Wednesday, July 07, 2021
COVID in Latin America: Peru Struggles with Lamda Variant +++ Cuba Ships Out Vaccine | DW News
EU Urged to Suspend Funds to Hungary over ‘Grave Breaches of the Rule of Law’
THE GUARDIAN: Action follows Viktor Orbán passing law banning LGBT content in schools and mishandling of EU funds
Ursula von der Leyen is being urged to suspend EU funds to Hungary to force Viktor Orbán to address concerns over politicised courts and corruption.
MEPs who work on the European parliament’s budgetary control committee are calling on the European Commission president to use a newly created EU law to freeze payments to Hungary for “grave breaches of the rule of law”.
It is the latest salvo against the Hungarian prime minister, who last month faced unprecedented criticism from fellow EU leaders over a law that bans the depiction of gay people in educational material. The European parliament is expected to condemn that law in a resolution on Thursday that will urge the commission to launch a fast-track legal case against Hungary over discrimination against LGBT people. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Ursula von der Leyen is being urged to suspend EU funds to Hungary to force Viktor Orbán to address concerns over politicised courts and corruption.
MEPs who work on the European parliament’s budgetary control committee are calling on the European Commission president to use a newly created EU law to freeze payments to Hungary for “grave breaches of the rule of law”.
It is the latest salvo against the Hungarian prime minister, who last month faced unprecedented criticism from fellow EU leaders over a law that bans the depiction of gay people in educational material. The European parliament is expected to condemn that law in a resolution on Thursday that will urge the commission to launch a fast-track legal case against Hungary over discrimination against LGBT people. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Labels:
European Union,
Hungary,
LGBTQI+,
Viktor Orbán
Trump Told Chief of Staff Hitler ‘Did a Lot of Good Things’, Book Says
THE GUARDIAN: Remark shocked John Kelly, author Michael Bender reports / Book details former president’s ‘stunning disregard for history’
On a visit to Europe to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war, Donald Trump insisted to his then chief of staff, John Kelly: “Well, Hitler did a lot of good things.”
The remark from the former US president on the 2018 trip, which reportedly “stunned” Kelly, a retired US Marine Corps general, is reported in a new book by Michael Bender of the Wall Street Journal.
Frankly, We Did Win This Election has been widely trailed ahead of publication next week. The Guardian obtained a copy.
Bender reports that Trump made the remark during an impromptu history lesson in which Kelly “reminded the president which countries were on which side during the conflict” and “connected the dots from the first world war to the second world war and all of Hitler’s atrocities”.
Bender is one of a number of authors to have interviewed Trump since he was ejected from power.
He reports that Trump denied making the remark about Hitler.
But Bender says unnamed sources reported that Kelly “told the president that he was wrong, but Trump was undeterred”, emphasizing German economic recovery under Hitler during the 1930s. » | Martin Pengelly in Washington | Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Nightmare Scenario review: Trump, Covid and a lasting national trauma »
On a visit to Europe to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war, Donald Trump insisted to his then chief of staff, John Kelly: “Well, Hitler did a lot of good things.”
The remark from the former US president on the 2018 trip, which reportedly “stunned” Kelly, a retired US Marine Corps general, is reported in a new book by Michael Bender of the Wall Street Journal.
Frankly, We Did Win This Election has been widely trailed ahead of publication next week. The Guardian obtained a copy.
Bender reports that Trump made the remark during an impromptu history lesson in which Kelly “reminded the president which countries were on which side during the conflict” and “connected the dots from the first world war to the second world war and all of Hitler’s atrocities”.
Bender is one of a number of authors to have interviewed Trump since he was ejected from power.
He reports that Trump denied making the remark about Hitler.
But Bender says unnamed sources reported that Kelly “told the president that he was wrong, but Trump was undeterred”, emphasizing German economic recovery under Hitler during the 1930s. » | Martin Pengelly in Washington | Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Nightmare Scenario review: Trump, Covid and a lasting national trauma »
Labels:
Adolf Hitler,
Donald Trump
Can You Be Gay in China? | Ricky Bradbury
Labels:
China,
homosexuality,
LGBTQI+
What Do the Chinese Think of Gays?
Labels:
China,
homosexuality
Chinese Court Ruled Homosexuality Can Be a Mental Disorder
Labels:
China,
homosexuality
Welsh Red: Ex-postal Worker and Retired Nurse Grab Gold with a Pinot Noir
THE GUARDIAN: Monmouthshire’s White Castle Vineyard scoops top prize against global rivals in prestigious blind tasting award
First it was English winemakers that had vineyards in traditional wine-making regions such as France looking over their shoulder, now it is Wales, after a “deliciously fresh” pinot noir from Monmouthshire scooped a prestigious wine award.
White Castle Vineyard’s “pinot noir reserve 2018”, a red wine that costs £25.50 a bottle, has become the first Welsh vintage to win a gold medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).
Robb Merchant, a former Royal Mail worker who runs White Castle with his wife, Nicola, a retired nurse, described the win as “fantastic” for the vineyard which had been his “wife’s dream” to establish. » | Zoe Wood | Wednesday, July 7, 2021
First it was English winemakers that had vineyards in traditional wine-making regions such as France looking over their shoulder, now it is Wales, after a “deliciously fresh” pinot noir from Monmouthshire scooped a prestigious wine award.
White Castle Vineyard’s “pinot noir reserve 2018”, a red wine that costs £25.50 a bottle, has become the first Welsh vintage to win a gold medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).
