For those with arachnophobia, it might be best to look away, as scientists have unearthed the largest spider colony in the world.
The nest spans 106 square meters (1,140 square feet) and is believed to host up to 111,000 spiders—roughly half the size of a tennis court.
Recently, researchers published their findings in Underground Biology, revealing that two distinct species of spiders formed this massive colony.
This remarkable spider colony is situated in the Sulfur Caves of the Vromoner Valley, straddling the Greece-Albania border.
The nest resides in a permanently dark section of the cave, extending 50 meters (164 feet) from the entrance through a narrow, low-ceilinged passage. It comprises a multilayered patchwork of individual funnels that merge to create a spongy mass.
Researchers estimate the colony houses around 69,000 spiders, including Tegenaria domestica (commonly known as the barn funnel weaver or common house spider) and approximately 42,000 of The Vagrant of Prineligone species.
While these two species often coexist nearby, they typically do not share close quarters.
In fact, barn funnel weavers usually prey on smaller creatures, including The Vagrant of Prineligone. A truce between the two is unlikely, as the low light within the cave hinders the spiders’ vision.
Tegenaria domestica hides in a funnel-shaped nest and emerges when prey approaches – Credit: Getty
Instead, the spiders primarily feed on non-stinging midges, which swarm thickly in proximity to their colonies. These midges thrive on nutrients provided by natural springs and sustained by the sulfur-rich river navigating through the cave.
DNA analysis indicates that these spiders are genetically distinct from their surface relatives, highlighting adaptations to their unique environment.
Conversely, a sulfur-rich diet significantly diminishes the variety of gut microbiota.
Both factors imply that these spiders do not intermingle with their cousins found above ground.
The colony was initially discovered in 2022 by a group of cavers from the Czech Speleological Society during their exploration of the area.
A team of researchers followed up in 2024, estimating the spider population by counting the web funnels and collecting specimens for further analysis.
Donald Trump has warned of potential tariffs and export limits on nations that implement taxes, laws, or regulations targeting major tech firms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple.
“All digital taxes, laws, rules, or regulations aim to harm or discriminate against American technology,” Trump stated in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He pointed out that such measures include a 2% revenue collection, exemplified by the UK’s digital services tax, which generates approximately £800 million annually from leading tech companies worldwide.
“As the President of the United States, I stand against any country that attacks our exceptional American tech firms,” Trump remarked. “If these discriminatory lawsuits are not withdrawn, I will impose a significant additional fee on that country’s exports to the U.S., restricting access to protected technologies and chips.”
Trump’s ultimatum adds pressure on both the UK and the EU, especially regarding regulations aimed at limiting the dominance of major tech companies through the Digital Services Act.
Numerous EU nations, including France, Italy, and Spain, have already instituted digital services taxes.
U.S. officials have criticized the UK’s Digital Services Tax (DST), which has been active since 2020, though it was kept in place after a May agreement with the Trump administration.
Trump has expressed concerns over the detrimental effects DSTs worldwide have on American firms.
In February, he signed an executive order titled “Interesting Foreign Tax and Unfair Fines and Penalties” directed at U.S. businesses and innovators.
It surfaced in April that Keir Starmer proposed a reduced headline rate for U.S. tech giants regarding DST, while simultaneously taxing companies in other nations.
“American and U.S. tech companies are not the world’s ‘piggy banks’ or ‘doormats’,” Trump stated on Monday. “Respect America and our outstanding tech firms, or face the consequences.”
This warning from the president follows a recent joint statement from the U.S. and the EU committed to addressing “unfair trade barriers.”
However, the EU has not pledged to amend digital regulations individually.
In June, Canada repealed its Digital Services Tax, described as a “direct and blatant” move to facilitate smoother negotiations with its neighbors.
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A recent study reveals that Denmark boasts the most favorable environmental, social, and political conditions for aging slowly and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
Published in Natural Medicine, this research pinpointed the elements influencing the biological processes that dictate healthy aging. An international team of researchers examined data from over 160,000 individuals across 40 nations, assessing how various factors influence aging worldwide.
