Pirate Captain Kidd's treasure found in Madagascar

7 May, 2015

 A 50Kg silver bar with inscriptions has been found in Madagascar by the US explorer Barry Clifford.  It is said that the bar belonged to the 17th century notorious pirate Captain Kidd. According to Clifford, his metal detector indicated that the whole cavity where he found the silver bar was full of metal, however, he wasn't able to identify nor spot the metal because of the muddiness o of the water inside the cave.

Captain Kidd was hired in the late 17th century by the British crown to tackle piracy and capture enemy french ships. Instead, he became a pirate. In 1701 he was accused of murdering one in his crew and sinking several British ships; the same year he was executed. It is legend that the rope broke twice before he was finally hung. 

It is extraordinary how the currently forgotten job of explorer can discover such interesting findings, contributing to the amazing world of piracy legends. This, of course, boosts tourism and offers us some more information about how living in the 17th century was. 

As a sailor, I've always been attracted to this kind of legends and when I saw this news report in the BBC, I knew I had to share it. Who on earth hasn't wondered as a child becoming a pirate?       

70 years since liberation

Seventy years back from now, Jersey island was liberated from five years of Nazi rule. Yesterday, the VE day was commemorated with local bands playing, a performance from the cadette's academy and several acts around the clock. 

The Nazi army invaded some of the channel islands during WWII, triggering the exodus of hundreds from their homes. Jersey was devastated, and the Nazi law was imposed. In this news documentary we hear the testimony of some who suffered the shortage of war...

Thanks to commemorations like yesterday's we remind ourselves about the horrors of war, and this motivates us to keep on working for a better society, with a sense of community and brotherhood among all human beings. Related with Human rights, we can't forget the overwhelming violation of them that occurred during WWII. However, we must remember too that, despite living in safe countries, war still happens around the globe and we are all involved in it as long as we refuse to make a difference and try to stop them.

#makelovenotwar

source: BBC

#motheroftheyear

Baltimore mom who slapped son: He embarrassed himself

April 30, riots in protest against the abusive use of violence Baltimore's police did leading to the death of a demonstrator, Freddie Gray, past April.

Toya Graham had told her son not to go to the demonstration, but when he heard school had closed earlier and so had done "the mall", she knew he was there. She approached the police and was behind their shield when she recognized her son's baggy sweatpants. He was in a group of teens covered with hoodies and was carrying a rock. She just lost control.

Press recorded the angry mother slapping and shouting to her son, while dragging him back home. According to Toya's declarations, that was just intolerable: he was allowed to protest for Gray's death,  and to go to his funeral too, still, vandalism was not a way of demanding justice.

Although abusive use of force led by police is absolutely reprehensible, I definitely agree with Toya, no way of violence is good and no violence should be used to call for justice. Find more info in the BBC or check out this video:

"I asked politely"

Alleged Bank robber Dominyk Antonio Alfonseca denies crime because he asked politely - NBC news

Monday afternoon, Virginia. Dominyk Alfonseca committed one of the most curious robberies ever. According to his defense, Alfonseca did not commit robber because he asked politely to the bank teller. As it seems, he handed in a note demanding 150.000$ as well as hurry, regarding that police would take three to four minutes to get there. Besides, he said he'd appreciate if they hit the alarm once he'd left. Police caught him twenty minutes later with a sports bag full of cash.

Evidence of the case haven't been hard to find; Alfonseca videotaped the robber and posted it on Instagram. 

Is it really a crime? Police says so, while Dominyk argues it wasn't because he did not use force nor acted violently. As I see it, it is hard to tell what should the punishment be, however it is clear that he stole a considerable amount of money, so something must be done...

Have you ever wondered how would you steal a bank?

tesla battery

Fossil fuels are going to exhaust eventually, yet we still rely on them as if they were endless supplies. Why? The most popular answer among those in favor of using gas and petroleum nonstop was that renewable energy sources were expensive and transient, besides, the energy they produced could hardly be stored for further usage.

Now, this defence has been blown away by the renewable power billionaire Elon Musk, who has just launched the Tesla Battery, capable of storing up to 10kW hours of energy. This brilliant invention is targeted to domestic use, however, a model for community use that can hold up to 10MW has been developed too. 

Tesla battery production is about to start, nevertheless, its commercialization will be facing difficulties due to pressure to governments from the energy monsters, which are already fighting against this democratization of power. 

It is indignant to see how an invention that could save the future of our planet, which is seriously threatened by greenhouse effect and contamination produced by non-renewable energies, is being rejected from markets or presented unfair difficulties due economical interests. 

Find more information here: IFL science!

nomophobia

How many times a day o you check your mobile phone? Do you constantly need to feel it in your pocket or ensure its battery is topped up?

The word "Nomophobia" is used to describe the fear some people have to losing their cells, not being able to use them, or simply not having one. Nowadays, someone over thirteen who hasn't got a mobile phone is considered rather a freak. Have we all become nomophobiac?

As I see it, we have. Although having a cell phone doesn't necessarily mean we're addicted to it, we tend to overuse this device. A mobile phone should be only used in case of needing it, not to define one's personality. I understand that new phones are very useful and come in handy at any time: to take a picture, to look for info, to call a taxi, to order food... And I'm not saying that we have to stop using them for such practical issues. What I am saying, though, is that we can't let these devices become our only resource to solve problems, an that, overall, we can't let mobile phones replace our social life.

So, next time you use your cell, think carefully if you really need it or if you could interact with someone new for your purpose... Do not let your mobile phone replace your social life! 

tragedy in the mediterranean

Two more migrant boats issue distress calls in Mediterranean

This was the headline in The Guardian's news report last Monday, however, it could have been any other media's opening.

Two migrant boats were rescued from the Italian coast of Lampedusa after one had capsized causing the death of over seven hundred people. The passengers, who were refugees from Libya and other northern Africa countries, were seeking a better life in Europe. Only in 2015, over 25.000 people have tried this journey and more than a thousand have lost their lives trying it.

It is overwhelming to see how these people have to run away from their homes seeking a better and safer place to live. What overwhelms me too is the reaction of the EU, which is close to none. European governments are debating and discussing while this happens. The triton mission is far from becoming a solution.

As I see it, human rights are being neglected by all the countries envolved: those which have such a situation that triggers the exodus of its citizens, those which make an effort to help the refugees but aren't capable of working this situation out, and, overall, all those which simply ignore the problem.

Do we really want a world where people have to run away from home because it is no longer safe?