Let’s have a look at Tel Aviv, Israel, to see if we can find some new gems coming in the world of Rock ‘n’ roll, using that latter term in its broadest meaning. Well, there are. Roi Kraus is one of them.
Roi is new to the scene. Before 2021, you could not have heard of him. Nevertheless, his voice has a kind of maturity that you usually don’t find in newcomers. It’s deep, it’s grunge, it’s soulful.
His latest release “Inside Your Void” touched me and I wanted to share some thoughts about it. It first resonated in me bringing back to my emotional memories the best of Nirvana. Not only in the Roi’s voice, but even more in the harmony and melody that go flirting with some grunge rock of the legendary band. I know it can look as an overstatement, but I really had the feeling that this song could act as a continuum of the Kurt Cobain’s team. Of course, Roi guitar solos, on his Les Paul Gibson, are far more elaborated than Kurt’s ones (and don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the usual three-note solos of Nirvana), but still, you’ve got the Grunge feeling, and that makes it good rock.
Roi Kraus
Now the song has a spiritual meaning. At least that’s how I take it. “Inside your void” appeared to me as a rock ‘n’ roll call for meditation, finding a spiritual way to your inner core, a place where you can be yourself as a child, or as something or someone that nothing can alter. That’s bringing some profoundness that don’t find in the usual dark side of the grunge music.
It’s quite a simple and aerial arrangement, with guitars, bass, drums and a cello (which gives a nice touch and really adds to the song), and it’s very efficient, as it can be for that genre.
The song has been produced by Nim Friedrich, a talented Tel Aviv based producer, who did a very good job, mixing the 90’s rock vibes with more modern sounds and style. It’s part of an eponym EP that contains other good songs, that I urge you to listen to.
It’s definitely a nice discovery that I want to share with you. I hope you’ll like it as I did, and that you will follow up on his career and keep discovering his new songs that I know are coming.
The persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses is going on unabated. In the last eight months, 26 of them have been sentenced for merely practicing their religion in private and put behind bars. Here is the list of the last six Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced on 25 August 2022 and serving heavy prison terms:
Vladimir Atryakhin, 35 years (6 years)
Georgiy Nikulin, 59 years (4 years and 2 months)
Yelena Nikulina, 54 years (4 years and 2 months)
Aleksandr Shevchuk, 33 years (2 years)
Aleksandr Korolev, 42 years (2 years)
Denis Antonov, 46 years (2 years)
They were all prosecuted under Criminal Code Article 282.2, Part 2 (“Organisation of” or “Participation in the activity of a social or religious association or other organisation in relation to which a court has adopted a decision legally in force on liquidation or ban on the activity in connection with the carrying out of extremist activity”):
Article 282.2, Part 2 – two to six years’ imprisonment, plus a possible ban on holding certain positions and/or carrying out certain activities for up to five years and compulsory restrictions on freedom for up to one year after release; or a 300,000 to 600,000 Rouble fine; or one to four years’ assigned labour, plus a possible ban on holding certain positions and/or carrying out certain activities for up to three years and compulsory restrictions on freedom for up to one year.
Others who were arrested in 2022 are detained and waiting for their trial.
In 2019, several Jehovah’s Witnesses of Saransk, a city located far in Siberia, were prosecuted for gathering to discuss about the Bible. As the movement of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been banned as an extremist organization since 2017, all their collective activities are considered illegal.
Vladimir Atryakhin
Vladimir Atryakhin was born in 1987 in the village of Rozhdestveno (Mordovia). Since his childhood, he has loved sports and has enjoyed playing football, volleyball, hockey…
He is a professional programmer and works as a system administrator for two companies. He also edits a scientific journal at Mordovian State University. He is respected by the neighbors—he heads the house committee in the residential building where he lives.
In 2009, Vladimir got married with Mariya. The couple have two small children who were 7 months and 2 years old at the time of their father’s arrest. More here.
Georgiy Nikulin
Georgiy Nikulin was born in 1963 in the city of Rovenki (Ukraine). After school, he graduated from college with a degree in driver-car mechanic. Subsequently, he mastered several more specialties: graphic designer, satellite communications radio technician, equipment maintenance mechanic, printing, woodcarving. He worked in all these areas.
He often had to move in connection with work – he lived in Zhytomyr (Ukraine), Tolyatti (Samara region) and in Yakutia. Over time, together with his wife Elena, he moved to Saransk, where the family was able to settle in their own house for the first time.
Sudden criminal prosecution and a long stay in a pre-trial detention center undermined his health. More here.
Elena Nikulina
Elena Nikulina was born in 1968 in the village of Monastyrsk (Mordovia). As a child, Elena was fond of cross-country skiing and sewing.
