WASHINGTON, JUNE 10 — Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano is hoping to bring a taste of his homeland to the Artemis III mission he will pilot near Earth in 2027 to test two lunar modules.
The menu for the Artemis II mission in April featured Texas brisket and tortillas for the Orion spacecraft’s crew—and a jar of Italian sweet treat Nutella was also seen floating by during a live broadcast from space.
“I do expect something Italian to show up on the menu, and I don’t even have to bring it up because Italian food is a treasure of UNESCO,” Parmitano told AFP yesterday, adding “everybody wants some Italian food.”
That’s not all the former Italian Air Force colonel brings to the table.
Selected as an astronaut by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2009, Parmitano has completed two missions aboard the International Space Station, where he completed complex spacewalks—including a near-fatal incident when his helmet began filling with water due to a failure in the suit’s cooling system.
Responsibility and humility
As the mission’s lead pilot, Parmitano will share responsibility with commander Randy Bresnik.
“We are both test pilots, and the spacecraft needs a crew of 2 to fly it, so we share the responsibilities,” Parmitano said.
“I feel honored that I was chosen for this role,” he said. “It was unexpected because I didn’t know that it was in the run for that position.”
Parmitano, a 49-year-old father of two daughters, added that he is “also very humbled by the task in front of us. It’s a very complex mission.”
He proudly wears a uniform adorned with the Italian flag and the ESA’s patch, whom he calls “strong partners.”
“ When NASA chooses a European astronaut to be a pilot, (it) is sending a strong message that our leadership is understood, that our cooperation is valued, and that our technical expertise, both in our constructions, because Europe builds part of the spacecraft, but also our personnel, is solid,” he said.
Multicultural crew
The crew will be rounded out by African American Andre Douglas and US astronaut of Salvadoran descent Frank Rubio.
Parmitano said he has known the mission’s commander “for my entire career,” but noted that for Douglas the mission will mark his first space flight.
“We immediately bonded as soon as we found out that we were assigned to this mission,” Parmitano said.
He welcomes the diversity in ages and backgrounds, saying it “just enriches the crew in general.” — AFP
JAKARTA, June 8 — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto today appointed a new head of the agency responsible for implementing his flagship free meals programme, replacing the previous office holder who was dismissed and arrested on graft charges last week. Here are some key details about the inauguration:
At the presidential palace, Prabowo appointed Nanik Sudaryati Deyang as the new head of the National Nutrition Agency, replacing her predecessor Dadan Hindayana, who was arrested last week on allegations of corruption linked to the free meals programme.
Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO) also arrested two of the agency’s deputy heads on charges of corruption leading to state losses.
The three were accused of manipulating the selection of the foundations managing the programme’s kitchens, and also artificially marking up the prices of electric motorbikes, shoes, and televisions procured as part of the programme.
“Our concern is regarding budget efficiency so we will not burden the state budget, while at the same time maintaining the targets we have set,” Nanik said after her inauguration.
The efficiency measures include a moratorium on the establishment of new kitchens, “refocusing” the programme on new recipients and developing kitchens in remote areas through grants or CSR programmes from state firm or private companies, rather than the state budget, Nanik said.
Prabowo also appointed two new deputy heads of the free meals agency: Agustina Arumsari, former deputy head of Financial and Development Supervisory Agency, and Major General Trenggono who has resigned from the Military.
Prabowo also appointed the head of the Labour Party, Said Iqbal, as his new special advisor for manpower and labour welfare affairs.
Prabowo’s free meals programme, a key part of his election campaign launched in January 2025, has raised investor concerns about overspending and fiscal deficit risks.
The programme has also sparked a public outcry about health and safety, with cases of food poisoning affecting at least 33,000 children as of April, according to the Network for Education Watch, a non-government organisation. — Reuters
SINGAPORE: Singapore will introduce stricter refrigerant standards for supermarkets, refrigerated transport and vehicle air-conditioning from 2027 as part of its push to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
The initiative, announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on May 28, 2026, targets refrigeration and air-conditioning systems that rely on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases. These gases can trap heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide, making them a significant contributor to climate change.
