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.
In an interview with UN News, the agency’s Alia Zaki emphasized that shortage of fuel is a major concern. Without it, hospitals and bakeries could simply grind to a halt.
While UN agencies and aid workers are working flat out to get aid in, they are confronted with the need to reduce rations and prioritize the distribution of food and other essentials.
Jerusalem-based Ms. Zaki also stressed the urgent necessity for a humanitarian ceasefire, which would allow aid workers to deliver supplies in safety for both themselves and those in need.
The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
UN News: Can you tell us first about the humanitarian aid that entered Gaza since last Saturday and what it contained?
Ms. Zaki: On Saturday, we along with other agencies, welcomed the news of the first humanitarian convoy that was able to enter into Gaza through the Rafah crossing.
It contains essential supplies, food, water and medicine; but even though this was a very good first step, it is nowhere near enough to match the needs of the people inside.
And since then, we are aware that there has been movement, and it is happening in coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent and UN agencies, and there is some movement of small amounts of really lifesaving and essential needs that are going in every day.
But, compared to the needs that are rising inside…Some people are saying (it is) ‘a drop in the ocean’ – which is really the case.
Alia Zaki, WFP Palestine Head of Communications
UN News: You said it is a small amount. So, do you have any information about the next delivery and if it will be continuous and sustainable?
Ms. Zaki: So, I know that negotiations are ongoing for aid delivery to be continuous and in a sustained manner. A lot of humanitarian partners and UN agencies, the Egyptian Red Crescent, are working really, really hard to ensure this is happening every day.
What I can tell you is that we are ready, we have more than 40 trucks waiting at the border, along with many other humanitarian agencies who also have high numbers of trucks that are waiting outside.
UN News:UNRWA said on Sunday it will be running out of fuel in three days. So how will the situation be without fuel being allowed into Gaza?
Ms. Zaki: The situation right now is already catastrophic. We are looking at people who for the 16th day now have had no access to essential services. They are running out of food and they are running out of water.
Without fuel, hospitals will not be able to operate and bakeries will not be able to operate.
Let me tell you a bit about above the bakeries: what the WFP has been doing on the ground within the first 48 hours of this escalation is that we provided wheat flour to bakeries. The bakeries are producing fresh bread that then gets distributed to the UN shelters for the displaced people.
We started off with almost 23 bakeries that we were working with to deliver food for the people in shelters. Right now, only four are able to operate. They do not have enough power to get the machines working. And unfortunately, some were also hit.
With this, you know, the collapse of essential infrastructure, the lack of fuel to make sure that the machines are running, it is really making a situation that is already catastrophic, worse.
A worker unloads ready-to-eat rations from a truck close to Alexandria, Egypt, in preparation for delivery to Gaza.
UN News: What are your priorities for distributing aid inside Gaza amid a scarcity of supplies?
Ms. Zaki: This is one of the main challenges that we are facing at the moment because the needs of the people, the number of people in need are much, much higher than the capacity and the resources allow for us.
But really, it is limited and it is painful how limited it is. In terms of prioritization, to try and make sure that we’re reaching as many people as possible, we have to reduce the ration of food that we were providing per person.
We have to reduce the ration of food that we were providing per person
What we are also doing is we are aware that we cannot reach all the shelters every single day. And so based on the capacity of the bakeries and based on the capacity of the distribution on the ground, we prioritize shelters that had not received food the previous day.
UN News: Talking about our WFP colleagues on the ground, what are the challenges facing them now moving around Gaza, and also, do you have any information about if there are any casualties?
Ms. Zaki: WFP staff have had to evacuate. Some of them had to evacuate their homes when the evacuation order came from for the movement from the north to the south. Some of them are currently residing in shelters, some are staying with families in host communities and some have decided to stay in their homes.
Our staff themselves are facing displacement. They are facing the loss of their loved ones and of course, the pressures of the whole situation on them.
They are working or they are trying to work to make sure that they are reaching the people in need.
UN News: If we do not have a ceasefire right now, what can be the challenges to deliver and move supplies across Gaza without a ceasefire or a humanitarian truce?
Ms. Zaki: I will not tell you that it is impossible, because I know that WFP and other humanitarian workers are on the ground and ready to respond and meet people’s needs no matter the situation.
But I can tell you that it is essential because humanitarian aid, humanitarian work, humanitarian workers, should be able to carry out their job to make sure that they can reach the people in need.