After school, she studied as a dressmaker and cutter. In search of work, she moved to Saransk and Togliatti. She worked as a seamstress at various enterprises, was engaged in cleaning the premises. In 2016, Elena married Georgiy.
The criminal prosecution affected both spouses: Georgiy spent 147 days behind bars, both lost their jobs and lost their livelihoods. Elena experienced a nervous shock, she became afraid to stay at home alone. More here.
Aleksandr Shevchuk
Aleksandr Shevchuk was born in 1989 in Pyatigorsk (Stavropol Territory). He grew up in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many of his relatives survived the religious persecution of the Soviet years. His great-grandparents were exiled in 1951 to Siberia where his parents were born.
At school, he was a motivated student. He learnt garden and park construction. When he was called up for military service, he opted for an alternative civilian service which he carried out in Khimki near Moscow.
Later he moved to Saransk, where he worked in the furniture industry. He loves sports, especially basketball and table tennis. More here.
Aleksandr Korolev
Aleksandr Korolev was born in 1978 in the Zemetchinsky district of the Penza region.
He became a tractor driver and worked on a collective farm as a shepherd and livestock breeder. Recently he has worked as a carpenter-fitter of wooden products.
For some time, he lived in the village of Akim-Sergeevka (Mordovia) and then moved to Saransk where he met his future wife Natalya. At that time, she was raising her son alone. They got married in 2006.
The criminal prosecution has brought anxiety, worry and uncertainty into the life of the family. The parents of Aleksandr and Nataliya worry about their spouses and try to support them. More here.
Denis Antonov
Denis Antonov was born in 1976 in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic). His family moved frequently, as his father worked as an agronomist and helped on collective farms in the north of Siberia.
He entered a technical school in Vorkuta, in the north of Siberia, where he received a degree in mining electromechanics. For about five years he worked at the mine as an underground electrician, then as a janitor, a building maintenance worker, and most recently as a house foreman.
In 2015, Denis married Olga, whom he had known since 1996. She worked as a cook in a coal factory and in a kindergarten. The couple moved from Vorkuta to Saransk to take care of Olga’s elderly mother, who was left alone after her husband’s death. During a search, the authorities took away their workbooks and other documents related to their religion. More here.
The cities of Rotterdam, Glasgow, Umeå, Brno, Parma and Gdańsk are sharing lessons learnt while accelerating the smart city model across Europe at conference in Rotterdam 5 September 2022 – Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tomorrow, the Smart Cities project RUGGEDISED, which receives funding under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, will host its final event at the Ahoy Conference Centre in the Heart of South neighbourhood of Rotterdam. The project’s final showcase will be followed by the Recharge Earth Energy Transition Conference, taking place on 7 – 8 September at the same location.
Since 2016, RUGGEDISED has united three lighthouse cities: Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Glasgow (Scotland) and Umeå (Sweden) and three fellow cities: Brno (Czech Republic), Gdańsk (Poland) and Parma (Italy) to test, implement and accelerate the smart city model across Europe. Working in close partnership with businesses and research centres, these six cities have demonstrated how to combine ICT, e-mobility and energy solutions to design smart, resilient cities for all.
“Rotterdam is committed to a climate-neutral future and together with a strong group of dedicated cities, we have managed to take the first steps through the RUGGEDISED project, which has created a solid base for the transformation towards more livable districts for our residents,” says Albert Engels, RUGGEDISED Coordinator, City of Rotterdam.
Four RUGGEDISED cities – Rotterdam, Glasgow, Umeå and Parma – were also selected to take part in the EU Cities Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. The Cities Mission aims to position 100 EU cities – with 12 more from associated countries – as climate-neutral leaders. The cities will pursue innovative and experimental avenues to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030, while paving the way for others.
The impact and lessons learnt through implementing smart solutions in Rotterdam, Glasgow and Umeå will be discussed during this final event, in addition to exploring how these solutions have advanced urban transitions in Brno, Parma and Gdańsk. Outcomes from the project will feed into the Scalable Cities initiative, which collates findings from the 18 smart city projects funded under Horizon 2020.
Background
RUGGEDISED is a smart city project funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It brings together three lighthouse cities: Rotterdam, Glasgow and Umeå and three fellow cities: Brno, Gdańsk and Parma to test, implement and accelerate the smart city model across Europe.
