The 5th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue “A Path to Peace” was held on 8 and 9 November at CEMA University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This year, under the slogan “Thinking about the transformation of Argentina 2023-2053”, the congress brought together important figures from the world of politics, trade unionism, religion and culture in Argentina.
The opening panel was lead the president of this Congress, Gustavo Guillerme, who thanked the attendees and highlighted
“the participation of the different religions and political sectors, beyond ideological differences, and whom I invited to join and work in our Moncloa Pact, ‘The Pact of the Covenants’ and be part of a path towards peace and the union of Argentines”.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Libardi, president of the Church of Scientology of Argentina (religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952) said:
“This congress contributes to civilize our society and puts a point of hope, which is the future. We understand that intercultural and interreligious work is an important contribution to civilisation”.
Danny Lew, president of Keren Kayemet LeIsrael Argentina (KKL) said:
“Without a doubt, our greatest work is to continue educating our children. We work and get involved in the whole educational process, at all levels, because we understand, we are convinced that only by receiving a Jewish-Zionist education will our children grow up and form new homes within the values and traditions of our people. Those values that teach us “love thy neighbour as thyself”, or the principle of “Tikkun Olam”, which instills in us that, although the world is fractured and imperfect, we have a shared responsibility to “repair the world. “
Eduardo Galeano said that “the future is possible to imagine, and not just accept”. The different speakers agreed that this congress was “an opportunity to imagine the world we want to live in, that we can believe it is possible. It is an opportunity to dialogue and think together about the best future for the next generations”.
The Rector of the University of CEMA, Edgardo Zablotsky, expressed his gratitude for hosting the fifth edition of this important congress and highlighted “the importance of the panels and the different speakers who are going to work together and in dialogue, which is the best contribution we can make for a world towards peace”.
Sohrab Yazdani, member of the BAHAI Community and Oluwo Leonardo Allegue, president and Religious Spiritual Leader of ASRAU, were also part of the opening.
The Congress ended with the Abraham Agreement table with the participation of the Ambassador of the State of Israel Mr. Eyael Sela together with the Ambassadors of USA, UAE and Morocco.
In October, I told you that I would get an interview with the “back-comer” Romain Gutsy. Yesterday Romain released a new single called “Like an Uyghur in China”, and as promised, I managed to get an interview. Here it is:
Bro: Hi Romain, long time no see. So I’ve already said to our readers that you were back and that it made me happy. Now, you told me you want to focus on the present and future, and my first question is then about your new single “Like an Uyghur in China”. Now let me put it that way: in the song “If You Don’t Mind”, you made it clear that “I don’t do politics”. And now you start 2023 with a highly political song?
Romain Gutsy: It’s not political at all. It’s about oppression. Oppressors can be from any political side, and they deserve the same, based on what they do to oppress people. I sing about people. People who are oppressed, and people who oppress. I don’t care about the fact that the oppressors in China would belong to the Chinese Communist Party. I have nothing against this party per se. If they stop oppressing people, that’s fine with me. I have nothing against the Buddhists in power in Burma. And nothing about the Russian ruling party when I sing about Crimean Tatars. I have everything against the people who, while belonging to one or another of these groups, or even being their leaders, oppress people because of their faith or their ethnicity. As said in the song, “the Hell is full of” them.
Bro: Understood. So you made a song in favor of human rights?
Romain Gutsy: You can say it that way. I would say that this song is in favor of human beings. But yes, “human rights” works too. I like people to be free to be what they want to be and to believe what they want to believe. The song mentions three oppressed minorities: the Uyghurs, the Rohingyas and the Crimean Tatars. These people suffer for real under heavy oppression. But there are far from being the only ones. I could have added the Tibetans, for example, but also thousands of others. In fact, it is also addressed to individuals. Whoever is oppressed by an asshole, or a madman, is concerned by this song. It’s a song against evil insanity and personal freedom.
Bro: I’ve seen that your last songs were crafted with a great sense of humor, like “The Girl from Kerry” or “Frenchy Boy”. This one seems quite serious. Are you shifting towards more serious themes?
