Categories
Gaming & Tech

Best Ways to Make Gold in New World

Best Ways to Make Gold in New World

 

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Image via Amazon Games

Everyone’s favourite expansive MMO game, New World, is filled with supernatural adventure and lore. Just like in the real world, there’s little you can do in New World without gold. There are four ways by which you can obtain this precious gold: Harvesting, Crafting, Trading, and Questing. 

While there are claims that the New World gold economy is deflating, with the gold becoming scarcer and the price of goods dropping – Amazon Games has reassured players that most servers are generating enough coin.

Still, many players are forming barter-system trading societies, so if you’re an avid New World player, it’s a great idea to get familiar with the third method in this article – trading. 

 

1. Harvesting/Gathering for Gold in New World

Image via Amazon Games

The first way to procure gold in the New World game is to farm. This involves being on the lookout for valuable resources as you traverse different locations on the island of Aeternum.
You need to have an equipped sickle so that you can harvest a plant when you come across it. 

Here are the most valuable plants for harvesting: 

  • Hemp 
  • Herbs
  • Farm plants

It’s easy to find Hemp anywhere on the map, and as you level up, you’ll be able to track these plants as well. This makes it easier to harvest. 

You can also gather fish, animal skins, ore, and certain trees. 

 

2. Crafting for Gold in New World

Image via Amazon Games

Crafting involves using resources that you have gathered and applying skills to sell them for gold. Hemp can be crafted into fiber and then into linen, which is one of the most profitable trades in the game. 

Just like harvesting and gathering, there’s a level-up system. You won’t earn much as you begin to craft different resources, but levelling up will allow you to earn much more.  

Pro tip: make sure you craft a few bags/satchels – this improves your efficiency when you need to carry your goods around and really pays off when you need to travel to a Trading post. 

 

3. Trading for Gold in New World

Image via Amazon Games

Once you’ve done the hard work of gathering resources and crafting them into useful products – it only makes sense that you sell them and reap the profits! You’ll have to carry your goods to a Trading Post where you can sell them. 

This is where the gold economy of the New World can get a bit tricky (and fun!). Not every crafted good is in equal demand, and you can’t always predict what will sell amongst other players. You will get a fair idea about what’s most needed amongst players so you can go back and gather+craft what the market needs. 

It’s also possible to trade directly with players, and here you can fetch a better asking price, or even trade for goods you need instead of gold. 

 

4. Questing for Gold in New World

Image via Amazon Games

Completing quests as you travel through the map is another solid way to earn gold in New World. You’ll find community board requests or in different factions. Just like the other methods, the higher your level is, the more money you can earn. 

Here’s a very important part of the game that players tend to miss out on! There is a 10x gold bonus when you finish the first three faction missions every single day. Part of the reason why it skips the attention from most players is due to the UX not highlighting this feature enough, as admitted by a New World developer

There you have it: four methods through which you can earn gold in New World. As you level up in the game, you own towns and levy tax on all transactions. There are more income streams in end-game as well, namely Outpost Rush, through which players nearing level 60 can amass sufficient gold. 

If you like New World, chances are you’ll enjoy Sea of Thieves as well.

Categories
Music

2022 Grammy Nominations and Predictions

2022 Grammy Nominations and Predictions

 

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Lil Nas X holding he previous Grammy wins

 

Well folks it’s that time of the year again, when we rage about our favourite artists being snubbed then take to Twitter to complain about it – that’s right, it’s Grammy season.

This year, the 64th annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on the 31st of January 2022 and with a whopping 86 categories to go through, you’d be here all day if I were to talk about all of them, so let’s take a look at the Big Four categories.

The nominations are as follows:

 

RECORD OF THE YEAR

  • “I Still Have Faith In You,” ABBA
  • “Freedom,” Jon Batiste
  • “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
  • “Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
  • “Right On Time”, Brandi Carlile
  • “Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA
  • “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
  • “Montero” (Call Me By Your Name), Lil Nas X
  • “drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo
  • “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic

 

 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • We Are, Jon Batiste
  • Love For Sale, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
  • Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
  • Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
  • Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
  • Back Of My Mind, H.E.R.
  • Montero, Lil Nas X
  • Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
  • Evermore, Taylor Swift
  • Donda, Kanye West

 

SONG OF THE YEAR

  • “Bad Habits,” Ed Sheeran
  • “A Beautiful Noise,” Alicia Keys Featuring Brandi Carlile
  • “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo
  • “Fight For You,” H.E.R.
  • “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
  • “Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA
  • “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic
  • “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X
  • “Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
  • “Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile

 

BEST NEW ARTIST

  • Arooj Aftab
  • Jimmie Allen
  • Baby Keem
  • FINNEAS
  • Glass Animals
  • Japanese Breakfast
  • The Kid Laroi
  • Arlo Parks
  • Olivia Rodrigo
  • Saweetie

 

Like every year, there are a few names that have claimed their place in numerous categories, so let me quickly grab my crystal ball and run through my predictions for this year’s awards.