Working in partnership with businesses and research centres these six cities have demonstrated how to combine ICT, e-mobility and energy solutions to design smart, resilient cities for all. This means improving the quality of life of citizens, reducing the environmental impact of activities and creating a stimulating environment for sustainable economic development. For more information RUGGEDISED Recharge Earth City of Rotterdam About ICLEI Europe
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides members in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe works closely with an extended network of local and regional governments and partners on a broad range of topics. Press contact Schuyler Cowan Officer Media and Outreach team ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability [email protected] This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 731198. The sole responsibility for the content of this press release lies with the RUGGEDISED project and in no way reflects the views of the European Union.
If you’re a millennial, chances are you’ve been told you’re entitled, lazy, and selfish. But despite all the negativity, there’s one area where millennials are truly excelling: taking over the internet.
Whether starting their businesses, becoming social media influencers or developing innovative new technologies, millennials are making their mark on the digital world. And as they continue to grow in influence, they’re also significantly impacting the economy. Here is a look at how millennials are taking over the internet—and why it matters for the economy’s future.
There’s no doubt that millennials are the most tech-savvy generation. They grew up during a time when the internet was beginning to become mainstream, and as a result, they’re more comfortable with technology than any other generation. This comfort level with technology has translated into several ways millennials are making their mark online.
For starters, millennials are starting their businesses at an unprecedented rate. In fact, according to Forbes, 44% of millennial entrepreneurs say that technology has made it easier to start a business. Thanks to platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, it’s easier than ever for millennial entrepreneurs to get funding for their businesses. And thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, it’s easier than ever for them to market their products and services to a broad audience.
Social Media Influencers
In addition to starting their businesses, millennials are becoming social media influencers. A social media influencer has built up a large following on social media and uses that platform to promote products or services. Instagram is particularly popular among social media influencers; influencers say that Instagram is their favorite platform to use. And given that millennials make up the vast majority of Instagram users, it’s no surprise that more and more of them are using the platform to build their brands and promote everything from fashion brands to fitness programs.
Millennials Are The Future Of New Technology
Millennials are also developing innovative new technologies. For example, millennials now make up the majority of app developers worldwide. In addition, many successful startups have been founded by millennial entrepreneurs; according to Business Insider, companies like Airbnb and Tumblr were founded by millennials who saw a need in the market and used technology to fill it.
As millennials continue to increase their influence online, they’re also significantly impacting the economy. Perhaps the most obvious way they’re doing this is by starting their businesses; as we mentioned earlier, millennial entrepreneurs say that technology has made it easier for them to start a business. And given that there are now over 60 million millennial entrepreneurs in the United States alone, that’s having a significant impact on job growth and economic expansion.
Moreover, social media influencers’ popularity changes how companies do marketing and advertising. In particular, many companies are now working with social media influencers instead of traditional celebrities to reach millennial consumers.
Remote Working
The internet has completely transformed the way we work. No longer are we tied to physical office space; instead, we can work from anywhere in the world, thanks to the power of the internet. This flexibility is especially appealing to millennials, who value work/life balance and freedom over traditional 9-to-5 jobs.
As a result, millennials are increasingly eschewing traditional office jobs in favor of remote work. A recent study found that 42% of millennials would instead work remotely than in an office. And it’s not just freelancers and solopreneurs who are moving to remote work; more and more companies are offering remote positions, and some are even going so far as to ditch their physical office spaces altogether.
What does this shift mean for the economy? For one, it’s opening up opportunities for people who might not otherwise have access to good jobs. No longer is location a barrier to employment; as long as you have a strong internet connection, you can work from anywhere.
This is especially beneficial for people who live in rural areas or small towns, where good jobs can be hard to come by. It’s also great for parents who want to stay home with their kids and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses that make it difficult to leave the house.
Of course, some challenges come with this new way of working. For one, staying motivated cannot be accessible when you’re not in a traditional office setting. And, if you’re not careful, it’s easy to get too comfortable and start slacking off.
But, overall, the benefits of remote work far outweigh the challenges. And as more and more millennials enter the workforce, we can only expect the remote work trend to continue to grow.
The Future Of Online Marketing Is Here
The internet has completely changed the landscape of marketing and advertising. Businesses are no longer limited to traditional marketing methods, such as print ads or television commercials. Now, companies can reach a wider audience through online channels such as social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO).
And millennials are leading the charge.
As the largest generation in history, millennials are quickly becoming the most powerful consumers in the world. And they are using their spending power to reshape the economy—including how businesses market and sell their products and services.
Education Is Becoming More And More Accessible
The internet has made education more accessible than ever before. As a result, a growing number of people can take advantage of online learning opportunities which were previously unavailable. This is particularly true for millennials, who are often thought to be the most tech-savvy generation.
According to a recent National Center for Education Statistics report, nearly 60% of millennials have taken at least one online course. This is compared to just over 50% of Gen Xers and 40% of baby boomers. Online learning has become so popular that it’s now considered mainstream.