To establish a baseline for the average aging rate, researchers utilized a measurement known as the “Biobiural Age Gap” clock. This AI model estimates the disparity between an individual’s chronological age and their predicted age based on surrounding risk factors. For instance, a 50-year-old person might be predicted to have a biological age of 55 based on these factors, resulting in a five-year age gap.
The findings revealed that among the four continents studied—Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America—European individuals showcased the highest levels of healthy aging. Conversely, in lower-income nations, accelerated aging was prevalent among older individuals.
“This study is significant as it reconceptualizes aging as influenced by not just biology and lifestyle, but also broader environmental and sociopolitical factors,” stated Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, an associate professor of aging at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, who was not involved in the research, in comments to BBC Science Focus.
Egypt recorded the fastest rate of aging, with individuals showing an average biological age 4.75 years older than their chronological age. Following Egypt were South Africa and certain South American nations. Within Europe, Eastern and Southern regions displayed more rapid aging trends.
In contrast, Denmark demonstrated the slowest aging rate, with an average biological age 2.35 years younger than the actual age. The Netherlands and Finland followed in terms of healthy aging.
Key Factors for Healthy Aging
What makes Denmark and much of Northern and Western Europe conducive to healthy aging? Researchers identified crucial factors including environmental elements like air quality alongside social factors such as gender equality and socioeconomic status.
Interestingly, significant influences were also found in sociopolitical conditions. Healthy aging is closely related to political representation, freedom of parties, democratic elections, and voting rights.
“The link between politics and accelerated aging presents an intriguing puzzle in this study,” commented Scheibye-Knudsen. “Possible mechanisms include heightened chronic stress responses due to anxiety and healthcare disparities.”
This study indicated that individuals with accelerated aging face challenges in completing daily tasks and are eight times more likely to experience cognitive decline.
While the study spanned four continents, it primarily represented limited areas of Africa, focusing on Egypt and South Africa.
Researchers stress that their findings illustrate correlations rather than causative relationships. Nonetheless, they advocate for urgent action to address global health disparities.
“Remarkably, risk factors outweigh protective ones, indicating that individuals in low-income countries experience significantly accelerated aging irrespective of their socioeconomic status,” noted Scheibye-Knudsen.
“This reinforces the compelling case for investing in universal initiatives, such as access to education and healthcare, to enhance the health of populations.”
Read more:
About Our Experts
Dr. Morten Scheibye-Knudsen serves as an associate professor of aging at the University of Copenhagen and leads the Scheibye-Knudsen research group. He is also the president of the Nordic Aging Association.
The Trump administration has rejected the remaining few health officials who oversee the care of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. There are over 500,000 children and over 600,000 pregnant women with HIV in low-income countries.
The specialized team that managed the management program to prevent newborns from acquiring HIV from their mothers and provide treatment to infected children was eliminated last week in a chaotic reorganization by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Some of the outcomes of the termination are only now clear.
While it was known that some staff dedicated to HIV prevention in other countries have been lost, the New York Times has learned that all such experts have been fired or are waiting for reallocation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Department, and the International Development Agency.
These mothers’ health programs are still funded by the President’s emergency plan for AIDS relief or Pepfarr. However, it is not clear how work will continue without anyone managing the initiative or paying for it.
The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment.
“I hope this is no longer important to treat mothers and children, and this is not a sign that this is a correctable mistake,” the federal health department spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
The stakes are high. AIDS under the age of 15 dies every seven minutes in sub-Saharan Africa.
A survey in the Lancet on Tuesday estimated that suspending Pepfer could lead to around 1 million new HIV infections by 2030, killing about 500,000 AIDS among children, and an additional 2.8 million orphans.
After the early Trump administration froze all foreign aid, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver that allowed them to provide “core life-saving medicine, health services” and other US-funded activities.
The Pepfar-specific exemption later prevented the transmission of HIV to mothers and children, and continued explicitly and continued support for programs intended to provide care for infected women and children.
Documents that allow aid to prepare resumes take several weeks after the exemption is issued, and some organizations are just beginning to receive the federal funds needed to run the program.
