£295,000 Bottle of Wine Stolen from Spanish Restaurant’s Cellar

THE GUARDIAN: Owner says 215-year-old Château d’Yquem was among 45 bottles taken by English-speaking man and woman

Bottles of wine in a cellar. The restaurant’s owner said he had not calculated the total value of the stolen bottles, which were insured. Photograph: Régis Duvignau/Reuters
Two thieves stole 45 bottles of wine, including an extremely rare 215-year-old bottle valued at €350,000 (£295,000), from a collection at an upmarket hotel and restaurant complex in south-west Spain, the owner has said.

The theft took place in the early hours of Wednesday, according to José Polo, one of the owners of Atrio, a complex comprising a hotel and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant with a cellar sheltering more than 40,000 bottles in the city of Cáceres.

“They were professionals, they knew exactly what they were doing” Polo said after deciding to make the robbery public through a letter to customers and friends.

The suspects are a man and woman who spoke English and gave staff the impression of being a refined couple, who checked into the hotel and dined at its restaurant. They asked a hotel front desk clerk to serve them more food and when he went to the kitchen, leaving security camera monitors unattended, the man slipped into the cellar and stole the bottles, Polo said. » | Associated Press in Valbuena | Friday, October 29, 2021

Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone | Official Video

Views on YouTube: 281,355,489

Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror | Official Video

Views on YouTube: 128,373,624

The Great Resignation: Why US Workers Are Burned Out and Quitting | Amanpour and Company

Oct 29, 2021 • As the pandemic eases in some parts of the world, we’re seeing the so-called “great resignation:” 20 million people in the U.S. have quit their jobs since April, according to federal statistics. Jennifer Moss explains this phenomenon in her new book "The Burnout Epidemic," and speaks with Michel Martin about why this is a cultural, rather than an individual, problem. Originally aired on October 29, 2021.

Daniel Barenboim – Chopin: Étude Op. 25 No.1 in A flat Major | Live from Pierre Boulez Saal, 2020

Queen Elizabeth Urged by Doctors to Rest at Least 2 Weeks

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The advice from her medical team has heightened the worry about the health of the 95-year-old monarch, who has canceled the public appearances that had been on her calendar.

Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London this month. | Justin Tallis/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II has been advised by her doctors to rest for at least the next two weeks, Buckingham Palace said on Friday, deepening the anxieties about her health that began last week when she abruptly canceled a visit to Northern Ireland because of what aides at the palace described as fatigue.

While the palace said the queen would continue to carry out “light, desk-based duties” and could conduct meetings via Zoom, she will not take part in any official events or ceremonies, including the Festival of Remembrance, a gala scheduled for Nov. 13 that honors soldiers and civilians who sacrificed for Britain in wartime.

For the queen, 95, to cancel her participation in an event two weeks in advance attests to the extraordinary precautions her medical team is taking. It also suggests that she has not bounced back from last week’s health issue, even after withdrawing to Windsor Castle and canceling her Northern Ireland visit, as well as one to the United Nations climate conference that opens in Glasgow next week.

In a statement, the palace said, “Following on from their recent advice that the queen should rest for a few days, Her Majesty’s doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks.” » | Mark Landler | Friday, October 29, 2021

Escaping Jehovah's Witnesses: Inside the Dangerous World of a Brutal Religion | Four Corners

Sep 13, 2021 • Former Jehovah's Witnesses are fighting back against a religion that failed them. They know they'll lose their loved ones for doing so.

Few know the extreme nature of the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses, a religious group which boasts eight million followers in multiple nations.

They take a strict interpretation of the Bible and predicted the world would meet its ‘wicked end’ in 1914, 1925 and 1975.

A US-based Governing Body of eight men sits at the pinnacle of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation. Witnesses believe these men are anointed as the voice of God on Earth.

Former members reveal the secretive practices used to instil fear and maintain discipline among followers.

With strict rules governing every aspect of their lives, these former Witnesses say the organisation is controlling and dangerous.

They say it's time to hold the Jehovah's Witnesses to account.

Euromillions : la gagnante du jackpot record de 220 millions d'euros est une jeune Polynésienne

LE FIGARO : La chanceuse, qui avait l'habitude de voir son grand-père jouer à la loterie, jouait pour la première fois. C'est le plus gros gain jamais remporté en Europe.

Elle nage dans un océan de richesses: la gagnante qui a remporté mi-octobre 220 millions d'euros, le plus gros jackpot de l'histoire de l'Euromillions, est une jeune Polynésienne qui jouait pour la première fois, a annoncé vendredi la Française des jeux (FDJ).

La chanceuse, qui avait l'habitude de voir son grand-père jouer à la loterie, mais n'avait jamais sauté le pas, a validé son ticket gagnant à Tahiti, selon un communiqué de la FDJ. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 29 octobre 2021

EuroMillions jackpot of £184m is largest lottery prize in UK history »

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 29, 2021

Trump: What's the Deal? Full Documentary | 1991

Sep 28, 2020 • Donald Trump is one of the richest and most famous men in America, but on what foundation has his success been built? From accusations of harassment to repeated flirtations with bankruptcy, his very public business career has been one of artifice and intrigue; a Machiavellian performance played out before the American media. Originally produced in 1991, Donald Trump: What's the Deal? investigates the unscrupulous reality behind this most public of figures.