There are several reasons why millennials are drawn to online learning. For many, it’s simply more convenient than traditional classroom-based instruction. With online courses, learners can study at their own pace and schedule. This is ideal for millennials who are often balancing work and other commitments.
In addition, online learning is often more affordable than traditional education. For example, many schools and universities offer discounted rates for online students. And there are several free online learning resources available, such as MOOCs (massive open online courses). And It’s become so easy that you can have a live chat online with your tutor or professor- something that wasn’t possible before! You can learn more about live chat software here.
Millennials significantly impact the economy by making education more accessible and affordable. As more and more people learn online, businesses and organizations are starting to notice. As a result, they’re adapting their products, services, and marketing efforts to appeal to this growing demographic.
Governments And Policy Makers
It’s not just businesses that are affected by the rise of online learning. Governments and policymakers are also taking notice. They’re starting to invest in digital infrastructure and initiatives that will make online learning even more accessible. For example, the European Commission has launched several digital education initiatives, including the EU Schoolnet project, which aims to promote young people’s digital literacy and 21st-century skills.
Virtual Reality And The Future
The way we shop is changing. No longer are we limited to brick-and-mortar stores or even e-commerce sites. With the rise of virtual reality, shoppers can now explore products in a completely immersive environment.
It’s not just retail that VR is disrupting. The travel industry also uses technology to give potential customers a taste of their products. For example, hotels and resorts are creating virtual reality experiences that let users explore different locations and accommodations before they book a stay.
Even real estate is getting in on the action. With VR, homebuyers can take virtual tours of properties before making an offer.
While VR is still in its early stages, it’s clear that technology significantly impacts the economy. And it’s being driven mainly by millennials.
As digital natives, millennials are comfortable with new technologies like VR. They’re also more likely to take risks and embrace change. That makes them perfect early adopters of VR.
As digital natives, millennials are the first generation to grow up with the internet as a part of their everyday lives. This makes them uniquely qualified to take advantage of the opportunities the internet offers. From social media to e-commerce, millennials are leading the charge in creating and consuming content online. And as they enter the workforce, they are bringing their tech-savvy skills.
Millennials are now the largest demographic in the workforce, and they significantly impact the economy. Businesses that don’t adapt to the changing demands of this generation will find themselves struggling to stay relevant. So what does the future hold for millennials and the internet? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: they are poised to change the world as we know it.
Globally, we consumed nearly 10 billion kilograms of coffee in 2020. Europeans consumed more than 3 billion kilograms of coffee, making Europeans the absolute leader. In Europe, coffee is most popular in Finland. Finns consume more than 12 kilograms of coffee per person per year.
2.Espresso means “squeezed” The Italian word espresso translates as “squeezed”. This of course applies to the preparation of the coffee. Espresso is made by passing hot water through finely ground and pressed coffee under high pressure.
3. Coffee as a forbidden drink In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed that coffee stimulated radical thinking. Because of this, the drink was banned. Coffee has also been banned in Italy for a while. In the 16th century, coffee was banned by Italian clergy because they believed the drink was “satanic.” Pope Clement VIII was a real coffee lover, he lifted the ban and in 1600 even named coffee.
4. If you drink coffee, you live longer on average Research shows that there is a link between moderate coffee consumption (3 to 4 cups a day) with a longer life. Three cups of coffee a day will guarantee you…
5. Coffee grounds are good for the skin Save the coffee grounds! Coffee grounds remove dead skin cells, leaving skin feeling smoother and looking more radiant. It is also stated that caffeine can improve blood circulation in the skin.
6. The most expensive coffee comes from cat poop The most expensive coffee in the world owes its price to a very special production step: grinding. The Asian palm civet, a small creature that looks like a weasel, eats the bright red coffee fruits. The civet cannot fully digest the grains and so they are discarded. The beans are then removed from the civet droppings and (hopefully) washed thoroughly. The beans are then sold for about $600 per 500 grams.
7. It is possible to overdose on coffee Did you know that it is possible to overdose on coffee? A life-threatening caffeine overdose is extremely rare, but possible. Drink up to 400 milligrams of coffee a day to prevent this. That’s roughly 4 cups of coffee. Higher coffee consumption can lead to migraines, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors and nausea.
8. Coffee made it possible for Brazil to go to the Olympics Brazil did not have enough money to send its 69 athletes to Los Angeles for the 1932 Summer Olympics. The athletes were put on a ship with 50,000 bags of coffee, which they sold in various ports along the road. Good thing Brazil has been one of the biggest coffee producers in the world for decades, otherwise the athletes wouldn’t be at the Olympics. Athletes have not won a single medal at these Olympics. Why start drinking green coffee?
