Pixopictura by Nicu Ilie (extended version)

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For Russia, invading Ukraine was an economic boost

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 extract from the article: Beyond Trump - What can peace in Ukraine look like and what was on Putin’s mind when he started the war? Even though it has suffered heavy human and material losses, Russia is prospering from the war in Ukraine. Those who bet on Russia’s bankruptcy in a war it cannot afford have misjudged the situation. In the first year of the war, economic sanctions were completely ineffective. The EU has blocked some imports for a wide range of products, but has remained dependent on Russian gas. Even if quantities have been reduced in this segment as well, Russia has imposed price increases and made even higher profits than before the war. Thus, 2022 was the most successful year for Russia’s international trade. Only after that did the situation deteriorate to almost the level of 2016, but the trade balance remains positive. At the same time, the war economy allowed the Russian leader to force the ruble rate and consumer prices, on the one hand, and stimulated, t...
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Boboteaza (Epiphany) - in Orthodox tradition

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  (Boboteaza) Epiphany is a celebration of all Christians. The way it is celebrated differs greatly from one area to another. In the tradition of the Eastern Church, January 6, on which the event is celebrated, is considered, folklore, as the coldest day of the year. There is talk of the "frost of Epiphany". That's why, but also being related to water, I also baptize John the Baptist, the celebration includes many rituals related to water. Among them, swimming in frozen waters is a test of endurance undertaken by the most resistant and fanatical believers. Such traditions are pre-Christian, but have been adopted by Christians, often officially. In Romania, priests throw a wooden cross into flowing waters, and some parishioners jump into the water to retrieve it and bring it to shore. (However, the custom is practiced only in a few localities. Commonly, the priest immerses the cross in containers of water and thus performs the ritual.) There are many variations of such cus...
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An image (with pollution) is worth a thousand words: Leicester then and now

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   I am not sure that global warming is caused by pollution. (This is only 99.9% sure; there is still room for evidence.) But images like this one (Leicester 1950) think that it shouldn't give way to a discussion we need to behave responsibly, protect the environment, reduce pollution. Of course, developed States have a greater responsibility than the rest of the world, and the United States above all. But I remember a short visit to a Central European country many years ago, when I hit a truly apocalyptic landscape. The image of Leicester would have seemed brilliant in addition to the red fog there. Video: Residential districts of Leicester today, built on former industrial zones
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Huge demonstrations in several European countries

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 Democracy is in danger in many European countries. The rise of the extreme right, subsidized, according to many indications, by the Russian Federation, endangers most states in the region. Some of these have already been victims of "hostile takeovers", and the population is fighting in the streets for the return to democracy and the European path, both in European Union member countries and in European Union candidate countries. The moment is critical for the preservation of democracy and for the imposition of a climate of peace, in which international aggression, such as that of Russia in Ukraine, should be condemned and stopped. The population of all countries of the world (and first of all the people of all European countries, who are the main target of Russian propaganda) must take a stand.  Indeed, in all these countries there are serious and serious problems, and the old political class has often disappointed in the efficient management of economic problems and especia...
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How many millionaires and how many billionaires are in the world and where they are living?

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 23.4 million people worldwide hold investments of at least one million dollars. It is an increase of 2.6% in 2024 and it has reached the highest level since the emergence of the World Wealth Report (since 1997). The world wealth exploded in 2024, in the top being the US, Japan, Germany and China. According to Forbes, there are 3 thousand billionaires in the world. with a total fortune of $16 trillion. I ask: is there or are there no links to the rise of far-right discourse worldwide? Where do the billionaires live? Most billionaires, 119 persons, live in New York. The cities of London, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Moscow, New Delhi and San Francisco each have more than 50 billionaires among residents. Other cities entering the top are Bangkok, Taipei, Paris, Hangzhou, Guangzhou (both in China), Jakarta, Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, Seoul, Tokyo, Bengaluru (India), Dallas and Palm Beach. Of the world’s 3000 billionaires, over two-thirds are r...
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“Gender Theory” – from keyword research to semantic hijacking

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 Fragment from an article that examines the phenomenon of semantic hijacking and discursive capture, processes through which political groups, particularly extremist ones, redefine words and concepts to promote their agendas and polarize society. These practices, which have historical roots, are amplified in the digital age through SEO techniques such as keyword research, keyword density, and authority-building via links. Examples include the hijacking of terms like "woke" or "elite" and the monopolization of debates on topics such as migration or LGBT rights. The authors emphasize the impact of these strategies on public discourse, the vulnerability of artificial intelligence to manipulation, and the risk of communication breakdown in society. The conclusion highlights the need to understand these mechanisms to counteract their harmful effects and preserve democratic dialogue. Globalization of antiglobalism “Gender Theory” – from keyword research to semantic hijack...
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AI animations: world history - dozens of cultures and nations, fashion and architecture

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The Geography Hub platform has produced an extremely extensive series of reels dedicated to some of the most famous cultures in the world (predominantly from Europe and the Mediterranean). The videos very briefly tell the history of each population, with some of the most important moments, recreating for each of them, frugal, the characteristic clothing of each era (and specific to the respective culture) and an architectural-anthropic environment, also localized and contextualized historically. Cultures/nations to which (so far) reels have been dedicated include: French, Ottomans, Russians, Egyptians, Persians, Japanese, Colombians, Italians, Canadians, Indonesians, Hungarians, Greeks, Australians, Romanians, Koreans, Icelanders, Moroccans, etc. Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574041054737&sk=reels_tab
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