Latest news with #Capture
Daily Maverick
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Hawks present state capture progress – MPs question token convictions and Gupta extradition failures
The Hawks have delivered a progress report on State Capture to Parliament that details arrests and how thousands of statements have been obtained. But MPs are unimpressed, saying the report pales in comparison with the corruption that gutted South Africa. Thousands of statements have been obtained in the State Capture case, and dozens of arrests have been carried out. This emerged in Parliament on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, during a police committee meeting. As part of the meeting, the Hawks outlined a presentation on progress regarding State Capture matters. These issues, revolving around corruption in state-owned entities, surged when Jacob Zuma was president of South Africa between 2009 and 2018. During his final year as president, Zuma established the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, known as the State Capture commission. It ran from 2018 and in 2022 reports relating to it were handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Thousands of statements The Hawks' presentation, aimed at highlighting responses to recommendations from the State Capture commission, showed it was dealing with 35 dockets or inquiries. Of those, 23 inquiries and five cases were under investigation, two matters were pending based on decisions that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) needed to make, and four cases were on court rolls. A total of seven cases had been finalised, with four of those culminating in guilty findings. The Hawks' presentation noted about 38 arrests and showed that more than 2,800 statements had collectively been obtained in different cases. For example, when it came to the Department of Human Settlements in the Free State, 1,229 statements had been obtained. As for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, 889 statements were obtained. Case closed The presentation also outlined finalised cases. One centred on former South African Airways chair Dudu Myeni, who died last year, and who in 2022 pleaded guilty to an obstruction of justice charge for naming a protected witness during the State Capture commission. She was fined R120,000 or would have had to spend two years in prison, of which a year had been suspended for five years. The Hawks' presentation showed that officers were working with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), an independent unit in the NPA. Despite the inroads into State Capture that the presentation outlined, MPs reacting to it on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction. 'Not encouraging at all' Rise Mzansi's Makashule Gana said: 'I look at the number of cases… and I'm like, alright, is this it? Referring to a specific slide in the presentation, which he viewed as a summary of the overall situation, he added: 'Is this it from the State Capture investigations? 'All the millions and billions that were spent on this particular [State Capture] commission, is this it?' Gana said that it appeared that 'runners' and not the 'masterminds' of State Capture were facing legal action. 'The masterminds are not here… These numbers are not encouraging. I must say, they are not encouraging at all,' he said. 'Everything about this whole thing is just depressing.' The DA's Lisa Schickerling also felt the report was 'lacking'. 'Very little information has been supplied to us in terms of what is actually going on.' Schickerling pointed out that there had been 'a decade of systemic looting' in South Africa, and yet 35 dockets were under Hawks review. 'Are we being placated with token convictions?' she asked, adding that it was a 'paltry return' nearly three years after the State Capture commission reports were released. Where are the Guptas? Schickerling also asked what the 'big game' was and why the extradition of the Gupta brothers, whose names were linked to key State Capture accusations, had failed. Rajesh and Atul Gupta are wanted in South Africa in connection with State Capture crimes, including fraud and money laundering. In 2022, they were arrested in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The following year, they managed to avoid extradition to South Africa. During Wednesday's police committee meeting, Schickerling wanted to know exactly why their extradition had failed and what was being done to 'fix' the situation. She said the Guptas had previously made news headlines, but now 'it's almost as if the Gupta name has been swept under the carpet'. The bigger picture National Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya assured MPs that what was contained in the report on State Capture progress was not a full picture. He said the Hawks were dealing with only a portion of cases, while the Idac was dealing with 'the bigger volume'. 'If we were to be presenting with the Idac, you [would] see the bigger picture,' he said. Lebeya emphasised the Hawks were referring only to a portion of cases. He said in terms of State Capture 'runners' versus 'masterminds,' some individuals charged were heads of departments and directors. Lebeya did not view them as 'runners'. He later said: 'We do not discriminate the level of the suspect, whether they are ordinary administrators or whether they're senior officers in the government… or in the political space.' In terms of the Guptas, Lebeya did not provide details on what was happening with their extradition. Lebeya reiterated that the Hawks focused on securing the attendance of an accused person in court. DM
