Harvey Milk: US Navy Launches Ship Named for Gay Rights Leader

The USNS Harvey Milk was launched in San Diego on Saturday | GETTY IMAGES
BBC: The US Navy has launched a ship named after a gay rights activist forced to resign from the service because of his sexuality in the 1950s.

The USNS Harvey Milk was launched in San Diego on Saturday in a service attended by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro and Milk's nephew, Stuart.

It is one of six new ships to be named after famed US civil rights leaders.

Others include former Chief Justice Earl Warren and slain presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.

Milk served as a diving officer and Lieutenant aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake during the Korean War. But he was forced out of the service following two weeks of interrogation about his sexuality in 1955.

He later became one of America's first openly gay politicians, elected in 1977 to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

But a year later he was shot and killed by Dan White, a former city supervisor with whom he had frequently clashed. » | BBC | Sunday, November 7, 2021

The Observer View on No 10’s Handling of the Owen Paterson Affair

THE OBSERVER – EDITORIAL: Sleaze has become a defining aspect of Boris Johnson’s politics. Britain deserves better

Boris Johnson: ‘A man utterly lacking in integrity, with no regard for standards in public life.’Photograph: Christopher Furlong/AFP/Getty Images
THE OBSERVER – EDITORIAL: Sleaze has become a defining aspect of Boris Johnson’s politics. Britain deserves better

Former prime ministers tend to avoid engaging in personal criticism of their successors, particularly if they served as leader of the same party. Sir John Major’s verdict on Boris Johnson’s handling of the Owen Paterson affair – “shameful and wrong” and “politically corrupt” – is an extraordinary and devastating intervention that shows how low the prime minister’s reputation has sunk with senior members of his party. Major has even gone so far as to say that he would face a dilemma were he to have to consider voting for Johnson at the next general election.

…

Johnson faces other questions over his personal integrity, including over the value of a free luxury holiday he accepted as a gift in recent weeks in Spain. His attitude infects standards right across government. When an investigation found Priti Patel had broken the ministerial code by bullying civil servants, it was not she who resigned, but the independent adviser on ministerial standards. The National Audit Office found last year that those with personal ministerial contacts were far more likely to win lucrative, pandemic-related contracts for personal protective equipment. » | Observer editorial | Sunday, November 7, 2021

Related »

Boris suffers sleaze backlash »

Owen Paterson: Boris Johnson's actions corrupt - Starmer (with video) »

Prof. Wolff Responds: Elon Musk's Billionaire BS

Nov 6, 2021 • In tis, Prof. Wolff responds to Elon Musk's opposition to the proposed billionaire's tax. Wolff highlights the ways in which billionaires have consistently utilized their wealth to manipulate the political system and shift the burden of tax onto the people.

It's Time to Boogie! Justin Timberlake : Can't Stop the Feeling

It’s That Time of the Day Again: It’s Absolut o’Clock!

via GIPHY

‘Shameful’: John Major Hits Out at Handling of Owen Paterson Scandal

THE GUARDIAN: Former PM said trying to shield MP from punishment suggested Johnson’s government was ‘politically corrupt’

John Major said the government’s actions had ‘the effect of trashing the reputation of parliament’. Photograph: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA
Sir John Major has launched a searing attack on the government over its handling of the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal, condemning its actions as “shameful and wrong”.

The former prime minister said it suggested Boris Johnson’s administration was “politically corrupt”, and that Major would be posed with a dilemma if he had to consider voting for Johnson to remain PM at the next election.

The comments came after the government briefly tried to shield Paterson from punishment for what the standards committee called an “egregious case” of breaching lobbying rules.

Major told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think the way the government handled that was shameful, wrong and unworthy of this or indeed any government. It also had the effect of trashing the reputation of parliament.” » | Nicola Slawson | Saturday, November 6, 2021

Once upon a time, this country used to have decent and honourable Conservative governments and decent prime ministers like Sir John Major. Now, however, we are stuck with BoJo and his administration made up of people of questionable integrity. Sleaze and corruption abound, to say nothing of the questionable way BoJo entered Number 10 by duping the public. – © Mark

Boris Johnson sleaze crisis deepens amid pressure on Covid deals: Sir John Major attacks PM’s actions as ‘shameful’ while poll shows slump in Tory support »

Brigitte Bardot condamnée à 20.000 euros d'amende pour injures publiques envers les Réunionnais

Lors du procès, le 7 octobre, le parquet avait requis une amende de 25.000 euros à l'encontre de Brigitte Bardot. PATRICK DOYLE / AFP
LE FIGARO : L'ex-actrice avait notamment comparé La Réunion à «l'île du diable» avec «une population dégénérée encore imprégnée (...) des traditions barbares qui sont leurs souches».

Brigitte Bardot, qui avait qualifié en 2019 les Réunionnais à d'«autochtones ayant gardé leurs gènes sauvages», a été condamnée jeudi 4 novembre par le tribunal judiciaire de Saint-Denis à 20.000 euros pour injures raciales.

Poursuivi pour complicité d'injures publiques, Bruno Jacquelin, l'attaché de presse de l'ancienne actrice de 87 ans, a été condamné à 4000 euros d'amende. À la demande de son employeuse, il avait transmis le courrier litigieux à plusieurs médias, dont l'AFP.

