A court on the Greek island of Syros imposed a fine of 200 euros for ringing a church bell

Everyone has heard of anorexia and bulimia. But these eating disorders are far from the only ones.

There are people around the world who can only eat certain colored foods. Still others are addicted to water. About 5% of women between the ages of 15 and 35 are affected by some type of eating disorder. Among them are those with neophobia – the inability to try a new type of food. This problem sometimes also affects young children. For them, experts advise parents not to force them, but to explain to them the benefits of a given product. It is also an option to put them on the table in the company of other children who will set a good example.

Neophobia usually disappears around the age of 6. For some people, however, it remains a problem for much longer.

A possible explanation for this condition could be something happening in the person’s life – like choking on food, for example. As a result, a person may begin to avoid a certain type of food and thus give his phobia a “field of expression”.

The reasons for neophobia may lie not only in the personal experiences, but also in physical features.

How to deal with atychiphobia?

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Newsroom

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31 October 2024

Imagine this: every little mistake or failure doesn’t just bother you, it paralyzes you to the point where you can’t move forward. This is the reality for people suffering from atychiphobia – the fear of failure. While it is natural for many to feel uncomfortable when they do not achieve their goals, for people with this phobia, this fear becomes an insurmountable challenge that affects their daily life and personal growth. But what exactly is atychiphobia and how can we recognize and overcome it?

Atychiphobia manifests as an intense, irrational fear of failure that can affect even the most mundane daily activities. Instead of seeing failure as part of the learning process, people with this phobia point to every mistake as evidence of their own incompetence. This leads to a series of emotional, cognitive and behavioral symptoms that make it difficult to cope with this fear.

What is atychiphobia and how does it manifest itself?

Atychiphobia often begins at an early age, when the child begins to see failure as something that defines his worth. According to a study published in “Advances in Applied Sociology,” many adolescents admit that fear of failure causes them to experience stress, uncertainty, and anxiety. Adults who continue to experience this fear tend to avoid any situation that could lead to failure—whether it’s professional development or personal goals.

Characteristic manifestations of atychiphobia include excessive perfectionism, constant self-criticism and fear of making mistakes. Cognitive distortions are common – people think that any mistake is unforgivable and that they themselves are a failure if they fail at a task. These thoughts often lead to emotional overload, apathy, low self-esteem and fear of external criticism.

Causes of atychiphobia

The development of this irrational fear can be the result of various factors. Some people experience atychiphobia as a result of past negative experiences – be it public humiliation for a mistake or rejection by a loved one. Psychological trauma leaves deep wounds and can cause an individual to associate failure with pain and shame.

Low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and perfectionism are also common factors that contribute to the development of atychiphobia. In addition, cultural and social expectations of failure-free success can reinforce this fear, especially in competitive environments where failure is stigmatized.

How to deal with atychiphobia?

The first step to overcoming the fear of failure is recognizing the problem and understanding that this fear is common and treatable. It is important to reframe how we perceive failure. Instead of seeing it as the end result, we can see it as a stepping stone to success. Overcoming this fear requires a change in thought patterns – failure is not something that defines us, but something that teaches us and helps us grow.

Therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful in this process. The therapist can help the sufferer identify and change negative attitudes and develop strategies to deal with anxiety and fear of failure. Additionally, practicing stress management techniques such as meditation and yoga can help reduce anxiety and provide better control over emotions.

Ultimately, atychiphobia can be overcome with time, effort and support. Failure is an inevitable part of life and the greatest lessons often come from mistakes. The important thing is to accept failure as part of the process of personal and professional growth, and to move forward with the confidence that each mistake is just another step on the road to success.

Illustrative Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scrabble-letters-spelling-fear-on-a-wooden-table-19902302/

Four executed for producing illegal alcohol in Iran

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Newsroom

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31 October 2024

Four Executed For Producing Illegal Alcohol In Iran

Iranian authorities have executed end of October four people convicted of selling illegal alcohol, which poisoned and killed 17 people last year. More than 190 people who consumed the dangerous drink were hospitalized.

The death sentence against the accused in the case was carried out in the Karaj Central Jail.

According to human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Iran carries out the highest number of executions per year after China.

After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Tehran banned the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Since then, the sale of illegal alcohol on the black market has flourished, leading to mass poisonings. The latest case, reported by Iranian media, has killed around 40 people in northern Iran in recent months.

