Month: December 2022

Police raid more EU Parliament offices in corruption probe

natixis-ezine

Read time : 4 mins

Level : Advanced

A man walks down stairs during a special session on lobbying Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France. Four people have been charged with being part of a criminal group, money laundering and corruption in connection with an investigation into suspected influence peddling by a Persian Gulf country at the European Union’s parliament. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian police conducted more raids at European Parliament offices Monday as the legislature’s president pledged to launch an internal investigation into corruption allegations and the bloc’s top official called for the creation of an EU-wide independent ethics body.

Prosecutors investigating alleged influence peddling by a Gulf country at the European Parliament charged four people over the weekend with corruption, participation in a criminal group and money laundering. Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili of Greece was relieved of her duties.

The prosecutors declined to identify the country suspected of offering cash or gifts to parliament officials in exchange for political favors. Several members of the assembly and some Belgian media linked the investigation to Qatar, which is currently hosting soccer’s gala event, the World Cup.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any wrongdoing. Continue reading

The Deserts of Bolivia Hold The Key to Your New Electric Car

natixis-ezine

Read time : 5 mins

Level : Intermediate

By Carley Rojas Avila

The next generation of technological advancement might rely on the same place it has turned to since the days of the Spanish conquistadors: Bolivia. Despite being one of the poorest nations in the Americas, this landlocked South American country is exceedingly rich in the resources required to make our world move.

With global supplies of lithium, the critical element needed for electric car batteries dwindling fast, Bolivia’s vast, remote salt flats may hold the key to the future. But one of South America’s most famous natural wonders may be at stake. Continue reading

To Tip or Not to Tip? Survey Highlights Growing Confusion Over Tipping Etiquette

natixis-ezine

Read time : 4 mins

Level : Advanced

By Andrew Herrig

While almost 9 out of 10 Americans consider themselves good tippers, etiquette surrounding gratuities is one of the great debates of the past few years. To quote Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs, “I don’t tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I’ll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it’s for the birds.”

Restaurants, coffee, takeout, tattoos, and even wedding photographers have tipping options nowadays. So when is it appropriate to tip, and how much?

To Tip or Not to Tip

PlayUSA surveyed more than 1,000 Americans to determine the best and worst tippers and which industries receive the most tips.

86% of respondents in the survey believe that they are good tippers. 90% of women think they are good tippers, while 83% of men think the same.

How people view their tipping habits also seems to differ by generation. 95% of baby boomers consider themselves good tippers compared to 84% of Gen X, 84% of Millennials, and 74% of Gen Z. Continue reading

What headline? ‘Gaslighting’ Merriam-Webster’s word of 2022

natixis-ezine

Read time : 5 mins

Level : Intermediate

FILE – Gas lamps illuminate St. Louis’ Gaslight Square on April 2, 1962. “Gaslighting” — mind manipulating, grossly misleading, downright deceitful — is Merriam-Webster’s word of 2022. (AP Photo/JMH, File)

By LEANNE ITALIE Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — “Gaslighting” — mind manipulating, grossly misleading, downright deceitful — is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year.

Lookups for the word on merriam-webster.com increased 1,740% in 2022 over the year before. But something else happened. There wasn’t a single event that drove significant spikes in the curiosity, as it usually goes with the chosen word of the year.

The gaslighting was pervasive.

“It’s a word that has risen so quickly in the English language, and especially in the last four years, that it actually came as a surprise to me and to many of us,” said Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large, in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Monday’s unveiling.

“It was a word looked up frequently every single day of the year,” he said. Continue reading