HolidayBlogging

Tag: lang

  • Boomers Gather to Rally: They Charge Against the Regime in Protest Activities

    Boomers Gather to Rally: They Charge Against the Regime in Protest Activities

    Nation’s Pulse Tests Its Own Beat

    Over the weekend, streets across the country turned into stages for anti‑Trump rallies—talk about a nationwide mood‑check! The result? A surprisingly quiet turnout, save for a handful of white boomers who made the trip.

    What Went South

    • Location: Every major city, from New York to Houston—all set to voice their fury.
    • Where’s the crowd? Mostly empty stages, with only a few nostalgia‑laden spectators showing up.
    • Attendees: The only ones who made it – a handful of elders who remember the good old days.

    Why the Silent Stand‑Off?

    Some say it’s the energy drain of last month’s events. Others whisper that a quiet crowd is simply the nation’s new rhythm. Either way, the sparse turnout suggests a jarring number of people might have succumbed to a more carefree weekend than a headline‑making protest.

    The Takeaway

    With the nation’s pulse measured again, and only a few stand‑by flaming white boomers showing up, the story feels bittersweet. The message is clear: while the fire of dissent is still alive, the city lights are a little dimmer than they might have been.

    Rage (or Rage?) Against the Climate

    What’s the vibe at these rallies?

    • Orange‑shirted zealots – Everyone’s rocking bright oranges to signal “orange man bad.” The color is so bold you could see it from space.
    • Silver‑back squad – A handful of retirees with faded tie‑dye and orthopedic sneakers turn the streets into an elder‑power‑house. They bring the patience of grandmas and the swagger of wind‑turbine installers.
    • The “Retiree Picnic” feel – Some stops in Minnesota even offered a garden of monkey‑sized fruit‑punches. The biggest protest? Lack of shaded seating.
    • Family‑friendly scene – A few protesters carry their kids, sons or daughters stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with a backdrop of “defend democracy” banners and the occasional dish of decaf coffee.

    Why the odd mix?

    It’s like watching a potluck for the political spectrum.
    The rallies blend conventional activism with home‑grown “town hall” vibes.
    You can hear a grandma’s concern about “the good ol’ days” while next to her the buzz about holding a government accountable.

    Home‑grown messengers

    1. Grandmas taking the lead in keeping politics lively: they’re not just nostalgic – they’re demanding a future that keeps them safe.
    2. Retro memorabilia: passing around Werther’s Originals while shouting “RFK Jr. is–” shows a blend of humor and seriousness.
    3. Stop the “machine” with a “rotten fruit” fridge – a creative protest that looks more like a supper‑in‑the‑park than a mass march.

    Real‑world take‑away

    The movement is that too‑soft of a tantrum.
    Branding the protest as “Rage” when it’s really warmth, whimsy, and a little over‑the‑top looks like a toddler’s zany bellow.

    So, what do you notice? The protestors are a strange but charming mix of retirees, families, and shirt‑color‑fans that turns town meetings into a quirky, almost laugh‑able, take‑on of politics.

  • Delta 767 Engine Turns to Flames After LAX Takeoff

    Delta 767 Engine Turns to Flames After LAX Takeoff

    Delta’s Engine Fire Near LAX: Reliving the Air India Nightmare in Real‑Time

    Tick‑tock, tick‑tock, every aviation fan’s watchful eye was turned towards Los Angeles International Airport on Friday afternoon. The calm of a routine jet ski—a Delta Air Lines 767 bound for Atlanta—was suddenly disrupted by a blaze that erupted from one of its engines just after takeoff, around 2 p.m..

    What Went Down?

    • Engine Ignition: The ground‑crew’s video showed a roaring plume of orange flames shooting straight up from the rightmost engine. No smoke, no compressor, just pure fire.
    • Fast‑Track Return: Pilot Commander Thomas “Smooth” Davis didn’t waste a moment. The jet pivoted back onto the LAX runway, steered into a safe belly‑landing, and safely touched down in about 20 minutes.
    • No Collateral Damage: Despite the fire and the adrenaline rush, no one was injured and the aircraft made it back to the gate for full repairs.

    Why the Air India Crash Still Haunts the Mind

    Remember the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner tragedy that shook the world a month ago? The terrifying footage that went viral on X still lingers in our collective memory. Delta’s mishap was a stark reminder that aircraft incidents—no matter how rare—are always within reach. The public’s scalp‑tingling anxiety reached a crescendo, turning the newsroom into a frenzy of screenshots and speculative headlines.

