#they should represent germany we need the help

[ningtual]

lessera on esc next 🫶🏻

[djuvlipen]

Here is an NGO that helps Ukrainian Romani women!

Svitlana’s eyes began to shine with happiness as she entered the hotel room in Odesa. She had never spent a night in a hotel, or any place that to her seemed so beautifully decorated. She had come here to change her life.

Svitlana* was attending a women’s leadership training from CARE and the charity foundation Winds of Change.

Throughout her childhood and adolescence, Svitlana had lived in a compact settlement for Roma families in Odesa region. Women’s health was never discussed there. She didn’t go to school, because she had to take care of her younger siblings.

Only recently, at 28, has she learned to write her own name.

Winds of Change, a CARE partner organization, has been working with the Roma community for over four years.

Roma, also called Romany, is an ethnic group of traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India but now live principally in Europe.

The word “Roma” means “man” and refers to different communities, including Kalderash in southeastern Europe, Romanichals in England, Sinti in Germany, Italy, and France, Kalé in Wales, Finland, Spain and Portugal, and Gitano from Spain, as well as many others around the world — there are an estimated 400,000 Roma people in Ukraine.

As part of CARE’s Women’s Lead in Emergencies model, Winds of Change is working with the Roma communities in Ukraine to train women to take part in leadership.

‘I dreamed of being an artist’

Svitlana was 15 when she got married. She married her husband “under the Roma law.” They have no legal marriage documents.

“He stole me from my parents, and since then we have been living together,” Svitlana says. “This is how most Roma girls live. [They say] women should only look after children, clean and cook… But when I was a child, I dreamed of being an artist. To paint beautiful patterns on the facades of the house. It’s a pity that I never did.”

Some 80 percent of girls in the Roma community have similar stories. From a young age they help their parents look after younger children, and between the ages of 12 and 15 they are coerced into marriage where they then start their adult life.

Now she has six children.

She dreams that all her children will be educated. So, this year, with the support of the Winds of Change Foundation, three of her six children went to the first grade, and two went to the second grade.

For Svitlana, it was an indescribable joy.

A double standard

“Very often, representatives of local authorities, especially in rural areas, turn a blind eye to Roma needs,” says Yulia Hladka, a Winds of Change representative. “Children may not go to school, because it is their tradition. They are Roma; they are married early and have different ‘duties’” — this is how social services often react to the remarks of Roma human rights organizations. If a Ukrainian woman was in a similar situation, she would have been noticed and social services would have intervened.”

Roma people feel this indifference, even from the medical community. When Svitlana fell ill, the local hospital was reluctant to admit her. It was the same with the pediatrician. He simply recorded the visits in a log, although he did not actually examine her children.

It was only with Yulia Hladka’s help that Svitlana finally decided to see a gynecologist to find out the cause of her irregular cycle and heavy bleeding. But it wasn’t easy, because of ethnic discrimination. Only at a private medical center was Svitlana thoroughly examined and found to have cervical erosion, a damaged cyst, and critically low hemoglobin.

Now she is undergoing a long course of treatment.

A double discrimination

As Winds of Change has learned, changing the lives of Roma women is not always easy. These women have suffered discrimination, and sometimes violence, and are understandably reluctant to trust.

Human rights organizations call the Roma community one of the most discriminated against social groups in Ukraine.

Roma women in Ukraine are subject to double discrimination — on ethnic and gender grounds. They face limitations in various aspects of their lives, such as being compelled to marry at a young age and having more than two or three children. Because their community considers them responsible for caring for younger children, they also have restricted access to education compared to boys. They face challenges in finding employment and accessing healthcare.

Life undocumented

Many problems are caused by the lack of documents, as usually Roma people live in isolation and very rarely turn to government institutions. Women give birth at home and do not even apply for birth certificates. The absence of passports also makes it difficult for Roma to obtain documents, so they cannot receive assistance from the state, and their number in the country cannot be officially counted.

According to Roma NGOs like Winds of Change, charitable foundation “Planet of Good People,” just over a third of Ukrainian Roma are employed. For Roma women, this is often complicated by the fact that they are mothers of many children, so they face discrimination on this basis as well.

This was the case with Svitlana. She has been dependent on her husband’s decisions almost since childhood. All her time was taken up with housework and caring for her six children and her husband’s sister’s 13 children.

“At one of the focus groups, we realized that a very big problem for Roma women is the lack of access to basic services and jobs,” says Yulia. “They usually live in rural areas where there are not many employment opportunities.”

“But even if vacancies do appear, Roma are usually rejected, because of stereotypes and ethnicity.”

“We came up with the idea to create a social enterprise where these women could get hard skills — sewing home textiles and clothes — and soft skills, like communication, psychological self-regulation. We organized a small sewing company in Odesa called Petalenca, where Roma women sew bedding and home clothes. We train them and help them promote their products.”

After the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, many internally displaced women also found their place here and started working together with Roma women. Some women had some stereotypes about Roma before but working together helped to dispel them. Now this company employs Roma and women who have been displaced.

*name changed

They accept donations!

[robertreich]

We Need to Make Government Bigger (It’s Not What You Think) 

We need to make the House of Representatives bigger!

Now I know what some might be thinking: “Make the government bigger?” Well, technically yes. But that's missing the point. We need to expand the House to make the government work better, and be more responsive to our needs.

Put simply: The House of Representatives does not have enough members to adequately represent all 334 million of us.

Now, the House hasn’t always had 435 members and it was never intended to stay the same size forever. For the first 140 years of America’s existence, a growing House of Reps was actually the norm.

It wasn’t until 1929 that Congress arbitrarily decided to cap the size of the House at 435 members. Back then, each House member represented roughly 200,000 people.

But since then, the population of the United States has more than tripled, bringing the average number of constituents up to roughly 760,000.

Compared to other democracies, we are one of the worst in terms of how many constituents a single legislator is supposed to represent. Only in India does the average representative have more constituents.

And as America continues to grow it's only going to get worse.

Think your representative doesn’t listen to you now? Just wait.

Not surprisingly, research shows that representatives from more populous House districts tend to be less accessible to their constituents, and less popular.

Thankfully, the solution is simple: allow the House to grow.

Increasing the number of representatives should be a no brainer for at least four reasons:

First, logically, more representatives would mean fewer people in each congressional district — improving the quality of representation.

Second, a larger House would be more diverse. Despite recent progress, today’s House is still overwhelmingly male, white, and middle-aged. More representatives means more opportunities for young people, people of color, and women to run for office — and win.

Third, this reduces the power of Big Money. Running an election in a smaller district would be less expensive, increasing the likelihood that people elect representatives that respond to their interests rather than big corporations and the wealthy.

Fourth, this would help reduce the Electoral College’s bias toward small states in presidential elections. As more heavily populated states gain more representatives in Congress — they also gain more electoral votes.

Now, some might say that a larger House of Representatives would be unwieldy and unmanageable.

Well, Japan, Germany, France, and the UK — countries with smaller populations than us — all have larger legislatures — and they manage just fine.

Others might say that it would be too difficult — or expensive — to accommodate more representatives in the Capitol. “Are there even enough chairs???”

Seriously?

Look, we’ve done it before. The current Capitol has been expanded to accommodate more members several times — and it can be again. A building should not be an obstacle to a more representative democracy.

Increasing the size of the House is an achievable goal.

We don’t even need a constitutional amendment. Congress only needs to pass a law to expand the number of representatives, which it’s done numerous times.

And as it happens, there is a bill — two in fact!

Each would add more than 130 seats to the House and lower the number of constituents a typical representative serves from 761,000 to a little over 570,000. Plus, there is a mechanism for adding new members down the line.

These bills are our best chance to restore the tradition of a House that grows in representation as America grows.

It’s time for us to think big — and make the People’s House live up to its name.

