Winter rose planting tips for vibrant blooms
Flower Carpet and low-growing varieties have real flower power, writes Gareth Carter.
Coming up roses.
This saying originated in the United States in the 1950s, and was used as the title of a popular song from the musical Gypsy.
The words to that song give the meaning to this idiom.
'Things look swell, things look great, gonna have the whole
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Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum dies aged 68
Mike McCallum has passed away at the age of 68 (Getty) Jamaicanboxing legend Mike McCallum, who was a three-weight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 68. McCallum died suddenly near his home in Las Vegas on Saturday (31 May), with the Jamaica Observer reporting that he was on his way to the gym when he fell ill and pulled his car off the road. He was later found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Advertisement Known 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his vicious punching ability, especially to the body, McCallum was the first Jamaican to become a boxing world champion – eventually winning titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight between 1984 and 1995. After retiring in 1997 with 49 wins, five losses and one draw from 55 fights, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. Jamaica's sport minister Olivia Grange wrote on Instagram: "It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica's three-time World Boxing Champion Michael McKenzie McCallum. "I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican. Advertisement "We hope they find strength in this time of bereavement." Mike McCallum (left) was known as 'The Bodysnatcher' due to his punching power (Getty) His most famous fights came against the likes of Michael Watson, Steve Collins, James Toney and Roy Jones Jr, having turned professional in 1981 after winning welterweight gold for Jamaica at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. McCallum became world champion when he beat Ireland's Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1984, claiming the WBA junior middleweight crown, and won his first 32 fights in the paid ranks, including successful title defences against Milton McCrory and Don Curry. His first defeat came in Italy against Sumbu Kalambay in 1988 when trying to add the WBA middleweight title to his collection but he did claim that belt a year later by earning a split-decision win over Herol Graham in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Advertisement Successful defences came against Collins in Boston and Watson back at the Royal Albert Hall before avenging his Kalambay defeat in Monaco. December 1991 saw the first of a trilogy of fights against Toney over the course of his remaining career – with a split-decision draw and majority-decision loss in the space of nine months twice denying him the IBF middleweight belt. McCallum won titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight during his professional career (Getty) He did win a world title in a third weight division as a 38-year-old in 1994 when Jeff Harding was defeated for the WBC light heavyweight title but lost it to Fabrice Tiozzo a year later. His career then ended with losses to Jones Jr and Toney, the latter at cruiserweight. McCallum was hugely technically gifted as fighter and is undoubtedly the greatest Jamaican boxer of all time, as well as one of the best of his era, who leaves a huge legacy behind. 'Rest in Peace to the legendary Mike 'The Body Snatcher' McCallum,' read a tribute from the WBA. 'Former WBA world champion and one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era. Thank you for the fights, the lessons, and the greatness."
Newsweek
23 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Foods That May Lower Risk of Early Death Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Adding more berries, apples or cups of tea to your daily routine could be the key to living healthier—and for longer. That is the message from a new study published in Nature Food, which shows that the quantity and variety of flavonoids in our diets could be independently linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases and early death. Researchers—drawn from Queen's University Belfast, Edith Cowan University in Perth, the Medical University of Vienna, and Universität Wien—tracked 124,805 adults between 40 and 70 for over a decade using data from the U.K. Biobank. Their findings suggest that people who consumed the highest quantity and diversity of flavonoid-rich foods had a 6–20 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, respiratory illness and neurodegenerative diseases—and a lower risk of dying from any cause. "Flavonoid intakes of around 500 milligrams a day was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality, as well as a ~10 percent lower risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease," Benjamin Parmenter, research fellow at Edith Cowan University and co-lead author of the study, said in a statement. "That's roughly the amount of flavonoids that you would consume in two cups of tea." The researchers focused not only on the existence of flavonoids in participants' diets but also on the diversity of flavonoid subclasses they consumed. This is because it is already well known that flavonoids offer a variety of health benefits. Foods high in flavonoids include tea, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, grapes and dark chocolate. A bowl of blueberries is laid out on a wooden table. A bowl of blueberries is laid out on a wooden table. Getty Images Parmenter emphasized that the diversity of flavonoids consumed was even more important than the total amount. Those who consumed the widest diversity of flavonoids had an even lower risk of these diseases, even when consuming the same total amount. The study points to it being better to eat a range of flavonoid-rich foods to make up your intake, than just tea, for instance, because different flavonoids come from different foods. The researchers noted that while the benefits of flavonoid intake are becoming clearer, the mechanisms behind why a wider variety offers greater protection are still under investigation. Nevertheless, the data points toward the idea that dietary variety—especially among flavonoid-rich foods—could be a more effective approach to reducing chronic disease risks than focusing on a single 'superfood.' Human performance scientist and longevity expert Mark Kovacs agreed that flavonoids are key to safeguarding one's health. He told Newsweek that berries are among the best foods to add to your diet to minimize chronic illness risk. He explained that blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are all loaded with polyphenols, of which flavonoids are a specific type of. "Berries support brain health, reduce oxidative stress, and may delay biological aging" Kovacs said. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about flavonoids? Let us know via science@ Reference Parmenter, B., Thompson, A. S., Bondonno, N. P., Jennings, A., Murray, K., Perez, Cornago, A., Hodgson, J. M., Tresserra-Rimbau, A., Kuhn, T., Cassidy, A. (2025). High diversity of dietary flavonoid intake is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and major chronic illness. Nature Food.
Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: What you must know about Uranium enrichment for UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on Uranium enrichment. (Relevance: The topic of nuclear technology is an important part of the UPSC syllabus. In 2017, a mains question was asked to give an account of India's growth and development of nuclear science and technology. Thus, understanding the uranium enrichment and technology associated with the nuclear weapons becomes crucial.) Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Saturday. In a separate report, the agency called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with its years-long probe. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of May 17, Iran has accumulated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent—a 50 per cent rise from February's 274.8 kilograms. This level is just a technical step away from the 90 per cent enrichment needed for nuclear weapons. In this context, let's understand why uranium enrichment is crucial for nuclear weapons. 1. Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter, such that they cannot be 'broken down' further by simple chemical processes. Most of an atom is empty space. The rest comprises three basic types of subatomic particles — positively charged protons, negatively charged electrons, and the neutral neutrons. The protons and neutrons combine to form the atom's nucleus, around which circle a 'cloud' of electrons. 2. The number of protons in an atom determines the element, and the number of neutrons determines the isotope of that element. Different isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties, but very different nuclear properties. 3. Most atoms on Earth are stable due to an equilibrated composition of neutrons and protons in their nucleus. However, in some unstable atoms, the composition of the number of protons and neutrons is such that it does not allow the nucleus to hold itself together. 4. Such atoms are known to be radioactive, and they tend to break apart or fission into two lighter elements. This is the basis of most nuclear weapons and atomic energy. 5. Uranium-235, an extremely rare isotope of the heavy metal uranium, is the most commonly used nuclear fuel, as it is one of the few elements that can undergo induced fission. This means that the element can be broken down very quickly by a process put into motion by humans. 6. This is done by subjecting a U-235 nucleus to neutrons. The nucleus immediately absorbs an extra neutron and consequently becomes unstable — and immediately breaks apart into two lighter atoms, and a few extra neutrons. This process releases what is known as atomic energy. 7. The fission of a U-235 atom produces about 2 to 3 new neutrons on average. If these new neutrons are then absorbed by other U-235 atoms, it creates an exponentially growing chain reaction. The math is simple: with each 'generation' into the chain reaction, the number of atoms engaged can increase by 2 to 3 times. 8. Even though not all neutrons engage in the fission process, as long as each fission leads to more than one additional fission, the chain reaction grows exponentially and releases large amounts of energy. 9. Approximately 99.3% of naturally occurring uranium is of the isotope U-238, which is not fissionable. Naturally occurring uranium, therefore, cannot be used in a weapon, or for that matter, in nuclear power plants. 10. Thus, uranium ore is enriched in order to increase the concentration of U-235. Most nuclear power plants require an enrichment of 3-4% U-235 to sustain a chain reaction. Fission bombs on the other hand need closer to 90% enrichment. 11. This is done in specific enrichment facilities using some extremely complex equipment. Notably, the equipment needed to enrich fuel for nuclear power generations is the same as that needed to enrich it for a bomb — leading to one of the great challenges of enforcing nuclear non-proliferation. Established in 1957, the IAEA was created in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the increased use of nuclear technology. Headquartered in Vienna, IAEA safeguards are embedded in legally binding agreements. These safeguards are accepted by the states after the conclusion of such agreements with the agency. It plays a central role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons through the independent verification of states' compliance with nuclear non-proliferation undertakings. According to IAEA, it has 180 members (as of 15 November 2024). 1. Today, the world is precariously standing at the brink of nuclear weapons proliferation, primarily due to unprecedented insecurity and rising geopolitical tensions. Although it seems that significant progress has been made to limit nuclear arsenals since the Cold War, the pace of reduction has considerably slowed down, leaving the global stockpile of nuclear warheads at alarmingly high levels. 2. 2. According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) study, the top nine nuclear-armed nations collectively possess around 12,331 warheads as of early 2025. The top 9 nuclear-armed countries in the world, as of early 2025 are: Source: Status of World Nuclear Forces 2025, Federation of American Scientists 3. Notably, the 'two superpowers' from the Cold War period, the United States and Russia, collectively hold about 88% of the world's total nuclear arsenal and 84% of the warheads that are readily available for military use. However, presently, both nations are taking gradual steps to diminish their stockpiles through the dismantling of decommissioned warheads; several other countries—such as China, India, and Pakistan—are reportedly expanding their nuclear inventories. (1) Consider the following statements with regard to the Uranium-235: 1. It is an extremely rare isotope of the heavy metal uranium. 2. It is the most commonly used nuclear fuel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (2) Consider the following countries: (UPSC CSE 2015) 1. China. 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Sources: Top 9 nuclear-armed countries in 2025, UN nuclear watchdog flags Iran's growing uranium stockpile amid talks with US, The science behind a nuclear bomb) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
