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Ancient jewelry thieves, false headlines, & more!

Good morning- Hope you’re Friday does not include any chocolate. Consumer Reports found "worrying" levels of lead and cadmium in one-third of the chocolate products they tested. They've asked Hershey (HSY.N) to reduce these heavy metals in their chocolate. Out of 48 products they tested, 16 had harmful levels of lead, cadmium, or both.

Global Insights

Ancient jewelry seized in Spain

Spanish authorities have recently recovered a set of gold jewelry and precious artifacts that were taken from Ukraine in 2016. This collection comprises 11 pieces, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, which date back to the Greco-Scythian period, spanning from the 8th to the 4th centuries BC.

Originally displayed in a museum in Kyiv, Ukraine, these treasures were illegally removed and subsequently smuggled. The Madrid National Police made this announcement on a Monday.

In connection with an attempted sale of these artifacts, three individuals from Spain and two from Ukraine, one of whom is an Orthodox priest, have been apprehended. These artifacts are deemed significant elements of Ukraine's national heritage.

The quest to locate the thieves began in 2021 when one of the items, a distinctive belt adorned with rams' heads, was seized during a private sale in Madrid. The remaining pieces, valued at approximately 60 million euros (equivalent to $64 million), were reclaimed in recent weeks as the culprits attempted to sell them in Madrid. The police investigation revealed that all these items had counterfeit documentation falsely asserting ownership by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

At present, these artifacts are under the custody of Spain's National Archaeological Museum and Cultural Heritage Institute. (Note: Conversion rate: $1 = 0.9439 euros)

Beware of headlines

Recent claims regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin suffering a heart attack and needing resuscitation have circulated widely, but it's crucial to examine the facts. The source of this information is a popular Telegram account named General SVR, which alleges to have insider knowledge from the Kremlin. However, this account has a history of unreliable claims about Putin's health and has even made false assertions about the presence of body doubles at international events. It is essential to approach this source with caution.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has categorically dismissed the heart attack claim, assuring that Putin is in good health. Photos of Putin at a Kremlin meeting and his involvement in a simulated nuclear strike drill via video call have further substantiated his well-being.

Despite the Kremlin's denial, the heart attack rumor was picked up by numerous global news outlets and widely shared on social media. Misinformation researchers have expressed concerns about General SVR's credibility and its tendency to make unsubstantiated claims.

Telegram a popular messaging platform in Russia, has gained prominence amid the Ukraine conflict due to social media restrictions and unreliable state media. While it has become an important source of information, the platform is only lightly moderated and has been a breeding ground for misinformation related to the conflict.

It's crucial to approach such sensational claims with skepticism and rely on verified and credible sources, particularly when they pertain to the health of prominent figures like Vladimir Putin. Misinformation can be appealing but may not always be grounded in truth.

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Trending

TikTok exploring e-commerce license

TikTok and YouTube are considering e-commerce licenses in Indonesia after the country banned social media shopping to support local businesses and user data protection. TikTok had to stop its TikTok Shop service in Indonesia due to the ban. Both platforms have not yet initiated discussions with Indonesian authorities about obtaining these licenses.

Essential goods in Gaza

Hamas has allegedly requested that Israel permit the delivery of fuel supplies and a consistent stream of humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for the release of a larger group of hostages. If these requests are met they will continue to release more hostages. Oxfam (a coalition of large British charities) has again urged vital supplies to reach the blockaded Gaza Strip. They have stated that starvation is being employed as a "weapon of war" as Israel has halted the delivery of food, water, electricity, and fuel to the region.

United States economy

During the past 3 months, the U.S. economy grew at the quickest rate in almost two years. The economy grew at a rate of 4.9% during that time, which was faster than most experts had predicted.

History & Culture - Petra, Jordan

Over 2,000 years ago, in Jordan's high desert, the city of Petra, known as the "Rose City," was carved from rosy sandstone. It's where the mysterious Nabateans thrived thanks to the incense trade. Petra, once Raqmu, became the heart of Nabatean civilization, connecting trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Seas, spanning from Egypt to Greece. They mastered water resources and blended with the rocky terrain, ensuring their civilization's survival.

In 63 B.C., the Romans arrived, expanding Petra with grand structures like the theater and the Treasury, showcasing Hellenistic elements carved from the top down.

Petra's engineering brilliance included a water system supporting 30,000 people. An irrigation channel in the Siq and underground cisterns ensured water supply.

Beyond its history, Petra's beauty captivates millions. The Silk Tomb's vivid hues and Byzantine-era church mosaics add to its allure.

Christianity thrived in Petra but waned after an A.D. 336 earthquake and the rise of early Islamic dynasties in the seventh century.

Petra remained hidden until Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812. Petra is a cherished World Heritage site and Jordan's top tourist attraction.

Visiting Petra takes more than a day, with options like donkeys, camels, and horse-drawn carriages for shorter travel. Guides and the "Petra by night" show enhance the experience.

Petra is open year-round, with spring and fall offering ideal weather. Summers can be hot, and winters cooler with occasional rain. Sunrise and sunset reveal Petra's changing colors.

Fast Facts

• The S&P 500 declined 38.5% in 2008

• In China, the police recently saved over 1,000 cats from being sold as fake pork or mutton.

• Japan has 23 vending machines per person.

• Ireland is independent from the United Kingdom

• There is a secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower

Quote of the week

Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition.

-Sir William Osler