A H-IIA rocket carrying a small lunar surface probe and other objects lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre, Japan. PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO (AFP) – On board Japan’s ‘Moon Sniper’ spacecraft is a little robot with a big mission: to pop open like a Transformer toy, wiggle across the lunar surface and beam images back to Earth.
The shape-shifting SORA-Q probe – co-developed by a major toy company – has been compared to a friendly Star Wars droid and a sea turtle because of the way its metal form can navigate the dusty Moonscape.
But the gadget’s chance to boldly go depends on the success of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission, with a spacecraft dubbed the ‘Moon Sniper’ by space agency JAXA for its precision landing capabilities.
Slightly bigger than a tennis ball and weighing as much as a large potato – eight centimetres across and 250 grammes – SORA-Q was designed by JAXA with Takara Tomy, the toy company behind the original 1984 Transformers.
Sony Group and Doshisha University in Kyoto also helped develop the device, which has a front camera on an orange panel that emerges when the its metal frame snaps open, and another on its back.
Instead of rolling on wheels, the two halves of the sphere are designed to slot out and move in tandem to propel SORA-Q along the rocky surface, a design that reduces size and weight.
If the mission succeeds, the probe’s cameras will take valuable images of a crater where parts of the Moon’s mantle, usually hidden deep below its crust, are believed to be exposed.
A H-IIA rocket carrying a small lunar surface probe and other objects lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre, Japan. PHOTO: AFP
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (L) sails with South Korea and Japan's destroyers in the international waters of the southern coast of Korean peninsular during a recent joint drill. PHOTO: AP
SEOUL (AP) – North Korea said yesterday it had tested a purported underwater nuclear attack drone in response to a combined naval exercise between South Korea and the United States (US) and Japan this week, as it continues to blame its rivals for raising tensions in the region.
The alleged drone test came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared he would scrap his country’s long-standing goal of a peaceful unification with South Korea and that his country would rewrite its constitution to define South Korea as its most hostile foreign adversary.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen to their highest point in years, with Kim accelerating his weapons testing activity and threatening nuclear conflict. The US and its Asian allies have responded by strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim calls rehearsals for invasion.
North Korea’s alleged nuclear attack drone, which the North first tested last year, is among a broad range of weapon systems demonstrated in recent years as Kim expands his arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons.
South Korea’s military has insisted the North has exaggerated the capabilities of the drone, which is supposedly designed to carry out strikes on enemy vessels and ports.
The North’s military said it conducted the test in the country’s eastern waters in response to the US, South Korean, and Japanese joint naval drill, which ended on Wednesday in waters south of Jeju island.
“Our army’s underwater nuke-based countering posture is being further rounded off and its various maritime and underwater responsive actions will continue to deter the hostile military maneuvers of the navies of the US and its allies,” the North’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
“We strongly denounce the US and its followers for their reckless acts of seriously threatening the security of the DPRK from the outset of the year and sternly warn them of the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by them,” it said.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (L) sails with South Korea and Japan’s destroyers in the international waters of the southern coast of Korean peninsular during a recent joint drill. PHOTO: AP
Public sector workers walk from the picket line at the Royal Victoria Hospital to a rally at Belfast City Hall, in Belfast. PHOTO: AP
BELFAST (AP) – Tens of thousands of public sector workers walked off the job across Northern Ireland on Thursday to protest political deadlock that has left them without pay increases, and the region without a functioning government.
Schools were closed, hospitals offered a skeleton service and authorities warned people not to travel unless it was essential as road-gritting crews joined the strike in the middle of a bitterly cold snap.
The 24-hour strike by about 150,000 teachers, nurses, bus drivers and others is the biggest walkout in years in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom (UK) with its own regional government.
That government has not functioned for almost two years since one of the two power-sharing parties walked out in a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules.
The Democratic Unionist Party has refused to return to government with Irish nationalists Sinn Fein. Under power-sharing rules established under Northern Ireland’s peace process, the administration must include both British unionists and Irish nationalists.
Thousands of striking workers held a rallies in Belfast and other cities, calling for the DUP to return to government and for UK officials to give public sector workers in Northern Ireland the same pay raises that employees in other parts of the country have received.
The UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris said the British government had agreed on a GBP3 billion financial package, but that it could only be delivered if Northern Ireland’s government was back up and running.
“This package has been on the table since before Christmas and will remain there, available on day one for an incoming Northern Ireland Executive,” he said.
Workers said politicians in both Belfast and London were using them as political pawns.
Teacher Linda Millar said she just wanted pay parity with the rest of the UK.
“We are losing teachers left, right and centre to Doha, Dubai, everywhere,” she said. “The education system is crumbling. Our buildings are crumbling”.
Public sector workers walk from the picket line at the Royal Victoria Hospital to a rally at Belfast City Hall, in Belfast. PHOTO: AP
PARIS (AFP) – French authorities were holding two Brazilian women in custody over drug smuggling charges after a fellow countrywomen was found dead in a Paris hotel at the weekend, judicial sources said.
The women, who were detained after the suspected murder, were charged on Thursday after they told investigators that they and the victim had acted as mules to bring drugs to France, sources close to the case said.
The main suspect in the murder case, a man linked to the same drug trafficking network, is still on the run, the sources said.
According to a police source, the man had checked in to the hotel with the victim.
She was found with a “deep wound to the carotid artery” in the neck last Saturday after staying at the hotel in northwest Paris for around a week, the source has said.
The two other women, aged 27 and 37, were arrested on Sunday as they tried to fly out of the country, two sources close to the case said.
On Thursday evening, the women told a judge it was the first time they had acted as drug mules.
“I have three children and a mother who has cancer. Rain destroyed my home in December and I have debts,” the 27-year-old said.
The 37-year-old apologised, saying she owed money to someone who had “threatened” her.
A prosecutor argued they should be temporarily detained because of the risk of reprisals from “very dangerous people” in the drug ring.
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AP
BRUSSELS (AP) – European lawmakers on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas, on the condition that the Palestinian militant group in Gaza be dismantled and that all hostages it holds be released.
The conflict has divided European Union countries and political groups at the legislature, and reaching a consensus on the wording of the resolution was not an easy task.
The original text underlined the need for a permanent cease-fire. It was adopted after an amendment tabled by conservative lawmakers was passed, insisting that Hamas needed to be dismantled for a cease-fire to happen and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.
The resolution, which is non-binding and highly symbolical, was adopted by 312 votes in favour, 131 against and 72 abstentions.
It was the first time the Parliament called for a cease-fire after lawmakers in October agreed on a call for a “humanitarian pause.”
The amendment insisted that all the hostages be “immediately and unconditionally released and (that) the terrorist organisation Hamas is dismantled”.
Palestinian militants are still putting up resistance across Gaza in the face of one of the deadliest military campaigns in recent history.
More than 24,400 Palestinians have been killed.
Hamas is on the EU’s list of terrorist groups.
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AP
DUBLIN (AFP) – Irish police have begun a criminal probe into an explosion at a homeless hostel in Dublin on Thursday that killed a man in his 30s.
Local media yesterday said a man of eastern European origin was killed by the blast after an improvised explosive device detonated in a room at the shelter.
“An adult male aged in his 30s sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said a Garda (Irish police) statement late on Thursday.
The explosion at around 1500GMT on Thursday was confined to one room within the property, and no one else was injured, while other residents at the premises were safely evacuated to other accommodation centres, said the statement.
“The precise cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, and the Garda Technical Bureau will examine the scene,” it said.
Army bomb disposal technicians used a robot to carry out a controlled explosion overnight following the initial blast at the centre, said a statement by the Irish Army.
ANN/THE KATHMANDU POST – Embarking on the journey from adolescence to early adulthood is like entering a whole new world teeming with excitement and a touch of nervous anticipation. At a young age, you can’t wait to grow up until you come to the realisation of how different everything is. In this new phase, life unfolds with thrilling adventures, self-discovery, and the embrace of newfound independence. It’s a time for crucial decision-making, setting the groundwork for the future. Yet, within the thrill, young adults often grapple with stress and uncertainty.
The pressure to excel academically or professionally, coupled with financial constraints, the pursuit of meaningful relationships, and the fear of making wrong choices, can create an overwhelming amount stress. Imagine navigating uncharted waters, where waves of uncertainty and self-doubt loom large. Despite the turbulence, young adults are somehow expected to sail through these challenges effortlessly.
