NATOs largest exercise, Apple backs down in dispute and the Eiffel tower can grow

NEWS

1. The NATO will conduct the largest exercises since WWII: The Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise, which will be held from next week to May, will involve about 90,000 troops from NATO-member states and Sweden.

   “Steadfast Defender 2024 will demonstrate NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America,” Supreme Allied Commander Europe Christopher Cavoli said after a two-day meeting of national defense chiefs. The purpose of large-scale exercises is to practice the protection of the eastern flank of NATO.

   Recently, it was reported that the scenario of NATO exercises, involving a major Russian attack, fell into the hands of the German newspaper Bild. The scenario describes Russia-West actions month after month, culminating in the deployment of hundreds of thousands of NATO soldiers and the imminent outbreak of war in the summer of 2025.

2. China’s population shrinks thanks to a declining birthrate:

   China’s population fell by 2.1 million to 1.4 billion last year, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics. The fall was partially driven by a Covid surge that pushed the death rate up 6.6% to 11.1 million people last year, outpacing the birthrate, which dipped 5.7%, to 9.02 million.

   Since dropping its decadeslong one-child rule in 2016, the country has done a hard 180 on its messaging. Even President Xi Jinping has encouraged young women to have kids.

3. European Union sanctioning Hamas supporters

   The EU is targeting members and supporters of the Hamas with a new sanctions instrument. In a first step, six people have been sanctioned, according to the EU Official Journal. They include financial backers of Hamas from Sudan and Algeria as well as men who are allegedly involved in money laundering and money transfer activities for the benefit of the organization. Musa Muhammad Salim Dudin, who according to the EU is a leading player in Hamas and a member of the group's politburo, is also affected.

4. Ukraine participates in international gas pipeline project

   Ukraine, Moldova and Slovakia are participating in a project to transport natural gas from Greece to the north. They have signed a letter of intent to this effect, according to the Greek network operator DESFA.The so-called "Vertical Corridor" combines existing pipeline networks and also enables gas to be stored in Ukraine, according to the Moldovan Ministry of Energy. Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary had already agreed to merge their pipeline networks in 2016. Greece, for its part, is planning a terminal in the port city of Alexandroupoli to feed liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered by ship into the pipeline system.

5. Apple backs down in dispute over Apple Pay

   A long-standing dispute between the EU and the iPhone company Apple is coming to an end: the US company is giving in to the dispute over the alleged abuse of its market power in the Apple Pay payment service and will no longer seal off its mobile payment service in the EU. Instead, Apple will now grant other developers of mobile wallets and payment services direct access to the NFC chip of its devices for contactless payments. This was announced by the EU Commission in Brussels.

   Previously, access for other service providers was only possible via Apple Pay. The EU Commission therefore launched a competition investigation against Apple in 2020 and officially accused the company of unfair competition in 2022.

FACTS

1. The Eiffel Tower Can Grow Taller in the Summer: Due to thermal expansion, the Eiffel Tower can expand and contract with temperature changes. During hot summer days, the iron structure can expand, causing the tower to grow taller by up to 6 inches (15 centimeters). Conversely, in colder temperatures, it contracts, and its height decreases.

2. Bananas Are Berries, But Strawberries Aren't: Botanically speaking, bananas qualify as berries, as they develop from a single ovary and have seeds inside. On the other hand, strawberries, despite their name, are not true berries. They are classified as "aggregate fruits" because they form from a flower with multiple ovaries.

3. The Inventor of the Frisbee was turned into a Frisbee: When Walter Morrison, the inventor of the Frisbee, died in 2010. His family cremated him and turned him into the very toy Morrison invented in 1955, then under the name Pluto Platter. It would later become one of the most successful toys of all-time under the new name adopted by Wham-O: the Frisbee.

4. Hippopotamus Sweat is Red: Hippopotamuses secrete a reddish oily fluid from their sweat glands, often referred to as "blood sweat." Contrary to its name, this substance is neither blood nor sweat but a unique combination of pigments and proteins. It acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting the hippo's skin from the sun and inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

5. Honeybees Can Recognize Human Faces

   Research has shown that honeybees are capable of recognizing and remembering human faces. In an experiment, bees were trained to associate a face with a sugary reward, and they were able to remember and recognize that face even after a day had passed. This ability showcases the cognitive complexity of these small insects.

That’s it for this week, we hope you enjoyed this newsletter issue!

PS: What did you like about this issue or what didn’t you like? Please let us know by replying to this newsletter, we read every reply! Also, what time would you like to receive the newsletter? Please leave us a message with your time and your timezone!