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kate to meet family of young photographer who died of cancer months after pair met – as she dazzles Garden Party crowd
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KATE and William have been joined by a selection of handpicked friends as they wowed crowds at Buckingham Palace Garden Party. The lavish bash sees the Wales's with invited guests from patronages, military affiliations and passion projects - including the family of a young photographer who passed away from cancer just months after meeting the Princess. 8 Kate dazzled at the garden party in a beautiful dress Credit: X/@RE_DailyMail 8 She was joined by her husband Prince William who wore a formal suit Credit: X/@RE_DailyMail 8 Princess Kate previously hugged Liz Hatton during a meeting at Windsor Castle Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace The gifted photographer, Liz Hatton, had been called "inspirational" by Kate last year when she gave her a warm hug at Windsor Castle. Today, Liz's mum Vicky Robayna and step-dad Aaron Robayna Thompson and brother Matteo were special guests in the Buckingham Palace garden. The family have recently created a charity called Capture to support those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, in Liz's honour. The Princess of Wales, 43, whose cancer is now in remission, and Prince of Wales, 42, has previously said brave Liz had "inspired" them both. In a post after the hug they wrote: "A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. "A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us." The teen hero, from Harrogate, died just weeks later from an incurable brain tumor, aged just 17-years-old. Paying tribute after her death William and Kate wrote: "We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away. "It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz's parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time." William and Kate bump into veteran TV star on ferry while celebrating 14th wedding anniversary in Scotland Others who have the golden ticket to today's garden party include Holocaust survivor Steven Frank - who was photographed by Kate to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust in 2020. At the event today, Will looked dapper in a suit while Kate stunned in a dazzling yellow dress. They were pictured warmly greeting guests on a fine spring afternoon. Unsung heroes from Williams Homewards project and members of Action for Children - which Kate has been a patron of for nine years - also attended the event. 8 Kate and William held the event on King Charles behalf Credit: PA 8 Liz Hatton's family (pictured) attended the event Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Staff from Ty Hafan, a hospice for children with severe conditions which means they are not expected to survive into adulthood, were invited too. Kate had previously visited the hospice in January. The future King and Queen also extended invites to Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie. The Sun has previously revealed Eugenie has been given the cold shoulder by Harry and Meghan after being photographed having a fun lunch with Sussex nemesis Piers Morgan last year. Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are also attending. The garden parties are a longstanding royal tradition bringing together thousands of guests from across the UK. Another garden party will take place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on July 1. These gatherings form part of the royal calendar of public engagements, allowing the monarch to meet people from various walks of life who have made positive contributions to their communities. It comes after Kate and William were notably absent from a Buckingham Palace garden party earlier this month. King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the first of several planned garden parties at Buckingham Palace on May 7. The royal couple welcomed guests to the palace grounds as part of the traditional summer events calendar. Charles, donning a grey suit and light blue waistcoat, beamed as he appeared alongside other Royal Family members. Kate and William's 'philanthropy prize' By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor KATE and William have bagged a top influential prize from a magazine which once hailed Harry and Meghan in the top 100 most influential people. The Prince and Princess of Wales have today been named by Time Magazine in their Top 100 Philanthropy Awards. They hailed Catherine and William as philanthropic innovators for 'modernising royal philanthropy'. It comes after Harry and Meghan named in 2021 in Time 100 most influential people. In recent years Kate has launched her Shaping Us scheme and Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, aimed at getting employers prioritising caring for the young. It has tied up with major companies such as Deloitte, Lego and Co-up. While Prince William is planning his fifth Earthshot Prize which hands out five million pounds a year eco-projects around the globe. And his campaign to end homelessness through organisation Homewards has linked up with Pret a Manger and