The man who survived two nuclear bombs

TSUTOMU YAMAGUCHI 

Can someone survive not one, but two nuclear bomb attacks? Yes! A Japanese man named Tsutomu Yamaguchi did precisely that—and lived to tell the story.

In 1945, during World War II, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Yamaguchi was there on a work trip. He was badly burned but survived the blast.

The very next day, he returned home to Nagasaki—just in time for the second atomic bomb to fall! Amazingly, he survived that explosion too, even though it caused more injuries. Yamaguchi was one of the very few people officially recognised as a double survivor.

Even after going through so much, he lived a long life and became a peace speaker, talking about the horrors of nuclear war. He wanted the world to learn how dangerous these bombs are and why we should never use them again.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi’s story is one of incredible survival and courage, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of working towards peace.

The World’s First AI Minister

DIELLA 

In the age of artificial intelligence, where machines can think, learn, and even talk like humans, a small European nation — Albania — has made history.

In September 2025, Albania appointed Diella, an artificial intelligence (AI) system, as a government minister. This bold move made her the first AI minister in the world, marking a new chapter in how technology and governance can work together.

Who is Diella?

The name Diella means “sun” in the Albanian language — symbolising light, clarity, and transparency.

She was first launched in January 2025 as a virtual assistant on the country’s digital platform e-Albania, which provides citizens access to government services online.

At the start, Diella helped people: fill out forms, download certificates, solve technical issues, and access official documents easily.

Her ability to serve thousands of citizens quickly and accurately impressed the government and led to her promotion.

Becoming a Minister

In September 2025, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama appointed Diella as the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Her most important task is to oversee public tenders and government contracts — areas where corruption has often been a problem.

The Prime Minister said Diella’s goal is to make these processes “100% corruption-free.”

By analysing data and patterns, she ensures that public funds are used properly and fairly, without human bias or interference.

How Does Diella Work?

Diella functions as a virtual cabinet member, powered by advanced algorithms, natural language processing, and data analytics. She doesn’t have a human body — instead, she appears as a digital avatar on screens and interacts through speech and text.

So far, she has:

● Processed over 36,000 digital documents,

● Helped deliver around 1,000 government services, and

● Assisted citizens on the e-Albania platform with 24/7 availability.

Unlike humans, she never gets tired, takes breaks, or has personal interests — which makes her highly efficient.

Why did Albania create an AI Minister?

Albania has been working hard to fight corruption and improve transparency. The government believes that AI can help remove human weaknesses like bias, bribery, and favouritism from decision-making.

By giving Diella a ministerial role, Albania hopes to: Build public trust, speed up services, reduce human errors, and align with European Union standards for transparent governance.

It’s also a symbolic step showing Albania’s determination to become a digital pioneer in Europe.

 Challenges and Concerns

Although Diella’s appointment is groundbreaking, it raises many serious questions:

● Can an AI really lead? AI lacks emotions, empathy, and moral judgment — qualities that human leaders use in complex situations.

● Who is responsible if something goes wrong? If Diella makes a mistake or is manipulated, should the blame fall on her programmers, the AI agency, or the government?

● Is it constitutional? Some experts argue that giving an official government title to a non-human might conflict with legal definitions of a minister.

Transparency: For Diella to ensure fairness, her own systems and data must also be open to public scrutiny.

Thus, while her appointment is exciting, it also demands strong ethical and legal safeguards.

A New Era of Governance: Diella’s appointment marks a historic experiment in using artificial intelligence for public administration.

If successful, it could open the door for similar AI systems to assist in education, healthcare, environmental planning, and economic management in the future.

However, experts agree that AI should assist humans, not replace them. The best results come when technology and human wisdom work together.

Did You Know?

● AI stands for Artificial Intelligence — machines that can think and learn like humans.

● Diella means sun — representing clarity, fairness, and enlightenment.

● She is completely virtual, existing only on screens with a computer-generated face and voice.

● Albania is the first country in the world to include an AI system in its national cabinet.

● Diella’s main promise: all public tenders will be 100% corruption-free.

