عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Varieties

Rocket Lab launches Japanese Satellite from the Space Company's Complex in New Zealand

In this image released by Rocket Lab, a electron rocket successfully takes off from its launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Rocket Lab via AP)
In this image released by Rocket Lab, a electron rocket successfully takes off from its launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Rocket Lab via AP)
TT
TT

Rocket Lab launches Japanese Satellite from the Space Company's Complex in New Zealand

In this image released by Rocket Lab, a electron rocket successfully takes off from its launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Rocket Lab via AP)
In this image released by Rocket Lab, a electron rocket successfully takes off from its launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Rocket Lab via AP)

California-based Rocket Lab, which specializes in putting small satellites into orbit, launched a Japanese satellite on Friday from the space company's complex on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
The mission, named “The Moon God Awakens,” was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to forecast strong winds. The Electron rocket launched at 5:06 p.m. local time (0406 GMT).
The rocket successfully carried the TSUKUYOMI-I satellite into orbit on behalf of Japanese startup Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space Inc, Rocket Lab said in a statement more than two hours after the launch.
The synthetic-aperture radar satellite, named after a Japanese god of the moon, will collect images of the Earth, The Associated Press quoted Rocket Lab as saying.
The mission is Rocket Lab’s 10th for 2023, exceeding its annual record of nine set in 2022.
It is the 42nd Electron launch from Mahia or from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Wallops Island, Virginia, since 2017. Rocket Lab was founded in New Zealand in 2006.

Most Viewed

 
 
Varieties

7 Drinks That Boost Your Brain Health Naturally

Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)
Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)
TT
TT

7 Drinks That Boost Your Brain Health Naturally

Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)
Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)

Caring for brain health is not limited to mental exercises and good sleep; it also extends to the foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis.

Certain natural drinks contain nutrients and antioxidants that play an important role in supporting brain function, enhancing memory and concentration, and protecting against cognitive decline associated with aging.

Below are some of the most notable drinks that may help support brain health in a natural and simple way, according to the scientific website Verywell Health:

Green Tea

Green tea contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for potential benefits related to metabolic health, aging, and immune support. Green tea has been widely studied for its effects on brain health. Regular consumption appears to be more beneficial than occasional use.

Green tea contains catechins, antioxidants that may reduce oxidative stress in the brain. It also provides L-theanine, an amino acid linked to improved attention and calm focus, especially when combined with small amounts of caffeine.

Coffee

Coffee is a major dietary source of antioxidants, and its effects on brain health have been widely studied.
In the short term, the caffeine in coffee works by inhibiting adenosine, a neurotransmitter that contributes to promoting drowsiness. This effect may temporarily improve alertness, reaction speed, and concentration.

Observational studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption, in the long term, may be associated with a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Blueberry Smoothies

Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, which are plant compounds linked to brain health. Research indicates that regular consumption of blueberries may support memory, learning, and overall cognitive functions by helping to protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Blending blueberries into smoothies or drinks helps retain many of their beneficial compounds while making them easy to consume regularly.

Beet Juice

Beetroot contains a combination of dietary nitrate, betalains, and polyphenols that may support brain health. Research suggests these compounds help improve blood flow, support antioxidant defenses, and influence processes involved in cognitive decline. Dietary nitrate from beetroot increases nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow to the brain. Research suggests nitrate-rich foods may support brain blood flow and be linked to slower cognitive decline, while other beetroot compounds may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Most studies are small, and more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.

Turmeric Golden Milk

Turmeric contains curcumin, a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Research suggests that curcumin may help protect brain cells by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with cognitive decline. Curcumin also affects pathways involved in memory and learning. However, it is poorly absorbed on its own, limiting the amount that reaches the brain.

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, plant compounds with powerful antioxidant effects. Research indicates that these compounds may help protect brain cells by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary studies conducted on animals suggest that pomegranate compounds may also support healthy blood flow to the brain by increasing nitric oxide production. These effects combined may support brain function over time.

Omega-3-Fortified Drinks

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are essential for normal brain function, as they help support communication between brain cells. Drinks fortified with DHA and EPA may help people increase their intake of these important fats.

Varieties

Qassim Falcons Festival Concludes with Record Attendance

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
TT
TT

Qassim Falcons Festival Concludes with Record Attendance

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Qassim Falcons Festival concluded yesterday in Al-Asyah Governorate, with 675 falconers from various Arab countries and over 20,000 visitors and 15 local families attending, contributing to the festival’s economic and social activities, SPA reported.

This edition of the festival featured numerous competitions and programs that attracted falconry enthusiasts and reinforced its status as one of the region’s premier heritage events.

Varieties

Ethiopia Must Suspend Biggest Gold Mine over Toxic Chemicals

Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
TT
TT

Ethiopia Must Suspend Biggest Gold Mine over Toxic Chemicals

Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

Work at Ethiopia's largest gold mine must be suspended to protect nearby children from the toxic chemicals it has released into the soil, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday.

Operations at the Lega Dembi mine, around 500 kilometres (310 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa, were halted by authorities in 2018 following protests from locals over pollution.

The government promised to reopen the mine only after environmental concerns had been addressed, but did so in 2021 "without public announcement" and "quashed publication of a government health study", said HRW in a statement.

The rights group said several studies had revealed high concentrations of toxic chemicals including cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic.

Residents had "for years complained about serious health impacts, including children born with long-term health conditions, miscarriages, and stillbirths".

The campaign group urged the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, due to meet soon, to press Ethiopia to suspend mining operations and "ensure victims of abuse are provided effective remedy, including compensation, medical care, and access to justice".

The Ethiopian government did not respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Ethiopia, the continent's second most populous country with some 130 million inhabitants, is regularly criticised by NGOs for human rights abuses.

But mining is crucial to a country in which more than 40 percent live below the poverty line, with gold exports generating $2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2024, according to the latest figures from the mining ministry.