Practice makes perfect: simulated trials in East Africa aim to help persecute pirates

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17 August 2022

Practice makes perfect: simulated trials in East Africa aim to help persecute pirates

Kenya, 18 August 2022 – Pirates commandeering a ship – it might seem like a remote, historical problem, seen mostly in movies and children’s adventure books. But modern maritime piracy remains a serious problem across the globe. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), there were 229 piracy attacks in 2020, during which over 100 people were held hostage, several of whom were wounded. Piracy attacks also have the power to disrupt transport and trade flows and potentially increase economic and political instability and food insecurity.

Ensuring that perpetrators of such attacks are brought to justice is crucial to a functioning economy and boosting the safety and security of the maritime industry. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), works closely with governments across the globe to increase capacity to successfully persecute criminals.

One example of such cooperation is through simulated trials in the Western Indian Ocean region of East Africa, held in cooperation with INTERPOL. During the trials, UNODC simulates a maritime crime case with prosecutors, defense lawyers, investigators and maritime law enforcement officers of a country.

The simulated trials help the government and participants to identify potential gaps in domestic legal frameworks when it comes to maritime crime cases, i.e., loopholes that criminals could exploit. Such inconsistencies can doom efforts to prosecute piracy cases, leading to impunity for the accused and limiting access to justice for wronged parties.

The simulations, which take within real court rooms, also help train prosecutors and judges in maritime crime cases, building capacity on challenges like case preparation, evidence handling, witness examination, and case management. In 2022, UNODC successfully conducted simulated trials in Kenya, Seychelles, and Mauritius, with the objective of expanding such exercises to other countries in the region.

“We held a mock boarding exercise [i.e. the participants boarded a ship], where we were taught how to manage crime scenes and handle evidence found at sea…We were also taught how to present such evidence in court,” noted Everlyne Nyambura, police corporal in Kenya’s Coast Guard Services, after the simulation trial in Mombasa. “After this, I will be a better investigating officer.”

“With the simulated trials, it shows that combating crime is taken very seriously [in Seychelles],” declared Frank Ally, Attorney General of the Seychelles. “We hope that this collaboration will be taken further into setting up a maritime crimes unit and eventually a maritime crimes act.”

The next simulated Trial in 2022 will be held in Tanzania from 12-16 September.

Further information

These simulated trials were held thanks to the generous support of the United States of America’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The GMCP program works to strengthen regional cooperation, maritime law enforcement capacity and prison systems. To learn more, click here.

Who are the most religious movie stars?

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17 August 2022

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2048px-Tom_Cruise_(48364274442) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Religious movie stars – For some celebrities, this concept is not just a word

Many religions have their own mythologies, symbols and sacred stories designed to explain the meaning of life or the origin of the world. From religious beliefs about the universe and human nature, people derive practical rules such as morality, ethics, religious law, or a desirable way of life.

According to some estimates, there are about 4,200 religions in the world.

At first glance, it is difficult to connect the images of the stars of cinema and show business with religious themes and temples. For some of them, however, religion is not just a word.

1.Orlando Bloom – the actor accepted Buddhism at the age of 19 after a spinal injury. A friend initiated him into the secrets of Eastern philosophy and explained to him the foundations of this religion. A visit to a Buddhist monastery fascinated the future actor and changed his life forever. Orlando Bloom claims that his faith helps him determine his life priorities and find inner harmony. Buddhism helps the actor in his career, gives him the opportunity to grow spiritually and protects him from “stardom”.

2. Mark Wahlberg – in his younger years, the actor led a stormy nightlife, but in adulthood he became a devout Catholic and an exemplary father. In an interview, the star admits that religion has become an integral part of his life. He recites daily prayers and consults with his confessor and spiritual mentor before accepting a role.

3. Tom Cruise – in the 90s, Tom Cruise became an activist of the Scientology movement. His first wife, Mimi Rogers, introduced him to this religion. In 2016, he sold his home in the US and bought a property in the UK not far from eathquarters of the UK Church of Scientology in Sussex.