It is essential that civilians must be protected and the essential infrastructure – hospitals, bakeries – must be protected
That is, of course, not to mention how essential it is that civilians must be protected and the essential infrastructure – hospitals, bakeries – these all must be protected. And if they are not, then carrying out humanitarian work is essentially much, much harder. How are the roads going to operate? The roads are damaged, the infrastructure is damaged. This is what is stopping shops from being able to restock with wholesalers.
The lack of fuel, just like it’s impacting, you know, the people inside – it will also hamper humanitarian operations because they cannot run without fuel.
In an increasingly connected world, identity theft has become a rampant issue. Safeguarding personal information is crucial to avoid falling prey to this digital menace. Here are ten basic tips, backed by expert advice, to help you maintain the security of your identity on the internet.
Passwords are your first line of defense against unauthorized access. According to Norton, a leading cybersecurity software provider, using strong, unique passwords for each online account is paramount. A strong password usually contains a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information like birth dates or names that can be easily guessed.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts. As per Google’s Safety Center, 2FA significantly reduces the chances of hackers gaining access to your personal information. Even if they crack your password, they would need the second factor – typically a text message or email verification code – to access your account.
3. Be Wary of Phishing Scams
Phishing scams trick individuals into providing sensitive information by impersonating legitimate organizations. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center warns that these scams often come in the form of emails or text messages. Always verify the source before clicking on any links or providing personal information.
4. Keep Your Software Updated
Regularly updating your software is crucial for online security. According to Microsoft, software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Keeping your devices updated ensures you have the latest security enhancements.
5. Use a Secure Network
Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them prime targets for hackers. Norton suggests using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when accessing the internet in public spaces. A VPN encrypts your data, making it much harder for hackers to steal your information.
6. Limit Personal Information Shared Online
The less personal information you share online, the less there is for hackers to steal. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises being cautious about what information you post on social media or other public platforms.
7. Regularly Monitor Your Financial Accounts
Regularly checking your financial accounts can help detect any fraudulent activity. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends setting up alerts for unusual activity. Early detection can limit the damage caused by identity theft.
8. Use Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can protect your devices from malware and other threats. McAfee, a global leader in cybersecurity, emphasizes the importance of having up-to-date antivirus software on all your devices.
9. Be Cautious of Unsolicited Requests
The FTC warns that unsolicited requests for personal or financial information are often scams. Always verify the source before providing any information. If in doubt, contact the organization directly using a known and trusted method.
10. Shred Important Documents
Identity theft isn’t only a digital crime. According to Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus, shredding important documents that contain personal information can prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
In conclusion, while the internet offers many conveniences, it also presents significant security risks. By following these tips, you can help protect your digital identity and enjoy a safer online experience.
10 more
In today’s digital age, protecting your identity on the internet is more important than ever. With the increasing amount of personal information shared online, it’s crucial to take steps to safeguard your identity and reputation. Here are 10 basic tips to maintain security of identity on the internet:
Limit the personal information you share on social media [2]. Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your location, address, social security number, and health status[4].
Safeguard your passwords and change them often [1]. Pick passwords that no one will guess and change them frequently. Never share them with anyone other than your parents or a trusted adult[1].
Use antivirus and anti-malware software [5]. Antivirus or anti-malware software is designed to identify and prevent malicious software from being installed or from causing harm if installed accidentally.
Set up an internet firewall [5]. A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Learn how to identify and avoid phishing scams [6]. Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising as a trustworthy entity.
Use a virtual private network (VPN) [5][6]. A VPN encrypts or encodes data, including account numbers and other sensitive information, you transmit on your computer to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Mark your profiles as private [1]. This will limit the amount of personal information that is visible to the public.
Respect copyrights [1]. Know about copyright laws and make sure you don’t post, share, or distribute copyrighted images, songs, or files.
Check your “digital footprint” [1]. Try typing your screen name or email address into a search engine and see what comes up. That’s one way to get a sense of what others see as your online identity.
Monitor your online activity [3]. Be mindful of every piece of information you type and share. Think about whether a post or photo inadvertently reveals sensitive information.
By following these basic tips, you can help protect your digital identity and reputation. Remember that nothing is temporary online, and taking steps to safeguard your identity can help prevent identity theft and other online risks.
License Wikimedia cc-by-2.0
Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/datainnovation/25113334730/
Author: Center for Data Innovation
Belgian law allows such a procedure. Ukraine will receive 1.7 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in taxes on interest generated by Russian funds frozen after Moscow’s invasion, Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo said.
The money will be provided to Kyiv in 2024, Alexander De Croo said at a press conference in Brussels held jointly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to a government official, Belgium has already allocated 600 million euros, which will go to Ukraine this year on the same basis.