Romain Gutsy: Well, I may be “shifting” from time to time, but in fact, any song has its own mood and it cannot be always “fun”. I don’t think “Like an Uyghur in China” is “serious”, but it’s not really a funny topic. Were you an Uyghur, a Rohingya or a Crimean Tatar, you might not laugh too much about your situation. But it’s not “serious”, as it’s art, and also because I always write with some distance. At least I try too. In addition, you could see some humor in my answer to oppression: “I tell the oppressor, the hell is full of you”. It’s quite a desperate attempt to do something, while in fact it’s a very underestimated effort if you expect to change things. Like a kid saying, “you’re mean” and expecting it will affect the bad people around him. Nonetheless, at least it says something. And who knows? The power of words, the power of a song…
Bro: Got it. As we know, you’re French. Is this question of the oppressed minorities part of your French background, as we know France likes to be thought of as a country of human rights?
Romain Gutsy: first of all, I’m an artist. And the day I became an artist, I also became a man of no country. Or of all countries. I was born a Corsican, then a French. Then I played Irish music and became an Irish. Then American Music and became American. Spanish Music and became a Spanish. But I’m also an Uyghur, a Nigerian, a British, a Japanese, whatever you want. As far as France is concerned, I don’t think it played a big role in my writing of “Like an Uyghur in China”. To write the song and be truthful, I had to feel Chinese, Uyghur, Burmese, Russian and Tatar. And to love them all.
Bro: OK bro (said Bro). So what about the future, are you planning new songs, and maybe gigs? I remember well that your best part as a musician was on stage!
Romain Gutsy: Both. New songs are coming and there should be a new one released in February that has been composed and written by Marc Bentel. Until now, Marc was mainly working on the production side, but he proposed me a very nice song of his, called “Trouble and Delicious” and we recorded it. As regards gigs, that’s definitely something that I’m planning for the future. But nothing is already on the agenda. And I don’t know where I will start touring. It could be France or Belgium, but in fact, I’m prone to think that I’ll start by the United Kingdom.
Bro: And you are planning to stay an “independent”?
Romain: Depends what you call an “independent”. I love to work with others, and that include labels. So if there are good opportunities to work with a label that I like, I’ll do it. In the industry, there are people who know better than you some parts of the job. So it’s better to work with them and succeed instead of trying to do everything by yourself and fail. But still, I stay independent in my choices, at least those which seem the most important to me.
Bro: OK, thank you Romain, I’ll add “Like an Uyghur in China” in one of my playlists. Will you follow it?
Romain: Of course, Bro. You have sure taste and it’s a pleasure to be featured in your playlists.
And if you want to see the last video of “If You Don’t Mind by Romain Gutsy, here it is:
Turkey has deported 119,817 illegal migrants this year alone. Its efforts to combat illegal migration continue unabated, the Ministry of the Interior said. In a statement, the presidency said it was the largest number of deportations in Turkey’s history.
The number of deportees increased by 159% compared to the same period in 2021, the announcement added.
With the latest figures, the number of illegal migrants deported since 2016 has reached 445,326.
More than 2.7 million illegal migrants have been refused entry to Turkey since 2016, while the figure for this year alone stands at 274,311.
Turkey is a key transit point for asylum seekers seeking to cross into Europe to start a new life, particularly those fleeing war and persecution.
Turkey hosts nearly 5 million refugees – more than any other country in the world. After the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Turkey adopted an “open door policy” for people fleeing the conflict, granting them “temporary protection” status.
Afghans are believed to be the second largest refugee community in Turkey after Syrians.
Many of the migrants arriving through Iran head to Istanbul to find work or illegal channels to Europe.
Photo: Migrants at the Directorate of Migration in Kocaeli Province | AA
Turkey has recently made a significant decision to lower gas prices for places of worship, including cemevis, and industrial consumption. This move, which will take effect from the first day of 2023, aims to provide financial relief and stability to these sectors. The announcement was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on December 31, 2022, through his official Twitter account, according to DuvaR.
Under this new policy, gas prices for places of worship, including cemevis, will be reduced by 42.73 percent starting from January 1, 2023. This reduction will also apply to industrial consumption. Additionally, gas prices used for electricity production will be lowered by 12.73 percent, while electricity prices for industrial consumption will see a reduction of 16 percent.
