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China is building a Taiwan in Palestine

By
Cristian Roșu
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people on beach during daytime
Photo by nour tayeh on Unsplash

The “Global South” challenges the “Global North”, Thucydides’ Trap, BRICS vs. NATO – all these phrases refer, in fact, to China’s geopolitical moves as it enters the race with the United States for hegemon position. The race is not a sprint but an endurance marathon, with many obstacles and an unspecified time limit.

We are witnessing an attempt to reshape the global order. Whereas during the Cold War, the global balance was dictated by the rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, which controlled opposing blocs, we are now moving towards the re-emergence of a bipolar world, where the United States and China could share the leadership in a so-called “G-2”.

After the collapse of the USSR, the United States had no rivals and took on the role of undisputed global leader. By investing heavily in its military, it has secured military superiority and has managed to spread its strength to every corner of the globe. Now China is beginning to challenge American global dominance.

The Chinese Defense “White Paper” states that “China will never seek hegemony and will never pursue military expansion, now or in the future, regardless of its level of development.” However, with this denial, China has merely announced its aspirations. Being the only nation that has felt like stating that it does not aspire to global hegemony.

The US, on the other hand, has become comfortable in the position of hegemon and is no longer accustomed to dealing with independent power centers. US politicians are not used to formulating policy through multilateral consultations with other nations and this is already bothering the BRICS bloc.

Force projection

Through its recent foreign policy, the US has lost some of its global influence but has managed to retain key points of control – Taiwan, Israel, Eastern Europe, Australia. Yet it has lost Africa and substantial parts of the Middle East.

China instead is on the offensive, the Belt and Road Initiative, the BRICS alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the growing strategic cooperation with Russia, the internationalization of the yuan, the expansion of military power and the vigorous pursuit of scientific and technological autonomy are important steps taken by Beijing. This is seen across al fields, including quantum computing where the two powers aim to get ahead of each other.

If we stick strictly to force (military and economic), the United States leads the field. There is no other state that can project force in any area of the world and economically control more markets. The United States also leads the most powerful military alliances – NATO and AUKUS.

The Sino-US competition can be seen in many points around the globe and beyond the economic deferend can be seen diplomatic-military moves made through proxies. The best known inflection point is Taiwan, but not the hottest. At the moment, China is focusing on the Middle East, specifically the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

China is increasing its influence in the Middle East

Since becoming a net oil importer in 1993, China has procured almost half of its oil from the Middle East. By 2023, Saudi Arabia was China’s second largest oil supplier after Russia, accounting for 15% of imports. These energy ties paved the way for strong and diverse trade relations. In 2022 alone, trade between China and the Middle East topped $507 billion, doubling the 2017 figure and outpacing the growth rates of Chinese trade with other world regions.

As American influence in the Middle East has begun to wane, particularly following its withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 and, more recently, amid regional frustrations over its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, China has stepped up its diplomatic and security approaches to the region. While proceeding with caution, Beijing is steadily positioning itself to assume the US role in the Middle East.

China’s economic and political engagement in the Middle East has increased over the past decade, particularly in the wake of the Arab Spring and amid growing perceptions of US withdrawal from the region.

The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, has significantly increased China’s engagement in the region and propelled Beijing to become the leading foreign investor in the region since 2016. Initially focused on trade and energy sector investments, Beijing has broadened the scope of its regional engagement to encompass infrastructure, technologically advanced smart city projects, innovation hubs and 5G mobile networks.

As Beijing’s economic influence in the Middle East has grown, so has the recognition by regional powers of China’s strategic value. Middle Eastern leaders increasingly disillusioned with US policies – including the 2003 invasion of Iraq, support for the Arab Spring in 2011, the hasty exit from Afghanistan and withdrawal from nuclear negotiations with Iran – have turned to China.

For Gulf Cooperation Council countries[1] in particular, the relationship with China has become strategic rather than opportunistic. China’s ability and willingness to cooperate with regional actors without imposing political or human rights ideals aligns with the visions of Middle Eastern leaders. This strategic approach suggests a reorientation of regional relations and positions, with China gaining prominence as an economic partner.

China and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

China has become even more active in the Middle East since the Biden administration began increasing pressure on China in the Asia-Pacific region. This dynamic was highlighted by the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023.

