The Monthly April 2023

THE MONTHLY

Editor's Note

Editor's Choice: Lights Out And Away We Go; An Electrifying Start to the 2023 F1 Season

Current Events

The Manhunt for the Abductors

Gary Lineker vs. the BBC

A New Era for the Middle East

Credit Suisse: A Fall From Grace

United Kingdom's Attempt to 'Stop the Boats'

Americas 130th School Shooting of this Year at The Covenant Elementary School

The Death of Jiang Yanyong

STEM

The Monthly STEM Competition Winners

General Motors' Move to Electric Vehicles

Tesla VS Edison: War of Currents

Resilience of Women in STEM throughout History

Junior Doctor Strike Action

The Recent Downfall of the US Tech Industry

The Science Slump

Marie Curie: A Woman Who Influenced The World of Science

Environmental

Combating Plastic Pollution with Enzymes

The Manta: The Plastic Removal Ship Designed to Fight Ocean Pollution

Inspirational and Advice

Michelle Yeoh Becomes the First Asian Woman to Win Best Actress at the Oscars

Ruth E Carter Became the First Black Woman to Win Two Oscars

Las Vegas's Biggest Stadium Has Its First Female Headliner, Taylor Swift

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary's Journey to Conquering Mount Everest

Sports

Serving Success on the Bahraini Table

Trending

Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber Feud

Dior Show in India

The Barbie Movie

Senate Hearing on TikTok: Does this Strain China and its Transatlantic Relationships?

Babe Wake Up, Taylor’s on Tour! Opportunity

May Opportunities

Photography: Devin Allen

Lights Out And Away We Go; An Electrifying Start to the 2023 F1 Season!

The 2023 Formula 1 season has kicked off with a bang, as the world's best drivers and teams battle it out for supremacy on the track. With new cars, new expectations, and new faces in the paddock, this promises to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. From thrilling overtakes to unexpected upsets, the first few races have already provided plenty of drama and excitement for fans around the world. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the start of the 2023 F1 season, analysing the key events, performances, and trends shaping the championship so far.

Red Bull Racing got off to an impressive start in the 2023 Formula 1 season with Max Verstappen securing a superb victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The sheer separation in speed between Red Bull and all their competitors has sent a strong message to the rest of the paddock to buckle up and improve, or witness Red Bull compete in what could end up being one of the most dominant Constructor, and possibly Driver’s Championships, of all time. Certain rumours have floated around the circuit regarding rising tensions between Max Verstappen and teammate Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez with the latter stating “If he doesn’t start being a team player. Neither will I.” Regardless, there currently seems to be no answers to the superiority of the 2 charging bulls and the arrival of silverware seems inevitable.

Contrastingly, to the sheer dismay of Tifosi worldwide, the Ferrari’s have begun the season on a disappointing note. The Prancing Horses seem to just be missing the mark in terms of car speed, strategic decisions, and sheer dumb luck. As seen in the recent Australian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was tagged on the first lap by Lance Stroll leading to a premature exit, while teammate Carlos Sainz was on the receiving end of a controversial 5-second penalty in an action-packed race filled with red flags, multiple crashes, and tons of drama. This ended Ferrari’s weekend with no points for the first time in almost a year (Azerbaijan 2022). They continue to compete and find answers to reach the heights of last season with two worthy drivers giving it their all.

On a happier note, Aston Martin Racing (AMR) has defied all expectations and led to the resurgence of Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso. His ‘second wind’ has seen him achieve three consecutive podium finishes, and along with teammate Lance Stroll, has seen AMR solidify a hold on second place in the Constructors. Along with the Mercedes hot in pursuit of their recent success, the battle for the trophy becomes consistently more intriguing.

As the leaderboard settles for the victors, the struggles of underperforming teams become more prominent. Mclaren Racing fell under the spotlight for the wrong reasons, with a car far off the pace, and an underperforming team. Despite recent success at the Australian grand prix (mostly caused by other cars crashing out) many fear for the teams prospects as they relegate near the back of the field. The fight for last in the constructors in on, with Alpha Tauri and Williams still remaining far off the top of the pack.

In conclusion, although the season has barely begun, as the dust settles the trends for the season emerge. As the season progresses we may potentially see changes to the teams leading to different outcomes and more drama. Can Ferrari challenge Redbull? Can Aston Martin fight for a win? Will Mclaren truly hit an all time low, and remain at the back of the field? For now, it's lights out, and away we go!

THEMANHUNTFOR THEABDUCTORS

Two dead. Two alive.

A group of Americans were abducted whilst in Mexico in 2023, which led to widespread uproar and a large manhunt for the abductors. Four Americans were abducted on March 3, 2023, crossing the border from Texas into the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and entering the city of Matamoros. Subsequently, the FBI verified that two Americans had been discovered dead and the other two had been sent to US hospitals for treatment, with one sustaining ‘serious injuries’.

The kidnapping not only had repercussions for international travel and US-Mexico ties, but it also had a significant effect on the families of the American hostages. The event was disturbing for the affected families, who were left devastated.

The kidnapping of Americans in Mexico in 2023 was a tragic event that had significant implications for international travel, US-Mexico relations, and the families of the kidnapped Americans. While the incident highlighted the risks that travellers face in certain countries, it also demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in combating organised crime and ensuring the safety of citizens abroad.

The State Department issued a travel advisory for Mexico, and the FBI joined Mexican officials in their search for the kidnappers. The US government promptly intervened in the case, assisting the families of the kidnapped Americans and working closely with them to negotiate with the kidnappers and achieve the hostages' safe release.

With connection to collaboration on security and criminal matters, in particular, the kidnapping sparked concerns about the US-Mexico relationship. While the two countries have worked closely together in the past on these issues, the incident highlighted the need for greater collaboration and communication between the two nations to combat organised crime and ensure the safety of their citizens.

Two dead. Two The Mexican President, Andrés

Manuel López Obrador issued a statement - ‘We are very sorry that this happened in our country and we send our condolences to the families of the victims, friends, and the United States government, and we will continue doing our work to guarantee peace and tranquillity.’

Veda Varma (6F08)

VS GARY LINEKER THE BBC

Gary Lineker OBE began his sporting career in 1978, as a football player for Leicester City. He retired from the field in 1994, playing for Nagoya Grampus. However, his physical condition didn’t end his endeavours in athleticism; he merely shifted sectors and now resides as the BBC’s highest paying sports reporter.

The Lineker family is a high-profile group, remaining very active both behind the scenes and on our screens. Being in the public eye, especially as a reporter for Britain’s national broadcaster, typically means that you should remain impartial when it comes to political decisions. It also means that you will be subject to public scrutiny if you fail to do so - a lesson Gary Lineker has recently learnt.

policy’ phrased by ‘language that is not dissimilar to that of Germany in the 30s’. By doing so, he violated BBC’s editorial guidelines, social media guidance scheme, the Royal Charter and possible clauses in his individual contract, whilst also sparking a fierce national debate and an internal crisis.

He refuted ‘breach of the guidelines’ claims by stating that they don’t apply to his presence as a ‘freelancer’. This confused staff, and definitely didn’t alter their decision to pull him from broadcasting the Match of the Day programme. Within the organisation, this action seemed just. However, from an knowledgeable outside perspective, it seems as though the BBC has ‘given in to one side of the culture war’; as tweeted by their former head of BBC TV news, Roger Mosey.

Taking a stance against governmental policies will result in a personal attack - especially when your organisation of employment, like the BBC, is dominated by Conservatives. BBC’s own director general, Tim Davie, is a former Conservative candidate On March 7, Gary Lineker tweeted in opposition to the new immigration policy, specifically in reference to the ‘Small Boats’ policy (the Migration Bill to “stop small boats” crossing the channel which punishes migrants seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, having fled conflict). He described it as an ‘immeasurably cruel

Despite the Conservative Party’s uproar, Lineker’s suspension was lifted on the following Monday, March 13. Nevertheless, his case uncovered many wider issues in the BBC’s guidelines, including misinterpreted grey areas, and brings up a questions of if presenters who aren’t within politics should still have to remain impartial, none of which, are yet to be resolved.

Maya Almoataz (6F14)

ANEWERAFOR THEMIDDLE EAST

China secured a geopolitical victory last month when it mediated talks between two long-standing rivals: Saudi Arabia and Iran. The two countries revived a historic security cooperation pact, resumed trade and investment, and agreed to reopen embassies in each other’s countries within two months, signalling hope for a new era of peace in the Middle East. However, this news did not bode entirely well for the United States, which simultaneously faced the humiliation of a political defeat to China - a testament to Beijing’s growing influence in a region where the United States has been the main mediator for decades - and the threat of its close ally Saudi Arabia deepening ties with Iran, a longstanding foe. This not only poses a threat to the USA’s national security, but also shifts global geopolitical standings significantly.

