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Sue Bird becomes first-ever WNBA player to have her statue unveiled

Sue Bird has become the first player in WNBA history to have her own statue, which was unveiled on Monday (18 August) outside the Seattle Storm’s home, Climate Pledge Arena.

“If being the first means I won’t be the last, if this statue means that 20 years from now there will be statues of other WNBA greats, then I’m proud to be the first,” said Bird, who hung up her high-tops for good three years ago.

Bird, 44, played her entire WNBA basketball career with Seattle, where she won a record-tying four championships and was a 13-time All-Star after being selected No. 1 in the 2002 draft.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist for Team USA is the Storm’s all-time leading scorer with 6,803 points and had a WNBA-record 3,234 assists.

American star Bird, who has had her No. 10 retired by the Storm, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in April this year, and will now be literally and figuratively in Seattle forever.

“The city has given me a home, a place where I could have a career, a place where I felt welcome,” she said. “A place where I really grew up. I mean in a lot of ways, I really grew up here.

“This is really exciting to be – I don’t even know if honored really covers it because it’s a bronze statue that will be there forever. And, it feels different when you think of it that way.”

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August 19, 2025
UGA researchers develop long-lasting alternative to alcohol-based hand sanitizers

Researchers have formulated a new alternative to traditional, drying alcohol-based sanitizers that eliminates more than 97% of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant strains.

The new long-lasting gel was developed at the University of Georgia (UGA), US, based on the disinfecting abilities of nitric oxide, a molecule that naturally occurs in the body and plays a critical role in helping fight off infections.

Two hours after application, the gel formula called NORel “significantly outperformed” an alcohol-based sanitizer in maintaining effective antimicrobial activity.

Within that time frame, the tested alcohol-based gels had long evaporated, diminishing their antimicrobial agents. Typical hand sanitizers evaporate shortly after application and lose most of their microbe-killing power within 30 to 60 minutes.

“Regular hand sanitizers with alcohol in them do a pretty good job at killing bacteria when you apply them initially,” says Elizabeth Brisbois, lead author of the study and an associate professor in the UGA College of Engineering.

“We showed that the nitric oxide persists on the skin for a longer period of time, so it’s kind of an extended protective effect. That was the most exciting result.”

Based on nitric oxide

Nitric oxide’s antimicrobial benefits are evident in other skin-related applications, such as wound healing and acne treatment.

Nitric oxide’s antimicrobial benefits are evident in other skin-related applications, such as wound healing and acne treatment.

The gel is fortified with ethanol, tea tree oil, and glycerin. According to the researchers, it eliminates more than 97% of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant strains, while providing moisture.

“Regular hand sanitizers with alcohol in them do a pretty good job at killing bacteria when you apply them initially,” says Elizabeth Brisbois, lead author of the study and an associate professor in the UGA College of Engineering.

“We showed that the nitric oxide persists on the skin for a longer period of time, so it’s kind of an extended protective effect. That was the most exciting result.”

On par with hospital-grade hand sanitizers

The study authors believe NORel’s hand hygiene potential is promising for high-risk environments such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

The gel’s antimicrobial activity is on par with commercial, alcohol-based sanitizers containing 62% ethyl alcohol.

In upcoming studies, the researchers will test the gel against common pathogens like COVID-19 and methods to improve the gel’s shelf life.

“In this initial project, our focus was on formulating the hand sanitizer and evaluating its effectiveness against bacteria commonly associated with medical device infections,” says Brisbois.

“Further research to improve the formulation chemistry and assess its efficacy against other infectious agents, such as viruses and additional types of fungi, as well as improving its stability at room temperature, would help advance this technology.”

The study findings are published in Biomaterials Science.

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August 19, 2025
US scientists create reusable ‘jelly ice’ that never melts

Melting ice is a hassle. It leaves a soggy mess, dilutes drinks, and contaminates food.

Researchers have now created a new kind of reusable, compostable ice that never leaves a puddle behind.

University of California, Davis food scientists have named their creation “jelly ice,” a material that cools like ice but leaves no watery mess.

The application process is simple: use it for cooling, rinse it off, and place it back in the freezer to prepare it for its next use.

Interestingly, the jelly ice is 90% water and can be molded into different shapes.

“Compared to regular ice of the same shape and size, jelly ice has up to 80% of the cooling efficiency — the amount of heat the gel can absorb through phase change,” said Jiahan Zou, the study researcher.