Robb Merchant, a former Royal Mail worker who runs White Castle with his wife, Nicola, a retired nurse, described the win as “fantastic” for the vineyard which had been his “wife’s dream” to establish. » | Zoe Wood | Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Labels:
food & drink,
vineyards,
Wales,
wines
Covid-19 : le confinement de Sydney prolongé
LE POINT : Les habitants de la ville la plus peuplée d’Australie, reconfinés depuis le 26 juin, vont devoir faire avec cette mesure au moins une semaine supplémentaire.
Les autorités australiennes ont annoncé que la ville de Sydney allait être confinée pour au moins une semaine supplémentaire face au regain épidémique du Covid-19 et de son variant Delta. Les cinq millions d’habitants de la ville la plus peuplée d’Australie vivent depuis le 26 juin avec l’interdiction de sortir de chez eux pour tenter de contenir la progression du virus. Censée durer deux semaines, cette mesure a été prolongée mercredi d’au moins sept jours. Ce qui signifie que le confinement sera au minimum en vigueur jusqu’au 16 juillet.
« Ce variant Delta change la donne, il est extrêmement transmissible », a déploré Gladys Berejiklian, Première ministre de Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, État ayant Sydney pour capitale. « Nous ne voulons pas nous retrouver dans la position où il faudrait constamment passer de confinement en déconfinement », a-t-elle ajouté, expliquant que prolonger le confinement était « la meilleure façon pour faire en sorte que ce soit notre seul confinement avant que toute la population soit vaccinée ». Les habitants ne peuvent actuellement sortir que pour acheter des denrées essentielles, obtenir des soins médicaux, faire de l’exercice, aller à l’école ou au travail s’ils ne peuvent pas travailler à domicile. » | Source AFP | mercredi 7 juillet 2021
Les autorités australiennes ont annoncé que la ville de Sydney allait être confinée pour au moins une semaine supplémentaire face au regain épidémique du Covid-19 et de son variant Delta. Les cinq millions d’habitants de la ville la plus peuplée d’Australie vivent depuis le 26 juin avec l’interdiction de sortir de chez eux pour tenter de contenir la progression du virus. Censée durer deux semaines, cette mesure a été prolongée mercredi d’au moins sept jours. Ce qui signifie que le confinement sera au minimum en vigueur jusqu’au 16 juillet.
« Ce variant Delta change la donne, il est extrêmement transmissible », a déploré Gladys Berejiklian, Première ministre de Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, État ayant Sydney pour capitale. « Nous ne voulons pas nous retrouver dans la position où il faudrait constamment passer de confinement en déconfinement », a-t-elle ajouté, expliquant que prolonger le confinement était « la meilleure façon pour faire en sorte que ce soit notre seul confinement avant que toute la population soit vaccinée ». Les habitants ne peuvent actuellement sortir que pour acheter des denrées essentielles, obtenir des soins médicaux, faire de l’exercice, aller à l’école ou au travail s’ils ne peuvent pas travailler à domicile. » | Source AFP | mercredi 7 juillet 2021
Labels:
Australie,
Coronavirus,
Sydney
Regards énamourés et tendres étreintes : Jodie Foster et son épouse Alexandra Hedison au Festival de Cannes
LE FIGARO : La photographe de 51 ans et l’actrice de 58 ans, qui a reçu la Palme d'or d'honneur du Festival de Cannes, ont esquissé une apparition remarquée sur le tapis rouge, ce mardi 6 juillet, à l’occasion de la cérémonie d’ouverture de l’événement.
Elle lui a, tour à tour, présenté Spike Lee et Maggie Gyllenhaal. Jodie Foster est ainsi apparue au bras d’Alexandra Hedison, son épouse depuis 2014, lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture du Festival de Cannes, qui se tenait ce mardi 6 juillet. L’actrice de 58 ans, qui a reçu la Palme d'or d'honneur, et la photographe de 51 ans, ont esquissé une arrivée remarquée sur le tapis rouge de l’événement. Toutes deux ont ainsi affiché leur complicité, entre regards énamourés, tendres étreintes, baiser volé et éclats de rire. » | Par Chloé Friedmann 1 | mardi 6 juillet 2021
Elle lui a, tour à tour, présenté Spike Lee et Maggie Gyllenhaal. Jodie Foster est ainsi apparue au bras d’Alexandra Hedison, son épouse depuis 2014, lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture du Festival de Cannes, qui se tenait ce mardi 6 juillet. L’actrice de 58 ans, qui a reçu la Palme d'or d'honneur, et la photographe de 51 ans, ont esquissé une arrivée remarquée sur le tapis rouge de l’événement. Toutes deux ont ainsi affiché leur complicité, entre regards énamourés, tendres étreintes, baiser volé et éclats de rire. » | Par Chloé Friedmann 1 | mardi 6 juillet 2021
Labels:
Cannes
Der Klimawandel öffnet die Schleusen des Himmels
TAGES ANZEIGER: Modellrechnungen sagen schon seit Jahrzehnten vorher, dass Starkniederschläge in einer wärmeren Welt heftiger ausfallen. Das wird nun durch eine globale Datenstudie bestätigt.
