At least 12 people have been killed in and around Kabul airport alone since Sunday, when the Taliban entered the Afghan capital, NATO and Taliban officials said. Beatings by Taliban fighters left some adults and at least one child injured and bleeding, according to reporting and photographs from Western media Nascent anti-Taliban protests sprang up in different parts of the country, with groups of Afghans marching through streets holding the black, green and red national flag Taliban fighters patrol in Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 Taliban fighters patrol in Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 Rahmat Gul | A Reports of violence and repression by Taliban militants are surfacing around Afghanistan, despite pledges by the group’s representatives that their leadership would be conciliatory and peaceful At least 12 people have been killed in and around Kabul airport alone since Sunday, when the Taliban entered the Afghan capital, NATO and Taliban officials said Thursday, as cited by Reuters. The deaths may have been caused by gunfire or stamped Beatings by Taliban fighters left some adults and at least one child injured and bleeding, according to reporting and photographs from NBC News and the Los Angeles Times. The Taliban deny their members’ involvement in the violen “Their three-day old charm offensive is already cracking,” Bakhti Nishanov, a Central Asia expert at the nonpartisan International Republican Institute, wrote on Twitter Wednesda “I can’t even imagine what they will do once the world’s short attention span moves away from Afghanistan and the initial, however confused, hopefulness of change goes away .”y.ce.e..P....nge goes away.”

Photo by NOAA on Unsplash Blackfish may go down in history as one of the worst and most blatantly misleading documentaries of all time For those who don’t know, this documentary “exposed” the harsh and inhumane treatment of killer whales in captivity, particularly by Sea World Sadly enough, this smear campaign actually worked, causing Sea World to end its orca breeding program and phase out live performances — a decision that will go down in history as one of the dumbest of all time 1.) A “Killer” Indee When mutilated great white sharks started washing up on the beaches of South Africa, scientists had a good idea of the culprit. And it wasn’t Megalodon. It was killer whales You heard, right. These [CENSORED]s actually hunt great white sharks They must be big Silence of the Lambs fans too, since the dead sharks were largely intact except for the absence of their livers Not so cute and adorable now, are they Forget “Shark Week,” there should be a “Killer Whale Week” 2.) Killer Whales Aren’t Even Whal Not only are killer whales vicious, psychopathic killers, but they are also expert con artists. You see, killer whales aren’t even whales; they’re a species of dolphin, which makes the fact that they often hunt other species dolphins even more chilling While “experts” say that the misnomer comes from when ancient sailors called them orcas asesina ballenas, or “whale killer,” thus resulting in an inadequate translation to “killer whale,” the real reason for the “mix up” is that killer whales are pathological liars who like to gaslight humans. They’re the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing … if wolves grew up to 32 feet long and had four-inch-long teeth 3.) Killer Whales — The Nazis of the Se Killer whales have a Nazi-like hatred for anything that doesn’t look like them. Here is just a shortlist of things they are known to kill Whales (including baleen, minke, grey, sperm, and blue, to name a few Other dolphin Shark Penguin Seal Fish (whatevs Sea bird Stingray Sea turtle Moos Plus, they are real dicks in how they go about killing their prey. They’ll flip sting rays onto their backs, bite the tails off of sharks, knock seals off of floating ice, flip penguins high into the air to disorient them, and chase whales for miles and miles until they are too tired to continue … [CENSORED] assholes Photo by NOAA on Unspla Conclusio I love animals and hate the idea of any wild animal being held in captivity — except for orcas Since Sea World decided to let these killers out of their pens in 2016, orcas have been having a field day. In fact, it wasn’t until 2017 that sharks started washing up on the shores of South Africa Coincidence? I think not And these attacks against great white sharks have been on the rise, now in multiple parts of the world, this time with the sharks’ hearts and testicles removed as well. (Add perverts to their list of qualities) What’s even worse is that killer whales are some of the most widely spread mammals in the world. It’s only a matter of time until Planet Earth becomes Planet of the Orcas You see, Sea World wasn’t inhumane when they put killer whales in tiny tanks and separated the mothers from their young — they were protecting us from these monsters! Now they are free to quench their insatiable blood lust May God have mercy on us all This article was paid for by Great White Sharks of the World United Against Killer Whales (GWSWUAKW) ......….nsh.esss)ssss):a..es!?...d...ted Against Killer Whales (GWSWUAKW).

