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PARIS — A planet relatively close to Earth could be the first ever detected with a potentially life-sustaining liquid ocean outside our Solar System, according to scientists using the James Webb space telescope.

More than 5,000 planets have been discovered outside of the Solar System so far, but only a handful are in what is called the “Goldilocks zone” — neither too hot or too cold — that could host liquid water, a key ingredient for life.

The exoplanet LHS 1140 b is one of the few in this habitable zone, and has been thoroughly scrutinised since it was first discovered in 2017.

It sits 48 light years from Earth, which equates to more than 450 trillion kilometres — relatively close in the vast distances of space.

The exoplanet had been thought to be a small gas giant called a “mini-Neptune” with an atmosphere too thick with hydrogen and helium to support alien life.

However, new observations from the Webb telescope have confirmed that the exoplanet is in fact a rocky “super-Earth”.

It is 1.7 times bigger than Earth, but has 5.6 times its mass, according to a study published late Wednesday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

‘Best bet’ for ocean world 

The Webb telescope was able to analyse the planet’s atmosphere as it passed in front of its star.

There were no signs of hydrogen or helium, which ruled out that the planet was a mini-Neptune.

The density of the planet indicates that it “actually has large quantities of water”, study co-author Martin Turbet of France’s CNRS scientific research centre told AFP.

It could be a truly immense amount of water.

All the water in Earth’s oceans represent only 0.02 per cent of its mass. But 10 to 20 per cent of the exoplanet’s mass was estimated to be water.

Whether or not this water is in liquid or ice form depends on the planet’s atmosphere.

“We do not have direct evidence that it has an atmosphere, but several elements point in that direction,” Turbet said.

Lead study author Charles Cadieux, a PhD student at the University of Montreal, said that “of all currently known temperate exoplanets, LHS 1140 b could well be our best bet to one day indirectly confirm liquid water on the surface of an alien world”.

One positive is that the planet is gently warmed by its red dwarf star, which is one-fifth the size of the Sun.

The exoplanet’s surface temperature should be fairly similar to that on Earth and Mars, Turbet said.

The presence of gasses such as carbon dioxide will play a key role in determining whether the planet is covered in ice or water.

Bull’s-eye ocean 

One possibility is that the surface is mostly ice, but there is a vast liquid ocean where the planet is most exposed to its star’s heat.

This ocean could measure about 4,000 kilometres in diameter, around half the surface area of the Atlantic Ocean, modelling suggested.

Or the liquid water could be hidden under a thick shell of ice, like on the moons Ganymede, Enceladus or Europa orbiting around Jupiter and Saturn.

Webb’s instrument spotted signs that suggest “the presence of nitrogen”, Cadieux said, adding that more research was needed to confirm the finding.

Nitrogen is found everywhere on Earth, and is thought to be another potentially ingredient for life.

The researchers are hoping to get a few more hours of the Webb’s telescope’s precious time to find out more about LHS 1140 b.

It will take at least a year to confirm whether the exoplanet has an atmosphere, and two or three more to detect the presence of carbon dioxide, the researchers estimated.

NEW YORK — The largest stegosaurus skeleton ever found is expected to fetch millions of dollars at auction in New York next week, likely fueling objections from paleontologists.

The fossil, estimated to be approximately 150 million years old, was put on display at Sotheby’s on Wednesday and will be exhibited there until its sale on July 17.

Named Apex, the giant skeleton — 3.3 metres tall — is billed as “the most complete and best-preserved” stegosaurus specimen of its size, counting 254 fossil bone elements of an approximate total of 319.

Such sales have become more frequent in recent years, drawing criticism from paleontologists, who say that these finds should be preserved in museums or other public spaces and not sold to private bidders.

“It’s a very, very rare animal, and to find one of this size and this completeness is phenomenal,” Cassandra Hatton, head of science and popular culture at Sotheby’s, told AFP.