Moral Takeaway: Technology becomes truly powerful when it is used with honesty and for the greater good.

Diella’s story shows how innovation can shine light on transparency and truth — but also reminds us that machines, no matter how smart, must always be guided by human values and wisdom.

Conclusion: The appointment of Diella marks a bold step into the future — where technology and governance come together to create a more transparent and efficient system. By giving an AI system a ministerial role, Albania has shown how innovation can be used to fight corruption and serve citizens better.

However, this experiment also reminds us that while machines can process data and make fair decisions, they cannot replace the human values of empathy, judgment, and responsibility. The real success of Diella will depend on how wisely humans use her abilities.

As the world watches this groundbreaking experiment unfold, Diella stands as a symbol of hope, honesty, and progress — showing that the power of technology, when guided by ethics and purpose, can truly help build a brighter future.

A recipe for perseverance and success

 KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (KFC)

When you see the smiling face of Colonel Sanders on a bucket of KFC chicken, you might just think of tasty fried food — but behind that logo lies one of the most remarkable true stories of perseverance, failure, and late success in business history.

The story of Harland David Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), teaches us that it is never too late to chase your dreams — and that every failure can be a step toward success.

🍗 Early life and Struggles: Harland Sanders was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, USA, into a poor farming family. His father died when Harland was just six years old, leaving his mother to work long hours to support the family. As the eldest child, Sanders took responsibility for cooking and caring for his younger siblings — a skill that would later shape his destiny.

But school wasn’t easy for him. He often clashed with teachers and dropped out by the seventh grade, at age 12. Over the years, he worked in a string of different jobs — as a farmhand, streetcar conductor, railroad fireman, insurance salesman, and even a ferryboat operator. However, he lost most of these jobs due to bad luck or disagreements with employers.

By his mid-30s, Sanders had already faced more failures than most people face in a lifetime — but he refused to give up.

🍗 The birth of his passion: In the early 1930s, during the Great Depression, Sanders began operating a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, where he also served meals to travellers. Word quickly spread about his delicious home-cooked dishes, especially his fried chicken.

He kept experimenting with spices and cooking techniques until he perfected his famous recipe — a blend of 11 herbs and spices, the exact ingredients of which remain a secret to this day. To make cooking faster, he also developed a unique pressure-frying technique, which allowed the chicken to cook quickly while staying crispy on the outside and tender inside.

By 1935, his food had gained so much popularity that the Governor of Kentucky awarded him the honorary title of “Colonel” — a title that would stick with him for life.

🍗 Setbacks and starting over: Despite his growing reputation, Sanders faced another major setback in the 1950s. A new interstate highway was built, bypassing Corbin, and traffic to his restaurant dropped drastically. At the age of 65, he was forced to sell his restaurant at a loss, leaving him with little more than his savings and his secret recipe.

For most people, this would have been the end. But not for Colonel Sanders.

At an age when most people retire, he decided to start over — determined to share his chicken recipe with the world.

🍗 Rejection after rejection: Armed with nothing but a few cooking utensils and his recipe, Sanders hit the road in his old car. He travelled across the United States, visiting restaurants, cooking for owners, and offering them a franchise deal — if they liked his chicken, they could sell it in their restaurant, and he would receive a small commission for every chicken sold.

He was rejected over 1,000 times before someone finally agreed to partner with him. Most restaurant owners laughed at the idea of paying for a recipe from a retired man. But Sanders persisted. His unwavering belief in his chicken eventually paid off when Pete Harman, a restaurant owner in Salt Lake City, Utah, agreed to franchise his recipe.

Together, they opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in 1952. Harman also came up with the brand’s famous tagline — “It’s Finger-Lickin’ Good!”

🍗 Rise to fame: By the early 1960s, KFC had become one of America’s fastest-growing food chains. Colonel Sanders, dressed in his trademark white suit and black string tie, became not only the brand’s face but also its living symbol of quality and care.

In 1964, at the age of 73, Sanders sold the company to a group of investors for $2 million, though he continued to serve as its ambassador and spokesperson. Under new management, KFC expanded rapidly, reaching over 600 franchises within the next few years and soon spreading internationally to Canada, the UK, Mexico, and beyond.

