Space station astronaut speaks of the joy of photographing Earth – Digital Trends

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Since arriving at the International Space Station (ISS) at the end of May 2020, NASA astronaut Doug Hurley has been tweeting some spectacular photos that he has captured from the Cupola observatory module on the orbiting outpost.

Shot from 250 miles above Earth, the images show the planet in all its natural glory, with Hurley clearly having a blast using the space stations camera kit. Digital Trends recently featured some of Hurleys most striking photos snapped over the last month.

The astronaut spoke recently about how much he loves seeing the world from up high, and sharing his images with earthlings back on terra firma.

Personally, its just trying to convey to as many people as we can, just what we see with our eyes when we look out the window up here, and how different it is to view the Earth from space, Hurley said.

For Hurley, the most striking parts of the experience are all the differences and all the dynamics of the globe, the clouds, the way the water flows into the ocean, the different features in the ocean, the different features on the land, and just trying to convey that its just an almost emotional response that you have when you look down at the planet.

The space explorer said there are always places on Earth that catch his eye when hes peering out from the space station. For example, the Bahamas every time we fly over the Bahamas, that vivid blue that you see that surrounds those islands is just unbelievable, and you only have to look out the window for about a 10th of a second and you recognize its the Bahamas. There are other places like that the Himalayas are like that, the Rocky Mountains are like that, the midwest of the United States is very easy to recognize and each [place] offers its own beauty to the eye.

And heres a photo of the Bahamas, complete with its vivid blue sea, that Hurley posted just recently:

Hurley has a few more weeks to enjoy the view before his return journey to Earth with colleague Bob Behnken aboard SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft the first time for the spacecraft to bring astronauts home some time in August.

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Space station astronaut speaks of the joy of photographing Earth - Digital Trends

Global Space and Space Station Robotics Market: Industry Size, Growth, Revenue, Statistics and Forecast 2019-2025 – Bulletin Line

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This Global Space and Space Station Robotics report begins with a basic overview of the market. The analysis highlights the opportunity and Global Space and Space Station Robotics industry trends that are impacted the market that is global. Players around various regions and analysis of each industry dimensions are covered under this report. The analysis also contains a crucial Global Space and Space Station Robotics insight regarding the things which are driving and affecting the earnings of the market. The Global Space and Space Station Robotics report comprises sections together side landscape which clarifies actions such as venture and acquisitions and mergers.

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Global Space and Space Station Robotics Market: Industry Size, Growth, Revenue, Statistics and Forecast 2019-2025 - Bulletin Line

EAA Ray Aviation Scholars to Talk With International Space Station Crew on July 14 – AviationPros.com

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Recipients of the Experimental Aircraft Associations Ray Aviation Scholarships, which supply complete funding for flight training, will have a unique opportunity on July 14 as they will ask questions of the crew aboard the International Space Station.

Up to 20 of the scholarship recipients will be able to submit questions via video to astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, who will answer them in a live session on NASA TV and the NASA website. The live broadcast is currently scheduled at approximately 12:10 p.m. Central Time on July 14. Behnken and Hurley made history in May when they became the first astronauts to fly to the International Space Station aboard the Space X Crew Dragon reusable spacecraft, developed privately in conjunction with NASA for operational, long-duration missions to the space station.

When this opportunity with NASA became available, we immediately thought of inviting the young people who have already distinguished themselves as EAA Young Eagles, as Ray Aviation Scholarship recipients, and as those striving to become the next generation of aviators, said David Leiting of EAAs chapter office, who is coordinating the EAA-NASA session. These scholarship recipients have shown the ambition and motivation to achieve, so we appreciate NASAs invitation to connect them with those who are exploring the possibilities beyond our own planet.

The Ray Foundation initially provided $1 million to EAA to fund Ray Aviation Scholarships for up to 100 young people during 2019. The program is managed by EAA and administered through its chapter network. EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youths for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. Since the programs inception in 2019, nearly 200 scholarships have been awarded. Of that group of recipients, 50 scholars have earned their pilot certificate and an additional 78 have completed their first solo flight.

The scholarship fund expanded to $1.2 million for candidates selected in 2020, giving more young people the opportunity to achieve their dreams of flight. More information on the Ray Aviation Scholarship program is available at EAA.org/RayScholars.

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EAA Ray Aviation Scholars to Talk With International Space Station Crew on July 14 - AviationPros.com

The Ripple Effects of a Space Skirmish – The Atlantic

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Many of these technologies, if deployed, could ratchet up an arms race and even spark a skirmish in space, the SWF and CSIS researchers caution. Blowing up a single satellite scatters debris throughout the atmosphere, said Weeden, co-editor of the SWF report. Such an explosion could hurl projectiles in the paths of other spacecraft and threaten the accessibility of space for everyone.

Read: The growing risk of a war in space

Those are absolutely the two best reports to be looking at to get a sense of whats going on in the space community, said David Burbach, a national security affairs expert at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, who was not involved in the new research.

Today, Burbach added, the world is very different compared with the Cold War era, when access to space was essentially limited to the United States and the Soviet Union. Many more countries now have space programs, including India, Iran, North Korea, France, Japan, and Israel.

Despite this expansionand the array of new space weaponsrelevant policies and regulatory bodies have remained stagnant. What worries us in the international community is that there arent necessarily any guardrails for how people are going to start interfering with others space systems, said Daniel Porras, a space security fellow at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research in Geneva. There are no rules of engagement.

The new reports use available evidence and intelligence to explore a range of weapons that various countries militaries are developing or testingor already have operational. (Notably, CSISs report doesnt include the American military.) Each nation has unique abilities and characteristics. For example, India has invested heavily in space infrastructure and capabilities, while Japans postWorld War II space activities were limited until a recent change to its constitution. For Israels space program, Weeden said, little good data is available.

Potential missile attacks on military satellites tend to get most of the attention, but that is not all that we see happening around the world, said Todd Harrison, director of the Aerospace Security Project at CSIS and a principal author of its report, during an April 6 livestream.

For example, the thousands of everyday satellites that already circle low-Earth orbit, below an altitude of 1,200 miles, could potentially suffer collateral damage. More than half of those satellites are from the U.S.; many of the rest are from China and Russia. They provide key services like internet access, GPS signals, long-distance communications, and weather information. Any missile that smashes into a satelliteeither as an attack or during a testwould disperse thousands of bits of debris. Any one of those pieces, still hurtling at orbital speeds, could take out another spacecraft and create yet more debris.