Since breaking off diplomatic relations in 2016, Tehran has accused Saudi of backing the terrorist group Islamic State, whilst Saudi has condemned Iran’s support for armed militia (namely the Houthis) across the Middle East. Similarly, Riyadh blamed an attack on Aramco oil facilities that knocked out half of its oil input in 2019 directly on the Shiite theocracy, though Tehran denied the accusations. Previous attempts at reconciliation have been unsuccessful, and it is these tensions between the shia and sunni-led neighbours that have underpinned much of the conflict in the Middle East including Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, where years of inconclusive fighting has created a humanitarian crisis and driven the Arab world’s poorest nation to the brink of famine.

Broadly speaking, this deal could potentially help stabilise the Middle East, and more specifically, the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries could help bolster peace-making efforts in Yemen, all while increasing China’s influence in the Middle East. Ties between other Gulf countries and Iran are also likely to gain a new form after this development, and Iran has welcomed a potential rapprochement with Bahrain, which had formerly accused Tehran of backing a Shiite-led uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom. This historic deal which promises renewed relations, peaceful cooperation, and the beginnings of hope for unity, may carve a new future for the Middle East.

Maryam Sohaib (Year 13)

CREDIT SUISSE: A FALL FROM GRACE

Founded in 1856 by Alfred Escher, Credit Suisse, known as SK, was to finance the expansion of the railroad network in Switzerland. Starting off as a small Swiss investment bank, Credit Suisse would go on to become one of the leading global providers of financial services.

At the end 2021, Credit Suisse was the second largest bank in Switzerland with around $1.75 trillion in assets under management. At the end of 2022 however, this figure had dropped to around $1.4 trillion

Almost a year later in January 2022, Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio resigned from the bank’s board due to another scandal; where he was accused of breaching Swiss and British COVID-19 quarantine protocols. By the summer of that year, rumours were spreading that failure was imminent for the Swiss bank, causing clients to pull $119 billion funds.

At the start of 2023, Credit Suisse revealed that it would borrow $54 billion to shore up cash reserves on its balance sheet and boost investor confidence By mid-March however, the situation seemed to worsen after Saudi National Bank stated that it would not lend money to Credit Suisse due to administrative barriers. This compounded with rising interest rates adversely affected the bank’s position within the market.

So how exactly did such an esteemed and reputable bank collapse so abruptly?

Despite its longstanding reputation, Credit Suisse endured a string of scandals, management changes, and large losses that ultimately led to its astounding collapse. In 2020, the CEO, Tidjane Thiam resigned after a 2019 spying scandal came to light. Moreover, during the pandemic, in February 2020, the collapse of the U.S. family investment fund Archegos and Greensill Capital resulted in Credit Suisse losing around $1 billion. This therefore led to the departure of not only Credit Suisse’s investment bank CEO but chief risk and compliance officer as well.

Due to the inevitable collapse of Credit Suisse, Swiss bank UBS Group AG bought Credit Suisse for $3.3 billion to strengthen the global banking system.

As per the agreement, all Credit Suisse shareholders are set to receive one UBS share for every 22.48 Credit Suisse shares held.

United Kingdom’s Attempt to ‘Stop the Boats’

There

A bill introduced on the 7th of march 2023 from the prime minister Rishi Sunak himself, is an attempt to battle the ‘boats’, which he states impose a threat on the UK citizens hence he prioritises it in his first prime ministerial speech as one of his five main focuses coming into his time in No.10 downing street. These laws impose a legal obligation on the Home Secretary to deport anyone who enters the UK unlawfully in order to crack down on the drastically rising number of asylum seekers crossing the English channel

Labelled a ‘draconian’ plan, the United Kingdom’s proposed renewed asylum bills negate the refugee convention, which states that it is not obligatory for an asylum seeker to seek asylum in the first “safe third world” country that they happen to cross. Rather than be treated as refugees, asylum seekers will be treated on the level of prisoners, detained on arrival, dropped to their home country void of all appeal rights and banned from any re-entry into Great Britain.

This controversial idea has been deemed by The Labour Party as ‘nothing more than an attempt by the administration to win political points by inciting fear and discord.’ The bill that is rife with violations of the European convention for its lack of human rights has even been flagged as ‘unworkable’ by government officials.

The United Nations and European Conventions have therefore called upon the UK to find a more ‘humane’ plan to deal with Asylum Seekers and Refugees, in a time where the UK seems to be swinging more and more right wing.

This is akin to another incredible controversial policy; The Rwanda Scheme The Rwanda scheme of late 2022, spearheaded by Priti Patel, has been ‘bogged down in the courts’ due its questionable ethics, as well as its potential violation of international law, and hence has not been exercised yet. Details of such Rwandan Scheme emphasise a one way ticket for illegal asylum seekers in order to claim asylum in Rwanda The legality of this lies on the security of the asylum seekers in Rwanda, as UN officials argue that this scheme breaks basic human rights

are 27.1 million refugees. 41% of the 27.1 million are children. 1% of refugees are taken in by the United kingdom.

Haniyah Motara (11E)

AMERICA'S130THSCHOOLSHOOTING OFTHISYEARATTHECOVENANT ELEMENTARYSCHOOL

On March 27, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a parochial elementary school in the Green Hills neighbourhood of Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Six people three children and three staff members were killed. The shooter, identified as 28-year-old former student Aiden Hale, was killed by responding police officers

In the most recent incidence of gun violence that has wreaked havoc upon the United Statestheassailantopenedfireat10amwherestudentsinPreschoolthroughsixthgrade hadjuststartedtheirfinalweekofclassesbeforebreakingupfortheEasterbreak.

AccordingtoJohnDrake,thechiefoftheMetropolitanNashvillePoliceDepartment,the shooter,whothepoliceidentifiedasAidenE.Hale,hadfiredthroughasidedoor,entered thebuildingwhilecarryingtwoassault-styleweaponsandahandgun,wenttothe secondfloor,andfiredshotsbeforebeingshotandkilledbythepoliceTheattacker"at onepoint"attendedtheschool,accordingtoChiefDrake.

EvelynDieckhaus,HallieScruggs,andWilliamKinney,all9yearsold;CynthiaPeak,61,a substituteteacher;MikeHill,61,acustodian;andKatherineKoonce,60,weretheotherfour victims,accordingtotheNashvillepolice.ThewebsitefortheschoolstatesthatDr. Koonceservedasitsprincipal

Drakeclaimedthattheshooter,aformerstudentoftheschool,hadplannedtheattack on"CBSMornings"onTuesday Theentrypointintotheschool,theweaponsemployed, andtheattirewornbytheshooterduringtheattackwerealllistedinabookletthat authoritiesdiscovered.Drakesaidthattheshootermayhavealsohadothertargetsin mind,includingamallandpossiblysomefamilymembers.

AccordingtoDrake,thegunmanleftbehind"amanifesto"that describedhowHalewouldaccesstheschoolandcarryout themassacreItalsocontainedalayoutofthebuilding

Drakesaidhecouldn'tconfirmwhenaskedspecificallyifHale had targeted the school for religious reasons. He further statedthatpoliceandtheFBIarecollaboratingtothoroughly reviewHale'swritings

Inresponsetothemassshootingthatoccurredattheprivate ChristianschoolinNashvilleonMonday,outragedparents and students gathered at the Tennessee State Capitol on Thursdaytoadvocateforguncontrollegislation

The Death Of Jiang Yanyong

Acover-upofthesevereacuterespiratorysyndrome (SARS)pandemicinMainlandChinawasexposedby ChinesephysicianJiangYanyong Hewasbornon4th October1931andpassedawayon11March2023.According tohumanrightscampaignerHuJiaandtheSouthChina MorningPost,Yanyong,91,passedawayfrompneumonia onSaturdayinBeijing

JiangYanyonghaswitnessedmanyofChina’spivotal socialevents.WhenthearmyforciblyenteredBeijingin 1989toputanendtoweeksofstudent-ledpro-democracy protestsprimarilyfocusedonTiananmenSquare,itkilled hundreds,possiblythousandsofpeople Duringthistime, Yanyongwasthechiefsurgeonatthemain301hospitalof thePeople'sLiberationArmy.

InAprilof2003,JiangclaimedinaletterthatthereweremanymoreSARSpatientsthanwerebeingformally reportedbythenation'shealthministerinApril2003,atatimewhentheCommunistPartyinpowerwas attemptingtoconcealnewsaboutthespreadofthehighlyinfectiousSevereAcuteRespiratorySyndrome (SARS).

