#diplomatic efforts

[alwaysbewoke]

[youthchronical]

Zelenskyy says he will do everything to end war as talks with US and Saudi officials approach - The Times of India

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday he was determined to do everything to end the Russia-Ukraine war while confirming upcoming meetings between American and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to negotiate peace as the war with Russia continues.This meeting marks the first high-level engagement between US and Ukrainian officials since Zelenskyy met with US President Donald…

[firstoccupier]

News Report: Tensions Escalate in the Senkaku Islands Amid Chinese Intrusions

WPS News Staff Reporters Baybay City | January 27, 2025 Backstory As geopolitical tensions rise in East Asia, the long-standing territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, has come into sharper focus. Controlled by Japan since 1895, the uninhabited islands have been a point of contention among China, Japan, and Taiwan, with China increasingly asserting…

[thehansindiaseo]

Nawaz Sharif: Jaishankar’s Visit Opens Path for India-Pak Relations

Nawaz Sharif praises Jaishankar's visit as a positive start, urging India and Pakistan to move forward, signaling hopes for improved diplomatic relations.

[iakshaysrivastav]

Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Year of Humanitarian Crisis

On a quiet morning in October 2023, Israel woke up to one of its darkest days in decades. The sound of rockets fired by Hamas filled the air. This shattered the routine of what was supposed to be a peaceful Jewish holiday. In an instant, thousands of civilians were victimized. This tragedy sparked a conflict that has only intensified over the past year. This story, though, is more than just…

[creativemedianews]

Starmer asks Iran to 'refrain from striking Israel' in 'unusual' call with POTUS

Starmer asks Iran to 'refrain from striking Israel' in 'unusual' call with POTUS #ceasefiretalks #diplomaticefforts

[tmarshconnors]

Reflecting on a Year of Change: Anthony Albanese

In August 2023, I penned a blog post titled "Anthony Albanese Should Be Removed from Office." At that time, I was staunchly convinced that the Liberal Party of Australia was the best political choice for the nation of Australia. While my political convictions remain unshaken, recent developments have led me to reflect on the role of Anthony Albanese, particularly his instrumental efforts in securing the release of Julian Assange.

A Year in Perspective

When I wrote that post, my criticisms of Anthony Albanese were driven by concerns about his leadership and the direction he was steering Australia. As a firm supporter of the Liberal Party of Australia, I believed that a change in leadership was necessary to ensure the country’s prosperity and stability. The policies and principles of the Liberal Party, in my view, aligned more closely with what I envisioned for Australia's future.

The Julian Assange Factor

However, as the months passed, a significant event unfolded that prompted me to reconsider my stance on Albanese's leadership—his involvement in the release of Julian Assange. For years, Assange's situation has been a contentious and polarising issue. 

The founder of WikiLeaks, Assange has been both vilified and lauded for his role in leaking classified information that exposed various government secrets. Mainly the US government.

Assange, who arrived in Australia on Wednesday evening, initially faced up to 175 years in prison after being charged with 17 counts under the U.S. Espionage Act and an additional hacking-related charge. He pled guilty to a single espionage charge and was subsequently released. Personally he’s a hero of mine but I digress.

Anthony Albanese's efforts in securing Assange's release cannot be overlooked. 

This was not a small feat; it required diplomatic finesse, political courage, and a deep conviction to human rights and justice. By working towards Assange’s release, Albanese demonstrated a level of advocacy and dedication that is commendable.

Why This Matters?

Assange's case is complex, intertwining issues of freedom of speech, journalistic integrity, and governmental transparency. Many viewed his prolonged detainment as a stark example of the lengths to which powerful entities would go to silence dissent. 

Albanese’s role in facilitating Assange’s release highlights his willingness to stand up against such injustices, even when it may not have been the most politically expedient path.

Admiration Despite Differences

While my political allegiance remains with the Liberal Party, I must acknowledge and admire Anthony Albanese for his actions regarding Julian Assange.

 It takes a leader of significant moral conviction to push for what they believe is right, especially in the face of international scrutiny and potential backlash. 

Albanese's determination in this matter has earned him a measure of respect in my eyes, despite our differing political views.

