Sunday, July 25, 2021
Covid-19: Families Struggle with High Hospital Costs in India | DW News
Sydney Police Fine Hundreds of Anti-lockdown Protesters for ‘Filthy, Risky Behaviour’
THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister denounces ‘selfish’ protesters who marched against coronavirus measures as police taskforce traces everyone who broke rules
Hundreds of fines have been issued and dozens charged in Sydney after anti-lockdown protesters marched and clashed with police in what one deputy commissioner called “violent, filthy, risky behaviour”.
The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, said on Sunday the previous day’s protests – in which thousands breached the region’s coronavirus measures to protest – were “selfish and self-defeating”, adding: “It achieves no purpose. It won’t end the lockdown sooner.”
The New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said was “utterly disgusted” by the scenes, saying: “It just broke my heart that people had such a disregard for their fellow citizens.”
Detectives are now combing social media and footage from CCTV and police-worn body cameras to identify and punish everyone who defied stay-at-home orders, which are now entering their fifth week. » | Matilda Boseley and agencies | Sunday, July 25, 2021
The Observer View on the Unfolding Crisis in Lebanon
THE OBSERVER: A new failed state in the Middle East would spell chaos for us all
Amid so much trouble around the world, the crisis in Lebanon has received relatively little attention, especially from British politicians and media. This is a serious oversight. It’s not inconceivable Lebanon could soon become a “failed state” on a par with Libya or Yemen. That would be a disaster for its people, but also, as recent history shows, for the region, Europe and the UK.
The crisis has many aspects. The most pressing is the mounting human cost. The chronic devaluation of the Lebanese pound – it has lost about 90% of its value in the past 18 months – is taking a terrible toll on ordinary families. About 30% of Lebanese children go to bed hungry, the UN says. Most households are short of food. At least half the population has slipped into poverty.
Resulting hyperinflation, caused by adverse trading conditions during the pandemic but also by grossly irresponsible financial mismanagement by Lebanon’s politicians and bankers, means subsidies of essential foodstuffs, medicine and fuel no longer cover their true cost. People with deadly diseases such as diabetes or heart conditions cannot get the help they need. » | Observer editorial | Sunday, July 25, 2021
Related links here, here, here and here.
Billionaire tycoon named as Lebanese PM as economic crisis bites: Protesters wanted someone from outside the elite, but parliament went for Najib Miqati, who has led the country twice before »
Saturday, July 24, 2021
Thousands Rally for Equality at Budapest Pride March
In Hungary, an Embattled L.G.B.T.Q. Community Takes to the Streets: Thousands of people attended the Budapest Pride march, defying efforts by the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban to marginalize the country’s L.G.B.T.Q. community. »
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Thousands March in Budapest Pride to Oppose Anti-LGBTQ Law
THE GUARDIAN: Demonstrators say law that bans teaching of issue in schools is causing division in Hungary
Thousands of Hungarians have joined the annual Budapest Pride march to support LGBTQ people and protest against a law that limits teaching about homosexuality and transgender issues in schools.
Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, in power since 2010, has introduced social policies that he says aim to safeguard traditional Christian values from western liberalism, stoking tensions with the EU.
The European Commission has launched legal action against Orbán’s government over the law, which came into force this month, saying it is discriminatory and contravenes European values of tolerance and individual freedom.
Demonstrators at the march through the streets of central Budapest on Saturday said the legislation was dividing the former Soviet-bloc nation and now member of the EU. » | Reuters | Saturday, July 24, 2021
Rekord-Teilnehmerzahl bei Pride-Parade in Ungarn: Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán will „Werbung“ für Homo- und Transsexualität verbieten. Die queere Szene in der ungarischen Hauptstadt hat das auf den Plan gerufen. Mehrere Tausend Menschen demonstrierten am Samstag gegen das Gesetz. »
Who Is to Blame for Lebanon's Latest Political Setback? | Inside Story
July 16, 2021 – It's back to square one for Lebanon's deepening political crisis. The prime Minister-Designate has resigned again after failing to form a new government. And as Saad Hariri and President Michel Aoun trade blame, the country sinks deeper into economic turmoil.
The currency has lost 95 percent of its value since 2019, pushing many Lebanese into poverty. International donors are frustrated at the lack of progress on reforms. So is there a political will to end Lebanon's political deadlock?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom | Guests: Rana Khoury - Political Activist; Bachar El-Halabi - MENA Geopolitical Analyst, ClipperData; Christophe Abi-Nassif - Middle East Institute.