“Taxes on the interest from these assets should go 100% to the benefit of the Ukrainian people,” De Croo said. The G7’s decision to freeze Russian assets immediately after the Kremlin invaded in February 2022 resulted in about $300 billion being frozen in participating countries.
The lion’s share is held in Europe – much of it in Belgium, home to Euroclear, the company that processes international securities transactions.
De Croo said “hundreds of billions” of euros in Russian assets were frozen, generating “billions” in interest.
Although Ukraine has called for all Russian money to go to post-war reconstruction, G7 countries reject outright confiscation as fraught with legal problems and a violation of global norms.
But money raised through interest – at European Central Bank interest rates – is fair game, they argue.
De Croo said Belgian law allows for such a procedure and suggested other EU countries could follow suit.
Zelensky was in Belgium to participate in the meeting of NATO defense ministers.
Austrian media reported an act of vandalism committed against the main synagogue in the capital Vienna.
The identity of a 17-year-old girl who took part in the night of Friday to Saturday in removing the Israeli flag from the Jewish temple has now been established. The teenager has been detained, BTA informs.
Passers-by tried to arrest the three perpetrators, there was an exchange of blows, but they managed to escape.
A video shot by an eyewitness and shared on social media shows a man, apparently motivated by political motives, climbing on the shoulders of an accomplice and pulling down the flag placed above the synagogue door, while a girl standing next to them imitates a shooting with machine gun.
According to the police, before this act of vandalism, which took place at two o’clock in the morning, the suspects made anti-Semitic statements in establishments in the center of Vienna.
According to police, the teenager admitted to causing property damage, but denied the charges of incitement.
The girl stated that at the time of the act she was under the strong influence of alcohol, and she met the other two perpetrators of the act of vandalism shortly before the act and they motivated her to participate. The investigation of the case continues.
Vienna’s main synagogue is now under 24-hour security. Until now, the temple was guarded only during services.
Illustrative Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-covered-in-tallis-reading-a-holy-book-5976142/
Closed to the public for more than a decade, the stunning Zeyrek Çinili Hamam once again reveals its wonders to the world.
Located in Istanbul’s Zeyrek district, on the European side of the Bosphorus, adjacent to the historic Fatih district, the bathhouse was built in 1530 by Mimar Sinan – the chief architect of famous Ottoman sultans such as Suleiman the Magnificent.
“Chinili” means “covered with tiles” in Turkish, which highlights the most striking feature of the hammam’s interior design – it was once covered with thousands of bright blue nikk tiles.
Open for five centuries, serving the public mostly as a hammam but also briefly as a warehouse in the late 1700s, the hammam was in a state of disrepair until it closed in 2010.
Its walls are covered with mold and the tiles have almost disappeared. The hammam was temporarily opened in 2022 for the Istanbul Biennale, but now it’s about to take on a whole new life.
After 13 years of oblivion, Chinili Hammam welcomes guests again: first as an exhibition space, then, from March 2024, as a public bath with separate sections for men and women.
As well as getting a complete facelift, the hammam will also gain a space for contemporary art under the arches of the Byzantine cistern that once released water from its brass taps, a new museum that showcases the history of the building and a garden full of laurel plants, writes CNN.
This is the second major historic restoration by real estate company The Marmara Group, which bought the building in 2010.
Revealing the past
“When we bought the hammam, we didn’t know any of its history. But in Zeyrek, wherever you dig, you find something,” says Koza Yazgan, the project’s creative director.
“In the men’s section we found rectangular tiles, different from the regular hexagonal ones. They were on the wall and were inscribed with a poem in Farsi, each tile having a different verse. We translated them, studied them and found that they had been lost at some point – they were not where Sinan originally placed them,” he adds.
When the hammam was first built, the walls were covered with about 10,000 tiles, but only a few have survived. Some were lost, others stolen, and others damaged by fires and earthquakes. The tiles were even sold to foreign museums in the late 19th century – the Marmara Group has traced many of them to far-flung private collections and cultural institutions, including the V&A in London.
A team of archaeologists and historians at the hammam helps them identify exactly where their tiles originated. As for the mysterious Farsi tiles, Yazgan continues: “We decided not to leave them where we found them, but to display them in the museum.”
Designed by German firm Atelier Brüeckner, whose previous projects include the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Chinili Hammam Museum will display some of the many Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine artefacts discovered during the hammam’s restoration – from coins to unusual graffiti on foreign ships.
Visitors will be able to view an array of eclectic objects used by visitors to the bath in the past, including sparkling mother-of-pearl clogs called nalin.