JiangsentthemessageviaemailtoCCTV,theofficialstatechannel,andPhoenixChannel,apro-Beijing channelinHongKong Bothorganizationsignoredtheletter Subsequently,theletterwasobtainedby Westernmediaoutlets,whichthenbroadcasttheletterinitsentiretyalongwitharticlesonthetruescopeo thebreakoutandofficialChinesemeasurestoconcealit.TheresignationsofBeijing'smayorandthehealth minister,thedeathofaFinnishUNemployee,andremarksmadebyeminentdoctorZhongNanshan occurredasaresultoftheletter.Theseeventsalsopromptedthegovernmenttohaltitscensorship.Ittook hardlyanytimeatalltoinstitutestrictcontainmentmeasures,whichhelpedstopthevirus'sspreadasit startedtoappearabroad Altogether,SARSinfectedover8,000individualsacross29differentnationsand provinces,killingatleast774people.

Jiang and his wife had been placed under periodic house arrest since 2004 for exposing the coverup of the outbreak, and was labeled as essentially a threat to the government Despite facing many challenges, Jiang received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service from the Philippines in 2004, which some have compared to the Nobel Peace Prize for Asia. He was commended for ending China's propensity of reticence and forcing the truth of SARS into the open In 2007, he received the New York Academy of Sciences' Heinz R. Pagels Human Rights of Scientists Prize.

Hisexposureoftheoutbreakpotentiallysaved100sofpeople,andhiscontinualwilltostandagainstthe Chinesegovernmentwillremainastoryofbraveryandresilienceformanyyearstocome

THEMONTHLY STEMCOMPETITION

The year 2050 might seem like a lifetime away and therefore predicting how the world may change in another 30 years just cannot be envisaged Considering how the advance of technology has been on a roller coaster each day of this decade, it’s mind boggling to think even for a fleeting moment, about the state of things in another 30 years time!

For a remnant of today’s generation, it could be a herculean task to cope up with! The transition or shifting from one procedure to the other, can be overwhelming They will always have to depend on the younger generation to help sort out their technical issues Technologies, being the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes there will not anything that can be done without this knowledge. On the other hand, for the future generations things could be really easier to handle, being born into an era where science and technology is flourishing like never before That was my brief outlook on the impact of how the race in technology would be like for two generalised sets of people: the remainder of the present generation and the future generation

The thought of technology in the future is truly scary and exciting at the same time. Let us look at how this can be –being scary and exciting, all at the same time

First and foremost is the hypothetical assumption that AI (Artificial Intelligence), will subsequently outsmart humans It is already a known and accepted fact that AI algorithms are so powerful that they perform better than humans That is kind of exciting! But here comes the scary part. That would mean that humans are soon going to be obsolete with nothing left to do because robots are going to replace them all. Experts foresee that about 85 %, if not 90, of the current jobs will be executed by the AI This, in other words, would mean that unemployment will be a direct outcome

It really is amazing to see what technology allows us to do today : to the effect that it almost makes you wonder how people survived just fifty years ago. With a new gadget invented every now and then ,it seems inconceivable that half a century back people still managed to live without them! While it might seem that the technology of today has reached its limits, it is actually burgeoning ,by leaps and bounds

By the year 2050, humans will have established a permanent presence on the Moon and a research base on Mars, while space travel will become a regular occurrence for many people. Well, these are all way beyond our comprehension! For the common unassuming man this is truly alarming but for the vibrant younger blood this could be their ultimate dream - an escapade to Mars for the weekend! Though the precise nature of future benefits from space exploration is unpredictable, the current trends ensure that remarkable and momentous achievements are on their way.

Have we considered how the present living space is going to accommodate the world’s ever growing population? How do we find space for all? By 2050, cities could be overpopulated To provide housing facilities for all, there could be skyscrapers reaching fearful heights Roads could be constructed in multiple levels and moving around could be made more convenient if it is aerial. For that, skywalks connecting the buildings would be opted as the most ideal of all methods Here, the adage, “Necessity is the mother of all invention” comes in as a perfect explanation for all these innovations! Well, this is quite a goosebumpy picture for most people but not for the young and enterprising!

THEMONTHLY STEMCOMPETITION

Finally, let me state a few positive aspects that are foreseeable in the forthcoming 30 to 40 years The year 2050 is going to have a number of exciting perspectives, no doubt

Based on the outcome of a survey of future-oriented experts, this report gathers insights from experts in diverse fields on a global scale, with both optimistic and pessimistic views on how our society and lifestyles will evolve over the next few decades towards 2050 Rather than depicting a future that is most likely to be, this report focuses on teasing out those contested views and the possibilities of multiple futures when thinking about the years to come Findings from survey responses from future studies experts suggest that while technological changes are easier to land within the range of expectation, it is changes in our values and soft aspects of society such as culture, social norms, social connections and relationships that remain least understood Yet it is these soft aspects that would be most consequential when looking at how, as individuals and communities, we accommodate or do not accommodate the multiple ripples analysed in this report

Large cities will grow and population density will increase The most technologically and economically advanced countries will engage in a new space race (space travel) and new crewed missions to the Moon Technologies will progress step by step By 2050, these changes will have transformed human life

By 2050 , the world's population will exceed at least more than 9 billion and the population of India will exceed that of China. By 2050, about 75% of the world population will be living in cities. Then there will be buildings touching the sky and Bur Khalifa might not even be the tallest building then! Cities will be settled in the sky, if that is how technology changes us. In this way, a more “people-centred” view enables citizens to be better engaged on how future changes could affect their lives and how a more sustainable future can be built.

To conclude, I would say that by the year 2050, Humanity will change and the technology that we know today will reach an extent where we all can peacefully enjoy the wonderful time with the human and the environmental races. But of course, everything has its Pros and Cons, and remember this: Not everything in life will be perfect and not everything we wish for may become true…

Shrivardhan Surla 7A

THEMONTHLY STEMCOMPETITION

In the year 2050, Technology has taken a toll.

Hunched backs plenty the streets, gawking at their phones, Forests, trees, the seas, are left to cities of stones.

Parks and roads where the children play, all seem there for display

If I were to construct a world with clay, all technology would be ridden away.

I’d stride the streets, barring their way, I’d knock on doors, yelling for kids to play, So take a peek at your world today, Let fall of your phone, laptop or television, Can’t you regard the disparities each day?

How everyone retains themselves indoors more and more, How water is disappearing from the shore, Now take a stand, grab a hand, and save Earth’s land!

Technology shouldn't just drive electronics like phones!

They should be driven to assist with one’s bones, Not just to establish the newest computer, but to establish another’s future,

To rehabilitate a malady,

To eradicate a cavity!

Draw ebullience to our reality,

Because in the year 2050, Technology has taken a toll.

Naba Yusuf 7E

G E N E R A L M O T O R S ' M O V E

T O E L E C T R I C V E H I C L E S

General Motors has recently announced its plan to transform into an all-electric company by 2035. This shift comes in the light of the company’s bigger goal to reduce carbon emissions, and become ultimately more sustainable. The move towards electric vehicles is expected to revolutionise the automobile industry as it will bring about a different idea from traditional fuel-based cars to electric ones! GM'scommitmenttothisideaisevidentinitsrecentinvestmentsintotheresearch and development of electric vehicles, as well as its partnerships with other companiesintheindustry.

To start off, GM is one of the largest car manufacturers till date that was founded over a century back The company concentrated on motorised transportation, engineering, and the overall manufacturing of the vehicles. Founded in 1908 as a holdingcompanyinFlint,Michigan,asof2012GMemployedapproximately209,000 people around the world. With global headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit,Michigan,UnitedStates,GeneralMotorsmanufacturescarsandtrucksin35 countries GM started gaining more and more companies such as Cadillac, Oldsmobile,etc.

Now why is it such a big deal that GM is shifting to electric vehicles? Let’s look at current electric vehicle companies such as Tesla Tesla began with selling electric vehicles, they’ve never started with fuel-based vehicles unlike GM so they had no conventionallegacylikeGMdoes.GMstartedfromthebottomandworkeditsway up at the top and now has to make a 360 degree shift to keep up with the times and the needs of the world. Their commitment toward sustainability is commendable

Let’s take a look at how GM is committed to the sustainability project with its new battery pack called Ultium; these battery packs cost 40% lower than those in the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle GM’s second generation Ultium will cost nearly 60% lessthanthebatteriesusedtoday TheirUltiumbatterycellsfeatureastate-of-theartNickelCobaltManganeseAluminum(NCMA)chemistry,whichwasdesignedto reduce the cobalt content in our batteries by more than 70 percent! Moreover, the battery options scale from 50 kilowatt hours to over 200 kWh, which will enable a GM-estimatedrangeof300milesormoreonafullcharge!

GM is planning to spend up to $35 billion in EV product development; the investments will create thousands of new, good-paying U.S. jobs. This includes plans to make their Factory ZERO and Spring Hill assembly plants dedicated to electric vehicle production GM has come an extremely long way to where it’s currently at and this new idea of electric vehicles has truly restructured the brand to make it suitable for the future. Will General Motors electric vehicles become commonplaceonourroads?Willtheybecomeaspopularasothercurrentelectric vehiclebrands?WilltheyovertakeTesla?It’sonly

AnumitaChaudhry8A

Tesla vs Edison W a r o f C u r r e n t s

Thomas Edison was one of the most influential inventors of the modern era. He made numerous contributions to the field of electrical engineering, such as the incandescent bulb, the phonograph and even the motion picture camera Similarly, Nikola Tesla invented the AC motor, the Tesla coil and X-ray technology. But can you believe these two masterminds had an ongoing feud that lasted decades?

Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison had a famous rivalry primarily fueled by their differing views on the best way to transmit electrical power Edison supported the idea of direct current (DC) power, while Tesla favoured alternating current (AC) power In the late 1800s, Edison's company, Edison Electric Light Company, was heavily invested in DC power, and Edison himself was publicly critical of AC power. To discredit AC power, Edison even went so far as to publicly electrocute animals using AC power to demonstrate its supposed danger Tesla, who had worked for Edison's company as an engineer, eventually left to develop his AC power system He also became a vocal critic of Edison, accusing him of stealing his ideas and being more interested in profit than innovation.

The feud between the two inventors intensified as the "War of Currents" played out in the media and the courtrooms Ultimately, AC power emerged as the dominant form of electrical power transmission, and Tesla's vision was vindicated while Edison’s wish was finally fulfilled Tesla's unconventional approach to science and engineering positively and negatively affected his work.

On the one hand, Tesla's unconventional approach allowed him to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems that other scientists and engineers had yet to consider. He was known for his ability to visualise complex systems and designs in his mind, and he was able to develop new technologies and inventions that were ahead of their time

On the other hand, Tesla's unconventional approach sometimes led him down paths that needed to be scientifically validated or impractical He was known for his tendency to become fixated on specific ideas or inventions, even when they were not viable. This sometimes led him to waste time and resources on failed projects

Despite their rivalry, Edison and Tesla shaped modern electrical engineering Tesla’s vision and perseverance changed history, giving us technology that once seemed magical Their feud is a reminder that progress depends on visionaries able to look past differences to build a better future. Each genius refused to be deterred from chasing its vision of progress The future they built reminds us that the greatest breakthroughs happen when we empower visionaries while accepting that the light they shine will cast some shadows too.

WOMEN IN STEM

THROUGHOUT HISTORY

Since the beginning of time, women slowly but surely forged their way through the stigmas imposed on them, and many did not fail to leave their mark on the history of STEM.

Rosalind Franklin was one of the many female scientists who had their names erased from their work Franklin was looked down upon by many researchers, including her lab partner, Wilkins, for her attempts at research as a woman. When Franklin created the famous 3D image of the DNA’s helix shape, she knew it was bound to alter scientist’s perception of Biology forever.

Virginia Apgar was a medical researcher, whose dissatisfaction with the lack of opportunities as a woman led her to alternate from many careers in the medical field. Her eventual invention of the Apgar scores continues to save many babies. The Apgar scores allow the usage of pulse, color of skin, and the rate of respiration to allow doctors to efficiently identify a baby that needs additional help upon birth.

Most historians believe Wilkins shared this photo with two other scientists, Watson and Crick, without Franklin’s consent. A year later, Watson and Crick submitted a Nobel Prize winning research on DNA, with Franklin’s revolutionary photo attached However, her name was not written. Only long after her death was it discovered she had played a massive role in this discovery.

Hedy Lamarr, written off as one of the greatest actresses of all time, was also an unsung hero during World War II.

Along with George Antheil, they created what’s called “hopping frequency”, where the frequency of transmitters and receivers changes according to a certain algorithm. This prevents any information transmitted to be leaked, which was highly beneficial to the US for communicating secret messages. Her breakthrough later went on to produce Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, wireless transmission media the world could not function without today.

Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, is regarded as the world’s first programmer. Due to her brilliant mathematics skills, she was able to create the basics of computer algorithms through the Analytical Engine Computer and was the first to prove that a computer is capable of solving both simple and complex calculations

Today, 28% percent of STEM workers are women in the US, which is an improvement from the 8% in the 1920s. In order to shrink the gender gap in STEM fields, we must provide women who dream of working in STEM more representation and role models that will empower them to be just as successful as those before them.

JUNIOR

STRIKE ACTION

On the 24th of February 2023, the BMA (British Medical Association) Junior Doctors Committee announced that 72 hours of strike action would take place from Monday the 13th of March. This decision was made following the voting of 77% of eligible doctors in the UK for industrial action over better pay.

Medical students enter the workforce as Junior Doctors, and spend up to 10 years training in a clinical setting under the supervision of a Senior Consultant. They are a crucial pillar of the UK’s healthcare system, constantly devoting extremely long hours towards patient care.

Since 2008, Junior Doctors have experienced a real terms pay cut of 26.1%, and weren’t included in the 3% pay rise for NHS staff in 2021 It is clear that, despite their crucial role in the healthcare industry, junior doctors are not treated with the same respect as their colleagues.

Junior doctors at different levels of experience earn slightly different wages. However, whether it is a FY1 level physician earning £14 per hour, or a consultant who is undergoing specialty training earning £28 per hour, they are both severely underpaid. To put things into perspective, going through years of medical school to enter a workforce that puts huge physical and mental strain on you, and still being underpaid can be extremely demotivating. In addition to this, most Junior Doctors also carry the weight of needing to pay off student loans, and with increasing living costs, it only gets more difficult

The aftermath of the March strike involved postponed treatment, prolonged pain, and ultimately, a decline in patient care. This not only shows the fundamental role these hardworking individuals play in the NHS, but also how one broken pillar destroys the entire foundation of the UK’s healthcare system.

Those who support the industrial action believe that the short term costs of the strike periods are better tolerated now, than they would be in the future when the system may reach a point where it can’t be fixed.

This begs the question of how the pay cut may be reversed, and in approximately what time frame this can be done. The BMA announced that this would require a 35.3% pay rise, costing the government 1.5 billion pounds this financial year Indubitably, such a large amount of money brings many different opinions on whether or not this should be considered.

Diva Bhatia 6F01, Year 12

The Recent Downfall of the US Technology Industry

From the peak of the US tech industry in 2020 to its sudden reckoning in 2023, investors lost close to 7.4 trillion dollars. According to Forbes, this massive hit in the market has already lost billionaires in the space close to 200 billion dollars, most notably Jeff Bezos who is now 57 billion dollars poorer thanks to Amazon’s 38% crash.

There are several reasons for the crash, the most significant of which is the war between Russia and Ukraine which had sent inflation to levels hard to imagine as the invasion had sent energy prices through the roof. This sudden rise sent the consumer price growth (change in cost to average consumer) to a peak at 9% in America and 10.7% in Europe. The war added fuel to the fire for the USA as there had been a sudden overload on factories due to the generous pandemic relief measures which encouraged splurging. Additionally, due to the rise in inflation, the central bank increased the interest rates to a high at 5%.

These high interest rates have led to correction to a previously inflated tech sector due to a sudden buzz in 2021 which had shot up the valuations. This has led to a huge hiring breeze of 80,000 workers which are now being laid off in order to reduce the costs of firms like Meta that have seen their revenue fall by 50%. This approach is taken up by companies like Microsoft who have announced the trimming of 10,000 workers in the coming months.

Looking forward to this year, it is unlikely that we will see a recovery of the tech sector due to the current banking crisis which has worried investors as inflation may continue to rise. This crisis has economists worried of history repeating itself, as a short while after the economy had peaked in 2007, the Lehman Brothers went bust which sent the economyintoaturmoil.

In 1945, a physicist named Percy Spencer was trying to improve radar technology for World War Two. He was working with a magnetron, which is a piece of equipment that amplifies or generates microwaves Spencer always had a peanut cluster in his pocket, not only to serve as a snack, but also to feed the squirrels as he was really fond of nature. One day, after a long time with the magnetron, he reached into his pocket for the peanut cluster, only to find that it had turned into a soupy mess. This soupy mess led to experiments on more food items such as eggs and corn kernels, and eventually, the invention of the microwave oven

Although this seems like an unbelievable story, countless discoveries have been made in this way A recent study highlighted that between 33-50% of scientific discoveries were somewhat if not entirely accidental. Unfortunately, these auspicious accidents rarely occur in today's scientific world, and the rate of scientific discoveries has dropped significantly. The reason for this decline isn’t very clear, however it is certainly not because we have already discovered everything around us Rather bizarrely, over a million research papers are being published annually Is it possible that this over-publication is the reason behind the drop in rates of discoveries?

We should also consider whether discoveries are best in the form of new ideas, or built on old ones Although many established scientists including Nikola Tesla mainly focused on brand new innovations, one of the most known scientists of time, Albert Einstein, used Isaac Newton as his source of inspiration and reference He didn't copy him, in fact he eventually disproved him. But without Newton many of Einstein's notable discoveries may have never taken place.