    Airliners in Numbers

    • Flight id: N707DF (officially known as DL 805 in the Delta fleet)
    • Aircraft age: 24 years old (a robust Boeing 767‑432 ER)
    • Flight path: LA → ATL (flight plan diverted back to LAX as soon as the fire erupted)

    The Official Reaction

    Delta’s spokesperson, Elena “Eagle” Ruiz, posted on the company’s LinkedIn yesterday: “Our crew seamlessly executed a safe emergency landing. As always, safety is our top priority. We appreciate the rapid response from the ATC crew and the support from all passengers. While we don’t have further technical details, rest assured that the investigation is underway.”

    Follow‑Up & Cautionary Takeaways

    Each engine fire tells the aviation world a vital lesson: quick actions and rigorous procedures can avert tragedy. The crew’s calm, the pilots’ swift decision, and the airport’s readiness combine to remind us why the industry never stops polishing its protocols. And the lingering Air India nightmare cautions us that safety is paramount—there’s no time to slack off.

    Whodunit on the Wings: DAL446’s Unexpected Homecoming

    Stunt Plane or True Hero?

    Just when you thought DAL446 was cruising along, the cockpit lights flicked on a sudden emergency flag and the plane sprinted back to LAX. No drama, just a swift and safe touchdown minutes later.

    Why the Sudden Turn?

    • Mechanical hiccup: A smooth flight snagged a glitch that the crew flagged instantly.
    • Captain’s call: “Eyes wide, folks—let’s do the comeback.”
    • All in a day’s work: Turns out, aviation pros pull off surprise returns like a glitch in the Matrix.
    Landing with a Smile

    Within just a few minutes, the plane made it back to the runway as neatly as a well‑timed joke, leaving passengers and crew sighing in relief and giggling about the swift prep‑time.

    Delta’s Unexpected Takeoff Twist

    Delta Flight DAL446 was making its way from the West Coast to Atlanta when something happened that put a hiccup in the usual smooth ride. The line‐up in the cockpit marked a mid‑air incident involving the left engine—the engine that should be humming along, not doing a surf‑in‑air dive.

    What the Numbers Say

    • Passengers on board: 226
    • Crew members: 9
    • Destination: Atlanta

    What We Know (and What We Don’t)

    • Delta announced the engine hiccup right after takeoff.
    • Authorities haven’t released details yet. Whether it was a bird strike or a mechanical glitch, we’re still waiting to find out.
    • In the meantime, passengers are probably glad to have survived the unexpected “engine check‑mate.”
    Related News to Keep You in the Loop

    If you’re following other aviation stories, don’t miss the latest updates on the Air India incident involving a fuel switch failure on a Boeing 787 during takeoff. Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.

  • Van Gogh Museum warns of closure unless Dutch state meets €2.5m funding shortfall

    Van Gogh Museum warns of closure unless Dutch state meets €2.5m funding shortfall

    The museum is requesting the government provide an extra €2.5 million annually to cover essential upgrades and sustainability measures – stressing that this isn’t just financial support, but a contractual obligation.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, has issued an extraordinary warning: without fresh government funding, it may be forced to shut its doors.
    The museum says a shortfall in state support threatens a €104m renovation plan – and with it the safety of the paintings, the well-being of visitors and the future of one of the Netherlands’ most visited cultural landmarks.

    “If this situation persists, it will be dangerous for the art and dangerous for our visitors,” Emilie Gordenker, the museum’s director, told The New York Times. “This is the last thing we want – but if it comes to that, we would have to close the building.”

    Related

    Italian museum reports couple to police for damaging precious ‘Van Gogh chair’Court rules in favour of homeowners in land dispute over site of Van Gogh’s final paintingSelf-portrait by Vincent van Gogh (1889)Self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh (1889)
    Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Musée d’Orsay

    The conflict dates back to the genesis of the museum.
    After Van Gogh’s death his nephew, V.W. van Gogh – known in the documents as “the Engineer” – placed the family collection into a foundation in 1962, on the condition that the Dutch state create and maintain a museum to keep the art together and accessible to the public.

    When the Van Gogh Museum opened in 1973 the promise seemed secure. What followed was nearly half a century of extraordinary public interest: since opening the museum has welcomed almost 57 million in total – and numbers peaked at about 2.6 million in 2017.
    In recent years the museum has continued to attract large audiences, reporting roughly 1.8 million visitors in 2024 – making it Amsterdam’s second most-visited museum, after the Rijksmuseum.
    In spring this year it staged a landmark joint exhibition with the Stedelijk Museum of the work of Anselm Kiefer – a show titled “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” that placed the German painter’s monumental canvases and installations in dialogue with Van Gogh’s legacy. Later in the year, parts of the programme travelled to London’s Royal Academy, where they remain on display.
    But running a successful museum comes at a cost. The building that has coped with those crowds since the early 1970s is showing its age: ventilation and climate control systems are past their useful life, safety, accessibility and sustainability standards have moved on, and new legal obligations on public buildings require costly upgrades.

