The latest annual study by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and ScamAdviser paints a devastating picture of the worldwide onslaught of scams, highlighting an urgent need for vigilance and preventative action.
The Global State of Scams 2023 Report, which involved 49,459 people from 43 countries, indicates that a substantial 25.5% of world citizens lost money to scams or identity theft in the last 12 months, culminating in financial losses estimated at $1.026 trillion (€974 billion).
2023 report, which was supported by academics from the University of Twente, found 69% of those surveyed believe they can identify scams, 59% encountered scams monthly and a remarkable 78% faced scams annually.
Phone calls (61%) and SMS messages (58%) are scammers’ primary avenues, with shopping scams, identity theft, and investment fraud topping the list.
Attractive offers are a universal scammer strategy. Developing countries see these as the main enticement, but even in developed nations, many fail to spot the scams. Concerningly, repeat victimization is frequent, with individuals globally targeted on average 1.5 times a year. Kenya and Nigeria report even higher rates.
Global scam statistics. Image credit: GASA
Reporting hesitancy is pervasive, with 59% avoiding it due to doubts about outcomes and 24% feeling it’s pointless. Perceptions of authority effectiveness vary; while some nations commend their governments, others like Brazil and Thailand voice concerns.
Financially, scams have siphoned off $1.026 trillion globally, equating to 1.05% of the global GDP. Countries such as Kenya, Vietnam, Brazil, and Thailand experience disproportionately high losses. However, the impact isn’t just monetary: 60% of scam victims report significant emotional distress.
The timely release of the report coincides with the imminent Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) on October 18-19, 2023. This pivotal gathering sees over 250 international delegates converge on Lisbon from all corners of the globe, joined by over 1,000 online participants.
The goal of GASS is to bring governments, consumer & financial authorities, law enforcement, brand protection agencies, and (cybersecurity) companies together to share knowledge and define joint actions to protect consumers from getting scammed.
As deliberations define strategies and countermeasures, a crucial opportunity for collective action and the Global State of Scams will undoubtedly be at the heart of many discussions, fostering a collaborative approach to address and curb the spread.
“The escalating crisis of deception in the digital era has transitioned scams from sporadic events to a full-blown international emergency. With entire nations on the brink of being overwhelmed, particularly developing nations, the mandate of the Global Anti-Scam Summit is clear: unite, strategize, and counteract.”
“Should we falter in our concerted efforts, we risk leaving countries and their inhabitants tragically exposed to this menacing deluge,” warned Prof. Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA.
Pepper X has a staggering 2.69 million Scoville units
Guinness World Records has announced the world’s new hottest pepper. It’s the dreaded Pepper X with a terrifying 2,693,000 units on the Scoville scale.
You can hardly imagine how hot that is, but give it a try – the world’s hottest pepper ever, the Carolina Reaper, scores almost twice as low at 1.64 million on the Scoville scale.
Jalapeño has between 3,000 and 8,000 Scoville units, Tabasco sauce 2,500 to 5,000, and Sriracha 1,000 to 2,500.
The police spray is 1.6 million units, and the one against bears – 2.2 million.
The new killer pepper was bred by the American Ed Curry. He is the founder of the Puckerbutt Pepper Company, whose work is also the hottest pepper in the world – the Carolina Reaper.
The very result of the literally dangerous product was measured by Winthrop University in South Carolina.
Lifecafe Web, salt and alcohol
The Scoville scale for spiciness of peppers measures the concentration of capsaicin, the hot substance in them. However, it is not contained in their seeds, as is often believed, but in the so-called placenta – the membrane that holds them, notes the Guinness World Records.
And Pepper X is pretty wrinkled, which means there’s more room for that mellow tissue to grow.
Ed Curry has cultivated his new achievement for over 10 years, crossing it with some of the world’s hottest peppers to increase the amount of capsaicin.
He claims that trying such a pepper cannot kill a person, but it leads to agony and prolonged pain.
“I felt the heat for three and a half hours. Then the cramps started,” Ed Curry told the AP. He is also one of the five people in the world who ate a whole pepper.
“The cramps are terrible. I lay in the rain for about an hour, moaning in pain,” he explains of the effect.
However, he plans to continue with the hybrids in search of a new record.