Die vom Menschen verursachte Erderwärmung hat Starkniederschläge bereits in den letzten Jahrzehnten intensiviert, und zwar global – genau wie es Klimamodelle vorausgesagt hatten. Das zeigt eine aktuelle im Fachmagazin «Nature Communications» erschienene Studie. «Das ist sowohl methodisch als auch im Bezug auf die Datensätze die wohl vollständigste Studie, die den menschlichen Einfluss auf die Starkniederschläge belegt», sagt der Klimaforscher Reto Knutti von der ETH Zürich, der nicht an der Studie beteiligt ist. » | Joachim Laukenmann | Dienstag 6. Juli 2021
Die vom Menschen verursachte Erderwärmung hat Starkniederschläge bereits in den letzten Jahrzehnten intensiviert, und zwar global – genau wie es Klimamodelle vorausgesagt hatten. Das zeigt eine aktuelle im Fachmagazin «Nature Communications» erschienene Studie. «Das ist sowohl methodisch als auch im Bezug auf die Datensätze die wohl vollständigste Studie, die den menschlichen Einfluss auf die Starkniederschläge belegt», sagt der Klimaforscher Reto Knutti von der ETH Zürich, der nicht an der Studie beteiligt ist. » | Joachim Laukenmann | Dienstag 6. Juli 2021
Labels:
Klimawandel
Biden warnt vor Ausbreitung der Delta-Variante
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINER ZEITUNG: Der Kampf gegen das Coronavirus ist aus Sicht des amerikanischen Präsidenten noch nicht vorbei. Er sieht Impfverweigerer in Gefahr: Nahezu jeder Covid-19-Todesfall treffe Ungeimpfte.
Angesichts der Ausbreitung der Delta-Variante des Coronavirus hat der amerikanische Präsident Joe Biden die Amerikaner abermals eindringlich zum Impfen aufgerufen. Die potentiell gefährlichere Delta-Variante sei in manchen Teilen der Vereinigten Staaten bereits für die Hälfte aller Infektionen verantwortlich, sagte Biden am Dienstag im Weißen Haus. „Unser Kampf gegen dieses Virus ist nicht vorbei.“
Biden kündigte neue Maßnahmen seiner Regierung an, um die Impfquote zu erhöhen. So sollen unter anderem Helfer in Gemeinden von Tür zu Tür gehen, um über Impfungen zu informieren. Auch mobile Kliniken sollen verstärkt zum Einsatz kommen. » | Quelle: dpa | Mittwoch 7. Juli 2021
Angesichts der Ausbreitung der Delta-Variante des Coronavirus hat der amerikanische Präsident Joe Biden die Amerikaner abermals eindringlich zum Impfen aufgerufen. Die potentiell gefährlichere Delta-Variante sei in manchen Teilen der Vereinigten Staaten bereits für die Hälfte aller Infektionen verantwortlich, sagte Biden am Dienstag im Weißen Haus. „Unser Kampf gegen dieses Virus ist nicht vorbei.“
Biden kündigte neue Maßnahmen seiner Regierung an, um die Impfquote zu erhöhen. So sollen unter anderem Helfer in Gemeinden von Tür zu Tür gehen, um über Impfungen zu informieren. Auch mobile Kliniken sollen verstärkt zum Einsatz kommen. » | Quelle: dpa | Mittwoch 7. Juli 2021
Labels:
Coronavirus
Aux Etats-Unis, l’ouragan Elsa se rapproche des côtes de Floride
LE MONDE : Elsa, temporairement rétrogradé samedi en tempête tropicale, est le premier ouragan de la saison dans l’Atlantique. Il devrait toucher terre « mercredi matin » en Floride.
La saison des ouragans a démarré aux Etats-Unis. Après avoir frappé les Caraïbes, la tempête Elsa, redevenue un ouragan, se dirigeait, mardi 6 juillet, vers les côtes de Floride. A 23 heures mardi (5 heures à Paris, mercredi), Elsa se trouvait, selon le Centre national des ouragans (NHC), juste devant la baie de Tampa, accompagnée « de fortes pluies et de rafales de vent se propageant à l’intérieur des terres dans le sud-ouest et le centre-ouest de la Floride ». » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 7 juillet 2021
La saison des ouragans a démarré aux Etats-Unis. Après avoir frappé les Caraïbes, la tempête Elsa, redevenue un ouragan, se dirigeait, mardi 6 juillet, vers les côtes de Floride. A 23 heures mardi (5 heures à Paris, mercredi), Elsa se trouvait, selon le Centre national des ouragans (NHC), juste devant la baie de Tampa, accompagnée « de fortes pluies et de rafales de vent se propageant à l’intérieur des terres dans le sud-ouest et le centre-ouest de la Floride ». » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 7 juillet 2021
Labels:
États-Unis
Egypt : When a Search Crosses the Line
THE NEW YORK TIMES: These women crossed paths with the Egyptian justice system./ Each said she was sexually abused by the authorities.
These women were either arrested for speaking out or had gone to the authorities to report a crime.
In each case, they said, they were sexually abused by the officials sworn to protect them.
Whether they are victims of crimes, witnesses or the accused, women who encounter Egypt’s criminal justice system risk being taken aside and stripped, groped, prodded and violated.
This treatment is illegal, but in this authoritarian and patriarchal country, there is almost nothing they can do about it.
The women in these videos, speaking publicly for the first time, described sexual violations that they said were committed in police stations, prisons and hospitals. » | By Mona El-Naggar, Yousur Al-Hlou and Aliza Aufrichtig | Monday, July 5, 2021
Read in Arabic HERE »
These women were either arrested for speaking out or had gone to the authorities to report a crime.
In each case, they said, they were sexually abused by the officials sworn to protect them.
Whether they are victims of crimes, witnesses or the accused, women who encounter Egypt’s criminal justice system risk being taken aside and stripped, groped, prodded and violated.
This treatment is illegal, but in this authoritarian and patriarchal country, there is almost nothing they can do about it.
The women in these videos, speaking publicly for the first time, described sexual violations that they said were committed in police stations, prisons and hospitals. » | By Mona El-Naggar, Yousur Al-Hlou and Aliza Aufrichtig | Monday, July 5, 2021
Read in Arabic HERE »
Labels:
Egypt,
sexual abuse
Tuesday, July 06, 2021
History of Homosexuality on Film
Labels:
homosexuality,
LGBTQI+
Afghan Anger over US’s Sudden, Silent Bagram Departure
THE GUARDIAN: Military officials say troops turned off power and slipped away without notifying new commander
US forces plunged their main operating base in Afghanistan into darkness and abandoned it to looters when they slipped away in the middle of the night after two decades at the site without notifying their Afghan allies.
