#All-Asia Women’s Conference

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1878 – Birth of Irish women’s rights activist, Margaret (Gretta) Cousins, in Boyle, Co Roscommon.

Margaret (Gretta) Cousins, theosophist and feminist, was born Margaret Gillespie, daughter of a law clerk, in Boyle, Co Roscommon, and lived out her commitments on two continents. She took a music degree in Dublin in 1902, marrying James Cousins in 1903. She worked as a part-time music teacher, and joined him as a vegetarian, theosophist and medium, among Dublin’s literary circles. This activism…

[redrose10]

Here is chapter 1! I hope you like it. Chapter 2 will come out in a few days. Comments are appreciated!

Yoongi X Female Reader. CEO/Arranged Marriage AU

Summary: You were selected to marry the wayward CEO/Billionaire/Heir, Min Yoongi. You went into it with an open mind and heart determined to try and make it work. Yoongi on the other hand had no intention of ever letting you in let alone allowing himself to fall in love with you. Slowly you start to associate the smell of cinnamon and vanilla with the feelings of hurt and sorrow.

Word Count: 1,693

Warnings: (May get updated as chapters progress): Arranged marriage, cheating/infidelity, hints of smut (Probably won’t get very explicit but we’ll see how it goes), Sexual Assault, Brief mentions of death, Reader grew up an orphan, General Angst, Swearing

The weather outside did not match the feeling in the conference room. Outside the window you saw the bright sunny sky, not a cloud in sight. You longed for the warmth to touch your skin. Inside this room you felt cold. The walls were a dark cherry mahogany. A marble sculpture of a horse sat in the corner. You’re sure it cost more than a years worth salary for you. You chewed on your lip, a nervous habit you developed at some point. Everyone was patiently waiting for the same person to arrive so you could finally get this over with. Never would you have imagined you’d be in a position like this. Being married off to a man you’d never met. You knew of him of course. Who didn’t? Min Yoongi was the CEO of one of the largest tech companies in the world. He was the sole heir to a large fortune being that the Min family was one of the most powerful and wealthiest families in all of Asia. He was dangerously handsome with an arrogant attitude. A womanizer who was constantly in the media and not in a positive way. Just a few months ago we was caught on camera being tossed out of a club for punching the bartender. The video showed him staggering around so drunk he could barely stand straight. He shouted some choice words before shoving three random women into the back of his Rolls Royce and having the driver speed off. Of course the poor bartender didn’t even file any charges knowing he’d never win against the Min family power and money.

Shareholders started worrying about Yoongi’s ability to lead the company, some even demanding he step down. People were uncertain if they should invest in a company run by a sloppy drunk with clear emotional baggage. Stocks in Min Enterprises began to plummet which meant the Min family money started to dwindle and only then did they decide it was time to step in. Which is how you ended up here, sitting across from Yoongi’s parents and some of the other higher ranking officials at Min Enterprises. They had come to the conclusion that it was time for Yoongi to settle down. He needed to find a nice wholesome woman who could help him clean up his image, turn his life around, maybe have a future heir and turn himself into a well respected family man. The problem with that was that Yoongi had never lasted more than a couple weeks with any woman since he was about 19. Often going for quick hookups with women he met at clubs or random models he got ahold of that just wanted to use his name to further their career. In his mind it was easier. No strings attached. No chance of falling in love. No heartbreak. Just sex and send them on their way.

You were a simple girl. You didn’t come from money or power. You loved flowers, blue hydrangeas were your favorite. You often enjoyed a mug of warm milk before bed or maybe some chamomile tea if you were feeling adventurous. Most of your clothes were thrifted and definitely not name brands. You’d only ever had one serious boyfriend and less than four flings. You were the exact opposite of Yoongi and the women you often saw him photographed with.

Which is exactly why the Min family thought you were the perfect match to save their wayward son and bring a good reputation back to the Min name. You had no one else to thank but your old college roommate and best friend Jimin. After graduation he moved away but you kept in touch with each other. One day you get a voicemail from your friend asking you to come visit him in Korea. After calling him back and him assuring you the trip was all expenses paid by himself you agreed. Little did you know of the secret motive. Jimin had moved to Seoul after graduation, quickly getting a job at Min Enterprises. He started as just an assistant to Yoongi’s assistant. Over time Jimin was able to work his way up and was now a member of the board of directors and one of Yoongi’s best friends. When Jimin heard of the Min family plan he immediately thought of you and threw your name into the contenders ring as a potential suitor for Yoongi. You had recently complained about wanting to get out of your small town and Jimin recalled several instances where you mentioned your ever failing love life and non existent bank account so what better way to get around that than to marry a handsome young billionaire.

Your thoughts were interrupted when someone cleared their throat. Looking up you were greeted by the handsome face of Kim Seokjin, one of the Min family lawyers. “Can we be expecting Yoongi any time today?”, he asked probably more sarcastically than he had planned. As the elder Mr. Min started reaching for his phone the large double doors swung open and swiftly slammed shut as the man you were all waiting for stomped over and took his seat next to you, clearly agitated at having to be there.

You knew that Yoongi was handsome, most of the world knew that, but seeing him in person was different than any photos you’d ever seen. Soft perfect skin, piercing cat like eyes, silky jet black hair that he had started to let grow out. He was wearing a fitted dark green suit that probably cost more than every piece of clothing you owned. His cologne intoxicating, a mix of cinnamon and vanilla. He smelled like comfort and warmth.