“And we can reuse the material and maintain the heat absorbance across multiple freeze-thaw cycles, so that’s an advantage compared to regular ice,” added Zou.

Inspired by frozen tofu

The project began when a food scientist observed the massive amount of ice used at fish-processing plants and the risk of cross-contamination that meltwater could spread.

The team started looking for a solution to control these pathogens in grocery store seafood displays.

The inspiration to design jelly ice struck while observing frozen tofu, which retains water internally but releases it upon thawing.

The researchers looked for a material that could hold water even through phase changes, and came across gelatin – the same food-safe material that makes jiggly desserts.

Gelatin‘s long protein strands link together, forming hydrogels with tiny pores that trap water.

Early tests of the hydrogels, made from a natural polymer (or biopolymer), were promising. The water stayed within the gelatin structure as it froze and thawed, with no leaks.

After years of research, the team has perfected a simple, one-step process for making jelly ice.

The material can be reused by simply washing, freezing, and thawing. It’s soft and jiggly at room temperature, but once cooled below 32°F (0°C), it becomes firm and solid.

Offers various advantages

Jelly ice can be made in 1-pound (0.45-kilogram) slabs. These innovative cubes offer various advantages.

Compared to regular ice, it doesn’t melt into a puddle, eliminating the risk of contamination and mess. It’s reusable, so you simply need to wash it with water or diluted bleach.

And best of all, it’s completely compostable. When composted, it showed incredible potential to improve tomato plant growth.

Plus, this new material can be customized into any shape or size and, because it’s made from natural polymers, it doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution.

For now, jelly ice can preserve food, keeping it cold and fresh during shipping without regular ice or cooling packs.

However, it has many potential uses, including medical shipping and biotechnology, and it can be used as an alternative to existing ice in areas with limited water.

Although licenses for the “jelly ice” technology have been secured, Zou notes that it still needs to undergo market analysis, product design, and large-scale production testing before it can be commercially sold to consumers.

Inspired by the success of jelly ice, they are now exploring other natural biopolymers, particularly plant-based proteins like soy.

The development will be presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) fall meeting.

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August 19, 2025

Samsung Introduces Galaxy Buds3 FE With Iconic Design, Enhanced Sound, and Galaxy AI Integration – Samsung Newsroom U.K.

Built for Galaxy fans, Galaxy Buds3 FE offer essential features – now with a smarter, more stylish twist.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of Galaxy Buds3 FE, the newest addition to the Galaxy Buds lineup. As part of Samsung’s mission to expand its audio innovation to more people, Galaxy Buds3 FE are designed to deliver premium features, with an iconic Blade design, upgraded audio performance, and Galaxy AI^[1] capabilities.

Galaxy Buds3 FE are designed to offer an enhanced audio experience. Impactful enhancements in the Galaxy Buds lineup build off innovations in core features including Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), call quality, battery life, comfort and more to allow users the freedom to listen where they want, when they want and how they want.

Building on Samsung’s understanding of sound as the most essential part of the user experience is high-quality sound, Galaxy Buds3 FE were made for the quiet moments on a crowded train, a call on a windy street and the playlist that powers the walk home.

With a larger speaker^[2], Galaxy Buds3 FE deliver rich, powerful sound with deep bass and clear treble.^[3] Enhanced ANC^[4] reduces ambient noise, creating a more immersive listening experience.

Crystal Clear Call technology uses an advanced pre-trained machine learning model to isolate your voice, ensuring conversations remain clear even in noisy environments. The call experience is also improved by the adjusted microphone position, which is optimised for voice pickup with microphones facing towards the user’s mouth.

Ease of use is central to the Galaxy Buds3 FE design with intuitive controls that facilitate effortless interactions. Users can simply pinch the Blade to make selections or swipe, for volume control. It’s also easier to connect via the pairing button on the cradle for transitions between Galaxy devices.^[5] With Auto Switch, Galaxy Buds3 FE actively detect audio activity and transfers the connection seamlessly for continuous listening across all of your Galaxy devices.^[6]

Additionally, AI features and the Galaxy Buds3 FE design ensure that queuing up the next playlist or translating a conversation from one language to another is always just a word or long press away. When phrases like “Hey Google” are used, Galaxy Buds3 FE can listen, understand, and respond without a screen or hands – just the user’s voice^[7]. The experience is fast, natural, and conversational, designed to feel more like talking to a friend than using a device. Users can also check their daily agenda or email without removing their phone from their pocket or bag. For translation^[8], they can use Galaxy Buds3 FE with the Galaxy AI Interpreter^[9] app on their smartphone to listen to a lecture in a foreign language or have a conversation with someone in another language.