    The Van Gogh Museum has therefore drawn up “Masterplan 2028” – a three-year programme of essential maintenance, technical replacement and sustainability works budgeted at €104m.
    The museum says it can cover parts of the project from reserves and by shouldering lost revenue from partial closures, but argues it needs an annual guaranteed state contribution of about €11m to finance the works and to build a long-term maintenance reserve. The ministry currently offers €8.5m a year, leaving an annual shortfall of €2.5m.
    The Vincent van Gogh Foundation, which legally owns the collection, has supported the museum’s line, noting that the original 1962 contract places an obligation on the state to provide and maintain suitable housing for the works.

  • EU’s new Entry/Exit System: What travellers need to know about visas, insurance and delays

    EU’s new Entry/Exit System: What travellers need to know about visas, insurance and delays

    As speculations around the impact of the new EES system increase, Euronews Travel explores some common debunked myths.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    As the October launch of the six-month rollout of the EU’s entry-exit system (EES) approaches, a number of myths and misconceptions about what it really means for travellers have surfaced. While some claim that non-EU travellers will need to prove their travel insurance, others believe that the EES is being implemented as punishment for Brexit. 
    But how much of the speculation is trueand which claims are myths? We took a look at some of the most common misconceptions. 

    Myth: British travellers will need to prove their medical insurance

    Recently, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, claimed that UK travellers would need to prove that they have travel insurance. 
    Many UK travellers currently rely on the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which is provided by the NHS for free. Though it doesn’t replace travel insurance, it allows access to medically necessary treatment in EU countries and Switzerland at either the same cost as residents or for free. 
    The suggestion that travel insurance could become mandatory when the EES is introduced has sparked concerns, especially among older travellers and those with pre-existing conditions, as policies for these groups can be prohibitively expensive. 
    The European Commission has since confirmed to UK newspaper The Independent that no proof of travel insurance would be required. The EES does not change entry requirements for British travellers to the EU and wider Schengen area, but they will still have to adhere to post-Brexit rules. 

    Related

    ‘Disproportionate’ and ‘unjustified’: European travel industry urges EU to rethink ETIAS fee hikeWould you spend four months on a cruise? These super-long cruises let you visit dozens of cities

    These include justifying the purpose of their travel, showing that they have enough funds for the duration of their trip and proof of booked accommodation. They may need to show evidence of a round-trip ticket back to the UK or of onward travel to a country where they are certain to be allowed entry. 
    Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and must have been issued within the last 10 years.

    Myth: British travellers will need to apply for a new visa when the EES system is implemented

    Non-EU travellers, who are from visa-exempt countries like the UK, still won’t need to apply for a visa for short stays when the EES system is introduced. Short stays are classified as up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 
    This is because the EES will only register entry and exit data electronically at EU borders, for non-EU citizens travelling to the Schengen Area. It is designed to digitally register entry and exit data to identify people who overstay their visa, improve border security and replace the manual passport stamping process. It doesn’t change visa policies or mean one will be required where it was not previously needed. 

    It is easy to confuse with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS, which will be introduced from late 2026 onwards. This will be required for visa-exempt travellers entering the Schengen Area, including British nationals, but it isn’t a visa. It is a visa waiver system similar to the US ESTA, and the online system is intended to be a quick, online pre-travel authorisation process.

    Myth: The EES is retribution for Brexit

    Some British travellers have expressed concerns that the new EES system is being implemented mainly as retribution towards the UK for Brexit. 
    However, the EES is an EU-wide effort to streamline and automate border control for all non-EU visitors, not just UK citizens. This is mainly to ensure that the current Schengen travel rules, such as the 90-day short stay limit,  are being followed properly. 
    In fact, the EES was being planned well before Brexit took place, with the UK also taking part in this planning while still a member of the EU.   

    Related

    ETIAS scams: Everything Brits need to know about EU travel as ETA launch causes confusionFrom warzones to tropical islands: Meet the 19-year-old solo traveller who has visited 118 nations

    The UK also introduced its own border control system, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), from April 2025. This is a digital travel permission, linked to your passport, not a visa or guarantee of entry. 
    Visitors of countries who don’t currently require a visa for short stays, including transit and tourism, need an ETA, as well as citizens of countries which require an ETA before travelling. Depending on their nationality, travellers transiting through the UK will also usually need an ETA, especially if they are passing through border control. 
    With an ETA, travellers can make multiple trips to the UK for up to six months within a two-year period, or until their passports expire, whichever happens first. 
    It requires travellers from visa-exempt countries, including EU citizens, to apply for pre-travel approval before entering the UK. 

