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The melting face emoji has been introduced as one of 37 new emojis approved this year by the Unicode Consortium. The face, with a half-smile despite melting into a puddle, is seen as a symbol of the psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Other new emojis include saluting face, dotted line face, and a disco ball, which will be gradually released over the next year. Fans on social media have already embraced the melting face emoji. One Twitter user described the melting smiley face as a reflection of the current pandemic mood, while others saw it as a representation of climate anxiety. Another user predicted that the melting face emoji will be used frequently in the era of climate change apocalypse. The emoji was created in 2019 by Jennifer Daniel and Neil Cohn, who bonded over their love for visual language. Daniel, who goes by they/them pronouns, is a Unicode emoji subcommittee chair and creative director at Google, while Cohn is an associate professor at Tilburg University in the Netherlands specializing in cognition and communication. Cohn's research on emotion representations in Japanese Visual Language, particularly focusing on the concept of "paperification" where characters in manga turn into paper when embarrassed, caught the attention of Daniel. Together, they noticed the absence of an emoji portraying this visual convention and decided to create one, ultimately settling on the melting face. According to Daniel, the melting face is more powerful than turning into paper. This idea of transformation from solid to liquid is also sometimes depicted in a similar manner. Cohn emphasized that many popular face emojis draw inspiration from existing visual culture, particularly comics and manga. In 1999, the first emojis were created by Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita, who drew inspiration from manga. The emojis were created to help with text-based communication, as NTT Docomo had a 250-character limit on messages sent through its mobile internet service. Kurita's original set of 176 emojis is now housed in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Even in a time without character limits, emojis continue to effectively convey emotions more quickly and flexibly than words can, with the melting face being a prime example. In more literal terms, emojis can represent the feeling of a broken air conditioner, while figuratively they can convey emotions such as embarrassment, exhaustion, and sarcasm. The concept of melting, for example, can be applied to various emotions. Emojis are designed to be used in a versatile manner, similar to how words can be used in different contexts. Visual language can be more flexible than words, according to Daniel. For example, the concept of a "melting face" can evoke many powerful interpretations. Graphic designer Erik Carter, who created an image of a melting face, believes that emojis themselves are not inherently deep, but rather it is the way people use them that gives them meaning. Carter mentioned that a lot of people may feel despair due to issues such as climate change and the lack of action from our government. He expressed that at times it may seem like the only option is to smile as we deteriorate. | 2 |
The artists Lina Lapelyte, Vaiva Grainyte, and Rugile Barzdziukaite won the Golden Lion for best national participation at the Biennale with their piece "Sun & Sea (Marina)," defeating 89 other national pavilions. This marks the second consecutive win for a performance piece, following the German pavilion's success in 2017 with Anne Imhof's "Faust." American artist and filmmaker Arthur Jafa won the Golden Lion for best participant in the central exhibition with his film "The White Album," which juxtaposes white supremacy with portraits of white people he cares for. Jafa also displayed monumental sculptures of truck tires in chains. Catherine Wood, a senior curator at the Tate in London, expressed approval of the winners. Wood described the Lithuanian pavilion as creatively showcasing everyday activities and leisure, such as lying on towels, playing board games, and chatting, while also addressing ecological issues. She noted the blend of joy and melancholy in the storytelling, highlighting the pavilion's activist dimension. The curator of the pavilion, Lucia Pietroiusti, emphasized the importance of museums breaking away from traditional exhibition formats and exploring new possibilities. She suggested that museums should think beyond their specialized niches and embrace a more open-minded approach. Then we come across large catastrophic events such as climate change or species extinction, and we must discover additional methods to establish connections. | 2 |
Myanmar's military regime continued to arrest more individuals on Wednesday following the departure of a UN envoy who had attempted to address the violent crackdown on protests. Witnesses reported seeing at least eight truckloads of prisoners being taken away from downtown Yangon, the country's largest city and the epicenter of recent demonstrations against military rule and economic struggles. In one home near the Shwedagon Pagoda, the only remaining resident was a 13-year-old girl whose parents had been arrested. She mentioned that they were warned not to flee as there could be further arrests. The crackdown in Myanmar continued despite some optimism about progress from UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's efforts to persuade junta chief Than Shwe to ease his control and engage in talks with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Singapore, as the chair of ASEAN, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation from Myanmar's government towards Gambari. Gambari, on his way back to New York after meeting with Ban Ki-moon, was expected to return to Myanmar in early November, although it was uncertain if his mission and international pressure would influence the junta's policies. There was skepticism about the potential outcomes of Gambari's efforts. David Steinberg, an expert on Myanmar from Georgetown University, believes that the top leadership is deeply rooted in their beliefs and unlikely to change. He mentioned that the junta's claim of being on the path to democracy may not hold much weight. The first step of the junta's "seven-step road to democracy" was completed in September after a 14-year national convention, but critics argue that the resulting constitution will only strengthen military rule and prevent Suu Kyi from holding office. The recent protests, the largest challenge to the junta's authority in nearly two decades, began as small demonstrations against fuel price increases and intensified after troops fired upon a group of monks. The junta claims that the monk-led protests, which spanned five city blocks, were met with minimal force and that Yangon and other cities had returned to normal. They reported 10 deaths and dismissed reports of higher casualties and atrocities as falsehoods. However, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, along with other Western governments, believes the actual death toll is much higher than the official figure of 30. Despite this, the junta believes they have successfully put down the uprising, removing barricades around the Shwedagon and Sule pagodas, relaxing the curfew, and releasing some monks who were detained in monastery raids. One young monk mentioned that 80 out of the 96 taken from his monastery were allowed to return after verbal threats but no physical harm during questioning. However, witnesses reported that there was still a significant armed presence in the streets of Yangon and Mandalay, the second largest city. The military regime has also been sending gangs to search homes for monks in hiding, a tactic that Western diplomats say is instilling fear among the population. International outrage over the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests shows no sign of abating. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, which includes China as the regime's closest ally, condemned the junta's use of violence. They urged the generals to allow the UN human rights envoy to Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to visit for the first time in four years. Pinheiro stated that thousands of people have been detained. Pinheiro emphasized the importance of bringing to light the events that occurred, while the council passed a resolution expressing sorrow over the beatings, killings, and detentions. Myanmar accused powerful countries of using the hearing for political gain. | 2 |
The 95-year-old queen, who has already received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, recently joked to Palace staff that she was not able to move much. She had a brief stay in the hospital last October for an unspecified illness. The Palace announced today that the Queen has tested positive for COVID-19 but is only experiencing mild symptoms similar to a cold. Despite this, she plans to carry on with her duties at Windsor in the upcoming week. The Queen will continue to receive medical care and adhere to all necessary precautions. Earlier this month, Charles, the 73-year-old heir to the throne, had to withdraw from an event after testing positive for COVID-19 for the second time. A source from the Palace stated that he had recently met with the queen, who is the world's oldest monarch. In early February, Elizabeth quietly celebrated the 70th anniversary of her ascension to the British throne. Elizabeth became queen of Britain and several other realms after her father, King George VI, passed away on February 6, 1952, while she was in Kenya on an international tour. She is the first British monarch to reign for seven decades, in a lineage that dates back almost 1,000 years to Norman King William I and his 1066 conquest of England. Throughout her historic reign, Elizabeth has successfully maintained the popularity of the British monarchy despite significant political, social, and cultural changes that posed a threat to the relevance of royalty. When she took the throne, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Harry Truman were leading the Soviet Union, China, and the United States, while Winston Churchill served as the British prime minister. Throughout her reign, she has been assisted by 14 prime ministers, a quarter of the total number in Britain since Robert Walpole 300 years ago. Over the years, she has encountered 14 U.S. presidents, with the exception of Lyndon Johnson. Queen Elizabeth's dedication to her duties has earned her admiration and support within the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, in contrast to the scandals that have affected other members of the royal family. "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen good health and a speedy recovery," opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer expressed. "Ma'am, we hope you recover soon." Despite strong public support for her, with approximately 80% of Britons holding a positive opinion, the monarchy has faced challenges such as a U.S. court case involving her son Prince Andrew, which has raised concerns about the future of the institution. Last week, Andrew settled a lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre alleging sexual abuse when she was a teenager. Andrew, who has denied the allegations, was associated with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. British police have launched an investigation into reports that honors were exchanged for donations to one of Prince Charles's charities from a Saudi national. | 2 |
Russian authorities conducted a raid on a property company owned by the wife of Moscow's former mayor as part of an investigation into possible embezzlement and misuse of city funds related to a $440 million land deal. This raid on Inteko, a property developer, marks a significant development in the investigation into Yelena Baturina's business empire. OMON riot police and plainclothes individuals were reported to have entered the office and taken the management for questioning. The Bank of Moscow and the homes of the bank's directors were also raided as part of the embezzlement probe. Investigators suspect employees at the bank and a real estate developer of using a 13 billion roubles loan to embezzle funds that were eventually transferred to Baturina's personal account. The removal of Luzhkov last autumn and the appointment of Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a close ally of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, led to an increase in capital outflows from Russia and a decline in the value of the rouble. This also resulted in changes in ownership of assets controlled by the city, such as Bank of Moscow, which state-controlled VTB is trying to acquire. Baturina, who is the president of Inteko and holds a controlling stake in the company, was involved in a probe launched in December regarding a complex deal involving a 13 billion rouble loan used to purchase land from her debt-ridden Inteko. However, neither Inteko nor Baturina were named as suspects in the investigation, and there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing on their part as Baturina received the funds through a legitimate land deal. Baturina criticized the raid as an attempt to pressure her, stating that there are no criminal cases against her or Inteko employees. Inteko spokesman Gennady Terebkov also denied any basis for such cases. Baturina and Luzhkov, who have faced corruption accusations, denied the claims. Businessmen believe corruption in the construction sector is linked to decisions made in the mayor's office, but Luzhkov denies that his wife received special treatment during his time as Moscow's boss. The presence of riot police at Baturina's company is seen as a sign that her empire is being targeted by powerful groups within the elite following Luzhkov's confrontation with Dmitry Medvedev. Going against the Kremlin is extremely risky for any wealthy individual in Russia, as those who defy the government typically lose their wealth, are prosecuted, and end up leaving the country. President Medvedev has pledged to enhance the business environment and protect property rights, but investors believe that the main obstacle for businesses in Russia is the absence of a reliable legal system. | 2 |
The period of shared sorrow and rage quickly transitioned into a yearlong, countrywide discussion on the Black experience in America. Initially starting with protests that escalated daily, eventually leading to the largest protest movement in U.S. history. Close to 170 Confederate symbols were either renamed or taken down from public areas. The Black Lives Matter motto became a symbol of the nation coming to terms with Floyd's death. Throughout the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact nearly every facet of American society, echoing a scale not seen since the civil rights movement of the 1960s, according to historians. Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who kneeled on Floyd, was found guilty of two counts of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday. This verdict provided some comfort to activists fighting for racial justice who closely followed the trial. However, many Black Americans still feel that real change is out of reach, especially with the ongoing killings of Black men by police, such as the recent death of Daunte Wright. Additionally, there are concerns about backlash, with Republican-led state legislatures introducing laws that restrict voting access, protect police, and criminalize public protests. Pastor Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago believes that labeling the events of the past year as a racial reckoning is inaccurate. He said that we are struggling to rethink a wide range of issues, from criminal justice to food deserts to health disparities, but we have not made much progress in doing so. The guilty verdict in the trial is seen as addressing a symptom rather than the underlying issue. Before the verdict was announced, Derrick Johnson compared George Floyd's death to a pivotal moment in Selma, Alabama in 1965 that led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act. He called for broad reforms in policing in response to Floyd's killing. The Floyd case unfolded amidst the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted racial inequities in the nation. Floyd's death resonated with many due to a series of racial incidents in recent years, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor. Since Floyd's death, some tangible changes have been made. Many policing reform laws were proposed at the state level, with corporations committing significant funds to racial equity initiatives. The NFL issued an apology for not supporting protests against police violence by Black players. The response to racist statements made by public officials following Floyd's death was swift, resulting in job losses and mandatory anti-racism training. Initially, there was a noticeable shift in American attitudes towards racial inequality and policing in opinion polls. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in support among Americans, especially white Americans, for the Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledgment of racial discrimination as a significant issue, and recognition that excessive police force disproportionately affects African Americans. Following George Floyd's death, a majority of Americans viewed it as part of a larger pattern, rather than an isolated incident. A June poll conducted by The New York Times found that over 10% of registered voters had participated in protests. Initially, even Republican politicians expressed support for police reform, but this support was short-lived for both elected officials and voters in the Republican party. Some protests became violent and Donald Trump's reelection campaign started using those events in political ads, causing polls to show a decrease in white Republicans' belief that discrimination is an issue. As the campaign progressed, voters were forced to choose between supporting racial equality or law and order. Republican officials who had previously spoken out about George Floyd's death went silent. Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, stated that the message from the Trump side was to not acknowledge the appalling nature of the events in order to maintain support, with the belief being that it is an us versus them situation. And those demonstrators will be included in the group.' Floyd's passing did result in some changes, at least temporarily, among non-Republican white Americans in terms of their understanding of racial injustice and backing for reforms. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, who were already disheartened by what they viewed as Trump's divisive tactics, towards the Democratic Party. "The year 2020 will be remembered as a very important and transformative period in our history," stated David Bailey, founder of Arrabon, a nonprofit organization in Richmond, Virginia that assists churches nationwide in fostering racial reconciliation. "People's perspectives have shifted to some extent. The full implications of this remain unknown." However, there is a sense of optimism that a change is on the horizon. Despite this hope, Democratic leaders, including local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern over both police violence and protester violence. This connection between Black political anger and violence has deep roots in American society and has yet to be dismantled, according to Davin Phoenix, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Phoenix noted that Black individuals are often told by politicians not to engage in certain actions before they have had a chance to process their trauma and grief. He hopes that politicians, particularly those who claim to be allies, will also address police behavior in a similar manner. The protests following George Floyd's death further fueled the contentious political climate in America, with some cities experiencing looting and property damage amidst mostly peaceful demonstrations. These incidents were widely circulated on television and social media platforms. Republicans pointed to the protests as evidence of the left's lack of control. Last autumn, Blue Lives Matter flags were displayed on homes. When support for Trump turned violent at the US Capitol on January 6, conservatives were upset at the perceived double standard in how the two movements were handled. Biden, who took office in January, promised to prioritize racial equity in all aspects of his agenda, including vaccine distribution, federal infrastructure projects, and climate policies. He promptly made changes that any Democratic administration would probably have made, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing regulations. However, what opinion polling has not effectively captured is whether white liberals will actually change their behaviors that contribute to racial inequality, such as opting for segregated schools and neighborhoods. Despite increased awareness of racial issues following the outcry over Floyd's death, other trends related to the pandemic have worsened inequality, with Black families and workers suffering disproportionately while white students benefit from remote education and white homeowners profit from a booming housing market. In a study of white Americans, Jennifer Chudy, a political scientist at Wellesley College, found that even those who are sympathetic to racial issues are more likely to support individual actions like educating oneself about racism rather than taking more impactful steps like living in a diverse community or advocating for racial issues with elected officials. Historians emphasize the significant impact Floyd's death had on public discourse, particularly in highlighting the presence of racism in both public and private institutions. Black business leaders have shared personal experiences with racism, criticizing the lack of action taken by the business world in addressing this issue. Numerous brands have committed to diversifying their workforces in response to public outcry over racism, which has sparked protests globally. White Americans have shown an increased interest in understanding structural racism, as evidenced by the popularity of books on the topic. The protests against police violence in the past year have been more racially diverse compared to previous protests following police shootings of Black individuals over the last decade, according to Robin DG Kelley, a historian at the University of California, Los Angeles. The movement has gained momentum in pushing for defunding the police, which is considered the most significant demand for transforming policing and has entered the mainstream. Kelley noted that there has been a significant increase in organizing efforts, with more people in the streets advocating for a complete overhaul of the system rather than just fixing it. This level of activism has not been seen in the United States since the 19th century. In order to translate the energy of the protests into political power, organizers have focused on registering a large number of voters. By the fall, racial justice had become a prominent issue in political campaigns as well. The majority of Democratic candidates in their campaigns focused on addressing racial disparities by advocating for police reform, the abolition of cash bail systems, and the establishment of civilian review boards. Rashad Robinson, president of Colour for Change, highlighted the impact of George Floyd's death in sparking a new movement for change, but emphasized the importance of holding individuals like Derek Chauvin accountable and continuing the work towards systemic change. As a result of Floyd's killing, there have been significant policy changes in policing, with over 30 states enacting new laws for police oversight and reform, shifting power dynamics and challenging the influence of police unions. The changes involve limiting the use of force, revamping disciplinary procedures, increasing civilian supervision, and mandating transparency in cases of misconduct. However, policing systems are intricate and deeply ingrained, so it is unclear how much the new laws will impact day-to-day operations. Bailey, a racial reconciliation advocate in Richmond, acknowledges that while America still grapples with deep-seated racism, there has been some progress in recent years. He highlights that addressing a 350-year-old issue will take time, with only around 50 years of corrective action so far. | 2 |
Biden placed his hand on a 5-inch-thick Bible that has been in his family for 128 years and recited the 35-word oath of office to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." Chief Justice John Roberts administered the ceremony, completing the process at 11:49 a.m., just 11 minutes before the official transfer of presidential authority. Following this, Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with her hand on a Bible that belonged to Thurgood Marshall, a civil rights icon and Supreme Court justice. Harris' inauguration marked her as the highest-ranking woman in US history, as well as the first Black American and first person of South Asian descent to hold the nation's second-highest office. Biden, in his Inaugural Address, declared that "democracy has prevailed" after a test of the system by former president Donald Trump, who attempted to overturn the election results and incited a mob to storm the Capitol. Biden called for unity among Americans to address the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, economic difficulties, and racism. Biden emphasized the need to end the division in the country between red and blue, rural and urban, conservative and liberal during his 21-minute address. He urged for unity, tolerance, humility, and empathy towards others, highlighting the importance of opening our souls instead of hardening our hearts. Biden acknowledged that unity may seem like a far-fetched idea to some, but he believed that Americans have overcome polarization in the past and can do so again. He called for an end to the shouting and a decrease in hostility in order to come together and move forward as a nation. Unity is essential for peace and progress, without it there is only bitterness, fury, and chaos. This historic moment of crisis and challenge requires unity to move forward. The ceremony marking the end of the divisive Trump presidency took place on a chilly, breezy day with a brief snowfall. Trump broke tradition by leaving Washington before his successor was sworn in, while Mike Pence attended the event. President Joe Biden was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., finalizing the process just 11 minutes before the authority of the presidency officially transferred. Trump, on the other hand, flew to Florida to live at his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, the Senate will soon begin his impeachment trial for allegedly inciting an insurrection by urging the mob that attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. The image of the new president and vice president standing on the same Capitol West Front where the pro-Trump crowd had caused chaos just weeks before highlighted the surreal nature of the day. Contrary to typical joyful and hopeful inauguration celebrations, the events on the 59th Inauguration Day highlighted the challenges facing America. The presence of a Black Lives Matter and George Floyd mural as a supporter of outgoing President Donald Trump walked by during US President Joe Biden's inauguration in Washington D.C. on January 20, 2021, served as a stark reminder of the country's troubles. In light of concerns over potential violence, Washington was heavily fortified with 25,000 National Guard troops, police officers, and a significant portion of downtown cordoned off. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Americans were urged to stay away, resulting in a sparsely populated National Mall where the new president addressed an audience of flags instead of people. Reuters reported that many traditional inauguration events were canceled due to the pandemic, such as the lunch with congressional leaders, parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, and evening balls where the new president and first lady typically dance. Instead, President Biden will review military units at the Capitol, then be escorted to the White House by marching bands from various military branches and university drum lines. A virtual "Parade Across America" will showcase performances from all 56 states and territories. Former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton will join Biden at Arlington National Cemetery before a 90-minute evening program hosted by Tom Hanks. If the grandeur and formality of the event were limited by current challenges, President Biden's determination to quickly undo the policies of the Trump administration was not. He planned to sign 17 executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations in the late afternoon, aiming to reverse many key aspects of the previous administration - a strong rejection of his predecessor and a more extensive set of Inauguration Day actions than seen in modern history. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Some of his planned actions included implementing a national mask mandate for federal workers and property, extending eviction protections and student loan relief, rejoining the Paris climate accord, halting the border wall construction, lifting the travel ban on certain Muslim-majority countries, supporting young immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, prohibiting federal government discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and placing a temporary halt on oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Rarely, if ever, has a new president taken such swift action to undo the work of his predecessor on his first day in office, but Biden was determined to show a clear break from Trump. Some of the executive orders may have been more symbolic than impactful, and lasting change will ultimately rely on legislation. In this vein, Biden is set to introduce an immigration reform plan on Wednesday that includes a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented individuals, a proposal that will need to be approved by Congress amid what is expected to be a contentious debate. "Democracy has prevailed." Watch President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address. President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address can be viewed by clicking on the link provided. The Senate may be preoccupied with Trump's trial, making it difficult for Biden's Cabinet choices to be confirmed on Inauguration Day, which goes against tradition. Trump had two Cabinet secretaries confirmed on his first day in office, whereas Obama and Bush had seven each. Harris' inauguration has given the Senate majority to the Democrats, who now have 50 members compared to the Republicans' 50, thanks to her tiebreaking vote as the chamber's president. Chuck Schumer, from New York, is now the Democratic majority leader and plans to have two tracks in place to consider nominations, legislation, and the Trump trial simultaneously. Biden aimed to deliver an Inaugural Address that was markedly different from his predecessor's style, which leaned towards provocation rather than conciliation. Biden had been working on this address with the help of his longtime adviser, Mike Donilon, as well as historian Jon Meacham, speechwriter Vinay Reddy, and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Flags were displayed at the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, representing individuals who were unable to attend President Joe Biden's inauguration. Despite calling for unity, Biden addressed racism in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing and the Capitol siege. Without mentioning Trump by name, Biden emphasized the importance of truth and the repercussions of lies following a presidency marked by falsehoods. Biden's inauguration highlighted a stark contrast to his predecessor in terms of age, gender, and race. Biden, a veteran politician with a long career as a senator and former vice president, is known for his experience working with both Democrats and Republicans in Washington. He aims to establish a partnership with Senator Mitch McConnell and other members of the GOP. Biden is characterized by his talkative nature, warm smile, sometimes overly familiar behavior, and tendency to make mistakes. He practices a politics of empathy similar to Clinton and a relationship-focused approach like George H.W. Bush. Despite being the oldest president in American history at 78, allies admit that he is not as sharp as he once was, leading to scrutiny from both supporters and critics. After overcoming doubts and obstacles, Biden secured the presidency at the age of 78, with strong center-left beliefs but a willingness to adapt to the political center. The more progressive faction of his party remains doubtful, and he may struggle to maintain his electoral coalition, which was mainly united by a mutual dislike for Trump. Biden takes office with strong public support behind him, with 57% of Americans viewing him favorably, according to Gallup - a higher rating than Trump ever received. Additionally, 68% approve of Biden's handling of the transition. However, a majority of the public thinks the country is heading in the wrong direction, and 32% do not believe Biden won the election fairly, likely influenced by Trump's baseless claims of fraud. Biden and Harris bring a new level of diversity to the highest levels of government. Biden is only the second Catholic president, following John F. Kennedy, and Harris made history by breaking gender and racial barriers to become vice president. Biden's Cabinet includes record numbers of women and people of color, as well as the first openly gay person to lead a statutory Cabinet department. A National Guard member used his smartphone to capture the scene at the US Capitol during Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021. Biden began his public day by attending a service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle with his wife, Jill Biden, Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff, and congressional leaders from both parties, including McConnell, after spending the night at Blair House. A National Guard member used his smartphone to record the scene at the US Capitol during President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021. This was a departure from tradition, as most new presidents typically attend a worship service at St. John's Church before taking the oath. However, St. Matthew's also has a presidential history as the location of Kennedy's funeral. Among those in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol were three former presidents and their wives, as well as former Vice President Dan Quayle. Along with Justices Roberts and Sotomayor, four other Supreme Court justices were present, including Justice Elena Kagan and all three of Trump's appointees. Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, were given bipartisan applause upon their arrival at the Capitol for showing respect for the transition of power despite Trump's snub. This marked Pence's first visit since he was evacuated from the Senate chamber two weeks ago to escape the pro-Trump mob, some of whom were chanting "Hang Mike Pence" for not blocking the Electoral College vote count as Trump had demanded. The inauguration ceremony featured performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks, with additional stars like Kerry Washington, Bruce Springsteen, and Demi Lovato set to perform at the "Celebrating America" event later that evening. The celebrity performances will bookend the official business of the day. Biden is scheduled to sign his orders and memorandums in the Oval Office at 5:15 p.m., followed by a virtual swearing-in of his staff a half-hour later. At 7 p.m., Jen Psaki, the new White House press secretary, will hold her first daily briefing, providing reporters with a regular opportunity to question the White House, a practice that had largely disappeared under Trump. The Bidens will then spend their first night in the White House, marking the completion of a journey that officially began in 1987, though unofficially much earlier. These were not the circumstances that the new president may have envisioned when starting on this path, but history always brings surprises. | 2 |
Rio de Janeiro's successful bid to host the Olympics in 2016 is a reflection of Brazil's impressive transformation over the past decade from a struggling nation to a powerful player in the global economy and diplomacy. Just as the Beijing Olympics in 2008 signaled China's resurgence as a major world power, the upcoming Rio Olympics can be seen as a symbol of Brazil's maturity. After years of falling short of its potential, the largest country in Latin America has finally capitalized on its rich natural resources, strong democracy, and large consumer market to become a prominent player on the world stage. The victory in securing the Olympics is a clear indication of Brazil's growing influence under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has overseen an economic boom that has lifted millions out of poverty and earned him worldwide popularity. Despite facing challenges such as the global economic crisis, Brazil has quickly rebounded and returned to growth, showcasing its resilience and determination. Lula spoke to the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen this week, stating that Brazil was the last to be hit by the financial crisis but the first to recover from it. He emphasized that Brazil no longer feels inferior to other countries. For many years, Brazil's failure to fulfill its potential was humorously described as "the country of the future - and always will be." This sentiment persisted during the military dictatorship from 1965-1984 and the economic crises of the 1980s and 1990s. Even in 2002, as Lula was on the brink of presidency, Brazil was still facing challenges due to fears of following in the footsteps of crisis-stricken Argentina. Since then, Brazil has experienced years of strong economic growth and President Lula's charismatic personality, which appeals to both international audiences and local communities in Rio, has helped elevate Brazil's reputation in both economic and diplomatic circles. By 2006, Brazil had successfully repaid its loans to the International Monetary Fund ahead of schedule and has even pledged to lend the IMF $10 billion. Over the past 18 months, Brazil has received three investment-grade ratings, solidifying its position as a major player in global diplomacy on issues such as world trade and climate change. Companies like Petrobras and Vale have thrived, expanding Brazilian investments and influence not only in Latin America but also on a global scale. Brazil has emerged as a key advocate for developing nations in international decision-making, leading efforts to give more power to countries like Brazil, Russia, India, and China within groups like the G20 and BRIC. Lula's call for South America's first Olympics echoed a similar sentiment - that wealthy nations have disproportionately benefited from the Games' prestige. Brazil's economic resurgence has lifted around 20 million people out of poverty, with many benefiting from Lula's social welfare programs. Additionally, Brazil has been fortunate with factors such as the commodities price boom, which boosted exports, and the discovery of a major oil reserve off Rio's coast in 2007. Despite these successes, Brazil still faces numerous obstacles on its path to becoming a developed nation. The lack of adequate investment in the education system and absence of top-tier universities in Brazil are causing concern among business leaders due to a shortage of skilled workers. The country's aging infrastructure is also hindering its growth. Despite its diverse population, racism continues to be a significant obstacle for black and indigenous individuals seeking education and employment opportunities. Brazil, despite its economic advancements, still faces high levels of inequality, poverty, crime, and illiteracy in regions such as the northeast and the Amazon rainforest. | 2 |
A year ago, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided not to reduce supply to maintain market share against competitors with higher costs. However, in its 2015 World Oil Outlook, OPEC increased its global supply predictions for tight oil, including shale, despite the significant drop in prices. OPEC stated that demand for their crude oil will be 30.70 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2020, slightly lower than the anticipated 30.90 million bpd for the following year. The organization is currently producing about 1 million bpd more than what is expected to be demanded in 2020. Oil prices have decreased by more than half in the last 18 months, reaching an 11-year low of $36.04 per barrel this week. While the drop in prices has led to increased use of oil in the short term, OPEC believes that the demand boost from low prices will diminish over time. OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah al-Badri stated in the report that the recent decline in oil prices has had a significant impact on demand, particularly in the short term, with the effects diminishing over the medium term. Despite disagreements within OPEC over the market-share strategy implemented in 2014, the report indicates an improved medium-term outlook for OPEC as a major oil supplier. The 2014 edition of the report had projected a decrease in demand for OPEC crude to 29.0 million bpd by 2020. OPEC has ceased working on the report midway through the year and has since updated its forecast for a decline in 2016 non-OPEC supply. The report does not include Indonesia, which rejoined in December. The main figures regarding OPEC's medium-term market share pressure remain the same as a confidential report obtained by Reuters in November. OPEC initially underestimated the impact of shale oil, but later recognized its significance in its annual outlook in 2012. The years of high prices, supported by OPEC's previous supply-cutting policy, contributed to the viability of non-conventional oil like shale. OPEC's recent report indicates a shift in perspective, noting that many projects can remain profitable at lower prices. Some of the most productive areas in certain plays can break even at prices lower than those seen in 2015, suggesting that production growth will continue. The report predicts that global tight oil output will increase to 5.19 million bpd by 2020, peak at 5.61 million bpd in 2030, and then decrease to 5.18 million bpd in 2040. Argentina and Russia are expected to become major producers alongside North America. Previous estimates projected 4.50 million bpd by 2020 and 4 million bpd by 2040. In a more optimistic scenario, tight oil production could expand to Mexico and China, potentially reaching almost 8 million bpd by 2040 according to OPEC. In 2013, OPEC believed that tight oil would only have an impact in North America. However, a recent report suggests that OPEC's market share will increase over time as competitor supply growth diminishes. OPEC predicts that their crude demand will reach 40.70 million bpd by 2040, making up 37 percent of global supply compared to 33 percent in 2015. OPEC has slightly raised its forecast for world oil demand in the medium-term, expecting it to reach 97.40 million bpd by 2020, which is 500,000 bpd more than previously estimated. Nevertheless, factors such as slower economic growth, the small portion of crude oil costs in pump prices, and the depreciation of some currencies against the dollar will restrict the response to lower crude oil prices, according to OPEC. OPEC predicts that by 2040, demand will reach 109.80 million bpd, which is 1.3 million bpd lower than the previous year due to increased energy efficiency and climate change initiatives. The report anticipates only a modest increase in oil prices, with OPEC's basket of crude oils starting at $55 in 2015 and rising by $5 annually to reach $80 by 2020. | 2 |