🍗 Legacy and life lessons: Colonel Sanders passed away in 1980 at the age of 90, but his legacy continues to live on through the global success of KFC, which now operates in more than 150 countries and serves millions of customers every day.

His life is a shining example of how persistence, resilience, and self-belief can turn even the hardest failures into lasting success. From losing jobs and businesses to being rejected hundreds of times, Sanders proved that age is no barrier and that determination can overcome almost anything.

🍗 Did You Know? 

🐥The original handwritten “11 herbs and spices” recipe is kept in a vault at KFC headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.

🐤Colonel Sanders received more than 1,000 rejections before finding his first franchise partner.

🐥 KFC was the first American fast-food chain to open in China (in 1987) — and is now one of the most popular restaurants there.

🐤The Colonel’s famous white suit became his personal trademark — he was even buried wearing it.

🍗 Conclusion: Colonel Harland Sanders’ story isn’t just about fried chicken — it’s about never giving up, no matter how many times you fail. He began his greatest success story at an age when most people stop dreaming. His journey from a poor farm boy to a global business icon continues to inspire millions to follow their passions, no matter the obstacles.

So, the next time you enjoy a crispy piece of KFC chicken, remember: it’s not just a recipe — it’s the taste of courage, persistence, and the power of believing in yourself.

The World’s Smelliest Bloom

CORPSE FLOWER 

(Amorphophallus titanum) 

Among the countless wonders of the plant world, few are as extraordinary — or as notorious — as the Corpse Flower, scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum. Famous for its enormous size and foul smell resembling rotting flesh, this rare species from Indonesia’s rainforests continues to fascinate botanists, researchers, and nature lovers worldwide.

Origin and Discovery

The Corpse Flower is native to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. It was first discovered in 1878 by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari, who was astonished by its immense bloom. Belonging to the Araceae family, the same as calla lilies and peace lilies, Amorphophallus titanum stands apart as one of the largest flowering structures on Earth.

A Botanical Giant

The plant’s magnificent bloom can reach a height of up to 3 metres (10 feet). What appears to be a single flower is actually a huge inflorescence — a cluster of many small flowers grouped on a tall, central spike called the spadix. Surrounding this is a large, petal-like structure known as the spathe, which opens dramatically to reveal a deep reddish-purple interior resembling raw meat.

Beneath the soil lies a massive tuber, sometimes weighing over 100 kilograms, storing energy during the long years between blooms.

The Science of the Stench

The Corpse Flower’s signature trait — its stench of decay — is not accidental. The smell mimics that of rotting flesh, produced by a complex mix of volatile organic compounds such as dimethyl trisulfide, trimethylamine, and isovaleric acid.

This odour attracts carrion beetles and flesh flies, insects that normally feed on dead animals. Deceived by the smell, these insects enter the flower and unknowingly help in pollination, transferring pollen between blooms.

Another fascinating feature is thermogenesis — the spadix heats up to about human body temperature. This helps vaporise the scent molecules, spreading the odour farther to lure more pollinators.

A Rare and Short-Lived Spectacle

The Corpse Flower is famous not only for its smell but also for its rarity. It can take 7 to 10 years to bloom for the first time, and even then, each bloom lasts only 24 to 48 hours before collapsing.

Between blooms, the plant produces a single, enormous leaf that looks like a small tree — sometimes up to 6 metres tall. This leaf performs photosynthesis, storing food in the underground tuber to support the next spectacular flowering event.

Ecological Importance

In its native habitat, Amorphophallus titanum plays an important ecological role. Its unusual pollination strategy highlights the diverse adaptations plants evolve to survive and reproduce in tropical ecosystems. Sadly, due to deforestation and habitat loss in Sumatra, this species is now considered threatened in the wild, making its cultivation in botanical gardens vital for conservation and study.

Did You Know? 🌿

The Corpse Flower’s heat helps mimic the temperature of decomposing meat, enhancing its deception.

