#city council team took action

[hussyknee]

Israeli football fans clash with protesters in Amsterdam

Amsterdam city council member says ‘Maccabi hooligans’ instigated violence and attacked Palestinian supporters. Israeli football fans have clashed with apparent pro-Palestinian protesters before and after a Europa League football match between their team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam. The clashes took place outside the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday night, the city’s main arena and Ajax Amsterdam’s home stadium, as well as in other areas. Ajax won the match 5-0 after leading 3-0 at halftime. Reporting from Amsterdam, Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen said the clashes were the result of a buildup in tensions over a few days. Hundreds of supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv came to Amsterdam, held a very vocal rally in the main square before the incident, waving Israeli flags, and also took down a Palestinian flag,” she said. On Thursday, police had said on social media that they were being particularly vigilant in the wake of politically charged incidents, including the tearing down of a Palestinian flag from a building. Social media videos captured the reported incident, showing Israeli fans shouting slogans while an individual was taking the flag down. Before the game, videos showed crowds of Maccabi supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans. In one video, Israeli supporters were heard singing: “Let the IDF win, and f*** the Arabs!,” referring to the Israeli army’s offensive on Gaza. Another video captured a fan screaming: “F*** you terrorists, Sinwar die, everybody die,” in reference to the Hamas leader who was killed last month. The Israeli fans instigated the violence after arriving in the city and attacking Palestinian supporters before the match, an Amsterdam city council member said. “They began attacking houses of people in Amsterdam with Palestinian flags, so that’s actually where the violence started,” Councilman Jazie Veldhuyzen told Al Jazeera on Friday. “As a reaction, Amsterdammers mobilised themselves and countered the attacks that started on Wednesday by the Maccabi hooligans.” Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 10 Israelis were injured. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not clarify what led to what it called a “very violent incident against Israeli citizens”. Netanyahu said, in a Friday statement issued by his office, that he “views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity and demands that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and swift action against the rioters, and ensure the safety of our citizens”. Netanyahu also ordered the country’s spy agency to draw up a plan to prevent violence at events abroad. “I have instructed the head of the Mossad [David Barnea] and other officials to prepare our courses of action, our alert system and our organisation for a new situation,” he said in a video statement during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry to oversee the evacuation of Israelis from Amsterdam. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it called “anti-Arab chants” and apparent attacks on the Palestinian flag. In a statement posted on X on Friday, it called on the Dutch government to “conduct an immediate investigation into the instigators of these disturbances and to protect Palestinians and Arabs residing in the Netherlands”. Amsterdam resident and activist Mo Kotesh told Al Jazeera Israeli fans attacked innocent people on the streets, property and taxi drivers on Wednesday and took down a Palestinian flag. Kotesh, of the Palestinian community in the Netherlands, said that they went to an area near the central Dam Square – as instructed by the municipality – to hold a peaceful demonstration on the day of the match. He said he saw locals trying to counter the violence started against them and their properties by Israeli fans. Israeli “hooligans” chanted songs swearing at Arabs, saying, “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left.’” Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg told Al Jazeera the incident showed that the Israeli narrative had taken over Europe.

"The fact that Israeli fans riot in the middle of Amsterdam, sing racist songs and climb the walls of homes to tear down Palestinian flags … is part of the Israeli condition at the moment: A complete detachment between actions and consequences,” he said. On Friday, Al Jazeera’s Vaessen said the capital was calm. Arrests and injuries Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema had banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration amid concerns about tensions between protesters and supporters of the Israeli football club. About 600 police were deployed after rioting started between pro-Palestinian supporters and Maccabi fans, Al Jazeera’s Vaessen reported, adding that five people were briefly taken to hospital with light injuries. Police said on Friday that 62 people were arrested. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had tried to reach the stadium, Vaessen said. According to police, the fans left the stadium without incident, but several clashes in the city centre were reported during the night. Veldhuyzen, the council member, said, “The mayor says the police did act, but I would say they acted not at the right moments.” He told Al Jazeera: “They acted only to protect the Maccabi hooligans when Amsterdammers stood up to defend their own people and defend their own houses. And this is when the police showed up to protect the Maccabi fans when they ran away after attacking people.” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he followed the news of the rioting with “horror”, adding that “the perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted”. In a post on Friday on social media platform X, Schoof said, “Completely unacceptable anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. I am in close contact with all those involved.” UEFA condemnation Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar spoke to his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, and requested the Dutch government’s assistance in securing the departure of fans from hotels to the airport in Amsterdam. Saar “emphasised the seriousness with which Israel views the widespread violent attacks against its citizens throughout Amsterdam”, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. Goldberg, the Israeli political commentator, said Israel’s reaction to the clashes reflected a “complete rejection of the notion that actions have consequences” given the Israeli fans’ actions in Amsterdam. The Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, was founded in 1906 in Jaffa, now part of Tel Aviv. It is languishing at the bottom of the Europa League table this season, at position 35 of 36. Its next game in the Europa League on November 28 will be against Turkish team Besiktas, based in Istanbul. However, following a decision by the Turkish authorities, the match will be played in a “neutral venue”. In a statement on Friday, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) said it was “gravely concerned by the sequence of violent events in Amsterdam”, specifically the “deplorable incitement to violence, anti-Palestinian racism, and Islamophobia expressed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans”. The PFA called on football’s governing bodies FIFA and UEFA “to address the normalization of genocidal, racist, and Islamophobic rhetoric among Israeli football supporters and to implement concrete measures to combat this hostility”. European body UEFA earlier condemned the “acts of violence” before and after the match. “We trust that the relevant authorities will identify and charge as many of those responsible for such actions as possible,” it said in a statement.

(Source: Al-Jazeera)

[phoenixlionme]

I see a certain section of the fandom trying to say what Caitlyn did was irredeemable. And let's be clear: What Caitlyn throughout S2E3 was WRONG; she may in mourning but that doesn't excuse or justify her actions. I can understand them and it's clear the writers are also showing that what Cait is doing is wrong. But I also feel that the same section of the fandom who say Caitlyn is the "bad guy" have amnesia over Jinx's actions: She willfully her drug kingpin father, killed a number of people (both Piltovan and Zaun), pointed a gun at Vi, kidnapped Vi/Silco/Caitlyn (the last one she kidnapped in her home after she took a shower, which is a special kind of privacy violation), launched a rocket that only killed half the council but also caused other innocent deaths. And yet some parts of the fandom will gloss all over that because of her trauma and abuse at Piltovan's hands. Look, like Caitlyn, I both understand but also don't excuse Jinx's actions. They are both traumatized young women but have each done cruel and inexcusable actions that they will most likely pay for in Acts 2 and 3.

And while I make this post, I am in NO way downplaying the unfair treatment Piltover has with Zaun. It's clearly one-sided. I am just making the point that Jinx is no saint either. Neither is Jayce, Mel, Vander, Vi, (especially) Silco, (especially) sevika, (especially) The Council. No one is perfect on this show. Everyone is capable of doing and/or saying monstrous actions and trying to justify it. All I am saying is that we don't forget that Arcane is about nuance and the fact that no one in Arcane is completely good or bad; that everyone is capable of great good and evil.