4. Denzel Washington – The actor was born into a priest’s family and every day finds time to read something from the Bible. He is a devoted follower of the Pentecostal Church of God. In his youth, he thought about whether he himself would become a priest like his father, but he chose the acting field so that he could preach to millions of people around the world.

5. Ashton Kutcher – His ex-wife Demi Moore introduced him to Kabbalah. Kutcher says that religion helps him find a way out of difficult situations, as well as the answers to important questions. He, in turn, introduced his new wife, Mila Kunis, to Kabbalistic teachings.

How to protect yourself from lightning?

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17 August 2022

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Whether we are outdoors or in the woods, a thunderstorm is a dangerous phenomenon.

The Lightning Protection Handbook:

In open space:

Avoid open space. If you are on a peak or ridge, go down as quickly as possible;

– Turn off all electrical devices. They attract even more electrical activity. If possible, remove the batteries as well;

– Find a safe and dry place. A thunderstorm usually ends in about an hour—enough time to seriously wet the Earth’s surface;

– Try to find a rock ledge, a cave or even a tent in a dry place;

– Watch out for the caves. Although caves can keep you dry, they come with their own dangers. In the event that lightning strikes your cave, stand at least one meter from the walls and three meters from the ceiling;

– Isolate yourself from the ground! Place a scarf or other soft object under your feet.

Thus you will be protected from the flow of electricity on the earth’s surface if lightning strikes near you. Keep in mind that electricity can still pass through the insulation you put in place.

– Whether you are out in the open or in a sheltered place, assume the following position: crouch, bend your head and cover your ears with your hands, and keep your feet together.

In the forest:

– Thunderstorms in the forest are more insidious as you are surrounded by more potential targets.

– If you are with a group take a quick count – especially if lightning strikes near you. Don’t wait for a response if someone in your group is some distance away from you – get to them as quickly as possible. They may need immediate help;

– Avoid tall and lonely trees! They are also a lightning magnet. Some hikers like to shelter under lone trees – a big mistake to avoid.

– Avoid the water! Water is a good electrical conductor. So if lightning strikes, the electric current will spread across the surface in all directions. If you are near water there is also a high chance that the electricity will reach you. So stay away from lakes, springs and even puddles.

– Be careful with the metal parts of the equipment! Experienced climbers keep all metal objects away from the shelter. A safe distance is about 50 meters;

– Extinguish the fire (if any). The smoke plume is an ionized gas that can conduct electricity;

– Latent lightning hazard:

Lightning is dangerous, but even if you avoid a direct strike, that doesn’t mean you’re out of danger. Electromagnetic induction can still harm you if the strike is a meter away or less – meaning that if lightning strikes close enough, the current can still go through your body.

Drivers who do not turn off the engine when braking are fined

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Gaston de Persigny

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17 August 2022

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The French city of Nancy fines drivers who do not turn off their car’s engine when they stop with 135 euros, reports in “Figaro”. The city hall posted a communiqué on Twitter, according to which Socialist Mayor Mathieu Klen issued an order prohibiting drivers from leaving their car engines running when they are not participating in traffic on the streets.

The measure aims not only to protect public health, but also to save energy.

City authorities have followed the example of London and some cities in Belgium and Switzerland, where turning off the engine is now mandatory.

In France, an ordinance dated November 12, 1963 states that stopped or parked vehicles must have the engine off, except when necessary, such as for warming up before setting off in cold weather. The traffic law provides for a fine of 90 euros for violators.

In Nancy, the obligation to switch off the engine when stationary does not apply to ambulances, police, refrigerated food trucks, and when the engine is warmed up in sub-zero temperatures.

Photo Source: Shutterstock

Don‘t you dare go into the sea if you see this at your feet

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News desk

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17 August 2022

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Ground-swel can be known when a person enters the water up to his knees and feels that the sand is disappearing under his feet and the sea begins to “pull” him

As autumn winds begin to blow and dangerous dead swell and undertow appear more and more often. In the early hours of the day the sea may seem calm, but it is not always safe.

