"Those who tell the stories rule the world."

Max was a normal boy in a normal town. One day, he found a strange gizmo in his backyard. It was shiny and silver, about the size of a toaster. It had many buttons. Max was curious, so he took it inside. He pressed a big red button. The gizmo made a noise and started to glow. Max felt funny in his stomach. Then something amazing happened. Max's cat, Whiskers, started to talk! “Finally, someone can understand me!” she said. Max was very surprised. He didn’t know if he should laugh or scream. Then he could understand all the animals! His dog, Rusty, said he wanted more snacks. Mrs. Jenkins’ parrot said the neighbor’s garden looked bad. It was fun but very loud. Soon, it got too noisy. The animals shouted, and Max got scared. He pulled the plug from the wall. Everything was quiet. Max looked at the gizmo. He learned that sometimes it is better not to know everything.

If I could give you one piece of advice to hold in your heart, it would be to appreciate every second you have with the things that you love; be they places, objects, or people.... Because there is a last time for everything and you don't always know that it's the last time when you're in it. There will be a last time you see a sunrise, a last time you taste ice-cream and a last time you smell a rose. There will be a last time you enter every room, a last time you hold every pet, and a last time you hear a loved one's voice. Sometimes we know we're in those moments and we can savour every second of them - but so often we don't know until that moment is gone and it's too late to go back and relive it. So hold onto those moments while you have them.... live inside them.... appreciate them to their fullest every time so you'll never regret taking them for granted one day when they're gone. ~ Ranata Suzuki

The bright lights and busy streets of Japan's famous cities like Tokyo and Osaka have been calling tourists to the country for years. But for travelers looking for a little peace and quiet, the town of Kamikochi might be just right. Found in the Northern Japan Alps in Nagano prefecture, Kamikochi is known for its natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy views of tall mountains, forests and the turquoise Azusa River that runs through the area. As part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi is a haven for lovers of the outdoors. It offers a variety of hiking trails for all levels, from easy walks to difficult climbs. The town is also an excellent place to rest before exploring the nearby mountains and volcanoes. But as well as the beautiful scenery, the town's simple setup adds to its peacefulness. Visitors can find just a few hotels, some shops and mountain huts when visiting Kamikochi. But there's one thing visitors won't find — cars. Cars and motorcycles were banned in Kamikochi in 1975. And while tourists can drive to the area, cars must be parked outside the town before entering. Many tourists visit the town by bus. Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Kamikochi, as the leaves on the trees turn from green into bright reds and oranges by the middle of October. Popular scenic places include Taisho Pond, where the reflections of Mount Hotakadake and Mount Yakedake can be seen on the surface of the water, and Kappabashi, a bridge over the Azusa River. Wildlife, such as monkeys and various birds, can often be seen in Kamikochi, offering an even greater way to enjoy the nature of the area, and see the wilder side of Japan!

By Sanjay Kapoor Published On 25 Oct 2024 New Delhi, India — For those who make a living studying body language, there was plenty to read during the BRICS summit this week in Kazan, Russia. There were the images of Russian President Vladimir Putin, far from isolated on the global stage despite his war on Ukraine, standing next to leaders from 36 countries, nearly two dozen of them presidents or premiers. There was the shot of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fresh from meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky in recent weeks, hugging Putin for the second time in three months. But to many analysts, the most significant photo was one where Putin sat, flanked by the leaders of the world’s most populous nations, Chinese President Xi Jinping and India’s Modi. For Putin, as host of the BRICS summit, had provided the setting for a detente that had seemed unlikely just weeks earlier. Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the summit, their first full-fledged bilateral dialogue in five years, in an attempt to reset a long troubled relationship that had fallen off the cliff after a bloody clash along their contested border in Ladakh in 2020. At least 20 Indian soldiers and four of their Chinese counterparts died in heated hand-to-hand combat with rocks, clubs and staves, parts of which were captured on smartphone video and shared around the world, shaping public opinion in both nations. The Modi-Xi meeting came two days after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the two sides had come to an agreement for their troops to disengage from locations along their disputed frontier where they had been locked in standoffs since 2020. The deal allows the two armies to restart patrolling their sides of the border according to an agreed schedule. That breakthrough will echo beyond India and China, say some scholars.“The India China detente is the most significant geopolitical development in Asia this year,” said Zorawar Daulat Singh, author of the book, Powershift: India-China Relations in a Multipolar World. “It means that India has decided to remove itself from US cold war plans.” Singh was referring to concerns among a section of India’s strategic community that New Delhi has increasingly been relying too much on its friendship with Washington to push back against Beijing’s assertiveness in South Asia and the Asia Pacific. Both India and the United States view China as their principal geopolitical rivals and have strengthened bilateral security cooperation dramatically over the past two decades. In recent years, they have also formed – with Japan and Australia – the Quad, a grouping with the unstated but clear aim of countering China’s strategic ambitions in the Asia Pacific, where Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea have sparked tensions with its neighbours. But other analysts say that key questions about the border agreement between India and China remain unanswered, and the future of ties between them is still deeply uncertain

Teamwork is essential in achieving common goals and fostering a collaborative environment. In various settings—be it in the workplace, schools, or sports—working together allows individuals to combine their strengths, share ideas, and support each other. One key benefit of teamwork is enhanced problem-solving. When diverse minds come together, they can approach challenges from multiple perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions. Additionally, teamwork builds trust and communication skills, as members learn to express their thoughts and listen to others. However, teamwork can also present challenges, such as conflict or differing opinions. It is crucial for team members to engage in open dialogue and establish a shared vision to overcome these obstacles. In conclusion, while teamwork requires effort and compromise, its benefits—like increased creativity, improved morale, and greater success—make it a valuable approach in any collaborative endeavor.