The currency has lost 95 percent of its value since 2019, pushing many Lebanese into poverty. International donors are frustrated at the lack of progress on reforms. So is there a political will to end Lebanon's political deadlock?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom | Guests: Rana Khoury - Political Activist; Bachar El-Halabi - MENA Geopolitical Analyst, ClipperData; Christophe Abi-Nassif - Middle East Institute.
Was Trump Considering a Coup, and War w/ Iran? A Bombshell Article Explains | Amanpour and Company
Anti-lockdown Protests across Australia as Covid Cases Surge to Record Levels in Sydney
THE GUARDIAN: Chaotic scenes in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane as protesters demand end to lockdowns
Anti-lockdown protesters have marched in major Australian cities, as Covid cases spiked to record numbers in Sydney and authorities warned of a “continuing and growing problem”.
Thousands of angry, unmasked people marched through the Sydney central business district on Saturday afternoon demanding an end to the city’s lockdown, which is entering its fifth week. Police made several arrests of protesters who broke through barriers or threw plastic bottles at officers.
Similar scenes unfolded in Melbourne and Adelaide, which are both in lockdown, and Brisbane, which is not.
As demonstrators were gathering in Sydney, the New South Wales health minister, Brad Hazzard, revealed a record number of new coronavirus cases had been detected – 163 in the previous 24 hours – and pleaded with people to stay at home.
“We really need our community, particularly in south-western and western Sydney, to stay at home, to hear the message and stay at home,” Hazzard said. » | Ben Smee | Saturday, July 24, 2021
Anti-lockdown protesters have marched in major Australian cities, as Covid cases spiked to record numbers in Sydney and authorities warned of a “continuing and growing problem”.
Thousands of angry, unmasked people marched through the Sydney central business district on Saturday afternoon demanding an end to the city’s lockdown, which is entering its fifth week. Police made several arrests of protesters who broke through barriers or threw plastic bottles at officers.
Similar scenes unfolded in Melbourne and Adelaide, which are both in lockdown, and Brisbane, which is not.
As demonstrators were gathering in Sydney, the New South Wales health minister, Brad Hazzard, revealed a record number of new coronavirus cases had been detected – 163 in the previous 24 hours – and pleaded with people to stay at home.
“We really need our community, particularly in south-western and western Sydney, to stay at home, to hear the message and stay at home,” Hazzard said. » | Ben Smee | Saturday, July 24, 2021
Au Tibet, Xi Jinping affiche ses ambitions régionales
LE FIGARO : La visite surprise du chef de l'État dans cette région autonome est la première depuis 31 ans pour un président chinois en exercice.
Les officiels chinois sont restés discrets et n'ont annoncé sa visite que vendredi. Le président Xi Jinping est arrivé mercredi à Nyingchi, une ville du Tibet, province soumise à l'autorité de Pékin depuis des décennies.
La question tibétaine semble s'évanouir ces dernières années au fur et à mesure que Pékin renforce son emprise sur le «toit du monde» et ses habitants. La multiplication des polémiques soulevées par l'appétit de l'ogre chinois a également eu pour effet de reléguer le Tibet à l'arrière-plan des préoccupations géopolitiques internationales.
Mais cette visite du numéro un chinois - le premier voyage d'un président chinois en 31 ans - est symbolique à plus d'un titre. Xi était déjà venu à la capitale, Lhassa, en tant que vice-président en 2011. Il est cette fois revenu pour célébrer le 70e anniversaire de la signature de l'accord en 17 points qui a marquant la fin de l'indépendance. » | Par Emilien Hertement | jeudi 23 juillet 2021
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"Gay" in Pre-Code Hollywood
Lambda Variant Pushes up Death Toll in Peru | COVID-19 Special
Kiss of the Day, Hot and Gay
France Fiasco to Pingdemic U-turn: Boris Johnson’s Week of Chaos
THE GUARDIAN: In the last seven days the UK government has flailed from one controversy or misstep to the next
Often, the political week heading into the Commons summer recess can feel almost soporific, with the thoughts of ministers and MPs geared more towards holiday sunbeds than rows. But the last seven days has been different, and not only because of the ongoing political flux of coronavirus, with the government seeming to flail from one controversy, U-turn or misstep to the next, day after day.