The Galaxy Buds3 FE Blade Design represents the Galaxy lineup’s distinct visual identity. With a matte dual-tone finish and semi-transparent accents, it reflects a balance of simplicity and expressive detail for a modern but playful aesthetic.

Galaxy Buds3 FE mark a new chapter in expanding the Galaxy Experience. Designed for users who want reliable performance, smart features, and a stylish design at a great value, Galaxy Buds3 FE make it easier than ever to join the Galaxy ecosystem. The earbuds also offer seamless integration with Galaxy devices, including quick access from system settings and app-free control from any screen.^[10]
Galaxy Buds3 FE will be widely available from 4^th September. RRP £129.00.

For more details about Galaxy Buds3 FE, visit https://www.samsung.com/uk/audio-sound/galaxy-buds/galaxy-buds3-fe-black-sm-r420nzkaeua/.

Specifications

Galaxy Buds3 FE
Color	Black, Grey
Color	*Available Colours may vary by market, carrier or retailer.
Dimensions	Earbud: 18.0(W) x 21.1(H) x 33.8(D) mm (Exclude eartips) Charging Case: 58.9(W) x 48.7(H) x 24.4(D) mm
Weight	Earbud: 5g Charging Case: 41.8g
Weight	*With M size eartip
Speaker	1-Way Dynamic Driver
Microphone	3 Mics
ANC & Ambient Sound	ANC Ambient Sound
Battery Capacity	Earbuds: 53mAh (typical) Charging Case: 515mAh (typical)
Battery Capacity	^*The typical capacity has been tested under third party laboratory conditions. The typical capacity is the estimated average capacity considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under the IEC 61960-3 standard. The rated capacity is 50mAh (earbuds), 500mAh (charging case). Actual battery life may vary depending on the network environment, usage patterns, and other factors.
Music Time	Up to 6 hours / Total up to 24 hours (ANC on) Up to 8.5 hours / Total up to 30 hours (ANC off)*
Music Time	^*Earbuds provide up to 6hrs play time with ANC on (up to 8.5 hours with ANC off), while the case provides up to 24 hours of battery life (up to 30 hours with ANC off) when the case and earbuds are charged to 100%. Based on internal testing. Audio playback time tested by pairing a pre-production Galaxy Buds3 FE to a recently released Galaxy smartphone with default settings including ANC on. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions, settings, number of times charged, Bluetooth signal strength, and other factors. Default setting refers to the original setting for the Galaxy Buds3 FE, simply with the power turned on.
Talk Time	Up to 4 hours / Total up to 18 hours (ANC on) Up to 4 hours / Total up to 18 hours (ANC off)*
Talk Time	^*Earbuds provide up to 4hrs voice call time with ANC on (up to 4 hours with ANC off), while the case provides up to 18 hours of battery life (up to 18 hours with ANC off) when the case and earbuds are charged to 100%. Based on internal testing. Voice call time tested by pairing pre-production Galaxy Buds3 FE to a recently released Galaxy smartphone with default settings including ANC on. Actual battery life may vary and depend on usage conditions, settings, number of times charged, Bluetooth signal strength, and other factors.
Connectivity	Bluetooth^®5.4, Auto Switch Codec: SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec), AAC, SBC
Sensors	Proximity, Hall, Touch, Pressure Sensor
Compatibility	Android 11.0 or higher with more than 1.5GB of Memory
Compatibility	^*Some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices. Availability may vary by market, operator or connected device.
Water Resistance	IP54*
Water Resistance	^*Based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use.

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

[1]Compatible Galaxy smartphone with Galaxy AI required. Samsung account login and network may be required for certain AI features..

[2]Compared to the previous Galaxy Buds FE.

[3]Requires a compatible smartphone.

[4]Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is on by default, and the Pinch and Hold gesture for ANC can be configured directly in the phone settings for devices running One UI 8.0 and later. For devices running on earlier versions of One UI, configurations can be found in the Galaxy Wearable app.

[5]Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is on by default, and the Pinch and Hold gesture for ANC can be configured directly in the phone settings for devices running One UI 8.0 and later. For devices running on earlier versions of One UI, configurations can be found in the Galaxy Wearable app.

