Tuesday, May 6, 2025

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Internet brings challenges to Marubo tribe – addiction and laziness

Published 8 June 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Two older people from the Marubo tribe in traditional costume.

Since the Marubo tribe in the Brazilian Amazon gained access to the internet nine months ago, elders say more people have become addicted to pornography and social media. There is also a perception that many have become lazier and that more people are exhibiting “aggressive sexual behavior”.

The people of Marubo gained access to the internet about nine months ago through Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service, which is known for its ability to connect remote areas. It was initially welcomed, and is intended to be used, among other things, to connect with the outside world in emergency situations, such as fatal snake bites or similar. Meanwhile, it has quickly changed the culture of the small tribal community, where more and more people are said to be addicted to both pornography and social media.

– When it arrived, everyone was happy, 73-year-old Tsainama Marubo told the New York Times. But now, things have gotten worse. Young people have gotten lazy because of the internet, they’re learning the ways of the white people.

“Aggressive sexual behavior”

Alfredo Marubo, 40, who shares his tribe’s last name, is also worried about how access to the Internet could turn social norms upside down. Among other things, he points to the fact that many young men have shared pornographic videos in group chats and that there has been more “aggressive sexual behavior” among some of them.

– We’re worried young people are going to want to try it, he says of the films the men watch.

Marubo is located in Brazil, about two days’ walk and a boat ride from nearest society. The tribe has about 2,000 members and is described as a “chaste” tribe, where they normally don’t even kiss each other in public.

Many young people also spend an extreme amount of time on their cell phones, which affects their daily lives, including reports that some are so connected that they do not even talk to their families. It also has a negative impact on the food supply.

– In the village, if you don’t hunt, fish and plant, you don’t eat, says 42-year-old Tama-Say Marubo. Some young people maintain our traditions, others just want to spend the whole afternoon on their phones.

Limited cell phone use

But they say the Internet connection has been helpful in establishing stable contact with the outside world. This includes sharing educational resources with other tribes, staying in touch with family living in other parts of the world, or getting help in emergencies.

Village leaders have now decided to limit internet use to two hours in the morning and five hours in the evening. On Sundays, it is okay to sit all day if you want. At the same time, parents worry that the damage caused by internet access has already been done, and village elders fear that their history and culture, passed on through storytelling in social settings, will disappear altogether.

Even some officials in Brazil, according to the New York Times, have expressed skepticism about bringing connectivity to remote communities because of the perceived risk of eroding local cultures.

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Smotrich: “We will finally occupy the Gaza Strip”

The situation in Gaza

Published today 13:29
– By Editorial Staff
Bezalel Smotrich has long advocated for the permanent Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the area.

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that the country intends to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the planned expansion of the offensive against the area.

We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation’, declared Smothrich.

On Monday, Israel’s security cabinet unanimously approved a plan to expand the military operation in Gaza, which, according to government officials, means a de facto occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of reservists have been called up for the operation.

We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation’, said the Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party leader during a conference organized by B’Sheva newspaper.

Prime Minister Netanyahu described the operation as “intensive” and stressed that Israel will not withdraw from areas taken under its control.

– Once the new offensive is launched, Israel will not withdraw from conquered territories. The intention is the opposite of that, said Netanyahu in a video clip on X.

Opposition: It’s about saving Netanyahu

Netanyahu added that Gaza’s civilian population will be moved south “for its own protection” as part of the plan.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Many accuse the government of prioritizing territorial gains over human lives.

– The cabinet decided last night to expand the military operation inside the Gaza Strip – not to maintain Israel’s security, but to save Netanyahu and the extremist government, opposition leader Yair Golan wrote on X.

May constitute genocide

Plans to forcibly displace civilians in Gaza raise questions of international law. According to the UN Genocide Convention, the forcible transfer of a protected group with the intent to destroy it in whole or in part may constitute genocide.

Also under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), such displacement can count as a crime against humanity.

German left party leader calls for NATO replacement – involving Russia

The new cold war

Published yesterday 11:47
– By Editorial Staff
According to Jan van Aken, NATO has outplayed its role - and a new alliance should take shape instead.

Jan van Aken, co-chair of the German left-wing party Die Linke, wants NATO to eventually be replaced by a new international security alliance that includes both Russia and the US.

In an interview with Die Zeit, he said that the NATO-led structure has no future and should be replaced by a more cooperative system.

– We have never wanted to abolish NATO without replacement, but rather to replace it with a cooperative security system, van Aken said in the interview published over the weekend.