 

Record of the Year – Given how popular Olivia Rodrigo has been, with many of her songs seemingly just appearing out of nowhere on all of the Top 100 charts, it would be no surprise if she scoops this award. The same goes for Lil Nas X – I don’t think I’ve managed to get through an hour-long car journey without Montero coming on the radio.

Although, could ABBA scoop this award given their ‘classic’ status? Personally, I’d love to see Doja taking this award home – Kiss Me More is a BOP. The seductive lyrics paired with the playful, disco-inspired sounds is the reason why I can’t stop randomly bursting into song shouting, “all on my tongue I want it.”

Album of the Year – Again we have some strong nominations in this category, with Olivia Rodrigo and Lil Nas X, unsurprisingly, appearing. It’s also nice to see Taylor Swift featured here with a nomination for Evermore, especially given all of the Swift/Scooter controversy.

As some of you may have noticed, what’s strange for the nominations is that Swift received a nod for album of the year with no other category nominations. Kanye West also appears on this list with his album Donda, which is named after his late mother and while it includes some interesting tracks, I’m not expecting it to win.

For my prediction, honestly, I’d have to say it’s a tossup between Rodrigo and Lil Nas X again and personally, I’d like Rodrigo to scoop this award. What can I say? There’s just something about her chaotic teen anguish that makes for really catchy tunes.

 

Song of the Year – We have a lot of the same names featuring in this category, so it’ll be no surprise to hear that I’d like to see ‘Drivers License’ or ‘Kiss Me More’ scooping this award but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lil Nas X winning with his track Montero.

On a side note, which I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with given its popularity, but Bad Habits should not be on this list. I found it to be one of the most underwhelming songs of the year, with Ed’s voice becoming virtually lost amidst the music and the lyrics were also pretty boring.

 

Best New Artist – With nominees spanning a few different genres, it’s difficult to say who might walk away with this award, although given her exponential rise to fame and the fact that she has received seven Grammy nominations, I wouldn’t be surprised if Olivia Rodrigo won in this category.

It’s nice to see Glass Animals on this list, with their song ‘Heat Waves’ being a track that I’ve really enjoyed this year. Yes, it may not be as experimental and quirky as their other tracks but given its popularity it’s clear that many enjoyed it. The Kid Laroi is also on my radar for a possible winner, having had two big hits this year with “Without You” and “Stay” with Justin Bieber.

 

With certain characters dominating this year’s nominations, it’ll be interesting to see who walks away with a gold-plated gramophone but we all know the Grammys aren’t just about the awards – we also have the performances to look forward to and my personal fave, the outfits!

 

What are some of your winner predictions? Let us know

Categories
Community

What We Know About the Omicron Covid-19 Variant So Far

What We Know About the Omicron Covid-19 Variant So Far

 

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Concerns are mounting over the latest variant of coronavirus after cases have emerged in England and Scotland. 

The new variant labelled Omicron has double the number of mutations of the delta variant and is thought to be highly contagious.

Omicron was first identified in a patient in Botswana in early November but the variant has now begun to spread globally due to international travel. 

As of Monday, November 29, there have been three cases in England and six cases in Scotland.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “At this stage we know that not all of them have any recent travel history to or known links with others who have travelled to the countries in southern Africa where the variant was originally detected.

“This suggests that there might already be some community transmission of this variant in Scotland.”

Omicron is the thirteenth SARS-CoV-2 variant to receive a formal WHO title and has been labelled as a variant of “concern” due to fears it may be less responsive to vaccines.

Precautions are being taken in the UK and other countries whilst scientists assess what the new variant’s impact could be.

 

What are the new Covid-19 measures in England?

  • All contacts of suspected Omicron cases will be required to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Face coverings are being reintroduced from Tuesday on public transport and in shops and will be compulsory.
  • Anyone arriving in the UK will have to take a PCR test within 48 hours of entering the country and will need to self-isolate until they have a negative result. This comes into effect at 4:00am on Tuesday.
  • Secondary school pupils in England are being “strongly advised” to wear face coverings in communal areas.

The government will review the updated Covid rules in three weeks time, as has been done throughout the pandemic.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged for increased compliance with measures to stop the spread of the virus in Scotland and encouraged frequent testing.