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The Ripple Effects of a Space Skirmish - The Atlantic

New Orleans’ Michoud plant builds rockets for Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars – NOLA.com

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This is as exciting a time for space exploration as weve seen in decades, says Robert Champion, director of NASAs Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans East.

More than 10 million people tuned in as NASA and SpaceX teamed up to launch astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, a Tulane University alum, to the International Space Station on May 30. It was the first time since 2011 that America sent astronauts into Earths orbit in its own spacecraft and from U.S. soil.

Simultaneously, companies including Elon Musks SpaceX, Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin are each working with NASA to open Earths orbit to adventurous tourists. (A 10-day trip to the International Space Station is $55 million.)

Perhaps most exciting, though, is what NASA is eyeing beyond Earths orbit.

NASA and its private partner companies, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, have been working for more than a decade on a program that will send astronauts back to the Moon and after that Mars. In 2019, they gave that program a name: Artemis named after the goddess of the Moon and the twin sister of Apollo.

Tens of thousands of employees around the country are working on realizing these missions, but few New Orleanians realize our city is playing an essential role in Americas return to outer space.

Robert Champion, director of NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility stands in front of the Robotic Weld tool in BLDG 103.

When people think of NASA, they think of the (Lyndon B.) Johnson Space Center in Houston or the launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Champion says. But they dont realize we couldnt have gone to the Moon in the 1960s without New Orleans. We couldnt have constructed the International Space Station without New Orleans. And NASAs Artemis missions certainly wont be possible without New Orleans.

The first of those missions (Artemis I) is expected to launch late next year and will test an uncrewed spacecraft as it circles the Moon and returns to Earth. Artemis II will accomplish a similar objective with humans aboard, while Artemis III in 2024 will return man (and deliver the first woman) to the lunar surface in 50 years.

The structure of the spacecraft that will carry those astronauts on the days-long mission to the Moon (and eventually on the months-long trip to Mars) is built in New Orleans, as is nearly all of the enormous rocket the most powerful in history that will launch them from Earth.

The large majority of what youll see on launch day was built in New Orleans, Champion says.

Boeing senior production manager Amanda Gertjejansen

Boeing began designing rockets at MAF during the Apollo program in the 1960s. Today they are responsible for producing the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage, which at 212 feet is the tallest and most powerful rocket stage in the world.

A stage refers to a section of a rocket that has its own engines and propellant. Boeings extraordinary core stage will burn for the first eight minutes of each Artemis mission, propelling the spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center up to Earths orbit.

Amanda Gertjejansen is the Boeing senior production manager overseeing the assembly of that rocket. Born and raised in Gentilly, she has worked for Boeing at Michoud since 2013 in SLSs early days and long before the programs hardware production had begun.

Before we could build the rocket, we had to build the tools that would build that rocket, she says. Before we could build the tools, we had to rebuild sections of the facility to our specifications.

Gertjejansen says that facility is one of the main reasons New Orleans has figured so prominently in the exploration of space.

The Michoud Assembly Facility was built during World War II on the site of Antoine Michoud's sugar plantation and refinery.

The Michoud Assembly Facility is nearly 20 years older than NASA. It was constructed during World War II on the site of Antoine Michouds 19th-century sugar plantation and refinery, and two smokestacks from the era still stand on site today.

The factory was created to build planes during World War II, and then Patton and Sherman tanks during the Korean War. When the war ended in 1953, the federal government was left paying to maintain a massive-but-unused facility.

That changed when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, beginning the Space Race.

We were way behind the Russians and Dr. [Wernher] von Braun was looking for a place to build a big rocket to help us catch up, Champion says, referring to the first director of NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center. NASA was new and he encouraged the agency to take a look at Michoud.

NASA wanted to build a 363-foot Saturn V rocket but struggled to find a facility large enough to construct the rockets massive and complex core stage. That is, until they found Michoud.

MAF has 43 acres of environmentally controlled space under a single roof (the size of 31 football fields), making it one of the largest manufacturing plants in the world.

Our plant is a quarter-mile long, and we can take hardware from one end to the other on a crane without ever having to set it down, Champion says. There arent many other places that can handle the Saturn V or the SLS core stages, which is why NASA calls us Americas Rocket Factory.

This week, as the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrins July 20, 1969 walk on the mo

The Apollo program ended in 1972, after landing 12 Americans on the moon. Next, NASA focused on the Space Shuttle program, which featured the first reusable rocket boosters and reusable crewed space vehicle.

A primary objective of the program was to build a permanent space station that would orbit Earth, now known as the International Space Station. Launching a vehicle with the ability to carry a substantial amount of building material (and return with other cargo) would require a powerful rocket, and only Americas Rocket Factory had that kind of capability.

During the nearly 40 years of the Space Shuttle program, Michoud built 135 tanks each 154-feet tall even larger than the core stage of Apollos Saturn V.

Thats another reason Michoud is so valuable.

You cant transport rockets this large on highways, says Byron Williams, a logistics engineering manager who graduated from Xavier University. He is responsible for the team that transports large equipment on NASAs Pegasus barge to NASA sites such as (John C.) Stennis Space Center for testing, or Kennedy for launches. One of MAFs biggest advantages is that it sits beside deep water.

Byron Willams,a logistics engineering manager at Michoud Assembly Facility

But this wasnt always the case.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Michoud land was owned by Col. Roch Eugene Edgar deMontluzin du Sauzay, a descendant of French aristocrats. Col. deMontluzin earned revenue from his property via various commercial endeavors, including granting permission to the federal government to build the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway through the southern portion of his property. The Intercoastal Waterway provides a faster route east than the Gulf of Mexico, and if deMontluzin hadnt allowed the use of his property, NASA likely wouldnt be using the site today.

The Space Shuttle program ultimately achieved the objective of building the space station, but not without devastating setbacks.

On Feb. 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up as it returned through Earths atmosphere, killing the seven astronauts on board. NASA suspended Space Shuttle flights to investigate the disaster, and it was determined that, during liftoff, insulating foam fell from the external tank built at Michoud and caused damage to Columbias heat shield. MAF engineers were initially told their improper installation of the foam contributed to the failure.

That was a really tough time, says Jeffrey Pilet, a program management director for Lockheed Martin at MAF, originally from St. Bernard Parish. The program was halted, the investigation went on for a very long time, and seven astronauts were dead.