The decision to lower gas prices comes in the wake of Russia’s postponement of a payment worth 20 billion dollars owed by BOTAŞ, the state-owned gas importer and distributor in Turkey. This postponement is believed to have influenced Turkey’s move to lower gas prices as a means of stabilizing the economy and preventing the weakening of the Turkish lira against the dollar. It is worth noting that Turkey heavily relies on Russia for 40-45 percent of its natural gas needs, with the remaining supply coming from countries such as Iran, Libya, and the United States.
By reducing gas prices for places of worship and industrial consumption, the Turkish government aims to alleviate the financial burden on these sectors and support their operations. This decision is particularly significant for places of worship, including cemevis, as it recognizes their importance and provides them with economic relief. Furthermore, lowering gas prices for industrial consumption can contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the industrial sector in Turkey.
Overall, this move to lower gas prices demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting key sectors of the economy and ensuring stability. It is a strategic decision that takes into account both domestic considerations, such as the upcoming elections in 2023, and external factors, such as the postponement of the payment by Russia. By providing financial relief and stability, Turkey aims to foster economic growth and maintain a favorable business environment.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessing a model of the proposed building before taking his seat on stage at the the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Bodhgaya, Bihar, India, 3rd January 2023: Under a wintry sky this morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove out past the Magadh University to the prospective site of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan and Ancient Indian Wisdom. There, as monks of Namgyal Monastery chanted prayers, accompanied by the Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Law and Justice, Government of India, Shri Sushil Modi, MP, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Ambassador Kumar Tuhin, Director General ICCR, he unveiled the foundation stone. He closely examined an architectural model of the proposed buildings before taking his seat on the stage.
Interim director of the project, Tempa Tsering, greeted everyone present and welcomed the special guests. He announced that the Centre was being established to fulfil His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision that if awareness of ancient Indian wisdom, particularly with regard to the workings of the mind and emotions, could be revived and shared more widely, it would contribute to the creation of a more peaceful, more compassionate world. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Bihar and the Government of India for their support. He declared that the Centre will be open to everyone who wishes to learn about Tibetan and Ancient Indian Wisdom.
Interim director of the project, Tempa Tsering, welcoming those attending the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
In a speech delivered in Hindi, Prof Samdhong Rinpoché recalled that many years ago Vinobha Bhave suggested that a time would come when Indian culture would take a leading role in the world. His prediction was widely dismissed, but in retrospect it seems he was a far-sighted visionary. Rinpoché went on to say that since the materialistic outlook associated with science and technology has failed to bring peace and satisfaction to the world, ancient Indian knowledge and values may fill the gap.
Prof Samdhong Rinpoché speaking at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
In the past, Rinpoché asserted, Indian schools of thought were mutually enriched when they engaged in an exchange of ideas founded on reason and logic. Tibetan tradition has kept this approach alive. With the establishment of this Centre, these traditions will be restored to India.
Kumar Sarvjeet, MLA for Bodhgaya and Minister of Agriculture in the Government of Bihar spoke next on behalf of the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar. He informed the gathering that the Chief Minister is completely supportive of His Holiness’s vision. He has made clear that he and the Government of Bihar will do whatever they can to help bring the project to fruition. He disclosed that the Government and people of Bihar, and the local people especially, are grateful that the Centre is being established in Bodhgaya.
Kumar Sarvjeet, MLA for Bodhgaya and Minister of Agriculture in the Government of Bihar speaking on behalf of the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Law and Justice in the Central Government, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, paid his respects to His Holiness, the Sakya Throne-holders and other honoured guests. He stated that whenever he comes to Bodhgaya and reflects that 25 centuries ago the Buddha actually walked in this locality, he feels at peace. This is what makes Bodhgaya a sacred place and now His Holiness reinforces that status by his presence. The Buddha showed the world how to attain enlightenment and, in our time, this is what His Holiness does too.
“His Holiness has made India his home and has committed himself to helping to revive awareness of ancient Indian wisdom,” he said. “People from around the world come to India to pay their respects to him. His Holiness refers to India as the guru and Tibetans as the students, but I say that it is he, an apostle of peace, who is the guru to world. On behalf of the people and government of India I express gratitude to him. It’s a privilege for us to have him among us here in India.