9. You don’t need coffee right after you get up You shouldn’t need coffee anyway. Cortisol is a naturally produced hormone that helps people feel alert. When you wake up in the morning, your cortisol level is at its highest. In theory, you shouldn’t need caffeine. Between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., cortisol levels begin to drop. Then it’s the perfect time for a cup of delicious coffee.
10. Car-puccino A car that runs on coffee sounds like something futuristic. However, it is closer than you think! Scientists have successfully turned ground coffee into biodiesel. So one day coffee can provide fuel for your car! The longest journey in a coffee-powered car was recorded by Guinness World Records and was done by a car in 2010. This car traveled over 300 kilometers using 56 espressos per kilometer to reach a speed of almost 100 kilometers per hour. In March 2010 a 1988 Volkswagon Scirocco was driven 337 km from London to Manchester (UK) powered by coffee. The modified car works by heating the coffee granules in a charcoal fire, when then break down into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The gas is then cooled and filtered before the hydrogen is combusted to drive the engine. The process works because coffee granules contain a small amount of carbon.
China’s carbon dioxide emissions fell by 8% in the April to June quarter compared with the same period a year earlier, the “sharpest decline in a decade,” the Financial Times reported, citing new analysis for Carbon Brief .
The release continued: “The drop in emissions reflects the dramatic slowdown in China’s economic growth caused by the massive coronavirus lockdowns and the crisis in the heavily indebted real estate sector.
This is the fourth quarter in a row that emissions in China, the world’s largest emitter, have fallen.”
The report added that the latest decline was similar in magnitude to those in the first three months of 2020, when the first wave of Covid-19 effectively shut down China’s economy.
The document said: “An unprecedented heat wave and drought caused further disruptions in the current quarter…
With hydropower generation well below normal levels, analysts predict China will turn to coal to increase electricity supplies, despite the inevitable impact on emissions.”
We look for partners who are similar to us, even at the gene level, without realizing it, a new study has found.
These mating preferences are statistically significant and play a role in shaping the human genome, summarize the authors cited by Science.
The full text of the report is published in the journal Science Human Behavior.
A team from the University of Queensland, Australia, claims that you are most likely to marry someone who is very similar to you. Someone of similar height, weight, someone of similar intelligence. And this doesn’t happen because “curly donkeys sniff each other out”, as the saying goes, it happens because we actively seek out friends with a genetic heritage similar to our own.
Genetic similarity
Researchers analyze databases of physical and genetic characteristics of people. They sample more than 24,000 married couples of European origin. For each couple, genetic markers for various traits, including height and body mass index (BMI), were isolated for one partner. Using this information, scientists then try to predict the same characteristic of the other partner. If one person’s genetic material predisposes him to be tall, for example, his partner is expected to be tall as well. The purpose of the study is to find correlations in these traits. The final step is to compare these predicted characteristics with the real situation.
The team found a strong statistical correlation between a person’s genetic height markers and their partner’s actual height. The scientists also identified a weaker but still statistically significant correlation between the genes regulating BMI and the partners’ actual BMI.
The correlation is much stronger than we would expect to see if mating were random. These findings are evidence that people actively seek partners with a genetic makeup similar to their own, the team reports.
Choosing mates based on similar traits is a pattern of sexual selection known as “assortative mating.” This allows people to pass these traits on to their offspring. In fact, this practice increases relatedness in family groups and helps offspring survive better—provided that this trait is beneficial in their environment. This is also observed in animal populations.
The team also found evidence of assortative mating and other traits in 7,780 pairs in the UK database. They report “extremely high correlation” for genetic markers associated with education. It’s unlikely that people chose their friends based on the years they spent in school, meaning they were more likely to choose based on similar interests – which is often associated with level of education, said team member Matthew Robinson. ), a postdoctoral fellow in the Genetics Laboratory at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
Assortative mating affects the genomic structure of people’s traits,” Robinson added. As such, the findings are useful for creating more accurate genetic models to predict the likelihood that family members will inherit diseases or physical traits.
Interestingly, in their notes, many correspondents of Russian newspapers agree that Russia was poorly prepared for a long war with Turkey. So, the former secretary of the Russian embassy in Constantinople, who volunteered to participate in the war of 1877-1878. A.N. Tseretelev wrote the following at the beginning of the war, after meeting Russian officers. “When I see many officers up close … firstly, ignorance is striking: for the most part they do not know where Brailov belongs to Galati, Romania or Turkey, on which side of the Danube Ruschuk … I’m not talking about the lack of any knowledge of ethnography and the geography of Turkey… But that’s not all: at every step one can already hear complaints about drunkenness, violence, outrages in taverns and coffee shops.”[115] This entry was made in Galati, April 25, 1877, and it vividly characterizes what was hushed up by official propaganda: the low level of moral and professional preparedness of part of the officer corps.