MAF worked through some difficult adjustments, and on July 26, 2005 almost two-and-a-half years after the Columbia disaster the Space Shuttle Discovery flew the Return to Flight mission. While this mission was a success, the external tank once again shed some of its foam. The program was again grounded for examination, but an additional challenge was on the way. One month after Discoverys launch, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.

STS-135 team members in Firing Room 2 on L-0 day.

Robert Champion says against all odds thats when Michouds third major advantage shined through.

If the pumps at Michoud stopped working, we were going to lose the Space Shuttle program, he says, explaining that flooding would have destroyed the factory and crippled their ability to make external tanks. But instead of evacuating, 38 MAF employees stayed behind and kept the pump station operating.

Its not just that our workers have decades of experience building the worlds most powerful rockets, he says. They also believe in their work so deeply. They desperately want their mission to succeed.

Those women and men braved 130 mph winds, as well as waves that topped the 19-foot levee, to pump a total of more than one billion gallons of water out of the facility.

Their courage reminds us that not all of NASAs heroes fly in space, NASA administrator Michael Griffin said when he presented those MAF employees with the agencys Exceptional Bravery Medal.

Michoud reported that Katrina left 94% of their employees with damaged or destroyed homes, but workers pushed to make necessary improvements to the Space Shuttle program. (It was later discovered that the Discovery and Columbia foam loss was not a result of faulty installation, and an apology was issued to MAF workers.)

A lot of us didnt have homes to come back to and we were scattered all across the southeastern United States, Pilet says. It was such a painful time but the way we pushed through it was an incredible accomplishment for our team.

The Space Shuttle program returned to flight the following July 4.

It might be the proudest Ive ever been, says Matt Wallo from Lakeview, who is now a senior manager with Lockheed Martin at MAF. Working through all those issues and then watching that shuttle take off from Florida on the Fourth of July... that was special.

An artist's rendering of SLS Block 1 (core stage in orange) with the Orion spacecraft and Launch Abort System sitting atop it.

With the International Space Station fully operational, NASA ended the Space Shuttle program in 2011. However, unlike when the Apollo missions concluded, it was unclear what came next for Americas space industry.

We had been working on the Space Shuttle external tanks for three decades, Pilet says. For many at MAF, it was the only work they knew. Suddenly we go from playing a key role in several launches a year to turning off most of the lights in the building.

But Michoud wouldnt stay down for long. As NASA set its sights on the Moon and Mars, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to build the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Orion is a partially reusable space capsule that will sit atop the SLS rocket. After each stage of SLS fires and is discarded, its Orion that will carry astronauts through space.

I love that right here in New Orleans, were building this exploration-class vehicle that will take humanity farther than weve ever been in history, says Wallo, who now oversees Orion production at Michoud. New Orleanians are creating things that have never been done.

Pilet says he knew Michoud was back when preparation for SLS started in 2013.

Now we were going to have Boeing and the worlds most powerful rocket to go with our capsule. The lights came back on. Workers started filing back in. It was exciting.

I remember when we turned the lights on in those early days, Gertjejansen says. Youd have stray cats running all around the building because it hadnt been used in so long.

Since work on SLS began, Michouds capacity has continued to increase, and its partner companies have attracted talent from New Orleans and across the country.

Jennifer Boland-Masterson was working for Boeing in Washington state just over two years ago when she learned about the work going on at MAF. Today shes the director of Boeing operations at Michoud.

When Boeing gave me the opportunity to work here, I jumped at it, she says. You can tell people understand what theyre doing here is destined for history books. I wanted to be a part of that.

Today, Orion and SLS arent all thats going on at Michoud. Workers at MAF are also building the Launch Abort System that will better protect astronauts, as well as several other essential components to the Artemis mission. Michoud teams have perfected new techniques most recently around friction stir welding that will transform industry around the world.

The MAF campus has 24 tenants on site, from LM Wind Power to Hope Credit Union to Ochsner Health Center, employing thousands of New Orleanians.

NASA's Orion spacecraft

But 85% of the work done on site remains focused on outer space. The first Orion capsule is ready for its Artemis I mission, and the first SLS core stage was shipped earlier this year to the Stennis Space Center. There, its undergoing a series of tests at the same location the Saturn V rockets were tested before they sent the first men to the Moon.

The day our core stage left Michoud was one of the most satisfying days of my life, Boland-Masterson says. It was the culmination of so much work by so many people.

Shes referring to Jan. 8, when the largest component of the most powerful rocket in history made its way out of Americas Rocket Factory to the Pegasus barge.

Of course, in true New Orleans fashion, the rocket also got a second line, Gertjejansen says. We got to see off the first rocket in a decade, and LSU won a National Championship all in one week. It was a great time to be a Louisianan.

NASA recently announced that Lockheed Martin and Boeing have been awarded contracts for years more of production work on their respective Artemis components.

To meet the local demand for trained workers, Boeing has partnered with local higher education institutions like Nunez Community College to create an Aerospace Manufacturing program.

I thought Id have to leave New Orleans to get the job I wanted in a STEM field, Gertjejansen says. I didnt realize I could get the job of my dreams right here at home.

Artemis I is scheduled to take off from Kennedy Space Station late next year. Millions of viewers will tune in across America and across the world. Champion wants many of those viewers to be New Orleanians.

My hope is that as that rocket rises from Earth New Orleanians understand they are once again a part of history.

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New Orleans' Michoud plant builds rockets for Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars - NOLA.com

The Cycle Season 3 Adds Moving Trains and a New Space Station – FULLSYNC

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The third season of YAGERs competitive quest shooterThe Cycleis here! Season 3 introduces a big showstopper: Prospect Station, a new social hub for all players. In this bustling space station orbiting Fortuna III, youre free to interact with other players, grab new missions, craft items for your next match and more. Spend less time in menus in your new home away from home!

Season 3 also raises the stakes with a new setpiece contract on a moving Mag Train available on both maps. As the train loops around the environment, squads must battle to get on board and keep it locked down, forcing players to use whatever cover they can find in close-quarters combat without falling off!

Theres a ton of other new content added with Season 3 today, as well, including:

Season 3 also introduces new free and premium (Gold) versions of the Fortuna Pass,The Cycles exclusive season pass, each offering a variety of in-game currency and rewards like weapons, skins, emotes, banners, sprays and more. This seasons free pass features over 50 unlockable rewards. The Gold pass features more than 150 rewards (including those from the free pass), as well as the two new Prospectors and special challenges and customization elements for them both.