The furtive departure from Bagram airbase, which is vital to the security of Kabul and holds about 5,000 mostly Taliban prisoners, infuriated the Afghans. Many saw it as emblematic of a withdrawal they say is being carried out entirely to fit an American political schedule, with no heed for the collapsing security situation on the ground.
“People are saying: ‘The Americans didn’t ask Afghans about coming here, and they didn’t consult Afghans about leaving’,” said one senior official.
Much of northern Afghanistan, once an anti-Taliban stronghold, has fallen to the group in the last two weeks, and the militants have made substantial advances across the rest of the country. Afghanistan has just over 400 districts, and the Taliban now hold nearly half, and are fighting for many more. » | Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul and Peter Beaumont | Tuesday July 6, 2021
US forces plunged their main operating base in Afghanistan into darkness and abandoned it to looters when they slipped away in the middle of the night after two decades at the site without notifying their Afghan allies.
The furtive departure from Bagram airbase, which is vital to the security of Kabul and holds about 5,000 mostly Taliban prisoners, infuriated the Afghans. Many saw it as emblematic of a withdrawal they say is being carried out entirely to fit an American political schedule, with no heed for the collapsing security situation on the ground.
“People are saying: ‘The Americans didn’t ask Afghans about coming here, and they didn’t consult Afghans about leaving’,” said one senior official.
Much of northern Afghanistan, once an anti-Taliban stronghold, has fallen to the group in the last two weeks, and the militants have made substantial advances across the rest of the country. Afghanistan has just over 400 districts, and the Taliban now hold nearly half, and are fighting for many more. » | Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul and Peter Beaumont | Tuesday July 6, 2021
Labels:
Afghanistan
Coronavirus: Covid Rules to End, But with Cases Rising Is It the Right Time? - BBC Newsnight
ul 5, 2021 • Boris Johnson announces the end of most Covid restrictions in England. But are we prepared, and able, to be our own risk managers?
UK PM Boris Johnson announces face masks will no longer be legally required and distancing rules will be scrapped at the final stage of England's Covid lockdown roadmap.
The rule of six inside private homes will be removed and work-from-home guidance abolished as 16 months of on-off restrictions on daily life end.
The PM said he expected the final step would go ahead as planned on 19 July.
This will be confirmed on 12 July after a review of the latest data.
Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt reports.
UK PM Boris Johnson announces face masks will no longer be legally required and distancing rules will be scrapped at the final stage of England's Covid lockdown roadmap.
The rule of six inside private homes will be removed and work-from-home guidance abolished as 16 months of on-off restrictions on daily life end.
The PM said he expected the final step would go ahead as planned on 19 July.
This will be confirmed on 12 July after a review of the latest data.
Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt reports.
Labels:
BBC,
Coronavirus,
Newsnight
COVID-19: Should We Be Scared Of Virus Variants? | COVID-19 Special
Jul 6, 2021 • Many countries are racing to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus amid fears that the highly transmissible delta variant could spark another COVID wave and overwhelm health systems.
Scientists have predicted that the delta variant could account for 90% of all new cases in Europe by the end of August. However, evidence shows that the spread of the delta variant is cause for caution — but not panic.
Scientists have predicted that the delta variant could account for 90% of all new cases in Europe by the end of August. However, evidence shows that the spread of the delta variant is cause for caution — but not panic.
Labels:
Coronavirus
Venezuela : Joe Biden réaffirme le soutien américain au leader de l’opposition, Juan Guaido
LE MONDE : Les Etats-Unis, comme une cinquantaine de pays, n’ont pas reconnu l’élection du président Nicolas Maduro lors du scrutin de 2018 boycotté par l’opposition.
Le président américain, Joe Biden, a réaffirmé dans un courrier lundi 5 juillet, jour de la fête nationale vénézuélienne, le soutien de son pays au leader de l’opposition vénézuélienne Juan Guaido, qu’il reconnaît comme le président par intérim.
« Plus que jamais, nous restons déterminés à soutenir la lutte pour la liberté pour tous les Vénézuéliens à travers une transition pacifique et démocratique », a écrit le président américain dans une lettre adressée à « M. le président ». » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 6 juillet 2021
Incroyable ! – Mark
Le président américain, Joe Biden, a réaffirmé dans un courrier lundi 5 juillet, jour de la fête nationale vénézuélienne, le soutien de son pays au leader de l’opposition vénézuélienne Juan Guaido, qu’il reconnaît comme le président par intérim.
« Plus que jamais, nous restons déterminés à soutenir la lutte pour la liberté pour tous les Vénézuéliens à travers une transition pacifique et démocratique », a écrit le président américain dans une lettre adressée à « M. le président ». » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 6 juillet 2021
Incroyable ! – Mark
Labels:
Venezuela
How Coming Out Heals Your Life
Powerful! – Mark
Labels:
coming out,
LGBTQI+
Homosexuality: It's about Survival - Not Sex | James O'Keefe | TEDxTallaght
Nov 15, 2016 • This passionate talk from Dr. James O'Keefe MD gives us a deeply personal and fascinating insight into why homosexuality is indeed a necessary and extraordinarily useful cog in nature's wheel of perfection.