Despite China’s efforts to position itself as a regional mediator, its initial response to the Hamas attack on Israel was muted. Beijing notably refrained from directly condemning Hamas for the atrocities committed on October 7, avoiding any specific mention of the organization.

Disappointment and anger arose in Israel because of China’s lack of empathy, one-sided criticism of Tel Aviv and the fact that the United States was seen as a supporter of Israeli military actions in Gaza. A significant step in the evolution of Beijing’s position took place in February 2024, when China’s representative to the International Court of Justice affirmed the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, including the use of armed struggle, signaling more explicit support for Hamas.

For Beijing, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is less about the Palestinians or the Israelis and more about its position in the region, its interests in relation to Arab countries and Iran and the Global South, and its strategic position vis-à-vis the United States.

China has no shared history with Europe, no ancient wounds, no widespread concept of anti-Semitism or Holocaust memory.

Recently, and particularly during the Gaza war, China has used the conflict as a tool in its competition with the US. China has used the conflict to discredit the United States while strengthening its position.

An important objective of China has also been to secure Arab and Muslim support for its policies in Xinjiang[2], while dismissing Western and especially US criticism of Beijing’s human rights policies as hypocritical. As such, China’s strategy throughout the Gaza war has been one of alignment with the interests of the Arab world while differentiating its position from that of the US.

Moreover, China’s clear and calculated shift towards a more assertive and pro-Palestinian stance in the Israel-Hamas conflict also reflects the evolution of its strategic priorities and interests in the Middle East. This has shown that Israel does not occupy an important place in Beijing’s strategic calculus, and any deterioration in its relationship with Israel is seen as manageable within the broader regional and geopolitical game.

By organizing talks with Palestinian factions[3] China is trying to align itself with Arab nations that see Palestinian unity as essential to the rapprochement towards a Palestinian state and as a key to a stable Middle East.

America’s flashpoint is Tel Aviv

During an OEP visit to China in 1965, Mao Zedong said, “Imperialism fears China and the Arabs. Israel and Taiwan are the bases of imperialism in Asia. You are the front door of this great continent; we are the back door. They created Israel for you and Taiwan for us. The West does not really like us and we must understand that. The Arab war against the West is a war against Israel.”[4]

Now China believes it is powerful enough to spread force to various global points. Thus, the Beijing is using the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to keep the US in check. Beyond media support and positioning within the UN, China uses its allies to limit Israel’s moves as much as possible.

Pakistan, which tends to become a Chinese region, has already taken an important step against Tel Aviv. The Pakistani government has announced the formation of a committee to identify companies that financially support Israel’s war in Gaza and recommend a ban on their products, according to an aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif[5].

Islamabad has formally decided to recognize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “terrorist,” declaring Tel Aviv a “war crimes entity.”[6]

South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 40,000,[7] according to health officials in the territory besieged and bombed by Israel.

South Africa’s case before the United Nations court in The Hague alleges that Israel has violated the 1948 Genocide Convention, which was established in the aftermath of the Holocaust, and calls on all countries to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.

Another country, an EU and NATO member, feverishly supporting Palestinian rights and accusing Israel of genocide is Spain, which has joined South Africa. Spain has also recently recognized the Palestinian state and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has just returned from a historic visit to China.

Among the countries susceptible to Chinese lobbying are Turkey (which has formally applied to join BRICS) and Norway[8] (which recently recognized Palestine).

China has managed in a relatively short time to put a lot of pressure on Israel and consequently on Washington. According to Axios[9], Tel Aviv is lobbying members of the US Congress to pressure South Africa to drop its legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice over the Gaza war, according to a telegram from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

International pressure against Israel will increase in the coming period as China has a vested interest in keeping Washington occupied with the situation in the Middle East, a chapter the Americans had hoped to close in order to diminish US attention in the Asia-Pacific region.

If we look at the past, China has had significant success in applying a similar strategy when it was on the march to win African hearts and minds during the Mao period. A mix of local investment and aid, coupled with a strong disinterest in pushing local African leaders to pursue human rights reforms otherwise requested by American aid platforms, has allowed China to secure strategic UN positions via African counterparts in its efforts to keep Taiwan under control.

China has managed to find the US’s vulnerability and is exploiting it both directly and through proxies.

