Frilly Dresses and White Supremacy: Welcome to the Weird, Frightening World of ‘Trad Wives’

THE GUARDIAN – OPINION: No longer a far-right subculture, the movement’s anti-feminist tenets are now inserting themselves into mainstream western politics

Protesters at the Women’s March for abortion rights in Washington DC, 22 January 2023. Photograph: Bryan Olin Dozier/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock
“In some more traditional relationships (but not all) the man disciplines the woman either physically (like spanking) or with things like writing lines and standing in the corner,” one woman advises another on the Red Pill Women forum, an online community of rightwing, anti-feminist women.

Welcome to the weird and frightening world of trad wives, where women spurn modern, egalitarian values to dedicate their lives to the service of their husbands. My research into this far-right subculture began during the writing of my book on the far right and reproductive rights. I was curious to learn how the movement, determined to reduce women to reproductive vessels to aid white male supremacy, recruited women to its cause. The answer was a toxic combination of anti-feminism, white supremacy, normalised abuse and a desire to return to an imagined past. » | Sian Norris | Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Did Jesus Have a Biological Father? Sorting Out the Pantera Traditions

Dec 9, 2022 | Contrary to what is often asserted, by scholars as well as general readers, the early traditions that Jesus had a biological father named "Pantera" has nothing to do with an assertion that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. Further, the name Pantera was never said to be a pun on Parthenos--the Greek word for "virgin"--until it was suggested by a German scholar in the 19th century! No ancient writers who comment on the name "Yeshua bar Pantera" associates it with such a pun--they know the name as a real name from the family of Joseph and Mary. Furthermore, 1st century rabbis living in Sepphoris, just north of Nazareth, use the name in a descriptive way--not as slander at all--referring to Jesus of Nazareth. It was a REAL name, not a pun used in slander. In this interview I offer an overview of the Pantera traditions--what we know and don't know, including what I have discovered about the tombstone of a 1st century Roman soldier from Sidon found Bingerbrücke, Germany, on the Rhine river, in 1859.

Seven Arrested in Germany for Allegedly Funding 'IS' Terror Group | DW News

May 31, 2023 | Police in Germany have carried out raids on the financing network of the so-called "Islamic State" terror group, arresting several suspects. Prosecutors in Karlsruhe on Wednesday said more than 1,000 federal and state police were involved in raids across several states on an alleged terrorist financing network.

The men and women, mostly of German nationality, were detained on suspicion of supporting a terrorist organization. They allegedly belonged to an international network that solicited financial donations for IS in Syria using platforms that included Telegram. They subsequently transferred the money to the group or its intermediaries.

German Court Convicts Left-Wing Group in Violent Attacks Against Far Right

THE NEW YORK TIMES: A 28-year-old woman and three accomplices were sentenced to prison for their roles in a series of attacks on people they considered neo-Nazis.

A German court on Wednesday convicted a 28-year-old woman and three accomplices of organizing and carrying out brutal attacks against people they perceived to be neo-Nazis, in what experts have described as an uncommon case of left-wing extremist violence in the country.

The woman, who in accordance with Germany’s strict privacy laws was identified only as Lina E., was sentenced to five years and three months in prison by a court in Dresden, in eastern Germany, according to DPA, a German newswire, and MDR, a regional public broadcaster. Three other members of the group — identified as Lennart A., 28; Jannis R., 37; and Philipp M., 28 — received prison sentences ranging from two years and five months to three years and three months. » | Christopher F. Schuetze, Reporting from Dresden, Germany | Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Wie viel Europa steckt in der Türkei unter Erdogan? | Markus Lanz vom 30. Mai 2023

May 31, 2023 | „Ich glaube, dass es das auf Dauer nicht geben wird und auch auf Dauer nicht geben soll“, erklärt der CSU-Politiker und Fraktionsvorsitzender der Europäischen Volkspartei, Manfred Weber, zu einem EU-Betritt der Türkei. Seit Jahren wird ein Betritt der Türkei in der EU diskutiert. Doch wie viel Europa steckt in der Türkei?