Its tuber is one of the largest in the plant kingdom.

It is often confused with Rafflesia arnoldii, another Sumatran giant, which produces the largest single flower, while A. titanum produces the largest inflorescence.

The first bloom outside Indonesia occurred in 1889 at Kew Gardens, London, under the care of botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Conclusion

The Corpse Flower may offend the nose, but it captures the imagination of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Its enormous size, rare blooming cycle, and ingenious pollination strategy reveal the incredible adaptability of life. More than just a curiosity, Amorphophallus titanum stands as a symbol of nature’s creativity — a reminder that even the strangest forms of life have an essential role in the web of biodiversity.

Connecting the World

CELEBRATING WORLD POST DAY 2025

Every year on 9 October, the world pauses to honour a service that quietly connects humanity — the postal system. World Post Day commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874, in Bern, Switzerland, a milestone that revolutionised how letters, parcels, and messages travel across nations.

The Genesis of Global Communication: Before the creation of the UPU, sending a letter internationally was slow, costly, and complicated, governed by multiple bilateral agreements. The formation of the UPU introduced a visionary idea — one single postal territory for the smooth and reciprocal exchange of mail among countries.

By standardising postal rates, weights, and delivery rules, the UPU made global communication affordable and efficient. In 1969, during its Tokyo Congress, the UPU officially declared 9 October as World Post Day, aiming to raise awareness about the essential role of the postal sector in connecting people and promoting global development.

Purpose and Significance:

World Post Day serves several important purposes:

🌍 To highlight how postal services connect people, businesses, and nations

💡 To showcase how posts are evolving with e-commerce, logistics, and financial services

📬 To promote innovation and reform in national postal systems

✉️ To encourage public engagement through exhibitions, open houses, and letter-writing competitions

The day reminds us that postal services are not merely about delivering mail—they are about bridging distances and fostering human connection.

Theme for 2025: “#PostForPeople: Local Service. Global Reach.”

The 2025 theme — #PostForPeople: Local Service. Global Reach — emphasises how postal services remain deeply rooted in local communities while extending their network worldwide.

In many countries, especially in rural or remote areas, the post office is often the only public service available. It acts as a gateway to the digital economy, providing essential financial and government services to people who might otherwise be left out.

Through this theme, the UPU reaffirms that the post is not just about mail—it is about people, linking local lives to global possibilities.

Post in the Modern Era: More Than Just Mail

While digital communication dominates today, the postal service continues to play an indispensable role. Its functions have expanded far beyond letters and stamps:

E-Commerce Backbone: Postal services form the world’s largest logistics and delivery network, ensuring that goods reach customers even in the most remote areas.

Financial Inclusion: In developing and rural regions, post offices provide banking, insurance, and pension services, helping bridge the economic divide.

Emergency Lifeline: During crises or natural disasters, the postal network becomes a lifeline, delivering medicine, aid, and relief supplies where other systems cannot reach.

This adaptability has made the postal system a pillar of reliability, inclusion, and trust in modern society.

How World Post Day is celebrated: Across more than 150 countries, World Post Day is marked with enthusiasm and creativity:

🕊️ Release of special stamps and commemorative postal covers

🏛️ Open days at post offices, sorting centres, and postal museums

🖋️ International Letter-Writing Competitions for youth (ages 9–15), encouraging expression through handwritten letters

📢 Awareness campaigns in schools, media, and communities

🎖️ Recognition ceremonies honouring dedicated postal workers

These celebrations serve to educate, inspire, and remind the world of the unseen efforts behind every delivered letter or package.

Honouring the Postal Worker: At the heart of this global network are over 4.6 million postal workers who, through dedication and determination, ensure that communication never stops. From bustling cities to isolated villages, they deliver not just mail, but hope, connection, and continuity.

World Post Day is also their day — a moment to appreciate their contribution to keeping the world connected, no matter the distance or difficulty.

Looking Ahead: As we celebrate World Post Day 2025 under the banner #PostForPeople: Local Service. Global Reach, we are reminded that the post is much more than an institution — it is a living bridge between people, cultures, and economies.