Natwest, among others. Speaking about his aims at Earthshot in Cape Town last year, William said: "It's more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people." The award says: "Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are less concerned with cultural preservation and more attuned to social issues, tackling homelessness and rural mental health through their Royal Foundation and spotlighting innovative solutions to climate change through the Earthshot Prize, an environmental award founded by William in 2020. It adds: "Crucial to the Waleses' approach is aligning social imperatives with sound business strategies and building corporate alliances." Harry and Meghan have long hailed their philanthropic work through Archewell. But the Duke has recently stepped down from Sentebale after bitter rifts. The monarch removed his top hat for the National Anthem performance and could be seen smiling to the crowds. His Majesty was joined by the Queen, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. One touching video show Charles greeting and shaking the hands of well-wishers. Meanwhile, William and Kate, 43, recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during their visit to the Inner Hebrides. The Prince and Princess of Wales begun their whistlestop trip in Tobermory - the setting for kids TV show Balamory - where they have announced funding for two community centres. During their second and final day they visited the Ardura Community Forest. They met families and Kate looked through toy 'binoculars' made from loo roll tubes. She described it as 'an amazing place to be on our anniversary'. The Princess has previously said that the "power of nature" was a huge support for her during her cancer battle. In a heartwarming post on Instagram the couple paid their thanks to the locals on the Isle of Mull, off Scotland's west coast for their "warm welcome". They tied the knot in Westminster Abbey on April 29 2011, with the aisle of the Gothic London church lined with trees. William has a connection with the Isle of Mull because it is part of lands once ruled by the Lord of the Isles, one of a number of Scottish titles he inherited from his father when Charles became King. Inside Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship - in their words AFTER years of dating, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement on November 16, 2010. Prince William revealed in their interview with BBC that he knew from the start that Kate was different from other people. He said in their engagement interview: "From my point of view, when I first met Kate, I knew there was something very special about her.' When asked what drew them together, it turns out her 'naughty sense of humour' was the tipping point. He said: 'She's got a really naughty sense of humour, which really helps me because I've got a really dirty sense of humour so it was good fun, we had a really good laugh, and then things happened.' And it appears that Prince William is a very caring partner towards Kate. Swoon. She previously told Hello! how much of a gentleman William is, and said: "You know, over the years William has looked after me, he's treated me very well — as the loving boyfriend he is, he is very supportive of me through the good times and also through the bad times.' In April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched around the world by millions of fans. Kate wore a spectacular Alexander McQueen dress and the smitten prince could be seen telling Kate: 'You look beautiful' before the service began. They may have an unconventional life, but when it comes to their relationship, it all boils down to having fun. Prince William added: 'Obviously we both have a very fun time together, both have a very good sense of humour about things, we're down to earth, we take the mickey out of each other a lot, and she's got plenty of habits that make me laugh that I tease her about." 8 Liz Hatton was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer in January Credit: Getty 8 Kate has had her own battle with cancer and said Liz was "inspiring" Credit: Splash News
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Kate to meet family of young photographer who died of cancer months after pair met – as she dazzles Garden Party crowd
KATE and William have been joined by a selection of handpicked friends as they wowed crowds at Buckingham Palace Garden Party. The lavish bash sees the Wales's with invited guests from patronages, military affiliations and passion projects - including the family of a Advertisement 8 Kate dazzled at the garden party in a beautiful dress Credit: X/@RE_DailyMail 8 She was joined by her husband Prince William who wore a formal suit Credit: X/@RE_DailyMail 8 Princess Kate previously hugged Liz Hatton during a meeting at Windsor Castle Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace The gifted photographer, Today, Liz's mum Vicky Robayna and step-dad Aaron Robayna Thompson and brother Matteo were special guests in the Buckingham Palace garden. The family have recently created a charity called Capture to support those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, in The Princess of Wales, 43, whose cancer is now in remission, and Prince of Wales, 42, has previously said Advertisement Read More on the Royals In a post after the hug they wrote: "A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. "A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us." The teen hero, from Harrogate, died just weeks later from an incurable brain tumor, aged just 17-years-old. Paying tribute after her death William and Kate wrote: "We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away. Advertisement Most read in Royals "It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz's parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time." William and Kate bump into veteran TV star on ferry while celebrating 14th wedding anniversary in Scotland Others who have the golden ticket to today's garden party include At the event today, Will looked dapper in a suit while Kate stunned in a dazzling yellow dress. Advertisement They were pictured warmly greeting guests on a fine spring afternoon. Unsung heroes from Williams Homewards project and members of Action for Children - which Kate has been a patron of for nine years - also attended the event. 8 Kate and William held the event on King Charles behalf Credit: PA 8 Liz Hatton's family (pictured) attended the event Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Advertisement Staff from Ty Hafan, a hospice for children with severe conditions which means they are not expected to survive into adulthood, were invited too. Kate had previously The future King and Queen also extended invites to Zara Tindall and The Sun has previously revealed Advertisement The garden parties are a longstanding royal tradition bringing together thousands of guests from across the UK. Another garden party will take place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on July 1. These gatherings form part of the royal calendar of public engagements, allowing the monarch to meet people from various walks of life who have made positive contributions to their communities. Advertisement It comes after Kate and William were notably absent from a Buckingham Palace garden party earlier this month. King Charles and The royal couple welcomed guests to the palace grounds as part of the traditional summer events calendar. Charles, donning a grey suit and light blue waistcoat, beamed as he appeared alongside other Royal Family members. Advertisement Kate and William's 'philanthropy prize' By Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor KATE and William have bagged a top influential prize from a magazine which once hailed Harry and Meghan in the top 100 most influential people. The Prince and Princess of Wales have today been named by Time Magazine in their Top 100 Philanthropy Awards. They hailed Catherine and William as philanthropic innovators for 'modernising royal philanthropy'. It comes after Harry and Meghan named in 2021 in Time 100 most influential people. In recent years Kate has launched her Shaping Us scheme and Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, aimed at getting employers prioritising caring for the young. It has tied up with major companies such as Deloitte, Lego and Co-up. While Prince William is planning his fifth Earthshot Prize which hands out five million pounds a year eco-projects around the globe. And his campaign to end homelessness through organisation Homewards has linked up with Pret a Manger and Natwest, among others. Speaking about his aims at Earthshot in Cape Town last year, William said: "It's more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people." The award says: "Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are less concerned with cultural preservation and more attuned to social issues, tackling homelessness and rural mental health through their Royal Foundation and spotlighting innovative solutions to climate change through the Earthshot Prize, an environmental award founded by William in 2020. It adds: "Crucial to the Waleses' approach is aligning social imperatives with sound business strategies and building corporate alliances." Harry and Meghan have long hailed their philanthropic work through Archewell. But the Duke has recently stepped down from Sentebale after bitter rifts. The monarch removed his top hat for the His Majesty was joined by the Queen, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. One touching video show Charles greeting and shaking the hands of well-wishers. Meanwhile, William and Kate , 43, recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during their visit to the Inner Hebrides. Advertisement The Prince and Princess of Wales begun - the setting for kids TV show Balamory - where they have announced funding for two community centres. During their second and final day they visited the Ardura Community Forest. They met families and Kate looked through toy 'binoculars' made from loo roll tubes. She described it as 'an amazing place to be on our anniversary'. Advertisement The Princess has previously said that the "power of nature" was a huge support for her during her cancer battle. In a heartwarming post on Instagram the couple paid their thanks to the locals on the Isle of Mull, off 's west coast for their "warm welcome". They tied the knot in William has a connection with the Isle of Mull because it is part of lands once ruled by the Lord of the Isles, one of a number of Scottish titles he inherited from his father when Charles became King. Advertisement Inside Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship - in their words AFTER years of dating, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement on November 16, 2010. Prince William revealed in their interview with BBC that he knew from the start that Kate was different from other people. He said in their engagement interview: "From my point of view, when I first met Kate, I knew there was something very special about her.' When asked what drew them together, it turns out her 'naughty sense of humour' was the tipping point. He said: 'She's got a really naughty sense of humour, which really helps me because I've got a really dirty sense of humour so it was good fun, we had a really good laugh, and then things happened.' And it appears that Prince William is a very caring partner towards Kate. Swoon. She previously told Hello! how much of a gentleman William is, and said: "You know, over the years William has looked after me, he's treated me very well — as the loving boyfriend he is, he is very supportive of me through the good times and also through the bad times.' In April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched around the world by millions of fans. Kate wore a spectacular Alexander McQueen dress and the smitten prince could be seen telling Kate: 'You look beautiful' before the service began. They may have an unconventional life, but when it comes to their relationship, it all boils down to having fun. Prince William added: 'Obviously we both have a very fun time together, both have a very good sense of humour about things, we're down to earth, we take the mickey out of each other a lot, and she's got plenty of habits that make me laugh that I tease her about." 8 Liz Hatton was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer in January Credit: Getty 8 Kate has had her own battle with cancer and said Liz was "inspiring" Credit: Splash News 8 The Prince and Princess of Wales stood with their children, George, Louis and Charlotte on the Buckingham Palace Balcony to mark VE Day Credit: Zak Hussein/
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
2025 Milky Way photo contest features its first winning image taken from space
The winners of the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest have been announced, highlighting epic imagery of the Milky Way from around the world, and even from above it. The contest, hosted by travel photography blog Capture the Atlas, is in its eighth year. This year, the contest received 6,000 entries from photographers of 16 different nationalities. Images spanned 25 locations around the globe, including Chile, the United States, Greece, Switzerland, Guatemala, New Zealand, Taiwan, Yemen, Chad, India, Namibia, Spain and more. Plus, an image taken from space was included in the collection for the first time. Some photos captured celestial events like a comet, a meteor shower and a lunar eclipse. Dan Zafra, the editor of Capture the Atlas, curates the annual list based on image quality, the story behind the shot and the overall inspiration it provides. Zafra says the project's goal is to inspire people to connect with the night sky and "to encourage photographers to explore and photograph the Milky Way from new angles." You can see all of the winning images at Capture the Atlas, along with tips on how and where to photograph the Milky Way. Photographer: Don Pettit Image title: One in a Billion Image location: ISS (International Space Station) Camera settings: 8 sec, F1.4, ISO 6400 Gear: Nikon Z9, Sigma 14mm F1.4. Sky Watcher modified tracker Caption: I float in the Cupola, looking out the seven windows composing this faceted transparent jewel. While my mind is submerged in contemplation, my eyes gorge on the dim reflections from a nighttime Earth. There are over eight billion people that call this planet home. There are seven of us that can say the same for Space Station. What a privilege it is to be here. I used an orbital star tracker to take out the star streak motion from orbit. Photographer: Petr Horálek Image title: Tololo Lunar Eclipse Image location: Cerro Tololo Observatory, Chile Camera settings: ISO 8000, 81 x 10 sec (single exposures stitched to panorama). Moon is result of HDR work. Gear: Canon Ra, Sigma Art 35mm F1.8 Caption: On March 14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse occurred, especially visible over the Americas and the Pacific Ocean. I was fortunate to observe this particular eclipse from the NSF Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. You can see how epic the sky was during totality, as the Moon darkened enough for the majestic Milky Way, the faint belt of Zodiacal Light, and prominent airglow to stand out. Photographer: Mike Abramyan Image title: Boot Arch Perseids Image location: Alabama Hills, CA, USA Camera settings: Sky: Mosaic of 9 images at 50mm, 92 sec, F2, ISO 400; Foreground: Mosaic of 4 images at 50mm, 92 sec, F2.8, ISO 400; Meteors: 14mm, 15 sec, F1.8, ISO 400 Gear: Sony A7IV Astromodified, Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM, Benro Polaris, Leofoto LS-324C, Sony A7IV, Sony 14mm 1.8 GM Caption: The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every August, raining down hundreds of meteors over a few nights. In 2024, I had planned to photograph it from the Canadian Rockies, but wildfires forced me to change my plans at the last minute. After checking wildfire maps, I found a safe haven in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. After three full nights of capturing meteors, I created this image. Sitting on the rock