Für Manfred Weber sollte man in der gesamten Debatte darauf achten, wofür die EU steht. Wenn es nur um einen Wirtschaftsraum ginge, dann könne man die Türkei in die EU aufnehmen. Doch für ihn als Vollblut-Europäer ist es eben nicht nur eine wirtschaftliche Perspektive, sondern viel mehr eine Identitätsfrage. Eine Identitätsfrage, die besonders mit Werten und Normen zu betrachten ist. Die Türkei, jüngst nach der gewonnenen Wahl von Erdogan, würde diese Werte nicht in jedem Punkt widerspiegeln. Und vor allem eine Einheit sei bei den europäischen Ländern die große Basis. Dass die Türkei immer noch ein Problem mit Schweden hat, passe eben nicht zu dem großen Bündnisgedanken der EU.

Doch für den deutsch-chinesischen Wirtschaftsexperten Felix Lee ist diese Sicht Manfred Webers eine alte Denkart. „Das ist eine eurozentristische Sichtweise“, argumentiert er gegen Manfred Webers Gedanken, dass die EU noch so stark und wichtig in ihren Werten sei. Für die Türkei, aber auch viele andere Länder wie Brasilien und afrikanische Staaten, stellt sich nicht mehr nur die Frage, ob Europa DER Partner für die Zukunft ist. China würde aktuell deutlich an Europa vorbei-ziehen. Diese Entwicklung könne man aktuell beim Ukraine-Krieg beobachten: Europa und der Westen stellen sich gegen Russland, aber es gebe auch viele Länder, die eine klare Position aus strategischen Gründen nicht einnehmen. Und dies zeige den Schwund der europäischen Bedeutsamkeit.

The Rise and Fall of Elizabeth Holmes

Read the accompanying BBC article: Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes begins 11-year prison sentence: Disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has reported to the federal prison where she will serve an 11-year sentence. »

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes turns herself in for 11-year prison term: Blood-testing firm’s fraud saga sees its end as 39-year-old tech founder reports to federal prison camp »

Elizabeth Holmes Reports to Prison to Begin More Than 11-Year Sentence: The disgraced founder of the blood testing start-up Theranos, who was convicted of fraud, turned herself in at a minimum-security prison in Texas. »

Al-Andalus | History of Islamic Spain | Part 1 | الأندلس

May 10. 2009 | Muslim Spain, Muslim Iberia, or Islamic Iberia, was a medieval Muslim territory and cultural domain that in its early period occupied most of Iberia, today's Portugal and Spain. At its greatest geographical extent, it occupied the northwest of the Iberian peninsula and a part of present day southern France Septimania (8th century) and for nearly a century (9th–10th centuries) extended its control from Fraxinet over the Alpine passes which connect Italy with the remainder of Western Europe During the Islamic 'golden age' between the 8th and 14th century, al-Andalus became a hub for social and cultural exchange, while the arts, science, architecture, agriculture, medicine and mathemathics flourished.

Many attribute these achievements to religious tolerance and collaboration between Muslims, Christians and Jews, which is why that period of history is also sometimes referred to as La Convivencia, or co-existence.

The era also produced some of the most significant scholars, poets, musicians, philosophers, historians and thinkers of the medieval age - such as Ibn Arabi, Ibn Rushd (also known as Averroes), al-Zarqali (Arzachel in Latin), al-Zahrawi (Abulcasis in Latin) and Ibn Firnas, among others.

The Secret Muslim History of Spanish Culture

Sept 1, 2022 | Islam was a social and political force in Spain for over 800 years; 3 times the entire history of the United States. And yet, the impact the Muslims had on Spain and modern Spanish culture is rarely ever acknowledged.

Dimitra’s Dishes: Baked Chicken & String Beans Skillet

May 29, 2023

Get the recipe here.

Stevie Wonder: I Just Called To Say I Love You | Reupload

Aug 7, 2018 | Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group | Views on YouTube: 49,348,378

A Risky Film on Atatürk | The New York Times

Nov 13, 2008 | A new documentary film shows Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the revered and godlike founder of Turkey, as a private person with human weaknesses - a rare and risky endeavor.

Democracy Now! Top US & World Headlines — May 26, 2023

Côte d'Ivoire : l'Afrique des possibles - Le dessous des cartes | ARTE

May 27, 2023 | Dans les années 2000, la Côte d’Ivoire était déchirée par la guerre civile. Aujourd'hui, malgré ses fragilités, le pays possède l’une des économies les plus dynamiques du continent africain et est devenu le premier producteur mondial de fèves de cacao. Cacao, café, noix de cajou, ressources minières, pétrole, grands travaux : la Côte d’Ivoire a su mobiliser ses nombreux atouts pour tourner la page de la guerre civile et relancer son économie. Mais les disparités géographiques, le climat politique, les inégalités sociales, l’insécurité dans la région sahélienne et les différents contentieux avec les pays voisins fragilisent les potentialités ivoiriennes.