[girlschasinggirls]

the depp/heard case was just a taste of people’s fake nice personas slipping but now the israel/palestine occupation & ethnic cleansing really made me realise how truly demonic and corrupt celebrities, the wealthy, politicians and even regular civilians really are. people asking you to “condemn hamas” while saying israel should “flatten gaza” noah schapp saying “hamas doesn’t represent all of palestine” and then in the same statement “you either stand with israel or you stand with terrorism” jessica chastain posting #bringthemhome propaganda with zero mention of israel obliterating gaza even though the hostages are literally in fucking gaza. amy schumer and sarah kate silverman being absolutely insane zionist liars. joe biden lying about seeing photos of beheaded infants and then lying again that palestinians bombed their own hospital with a missile more powerful than anything hamas would have access to or has literally ever used. rishi sunak saying “we need to help the people of palestine because they are victims of hamas too” after saying he stands with israel. the entire country of germany right now. i’m just sick.

[gatheringbones]

[“Time and again, sex workers watch as mainstream feminist intervention and commentary neglects workplace power relations and the need to earn a living. In these analyses, forced health examinations are nothing to worry about, and making sex workers carry an ID around that reveals their real name to potential predators is fine. Schwarzer, despite identifying as an ‘abolitionist’, supports forced health checks and compulsory registration, while leading feminist Julie Bindel criticises regulationism as a legal model but suggests that the promise of registering prostitutes is one of its few redeeming features.

Many anti-prostitution feminists envision state interference uncritically, as harmless for women or even as a form of protection. Writer Kat Banyard approvingly quotes a woman who tells her:

If it hadn’t been legal I wouldn’t have done it … as I wouldn’t rob an old lady or as I won’t steal at the shop or something like that. I wouldn’t have made this decision if it wouldn’t have been so easy and legal. I really had wished that it wasn’t legal and that the state – in Germany, you know we call the state ‘the father’ – and I really had the wish that the father had protected me from that with a good law.

Setting aside the implication that a prostitute should be criminalised in the same way as someone who robs an old lady (a strange implication to find in an ostensibly feminist text), for women to ask the ‘father state’ for protection from what we might perceive to be our own ‘bad decisions’ is about as explicit an appeal to patriarchy as you can get. The word patriarchy literally translates to ‘rule by the fathers’ – or the ‘father state’, one might say.

Though these politics are incredibly frustrating and harmful to sex workers, it isn’t hard to see how they happen. Regulationism represents an understandable nightmare: that we are headed for a hyper-capitalist sexual dystopia where men profiteering from women’s prostitution is a legitimised, unstoppable industry and women’s bodies are cogs in the machine. We don’t disagree that legalisation is bad. In fact, what we’d like very much to do is lead a more robust conversation with people like Bindel, Banyard, and Schwarzer about why and how exactly it is bad and what the alternatives are. To regulate and control sex workers – with the threat of punishment if they don’t comply – is to abandon the poorest and most vulnerable to the shadows. To these workers, legalisation is criminalisation, since the ability to work within the law is in practice beyond them. It’s tempting to imagine drunken, aggressive stag parties stumbling out of bars in Hamburg’s Reeperbahn or Amsterdam’s De Wallen red-light districts and think that only additional restrictions, penalties, and punishments will help. But penalties, however they manifest, only make the sex industry more dangerous for sex workers. Penalties mean taking power from workers and giving it to the police, employers, or clients.”]

molly smith, juno mac, from revolting prostitutes: the fight for sex workers’ rights, 2018

[mariacallous]

In the latest battle between AI and the media, major Danish newspapers and TV stations are threatening to sue OpenAI unless the company compensates the country’s press for allegedly using their content to train its models.

“We want remuneration for our work [which] they have used to train their model,” says Karen Rønde, CEO of the Danish Press Publications’ Collective Management Organization (DPCMO), which represents 99 percent of Danish media outlets, including state broadcaster DR and TV 2. Rønde says the DPCMO plans to sue if a deal is not reached in the next year.

AI has created a new front in copyright law after a series of lawsuits claimed that OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, scraped news companies’ websites without permission in order to train its AI models. Soon after those lawsuits, OpenAI struck a series of licensing deals with major publishers, enabling the company to train its future iterations of ChatGPT on their content. Financial terms for the deals have not been disclosed.

Now, Danish media is attempting to force OpenAI to negotiate with them as a collective, an unusual tactic that could provide a model for other small countries if successful. So far, OpenAI has been striking deals with publishers individually and has announced content partnerships with the Financial Times and the Atlantic, as well as German media conglomerate Axel Springer, French newspaper Le Monde, and Spanish group Prisa.

After meeting with OpenAI online and in-person earlier this year, Rønde says she was left with the impression that Denmark was not a top priority. “It was made clear that the focus was the deal in Germany and the deal in France and the deal in Spain and of course, the American ones,” she says. “There are so many content creators in all the other territories and they are now left with nothing.”

Rønde has sent a letter to OpenAI’s lawyer at Dutch firm Brinkhof informing them of Danish copyright law, and says she is waiting for a response. She presumes OpenAI has already used content from Danish press websites because the company has not told her otherwise, she says. Neither OpenAI nor Brinkhof replied to WIRED’s request for comment.

For Rønde, time is of the essence. She wants to strike a deal with OpenAI and also Google’s Gemini in the next year, before the use of AI chatbots and search engine overviews further marginalizes publishers’ websites. “Maybe then it [will be] too late, and the value of the press publishers’ content will be—in one or two or three years—too low,” she says. “If we cannot enter into a partnership agreement within a reasonably short time frame, then we need to enforce our rights.”

DPCMO was set up in 2021 to help Danish media negotiate with Big Tech. “We needed to stand united, otherwise we feared that Denmark would be too small a country to be prioritized in the discussion with Big Tech,” says Rønde.

Last year, the group secured preliminary license agreements with Microsoft’s Bing and Google to feature Danish publishers’ content in the company’s search engines. Although the agreements outlined that publishers should be compensated by the two companies, the deals did not agree on how much.

[shychick-52]

So, in the EPCOT interactive game DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, there are seven countries with a different mystical artifact- the Seven Plunders of the World- hidden in each one. It’s basically a scavenger hunt, and the player (‘Adven-sharer’, as the Ducks call them) looks for clues to help the Ducks find each treasure and thwart a variety of villains from stealing them. The enemies are a mix of regular/recurring villains and one-time villains from certain episodes. The seven countries in the game are Mexico, Norway, Germany, France, Japan, and China.

When I watched all the videos of them on YouTube, I was delighted to learn that Gyro and Fenton are in the game too! They aren’t in every country/mission, though- Gyro is in the France mission and Fenton is in the Japan mission.

…I was shocked that Gyro isn’t in the Japan mission, because of his significant association with Japan revealed in the season 3, episode 6 episode ‘Astro B.O.Y.D.’! ‘Astro B.O.Y.D’ took place in Japan, which was not only where Gyro suffered a traumatic past that changed him for the worse (his backstory is so good, and explains why he became the embittered, distant, and seemingly arrogant present-day Gyro), but also where he ended up gaining closure about his past, the beautiful beginnings of much-needed character development and healing, and the beautiful beginnings of a relationship with his robot son Boyd at the end of the episode. If Gyro had’ve been in the Japan mission of DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, maybe we could have also gotten a Boyd reference or even a cameo, which would’ve been fantastic because that little guy and his relationship with Gyro are both criminally overlooked.

It turned out that Gyro's role in DuckTales World Showcase Adventure (where he still wasn't given much character development, but was still hilariously snarky as usual XD) was in the France mission instead.

Sooo, no Gyro (or Boyd) in the Japan mission. But surely Akita is the bad guy for that one, right? You know, this guy? Guy responsible for forcing Boyd to be a killer robot and destroying Tokyolk?

I mean, that should've been the obvious choice, right?? Sure, he’s only a one-time villain, but three other one-time villains were brought back for the game to represent their respective nations (Toad Liu Hai for the China mission, the Kelpies for the United Kingdom mission, and Hecka- one of the Valhalla wrestlers the family faced in ‘Rumble for Ragnarok’- for the Norway mission).