The situation has changed little over time. Nemirovich-Danchenko, passing through Zimnitsa and Sistovo in the summer of 1877, noted that “unfortunately, nowhere is a conscious attitude to the matter to be seen. The forces of the Turks in Plevna are not known to anyone; everyone is convinced that soon we will finish with Osman.”[116] Speaking about this correspondent, it should be generally noted that he did not hesitate to be critical of everything that happened in the theater of operations. So, for example, in August, he noted that the campaign was unnecessarily dragged out, and yet neither Plevna, nor Ruschuk, nor Shumla had yet been taken. “And having crossed after three victories,” he wrote, “for the Balkans, we will have to measure our strength with the third army, the army of Suleiman Pasha, which no one has ever defeated and all the fictions about General Gurko’s victory over it were created by foreign correspondents who did not bother check the rumors, just as they invented the unprecedented capture of Razgrad.”[117] His characterization of the Shipka position, which the Russian military considered key in the Balkans, is also interesting. “By the way, about the significance of Shipka,” wrote V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko in early October 1877 – This is the most inconvenient of all mountain passes. In the Balkans, dozens are better than him and less protected. We are standing here, not stepping back – so as not to cause panic in the Bulgarian population of Gabrovo, Drenov and Tarnov, so as not to give rise to alarm in Russia and to the triumph of our enemies in Europe.[118]
But M.A. Gasenkampf, among other things, devoted a lot of space in his diary to the order in the field headquarters and, in particular, to the relations of the assistant chief of staff K.V. Levitsky with officers of the General Staff. M.A. Gazenkampf himself was a General Staff officer, so this topic was close to him, especially considering how the officers of the General Staff, who were in the staff headquarters, were used. “Officers of the General Staff,” wrote M.A. Gazenkampf, – they are embittered at him (K.V. Levitsky – O.G.), because he failed to arrange their situation: inexperienced orderlies are sent on assignments for the General Staff, and the officers of the General Staff sit idle or are busy with current unimportant work ”.[119] K.V. Levitsky really enjoyed little respect at the headquarters. He was a protege of the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich and did not differ in great abilities, if not to say that he was deprived of them. “The highest officials do not even consult with Levitsky on issues that he, as the chief of officers of the General Staff, should be in charge of.”[120] So, princes Nikolai and Evgeny Maximilianovich consulted not with him, but with M.A. Gazenkampf, which of the officers of the General Staff should be asked to appoint to be with them. It is not surprising that “officers of the General Staff,” wrote M.A. Gasenkampf, – they always want to leave the main apartment anywhere. The reasons are quite understandable: in every detachment, the officer of the General Staff is in sight and in serious work, and in the main apartment he is completely overshadowed by the adjutants and orderlies of the Grand Duke. They are given all the prominent and serious assignments, and the officers of the General Staff either pore over the papers or are forced to wander around idle.”[121]
But V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko noted shortcomings in the area that directly concerned the officers of the General Staff – the organization of undercover intelligence. Exaggerating, he nevertheless presented the situation correctly on the whole. “Also, some of our scouts are poorly organized, while Turkish spies are prowling all over the country. Back in Chisinau, people who understood the seriousness of the situation and knew Turkish forces better than our diplomats offered to organize a mass of scouts in Turkey itself. Our blindness was so great that this proposal was not put into motion. “Forgive me, we will finish the campaign in three months, why spend money on scouts!” Thanks to these far-sighted optimists, throughout the campaign we had no information about the movements of the Turks, while they received the most accurate about ours.”[122] As an example, V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko cited the example of General Boreisha at Shipka, when he “saw the army of Suleiman, but did not understand its movement”, and because of his mistake, the Russian troops were almost completely defeated.[123] True, in this state of affairs it was not so much the General Staff officers who were involved in the organization of intelligence that were to blame, but the top military leadership, who expected to end the war in two to three months.