You don’t have to convince smokers that they are damaging their health. They know all too well that they are putting unnecessary strain on their bodies. Smokers are confronted with this every day, especially in this Stoptober month*.
It is generally known that cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are harmful to health and dozens of which are even carcinogenic. That is why being smoke-free is now the ‘new normal’*.
The toxic substances in tobacco smoke cause damage to the body, cells and tissue. This can lead to accelerated aging and a greater risk of health problems.
Smokers therefore know that they should actually quit and they have often made many attempts. But because quitting can be accompanied by nervousness, sleep problems, anxiety, headaches, concentration problems, irritability, dizziness and a craving for food, quitting is often a difficult process.
What people who want to quit smoking often do not know, but what is crucial to know, is that you can support the body in reducing and quitting smoking. Even those who want to continue smoking often do not know how they can optimally protect their body against the bad influence of tobacco smoke.
The damage to cells and tissues in the body caused by smoking is mainly caused by oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is a normal phenomenon in nature and is the process that underlies the normal aging process of the body’s cells. Chemically speaking, it involves a reaction with oxygen, as we see when iron rusts.
When there is too much oxidative stress, as is the case with smoking, the body is damaged and the aging process will accelerate. The health of the body can deteriorate and requires a lot of energy to recover.
Oxidative stress is caused by free radicals . Free radicals are unstable molecules that can oxidize (rust) cells and tissues, causing damage.
Your body tries to protect itself as much as possible against oxidative stress with the help of antioxidants . An antioxidant is a substance that prevents oxidation and can neutralize free radicals and render them harmless.
Protective antioxidants are essential to prevent damage to cells and the body. If there is no balance between the number of free radicals and antioxidants, the free radicals are not neutralized and oxidative stress occurs in the body.
Smoking puts large amounts of free radicals in the body, which increases the demand for antioxidants. This can quickly lead to an imbalance between the number of free radicals and antioxidants, causing increased oxidative stress and accelerated aging.
The role of vitamins and minerals
It is generally a known fact that many vitamins and minerals have a protective function for smokers due to their antioxidant effect. As a result, they play a major role in preventing harmful oxidative stress in the body of smokers.
Due to harmful tobacco smoke, smokers will also consume these vitamins and minerals more quickly , which means they will be more likely to suffer from major deficiencies than non-smokers. In addition, the harmful substances in tobacco smoke can also hinder the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Many vitamins and minerals are now recognized as acting as antioxidants. Here are some famous examples:
Vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2
Minerals: Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Zinc
These are the vitamins and minerals that can be said to act as antioxidants. There are many other nutrients that have antioxidant properties. That is why a healthy and varied diet is of great importance, with an optimal balance of vitamins, minerals and trace elements in the right amount.
If you want to quit smoking or want to gradually cut back, it helps to prevent deficiencies in these essential nutrients.
For smokers, the following two vitamins in particular play an important role in protecting their bodies against oxidative stress: vitamin E and vitamin C.
The importance of vitamin E and vitamin C
Vitamin E is the first line of defense that protects the body against the free radicals caused by smoking. In addition, vitamin E protects the alveoli in the lungs. That’s why it’s so important for smokers to ensure they get enough vitamin E.
Because vitamin E is so important for protecting the lungs, in the event of a shortage, the body will extract vitamin E from other tissues and bring it to the lungs. This also causes vitamin E deficiencies to develop more quickly in all other tissues of the body. All tissues of the body therefore become increasingly vulnerable to toxins and free radicals.
By neutralizing the free radicals, vitamin E will not only become ineffective but will also become a free radical itself because the effect of vitamin E is exhausted. That is why you also need vitamin C because it comes to the rescue of vitamin E by helping to restore the ineffective vitamin E to its active form.
Vitamin C therefore works as an antioxidant for vitamin E and returns this vitamin to its active and working form. Taking vitamin C can prevent the serious depletion of vitamin E in smokers because the vitamin E can be continuously reused in this way. Without vitamin C, the effective vitamin E will quickly diminish and oxidize.
Vitamin C itself is also a strong antioxidant that helps protect cells against the oxidative damage caused by tobacco smoke. Vitamin C will also be used up quickly by smokers and smokers may develop deficiencies.