is my friend Arne, who often joins me on these adventures, gazing up at the magnificent core of our galaxy. Each meteor is painstakingly aligned to its true location in the night sky. The final depiction shows all the meteors I captured, combined into one frame—as if the Earth hadn't been rotating and all the meteors had fallen at once. Photographer: Benjamin Barakat Image title: Bottle Tree Paradise Image location: Socotra, Yemen Camera settings: Foreground (blue hour): 10 sec, F8, ISO 400; Sky: 5x 120 sec, F2.0, ISO 400 Gear: Sony A7IV, Sony 14mm F1.8, Sunwayfoto T2840CK, MSM Nomad Caption: Socotra is one of my favorite places on Earth, but when it comes to a specific location, this one stands out. It doesn't have an official name, as it's not a destination for the few fortunate tourists who visit Socotra. After shooting there for the past four years and scouting the island, I've discovered hidden gems like this one, which I call Bottle Tree Paradise. Bottle trees are unique to Socotra, a result of the island's long isolation from the mainland. This separation allowed them to evolve distinctive features, such as their water-storing, bottle-shaped trunks, which help them survive Socotra's harsh, dry climate. They are believed to have originated from ancient plant species that adapted to the island's unique environment over millions of years. Photographer: Angel Fux Image title: Double Milky Way Arch Over Matterhorn Image location: Zermatt, Switzerland Camera settings: Both arches share the same Exif: 20mm, F5.6, 127 sec, ISO 2500; Foreground / Landscape: 15.5mm, F5, 1/5 sec, ISO 800 Gear: Nikon Z6 Astromodified (for the sky part), NIKKOR Z 20mm F1.8, Nikon Z8 (for the landscape part), NIKKOR Z 14-24mm F2.8, Benro Polaris Astro Kit, Peak Design travel tripod Caption: This image captures the rare Double Arch Milky Way, where both the Winter Milky Way (with Orion rising) and the Summer Milky Way (with the Galactic Center) appear in the same night—a seamless transition between seasons. Taken at 3,200 meters in the heart of winter, the night was brutally cold, testing both my endurance and equipment. This is a time blend, preserving the real positions of both arches by combining frames taken hours apart, with the foreground captured at dawn for the best detail. Zermatt and the Matterhorn have been photographed countless times, but I aimed to create something truly unique—an image captured under conditions few would attempt. I'm incredibly proud of the effort and patience it took to bring this vision to life. Photographer: Pablo Ruiz Image title: Valle de los Cactus Image location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile Camera settings: Sky: 9 x 240 sec, F2.8, ISO 800, 14mm; Foreground: 9 x 120 sec, F2.8, ISO 2500, 14mm Gear: Nikon D810, Nikon Z6 A, Nikkor 14-24 F2.8 ,Rollei Gamma, Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Caption: A panoramic shot of the Milky Way in a remote area of the Atacama Cactus Valley, known for its large concentration of cactus plants. I love this place with its countless possibilities. The panorama was taken just as the galactic center began to rise, with the spectacular Gum Nebula visible on the right. It was an especially bright night with a breathtaking sky. The valley isn't easy to navigate, but it's always worth trying to find new compositions in such stunning locations beneath the night sky. Photographer: Sergio Montúfar Image title: Cosmic Fire Image location: Volcán Acatenango, Guatemala Camera settings: 10 sec, F2.8, ISO 3200 Gear: Canon 6d Astromodified, Samyang 24mm F1.4, Sirui tripod Caption: On the early morning of June 2, 2024, I summited Acatenango Volcano for the first time, hoping to witness the fiery beauty of the neighboring Volcan de Fuego against the Milky Way's backdrop. That night, the volcano was incredibly active—each thunderous explosion reverberated in my chest, while glowing lava illuminated the dark slopes. Above, the Milky Way stretched diagonally across the sky, a mesmerizing band of stars contrasting with the chaos below. As the volcano erupted, the ash plume rose vertically, forming an acute angle of about 45 degrees with the galaxy's diagonal path, creating a stunning visual contrast between Earth's fury and the cosmos' serenity. Capturing this required a fast, wide-angle lens (f/2.8), an ISO of 3200, and a 10-second exposure to balance the volcanic glow with the starlight. The challenge was timing the shot during a new moon and aligning the right moment for the Milky Way to cross the frame next to the volcano. I used Lightroom as the editor. This image is special for its storytelling—the raw power of Volcan de Fuego meeting the tranquil expanse of the galaxy. Photographer: Max Inwood Image title: A Sea of Lupines Image location: Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Camera settings: Sky: 30 sec, F2.0, ISO 3200; Foreground: 30 sec, F2.4, ISO 6400 Gear: Canon 6D Astromodified, Sigma 28mm F1.4 Art, Samyang 14mm F1.4 XP, iOption SkyGuider Pro Caption: The annual lupine bloom in New Zealand is spectacular, with fields of colorful flowers stretching across the Mackenzie Basin. This region, located in the heart of the South Island, is renowned for its dark skies, making the scene even more surreal at night. I had to wait until the early hours of the morning for the wind to calm down, but eventually everything became still, and I was able to capture