Author: Tanjid Osman

Rotorua’s Hariata Vercoe has been named a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of her over 40 years of service to Māori health and the community. Vercoe has led the Korowai Aroha Health Centre in Rotorua since 2012 and played a vital role in the centre’s Covid-19 response and vaccination efforts. Her work focuses on improving health outcomes for Māori through a variety of programmes and services. Vercoe is affiliated with multiple iwi including Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, and Te Rarawa. She began her career working in conservation for 20 years before moving into the health…

Voice of Baceprot, an all-female heavy metal band from Indonesia, recently performed in Japan for the first time. The group, formed in 2014 in West Java, is known for its unique identity as a hijab-wearing metal band that sings about social issues. The performance took place on Saturday, May 25, during a music festival in Yokohama, near Tokyo. The trio played around 10 songs, captivating the audience with their strong sound and powerful messages. Voice of Baceprot is made up of three members: Firda Marsya Kurnia on vocals and guitar, Widi Rahmawati on bass, and Euis Siti Aisyah on drums.…

The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) will return for its ninth edition from 1 to 30 November 2025, coinciding with the UAE’s Year of Community. Alongside the date announcement, DFC has also introduced a new brand identity aimed at promoting its mission to create a healthier, more active city. Launched in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the challenge invites residents and visitors to commit to 30 minutes of daily exercise for 30 days. Over the past eight years, more than 13 million participants have joined, turning it into one of Dubai’s most successful citywide movements. The…

The Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the New York Yankees on Saturday night, beating them 18-2 in front of a packed crowd of 51,746 fans. The game felt like a playoff match, showing the Dodgers’ strength early in the season. This was the Yankees’ worst loss since 2019 and their largest margin of defeat in 16 years. The Dodgers made it clear that they remain a top team, even missing several key players due to injury. Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ star player, did not hit a home run or make any spectacular plays in this game, but his batting was solid…

US President Donald Trump said representatives from Pakistan will come to the United States next week to discuss trade and tariffs. Pakistan wants to make a deal on tariffs with the US. Trump also said he would not be interested in making a deal with Pakistan or India if the two countries are at war. Recently, India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed neighbors, had their worst fighting in decades. The clashes lasted four days and involved fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery. Negotiations on tariffs started last Friday with Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer…

China’s leading tech companies are turning to homegrown chips after the United States tightened export rules on advanced processors used for artificial intelligence. The shift comes after the US banned the export of Nvidia’s powerful H20 chip, widely used in AI systems, to China. This move has forced companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu to search for local alternatives to keep up with AI development. According to the Financial Times, China’s supply of Nvidia’s H20 chips will likely run out by early next year. Even if Nvidia creates a version that meets US restrictions, the delivery process may take up…

Smoking causes 8 million deaths worldwide each year. On May 31, the world observes World No Tobacco Day to highlight the risks of tobacco use. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities have stepped up campaigns to raise awareness, focusing especially on young people. Abu Dhabi’s National Rehabilitation Centre has launched a broad media campaign aimed at preventing tobacco use and educating the public. This campaign includes school programs, workshops, and clinics to support quitting smoking. Officials warn that all forms of smoking are harmful and increase the risk of cancer and heart disease. E-cigarettes, often mistaken as safer, carry serious…

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) stock jumped 7.73 percent on Friday, closing at $131.78. The rise followed news that the company secured new contracts with U.S. government agencies. Investors are optimistic about Palantir’s growing role in federal operations. The company recently won a $795 million contract with the Department of Defense. This deal will provide the U.S. Army with Maven Smart System software licenses through 2029. In addition, Palantir secured another $113 million contract with various government agencies, according to The New York Times. Palantir is also reportedly in talks with the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service…

Scoliosis is a condition that makes the spine curve sideways. The spine has 33 small bones called vertebrae. These bones support your body from the neck to the lower back. A healthy spine is straight when seen from behind. But with scoliosis, the spine leans to one side. This can affect how you sit, stand, and move. What Is Scoliosis? Scoliosis means your spine is not straight. It curves to the left or right. This curve can happen in the neck, upper back, or lower back. These are parts of the spine: Most people get scoliosis in the neck, upper…

Bhutan solar project plans have taken a major leap as Anil Ambani’s Reliance Power teams up with the Bhutan government to build a 500MW solar power plant. With an investment of around ₹2,000 crore, this will be the biggest solar energy initiative in Bhutan’s history. The project will be set up under a 50:50 joint venture. Reliance Power will work with Bhutan’s Druk Holding and Investments Limited to bring it to life. Both sides have agreed to complete the project within the next 24 months. Reliance Power has said this plan will do more than just generate clean energy. It…