Haka, Flavonoids, and the World Bank vs LGBTQ
OFF The World Magazine #361
EU Migrant Rights, Alawites, and the Great Asian Migration
The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled in favour of migrants’ rights in a case brought by an Italian court involving a Congolese national who arrived in Italy in 2019 with two minors using false passports. The court’s ruling stated that when a third-country national enters the EU undocumented with a child in their care, their actions “cannot be considered as aiding and abetting illegal immigration.”
In the past three months, nearly 40,000 people have fled sectarian violence in Syria and sought refuge in neighbouring Lebanon, which is currently facing a humanitarian crisis. Most of the new arrivals are Alawites, a religious minority that has suffered massacres and has been targeted by the new Syrian government since early March. The Lebanese authorities lack the resources to support more migrants, in addition to the almost 93,000 already in the country. Lebanon hosts between 700,000 and approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees, many of whom remain internally displaced due to the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to an international genomic study, Asians who lived more than 100,000 years ago participated in the longest known prehistoric human migration, travelling over 20,000 kilometres from northern Asia to the southern tip of South America. These findings challenge previous assumptions of European genetic dominance and reveal that indigenous South Americans are of Asian descent. The study also highlights how this massive migration and varying environments shaped human evolution, including adaptations to disease and the development of immune systems.
Tidal Energy and Self-Destructing Batteries
By transforming used smartphones into tiny data centres, researchers from the University of Tartu have presented a novel approach to reducing e-waste and promoting sustainable computing. The inexpensive innovation (8 euros per phone) offers practical applications without new technologies, from monitoring traffic and public transport to observing marine life. More than 1.2 billion smartphones are produced worldwide each year, which is energy-intensive, uses natural resources, and releases pollutants, and over time, some of the devices end up in landfills.
Researchers from Binghamton University are developing tiny batteries that disappear after use. The research was inspired by the film Mission: Impossible. Scientists are studying probiotic-friendly bacteria found in yoghurt to generate electricity instead of using toxic materials. Using paper-based batteries, which dissolve in an acidic environment, so-called transition electronics could be created as safe and disposable medical and environmental technology.
Experts from the Universities of Strathclyde and Maine analysed more than 660 reports on the potential of offshore renewable energy (ORE) in more than 3,000 locations worldwide. They found that tides and solar offer more energy than other sources, such as wind and waves, although they have been less studied. They found that offshore solar is less unreliable than other sources, making it ideal for energy mixes.
Protests in Spain, Italy, and the Haka Dance in Parliament
In Spain, supporters of the conservative Popular Party demand the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his government. A mass demonstration occurred in Madrid under the slogan “Mafia or democracy.” Opponents of the socialist government are also calling for early elections. The current government has faced several scandals, including allegations of corruption related to the awarding of public contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the outcry was intensified by claims that a member of the Socialist Workers’ Party attacked a police unit investigating corruption allegations against Pedro Sanchez’s relatives.
In Italy, the parliament has approved a security decree aimed at public protests and regulating "legal" marijuana, sparking outrage among opposition groups and civil rights activists. The new law makes it a crime to block roads or damage public property, which many view as a crackdown on climate activists. Additionally, the bill prohibits the sale of Cannabis light, which lacks the mind-altering properties associated with marijuana.
In New Zealand, parliament suspended three Māori MPs for periods ranging from one to three weeks last year for protesting and performing a traditional haka dance during a session. The MPs were protesting after being asked whether their party, Te Pāti Māori—the Māori Party—supported a bill to redefine New Zealand’s founding treaty with the Māori people. This bill was ultimately defeated, leading to a nationwide outcry, which included more than 40,000 demonstrators protesting outside parliament last November.
A Map of the Universe, a New Observatory, and Mysterious Space Objects
An international team of astronomers has announced that the new NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory will revolutionise our understanding of the solar system's "small bodies," which include asteroids, comets, and other celestial objects. Located on the Cerro Pachón ridge in northern Chile, this observatory will feature the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope. This remarkable telescope has a unique three-mirror design, allowing it to survey the entire visible sky every few nights. The world's largest digital camera is central to its operations, the 3.2-gigapixel camera known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
In a groundbreaking achievement, an international team of scientists has created the most extensive and detailed universe map, using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. This map reveals nearly 800,000 galaxies, some dating back to nearly the beginning of time. The COSMOS-Web project challenges long-held beliefs about how galaxies formed in the early universe and uncovers ten times more galaxies than previously predicted, and supermassive black holes.
Additionally, astronomers at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) have made a historic discovery. An object known as ASKAP J1832- 0911 emits simultaneous pulses of radio waves and X-rays for two minutes every 44 minutes. Researchers hope this discovery will shed light on the sources of similar mysterious signals observed in the sky.