Wrong! The villains for the Japan mission were the Beagles and Mark Beaks (which make zero sense), who’d teamed up to steal the Illustrated Scroll of Quackagawa from the temple where it was stored. (More ‘Astro B.O.Y.D.’ erasure, ugh) Turns out Ma Beagle had Beaks design a robot lookalike of Webby to steal the treasure and frame the real Webby at the same time. The plan was for the Beagles to sell Beaks the Scroll so he could “add it to his extensive collection of rare historical manga.” Ok, then…

Well, neither Gyro, Boyd, or Akita were even mentioned in the Japan mission, but we did get one reference to ‘Astro B.O.Y.D.’! A very quick image of Inspector Tezuka (silent recycled footage from that episode) while Dewey was explaining that “local police think that the real Webby took the Scroll because the bot looks exactly like her.” So, that was pretty neat!

Ok, I admit that Fenton was the second-best choice for the Japan mission. Fenton’s role in this mission? Well... once Beaks learned how dangerous the Scroll’s powers were, he stupidly decided to use the robot to activate those powers because “that story would be trending for at least an hour!” So, they needed a “robot expert” to help them stop the robot.

Still, you’d think Gyro would be that robot expert, right? I mean, duh. It’s Gyro, c’mon, who else?! DX All the more reason for him to be in this mission, and they blow it again. It takes place in Japan and involves an evil robot, and they don’t use him??

(At this point, Fenton should have reminded them that Gyro's the real robotics expert)

Well, ok, by “robot expert”, Huey was actually hinting that Fenton could handle it because he’s Gizmoduck (which Dewey clarified)- a superhero in a robotic suit of armor, which would be more than a match for the robot imposter of Webby.  Fair enough, I admit. I mean, Fenton’s role in this does make sense when you consider that. But still… it’s Gyro, man.

Quit squandering all these perfect opportunities to feature him (and Akita), DuckTales team!! DX

And even if Gyro still was banned from Japan at the end of 'Astro B.O.Y.D.' (even tho he was instrumental in saving the day and it was revealed the '2-BO' incident was neither his or Boyd's fault), there was no reason for Akita not to be in the Japan mission!!

Oh, and this post also explains how it was also a missed opportunity for them to reveal Akita ending up in F.O.W.L. in the show.

[newstfionline]

Thursday, March 14, 2024

The US has its first presidential rematch since 1956 (AP) Just when Americans thought they were out, Joe Biden and Donald Trump pulled them back in. The sequel to the 2020 election is officially set as the president and his immediate predecessor secured their parties’ nominations. Biden and Trump have set up a political movie the country has seen before—even if the last version was in black and white. The last presidential rematch came in 1956, when Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower again defeated Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic opponent he had four years prior. Grover Cleveland, meanwhile, was the nation’s 22nd and 24th president, winning elections in 1884 and 1892.

Congress is becoming less productive (Reuters) The U.S. Congress is navigating yet another government funding deadline—the eighth in less than six months—and are at an impasse over sending aid to key allies in Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel. Divisions among Republicans in the House and Senate killed a major bipartisan border policy bill. Reforms to bedrock programs like Medicare and Social Security are desperately needed but no closer to getting passed. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives spent close to a month without a speaker last year due to infighting between moderate and hard right factions of the Republican party. When U.S. Representative Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, begged his colleagues in November to “give me one thing I can campaign on and say we did,” he was articulating what many lawmakers and observers were feeling: Congress isn’t working. The simplest expression of this is the number of bills passed by Congress. Just twenty-seven bills were passed last year—a record low.

In yearly Pennsylvania tradition, Amish communities hold spring auctions to support fire departments (AP) A couple hundred used buggies—horses not included—were lined up and ready for the auctioneer’s gavel last weekend when day began at the Gordonville mud sale, a local Amish tradition dating to the 1960s. Mud sales are country auctions that benefit volunteer fire departments across what the Amish community refers to as the Lancaster settlement, located some 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Philadelphia where the devout Christian group began to settle about 300 years ago. They don’t sell mud, although a cold rain brought plenty of it. The name refers to early spring, when wet fields have begun to thaw but may not be ready for the plow. Gordonville’s mud sale, one of at least a dozen being held this spring in the region, drew thousands of bidders and was expected to net the fire department about $100,000, about 10% of the total proceeds. Amish people make and donate much of the food and sale items and are the buyers of most of the buggies and the array of horse-drawn farm equipment.

As leader resigns, Haitian politicians rush to form new government (Washington Post) Haitian leaders scrambled Tuesday to meet a 24-hour deadline to set up a panel that will lead the deteriorating country to new elections following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Kenyan officials, meanwhile, said they were putting the deployment of a U.N.-approved multinational security force to the beleaguered Caribbean nation on pause until a new government is in place, according to media reports. A senior U.S. State Department official said the transitional presidential council would select an interim prime minister and government in “the very near future” and the mission should “go forward without delay.” Perhaps the greatest question: Would the gangs that helped push Henry allow the transition to a new authority?

Germany hit by new wave of airport, train strikes (DPA) Germany has again been hit by a double wave of strikes in the transport sector, as train drivers and aeroplane cabin crews stopped work on Tuesday in ongoing wage disputes. Around 80% of long-distance trains were cancelled on Tuesday as train drivers from the state-owned rail company Deutsche Bahn went on strike. At major air hubs Frankfurt and Munich, tens of thousands passengers were having to reschedule their flights due to a two-day strike by the cabin crew union Ufo at Lufthansa. Individual flights were also cancelled at other locations such as Berlin's international airport.

‘Jamming’: How Electronic Warfare Is Reshaping Ukraine’s Battlefields (NYT) The Ukrainian soldier swore and tore off his headset. His video monitor had gone blurry at first, the landscape of shattered trees and shell craters barely visible, before blacking out completely. The Russians had jammed the signal of his drone as it was flying outside the town of Kreminna in eastern Ukraine. For a while, the Ukrainians enjoyed a honeymoon period with their self-detonating drones that were used like homemade missiles. The weapons seemed like an effective alternative to artillery shells for striking Russian forces. Now, the bad days are starting to outweigh the good ones: electronic countermeasures have become one of the Russian military’s most formidable weapons after years of honing their capabilities. Electronic warfare remains a hidden hand in much of the war, and like Ukraine’s disadvantage in troop numbers and ammunition supplies, Ukraine suffers in this area as well in comparison to Russia. Russia has more jamming equipment capable of overpowering Ukrainian signals by broadcasting on the same frequencies at higher power. It also exhibits better coordination among their units.

Naval drones versus Russian warships (BBC) The secretive G-13 unit of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency was behind the sinking of the Sergey Kotov warship last week, its fifth downing in the year since it’s been in operation. The group’s not-so-secret weapons are naval drones—cheap, unmanned and lethal. The Magura V5, named after a Slavic goddess of war, looks like a small motorboat with a flat surface instead of passenger seats. “It doesn’t emit a lot of heat, so it’s almost invisible for thermal cameras. It’s made from plastic, therefore even radars struggle to see it,” says the unit’s commander. Produced by the Ukrainian armed forces, the drone’s claimed range is 800km (500 miles), so it can easily reach the Crimean peninsula and even the Russian coastline. It can allegedly carry 250kg of payload, enough to sink a warship.

Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war (Reuters) President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday Russia was technically ready for nuclear war and that if the U.S. sent troops to Ukraine, it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict. Putin, speaking just days before a March 15-17 election which is certain to give him another six years in power, said the nuclear war scenario was not “rushing” up and he saw no need for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. “From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready,” Putin, 71, told Rossiya-1 television and news agency RIA in response to a question whether the country was really ready for a nuclear war. Putin said the U.S. understood that if it deployed American troops on Russian territory—or to Ukraine—Russia would treat the move as an intervention.