“I’m honoured to have been able to take part in laying the foundation stone for this Centre for Tibetan and Ancient Indian Wisdom. His Holiness states that the wisdom of Nalanda nurtured by such masters as Nagarjuna, Aryadeva and Chandrakirti, a tradition grounded in reason and logic, was kept alive in Tibet. It was concerned less with religion and more with a science of the mind. A centre to study along these lines is being established and people from around the world will be able to come and study here.
Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Law and Justice in the Central Government addressing the audience at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
“His Holiness is committed to extolling such human values as compassion and tolerance, forgiveness and self-discipline. He is pledged to work to preserve Tibetan culture and protect the natural environment of Tibet.
“The Government of India is committed in turn to supporting this centre, which will encourage us to look within. The Centre will be a world-class institution, a gift to humanity, where it will be possible to discover the link between peace of mind and world peace.”
“Today, we’re all gathered here out of our admiration for the Buddha’s teaching,” His Holiness observed. “We all wish for peace, so we need to cultivate compassion and the practice of doing no harm. The Buddhadharma not only reveals peace and happiness to the world, it shows us how to overcome suffering.
A view from the stage during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
“Indulging in wishful thinking is not enough, we have to look at the causes of suffering, which are rooted in our self-cherishing attitudes and destructive emotions, and put an end to them. Peace in the world depends on individuals achieving peace of mind.
“Shantideva has made the situation abundantly clear in his work, ‘Entering into the Way of a Bodhisattva’:
All those who suffer in the world do so because of their desire for their own happiness. All those happy in the world are so because of their desire for the happiness of others. 8/129
Why say more? Observe this distinction: between the fool who longs for his own advantage and the sage who acts for the advantage of others. 8/130
For those who fail to exchange their own happiness for the suffering of others, Buddhahood is certainly impossible – how could there even be happiness in cyclic existence? 8/131
Proceeding in this way from happiness to happiness, what thinking person would despair, after mounting the carriage, the awakening mind, which carries away all weariness and effort? 7/30
“If you’re warm-hearted and determined to help others, it will make you happy. Therefore, we can be grateful to the Buddha for his teaching.” His Holiness continued.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the gathering at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
“India is a land where, because of the fundamental and long-standing traditions of ‘karuna’ and ‘ahimsa’, many different spiritual traditions flourish. To ensure peace in the world we need to encourage the notion of non-violence or doing no harm— ‘ahimsa’. Tibetan refugees are fortunate to have been able to come to live in a land that explicitly upholds ‘ahimsa’.
“I don’t have much more to say. I thank the Government of Bihar and the Central Government for their support, without which it would be difficult to bring this project about. We are grateful.
“We need to think of the welfare of others and continuously cultivate a warm heart; to be of service to others is a practical and realistic way to lead our lives. Thank you.”
Karma Chungdak offering words of thanks at the conclusion of the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre for Tibetan & Indian Ancient Wisdom in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 3, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Karma Chungdak offered words of thanks. He first of all expressed gratitude to His Holiness for inspiring the establishment of this Centre for Tibetan and Ancient Indian Wisdom and for taking part in the laying of the foundation stone today. He thanked representatives of Tibet’s several spiritual traditions, monks and nuns, for their attendance. Finally, on behalf of the Dalai Lama Trust, he offered thanks to Hon’ble Kiren Rijiju, for representing the Government of India, and Kumar Sarvjeet, for representing the Government of Bihar, as well as Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, for representing the Central Tibetan Administration, on this great occasion.
The European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the respect for human rights in China, Chad and Bahrain.
Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People’s Republic of China
MEPs express their support for protesters fighting for fundamental rights who are being persecuted by the Chinese government, notably in the context of the zero COVID-19 policy. They are concerned about violations of freedoms of expression, association, assembly, press and media in China – intensified by the use of mass surveillance – and demand that human rights be guaranteed.
All the victims of the Urumqi fire on 24 November 2022 were Uyghurs, MEPs point out, deploring the systematic repression of this ethnicity, notably in the Xinjiang region. In addition, MEPs highlight the arrest of a foreign journalist covering the protests and demand unhindered access to China for independent journalists, international observers and investigative bodies.
