Sunday, August 29, 2021
Harry Nilsson: Everybody's Talking (1969)
Céline Dion - Pour que tu m'aimes encore | 'Taking Chances’ World Tour: The Concert
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op.35 - 2. Lento
’Hunter’s Chicken’ Recipe – ‘Chicken Chasseur’ – By the French Cooking Academy
A chicken chasseur recipe. Chicken chasseur is a classic French stew made with sauteed pieces of chicken, served with a sauce made using a combination of brown chicken stock, tomato sauce, mushrooms, shallots and fresh herbs (tarragon and parsley). It is best made using a cast-iron ‘Dutch oven’(US), or cast-iron casserole (UK). It goes well with a side dish of potatoes or quality tagliatelle. It is best eaten with a dry white wine such as Muscadet.
Get the printable recipe here.
Repression Without Borders
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Authoritarian leaders have taken their repressive tactics global.
Smiting foes wherever they may be has a firm place in mythology, literature and history. The meddling Greek gods. James Bond’s license to kill. Joseph Stalin’s hit man who finally caught up with Leon Trotsky in Mexico City. Given this legacy, it is fair to ask why human rights organizations are now raising an alarm about authoritarian leaders who hunt down dissidents far from their borders.
The reason is that the scope, scale and impunity of transnational repression by a new breed of strongmen to intimidate, detain, assault, kidnap, deport or assassinate exiled critics have grown exponentially with globalization, digital connectedness and new methods of surveillance.
Some of the more flagrant examples are well known: the murder and dismemberment of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul and Russia’s use of lethal toxins to murder one former spy, Alexander Litvinenko, and attempt to murder another, Sergei Skripal. Neither Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia nor President Vladimir Putin of Russia made any effort to justify or rationalize the hits; they simply denied personal responsibility.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, by contrast, has openly cast a broad global net for his foes since a coup attempt in July 2016, using both legal and illegal means. According to a major report this year by the human rights organization Freedom House, the dragnet has included at least 58 abductions in 17 countries. » | The Editorial Board* | Saturday, August 28, 2021
* The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values. It is separate from the newsroom.
Food, Beer, Toys, Medical Kit. Why Is Britain Running Out of Everything?
THE OBSERVER: Poor pay and conditions for HGV drivers and the loss of many thousands of EU workers are plunging the UKs supply chain into crisis
Gaps on supermarket shelves. Fast food outlets pulling milkshakes and bottled drinks from their menus. Restaurants running out of chicken and closing. Empty vending machines. Online grocery orders full of substitutions. Fruit and vegetables rotting in the fields.
These are just some of the most visible signs of Britain’s deepening supply chain crisis, which has seen stocks in shops and warehouses slump to their lowest levels since the Confederation of British Industry began surveying in 1983.
It has led to dire warnings that the UK’s food system, which has been hit hardest by delivery delays and labour shortages, is in danger of reaching breaking point and may not be able to meet Christmas demand.
Customers may have only started noticing this crisis in recent weeks but it has been building for months, with businesses, road hauliers and transport unions telling ministers at the start of the summer that a shortage of lorry drivers could lead to empty shelves.
The logistics industry estimates around 100,000 more HGV drivers are needed to get goods and materials moving again. The shortfall has emerged, in part, because 14,000 EU drivers have left the country and only 600 have returned since Brexit. The pandemic has also disrupted training and tests for new drivers: around 40,000 HGV driving tests were cancelled last year. » | Tom Wall & Phillip Inman | Sunday, August 28, 2021
“My dear! Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? These shortages are caused by Brexit. You know, that silly referendum Cameron called to shut up the right-wing loons, the whingers, in the Tory Party. He thought it would shut ‘em up, but he had the shock of life when the results were returned in favour of leaving! He had wanted to heal the longstanding rift in his Party, but instead projected the rift onto our nation. It was cause for his resignation. But now the people are suffering.”
“Well, I do declare!”
“This is what really happened: The ‘squillionaire class’, smelling lots of dough from leaving the EU, conned the 'little people' into believing that if we left, Britain could get its greatness back again. After all, Britannia did indeed rule the waves once upon a time!
The idea of leaving caught the people’s imagination. They say it was common to hear such refrains as this in the streets: ”I’m definitely voting to leave, Ethel. We don’t want ‘them forriners’ telling us what to do! In any case, they say we’ll get our blue passports back if we leave! Oh yes, I votin’ to leave! Definitely!”
“But the shortages in the shops and poor quality of fruit and vegetables are the result of this madness, my dear! It’s a high price to pay for this illusory thing called sovereignty, don’t you think?”