Ground-swel can be known when a person enters the water up to his knees and feels that the sand is disappearing under his feet and the sea begins to “pull” him.

If you find yourself in such a phenomenon, you should not panic, but turn on your back, because the human body has buoyancy, and this is the easiest way to detach yourself from the “paws” of the sea.

If you see an empty and quiet space between the waves /as in the pictures/, do not allow yourself to enter the water. The space between the two arrows is actually ground-swel. This is a very strong current that will not allow you to return to the shore, but will drag you far out to sea.

You should also be aware that ground-swel does not drag to the bottom. Inward – yes, but not downward. It is not a whirlpool and only the surface layer of water moves at high speed. It is not wide. It does not exceed 50 m, most often it is 10-20 m. By swimming 20-30 m to the side, you will get out of it. It is not long and does not drag kilometers inland. It quickly weakens where the crests of the waves begin to break. This place is a maximum of 100 m from the coast. If you can’t swim, don’t go swimming where there are no waves and the sea is calmest. The dead excitement is right there.

To get out of it, you don’t have to resist, but follow a simple rule that can help you get out of the embrace of the water and set foot on dry land again. You don’t have to panic and fight ground-swel. It “works” about 100 meters from the shore – that’s the distance it can usually take you.

The dead current is perpendicular to the coastline. Once you feel its strength diminishing, start swimming parallel to the shore. The moment you can do it and the water isn’t pushing you back, head straight for the beach using the waves for help.

The favorite flower of all children hides a magical secret and healing power

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News desk

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17 August 2022

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Because of its resemblance to a lion or dragon, in ancient times it was believed that the “lion’s mouth” could ward off evil spirits

One of the most common and common garden flowers is the snapdragon, but few people today know about the strange mysteries that this plant hides.

We all played as children with this flower. Antirrhinum is known as “lion’s mouth”, “puppy” and others. By pressing the flower on the side, the mouth opens and closes just like a lion’s (or puppy’s) muzzle. The name is obviously related to the shape of the flower, but that’s not all it’s weird.

Much stranger is the fruit of this flower, which has the shape of a skull. The capsule that contains the seeds looks like the skull of a half-human, half-devil or dragon creature, hence the English name of this flower, namely “snapdragon”.

Many times nature has found a way to warn us that certain plants are useful or toxic, giving them curious shapes or colors that stand out from others. It is quite natural that this flower has some magical properties, since nature has gifted it with such curious forms.

Because of its resemblance to a lion or dragon, in ancient times it was believed that the “lion’s mouth” could ward off evil spirits and combat poison or poisonous potions used by witches.

A flower of youth and beauty

Among the medicines used in childbirth is a decoction of the leaves of the lion’s mouth flower, which is believed to ease labor pains.

The lion’s mouth is a flower dedicated to women and it is also said that its mysterious charm protects beautiful women from the envy and enmity of other women. That is why in England or Scotland the flower was worn hidden on the chest, especially on new moon nights.

It was also believed to be a flower that maintains youth and beauty. Sending a bouquet with a “lion’s mouth” to a young woman meant that they wanted to tell her how beautiful and special she was to the sender.

We do not know how effective lion’s mouth love charms were, but it is certain that the plant has certain healing properties.

The decoction and tea of the flowers were often used for stomach pains and inflammations, for sores in the oral cavity, for sore throats, and externally for the care of wounds and skin rashes.

How to deal with a cat that persistently wakes us up at night

By

Gaston de Persigny

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17 August 2022

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Every cat owner knows from bitter experience what it’s like to be woken up at night or around 6am. Also, we know very well that if a cat is left alone for a long time during the day (especially if it is active and likes to play), it will hardly do anything but sleep. This is wonderful for one thing because it won’t make whites. On the other hand, however, this means that it will be more active at night.