The Supreme Court announced that the cause of death was complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Ginsburg had previously overcome colon cancer in 1999 and early-stage pancreatic cancer a decade later. In 2014, she received a coronary stent to clear a blocked artery. Despite her small stature and weight, Ginsburg was known for her toughness and dedication to regular workouts with a trainer, who later published a book about their challenging exercise routine. As Ginsburg turned 80 and celebrated her 20th year on the Supreme Court bench during President Barack Obama’s second term, she ignored requests for her retirement in order to allow a Democratic president to choose her successor. She intended to remain in her position for as long as she was able to perform her duties effectively, stating, “There will be a president after this one, and I’m hopeful that that president will be a fine president.” When Justice Sandra Day O’Connor retired in January 2006, Ginsburg was briefly the only woman on the Supreme Court, which did not reflect the progress she had made for women in the legal field throughout her career. She described her time as the sole female justice as difficult, noting that the public perception of a courtroom filled with men and one small woman was not ideal. Eventually, she was joined by two other female justices appointed by Obama: Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and Elena Kagan in 2010. After Justice John Paul Stevens retired in 2010, Ginsburg became the most senior member and informal leader of a liberal bloc of four justices, which included the three female justices and Justice Stephen Breyer. Without a fifth vote, typically provided by Justice Anthony Kennedy before his retirement in 2018, the four justices often found themselves in the minority on a divided court. Ginsburg's dissenting opinions, which often represented all four justices, gained attention as the court shifted to the right. A law student named Shana Knizhnik dubbed her the Notorious RBG, a nod to the famous rapper Notorious BIG, who was also from Brooklyn like Ginsburg. The name and image of Ginsburg, with her serene yet severe expression, a lace collar on her black judicial robe, oversized glasses framing her eyes, and a gold crown tilted on her head, quickly gained popularity on the internet. Young women got tattoos of her image, daughters dressed up as RBG for Halloween, and "You Can't Spell Truth Without Ruth" appeared on bumper stickers and T-shirts. Biographies about her, such as "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" by Irin Carmon and Knizhnik, became bestsellers. A documentary film about her life was a surprise hit in 2018, and a Hollywood movie focused on her first sex discrimination case was released on Christmas Day of the same year. The admiration for Ruth Bader Ginsburg grew significantly after Donald Trump was elected, despite her controversial remark calling him a "faker" during the 2016 campaign. Scholars tried to understand this sudden surge in popularity, with some attributing it to a need for female role models. In 1993, when she was nominated by President Bill Clinton, Ginsburg's appointment raised concerns among some feminists due to her collegiality and conservative friendships. However, her confirmation by the Senate in a landslide vote marked a turning point for Democratic appointments to the Supreme Court. The sequence was appropriate because Ruth Ginsburg, known for her strategic sense and careful case selection in the women's rights movement, was often compared to Thurgood Marshall, the chief legal strategist of the civil rights movement. Both played key roles in persuading the all-male Supreme Court to recognize constitutional barriers against discrimination. When Ginsburg took her seat as a Supreme Court justice in 1993, it was a familiar setting despite the change in perspective from arguing cases as a litigator. From 1973 to 1978, she brought six cases to the court and won five of them. Her ambitious objective was to convince the Supreme Court that the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection extended to both racial and sex discrimination. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren at the time, had never previously acknowledged sex discrimination as a constitutional issue. Under Chief Justice Warren Burger, who was appointed by President Nixon in 1969, the court was not expected to be any more receptive to her arguments. Ruth Bader Ginsburg later presided over a mock trial of Shylock at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice, Italy, on July 27, 2016, following a performance of "The Merchant of Venice." Ginsburg believed she needed to educate an audience that was not hostile but rather did not understand. She criticized laws that aimed to protect women but were based on stereotypes of male and female abilities and needs. In a speech in 1988, she pointed out that justices did not see the differential treatment of men and women in legal contexts as burdensome to women. She also noted that a justice's immediate reaction to a gender discrimination challenge might be to think they treat their wife and daughters well. In order to change course, the court first needed to recognize that laws intended to help or protect women could have unintended consequences. This was demonstrated through successful legal challenges to discriminatory practices, such as an Idaho law giving men preference over women in estate administration, a military regulation denying benefits to husbands of female soldiers, and a Social Security provision assuming wives were not significant breadwinners. In many of these cases, the plaintiff was a man seeking equal treatment under the law. After winning a case in the Supreme Court, Ginsburg maintained a relationship with the father and child involved. In 1998, she traveled to Florida to participate in Jason's wedding. In 2014, 42 years after the death of Paula Wiesenfeld, Ginsburg officiated her former client's second marriage at the Supreme Court. In a case from 1976 called Craig v. Boren, which Ginsburg worked on but did not argue, the Supreme Court established that official distinctions based on gender would be closely examined by the courts. The court struck down an Oklahoma law that allowed girls to buy beer at 18 but made boys wait until they were 21. While the specific issue in Craig v. Boren may not have seemed significant, the constitutional implications of the ruling were profound. While the court did not adopt Ginsburg's "strict scrutiny" rule in her early cases, they did come to the conclusion that the 14th Amendment's equal protection guarantee extended to equality of the sexes. Ginsburg felt a personal victory when she announced the court's majority opinion in a 1996 discrimination case involving Virginia Military Institute, where the court found the all-male admissions policy to be unconstitutional. Virginia had argued that their method of educating young men was not suitable for young women, but under legal pressure, they set up a separate military college for women. Ginsburg criticized the state in United States v. Virginia for not providing a sufficient reason to justify treating men and women differently. She argued that women deserving of a VMI-quality education should not be offered anything less under the state's obligation to provide equal protection. Ginsburg emphasized that while there are inherent differences between men and women, differential treatment should not lead to the inferiority of women. She believed her decision in the case would improve VMI. During her speech to the Women's Bar Association in Washington, DC the following year, Ginsburg recounted a moment during the VMI case where she looked at her colleague, O'Connor, who had also played a significant role in establishing the legal basis for the decision. O'Connor had previously written an opinion in 1982 that supported admitting men to an all-female nursing school in Mississippi, based on the same precedents set by Ginsburg's cases. Ginsburg's opinion in the VMI case also referenced O'Connor's earlier opinion in Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan. The constitutional circle was closed as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her fellow justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor and John Paul Stevens left the Supreme Court building to participate in the casket procession of late Chief Justice William Rehnquist in Washington on September 6, 2005. Both O'Connor and Ginsburg were part of the first generation of women to break into the legal profession, facing challenges and discrimination along the way. Despite graduating at the top of her class, O'Connor was only offered secretarial positions, while Ginsburg, one of only nine women in her Harvard Law School class, excelled as a law review editor and was recommended for a prestigious law clerk position. The professor Albert Sacks, who later became dean of the law school, wrote a letter to Frankfurter, a former Harvard law professor, praising a female student's exceptional self-possession and qualities that would make her an attractive law clerk. Despite Justice Frankfurter never having hired a woman before, he declined to invite the star student for an interview. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her fellow justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor, and John Paul Stevens left the Supreme Court building for the casket procession of the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist in Washington on September 6, 2005. Despite their opposing views on important court issues, such as affirmative action and federalism, and their different backgrounds, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice O'Connor had a bond that grew in intensity due to their shared life experiences. Ruth Bader's father, Nathan Bader, immigrated to New York with his family at a young age, while her mother, Celia Amster, was born shortly after her family's arrival. Ruth, originally named Joan Ruth at birth and known as Kiki in her childhood, was born on March 15, 1933. Growing up in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood, she essentially lived as an only child as her older sister passed away from meningitis at the age of 6 when Ruth was 14 months old. The family owned small retail stores, including a fur store and a hat shop, but money was always tight. Ruth's mother, Celia Bader, was a woman with intellectual ambitions who graduated from high school at 15 but was unable to attend college. Instead, she was sent to work in Manhattan's garment district so her brother could go to Cornell University. She had high aspirations for her daughter, but unfortunately, she passed away before seeing them come to fruition. Diagnosed with cervical cancer when Ruth was a freshman at James Madison High School, she died at the age of 47 in 1950, just one day before her daughter's high school graduation. Unable to attend the ceremony, Ruth's teachers brought her numerous medals and awards to the house. When Ginsburg stood with Clinton in the Rose Garden on June 14, 1993, for the announcement of her Supreme Court nomination, she moved the president to tears with a heartfelt tribute to her mother. She expressed her hope to fulfill the potential her mother was unable to in a time when women's aspirations were limited and daughters were not valued as much as sons. Ruth Bader went to Cornell on a scholarship, where she met Martin Ginsburg during her freshman year. The two quickly formed a strong connection, with Ruth noting that Martin was the first boy who appreciated her intelligence. They became engaged during her junior year and got married in 1954 after she graduated. Their relationship was both romantic and intellectual, lasting a lifetime. Despite their differences in personality - she was reserved and careful with her words, while he was outgoing and often made jokes at his own expense - their strong bond and shared dedication to their family and careers were evident to everyone who knew them. Martin Ginsburg, a successful tax lawyer, supported his wife by giving up his New York law practice to move with her to Washington when she was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980. Thirteen years later, he worked behind the scenes to support her appointment to the Supreme Court. Martin Ginsburg moved to Washington and taught tax law at Georgetown University's law school. He held a chair endowed by Ross Perot in appreciation for saving him millions in taxes. He was also a skilled cook who prepared meals for the family and baked treats for his wife to bring to her colleagues at the court. Ruth Ginsburg, on the other hand, admitted to being a terrible cook and was banned from the kitchen by her children. The Ginsburgs resided in a duplex apartment at the Watergate, located near the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where they regularly enjoyed attending the opera and ballet. After 56 years of marriage, his passing from cancer in 2010 at the age of 78 brought their relationship to an end. In his final moments, he penned a note on a yellow pad for his wife to discover next to his bed. The note began with “My dearest Ruth,” and expressed his deep love and admiration for her, noting that she was the only person he had loved in his life aside from their family. He also mentioned how proud he was to witness her achieve great success in the legal field. Their two children, Jane and James, are still alive. Jane is a professor of intellectual property law at Columbia Law School, while James is a producer of classical music recordings in Chicago. They also have four grandchildren. After getting married, the couple moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, where Martin Ginsburg was stationed at Fort Sill as an Army officer. Ruth Ginsburg applied for a job at the local Social Security office and was offered a position as a claims examiner at the GS-5 rank. However, the offer was revoked when she revealed she was pregnant with her first child, Jane, as pregnant women were not allowed to travel for training at that time. She took on a clerk-typist position at the GS-2 level and saw it as just the way things were. It wasn't until later in life that Ruth Ginsburg dedicated herself to challenging the societal norms that restricted women's potential. Early in their marriage, both Ruth and Martin Ginsburg faced a significant challenge when Martin was diagnosed with aggressive testicular cancer during his third year at Harvard Law School. Other students assisted him by taking notes, while Ruth Ginsburg, who was also attending class and looking after their young daughter, transcribed the notes and aided him in studying. He eventually recovered and graduated on schedule. Harvard Law School presented difficulties for women, as there were no female faculty members. In Ruth Ginsburg's first year, the dean Erwin Griswold invited the nine female students to a dinner where he questioned each of them about why they believed they deserved to be in the class instead of a man. Ruth stumbled over her words as she explained that she wanted to understand her husband's work as a lawyer, which is why she wanted to finish her final year at Columbia instead of Harvard. Despite her request being denied, she transferred to Columbia and tied for first place in her class. In 1972, she became the first woman to receive tenure on the Columbia law faculty. The experience continued to bother her, and years later, after Harvard changed its policy to award degrees in similar situations, Ruth's husband wrote a letter to the Harvard Law Record sarcastically mentioning that the incident had negatively impacted her career. He even joked about Ruth potentially trading in her Columbia degree for a Harvard one. In 2011, Ruth Ginsburg received an honorary degree from Harvard University, where she was serenaded by Plácido Domingo. Despite initially struggling to find a job at New York law firms after graduating from Columbia, she eventually landed a clerkship with federal district judge Edmund L Palmieri with the help of Professor Gerald Gunther. Following her clerkship, she worked on a comparative law project on civil procedure at Columbia. The project necessitated her to acquire Swedish language skills and stay in Sweden, which turned out to be a shaping experience for her. Sweden was thriving with feminism, and it was common for women to balance work and family responsibilities. Childcare facilities were easily accessible. An article written by the editor of a feminist publication captured Ruth Ginsburg's interest. Eva Moberg, the editor, expressed the need to move away from the idea of women having two roles and emphasized that both men and women are primarily individuals. Ruth Ginsburg's extensive work on Swedish civil law from 1963 to 1970, as well as her observations of a different societal organization in Sweden, were significant outcomes of her time there. Despite facing rejection from prestigious law schools in the US, Ginsburg eventually became the second woman on the faculty at Rutgers Law School, where there were only a few women teaching at American law schools. During this time, she gave birth to her second child, James, who was nine years younger than his sister. Alongside her teaching job, she also volunteered to handle discrimination cases for the New Jersey branch of the American Civil Liberties Union. These cases included complaints from public-school teachers who were fired for being pregnant. Her childhood friend, Melvin Wulf, who was the national legal director for the ACLU, learned about her work and brought more cases her way. One of these cases was the Idaho estate administrators case, which ended up being her first victory in the Supreme Court, known as Reed v. Reed. Her 88-page brief for this case, which detailed the ways in which the law perpetuated the oppression of women in society, became widely recognized in legal history as the "grandmother brief" and served as a resource for feminist lawyers for years to come. In 1972, the ACLU established a Women’s Rights Project and appointed Ruth Ginsburg as its inaugural director. Concurrently, she transitioned from her role at Rutgers to become a faculty member at Columbia. It was through the ACLU project that she developed her legal strategy to convince the Supreme Court that gender-based discrimination by the government was a violation of the Constitution. The significance of this approach was not immediately recognized, even by those closely following her work. Ruth Ginsburg was notably choosing cases where men were the victims of unequal treatment by the government. She was trying to present cases to the justices that were easy to understand, such as why men shouldn't be treated differently from women just because of their gender. However, Ruth Ginsburg's goal went beyond this surface level. She aimed to liberate both men and women from societal expectations and use the Constitution to dismantle the structures that enforced these gender roles. This is why a widowed father seeking social welfare to care for his baby was the ideal plaintiff, as it challenged the idea that childcare was exclusively a woman's responsibility. Wendy W Williams, a retired professor of law at Georgetown University Law Centre and Ginsburg’s authorized biographer, explained in a 2013 article that Ginsburg’s legal campaign was successful in specifically addressing the intricate and widespread legal system that categorized women as yin and men as yang. This framework either rewarded them for conforming to gender-specific roles or penalized them for deviating from them. Ginsburg recognized that the law and society viewed male and female as natural opposites that were interconnected and interdependent, and understood that you couldn't separate the two. Male plaintiffs played a crucial role in dismantling what Ginsburg called “sex-role pigeonholing,” as sex discrimination affected both men and women, and both could benefit from Ginsburg’s idea of sex equality. Professor Neil S Siegel of Duke Law School described Ginsburg's vision as one of “equal citizenship stature.” Despite her reputation as a liberal, many were surprised when Ginsburg began to compile a more moderate voting record on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She appeared to be more comfortable with conservative members of the court, such as Antonin Scalia and Robert H Bork, than with liberal colleagues. This was due to her belief that the judicial branch should work collaboratively with the other branches in a healthy democracy, rather than imposing final decisions that allowed no further discussion. This belief also led to her critique of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in 1973. In a speech at New York University Law School in 1993, before her nomination to the Supreme Court, she criticized the ruling for halting a reform-minded political process and causing prolonged divisiveness. She supported abortion rights but suggested that the court should have issued a narrower ruling allowing states some ability to regulate abortions. She warned against the court making drastic decisions that could lead to a strong backlash. Despite evidence that legislative progress on abortion laws had stalled due to lobbying by the Catholic Church, she maintained her criticism of the decision. Her speech caused concern among some women's groups and abortion rights organizations. During his first nomination to the court, Clinton conducted a very public search among judges and political figures. Mario Cuomo and Bruce Babbitt were considered, but ultimately Stephen G. Breyer was chosen. Despite a difficult interview due to Breyer's broken ribs, Clinton was urged by Martin Ginsburg to consider Ruth Ginsburg. After a private meeting with her, Clinton made his decision. He phoned her at 11:33 that evening to inform her that she was his selection. Clinton stated at the announcement ceremony the following day that he believed she would be able to promote consensus-building on the Supreme Court in the years to come, as she had on the Court of Appeals. The public strongly supported her appointment, and she was confirmed on Aug. 3, 1993, despite opposition from three conservative Republican senators. Speaking to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ginsburg described her judicial approach as nonpartisan, but emphasized her unwavering support for abortion rights. In response to a question from Senator Hank Brown, she stated that abortion rights are essential to a woman's life and dignity. She must make the decision for herself, and if the government controls it, she is being treated as less than a fully responsible adult. In a more conservative Supreme Court, Ginsburg strongly dissented in a case involving abortion, criticizing the majority for relying on outdated ideas about women and lacking reliable evidence. Another controversial decision led to a strong dissent from the court, with a 5-4 vote in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co resulting in the rejection of Lilly Ledbetter's pay discrimination claim due to her failure to file within the 180-day deadline. The majority opinion, written by Alito, stated that the clock started running from Ledbetter's first paycheck reflecting unequal pay, while Ginsburg argued that the period should begin when the employee becomes aware of the discrimination. She called on Congress to clarify this issue and made her dissent known from the bench, adding weight to her message. A technical argument about a statute of limitations turned into a public outcry, leading to Congress overturning the court's interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ultimately resulted in the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first bill signed into law by President Obama. Professor Lani Guinier of Harvard Law School noted that Justice Ginsburg was actively engaging with the public during this time. Guinier described the act of giving an oral dissent as a way to make judicial speech more accessible to the public. Ginsburg, known for wearing her 'Dissenting Collar', carefully crafted her opinions, both majority and dissenting, using clear and concise language without unnecessary complexity. She credited her attention to writing to studying literature under Vladimir Nabokov at Cornell. However, it was her dissenting opinions, especially those announced in court, that garnered the most attention. Ginsburg would often switch out her decorative collars on days when she planned to announce a dissent, adding a playful element to her dissenting speeches. She even wore her "dissenting collar," described by one observer as resembling medieval armor, the day after Trump's election. One of her most famous dissents was in 2013 in Shelby County v. Holder, where the majority invalidated a provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Ginsburg questioned the court's usual restraint and ended her announcement with a quote about the arc of justice. Another favorite opinion of hers came in a 1996 decision called MLB v. SLJ, involving parental rights and the right to appeal court decisions. The Supreme Court of Mississippi ruled that the state was not required to pay for the necessary record for an appeal to proceed, as the Constitution does not typically grant affirmative rights for individuals in poverty. Justice Ginsburg based her decision on a separate line of cases that emphasized the importance of protecting family relationships as fundamental rights. This decision was praised as extraordinary by legal experts, as it navigated through unfavourable precedents to ensure equal justice for parental rights. In a 2017 decision, the court addressed the differential treatment of unwed mothers and fathers under federal immigration law regarding transmitting American citizenship to their children born overseas. According to the law, mothers could pass on their American citizenship if they had lived in the United States for at least one year, while fathers had to have lived in the US for five years. The law assumed that it was easier to confirm a child's mother than father, as fathers were less likely to acknowledge their out-of-wedlock children. In Sessions v. Morales-Santana, Ginsburg, writing for a 6-2 majority, deemed the law unconstitutional due to its sex-based discrimination, calling it outdated and reflective of past gender stereotypes. She argued that such broad generalizations limit individuals' choices and opportunities. Ginsburg often attributes the success of her 1970s legal battles to having the right arguments at the right time. In the preface to her book "My Own Words," published in 2016, she expressed gratitude for being alive and a lawyer during a time when advocating for the equal-citizenship status of women and men was successful. She acknowledged that she played a significant role in this progress, reflecting on the factors that led to a shift in the understanding of the courts, attributing it to a changing societal climate and the influence of women's aspirations. In both her appearance and her work, Ginsburg was known for her precision. She wore her dark hair pulled back and liked to wear finely tailored suits by designer Giorgio Armani, occasionally mixing in flamboyantly patterned jackets from her travels. She was known for being well-dressed and appeared on various best-dressed lists. Despite being an active and persistent questioner on the bench, she tended to be quiet in social settings. Her more outgoing husband often spoke for her, giving the impression to those who didn't know her well that she was shy and reserved. However, when discussing her passion for opera, she could become almost poetic. Despite her past as a high school cheerleader and twirler, she moved with such efficiency that it was hard to imagine her in that role. Her personality seemed to have two sides, but it was actually her innate shyness that disappeared when she had a task to complete. Before her first Supreme Court argument, she was extremely nervous and couldn't eat lunch out of fear of getting sick. However, once the argument began, her fear vanished as she felt empowered by the attention of the powerful judges. | 2 |
The journalists from Ukraine were recognized with a special citation for their reporting on the Russian invasion, while the Pulitzer board honored the 12 journalists who lost their lives covering the Ukraine war. The annual Pulitzer Prizes are highly esteemed in US journalism, with a particular emphasis on the public service award. This year, the Washington Post received this award for their coverage of the siege on the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, leading to the official election of Joe Biden. The Washington Post was acknowledged for their detailed account of the events on January 6, 2021, providing a comprehensive understanding of one of the nation's darkest days. Additionally, a team of photographers from Getty Images were awarded a Pulitzer for their breaking news photography of the same events. In feature photography, a team of Reuters photographers, including the late Danish Siddiqui who died last July while covering the war in Afghanistan, won the Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in India. Reuters was also recognized as a finalist for their images depicting climate change worldwide. The Pulitzer was awarded for their images of the devastation caused by COVID-19 in India, which were praised for their balance of intimacy and tragedy. Along with Siddiqui, the honored photographers were Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, and Amit Dave. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni stated that the world became more aware of the severity of India's outbreak through the documentation provided by Reuters photographers. Galloni also mentioned that Siddiqui's exceptional work being recognized in this manner is a tribute to his lasting impact on the field of photojournalism. Siddiqui was part of the Reuters team that previously won the Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for their coverage of the Rohingya refugee crisis. Reuters, a unit of Thomson Reuters, won its 10th Pulitzer Prize, marking the seventh in the last five years. The New York Times has won a total of 135 Pulitzers since 1917, with three more awards this year. The Times received recognition for national reporting on fatal police traffic stops, international reporting on US air war failures in the Middle East, and criticism for writings on race in arts and culture. Additionally, the Times was named a finalist in two other categories. Reporter Andrea Elliott also won a Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction for her book "Invisible Child," based on a series published by the newspaper in 2013. The Pulitzer board acknowledged the difficult and perilous conditions faced by journalists worldwide, citing instances of journalists being killed or targeted in various countries. The special recognition for Ukrainian journalists praised their bravery and dedication in reporting truthfully during the conflict with Russia. The Pulitzer Prizes, which have been awarded since 1917, were created by Joseph Pulitzer to support journalism education and recognize excellence in various fields. Today, the prizes encompass a wide range of categories in media, writing, and photography, as well as awards in books, drama, and music. A group primarily composed of senior editors from top US media outlets and academics oversees the judging process that selects the winners. | 2 |
Preparing to welcome President Joe Biden, it is seen as a significant development that he considers Europe as an ally and NATO as a crucial component of Western security. However, the aftermath of the previous presidential administration has left lasting scars that experts believe will take time to heal. Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, emphasized the impact of the Trump years on the European Union, warning against underestimating it. She mentioned concerns about the possibility of his return and the EU being marginalized once again, leading to a more cautious approach towards US demands. Various pressing issues, such as the Afghanistan withdrawal, military spending, relations with Russia and China, trade disputes, tariffs, climate change, and vaccine diplomacy, are on the agenda for discussion. Despite Europeans appreciating Biden's promises of loyalty and affection, they have concerns about the sudden changes in US foreign policy that can occur with a new presidency. There is a fear that America has shifted, and Biden may just be a temporary pause between more populist, nationalist leaders. They are uncertain about the true differences between Biden's "foreign policy for the middle class" and Trump's "America first." Additionally, they are aware of the upcoming political changes in Germany, France, and the US, which could limit Biden's ability to make significant moves. However, Biden's upcoming visits to NATO and the EU are seen as more than just symbolic gestures. The meetings are coordinated so that he can arrive in Geneva on June 16 with allied consultation and support for his first meeting as president with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin. Jana Puglierin, the Berlin director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, believes that Biden is beginning a new relationship by showing faith in Brussels and NATO and starting the process of renovating the alliance for the next decade. However, she also emphasizes the need for tangible results to show that the relationship is not just based on words. French defense analyst François Heisbourg sees only positives from Biden's trip, stating that the US is back and there is no cynicism involved. Biden holds strong beliefs and is committed to carrying them out, with a focus on rebuilding relationships with allies to promote comity and civility. While international affairs are not his top priority, experts agree that his policy reviews must eventually turn into action. The recent trip is seen as a symbol of the US reengaging with allies and emphasizing the importance of partnerships. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of ambassadors named to key positions in Europe, with some arguing that having these officials in place is crucial for effective communication and coordination with the US government. The NATO summit meeting, involving 30 leaders, will be brief, consisting of a single 2 1/2-hour session following an opening ceremony. This leaves each leader with just five minutes to speak. The agenda includes finalizing a communique currently under negotiation, addressing the Afghanistan withdrawal, and approving a yearlong study on updating NATO's strategic concept to address new challenges in areas such as cyberwarfare, artificial intelligence, antimissile defense, disinformation, and emerging disruptive technologies. The previous strategic concept in 2010 focused on Russia as a potential partner, with little mention of China. The new concept will start with different assumptions. Future discussions will cover topics such as the role of a regional trans-Atlantic alliance in countering China, the necessary capabilities for NATO, and the division of funding responsibilities between member countries. NATO officials and ambassadors anticipate extensive discussions on these issues. Adapting to the EU's ambiguous desire for "strategic autonomy" while promoting European military spending and efficiency, and avoiding overlap with NATO, is a key concern. Additionally, there is a need to enhance NATO's political acumen, as urged by French President Emmanuel Macron, possibly through new meetings involving member states' key officials. Discussions in bilateral sessions are also expected to address the replacement of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, whose term is set to end in September 2022. Other topics at the upcoming NATO summit include managing Afghanistan post-withdrawal, relations with Putin's Russia, Xi Jinping's China, and Aleksandr Lukashenko's Belarus. The ambassador of a NATO country stated that those who are interested in punctual trains will find the NATO summit interesting, while those who prefer train collisions will be disappointed. The same applies to Biden's meeting with the European Union on June 15, where he will meet with Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, who represent the European Council and European Commission, respectively. Biden will have already met 21 of the 27 EU leaders the day before at NATO, as there is significant overlap between the two organizations. Exceptions to the bloc's wide range of issues include Turkey, a NATO member struggling to balance relations with Russia and Greece, and Cyprus, an EU member at odds with Turkey. Key topics for discussion include tariff and trade disputes, a new minimum global corporate tax rate, data transfer, military spending, carbon-neutral economy transition, global technology regulation, multilateral institution reform, and managing relationships with China and Russia. German officials express wariness, believing that Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan was made unilaterally, despite consultation with allies. In the same way, European leaders were displeased and embarrassed by Biden's choice to support the waiver of intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines. This decision, made in response to growing criticism at home, was made without informing or consulting allies. Europeans do not view China as the same level of competitor as the United States does, and they rely more heavily on both China and Russia for trade and energy. Some are concerned that Biden's attempt to frame the world as a competition between democracy and authoritarianism is too simplistic. According to Nathalie Tocci, director of Italy's International Affairs Institute, it is important to communicate with allies before the Putin summit, as it is more than just a symbolic gesture. Europeans are mistaken in thinking that things can return to how they were before. They need to collaborate with Biden on important issues like climate, vaccines, and trade to create a strong Western alliance that can lead to a wider global agreement. This is the most effective way to demonstrate that democracy is successful. | 2 |
The text illustrates the type of compromise that has been made by some employees of the Kremlin's propaganda machine over the years, individuals who valued the stability of their job and the creative challenges it presented, even if they did not agree with the organization's goals. Recently, after President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Likin, who had been the art director for Channel 1, a major player in the Kremlin's propaganda network, resigned. He emphasized that he was not a political figure, but felt that the invasion aligned him with a destructive agenda. Likin expressed his belief that Russian television caters to those who are not motivated to seek out alternative sources of information, such as people lacking education or critical thinking skills. The invasion of Ukraine has prompted some former Russian government employees to sever ties with the regime, indicating a struggle within the Kremlin to maintain unity amidst the conflict. Thousands of people have been arrested protesting against the invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands fleeing the country. On Wednesday, Anatoly Chubais, Putin's climate envoy, became the first senior government official to resign since the invasion on Feb 24. There have also been four high-profile resignations at Russia's state television channels, which are crucial to Putin's control over domestic politics. Marina Ovsyannikova, a Channel 1 staff member who interrupted a live news broadcast last week to display an anti-war poster, has been one of the most notable acts of protest. Others, like Likin, have resigned more quietly, showing the unrest within Putin's system and the significant influence television has in shaping Russians' views of the war. Zhanna Agalakova, a Channel 1 correspondent who resigned this month, described her colleagues as being clinically depressed. Many thoughtful individuals are feeling a sense of guilt, with no clear way to absolve themselves. Merely seeking forgiveness is not sufficient. Despite the decreasing influence of Russia's national television networks due to the popularity of YouTube and social media, they remain the primary source of news for the majority of the public. According to surveys conducted by the Levada Center, about two-thirds of Russians relied on state television for news last year, a decrease from 90% in 2014. State television has portrayed the conflict in a way that contrasts sharply with Western perspectives, depicting Russians as the heroes and liberators in the conflict with Ukraine. Images of dead civilians and destroyed homes are being wrongly labeled as fake or as a result of Ukrainians shelling their own city. According to a Channel 1 reporter, some locals in Mariupol claim that the Ukrainian military is intentionally targeting residential areas, while others believe that nationalists were instructed to cause as much destruction as possible before retreating. Polls show that many Russians are accepting the narrative being presented on their television screens, which portrays the war as a continuation of long-standing grievances against the West. Despite this, most state television journalists have continued to amplify the message of Russia fighting for its survival. Liliya Gildeyeva, a former anchor at NTV, admitted that she had compromised her values before realizing the extent of her actions once the war began. She stated that when you start to give in to yourself little by little, you may not realize how far you have fallen. The shock of the war led many Russians to leave the country in recent weeks, with flights to Turkey and Armenia being popular destinations. Among those leaving were journalists, activists, tech workers, young professionals, and even some members of Russia's elite. The most high-profile departure was Chubais, the Kremlin's climate envoy, who resigned over the war in Ukraine and left the country. The Kremlin has confirmed that Chubais has resigned. He was viewed as one of the few liberal officials left in Putin's government, and his prominent role in the economic reforms of the 1990s in Moscow made him unpopular in many parts of Russian society. It is uncertain whether the discontent among some of the elite could pose a threat to Putin's government. Likin, a former art director at Channel 1, believed that individuals like him who were willing to step down based on their principles were a small minority in Russia. Agalakova, a former correspondent at Channel 1, mentioned that many of her former colleagues who chose to stay did not work for an ideal. "People have obligations to their family, loans to pay off, and basic needs to meet in order to survive. Those who leave their jobs at state television, especially if they speak out, face an uncertain future. Agalakova, who was a correspondent based in Paris, shared that some of her friends stopped talking to her after she resigned. Likin, on the other hand, plans to continue his career as an architect in Russia and may consider returning to television if there is a change in its messaging. Government-sponsored polls suggest that most Russians support Putin's actions, although experts warn that people may not be truthful in surveys during times of war. Agalakova now understands that years of propaganda on Russian television have influenced public opinion and prepared the way for the current conflict, by distorting Russians' memories of their country's past sacrifices into backing the government's policies." Agalakova expressed that the mention of Nazism in Ukraine by the Kremlin causes an immediate reaction in society, calling it a deceitful and shameless tactic. Due to the prevalence of propaganda, Russians who are skeptical of television have limited options for obtaining accurate news. The liberal Echo of Moscow radio station and TV Rain independent television channel have been shut down, while access to Facebook and Instagram has been blocked. Additionally, journalist Alexander Nevzorov is under criminal investigation for sharing information about the Russian bombing of Mariupol on Instagram. The most recent attempt to instill fear in critics of the war involves promoting a new law that threatens up to 15 years in prison for not following the official narrative of the conflict in Ukraine. Denis Volkov from the Levada polling center believes that the true test of Russian public opinion will be the economic impact of Western sanctions. Despite this, Volkov thinks that the Kremlin's narrative of the West undermining Ukraine and Russia defending its people abroad has been firmly accepted by television viewers and is unlikely to change soon. Many Russians believe what aligns with the television narrative, regardless of truth. | 2 |