‘Sovrinty’! What’s that then? – Mark
Elizabeth Holmes: From Silicon Valley’s Female Icon to Disgraced CEO On Trial
THE OBSERVER: Once the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire, the former head of Theranos is facing fraud charges and possible jail time
The rise and fall of the blood testing startup Theranos turned the tech world upside down and captured the attention of millions beyond Silicon Valley, inspiring multiple books, documentaries and a television series.
Theranos set out to revolutionize the medical testing space, reaching a valuation of $10bn before the capabilities of its core technology were revealed to be largely fabricated. Now, its founder and former leader, Elizabeth Holmes, is about to face the music.
Holmes, 37, is facing trial in a California courtroom, charged with defrauding Theranos’s patients and investors. She could spend up to 20 years in prison, and has pleaded not guilty.
“This is a bellwether case,” said Jason Mehta, a Florida attorney with expertise in federal fraud cases in the health industry. “It has emerging technology and the typical marketing bravado of a startup, all in the crosshairs of the federal criminal justice system.” » | Kari Paul | Sunday, August 29, 2021
‘People wanted to believe’: reporter who exposed Theranos on Elizabeth Holmes’ trial »
Wie Kabul fiel - erzählt von den Menschen, die geblieben sind, denen, die flohen und solchen, die sich in Afghanistan verstecken
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Als die Taliban am 15. August Kabul einnahmen, endete mehr als nur ein langer Krieg.
Der letzte Auftritt von Meraj Wafa mit seiner Band endet früher als geplant. Es ist fast Mitternacht in Kabul, der Heiratsschwur ist bereits gesprochen, die Gäste haben gegessen und sogar noch etwas getanzt, aber die Stimmung ist nicht so, wie es sich für eine Hochzeit gehört. Wie an jedem Fest, das eine Zäsur im Leben markiert, redet man zwar auch hier von dem, was noch kommt. Aber die Gespräche handeln nicht von Hochzeitsreisen, Flitterwochen und Wünschen für eine neue Familie. Sondern von bärtigen Männern mit Turbanen, die angeblich vor der Stadt stehen.
Wenige Wochen zuvor war Meraj Wafa noch im grössten Fernsehsender Afghanistans aufgetreten. Meraj sass am Boden zwischen seinen Musikern und spielte auf einem Handklavier. Das Video auf Youtube wird mehr als eine Million Mal angeschaut. In jenem Afghanistan war die Musik noch am Leben.
Meraj Wafa, das dichte Haar wie ein Helm flach über den Kopf gelegt, stammt aus einer Musikerfamilie, die das alles, was nun folgt, schon einmal erlebt hat. Sein Vater hat ihm erzählt, wie sie flohen, als die Taliban 1996 zum ersten Mal Afghanistan eroberten. Meraj ist 25, zu jung, um sich daran zu erinnern. Für Meraj waren das Geschichten aus einer anderen Zeit und einem anderen Land. Er hatte nicht damit gerechnet, dass er die Taliban jemals selber erleben würde. Nun, an diesem 14. August, einem Samstagabend, sind sie plötzlich ganz nahe.
Um Mitternacht wird die Hochzeit abgebrochen. Meraj packt die Instrumente ein und fährt nach Hause. Am nächsten Morgen schickt er Mitglieder seiner Band in ihr Büro. Sie sollen dort Plakate abhängen, alles vernichten, was ihre Identität verraten könnte. Dann zieht er eine Burka an und fährt zu seinem ersten Versteck, einem kahlen Kellerraum mit einer Matratze. Von dort ruft er Freunde in Europa an. Sie warnen ihn: Du musst untertauchen, wir suchen einen Weg, dich da herauszuholen. » | Michael Schilliger, Flurin Clalüna, Andrea Spalinger, Andreas Babst | Samstag, 28. August 2021
Mike Pence: «Dieser Rückzug entehrt eine Generation von Soldaten» : Der frühere US-Vizepräsident Mike Pence macht die Regierung von Joe Biden für den chaotischen Abzug aus Afghanistan verantwortlich. »
Afghanistan : Macron veut une «safe zone» au cœur de Kaboul
LE FIGARO : Le président français veut une résolution de l'ONU pour continuer les opérations humanitaires sur place, grâce à un espace sous contrôle des Nations-unies dans la capitale afghane.
La France et le Royaume-Uni vont plaider ce lundi à l'ONU pour la création à Kaboul d'une «safe zone», c’est-à-dire une zone protégée qui permettra la poursuite des opérations humanitaires sur place, a déclaré Emmanuel Macron au Journal du Dimanche .