[1] https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/Pages/default.aspx

[2] https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-xinjiang-uyghurs-muslims-repression-genocide-human-rights

[3] https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/23/china/hamas-fatah-palestinian-factions-beijing-intl-hnk/index.html

[4] https://unitedworldint.com/31959-chinas-position-on-the-palestinian-israeli-issue/

[5] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2552541/pakistan

[6] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240723-as-pakistan-labels-israels-pm-a-terrorist-it-must-keep-its-own-extreme-elements-under-control/

[7] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-death-toll-how-many-palestinians-has-israels-campaign-killed-2024-07-25/

[8] https://www.reuters.com/world/chinas-xi-seeks-friendly-cooperation-with-norway-green-energy-evs-2024-09-09/

[9] https://www.axios.com/2024/09/09/israel-gaza-icj-genocide-un

[10]https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/06/why-strong-regional-value-chains-will-be-vital-to-the-next-chapter-of-china-and-africas-economic-relationship/

Deciphering the Origin of Christopher Columbus: A 500-Year Journey

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Newsdesk
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After five centuries of speculation and theories, the true identity of Christopher Columbus has begun to emerge thanks to the documentary “Columbus DNA: his true origin ’, produced by RTVE. This feature-length film, which details 22 years of research led by forensic scientist and professor at the University of Granada, José Antonio Lorente, has revealed that the man who discovered America was, in fact, Jewish.

The investigation began with the search for Columbus’ mortal remains, which were believed to be in Seville or the Dominican Republic. Science has confirmed that the remains in the Cathedral of Seville belong to the admiral. An analysis of the bones of his son, Hernando Colón, was crucial in establishing the parentage and resolving a 150-year dispute between Spain and the Caribbean nation. Hernando’s DNA results showed traits compatible with a Jewish origin, both in the ‘Y’ chromosome and in mitochondrial DNA.

The documentary, presented in a true crime format, chronicles the genetic research process, where 25 possible origins of Columbus were examined and narrowed down to eight plausible hypotheses. As the theories were presented, DNA dismantled many of them, leading to the conclusion that Columbus was not Genoese, as had been believed for centuries.

Researcher Francesc Albardaner, who led one of the lines of research, argues that Columbus was Jewish and places him in the western Mediterranean, specifically on the Iberian peninsula, where at the time of Columbus there were around 200,000 Jews. In contrast, in Italy, the Jewish population was significantly smaller. Albardaner argues that Columbus’ history as a Genoese enters into crisis if his Jewish origin is accepted, as Genoa had expelled the Jews in the 12th century.

Research also revealed that the surname Colombo, common in Italy, was used for abandoned children, further complicating the narrative of an Italian Columbus. In addition, the Columbus letters, which are preserved in large numbers, are written in Spanish, with no Italian influence.

The documentary also addresses other enigmas about Columbus’ life, including the revelation that his brother Diego was not really his brother, but a distant relative. Throughout his life, Columbus concealed his origin, possibly due to the persecution faced by Jews in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1492, an ultimatum was issued forcing Jews to convert to Christianity or leave the kingdoms of the Catholic Kings.

Albardaner suggests that Columbus, throughout his life, had to appear to be a devout Christian to avoid persecution. The research also highlights the support Columbus received from Jews and converts, such as the Duke of Medinaceli and Luis de Santángel, who played a crucial role in financing his expedition to America.

Finally, Lorente concludes that the DNA indicates a Mediterranean origin for Columbus, suggesting that his most likely provenance is in the Spanish Mediterranean arc or in the Balearic Islands, which at that time belonged to the Corona de Aragón. With this new evidence, the documentary not only rewrites the story of Columbus, but also invites a deeper reflection on the identity and legacy of the man who changed the course of history.

References and Links:

Creative Europe to support around 40 projects to boost literary translation in 2025

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Creative Europe to support around 40 projects to boost literary translation in 2025

The call Circulation of European Literary Works supports the transnational circulation and the diversity of European literary works through the translation, publication, distribution, and promotion of European literary works of fiction .

With a budget of €5 million, about 40 projects will be selected for funding.

The deadline for applications is 11 February 2025.