In this uncertain period, effective coping strategies are paramount for managing stress, and understanding the diverse stressors is essential. Khem Raj Bhatta, a lecturer at Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Psychology and programme coordinator for the master’s in counselling psychology, sheds light on this transformative phase.
Leveraging his extensive background – holding MA and PhD degrees in psychology from Tribhuvan University and authoring numerous research articles on adolescents and youths – Bhatta shares insights into the sources of stress and effective coping strategies.
PHOTO: FREEPIKFREEPIK
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON SOURCES OF STRESS IN THE EARLY 20S?
Young adults in Nepal often find themselves caught between the desire for independence and the familiarity of childhood, leading to stress.
Additionally, issues such as Internet addiction add to their challenges. Many also grapple with stressors like marital problems and financial pressures, especially those striving to fund their education. The situation is exacerbated by rising unemployment rates, and inadequate upbringing has left some young individuals lacking essential social skills.
HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR EARLY 20S?
Stress silently affects the body, altering blood pressure and certain hormones. It has been linked to cardiovascular diseases, making it a primary risk factor for heart-related issues among young adults. It can also weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses. However, as far as we know, stress doesn’t directly lead to any illness.
Mentally, stress takes a toll due to academic, career and social pressures faced by young adults. It hampers concentration, sleep and decision making abilities, impacting overall mental well-being and even lead to anxiety and depression.
WHAT COPING STRATEGIES DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO MANAGE DAILY STRESS EFFECTIVELY?
How someone copes with stress varies person to person – each individual employs different strategies for it. Some avoid stressors, while others confront them head-on. Some focus on solving the problem causing stress, while some work on regulating their emotional stress response. It’s essential to use a mix of these approaches for better mental health.
Firstly, managing time is crucial for young adults as they juggle many responsibilities. So, they should learn time management techniques to lessen stress – make to-do lists, assign priorities to chores, establish daily, weekly, and monthly goals, and reward yourself when you reach them. Also, setting priorities will help avoid overlooking important chores and reducing stress.
The second thing is to reflect positively on yourself by focusing on your positive qualities and acknowledging your abilities. Positive self-reflection is a good way to combat stress and feel better.
For young people, having a trusted group to vent frustrations can be invaluable. Sharing feelings with supportive individuals who offer kind words can ease stress.
Lastly, altering nervous thinking patterns can be helpful. For instance, when you are nervous about a presentation, say, “I will do my best, and the rest is up to the examiner.”
This shift in thinking alleviates pressure, reducing stress.
IS IT COMMON FOR THOSE IN THEIR EARLY 20S TO FEEL OVERWHELMED BY EXPECTATIONS FROM FAMILY, PEERS OR SOCIETY?
Yes, many young adults today feel overwhelmed because they juggle a multitude of roles. Students often balance jobs, careers, and romantic relationships simultaneously, leading to burnout.
The influence of social media and news intensifies social pressures. Peer pressure is also significant, as those in their early 20s often prioritise peer opinions over parental guidance.
Family dynamics can be both a direct and indirect source of stress, with some feeling pressured to follow specific career paths against their own wishes due to parental expectations.
WHEN SHOULD YOUNG ADULTS CONSIDER GETTING PROFESSIONAL HELP WHEN DEALING WITH STRESS?
There isn’t a specific moment to seek help, but professional support can significantly reduce stress and enhance well-being. Career counselling can tackle work-related stress, and early intervention in relationship issues can lead to resolution. Despite this, many hesitate to seek help. Raising awareness is vital; professional guidance aids not just mental health but also decisions about careers and relationships.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea making a statement.
PHOTO: XINHUA
SANAA (XINHUA) – Yemen’s Houthi group yesterday claimed responsibility for launching a missile attack on a United States (US) ship in the Gulf of Aden.
“The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces (Houthi) carried out an attack targeting US ship (Chem Ranger) in the Gulf of Aden with several appropriate naval missiles, and the hit was accurate,” Yahya Sarea, Houthi military spokesman, said in a statement broadcast by the group’s al-Masirah TV.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces (Houthi) confirm that a retaliation to the American and British attacks is inevitable and that any new aggression will not go unpunished,” the spokesman said.
