Doctors Enroute Dr NP Veliotes 082 451 2810

Aviation connects the world, enabling trade and human connection, which plays a key role in socio-economic development. 

Yet with that extraordinary reach comes an extraordinary responsibility: to ensure that the skies we rely on today do not come at the cost of the planet we leave for tomorrow.

The aviation sector has adopted several ambitious global aspirational goals: 

carbon neutral growth 2020; 

a Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050; and 

a global aspirational Vision of 

5% CO₂ emission reduction by 2030 using aviation cleaner energies. 

Important progress has been made, with the implementation status and results being tracked transparently by ICAO, including through the Stocktaking Events, which are now part of the ICAO Aviation Climate Weeks. 

Progress is being made, but the pace must accelerate, and the ambition must grow.
It is in this spirit that ICAO is proud to convene the ICAO Aviation Climate Week 2026, under the theme

One Global Path: Advancing Net-Zero Aviation taking place from 2 to 4 June 2026 at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, Canada. 

A Low-FODMAP diet is often used to manage symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The diet involves avoiding certain fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) that the small intestine has trouble absorbing

provides up to 100% efficacy through a bi-annual injection.

Lenacapavir SA prepares for HIV prevention injections rollout.

“A reason to wake up in the morning,” representing the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession. 

It combines iki (life) and gai (value/worth) to define what makes life worth living, encompassing joy, purpose, and daily fulfillment. 

It is that quiet conviction that wakes you up in the morning. 

That inner compass that refuses to let you drift through life without meaning. 

Ikigai rests on 4 profound truths. Core pillars:

1) What you love: 

Your passions and interests.

2) What you are good at: 

Your skills and vocation.

3) What the world needs: 

Your mission and contribution.

4) What you can be paid for: 

Your profession. 

When these 4 intersect, 

purpose is born.

Key Components of Ikigai

Often visualized as a Venn diagram, ikigai is found at the intersection.

Usage Examples of Ikigai

Personal Reflection: Identifying activities (hobbies) or people (family/friends) that bring joy and a sense of value.

Career Alignment: Shifting from just working to finding a “career with purpose” that connects personal passion to professional work.

Long-Term Well-being: Maintaining an active, purposeful mind in old age to improve mental and physical longevity.

Craftsmanship: Dedicating oneself to mastering a skill to serve the community, as seen in traditional Japanese artisans. 

Synonyms and Similar Concepts

Raison d’être: French for “reason for being”.

Life Purpose: The central motivation of one’s life.

Calling/Passion: A strong inclination toward a particular activity.

Motivation/Drive: The force that keeps one moving forward. 

Key Takeaway

Ikigai is not strictly about work, but rather about creating harmony between what you love and what you can contribute to the world to bring value to your daily existence. 

​History in the making! The four astronauts heading back to the Moon. The Artemis generation is here.

🚀 The Artemis II astronauts are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 10.
[2:07 a.m. SAST on Saturday, April 11, in South Africa.]

Four astronauts — three from NASA and one from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) — make up the Artemis II crew:

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot

NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist

Here’s some exciting news for your heart: The rules around cholesterol just got simpler, smarter and more personalized with an earlier start on primary prevention. 

 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association released updated cholesterol guidelines that could help you prevent heart disease decades before it starts by giving you clearer, easier-to-understand targets to work toward. 

Break down the biggest changes and what they could mean for your health. 

What is cholesterol? 

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body uses to make cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. Your liver makes all the cholesterol you need. The issue is not that cholesterol exists; it is that too much atherogenic cholesterol, especially ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, can build up in artery walls and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

[‘Good’] HDL helps carry cholesterol back to the liver.

The new 2026 cholesterol guidelines

Earlier risk assessment age

Adults in their 30s and up are now included in the risk assessment group rather than adults 40 and up. The new guidelines expand risk assessment to adults ages 30 to 79 and consider both short and long-term risk.

What does it mean? 

Younger people will be screened for cholesterol issues, and screenings may happen even more often for those with risk factors like family history, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease or pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.

More focus on lifetime prevention

The new guidelines recognize that heart disease doesn’t develop overnight. It takes decades to develop. Instead of waiting until risk is high later in life, doctors are now looking at long-term [30-year] risk, not just 10-year risk, and are paying closer attention to people who have a high LDL when young or a strong family history of heart disease.

What does it mean? 

This shift may lead to earlier lifestyle changes and, for some people, the use of medications so that plaque buildup is prevented long before a heart attack occurs.

Clearer LDL cholesterol targets

The updated guidelines bring back specific LDL cholesterol goals, which were less emphasized in the 2018 recommendations. 

 For people at low risk of heart disease, LDL should be under 100 mg/dL, while those at higher risk may be advised to aim for under 70 md/dL and those at very high risk for under 55 mg/dL.

What does it mean? The updated approach is simpler. Since patients will know their target LDL number and whether they are on track, some patients may be advised to aim for lower LDL levels than they were previously told, especially if they have a history of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or strong family risk.

A new focus on Lp(a) testing

The new cholesterol guidelines highlight lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), as an important risk marker and recommend one-time testing in adulthood.