When he realized you were staring at him he looked over at you turning to a face of disgust before shaking his head and turning his attention back to the lawyer, “Jin, can we get this over with? I have more important events to attend to.” You watched the lawyer lay out several sheets of paper in front of the two of you. “Right so these are the basics of the contract. It’s pretty standard. The Min family will release an official statement announcing the marriage of their only son Yoongi and Miss Y/N. The wedding will take place shortly after.” You watched as Jin turned to you placing an additional paper down in front of you and pointing to the stipulations as he read them off, “Y/N you will take the Min last name. You will move into Yoongi’s penthouse. You will agree to attend all social and/or professional functions with Yoongi and occasionally you will have to go alone as the Min representative. You will be given a credit card to make any and all purchases for any thing you need or want. And lastly you will uphold a satisfactory image as to not taint the Min image. Also please be aware that a divorce is not an option and the contract will only become nullified in the event that either Yoongi or Y/N were to pass away leaving the other as a widow.” You nodded in understanding while staring down at the list of demands in front of you. Things could be worse you thought but this still wasn’t ideal, especially not having the option for a divorce.

Jin turned his attention over to Yoongi placing a similar paper down in front of him and going over his stipulations which were much simpler than yours, basically don’t get caught with other women and don’t get drunk in public. You scoffed knowing that he would struggle to uphold his end of the contract. You were blindsided though when Jin read off the final stipulation, “After the wedding Yoongi will make an initial donation in his and Y/N’s name in the amount of $5 million US dollars to ‘Little Rays of Sunshine Orphanage’ in Y/N’s hometown. Then he will make an additional $1 million donation every year thereafter for the duration of the marriage.” Your lips turned up into a small smile. You had jokingly told Jimin that you’d agree to this whole ordeal if Yoongi donated a large amount of money to the orphanage that you grew up in. You didn’t think he’d actually get it done but you were a little relieved knowing that at least going through with this was going to benefit many children in need. You made a mental note to thank Jimin later. Deep in your thoughts you hadn’t noticed how Yoongi had looked over at you with furrowed brows questioning that request.

Jin placed a pen down in front of you before clapping his hands together, “Alright now that that’s out of the way the two of you just need to sign and date here and here and we can all go on with our day.” Trying your best to hide your shaking hand you gently grasped the ivory pen taking a deep breath before signing away your life to this man you met less than 15 minutes ago. Handing the pen over to Yoongi he glared at you before releasing a loud sigh and roughly taking the pen from your grasp signing away his name. Once it was done Mrs. Min began to speak but was cutoff by Yoongi loudly pushing his chair back and slamming the pen down on the glass table, “I have places to be.” And with that he stormed out of the room loudly slamming the door behind him. Mr. And Mrs. Min along with the rest of the elders followed not long after giving you a nod goodbye. You looked up to Jin who gave you an apologetic smile. He patted your hand as he continued to pack up his belongings, “He’ll come around Y/N. Just give it some time. He puts on a tough act but underneath that harsh exterior is really a sweet kid who got lost along the way.” Going into this you thought maybe this could actually work out and the two of you could at the very least pretend to love each other. Now, after meeting for the first time, you’re not so sure.

[mesetacadre]

Titanic progress exists in the midst of old backwardness, a jumble of four centuries at once. I met farm women from northern Siberia who had never seen a railway train until they went to Moscow as deputies to the Soviet Congress – senators from their districts, no less. They were able women who had organized schools and hospitals in a dozen counties. They could tell you sharply how badly the men used to run things in the old days when it was manly to get drunk and beat your wife.

I have sat in a managerial conference on a big state farm of a couple of hundred thousand acres in the Ukraine. It had a three-shift division of labor and more tractors and harvesters than any farm in America has. But their problem that evening was the difficulty of fixing the change in the night shift in the complete absence of clocks!

Americans in Moscow hotels often grumble over atrocious plumbing. Yet Moscow has also the most scientific garbage disposal in the world. All the waste of this great city of more than 4,000,000 people is first used in “biothermal processes” which heat large “greenhouse farms” from underground. When the garbage and sewage is thoroughly rotted in this quite odor-less manner, it is then used as fertilizer for ordinary farming. This amazing development got no advertising whatever. I merely chanced upon it when I visited a farm. On the same afternoon, I stopped at the Moscow Central Telegraph and saw some twenty people drawing up their “phototelegrams” to send to their friends. This is something that Western Union does not yet offer to ordinary Americans. Yet it occurs in a country which has periodic shortages of clothing and shoes.

In a land of such contrasts, it is not surprising that many misconceptions arise. Whenever I hear, for instance, that old charge that the Soviets attack religion, I recall the vast varieties of religions I have seen in that land. They include, of course, the various religious wars in the Caucasus between Turks and Armenians and the religious practices of Central Asia, where barely ten years ago Mohammedan mullahs incited the people to cut girls to pieces for the sacrilege of advocating women’s rights.

The Soviets Expected It (1941), Anna Louise Strong

[xmaudx]

