#immune support for children

[riding-with-the-wild-hunt]

today's vetted campaigns. please continue to donate if you have the means and share as widely as you can regardless. the individuals on here go through so much every day just to communicate their stories to us - let's uphold that trust by showing them as much support as we can.

july 15th:

Hadeel Mikki (pregnant and needs perinatal care), her husband Waseem, their two young daughters, and Hadeel's mother and two brothers (they are the only survivors of her family) (€5,091/€35,000) - @hadeelmekki, verified by @/90-ghost

Aspiring doctor Malak Dader, her six siblings (they've already lost her teenage brother, and two of her younger brothers need medical treatment), and her parents (one injured, one sick with hepatitis) (€110/€25,000) - @malakabed, verified by @/90-ghost

Mohammed Al-Habil (needs urgent surgery after being shot in the leg), his five siblings (one of whom is immune-compromised and has congenital heart disease), their mother, and his widowed sister-in-law ($5,713 CAD/$70,000 CAD) - @mohammedalhabil2000, verified by @/90-ghost

Hanaa Jad Al-Haq, her husband Muhammad Hammad, and their little son Yousef (£2,675/£20,000) - @henomohammed, @hanaajad123, #246 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Salam, her husband Mohammad, and their two little children (€17,365/€40,000) - @save-salam-family, verified by @/90-ghost

Aya Maher, her three younger siblings (two under 18), and their mother (€4,920/€25,000) - @ayamaher444, #216 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

The AlBalawi family of ten, including several children and two chronically ill members who need treatment (€24,200/€50,000) - @bisanalbalawi18, @elbalawi, @yasminalbalawiigaza, verified by @/90-ghost

The Ayyad family of eight, four of whom are children ($24,842/$35,000) - @aymanayyad82, @mayadayyad81, @aymanayyad1, verified by @/nabulsi

Munna Tashmali and her five children (this is the third time they've lost their home) (£3,269/£30,000) - @monashamali, verified by @/nabulsi

Maha Ibrahim, her husband Ahmed Al-Habil, and their two young children, one who is immune-compromised, and the children's sick grandfather (kr34,626 NOK/kr1,067,200 NOK) - @mahaibrahim12, @ahmedkhabil, #79 on butterfly effect project's spreadsheet

Ahmed Baalousha, his wife Islam, their three children (one a newborn), and Ahmed's parents and sister (€15,802/€50,000) - @5735765, @mahmoudbalousha4, #124 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Mohammed Al Manasra (needs treatment for chronic respiratory illness and a leg injury), his wife (also sick, needs chemotherapy), their three little children, and their cat (the family has already lost many extended members) (€26,790/€40,000) - @save-mohamed-family, #192 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Hanaa Al-Lulu (needs treatment for a painful foot growth) and her family (€2,628/€40,000) - @enghanalulu, verified by @/90-ghost

Mohammed Hijazi and his elderly parents, including his severely injured father (€2,106/€20,000) - @savemohammedfamily, verified by @/90-ghost

Maysaa Balousha (suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is deteriorating without treatment), her husband Muhammad, and their four children ($118/$60,000) - @tamer200333, extended family of Mahmoud Balousha (#124 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet)

Mahmoud Saleh and his family (they've already lost several members, including Mahmoud's father and niece) (€5,265/€20,000) - @mide404, verified by @/nabulsi

Helping Siraj Abudayeh, his wife, and their three young children rebuild their destroyed home ($6,449 CAD/$82,000 CAD) - @siraj2024, #219 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Eman, Ahmad, and their two little children (€1,653/€15,000) - @zain-leen1993, @leen-gaza, verified by @/90-ghost

not yet vetted:

Mohammad Taysir, his wife Basma, and their two little children (€0/€50,000) - @yazanfamily

Mahmoud Alkhaldi and his family of five, including his little nephew ($235/$50,000) - @mahmoudalkhaldi

Shimaa, her little daughter Juri, and several members of her husbands family (€331/€50,000) - @shimaashaban22

your help, even if it seems insignificant to you, can bring life and hope to so many people. now is not the time to give in to despair or allow apathy to stifle our actions. here is something you can do. don't pass it by.

[theanmolkang]

Relationships in Midlife

Relationships in Midlife: Challenges & Opportunities The midlife years bring many changes, including shifts in relationships that have been established over the years. As we age, our priorities and perspectives change, leading to a reevaluation of our relationships with partners, family members, friends, and colleagues. In this blog, we will talk about the challenges and opportunities that come…

[salwameq20]

🚨 dangerous 🚨

Hello everyone, I think there is a new danger coming to us with the beginning of winter. In the beginning, the weather started with light breezes that made the curtains fly, and sometimes the wind exposed us and we caught colds. On Sunday, the first rains of autumn began, and I think we began a journey of intense fear because some of the displaced persons’ tents sank due to the rain and the sea, and because we are... close to the sea, we all suffered that night.