James H O'Keefe MD, is a Board Certified Cardiologist and Director of both the Charles & Barbara Duboc Cardio Health & Wellness Center and the Preventive Cardiology service at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. He is also Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His postgraduate training included a cardiology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr O’Keefe is board-certified in Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, and Cardiac CT Imaging. He is consistently ranked among the ‘Top Doctor’ lists regionally and nationally as one of America’s Top Rated Physicians in Cardiology. He has been named as one of USA Today’s Most Influential Doctors. Dr O’Keefe has contributed more than 300 articles to the medical literature and has authored best-selling cardiovascular books for health professionals including: The Complete Guide to ECGs (which is used for Cardiology Board Certification), Dyslipidemia Essentials, and Diabetes Essential.
James H O'Keefe MD, is a Board Certified Cardiologist and Director of both the Charles & Barbara Duboc Cardio Health & Wellness Center and the Preventive Cardiology service at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. He is also Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His postgraduate training included a cardiology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr O’Keefe is board-certified in Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, and Cardiac CT Imaging. He is consistently ranked among the ‘Top Doctor’ lists regionally and nationally as one of America’s Top Rated Physicians in Cardiology. He has been named as one of USA Today’s Most Influential Doctors. Dr O’Keefe has contributed more than 300 articles to the medical literature and has authored best-selling cardiovascular books for health professionals including: The Complete Guide to ECGs (which is used for Cardiology Board Certification), Dyslipidemia Essentials, and Diabetes Essential.
Labels:
homosexuality,
TED Talk
Monday, July 05, 2021
Afghan Forces Flee as Taliban Advances in the North | DW News
Jul 5, 2021 • Over the weekend, Afghan government troops in the north of the country, abandoned their posts and fled to neighboring Tajikistan. The reason, a Taliban advance they felt they were ill-equipped to oppose.
It's a pattern playing out across the country, with the Taliban now controlling about one-third of the country's 421 districts. These gains come as international troops continue to pull-out from the country. A scenario that's left many Afghans worried about their future.
Also neighboring Pakistan, has long been seen as having influence over the Taliban. For that reason, Pakistan's involvement in the peace process is seen as crucial to its outcome.
Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban go way back: The group itself was formed in the early 1990s primarily by Pashtun students in Pakistani madrassas or Islamic religious schools. Pakistan was one of only three countries that recognised the Taliban when it ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001. And in the last few years, Pakistan has played a key role in bringing the Taliban to the talks table.
It's a pattern playing out across the country, with the Taliban now controlling about one-third of the country's 421 districts. These gains come as international troops continue to pull-out from the country. A scenario that's left many Afghans worried about their future.
Also neighboring Pakistan, has long been seen as having influence over the Taliban. For that reason, Pakistan's involvement in the peace process is seen as crucial to its outcome.
Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban go way back: The group itself was formed in the early 1990s primarily by Pashtun students in Pakistani madrassas or Islamic religious schools. Pakistan was one of only three countries that recognised the Taliban when it ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001. And in the last few years, Pakistan has played a key role in bringing the Taliban to the talks table.
Labels:
Afghanistan
Opinion: From Junk Food Ad Bans to New Smoking Bans: The UK Is in an Age of State Intervention
CITY A.M. : We have slipped into a new age of state intervention. Even after a year of unprecedented interference in our everyday lives, attacks on personal freedoms are emerging from every quarter. Take gambling, for example. The government’s review of the Gambling Act looks set to introduce new spend limits to dictate what people can and can’t do with their money, with some calling for it to be illegal to spend more than £100 per month.
Elsewhere in gratuitous growth of the state in the name of public health, the government has finally signed off on its plan to ban advertising for what it deems “junk food” in an effort to curb obesity, albeit a slightly watered-down version which promises not to criminalise family-run bakeries posting pictures of cakes on Instagram.
There is no disagreement whatsoever in the science on this. All the evidence demonstrates that it will do much more harm than good. The government’s own in-house analysis of the policy concluded that it will remove a grand total of 1.7 calories from children’s diets per day – roughly half a Smartie. » | Jason Reed * | Thursday, July 1, 2021
* Jason Reed is the UK lead at Young Voices and a policy fellow with the Consumer Choice Centre.
Elsewhere in gratuitous growth of the state in the name of public health, the government has finally signed off on its plan to ban advertising for what it deems “junk food” in an effort to curb obesity, albeit a slightly watered-down version which promises not to criminalise family-run bakeries posting pictures of cakes on Instagram.
There is no disagreement whatsoever in the science on this. All the evidence demonstrates that it will do much more harm than good. The government’s own in-house analysis of the policy concluded that it will remove a grand total of 1.7 calories from children’s diets per day – roughly half a Smartie. » | Jason Reed * | Thursday, July 1, 2021
* Jason Reed is the UK lead at Young Voices and a policy fellow with the Consumer Choice Centre.
Labels:
state intervention,
UK
Xavier Bettel toujours hospitalisé, son état jugé “sérieux mais stable”
LE QUOTIDIEN : Le Premier ministre Xavier Bettel restait lundi hospitalisé en observation suite à son infection au Covid, en raison de la persistance des symptômes, a indiqué le ministère d’État dans l’après-midi.
Durant le week-end, les symptômes constatés (fièvre et maux de tête) ne se sont pas atténués, ce qui a mené le Premier ministre à être hospitalisé par précaution dimanche. Une saturation d’oxygène insuffisante a été diagnostiquée et Xavier Bettel est depuis placé sous surveillance médicale continue, précise le ministère d’État.