“It was 20 years ago today,” some famous rock band sang many years ago. Ducati recognizes the importance of anniversaries, and isn’t going to let this one slip by unnoticed—Troy Bayliss’ first Superbike World Championship on the 996 R in 2001. While Bayless also took the title in 2006 and 2006, this special edition motorcycle with a particularly unwieldy name is all about the first time—the 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary. 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary First Look: Price We’re happy to report that the 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary isn’t simply a standard V2 with some cool stickers, different colored plastic, and an exorbitant price tag. Befitting a champion, the Bayliss gets high-level functional upgrades so that you can better ride the V2 to its potential. The most significant upgrade to the V2 is the Öhlins units. You get an NX30 fork, TTX36 shock, and steering damper—all highly adjustable and top-shelf. 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary First Look: MSRP Ducati shaves 6.6 pounds from the V2 for the Bayliss model, with most of the weight savings come from a lithium-ion battery and solo seat. Don’t worry, a passenger seat and footpegs come with the bike. Other technical goodies include a titanium and carbon-fiber muffler cover, along with self-cleaning brake and clutch pumps sporting smoke grey oil tanks. 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary First Look: For Sale Looks do matter, of course, and the 996 R livery is recalled in the 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary. There are plenty of red and green accents on the Ducati Red, plus the #21 that Bayliss famously ran. There’s also a reproduction of Bayliss’ autography on the tank, and the name of the motorcycle and its production number is stamped into the top billet aluminum triple clamp. Further, the seat is unique to the model, as it has two materials, double red stitching, #21 embroidery, plus green and red bands, just in case you forgot that Ducati is an Italian brand. There’s even the iconic Shell logo, though you may fill the tank with any brand of petrol—make sure it’s the high-octane pump. If you can find your way to Bologna, the Ducati Museum has an exhibition honoring Bayliss—Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion. Don’t dawdle, as it closes on September 19. The 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary arrives at your local dealer in October with an MSRP of $21,000. Studio photography by Giovanni De Sandre We have tested the Ducati Panigale V2 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary Specs ENGINE Type: Superquadro 90-degree L-twin Displacement: 955cc Bore x stroke: 100 x 60.8mm Maximum power: 155 horsepower @ 10,750 rpm Maximum torque: 77 ft-lbs @ 9000 rpm Compression ratio: 14.0:1 Valvetrain: 4vpc w/ desmodromic actuation Fueling: EFI w/ twin injectors per cylinder Exhaust: 2-1-2-1 system w/ two catalytic converters Transmission: 6-speed w/ straight-cut gears and quickshifter Clutch: Web multiplate w/ assist and slip functions; hydraulically actuation Final drive: Chain CHASSIS Frame: Aluminum monocoque Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable Öhlins NIX30 43mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock; 5.1 inches Wheels: 5-spoke aluminum Front wheel: 17 x 5.50 Rear wheel: 17 x 3.50 Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II Front tire: 120/70 x 17 Rear tire: 180/60 x 17 Front brakes: Semi-floating 320mm discs w/ Brembo M.4.32 4-piston calipers Rear brake: 245mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper ABS: Cornering ABS Evo DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES Wheelbase: 56.6 inches Rake: 24 degrees Trail: 3.9 inches Seat height: 32.9 inches Fuel capacity: 4.5 gallons Estimated fuel consumption: 39 mpg Curb weight: 434 pounds Color: Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary Price: $21,000 MSRP

Walt Disney World is tweaking its face mask policy. Starting Thursday, the theme park resort in Florida will allow visitors to choose whether or not to wear face coverings in outdoor lines, outdoor theaters and outdoor attractions. Masks had been required previously. ADVERTISEMENT Face coverings will remain optional in outdoor common areas. They will still be required for visitors age 2 and up at all indoor locations, such as restaurants, theaters and transportation with the exception of ferry boats. Disney World closed for two months last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened more than a year ago with strict safety guidelines that involved masking, social distancing and crowd limits. ADVERTISEMENT Last spring, Disney World officials started allowing visitors to go without masks in outdoor common areas. Last month, Disney officials said the company will be requiring all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. who work on site to be fully vaccinated.

clarissa ward john kirby pentagon afghanistan evactuations sot nd vpx_00000000.png Clarissa Ward to Pentagon: I'm the one who has to look our allies in the eye screengrab robert crew Historian: Trump's deal with Taliban created a 'roadmap toward a surrender TOPSHOT - Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the Kabul airport in Kabul on August 16, 2021, after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war, as thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's feared hardline brand of Islamist rule. (Photo by Wakil Kohsar / AFP) (Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images 'I'm like a prisoner': He helped the US. Now, he fears for his lif Chaos at the airport as Afghans try to flee the Talib Taliban spokesman lays out plans for a new Afghan governme afghanistan kandahar frontline taliban threat ward dnt tsr vpx_0000272 This is what the front line of Taliban's advance looks lik President Joe Biden speaks about Afghanistan from the East Room of the White House, Monday, August 16, 2021, in Washington, DC 'I do not regret my decision': Biden on US military withdrawal from Afghanista Video shows Afghans clinging to outside of US military plane as it takes o An Afghan woman walks through an alley in the old quarters of Kabul on July 12, 2021. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images 'Disturbing' new audio shows level of desperation from Afghan woma It's just constant: Clarissa Ward describes gunshots fired in Taliban- controlled stree screengrab Seven Network, CNN, CNN TURK, CNN Prim See how global leaders reacted to the Taliban's takeove Split lemon tucke Lemon calls out Carlson's 'outlandish' take on Taliban takeove The Trump-Biden Afghanistan blame ga Kabul Streets Ward PK CNN reporter shows scene in Kabul streets just days after Taliban takeove Evacuees crowd the interior of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, carrying some 640 Afghans to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan August 15, 2021. Picture taken August 15, 2021. Courtesy of Defense One/Handout via REUTERS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES, THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDI The story behind this stunning evacuation phot clarissa ward john kirby pentagon afghanistan evactuations sot nd vpx_00000000.pn Clarissa Ward to Pentagon: I'm the one who has to look our allies in the eye screengrab robert crew Historian: Trump's deal with Taliban created a 'roadmap toward a surrender TOPSHOT - Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the Kabul airport in Kabul on August 16, 2021, after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war, as thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's feared hardline brand of Islamist rule. (Photo by Wakil Kohsar / AFP) (Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images 'I'm like a prisoner': He helped the US. Now, he fears for his lif Chaos at the airport as Afghans try to flee the Talib Taliban spokesman lays out plans for a new Afghan governme afghanistan kandahar frontline taliban threat ward dnt tsr vpx_0000272 This is what the front line of Taliban's advance looks lik President Joe Biden speaks about Afghanistan from the East Room of the White House, Monday, August 16, 2021, in Washington, DC 'I do not regret my decision': Biden on US military withdrawal from Afghanista Video shows Afghans clinging to outside of US military plane as it takes o An Afghan woman walks through an alley in the old quarters of Kabul on July 12, 2021. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images 'Disturbing' new audio shows level of desperation from Afghan woma It's just constant: Clarissa Ward describes gunshots fired in Taliban- controlled stree screengrab Seven Network, CNN, CNN TURK, CNN Prim See how global leaders reacted to the Taliban's takeove Split lemon tucke Lemon calls out Carlson's 'outlandish' take on Taliban takeove The Trump-Biden Afghanistan blame ga Kabul Streets Ward PK CNN reporter shows scene in Kabul streets just days after Taliban takeove Evacuees crowd the interior of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, carrying some 640 Afghans to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan August 15, 2021. Picture taken August 15, 2021. Courtesy of Defense One/Handout via REUTERS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES, THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDI The story behind this stunning evacuation phot clarissa ward john kirby pentagon afghanistan evactuations sot nd vpx_00000000.pn Clarissa Ward to Pentagon: I'm the one who has to look our allies in the eye (CNN)The Taliban have moved swiftly to crush early opposition to their rule across Afghanistan, clashing with protesters and forcing an entire city to stay inside, as a frantic rush to escape the country intensifies at Kabul's international airport A curfew will be imposed "for an indefinite time" over the entire southeastern Afghan city of Khost on Thursday, multiple Taliban sources told CNN on Wednesday, after videos emerged on social media purporting to show hundreds of people there demonstrating against the militant group's seizure of powe All kinds of movement will be banned "while joint forces of the Islamic Emirate carry out clearance operations" in the city, one source said. Around 650,000 Afghans are estimated to live in the rural and urban areas of surrounding Khost province The rapid shutdown of opposition undermines the Taliban's repeated attempts to convince international media and observers that their rule will be more restrained and inclusive than it was two decades ago But it reflects the reality across the country, where similarly severe approaches have been taken Tensions are especially heightened because August 19 is Afghanistan's Independence Day, commemorating the date Britain relinquished control of the country in 1919 Taliban fighters patrol Kabul on Thursday, Afghanistan's Independence Day. Taliban fighters patrol Kabul on Thursday, Afghanistan's Independence Day Afghans poured onto Kabul's streets with the national black, red and green flag to mark the date on Thursday, in defiance of the Taliban. In some instances they removed the white and black Taliban flag; one witness told CNN the Taliban fired into the air to try and break up the procession. It is unclear if anyone was injured Large Taliban convoys have also been deployed through the city's streets, a CNN team witnessed. The convoys, consisting of two to three pickup trucks with at least six Taliban fighters in each, were seen circling several areas of the city with sirens blarin Sporadic gunfire was also heard, at a more intense rate than on previous days On Wednesday militants fired into the crowd and beat protesters at a rally in Jalalabad, where demonstrators had removed the group's flag from the main square, three witnesses told CNN And on the streets of Kabul, women who occupied prominent positions in the past two decades continue to fear for their safety Khos Jalalaba Kabu At the capital's airport, where for days images of frantic Afghans looking for escape have underscored the dramatic unraveling of two decades of US involvement in the country, crowds are swelling and locals are struggling to get through Taliban checkpoints and into the facilit The US embassy in the city warned people on Wednesday evening that it cannot ensure safe passage to the airport. The US has evacuated 1,800 individuals from Afghanistan over the past day, and a total of 6,000 since Saturday, the White House said Wednesday President Joe Biden, still facing international condemnation for his unapologetic stance on the American withdrawal and the ensuing rise of the Taliban, has suggested US troops could stay past withdrawal deadline to evacuate all Americans But he did not make the same pledge for Afghan partners, and locals face a chaotic rush to get themselves onto a flight Desperation at Kabul's airpor