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Iceland To Cancel Whaling This Year

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Iceland will not be hunting fin whales this summer, following a decision by Hvalur hf., the only company in the country licensed to hunt the species. CEO Kristján Loftsson, a leading figure in Iceland’s whaling industry for over five decades, confirmed the suspension of operations for the 2025 season due to economic challenges, including declining demand in Japan.

“No hunting this season,” Loftsson told the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið earlier this month. He cited poor prices in Japan  the main export market for Icelandic whale meat along with rising transport and storage costs, but lets hope it’s really because they have finally realised that it is an antiquated ”tradition” that bring no benefits to human health or our oceans!

Loftsson, now in his early 80s, has managed Hvalur since the 1970s. The company, founded by his father, has long dominated Iceland’s commercial whaling industry. This is the second consecutive year it has chosen not to hunt fin whales. Despite the pause, Iceland’s government approved new quotas in late 2024, allowing up to 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales to be killed annually through 2028.

In 2023, the whaling season was temporarily suspended by Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Svandís Svavarsdóttir after a government commissioned report found that the hunting methods often caused prolonged suffering. Though the ban was later lifted, the incident intensified national debate and introduced stricter welfare oversight. Environmental groups cautiously welcomed the latest development. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) called the decision a “positive step,” but emphasised that it was driven by economics, not policy. 

A second company, Tjaldtangi ehf., still holds a licence to hunt minke whales but has not done so since 2021. As of late June, it had made no announcement regarding this year.

Public opinion in Iceland has increasingly turned against commercial whaling. A 2023 survey by the firm Maskína showed that a majority (particularly amongst the younger generations) oppose to the practice. Whale watching has grown into a key sector of Iceland’s tourism industry, boosting the argument that live whales offer more long-term value than hunted ones. While no fin whales will be killed this season, commercial whaling remains legal in Iceland. Conservationists continue to call for a permanent end a decision the government has yet to take.

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Inma’s Racing Heart

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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

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

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Man With Highest IQ Claims Jesus Will Return

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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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