Ecstatic Gathering

Nearly 80% of the world's poorest citizens, or 900 million people, are increasingly directly exposed to climate risks, exacerbated by global warming due to climate change, a "double burden" against which the UN is warning today.

Heat waves, droughts, floods... "No one is immune to the increasingly serious consequences of climate change", but "the poorest among us are hit hardest", commented Haoliang Xu, the interim head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP in French, UNDP in English).

At COP30 in Brazil next month, therefore, “the opportunity must be seized by world leaders to consider climate action as action against poverty,” he continued, in a written statement to Agence France-Presse.

The UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) research center publish the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) every year, which now includes data for 109 countries where 6.3 billion people live.

The index takes into account data on malnutrition, child mortality, lack of adequate housing, sanitation, electricity, access to the education system, etc.

According to this year’s findings, 1.1 billion people were living in a state of “acute” multidimensional poverty in 2024. Half of them are minors.

These figures, similar to those of last year, also show a trend towards a consolidation of the level of multidimensional poverty, as illustrated in the text by Ricardo's family.

A member of the indigenous Guarani community, he lives in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, with his wife, their three children, his parents, his divorced sister and her children. A total of 19 people in a small house, with one bathroom, a meager income, a kitchen that burns wood or coal. None of the children go to school.
4 in just one year

Two regions are particularly affected by poverty: sub-Saharan Africa (565 million poor people) and South Asia (390 million), which are also very vulnerable to climate change.

Against this backdrop, a few weeks before COP30, UNDP and OPHI want to highlight the “overlap” between poverty and exposure to four environmental hazards: extreme heat (at least 30 days with temperatures above 35° Celsius), drought, floods and air pollution (concentration of fine particles).

The result: 78.8% of the poor (887 million people) are directly exposed to at least one of these threats, with extreme heat putting the most at risk (608 million), followed by pollution (577), floods (465) and drought (207).

Some 650 million people are exposed to at least two of these threats, 309 million to three, and 11 million have already faced all four in just one year.

“The overlap between poverty and climate risks is clearly a global problem,” the report insists.

The fact that extreme climate events are multiplying threatens development progress. South Asia has made “success” in the fight against poverty, but with 99.1 percent of its poor exposed to at least one climate risk, the region “must chart a new course, balancing decisive poverty reduction with pioneering climate action.”

With global temperatures already around 1.4°C warmer than in the 19th century, the situation is set to get worse, with projections indicating, for example, that the poorest will be the ones to suffer the worst consequences of rising temperatures.

“In the face of these overlapping pressures, people and the planet must come first, and above all, we must move from description to rapid action,” the text says.

“Aligning poverty reduction, emissions reduction, adaptation to impacts and ecosystem restoration would allow (…) resilient communities, particularly those on the front lines of a warming world, to thrive,” it says.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition that causes elevated levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood, the cholesterol responsible for the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries.

It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, but is a matter of genes, and can increase (up to 20 times) the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, even at a young age. Precisely because it is a genetic disorder, familial hypercholesterolemia cannot be cured. However, it is manageable. Early diagnosis and treatment with medication and lifestyle changes have very good results in treating it.

To identify the problem early, regular screening is crucial. Adults should measure their cholesterol every 4–6 years, while those with a family history should be checked more often. Children should be screened once between the ages of 9–11 and again between the ages of 17–21.

There are two types: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Occurs when the mutated gene is inherited from one parent.
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Rarer and more severe form, when the mutated gene comes from both parents.
Signs of familial hypercholesterolemia

Many people have no symptoms, which is why only one in ten people know they have it. The main warning sign is LDL cholesterol above 190 mg/dL, which is usually detected during routine tests. In advanced cases, you may experience: Lumps in your knees, elbows, or joints
Pain or swelling in your Achilles tendon
Yellow spots around your eyes
White or gray ring around your iris

If these signs appear, your LDL levels are likely to be very high, and immediate medical attention is needed.
Causes of familial hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by gene mutations that affect the way your body removes cholesterol from your blood. When this is not done effectively, cholesterol builds up.

60% to 80% of cases are due to mutations in the following genes: LDLR
APOB
PCSK9

A person who has one parent with hypercholesterolemia has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder. Those with a family history should undergo relevant testing.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by clinical examination, laboratory tests and family history. Initially, doctors look for signs such as cholesterol deposits around the eyes and ask about heart attacks in relatives. LDL levels above 190 mg/dL in adults (or 160 mg/dL in children) are indicative values that may indicate familial hypercholesterolemia. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment – Lifestyle changes and medication

Lifestyle changes help, but are not enough on their own. The main recommendations include: Diet low in fat, salt and sugar
Regular exercise
Abstaining from smoking
Limiting alcohol consumption
Frequent monitoring of cholesterol levels

Most patients need medication. Some common options are: Statins to reduce cholesterol production
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
Bile acid sequestrants
PCSK9 inhibitors that help the liver remove cholesterol
Bempedoic acid that reduces cholesterol production in the liver

Familial hypercholesterolemia is not the result of bad habits; it is a matter of heredity. And for this reason, the most important thing is early diagnosis. The earlier it is detected, the better. If there is a family history or unusually high cholesterol, do not neglect it: a simple check-up can be life-saving.