The US-India Business Council (USIBC) praised the reforms outlined in the budget, particularly the increase in the FDI cap in insurance and policy changes to address transfer pricing issues and promote infrastructure investment. USIBC, a leading trade association in the US with 300 top US and Indian companies, expressed appreciation for the finance minister's leadership and business-friendly policies. The council welcomed the lifting of the insurance composite FDI cap to 49 percent without voting restrictions as a positive signal to the global business community. USIBC emphasized the importance of avoiding retrospective taxation and sought further clarity on this issue. Additionally, USIBC supported the increase in the FDI cap in defense to 49 percent and highlighted the potential for American businesses to contribute expertise and capital to Smart City development and public-private partnerships in airports. The US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) also praised the raise in the FDI cap in defense and insurance, noting the potential for technology transfer and increased equity investments in India. He stated that both of these advancements are praiseworthy, and international investors, including those from the Indian diaspora, will now be motivated to contribute to the growth of India's defense and insurance sectors. | 2 |
After his global teleconference fell apart on September 11, 2001, a top economist at a US investment bank started thinking about what the attacks on the United States could indicate about the future of the world. Not focusing on Al Qaeda, Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs, who had been at a meeting in the World Trade Center just two days earlier, returned to London shortly before the planes hit the twin towers. On the verge of taking over as head of the bank's global economics team, he wanted to come up with a significant idea to mark his leadership. He soon realized that the period following September 11 would be characterized by the emergence of the four largest developing economies - China, Russia, India, and Brazil - rather than by the dominant superpower or the war on terror. O'Neill coined the term "BRICs" after the first letter of the countries' names. He recalled the moment he came up with the idea and how it was inspired by the aftermath of 9/11. O'Neill, now the head of Goldman's global asset management business, introduced the term in a pamphlet in November 2001, and the trend he identified has proven to have a greater impact on world history than the events of 9/11. When O'Neill first coined the term BRIC, the four major emerging economies accounted for 8% of the global economy. The top five economies at the time were the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, and France. However, a decade later, the BRIC countries have exceeded expectations and now make up almost 20% of the world economy. China has become the second largest economy in the world, while Britain has fallen out of the top five, replaced by Brazil. India and Russia are also rapidly catching up. Shortly after the attacks on New York and Washington, the US initiated a costly and all-consuming global "war on terror" and began planning retaliation against not only Al Qaeda but also other members of a broader "axis of evil", such as Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Initially, it seemed that the US and its allies were successful in their war, as the Al-Qaeda network suffered significant losses, key leaders were eliminated, and major terror attacks in the West were thwarted. However, the true cost of this victory, both financially and diplomatically, is not immediately apparent. According to Joseph Nye, a former US government official and current Harvard professor, the US was focused on a misguided Middle East war while the world economy was shifting towards Asia during the early 2000s. He claims that the actions taken by the US significantly diminished its "soft power" in diplomacy, values, and culture, while also diverting and ultimately weakening its military and economic "hard power". The cost of the overreaction can be seen in the significant increase in the US national debt, which was just under $5.8 trillion the day before the attacks and has now climbed to $14.7 trillion a decade later. Unfunded tax cuts, post-financial crisis stimulus, and other increased domestic spending are largely responsible for this increase. America's wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan after 9/11 significantly increased the financial burden. According to a recent estimate by Brown University, the cost of these conflicts could be as high as $4.4 trillion, which is nearly one-third of the total cost. Nigel Inkster, a former deputy head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service and now head of transnational threats and political risk at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, believes that the American reaction to 9/11 was an overreaction. He also suggests that in the long run, the impact of 9/11 and the rise of Al Qaeda may be viewed as minor. Other Western powers also took drastic measures in response to the attacks. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, like then-US president George W Bush, viewed the September 11 attacks as a pivotal moment in history. In an upcoming television interview to be featured on www.reuters.com, Blair expressed that he believed the attacks were not just a large terrorist incident, but a event that would alter global politics. Although he admits uncertainty about the necessary actions to take, Blair felt that the risks involved had shifted significantly. This perspective led to Britain's involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which ultimately may not have had as much impact on the country as the changing world economic order and internal financial struggles. The Iraq war damaged Blair's reputation and premiership when it was revealed that Britain went to war based on faulty information about weapons of mass destruction. Wolfgang Ischinger, a former German deputy foreign minister and ambassador to the US, believes that September 11 shattered the illusion of one superpower ruling the world. He suggests that the rise of the BRICs will have a more lasting impact on global power and governance. Ischinger argues that it took nearly a decade to understand the consequences of 9/11 and the mistakes made by some countries. He questions whether 9/11 was as significant a turning point as the financial crisis. During a flight to Houston, Texas for a meeting between Jordan's King Abdullah and Bush, Al Qaeda attacked. Jordan's ambassador to Washington, Marwan Muasher, initially feared an anti-Muslim backlash in the United States. He believes Washington handled that well, but misjudged its broader reaction and regrets the decision to launch the Iraq war. Muasher, who later became foreign minister and is now a vice president at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a US think-tank, believes that developments such as the financial crisis have overshadowed much of 9/11. He argues that the era of US dominance was short-lived due to the emergence of other powers. Ian Bremmer, the head of a political risk consultancy called Eurasia Group, believes that the global focus has shifted away from September 11. Bremmer stated to Reuters that in hindsight, the year 2008 was a significant turning point. He pointed out that during that year, the world faced a financial crisis and witnessed the Beijing Olympics. Before this, China was perceived as just an emerging market with little importance. However, the events of 2008 showed the world China's growing influence and capabilities. China displayed a bold sense of confidence during the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony, showcasing new impressive buildings in its capital and disregarding Western concerns about human rights abuses. The country's increasing financial and economic power, including holding $1.2 trillion of US government debt, makes it difficult for the West to criticize. When a government debt crisis hit Europe, China was asked to help by purchasing euro-zone securities, a situation that would have been unthinkable in the past. In August 2008, Russia, part of the BRIC group, successfully won a war against US-supported Georgia, marking the first time Moscow had deployed troops outside its borders since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. This assertive behavior by emerging powers could potentially be adopted by countries like China or India in the future. Stephen Jennings, CEO of Moscow-based investment bank Renaissance Capital, believes that there is a shift in investment patterns, with more big "south-south" business deals being made in developing nations. These deals are funded by BRIC banks on behalf of emerging market investors, and do not involve any representatives from London or New York. Jennings stated in a speech to investors in Moscow that traditional financial centers and the Western economic model are losing their dominance, with a shift of business, capital, and ideas towards emerging market economies. He believes that fast-growing economies like Russia are becoming the new leaders of the economic order, and the diplomatic order has also changed as a result. In 2009, during the Copenhagen climate summit, US President Barack Obama opted to negotiate with the leaders of emerging countries such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa rather than the other G8 developed nations. South Africa was particularly interested in aligning itself with the "BRICS" group to balance out older powers. The unexpected uprisings of the "Arab Spring" in the Middle East and North Africa caught both regional leaders and Western intelligence agencies off guard, including Al Qaeda. Some viewed these uprisings as a warning for authoritarian countries like China within the BRICS group. Critics argued that the US and its allies demonstrated double standards by supporting authoritarian Arab leaders for business or counterterrorism purposes, only to abandon them when their rule became unsustainable. Recent discoveries in Libya have exposed close cooperation between British and American intelligence services and Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime, causing embarrassment for both countries. Jan Egeland, Europe head of Human Rights Watch and former United Nations global humanitarian chief, criticized the approach that suggested embracing the dark side was necessary to defeat terror, which he believed exposed the hypocrisy of Western actions. This occurred at a time when emerging economies were already making progress in other areas. The aftermath of September 11, 2001 defied conventional expectations, with a decrease in global conflicts despite the US and its allies being heavily involved in wars in the Middle East. Development economists like Jeffrey Sachs argue that the billions spent on Western wars could have been better used to address poverty in the poorest countries. Despite a growing wealth gap in many states, the economic growth of countries like BRIC has lifted millions out of poverty. Currently, the BRICs are experiencing a shift in which their increasing economic power is leading to a rise in military strength, while the West is facing a decline in financial stability resulting in significant cuts to defense spending. The International Institute for Strategic Studies highlighted in its annual survey that while Western countries are reducing military budgets, Asian and Middle Eastern countries are increasing theirs at a rapid rate. This suggests that there is a global redistribution of military power taking place. This year, the UK became the only member of the UN Security Council without an aircraft carrier after decommissioning the Royal Navy's flagship "Ark Royal," while China launched its first aircraft carrier. Economist Goldman's O'Neill predicts that the economic growth of the BRICs will have a greater long-term impact than the events of September 11. His bank is currently promoting the benefits of what they refer to as the "N-11," consisting of the next 11 major emerging market economies after the BRICs, such as Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey. He also believes that the terrorist attack and its aftermath may have influenced the newly assertive stance of the BRICs in the global arena. "It may have caused some doubt about America's power and therefore a greater inclination for them to be more self-reliant," he explains. With the West's focus on the Middle East and terrorism, some are concerned that the traditional powers missed an opportunity to shape the evolving world order. However, even if they had been more attentive, it may not have made much of a difference. According to former British spy Inkster, the unexpected shift to emerging powers caught us off guard due to the emphasis on the Islamic world, although it likely would have surprised us regardless. | 2 |
He has returned from a summit in Hanoi with North Korea that ended in disagreement over sanctions tied to Pyongyang's nuclear program, creating a darker cloud over his administration. In addition, his former lawyer Michael Cohen's testimony accusing him of breaking the law while in office poses a potential threat to the president domestically. Trump is also dealing with challenges such as negotiations with China on trade, a crisis in Venezuela, tensions between India and Pakistan, and attempts in Congress to block his emergency declaration for border wall funding. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election may also conclude soon, keeping speculation about Trump and his campaign in the news. Trump had expressed frustration before leaving for Vietnam about Democrats moving forward with Cohen's testimony while he was abroad, as it goes against an unspoken rule of not attacking the president while he is overseas. He expressed his desire for the Mueller report to be completed and was displeased that hearings were taking place while he was traveling. It was mentioned by an anonymous source that he felt uneasy about the ongoing Mueller investigation and believed it cast a shadow over him. During the summit, Trump ended discussions on North Korea's denuclearization prematurely, with conflicting reports emerging from both sides, leading to uncertainty about the fate of one of his key initiatives. Originally scheduled was a signing ceremony for a deal in Hanoi, but it was suddenly called off by the White House. Trump’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized reporters for being fixated on what he deemed as unimportant details and labeled them as "radically uninformed." Pompeo advised the reporters not to focus on such matters. Meanwhile, Trump stayed updated on Cohen's testimony from his hotel suite in Hanoi, despite the time difference. Trump's inner circle felt that the president handled the week well, as they believed Cohen's testimony did not reveal anything new and Trump was praised for walking away from a potentially unfavorable deal with North Korea. Christopher Ruddy, a conservative media figure and close friend of Trump, stated that there were no surprises during the week, as they were aware that North Korea negotiations were challenging and Cohen's testimony was expected to be critical. Ruddy stated to Reuters that, in his opinion, the Cohen testimony does not significantly impact President Trump's political standing. However, the testimony has caused concern among Trump supporters about the effectiveness of his re-election campaign's response. Chris Christie, a friend of Trump and former New Jersey Governor, criticized the lack of defense for the president on ABC's "This Week" program. Trump is expected to receive support when he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland this Saturday. Ronna McDaniel, Chair of the Republican National Committee, defended Trump's handling of the Vietnam summit at the CPAC event on Thursday. She received applause for saying that he left for the right reason, which was refusing to lift sanctions without denuclearization. | 2 |
Many health experts believe that improvements in healthcare delivery and the establishment of state health insurance exchanges will continue even if President Obama's healthcare reforms are overturned. However, former healthcare policymakers warn that efforts to control costs and improve quality of care could be hindered by arbitrary spending cuts in the near future. Dr. Don Berwick, who recently left his position as head of Medicare and Medicaid, criticizes the current plan of cutting benefits and shifting the burden to the poor and taxpayers, stating that it will only make things worse. The Affordable Care Act aims to provide healthcare coverage to over 30 million uninsured Americans through Medicaid expansion and subsidized private insurance options on state exchanges. It also calls for innovations that could steer America's $2.6 trillion healthcare system, the most expensive in the world, towards incentives for controlling costs. The law is facing strong opposition from Republicans and is entering a period of significant uncertainty. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the individual mandate next spring, which requires all Americans to purchase insurance. Voters will then decide whether Republicans or Democrats will control the White House and Congress. Current and former healthcare officials are optimistic about changes that would reward doctors and other providers based on patient progress rather than the quantity of tests and procedures they conduct. For a panel discussion on healthcare reforms moderated by Reuters at Harvard School of Public Health, visit www.ForumHSPH.org. Dr. Mark McClellan, who previously oversaw Medicare, Medicaid, and the FDA under President George W. Bush, stated that these reforms have the potential to significantly impact healthcare costs in the long term. Various innovations such as "bundled payments" and incentives for healthcare providers to keep patients healthy and deliver successful outcomes while saving money have been gaining momentum. These innovations were already being implemented in the private market before the healthcare bill was signed into law in March 2010. The law's efforts to apply these innovations to Medicare and Medicaid, which collectively spend about $900 billion annually on care for 100 million beneficiaries, have further accelerated their adoption across the United States. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, established a year ago, plans to partner with private entities to develop about 24 innovation models in the coming years. According to experts, these innovations in care delivery are important for providers facing increasing cost pressures from employers and government agencies. Don Moran, a healthcare consultant based in Washington, believes that these innovations are a response to market realities rather than just reformist interests. However, the future of healthcare innovation could be uncertain after the November elections, as Washington may choose to address deficits by making cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, reinforcing the traditional fee-for-service model. The lack of a proven cost-saving track record for innovations makes them vulnerable to potential budget cuts. Gail Wilensky, former head of Medicare and Medicaid under President George H.W. Bush, is concerned that Congress may choose to reduce payments to healthcare providers, which could lead to doctors dropping Medicare patients. She expressed this worry during a Harvard School of Public Health forum, stating that Congress may prioritize this action due to the credit they would receive for it. Some experts believe that deficit concerns could prompt the Obama administration to postpone certain aspects of the healthcare law, such as state health insurance exchanges and the individual mandate for health insurance. Delaying the implementation of the law could result in significant cost savings for the government, allowing officials more time to establish exchanges amidst uncertainties caused by the Supreme Court case and the election. An administration official stated that there are currently no plans to postpone the law's implementation. Analysts believe that the outcome of the election may not affect the fate of the law unless Obama is not re-elected, as Congress is unlikely to overcome partisan disagreements even if Republicans gain a slight majority in the Senate. McClellan noted that certain aspects of the law, such as state insurance exchanges, could still move forward even if the individual mandate is overturned, repealed, or weakened due to political and budgetary pressures. McClellan suggested that rather than mandating the purchase of insurance, the government could create voluntary rules to incentivize participation in exchanges, citing Medicare Part D as a potential model. He acknowledged that state exchanges may not be as strong without the individual mandate but suggested that this could lead to deficit savings. There are currently no discussions about using Part D enrollment restrictions as a substitute for the individual mandate. | 2 |
Four years ago, the joint program of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), labeled the United States as Germany's primary ally outside of Europe. The 2013 program emphasized the significance of the friendship with Washington as a key component of Germany's international relationships, aiming to enhance transatlantic economic connections by eliminating trade barriers. However, the latest election program, titled "For a Germany in which we live well and happily," does not include the terms "friend" or "friendship." Instead, the United States is referred to as Germany's primary partner outside of Europe. CDU officials have not yet provided a statement regarding the change in language. The change in wording highlights the declining relationship between Berlin and Washington since Donald Trump became President in January. Trump criticized Merkel during his presidential campaign, calling her migration policies "insane" and accusing Germany of having a trade surplus with the US. He also claimed that Germany and other NATO partners owed "massive amounts of money" and caused concern by withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre showed that only 35 percent of Germans view the US favorably, compared to 57 percent at the end of Obama's term. Merkel is set to host Trump and other leaders at the G20 summit in Hamburg later this week. The 2017 election program for the CDU/CSU party makes reference to the historical support the US provided to Germany after World War Two and leading up to German reunification, in contrast to the focus on strengthening economic ties in the 2013 passage. The program also includes a statement made by Merkel following a challenging G7 summit, where she emphasized the need for Europeans to take control of their own destiny, as relying fully on others is no longer feasible. Additionally, while reiterating Germany's commitment to NATO, the program highlights the importance of the EU being able to defend itself independently for long-term survival. The text also includes a specific section called "Germany and France as the Driving Force of Europe," which promises to renew the alliance between the two nations. It states, "We are prepared, along with the new French administration, to gradually enhance the eurozone, such as by establishing its own monetary fund." However, it also rejects the idea of sharing debt in Europe and asserts that "solidarity" can only occur if EU countries adhere to the regulations of the bloc's Growth and Stability Pact. | 2 |
Here are 10 celebrities who have made efforts in the past year to make a positive impact on the world: 1. Meghan Markle, who married into Britain's royal family in May, has focused on women's rights and collaborated with survivors of London's Grenfell Tower fire to create a community-led cookbook. She also wore "slave-free" jeans from Outland Denim in Australia, sparking a rush to purchase the trousers. 2. Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter films, supported the #MeToo movement in 2018 by donating one million pounds ($1.3 million) to a fund that helps charities fighting sexual abuse. In October, Watson penned a public letter calling for an end to restrictive abortion laws across countries like India and Ireland. During that time, she was also seen wearing earrings made from shrapnel and unexploded bombs from Laos. David Attenborough, the elderly nature documentary broadcaster, used the United Nations' climate talks in Poland in 2018 to join forces with young people and emphasize the urgent need for progress on climate action. Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan solidified his popularity in India by paying off the debts of farmers with over 40 million rupees ($560,000) following an agricultural crisis that had plunged many into extreme poverty. 5. Elton John, the British musician known for his support of LGBT+ rights, urged for increased efforts to help individuals in poverty access HIV/AIDS medical treatment, labeling the limited access as shameful.
6. Millie Bobby Brown, the young actress from the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things," was appointed as the youngest goodwill ambassador for UNICEF this year. She expressed her excitement at the opportunity to advocate for children's rights, education, poverty, and the prevention of bullying, calling it a dream come true. Michelle Obama, the ex-first lady of the United States, has been traveling around the world to promote her memoir and advocate for women's rights and girls' education. She aims to empower women to find hope in challenging political and social environments. David Beckham, the former captain of the English soccer team, has teamed up with the charity Malaria No More UK to support their efforts in revitalizing the global fight against malaria. The former athlete appeared in a short film where he was surrounded by mosquitoes to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of malaria, which still claims the lives of approximately 445,000 individuals each year, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Australian actress Cate Blanchett, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' refugee agency, has used her platform to advocate for more support for Rohingya refugees escaping Myanmar for Bangladesh. Despite her two Oscar wins, Blanchett emphasized the urgent need to protect these vulnerable individuals in what she described as a critical race against time. Princess Beatrice, the eighth in line to the British throne, has actively worked to combat online abuse and cyber-bullying, particularly targeting young women and girls. She is involved in a larger anti-bullying campaign championed by celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne, promoting the message "Be Cool Be Nice." | 2 |
"KKK Bitch" was the racially charged graffiti that appeared in mid-October in Kokomo, Indiana, on cars, homes, and telephone poles. Many of the victims, including Peters, were African American, with some not being African American. A lot of the victims had lawn signs supporting Democratic candidates in the upcoming presidential election, and some of those signs were vandalized with the Ku Klux Klan's initials. Peters believes that this vandalism is politically motivated and is a result of the aggressive and nativist rhetoric of Republican candidate Donald Trump, which has emboldened extremists. Peters is saddened by the fact that such behavior is becoming more common due to the influence of political figures making ignorant statements. Our country appears to be regressing, as police have not identified any suspects in the recent attacks. Democrats, such as the mayor and local party officials, suspect the attacks were politically motivated. However, local Republicans doubt this theory and believe the damage was caused by ignorant troublemakers who do not represent their party. The divisive and provocative political rhetoric is infiltrating public conversations and dividing the population in the United States. The impact of this trend is difficult to measure, as there is no national data tracking politically motivated crimes or inflammatory language. However, the percentage of voters who think it is acceptable to insult political opponents has increased from 30 percent in March to 43 percent in October, according to surveys conducted by the non-partisan Pew Research Center during the campaign season. A majority of voters from both parties have strong negative views of the opposing party, which is a first since Pew began asking this question in 1992. Trust in government is currently at a low point. Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, believes that these trends reflect tensions between different groups that can lead to various levels of conflict. While much of the hostility has been directed towards immigrants, African Americans, and other groups associated with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, Republicans have also experienced hostility. The focus of discussions on extremism has largely been on the Alt-Right movement, which consists of white nationalists, anti-Semites, and anti-immigration individuals who have aligned themselves with the Trump campaign after being in the political background for some time. During a rally at the statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina on July 18, 2015, a Ku Klux Klan supporter was photographed displaying his tattoos. The Alt-Right community has been energized by Trump's promises to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport illegal immigrants, and scrutinize Muslims for connections to terrorism. Michael Hill, a self-proclaimed white supremacist and leader of the League of the South, believes that the Alt-Right's concerns about the decline of the white, Christian majority in the country have been validated by certain political rhetoric. Hill stated that the overall political climate surrounding certain campaigns has been beneficial for right-wing groups like his. Similar nationalist sentiments have been observed in other countries, such as Russia, Japan, and Britain, where violent incidents related to political beliefs have occurred. Reports of political displays, vandalism, and violence have become more frequent in the United States, with incidents such as a black church being burned and painted with pro-Trump messages in Mississippi, a Republican office being set on fire in North Carolina, and manure being dumped at a Democratic campaign office in Ohio. In Utah, a man who had Trump yard signs on display discovered KKK graffiti on his car. At a college football game in Wisconsin, a fan wore a President Barack Obama mask with a noose around his neck. The Trump and Clinton campaigns did not respond to requests for comment. White nationalist Jared Taylor, whose website American Renaissance is popular among the movement, stated that Trump's positions align with the Alt-Right goal of "slowing the dispossession of whites." However, Taylor believes that the media is exaggerating Trump's support within the Alt-Right in an effort to undermine him. Trump has faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans for not quickly denouncing extreme elements of the political right. However, when a prominent KKK newspaper published a positive article about Trump, his campaign immediately issued a statement denouncing it as "repulsive." Figures from the Alt-Right, such as Taylor and Hill, claim they do not support vandalism or violence and argue that their rhetoric is not hate speech, but rather that they are unfairly vilified by the left. According to Heidi Beirich of the Southern Poverty Law Center, left-wing extremists have a history of aggressive confrontation with those they view as fascist or racist. She mentioned that anti-racists tend to be more violent than racists. The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects inflammatory speech, but there are laws allowing law enforcement to investigate and prosecute hate crimes targeting certain groups. Hate crimes against Muslims increased by 86% last year, even though overall hate crimes only saw a 6% increase according to California State University researchers. Some individuals involved in politics believe that there has been a gradual decline in civility that predates the current presidential race. The Republican party chairman for Howard County, Indiana, Craig Dunn, notes that a small number of extreme voices are being magnified through the Internet and social media, leading to an overall breakdown in civility. Local leaders are concerned about the impact on their community, with Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, a Democrat, expressing worries about increased volatility and tension. The recent graffiti incidents have been particularly concerning, with Monica Fowler, who had her Democratic yard signs vandalized with "KKK," struggling to cope with the attacks. She mentions that it is acceptable to have differing opinions, but if your actions are going to frighten or hurt someone else, she questions your motives. | 2 |
The Dhaka City Corporation has approximately 250 dumpsters filled with waste throughout the capital, which is inadequate for a city of millions. In response to this issue, a youth-based organization called Footsteps is planning to help by ‘privatising transcans’. Through their project ‘WECan’, they intend to sell commercial trash cans to businesses and place them in front of corporate offices for public use. The trash cans will be a part of a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, and will be sold for Tk 5000 each. These lime-green cans will display the company’s logo and a ‘social, eye-catching message’. Metal chains will be provided with each purchase to secure the cans to office gates. The revenue generated from the sales will go towards providing winter clothes for the poor, and the maintenance of the cans will be the responsibility of the purchasing company. Footsteps believes that funding a trashcan will benefit both the environment and the company, as it will decrease littering around the office and serve as an effective advertisement campaign. Interested companies are encouraged to buy multiple cans for maximum effectiveness. Founded in 2012, Footsteps aims to engage Bangladeshi youth in various social issues, with teams of volunteers working to promote sales of the cans. | 2 |
Fifty years after the opening of the first nuclear power plant in Obninsk, climate change is increasing the popularity of nuclear power despite concerns about storing toxic waste. Studies show that nuclear power plants produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions, preventing emissions equivalent to those of Japan each year compared to fossil fuel-generated electricity. However, the potential for accidents, such as the one at Chernobyl in 1986, poses challenges for governments considering nuclear power as a solution to combatting global warming. Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN Climate Panel, acknowledges that nuclear power is a significant source of electricity globally, but emphasizes that it is not a straightforward choice. "In order to handle waste, appropriate institutions and disposal locations need to be established. I believe that each country should have the sovereignty to make decisions regarding this matter." Despite the lack of permanent repositories for high-level waste, with some being toxic for thousands of years, various countries such as Britain, Finland, and France are investing in new nuclear power stations. In the United States, companies have started filing license applications and there are currently thirty-four plants under construction globally. While some individuals are becoming more accepting of nuclear power due to factors such as climate change and high oil prices, there are still others who maintain their opposition to it. Jan Beranek from Greenpeace believes that the idea of a 'nuclear renaissance' is gaining popularity as countries consider nuclear power as a solution to climate change and energy security. However, he argues that investing in nuclear energy is not the best approach, as funds could be better spent on renewable energies like wind, hydro, solar, or tidal power. Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim also points out the storage challenges associated with nuclear power, advocating instead for technology to capture and bury carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants. Despite differing opinions, the U.N. climate panel led by Pachauri stated in 2007 that nuclear power is an effective strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The panel referenced a study that stated nuclear power currently prevents 1.5 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually compared to the global average emissions from electricity generation. In comparison, Japan's greenhouse gas emissions in 2005 were 1.4 billion tonnes. Other research suggests that nuclear emissions may be higher due to factors like ore processing and decommissioning. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of nuclear power, as well as fears of terrorist attacks on nuclear plants or the potential misuse of the technology for weapons. Ferenc Toth, a senior energy economist at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that the immediate association with nuclear power is often negative due to events like the Chernobyl disaster. The IAEA predicts that around 4,000 people closest to the Chernobyl plant and possibly another 5,000 further away will die from radiation-induced cancers. Toth highlighted that the positive environmental impacts of nuclear power, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are not as well-known. He suggested that even developing countries could benefit from nuclear power as an environmentally friendly option, citing examples like China using it to combat urban pollution. In India, a study by the IAEA showed that nuclear power could be a more cost-effective option than coal due to high transportation costs over long distances. He observed that large developing countries are also exploring ways to reduce their increasing greenhouse gas emissions in the long run, despite not being bound by the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol until 2012. The UN Climate Panel mentioned that while there are temporary waste storage facilities, there are currently no permanent repositories for high-level waste like spent light-water reactor fuel. Toth stated that Finland and Sweden are the closest to implementing deep geological storage. The Yucca Mountain site in the U.S. could take up to 10 to 15 years. However, he suggested that future technologies might allow for recycling of the waste before it needs to be permanently buried. | 2 |