Also, those who are saying Jinx's attack on the Council was different because she was targeting the symbol of Zaun's oppression vs Caitlyn's strike team in Zaun trying to hunt down Jinx. Yes, they are different but both are still inexcusable because they only serve to heighten the already tensed and hate filled nature of the two cities. Yes, I can understand both their actions come from a place of pain but they are using pain to hurt or risk hurting innocents. And they both will have to answer for it in the upcoming Acts, we just don't know how or when.

At the end of the day, Arcane has complex and nuanced characters, whose actions you can understand and even sympathize with but shouldn't gloss over their morally questionable or just plain f-ed up decisions. Plus, we are only at 3 episodes (as of this writing), and the writers waited three years (maybe longer if we count the conception of the show) before releasing this season. Let's have a little faith in them.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Daniel Marans at HuffPost:

Last Friday, a senior political aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) convened a group of progressive pro-Palestinian groups on a Zoom call to discuss strategy. The list of participants included representatives of the political arm of Jewish Voice for Peace, the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, IfNotNow and Americans for Justice in Palestine Action. The call took place less than two days after President Joe Biden confirmed on CNN that his administration had paused an offensive weapons shipment to Israel and would withhold additional transfers if Israel launched a full-scale invasion of Rafah, the city in southern Gaza where 1 million Palestinians are taking refuge. The Ocasio-Cortez aide appealed to the activists on the call to give Biden appropriate credit, given the historic nature of the step, and noted that Biden was already receiving fierce pushback from Israel supporters furious about the news. “It’s important we make clear to the White House that when the president moves in our direction, we’re willing to say so,” said Mike Casca, Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, who was not the aide present on the call.

On the whole, advocates for Palestinian rights and a cease-fire in Gaza — inside Congress and out — were already marching in step with Ocasio-Cortez. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) joined her in praising Biden’s announcement. So, too, did the “uncommitted” movement, which had sought to pressure Biden through the Democratic primaries; Arab American Institute founder James Zogby; the Muslim group Emgage; the Center for International Policy; the liberal pro-Israel group J Street; the Jewish Democratic Council of America; the Center for American Progress; and Indivisible. Even IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace offered Biden qualified credit, though JVP did not post its statement on social media.

But the praise was not unanimous, with plenty of pro-Palestinian groups unwilling to give the president credit while the war’s horrific toll on Palestinian civilians grows and U.S. weapons and aid continue to flow.

The pro-Palestinian faction of the Democratic Party is mostly applauding President Biden's moves toward their position, even it if feels too little, too late.

[outcasts-redeemer]

The florescent lights hummed as they came on one row after the next, illuminating the white room with a hard glow. The girls of RWBY and Sun and Neptune cringed as the light momentarily blinded them.

Ruby, after blinking a few times to adjust her eyes, looked around the room spying several cabinets and a large metal door to the side only to stop as her eyes landed on Headmaster Ozpin who standing in front of a table located in the center of the room.

Ozpin gazed at them coolly, his eyes withholding any warmth that the girls were used to. “Do you know where we are?” He asked them, his hands tightening on his cane.

Neptune fidgeted as he answered. “The sign outside said this was the morgue?”

Ozpin glanced at the blue haired young adult and nodded. “Yes.” He said, “This is the Vale City Morgue Station A-12. It was built forty years ago to answer the ongoing logistical issues of dealing with fatalities on newly built trans-city highway. Unlike its older siblings this facility was designed to hold ten times the number of fatalities a normal morgue would hold.” The white haired professor motioned to the room they were in. “This room is one of ten autopsy rooms connected to the main cadaver storage room.”

Ruby swallowed and stepped forward. “Why are we here?”

Ozpin leveled his eyes upon her own silver ones and stepped to the side waving her over in the process. “You are here because I convinced the Council that what happened on the Highway was not your doing.”

Ruby took a step forwards but froze as she saw the small shape hidden under the white cloth

Ozpin noticed her gaze and spoke again, “However, as hunters any choice you make holds the lives of countless others. This is the price of making the wrong choice.” With that statement the white haired headmaster pulled back the white cloth showing the body of a six year old girl, her face a mask of peace that was contrasted by the broken and torn form that was her lower body and legs.

The results were instant. Weiss and Yang both gasped in horror covering their mouths in an attempt to keep from crying out. Blake and Sun paled and took a step back while Neptune turned a shade of green and ran towards the nearest trash bin and threw up the noodles he and Sun had eaten.

The most affect however was Ruby herself. Standing still, her face ashen with understanding and her eyes focused on the immobile form of the young girl, Ruby asked a simple question. “How many?“

Ozpin hated hearing the brokenness of one of his most talented students but this needed to happen. She and the other students needed to know their actions have consequences. “There were one hundred thirty six fatalities as of last count with an additional twenty four injured.”

Yang tore her eyes from the young girl and looked at her headmaster with a look of growing horror. “W-what?”

Ozpin gave her an unimpressed glance before turning back to look at Ruby. “I will be frank with you. What happened tonight should not have happened. Not only did you break regulations, engage in vigilantism, and break restrictions put on you for your previous stunt.  You fundamentally failed as a team on multiple levels. Miss Rose. Tell me. Why are you the Team Leader?”

Ruby swallowed her shame and guilt and answered, “I showed exceptional skill when working under hazardous conditions to both organize and communicate with several other Hunters to both utilize their strengths and limit their weaknesses.”

Ozpin slammed his cane to the ground as he raised his voice. “Then why did you allow members of your team, as well as members not apart of your team to organize this one!?” He reached over to the girls still attached leg and read the tag connected to her toe.”Susan Brianne Grace, age six, cause of death: blood loss due to numerous Crush and Avulsion injuries along the lower extremities and torso.” He stopped reading and gazed at the six of them. “She died shoving her four year old younger brother out of the way of a falling four ton advertisement billboard for Hunters. She loved horses and liked to draw...”

Ruby was silent as tears pooled in her eyes. Everything had happened so fast all she could remember feeling was the rush of the chase and the determination to capture Torchwick. She never even stopped to consider anything else. And because of that. So many...

Ozpin sighed and lifted a stack of clipboards. “This lesson was supposed to be learnt during your second year, before going off on your first unchaperoned mission. But now I have no choice. Each of you will take a clipboard and work alongside the city morticians, recording everything there is about those lost to us due to the failures of their protectors. You will be here all night and in the morning you will report to Miss Goodwitch for aditional disaplinary action.” 

The grey haired headmaster began walking towards the exit but stopped before speaking one last time. “There is nothing you can do now to change their fates. All you can do, is learn from this and strive to be better.” He looked down at his feet lost in thought for a moment before whispering  Fore that is all we can do.” With those final words he shoved open the exit and left them to their new task

[resetting37]

Avery vs Tatsuo.

I wanted to talk about these two a bit (especially since i vaguely hinted about it in a previous post lol) as I think their dynamic is interesting and I think if either were to be killed then by the other would be the only way to do so.