“We can dismantle something very quickly, but now we’re trying to build it with just a small portion of our staff and a potentially 5% of our institutional knowledge,” said a federal official who is not allowed to speak to news media.
All pediatric HIV experts participated in the USAID eruption and left a single unit at the CDC with expertise to advise international programs. That team was lost in a reorganization last week, along with another team that handles payments for funds for 300 grants in more than 40 countries.
Given the State Department’s exemption, these layoffs were a surprise to federal health workers and the organizations that rely on them.
“We had a clear understanding that HIV services for mothers and children fall under that waiver,” said Dr. Anja Gifert, vice president of medicine and science at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
The foundation relies on approximately 60% of the CDC’s budget. “We completely blinded that the entire CDC unit was finished,” she said.
The organization has been promised funds until September. However, only a few were allowed to use the payment system on CDC
“Everyone is screaming to find a way to pay for their country teams and partners,” said a CDC official who called for anonymity in fear of retaliation.
Other experts said they were not surprised to see the screaming from the CDC HIV team despite the waiver.
“What we saw is that there is no rhyme or reason for any of the actions the administration is doing,” said Gilea Lethobosian, chief of staff for the Biden administration’s Pepfer.
Care for children with HIV and pregnant women is complicated.
Infants require a different HIV test than those used in adults, and infected babies must take another medication. If treatment is interrupted, they will succumb to complications immediately.
“Time is essential, especially when you think about children,” Dr. Gifert said. “That doesn’t seem to be taking into account all of these changes actually happening.”
In low-income countries, pregnant women with HIV are usually treated at prenatal clinics. Without treatment, one in three pregnant women can give HIV to the baby.
The freeze on foreign aid imposed in January caused shortages of pediatric HIV drugs in many countries, causing delays in new HIV drug treatments.
The dismissed CDC experts were helping low-income countries prepare for this transition, track inventory and directing drugs to places with the most urgent needs, said an official who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
“This adjustment is especially important for now, as we are in an age of immeasurable change,” the official said.
If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and yearn for a quieter place to live, with far fewer people spoiling your fun, you may want to consider one of the world’s 10 least populated countries.
All of these United Nations-recognized countries are famous for their small populations. The largest population on this list is just over 73,000 people, and the smallest home is just over 500 people. You said they were small.
Read the top 10 smallest countries in the world by population. If you prefer a quiet location, you can also use this list to plan your next vacation destination.
We start this list with Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic). According to united nationsin Dominica Estimated population Out of 73,006 people.
Dominica’s land area is 751 km². It is located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago.
The island nation is best known as the last Caribbean country to be colonized by Europeans, but after many years of British rule, it finally became an independent nation in 1978. Mary Eugenia Charles became the first female Prime Minister in the Caribbean in Dominica, starting in 1980. 1995.
According to the population estimate, united nations With a population of 47,745, Saint Kitts and Nevis consists of two islands. It is known as the smallest independent country in the Western Hemisphere.
With a land area of 261km² (St Kitts is 168km² and Nevis is 93km²), it is one of the smallest countries in the world in physical size and population.
The country was granted full independence from Britain in 1983, but Nevis unsuccessfully attempted to break away and form its own country after a failed referendum in 1998. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a tropical country that is popular with tourists to the Caribbean. Thanks in part to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just under 42,000 people live in the Marshall Islands (united nations) – 41,952 to be exact. The archipelago is also home to Bikini Atoll, a notorious nuclear testing site.
Located in Oceania, the Marshall Islands consists of a collection of five major islands and 29 coral atolls (1,225 islets and islands in total). The total land area of all the islands is 181 km².
Human settlement in the Marshall Islands dates back to 2000 BC, and after centuries of rule by Spain, Germany, and Japan, the Marshall Islands were finally granted independence from the United States in 1979.
When it comes to ranking the world’s largest countries, there are various metrics to consider. However, in this list, we focus on total area rather than population to showcase the top 10 largest countries on the planet. These countries are truly massive in terms of land area.