Only Iran’s recognized Christian minorities, such as the country’s Armenian community, are allowed to produce and consume alcohol, but discreetly and only at home.

Illustrative Photo by Amanda Brady: https://www.pexels.com/photo/elegant-champagne-coupes-in-sunlit-setting-29157921/

War in Ukraine: Live updates from the Security Council and the field

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31 October 2024

War in Ukraine: Live updates from the Security Council and the field

The UN Security Council met in emergency session on Ukraine on Wednesday amid unconfirmed reports that troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – more commonly known as North Korea – are deploying to fight alongside Russia. We followed the meeting as well as developments at UN Headquarters and on the ground. UN News app users can follow our updates here.

Malware targeting millions of people taken down by international coalition

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Newsdesk

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29 October 2024

MacBook Pro turned-on — Photo by Michael Geiger on Unsplash

A global operation, supported by Eurojust, has led to the takedown of servers of infostealers, a type of malware used to steal personal data and conduct cybercrimes worldwide. The infostealers, RedLine and META, taken down today targeted millions of victims worldwide, making it one of the largest malware platforms globally. An international coalition of authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Australia shut down three servers in the Netherlands, seized two domains, unsealed charges in the United States and took two people into custody in Belgium.

RedLine and Meta were able to steal personal data from infected devices. The data included saved usernames and passwords, and automatically saved form data, such as addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, cryptocurrency wallets, and cookies. After retrieving the personal data, the infostealers sold the information to other criminals through criminal market places. The criminals who purchased the personal data used it to steal money, cryptocurrency and to carry out follow-on hacking activities.

Investigations into RedLine and Meta started after victims came forward and a security company notified authorities about possible servers in the Netherlands linked to the software. Authorities discovered that over 1 200 servers in dozens of countries were running the malware. To take down the transnational malware, Eurojust coordinated cooperation between authorities from the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Portugal, United Kingdom and Australia. Through Eurojust, authorities were able to quickly exchange information and coordinate actions to take down the infostealers.

The take down of the infostealers took place on 28 October during a worldwide operation. Three servers were taken down in the Netherlands, two domains were seized, charges were unsealed in the United States and two people were taken into custody in Belgium. After the authorities obtained the data and took down the servers, a message was sent to the alleged perpetrators, including a video. The video sends a strong message to the criminals, showing that the international coalition of authorities was able to obtain crucial data on their network and will shut down their criminal activities. After the message was sent, Belgian authorities took down several Redline and Meta communication channels.

The authorities also retrieved a database of clients from RedLine and Meta. Investigations will now continue into the criminals using the stolen data.

For people concerned they may have fallen victim to RedLine and Meta, a private security company has launched an online tool to allow people to check if their data was stolen. The tool helps potential victims on the steps they need to take if their data has been stolen.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

The Netherlands: National Police, Team Cybercrime Limburg, Public Prosecution Service
United States: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations; Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Army Criminal Investigation Division
Belgium: Federal Prosecutor’s Office; Federal Police
Portugal: Polícia Judiciária
United Kingdom: National Crime Agency
Australia: Australian Federal Police

World News in Brief: Yemen detainee appeal, Typhoon Yagi impacts, ease asylum seekers’ plight, mpox cash boost

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26 October 2024

World News in Brief: Yemen detainee appeal, Typhoon Yagi impacts, ease asylum seekers’ plight, mpox cash boost

More than 50 personnel from the UN, international and national NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions, are being held by the de facto Houthi authorities in the capital, Sana’a.

In addition, four UN staff members have been detained since 2021 and 2023.

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Protect aid workers

“Attacks on humanitarian workers, including detentions and false accusations, violate international law, endanger safety, and severely hinder the support we provide to the Yemeni people and mediation efforts crucial for advancing the peace process in Yemen,” the officials said in a statement marking the solemn milestone.

They stressed that in the meantime, all detained colleagues must be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights, including being allowed to contact their families, legal representatives, and organizations.

“We also call for the protection of humanitarian workers, ensuring safe humanitarian space and access to communities we serve,” they added.

The statement was issued by regional directors for CARE, Oxfam and Save the Children, alongside their counterparts from the UN human rights office, OHCHR; the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN refugee agency, UNHCR; the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

A young Vietnamese man cleans up debris at his home after Typhoon Yagi swept through Quang Ninh province.