The auction house estimates Apex’s value at $4-6 million, though still less than Stan, the world’s most complete tyrannosaurus rex skeleton sold in 2020 for a record $31.8 million.

Apex was discovered in May 2022 on the private land of paleontologist Jason Cooper. The auction house says it has collaborated with Cooper to “document the entire process, from discovery and excavation to restoration, preparation and mounting”, in order to guarantee the “highest standards and transparency”.

In 2022, Christie’s auction house had to withdraw a T-rex skeleton a few days before auction in Hong Kong, due to doubts about its authenticity.

Stegosaurus skeletons are already on display around the world, but according to Sotheby’s, Apex is 30 per cent larger than Sophie, the most complete stegosaurus on public display to date, which is housed in the Natural History Museum in London.

The debate around auctions of dinosaur fossils is one “I’ve heard a lot,” said Hatton.

“When you have a scientifically important specimen, the museums usually show up and find donors to bid on their behalf or they bid themselves.”

“Most of the people I work with are donating specimens to museums or loaning them to museums, they understand the significance and importance of these specimens.”

According to Sotheby’s, Cooper has already donated fossils to museums around the world.

WASHINGTON — The NASA astronaut knocks loudly three times on a what appears to be a nondescript door, and calls cheerfully: “You ready to come out?”

The reply is inaudible, but beneath his mask he appears to be grinning as he yanks the door open — and four scientists who have spent a year away from all other human contact, simulating a mission to Mars, spill out to cheers and applause.

Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell, Nathan Jones and team leader Kelly Haston have spent the past 378 days sealed inside the “Martian” habitat in Houston, Texas, part of NASA’s research into what it will take to put humans on the Red Planet.

They have been growing vegetables, conducting “Marswalks,” and operating under what NASA terms “additional stressors” — such as communication delays with “Earth”, including their families; isolation and confinement.

It’s the kind of experience that would make anyone who lived through pandemic lockdowns shudder — but all four were beaming as they reemerged on Saturday, their hair slightly more unruly and their emotion apparent.

“Hello. It’s actually so wonderful just to be able to say hello to you,” Haston, a biologist, said with a laugh.

“I really hope I don’t cry standing up here in front of all of you,” Jones, an emergency room doctor, said as he took to the microphone — and nearly doing just that several moments later as he spotted his wife in the crowd.

The habitat, dubbed Mars Dune Alpha, is a 3D printed 160 square-metre facility, complete with bedrooms, a gym, common areas and a vertical farm to grow food.

An outdoor area, separated by an airlock, is filled with red sand and is where the team donned suits to conduct their “Marswalks”, though it is still covered rather than being open air.

“They have spent more than a year in this habitat conducting crucial science, most of it nutrition-based and how that impacts their performace... as we prepare to send people on to the Red Planet,” Steve Koerner, deputy director at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre, told the crowd.

“I’m very appreciative.”

This mission is the first of a series of three planned by NASA, grouped under the title CHAPEA — Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog.

A year-long mission simulating life on Mars took place in 2015-2016 in a habitat in Hawaii, and although NASA participated in it, it was not at the helm.

Under its Artemis program, America plans to send humans back to the Moon in order to learn how to live there long-term to help prepare a trip to Mars, sometime towards the end of the 2030s.

SANTA FE, United States — Alec Baldwin arrived at a New Mexico courthouse on Tuesday for the start of his long-awaited involuntary manslaughter trial over a fatal shooting on the set of a Western movie.

The Hollywood A-lister was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal for a scene in “Rust” when it discharged a live round, killing her and wounding the movie’s director.

Baldwin, 66, says he did not know the gun was loaded and did not pull the trigger. Prosecutors say he acted recklessly on set and has repeatedly changed his story since the tragic events of October 2021.

After multiple attempts by Baldwin’s lawyers to have the case thrown out all failed, the matter will now be settled at a courthouse in Santa Fe.

