MediaFaro Magazine

The Ig Nobel prizes are moving to Europe because the US is ‘unsafe’ to visit.

The awards, which celebrate the sillier side of science, have held raucous ceremonies that see the winners showered with paper aeroplanes at universities in Massachusetts since 1991.

The 36th edition will be held in the Swiss city of Zurich on 3 September.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260310-the-ig-nobel-prizes-are-moving-to-europe-because-the-us-is-unsafe-to-visit?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#IgNobel #Science #Switzerland #Europe

On this day in 1932, Adolf Hitler obtains German citizenship allowing him to run for Reichspräsident in the 1932 election.

On this day in 1948, in a coup d’état the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia takes control of government in Prague.

On this day in 1991, the Warsaw Pact is officially dissolved following the end of the Cold War.

On this day in 2010, Viktor Yanukovych is elected President of Ukraine, greatly shifting Ukraine’s politics.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

Stone Age symbols may push back the earliest form of writing.

Stone Age people in Europe 40 000 years ago, tens of thousands of years before the emergence of a full writing system, used a simple form of writing comparable in complexity to the earliest stages of the world’s first writing system, cuneiform, according to a study of mysterious signs engraved on figurines and other artefacts found in Germany.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260223-stone-age-symbols-may-push-back-the-earliest-form-of-writing?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Archaeology #StoneAge #Cuneiform #Language #History #Germany

‘Disgusting’: The dark romance novel causing controversy in France.

An online petition has been launched in France to ban the sale of “Corps à coeur” (“Body to Heart”), the dark romance novel by French author Jessie Auryann that many readers have accused of trivialising the sexual abuse of minors.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260224-disgusting-the-dark-romance-novel-causing-controversy-in-france?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Literature #SexualAbuse #France #Books #Controversy #JessieAuryann #CorpsACoeur

On this day in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII announces the Gregorian calendar, now the world’s most widely used calendar.

On this day in 1918, Estonia declares independence from Russia.

On this day in 1920, the Nazi Party (NSDAP) is founded in the Hofbräuhaus beer hall in Munich, Germany.

On this day in 2020, Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, six years after the annexation of Crimea.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

The nurses caring for new parents in the Netherlands.

All new mothers in the Netherlands have a legal right to “kraamzorg” – a unique form of maternity care in the days after they give birth.

Here’s how it transforms the “fourth trimester”.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260223-the-nurses-caring-for-new-parents-in-the-netherlands?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Parenting #Healthcare #Maternity #Health #Netherlands #Kraamzorg #MaternityCare

On this day in 1898, prominent writer Émile Zola is convicted and imprisoned after publishing his open letter, “J’accuse…!”, which accuses the French government of antisemitism and wrongfully imprisoning Captain Alfred Dreyfus.

On this day in 1947, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva begins operations.

On this day in 1981, Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero attempts a coup d’état in the Spanish Parliament.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

The forgotten Al Bowlly: The singer, killed by Nazi bombs, now celebrated by King Charles III and Dua Lipa.

Few people know his name, but his voice and songs are famous in popular culture, thanks to films like ‘The Shining’ and hit songs like ‘My Woman.’

Today, pop stars like Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey count themselves as fans.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260222-the-forgotten-al-bowlly-the-singer-killed-by-nazi-bombs-now-celebrated-by-king-charles-iii-and-dua-lipa?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#AlBowlly #Music #Singer #DuaLippa #LanaDelRey #KingCharlesIII #StanleyKubrick #History #UK

Berlinale: Yellow Letters wins the Golden Bear award 2026.

The political drama directed by Ilker Çatak won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival 2026.

The German-Turkish filmmaker accepted the Golden Bear from jury president Wim Wenders.

Other major winners included Salvation, Queen at Sea, and Rose.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260221-berlinale-yellow-letters-wins-the-golden-bear-award-2026?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#BerlinInternationalFilmFestival #Berlinale #Cinema #Germany #Film #Movie #YellowLetters #IlkerCatak

1916: The bloody battle of Verdun.

The small, French town was the site of one of the bloodiest chapters of World War I, where German and French soldiers battled for 300 days — with neither side emerging victorious.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260220-1916-the-bloody-battle-of-verdun?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Verdun #WWI #France #Germany #WorldWar1 #WW1 #History #BattleOfVerdun

On this day in 1635, the Académie Française, an official authority on the French language, is formed.