"If there is anything that can be crueler than death, it's nurturing false hope in your heart just to see them crushing every piece of you at the end." You must have watched those YouTube videos or maybe read books that encourage you to romanticize your life, haven't you? Well, I have. And to be honest, only by watching those videos, do I fall back into my imaginary world where I am the QUEEN of the world (at least of my world). Just after imagining how it would feel to romanticize my life, I used to feel a different kind of adrenaline rush running through my veins, something that I cannot explain in words. You might be thinking, Renuka, if you love the concept of romanticizing life then why are you stopping me to believe in it? Well, after experimenting, learning, watching, and reading about romanticizing life, I came up with this one explanation which is: Everyone is already romanticizing their life. They just don't know the nature of their character yet. Confusing? Let me tell you how you are already walking down on this concept and why this can be the most dangerous thing for your future. But let's first understand what romanticizing life means, shall we? Romanticizing your life means becoming the main character of your life as if your entire day is being recorded. In short, you act like you are in a movie playing the role of the main character. But here is the thing! Consciously or unconsciously, we all act as the movie character behaves. In any typical movie, the story starts with a girl and a boy. Either the girl is broken and finds herself in a dark tunnel with depression, stress, and anxiety (not to mention a poor girl is seen more often) or the same situation is played by the boy. Then? Then the boy comes into her life as the HERO who saves her from this cruel world, gives her hope, teaches her how to love, and finally falls in love with her. And after that, both of them face this world TOGETHER like God was conspiring from heaven for their paths to collide. Sounds familiar? If not the girl, then the boy is broken and then the girl comes as the Goddess to play the exact same role that we have just read. And if there is no love story Then there is a friendship story that revolves around the same thing. A broken, depressed, and pathless person meets with another person and they become best friends for life. Most of the movies/web series/books revolve around the same plot where one is broken and the other one comes as the guiding Angel which I like to call good drama. Now, the problem is that people like you and me have been watching/listening/reading about these kinds of life incidents since childhood that subconsciously we have made a belief- one day someone will come to save you, rescue you, or rather fall in love with you. All my college life, I was waiting for a friendship like Joey and Chandler (from F.R.I.E.N.D.S) but nothing like that ever happened. I never had a best friend either in school or in college but I always wanted one. A kind of best friend we see in web series and movies. Perhaps, that is the reason that even after having a bunch of friends around me, I used to feel incomplete. Though if I look back in time and see the world from a fresh perspective (or mature perspective), I can see a little girl wishing to have the same teddy bear she saw in some random movie. So, what's wrong with this anyway? Well, your imagination shapes your reality and here you are. Sitting there, thinking how broke you can be and then how a perfect angel-like person will come to save you. The problem with this is that you CHOOSE to believe that YOU ARE NOT ENOUGH to change your life all by yourself. You rely your hope on someone who doesn't exist. And that's why, when things don't fall as per your imagination, you start feeling even more lonely as if you had something but you lost it. If you have created an imaginary friend in your mind who you think will turn into reality, I would say, don't betray yourself. No one is coming to save you or make you laugh or travel with you around the world as it happens in the movie. Life is not a movie. Move on from your own hopes or get ready to see them crushed. Believing that someday you will meet perfect friends who will become a part of your soul is more like creating a graveyard of your hopes. The more you focus on meeting new friends, the more it will hurt. You will feel even more lonely thinking that you could have something but you didn't. You will have to mourn the loss of someone you never had in the first place. I am not saying that you wouldn't meet new people or you wouldn't be able to make new friends at all. I made some good friends after college through Instagram. But one harsh truth about that is - after a certain age, you don't make

Our life is like a pencil. Failure is a welcome part of success. Every time it can get broken or goes blunt, But We have to sharpen it again and again. A Pencil Needs Power, A pencil left by itself cannot fulfill its purpose, Because its power doesn’t come from itself but from the hand that holds it. For the pencil to make its mark in the world, It needs someone’s hand to hold it. We are capable of great things, But we must never forget that there is a hand guiding our steps. We call that hand God, And He always guides us according to His will. We need to allow God’s hand to hold us so we can fulfill our sacred purpose to which we were born to accomplish. We should know that everything we do in life will leave a mark. So we have to try to be conscious of that on every surface we are used on, we must leave our mark. No matter what the condition. We must continue to do our duty on every action with honesty and humility. A Pencil Needs Pain, A pencil has to go through painful sharpening if it is to be useful. If it doesn’t go through pain, It won’t be able to fulfill its purpose. In the same way, we will experience painful sharpening from time to time. We must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows. We will go through trials to test us, teach us, and train us to be better than we were before. A Pencil Needs Perseverance, If it makes a mistake, the pencil doesn’t give up. Why? Because it knows it has an eraser. The pencil simply erases its mistakes, and moves on. Like a pencil, life always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did. It is not necessarily a bad thing because it helps to keep us on the road to justice. God gives us an eraser. It’s the most powerful eraser in the world. It’s called forgiveness. God forgives us, Asks us to forgive ourselves and asks us to forgive others. Let's use our eraser everyday.