Now we need curtains to cover the tent and protect ourselves and our children from the cold. Mira, Ahmed, and Mayar have weak immunity, and we do not have the money to buy curtains because their price has increased 5 times. We also need supplies to place the curtains. I ask you to donate to protect ourselves from the cold and drowning in rainwater.💔

Note:

Vetted by:

Vetted by @gazavetters , my number verified on the list is ( #49 )

Dear Palestine supporter...

I saw that you took an interest in many Palestinian campaigns in Gaza. I ask you to help me. I really need help to protect my family and children. Your donation does so much. Don't underestimate what you give.❤️🙏🏻

@appsa @sar-soor @sayruq @stuckinapril @heritageposts @neptunerings @feluka @malcriada @queerstudiesnatural @rizzyluke @determinate-negation

@najahmeq

[la-pheacienne]

I'm reading the lord of the rings and I'm once again amazed at how... good most characters are. Like, they are genuinely good people. They are a bunch of kindhearted, gracious, caring people, coming together under adverse circumstances and trying to figure things out and find a solution and support each other through it all. Like Frodo and Sam meet Faramir and Faramir is a bit suspicious at first and kind of implies Frodo may be a spy, and then when he hears his story and he's like Frodo, I pressed you so hard at first. Forgive me! It was unwise in such an hour and place. And this blows.my.mind. He wasn't even particularly mean or threatening to him in the beginning, he's just such a kind, considerate man, recognizing the kindness and honesty of another man. And they're all like that. Even Gollum starts slowly changing (for a short while) when he encounters Frodo because that's the thing about kindness and humility and grace, they are contagious. They transform people, even a creature like Gollum cannot be immune to that. Like, you may consider all this simple and basic and I get it but, hear me out. It is quite rare to see that in modern media and it is also pretty difficult to pull off in a way that is not corny and simplistic. It is mind blowing that you actually don't have to present the entire palette of human cruelty and vice in order to tell a compelling story, contrary to popular belief. Lotr does the exact opposite, and it is just beautiful and it warms my heart. Especially taking into consideration tolkien's pretty grim growing-up experience, him being a double orphan without a home, raised between an orphanage and a priest and having no family apart from his brother and then the war and then he almost dies and then he's poor as hell and then a second war and it all makes sense somehow. He writes to his wife who is also an orphan two days before the marriage "the next few years will bring us joy and content and love and sweetness such as could not be if we hadn't first been two homeless children and had found one another after long waiting" and, yes, yes! The love and sweetness just radiate from his work, the entire lotr series is a little radiant bubble of hope and love and grace that he imagined in his head to deal with a dismal reality and then he just gave that to the world, and isn't that what imagination and art is all about after all?

[familygazaamal]

The only thing I have left is my children

After losing everything and the people dearest to me, I didn't know what to do but think about saving my children's lives and getting them out of the war zone. Providing them with the simplest necessities of life. Please donate or share the link.

Magdy is a very diligent student. His life was regular and routine. Since the morning he was preparing to go to school with all his love and passion for studying and meeting his friends. He would come back from school, change his clothes, eat lunch, and rest a little. Then he starts writing his homework and reading his lessons, then he plays a little with his brothers, then he sits with his father in the evening. But his father has now been away from him since before the war, and he misses him very much. Majid has a cat that he loves very much and is very attached to. But the war turned his life upside down

Walid, 8 years old. He loves football very much and loves Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. A year of his life has passed, and another year may pass due to the war. Walid hopes to return to his life, see his friends, and return to playing football and watching football matches. Please support Walid to return to his normal life.

Abdul Rahim is 7 years old. He loves drawing, coloring, and all kinds of arts. He always finds room in paintings to show his talent, and he also loves mathematical problems. He is a diligent and diligent student in school and a top student, but he has been out of school for a long time and no longer has any colors or sketchbook. He sees children dying around him every day, and he's so afraid he'll be next.

My daughter Amal, this little girl who turned one year old two months ago, this little girl who did not see her father because he traveled when she was forty days old, the little girl who did not live her childhood like other children in the world. In the world, Amal is always exposed to diseases due to immune deficiency and because of food and water contamination. Amal misses her father every day and grows up without seeing her father, all because of this war.

