#germany 2018 friday

[umseb]

sebastian vettel says HHHHHH, germany - july 20, 2018 📷 christof stache / getty

[beardedmrbean]

Conservative Bart De Wever was sworn in Monday as Belgium's new prime minister, after striking a hard-fought coalition deal that moves the country to the right.

Reached after seven months of tortuous negotiations, the agreement makes De Wever the first nationalist from Dutch-speaking Flanders to be named Belgian premier.

A law-and-order candidate whose coalition has already promised to crack down on irregular migration, De Wever's rise to power reinforces a marked right-wing shift in European politics.

The 54-year-old, who in recent years has backed off on calls for Flanders to become an independent country, took the oath of office before King Philippe at the royal palace in Brussels.

From there, he headed straight to a gathering of EU leaders a few blocks away, for talks on defence and transatlantic relations -- quipping to reporters that he was "jumping right in".

On the day's headline topic, De Wever said Belgium was committed to meeting NATO's longstanding defence spending target of two percent of GDP, up from 1.3 percent at present.

"Europe has been a bit lazy on the topic of defence," he said -- arguing that Russian President Vladimir "Putin has woken us up."

Faced with a twin challenge from President Donald Trump -- threatening trade tariffs as well as pressuring allies to ramp up defence spending -- De Wever said the EU needed to preserve its "relationship with the United States."

De Wever's N-VA party is part of the hard-right ECR group in the European Parliament, which also includes lawmakers from the parties of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Czech leader Petr Fiala. 

"Our ECR group now has three prime ministers at the European Council table and participates in the government of seven countries," French hard-right lawmaker Marion Marechal rejoiced on X.

Hard-right parties, often riding anti-immigrant sentiment, performed strongly in European Parliament elections last year, and have topped recent national and regional votes in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands.

60-hour marathon

Split between French- and Dutch-speaking communities and with a highly complex political system, Belgium has an unenviable record of painfully protracted coalition discussions -- reaching 541 days back in 2010-2011.

This time around, five groups sought to forge a coalition after June elections that failed to produce a clear majority -- with talks led by De Wever's N-VA which claimed the most seats. 

The new government brings together three parties from Dutch-speaking Flanders: the N-VA, the centrist Christian-Democrats and the leftist Vooruit (Onward).

And it includes two from French-speaking Wallonia: the centrist Les Engages and the centre-right Reformist Movement.

Together, they hold an 81-seat majority in Belgium's 150-seat parliament.

Coalition talks hit a wall during the summer over the issue of plugging the country's budget deficit -- estimated at 4.6 percent of gross domestic product in 2024, one of the highest in the European Union.

Belgium is one of seven EU countries facing disciplinary action for running a deficit above three percent of GDP, in violation of the bloc's fiscal rules.

De Wever, the mayor of Antwerp since 2013, has pushed for cuts in social benefits and pension reforms that have already sparked opposition from labour unions. 

He had threatened to throw in the towel if no coalition deal was reached Friday. 

An agreement was struck with just hours to go after a 60-hour marathon session to iron out differences over an 800-page programme.  

But the gender makeup of the new government has raised some eyebrows, with 11 men and just four women. 

De Wever's N-VA was already part of a right-leaning ruling coalition between 2014 and 2018.

He takes over from outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo, whose seven-party coalition took an arduous 493 days to emerge back in 2019-2020. 

De Croo had stayed on as caretaker leader after the June elections.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 12.13

Holidays

Acadian Remembrance Day (Canada)

Anesthesia Technicians Day (Turkey)

Bicycle Built For Two Day

Blame Someone Else Day

Clip-On Tie Day

Count the "La's" in "Deck the Halls" Day

Ella Josephine Baker Day

General Trias Foundation Day (Philippines)

International ACAB Day

Jane Addams Day

Jum ir-Repubblika (Malta)

Local Charities Day (UK)

Loki Day

Martial Law Victims Remembrance Day (Poland)

Nanking Massacre Memorial Day (China)

National Bring Your Brother-in-Law to Work Day

National Day (Saint Lucia)

National Day of the Horse [also 2nd Saturday]

National Guard Day (US)

National Violin Day

National Give a Wine Club Day

New Calendar Day

Nusantara Day (Indonesia)

Peace Day (Korea)

Pick a Pathologist Pal Day

Reed Plant Day (French Republic)

Republic Day (Malta)

Sailor’s Day (Brazil)

Santa Lucia Day (Sweden, Scandinavia)

Skip Day

Swiftie Day

Unreturned Library Book Day

World Violins Day

Yuletide Lad #2 arrives (Giljagaur or Gully Gawk; Iceland)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Ice Cream and Violins Day

National Cocoa Day

National Cream Cheese Frosting Day

National Ice Cream Day

National Popcorn String Day

Saffron Bun Day (Sweden)

World Raclette Day

Independence & Related Days

Malta (Republic Declared; 1974)

Vendsyssel (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

2nd Friday in December

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Friday the Firkenteenth (Grey Lodge, Pennsylvania)

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

National Salesperson Day [2nd Friday]

Official Lost and Found Day [2nd Friday]

Purple Friday (Netherlands) [2nd Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

World Brandy Day [2nd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning December 13 (2nd Full Week of December)

None Known

Festivals Beginning December 13, 2024

Candy Cane Hunt (Lenexa, Kansas)

Christmas on the River (Savannah, Georgia) [thru 12.14]

Country Christmas Festival (Tylertown, Mississippi) [thru 12.14]

4th Avenue Winter Street Fair (Tucson, Arizona) [thru 12.15]

International Film Festival of Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram, India) [thru 12.20]

Night of the Proms (Hamburg, Germany) [thru 12.14]

Saint Kitts and Nevis National Carnival [Sugar Mas] (Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis) [thru 2.2.2025]

Woodstock Winter Wassail Weekend (Woodstock, Vermont) [thru 12.15]

Feast Days

Antiochus of Sulcis (Christian; Saint)

Antoni Tàpies (Artology)

Aubert of Cambrai (Christian; Saint)

Comp-U-Coffee 2000 (Muppetism)

Emily Carr (Artology)

Emma Bull (Writerism)

Euler (Positivist; Saint)

Eustratius and His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Feast of the Light-Bringer (Old Swedish Goddess of Light)

Franz von Lenbach (Artology)

Heinrich Heine (Writerism)

Herman of Alaska (American Orthodox Church)

Ides of December (Ancient Rome)

James Wright (Writerism)

John Marinoni (Christian; Blessed)

John Wayne Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Judoc (a.k.a. Joyce; Christian; Saint)

Kenelm, King (Christian; Saint)

Kenneth Patchen (Writerism)

Larry Storch Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Leonard Weisgard (Artology)

Losoong (a.k.a. Namsoong; Sikkim, India)

Luciadagen (a.k.a. Little Yule; Scandinavia)

Lucia’s Day (Pagan) [Sweden]

Lucy (Christian; Saint) [Writers]

Monkey Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Odile of Alsace (Christian; Saint)

Othilia (a.k.a. Odilia; Christian; Saint & Virgin)

The Sementivaem (Ancient Rome)

Tellus (Ancient Rome, with table spread for Ceres)

Thorn Cutting Ceremony Day (Glastonbury, England; Celtic)

Unreturned Library Books Sale (Imps; Shamanism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 347 [69 of 72]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Unlucky Day (EU, US) [Friday the 13th] (2 of 2 for 2024)

Unlucky Day (Canada, Germany, Ireland, UK, US) [Friday the 13th]

Premieres

Accordion Joe (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1930)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot (Web Series; 2016)

Alice’s Brown Derby (Ub Iwerks Disney Cartoon; 1926)

American Hustle (Film; 2013)

An American in Paris, by George Gershwin (Tone Poem; 1928)

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (Disney Film; 1971)

Beyoncé, by Beyoncé (Album; 2013)

Bugsy (Film; 1991)

Calling Dr. Woodpecker (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1963)

A Chorus Line (Film; 1985)

Clue (Film; 1985)

Dark Star, performed by the Grateful Dead (Song; 1967)

Driving Miss Daisy (Film; 1989)

Emily of New Moon, by L.M. Montgomery (Novel; 1923)

Fool Coverage (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

Foxy Lady, recorded by Jimi Hendrix (Song; 1966)

The Getaway (Film; 1972)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Film; 2013) [Hobbit #3]

Jerry Maguire (Film; 1996)