He referred to his party’s 2011 manifesto, which proposes that Germany leave NATO in favor of a new collective security arrangement. Van Aken proposes a model similar to the OECD – a kind of “OECD 2.0” – where the focus is on peacekeeping and joint defense.

– A peace and defense alliance together with Russia and the US. But of course, such a structure would require at least ten years of confidence-building measures. During that time, NATO would remain in place – but it has no future, in my opinion, he added.

In addition to his criticism of NATO, van Aken also called for the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Germany – including the nuclear weapons they carry with them. He pointed out that the UK and France already have more than enough nuclear arsenals of their own.

Dreaming of a demilitarized Europe

Van Aken also confirmed that the vision of a demilitarized Europe remains central to the German left-wing party – a controversial and unusual stance in these times.

– Of course I want to live in a country without an army. Don’t you? he asked rhetorically.

The interview was published at a sensitive political moment, with Germany recently announcing a new military aid package for Ukraine, including air defense missiles and artillery. Incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also expressed support for sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine a weapon capable of reaching deep into Russian territory.

This has led to strong criticism from Moscow, which has warned that a German decision to deliver the weapons would make the country an active party in the war, as Russia claims that the Taurus system cannot be operated without German personnel.

Die Linke has consistently opposed arms deliveries to Ukraine and instead advocated a ceasefire and diplomatic solutions.

Trial begins for Diddy – could face life sentence

Published yesterday 10:08
– By Editorial Staff
Combs has been in custody since fall 2024 - and denies all charges.

Today marks the start of the trial against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. The 55-year-old is charged with sex trafficking and extortion, among other things.

Combs has faced a series of allegations since late 2023, including from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who accused him of a decade of abuse. Last year, charges were added for serious crimes including sex trafficking, pimping, and extortion. Among other things, the rapper is alleged to have used violence to force women to take drugs and participate in so-called “Freak Offs”, which involved sexual acts that were filmed. In total, there are said to be around 60 lawsuits against the 55-year-old.

In an anonymous lawsuit, rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, 55, is also accused of assaulting a drugged 13-year-old girl together with Combs.

Extortion with firearms

The trial against Combs begins today, reports the BBC. The trial will start with the selection of twelve jurors and six alternates. The defense will review approximately 150 people. Combs is charged with two counts of human trafficking for sexual purposes, two counts of transporting persons for prostitution, and extortion. The extortion charges include kidnapping and coercion to perform sexual acts and take drugs, sometimes involving firearms or threats of violence against the victims.

Opening statements will then be made on May 12, and the trial is expected to last eight weeks. If convicted on all five counts, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Combs has been in custody in New York since September 2024 and denies all charges.

Spaniards required to notify authorities ahead of major cash withdrawals

The war on cash

Published yesterday 8:29
– By Editorial Staff
Anyone who does not inform the authorities of planned major withdrawals risks penalties and other reprisals.

Spaniards who want to withdraw €3,000 or more in cash can now only do so if they first notify the country’s tax authorities of their plans.

As usual, the new restrictions are justified by the need to fight organized crime, tax evasion and money laundering at all costs, and anyone wishing to make large cash withdrawals will need to notify the authority on its website, along with some form of electronic ID or digital certificate.

If a receipt from the tax authority cannot be presented, banks also have the right to stop citizens from withdrawing money. Banks are also obliged to report “suspicious transactions” to the tax authorities – including repeated withdrawals below the threshold.

For most people, applying for a cash withdrawal at least 24 hours in advance is sufficient – but those wishing to withdraw €100 000 or more must ask for the tax authorities’ approval at least three days before the withdrawal is to be made.

Anyone who fails to do so, or forgets to tell the authorities that they plan to use cash, will be fined up to 10% of the amount – or at least €600.

Same trend across the Western world

It is worth noting that Spain is far from alone in tightening cash controls – a similar trend can be seen across the Western world. Sweden is often held up as an international horror story, where physical money can no longer be used in many shops or to pay bills – and where people who make regular cash withdrawals risk having their accounts closed.

Anyone who wants to avoid the wrath of the Spanish authorities will have to be very careful in the future – and not just declare exactly how much they intend to withdraw and who they are – they will also have to explain in detail what they will use the money for.

Withdrawing smaller amounts of money, but at different times, is also very risky – even recurring withdrawals of a few hundred euros risk similar reprisals and penalties.

While there is a consensus that organized crime should be fought, critics warn that the Spanish legislation will hit ordinary citizens – and undermine their personal financial privacy, where they effectively have to ask permission to use their own money.

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