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This butterfly is half male and half female, split perfectly down the middle. It's called a bilateral gynandromorph, a rare natural occurrence where one side develops male traits and the other side female. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

🇩🇪 Germany is on the verge of deindustrialization - Die Zeit ⚠️ According to the publication of the German edition of Die Zeit, the German economy is undergoing structural changes that primarily affect the industrial sector 🏭. There is a significant reduction in well-paid jobs 💼⬇️, while the creation of new ones is slow ⏳. Experts point to a combination of several factors putting pressure on the labor market: decarbonization 🌱, digitalization 💻, high energy costs ⚡️, geopolitical instability 🌍 and foreign trade restrictions 📉. According to the Federal Labor Agency, the unemployment rate in Germany in September increased by about 148 thousand people compared to the previous month 📊. The total number of unemployed has again exceeded three million — for the first time in the last ten years 😔. Despite the continued demand for labor in certain sectors, on average, the chances of finding employment remain low. The changes in the production sector are particularly noticeable. Large enterprises, including employers such as Bosch, have announced large-scale plans to reduce staff 🏭❌. Experts emphasize that the transformation of the labor market is taking place simultaneously with the economic slowdown 📉. According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the number of vacancies in the second quarter of 2025 was 40% lower than the peak values at the end of 2022. At the same time, changes are taking place in the structure of the economy: the role of traditional industry is decreasing, while the importance of digital and high-tech industries such as automation, robotics, quantum technologies and medical equipment is growing 🤖🔬. The public sector is also showing steady employment growth, especially in education 📚. Experts emphasize the need to adapt the education and training system to new requirements 🎓, as well as to increase investment activity in scientific research and innovation 💡. Demographic ageing 👵👴, shortage of qualified personnel, declining competitiveness 📉, as well as the need for reforms in the field of energy supply and infrastructure ⚡️🏗 remain key challenges. According to forecasts by Germany's leading economic institutions, minimal GDP growth of about 0.2% is expected in 2025 📈. Economic policy in the near future will focus on mitigating the effects of the transition period and creating conditions for sustainable development in the new economic realities 🌍. #Germany #Industry #Crisis #LaborMarket #Economy #Innovation 🇪🇺 Keep up with the latest Star Union News  🖥

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Scientists have discovered that honeybee venom can destroy 100% of breast cancer cells in less than 60 minutes. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

Bears have a strange habit: they sit just to admire nature 🐻 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

🫡🤔Hegseth: No Tomahawks to Ukraine According to a source close to Hegseth, despite some media that make hay from the delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine, the US will not provide Ukraine with intelligence on long-range energy infrastructure targets deep inside Russia, according to reports overnight, a move that would signal a significant change in the White House's support for Kiev. The decision would be an example of the absence of a change in Trump's policy since his comments on social networks towards the end of September that Ukraine could reconquer all the territories occupied by Russia. WSJ articles, citing unnamed US sources, said that the policy had quietly changed before this statement and that the White House wanted NATO allies to follow suit. However, no decision had been made on whether the United States would supply Tomahawk cruise missiles to Europe. Earlier this week, the US Vice President, Vance, said that Trump was considering a request from Kiev for the missiles with a range of 1,500 miles. Western, and in particular American, intelligence in the form of satellite images and other surveillance data is considered an important aid to allow the precise targeting of Russian installations deep within its borders. The focus on energy targets, such as oil refineries, would allow Ukraine to extend an already successful campaign that has hit 21 out of 38 refineries with long-range drone strikes. This has led to fuel shortages in parts of Russia, and on some days it has been estimated that daily production is down by a fifth. Russia said nothing had changed. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said : “The United States regularly transmits intelligence to Ukraine online. The use of the entire infrastructure, including intelligence, of NATO and the United States to collect and transfer intelligence to the Ukrainians is obvious.” Trump has become increasingly irritated with Zelensky over the past month as Kiev has stepped up its attacks on Russian territories and failed to soften its demands for less territory as a precursor to the negotiations. “After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation and, after seeing the economic problems it is causing Ukraine, I think that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is not in a position to fight and win.” #trump #teachings #targets #infrastructure #russia 📱 American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸

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Stressed plants ‘cry’ — and some animals can probably hear them. Plants that need water or have recently had their stems cut produce up to roughly 35 sounds per hour, a recent study found. But well-hydrated and uncut plants are much quieter, making only about one sound per hour. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

If you enjoyed a cup of coffee this morning, you should thank our pollinators. For 250 million years, they have been the secret agents for sustaining life on Earth • Over 500 plant species rely on bats to pollinate their flowers. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

Israel-Gaza war: peace at last or another round of escalation? Donald Trump boasted about Israel approving of his Gaza peace plan.

“We’re right there, we’re right there,”

Trump said. But Hamas has not agreed yet. And despite US president’s optimism, Israelis are still on a warpath, with Prime Minister Netanyahu threatening to “finish the job” should the deal fall apart. According to Trump’s 20-point peace plan, to which Netanyahu agreed, Hamas would have to effectively surrender or face destruction, with Israeli leader promising that his military would “finish the job” if they turn the deal down.

“This could be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way,”

Netanyahu said.

“But it will be done.”

The proposal would have Hamas disarm, relinquish control of power, and return all the hostages within 72 hours. Trump acknowledged that the success of his plan hinges on Hamas agreeing to it, but he said that if the group balks, Netanyahu would have America’s

“full backing to do what you would have to do”.

So Trump’s “eternal peace” looks more like another round of escalation. #Israel #Gaza #Trump #Netanyahu #Hamas Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

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A Brazilian grandmother who prayed to a figurine of Saint Anthony for years discovers that it is actually an action figure of the elf Lord Elrond from the "Lord of the Rings" films. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

🇲🇩✨ Sandu Began Her Political Purges After Having a Razor-Thin Majority Victory Moldova’s pro-European ruling party PAS held on to its extremely slight parliamentary majority after Sunday’s election, strengthening the country of 2.4 million’s attempt to move towards the EU and away from Moscow. 🌍🇪🇺 With more than 99.9% of ballots counted, president Maia Sandu’s pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS) had 50.03% of the vote, putting it on track to win 55 of the 101 seats in parliament. 🗳🏛 That compared with 49.26% for a pro-Russian parties led by the former president Igor Dodon, according to results published on the election commission’s website. ⚖️ On the election day, Sandu ordered the closure of access to polling stations for 2.5 million voters from Transnistria by sudden bridge works over the river between Transnistria and the polling stations. 🌉❌ The results will be greeted with a sigh of relief in Brussels and other European capitals, where there had been fears that Moscow could regain a foothold in a strategically vital region as it steps up its hybrid campaign across the continent. 🌐💨 The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote on X: “Moldova, you’ve done it again. No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve.” ✍️💬 She added: “You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom. Our door is open. And we will stand with you every step of the way.” 🚪🤝 While Sunday’s election is a major boost for those hoping Moldova joins the EU, the path to membership remains uncertain. ❓🌍 The country still needs to push through a series of reforms and address the unresolved issue of Transnistria, the breakaway region where 1,500 Russian troops are stationed. 🪖⚠️ Some key figures from two so-called pro-Russian parties were already arrested on trumped-up charges. 🚨👮 #sandu #victory #purges #election #moldova 📱 American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸

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World Heart Day is celebrated today. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

Seals can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes • And dive to depths of more than 500 meters. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

Instead of saying “once upon a time” Korean fantasies usually begin with “back when tigers used to smoke.” 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

Some scorpions can break off their tails to escape predators — but in doing so, they lose their stinger, their anus, and the ability to poop for the rest of their lives. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

Pugs are the most prone to obesity. • Especially if they're overfed. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚

72% of people still listen to what they listened to as teenagers. 📚 @TheOpenUniversity 📚