Kids dive into science creativity at SIBF

Science and Health

One of this year’s highlights was the “Make a Bouncy Ball” workshop, where children explored the intersection of science and creativity. Led by Hadi Bedir, a biomedical engineering and psychology student from Lebanon, the session gave young participants the chance to create their own bouncy balls while learning about polymers and chemical reactions.“This workshop is more than just fun—it’s an opportunity to understand science in action,” said Bedir. He introduced children aged nine and above to Borax, explaining its role in creating elasticity by forming polymers when combined with glue. “It’s a hands-on way to show how chemistry shapes the world around us,” he added.Children eagerly participated, mixing warm water with Borax powder and blending glue, glitter, and food colouring to personalise their creations. Bedir guided them through each step, demystifying the science behind the transformation. “The glue’s molecule chains interact with Borax to form a dense, elastic structure, turning a liquid into a solid bouncy ball,” he explained.The workshop also fostered psychological growth, encouraging children to embrace new experiences. When 10-year-old Fahad hesitated to handle the sticky mixture, Bedir patiently reassured him, inspiring confidence and active engagement.The room buzzed with excitement as children tested their creations. “My ball bounces so high—it’s amazing!” exclaimed 11-year-old Ragad Mohammed.As SIBF’s 43rd edition wraps up on November 17, its 12-day celebration of literature and learning has left a lasting impression. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year’s event featured close to 1,3500 activities for children and adults, seamlessly merging education and entertainment to ignite young imaginations.

Throwback: When Alia Bhatt hoped daughter Raha will enjoy her debut film Student of the Year

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Alia Bhatt, in an old interview, opened up about her personal growth through her career, the support she receives from her family, and her vision for the future. She spoke candidly about her debut film, ‘Student of the Year’, saying she hopes her daughter, Raha, will one day watch it despite feeling that her performance in it was not her best. Alia expressed that, while she may not be proud of her acting in that movie, she thinks Raha would still enjoy its upbeat and youthful vibe.Reflecting on the films that shaped her, Alia, while appearing on IMDb’s Icons Only segment said ‘Highway’ was a turning point, describing the experience of filming on the road and away from home as similar to “going away to college.” She noted how the role helped her mature in ways she hadn’t anticipated, as she was immersed in a setting completely different from her usual environment. Another role that pushed her to her limits was her character in ‘Udta Punjab’. For this film, she tried “method acting” for the first time, isolating herself emotionally and physically to capture her character’s depth. Finally, she described her time on the set of ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ as life-changing, thanks to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She noted that working with such an intense director changed her approach to acting.Alia also credited her family for helping her stay grounded and resilient. Coming from a family with a film background, she explained that her parents taught her the importance of hard work and thick skin. According to her, the film industry is constantly changing, with new actors entering the scene, and only consistent dedication and kindness can make a lasting impression. Alia shared that her family’s insights have helped her face the ups and downs of fame, reminding her not to take praise or success for granted.When asked about films she would like Raha to watch, Alia chose ‘Student of the Year’ for herself, explaining that its lighthearted storyline and music make it child-friendly. For her husband Ranbir Kapoor’s films, she selected ‘Barfi!’ because of its charm and suitability for all ages.Looking to the future, Alia shared a blend of personal and professional goals. She hopes to continue making movies, not only as an actor but also as a producer, and to grow her family. Additionally, she wants to lead a peaceful, balanced life filled with travel and time in nature. She emphasized that she doesn’t set specific goals but instead views life as a series of milestones, each one coming naturally as she moves forward.

Russian political scientist Andrei Kolesnikov: For Putin, Trump’s election is both good and bad news

Science and Health

Russia’s Vladimir Putin wants to show that he is not dependent on Donald Trump. That is why he denies the very existence of the phone call that allegedly took place on November 7. This is also the reason why, at a major conference in Russia on the same day, he did not mention the President-elect for the first three hours of his speech. The Kremlin leader was convinced that he had to demonstrate his independence from any American influence.
That’s what Andrei Kolesnikov, a political analyst and commentator in the Russian version of the newspaper, said. “Novaya Gazeta, one of the few media outlets in Moscow still critical of the Kremlin regime. According to Kolesnikov, “to his audience in Russia, Putin wants to present himself as king of the world:” Trump is important, but he is even more important. “Vladimir Putin doesn’t care about the rest – the state of mind he wants to demonstrate. In the United States, the message is the same: ‘If you want to make an offer for peace in Ukraine, you can send it to me; I will be happy to receive you; but I am the one who decides when and how to behave,'” the Russian political scientist explained.