Not like, arch enemies, but just a deep tension and some hatred they have brought to each other.

It started back with Tatsuo lived in Evelow. No hosting abilities, but delved into it behind closed doors (rumors were floating around within a close circle, but it wasn't taken seriously. Hosting is very much illegal in Evelow.) Tatsuo was still as arrogant and a bully as ever though, and Avery became a target when she arrived on the scene.

He was never outright mean to Avery, but calling her a gold digger and laughing about her behind her back can be detrimental when she's desperate for the approval. So when she found out, she took things to the next level and when learned about his hosting activities, decided she was going to report him to the council. No better person to help her than Tatsuo's own sibling Haramitsu, who always played by the law (and her hatred towards Tatsuo probably helped Avery's case.)

So instead of facing repercussions, Tatsuo fled Evelow, and moved to Recom, where he grew in power and notoriety. Even Evelonians had heard of TY or the man who could make weapons out of their hands. He wished he left more so on his free will, and not be influenced by Avery's pettiness, but he forgot about his old life soon enough. And her.

Cut to years later, when Avery travels to Recom (with Zack, who, sidenote, should be mentioned because he was the person she was marrying that got her labeled a gold digger ? And he helped Avery with the hosting accusations against Tatsuo ?? And he grew up with him ??? Oh well, um. This post is about Avery. and she's the one with the much stronger feelings.) in order to possibly find a cure for Morgan's mutation, which is starting to become a little harder to manage. She runs into Tatsuo again, and while he mockingly thanks her for putting him into his current position, she's reminded of his horrible personality.

But the truth is, Avery's still upset she couldn't get Tatsuo to like her. And while she was supposed to have moved on, she still wants him to like her. And maybe even more than that ? And Tatsuo sees how much time Avery is putting into this, and he feeds into it by mocking her new relationship with Morgan. (which, another sidenote, Tatsuo actually hates Morgan because she was an ex-member of his team that ran off with money and a kidney a year ago, and screwed over Seth and Adam, two of Tatsuo's most reliable members. See, so many layers.)

So on top of mocking Morgan, Tatsuo also tricks Avery into thinking that maybe he's coming around to like her ("Could you imagine how things would be if you chose a different rich guy to marry ?") Which, like, confuses Avery, but she's unsure if she likes it. Plus, he said he's willing to help Avery find a cure for Morgan. so that's redemption, right ?

Well, no. Because his teasing of Avery results in him finally stating that she's still just has pathetic and desperate as ever, and adds another laugh in her face, humiliating her once again.

Hm, seems like this hatred is kind of one sided ? Avery seems to hate tatsuo very much, and he's just enjoying tormenting her.

That's when things changes. Because Avery had a little too much of Recom, enough of being away from home, and especially enough of Tatsuo. Needless to say, she breaks a bit.

Of course Avery is horrified of herself (Trinity: "sick !") and this move haunts her even when she sends a message to Evelow asking for rescue and Sean comes pick her and Zack. Safe in Evelow, eventually, but not from her action.

And now it's a little more personal to tatsuo. He has all the more reason to return to Evelow as well. Sure they want to visit old friends, show the city what happens when they shut away hosting, but it's no secret that getting back at Avery is on their mind. (And just as she was starting to get some respect there...)

[mariacallous]

Bosnia’s authorities will investigate several police officers and a judge who failed to issue a restraining order against Nermin Sulejmanovic, a gunman who livestreamed his wife’s murder over Instagram, after which he killed two more people and wounded another three before commiting suicide. 

The investigations were announced as a result of public pressure over the brutal femicide, which happened after the victim, 38-year-old Nizama Hecimovic, reported family violence to the authorities in the small town of Gradacac in northeastern Bosnia. 

“The investigation teams of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton are conducting extensive operational and investigative actions related to events before, during, and after the triple homicide and attempted murder of three individuals in Gradacac on Friday, August 11,” Almir Arnautovic, Tuzla Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson, said on Monday. 

According to Bosnian media, the Office of the Disciplinary Prosecutor of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, VSTV, has initiated proceedings against Judge Lejla Numanovic from Gradacac, who refused to issue a restraining order against Sulejmanovic on August 7. 

Hecimovic reported Sulejmanovic for domestic violence, but was too afraid to testify. According to the judgment, despite being afraid to testify, Hecimovic sought restraining order, due to fear for her safety and life. 

The violence began when Sulejmanovic, a bodybuilder with a criminal record, first killed his ex-wife on a livestream on Instagram.

Sulemajnovic started his livestream by saying that viewers “will see what a live murder looks like”, then took a gun and shot dead his ex-wife. Thousands have watched his livestream. The Interior Ministry in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Federation entity said it will investigate people who voiced approval on social media for Nermin’s action. 

After police staged a man hunt to track him down, Sulejmanovic committed suicide in front of police officers.

According to media reports, the authorities will also investigate how the information on Hecimovic’s hidden location was leaked, which led to Sulejmanovic finding her. 

Hecimovic will be buried on Monday. Her family asked government officials not to attend the ceremony. A mourning day has been declared in Tuzla Canton, one of ten in Bosnia’s Federation entity.  The government of Bosnia’s other entity, Republika Srpska, has declared a day of mourning on Wednesday, August 16. 

Bosnia’s state-level government, the Council of Ministers, did not vote on Monday to declare a day of mourning on the territory of the country after two ministers from Republika Srpska, Stasa Kosarac and Nenad Nesic, voted against the decision. Bosnia’s deputy Human rights Minister, Duska Jurisic, wrote on her official Facebook that this was “a poor, pitiful attempt to undermine the state”. 

The murders happened on the day of the opening of 29th Sarajevo Film Festival in the country’s capital. The festival did not commemorate the victims since the opening on Friday night. 

Over the past seven years, 60 women have lost their lives through violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with eight cases in 2022.

The figure could potentially be higher because of the lack of official statistics on femicides in Bosnia. Protests have been announced in the biggest cities in Bosnia, demanding stricter penalties for femicide.

[deranged-cheese]

Commissioned art of a character from one of my older projects, Iyesari. This is Cheqalt Thekajey, the captain of the Tiangese Royal Guard in its capitol, Naltze. He is of an amphibious reptilian species called the Matzshei and has retractable claws and fangs, a metabolism that varies based on the temperature, the ability to breathe underwater, an a life expectancy of 120 years.

Captain Thekajey is of a poor background. His father was a construction worker and spend eight years on the team which built the greater Naltze harbor network. His mother rented a squalid room on the second floor of a row house in the old part of town, washing neighbors’ laundry to pay for food when her husband drank too much of his wages. His mother had no property and no legal clan or surname, but she told Cheqalt he was descended from Scoiluth, so that is the surname he used during his childhood. Since the Tiangese pass property along from mother to daughter, Cheqalt’s mother had nothing to give a daughter. However, the biological sex of a Matzshei is determined by the temperature their egg is incubated at. For this reason, she raised all sons. Cheqalt is the third of five boys and learned the basics of fighting from a young age at home; his brother and he fought one another for the sake of boredom or settling disputes, since their parents were often too busy and stressed to be referees and they could afford few toys or games.