Uganda's Anti-LGBTQ Law Met with Dismay in Ghana

May 30, 2023 | Alex Kofi Donkor was 'disappointed' but 'not surprised' as he watched Uganda enact one of Africa's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws. He's the founder of the civil rights group 'LGBT Rights Ghana' in a country that has its own proposed anti-LGBTQ bill.

The Moscow Strike Is a Psychological Blow to a Nation Trying to Ignore the War, Russian Nationalists Say.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Kremlin says the Defense Ministry responded well to the attack, but critics argue that the assault shows a lack of leadership from a government that promised only a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Russian nationalist commentators said Tuesday that the first mass drone attack to strike Moscow highlights the government’s inability to prepare the population for a prolonged conflict that is steadily crossing the nation’s borders.

The flurry of drones that targeted the Russian capital on Tuesday morning caused minimal damage, shattering some windows in three residential buildings and lightly injuring two residents, according to local officials. The attack’s biggest impact, however, is likely to be psychological, forcing Muscovites to confront the reality of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which many have worked hard to block from their daily lives. » | Anatoly Kurmanaev | Tuesday, May 30, 2023

International Condemnation of Ugandan Anti-LGBTQ Bill | DW News

May 30, 2023 | The new law in Uganda contains a provision that would punish "aggravated homosexuality" with the death penalty. The legislation has been met with broad international condemnation.

Uganda’s President Approves Tough New Anti-LGBTQ Law

May 30, 2023 | Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has imposed one of the world's harshest laws against LGBTQ people, sparking condemnation from human rights activists and several foreign governments. Those convicted of same-sex relationships could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Uganda's President Museveni Approves Tough New Anti-gay Law

BBC: Uganda's progress in tackling HIV is in "grave jeopardy" after the president approved tough new anti-homosexuality legislation, the UN and US have warned.

An increasing number of people are being discouraged from seeking vital health services for fear of attacks and punishment, they added.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down.

It is still among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.

Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment.

The legislation imposes the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness including HIV. » | BBC | Monday, May 29, 2023

What Can Be Expected from President Erdogan's Third Term? | Inside Story

May 29, 2023 | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan re-elected in run-off vote - but faces big domestic and foreign policy challenges ahead It went to a run-off after a very tight first round, but Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the clear winner of Turkey's presidential election. Opponents expressed dismay with the result reflecting deep political divisions in the country.

A key player between East and West, Turkey's relations are complex with the NATO member also on good terms with Russia. So, what can we expect from Erdogan's third term at home and abroad?

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests: Helin Sari Ertem, Associate Prof. of Intern'l Relations at Istanbul Medeniyet University
Ben Aris, Founder/Editor-in-chief, BNE IntelliNews.
Onur Erim, Political Adviser, President of Dragoman Strategies.


One word sums up Turkey perfectly: Janus. Turkey looks in two directions: one side looks West; the other side looks East. It was ever thus; and for the foreseeable future, at least, so it will be. – © Mark Alexander

Erdoğan’s World - Turkey and Its President | DW Documentary

May 29, 2023 | President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been in power for 20 years. Turkey has become increasingly autocratic under his rule, his critics are persecuted. We travel through Erdoğan’s Turkey, meeting both supporters and opponents of the head of state.

The devastating earthquake on February 6 that killed around 45,000 people has damaged Erdoğan’s reputation. His government is accused of mismanaging the disaster and, above all, of allowing corruption in the construction sector. Thousands of homes were built by crooked developers who paid little attention to safety standards.

Yet the president still enjoys a lot of support in the country, in spite of the corruption, high inflation and his autocratic leadership style. Erdoğan’s policies are a combination of economic liberalism, Islamism and nationalism and he appeals to many Turks’ patriotism and religious sentiments. Long claiming to be a Muslim democrat, he has gradually Islamized Turkey, in spite of its secular constitution. In order to remain unchallenged in his rule, Erdoğan has largely suppressed press freedom. According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey is one of the most repressive countries in the world for journalists.