The Jewel of the Nile (Film; 1985)

Jumanji: The Next Level (Film; 2019)

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Animated Film; 2024)

Maid in Manhattan (Film; 2002)

Mars Attacks! (Film; 1996)

A Miser Brothers’ Christmas (Animated TV Special; 2008)

Monitored Noose or The Carbon Copy-Cats (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 6; 1959)

My Name is Nobody (Film; 1973)

Popeye Presents Eugene, the Jeep (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

The Poseidon Adventure (Film; 1972)

Rakuen Tsuiho: Expelled from Paradise (Anime Film; 2014)

Richard III (Film; 1955)

Saving Mr. Banks (Film; 2013)

Scooby-Doo! Pirates ahoy! (WB Animated Film; 2005)

The Scorched Moose (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 5; 1959)

Sense and Sensibility (Film; 1996)

6 Underground (Film; 2019)

The Snow Man (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1940)

Star Trek: Nemesis (Film; 2002)

Summertime (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1931)

Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, by Gustav Mahler (Symphony; 1895)

Symphony of Psalms, by Igor Stravinsky (Choral Symphony; 1930)

’Tis the Season to Be Smurfy (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1987)

Tristessa, by Jack Kerouac (Novel; 1960)

Uncut Gems (Film; 2019)

Wild and Woody! (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1948)

Wind (Pixar Cartoon; 2019)

Ye Olde Toy Shop (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1935)

Today’s Name Days

Jodok, Lucia, Odilia (Austria)

Jasna, Lucija, Otilija, Svjetlana (Croatia)

Lucie (Czech Republic)

Lucia (Denmark)

Ele, Ere, Hele, Loviise, Lucia, Luise, Viise (Estonia)

Seija (Finland)

Jocelyn, Lucie (France)

Jodok, Johanna, Lucia, Ottilia (Germany)

Aris, Efstratios, Ioubenalios, Evstratios, Loukia, Lucy, Stratos (Greece)

Luca, Otilia (Hungary)

Antioco, Lucia (Italy)

Lūcija, Veldze (Latvia)

Eiviltė, Kastautas, Kastytis, Liucija, Otilija (Lithuania)

Lucia, Lydia (Norway)

Łucja, Lucja, Otylia, Włodzisława (Poland)

Dosoftei (Romania)

Lucia (Slovakia)

Lucía, Otilia (Spain)

Lucia (Sweden)

Louise, Lucia, Lukia (Ukraine)

Cinderella, Cindy, Cynth, Cynthia (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 348 of 2024; 18 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 50 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ngetal (Reed) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 11 (Bing-Zi), Day 13 (Xin-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 12 Kislev 5785

Islamic: 11 Jumada II 1446

J Cal: 18 Black; Foursday [18 of 30]

Julian: 30 November 2024

Moon: 96%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 12 Bichat (13th Month) [Daniel Bernouilli / D'Alembert]

Runic Half Month: Jara (Year) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 82 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of December

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 22 of 30)

[eretzyisrael]

by Dion J. Pierre

The University of Pennsylvania’s Hillel chapter announced that it will hold a “massive” Shabbat event this Friday in response to a controversial festival taking place on campus that will feature a gamut of anti-Zionist activists who have promoted antisemitic tropes and called for violence against Israel.

“We will be inviting students from across campus — Jewish and non-Jewish alike — to join us for a night celebrating Jewish pride, unity, and togetherness,” the Ivy League school’s Hillel said in an open letter posted on social media. “Prominent politicians and Penn alumni will be coming to celebrate along with hundreds of students, to show — contrary to what antisemites like Roger Waters would have us believe — that Jewish Penn students will NEVER stop showing their pride in Israel, their Jewish identity, heritage, and beliefs.”

Waters, the former Pink Floyd frontman, is a scheduled speaker at the “Palestine Writes Literature Festival,” which the University of Pennsylvania is set to host from Friday through Sunday. In recent years, Waters has made comments about “Jewish power” and compared Israel to Nazi Germany. In May, during a concert held in Berlin, he performed in what looked like a Nazi SS officer uniform. A projection that played during the concert also compared Holocaust victim Anne Frank to Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh — who was accidentally shot and killed last year while covering an Israeli military raid in the West Bank — and the show was deemed as “deeply offensive to Jewish people.”

Another speaker listed on the festival’s itinerary, Palestinian researcher Salman Abu Sitta, previously said during an interview that “Jews were hated in Europe because they played a role in the destruction of the economy in some of the countries, so they would hate them.”

Islamic University of Gaza professor Refaat Alareer — who said in 2018, “Are most Jews evil? Of course they are.” — was initially scheduled to speak. However, StopAntisemitism, a nonprofit organization that tracks antisemitic incidents and hate crimes around the world, reported last week that Alareer had been removed from the speakers’ lineup.

The festival itinerary includes a host of other speakers who have praised terrorism against Israel and spoken out against Zionism.

In response to the festival, the University of Pennsylvania’s Hillel wrote in its letter that it has three goals for Friday’s event, which is titled the “Shabbat Together Event.” They include a guarantee that Jewish students will not be forced to attend “Palestine Writes” against their will, excluding speakers “who espouse explicit anti-Jewish hate,” and the removal of Penn branding from the event as well as the issuance of statements condemning the “antisemitic backgrounds” of certain speakers.

The letter also said that the school’s Hillel — which is part of a larger Jewish campus organization for college students — is “grateful for the holy work of supporting Jewish life at the University of Pennsylvania, and knows that there is great work to continue to do together in the new year.”

According to the school’s Hillel, the group recently met with high-level university administrators to discuss “Palestine Writes,” explaining that some of the listed speakers made them feel “less safe” on campus and presenting a list of “demands, asks, and suggestions.”

UPenn Hillel’s message came as Susan Abulhawa, executive director of the “Palestine Writes” festival, publicized a letter she had written earlier this month to the university’s leadership amid backlash over the event. In her letter, Abulhawa claimed that Palestinians are indigenous to the land of Israel and have “encompassed many identities over millennia — including religious identities of Judaism, Christianity, Islam,” which critics have argued is an apparent attempt to appropriate Jewish history and identity.

Abulhawa has previously accused Israel of committing “a dozen kristallnachts [sic],” referring to the infamous pogrom carried out against Jews in Nazi Germany in November 1938. Abulhawa’s viewpoints are so controversial that a sponsor of an Australian festival she was scheduled to participate in pulled its support.

News of the “Palestine Writes” event has subjected the University of Pennsylvania, widely considered one of America’s elite institutions of higher education, to sharp criticism from the American Jewish community.

Earlier this month, US House Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) called on the school to move the event off campus, saying in a letter to its president that he is “dismayed that this is now occurring at my alma mater” and that “if the university’s goal is to promote mutual understanding and bring students together, it will fail so long as antisemites and anti-Israel advocates are given a platform to spew hate.”

Last week, Middle East experts and nonprofit leaders told The Algemeiner that the festival is an “Israel hate fest” and noted that City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center professor Marc Lamont Hill, a former associate of Louis Farrakhan who has accused Israeli police of training American officers to kill Black people, will be speaking there.

“Hill in particular is a longtime advocate of violence against Israel and staunch Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions [BDS] supporter who was fired from CNN after a 2018 speech in which he called for the destruction of the Jewish state,” said Asaf Romirowsky, executive director of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa and Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. “Once again we are seeing how propaganda is masqueraded as ‘scholarship.’ UPenn should take a very careful look at where it draws the lines between free speech and hate speech, especially from individuals who have a track record of racism and antisemitism.”

The University of Pennsylvania did not respond to The Algemeiner’s requests for comment on the “Shabbat Together” event and Abulhawa’s letter.

The school responded to the criticism last week, however, issuing a statement to The Algemeiner signed by school president M. Elizabeth Magill, provost John L. Jackson, and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Steven J. Fluharty.

“We unequivocally — and emphatically — condemn antisemitism as antithetical to our institutional values,” the statement said. “As a university, we also fiercely support the free exchange of ideas as central to our educational mission. This includes the expression of views that are controversial and even those that are incompatible with our institutional values.”

The high-level administrators added, “This public event is not organized by the university.”

Following the statement, StopAntisemitism accused the university officials of countenancing “Jew hatred” and called their response “pathetic.”

[moistvonlipwig]

19 for the book meme!