If we look at recent scientific funding, it increases dramatically decade by decade starting from 1960, and it seems only logical that discoveries should increase However funding is not everything Many impressive inventions were made before then, such as the rocket in 1926 and the phone in 1876. Interestingly enough, the inventor of the phone (Alexander Graham Bell) dropped out of both school and university due to the restrictive curriculum, which proves that the way we do things just isn’t flexible enough There is so much pressure on scientists to prove that they deserve the funding that they just rush to publish any sort of small findings We have created a fantasy of 100% productivity that isn't humane, and has actually ended up slowing down advancement.

It’s not clear what caused this unfortunate declaration; however it's essential that we give scientists the flexibility and freedom they need to push the boundaries of science. Of course that is, in their own time

Sahar Alsalman 11B

MARIE CURIE: A WOMAN

WHO INFLUENCED THE WORLD OF SCIENCE

Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist who is best known for her groundbreaking work in radioactivity She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize, and the first person to receive two Nobel Prizes in different fields, but what many people don't know is that Marie Curie was not only a scientist but also a fighter for her right to education and recognition

Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. She grew up in a family that valued education, but as a woman, she was not allowed to attend university in Poland Undeterred, she pursued her education in secret, attending an underground university known as the "Flying University " She later moved to Paris to continue her studies, where she faced discrimination as a foreigner and a woman.

Despitetheseobstacles,MarieCuriecontinuedto excelinherstudies.Sheearnedherdegreeinphysics andwentontoworkwithherhusband,PierreCurie,in thefieldofradioactivityTogether,theydiscoveredtwo newelements:poloniumandradiumTheirwork revolutionisedthefieldofphysicsandearnedthemthe NobelPrizeinphysicsin1903

Afterherhusband'sdeathin1906,MarieCurie continuedherworkinradioactivityShefacedfurther discriminationasawidowandawoman,butshe refusedtoletitstopher.In1911,shebecamethefirst persontoreceiveasecondNobelPrize,thistimeit wasinchemistryforherdiscoveryofradiumand polonium

Marie Curie's fight didn't end there. During World War I, she worked tirelessly to set up mobile radiography units to help diagnose and treat wounded soldiers. She even drove one of the units herself, risking her own health to help others. Her dedication to science and humanity earned her the Legion of Honor, the highest award in France.

Marie Curie's legacy is an inspiration to all. She fought for her right to education and recognition, and then used her knowledge to help others Her work in radioactivity paved the way for modern nuclear physics and medicine She was a true fighter in science and in life.

Today, Marie Curie's legacy lives on in the countless women and girls who are inspired by her story to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) She broke down barriers and proved that women can excel in fields that were once considered offlimits. Her determination, passion, and dedication to science continue to inspire generations Marie Curie was a true pioneer in the field of science and a fighter for gender equality. She was determined to pursue her passion for science despite facing discrimination as a woman and a foreigner Her perseverance and hard work paid off, as she went on to become the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the first person to receive two Nobel Prizes in different fields

Mohammad Azhar 10E

Combating Plastic Pollution with Enzymes

Whether you like it or not, plastics play an essential role in the modern world, with uses extending from shipping containers and machine parts, all the way to clothes and furniture in your home. Even though it is a widely used material, it is impossible to deny plastic’s negative consequences on the environment. There are currently over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, consisting mainly of disposable plastics, especially microplastics, which find their way into oceans and destroy ecosystems by trapping fish, poisoning their bodies and clogging their digestive systems!

Plastic pollution is an often overlooked consequence of human interference with the environment and is very hard to avoid due to the prevalence of plastics in our everyday lives. However, this may all be changed by a recent discovery. An international team of researchers led by the Montana State University and the University of Portsmouth have been working tirelessly since 2018 to engineer a natural enzyme that breaks down PET plastics, which are used in the production of single-use drinking bottles, clothing and carpets.

The enzyme, which has been named TPADO, breaks down the plastic molecules into a basic building block known as ethylene glycol (EG). One of the lead scientists, Professor DuBois, said in an interview that “EG is a chemical with many uses it's part of the antifreeze you put into your car, for example”. EG has many other uses, including ballpoint pens, paint and cosmetics. TPADO will not only allow us to break down plastics into harmless substances, but allow us to effectively and proficiently recycle them for better uses.

This enzyme was first designed at the Diamond Light Source facility in England. Using X-rays, scientists were able to generate a “detailed 3-D structure of the TPADO enzyme ” , which could aid in enhancing the speed and efficiency of TPADO in the future by providing researchers with a more comprehensive understanding of the enzyme ’ s structure and how it works.

This discovery is monumental, as it would mean the potential for breaking down plastics that would usually take up to 500 years to biodegrade in a matter of days. With TPADO and other discoveries towards making plastic pollution a less severe issue, we could immensely reduce the 400 million tonnes of plastic waste that goes into oceans every year.

Even though TPADO could significantly help us in reducing plastic pollution’s effect on the planet, it is still important to bear in mind that legislation and laws that limit and prevent the use of plastics should be the main goal, as simply providing treatment is not an alternative to solving the issue at its roots.

Hussain Mayoof 11E

THE MANTA : THE MANTA :

THE PLASTIC REMOVAL SHIP DESIGNED TO FIGHT OCEAN POLLUTION

THE PLASTIC REMOVAL SHIP DESIGNED TO FIGHT OCEAN POLLUTION

NOW THIS WILL TRULY AMAZE MOTHER NATURE! EACH YEAR, 10-12 MILLION TONS OF PLASTIC WASTE ARE POLLUTED INTO THE OCEAN CAUSING NATURAL DISASTERS AND ENDANGERING MARINE LIFE THIS CAN NOT BE NEGLECTED, AND A SOLUTION IS VITAL TO OUR CONTINUED SURVIVAL ON THIS PLANET THEREFORE INTRODUCING THIS FUTURISTIC SHIP, THE MANTA, WHICH WILL BE LAUNCHED IN 2025, IS PLANNED TO BE THE ANSWER “IT WILL BE THE FIRST EVER SHIP CAPABLE OF RECYCLING LARGE QUANTITIES OF PLASTIC” - SEACLEANERS ASSOCIATION ( THE ORGANISATION BEHIND THIS MIRACULOUS FLAGSHIP).

NOW, LET’S EXPLORE SOME OF SEACLEANERS’ MISSIONS FOR THE SHIP ONE OF THEM BEING THE COLLECTION OF PLASTIC WASTE OF COURSE AFTER 3 YEARS OF IMPROVEMENTS, CARRIED OUT IN FIVE RESEARCH LABORATORIES, THE SHIP IS PREDICTED TO COLLECT 5-10 THOUSAND TONNES OF PLASTICS PER YEAR IN LOCATIONS SUCH AS RIVERS AND COASTLINES. THIS IS USING 3 INCREDIBLE LEVELS OF CLEAN UP: 3 NETS OF 1 METRE IN DEPTH TO COLLECT SURFACE WASTE, 2 CRANES TO GATHER LARGER DEBRIS AND 2 MOBULAS (BOATS INSIDE THE SHIP CAPABLE OF COLLECTING 10 CUBIC METRES OF WASTE!) TO COLLECT MACRO PLASTICS IN NARROW AREAS WHEN THE SHIP PROPELS ANY MARINE LIFE TRAPPED AMONG THESE COLLECTION UNITS WILL BE MANUALLY RETURNED BACK TO THE OCEANS

NEXT, THE COLLECTED WASTE IS DRAWN TO THE CONVEYOR BELT INTO THE MOST REMARKABLE AND INNOVATIVE PARTS OF THE SHIP - AN ONBOARD FACTORY! AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE SORTING UNIT, THE WASTES OF DIFFERENT NATURE ARE THEN SEPARATED MANUALLY, AND BROUGHT TO THE LAND FOR RECYCLING. HOWEVER, PLASTICS ARE TRANSFORMED INTO PELLETS AND TRANSPORTED TO A 24 HOUR WORKING CONVERSION UNIT WHERE THEY ARE CONVERTED TO SYNTHETIC GAS USING PYROLYSIS (PROCESS OF MELTING THE PELLETS IN THE ABSENCE OF OXYGEN) TO SPIN THE TURBINE AND GENERATE ELECTRICITY INORDER TO BE USED TO POWER THE SHIP’S COCKPIT AND OTHER EQUIPMENTS (WASTE GASES DURING THIS PROCESS ARE RECOVERED) TO FURTHER REDUCE THE SHIP'S CARBON FOOTPRINT, IT IS SUPPORTED BY PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS AND WIND TURBINES TO POWER THE ELECTRIC MOTORS. THIS CONTRIBUTES TO A LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINT. IT IS SAID TO BE 75% SELF-SUFFICIENT, HIGHLIGHTING ITS INCREDIBLE ADVANTAGE OF BEING AS ECO-FRIENDLY AND EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE

THIS CREATIVE SHIP NOT ONLY RECYCLES PLASTIC, BUT ALSO TICKS THE SEACLEANERS ASSOCIATION’S SECOND MISSION: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND AWARENESS 8-10 SCIENTISTS WILL BE ON BOARD TO ANALYSE AND DISTRIBUTE THEIR FINDINGS WITH THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES. THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS ALSO WELCOMED TO DISCUSS IDEAS AND IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BETTER . WHO KNEW A SHIP COULD RECYCLE AND SPREAD AWARENESS AT THE SAME TIME?

