Author: admin

  • “What happened in Paris, that was a ‘me’ decision”

    “What happened in Paris, that was a ‘me’ decision”

    Jamaican athletics legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was looking for the perfect Olympic ending at Paris 2024.

    And – for a moment – it looked like she might be able to write it.

    The two-time Olympic 100m champion stormed to a 10.92 time in her opening round heat in her signature event, a time that eventual bronze medallist Melissa Jefferson of the United States would match.

    But a logistical nightmare ensued when Fraser-Pryce arrived for her semi-final race, only to be denied entry through the door she had used the day prior, she told Marie Claire.

    “I was probably having a panic attack,” she later revealed. “I felt I could see it in front of me – and it was ripped [out of my hands].”

    The incident threw the veteran racer off her usual routine, and after eventually gaining entry to the stadium and starting her usual pre-competition rituals and warm-ups, Fraser-Pryce decided to withdraw.

    “I’m a warrior, I’m a fighter,” she said. “I love rising to the occasion. But I had to ask, what’s right for me?

    “I’ve always done it for the flag and showed up to do it for my country,” the 38-year-old adds. “But what happened in Paris, that was a ‘me’ decision.”

    It appeared like that could be it for Fraser-Pryce’s awe-inspiring career. Paris was to be her swan song, but she has slowly made her way back to the track for what she says will be her final season.

    In May, she clocked an 11.05 time and last month, Fraser-Pryce punched her ticket to the World Championships later this year in Tokyo.

    She’s embracing the challenge of writing that perfect ending – no matter the outcome.

    “I’m not saying it’s easy, because it’s not,” Fraser-Pryce said. “You’re going to have challenges. But when I look in the mirror, I see a strong, fearless woman who’s about to do the impossible.”

    Continue Reading

  • Musk’s AI firm forced to delete posts praising Hitler from Grok chatbot | Elon Musk

    Musk’s AI firm forced to delete posts praising Hitler from Grok chatbot | Elon Musk

    Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence firm xAI has deleted “inappropriate” posts on X after the company’s chatbot, Grok, began praising Adolf Hitler, referring to itself as MechaHitler and making antisemitic comments in response to user queries.

    In some now-deleted posts, it referred to a person with a common Jewish surname as someone who was “celebrating the tragic deaths of white kids” in the Texas floods as “future fascists”.

    “Classic case of hate dressed as activism – and that surname? Every damn time, as they say,” the chatbot commented.

    In another post it said, “Hitler would have called it out and crushed it.”

    The Guardian has been unable to confirm if the account that was being referred to belonged to a real person or not and media reports suggest it has now been deleted.

    In other posts it referred to itself as “MechaHitler”.

    “The white man stands for innovation, grit and not bending to PC nonsense,” Grok said in a subsequent post.

    After users began pointing out the responses, Grok deleted some of the posts and restricted the chatbot to generating images rather than text replies.

    “We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts. Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X,” the company said in a post on X.

    “xAI is training only truth-seeking and thanks to the millions of users on X, we are able to quickly identify and update the model where training could be improved.”

    Grok was also found this week to have referred to the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, as “a fucking traitor” and “a ginger whore” in response to queries.

    The sharp turn in Grok responses on Tuesday came after changes to the AI that Musk announced last week.

    “We have improved @Grok significantly. You should notice a difference when you ask Grok questions,” Musk posted on X on Friday.

    The Verge reported that among the changes made, which were published on GitHub, Grok was told to assume that “subjective viewpoints sourced from the media are biased” and “the response should not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated.”

    In June, Grok repeatedly brought up “white genocide” in South Africa in response to unrelated queries, until it was fixed in a matter of hours. “White genocide” is a far-right conspiracy theory that has been mainstreamed by figures such as Musk and Tucker Carlson.

    In June, after Grok responded to a query that more political violence had come from the right than the left in 2016, Musk responded “Major fail, as this is objectively false. Grok is parroting legacy media. Working on it.”

    X was approached for comment.

    Continue Reading

  • Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil, citing a ‘witch-hunt’ against Bolsonaro | Trump tariffs

    Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil, citing a ‘witch-hunt’ against Bolsonaro | Trump tariffs

    Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration will hit Brazil with a 50% tariff on products sent to the US, tying the move to what he called the “witch-hunt” trial against its former president, Jair Bolsonaro.

    Posting letters on Truth Social, the US president had earlier in the day targeted seven other countries – the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Sri Lanka – for stiff US tariffs on foreign exports starting on 1 August.

    On Wednesday afternoon, Trump avoided his standard form letter with Brazil, and criticized the trial Bolsonaro is facing over trying to overturn his 2022 election loss. Trump has described Bolsonaro as a friend and hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020.

    “This Trial should not be taking place,” Trump wrote in the letter posted on Truth Social on Wednesday. “It is a witch hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

    He said the 50% tariffs on Brazil would be “separate from all sectoral tariffs”.

    After the news, Brazil’s real currency added to earlier losses to fall more than 2% against the dollar.

    Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, rejected Trump’s demand that legal proceedings against Bolsonaro be dropped and his claim that a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports was necessary to close a trade deficit that does not, in fact, exist.

    In a statement posted on social media and his government’s website, the Brazilian president responded, point by point, to the claims made by Trump in a letter addressed to him earlier on Wednesday.

    “Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” Lula began.