Le 7 octobre, lors du procès, le parquet avait requis 25.000 euros d'amende à l'encontre de l'ancienne star qui défend la cause animale et 5000 euros contre son collaborateur Créatrice d'une fondation portant son nom et œuvrant à la protection des animaux, l'ex-actrice avait adressé en mars 2019 une lettre ouverte à Amaury de Saint-Quentin, alors préfet de La Réunion. Se disant «envahie par des lettres (...) dénonçant la barbarie que les Réunionnais exercent sur les animaux», Brigitte Bardot avait affirmé que «les autochtones ont gardé leurs gènes de sauvages». Elle avait aussi comparé La Réunion à «l'île du diable» avec «une population dégénérée encore imprégnée (...) des traditions barbares qui sont leurs souches». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 4 novembre 2021

Why Are Autocrats Popular? - Assault on Democracy | DW Documentary

Nov 6, 2021 • A wave of authoritarianism is churning from East to West and assailing civil society. Autocrats are threatening democracy, while their regimes portray NGOs as Trojan horses for foreign interference.

The resurgence of authoritarianism is impacting countries across the globe, no matter what their form of government. "In the Crosshairs of the State" documents this worldwide phenomenon using the examples of India, Russia, and Poland and shows how civil society is being repressed, and what impact this can have on the future of democracy.

When populists and autocrats wield power, the first victims are civil liberties. However, regimes aren’t stopping at attacking and imprisoning activists - they go as far as criminalizing entire groups and freezing their funds. These governments are increasingly targeting NGOs and other players in civil society that demand democracy and assert human rights or protest about social grievances and environmental destruction. The methods of choice are defamation campaigns, repression, and criminalization.

In the past few years, certain countries have passed over 60 laws specifically aiming to systematically impede NGOs’ work or completely put an end to it. The root causes are wide-ranging, but it all boils down to rulers’ desire to remain in power and protect their economic interests. Beyond authoritarian wielders of power, democratic governments are increasingly clamping down on independent and critical players, too.

Are we experiencing a full-on global assault on civil society? What happens when the driving force of democracy - the people themselves - is silenced? How can we counter this development? Film director Sebastian Weis investigates these question, relating the situations in India, Russia, and Poland chapter by chapter, with each country representing an overarching issue. India faces environmental destruction, Russians are seeing human rights be eroded, and in Poland women’s rights are under attack.

Julio Iglesias : When I Need You

Performed in Jakarta, December 1994 | Views on YouTube: 20,809,375

The Paterson Fiasco Confirms the Threat Boris Johnson Poses to British Democracy

THE GUARDIAN – OPINION: The PM either ignores or rewrites the rules meant to hold him in check. He was thwarted this week, but the danger persists

‘This was merely the latest instance of Boris Johnson deciding that an ally clearly in breach of the rules should escape all consequence.’ Prime minister's questions, 3 November, 2021.Photograph: Jessica Taylor/UK PARLIAMENT/AFP/Getty Images
How many more times does it need to happen? How much more proof do we need that the country is run by a man with contempt for the rule of law, who believes that he and his friends are beyond its reach?

Boris Johnson demonstrated that again to the nation this week, as vividly as he could. Faced with the prospect that Owen Paterson, a comrade from the Brexit trenches of 2016, would be punished for what parliament’s standards committee called “an egregious case of paid advocacy”, Johnson instructed MPs to let his chum off the hook. The prime minister’s orders, dutifully followed by 250 of his troops, were to halt Paterson’s 30-day suspension from the House of Commons and to scrap the system that had found him guilty, replacing it with one that would be gentler in its treatment of Conservatives – because Conservatives would design it and dominate it.

The move was shocking because it was so brazen, not because it was novel. For this was merely the latest instance of Johnson deciding that an ally clearly in breach of the rules should escape all consequence. The roll call should be familiar by now. When Dominic Cummings decided the national lockdown did not really apply to him, Johnson stood by him. When Robert Jenrick fast-tracked an “unlawful” planning decision that would save Richard Desmond, a Tory donor, £45m in local taxes, Jenrick stayed in his post. When Priti Patel’s bullying behaviour was found to be a violation of the ministerial code, she too kept her job. If you’re on Team Johnson, the normal rules don’t apply.

Sometimes it’s about rewarding loyalty or a valuable favour. So when the Lords Appointments Commission decided that another Tory donor, Peter Cruddas, was not fit to receive a peerage, Johnson gave him one anyway. But just as often, the prime minister’s disregard for the rules extends to the gravest matters of state. » | Jonathan Freedland | Friday, November 5, 2021

Owen Paterson was just the fall guy. This week’s chaos was all about Boris Johnson: The prime minister has faced multiple investigations. You can see why the obliteration of the standards commissioner might seem appealing »

«Bitcoin hat keinen Wert und keine Zukunft. Knappheit allein ist kein Argument»

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Bitcoin und weitere Kryptowährungen sorgen für Schlagzeilen. Aber die meisten hätten keinen inneren Wert und keine Zukunft, so Eswar Prasad. Der Cornell-Professor ist stattdessen begeistert von den innovativen Möglichkeiten der Blockchain, und er fordert eine Diskussion über den Umgang mit der Privatsphäre.

Ein Kryptowährungs-Wechselbüro in Istanbul – doch Bitcoin ist laut Eswar Prasad nur ein spekulatives Phänomen. | Chris McGrath / Getty
INTERVIEW
Herr Prasad, Bitcoin und andere Kryptowährungen – die einen halten sie für das Geld der Zukunft, andere sehen pyramidenartige Spekulationsblasen. Und Sie?