Typhoon Yagi impacts millions in SE Asia: UNICEF

Nearly six million children have been affected by floods and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi in Viet Nam, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said in an update that the emergency had compromised access to clean water, education, healthcare, food and shelter – and pushed already marginalized communities “deeper into crisis”.

June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, said that the immediate priority was to restore the essential services that children and families rely on.

Surge in extreme weather

She highlighted the “surge” in extreme weather events in Southeast Asia that had been made worse by climate change; and she noted that when disasters hit, vulnerable children “often pay the highest price”.

Typhoon Yagi is the most powerful storm to hit Asia so far this year.

It has brought torrential rain on top of existing seasonal rainfall, causing damage to more than 850 schools and at least 550 health centres – the vast majority in Viet Nam.

Humanitarian assessments in the region are still ongoing.

Refugee agency urges end to arbitrary detention of asylum-seekers

The detention of asylum-seekers around the world is harmful and contrary to their fundamental right to seek protection – which is why the practice should stop – the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Wednesday.

In a new policy brief for border authorities highlighting best practices in some countries, the UN agency noted that in many others, “asylum-seekers and refugees are often arrested and detained, unable to challenge their situation”.

The UNHCR cited the experience of one Iraqi asylum-seeker who spent two years in a Hungarian transit zone, where his movements were “severely restricted” and he and others faced constant surveillance.

His detention was deemed to be arbitrary by top independent human rights experts meeting at the UN in Geneva, the agency said.

UNHCR also cited a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights which found that four Tunisian nationals who were rescued at sea and brought to a reception facility on the Italian island of Lampedusa “did not have the opportunity to apply for asylum” before their “summary removal” from Italy.

Conditions in the centre were “inhuman and degrading”, according to the court, the agency explained.

Some countries have seen limits imposed on how long asylum-seekers can be detained such as the Republic of South Korea, UNHCR said.

It noted that in March 2023, a South Korean court ruled it unconstitutional to detain asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants indefinitely, while also offering guidance on how long people should be held, as well as alternatives to detention.

A man in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has his blood drawn as part of his treatment for mpox.

Global Fund Provides Nearly $10 Million for DR Congo mpox response

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) is supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a $9.5 million cash injection to boost its emergency response to the latest deadly mpox outbreak.

The funding will boost the Government’s response across six of the highest transmission provinces: Equateur, Sud-Ubangui, Sankuru, Tshopo, Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, as well as in and around the capital Kinshasa – home to 17 million people. 

DRC is currently battling the largest mpox epidemic in the world, with 5,160 confirmed cases and 25 deaths since the beginning of this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the ability to test in DRC remains low due to limited capacity and availability, and the number of suspected cases is around five times the number of laboratory-confirmed cases.

The Global Fund’s contribution will help enhance disease surveillance systems, with special emphasis on strengthening early warning capabilities; strengthen laboratory systems and diagnostics; help community mobilization and communications; strengthen primary care; and implement infection prevention and control measures.

‘Proven track record’

“Our partnership with the Global Fund and other health partners has a proven track record in reducing infectious diseases,” said Dr. Roger Kamba, Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the DRC.

“People living in areas of conflict and crises often face significant barriers to accessing health services due to damaged infrastructure, insecurity and a shortage of trained health personnel and supplies,” said Peter Sands, the Fund’s Executive Director.

“When a disease outbreak occurs in these places, the challenges are compounded. Strong systems of trusted community health workers, health educators and other local responders are essential for stopping disease spread.”

World News in Brief: Sudan food crisis update, justice in Thailand, UN can solve global problems

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26 October 2024

World News in Brief: Sudan food crisis update, justice in Thailand, UN can solve global problems

The World Food Programme (WFP) has increased its humanitarian response in Sudan’s conflict-ravaged areas, particularly in Darfur, where the risk of widespread famine looms.

Since the reopening of the Adre border in August, the agency has successfully delivered food assistance to 360,000 people in Darfur.

“Distributions have been completed for over 200,000 people in Kerenik and Sirba- areas at risk of famine at West Darfur”, stated Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq during the noon daily briefing in New York.

He added that “WFP is scaling up its efforts to reach 180,000 people in Zamzam, near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, with monthly food packages.”