The resolution calls for sanctions against those responsible for crimes against humanity to be intensified, for better coordination regarding Chinese overseas police service stations and for addressing freedom of expression during official talks with China.
The resolution was adopted by show of hands. For more details, it will be available in full here. (15.12.2022)
Military Junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad
Parliament condemns the restriction of the fundamental right to demonstrate and the use of violence against pro-democracy protesters and civil society in Chad during the protests of October 2022. In their resolution, MEPs call for all protesters held by the Chadian government to be released and granted legal protection. They condemn their prosecution in mass trials that failed to adhere to international standards on transparency and justice.
According to MEPs, the regime in Chad has failed to uphold its commitment to a democratic transition, causing a protracted crisis in the country. They highlight the need for new, transparent, inclusive and credible presidential elections to be organised as soon as possible, in order to facilitate a political transition that guarantees respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Finally, the resolution demands an independent and impartial investigation by the UN and the African Union into the reported violence, including reports of torture in Chadian prisons. MEPs want to prosecute and hold accountable those responsible for the violence and killings of individuals and civil society, and urge the EU and member states to raise these concerns directly with the Chadian authorities.
The resolution was adopted by show of hands. For more details, it will be available in full here. (15.12.2022)
The case of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in Bahrain
Parliament demands the immediate and unconditional release of Danish-Bahraini citizen Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and all other political activists. Al-Khawaja, who is the cofounder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), has been in prison for twelve years serving a life sentence for leading peaceful protests during the 2011 Arab spring protests for democratic reforms.
He suffers from a series of chronic and degenerative health problems and requires timely, expert medical treatment, warn MEPs. Parliament calls on EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, the European External Action Service and member states — in particular the government of Denmark — to raise the case of Al Khawaja and all other human rights defenders in the country both publicly and privately.
MEPs strongly condemn the continued use of torture and mistreatment in the Gulf country. Furthermore, they argue that Bahrain should restore citizenship to the almost 300 individuals — notably human rights defenders — who have been stripped of it and end the ongoing practice.
The moratorium on capital punishment, which had been in place until 2017, should never have been lifted, MEPs say. Bahrain has executed six people since then, in what the UN has referred to as extrajudicial killings, and 26 more are currently on death row in the country.
The resolution was adopted by 316 votes in favour, 6 against with 38 abstentions. For more details, it will be available in full here. (15.12.2022)
Researchers demonstrated high-visibility quantum interference between two independent semiconductor quantum dots — an important step toward scalable quantum networks.
Last year’s Nobel Prize in Physics celebrated the fundamental interest of quantum entanglement, and also envisioned the potential applications in “the second quantum revolution” — a new age when we are able to manipulate the weirdness of quantum mechanics, including quantum superposition and entanglement. A large-scale and fully functional quantum network is the holy grail of quantum information sciences. It will open a new frontier of physics, with new possibilities for quantum computation, communication, and metrology.
One of the most significant challenges is to extend the distance of quantum communication to a practically useful scale. Unlike classical signals that can be noiselessly amplified, quantum states in superposition cannot be amplified because they cannot be perfectly cloned. Therefore, a high-performance quantum network requires not only ultra-low-loss quantum channels and quantum memory, but also high-performance quantum light sources. There has been exciting recent progress in satellite-based quantum communications and quantum repeaters, but a lack of suitable single-photon sources has hampered further advances.
What is required of a single-photon source for quantum network applications? First, it should emit one (only one) photon at a time. Second, to attain brightness, the single-photon sources should have high system efficiency and a high repetition rate. Third, for applications such as in quantum teleportation that require interfering with independent photons, the single photons should be indistinguishable. Additional requirements include a scalable platform, tunable and narrowband linewidth (favorable for temporal synchronization), and interconnectivity with matter qubits.
A promising source is quantum dots (QDs), semiconductor particles of just a few nanometers. However, in the past two decades, the visibility of quantum interference between independent QDs has rarely exceeded the classical limit of 50% and distances have been limited to around a few meters or kilometers.