BAKUGOU X READER HEADCANNON FOR MY LOVELY WRITERS

im too delusional for using a tollywood movie to give me a bakugou x reader headcannon but hear me out. Okay so in a past fantasy au life where deku bakugou and the rest of them either own a realm within asian or work for their king/queen. bakugou is prince of the dragon rhealm (obvs) with kiri being his personal dragon. And then there’s you gonna make the reader indian cus why not do it for my south asians but your the princess of a much smaller realm. I’d like to think how the two of u meet is cus suki is travelling around asia as a punishment by his mum for idk fucking something up ( maybe beating up someone from the todoroki family lol ) and so when he’s visiting india he’s near ur realm. And whilst we’re outside your kingdom there’s a few bandits being menaces to a nearby village tryna rob families of their gold and hurt the women. And suki thinks of interrupting but kiri stops him for a moment saying this could cause a fallout with the realms cus apparently this intefers w other peoples business ( crazy ik ) so whilst suki is like arguing w kiri he hadn’t noticed your carriage door open. Only when a shawl sort of waves up and down attracting many of the bandits does he start to focus on you. He sees how the rich silk dresses your skin,the gold jewellery shining under the sun. But damn that shawl he cant see your face. Until a sword pierces through the shawl stabbing three of the bandits. From the cut on ur shawl he sees ur eyes first ( if you guys havent clocked this is devasenas entrance from baahubali i usggest yall watch it ) and from then on he sees your whole face as you fight against the bandits successfully winning.Long story short yall fall in love u find out hes this big prince. sick. except suki gets a message back from his mum telling him to bring you back for dabi so that you can be his wife before he is to return shortly. Ofc u get pissed suki knows his mum however does not have a choice if she is to maintain the peace amongst all realms of else it can cause a huge war. he says he will only bring u as a guest back to his home to which u agree. again long story short baahubali 2 story i suggest yall watch it. but yeh no so basically u go to sukis as a guest not as a potential wife, yell at dabi for his misogynistic view of love, find yourself being the catalyst for a major war w basicaally all the league of villains againt mha main cast. Someway along the line ur kidnapped by dabi raped horribly, tortured blah blah blah. when everyone meets at the battle, youre thrown to the floor for all to see your state. bakugou swears to kill dabi which u both do together, ur given basic soldier clothing after suki coaxed u to take rest instead u reply with “ i fight” but as your both walkign to each other near the end of the battle shiggy crushes bakugous heart. suki falls on top of u, u cry like how wanda did over her brother falling to ur knees before being shot by arrows and dying too. PAST LIFE DONE. so now in the current mha world u and suki r both well known heroes but ur like also top 2 in india but ur now moving to japan for a long term mission at a hero conference ur hand brushes against suki which reminds him a bit about his past life tho he cant see ur face from his memory. when he turns to see who brushed his hand he finds himself in a crowd with so many possibilities. u guys can take it from there

[rabbitcruiser]

International Tea Day 

While everyone loves a cup of tea, many of the workers and producers of that tea face poor conditions and pay. Help raise awareness and keep tea fair.

The tea industry provides millions of people around the world with cups of tea in the morning. One of the biggest producers of tea, India, recognizes the importance of tea in its communities and as a commodity for commerce.

However, much of the working conditions for those within the tea industry still need much improvement. If you think this holiday was about drinking tea, well think again! International Tea Day is all about the tea workers and bringing civil rights into action. Let’s see how this holiday came to pass.

Do you love a good cup of tea? While International Tea Day can certainly involve paying homage to tea, we should pay homage to those working in the tea industry. The best way to do this is by helping to raise awareness regarding their working conditions so they can be improved.

History of International Tea Day

The International Tea Day campaign was launched in 2005 by the trade unions, small tea growers and civil society organizations in Asia and Africa to address the issues of living wages for workers and fair prices for small tea producers.

The International Tea Conference in New Delhi came out with an International Declaration on the rights of workers and small growers to help regulate uneven competition, land ownership, safety regulations, rights of women, social security and living wages. Another organization, The Tea Board of India, proposed International Tea Day in hopes of it becoming an official holiday to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

This was proposed by chairman Santosh Kumar Sarangi in 2015. According to the chairman, the proposal of India was supported by countries such as Canada, the United States, European Union, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Kenya, and Malawi. While the holiday doesn’t have official status, the goal of this holiday is to recognize the vulnerable situations that tea producers in India have with current living conditions and worker-related policies.

The day also focuses on deliberating on urgent issues such as residues, climate change, technology and trends on production and consumption in the tea industry. To observe this day, over 150 representatives from tea organizations gather and conduct a seminar to discuss the pervading problems the tea industry has as well as problems faced within their own country.

International Tea Day Timeline

2737 BC Tea is discovered as a beverage

Legend has it that Chinese Emperor Shen Nung is sitting beneath a tea tree while a servant boiled water for drinking. Some leaves fall into the cup and begin  the practice of drinking what is now called “tea”.

1610 Tea comes to Europe

It is believed that the Dutch were the first to bring tea to Europe, just a few years prior to the introduction of coffee by Venetians.

1773 The Boston Tea Party occurs

With the intention of revolting against the high taxes levied by the British government without providing any voice, residents of Massachusetts throw tea into the Boston Harbor. “No taxation without representation” is the major complaint.

2004 International Tea Day is created

At the World Social Forum, International Tea Day is conceived and then celebrated the following years in New Delhi and Sri Lanka, then later in other tea-producing places like Nepal, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and others.

2019 United Nations adopts International Tea Day

After some years of advocating for its observance, International Tea Day is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the suggestion of the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea.

How to Celebrate International Tea Day

If you’re a lover of tea, then do some research about some of your favorite companies. Try looking up tea brands that support fair trade, and possibly switch to those brands to make a difference in the way you buy products such as tea. Use the hashtag #internationalteaday to help recognize it as an official holiday and educate others about the tea industry if you’re interested.

You could also use International Tea Day to try a variety of tea you have never had before. Matcha, for example, is highly popular as of late. You need to shop with care, though! The first thing you need to take a look at is how the Matcha has been produced and sourced.

You need to ensure that all veins and stalks have been removed so that there is not any bitterness and only the finest leaves should be used. Secondly, the color of the matcha powder is a significant factor. The greener the color is, the better. This is because the leaves are forced to overproduce chlorophyll because Matcha is shade-grown, which causes the vibrant green shade.

If the Matcha is yellow or brown in color, this is a sign that the leaves have not been properly shaded or that branches and stalks have been included. The price is the third factor to consider. Like most things, if you want quality, you can expect to pay a little bit more.

If something seems too good to be true, the chances are that it is. The feel of Matcha is also important. It should be a fine powder that is very silky. Last but not least, the taste is obviously a crucial attribute when it comes to quality. It should have a clean and naturally sweet taste.

Why not make some delicious baked green tea treats on International Tea Day and have a bake sale to raise money and awareness regarding working conditions in the tea industry? Green tea recipes are available in their abundance. People are actively searching for different ways to enjoy green tea. While green tea is delicious when simply mixed with hot water, there is nothing wrong with switching it up from time to time, especially on International Tea Day!

