Months ago, Vladimir Putin managed to recruit 30,000 Russian volunteers at the cost of paying large amounts of money

Months ago, Vladimir Putin managed to recruit 30,000 Russian volunteers at the cost of paying large amounts of money

Months ago, Vladimir Putin managed to recruit 30,000 Russian volunteers at the cost of paying large amounts of money

Months ago, Vladimir Putin managed to recruit 30,000 Russian volunteers at the cost of paying large amounts of money

Months ago, Vladimir Putin managed to recruit 30,000 Russian volunteers at the cost of paying large amounts of money

There are prophetic books, and the most recent work by German philosopher Philipp Hübl falls into that category. It cautions readers that the label of “morality” does not always reflect what lies inside, and delves into the concept of morality becoming a status symbol. Applied to the realm of politics, Hübl’s analysis of the public display of this virtue is truly impactful. “When self-presentation of morality takes precedence over addressing real issues, we have a problem,” he emphasizes in his interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung. Although he refrains from naming specific politicians who have made morality their calling card, recent examples are not hard to come by.

Furthermore, these observations are made within societies that tend to collectively moralize, without being excessively moralistic. Hübl argues that in today’s political and cultural battles, we witness a prevalence of high-pitched but ineffective moral rhetoric across the entire political spectrum – from progressive identity politics to the conservative-religious camp. To illustrate this point, he cites the outrage and insults hurled by hashtag activists towards celebrities for things they tweeted years ago while under the influence or for opportunistic reasons. “The objective of such criticism is to signal loyalty to one’s own group or to weaponize morality against competitors, rather than genuinely striving to create positive change,” Hübl argues. “This approach hinders societal development, promoting superficial symbolic policies and even distorting research and anti-discrimination measures.”

According to Hübl, this phenomenon is rooted in anthropology. “Our moral standing is important to us. Everyone wants to project a certain image of themselves in the public sphere. Even when organizing a child’s birthday party, part of us wants other parents to recognize the effort we put into it,” he explains.

Hübl believes that the spectacle of morality gained particular momentum about a decade ago, when social media platforms introduced features allowing public reactions to others’ behavior. This era saw the rapid proliferation of terms associated with social justice, such as “sexism,” “racism,” and “inclusion.” Individuals began to realize that everything they said online would be morally judged by others. Consequently, reputation management became a priority. Negative reactions and criticism began to shape debates on issues that neither improved nor worsened society, regardless of how they were addressed. This gave rise to suspicions that the focus was more on staging grievances rather than driving genuine progress.

Politics is an infinite theater of sorts, and with the advent of digitalization, politicians have taken the spectacle of morality to new heights. In a small town, if someone boasts about being helpful but is never present when help is actually needed, they would be labeled a liar. In the realm of digital media, where personal acquaintance is absent, thousands of people pass moral judgment. This landscape serves as the perfect breeding ground for satisfying the thirst for status, establishing moral prestige, and showcasing blameless morality or victimhood at the hands of the presumed “wrong side.”

In an attempt to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip, Egypt has restarted negotiations with Israel and Hamas. However, there is growing frustration among mediators such as Cairo and Doha, who question the effectiveness of their role as intermediaries. Adding to this is the Israeli offensive in Gaza, resulting in numerous deaths and worsening famine conditions due to soaring temperatures in the summer.

While specific details of the proposed deal have not been disclosed, it is known that Israel suggested an external Arab force to oversee security in Gaza, a suggestion rejected by Hamas. The Palestinian organization insists on a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces for a permanent truce, which apparently is not part of the current ceasefire initiative.

Initially, it was speculated that all hostages held by Hamas, around 130 captives, would be released. However, this number has been reduced to 30 or 40, indicating a possible agreement to only free women and children. In return, Israel would release dozens of Palestinian detainees and observe a pause in the 40-day offensive.

US President Joe Biden has called on Egypt and Qatar to make every effort for the release of hostages and an immediate ceasefire. Hamas claims to be studying the proposal and aims to respond quickly. On the other hand, Israel has reportedly refused to send a delegation to Cairo.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized that Hamas stands between a ceasefire and the people of Gaza. He hopes that Hamas will make the right decision and bring about a fundamental change in the situation. The truce agreement, if reached, could prevent an Israeli invasion of Rafah, a city in Gaza housing over a million displaced Palestinians.