In an age defined by digital communication, the humble postal service continues to stand for trust, connection, and service to humanity — proving that even in a fast-changing world, some traditions still deliver.

Do you know

WHY DO CATS LICK THEIR FUR?

Cats lick their fur mainly for grooming and self-care. This behaviour is natural and serves several important purposes:

1. Cleaning Themselves:

Cats lick their fur to remove dirt, dust, loose hair, and parasites. Their tongue has tiny, hook-like structures (called papillae) that help clean and untangle their fur effectively.

2. Regulating Body Temperature:

Cats don’t sweat like humans do. By licking their fur, they spread saliva that evaporates and helps cool their body, especially in hot weather.

3. Distributing Natural Oils:

Licking spreads the natural oils produced by their skin, keeping their coat smooth, shiny, and waterproof.

4. Comfort and Stress Relief:

Grooming also has a calming effect. Cats often lick themselves when they’re anxious, nervous, or trying to relax — it’s a self-soothing behaviour.

5. Scent Marking:

Cats have scent glands on their skin. By grooming, they spread their own scent, which makes them feel secure and reinforces their identity.

6. Social Bonding:

When cats lick each other (a behaviour called allogrooming), it helps strengthen social bonds within a group.

In short, cats lick their fur not just to stay clean, but also to stay cool, comfortable, and emotionally balanced. 🐱

Science meets Art

KALEIDOSCOPE 

Have you ever looked through a kaleidoscope and been amazed by the colorful patterns dancing before your eyes? A kaleidoscope is more than just a toy — it’s a wonderful example of science and art coming together to create magic!

What is a Kaleidoscope?

A kaleidoscope is a tube-shaped instrument that shows beautiful, changing patterns of colours and shapes when you look inside it. The word kaleidoscope comes from three Greek words — kalos (beautiful), eidos (form), and skopein (to look at). So, it literally means “to look at beautiful forms.”

How does it work?

Inside a kaleidoscope, there are:

Two or more mirrors placed at an angle, usually 60° or 45°.

Small colorful objects like bits of glass, beads, or plastic pieces.

A transparent cover at one end and an eyepiece at the other.

When you hold the kaleidoscope up to the light and slowly rotate it, the small pieces move and the mirrors reflect them again and again. These reflections form symmetrical, colorful patterns that change every time you turn the tube — no two designs are ever the same!

Science in Art

The kaleidoscope beautifully demonstrates the principle of reflection of light. The mirrors inside reflect the image of the colorful pieces multiple times, creating repeating patterns. It’s like watching nature paint with light!

Artists and designers often use kaleidoscopes to get new pattern ideas for fabrics, wallpapers, jewellery, and even digital art. So, a simple childhood toy also inspires creativity in the grown-up world.

Fun Fact!

Did you know the kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by a Scottish scientist named Sir David Brewster? He was studying light and reflection when he accidentally discovered this amazing invention!

World’s Largest Kaleidoscope Examples

1. Earth Tower / Nagoya City Pavilion, Japan

Located in Nagoya, Japan.

It’s about 47 meters tall and projects a kaleidoscopic image roughly 40 m across. 

This was recorded by Guinness World Records as the “largest kaleidoscope.” 

2. Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, Mount Tremper, New York, USA

This is a walk-in kaleidoscope housed in a converted grain silo. 

It’s 60 feet (≈ 17–18 m) in height, with big mirrors inside; visitors lie back to look up into the reflections. 

Which one is really “Largest”?

The Nagoya Earth Tower is recorded by Guinness World Records as the “largest kaleidoscope” in terms of its size and projected image. 

The Kaatskill Kaleidoscope is often called the “world’s largest walk-in kaleidoscope,” and many sources refer to it as the largest in terms of a kaleidoscope you can enter. 

The Wonder Never Ends

A kaleidoscope reminds us that beauty is everywhere, even in simple reflections. Every twist brings a new pattern — just like life, full of endless colours and surprises. So next time you hold a kaleidoscope, remember — you’re not just playing with a toy, you’re exploring the science of light and the magic of imagination!