An easy and delicious recipe is Matcha Meringue Kisses. To make this you will need Matcha, sugar, egg whites, and powdered sugar. Begin by sifting together the Matcha and the powder sugar, and then whip the egg whites until they have soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and whip until stiff peaks. Gently fold the Matcha into this mixture and then transfer to a pastry bag. Pipe the mixture into small kisses onto a baking tray and then bake for around an hour.

Or, why not make Green Tea Donuts? For this, you need green tea, honey, melted butter, milk, egg, salt, baking powder, sugar, and cake flour. You whisk the green tea, salt, baking powder, sugar, and flour. Add the honey, melted butter, milk, and egg, and then whisk. Use a pastry bag to pipe the batter into the mould. Then, simply bake the donuts for eight minutes. You can make your own glaze to go on the top – chocolate goes well!

Other delicious baked treats to try include green tea muffins, brownies and shortbread!

International Tea Day FAQs

What is International Tea Day?

Created to celebrate and pay tribute to the countries that produce tea to supply to the world, starting in India and moving to other places like Sri Lanka, Malawi, Uganda, Bangladesh, Vietnam and more.

When was International Tea Day first celebrated?

International Tea Day first got its start in 2004 when it was celebrated in New Delhi. It grew over the years and by 2019 the day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

How to celebrate International Tea Day?

A great way to observe this day is by learning a bit more about the nations who produce tea for the world. Also, don’t forget to order a cup of fair trade tea for one, or take a friend out to enjoy a cuppa together.

What is the theme of International Tea Day?

The theme for this day devoted to tea producers changes each year, but some of the past themes have included themes such as Tea and Fair Trade or Harnessing Benefits for All from Field to Cup.

When is International Tea Day celebrated?

Taking place on May 21 of each year, International Tea Day originally took place on December 15 from 2005 when it was often only celebrated by tea-producing countries. It changed to May 21 when the UN adopted the day.

Source

[labbaik-ya-hussain-as]

*Farewell* *to* *Modi.*

You will be shocked to see how India has changed in last 5 years

*1.* India is now suffering from Highest Unemployment Rate in 45 years _(NSSO data)_

*2.* All Top 10 most polluted cities in world are now in India _(WHO data)_

*3.* Number of Indian Soldiers Martyred is highest in 30 years now _(Washington Post)_

*4.* India now has Highest Income Inequality in 80 years _(Credit Suisse Report)_

*5.* India has become world's worst country for women _(Thomas Reuters Survey) _

*6.* Kashmiri youth joining militancy is highest in 10 years _(Indian Army data)_

*7.* Indians Farmers suffered Worst Price Crash in 18 years _(WPI Data)_

*8.* Highest ever Cow related violence and Mob Lynchings on record after Modi became PM _(India Spend Data)_

*9* India is now World's Second most Unequal Country _(Global Wealth Report)_

*10* Indian Rupee is now Asia's worst Performing Currency _(Market Data)_

*11* India has become World's Third Worst Country in Environment Protection _(EPI 2018)_

*12* First time in history of India, foreign funding and corruption is legalized _(Finance Bill 2017)_

*13* Our current PM is the Least accountable Prime Minister in 70 years _(First PM to give 0 press conferences)_

*14* First time in history of India, CBI vs CBI, RBI vs Govt, SC vs Govt fights happened because Modi wanted control of all democratic Institutions

*15* First time in history of India, 4 Supreme Court judges gave a press conference to say _”Democracy is in Danger”_

*16* First time in history of India, top secret Defence documents stolen from Defence Ministry office _*(Rafale)*_

*17* Intolerance and Religious Extremism is highest in 70 years _(Personal observation because no data for this exists)_

*18* Indian Media is now Worst in 70 years _(Personal Observation)_

*19* First time in history of India, if you criticize our Govt, you will be labeled *Anti-National*

Biggest proof for this - Try to forward this message on WhatsApp and Modi Bhakts around you will call you Anti-National.

But we must not fear. None of what I said in this message is a Jumla. All the data given above is *100% verified FACTS*. You can verify them yourself by doing a google search on any point. *This is the reality of what has happened to our India. *

*Modi Govt is the Worst Govt India has ever had in last 70 years.*

Some people say that 2019 elections are the last elections that will happen in India. Because if Modi wins this time, he will desperately want to control all institutions of our democracy and we will become a *dictator ship.*

Do not fear, share this message.

Save our Democracy. Save our India.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

#20yrsago TiVo’s new PC-viewing deliberately broken https://memex.craphound.com/2004/01/09/tivos-new-pc-viewing-deliberately-broken/

#20yrsago Doc Brite’s “fans” lock him out of fan-board for his own fiction https://docbrite.livejournal.com/2004/01/02/

#20yrsago Why can’t Homeland Security tell the difference between Al Quaeda and small children? https://www.salon.com/2008/08/11/security/

#15yrsago China’s astroturf army http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7783640.stm

#15yrsago Abandoned Prime Minister’s mansion in Beirut — infiltration photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/poisonbabyfood/sets/72157612306706777/

#15yrsago Mandelbrot the fractal teddy-bear https://web.archive.org/web/20090118205736/https://buttonsformouse.blogspot.com/2008/12/mandelbrot-fractal-bear.html

#10yrsago Google Glass is a borg mullet https://web.archive.org/web/20140208050826/https://medium.com/the-nib/4ac09b78f0bb

#10yrsago Insane Clown Posse and ACLU sue FBI over calling juggalos a gang https://www.techdirt.com/2014/01/08/insane-clown-posse-sues-fbi-calling-juggalos-gang/

#10yrsago When the FBI asks you to weaken your security so it can spy on your users https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-its-like-when-the-fbi-asks-you-to-backdoor-your-software

#10yrsago Great Firewall of Cameron: the worst of all worlds for British parents https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/08/david-cameron-great-firewall

#10yrsago Brilliant NSA scandal illustrations https://www.wired.com/2014/01/how-the-us-almost-killed-the-internet/