We all need at least 40 mg per kilogram of body weight of vitamin C (40 x weight = number of milligrams of vitamin C). But smokers need more. It has been determined that a smoker needs at least an additional 50-100 mg of vitamin C per cigarette.
Since vitamin C is also necessary for collagen formation, smoking will affect the quality of collagen in the body. Healthy collagen is important for bones, cartilage, teeth and gums, among other things. The quality of our blood vessels and the health of our skin also depend on collagen.
This also explains the ‘Smoker’s skin’ that many people who have smoked or have smoked for a long time suffer from. The breakdown of vitamin C by the harmful substances in tobacco smoke leads to reduced quality of collagen in the skin and accelerated skin aging.
Support for (quitting) smoking
In addition to the above data, all vitamins, minerals and trace elements play an important role in maintaining health for all of us, but especially for smokers.
If you want to stop or gradually reduce your intake, it will certainly help if you ensure that you eliminate and keep away all deficiencies.
Take a good multivitamin with all vitamins and minerals in the right balance and quantity, in combination with extra calcium and magnesium ( CalMag drink ) and sufficient vitamin C.
Of course, all this in combination with improving all other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
For smokers and people who want to quit smoking, it is important to know about the importance of vitamins and minerals.
Iceland is a model of capitalist democracies: it tops the index of gender equality, political representation, access to education and work, equal family leave and daycare, which guarantee rapid reintegration into work and study after motherhood. 80% of women work outside the home, they make up 65% of university students and 41% of members of Parliament.
But it was not always like this. Although the female vote in Iceland was achieved in 1915, the desired progress did not occur and women continued to be paid up to 40% less than men and their parliamentary representation amounted to no more than 5%.
But then came 1975. That year was declared by the UN, the International Women’s Year, and this contributed to women making their strength evident through an almost total strike of Icelandic women in all areas of the country. It was the idea of a group of Icelandic feminist women called Red Stockings who proposed to challenge an entire country, demonstrating that women are essential for a country to move and advance.
It was considered that that day a “women’s strike”, in order to make their role in society visible, especially in unpaid domestic work and to demand greater political representation.
It is true that at that time in Iceland there was no strike or mobilization process, which is why it was promoted as a “day of own affairs”, in order to guarantee the absence of women, but without risking their jobs. Along with this massive request for the day off, all types of licenses allowed in the work environment were used. The cessation of all unpaid domestic tasks, including child care, was promoted.
90% of Icelanders supported the measure. A strike without being one, but without going to their jobs or carrying out any action that was not recognized and remunerated as such. The woman stopped doing absolutely everything.
The economic impact was notable: newspapers were not printed because the typographers were women, the telephone service did not work, flights were canceled because the hostesses did not show up, schools did not function and fish factories closed because their workforce was almost exclusively female. Banks, transportation, daycare centers, cashiers, shop assistants stopped,…And they all gathered on the street. In Reykjavík, the country’s capital, about 25,000 people gathered.
The men had to take care of the children. Many could not request the day off because the women had already done so and their work was necessary. Nor could they neglect their children or not worry about food. The offices were filled with children and the restaurants increased their turnover significantly.
The political impact was very important. In 1976, the Icelandic Parliament passed a law guaranteeing equal rights for men and women, although this would not result in better jobs or salary compensation for women. Four years later, the first female president, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, would be elected by a small margin. A women’s party was founded, the Women’s Alliance, which in 1983 won its first seats in parliament. Two decades later, in 2000, paid paternity leave for men was introduced. In 2010, Iceland elected a woman, Johanna Sigudardottir, as its prime minister, for the first time in history. She was also the world’s first openly gay leader. That year, as one of the first policies of her government, strip clubs were banned. And although some problems persist, especially in the workplace, the fight for equality continues in the same way.
“It was a first step for the emancipation of women”, according to former president Vigdis Finnbogadottir years later in an interview she gave to the BBC. It was a great boost in equality for women in the country. That day completely changed the way of thinking of Icelanders and the role of women in all areas of society was valued.
The men realized the value that women had in society and, far from getting angry or even bothered with the Icelandic women, they went one step further and joined in the desire to achieve a fairer social organization where everyone was equal.
