American and Australian tourists die in Laos alcohol poisoning incident

Travel

An Australian teenager has died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos, Australia’s prime minister said on Thursday, and the US State Department confirmed an American also died in the same party town.It brings the death toll in the poisoning incident to four.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital.
Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalised in Thailand.
Tourists talk to a bar owner in Vang Vieng, Laos (AP/Anupam Nath)

“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Mr Albanese told lawmakers.
“We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life.”
The two Australian women fell ill on November 13 after a night out drinking with a group.
They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used as the alcohol in mixed drinks at disreputable bars and can cause severe poisoning or death.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning.
“We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks,” New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said.
“Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances.”
Denmark’s Foreign Ministry, when asked about the poisoning incident, said Wednesday that two of its citizens had died in Laos but would not provide further details.

Which Norwegian hotspots could introduce a tourist tax?

Travel

Plans for a potential tourist tax in Norway have been in the works for a number of years, but the government has made concrete steps to introduce it into law.
Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Myrseth, has said the government wants to have a tourist tax in place by 2025.
Whether the tax is charged will be made at the discretion of local authorities, who will also decide the rate. However, a cap of up to five percent of the cost of accommodation has been proposed.
The government hopes the tax will help local authorities overcome the challenges posed by mass tourism.

Under the proposed tax, those who stay at hotels, campsites, Airbnb rentals, guest harbours, and even cruise ships will be charged for their visit, with this money going back into local coffers.
So, which hotspots are in favour of the tax? We’ve looked at local authorities who have expressed an interest in a tourist tax over the past few years and, where possible, their reaction to the latest proposals.
Bergen
Popular with tourists for its historic charm and access to some of Norway’s most stunning fjords, the city council in Bergen has recently suggested that it would be open to introducing the tourist tax.
Prior to the latest government proposal being unveiled, Jacob Mæhle, the finance councillor on the city council, has suggested a charge equivalent to around 40-50 kroner per visitor.
“Tourists benefit from public investments that the municipality has made over many, many years. The investments and their maintenance are currently financed exclusively by the citizens of Bergen,” he said.

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Lofoten
The reaction to the tourist tax in Lofoten has been mixed. Some local residents and politicians believe the tax doesn’t address the region’s biggest problem.
Locals in the region say that the tax won’t apply to those who camp in mobile homes, with residents arguing the vehicles clog local roads and create massive issues.
However, there have long been calls for a tourist tax in Lofoten from both tourism officials and local politicians for years, so it would, therefore, be unsurprising if it wasn’t introduced by the municipalities that make up the region.
Moskenes mayor Hanna Sverdrup has said it’s important that the municipalities collaborate to implement the tax successfully.
Officials in Lofoten have also previously called on the government to allow it to a run a trial scheme for any potential tourist tax.
Kragerø
The population of Kragerø in southern Norway can increase fivefold during the summer months, which puts a strain on local resources.
Charlotte Therkelsen, the mayor of Kragerø, has previously told public broadcaster NRK that a tourist tax would be welcomed in the municipality.

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Ålesund
The city on Norway’s west coast has seen a surge in cruise tourism in recent years, which has caused bottlenecking on the roads and popular hiking paths.
Several proposals have been suggested as solutions in Ålesund. Ålesund Municipality has previously suggested a charge of ten kroner per cruise passenger.
It also has a limit on the number of cruise passengers it receives per day. Other cities like Bergen and Stavanger already have such a rule in place.
The industry organisation for tourism in Norway, NHO Reiseliv, has hit out the government’s plans for a tourist tax but has said that limits on passengers were good practice for Norwegian ports.
READ MORE: Norwegian city of Ålesund will consider a limit on cruise tourists
Tromsø
A popular destination for winter tourism due to the Northern Lights and the surrounding nature in the region, Tromsø has seen a significant increase in visitors in recent years.
This winter alone, a number of new routes connecting the city’s airport to major European cities have been launched.
Earlier this year, Tromsø Municipality said it would want to see a tourist tax introduced.
Local politicians will potentially face significant backlash from hotels in the area who have responded negatively to the tax.

Does Christina Hall Have Siblings? Meet the HGTV Star’s Scientist Sister Carly

Science and Health

Christina Haack, formerly Christina Hall, rose to fame on the series Flip or Flop alongside ex husband Tarek El Moussa. She loves to share moments from her life with fans and followers as she launches new brands, publishes books and buys and sells real estate. Now, get to know the investor and business mogul’s sibling, who tends to keep out of the spotlight for the most part while pursuing her own passion, which has nothing to do with house flipping.
Christina Hall Has One Sister
Christina’s sister, Carly Haack, is 10 years younger than the HGTV star. A native of Anaheim, California, Carly tends to keep to herself, unlike her big sister, who has 1.8 million followers on Instagram. Still, the world got to know a little bit about Carly after Christina shared a post in August 2023 wishing her “beautiful, fun and free-spirited sister” a happy 30th birthday on the platform.
Who Is Christina Hall’s Sister Carly Haack?
Carly is a research scuba diver and wetland ecologist. The former scuba instructor clearly loves all things outdoors, as in addition to being a professional diver, she’s an avid skier, sky-diver and hiker. 