Eligibility

Interested organisations can apply individually or as a consortium of at least 2 eligible organisations. Each project must have a sound editorial, distribution and promotion strategy and propose a minimum of 5 eligible works of fiction written by authors who are nationals of, or residents in, or recognised as part of the literary heritage of an eligible country.

Applicants can apply with projects of different sizes:

  • Small scale: projects proposing at least 5 translations of eligible works 
  • Medium scale: projects proposing at least 11 translations of eligible works
  • Large scale: projects proposing at least 21 translations of eligible work

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The European Union and Morocco: Navigating Trade Relations and Geopolitical Issues

By
Lahcen Hammouch
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0

The European Union and the Agreements with Morocco: An In-Depth Analysis of Recent Developments

The European Union (EU) has recently taken crucial decisions regarding its fisheries and agriculture agreements with Morocco, a matter that raises complex economic, political and legal issues. These agreements, which allow European vessels access to Moroccan waters and facilitate the import of Moroccan agricultural products into the European market, are essential for both parties. However, they are also marked by tensions linked to the Western Sahara issue.

Legal background to the agreements

The fisheries and agriculture agreements between the EU and Morocco have been renewed several times since they were first signed. However, their legitimacy has been called into question, notably following rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In 2016, the CJEU annulled a fisheries agreement, arguing that it failed to comply with international law, particularly with regard to the rights of the Saharan people. The Court stressed that the resources of Western Sahara cannot be exploited without the consent of its people, leading to a re-evaluation of existing agreements.

Morocco’s position and international support

Morocco has championed an autonomy initiative for Western Sahara, proposing a solution that would allow the territory to enjoy a degree of autonomy while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. This initiative has received the support of over 100 nations, including major geopolitical players such as the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Germany and Spain. This international support is crucial for Morocco, as it strengthens its position on the international stage and enables it to legitimize its actions regarding the Western Sahara.

Morocco maintains that the proposed autonomy is the best solution for ensuring stability and development in the region. The Moroccan authorities maintain that this initiative could encourage dialogue and cooperation between the various stakeholders, while guaranteeing respect for the rights of local populations.

Reactions from the Polisario Front

In contrast, the Polisario Front, which claims independence for Western Sahara and is supported by Algeria, advocates a referendum on self-determination for the Saharan people. This position has historically enjoyed some international support, but is currently less popular in the current geopolitical context.

The difficulties of implementing a referendum are manifold. Analysts point out that issues such as voter registration, factional tensions and security concerns make it a complex option. Moreover, international support for the Polisario Front has waned in recent years, further complicating its position.

Economic consequences of the agreements

The fisheries and agriculture agreements are of vital importance to the Moroccan economy. The fishing industry, in particular, is an essential source of income and employment, especially in coastal regions. Access to the European market enables Moroccan fishermen to sell their products at a competitive price, while meeting the growing demand for seafood products in Europe.

At the same time, the agricultural agreement also opens up opportunities for Morocco to export agricultural products, promoting the development of Moroccan agriculture. For the EU, these agreements guarantee a stable supply of food products while supporting sustainable fishing, which is crucial in the context of growing concerns about food security in Europe.

Future challenges

The challenges facing the EU and Morocco are many. The need to reconcile economic interests with the requirements of international law and humanitarian concerns is paramount. The situation in Western Sahara continues to be a sticking point influencing EU negotiations and decisions.

The EU seeks to maintain advantageous trade relations with Morocco while respecting the principles of international law. The complexity of this situation calls for continuous and constructive dialogue between the various parties, in order to find lasting solutions that are acceptable to all.

Future prospects

In the future, the EU may consider modifications to its agreements to ensure their compliance with international legal standards while safeguarding its economic interests. Enhanced dialogue between the EU and Morocco will be essential to navigate these complexities. Morocco’s international support could also play a key role in future discussions, influencing EU decisions.

In summary, the EU’s decision on fisheries and agriculture agreements with Morocco represents a delicate balance between economic interests, legal considerations and humanitarian issues. Future discussions will need to take these various aspects into account to achieve sustainable solutions, while recognizing the international context that shapes this dynamic. The future of EU-Morocco relations will depend on the ability of both parties to overcome current challenges and cooperate constructively for the development of the region.