Chinese trust goes bust, reflecting turbulent economy (AP) Some investors in a troubled trust fund in China are facing financial ruin under a government plan to return a fraction of their money, casualties of a slump in the property industry and a broader economic slowdown. Sichuan Trust, headquartered in the southwest city of Chengdu, announced it was insolvent in 2020, stricken by sketchy accounting and failed investments in shopping malls and other projects. A deadline earlier this month to accept a 20%-60% “haircut” or loss on their investments has left some investors in deep financial trouble. China’s economy, the world’s second largest, depends heavily on real estate development to drive growth and create jobs. Property prices and sales have languished after a crackdown on what leaders viewed as dangerous levels of borrowing, causing dozens of developers to default on their debts. The ruling Communist Party faces a dilemma: Debt is a problem, but falling home prices lead people to scrimp on spending. That squeezes companies’ sales, so they lay off workers and cut back on investment. The result: slowing growth and less wealth to go around.

Medics say they were ‘humiliated’ in raid (BBC) For several weeks, Alice Cuddy and several of our colleagues have been investigating what went on when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) raided Gaza’s Nasser hospital last month. It was at the time one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the Strip. Intelligence, the IDF said, indicated the presence of Hamas operatives—a claim denied by Hamas. Some hostages who got out of Gaza said they had been held at Nasser. Since the raid, Palestinian medical staff in Gaza have told the BBC they were blindfolded, detained, forced to strip and repeatedly beaten by Israeli soldiers. Doctor Ahmed Abu Sabha, whose account closely matches those of two medics who wished to remain anonymous, described being detained for a week. Muzzled dogs were set upon him and his hand was broken by an Israeli soldier, he said. The three men told the BBC they were beaten, doused with cold water, and forced to kneel in uncomfortable positions for hours. The IDF did not comment on the specific allegations, but said “any abuse of detainees is contrary to IDF orders”.

A Ramadan of ‘sadness’ as war-weary Gazans go hungry (Washington Post) For Mahasen Khateeb, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan used to be a time of lavish dinners, family gatherings, communal prayers and gift giving. “All of that is gone,” the 31-year-old graphic designer said by phone from Jabalya, in northern Gaza, which humanitarian groups warn is on the brink of famine after months of Israeli siege and bombardment. Khateeb doesn’t have enough food for suhoor, the traditional meal eaten before dawn, when the day-long Ramadan fast begins. On Tuesday for iftar, the post-sunset meal when people break their fast, she planned to make rounds of bread topped with canned tomato sauce. Her brother risked his life, she said, to get a bag of flour during a rare and chaotic aid delivery last week. “This situation isn’t new with Ramadan,” she said. “We’ve already been fasting for more than a month. … There are no food products to buy and eat.” Khateeb said she has mainly been subsisting on green leafy plants that grow with the winter rains and die out as spring approaches. 16 children have died of malnutrition in aid-starved Gaza, health officials say

A ship carrying 200 tons of food is heading to Gaza (Washington Post) A ship carrying nearly 200 tons of food left Cyprus on Tuesday to deliver desperately needed aid to the Gaza Strip, where concerns are mounting over the worsening humanitarian situation. The journey, if successful, would mark the first shipment of aid into Gaza via a new maritime route—but the supplies the ship is carrying represent only a fraction of the amount of aid needed after five months of a devastating war that has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The mission is being undertaken by World Central Kitchen, the aid organization founded by celebrity chef Andrés, who is based in Washington. “We have served more than 35 million meals in Gaza & the maritime corridor will allow us to provide millions more,” the group said.

Zimbabwe, After Expelling U.S. Officials, Accuses Them of Promoting ‘Regime Change’ (NYT) The government of the southern African nation of Zimbabwe detained, interrogated and deported officials and contractors working for the United States government last month, and this week accused them publicly of promoting “regime change” in their country. The incident is the latest in the Zimbabwean government’s aggressive efforts to thwart both domestic and international challenges to its authority. The incumbent government claimed victory in a chaotic election last year that several independent observer missions said lacked fairness and credibility. But it also points to a deeper tension over the United States’ proclaimed efforts to promote democracy around the globe. Some nations, including Zimbabwe, have accused America of meddling in their affairs and attempting to impose its values—as well as of hypocrisy, given the threats at home to its own democracy.

[chicchanmooshy]

Christmas symbolism – Spider

While the brothers were decorating their Christmas tree, Ishtar sat on the other side of the living area. She was in two minds. On one hand she didn't like decorating the tree, just the plain decorating activity. But on the other hand she thought the symbolism behind it was very beautiful. That symbolism was still known amongst witches and pagans. 'Never to be forgotten', she thought.

“Hey Ishtar, do ya wanna help us decorate the Christmas tree?” called Raphael. “No, not necessarily. Besides, you guys are doing a fine job yourselfs.”

Ever since Ishtar was a little kid, she liked the tree, the lights and eating together. But the whole Christmas-thing around it, not so much. As an adult she had never put up a tree in her own home. She thought it was too much fuss. Needles everywhere, the tree that needed to be watered but eventually still dies. So, rather not a tree in her home.

In her early twenties she became interested in witchcraft. Doing magic, making her own potions, learning about the origins of paganism.. Now that she lived with the brothers, she still performed some magic sometimes, but not in plain side. It's more about focusing energy than waving around with a wand.

“But I did make an ornament that would be nice in our tree.” “That's cool. We've kept some space for you, so bring it!”

Everybody was curious what she had made, but when Raphael saw it, he turned three shades paler.

“What the FUCK ISHTAR!?!?! Are ya fucking kidding me?!?! You're really gonna put a bug in the tree?!?! I HATE BUGS!!!” he yelled while jumping away from Ishtar. “Keep that bug away from me!”

“It's a Christmas Spider..” Ishtar said reassuringly. “It's not a real spider Raph, just a fake one. It's about what he represents..”

Donnie muttered something under his breath “... technically not a bug..” “I know Donnie. Shut up, you're not helping here”, whispered Ishtar to Donnie.

“Everyone, come sit with me. I will tell you the Legend of the Christmas Spider.

“A long time ago in Germany, a mother wa cleaning for Christmas. Spiders fled up to the attic to escape the broom. On quiet Christmas Eve, the spiders slowly came down for a peek. “Oh, what a beautiful tree!” In excitement, they scurried up and out along each branch. They were filled with happiness as they climbed amongst the glittering beauty. But alas! By the time they were done, the tree was shrouded in their dusty grey web. When Santa came with gifts for the children and saw the tree covered with spider webs, he smiled because he saw how happy the spiders were, but knew how heartbroken the mother would be of she saw it covered in dusty webs. So he turned the webs to strands of silver and the tree was even more beautiful than before. That's the story of tinsels on trees and why every tree should have a Christmas Spider in it's branches.”

“Wow, now we know why tinsels are put in the tree, besides just as beautiful decorations”, said Leonardo.

“Yes, Christmas is full of symbolism. I might tell you about the other symbols as well, soon...”

@turtle-babe83 @thelaundrybitch @roxosupreme @leosgirl82 @mysticboombox @rheawritesforfun @angelcatlowyn 

[usafphantom2]

The Netherlands considers supplying its F-16 fighters to Ukraine

The Dutch government also supports the shipment of German Leopard 2 tanks.

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 01/21/2013 - 17:32 in Military, War Zones

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Repeated requests from Ukrainian officers and pilots for F-16 fighters seem to be able to be met, as the Dutch office studies the supply of F-16 jets to Ukraine if the Kiev government requests it.

During a parliamentary debate on Thursday, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said that the Cabinet would analyze such a request with an "open mind". In Davos, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren also said that the Netherlands is willing to help pay for the modern Leopard 2 tanks that other countries send to Ukraine. “This is certainly something we are willing to do,” she told Bloomberg.

Hoekstra said that "there are no taboos" for the delivery of regular equipment. Parliamentarian Sjoerd Sjoerdsma asked the Cabinet to provide F-16s and infantry combat vehicles to the Ukrainian armed forces. Many fear that Russia will launch another major offensive in the coming months.

An F-35 from RNLAF, which is replacing the current F-16s.

The Royal Dutch Air Force is currently deactivating its fleet of F-16A/B fighters, progressively replacing them with 52 F-35A stealth fighters. Twelve Dutch F-16 fighters have already been sold to Draken International, a private company based in the United States that offers realistic training for fighter pilots.

Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands (left), and Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, speak at a press conference in The Hague last week. (Photo: Christophe Gateau / picture Alliance via Getty Images)

During his speech at the Ramstein-8 meeting in Germany on January 20, President Volodymyr Zelensky asked partners to give Ukraine long-range missiles and F-16 fighters, according to Sky News. Ukraine's allies have been reluctant to supply these Western-made fighters so far.

The delivery of the F-16 would undoubtedly be subject to the approval of the United States, its manufacturing country. Although the Biden administration was initially reluctant, the U.S. House of Representatives allocated $100 million to train Ukrainian pilots to fly U.S. combat aircraft in July 2022.

F-16 fighters of the Royal Dutch Air Force. (Photo: Logtnest / Shutterstock.com)

According to Hoekstra, the Netherlands only sends items that Ukraine asks for. Currently, Ukraine mainly needs heavy weapons. For some time, the country has been asking for modern tanks. Poland and Finland want to send the German Leopard 2 tanks, but they need Germany's permission.

An F-16C of the Alabama National Air Force taxi passes through Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters in the courtyard of the Mirgorod Air Base in Ukraine during a fiscal year in 2011. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

According to Zelensky, Poland, Finland, Portugal, Spain and some other countries have stated that they are ready to supply German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but need permission for the transfer of equipment from Germany.

Germany is still thinking about offering Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. (Photo: KMV)

Berlin is hesitant. The German government is under intense pressure to allow these tanks to be sent to Ukraine. The Netherlands is willing to help pay to get the tanks in Ukraine, Ollongern said in Davos, but the delivery should take place within a European or NATO coalition.

“We are waiting for Germany’s position on this, but I am in favor of trying to find a solution and send tanks to Ukraine,” Ollongren told Bloomberg. "Every time, we show that we are able, together, to provide Ukraine with what they need."

Tags: Military AviationF-16 Fighting FalconRNLAF - Royal Netherlands Air Force / Royal Dutch Air ForceWar Zones - Russia/Ukraine

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[oneothervoice]

SILENCE [ PART I ]

when you search for a person in a collapsed building there are two responses you might get: screams or silence. hearing screams is awful, but hearing silence is worse; way worse.

· .* resources below .* ·

IT'S OCTOBER AGAIN

i keep hearing screams on the other side of the screen, while silence reigns on my surroundings. my own silence does not represent the cry for help coming from my heart. my own silence is a deafening echo of the fears and precautions that have taken over me; that have driven me to barely whisper in the last 12 months.

as i hear the quieted sound of my surroundings i am puzzled about why — which is the secret that they all share, the perspective from which Palestinian lives deserve no space in their speech. i'm in Germany, in case you wondered.

after finding little ground for demonstration, a lot of repression, and failed attempts of expression [see image for the latest example] i sit down to write what i haven't been able to write for one year. i sit down to write what i am able to finally put into words today. i am sorry it took so long.

this account lasted no more than an hour: after creating it and following two users (@hossam_shbat and @yaseminacr_) meta decided i was a threat to the population, kicking me out in no time.

INTRO — SUMMER 2024

i have attempted to start this writing for months, just to turn around on my hands, overcome by the lack of moral capacity, lost in an empty vocabulary for a crumbling world; just to turn the focus towards something else: "bring something positive to the world, girl, we need hope, not despair, we need joy, not another pile of tears to shed."

but do we? do we not need to urgently stop this? do we not need to bring it to an end? isn't this more important than the tiny moments of joy we can (and should) collect? do we not need to feel a pain so deep, an anger so mad that we cannot stand this any longer? when is it going to be enough?!

the first time i attempted to write about the topic — December — i wanted to narrate the criminalization of pro-Palestinian protests in Germany; a quick dive into the internet will tell you all about it. winter, there I was, appalled by the compliance and complicit silence of the population. summer, the silence around me is unbearably loud, and this time i feel the utter need to break it.

SO MUCH FOR BREAKING IT

you see, I couldn't.

I PRAYED, I PROMISE

it's October 2023: i read the accounts of Ziad — a kid, adult, man, 35 years old, whose life turned around on the weekend of the 7th. i follow him on his tracks towards security. i plead for his safety, for the safety of them all: may they find shelter, may this be over soon.

one week after, the horror continues. i can't believe to be reading in real time what would seem to be chronicles from history books, a dark past. furthermore: i cannot bare the thought of what it must be like to be writing them, living them, narratives which should belong to ancient characters or, actually, be reserved for fictional ones.

but Ziad is not a fictional character, neither are the millions of Palestinians which have been enduring torturing conditions for months, for years — a thought that governs my mind during those first days. it takes some time to get accustomed to the state of things.

wrong. we cannot get accustomed to this. we never do. and yet we somehow adapt. a painful and necessary adaptation to disheartening conditions. each day we go through a horrific storyline we should've gotten out of long ago. worse. a nightmare. worse.

i prayed, i promise. then i got mad: how much louder do i have to pray?! i cried. no one in Gaza heard me, so i cried louder. no time for grief. no time for grief. no time for grief. no time. in Gaza there is no time for grief.

SPRING 2024

it's been months. do you hear that? months: no living conditions. international court of justice, who cares.

i pray, quietly now, in a lower voice now. sound travels further this way, sneaks where no one can stop it.

we remain. we have our comfort, our security, our plans for tomorrow and some days loose sleep over those whose sleepless nights have been one long drowning howl. and as sleepless as we are, we stay awake during the day. today, for them — to make this stop, now.

COMPLICITLY SILENT

in December 2023 the UN met to vote for a ceasefire deal. the resolution passed [news brief], but not much was achieved. we did see something clearly, though: the stance of each country regarding the issue. in particular, we saw Germany abstain and say a few words on the matter [min 01:42:00]. the German population also abstained and its opinion remained hidden from view.

it's September 2024, the UN meets to vote for a ceasefire deal. the resolution passes [news brief]. Germany abstains. they give their arguments [min 02:47:30]. the population goes with it.

while poll results have shown that 48% of Germans do not trust the media regarding the coverage on the Israeli illegal occupation, and 60% disagree with the government's ongoing arms exports to Israel, these percentages are nowhere to be seen on the streets or in open conversations. the majority appears to be too confused to say anything, waits for things to evolve naturally, remains complicitly silent.

or am i wrong? does the German population have something to say against the decimation of the Palestinian people? and if so, is it ready to speak up?

RESOURCES

to donate · .* gofundme for Ahmed, wife, and two daughters, Malak 8 and Sarah 6. this way they can evacuate as soon as possible through the Rafah crossing. following on IG always helps.

reads and shares · .* Palestine action toolkit: freedom within reach — downloadable here.

to boycott (what and why) · .* what about Siemens? "Siemens [...] is complicit in Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, through its construction of the EuroAsia Interconnector. these settlements are internationally condemned as a war crime under international humanitarian law." [BDS movement]

[giorgiadigitalmedia]

Blog Post 1

Why is the Bauhaus a symbol of Gesamtkunstwerk?

In this blog post, I'll be exploring the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk and how it applies to the project, and mainly the aesthetic aspect, of the Bauhaus Institute. From my past studies, one of the things that I remember more clearly is the concept behind the Bauhaus Institute. I am not too certain about why I have it so vivid in my mind; maybe because of its revolutionary soul, maybe for the historical times in which it was developed and in which it ended, or maybe because of the values held in the creation of the original project.