He spent most of his time away from home. While frequenting a public plaza, he was motivated by religious preachers there and began studying Qyrissism, a faith which fostered a strong sense of justice in him. Furthermore, clan Scoiluth was famous for its military lineage. Men in Tiang can’t own property, instead men marry into their wife’s family, live in a work commune, or join the armed forces. And lastly, Cheqalt admired the local soldiers and guards from a young age and was dissapointed in the petty crime of the old city. He practiced polearm fighting with shovels behind the granary with his friends from school and frequently asked a retired soldier in his neighborhood for advice.

As soon as possible, he joined the guard at the bottom. At twenty two, he was a mere baliff. During his time as a baliff, he fell in love with a juror named Numeij Thekajey, whom he would eventually marry. Numeij Thekajey is the matriarch of clan Thekajey, a moderately wealthy cattle family on the edge of Naltze

Cheqalt was dedicated to his job and took discipline very seriously and ascended through the ranks fairly quickly. He was a jailer at 26, a patrol guard at 29, a patrol officer at 31, a corporal at 36, a sergeant at 40, a district commander at 49, and lastly, after a review and appointment by the city council, the captain at 60. Cheqalt can be described as honest, disciplined, incorruptible, and skilled. He can also be described as arrogant, uncompromising, stubborn, and proud. He put his eldest son Roluthé through officer school (despite his protests), and Roluthé is now an ensign in the Tiangese navy. Cheqalt is both proud and jealous of his son because Roluthé already legally outranks him and has a navy issue toggle action rifle, which Cheqalt cannot obtain because it is not for commercial sale. His daughter Maqot is attending a private school in Falme to learn etiquette, finance, and law so she can inherit the Thekajey estate someday.

Seen in his standard uniform in this image. Tiang is pretty stuck in its traditions, so even though it has used steel armor for three hundred years, it still paints the armor to look like the traditional bronze armor which Tiangese soldiers have worn for over two thousand years. He is seen with his spadroon and .43 double action revolver.

Cheqalt was drawn by Tagalongfox, who can be contacted at tagalongfoxcomissions@gmail.com

Their other art can be viewed at their page on deviantart.

[pinkiemeowstic89]

Decided to draw some Prime versions of my girl Erika, because for some reason, Man of Action had a hard time giving Amy a decent second female to join her in the main cast. Voice claim for all 3 of these gals (and base Prime!Erika) is Rebecca Shoichet BTW. In order we have…

New Yoke City!Erika (Named Yoru (Japanese for "night"))

In this timeline, when the Chaos Council took control, her sensei helped her escape, losing his own life in the process

Joined the resistance not long after meeting Renegade/New Yoke City!Knuckles

First proper assignment as a vigilante in this timeline was to decommission Rusty Rose

When she found Rusty, there was a sudden feeling that a lethal confrontation could carry heavy consequences (no, she didn't know about Birdie, for better or for worse)

The Council, after spying on the resistance while she was given her mission, found her as she was about to leave

Lost her arm as she attempted to escape the Council's attack (also how the sleeve of her kimono got ripped), felt as if she barely made it out alive

Nine/New Yoke City!Tails made her the prosthetic arm based on the resistance's reports of her skill

Her kimono has a shorter skirt for better mobility

Jungle!Erika (Named Matsu (Japanese for "pine"))

Had some faith in Thorn/Jungle!Amy when she snapped, believing that maybe the two parties could reconcile

Often keeps the peace between Mangey/Jungle!Tails, Gnarly/Jungle!Knuckles and Hangry/Jungle!Big (mainly since Prim/Jungle!Rouge never seems to bother)

Believes that she should be the leader of the tribe due to Prim/Jungle!Rouge's aforementioned lack of effort in caring for the boys

Basically took over as the team's heart when Thorn/Jungle!Amy banished them to the canopy

And Pirate!Erika (Named Shiokaze (Japanese for "seabreeze")

Basically holds the brain cell for the crew (yes, even Sails/Pirate!Tails)

Took to the pirate life the easiest when Green Hill (presumably) flooded

The least scared of Dread/Pirate!Knuckles' old crew

Out of the Shatterspaces, she remained the closest to her Amy equivalent (not counting the main timeline) due to nothing forcing them apart

(Also, the few things that they all have in common include weaponry skills, sass, and not liking their Rouge equivalent's attitude)

[hackingmonuments]

'For anyone who isn’t aware – the statue out the front has had a cone on its head continuously for the past 40 odd years. Despite the best efforts of the council and the police, every time one is removed another takes its place.' - Banksy, June 2023

The history of a talking monument. The following text is from the wikipedia page about the statue.

The equestrian statue of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington located outside the Royal Exchange, now known as the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, Scotland, is one of Glasgow's most iconic landmarks.

The statue of the Duke on his favourite horse Copenhagen was sculpted by Italian artist Carlo Marochetti and erected in 1844. The statue is a Category-A listed monument.

In recent times the statue has become known for being capped with a traffic cone.[2] Adorning the statue with a cone had continued over many years: the act was claimed to represent the humour of the local population and was believed to date back to at least the 1980s.[3][4][5][6]

In 2005, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police took a stance of asking the public not to replace the cone, citing minor damage to the statue and the potential for injury when attempting to place a cone.[4][5]

In 2011 the Lonely Planet guide included the statue in its list of the "top 10 most bizarre monuments on Earth".

In 2013 Glasgow City Council put forward plans for a £65,000 restoration project, that included a proposal to double the height of its plinth and raise it to more than six feet (1.8 metres) in height to "deter all but the most determined of vandals".[8] Their planning application contained an estimate that the cost of removing traffic cones from the statue was £100 per callout, and that this could amount to £10,000 a year. The plans were withdrawn after widespread public opposition, including an online petition that received over 10,000 signatures. As the council indicated that action against the practice could still be considered, the art-political organization National Collective organised a rally in defence of the cone.

In 2014, in support of the Scottish Independence referendum, the statue was fitted with a "Yes" cone as well as a flag fitted in the statue's stirrup

The cone was replaced with a gold painted one during the 2012 Olympics as a celebration of Scotland's contribution to the record haul of gold medals won by Team GB. A replica of the statue, complete with cone, appeared at the 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, and a gold cone was then again placed on the statue to mark the success of the games.

In 2015, Glasgow City Council tested hi-tech CCTV software worth £1.2m, checking to see whether it could automatically detect people putting cones on the statue, which it could.

On Brexit Day (31 January 2020) pro-European supporters placed a cone painted to represent the EU flag on the statue's head.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the statue was adorned with a cone and a blue surgical mask around the statue's ears to reflect the pandemic and lockdowns in the country.

In March 2022, in support of Ukraine and as a protest against Russia's invasion of it, the statue was fitted with a cone with the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

In June 2023 to promote his exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art, artist Banksy declared that the statue was his "favourite work of art in the UK". On 21 June, the Scottish climate change campaigning group This Is Rigged placed a cone with their logo on the statue, and invited Banksy to support their cause.