Persons with disabilities set to benefit from new laws on parking cards

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Persons with disabilities set to benefit from new laws on parking cards

European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities: Council adopts new directives

The Council has adopted two new directives that will make it easier for persons with disabilities to travel within the EU.

The directive establishing the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities will ensure equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment for persons with disabilities during short stays throughout the EU. Examples include reduced or zero entry fees, priority access, assistance, and reserved parking spaces.

Furthermore, ministers have adopted a directive extending these provisions to non-EU citizens who legally reside in EU countries, meaning they will also be able to use these cards during short-term stays in other member states.

National authorities will be responsible for issuing physical and digital European disability cards in an accessible format. The cards will be recognised throughout the EU as proof of disability or entitlement to specific services based on a disability. The European parking cards for persons with disabilities will be produced in physical format, with member states having the option to also issue them in digital format.

Table of Contents

Next steps

The directives will now be signed by both the Council and the European Parliament and will enter into force following publication in the EU’s Official Journal. For both directives, member states will have two and a half years to adapt their national legislation and three and a half years to apply the measures.

Background

The Commission published a proposal for a directive establishing a European disability card and a European parking card for persons with disabilities in September 2023. The Council reached an agreement with the European Parliament on 8 February 2024.

The Commission’s proposal for a directive extending the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities to non-EU citizens legally residing in EU member states was published in October 2023. The Council and the Parliament reached an agreement on 4 March 2024.

New rules to improve working conditions of platform workers

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Newsdesk
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New rules to improve working conditions of platform workers

Platform workers: Council adopts new rules to improve their working conditions

The Council has adopted new rules that aim to improve working conditions for the more than 28 million people working in digital labour platforms across the EU.

The platform work directive will make the use of algorithms in human resources management more transparent, ensuring that automated systems are monitored by qualified staff and that workers have the right to contest automated decisions.

It will also help correctly determine the employment status of persons working for platforms, enabling them to benefit from any labour rights they are entitled to. Member states will establish a legal presumption of employment in their legal systems that will be triggered when certain facts indicating control and direction are found.

New rules strengthen air quality standards in the EU

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New rules strengthen air quality standards in the EU

The EU has adopted new rules on air quality standards that will help prevent premature deaths due to air pollution. They will also contribute to the EU’s objective of zero pollution by 2050 and permit EU citizens to seek compensation in cases where EU air quality rules are not respected.

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#Erasmus Days 2024: Celebrating Cultural Exchange Ahead of Paris Olympics

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Newsdesk
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a large building with a mural of a man's face on it
Photo by Desiré Kranenburg on Unsplash

From October 14 to 19, 2024, the international community will come together to celebrate the Erasmus+ programme during the inaugural #ErasmusDays. This week-long event invites students, educators, trainers, professionals, and citizens from around the globe to participate in a variety of activities that highlight the diverse projects and opportunities offered by Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme supporting education, training, youth, and sport across Europe. Launched in 1987, the programme has empowered over 15 million individuals through its various initiatives and predecessors. With a substantial budget of €26.2 billion allocated for 2021-2027, Erasmus+ places significant emphasis on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and enhancing young people’s participation in democratic processes.

This year’s Erasmus Days will feature both digital and in-person events, including seminars, multilingual sessions, photo exhibitions, and conferences. Additionally, social media challenges will engage participants, providing a unique platform to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and immerse themselves in different cultures. The 2024 edition will particularly spotlight sports, drawing inspiration from the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Erasmus+ fosters personal and professional growth by facilitating mobility exchanges and cooperative projects. These initiatives offer millions of students, teachers, volunteers, and professionals the chance to gain international experience, develop new skills, and expand their cultural horizons. Beyond individual development, Erasmus+ plays a pivotal role in strengthening European identity by promoting unity through diversity.

As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris Olympics, Erasmus Days 2024 serves as a testament to the programme’s enduring impact on education, culture, and international collaboration. By celebrating the achievements and opportunities of Erasmus+, participants reaffirm their commitment to building a more inclusive and connected Europe.

The Resident, Netflix’s medical series that exposes medical corruption in the US

By
Gabriel Carrion Lopez
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0

OPINION.- The Resident, is a Netflix medical series that uncovers medical corruption in the United States. It emerges in January 2018 and its 107 chapters end in 2023. In 6 seasons they build a solid argument from fiction about the poor health ethics of large medical corporations, pharmaceuticals, hospital centers and groups of doctors who only think about billing to make profits.

