The Thar (also referred to as the Great Indian Desert), is one of the world’s most densely populated deserts. Spanning approximately 200,000 square kilometers (77,000 square miles), it is vast on a regional scale but significantly smaller than continental deserts like the Sahara Desert, which covers about 9.2 million square kilometers (3.6 million square miles), or the Arabian Desert, measuring around 2.3 million square kilometers (890,000 square miles).

The Thar’s landscape is characterized by rolling sand dunes, patches of scrub vegetation, rocky areas, and seasonal riverbeds that change with the seasonal monsoon rains. Temperatures vary greatly, soaring above 45°C (113°F) in the hot summer and dropping to very low levels in the winter.

Despite its harsh climate, the Thar is home to diverse wildlife and vibrant human communities that have adapted to its arid conditions over many years. Millions of people live in its towns and villages across India and Pakistan.

Recent changes in the environment and evolving climate patterns are reshaping the Thar Desert in remarkable ways. Satellite observations and long-term climate data indicate that parts of the region have become progressively greener over the past few decades, showing increased vegetation cover and agricultural expansion.

Experts are debating the primary causes of this greening trend. Some attribute it largely to human activity, including irrigation, land-use change, and agricultural intensification. Others point to broader climate change patterns, especially in relation to monsoon dynamics linked to global warming.

While increased vegetation may seem beneficial, it also brings complex ecological issues and questions. Changing habitation patterns create both opportunities and risks, introducing uncertainty for ecosystems and local communities alike.

Watch the following documentary by The Week Magazine, India, exploring “Why India’s Thar Desert is Turning Green”

The greening of the Thar Desert underscores the delicate balance between human activity, changes in climate, and their effects on different populations. It demonstrates that communities and ecosystems change together, reminding us that change is as inevitable and sometimes costly… as it can be uncomfortable and transformative.

At the time, the remark was widely seen as a response to the increasingly harsh tone of political discourse, particularly surrounding then-Republican nominee Donald Trump… although Mrs. Obama did not mention him by name in her speech.

In the years since, “When they go low, we go high” has continued to resonate with the public, especially during periods of political division and polarization.

So what does “going high” actually mean?

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Michelle O. offered further insight into the phrase as follows:

FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA VIDEO-CLIP

Rather than responding to negativity with more negativity, going high involves maintaining dignity, focusing on solutions, and acting with intention and long-term vision.

“WHEN THEY GO LOW, WE GO HIGH” SPEECH

World, when they go low, will you go high?

By Erin Digitale

The U.S. measles surge is a sign that more vaccination is needed, said a Stanford Medicine pediatric infectious disease physician. Here’s what else she wants you to know.

After a sustained surge of measles outbreaks last year, the United States is likely to lose its status as a country that has eliminated the highly infectious disease.

“Losing that designation means we are seeing ongoing domestic spread of measles, which we’ve failed to stop over the course of a year,” said Stanford Medicine’s Sruti Nadimpalli, MD MPH, clinical associate professor of pediatrics and a specialist in pediatric infectious disease.

“Elimination” of a disease means there has been no sustained transmission within a country for at least a year, although sporadic cases may still be brought in by international travelers. Loss of elimination status signals that the United States has significant gaps in measles vaccination and outbreak control, according to Nadimpalli.

“It’s not good news,” she said. “But the upside is that there’s still a lot we can do to halt the spread and keep kids and vulnerable populations safe. Vaccination is the most important strategy.”

Nadimpalli believes everyone needs to be aware of the disease, which is still spreading. Over the last year, the country had 49 outbreaks spanning nearly every state in the country. Here, in her own words, are the most important things to know.

• 1. A decrease in vaccine uptake is causing the measles resurgence

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases: Among people without immunity, 90% of those exposed to a case will get sick. (In comparison, between 4% and 12% of unvaccinated people exposed to a case of influenza will develop symptoms.)

The measles virus spreads stealthily. Infected people are contagious for several days before showing symptoms. The virus is transmitted through the air. Viral particles can remain airborne in a room and cause infection for several hours after an infected person has left.

To stop the spread, 95% of the population needs the two-dose vaccine, but many U.S. communities now have lower rates of vaccine coverage. The doses are normally given to children at 12 months of age and around their fifth birthday, though the second dose can safely be given as little as 28 days after the first if someone needs to get caught up quickly — as in an outbreak scenario,

Federal, state and local departments of public health publish data that shows where measles is spreading. The California Department of Public Health tracks activity across the state; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes weekly updates on measles numbers. In 2025, the U.S. had 2,255 confirmed cases of measles, nearly eight times as many as in 2024.

