Annonc pour le 5 septembre 2025, le titre est dj disponible en prcommande numrique pour PlayStation 5 et PC sur Steam Larticle [EVERYBODYS GOLF HOT SHOTS] Bienvenue aux clubs ! est apparu en premier sur Game Cover.

As Charles Darwin explored the Galapagos Islands, he discovered how the different islands allowed for different species to thrive. This is very similar to our current exploration of the Solar System; individual worlds, separated by the vacuum of space. The similarities provide a new insight into predictin planetary contamination risks and improve protection methods. A new paper by Daniel J. Brener and Charlesg S. Cockell uses the spread of life to new islands as a powerful model for rethinking how we prevent Earth's microbes from contaminating other worlds, shifting focus from probability calculations to whether microbes can actually survive in alien environments.

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La Mtropole Nice Cte d'Azur renforce son engagement en faveur des Industries Culturelles et Cratives (ICC) en lanant un appel projets ddi aux dmonstrateurs innovants, ouvert jusqu'au 20 septembre 2025. Bnficiez d'un soutien financier jusqu' 80 000 euros....

'We Have Never Been Part of Mainstream Rock' - Josh Todd Reflects on Buckcherry's Career"I'm not trying to chase success or hit songs, you know?"Buckcherry's Josh Todd joined Loudwire Nights on Thursday (June 26) to celebrate his band's latest album, Roar Like Thunder, and reflect on making music for nearly 30 years. Listen to the full conversation in the player near the end of this article."I...

The founders of the Microbiota Vault, a project that aims to preserve microbial diversity, have announced that they are ready to grow their frozen microbe collection to 10,000 samples by 2029.

When something is 100% certain, we often say that its as sure as the sun rises in the east. Thats because the sun is the most dependable thing in all of human history. Except perhaps in Japanese mythology. Personified by the goddess Amaterasu (lit. Heaven Shining), one of the most important deities in the Shinto pantheon, the Japanese sun has been known to be a little fickle from time to time. Or perhaps she was just reacting properly to challenging circumstances. Here is her story.The Sun Rises LateAmaterasu emerging from a cave by Utagawa Kunisada, 1856. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIt took a while for Japan to see its first sunrise. According to Kojiki (An Account of Ancient Matters), the oldest text in Japanese history, when the heavens and earth first formed, three generations of gods appeared and then concealed themselves. The fourth generation, however, stuck around. A sun deity still was not among them, but the group did contain the siblings Izanami and Izanagi. They created the first Japanese island when Izanagi plunged his spear into the primordial waters below the heavens and a drop fell from his weapon when he pulled it out, creating the isle of Onogoro (Yasumaro, 2014, pp. 7-8).Descending onto the island, the siblings got married and proceeded to create the rest of Japan via intercourse and childbirth. Islands, trees, mountains and all natural features were all born from Izanami. Unfortunately, one of Izanamis children was a god of fire who fatally burned her when coming into the world. Stricken with grief, Izanagi ventured into the Underworld to retrieve his wife. Just like in Orpheus and Eurydice, something went wrong, and Izanagi ended up angering the undead Izanami who used hell-hags to chase him out. After his misadventure in the land of the dead (considered impure in Shinto), Izanagi decided he needed a cleansing bath (Yasumaro, 2014, The Kojiki, pp. 13-16).The God Izanagi Purifies Himself by Bathing in the River, Natori Shunsen, 1916. Source: Nihon no Kami-sama: Kojiki Ehanashi via Wikimedia CommonsWashing himself in a river, he created a total of 14 gods, chief among them Amaterasu, who was born when Izanagi washed his left eye. Cleaning out his right eye gave us Tsukiyomi, the deity of the moon, while blowing his nose birthed Susanoo, the fearsome god of winds and storms.A Murder Estranges the Sun and the MoonShinto Moon God Tsukuyomi-No-Mikoto, Unknown, pre-19th