@fancysmudges @brokenbackmountain @ot3 @mothblossoms @aleciosun @fluoresensitive

@khizuo @transmutationisms @schoolhater @timogsilangan @appsa @buttercuparry

@sayruq @malcriada @palestinegenocide @sar-soor @akajustmerry @feluka @nabulsi

@a-shade-of-blue @tortiefrancis @tsaricides @flower-tea-fairies @riding-with-the-wild-hunt

@visenyasdragons @belleandsaintsebastian @ear-motif @kordeliiius @brutaliakhoa @raelyn-dreams @troythecatfish @theropoda

@4ft10tvlandfangirl @queerstudiesnatural @northgazaupdates2 @skatezophrenic @sygol

@awetistic-things @baby-girl-aaron-dessner @junglejim4233 @heritageposts @pcktknife @chososhairbuns @dlxxv-vetted-donations

@illuminated-runas @imjustheretotrytohelp @magnus-rhymes-with-swagness

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Month - July 2024

🏅- Talk about an Olympic comeback!

1. U.S. proposes ban on airline fees for seating parents next to kids

Parents should't have to pay a fee to sit next to their children when flying, according to the White House, which is moving to ban airlines from charging families extra to be seated together.

Under a rule proposed Thursday by the Department of Transportation, airlines would be required to seat parents and kids 13 and younger together free of charge when adjacent seating is available at booking.

2. A spinal injury killed Adriana Ruano's dream as a gymnast. She just won Guatemala's first Olympic gold medal as a shooter.

Ruano was training for the 2011 world championships in gymnastics, a qualifier for the London Olympics the following year, when she felt pain in her back. An MRI showed the then-16-year-old had six damaged vertebrae — a career-ending injury.

But on Wednesday, she came back as a shooter and won Guatemala's first Olympic gold medal.

3. Woman swept out to sea rescued after surviving 37 hours in 6.5' waves, drifted over 50 miles.

A Chinese woman who was swept out to sea while swimming at a Japanese beach was rescued 37 hours later after drifting in an inflatable swim ring more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) in the Pacific Ocean, officials said Thursday.

4. Afghan Sisters Escape The Taliban To Achieve Olympic Dreams

Sisters Yulduz and Fariba Hashimi are set to become the first female cyclists from Afghanistan to compete in the Olympics. The siblings fled their country after the Taliban seized power in 2021 and cracked down on women's rights, including banning women from participating in sports.

5. Stem cell therapy cures man with type 2 diabetes

A 59-year-old man had been suffering from diabetes for 25 years, needing more and more insulin every day to avoid slipping into a diabetic coma and was at risk of death. But then Chinese researchers cured his disease for the first time in the world. The patient received a cell transplant in 2021 and has not taken any medication since 2022.

6. Seventh person likely 'cured' of HIV, doctors announce

A 60-year-old German man is likely the seventh person to be effectively cured from HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant, doctors announced on Thursday. The man received a bone marrow transplant for his leukaemia in 2015. The procedure, which has a 10 percent risk of death, essentially replaces a person's immune system.

7. Every country has now banned the use of leaded gasoline in cars

Three and a half decades later, in 2021, Algeria became the last country to ban it. Leaded gasoline is now banned from being used in road vehicles in every country. It is a big win for the health of people around the world.

----------

That's it for this month :)

This newsletter will always be free. If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation here:

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Also don’t forget to share this post with your friends.

[sfaamq10]

🚨 dangerous 🚨

Hello everyone, I think there is a new danger coming to us with the beginning of winter. In the beginning, the weather started with light breezes that made the curtains fly, and sometimes the wind exposed us and we caught colds. On Sunday, the first rains of autumn began, and I think we began a journey of intense fear because some of the displaced persons’ tents sank due to the rain and the sea, and because we are... close to the sea, we all suffered that night.

Now we need a tarp to cover our tent to protect my little boy from the cold who has no immunity to diseases.We don't have the money to buy it because its price has increased four or five times what it was.I ask you to donate to protect ourselves and my little baby. I need to buy him winter clothes because of the high temperatures. I cannot buy them. Please help us.

Note:

Vetted by:

Vetted by @90-ghost

@ana-bananya

@buttercuparry

@magnus-rhymes-with-swagness

Dear Palestine supporter...

I saw that you took an interest in many Palestinian campaigns in Gaza. I ask you to help me. I really need help to protect my family and children. Your donation does so much. Don't underestimate what you give.❤️🙏🏻

@stil-lindigo

[reasonsforhope]

"In a first-ever human clinical trial, an mRNA cancer vaccine developed at the University of Florida successfully reprogrammed patients’ immune systems to fiercely attack glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal brain tumor.