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Situation critical

The humanitarian situation remains critical, with nearly 70,000 people in Zamzam having received assistance so far.

While WFP has managed to assist over 6 million people this year – including more than half a million vulnerable individuals in the greater area of Khartoum – challenges remain.

“Early indications show little improvement in food security as historic flooding across Sudan destroyed crops and ongoing conflict made it difficult for farmers to plant, cultivate and now harvest”, Mr. Haq explained.

Thailand: Experts raise alarm as statute of limitations threatens justice for victims of ‘Tak Bai incident’

A group of independent UN human rights experts have raised the alarm over the impending expiration of the statute of limitations on the 2004 Tak Bai killings in Thailand, in just a few hours’ time.

This statute could end efforts to hold Thai security officials accountable for their role in the deaths of 85 people during a violent crackdown on a protest in Narathiwat province 20 years ago.

Seven people were killed initially when security forces opened fire, 78 more died during transport to a military camp under inhumane conditions, and seven people were forcibly disappeared during the incident, the experts said.

The victims were predominantly from the Malay Muslim minority.

“We welcome the fact that two criminal cases are finally proceeding into this incident with arrest warrants issued against relevant current and former officials,” said the experts – who are not UN staff, and are independent from any government or organization.

However, they warned that the statute’s imminent expiration on Friday would cut them short.

Cases must continue

They emphasised that international law prohibits statutes of limitations for crimes like torture and enforced disappearances. In cases of forced disappearance, the statute can only apply once the fate and whereabouts of the victims are definitively established. “A failure to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice is itself a violation of Thailand’s human rights obligations,” one expert asserted.

Families of the victims have waited nearly two decades for justice. The experts urged the Thai government to take immediate action to prevent further delays in accountability and to uphold the rights of the victims’ families to truth, justice, and reparations.

‘Hope requires the United Nations’: Guterres

Thursday marked United Nations Day which saw the Secretary-General delivering a strong message about the organisations enduring mission since its foundation amid the ashes of World War Two.

In a world facing multiple crises, he emphasised that the UN remains the world’s central platform for solutions, to global problems.

“Solutions that ease tensions, build bridges and forge peace. Solutions to eradicate poverty, spur sustainable development and stand up for the most vulnerable.”

The message comes at a crucial moment following September’s landmark agreements by the General Assembly.

In September the Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

The Secretary-General delivered a powerful reflection on hope in our troubled world.

“Hope is not enough. Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity, and a thriving planet,” he said.

“Hope requires all countries working as one. Hope requires the United Nations. On United Nations Day, I call on all countries to keep this beacon for the world, and its ideals, shining.”

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage: preserving meaningful moments

By

Newsdesk

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25 October 2024

European Commission’s Audiovisual Service

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage: preserving meaningful moments

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed on 27 October to raise awareness about the significance and preservation risks of audiovisual materials.

Audiovisual archives serve as powerful storytellers, capturing the lives, cultures and histories of people from all over the world. They represent a priceless heritage which is an affirmation of our collective memory and a valuable source of knowledge, reflecting the cultural, social, and linguistic diversity of our communities. These archives not only deepen our understanding of the past but also help us appreciate the world we share today.

Conserving this rich heritage and ensuring it remains accessible to the public and future generations is thus vital. Historically, information was preserved through photographs, sheet music and books. Modern technology has revolutionised this process, allowing us to now record and share important moments through sound and video using different apps. Platforms like music streaming services, video-sharing sites and social media act as modern-day archives, storing a wide variety of audiovisuals.

The EU utilises different platforms and depositories for storing and sharing audiovisual content. Among them, the Audiovisual Library of the European Commission functions as central deposit for audiovisual materials intended for external communication, produced or purchased by Commission services. The library is responsible for the management, preservation, and accessibility of the collective audiovisual memory of the European integration process, available in both English and French. Since 1948, the library has catalogued over 250 000 videos, 500 000 photos and 8 500 audio recordings, covering all major steps of EU history. The collection continues to grow and is accessible to the public via the Audiovisual Portal.

In addition, Europeana is a web portal that aggregates audiovisual materials from over 2000 different institutions across Europe. This includes libraries, museums, archives, galleries and others, offering its users a unique opportunity to access a diverse range of content online.