Lp(a) is a particle in the blood that looks a bit like LDL. It is mostly genetics. [Being] born with high Lp(a) can significantly increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and aortic valve disease.

What does it mean? 

It can uncover a hidden risk if the rest of your cholesterol panel looks okay. If the Lp(a) is high, your doctor may take a more proactive approach and recommend additional testing.

The bottom line on the new cholesterol guidelines

The more we learn about how the body works, the better we get at protecting it. These updated guidelines give you clearer cholesterol targets, earlier screening options and a smarter roadmap to keep your heart healthy for decades to come.

1- Self-Awareness

• Recognize your emotions during challenging situations.
• Understand personal strengths and areas for growth.
• Reflect on past experiences to gain valuable insight.
• Notice how stress affects your thoughts and actions.
• Use awareness to guide better responses to adversity.
  Quote: “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle

2 – Emotional Regulation

• Manage strong emotions during stressful moments.
• Pause before reacting to difficult situations.
  Maintain calm thinking when facing pressure.
• Practice patience when emotions feel overwhelming.
  Choose thoughtful responses instead of impulsive reactions.
  Quote: “Feelings are just visitors. Let them come and go.” – Mooji

3 – Optimistic Thinking

• Focus on possibilities instead of limitations.
• Maintain hope even during uncertain circumstances.
• View challenges as temporary obstacles.
• Look for lessons in difficult experiences.
• Believe that effort can improve future outcomes.
  Quote: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” – Helen Keller

4 = Problem-Solving Skills

• Break complex challenges into manageable steps.
  O Evaluate different options before making decisions.
• Stay focused on solutions instead of obstacles.
  Learn from mistakes and adjust strategies.
• Take practical actions to improve situations.
  Quote: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” –
  Albert Einstein

5 – Strong Support Systems

• Build relationships with people who encourage growth.
  Seek advice from trusted mentors or friends.
• Share struggles instead of facing them alone.
• Offer support to others when they need help.
  Community strengthens resilience during difficult times.
  Quote: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

6- Adaptability
Adjust your plans when circumstances change
unexpectedly.
Stay flexible during uncertain or difficult times.

• Learn new skills when facing unfamiliar challenges.
• Accept change as part of personal growth.
• Adapt quickly to overcome obstacles effectively.
  Quote: “It is not the strongest that survive, but the most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin (attributed)

7 – Purpose and Meaning
Connect your efforts to meaningful goals.

• Let purpose guide you during difficult moments.
• Remember why your work and growth matter.
  Use purpose as motivation to keep going.
• Meaning strengthens resilience during adversity.
  Quote: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

1). The toothpaste and liquids mistake

It sounds minor, but it’s one of the biggest causes of delays.

It doesn’t matter if the container looks small—
what matters is the size printed on the label.

Many “travel-sized” items still exceed the allowed limit, and security checks go strictly by numbers—not appearances.

How to avoid it:

• Always check the exact volume (ml or oz).
• Use approved travel containers.
• Keep medical liquids separate and clearly labeled.

2). Carry-on size surprises

You pass security easily… but at the gate, they ask you to check your bag size.

That’s where things go wrong.

Wheels stick out.
Handles don’t fit.
The bag is overpacked.

Result: it gets checked in—and you pay extra.

How to avoid it:

• Measure your bag including wheels and handles.
• Don’t overfill your. suitcase.
• Check your airline’s exact size rules.
• Keep essentials in your personal item.

3). Documents that stop you cold.

A small detail can prevent you from boarding:

Expired or nearly expired passport
Damaged documents
Name mismatch on your ticket

How to avoid it:

• Double-check everything before your trip
• Make sure names match exactly
• Carry digital backups of important documents

4). Problems with batteries and devices

Security doesn’t take items randomly—they remove what they can’t quickly verify.

Loose batteries, unclear capacity labels, or damaged devices raise red flags

How to avoid it:

• Keep batteries in your carry-on, not checked luggage
• Make sure capacity labels are visible
• Use protective cases
• Avoid unbranded or unclear electronics

5). Legal items… in the wrong place

Something legal in one country may be restricted in another

This often applies to items like vapes or similar devices

The most common mistake?
Ignoring layover rules.

How to avoid it:

• Check regulations for all countries on your route
• Avoid questionable items
• Don’t assume rules are the same everywhere

6). Your behavior matters

Even if everything is correct, your attitude can create problems

Jokes, sarcasm, or arguments may trigger extra screening

How to avoid it:

• Stay calm and neutral
• Answer clearly
• Avoid unnecessary comments

7). What you wear can slow you down

Clothing can also raise flags:

• Too many pockets
• Hidden compartments
• Bold or controversial messages

How to avoid it:

• Wear simple, comfortable clothes
• Avoid excessive layers
• Keep it low-key

8). The last-minute mistake

The most frustrating one:

You’ve done everything right… until you reach the gate

You open a drink
Repack your bag
Leave something loose

And suddenly—you’re delayed

How to avoid it:

• Don’t open liquids before boarding
• Keep everything organized
• Be fully ready at the gate

Final tips

Check everything before leaving home
Avoid last-minute changes
Keep your belongings easy to inspect
Stay updated on travel rules for your destination

Sometimes, it’s not the big things that ruin a trip—
it’s the smallest details you didn’t think twice about

Many people have experienced it at least once — waking up suddenly at 3 or 4 in the morning for no obvious reason. 