The interesting thing about the narrative, created by Amy Holden Jones, Haley Schore, and Roshan Sethi, among others, is that it can denounce issues that by passing “only” in the dystopia of the fictional narrative have little chance of being actionable: any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence. However, among its more than 100 chapters are enclosed not inconsiderable approaches to the darkest and most sinister reality of medicine and its business, collected by the screenwriters through conversations held with honest doctors and nurses.

A professor at a university in Oregon recently told me that a student of his had to go to a doctor’s office to get a splinter removed because his “bullshit” insurance did not cover it. In another office they gave him, as if it were a gift, some absorbent cotton and some alcohol so that he could do it himself, something that in the end he had to do without any medical control or the required asepsis. This drama affects millions of students who are dramatically excluded from the healthcare system. Perhaps the Democrats and Republicans should iron out their differences on this issue by sitting down and talking about it.

The Resident, was cancelled in January 2023 with a stable and loyal audience. The producers are clear that such cancellation could have to do with pressure from media groups linked to the most important medical clans of the moment.

One of the most outstanding themes of the first two seasons has to do with cancer and the business behind the supposed remission therapies, one of the doctors at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, the fictitiously named hospital where the various plots take place, owns a series of centers related to the care of terminally ill cancer patients where chemotherapy is administered. In connection with this issue, in real life, Professor of medicine and drug analysis Peter C. Gotzsche, author of, among other books, How to Survive in an Overmedicated World, tells the story of a 64-year-old relative of his with metastatic pancreatic cancer, diagnosed as incurable, who was willing, like so many other patients when informed of their condition, to do everything possible to try to live a little longer, …he underwent twenty-seven radiation treatments in Denmark, after consulting a different doctor each time. He then underwent surgery in Germany, thanks to an agreement between two hospitals, one Danish and one German, where an experimental treatment was used on him where the doctor who treated him …experimented by mixing white blood cells with the cancer cells and reintroducing them into the patient by monthly injections to strengthen his immune system. This last treatment, which was implemented after the intervention in Germany was not free and each injection cost a bundle. A year and a half after starting this journey, Peter’s relative passed away. Doctors have always affirmed with him and other patients that every chemo treatment prolongs life (1).

In different parts of the world, not only in the USA, health authorities approve cancer drugs without knowing exactly what the results of their application will be. All this causes a great deal of expense to the health system and to the patients and families themselves, often leaving them with substantial debts. Who wins? The pharmaceutical companies that make these compounds and a series of medical commission agents and hospitals that, by applying them indiscriminately to extend the patient’s life for a few months, receive large incomes or huge profits. The Resident, in a masterful way, shows us the corruption we are describing in a surprising visual form.

Dr. Andrew Wakefield published in the 2010s a rigorous study, where apparently the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) in the United States, would have decided to hide – with the help of corrupt scientists and medical associations, laboratories and media linked to power – the relationship between mercury in vaccines and various neural pathologies – especially in children. He was professionally prosecuted for carrying out this study. Some time later, Dr. William W. Thomson, CDC epidemiologist, who participated in the concealment, admitted that it had been real (2).

Throughout the planet, studies on the dangerousness of the drugs we take, even if they are usually taken without a prescription and without consulting our pharmacists, are constantly being disseminated . Let us not forget that pharmacies are stores that sell products and that with each pill they give us, they make money. In my case, I am hypertensive and when we managed to find the little pill that could help me lower my blood pressure, after three attempts, the first thing my family doctor advised me was not to read the indications of the side effects it could produce. However, to give us an idea, without going into the subject, which I will develop further, Joan Ramón-Laporte, Professor of Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), commented in his book Chronicle of an intoxicated society …How do adverse effects manifest themselves? What are the diseases caused by drugs? And behind these two simple questions he began to make an extensive list of which I will only mention a few lines: …hives, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of balance, amnesia, tachycardia, sweating, choking sensation, infection, heart attack, stroke, depression, falls, fractures, cancer… Practically all pathologies can be caused by drugs ( 3).