Actuellement, l’état de santé du Premier ministre “est jugé sérieux, mais stable”, soulignent ses services, ajoutant que le personnel soignant a de fait décidé qu’une hospitalisation reste actuellement nécessaire afin de pouvoir poursuivre l’observation, “ceci pour une durée estimée à 2-4 jours”. Selon l’un de ses collaborateurs, Xavier Bettel “a le souffle court mais n’est pas intubé”. » | LQ | lundi 5 juillet 2021
Durant le week-end, les symptômes constatés (fièvre et maux de tête) ne se sont pas atténués, ce qui a mené le Premier ministre à être hospitalisé par précaution dimanche. Une saturation d’oxygène insuffisante a été diagnostiquée et Xavier Bettel est depuis placé sous surveillance médicale continue, précise le ministère d’État.
Actuellement, l’état de santé du Premier ministre “est jugé sérieux, mais stable”, soulignent ses services, ajoutant que le personnel soignant a de fait décidé qu’une hospitalisation reste actuellement nécessaire afin de pouvoir poursuivre l’observation, “ceci pour une durée estimée à 2-4 jours”. Selon l’un de ses collaborateurs, Xavier Bettel “a le souffle court mais n’est pas intubé”. » | LQ | lundi 5 juillet 2021
Labels:
Coronavirus,
Luxembourg,
Xavier Bettel
Growing Up Illegally Gay - Four Life Stories | 'I Am...' Short Film
Oct 2, 2017 • What was it like growing up being illegally gay? Before 1967, homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom. Through the decades, thousands of gay men were prosecuted for consensual homosexual acts.
This film tells the incredible stories of four elderly gay men who lived through this time. We hear about their double lives, heartbreaks, being arrested, coming out, losing friends to suicide and what they would say to their younger selves.
…
This short film premiered at Buffer Festival, Toronto 2017 to mark 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexual acts in the UK.
This film tells the incredible stories of four elderly gay men who lived through this time. We hear about their double lives, heartbreaks, being arrested, coming out, losing friends to suicide and what they would say to their younger selves.
…
This short film premiered at Buffer Festival, Toronto 2017 to mark 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexual acts in the UK.
Labels:
LGBTQI+
LGBT Seniors Tell Their Stories | LA LGBT Center
Labels:
LGBTQI+
LGBT Documentary: Gay, Old and Out
Feb 27, 2018 • Meet the people who paved the way for LGBT rights. It has been a long hard fight to secure acceptance for the LGBT community, and the older people who fought the fight often get overlooked and forgotten.
For LGBT history month this documentary follows the astonishing and moving stories of the members of the Opening Doors London project - whose personal struggles and successes paved the way.
For LGBT history month this documentary follows the astonishing and moving stories of the members of the Opening Doors London project - whose personal struggles and successes paved the way.
Labels:
LGBTQI+
Reporter ohne Grenzen: Orbán ist „Feind der Pressefreiheit“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINER ZEITUNG: Zum ersten Mal setzt die Journalistenvereinigung „Reporter ohne Grenzen“ einen Regierungschef der EU auf die Liste der Politiker, die besonders drastisch die Presse unterdrücken. Auch andere bekannte Namen stehen erstmals darauf.
Die Organisation „Reporter ohne Grenzen“ führt in ihrer neuen Liste der „Feinde der Pressefreiheit“ erstmals einen Regierungschef aus der Europäischen Union auf: den ungarischen Ministerpräsidenten Viktor Orbán. „Seitdem Viktor Orbán und seine Fidesz-Partei 2010 an die Regierung gekommen sind, haben sie Ungarns Medienlandschaft Schritt für Schritt unter ihre Kontrolle gebracht“, kritisierte die Journalistenvereinigung am Montag in Berlin.
„Die öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunksender wurden in der staatlichen Medienholding MTVA zentralisiert, zu der auch Ungarns einzige Nachrichtenagentur MTI gehört“, schrieb die Organisation in einer Mitteilung. „Die regionale Presse ist seit dem Sommer 2017 vollständig im Besitz Orbán-freundlicher Unternehmer. Im Herbst 2018 wurden fast 500 regierungsnahe Medienunternehmen in einer Holding zusammengefasst, um ihre Berichterstattung zentral zu koordinieren.“ » | Quelle: dpa | Montag 5. Juli 2021
Die Organisation „Reporter ohne Grenzen“ führt in ihrer neuen Liste der „Feinde der Pressefreiheit“ erstmals einen Regierungschef aus der Europäischen Union auf: den ungarischen Ministerpräsidenten Viktor Orbán. „Seitdem Viktor Orbán und seine Fidesz-Partei 2010 an die Regierung gekommen sind, haben sie Ungarns Medienlandschaft Schritt für Schritt unter ihre Kontrolle gebracht“, kritisierte die Journalistenvereinigung am Montag in Berlin.
„Die öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunksender wurden in der staatlichen Medienholding MTVA zentralisiert, zu der auch Ungarns einzige Nachrichtenagentur MTI gehört“, schrieb die Organisation in einer Mitteilung. „Die regionale Presse ist seit dem Sommer 2017 vollständig im Besitz Orbán-freundlicher Unternehmer. Im Herbst 2018 wurden fast 500 regierungsnahe Medienunternehmen in einer Holding zusammengefasst, um ihre Berichterstattung zentral zu koordinieren.“ » | Quelle: dpa | Montag 5. Juli 2021
Labels:
Pressefreiheit,
Ungarn,
Viktor Orbán
Angleterre : le port du masque, bientôt un « choix personnel »
LE POINT : Le ministre britannique du Logement a évoqué, selon CNN, la fin de l’obligation du port du masque au moment de la levée des restrictions le 19 juillet.