 

Why is Omicron a cause for concern?

The mutations identified in the Omicron variation are all in regions that have previously been linked to increased transmissibility and immune escape.

This means the variant could potentially avoid detection from antibodies, rendering the Covid-19 vaccine less effective.

There have been 32 mutations detected in the new variant in the location where antibodies from vaccines are targeted, which is concerning to virologists.

Omicron has also been linked to a spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africa’s Gauteng province, where the positivity rate increased from 1% to 30% within two weeks.

It is difficult at this early stage for scientists to determine the impact of the variant whilst it is still being examined.

Doctors in South Africa have so far noted the variant is only causing mild disease. 

But these infections have been detected mostly in younger people who typically would only experience mild COVID-19 symptoms regardless.

 

How is Omicron different from past variants?

Omicron has been identified much earlier than previous variations of coronavirus due to careful surveillance in South Africa. 

There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms for Omicron are different to other variants, and the severity is being monitored.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that Omicron could be anything from catastrophic to inconsequential.

 

Where are the Omicron cases in the UK?

The first two cases in the UK were announced on Saturday and found in Nottingham and Essex.

A third Omicron case was detected on Sunday in a person with travel links to southern Africa who visited Westminster in London before leaving the country.

In Scotland there are four cases in Lanarkshire and two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

There have been no cases identified in Wales or Northern Ireland, although the North’s Minister for Health warned that the variant might already be present in Northern Ireland. 

The Scottish and Welsh governments are urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to toughen UK travel restrictions further in light of the emergence of Omicron.

Scotland has expanded its red travel list in line with the Westminster government to include 10 African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia.

Omicron cases have also been reported in Germany, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel, the Netherlands, France and Canada.

Categories
Fashion + Beauty

Fashion Icon Virgil Abloh Passes Away at 41

Fashion Icon Virgil Abloh Passes Away at 41

 

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Virgil Abloh // via Louis Vuitton

 

The world of fashion & streetwear has been taken by storm with news of an important passing.

“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues,” the post from his Instagram account read.

Abloh had been battling against a particularly dangerous form of cancer, known as cardiac angiosarcoma. He had been diagnosed with it back in 2019, undergoing many different medical treatments while still serving as the head of a myriad of major fashion and cultural institutions.

 

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A post shared by @virgilabloh

Abloh is better known as the founder of Off-white, a major fashion brand in streetwear. He had, however, worked in many major fashion houses before founding his own, including Louis Vuitton. Abloh had a breakthrough as Louis Vuitton’s first Black art director. Abloh brought in a younger demographic to contemporary brands. His inspiration has always been streetwear.

Working at Louis Vuitton, his menswear collections became fashion icons when worn by celebrities such as Timothée Chalet in the 2019 Golden Globes. Virgil Abloh’s name is synonymous with cross-collaborations, coming up with several editions of the Off-White x Nike designs.

Abloh began his story in the world of fashion after he finished his education in the University of Wisconsin-Madison in civil engineering, ironic, given how in 2015 he would later return to design the commemorative tees for the university.

 

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A post shared by #HIREBLACK (@socialfixt)


Allegedly, Abloh had even skipped the final critique of his graduation day to meet up with John Monopoly, better known as the then Kanye West’s manager. This prompt meeting caused Ye and Abloh to start working together.

Later, in 2006, Abloh finished a master’s degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology, opening his interest in the world of fashion. Three years later, Abloh scored an internship at Fendi in Rome, impressing everyone up to the CEO of Louis Vuitton, Michael Burke.

Abloh and West had even made the rounds at Paris Fashion Week, eventually being photographed by Tommy Ton for Style.com in what would later become an iconic picture outside of the Comme des Garçons show.

Abloh’s career skyrocketed from there, eventually taking over as creative director at Donda, Kanye’s creative agency. In 2012, he even launched his first brand, Pyrex Vision. The brand employed cheap flannel shirts from Ralph Lauren and was printed with the word Pyrex and the number 23. They were bought for $40 and sold for $550. Does that sound similar to another fashion business model?

While based in Milan, Abloh founded Off-white, which would later become his biggest fashion project taking inspiration from his success in Pyrex. Off-white was the perfect mixture of streetwear and luxury. It has become so famous that using quotation marks in fashion has been synonymous with Abloh as Off-white’s name.

He launched womenswear for Off-white one year later and showcased his innovative streetwear collections in Paris Fashion Week. He even had Beyoncé wear a palm-print sweatshirt from his womenswear collection.