Fans Point Out the Obvious as Saudi-owned Newcastle United Back Gay Footballer Josh Cavallo

Newcastle United sent a message of support to gay footballer Josh Cavallo. Fans pointed out the "hypocrisy" given the club is now majority owned by a Saudi Arabia-led group.(Getty/Matt King)
PINK NEWS: Fans have criticised Newcastle United for not seeing the “hypocrisy” in its support for Josh Cavallo after the club’s takeover by Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC) announced it had been taken over by a Saudi Arabia-backed fund, ending billionaire Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club. As a result, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – chaired by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman – now owns 80 per cent of the club, with the rest divided between RB Sports & Media and PCP Capital Partners.
Saudi Arabia has one of the worst LGBT+ rights records in the world. There has been strong backlash from fans, LGBT+ fan groups and human rights groups over the takeover. » | Maggie Baska | Thursday, October 28, 2021

LGBT-Bewegung in Polens Parlament mit Nazis verglichen

GEPLANTES DEMONTRATIONSVERBOT
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Vor dem Parlament in Warschau protestierten Menschen, weil Veranstaltungen wie Pride-Umzüge verboten werden könnten. Drinnen redeten Konservative von „Terror“ der LGBT-Bewegung.

Hunderte Menschen haben in Polens Hauptstadt Warschau gegen ein geplantes Verbot von Demonstrationen für Lesben und Schwule protestiert. Vor dem Parlament versammelten sich am Donnerstagabend mindestens 300 Menschen, berichtete die Tageszeitung Gazeta Wyborcz. Viele Teilnehmer schwenkten Regenbogenfahnen. Auf Transparenten stand etwa „Liebe kennt kein Geschlecht“. Am späten Abend beriet das Parlament in erster Lesung über den Gesetzesvorschlag. Vor dem Gebäude waren auch Unterstützer des Entwurfs. Die Polizei trennte beide Seiten.

Konkret soll das Gesetz künftig verbieten, dass Demonstranten etwa die Ehe zwischen Mann und Frau infrage stellen und ihre Ausweitung auf Menschen des gleichen Geschlechts fordern. … Zudem soll dem Entwurf … » | Quelle: dpa | Freitag, 29. Oktober 2021

Showing a Little Passion!

via GIPHY

Montrer un peu de passion ! / Ein bisschen Leidenschaft zeigen!

Romantic Engagement

Romantische Verlobung / Fiançailles romantique
Many thanks to Equally Wed on Pinterest for this great photo of two young men becoming engaged on a beach in Kauai, Hawaii.

Londres veut lutter pénalement contre les thérapies de conversion

Le projet de loi prévoit de punir d'une peine d'emprisonnement pouvant aller jusqu'à cinq ans de telles pratiques. ZACH GIBSON / AFP
LE FIGARO : Le gouvernement britannique envisage de créer une infraction pénale pour lutter contre les thérapies de conversion, qui prétendent transformer l'orientation sexuelle ou l'identité de genre d'une personne. Le projet, dévoilé vendredi 29 octobre, prévoit de punir d'une peine d'emprisonnement pouvant aller jusqu'à cinq ans de telles pratiques. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 29 octobre 2021

Les «thérapies de conversion» pour homosexuels, entre mythe et réalité »

Urging change of gender to be criminalised »

Gay conversion therapy is set to be BANNED as equalities minister announces consultation on how to legislate against the practice: Liz Truss has announced a consultation on banning 'archaic' conversion therapy / The equalities minister says there is 'no place for the abhorrent practice' / Violent forms of the therapy are already covered under other offences in the UK / he Government's six-week public consultation will close on December 10 »

Conversion therapy to be restricted but not banned in proposed bill: Equalities minister Liz Truss will consult on plans to allow counselling for non-vulnerable adults »

Tories’ proposed conversion therapy ban includes ‘concerning’ loophole for ‘praying the gay away’: The Conservative government has finally announced proposed plans for its conversion therapy ban – with religious forms of the discredited practice to remain legal. »

BoJo fails again! This bill doesn’t go far enough! Gay conversion therapy is considered dangerous; therefore, it should be banned outright – no ‘ifs’, no ‘buts’. BoJo wanted to be our leader, so he should show some leadership and courage. This is a half-baked measure! – © Mark

Streit um Migration und Polens Justizreform: Europa vor dem Scheitern? | Auf den Punkt

Oct 28, 2021 • Nach dem Austritt Großbritanniens hat die EU nun Ärger mit Polen: Das Land stellt nationales Recht über europäisches und untergräbt aus Brüsseler Sicht das Fundament der Union. Folgt dem Brexit der Polexit? Unsere Gäste: Wojciech Szymański (DW), Andreas Kluth (Bloomberg), Alexandra von Nahmen (DW).