Years ago, I worked at a small health clinic in a remote country. I had gone there to treat an obscure syndrome. It attacked people’s lungs, causing them to need a respirator to breathe. I was trying out a new medication to treat these people instead of using a respirator. If I was successful, I would become famous. Everything was going fine until war broke out in a nearby country. Many people from that country fled the hostile invading army. The army wanted to dominate the people, but the people didn’t want to be oppressed. So they walked hundreds of miles across barren land to get away. Some of these people came to our clinic for treatment. I talked with them and learned of their difficulties. They did not beg or complain. I was impressed by their dignity. There was one woman I will never forget. Her son suffered from malnutrition and stomach pain, and she didn’t know what to do. Neither did I.I was not adept at treating malnutrition. Nonetheless, when I saw her sadness, I knew I had to help her son. The woman had been feeding her son bread and water. She had a misconception that it would be enough for him. However, I knew that he needed to eat vegetables, too. So I took her outside and showed her a dense patch of edible plants. I taught her howto dig up the roots, peel them, and cook them for her son. I explained that she should increase her son’s intake of these vegetables. Likewise, she should strive to get him some meat once a week to help him regain his strength. I sent her off with a prescription for some pain medicine, but she also left my office with some new culinary skills. A few weeks later, she returned to tell me her son was healthy again. As thanks, she gave me a beautiful ceramic bowl. I never become famous, but I kept that bowl to remind me what it truly means to heal someone.

Pizza is one of the world's most popular fast foods. It's believed that over 5 billion pizzas are sold around the world every year. In the US alone, people buy about 3 billion pizzas each year, which is about 46 slices per person! But it wasn't always as popular as it is today — in fact, it used to be looked down on, even by Italians! The modern pizza we know today started in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century. Poor people in the city needed cheap food that was easy to eat as they looked for work. Street vendors sold them pizzas with simple toppings like garlic and tomatoes. For a long time, pizza was looked down on as food for the poor, and visitors to Naples thought it was dirty and unappealing. But this changed in 1889, when Queen Margherita of Italy tried pizza and loved it. The pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil was named after her, and pizza started to become a national dish in Italy. Pizza became a favorite in the US after Italian immigrants brought it with them. It became especially popular in cities like New York, and new styles like Chicago deep dish and Hawaiian were invented. And it became even more popular with the invention of frozen pizza, which let people make their own pizzas at home. Today, pizza is enjoyed around the world, with many different toppings and styles. But its basic form hasn't changed very much from all those years ago.

📖Reading practice A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him. For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. But it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him out of his trouble. He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great importance to tell the tribe. When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails. This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge. That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety. When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling: "Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer." When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails. Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you to his own level.

◻️A working vacation A workcation is when a person remotely works while on vacation (a combination of "work" and "vacation"), possibly from a hotel or Airbnb rental. For example, you may vacation at a beach home with your family but spend business hours working on your laptop while they play at the beach. Since the advent of remote work, the line between employees' personal and professional lives has blurred. Remote work (WFH, WFA, and WFX) significantly increased in the 2010s with tech progression (e.g., advancement of computer performance and Internet speeds) and exploded in the early 2020s during covid social distancing restrictions. Typically, there are two primary reasons for workcations: 1) The worker does not have enough vacation days but still wants to go on vacation, or 2) the worker is a workaholic, struggling to disengage from work responsibilities, especially if co-workers or employers are demanding 24/7 access to them. Companies may also hold conferences or group business trips that employees might refer to as workcations. ❓Example How was your vacation in the Bahamas? Great! Except Geoffrey made it a workcation when he helped broker a deal the whole time we were there. 

Learning a new language takes a lot of brains, but learning these expressions should be a no-brainer. If someone says they want to "pick your brain," they want your thoughts and opinions about something. We usually use the phrase when talking to someone who's more knowledgeable about a topic than we are. If you were a new parent, you might go to a friend with three kids and say, "It's really hard to stay organized with the new baby. Can I pick your brains for ideas how to make it easier?" To "brainstorm" means to come up with lots of ideas quickly, which you can think about more carefully later. So your friend could say, "Of course! Tell me more and we can brainstorm some ideas to help you." The phrase "baby brain" is used to talk about how pregnant women and new mothers often feel they can't think as clearly as they usually do, or that they forget things more often. Some research has found that women really do get "baby brain," but it's not known what causes it — although stress might be part of it. And if something is a "no-brainer," it's a decision or idea that's very easy or obvious, and doesn't need to be thought about very hard. After listening to your problems, your friend might say, "It might sound like a no-brainer, but have you tried making some to-do lists to help you stay organized?" To which you might respond, "I can't believe I didn't think of that! I must have baby brain."