In addition, players can claim the new Rogue Starter Pack for free onThe Cycles Epic Games Storepagefrom now until July 22. This limited-time bundle of exclusive in-game items not available anywhere else includes the new Rogue Thrill Seeker Prospector, plus a unique vehicle, melee weapon and weapon skin (total value 40 USD/35 EUR).

The Cycleis an action-packed competitive quest shooter: complete jobs, defeat hostile lifeforms, gear up with new weapons and powers, out-score other prospectors, and make it off the planet alive before it kills you.The Cycledelivers a competitive multiplayer experience where everyone can survive, but how you stake your claim can make all the difference. Form squads with friends, make uneasy alliances with strangers, or go it alone the choice is yours!

Season 3 ofThe Cycleis free to play now on PC via theEpic Games Store. For more information, visitwww.TheCycle.game.

For more gaming news check out our website right HERE.

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The Cycle Season 3 Adds Moving Trains and a New Space Station - FULLSYNC

Air Jordan 5 What The To Release This Year! KicksOnFire.com – KicksOnFire.com

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Release Date: 2020Retail Price: $190Style Code: 555088-126

Where To Buy Online? KicksOnFire Shop&KicksOnfire App: Available Now!

It is being reported that the What The Theme will be showcased on the Air Jordan 5 later on this year. Celebrating the Air Jordan 5s 30th Anniversary, the Air Jordan 5 What The will utilize colors and details from the Air Jordan 5 Tokyo,Shanghai,Raging Bull,Bel-Air,Laser and more. Our first look at the shoe shows that the left and right shoe will be completely different from each other. The mismatched motif has one shoe done in Yellow (Tokyo) and another shoe done in Red (Raging Bull). Details include the Japanese character and medallion embroidery from the Tokyo 23 and Shanghai colorways, respectively. The debuting leaked images also showcases graphic lining from the Bel-Air and Laser Air Jordan 5s. You can also see 3M reflective tongues and translucent netting on the sides.

The Air Jordan 5 What The has no release date, but early reports suggest we see them release later on this year. Stay tuned as more info begins to surface.

Update (7/13/2020): We get a first look at the Air Jordan 5 What The. The mismatched sneakers are expected to release later on this year.

zsneakerheadz (7/13/2020)

Available Now on Kixify & eBay

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Air Jordan 5 What The To Release This Year! KicksOnFire.com - KicksOnFire.com

Jordan king warns that Israel’s annexation plans jeopardize regional peace – Reuters

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AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordans King Abdullah warned on Monday that any unilateral Israeli moves to annex territory in the occupied West Bank would fuel instability and dim hopes of a final settlement of the decades-old Arab-Israeli conflict.

The monarch told British lawmakers the only path to a comprehensive and lasting Middle East peace was the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on land captured by Israel in the 1967 war, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Any unilateral Israeli measure to annex lands in the West Bank is unacceptable, as it would undermine the prospects of achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, the monarch was quoted in a palace statement as telling British foreign and defence parliamentary committee members in a virtual meeting.

Jordan has led a diplomatic campaign along with most other European countries that opposes Israeli plans that envisage annexing parts of the occupied West Bank as part of a deal being promoted by U.S. President Donald Trumps administration.

King Abdullah, a staunch U.S. ally, has also in recent months warned that Israeli policies along with Trumps peace plan would lead to conflict and deal a blow to Israeli-Jordanian relations.

Amman lost the West Bank including East Jerusalem to Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Jordan is the second Arab country after Egypt to sign a peace treaty with Israel and many of its more than 7 million citizens are of Palestinian origin.

Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman; Editing by Matthew Lewis

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Jordan king warns that Israel's annexation plans jeopardize regional peace - Reuters

Exclusive Look at the Making of Dior and Jordan Brand’s "Air Dior" Capsule – HYPEBEAST

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One is a paradigm of Parisian elegance while the other boasts the most influential line of signature basketball sneakers ever, but Dior and Jordan Brand have more in common than initially meets the eye. With a deep, shared appreciation for the history of footwear culture and product driven by context and storytelling, it seems strangely inevitable that the brands would collide one day and now they have on the Air Dior collection. The brainchild of Dior Mens director Kim Jones, Dior Mens lead footwear designer Thibo Denis and Jordan Brand VP of Design Martin Lotti, the collection is centered around an Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 1 Low, which provide a perfect collision of authenticity and luxury, in the words of Lotti.

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Valentin Hennequin/Dior

Apart from its expansive cultural cachet, whats kept the Air Jordan 1 at the forefront of sneaker lovers and fashion aficionados hearts since 1985 are its clean lines, supple materials and powerful branding. Accordingly, the Air Dior AJ1 Highs and Lows are both built by hand in Italy, done up in an elegant mix of white and Dior grey thats constructed of the same fine calf leather as Diors in-line leather goods.

This makes for athletic sneakers that are presented as objects of bourgeois desire, just like Diors handbags a direct acknowledgement of sports longtime influence on runway style. The white and grey palette has history with both participating brands; Denis noted that his team took apart an original 1985 pair of the Air Jordan 1 Neutral Grey for construction inspiration, aiming to make their opulent re-creation as true in shape to the original as possible.

From a branding standpoint, Diors Oblique jacquard pattern takes up residence on the Swoosh for a signature strike of co-created detailing, and if you remove the insole youll also find the repeating motif laser-etched onto the strobel at a 50 percent scale. AJ1 designer Peter Moores original ball-and-wings logo is modified into an Air Dior motif on the collar, and also appears under the left shoes translucent outsole to accompany the right outsoles Dior spellout graphic. I love mixing together different worlds, different ideas Jordan Brand and Dior are both emblematic of absolute excellence in their fields, says Kim Jones. To bring them together in this special collaboration gave us the opportunity to present something exciting with special savoir-faire of craftsmanship in the Dior factory in Italy combined with Jordans technical prowess.

Alfredo Piola/Dior

Alfredo Piola/Dior

Alfredo Piola/Dior

Alfredo Piola/Dior

Alfredo Piola/Dior

Alfredo Piola/Dior

Alfredo Piola/Dior

These regal takes on the AJ1 are accompanied by a full apparel collection, with tracksuits sweaters and even suiting options drawn from both the Dior and Jordan Brand archives. The inspiration behind [the clothes] goes right back to Michael Jordan, and what he was wearing on and off the court, Lotti stated. Although white, cream and grey hues are prominent, other sporty shades like rich navy and stark black are mixed in as well. I like the fact that were doing something thats extremely unexpected in terms of clothing, quips Jones. This collection is very sophisticated and modern and we used only luxurious fabrics such as silk and cashmere. This new capsule transcends sportswear in an unexpected way through the art of tailoring, the highest savoir-faire and perfectly reflecting the Dior codes.

