Mobile phone texting can help smokers quit smoking, Chinese study shows
A study by Chinese researchers showed that texting on mobile phones could help smokers quit smoking.
A study by Chinese researchers showed that texting on mobile phones could help smokers quit smoking.
The study published on Tuesday in the journal PLOS Medicine showed among smokers who received a 12-week-long mobile phone-based intervention quitted smoking, 6.5 percent stopped smoking by the end of the study, Xinhua reports.
The researchers from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in China said the intervention could have greater reach and higher feasibility than in-person treatments.
It has great potential to improve population health and should be considered for large-scale use in China, according to the study.
They conducted a randomized controlled trial across China from August 2016 to May 2017, recruiting a total of 1,369 adult smokers. Participants were randomly assigned to a 12-week intervention consisting of either high-frequency or low-frequency messaging, or to a control group that received text messages unrelated to quitting.
The text messages were aimed at improving self-efficacy and behavioral capability for quitting, according to the study.
Twelve weeks later, 6.5 percent of them turned continuous smoking abstinence in the high-frequency group while 6 percent quitted smoking in the low-frequency group. 1.9 percent of them stopped smoking in control group.
China has the highest global prevalence of cigarette smokers, accounting for more than 40 percent of the total cigarette consumption in the world.
Source: Kazinform News Agency
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2 schools shifted to online learning amid flooding in N Kazakhstan
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347 pupils of two schools switched to online learning amid flooding in North Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Schools were temporarily shifted to online teaching in Zarechnyi and Pokrovka villages as the River Yessil overflowed.
All villagers of Zarechnyi were evacuated amid flood risks. Ice jams triggered flooding in Pokrovka village leaving tens of homes on Beregovaya Street underwater.
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First Kazakh Senate Speaker passes away
Images | senate.parlam.kz
An outstanding statesman, the first Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (1996-1999), Baigeldi Omirbek has passed away today in Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Senate’s press service.
Baigeldi Omirbek was born in 1939 in Dzhambul region, KazSSR.
Baigeldi Omirbek served as the deputy of the Parliament of Kazakhstan of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th convocations. He worked at the Senate for more than 16 years.
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Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China officially opens in Beijing
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The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China has been opened in a grand ceremony at the China National Opera House in Beijing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
As part of the ceremony, an ethno-auyl (village) and the cultural events are being presented before the China National Opera House building.
Addressing the guests and participants of the event were Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Li Shulei, Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yermek Marzhikpayev and Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Yeli.
Opening the festive gala concert was the theatrical choreographic performance ‘Yer saltanaty’ by the soloists of the Abay Opera House, artists of the Astana Ballet Theatre and the ‘Shattyq’ Dance Theatre.
People's artist of Kazakhstan Roza Rymbaeva, honored artist of Kazakhstan Mayra Mukhamedkyzy, opera singer Zarina Altynbaeva, ethno-rock group ‘Ulytau’, choir group of Abai Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, ensembles ‘Serper’ and ‘Sazgen Sazy’ and the ballet troupe ‘Astana Ballet’ will take part in the concert dedicated to the opening of the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China.
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Kazakh nationals urged to leave Ukraine's Odessa and Kharkiv regions
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The Kazakh Embassy in Ukraine has recommended nationals of Kazakhstan to consider departing the Odessa and Kharkiv regions in a statement published on the embassy’s official website, Kazinform News Agency reports.
In view of rising tensions and unstable security situation in the Odessa and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ukraine recommends the nationals of Kazakhstan to consider deaprting these regions," the statement reads.
The Embassy notes that to travel from Ukraine to Kazakhstan, the nationals of Kazakhstan can use two land routes - through Poland or Moldova, and then travel by commercial flights.
In case of departure through Poland, they will need a Schengen visa, while visa is not required to enter Moldova.
At the same time, the Embassy calls on all citizens not to ignore the air raid alerts and immediately seek shelter," the Embassy says on its Telegram channel.
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Astana Opera Swirls a Whirlwind of Ballet Premieres
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Dreams Come True states the title of the gala ballet that will take place at Astana Opera’s Grand Hall on April 7. The artistic director of the ballet company, world ballet star Altynai Asylmuratova fulfills the young dancers’ dreams, giving them the opportunity to realize their potential at the country’s main stage venue. Thus, the unique concert will feature 3 ballet numbers premieres. Elmar Buribayev, a graduate of the Conservatorio di Musica "Giuseppe Verdi" in Milan, will be conducting, Astana Opera press office reports.
The Astana Opera Ballet Company works tirelessly to epitomize the highest standards of excellence in its work and has become a striking phenomenon in the world of art. The company not only attracts the audience’s attention with its professionalism, but also wins the hearts of ballet aficionados around the world.
We recently attended a ballet evening where we saw the premiere performance of Ruh by the young choreographer Sultanbek Gumar. We wanted to come back again, especially since the April program features many new pieces. It seems to me that Astana Opera’s artists have a unique style and aesthetics," Maria Ricci, a viewer from Italy, notes. "Their performances are filled with passion and inner peace, making the spectacle exciting and unforgettable."
