economy, back businesses and create economic stability.
Ahead of the conference, the party's finance policy chief Rachel Reeves said that Labour would champion Britain's financial sector and not bring in a new cap on bankers' bonuses.
Labour also wants closer economic ties with the European Union, including deeper co-operation with the bloc on financial services. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/uk-opposition-labour-party-pledge-productivity-fix-in-latest-pitch-to-business
| 2024-01-31T23:10:35Z
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WASHINGTON - The United States is actively pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel and exploring options with partners in the region, the State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Matthew Miller declined to give details on the department's internal work on the issue, but told a news briefing the effort has been an objective of President Joe Biden's administration.
"We are actively pursuing the establishment as an independent Palestinian state, with real security guarantees for Israel, because we do believe that is the best way to bring about lasting peace and security for Israel, for Palestinians and for the region," Miller said.
"There are any number of ways that you could go about accomplishing that. There are a number of sequencing of events that you can carry out to accomplish that objective. And we look at a wide range of options and we discuss those with partners in the region as well as other partners inside the United States government," Miller said.
Axios reported earlier on Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had asked the State Department to conduct a review and present policy options on possible U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state after the war in Gaza.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also told a group of UK lawmakers that the UK government and its allies "will look at the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations," the BBC reported on Tuesday.
Washington has been linking the creation of a Palestinian state with the effort to get Saudi Arabia to normalise its ties with Israel -- a push that was largely frozen after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw more than 250 taken hostage.
But over the past few months, the conversations have resumed. U.S. officials now also see a possible hostage deal that would free all the remaining captives in return for a sustained ceasefire as instrumental and linked to making progress in the Saudi-Israel normalisation effort.
Speaking in Davos earlier this month, Blinken said there was a "new equation" in the Middle East in which Israel's Arab and Muslim neighbors were prepared to integrate Israel into the region but were equally committed to a pathway to a Palestinian state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at odds with the Biden administration over the creation of an independent Palestinian state, saying at the weekend that he would not compromise on "full Israeli security control of all territory west of the Jordan River". REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/state-dept-says-us-actively-pursuing-the-creation-of-a-palestinian-state
| 2024-01-31T23:10:45Z
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