Marguerite Hanley, a Californian living in Amsterdam, is a traveler who has realized the importance of reflecting on our actions in light of global events such as COVID-19 and human impact on habitats. She has decided to postpone her ambitious honeymoon in Africa to focus on visiting a few conservation-supporting camps in Botswana. Hanley believes in the concept of slow travel, which advocates for sustainable and local experiences, similar to the slow food movement that promotes organic and artisanal traditions. The enduring appeal of walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain has been attracting more travelers for various reasons in recent times. These reasons include seeking solace in social distancing, avoiding flight-shaming, taking a meditative break, or exercising caution due to the pandemic. This type of mindful travel involves visiting fewer places and moving at a slower pace, whether by car, train, bike, foot, or canoe. According to Kyle Kowalski, the founder of Sloww, slow travel focuses on the how rather than the what of travel. Instead of a packed itinerary, slow travel encourages intentionally choosing to do less in order to experience more. Instead of hurrying through activities, slow travel is about finding a balance and a comfortable pace, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity. The pandemic has inadvertently slowed down the lives of many individuals, leading to a surge in the slow travel movement. Witnessing the environmental benefits of decreased travel during the pandemic, Julia Douglas from Los Angeles has chosen to walk instead of taking an Uber whenever possible. She recently opted for an eight-hour train ride from New York City to Buffalo, New York, rather than flying, in an effort to contribute to the reduction of pollution observed when air travel came to a halt. Although commuter train ridership has declined, there has been a resurgence in long-distance train travel. Amtrak Vacations, a company that offers travel packages including train rides, hotels, and excursions, has reported a 47 percent increase in bookings compared to 2019. In Europe, the European Union has designated 2021 as the European Year of Rail to promote sustainable transportation, leading to a revival of long-distance train travel. Night train networks have become popular again, and a new startup called Midnight Trains is planning to launch luxury sleeper cars on routes from Paris to over 10 cities starting in 2024. The pandemic has allowed for more flexibility in travel, with work-from-anywhere policies enabling people to extend their trips. This has been reflected in the increase of stays of 28 days or more on Airbnb by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2019, and a 550 percent growth in bookings of 21 days or more on Exclusive Resorts in 2021 compared to 2019. The current travel requirements, such as testing and entry applications, are causing delays in travel. Before, travelers would visit multiple countries on one trip, but now they are opting for single-country safaris due to COVID testing and flight issues. Getting a COVID test before returning to the US is a necessary inconvenience. Some travel companies are advising clients to add extra days at the end of their trip to manage testing requirements before their flight home. Besides logistical challenges, other factors are also slowing down travel. Travellers who have been feeling overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic for over a year are finding comfort in the calming appeal of exploring Norway. Up Norway, a bespoke travel company, is offering 28-day stays in remote areas of the country, focusing on the Norwegian concept of "kos," which represents peace, harmony, and gratitude experienced through slow travel and appreciation of culture and natural beauty. This experience is a departure from the typical rushed sightseeing trips to popular tourist destinations in Europe and Asia. Denise Ambrusko-Maida, a travel adviser, notes that people are now seeking to avoid crowded tourist hot spots and instead are looking for more meaningful travel experiences. Rebecca Werner, a travel adviser from Chicago, recently arranged a train trip for a family of four to Glacier National Park. The family, fans of the show "The Queen's Gambit," wanted to spend quality time together, enjoy the scenery, and play chess on the train. For these travelers, pursuing personal interests has become more important than checking items off a bucket list. David Demers, from Naples, Florida, is planning two month-long trips to Israel and the Mediterranean with a focus on history, theatre, food, and art. Demers, who recently sold his health care company, believes that the pandemic has taught us to slow down and focus on what truly matters. Sojrn, a travel company, now offers month-long trips with educational themes like philosophy in Athens, wine in Italy, or Spanish language in Colombia. Travellers choose to stay in local apartments and take part in weekly dinners and events, allowing for plenty of free time to work and explore. Cara Wright from Apple Valley, Minnesota, is avoiding overplanning and will be working for a nonprofit while in Italy in October with Sojrn. Donna Hetrick, a potter from Pittsburgh, is focused on minimizing her environmental impact by opting for slow travel. She plans to spend several months biking in Africa starting in 2022 with TDA Global Cycling instead of taking a short safari, in order to reduce her carbon footprint and truly immerse herself in the culture of the place she is visiting. “When you’re riding a bike, you are more accessible to people,” she explained. Slow tourism, which prioritizes sustainable practices such as exploring lesser-known areas, connecting with local communities, and supporting locally owned businesses, is seen as a solution to overtourism issues like overcrowding in places like Dubrovnik. According to Martha Honey, slow tourism is more sustainable because visitors tend to stay longer and disperse throughout a destination. This approach benefits both the traveler, who can engage more deeply with a place, and the destination itself. Honey credits the recent emphasis on buying local during the pandemic for popularizing slow travel principles, describing it as less disruptive and more economically advantageous. According to a recent survey by Flywire, a payment-processing service, the majority of travelers are opting for uncrowded destinations like Alaska and Montana this summer. Responsible Travel has introduced an 11-week trip around the world by train and cargo ship for eco-conscious explorers who want to minimize their impact. This journey allows travelers to experience the connections between countries in terms of culture and environment. For those who prefer a slower pace, human-powered travel options like hiking, biking, and paddling provide a closer connection to nature and the details often missed at faster speeds. Kristi Growdon, a personal golf trainer from Seattle, emphasized the benefits of cycling over driving, stating that it allows you to see things you wouldn't otherwise notice. She recently went on a cycling trip to Utah with VBT Bicycling Vacations, a company that has seen high demand for their domestic departures this year. Additionally, the Maine Island Trail Association reported a 23 percent increase in membership last year, as more people seek access to trail information for the route across over 200 undeveloped islands along the Maine coast. Michael Daugherty, co-owner of Sea Kayak Stonington, highlighted the unique experience of sea kayaking in the intertidal zone, where small boats can go where other boats cannot. Daugherty, who runs the business with his wife Rebecca, also mentioned their 2020 illustrated book "Upwest & Downeast," which documents their 625-mile paddle along the Maine coast. On a 55-day trip, the author felt that the pace was not slow enough for their liking. Tour operators are now offering more relaxed vacation packages to cater to this trend. Backroads, an active travel company, has introduced a new division called Dolce Tempo, which offers a less ambitious pace for travelers. The company has already sold out nearly all of its 2021 trips and plans to add 100 new Dolce Tempo departures in 2022, both domestically and internationally. For example, there will be trips to Scandinavia, England, and along the Danube River. While it typically takes about 5 1/2 hours to drive from Denver to Moab, Utah, riders of the Rocky Mountaineer train can now cover the route in two days, including an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, starting in August. The popular Rockies to the Red Rocks route has increased capacity and extended its season to Nov 19 due to high demand. The new Aquarius Trail Hut System in southern Utah features five backcountry huts made from recycled shipping containers and powered by solar energy along a 190-mile biking route from Brian Head Peak to Escalante. Cyclists can enjoy scenic views in Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park. Jared Fisher, owner of Escape Adventures, created the system over five years to make bike-packing more accessible by providing food and bedding, simplifying gear and planning for cyclists. Fisher, a passionate bike-packer, has cycled across the United States three times. He finds joy in the sense of freedom and peacefulness that comes with traveling by bike, as he loves being immersed in nature and experiencing it with all his senses. | 2 |
Pakistani comedian Alamzeb Mujahid, also known as Janaan, announced his retirement from showbiz after being released by Islamist militants who kidnapped him in Peshawar city. While Mujahid did not provide details about the kidnapping or his reasons for quitting, friends and colleagues believe he was targeted by Islamist vigilantes aiming to enforce Taliban-like values in the North West Frontier Province. The 38-year-old actor, known for his work in theater and television, has started growing a beard as he moves on from comedy. Reluctant to discuss his life-changing experience, Mujahid informed Reuters that he was joining Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim missionary group, in order to preach religion. He stated solemnly, "God has provided for me in the past and will continue to do so." Mujahid was fortunate, as others who have offended militant morality groups have not been as lucky. In January, a female dancer named Shabana was forcibly taken to the street and shot in the heart of Mingora, a town in Swat, a valley located around 130 km (80 miles) north of Islamabad, where militants hold significant power. Gunmen attempted to assassinate Pashtun singer Sardar Yousafzai in Dir district as he was returning home from performing at a wedding party in December. Although he managed to escape, his harmonium player, Anwar Gul, was killed and four others were injured in the attack. The atmosphere for individuals involved in the entertainment industry in the region became hostile after Islamist parties gained power in NWFP, fueled by anti-American sentiment following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001. These disapproving parties prohibited music on public transportation and removed movie posters featuring women, while militants took more extreme actions. In the beginning, music stores in tribal areas like Waziristan were destroyed, leading to attacks spreading throughout the northwest as the influence of Islamists expanded towards cities and towns. In June, armed Taliban fighters moved through Peshawar, the provincial capital, in trucks, warning music store owners to shut down or face consequences. This caused concern in Pakistan, as it occurred shortly after a civilian government took power, prompting security forces to take action. Since then, more tribal regions and districts in the NWFP have become bases for militants, leading the army to conduct operations in areas like Bajaur and Mohmand. While progress is being made in certain areas, insecurity is worsening in others, including Peshawar. The defeat of Islamist parties in NWFP after an election raised hopes for a safer environment, but the secular Pashtun party leading the provincial government has been unable to fulfill these hopes despite their good intentions. Syed Aqil Shah, who serves as the provincial minister for sports and culture, emphasized the importance of all individuals uniting against militants. He stressed that it is not solely the government's responsibility to address these threats, but rather the entire population and civil society must also take action. Many individuals, including singers and musicians, have already left the country due to fear of violence, with more planning to do the same. "I am fearful of leaving my house. Even if I do go out, my wife constantly calls to make sure I am safe," shared a singer who preferred to remain anonymous due to concerns about retaliation from militants. "We are extremely anxious, which is why I am considering moving abroad." Some individuals have opted for safer means of providing for their families. A musician, who now sells fruit and vegetables for a living, stated that ninety percent of music is no longer thriving. Next to him, his harmonium sat unused and covered in dust. | 2 |
Trump, a Republican, has been accused by Democrats of fueling racial divisions. He stated that Americans need to denounce racism, bigotry, and white supremacy following the killings of 22 people in El Paso, where officials believe racial hatred was a possible motive. The suspect, Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old white man, has been charged with capital murder. Prior to the shooting, a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto attributed to Crusius was posted online. Trump did not address claims that his own anti-immigrant and racially charged remarks have contributed to increased race tensions, and he did not advocate for extensive gun control measures. He emphasized the need to defeat these harmful ideologies in his remarks at the White House. "Hate does not belong in America. Hatred distorts the mind, destroys the heart, and consumes the soul." Democrats, who have advocated for stricter gun control measures for a long time, criticized Trump for focusing on mental health reform and social media instead of supporting laws to reduce gun violence in the country. Trump is set to visit El Paso on Wednesday, according to Mayor Dee Margo. Former congressman and El Paso native Beto O'Rourke, who is now running for the Democratic presidential nomination, suggested that Trump should not visit the border city in southwest Texas. O'Rourke tweeted on Monday that the president, who he believes contributed to the hatred that led to the tragedy in El Paso, should not visit the city. He stated that instead of more division, the country needs healing. Other Democratic presidential candidates also held Trump responsible for the attack in Texas, pointing to his rhetoric on immigrants. Five Democrats were in San Diego on Monday to attend the annual conference of UnidosUS, the largest Hispanic advocacy group in the United States. Janet Murguia, the president of the group, referred to Trump as the "radicalizer-in-chief." Joe Biden, the current frontrunner for the Democratic party who served as vice president under Barack Obama, addressed the issue of gun attacks in his opening remarks. He called on President Trump to recognize the hatred and divisiveness in the country that is leading to deaths. Obama, who was unsuccessful in enacting gun restrictions during his presidency, did not explicitly mention Trump but encouraged Americans to reject divisive language. Obama stated that it is important to reject any language from leaders that promotes fear, hatred, or racist attitudes. Trump's campaign in 2015 began with negative comments about Mexican immigrants, and he has continued to make derogatory remarks about migrants from Mexico. In the recent El Paso shooting, eight of the victims were Mexican citizens. Another shooting in Dayton, Ohio occurred shortly after, with the shooter's motive still unknown. White House adviser Kellyanne Conway confirmed on Fox News that Trump will travel to El Paso and Dayton, but did not provide a date for either trip. The recent increase in mass shootings by lone attackers has raised concerns about gun violence and the influence of racist and white-supremacist ideologies. Trump, who has been criticized for not addressing domestic extremist groups effectively, stated that he would order the US Justice Department to investigate domestic terrorism and propose legislation to ensure that those who commit hate crimes and mass murder receive the death penalty. He also emphasized the need to reform mental health laws to identify troubled individuals and collaborate with social media companies to identify potential mass shooters. "We need to ensure that individuals who are deemed to be a significant danger to public safety are not able to obtain firearms, and if they already have access to firearms, they should be taken away through a quick legal process," said the senator, referring to "red flag" laws. US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican and supporter of Trump, mentioned that he has discussed with Trump about a bill he plans to present in September along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. This bill aims to allocate federal grant funds to states that are interested in implementing such laws. "Red flag" legislation simplifies the process for law enforcement to seize guns from individuals who are deemed to be a threat of violent behavior. Trump also mentioned in a Twitter post on Monday the need for "strong background checks" on gun purchasers, but did not provide further details and it was not the main focus of his official White House statement. In his speech, he stated that it is mental illness and hatred, not the gun, that leads to violence. This statement was quickly criticized by another Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Amy Klobuchar, who accused Trump of avoiding the topic of gun control. She pointed out that while mental illness and hatred exist worldwide, the US has a significantly higher rate of gun violence. Following a mass shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas in 2017, Trump suggested banning bump stocks, which modify semi-automatic weapons to function like machine guns. The ban came into force in March, however, Trump decided against making significant changes to gun laws. In a tweet posted in the morning, Trump suggested bipartisan actions to enhance background checks, potentially along with immigration reform. Democrats, who have opposed Trump's strict immigration policies, disagreed with this connection. Lawmakers are not expected to reconvene on Capitol Hill until September after the summer recess. The US House of Representatives, under Democratic leadership, has approved a bill that requires universal background checks for individuals purchasing firearms. Democratic leaders are pressuring Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell to reconvene the Senate and vote on the bill. However, McConnell has called for bipartisan collaboration to address mass shootings, criticizing what he sees as political theatrics and campaign rhetoric without mentioning the issue of guns specifically. | 2 |
Sisi's image, seen on various items across Egypt, instills fear in his opponents who worry about the return of a military leader as president. However, to investors and many Egyptians, Sisi represents a chance for stability after years of political unrest following the Arab Spring. Although he removed Egypt's first freely-elected president, Mohamed Mursi, Sisi is seen as a potential solution to the country's economic challenges. Despite concerns about the democratic process, investors believe that Sisi's leadership will bring stability to the country. Sisi's popularity suggests he will likely run and win in the upcoming presidential elections. His reputation as a decisive leader gives hope to Egyptians for a peaceful and prosperous future. Western investors also see Sisi as a strong and supported leader. Sterne stated that whatever it may be, it signifies stability. Egyptian industry and investment minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour acknowledged that Western governments may be cautious of President Sisi's transition from military attire to a business suit, but he believes that investors will appreciate this change. He emphasized that in the West, the election of a military officer as the leader of a developing country may raise concerns of dictatorship rather than reform. However, he believes that the current state of the country requires a strong leader to maintain law and order, which is essential for investment and economic growth. He made these statements at Cairo's historic stock exchange. Throughout history, generals who have entered politics have been viewed differently, with George Washington being widely regarded as a statesman. Augusto Pinochet, a powerful leader who took control of Chile in 1973, implemented economic reforms but faced allegations of severe human rights violations during his rule. Security forces cracked down on pro-Brotherhood activists in Egypt protesting the overthrow of Mursi, suppressing the Islamist movement through restrictions on dissent and public gatherings. Despite ongoing challenges in the Egyptian economy such as high debt and political instability, significant financial assistance from Gulf allies has bolstered infrastructure development and allowed for economic reforms. Household spending in Egypt has increased, and there have been notable investments from companies like Samsung and Coca-Cola. Foreign direct investment in Egypt saw a slight increase last year, but overall remains sluggish. In the year ending June 2013, FDI amounted to $3 billion in Egypt, which was $1 billion less than the previous year when the country was experiencing turmoil. Prior to the 2011 revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt was attracting an average of $8 billion in net FDI annually. The stock market in Egypt is currently performing well, and the global economy is in better shape than during Mubarak's rule, which should create a more favorable environment for investment under President Sisi. However, concerns have been raised about Sisi retaining officials and policies from the Mubarak era, which could hinder economic growth and increase financial vulnerabilities. Despite Sisi's frequent appearances on television, he has not provided much detail on his economic policies, other than acknowledging the challenging economic conditions in a recent speech. He discussed the issue of fuel subsidies costing the government $15 billion annually, a fifth of the state budget, with no clear solution in mind. These subsidies have been in place for fifty years, draining foreign currency that could be used to pay off debts to overseas energy companies and improve payment terms to encourage investment. Investment minister Abdel Nour suggested that President Sisi might be able to use his popularity to handle public backlash from potential subsidy cuts. Additionally, a Dubai firm signed a $40 billion deal to build homes in Egypt, indicating possible politically-motivated Gulf investment in the country's infrastructure. Western investors, concerned about violence in Egypt, are more cautious and have a short-term outlook compared to Gulf investors. The influx of Gulf money into Egypt has prompted Western investors to reconsider, but opinions are divided on whether an IMF loan demanding tough budget reforms is the solution. Legal barriers, rather than a binding international agreement to address corruption and subsidies, may be hindering Western companies from investing in Egypt. Moheb Malak, an economist based in Cairo at Prime Securities, stated that legislation is as crucial as subsidy reform, even though it is not receiving much attention. A proposed investment law seeks to protect contracts between the government and investors from third-party challenges in order to encourage investment. These clauses aim to provide assurance to investors who have been unsettled by previous legal disputes, some of which have left companies sold by the government in legal uncertainty. Malak emphasized that Egypt requires more than just a strong leader, but also significant changes to its investment policy. | 2 |
Israel stated that they are willing to make difficult compromises in order to achieve peace with the Palestinians by utilizing an Arab proposal supported by Egypt and Jordan. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert emphasized the importance of engaging in open and sincere discussions rather than issuing ultimatums. He expressed readiness to consider the Arab peace initiative seriously and work towards a comprehensive peace with the involvement of Jordan, Egypt, and potentially other Arab nations. The focus should be on productive dialogue rather than imposing demands. His comments were released the day after the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War, in which Israel defeated Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in a week and gained control of several territories. The Arab peace plan, which was supported at a summit in March, proposes normalizing relations between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for a Palestinian state and full withdrawal from the territories taken in the 1967 war. Olmert has expressed a willingness to discuss the Arab initiative, but progress has been slow, especially with recent tensions between Israelis and Palestinians due to increased violence in Gaza. A summit between Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, originally planned for Thursday to discuss Palestinian statehood, was postponed at the Palestinians' request as they believed several agreements needed to be reached before talks could proceed. In a column published alongside Olmert's, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh stated that for Israel to truly seek peace, it must acknowledge the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of refugees to return to their homeland. Haniyeh emphasized that while Israel may have gained control of Palestinian land in the 1967 war, it did not conquer the people, leading to ongoing conflict and instability in the region. He called for Israel to withdraw from all territories occupied in 1967, dismantle settlements in the West Bank, release Palestinian prisoners, and recognize the right of refugees to return. Haniyeh urged Israel to acknowledge these basic rights if it is serious about achieving peace. Our determination to achieve freedom and reunite all our children in a fully independent Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital, cannot be thwarted. | 2 |
Major technology and manufacturing companies like Intel Corp and International Business Machines Corp have recently entered the solar power industry, indicating a potential trend of big businesses capitalizing on the demand for cleaner energy sources. According to Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, these developments signal the direction the solar industry is heading towards, with both high-tech and energy companies venturing into solar power. Solar power is still a small part of the world's energy usage, but solar panel manufacturers are experiencing rapid growth due to concerns about climate change and increasing fossil fuel prices. Companies like SunPower Corp and Q-Cells AG have grown from small startups to billion-dollar businesses in recent years. Now, other companies are entering the solar market, recognizing the potential for growth and success in the industry. Kevin Genieser, who leads Morgan Stanley's renewable energy investment banking division, believes that strategic players in the industry bring the capability for large-scale manufacturing. He anticipates an increase in merger and acquisition activity within the solar sector. Recently, Intel announced the spin-off of its solar technology into a new company called SpectraWatt Inc, while IBM partnered with Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co Ltd to develop more efficient solar power technologies. Intel is investing $50 million in SpectraWatt, which will start shipping solar cells next year, and IBM and TOK plan to license their thin film solar technology within the next few years. These developments follow Robert Bosch GmbH's recent acquisition of German solar cell maker Ersol for 1.08 billion euros ($1.67 billion). Bosch, the largest automotive supplier in the world, is privately owned. Hewlett-Packard Co, the largest computer maker in the world, recently announced that it would license its clear transistor technology to Xtreme Energetics, a solar power company based in Livermore, California. This move has been seen as a validation of solar power by many, proving that it is not just a passing trend. Analyst Jesse Pichel from Piper Jaffray noted that announcements from Intel, IBM, and HP, along with Bosch's acquisition of Ersol, demonstrate the long-term potential of solar energy. SunPower CEO Tom Werner also acknowledged that with major companies like Intel and IBM entering the solar industry, it is clear that solar power is a legitimate and sustainable option. Werner mentioned that IBM and Intel will increase competition, but he believes SunPower's established business has a strong advantage. He stated in an interview that this just motivates them to improve. Resch and Pichel also noted that new competitors are unlikely to impact established players due to high demand for solar panels. There are still some people who believe that the large companies entering the solar industry now might be arriving too late. According to CRT Capital Group analyst Ashok Kumar, these companies may be behind in building the necessary scale, as many domestic and international players have already established themselves in the market. | 2 |
an insulting term that has become associated with the lackluster final years of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in the 1970s and early 1980s, but is now increasingly being used to describe Putin. Despite numerous government promises, Russia has still not developed a modern pension savings system, improved regulations to establish a competitive financial market like Dubai, or invested in its deteriorating infrastructure. With the burden of substantial public sector salary increases prior to the recent presidential election, the Russian government's latest budget plans to spend $620 billion by 2020 on military re-equipment, while reducing spending on infrastructure and education. These priorities have frustrated business leaders who are eager for enhancements to the outdated transportation system. Despite Putin's repeated commitments to reduce the economy's reliance on oil and gas exports, the oil price required by the Kremlin to balance its budget has more than doubled in the last five years to $110. Medvedev's plan to improve relations with the United States in foreign policy has not progressed as hoped. Instead, Moscow has focused on issues such as Syria and prioritized forming a free trade area with Belarus and Kazakhstan. Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasizes Russia's desire to be an independent and attractive center for neighboring nations, stating that Russia wants to maintain its own identity rather than mimic the West. The treatment of Pussy Riot, a punk feminist band that protested in a Moscow cathedral, highlights the growing divide between Russia and the West, as three members were jailed for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred". Putin stated that the women received a punishment that he believed was deserved due to their performance being seen as vulgar group sex that undermined Russia's moral values. Western governments and human rights organizations were appalled by the severe punishment given to Pussy Riot. However, some analysts believe that the harsh treatment of the group may indicate a deeper issue of Kremlin insecurity in the face of growing discontent among the population. Despite a decrease in street protests in Moscow, political experts suggest that the educated urban population is becoming more dissatisfied with Putin's leadership. Yekaterina Samutsevich, a former member of Pussy Riot, expressed her prediction for Russia's future under Putin while in a small McDonald's in the town of Krasnogorsk, far from the grandeur of Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence. She believes that the system is deteriorating, becoming more repressive, and that those in power are behaving erratically out of fear. Samutsevich warned that Russia could face a collapse similar to the Soviet Union. It is yet to be determined if the image of a strong and stable great power presented by Putin or the apocalyptic forecast of the young punk rocker will come true. However, for now, the people and business elite of Russia are showing their opinions through their actions. Putin is not coming out as the victor. | 2 |
The US Army is making efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by cutting greenhouse emissions in order to not only protect the environment, but also to save the lives of soldiers in Iraq who are targeted due to fuel-laden convoys. The goal is to decrease Army emissions of carbon dioxide by 30 percent by 2015, with a focus on sustainability and limiting the use of fossil fuels in various operations. Deputy assistant secretary for environment, safety and occupational health, Tad Davis, is leading the initiative to track and reduce the Army's greenhouse gas emissions. "We aim to reduce emissions and decrease energy consumption from fossil fuels while promoting environmental sustainability across all Army bases. This initiative began at Fort Bragg in North Carolina in 2001, where changes were made to the setup of training ranges. Previously, mock towns and villages used for combat training at Fort Bragg cost up to $400,000 each to build." Davis mentioned that the structures are now constructed from recycled shipping containers the size of trucks, which cost around $25,000 each. By using these containers, they are able to reduce waste. During the early years of the Iraq war, convoys were at risk from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) due to the long supply chain from Kuwait to the battlefield. A large portion of the cargo was fuel, which made the convoys vulnerable. To decrease the risk to soldiers, it was decided to reduce the amount of fuel needed on the front line. Davis explained that by utilizing renewable energy sources like wind or solar power instead of diesel generators at the forward operating bases, they could decrease the number of supply convoys that were targeted by IEDs. A recent study of U.S. forward bases in Djibouti, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan revealed that the majority of energy consumption, around 85 percent, was dedicated to air conditioning. This was necessary not only for the comfort of sleeping quarters but also to keep communication equipment from overheating. Davis noted that the standard poorly insulated tents and temporary structures in these regions posed a challenge in maintaining cool temperatures. One solution was to apply foam insulation directly onto the tents, resulting in a 45 percent reduction in energy loss. However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Army vehicles presents a different obstacle, as making vehicles like the Humvee or Bradley fighting vehicle lighter in order to save fuel could compromise the protection of troops. Davis mentioned that there is new technology developing that allows for lighter armor, which could lead to an increase in hybrid vehicles being used in the military. He also expressed doubt about the claim that the US military is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases globally. The Army is beginning to track their carbon emissions, starting with Fort Carson in Colorado, which emits approximately 205,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, equivalent to a town of 25,000 residents. Enviance's system, developed in California, will eventually be implemented across all Army bases. The system is currently being used by corporations and utilities in 45 countries to monitor adherence to environmental and safety regulations, according to Enviance's president Lawrence Goldenhersh. | 2 |
I believe that the decline of the Oscars is due to the disappearance of the type of movies they were originally meant to showcase. The ideal Oscar nominee is a high-middlebrow film that aims for artistry and is meant to be watched on the big screen, featuring famous actors, vibrant cinematography, and a memorable soundtrack. These films are not overly difficult for art-house audiences nor are they comic-book blockbusters, but rather appeal to a wide audience of serious adults. In the past, Oscar races featured conflicts that engaged every moviegoer, but this year's Academy Awards seem to mark the end of an era. With 10 best picture nominees, many of them appear to be the type of films that the Oscars desperately need to regain their former glory. "West Side Story" is being directed by Steven Spielberg in a modern take on a beloved musical. "King Richard" features a powerful performance by Will Smith in a sports movie. "Dune" is an epic science-fiction adaptation. "Don't Look Up" stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in a movie addressing important issues. "Drive My Car" is a three-hour Japanese film exploring the intricate relationship between a widowed actor and his female chauffeur. The previous nomination may cater to a specific audience, but this year's nominees still include well-known actors, renowned directors, and traditional Hollywood genres. Despite this star power, very few people actually watched these movies in theaters. In February, it was revealed that nine out of the 10 nominees had earned less than $40 million at the domestic box office. The only outlier, "Dune," just surpassed $100 million domestically, ranking as the 13th highest-grossing film of 2021. In summary, the 10 nominees collectively made only a fraction of what "Spider-Man: No Way Home" earned at the box office. Despite Hollywood's attempts to recapture past success, the public's interest seems to have waned. The impact of COVID-19 on the film industry, particularly affecting older moviegoers, cannot be ignored. The simultaneous release of many best picture nominees on streaming platforms and in theaters, as well as the success of "Don't Look Up" on Netflix, further highlights the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Amidst this unusual crisis and technological shift, it is important to assess the current state of the industry. Sure, while non-superhero movie box office revenues are expected to rebound in 2022 and next year's best picture nominees are likely to have higher earnings in theaters, it is evident within the broader context of Hollywood's history that we are witnessing not just the decline of the Oscars, but also the end of the movies. This has been a long time coming. However, this does not mean that films are on the verge of disappearing. Just as historical events have continued after Francis Fukuyama's proclamation of the End of History, self-contained, roughly two-hour stories will still be shown on screens for entertainment, alongside other content in a vast and profitable industry. What appears to be coming to an end is The Movies - the big-screen entertainment that has been a central American popular art form, a major source of American celebrity, the primary space for American actors and storytellers, and a cultural institution with its own icons, scripts, and rituals of initiation into adulthood. The long-anticipated decline of the big screen has been gradually approaching for some time, hinted at by the spread of television, the invention of the VCR, the popularity of cable TV, and Hollywood's romanticized view of its own past. Despite this, television coexisted with movies for decades, with TV becoming increasingly influential without overshadowing the dominance of film. While TV in the 1960s and '70s was successful, it was also disposable, resembling newspaper opinion pieces compared to bestselling books. The introduction of VHS tapes provided a new way for audiences to connect with movies and generate revenue, but ultimately, the main goal was to finance future blockbuster films, relegating direct-to-video entertainment to a secondary role. Despite the presence of television stars since Milton Berle, the '80s and '90s marked the beginning of what we now recognize as prestigious television programming. However, if you sought true recognition, genuine fame, or lasting artistic recognition, you still had to display your work in movie theaters, crafting self-contained pieces of art on a grand scale and observing how critics and audiences responded. Success could transform you into a figure like Robert Altman or Bruce Willis, who both made the transition from television to film seamlessly. On the other hand, failure could leave you like Shelley Long or David Caruso, forever a cautionary tale illustrating the unique challenge of the film industry. The late 1990s marked a period of transition as computer-generated effects began to mature, hinting at a new era of cinematic innovation. Independent cinema supported a new group of filmmakers. In 1999, many consider it to be one of the best years for movies, with notable films such as "Fight Club," "The Sixth Sense," "The Talented Mr. Ripley," "Election," "Three Kings," and "The Insider." This year could easily justify more than just a Top 10 list, possibly even a Top 50 list in hindsight. Interestingly, Oscar viewership increased from the late 1980s onwards, peaking in 1998 when "Titanic" won best picture. This victory was seen as a win for the film industry as a whole, combining classic Hollywood with modern special effects to draw audiences to the theaters. For teenagers at that time, going to the movies was a significant part of growing up. Personal memories of being too young to see an R-rated film and the excitement of finally being old enough to watch movies like "Eyes Wide Shut" on its opening weekend still stand out. The initiation process was not just about entering adulthood in general, but about becoming familiar with specific cultural references, such as popular movies like "Austin Powers" and "The Matrix". These movies were considered essential for social interaction in college, as they provided the basis for jokes and references that connected people in a social context. However, various factors ultimately led to a shift in perception, reducing movies to just another form of entertainment. A significant development during this time was the rise of high-quality television shows like those on HBO, which began to rival movies in terms of acting, writing, and directing talent. The other changes that occurred were somewhat unclear. Globalization expanded the market for Hollywood films, but the global audience led to a shift towards simpler storytelling that could be easily understood across different languages and cultures. The internet, laptops, and iPhones made entertainment more personalized and accessible, but also led to a preference for smaller screens and individual viewing, contrary to the communal experience of cinema. Special effects allowed for visually stunning scenes and previously impossible stories to be brought to the big screen. However, the rise of effects-driven blockbusters gave rise to a fandom culture that prioritized studio audiences over traditional cinematic values. And all of these changes were encouraged by a broader trend of Western culture becoming more youthful, with teenage tastes and entertainment habits becoming more prevalent in adult life. This shift pushed Hollywood in two different directions: towards producing superhero movies and other familiar properties aimed at teenagers to sustain box office success, and towards generating a high volume of content for home entertainment and streaming platforms that often blur the lines between traditional movies and TV series. Due to various pressures, much of what movies used to do in American culture, even just two decades ago, is now difficult to imagine. The internet has now taken the place of the movie theater as a space for adult initiation. With the vast array of entertainment options available and the repetitive and unoriginal nature of many popular movies, it is no longer possible for a few successful films to serve as a common cultural language. The idea of a movie star as a larger-than-life or iconic figure is also becoming outdated, as superhero franchises may bring fame to actors but often only as a temporary representative of the brand. The traditional genres that used to create a strong connection between actor and audience, such as non-superhero action movies, historical epics, comedies, and romantic comedies, have all seen a rapid decline. While serialized television shows can create a bond between viewers and a specific character, this connection doesn't necessarily carry over to the actor's other projects as easily as it did with movie stars. Male actors from TV's antihero era are often forever associated with their characters, like Tony Soprano, Walter White, Don Draper, and Al Swearengen, while recent female stars in TV series, such as Jodie Comer in "Killing Eve" and Anya Taylor-Joy in "The Queen's Gambit," haven't been able to bring their audiences with them to their film projects. Despite this, we should appreciate what this era has brought us, including the exceptional work of Comer and Taylor-Joy on television. The abundance of content available is remarkable, and serialized TV dramas have storytelling capabilities that even the biggest movies lack. In our recent TV viewing, my wife and I have been enjoying the basketball drama "Winning Time" and Amanda Seyfried's portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in "The Dropout". Next, we plan to watch the long-awaited third season of Donald Glover's "Atlanta". The quality of TV entertainment available now surpasses what was on cable 20 years ago. However, these TV productions are still different from movies due to their smaller cultural impact, less prominent stars, diminished communal experience, and a lack of certain artistic elements. For example, the grandeur of the movie theater experience is lost when watching on a smaller screen, affecting aspects such as acting, cinematography, music, and sound editing. Movies like "Dune," "West Side Story," and "Nightmare Alley" offer a vastly different experience in a theater compared to watching at home. It is appropriate that the Oscars this year have marginalized awards for score, sound, and film editing, as more movies are now being made for streaming platforms, leading to a decrease in importance placed on audiovisual immersion. Additionally, the condensed storytelling in serial television lacks the power achieved in telling a complete story in one go, without the promise of future seasons or episodes to develop ideas. This is why the greatest movies feel more fulfilling than long-form television shows, which can often suffer from unnecessary seasons or mediocre episodes. The lack of a clear destination in advance has led to potentially great shows like "Lost" and "Game of Thrones" being ruined. While a great film is likely to create its own immersive world for viewers to fully engage with, this does not diminish the artistic possibilities of longer works. For example, "The Sopranos" accomplished certain character and psychological developments over its episodes that a movie could not achieve. However, "The Godfather" remains a superior piece of art. In a world where multiplatform content is dominant, and the small screen holds more influence than the big screen, fans of perfection should consider what they are seeking in this changing landscape where superhero films and TV series reign supreme. Two things are important: restoration and preservation. Restoration does not mean bringing back the exact landscape from 1998, but rather hoping for a world where traditional big-screen entertainment, such as mass-market movies that are not just comic-book blockbusters, becomes more viable, profitable, and appealing to audiences. One possibility lies in the changing geopolitics, with China and Russia becoming less welcoming to Western releases. This could lead to a revival of movies with a more specifically American appeal, aiming to make a significant profit on a smaller budget instead of spending huge amounts on production and promotion in hopes of massive worldwide earnings. The current focus in theaters is on maximizing revenue by showing numerous trailers and ads before blockbuster movies, which may be deterring adults from enjoying a night out at the movies. One solution to this issue is experimenting with differential pricing, which could lead to a more diverse range of movie experiences. For example, offering lower-cost tickets, fewer previews, and a simpler overall experience for non-blockbuster films like "West Side Story" could attract more viewers. With many empty seats in multiplexes, it may be worth exploring ways to sell more tickets for non-blockbuster films by offering a more streamlined experience. However, because there are limits to these hopes, fans of cinema must also consider preservation. Like lovers of theatre or ballet, they must realize that certain forms of artistic experience won't be passed down automatically and need support and patronage to educate others on the importance of these loves. In the case of movies, this support should focus on making it easier for theaters to show older films that may be overlooked in today's streaming-dominated culture. Secondly, there is a focus on incorporating exposure to exceptional films as part of a well-rounded education in the liberal arts. Despite the current challenges facing the liberal arts field, integrating 20th-century cinema into the curriculum can serve as a link for young people today to connect with the artistic traditions that influenced the development of film. By prioritizing the finest examples of cinema, educational institutions can offer an alternative to the rush to stay relevant that often characterizes contemporary engagement with popular culture. One of the significant moments that shaped my appreciation for movies occurred during college when I watched "Blade Runner" and "When We Were Kings" in a dim lecture hall as part of a course on heroism in ancient Greece. In 1998, I was still engaging with the main popular art form in American culture, which today would be considered somewhat outdated. This is also true for many other cultural experiences we would like students to have, from ancient works like the "Iliad" and Aeschylus to Shakespeare and 19th-century novels. While the decline of movies may not be reversible in terms of commerce or technology, there is still a cultural future beyond this apparent "death." It is now our responsibility to determine how rich and diverse that future will be. | 2 |