The establishment of higher art education was first founded in 1919 in Weimar (Figure 1), Germany, by the architect Walter Adolph Gropius. When it was first created, it was meant to be a space that could host and promote a new educational method, and include different artistic practices in the service of the concept of the “total work of art”. In this, the director got help from the artist Wassily Kandinsky who was a big promoter of the concept regarding Gesamtkunstwerk, even before World War I. The Russian painter took the definition created by Wagner and revolutionized it by rethinking the idea of the "total work of art" as an abstract intermedia experience, both multisensory and immersive. The first Academy of Fine Arts was a result of merging and combining together mediums such as sculpture and paint, industrial and graphic design, interior and architectural design, etc…

Figure 1

Figure 2

One of the first unprecedented innovations of the school was its pedagogic approach, which was based on the pursuit of a personal style, encouraging the creation of a non-competitive environment and instead on a common collaboration between students and teachers. Students were taught to forget the differentiation between artists and craftsmen and were instead pushed through workshops and labs to experiment with the creation of objects that would represent the soul of the work of art. 

Especially the second school relocated in Dessau in 1925 (Figure 3), is a perfect example of embracement of the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk. As a matter of fact, if we take a look at the formal definition of the term, we discover that Wagner was not only describing the external factors that should be present in a "total work of art", but even more he was putting emphasis on the inner purpose of the artwork, which must create a new reality. In surpassing the arts, the work should also surpass itself and open up to a new reality, delivering the reader or the public to a different dimension.

However, when Walter Gropius took the leadership of the establishment, he was keen on redefining the idea of “total work of art” into “Total design”, as he referred to it. Incorporating both technology and industrialization, with its specific color scheme and a steel grid, the iconic and geometric building embodies the movement’s values.

Figure 3

His manifesto that came out in 1919 stated: "universally great, enduring spiritual-religious idea..., which must find its crystalline expression in a great Gesamtkunstwerk." (Wagner, Richard, The Artwork of the Future, 1849)

Believing that the form should convey the function, he thought that the concept applied to all aspects of modern life, from planning the appearance of the outside of a building, to organizing every single object inside of the structure. For example, the students were called to plan and design various attachments and accessories that would be displayed on the inside of the building, like it has been done on the facade of the school with the use of Herbert Bayer’s font, which was invented there.

To this day, the building planned by Gropius is one of the most outstanding architectural works of the 20th centuries. When the Bauhaus moved from Weimar to Dessau, the architect took inspiration from the design of the Fagus Factory (Figure 4) and created a campus that would reflect the needs of the school. Not so much for its implementation of glass walls that allowed full vision of everything happening on the inside of the structure, but more for the relationship that the developer wanted people to establish with the place. The space was divided into three equal but separate wings, none of which would dominate the others, according to the idea that the design of the complex had to work with the environment surrounding it and also satisfy some practical needs. 

Not only was the architecture based on the embodiment of the “total work of art”, but also the activities taking part inside of the building. As a matter of fact, the main idea behind the school was to specialize artists with very different creative backgrounds that would be able to conceive a new Gesamtkunstwerk, of which architecture would be the “complete construction, the final goal of the visual arts.” 

Figure 4

As a visual artist, that focuses on both still images (illustration) and moving shots (animation), this topic really speaks to me since I think it brings together many elements that as artists take into consideration before creating something. During the planning of the artwork and before the actual production of an image, short film, or general project, the first step is actually researching more on the topic that has to be represented. Subsequently, every element that is going to be present on the scene needs to be connected to the others. Everything needs to have a reason to be where it is and everything has a specific functionality.

I will show a few examples that I think show how a thoughtful design and integration of elements can enhance storytelling and functionality in art projects across various disciplines.

"Fallingwater" is a house designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1935. Wright had a groundbreaking idea for Fallingwater. His goal was to build buildings that incorporated nature, and Fallingwater is a prime example of this. Its design integrates seamlessly with its natural surroundings, using local materials and aligning with the waterfall. Each architectural element has a purpose, from the cantilevered terraces that provide views of nature, to the use of natural light. Glass, reinforced concrete, and local sandstone are used to create a structure that both blends in and stands out from the surroundings. The design feels like an extension of nature because of the horizontal lines and wide overhangs that mirror the nearby trees, water, and rock formations. The interior rooms are filled with the sound of cascading water, which establishes a sensory connection to the outside world.

I know that this prototype doesn't really align with the typical examples of "total work of art", but I believe that in a way it still reflects some values of the movement. Every aspect of the structure, from the custom-built furniture to the artful use of materials, shows the real connection between the space inside and outside the house. With this project, so well connected with its surroundings, the architect created a holistic experience, as the one that was meant to be created with the building of the Bauhaus.

I believe also the movie Avatar can be a great case study with regards to world building. Perhaps the greatest example of James Cameron's remarkable world-building, inventive storytelling, and astonishingly lifelike computer graphics in the Avatar films is the vast array of animals and other creatures that are presented on Pandora. In concept art for films like this one, the flora and the fauna are designed to complement the Na'vi culture.

Right after the release of the second Avatar movie, the Art Director Dylan Cole and the Concept Art Director Ben Procter were interviewed by Below The Line. At the question "What were the inspirations for the fish and fauna in the ocean?", Cole responded: " We had to think of the whole ecosystem. It’s not just, “Hey, design a few fish.” There are many different environments within the ocean, of course, from the sea floor up to — what is sand? What is a rock? We tried to think of it like when we were doing the forests. In [the first] Avatar, there are the very obvious exotic alien plants, but there are also a lot of things like ferns and stuff that are just kind of like touchstones so that you get what type of forest this is. We did the same in the ocean, so we had tons of big, crazy exotic coral, but we also had some more recognizable bits because you want it to feel how it feels to us to be in those types of environments. " (Dylan Cole, Below The Line, 2022)

Reference list:

ArtChist (2015). Edificio De La Bauhaus En Dessau | Walter Gropius | Clásicos De La Arquitectura. [online] Blogspot.com. Available at: https://artchist.blogspot.com/2015/09/edificio-de-la-bauhaus-walter-gropius.html [Accessed 12 Oct. 2024].

Bergdoll, B. and Dickerman, L. (2009). Bauhaus 1919-1933 : workshops for modernity. New York: Museum Of Modern Art.

Finestresullarte.info. (2023). Bauhaus. Origins, Development and Main Exponents of the School. [online] Available at: https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/ab-art-base/bauhaus-origins-development-and-main-exponents-of-the-school [Accessed 12 Oct. 2024].

Hartley, J. (2024). Gesamtkunstwerk - The Total Work of Art  - Liaison Gallery. [online] Liaison Gallery. Available at: https://liaisongallery.com/gesamtkunstwerk-the-total-work-of-art/ [Accessed 12 Oct. 2024].

Interio, D.S.-A. (n.d.). Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Nature-Integrated Masterpiece | Archiinterio Magazine - Archi Interio. [online] www.archiinterio.com. Available at: https://www.archiinterio.com/magazine/fallingwater--1935---a-masterpiece-of-nature-integrated-architecture-by-frank-lloyd-wright.

Milling, R. (2022). Avatar: The Way of Water Production Designers Ben Procter and Dylan Cole on Expanding the World of Pandora With Oceanic Landscapes & New Weapons | Below the Line. [online] Btlnews.com. Available at: https://www.btlnews.com/awards/avatar-2-production-designers-dylan-cole-ben-procter-interview/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2024].

Munch, A.V. (2021). The Gesamtkunstwerk in Design and Architecture. Aarhus Universitetsforlag.

The Art Story (2020). Gesamtkunstwerk - Modern Art Terms and Concepts. [online] The Art Story. Available at: https://www.theartstory.org/definition/gesamtkunstwerk/ [Accessed 10 Oct. 2024].

Wilder, C. (2016). On the Bauhaus Trail in Germany. The New York Times. [online] 10 Aug. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/travel/bauhaus-germany-art-design.html.

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). A walking tour of Fallingwater - An architectural masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtku3xe_c0 [Accessed 17 May 2023].

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Avatar: The Way of Water | Official Trailer. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MyW72ELq0.

‌

Image References:

ArtChist (2015). Edificio De La Bauhaus En Dessau | Walter Gropius | Clásicos De La Arquitectura. [online] Blogspot.com. Available at: https://artchist.blogspot.com/2015/09/edificio-de-la-bauhaus-walter-gropius.html [Accessed 12 Oct. 2024].