Like her sister, she’s also a dog mom to a pup, Beau, that’s often featured in her socials wearing an adorable life preserver out on the water. Though, her own path in life couldn’t be further from the high-profile house-flipper’s television career.

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What Does Carly Haack Do?
The UC Santa Barbara alum, who also holds a master’s in Marine Biology and Ecology from James Cook University, now works for UCSB as a boat safety officer, providing training and oversight for UC Santa Barbara’s boating and scientific scuba diving operation. She was previously a research associate at SONGS Mitigation Monitoring Program based in the university’s Marine Science Institute, handling dive sessions, artificial reef surveys, boat operation and environmental monitoring.
Over the course of the brainy boater’s education, she’s traveled far and wide on research expeditions, diving in Costa Rica and the Channel Islands.
Before beginning her adventurous scientific career, she also worked as a scuba diver for SeaWorld, responsible for maintaining the water quality in the park’s tanks and helping to train new employees.
She also produces and posts training videos on her YouTube channel that teach others proper boating and diving safety measures.

What Is Christina’s Relationship With Carly Like?
Christina and Carly seem to have a very close sisterly relationship, despite the 10-year gap between them.
In addition to Christina’s sweet birthday post, Carly apparently has a great relationship with her sister’s children.

Christian shares Taylor and Brayden, who were born in 2010 and 2015, respectively, with her first husband Tarek El Moussa, and Hudson, born in 2019, with second husband Ant Anstead.
In fact, Carly even published a book dedicated to her niece and nephews. The book, titled Search for the Magic Pearl, was written and illustrated by the outdoor enthusiast “with lots of love” and depicts Taylor, Bradyden and Hudson on an underwater quest to find a perfect Mother’s Day gift for sister Christina. 

Intellectual Humility: A Key to Restoring Trust in Scientists

Science and Health

Table of Contents

Restoring Trust in Scientists Through Intellectual HumilityIn a time when public confidence in scientists is dwindling, especially on contentious issues like climate change and public health, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a compelling way to restore that trust: by showcasing intellectual humility.Their comprehensive study, engaging over 2,000 people across five separate investigations, was recently published in Nature Human Behaviour.The Importance of Intellectual HumilityAt the heart of the study lies the concept of intellectual humility, which the lead researcher, Jonah Koetke, explains as the recognition that our understanding may be incomplete or even mistaken.This acknowledgment not only enriches how we process information but also strengthens the bond of trust between scientists and the public.The research team was determined to unpack how people view scientists’ trustworthiness.They theorized that people are much more likely to regard scientists as credible and their work as rigorous if these scientists exhibit qualities of intellectual humility—like admitting the limits of their knowledge and being willing to adjust their beliefs when presented with new evidence.Diving into the current trust landscape, the researchers noted a troubling decline: in just one year, confidence in scientists dropped by 10%, leaving only 29% of Americans expressing strong trust in them.This erosion has been particularly pronounced in recent years, as public opinion has swung wildly around issues such as vaccines and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite clear scientific backing of these actions.Exploring Factors Influencing TrustIn times of uncertainty, people crave reliable guidance and trustworthy sources.The researchers set out to identify specific factors that could enhance trust in the scientific community, especially amid pressing global challenges.The study explored three essential facets of perceived trustworthiness: expertise, benevolence, and integrity.Participants were asked how willing they were to engage with scientists’ findings and heed their advice.The first phase of the study involved a survey with respondents sharing their views on scientists, focusing on perceived levels of intellectual humility and corresponding trust in contentious topics.Results showed a clear correlation: higher perceived intellectual humility led to greater trust in scientists and their research.In another segment, participants read about a fictional scientist tackling long COVID-19 symptoms, framed in either a humble or less humble context.The findings highlighted a marked difference in trust based on the portrayal; scientists exhibiting low humility prompted skepticism among readers.Another aspect of the research examined how gender perceptions played a role.Despite balancing for gender in the studies, the overarching conclusion remained—intellectual humility positively influenced trust among the public, irrespective of the scientist’s gender.The researchers also expanded their investigation to include racial identity among scientists.Participants assessed a climate scientist researching plant-based diets, once again showing that high levels of intellectual humility boosted trust and interest in learning more.In this case, a scientist’s race did not significantly alter trust outcomes.The final phase of the study looked at practical communication methods for scientists to express their intellectual humility while discussing their work.Participants evaluated various interview strategies, such as openly acknowledging their limitations and crediting collaborators.Although some of these methods enhanced perceptions of humility, they didn’t consistently increase trust; in some cases, they even stirred skepticism.Despite acknowledging the research gaps that remain, Koetke points out the pressing need for scientists to demonstrate genuine humility in public discourse.The findings spark hope that people do value an approach rooted in open dialogue and the admission of uncertainties.While further exploration is essential to refine how scientists best express this quality, the study highlights that a lack of intellectual humility can undermine the core principles of scientific inquiry.For a deeper dive into this compelling research, check out “The effect of seeing scientists as intellectually humble on trust in scientists and their research,” published in Nature Human Behaviour.Study Details:
Title: The effect of seeing scientists as intellectually humble on trust in scientists and their research
Authors: Jonah Koetke, Karina Schumann, Shauna Bowes, Nina Vaupotič
Journal: Nature Human Behaviour
Publication Date: November 18, 2024
DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-02060-x