The attacks “will continue until a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip is imposed, and the siege is lifted,” Sarea said, adding that their escalation comes in support of the Palestinians.
In a statement on Thursday, the US Central Command said that the US Navy forces stationing in the Red Sea conducted defensive strikes on two Houthi antiship missiles that were aimed into the southern Red Sea.
In response, Houthi chief of negotiators Mohammed Abdulsalam denounced the re-designation of his group as for “political purposes.”
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea making a statement. PHOTO: XINHUA
ANN/THE DAILY STAR – Picture this: a fantastic haircut that turns heads and transforms your vibe!
As someone who battles fast-growing layers every eight to 10 weeks, I’ve mastered the art of salon etiquette, saving me from ever leaving a salon with disappointing results.
NAIL THE SPECIFICS
Knowing what you want beforehand is a game changer. Your hairdresser won’t be able to read your mind.
Specifically communicating your wants and needs, be it a cut or colour, is key to achieving the look you are going for.
Vague requests like ‘not too short’ won’t cut it. Be bold! Say, ‘Take an inch off the length’ to avoid post-salon blues.
PHOTO: FREEPIK
PICTURE PERFECT
When you can’t explain what you want in words, save some pictures of styles that you like and show them to your stylist. Hair guru Chelsea Federer swears by visual cues to nail that perfect look. “Pictures or even parts and pieces of pictures can help your hairdresser understand what kind of look you are trying to achieve and whether it is possible to achieve that look in one visit,” she said.
STICK TO YOUR FAVOURITES
Once you find a stylist who works magic, stick with them. Consistency means fewer instructions; your hairdresser will already know what you want.
MASTER THE ART OF PATIENCE
Achieving your dream look might take time or might not even be possible in one sitting.
Visit a beauty salon with plenty of time on your hands as rushing tends to stress out stylists and colourists.
TRUST THE PROCESS
Sometimes, even with patience, you might not achieve the look you desire, especially when involving colours. “There are times when a client’s colour and hair treatment history, diet, and medications affect her hair’s receptivity to colour, making it difficult or unfeasible to achieve the desired outcome,” Chelsea Federer said.
“In complex cases, additional treatments and multiple visits are needed,” she added.
In the end, waiting a few weeks for that dream cut and color is worth the magic it brings to your appearance.
So, stay cool, stay patient, and let your hair be the crown you rock every day.
Visiting a salon is a must, but blending it with good etiquette and realistic expectations guarantees a fabulous hair experience every time.
AFP – Even after spending hours of your time to achieve that sleek and smooth hair style, all your effort could go to waste if you have frizz.
One famous American hairstylist has created a solution to this problem with the help of an everyday item that many people already own: a makeup brush.
In today’s age, hair smoothed flat to the head has become a must-have hairstyle, from runways to street styles to social networks, but it’s fiddly business.
Although there are brushes tailored for smoothing, like the boar bristle brush, they might not be universally suitable, leaving frizz to spoil hairstyles prized for their impeccable finish.
So how do you get the smooth, sleek look with not a hair out of place? Quite simply, with a makeup brush – a foundation brush, to be precise and a little hairspray, as hairstylist Matt Newman reveals on TikTok.
In a video, Matt Newman (@mattloveshair) reveals his own technique that seems, for once, truly infallible.
The professional, who has tied his hair in a ponytail with a perfect parting in the middle of his head, first grabs a foundation brush and sprays it with hairspray. Nothing too complicated for now.
Then he simply runs the brush through his hair, from root to tip, flattening and smoothing out any frizz as he goes.
Not only does this tip get rid of flyaways in just a few minutes, without the need for expensive products, but it also guarantees perfectly smoothed-out all day long thanks to the use of hairspray.
This isn’t the first time that TikTok beauty fans have attempted to tackle frizz head-on, with tricks both original and zany.
One trick involved using dental floss to flatten unruly hair, while another recommended running aluminum foil through the hair to smooth it.
One thing that all these TikTok beauty hacks have in common is the trend to use one cosmetic or household product for something completely different.