*Samsung Account login is required to activate and change the Galaxy Buds3 FE settings on the Galaxy Wearable app..

[6]Auto Switch feature is only available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Tab devices with One UI 3.1 or later, and on Galaxy Watch4 or later. The devices must be logged in to Samsung Account to enable Auto Switch. Availability of certain features of Auto Switch may vary.

[7]Voice wake-up is off by default and can be configured directly in the phone settings for devices running One UI 8.0 and later. The feature uses the phone’s default Digital Assistant setting.

** Gemini is a trademark of Google LLC. Results for illustrative purposes. Gemini Live feature requires an internet connection and Google account login. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. Features may differ depending on subscription and results may vary. Compatible with certain features and certain accounts.

***Gemini voice wake-up is available on Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 FE with One UI 8.0 and later.

[8]Galaxy Buds3 FE supports Galaxy AI features such as Interpreter and Live Translate when paired with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. Availability of Galaxy AI features may vary by device model.

[9]Galaxy Buds3 FE supports Galaxy AI features such as Interpreter and Live Translate when paired with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. Availability of Galaxy AI features may vary by device model.

**Interpreter requires Samsung account login. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Availability and supported features may vary by country, region or carrier. Availability of supported languages may vary. Visit Galaxy AI page at samsung.com for details.

***Audio interpretation is only available when wearing Samsung Galaxy Buds and connected to a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Interpreter feature is not directly provided by Samsung Galaxy Buds themselves. If Samsung Galaxy Buds are unavailable, the interpreted content is provided on the Samsung Galaxy smartphone screen.

***Galaxy AI features are supported on Galaxy S25 Series, Galaxy S24 Series, Galaxy S23 Series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, Galaxy Tab S10 Series and Galaxy Tab S9 Series as of March 2025. Supported device list may be updated and is subject to change. The types of Galaxy AI features supported may vary by device.

*****Samsung Galaxy devices may require the latest software update to properly support Galaxy AI features.

******To change Interpreter to Listening Mode, the settings must be configured on the Interpreter app.

[10]Availability of functions may vary by country, language, device model or apps. Some functional widgets may require a network connection and/or Samsung Account login. Available on Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI 8.0 or above. Additional devices may be supported in the future

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August 19, 2025

Realme 15T Leak Reveals MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max and Android 15

Realme launched one of the most powerful series, the Realme 15, last month. The series includes two smartphones, including a vanilla version and a Pro variant. Both phones gained huge popularity because of the amazing specs. Now the company is working on a third model. The recent leak has revealed that Realme 15T is the next one to join the series.

The leak has claimed that Realme 15T has appeared on the Geekbench database with the model number RMX5111. The phone managed a single-core score of 806 and a multi-core score of 1,989 in Geekbench 6.4 for Android.

Realme 15T Leak Reveals MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max and Android 15

The leak has further revealed that the upcoming phone will come with MediaTek’s Dimensity 6400 Max SoC. Additionally, the phone will come with 8GB of RAM. At least this is what the prototype revealed. We may see the other options as well.

Moving forward, we will see Android 15 OS in that phone. Unfortunately, the phone will not come with Android 16, which is the latest OS yet. This is all the leak revealed about the phone.

According to the leak specs so far, the phone seems to be a mid-range variant. Although the leaked info is not much but we may assume that it will come with at least a triple camera setup at the back. In my opinion, the phone should have at least a 32MP front camera.

Moreover, the phone should have a massive battery (5,000 mAh in my opinion) with fast charging support. Surely the phone is in the initial stages of leaks. We will surely get more information about it in the coming days.

Furthermore, we are also not sure about its launch date yet. But it probably won’t take very long. Hopefully, it will launch y the end of the third quarter of 2025. Stay tuned.

See Also: vivo X Fold5 Now Available Across Pakistan with Exclusive Launch Offer

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August 19, 2025
Babrik Shah’s Insulting Remarks On Imran Abbas & Fawad Khan

Babrik Shah has something to say for Imran Abbas and Fawad Khan. The actor comes from a film family with his father, a prominent film actor. Babrik also joined in his footsteps and worked in many films. He retired from working in movies after the downfall of the film industry. He did not join television like many of his contemporaries and he is quite blunt about his opinions.