Friday evening: France goes amber-plus
The reports began earlier in the week: France, which in a normal years attracts 10 million-plus UK visitors, was to be put on Britain’s red list, in effect banning almost all travel, because of concern about the spread of the potentially vaccine-resistant Beta variant. Eventually, late on Friday, it was announced that although France would stay on the amber list, double-vaccinated Britons returning from there would still have to quarantine for 10 days, unlike the new, relaxed policy for other amber destinations. Cue: anger from holidaymakers and some Conservative MPs – and polite bafflement from France itself.
Sunday: to self-isolate or not?
On Saturday, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, announced he had tested positive for Covid, a day after being pictured leaving meetings at Downing Street. Sure enough, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, were – like hundreds of thousands of Britons this week – “pinged” as close contacts. But on Sunday morning, a No 10 statement announced that Johnson and Sunak would avoid the usual 10 days of self isolation as they were taking part in a pilot scheme allowing them to carry on with “essential government business” while having daily tests. Three hours later, amid growing anger, the decision was reversed. Monday: ‘freedom day’ – and Covid passports » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Friday, July 23, 2021
Friday, July 23, 2021
Flutkatastrophe in China: Millionenmetropole unter Wasser | DW Nachrichten
Jul 23, 2021 • In China haben starke Regenfälle zu massiven Überschwemmungen geführt. Über 50 Menschen sind dabei ums Leben gekommen.
Heftige, langanhaltende Regenfälle und daraus resultierende Überschwemmungen haben in der zentralchinesischen Stadt Zhengzhou schwere Schäden angerichtet. In drei Tagen fiel so viel Regen wie normalerweise in einem ganzen Jahr.
Große Teile der 10-Millionen-Einwohner-Stadt liegen unter Wasser. Die Überschwemmungen haben etwa 400.000 Menschen aus ihren Häusern vertrieben.
Die Naturkatastrophe hat zahlreiche Häuser, Straßen und Autos zerstört. Berichten zufolge kann man von einem materiellen Schaden von über acht Milliarden Euro ausgehen. Die Stadt Zhengzhou gilt als eine bedeutsame Industriestadt und als Haupt- Verkehrsknotenpunkt in der dicht besiedelten zentralchinesischen Provinz Henan.
Heftige, langanhaltende Regenfälle und daraus resultierende Überschwemmungen haben in der zentralchinesischen Stadt Zhengzhou schwere Schäden angerichtet. In drei Tagen fiel so viel Regen wie normalerweise in einem ganzen Jahr.
Große Teile der 10-Millionen-Einwohner-Stadt liegen unter Wasser. Die Überschwemmungen haben etwa 400.000 Menschen aus ihren Häusern vertrieben.
Die Naturkatastrophe hat zahlreiche Häuser, Straßen und Autos zerstört. Berichten zufolge kann man von einem materiellen Schaden von über acht Milliarden Euro ausgehen. Die Stadt Zhengzhou gilt als eine bedeutsame Industriestadt und als Haupt- Verkehrsknotenpunkt in der dicht besiedelten zentralchinesischen Provinz Henan.
Opinion: NYT Guest Essay: Germany Is in Shock. Its Politicians Are on Autopilot.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: BERLIN — Germany, unlike the United States, doesn’t really have a history of natural disasters. Blessed with a moderate climate and fortunate geography, the country knows little of hurricanes, strong earthquakes or heavy rain.
That changed last week: Floods, after exceptionally heavy rainfall, devastated parts of the country, affecting Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, too. Villages, roads, bridges and power lines were destroyed. At least 170 people are dead, and many are still missing. Hundreds have been injured and countless livelihoods lost.
The country is in shock. Images of people waiting on rooftops for help, cars tossed around like toys by the water and entire houses turned to rubble are seared into our minds. Nearly 20 years on from our last major flood, the conclusion is inescapable: Climate change is right here, right now, and it hurts. » | Anna Sauerbrey * | Friday, July 23, 2021
* Ms. Sauerbrey is a German journalist who writes regularly about Germany’s politics, society and culture.
The Original Tabbouleh Salad / Tabouli
Ingredients:
3 bunches of Italian parsley, finely chopped
3 green onions, finely chopped
12 fresh mint leaves, chopped
1 cup white onion, diced small
3 cups tomatoes, diced small
1/4 cup brown burgol #1 soaked in 1/4 cup warm water
Note on burgol, also known by other names such as bulgur or burghul: burgol
1 tbsp dried mint
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/3 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
FYI : Please note that romaine lettuce is the US name for what has been traditionally known in the UK as cos lettuce. It is exactly the same thing. Check it out here
A Gay Mormon Love Story: Elder | Op-Docs | The New York Times
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