That example helped other women’s groups want to imitate it and, thus, in Poland in 2016, women were absent from work and organized a massive march against the reactionary decree that attempted to prohibit access to the right to abortion in all cases. But this strike did not have the economic impact that its predecessor achieved; although they did achieve it in the political sphere with the withdrawal of the Law. Argentina would also attempt a change in its social structure, bringing it closer to women through a similar strike, but what is certain is that the result was not as overwhelming as in Iceland.
In the United States, a “day without women” was also called in 2017, which included a large mobilization in front of President Donald Trump’s Trump Tower in New York.
“Icelandic Friday” showed the power of women’s protest to make their economic place visible inside and outside the home. But the persistence of the wage gap also showed a limit to the demand for “equality” without questioning the overall system. In fact, Icelandic capitalism knew how to integrate and “gradualize” the demand to such an extent that today, 40 years later, women continue to mobilize for the same reason.
The most unequal plane continues to be the economic one: the salary gap of 14% remains. And the persistence of women’s mobilization is proof that even in those small egalitarian paradises (Iceland has barely 330,000 inhabitants) that capitalism possesses in a fiercely unequal world, the fight against oppression and discrimination is in force. Women mobilized again year after year to demand the equality for which they had kicked the board that Friday in 1975.
Now this strike day is held every ten years.
It is true that a strike does not generate a cultural or political change immediately, as happened in Iceland, but at least it manages to attract the attention of the world to present its problems, because the visibility of these shows that it is one of the main victories of a strike.
In a landmark move to combat climate change, the European Union’s Environment Committee has thrown its weight behind stricter CO2 emissions reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), which include trucks, buses, and trailers. This decision is aimed at improving air quality across the EU and aligns with the broader objectives of the European Green Deal and REPowerEU.
HDVs, a category that encompasses everything from city buses to long-haul trucks, account for a significant 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from EU road transport. This makes them a critical target in the EU’s fight against climate change.
The Environment Committee adopted the proposals, which aim to strengthen EU CO2 emission standards for new HDVs, with 48 votes in favour, 36 against, and one abstention. According to the report, these measures will play a key role in reducing the emissions of the entire HDV fleet, thereby helping the EU reach its 2050 climate neutrality goal.
The MEPs have proposed robust CO2 emissions reduction targets for medium and heavy trucks, including vocational vehicles such as garbage trucks, tippers, or concrete mixers, and buses. Targets are set at a 45% reduction for the period 2030-2034, ramping up to a 70% reduction for 2035-2039, and reaching a 90% reduction by 2040.
In addition, all newly registered urban buses should be zero-emission vehicles from 2030, with a temporary exemption until 2035 for interurban buses fuelled by biomethane under strict conditions.
The committee also proposed the establishment of an annual “Zero-Emission HDVs Forum” to facilitate the effective and cost-efficient roll-out of recharging and refuelling infrastructure. By the end of 2026, the Commission should assess the possibility of developing a methodology for reporting full lifecycle CO2 emissions for new HDVs.
“The transition towards zero-emission trucks and buses is not only key to meeting our climate targets, but also a crucial driver for cleaner air in our cities. We are providing clarity for one of the major manufacturing industries in Europe and a clear incentive to invest in electrification and hydrogen. We’re building on the Commission’s proposal, but with more ambition. We want to expand the scope of the rules to small and medium-sized lorries and vocational vehicles – sectors which are especially important for urban air quality – and we’re adapting several targets and benchmarks to catch up with reality, as the transition is moving faster than expected.”
The MEPs are scheduled to adopt the report during the November II 2023 plenary sitting. This will constitute Parliament’s negotiating position with EU governments on the final shape of the legislation.
The Commission had earlier tabled a legislative proposal to set CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 onwards to help reach the EU’s objective for climate neutrality by 2050 and lower the demand for imported fossil fuels.
With this move, the EU takes a significant step towards a greener future, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and paving the way for cleaner air and a healthier environment for its citizens.
Paris, October 24th, 2023: In its 2024 Foreign Exchange Market Outlook released this week, iBanFirst, a leading global provider of foreign exchange and international payments for businesses, present in 10 European countries, provides SMEs, especially those doing international payments, with an overview of key trends for the upcoming year. The objective is to help SMEs to shape their currency risk management strategy for 2024. In these times of low growth and threats to margins, optimizing international payments is no longer an option for them.