19. 5 book recs

Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yoko Tawada. 2016, historical fantasy. The tale of three polar bears (a grandmother, a mother, and a son) who are skilled writers and performers in Germany, the third of whom is the famous Knut of the Berlin Zoo.

How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone by Saša Stanišić. 2006, historical fiction/magical realism. A novel with autobiographical elements about a young boy whose family flees Bosnia for Germany during the Bosnian War and his attempts to make sense of it all.

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. 1959, post-apocalyptic science fiction. Centuries in the future in the aftermath of a 20th-century nuclear war that devastated the planet, an order of monks is dedicated to preserving the pre-apocalyptic scientific knowledge that has since been suppressed by the rest of society.

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. 2018, short story collection. Mostly speculative fiction & often dealing with themes of racism, capitalism, and violence. My personal favorite stories: "Zimmer Land," "Friday Black," "How to Sell a Jacket as Told by IceKing," and "Through the Flash."

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa. 2012, magical realism. A cat and his human go on a journey to find the cat a new home for reasons the cat doesn't understand. Narrated by the cat.

[aijamisespava]

Last In The Grand Final

On Friday, I shared my ranking of songs that ranked dead last of all the Eurovision songs in their respective years. Today, I'm going to do the same thing with the songs that finished last in the Grand Final. So let's get to it!

Disclaimer: "Europapa" by Joost Klein will not be ranked in this list. Technically speaking, a disqualification would rank him dead last of all entries, but he did qualify for the Grand Final. So for sake of argument, I chose not to rank the song.

2024: "Ulveham" by Gåte (Norway) 2015: "Black Smoke" by Ann Sophie (Germany) 2016: "Ghost" by Jamie-Lee (Germany) 2021: "Embers" by James Newman (United Kingdom) 2019: "Bigger Than Us" by Michael Rice (United Kingdom) 2022: "Rockstars" by Malik Harris (Germany) 2018: "O jardim" by Cláudia Pasocal (Portugal) 2023: "Blood and Glitter" by Lord of the Lost (Germany) 2017: "Do It For Your Lover" by Manel Navarro (Spain)

I will say, in my opinion (humble or not) Ulveham really blew these songs out of the water. Mind you, when I watched the contest, I was not thinking of the other last place finishing songs. And now that I hurt my own feelings again, I think that should do it for now.

[lboogie1906]

Cress Williams (July 26, 1968) is an actor, known for his roles in Prison Break and Close to Home. His most recent roles include Mayor Lavon Hayes on Hart of Dixie and Black Lightning. He is known for his recurring role as Terrence “Scooter” Williams on Living Single and as Inspector Atwon Babcock on Nash Bridges.

He was born in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany, to American parents. He took courses at Fullerton College and earned a BA in theatre from UCLA.

He acted in a 1990 Fullerton College production of Othello. He acted in another production in the same year at Fullerton College called Red Noses.

He has appeared on many TV series since 1994, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Beverly Hills, 90210, NYPD Blue, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, JAG, Nash Bridges, Providence, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Veronica Mars, The West Wing, Close to Home, ER, and Grey’s Anatomy. He portrayed Talak’talan, a Jem’Hadar leader in the Star Trek series, in a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “The Jem’Hadar”. He joined the Prison Break cast by playing The Company’s assassin, Wyatt Mathewson. He appeared in the final season of Friday Night Lights as Ornette Howard. He starred in Hart of Dixie as former football star turned mayor, Lavon Hayes.

He has ventured back into adaptations of DC Comics: As main character Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning on Black Lightning (2018-21), which was integrated into Arrowverse’s prime Earth during Crisis on Infinite Earths, and as John Henry Irons in The Death of Superman and its 2019 sequel, Reign of the Supermen. After his Black Lightning series concluded, he reprised the role on The Flash at the start of its eighth season as part of its “Armageddon” event.

He married actress Simbi Khali (2000-11). The couple had two children. He married his girlfriend Kristen Torrianni (2013). They have two children together. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[tomorrowusa]

The worst geopolitical predictions for 2023 came from - (🥁 drumroll 🥁) - Putin's Russia!

Former President Dmitry Medvedev is renowned for being a drunken sot with a big mouth and empty head. When making predictions for 2023 a year ago he may have been taking vodka intravenously.

Medvedev burst on the scene for keeping the presidential seat warm at the Kremlin (2008-2012) while Putin was constitutionally forced to sit out a term. Putin has since "fixed" the Russian constitution so he can serve well into the next decade. Medvedev's qualifications for office were that he is shorter than Putin and too dull to engineer a coup.

So now that 2023 is almost over, Medvedev's predictions seem even more bizarre and hilarious than they were at the end of 2022.

Putin Ally Brutally Mocked Over Failed 2023 Predictions

Remember that in addition to being a former president and prime minister of Russia, this guy is now deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia. Now we know why his country is making such bad decisions like thinking that it can get away with invading a neighboring country.

Just to address a few of Medvedev's predictions...

The price of oil (at least the benchmark West Texas Intermediate Crude) is currently $71.33 a barrel – less than half of Medvedev's figure. In April of 2018 the price was $74.15.

France and Germany are definitely not at war.

Neither the EU nor the Euro have collapsed.

Poland and Hungary have not occupied Western Ukraine. How this is supposed to happen while Poland itself is to be partitioned (another Medvedev prediction) defies all logic.

Civil war did not break out in the US and Elon Musk is not president. Musk is a bit like Medvedev but with less vodka and more money.

The dollar is still in circulation. I made a number of purchases with it on Friday and will again over the weekend.

Things may not be perfect in the US but AT LEAST WE'RE NOT RUSSIA. 🇺🇸 And as long as Republicans are kept out of power, we won't become Russia.

[demifiendrsa]

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will launch for PlayStation 5 on October 20, 2023.

Latest details via PlayStation Blog

Everyone at Insomniac Games is thrilled to announce that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will launch on Friday, October 20th, 2023, only on PlayStation 5. After the amazing fan reception for Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2018 and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales in 2020, the team has worked tirelessly over the past few years to make this third installment in the franchise the sequel you have been waiting for. Built from the ground up for PlayStation 5 console, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will unlock the power of the console with better visuals, faster web swinging (and web wings!), 3D Audio*, and near-instant character switching. We speak for all our collaborators and friends at PlayStation and Marvel Games, when we say that we cannot wait for you to get your hands on this incredible single-player open-world experience.

*3D Audio via built-in TV speakers or analogue/USB stereo headphones.

In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players will get to experience Marvel’s New York as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. As you saw in the PlayStation Showcase last month—the main storyline of the game will have you take control of both Spider-Men at different points of the campaign. In the open world, you will be able to switch nearly instantly between them as you explore Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Both Spider-Men have stories and missions in the world exclusive to each of them.

As you can see from our box art, Peter and Miles are both key protagonists in our story. The iconic red background returns, but darkness surrounds as fan-favorite villains like Venom, Lizard, and Kraven threaten them and Marvel’s New York. You will also notice that each character’s arm represents their new abilities: Peter with the symbiote, Miles with his evolved bioelectric Venom powers.

In addition to our launch date, we are excited to walk you through your options for experiencing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Pre-orders will open on June 16th, 2023 at all participating retailers, PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Direct. Pre-Orders will go live at 10:00 AM local time on June 16, 2023. Fans who pre-order any version of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will receive an early unlock Arachknight Suit for Peter with 3 additional color variants, an early unlock Shadow Spider Suit for Miles with 3 additional color variants, an early unlock Web Grabber gadget, and 3 skill points to get you started!

You will see the beautiful box art adorning the standard edition of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for $69.99 / £69.99/ €79.99/ ¥8,980 MSRP. But that is not all! There will be a Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Edition of the game!

The Digital Deluxe edition of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 ($79.99 / £79.99/ €89.99/ ¥9,980 MSRP) will include the game, all the pre-order incentives, as well as 10 unique suits (5 for Peter, 5 for Miles), additional Photo Mode frames and stickers, and 2 additional skill points.

Additionally, we are excited to announce that these 10 suits were designed by guest artists across comics, films, and PlayStation Studios! The featured artists are Kris Anka, Julia Blattman, Sweeney Boo, Anthony Francisco, Raf Grassetti, Jerad Maantz, Joel Mandish, Darren Quach, and Victoria Ying!