Jury selection was due to get under way on Tuesday morning, with opening arguments expected to follow on Wednesday. The entire trial is scheduled to last around 10 days.

Due to the “30 Rock” actor’s immense fame, and the rarity of on-set deaths, the story has garnered global attention while sharply polarising opinion.

Sympathetic observers view Baldwin as a victim who has been pursued by prosecutors in part due to his status as a celebrity and liberal darling.

Others see the death as the easily avoidable result of a movie star’s allegedly unpredictable and complacent behaviour.

“To watch Mr Baldwin’s conduct on the set of ‘Rust’ is to witness a man who has absolutely no control of his own emotions and absolutely no concern for how his conduct affects those around him,” special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has said.

If found guilty, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison. It is not yet known if he plans to take the stand in his defence.

Hutchins’s death occurred almost three years ago, during a rehearsal in a small chapel on the Bonanza Creek Ranch, on a sunny afternoon mid-way through the filming of “Rust”,

Baldwin was practicing a scene in which his character, an aging outlaw who has been cornered in the church by two marshals, draws his Colt six-shooter.

The actor said he was told the gun was safe, was instructed by Hutchins to aim the revolver in her direction, and did not pull the trigger.

Live bullets are in any case banned from movie sets, and Baldwin has said it was not his responsibility as an actor to check.

Filming of “Rust” was halted by the tragedy, but completed last year on location in Montana.

Earlier this year the film’s armourer was convicted of manslaughter in the same courthouse, and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Her trial revealed arguments the prosecution will likely level against Baldwin.

At the time, armourer Hannah Gutierrez’s defense lawyers said Baldwin “violated some of the most basic gun safety rules you can ever learn”, including never pointing a gun at a person unless you intend to fire it.

“Alec Baldwin’s conduct and his lack of gun safety inside that church on that day is something that he’s going to have to answer for,” responded Morrissey.

“Not with you and not today. That’ll be with another jury, on another day.”

Defence boost

That day has now arrived.

On Monday, Baldwin — dressed in a dark suit and striped tie, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and with his hair clipped short — attended court and took notes as lawyers settled various pre-trial matters.

In a boost for the defence, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled prosecutors cannot argue Baldwin’s additional role as a producer on “Rust” makes him more culpable.

But the case finally arriving in court is already a victory for prosecutors, who have fended off multiple attempts to have it dismissed.

Among these, Baldwin’s lawyers said damage to the gun caused by an FBI testing lab meant the actor could not get a fair trial.

The FBI found the gun could not have fired without its trigger being pulled — a conclusion the defense say they were robbed of a chance to disprove.

The judge was not convinced, and ordered the trial to proceed.

By Rania Sa’adi
Rapid Transfor-mationalTherapist & Clinaicl Hypnotherapist

In the intricate tapestry of human relationships, men often find themselves navigating through a maze of societal expectations. From short romances to lifelong partnerships, the dynamics of men’s relationships exhibit an array of patterns, some conventional, others peculiar.

Understanding these unconventional relationship patterns offers insight into the diverse ways in which men connect, love and perceive intimacy.

Men are traditionally depicted as strong beings bound by a rigid frame of rules. But contrary to popular belief, men possess a vast spectrum of emotions and desires, shaping their approach to relationships in multifaceted ways.

For some men, their independence dominates their relationship landscape.

They thrive on autonomy and cherish the freedom to explore diverse experiences unhindered by commitment.

These type of men often value flexibility over long-term obligations. 

Their unconventional approach may stem from a desire to prioritise career aspirations, or simply a reluctance to conform to societal expectations.

Intimacy without romance

In the realm of male relationships, intimacy extends far beyond romantic entanglements.

Male friendships, characterised by loyalty and shared experiences, play a pivotal role in shaping men’s emotional landscapes.