this image. Above the flowers, you can see the band of the outer Milky Way, alongside the constellations Orion, Gemini, and the Pleiades. Joining them are the bright planets Jupiter and Mars, with a strong display of green airglow visible along the horizon. Photographer: Brent Martin Image title: Diamond Beach Emerald Sky Image location: Great Ocean Road, Australia Camera settings: Sky: 13 frames x 3 rows, @ 20mm, F3.5, ISO 1600, 60 sec tracked exposures; Foreground: 13 frames x 2 rows, @ 20mm, F2.5, ISO 1600, 60 sec exposures. Gear: Sony A7III Astromodified, Sony 20mm F1.8 G, Sky-watcher Star Adventurer 2i Caption: With a clear night forecast and the Milky Way core returning for 2025, I set out to explore the Great Ocean Road. After a few setbacks—such as a failed composition and getting the car stuck on a sandy track—I almost gave up. However, I pushed on and found a great spot above the beach to capture the scene. The night was full of color, with Comet C/2024 G3 Atlas and a pink aurora in the early hours, followed by the Milky Way rising amid intense green airglow near dawn. Despite the challenges, the reward of this stunning image and the memory of the view made it all worthwhile. Photographer: Ethan Su Image title: Blossom Image location: Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park, Taiwan Camera settings: Sky: 1 row tracked panorama at F2, 90sec, ISO 800; Foreground: 2 row panorama and focus stack, F2.8, 60 sec, ISO 6400; 65 images in total. Gear: Caption: After three years of waiting, the Yushan alpine rhododendrons are finally in bloom once again on Taiwan's 3,000-meter-high Hehuan Mountain. On this special night, distant clouds helped block city light pollution, revealing an exceptionally clear view of the Milky Way. A solar flare from active region AR3664 reached Earth that evening, intensifying the airglow and adding an otherworldly touch to the sky. Together, these rare natural events created a breathtaking scene—vivid blooms glowing softly beneath a star-filled sky. Photographer: Rositsa Dimitrova Image title: The Night Guardians Image location: Easter Island, Chile Camera settings: Blend of 2 shots: foreground: 88 sec, F3.5, ISO 3200; sky: 20 sec, F2.0, ISO 2000 Gear: Sony A7iii Astromodified, Sony GM 14mm F1.8 Caption: Easter Island had been on my bucket list for a long time, and it once seemed almost impossible to reach. On our first night there, the weather forecast looked promising, so we decided to go ahead with the tour our group had booked 4–5 months earlier. However, Rapa Nui sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where the weather is notoriously unpredictable. When we woke up at 3 a.m. in our hotel, the sky was completely covered in clouds. Still, we decided to take the risk, knowing the forecast for the next few nights was even worse. An hour later, we were frantically photographing the statues at Rano Raraku—the quarry where nearly all of the island's 900 statues were carved—when the sky suddenly began to clear. By 5 a.m., it was completely clear, and we had less than two hours to capture all the shots we wanted. We felt incredibly lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Photographer: Kavan Chay Image title: Evolution of Stars Image location: Otago, New Zealand Camera settings: Sky RGB: 4 frames x 3 rows, each shot at 40mm, F1.8, ISO 1250, 50 second exposures; Sky (Rho region): Stack of 10 frames, each shot at 40mm, F1.8, ISO 1250, 60 second exposures; Foreground: 4 frames x 3 rows, each shot at 40mm, F4, ISO 2000, 60 second exposures. Gear: Nikon Z7 (astromodified), Sigma Art 40mm F1.4, Benro GX-35 ballhead, Sirui AM-254 tripod legs, Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro 2i Caption: The first image I captured from this spot is the one I feel truly kickstarted my astrophotography journey years ago. It was the first time I shot a tracked panorama using a 'longer' focal length lens (50mm). The set of sea stacks provided a prominent foreground subject facing the right direction, and being a local spot relatively free of light pollution, it was the perfect location to capture the Milky Way core. It felt fitting to try again with a few extra years of experience and an astro-modified camera, which allows for easier capture of hydrogen-alpha-rich regions of the sky (like the reddish nebulae around Zeta Ophiuchi, as seen in the image). The years of experience certainly made panoramic shooting and editing easier, though the shoot wasn't without its challenges. I managed to drop a tiny screw adapter in the dark, so I had to improvise a quick solution to make use of the star tracker. With a dying headlamp and the mysteries of wildlife lurking in the dark, all while the tide rapidly rose, it felt like enough adventure for a weekday night. Photographer: Uroš Fink Image title: Winter Fairy Tale Image location: Dobratsch Nature Park, Austria Camera settings: Sky: ISO 800, F1.8, 90 sec, 8 panels, low exposure frames for brighter sky parts (30 sec) + lee soft 5 for stars (ISO 3200, F1.8, 20 sec); Foreground: ISO 1250, F2.2, 80s, 8 panels + multi exposure frames for lightning the hut (80 sec, 20 sec,10 sec,5 sec,2 sec,1 sec) Gear: Nikon Z, Sigma 20mm 1.4 Dg Dn, Megadap tze21, Fornax Lightrack 2i, Sunwayfoto t3240ck, Lee soft 5 filter for stars, Focus on star mask Caption: Undoubtedly my wildest location this winter: Austria's Dobratsch mountain! If I had to describe it in