If you find yourself feeling cramped in your current location, perhaps moving to one of the largest United Nations-recognized countries could provide you with the space and freedom to explore vast open landscapes with your family.
If you are seeking to immerse yourself in the experience of visiting a global superpower with expansive territories and long travel distances, start planning your next vacation to one of these destinations. Keep in mind that the initial journey may present some challenges…
10. Algeria – 2,381,740km²
A rock carving depicting a cow in Algeria’s Tassili-Najjer National Park. Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis, Getty Images
Embark on a brief exploration of Algeria, the starting point of the top 10 list of the world’s largest countries, boasting a total area of 2,381,740 km².
Since gaining independence from France in 1962 after an eight-year struggle, Algeria has a rich history shaped by centuries of foreign rule, starting with the Numidians back in the 3rd century BC.
With an approximate population of around 45.5 million in 2024, Algeria is renowned for its Mediterranean climate and the Sahara desert, including the UNESCO-designated Tassili N’Ajjer known for its remarkable rock art.
1. Russia – 17,098,242km²
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Russia claims the title of the world’s largest country, spanning a total area of 17,098,242 km². It covers over 11 percent of the Earth’s land area, stretching across northeastern Europe and northern Asia.
While more than 60 percent of Russia’s land is inhospitable due to permafrost, the country is home to various unique features and a population of nearly 145 million people. However, traveling to Russia following the conflict with Ukraine may not be advisable.
It may seem like a simple question, “How many countries are there in the world?” There are no easy or definitive answers.
The total number of countries in the world varies depending on the source. number of continents. Many point to the UN’s list of officially recognized countries as the definitive answer to this question, but this is not without controversy.
For example, the United Nations is located in Vatican City ( the smallest country in the world) or treat Palestine as a full-fledged state and instead list it as an observer state (a state that can speak at the UN General Assembly but cannot vote on resolutions).
The UN list also includes more controversial omissions. Taiwan is not recognized by the organization, nor are Kosovo and Hong Kong. Outside the United Nations, such territory is recognized by some countries but not by others. It’s complex and highly political.
Depending on who you ask, the total number of countries on Earth ranges from 193 to 237. This is because, after all, there are many disputed regions and states around the world that retain full or partial sovereignty.
How many countries are there in the world?
According to the United Nations, there are 195 recognized countries in the world. Of these, 193 countries are members of the United Nations, while two, Vatican City and the State of Palestine, are non-member observer states.
Other organizations list different numbers of countries around the globe, and the US intelligence agency is the CIA. A total of 237 countries are listed.
Below is a complete list of fully sovereign and independent countries recognized by the United Nations, but it is worth reiterating that there are many other countries that consider themselves to be full states.
Canada’s historic wildfire season last year resulted in the burning of numerous trees, causing forests to emit more carbon than the fossil fuel emissions of most countries in 2022, as per a study released on Wednesday.
According to Brendan Byrne, a carbon cycle scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the lead author of the study, “Only China, the United States, and India emit more carbon dioxide annually than these fires. Emissions from these fires are unprecedented in Canada’s history.”
Byrne’s research, published in Nature magazine, estimates that the emissions from the fires (approximately 647 megatons of carbon) are over four times the annual emissions from Canada’s fossil fuel burning. The study predicts that by 2023, about 4% of Canada’s forests will have burned.
While Canada’s forests typically absorb more carbon than they emit, the latest findings suggest a concerning trend where these carbon sinks may be exacerbating emissions. This raises concerns about the reliability of carbon sinks in the future as wildfire patterns evolve.
Byrne stated, “The year 2023 was truly exceptional due to heat, drought, and fire emissions. With summer temperatures projected to normalize in Canadian forests around the 2050s, we might see a rise in the frequency of fires, impacting the carbon storage capacity of forests significantly.”
In 2023, 232,000 individuals were evacuated due to the smoke from the wildfires in Canada, leading to the worst smoke season in modern U.S. history, with cities like New York facing air pollution concerns.
A subway station in the Bronx, New York City, on June 7, 2023. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images file.