In November 2018, the Camp Fire, the most devastating wildfire in California's history, was rapidly spreading through the Sierra Nevada foothills. In less than four hours, the fire destroyed a town of 26,000 people, leaving schools, businesses, and 11,000 homes in ruins. Despite initially thinking the evacuation order was a false alarm, Singer fled his home as flames approached, narrowly escaping the destruction of Paradise. Eighty-five individuals lost their lives, and over 90% of the population was forced to leave. Two years later, approximately 4,000 residents have come back to start anew on the devastated land, including Singer. However, he is now reconsidering his decision. In this area covered in chaparral, rebuilding after a fire has been a customary practice for many years. However, with California facing a severe climate crisis and experiencing devastating wildfires amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the process of rebuilding has taken on a new form. In 2020, the state saw the largest wildfire season on record, with over 4.2 million acres burned by nearly 10,000 fires. Northern California has been particularly hard hit by megafires, while Southern California, specifically Los Angeles, has become the epicenter of the pandemic with high numbers of confirmed cases and deaths. Amid a historic housing shortage and low interest rates, California's home prices have reached all-time highs. In August, the median cost of a single-family home in the state surpassed $700,000, and it continued to rise in September. Despite the increasing cost of new homes, many homeowners are facing even higher costs when rebuilding after a fire. Across California, the number of home rebuilds is decreasing due to a lack of contractors, rental market pressures, and the worsening climate crisis. The state, still struggling with an affordable-housing crisis, has seen a decline in new construction permits for the past two years following a steady rebound after the 2008 recession. In 2018, there were 120,000 new home construction permits issued, which then decreased to 110,000 in 2019. A home in Malibu, California was destroyed in a wildfire on December 30, 2020. The rebuilding process in California, the most populous state in the nation, is changing due to the ongoing climate crisis. The California Industry Research Board will release its 2020 construction and permit numbers in February, but estimates indicate that only 103,670 housing units were issued last year. The state of California, facing a severe climate crisis with soaring temperatures and devastating wildfires, is seeing a shift in the rebuilding process. The board responsible for tracking permits for fire-related losses has noted the difficulty in analyzing the impact of wildfires on homebuilding due to the widespread nature of the fires. However, there is a clear trend emerging as more homeowners opt to cut their losses and start fresh rather than rebuild in the face of increasing fires and declining rebuilds statewide. This decision is seen as a critical piece of the puzzle in understanding the rebuilding process in California. The state is facing a shortage of contractors, leading to delays of four to five years for homeowners trying to rebuild. Despite expectations for an increase in building permits after the Camp Fire, the number has remained low. Many insurance companies are providing large payouts to homeowners, but contractors are overwhelmed with work and unable to start immediately. As a result, some homeowners are choosing to sell their properties and move on. However, in areas with high property value like Malibu, where the Woolsey Fire struck in 2018, rebuilds are progressing steadily, despite the tragic loss of three lives. The city was completely evacuated and 650 expensive homes, including those owned by Miley Cyrus, Gerard Butler, and Robin Thicke, were destroyed. However, today more than a third of those homes have permits for rebuilding, with Paradise standing at just over 10%. Michael Nourmand, president of Nourmand & Associates, compared rebuilding after a fire to someone getting a shark bite but still surfing. He mentioned that people in Los Angeles tend to have short memories and most are planning to rebuild. Rebuilding is easier for those with financial resources, as California has strict fire-safe building codes in place since 2008, requiring reinforced roofs, walls, and fire-resistant landscaping. In 2011, the state mandated that all single-family homes must have sprinkler systems installed. This requirement can add over $20,000 to the costs for homeowners who wish to reconstruct a home built before 2008. Those who opt to rebuild must find temporary housing, further straining a housing market with high prices and limited availability. As a result, California's most at-risk residents are impacted by the consequences, with homelessness in the state increasing by 16% in 2019 to over 150,000 individuals. Due to the impact of COVID-19, it is anticipated that the number of people experiencing housing insecurity will increase. James Ryan, the president of Time for Homes, a nonprofit focused on ending chronic homelessness, explained that when numerous homes are destroyed, residents are forced to find alternative housing, which in turn drives up rental prices and reduces availability of affordable housing. Governor Gavin Newsom's eviction moratorium, designed to prevent tenants from being evicted due to pandemic-related financial difficulties, is set to expire on February 1st. However, despite the moratorium, some reports indicate that evictions are increasing during the pandemic. According to Ryan, there are individuals who are being overlooked and facing forced evictions, leading them to search for alternative housing. This is creating a situation where there is a high demand for housing but a limited supply, resulting in a shift in population towards California's rural areas. For example, in El Dorado County, sales in 2020 increased by 28%, while Sacramento experienced a slight decline. The Inland Empire, consisting of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is experiencing rapid growth and has been mostly unaffected by the large wildfires that have impacted other major metropolitan areas in California over the past two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has further fueled this trend, leading to an increase in exurban migration. With median home prices significantly lower in Riverside and San Bernardino counties compared to Orange County and Los Angeles County, many are considering moving east for job opportunities and a more affordable cost of living. "We have observed a significant increase in people moving to areas such as the Inland Empire, Joshua Tree, and Palm Springs. It is hard to determine whether this is due to the desire for more affordable housing or to escape fire risk. This trend has been ongoing since 2010," Dunmoyer explained. However, not everyone can afford to move away from fire-prone areas, particularly in a state with a severe housing shortage. Since the Camp Fire, Singer and his wife, Shannon, have been living in an apartment in Chico, approximately 20 miles away, as they deal with the challenges of rebuilding their home such as insurance, zoning, construction, and planning. They have also established a nonprofit organization called Paradise Stronger, using their fitness coaching background to offer mental health support to residents affected by the disaster. Initially, they were dedicated to participating in Paradise's comprehensive recovery plan to reconstruct the entire city with more parks, green space, fire-resistant landscaping, and improved evacuation routes and warning systems. However, the 2020 fire season introduced new devastating terms like "megafires" and "hot drought." Fire-spreading winds necessitate precautionary power outages as a standard practice. In October, the Singers once again had to evacuate their property due to a fire approaching and already causing destruction. Singer, 43, explained that the area where their home would have been was the first to be evacuated during the recent incident. He described how all that could be seen was smoke and the PTSD he experienced as a result. Following this, his wife expressed her uncertainty about rebuilding and living in the same location. Singer recalled her saying, "I’m not sure I want to rebuild. I’m not sure this is where I want to be anymore." He mentions that he is willing to stay in the town and be part of its vision, but he does not want to jeopardize his marriage. The couple has decided to temporarily halt their plans to rebuild their home. If they do proceed with the project, they anticipate spending $100,000 from their own funds. The new home they plan to build will be smaller and more fire-safe, with an estimated cost of $250,000. They were paid $145,000 for the building that was destroyed in a fire, but like many American households, they found out later that they did not have enough insurance coverage. In response to insurers refusing to renew policies in high-risk areas, some new developments are implementing resilience protocols in wildfire-prone regions. One example is Rancho Mission Viejo in Southern California, a large community being built on 23,000 acres of land. When finished, it will consist of 14,000 homes, with 75% of the land preserved as open space. Fire resilience is a core principle of the construction in the community of Rancho Mission Viejo, where many wildfire resistance measures were put in place even before they were required by state and local regulations. The community was recently recognized in a report by the Urban Land Institute, along with the town of Paradise, as a model for rebuilding after wildfires. Each neighborhood in Rancho Mission Viejo is surrounded by a 110-foot-wide fuel modification zone, where flammable vegetation has been replaced with fire-resistant plants. Certain plant species are not allowed, and construction materials are noncombustible. Automatic fire sprinklers were mandatory in every home well before it became a California law in 2011. The additional cost for fire-safe modifications during construction has decreased significantly since the beginning, ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 per home initially, but now as low as $1,000. Jay Bullock, vice president of Rancho Mission Viejo, attributes this decrease to fire-safe methods becoming more common in the market. Mike Balsamo, senior vice president of governmental relations at Rancho Mission Viejo, emphasizes the importance of building safely in high fire hazard zones for a sustainable future in a state where livable space is limited. He mentioned that there is a playbook for this approach. "We have the ability to establish a community that is as safe from fires as possible." © 2020 New York Times News Service. | 2 |
During weekends, jazz bands would perform on street corners, friends would gather in the middle, children would ride their bikes, and diners would sit at tables on the road. The early days of the coronavirus pandemic initially kept New Yorkers indoors, but eventually led them outdoors for fresh air, exercise, dining, and relaxation. This resulted in a natural transformation of the city's streets across all five boroughs. City officials allocated 83 miles of roadway for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians, permitted nearly 11,000 restaurants to expand onto sidewalks and streets, and allowed retailers to extend their storefronts. The community embraced these changes and Mayor Bill de Blasio has praised the programs as a positive development during a challenging time for the city. Formerly a skeptic, de Blasio now believes that certain pandemic-era experiments will become permanent fixtures in New York City. The New York Times consulted with people who have utilized Open Streets to gather their thoughts on what they hope will endure. Urban planner and architect Claire Weisz of WXY Studio was also consulted to provide insight on realistic and ambitious visions, drawing from successful examples elsewhere. The Times highlighted three streets from the Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs as potential models for city-wide implementation. Although the Open Restaurants program has been made permanent, the future of Open Streets remains uncertain, with the mayor expressing interest in its continuation in some form. Notable examples include Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, and Avenue B on the Lower East Side. Vanderbilt Avenue could potentially become a destination by utilizing its existing median, incorporating curves to slow down traffic, and adding a performance stage. Monty had on a denim jacket and a bright pink mohawk. Rosen, who is 40, felt like she was transported to a different continent for a moment. Vanderbilt Avenue, which was turned into a central hub in Prospect Heights until Thanksgiving, had restaurants expanding onto the street. Volunteers would set up blue barricades on the avenue on Saturday mornings, blocking cars except for emergency vehicles. Many people visiting Vanderbilt expressed the need for more benches and tables, as well as improvements to the existing bike lane to separate faster cyclists from slower ones. Local residents want to have a say in the future of Vanderbilt rather than leaving decisions to City Hall. Businesses on the street, like a barber shop, hope to see Vanderbilt transformed into a space for events like musical and theatrical performances. The future of Vanderbilt could involve extending the median into a small park with public bathrooms, a feature that is lacking in many areas of the city. Some countries charge a small fee to use public restrooms, with the proceeds going towards keeping the facilities clean and stocked with supplies. Medians could serve as loading and unloading zones for deliveries and new bike lanes could be added next to the median, including one for fast bicyclists, commuters, and delivery workers, and another for leisurely riders, a model inspired by Copenhagen, Denmark. In Queens, 34th Avenue could potentially be transformed into a pedestrian promenade by expanding the existing median to create space for a workout area and gardens, while also moving the bike lane away from traffic. New Yorkers, like Laurie Gold, appreciate the Open Streets portion of 34th Avenue, which has become a popular destination for families during the pandemic. Neighbors gather to socialize while parents stroll with their children, who are busy playing basketball or riding bikes. Eight-year-old Ashley Cedeno enjoys games like tag and hide-and-seek. According to Ashley, the street is a place for fun and togetherness. Travers Park, a 2-acre playground and green space in the western half, is surrounded by apartment buildings and schools. While residents want to maintain the area's residential feel, some express a desire for more commercial activities, such as fairs, food trucks, and sidewalk vendors. Occasionally, farmers and winemakers set up tents to sell goods on weekends. Edwin Cordero, who has lost weight from walking his dog, Lucy, believes there should be more choices for entertainment. Weisz believes that a street like 34th Avenue has many possibilities for improvement. The road is 55 feet wide from curb to curb, with potential to extend the median to the sidewalk on one side and create a one-way road on the other side, allowing for a larger area for pedestrians and greenery. Moving the bike lane next to the sidewalk would prevent accidents with car doors. Adding public facilities like the Tokyo Toilet could be beneficial. Converting Avenue B into a one-way street near Tompkins Square Park could make it more pedestrian-friendly. Residents believe more greenery and public amenities should be added to the area. The park is surrounded by fences, with paved entryways and benches along the paths. The trees and shrubs within the park are also fenced off. Weisz mentioned that the fences were originally meant to keep farm animals out but later became a security measure. She suggested removing the fences to create a more open and inviting space with paths weaving through the trees. She proposed looking at Barcelona as a model for creating car-free areas and making Avenue B one-way to allow for more greenery and public amenities.Reducing traffic flow would improve safety by forcing drivers to slow down. Avenue B could be improved with the addition of bike lanes and separate spaces for deliveries, according to Weisz. He described it as an ideal shared street. © 2020 The New York Times Company. | 2 |
Egyptians will cast their votes on Saturday in a referendum regarding constitutional changes aimed at enabling fair elections. However, the proposed amendments have caused a rift within the reform movement that overthrew Hosni Mubarak. There are differing opinions in Egypt, with some arguing for more extensive constitutional revisions while others believe the proposed amendments are sufficient for now. A large turnout is anticipated for the vote. The Muslim Brotherhood, a well-organized Islamist group, supports the amendments, putting them in conflict with secular groups and prominent reform advocates such as Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa, who are both presidential candidates. The military council that took power from Mubarak on Feb. 11 is hoping for the amendments to be approved so they can proceed with their plan for parliamentary and presidential elections, ultimately transferring power to an elected government. "This upcoming vote will be a crucial moment," stated Ahmed Saleh, an activist currently overseeing ElBaradei's presidential campaign. "There is a strong desire among the people to vote now, and change is on the horizon." The military council, which took power from Mubarak on Feb. 11, is urging a high voter turnout for the referendum. "The main objective of this referendum is to establish a suitable environment for future parliamentary and presidential elections, but what matters most is that Egyptians participate and have their voices heard," the council explained. The council has tasked a judicial committee with drafting amendments that include a two-term limit for the presidency, capping the time a leader can serve in the office previously held by Mubarak for three decades at eight years. Rejecting the amendments will require the council to reconsider its strategy and extend a transitional period that it hopes to keep brief. However, the reforms do not meet the expectations of reformists who advocate for a complete overhaul of the constitution. Youth groups who led protests against Mubarak view the amendments as a way to undermine the revolution. There is concern about the military's tight election schedule, as it may not allow enough time for political parties to recover from years of suppression, potentially favoring the Muslim Brotherhood and remnants of Mubarak's regime. General Ismail Etman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stated that amending the constitution is the best, although not perfect, solution. He stated in an interview with Al Gomhuria newspaper that if the amendments were approved, it would result in the creation of new laws that would allow for more political freedom, such as the removal of restrictions on forming political parties. The media has been actively discussing the voting process, with the "No" side continuing their campaign with a full-page advertisement in Al Masry Al Youm newspaper. The advertisement featured objections to the amendments, including concerns about making a decision without enough time or information, along with endorsements from various public figures. A Muslim Brotherhood leader on the following page expressed a different viewpoint, stating that supporting the constitutional amendments is a crucial step towards meeting the demands of the revolution. They also noted that those who oppose the amendments have not provided a clear alternative. With up to 45 million eligible voters out of Egypt's population of 80 million, a high voter turnout is expected. Many voters, who have experienced violent and rigged elections under Mubarak, are eager to participate. One voter, Ahmed Adel, 35, expressed his intention to vote for the amendments in order to help his country move forward. He emphasized the need for a parliament and president to be established as soon as possible. Activist Ziad el-Elemi expressed a different opinion, stating that workshops are being held nationwide in order to educate citizens on the fact that constitutional amendments alone are insufficient. | 2 |
Palep's 9-year-old daughter, Aviana Campello-Palep, has no reservations or hesitations when discussing periods with her friends. She views it as a normal part of a girl's life. These open discussions led Palep and her daughters to create Girls With Big Dreams, a line of undergarments for tweens, including reusable period underwear. The brand is set to launch in early February and will be available online. Aviana hopes to make a positive impact by normalizing periods and reducing embarrassment. The Campello-Palep girls are part of a growing trend where younger generations are more open about periods and are concerned about the environmental sustainability of period products. The coming together of the two ideals could indicate a change in how young people are approaching menstruation culturally. There are now more options for reusable period products such as absorbent underwear, menstrual cups, cloth pads, panty liners, and applicator-free tampons available on the market than ever before, some specifically designed for teenagers and preteens. Michela Bedard, executive director of Period Inc., a global nonprofit focused on providing access to period supplies and ending period stigma, stated that this movement is being driven by young people. Young individuals who menstruate are experiencing a different way of managing their periods throughout their lives with reusable products. Even though reusable products make up only a small portion of menstruation supplies purchased in the United States, with Americans spending $1.8 billion on pads and $1 billion on tampons annually, far exceeding sales of all other products combined, the market share for reusable products is expected to increase in the coming years. This growth is largely attributed to the wider acceptance and availability of menstrual cups in Western countries. The average menstruator may use thousands of tampons in their lifetime, and according to a 2021 report from the United Nations Environment Programme, single-use plastic menstrual products can take up to 500 years to decompose. Gen Z members, who are more likely to be involved in climate change and sustainability efforts, are educating their parents on sustainable ways to manage their monthly cycle. Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and author, has noticed a shift in attitudes among young people towards openly discussing and using sustainable menstrual products. Her daughter has introduced her to new products on the market, often discovered through social media influencers. According to Natterson, teenagers are more interested in discussing people's experiences rather than reading five-star Amazon reviews. Recently, Natterson considered using cloth pads again at the request of her daughter, even though they did not work well for her in the past. Historian Lara Freidenfelds noted that environmental sustainability and menstruation are trending topics, but homemade menstrual rags were commonly used until the mass-marketing of disposable pads in 1921. The initial extensive discussions about sustainability in menstrual care began in the 1970s when people started using cloth pads and sponges. According to one source, young idealistic individuals have always thought about these issues but found the available products to be impractical. Sustainability has traditionally been compromised for convenience. Nowadays, parents of Generation Z benefit from advancements in menstrual technology, such as modern cloth pads and period underwear made of highly absorbent yet non-bulky fabric. New menstruators often seek guidance and products from their parents, who can now provide more sustainable options to help reduce the massive amount of disposable menstrual products that end up in American landfills each year. Nadya Okamoto, a former executive director of Period Inc. and co-founder of the sustainable menstrual products brand August, expressed curiosity about the future world when progressive Gen Zers become parents in 20 years. Despite cultural shifts and technological advances, there are still significant obstacles to the widespread use of reusable or recyclable products. Anaya Balaji, a 13-year-old, noted that disposable pads are the easiest to find and buy when first getting one's period, with the school bathrooms stocked with the brand Always. Anaya also serves as an online community leader for the Inner Cycle, connecting with peers on social media to provide education and awareness for the August brand. She stated that it is possible to find products that are both suitable for your body and beneficial for the environment. However, there are some young individuals who cannot afford reusable products, particularly in areas where period poverty is a concern. Despite the cost-saving benefits of investing in items like $25 underwear or a $60 cup, many people do not have the means to make such purchases on a monthly basis. Bedard, who works with economically disadvantaged individuals, pointed out that reusable and recyclable products are also subjected to a "tampon tax" in several states, which activists believe is discriminatory and have been working to repeal through legislative efforts. In 2021, several states like Louisiana, Maine, and Vermont eliminated the tax on menstrual products. Despite efforts to normalize periods, cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation, including patriarchal taboos on virginity and purity, continue to persist. These taboos can hinder conversations and the use of internal menstrual products like tampons or cups. Corporate messaging often focuses on discreetness and cleanliness, reinforcing the idea that periods are dirty or bad. Menstrual activist Chella Quint believes the disposable menstrual product industry has played a significant role in perpetuating negative taboos. Menstrual health is a public health issue that does not discriminate based on gender, according to Natterson. To challenge stigmas surrounding menstruation, it is important for everyone, regardless of whether they menstruate or not, to feel comfortable discussing periods, according to Natterson. She has educated her 16-year-old son on how to support classmates who may need assistance with menstrual issues, emphasizing the importance of respecting others' bodies and encouraging everyone to be involved in this dialogue. | 2 |
Between 1990 and 2014, the harvested wine grape acreage in the Paso Robles growing region increased nearly fivefold to 37,408 acres, as vintners found that the area's unique characteristics were ideal for producing flavorful red wines. The wines from this region, situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles, have gained international recognition similar to Napa and Sonoma. In 2010, a red blend from Saxum Vineyards in Paso Robles was named the "wine of the year" by Wine Spectator magazine. However, in recent years, the ongoing drought in California has severely impacted the region, leading to reduced grape yields and the depletion of the aquifer that many vineyards and residents depend on for water. As a result, wells across the region have run dry. Those who have the financial means, such as large wineries and growers, have been digging deeper wells which has caused tensions and raised concerns about the sustainability of Paso Robles' wine industry. Cam Berlogar, a resident of Creston, expressed his frustration by stating that all the water is being taken away for profit. Unlike other states, California's regulations allow property owners to drill wells and extract water without much oversight, leading to a race to the bottom for water resources. Berlogar has seen the water level in his own well drop significantly in recent years. Richard Sauret, known for his water conservation efforts, strolls through his Paso Robles vineyard, which he admits requires minimal irrigation. Despite a moratorium on new water-dependent projects in San Luis Obispo County, grape acreage has continued to grow, including Sauret's award-winning Zinfandel grapes. Sauret is concerned about depleting the aquifer he relies on for irrigation. Sauret expressed his concerns about the high demand for water, attributing it to the actions of vineyards and farmers. He mentioned that farmers will have to adjust to farming with less water due to the drought. Governor Jerry Brown responded to the drought by signing bills that mandate groundwater-dependent areas to create water sustainability agencies by 2017. These agencies will have several years to develop and implement water management plans. Some Paso Robles residents are concerned about the possibility of aquifer depletion happening sooner rather than later. One report for San Luis Obispo County projected that, even without any additional growth, the water being drawn from the basin would exceed the amount going in by 1.8 billion gallons annually between 2012 and 2040. Hilary Graves, a fourth-generation farmer and winemaker, expressed worry that if the issue is not managed properly within the next decade, it may become irreversible. Graves, whose family roots trace back to migrant workers who came to California after the Dust Bowl, hopes to avoid having to return to Oklahoma and Arkansas like her ancestors. Residents are divided on how to address the water crisis, with county supervisors voting to create a new water district with elected board members. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of new, well-funded residents influencing elections and burdening local landowners with infrastructure costs. Susan Harvey, president of North County Watch, referred to the model as "we pay, they pump." The residents are worried about wealthy newcomers with political connections, such as Harvard University and the Resnick family, who have made significant investments in land in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The Resnicks purchased Justin Vineyards & Winery and a 740-acre ranch, while Harvard has bought thousands of acres. Some residents, like Cindy Steinbeck, are part of groups like Protect Our Water Rights and are skeptical about a new water agency in the region. Her organization is encouraging property owners to participate in a quiet title action to safeguard their water rights, and prefers to have the courts oversee any efforts to manage the water in the basin. Steinbeck, a member of the group, is determined to protect family farmers in Paso Robles from being displaced by larger entities. According to Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Paso Robles will serve as a model for other groundwater basins under stress, demonstrating the potential for new regional oversight. The Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions (PRAAGS) has been instrumental in driving this initiative, with board members including representatives from J Lohr Vineyards & Wines and individuals with ties to Harvard's property investments in the area. Other advocates for the district include Justin Vineyards and County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who was in favor of creating the new agency. Mecham acknowledges the concerns of residents but also recognizes the importance of water management. He shares a personal story about his great-great-grandfather losing his ranch to a drought, emphasizing the necessity of making tough decisions. Mecham believes that whether we like it or not, we will have to be managed in some way, so we must choose the best option available. Richard Sauret strolls through his vineyard in Paso Robles, California on April 20, 2015, explaining that he utilizes a minimal amount of water for irrigation. He showcases the irrigation system that he uses in his vineyard. This information was captured by Reuters. | 2 |
Biden has selected Tom Vilsack, who previously served as the secretary of agriculture under Barack Obama, to lead the department once again. This decision brings the total number of cabinet members chosen by Biden to seven. If confirmed, Vilsack would join other diverse nominees, such as Lloyd Austin and Xavier Becerra, in fulfilling Biden's promise to create an administration that reflects the diversity of America. However, Biden faces pressure from various groups with differing opinions on how to achieve this goal. The selection process for key positions has proven to be a complex puzzle for Biden and his team as they strive to find qualified candidates who align with the president-elect's vision and contribute to a diverse administration. Rep. James Clyburn and other allies of Marcia Fudge have advocated for her appointment to the Agriculture Department, where she aims to shift the agency's focus towards addressing hunger in urban areas. Instead of choosing Fudge, Biden decided to appoint Vilsack, who is white and comes from a significant rural farming state. This decision to place Fudge at HUD, which some advocacy groups see as a more typical role for a Black secretary, may disappoint those who supported her, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, which she used to lead. The current housing secretary, Ben Carson, is also Black. Shortly after Biden announced Austin as his defense secretary pick, a group of Black civil rights activists called on him to nominate a Black attorney general and prioritize civil rights issues, as he had promised during his campaign. In an interview on Tuesday, civil rights leader and talk show host Al Sharpton mentioned that President-elect Biden had made specific commitments during a meeting in Houston before Sharpton delivered the eulogy for George Floyd. Sharpton emphasized the importance of keeping promises. While Biden has not yet announced his choice to lead the Justice Department, potential candidates include Sen. Doug Jones, Sally Yates, and Judge Merrick Garland. Jeh Johnson, a Black former secretary of homeland security under Obama, removed himself from consideration for the position of attorney general. During an interview with CNN, Biden acknowledged that advocacy groups are constantly pushing for what they want, as that is their job. He defended his Cabinet picks as the most diverse in American history. Advocates are not taking any chances, as evidenced by a two-hour meeting between the president-elect, vice president-elect, Sharpton, and other civil rights leaders. Sharpton emphasized the need for an attorney general with a civil rights background in response to the previous administration. Derrick Johnson from the NAACP urged Biden to create a civil rights envoy position in the West Wing to report directly to the president, similar to the climate envoy position held by John Kerry. “We believe that there should be a national adviser on racial justice who holds a similar position.” During the Democratic primary, Biden benefited from Sharpton’s decision to remain neutral instead of endorsing Bernie Sanders. In the general election, Harris was supported by Sharpton’s advocacy for a Black woman on the ticket, rather than endorsing Stacey Abrams. This has given Sharpton some influence with the Biden-Harris transition team as they select members for the administration. Additionally, a group of over 1,000 prominent Black women expressed concerns to Biden about the lack of Black women candidates for top positions in his administration and urged him to improve the diversity. The women in the letter are calling for the recognition and consideration of the effective leadership of Black women in positions of significant policy that impacts the nation. Fudge, who was recommended by the women and had campaigned to become Biden's agriculture secretary, expressed her willingness to support the president in any way possible after being selected for the HUD position. In the past, Fudge considered challenging Speaker Pelosi but ultimately decided to endorse her after being assured that Black women would have a voice in decision-making in Congress. Now, Fudge will leave her role in Congress to lead the nation's housing agency. Her leaving will contribute to another challenge: how to uphold the Democratic Party's narrow lead in the House, which has decreased to only a few seats since the November elections. President Biden's choice to select Rep. Cedric Richmond, an African American Democrat from Louisiana, as a senior advisor in the White House, already indicated that the party would need to protect that position. Biden's decision to appoint Fudge for his Cabinet requires Democrats to secure another special election to fill her seat. | 2 |
At Del Posto in New York, customers have the option to split a $130 dish of wild branzino fish with roasted fennel and peperonata concentrato, as well as a $3,600 bottle of Dom Perignon. However, they are not allowed to split a bottle of Perrier or San Pellegrino water. This Italian restaurant, supported by famous personalities Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich, is among those rejecting bottled water, in addition to San Francisco and the state of New York. Bastianich, who is gradually eliminating bottled water from his chain of restaurants that extends to Los Angeles, stated that the argument for local water is convincing and evident. He emphasized the issues related to transportation, packaging, and the nonsensical practice of transporting water globally. Beverage companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, and SABMiller are increasingly aware of the negative consumer environmental perceptions that are affecting their sales of bottled water. With water becoming scarcer, there is a concern that prices could rise significantly, prompting these companies to take action to maintain access to water and improve their public image. Steve Dixon, who manages the Global Beverage Fund at Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder, emphasized the importance of water by stating that "water is the new oil," highlighting the growing concerns around climate change and population growth impacting water supplies. Dixon acknowledged that while there may always be enough water in reality, it is crucial to address consumer perceptions as they play a significant role in shaping public opinion. Brooke Barton, who manages corporate accountability for Ceres, a network of environmental groups and investors focused on sustainability, stated that around one-third of the global population currently resides in regions experiencing water stress. She predicted that by 2025, this number will increase to approximately two-thirds. Although water is currently inexpensive, Andy Wales, head of sustainable development at SABMiller, a brewer that utilized 94.5 billion liters of water in its most recent fiscal year, emphasized that water costs are expected to rise in the future. This amounts to 4.5 liters of water used for every liter of beer produced. Water and energy expenses make up only 5 percent of total costs, with brewing ingredients, bottling materials, and labor being the main expenses. The cost of water is increasing at a Bogota, Colombia plant due to soil erosion and deforestation caused by cattle grazing upstream. New water pricing systems, like the European Union's Water Framework Directive, are being introduced to promote sustainable water use. Agriculture accounts for 70 percent of global water usage, while industry uses 20 percent. However, any industry that relies on agriculture, whether it be meat production or clothing manufacturing, faces more challenges than just their own water consumption. SABMiller, along with companies like Coke and Pepsi, are beginning to calculate their "water footprints." They have discovered that the water used throughout their supply chain, such as for growing barley and hops, can be significantly higher than their own direct water usage. With 139 breweries spread across six continents, SABMiller's total water consumption can vary greatly, from 40 liters for a liter of beer in Central Europe to 155 liters in South Africa. Based on a smaller ratio, SABMiller's overall "water footprint" was approximately 8.4 trillion liters of water last year, more than double the amount used by the entire nation of Iceland in 2004. "In the long term, we view it as a risk," stated Wales. Multinational drink companies are taking steps to address criticism by setting water conservation goals, building community wells and more efficient factories, collaborating with locals on sustainable farming, water harvesting, and reforestation, and exploring new technologies to reduce water consumption while increasing production. According to Greg Koch, Coke's managing director of global water stewardship, companies with a direct connection to water must take on this responsibility. Despite nonalcoholic drink makers using only 0.03 percent of groundwater in the United States, their visibility in water usage puts them at the forefront of the water resources debate, as noted by Kim Jeffery, chief executive of Nestle Waters North America. Jeffery compared criticism of his industry to a gnat bothering an elephant, as his contract to build a bottling plant in McCloud, California faces opposition from residents and environmental groups. Nestle has begun a 3-year study of the area's resources, but Jeffery believes the project may not come to fruition due to changing economics and hesitancy on both sides. Tom Pirko of Bevmark LLC emphasized the importance of companies aligning with consumer values, citing Coca-Cola's experience in Kerala, India, where their bottling plant was shut down amid accusations of depleting the water table. Coke claimed that its plant was not the cause of the shortages, but there was still widespread backlash globally, with students in Britain and North America calling for boycotts. Smith College in Massachusetts even ended a long-standing relationship with the company by not allowing them to bid for their soft drink contract. Koch stated that the loss of the social license to operate was significant. Environmental and community organizations are continuing to push for Coke to be removed from other villages in India. | 2 |