These bonds serve as a cornerstone of support, offering a sanctuary for vulnerability and genuine connection amidst the complexities of life. From childhood companions to lifelong confidants, friendships provide men with a sense of belonging and solidarity, transcending conventional notions of intimacy.

Untangling emotional complexity

Behind the facade of nonchalance, men hold a complex tapestry of emotions, often concealed from the prying eyes of society.

The pressure to conform to masculine ideals holds them back from healthy emotional expression, leading to a lot of internal conflicts and insecurities.

Therefore, unhealthy relationship patterns emerge.

However, with the increase of awareness in our society, men are increasingly embracing vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.

They are fostering deeper connections with themselves, resulting in better connections with their partners.

By embracing authenticity and emotional awareness, men cultivate healthier relationships founded on trust, empathy and genuine communication.

The environment in which a man is brought up in plays a significant role in shaping his relationship patterns.

Each society injects its own set of norms, values and expectations. Our society, in specific, encourages familial bonds to individualistic quests looking for personal autonomy.

When it comes to relationship patterns, men also fall under the programming they absorbed, as children, in their household.

Subconsciously repeating those patterns without even noticing why they attract a certain person into their lives.

Men may find themselves drawn to individuals who evoke familiar traits reminiscent of their mother, thus shaping their perception of an ideal partner.

This inclination towards familiarity stems from the mind’s natural tendency to be attracted towards what is known and comfortable while resisting the unfamiliar.

However, this tendency can lead to unhealthy relationship patterns if not rooted in essential foundations such as genuine connection, compatibility and understanding. Consequently, relationships built solely on familiarity may lack the necessary depth and authenticity required for long-term fulfilment.

Cultural context significantly shapes men’s relationship patterns, as each society transmits its unique norms, values and expectations.

Men traverse varied cultural landscapes that deeply influence their relational decisions. Additionally, environmental factors and childhood upbringing have considerable influence, leading individuals to subconsciously gravitate towards partners who resonate with familiar traits.

This unconscious pattern often results in unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Breaking free from these patterns begins with awareness of this subconscious programming, paving the way for self-acceptance and understanding.

By acknowledging and addressing these influences, individuals can forge connections founded on authenticity and genuine compatibility.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine.

MUMBAI — Canadian pop star Justin Bieber entertained some of India’s biggest celebrities in the latest instalment of months-long wedding celebrations thrown for the son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani.

Bieber, who shot to prominence as a teenage heartthrob, is among several global celebrities who have jetted into India for the marriage festivities of Ambani’s younger son Anant and fiancee Radhika Merchant.

He and Merchant, both 29, were childhood friends and are set to marry in a three-day Hindu ceremony beginning on July 12.

Bieber, who flew in from Los Angeles, was pictured at the Mumbai airport Friday morning wearing an oversized pink T-shirt and a bucket hat.

Footage of his concert in the financial hub that night shared on social media showed him performing his 2015 hit “Sorry” in front of hundreds of VIP revellers.

Bollywood star Salman Khan and former India cricket captain M.S. Dhoni were among the celebrity guests in attendance on Friday.

Indian media reports said Bieber was rumoured to have been paid up to $10 million for the performance.

Anant Ambani and Merchant have already staged two elaborate and star-studded parties ahead of this month’s main event, including a three-day gala in February in Gujarat state.

There, Rihanna performed her first concert since last year’s Super Bowl for guests including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and former US president Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka.

In June, the couple embarked on a four-day Mediterranean cruise, where singer Katy Perry performed at a masquerade ball at a French chateau in Cannes.

The Backstreet Boys, US rapper Pitbull and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli also provided entertainment.

Anant’s billionaire tycoon father is no stranger to throwing a costly wedding.

He held the most expensive wedding in India to date for his daughter in 2018, which reportedly cost $100 million and saw US singer Beyonce perform.

Ambani, 67, the chairman of Reliance Industries, has a fortune of more than $113 billion, the 11th wealthiest person in the world, according to the Forbes billionaires list.