#10yrsago More experts pull out of RSA conference https://jeffreycarr.blogspot.com/2014/01/nsas-10m-rsa-contract-origins.html

#10yrsago Sardine in Outer Space: anarchic kids’ science fiction comic https://memex.craphound.com/2014/01/09/sardine-in-outer-space-anarchic-kids-science-fiction-comic/

#10yrsago EU invites Snowden testimony https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25669448

#5yrsago Bell Canada asks Canadians for permission to harvest and sell their browsing, location, viewing and other data https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bell-customer-data-1.4969066

#5yrsago Medieval book opens six ways, revealing six different texts https://erikkwakkel.tumblr.com/post/74300240443/six-books-one-binding-heres-something-special

#5yrsago Cambridge Analytica pleads guilty, faces the first in a probable series of criminal convictions https://www.thedailybeast.com/cambridge-analytica-pleads-guilty-in-uk-data-trial

#5yrsago Samsung phone owners are upset because they can’t delete the Facebook app https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/samsung-phone-users-get-a-shock-they-can-t-delete-facebook

#5yrsago Someone’s finally going to jail over the Panama Papers: a Turkish journalist who reported true facts from them https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/09/journalist-pelin-unker-sentenced-to-jail-in-turkey-over-paradise-papers-investigation

#5yrsago A history of the sprawling personality clashes over RSS https://www.vice.com/en/article/a3mm4z/the-rise-and-demise-of-rss

#5yrsago American towns survive by fining poor people, and use debtors’ prisons to make them pay https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/magazine/cities-fine-poor-jail.html

#5yrsago LA school district prepares for teachers' strike with army of expensive scabs https://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-edu-teachers-strike-staffing-20190107-story.html,/a>

#5yrsago Serbia erupts in nationwide protests after assassination attempts prompt fears of fascist resurgence https://globalvoices.org/2019/01/09/belgrade-protests-against-serbian-president-aleksandar-vucic-escalate-to-nationwide-demos/

#5yrsago Saudi law now requires sending a text to women after their husbands secretly divorce them https://www.loweringthebar.net/2019/01/saudi-women-text-message-divorce.html

[coochiequeens]

Maybe the TRAs are focused on the wrong group. A transwoman was killed by a woman using her words to "misgender" but by a violent man who used a gun

By Miriam Marini

Detroit Free Press

An 18-year-old Highland Park man was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Asia Davis, a 36-year-old transgender Black woman.

Carlos Lamar Scotland, 18, is facing four charges, including first-degree murder and felony firearm, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced in a press conference Friday. Davis, also of Highland Park, was found deceased with a gunshot wound to her head in a Highland Park hotel room in June 2023, prompting an investigation by Michigan State Police.

On June 1 at around 11 p.m., Highland Park Police officers were dispatched to a hotel on Woodward Avenue for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Davis inside a hotel room. Scotland, who was a minor at the time of the incident, allegedly shot Davis and fled the scene. Worthy declined to speculate on potential motives that may have inspired the shooting or the exact nature of Scotland and Davis' relationship, citing concerns for the security of the case.

At the time, Davis had recently finished nursing school and was on the path of a new career, according to the prosecutor's office. She was known to be a generous and compassionate person, Worthy said.

"Back in 2016, I was concerned and actually lost sleep because of the public perception of Detroit," Worthy said. "There were many unsolved murders of trans women of color. No one seemed to care at all. Nothing was really being done. No one was really investigating, and their lives seem to matter to no one."

And thus the Fair Justice Michigan Project was born. The organization is a partnership between prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement in Wayne, Ingham, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties that focuses on advocacy and education of LGBTQ+ and women's civil rights in Michigan. Fair Michigan special prosecutor Kam Towns is leading the prosecution in Davis' case.

"Having worked (at the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office) for 30 years before I took this job, I have a general sense of homicide rates in general, but specifically to the LGBTQ community, I can't really address that," Towns said. "I will say this, I feel like people are more brazen. They don't hide in the shadows as much as they used to when they go after members of the LGBTQ community. I've seen that as a change, that they feel more emboldened and more empowered to just act out in a way that they normally wouldn't."

Davis is one of at least 32 transgender and "gender expansive" people who fell victim to fatal violent crimes in 2023 in the United States, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Half of those 32 victims were Black transgender women.

Scotland is facing charges of first-degree murder, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting and obstructing a police officer. While Scotland was a minor at the time of the incident, he will be prosecuted as an adult, Worthy said.

His probable cause hearing is scheduled for March 26.

[ts1989fanatic]

Taylor Swift: Australia to host academic conference on pop icon

Taylor Swift onstage during the Eras Tour

Australia is set to hold a world-first international academic symposium on the impact of Taylor Swift.

The "Swiftposium" will explore the megastar's influence on everything from the music industry to culture and the economy.

Organisers of the three-day event hope it will draw researchers from across the Asia-Pacific region.

It will be held in February - the same week Swift brings her record-breaking Eras Tour to Australia.

Swift - who shot to stardom as a teenager - has found herself at the centre of huge cultural moments and debates throughout her career.

The 33-year-old has become one of the highest-earning and most-decorated artists of all time, all while igniting conversations about everything from streaming royalties and music ownership to misogyny and cancel culture.

Such is the effect of Swift's current Eras Tour that she has crashed ticketing sites, experts have coined a new "Swiftonomics" trend, and places like Victoria in Australia have rushed through scalping law reform.

"She's quite a phenomenon," Swiftposium organiser Jennifer Beckett from the University of Melbourne told the BBC.

And so, while the idea for the event started with a half-serious tweet earlier this year, it quickly won the backing of seven universities across Australia and New Zealand.

"Taylor Swift really does have a very concrete impact globally, across things that affect all of us," Dr Beckett said, pointing to things like the role of women in industry, entertainment law, and even GDP.