Foreign exchange market volatility, which decreased during the first half of 2023, due to synchronized monetary policies, is poised for a comeback in 2024, exposing SMEs to increased costs and business uncertainty.
The Euro is still too expensive against the dollar; the single currency’s fair value is closer to around 1.03-1.05. For SMEs doing international trade, this means higher import costs or less competitive exports. They can protect themselves through risk management services or can consider business expansion into more stable markets.
Key events expected to influence the European currency markets in 2024 include a new energy crisis, the return of stagflation, and a high risk of recession.
How will FX market volatility impact SMEs in 2024?
In 2024, as currency volatility is expected to come back, even a minor fluctuation in exchange rates can have an impact on the profit margins of trade businesses, affecting their competitiveness in international markets. Therefore, it is vital for import-export companies to understand, anticipate, and protect against currency fluctuations, as they can substantially influence their financial performance during these challenging economic times.
“The currency markets are expected to return to volatile conditions in 2024. This is due to various factors, including the conflict in Ukraine, a potential major crisis in the Middle East, and uncertainty surrounding inflation. It’s important to mention that currency fluctuations aren’t a problem limited to large multinational corporations; they can impact businesses of all sizes, including SMEs involved in cross-border trade. In light of this, business owners, CEOs, and CFOs should maintain a vigilant eye on the market-influencing factors. At stake: avoiding the loss of vital margins in these times of high inflation“, says Pierre-Antoine Dusoulier, CEO and Founder of iBanFirst.
For SMEs doing international trade, currency market volatility can pose a number of challenges such as:
● Increased costs: Currency market volatility can make it more difficult for import and export companies to predict their costs.
● Reduced revenue: Revenue of import and export companies could register a decrease, leading to a loss of market share and a reduction in profits.
● Increased uncertainty: This can make it more difficult for companies to make investment decisions and plan for the future.
● Damage to reputation: Currency market volatility can make it difficult for companies to meet their contractual obligations and therefore see their reputation damaged.
Companies doing import-export can however take a number of steps to mitigate the challenges of currency market volatility, such as:
● Monitor currency markets on a regular basis to stay informed of the latest trends. This will help SMEs to identify potential risks and to take steps to mitigate those risks.
● Develop a currency risk management plan to identify and mitigate the risks of currency fluctuations. The plan should include a hedging strategy and other risk management tools.
● Use a currency management specialist to help them develop and implement a currency risk management plan.
EUR/USD pair forecast for 2024
Based on economic fundamentals, iBanFirst’s analysts appreciate the euro is still too expensive against the dollar and that the fair value is closer to around 1.03-1.05. Contrary to the market consensus, iBanFirst’s analysts doubt that the US dollar will depreciate significantly in 2024. The US economy is doing well and even if it is likely to slow down in 2024, there is no recession in sight.
While many analysts predict a rate cut by the Fed during the first quarter of the year, they anticipate that the monetary policy pause will last longer than what is currently expected, keeping real interest rates at attractive levels in the US. Furthermore, the worsening global economic conditions are likely to bolster the strength of the dollar as it is seen as a safe-haven currency during times of uncertainty.
EUR/JPY pair forecast for 2024
The Reuters consensus expects Japanese monetary policy to remain unchanged at least until July 2024. In theory, this should lead to a prolonged depreciation of the yen. But according to iBanFirst’s analysts, the Bank of Japan could raise its policy rate by the end of 2023. This would be a marginal increase, probably 10 basis points. But it would be sufficient to lift the policy rate into positive territory – a fundamental change for Japan. It’s likely that investors will once again take long positions in the JPY, causing the EUR/JPY pair to decline.
Key events that will influence the European currency markets in 2024
As we approach the end of 2023 and look ahead to 2024, despite the ongoing uncertainties in the global economy, there are still several indicators that can provide signals about the evolution of the forex market in the upcoming year.
A new energy crisis especially if the geopolitical situation in the Middle East deteriorates further. At the moment, the scale of the crisis is not as severe as last year’s.