The results in four adult patients mirrored those in 10 pet dog patients suffering from brain tumors whose owners approved of their participation.

The discovery represents a potential new way to recruit the immune system to fight treatment-resistant cancers using an iteration of mRNA technology and lipid nanoparticles, similar to COVID-19 vaccines, but with two key differences: use of a patient’s own tumor cells to create a personalized vaccine, and a newly engineered complex delivery mechanism within the vaccine.

“Instead of us injecting single particles, we’re injecting clusters of particles that are wrapping around each other like onions,” said senior author Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D., a UF Health pediatric oncologist who pioneered the new vaccine, which like other immunotherapies attempts to “educate” the immune system that a tumor is foreign.

“These clusters alert the immune system in a much more profound way than single particles would.”

Among the most impressive findings was how quickly the new method spurred a vigorous immune-system response to reject the tumor, said Sayour, principal investigator at the University’s RNA Engineering Laboratory and McKnight Brain Institute investigator who led the multi-institution research team.

“In less than 48 hours, we could see these tumors shifting from what we refer to as ‘cold’—very few immune cells, very silenced immune response—to ‘hot,’ very active immune response,” he said.

“That was very surprising given how quick this happened, and what that told us is we were able to activate the early part of the immune system very rapidly against these cancers, and that’s critical to unlock the later effects of the immune response,” he explained in a video (below).

Glioblastoma is among the most devastating diagnoses, with median survival around 15 months. Current standard of care involves surgery, radiation and some combination of chemotherapy.

The new report, published May 1 in the journal Cell, is the culmination of seven years of promising studies, starting in preclinical mouse models.

In the cohort of four patients, genetic material called RNA was extracted from each patient’s own surgically removed tumor, and then messenger RNA (mRNA)—the blueprint of what is inside every cell, including tumor cells—was amplified and wrapped in the newly designed high-tech packaging of biocompatible lipid nanoparticles, to make tumor cells “look” like a dangerous virus when reinjected into the bloodstream to prompt an immune-system response.

The vaccine was personalized to each patient with a goal of getting the most out of their unique immune system...

While too early in the trial to assess the clinical effects of the vaccine, the patients either lived disease-free longer than expected or survived longer than expected. The 10 pet dogs lived a median of 4.5 months, compared with a median survival of 30-60 days typical for dogs with the condition.

The next step, with support from the Food and Drug Administration and the CureSearch for Children’s Cancer foundation, will be an expanded Phase I clinical trial to include up to 24 adult and pediatric patients to validate the findings. Once an optimal and safe dose is confirmed, an estimated 25 children would participate in Phase 2."

-via Good News Network, May 11, 2024

-video via University of Florida Health, May 1, 2024

[mavellasuperfoods]

Superfood products are a great way to get your children to eat healthily. They are whole foods containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that promote a strong body and brain. There are powders that help meet the nutrition needs of the children, and they can be used for making smoothies for kids. It can also be given as a meal replacement, especially for children who have extremely picky eating. They are a perfect immune booster. The company also offers raw fruits and vegetables in dry form with natural vitamins.

[riding-with-the-wild-hunt]

vetted campaigns from today. i know i keep saying this, but please please donate if you have the means and share as widely as you can. if you've been feeling helpless, supporting one or multiple of these fundraisers is a simple, easy way to make a meaningful difference. please don't pass it by.

july 14th:

Widow Bashaer, her newborn daughter, her six siblings, and their mother ($8,372/$40,000) - @bshaeromars-blog, @entesarfares2013, verified by @/90-ghost

Mohammed Bardaweel, his wife, and their two little children, one of whom needs surgery (€6,684/€37,000) - @mohbardaweel, verified by @/el-shab-hussein

Munna Tashmali and her five children (this is the third time they've lost their home) (£2,926/£30,000) - @monashamali, verified by @/nabulsi

Ahmed Al-Nabih, his two brothers, and their mother, who needs treatment for diabetes and other chronic conditions (€10,471/€30,000) - @ahmedalnabeeh11, #218 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Rajaa, Khaled, and their one-year-old son ($1,403 CAD/$20,000 CAD) - @rajaagaza, @khaleedgaza, verified by @/90-ghost

Aseel Asaad and her family of ten (kr18,842 SEK/kr200,000 SEK) - @aseelooo2, verified by @/90-ghost

Ahmed, Eman, and their two little children (€1,553/€15,000) - @zain-leen1993, @leen-gaza, verified by @/90-ghost