An entire floor of the museum will be dedicated to the incredible iznik tiles – a futuristic augmented reality display will transport visitors to the bathhouse of Mimar Sinan’s time, covering the white walls in their full turquoise glow.
It’s an impressive attempt to reconstruct something long gone, but Yazgan sees it as necessary. “Given how the city has changed in the last 20 years, I think it’s more important than ever to protect these historic places. Otherwise, they will all be lost,” she says.
The timeless beauty
Although its multi-story wooden structures originally sprang up around the wealthy 12th-century monastery of Pantokrator, today Zeyrek is a working-class neighborhood.
Life centers around the spice and meat markets, while the fruity aroma of homemade perde pilavı (chicken, grape and rice dish from Eastern Turkey) wafts from the restaurants.
Although part of the UNESCO-listed area of Istanbul, Zeyrek is nothing like the nearby Hagia Sophia district, home to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Foreign tourists are very rare here.
The streets of the neighborhood are very noisy, and the hammam with an area of more than 2,800 square meters offers a peaceful escape from them.
Kem göz (evil eye) hangs on the front door, ensuring that all malicious spirits stay out. Just as it would have been 500 years ago, the oak door is heavy and thick – only it’s so new it still has the smell of a sawmill.
After crossing the threshold, the visitor passes through three rooms – a typical process for all Turkish baths. The first is the “cold” one (or more precisely with room temperature), in which the guests relax. Resting on the sofas with hot coffee or tea is recommended.
Next is the hot room – a dry area in which the body acclimatizes to temperatures of about 30 degrees Celsius. The last room is the steam haaret, heated to 50 degrees Celsius.
“It’s a place of purification – both spiritually and physically. An hour’s escape from earthly things,” says Yazgan. Clothed attendants wash and massage their clients in this area.
Ottoman know-how and impeccable minimalism come together in Chinili Hammam to create the ultimate relaxation space.
The glass stars on the domed ceilings allow enough natural light to enter, but not to irritate the eyes. The original Ottoman details stimulate the mind, but do not disturb the atmosphere of tranquility.
The new life
Initially, while the hammam’s baths are still dry, Chinili will host a one-off contemporary art exhibition with special works dedicated to the themes of ruin, history and healing – three words that sum up the history of the place.
After the exhibition ends in March 2024, the baths will be filled with water and returned to their original function. Yazgan says the hammam will accurately replicate Ottoman bathing traditions.
Instead of Swedish massages and scented oils, there will be hot and humid rooms, various chiropractic treatments and bubble massages.
However, Yazgan highlights something that will set Cinili apart from traditional hammams in Turkey.
“Usually in hammams, the design of the men’s section is higher and more elaborate. They have more vaulted ceilings and tiles. But here there will be rotating days for each section so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the bath, regardless of his gender.”
The microcosm of Istanbul
The Marmara Group believes that the newly restored hammam can completely change the neighborhood’s dynamics, using its underrated historical sites to turn Zeyrek into a cultural tourism destination.
“We plan to make a ‘Zeyrek map’ showing where hammam guests can visit other attractions in the area or dine in a historic space,” says Yazgan.
There are many sites to visit in the area: the Zeyrek Mosque, the monumental Roman Aqueduct of Valens and the Baroque Süleymaniye Mosque are within a 15-minute walk.
And while increasing visitor numbers may put the neighborhood at risk of over-tourism, the hammam has the potential to join Istanbul’s ever-expanding portfolio of notable cultural sites: where one can immerse oneself in the city’s cosmopolitan past, participating in an old ritual.
“With the museum, relaxation rooms and historical artifacts, the hammam is like a microcosm of Istanbul,” says Yazgan.
Last week, the G-7 members engaged in discussions regarding four proposed plans aimed at preventing the export of large Russian diamonds. The Western countries’ plan suggests that from January 1, 2024, the fate of Russian precious stones will face significant uncertainty.
The proposed bans range from mild restrictions to complete halts, highlighting the challenges associated with achieving a consensus on the matter. Reuters reports that coal bans have proven difficult to enforce for over a year, underscoring the complexity of implementing such measures.
The four proposals were put forth by Belgium, India, the French Group for the Jewelry Industry, and the World Diamond Council. They will be evaluated during a technical meeting of G-7 representatives, as confirmed by local residents close to the matter.
If implemented, such a ban would severely limit the export of Russian diamonds since the G-7 countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France, account for 70% of the world’s diamond production.
Consequently, the ban would have a significant impact on the diamond trade, particularly because Russia is the largest producer of rough diamonds globally, holding a 30% market share.