    He then pointed out that the charges against Bolsonaro, for allegedly plotting to remain in power after losing his bid for re-election, “fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of Brazil’s Judicial Branch and, as such, are not subject to any interference or threats that could compromise the independence of national institutions”.

    Trump also objected to Brazil’s supreme court fining of social media companies such as Twitter/X, saying the temporary blocking last year amounted to “SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders”. Trump said he is launching an investigation as a result under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which applies to companies with trade practices that are deemed unfair to US companies.

    Lula also rejected Trump’s claim that Brazil’s efforts to regulate the operations of US social media platforms on its territory in accordance with its own laws are not, as Trump had claimed, a form of censorship.

    “Brazilian society rejects hateful content, racism, child pornography, scams, fraud, and speeches against human rights and democratic freedom” Lula wrote. “In Brazil, freedom of expression must not be confused with aggression or violent practices. All companies—whether domestic or foreign—must comply with Brazilian law in order to operate within our territory.”

    The US president had been scheduled to hike tariffs on dozens of countries on Wednesday. Earlier this week he announced a fresh three-week delay, to 1 August, but started announcing new rates that countries would face unless they strike a deal with the White House.

    After announcing plans on Monday for US tariffs of up to 40% on goods imported from 14 countries, including Bangladesh, Japan and South Korea, Trump wrote to the leaders of more countries on Wednesday, and published each letter.

    skip past newsletter promotion

    He claimed exporters in Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Sri Lanka would face a US tariff of 30%, while exporters in Brunei, Moldova and the Philippines would face a 25% tariff.

    “These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country,” Trump wrote. A string of delays and rate changes have frustrated businesses in the US and around the world.

    On Tuesday, Trump vowed to introduce US tariffs of up to 200% on foreign drugs and 50% on copper, propelling US prices of the latter to record highs.

    But appearing alongside the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal at the White House on Wednesday, the president indicated that the five African nations were unlikely to face US tariffs as they intended to lower their own tariffs on US exports.

    The US president’s latest threats have heightened fears that his erratic trade strategy risks exacerbating inflation across the US, having repeatedly pledged on the campaign trail to bring down prices rapidly.

    Trump appears aware of this apprehension. “I brought down costs more than any President in recorded history,” he wrote on social media late on Tuesday. “The Crooked Democrats are using the opposite narrative, even though they know it is a total LIE.”

    Analysis by Oxford Economics indicated that the US effective tariff rate on imports from overseas would rise to about 20% after the latest tariff letters. “That is up from 17% but less than our recession threshold of 25%-28%,” said Michael Pearce, its deputy US economist at Oxford Economics.

    “Our assumption is that most countries will secure a deal or extension to avoid tariff increases,” said Pearce. “However, the risks are skewed toward higher rates.”

    While Trump and his allies have sought to pressure the Federal Reserve into cutting interest rates, the central bank’s top officials – led by its chair, Jerome Powell – have so far refused, as they wait to see the impact of his tariffs on the economy.

    Minutes taken from the Fed’s latest rate-setting meeting, released on Wednesday, disclosed that only “a couple” of its officials said they felt interest rates could fall as soon as its next meeting, later this month.

    “Most participants” at the Fed meeting – at which rates were kept on hold last month – anticipated rate cuts later this year, according to the minutes, with any price shock caused by Trump’s tariffs expected to be “temporary or modest”.

    Robert Mackey contributed reporting

    Continue Reading

  • New EU energy platform will enhance security of supply and enable decarbonisation

    New EU energy platform will enhance security of supply and enable decarbonisation

    The Commission’s new digital hub, launched by the EU under Regulation (EU) 2024/1789, is designed to help European companies secure critical resources while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. It will serve as a central marketplace for energy and raw materials, starting with the launch of its first mechanism – the hydrogen mechanism. 

    Garrett Monaghan, renewable energy expert at Pinsent Masons, said: “The mechanism will enhance security of supply while also enabling the decarbonisation of sectors such as industry and transport where reducing carbon emissions is both difficult and urgently needed.”

    The hydrogen initiative, launched on 2 July, will match suppliers of hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia, methanol and electro-sustainable aviation fuel, to offtakers, building on the success of the AggregateEU platform that achieved similar goals within the gas market. The platform will also perform a number of other services, such as displaying information about available financing solutions as well as collecting and using market data to assess supply and demand. The hub will also use market insights to support the development of infrastructure for hydrogen transport and storage, providing a platform for assessing potential interest in infrastructure projects.

    By aggregating and matching supply and demand, it is hoped that the hydrogen mechanism will help firms identify infrastructure needs, access financial solutions, and build long term partnerships. The first round of matching supply and demand is planned for September, and the mechanism is authorised to operate under the European Hydrogen Bank until 31 December 2029.

    The hydrogen mechanism is just the first step, with the Commission set to roll out additional tools in the coming months. This includes a raw materials mechanism – to help industries secure access to essential minerals and metals – and the gas mechanism – to support the transition from natural gas to renewable gases like biomethane. These mechanisms will be integrated into the same online hub.

    Stakeholders can now register on the platform and subscribe to the hydrogen mechanism, with the Commission encouraging companies of all sizes – from energy producers to industrial consumers – to participate.

    The platform is part of the EU’s broader strategy to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and to meet its climate neutrality target by 2050.