Early Childhood – A genius was born: Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879, to a Jewish family. His father was an engineer and a salesman. Einstein wasn’t a very bright student. He even had problems with his speech. When he was five years old, Einstein saw a magnetic compass and marvelled at the needle that kept moving with an invisible force. At age 12, he found a book on geometry which he read over and over again. Einstein wanted to pursue math and science . The problem was, he wasn’t very good at taking tests . However, he was always analytical . In 1905, Einstein submitted a paper for his doctorate and also had four papers published in the best known physics journal at that time.He became a well known name in the academic world. Being Jewish, Einstein knew he would have problems in Nazi Germany and so he migrated to the United States in 1933. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: 1.Albert Einstein was working as a patent clerk in Germany in 1905 when he developed his famous Theory of Relativity (E=mc2). 2.The theory simply states that the speed of light (constant, c) is the fastest speed in the universe and relates energy (E) and mass (M). It talks about how time and distance can change due to the different speeds of an object and its observer. Albert Einstein’s Inventions: Photons : He discovered that light is made up of small particles called photons and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. Bose-Einstein Condensate : Einstein discovered a state of matter with another scientist, Satyendra Bose. Today it is used in things like lasers. Atomic Bomb : Not directly connected with inventing it, but his Theory of Relativity is connected with the invention of the atomic bomb. Albert Einstein Facts: 1.Albert Einstein failed his first entrance exam for college. 2.He was offered the presidency of Israel. Albert Einstein Quotes: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ 🚨 Neon: A Glowing Symphony of Light ✨Imagine a world where you could draw pictures and write words with light! That's the magic of neon signs. They're like giant, colorful lightbulbs that shape our cities and towns. 🚨 The Science Behind the Sparkle To understand how neon signs work, let's think about a simple lightbulb. Inside a lightbulb, there's a tiny wire that glows when electricity passes through it. A neon sign is similar, but instead of a wire, it uses a long, thin glass tube filled with a special gas called neon. When electricity flows through this tube, it excites the neon gas atoms. It's like giving the atoms a little jolt of energy. These excited atoms release their energy in the form of light, making the tube glow brightly. The color of the glow depends on the type of gas used. Neon gas produces a beautiful reddish-orange light, but other gases can create different colors, like blue, green, and purple. 🚨 Bending Light into Shape To create different shapes and letters, the glass tube is carefully bent and shaped. It's like bending a straw, but with glass! This bending process takes a lot of skill and precision. Once the tube is shaped, it's sealed to create a gas-tight container. 🚨 A Colorful History Neon signs have been dazzling us for over a century. They were first invented by a French scientist named Georges Claude in the early 20th century. Initially, neon signs were only red-orange, but as technology advanced, scientists discovered how to use different gases to create a rainbow of colors. 🚨 Neon Signs in Our World Neon signs have become iconic symbols of our cities and towns. They're used to advertise businesses, illuminate storefronts, and create stunning public art installations. From classic diner signs to modern art masterpieces, neon signs continue to captivate our imaginations. 🚨 Key Words and Phrases Explained: * Neon: A chemical element that is a colorless, odorless gas. When electricity passes through it, it glows a bright red-orange color. * * Electricity: A form of energy that can produce light, heat, and power. * * Gas: A state of matter that has no definite shape or volume. Gases can be compressed or expanded. * * Atom: The basic building block of matter. Atoms are made up of even smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. * * Excite: To energize or stimulate something. In the case of neon gas, electricity excites the atoms, causing them to release energy as light. * 🍟 The Future of Neon While neon signs have a rich history, they're also adapting to modern times. LED technology has emerged as a more energy-efficient alternative, but neon signs still hold a special place in our hearts. Their unique beauty and nostalgic charm continue to inspire artists and designers. As we move forward, neon signs will likely evolve, but their core principle remains the same: to illuminate our world with a vibrant display of light and color.

There are many gamers who will say that video games are good for their mental health. And a lot of research agrees! But even gamers might be surprised to hear the results of a 2024 study that found playing Tetris can improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Tetris is a video game that's almost 40 years old. The idea is to move falling bricks of different shapes to make them fit together. A team of researchers wanted to look at different ways of treating people who suffered from trauma during the coronavirus pandemic. All of the 144 people who took part in the study were health care workers during the pandemic, and they were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants were put into two groups. One group played Tetris, while the other listened to a podcast. Before playing their first session with the researchers, the Tetris group was asked to describe one of the bad memories they had from the pandemic. The researchers wanted to see if playing Tetris — working hard to move the shapes in the right way — could help disrupt the formation of traumatic memories. People played the game for 20 minutes in the first session, and were then asked to play for at least 20 minutes at a time on their own in the weeks afterward. They kept a diary over the next five weeks, writing down how often they had traumatic intrusive memories. The results showed that the people in the Tetris group had fewer intrusive memories both in the first five weeks, and also six months later. Their symptoms of post-traumatic stress also improved. The people in the podcast group showed slower and smaller improvements. Researcher Emily A. Holmes told PsyPost it was "surprising" that playing Tetris in this way could help so much.

Anne was a very quiet girl who had an inherent fear of almost everything. The kids at school would play tricks on her all the time. They would hide behind the door of the school janitor’s closet, then jump out to scare her. Once, a boy dressed up like a vampire and chased her down the street. Anne hated being constrained by her fears, but she didn’t know how to be brave. She was walking home from school one day when someone came up behind her. Before she could turn around, a powerful man grabbed her. She couldn’t scream because a huge hand was put over her mouth. Anne knew that this could not be another stunt by her classmates. The scary man restrained her arms and legs and carried her to his house. He tied Anne to a chair. Her guts began to hurt because she was so scared. The man prodded Anne with his forefinger and said, “You’ll stay right here until I get a ransom from your parents. Then I’ll be rich!” The dirty man spit when he talked. A string of saliva hung from his moist lips. Anne was terrified and intimidated by the horrible man. But she knew she had to escape somehow. Eventually, the man yawned. Anne waited quietly until he fell asleep. As he slept, she carefully wiggled her arms and legs until the ropes became loose. She slipped out of the ropes and carefully opened the door. She sprinted to the bus depot and boarded a bus to the police station. She told the police what happened, and they arrested the kidnapper. The kids at school were amazed. They asked her, “Weren’t you too scared to escape?” She said, “Nope, I knew that I had to be brave and get out of there!” The kids were very tolerant of Anne from then on. They even decided that they would emulate her bravery if they ever got into a tough situation.