"World leaders are begging for her to bring the Eras Tour to their country because of the economic benefits that it brings," she added.

While Swift has been the subject of university courses in the US, this is the first time a global symposium is being held to discuss her influence.

Organisers hope the conference will explore themes like the fandom phenomenon, Swift's team's "marketing masterclass", and the singer-songwriter's impact on discussions of gender, identity, race, and intersectionality. Critical analysis of her brand and influence is also welcome, they say.

The speakers will be finalised over the coming months, and plans for a ticketed event for fans to take part in is in the works.

But they have saved a Blank Space in the line-up for the superstar herself, if she wants to drop in.

"If Taylor Swift wants to come… I think all of us would have to spend some time picking our jaws up from the ground, but that invitation is definitely there," Dr Beckett said.

"TayTay if you want to come, we'd love to have you."

[soujjwalsays]

The year was 1950, the young nation of India celebrated it's first Republic Day.

India’s first Republic Day began with C Rajagopalachari proclaiming India a Sovereign Democratic Republic at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Today, for the first time in our long and chequered history,”he said “We find the whole of this vast land brought together under the jurisdiction of one consititution of one union which takes over responsibility for the welfare of more than 320 million men and women who inhabit it.”

- Dr Rajendra Prasad taking the oath as India’s first President

The chief guest on occasion was Indonesian President Dr Sukarno. On Nehru’s request, Delhi University had organised a special convocation to confer an honorary PhD on Sukarno. One moment to be remembered from this ceremony was the riveting role reversal between two of Asia’s charismatic leaders. It was common practice for Nehru to conclude his speeches by shouting Jai Hind. Then, he would say “Louder!” and the crowd would satisfy his demand.

A cartoon from HT published on 24 January showing Chairman of the Drafting Committee (and later Law Minister) B R Ambedkar holding an infant Republic of India while Mother India lays in bed exhausted from labour. Around him stand Dr Rajendra Prasad and Nehru, looking anxiously.

A 31-gun salute welcomed Dr Prasad to the first ever Republic Day celebrations. Dr Prasad proceeded to take a round of the amphitheatre, this time in a jeep, while saluting the 3,000 armed forces that had gathered there, after which he hoisted the tricolour, our national flag for the very first time. Another memorable speech by him was in the offing.

Nearby, in Connaught Place, people of all age groups thronged the streets and crowded restaurants; shops remained illuminated through the day while the Rashtrapati Bhavan lit up at night, marking yet another first of a custom followed till this day. The atmosphere was electric and the spirit of freedom, infectious. India was the first Commonwealth country to have entirely come into its own; it was the biggest national ceremony of the 20th century.

P. S. Guys I really don't know if this goes with algorithm of Tumblr but as an Indian I believe, completing 74 years of republic & democratic dominion is a great milestone and as a proud indian and true patriot, I loved making this post.

So,

HAPPY 74th REPUBLIC DAY 🇮🇳

७४ गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं 🇮🇳

[bellamonde]

Afghanistan & Women’s Rights Activists

Taliban has arrested at least 3 prominent women human rights defenders,  Zarifa Yaqoobi (pictured above), Farhat Popalzai (pictured above) and Humaira Yusuf and their colleagues by the Taliban in the last ten days. Samira Hamidi, Amnesty International’s South Asia Campaigner, said:

“The recent wave of arrests of women human rights defenders in Afghanistan is yet another attempt to quell all forms of peaceful protests and any dissent against the Taliban’s oppressive policies that violate human rights, particularly of women and girls. Such arrests will no doubt increase the environment of fear and reprisal in a continuing system of repression that goes unchecked ... In the past, those arbitrarily detained under the Taliban have been tortured and otherwise ill-treated, many times denied access to legal remedies and family visits.” 

Background Information According to Amnesty:

On 4 November, Taliban detained Zarifa Yagoobi and her colleagues  during a press conference announcing the formation of “Afghan Women Movement for Equality” in Dasht-e Barchi area of Kabul. Reportedly, about 60 Taliban members stormed the press conference venue to disrupt the event and deleted photos and video from cellphones of all event participants.  

On 5 November, in a press conference, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the women’s rights activists ‘are being encouraged and told to protest and create distrust against the Islamic Emirate.’

On 8 November, prominent young activist Farhat Popalzai was arrested according to reports by the Afghan news agency Jaama Press. She is one of the founders of the ‘Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women’.

On 13 November, another woman human rights defender, Humaira Yusuf, was taken into custody by the Taliban as per information from sources to Amnesty International.

This recent wave of arrests of women human rights defenders and peaceful protestors comes after months of suppression of the rights of women and girls in the country by the Taliban. Women and girls have been barred from exercising their most basic rights, including the rights to freedom of movement, to education – as girls’ school beyond grade six remained closed – and political participation.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1878 – Birth of Irish women’s rights activist, Margaret (Gretta) Cousins, in Boyle, Co Roscommon.

#OTD in 1878 – Birth of Irish women’s rights activist, Margaret (Gretta) Cousins, in Boyle, Co Roscommon.

Margaret (Gretta) Cousins, theosophist and feminist, was born Margaret Gillespie, daughter of a law clerk, in Boyle, Co Roscommon, and lived out her commitments on two continents. She took a music degree in Dublin in 1902, marrying James Cousins in 1903. She worked as a part-time music teacher, and joined him as a vegetarian, theosophist and medium, among Dublin’s literary circles. This activism…

[abeyyyyyy]

Premier Volleyball League

The Creamline Cool Smashers is an all-professional women's volleyball team in the Philippine Super League (PSL). Established in 2017, the team is owned by sponsors Creamline Dairy Products and Cool Smashers Inc. The team is currently coached by former Philippine national team head coach Roger Gorayeb.

The Petro Gazz Angels is a professional women's volleyball team based in Pasig City, Philippines. The team was founded in 2018 and is currently playing in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). They are the sister team of the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters (formerly the Smart Giga Hitters and the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters) is the professional women's volleyball team owned by PLDT.