For our hardcore Spider-Man fans out there who want an incredible Spider-Man collectible alongside Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, we have just the edition for you while supplies last. The Collector’s Edition ($229.99 / £219.99/ €249.99/ ¥31,790 MSRP) includes a voucher for the Digital Deluxe Edition, as well as a Steelbook® case, and an extraordinary, high-quality 19-inch statue featuring our Spider-Men battling fan-favorite Venom. Fans can order the Collector’s Edition on PlayStation Direct in those select markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal) starting at 10AM local time on June 16th, 2023.

For those countries that do not have PlayStation Direct, be on the lookout for more information on how you can secure a Collector’s Edition in your region.

[greenbagjosh]

20 - 21 June 1998 - A weekend in Salzburg - crazy pretzels and sliding down in the Berchtesgaden underground salt mine

21 June 1998

Hi everyone

Today and tomorrow, twenty years ago, I was in Salzburg, in kangaroo-less Austria, and the Berchtesgadener Land in southeasternmost Germany.  Because I would not be paid until a week or so later, I had to spend a night in a hostel and eat cheap.  I found a good hostel just southeast of downtown Salzburg, called the Eduard Heinrich Haus.  I reserved my room by phone, on Friday on a payphone. (Payphones in 2018 are hard to find anymore)

Originally I was not supposed to go to Salzburg the weekend of the 20th/21st June, but rather on the 19th my work colleagues were supposed to go mountain climbing (actually hiking which could as well be climbing!) south of Holzkirchen. That was postponed until the 26th because of the weather forecast for the 19th – in the mountains of Bavaria, the weather can change unexpectedly, and it is hard to find shelter, so we made the safe decision to wait until the 26th.

From Munich to Salzburg, the Schönes Wochenende ticket that cost 35 DM, was valid all weekend on the slow trains.  I took the Regional Express from Munich Ostbahnhof via Rosenheim and Freilassing. The train was not air conditioned, as were many Regional Express trains at the time, so it was an annoyance to some passengers, to slide the window down when going over 50 mph, particularly between Munich Ost and Rosenheim.  I think I arrived around 10:30 AM in Salzburg Hbf.  As I noted from 7th June 1998, there was no longer any formal customs between Germany and Austria as a result of the Schengen Agreement, so the station customs at Salzburg Hbf I remembered in operation in June 1997, for 1998 it was completely unmanned.  It was still standing in December 2001/August 2002, and I think also in August 2004 when I returned for a day visit, but sometime in 2005, it was demolished to make room for more train platforms and was complete around February 2012.

I went to the ticket hall, and then bought a day pass for the Salzburg Verkehrsbetriebe for the city and also for the zones including Lamprechtshausen and also Trimmelkam, as I was curious about riding the Lokalbahn, which is now the S-1 line.  In today's money it would be EUR 13.60, now 190 Schilling if today's exchange rate of ATS 13.9 = EUR 1.00 were to be used, but it was cheaper 20 years ago.  It was a good ride up to Lamprechtshausen.  I bought myself a big bottle of Almdudler (it is herbal and tastes like fizzy iced tea) at the Billa grocery store, of which I posted a photo of it while waiting for a bus in Wildshut.  From Lamprechtshausen I took the "shuttle line" to Bürmoos in Oberösterreich.  There was not much to see or do, and I was not quite thirsty enough to drink any of the Almdudler while waiting for the train to return to Bürmoos and on to Salzburg, so somehow I walked to Wildshut.  I think I took an hour to get there.  It was sunny and I think about the 90s.  I caught the bus that went on to Oberndorf where the S-1 would take me back to Salzburg.  I was starting to get a headache so I drank some of the Almdudler but it was not much use.  I went back to Hbf to fetch my clothes bag and headed for the hostel.  I had to take trolley bus 51 and exit at Egger-Lienz-Straße and walk a half mile towards the Salzach bank more or less.  My bed in the room was ready, and I took a nap for about two hours, and listened to the former "Blue Danube Radio" station.  The station is now part of the independent channel FM4.  I remember a story about the Empress Sisi mentioned on the broadcast.

I could not stay at the hostel for so long, as I did not come to Salzburg just to sleep all day.  I had to go back to the Altstadt to see what was going on.  As the 1998 FIFA World Cup was still in group stage, there were two matches.  One was Belgium vs Mexico, and the other was Netherlands vs South Korea.  I did not have any internet at the time, even a "smart phone", so back in 1998, there would be internet set up and probably 50 people or so would wait in line, waiting 15 to 20 minutes to get a turn.  I think I waited a whole hour.  Grumpy-Old-Man would say "That's the way it was, and we *liked* it!"  Now everyone can just skip that and use their smartphone.  I thought of going up to the top of the castle but I decided it was getting too late for that.  I think I had a "Käsekreiner" and can of Stiegl beer for dinner, took a bus to the Parsch district, I guess for sentimental reasons, and when it was dark, I went back to the hostel.  Back then I did not know that the Sacher Hotel was across the Salzach from the Altstadt, until I saw an ad sometime in July 1998.  It was out of my price range at the time anyway.

Sunday morning the 21st was as sunny as Saturday.  That was the day I was going to go to the Schloß Salzburg by cable car.  I had breakfast at the hostel, washed up, checked out, then took bus 51 to Salzburg Hbf to leave my clothes bag.  I went to the castle by cable car.  At the top, there was a very good panoramic view, not just of the , but also towards Maxglan, Hallein and even a little bit of Tirol.  And also the Berchtesgadener Land which I would visit later that day.  After I took the cable car down, I walked around and found a pretzel seller.  They had so many kinds of soft pretzels that I chose three, all of them about 10 inches wide.  One with ham and cheese, one with just salt, and the other split and filled with chocolate.  I took them along and then after taking the bus to Maxglan, I ate the ham and cheese pretzel, maybe one more.  By that time I think I had seen enough of Salzburg.  I was not much of a fan of Sound of Music so I did not go on that tour.  It was time to leave Austria and then return to Germany.  

I boarded, I think 1:30 PM, the train at Salzburg Hbf, for Berchtesgaden via Freilassing.  It arrived in Berchtesgaden, the end of the line, at 3 PM.  I thought of going to Kehlsteinhaus / Eagles Nest (would do that on 19th July 1998), but I settled on the Salzbergwerke, the salt mine.  It is basically a 10 minute train ride inside the mountain, a walk through the tunnels, sliding down and also a boat ride through the salt pool.  Everyone is required to wear a rented salt mine overall (somewhere I have a selfie!) and stay with the guide at all times.  In comparison to the upper 80s temperatures, the inside of the mountain was about the low 50s.  It is constant year round, as I would find out later, namely in February 2012 when I visited another salt mine in Bad Dürrnberg near Hallein.  Coming out of the salt mine was not so fun, after it being so cool inside.  Oh no it's so hot!  The walk back to the rail station was not pleasant but I had a surprise going back to Munich.  The train that arrived in Berchtesgaden as an Intercity train, was returning to Munich as a Regional Express, it was air conditioned and my Schönes Wochenend Ticket was also valid at no extra charge. What was the catch?  It had to make its scheduled stops.  But I did not mind.

I think I arrived at München Hbf about 8:30 or 9 PM, went to work the next day.  The weather forecast for Friday 26 June would be mostly sunny, for my colleagues, excellent weather for mountain climbing.  I will tell about that sometime next week, what that all entailed.  No one got hurt (badly), everyone survived.  And I even had a chance to see a pre-production BMW Z3-based E36 series coupe - probably the coolest car I saw all that year.  

Well, have a nice rest of the week, everyone.  There were no "foreign" journeys - in relation to Germany - expected until Friday 10th July 1998.

[umseb]

sebastian vettel arrives to the track on practice day, germany - july 20, 2018 📷 dpa picture alliance / alamy

[beardedmrbean]

A security guard spying for Russia at the British embassy in Berlin was driven by an intense hatred for his country, a court has heard.

Briton David Ballantyne Smith, 58, pleaded guilty to eight charges last year but returned to court for legal argument about his motivation.

Smith is alleged to have received money in exchange for information.

He claims he was not paid and was motivated by an employment grievance while suffering mental health issues.

Smith began working at the embassy in 2016. His behaviour changed after his wife moved back to her home country, Ukraine, in late 2018, the court heard.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said Smith went from being "keen and polite" to expressing anti-UK and anti-German views.

British embassy guard admits spying for Russia

Morgan also told the court Smith expressed views about the war in Ukraine, supported Russia and collected German uniforms from World War Two.