century. Source: Shoto Museum of Art in Tokyo via Wikimedia CommonsAll grown up, Amaterasu ruled the heavenly plains while keeping an eye on the goings-on below. Hearing rumors of Ukemochi who took on the role of the goddess of food, Amaterasu sent Tsukiyomi (also known as Tsukuyomi) down to Earth to wait on her. According to the Nihongi chronicle of myths, legends, and genealogies, Ukemochi prepared for the visit by arranging a wonderful feast using her mouth. Facing the sea, she parted her lips and brought all manner of fish into the world. Facing the land, she created boiled rice. Facing the mountains, land animals came to life from her mouth. All were then arranged into delicious dishes that filled up more than 100 tables. Unfortunately, Tsukiyomi was not pleased with the goddess offering.Filthy! Nasty! he yelled, accusing Ukemochi of feeding him vomit. That thou shouldst dare to feed me with things disgorged from thy mouth. Then Tsukiyomi pulled out a sword and killed Ukemochi. Amaterasu never forgave Tsukiyomi for that, proclaiming: Thou art a wicked Deity. I must not see thee face to face (Aston, 2008, p. 32). Ever since then, the sun and the moon became separate, always keeping their distance from each other. As for Ukemochi, her dead body sprouted food meant for humans like wheat, rice, millet, and beans (Aston, 2008, p. 33). Even in death, the gracious deity continued to provide.The God of Wind Angers the SunActor Portraying Susanoo in a Kagura Play, 2012. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAfter having seemingly proven his non-antagonistic intentions, Susanoo was welcomed by Amaterasu to the heavenly plains. However, his wild nature (befitting a deity whose name has been translated by Gustav Heldt as Rushing Raging Man) eventually got the better of him. While under the influence of drink, Susanoo ruined Amaterasus rice paddies, burying the ditches around them, and then defecated in the great hall where his sister held her harvest festival.Many would probably consider the toilet prank to be the worst of all, but the agricultural destruction might have been more deadly. Many centuries later, after the death of Emperor Chuai, the imperial court made a list of the greatest sins possible to identify which evils they had to eliminate in order to purify the land. Destroying rice paddies and ditches was near the top of that list, sharing the designation of a great sin with transgressions like incest, flaying alive, or bestiality (Yasumaro, O., 2014, The Kojiki, 113).Amaterasu tried to downplay Susanoos behavior, blaming it on the wine. As for his ruining the paddy ridges and burying their ditches, my mighty brother must have done this because he thought good land was going to waste, she proclaimed (Yasumaro, 2014, p. 22). That only seemed to embolden Susanoo. Later, while Amaterasu was overseeing the work in her sacred weaving hall, Susanoo lobbed a flayed horse inside, scaring one of the weaver maidens into accidentally pricking herself with a needle, which ended up killing her. This time, Amaterasu had enough.The Day the Sun DisappearedOrigin of the Cave Door Dance, Wada Yujiro, 1889. Source: Museum of Applied Arts, ViennaAngry at her brother, Amaterasu secluded herself in the Heavenly Rock Cave, blocking the entrance to it with a boulder that no other god could move. Because she was the personification of the sun, this threw the world into eternal night, drawing out hordes of demons. All the other gods got together to find a solution. One of them, the goddess Ame-no-Uzume, had an idea. Her unorthodox plan was to do a frenzied, comedic dance on an overturned barrel, exposing her breasts and eliciting great laughter from her heavenly audience.Eventually, intrigued by the noises outside, Amaterasu moved the boulder to her cave to have a peek when one of the more powerful gods pulled her out. Everyone then implored her to stay and bring light back to the world. Amaterasu agreed (Yasumaro, 2014, The Kojiki, pp. 23-24). Susanoo, on the other hand, was banished to Earth where he reformed his image by slaying Yamata no Orochi, a dreaded eight-headed serpent who kept devouring young maidens. After that, Susanoo became a respected and feared god and even obtained a legendary sword out of the ordeal. Ame-no-Uzumes dance, on the other hand, became the mythical origin of kagura theater, possibly the oldest form of performing art in Japanese history.The Sun Sets Her Eyes on EarthAme-no-wakahiko Shooting an Arrow, 2020. Illustration by CycoMa. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAmaterasu eventually decided that the lands below the heavens should be under the control of the heavenly gods. Her actual words, according to the Kojiki, were: The realm of plentiful reed plains, of a thousand and five hundred long autumns of fresh rice ears, will be a realm ruled by our heir (Yasumaro, 2014, p. 41). The sun goddess sent the young Ame-no-Wakahiko ahead as a scout but he ended up liking Earth so much, he decided to ignore his mission and stay there. Amaterasu sent a messenger bird to check up on him so Ame-no-Wakahiko shot it with an arrow that kept going and eventually reached the heavens themselves.Finding the blood-covered arrow, the gods sensed that something was amiss, so they sent the arrow back, which immediately hit and killed Wakahiko. During Ame-no-Wakahikos funeral, the god Ajisukitakahikone showed up looking exactly like the deceased. Being mobbed by mourners who thought that Wakahiko came back to life, Ajisukitakahikone was so insulted by being compared to a corpse that he pulled out his sword, called the Great Leaf Reaper, and destroyed the mourning hut, kicking it away whereupon it became a mountain known as Mount Mourning (Yasumaro, 2014, p. 44). This is why it is considered impolite to point out physical similarities between living and deceased people in Japanese society.Statue of Ninigi-no-Mikoto at Kunimigaoka Viewpoint, Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan, 2013. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAmaterasu eventually got her conquest under control, preparing the physical realm for the arrival of heavenly gods, and ultimately sending her grandson Ninigi down to Earth. Today, he is considered the ancestor of all Japanese emperors who for millennia claimed direct descent from him and, more importantly, his grandmother: the moon-shunning, flayed horse-fleeing, eternal darkness-bringing goddess of the sun. Modern Japanese emperors no longer consider themselves divine, but the link between the imperial household and Amaterasu remains strong, with some considering the sun goddess a representation of Japan itself.SourcesTranslated by Aston, W. G. (2008). Nihongi Volume I Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Cosimo Inc. (Original translation published 1896).Yasumaro, O., translated by Heldt, G. (2014). The Kojiki, An Account of Ancient Matters. Columbia University Press.

Love, jealousy, vengeance, and a multitude of other thrilling emotions give lasting intrigue to the tales of ancient Greek mythology. With such passionate feelings and magical allure, it is no wonder that many of these stories have become muses for some of the worlds most famous operas. The relatable themes, lessons, and emotions of these stories, though they have significant religious, cultural, and historical roots, make them timeless and malleable for artists across generations and across the world. Many productions of these operas feature contemporary costumes or settings that exist beyond a given place, adding to the mysteries and magic within their storytelling.1. Ariadne auf Naxo, Richard StraussBacchus and Ariadne, by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, circa 1720s. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtAriadne was born a princess on the island of Crete, where she helped the hero Theseus defeat her monstrous sibling, the infamous Minotaur, before their escape together. There are a variety of endings that conclude Ariadnes story, but all lead to the island of Naxos, a territory owned by the god of wine and festivity: Dionysus.Richard Strausss opera, Ariadne auf Naxos, set to Hugo von Hofmannsthals libretto, plays a unique spin on the classical myth and picks up Ariadnes story in the scenario wherein Theseus intentionally abandons her on the island of Naxos before traveling on to Athens. Though she is resolved to die, Ariadne finds new hope and new love when