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AliExpress Under EU Review For Illegal Goods

Published

4 weeks ago

June 18, 2025

aliexpress-under-eu-review-for-illegal-goods

AliExpress faces EU scrutiny over illegal products, as new rules aim to make online shopping safer for customers across Europe. Credit : Sergei Elagin, Shutterstock

If you’ve ever scrolled through AliExpress for a cheeky gadget or that ‘how is this so cheap?’ deal, you’re definitely not alone. The site is a favourite across Europe. But now, AliExpress has landed in hot water with Brussels—and it’s all to do with what’s really hiding in those endless listings.

This week, the European Commission gave AliExpress a proper telling off. After a months-long investigation, EU officials say the platform isn’t doing nearly enough to keep illegal and dodgy products away from customers in Spain, Britain, and the rest of Europe. The rules they’re talking about are part of the Digital Services Act (DSA)—think of it as the EU’s new digital rulebook, with serious consequences for giants like AliExpress.

Why is AliExpress in the firing line?

Most of us just want our orders to show up on time and not be total rubbish. But the EU has found some worrying gaps in how AliExpress handles risky or banned products. According to their report:

There aren’t enough people or resources dedicated to catching illegal goods.
Sellers who break the rules—sometimes again and again—aren’t always kicked off.
The systems supposed to stop this sort of thing? Not working well enough, and some clever sellers are finding ways around them.
Overall, AliExpress is downplaying the real risks, say the EU.

One official even described the site’s approach as having “systemic failures.” Not exactly a glowing review, is it?

AliExpress does get a chance to argue its side before anything final happens. But if the EU sticks to its guns, the company could face fines up to 6% of its global sales. For a marketplace that big, we’re talking a lot of zeros.

AliExpress improvements: EU-approved changes explained

It’s not all bad news, though. The Commission did give AliExpress a nod for at least trying to get a few things sorted. For example:

There’s a new, clearer way to report dodgy stuff you spot.
Advertising is meant to be more transparent now.
Researchers can get data more easily (which helps catch the baddies).
The platform is stepping up efforts to spot dangerous things, like dodgy pills or unapproved supplements.

The EU is making these improvements a must—not just a nice-to-have. So, in some areas, AliExpress is already on the right path.

AliExpress: Should shoppers be worried after EU crackdown?

So, should you panic about your next AliExpress haul? Not really. The site isn’t about to disappear, and if anything, this pressure from the EU should make things safer for all of us. You might notice a few extra hoops to jump through as a buyer or seller in the coming months—more checks, maybe a slower listing process—but that’s the price of making the internet a bit less wild west.

And remember, AliExpress isn’t the only big name in the spotlight. The EU is running the rule over Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) too, making sure they’re all pulling their weight when it comes to illegal content and shady products. The message from Brussels is loud and clear: if you want access to European shoppers, you’ve got to keep things above board.

In short: Safer shopping could be on the way

At the end of the day, the EU just wants us all to be able to click “buy now” without worrying about what’s really arriving in the post. For AliExpress, it’s a wake-up call to step up and sort out its marketplace—otherwise, those bargain buys could come with a heavy fine attached.

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Inma’s Racing Heart

Published

5 hours ago

July 16, 2025

Ion Axinescu

Inma from Archez. Credit: Locos de la Colina Facebook page.

Sometimes, running means more than running.

In just six months, Inma from Archez (a small village in the Axarquia region) has completed over 50 races across Andalusia. But what truly makes Inma stand out is her total commitment to causes that matter.

Inma wears her club’s colours (Locos de la Colina club in the Axarquia region) not just for sport, but for solidarity. Over the past few months, she’s taken part in charity races supporting cancer patients, working with organisations that fund research and assist families through the toughest of times.

She’s run for children with special needs, helping raise money for therapies and treatments to improve their quality of life. And she’s supported awareness for rare diseases, giving voice and visibility to families too often left unheard.

Each race she’s run has symbolised far more than participation, far more than endurance and competitive spirit. We’re talking about hope, compassion, and the belief that sport can be a powerful force for doing good.

All in all, Inma reminds us that running isn’t just about crossing finish lines: it’s about showing up for others. Empathy can go hand in hand with a passion for sport — that’s the real lesson.

And that makes Inma not just a runner, but also an inspiration.

Read here more news from Axarquia.

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Bazlama Buzz: Mayor Hooked On Turkish Cuisine

Published

12 hours ago

July 16, 2025

Adam Woodward

bazlama-buzz:-mayor-hooked-on-turkish-cuisine

Mayor of Estepona José María Garcia Urbano cuts the red tape again at Bazlama. Credit: EWN

Bazlama officially swung open its doors on Tuesday, July 15, to a huge crowd of fascinated new diners, eager to see what all the buzz was about. Mayor of Estepona, José María Garcia Urbano, was among them to cut the ceremonial ribbon and try out the flatbreads everyone has been talking about.

Co-Founder Sarah Moravvej explained, “We came across Bazlama in Istanbul and loved the food, the experience, and the whole concept. We felt it was something which was missing on the Costa del Sol.”