Smith began collecting secret information from the embassy, which he stored on a USB stick, from around 2018, the court heard.

Footage from the embassy and a draft letter to a Russian military attache, dated 14 May 2020, were found after an examination of his devices.

In the letter, he confirmed he worked at the embassy and wanted anonymity as he offered a book classified as "official sensitive".

There were also "secret" classified emails and documents, pictures of staff security passes and personal information, as well as posters and whiteboards in the embassy.

An undercover operation was prompted by a letter Smith sent in November 2020 to a member of military staff at the Russian Embassy in Berlin, which suggested ongoing contact.

During the undercover operation, Smith was offered the chance to obtain "highly sensitive information" about someone called "Dmitry". Smith was led to believe "Dmitry" was a Russian national helping the UK.

Smith was then approached by "Irina", an undercover operative who posed as an agent of the Russian intelligence service.

The extent of his activities, spanning four years, was uncovered in August 2021 following his interaction with "Irina". Some 800 euro (£700) of cash was found in his home in Potsdam, Germany.

On the day of his arrest, Smith had left work early complaining he was feeling ill and was met by German police at his home.

A request was made for his extradition to the UK in November 2021, following a probe by British counter-terrorism police. Smith arrived back to the UK in April 2022.

Smith faces a maximum of 14 years in prison. He will be sentenced on Friday.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.30

Holidays

Argyle Day

At-Home Wellness Retreat Day

Atlantic Hurricane Season ends

Battle of Sinope Day (Russia)

Blue Beanie Day

Bonificio Day (Philippines)

Cities For Life Day

Clear Up the Clutter Day

Commemoration Day (UAE)

Commemoration Day for Jews expelled from Arab Lands & Iran

Computer Security Day (India)

Cybertruck Day

Day of Friendship

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

Flag Day (Bolivia; Scotland; Vietnam)

Food Bank Day (UK)

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (UK)

International Computer Security Day [Last Workday]

International Day Against Eating Disorders

International Day of Consent

International Day of the Educating City

International Day of the Influencer

International ESG Day

International Kickboxing Day

International Moebius Syndrome Angel Day

International Sex Day

International Soccer Day

International South Asian Women’s Day

Jewish Refugees Day (a.k.a. Commemoration Day for Jews Expelled from Arab Lands and Iran)

John McCrae Day (Canada)

Judge A Book By Its Cover Day

Lost Species Day

Magal de Touba (Senegal)

Monitor Your Monitor Day

Mr. Krabs’ Day (SpongeBob)

National Christmas Tree Lighting Day

National Construction Day (Canada)

National Hashhole Day

National Heroes Day Philippines)

National Mason Jar Day

National Mate Day (Argentina)

National Methamphetamine Awareness Day

National Mississippi Day

National Personal Space Day

National Shed Day

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day 2024 ( website ) 

988 Day (Canada)

Perpetual Youth Day

Pickaxe Day (French Republic)

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Radio-Technical Troops Day (Ukraine)

Regina Mundi Day (South Africa)

Remembrance Day for Lost Species

Sfantul Andrei (Romania)

Shirley Chisholm Day (NYC)

Squirrel Hunt Day

Stay Home Because You're Well Day

Steal This Book Day

Stomach Cancer Awareness Day

Thriller Day

World Pet Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Ham and Roast Beef Night

National Mousse Day

Scotch Ale Day

Independence & Related Days

Barbados (from UK, 1966)

National Day (Dahomey renamed Benin, 1975)

Wegmat (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Yemen (from UK, 1967)

5th & Last Saturday in November

Canadian Craft Beer Day [Last Saturday]

ClauWau begins (a.k.a. Santa Claus World Championships; Switzerland) [Last Saturday]

Minnesota Pint Day (a.k.a. MN Pint Day; Minnesota) [Saturday after Black Friday]

Sandwich Saturday [Every Saturday]

Saturday after Thanksgiving (US) (a.k.a. ... 

Buy Nothing Day (UK)

Small Business Saturday

Swine Time Festival (Climax, Georgia)

Turkey Leftovers Day

Six For Saturday [Every Saturday]

Spaghetti Saturday [Every Saturday]

Splurge Saturday [Last Saturday of Each Month]

Stir-Fry Saturday [Last Saturday of Each Month]

World Day of Giving [Last Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 30 (4th Full Week of November)

None Known

Festivals Beginning November 30, 2024

Cavalcade of Lights (Toronto, Canada) [thru 1.7.2025]

Country Christmas Tree Lighting (Julian, California)

A Farmer’s Christmas (Dover, Delaware)

Ficksburg Cherry Festival (Ficksburg, South Africa)

Guadalajara International Book Fair (Guadalajara, Mexico) [thru 12.8]

Lighted Parade (Starbuck, Minnesota)

Night of the Proms (Dortmund, Germany)

Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail Mac & Cheese Bake-Off (Traverse City, Michigan)

Oslo Christmas Market (Oslo, Norway) [thru 12.1]

Prague Christmas Market (Prague, Czech Republic) [thru 1.6.2025]

Tree Lighting with Santa (Brunswick, Maine)

Wassail Fest (Nacogdoches, Texas)

Winter Wonderland (Franklin, North Carolina) [thru 12.7]

Winter Wonderland (Kyiv, Ukraine) [thru 3.2.2025]

Feast Days

Adolphe William Bouguereau (Artology)

Adriaen Van De Velde (Artology)

Andrea Pozzo (Artology)

Andrea Sacchi (Artology)

Andrew (Christian; Saint) [Romania, Scotland]

Andrew the Apostle (Christian; Saint)

Andrzejki (Feast of Love Divinations; Pagan)

Bolivar (Positivist; Saint)

Cailleach (Celtic Book of Days)

Carle Hessay (Artology)

Clyfford Still (Artology)

David Mamet (Writerism)

Day to Mark the Departure and Expulsion of Jews from the Arab Countries and Iran (Israel)

Feast of Hecate (Ancient Rome)

Feast of Thaddeus and Bartholomew the Apostles (Armenian Apostolic Church)

Festival of Hecate Trivia (The Night of the Crossroads; Wicca, Neo-Pagan) [also 11.16]

Gnome Awareness Day (Pastafarian)

Jonathan Swift (Writerism)

Joseph Marchand (Christian; One of the Vietnamese Martyrs)

L.M. Montgomery (Writerism)

Mahanes, Abraham, and Simeon (Christian; Martyrs)

Margot Zemach (Artology)

Mark Twain (Writerism)

Mrs. Grand High Triangle Lover (Muppetism)

Mustache Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Narses (Christian; Saint)

Saint Andrew’s Night (Everyday Wicca)

Sam Gilliam (Artology)

Samuel Clemons Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Sapor and Isaac (Christian; Martyrs)

Sigyn’s Day (Pagan)

Squirrel-Hunt Day (Ancient England)

Vivian Lynn (Artology)

Whisp and Thread Fair (Shamanism)

Winston Churchill (Writerism)

Witch Balls Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [55 of 60]

Premieres

All Hams on Deck (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1970)

Anna and the Apocalypse (Film; 2018)

Blast Off Speedier with Encyclopedia or Off to Heaven with Volume (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 324; 1964)

Blondie (Film; 1938)

Boogie Woogie Sioux (Swing Symphony Cartoon; 1942)

Breakaway, by Kelly Clarkson (Album; 2004)

Brian’s Song (TV Movie; 1971)

The Citadel, by A.J. Cronin (Novel; 1937)

Cock o’ the Walk (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Concerto for Trumpet, recorded by Harry James (Concerto; 1939)

The Conductor and Other Tales, by Jean Ferry (Short Stories; 1950)

Gandhi (Film; 1982)

Gonzales’ Tamales (WB LT Cartoon; 1957)

Gopher Trouble (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1936)

The Gulag Archipelago, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Novel; 1973)

The Hare Mail (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1931)

The In-Laws, by Paul Hindemith (Opera; 1915)

Into the Unknown, by Bad Religion (Album; 1983)

In Your Face, by Fishbone (Album; 1986)

Jack’s Shack (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

The Joy of Cooking (Cookbook; 1924)

Little Boy Blue (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1933)

Live at the BBC, by The Beatles (Live Album; 1994)

Misery (Film; 1990)

Moosylvania, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 323; 1964)

The Odessa File, by Frederick Forsyth (Novel; 1972)

Red’s Dream (Pixar Cartoon; 1987)