The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers is a professional women's volleyball club in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). The team is owned by Efren E. Uy (Chairman, President, and CEO) of F2 Logistics Philippines, Inc.

The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are a professional women's volleyball team in the Premier Volleyball League. The team is owned by United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. The team debuted in the Philippine Superliga during the 2014 Grand Prix as the Foton Tornadoes.

CIGNAL HD SPIKERS is a professional volleyball team in the Philippines, playing in the Philippine Super Liga. The team was established in 2015, and was the first professional volleyball team in the country. The team is composed of some of the country's top volleyball stars, most notably Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago, and Rachel Anne Daquis.

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans is a professional women's volleyball team playing in the Premier Volleyball League. The team is owned by the Republic Biscuit Corporation.

The Akari Chargers is a professional women's volleyball team owned by Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation, that is playing in the Premier Volleyball League. The team debuted in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference in October 2022.

The Philippine Army Lady Troopers, also known as the Black Mamba–Army Lady Troopers for sponsorship reasons, is the official women's professional volleyball team of the Philippine Army. The team is composed of enlisted personnel and reinforced with civilian players from time to time.

[bookonaffordablehousing]

Magazine on Book on Affordable Housing

My Liveable City is a global knowledge platform, established in 2014 with the objective of highlighting issues that make cities across  the globe inequitable from the perspective of - affordable housing, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, etc,

All direct outcomes of staggeringly rapid speed and need of urbanisation that we're witnessing around us.

Over the years a network of global experts from the fields of Urban Design / City Planning / Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning / Technologists, who in their role as practitioners, academicians, policy makers, as part of organisations that work at the ground level, have used My Liveable City’s platform to deliberate these challenges and have shared their views on  feasible solutions, shared case studies of successfully implemented projects.

Over the last decade, we have successfully expanded our capabilities of presenting our knowledge in different formats, such as - Print magazine, Online content, Books, Conferences, Expert Programs, Customised workshops, Campus activation, Knowledge Tour, etc.

My Liveable City’s book on affordable housing titled “Affordable Housing, Inclusive Cities”, explores the interface of social justice and city making through comparative discussions from Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe, as well as North, Central and South America. Pressing issues of housing affordability are deliberated, innovative solutions and insightful analysis to address the global housing crisis are offered in the book. From illustrating creative financial models to community land trusts, from modular construction to regulatory reforms, our book on affordable housing highlights diverse strategies for making housing more accessible and affordable for all.

The thirty six essays within “Affordable Housing, Inclusive Cities” book include conversations with influential administrators and civic leaders such as Somsook Boonyabancha,  secretary-general of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights, and Jaime Lerner, architect and mayor of Curitiba, who transformed Curitiba into a ‘global laboratory’ for transit planning, placemaking, and housing. Commentaries on transformative initiatives such as ‘Child Friendly Cities’, and ‘Women for the World’. And case studies of exemplary housing projects by globally known architects and planners such as Alejandro Aravena and MVRDV, (some additional expanding their housing projects). Whether you're a policymaker, urban planner, developer, or concerned citizen, “Affordable Housing, Inclusive Cities”, will offer comprehensive resource to equip you with the knowledge and inspiration needed to foster equitable and inclusive housing solutions in your community.

To read a free chapter from our book on affordable housing or for purchasing this book click the link below https://www.myliveablecity.com/book/detail/affordable-housing-inclusive-cities

Subscribe to Knowledge !!!

[warningsine]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-morality-police-dismiss-over-280-men-without-beards-security-forces-2024-08-20/

KABUL, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The Taliban's morality ministry dismissed more than 280 members of the security force for failure to grow a beard and detained more than 13,000 people in Afghanistan for "immoral acts" in the past year, officials said on Tuesday.

The Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue said in its annual operations update that around half of those detained had been let go after 24 hours. It did not break down the type of the alleged offences or gender of the detainees.

Mohibullah Mokhlis, Director of Planning and Legislation at the ministry, told a press conference officials had destroyed 21,328 musical instruments in the past year and prevented thousands of computer operators from selling "immoral and unethical" films in markets.

It had identified 281 security force members for not having a beard and they had been dismissed, he said, in line with their interpretation of Islamic law.

The morality ministry, which took over the disbanded women's ministry premises in Kabul after the Taliban took over in 2021, has been criticised by human rights organisations and the United Nations for restrictions on women and inhibiting freedom of expression.

The United Nations' mission to Afghanistan has reported cases of morality ministry officials stopping and detaining women, at times for a few hours, for not meeting their interpretation of Islamic dress.

The Taliban has called the allegations of detentions "baseless" and say the rules apply their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan customs.

The morality ministry did not provide figures in relation to policing of women's attire or their travel without a male guardian, which authorities have also barred for longer distances. It said that a new plan was being worked on to ensure its Islamic dress rules were followed, overseen by the supreme spiritual leader who is based in the southern city of Kandahar.

"Based on the guidance of the Supreme Leader, the draft plan for observing women's hijab (Islamic dress) has been formulated and approved," Mokhlis said.

The morality ministry has previously said that women should cover their faces or wear an all-enveloping burqa and that enforcement would involve "encouragement" with women's male family members being targeted rather than women directly.

Most Afghan women covered their hair in public in the conservative country even before the Taliban takeover, but some, especially Kabul, did not usually cover their faces or wear a burqa.

Mokhlis said they had prevented just over 200 cases of the sale of women and over 2,600 cases of violence against women.

[rabbitcruiser]

International Tea Day 

While everyone loves a cup of tea, many of the workers and producers of that tea face poor conditions and pay. Help raise awareness and keep tea fair.

The tea industry provides millions of people around the world with cups of tea in the morning. One of the biggest producers of tea, India, recognizes the importance of tea in its communities and as a commodity for commerce.