See the process behind the product in the exclusive video and photos above, starring Lotti, Jones and Thibo with cameos from Jordan Brand family members Travis Scott and Rui Hachimura. For more Jumpman news, check out the Fall 2020 Air Jordan retro collection.

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Exclusive Look at the Making of Dior and Jordan Brand's "Air Dior" Capsule - HYPEBEAST

Jordan Dover, Robbie Mertz named to USL Championship Team of the Week – TribLIVE

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Jordan: COVID-19 Pandemic Weighs Heavily on Economy, as it does on Region – Mirage News

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The World Bank launched today its Jordan Economic Monitor (JEM) Spring 2020 edition Weathering the Storm in a virtual meeting hosted by the Jordan Strategy Forum and in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The JEM discusses the recent economic developments and highlights some of the key macroeconomic policy challenges facing the Kingdom, mainly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has severely affected the lives and livelihoods of Jordanian citizens.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a severe economic and social shock on all countries alike, and Jordan is no exception. Yet the impact on Jordans economy is further amplified as the country was already moving along a low growth trajectory amid high youth and women unemployment rates. The pandemic is likely to lead to a deep global recession that could potentially be protracted, in part due to the lingering health risks. According to the report, the Jordanian economy is projected to contract by 3.5% in 2020. This compares to a forecasted contraction of 4.2 percent for the MNA Region and a contraction of 5.2 percent for the World economy according to the World Banks June 2020 Global Economic Prospects. This negative impact is expected due to various channels, in particular trade, remittances, tourism, as well as the service sector. There are major downside risks to this projection as some countries have difficulties getting the first wave of the pandemic under control while others could face a second wave. Given the services-oriented nature of its economy, Jordan is expected to gradually recover while still remaining below its long-term trend.

The recent global and domestic disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are severely impacting the Jordanian economy and its prospects, said Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank Mashreq Regional Director. The World Bank is committed to support Jordan take swift measures to protect the poor and the vulnerable, maintain the provision of essential services, buffer economic activity, and preserve human capital investments.

The response to this crisis requires a substantial mobilization of resources. Given deteriorating global liquidity conditions, additional financing needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis will likely be high and persist over the medium term, and hence further heighten Jordans dependence on official flows. Over the medium-term reviving growth and job creation-which is key to long-term sustained reduction in poverty and vulnerability-will depend on the pace of global recovery and the economys own resilience, said Saadia Refaqat, World Bank Senior Economist and author of the report.

Over the past few years, Jordan has laid the foundation for a more sustainable and inclusive growth through its Five-Year Reform Matrix to set Jordan on a growth path, focusing on creating jobs, especially for youth and women. The Government, with support from the World Bank, has already made important progress with the implementation of key reforms in the area of labor market, social safety nets, private sector competitiveness and governance. Faced with new challenges from the COVID-19 shock, steadfast focus on key structural reforms in agriculture, tourism, trade facilitation, support to SMEs, digital transformation as well as improving the business environment and access to finance can help Jordan accelerate its recovery and further strengthen resilience.

At the outset of COVID-19 outbreak, Jordan moved rapidly to mitigate and contain the spread of the virus, undertaking strict measures and prioritizing the health and lives of its citizens. said Wissam Rabadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. Our response strategy resulted in recording a relatively low number of cases and mortalities, and accordingly enabled the economy, within a short period of time, to fully reopen domestically. The challenge ahead of the world, including Jordan, is to recover from this shock as quickly and efficiently as possible towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

The Jordan Economic Monitor also includes two Special Focus sections. Women and Work in Jordan and Jordan Jobs Diagnostic. The sections examine the causes behind weak job creation, particularly for women and the youth, and the low female labor force participation, where Jordan scores below regional and international standards. The report calls for critical legal and regulatory reforms to the work permit system to reduce informality, revision to wages and compensation schemes of the public sector in contrast to those of the private sector, and improvement in the business environment, specifically for young firms so that they can grow and create much needed jobs. The sections also emphasize the need to address some of the barriers holding back women from accessing the job market such as the lack of adequate childcare services, poor public transportation conditions, gender related wage gaps, and social norms that imply certain societal expectations to the role of women.

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Jordan: COVID-19 Pandemic Weighs Heavily on Economy, as it does on Region - Mirage News

Princess Raiyah of Jordan Marries Roald Dahl’s Grandson in the First Royal Wedding of the Pandemic – TownandCountrymag.com

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Earlier this spring, Princess Beatrice and her fianc Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi postponed their royal wedding because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemicbut at least one other engaged royal didn't want to wait.

Princess Raiyah Bint Al Hussein, the youngest daughter of Queen Noor and the late King Hussein of Jordan, married British journalist Ned Donovanwho just so happens to be author Roald Dahl's grandsonin an intimate, socially distanced ceremony in the UK on Tuesday.

ARABIAN ROYAL AGENCY

Queen Noor and a few other guests were in attendance at the event, which appears to have taken place outside in a courtyard. The bride wore a stunning long-sleeved gown with delicate lace detailing, which she accessorized with a long veil. Her jeweled headpiece appears to have been fashioned out of her mother's brooch.

For his part, the groom looked dapper in a classic morning suit with a bright blue vest.

Patrick McMullanGetty Images

Shortly after her nuptials, Princess Raiyah posted a few photos from the day on Twitter, and thanked well-wishers for their messages. She also explained that it was "safer" for the wedding to be held in the UK right now, and noted that another celebration will hopefully take place in Jordan in the future.

"Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding! While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husbands family to hold it in the UK," she wrote. "God willing we look forward to celebrating in Jordan once the situation allows."

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MSU’s Jordan featured on The Scientist webinar this week – Mississippi State Newsroom

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MSUs Heather R. Jordan, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, will be featured on a July 16 webinar presented by The Scientist. The virtual event is 2:30-4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (1:30 p.m. CST).

Heather R. Jordan (Photo by Megan Bean)

Click here to learn more and register.

Titled A Little Help from my Friends: Lessons Learned from Microbiome Metagenomics, the online event will discuss how metagenomic analyses of the human microbiome reveal novel functions of our constant companions, from genes for antibiotic resistance to cancer risk and susceptibility to treatment. These novel functions play an important role in human health and disease. In this webinar brought to you byThe Scientistand sponsored by Bio-Techne, MSUs Heather Jordan and Jennifer Wargo of MD Anderson Cancer Center will discuss how metagenomics studies help uncover new and medically relevant functions of the human microbiome.