To calculate the total carbon emissions from the wildfire season, researchers used satellite data to determine how much atmospheric carbon was absorbed by light. They also noted that Canada experienced exceptional drought and its hottest summer since at least 1980, conditions expected to become more frequent in the future.
Approximately half of the carbon released by human activities remains in the atmosphere, a quarter is absorbed by oceans, and the remaining quarter by terrestrial ecosystems like trees and plants on Earth.
Byrne emphasized, “Changes in the frequency and severity of fires could impact this absorption process. This has significant implications for global carbon emissions.”
Canada’s forested regions account for about 8.5% of global forests, as per a recent study.
The emissions estimates from the researchers align closely with other analyses of the 2023 fires in Canada. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reported approximately 480 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions from fires, which is based on different analytical methods.
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at Copernicus, noted that the new study corroborated the findings of their research while incorporating additional satellite data to reduce uncertainties. Although the U.S. has not been as affected by Canadian wildfire smoke this season, large carbon dioxide emissions are once again being released.
Parrington mentioned, “Monitoring indicates that 2024 is the second-worst wildfire year in Canada in the last two decades, based on estimated emissions, following 2023.”
In March 2020, a night-time curfew was imposed in New Delhi, India, as a preventive measure against COVID-19.
Yawar Nazir/Getty Images
The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected India more severely than previously estimated, with women, certain social groups and younger people experiencing the most severe declines in life expectancy.
Mortality estimates in India during the coronavirus pandemic have been based on official death records. But the lockdown disrupted this system, and already Under-reporting of women and children’s deaths Even before the pandemic, certain information such as caste and ethnicity was not collected. Sangeeta Vyas At Hunter College in New York
So Vyas and his colleagues collected information on mortality in India from the National Family Health Survey, a nation-wide survey that asks participants whether anyone in their household has died in the past four years and, if so, to provide data such as date of death, age, and sex (with only male and female options).
The researchers analyzed data from more than 765,000 participants who completed the survey in 2021. They found that deaths in 2020 were about 17% higher than in 2019. If a similar increase occurred across India, it would amount to about 1.2 million excess deaths in 2020. This is eight times the official number of COVID-19 deaths in India in 2020 and 1.5 times the World Health Organization estimate. QuoteAccording to research.
From 2019 to 2020, life expectancy across the entire sample fell by more than 2.5 years. 1.5 Years of Decline During the same period in the United States, changes in life expectancy also varied by sex, age, and social group.
For example, mortality rates fell by about three years for women and just over two years for men. This contrasts with global trends that show that men have experienced a larger increase in mortality than women during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These peculiar patterns in India are likely to be explained, at least in part, by gender inequality,” Vyas says.
preliminary survey In Indian households, women spend less on healthcare compared to men, and the pandemic may have exacerbated these existing disparities, it said. Riddhi Kashyap Oxford University researchers who co-authored the study say strict lockdowns could hinder access to obstetric care and increase obstetric mortality.
Unlike other countries, the decline in life expectancy observed in the study was mainly due to premature deaths: rising mortality rates among women and girls under 20 contributed about one year to the decline in life expectancy in 2020, roughly the same as the number of deaths among women aged 60 to 79.
“We believe the rise in mortality is stemming from indirect effects of the lockdown in India,” Vyas said, which could include disruptions to access to childhood vaccines and treatment for tuberculosis, a leading cause of death in the country.
There were also large differences between social groups: high-caste Hindus saw their life expectancy fall by 1.3 years, while Muslims and people belonging to lower castes saw their life expectancy fall by 5.4 and 2.7 years, respectively.
Public health experts have long been aware of health disparities in India, but the findings highlight the magnitude of those disparities, Vyas said. “Knowing how different populations are affected differently is important for crafting policy responses,” she said.
But the study had limitations. Due to disruptions during the lockdown, survey respondents came from only 14 of India’s 36 states and union territories, making the sample demographically representative of only about a quarter of India’s population. The study also didn’t look at causes of death. “We can only speculate as to why there are these patterns,” Kashyap says. “But we can’t say for sure what’s causing them.”