Most correspondents noted indignantly that many wanted to profit from the war. Both states and people. So, “the Romanians took our side by virtue of the consciousness of the benefits of their role as “allies,” wrote N.V. Maksimov, – both materially and politically; that is why a very special relationship was immediately established between us, in which cold efficiency took the place of hot feelings. They tried to furnish every step of their further complicity in accordance with the requirements of their national pride, independence and honor, although this honor sometimes seemed rather dubious.”[124] Moreover, it was customary to blame the Jews for all troubles without exception. It must be said that the latter deserved such accusations (especially because of the Greger, Gorvits, Kogan company, which provided the Russian army with poor-quality food and fodder and profited well from these supplies). So, V.V. Krestovsky noted a sharp increase in prices with the entry of the Russian army into Romania. “Well, they are fighting here! – he was indignant upon arrival in Iasi. “It’s a pity especially for those soldiers who complain strongly that the Romanians and Jews cheat them in every possible way with every purchase and when exchanging money.”[125] Arriving in Ploiesti, V.V. Krestovsky was extremely surprised by the cost of hotels – 10 francs per day or 300 (about 120 rubles) per month.[126] “To the Jews, we must also owe that rise in prices for all products of vital necessity,” he noted, “which manifested itself here shortly after the crossing of our troops across the Romanian border.” “Jews, as you know, are masters of all trades, and are always ready to serve both ours and yours, so long as this service presents the possibility of a profitable gesheft. You will supply a Jew and fodder, and sometimes he will serve as a spy … In Ploesty … these days they even caught one goose, adorning himself with various orders, and who arrived here as an alleged correspondent … Meanwhile, he came to fuss about admitting him to the army, as correspondent … and for this purpose entered the office of the chief of staff, where, as they say, he was safely arrested.”[127]
A N.V. Maksimov described the situation in Romania with the entry of the Russian army in the following way. “Four main parties were noticeable in Chisinau: the party of “doers”, the party of “neutral residents” from the local intelligentsia … the party of “thirsty and hungry” and the so-called common people … The party of “doers” was busy from morning to night. They walked, drove, ran, fussed… And the more they walked and drove, the more serious they became and the more impregnable they seemed… the party of “thirsty and hungry” did not reason, but acted… The arena was wide: crackers, horse fodder , the supply of provisions, the wiring of railways, the markitanism, the acquisition of the necessary materials for crossing the Danube, and even such innocent things as, for example, telegrams.”[128] As a result, he comes to the conclusion that “at first, the arena of military activity presented itself as a wide field on which vampires of various positions and nationalities squabbled, tearing pieces out of each other’s mouths in the rear of the army and raking out everything that could be raked out from an item of public use, called a “money bag”.[129]
After the army crossed the Danube, the situation did not improve. “Since our army crossed the Danube, whole regiments of Jews, Romanians, Greeks and people of the most indeterminate nationality appeared in Zimnitsa … All these gentlemen … put together … wooden benches, laid out their goods … and began without a twinge of conscience to rob and rob anyone who only tried to buy something from them … Drunkenness was exorbitant in Zimnitsa. Theft was developed amazingly.”[130]
On the whole, it can be said that the Russian correspondents of the second group described the war in various ways in their letters, diaries, and telegrams. They showed all its unsightly underside: death, dirt, hundreds of crippled lives, the incompetence of many higher ranks, theft and corruption that corroded the army bureaucracy. In their correspondence, war is not a feat, but dirty, deadly and ungrateful to most of the army, work. “War is terribly sobering when you see it face to face.”[131] This phrase, uttered by one of the Russian correspondents, best illustrates the whole truth of the war, which such correspondents as V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko, A.D. Ivanov, N.V. Maksimov and others tried to convey to the Russian society.
Even during the war, many of the correspondents (both Russian and foreign) were awarded awards. They were submitted by M.A. Gazenkampf commanders of the detachments with whom the correspondents were in battle, and he, in turn, submitted it for consideration by the Commander-in-Chief. So, the correspondent of the newspaper “New time” V.S. Rossolovsky and the newspapers “Daily News” A. Forbes received for the battle near Plevna on July 18, 1877 the Order of St.. Stanislav 3rd class. with swords. Correspondents of “New time” A.D. Ivanov and the newspapers “The Scotsman” Carrick were also awarded the Order of St. Stanislav 3rd class. with swords for the battle on July 18 at the village of Juranli. Ivanov took over the duties of an orderly in this battle and passed orders to the chain, and the second voluntarily undertook to provide first aid to the wounded and bandaged them under the fire of the Turks. The differences of all four correspondents were witnessed by the heads of the detachments in which they were – Gurko and Prince Shakhovsky [132]. Later A.D. Ivanov was also granted the Order of St. Anna 3rd class. with swords. The same order was awarded to the German correspondents Danngauer and von Maree for the battles near Nikopol on July 3 and near Plevna on July 18.[133]
Summing up, it should be noted that the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. was one of the most important events in the history of Russia and the Balkan countries in the 19th century. The interest it aroused in Russia and Europe was enormous. Society demanded constant information about it, military experts were interested in obtaining information about the innovations used in its course. That is why a large role in covering the war was assigned to correspondents.