Topics covered will include autopsy sampling to uncover human resistome diversity and the role of the microbiome in cancer therapy.

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MSU's Jordan featured on The Scientist webinar this week - Mississippi State Newsroom

Detroit Tigers’ patience with Jordan Zimmermann can be shorter than ever in 2020 – Detroit Free Press

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Detroit Tigers sidearmer Nolan Blackwood faces Harold Castro in the intrasquad game on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at Comerica Park. Detroit Free Press

Jordan Zimmermann walked off the mound frustrated after his first inning on Sunday afternoon.

It was a familiar scene: Zimmermann, the veteran right-hander, has made far too many of these walks during his five seasons with the Detroit Tigers.

Once a power pitcher who would throw consistently deep into games, Zimmermann was bitten by the injury bug a month into the 2016 season he was the American League Pitcher of the Month that April and has often walked back to the dugout in the middle innings or earlier since.

Sometimes, its after getting pulled. Others, after a rough inning.

But on Sunday, in his first intersquad appearance, Zimmermann walked off without recording three outs. In that first-inning struggle, Zimmermann was hit hard. He wasnt missing bats and his pitch count exceeded the teams limit.

Jordan Zimmermann struggled in the first inning of an intrasquad scrimmage at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, July 12, 2020.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press)

[ Harold Castro keeps hitting: How does he fit into the Tigers' plans? ]

First inning, there wasnt much coming out, Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. He didnt have much command of his fastball and that happens. But hes been around a long time, so those types of things happen and then he made some pitches in the second inning out there and he was fine after that.

Now 34 and in the final season of a five-year, $110 million deal Zimmermann is due just over $8 million in 2020, prorated hes pitching for his career.

With his contract essentially a sunk cost and the teams top pitching prospects on the cusp of debuting at some point this season, Zimmermann will have to stay healthy and pitch effectively to stick in the rotation.

And while staying healthy may be easier in a shortened season, thats merely one half of the battle: With every inning carrying added importance this season, especially with the teams top prospects needing them to develop, Zimmermann needs to pitch capably.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann pitches during an intrasquad scrimmage at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, July 12, 2020.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press)

[ Tigers place five more players on IL, including top prospects ]

After that first inning full of hard contact and line drives, Zimmermann pitched around an error in the second and retired six batters in a row to end his outing.

He spun the ball a little bit better and threw the ball a little bit better after that, Gardenhire said. Spun it pretty good but hes a veteran guy, well see how he feels tomorrow and go from there.

Gardenhire said over the weekend that there were no physical issues with Zimmermann. The pitcher himself said he felt beyond that and did not need to receive a nerve block injection in the offseason, contrary to his past few seasons.

Considering that his outing contained the first intrasquad pitches hes thrown this camp, Zimmermann is certainly afforded some time. He is entering his 12th season in the majors.

But given his performance with the Tigers going 25-41 with a 5.61 ERA and 1.431 WHIP in 96 starts Zimmermann doesnt have much ofit to turn things around.

Detroit Tigers' Jordan Zimmermann pitches during an intrasquad scrimmage at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, July 12, 2020.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press)

Still, the Tigers are in no hurry to pass judgment. While the reinforcements are coming, Zimmermann could still provide valuable innings this season. He has put together solid stretches when healthy.

[ Casey Mize takes down Miguel Cabrera with no fear: 'He was filthy' ]

And already down one man in the starting rotation lefty Daniel Norris is on the 10-day injured listwhile he waits for COVID-19 clearance another vacancy could put the Tigers in an uncomfortable spot early, given the caution with which they plan to use their young pitchers.

Lets just get through these things, first, Gardenhire said, when asked about the starting rotation. We just started doing this, but yeah, were trying to see up a five-man rotation and however best it goes, were trying to let it play out on the field and make decisions closer to the season starting.

The Tigers open the season on July 24 against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Jordan Zimmermann pitches for the Detroit Tigers during an intrasquad scrimmage at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, July 12, 2020.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press)

Barring an injury this camp, Zimmermann will be in the Tigers starting rotation then.

With his contract expiring, how long he stays in it will depend on him reversing a trend that has continued for the past five years, seen again at Comerica Park in an intrasquad game on Sunday.

Contact Anthony Fenech at afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

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Reed is drawing interest from teams as camp approaches, per report – NBC Sports Washington

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Following Washington's statement on Monday that the current team name would be retired, The Washington Post Columnist and ESPN panelist Kevin Blackistone shared his problems with the release on Twitter.

On Monday during an interview on ESPN 92.9FM's Jason & John Show, Blackistone elaborated on the issues he took with the statement.

My first thought was Wheres the apology? My second thought was, This is disingenuous because you still got the letterhead on here with the name just glaring,'" Blackistone said.

Blackistone, who is also a professor at the University of Maryland, had mentioned the non-existent apology in his tweet. The fact that the team name and logo which are being retired were still used in a release describing the change that was coming made him believethat the team truly didn't care. That is something Blackistone feels became even more evident when one considers how the new team name is being chosen.

Among all the options for Washington's moniker -- which is meant to honor the heritage and tradition of the franchise --that have been considered, Blackistone noted that to his knowledge the Native American community has reportedly not been involved much in the decision.

"And my third thought was, What do you have to say about the name that youre considering given that you havent even given voice to, or given an ear to, the native folks who youve insulted since buying the team 21 years ago and having the opportunity to do this before,'" Blackistone said.

RELATED: WALKER WONDERS HOW TO CELEBRATE HISTORY MOVING FORWARD

Blackistone was not along in taking issue with the statement. The Sports Junkies felt it answered no questions, ESPN's Michael Wilbon called it"annoying" and "tone-deaf" and ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio saw it as "one final act of defiance" by team owner Dan Snyder.

The combination of all the missing elements from the statement made it less impactful for Blackistone. Despite it being a big moment, there wasn't much to take away from the team's announcement.

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That's something that Blackistone believes comes from the reasoning behind the name change in the first place. Washington has heard the backlash about the name for years, but it wasn't until big-name sponsors took issue that impacted the monetary situation of the league that real moves were made. Blackistone sees that as a symbol that Snyder's decisionto change the name has nothing to do with right vs. wrong.

Theres nothing altruistic about whats going on," Blackistone said about Snyder. "Hes being forced at the point of bayonets to change the team.