However, much of the working conditions for those within the tea industry still need much improvement. If you think this holiday was about drinking tea, well think again! International Tea Day is all about the tea workers and bringing civil rights into action. Let’s see how this holiday came to pass.

Do you love a good cup of tea? While International Tea Day can certainly involve paying homage to tea, we should pay homage to those working in the tea industry. The best way to do this is by helping to raise awareness regarding their working conditions so they can be improved.

History of International Tea Day

The International Tea Day campaign was launched in 2005 by the trade unions, small tea growers and civil society organizations in Asia and Africa to address the issues of living wages for workers and fair prices for small tea producers.

The International Tea Conference in New Delhi came out with an International Declaration on the rights of workers and small growers to help regulate uneven competition, land ownership, safety regulations, rights of women, social security and living wages. Another organization, The Tea Board of India, proposed International Tea Day in hopes of it becoming an official holiday to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

This was proposed by chairman Santosh Kumar Sarangi in 2015. According to the chairman, the proposal of India was supported by countries such as Canada, the United States, European Union, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Kenya, and Malawi. While the holiday doesn’t have official status, the goal of this holiday is to recognize the vulnerable situations that tea producers in India have with current living conditions and worker-related policies.

The day also focuses on deliberating on urgent issues such as residues, climate change, technology and trends on production and consumption in the tea industry. To observe this day, over 150 representatives from tea organizations gather and conduct a seminar to discuss the pervading problems the tea industry has as well as problems faced within their own country.

International Tea Day Timeline

2737 BC Tea is discovered as a beverage

Legend has it that Chinese Emperor Shen Nung is sitting beneath a tea tree while a servant boiled water for drinking. Some leaves fall into the cup and begin  the practice of drinking what is now called “tea”.

1610 Tea comes to Europe

It is believed that the Dutch were the first to bring tea to Europe, just a few years prior to the introduction of coffee by Venetians.

1773 The Boston Tea Party occurs

With the intention of revolting against the high taxes levied by the British government without providing any voice, residents of Massachusetts throw tea into the Boston Harbor. “No taxation without representation” is the major complaint.

2004 International Tea Day is created

At the World Social Forum, International Tea Day is conceived and then celebrated the following years in New Delhi and Sri Lanka, then later in other tea-producing places like Nepal, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and others.

2019 United Nations adopts International Tea Day

After some years of advocating for its observance, International Tea Day is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the suggestion of the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea.

How to Celebrate International Tea Day

If you’re a lover of tea, then do some research about some of your favorite companies. Try looking up tea brands that support fair trade, and possibly switch to those brands to make a difference in the way you buy products such as tea. Use the hashtag #internationalteaday to help recognize it as an official holiday and educate others about the tea industry if you’re interested.

You could also use International Tea Day to try a variety of tea you have never had before. Matcha, for example, is highly popular as of late. You need to shop with care, though! The first thing you need to take a look at is how the Matcha has been produced and sourced.

You need to ensure that all veins and stalks have been removed so that there is not any bitterness and only the finest leaves should be used. Secondly, the color of the matcha powder is a significant factor. The greener the color is, the better. This is because the leaves are forced to overproduce chlorophyll because Matcha is shade-grown, which causes the vibrant green shade.

If the Matcha is yellow or brown in color, this is a sign that the leaves have not been properly shaded or that branches and stalks have been included. The price is the third factor to consider. Like most things, if you want quality, you can expect to pay a little bit more.

If something seems too good to be true, the chances are that it is. The feel of Matcha is also important. It should be a fine powder that is very silky. Last but not least, the taste is obviously a crucial attribute when it comes to quality. It should have a clean and naturally sweet taste.

Why not make some delicious baked green tea treats on International Tea Day and have a bake sale to raise money and awareness regarding working conditions in the tea industry? Green tea recipes are available in their abundance. People are actively searching for different ways to enjoy green tea. While green tea is delicious when simply mixed with hot water, there is nothing wrong with switching it up from time to time, especially on International Tea Day!

An easy and delicious recipe is Matcha Meringue Kisses. To make this you will need Matcha, sugar, egg whites, and powdered sugar. Begin by sifting together the Matcha and the powder sugar, and then whip the egg whites until they have soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and whip until stiff peaks. Gently fold the Matcha into this mixture and then transfer to a pastry bag. Pipe the mixture into small kisses onto a baking tray and then bake for around an hour.

Or, why not make Green Tea Donuts? For this, you need green tea, honey, melted butter, milk, egg, salt, baking powder, sugar, and cake flour. You whisk the green tea, salt, baking powder, sugar, and flour. Add the honey, melted butter, milk, and egg, and then whisk. Use a pastry bag to pipe the batter into the mould. Then, simply bake the donuts for eight minutes. You can make your own glaze to go on the top – chocolate goes well!

Other delicious baked treats to try include green tea muffins, brownies and shortbread!

International Tea Day FAQs

What is International Tea Day?

Created to celebrate and pay tribute to the countries that produce tea to supply to the world, starting in India and moving to other places like Sri Lanka, Malawi, Uganda, Bangladesh, Vietnam and more.

When was International Tea Day first celebrated?

International Tea Day first got its start in 2004 when it was celebrated in New Delhi. It grew over the years and by 2019 the day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

How to celebrate International Tea Day?

A great way to observe this day is by learning a bit more about the nations who produce tea for the world. Also, don’t forget to order a cup of fair trade tea for one, or take a friend out to enjoy a cuppa together.

What is the theme of International Tea Day?

The theme for this day devoted to tea producers changes each year, but some of the past themes have included themes such as Tea and Fair Trade or Harnessing Benefits for All from Field to Cup.

When is International Tea Day celebrated?

Taking place on May 21 of each year, International Tea Day originally took place on December 15 from 2005 when it was often only celebrated by tea-producing countries. It changed to May 21 when the UN adopted the day.

Source