[pashterlengkap]

Video captured security beating a man who bit a guard’s face

Hush, a gay nightclub in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, removed its security team after a video emerged of a client being beaten by the staff. “We are investigating exactly what took place and the cause of it. It’s obviously not something we would ever expect. We have an independent outside security company that employs the security guards. We have had them removed from our venues until the review is complete,” said Bob Fluet, owner of HUSH. Related NYC council members shame GOP councilor for her disgusting comments about LGBTQ people “Enough.” Four men dressed in black, who had ‘Security’ on the back of their shirts, were beating a victim lying in the middle of 52nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. One had complained that the victim bit off his finger. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The beating occurred late at night, as police reported being called at 1:15 a.m. last Sunday. The victim had swelling in his right eye and had scrapes to both of his knees. Both the victim and one of the men committing the assault have been arrested. The victim has been taken in for medical evaluations. “Initial reports were that this person came to the venue only to confront the security guard and bit him in the face, triggering the event. However, this is not justification for what transpired and we insist that all guards be trained in de-escalation — but that was definitely not shown here,” said Fluet. “We have multiple venues that operate seven nights a week and do an amazing job in creating safe spaces for our clientele. The security guards must deal with all sorts of issues every night and, for the vast majority of times, do it professionally and without incident.”  New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D) said of the incident, “I’m sickened by the violence in this disturbing video. Although I don’t have the facts of the incident, this video would suggest the private security guards far exceeded their legal authority and should be held accountable for the appropriate civil and criminal penalties under the law.” “I appreciate the management of Hush taking swift action to address this highly troubling incident.”  Out New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher (D) said, “This type of violence is completely unacceptable and goes against the values of our community. It is vital that incidents like these are taken seriously and addressed swiftly.” “The venue owner has had a long-standing positive relationship with our community, and I am grateful that they have taken immediate action by suspending those responsible and initiating a thorough review process that must lead to full accountability.” http://dlvr.it/T7MhBH

[topreviewin]

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:U.S. Secretary of Remark Antony Blinken urges Israel to temporarily stay its militia offensive on Gaza to permit serve to enter but faces pushback from Top Minister Benjamin NetanyahuPalestinian effectively being authorities in Gaza convey Israel struck a convoy of ambulances that was to leave al-Shifa Medical institution in Gaza City and head south to evacuate injured other folksFrance will host a world humanitarian conference for the civilian population in Gaza on Nov. 9 as it appears to coordinate serve for the besieged Palestinian enclave, three diplomatic sources saidGAZA/JERUSALEM, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The chief of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah team warned the US on Friday that if Israel did no longer stay its assault on Gaza then the war might maybe also widen into a regional battle.Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in his first speech for the reason that Israel-Hamas battle erupted on Oct. 7, also threatened the U.S., Israel's fundamental ally, hinting his Iran-backed paramilitary team was ready to confront U.S. warships within the Mediterranean.A heavily armed ally of Gaza's Hamas militants, Hezbollah has been horny Israeli forces on the Lebanon-Israel border within the largest flare-up since it fought a battle with Israel in 2006."You, the Americans, can stay the aggression in opposition to Gaza since it's a ways your aggression," Nasrallah said. "Whoever must forestall a regional battle, and I am talking to the Americans, must instant cease the aggression on Gaza."He added that Hezbollah, the spearhead of a Tehran-backed regional alliance adversarial to Israel and the US, did no longer dismay the U.S. naval firepower Washington has assembled within the location for the reason that disaster erupted."You, the Americans, know very effectively that if battle breaks out within the location, your fleets might maybe well be of no employ, nor will preventing from the air be of any revenue, and the one who will pay the worth might maybe well be ... your interests, your soldiers and your fleets," he said.Assorted Iran-aligned teams luxuriate in entered the fray since Oct. 7, with Tehran-backed Shi'ite teams firing on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and Yemen's Houthis launching drones at Israel.Nasrallah saluted these actions, and said extra escalation along the Lebanese border between Israel and his team was contingent on what came about within the Gaza Strip, below assault by Israeli forces since Hamas attacked Israel four weeks ago.In Washington, a spokesperson for the White Dwelling National Security Council said it was attentive to Nasrallah’s speech but would no longer have interaction in “a battle of phrases”. Hezbollah and other insist and non-insist actors must no longer strive to rob just appropriate thing regarding the war between Israel and Hamas, the spokesperson said.Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which suggestions Gaza, in retaliation for the Oct. 7 assault whereby the militant team killed 1,400 other folks and took bigger than 240 other folks hostage.Israel has struck Gaza from the air, imposed a siege and launched a floor assault, stirring world dismay at humanitarian stipulations within the enclave, with food scarce, medical services collapsing and a civilian demise toll that has surpassed 9,000.Nasrallah's remarks coincided with a consult with to Israel by U.S. Secretary of Remark Antony Blinken, on his 2nd tour of the location in no longer as a lot as a month to display make stronger for shut ally Israel in its battle of phrases with Hamas.Blinken entreated Israel to temporarily stay its militia offensive to permit for serve to enter Gaza, but he confronted pushback from Top Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who rejected one of these cease except hostages held by Hamas militants are freed.The Israeli militia said its troops had been preventing Hamas militants in shut-quarter fight within the ruined streets after encircling Gaza City in their assert to wipe out the Islamist team that controls the tiny, densely po

pulated territory.ENCIRCLED[1/12]Palestinians earn on the positioning of Israeli strikes on properties in Maghazi, within the central Gaza Strip, November 3, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa Comprise Licensing RightsAbet businesses warn a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding within the bloodiest episode in a long time within the Israeli-Palestinian war. France plans to take care of a humanitarian conference for Gaza's civilians on Thursday, three diplomatic sources said.Gaza effectively being authorities said Israel struck a convoy of ambulances on Friday that was to leave al-Shifa Medical institution in Gaza City and head to south Gaza to evacuate injured other folks. A spokesperson for the Israeli militia said it was looking into the portray.Video shared on social media, which Reuters has verified, confirmed other folks mendacity in blood subsequent to an ambulance with flashing lights on a metropolis aspect motorway as other folks rushed to help.Gaza effectively being authorities convey on the least 9,227 other folks had been killed since Israel started its blitz on the enclave of 2.3 million other folks in retaliation for the Hamas Oct. 7 rampage.The Israeli militia said its troops and tanks had been encountering mines and booby traps as they progressed in Gaza. Gaza City - historically a Hamas bastion - was surrounded, militia spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.Israel said it has lost 23 soldiers within the offensive.Hamas and its Islamic Jihad ally said their fighters had detonated explosives in opposition to advancing troops, dropped grenades from drones, and fired mortars and anti-tank rockets in fierce metropolis war round destroyed buildings and heaps of rubble.In a single Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, an enviornment journalist working for the legit Palestine TV and on the least 9 of his instantaneous family had been killed in their home, relatives and effectively being officials said.The Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt opened for a third day on Friday for exiguous evacuations below a Qatari-brokered deal to let out some foreign passport holders, their dependents and a few wounded Gazans.UN SAYS WEST BANK SITUATION 'ALARMING'Among these leaving had been the oldsters of the accomplice of Scotland's chief Humza Yousaf and 7 Italians and three of their Palestinian relatives, in line with statements from British and Italian authorities.In step with frame officials, bigger than 700 foreign passport holders left for Egypt by job of Rafah on the 2 earlier days. Dozens of badly injured Palestinians had been to sinful too.The United Nations rights attach of industrial on Friday described the hassle within the occupied West Bank as "alarming", announcing Israeli forces had been extra and extra the usage of militia tactics and weapons in legislation enforcement operations there.Now now not no longer as a lot as 132 Palestinians including 41 adolescents had been killed within the West Bank, 124 by Israeli forces and eight by Israeli settlers, it said. Two Israeli soldiers had been also killed.Palestinians trapped in Gaza City hoped that a truce might maybe also very effectively be reached soon."Does the sphere stay up for a whole bunch of hundreds who refuse to leave their homes, who make no longer luxuriate in any guilt but that they make no longer are looking to leave their nation, to be massacred by Israel?" said one.Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Simon Lewis in Tel Aviv, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Maytaal Angel in Jerusalem, Clauda Tanios in Dubai, Humeyra Pamuk, Patricia Zengerle, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; extra reporting by Reuters bureaux worldwide; writing by Michael Perry, Angus MacSwan and William Maclean; bettering by Andrew Cawthorne, Designate Heinrich and Howard GollerOur Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Solutions. Comprise Licensing Rights, opens fresh tabA senior correspondent with virtually 25 years’ skills masking