The return of stagflation in Europe as recent data reveals weak economic growth and inflation rates higher than expected in Germany and France. The situation in the UK looks also concerning.
High recession risk in the Eurozone is determined by the delayed post-Covid economic rebound, the lasting energy crisis, and the overly restrictive monetary policy.
Founded in 2016, iBanFirst offers a next-generation cross-border payment experience that combines a powerful platform and the support of FX experts. With more than 350 employees in 10 European countries, processing a volume of transactions worth more than €1.4 billion each month, and listed by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, iBanFirst became in less than 10 years a trusted partner for SMEs across borders.
iBanFirst has the financial backing of the French public investment bank (bpiFrance), European venture capital leaders (Elaia, Xavier Niel), and the American investment fund Marlin Equity Partners (more than 8 billion dollars of capital under management). Regulated by the National Bank of Belgium as a payment institution, iBanFirst is authorized to operate throughout the European Union. Member of the SWIFT network and SEPA certified, iBanFirst holds AISP and PISP accreditations under PSD2.
Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgian Justice Minister, has resigned from his position. His decision to step down came after a tragic terrorist attack in Brussels.
The incident involved a Tunisian individual who shot and killed two football fans in the Belgian capital. This event was particularly significant as it was linked to a ‘monumental error’ involving the extradition request from Tunisia for an Islamic extremist.
Van Quickenborne stated that he wanted to take political responsibility for this unacceptable mistake. His resignation underscores the gravity of the situation and the serious implications of the error that occurred under his watch as the Minister of Justice.
This is not the first time that Belgian authorities have been criticized for their failure to prevent attacks while wasting funds and security resources in surveilling peaceful religious organizations. In fact, there have been several instances in the past where the authorities have been found wanting in their handling of potential threats. As Pullitzer-prize Dan Luzadder wrote, “Ironically, while Belgian authorities were obsessed with Scientology, they missed the emergence of a terrorist cell in Brussels. That cell was key to the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris that claimed 130 lives.“
In 2015 and 2016, hundreds of lives were lost in terror attacks in Paris and Brussels. It was later revealed that Belgian officials had prior knowledge about the Brussels terror attack gunman but were unable to stop him. This raised serious questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the Belgian security apparatus.
Furthermore, a deadly attack in Belgium ignited a fierce debate on the failures of the country’s deportation policy. Critics argued that the Belgian authorities’ inability to properly implement and enforce this policy was a contributing factor to the attack.
These incidents, along with the recent tragedy involving the Tunisian extremist, highlight significant flaws in the Belgian authorities’ approach to dealing with potential threats. The resignation of Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Belgian Minister of Justice, is a clear admission of these systemic failures and a call for urgent reform.
Examples of wrong stigmatization, while failing to stop real security threats
There is a pattern of stigmatization and mismanagement and it is not a new phenomenon in Belgium and some other countries, which focus on minority religious groups while losing focus on real threats to the security of citizens. A good example is the following: In 1997, the Belgian Parliament released a controversial list that stigmatized 189 religious groups as so-called “dangerous sects”, a move that formed the basis for a criminal investigation against the Church of Scientology.
The prosecution included the Parliament’s blacklist in the criminal proceedings record.
The Court stated that by presenting a list of 189 movements it considered harmful, the Parliamentary Commission made a value judgment which it was not entitled to do, violating the presumption of innocence (As Human Rights Watch reported). The Court further found that the Parliamentary Commission “got carried away” and “exceeded its powers”, something “which should be deplored coming from such an Institution”.
The ruling that gave final victory to the Scientologists after years of state and defamation, found that religious blacklists published by a Parliament exceed legislative powers and violate fundamental human rights, including the right to the presumption of innocence, has significant precedential value throughout Europe.
Yet, while peaceful religious groups continue to face stigmatization by some local Belgian authorities and even media outlets, dangerous individuals were not adequately tracked or prosecuted, leading to a series of fatal attacks in the country. This juxtaposition underscores a troubling trend in Belgium’s approach to national security and justice, where peaceful movements are stigmatized while dangerous individuals slip through the cracks.
To say the same in other words, while this later incident is far and disconnected from the above example as a case, the resignation of Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Belgian Minister of Justice, in the wake of a fatal attack linked to a ‘monumental error’, can be seen as a stark symbol of these systemic failures and the urgent need for reform.