ALTHOUGH IMPRESSIVE ENOUGH, THESE ARE STILL JUST IDEAS SO, AS THE SPECTACULAR PROJECT’S FOUNDER YVAN BOURGNON STATED “WE MUST MOVE AWAY FROM THEORY AND GET OUR HANDS DIRTY”

MichelleYeohbecomesthefirstAsianwomanto winBestActressattheOscars

MichelleYeohisaMalaysianactresswhomadehistoryatthe2022AcademyAwardsbybecomingthe firstAsianAmericanwomantowintheBestActressaward.Herperformanceinthefilm"Everything, everywhere all at once" was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, and her win was seen as a milestonemomentforrepresentationinthefilmindustry.

YeohplaysEvelynQuanWang,aChinese-AmericanwomanwhoisbeinginvestigatedbytheIRS.She learnsthatinordertostopapowerfulcreaturefromdestroyingthemultiverse,shemustcommunicate withparallelworldversionsofherself.

Yeohbeganhercareerinbeautypageants,winningtheMissMalaysiatitle in 1983. She then transitioned into acting, appearing in numerous Hong Kongactionfilmsthroughoutthe1980sand1990s.Herbreakthroughrole camein2000,whensheplayedthecharacterofYuShuLienintheAng Lee-directed film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." The film was a critical and commercial success, and Yeoh's performance earned her internationalrecognition.

Whenshegotuponstagetoacceptherawardshereceivedastandingovation."Thankyou,thankyou. For all the little girls and boys who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibility,"inherspeech,sheremarked."Thisisprooftodreambig,anddreamsdocometrue.""And ladies, don't let anybody ever tell you you are past your prime," Yeoh, who is 60, commented. The comment came after Don Lemon from CNN received major backlash for stating that presidential candidateandformerU.N.AmbassadorNikkiHaleywaspastherprimeatage51."Nevergiveup,"The crowdcheeredasYeohremindedthem,"Nevergiveup."Shethenthankedherdirectors,theproduction company A24andthecastandcrew, anddedicated theawardtoher mom and"allthemoms inthe world.Theyarereallythesuperheroes,andwithoutthem,noneofuswouldbeheretonight,"shesaid.

Yeoh's win at the Academy Awards was met with widespread celebration in the Asian American community and beyond. Many people noted that her win was a long-overdue recognition of the contributionsthatAsianAmericanactorsandfilmmakershavemadetothefilmindustry.Yeohherself acknowledgedthesignificanceofherwin,sayinginheracceptancespeech:"Istandheretonightasthe firstAsianAmericanwomantowinthisaward.ButIknowthatIamnotthefirsttodeserveit,andIhope thatIwillnotbethelast."

Not only is Yeoh's win an important milestone in the ongoing struggle for asian representation and inclusioninthefilmindustry,itisalsoastepforwardforthevastageandgendergapsinhollywood. WhiletherehavebeenmanytalentedAsianAmericanactorsandfilmmakersthroughouttheyears,they have often been overlooked by Hollywood's predominantly white power structure. Yeoh's win is a reminderthatthereisstillmuchworktobedonetocreateatrulyequitableanddiversefilmindustry,but itisalsoasignofprogressandhopeforthefuture.

GauriRanjithNair11B

Ruth E. Carter made history by becoming the first black woman to win two Oscars for Costume Design Carter has been an important figure in the film industry for over three decades and has been recognised for her exceptional work in creating authentic and visually stunning costumes for a range of films

Carter’s first Oscar win was in 2019 for her work on Marvel’s “Black Panther”. The film, directed by Ryan Coogler, was a cultural phenomenon that celebrated African culture and heritage Carter’s costumes were a vital component of the film’s success, as they played a key role in creating the fictional world of Wakanda. Her designs were inspired by traditional African textiles and featured intricate details that brought the characters to life. The win for “Black Panther” was significant not only for Carter but also for the film industry as it marked the first time a superhero movie had won an Oscar for Costume Design

Carter’s second Oscar win came in 2021 for her work on “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”. The film, directed by George C Wolfe, is an adaptation of August Wilson’s play and tells the story of legendary blues singer Ma Rainey Carter’s costumes captured the essence of the 1920s and showcased the flamboyant and bold style of Ma Rainey Her attention to detail and authenticity was evident throughout the film, from the intricate beading and fringe on the costumes to the use of period-appropriate fabrics.

Carter’s career began in the 1980s, and she quickly established herself as a talented and innovative designer Her early work included films such as “School Daze” and “Do the Right Thing” directed by Spike Lee, and she has continued to collaborate with Lee throughout her career. Carter has also worked on a range of other films, including “Malcolm X”, “Amistad”, “Selma”, and “Marshall”. She has been recognized for her work with numerous awards, including the Costume Designers Guild Award, the Art Directors Guild Award, and the Critics’ Choice Award

Carter’s success has been a long time in the making, and her achievements have paved the way for other black women in the film industry. In her acceptance speech for “Black Panther”, she spoke about her journey and the importance of representation in film “I hope this makes you feel like it’s possible, even if you’re a little bit outside the box, there’s a way, and when you’re dedicated to what you do, and you work hard, and you’re diligent, and you’re loyal, things happen”

Carter’s dedication, hard work, and talent has been recognised by the film industry, and her historic win is a testament to her exceptional work Her achievements have not only broken barriers but have also inspired a new generation of filmmakers and designers As Carter continues to create visually stunning and authentic costumes, she will undoubtedly remain an important figure in the film industry for years to come.

LasVegas'sBiggestStadiumHasItsFirstFemale Headliner,TaylorSwift.

What happened?

On March 25th 2023, Taylor Swift hosted her ‘Eras tour’ in Las Vegas’s biggest stadium “Allegiant Stadium” This was the first time in history for a woman to be the main event in Allegiant Stadium, truly a remarkable feat for our society and the fearless Taylor Swift. Upon announcing this during this event, Ms Swift followed with “Mark my words Vegas, I will not be the last!” Empowering the audience and invoking bravery and courage to her young female audience She then followed this with her song titled “The Man” underlining the underlying struggles with being a woman and how bigoted men undermine our appalling patriarchy

Why is this important?

From mass killings, to the pay gap and all inbetween, women have always been despised by the higher groups in our society So when problems which derive from the patriarchy and our communitie’s misogyny, it should be imminent to quash these obstacles to change said ideologies enforced. Additionally, if we repeat this the patriarchy is bound to creep into its little dark cavern, in which it will solely remain as folklore. Consequently, even actions which may seem small like Las Vegas’ first female headliner are just a small stepping stone to bigger change

Throughout Taylor’s life, she has constantly been decelerated by men Those of which come from her producers, to coworkers, and even a certain someone at the VMAs; Despite all this she manages to brave all these distances and prosper, truly a figure in which we can all aspire to. She even stated how one of the most accepting communities like the music industry is ingrained with misogyny In her words “A man does something it’s Strategic, a woman does the same thing it’s calculated A man is allowed to react A woman can only overreact.” She constantly gets criticised for naming those who have wronged her, even though men in the music industry are loved for doing the exact same thing. But she has truly blossomed into a staple name in the industry. She is a clear cut example of someone who can truly brave the distance

Taylor Swift's Struggle with the Patriarchy

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary's journey to conquering Mount Everest

On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay changed history, becoming the first humans to stand on the highest point on Earth, the summit of Mount Everest. What seemed to be merely a dream looked up to by expeditioners after the several failed attempts to reach the peak, through great struggle and resilience Hillary and Tenzing became the first to step foot onto the 8,850 metre high summit of Mt Everest.

With the world recovering from the aftermath of WW2 in the latter half of the 1900’s, it seems that the human spirit to explore had been more rampant than ever before; holding historical achievements such as the first moon landing in 1969 and the descent of Trieste in 1953. The British and Swiss had their eyes on Mt Everest, spending years carefully constructing their best expedition teams to claim the prize of the summit. The first official attempt to conquer the mountain occurred in 1921 by the British, however the 10 expedition trials that set out failed to reach even close to the summit. This challenge only drove the competitive spirit higher for both countries. The Swiss set out an experienced expedition team to claim the title instead in 1952, however they too failed to reach the summit after encountering many dangers in the process.