The new rules will primarily affect newly installed systems, allowing businesses and vehicle owners to continue using existing equipment until it reaches the end of its lifespan.
Under the new framework, refrigeration systems used in supermarkets must use refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 150 or below from July 1, 2027.
A year later, from July 1, 2028, air-conditioning systems in new passenger cars and light goods vehicles will need to meet the same standard.
According to NEA, the later timeline for vehicles gives suppliers more time to prepare, as lower-GWP refrigerants aren’t yet available across all vehicle models. The standards are aligned with those already adopted in markets such as the European Union and Japan.
NEA noted that several major supermarket operators in Singapore have already adopted refrigeration systems that use lower-GWP refrigerants.
Suppliers and manufacturers are also offering equipment designed to meet the newer environmental standards while maintaining energy efficiency.
Rather than forcing an immediate replacement of existing systems, authorities are focusing on new installations, reducing disruption and allowing businesses to transition gradually.
For consumers, the changes will largely happen behind the scenes. Shoppers are unlikely to notice a difference when buying groceries, while future vehicle buyers may eventually find lower-emission air-conditioning systems becoming the norm.
Beyond what is installed, the measure also covers what happens when equipment reaches the end of its useful life. From July 2027, companies that dismantle commercial refrigeration systems, industrial cold-room systems, vehicle air-conditioning units and refrigerated trucks must register with NEA and follow approved procedures when handling used refrigerants.
From July 2027, companies that dismantle commercial refrigeration systems, industrial cold-room systems, vehicle air-conditioning units and refrigerated trucks must register with NEA and follow approved procedures when handling used refrigerants.
The agency said many companies are already following similar practices, and specialist service providers are available to properly recover and manage spent refrigerants. The goal is to prevent harmful gases from being released into the atmosphere during disposal, an often overlooked part of the refrigeration lifecycle.
Air-conditioning and refrigeration are essential in a tropical country like Singapore. They keep homes cool, preserve food and support logistics networks that move temperature-sensitive goods every day. This convenience, however, comes with an environmental cost.
By aiming for high-warming-impact refrigerants, Singapore is tackling a source of emissions that receives far less public attention than vehicles, power stations, or industrial facilities. The latest measures also build on NEA’s earlier restrictions, introduced in 2022, on household air conditioners, refrigerators, and large building cooling systems.
Replacing high-emission refrigerants with cleaner alternatives is a practical step that can help reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint without changing how people live or work.
As Singapore moves towards its climate initiatives, the challenge will be balancing environmental goals with business readiness. In this case, NEA appears to be taking a gradual approach that gives industries time to adapt while still moving the country toward lower emissions.
This article (NEA: Singapore to enforce stricter refrigerant standards for vehicles and supermarkets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — The Pentagon has reportedly raised its counterintelligence threat level for Israel to its highest tier amid concerns over alleged spying on senior US officials.
AFP, citing NBC News, reported that the Pentagon’s Defence Intelligence Agency assessed Israel’s “ability to conduct human espionage and technical collection” as being at a “critical level”.
NBC News, citing US officials, said the move followed concerns that Israel had tried to obtain information on the Trump administration’s internal discussions and decision-making on conflicts in the Middle East.
The New York Times also reported alleged Israeli efforts to eavesdrop on senior officials, including President Donald Trump’s top negotiator Steve Witkoff and the Pentagon’s top policy official Elbridge Colby.
AFP said the reports came after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering the war.
The reports also come amid apparent strain between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Reuters reported earlier this week that Trump confirmed he had called Netanyahu “crazy” during a heated phone call over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, which Trump said had complicated US diplomatic efforts.
According to AFP, Axios and ABC News had earlier reported that Trump unleashed a profanity-laced tirade at Netanyahu over Israel’s threats to bomb Beirut, amid fears such a move would undermine talks with Tehran. — Reuters
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The Forgotten Archive of a Spanish Spy Agency. MORTADELO Y FILEMON
Description:
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These images were generated by Artificial Intelligence.
Shutterstock has agreed to pay the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) $35 million over allegations that the photo agency misled customers and illegally made millions of dollars from them.