Ahmed and Khalid were best friends. They had lived on the same street since they were five years old. Every weekend, they played together at the park or worked on school projects at Ahmed's house. One sunny Saturday, Khalid had an idea. "Let’s build a treehouse!" He said excitedly. Ahmed's eyes lit up. "That’s a great idea! We can use the big tree in my backyard." They collected wood, nails, and paint from Ahmed’s dad. For hours, they worked together. Ahmed held the wood while Khalid hammered the nails. They laughed when the paint spilled on Khalid's shoes and when Ahmed almost fell off the ladder. By the end of the day, the treehouse was ready. It wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs. They sat inside, watching the sunset. "This is the best day ever," Ahmed said. Khalid smiled. "That’s because we did it together." From that day on, the treehouse became their special place. They talked, read books, and planned new adventures there. No matter what happened, they knew they would always be best friends.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - World Population Review released a list of countries with the highest and shortest average height in the world in 2023. Indonesia is in first place as the country with the shortest average height in the world. Meanwhile, the Netherlands gets the top position as the country with the highest average height. Caucasian people in Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand are known to have a height above the average for other human races on earth. However, not all countries have the same average height. The Netherlands, which was originally relatively short compared to other European countries, has now become at the top. On the other hand, when compared with European people, people in Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, are known to have relatively short heights. Not only Indonesia, other countries in Southeast Asia actually have heights that are not much different, such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. One of the main factors that influences a person's height is heredity or genetics. If one or both parents have a relatively short body, it is likely that their child will inherit these body characteristics. If both parents have this gene, the chance that the child will have a short stature will be greater. So, which countries have been crowned as the countries with the highest and shortest average height? Reporting from the World Population Review, here are the 10 countries with the highest average height in the world according to a survey in 2023: 1. Netherlands - 1,838 m 2. Montenegro - 1,832 m 3. Denmark - 1,826 m 4. Norway - 1,824 m 5. Serbia - 1.82 m 6. Germany - 1.81 m 7. Iceland - 1.81 m 8. Croatia - 1,805 m 9. Czech Republic - 1,803 m 10. Slovenia - 1,803 m Meanwhile, here are the 10 countries with the shortest average height in the world: 1. Indonesia - 1.58 m 2. Bolivia - 1.6 m 3. Philippines - 1,619 m 4. Vietnam - 1,621 m 5. Cambodia - 1,625 m 6. Nepal - 1.63 m 7. Ecuador - 1,635 m 8. Sri Lanka - 1,636 m 9. Nigeria - 1,638 m 10. Peru - 1.64 m