“For him /Putin, ed./ the election of Donald Trump is both good and bad news. On the one hand, he feels close to the president-elect and his conservative and conspiratorial positions. But on the other, there is the problem of Donald Trump’s unpredictability, which could undermine Moscow’s discourse and policy towards Washington. The Kremlin wants to preserve the Cold War climate. Donald Trump’s outstretched hand disrupts this tactic. No one opened the champagne in the Kremlin on 5 November /the date of the US presidential election/. And I doubt very much that Vladimir Putin will agree to meet with Donald Trump soon after his inauguration, on January 20, 2025, for a big public show of reconciliation. Initially, the resumption of contacts will take place informally, behind the scenes. Donald Trump and his new administration could also quickly cut aid to Kiev, but this remains uncertain and the consequences difficult to measure,” said Andrei Kolesnikov. | BGNES

Russian political scientist Andrei Kolesnikov: For Putin, Trump’s election is both good and bad news

Science and Health

Russia’s Vladimir Putin wants to show that he is not dependent on Donald Trump. That is why he denies the very existence of the phone call that allegedly took place on November 7. This is also the reason why, at a major conference in Russia on the same day, he did not mention the President-elect for the first three hours of his speech. The Kremlin leader was convinced that he had to demonstrate his independence from any American influence.
That’s what Andrei Kolesnikov, a political analyst and commentator in the Russian version of the newspaper, said. “Novaya Gazeta, one of the few media outlets in Moscow still critical of the Kremlin regime. According to Kolesnikov, “to his audience in Russia, Putin wants to present himself as king of the world:” Trump is important, but he is even more important. “Vladimir Putin doesn’t care about the rest – the state of mind he wants to demonstrate. In the United States, the message is the same: ‘If you want to make an offer for peace in Ukraine, you can send it to me; I will be happy to receive you; but I am the one who decides when and how to behave,'” the Russian political scientist explained.

“For him /Putin, ed./ the election of Donald Trump is both good and bad news. On the one hand, he feels close to the president-elect and his conservative and conspiratorial positions. But on the other, there is the problem of Donald Trump’s unpredictability, which could undermine Moscow’s discourse and policy towards Washington. The Kremlin wants to preserve the Cold War climate. Donald Trump’s outstretched hand disrupts this tactic. No one opened the champagne in the Kremlin on 5 November /the date of the US presidential election/. And I doubt very much that Vladimir Putin will agree to meet with Donald Trump soon after his inauguration, on January 20, 2025, for a big public show of reconciliation. Initially, the resumption of contacts will take place informally, behind the scenes. Donald Trump and his new administration could also quickly cut aid to Kiev, but this remains uncertain and the consequences difficult to measure,” said Andrei Kolesnikov. | BGNES

CoCT says no injuries reported after Montague Gardens business fire

Business News

CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town says no injuries have been reported following a fire which broke out at a business site in Montague Gardens on Sunday. It’s understood the blaze started during the early hours of Sunday morning. While it’s not yet clear what caused the fire, National Fire Detection Services says the business affected by the blaze manufactures paint.  “The city’s fire and rescue service received an emergency call of a fire in Montague Gardens in the early hours of this morning at 03:20 am,” said spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse.Carelse adds the fire has since been contained.

Shyam Benegal names his top 3 favorite Indian films

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal recently shared his top three favourite Indian films, revealing a preference for movies that, while not always acclaimed for their technical perfection, stood out for their compelling themes.
Speaking with YouTuber Samdish Bhatia, Benegal named ‘Aurat’, ‘Roti’, and ‘Sant Tukaram’ as the films that left a lasting impact on him.

Shyam Benegal, known for his contributions to India’s parallel cinema movement, explained that his choices were based more on the subject matter and intent of the films rather than their cinematic quality.

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