Babrik Shah was a guest on Suno To Sahi and he made some harsh judgments on the current superstars. He said Imran Abbas is not film material. He does not even look like a man. For Fawad Khan, he said he is heavily overrated and is not that capable. He thinks Ahsan Khan and Faysal Quraishi are good for television but they are not meant for films. Hamza Ali Abbasi is the only actor according to Babrik Shah who can work in films. Fahad Mustafa can be a host like Tariq Aziz but his acting range is limited.

This is what he said:

The internet thinks Babrik Shah is jealous. One user wrote, “This is our problem that we cannot recognize talent better than ours.” Another said, “I want this type of confidence.” One user agreed with Babrik and said Imran’s face does look weird on screen:

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August 19, 2025
Chamath Palihapitiya warns ‘no crying in the casino’ as he launches another SPAC after a string of failures
By Steve Goldstein

Chamath Palihapitiya warns retail investors into putting money into his new special purpose acquisition company.

Chamath Palihapitiya has carried out what some might consider to be a threat – launch a new special purpose acquisition company despite a checkered record in doing so.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Palihapitiya detailed what will be called the American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp, which is incorporated in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.

The new SPAC will seek out to merge or buy a company in the field of energy production, AI, decentralized finance or defense.

The S-1 filing does go through Palihapitiya’s investment history – from his background as a Facebook executive to his successes as a venture-capital investor backing Slack Technologies and Box among others, to the SPAC history.

Using the official numbers, here’s the updated performance record on the person who was nicknamed the SPAC king – not too much different from MarketWatch’s previous tabulation. It leaves out his investment in the SPAC that turned into MP Materials (MP), since he led the private investment in public equity, or PIPE, but didn’t sponsor it himself.

A few of his SPACs never found a merger partner so returned the money to investors.
```
   Company                                      Return 
   Virgin Galactic                              -98.50% 
   Opendoor Technologies                        -68.30% 
   Clover Health                                -73.50% 
   Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. IV 
   SoFi Technologies                            137% 
   Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. V 
   Akili                                        -95.70% 
   Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. II 
   ProKidney                                    -76.40% 
   Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. IV 
   Source: SEC filing/MarketWatch calculations 
```
“We believe that retail investors should only participate if (a) this investment is a small part of an otherwise diversified portfolio, (b) this investment is a quantum of capital they can afford to completely lose and (c) if they do lose their entire capital, they will embody the adage from President Trump that there can be ‘no crying in the casino.’”

Trump is not actually not known for saying that, though it was what Argentina President Javier Milei said when a cryptocurrency promoted on his social-media handle plunged in value.

Palihapitiya will also take a 30% promote fee, rather than the standard 20%, though it will be conditional on achieving a 50% premium to the IPO price.

Santander U.S. Capital Markets is the underwriter.

-Steve Goldstein

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
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  (END) Dow Jones Newswires

  08-19-25 0430ET
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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August 19, 2025
Dar urges global solidarity to address rising humanitarian crises

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for renewed international solidarity and decisive action to confront a growing wave of humanitarian crises across the world.

“Let us reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protect life, uphold human dignity, and advance peace. The challenges we face are immense, but through global solidarity, decisive action, and adherence to justice and humanitarian
principles, the international community can alleviate suffering and restore hope by securing a just and peaceful future for all,” Ishaq Dar said in a message on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day.

The deputy PM honoured the courage, resilience, and compassion of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to protect distressed persons amid escalating humanitarian crises across the world.

“Today, the international community must renew the resolve to address root causes of humanitarian crises, including wars and conflicts,” he said adding that “Unchecked aggression and jingoistic narratives for political gains are among the major drivers of humanitarian crises. It is essential to resolve conflicts through peaceful means, mediation, dialogue, and diplomacy, in accordance with the UN Charter”.

In Gaza, he said the ongoing occupation and blockade continued to inflict suffering on civilians by restricting humanitarian aid, vital food supplies, and essential medical services. “The impact of ongoing genocide in Palestine is profound, with families, children, and civilians facing unimaginable suffering. The international community must urgently address the humanitarian situation in Gaza consistent with international law.”

The deputy PM also called upon the international community to also pay close attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “Years of oppression, forced displacement, arbitrary detention, demographic changes, and the systematic denial of Kashmiris’ legitimate right to self-determination have continued to exacerbate humanitarian crises in the occupied territory. India’s weaponisation of water and essential resources represents a new and alarming threat, with the potential to trigger humanitarian catastrophes of unprecedented scale across the region.”