two words, it would be a 'Winter Fairytale'! Despite a 5 a.m. work shift, I drove to Austria by 1 p.m., worried about my fitness and lack of sleep. After a 2-hour hike through the snow with a 22kg backpack and sled, the stunning views kept me energized. Arriving at the cabin (where I had planned my winter panorama two years ago), I was greeted by untouched snow, completely free of footprints. I spent the evening exploring compositions, and this is my favorite: a panorama of the winter Milky Way with reddish nebulae, stretching above Dobratsch Mountain. I captured the Zodiacal light and even the Gegenschein glow! The sky was magnificent, with Jupiter and Mars shining brightly. In the foreground is the cabin, where I spent 3 freezing hours (-12°C), waiting for the perfect shot of the Milky Way's core. It turned out exactly as I envisioned—a true winter fairytale. Photographer: Vikas Chander Image title: Echiwile Arch Image location: Ennedi, Chad Camera settings: Sky Exposure: 300 sec, F2.8, ISO 800, stack of 6; Foreground exposure: 480 sec, F2.8, ISO 800, LENR, LLL; Software: Pixinsight and Photoshop Gear: Sony A7rV Ha modded, Sony 12-24 F2.8 GM, Rainbow Astro RST 135e Caption: When one first Googles information about visiting Chad, the results aren't very encouraging from a safety perspective. Nevertheless, the intrepid astrophotographer in me decided to take the chance and visit this landlocked country, specifically the Ennedi Massif in the north. Sparsely populated and completely devoid of light pollution, the three-day drive from the capital, N'Djamena, was well worth the troubles and risks involved. The region is filled with numerous rock formations, shapes, and arches, offering an abundance of options for foreground elements to frame the dramatic night skies. Seen here is a small arch in the shape of a hoof in the Ennedi region. Photographer: Xingyang Cai Image title: Starlit Ocean: A Comet, the setting Venus, the Milky Way, and McWay Falls Image location: California, USA Camera settings: Sky: Stack of 20 images, each at ISO 1600, F1.4, 4 sec; Foreground: Stack of 10 images, each at ISO 3200, F1.4, 20 sec Gear: Sony A7 III (astro-modified), Sony 14mm F1.4 Caption: Capturing this image was a race against time, light, and distance. With Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3) making its approach, I knew I had a rare opportunity to see it with the naked eye before it faded into the cosmos. I embarked on a five-hour round trip to McWay Falls in Big Sur, one of the few Bortle 2 locations accessible along California's coast. My window was narrow—just six precious minutes of true darkness before the Moon rose and washed out the night sky. But those six minutes were unforgettable. In that brief span, the Milky Way arched high above the Pacific, Venus shimmered as it set over the ocean, and the comet streaked quietly across the sky—a celestial visitor gracing this iconic coastal cove. The soft cascade of McWay Falls and the stillness of the starlit ocean created a surreal harmony between Earth and sky. It was one of the most vivid and humbling naked-eye comet sightings I've ever experienced—an alignment of cosmic elements that felt both fleeting and eternal.
See - Sada Elbalad
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"Spring Breakers" Sequel Set with New Cast
Yara Sameh A sequel to Harmony Korine's cult classic 'Spring Breakers,' which starred Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco, is coming. The film, titled 'Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain,' comes from the producers of the 2012 original but with an all-new cast and Matthew Bright ('Freeway') replacing Korine in the director's chair. Capture — the recently-launched joint venture between Capstone Global and Signature Entertainment — is launching sales in Cannes. 'Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain' will star Bella Thorne ('Rumble Through the Dark'), Ariel Martin ('Zombies 2'), Grace Van Dien ('Stranger Things'), and True Whitaker ('Godfather of Harlem'). The four are set to play a group of rebellious girls who hit the road for spring break in a crime thriller described as 'a bold new ride for Gen Z.' But, as per the synopsis, 'When their trip explodes out of control, they're forced to outrun the chaos they've created.' Producers of the original feature, Muse Production's Chris Hanley ('American Psycho,' 'The Virgin Suicides') and Jordan Gertner ('Bully'), have reteamed for the sequel. Capstone Studios serves as financiers, with global sales being handled by Capture's Ella Field, Asia Muci, Emilie Barra and Nathan Wang. 'We're thrilled to be working with Christian and Capture on 'Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain' and excited to keep exploring bold, new, disruptive stories around that wild, fever dream of youth,' said Hanley and Gertner in a statement. 'The desire for spring break to go on forever is something we've never let go of.' Korine's 'Spring Breakers' went on to gross over $30 million at the global box office from a $5 million budget and solidified itself as a cult hit. A sequel involving Christian extremists — 'Spring Breakers: The Second Coming' — was first announced in 2014 with Jonas Åkerlund attached and Irvine Welsh writing. By 2017, the project had been shelved in favor of a digital series that never materialized. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