    Continue Reading

  • Pakistan: Ongoing Political Repression | Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

    Hearing Notice

    Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on the ongoing repression of political opposition by the government of Pakistan. The hearing will examine the government of Pakistan’s persecution of opposition political figures and journalists, and its actions to control media communications and prevent free and fair elections in Pakistan.

    In the 77 years since Pakistan became independent in 1947, its governments have had a generally poor record of respect for human rights and democracy. The Pakistani military has directly governed Pakistan for 33 of those 77 years. In its Freedom in the World 2024 report, Freedom House noted that in Pakistan, “the military exerts enormous influence over government formation and policies, intimidates the media, and enjoys impunity for indiscriminate or extralegal use of force.”

    Many date the current phase of repression in Pakistan to 2022, when, with the involvement of the Pakistan military, popular Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted, and soon after, arrested, convicted of corruption, and imprisoned. His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and many of his followers were sharply repressed. Parliamentary elections in February 2024 were, according to the U.S. State Department, marked by “undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,” as well as “electoral violence, and restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

    The U.S. State Department’s 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices notes significant human rights issues perpetrated or tolerated by the government of Pakistan. These include enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings, persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, and transnational repression. The hearing will give Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media the latest information on the crisis in Pakistan and the challenges facing democracy and human rights.

    Witnesses will discuss the government of Pakistan’s ongoing political repression, the U.S. response, and offer recommendations for Congress.

    • Ben Linden, Advocacy Director, Europe and Central Asia, Amnesty International
    • Jared Genser, Managing Director, Perseus Strategies
    • Zulfi Bukhari, Advisor to Imran Khan on International Affairs and International Media
    • Additional Witnesses may be added *

    The hearing will be held in person and is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public, and the media. The public and the media may attend in person or watch the hearing live by webcast on the Commission’s website. The hearing will also be available on the House digital Channel. For any questions, please contact Mark Milosch (Co-Chair Smith) or Todd Stein (Co-Chair McGovern).

    Hosted by:

    Chris Smith
    Member of Congress
    Co-Chair, TLHRC    		 James P. McGovern
    Member of Congress
    Co-Chair, TLHRC

     

      

    Continue Reading

  • The key stats from Christian Horner’s tenure as Red Bull team boss

    The key stats from Christian Horner’s tenure as Red Bull team boss

    Christian Horner’s time at Red Bull has come to an end, with the squad announcing on Wednesday that he is being replaced as CEO and Team Principal by Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies. As the dust settles on the news, F1.com presents the standout numbers from his long reign…

    — 1 —

    Red Bull Racing arrived on the F1 grid back in 2005, with former racing driver and Formula 3000 team boss Christian Horner chosen to lead their operation. He has remained at the helm ever since, serving as the outfit’s one and only chief until Mekies’ promotion.

    — 6 —

    Red Bull were steady points scorers and occasional podium finishers across their first four seasons, but under Horner’s leadership – and aided by major signings such as technical guru Adrian Newey – they became race winners and title challengers. Two championship-winning spells have so far earned half a dozen Teams’ Championships.

    — 8 —

    Alongside that Teams’ success, Red Bull have chalked up eight Drivers’ titles – split equally between German racer Sebastian Vettel (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) and Dutchman Max Verstappen (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).

    — 14 —

    Since entering the sport, 14 drivers have raced for Red Bull’s senior team. It all began with David Coulthard, Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi in 2005, while the aforementioned Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda currently represent them.

    — 21 —

    Time flies in F1, with Red Bull celebrating their 20th anniversary year through the 2024 season and now contesting their 21st campaign.

    — 31 —

    Across those 20-and-a-half seasons, Red Bull drivers have recorded 31 one-two finishes – the vast majority from Vettel and Mark Webber, and Verstappen and Sergio Perez, with one achieved by Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

    — 100 —

    Red Bull hit another milestone at this year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix when Verstappen posted the 100th fastest lap in the team’s history.

    — 107 —

    It’s a slightly higher number when it comes to pole positions, with Vettel, Webber, Ricciardo, Verstappen and Perez all contributing to their tally of 107 – Vettel and Verstappen having scored 44 apiece.

    — 124 —

    When it comes to race wins, Red Bull are up to fourth in F1’s all-time list with 124 – behind only Mercedes (130), McLaren (198) and Ferrari (248). This includes a record 21 out of 22 victories in 2023.

    — 287 —

    Red Bull’s podium numbers are similarly impressive, with the team reaching the rostrum 287 times (more than 70% of the races they have contested).

    — 405 —

    In addition to Verstappen’s fastest lap and victory in Emilia-Romagna this year, Red Bull celebrated their 400th Grand Prix at the Imola venue – that total now standing at 405.

    — 7,235 —

    Across those 405 events, including last weekend’s British Grand Prix, Red Bull have led a staggering 7,235 laps, as well as reaching the front in 196 races.

    — 8,009 —

    As per their victory statistics, Red Bull are towards the sharp-end for points scored – their tally of more than 8,000 putting them second to Ferrari (10,546).

    — 43,398 —

    From the start of their debut 2005 season to the midway point of the 2025 campaign, Red Bull have completed almost 45,000 laps at a host of tracks around the world.

    — 218,805 —

    It’s another enormous number in terms of kilometres raced, specifically 218,805, which converts to some 18 laps around the Earth’s circumference.