The house is quiet, the sky still dark, and falling back asleep can feel strangely difficult. 

Over the years, this pattern has been surrounded by countless beliefs, spiritual interpretations, and health-related theories. 

But what does science actually say about waking up at this specific time?

Sleep experts explain that our rest is divided into cycles that repeat every 90 to 120 minutes throughout the night. In the early part of the night, we spend more time in deep sleep. 

As morning approaches, the body naturally shifts into lighter stages of sleep. Between 3 and 4 a.m., many people are in one of these lighter phases, which makes it easier to wake up from even small disturbances such as noise, temperature changes, or internal body signals.

Stress and anxiety are among the most common reasons for waking during these early morning hours. During quiet moments, the mind becomes more active and unresolved worries can surface. 

Even if someone falls asleep easily, emotional tension can cause the brain to partially wake in the early morning. 

This is why people under long-term stress often report waking at the same time every night.

Another important factor is blood sugar regulation. 

During the night, the body continues to manage glucose levels. 

If blood sugar drops too low, stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can be released to stabilize it. 

These hormones can also stimulate alertness, causing sudden awakening

Biohacks to boost your health with tangible improvements

(May do:

•daily supplements, •jump into cold plunge, •sit in an infrared sauna deep-breathing to transcendental music

“feeling like a happier, more energetic disease-fighting machine.”

start now, with the tools you have on hand

simple strategies, 

can get more benefit

The payoff big: ‘Carving out time for small habits, 

add 20 years to life

Here are 6 Biohacks to implement, starting today to boost your health

1. Schedule sunlight

10 to 20 mins of sun exposure on waking up 

cup of coffee outside

‘helps anchor your internal clocks and trigger the release of hormones like cortisol during the day and melatonin at night, supporting a healthy sleep-wake cycle

Catching am rays has been found to 

•shorten the time needed to fall asleep

•improve sleep duration

•reduce middle-of-the-night waking, and •produce better sleep quality

•a calming moment

2. Take a walk, every day benefits: 

•joints stay mobile

•Boosts bone health

•Aids digestion

•Decreases inflammation (a driver of chronic disease)

•Stabilises blood sugar levels, especially if you go out after a meal

•Manages stress

•Lowers blood pressure

•Provides social connection if you BYOF (bring your own friend)

long-term brain boost

Maintaining a mid-life exercise routine is associated with 

fewer amyloid plaques (a factor in Alzheimer’s disease) 

helps preserve the thickness of your cerebral cortex – the outer layer of the brain responsible for 

higher-level functions like memory, learning, and decision-making

Sedentary behaviour and brain atrophy 

walking: pump up brain’s gray matter

3. Sign up for something new

enjoy and learn,

mental challenge minus the pressure to perform 

social perks

bond as a group

‘never too late to try something new’

build self-confidence

strength, balance, and flexibility gains,

next move should 

feel challenging and make nervous excitement 

Sign up — to learn 

padel, 

calligraphy, or 

flower arranging. 

4. Take time to reset – for real 

Too much stress has bad health effects due to constant surge of stress hormones,

experiencing burnout over the past several months

Taking a time-out: eg:

5 minutes of yoga, reading, or 

star-gazing. 

We all have stress, 

build up is linked with faster cellular ageing

One thing that helps slow down ageing clock? Emotional regulation. 

— cardiac coherence diaphragmatic breathing-

inhale through nose 

for 5 seconds, 

feeling your belly rise, then slowly exhale through your mouth 

for another count of 5

– reduce stress and anxiety to reset and recentre

– to find calm and 

collect self

5. Eat foods that lower inflammation

Fill your plate with colourful fruits and vegetables

‘What we choose to eat, can turn genes on and off 

to lower inflammation’ 

Go for purples, reds, dark greens, and more – eat the rainbow – to get a variety of plant compounds, like antioxidants and polyphenols, which neutralise cell-damaging free radicals implicated in chronic diseases that occur with age. 

rainbow-first approach gives freedom to decide

6. Give your gut a break

Intermittent fasting may be trendy, but skip the 24-hour water fast

12 to 14 hours is all you need for a productive fasting period (not eating between dinner at night and breakfast the next morning.) 

Fasting promotes autophagy, our body clears out damaged cells to allow for regeneration of new ones

gives your digestive system downtime, discourages acid reflux, and 

improves metabolic health

by decreasing insulin resistance. 

closing the kitchen promoted better digestion 

without hunger pangs or brain fog. 

longevity hacks 

don’t have to make you suffer – and you can feel good doing them

Bio-hacking is 

art and science of optimising human performance

intentional changes 

in lifestyle practices 

to maximize our health 

a healthier, longer life

Throughout time, people have used strategies to enhance human capabilities

Implementing small changes (aka biohacks) over time promotes what longevity experts are now focusing on: healthspan

People live longer remaining healthy and without chronic conditions