Fast forward to 2018 and Abloh is named the art director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear, once again adding his touch of streetwear design to an otherwise traditional luxury brand.

Abloh was also prominent in other areas of art, such as music. He was a DJ who played at important music venues ever since he began collaborating with Kanye. He also collaborated with Mercedes Benz on a concept car design and also collaborated with IKEA.

 

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A post shared by LADO B Second Hand (@ladobsecondhand)

Daniel Day, also known as Dapper Dan, spoke out regarding Abloh’s passing on an Instagram post, highlighting Abloh’s contributions to the world of art as a black man. British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, praised him as a giant among men.

Even models like Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber spoke out on social media, calling Abloh a once-in-a-generation creative mind.

Abloh planned on a Louis Vuitton fashion show to open a men’s store in the city before his death. As a tribute, his Spring-Summer 2022 collection showcase will go at 5:30 pm ET on Tuesday, November 30.

The world of fashion has definitely taken a big hit with the passing of Virgil Abloh, who redefined streetwear and the role of Black men in the world of fashion.

Categories
Self Care

Our Top Tips For Tackling Seasonal Affective Disorder

Our Top Tips For Tackling Seasonal Affective Disorder

 

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The festive period is the season to be jolly, isn’t it?. Unfortunately, for many of us, this time of the year isn’t so merry after all. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience during a particular season and is most felt during the winter months.

 

To bring the merry back into the winter, here are our 12 top tips for coping with SAD.

 

#1 Know that you’re not alone

SAD affects 2 million people in the UK and more than 12 million across Northern Europe. Don’t brush off your low mood as “just the winter blues” and understand that SAD is a very real and very treatable thing. It really is okay not to be okay and with the right techniques and treatments you can improve your mood and learn to cope with SAD and depression.

 

#2 Eat yourself happier

Some foods can help increase your energy to help keep you going during the winter. Having a diet rich in foods such as protein, simple carbs and vitamins B12 and D, can help you combat the symptoms of SAD. Yes, that’s right, you now have another reason to eat some tasty carbs. Depression-fighting pasta and potatoes! But let’s not forget your fruit and veg.

Some may experience a lack of appetite during the winter months, and so can suffer from low energy. Ensuring you eat regular and balanced meals, can keep your energy topped up ready for you to take on the day.

 

#3 Work it out

Our physical and mental health are closely linked. So, keeping your body fit can help combat mental health issues, including SAD. You don’t need to become a gym junkie. A simple one hour walk a day, can be effective in lifting your mood. Wrap up warm and enjoy a stroll in the fresh air, perhaps with friends or family.

 

#4 Light it up

Some people find that light therapy can be effective for SAD. Light boxes and SAD lamps are designed to simulate sunlight and trigger a release of serotonin in the brain. Used regularly, for around 2 hours a day, the benefits of light therapy accumulate overtime. There is mixed evidence regarding the effectiveness of light therapies, so if you are interested, perhaps talk to your GP first. Although not available on the NHS, you can find SADA (Seasonal Affective Disorder Association) approved light boxes online.

 

#5 Spend time with those who make you happy

They say laughter is the best medicine. So, spend time with people who make you laugh and make you happy. Socialising with those you care about can be a great way to lift your mood and keep you going. With Christmas almost upon us, use these festive occasions to meet up with friends and family.

 

#6 Get all the natural light you can

The sun may not be out for as long as we would like at this time of the year and as SAD is often linked to reduced exposure to natural sunlight, it is important to get as much as you can. Sit by a window during the day or go for a nice little walk. Even if it’s cloudy, you will still get the benefit from natural day light.

 

#7 Good thinking

Be aware of your thoughts. The way we feel is can be seen to be inked to how we think about the situation we are in. Are all your thoughts negative? Challenge your thinking! What evidence do you have for this thought? If I look at this situation differently, does it change how I feel? Challenging your thoughts is a great technique commonly used in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

 

#8 CBT Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy aims to arm you with techniques and tools to change your thinking and improve your mood.

 

#9 Plan ahead and avoid stress

Many people can find this time of year stressful. Feeling stressed can make symptoms of SAD feel worse and even more overwhelming. Try to plan ahead to reduce the number of stressful or difficult activities. Make time for yourself to relax and unwind and use techniques for managing stress.

 

#10 If you need it, seek help

If you feel like you cannot cope alone and need advice, talk to your GP. They may be able to offer you advice or services to help you through the winter. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help, rather it is a sign of strength to know that you need to do so. Your GP may wish to prescribe you antidepressants which can be a very effective treatment option.