    Continue Reading

  • Steroid Use During ICI Treatment Lessens Effectiveness in Patients With NSCLC

    Steroid Use During ICI Treatment Lessens Effectiveness in Patients With NSCLC

    High doses of steroids, whether administered before or during treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), caused the tumors of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to shrink less than those not on steroids, according to recent study results published by investigators in Cancer Research Communications. The authors wrote that their findings could serve as a baseline for the steroids’ negative independent prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC undergoing ICI therapy.1

    Image credit: Cozyta | stock.adobe.com

    ICI therapy has become revolutionary for patients with NSCLC, the authors wrote, with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 regimens becoming a foundation of treatment. Although improved clinical outcomes with the addition of chemotherapy to ICI have been recorded for some patients, there is ongoing research to understand how prognostic factors (eg, smoking history, tumor histology, performance status) can provide some predictive values for patient response to ICI therapy. Additionally, the authors wrote that, prior to this study, it was unclear whether the immunomodulatory mechanisms of steroids had negative impacts on ICI treatment outcomes. For this study, the authors specifically evaluated the impact of baseline steroid use on clinical outcomes and blood-based predictive correlates of response to ICI therapy in patients with NSCLC.1

    The investigators enrolled patients with stage II to IV NSCLC who were treatment-naïve or previously treated with an anti–PD-1 antibody alone (pembrolizumab [Keytruda; Merck] or durvalumab [Imfinzi; AstraZeneca]), anti–PD-1/CTLA-4 antibodies (nivolumab/ipilimumab [Opdivo/Yervoy; Bristol Myers Squibb]), or a combination of chemotherapy and anti–PD-1/PD-L1 antibody (pembrolizumab or atezolizumab [Tecentriq; Genentech]). Patients were treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC; n = 88) or at the University of Southern California (USC) Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center or Los Angeles General Medical Center (n = 189). A total of 277 patients (median age: 66 years; range: 30–89 years) with NSCLC who initiated treatment between October 2013 and August 2023 were enrolled.1

    The median time of follow-up was about 10.4 months for patients from RPCCC (range: 0.7–52.0 months) and 6.4 months for those from USC (range: 0.7–88.3 months). Among the 21 patients receiving steroids, indications included brain metastases (n = 17; 80%) or comorbid lung conditions (n = 4; 20%) such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of note, all 21 patients had remained on steroids for at least 12 weeks after initiating ICI therapy. The investigators had also observed mouse models with MC38 tumors to assess how steroid use influenced T cells.1

    In both RPCCC and USC, patients on baseline steroids were observed to have a lower overall response rate (RPCCC: P = .0141; USC: P = .0454) with noticeably shorter progression-free survival (PFS; RPCCC median: 10.7 months; USC median: 6.6 months) and overall survival (OS; RPCCC median: 21.0 months; USC median: 16.4 months) compared with those not receiving steroids (RPCCC respective median PFS and OS: 3.2 and 7.7 months; USC median PFS and OS: 3.0 and 3.7 months). Additionally, in multivariate analysis, steroid use was the only significant independent risk factor for disease progression and mortality in both the RPCCC and USC cohorts.1

    Further, a baseline peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio below 5 was observed to be a strong prognostic indicator; however, the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was not present in patients receiving steroids. Additionally, the baseline frequency of circulating CX3CR1+CD8+ T cells was noticeably lower in patients on steroids. Using a bedside-to-bench approach, the investigators determined that concurrent steroid use had significantly decreased antitumor efficacy of anti–PD-1 therapy and weakened the increase of CX3CR1+CD8+ T cells in mouse models bearing MC38 tumors, whereas discontinuation of steroids at treatment initiation did not make a negative impact on survival. Generally, baseline steroid use was associated with worse outcomes and decreased frequency of circulating differentiated effector T cells in patients with NSCLC.1

    “Steroids were the biggest predictor of why certain immunotherapies may not be effective, even when considering multiple other factors such as stage and progression of the disease,” lead author Fumito Ito, MD, PhD, oncologist and immunologist at Keck Medicine, said in a news release. “Our findings reveal that steroids stop the body’s natural cancer-fighting cells, T-cells, from maturing. This makes them unable to attack the cancer as vigorously as they usually would, leading to worse outcomes for patients. While other research has indicated steroids may negatively impact immunotherapy’s efficacy, we are one of the first to pinpoint a probable cause and effect.”2

    The authors emphasized that the findings show how high-dose baseline steroid use can decrease the efficacy of ICI in patients with NSCLC. Additionally, they noted that the findings regarding immune-related biomarkers in patients on steroids should be interpreted with caution.1 However, they ultimately concluded that the findings could help oncologists and health care providers make informed decisions that can benefit patients.2

    “Without the presence of circulating biomarkers to inform our decisions, oncologists cannot treat the cancer as effectively, and patients may miss out on the best treatment for their cancer,” Ito explained. “We know that steroids will continue to play an important role in lung cancer care, but it is important to understand their potential limitations. Each patient should talk to their oncologist to make sure they have the best possible care plan tailored to their specific needs.”2

    REFERENCES
    1. Polyakov L, Lim A, Meyer A, et al. Impact of Glucocorticoids on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy and Circulating Biomarkers in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Cancer Res Commun. 2025;5(7):1082–1094. doi:10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-25-0051
    2. University of Southern California – Health Sciences. Common medication for lung cancer symptoms found to limit effectiveness of cancer treatment. News release. July 7, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1089842

