World's 1st space tourist signs up for flight around moon

13 Sept 09:49 Key points summarised by AI

Dennis Tito, the 82-year-old first space tourist, has signed up for a weeklong flight around the moon aboard Elon Musk's Starship, accompanied by his wife and ten other passengers.
This future mission, years in development, will bring Tito and his companions within 125 miles of the lunar far side, marking his return to space after his pioneering 2001 trip to the International Space Station.
Tito aims to relive the joy of space travel in his retirement and inspire others, with the flight contingent on Starship's successful development and his continued good health, potentially setting a new age record for space travel.

The Buddha comes home

20 Oct 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is an annual three-day festival in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, where the Shan people celebrate the Buddha's mythical return from Tavatimsa heaven, marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
Families construct intricate "Chong Para" miniature palaces, decorated with colorful paper and ornaments, as an act of faith and a means of preserving traditional Shan craftsmanship across generations.
The festival transforms the quiet mountain town with vibrant folk music, traditional Shan bird dances, martial arts performances, and lively processions, immersing visitors in local culture.
It offers a unique glimpse into the living Shan traditions of Mae Hong Son, distinct from other northern Thai regions, fostering community bonds and cultural transmission.