According to a recent survey, the majority of those polled in India believe that lack of employment opportunities is the biggest issue facing the country, a view that has remained consistent throughout Prime Minister Narendra Modi's time in office. The survey, released on Monday, also highlighted concerns about terrorism and Pakistan, with many Indians viewing Pakistan as a threat and feeling that terrorism has worsened. Despite these worries, most Indian adults are content with the direction of their country and the economic prospects for future generations. Additionally, over half of those surveyed expressed satisfaction with how democracy is functioning in India. However, satisfaction had dropped by 25 percentage points since 2017, when 79 percent of respondents expressed approval. Men tend to be more supportive of Indian democracy compared to women, with one in five women choosing not to give an opinion. The Pew Survey, conducted from May 23 to July 23, 2018, included 2,521 participants. This survey took place during the final year of Modi's term before the election, in which approximately 900 million people are eligible to vote. While Modi is currently the frontrunner for the upcoming election starting on April 11, his lead is diminishing, and some polls suggest that his Hindu nationalist-led group may fall short of the majority needed to govern. Recent tensions with longtime rival Pakistan have shifted focus from economic issues to national security in the past month, benefiting Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. Critics have alleged that the BJP is instilling fear among India's Muslim minority by prioritizing Hindu interests and accusing them of slaughtering sacred cows. There have been doubts about the party's loyalty to India. The BJP denies any bias and asserts that it does not support favoritism towards any community. Muslims constitute approximately 14 percent of India's population of 1.3 billion. | 2 |
Trump used his annual speech at the United Nations to criticize Iran's government, praise North Korea, and emphasize his commitment to protecting American interests and rejecting globalism. The majority of his address focused on Iran, accusing the country of seeking nuclear weapons and supporting militant groups in the Middle East. Trump stated that Iran's leaders cause chaos and do not respect the rights of other nations. In response, Rouhani criticized Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. He stated that he did not want to take a photo with Trump and implied that the US president's withdrawal from global organizations was a flaw in his character. He argued that rejecting multilateralism is not a display of strength, but rather a sign of intellectual weakness and a lack of understanding of a complex and interconnected world. Trump's speech was mostly met with silence from world leaders who are not in agreement with his isolationist views that have caused tension with traditional allies. Despite being delivered calmly, his speech strongly reiterated his "America First" policies. He has shaken up the global status quo by pulling the United States out of the nuclear agreement and the Paris climate agreement, and has also threatened to penalize NATO countries for not contributing more to their mutual defense. Trump declared his commitment to preserving America's independence from international organizations and expressed his support for patriotism over globalism, which resonated with his supporters. In addition to condemning Iran and China for their trade policies, Trump did not address Russia's involvement in Syria's conflict or its alleged interference in US elections. Rouhani made a strong speech to the world body, emphasizing Iran's stance against war, sanctions, threats, and bullying, and their commitment to following the law and fulfilling obligations. Macron, on the other hand, offered a contrasting view, warning against survival of the fittest, protectionism, and isolationism, and advocating for multilateralism and collective action to prevent global conflicts. He expressed his refusal to accept the erosion of multilateralism and the unraveling of history. Macron pointed out that our children are observing the consequences of unilateralism, citing Iran as an example and warning that it could result in conflicts. Trump, known for boasting about his economic achievements, made a similar statement at a gathering of world leaders and diplomats, claiming to have accomplished more than almost any other US president. This remark was met with murmurs and laughter from the crowd, causing the president to express surprise. He responded by saying, "I didn't anticipate that reaction, but it's fine." Trump tried to create division between Iran's leaders and its citizens following an attack that killed 25 people at a military parade. He stated that he would not engage with the Iranians unless they changed their behavior, and emphasized that economic pressure on Iran would continue. Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, criticized the 2015 accord with Iran and issued a warning to the leaders in Tehran, stating that there would be consequences if they harmed American citizens or continued to deceive. In May, the Republican President Trump decided to withdraw the United States from the agreement aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions. This agreement included France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China, and the European Union. The relationship between Washington and Tehran, who have been enemies for many years, has deteriorated since May. The deal with Iran, a member of OPEC, was originally negotiated by the Democratic President Barack Obama. Trump announced that additional sanctions will be imposed starting on November 5th, and efforts are being made to reduce the amount of Iranian crude oil being imported by other countries. He stated that the United States would assist in forming a regional strategic alliance between Gulf nations and Jordan and Egypt, which the United States views as a defense against Iran. Trump drew a comparison between US relations with Iran and improved relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Trump had met in Singapore in June in an effort to persuade Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons. During his speech at the UN last year, Trump insulted Kim as a "rocket man" focused on nuclear destruction. However, on Tuesday, Trump commended Kim for stopping nuclear and missile tests, releasing imprisoned Americans, and returning some remains of US soldiers who died in the Korean War in the 1950s. The two leaders are working on setting up a second summit. Trump has stated that sanctions on North Korea will stay in place, and he has also urged OPEC members to halt the increase in oil prices and take responsibility for their own military defense. He has warned that US aid will only be given to nations that are allies of the United States. Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, countered Trump's claims by stating that oil prices are determined by market forces such as supply and demand, and cannot be controlled by individual decisions. Gargash's country is a member of OPEC. Crude oil prices surged to their highest level in four years on Tuesday due to upcoming US sanctions on Iranian crude exports and the apparent hesitation of OPEC and Russia to increase output in order to compensate for the potential decrease in global supply. | 2 |
Reuters has honored the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Dr. Huq, by placing him at the 208th position on their list. Dr. Huq, the only Bangladeshi scientist to receive this recognition on Earth Day, April 20, is being acknowledged for his and IUB's ongoing efforts to position Bangladesh as a significant contributor to global knowledge on climate change, according to a media release from the institution. The Reuters Hot List ranks the world's 1,000 most influential climate scientists based on their research papers, citations, and references. Dr. Huq, a leading expert on climate change adaptation in vulnerable developing countries, played a key role in the third, fourth, and fifth assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He also provides guidance to the least developed countries in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Recently, under his leadership, ICCCAD at IUB secured a six-year project from Norway Higher Education under NORAD on "Co-creating knowledge for local adaptation to climate change in the LDCs" with four other partners - the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Pokhara University in Nepal, the University of Eduardo Mondlane of Mozambique, and the Makarere University of Uganda. The project proposal was submitted through the LDC Universities' Consortium on Climate Change LUCCC, which is now an official program of the 47 LDC governments. IUB is a founding member of LUCCC. | 2 |
A model of Noah's Ark is being reconstructed on Mount Ararat as a symbol of warning against global warming, with environmental activists leading the initiative. The project aims to remind world leaders of their responsibility in addressing climate change and to urge immediate action before it is too late. The wooden vessel is set to be completed by the end of May to coincide with an upcoming summit on climate change in Germany. The goal is to create a memorial and warning sign on Mount Ararat that will inspire hope and prompt action to combat the current climate crisis. The IPCC has cautioned that carbon dioxide emissions need to be cut in half by 2050 to prevent dangerous climate changes, according to the European Union. Climate change is primarily threatening rising sea levels, with projections of an increase of 18-59 cms in this century compared to 17 cms in the last century. However, there are conflicting opinions on how to address this issue. Germany is advocating for G8 countries to endorse the IPCC's target and encourage carbon trading as a method to discourage greenhouse gas emissions. US chief climate negotiator Harlan Watson stated that the United States will not accept emissions targets or cap-and-trade schemes, but instead will combat climate change through funding clean energy technologies. In the story of Noah's Ark from the Bible, God decides to punish humanity's sins by flooding the Earth, but chooses Noah to save his family and pairs of all the animals by building an ark. The ark in the Bible was much larger than the commonly depicted 10-metre model, being 300 cubits long, or approximately 140 metres. The model, which is planned to become a mountain hut, will be a snug fit for climbers. Timber was transported up the mountain by horse last week for the boat, and volunteers are facing logistical challenges due to the remote and high-altitude location. There is a deadline of May 31 for a ceremony where doves will be released from the boat and a plea will be made to world leaders to combat global warming, drawing inspiration from the story of Noah's Ark. Despite doubts from a boatbuilding expert, German carpenter Rainer Brumshagen felt optimistic about the project's success. The positive atmosphere created by the people coming together from various countries to work on the Greenpeace project is a stark contrast to the political conflicts happening elsewhere. Despite the peaceful setting of Mount Ararat where shepherds tend to their flocks and activists work on the project, doubts remain about the feasibility of the model Ark, as expressed by one of Brumshagen's carpenter colleagues. | 2 |
He introduced himself as a Syrian refugee in broken English, explaining that he had traveled by foot across half the continent and lost his documents. The officers took his photograph and fingerprints. In the following year, he would receive shelter, an asylum hearing, and monthly benefits. He identified himself as David Benjamin. He was actually a lieutenant in the German army, but disguised himself with makeup and shoe polish to make it seem like he was a refugee. The prosecutors claim that this was part of a far-right plan to commit assassinations and cause civil unrest in Germany. The officer, known as Franco A in court documents, denies these allegations. He claims he was attempting to reveal weaknesses in the asylum process, but his intricate deception, spanning 16 months, was exposed when he was apprehended by police while trying to retrieve a concealed loaded handgun from an airport restroom in Vienna. Aydan Ozoguz, a lawmaker who was in charge of refugees and integration, described the incident as a shocking moment, questioning how someone like Franco A could serve as a soldier in Germany. The arrest of Franco A in April 2017 shocked Germany. Since then, there has been little attention on his case, but that will likely change when he goes to trial early next year. When he does, Germany will also be put on trial for allowing a German officer to pose as a refugee despite not speaking Arabic, and for its historical indifference towards combating far-right extremism. The investigation into Franco A's case revealed a complex network of extremist groups within Germany's security services that was larger than previously thought. The New York Times reported on two groups in Germany that were involved in suspicious activities, including hoarding weapons, keeping enemy lists, and ordering body bags. One group was led by a former soldier and police sniper, while the other was run by a special-forces soldier known as Hannibal, who focused on Germany's elite force, the KSK. Following the discovery of explosives and SS memorabilia on the property of a sergeant major, an entire KSK unit was disbanded. The author interviewed members of these networks, including Franco A., over the past year. Franco A.'s story, from a promising officer to a suspected terrorist, reflects the dual nature of modern Germany. One nation was shaped by its defeat in World War II and nurtured by a liberal agreement that shunned nationalism and taught its people to feel remorse. This country, Germany, is now evolving into a more uncertain society as its past fades and a previously inactive far right movement emerges in response to a changing population. The stability of Germany's postwar consensus is now at risk. When I initially encountered Franco A over a year ago at a restaurant in Berlin, he arrived with various documents, including notes and excerpts from his police record, appearing self-assured at the time. A terrorism case against him was dismissed by a Frankfurt court due to insufficient evidence. However, the Supreme Court reinstated the case upon appeal by prosecutors several months later. Franco A contacted me on my mobile phone, expressing his distress. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. Even though his trial was pending, he agreed to a series of exclusive recorded interviews and invited me and two New York Times audio producers to his childhood home, where he still resides, to discuss his life, his beliefs, and various aspects of his case. I visited multiple times over the next year, most recently the week before Christmas. On occasion, he would share videos of himself in refugee disguise. Once, he guided us down a creaky stairwell, through a secure metal door, into his "prepper" cellar, where he had hidden ammunition and a copy of Hitler's "Mein Kampf" before they were taken by the police. Franco A denies any involvement in a terrorist plot. He claims that he pretended to be a refugee in order to expose Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to admit over 1 million refugees into Germany, which he believed posed a threat to national security and identity. He believed that the system was unable to handle the influx of refugees, allowing anyone to enter the country. He maintained that he was defending the Constitution rather than undermining it, and emphasized that he never intended to commit any violent acts. He questioned why he would not have carried out violence if that was his intention. The prosecutors did not want to speak on the record, but their allegations can be found in the Supreme Court decision. They point to the loaded gun Franco A. had concealed at the Vienna airport, an illegal assault rifle he allegedly possessed, and a visit to the parking garage of a potential target. Additionally, they mention the numerous voice memos and diaries Franco A. had kept for years, which have been used as evidence in his prosecution. I have reviewed the transcripts in police reports and evidence files, where he expresses admiration for Hitler, questions Germany's repentance for the Holocaust, discusses global Jewish conspiracies, argues that immigration has damaged Germany's ethnic purity, praises President Vladimir Putin of Russia as a role model, and promotes the destruction of the state. Military uniforms found in Franco A's "prepper" basement in Offenbach, Germany on July 9, 2020, reflect his private thoughts that he believes cannot be prosecuted. While some of his extreme views are shared by neo-Nazis and far-right circles, his fundamental concerns about immigration and national identity are becoming more prevalent in contemporary Germany, Europe, and the United States. In the generation that grew up after the September 11, 2001 attacks, during the resulting wars and global economic crisis, distrust of government, far-right messaging, and belief in conspiracy theories have not only infiltrated certain branches of the security services but have also become more prevalent in society as a whole. According to Thomas Haldenwang, the president of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, far-right extremist views have become more mainstream, even reaching the halls of Parliament where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the leading opposition party. Haldenwang's agency is considering placing the entire AfD party under observation due to the perceived danger it poses, despite the party's claims of being defenders of the Constitution. The struggle for Germany's democracy is evident in the ongoing debate. In my interviews with Franco A., senior defense officials have shifted from casually addressing my questions about extremist networks to expressing serious concerns. In March 2019, I inquired with a defense ministry official about the number of far-right extremists in the military, and was surprised when he stated there were only four. Yes, four extremist networks were identified. He reported that they did not observe any networks. Prior to this year, German officials had ignored the issue. Despite detailing his extreme views in a master's thesis, Franco A.'s superiors still advanced his career. He joined several extremist networks that included many soldiers and police officers. He also made a public appearance at a far-right event that caught the attention of security services, but it was a janitor at the Vienna airport who ultimately exposed him. The janitor discovered a black, loaded gun hidden in a maintenance shaft in a disabled restroom at the airport, which turned out to be a rare 7.65-caliber Unique 17 made by a defunct French gunmaker between 1928 and 1944. The pistol became a popular choice among German officers during the Nazi occupation of France. To discover who had concealed it, the police set up an electronic trap. On February 3, 2017, they apprehended Franco A. as he attempted to access the hidden compartment using a tube of hair gel. A group of police officers quickly surrounded him with weapons drawn, and two officers in plain clothes entered the room to question him about his actions. Franco A. remembered saying, "I admitted to hiding a weapon here." He explained that he had returned to retrieve it and turn it over to the police. He recalled someone laughing when he mentioned this. The account he gave to Austrian police during questioning that night was considered highly unlikely, and he was initially hesitant to recount it when we spoke. However, he eventually did share the story. A photograph of Franco A. was taken during a ceremony at the Saint-Cyr military academy in France and at his home in Offenbach, Germany on July 9, 2020, as reported by The New York Times. He concealed it in order to not miss his flight, but later chose to go back and give it to the police. A picture of Franco A. was taken at a ceremony at the Saint-Cyr military academy in France, and at his residence in Offenbach, Germany on July 9, 2020. "I feel foolish admitting this," he said. "I am aware that no one believes me." Franco A. was released that evening. However, the officers retained his phone and a USB stick discovered in his backpack. They captured his fingerprints and forwarded them to German authorities for confirmation. The results, received weeks later, surprised the officers conducting what they believed to be a standard identity check on Franco. It was revealed that he had two identities. According to his ID, he was a German officer stationed at the Franco-German brigade in Illkirch, near Strasbourg. However, the fingerprints found on the gun belonged to a migrant who was registered near Munich, causing concern for investigators. It raised suspicions that Franco A. may have hidden the gun with intentions of carrying out an attack in the future. He was apprehended on the night of the annual fraternity ball, organized by Austria's far-right Freedom Party, which typically drew militant counterdemonstrators. One hypothesis was that Franco A. had plotted to shoot someone that evening while posing as a leftist. After German authorities took control of the investigation, they discovered two documents on his UBS stick: the “Mujahedeen Explosives Handbook” and “Total Resistance,” a guide for urban guerrilla warfare from the Cold War era. His cellphone led them to an extensive network of far-right Telegram chat groups involving soldiers, police officers, and others preparing for what they referred to as Day X, the collapse of social order. The phone also contained numerous audio memos in which Franco A. had documented his thoughts over several years. On April 26, 2017, during a military training exercise in a Bavarian forest, Franco A. was arrested once again, with ten federal police officers escorting him away. Ninety additional people were carrying out raids at the same time in Germany, Austria, and France. During these raids, law enforcement officers uncovered over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as numerous handwritten notes and a diary. As they read through the materials, they uncovered a man who had held radical beliefs since his teenage years. In interviews with Franco A., he delved even further back in time, discussing his childhood and a family history that closely resembled Germany's own. Echoes of History Franco A purchased his first German flag when he was around 12 or 13 years old, during a family holiday in Bavaria. In most countries, this would be a simple souvenir purchase, but in postwar Germany, where national pride was shunned due to the country's Nazi history, it was seen as a rebellious act. Franco A explained that Germany has always held significance for him, as he showed us pictures of his childhood bedroom with the flag prominently displayed. Growing up in his working-class neighborhood, he did not see many German flags due to the presence of guest workers from southern Europe and Turkey who helped rebuild postwar Germany and influenced society. Franco A's mother, who lives upstairs from him, remembered having very few classmates with migrant backgrounds in the 1960s, while Franco A himself had an Italian guest worker father who left the family when he was young, leading Franco A to refer to him as his "producer" rather than his father. In one of his audio recordings from January 2016, Franco A later explained that he viewed the guest worker program as a deliberate tactic to weaken the German ethnicity. He considered himself to be a result of this twisted racial animosity. He mentioned that his grandfather was born in 1919, the year when the Treaty of Versailles was signed, marking Germany's defeat in World War I. This treaty led to the popular belief of the "stab in the back" legend, which claimed that Germany had actually won the war but was betrayed by a group of leftists and Jews in the ruling class. This propaganda contributed to the growth of anti-democratic factions within the military who stockpiled weapons, planned coups, and eventually supported the emergence of Nazism - similar to the accusations currently facing Franco A. He mentioned that his grandparents frequently looked after him, providing him with soup and sharing war stories with him. His grandfather recounted his experiences in the Hitler Youth, and the police seized a copy of "Mein Kampf" that belonged to him. His grandmother, who was 20 at the time, fled with her sister from the Red Army's advance in present-day Poland. She recounted a tale to the boy about their wooden cart breaking down, leading them to take refuge in a field near Dresden. That evening, she recounted how the sisters witnessed the destruction of the city in a violent bombing raid that claimed the lives of up to 25,000 civilians and has since been used as a symbol of grievance by the extreme right. Years later, Franco A made a recording of a fictional conversation in which he discussed the "bombing terror in Dresden" and questioned whether Jews should expect Germans to feel guilty indefinitely. His educators encouraged him to question authority and think independently. They grew up during the 1968 student movement and aimed to pass on the liberal values that emerged from it - a skepticism of nationalism and a commitment to making amends for the war. None of the teachers I spoke to noticed any signs of extremism in him early on, but instead remembered his challenging and curious personality. They were unaware that at that time, he had become immersed in a vast online world of conspiracy theories that would continue to impact him for years. These beliefs started to form in his private teenage diary, where Franco A described his entries as exploring ideas rather than reflecting a fixed ideology or purpose. Among his musings were thoughts on how he could alter the trajectory of German history, such as by becoming a soldier and rising to a prominent position in the military to eventually lead the German armed forces. In 2008, during the financial crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Franco A joined the army at the age of 19. He was chosen as one of the few German officer cadets to attend the prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy in France, established by Napoleon in 1802. During his five years abroad, he studied at Sciences Po in Paris, King's College London, Sandhurst (a top British officer training school), and the University of Cambridge. In 2013, he wrote a master's thesis titled "Political Change and Strategy of Subversion," where he argued that immigration and the erosion of racial purity by subversive minorities have historically led to the downfall of great civilizations. He stated that Europe and the West would be at risk if they did not defend themselves. He wrote that ethnically diverse societies were not stable and allowing migration was a form of "genocide." In his final section, he suggested that the Old Testament was the basis for all subversion, providing a plan for Jews to achieve global domination. He believed it could be the largest conspiracy in human history. The French commander of the military academy was shocked and reported it to Franco A's German superiors, stating that if it were a French participant, they would be removed from the course. The German military enlisted historian Jörg Echternkamp to evaluate the thesis, which he quickly deemed to be a "radical nationalist, racist appeal" combined with "an insecurity due to globalization" that made it socially more acceptable but also "dangerous." Despite this assessment, Franco A was not removed from service or reported to Germany's military counterintelligence agency, whose responsibility is to monitor extremism in the armed forces. Instead, on Jan 22, 2014, he was summoned to a branch office of the German military in Fontainebleau, near Paris, where an officer from the military's internal disciplinary unit informed him that his thesis was not in line with Germany's values. Franco A explained that he felt pressured to create something exceptional due to being the second-best student in his year. He became so engrossed in his thoughts that he lost perspective. After a lengthy interrogation, a senior officer concluded that Franco A had become a victim of his own intelligence. He was reprimanded and required to submit a new thesis. Upon his return to Germany in 2014, he was praised as a model soldier. In November 2015, he received a positive evaluation for his handling of ammunition. Displayed prominently on Franco A's bookshelf is a book called "The Magic Eye," which contains colorful images that transform into completely different ones when stared at for a long time. Throughout interviews, Franco A portrayed himself as a peace-loving critical thinker who had become a victim of a political environment that punished dissent. However, records and interviews with investigators and others familiar with his case depicted a different person. Upon returning from France, Franco A began associating with soldiers who shared his beliefs. They were easily located in the end. A colleague and friend connected him with a nationwide online chat group consisting of numerous soldiers and police officers worried about immigration. The network was established by an officer from Germany's elite special forces, the KSK, located in Calw, who went by the name Hannibal. Hannibal also led an organization called Uniter, providing paramilitary training, which is now being monitored by the domestic intelligence service. Franco A was present at a minimum of two Uniter gatherings and possessed badges associated with the group. According to police interviews, he was considered to be "intelligent" while on the KSK base. A witness statement revealed that he was known by several soldiers. A significant number of chat members were described as "preppers" who were preparing for the potential collapse of Germany's social structure. According to prosecutors, Franco A started gathering food rations and supplies in a "prepper" cellar, as well as obtaining guns and ammunition illegally. This occurred during a time when Russia had invaded Ukraine, there was an increase in Islamist terrorism in Europe, and German Chancellor Merkel had welcomed many Muslim asylum-seekers from conflict-ridden countries like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Franco A remembered feeling a genuine fear of war or civil turmoil in Germany, prompting him to consider violence, according to prosecutors. He believed that the government's anti-terrorism efforts were actually directed at the public. To reveal the truth, he believed it needed to be carefully presented, requiring a significant event to lead people to it. This led him to search for potential triggers or targets. He refutes the claim, but before starting his first assignment near Strasbourg in 2015, he pretended to be a refugee for 10 days at the end of his Christmas break. While waiting for his first interview as David Benjamin at the police station, Franco A contemplated whether Damascus or Aleppo would be a more believable birthplace as part of his fake refugee identity. He eventually created a detailed fictional family history. After completing his military training in France, he became fluent in French. During interviews, he claimed to be a Syrian Christian with French heritage. He mentioned attending a French high school and working as a fruit farmer in a small village near Aleppo. Despite his efforts to prepare, he found it unnecessary in the end. German authorities did not question his story due to being overwhelmed at the time. Two days after going to the police station, he applied for asylum and was taken to various temporary group shelters. In the end, he was placed in a small house in Baustarring, a Bavarian village located 250 miles to the west of his army base. Franco A recorded numerous videos of the shelters using his cellphone camera. He appeared to doubt the level of neediness among the asylum-seekers, especially the Syrians who had escaped from once prosperous lives in cities ravaged by conflict. He described them as looking more like tourists than refugees. He explained that he chose a low-quality phone to avoid drawing attention with a high-quality one, but ended up with the worst phone. He criticized the system for being too lenient and forgiving, as he continued to receive his stipend even after turning down job offers. He only visited the shelter occasionally and missed two consecutive dates. Franco A believed that Merkel's government had contributed to a humanitarian crisis by participating in Middle Eastern wars. It felt as though he was witnessing a real-life example of the case study from his former mentor's discredited thesis. He expressed regret over the destabilization of a region that he believed could have been prevented, as millions of people migrated from that area. During his asylum hearing, the Moroccan interpreter, hesitant to question his proficiency in Arabic due to his Jewish-sounding name, later admitted to having doubts. Her concerns about potentially being perceived as anti-Semitic as a Muslim influenced her decision to remain silent. Franco A was eventually given "subsidiary protection," which permits asylum-seekers without identity documents to remain and work in Germany. While living as a refugee, he became more well-known in far-right circles. Franco A mentioned that he participated in debates at bars and was asked to speak at one of these events. He claimed that on December 15, 2016, he spoke at the "Prussian Evening," an event held at Hotel Regent in Munich by a publisher associated with a Holocaust denier. The topic of his speech that night was "German conservatives - diaspora in their own country." His voice messages became more urgent throughout the year, expressing fear of dissenters being killed. In January 2016, three weeks after becoming a refugee, he warned against hesitating to kill, not murder. He also stated his belief that he would be murdered, and threatened to kill in return. Franco A had been leading a double life for nearly seven months when he traveled to Berlin in the summer of 2016, according to prosecutors. He took four photos of car license plates in a private underground parking garage near the Jewish quarter, according to reports. The images were later found on his cellphone by investigators. The building where this happened housed the offices of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, an organization led by Anetta Kahane, a well-known Jewish activist. Prosecutors suspect that Kahane, who is 66 years old and the daughter of Holocaust survivors, was one of several targets identified by Franco A. for their support of refugees, based on confiscated notes. Other individuals mentioned in the notes were Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who was serving as justice minister at the time, and Claudia Roth, a Green lawmaker who held the position of Parliament's vice president. Kahane's name is mentioned multiple times in the notes, including at the end of a list of ordinary items and a reminder to contact the bank regarding his refugee alter ego's account. Franco A shared the notes with me, explaining that it was a typical to-do list. Additionally, on one page, he detailed Kahane's background, age, and work address. He illustrated a detailed map of her parking garage and wrote a note stating that they were not yet able to act as they desired. Leading up to his trip to Berlin and in the days following, prosecutors claim that Franco purchased a mounting rail for a telescopic sight and handgun parts, and was observed at a shooting range testing out the accessories with an assault rifle. Additionally, he traveled to Paris where he met with the head of a pro-Putin Russian think tank associated with France's far right, and is suspected of acquiring the French handgun later discovered in Vienna. Overall, prosecutors argue that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Franco A was preparing for a violent act, although he refutes the allegations. He stated that the prosecutors' claims do not indicate any intent to harm Kahane. During a six-hour interview, he mentioned having pictures on his phone but emphasized that this does not prove he was present. Despite initially refusing to discuss the topic due to his impending trial, he eventually spoke about it hypothetically. If he had gone, it would have been for a conversation. He mentioned ringing the bell but discovering that Kahane was not present. Then he could have gone to the parking garage, with the thought of possibly gathering information about the car. He mentioned that through some fortunate event, he could have come across the person he was looking for. He denied any intention of killing Kahane, stating it was definitely not true. Even if he had visited the garage, he argued that at most it would have been planning for an assassination rather than terrorism. He questioned how this could pose a threat to the state, pointing out that the person in question was not even a politician. I approached Kahane to inquire about her thoughts on the matter. When we first met, she had just received another threatening email from a neo-Nazi. These threats are a common occurrence for her. One message even threatened to harm her by cutting a swastika into her face and leaving her to die. However, she found the lack of awareness from German authorities to be even more frightening. She remembered the day the police informed her that they had apprehended a neo-Nazi soldier who had intentions of killing her. They were talking about Franco A. and two of his friends. She had chuckled and asked, "So you caught all three of them?" She commented that people always assume there are only one or two or three Nazis. Whose Constitution? Article 20.4 of the German Constitution includes a provision for resistance, created in response to Hitler's 1933 enabling act that abolished democracy after his election. This provision allows citizens to take action when democracy is in danger. Far-right extremists who criticize Merkel's government as unconstitutional often embrace the Constitution, which holds a prominent place in Franco A's library. He frequently references it in his conversations. I visited him again the week before Christmas, and he expressed concern about me having transcripts of his voice recordings. I questioned him about certain statements he had made, such as declaring that Hitler was "above everything." I asked for an explanation, and he played a recording for me where he had said it in an ironic manner. The tone of the recording was casual and playful, with both voices laughing. However, it was not clear if it was meant as a joke. I also inquired about another recording from January 2016. Franco A. claimed that anyone who helps destroy the state is doing something positive, asserting that laws hold no power. This raised questions about how he could simultaneously defend the Constitution. After a moment of silence, Franco A. reviewed his own words. He flipped through the notes belonging to his lawyer, but he could not find a response. circa 2020 The New York Times Company. | 2 |
President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, arrived in Dhaka on Friday to participate in a symposium focusing on "Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia." Upon his arrival at Zia International Airport at 8:15pm, he was welcomed by President Iajuddin Ahmed. President Grímsson is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the symposium at Hotel Sonargaon on Saturday. The six-day international event, which commenced on Monday, was jointly organized by the University of Dhaka and the Ohio State University of the USA in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP). The arrival of the Icelandic president in Dhaka on Tuesday was postponed. | 2 |