Momen Alostaz and his family of ten, including several children, a newborn, and Momen's chronically ill parents (€13,793/€70,000) - @momen-alostaz, @mo98h, verified by @/nabulsi

Soha Balousha, her husband Hassan Al-Mishaal, and their four children, two of whom are very young ($171/$40,000) - @ahedhassan99, extended family of Mahmoud Balousha (#124 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet)

Mohammed Al Manasra (needs treatment for chronic respiratory illness), his wife, and their three little children (the family has already lost many members) (€24,967/€40,000) - @save-mohamed-family, #192 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Helping Khaled Altaban continue his education (£626/£10,000) - @khaledaltaban, verified by @/90-ghost

Reuniting Mervat Abu Aser with her parents and five sisters ($13,871/$70,000) - @sam-aser, #104 on strawberry seeds collective's spreadsheet

Helping Siraj Abudayeh, his wife, and their three young children to rebuild their treasured home ($6,278 CAD/$82,000 CAD) - @siraj2024, #219 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Maha Ibrahim, her husband Ahmed Al-Habil, their two little children, one of whom is immune-compromised, and Ahmed's parents (his father is diabetic and needs treatment for ulcers) (kr34,232 NOK/kr1,067,200 NOK) - @mahaibrahim12, @ahmedkhabil, #79 on butterfly effect project's spreadsheet

Mai Balousha, her husband Raed (needs treatment for a back injury and chronic chest problems), and their four children (€394/€52,000) - @nourbader2019, verified by @/90-ghost

Youssef Al-Habeel, his wife, and their little son Majd, who needs treatment for severe respiratory illness (£1,865/£20,000) - @savefamilyyousef, verified by @/90-ghost

Wattan Abu El Aish, her husband Bassel, and their two little children (€4,568/€50,000) - @duhafamily, verified by @/90-ghost

Ramez Hilles and his family of ten, including several children (€1,106/€37,000) - @ramezderar, verified by @/90-ghost

not yet vetted:

Mohammed Ayyad, his wife, and their five children (€11,263/€35,000) - @mohammad1980ayyad, @m430235341

Eman and her family of six ($339 CAD/$70,000 CAD) - @emhema1

Spouses Haneen and Mohammad (Haneen recently suffered her fourth miscarriage) and Mohammad's elderly parents, one of whom is in a wheelchair (€0/€25,000) - @haneenandmohammed

if you interact with one post today, let it be this one. these families cannot wait.

[hanaa98yousef]

Hello everyone 🌹

I think there is a new danger coming to us with the beginning of winter. In the beginning, the weather started with light breezes that made the curtains fly, and sometimes the wind exposed us and we caught colds. On Sunday, the first rains of autumn began, and I think we began a journey of intense fear because some of the displaced persons' tents sank due to the rain and the sea, and because we are... close to the sea, we all suffered that night

Now we need curtains to cover the tent and protect ourselves and our children from the cold, Yousef have weak immunity, and we do not have the money to buy curtains because their price has increased 5 times. We also need supplies to place the curtains.

I ask you to donate to protect ourselves from the cold and drowning in rainwater.

Note

Vetted by: @90-ghost

Dear Palestine supporter...

I saw that you took an interest in many Palestinian campaigns in Gaza. I ask you to help me. I really need help to protect my family and children. Your donation does so much. Don't underestimate what you give.

@appsa @sar-soor @sayruq @stuckinapril @heritageposts @neptunerings @feluka @malcriada @queerstudiesnatural @rizzyluke @determinate- negation

[hedgehog-moss]

(TW POLICE VIOLENCE)

France has been feeling like a police state this week, there were 5000 cops deployed in Paris yesterday (watch this video and tell me this is a normal amount of cops and they're behaving normally) and they keep acting like they have total immunity*, to beat up protesters, to arrest protesters, or just random people walking in the vicinity of a protest. My 70+-year-old dad tried to go to a peaceful protest and had to abandon the idea because of all the tear gas being used by police.

*Which they do—as Le Monde pointed out, the cops who are violent risk nothing because they can't be identified because almost none of them wear their identification number even though it's supposed to be mandatory. They're not being penalised for not wearing them, so why should they?

If you can stomach it, please have a look at the photos and videos on this Twitter account documenting French police brutality against protesters—as I write this, the most recent tweet is about a journalist who was beaten up by a BRAV-M cop* using his steel baton; he had his head cracked open and his hand broken.

