The Guardian View on Risking England’s Health: Not Everyone Can Choose to Stay Safe

THE GUARDIAN: For too many, Johnson’s ‘freedom day’ will bring fear rather than release

“The purpose of the state is freedom,” the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza wrote. Its aim is to liberate everyone from fear, he argued, “so that they may live in security so far as is possible, that is, so that they may retain, to the highest possible degree, their right to live and to act without harm to themselves and others”.

Boris Johnson might nod in approval at the first part of the statement. But the plans for axing Covid restrictions in England, which the prime minister set out this week, fall far short of Spinoza’s fuller formulation. A more cautious relaxation would have been widely welcomed. Charging ahead in this gung-ho manner, scrapping almost all legal restrictions and failing to introduce mitigation measures (such as air purifiers in schools), or even uphold existing ones (such as compulsory masking), maximises the risk. The government is freeing some to return to aspects of life that they have sorely missed. But in doing so, those people risk serious harm to themselves and others. » | Editorial | Thursday, July 8, 2021

Adoption of Bitcoin as Legal Tender in El Salvador Is Seen as Unwise by 77% of Residents

THE RIO TIMES: Last June 9, the Legislative Assembly approved the Bitcoin Law, which gives legal tender to this crypto-asset together with the US dollar.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The adoption of bitcoin as a legal tender in El Salvador is seen as a poor or unwise decision by 77.5% of the population, according to a university survey released this Thursday.

The Centro de Estudios Ciudadanos (CEC) survey of the Universidad Francisco Gavidia (UFG) shows that 24 % consider the decision as not correct and 53.5 % as not correct at all. In comparison, 12.9 % say it is correct and 6.5 % very correct.

Last June 9, the Legislative Assembly approved the Bitcoin Law, which gives legal tender to this crypto-asset together with the US dollar.

The initiative, which does not include other cryptocurrencies or the underlying projects, was approved with the votes of 62 of the 84 deputies in the Parliament, with a large majority of the ruling party, without further debate or parliamentary discussion.

The measure, which generated doubts among local banks and the population due to the limited information disclosed by the Government, will come into force next September 9. » | Latin America News | Friday, July 9, 2021

More El Salvador news here »

Cigarettes: les gagnants et les perdants de trois années de flambée des prix

LE FIGARO : GRAND DÉCRYPTAGE - Emmanuel Macron l’avait promis: le prix du paquet est passé dimanche à 10 euros. Son plan a fait baisser les ventes… et a aussi rempli les caisses de l’État.

Dix euros. Ce dimanche 1er novembre, le prix moyen du paquet de cigarettes a franchi ce cap symbolique. Les marques les moins chères sont vendues 9,90 euros et Marlboro, leader du marché, 10,40 euros. Mission accomplie pour Emmanuel Macron, dont c’était une promesse de campagne présidentielle. À son entrée en fonction, le prix du paquet était compris entre 6,50 et 7 euros.

Sa première ministre de la Santé, Agnès Buzyn, avait décidé un «choc de prix» afin de réduire la consommation de tabac, responsable d’un décès sur huit en France. Son objectif: 5 millions de fumeurs en moins et la «première génération sans tabac» en 2027. Pour obliger les industriels à augmenter les prix, le gouvernement a lancé un plan de hausses régulières de la fiscalité sur les produits du tabac, étalées sur trois ans, et qui s’est donc achevé dimanche. » [ € ] | Par Keren Lentschner et Service Infographie | Publié : dimanche 1 novembre 2020 ; lundi 2 novembre 2020

Pour l'amour de Dieu, arrêtez d'agresser les fumeurs ! - Mark

Un abonnement numérique du Figaro, formule sans engagement, est disponible ici »

L'étau se resserre autour des assassins du président haïtien Jovenel Moïse

LE FIGARO : Le commando armé responsable de l'assassinat du président haïtien, tué mercredi, était composé de 26 Colombiens et de deux Américains originaires d'Haïti. Parmi eux, trois sont morts et huit sont en fuite.

L'étau s'est resserré jeudi 8 juillet autour des assassins du président haïtien Jovenel Moïse,< /a>, la police ayant annoncé l'arrestation de 15 Colombiens et de deux Américains d'origine haïtienne, tandis que la controverse montait dans le pays au sujet du rôle de la police et de la légitimité de l'exécutif de transition.