What we need to know is that yes, cats do tend to be more active in the evening and at night. However – they can be taught on a different schedule and this requires your commitment and patience.

The biggest myth about cats is that they cannot be trained.

Because many owners believe this, they completely refuse to teach their meowing companion certain behaviors. This is a very wrong approach as cats are adaptable animals. In no way can we compare them to dogs, but then again – we can’t rely on myths without trying.

Why cats wake their owners

By waking you up, your cat accomplishes certain goals:

• Gets attention

• Wants to cuddle

• He wants to play

• Gets food

• Kills boredom

If the cuddly pet meows at night for food and you respond to this need – your cat will learn that you are responding and will beg for food. This action on your part will “cement” the behavior of the meowing pet, as there is no greater motivation for the cat to do anything than food.

How to teach the little kitten to stop waking us up

If you have a little one at home who hasn’t been taught many things yet, now is the time to take the time! You can prevent the little ones from nocturnal activity in several ways:

• Let the kitten pretend to hunt by playing with interactive toys.

• Get involved in the game by using a fishing line or by throwing toys for the cat to chase.

• Let the little one eat the last part of his food before you go to bed.

• Do not react when the kitten meows at night.

How to teach an elderly cat to stop waking us up

Tips for an adult cat are similar to those for a small kitten. The only difference is that it would be good to provide known games and entertainment for the meowing pet, to enrich its experiences. This will surely keep him away from boredom and he will be one idea calmer at night:

• Interactive playtime – try interacting with fishing rod toys

• Feeding treats but after playing or playing a puzzle

• Environmental enrichment — create opportunities for more sights, sounds, smells and things to do, such as periodic leash walks

While teaching your cat not to wake you up at night, you will certainly need to take care of yourself as this process takes time. In other words, a purring pet will most likely be meowing loudly while you’re trying to sleep. You can approach as follows:

• Close your bedroom door

• Use earplugs

• Set up an automatic feeder to put out some food for the night

A word of caution: If your cat suddenly develops annoying habits at night, it could be a sign of a medical problem, including pain, infection, or hyperthyroidism. Consult your veterinarian immediately.

Photo: iStock

WFP: First Ukrainian humanitarian grain shipment leaves for Horn of Africa

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Newsroom

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16 August 2022

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WFP: First Ukrainian humanitarian grain shipment leaves for Horn of Africa

The first vessel transporting Ukrainian wheat grain to support humanitarian operations run by the World Food Programme (WFP) has left the port of Yuzhny, also known as Pivdennyi, the UN agency reported on Tuesday.

The MV Brave Commander departed with 23,000 metric tonnes of wheat grain for WFP’s response in the Horn of Africa, where the threat of famine is looming due to severe drought.

This is the first shipment of humanitarian food assistance under the Black Sea Grain Initiative signed by Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye and the UN in July.

Table of Contents

Feeding the world’s hungry

It marks another important milestone in efforts to get much-needed Ukrainian grain out of the war-torn country and back into global markets, to reach people worst affected by the global food crisis.

“Getting the Black Sea Ports open is the single most important thing we can do right now to help the world’s hungry,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley.

“It will take more than grain ships out of Ukraine to stop world hunger, but with Ukrainian grain back on global markets we have a chance to stop this global food crisis from spiraling even further.”

WFP will use the wheat grain shipment to scale-up its efforts in southern and south-eastern Ethiopia, supporting more than 1.5 million people affected by drought.

Globally, a record 345 million people in more than 80 countries are currently facing acute food insecurity, while up to 50 million people in 45 countries are at risk of being pushed into famine without humanitarian support.

The current hunger crisis is being driven by several factors including conflict, climate impacts, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The war in Ukraine is another catalyst as the country is a major grain exporter. Ukraine was exporting up to six million tonnes of grain a month prior to the start of the conflict in February, but volumes now are at an average of one million tonnes per month.

More action needed

WFP said that with commercial and humanitarian maritime traffic now resuming in and out of Ukraine’s Black Sea Port, some global supply disruptions will ease, which will bring relief to countries facing the worst of the global food crisis.