Wilder, C. (2016). On the Bauhaus Trail in Germany. The New York Times. [online] 10 Aug. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/travel/bauhaus-germany-art-design.html.

[just-the-worst-tranarchist]

Okay, but I want to go a bit further with this. Karl Heinrich Ulrichs was one of the first gay rights activist of the modern era. He born in the Kingdom of Hanover in 1825. He would initially start his career as a civil servant, but by the early 1860′s would leave the service to focus on fighting for the rights of Uranians (the term he coined for men who loved men). Then came 1866, where much of the northern German states were swallowed up by Prussia, and then again in 1871 would come to swallow up the entirety of of what it would now call the German empire. Prussian law contained a clause that many other German states did not, one that Ulrich’s birthplace in the Kingdom of Hanover did not; Section 175.  Section 175 stated that sex between two men was a criminal act, as was sex with beasts. It should also be noted that there were plans by 1917 to expand the act to pedophiles and lesbians. The only reason this expansion didn’t go through was the Great War and the collapse of the German Empire. I mention these addendums as a way to note that opponents of gay rights have tried to lump in pedophiles, homosexual, and beastiality into the same category, even into the same laws, for a century now. But that is digress, after a brief stint in Prussia prison for his vocal opposition to the Prussia government and his Uranian correspondence, Ulrichs would arrive at a juror’s convention in Munich in 1867. It was there he took the stage and gave on of the more famous Uranian speeches of that era, to which he said: “Gentleman, it also concerns a class of humanity whose numbers reach the thousands in Germany alone. Many great and noble persons in our own and in foreign countries have belonged to it. A class of humanity which is censured for no reason other than an undeserved, legislative prosecution because nature, which creates in a riddling manner, has planted in them a sexual nature which is opposed to the general, usual one.” His proposals for repeal of anti-Uranian laws was rejected on grounds of “morality,” and the convention would wrap after shortly after, but Ulrichs would write, “Yes, I am proud, I am proud that I found the courage to strike the first blow to the hydra of public contempt.” This moment would not last, as the Austrian House of Representatives would pass Section 273, and Section 175 of Prussian law would come to encompass the entirety of the German Empire. Karl Heinrich Ulrichs would die in exile, in Italy, after watching much of the struggles and successes of gay rights get snuffed out in Germany. But we are yet to be done. The reason of have so much of this close to hand to talk about is because in 1898, Magnus Hirschfeld would publish an essay about the life of Ulrichs, alongside a collection of his works. Hirschfeld ends his preface with to my mind a bitter sweet but hopeful ending: “Only when posterity has registered and totaled the number of Uranian persecutions in that sad chapter in which other persecutions of all persons of a different faith and of a different, -- and because this shall take place is a sublime thought which conquers all doubt -- then will the name of Karl Heinrich Ulrichs remain unforgotten; remembered as the first and most noble of those who, in this search for truth and neighborly love, helped persons to gain their rights, by striving hard with vigor and courage.” Thirty-seven years after writing this essay honoring Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, Magnus Hirschfeld himself would die in exile, in France, him and his institute’s work burned and the hands of the Nazis. (I will add an addendum to expand on this if need be) But there is still a bright light. You can find many of Magnus Hirschfeld’s works today, even translated into English. The copies I’ve found were translated by a certain Micheal A. Lombardi, in honor of certain Paul J. Nash. In case you were wondering how those two were related, I have the honor of informing you that in the gap between the 1970′s and now, he is now Micheal Lombardi-Nash. You can find him on twitter!

https://twitter.com/LombardiNash?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 

[eaukraine-eu]

The countries of the so-called “Big Seven” (G7) agreed on a mechanism for deferring the payment of government debt by official Kiev. The corresponding memorandum was signed by representatives of the governments of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States of America, France and Japan. According to creditors, they took this step given the difficult economic situation in Ukraine. According to analysts, such an extension will help the Ukrainian authorities to direct funds to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and provide additional social guarantees. It should be especially noted that Paris had previously opposed this delay. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the fate of further material assistance to Ukraine will depend on timely payments from Kyiv. “This is a kind of circulation of funds,” he noted, in particular. “Then such a situation would have virtually no impact on the economies of individual donor states.” However, the G7 came to the conclusion that right now Ukraine is in dire need of these funds. “We proceed from the realities of today. It is necessary to provide support to Vladimir Zelensky’s team in particular and the Ukrainian people in general,” the summit communiqué says. According to Western sources, we are talking about suspending the process of repaying Ukraine’s external debt totaling $92.77 billion. Thus, Kyiv will begin to pay the mentioned money no earlier than March 2027. “I am grateful to our partners from the Seven for understanding the needs of our country in the context of military operations,” said Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko. “This voluntary step is part of a $122 billion package of international support provided by Ukraine’s partners.” As the minister emphasized, the funds saved in this way will not last for several years. But that's not all. Previously, the International Monetary Fund, of which the G7 participants are active members, approved a revision of the extended financing program for Ukraine by $900 million. And in July of this year, Kyiv updated the memorandum with the same IMF, asking for a deferment on previous financial obligations. “All this clearly demonstrates the international community’s intention to make concessions to the Ukrainian state,” European commentator Yiannis Papadonis said in a special commentary for EURO-ATLANTIC UKRAINE. “There is no doubt that this process will continue for the foreseeable future.” In addition, according to Papadonis, it is possible that Great Britain and Italy will privately provide Ukraine with free financial assistance in the amount of up to $1 billion. Meanwhile, according to some reports, at its next regular summit, the G7 will consider the issue of partially writing off some of Kyiv’s other financial obligations. The summit meeting is scheduled for February 2024.  

[mariacallous]

White smoke in Brussels.

The 27 leaders of the European Union have agreed on the bloc's political leadership for the next five years: Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission, António Costa as president of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Leaders on Thursday also approved the Strategic Agenda, a document with broad brushstrokes of ambitions that is meant to guide the future work of the three appointees.

Von der Leyen and Kallas's nominations are not final and still require confirmation by the European Parliament. By contrast, Costa, a former prime minister of Portugal, is automatically elected by his former peers. He will take office on 1 December.

"I would plain and simply like to express my gratitude to the leaders who endorsed my nomination for a second mandate," von der Leyen said. "I am very honoured."

"It is with a strong sense of mission that I will take up the responsibility of being the next President of the European Council," Costa said, thanking his socialist family and the Portuguese government for their backing. "I will be fully committed to promoting unity between all 27 member states and focused on putting on track the Strategic Agenda."

"This is an enormous responsibility at this moment of geopolitical tensions," Kallas said in a statement, promising to work "with pleasure" with both von der Leyen and Costa. "I will be at the service of our common interests," she added. "Europe should be a place where people are free, safe and prosperous."

Party negotiators had preemptively sealed the three-pronged deal during a call on Tuesday and tabled their proposal on Thursday evening. After a debate among all heads of state and government, the accord received the formal blessing.

The talks between the centrist parties had angered those left on the sidelines, most notably Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who lashed out at the "surreal" way in which the top-jobs package was assembled. Meloni, who rules the bloc's third-largest economy, called for greater inclusion and deeper discussions.

"It seems to me that, so far, there's been an unwillingness to account for the message delivered by citizens at the ballot box," Meloni said on the eve of the summit.

Hungary's Viktor Orbán was more scathing, calling the deal "shameful."

Their public grievances contrasted with the apparent coolness of other dignitaries, such as Germany's Olaf Scholz and France's Emmanuel Macron, who were intent on wrapping up the process in a swift, uncomplicated manner.

"We are living in difficult times. We are faced with major challenges, not least Russia's terrible war of aggression against Ukraine. It is therefore important that Europe prepares itself now for the tasks that need to be tackled," Scholz said upon arrival.

Diplomats in Brussels were concerned that, due to the volatile geopolitical environment surrounding the bloc, the image of leaders haggling over well-paid positions for hours on end would seem out of touch.

These worries, coupled with a lack of credible alternatives, made the negotiations easier and helped positions coalesce around the three names.