Images of mothers handing their babies to British soldiers over barbed wire outside the airport have emerged on social media in recent days, highlighting the dire outlook for many Afghans trying to leave Kabul The UK's defense minister Ben Wallace said Thursday they cannot take unaccompanied minors, and that those parents would have had to force their way through the crowds to be reunited with their children. He added it has been "very difficult" for troops "dealing with some desperate people, many of whom are just wanting to leave the country. Wallace claimed that the Taliban were "letting our people through" to the processing center "which is good news," but people CNN spoke with on the ground have reported severe difficulties in accessing the airport, with several saying they were turned away despite having the correct paperwork An Afghan child sleeps on the cargo floor of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Sunday, in a photo released by the US Air Force. Afghans have struggled to get through desperate crowds outside Kabul's airport this week An Afghan child sleeps on the cargo floor of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Sunday, in a photo released by the US Air Force. Afghans have struggled to get through desperate crowds outside Kabul's airport this week In total 12 people have been killed in and around the airport since the Taliban took control of the capital on Sunday, Reuters reported Thursday, citing NATO sources and Taliban officials The deaths were caused either by gunshots or stampedes of people trying to get into the airport in the hope of boarding an evacuation flight, Reuters reported. CNN has been unable to independently verify the report And as the final departure of Western forces looms larger, scenes at the airport are becoming more disorderly. A Dutch evacuation plane was forced to leave with no passengers on Wednesday, while the European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has lamented that the bloc cannot rescue all Afghans seeking a way out "These people have loyally promoted and defended EU interests in Afghanistan over many years, it's our moral duty to protect them and to help to save as many people as possible," he said, conceding: "We cannot take all Afghan people out of the country. ".s.....".t...y.ldt...g... ....r..sgoTrGmerrratsn)ffn.e0ntane)'ssgoTrGmerrratsn)ffn.e0ntane)'ss as possible," he said, conceding: "We cannot take all Afghan people out of the country." website: www.edition.cnn.com

Voted

offensive encircles the Afghan capital, there's increasingly only one way out for those fleeing the war, and only one way in for US troops sent to protect American diplomats still on the ground: Kabul's international airport. A steady stream of people makes its way first to ticket sale counters set up on the parking lot outside the terminal. They push their luggage, load carts with carpets, television sets and mementos, stuff clothes inside purses to make their weight limit as they slowly inch forward. The lucky ones, those who managed to get a ticket for a flight out to anywhere, then wait more than three hours to make it inside the terminal, bidding tearful goodbyes to loved ones they are leaving behind. As the Taliban draw closer, the lines and the panic only grow. I packed whatever I could to start a new life away from this war," said Naweed Azimi, who flew to Istanbul with his wife and five children, fearful the Taliban would kill him for working with NATO as a subcontractor. Kabul International Airport formally known as Hamid Karzai International Airport, after the country's first president following the US-led overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 sits just northeast of the city. Its single runway is long enough to accommodate military aircraft; the airfield as a whole can accommodate over 100 planes on the ground. Surrounded by perimeter fencing and secured by multiple checkpoints, the airport is in sight of the mountains ringing the Afghan capital. Those flying out have for years had to trudge with their luggage up to outdoor screening points before getting to the terminal a precaution meant to prevent insurgent suicide bombings. On an ordinary day, the terminal would be filled with Afghans in business suits and traditional dress, mingling with tattooed military contractors sporting wraparound sunglasses and aid workers from all corners of the world. That sedate crowd has been replaced with panicked travellers scrambling to leave Kabul. Afghan airlines Ariana and Kam Air have every seat booked for at least the next week, airport workers said. Those with a plane ticket in hand also have to get a coronavirus test at a clinic amid the pandemic in order to leave. I had never see such a rush at the airport before, said Farid Ahmad Younusi, an Afghan businessman who said he abandoned a contracting firm worth $1 million and fled Kandahar with the Taliban trying to find him. Now Taliban have everything that I worked for over the past 20 years. The airport rush is only expected to get worse and even more complicated. Afghan security forces, who maintain bases at the airfield, were joined this week by some of the 3,000 American Marine and Army troops whose mission is to evacuate staff from the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. The Biden administration has not ruled out a full embassy evacuation. As of Thursday, there were roughly 4,200 staffers at the embassy, but most of those are Afghan nationals, according to the State Department. "This is a specific, narrowly focused, tailored mission to help with the safe, secure movement of the reduction of civilian personnel in Kabul, as well as to help support the acceleration of the special immigrant visa process by the State Department, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Friday. Those visas are for Afghans who once worked for the US government and feel threatened by the Taliban. With the Taliban nearing Kabul's doorstep, Afghans and US personnel can't count on driving out of the country. The Taliban on Saturday tightened their grip around Kabul by capturing all of Logar province, reaching just 11 kilometres south of the capital, Kabul. Those at the airport on Friday night described paying $375 and more for rides from the northern city of Kunduz on unpaved roads to avoid Taliban checkpoints, a trip that typically costs around $40. The cars don't even take a break, said Yousuf Baghban as he waited for his flight