 

#11 Antidepressants

Antidepressants can often be prescribed to treat depression and are thought to be effective for SAD if taken before the winter until spring. This does not have to be a long-term medication but preventing the symptoms before they happen can be beneficial. Talk to your GP for more information.

 

#12 ‘Tis the season!

Celebrate winter for all the things you love about it. From curling up on the sofa with a hot chocolate to making a festive wreath – remember all the parts of winter that make you happy. Even something as simple as putting on your favourite fluffy jumper or listening to Christmas songs. Winter can be a tough time for mental health, but there’s plenty of joy to be had too. During these difficult and dark times, perhaps think about the Christmas cheer and cosy nights in to help you through.

Categories
Sustainability

Why Climate Summits Like COP26 Still Need to Happen

Why Climate Summits Like COP26 Still Need to Happen

 

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David Attenborough pictured speaking at the COP26 summit.

 

So, how much time is left to save our planet really? Is there an actual tipping point to our planet? Whether you call it global warming, Anthropocene or climate crisis, humans are not programmed for long-term, slow crises.

We just know how to think (and/or run) real fast when chased by an angry grizzly bear, but climate change is coming at humans from a deadly angle.

One of the basic things that plays essential role in survival of all sorts of living beings is biodiversity. Because of biodiversity of our planet, we all are able to co-exist together.

All variety of plants and animals are able to exist together to due to diversity of life. Negative human forces can disrupt the biodiversity which can result in loss of biodiversity. So, we need to take ample steps to prevent the damage to biodiversity.

 
 
 
 
 
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The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 13 November 2021. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

COP26 was the moment countries revisited climate pledges made under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Countries around the world have been submitting their pledges to the UN, setting out how far they intend to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These promises, known as “intended nationally determined contributions,” or INDCs, will determine the success of the deal that the UN hopes to sign off in Paris. President Trump said he would pull the US out of the Paris Agreement and not meet the pledge it had made.

After the COP26 summit, It was agreed that the proportion of climate finance for adapting to the loss inflicted by climate change would be doubled by 2025. Most crucially, a consensus was reached that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees was the true goal of the UNFCCC process.

According to the National Geographic, Countries should double their protected zones to 30 percent of the Earth’s land area, and add 20 percent more as climate stabilization areas, for a total of 50 percent of all land kept in a natural state, scientists conclude.

All of this needs to be done by 2030 to have a real hope of keeping climate change under the “danger zone” target of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) and to prevent the world’s ecosystems from unravelling—according to an ambitious plan called the Global Deal for Nature.

Here’s what’s at stake if we don’t act now:

Heat waves will become more frequent and severe around the world, affecting hundreds of millions—or even billions—of people if we don’t act.

Global warming increases the risk of more frequent—and heavier—rainfall, snowfall, and other precipitation. And as that risk increases, so too does the risk of flooding.

As the earth continues to warm, crucial habitats may no longer be hospitable for certain animals or plants. This puts a variety of species at risk, depending on whether they can adapt or move.

But the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth and ice-free summers could become a reality. Rising sea levels could impact 1 billion people by the year 2050. Changes in water temperature causes algae to leave coral reefs, turning them white and making them vulnerable to disease and death—a phenomenon known as coral bleaching.

Despite their limitations, summits and world conferences can give grantees an important opportunity to contribute ideas to governments and international agencies, and to link with counterparts and kindred movements around the globe. Grant making in connection with summits can offer short- term benefits to participants and longer-term impacts on policy.

Categories
Community

Green-eyed Afghan Girl From Steve McCurry’s Photograph Finds Safety in Italy

Green-eyed Afghan Girl From Steve McCurry’s Photograph Finds Safety in Italy

 

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The famous emerald eyed ‘Afghan Girl’ who‘s 1985 portrait plastered National Geographic June issue and eventually the entire Western World, has been evacuated to Italy following the Taliban takeover.

Eventually identified in 2002 as Sharbat Gula- a now wife and mother of three, by her photographer Steve McCurry, the refugee idol asked for help to leave Afghanistan and has been promised a new settled life in Rome.

30 years later National Geographic writes “one of the world’s most famous refugees finally has a home. A big home” a patronisingly full circle moment.

According to an FBI analyst, forensic sculptor and the inventor of iris recognition to verify her identity, documented in the 2002 Search for the Afghan Girl film, yet she was only safely housed in 2017 by the Afghanistan government. After three decades as a refugee in Pakistan and a tumultuous return to Afghanistan, she again sets off this year to Italy following the Taliban takeover.