Africa’s Economic Growth and Botswana’s Diamonds
Despite ongoing global tensions, the African Economic Outlook 2025 report predicts that Africa's economy will grow from 3.3% in 2024 to 3.9% in 2025. Twenty-one countries are expected to experience growth of more than 5%, with four countries—Ethiopia, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal—projected to grow by 7%. Africa can potentially mobilise an additional $1.43 trillion in domestic resources, both taxed and untaxed. However, inflation and annual capital outflows of $587 billion remain significant issues. The report calls for reforms focused on improving governance, mobilising revenue, and developing financial markets.
Botswana plans to reduce diamond production by 16% in 2025 due to declining global demand and competition from cheaper lab-grown diamonds. Debswana, the country's largest diamond producer, has experienced a 50% drop in revenue and has temporarily halted production at its Jwaneng and Orapa mines. The president has called for increased local diamond polishing, but further economic diversification will be necessary for sustainable growth.
The World Bank has resumed lending to Uganda following a two-year freeze related to the country’s passage of a strict anti-LGBTQ law that imposes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts. Despite ongoing reports of violence and harassment against LGBTQ individuals, the bank announced new safeguards to prevent discrimination in the projects it finances. This decision has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who question the effectiveness of these safeguards.
Jihadist Activity in Africa and the Time-Critical Questioning Test
ISWAP, an armed group affiliated with ISIS, is currently engaged in its most successful military campaign in the Lake Chad region. They are attacking military bases and forcing the Nigerian military to retreat. The group is employing new tactics, using combat drones, and receiving support from ISIS. These operations have resulted in the mass displacement of civilians. ISWAP has also expanded its attacks into Cameroon and northern Nigeria, reflecting a broader trend of increasing jihadist activity across West Africa.
The escape room was utilised to test Time-Critical Questioning (TCQ), a new interviewing method for witnesses of terrorist attacks developed by the University of Portsmouth. After completing the game, participants were questioned using either the TCQ or standard approaches. The TCQ method demonstrated a 97% accuracy rate, compared to 87% for the control group. It is easy to implement, can rapidly gather key information in stressful situations, and applies outside emergency services, such as in healthcare settings.
The announcement of a new travel ban to the U.S. for citizens from 12 countries in Africa (including Somalia, Libya, and Sudan) and the Middle East has raised concerns in South Africa, despite the country not being on the list. In Johannesburg, there is significant worry among those waiting for U.S. visas, with some considering cancelling their trips. Critics have highlighted the selective nature of the ban and the potential negative impact on U.S. relations with Africa. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has expressed support for accepting white refugees from South Africa into the U.S.
The Curious Behaviour of Humpback Whales and the Impact of Heat on Amphibians
Using satellite technology, the global MegaMove project surveyed over 12,000 marine animals from more than 100 species. The findings reveal that most key habitats for these animals are outside protected zones. Despite the United Nations' goal of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030, as many as 60% of critical areas remain at risk. Scientists emphasise that sufficient protection requires not only the establishment of marine reserves but also changes to fishing and shipping routes and pollution reduction. This initiative involved more than 400 researchers from 50 countries.
In another study, scientists from SETI and UC Davis observed a previously undocumented behaviour in humpback whales: they blow bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans. The researchers believe this may be communication rather than mere play. Their findings suggest that whales demonstrate intelligence, curiosity, and complex social behaviours, which could aid in developing communication models. The results, published in Marine Mammal Science, are based on observations of 11 whales across 12 study episodes.
Additionally, a study by Goethe University highlights that extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, increasingly threaten amphibians. Analyzing 40 years of data reveals that the number of endangered species is rising in regions like Europe, the Amazon, and Madagascar. Amphibians struggle to adapt quickly enough, and droughts impact their breeding habitats. Scientists call for conservation measures, including creating micro-refuges, restoring habitats, and protecting wetlands, to help these vulnerable animals survive.
Does Eating Foods Rich in Flavonoids Extend Your Lifespan?
A 10-year study involving over 120,000 people aged 40 to 70 has shown that consuming various flavonoid-rich foods—such as tea, berries, dark chocolate, and apples—can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast, ECU Perth, and the University of Vienna discovered that both the quantity and variety of flavonoids in one’s diet contribute to these health benefits.
The study found that consuming approximately 500 mg of flavonoids daily (for example, from two cups of tea) was linked to a 16% lower risk of death and a 10% reduction in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory diseases. The most significant benefits were observed in individuals who consumed flavonoids from diverse sources. Different types of flavonoids operate through various mechanisms to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation. These findings support the recommendation to increase both the quantity and variety of flavonoids in our diets, which could have substantial implications for public health.