the Palestinian-Israeli war including several wars and the signing of the principle ancient peace accord between the 2 aspects.Award-nominated reporter masking high influence events in gentle commodities and agricultural commodities extra broadly, analysing industry trends and uncovering developments that power the market. Work has included market inspiring investigative tales on commodity alternate flows, company approach, farmer poverty, sustainability, climate substitute and executive policy.

[ventusninja]

Journal of Scientific Inquiries by W.D. Gaster (and sanse)

Chapter 1: The beginning

It finally happened. The Purity of Soul (PoS) religious group has finally decided to murder us all. Luckily, some monsters and monster-humans (m-hs) were awake at the beginnings of the massacre. It's times like these that I'm thankful for Torel and Asgore allowing me to stay in their home when I come home late and exhausted. I would surely have been dead if not for them.

Asgore and Torel took action quickly as they ran from home to home of all monsters, m-hs, and humans who have been known to sympathize with us, and guided them to the closest relocation spot: the cave systems in Mt. Ebott. There, we were greeted by a cloaked figure that called themselves River Person. I will write up a chapter about them soon.

Unfortunately, due to the sudden relocation, all my notes on m-h souls, the monster masks, soul trait abilities, and other similar notes regarding the research of souls. Those notes were yet to be published, and I so foolishly kept them at home. So now I have to start over from scratch. Luckily, I still remember some of the information of the older and earlier notes. Further testing is required in order to fact check myself.

Update. River Person (R.P.) has just informed us that the PoS soul mage council has erected a magic barrier at both entrances of Mt. Ebott. They say that the only thing strong enough to break it is 7 soul mages, each one with a different soul trait.

Update. There used to be a city built under the mountain. It is now largely uninhabited. R.P. said the survivors can live there for the time being until housing can be made for those who want to live elsewhere. Plans are being made to create a capitol at the barrier, so if any refugees come through, they can be provided housing and resources until they decide to move elsewhere in the Underground.

Update. It's been a few days. I haven't started on any other chapters because I've been busy with research, experimentation, and creating my team of scientists. A vote has been put in place for leaders of the survivors. Everyone voted for Torel and Asgore. I agree. To add on to that, their wedding shall be coming up soon. Turns out Asgore was going to propose to Torel the day after the day of the massacre, but then the massacre happened and put a stop on that plan.

I will start on the second chapter after their wedding. There is so much to be done.

-> Chapter 2

[dfoxmarketing]

Vibrant Closing Ceremony Marks the End of Memorable Hangzhou Asian Games 2023

India’s Remarkable Performance at Asian Games in Hangzhou

The 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou came to an end with a memorable closing ceremony that praised the participants’ outstanding accomplishments and highlighted Chinese culture.

Indian competitors made a standout performance in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, that was marked by quality and tenacity. India, who had a delegation of 655 athletes, accomplished an incredible accomplishment by breaking their previous record of 70 medals established in Jakarta in 2018 and winning a total of 107 medals.

28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze medals made up India’s impressive medal haul, which was an increase above the 70 medals earned by a squad of 570 athletes four years earlier. Only four countries managed to surpass the 100-medal threshold in Hangzhou, making India’s contribution to the total medal count all the more noteworthy.

The Indian shooters stood out among the competitors, winning 22 medals in all, including seven golds. Neeraj Chopra successfully defended his javelin throw championship, giving athletics its opportunity to shine. Track and field competitions gave India a total of six gold, fourteen silver and nine bronze medals.

India’s success in archery was further enhanced when the compound team won all five gold medals available in their division. The gold rush was maintained by the cricket and kabaddi teams, who each took home two gold medals. Along with winning gold, the men’s hockey team also qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

India Secures Olympic Quotas and Historic Gold Wins

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s triumph in badminton signified India’s first men’s doubles gold medal at the Games. Squash, tennis, and equestrian victories added to India’s total gold medal count. The cricket teams for men and women both won gold.

The significance of Hangzhou, though, went beyond the number of medals. The competition offered 74 slots in several sports as a lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Six of these quotas were won by India, with boxing taking the top spot.

The tickets to Paris were acquired by athletes including Nikhat Zareen, Preeti Pawar, Parveen Hooda, and Lovlina Borgohain. India had a significant presence in the French city thanks to men’s hockey and athletics, assuring that the country would be well-represented at the next Olympic Games.

A Vibrant Closing Ceremony

The 80,000-person-seat ‘Big Lotus’ Stadium served as the venue for the event, which attracted viewers with a 75-minute show of lights, music, and lasers. The conclusion of more than two weeks of gruelling sports action was marked by the athletes from the 45 participating nations bidding farewell.

The goal of the closing ceremony’s “Culture and Sports” merger of sports and culture was to achieve harmony. In front of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other officials, acting head of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Randhir Singh, formally proclaimed the 19th Asian Games to be over.

Also Read: India vs Australia World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul Lead IND to a Six-Wicket Victory

In accordance with the principles of the Olympic Council of Asia, Singh declared the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games ended and invited the youth of Asia to come together to celebrate the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in three years.

Follow Digital Fox Media for latest sports news.