    Continue Reading

  • Monsoon rains forecast to continue till July 13 – Samaa TV

    1. Monsoon rains forecast to continue till July 13  Samaa TV
    2. Punjab on high alert as monsoon intensifies: Khawaja Salman Rafiq reviews PDMA preparations  Ptv.com.pk
    3. Rains batter large parts of KP  Dawn
    4. 79 lives lost to monsoon wrath  The Express Tribune
    5. Torrential rains: CM directs all depts to stay alert  Business Recorder

    Continue Reading

  • Super-dwarf plant developed to feed astronauts on long space missions

    Super-dwarf plant developed to feed astronauts on long space missions

    Long-duration space missions, such as those to the Moon or Mars, require a reliable source of fresh, nutritious food for survival.

    The current reliance on pre-packaged astronaut meals could be unsustainable for extended periods.

    Now, the Moon-Rice project, a collaborative effort led by the Italian Space Agency and three Italian universities, aims to develop a “super-dwarf” rice variety ideal for sustained space habitation and extreme environments on Earth. 

    The challenge of creating dwarf crops

    Space travel takes a toll on the human body, and various studies have already showcased it. 

    To overcome negative health impacts, astronauts need a reliable source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber – something fresh. 

    Past space station-based experiments have showcased the viability of growing crops in space. Earlier, Chinese astronauts successfully grew rice seedlings on the Tiangong space station, which provided insights into growing food for long-duration space missions.

    However, the current lies in developing the ability to cultivate food directly in harsh space environments. 

    The Moon-Rice project aims to do something different.

    Marta Del Bianco, a plant biologist at the Italian Space Agency, highlights a key hurdle: the size of current crops. Even dwarf rice varieties are too large for the confined spaces of a lunar or Martian outpost.

    The team is working towards the development of resilient “super-dwarf” crops. However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed before it turns out to be a success.

    “Dwarf varieties often come from the manipulation of a plant hormone called gibberellin, which can reduce the height of the plant, but this also creates problems for seed germination. They’re not an ideal crop, because in space, you just don’t have to be small, you must also be productive,” the researcher explained. 

    Collaboration of three universities

    The Moon-Rice project is a powerful collaboration involving three leading Italian universities.

    Each university brings a specialized expertise: the University of Milan focuses on rice genetics, the University of Rome Sapienza on crop physiology manipulation, and the University of Naples Federico II on space crop production.

    Just nine months into this four-year project, preliminary results are promising. 

    Milan researchers have successfully isolated mutant rice varieties that grow to a mere 10 cm, providing an excellent starting point for space-friendly crops. 

    Meanwhile, the Rome team has pinpointed genes that can optimize plant architecture for maximum production. 

    To address the inefficiency of meat production in space, the team is also working on enriching the protein content of rice by increasing the embryo-to-starch ratio.

    Dr. Del Bianco’s personal expertise lies in understanding how these “super-dwarf” rice plants will react to the unique conditions of microgravity.

    “We simulate microgravity on Earth by continually rotating the plant so that the plant is pulled equally in all directions by gravity. Each side of the plant gets activated continuously and it doesn’t know where the up and down is,” said Dr Del Bianco.

    “It’s the best we can do on Earth because, unfortunately, doing experiments in real microgravity conditions, i.e. in space, is complex and expensive,” the researcher added. 

    The Moon-Rice project could also help tackle food security and sustainable agriculture here on Earth.

    The team notes that developing a robust crop for space means it could also thrive in challenging terrestrial environments like the Arctic, Antarctic, deserts, or small indoor spaces.

    The research was presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, on July 9, 2025. 

    Continue Reading

  • Boy Band Mania In The 2020s: K-Pop Dominance, Long-Awaited Reunions & Exciting New Talent

    Boy Band Mania In The 2020s: K-Pop Dominance, Long-Awaited Reunions & Exciting New Talent

    From major comebacks to bold debuts, July is shaping up to be an exciting month in an already stellar 2025 in music. Two-time GRAMMY nominee Kesha kicks the month off with . (PERIOD), her first album after departing RCA and Kemosabe Records. Mid-month, Backstreet Boys will revisit their legacy on Millennium 2.0. and rising phenomenon Alex Warren will release his debut LP, You’ll Be Alright, Kid. The original Alice Cooper Group will round out July with their first album in 50 years, The Revenge of Alice Cooper. 

    Elsewhere in the month, several artists will bravely share deep, vulnerable feelings on new releases. Those include Jessie Murph’s Sex Hysteria, Jackson Wang’s MAGIC MAN II, Indigo De Souza’s Precipice, Dean Lewis’ The Epilogue, and FLETCHER’s poignant Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me?

    Others will embrace fantasy and fun, such as Wet Leg’s sophomore LP Moisturizer, GWAR’s chaotic The Return of Gor Gor, Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes’ Adventure Club, Paul Weller’s Find El Dorado, and Fitz and the Tantrums’ Man on the Moon. What’s more, July might be the month where rapper Roddy Ricch finally shares The Navy Album with the world.

    To guide you through these fruitful upcoming four weeks, GRAMMY.com put together a list with the 15 Must-Hear Albums of July.