Her partner Bernardo Ricci adds: "These dancers, under the direction of Altynai Asylmuratova, bring a fresh perspective to traditional ballet works. Their interpretations of classical ballets not only convey beauty and grace, but also open up new emotional facets to familiar stories."
Throughout the Dreams Come True evening, the audience will be treated to a string of premieres. Among them is the Spanish dance Panaderos from Glazunov’s ballet Raymonda, to be staged at Astana Opera by teacher-repetiteur Elena Sherstneva. Young soloists will also showcase their own choreographic performances: Aidan Kalzhan prepared the ballet number Temptation to Vittorio Monti’s music, and Sultanbek Gumar will present Manqurt to Aktoty Raimkulova’s music. Thus, the opera house not only trains future soloists, but also provides a unique opportunity to unleash the talent as a choreographer and implement bold creative ideas.
Among the concert participants are Shugyla Adepkhan, Sofiya Adilkhanova, Gaziza Moldakhmet, Gulnaz Zhanayeva, Vega Kamar Ikbalova, Mao Shibata, Mao Sudo, Alina Zyryanova, Amina Kissembayeva, Limara Aidarova, Kamila Ormanova, Arman Urazov, Olzhas Tarlanov, Zhaksylyk Saukymbekov, Akbar Iminov, Nima Tokov, Erkin Bazarbayev, Arman Kzaibek, Amir Khvan, Raiymbek Bolat, Aspan Bekbay, Ruslan Kanagat, Galymzhan Nurmukhamet, Rustam Chakhalov and many other talented dancers.
In addition to the new numbers, the audience will be able to enjoy excerpts from Drigo’s Le Talisman, Asafiev’s The Flames of Paris, the exciting Le Carnaval de Venise pas de deux from Pugni’s Satanella, a duet from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and others.
The impeccable technique of the Astana Opera Ballet Company, its emotional depth and unique creative approach to performing classical and contemporary ballet works, the ability to create true art onstage is what invariably amazes the audience in Kazakhstan and far beyond its borders. The Dreams Come True gala ballet performed by the celebrated company will certainly captivate the viewers and give them the most vivid impressions.
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Earth Hour 2024 returns by providing 60 minutes of global unity around the world, in support and celebration of the planet
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From 8:30 pm local time on 23rd March, WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, returns for its 18th edition with the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ in support and celebration of the planet. In an increasingly divided world, Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible, in particular people who are not fully engaged with the environmental crisis yet, WAM reports.
Since its creation in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its "lights off" moment. As landmarks and homes across the world switch off, supporters are also invited to symbolically switch off and 'Give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet. In 2023, over 410,000 hours were given to our planet by supporters in 190 countries and territories, representing 90% of the planet, making it the Biggest Hour for Earth.
Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International, said: "More people than ever need to join this year’s Earth Hour to leverage the collective power of individuals and communities. It’s crucial to get involved, if we want to raise awareness about the environmental challenges and bend the curve of biodiversity loss by 2030 . To truly unite millions across the globe, it is important that Earth Hour expands beyond its already massive pool of current supporters and engages with individuals who have not been involved yet. Protecting our planet is a shared responsibility and it demands collective action from every corner of society."
Through the Hour Bank, its new online interactive tool, Earth Hour invites everyone, everywhere to find the most enjoyable ways to give an hour for Earth. Whether it is a mindful walk through the woods to bask in the smell of air, feel the earth, and take in the sounds or engaging in a home scavenger hunt to identify and swap out unsustainable products with eco-friendly alternatives, there are myriad options to choose from. The Hour Bank provides a list of activities and events based on participants' lifestyle interests and preferences, from food and fitness to art and entertainment.
The "Give an hour for Earth" call-to-action makes participation even easier and fun, encouraging individuals not only to switch off lights symbolically but also to take 60 minutes to do good for the planet while doing something they love.
Yves Calmette, Senior Director, Brand and Network Communications, Earth Hour Global, said: "In the face of a polarised society struggling to tackle the scale and pace of the dual climate and nature crises, Earth Hour is all about bringing people together for a common cause. By aligning Earth Hour actions with people's interests and passions through the Hour Bank, we make it easy for individuals -particularly those who aren’t engaged yet-to contribute positively to the planet while doing activities they love. Our aim is to show that environmentalism can be accessible, enjoyable, and personally meaningful. Together, as we unite for Earth Hour, we not only highlight the urgent issues we face but also celebrate the innovations and solutions that can lead us to a brighter future."
Earth Hour is more than a moment; it's a movement that for the last 18 years has continued to inspire and mobilise people globally, reminding us of our collective responsibility to create a more hopeful and resilient future for our planet.
Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become the world's largest grassroots environmental movement, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organisations in more than 190 countries and territories to take actions for our planet.
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