According to a study by Harvard Business in 2023, data breaches in the US have reached an “all-time high”, with a 20% increase in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to 2022. This trend was seen globally, with concentrated attacks in the UK, Australia, and Canada. In the Middle East, ransomware gang activity increased by 77% in the same year.
Exploring the dynamic global cybersecurity landscape gives us an understanding of the level of threats faced by countries worldwide.
In response, governments are implementing new laws and policies to safeguard data and infrastructure. Additionally, national Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Cyber Instance Response Teams (CIRT) are being established, along with reporting channels for breaches.
ExpressVPN delves into the impact of cybercrime on individuals and economies in this blog post, highlighting which countries excel or lag in cybersecurity.
5 countries with the best cybersecurity
Earth in outer space with network connections and sunlight. (City Lights 2012 – Flat Map – https://images.nasa.gov/details-GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001589 – Software: 3dsMax, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop)
US
The United States has been a frontrunner in cybersecurity, but recent challenges like a real estate information leak in 2023, which exposed financial details of 1.5 billion individuals, have been concerning. In March 2023, the Biden administration introduced a national cybersecurity strategy focusing on safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Denmark
Denmark, with a high cybersecurity score of 92.6, faced a major cyberattack in 2023 by Russian hackers targeting 22 electricity companies, despite its Nordic region’s generally high cybersecurity rating.
England
The UK ranks 5th globally in cybersecurity and has initiated a cyber intelligence hub, the Cyber Coordination Centre, as part of its 2022 Cybersecurity Strategy to combat cyber threats.
Poland
Poland leads in cybersecurity readiness according to the National Cyber Security Index, attributing its success to public awareness campaigns and education about cyber threats.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, ranking second in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, has made significant strides in bolstering its cybersecurity infrastructure, spending $1.2 billion on cybersecurity education for young people.
Global cybersecurity: Which countries are failing?
System hacking warning alert on notebook (laptop). Cyber-attacks on computer networks, viruses, spyware, malware, or malicious software. Cybersecurity and Cybercrime. Compromised Information Internet.
Namibia
Namibia faces increased cyberattacks due to inadequate cybersecurity regulations and infrastructure, prompting calls for stronger network and data security measures.
Tajikistan
Central Asia, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, is vulnerable to cyber threats, with Tajikistan experiencing a high rate of malware attacks.
China
China, despite decent rankings, has a significant number of malware-infected mobile phones and IoT-based attacks originating from the country.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh struggles with cybersecurity, with a high percentage of malware-infected mobile devices and recent breaches exposing citizen data.
Iran
Iran faces major cybersecurity challenges, including a high rate of mobile phone infections with malware and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure exposed through cyberattacks.
The HyperVerse cryptocurrency scheme targeted investors in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific until it eventually collapsed, leaving many people unable to access their funds.
One investor said that in Nepal, some people who took out bank loans to buy Hyperverse packages felt suicidal when they could not withdraw their money, and in some cases even committed self-harm. .
The promoter of UK-based HyperVerse, which toured five African countries in 2022, told a Ghanaian radio station that millions of people around the world are trying to understand blockchain technology “without really understanding it.” He said he has benefited from it.
HyperVerse, which was linked to a previous scheme known as HyperFund, was founded by Australian blockchain entrepreneur Sam Lee and his business partner Ryan Hsu, two of the founders of bankrupt Australian company Blockchain Global. ) was launched by.
Despite one overseas regulator warning that they could be a “scam” and another calling HyperVerse a “suspected pyramid scheme”, a Guardian Australia investigation found , revealed widespread losses from a scheme that escaped regulator warnings in Australia.
This push to expand the system, which encourages existing member states to reap financial rewards for bringing in new members, has resulted in the system spreading to hitherto untapped markets, including developing countries. It seems so.
In January 2022, the Central Bank of Nepal issued a public warning naming Hyperfund and several other unrelated schemes, encouraging people to participate in such cryptocurrency products with the promise of “high returns in a short period of time.” He said he was tempted to do so.
