World
The Ominous Role of Eclipses in Ancient Babylonia
Explore the fascinating role of eclipses in ancient Babylonia, where celestial events were seen as ominous omens. Discover how these astronomical phenomena influenced beliefs, politics, and society in one of history’s most intriguing civilizations.
In ancient Babylonia, ruling as a king was a position of great power and privilege. However, this status came with its own set of risks, particularly when celestial events like eclipses took place during a monarch’s reign. Such occurrences were seen as dire omens, foretelling potential upheavals such as revolts, military defeats, territorial losses, plagues, droughts, crop failures, locust swarms, or even the king’s demise. In the event that the latter was predicted, it was not uncommon for the king to go into hiding. In his absence, a substitute—often a prisoner or a simpleton—would be temporarily installed on the throne until the threat had diminished. To appease the gods, it was believed that a sacrifice was necessary; thus, upon the king’s return, the substitute would face execution.
The people of Mesopotamia during the second millennium B.C. held a deep belief in the prophetic significance of celestial phenomena. Eclipses were commonly interpreted as messages of wrath from the divine. Andrew George, an esteemed Assyriologist and emeritus professor at the University of London, stated, “The reading of omens was how the Babylonians made sense of the world.” Recently, Dr. George led a study published in the Journal of Cuneiform Studies, which detailed the deciphering of four ancient tablets inscribed with cuneiform script, currently housed in the British Museum since the late 1800s. These clay artifacts are believed to have originated from Sippar, a thriving city along the banks of the Euphrates River, in what is now modern Iraq, and date back to approximately 1894 B.C. to 1595 B.C.
These artifacts serve as a compendium of Babylonian astrologers’ observations regarding lunar eclipses, unveiling a series of ominous predictions concerning the deaths of kings and the potential downfall of civilizations. Dr. George explained, “The purpose of the omen texts was to figure out what the gods wanted to communicate, whether good or bad, so as to take action to avoid any trouble ahead.” The prevailing belief among the Babylonians was that earthly events mirrored those in the heavens; thus, a celestial eclipse signaled that a significant earthly figure, such as a king, would face a similar fate. Dr. George elaborated, “It is possible that this theory arose from the coincidence of an eclipse and a king’s death—an actual experience early in Mesopotamian history. However, it is also conceivable that the theory was developed entirely by analogy. We cannot know for certain.”
The Babylonians perceived portents in countless aspects of their environment, which led to numerous references in the tablets to the behavior of birds, the patterns formed by oil dropped into water, the rising smoke from incense, and encounters with various creatures such as snakes, pigs, cats, and scorpions. The newly translated tablets contain 61 predictions that range from warnings about natural calamities (for instance, “An inundation will come and reduce the amount of barley at the threshing floors”) to signs of unnatural chaos (“Lions will go on a rampage and cut off exit from a city”). Among the most poignant and heart-wrenching predictions describe the harrowing desperation experienced during times of famine, such as the grim statement: “People will trade their infant children for silver.”
World
Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial
Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.
Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial
In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.
“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.
Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.
Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.
Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.
World
Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms
Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.
Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets
In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.
Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.
Statement from Meta
A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”
For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.
World
Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing
Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.
In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.
“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.
“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”
Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.
Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges
The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.
The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.
The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.
While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.
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