out. "If you stop, you are gone. Having abandoned Bagram Air Base which served as the American military's main hub in Afghanistan ahead of the final US pullout at the end of the month, the U.S. military will now have to rely on flying people out of the Kabul airport. We will be able to move thousands per day but that's just the airlift capacity, Kirby said. There may also be the need to move the operations of the U.S. Embassy to the airport as well, if the Taliban push into Kabul and begin battling for control of the city, though State Department spokesman Ned Price repeatedly declined to discuss that possibility. The Kabul airport also has Turkish troops guarding the facility. The airport's history mirrors that of the country's troubled modern times. Soviet engineers built the airport in 1960 as a gift while America offered its own help developing Afghanistan's airfields during the Cold War. After the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the airport became a key military base for Moscow. It suffered damage during the intra-Afghan war that followed and became a target for airstrikes in the US-led invasion in 2001. The West gave tens of millions of dollars to rebuild the airport and clear it of mines and unexploded bombs. Japanese donations bought metal detectors and helped build the airport's new international terminal. For now, commercial flights continue at the airport. Air India, Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai, Pakistan International Airlines and Turkish Airlines all either have flights en route or planned to Kabul for the next days. Local Afghan airlines continue to fly as well. But passengers worry that at any moment the Taliban could come, closing the country's airspace. On Friday night, passengers pushed through security checkpoints, lines and more checks to board a Kam Air flight to Istanbul. One traveller, Tawfiq Beg, said the Taliban killed his uncle, a militia commander, three weeks ago. Beg's father sold some of the family's land at half its value to be able to afford his ticket out. Maybe this was the final goodbye, Beg said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Specialized feathers of the owl enable near‑silent flight by altering air turbulence and absorbing noise. Owls are known as silent predators of the night, capable of flying just inches from their prey without being detected. The quietness of their flight is owed to their specialized feathers. When air rushes over an ordinary wing, it typically creates a “gushing” noise as large areas of air turbulence build up. But the owl has a few ways to alter this turbulence and reduce its noise. First, the leading edge of the owl’s wing has feathers covered in small structures that project out from the wing. One hypothesis is that these serrations break up the flowing air into smaller flows that are more stable along the wing. Furthermore, this change in airflow patterns also appears to reduce the noise of the flowing air. The wing’s serrated leading edge appears to be most effective at reducing noise when the wing is at a steep angle—which would happen when the owl is close to its prey and coming in for a strike. These smaller airflows then roll along the owl’s wing toward the trailing edge, which is comprised of a flexible fringe. This fringe breaks up the air further as it flows off the trailing edge, resulting in a large reduction in aerodynamic noise. Then, any remaining noise that would be detectable by the owl’s prey is absorbed by velvety down feathers on the owl’s wings and legs. These soft feathers absorb high frequency sounds that most prey, as well as humans, are sensitive to. All together, these feather features enable owls to remain undetected when they fly. See and hear the difference between a flying owl and other birds in this video, and check out this KQED Deep Look video to learn more and see owl feathers up close

700 CL-X – Originally expected in 2020, the Chinese manufacturer brings its first modern retro-styled bike in three forms to the public by the middle of May 2021: Adventure, Sport and Heritage. 692.2cc parallel twin offers 74bhp and the models have an approximate wet weight of 200kg with some fine components and styling to boot. Further 700 CL-X range details are here. 300SR – a 292cc single-cylinder lightweight sports bike making around 29bhp is coming to our shores in two colour options by April. Price TBC

The National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is engraved in each Indian citizen’s mind and heart since childhood. The evocative lyrics fill each Indian with a sense of pride and patriotism. While its words are imprinted at the tip of our tongue, not many are familiar with some interesting facts about the anthem. Originally composed in Bengali, it is an adoption from song, ‘Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata’, written by poet and playwright, Rabindranath Tagore. The complete song consists of 5 stanzas in Sanskritized Bengali that reflects India’s culture, values and independence struggle and was first published in Tattwabodhini Patrika in 1905. ADVERTISEMENT It was first publicly sung by Tagore himself on the second day of the Calcutta Session held by Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911. The first stanza of the song Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950 and was first performed (not sung) in Hamburg, Germany on September 11, 1942. On February 28, 1919, Tagore wrote an English translation of the song titled ‘The Morning Song of India’ and its musical notations were set by Margeret Cousins, wife of poet James H. Cousins, principal of Besant Theosophical College at Madanapalle, where Tagore was visiting. Its Hindi-Urdu version was commissioned by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from Sanskritized Bengali to Hindustani and the translation was written by Captain Abid Ali of Indian National Army, called ‘Shubh Sukh Chain.’ ADVERTISEMENT Another lesser-known fact about it is that the complete National Anthem must be sung within 52 seconds by law while its shorter version (consisting of first and last lines) can be sung within 20 seconds. However, the claim that it was written in honour of the British Monarch, King George V whose coronation ceremony as Emperor of India took place the very next day it was composed, was rejected by Tagore himself in a letter written on November 10, 1937. Tagore has also written the national anthem of Bangladesh.