Percival Everett wins National Book Award for fiction with retelling of Huckleberry Finn

Arts & Culture, Books

Percival Everett has won the $10,000 National Book Award for fiction, one of the US’s most prestigious literary prizes, for James, his acclaimed reimagining of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.The 67-year-old author was also shortlisted for this year’s Booker prize for James, which focuses on Huckleberry Finn’s enslaved character Jim. The Guardian’s Anthony Cummins called the book “gripping, painful, funny, horrifying” in his review.Everett, whose previous novel Erasure was adapted into the Oscar-winning 2023 comedy American Fiction, saw off competition from Miranda July’s All Fours, Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel Martyr!, Pemi Aguda’s short story collection Ghostroots and Hisham Matar’s My Friends in his category.“Two weeks ago, I was feeling pretty low,” Everett told the audience at the NBA ceremony in New York on Wednesday night, alluding to the US election result. “And to tell the truth, I still feel pretty low. And as I look out at this, so much excitement about books, I have to say I do feel some hope, but it’s important to remember that hope really is no substitute for strategy.”In other categories, MacArthur fellow Jason De León won the $10,000 nonfiction category for his book Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling. De León was up against Salman Rushdie, who was nominated for his first National Book Award for his bestselling memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.A year after sponsors withdrew from the NBAs when the finalists banded together to issue a statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, many of this year’s winners used their speeches to call for peace in the Middle East.View image in fullscreenPalestinian American poet Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, who won the $10,000 poetry category for her collection Something About Living, said, “We are now living in the second November of the American-funded genocide in Palestine. I hope that every one of us can love ourselves enough to stand up and to make it stop.”She spoke of her father, who was born in Palestine in 1938. “He sat me down at age five and told me the story of the homeland he couldn’t live in any more, and that story has carried me through my entire life, has driven me, has motivated me.”Shifa Saltagi Safadi won the $10,000 young people’s literature category for her novel Kareem Between, about a Syrian American boy whose mother is trapped in Syria by Donald Trump’s travel ban, which was imposed on countries with mostly Muslim populations in 2017 and lifted by Joe Biden in 2021. Before he was re-elected, Trump said he would bring the ban back, and ban refugees from Gaza.“It’s not historical fiction any more … our work did not stop in 2020. Dehumanising of Arabs, and Islamophobia, has been rising more than ever in this past year to justify a genocide of the Palestinian people,” Safadi told the room.The $10,000 translated literature prize was won by Taiwan Travelogue author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translator Lin King, who translated the book from Mandarin Chinese.Publisher W Paul Coates, the father of famed author Ta-Nehisi Coates, won the literarian award, a lifetime achievement prize for outstanding service to the literary community. Coates founded the Black Classic Press in 1978 in Baltimore, originally working from the basement of his house. Black Classic Press is now one of the oldest independently owned Black publishers in the US.Author Barbara Kingsolver won the distinguished contribution to American letters award, which has previously been won by Toni Morrison and Isabella Allende. The author of nine novels, including The Poisonwood Bible, The Lacuna and Demon Copperhead, Kingsolver has written works spanning nonfiction, poetry, journalism and science writing.There were a total of 1,917 books submitted for the NBAs this year.

CBSE Class 12 Science Board Exam Date Sheet 2025: Complete Schedule Inside

Science and Health

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Class 12 Senior School Certificate Examination 2025 date sheet, providing students with a roadmap to plan their preparations effectively. The exams begin on Saturday, February 15, 2025, with Entrepreneurship and conclude on Friday, April 4, 2025, with Psychology.Key Dates for Science Students:
Exam Timings and Durations:

Exams will start at 10:30 AM.
Core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics will have a 3-hour duration.Vocational and specialized subjects, such as Tourism and Dance, will be 2 hours long. Students are encouraged to use this schedule to optimize their preparation and manage their time efficiently. CBSE will release the final admit cards for each student in due course of time. Exam dates for specific subjects relevant to the candidate will be mentioned in their respective admit cards.For detailed Class 10 and 12 timetables, visit the official CBSE website.