Libertäre Idealisten wollten mit Bitcoin ein Zahlungsmittel schaffen, das ohne Zentralbanken und vertrauenswürdige Finanzinstitute funktioniert. Das ist nicht gelungen. Denn die Kursentwicklung ist sehr volatil, es sind keine grossen Transaktionsvolumina möglich, und das System ist sowohl langsam als auch teuer.

Gilt das auch für die Technologie im Hintergrund?

Die Blockchain-Technologie wird sehr wahrscheinlich nachhaltige Spuren hinterlassen. Immerhin lässt sie sich im Finanzbereich vielfältig verwenden.

Sie geben dem Bitcoin also keine Zukunft? Weiter lesen » | Christof Leisinger, New York | Freitag, 5. November 2021

In a Region in Strife, India’s Moral High Ground Erodes

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The hard-line attitude of Narendra Modi’s ruling party toward Muslims has undermined the nation’s reputation as a voice for tolerance in South Asia.

Hindus in Bangladesh protesting the violent attacks against them in Dhaka last month. | Munir Uz Zaman/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
NEW DELHI — The mob rampaged for days, burning homes, breaking into temples and clashing with police, leaving several dead.

The victims were minority Hindus living in Bangladesh, a majority-Muslim nation grappling with increasing extremism, and the violence drew an outcry from politicians in neighboring India. As the region’s traditional center of gravity, India has a history of promoting tolerance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also positioned himself as the champion of Hindus against a history of victimhood.

But the erosion of human rights in India has weakened its moral high ground in a region where ethnic and sectarian tensions are worsening. Sheikh Hasina — Bangladesh’s prime minister and a close ally, who had just sent Mr. Modi 71 red roses on his birthday — had pointed words for India, even as she promised to hunt the culprits.

“We expect that nothing happens there,” Ms. Hasina said, “which could influence any situation in Bangladesh affecting our Hindu community here.” » | Mujib Mashal | Saturday, November 6, 2021

Trapped in a Pandemic Funk: Millions of Americans Can’t Shake a Gloomy Outlook

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Despite signals that the economy is improving and the virus is waning, many Americans said they were frustrated by polarized politics and a sense of stagnancy.

Despite signals that things are improving, many Americans seem stuck in a pandemic hangover of pessimism. | Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times
A year ago, Michael Macey, a barber who lives in the suburbs outside Atlanta, was thrilled to help propel President Biden to victory, hopeful that Democrats would move swiftly to tackle policing laws and other big issues. But then he watched his hopes for sweeping changes wither in Washington.

Now, Mr. Macey’s sense of optimism — like that of millions of Americans — has been dashed. By the pain of an unending pandemic. By rising prices. By nationwide bickering that stretches from school board meetings to the United States Capitol.

“I don’t like the division,” Mr. Macey, 63, said. “I don’t like the standstill. We need something to get accomplished.”

For so many voters in this November of discontent, the state of the union is just … blech.

Despite many signals that things are improving — the stock market is hitting record highs, hiring is accelerating sharply with 531,000 jobs added in October, workers are earning more, and Covid hospitalizations and deaths are dropping from their autumn peaks — many Americans seem stuck in a pandemic hangover of pessimism. » | Jack Healy, Audra D. S. Burch and Patricia Mazzei | Friday, November 5, 2021

La Roumanie secouée par une profonde crise politique

Les sondages ne sont pas avantageux pour le président Klaus Iohannis qui ne recueille aujourd’hui que 14 % d’opinions favorables. JOE KLAMAR/AFP
LE FIGARO : Le président ne parvient plus à réunir les partis de droite et du centre derrière lui.

Depuis plus d’un mois et la chute du gouvernement du jeune et intempestif Florin Cîtu (49 ans), la droite roumaine est dans de sales draps. Les conservateurs (PNL) se trouvent coincés entre les réformateurs de centre droit de l’USR (l’Union sauvez la Roumanie) - ils avaient provoqué la chute de l’exécutif face à l’«attitude dictatoriale» de Florin Cîtu - et les socialistes du PSD, qui détiennent le plus grand nombre de sièges au Parlement (157, contre 119 pour le PNL, et 80 pour l’USR).

Minés par des querelles internes, les conservateurs ont fait exploser leur parti en a peine quelques semaines. Ludovic Orban, leur ancien leader, a démissionné du perchoir de l’Assemblée, entraînant derrière lui une cascade de défections (17 à ce jour). Ce sont les socialistes (ex-communistes) qui ont récupéré ce poste. En conflit ouvert avec le président de la République, Ludovic Orban agite désormais la menace, assez envisageable, d’une destitution de Klaus Iohannis. » | Par Paul Cozighian | jeudi 4 novembre 2021

Réservé aux abonnés

À LIRE AUSSI : La Roumanie sombre dans l’instabilité politique : DÉCRYPTAGE - L’impétueux premier ministre roumain a été sèchement éjecté de son siège de chef du gouvernement d’un pays qui s’enfonce dans la crise. »

Le pape nomme la première femme à la tête du gouvernorat du Vatican

François, 84 ans, a déclaré à plusieurs reprises qu'il souhaitait que les femmes jouent un rôle plus important dans l'Église catholique. Andreas SOLARO / AFP
LE FIGARO : La sœur Raffaella Petrini, Italienne de 52 ans, sera notamment chargée de superviser les opérations administratives concernant les musées du Saint-Siège, la poste et la police.