Still people are having fear" -- What life is like in some of the cities captured by the Taliban Taliban fighters sit on the back of a vehicle in Herat, Afghanistan, on August 14, 2021. Taliban fighters sit on the back of a vehicle in Herat, Afghanistan, on August 14, 2021. Hamed Sarfarazi/AP Over the last week, the Taliban has made significant gains across Afghanistan and now control over half of the country's provincial capitals. Cities like Kandahar, Herat and Kunduz are among those now under control of the Taliban, whose fighters are circling ever closer to the capital, Kabul. CNN spoke to Afghans in Herat and Kunduz, where some said the Taliban had brought a sense of quiet after weeks of fighting, while others expressed fear. Ismahel is a 40-year-old shopkeeper in the city of Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city and a major urban center in western Afghanistan. He tells CNN normality is returning to the city after the tumult of its fall to the Taliban on Thursday evening. "[The] entire city is back to normal, people are living normally [and] shops are all open," Ismahel says, adding that he has seen women dressed in burqas resuming their daily lives too. He recalled a friend visiting his shop on Thursday warning of the Taliban's encroachment and suggesting they flee the city. "We closed the shops and went home. Afterwards, we saw that the city fell to the Taliban," he said. "Today is the first day so students didn't go to school, but government employees went to their offices." He added that some people were happy that fighting and "the sounds of bullets" had stopped after a month. "We feel good after the war finished," he said. But people in Herat are also likely living in fear, and many would be hesitant to express criticism of the Taliban in such early days of its control. In Kunduz, the first city to be taken, 31-year-old resident Atiqullah says people are adapting to the transition of power but remain fearful. "Still people are having fear, although we were told by the Taliban not to be afraid," Atiqullah tells CNN. He adds that some women are going out and have been told to wear burqas, while teachers have been told to return to schools, though the Taliban has said only male teachers should educate boys and female teachers tutor girls. 4 hr 42 min ago "Hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away from them," UN chief says Displaced Afghan women and children from Kunduz are seen at a mosque that is sheltering them on August 13, 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Displaced Afghan women and children from Kunduz are seen at a mosque that is sheltering them on August 13, 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images The UN Secretary-General called on the Taliban to halt their offensive in Afghanistan, where he said the situation was “spinning out of control.” Speaking to reporters from the UN Headquarters in New York, António Guterres said Friday it was “particularly horrifying and heartbreaking to see reports of the hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away from them.” The UN says Afghan women and children make up the majority of those displaced in recent months, with nonprofit groups left grappling with how to help the women and girls left in the country. Masuda Sultan, a board member of Women for Afghan Women, the largest women’s rights organization in Afghanistan, told CNN Saturday that “it’s a very scary time” for civilians but the Taliban was allowing women in some areas to work. She said there is rapid change “but we're being told that international NGOs can function, that women can work.” She adds: “The Taliban have told us this. They have had meetings in Sar-e Pol and in Kunduz, with folks that we know on the ground and have told us that we can continue our operations. And so, we really are hopeful that we can continue our work, and that the transition in some of these places will be smoother than expected.” Sar-e Pol and Kunduz are among the 18 territories which the Taliban has seized control of in recent days. Women and children from Kunduz pray at a mosque in Kabul where they are seeking shelter on August 13, 2021. Women and children from Kunduz pray at a mosque in Kabul where they are seeking shelter on August 13, 2021. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images Sultan says that while there are many trying to leave the country, there are still around 20 million women and girls left in Afghanistan that her organization hopes to continue to serve within the Islamic rules and Afghan culture. “We need to continue to press the Taliban on this issue. the international community should absolutely make women the focus of aid, and girls’ education, the focus of the programs,” Sultan said, adding that with the troop withdrawal there has been a noticeable drop in aid to the country. She continued: “We need to think about ways in which we can stay engaged with the Afghan people, that we don't abandon them in their moment of need. That we haven't spent 20 years building a country that is starving and desperate for a way out. That we keep people in Afghanistan because the best way to avoid what these countries around the world don't want is more refugees, is to make Afghanistan safe and a livable country for the 40 million people that are there.” Website: www.edition.cnn.com

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Steven L. Hall retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 2015 after 30 years of running and managing intelligence operations in Eurasia and Latin America. He finished his career as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service, the small cadre of officers who are the senior leaders of the CIA's Clandestine Service. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. (CNN)Reasoning with Vladimir Putin will not make him support Bashar al-Assad's departure. The specter of additional economic sanctions against Russia just might. Indeed, when considering where to begin addressing the myriad problems in Syria, Russia is a good place to start. Syria, of course, is dominated by an authoritarian dictator more than willing to slaughter his own po[CENSORED]tion using horrific methods, including poison gas and barrel bombs. Steven L. Hall Steven L. Hall And Russia, which continues to claim that Assad's government is legitimate, has shored up the brutal regime -- putatively in its fight against ISIS, but largely for its own strategic advantage in the region. The recent sarin gas attacks, launched by Assad forces from a base where a Russian military contingent was present, makes it difficult for any reasonable person to believe Russia had no idea what was going on. The White House has used the attack to underline the need for the Kremlin to take some sort of action against the Assad regime, and of course Russia is resisting. As is clear from Wednesday's Russian veto in the United Nations Security Council, Russia will go no further than calling for an international investigation of the incident. It is unfortunate in the extreme that the United States and the West have to include Russia in the context of solving problems in Syria, given that rarely if ever has the Kremlin been helpful in resolving issues important to Washington. But let's face it: we did it to ourselves by allowing Putin -- an authoritarian dictator with much in common with Assad -- to move into the power vacuum in Syria when Western countries chose not to do so. Tillerson: Russia-US relations at a low point Tillerson: Russia-US relations at a low point 03:45 To be clear, Russia's most significant interest in Syria is not in warm water ports or military bases, but rather in using the tragic conflict to gain a seat as a great power at the international table. Russia wants to show the world it is to be taken seriously, and that it is key to resolving Middle East crises. Russia is expert at creating crisis and unrest, making sure it remains involved in the conflict, and then painting itself as a necessary part of any solution. (Take a look at any of the so-called frozen conflicts which Russia authored -- Abkhazia, Transnistria, Ngorno-Karabakh, Georgia, and increasingly, eastern Ukraine.) Given the remaining gulf between the Kremlin and Washington on Syria, the United States needs to speak in the language that Putin understands best: power and the inevitability of concrete consequences. The United States and its allies should use one of the few diplomatic tools that may still be capable of influencing the Kremlin: economic sanctions. These are not as emotionally satisfying as cruise missiles and, of course, there are already some in place. But consider: the current sanctions are there as a result of Putin's annexation of Crimea and continued meddling in eastern Ukraine, and were implemented by a broad swath of Western democracies. They have significantly damaged Russia's economy, much more than Putin would admit. Royce: If Assad continues chemical attacks U.S. will respond Royce: If Assad continues chemical attacks U.S. will respond 06:00 The number of countries supporting sanctions also stings. Strikingly, the sanctions have remained in place for longer than many, probably including Putin himself, would have imagined. It is clear that the Kremlin would like to see them removed ... perhaps in exchange for Russia's help in Syria. As the Trump administration finally begins to engage Russia diplomatically, that is how Putin would write the script. But the US must convey to Russia (probably multiple times across various diplomatic meetings) that instead of a respite, it faces more sanctions as a result of its actions (or inactions) in Syria. The US and its allies should point out that Russia was the original guarantor of safety from chemical attacks in Syria, and that the Kremlin either failed in that effort, or was a least willing to turn a blind eye to the continued use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Some have argued that Russia was actually complicit in the recent chemical attacks. So as not to get bogged down in a ridiculous argument with Moscow about who used the weapons, whether it was really terrorists who had them in a storehouse, or whatever other distracting story the Kremlin will concoct, it should be made clear that new sanctions are not based solely on chemical attacks. Barrel bombing and other atrocities, which are supported de facto by Russia when Russia supports Assad, are sufficient reasons for additional sanctions targeting Russia. Assad did it, and Russians have a problem Assad did it, and Russians have a problem It would be best and most efficient if Russia could be presented with new sanctions as inevitable, a decision already made by the new administration in Washington in response to the most recent abominable sarin attacks. President Trump, as fond as any president of executive orders, could draw up new sanctions relatively quickly. Getting allies on board, while useful, is not essential. Thus Russia should be presented a concrete choice: either work with the US, the West, and interested Middle Eastern governments to ensure Assad's controlled departure from the scene in Syria, or face additional economic sanctions for having Assad act as a Russia proxy. The Russians would also be called upon to deal with the Iranian involvement in Syria, which is appropriate given that Putin has also positioned Russia as an interlocutor for the Iranian regime. Russia will bridle at this, no doubt calling the threat of additional sanctions unfair, unbalanced, a violation of international law, a provocation, and so forth. But that is all standard Russia behavior, and something that the US and the West must simply sit through, much like parents sitting through the inevitable protests of a teenager who is informed of an evening curfew. Putin is running out of options in Syria Putin is running out of options in Syria Removing Assad, while a good first step, will not entirely resolve all the issues of the Syrian conflict. There are legitimate questions, posed by the Russians and others, as to who would take power after Assad's departure. The concern that a new Syrian government could be dominated by jihadis is a real one, and we can expect the Russians to remind us of the post-Gadhafi Libya. The United States and its allies must have some sort of plan in place which at least maximizes the possibility of a positive outcome in Syria. But the bottom line is that the perfect ought not to be the enemy of the good: we need not have everything finalized prior to planning for the departure of Assad. The devil will be in the details. Russia's continued involvement in Syria will ensure that. But we should accept that the policy of "strategic patience" has left Russia in a position to play a role in the resolution of the Syria catastrophe. It is now the job of the US and the West to ensure Russia plays that role in a way that benefits Syria, or face the consequences.