[northstaffstv]

More than 150 knives surrendered during police knife crime operation

Staffordshire Police have recovered more than 170 knives as part of a week of action across Staffordshire. Operation Sceptre, which took place from 15th to 21st May, saw officers intensify their efforts in the fight against knife crime through knife sweeps, stop searches, using knife detectors in public places and the promotion of knife banks for people to surrender them anonymously.  As a result, they made nine arrests and recovered more than 170 knives, including 150 which had been placed in knife banks throughout the week. The police also took part in 35 educational visits as part of the #DitchTheBlade campaign, which saw officers speaking to 3,000 young people and their parents or carers about the dangers of carrying a knife and the support services available if they feel pressured to carry one. In addition, Trading Standards teams from Stoke-on-Trent City Council completed test purchase exercises with local retailers to ensure that they were complying with the law so only those who can prove they are over 18 can purchase knives. One store was found to have sold a knife to underage individuals, while eight stores successfully refused to allow them to purchase the blades. Although it’s not common for young people to carry a knife, national statistics show that 99 per cent of young people aged 10 to 29 don’t carry a knife. Some young people believe that others are carrying one so feel they need to do so. The #DitchTheBlade campaign aims to break through the myths around knife carrying and explain that it’s not normal or acceptable to carry a knife. Chief Inspector Robert Hessell, force lead for knife crime, said: “It’s vitally important that we continue to encourage conversations around knife crime within our communities. “This operation builds upon our progress as a partnership to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife and to reduce the number of knives on the streets. “The majority of young people will never be affected by knife crime, but by encouraging awareness and providing a safe space for the surrender of knives we hope to make our communities a safer place to be.” A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said: “We are encouraged that most of the businesses tested complied with the law. It is absolutely vital that retailers in the city have measures in place to prevent underage sales of knives. Staff should be properly trained to prevent knives getting into the hands of children and to request appropriate identification where there is any doubt as to the age of the purchaser. We will be taking appropriate action against the retailer who failed the operation. We recognise the importance of supporting Staffordshire Police with Operation Sceptre and its Ditch the Blade campaign. This plays a vital role in keeping our communities safe and we are committed to working with our partners to combat the problem of knife crime.” Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member responsible for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: “Knife crime is a concern for everyone, however, thankfully Staffordshire remains a place where incidents are rare. “It’s vital that shops selling knives are aware of their responsibilities and our Trading Standards officers provide advice to ensure this happens. The team also carries out test purchases to ensure knives and other age-restricted products are not being sold to anyone under the age of 18.  “We already have high levels of compliance amongst local retailers which is encouraging and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure this remains the case.” For more information on the #DitchTheBlade campaign, and links to support organisations visit: #DitchTheBlade | Staffordshire Police

Image via Staffordshire Police Read the full article

[xtruss]

US coat of arms at the US Embassy in Moscow. Sputnik/Евгения Новоженина

What is Known About US' Visa Denial to Russian Journalists?

The US denied visas to Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on his official visit to the UN headquarters in New York City this week. Lavrov is due to take part in the signature events within the framework of Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council.

A plane with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other members of Russia's UN delegation took off from Moscow and flew to "the Land of the Free" on April 23.

However, Lavrov's team did not include Russian journalists, who were not allowed to participate in Russia's flagship UN Security Council events by the US authorities. With just 40 minutes left before their flight, the Russian reporters, accredited for coverage of UN activities at the NY headquarters, found that the US embassy still hadn't issued their visas.

"They are all at the airport," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram account on April 23. "Visas not issued. The answer from the American embassy: 'We are working on it'. The manipulation of freedom of speech and the [infringement] on rights of journalists is obvious."

The US denied visas to Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on his official visit to the UN headquarters in New York City this week. Lavrov is due to take part in the signature events within the framework of Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council.

A plane with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other members of Russia's UN delegation took off from Moscow and flew to "the Land of the Free" on April 23.

However, Lavrov's team did not include Russian journalists, who were not allowed to participate in Russia's flagship UN Security Council events by the US authorities. With just 40 minutes left before their flight, the Russian reporters, accredited for coverage of UN activities at the NY headquarters, found that the US embassy still hadn't issued their visas.

"They are all at the airport," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram account on April 23. "Visas not issued. The answer from the American embassy: 'We are working on it'. The manipulation of freedom of speech and the [infringement] on rights of journalists is obvious."

Even though the Russian delegation and accompanying reporters applied for US visas well beforehand, US authorities resorted to delays and circumlocution, starting to issue the travel documents only in mid-April. Meanwhile, the Russian delegation was scheduled to take part in the UN Security Council's major open debates on April 24 and 25, as the Russian presidency of the body is about to wrap up.

The United States clearly demonstrated "what its sworn assurances about protecting freedom of speech and access to information are really worth," Lavrov noted in his Sunday statement.

Lavrov Spearheads Multilateralism and Fairer World Order in UN Security Council!

The ideas of multi-polarity and a fairer world order – in contrast to the Western-centered model – were formulated by Moscow and Beijing on February 4, 2022. The joint Russo-Chinese statement emphasized that "the world is going through momentous changes", including a "transformation of the global governance architecture and world order." The document specifically criticized the actions of "some actors representing but the minority on the international scale" for making unilateral decisions to address international issues.

After that, Lavrov embarked on a high-profile four-day, four-country visit to South and Central America, visiting Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. The Russian foreign minister's diplomatic charm offensive resulted in a number of agreements in various areas of cooperation, but above all served to counterbalance US policy and hegemony, according to international observers.

"Yes, we were given visas, but, as always, this was done with a gross abuse of the position of the host country of the UN Headquarters. They hesitated for a long time, then they issued visas, but not for the entire delegation, some of our employees were not on the list," Lavrov said on April 19, during a joint presser with the Venezuelan foreign minister.

"Most importantly, be sure: we won’t forget, we won’t forgive," Lavrov said. "Of course, I understood that our American colleagues are well-known for doing such things, but I was sure that this time, given the attention that has been drawn to their ugly behavior, everything would be different. But I was wrong."

"Please try to keep track of what we are going to do there and spread this truth through your channels. I am convinced that it will draw much more interest all over the world than the 'filtered' information that our Western colleagues bring down on the heads of their viewers, listeners, and readers," the Russian foreign minister underscored.

Russia expects that the UN leadership and relevant international structures will take the necessary steps in connection with the failure of the US to issue visas to Russian journalists. This was emphasized in the April 23 statement from the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN.

"This [the visa denial] was done despite the fact that Russian media representatives complied with all relevant terms and requirements, including a valid UN accreditation," the statement said. "We consider this step as another manifestation of neglect of international law by the United States. When denying access to UN events for Russian journalists, the US authorities once again demonstrate their true attitude to freedom of speech and availability of information."

In accordance with Article IV of the 1947 UN and US Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, "the federal, state or local authorities of the United States shall not impose any impediments to transit to or from the headquarters district of: (3) representatives of the press, or of radio, film or other information agencies, who have been accredited by the United Nations (or by such a specialized agency) in its discretion after consultations with the United States."

However, the office of the official representative of the UN Secretary General António Guterres refrained from commenting on the US refusal to issue visas to Russian journalists on April 23. "I have no comments," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary general, told Sputnik.