In a February 2023 Zoom meeting between Nepali Hyper members and Lee, the members said people were angry because they could not withdraw funds from the platform.
One member told Mr Lee that he was “sad and grumpy” and was fielding requests from people who didn’t have access to the funds he brought into the scheme.
“We really need to do something fast, you may be somewhere far away and you may not be under direct pressure, but people like us, we don’t live in the neighborhood. And our relationship has deteriorated, and whenever we do something, it’s people like us. We wake up in the morning and there’s people at the door.”
Q&A
How did the HyperVerse investment scheme work?
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Investors were offered “membership” to HyperVerse, a “blockchain community” where members could “explore the HyperVerse ecosystem.”
The minimum membership amount is USD 300, which will be converted into Hyperunits after investment.
This scheme offers a minimum return of 0.5% per day, with a return of 300% in 600 days.
Members were encouraged to “reinvest” their earnings and were provided with more Hyper Units if they did not withdraw after funds became available.
Members were also paid hyper units for recruiting new members, and were paid a referral fee on a sliding scale based on the number of people recruited. Additional commissions were paid based on the number of people these recruits subsequently recruited up to the 20th level.
Hyperunits are linked to various crypto tokens and, once matured, can be withdrawn and converted into other cryptocurrencies.
While early investors were able to make profits and withdraw money, this system has left many investors unable to access their funds.
A Nepalese man living in the UK told Lee that some people in his home country try to commit suicide by taking out bank loans to buy the Hyperverse package, and one of his acquaintances has committed self-harm. That's what he said.
“There have also been instances where people have lent money to buy this company's packages because they were presented in such a favorable way. We know it's wrong, we urge them to do so. But…the benefits outweighed the risks, so people took out some loans from banks and packaged this project. I bought it,” said a Nepali man.
“I don’t want to name names, but there was a case of self-harm in my hometown. [in Nepal]. We have received several SOS calls. With people in this situation, it is better to take a suicidal step than to wait for this company to come up with a repayment plan. ”
In response, Mr Lee said on a Zoom call that he hoped vulnerable people would be prioritized in recovering their initial investment, but denied he was responsible.
“I don't want to say anything about these individual incidents because I'm not in a position to empathize with them. But, you know, we just have to recognize…others Many industries have been misunderstood, and this is just the newest industry to be misunderstood,” Lee said.
“And the way to prevent something like this from happening again is that we need to increase everyone's literacy about technology and how these opportunities work.”
Sam Lee, one of the founders of the failed blockchain global cryptocurrency exchange. Photo: Blockchain Global/Facebook
Lee blamed the situation on the “corporate” team behind HyperVerse.
Despite speaking at HyperVerse's official launch, he denied any involvement in HyperVerse, saying he was only involved in the fund management side through his role at HyperTech Group, of which he is chairman.
Another person who attended the February 2023 meeting challenged Mr. Lee on this claim.
“Community leaders have always projected you as a Midas-esque figure – HyperTech, HyperVerse, HyperFund, whatever, it’s Sam Lee, it’s Sam Lee, it’s Sam Lee, that’s what we do every day. Everything you’ve been told every day,” they said. Said.
In response, Lee said, “If you don't get involved, you can't completely disappear from HyperVerse.”
“The company put out misleading information, which of course management used to drive sales, so ultimately the company loses out. But I am 100% “It's not free, because if things were misunderstood, they could have always issued a press release or a statement to clarify,” he said.
The Gallup World Poll collects data from various sources each year to determine which countries are the happiest in the world. The world happiness report for 2023 reveals changes in the top 10, while the top spot has remained the same for six editions.
The World Happiness Report measures general happiness by assigning scores to each country using data collected on life evaluations. The Cantril ladder survey asks individuals to score their life on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 as the worst and 10 as the best. Approximately 1,000 survey responses are used for each country.
To calculate a country’s individual score, known as the Life Expectancy Rating, the Happiness Report takes an average of numbers from people surveyed in each country over the past three years.