Alors que les cinq membres permanents du Conseil de sécurité doivent se réunir ce lundi au sujet de la crise afghane, Londres et Paris élaborent un «projet de résolution» qui «vise à définir, sous contrôle onusien, une 'safe zone' à Kaboul qui permette de continuer les opérations humanitaires», a indiqué Emmanuel Macron. «C'est très important. Cela donnerait un cadre des Nations unies pour agir dans l'urgence, et cela permettra surtout de mettre chacun devant ses responsabilités et à la communauté internationale de maintenir une pression sur les talibans», a-t-il ajouté. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | Publié : samedi 28 août 2021 ; mis à jour : dimanche 29 août 2021
Afghanistan: «Le vieil homme et les terroristes» »
Guido Reni : Saint Cecilia
“Guido Reni (November 4, 1575 – August 18, 1642) was a prominent Italian painter of high-Baroque style. Born in Bologna into a family of musicians, Guido Reni was the son of Daniele Reni and Ginevra de’ Pozzi. As a child of nine, he was apprenticed under the Bolognese studio of Denis Calvaert. Soon after, he was joined in that studio by Albani and Domenichino. Reni died in Bologna in 1642. He is buried with Elisabetta Sirani in the Rosary Chapel of the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna.”
A Jewish Gay Wedding
Turkey: Two Gays Hugging and Expressing Love and Affection for Each Other
Message
It’s Saturday night; so, it’s the end of the week. I should therefore like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support. Naturally, I hope and trust that you are enjoying the subtle changes I am frequently making to this website. My aim is to please YOU.
This website brings me so much pleasure; being able to observe from the stats and data that so many of you are regular visitors to my blog brings me more pleasure than I can easily express in a few words. I suppose, in short, it is true to say that your continued support sustains me.
Because I have little knowledge of YOUR demographics, it is difficult for me to know exactly what you like or dislike. In many ways, I work ‘in the dark’. Somehow, I need to find a way of knowing exactly what pleases you; so, please bear with me on that. This is going to take time.
It is quite possible that some of my visitors are gay but are still in the closet. Those in the closet could be young or even quite old. Many older gays are still in the closet, fearful of coming out. Coming out is not an easy process and it takes courage.
Whether you are young or old, if you are still struggling to live your life authentically, and if you believe that I could help you in any way, then please do not hesitate to contact me. My email address is markalexander.librabunda@gmail.com . I am not an expert in coming out, but I have had a lot of experience in life; and I know what has worked for me. If you feel in any way that my experience can help you, then email me. There will be no charge.
Living in the closet is not living an authentic, honest life. Some people cannot come out because of their geographic location. There are, indeed, many places on earth where coming out would not be a wise option. It is better to live in the closet and be safe than to come out and put your life in danger! But where coming out is a safe option, then generally coming out is to be recommended, I believe, as long as you have reached an age in life in which your sexual orientation has stabilised.
Again, I thank you kindly for all your support. Further, I send each and every one of you the warmest of wishes. – Mark
This website brings me so much pleasure; being able to observe from the stats and data that so many of you are regular visitors to my blog brings me more pleasure than I can easily express in a few words. I suppose, in short, it is true to say that your continued support sustains me.
Because I have little knowledge of YOUR demographics, it is difficult for me to know exactly what you like or dislike. In many ways, I work ‘in the dark’. Somehow, I need to find a way of knowing exactly what pleases you; so, please bear with me on that. This is going to take time.
It is quite possible that some of my visitors are gay but are still in the closet. Those in the closet could be young or even quite old. Many older gays are still in the closet, fearful of coming out. Coming out is not an easy process and it takes courage.
Whether you are young or old, if you are still struggling to live your life authentically, and if you believe that I could help you in any way, then please do not hesitate to contact me. My email address is markalexander.librabunda@gmail.com . I am not an expert in coming out, but I have had a lot of experience in life; and I know what has worked for me. If you feel in any way that my experience can help you, then email me. There will be no charge.
Living in the closet is not living an authentic, honest life. Some people cannot come out because of their geographic location. There are, indeed, many places on earth where coming out would not be a wise option. It is better to live in the closet and be safe than to come out and put your life in danger! But where coming out is a safe option, then generally coming out is to be recommended, I believe, as long as you have reached an age in life in which your sexual orientation has stabilised.
Again, I thank you kindly for all your support. Further, I send each and every one of you the warmest of wishes. – Mark
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Brexit Madness: Now Kwasi Kwarteng Wants to Train Up 100,000+ Lorry Drivers!