Moving Forward.

As we continue to navigate the complex landscape of Australian politics, it’s essential to recognise and appreciate the positive actions taken by our leaders, regardless of our political affiliations worldwide. 

Anthony Albanese's instrumental role in the release of Julian Assange is a reminder that leadership is multifaceted and that even those we may not fully support can make commendable contributions to society.

While my belief in the Liberal Party as the best choice for Australia remains steadfast, I am compelled to applaud Anthony Albanese for his commendable actions in the Assange case. 

It is a testament to the complexity of political leadership and the importance of acknowledging good deeds, irrespective of political divisions.

[peoples-media]

Ukraine Strikes Back: Significant Territorial Gains Made in Ongoing Conflict with Russia

In a significant turn of events, Ukraine has announced the recapture of approximately 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of its territory during the 68th week of Russia’s invasion. This progress marks a crucial milestone in Ukraine’s long-planned counterattack, which is now gaining momentum and posing a challenge to the Russian forces. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed…

[slayerdurge]

the thing that drives me absolutely crazy though is that gortash is presented as this commanding dominating tyrant and yet it's consistently shown that the thing he appreciates about durge (or tav for that matter) is when they're not willing to submit to him & when they are strong enough to either stand against him or to stand with him & when they are his equal.

an insane thing for someone like him to want. you'd think he'd want to rule alone and yet the insight checks all show that he actually prefers to share so long as there's someone around worth sharing with.

"Half a smile shows he is teasing you. He doesn't think for one moment you'd fully submit to him. Nor should a spawn as formidable as you."

[syn0vial]

some snapshots of boba fett being a socially anxious mess in legacy of the force

facing some of the galaxy's most ruthless and hardened killers in combat? no problem 👌 having a heartfelt conversation in a room with friends and family? RUN!! 🏃🏃

"am i allowed to call my best friend by his first name when we're at his house? if i get the answer wrong, it is equivalent to me stepping on a landmine and exploding btw"

the thought of having anything like a family or social circle is terrifying to him. loneliness is a much more familiar and thus comfortable experience.

this is a sad one. trying to interact with other people in a way that isn't predicated on violence (whether for or to them) feels so alien and daunting to fett that he feels like he's incapable of it. (it's also one of the many moments in which fett is an unreliable narrator of his own character development bc what do you think you've been doing for the past three books, idiot)

and finally, one of the (several) moments in the series that implies he usually relies on beviin and/or medrit to handle daunting social interactions for him :`) he's very lucky to have them!

[danwhobrowses]

Eight Hours? EIGHT HOURS!?

Every time I think I'm safe for the week Critical Role finds a new way to knock me through a loop XD

The State of the Role today revealed that Ep. 121 is to be the finale of Campaign 3, having a record-breaking 8.5 hours runtime - effectively an entire work day! I suppose if you're gonna break a record the finale is the best place to do it, but seriously that is so much and so much can happen in it! I am curious why they opted against splitting at least the live showing into two parts, perhaps running one half on Thursday night and another on Friday just to give a breather then the whole thing in the VOD, but perhaps there just isn't as neat a cut between them to be feasible.

It's a wonder what can occupy such time though - and no, stop it, don't think that, I won't entertain it after everything they've fought through - I assume a lot of it could be chatting with the gods (potentially with an array of guest voices and maybe a friendly ghost aeormation playing as mediator), since there's a lot of gods and they want to convince all of them of the Option C plan, with potential ground rules and addendums put forward in the negotiation. There may be some bits with VM and M9 too since the god stuff does directly affect some of their characters, and then a final wrap up for the Hells themselves - even if it's just having a wild ass party and waking up to a new dawn. It's likely going to occupy dominate my thoughts for most of the week, and then the 3 hours I can possibly watch on stream while working, but still that is a lot.

I'm still not ready for it to be over, and there are still things I want to come out of the campaign that while are definitely up to the cast would enrichen the experience for me personally, but now we know when exactly the end is coming, and it's going to be a big one.

[doloneia]

how much evidence do we have for making the ahhiyawa-mycenaean connection?

Great question!

The answer is a bit complicated - it’s less a matter of “quantity” and moreso likelihood.