(* BRAV-M is a motorised repression corps—cops on bikes—a unit that was dissolved in 1986 after some of them beat a student to death, who wasn't even attending a protest but walking near one. Macron changed the unit's name, from Voltigeurs to BRAV-M, and reestablished it to suppress the Yellow Vests protests. This week, a BRAV-M cop deliberately drove over a 19-year-old's leg at a protest after chasing him on his bike. The victim said he heard a cop say to others "Smash him." Another BRAV-M punched a protester unconscious on March 20. And today Le Monde published an article about BRAV-M cops being recorded bragging about "breaking elbows and faces.")

In Paris last week the CRS arrested a 14-year-old kid because they took him for a dangerous black bloc protester I guess?? A child spent a night in police custody without knowing why. They've also arrested several 15 / 16 year-olds. Let's teach the youth what happens when you exercise your right to protest!

On March 16th in Paris, within one evening, they arrested 292 people, and 283 were released without charges, which means they're mass-arresting people for peaceful protests as a strategy of intimidation. The student I mentioned in my post the other day, who spent 48 hours in custody and was eventually charged for refusing to have his DNA samples taken and filed, asked the cops why they were arresting him + 4 other people who were walking down the same street and they said "Because you look like fucking leftists."

The government tells us "We fully support our brave police forces" when the cops are arresting people for "looking like leftists." How are we still a democracy? The guy also mentioned that during the time he spent at the police station, the police was mostly arresting Maghrebis, though they made an exception for him, a Black guy. There are videos from the past week of cops beating up women, tear gassing protesters in the face from 20cm away, kicking protesters in the face when they're already on the ground, crushing their heads under their boot, brutalising a homeless man and old ladies, tear gassing crowds with young children in them. I'm having trouble finding links to these specific incidents I remember because there are so many videos circulating.

Look at this video, they're violently striking the back of people's heads with steel batons even when the protesters are already going in the direction they're told to. The little old lady shoved around and trying to protect her head from the strikes is breaking my heart.

Surely at the point when enforcers of state authority are arresting middle schoolers, beating up citizens for exercising their rights and gassing and pepper spraying elderly people, children and babies in strollers, the government might want to make some sort of statement condemning this state of affairs, but instead they have been telling us they're proud of & grateful for their police forces, which of course angers people and makes protests more violent. The Minister of the Interior, who supervises the police, praises them wholeheartedly and excuses all instances of deliberate brutality as 'isolated incidents' due to 'tiredness'.

Here's a thread in English describing a protester's experience—"Yesterday (March 23) the level of arbitrary police violence clearly leveled up. I was tear gassed three times without being able to move in a very dense crowd; policemen took advantage that people were unable to move more than 20cm to pounce on us and bludgeon us in a totally arbitrary manner." (you can see an example of this behaviour in this video from a different protest)

Yesterday, after a day of nationwide protests that brought a fresh new wave of video evidence of cops beating up protesters and making reckless use of tear gas—at the end of a day when a special ed teacher at a protest got her thumb torn off by a tear gas grenade—this is what the French Prime Minister said:

They're not even trying to play it off like "both sides made mistakes" they're telling us they condone everything the police is doing, that this is what they're deploying them for:

(screencap from this video)

(this is from this video, in which you can hear a woman screaming "Stop it! You're strangling him! You have no right! I'm filming you!" The cops don't seem to care about being filmed. They're beating up citizens with the government's full blessing after all.)

Macron's government is trying to intimidate people into giving up their right to protest, by deploying cops in huge numbers and publicly voicing complete support for their behaviour, by allowing them to beat and arrest hundreds of people and to use tear gas indiscriminately. Tear gas has been completely normalised as a means of state violence, it's very practical that it doesn't leave traces of blood or broken bones I guess, but it's still violence, it burns, it's a chemical whose effects on people's health we don't know a lot about.

^ Paris (from this vid; caption: "one tear gas grenade after the other")

Macron condescendingly told us there's no "magic money" which is why the pension reform is needed, but he did find the money to stockpile these apparently unlimited amounts of tear gas grenades to suppress protests against his reform to make poor people work longer.

^ Nantes (screencap from a vid in which the cops throw three or four grenades at once and you can hear people say "oh come on, seriously? this is crazy. Why? go fuck yourselves" in a tired tone)

We've also found out yesterday that three Corsican MPs were pressured not to support the Assembly's no-confidence vote against the government—by being told if they didn't vote it, a teaching hospital would be built in Corsica.