L'assassinat du président Moïse, criblé de balles à son domicile dans la nuit de mardi 6 à mercredi 7 juillet, a été perpétré par un commando armé de 28 assaillants, selon la police. Outre ces dix-sept personnes, trois Colombiens ont été tués et huit autres sont toujours en fuite, selon Léon Charles, le directeur général de la police haïtienne. La police avait indiqué jusqu'alors avoir tué «quatre mercenaires». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 8 juillet 2021

President Jovenel Moïse’s Assassination: Haiti Seizes 2 American Suspects »

Afghanistan : «Pas inévitable» que le pays tombe aux mains des talibans après le retrait américain, selon Biden

LE FIGARO : Le président américain a par ailleurs annoncé que le retrait des troupes serait achevé le 31 août.

Le président américain Joe Biden a déclaré jeudi 8 juillet que le retrait des troupes américaines d'Afghanistan serait «achevé le 31 août», et assuré que la prise de contrôle du pays par les talibans n'était «pas inévitable».

Le démocrate a souligné que les Américains avaient «atteint leurs objectifs» dans le pays, à savoir lutter contre la menace terroriste. «Ce n'est pas inévitable», a-t-il dit en réponse à une question sur une possible victoire des talibans, qui multiplient les offensives militaires dans le pays. Joe Biden a aussi assuré que les autorités afghanes avaient «la capacité» d'assurer la continuité du gouvernement. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 8 juillet 2021

Iran and Russia Move to Fill Diplomatic Vacuum in Afghanistan

THE GUARDIAN: Iranian foreign minister meets Taliban negotiators in Tehran, while Turkey offers troops to protect Kabul airport

Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and Russia have moved to fill the military and diplomatic vacuum opening up in Afghanistan as a result of the departure of US forces and military advances by the Taliban.

In Tehran the Iranian foreign minister, Javad Zarif, met Taliban negotiators to discuss their intentions towards the country, and secured a joint statement saying the Taliban do not support attacks on civilians, schools, mosques and hospitals and want a negotiated settlement on Afghanistan’s future.

The Taliban side was led by Abbas Stanekzai, a senior negotiator and head of the group’s political bureau in Qatar, while the Afghan government side was led by the former vice-president Yunus Qanooni.

Three other Afghan delegations were in Tehran at the same time. The value of the joint statement promising further talks is contestable, but Tehran’s diplomatic activism underlined fears in Iran about a spillover created by a prolonged civil war on its long border.

Estimates suggest as many as 1 million Afghans will pour over the border to avoid the fighting or Taliban rule. Iranian social media showed Afghan forces deserting two of three customs offices along the border at Islam-Qata and Farah. With an estimated 700km of its border with Afghanistan now in Taliban hands, Iran does have much choice but to take an active interest. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, July 9, 2021

Christmas has come early for Putin this year! – Mark

In Forceful Defense of Afghan Withdrawal, Biden Says U.S. Achieved Its Objectives »

Brexit ‘Divorce Bill’ Higher Than UK’s Forecasts, Brussels Estimates

THE GUARDIAN: Figure of £40.8bn buried in EU’s 2020 accounts dismissed by UK as not reflecting amount it will pay

The UK’s Brexit “divorce bill” is €47.5bn (£40.8bn) according to estimates from Brussels that are higher than the government’s forecasts.

The first tranche, €6.8bn, is due for payment by the end of the year.

The final bill, buried in the European Union’s consolidated annual accounts for 2020, is significantly higher than an earlier estimate from the UK’s fiscal watchdog.

In 2018 the Office for Budget Responsibility put the Brexit bill at €41.4bn (£37.1bn). During the Brexit negotiations, British government officials said the final bill would be around £35-39bn.

The bill covers the UK’s share of EU debts and liabilities during 47 years of membership, such as paying for infrastructure projects, pensions and sickness benefits for EU officials. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Thursday, July 8, 2021

Grüezi Schweiz – Die Einwanderer | Neue Heimat Schweiz | Doku | SRF DOK

Aug 31, 2019 • Jedes Jahr beginnen mehr als 100'000 Menschen ein neues Leben in der Schweiz. Und jedes Jahr gehen auch mehrere Zehntausend Menschen wieder zurück in ihre alte Heimat. Das Schweizer Fernsehen hat vier Familien über mehrere Jahre begleitet. Wer bleibt, wer geht?

Ein Leben ohne Hausangestellte. Der erfolgreiche indische Manager Rahul Budhwar aus Delhi tritt eine Stelle als CEO in der Schweiz an. Zusammen mit seiner Frau Megha und der gemeinsamen Tochter baut er sich in der Schweiz ein neues Leben auf. Bisher lebte die Familie mit Chauffeur und einer Vollzeit-Hausangestellten. Dies können sie sich in der Schweiz nicht mehr leisten. Also müssen sie das tägliche Überleben im Alltag und im Haushalt lernen. Wie managen sie ihr Leben mehrere Jahre nach dem Umzug in die Schweiz ihr Leben?