The discovery was remarkable in its extent. Reporters from even small countries like Guinea-Bissau were asked to make deals with Chinese journalists. China was spreading its propaganda newspaper China Daily in English and Serbian. A journalist from the Philippines believed that over 50% of the news on a local newswire came from the Chinese state agency Xinhua. In Kenya, a media organization received funding from Chinese investors and subsequently dismissed a writer who covered China's treatment of its Uyghur minority. Journalists in Peru faced strong criticism on social media from aggressive Chinese government officials. This appeared to be part of a larger strategy to counter the dominance of global news outlets like the BBC and CNN, and to spread Chinese influence in media worldwide. The International Federation of Journalists will release a report on Wednesday shedding light on China's intentions with this newfound power. The report, authored by Louisa Lim, surveyed journalists in 54 countries. The interviews conducted by Lim, a former NPR bureau chief in Beijing who is now a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne, revealed how China utilized its global media infrastructure to promote positive narratives about itself and spread disinformation as the pandemic spread. The report, co-authored by Julia Bergin and Johan Lidberg, highlights a global power shift in China's media strategy, which the Chinese government says is not unlike what other powerful countries have done for years. The report also notes a new media push by China during the pandemic, as it provided protective equipment and vaccines to countries worldwide while trying to shape the narrative around the pandemic's origin and its diplomatic efforts. Italian journalists were pressured to broadcast President Xi Jinping's Christmas speech and were given a translated version in Italian. In Tunisia, the Chinese embassy provided hand sanitiser and masks to the journalists' union, along with expensive television equipment and free, pro-China content for the state broadcaster. A pro-government tabloid in Serbia displayed a billboard with an image of Xi Jinping and the message "Thank you, brother Xi." The media and vaccine campaigns are linked to China's "Belt and Road" global investment initiative, which comes with obligations such as debt and support in important UN votes. China is facing challenges due to its increasing authoritarianism, treatment of the Uyghurs, and crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, which have tarnished its global reputation even before the pandemic started in Wuhan. Some governments are starting to make it more difficult for Chinese state media to operate in their countries, such as Britain's media regulator revoking the license of the main Chinese state broadcaster. Despite not having the same cultural or financial influence as European countries, China focuses its diplomacy on countries that have a vote at the UN. China's efforts, though often seeming improvised and managed from local embassies, are making a global impact by reshaping the media landscape country by country. Journalists from five continents who were interviewed for the report had varying attitudes towards Chinese government pressure, with some feeling alarmed and others confident in their ability to navigate the complex media environment. In Peru, there is a strong presence of Chinese influence in the media, with the government being friendly to China and powerful political figures receiving early access to Chinese-made vaccines. Zuliana Lainez, the secretary-general of the National Association of Journalists of Peru, expressed concern about the state media's close relationship with the Chinese embassy, describing them as "stenographers" for China. She also highlighted China's efforts to modernize newsrooms' technology through embassy payments. Some journalists view China's growing presence in global media as a way to increase its influence in the geopolitical landscape, while others, like Stefano Polli from ANSA, see it as a normal commercial arrangement, such as translating and distributing Xinhua news. China has tightened restrictions on foreign journalists within its borders, forcing international news outlets to rely more on official sources and refusing visas to American reporters, including those from the New York Times. Luca Rigoni, a well-known anchor at a TV channel owned by Italian company Mediaset, revealed that his news organization does not have its own correspondent in China but instead had a formal agreement with Chinese state media for coverage in the country. However, this collaboration ceased after Rigoni reported on the theory that the virus originated from a Chinese laboratory. Despite this, Rigoni, whose company is owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, noted that China is not the only country where the government controls major television and radio programs. The general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, Anthony Bellanger, believes that China is becoming a significant player in the information war, but he also emphasizes the importance of standing up against similar pressures from the US, Russia, and other governments worldwide. A report by Sarah Cook for the Freedom House revealed that Beijing is investing millions of dollars annually to disseminate its messages globally. While the US has a history of utilizing covert and overt influence tactics, its official channels have weakened over time. President Donald Trump has attempted to use American outlets like Voice of America and Radio Liberty as propaganda tools, sparking resistance from Democrats and journalists. The American government's inability to come to a consensus on how to utilize its own media outlets has resulted in a lack of projection. Companies like Netflix and Disney, which are more powerful and well-funded than government efforts, have been taking on this role instead. Journalists worldwide have been doubtful of the effectiveness of Chinese government propaganda, a sentiment that was shared by the author when they received a week's worth of unread China Daily editions at their home. The propaganda that may be successful within China is struggling to compete in the competitive market for people's attention. Eric Oduor, the secretary-general of the Kenya Union of Journalists, noted that China's attempts to promote its content in Kenyan media have not yet had a significant impact. Some argue that even what journalists consider to be amateurish or obvious propaganda can still have an impact. Erin Baggott Carter, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Southern California, has found through her research that American news organizations that allowed their journalists to go on official trips to China shifted their focus from covering military competition to covering economic cooperation. In discussions with journalists from various countries about Chinese influence, it was notable that they did not discuss the United States. In contrast to the American perspective of a global power struggle between two nations and systems of government, journalists from places like Indonesia, Peru, and Kenya described a more unilateral effort by China to expand its influence and promote its narrative. According to Lim, Americans tend to be insular and always view things through a US-centric lens. Many Americans and those in the Western world frequently overlook events in languages other than English, assuming that Western values are universally applicable. | 2 |
The Tigrayans, who have been in conflict with the government for a year, have partnered with another rebel group as they move towards the capital, Addis Ababa. Foreign officials observing the conflict noted that multiple Ethiopian army units had either collapsed or retreated. The declaration of a state of emergency reflects the rapidly changing situation in a spreading war that poses a threat to Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa. This development also represents a setback for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose international standing has suffered due to reports of human rights abuses, massacres, and famine resulting from the war. One year ago, Abiy initiated a military offensive in the northern Tigray region in an attempt to defeat the regional ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, his main political adversary. However, despite initially pledging a quick and non-violent operation, Abiy soon found himself embroiled in a complex military situation. The Ethiopian army faced a significant setback in June as they were compelled to retreat from Tigray, resulting in the capture of numerous soldiers. Currently, the conflict is approaching Abiy's doorstep, with Tigrayan rebels seizing control of Dessie and Kombolcha in recent days, just 160 miles from the capital. According to a United Nations official, Tigrayan forces were observed advancing further south from Kombolcha on Tuesday. During the state of emergency, Abiy has extensive authority to apprehend and hold critics, enforce curfews, and limit the news media. Any individual over 18 may be summoned to participate in combat, Justice Minister Gedion Timothewos stated at a press briefing. "Those in possession of weapons will be required to surrender them to the authorities," he added. The government announced that the state of emergency would be in effect for six months. Prior to this announcement, the Addis Ababa city administration had urged residents to utilize their weapons to protect their communities. According to a statement, searches were being conducted from house to house in an effort to find Tigrayan sympathizers. These announcements contributed to a growing sense of unease in the city, where tensions had been escalating due to reports of Tigrayan military progress. A taxi driver named Dereje, who did not provide his last name due to the tense atmosphere in the capital, expressed his intention to participate in the conflict. He stated, "I will not remain at home and wait for the enemy. I will fight for my children and my country." However, a teacher who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that he had lost confidence in the Ethiopian government. "He expressed concern that they were misled about the defeat of the TPLF and fears for the future. President Joe Biden threatened sanctions on Ethiopia and revoked trade privileges due to human rights violations. Jeffrey Feltman warned of disastrous consequences for Ethiopia's unity and relationship with the US. Ethiopian soldiers were captured after Mekelle fell to the Tigray Defence Forces in June 2021. Billene Seyoum, a spokesperson for Abiy, did not provide a comment." Ethiopian soldiers who were defeated are being paraded through Mekelle after the Tigray Defence Forces took control of the regional capital on June 25, 2021. Ethiopia's Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration expressed concerns that revoking trade privileges would harm the country's economy and disproportionately affect women and children. Ethiopia remains committed to holding perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable. The escalating conflict in Ethiopia has raised concerns in the region about potential spillover into neighboring countries like Kenya and the influx of refugees across borders. Despite being hailed by the West for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, Abiy has faced growing criticism for his handling of the war in Tigray and the blockade preventing essential supplies from reaching the region, where millions are in urgent need of assistance. After the United States threatened to impose sanctions on Abiy's government in September, he accused the West of having neocolonial bias and expelled seven senior UN officials, including a humanitarian aid coordinator in Tigray. The Ethiopian military recently launched an offensive against Tigrayan forces, which escalated to include airstrikes on Mekelle, the region's capital under siege. Abiy has recently attributed his losses to unidentified foreigners who he claims are fighting alongside the Tigrayans, stating that individuals of non-Ethiopian descent have been involved in the conflict. In Addis Ababa, security forces have begun targeting ethnic Tigrayans, raising concerns about retaliatory actions based on ethnicity as the rebels approach the capital. International attempts to encourage both sides to participate in negotiations have been unsuccessful. Abiy has continued military operations, despite evidence that his army is under significant pressure. The Tigrayans claim they are fighting to end a siege that is causing suffering and starvation in their region. Western pressure on Abiy has been minimal, according to Gen Tsadkan Gebretensae, the rebels' main strategist. He stated that more action is needed. Human rights organizations have accused Tigrayan fighters of misconduct, such as killing Eritrean refugees, although not to the same extent as Ethiopian troops. The Ethiopian government has accused Tigrayan fighters of killing residents in Kombolcha recently, but has not provided any evidence to support this claim. Since July, the Tigrayan fighters have been moving south into the Amhara region in a long and intense battle that has been largely hidden from view due to internet blackouts and reporting restrictions. The capture of strategically important towns like Dessie and Kombolcha over the weekend has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing war that could shape the future of Ethiopia. The Tigrayans have now joined forces with the Oromo Liberation Army, a smaller rebel group advocating for the rights of the Oromo people, who are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. After years of fighting in rural areas, it seems that the OLA is now expanding their presence into urban areas in Ethiopia. Odaa Tarbii, a representative for the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), announced on Tuesday that they had taken control of a town 120 miles north of Addis Ababa and planned to move south with the Tigrayans in the next two or three days. Throughout much of the conflict, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received strong support from Eritrea, whose soldiers had been involved in the early stages of the fighting in Tigray in late 2020 and were accused of committing numerous atrocities against civilians. However, in recent weeks, Eritrean forces have been absent from the latest battles for unclear reasons, according to Tigrayan and Western sources. Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the Tigray People's Liberation Front, claimed that the Ethiopian military was in disarray as it retreated south, leaving behind armed ethnic militias. He stated that the military's command and control structure had collapsed, a statement that was corroborated by two Western officials who preferred to remain anonymous due to diplomatic concerns. If the Tigrayans keep advancing towards the south, Abiy is expected to experience significant pressure from within his own political circle and on the battlefield, according to officials. © 2021 The New York Times Company. | 2 |
Images circulating on social media depict cars being carried away by floodwaters, buildings and businesses inundated with mud, and roads blocked by large boulders from mudslides. According to Merida Governor Ramon Guevara, 11 individuals lost their lives in Tovar municipality and two children perished in Antonio Pinto Salinas municipality. Guevara expressed his sorrow over the situation, stating that power outages occurred due to water reaching transformers and causing them to malfunction. The affected area is an agricultural region that supplies food to other areas of the country. | 2 |
The increase in Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, a key route for Russian gas to the West, has raised concerns about potential gas shortages. With low gas volumes from Russia, Europe's primary source of fuel imports, prices have been driven up in recent months. Henning Gloystein, a director at Eurasia Group, has warned of potential supply shortages that could harm economic growth and lead to public unrest, with the possibility of blackouts in the worst-case scenario. To prevent shortages, governments may need to restrict gas use by factories to ensure households have enough for heating. Gas prices at the TTF trading hub in the Netherlands reached record levels of around $60 per million British thermal units on reports of redirected Russian gas flows towards the East. European gas prices have doubled recently and are approximately 15 times higher than gas prices in the United States. Gloystein suggested that this increase in prices may be due to opportunistic trading rather than malicious intent from Moscow. However, tensions between Russia and the West are causing uncertainty about the opening of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which could alleviate the situation. The United States is working with Germany to enhance Europe's energy security, as energy companies are redirecting shipments of liquefied natural gas from Asia to Europe in response to high prices. Nevertheless, this may not be enough to fully replace Russian gas or alleviate the current situation. Laura Page, an analyst at Kpler, a research firm, mentioned that the market is aware of the increase in LNG supply, but this has not affected sentiment. The rising gas prices are also causing electric power prices to soar in Europe, with steady power trading for approximately 340 pounds per megawatt-hour in Britain. This is three times higher than the average price of electricity throughout the year. The recent high gas prices are expected to result in increased energy costs for households in Britain and other countries in the future. Martin Young, an analyst at Investec, a securities firm, predicted in a recent communication to clients that British consumers, who have been shielded by price caps, may experience an increase of over 50% in their energy bills when adjustments are made in early next year. The temporary closure of three French nuclear plants to conduct inspections has also fueled the power market in recent days. Mark Devine, a trader at Sembcorp, an energy company, described the heightened prices as the new normal for this winter. | 2 |
Daschle was surprised by the reversal of protocol when Bob Dole insisted on coming to his office instead of the other way around. Despite Daschle being the junior guy, Dole explained that he could always decide when the meeting was over when visiting Daschle's office. This anecdote captures Dole's witty and straightforward personality, showcasing his prairie values and no-nonsense approach to Washington. During the course of 35 years, including time in the House, Senate, and multiple presidential campaigns, he thrived in a Washington environment that suited his skills as a negotiator. While it may be cliché to look back fondly on a time when politicians from different parties would battle during the day and socialize at night, the reality is that there was a different atmosphere in Dole's era. Despite the presence of partisanship, some of which was as bitter as today, Dole managed to work across party lines to pass bipartisan legislation such as Social Security reform, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and welfare reform. One of his proudest achievements was collaborating with liberal Democrat George McGovern on a revamp of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They continued to collaborate on nutrition issues even after they both left the Senate. Senator Patrick J Leahy, who considered Dole a friend, spoke about the strong working relationship between George J Mitchell Jr and Dole. Mitchell, the Maine senator who came before Daschle as the Democratic leader, would often visit Dole's office multiple times a day, and vice versa. Leahy mentioned that both Mitchell and Dole had a mutual respect for each other, with neither ever surprising the other. Additionally, they had dedicated phone lines on their desks that allowed them to communicate instantly. This level of collaboration is rare in today's political climate. The button proved useful in November 1994 when the Republicans regained the majority. Mitchell, who did not run for reelection, requested for Dole to be informed that he was coming to his office to congratulate him. Dole responded quickly, advising Mitchell not to make the trip and instead offering to go to his office himself. Mitchell and his team appreciated this gesture as decent and considerate. Robert Dallek, the presidential historian, noted that Dole excelled at working across party lines, a skill that was valued during his time in politics. While Dole was known for his conservative beliefs, he also understood the importance of bipartisanship in a democracy. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the House known for sparking partisan warfare in Washington, discussed his collaboration with Bob Dole on tax cuts and defeating Bill Clinton's healthcare plan. In an interview, Gingrich compared Dole to current Republican leader Mitch McConnell, noting their tactical skills and ability to hinder or advance legislation. Despite their similarities, Dole did not support Gingrich's confrontational approach. During the government shutdown in 1995, Dole expressed his frustration with Gingrich and House Republicans for refusing to pass federal spending bills by stating that it had become ridiculous. Dole and his wife, Elizabeth Dole, were viewed as a powerful couple in Washington, symbolizing the city's institutions. Dole was a symbol of World War II and the Greatest Generation, embodying dignity and honor. He played a significant role in the creation of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall and frequently greeted veterans there. According to historian Dallek, Dole represented the values of America and came from the heartland. After serving in the Senate for over 25 years, he left to run for president in 1996 as Washington was undergoing significant changes with Gingrich's influence and Clinton's impeachment over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. When Dole, who was the Senate's longest-serving Republican leader at the time, went to the chamber to announce his departure, traditional practices of the Capitol remained unchanged. Despite Dole's intention to run against Bill Clinton, Democratic senators showed their respect by applauding him after his speech. | 2 |
On Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reassured Ukraine that the opportunity to join NATO was still available, despite the country's new leadership no longer prioritizing alliance membership. Clinton emphasized that the United States supported Ukraine's closer relationship with Moscow and criticized those who insisted on Ukraine choosing between Russia and the West. She also encouraged President Viktor Yanukovich to uphold democratic principles and indirectly expressed worry about limitations on media freedom in the country. Clinton urged the Ukrainian government to protect these important freedoms during a joint news conference with Yanukovich. She supported Ukraine's efforts to secure a new International Monetary Fund program worth up to $19 billion and urged the country to improve its investment climate through economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, and upholding the rule of law. Clinton's subtle avoidance of openly criticizing pro-Russian actions by President Yanukovich aligned with the Obama administration's strategy of improving relations with Moscow. Despite diminishing ties with NATO, Yanukovich has strengthened Ukraine's ties with Moscow by increasing commercial relations and extending the Russian navy's presence in a Ukrainian port for 25 years. Clinton emphasized that Ukraine has the right to choose its own alliances and decide on its security interests, including potential NATO membership. Yanukovich has decided to no longer pursue NATO membership, which has pleased Moscow. He stated that Ukraine will not join any military alliances. However, he mentioned that Kiev will continue to work with NATO on defense reform and peacekeeping. Clinton expressed support for Ukraine's efforts to balance relationships with the US, EU, and Russia. She praised Yanukovich for his pragmatic approach that considers both Russia and the West, and for stabilizing the economy with help from global financial institutions. Clinton also commended Yanukovich's election in February as a positive step for Ukraine's democracy. She subsequently encountered Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Prime Minister who is now in opposition and may have a contrasting perspective. Tymoshenko, who is potentially facing prosecution for alleged misconduct while in office, contested Yanukovich's election but later withdrew a legal effort to prevent his inauguration. The only issue where Clinton almost criticized Yanukovich was in relation to media freedoms and democratic rights. Recently, US Ambassador John Tefft voiced apprehension about reports of journalist intimidation since Yanukovich assumed power. She stated that freedom of speech, press, petitioning government, assembly, and participation in politics are fundamental rights of every individual, not just secondary considerations. Clinton mentioned discussing these issues with Yanukovich and pointed out his previous commitments to democracy, rule of law, and human rights. She emphasized that words alone are not enough and concrete actions are necessary to bring about meaningful change. Clinton is beginning a regional tour of five countries and will be making a stop in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday to attend a meeting of the Community of Democracies, an organization that advocates for democratic principles. Additionally, she will be visiting Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. | 2 |
The government has launched a program to assist 50,000 small and marginal farmers in increasing maize cultivation. Agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury announced the program, which will provide seeds and fertilizers worth Tk 65 million for free, at a press conference in the ministry's conference room. The government will distribute seeds and fertilizers to farmers in 62 upazilas across 11 districts to cultivate maize on 16,500 acres of land starting from the current winter season. Each farmer will receive 3 kilograms of hybrid maize seeds and 50 kgs of fertilizers, including 25 kgs of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MoP), as incentives for maize cultivation on every 0.33 acre of land. The minister stated that the programme aims to boost maize production by 31,000 tonnes, with an estimated market value of Tk 62 crore. The initiative will be carried out in various districts, including Nilphamari, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, and Jhalokhati. The agriculture minister explained that the goal of the incentive programme is to encourage farmers to cultivate maize due to its high demand and lower cultivation costs compared to crops like rice and wheat. She also noted that wheat production in the northern region has decreased due to climate changes, making maize cultivation more appealing to farmers. The nation produces approximately 1.55 million tonnes of maize each year, but it also has to bring in an additional 422,000 tonnes annually through imports. | 2 |
In 2020, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the killing of George Floyd, and a social justice movement against police violence and racism, the FBI documented a rise in hate crimes directed towards African Americans. The majority of the 8,052 reported hate crimes were motivated by race, ethnicity, or ancestry bias, with Black Americans being the most targeted group. The number of hate crimes against African Americans in 2020 increased to 2,871 from 1,972 in 2019, contributing to an overall 9.1% rise in hate crimes. In the five years leading up to 2019, African Americans were involved in approximately half of all cases of bias based on race, ethnicity, or ancestry, according to FBI data. Experts who analyze this data warn that the federal statistics may be incomplete, and that the increase in reported cases could be due to greater awareness and willingness to report such crimes. However, they also suggest that the focus on social justice issues may have contributed to a rise in violence against Black Americans. Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, noted that the events of 2020, including the protests following George Floyd's murder, shifted the focus of prejudice towards African Americans. While national hate crime data for 2021 has not been released, experts in hate crimes report that attacks on Black Americans and institutions have persisted. This year, a significant number of historically Black colleges and universities, as well as houses of worship and other faith-based and academic institutions, were targeted with bomb threats, according to the FBI. In February, three white Georgia men were found guilty of federal hate crimes for killing Ahmaud Arbery because he was African American, shining a spotlight on racially motivated violence. Despite the FBI's annual report on hate crimes, many incidents go unreported to law enforcement, leading to an incomplete understanding of the true scope of hate crimes nationwide. The Justice Department has been urging victims to come forward and has made prosecuting these crimes a top priority. The FBI's report, which was released last year and based on data collected in 2020 from over 15,000 law enforcement agencies, revealed a significant increase in hate crimes, particularly against Black and Asian Americans. The FBI defines hate crimes as crimes motivated by bias, ranging from bomb threats to physical violence. Data from the past decade shows that hate crimes against Black Americans, who account for 12.1% of the population, have been disproportionately high compared to other groups based on religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Over the past decade, there were 20,084 reported instances of anti-Black crimes. During that time period, the second largest category of crimes was anti-Jewish crimes, with 7,688 reports despite Jews making up only 2.4% of the US adult population. The suspect in the Buffalo attack, an 18-year-old white man, used a semi-automatic rifle and embraced white supremacist ideology during the pandemic. He targeted a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood, killing 10 people and injuring three, most of whom were African American. The suspect's online manifesto revealed his hateful motivations, including a racist slur on his weapon and references to replacement theory, a belief that white people are being replaced by people of color and immigrants. This mass shooting, being investigated as a potential hate crime by the Justice Department, is part of a pattern of racial violence stemming from white supremacy, similar to incidents in Charleston, Pittsburgh, and El Paso. Experts studying hate crimes against African Americans note that it is a mix of old and new forms of bigotry. The text discusses the persistent fear of demographic changes and the idea of "replacement" that is present in certain corners of the internet, often fueled by racist political rhetoric. According to Jeannine Bell, a professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law and an expert on hate crimes, this fear has been a longstanding theme among white supremacists for many decades. She also suggests that the recent increase in anti-Black hate crimes can be partially attributed to a backlash against the protests that followed George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, which sparked anger towards African Americans. She mentioned that there was a considerable amount of support as well as anger. The media coverage of black victimization was a source of anger for white supremacists, as they dislike seeing African Americans portrayed sympathetically. Bell noted that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the rise in hate crimes, but significant events like the protests in the summer of 2020 serve as a reference point. She also suggested that there has likely been an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes. "What occurred? An event, a pandemic, led to a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes. Hate crimes against African Americans are challenging to accurately tally due to a lack of dedicated tracking groups. Civil rights organizations urged President Biden to hold a summit to address hate crimes and right-wing extremism. Rev Al Sharpton emphasized the necessity of a national response to the increasing crimes." (Source: The New York Times Company, 2022) | 2 |
In 2017, starting with the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, there were efforts to restrict abortions globally, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women's rights. Despite challenges, this year also saw increased resistance in the United States and other countries, with progress made in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America towards ending gender discrimination. According to UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the focus was on addressing discriminatory laws. Lebanon, Tunisia, and Jordan made significant strides by abolishing laws that allowed rapists to avoid punishment by marrying their victims, a change activists hope will influence other Arab nations. In a protest march for survivors of sexual assault and their supporters in Hollywood, a woman wore an outfit with the names of all the men in Hollywood who sexually harassed her. In a positive development against child marriage, Malawi, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador, and Guatemala all amended national laws to prohibit the practice. Additionally, India ruled that having sex with a wife aged 15 to 18 is punishable as rape, even though child marriage is illegal but common in the country. Trump's expansion of the global gag rule, which withholds US funding from foreign clinics or groups that provide information about abortion, negatively impacted family planning services and women's health worldwide, according to charities. However, Chile made a significant decision by legalizing abortion in certain circumstances, leaving only a few countries in the world where abortion is still banned outright. Lilian Sepulveda from the Center for Reproductive Rights noted the progress in advancing reproductive human rights despite a challenging global environment. Women's rights leaders highlighted the importance of resisting sexism in 2017 and changing the narrative around blaming and stigmatizing victims. The #MeToo movement was recognized by Time magazine as the most influential "person" of the year. In response to Trump's inauguration, millions of women worldwide protested, some wearing pink "pussyhats" in reference to his derogatory comments about women in a 2005 video. Time magazine has selected the #MeToo movement as the most influential "person" of 2017. Months later, a large number of people once again participated in a popular protest movement by sharing their stories of sexual abuse and harassment on social media using hashtags like #MeToo and #balancetonporc in France. Bob Bland, a national co-chair of the Women's March on Washington, believes that this movement is just the start of a new era of empowerment for women. She stated that as they enter 2018, they are united and ready for the challenges that lie ahead. | 2 |
The worst financial crisis in 80 years had a severe impact on emerging markets, prompting emergency actions by central banks and a call for international assistance to control the flight of investors. In the United States, Wachovia Corp, a struggling bank set to be acquired by Wells Fargo & Co, reported a record $23.9 billion loss in the third quarter of the year. Emerging market assets faced significant pressure as investors unwound their positions due to concerns about the global economy. Despite efforts by authorities worldwide to strengthen the financial system, fears of a global recession prevailed. Hungary raised interest rates by three percentage points in order to protect its currency. Belarus's central bank has requested credit from the International Monetary Fund, while Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko anticipates substantial financial aid from the IMF for her country next week. The IMF is also prepared to assist Pakistan and Iceland, which are facing financial challenges. Neil Dougall, chief emerging markets economist at Dresdner Kleinwort, believes that capital is shifting from emerging markets to developed markets, despite the fundamentals remaining unchanged. Various officials expressed optimism about the financial crisis despite ongoing problems, with billions of dollars being allocated for rescue and liquidity packages by governments worldwide. U.S. Treasury Undersecretary David McCormick, addressing the situation in Hong Kong, indicated that while the U.S. economy faces challenges in the coming quarters, there is potential for recovery by the end of next year. "The key objective is to restore confidence in the financial market," he emphasized. Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England and a key figure in Group of Seven discussions on the crisis, suggested that the worst may be over for the financial system. "Although the path to stability is still long, we may have passed the worst of it," he stated on Tuesday. The strategy to strengthen our banking system, both domestically and internationally, is expected to be recognized as the turning point in the recent banking crisis. This sentiment was reinforced by a decrease in short-term funding costs for U.S. dollars in London and Asia, indicating that banks are starting to rebuild trust in each other. Russia, a rising economic force, also showed signs of progress in bank lending, with interbank lending beginning to function more smoothly and interest rates gradually decreasing. Banks are beginning to lend to sectors again, but it will take two or three weeks for the situation to improve, according to First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov as reported by the Financial Times. The looming fear is the deteriorating global economic climate, despite progress in combating financial collapse. The Bank of England's recent meeting minutes indicated a substantial deterioration in the UK economy, with Governor King suggesting it may be entering its first recession in 16 years. These concerns have impacted financial markets. Wall Street was poised for a rough beginning as Dow Jones industrial average futures dropped by 259 points, which is almost 3 percent. European shares were also down by over 4.4 percent, while Japan's Nikkei average closed with a 6.8 percent decrease. In emerging markets, MSCI's sector index hit its lowest point since June 2005, and sovereign debt spreads widened to more than 700 basis points above Treasury yields for the first time since early 2003. Various currencies, excluding the forint, took a hit, with the Turkish lira dropping to its lowest level in over two years and South Africa's rand reaching a six-year low against the dollar. Sanjay Mathur, an economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Singapore, expressed concerns about the upcoming challenges due to a potential business cycle downturn, which he believes will be quite severe. Many US companies reported their quarterly results on Wednesday, providing an overview of various industries and sectors in the largest economy in the world. Philip Morris International and Reynolds American Inc, along with McDonald's Corp, exceeded analysts' expectations with their profits, offering a glimmer of positivity among a largely negative outlook. | 2 |
While global leaders and top scientists in Copenhagen are discussing how to address climate change, farmers in flood-prone areas of northern India are taking matters into their own hands to adjust to changing weather patterns. For years, residents of Uttar Pradesh have been experiencing unpredictable weather, including more intense rainfall in shorter periods of time. The heavy rain, along with increased runoff from Nepal, has caused flooding in villages, towns, and cities in the region, leading to destruction of homes, crops, and livestock. This underscores the vulnerability of the poorest populations in countries like China and India to the effects of climate change. While leaders at the Copenhagen summit debate over carbon emissions and funding, experts suggest that low-cost adaptation strategies, informed by local knowledge, could help protect vulnerable farmers. In the fields of Manoharchak village, where concepts like "global warming" are unfamiliar, experiments are proving successful and transforming the lives of impoverished farmers who are finding ways to overcome nature's challenges using simple yet effective methods to combat the increasing variability in climate. Hooblal Chauhan, a farmer in the area, has been adapting his practices over the past three years to adjust to the changing weather by expanding his crops beyond wheat and rice to include a wider range of vegetables. Residents of Manoharchak have implemented various measures such as raising road levels, constructing homes with elevated foundations, elevating community hand pumps, and establishing new drainage systems to address climate-related issues. With support from the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group, farmers are also adopting flood-resistant rice varieties, enabling them to achieve two harvests per year instead of just one, and diversifying their crops to include vegetables like peas, spinach, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The variety of crops is important for farmers, as it provides benefits such as a diverse and nutritious diet, as well as the opportunity to earn income by selling excess produce. Farmers in the region also have to deal with challenges like silt deposition due to intense rainfall. However, Sumitra Chauhan, a 50-year-old widow who grows a variety of vegetables along with rice and wheat on her two-acre plot, has found ways to overcome these challenges. She plants seedlings in nurseries and transfers them to the land after water drains, avoiding delays. Chauhan's plot is lush green and filled with vegetables such as mustard, peas, spinach, and tomatoes. Farmers have begun using "multi-tier cropping" techniques, raising platforms about 5-6 feet above the ground to grow vegetables like bottle gourd and bitter gourd. This allows for planting beneath the platforms once water-logged soil drains, with villagers in eastern Uttar Pradesh also adapting to warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall during monsoon seasons by investing in water pumps for irrigation. Oxfam reports that millions of people in India have been impacted by climate-related issues. Some individuals have found themselves in debt, while others have moved to urban areas in search of work or have had to sell off their assets like livestock to survive. Ekta Bartarya of the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group believes that although developing countries require significant investments to address climate change impacts, small and marginalized farmers in India can begin by utilizing cost-effective techniques to improve their situation. | 2 |