Malgré la hausse des contaminations, le nouveau ministre britannique de la Santé, Sajid Javid, a maintenu l’objectif du gouvernement de lever, le 19 juillet prochain, les dernières restrictions encore en vigueur en Angleterre. Cette nouvelle étape pourrait même s’accompagner d’une levée de l’obligation du port du masque. Ce dimanche 4 juillet, le ministre du Logement affirme que le gouvernement réfléchit à faire en sorte que le port du masque ne relève plus, à cette date, que d’un « choix personnel ».
Dans des propos rapportés par CNN, Robert Jenrick explique : « Je ne veux pas particulièrement porter un masque et je ne crois pas que beaucoup de gens aiment le faire. Nous allons passer à une phase où il sera question d’un choix personnel. Ainsi, certains membres de la société voudront le faire pour des raisons parfaitement légitimes, mais ce sera une période différente où nous, en tant que citoyens privés, portons ces jugements plutôt que le gouvernement qui nous dira quoi faire. » » | Par LePoint.fr | dimanche 4 juillet 2021
Malgré la hausse des contaminations, le nouveau ministre britannique de la Santé, Sajid Javid, a maintenu l’objectif du gouvernement de lever, le 19 juillet prochain, les dernières restrictions encore en vigueur en Angleterre. Cette nouvelle étape pourrait même s’accompagner d’une levée de l’obligation du port du masque. Ce dimanche 4 juillet, le ministre du Logement affirme que le gouvernement réfléchit à faire en sorte que le port du masque ne relève plus, à cette date, que d’un « choix personnel ».
Dans des propos rapportés par CNN, Robert Jenrick explique : « Je ne veux pas particulièrement porter un masque et je ne crois pas que beaucoup de gens aiment le faire. Nous allons passer à une phase où il sera question d’un choix personnel. Ainsi, certains membres de la société voudront le faire pour des raisons parfaitement légitimes, mais ce sera une période différente où nous, en tant que citoyens privés, portons ces jugements plutôt que le gouvernement qui nous dira quoi faire. » » | Par LePoint.fr | dimanche 4 juillet 2021
Labels:
Angleterre,
Coronavirus
Le pape François « a bien réagi » à son opération
LE POINT : Le pape François, qui souffrait d’une inflammation du côlon, avait été admis à la polyclinique A. Gemelli de Rome pour cette intervention programmée.
Le pape François a été pris en charge pour une inflammation du côlon ce dimanche. Âgé de 84 ans, il a subi une opération chirurgicale, a annoncé le Vatican. Le pape a été admis à la polyclinique A. Gemelli de la capitale italienne. Celle-ci a été « programmée pour une sténose diverticulaire symptomatique du côlon », a annoncé un communiqué de presse.
« Le Saint-Père a bien réagi à l’intervention conduite sous anesthésie générale », selon un communiqué du Vatican publié peu avant minuit. Il s’agissait d’une inflammation potentiellement douloureuse des diverticules, hernies ou poches qui se forment sur les parois de l’appareil digestif et dont la fréquence augmente avec l’âge. Une des complications possibles de cette affection est la sténose, c’est-à-dire un rétrécissement de l’intestin. » | Source AFP | dimanche 4 juillet 2021
Le pape François a été pris en charge pour une inflammation du côlon ce dimanche. Âgé de 84 ans, il a subi une opération chirurgicale, a annoncé le Vatican. Le pape a été admis à la polyclinique A. Gemelli de la capitale italienne. Celle-ci a été « programmée pour une sténose diverticulaire symptomatique du côlon », a annoncé un communiqué de presse.
« Le Saint-Père a bien réagi à l’intervention conduite sous anesthésie générale », selon un communiqué du Vatican publié peu avant minuit. Il s’agissait d’une inflammation potentiellement douloureuse des diverticules, hernies ou poches qui se forment sur les parois de l’appareil digestif et dont la fréquence augmente avec l’âge. Une des complications possibles de cette affection est la sténose, c’est-à-dire un rétrécissement de l’intestin. » | Source AFP | dimanche 4 juillet 2021
Labels:
Pape François
La Russie s’approprie l’appellation « champagne »
LE MONDE : Les producteurs français devront changer leurs étiquettes pour pouvoir poursuivre leurs exportations.
Vladimir Poutine a donné son feu vert, vendredi 2 juillet, à un amendement de la loi sur la « réglementation des boissons alcoolisées » qui fait réagir en Russie… et en France. Selon ce texte, seuls les producteurs russes auront désormais le droit d’afficher l’appellation « champagne » sur leurs bouteilles. Les vins importés devront, eux, signifier une appellation « vin à bulles ». Cet amendement indique clairement que la législation russe ne tiendra pas compte de la protection de l’appellation française « champagne AOC ». » | Par Paul Gogo (Moscou, correspondance) | lundi 5 juillet 2021
Shampanskoye: French champagne industry in a fizz over Russian law »
Vladimir Poutine a donné son feu vert, vendredi 2 juillet, à un amendement de la loi sur la « réglementation des boissons alcoolisées » qui fait réagir en Russie… et en France. Selon ce texte, seuls les producteurs russes auront désormais le droit d’afficher l’appellation « champagne » sur leurs bouteilles. Les vins importés devront, eux, signifier une appellation « vin à bulles ». Cet amendement indique clairement que la législation russe ne tiendra pas compte de la protection de l’appellation française « champagne AOC ». » | Par Paul Gogo (Moscou, correspondance) | lundi 5 juillet 2021
Shampanskoye: French champagne industry in a fizz over Russian law »
Labels:
Russie
Twitter féminise son vocabulaire dans sa version arabe
LE FIGARO : Twitter a annoncé une nouvelle option sur sa version arabe pour les personnes souhaitant un vocabulaire féminisé au lieu des seuls mots masculins standardisés, une initiative destinée à promouvoir une «langue inclusive» sur le réseau social très utilisé au Maghreb et au Moyen-Orient. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 16 juin 2021
Labels:
Twitter
Sunday, July 04, 2021
Michael Lambert : Brexit Insanity Just Gets Worse
Labels:
Brexit
Mahler Symphony No 5 Adagietto – Herbert von Karajan
Labels:
Gustav Mahler
Pope Francis Undergoing Colon Surgery
THE NEW YORK TIMES: It is the first time that Francis has been admitted to a hospital since becoming pope in 2013.