Le pape François a nommé jeudi 4 novembre la première femme à la tête du gouvernorat du Vatican, la sœur franciscaine Raffaella Petrini, poursuivant ainsi sa volonté de parvenir à une plus grande égalité des sexes dans l'Église.

En tant que secrétaire générale du gouvernorat, cette religieuse italienne de 52 ans sera chargée de superviser les opérations administratives, notamment les musées du Vatican, la poste et la police. Elle devient ainsi la femme la plus haut placée dans le plus petit État du monde. Selon le journal en ligne National Catholic Reporter, ce rôle est traditionnellement occupé par un évêque. » | jeudi 4 novembre 2021

À LIRE AUSSI : Le pape François juge le président américain «bon catholique» »

Les macarons Ladurée ne sont plus fabriqués en France

Les macarons Ladurée sont vendus dans toutes les couleurs Alexandros Michailidis
LE FIGARO : L'entreprise française a reconnu que les macarons étaient produits en Suisse depuis 2020.

Bien connus des Français, les macarons Ladurée ne sont pas fabriqués en France. C'est le président de l'enseigne, David Holder, qui l'a reconnu auprès du média suisse Bilan, confirmant les révélations de l'émission de France 2 Complément d'Enquête. Ces incontournables des petites douceurs à la française sont, en réalité, fabriqués en Suisse, à Enney exactement, dans le canton de Fribourg. » | Par Le Figaro.fr | samedi 6 novembre 2021

Allemagne : une attaque au couteau fait plusieurs blessés dans un train en Bavière

LE FIGARO : L'auteur présumé, un homme, a été interpellé, a annoncé la police locale.

Plusieurs personnes ont été blessées samedi dans un train ICE en Bavière en Allemagne lors d'une attaque au couteau dont l'auteur présumé, un homme, a été interpellé, a annoncé la police locale. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 6 novembre 2021

Owen Paterson, Sleaze, Corruption and Another U-turn by Johnson

Nov 6, 2021 • Boris Johnson's attempt to reform and replace the Parliamentary Commission for Standards by whipping his MPs to vote against the Commissioner's recommended 30-day suspension of MP Owen Paterson for 'egregious breaches of lobbying rules' proved to be a further massive misjudgement. Yet another public backlash resulted in a total U-turn only 24 hours later leaving those including Kwasi Karteng and Andrea Leadsome, who had backed the prime minister's proposals less than 24 hours earlier, looking foolish. In a pitiful attempt to gain sympathy, Paterson claimed that the worry of the investigation had contributed to his wife's suicide. This is yet further evidence of sleaze and corruption in the Tory party.

The Royal Wedding of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and Farah Diba

Please Help End This Scandal and Help Our Pensioners Resident Abroad: 'Frozen Pensions Day 2021'

Nov 3, 2021 • The unfair frozen pensions policy is the result of historical reciprocal arrangements agreed between a select handful of countries and the UK to allow for state pension uprating.

Uprating means that pensions are adjusted every year to align with inflation - with the cost of living rising, pensions are indexed so pensioners can continue to get by. If a state pension is not increased, it is 'frozen' and therefore falls in value year on year.

500,000 UK pensioners, just under half of those living overseas, now live in countries where their state pensions are frozen. This includes British pensioners living in Overseas Territories such as the Falkland Islands. This arbitrary post-code lottery means that UK citizens in the USA, the European Union, Israel or Jamaica rightfully receive a full state pension. But those in other countries, such as Canada and Australia, do not.

Over 90% of affected pensioners live in Commonwealth nations with close cultural ties to the UK. Many moved overseas for employment opportunities, or to live near friends and family. Others are members of the Windrush generation, who were invited to live and work in Britain at the call of the UK Government and have now been punished for returning to their country of birth.

Half of frozen pensioners receive a state pension of just £65 per week, or less. Almost all were unaware that their state pensions would be frozen before they left the UK.

Now, they are victims of geography. The End Frozen Pensions campaign believes that all pensioners, no matter where they happen to live, should be paid equally. Find out more at endfrozenpensions.org


Please sign the petition End Frozen Pensions

And email Your MP or the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to help these people here

Fremantle Shark Attack: Search for Missing Man Off Port Beach

THE GUARDIAN: WA police say actions of witnesses were ‘heroic’ after incident reportedly involving tiger shark and great white shark

Search and rescue vessels patrol off Port Beach in North Fremantle, Western Australia. A man is missing after a shark attack. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP
Emergency services are searching for a man who is believed to have been attacked by a shark off Port Beach in North Fremantle, Western Australia, on Saturday morning.

WA police said that water police, police air wing, Surf Life Saving and the Surf Rescue helicopter responded to reports of a shark attack off Port Beach at 10.10am Saturday morning.

Water police were co-ordinating a marine search for the missing man, whose age had not yet been confirmed.

A spokesperson for St John’s Ambulance WA said they had received a call at 10.03am of a shark bite and sent three crew to the scene.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Department of Transport (Marine) and Department of Transport (Marine) authorities also attended the scene.