As reported in Advanced Photonics, an international team of researchers has achieved high-visibility quantum interference between two independent QDs linked with ~300 km optical fibers. They report efficient and indistinguishable single-photon sources with ultra-low-noise, tunable single-photon frequency conversion, and low-dispersion long fiber transmission. The single photons are generated from resonantly driven single QDs deterministically coupled to microcavities. Quantum frequency conversions are used to eliminate the QD inhomogeneity and shift the emission wavelength to the telecommunications band. The observed interference visibility is up to 93%. According to senior author Chao-Yang Lu, professor at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), “Feasible improvements can further extend the distance to ~600 km.”
Lu remarks, “Our work jumped from the previous QD-based quantum experiments at a scale from ~1 km to 300 km, two orders of magnitude larger, and thus opens an exciting prospect of solid-state quantum networks.” With this reported jump, the dawn of solid-state quantum networks may soon begin breaking toward day.
Reference: “Quantum interference with independent single-photon sources over 300 km fiber” by Xiang You, Mingyang Zheng, Si Chen, Run-Ze Liu, Jian Qin, Mo-Chi Xu, Zheng-Xuan Ge, Tung-Hsun Chung, Yu-Kun Qiao, Yang-Fan Jiang, Han-Sen Zhong, Ming-Cheng Chen, Hui Wang, Yu-Ming He, Xiu-Ping Xie, Hao Li, Li-Xing You III, Christian Schneider, Juan Yin, Teng-Yun Chen, Mohamed Benyoucef, Yong-Heng Huo, Sven Höfling, Qiang Zhang, Chao-Yang Lu and Jian-Wei Pan, 27 December 2022, Advanced Photonics. DOI: 10.1117/1.AP.4.6.066003
Alexander Novopashin is a well-known archpriest in the country who oversees the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Novosibirsk, Western Siberia, and is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate.
For his support of the Russian “special military operation” in Ukraine and his anti-cult actions, Sergey Kiriyenko, a representative of the Russian presidential administration, presented him with the Order of Friendship this year, on behalf of Vladimir Putin himself.
Drawing drawing on the sermons of St. John of Kronstadt (a Russian Archpriest who died in 1908). The archpriest reminds us that God has given the tough duty of “keeping and multiplying the priceless talent of the only saving Orthodox faith” to the Russian people because they are “God’s chosen people“.
And then:
“Let’s hear what the great prophet John of Kronstadt has to say: “Russia is disturbed, suffering, tormented by a bloody internal battle, by impiety, and by a severe moral degradation. Not good! Humans have evolved into monsters and even demonic spirits. Sins of various types abound in daily life. Blasphemy, disbelief in God, and apostasy have virtually become widespread in the educated class. Daily debauchery has become the norm, and literature and the media are filled with temptation.“
The archpriest continued, “This is precisely what Russian society is going through right now”.
Actually a few days earlier on December 30, Novopashin was interviewed by the newspaper Russian Folk Lineage (a Russian newspaper advocating autocracy, orthodoxy, and Russian nationality). Answering the questions of the journalist about the “Special Operation in Ukraine”, he said:
“I hope and believe that the Lord will not leave us. We are doing a good deed: we are not fighting Ukraine and Ukrainians, but the cannibalistic Nazi ideology, which has enslaved the minds of many people. I do not only support it, but I am convinced that the liberation battle was simply necessary. And perhaps much earlier.
(…)
The country is cleaned of the dirt that, unfortunately, was on a pedestal. I hope that this will continue further.
(…)
We pray to God and strive to make our Homeland triumph over the evil spirits that have spread throughout the world. And our society, alas, was seriously saturated with ideological and physical evil spirits. The task is to cleanse us of evil spirits so that it becomes easier to breathe.“
Cleansing Russia of evil spirits is of course a very important act for the Kremlin today. We would just like that they apply the famous USSR “self-criticism” to themselves… Then maybe the cleansing would be salutary revival.
Roman legion – German scientists conducted a chemical analysis of artifacts found at the site of the probable death of Roman troops during the battle in the Teutoburg Forest in the ninth year of our era. Research has confirmed that the Germans destroyed the XIX Legion in the settlement of Kalkrise, the first archaeological evidence of which was discovered in 1987. This is reported on the website of the Bergbau-Museum in Bochum.