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The availability of medical professionals is a critical factor in determining the quality of a nation's healthcare. Countries with the best doctors often have more accessible and efficient healthcare systems. During a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his desire to invite Indian professors and specialist doctors to teach in Indonesian universities. India is widely recognized as a global leader in medical education and healthcare, producing world-class doctors and medical researchers. How about other countries? Here is a list of the top 10 countries with the best doctors in the world, according to the World Population Review 2024. Here are the top 10 countries known to have the best doctors according to the World Population Review 2024: 1. United States The United States is often considered a global leader in the medical field. With advanced medical facilities, prestigious universities, such as Harvard Medical School, and numerous doctors at the forefront of global medical research, the U.S. excels in handling complex medical conditions and rare diseases. However, the U.S. healthcare system faces challenges such as disparities in access to care and high mortality rates in certain regions. 2. India India has become a major destination for medical tourism, particularly in the fields of cardiac surgery, orthopedics, and cancer treatment. Indian doctors are renowned for their exceptional skills and affordable healthcare compared to other developed countries. Institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are renowned for training highly skilled medical professionals who are recognized worldwide. 3. United Kingdom The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is one of the world's leading healthcare systems, ensuring universal access to healthcare for its entire population. The UK also has prestigious universities like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, which produce highly talented doctors. Additionally, the country's medical research continues to innovate in the treatment of chronic and infectious diseases. 4. Germany Germany is known for its highly structured healthcare system and skilled medical professionals. The country excels in the use of advanced medical technology, particularly in cardiology and neurology. With rigorous medical education, German doctors are often considered among the best at performing complex surgical procedures. 5. France France possesses one of the best healthcare systems in the world, renowned for its accessibility and quality. French doctors are known for their high expertise in oncology, cardiology, and plastic surgery. The country also ranks high on the Global Health Index. 6. Switzerland Switzerland is often regarded as a country with one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Swiss doctors have a global reputation for high standards in medical care, especially in orthopedics and rehabilitation. Additionally, Swiss hospitals offer world-class facilities, making it a popular destination for medical tourism. 7. Canada Canada has high-quality doctors who prioritize a holistic approach to patient care. The country's universal healthcare system ensures that its population receives equal medical care. Universities like McGill and the University of Toronto are also centers for training excellent physicians. 8. Italy Italy is home to some of the best surgeons and rehabilitation specialists in the world. With a long history in medicine, the country also excels in medical research, particularly in cardiology and neurology. Its healthcare system supports comprehensive care for the population and medical tourists. 9. Australia Australian doctors are known for their expertise in oncology, pediatrics, and immunology. The country's healthcare system combines medical innovation with a focus on public health, resulting in one of the highest life expectancies in the world. 10. Austria Often overshadowed by other countries, Austria has highly skilled doctors, particularly in rare diseases and palliative care. With a rigorous medical education, Austria continues to produce talented medical professionals recognized in Europe and around the world.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - When discussing investment, gold often comes as an ideal choice. Renowned as one of the most valuable commodities, owning gold jewelry might raise the question of “how to tell if gold is real?” to some of its owners. Given its high price, the desire for assurance regarding its genuineness is only natural. But, without the proper insight of the sought-after commodity, identifying between the real and fake ones can be tricky. Citing from Forbes and Top Vegas Buyer, this article guides you to the seven tips on how to tell if gold is real. Here they are: 1. Check for a Hallmark On gold jewelry, a hallmark is carved as an identification of its material and the manufacturer. Therefore, the first step on how to tell if gold is real would be checking for a hallmark. The indication on this small stamp can utilize the purity scales of karats and millesimal fineness. The purest gold in the karat system is marked as 24k. The lower the number, the less gold it contains. Standard valid purity numbers upon the karat: 8k, 9k, 10k, 14k, 18k, 20k, 22k, and 24k. The millesimal fineness refers to a system used to indicate the purity of platinum, gold, and silver alloys by denoting the number of parts per thousand of pure metal within the alloy. For example, an alloy containing 75% gold is marked as "750." Standard valid purity numbers upon the millesimal fineness: 333, 375, 417, 500, 583.3, 585, 625, 750, 834, 899, 900, 916, 958, 986, 990, 995, 999, 999.9, 999.99, and 999.999. As for Europe, the gold purity is defined by a number between.000 for the least gold containment to 1.000 for pure gold. If your jewelry lacks a hallmark, it could mean one of three things: First, it may not contain genuine gold. Second, the hallmark might have faded due to contact with skin. Third, the piece could have been made before hallmarking became standard practice. 2. Look for a letter mark. Another useful stamp that could be helpful to determine your gold content is known as a letter mark. It delivers direct information regarding your items’ gold concentration, which is not pure gold. Due to its small size, it is important to examine it closely. The following list includes the most common letter marks: - GP (Gold Plated) - GF (Gold Filled) - GE (Gold Electroplated) - GEP (Gold Electroplated) - RGP (Rolled Gold Plate) - HGP (Heavy Gold Plated) - HEG (Heavy Gold Electroplated) If your gold items have any of these letter marks, it can be ensured that they don’t contain pure gold. 3. Do Vinegar Test Dropping a decent amount of vinegar can help you answer the question of “how to tell if gold is real?” Its acid content will change the colors of those that are not authentic. 4. Drop the item to water. Prepare a container of bowl or cup for this test. Then, fill it with water and drop your gold item into it. Real gold will sink due to its high density, and fake gold will float between the surface and the middle of the water. 5. Test with a Magnet Testing your gold with a magnet can be another way to tell if gold is real. The yellow metal is not magnetic. Therefore, when you put a magnet near it and a reaction is seen, then your jewelry is not real gold. However, this method is not fully foolproof, as gold-plated metals can also be non-magnetic, just like pure gold. 6. Rub the item on your skin. Rubbing your gold jewelry onto your hand’s skin is another useful method to test your gold jewelry's authenticity. Stary by holding the item between your hands until you begin to sweat. Then, gently rub it back and forth on your skin. If you notice a color change, it indicates that the item is likely fake gold. 7. Check for Discoloration After Use A real gold does not leave any discoloration, even with everyday use. But gold-plated jewelry may show slight to noticeable color changes over time. Check the edges of your gold jewelry for any signs of discoloration. If you notice any, it's likely that your jewelry is not authentic. By following these tips, the question of “how to tell if gold is real” will be answered in a short time. It is recommended to combine some of the methods to give you a more accurate assessment of whether your gold is real.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Understanding which Asian countries excel in English can be valuable for people of all backgrounds. According to Statista.com, a staggering 1.5 billion people worldwide speak English, either as their native language or as a second language. Leading the way in Asia is Singapore, consistently ranked at the top for English proficiency. This dominance might explain why many Asian parents prioritize their children's English education from a young age. There's even a popular saying: "You can conquer the world if you speak English!" Indeed, fluency in English unlocks a multitude of benefits, from facilitating business growth and educational opportunities to boosting local tourism. This article shows the top Asian countries that speak English, based on data from the English Proficiency Index. Singapore With the highest English Proficiency Index Score of 642, Singapore is acclaimed as the first place for English speaking Asian countries category. Contrary to popular belief, Singapore is a multilingual nation with four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. Mandarin Chinese is the predominant language spoken at home in Singapore, with 51% of the population using it for daily communication, according to the population census.Singapore's geographical proximity to Malaysia in Southeast Asia has influenced its choice of Malay as an official language, alongside Mandarin Chinese and English. The Philippines While Tagalog is the official language of the Philippines, English proficiency is widespread, with approximately 48% of the population being native speakers or fluent users. This linguistic advantage, reflected in the country's English Proficiency Index score of 578, has made the Philippines a popular destination for foreigners. Cebu, known for its tropical paradise, is a prime example of the country's appeal. Malaysia Malaysia closely follows the Philippines as the Asian countries that speak English, scoring 574 on the English Proficiency Index, just four points behind. Despite Malay being the official language, Malaysia boasts a diverse linguistic landscape. Government-mandated English education has contributed to a high English proficiency rate, with nearly 72% of the population able to communicate in English to varying degrees. Hongkong Globalization has solidified English as the world's predominant language, eclipsing Mandarin Chinese. Hong Kong, with its English Proficiency Index score of 561, exemplifies this trend. English permeates Hong Kong's social fabric, and its residents demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the language. South Korea Globalization plays a vital role in making South Korea place fifth as the English-speaking Asian country with an English Proficiency Index score of 537. South Korea's entertainment industry has successfully penetrated the Western market in recent years. To expand their global reach, many Korean entertainers have dedicated significant effort to mastering English. India India boasts a significant English-speaking population, with approximately 40% of its citizens using English in addition to their native Hindi, scoring 516 in the English Proficiency Index. The country has prioritized English education by introducing the language early in the school curriculum Vietnam Vietnam is another Southeast Asian country with a growing English-speaking population. While proficiency levels are generally lower than in neighboring countries, approximately 20% of Vietnamese can engage in English conversations. Singapore and the Philippines stand out as Southeast Asia's leading English-speaking countries, renowned for their high proficiency rates. Both countries are popular tourist destinations, partly due to the widespread use of English.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For millennia, gold served as a universal currency. In the mid-1900s, however, many countries around the world began to abandon the practice of backing their currencies with gold. Nevertheless, some, such as the United States (U.S.), still maintain substantial gold reserves for various reasons. One of them, according to Investopedia, is that the governments of many nations still believe in the importance of holding gold for economic security and stability. Here is a list of the top 10 countries with the most gold reserves in 2024: 1. United States Topping the list is the United States, with a staggering 8,133 tons of gold. This impressive amount of gold reserves has led to the U.S. being the country with the most gold worldwide as of the second quarter of 2024. According to Visual Capitalist, half of the country’s reserves are stored in the United States Bullion Depository, often referred to as Fort Knox. The amount of gold held by the U.S. is valued at around US$ 609 billion. 2. Germany Germany is the second-largest holder of gold, with 3,355 tons in its reserves. Much of Germany's gold is kept in foreign vaults, including the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Bank of England in London. 3. Italy Italy ranks third with 2,452 tons of gold, equivalent to US$184 billion. Similar to Germany, the government maintains multiple storage locations for its gold bullion, primarily for safety and historical reasons. The majority of its gold, approximately 87 percent, sits at the Bank of Italy's head office and in the United States. 4. France France is right behind Italy in terms of gold reserves. As of Q2 of 2024, the European country currently holds 2,437 tons of gold, valued at approximately US$182 billion. 5. Russia As much as 2,336 tons of gold is held by Russia, putting it in fifth place on the global list. As mentioned by Investopedia, Russia's decision to increase its gold reserves reflects an attempt to diversify its investment portfolio. 6. China China is among the countries with the most gold in the world, holding a considerable 2,264 tons of gold. The value of its gold reserves is estimated at US$170 billion. 7. Switzerland Switzerland and gold are inextricably related. According to a World Wide Fund report entitled "The Impact of Gold", around 50 to 70 percent of the world’s refined gold is located in Switzerland. The Swiss banks are also prominent in the marketing of gold bullion. Moreover, despite its relatively small size, Switzerland’s gold reserves account for approximately 1,040 tons. 8. Japan Japan is renowned for its advanced technology, but the East Asian country is also a major player when it comes to gold reserves. Forbes India reports that Japan holds about 846 tons of gold which is valued at US$63 billion. 9. India In the second quarter of 2024, India’s gold reserves stand at 831 tons. However, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to move just over 100 metric tons of its gold from the United Kingdom to its domestic vaults. Citing Reuters, the RBI’s decision to repatriate the gold was prompted by the growth of overseas stocks. 10. Netherlands Rounding out the top ten is the Netherlands, with 612 metric tons of gold. According to the official website of the Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), the government reserves around 31 percent of its gold in DNB’s vault. Another 31 percent is held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, while the remaining 38 percent is stored in the vaults of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

