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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
Asha Gond is an Indigenous skateboarder from the Gond community, who has gained recognition for her exceptional skills and for breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated sport. Her story is an inspiring example of how sports can be a powerful tool for empowering young women, especially from marginalized communities.
Let's take a look at this success-packed story!
Asha is from the Gond tribe in Madhya Pradesh, India, and she became one of the first women from her community to take up skateboarding professionally. Growing up in a rural area, access to skateboarding resources and opportunities was limited, but she was determined to pursue her passion. Asha's interest in skateboarding was sparked when she saw other skateboarders in her region, and despite challenges like lack of infrastructure and resources, she began practicing and developing her skills.
She has become an advocate for young women and marginalized groups in India, showing that with passion and perseverance, anyone can break through societal limitations. Asha’s journey is not only about skateboarding but also about challenging stereotypes related to gender and indigenous identity.
Her participation in skateboarding contests and local events has brought attention to the sport in her community, and she’s become a role model for young girls, especially from tribal communities.
Skateboarding is not a traditional sport in tribal cultures like the Gonds. Still, its rising popularity in India’s urban and rural areas is opening up new avenues for youth, particularly for women, to express themselves in non-traditional ways. Asha Gond’s involvement in skateboarding signifies a shift, offering a sense of freedom and empowerment for young people from Indigenous communities.
Such an inspiring success tale!
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
Christine Hof (Program Manager Marine Species, WWF-Australia) snorkelling with a sea turtle on Heron Island, Queensland. © WWF-Australia / Jacinta Shackleton
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers. Comprising around 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, it is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including thousands of species of fish, corals, and other marine organisms. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reef is a vital ecosystem and a major tourist attraction. However, it faces threats from climate change, coral bleaching, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and preserve this natural wonder for future generations, making it a global environmental priority.
As the years went by, the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most iconic ecosystems, has been undergoing significant changes over the past several decades, largely due to human activity and climate change.
Coral bleaching has become one of the most visible and devastating effects of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef. When ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, corals turn to white.
Pollution, particularly from agricultural runoff, has significantly affected the reef. Fertilizers, pesticides, and sediments washed into the ocean can create "dead zones" and promote the growth of harmful algae that suffocate corals and other marine life.
If they can't recover quickly enough, the bleached corals die out and algae covers the once-colorful surface.
See how coral has been affected over the years there if you wish to know more about it. Follow the link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3pp52m65o
Discover how people fight to preserve this world jewel by watching the vid here!
Want to know how tech could really be a game changer in the future.
Enjoy this perfectly timed holiday article!
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
After a lot of suspense and vote-counting episodes, Donald Trump finally wins the 2024 elections.
The results as of today (Nov 8th) are the following ones:
And the reasons which turned the tables of those breathtaking elections...
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
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Peanut the suirrel and Fred the racoon were both seized from tehir owner in New York, and this created an uproar among the huge community of pet lovers. After the New York Department of Environmental Conservation received reports about the potential risk of animals carrying rabies, the twn animals were taken by New York officials and killed to the despair of their owners.
If you wish to know more about it, log in 🔓 and read the whole story!
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
- Category: Culture corner
As elections are approaching fast, uncertainty is growing as who is going to be the next President of the USA.
More than 240 million American voters are called to the polls to choose their 47th president. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in the polls.
Who will succeed Joe Biden as President of the United States? American voters have until Tuesday November 5, the country's main voting day, to decide who will take up residence in the Oval Office of the White House in early 2025. Everyone is on the edge of their seats to know who will be the winner of course.
Let's take a closer look at this thrilling moment in history.
If you wish to know more about elections, consult this article: US election guide for the dummies !
In a word, the general election process can be summed up this way:
- first there are caucuses and primaries. Caucuses are huge meetings in which political members discuss their preferred candidates. Then, primaries occur and party members within the state will vote for their preferred candidate.
- the second moment is when each party chooses their nominee who will be able to choose their running mate for Vice President. This happens during National Conventions.
- General elections are the moment when nominees tour the counrty to explain their ideas and arguments.
- And here comes the specific part:
- The popular vote (just like in France for example) allows citizens around the country to cast their vote. The person who gets the more votes is elected. Citizens are voting for a slate of electors (state senators, mayors, governors, members of congress...) appointed by their state’s political parties who are pledged to support that party’s candidate.
- The electoral college constituted of the people elected by popular votes, will then officially elect the President who needs 270 votes of the 538 up for grabs.
Some states are worth very few electoral votes while others weigh a massive number of votes.
Swing states are called like this because they have a huge sway in the electoral process. The color of the state may change with each election (red for Republicans, blue for Democrats). So, it is really necessary for candidates to convince those states (which include: Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania). Watch this video to grasp the point.
And not just candidates are fighting to convince people. Stars are also in the race!
So, who will be sworn into office on January 20th 2025?
Suspense is literally unbearable!
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- Written by: Fabrice Asfaux
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Honolulu-born actress Nicole Kidman stars in this nerve-wracking TV series full of twists. Renowned for her versatility and talent, she offers an exceptional role in which she plays the role of Greer Garrison Winbury, a writer whose son is about to get married. Unfortunately there will be no wedding as the maid of honour is found dead on the scenic island of Nantucket.
"It’s almost impossible to resist bingeing the entirety of this classy detective drama set around a posh wedding in Nantucket. It’s a glorious, perfectly paced delight" - The Guardian
A must-see if you love Agatha Christie-style books. The TV series is based upon the novel by Elin Hilderbrand. You'll love to become familiar with devastated liars, secretive wealthy families and perplexed investigators.
And don't hesitate to replay the opening credits as you get absorbed by this action-packed 6 episode-series!
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