Bacchus (the Roman name for Dionysus) promises himself to her and they rise to the heavens together.Strauss conceived the final version of his opera by listening to critiques and ideas about the original version. When his work first premiered, it was performed following a play which he had composed music for in 1912, but this frustrated audiences who did not enjoy waiting for the opera to begin. A few years later, Strauss replaced the play with a prologue to the opera that sets the chaos into motion.The plotline of the myth itself is wrapped in a wider story of a theatrical group actually putting on the opera of Ariadne Auf Naxos, but the production is complicated by a variety of factors and characters. The group is forced to put on the opera simultaneously with an Italian comedy. Despite strange obstacles and heartbreak, the opera ends on a hopeful note with new love and a heartfelt duet.2. Dido and Aeneas, Henry PurcellAeneas Departs from Carthage (Aeneid, Book IV), by Master of the Aeneas, circa 1530-35. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtAeneas was a Trojan warrior and son of Aphrodite who managed to escape his fallen city after the Greeks masterfully took control. Aeneas brought a group of his former countrymen with him to seek out a place of refuge and, inevitably, adventure. Queen Dido of Carthage took pity when she welcomed the runaways into her home. Whether through natural circumstances or due to the gods intervention, Dido and Aeneas became lovers. Despite the joys of his new relationship, Aeneas considers the great destiny that lies ahead of him: founding Rome. During his departure, Aeneas breaks Queen Didos heart. In her devastation, Dido brings about her own death.In Henry Purcells Dido and Aeneas, the pressing tensions and beautiful desires of the couples affair are musically amplified. Nahum Tates libretto for the famous work explores the dramatic emotional struggles that the characters face as Dido chooses love and Aeneas chooses political success, bringing victory to the scheming sorceress who had plotted Didos downfall and securing the future of a powerful Roman empire.Dido and Aeneas had connected over past experiences of lossthe deaths of loved onesand political powerhopes for establishing Carthage and Romebut their separation seemingly predicted a future tragically void of love for the enthrallment of war. Rome and Carthage would later be engaged in what became known as the Punic Wars, also called the Carthaginian Wars, for nearly a century.Venus giving arms to Aeneas, by Jean Cornu, circa 1704. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtPurcells opera premiered in the late 1600s, and though it is believed that its first performance took place at a boarding school, some researchers have speculated about possible connections with Englands royalty through its performance and thematic structure. In addition to the works musical and romantic ingenuity, the leading ladys Didos Lament, the final aria of Purcells opera, has remained a particularly popular piece among sopranos for centuries.3. Elektra, Richard StraussThe Tomb of Agamemnon, by Louis Jean Desprez, circa 1787. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtElectras hunger for revenge stemmed from a long bloodline of familial flaws and murderous acts. Her mother, Queen Clytemnestra, killed her father after his return from the seemingly endless battle at Troy.According to Greek mythology, Queen Clytemnestra had designed to kill her husband as vengeance for sacrificing their daughter, Iphigenia, to the goddess Artemis in exchange for a fair wind that would help Agamemnons army sail to Troy for battle. Their younger daughter, Electra, never blames King Agamemnon for the sacrifice; thus, her mothers act of murder does not bring her peace but rather a maddening desire for another round of bloodshed.Elektra is another opera composed by Richard Strauss with a libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. It premiered at Court Opera in Dresden in 1909 and began the lasting and fruitful collaborations between Strauss and von Hofmannsthal. Elektra is a unique character who frantically drives the climax of the story into action but does not actually commit the act of murder herself, leaving an odd mixture of emotions stirring within her. It is Elektras brother, Orestes (Orest in the opera) who sinfully yet vengefully kills his own mother. In her strange sense of victory that has been interpreted as a tragic kind of madness, Elektra engages in a dance while she urges everyone around her to remain in silence. She then collapses to her own death.The modern and at times dissonant style of the music makes Elektra a truly powerful work and one of the most famous operas inspired by Greek mythology.4. Medea, Luigi CherubiniMedea, by William Wetmore Story, carved 1868. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtSimilar to Ariadne, Medea was born a princess in Colchis but assisted the hero Jason, who comes to her homeland to take the famed golden fleece that has been in her familys protection. Medea runs away with Jason, and her skills as a sorceress continue to help Jason succeed as a hero and as a leader. The two have children together, but Jason later decides that he must marry the princess of Colchis to achieve an even higher and more politically secure status.Luigi Cherubinis opera, with Franois-Benot Hoffmans libretto, begins with Jasons betrayal of Medea. Enraged by the upcoming nuptials, Medea drenches a dress in poison and gifts it to Jasons unknowing bride-to-be. The brides father tries to help his daughter remove the cursed dress, but they both perish. Medeas vengeful acts do not end there: she takes her children and strikes up a massive flame that consumes them as a final punishment for Jason.Cherubinis opera has a long and complex compositional history. The work was originally an opera comique sung in French. It was called Mede and premiered in 1797 at the Thtre Feydeau. Several years of edits and translations finalized the work as an Italian opera called Medea, a compilation featuring Cherubinis composition combined with the efforts of Franz Lachner and several translators. This finalized version was made especially famous thanks to the renowned performances of the leading role by Greek-American soprano, Maria Callas.Medea is a challenging role for sopranos, requiring both expert vocal technique and a powerful stage presence. Nevertheless, those who can manage it have succeeded in capturing the awe of audiences across the world, who appreciate the tragic tale and passionate music.5. Orfeo ed Euridice, GluckOrpheu, by Cristoforo Stati (Cristofano da Bracciano), circa 1600-01. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOrpheuss story begins and ends with his great love for Eurydice, who is taken from him by a fatal snake bite. Because of his profound talents in poetry and music, the depths of Orpheuss sorrows are heard by people everywhere as well as by the gods. Willing to take any chance at having Eurydice back at his side, Orpheus accepts the challenge of venturing into the Underworld and retrieving her, despite the fact that mortals are not typically allowed to return to Earth from the Underworld. He is promised that his journey will be successful, so long as he does not look back at Eurydice as she follows him out. Nearing the exit, Orpheus gives in to the emotions that overwhelm him and glances behind him, thus condemning Eurydice back to the Underworld.Christoph Willibald Glucks Orfeo ed Euridice features a libretto by Italian poet Ranieri de Calzabigi that gives the famous lovers a happy ending: distraught by his failure, Orfeo, as he is called in the Italian opera, decides that he must die as well so that he can eternally be united with Euridice. To his surprise, the goddess of love appears and brings Euridice back to life. The opera concludes with a celebration of love and its unmatched power.Glucks opera premiered at the Court Theatre (Burgtheater) in Vienna in 1762. The work sought to be revolutionary and artistically inspiring for new generations of artists, and it is often performed with compelling dance choreography that melds with the poetry and musicality of the productions. The role of Orfeo is one of operas most popular pants roles, leading many mezzo-sopranos as well as contraltos to fame and success across the worlds stages, which regularly position Glucks opera in their seasonal lineups.