The island of Corsica is the only region of France that doesn't have a teaching hospital; due to lack of medical resources Corsicans often have to travel to mainland France for healthcare. Just last month the Minister of Health said sorry, still no teaching hospital for Corsica, it's just not possible right now. Then last week some "magic money" was apparently found to build it but only if the Corsican MPs didn't support the no-confidence vote. I know this kind of thing isn't exactly unique in politics but Macron has been slashing hospital budgets to the point that 20% of French hospital beds are closed due to lack of staff, and he used the health of 340,000 French citizens as a bribe to save his ass. The three Corsican MPs ended up voting in favour of the no-confidence vote despite of that, as it was what their constituents wanted (honour to them). Macron's government survived the no-confidence vote by only 9 votes.

Whatever legitimacy Macron has as a President right now is being clung to by MP corruption and police repression. How do we move forwards knowing that, I don't know. How does he have legitimacy to govern on any issues after the way he handled this reform and the following protests? His police forces are drowning city centres in tear gas, a chemical whose effect on birds and other fauna is not known, and we're supposed to listen to him talk about the environment? They're wasting thousands of litres of water using water cannons to disperse protesters, and we're supposed to listen to him talk about low groundwater levels and how we need to save water? I was going to say, what about his legitimacy abroad but other Western governments don't seem too bothered so far by his handling of the protests—though I'm grateful that Amnesty International did condemn it, and that a Belgian deputy made a speech in Parliament this week asking his government to condemn Macron's use of violent police repression.

[Wait, I just saw that as I was writing this post, the Council of Europe condemned the "excessive use of force" in France. Saying that 'sporadic acts of violence' of some protesters can't 'justify the excessive use of force by agents of the State' or 'deprive peaceful protesters of their right to freedom of assembly'. This is the opposite framing as the one our government is standing by—sporadic acts of violence by cops that are either justified or excusable—it's refreshing.]

Between that and Charles III cancelling his visit (and lots of tourists cancelling trips to Paris which is bound to piss off the tourism industry) and our own media waking up and starting to talk about the government's brutality, I hope Macron starts being held accountable. He has been fanning the flames of this crisis at every turn, by telling us that the crowds protesting in the street have 'no legitimacy', by sending cops to break strikes even though striking is a Constitutional right (but the only part of the Constitution he cares about is the one that starts with 49.3), by condemning the protesters when asked to condemn police violence—saying "When [protesters] use violence, unregulated, absolute, we're no longer in a Republic." I agree, but he's describing himself.

When you resort to using article 49.3 to bypass the National Assembly for the 11th time this term to impose a reform that 70% of the country is against (and 93% of working people) that will force the poorer classes of the population to work longer, and your only response to people's distress at being told to work until they die is to force them to accept it by allowing your police forces to beat up protesters, to arrest them and to gas them, you have failed as a democratic leader.

The next organised protest and strike is next Tuesday (if you want to give something to the strike solidarity fund, here it is); in the meantime spontaneous protests are still erupting pretty much every day and cops are getting burnt out (good! There are fun videos from yesterday's protests of cops accidentally tear gassing one another, or a police car accidentally running into another as people laugh and clap.) And yes some protesters are getting more extreme and destructive, but Macron is the one choosing to stand by his reform at all costs and let this country burn. And when I look at what we're being expected to tolerate and to normalise, I'm kind of proud that French people's gut reaction was "burn it all."

Some popular Twitter hashtags for the protests:

#ToutCramer - Burn everything #CensurePopulaire - People's no-confidence vote #MacronDémission - Macron resign #OnLâcheRien - We won't cede an inch.

[russo-woso]

can we get a mini williamson blurb on the conti cup final, where r is happy for them winning but concerned about leah’s knee, leah reassures her with kisses and words of affirmation, they also have a picture with the trophy infront of the supporters… while the kids are running riot with less and kyra pls

Proud of you || Leah Williamson

Part of the Mini Williamson universe.

I absolutely love writing parts to this universe. I know my requests are closed but if you have any requests for this universe, please send them in 🤍

Summary The conti cup final brings many emotions, some being pride and worry.

“I’m so proud of you, Le.” You told her as you engulfed her in a hug, the hug being quite restricted due to your bump.

“Thank you, love.” Leah whispered into your hair.

You finally pulled apart so Leah could pick up Amelia.

“You win, mummy!” Ami exclaimed and Leah nodded, a proud smile on her face.

“I did, and it’s all for you, bubba. And your mama and sister.” Leah explained, pressing kisses to Amelia’s face.

“Ami! Come!” Alessia’s hoarse voice said from across the pitch.

“Lessi, no shouting! Rest your voice.” You told her and she nodded.

Alessia had been sick the past week and you were doing your best to get her better, although you couldn’t control her immune system.

Leah put Amelia down and Ami went running to Alessia, nearly tripping over several times, but eventually made it to her in one piece.