Remembrance of Things Past, Book II: Within a Budding Grove, by Marcel Proust (Novel; 1918)

Salt Water Taffy (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

16 Candles, by The Crests (Song; 1958)

Straighten Up and Fly Right, recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio (Song; 1943)

Superstore (TV Series; 2015)

Sympathy for the Devil (a.k.a. 1+1; Documentary Music Film; 1968)

The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith (Novel; 1955)

Thriller, by Michael Jackson (Album; 1982)

Transylvania 6-5000 (WB MM Cartoon; 1963)

The Wall, by Pink Floyd (Album; 1979)

Willow (TV Series; 2022)

The Women's Room, by Marilyn French (Novel; 1977)

Wool: Proper Gauge, by Hugh Howey (Novel; 2011)

Today’s Name Days

Andrea, Andreas, Volkert (Austria)

Andrei (Bulgaria)

Andrea, Andrija, Hrvoslav, Konstantin, Narcis (Croatia)

Ondřej (Czech Republic)

Andreas (Denmark)

Andi, Ando, Andre, Andreas, Andres, Andro, Andrus, Andu, Anti (Estonia)

Andreas, Antero, Antti, Atte (Finland)

André, Tugdual (France)

Andrea, Andreas, Kerstin, Volkert (Germany)

Andreas, Andrew, Andriane, Andriani (Greece)

Andor, András (Hungary)

Andrea, Clemente, Martino (Italy)

Andrejs, Andris (Latvia)

Andriejus, Andrius, Dovainė, Saugardas (Lithuania)

Anders, Andreas (Norway)

Andrzej, Justyna, Konstanty, Maura, Zbysława (Poland) Andrei (Romania)

Andrej, Ondrej (Slovakia)

Andrés (Spain)

Anders, Andreas (Sweden)

Andrew, Andriy, Vladyslava (Ukraine)

Anderson, Andra, Andre, Andrea, Andreas, Andres, Andrew, Andria, Andy, Dandre, Deandre (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 335 of 2024; 31 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of Week 48 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ngetal (Reed) [Day 7 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 30 (Wu-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 29 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 28 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 5 Black; Fryday [5 of 30]

Julian: 17 November 2024

Moon: 0%: New Moon

Positivist: 27 Frederic (12th Month) [Francia]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 69 of 90)

Week: 1st Full Week of December

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 9 of 30)

[brookston]

Holidays 4.3

Holidays

American Circus Day

American Creed Day

Armenian Appreciation Day

Corrupt Society Day

Day of the Bride (Argentina)

Don't Go To Work Unless It's Fun Day

A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold

Fan Dance Day

Find A Rainbow Day

Good Deeds Day

Independent Artist Day

International Day Against Victim Blaming

Jane Goodall Day (Los Angeles)

Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus; Japan)

Love A Muslim Day (UK)

National Chalk Day

National Film Score Day

National Grey Day

National Inspiring Joy Day

National Library Week begins

National Pac-Man Day

National Shoot Your Shot Day

Overcome a Handicap Day

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

Peace Day (Angola)

Pony Express Day

Second Republic Day (Guinea)

TV Guide Day

Tweed Day

Weed Out Hate: Sow the Seeds of Greatness Day

World Aquatic Animal Day

World Cloud Security Day

World Party Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day

Fish Fingers and Custard Day

National Chocolate Mousse Day

1st Monday in April

National Bake Week begins [1st Monday]

National Fun Day [1st Monday]

Public Library Day [Monday of Library Week]

School Librarian Day [Monday of Library Week]

Sweet Potato Day [1st Monday]

Tater Day (Kentucky) [1st Monday]

Independence Days

Declaration of the Second Republic (Guinea)

Malinovia (Declared 2018) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Agape, Chionia, and Irene (Christian; Martyrs)

Aristæus (Positivist; Saint)

Burgundofara (Christian; Saint)

Captain Cabbage (Muppetism)

Day of Sheela-Na-Gig (Pagan)

Doris Day (Pastafarian)

Feast of Pak Tai (Macau) [3rd Day of 3rd Lunar Month]

Goof Friday (Church of the SubGenius)

Holy Monday [6 Days before Easter]

Luigi Scrosoppi (Christian; Saint)

Nicetias (Christian; Saint)

Plato (Christian; Saint)

Proserpina’s Rise from the Underworld Day (Ancient Greece)

Richard of Chichester (Christian; Saint)

Seize a Sausage Day (Pastafarian)

Ulpin of Tyre (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sizdar-Bedah (Unlucky to stay indoors; Iran)

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Adventureland (Film; 2009)

Beethoven (Film; 1992)

The Druid of Shannara, by Terry Brooks (Novel; 1991)

Fast & Furious (Film; 2009) [F&F #4]

Furious 7 (Film; 2015) [F&F #7]

It Happened at the World’s Fair (Film; 1963)

It’s Now or Never, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1960)

The Long, Hot Summer (Film; 1958)

Louisiana Hayride (Radio Music Series; 1948)

Mercury Rising (Film; 1998)

My Hero Academia (Anime TV Series; 2016)

The Other Boleyn Girl, by Philippa Gregor (Novel; 2008)

Piano Concerto in A Minor, by Edvard Grieg (Concerto; 1869)

Planet of the Apes (Film; 1968)

Planning for Good Eating (Disney Cartoon; 1946)

Rock-A-Doodle (Animated Film; 1992)

Rumple of the Bailey (UK TV Series; 1978)

The Sea-Wolf (Novel; 1904)

2001: A Space Odyssey (Film; 1968)

Today’s Name Days

Richard, Sixtus (Austria)

Radojko, Ratko, Rikard, Siksto (Croatia)

Richard (Czech Republic)

Nicæas (Denmark)

Uko, Uku (Estonia)

Sampo, Veeti (Finland)

Richard (France)

Irene, Lisa, Richard (Germany)

Illyria’s (Greece)

Buda, Richárd (Hungary)

Riccardo, Sisto (Italy)

Daira, Dairis, Ferdinands (Latvia)

Kristijonas, Ričardas, Rimtautė, Vytenis (Lithuania)

Gunnvald, Gunvor (Norway)

Antoni, Cieszygor, Jakub, Pankracy, Ryszard (Poland)

Nichita (Romania)

Richard (Slovakia)

Ricardo (Spain)

Ferdinand, Nanna (Sweden)

Dick, Dickson, Dix, Dixie, Dixon, Doris, Ricarda, Ricardo, Rich, Richard, Richelle, Richman, Rick, Rickey, Ricky, Rosamond, Rosamund, Ryan (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 93 of 2024; 272 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 14 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Second Month 2 (Gui-Mao), Day 13 (Xin-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 12 Nisan 5783

Islamic: 12 Ramadan 1444

J Cal: 2 Aqua; Twosday [2 of 30]

Julian: 21 March 2023

Moon: 93%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 9 Archimedes (4th Month) [Aristæus]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 15 of 90)

Zodiac: Aries (Day 14 of 30)

[mariacallous]

On Friday, in an early morning social media post, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump issued a clear threat to the European Union: make up for the “tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way.”

This builds on Trump’s broader frustrations with Europe. In a recent interview, he accused the European Union of taking “advantage of us on trade … like terrible: They don’t take our cars; they don’t take our food product; they don’t take anything. It’s a disgrace.” There is a real danger he will hit Europeans with blanket tariffs on day one of his second term to correct what he thinks is an unacceptable trade deficit ($131 billion in 2022).

Europeans have just a month to clinch a deal to prevent an all-out trade war between the United States and Europe. This effort should go beyond oil and gas and put a joint approach to dealing with the risks posed by China at the center. In his own interest, Trump would be well advised to give proposals by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a hearing. The alternative would be to launch a trade war against Brussels—and thus empower Europe’s pro-Beijing voices.

History suggests any effort by Europe to partner with the Trump administration will be an uphill battle. In April 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron approached Trump with an offer: “Let’s work together, we both have a China problem.” According to a media report, Trump responded that the EU is “worse than China” and continued with a rant about Germany and cars. A trade escalation was only avoided a year into Trump’s first term when then-Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker—who went out of his way to invite Trump golfing—made a promise to buy more soybeans and liquefied natural gas.

Juncker and Trump seemed to share a personal chemistry—a chemistry that von der Leyen may not be able to match. But Trump should nevertheless consider how she has developed a notably ambitious agenda on one of his own policy priorities, namely getting serious about the threats China presents to Europe’s prosperity and security.