• 2. A case of the measles is no mild condition

Measles typically starts with a fever and respiratory symptoms and sometimes red, watery eyes. Then the person develops a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. It can cause serious complications, both short- and long-term.

In the short run, we worry most about pneumonitis, which is infection deep in the lungs; neurologic disease, called encephalitis; miscarriage in pregnant patients; and death.

Months or years after recovering from a bout of measles, people can develop two severe complications: measles inclusion body encephalitis, a form of brain inflammation that often kills patients, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a progressive brain disorder that is almost uniformly fatal. Although these are not common, they do occur, and we can prevent them with vaccination. Neither of these later complications has any effective treatment, so prevention is key.

All measles patients also experience a suppressed immune response for several weeks to a few months after they have the disease, leaving them more vulnerable to other infections. This happens because measles interferes with the infection-fighting ability of T cells, a key part of the immune system. It also infects and destroys memory B and T cells that “remember” prior infections which further increases risk.

• 3. There are no antiviral treatments to mitigate measles symptoms

For high-risk people who can’t be vaccinated — very young babies, pregnant people, immunocompromised individuals — we can give intravenous immunoglobin, an antibody pooled from multiple blood donors. It can prevent the disease from developing after someone is exposed.

Measles doesn’t have a specific treatment. We offer supportive care, but we don’t have medications for it. Though researchers have tested several different antivirals, nothing has worked well. It’s different from something like chickenpox or COVID-19 where we have effective antivirals to reduce the length and severity of symptoms. Preventing measles with vaccination really is the most successful strategy.

• 4. Measles vaccination is safe and essential to keeping loved ones healthy

The measles vaccine is very safe and effective, the best protection we have against measles.
For people who can’t be vaccinated, such as babies, pregnant individuals, and people who are immunocompromised, we recommend what we call cocooning: Parents, other household members and caregivers of the vulnerable person should all be vaccinated to create a layer of protection around them. They should also limit exposure to crowded or high-risk settings during outbreaks and reach out to a physician promptly if they suspect exposure.

If a family with an infant needs to travel to an area with a measles outbreak, early vaccination can be considered for babies as young as six months.

As an infectious disease physician, I’m always dispelling myths about measles and vaccines. There is no data to show that vaccines cause autism; a lot of smart people have researched this deeply and there are no data to connect the two. If there were, as a community, pediatricians would not just ignore it.

There’s also a misconception that measles is just a routine childhood infection, that it’s not consequential. In reality, it suppresses the immune system and the potential complications are very serious, including severe debility and death.

• 5. Your immunity to measles depends on when you were born

If you were born before 1957, we assume you are immune because the infection was so prevalent before the vaccine became available. Vaccination records or documentation of a prior infection can also serve as proof of immunity. There is also an antibody-based blood test we can use to check for immunity.

People vaccinated on the current schedule — two childhood doses — are considered protected. This generally includes those born in 1990 or later.

Adults born between 1957 and 1989 may have received only one dose of measles vaccine. A single dose was recommended from 1963, when the vaccine was introduced, until 1989, when it changed to two doses. People in this group may benefit from a second dose depending on their age; risk factors; occupational exposures, such as working in health care; and travel plans. There are nuances to consider, so it’s best to check with your doctor.

Source: Standford News Service

Japan is indeed one of the world’s leading countries in terms of life expectancy and overall quality of life. This is commonly attributed to a combination of factors, including a balanced diet, strong social cohesion, universal healthcare, active lifestyles that involve frequent walking, and cultural attitudes that value routine, purpose (ikigai), and responsibility to the community.

The content creators at Koden Obscure recently shared a video titled “17 Japanese Self-Care Habits That Actually Work”. We hope you enjoy the video and find it both insightful and useful:

WATCH VIDEO

What are your biggest takeaways from these Japanese self-care practices?

American travel and food blogger Mark Wiens visited a Zulu village, where he documented firsthand the preparation of the famous South African Seven colours meal with his host family.

The heartfelt hospitality he experienced, and naturally flavorful food that was served offer an unscripted glimpse into Zulu daily life, traditions, and the importance of community.

WATCH I TRIED TRADITIONAL ZULU FOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA

This cultural encounter with the Zulu people underscores the principle of Ubuntu—the idea that humanity is shaped through community, an African philosophical concept that fosters cross-cultural understanding and highlights the shared values that connect us all. Your thoughts?