Basically sponsors, not individual team sponsors, but sponsors for the team via the NFL," Blackistone said."Which means, now its just not your pockets, but the other 31 owners pockets that are starting to be hurting. Thats why the move is being made."

All Blackistone had to do to understand Snyder's true opinion on the name change is look back to what the owner has said about the situation in the past. The only difference to Blackistonenow is that if Snyder continuedto speak in the same manner, some believeit would result in Snyder losing the team.

This is a guy who seven years ago infamously said he would never change the name, and you could put never in caps," Blackistone said.Well, never has come home to roostand hes either got to change the name or get out of the league.

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Not Another DJ: Trance Wax – L.A. Weekly

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Belfast DJ and producer Garry McCartney has been releasing acclaimed music as Ejeca for years, helping him become a mainstay of the British house and techno scene. But when he wanted to release some tracks with a nostalgic vibe, he decided to create a new alias. Enter Trance Wax.

I would say they are focused on different genres, McCartney says. With Ejeca the tracks I make and play are house and techno.With Trance Wax, the music is more about nostalgia and melody, a trip down memory lane.

The Northern Irish artist says that heinitially created four remixes of trance records and released them on white label vinyl for fun.

Since then it grew a small cult following from a lot of big names including Anjuna, he says. I then made two remixes for Above & Beyond for their Oceanlab alias the natural progression was to release original music with them. Its been great having a goalpost to aim at with a big label. Ive made a lot of music thanks to this.

The result of it all is the newManayaEP, which is described as a celebration of dance music through the ages. Theres more to come McCartney has been busing in lockdown.

Im just as happy in the studio as on tour, Ive just gone back to basics and worked on newmusic, he says. Made a few collaborations with some heroes that I wouldnt have been able to lockdown otherwise. Music will pay a big role in getting people through this so I see it as a responsibilityon my behalf.

Trance WaxsManaya EP is out now via Anjunabeats.

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Not Another DJ: Trance Wax - L.A. Weekly

Are You In a Trance? – The Good Men Project

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After a long day, I used to look forward to relaxing.

Sitting.

Staring.

Idle.

At a lit up screen which captivated me and entranced me.

Sedated me.

I would stare endlessly at this gigantic screen on my wall which told me what to think, cued me when to laugh, and convinced me which emotion to wield at any given time.

This was relaxing.

Numbing, actually.

I have spent thousands of hours of my life being entertained not by design, but by lack of focus.

By default.

Most of this entertainment I cannot recall.

Time lost.

It seemed right at the time. It served a perfect purpose in the moment. It allowed me to be swallowed by inaction, idleness, and decline.

I looked to escape. I had nothing else. I needed escape.

The hours I spent staring hypnotically into a lit-up screen became my life in the hours I did not dedicate to work that I did not want to do.

I made certain that when I was involved in the humanistic trance of entertainment that I was not serving any other useful purpose either.

Not relating with my family.

Not reading.

Not critical thinking.

Not productive activities.

I fully committed myself, completely, to becoming lost in the hypnosis.

The producers knew what I needed to focus on to fully participate in lifewhy should I bother?

Why should I bother to manage my own thoughts?

I should I bother to control my own emotions?

I could just hand them over to someone else.

There are people brilliant people who get paid handsomely to tell me what to think and believe, how to be happy on cue, and what products and services I need in my life.

Why should I bother to manage my own thoughts?

They know better than me.

I turned my life over to them, so they could manage my off-time.

I noticed my family doing the same thing.

I led them and was a shining example of a sedate, unproductive life.

So when the unproductive life I lived manifested a lack of productivity, I found myself with nothing else except an addiction to the trance, and the seeming inability to entertain myself.

My own thoughts were radically painful. They were full of the desire to sedate, chaos and catastrophe, and want for things I did not need.

I caused my own unraveling.

So only when forced, I turned off the screen. I found other things to do.

I read. I exercised. I listened to audio-books of people living an enriched life. I began spending time with incredible people playing life at a level well above my own.

I began the process of regaining control of my thoughts, my beliefs, my emotions, my habits, my character, and my outcomes.

I stopped handing the keys to others to form my thoughts and emotions.

The changes caused pain, hurt, and panic in my family.

Change is hard.

My family fought back.

But I would not regress. I would be the example. I would not waiver.

I was determined for all of us to attain a more enriched life. Sedation detracts from our true nature, our purpose, our dreams.

It was not easy.

Over time, the screen remained dark for longer stretches. We made more trips to the library. We conversed more. We found more love.

We related. Like we were family.

Again.

Everything serves a purpose. When used intentionally to enrich, to connect, to relate, to bond, to produce

everything can serve as a means of creating happiness. Not sedation. Not numbing. Not idleness.

Happiness. Real joy.

The kind of happiness and joy we are meant to find in this life.

Not wasted hours in a hypnotized trance.

Wasted. That you will never get back.

Connect. Love. Appreciate. Enrich.

Employ all earthly assets intentionally and purposefully.

Use everything created and existing to serve, to advance.

Failure to advance, grow, expand, is to stagnate.

And we were not meant to stagnate but to flourish.

By our very nature, we are meant to evolve as we walk our journey.

Evolution of each individual into a High-Performing being is essential for creating the very best life possible.

To attain the best life, you must assume absolute personal responsibility for your outcomes.

And only by assuming absolute personal responsibility, can you allow the perfect unfolding of your true lifes purpose.

And to realize your lifes purpose is the purpose of your life.

This post was previously published on Mike Kitko and is republished here with permission from the author.

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After Harry Styles Bedtime Story Other Celebrity Sleep Stories You Need To Listen To – Capital

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14 July 2020, 15:29

Harry Styles bedtime reading on Calm is the soothing sleep story we all need in times like these, but which other celebrities have nighttime tales?

Harry Styles sleep story for Calm has been sending fans and meditators into a gentle snooze for the past week, after the Adore You singer recorded Dream with Me by Steve Cleverley for the app.

The 35-minute story mixes music and magic with Harrys distinctive voice, sending listeners into a dreamland trance.

Harry Styles Fine Line Documentary: Fans React To Rumours

But if, like most fans, youve listened to it on repeat for days you might be on the hunt for something similar.

A number of celebrities have recorded bedtime stories and guided meditation for sleep, and some have proved to be almost as popular as Mr Styles.

Calm have guided meditations and stories recorded by the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Kelly Rowland, Leona Lewis, and Lucy Liu.

McConaugheys Wonder bedtime story is a popular choice amongst restless sleepers.