ROME — The Vatican announced on Sunday that Pope Francis had been admitted to a hospital in Rome for colon surgery, the first significant health challenge in a pontificate that has lasted more than eight years and shifted the priorities and direction of the Roman Catholic Church.
Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesman, said in a statement that Francis, 84, had been taken to the Gemelli hospital in the Italian capital. Mr. Bruni said that the “scheduled surgery” would take place later on Sunday, and that a medical bulletin would be issued afterward.
He said the pope had symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon. » | Elisabetta Povoledo and Jason Horowitz | Sunday, July 4, 2021
ROME — The Vatican announced on Sunday that Pope Francis had been admitted to a hospital in Rome for colon surgery, the first significant health challenge in a pontificate that has lasted more than eight years and shifted the priorities and direction of the Roman Catholic Church.
Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesman, said in a statement that Francis, 84, had been taken to the Gemelli hospital in the Italian capital. Mr. Bruni said that the “scheduled surgery” would take place later on Sunday, and that a medical bulletin would be issued afterward.
He said the pope had symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon. » | Elisabetta Povoledo and Jason Horowitz | Sunday, July 4, 2021
Labels:
Pope Francis
Luxembourg Prime Minister Admitted to Hospital with Covid
THE GUARDIAN: Xavier Bettel attends as a precautionary measure after testing positive last week
Luxembourg’s prime minister, Xavier Bettel, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, local media have reported, citing a statement from his office.
Multiple outlets said Bettel, 48, attended hospital as a precautionary measure on Sunday morning. Unless doctors advised otherwise, he was due to spend 24 hours under observation while “additional tests and analyses” were carried out. There was no immediate report on his condition.
Bettel tested positive for coronavirus and began self-isolating for 10 days on 27 June, two days after attending a European Council meeting in Brussels with fellow EU national leaders. He received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on 6 May. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Sunday, June 4, 2021
Luxembourg’s prime minister, Xavier Bettel, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, local media have reported, citing a statement from his office.
Multiple outlets said Bettel, 48, attended hospital as a precautionary measure on Sunday morning. Unless doctors advised otherwise, he was due to spend 24 hours under observation while “additional tests and analyses” were carried out. There was no immediate report on his condition.
Bettel tested positive for coronavirus and began self-isolating for 10 days on 27 June, two days after attending a European Council meeting in Brussels with fellow EU national leaders. He received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on 6 May. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Sunday, June 4, 2021
Labels:
Luxembourg
Inside Giorgio Armani's Fashion Legacy | The Business of Fashion
Labels:
fashion,
Giorgio Armani,
interview
Global Journalist: Gay Rights in the Arab World
Sep 22, 2016 • One of the hardest regions of the globe to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is the Arab world.
In Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the punishment for the crime of sodomy is death by stoning, and many other countries impose prison sentences.
Also challenging is the fact that the stigma associated with being LGBT is so great, many people feel they can’t come out even to their family or closest friends.
On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at the uncertain lives of LGBT people in Arab nations.
Joining the program:
*Saleem Haddad, the Jordanian-born author of the new novel "Guapa," about the outing of a young gay man in an unnamed Arab country.
*Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch.
*Esra'a Al-Shafei, a Bahraini activist and director of Mideast Youth, network of online platforms that amplify marginalized voices in the region.
*Antoun Issa, a senior editor at the Middle East Institute who has written extensively on LGBT issues in the region.
Interview: Saleem Haddad: 'I put everything into this novel and it was a relief' »
In Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the punishment for the crime of sodomy is death by stoning, and many other countries impose prison sentences.
Also challenging is the fact that the stigma associated with being LGBT is so great, many people feel they can’t come out even to their family or closest friends.
On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at the uncertain lives of LGBT people in Arab nations.
Joining the program:
*Saleem Haddad, the Jordanian-born author of the new novel "Guapa," about the outing of a young gay man in an unnamed Arab country.
*Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch.
*Esra'a Al-Shafei, a Bahraini activist and director of Mideast Youth, network of online platforms that amplify marginalized voices in the region.
*Antoun Issa, a senior editor at the Middle East Institute who has written extensively on LGBT issues in the region.
Interview: Saleem Haddad: 'I put everything into this novel and it was a relief' »
Labels:
Arab world,
gay rights,
LGBTQI+
God and the Gay Christian | Matthew Vines | Talks at Google
Jul 10, 2015 • Matthew Vines visits Google's Mountain View office to discuss The Reformation Project and his book 'God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships'. You can find Matthew's book on Google Play here: https://goo.gl/p1xK6j
Matthew Vines is the founder and president of The Reformation Project, and the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. The Reformation Project runs conferences across the country for Christians who want to advance the inclusion of the LGBT community in their churches. TIME has written that Vines “represents new momentum to change the evangelical tide,” and he has been featured on CNN, NPR, MSNBC, and in The New York Times.
Matthew Vines is the founder and president of The Reformation Project, and the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. The Reformation Project runs conferences across the country for Christians who want to advance the inclusion of the LGBT community in their churches. TIME has written that Vines “represents new momentum to change the evangelical tide,” and he has been featured on CNN, NPR, MSNBC, and in The New York Times.
Labels:
Christianity,
LGBTQI+
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