We know the ferocious and ruthless yet able Mongol Khan died in August 1227 aged 65. August 18 is often given as the date. However, the reasons for his death are still shrouded in mystery. His rise from Temujin to Genghis Khan just two decades prior marked an empire-building period like few others. At its height, the Mongol Empire would stretch from the Pacifics edge to Europes borders. For decades, Khans mounted armies seemed unstoppable.Where Khan DiedGenghis Khan Equestrian Statue, Tsonjin Boldog, Mongolia. Source: Discover MongoliaGenghis Khan died during the Mongol campaign against the Western Xia in northwestern China. His invasion, begun in 1225, came as revenge. The Xia refused troops or supplies for the Mongols eastern invasions. An irate Khan concluded those campaigns, returning west with a vengeance. Khan died mysteriously here, with his death being kept a secret. The Mongols won shortly after Khans death. In revenge, they massacred the Xia and razed the countryside, wiping out their civilization so only remnants remained.The Known Facts of Khans DeathChinggis Khan advising his sons on his deathbed, 15th-century miniature from Marco Polos Livre des Merveilles, 1410-12. Source: BnFThe only two confirmed facts regarding Khans death are the date and placethose being 1227 in northwest China. Conflicting theories exist regarding the death of Genghis Khan. These are difficult to confirm due to the fragmentary or contradictory nature of historical records and oral histories. The Mongols https://cdn.thecollector.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/genghis-khan-deathbed.jpgkept Khans death a secret, likely to keep the Empire stable and prevent chaos and exploitation by their enemies. The Mongols remained silent about his fall until their victory against the Western Xia.The Unproven TheoriesGenghis Khan, Yuan Dynasty Portrait, 14th century. Source: National Palace Museum, TaipeiThe theories about Khans death remain just that. The most prevalent theory is that medical complications from a horse fall led to Khans death. Researchers believe the cause was injuries, internal damage, or infection.The History of Yuan, or Chinas Mongol dynasty (1271-1368), states that the Khan perished from illness. He lasted for eight days but never disclosed the name of the sickness. Speculation around this cause ranges from infectious diseases, such as typhoid or bubonic plague. Coincidentally, the Mongol troops suffered an outbreak of the Black Death during the Western Xia campaign.A manuscript showing Genghis rewarding the Four Dogs and other followers at the Kurultai of 1206 CE. Source: BnFAnother myth also created long after his death to sully his image claimed a princess stabbed Genghis Khan. This Tangut princess, from the Western Xia kingdom, either stabbed or castrated the Mongol ruler. This tale is understood to be fiction, spread by rivals to humiliate Khans memory.The last rumor to appear stated that Khan met his demise from battle wounds. Khans aggressive campaigns meant he led from the front, potentially putting him in harms way. An arrow struck Khan, injuring but killing him. According to secondary information, the wound became infected, turning fatal. Like the other rumors, this one also originated from secondary sources. Little concrete evidence exists for validation.The Reason for the Theories and MythsGenghis Khans Heir gedei. Source: National Palace Museum, TaiwanThe reasons for the uncertainty about Khans death, like the myths, vary, unfortunately. Any news of Genghis Khans death would rock their empire. Remaining secretive meant keeping order and, in modern politics, controlling the narrative. The Mongols kept few written records, which further complicated the event for scholars centuries later.Contrasting the manner of Khans death was how his enemies tweaked the story. Persian and Chinese stories and accounts exaggerated or discounted the event. For example, Khans castration by a princess or a divine retribution all to make him less invincible, tarnishing Khans legacy.Some tales make for a sensational ending to Khans life. A death caused by battle wound infections or succumbing to horse fall-related injuries sounds better. The Mongols even spun a the tale of divine intervention.Statue of Genghis Khan on the bank of the Tuul River in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Source: Financial TimesDespite the rumors concerning how Genghis Khan died, the most widely accepted account is that he fell from his horse while hunting. Mongols lived a difficult life in a harsh environment, had bad diets, and were always on the move. So, the belief is the fall caused internal injuries. As a man in his 60s, Khans chances of recovery would be minimal. Unfortunately, all remains speculation with the lack of a body. Khans followers adhered to his wishes for a secret burial, thereby creating one of historys enduring myths.Genghis Khans Secret BurialGate to the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, Tsonjin Boldog. Source: Wikimedia CommonsKhans body was returned to Mongolia, specifically the sacred mountain called Burkhan Khaldun. Slaves dug deep and entombed Khan. Next, Khans men executed the slaves and possibly the slaves guards, plus any bystanders. The site remained unmarked, with few knowing its exact location. With no known spot, Khan hoped to deter enemies and looters. Khans followed Mongol funeral practices of hidden burials. This frustrates historians wishing to know the end of Khans story. Despite many failed expeditions, the great Khans grave and ending remain a mystery.