4 minute read
GLOBAL DIARY
SHADE
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” ~ WARREN BUFFETT,
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CEO OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY
SLOVENIA ELECTS FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT
Natasa Pirc Musar (54), a lawyer, won the second round of Slovenia’s presidential election and will become its first female head of state. She won 53.86 per cent of votes in the runoff, while her rival, right-wing politician and former foreign minister Andze Logar, won 46.14 per cent. “I will do my best to be a true president for all, to work for fundamental and constitutional human and democratic rights and democracy,” Pirc Musar told reporters after claiming victory. Although the role is mostly ceremonial, the president is commander in chief of the armed forces and also nominates several top officials, including the central bank governor. Natasa Pirc Musar will replace Borut Pahor who has been active in politics for 30 years.
EU MONEY SLOWLY SLIPPING AWAY FROM HUNGARY?
In September, the EU’s executive called for an estimated €7.5 billion in European funds to be withheld from Hungary over corruption concerns after it triggered a new rule of law mechanism. The Hungarian government could get the money if it passed 17 remedial measures negotiated with the Commission before November 19. Budapest sent the necessary paperwork by 19 November with Justice Minister Judit Varga describing herself last week as “very optimistic” the funds would be disbursed. But the European Commission’s assessment is that Budapest has not delivered and it has decided to refer the matter to the EU Council. EU countries are therefore expected to vote on this in mid-December with a qualified majority necessary to block the disbursement.
According to a new report, the UAE’s physical index score has risen by almost five points. The improvement in citizens’ health over the last four years is in line with the growth of key community initiatives, among them, the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge. Conducted by global health services company Cigna Insurance Middle East, the Cigna 360 Wellbeing Survey showed that the UAE is now among the fittest countries in the world, with a physical index score of 65.4 compared to a global average of 60. The survey gathered data on key markets, including Australia, China, the USA, the UK and Spain.
CHILDREN
“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow” ~ A. P. J. ABDUL KALAM, FORMER INDIAN SCIENTIST
AND POLITICIAN
FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 KICKS OFF WITH GRAND OPENING IN QATAR
SPAIN PREPARES FOR WINTER DROUGHT
With a grand opening ceremony, FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off in Qatar on 19th November which saw performances by international celebrities. The ceremony started with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar arriving at the stadium surrounded by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to a roaring crowd, while American actor Morgan Freeman spoke about hope, unity and tolerance in dulcet voice and an Arabian theme with camels. Singer Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS along with Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performed in the new tournament song called ‘Dreamers’. It may be mentioned that Qatar is the smallest nation to host football’s biggest global event. The opening match is being played between Qatar and Ecuador at Al-Bayt Stadium in Doha.
SPAIN’S KING CHARLES V’S SECRET CODE CRACKED AFTER FIVE CENTURIES
A team of researchers have cracked a five-century-old code which reveals a rumoured French plot to kill the Holy Roman Emperor who was also King Charles V of Spain. Charles was one of the most powerful men of the 16th century, presiding over a vast empire that took in much of western Europe and the Americas during a reign of more than 40 years. It took the team from the Loria research lab in eastern France six months to decipher the letter written in 1547 by the emperor to his ambassador in France.
Under the new Catalan rules, pools cannot be refilled, showers are limited to five minutes, many municipal fountains have been turned off, cars cannot be cleaned, and gardens can only be washed two days a week. Private water companies will alert authorities if households are using too much water. So far, drinking water has not been cut but unless the heavens open soon, authorities may have to impose more restrictions in Barcelona and more than 500 towns in this northeastern region. It’s the second area in Spain to impose water restrictions. Seville cut water supplies in September after a long summer when temperatures reached as high as 47 degrees Celsius near Cordoba in southern Spain.
SPENCER TUNICK GATHERS 2,500 VOLUNTEERS FOR MASS NAKED PHOTO
Around 2,500 people stripped off for a naked photoshoot on Australia’s Bondi Beach, designed to raise awareness of skin cancer. The crowd gathered to take part in the latest work by US photographic artist Spencer Tunick, who is known for naked photo shoots at important landmarks around the world. “We have an opportunity to raise awareness about skin checks and I’m honoured ... to come here, make my art and just celebrate the body and protection,” Tunick said at the beach in Sydney, according to Reuters. It is Tunick’s fourth project in Australia, following on from a 2010 shoot in which he gathered some 5,500 people at Sydney’s famous Opera House. He is partnering with Skin Check Champions, a charity that runs free, educational skin check clinics.