Local councils have closed Port Beach and all beaches from Leighton Dog beach to Sand Tracks beach. » | Justine Landis-Hanley | Saturday, November 6, 2021

Brexit: EU Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’ If UK Invokes Article 16

A screenshot from the accompanying video.
THE GUARDIAN: Maroš Šefčovič says Brussels has seen no concessions from UK side in Northern Ireland protocol dispute

Britain and the EU appear on the brink of a trade war after Brussels accused Boris Johnson of lacking sincerity in negotiations over Northern Ireland’s future and warned of “serious consequences” if Downing Street suspended the post-Brexit deal.

As he emerged from his latest tense meeting with the UK’s Brexit minister, the EU commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said that despite Brussels’ attempts to find a compromise, “we have seen no move at all from the UK side”.

The two sides have been locked in talks for three weeks over changes to how the Brexit deal works to ensure the free flow of trade between Britain and Northern Ireland. The EU has offered to cut customs controls in half and health checks on animal and plant products heading to supermarkets by 80%, but Šefčovič suggested there had been scant effort by David Frost, the Brexit minister, to engage with the proposals.

“I found this disappointing and once again I urge the UK government to engage with us sincerely,” Šefčovič said. “From this perspective, I see next week as an important one. We should focus all efforts on reaching a solution as soon as possible.

“Our aim should be to establish stability and predictability for Northern Ireland. We hear a lot about article 16 at the moment, but there’ll be no doubt that triggering article 16 to seek the negotiation of the protocol would have serious consequences. With video » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Friday, November 5, 2021

Pro Footballer Says He’s Bisexual and Living with Boyfriend in Moving Open Letter

PINK NEWS: An anonymous footballer has written about his bisexuality in the wake of Australian pro player Josh Cavallo proudly coming out as gay.

Cavallo, 21, was praised for his courage and bravery after sharing his truth last month, becoming the only current openly gay male player playing professional top-flight football.

His actions have inspired another footballer to open up about his sexuality, according to Mundo Deportivo, a Spanish national sports newspaper that published a letter from an anonymous pro.

Bisexual footballer: ‘At least for now, I do not want to say who I am’

The athlete, a member of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has not chosen to come out publicly as the “message itself is more important than the name”.

In the letter, the footballer also reveals that he is living with his boyfriend of more than three years. » | Josh Milton | Monday, November 1, 2021

Homophobia Is Alive and Kicking in European Politics and It’s Going Mainstream

iNEWS: All over the continent the far right are downplaying anti-LGBTQ violence – and in some cases, practising it

People in front of the Court House in Sofia, Bulgaria protest against homophobic attacks (Photo: Hristo Vladev/Getty)
It’s tempting to think that in Europe at least the LGBTQ community has virtually won its fight for equal rights.

In supposedly uptight Britain, same-sex couples on Strictly Come Dancing are told by straight judges to be a bit less… inhibited…

There are no same-sex shenanigans on Italy’s Ballando con le Stelle. But over there that’s the least of many gay people’s problems.

Thanks to the malign presence of the Vatican, and the nature of the far-right in its mainstream politics, Italy’s parliament is unable to pass a simple hate-crime law to combat the country’s (ample) homophobic violence – in spite of 10 years’ of trying.

Two far-right groupings voted last Wednesday to block the “Zan bill” in the Senate. Matteo Salvini’s League party and the even nastier “post-fascist” Fratelli d’Italia party led by Giorgia Meloni. Alessandro Zan is the politician and LGBTQ activist who promoted the bill.

National polls suggest they have the support of 24 per cent and 18 per cent of the Italian electorate, respectively. » | Michael Day, Chief Foreign Commentator | Published: Thursday, November 4, 2021; Updated, Friday, November 5, 2021

Pfizer präsentiert Pille gegen Covid-19 mit erstaunlich hoher Wirksamkeit

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Nun schürt bereits das zweite derartige Präparat Hoffnungen auf eine einfach handhabbare Therapie. Noch liegen allerdings nur wenig Daten vor.

Das amerikanische Pharmaunternehmen Pfizer hat am Freitag die neueste Waffe im Kampf gegen Covid-19 vorgestellt. Die Tablette soll eine erstaunlich hohe Wirksamkeit besitzen. Gemäss den vorläufigen Ergebnissen einer klinischen Studie senke die Therapie mit Paxlovid das Risiko, wegen Covid-19 ins Spital zu müssen oder sogar daran zu sterben, um 89 Prozent, teilte Pfizer mit. Dafür müsse in den ersten drei Tagen nach Symptombeginn mit der Therapie begonnen werden. Schwerwiegende negative Nebenwirkungen seien keine festgestellt worden. » | Stephanie Lahrtz | Freitag, 5. November 2021

Coronavirus weltweit: Österreich verbannt Ungeimpfte aus Restaurants, Deutschland empfiehlt Booster-Impfung für alle: Über 248 Millionen Menschen sind laut der Johns-Hopkins-Universität weltweit positiv auf das Virus getestet worden. Mehr als 5 Millionen Infizierte sind gestorben. Über 7 Milliarden Impfdosen wurden weltweit verabreicht. »

Covid-19 Infections Are Rising Dramatically in Germany | Covid-19 Special

Nov 5, 2021 • Germany's COVID infections are now higher than ever. And the numbers keep growing. That's despite a relatively high vaccination rate.