The question of whether or not Hittite references to Ahhiyawa are references to Mycenaean Greek palatial states is still a somewhat ongoing debate, and has been for about a century. For the purposes of this post I’m going to be referring back to two books I’ve read that give a pretty good rundown of the issue - The Ahhiyawa Texts (written by Beckman, Bryce, and Cline - three eminent scholars in studies around the Aegean & the Hittites) and The Cambridge Companion to the Aegean Bronze Age. These two books make use of a lot of previous scholarship that I recommend you check out as well, I’m just using them out of convenience here. In short, it’s a combination of both Hittite textual sources and ample archaeological evidence of Mycenaean interactions with Anatolia at this time.

On the matter of Hittite textual evidence, the connection is made based on linguistic grounds (Emil Forrer, as early as 1924, made a very hesitant suggestion that Ahhiyawa and Achaea sound incredibly similar) and deduction based on the limited geographic evidence provided by Hittite documents mentioning Ahhiyawa. Hawkins (1998) observed that the Hittites describe Ahhiyawa as “across the sea” from Assuwan territories (western Anatolia), a detail that simply cannot work if Ahhiyawa is located in Anatolia. Considering that Ahhiyawa is regularly discussed in conjunction with Hittite activities in the region, there is very little room for Ahhiyawa outside of Mycenaean Greek states (which are - barring the identification with Ahhiyawa - strikingly absent from Hittite sources). One Hittite king - Hattusili III - refers to an unnamed king of Ahhiyawa with the phrase “My Brother, the Great King, My Equal” - which is (in Late Bronze Age correspondence terms) putting this guy on the level of Egypt or Assyria, so it’s clear that the Hittites viewed Ahhiyawa as somewhat significant on the world stage.

The total absence of Mycenaeans from Hittite sources makes even less sense when considering archaeological evidence from the Late Bronze Age. Shipwrecks from this period (most notably, the Uluburun wreck which was most likely going west from Anatolia) point to ongoing trade between the Aegean, Anatolia, Egypt, and the Levant during the Late Bronze Age. Mycenaean pottery is also found frequently in western Anatolia (especially Miletus and Müskebi, which indicate the presence of Mycenaean cultural influence & burial practices). Mycenaean remains in Hittite territory itself are relatively sparse, but Tudhaliya IV also told the ruler of Amurru (another LBA state) to “let no ship of Ahhiyawa go to [Assyria],” and the Ahhiyawa regularly sheltered Anatolians fighting against the Hittites like Uhha-ziti during the reign of Mursili II, so it’s likely that the two regions weren’t exactly on great terms.

Personally, I think that the introduction to The Ahhiyawa Texts sums the issue up pretty well - “If the Mycenaeans are not the Ahhiyawans, then they are never mentioned by the Hittites. This, though, seems unlikely…. otherwise, we would have, on the one hand, an important Late Bronze Age culture not mentioned elsewhere in the Hittite texts (the Mycenaeans) and, on the other hand, an important textually attested Late Bronze Age “state” without archaeological remains (Ahhiyawa).” Alternative theories regarding Ahhiyawa's identification can't really account for this discrepancy, and there's been a gradual lack of dissent to the identification because it's simply the most likely option.

What Ahhiyawa constituted politically speaking, however, is an entirely separate can of worms that I will not touch with a ten-foot pole.

[booasaur]

Today in Gaza (May 11, 2024), a small fraction of the many reports tonight:

(Blurring mine:)

[aran-morinorea]

BEHOLD

Major Diplomatic Incident 1: Teatime is up!

Annatar and Celebrimbor are flirting. right in front of Elrond's salad.

Featuring:

Elrond's weird relationship to his own heritage

Annatar, committed to the bit. addicted to it. married to it, even

gratuitous displays of Quenya

and more!

[dykeredhood]

I was idly playing with the ends of my hair this evening and remembered the one and a half times I had done that in front of my parents when I was younger and how I had ended up getting yelled at (or at least harangued for fidgeting or) doing something so innocuous

It was electric, once I recalled that, I enjoyed* a flood of emotions and immediately put my hands back down at my sides