Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance comprising 10 full member states, 2 observer states, and 14 dialogue partners. [1, 2]

The 10 full member states are:

• ⁠People's Republic of China
• Russian Federation
• Republic of India
• Islamic Republic of Pakistan
• Islamic Republic of Iran
• Republic of Belarus
• Republic of Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Republic of Tajikistan
• Republic of Uzbekistan [1, 2]
• Observer States
  Two nations currently hold observer status within the ⁠Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): [1, 2]
  • Afghanistan
  • Mongolia
  Dialogue Partners
  The SCO has 14 countries engaged as dialogue partners: [1, 2]
  • Azerbaijan
  • Armenia
  • Bahrain
  • Cambodia
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • Maldives
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  For additional details on the organization's charter and summit schedules, you can visit the official Shanghai Cooperation Organisation portal. [1]
• 
  
• 

  
  
  

Lewis Capaldi and Tourettes Syndrome

 

Lewis Capaldi first revealed his Tourette’s syndrome diagnosis in September 2022 to explain the involuntary shoulder twitches and head movements he experiences on stage. The Scottish singer-songwriter noted that the tics flare up most during periods of stress and touring, eventually prompting him to take extended hiatuses from performing to prioritize his health and mental wellbeing. [1, 2, 3, 4]

His journey with the neurological condition is extensively detailed in his Netflix documentary How I'm Feeling Now. Capaldi has also openly discussed how the pressures of touring exacerbate his symptoms. [1, 2]

One of the most notable moments of his career occurred during his set at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival. When Capaldi struggled to complete his hit song "Someone You Loved" due to severe tics, thousands of fans in the crowd stepped in and sang the rest of the song for him, creating a highly emotional and supportive connection between the artist and his audience. [1, 2, 3, 4]

For a closer look at the Glastonbury set and the emotional moment between Lewis Capaldi and his fans:

0:37

During one of Lewis Capaldi's concer

Time zones in China and Russia

 ⁠China officially spans across five geographical time zones but operates on a single standard time zone, China Standard Time (UTC+08:00). Also known as ⁠Beijing Time, it is used nationwide without any daylight saving time. [1, 2]

• History: The single time zone was established in 1949 by Chairman Mao Zedong to promote national unity across the country.
• Geographical impact: Because the country is so wide, the sun rises and sets at vastly different times depending on your location. In the westernmost region of ⁠Xinjiang, for example, the sun may not rise until 10:00 a.m. local time, leading many locals there to unofficially use Xinjiang Time (UTC+06:00). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• Key Facts About China's Clock Policy
  • Current status: Clocks stay on China Standard Time (UTC+08:00) all year.
  • Past practice: China did try daylight saving time between 1986 and 1991.
  • Why it stopped: The government abandoned the practice because the energy savings were minimal, and the time shifts caused too much confusion for the population. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Unlike China, Russia is split into 11 separate time zones, but like China, it does not change its clocks for summer and winter. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  The Time Zones of Russia

  Because Russia is the largest country by landmass, its contiguous borders span nearly halfway around the planet. [1]

  • The range: Local times stretch all the way from UTC+02:00 in ⁠Kaliningrad (the westernmost Baltic enclave) to UTC+12:00 in Kamchatka (the far eastern peninsula). [1, 2]
  • The span: There is a 10-hour time difference between the western and eastern edges of the country. When a resident in Moscow is waking up at 8:00 a.m., it is already 6:00 p.m. on the Pacific coast. [1, 2]

  The Clock-Changing Policy

  Russia abandoned seasonal daylight saving time (DST) adjustments entirely. [1, 2]

  • The status: All 11 zones remain on permanent standard time all year long. [1]
  • The history: Russia previously used DST for decades. In 2011, the government switched to year-round "summer time". This proved highly unpopular because citizens hated waking up in intense darkness during the freezing winter months. [1]
  • The fix: In October 2014, ⁠President Vladimir Putin shifted the nation to permanent "winter time" (standard time) to ensure morning daylight better matched natural sunrise patterns. [1]