    Myth: The EES applies to everyone, EU citizens included

    The EES system will only apply to non-EU citizens, both from visa-exempt countries, as well as from third-party countries, who are travelling for short stays to or from the Schengen Area. 
    EU citizens, as well as those with long-term visas and residence permits from a country in the Schengen Area, will not be affected by the EES system, according to the European Union. 
    Non-EU nationals who are travelling to Europe for studies, research, training, pupil exchange schemes, voluntary service, au-pairing or educational projects will not be impacted by the EES as well. 
    Similarly, people who have obtained certain border check privileges, as well as people exempt from border checks, such as cross-border workers and heads of state, will not have to go through the EES system, among other exempt categories. 

    Related

    Seaplane revival in Greece begins with first successful test flight over Corfu’s coastlineAir Canada starts cancelling flights ahead of potential strike that could impact thousands

    Myth: The EES will mean extra border fees

    The EES itself does not require any additional fees to be paid at the border. 
    When the ETIAS is introduced from 2026 onwards, travellers from non-EU countries will have to pay a fee of around €20 per person for travel authorisation. This approval will stay valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires.
    Travellers under the age of 18 and over the age of 70 are exempt from this payment, as are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the EU. 
    The ETIAS fee was recently raised from €7 to €20 and is still under review, due to concerns that it may disproportionately increase costs for travellers, especially families. 

    Myth: Border crossings will become more complicated with the EES

    Some travellers and experts have expressed concerns that the EES system may make border crossings at busy European airports even longer and more chaotic than they are now. 
    While some initial delays may be experienced as travellers and border staff get used to the new system, in the long run, the EES is intended to make border control much smoother and more efficient. 
    This will mainly be achieved by replacing manual passport stamps, as well as automating biometric systems like facial recognition and fingerprint collections. The EU is exploring the implementation of pre-registration systems and self-service kiosks at some borders to help speed up the processing of travellers and reduce waiting times.
    Your EES data record is also valid for three years. During that time, you’ll only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border when you enter and exit, rather than going through the full registration process again.

    Myth: The EES will record and store all personal information

    As instances of data privacy and security breaches grow, there have also been concerns about the EES potentially storing all personal information about travellers from non-EU countries. 
    The EES system will only record travel and biometric-specific information about visitors, such as facial scans, fingerprints, entry/exit dates and passport details. It will not track other personal information and details, such as activities and daily movements within the EU. The data it collects will be governed by strict EU data protection regulations with clear limits on access, how long it can be held for and its use. 
    Its purpose is to ensure that travellers are meeting the 90-day rule for short stays and are not overstaying within the Schengen Area. 

  • Embrace the Unknown: Estonia’s President Alar Karis Urges AI Adoption in Schools

    School Reimagined: A Future That’s Anything but Boring

    “The whole school system is probably going to be upside down in the coming years,” says Karis in an interview with Euronews Next. That headline isn’t just a headline—it’s a gut‑twist that’s already sparking chatter among parents, professors, and the class of 2026.

    So, What Could This Look Like? Here’s the Low‑down

    • Classrooms Transformed – Think of a space that flips between lecture mode, group huddles, and even “bring your pet to class day” (yes, you read that right).
    • Curriculum Overhaul – No more textbook‑only stuff. Picture projects that let you experiment, fail, learn, and share results far wider than a folder on your desktop.
    • Teacher Role Shift – The teacher’s job evolves from talking to listening, guiding to coaching, and occasionally delivering a pep‑talk.
    • Tech in Every Corner – Tablets, VR headsets, AI assistants… all tools that replace the chalkboard with interactive, adaptive learning.
    • Assessment That Feels Right – Instead of micro‑quizzes, the focus moves to real‑world challenges—where the score is a solution, not a number.

    If the idea of an “upside‑down” system feels unsettling, remember: change is rarely a villain; more often it’s a plot twist that keeps life interesting. Strap in, stay curious, and let the new school vibe throw a house‑warming party into your life.

    Estonia Teachers Dive Into AI, Summer Break Gets a Side‑Kick

    While most schools are fading into summer mode, Estonia’s teachers are turning the season into a tech training boot‑camp. President Alar Karis spilled the beans on how AI chatbots will turn classrooms into futuristic playgrounds.