Among the countries surveyed, Afghanistan was once again named the world’s unhappiest country with a score of 1.859. Meanwhile, the UK ranks 19th in happiness with a score of 6.796, while the US ranks 15th with a score of 6.894.
According to the World Happiness Report, New Zealand will be the 10th happiest country in the world in 2023, with a score of 7.123. This is the second year in a row that New Zealand has ranked 10th.
New Zealand, the first of only two non-European countries on this list, is famous for being a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.
9. Luxembourg
The ninth happiest country in the world in 2023 was Luxembourg, with a World Happiness Report score of 7.228. The small European nation was ranked sixth in 2022, dropping three places this year.
Luxembourg is a landlocked country, bordering Germany, Belgium, and France.
8. Switzerland
Switzerland ranks 8th in the 2023 World Happiness Report with a score of 7.240. This represents the biggest decline in happiness in the top 10, following fourth place in 2022.
Switzerland, the second landlocked country after Luxembourg, is famous for its mountains, ski resorts, chocolate, and banks.
The seventh happiest country in the world in 2023 was Norway, with a score of 7.315. In this year’s World Happiness Report, the country moved up one place from 8th place in 2022.
Norway, the first Scandinavian country on this list, shares a long border with Sweden and is famous for its fjords and the Northern Lights.
Sweden is the 6th happiest country on earth with a World Happiness Report score of 7.395. The Scandinavian country moved up one place from her seventh place in 2022.
Sweden is known for its forests, lakes, and as the birthplace of ABBA, IKEA, and many of the world’s greatest metal bands.
5. Netherlands
The fifth happiest country in the world is the Netherlands, with a score of 7.403 according to the World Happiness Report. In 2023, it ranked in the top five for the second year in a row.
The Netherlands is famous for its windmills, clogs, colorful poppies, and as the home of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
4. Israel
Israel
With a score of 7.473, Israel will be the fourth happiest country in the world in 2023. Since the 2022 World Happiness Report, the country has risen from 9th to 4th place in the top 10.
Israel faces many diplomatic issues and is only one of two non-European countries on the list.
3. Iceland
According to the World Happiness Report, the third happiest country in the world in 2023 is Iceland, with a score of 7.530. This is the second year in a row that Iceland has been ranked third.
Iceland is the country with the smallest population on this list, with just 375,436 inhabitants.
2. Denmark
Denmark is the second happiest country on earth, with a score of 7.586 in the World Happiness Report. Denmark has been named the second happiest country in the world for four years in a row.
Denmark was a founding member of NATO, the United Nations, the Nordic Council, the OECD, and the OSCE.
1. Finland
According to the 2023 World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world. Finland has been named the happiest country on Earth for six years in a row.
In the report, Finland achieved an overall score of 7.804. Finland is known as the home of Santa Claus, reindeer, and its love of saunas. Approximately 74% of Finland is covered in forest.
It may seem like a simple question, “How many countries are there in the world?” There are no easy or definitive answers.
The total number of countries in the world varies depending on the source. number of continents. Many point to the UN's list of officially recognized countries as the definitive answer to this question, but this is not without controversy.
For example, the United Nations is located in Vatican City ( the smallest country in the world) or treat Palestine as a full-fledged state and instead list it as an observer state (a state that can speak at the UN General Assembly but cannot vote on resolutions).
The UN list also includes more controversial omissions. Taiwan is not recognized by the organization, nor are Kosovo and Hong Kong. Outside the United Nations, such territory is recognized by some countries but not by others. It's complex and highly political.
Depending on who you ask, the total number of countries on Earth ranges from 193 to 237. This is because, after all, there are many disputed regions and states around the world that retain full or partial sovereignty.
How many countries are there in the world?
According to the United Nations, there are 195 recognized countries in the world. Of these, 193 countries are members of the United Nations, but two of her countries, Vatican City and Palestine, are non-member observer states.
Other organizations list different numbers of countries around the globe, and the US intelligence agency is the CIA. A total of 237 countries are listed.
Below is a complete list of fully sovereign and independent countries recognized by the United Nations, but it is worth reiterating that there are many other countries that consider themselves to be full states.
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