Some of the major impacts of the fast fashion industry on climate change include:

• High water usage and pollution: The production of textiles, especially cotton, requires enormous amounts of water, thus consuming resources that could be used for essential purposes such as human consumption and agriculture. In addition, harmful dyes and chemicals released during manufacturing are often discharged into rivers and waterways, leading to severe water pollution and ecosystem damage.
• Carbon emissions from production and transport: Rapid production cycles in the fast fashion industry require frequent manufacturing, transportation, and high energy consumption, all of which significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane accumulate in the atmosphere, forming a layer that traps heat. This process, known as the greenhouse effect, leads to rising global temperatures and ultimately contributes to climate change.
• Land use and deforestation: The cultivation of cotton and the raising of livestock for leather used in clothing production require large amounts of land. As a result, deforestation often occurs to create space for these activities. This reduces the number of trees in the environment, thereby decreasing the planet’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and other gases that need to be filtered out of the atmosphere. Additionally, the conversion of land for fashion-related production reduces the availability of land for food crops, which can negatively impact food security.
• Microplastics pollution: Washing synthetic garments releases microplastics into rivers and oceans. These tiny plastic particles harm marine life when ingested and can enter the human food chain, potentially causing health problems and diseases in humans.
• Chemical contamination: Fast fashion relies heavily on inexpensive dyes, flame retardants, and finishing agents. These chemicals can leach into the soil and water, contaminating ecosystems and harming biodiversity. As ecosystems weaken, their ability to regulate environmental balance and support climate stability is reduced. In addition, exposure to these toxic substances can adversely affect the human body, leading to various health problems.

WATCH DOCUMENTARY ON THE COST OF FAST FASHION:

Fast fashion emphasizes quick profits and constantly changing trends, encouraging consumers to buy more than they need. This cycle of overproduction and over-consumption as we have seen, not only strains buyers’ bank accounts and the environment, but also accelerates climate change.

From making more thoughtful choices as consumers, to raising awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion, each of us can help slow down the negative effects of fast fashion. Do you agree? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.

September will anticipate the first solo exhibition of American artist Jonas Wood in Asia.

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2025 – Amorepacific Museum of Art (Director: Seungchang Jeon) will present two major contemporary art exhibitions in 2026: a special exhibition from its contemporary art collection and a solo exhibition of the acclaimed American artist Jonas Wood.

Opening in April, APMA, CHAPTER FIVE – FROM THE APMA COLLECTION brings together a broad spectrum of contemporary art with special emphasis on the key trajectories and shifts within Korean contemporary art. Featuring approximately 50 works by over 40 artists—including David Hockney, Rose Wylie, Kiki Smith, Gala Porras-Kim, Nam June Paik, Lee Bul, Lee Ufan, and Koo Bohnchang—the exhibition offers paintings, photographs, sculptures, and installations that provide a comprehensive overview of the museum’s contemporary art collection.

Through these two contemporary art exhibitions, Amorepacific Museum of Art offers audiences an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of today’s art. A range of on-site programs designed to deepen engagement with the exhibitions will be announced via the museum’s website and Instagram.

Source: AMOREPACIFIC MUSEUM OF ART; https://apma.amorepacific.com/

Her recently released album, I Forgive You (June 2025), has been praised for its emotional honesty, inviting listeners into her personal experiences while encouraging them to confront and reflect on their own.

In this episode of Behind the Business, Cynthia Erivo sits down with Atara Romero Wilson for a candid conversation about her work, creativity, and her evolving journey of success.

WATCH THE CONVERSATION

Cynthia Erivo’s reflections reveal an artist committed to their craft, truth, and growth. She invites others to navigate their own creative and personal paths with authenticity and patience. Your thoughts?

Nicaragua is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

In 2020 alone, the country was hit by two Category 4 hurricanes, Eta and Iota – 15 days apart. Tropical cyclones keep hitting Nicaragua, making it one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF HURRICANES IN NICARAGUA AND THE RECOVERY PROCESS THAT FOLLOWS

Nicaragua’s experience with hurricanes highlights the devastating effects of climate change on at-risk nations.

The repeated onslaught of powerful storms threatens lives and livelihoods, and disrupts ecosystems and infrastructure. Addressing these threats requires continued support, proactive planning, and global cooperation to protect both people and the environment.

THE NEWS

The Global Ripple
Beyond Australia, this ban has prompted widespread global discussion about social media safety, particularly in relation to children and adolescents, and also the role of parents and society in ensuring proper use.

Regardless of one’s stance, the policy represents a landmark intervention that underscores growing concern over the influence and impact of social media within modern society.

The central question remains whether such regulation serves as a necessary measure to protect young people or constitutes an overreach that risks limiting personal freedom and digital engagement.

What are your thoughts on Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s… Protection or Overreach?