He said climate-induced humanitarian situations across the world called for a joint international response.

In recent years, climate change has also disproportionately affected Pakistan. The ongoing floods being witnessed in Pakistan once again highlight the urgency of concerted global action to address climate-induced humanitarian challenges, he said adding that humanitarian partnerships to support the affected populations must continue.

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August 19, 2025
Sofia Raffaeli balances pressure and reinvention ahead of 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Rio

Raffaeli on change, travel, and getting her driver’s license

As her career continues on, Raffaeli, 21, understands things will change.

“Of course, the explosiveness you have as a kid almost never corresponds with the expressiveness you acquire later,” she said. “Now I adapt a lot to all kinds of music, I try not to be predictable. This year we haven’t experimented with new styles—maybe it’s time to step out of my comfort zone. Everyone has seen what I can do. I’d like to experiment, find original forms of expression, new interpretations.”

That has been on full display this season, especially in one particular exercise.

“The routine I feel most comfortable with right now is the hoop one because I absolutely love the music I chose. ‘Tu si na cosa grande’ came up by chance while we were looking for an Italian song on YouTube,” said Raffaeli. “As soon as I heard it, I said: why not? … The song is dedicated to rhythmic gymnastics, which for me is the greatest thing.”

Off the carpet, her world is expanding, delighting in the universal joy of finally getting her driver’s license.

“I care more about my red Fiat 500 than an apartment,” she said. “I’ve always travelled a lot thanks to rhythmic gymnastics, but always being transported. Now, I know I can go wherever I want.”

Her driver’s license can’t quite take her to her latest destination, Rio, a city she’s excited to be visiting for the first time.

“I love to discover new places,” Raffaeli said. “Competing in the same places becomes routine; you don’t even feel curious to step outside the arena.”

In Rio, she will also be stepping back into the spotlight — a chance to show how champions evolve, and to prove that Sofia Raffaeli remains one of rhythmic gymnastics’ brightest stars.

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August 19, 2025
This underwater volcano is giving 1000 tremors every day and might erupt in 2025 |

Axial Seamount (Photo: Wikimedia Commons )

Earth gives us some rare opportunities to get a glimpse of what’s actually happening inside its deep and dynamic core, and one such moment is happening deep beneath the Pacific Ocean. Under miles of water, lies a submarine volcano quietly gearing up for what could be its next eruption. While this event may not be noticeable on the land, it holds a significant scientific value.

The underwater volcano that could erupt soon

About 300 miles away and nearly a mile beneath the surface and off the coast of Oregon is an Axial Seamount, a submarine shield volcano that has erupted in 1998, 2011, and 2015. According to the American Geophysical Union, another eruption may happen before the end of 2025.Axial sits along the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where two tectonic plates, the Juan de Fuca and Pacific, are pulling apart. This, along with its geologic hotspot origin, makes it unique and active.

Location of Axial Seamount (Photo: Wikimedia commons)

What makes this special to the scientists

This Axial Seamount is fitted with a vast undersea network of the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s Regional Cabled Array, which provides real-time data, video, and high-resolution images via fiber-optic cables stretching from the Oregon coast to the volcano summit. Researchers call this the most monitored patch of seafloor in the world, according to Forbes. This observatory has already allowed scientists to get a glimpse of the past eruptions live and study seismic changes and magma build-up beforehand.

How do the scientists infer the possible eruption

Scientists believe the Axial Seamount could erupt soon because of two major signs. First, the seafloor around the volcano has started to swell, reaching levels similar to what was seen right before its last eruption in 2015. Second, there’s been a big increase in small earthquakes, over 1,000 tiny tremors a day, as magma moves and builds pressure beneath the surface. According to Forbes, these clues suggest that something big could be brewing under the sea.

Will this eruption impact the people on the land?

Although powerful, this volcano lies far underwater, so there’s minimal danger to land, and no risk of a tsunami or earthquake triggered by its eruptions.Scientists are eager to capture the eruption because it could reveal new information about volcanic behavior at mid-ocean ridges and, potentially, inform forecasts for dangerous land volcanoes.

How will this impact the ecosystems?

Eruptions at Axial highly disrupt hydrothermal vent ecosystems, but studies have shown life bounces back surprisingly fast. Scientists hope to see how microbial and animal life returns after being buried by lava, which could be helpful in making deep-sea mining budget-friendly and economical.

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August 19, 2025