He is also a key ally of India’s right-wing Hindu nationalist leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ambani inherited a thriving industrial enterprise spanning oil, gas and petrochemicals.

He grew it into a commercial behemoth with lucrative interests in retail, telecommunications and an Indian Premier League cricket team.

Merchant is the daughter of prominent pharmaceutical moguls.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of smuggled tortoises meant for sale in Southeast Asia, disrupting an international crime ring called the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, a wildlife official said on Thursday.

Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, wildlife and national parks department director-general, said 400 tortoises worth 3.8 million ringgit ($805,084) bound for the lucrative exotic pet trade were seized during an operation by the police and wildlife officials on Saturday.

Across Asia, many believe that tortoises bring good luck and prosperity.

“This is the biggest ever seizure in the past 10 years,” Abdul Kadir told AFP, adding that the reptiles were to be sold on to Thailand and Indonesia after local demand was met.

He said the tortoises were believed to have been smuggled from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The joint operation, codenamed “United National Resource”, crippled the tortoise smuggling ring known as the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, he said.

The operation involved a car chase in which the driver of a vehicle thought to be used in the smuggling was arrested.

The driver subsequently led the enforcement officers to a location where rare three-keeled land turtles and Indian star tortoises were being kept.

Commercial trade in the Indian star tortoise was banned in 2019.

“The strategic location of Malaysia in Southeast Asia makes the country a hub for the smuggling of these exotic species,” Abdul Kadir said.

The tortoises are illegally brought into Malaysia by road or in suitcases by smugglers aboard commercial flights, he said.

Traffic, a wildlife NGO, has previously said that Southeast Asian countries “function as source, consumer and as entrepots for wildlife originating from within the region as well as the rest of the world”.

PARIS — Three planes, 270 tonnes of equipment, 800 square metres of stage: The figures from Madonna’s massive free concert in Rio in May sounded like they came from another age.

These days, megastars are usually keener to claim a smaller footprint.

Coldplay, who just headlined Glastonbury Festival in Britain, recently announced they had cut carbon emissions on their world tour by 59 per cent compared with their last tour in 2016-17.

They have taken innovative steps including solar panels and even a special dance floor that generates electricity from the movement of the audience.

Critics point out they are still flying around on planes, and there was particularly opprobrium in 2022 when they announced a partnership with Finnish oil giant Neste.

Though Neste promised to help them use sustainable biofuels, the Transport and Environment campaign group said Coldplay were being used by the oil firm as “useful idiots for greenwashing”.

Though the overall impact is hard to measure, one study by University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute in 2010 estimated that Britain’s industry alone generated 540,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Climate group Clean Scene found that the top 1,000 DJs took 51,000 flights in 2019, equivalent to 35,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Climate commitments

As a result, all the big festivals now have climate pledges and initiatives, from composting and car-pooling schemes at Coachella in California to renewable energy usage at Glastonbury.

One festival that has taken a lead is We Love Green in Paris, as the name suggests.

Some 110,000 festival-goers attended last month’s event to see artists including Sza, who travelled with “almost no equipment” according to Marianne Hocquard, the festival’s head of sustainable development.

She said that was down to the festival ensuring they have much of the equipment needed by its artists, and setting energy caps for performances.

Others have taken radical steps: The Bon Air festival in Marseille cancelled DJ I Hate Models this year after learning that he was coming by private jet.

Many events now encourage their attendees to take greener modes of transport.

We Love Green launched a partnership with the French Cycling Federation to organise convoys of bikes for this year’s edition, and said 14 per cent of ticket-holders came on two wheels despite the dodgy weather, up from 8 per cent last year.

But there is a limit to how much can be done.

When Taylor Swift played Paris in May, the city mayor’s office said there was a surge in arrivals of private jets at local airports.

Private jet operators have been jumping on entertainment events such as festivals or the Euro 2024 football tournament to boost their business.