    From Digitised Dreams to AI Realities

    • Digital pioneers: Estonia has been geek‑ing out on online services for over 20 years.
    • Cyber‑security champs: The nation keeps hackers on their toes.
    • New frontier alert: Now it’s AI’s turn to steal the spotlight.

    The “Learning with AI” Plan

    Karis says the move starts at the teacher level, putting them in the driver’s seat of the tech revolution. “Education matters more than ever,” he noted, and once teachers master the chatbot wizardry, the knowledge will trickle down to students.

    What AI Can Do for Classrooms
    • Lesson planning made easy: AI drafts engaging tutorials and quizzes.
    • Personalized feedback: Students get instant, tailored responses—no more generic “good job.”
    • Time‑saving hacks: Teachers reclaim hours from grading to focus on creative teaching.
    Ethics & The Rollercoaster of Innovation

    But the rapid AI sprint isn’t a smooth ride. Karis highlights a few bumps:

    • Potential reshaping of the entire school system in the coming years.
    • Uncertainty about how the tech will evolve—easy to predict this fast‑paced market.
    • People’s anxiety isn’t about the gadgets themselves but the speed of progress.

    In short, Estonia is gearing up to show the world how a well‑trained teacher can turn a classroom into a high‑tech hub—minus the artificial buzz words, plus a dash of real‑life teaching magic.

    Trust in AI

    Staying Smarter Than Your Chatbot: Estonia’s AI Leap Program

    Everyone’s talking about the wild side of AI – the fact that it can hallucinate answers and that it might turn our brains into lazy, copy‑paste machines. Karim, a tech enthusiast in Estonia, kicks back with a grin and tells the story: “If you stop reading books because you’re all wrapped up in a chatbot, you’ll get a bit smarter, but the real trick is learning how to chat smartly.”

    The Classroom Misadventures

    • Students are already using ChatGPT not just to pull off essays, but to double‑check their math sets and history facts.
    • Teachers say it’s a real headache: “How can we proof that a kid didn’t just have a bot do the homework?”
    • Karim calls it a trust hurdle: “If teachers come clean about using AI, the classroom stays honest.”

    Why Estonia Is Leaping Forward

    The Estonian government, aware that building a monolithic AI system would be a gargantuan task, is teaming up with tech giants like OpenAI and Anthropic. They’re calling it the AI Leap – a private‑public partnership that will start in September, adding 20,000 high school students and 3,000 teachers to the roll.

    Language, Love & Local

    Karim stresses that Estonia’s small language deserves respect – “We can’t afford to let the “English” wave drown out our own words.” He wants AI to keep speaking Estonian, so the next generation stays rooted in their mother tongue and doesn’t think in foreign lingo.

    From September 2026, the program planners aim to bring vocational schools into the fold, expanding to another 38,000 students and 3,000 teachers.

    Bottom line: The AI Leap is all about keeping society sharp, culturally bright, and guard‑ready against the rogue hallucinations of tomorrow’s tech.

    The hybrid war

    Estonia’s AI Revolution in the Classroom

    Professor Karis has a clear vision: AI will soon be as core to Estonian schools as cybersecurity has been. That’s a big claim, but it’s the modern-day equivalent of saying “let’s just keep a fire extinguisher in every corner.”

    Why the shift?

    It all started with a 2007 cyberattack that left banks, ministries, and even the national media skittish. While the hacker’s identity remains a mystery, the suspected footprints pointed back to Russian IPs. Estonia—right on the edge of Russia—has long been a frontline in what experts call a hybrid war. “We’re not the only ones,” Karis says, “but we’re certainly not exempt.”

    How AI fits the picture

    According to Karis, AI is just another tool that can help fight misinformation, bolster cyber defenses, and keep the country ready for whatever comes next. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for the digital age.

    Key points

    • Establish critical thinking in students from the ground up.
    • Leverage AI to stay one step ahead of hybrid threats.
    • Integrate AI education early, right alongside traditional subjects.

    From lab to legislature

    Once a molecular geneticist and developmental biologist, Karis now sits in a political arena where, surprisingly, the unknown is a thrilling frontier, not a fearsome one. “Being a former scientist means I love shaking things up, building new things, and experimenting,” he says. “There’s no such thing as being scared of the unknown—it’s all exciting!”

    Of course, the enthusiastic outlook doesn’t mean doing anything without limits. Karis acknowledges the need for rules and regulations to keep AI in check, ensuring the technology remains a safe, plus a useful companion for schoolchildren.