Ein Leben ohne Familie. Eigentlich sind ihre beiden erwachsenen Söhne und ihre betagte Mutter der Lebensinhalt von Lisa Maria Araujo aus Portugal. Doch finanzielle Gründe zwingen sie, in der Schweiz eine Arbeit in einem Alters- und Pflegeheim anzunehmen. Zugleich hat sie die Hoffnung, in der Schweiz einen neuen Lebenspartner zu finden. Hat sich dieser Wunsch nach mehreren Jahren in der Schweiz erfüllt? Ein Leben ohne soziale Kontakte. Die schottisch-deutsche Familie McKay zieht aus dem ostdeutschen Meissen nach Disentis. Vater Iain zieht zunächst mit den zwei Töchtern voraus, die Mutter Marion soll später mit dem gemeinsamen Sohn nachkommen, so der Plan. Doch die McKays tun sich schwer damit, im Graubündner Bergdorf Anschluss zu finden. Zudem erweist sich die Distanz zwischen den Familienteilen als schlimmer als erwartet. Nach acht Monaten fällt die Entscheidung: Die McKays ziehen zurück nach Deutschland. Jetzt leben sie wieder in dem Haus, von welchem sie in die Schweiz aufgebrochen waren. Werden sie nun ihr Glück finden?

Ein Leben ohne Krieg. Der syrische Flüchtling Aziz und seine Familie waren vor dem Krieg in die Schweiz geflüchtet. Der Arzt hatte sich dort aufgrund seiner medizinischen Ausbildung gute Chancen auf Arbeit ausgerechnet. Doch seine syrischen Diplome werden in der Schweiz nicht anerkannt. Der ehemalige leitende Arzt muss als Asylbewerber fast ganz von vorne anfangen. Wird er alle Hürden nehmen und es erneut zu einem Job als Arzt und sozialem Ansehen schaffen?

«DOK» hat die vier Familien über mehrere Jahre begleitet und ihre Hoffnungen, Zweifel, Erfolge und Niederlagen dokumentiert. Der Film zeigt auf, was es braucht, um das persönliche Glück zu finden – in der neuen oder in der alten Heimat.

Nach Brexit: Freihandelsabkommen mit UK unterzeichnet

LIECHTENSTEINER VATERLAND: Regierungsrätin Dominique Hasler hat heute in London das Freihandelsabkommen zwischen den EWR/EFTA-Staaten Island, Liechtenstein und Norwegen und dem Vereinigten Königreich (UK) unterzeichnet.

UK ist einer der wichtigsten Handelspartner Liechtensteins. Nach dem Brexit war es deshalb das Ziel, einen möglichst weitgehenden Marktzugang in UK zu erhalten.

Das am Donnerstag unterzeichnete Abkommen ist das umfassendste Freihandelsabkommen, das Liechtenstein bisher abgeschlossen hat.

Es umfasst neben dem grenzüberschreitenden Dienstleistungsverkehr, einschliesslich Finanzdienstleistungen, auch Bereiche wie Investitionen, Schutz des geistigen Eigentums, Digitaler Handel, Kapitalverkehr und öffentliches Auftragswesen. » | ikr | Donnerstag, 8. Juli 2021

Le Portugal élargit l’usage du pass sanitaire aux hôtels et restaurants

LE QUOTIDIEN : Les Portugais devront désormais présenter un pass sanitaire ou un test négatif au Covid pour loger dans un hôtel ou avoir accès aux restaurants des régions les plus touchées par la recrudescence de l’épidémie, a décidé jeudi le gouvernement.

“Nous continuons à observer une aggravation de la pandémie”, a affirmé la porte-parole du gouvernement portugais, Mariana Vieira da Silva, en annonçant que le pays comptait désormais 60 municipalités présentant un risque de contagion “élevé” ou “très élevé”, contre 45 la semaine dernière.

Le couvre-feu nocturne imposé depuis vendredi dernier continuera à s’appliquer dans ces zones à risque, concentrées pour l’essentiel à Lisbonne et ses environs, puis dans la région touristique de l’Algarve. » | LQ/AFP | jeudi 8 juillet 2021

SUPERNOVA - Official Trailer - Starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci

Sep 22, 2020 • It is deep Autumn and Sam and Tusker, partners of twenty years, are on holiday.

They are travelling across England in their old campervan visiting friends, family and places from their past. Since Tusker was diagnosed with young-onset dementia two years ago their lives have had to change. Jobs have been given up and plans put on hold. Their time together is now the most important thing they have.

As the trip progresses however, their individual ideas for their future begin to collide. Secrets are uncovered, private plans unravel and their love for each other is tested like never before. Ultimately, they must confront the question of what it means to love one another in the face of Tusker’s irreparable illness.