OUR NATION’S WORLD WAR II HEROES ARE RAPIDLY VANISHING—BUT AMERICAN VETERANS CENTER IS MAKING SURE THEIR STORIES DON’T DIE WITH THEM CHAOS, smoke and fire turned an island paradise into hell on Earth when hundreds of aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy rained bombs down on the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Enemy soldiers targeted hangars and parked aircraft on the territory’s airfields and launched torpedoes against warships moored in the harbor During the first five minutes of the relentless assault, four battleships were hit including the USS Oklahoma and the USS Arizona. A 1,760-pound bomb hit the Arizona’s gunpowder stores—and when it exploded, so did the doomed ship. The blast was so intense it briefly lifted the craft out of the water and gutted the forward decks. A massive fireball blew upward and engulfed its damaged masts. The bow was split from the rest of the cratered hull. Within nine minutes, the once grand ship began to slowly sink and would ultimately entomb more than 900 of its crew. In total, the Arizona lost 1,177 sailors—accounting for nearly half of the American casualties during the sneak attack, which devastated the U.S. Pacific fleet and dragged the formerly neutral nation into World War II. Just 334 service members assigned to the Arizona survived—including 20-year-old U.S. Navy coxswain Howard “Ken” Potts. He was working as a crane operator and tasked with shuttling supplies to the battleship—but he was ashore when the Japanese began their assault. After racing to the scene, Potts helped rescue injured men from the oily harbor, which was ablaze, and later recovered some of the dead from their watery graves. But Potts, like so many of his fellow heroes from the Greatest Generation, recently passed away—breathing his last in April, six days after his 102nd birthday. His death leaves only one remaining survivor from the Arizona: 101-year-old Lou Conter. The fact that America’s WWII veterans are fading fast is no surprise. After all, the U.S. entered the war more than 80 years ago, which means the men and women who fought and won the historic conflict are now in their 90s—or older. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, in 2022 only 167,284 of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII were still alive—and their numbers are dwindling daily. As these aging veterans disappear, their memories of the war’s triumphs and terrors threaten to vanish with them. But the American Veterans Center (AVC) is honoring their sacrifices, documenting their stories and preserving their legacy for future generations. In 2020, Potts shared his memories with AVC. “When I got back to Pearl Harbor, the whole harbor was afire. Oil that leaked out [from the damaged battleships] caught on fireand was burning,” he recalled. Potts took a boat back to the Arizona and said he and others “picked people out of the water on the way” toward the flaming vessel. He said when the onboard ammunitions exploded, that “basically blew the ship in half” and “that’s when it started to sink.” Potts revealed, “That’s when they got on the loudspeaker and said to abandonship.” In the days following the attack, young Potts joined a diving crew to recover whatever corpses could be reached from the wreckage of the Arizona, which sank entirely by Dec. 10, 1941. He called it “theworst job I ever had.” He also confessed, “Even after I got outof the Navy, out in the open, and heard a siren, I’d shake.” Potts is just one of thousands of former veterans—from WWII and beyond—whose stories have been documented by AVC since it was founded in 1995. Dramatic oral histories telling the real-life tales of horror and heroism are available on the nonprofit’s YouTube channel, and written stories— submitted by former military members themselves or by their families—can be found at the Home of the Brave section of americanveteranscenter.org. In addition, AVC provides all of its video and audio interviews to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project for use by researchers. The organization also produces a variety of multimedia content, including documentaries and television specials, such as American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes. AVC has called the Emmywinning franchise an annual Veterans Day television tradition, which recounts the legends and heroes of the last 75 years of American military history. AVC is also behind our nation’s largest Memorial Day event in Washington, D.C., a parade which draws an astounding 300,000 in-person spectators. This year as NASA prepares to return to the moon after more than five decades, the parade enlisted three former American astronauts—and veterans—as grand marshals: Russell “Rusty” Schweickart, lunar module pilot on Apollo 9, Charlie Duke, lunar module pilot on Apollo 16, and Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, lunar module pilot on Apollo 17. Duke and Schmitt are two of the four still living men to have walked on the moon, with Schmitt having been the very last to set foot on its surface. Podcasts, magazines and more also reflect the AVC’s dedication to honoring our country’s servicemembers. The USS Arizona Memorial was formally dedicated on May 30, 1962. The museum and monument is accessible only by boat and straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it. Over 40 late survivors chose to have their ashes interred at the site to join their fallen brothers. The urns of the deceased were placed by divers in the well of the submerged barbette on gun turret No.4. More than 2 million people visit the location annually. The physical monument to the Arizona’s crew will remain for generations—but AVC is ensuring the memories of our WWII vets will also stand as a fitting tribute to their personal accomplishments and sacrifices. TolearnmoreaboutAmericanVeteransCenter—and thestoriesofpastmilitaryheroesofallgenerations— visitwww.americanveteranscenter.org.