However, opinions within the Israeli Government vary on the ceasefire agreement and the ground offensive in Gaza. The Minister of National Security threatens to dismantle the Government if any concessions are made to Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees the operation in Rafah and the hostage release negotiations as separate issues, vowing to achieve total victory regardless of a truce agreement.

Last week, Brussels was host to the top padel players in the world. Among them were the number 1 ranked players, Coello and Tapia, who have established their dominance in the sport. The tournament provided a platform for both established and up-and-coming couples to showcase their skills. Notably, the newly formed pair of Galán and Chingotto made an impressive run, reaching the final and ultimately clinching victory on Sunday. The event took place at the stunning Gare Maritime facilities, which added to the overall experience.

Padel has been gaining popularity not only in traditional hotspots like Sweden, the Netherlands, and Italy, but also in Belgium. Over the past decade, the country has witnessed a significant growth in the number of courts, clubs, and coaches. The surge in popularity has led to a high demand for bookings, with some days fully booked until 10:00 p.m. Additionally, key figures such as Yannik Carrasco have invested in padel facilities, and local brands have emerged to cater to the growing fan base. The Premium Padel fans, numbering in the thousands, were an enthusiastic presence throughout the event.

While the star players naturally attracted attention and media coverage, the week belonged to the veteran Miguel Lamperti. At 45 years old, Lamperti is a legend in the sport, known for his charismatic personality both on and off the court. The stands erupted with chants of “Miguel, Miguel” as Lamperti secured an epic victory in the round of 16. On Friday, Lamperti and his partner Belluati put up a fierce fight against the top-ranked players, coming close to a stunning upset with two match points. Despite the loss, the crowd’s support for Lamperti was unwavering, as he embodies the passion and resilience that the Belgian fans appreciate.

Lamperti’s story exemplifies the Belgians’ unwavering passion not only for padel but also for life itself. Much like Lamperti, the Belgians have a reputation for bouncing back from adversity. They symbolize the old guard of padel, contrasting with the younger players who rely on their physical prowess. Lamperti’s fearless approach to the game resonated with the crowd, as he charged forward against seemingly insurmountable odds. Although victory may have been out of reach, the Belgian spirit of constantly pushing forward and never giving up was evident throughout Lamperti’s performance.

Lamperti is a beloved national hero, embodying an irreverent spirit in a country that values order and predictability within chaos. His passionate performance ignites a sense of awakening in the inhibited Belgian culture and inspires faith in overcoming personal barriers. Lamperti appeals to those who yearn to join the dance floor at parties but find themselves hesitating to take the first step. He possesses the qualities that many aspire to have: enthusiasm, audacity, and a complete disregard for danger. Lamperti plays without overthinking, seizing his turn on the court as if he were a world-renowned player, disregarding his own physical limitations. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Lamperti continues to believe in his abilities and gives his all in every match. He may not always emerge victorious, but his determined spirit and resilience resonate deeply with the Belgian audience.

Tragedy struck the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, on Tuesday as a devastating fire caused by a gas leak engulfed a popular pizzeria, claiming the lives of at least eight people and leaving several others injured.

Authorities, led by Minister of the Interior Basam Mawlawi, swiftly launched an investigation to uncover the root causes of the incident and bring the responsible parties to justice. Initial findings suggest that the restaurant had stored up to four gas cylinders on its premises.

It is worth noting that the pizzeria is located within a building that accommodates various state administrations, including the Ministry of Finance’s Import Directorate and the National Authority of the Litani River, as reported by Lebanese news portal Naharnet.

The EuroMillions draw this Tuesday, April 30, has produced yet another lucky winner in Europe, taking home the impressive jackpot of 166,790,050 euros.

The winning ticket was purchased in France, and in Spain, there is also cause for celebration as a second category winner claims their prize of 114,649 euros. This winning ticket was bought at Administration No. 40 in Seville, located on Calle San Jacinto, 17.

In Spain, each EuroMillions ticket costs 2.5 euros, and players must select 5 numbers between 1 and 50, along with two stars between 1 and 11. The coveted jackpot is won by matching all the numbers correctly, though there are also 12 other categories that offer various prizes.

The very first EuroMillions draw took place in February 2004 in Paris, and currently, citizens of Spain, Switzerland, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg have the opportunity to participate in this thrilling game of chance.

For the entire week’s winning EuroMillions numbers, be sure to visit the Lotteries section of 20minutos.es.