Written and directed by Harry Macqueen (Hinterland), and from the award-winning producers of 45 Years and I Am Not A Witch.

A Quarter of Global COVID-19 Deaths Have Been in Latin America | COVID-19 Special

Jul 8, 2021 • A quarter of the world's coronavirus deaths have been in Latin America. A third of new infections are happening in the region - a region where just three percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

In some countries people blame their governments - for making the wrong moves, or making them too late. Poverty, too, is playing its part, making social distancing impossible. Healthcare systems are overwhelmed and economies are shrinking.

So what hope is there for Latin America?

Democracy Now! Top US & World Headlines — July 8, 2021

Brokeback Mountain (2005) – Trailer HD | Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger

Dutch Police Arrest Suspects in Shooting of Investigative Journalist De Vries | DW News

Jul 8, 2021 • Police in the Netherlands have arrested two suspects over the shooting of prominent investigative journalist Peter De Vries. The men are due in court on Friday. Authorities are investigating links to De Vries' reporting on a major criminal gang. European leaders say his shooting was also an attack on freedom of the press.

Hungary’s Anti-LGBT Law: How Should the EU Respond? - BBC Newsnight

Jul 7, 2021 • As new anti-LGBT legislation comes into force in Hungary, despite EU warnings, how can the block deal with Orbán’s increasingly oppressive nature?

Hungary has long sailed close to the wind with its interpretation of European values. But right now, it’s on territory the EU is finding hard to ignore.

The country has introduced new laws banning any material that they say could 'promote' homosexuality in schools. The European commission has called this disgraceful - and an excuse to severely discriminate against people.

But will they go further than words? Ursula von der Leyen warned Viktor Orbán's government to repeal the legislation - or face the full force of EU law. But if Orbán resists - then what? Is this fight - that goes to the heart of what the bloc believes it stands for - one it is willing to have?

Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis is joined by campaigner Tamás Dombos from the Háttér Society.

Hungary's Anti-LGBTQ Law Comes into Effect | DW News

Jul 8, 2021 • A new Hungarian law that prohibits "promoting" LGBTQ content to young people comes into effect on Thursday. The controversial legislation has sparked a chorus of criticism, with European Union institutions threatening to take action against Hungary.

The restriction on young people's access to information about LGBTQ is part of a broader "Anti-Pedophilia Act," which originally focused on tougher penalties against child abuse. But the Hungarian parliament last month passed the bill with further amendments, including a ban on sex education and media content.

The law prohibits the "display or promotion" of homosexuality or gender reassignment in educational material or TV shows for people under 18. Balazs Hidveghi, a Hungarian MEP from the ruling Fidesz party, told DW that the law was "solely" to protect children. "It does not concern adults. It does not concern how they want to live their lives. It does not concern what information they get. It does not concern even the operation of LGBT groups. They are free to operate, but they have nothing to do in kindergartens and in schools." It is unclear what punishments would be given if the law is broken or what constitutes LGBTQ content due to the law's vague wording. But some fear that even the display of rainbow flags in public could be punishable.

The law has triggered a backlash in Hungary and across Europe. Critics say it equates homosexuality with pedophilia.


Viktor Orbán is a disgrace! Hungarians should kick the little tyrant out of office! – Mark

WHO Urges Countries ‘Not to Lose Gains’ by Prematurely Lifting Covid Restrictions

The World Health Organization has urged countries to use extreme caution when easing Covid-19 restrictions to reopen their economies. Dr Michael Ryan, director of the WHO health emergencies programme, said: ‘The idea that everyone is protected and it’s Kumbaya and everything goes back to normal, I think right now is a very dangerous assumption.’ Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added that the pandemic was not over and that the milestone of 4 million reported deaths had just been passed.

Their comments came as Boris Johnson set out plans to end social and economic coronavirus restrictions in England on 19 July

Mexico City’s Congress Passes LGBT Rights Law

THE RIO TIMES: The law contains a comprehensive perspective on the welfare of LGBT people of all ages, with priority to trans and intersex identities, which experience increased discrimination.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Law for the Recognition and Attention of LGBTTTI Persons of Mexico City, which aims to guarantee and prevent discrimination against people of this group, was passed on Wednesday by the Mexican capital Congress.

The law contains a comprehensive perspective on the welfare of LGBT people of all ages, with priority to trans and intersex identities, which experience increased discrimination.

In addition, it recognizes sexual and gender diversity, the right to dignified treatment without discrimination in public and private health services, education, work, health, culture, legal security and political participation, among others. » [R$] | Latin America News | Thursday, July 8, 2021

Harry Nilsson : Everybody's Talking