The British love their supermarkets. And there are more and more of them every year. But is this a good thing? Not necessarily. For a start, many small shops can’t compete on price with superstores such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. And they don’t have as many products either. As a result, many local businesses have closed. In fact, between 1990 and 1996, 36% of the UK’s small shops shut down. And between 1986 and 1997 the number of supermarkets increased from 457 to 1,102. Supermarkets have a negative effect on local communities in other ways, too. Money spent in independent shops usually stays in the area. However, money spent at supermarkets is often put into the bank accounts of distant shareholders, some of whom don’t even pay any tax in the UK! Supermarkets are also bad for animal welfare. The UK has high standards in this field, but some supermarkets get their meat from abroad. And in many cases, this meat is produced under conditions that would be illegal in the UK. But once they’ve got the meat, supermarkets put a British flag on the product as the meat is packed there. Dishonest? Not exactly, but it isn’t entirely true either! Supermarkets have even had a negative effect on the British pub. Beer and wine is much cheaper in a supermarket. For example, supermarkets can sell a can of beer for 25p (about 30 cents), but the same beer will cost £2.50 (about €3) in a pub. There are now over 55,000 supermarkets in the UK, but less than 55,000 pubs. A decade ago there were more than 61,000. These days, pubs are closing at the rate of 39 a week! Supermarkets have a poor environmental record too. Many of them don’t store food products themselves as storage space is expensive, so they get food producers to do it for them. This means that supermarket lorries have to make more trips to collect supplies. In turn, this increases the amount of petrol used, which leads to more pollution. In fact, the average item of food from a supermarket travels over 1,000 kilometres: by lorry or plane from the producer to the store, and then by car from the store to the consumer. Supermarkets also use a lot of plastic packaging, which isn’t good for the environment either. So, what can be done to help the “little guys”? Not much really. For one thing, supermarkets have a lot of power. Many political parties receive donations from supermarkets. And supermarkets often use their money to influence decisions. For example, just before the millennium (the year 2000), one supermarket gave the government £12 million to help build the Millennium Dome in London. Later, plans to tax supermarket car parks were dropped. Supermarkets are good news for shoppers looking for a bargain, but they’re definitely bad for local businesses, animals and the environment!