Meanwhile, the foremost diamond producer, the state-owned company “Alrosa,” has been grappling with a diamond shortage for the past two months. Bloomberg reported in September that the company had reduced its supply of rough diamonds in an attempt to counter falling prices. However, there is hope that this downward trend will be reversed.
Alrosa, which is currently vying with industry giant De Beers for the title of the world’s largest diamond producer, faces additional challenges due to American and British sanctions imposed following the commencement of the Russian War in Ukraine. Consequently, the company’s supplies have been impacted, leading to a redirection of shipments towards Asia.
As the G-7 continues to deliberate on the proposed bans, the fate of Russian diamonds remains uncertain. The outcome of the technical meeting will likely shed light on the future of the diamond trade and its potential implications for global markets.
The car company Ferrari has started accepting payments in crypto-wallets in the US for all its luxury sports cars, which it plans to ship in Europe as well, reports Reuters. It’s the company’s marketing and sales guide.
A large part of the companies are making chips that are away from cryptocurrencies, as the volatility of bitcoin and other tokens makes them impractical for trading.
The irregular regulation and the higher energy demand also limit the respect of the payment speed.
Among the companies affected is electric car maker Tesla, which in 2021 will begin accepting payments in bitcoin, before CEO Elon Musk said On this option, there are problems with the surrounding area.
Eco crypto
Ferrari UK’s chief mapping and transport desk has commented that the automaker has set out to reduce its carbon footprint by introducing new software and greater use of renewable sources.
Ferrara stated that the problem is in response to the demand from stores and dealers, so many of their clients have invested in crypto-wallets.
Although some cryptocurrencies that have grown in size have improved energy and efficiency, bitcoin is still criticized because its currency is energy-efficient.
It is not yet clear why the car is expected to be delivered by Ferrari through the ports.
Illustrative Photo by Vincenzo Malagoli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-ferrari-rim-2922140/
The authorities in Vienna are wondering how to change his image
Behind two sets of heavy doors and a large steel partition, Monika Sommer, director of the House of Austrian History at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, looks out at the country’s most controversial building: the so-called Hitler Balcony.
Here on March 15, 1938, Hitler addressed a jubilant crowd of 200,000 to announce his country’s entry into the “German Reich.” It marked the Anschluss or annexation of Austria, and the crowds below are seen today as evidence of Austria’s support for Nazi rule.
Access to the balcony was blocked for many years, but its place in Austrian politics and history was brought back to the fore after the youth wing of the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) used it in an election video.
The FPÖ, which was founded in the 1950s by former members of the Nazi party, is best known for the Ibiza affair, a corruption scandal that ousted its leader and forced it out of a coalition government that returned it to opposition. However, it is now leading the polls, winning around 27% of the vote, and has formed coalition governments with the centre-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) in three regions.
Under its leader Herbert Kickle, the FPÖ is believed to have moved further to the right and embraced radical elements. His affinity for Viktor Orbán’s politics in Hungary was dubbed the Hungarian-Austrian Empire by Politico.
In the FPÖ video, a narrator opposes “crime, mass migration, selfishness, globalization, sex madness, Islamization, population exchange.”
The video then shows young members looking up at the balcony. “We want a future,” says the narrator.
Today, the balcony is closed to the public, but Sommer is working to devise a new role for it and prevent groups like the FPÖ from using it in this way.
“It’s really this turning point in the video where they analyze the present and then focus on the future. Then they use the balcony shot. In the video, it means the times are changing. It’s eerie,” she commented.
The video marks a worrying turning point for Austria’s far right, said Stefan Benedik, the museum’s lead curator. He says that until now, Austrian politics has maintained a stable consensus on Holocaust commemoration, and in the past 30 years has taken a harder line, acknowledging its complicity in Nazi atrocities.
“This video is really key because it’s the first hint that the far right is leaving this consensus. They’re ready to implement this symbol, the balcony really replaces the whole theme of National Socialism in Austria.”
In response to the video, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has reportedly filed charges against the group.
In the House of Austrian History, visitors can vote on the future of the balcony. So far, ideas include memorial engravings and even a clothesline to be hung above the balcony, reminding visitors of Austria’s dirty laundry.
Since 1938, the only person to have given a speech from the balcony has been Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. “The balcony is nothing… Purification, change cannot come from the balcony. It must come from below,” he said in 1992. But as fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors remain to tell their stories, the symbolic power, that the balcony holds for the right could grow again, Sommer said.
Photo: Giant crowds gathered on Heldeplatz to cheer Hitler as he delivered his Anschluss speech on March 15, 1938Image: akg-images/picture-alliance