Kritisch ist auch die Lage an Polens EU-Außengrenze: Der belarusische Diktator Lukaschenko schleust Tausende Migranten aus dem Nahen Osten und Afrika gezielt in die EU. Polen schickt sie zurück. Um sie abzuhalten, will die polnische Regierung eine Mauer bauen. Ist es den EU-Partnern am Ende recht, was Polen an seiner Ostgrenze tut?

Ali al-Nimr: Saudi Child Protester Who Faced Death Penalty Released

Ali al-Nimr's family posted a photograph of him following his release from prison on Wednesday | JA'AFAR B AL NEMER
BBC: Saudi authorities have freed a man who was sentenced to death for protest-related crimes as a child in a case that provoked an international outcry.

Ali al-Nimr was 17 when he was detained in 2012 during anti-government protests by the kingdom's Shia Muslim minority.

In 2014, a court condemned him to death by "crucifixion" - beheading followed by the public display of his body.

The sentence was commuted in February after the king ended the death penalty for some crimes committed by children.

Saudi Arabia is among the world's major executioners. It put to death at least 40 people between January and July - more than during the whole of last year, when it held the presidency of the G20. » | BBC | Thursday, October 28, 2021

Government’s Own Shocking Figures Show Brexit Is Twice as Damaging as a Deadly Pandemic

BoJo, you really should have stuck with your day job of being a wordsmith of lies! At least that way, you wouldn’t have done so much damage to people’s livelihoods.

I know you wanted to be prime minister so badly; but sometimes in life we desire jobs and positions we are ill-suited to, just as you were and are to being prime minister.

Many people bought into your fantasies. But they were taken in and are going to end up being all the poorer for their misplaced optimism and belief in your abilities and suitability for the position you now hold. ‘Sad’ is too mild a word for this catastrophe. Perhaps ‘tragic’ would be a more suitable word.

Further, look at how you are angering our allies and neighbours! France and the French in particular. It is going to take years to repair the damage and loss of trust in the UK after you leave office, which I hope will be very soon. – © Mark

Le Old Fashioned, un cocktail de nouveau à la mode

LE FIGARO : Qu'est-ce que Old Fashioned ? Lancée en 2015 en France, une «Old Fashioned Week» met à l’honneur chaque automne ce cocktail classique aux saveurs de bourbon. Petit b a-ba du breuvage vintage !

Woodford
Du bourbon, du sucre, un peu d’eau et de bitters ! A première vue, le Old Fashioned semble un jeu d’enfant. Mais tout comme grand classique, le cocktail fait souvent débat et s’avère loin d’être l’œuvre du premier venu. Largement réhabilité ses dernières années par Don Drapper dans la série Mad Men, le drink aurait vu le jour dans les années 1800 sous le nom Whisky Cocktail. Il fut rebaptisé au Pendennis Club à Louisville, en réaction aux nouvelles recettes de cocktails de la fin du 19è siècle – et oui, les cocktails connaissent aussi les effets de mode – pour attester de son style «à l’ancienne». » | Par Olivier Reneau | mercredi 27 octobre 2021

Brexit: Paris prêt au «combat» pour ses pêcheurs face à Londres

Des pêcheurs français au large de Jersey, en mai. La France affirme que près de la moitié des demandes de licence effectuées par ses pêcheurs n’ont toujours pas été satisfaites. SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP
LE FIGARO : La France a saisi un chalutier britannique et a lancé un avertissement verbal à un deuxième, provoquant la colère du Royaume-Uni.

De notre correspondant à Londres
«Ce n’est pas la guerre, c’est un combat.» Après l’annonce de mesures de rétorsion pour «défendre les droits des pêcheurs français» face aux Britanniques, la ministre de la Mer, Annick Girardin, s’est défendue de vouloir déclencher les hostilités générales. Mais le «combat» s’est durci ce jeudi avec le déroutage d’un navire de pêche britannique. Et les relations franco-britanniques ne cessent de se dégrader.

Après la saisie par la France d’un chalutier et l’avertissement verbal lancé à un deuxième, le gouvernement de Boris Johnson a dénoncé un acte «décevant et disproportionné». Les deux navires, spécialisés dans la coquille Saint-Jacques, ont été contrôlés par la gendarmerie maritime française en baie de Seine. L’un d’eux, le Cornelis Gert Jan, a été dérouté sur Le Havre. Selon Paris, il ne figurait pas sur les listes de licences accordées au Royaume-Uni par la Commission européenne et la France. Londres affirme au contraire que le bateau était en règle. Le propriétaire de ce chalutier écossais a estimé qu’il s’agissait d’un «malentendu» et dénoncé une manœuvre politique. » | Par Arnaud De La Grange | jeudi 28 October 2021

Réservé aux abonnés

Jersey offers 162 fishing licences after French ultimatum: Jersey has offered fishing licences to 162 French vessels after an ultimatum was issued by France. »