SINGAPORE: Dengue cases continued to rise last week, with 80 infections reported in the week ending June 6, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). The figure marks an increase of 13 cases from the previous week.
As of June 8, there were eight active dengue clusters across Singapore. Four were classified as red alert clusters, indicating 10 or more reported cases.
The largest cluster, with 16 cases, was located around Jalan Bangau and Jalan Jarak. Other red alert clusters included a 15-case cluster at Neram Road and Nim Crescent, an 11-case cluster at Lilac Drive and Mimosa Road, and a 10-case cluster at Countryside Road and Lentor Avenue.
Peak dengue season
With Singapore now in its peak dengue season, authorities are reminding residents to check their homes regularly for potential mosquito breeding spots.
With this, the NEA urges the members of the public to practice the Mozzie Wipeout B-L-O-C-K steps:
Break up hardened soil to prevent water from collecting
Lift and empty flowerpot plates
Overturn pails and wipe their rims dry
Change water in vases regularly
Keep roof gutters clear and place BTI insecticide where necessary
Moreover, residents must also allow NEA officers to do an inspection in their premises, and conduct spraying of insecticides for immediate removal of adult mosquitoes to stop dengue from spreading.
Residents living in dengue cluster areas are encouraged to take the actions
Spray insecticide in dark corners around the house
Apply insect repellent regularly, and
Wear long-sleeve tops and long pants to prevent mosquito bites
Zika and Chikungunya are two other mosquito-borne diseases. Thankfully, there are no Zika clusters or areas with likely Zika transmission, and there are currently no chikungunya clusters. The majority of chikungunya infections occurred in individuals with recent travel to Chikungunya-affected areas.
Read more about NEA’s statement here.
Indeed, the presence of Aedes mosquitoes in Singapore poses an ongoing risk of mosquito-borne diseases. It is important for everyone to stay alert and act now for everyone’s safety. Check your home and common areas often, follow the guidelines of the authorities, and see a doctor if you have a fever or other dengue symptoms.
This article (NEA reports increase in dengue cases, with eight active clusters across Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.
This story is part of a series by Public Health Watch and MyRGV.com. Puente News Collaborative is a partner in this collaboration.
Seek appropriate care. Dr. CJ Martínez-Menéndez, a neurologist at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, emphasizes that Parkinson’s treatment is a team effort. Finding a neurologist is the first step; ask for a referral to a movement disorders specialist, physical therapists and occupational therapists, and possibly a psychiatrist or psychologist for emotional support.
Join a support group. Two hospital systems — South Texas Health System and DHR Health System — hold monthly meetings. Another group meets at Siesta Retirement Village in Weslaco, Texas. Myla Garza, a Parkinson’s patient, encourages people not to be “afraid” of the diagnosis. “There are many things that can improve your quality of life,” she says.
Explore online resources. The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson’s Foundation offer free, reliable information to help patients and families understand and cope with the disease. The Parkinson’s Foundation also operates a toll-free helpline (1-800-473-4636) available in English and Spanish.
Participate in Parkinson’s research projects. Contact brain@utrgv.edu for information about Dr. Kelsey Baker’s study at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. You can also email genetics@parkinson.org or call the Parkinson’s Foundation helpline (1-800-473-4636) to enroll in the foundation’s national genetic study, which offers free genetic testing to all participants.
© Delcia Lopez (MyRGV)
WASHINGTON, June 6 — Actor James Handy, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, was fatally stabbed at his home in Los Angeles, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
Trade publication Variety reported on Thursday, citing police, that emergency responders were called to the northwest of the city on Wednesday morning, where police confirmed in a statement that they found the 81-year-old unconscious in the front garden of his property with a stab wound to the chest.
He was taken to hospital by paramedics and later pronounced dead. A suspect turned himself in to police at the scene. He is said to be the son of the victim’s girlfriend.
Police said they received an emergency call from a man who said: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” A spokesman for the actor confirmed Handy’s death to Variety.
Handy played the bartender Jimmy in the action film sequel Top Gun: Maverick (2022). He also had a role in the adventure film Jumanji (1995). — Bernama-dpa
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