With her piercing green eyes framed by a tattered loose red headscarf – in place of a hijab, she became a symbol for her country’s plight and refugee women at the time. Somehow the Western world was finally able to recognise the depths of the traumatic circumstances refugees were facing, when framed by a mute angelic face – quiet and conveniently beautiful – “Haunted eyes tells an Afghan refugee’s fears,” taglined the 1985 cover, yet not a word was written about Sharbat.

Recognition and fame in our world was not enough to liberate this poor Afghan refugee, who faced backlash from the stunning photo. Normally in Pashtun and Islamic culture women are not welcomed to interact with men outside their family and certainly not encouraged to be objectified and posed in front of a camera by them.

The picture was published without her or her fathers consent and her refugee family continued to receive no benefits until she was identified in 2002.

Even then Sharbat proclaimed the famous photo contributed to her detriment more than anything else, she was arrested in 2016 for Fraudulent activity and eventually deported from Pakistan, where she originally fled, to Afghanistan after being imprisoned for two weeks.

Due to this unwanted spotlight Sharbat remained a target for conservative Afghans who disagreed with women being shown in the media.

“This woman is a symbol to Afghans and also a symbol to Pakistan,” said Heather Barr, a researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW) who worked in Afghanistan for 10 years. “The way she was paraded by Pakistan felt like humiliation of the Afghan government:

The Afghanistan government responded by welcoming her back after her deportation from Pakistan. The message was: “We can take care of our own people.”

Yet due to the recent Taliban takeover, who are notorious for disregarding women’s rights and education this security was never guaranteed.

However, Sharbat’s fame has not been completely in vain, mirroring her 1985 debut her arrival in Italy has been used to make a broader statement, as the Italian government have decided to create a programme to evacuate and integrate Afghan refugees of course starting with her.

The story of the Afghan refugee girl who I would separate from todays 49 year old mother of three Sharbat Gula, massively reflects the Western world obsession with painting pretty pictures of oppression. Despite the Taliban takeover proven to be a time of bloodshed and violence observed by those who lived there its this singular shot of an innocent refugee girl we use to pinpoint it.

On top of the fact this famous picture – named as the Afghan Mona Lisa *eyeroll*- has arguably caused more harm to the model than good. I think the Western world need to question how and why we can only engage with certain topics when it is aestheticised by the media especially a violent and sensitive matter, far from pretty.

Informed by

https://m.thewire.in/article/media/afghan-girl-steve-mccurry-national-geographic

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/afghan-girl-national-geographic-italy-b1964416.html?amp



Categories
Community

What is being done to Combat the Rise in Injection Spiking?

What Is Being Done to Combat the Rise in Injection Spiking?

 

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In recent months, there has been a surge in reports of women being spiked via injection on nights out.

After years of being told to cover our drinks, to never walk home alone and to avoid speaking to people we don’t know on nights out, women across the country are once again feeling the burden of what it means to be a woman in twenty-first century Britain.

Police across the UK are carrying out investigations on the suspected drugs used in these incidents but it is believed that they are the same used to spike drinks, such as Rohypnol (roofie) or Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), commonly known as date-rape drugs.

 

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A number of women have come forward with reports of discovering a painful pinprick on their body after passing out, as they describe becoming suddenly unwell, being violently sick, being unable to move their limbs properly and suffering memory loss until the next morning.

Women all across the UK are rallying together to demand change from government bodies and nightclubs, with many on social media arguing that they have a responsibility to protect women and girls from incidents such as these and they are simply not doing enough.

A petition to make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests upon entry has garnered over 173,000 signatures and the topic was debated in the House of Commons on the 8th of November 2021. The full statement from the government can be found on petition.parliament UK website but some of the points raised are highlighted below:

“The law already allows licensing authorities to impose conditions such as searches. Decisions on this should be made locally, taking account of circumstances, and there are no plans to change the law.”

“Action we are taking to support women’s safety in the night-time economy includes launching the £5m Safety of Women at Night Fund… From late November to December SIA operational teams from the Violence Reduction Tactical Delivery Group will be carrying out proactive activity – focussing on Prevent messages around university establishments and associated venues in the night-time economy.”

 

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Jazmine Parker spoke to the BBC about the issue, saying, “Spiking has been around forever but the clubs aren’t really changing their ways… People would pay more to be able to be safe in clubs if the provisions were in place.”

The general consensus on social media is that, yet again, the government is not doing enough. However, it has been revealed this morning that conservative MP Mims Davies had to be carried home after a spiking incident in a nightclub two years ago, only having a partial memory of the event afterwards. This admission has urged the government minister to write to Priti Patel to ask what more can be done to tackle spiking, calling for tougher action to prevent further incidents.