In September of the ninth year of our era, three Roman legions (XVII, XVIII and XIX), three cavalry units and six cohorts of infantry led by Publius Quintilius Varus, accompanied by slaves, servants, artisans and women, moved through Germany from summer to winter you camp During this march, Varus and his troops were persuaded to turn off the wide paved road into the Teutoburg Forest, where they were attacked by Germanic tribes led by the Cherucian leader Arminius.
As a result of this unexpected attack, all three legions, together with the commander, died, and the battle itself led to a long struggle between the Empire and the Germans, who eventually managed to defend their independence. According to historians, about 15-20 thousand Roman soldiers, officers and civilians died in the Teutoburg Forest.
One of the most controversial moments of this battle is where it took place. Until the 1980s, scholars only had data from written sources, from which it was problematic to establish this. At that time, about 750 different hypotheses had been collected. But in 1987, an English amateur archaeologist found material evidence of the battle between the Romans and the Germans not far from the city of Osnabrück (Lower Saxony), in the settlement of Kalkrise, after which professional scientists took up the work.
Although many were initially skeptical of the scientific discovery, today Calcrise is considered by most researchers to be the site of the death of Varus and his legions. At the same time, there are enough critics of this version of the development of events.
Scientists from three German organizations have joined together in a scientific project to study Roman artefacts found in Kalkrise, where, according to the prevailing hypothesis, the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest took place. With the help of chemical analysis, the researchers decided to establish to which of the Roman subdivisions the discovered items belonged. Each legion had forges where weapons, equipment and personal items were given for repair.
During this work, the products received side micro impurities, the analysis of which makes it possible to distinguish one workshop from another. In total, over two years of research, the scientists examined about 550 bronze and brass objects. They elucidated the distinctive features characteristic of the belongings of different legions by analyzing artifacts whose association with specific legions is known from written sources.
As a result of the study, the scientists came to the conclusion that the artifacts associated with the XIX legion differ significantly from the belongings of other Roman units that were located in Germany. In addition, the finds from Dangstetten, where this part was located before the battle, and the artifacts from Kalkrise turned out to be identical in impurities. At the same time, the artifacts from the camps of the legions that did not die in the battle differ significantly in their composition. Scholars have concluded that this serves as additional evidence in favor of the demise of the XIX Legion at Kalkryse. This casts doubt on the argument of critics of the hypothesis that numerous Roman objects found in this territory may be related to the campaign of the general Germanicus in AD 15.
Photo: German soldiers attack (Otto Albert Koch / Public Domain)
Milk thistle is an ancient plant with a pinkish purple flower that was used historically as medicine. Today, it’s a popular supplement for supporting liver health. The high levels of antioxidants, including the flavonoid silymarin responsible for many of milk thistle’s disease-preventing benefits. You can take milk thistle as a capsule or herbal extract, though you can also brew milk thistle tea. Here are five health benefits of milk thistle proven by research:
1. Supports Liver Health
As detoxifier of your blood, the liver is constantly processing toxins. These toxins can damage the liver if it’s not protected by antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are damage-causing molecules from toxins. Some antioxidants, such as glutathione, are produced naturally by your liver, though this production declines with age. In addition to supplying antioxidants itself, milk thistle has also been found to boost the liver’s own production of glutathione.
The most powerful active substance in milk thistle is silymarin — an antioxidant shown to protect liver cells against mutation and damage. It acts as a toxin blockade by preventing toxins from binding to receptors on liver cell membranes.[1] These findings suggest milk thistle could be a useful agent in helping to prevent liver cirrhosis, liver disease, and potentially liver cancer.
2. Protects the Aging Brain
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Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that attacks the brain, causing a decline in mental ability that worsens over time. It is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. There is no current cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are medications that can help ease the symptoms.
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While there are no human studies on milk thistle’s effects on people with neurodegenerative diseases, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of milk thistle could assist in mitigating the effects of aging on the brain.
Traditional milk thistle extract is made from the seeds.
3. Supports Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
The active substance in milk thistle known as silymarin can also help control blood sugar levels. A review published in the Journal of Diabetes Research looked at five clinical trials involving 270 patients. It concluded that silymarin significantly reduces blood sugar levels and could potentially help diabetics and prediabetics with glycemic control.[3] Drinking milk thistle tea with a meal may help prevent blood sugar spikes, and supplementing with milk thistle regularly could lower your risk of developing diabetes.