On trade, the European Commission has pursued a record number of investigations into unfair Chinese practices under her leadership. Against the will of powerful member states such as Germany, von der Leyen, for example, pushed through tariffs to respond to unfair competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers. Even with regard to the World Trade Organization (WTO), there is a growing reassessment in parts of the commission on China policy. “Within the WTO, where we can. Beyond the WTO, where we must,” is an emerging formula based on the realization that the WTO was not conceived to deal with a gigantic authoritarian state-capitalist economy in its midst. These steps clearly indicate the broader shift of thinking on China in Brussels, even if they do not directly amount to an alignment with U.S. priorities.

The “de-risking” agenda championed by von der Leyen has reflected an overdue reassessment of the vital security interests involved in managing relations with an increasingly authoritarian and internationally aggressive China. Von der Leyen’s commission has pushed for assessments and tools to address Europe’s critical supply chain dependencies as well as infrastructure vulnerabilities. It has also driven the political debate across member states by launching the European Economic Security Strategy, which explicitly covers these aspects.

Of course, despite von der Leyen’s efforts, in many respects Europeans have fallen short of what is necessary. It has been hugely frustrating for the Biden administration that most European leaders long hesitated to address the role of Chinese companies that violate Europe’s core security interests by greasing the Kremlin’s war machine, while entertaining illusions about China’s role as a mediator. Only in its 15th sanctions package adopted in mid-December did the EU start to impose somewhat serious sanctions on some Chinese actors supplying drone and microelectronic components to Russia.

Despite mentioning tech leakage in their high-level Economic Security Strategy, Europeans also never truly got on board regarding the central bipartisan motivation in the United States for de-risking, namely the effort to contain China’s military modernization by restricting access to cutting-edge technologies. Despite key global providers of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment being located on the continent, European governments only engaged with the U.S. export control agenda when pressured to do so bilaterally, ultimately resulting in an alignment of Dutch controls with the United States in September. European states still have not fully pushed Huawei out of critical 5G infrastructure. And if it were up to Germany, Europe would continue to act as the sponge for Chinese industrial overcapacity, throwing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ailing economic model a lifeline.

Yet, when deciding how to approach trade issues with Europe, Trump and his team should look beyond the understandable frustration with what they see as a “too little, too late” China policy. Trump has a crucial choice to make. If he decides to impose across-the-board tariffs on Europe, he will pull the rug out from under the feet of von der Leyen and empower the pro-Beijing voices across Europe. The commission will have no other choice but to adopt a trade war footing with the United States, implementing and adjusting retaliatory measures. Most of the commission’s trade and economic officials who have spent their time dealing with the challenges posed by Beijing will need to be reassigned to deal with Trump’s tariffs.

The commission will have no other choice given the manpower shortage and the importance of the U.S.-European economic relationship. Pro-Beijing voices such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will be ascendant in European debates, and domestic political pressure to give in to the Chinese “charm offensive” seeking to reinvigorate cooperation will also mount, especially in export-dependent countries such as Germany. Decisive action on China, however much in the EU’s ultimate interest, would be much less likely.

If Trump chooses to give negotiations with von der Leyen and other EU leaders a chance before unleashing tariffs, he might achieve a decent deal on trade and push Europe on a more forceful trajectory vis-à-vis Beijing. Negotiations would empower officials such as von der Leyen to push member states to accept de-risking measures on critical technologies—where it will hurt but where action is ultimately in Europe’s interest.

Stopping the European contribution to Chinese military modernization would be one of the most effective steps to preserve peace. Beijing is less likely to resort to force if it feels its forces are not on par with those of the United States and allies. The notion that the same degree of deterrence could be accomplished through the threat of sanctions in the event of an actual escalation strains credibility, especially as long as Europe remains so vulnerable to Chinese economic coercion itself—a lesson that the continent should have learned the hard way from Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.

Despite frequent and often justified self-flagellation on being technologically behind, Europeans also have serious options available in this regard. While some key steps on semiconductor manufacturing tools have now been taken, Europeans can do more to hinder Chinese efforts to replicate critical capabilities, for example by tightening controls around important components as well as inbound and outbound investment screening. It would be about time for Europe to get on the front foot by actively advancing its risk assessment and proposing sensible steps in other critical areas such as biotechnology. While Europeans should certainly keep a critical eye on effectiveness, unintended consequences, and unnecessary collateral economic damage of any measures, they need to get out of the mode of only reacting to U.S. initiatives when their impact on Europe is becoming painfully obvious.

In this vein, Europeans could also discuss with Trump a joint approach to standards on internet-connected vehicles. The Biden administration is about to announce final rules that will ensure Chinese-made EVs and key hardware and software are kept out of the U.S. market on security grounds. It would be very much in the U.S. interest for the EU (as one of the world’s largest single markets) to adopt similar regulations to avoid forcing itself into the position of a technological island on e-mobility while China continues to be a research and development and production hub for the rest of the world. Again, for Europeans, this is not a matter of doing the United States a favor but also of addressing a real vulnerability to sabotage and espionage and ultimately to avoid contributing to the vibrancy of Chinese commercial R&D toward autonomous vehicles—another technology with obvious dual-use potential.

Lastly, while the EU is in a more vulnerable position than during Trump’s first term, due to the war on its doorstep and an economic malaise in many key countries, it does have leverage to hit back at the United States during a trade war. Like last time around, tariffs could target products from Republican strongholds. This shows that it is ultimately also in the self-interest of a self-centered individual such as Trump to use U.S. leverage to cut a favorable deal with the EU rather than pushing the continent closer to Beijing. Von der Leyen might not be Trump’s favorite type of politician, but he will not find a European leader more aligned with the U.S. approach on China. He would do well to invite her to Mar-a-Lago to discuss.

[hardcorereborntrieste]

Venerdì/Friday 02/05/2025 + Sabato/Saturday 03/05/2025

DART ROCK BAR,VIA ORLANDINI 27/a,TRIESTE

HARDCORE REBORN presents:

||||| Sounds Of Rebellion |||||

Bands & Info:

DAY 1 - Venerdì/Friday 02/05/2025 - Apertura Porte / Open Doors ore 17:00;

● BLAXFEMA (Hardcore Punk Pavia - Since 1983)

Blaxfema nacquero alla fine del 1983 sull'onda di gruppi hc usa (Minor Threat, Black Flag, 7Seconds, ecc.).

Nel 1984 iniziarono i primi live soprattutto nell'area milanese (Virus, ecc.), fino ad arrivare all'uscita di

"Menes" demotape, nel marzo '85 : brani cantati in italiano in tipico "italian hc style " aiutati nella

distribuzione da Virus Diffussioni. Seguirono altri live show in giro x l'Italia, fino ad arrivare all'estate del '86,

quando si decise di interrompere l'esperienza.

Nel corso degli anni alcuni brani vennero inclusi in diverse compilation hc (Punk Territory, Hate/Love 80 by

S.O.A. Records, ecc.). Alla fine del 2021 F.O.A.D. Records decise di ristampare tutto il materiale. Nacque così

"Urla di dolore 1984-1986" Lp+cd demo '85 plus bonus session live/prove.

Qualcosa si stava riaccendendo, il fuoco sepolto sotto le ceneri da tanti anni ricominciò a bruciare. Di lì a

poco (inizio 2022) si decise per una reunion, superate le prime difficoltà si iniziò a comporre brani nuovi con

liriche in inglese ed un sound che rispecchiava la crescita musicale/personale. Arriviamo ai giorni nostri.,

con diversi gigs all'attivo (Modena, Bologna, Torino, Milano, Firenze ecc...) e finalmente l'uscita di " Choice

" LP . 11 brani in coproduzione con Anfibio Records Italy, Passion Means Struggle Germany, DIY Kolo Records

Poland, Romantic Songs Recordings Spain. La versione CD è stata stampata e prodotta da Otitis Media

Records, independent label from Texas U.S.A.

https://www.facebook.com/blaxfema/

https://www.instagram.com/blaxfema_hc/

https://www.discogs.com/it/artist/313939-Blaxfema

● TRAUMA HC (Punk/Hardcore / Pavia)

Trauma Hc è una band Punk hardcore Italiana (Milano/Pavia) fondata nel 2022.