Almost 70 percent of Germans are fully vaccinated against the virus. One of the main reasons are breakthrough infections - where the disease manages to bypass the jab. The only consolation for the vaccinated is that severe illness is rare.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — November 5 2021

Au Pakistan, Imran Khan fait libérer des centaines d’islamistes antifrançais

Le 22 octobre, à Karachi, des partisans du Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) manifestent pour réclamer la libération de militants emprisonnés et l’expulsion de l’ambassadeur de France (en représailles aux caricatures de Mahomet parues dans Charlie Hebdo en septembre 2020). AKHTAR SOOMRO/REUTERS
LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - Le premier ministre pakistanais a cédé aux pressions du TLP, puissant mouvement soutenu par l’armée.

De New Dehli
C’est ce qui s’appelle l’effet papillon. Les réactions suscitées par la publication de caricatures de Mahomet par Charlie Hebdo en septembre 2020 n’en finissent plus de poser de nombreux problèmes au gouvernement pakistanais. Voilà plus d’un an qu’il essaye de transiger avec un parti islamiste, le Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Cette organisation a fait de la défense de l’honneur du Prophète son cheval de bataille depuis sa création, en 2015.

Le TLP a organisé une énième marche entre Lahore et Islamabad du 22 au 31 octobre avec des exigences qu’il pousse depuis l’an dernier: expulsion de l’ambassadeur de France en représailles aux dessins de l’hebdomadaire français et aux propos d’Emmanuel Macron sur la liberté de caricaturer. Mais aussi libération de ses militants emprisonnés depuis le début de la mobilisation. Son chef, Saad Hussain Rizvi, est derrière les barreaux depuis le mois d’avril. » | Par Emmanuel Derville | vendredi 5 novembre 2021

Réservé aux abonnés

Hawaii Is Easing Restrictions and Preparing to Welcome Back Tourists.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The state is eager for its vacation industry to rebound after a devastating 2020 season.


Gov. David Y. Ige announced his state would welcome international tourists again and lift capacity limits later this month on bars, restaurants and gyms in counties that require patrons to present proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid test to enter. | Caleb Jones/Associated Press
Signaling that Hawaii is eager to jump-start its battered tourism and hospitality industries, Gov. David Y. Ige said that his state would ease Covid restrictions this month and welcome international travelers again, under new federal guidelines that go into effect on Nov. 8.

The governor’s decision was a turnaround for a state that only two months ago was advising travelers not to visit, as it dealt with the worst surge of coronavirus cases it had seen, a wave of illness driven by the highly contagious Delta variant that overwhelmed hospitals and halted Hawaii’s economic recovery. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Hawaii endured months of lockdown, imposing strict, 14-day quarantine protocols and suffering the economic consequences to its tourism economy.

Now, with low rates of hospitalizations and new cases, the islands are again ready for business, officials say. On Sept. 2, the state’s seven-day daily average of new cases was 910. As of Tuesday, it had dropped to 116, according to a New York Times database. » | Eduardo Medina | Thursday, November 4, 2021

The U.S. economy added 531,000 jobs in October. »

Angelina Jolie ‘Saddened’ by ‘Ignorant’ Countries Banning Eternals over ‘Beautiful’ Gay Love

Angelina Jolie attends the The Eternals UK premiere. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
PINK NEWS: Angelina Jolie has said she is “sad” for the “ignorant” countries that have banned Eternals reportedly over its gay content.

The new film, which sees gay tech maverick Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first same-sex kiss, has been quietly yanked across the conservative Gulf nations, per reports.

Angelina Jolie, who stars as Thena, a member of the celestial race of superhumans known as the Eternals, said she is “proud of Marvel” for “refusing to cut those scenes out”.

“I still don’t understand how we live in a world where there’s still [people who] would not see the family Phastos has and the beauty of that relationship and love,” Jolie, 46, told News.com.au.

“How anybody is angry about it, threatened by it, doesn’t approve or appreciate it is ignorant. » | Josh Milton | Friday, November 5, 2021

Angelina Jolie Is “Proud” Marvel Refused to Cut ‘Eternals’ Scenes Featuring Gay Hero for Gulf Nation Censors: The film was pulled from release in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait after Disney refused to make edits demanded by local censors. »

It’s Gay Friday!

via GIPHY

Unabashedly Gay

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Ryan Oldroyd | I'm From Glenwood, UT | - True Gay Stories

March 16, 2011 • A young Mormon is ex-communicated then outed to his parents after he comes out to his Mission President.

This video clip is from 2011, but has much changed for gay Mormons since then when it comes to acceptance? – Mark

We Are the Law - Military Wedding | Marine Corps

Feb 10, 2019 • Zac & Jordan’s wedding video, Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base

A Young Brit’s Coming Out Story

Jul 20, 2021 • He discusses his coming out story and his gradual acceptance of his sexuality.

Une expression d'amour : le baiser du matin pour commencer la journée.

Ein Ausdruck der Liebe: Der Morgenkuß, um den Tag zu beginnen. / An expression of love: The morning kiss to start the day.
Photograph: Adobe Stock

After the Wedding: The Contentment Is Palpable.