types of bee and pollinating insects, so it is the world’s most important pollinator of food crops. It is estimated that one third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination mainly by bees, but also by other insects, birds and bats. NEW REPORT reveals US pushing to weaken UK pesticide standards. If UK Government gives way there will be larger amounts of more toxic chemicals in our food. Many domestic and imported fruits and vegetables require pollination. Examples include avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli, celery, squash, and sunflowers for oil, cucumbers, citrus fruit, peaches, kiwis, cherries, cranberries and melons. For crops such as blueberries and almonds, the honey bee plays an essential role in pollination of commercial crops, with around 80% of the US crop said to be dependent on honey bees. Honey bees can also pollinate clover and alfalfa, which are fed to cattle, so there are implications for the meat and dairy industry too. And that is not to mention the huge range of manufactured food products made from all these ingredients. In addition, honey bees play a significant role in the pollination of other important crops such as cotton and flax. And there are also a number of valuable non-food products produced by the honey bee, such as beeswax used in cleaning and beauty products. Bees and the economy In 2008, the British Bee Keepers Association estimates that honey bees make a significant contribution to the £165 million annually generated for the UK economy through pollination by insects, with the figure put at £200 million in 2009 by the UK’s Public Accounts Committee. Many flowering food crops in the UK rely on honey bees for this service, for example: apples, pears, field beans, runner and dwarf beans, broad beans, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and oil seed rape, with 39 commercial crops reliant on bees in total. Even if a crop is not directly pollinated by a honey bee, the crop still benefits indirectly from being in an environment in which honey bees are working, due to the increased biodiversity in the area which stimulates the crop. Bumble beeThe humble bumble The bumble bee is also used commercially in the UK as a pollinator of food crops, in particular for tomatoes and soft fruits such as strawberries. Due to their size, shape and ability to vibrate vigorously they are more effective at pollinating certain crops. In the UK we have 25 native species of bumble bee. This may seem like a healthy number but unfortunately three species are already extinct, two are critically endangered and many more are seriously declining in numbers.

In only its fifth year of existence, the Honda CRF450RX has received a complete overhaul. The entire chassis has been updated, including the frame, subframe, swingarm, suspension, triple clamps, and bodywork. The engine received major changes to the cylinder head, intake tract, and EFI; it also now has a single muffler exhaust system. The 2021 CRF450RX remains a serious off-road race machine with the same high-power engine and sharp handling characteristics as the CRF450R motocross bike. 2021 honda crf450rx charging trees on the trail Riding the 2021 Honda CRF450RX.Jeff Allen Since the CRF450RX is an off-road competition model, it does have a few added features that make it more race-ready for events such as hare & hound, Grand National Cross Country (GNCC), and open desert racing. Those include softer suspension valving and springs, dedicated ECU mapping, a larger 2.1-gallon fuel tank, 18-inch rear wheel, O-ring chain, skid plate, and sweet OEM hand guards.

Many people think about what they can do to look younger. Most consider super-expensive beauty formulations. You know, the ones that promise to erase every wrinkle and dark circle to make you look 20 years younger. (Spoiler: no such thing, it’s all lies. Ageing is an unstoppable train. Sorry.) The truth is, looking younger isn’t about eliminating every crease. The things that actually deliver a youthful demeanour are rather less complicated. Like not too-thin brows. Like brighter teeth. Like wearing blusher. Its power to bring freshness to skin is deeply underrated. I loved blusher, long before it loved me. Back in the day, the options were incredibly limited for darker skin tones. Now there is an exciting breadth of options for everyone, many of which are skincare-led, such as Tower 28 which is excellent for sensitive or acne and eczema-prone skins. Lisa Eldridge’s range won’t clog your pores and Tata Harper’s formulations are vitamin-infused. If you prefer a matt finish, then go for a powder option, be sure to blow out the powder on your brush, then apply to the top of the cheeks and blend outwards. Otherwise you will get a very intense and unnatural finish. Gel or cream options – tap, don’t rub, into skin – are wonderful for a sheer, “glowy” look. Ultimately, there’s nothing like a glow to make you look more youthful. Advertisement 1. Tata Harper Vitamin Cream Blush £30.34, tataharperskincare.com 2. Bobbi Brown Face & Cheek Palette £32, bobbibrown.co.uk 3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush £30, anastasiabeverlyhills.com 4. Tower 28 Beach Please Luminous Balm £18, cultbeauty.co.uk 5. Lisa Eldridge Enlivening Blush £24, lisaeldridge.com 6. Nars Orgasm on the Beach Cheek Palette £46, narscosmetics.co.uk 7. Hermès Rose Hermès Blush £63, hermes.com 8. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush £44, selfridges.com 9. KVD Beauty Mod Con Liquid Gel Blush £22, boots.com 10. MAC Extra Dimension Blush £24, maccosmetics.co.uk … as you're joining us from Colombia, we have a small favour to ask. Tens of millions have placed their trust in the Guardian’s high-impact journalism since we started publishing 200 years ago, turning to us in moments of crisis, uncertainty, solidarity and hope. More than 1.5 million readers, from 180 countries, have recently taken the step to support us financially – keeping us open to all, and fiercely independent. With no shareholders or billionaire owner, we can set our own agenda and provide trustworthy journalism that’s free from commercial and political influence, offering a counterweight to the spread of misinformation. When it’s never mattered more, we can investigate and challenge without fear or favour. Unlike many others, Guardian journalism is available for everyone to read, regardless of what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality. Greater numbers of people can keep track of global events, understand their impact on people and communities, and become inspired to take meaningful action. We aim to offer readers a comprehensive, international perspective on critical events shaping our world – from the Black Lives Matter movement, to the new American administration, Brexit, and the world's slow emergence from a global pandemic. We are committed to upholding our reputation for urgent, powerful reporting on the climate emergency, and made the decision to reject advertising from fossil fuel companies, divest from the oil and gas industries, and set a course to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future.