On this day in 1797, the last invasion of Britain is launched by the French near Fishguard in Wales.

On this day in 1997, scientists announce that sheep ‘Dolly’ has been successfully cloned.

On this day in 2014, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych is impeached following widespread protests after he abandoned an EU association agreement.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

‘A joyful day’: the final piece of Sagrada Familia’s central tower is put in place.

The completion of a glass cross brings Antoni Gaudí’s church to the maximum final height of 172.5m, 144 years after work began.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260220-a-joyful-day-the-final-piece-of-sagrada-familias-central-tower-is-put-in-place?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Architecture #AntoniGaudi #Barcelona #Culture #Spain #Gaudi

How ultra-processed foods affect our gut microbiome.

The additives added to processed food to keep it fresher for longer might be having an unexpected effect on the health of the microbes in our guts.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260221-how-ultra-processed-foods-affect-our-gut-microbiome?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#UltraprocessedFoods #Gut #Health #Microbiome #Bacteria #Biology #Food #UPF

On this day in 1804, the world’s first steam locomotive, built by Richard Trevithick, departs from the Pen-y-darren ironworks in Wales.

On this day in 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish “The Communist Manifesto” in London.

On this day in 1916, the Battle of Verdun, one of the most devastating engagements of WWI, begins in northern France. It would become a symbol of French national determination.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

The Madrid Codices: Leonardo da Vinci’s little known treasure in Spain.

On 13 February 1967, the Spanish National Library announced the discovery of the Madrid I and II codices, two manuscripts by Leonardo da Vinci that had remained poorly catalogued for more than a century.

Now they are being digitised to make them accessible to the public.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260220-the-madrid-codices-leonardo-da-vincis-little-known-treasure-in-spain?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#LeonardoDaVinci #Science #Culture #Spain #Madrid #History #MadridCodices

On this day in 2005, in a referendum, 77% of Spain’s voters approve ratification of the proposed Constitution of the EU. Ultimately the Constitution did not take effect as voters in France and the Netherlands would reject it later that year.

On this day in 2014, dozens of Euromaidan anti-government protesters die in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv during the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, as protesters and police clash in the streets.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

How toddlers in Finland’s ‘language nests’ are saving an endangered Sámi language.

Special nurseries are helping the Sámi people in Finland to bring their almost-lost language back from the brink of extinction.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260219-how-toddlers-in-finlands-language-nests-are-saving-an-endangered-sami-language?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Sami #Language #Finland #InariSami #Education #Arctic

On this day in 356, emperor Constantius II forbids the worship of pagan idols in the Roman Empire.

On this day in 1797, the Peace of Tolentino between Revolutionary France and the Papal States cedes Avignon, Venaissin, Ferrara, Bologna, and Romagna to France.

On this day in 1986, the Soviet Union launches the “Mir” Space Station. Shuttle-Mir cooperation between Russia and the US would pave the way for the International Space Station (ISS).

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

Is this the world’s most eye-popping restaurant? The architectural marvel – in a Leipzig industrial estate.

This extraordinary diner is the final wonder of the great Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who dreamt it up at the age of 103.

And it’s a fine place for a sunset kombucha and gin.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260216-is-this-the-worlds-most-eye-popping-restaurant-the-architectural-marvel-in-a-leipzig-industrial-estate?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Architecture #OscarNiemeyer #Leipzig #Design #Europe #Germany #Restaurant

On this day in 1564, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (‘Michelangelo’), sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance, dies in Rome.

On this day in 1943, the Nazis arrest members of the non-violent White Rose resistance movement distributing pamphlets in Munich and execute key members soon after.

On this day in 2013, armed robbers steal diamonds worth €38 million in a raid at Brussels Airport.

#OnThisDay #Europe #History #OTD #OnThisDayInEurope

Gisèle Pelicot after the rape trial: “I now allow myself to be happy again”.

The courage Gisèle Pelicot showed during the trial of her rapists made her a hero to women around the world.

Here, she speaks about the difficult weeks in court and the source of her bravery.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260216-gisele-pelicot-after-the-rape-trial-i-now-allow-myself-to-be-happy-again?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#GisèlePelicot #SexualAbuse #Rape #Court #Trial #France