Nearing the end of October, young women boycotted bars and clubs in 45 cities across the UK over the course of a few nights in a bid to demand action on drink-spiking. This led to a widespread conversation about the measures that clubs are taking to ensure the safety of its female customers.

 

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Peter Marks from Rekom UK, which has almost 50 nightclub venues across the UK, told The Independent, “It is important to note that cases of spiking are rare…  However, in response to our guests’ concerns, we will be increasing the safety measures in place to include anti-spiking bottle stoppers, protective drink covers and free drug testing kits as well as full-body searches on entry.”

Mr Marks also told The Independent there have been “robust” safety and wellbeing measures at Rekom venues for years, including 24/7 full CCTV coverage, metal detectors and entry searches.

In a bid to help women feel even safer on nights out, The Playwright, located near Nottingham Trent University’s city campus, was set to host its first ever girls-only event on the 3rd of November, with the rules that no men were permitted entry and the venue was staffed by an all-female team. However, this event was unfortunately cancelled due to safety concerns but it did fuel the conversation that venues can and should be doing more to provide a safe space for women.

While there have been small changes made to tackle the issue of injection spiking, it’s clear that more needs done and until women don’t have to worry about a night out with friends turning into a potentially life-threatening situation, our voices will be as loud as ever.

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Community

Melanie Sykes Celebrates Her Diagnosis With Autism at 51

Melanie Sykes Celebrates Her Diagnosis With Autism at 51

 

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Melanie Sykes talking about her autism diagnosis on Loose Women // Courtesy of ITV

 

People have praised Melanie Sykes for her openness and celebration when publicly announcing that she has been diagnosed with autism at the age of 51.

The presenter, who is best known for co-hosting Today with Des and Mel with Des O’Connor and Let’s Do Lunch with Gino D’Acampo, confirmed her diagnosis this month.

Sykes opened up about her experiences on Loose Women earlier this week (November 23) and said “we need to change” society’s attitude towards autism.

 

“My phone has blown up with mothers of teenage girls, who are like, ‘I’ve just shown her your video and they’re like ‘It’s a good thing’”, Sykes said, “and it is a good thing because it’s all the positives about someone.”

Autism charities have commended public figures like Sykes for talking openly about being diagnosed as adults.

Around one in 100 people in the UK are autistic, amounting to roughly 700,000 people, according to the National Autistic Society.

It is common for those with autism to not be formally diagnosed until much later in life due to the variation in symptoms, and a lack of awareness.

 

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Peter Watt, the director of national programmes for the National Autistic Society said: “”A diagnosis can be life-changing and vital to getting timely care and support. But many autistic people aren’t diagnosed well into adulthood – and may have gone through life without a full understanding of who they are and the support they’re entitled to.”

 

What does autism look like?

Autism can affect people in completely different ways but often involves symptoms of sensory overload or extreme bouts of anxiety.

Signs and symptoms can vary a lot between children and adults, and adults may struggle more to get a diagnosis.

According to the NHS, the most common signals of autism in adults include:

  • finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling
  • getting very anxious about social situations
  • finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
  • seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to
  • finding it hard to say how you feel
  • taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like “break a leg”
  • having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes

Other signs include misunderstanding social rules and ques, disliking physical touch and having a very active and keen interest in certain subjects.

Adult women struggle the most to get a diagnosis of autism, as they typically may be quieter, hide their feelings and appear to cope better with social situations even if they are not.

 

‘Every minute of every day I’m starting to have realisations’

Melaine Sykes admitted on Loose Women that she is learning something about herself every day since discovering that she is on the autistic spectrum.

Autism is also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives interaction and communication.

Sykes has said that she doesn’t feel that autism should be referred to as a disorder.

She said: “They call it a disorder, which needs to get scrapped because it isn’t the things I can’t do, it’s the things I can do that are my autistic sensibilities. That’s what we need to change.”

Sykes also addressed the gender gap when it comes to autism in adults, criticising how long it can take for women to be diagnosed.

“It throws up that question of if you’re being tested on how a boy or a male presents a certain condition or disease like heart disease, it looks very different to a woman”, Sykes said. 

“Why are we being looked at in the form of man when we’re completely different animals? We’ve got to start looking at women and what happens with that woman.”

 

‘It all makes sense now’

Other celebrities have also opened up about their own experiences with late autism diagnosis, including Christine McGuinness.

The 33-year-old wife of Paddy McGuinness was diagnosed recently whilst the pair were filming their upcoming BBC documentary.