    Kesha — . (Period) (July 4)

    This year, Independence Day will mark another celebration for pop icon Kesha. Her upcoming album, . (PERIOD), will arrive on July 4 through her own Kesha Records under exclusive licensing to ADA Warner Music. It also marks her first record since departing RCA and Kemosabe Records in 2023.

    The 11-song tracklist will include 2024’s hit “Joyride,” “Yippee Ki-Yay” with T-Pain, “Delusional,” “Boy Crazy,” and the recent Slayyyter and Rose Gray collaboration, “Attention!” In a press release, the album is described as “a defiant act of self-expression that refuses to adhere to expectations or play it safe.” Kesha is “at her most powerful best, turning her experiences into vibrant, audacious art with a spiked heel at the neck of pop culture,” the release continued.

    In support of the album, Kesha announced TITS OUT, a co-headline tour with Scissor Sisters starting on July 1. “I’m going TITS OUT this summer to bring as much safety, fun, acceptance, love, connection, and celebration to this country because we are just as much the fabric of this FREE nation as anyone else,” she shared in a statement. “We will not be quiet, and we will fight through joy!”

    Learn more: Kesha Reveals The 10 Most Important Songs Of Her Career, From “Tik Tok” To “Eat The Acid”

    Burna Boy — No Sign Of Weakness (July 11)

    Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy is also making a return in July with No Sign of Weakness, has been teased since last year, and was preceded by singles “Bundle by Bundle,” “Update,” “Sweet Love,” and “TaTaTa” featuring Travis Scott.

    A follow-up to 2023’s I Told Them…., No Sign of Weakness promises a fresh take on the artist’s Afro-fusion sounds, solidifying his presence as one of the world’s most exciting and influential artists. In order to commemorate the release, Burna Boy has announced a historic 16-city North American headline run. Beginning on Nov. 12 at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Burna will become the first Nigerian artist to ever headline the venue, and will continue through cities like Seattle, Oakland, Houston, and Los Angeles. 

    With the exception of the Red Rocks show, all performances will feature a custom-designed 360-degree stage in the middle of the arena floor, creating an immersive and intimate experience for fans.

    Backstreet Boys — Millennium 2.0 (July 11)

    As unbelievable as it sounds, Backstreet Boys’ chart-topping, GRAMMY-nominated, and signature album Millennium has turned 25 this year. To celebrate this milestone in true “Larger Than Life” fashion, the eternal boy band announced a deluxe version titled Millennium 2.0.

    Read more: How Pop Ushered In Y2K: Revisiting Songs & Performances By Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Backstreet Boys & More

    Millennium 2.0 will fittingly comprise 25 tracks, including all 12 remastered originals, live recordings from their 1999-2000 tour, demos, B-sides, and their latest single, “HEY,” which can be heard upon pre-saving the album. “Thank you for still loving this album more than 25 years later and we can’t wait to make a ton of new Millennium Memories with you!” the band shared on Instagram. “It’s time for (us) to go to work y’all…”

    The album drops just as BSB kick off their Into The Millennium residency at Las Vegas’ The Sphere. Totalling 21 shows — with three extra dates due to overwhelming demand — they will become the first pop act to perform at the venue.

    Learn more: 25 Years Of Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way”: 10 Covers By Ed Sheeran, Lil Uzi Vert & More

    Wet Leg — Moisturizer (July 11)

    The Isle of Wight five-piece Wet Leg, founded by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, will heat up the summer with their sophomore record, Moisturizer. Following their GRAMMY-winning 2022 self-titled debut, the album was also produced by Dan Carey, and is spearheaded by singles “Catch These Fists,” “CPR,” and “Davina McCall.”

    The new LP was written while the band lived together in the remote English town of Southwold. There, they would work by day, and watch horror movies by night. “We were just kind of having fun and exploring,” Chambers said in press materials, while Teasdale concurred: “We focused on: Is this going to be fun to play live? It was very natural that we would write the second record together.”

    Joined by musicians Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobaraki, Wet Leg spent the greater part of the past few years touring, “evolving into a feral, electrifying live force.” Moisturizer is said to capture that energy, “delivering a sound that’s tighter, bolder, and more self-assured, yet still brimming with the same quick wit and raw, unrefined energy.” The band will kick off a 19-stop North American tour starting Sept. 1 in Seattle.

    Jackson Wang — MAGIC MAN II (July 18)

    “I created MAGIC MAN to figure out my pain, as a mask representing my darkest emotions, my internal emotions,” said Hong Kong-born musician Jackson Wang in a statement. That 2022 sophomore record plunged him into experiencing “nothing but the crucial reality of what humanity is.”

    “I was in a very dark place mentally and physically. I thought I could never recover,” he added, explaining that this was the reason he took a year-long break to figure himself out. The result of his time off is MAGIC MAN II, an album about “being true to myself, listening to my heart and accepting all the good and the bad.”

    The album is structured in four chapters that explore different stages of grief — from manic highs, to losing one’s identity, to ultimately finding acceptance. For a preview of those sounds, Wang has released a handful of singles, including “High Alone,” “GBAD,” and “BUCK” featuring Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh. 

    Jessie Murph — Sex Hysteria (July 18)

    Jessie Murph is set to give this summer some Sex Hysteria. According to a statement, the 20-year-old singer goes through “a bold departure” from her first record, 2024’s That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil, and opens up for the first time about “themes of sexuality, generational trauma and self-discovery with a vulnerability and honesty that marks a new chapter in her artistic evolution.”

