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Video: „Liberation” and the Utopias of 1968 - by Gregory Claeys
For Russia, invading Ukraine was an economic boost
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...
A 2 thousand year old building and still functional
A building in Istanbul is so old that it has captured all the empires that have mastered this city. It's not just a simple — construction it's a veritable time capsule where history has laid layer upon layer over centuries. From Rome at present, in one wall At the base of the building you can see elements typical of the Roman Empire: thick stone walls and massive columns, reminiscent of the era when the city was called Byzantion and was part of the vast empire of Rome. Byzantine marks over the Roman ruins Immediately above it rises structures with elegant arches and specific details of Byzantine architecture. These elements were added in the period when the city became Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire and one of the most important centers of the medieval Christian world. New shape during Otoman Empire On the next level, masonry and style become more functional, reflecting the Ottoman period, when the city was conquered by the Turks in 1453 and transformed i...
An image (with pollution) is worth a thousand words: Leicester then and now
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
How many millionaires and how many billionaires are in the world and where they are living?
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...
Violent storm in Bucharest
Expect the unexpected!
“Gender Theory” – from keyword research to semantic hijacking
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...
First signs of economic colaps in Russia
From the beginning of the invasion in Ukraine, Rusia economy get a burst by rising prices for natural gas and by giving a lot of state contracts in strategic industries. The international sanctions was for long time inefficient. Now, according to BBC, that quote Russian newspapers, there are first signs of true economic problems in the Russian society. Today’s Russian papers focusing again on economic problems: ▪️ “To pay utility bills some Russians are falling into debt" ▪️ “Rise in bread prices outstripping inflation” ▪️“Cement factories on the brink” ▪️ Call to "freeze basic food prices to battle inflation" #ReadingRussia pic.twitter.com/QpGEUVoCw4 — Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) July 18, 2025 Today’s Russian papers focusing again on economic problems: ▪️ “To pay utility bills some Russians are falling into debt" ▪️ “Rise in bread prices outstripping inflation” ▪️“Cement factories on the brink” ▪️ Call to "freeze basic food prices to battle inflation...
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