 

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In an exclusive extract from her new book that has been shared by the Mirror, Christine wrote: “I have been confirmed as autistic. It’s strange, but I’ve noticed there are little hints throughout my life that I’m autistic and more like my children than I ever could have imagined.

“It all makes sense now. And as much as I’m not totally surprised, it’s still been emotional for me to accept, but it’s a relief as well.”

Peter Watt said that “many autistic people and families will see a lot of themselves” in the celebrities’ stories.

Speaking on Loose Women, Melanie Sykes made it clear that she was speaking out publicly for anyone who is struggling with their diagnosis.

“I know what makes me autistic and it’s the fabric of who I am and who I’ve always been and I think I’m great. I don’t need the air time, I don’t care about the column inches – I’ve had 25 years of this and that’s not what I did it for.”

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Gaming & Tech

Top 10 Valorant Skins of 2021

Top 10 Valorant Skins of 2021

 

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Image via Riot Games

Valorant, Riot Games’ insanely popular FPS game is known for having great weapon skins. Of course, Valorant agents with their vibrant personalities and even more impressive abilities are one of the first hooks to the game: but every dedicated Valorant player waits eagerly for more skin bundles to drop!

If you think weapon skins are just a paint job, think again! Valorant is notorious for having some of the coolest skins in the FPS scene, with tangible improvements in the gameplay. 

Skins usually have more detailed bullet tracers and help you see the direction of the bullet better when you’re spraying an enemy. Elderflame, one of the more popular Valorant skins, changes your gun into a dragon!

Riot Games has developed plenty of weapon skins (with phantom skins and vandal skins being the most popular), so here are the Top 10 skins ever released according to popularity and looks!

10. Sakura

Image via Riot Games

This skin is one of the most aesthetically pleasing ones out there. The cherry blossom design makes your classic pistol vibrant and adds a unique touch to your game. 

The Sakura pistol skin is 1275 Valorant points. 

 

9. BlastX

Image via Riot Games

BlastX is a super nostalgic weapon skin – reminding us of those summers spent chasing each other with water guns. Except these guns don’t shoot water, and can almost fool you into thinking they’re less deadly. 

BlastX is 2175 Valorant Points. 

 

8. Ion

Image via Riot Games

This futuristic skin was released by Riot Games to look like a sci-fi movie with a good dose of healthy utopian hope and it’s great to have a futuristic weapon that’s not too dark for all the sci-fi Valorant fans out there. 

Ion is 1775 Valorant points. 

 

7. Prism 2

Image via Riot Games

Prism 2 might have been released for the female Valorant players, but it’s a popular choice across the board. The bright saturated pink looks super cool, but won’t help you in stealth mode.

Prism 2 can be bought for 875 Valorant points. 

 

6. Glitchpop

Image via Riot Games

We’d go so far as to say that no one can make a top 10 Valorant skins list without including Glitchpop. There are few weapon skins as cool as this one, or as expensive! The entire collection is a whopping 8,700 Valorant points – but is surely worth the money.

 

5. Reaver

Image via Riot Games

Coming in our Top 5, we have the first stealth weapon skin of the list that doesn’t compromise on looks. Having a Reaver skin on your weapon definitely shows you have class and skill! This lets you stay hidden in the shadows, but has enough of a cool factor to give you a trademark. 

“Become a nightmare”, how could we resist? 

Reaver is 3550 Valorant points at the shop. 

 

4. Nebula

Image via Riot Games

This has got to be the most aptly named weapon skin. Nebula looks exactly like what you’d imagine it to be – with vibrant pop colors in a dark-washed galactic theme. It’s not a high-end weapon skin either, at 1775 Valorant points. 

It’s so high up on our list because the animation is butter smooth, with plenty of players claiming it improves their aiming.

 

3. Gravitational Uranium Neuroblaster

Image via Riot Games

Speaking of galactic, the Gravitational Uranium Neuroblaster (say that three times) looks super cool and shoots rays instead of bullets. You can change them to either blue or red rays and sounds like a Ray Gun.

The entire collection goes for 7,100 Valorant Points. 

 

2. Prime 2.0 

Image via Riot Games

This Vandal skin is gold and white with a hyper sleek post-modern aesthetic and has some of the best reload animation we’ve seen.

Players can get this one at 1,775 valorant points. 

 

1. Elderflame

Image via Riot Games

 

We had to give Rank #1 to the dragons. Elderflame is way too cool with the real dragon design and barrel tones. As one of the most well-known weapon skins, Elderflame is something of a personality statement. 

It’s also the most expensive — at 9,900 Valorant Points for the whole collection. 

Now that you know which weapon skins to buy, check out the most picked Valorant agents in Episode 3 Act 2.