From spending time alone to making the most of being single, it’s now a philosophy championed by a new wave of books.

In Wim Wenders’ recent film, Perfect Days, the protagonist, a toilet cleaner in Tokyo, spends many of his hours alone. He waters plants, meditates, listens to music, and reads. While more characters are introduced as the film progresses, for many viewers its opening moments are indeed perfect.

No wonder. Thoughtful and positive takes on loneliness are increasingly taking up space on our screens, bookshelves, and smartphones, from podcasts to viral TikToks. It seems like there’s never been a better time to be single.

In the past two years, several titles on the topic have been released, with more in the works.

A Shift in Mindsets
Packed with sharp observations and helpful advice, this new wave of books aims not only to dispel the stigma attached to solitude, but also to champion its benefits and pleasures.

“After the pandemic, there has been a huge emphasis on solitude, for good reason,” says Robert Coplan, a psychology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa and author of The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in a Hyperconnected World.

Journalist Heather Hansen wrote in her book, “people are looking back on their lives and recognizing that they choose solitude for a variety of reasons that benefit them.”

Nicola Slawson, the author, isn’t surprised. “The number of people living alone in the UK has been rising steadily over the last decade or so,” Slawson points out, fuelling a cultural shift towards accepting single people and emphasizing “freedom and independence, and particularly the rejection of family life, as women realise they don’t have to put up with things they would have been expected to do in previous generations.”

Daniel Schreiber believes the association between people living alone, without a partner and feeling lonely has traditionally been overstated. “Society now understands better that romantic love is not the only model we should live by or something we desire,” he adds. “There are different ways of living and it’s not as necessary to be in a traditional romantic relationship.”

In his book, Peter McGraw, a bachelor’s student and professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Colorado, makes a similar point with enthusiasm. “There’s a lot of mythology around single life and a failure to understand why marriage was invented—mostly as a business arrangement,” he says. “Frankly, the message of romantic comedies, love songs, and Jane Austen novels”—that we need a partner to be fulfilled—“is not supported by the data,” he says, “if you look at the longitudinal data”: many studies cited in Solo show that even if personal happiness peaks around marriage, it doesn’t last.

More generally, time spent alone is full of potential. “I think solitude inspires a wonderful sense of creativity, energizes, and encourages problem-solving,” says Gannon. He suggests treating solitude as an adventure – or as an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, through journaling or enjoying our senses: “The soft blanket, the sound of music, the taste of our food. What can we see, smell, touch and feel when we are alone?”

And most importantly, if it’s obvious? It’s about mixing things up. “People need social interaction – but I would also say that people need solitude,” says Coplan.

A disturbing phenomenon is being observed across the United States, as birds have adopted a new, dangerous habit that could have devastating consequences for human society if it continues. Researchers have found that birds are abandoning their established migratory patterns as warmer temperatures in their winter habitats disrupt their annual flights. While the delay in their annual flight south may not sound like a serious problem, Cornell University scientist Andrew Farnsworth warned that this could lead to the extinction of many bird species and radically alter nature.

Birds play an important role for humans, as they help control pests, disperse seeds and pollinate plants. About 5% of plants used for food and medicine by humans depend on birds for pollination. If more birds start dying because they have difficulty finding food when the seasons change, then food production decreases and the balance of nature is disrupted. Farnsworth, a migratory ecologist, revealed that rising temperatures in areas such as the Arctic and boreal forests, combined with phenomena such as wildfires, are making it harder for birds to survive.

In total, the National Audubon Society has warned that 389 North American bird species are at risk of extinction within the next 50 years. Audubon, a US non-profit organization dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats, said that these 389 species correspond to almost two-thirds of the species studied. Researchers have warned that these birds are at risk of losing more than half of their habitat by 2080. A study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology found that an estimated three billion birds in North America have been lost since 1970.

The impact on food

When birds die in droves, the impact is direct on pollination of tropical plants, such as bananas, coffee and cocoa trees, which produce chocolate. Medicinal plants, such as those used in traditional remedies or pharmaceuticals, including orchids and aloe species, may also decline, limiting access to natural remedies. If bird populations continue to decline, farmers may face difficulties in producing enough food, which could increase costs and affect food availability worldwide.

As the Daily Mail reports, the main cause of this mass extinction event has been traced to the loss of bird habitat, which is being exacerbated by climate change, pesticides and other human-induced impacts such as urbanization. “There’s a very close relationship between where birds are on the planet and what’s happening with the climate and the weather,” Farnsworth told NBC Connecticut. Rising global temperatures have altered the seasons, causing birds in warmer regions to leave their nests earlier or later than usual. This can mean they arrive at breeding or feeding grounds when food, such as insects or plants, is not yet available.

The birds can end up starving, unable to find suitable shelter and struggling to mate, leading to smaller and smaller populations as the winters go by.