Nach der Hochzeit ist die Zufriedenheit spürbar. / Après le mariage, le contentement est palpable.
Photograph: Adobe Stock

Bank of England’s Rate Decision Leaves Many Economists Gasping for Air

THE GUARDIAN: Analysis: decision to keep rates on hold is not unpopular but governor’s signalling is roundly criticised

The Bank expects the base rate to be 1% by the end of 2022. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty
It is “compulsory for the Bank of England governor to be an unreliable boyfriend”, Andrew Bailey joked during a press conference to explain why the central bank he runs kept interest rates on hold when action of some kind was expected.

As quips go, it fell flat in financial markets, where currency traders sold the pound, knocking more than 1% from sterling’s value against the US dollar.

It also left many economists gasping for air as the full implications of Bailey’s refusal to turn up to his own party began to sink in. He had stressed last month that monetary policy “will have to act” if there is a risk of inflation. Those words were not followed by action on Thursday, despite the rising wages and prices.

Gerard Lyons, a former candidate for governor and a former adviser to Boris Johnson, described the governor’s signalling as “appalling”, adding that by not correcting how the market or the media interpreted his comments he encouraged “hawkish expectations ahead of this meeting that was not merited by the recent data”.

Lyons went on to say the bank needed to learn from the US Federal Reserve, “to be on top of the data” and “guide” the market. » | Phillip Inman | Thursday, November 4, 2021

Jan Lisiecki – Chopin: Nocturne Op. 62, No. 2 in E Major 'Lento'

Nov 4, 2021 • Lisiecki is perhaps most celebrated for his masterfully sensitive and refined interpretative approach. His newest release – recorded last October at Berlin’s historic Meistersaal – not only captures the spirit of Chopin’s pianism, but also represents the time and circumstances in which it was made, as the pianist himself explains: “I’m the first to question why we should record something that has been recorded many times before. But music only lives through performance and is different every time we hear it, even when it’s a recording. I think there was something for me to say with this album. It reflects on the last year and my thoughts on that as well as on the escape and understanding that music gives us.”

Chopin, he adds, far exceeded the boundaries of what his contemporaries considered possible on the piano, especially in terms of the singing line. Unlike the human voice, the piano can play the longest melody without the need to take a breath; like a great singer, the pianist has to shape phrases and give emotional light and shade to melodies. “Chopin’s music flows by itself in a sense, but you need to feel instinctively where things are placed,” comments Jan Lisiecki. “It’s about striking the balance between allowing the music to flow naturally and knowing subconsciously where it should go.”

Enjoy Jan Lisiecki's performance of Chopin's Nocturne Op. 62, No. 2 in E major 'Lento'.

La production mondiale de vin très faible en 2021, en raison de la météo européenne

Si les principaux producteurs européens ont souffert, l'hémisphère sud voit ses volumes augmenter. FV Photography / stock.adobe.com
LE FIGARO : La France en particulier a souffert d'une météo désastreuse et devrait perdre sa position de deuxième producteur mondial au profit de l'Espagne.

La production mondiale de vin devrait être «extrêmement faible» en volume en 2021, les trois principaux pays producteurs européens - Italie, Espagne, France - ayant pâti de conditions météorologiques défavorables, a annoncé jeudi l'Organisation internationale de la vigne et du vin (OIV). À l’inverse, 2021 a été une année «très positive» pour les vignobles de l'hémisphère sud, après une mauvaise année 2020, a relevé l'OIV lors d'une conférence de presse en ligne.

Au total, la production mondiale de vin est estimée aux alentours de 250 millions d'hectolitres, «à peine supérieure à la production historiquement faible de 2017», selon les premières estimations de l'organisation. La baisse serait d'environ 4% par rapport à 2020, année où le volume produit était déjà inférieur à la moyenne. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 4 novembre 2021

À LIRE AUSSI : Ils font du vin dans leur jardin parisien : REPORTAGE - L'œnologue Xavier Charvin d'Andlau et ses parents, le comte et la comtesse d'Andlau-Hombourg, renouent avec la tradition vigneronne d'Île-de-France en produisant un vin blanc effervescent dans le 16e arrondissement. »

Ghislaine Maxwell Jail Conditions Rival Hannibal Lecter’s, Lawyers Say

THE GUARDIAN: Attorneys make another bail request and say conditions of detention are ‘reprehensible and utterly inappropriate’

The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is subjected to such invasive surveillance in jail that it “rivals scenes of Dr Hannibal Lecter’s incarceration” from The Silence of the Lambs, her lawyer has argued in making yet another request for bail pending her trial.

Maxwell is charged in Manhattan federal court for allegedly procuring teenage girls for the disgraced wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. Opening arguments in Maxwell’s case are scheduled to begin on 29 November.

“Maxwell’s conditions of detention for the past 16 months continue to be reprehensible and utterly inappropriate for [a] woman on the cusp of turning 60 with no criminal record or history of violence. It is unwarranted, unrelenting, and utterly inappropriate,” her lead attorney, Bobbi C Sternheim, wrote in court papers.

“[She] has been subject to physical and emotional abuse by the correction officers, poor and unsanitary living conditions, insufficient nutrition, difficulties reviewing the millions of legal discovery documents in the case against her, and sleep deprivation.” » | Victoria Bekiempis in New York | Thursday, November 4, 2021

Barbra Streisand : Woman in Love

Official audio for "Woman in Love" by Barbra Streisand | Views on YouTube: 14,652,024

Poland's Battle for Abortion Rights

Nov 4, 2021 • When Poland introduced a near-total ban on abortion it divided the nation, sparking mass protests. Dateline explores how church and state are impacting women's rights.