"Democracy is not only about blocking, democracy is about who wants to work together, and those three groups are willing to work together to the benefit of all Europeans," said Belgium's Alexander De Croo, rebuking Meloni's criticism.

"What we need in the next five years is political stability and being able to act fast."

In the end, Meloni voted against Costa and Kallas, and abstained on von der Leyen, several diplomats told Euronews, a largely symbolic move to express her displeasure. For his part, Orbán voted against von der Leyen, abstained on Kallas and supported Costa.

Asked about Meloni's abstention, von der Leyen said it was "important to work well" with Italy "like with all other member states."

"This is a principle for me which I follow all the time," she noted.

The chosen ones

For those following European politics, the chosen ones are familiar faces.

The Commission presidency goes to the incumbent, Ursula von der Leyen, the Spitzenkandidat (lead candidate) of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP).

Since announcing her re-election bid in February, von der Leyen, the first woman to captain the executive, had been the indisputable frontrunner thanks to her high political profile, built up while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war.

During the campaign, she infuriated progressives when she made overtures to Meloni's hard right. But the EPP's comfortable victory in the June elections, with 188 MEPs, lessened Rome's importance in the equation and allowed her to change her tune. Von der Leyen has promised to build a strong centrist coalition to support her next term.

At a distant second came the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), with 136 seats. The family will see one of its most recognisable faces, former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, take the reins of the European Council, succeeding Charles Michel.

Although the Council presidency lacks legislative powers, the back-to-back succession of global crises that have hit the bloc in the last five years has increased the job's political relevance and media exposure, making it a coveted prize for the centre-left.

Costa's ascendancy, however, comes with a question mark: his stay in power was cut short in November 2023, when he resigned after several members of his cabinet were accused of corruption and influence peddling in the concession of lithium mining, green hydrogen and data centre projects. Costa has not been formally charged but his exact participation in the irregular deals has not yet been clarified. He denies any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, the liberals of Renew Europe, who fell hard from 102 to 75 seats, have secured the position of High Representative for Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, a leading figure in the bloc's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kallas was initially considered too outspoken and hawkish for the office, which is supposed to act as the common voice of the 27 member states vis-à-vis the international community. But concerns around her suitability gradually dwindled and her name, previously linked to the NATO secretary general job, was greenlighted.

Despite its prominence, the High Representative is inherently constrained by the principle of unanimity that rules the EU's foreign policy. If confirmed by the Parliament, Kallas will replace Josep Borrell, who has often been accused of going off-script.

With von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas picked for the top jobs, EU leaders ensure the distribution reflects the bloc's political and geographical diversity and maintains gender balance. Additionally, Costa, whose father was half French-Mozambican and half Indian, is set to become the first non-white person to occupy a top job in the bloc's history.

The selection can be seen as recognition of centrist parties, who held their ground in the elections and defied ominous predictions of a far-right surge. Von der Leyen is already negotiating with the Socialists and Liberals to design a common programme.

On Thursday evening, the incumbent left open the door to invite MEPs from other parties to form a "broad majority for a strong Europe."

[nestaboardimmigration]

Exclusive Immigration Consultants in Chandigarh- Nestabroad Immigration

Most people in developing countries would like to improve their career and overall living standards. People in Chandigarh aspire to have a prosperous future by studying or working abroad. For over a decade, Nationwide has assisted such aspirants in immigrating to their preferred overseas destination. Years of experience and expertise have assisted us in carving out a niche in the immigration industry. Hence we believe in developing trusting and transparent client relationships. We have earned the trust of the best immigration consultants in Chandigarh because of this motto.

Immigration Consultants- A Necessity

Everyone seeks the advice of one of the top ten immigration consultants in Chandigarh. Visa consultants also played an important role in settling or studying abroad. An immigration consultant assists people in moving from one country to another. Furthermore, that process includes various legal gates about multiple visa types and legal documentation.

Furthermore, different countries imply a variety of programmes for various visa types and classes.

 As a result, all of this complicates an already difficult task for international students.

As a result, work visa consultants are the best solution. 

 So, in this article, we'll go over the top immigration consultants in Chandigarh. 

Nestaboard Immigration

Nestaboard is a registered business with the ICCRC (Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council) and is committed to providing competent consultation; focusing on honesty and straightforwardness. They always keep you informed about the changing immigration laws and procedures under the direction of our Managing Director, Mr. Deepansh Bhuchar, who is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Experts help the clients all through, beginning from the profile appraisal to giving appropriate choices to improve their profession open doors. The company’s only proverb is Consumer loyalty. They pay close attention to our customers' financial and emotional needs as we respond to all of their inquiries. Honesty, consistency, and customer confidentiality are our strengths as a reliable consultancy. For anyone who wants to reach Canada, study abroad and travel this is the one-stop destination to all concerns. 

Canam Consultants

For many years, Canam Consultants has been a market leader in the field of immigration consultants. It has been providing students with high-quality services, allowing them to study in their dream country. Furthermore, it is currently located in Sector 17, where students can meet representatives from various universities based on their interests, making it one of the best immigration consultants in Chandigarh.  Additionally, from time to time, abroad colleges/universities will hold seminars in collaboration with them. As a result, students like one can have one-on-one conversations with them. And get all of the questions answered directly from the source. 

When it comes to immigration consultants in Chandigarh, Canam Consultants has many open opportunities for study visa applicants. This study visa Consultant in Chandigarh offers their services to a wide range of countries.

Canam Consultants provides services in 

Ireland

Europe

Malaysia.

Dubai

Mexico

Germany

China

Korea

France

United States

The United Kingdom

Singapore

New Zealand

Australia

Canada

Many people recommend this immigration consultant in Chandigarh, so it should be one of the top choices.

Impression Visa & Immigration

Destination is the ultimate starting point for another trustworthy work visa consultant in Chandigarh. It is one of the city's fastest-growing visa agencies. This immigration consultant has a long list of successful immigrants and already has offices in Chandigarh. Furthermore, it has a fine team that will simplify and soundproof the visa application and filing.

Aside from visa services, it also offers pre- and post-relocation services, college filings, and inside-embassy operations. They also reduce and eliminate errors in the stages of the passport application. It is also one of the best study visa consultants in Chandigarh, as it is constantly growing and thriving for success.

Impression Visa & Immigration operates in the following countries.

Australia

Canada

The country of New Zealand

UK

USA

Singapore

Europe

Also, the consultants here approach their work methodically, and last but not least, one will be given an all-around approach to fly one out as soon as possible. Furthermore, they will determine the best assessments for the visa portfolio and drive the visa process accordingly.

WWICS Immigration Consultants

Worldwide Immigration Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. has been providing clients with satisfactory services. Furthermore, the group has provided settlement solutions to over 10,000 clients, demonstrating its dominance in the industry. In addition, the WWICS Immigration group consultants in Chandigarh have established roots in the areas of settlement, placement, higher education, hospitality, golf, and so on. More importantly, the consultant offers excellent advice and knowledge about the visa application processes in various countries. WWICS thrives on maintaining client confidentiality. Customers have no reason to be concerned about the theft or loss of any information. They also prioritised the customer's interests, avoiding any conflict of interest.

WWICS thrives on maintaining client confidentiality. Customers have no reason to be concerned about the theft or loss of any information. They also prioritised the customer's interests, avoiding any conflict of interest. If one wants to go with immigration consultants in Chandigarh, the consultants have a good understanding of work visas for many countries. Furthermore, visa consultants in Chandigarh's visa succession rates continue to rise year after year.  Countries WWICS provides services to 

Canada

New Zealand 

Australia

UK

USA

Europe

Caribbean

Conclusion

Applying for a visa can be a time-consuming and complicated process. Whether one's travelling for business, study, or pleasure, getting the right visa can make or break the trip. A visa consultant can help one with the visa application process, ensuring that one meets all requirements and has the best chance of obtaining the visa one requires. A visa consultant can help one with the visa application procedure, guaranteeing that one meets all requirements and has the best chance of obtaining the visa one requires. In this article, we will look at the advantages of hiring an immigration consultant to help one with the visa application.