Aug 28, 2021 • Our new immigration policy makes it all but impossible for low-paid workers to come to the U.K. even if they want to. Shortages of workers as a result of this policy are already having a serious negative impact on our economy. This is not temporary.
Neither the Labour Party policy of asking the government to issue 10,000 temporary work permits nor the government's policy of training up 100,000 or more new HGV drivers will work.
Unions representing workers in sectors most affected by the absence of EU workers are in a very strong position to demand much better pay and conditions from a government and employers which they will have to concede.
The government is in a very weak position as result of the folly of its Brexit policy and because of their own incompetence.
CORRECTIONS: The Scottish Secretary is Alister Jack and not Ian Jack as I said The average age of British lorry drivers is 55 and nor 59 as I stated in the video.
Brexit is quickly turning this country into one of the “s***h*** countries” Trump talked about so colourfully! Unfortunately, Trump got the adjective right, but the countries wrong! He forgot to include the UK! – Mark
Neither the Labour Party policy of asking the government to issue 10,000 temporary work permits nor the government's policy of training up 100,000 or more new HGV drivers will work.
Unions representing workers in sectors most affected by the absence of EU workers are in a very strong position to demand much better pay and conditions from a government and employers which they will have to concede.
The government is in a very weak position as result of the folly of its Brexit policy and because of their own incompetence.
CORRECTIONS: The Scottish Secretary is Alister Jack and not Ian Jack as I said The average age of British lorry drivers is 55 and nor 59 as I stated in the video.
Brexit is quickly turning this country into one of the “s***h*** countries” Trump talked about so colourfully! Unfortunately, Trump got the adjective right, but the countries wrong! He forgot to include the UK! – Mark
Italia Squisita : Risotto by Chef Carlo Cracco
„Kein Unterschied zwischen Biden und Trump“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINER ZEITUNG: Irans geistliches Oberhaupt Ali Chamenei sieht in der amerikanischen Atompolitik keinen Unterschied zwischen Joe Biden und Donald Trump. Die Äußerungen dämpfen die Hoffnung auf eine baldige Fortsetzung der Wiener Gespräche.
Irans geistliches Oberhaupt Ali Chamenei hat Hoffnungen auf eine baldige Fortsetzung der Gespräche über das internationale Atomabkommen mit Teheran gedämpft. Bei einem Treffen mit dem neuen Kabinett unter Präsident Ebrahim Raisi erhob er am Samstag deutliche Vorwürfe gegen den amerikanischen Präsidenten Joe Biden. Dieser unterscheide sich bei seinen Forderungen an den Iran nicht von seinem Vorgänger Donald Trump.
Die Vereinigten Staaten hätten in dieser Angelegenheit „kein Schamgefühl“, sagte Chamenei laut der auf seiner Internetseite in Auszügen veröffentlichten Rede: „Obwohl sie sich vor aller Augen aus dem Wiener Abkommen zurückgezogen haben, reden sie jetzt so und stellen Forderungen, als wäre es die Islamische Republik gewesen, die sich aus dem Pakt zurückgezogen hat“. » | Quelle: AFP | Sa,stag, 28. August 2021
This Is How Theocracy Shrivels
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Certain years leap out as turning points in world history: 1517, 1776 and 1917. These are years when powerful ideas strode onto the world stage: the Reformation, democratic capitalism and revolutionary Communism.
The period around 1979 was another such dawn. Political Islam burst onto global consciousness with the Iranian revolution, the rise of the mujahedeen after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Islamization program in Pakistan and the popularity of the Muslim Brotherhood across the Arab world.
The ideas that seized the imagination of millions had deep and diverse intellectual roots. For example, the mid-20th century thinker Sayyid Qutb mounted a comprehensive critique of the soulless materialism of America, tracing it in part to the separation of church and state — the fatal error, he believed, that divided the spirit from the flesh. In the Muslim world, he argued, body and soul should not be split asunder, but should live united in a resurrected caliphate, governed by Shariah law.
This vision could manifest in more temperate ways, as clerics seeking to exercise political power, or in more violent ways, as jihadists trying to overthrow Arab regimes.
By 2006, in an essay called “The Master Plan,” Lawrence Wright could report in The New Yorker how Al Qaeda had operationalized these dreams into a set of sweeping, violent strategies. The plans were epic in scope: expel the U.S. from Iraq, establish a caliphate, overthrow Arab regimes, initiate a clash with Israel, undermine Western economies, create “total confrontation” between believers and nonbelievers, and achieve “definitive victory” by 2020, transforming world history.
These were the sorts of bold dreams that drove Islamist terrorism in the first part of the 21st century. » | David Brooks, Opinion Columnist | Friday, August 27, 2021
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