The EU is committed to safeguarding and enhancing Europe‘s cultural heritage through numerous policies and programmes. By preserving audiovisual heritage such as films, recordings, and photographs, we ensure that future generations can experience the richness of our shared past. Protecting audiovisual heritage is not just about safeguarding memories, but about keeping cultural diversity alive and accessible for all.

For more information

Audiovisual Portal

The Audiovisual Library: Europe’s living audiovisual memory (video)

Europeana

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

Lebanon: WHO appeals for more support for civilians as crises intensify

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22 October 2024

Lebanon: WHO appeals for more support for civilians as crises intensify

Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar outlined how the UN agency has been supporting Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, including following the wave of electronic device explosions this week.

Hundreds of pagers across the country simultaneously detonated on Tuesday, while walkie-talkies and even some solar panels blew up the following day. The attacks reportedly targeted the Hezbollah militant group, killing civilians, including children.

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Region ‘on the brink of a castrophe’

Speaking at the regular briefing for correspondents in New York, Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for “maximum restraint” by all parties to the conflict.

“We are very concerned at the heightened escalation across the Blue Line including the deadly strike we saw in Beirut today”, he added.

“We also urge the parties to immediately return to the cessation of hostilities…The region is on the brink of a catastrophe.”

An ‘unprecedented’ crisis

Dr. Abukakar told UN News that as of Thursday evening, the Ministry of Health had recorded 37 deaths and more than 3,000 wounded.

WHO has been assisting Lebanon’s hospitals to prepare for mass casualty events given the unrest in the region.

He described the past few days as “unprecedented”, both for the country and the health system, “because in one time on September 17, from almost 3:30 up to 4 o’clock, almost 3,000 injured patients were rushed to hospitals, and the hospitals were not prepared enough, actually, to handle simultaneously that number of cases.”

Support and supplies

Following the explosions, WHO supported the Ministry of Health “to properly coordinate with the hospitals so at least there is a proper referral system,” he said.

“We work with the emergency operation rooms to ensure that there’s a proper coordination within the hospitals where patients can be referred from one hospital to another hospital.”

Teams also dispensed and distributed supplies hospitals would need to manage cases, in addition to supporting the Lebanese Red Cross with proper supplies and testing kits for blood transfusions.

WHO also provided other support, including for mental healthcare services for health workers, patients and families, and to allow essential health services to continue.

Crisis upon crisis

The crisis is the latest challenge for Lebanon, where the health system has been severely impacted in recent years.

Dr. Abubkar said first there was the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the devastating August 2020 explosion at the port in the capital, Beirut. The blast killed more than 200 people and caused millions in damage.

Lebanon is also in the midst of financial turmoil, he added, and experiencing spillover from the war in Gaza which erupted last October after Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Many hospitals have been managing trauma-related cases due to cross-border violence.

“Before the recent event that happened on 17 September there were almost 2,700 wounded patients and also about 550 deaths due to the conflict,” he noted.

WHO is also scaling up operations in southern Lebanon, where mobile clinics operated by partners offer immunization services, primary healthcare and nutritional support to people displaced by the fighting.

Preparing for mass casualty events

Dr. Abubakar said WHO and Lebanon’s Ministry of Health have invested heavily in preparedness of hospitals and health facilities, including advance training on trauma management, which proved valuable following the wave of explosions earlier this week.

“We propositioned supplies. We did a number of simulation exercises for this kind of a mass casualty event. I think some of those hospitals, actually, were prepared in a sense where at least they should expect this kind of a mass casualty event,” he said.

He praised the health authorities for their “tremendous effort” on coordination, whereby hospitals that were overwhelmed or “saturated” could transfer patients to other locations.

“In total, over 100 hospitals have received wounded patients,” he said. “And you can imagine now, in a country as small as Lebanon, which has five million people, when there’s so much injured people to be received within a very short period, how the health system will feel.”

Support Lebanon now

Asked if he had any message, Dr. Abubakar underlined the need to respect international humanitarian law and to protect healthcare workers and civilians, as well as health facilities.

He also urged greater support for Lebanon, stressing the need for more resources to respond to the ongoing crisis “but also the worst-case scenario”.

“I’m appealing to the international community that we need more resources to help to support those who have been injured, those who have been affected, the displaced people, in the current conflict,” he said.