Notes:
[115] Tseretelev A.N., “Letters from the Campaign”, Russian Bulletin, No. 9 (1878), p. 219.
[116] Nemirovich-Danchenko V.I., The Year of the War…, vol. 1, p. four.
[117] Ibid., p. ten.
[118] Ibid., p. 145.
[119] Gazenkampf M., My diary 1877-78, p. 44.
[120] Ibid.
[121] Ibid., p. 224.
[122] Nemirovich-Danchenko V.I., The Year of the War…, vol. 1, p. 28.
[123] Ibid.
[124] Maksimov N.V., “Beyond the Danube”, No. 5 (1878), p. 167-168.
[125] Krestovsky V.V., Twenty months in the army…, vol. 1, p. 145.
[126] Ibid., p. 164.
[127] Ibid., p. 221-222.
[128] Maksimov N.V., “Beyond the Danube”, No. 4 (1878), p. 258-259.
[129] Ibid., p. 261
[130] Ibid., No. 6, p. 362.
[131] Nemirovich-Danchenko V.I., The Year of the War…, vol. 1, p. 317.
[132] Gazenkampf M., My diary 1877-78, p. 75.
[133] Krestovsky V.V., Collected Works, vol. 5, p. 333.
Source of the illustration: “Snow trenches on Shipka”. Artist V. V. Vereshchagin. – Source: Vinogradov V.I. Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 and the liberation of Bulgaria. – M.: Thought, 1978. – S. 172 (in Russian).
Body and face painting dates back at least 10,000 years. According to Pliny the Elder, even 2,000 years ago, the Romans used natural products in ways that are familiar to us today: they had blush, deodorants, hair dye, anti-wrinkle ointments, breath fresheners, and more.
Over the years, those who have used cosmetics have attracted the admiring glances of others for various reasons – sometimes ritualistic or on the occasion of various honors, but most often, and especially in modern times, the context has always been sexual.
Does wearing makeup really affect how others treat us? Even if it’s easier to accept that makeup affects others’ impression of us, does it really encourage the other person to make the first move?
A study by social psychologist Nicolas Gugen sheds some interesting light on the matter. He used two women who were sitting in a bar in France, in the first case with makeup and in the second case without makeup. In both cases they sat and waited for the men to speak to them.
When a man tried to start a conversation, the woman politely declined the invitation with the excuse that they were expecting friends and signaled the scientists. The procedure was repeated 60 times for one hour in two different bars. Here are the results:
Without makeup – the first contact attempt with both women was after an average of 23 minutes, and then there were attempts on average 1.5 times per hour.
With makeup – first contact was made after an average of 17 minutes and the average number of attempts thereafter was 2 per hour.
These results certainly show that makeup played a significant role in changing men’s behavior, with one-third more men attempting conversation with women when they were wearing makeup.
However, the following details are worth noting. Wearing makeup may have given women more confidence and thus unconsciously changed their behavior to attract more men. And, secondly, the test was conducted in France, and the can-do culture in other countries is very likely to give different results in other places.
North Macedonia submitted a referendum for the Bulgarians
Only days after the Bulgarian Prime Minister Galab Donev and the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovachevski discussed the supply of electricity to ensure the needs of business against the backdrop of global energy. The opposition in North Macedonia submitted a proposal for a referendum to the State Election Commission, reported Nova Macedonia.
That’s what Christian Mickoski did. The consultation will be about the planned changes in the country’s constitution.
They also announced how the question was formulated.
“Are you in favor of repealing the law on the ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, published on January 18, 2017?” reads the question.
The head of state Stevo Pendarovski opposed the proposal. According to him, this could stop the country’s European integration.
The gathering of support for the submission of the proposal is pending. After that, one hundred and fifty thousand people will be needed to support its realization.
There is an idea that the referendum should be mandatory.
“The main topic on which we talked with Prime Minister Donev and his delegation was the energy crisis, which shook all economies around the world.
Today, we are fighting the shortage of electricity and expensive energy carriers, which bring big problems for both citizens and businesses,” Kovacevski announced.
“We reaffirmed the good assessment we have of the created preconditions for the positive development of the dialogue between our two countries and that we will consistently work to deepen constructive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, striving to cover all areas that includes the Agreement on good neighborliness and cooperation between Bulgaria and the RSM and all agreements under the protocols of the Intergovernmental Commission”, stated Galab Donev.
Bulgaria can export about 200 megawatt hours of electricity to the Republic of North Macedonia by the end of March next year, Donev announced after a meeting with his colleague Dimitar Kovachevski.