At the verdant foothills of Kissavos, Ampelakia looks like a village that has escaped the flow of time. With its stone-built mansions reminiscent of a scene from another era, they create the impression that this is an almost “fake” place - however, their beauty is completely real.

Just five kilometers from the Sacred Straits of Tempi, Ampelakia is one of the most authentic ornaments of Larissa, offering the visitor images of unparalleled charm. Their name comes from the small vineyards that the residents cultivated until the end of the 17th century; however, the village’s fame traveled much further thanks to a unique event: here, in 1778, the first agricultural cooperative in the world was founded, making Ampelakia a point of reference for all of Europe.

That era was a period of great prosperity. Ambelakia became known for its colored cotton yarns, and especially for the famous red-dyed yarns from the rizari plant, which were exported throughout the continent.

Today, walking along the cobblestone alleys, among the well-preserved mansions and stone-built courtyards, you feel as if time has truly frozen. The local architecture remains unchanged, capturing the power and grandeur of another era.

Among the sights, the Mansion of Georgios Mavros (Schwartz), built in 1787, a three-story fortress-style building with impressive frescoes, wood-carved ceilings and a rare porcelain fireplace, stands out. Equally important is the Greek Museum-Maniareios School, founded in 1749 and a spiritual center of Hellenism, with teachers such as Anthimos Gazis and Eugenios Voulgaris.

The Folklore and Historical Museum of Ambelakia, in the mansion of Mola, reveals moments of the daily life of the residents through the centuries, while those seeking panoramic views, a climb to Prophet Elias, just outside the village, compensates with the enchanting view of the valley of Tempi and the Castle of Oria.

Ambelakia is a place that makes you stop, look and remember that beauty is found in the simple and authentic - where time has decided to rest.

1. They avoid eye contact

Eye contact is a key element of communication and connection. When someone avoids looking you in the eye, it can indicate discomfort or a lack of interest. People who don’t like you may intentionally avoid eye contact, especially during conversations, to distance themselves emotionally.

2. They give short or one-word answers

Conversations should be two-way, but if you notice someone giving short, one-syllable answers—like “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know”—it could be a sign that they’re not engaged in the conversation. This can indicate distancing or contempt.

3. They don’t include you in group discussions or activities

Exclusion from group activities or discussions is one of the most subtle but telltale signs that someone may not like you. When you notice that others are participating in conversations or plans, but you are constantly left out, this may indicate intentional distancing.

4. Their body language is closed

Nonverbal cues can tell you a lot about how someone is feeling. If a person is standing with their arms crossed, leaning away from you, or maintaining a physical distance, they may not feel comfortable or open around you. These gestures often indicate a lack of trust or discomfort. Body language is often a subconscious expression of emotions. If someone’s posture and gestures indicate that they are keeping a physical distance, this could also reflect emotional distance.

5. They give fake compliments or make inappropriate comments

While compliments can be a sign of affection or admiration, some people use them to cover up negative feelings. If someone gives you a compliment that feels insincere, like “You look great for your age” or “That’s a good idea… for you,” it’s often a sign of hidden resentment. Fake compliments or incomprehensible comments are often a passive-aggressive way of expressing contempt while maintaining a facade of politeness.

6. They Rarely Initiate Contact

In any relationship—whether personal or professional—there’s usually a back-and-forth dynamic. If someone consistently avoids reaching out or initiating contact, it could be a sign that they’re not interested in cultivating a connection.

7. They Seem to Forget Important Details About You

When someone likes and respects you, they usually pay attention to the details—your interests, your hobbies, even your personal milestones. If a person constantly forgets these things or shows little interest in remembering aspects of your life, this may reflect a lack of investment in the relationship.

8. They are unnecessarily critical.

Criticism can be constructive, but when someone constantly criticizes you without offering helpful suggestions or showing little appreciation for your efforts, it could be a sign of hidden dislike. A person who dislikes you may often point out your flaws or mistakes, often without acknowledging your strengths or achievements.

9. They show little to no emotion around you

While some people are naturally reserved, others who secretly dislike you may do their best to remain emotionally neutral or distant in your presence. This lack of emotional engagement—whether it’s a blank expression, indifference to your stories, or a lack of enthusiasmcould signal a lack of warmth. People who like you generally express emotions, whether through laughter, empathy, or sharing personal stories. Lack of emotional response may indicate that they are emotionally withdrawn.

10. They don’t offer help or support when needed

Friends or colleagues are usually there to offer help or moral support when you are in a difficult situation. If someone consistently avoids helping you when you need it, even though they are in a position to help you, this may indicate underlying negativity.

While these signs are subtle and may not always indicate a deep-rooted dislike, they are worth paying attention to if you suspect that someone is harboring negative feelings. It is important to trust your instincts, but also remember that sometimes people act distant or cold for reasons that are not related to you, such as stress or personal issues. Regardless, recognizing these signs can help you manage your relationships more effectively, either by addressing the problem head-on or by distancing yourself from toxic interactions. By understanding these signs, you can make informed decisions about navigating social dynamics and protecting your emotional well-being.

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