The Western press also seemed unimpressed by the infringement on rights of Russian journalists and clear violation of the 1947 UN-US agreements. Associated Press wrote a piece titled "Russia ‘will not forgive’ US denial of journalist visas," focusing on Moscow's possible "retaliatory measures" and adding that "there was no immediate comment from the US State Department about the claim of refused visas." The Washington Post covered the issue laconically, specifying that the US government "declined to comment about the visas, citing privacy issues." Newsweek remarked that Russia is "upset" by the fact that its reporters were denied US visas.

While refraining from any criticism towards the US government, the American media outlets referred to heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow, the Russian special military operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine, as well as the arrest of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, who was caught red-handed in Yekaterinburg while collecting classified information regarding the activities of one of the firms of Russia's military-industrial complex, as per the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

Remarkably, while raising concerns over Gershkovich's arrest, the US press keeps largely mum about the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, accused of espionage by the US. Last week marked the fourth year of the imprisonment of the Australian citizen who shed light on the US and NATO's gruesome actions against Afghan and Iraqi civilians in the course of the military bloc's invasions in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the apparent attempts to justify the US authorities' decision not to give visas to Russian reporters don't seem convincing given the clear formula of Article IV of the 1947 UN and US Agreement which says that Washington "shall not impose any impediments to transit" of the press to the international body's headquarters.

[franticbindings]

Rabbit Downtimes 3

(These are downtime actions I wrote for a Mage the Awakening Chronicle. I played an internet obsessed Acanthus with the shadow name Rabbit.)

Part 1, Part 2

Rabbit stood in the breakroom of the lorehouse and waited patiently for the coffee machine to dispense his drink. The stuff produced by the machine was so suspiciously good that he’d checked it out with his prime sight and had confirmed that there was Awakened magic on the device - though not of an arcana he could scrutinize further. He idly speculated about rogue coffeemancers roaming the city pursuing mysteries of The Bean when he heard someone enter the room behind him. He glanced behind himself and froze when he saw who it was. The man noticed him as well and also froze.

They both opened their mouths and then seemed to think better of it. It was always complicated when you unexpectedly met someone you knew in your mundane identity in a setting where Awakened rules applied. 

After a moment Rabbit tentatively put in, “I’m going by Rabbit these days.”

“Rabbit, huh? Still just Bobby for me.”

Awkward. Well, potentially awkward. The dynamics between Mages and Sleepwalkers could be complicated - ranging from awe to jealousy to resentment. More than a few Mages saw the unawakened as beneath them. Rabbit searched Bobby’s face for signs of any of those but only found a small smile of… pride?

“Congratulations - I hope, I've heard it's never easy. I can’t say I’m surprised though, I always thought you might make it.”

Wait…

“What?”

-

Alan Haas had escaped central Texas for sunny San Diego intending to finally be himself in ways that were impossible in his small home town. He was going to be out and proud, acquire real life friends to go with his online ones and maybe get a boyfriend. He was going to evolve into his final form and speed run the adolescence he never got to have.

He maybe, possibly, underestimated how difficult such a dramatic transformation would be. It turned out it was harder to leave behind his studied reserve and hermit-like tendencies than he thought.

Luckily, he met Robert Hastings - an upperclassman who was also on the track and field team and active in the campus LGBT organizations. The big, bluff mid-westerner had taken Alan under his wing, and by the time he graduated had carefully guided him out of his protective shell.

Now they were ensconced in a private reading nook in the LA lorehouse, sharing a suspiciously good cup of coffee.

“I’m sorry that we fell out of touch after you graduated. I didn’t even know you were in LA - or are you just visiting?”

Bobby waved this away good naturedly, “I’ve lived here for the past two years. As for not keeping up with each other… that was mostly the Council’s fault. I’m sure you know how mages are - secretive, and they have issues with the right hand not talking to the left. I’m not surprised that we never found out we were running in the same circles these days.”

Rabbit smiled warmly, “I have to say, it's good to see a friendly face. I’ve been going to events, but it’s like you said… people are cagey.” Rabbit took a sip of his coffee and then changed conversational tacks, “You thought I would awaken when you knew me?”

“It seemed possible. You had the right mindset, and well…” his expression was somber now. “What you told me, that one time about what happened with your best friend when you were a kid. How you were convinced that he wasn’t himself anymore and no one believed you.” He gave an expressive shrug and a rueful smile. “Seemed like mage material to me.”

“I actually found the real him again. The original.”

Bobby’s eyes widened fractionally. “Thats… good?”

Rabbit let out a breath. “It led to my awakening, so yes? It’s… complicated.”

“Can you talk about it?”

Suddenly it was freshman year all over again. Rabbit was Alan and Bobby was just a man he admired for being relentlessly kind.

“I can’t tell you everything, but I feel like I owe you the end of the story.”

-

“It was right after winter break, my Junior year. I had stayed in San Diego alone because, well… you know. I spent the whole break missing my mom and my aunt, dwelling on how things might have turned out differently back when I was a kid,” Alan took a sip of coffee before continuing.

 “We had just finished our first week of classes, and me and my roommates decided to go out to the Lamplighter for some karaoke. I’d just gotten done singing when Lawrence - you remember him?”

Bobby nodded.

“He said some guy was staring at me. I looked over and… there he was. We locked eyes and it was like a movie — time seemed to slow down. There wasn’t really any doubt in my mind - I’d known him for most of my life, he was my best friend for seven years. His hair was different than the last time I’d seen him, but… yeah.”

“At first I was terrified that he’d finally gone off the deep end and had flown to California to make good on all the threats he’d made. But the longer I looked, the less sure of that I was. He was with a group of people I’d never seen before. The kind of people that the Justin I knew wouldn’t be caught dead with. He looked…” Alan drummed his fingers on the table.

“He was looking at me like I was familiar, but he couldn’t quite remember who I was. Time sped back up and he pointed me out to this big older guy he was with. Their group seemed to be arguing about something, and Justin kept shooting these looks at me; like he was scared of me. I was still stunned and trying to figure out what I wanted to do when they all got up and left. I finally got it together enough to chase after them, but it had gotten all foggy suddenly and they just vanished.”

“I became obsessed with finding him, and I was pretty good at that even back then — especially if I wasn’t worried about things like breaking the law. You know I’ve always had a thing for rabbits — tricksters, right?”

Bobby nodded.

“Running down leads I kept ending up in situations that mirrored those stories, with me playing the part of the trickster; dressing in drag to sneak in somewhere, or telling some guys I couldn’t swim so that they’d throw me off the pier instead of caving my skull in. It was a real mess; if one of the Syndics didn’t have a lot of goodwill with local Freehold they would have killed me for sure.”

“He was a changeling?”

Alan nodded.

“They let it play out in exchange for future favors, and I eventually caught up with Justin. He got taken the summer he went away to camp, and only made it back a few years ago. I had told him about myself, being gay, before he left and made him promise not to tell anyone.” 

Alan looked away.

“That’s the reason the thing that took him gave for everything; he wouldn’t tell and that proved his loyalty. I don’t know if he blamed me for what happened, I’m not sure if he should — but it wasn’t the reunion I always hoped for… but it was what I needed to awaken.”

Part 1, Part 2