Poland has some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, and in January those laws became even tougher. Doctors now face three years in prison for ending a pregnancy in the case of foetal abnormalities.

Crise de la pêche : les discussions entre Paris et Londres se poursuivent après la rencontre entre deux ministres

LE MONDE : Les ministres français et britannique Clément Beaune et David Frost se sont rencontrés jeudi et ont « exposé leurs positions et leurs préoccupations », selon Londres. Les discussions doivent reprendre la semaine prochaine.

Le secrétaire d’Etat britannique chargé du Brexit, David Frost, a rencontré, jeudi 4 novembre en fin de matinée, le secrétaire d’Etat français aux affaires européennes, Clément Beaune, à Paris. FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY / VIA REUTERS
Rencontre au sommet pour tenter d’apaiser les tensions concernant le dossier de la pêche. Le secrétaire d’Etat britannique chargé du Brexit, David Frost, a rencontré, jeudi 4 novembre en fin de matinée, le secrétaire d’Etat français aux affaires européennes, Clément Beaune, à Paris.

« Cet entretien a permis la reprise de dialogue », mais « il y a encore beaucoup de travail et des écarts de position importants », a déclaré Clément Beaune après cette entrevue avec David Frost. « Ce que nous demandons, c’est l’application de l’accord, ce ne sont pas des exigences nouvelles par rapport à l’accord », a-t-il insisté. Lors d’un briefing par téléphone avec des journalistes, Clément Beaune a fait état d’une discussion « utile et positive »marquant « la reprise d’un dialogue à un niveau politique entre la France et le Royaume-Uni », qui « s’inscrit toujours dans le cadre européen ». » | Le Monde avec AFP et Reuters | jeudi 4 novembre 2021

Im Streit zwischen Frankreich und Grossbritannien geht es um mehr als nur um Fische: Der umstrittene Zugang französischer Fischer zu britischen Gewässern treibt Paris und London an den Rand einer Eskalation. Auf beiden Seiten geht es um politisches Kalkül und Symbolpolitik, aber auch um die Durchsetzung grundsätzlicher Interessen nach dem Brexit. »

British and French talks to settle fishing row end in stalemate: Brexit minister David Frost met Europe minister Clément Beaune in Paris but two sides remain at odds »

Amerika erwartet starke Aufrüstung Chinas

ATOMWAFFENARSENAL
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Das amerikanische Verteidigungsministerium geht davon aus, dass China seine nuklearen Kapazitäten erheblich erweitert. Peking weist das zurück.

China baut sein Atomwaffenarsenal nach Einschätzung des amerikanischen Verteidigungsministeriums schneller aus als bisher prognostiziert. Das Land „beabsichtigt wahrscheinlich, im Jahr 2030 mindestens 1000 Sprengköpfe zu haben“, heißt es in einem am Donnerstag veröffentlichten Bericht des Pentagon.

Das wäre in etwa eine Vervierfachung der bisherigen Bestände. Zudem wären es doppelt so viele Sprengköpfe wie bisher von Washington für diesen Zeitraum vorausgesagt. Bis 2027 könne Peking über bis zu 700 Atomsprengköpfe verfügen, schreibt das Ministerium weiter. » | Von Friederike Böge, Peking | Donnerstag, 4. November 2021

NastassjaCanCook : Pljeskavica / Pleskavitza: Serbian Meat Patty. The Hamburger That Is Usually Served on Its Own!

Nov 4, 2021 • Pljeskavica is a grilled dish(Serbian Hamburger) consisting of a spiced meat patty mixture of pork, beef and lamb. It is one of the national dishes of Serbia and is very popular in the neighboring Balkan and former Yugoslavian countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro. The name comes from word "pljesak", in Serbian ,means "to clap the hands. Meat mixture usually kneaded for a long time to achieve viscosity in texture.

PLJESCAVICA RECIPE:

Ingredients:

2 llbs lean beef
200gm lamb (fat)
2 medium onions (minced)
2 tablespoons olive oil (used for the purpose of preserving)
300ml sparkling mineral water (or club soda)

Spices:

1½ tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
½ tsp chili pepper (Aleppo pepper)

Some oil for frying.

(In the original recipe, a combination of three meats is used: beef, pork and lamb. You could use all three or just two of them.It's a question of taste.

This dish is usually served with pickled onions:

2 medium purple onions (half-moon slices)
100ml water
1 tbsp sugar
½ tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp pickling spices
2 tbsp white vinegar

These patties are usually served well-done and slightly charred. They are very juicy, full of flavor and often served on their own.

Enjoy!

Europe Once Again at Centre of Covid Pandemic, Says WHO

THE GUARDIAN: Cases at near-record levels and 500,000 more deaths forecast by February

Uneven vaccine coverage and a relaxation of preventive measures have brought Europe to a “critical point” in the pandemic, the World Health Organization has said, with cases again at near-record levels and 500,000 more deaths forecast by February.

Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Europe director, said all 53 countries in the region were facing “a real threat of Covid-19 resurgence or already fighting it” and urged governments to reimpose or continue with social and public health measures.

“We are, once again, at the epicentre,” he said. “With a widespread resurgence of the virus, I am asking every health authority to carefully reconsider easing or lifting measures at this moment.” He said that even in countries with high vaccination rates, immunisation could only do so much. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Thursday, November 4, 2021