“How’s your knee? I was so worried when you came off. I thought something had—” You began but Leah cut you off.

“—It’s perfect, baby. They took me off for precaution. They didn’t want me to overdo it.” Leah explained and you nodded, tears welling in your eyes. “Why you sad, love?”

“It’s just… I don’t want you to have to go through that again. And I’m just so proud of you.” You told her, trying your best not to cry.

“Oh, baby, it’s okay. Come, dry them tears and we’ll have a picture taken with the trophy.” Leah said, and you nodded.

Leah took the trophy off Katie, guiding you over to the arsenal section before getting the media person to take a picture.

One of the pictures was just a cute photo of you and Leah with the trophy.

Another was one of Leah kissing your bump.

And the final one was Leah kissing your cheek but in the background, Alessia, Kyra and Amelia had photobombed, all three of them pulling funny faces.

They all started running around again whilst you and Leah just looked at them in adoration.

“Do we have three children or just one?” Leah rolled her eyes, wrapping an arm around your waist, pulling you inevitably closer.

“You love them, Le. Don’t deny it.” You said with a playful smirk.

“Sure.” Leah smiled, before pressing a long and gently kiss to your lips.

“I’m so proud, Le. Another trophy that you’ve helped get.” You told her once you broke away from the kiss.

“The biggest one is you though.”

“Stop with the flirting, Williamson. I’m married you know.” You smirked

“Yeah, to me.”

[nassaetala]

My name is Tala Nassar, a 17-year-old from Gaza.

My mother is in a critical medical emergency. She was previously diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast. Her condition is indescribably severe, and her prognosis worsens by the day. This has been exacerbated by the recent bombings and ground invasion of our neighborhood in Nuseirat. Her condition has deteriorated further due to the toxic gases from the bombs dropped just meters from our home and even the smoke from cooking on an open fire, as gas is unavailable.

Since the start of the aggression on Gaza, she has not received any treatment. The only cancer hospital in Gaza was completely destroyed long ago. Her compromised immune system and diabetes only make matters worse, as finding any medication right now is impossible. We are incredibly fearful of the possibility of metastasis or something even worse.

Please help us. We desperately need medical assistance for my mother, and we are running out of time. Your support can make a difference in saving her life.

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week - March 18

1. FDA to Finally Outlaw Soda Ingredient Prohibited Around The World

An ingredient once commonly used in citrus-flavored sodas to keep the tangy taste mixed thoroughly through the beverage could finally be banned for good across the US. BVO, or brominated vegetable oil, is already banned in many countries, including India, Japan, and nations of the European Union, and was outlawed in the state of California in October 2022.

2. AI makes breakthrough discovery in battle to cure prostate cancer

Scientists have used AI to reveal a new form of aggressive prostate cancer which could revolutionise how the disease is diagnosed and treated.

A Cancer Research UK-funded study found prostate cancer, which affects one in eight men in their lifetime, includes two subtypes. It is hoped the findings could save thousands of lives in future and revolutionise how the cancer is diagnosed and treated.

3. “Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases

A new type of vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) has shown in the lab setting that it can completely reverse autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes — all without shutting down the rest of the immune system.

4. Paris 2024 Olympics makes history with unprecedented full gender parity

In a historic move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has distributed equal quotas for female and male athletes for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024. It is the first time The Olympics will have full gender parity and is a significant milestone in the pursuit of equal representation and opportunities for women in sports.

Biased media coverage lead girls and boys to abandon sports.

5. Restored coral reefs can grow as fast as healthy reefs in just 4 years, new research shows

Planting new coral in degraded reefs can lead to rapid recovery – with restored reefs growing as fast as healthy reefs after just four years. Researchers studied these reefs to assess whether coral restoration can bring back the important ecosystem functions of a healthy reef.

“The speed of recovery we saw is incredible,” said lead author Dr Ines Lange, from the University of Exeter.

6. EU regulators pass the planet's first sweeping AI regulations

The EU is banning practices that it believes will threaten citizens' rights. "Biometric categorization systems based on sensitive characteristics" will be outlawed, as will the "untargeted scraping" of images of faces from CCTV footage and the web to create facial recognition databases.

Other applications that will be banned include social scoring; emotion recognition in schools and workplaces; and "AI that manipulates human behavior or exploits people’s vulnerabilities."

7. Global child deaths reach historic low in 2022 – UN report

The number of children who died before their fifth birthday has reached a historic low, dropping to 4.9 million in 2022.

The report reveals that more children are surviving today than ever before, with the global under-5 mortality rate declining by 51 per cent since 2000.

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