You can also find stars reading classic books on Audible, with Jake Gyllenhaal reading The Great Gatsby and Anne Hathaway reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Tom Hanks has also loaned his iconic voice to the app, for a reading of The Dutch House.

Nick Jonas reading of The Perfect Swing is also frequently praised for its drift-off abilities.

If its mediation which works better for you at bedtime, Chris Hemsworth has recorded guided meditations on CENTR, while Russell Brand has a guided mediation for beginners on YouTube.

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After Harry Styles Bedtime Story Other Celebrity Sleep Stories You Need To Listen To - Capital

Is Bharat Bond ETF a safe bet? Here’s what ICICI Direct has to say – CNBCTV18

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The second tranche of the Bharat Bond exchange-traded fund (ETF) in two fixed maturity period investment options will be up for a subscription from July 14, 2020. The ETF will invest in a portfolio of AAA-rated bonds of state-run entities. The new ETFs will be maturing in 2025 and 2031 referred to as Bharat Bond ETF April 2025 and Bharat Bond ETF 2031.

The government intends to raise up to Rs 14,000 crore through this ETF. In its first trance, it raised around Rs 12,400 crore.

In a recent report, brokerage house ICICI Direct said that it is a safe long term tax-efficient option. Bharat Bond ETFs provide a higher degree of certainty of returns (if held-to-maturity) with a higher safety of capital as it invests in government-owned AAA-rated public sector bonds, it added.

With the currently prevailing low-interest rate regime that is likely to continue, a small allocation could be considered by investors looking to lock in safe and predictable returns, suggests ICICI. The indicative yield of the five-year Bharat Bond ETF April 2025 is 5.6 percent and that of the 11-Year April 2031 version is 6.7 percent.

Among the two ETFs, the brokerage believes that the 11-year ETF is better placed in the current environment as it offers a higher and safe return for a longer period. The yield on five-year ETF is lower and investors may instead prefer open-end good quality debt mutual funds, it added.

"The bond ETF will enjoy tax advantage in the form of indexation benefit similar to debt mutual funds (20 percent with indexation). While the actual tax implication depends on future inflation index, tentative after-tax yield could be 5 percent for five-year ETF and 6.2 percent for 11-Year ETF," the brokerage report said.

Edelweiss AMC is managing this ETF. The Bharat Bond ETF is Indias first corporate debt ETF.

The Bharat Bond ETF is a target-maturity bond ETF, which has a defined fixed maturity, investing in bonds with a similar maturity. It will track the newly introduced Nifty Bharat Bond index.

The brokerage also noted that Edelweiss has also launched a fund of fund (FoF) for this ETF to facilitate retail investors to buy/sell like a normal mutual fund. For retail investors, this Bharat Bond FoF is better suited in terms of convenience and liquidity.

Investment rationale

Stability and predictability: A bond like structure with fixed maturity provides predictable and stable returns at maturity

High safety: Investment in public sector bonds

Transparency: Daily disclosure of portfolio constituents and live NAV

Liquidity: Buy/sell on an exchange at any time or through AMC in specific basket sizes. Edelweiss has also come out with a Bharat Bond FoF. It enables retail investors to enter and exit just like mutual funds

avenues. Taxed at only 20 percent post indexation, excluding surcharge

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Optic Bloom tend to their own, inclusive universe on ‘Space Garden’ – Vanyaland

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Is this it? I dont think I want to be here, utters Flowerthief on Optic Blooms Part Time Friend. The sentiment offers a starting point if not an origin story for the Boston duos debut record, Space Garden.

From that opening line, a new world starts swirling, as Optic Bloom establish their own, separate and fluid universe, filled to the brim with woozy beats bound to no genre. After delivering a holy trinity of singles last year, they shared their debut album Space Garden this past weekend (July 12).

Finally, the musical team of Dephrase and Flowerthief has turned theirvast inner galaxies outward to share with the world and Boston is better for it.

Theres some weirdness, some newness, a sense of futurity which is cool because it implies that people like us who are marginalized for various reasons will not only continue into the future, we will help create that future, Optic Bloom tell Vanyaland.

Strictly on a sonic level, Space Garden makes ample space for the genre experimentalists of the world, a fortuitous push forward for folks who dont see the boundaries of musical styles. And yet, what truly elevates the album into the cosmos is its intricate yet welcoming environment for people who have been sorted into an other category their whole lives.

Thats what makes Space Garden Optic Blooms magnum opus even though this is likely just the beginning of what the pair have to offer.

A lot of our interactions with the external world have made us feel like aliens, Optic Bloom explain. Theres this perpetual sense of un-belonging that I think a lot of people experience, especially people with marginalized identities like black and brown people, queer and trans people, neurodiverse people, poor people, disabled people, etc. It can be really hard to cope with living in a world thatshostile towards you. And so a question we held in this album was, how can we take what we have been given in this outer world, in this outer space, and make it livable, make it thriveable?

The answer to that question is where the space aspect of the album meets the garden angle, melding into a healing ambiance. Field recordings amplify the records remedial bliss: Most of the percussive sounds are derived from water droplets, walking on different natural surfaces (snow, leaves, water, grass, sticks, etc.), and various field recordings, the duo explain.

Aptly, Space Garden puts both members of Optic Bloom and the listener in the position to tend to their own inner and outer spaces, finally able to cultivate and be in relationship with a variety of inner-spatial experiences.

A lot of dharma teachers (like Lama Rod Owens, who is a black queer dharma teacher) talk about liberation and healing from trauma meaning we have more spaciousness in our experience, Optic Bloom say.We have more space around our trauma, our emotions, and our thoughts so were not collapsed into habitual responses to our internal space that can actuallyexacerbate our suffering. We can hold difficult experiences and still be able to move, be able to make choices in how we respond to our internal galactic experience.

Best of all, once the record stakes out space for everyone and it already has it opens up a creative and personal zone that cant be eradicated. Put simply: Gatekeepers Cant Get Rid Of Us now.

Some of the best music ever created in this city is being made and released right now, Optic Bloom notes. But its always felt like Boston music is on the cusp of breaking into the national spotlight, and then it doesnt happen for some reason. We hope that we can contribute to the Boston music scene reaching the next step by releasing something that feels different from anything weve heard before, blending hip-hop and R&B elements with ambient textures, and touching on other genres like trance and house.

Enter the lush bliss of Optic Blooms Space Garden below.

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Optic Bloom tend to their own, inclusive universe on 'Space Garden' - Vanyaland