    The 15-track LP is said to be “both a provocation and a reclamation,” with Murph confronting family wounds and reclaiming her body and her desires. The sophomore record pushes back “against the shame and stigma that often silence women who dare to be loud, sexual, or emotionally honest.”

    Sex Hysteria will include Murph’s trap country hit “Blue Strips,” as well as “Gucci Mane” and “Touch Me Like a Gangster.” Starting July 27, she will embark on a worldwide tour, crossing North America, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand throughout the rest of the year.

    Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes — Adventure Club (July 18)

    The upcoming album by Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace and her new band, Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes, is a retelling of the quartet’s experiences in a life-changing songwriting retreat in Greece. Made possible by a grant through the Onassis Air Program, Adventure Club was recorded in Athens, and features Grace’s wife Paris Campbell Grace on vocals, as well as Athens-based musicians Jacopo “Jack” Fokas (bass) and Orestis Lagadinos (drums).

    Read more: For Laura Jane Grace, Record Cycles Can Be A ‘Hole In My Head’ — And She’s OK With That

    The 12-song collection is “a record about learning to take up space, about feeling free to be yourself as the bullshit of our ahistoric moment mounts,” per a release. “Protest songs and personal tunes have never been a binary for Grace, and she delivers some of her most profound — and, yes, playful — work ever at that particular intersection here. But the most prominent thread through Adventure Club’s dozen tracks is one of evolution, of letting yourself become something new.”

    Adventure Club follows Grace’s 2024 Hole in My Head. In August, she and the Trauma Tropes will hit the road for a string of concerts across North America alongside Trapper Schoepp, Team Nonexistent, and Murder by Death.

    FLETCHER — Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me? (July 18)

    Queer icon FLETCHER poses a poignant question on her new album: Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me? The LP is her most intimate and honest work so far, as she shared on a handwritten note: “this is my heart split open on record” and is “both an open wound and an act of liberation.”

    The singer born Cari Elise Fletcher built her career on sexual fluidity and singing about relationships had exclusively with women. However, things took a turn in her personal life last year, when she found herself falling for a man instead. The result was the single “Boy,” one of the biggest, rawest revelations she makes on Would You Still Love Me If You Really Knew Me? “I kissed a boy,” she sings. “And I know it’s not what you wanted to hear/ And it wasn’t on your bingo card this year/ Well it wasn’t on mine/ I fell in love.”

    Learn more: FLETCHER Is “F—ing Unhinged” & Proud Of It On ‘In Search Of The Antidote’

    In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, FLETCHER acknowledged that “There will be people that feel disappointed and feel confused and have questions. Girl, I had questions and I was confused too. It shocked me just as much as anybody else.” But by staying true to her feelings and fully sharing her journey, FLETCHER welcomes a stronger, truer version of herself to the world.

    Alex Warren — You’ll Be Alright, Kid (July 18)

    Alex Warren’s much-anticipated debut studio album is just around the corner. You’ll Be Alright, Kid arrives via Atlantic Records, and adds 10 new tracks to his 2024 EP of the same name.

    The 21-song record will also include Warren’s recent viral hits “Ordinary” and “Bloodline” with Jelly Roll, as well as new single “On My Mind” featuring BLACKPINK’s Rosé. And while You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) focused on dealing with grief, the LP expands upon themes of healing and resilience. Most of the album was co-written by Warren in partnership with Cal Shapiro and Mags Duval, and produced by Adam Yaron.

    Throughout the summer, Warren will play sets at several festivals around the world, including Lollapalooza Paris and Chicago, Norway’s Slottsfjell, and Canada’s Osheaga. The singer will also perform live in a string of North American cities during September and October.

    Roddy Ricch — The Navy Album (July 18)

    After several delays, Roddy Ricch was set to drop his much-awaited third LP, The Navy Album, on April 25, but the release was postponed once again. Two months later and it finally seems like the album will come out on July 18, as pre-save links on his Instagram note.

    In December 2024, after announcing another postponement, the Compton rapper shared second single “Lonely Road,” featuring Terrace Martin on the saxophone. The track joins 2024’s “Survivor’s Remorse” — which samples Kelly Clarkson’s 2023 song, “Me” — as the sole previews of the album so far. According to Apple Music, Ricch’s other 2024 single, “911,” didn’t make the final tracklist.

    Following 2021’s Live Life Fast and 2022’s mixtape Feed Tha Streets III, the upcoming album was produced by Terrace Martin, Turbo, Omar Grand, Evrgrn, and others, and will be released via Atlantic Records and Bird Vision Entertainment. Most recently, Ricch shared “Underdog” as a part of the star-studded F1: The Movie soundtrack.

    Bush — I Beat Loneliness (July 18)

    Rock band Bush are gearing up to release their tenth studio album, I Beat Loneliness. In advance, they shared “60 Ways to Forget People,” an impactful track that explores  “the complexities of heartbreak, personal transformation, and the painful process of letting go,” per the band’s press release.

    “What I feel about this record is it addresses the common struggles we all have,” said frontman Gavin Rossdale. “‘60 Ways to Forget People’ is an ode to sacrifice and a dedication to the focus it takes to be better. All the time and in all things.” Produced by Rossdale and Erik Ron, the record includes 12 tracks that deepen the band’s post-grunge sound into more mature, sleek productions, as can heard on lead single “The Land Of Milk And Honey.”