Crucially, Ukraine will also be able to empty its grain storage silos ahead of the summer season harvest, the agency added.

However, despite these developments, the unprecedented food crisis continues.

WFP stressed the need for immediate action that brings together the humanitarian community, governments, and the private sector to save lives and invest in long term solutions, warning that “failure will see people around the world slip into devastating famines with destabilizing impacts felt by us all.”

Camping the Grounds of Paris. How to choose camping sites

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Newsdesk

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16 August 2022

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aerial photo of park Paris. Photo by Marcel Strauß — Paris. Photo by Marcel Strauß

Paris has a nice selection of camping grounds. Some of the best camping sites around Paris are located at Charente-Maritime, Brittany, Central Cote d’ Azur, Languedoc, Aquitaine, and Vendee.

Table of Contents

Camping at Brittany:

Brittany camping grounds have stunning grounds where superb buildings stand out in the background. The campground provides you fun and entertainment, since you will visit the splash zone, while enjoying many activities.

Brittany is a wonderful way to spend your holidays, as you will enjoy the tales of the past. The tales will walk you through spooky moments where you will take a haunting adventure back to the sprites of folklore giants, such as King Arthur and the well-known Merlin. The sorcery memories come alive as you listen to the tales of old.

On the adventure, you will enjoy ivy films along with beautiful views of lighthouses, which spread out over rock-strewn inlets, bays and coves. Throughout the bays are remarkable villages where friendly Parisians live. This cultural environment will allow you to enjoy music that takes you back to the legends and myths of the land, as the drums, harps, flutes, and bagpipes sound in your ears.

Taking a camping trip to Languedoc:

If you enjoy nature, spread your wings and fly since you will walk through luscious green/purplish pathways that lead up to ancient structures. This area is highly guarded by the French residence, and to see it you would know why. The beaches are filled with white, pearly sand those channels beyond the luscious fruits of town. Scented fields of lavender lilacs take you beyond the wild Marsh Island horses painted white. As you camp on these grounds, you will enjoy the tastes of hardy ripe grapes.

Past the broad-based cities near this lavishing park are labyrinths of walkways that take you to some of Paris’s hottest antique shops. You have a selection of other shops as well.

Tossing your tent in Aquitaine:

Taking a camping trip to Aquitaine will put you on Paris’s finest sandy beaches around. This sunny beach has a shred here and there of vineyards that stretch along the mountains of Pyrénées. The beach has a wide array of land that stretches over to Spain. Aquitaine is the capital of Bordeaux, which land area surrounds glaciers, ponds, lakes and stretches to the Atlantic Ocean. Grapes are the most valued fruits on this land that vines around forests.

Vendée Camping:

If you want comfort, relaxation and adventure combined then Vendée Camping is your choice. This beautiful sandy beach area provides you with golf courses, museums, wildlife, monuments, and more. You can enjoy surfing followed by a visit to one of the lovely arenas around Paris. If you enjoy sea diving, then Vendée is the place to camp. Vendée lies central west of France. The areas surround the Atlantic Bay and stretches onto the southern-east parts of the département of France.

Vendée at one time served as a battleground, yet today the lovely area is a peaceful water galore haven. Mont Mecure is Vendée highest point stretching up to 935 feet and over 285 miles. Around Vendée areas many tourists, industries, agriculture, and processed foods make up the environment. The camping at Vendée however is one of the most popular adventures.

Along the cultural grounds of Vendée are hundreds of miles of sandy beaches that stretch to dune edges around mild climates, pinewood, and so on. On the south region of the beach is Paris’s nude region. The nude beaches are at Pointe d’ Arcay south of the lovely La Faute sur Mer.