It was not until 1953 until the British again attempted to tackle the mountain and had completely rebuilt their expedition team. They hired Tenzing Norgay as their lead sherpa, being a highly skilled mountaineer living on the borders of Nepal and Tibet. Tenzing was known for having a strong spirit even prior to the two main expeditions he played part in, he was a determined person who constantly had his eyes on the goal and was known to work very patiently through all struggles faced during expeditions. He was accompanied by Edmun Hillary, a beekeeper from New Zealand who had been training through several Himalayan expeditions. Hillary had braved through many of the struggles during the expedition, most notably he had led the team through the deadly Khumbu Icefalls; an area in the mountain where ice is continuously falling and is known to be the deadliest area in the Himalayas. Together, these two mountaineers chased after the summit whilst being led by a former Military officer, John Hunt, who took a more tactical approach to leading the team.

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary's journey to conquering Mount Everest

As promising as the team seemed, consisting of some of the most qualified and determined mountaineers, they faced many struggles and doubts throughout the journey. Ranging from problems with the oxygen tanks, heavy snowfall and even Hillary’s close fall to death at the start of the expedition, being saved by Tenzing. However, Hillary and Tenzing still pushed the boundaries and achieved seemingly the impossible, completing the journey to the summit that had taken the lives of many past determined explorers like them. Through the dozens of hurdles that chipped at the hopes of the explorers, on the morning of May 29, 1953, Tenzing and Hillary stepped foot on the highest point on earth. They remained at the summit for 15 minutes capturing pictures as proof, that would later bring hope to all explorers for what more humans can achieve and influencing the many future explorations of generations to come.

Hiba Abduljaleel 6F13 Y12

Serving Success on the Bahraini table

Have you ever wondered how Table Tennis works in Bahrain? Here’s a brief:

The Local League

The Bahraini winter annually welcomes the local table tennis league, which is set throughout November, December and January.

-It is a team game with three players representing a single team composed of: a joker, second joker and third joker.

-The first round sees each team play each opponent twice.

-The top two sides of the first round play a final match in the second round.

There are five standard age categories in the table tennis contests of Bahrain: Under11s, Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-19s and Men’s. The Under-11s have a special league and tournament - the Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad league for the upcoming champions. Here, the idea is to foster the next generation, paving a path to success for future champions.

However, at the moment, the Bahraini league sorely lacks competition with only a handful of participating teams and a fraction of whom are strong contenders. To add fuel to the fire, there are merely two other national table tennis tournaments - the National Day Tournament and the Bahrain Open - leaving the local athletes with scarce opportunities to showcase their abilities.

On the other hand, a glimmer of hope has surfaced with Saudi Arabia announcing that their league will open doors to international players of all age categories. This brings an enticing opportunity for the development of Bahraini talent.

National Team Glory

Bahrain’s youth has consistently dominated in the Middle East in categories up until Under-19, welding a promising future for Bahrain’s table tennis. With both men's and women's categories relentlessly triumphing in West Asian and Arab tournaments, the undying effort and achievements only seem to be getting better and better.

Success with the Minimum

Although the national team has returned to the island with a plethora of commendable winnings which have distinguished Bahrain as a country, the lack of academies and local tournaments invariably plateaus Bahrain's potential in table tennis.

However, it's amazing to think that despite having such frail ranks to progress, Bahrain has achieved this level of success. Now I leave it for you to imagine how having more academies and opportunities for players would change the course, and perhaps revolutionise, the way table tennis propels alongside Bahrain’s future.

Special thanks to Majeed Abdulla, table tennis player for A’Ali club and Bahrain national team, for making this article possible.

Hriday Dawani 10H

Selena Gomez vs Hailey Bieber; Eyebrow Feud?! Selena Gomez vs Hailey Bieber; Eyebrow Feud?!

Feuds have always been a thing since the beginning of time Queen Elizabeth I locked Mary Queen Of Scots, her cousin, in a castle and had her beheaded. Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky and their political conflict for power Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s and their interchangeable disparaging remarks. Feuds were always significant.

Selena Gomez vs Hailey Bieber has been a recurrent feud since Justin Bieber proposed to Hailey in 2018. As social media fans analyzed each post made by these pop culture icons in an attempt to find any evidence of their dispute or of Hailey Bieber’s claimed previous fixation of Jelena, what started was claims that Hailey “stole” Justin from Selena Fans continued to argue over this situation through the years, no matter what either party attempted to stop the hate. Selena and Hailey even posed together at an event in October 2022. However, the drama between these two resurfaced again in February 2023

On February 22 2023, Selena Gomez posted a TikTok joking about how she had accidentally over-laminated her brows Hours later, Kylie Jenner posted a photo of her face captioning the instagram story “This was an accident???”. The Instagram model, reality TV star, and influencer then proceeded to post a FaceTime screenshot of herself and Hailey Beiber with the camera focused on their eyebrows. With fans attacking Kylie and Hailey and conspiring that Kylie is hating on Selena as Selena overtakes Kylie as the most followed woman on Instagram, Jenner had to respond Kylie replied to a TikTok video that was explaining the alleged shade between the public figures and said “This is reaching. No shade towards Selena ever and I didn’t see her eyebrow posts! You guys are making something out of nothing This is silly” Gomez also attempts to shut down these rumors by replying to Kylie’s comment, “It’s all unnecessary. I’m a fan of Kylie ”

Hailey Bieber received lots of hate from Selena Gomez’s fans as they retaliated against her alleged “mean girl” actions towards the actress and singer. Eventually, Selena and Hailey posted a story clearing the air and telling the hate to stop.

All eyes were focused on Mumbai's Gateway of India, where the luxury house of Dior held their pre-fall 2023 in the Colaba district on March 30th, 2023. It's the first time a European luxury megabrand has organised an independently operated show in India, thanks to a collaboration between Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri and a Mumbai-based non-profit: Chanakya School of Craft

INDIA’S DIOR FASHION SHOW 2023

The collection, which is scheduled to be accessible at stores by the end of April, is expected to include silk dresses and sari-like skirts influenced by classic Indian shapes For several years, Grazia Chiuri has collaborated on embroideries for its craft-centric collections with the Chanakya School of Craft, which promotes female artisans and protects the crafts that are part of India's cultural heritage

Many international celebrities, influencers, and media teams attended this phenomenal event such as bollywood actresses Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Anushka Sharma, and Virat Kohli as well as some Alist American celebrities such as: Cara Delivgne, Gigi Hadid, Simone Ashley, and Prianka Chopra alongside her husband Nick Jonas

Grazia Chiuri worked alongside Sahil Behal to produce a line which integrates a modern twist on traditional Indian couture by using an array of patterns and colours in the collection, and the geometric shapes done in gold and silver sequins “The revisited toile de Jouy stands out in a vaporous palette of green, much like a camouflage magnified by elements of Indian landscapes populated by talismanic animals dear to this plural civilization,” Chiuri quoted on her Red Carpet interview with Forbes

In a statement released after the show, Dior's creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri said, "India has always been a source of inspiration for me, and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase our latest collection in this beautiful country The fusion of Indian textiles and motifs with Dior's iconic designs has created something truly special, and I am excited to see how our customers around the world will respond to it "

Her reasoning for India in the location links to when Dior entered the Indian market in 2006 and opened a boutique in New Delhi. While it has only added one store in the country since, the brand's ties with the country go far beyond commerce. Like many luxury houses, Dior often turns to Indian artisans for their exceptional craft skills Many of the embroideries and textiles on Thursday's runway were made by Chanakya International, a Mumbai atelier that the French label's creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, has worked closely with for almost three decades

The Dior fashion show in India marks a significant moment in the fashion industry, highlighting the growing importance of the Indian market and its rich cultural heritage With its stunning designs and breathtaking location, the event is sure to be remembered as a landmark moment in the history of fashion

We hope to see much more culture crossings with more luxury brands as this enriches the culture as well as the meaning behind fashion

The Barbie Movie

Barbara Millicent Roberts. Barbie. The beloved cultural icon and symbol of female empowerment is set to make a live-action debut in Bahrain's Vox Cinemas on the 20th of July, 2023. The film has become one of the most anticipated of 2023, which, produced by Mattel and Warner Bros, boasts an all-star cast, led by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles of Barbie and Ken. With a script penned by the critically acclaimed duo Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film has been tasked with sustaining the legacy of the most famous characters in toy history.

Not much has been released about the plot of the upcoming live-action, and the details surrounding it are still shrouded in mystery. The movie is supposed to focus on the Mattel fashion doll, but with a twist -- with the IMDB profile stating “To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you ' re a Ken.” However, based on the trailers, users across social media have speculated that the film critique capitalism and the gender hierarchy, all while dressed in pink and sparkles.

But the significance of the Barbie movie extends far beyond its nostalgic pink feeling. For generations of young girls, the Barbie doll has been a beacon of hope and inspiration. A representation of the limitless potential for women, and the ability of young girls to achieve their dreams. Barbie’s status is no longer just a mere toy, but a cultural spectacle which has inspired millions of girls worldwide to believe in themselves and their ambitions.