We may not be aware of where what we read leads us, but if we are diagnosed with a condition, whatever it may be, and we are medicated more, we are entering a wheel where our system deteriorates and becomes weaker and weaker. Falling, then, into the wheel of overmedication is easy and it could end our own lives.

The Resident, the series we are talking about, emphasizes, as did the mythical series House, on diagnosis. Are we well diagnosed with what we have? Taxatively no. Returning to Peter C. Gotzsche’s book How to Survive in an Overmedicated World, in its introduction he leaves us the following paragraph that should be engraved in the hearts of patients who regularly visit their doctors: I wish patients who leave all decisions in the hands of their doctors the best of luck, because they will need it. Doctors make numerous errors of judgment, often because they are ignorant and use too many medications. We live in a world so over-diagnosed and over-treated that, in the richest countries, they are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. Peter also comments that it has been found that medical errors, such as those due to medication and other reasons, are the third leading cause of death in the world even if we count only hospital deaths, most of which are preventable.

In short, the series The Resident, from the Netflix platform, narrates somber aspects about the world of medicine, of course without overloading to the extreme the denunciation, impossible in a society where the control of large corporations through their lobbies is part of the entertainment industry and the media, thus controlling part of what is said, how it is said and when it is said. Although the latter is not only the case in the United States.

(1 and 3) Como sobrevivir a un mundo sobremedicado, by Peter C. Gotzsche, Roca Editorial de Libros, S.L. ISBN: 9788417541552
(2) Discovery DSALUD, nº 177 – December 2014

Elections in Belgium: a hectic day of delays and lack of electoral supervisors

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person standing near table
Photo by Arnaud Jaegers on Unsplash

Elections are a key moment in the democratic life of a country. On this day, no fewer than 8 million voters across Belgium were called to the polls. On the whole, the day went off without a hitch at most polling stations, but there were a few hiccups that disrupted the smooth running of the process. Here’s a detailed look back at election day, marked by technical challenges in Brussels and organizational problems in Wallonia.

Delays at polling stations in Brussels

Residents of the Brussels commune of Evere had to be patient. From early morning onwards, an interminable line stretched out in front of the polling station, and some voters found themselves waiting much longer than expected.

“I arrived at around 8.10am, it’s now 8.43am, and it’s not really moving fast,” confided one voter.

The cause of the delay? An administrative error linked to an envelope containing the wrong codes needed to open the polling stations.

A technical envelope error

A polling station assessor explains the situation:

“This morning, we were waiting for this envelope to be able to switch on and start up the entire polling station. We received it on time, but it turned out to be the wrong one, so we didn’t have the right codes to start up.”

This confusion delayed the opening of polling stations, testing the patience of voters, some of whom were present well before 8am.

Lack of assessors in Wallonia

While in Brussels it was the technology that was lacking, in Wallonia, notably in Maurage, the problem was quite different. This polling station had to postpone its opening due to staff shortages. Two assessors were missing, a major challenge for the organizing team.

A multi-tasking mother

One of the team members, a mother, explained the difficulty of finding support on this election day, which also coincided with an important personal moment.

“Dad works, and the parents are sick. We’re hoping there will be a volunteer willing to help out to take the mental and physical load off our shoulders. It’s a special day because it’s also my daughter’s first birthday, so we’ll be celebrating her first birthday by doing the elections.”

Despite these challenges, the president of the polling station doesn’t give up and tries to recruit volunteers from among those present. After several attempts, he finally found the missing assessors.

A race against time to find assessors

In La Louvière, the process of recruiting assessors proved particularly complex. The departments responsible for the elections were faced with a veritable race against the clock to assemble the necessary teams.

“On Tuesday, we had 630 assessors out of the 1,100 who had registered. So we had to rush at the last minute to be able to recruit again,” explained a local official.

Fortunately, despite these difficulties, the polling stations in Maurage finally found the two missing assessors, enabling them to open the stations and welcome voters in good conditions.

Conclusion

Although the election day was a success overall, it did highlight a number of organizational shortcomings, both technical in Brussels and logistical in Wallonia. Nevertheless, the mobilization of our teams in the field and the solidarity of our volunteers enabled us to overcome these obstacles, guaranteeing a smooth voting process for the majority of voters. However, these incidents underline the importance of better anticipation and preparation for the organization of elections in the future, to avoid such problems recurring.

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