Fidel Castro survived 634 assassination attempts, slept with 35,000 women

By

Gaston de Persigny

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16 August 2022

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Certainly one of the most fascinating political figure of the 20th century was Fidel Castro. A thorn in the side of the West, a man who, according to official data, survived 634 failed attempts. Orator, lover, strategist, father of the nation but also of many children, politician and communist who did not deny his faith, all this and much more was the unique, revolutionary and charismatic Spaniard by birth, Cuban by self-consciousness, Fidel Alejandro Castro Rooz.

Official, but incredible information says that during his lifetime he remained intact, despite 634 murders planned by the American CIA and other related services. The most curious thing, however, is that the west is trying to put powder on him to make his beard fall out – his trademark. The agents intend, if they cannot kill him, at least to undermine his authority in Cuba. They fail!

According to the accounts of his close friends and associates, Fidel Castro is one of the greatest womanizers the world has ever seen. Cuban pub stories claim he slept with over 30,000 women!

Although there are conflicting opinions in the world about his rule, the fact is that Cubans cannot boast of wealth, but at the same time he should be honored because he almost completely succeeded in eradicating illiteracy in Cuba, so the level of literacy today is up to 99.7%.

Castro’s illness remains an enigma and the subject of much conjecture and speculation to this day. Most of the time it was said that he had cancer, but the Cubans never confirmed it.

In addition to two brothers and four sisters, Castro, who was officially married three times, leaves behind a son, Fidel “Fidelito,” and a daughter, Alina.

Today, Cubans pay special respect to the historic leader of their revolution, Fidel Castro, and speak of him with a mixture of admiration, respect and longing. Most Cubans remember their leader in various anecdotes, and every year on his birthday (August 13), people celebrate him with various activities and with great pride.

Castro is remembered on all continents for always extending a hand of solidarity without asking for anything in return. In this way, he teaches his countrymen to help those in need.

In a 1993 interview with Vanity Fair magazine, when asked how many children he had, Castro replied, “Almost a tribe.” According to another story, while the nation lived on the brink of poverty, Fidel Castro enjoyed plenty and kept everything about his personal life, lovers, eight children and even his wife strictly secret.

Castro’s only officially known wife is Myrta Díaz Ballart, who came from a wealthy family. The daughter of a prominent Cuban politician and mayor, she met Castro while studying philosophy at the University of Havana. The couple married in 1948 and had one child, known as Fidelito. In 1955, however, their marriage failed and Mirta and Fidel divorced. She then marries his archenemy, a man who supports Fulgencio Batista, the Cuban leader ousted during Castro’s revolution.

One of the most controversial women in Fidel’s life was a CIA spy. It is believed that Marita Lorenz was sent by the US in 1959 to kill Castro, but at the crucial moment she failed to pull the trigger because she fell in love with him. She becomes his lover and a year after arriving in Cuba, she tries to slip poison capsules into Castro’s dessert, but he discovers her intention.

“I thought he was going to shoot me, but he gave me the gun and said, ‘Did you come to kill me?'” Then he took a puff of smoke from his cigar and closed his eyes. He didn’t defend himself because he knew I couldn’t do that. He still loved me and I still loved him,” Lorenz says. She throws the gun away, refusing to kill her lover.

Photo: Castro (right) with fellow revolutionary Camilo Cienfuegos entering Havana on 8 January 1959 / Luis Korda / Public Domain

Latest news of Europe and the world.

Practice makes perfect: simulated trials in East Africa aim to help persecute pirates

Further information

Who are the most religious movie stars?

How to protect yourself from lightning?

Drivers who do not turn off the engine when braking are fined

Don‘t you dare go into the sea if you see this at your feet

The favorite flower of all children hides a magical secret and healing power

How to deal with a cat that persistently wakes us up at night

WFP: First Ukrainian humanitarian grain shipment leaves for Horn of Africa

Feeding the world’s hungry

More action needed

Camping the Grounds of Paris. How to choose camping sites

Camping at Brittany:

Taking a camping trip to Languedoc:

Tossing your tent in Aquitaine:

Vendée Camping:

Fidel Castro survived 634 assassination attempts, slept with 35,000 women

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