Since the doll’s debut in 1959, she has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and challenging gender stereotypes. Barbie was one of the first female dolls to embody a full-time career while continuing to stand as an icon of hyperfemininity. The dolls have grown, taking on hundreds of roles, including doctors, astronauts, and even the President of the USA. Her representation of young women in various fields has been revolutionary in inspiring young girls to pursue their passions. An advocate for feminist values promoting empowerment among young girls.

In 2010, Mattel launched ‘Barbie Career of the Year’, a program to promote women in different careers. In 2020, coinciding with the American Presidential elections, the Career of the Year was a presidential campaign team, to encourage all girls to raise their voices. Partnering with She Should Run, a non-profit organisation which supports women in leadership roles, Mattel released four dolls as a part of the collection.

In recent years, Barbie has also evolved to better represent a more diverse scale of girls worldwide. Following the controversy over how Barbie upheld unachievable beauty standards, in 2016, Mattel released a new line of dolls with different body types, hair textures and skin tones. This was a significant step forward in promoting body positivity and diversity, which was a reflection of the changing attitudes towards beauty standards and body image. In 2019, Mattel released a line of dolls called “Creatable World”, which allowed children to customise their dolls’ appearance. This was a bold move by Mattel, as it supported the idea that people should be free to express themselves however they choose.

The upcoming movie is set to appeal to audiences of all ages and beliefs concerning contemporary movements such as the ‘girlboss’ trend, which challenged traditional gender stereotypes. Through the marketing, which has been heavily centred around social media platforms such as Instagram and Tiktok, the movie has already contradicted many stereotypes, with one of the main taglines being “She’s everything. He’s just Ken”.

With only one trailer and some teasers, the Barbie movie is already one of the most-awaited films of 2023. It will be interesting to see how the producers shape Barbie’s legacy in a way that will appeal to all ages in this contemporary environment. Giselle

Senate Hearing on TikTok:

Does this strain China and its Transatlantic relationships?

In the United States, one of its major markets, where it claims to have 150 million users and where it has evolved into becoming the forefront of today's pop culture, TikTok is trying to preserve its future. However, lawmakers are concerned about the corporation's ties to the Chinese government, and whether they could provide Beijing access to customer data from TikTok in the United States Christopher A Wray, the director of the F B I, and other U.S intelligence officials have cautioned that the Chinese government may utilise TikTok's algorithm for "influence operations."

Initially touted as China's first worldwide internet success story, TikTok has come to symbolise the widening gap between the United States and China in terms of technological dominance and national security. With the United States threatening to ban TikTok, it has turned into a flashpoint in a technical Cold War between the two nations, a development as China has long restricted various American platforms

Shou Zi Chew, a 40-year-old former Goldman Sachs banker, regularly had his attempts to explain TikTok's business methods cut short, and his requests to comment on topics ostensibly of great interest to members of Congress were either banned or occasionally ignored These chances to get the CEO on the record while testifying under oath were regularly missed out on, out of a sense of urgency and mostly for showy effects Chew, on the other hand, exhibited patience in all situations, including when he was being talked above. Nevertheless, other politicians started asking and answering their very own questions without hesitating.

A recurring theme throughout the session was the odd intersection of data privacy concerns that is, the surveillance danger posed by Beijing and the ways in which TikTok fails its underage users In truth, there is no single solution to the problems of content regulation and privacy. In reality, negotiating the legal minefield around content moderation enforcement a route fraught with First Amendment peril would prove to be much easier than passing a national privacy law that restricts the data firms may gather

But even if Congress had the authority to enact legislation protecting children from online damage, why would it restrict the reach of that remedy to a single business? A statewide ban might be too drastic, according to David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer and current CEO of the cybersecurity firm TrustedSec. ‘Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla are all available in China. Will they now begin to restrict us?’ Kennedy stated. ‘It might quickly escalate before we know it’

Safia Abdiwahab, 6F10, Y12

Babe wake up, Taylor’s on tour!

Thelong-awaitedtourthatisowedtobothTaylorSwiftandherfans,by theworld,hasfinally commenced.

From March17- August9,Taylorwill beall aroundtheUSA playing 52 gigs,eachof them over3 hourslong andwithmany setandoutfitchanges.Pairedwithall thedancing andmoving around she’ll havetodo,itwill all beonehell of acardioworkout.

TheperformancesthatCOVID-19strippedaway from herpostponedany desiretoperform her latestalbums- Lover(2019),Folklore(2020),andEvermore(2020) atthattime Hertour‘Lover Fest’ wascancelledin2020,soyou betthisannouncementledtoextreme,skyrocketing levelsof happinessandenthusiasm.November1st,2022.A datethatwill foreverberememberedfor bringing exhilarationtothelong awaiting fans.Taylor’sErastourthatistaking placeatthis momentincludessongsfrom all 10of heralbums- albeitperhapsnotall albumsequally (justice forSpeak Now!)

Thistournotonly broughttogethertheTaylorNationthroughthe music,butalsothroughmaking friendshipbraceletsandwearing song-relatedcostumes.

Many Swifties made many friendship bracelets based on songs and albums, like a heart charm for Lover or a forest tree for Folklore These also sometimes went along with song lyrics, such as a charm bracelet with a dragon charm for the line “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you” (Long Live - one of my all-time favorites). During the concert, Swifties would go around and trade bracelets with others, and in the end they would have a plethora of different bracelets from fellow fans all across the country - whoever thought this up is one creative individual, I must say

Some of the costumes fans chose to wear were associated with songs or albums, such as a refrigerator costume for the lyric ‘Dancing around the kitchen in the refrigerator light’ from All Too Well (Taylor’s Version) or a car costume for Getaway Car One Tiktok user posted a video showcasing various creative Taylor-related costumes - check out her originality at @carapaigemusic!

Don’t even get me started on trying to acquire tickets to the shows Not free of controversy, it was truly an unparalleled moment of historical significance An astronomical 3 5 million people registered for the pre-sale of the tickets, and although the website crashed almost immediately after the tickets were out, a whopping 2 4 million tickets were sold that same day, breaking the record of most tickets sold by an artist in one day Whether you like her or not, you can’t deny that that’s quite impressive.

All this information and fun facts about Taylor and her Swifties really gets you to consider the sheer amount of determination and loyalty the fans have got - what an incredible fandom (totally free of bias).

By: Sara Khader

Opportunities for May

Career Options

Ifyou'reinterestedinlearningmore aboutanewcareeranddevelopingthe skillsneededtosucceedinit,thiscourse isforyou.You'llbeaskedtoconsider yourpastexperiencesandcritically assesswhatyoualreadyknow,whatyou stillneedtolearn,andhowtoproceed.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/careerexploration

Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People

Thiscoursewillassistyouinidentifying teendepressionandlowmood,in comprehendingCBTasanevidence-based treatment,inlearningusefulmethodsfor supportingchildren,andinfinding additionalsourcesofguidance.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/de pression-young-people

Healthy Boundaries

Thiscourseisforyouifyouwantto establishhealthyboundariesinyourlife, keepupgoodrelationships,andfeel connectedtobothyourselfandother peoplebutaren'tsurehowtogoaboutit

https://focusingresources.com/learning/ healthy-boundaries-healthy-life/

Exploring Instructional Leadership in Education

Inthisthree-weekcourse,you'lllearn howtoincorporateinstructional leadershipstrategiesintoyourschool's routinesandhowtheyaffectstudent outcomes.Schoolleadersplayan importantpartinmonitoring,evaluating, andreviewingteachingandlearning practices.Thisiskeyforassessing strengthsandweaknessesinschooland targetingareasforimprovement

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses /exploring-instructional-leadership

Opportunities for May

Important Dates for May

Thursday, 27th April

Study leave begins for Lower Sixth

Monday, May 1st Labour Day

Wednesday, 3 May

U15 Boys Basketball v RVIS

U15 Girls Basketball v RVIS

Thursday, 4th May

Last Day of School before Study Leave begins (Upper Sixth Form)

By:AyushiKarani6F10

DEVIN ALLEN

Self-taught artist Devin Allen rose to fame after his image of the Baltimore protests appeared on the cover of the TIME magazine in May 2015. Allen was born and raised in West Baltimore. Allen is now focused on empowering Baltimore’s children to use cameras instead of firearms. His ‘Through Their Eyes’ initiative aims to spread “hope and love through art” by teaching the youth from communities with underfunded arts education programs how to express themselves using photography. Devin Allen was able to buy cameras for the children, teach youth photography courses for free, and put together an exhibition of the students’ work, all thanks to crowd-sourced funding. Allen is devoted to giving the youth the tools they need to share their story.

DEVIN ALLEN

Photography by: Reema Zowayyed & Aalyan Mirza

Check out Rest of the Photos by clicking here!