“Turkish food and hospitality are exceptional and deserve to be better known, and the Bazlama brand is amazing at transporting you to Turkey and delivering not just delicious Turkish cuisine but a true cultural experience.”

Bazlama is a family business, run by a mother-and-daughter team, drawing from recipes passed down through generations. They work hard to retain family values and make every guest feel like they are being welcomed into a traditional Turkish home. The love and generosity you feel at Bazlama restaurants is something special.

The breads that impressed José Maria García Urbano.
Credit: EWN

The new restaurant in El Paraiso, located on Calle Isla Verde 12, Benamara, close to the Senator Banús Hotel, is Bazlama’s first European venture, introducing its celebrated all-you-can-eat Turkish breakfast to the continent. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, the restaurant serves a scrumptious breakfast banquet featuring traditional breads, cheeses, jams, hot dishes like menemen scrambled eggs, and the signature bazlama flatbread. Guests can also enjoy gozleme and mezze set menus, paired with Turkish tea, drinks, and cocktails. The authentic flavours, made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including organic produce from a small family farm in Estepona, which create a healthy and delicious dining experience.

The opening has brought 19 new jobs to the area, with plans for more as Bazlama extends its opening hours. Committed to sustainability, the restaurant plans to implement a waste-free model by partnering with local charities. Since its inception in Cesme, Turkey, in 1992, Bazlama has expanded to six locations in Turkey and one in Dubai, with a London branch on the cards for the near future. The Costa del Sol outpost is a big step in the brand’s international expansion, offering a cultural adventure through dishes like acuka spicy red pepper spread and stuffed gozleme.

Sarah and her sister Salmeh have joined the brand’s strong female leadership, and they invite guests to experience Turkish hospitality and become part of the Bazlama family. To reserve a table, call 951 830 136 or follow @bazlamakahvalti on Instagram and Facebook.

José María García Urbano, mayor of Estepona comes to Bazlama.
Credit: EWN

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Man With Highest IQ Claims Jesus Will Return

Published

13 hours ago

July 15, 2025

Letara Draghia

man-with-highest-iq-claims-jesus-will-return

Dr YoungHoon Kim. Credit: X @yhbryankimiq

Dr YoungHoon Kim, officially recognised as having the highest IQ in the world at 276, has gone viral for claiming that Jesus Christ will return within our generation.

The South Korean quantum physicist made the bold religious statement via X (@yhbryankimiq), citing divine revelation and scientific theory, including Einstein’s relativity and quantum physics, as evidence.

Who is Dr YoungHoon Kim?

As of 2024, Kim holds the official title of “World’s Highest IQ Person Now,” verified by the Official World Record®, the World Memory Championships, and the World Memory Sports Council, which is in partnership with Guinness World Records.

His high-range IQ score has been confirmed through various accredited tests and organisations, including:

GIGA Society (1 in a billion)
Olympiq Society (1 in 3 million)
Mega Society (1 in a million)
Triple Nine Society (1 in 1,000)
Mensa (1 in 50)

Dr Kim is founder and CEO of NeuroStory, a deep-tech healthcare company backed by the South Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups, focusing on brain health and AI solutions. He also leads the United Sigma Intelligence Association (USIA) – a global nonprofit think tank including public intellectuals like Noam Chomsky, Steven Pinker, and Yuval Harari.

He currently collaborates with research labs at Cambridge and Yale, and serves in leadership roles at the Lifeboat Foundation, Complex Biological Systems Alliance, and International Longevity Alliance.

Kim has been awarded numerous honorary doctorates in cognitive science and psychology and is an honorary professor at several institutions.
He also holds high-ranking positions in mind sports, such as:

Deputy President of the World Memory Championships
Council Member of the World Mind Sports Council
Known as “The 2nd Tony Buzan,” succeeding the inventor of Mind Maps.

“Jesus will return in our generation”

His bold statements, posted on X and YouTube, have gone viral with millions of views, shaking up both religious and scientific communities. In several posts, Kim has declared:

“I am the man with the highest IQ in the world, YoungHoon Kim… Jesus Christ will return in our generation. This is a truth revealed to me by God, the Father and the Holy Spirit.”

“From the world’s highest IQ record holder: Heaven is real. Hell is real. God is real. That’s not belief. That’s not religion. That’s not a message from a church. That’s the ultimate truth of the universe.”

“Christian Manifesto – from the world’s highest IQ record holder: 1. Jesus is God. 2. The Bible is 100% true. 3. The afterlife exists 100% 4. Heaven is real. Hell is real. 5. Evolution is a scam. 6. Feminism is a fraud. 7. Homosexuality is sin.”

Linking religion with science and quantum theory

Kim says Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum physics support his beliefs.

“Einstein showed that time moves differently depending on speed and gravity… Quantum physics teaches that what we believe and observe can shape what becomes real.”

He suggests Jesus’ prophecy about returning during “this generation” refers to eternity rather than human perception of time.

In another post, Kim explains:

“Science says that when the brain stops, our consciousness disappears. Well, quantum physics says that information never disappears. Never. It just changes form.”

The idea that the universe may be a simulation, popularised by some scientists, is also believed by Kim.

“Some scientists and philosophers believe that our world could be a simulation created by a higher-dimensional being, which I believe.”

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