4. May Help Fight Cancer
The silymarin in milk thistle may help in preventing the development of cancer. It works by supporting the body’s natural immune response against cancer cells and by directly inhibiting tumor growth. In test tube studies, silymarin has been shown to protect against breast, prostate, bladder, skin, colon, kidney, and lung cancers.[4] Human trials are lacking, but antioxidants like silymarin found in milk thistle show promise in research done outside the body.
5. Increases Breast Milk Production
Silymarin in milk thistle is a galactagogue, which means it increases the production and flow of breast milk in lactating mothers. In a 2-month study, mothers taking 420 mg of silymarin daily increased their breast milk production by 86% compared to mothers taking a placebo. The study also confirmed silymarin supplementation did not affect the quality of the milk supply, which means it’s a great remedy for lactating mothers struggling with low milk supply.[5]
6. Improves Acne
Acne treatments are typically topical products applied to the face. Interestingly, oral supplementation with milk thistle has been linked to improved acne symptoms. In one study on 56 patients, just eight weeks of milk thistle intervention reduced acne lesion count by 53%. The researchers attributed these results to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle.[6]
7. Supports Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women
Supplementing consistently with milk thistle could help menopausal and postmenopausal women prevent osteoporosis — the thinning of bone density that puts your bones at high risk of fracturing and breaking. Postmenopausal women are at the highest risk of osteoporosis because the loss of estrogen is linked to a loss of bone density.
The silymarin in milk thistle makes it a phytoestrogen, which means it acts on estrogen receptors and has estrogen-like effects when estrogen levels are deficient. In a mouse model of osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency, oral administration of milk thistle was found to reduce bone loss.[7]
Milk Thistle for Liver Health and Beyond
While milk thistle is best known for its liver health benefits, it’s also a natural remedy that can help with acne, low breast milk supply, high blood sugar, and potentially even age-related cognitive decline. Milk thistle also helps prevent cancer, osteoporosis in women, and illnesses of the liver. Some milk thistle supplements are concentrated in silymarin, while other capsules contain the whole powder ground. As with any herb, it’s important to stay within the recommended daily dose written on the product label.
References:
“Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future” by Ludovico Abenavoli, Raffaele Capasso, Natasa Milic and Francesco Capasso, 7 June 2010, Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3207
“Silymarin Attenuated the Amyloid β Plaque Burden and Improved Behavioral Abnormalities in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model” by Nakaba Murata, Kazuma Murakami, Yusuke Ozawa, Noriaki Kinoshita, Kazuhiro Irie, Takuji Shirasawa and Takahiko Shimizu, 23 November 2010, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. DOI: 10.1271/bbb.100524
“Silymarin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” by Luminita Voroneanu, Ionut Nistor, Raluca Dumea, Mugurel Apetrii and Adrian Covic, 1 June 2016, Journal of Diabetes Research. DOI: 10.1155/2016/5147468
“Silibinin – A Promising New Treatment for Cancer” by Catherine Wing Ying Cheung, Norma Gibbons, David Wayne Johnson and David Lawrence, 2010, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. DOI: 10.2174/1871520611009030186
“Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue” by Francesco Di Pierro, Alberto Callegari, Domenico Carotenuto and Marco Mollo Tapia, December 2008, Acta Biomedica Atenei Parmensis. PMID: 19260380
“Effects of Oral Antioxidants on Lesion Counts Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Papulopustular Acne” by Ahmed Salih Sahib, Haidar Hamid Al-Anbari, Mohammed Salih and Fatima Abdullah, 2012, Journal of Clinical & ExperimentalDermatology Research. DOI: 10.4172/2155-9554.1000163
“Antiosteoclastic Activity of Milk Thistle Extract after Ovariectomy to Suppress Estrogen Deficiency-Induced Osteoporosis” by Jung-Lye Kim, Yun-Ho Kim, Min-Kyung Kang, Ju-Hyun Gong, Seoung-Jun Han and Young-Hee Kang, 28 May 2013, BioMed Research International. DOI: 10.1155/2013/919374