Written records can tell us a lot about ancient civilizations. Recent research on the venomous snakes described in an ancient Egyptian papyrus suggests more than you might think. A much more diverse range of snakes than we ever imagined lived in the land of the pharaohs – which also explains why ancient Egyptian writers were so preoccupied with the treatment of snakebites, writes The Converstion. Like cave paintings, texts from the beginning of written history often describe wild animals. They can provide some remarkable details, but identifying the species described can be difficult. For example, the ancient Egyptian document called the Brooklyn Papyrus, dated to about 660 – 330 BC. but probably a copy of a much older document, lists various kinds of snakes known at the time, the consequences of their bites, and their treatment.
In addition to the symptoms of the bite, the papyrus also describes the deity associated with the snake, or whose intervention could save the victim. The bite of the “great serpent Apophis” (a god who assumed the form of a snake), for example, is described as causing quick death. Readers are also warned that this snake does not have the usual two teeth, but four, a rare feature for a snake today.
The venomous snakes described in the Brooklyn Papyrus are diverse: 37 species are listed, of which descriptions for 13 have been lost. Today, the Ancient Egypt region is home to far fewer species. This caused much debate among researchers as to which species were described.
The Serpent with Four Teeth There is no contender for the great serpent Apophis living within the borders of Ancient Egypt. Like most venomous snakes, which cause the majority of snakebite deaths in the world, the vipers and cobras now found in Egypt have only two teeth, one in each bone of the upper jaw. In snakes, the jawbones on both sides are separated and move independently, unlike mammals.
The closest modern snake, which often has four teeth, is the boomslang (Disopholidus typus) of the sub-Saharan African savannas, now found more than 650 km south of present-day Egypt. Its venom can cause the victim to bleed from any orifice and cause a fatal cerebral hemorrhage. Could the snake Apophis be an early, detailed description of a boomslang? And if so, how did the ancient Egyptians come across a snake that now lives so far south of their borders?
To find out, the scientists used a statistical model called climate niche modeling to study how the ranges of various African and Levantine (eastern Mediterranean) snakes have changed over time.
In the footsteps of the ancient serpents
The research shows that the much wetter climate of early Ancient Egypt was favorable for a host of snakes that do not live there today. The scientists focused on 10 species from the African tropics, the Maghreb region of North Africa and the Middle East that could match the descriptions in the papyrus. These include some of Africa’s most famous venomous snakes, such as the black mamba, the roaring viper and the boomslang. The researchers found that nine of the ten species likely lived in Ancient Egypt. For example, boomslangs may have lived along the coast of the Red Sea in places that 4,000 years ago were part of Egypt.
Similarly, the Brooklyn Papyrus describes a snake “patterned like a quail” that “hisses like a goldsmith’s bellows.” The buzzing viper (Bitis arietans) fits this description, but now lives only south of Khartoum in Sudan and in northern Eritrea. Again, scientists believe that this species’ range once extended much further north.
Much has changed since the period modeled by the researchers. Climate drying and desertification occurred about 4,200 years ago, but perhaps not uniformly. In the Nile Valley and along the coast, for example, agriculture and irrigation may have slowed desiccation and allowed many species to persist into historic times. This suggests that many more venomous snakes may have existed in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gold-tutankhamun-statue-33571/
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is known for its architectural beauty, vibrant culture and dynamic nightlife. Whether you’re a local or a visiting tourist, Brussels offers a wealth of options for going out and enjoying the nightlife. In this article, we will show you the best places where you can have fun until the end of the night.
One of the main attractions of Brussels nightlife is undoubtedly the Grand-Place. This iconic place, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by magnificent historic buildings and is considered one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in Europe. At night, the Grand Place is illuminated by lights that highlight its beauty and charm. Many bars and restaurants line this square, offering a variety of delicious drinks and food. It’s the perfect place to start your evening and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Brussels.
Another unmissable destination for nightlife is the Dansaert district. Located in the city center, this trendy neighborhood is full of bars, clubs and discos. Here you will find a lively atmosphere and a wide variety of venues for all musical tastes. Whether you’re a fan of electronic music, jazz or rock, you’re sure to find a place that suits your preferences. Some of Brussels’ most popular clubs, such as Fuse, Bloody Louis and Spirito, are located in the Dansaert district.