Dopo un demo registrato in presa diretta (in cantina) e qualche data per iniziare a farsi conoscere, hanno deciso di registrare il loro primo full album “Tenere lontano dalla portata dei bambini” uscito a Dicembre 2023 contenente 8 tracce, 4 in Italiano e 4 in Inglese e a Ottobre 2024 insieme ai Deriva con il loro primo split “Deriva dal Trauma”

La line-up è composta da: Stef – Voce, Giò – Chitarra, Gigi – Basso.Mauri - Batteria.

Le loro influenze musicali variano dai Sottopressione ai Negazione, Skruigners, Comeback kid.

https://www.facebook.com/traumahc/

https://www.instagram.com/trauma_hc

https://traumahc.bandcamp.com/

● VIVERE MERDA (Punk/HC - Udine)

https://www.viveremerda.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063526998300

https://www.instagram.com/vivere_merda/

● SIXPACK (Old School Hardcore / Gorizia)

L'Hardcore non è musica, l'Hardcore è un messaggio. Dal 2018 i Sixpack mantengono fede a questo ideale portando in giro uno show ispirato da un suono New York style e dalla scuola Hc Italiana, con all'attivo un ep e il disco "lascio il segno" presenteranno le canzoni del nuovo lavoro.

https://www.facebook.com/SixpackHCPM/

https://www.instagram.com/sixpackhc/

https://sixpack2.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@sixpackhc3599

● DC SLUGS (Punk/Hardcore / Gorizia)

Nuova band punk-hardcore: cantato sguaiato, suoni sporchi, il tutto il più veloce possibile.

https://www.instagram.com/dc_slugz/

https://www.youtube.com/@dcslugz

● STROZZAPRETI (Punk / Gorizia)

Nati nel 2023 dalle viscere di Gorizia, gli Strozzapreti sono una band punk che non lesina in energia e attitudine. Il quintetto, composto da Andrea e Giacomo alle chitarre, Pietro alla batteria, Isacco al basso e Luca alla voce, propone un sound crudo e potente, in grado di scuotere le fondamenta di ogni locale.

La loro musica, nata dalla penna di Luca e Isacco, è un concentrato di rabbia, frustrazione e voglia di riscatto, tematiche tipiche del punk che gli Strozzapreti reinterpretano con una freschezza e una verve tutta loro. I testi, cantati con veemenza da Luca, raccontano storie di vita quotidiana, di disagio sociale e di ribellione contro le ingiustizie, strizzando l'occhio alla tradizione punk italiana ma con uno sguardo rivolto anche al presente.

Live, gli Strozzapreti sono una vera e propria macchina da guerra, capaci di catalizzare l'attenzione del pubblico con la loro energia travolgente e la loro performance coinvolgente.

https://www.instagram.com/strozzapretipunk/

DAY 2 - Sabato/Saturday 03/05/2025 - Apertura Porte / Open Doors ore 17:00;

● MELE MARCE (Oi! - Punk / Reggio Emilia)

Formati nel 1996 e rimasti attivi fino al 2002, dopo una pausa di 15 anni, dove però le idee, la passione e quel fuoco a continuato a bruciare, cosi nel 2017 decidono di tornare a buttarsi nell'arena e riprendendo l'attività live e producono nuovo materiale, fino ad arrivare ad oggi.

https://www.facebook.com/mele.marce/

https://www.discogs.com/it/artist/1989039-Mele-Marce

● OVERCHARGE (MetalPunx / Varese)

https://www.facebook.com/OverchargeRnR/

https://www.instagram.com/overcharge.metalpunx/

https://overcharge.bandcamp.com/

● ZLOTVORI (Punk/Hardcore Since 2002 / Umag - Croatia)

Gli albori di Zlotvori (Malfattori in Italiano) sono iniziati nel 2002. Tre ragazzi comuni abbiamo deciso di mettere in moto alcune cose. Quindi abbiamo iniziato a suonare al meglio che sapevamo. A quel tempo non c'erano band come noi a Umago (Croazia), quindi era qualcosa di diverso nella piccola scena. Il suono all'inizio non era nemmeno vicino a quello che suona oggi. HARDCORE è sempre stato un percorso che abbiamo seguito mescolando la nostra musica con altri elementi di stili diversi.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567852505732

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WJvomSxv20

● FANTERIA DI PRIMA LINEA (MetalPunxAlkolikCrossover / Udine)

Local MetalPunxAlkolikCrossover Heroes: i Fanteria di Prima Linea, capitanati da Arty, da diversi anni suonano in giro per l'Italia e all'estero, portando la loro musica ovunque. Alcune settimane fa è uscito su YouTube il video di Cimiteri, canzone che fa anche parte del loro ultimo album. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCPASf6PrVM

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063549252168

https://www.instagram.com/fanteriadiprimalinea/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5E6wyz9hgDL0uUGIdRojpA

● SNEAKY TOY (Punk Rock/Melodic Hardcore / Trieste)

Gli Sneaky Toy sono un gruppo pop-punk-rock-melodic hardcore formatosi nel settembre 2017 da un'idea di Andrea Zanolla e Simone Stocheli, chitarristi e cantanti dei My Space Invaders, storica band punk rock triestina.

L'obiettivo era quello di sperimentare un nuovo tipo di punk rock, con arrangiamenti più rabbiosi e decisi e con una voce femminile potente ma melodica.

Quest'idea si concretizza con l'incontro di Leo Bugatto, cantante dei Vidiam, altra storica band melodic-post-hardcore triestina.

L'incontro con Leo è dettato dal destino, perchè alla domanda di Andrea "conosci una brava cantante?" Leo risponde "eccola qui: Lalla, ti va di cantare con noi?".

Dopo una sola prova Laura Mandich (Lalla) col suo carisma e la sua voce energica conquista tutti ed entra così ufficialmente nel gruppo.

Dopo 2 anni di attività, vari concerti in regione e il loro primo EP "Dino Sour" gli Sneaky Toy si trovano per cause di forza maggiore a cambiare più volte formazione, e nel 2020 iniziano un lungo periodo di pausa dovuto al covid e a vari problemi logistici.

Dopo 4 anni si ritrovano a un tavolo e decidono di rilanciarsi alla carica, componendo nuovi pezzi e iniziando la registrazione di un nuovo LP che uscirà nel 2025, ritornando così anche su vari palchi triestini e non.

https://www.facebook.com/sneakytoyofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/sneaky_toy_punkrock/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMfyfPyLAkU

● ESTINZIONE (Raw/Grind/Punk / Bologna)

Gli ESTINZIONE nascono nel marzo 2023 a Bologna da altri gruppi hardcore punk e metal. La band, che è composta da basso, batteria, chitarra e voci, propone un mix tra grindcore e hardcore punk con tracce brevi cantate in italiano. Nel maggio 2024 esce il debut album omonimo con 15 tracce in formato digitale, mentre nel settembre 2024 vengono stampate 50 cassette numerate per la label tedesca Autistic Noise Punk. Per gli amanti della (non)musica grezza e intensa.

https://www.facebook.com/ESTINZIONEBAND/

https://www.instagram.com/estinzioneband/

https://estinzione.bandcamp.com/

● CESOIA (Sh RnR / Bologna)

Tra amici al bar abbiamo deciso di mettere su una band skinhead rock'n'roll. Così nel 2023 nascono i Cesoia: forse per colpa del borghetti Oi!

https://www.facebook.com/p/Cesoia-sh-rnr-100088576741043/

🎧 Prima e Durante, In Consolle:

DJ SPILLA (AnarcoPunk, StreetPunk, Punk/HC, Oi! - Firenze)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563832926162

🍺 Bar a prezzi popolari / Popular Bar Prices

Distros Are Welcome!

Entrata Benefit / Entrance Benefit: TBA

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COME ARRIVARE:

Con i mezzi pubblici per i triestini autobus TplFvg linea 1 da Stazione FS/Piazza Oberdan

In treno: Stazione FS di Trieste Centrale, poi autobus(vedi sopra)

Auto: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U8i3BQ8a3gGDiyQ57

COME ARRIVE: By public transport for Trieste buses TplFvg line 1 from Trieste Railway Station/Piazza Oberdan

Car: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U8i3BQ8a3gGDiyQ57

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I nostri contatti / Our contacts:

Hardcore Reborn

https://www.instagram.com/hardcorereborntrieste/

https://www.tumblr.com/hardcorereborntrieste

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568304022256