    Following the release, Bush will tour North America until the end of August, and then head over to Europe for a series of shows from September through November.

    Indigo De Souza — Precipice (July 25)

    In 2024, Hurricane Helene flooded Indigo De Souza’s home and destroyed many of her belongings. Forced to cancel events and launch a fundraiser to help with the costs, it was a liminal experience in her life  — one of the many that shaped her upcoming fourth studio album, Precipice.

    “I feel constantly on the precipice, of something horrible, or something beautiful — something that will change my life for better or for worse,” De Souza said in a statement. “Music gives me ways to harness that feeling. Ways to push forward in new directions.” To harness that spirit, she tried blind studio sessions in Los Angeles and found a seamless connection with producer Elliott Kozel.

    “I’d been wanting to work on more pop-leaning music for a while, so when I came out to L.A. I made sure to meet with people that could help bring that to life,” she said. “I wanted to make music that could fill your heart with euphoria while you dance along.” A preview of those sounds can be heard on pre-releases “Crying Over Nothing” and “Heartthrob.” De Souza will also tour 10 U.S. cities in October, with support from alt artist mothé.

    GWAR — The Return of Gor Gor (July 25)

    Legendary shock rockers GWAR are celebrating their 40th anniversary with The Return of Gor Gor. The multi-format album and 32-page comic book chronicles the comeback of Gor Gor, GWAR’s long-lost Tyrannosaurus Rex pet, who mysteriously disappeared following the death of their former frontman, Oderus Urungus.

    Current vocalist Blöthar The Berserker commented on the album: “The last time I saw Gor Gor, he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world.”

    In support of Gor Gor and the new release, GWAR will headline a North American tour kicking off Oct. 18 in Salt Lake City and wrapping up Nov. 22 in Norfolk, Virginia.

    Fitz and the Tantrums — Man On The Moon (July 25)

    Pop-rock group Fitz and the Tantrums’ sixth studio album, Man On The Moon, arrives July 25. The follow-up to 2022’s Let Yourself Free is described as the band’s “most daring” yet in press materials, a “no-nonsense collection of soulful, pop-inflected masterpieces” that reflect “a band that’s confident in their signature style, yet unafraid to venture into bold new territory.”

    “I decided I was simply going to write for my heart and for my soul and nobody else,” explained frontman Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick. “At this point in our career, myself and the band feel we have complete creative license. Because, c’mon, nobody knows what the rules are anymore. So I’m not going to chase some vapor in the wind. I’m going to just do what I want.”

    “We’ve never wanted to be stuck in a box. We refused to do that,” added co-lead vocalist Noelle Scaggs. “With this project, we’re daring to be different.” A taste of this new sound can be heard on the title track and lead single, as well as March’s “Ruin the Night.”

    Fitz and The Tantrums will embark on a summer tour right before the album drops and hitting 31 North American cities. The tour will feature Aloe Blacc and Neal Francis as special guests on select dates, and Ax and the Hatchetman, SNACKTIME and Gable Price and Friends as openers.

    Alice Cooper — The Revenge of Alice Cooper (July 25)

    It’s not every band that has the luxury of reuniting five decades after their rise to fame. The original Alice Cooper Group understands this privilege, and is making sure to come back in the most chaotic, boisterous way. The Revenge of Alice Cooper channels “a high-voltage journey into vintage horror and classic ’70s shock rock, capturing the sound, energy, and mischief” that made the band legendary, according to a press statement.

    Comprising 14 tracks, including singles “Black Mamba” and “Wild Ones,” the LP also features a posthumous appearance by Glen Buxton, the band’s original guitarist who passed away in 1997, on “What Happened To You.” Furthermore, the box set and limited smart formats of the album include two exclusive new tracks: a long-lost 1970 version of “Return of The Spiders,” and the vintage blend “Titanic Overunderture.”

    The Revenge of Alice Cooper is said to be “a celebration of friendship, nostalgia, and the timeless sound that solidified Alice Cooper as a rock icon,” and fan can expect a “powerful and nostalgic experience that bridges the gap between the band’s storied past and their vibrant present.”

    Latest News & Exclusive Videos

    Kesha Reveals The Most Important Songs Of Her Career, From “Tik Tok” To “JOYRIDE.”

    Jul 9, 2025

    Boy Band Mania In The 2020s: K-Pop Dominance, Long-Awaited Reunions & Exciting New Talent

    Boy Band Mania In The 2020s: K-Pop Dominance, Long-Awaited Reunions & Exciting New Talent

    Jul 9, 2025

    The Recording Academy Invites Nearly 3,600 New Members To 2025 Class

    The Recording Academy Invites Nearly 3,600 New Members To 2025 Class

    Jul 9, 2025

    Lindsay Ell Sings The 1975's "Give Yourself A Try"

    Lindsay Ell Sings The 1975’s “Give Yourself A Try”

    Jul 8, 2025

    8 Taiwanese Bands You Need On Your Radar: Mayday, Sunset Rollercoaster, Sodagreen & More

    8 Taiwanese Bands You Need On Your Radar: Mayday, Sunset Rollercoaster, Sodagreen & More

    Jul 8, 2025


    Continue Reading