If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, the Saint-Géry district is for you. This historic district is known for its friendly bars and lively cafes. You can easily walk from one place to another and experience different types of music and moods. The fish market, located in the Saint-Géry district, is also a popular place to go out in the evening. With its numerous bars and terraces, it is the ideal place to enjoy a pleasant evening with friends.
For a unique experience of Brussels nightlife, don’t miss the evenings in the pop-up clubs. These clubs are often set up in unusual locations, such as abandoned warehouses or industrial buildings. The atmosphere is electric and international DJs play there regularly. These pop-up clubs are very popular among electronic music fans and are a perfect opportunity to dance the night away.
In addition to bars and clubs, Brussels has many cultural places where you can enjoy nightlife in a different way. For example, the famous La Monnaie theater offers opera and ballet performances in an elegant atmosphere. The former Kanal-Centre Pompidou station also hosts artistic events and nighttime exhibitions. You can also attend live music concerts in concert halls such as the Ancienne Belgique or the Botanique.
Finally, for beer lovers, Brussels is a true paradise. The city is home to many breweries and beer bars where you can taste a wide variety of Belgian beers. Some of the most popular places to enjoy a beer are Mort Subite, Delirium Café and Moeder Lambic. There you can discover local craft beers as well as renowned Trappist beers.
In conclusion, Brussels offers a lively and diverse nightlife. Whether you are looking for trendy bars, lively clubs or cultural venues, you will certainly find what you are looking for in the Belgian capital. So, the next time you are in Brussels, be sure to go out and enjoy the nightlife of this fascinating city.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s position of ‘unconditional support’ for Israel, is criticise in a letter from EU officials working around the world
A petition from European officials denouncing the statements and actions of Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is circulating and is already signed by more than 850 European officials. Though, civil servants are not in the habit of petitioning against those in power.
“We, a group of EU Commission and other EU institutions’ staff solemnly condemn on personal grounds the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against helpless civilians (…). We equally strongly condemn the disproportionate reaction by the Israeli government against the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip”, they written.
And: “Precisely because of these atrocities, we are surprised by the stance the European Commission has taken – and even other EU institutions – promoting what has been described in the press as European cacophony.”
They affirm that “this support is expressed in an uncontrolled manner” and are concerned about “the apparent indifference shown in recent days by our institution with regard to the current massacre of civilians in the Gaza Strip, in disregard of the rights of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The position of the President of the European Commission on the conflict between Hamas and Israel, and her trip to the Hebrew State where she was invited without any consultation, on Friday October 13, and where she spoke before the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country had “the right” and “even the duty to defend and protect its population. » She did not even remind us that Israel must respect international law and be measured in its response.
Ursula von der Leyen bypassed the European Council, and ignored the separation of powers within the EU, according to which foreign policy is not determined by the Commission.
She not only exceeded her prerogatives but she made and allowed comments to be made that weaken the voice of the European Union at a time when the latter had the opportunity to be an important player.
Indeed, on October 9, two days after the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. The Hungarian Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy, Olivér Várhelyi, declares that the European executive will re-examine its development aid for the Palestinians (1.2 billion euros, 33% of the Palestinian budget), and that they will be “immediately suspended”. the European Commission had to backpedal after criticism from other European institutions as well as in several European capitals. Subsequently, more than 70 members of the European Parliament called for the resignation of the Hungarian commissioner.
Some EU officials and member states also criticised von der Leyen, who visited Israel, for not declaring that the EU expects Israel to abide by international humanitarian law in its response to the attack, as other EU leaders did.
“The position of the member states was expressed in particular through the Council, in this case by [High Representative Josep] Borrell, after the debate between the member states,” an Elysée source said after an initial extraordinary EU foreign ministers meeting on the matter.
These statements were perceived in the Arab world as a total alignment of the EU with Israel’s position. The Commission then tried to make up for the devastating effect created by announcing €50 million in aid. On Sunday, a press release was published to reiterate the position of the 27: Israel has the right to defend itself in accordance with international law and the EU is always in favor of two states.