US President Barack Obama is set to announce a jobs package worth more than $300 billion on Thursday in an effort to boost the struggling American economy and improve his chances for re-election. The plan will focus on tax cuts for middle-class households and businesses, as well as new spending on infrastructure projects. Obama will deliver a televised speech to Congress urging them to pass his "American Jobs Act" by the end of the year. If successful, the plan could provide a quick economic boost, but if it fails, Obama will shift blame to congressional Republicans for hindering progress. The White House Chief of Staff, Bill Daley, criticized Congress for their inaction on Thursday morning. He expressed frustration with their tendency to reject proposed measures without offering alternatives. Concerns about a potential recession have been raised due to disappointing jobs data. The Federal Reserve is exploring options to stimulate demand, and G7 finance ministers are anticipated to urge economically strong countries to do more to support growth during their meeting in France. President Obama is facing criticism for his perceived lack of strong leadership. Both Republicans and fellow Democrats have criticized his economic stewardship, which has raised doubts about his chances for re-election in November 2012. According to political scientist Terry Madonna, Obama is facing a critical leadership moment as voters decide if his presidency has failed. A recent poll showed that Obama is no longer the frontrunner for the next election. The White House stated that Obama will emphasize the challenges the US economy is facing and stress the need for Washington to assist in the recovery of the labor market as the 2012 election approaches. Last December, workers saw a renewal of payroll tax cuts and businesses were encouraged to hire through tax cuts, which are the major components of the jobs plan. Media reports have suggested that the package could cost over $300 billion. According to White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, President Obama will present the jobs proposals to Congress in legislative form next week. Jarrett explained that the purpose of Thursday's speech was to promote a sense of "shared responsibility" for the economic challenges, emphasizing that it is not solely the president's responsibility. The responsibility for addressing unemployment lies with Congress, the business community, and the American people, according to a statement. The White House's objective is to pass legislation this year to reduce unemployment by spring 2012. Obama is aiming for economic improvement by the middle of next year to enhance his chances for re-election. If Congress fails to act, the White House is ready to portray Republicans as hindering efforts to solve the unemployment issue. The intense battle in July over the country's debt levels, which resulted in a ratings downgrade by Standard & Poor's, highlighted a significant divide between Obama's Democrats and the Republicans who control the House of Representatives. The Republicans criticized the $800 billion economic stimulus package passed in 2009 as wasteful spending and are calling for immediate deficit cuts. On the other hand, Democrats argue that while long-term deficits should be reduced, the economy requires a short-term fiscal boost. The White House has indicated that the jobs package will be funded by future cuts, but has not provided specifics. Obama plans to urge the congressional "super committee" to exceed its goal of $1.2 trillion in budget savings, but will not present his recommendations until next week or later. House Republican leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor have shown willingness to consider some infrastructure spending and a program proposed by Obama to train unemployed workers, as a gesture of reconciliation. However, Senate's top Republican Mitch McConnell criticized the president for accusing those who disagree with him of being overly partisan, calling it a political distraction. McConnell believes that opposition to the president's economic policies is not about politics, but rather because they are ineffective. He described Obama's plan as more focused on re-election than creating jobs. | 2 |
The former US spy agency contractor finally departed Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Thursday after spending nearly six weeks confined to its transit zone while a diplomatic battle over his future unfolded between Russia and the United States. Snowden, wanted by Washington on espionage charges for leaking details of Internet and phone surveillance programs, now starts his new chapter equipped with an asylum document valid for a year and renewable annually. Former Russian intelligence officers warn that Snowden's journey will not be easy, citing past defections as examples of the challenges he may face. Snowden's freedom was limited to the transit zone, and he now enters a new phase of uncertainty. Other examples of high-profile defections, such as NSA cryptologists William Martin and Bernon Mitchell defecting to the Soviet Union in 1960, show the difficulties that defectors can encounter. Despite the end of the Cold War, the challenges and struggles faced by defectors remain unchanged. Snowden is being used as a propaganda tool by the Kremlin, who frequently criticizes the United States for not practicing what it preaches on human rights. According to media expert Anna Kachkayeva, Snowden is now a political figure and a pawn in a larger game. She describes him as a ticking time-bomb, speculating that he may be saved for a future purpose and possibly be put on television. The decision by the Kremlin to provide refuge to Snowden has been well received by the Russian public. Many Russians believe Snowden is not a traitor and that Russia did the right thing by protecting him. A survey showed that 43 percent of Russians support harboring Snowden, while 29 percent are against it. Snowden has also received a marriage proposal from former Russian spy Anna Chapman and a job offer from a Russian social networking site. Anatoly Kucherena, a Russian lawyer assisting Snowden, stated that Snowden has received job offers and would not have trouble finding employment. "He mentioned that it is possible for him to have his own TV show," he told Reuters. The Kremlin has not shown any interest in making Snowden a TV star. However, Russian state TV has allowed Julian Assange from Wikileaks to criticize the US. Snowden will be staying with American expats who support his actions, according to Kucherena. He plans to bring Snowden's father, Lonnie, a US lawyer, and other friends to provide him with "moral support." Despite this, Snowden's value to Russia may decline due to the changing political climate. Korolkov, a former KGB officer, stated that defectors bring knowledge, skills, and abilities, but this information becomes less valuable over time. Some experts believe Snowden may have traded some of his freedom for security in Russia. Misha Glenny, a British author specializing in Internet security and eastern Europe, expressed the opinion that Edward Snowden might be disappointed by Russia and find it challenging to participate in the activities he desires. | 2 |
According to a new report by the United Nations, the poverty rate in Bangladesh has decreased from 49 percent to 31 percent as the country has made progress in various aspects of human development. However, the rate of poverty reduction has not been consistent across all areas, with some regions experiencing significant declines while others, such as coastal or char areas, continue to struggle with high levels of poverty. The report, released in 2011, commended Bangladesh for its overall progress and predicted that the country would move up from the lower to the medium human development index category. Priesner stated that Bangladesh has made significant long-term progress on the HDI, but emphasized the importance of not becoming complacent. According to the report, Bangladesh's HDI score improved from 0.497 to 0.5, with a notable advancement in addressing gender inequality. The overall inequality HDI decreased from 29 percent to 22 percent, showcasing the country's strong performance. Bangladesh's HDI ranking is slightly below Pakistan (0.504) and Delhi is ranked higher than Dhaka. The UN country director highlighted the need for Bangladesh to address environmental degradation, the adverse effects of climate change, and the risks of disasters in order to continue improving. He stated that the report highlights four main messages: sustainable urbanization, addressing the threat of climate change, providing clean energy to those in poverty, and tackling environmental degradation. He emphasized that the current rate of urbanization is unsustainable and that climate change disproportionately affects the poor. Access to clean energy is crucial for the development of impoverished communities, and if environmental degradation is not dealt with, those reliant on natural resources will suffer. He also noted that equity and sustainable development go hand in hand. | 2 |
The survey revealed that 5.6% of adults identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, which is an increase from 4.5% in 2017. The poll also showed that over half of LGBT adults identified as bisexual. One out of every six adults in Generation Z, individuals born between 1997 and 2002, identified as LGBT. The senior editor of Gallup, Jeffrey Jones, stated that the number of Americans identifying as LGBTQ is expected to rise, as younger generations are more likely to identify as such compared to older generations. Jones stated that Americans have shown more support for equal rights for LGBTQ individuals, leading to an increase in the number of people who openly identify as LGBT. Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, a media organization and advocacy group for LGBTQ individuals, believes that the findings demonstrate that increased visibility and acceptance will help individuals feel more comfortable coming out. The survey, which included over 15,000 interviews conducted in 2020 with Americans over the age of 18 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, was conducted via both cellphone and landline. Participants were asked to indicate how they identify themselves. The Gallup poll allowed respondents to choose multiple options regarding their sexual orientation, including straight or heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The margin of error for all adults was plus or minus 1 percentage point, while for LGBT adults it was plus or minus 5 percentage points. The recent poll included a more detailed identity question than in previous years, with respondents providing their precise sexual orientation instead of a simple "yes" or "no" to being LGBT. The Supreme Court has made significant rulings in the past decade that have created a more supportive environment for LGBTQ individuals, such as the 2013 decision granting federal benefits to married same-sex couples. In 2015, the court declared that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right across the nation. More recently, in June, it determined that civil rights legislation provided protection for gay and transgender employees. However, obstacles persist for LGBTQ individuals. Despite numerous religious leaders worldwide calling for a worldwide prohibition on conversion therapy, only around 20 states have implemented some type of ban on the controversial practice. Throughout President Donald Trump's time in office, the erosion of rights for transgender individuals was widespread across the federal government. An annual report by GLAAD revealed that LGBTQ representation on television had decreased for the first time in five years. The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Equality Act, a bill that would provide more protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBTQ advocacy groups were pleased with the Gallup results, but acknowledged that there is still work to be done to include people who identify differently or are gender nonconforming. Amit Paley, the CEO of the Trevor Project, emphasized the importance of recognizing the diverse experiences of LGBTQ individuals. The poll also underlined the ongoing challenge of collecting accurate data on LGBTQ individuals for policy-making purposes. Paley explained that the true number of LGBTQ individuals who die by suicide in the country is unknown due to the lack of data on gender identity or sexual orientation in death records, which results in the erasure of LGBTQ individuals in significant ways. | 2 |
The evening reception, hosted by the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, Mijarul Quayes, in collaboration with BRAC and Oxfam on Thursday night, was attended by parliamentarians, diplomats, civil society representatives, and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, according to a press release by Oxfam GB's digital press officer Rachel Cawood. During the event, the High Commissioner discussed Bangladesh's impressive progress in socio-economic indicators and praised the effective collaboration between civil society organizations and the state. He specifically recognized Oxfam's support during Bangladesh's Liberation War and its role in post-war reconstruction. BRAC, originally from Bangladesh, has now become an international NGO dedicated to improving lives globally. BRAC UK's Chief Executive Mary Garvey acknowledged the challenges that remain in areas such as child health and women's empowerment, but highlighted the significant progress made in Bangladesh with the support of organizations like Oxfam and BRAC. Oxfam Chief Executive Mark Goldring expressed gratitude for the hard work of staff in Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of continued efforts to address challenges such as natural disasters and climate change. | 2 |
During the political period of 2016-20, the idea that liberalism was dominant was exaggerated. Although Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election with a minority of the popular vote, more Americans voted for Republican congressional candidates than Democratic ones. Additionally, more Americans supported right-of-center presidential candidates, including the Libertarian vote, than voted for Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein. While the Republican Party had structural advantages, Democrats were able to regain control of the House of Representatives in 2018, the presidency in 2020, and the Senate in 2021. These wins continued the trend of American politics in the 21st century, characterized by significant shifts every few election cycles rather than the solidification of power by either party. However, after 2024, the political landscape may resemble the challenges faced by liberalism during the Trump era. David Shor, a prominent figure in liberalism, predicts that a combination of an unfavorable Senate map for Democrats along with their existing disadvantages in the Electoral College and Senate could result in a scenario where the party wins a majority of votes but still loses the White House and faces a strong Republican majority in the Senate. This outcome would be alarming for liberals and conservatives alike. Conservatives have been defending institutions such as the Senate and Electoral College by arguing that the United States is a democratic republic, not a pure democracy, as their influence in these institutions has grown in recent years. These arguments become less convincing as the overall results of the system become more undemocratic. The legitimacy of the Electoral College and Senate can withstand close popular vote results and slight party biases, but sustained governing power without majority support can lead to delegitimization and disillusionment. Simply relying on conservative advantages granted by the system is not enough to avoid this future, and the Republican Party should strive to win majorities outright to ensure the perceived legitimacy of conservative governance. It is unrealistic to expect a political party to willingly give up its advantages, such as through a bipartisan constitutional amendment to abolish the Senate. However, the GOP should strive for more electoral ambition, aiming to win elections decisively like Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon did, rather than relying on luck. In the current challenging political climate for Democrats, Republicans have the opportunity to address Electoral College concerns by taking reasonable positions, nominating strong candidates, and winning majorities outright. This involves moving away from voter-fraud conspiracy theories and rejecting divisive politics like the "makers versus takers" narrative of the Tea Party era. For example, Republican primary voters in Georgia should consider choosing Brian Kemp over David Perdue in the gubernatorial primary, and rejecting proposals like tax increases for the working class put forth by Sen. Rick Scott in Florida. And it implies - and I worry that the GOP may not be capable of this - choosing a different candidate than Trump in the 2024 election. The Republican Party could potentially increase its Senate or Electoral College majorities due to its structural advantages even if they win popular majorities. This type of magnification is a common aspect of many democratic systems, not just ours. It is distinct from consistently losing the popular vote but still gaining power. As for how the Democrats should address their disadvantages - that is a more extensive conversation, but two quick points for now. First, if the party wants to address its structural challenges through electoral reforms, it must have a clear understanding of which reforms would be effective. During the Biden era, liberal reformers spent time and energy on voting bills that ultimately failed and would not have significantly benefited the party even if they had passed. A more practical reform idea, such as statehood for the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, would have been more relevant to the Democrats' challenges in the Senate. Therefore, advocating for an expanded Senate may be a more feasible strategy for liberal activists and legislators when the party is in power. Second, if Democrats hope to achieve greater balance in the Senate and Electoral College without structural reforms, they may need to focus on appealing to culturally conservative Latinos and working-class whites who were part of Barack Obama's coalition but have since shifted towards the right. The faction would have two main goals: to stick to a poll-tested economic policy agenda that goes beyond just being business-friendly like many centrist Democrats, and to consistently set itself apart from organized progressivism on cultural and social issues. This differentiation would not be done tactically like some analysts suggest, but rather through principles. It would be important for voters moving towards the right to see that this faction genuinely believes in its moderation and its criticisms of progressive beliefs, and that its members will continue to challenge progressivism even in Washington. Currently, the Democrats have scattered politicians who somewhat fit this description, but they lack a unifying agenda, donors, and intellectuals to support them. However, necessity may soon force the Democratic Party to come together in this way. Copyright 2022 by The New York Times Company. | 2 |
The final version of the sci-fi comedy, which features Adam Sandler and was released by Sony Pictures Entertainment in the United States this week, no longer includes a scene where iconic sites are destroyed by aliens. The Taj Mahal in India, the Washington Monument, and parts of Manhattan are now targeted instead. Sony executives decided to remove the Great Wall scene in order to ensure the movie's approval for release in China, based on internal Sony Pictures emails. This change was one of many made to avoid content that Chinese authorities might view as negative towards their country. Other alterations included removing a scene implicating China in an attack and eliminating a reference to a "Communist-conspiracy brother" hacking a mail server, all in an effort to increase the film's chances of success in China, the world's second-largest box office market. Li Chow, Sony Pictures' chief representative in China, advised against breaking a hole in the Great Wall in a December 2013 email to senior Sony executives. He stated that although it may not be a problem if it is part of a worldwide phenomenon, it is unnecessary and will not benefit the China release. Li's email was among the confidential Sony emails and documents that were hacked and publicly released in late 2014. The US government attributed the breach to North Korea. In April, WikiLeaks made the trove of emails, memos, and presentations from the Sony hack available in an online searchable archive. A spokesperson for Sony Pictures, a subsidiary of Sony Corp based in Tokyo, stated that they will not be making any comments on leaked emails or internal conversations regarding specific content decisions. They emphasized that there are numerous factors involved in determining the best approach for releasing a film, with creating content that appeals to a global audience without compromising creative integrity being a top priority. Requests for comments from Chinese government and film-industry officials were not answered. The leaked emails also showed discussions among studio executives on how to make other movies, such as the 2014 remake of "RoboCop," more acceptable to Chinese authorities. In one email from 2013, Steve Bruno, who was the senior vice president at Sony Pictures Releasing International at the time, suggested moving a fictional weapons company from China to a Southeast Asian country like Vietnam or Cambodia to make the film more appealing. Ultimately, Bruno has left Sony and a viewing of the movie reveals that the proposed change was not implemented. The leaked Sony emails shed light on the extent of self-censorship by one of the world's top movie studios as executives anticipated reactions from Beijing. The messages also highlight Hollywood's increasing reliance on the Chinese market, where box office earnings have risen significantly. In order to secure approval for screenings in China, some studios have made alterations to their films. The comparison between the Chinese and international versions of "Iron Man 3" reveals that a scene featuring a Chinese doctor was extended in the Chinese version and included popular Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. Produced by Marvel Studios, "Iron Man 3" was the second highest-grossing movie in China in 2013, although Marvel declined to comment. In the case of "Pixels," the Sony emails suggest the creation of a single version for all audiences, with a focus on making it China-friendly. Steven O'Dell, president of Sony Pictures Releasing International, discussed the logic behind this decision in a September 12, 2013 email regarding "RoboCop," stating that changing elements to appeal to China should be a simple adjustment. Changing only the China version of a film could lead to criticism from the press when comparisons are made between different versions. This move to appease the Chinese market comes at a time when the Communist Party is cracking down on civil society, with numerous human rights lawyers and dissidents being detained. This illustrates how China's efforts to restrict civil liberties are influencing global entertainment standards. Peter Shiao, founder and CEO of Orb Media Group, noted that studios have become more knowledgeable, especially when it comes to producing global blockbusters, to ensure they are not creating content that would offend the Chinese audience due to social or political reasons. He mentioned Sony's decision to release "The Interview" despite initial concerns and threats, highlighting the issue of self-censorship raised by US President Barack Obama. In his year-end White House press briefing, Obama expressed concern about the potential consequences of allowing intimidation to prevent the release of satirical movies. He warned about the dangers of self-censorship in response to disapproval, emphasizing that America should not compromise its values. Hollywood studios are increasingly drawn to the Chinese box office, as evidenced by the significant growth in box office receipts in China compared to the United States and Canada. China is projected to set a new record for box office receipts in 2015. The action movie "Fast & Furious 7" was the top-grossing film in China by early June 2015, making $383 million, which was more than the $351 million earned in the United States and Canada combined. Following closely behind were "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Jurassic World." The vice president of the China Film Producers' Association, Wang Fenglin, predicted last November that the Chinese film market would surpass the United States to become the largest in the world within three years. This prediction seems to have influenced decisions made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc in the production of their 2012 remake of the action movie "Red Dawn." The studio changed the nationality of the invading soldiers from Chinese to North Korean during post-production, as revealed by Red Dawn producer Tripp Vinson. MGM did not provide any comments in response to requests for clarification. The apparatus of control in China's film industry is overseen by the Film Bureau, led by Zhang Hongsen, a senior Communist Party member. Zhang emphasizes the need to strengthen the Chinese film industry in the face of pressure from foreign films. The Film Bureau is under the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, which reports to the State Council and controls state-owned communications enterprises. Censorship guidelines are outlined in a 2001 order issued by the State Council. The directive prohibits content that poses a threat to China's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as content that damages national honor and disrupts social stability. It also prohibits material that goes against public morality and national traditions. Additionally, the guidelines from SAPPRFT include bans on content that criticizes the government and political figures. This expansion of the guidelines was evident in an email sent by Sanford Panitch last November to Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton, outlining new measures being implemented by SAPPRFT officials. Panitch noted that the officials were now addressing previously unspecified areas such as decadence, fortune telling, hunting, and notably, sexuality. Studios are required to collaborate with China Film Group Corp, a government-owned company responsible for importing and distributing foreign films. China Film Group Corp also occasionally functions as an investor. Sony executives exchanged emails discussing a co-financing agreement in which China Film Group Corp would finance 10 percent of the budget for "Pixels". China Film Group Corp is overseen by La Peikang, a member of the Communist Party and former deputy head of the Film Bureau. Under a revenue-sharing system, a maximum of 34 foreign films can be shown in China each year, with foreign studios receiving 25 percent of box office earnings. The censorship process in China can be unpredictable, as shown in Sony emails. In early 2014, the studio was asked to remove a key but disturbing scene from "RoboCop" for Chinese audiences. The email from international executive Steven O'Dell on January 28, 2014 expressed frustration with the censorship, stating they were trying to shorten the scene where the main character's suit is opened to reveal the remaining human parts. The decision whether or not to make changes to the film is uncertain due to the significant financial implications involved. There is concern that the political climate under President Xi is influencing the decision-making process. Sony executives are debating how to navigate the sensitivities of the Chinese authorities, with one suggesting changes to the script to avoid potential censorship. She wrote that it would be acceptable to show destruction on a global scale, with recognizable historical sites being destroyed in different parts of the world. She also recommended changing a scene where the President, an ambassador, and the head of the CIA speculate about a possible attack by China using unknown technology. In the final version of the movie, they speculate that Russia, Iran, or Google could be responsible. Li suggested mentioning China alongside other superpowers, but not in a way that implies they lack advanced technology. She also advised against portraying China in a negative light due to recent news about hacking incidents. In December 2013, Li proposed removing a scene involving the Great Wall, deeming it unnecessary. Additionally, Sony executives discussed potentially moving a car-chase scene featuring Pac-Man from Tokyo to Shanghai, in hopes of improving the film's release in China. Li Chow warned against moving the Pac-Man action from Tokyo to Shanghai due to potential destruction and sensitivity issues in the city. She expressed concerns about the unwritten rule regarding collateral damage and where the line should be drawn. Ultimately, all mentions of China in the film were removed, a decision that was likely made in early 2014. According to O'Dell, Doug Belgrad appears to be following Li's advice to remove all references to China from the movie Pixels, including the Great Wall. The consequences of not receiving approval to release a film in China are evident in Sony's emails, as seen in the case of Captain Phillips. Sony executives had initially expected to make $120 million globally from the film, but this changed when it was not approved for release in China, resulting in a $9 million loss. In December 2013, Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution at Sony Pictures, emphasized the importance of maximizing revenue in order to achieve objectives. He expressed concern that the film "Captain Phillips" may not be approved by China's censors due to the plot involving the US military rescuing the ship's captain, which could make Chinese officials uncomfortable. Bruer speculated that China would likely not approve the film for censorship. The text suggests that China would not want to promote the idea of a big military machine saving one citizen, as shown in the US film. However, Beijing seems comfortable with the film "Pixels" as it has been approved for release in China. The political tone of the film is accepted by China, and it will be released there on September 15. | 2 |
During a calm first debate at the California presidential library of Ronald Reagan, US Republican White House contenders expressed strong backing for the military mission in Iraq while expressing concerns about the Bush administration's handling of the war. The debate did not have many direct confrontations but did highlight some differences among the 10 candidates on social issues like abortion. Despite this, most of the 2008 candidates emphasized the importance of achieving victory in Iraq, in contrast to the Democratic candidates who recently advocated for a quick end to the war. Arizona Sen John McCain, a strong supporter of the war and President George W. Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq, stated that withdrawing from Iraq would result in chaos, genocide, and potential threats to national security. Rudolph Giuliani, the ex-mayor of New York and the top contender among Republicans in national polls, emphasized the importance of not backing down in the fight against terrorism. However, some candidates expressed concerns about the Bush administration's handling of the war. McCain criticized the management of the war, stating it was poorly handled for four years. Former Arkansas Governor also commented on the issue, pointing out that a significant error in judgment was made by relying too heavily on advice from civilian officials rather than military leaders. Mike Huckabee participated in a debate in California during a difficult time for Republicans, as they had recently lost power in Congress. Polls showed widespread dissatisfaction with President Bush, the Iraq war, and the Republican party as a whole, creating a challenging environment for candidates preparing for the 2008 presidential election. Former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney emphasized the importance of focusing on bringing troops home from Iraq, despite his lower standing in national polls. Romney acknowledged the importance of not abruptly bringing certain issues to the forefront, as it could potentially lead to having to revisit them later on. Many conservatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the Republican candidates, specifically Giuliani for his views on gay and abortion rights, and Romney for his changing stance on these issues. Romney defended his shift on abortion rights by stating it was a genuine change of opinion. The majority of candidates stated they backed the repeal of the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Giuliani expressed his acceptance of abortion but believed it should be a state issue. Virginia Gov James Gilmore supported abortion rights in the early stages of pregnancy, but had implemented restrictions during his time as governor. The debate at the Reagan library prompted candidates to honor Reagan and his conservative values. Nancy Reagan and Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger observed from the front row, but not all candidates agreed with her stance on federal funding for stem cell research. Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, Representatives Tom Tancredo of Colorado, Ron Paul of Texas, and Duncan Hunter of California, as well as former Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin, were also in attendance. | 2 |
He addressed a virtual press conference following the opening of a Global Centre on Adaptation office in Dhaka on Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of sharing the best adaptation strategies among countries, stressing the need for prompt action with pooled expertise and financial resources. Ban, the chairman of GCA, commended Bangladesh for its resilience in the face of disasters, highlighting the successful evacuation efforts during cyclone Amphan amidst the ongoing global discussions on climate change. During his speech at the inauguration, Ban Ki-moon praised Bangladesh as a prime example of successfully addressing climate change. He mentioned that this was a key factor in establishing the office in the country. Referring to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the GCA chairman stated at a press conference that 17 percent of Bangladesh could be submerged if the sea level increases by 1 meter by 2050. He also noted that a UN report warned that even a slight rise in sea level could lead to flooding in Dhaka, underscoring the significant risks that Bangladesh faces as one of the most vulnerable countries to global warming. He stressed the importance of long-term planning, preparedness, understanding potential risks, and education and awareness in addressing the crisis. The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina participated in the opening of the office through a video conference from the Ganabhaban. The Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was also present at the event. | 2 |
Approximately 300 protesters, dressed in white boiler suits, gathered on the red carpet where famous Hollywood stars typically debut their films at the 11-day event. Holding banners with messages such as 'Our home is on fire' and 'No to cruise ships', they sat outside the main festival venue, chanting slogans and drawing the attention of police. One protester, Chiara Buratti, emphasized the importance of addressing the climate crisis, stating that it is more significant than anything else in the world at the moment. The group hoped to gain support from celebrities for their cause. The protesters peacefully dispersed in the afternoon, around 1200 GMT, as Saturday marked the last day of the festival on the Venice Lido, with the announcement of the Golden Lion prize winner scheduled for the evening. Buratti mentioned that the protesters were also organizing a march on a different part of the Lido later in the day. The demonstrators, representing Italian and foreign groups, were participating in a five-day Venice Climate Camp event. Demonstrator Sina Reisch from the German group Ende Gelande stated, "The climate crisis knows no boundaries, so why should we only focus on local issues in our own countries?" She emphasized the importance of recognizing the interconnected nature of various struggles. The protesters received support from musician Mick Jagger and actor Donald Sutherland, who will be attending the red carpet event later to promote their thriller film "The Burnt Orange Heresy." Jagger expressed satisfaction that the younger generation is taking action to protect the planet, noting the current administration's rollback of environmental regulations in the US. Sutherland emphasized the importance of environmental protesters receiving support and urged for political change to ensure a better future for future generations. He stated that they are causing destruction to the world. He acknowledged that we have played a part in this destruction, but emphasized that they are actively ensuring it. | 2 |
Trump's recent decision to potentially end the agreement marked a significant shift in US foreign policy, coming at a time when his administration is already facing a crisis with North Korea over their nuclear ambitions. This move, which followed his executive order aimed at dismantling Obama's healthcare reform, was the second instance in as many days where Trump targeted his predecessor's legacy. Originally praised by Obama for its role in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the deal was also signed by several other countries and the EU. However, Trump criticized the agreement as too lenient on Tehran and expressed concerns about the US Congress potentially altering it or reinstating sanctions on Iran. Trump emphasized the need to avoid escalating violence and terrorism, as well as preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. European allies are concerned about a potential rift with the United States over the nuclear agreement, believing that President Trump's decision to put it on hold undermines America's credibility globally. Trump's "America First" approach has also led to the US withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks, as well as renegotiating NAFTA. In response, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani affirmed Iran's commitment to the deal and criticized Trump for making unfounded claims, stating that Iran will not succumb to foreign pressure. Rouhani emphasized that both Iran and the agreement remain steadfast. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave a televised speech in Tehran on October 13, 2017, according to a handout from President.ir through Reuters. The head of the UN atomic watchdog confirmed that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal and is subject to strict verification. Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated that Iran is fulfilling its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The US president is required by law to certify to Congress every 90 days that Iran is upholding its end of the deal, which President Trump has done twice, albeit reluctantly. Two officials within the administration who were involved in the Iran policy debate revealed that Trump disregarded the opinions of his top officials, such as the secretary of defense, secretary of state, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, chief of staff, and national security advisor. Instead, Trump chose to listen to the more hardline views of CIA Director Mike Pompeo and other outsiders. Trump's decision was criticized by US Democrats, with Senator Ben Cardin stating that it will further isolate the US from its allies and partners, especially during the nuclear crisis with North Korea. In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini emphasized that Washington cannot unilaterally cancel the accord, as it is an essential nuclear agreement that is currently effective. This agreement is not between two parties. The US Congress will have 60 days to determine whether to reintroduce economic sanctions on Tehran that had been removed as part of the deal. If Congress does reinstate the sanctions, the US would be breaking the terms of the nuclear agreement, potentially causing it to collapse. If lawmakers take no action, the deal will continue. Outside the White House, a solitary protester wearing a mask of Donald Trump expresses dissent towards President Trump's decision regarding the Iran nuclear deal and his approach to Iran. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is working to amend a law regarding Iran in order to include "trigger points" that would lead to the automatic reimposition of US sanctions if Tehran crosses them. A single protester, wearing a Donald Trump mask, demonstrated outside the White House in opposition to President Trump's recent announcement about the Iran nuclear deal and his policies towards Iran. According to a source familiar with the issue, the triggers would involve reimposing US sanctions if Iran is believed to be less than a year away from developing a nuclear weapon. These triggers are expected to also address stricter nuclear inspections, Iran's ballistic missile program, and eliminate the "sunset clauses" of the deal, which gradually lift restrictions on Iran's nuclear program over time. Whether Congress will be able to pass this legislation remains uncertain. Trump cautioned that if a resolution cannot be found through collaboration with Congress and allies, the agreement will be ended. He specifically targeted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for sanctions and strongly criticized Tehran for its disruptive actions in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. While the Trump administration condemned the Revolutionary Guards, it refrained from classifying the group as a foreign terrorist organization. The organization holds significant power in Iran's security, political, and economic structures, and has a major influence on both domestic and foreign policies. Despite having been previously sanctioned by the United States, the recent action is expected to have a symbolic rather than immediate impact. The US military announced on Friday that it was looking for new opportunities to collaborate with allies in order to increase pressure on Iran in alignment with Trump's revised strategy. Additionally, they are reassessing the placement of US troops. However, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis noted that Iran had not yet taken any provocative actions in response to Trump's announcement. | 2 |
At a ceremony where no single film stood out, Alejandro Inarritu of Mexico won the best directing Oscar for "The Revenant", making him the first filmmaker in over 60 years to win consecutive Academy Awards. In 2015, Inarritu won for "Birdman." With 12 nominations, "The Revenant" was one of four films considered top contenders for best picture after winning Golden Globe and BAFTA awards. The epic 20th Century Fox film, set in the Pioneer era and filmed in freezing temperatures, also earned Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar, prompting a standing ovation from the Hollywood audience. DiCaprio used his acceptance speech to call for action on climate change, stating, "I do not take tonight for granted." Voters in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected Open Road Films' "Spotlight" as the best picture, a film that follows the Boston Globe's award-winning investigation of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in 2003. The movie also received the award for best original screenplay. Producer Michael Sugar accepted the Oscar for Best Picture and stated that the film gave a voice to survivors, with hopes that the Oscar win would amplify that voice and create a choir of support that reaches all the way to the Vatican. Brie Larson, a rising star at 26 years old, won the best actress award for her role in the indie film "Room," adding to her collection of trophies from other award shows. The Oscars were marked by criticism over the lack of diversity in the acting nominee line-up for the second year in a row, with comedian Rock referring to the event as "the white People's Choice awards." Rock questioned why the issue of diversity in Hollywood had only recently gained attention, suggesting that black Americans in the past had more pressing concerns such as racial violence. In a taped segment, Rock visited the Compton neighborhood in Los Angeles to ask residents if they were familiar with the Oscar-nominated films. No one had any negative feedback. Many nominees praised Rock for effectively addressing a challenging topic. Adam McKay, director and co-writer of "The Big Short," commended Rock for his balanced approach in criticizing Hollywood and discussing diversity. McKay found Rock's performance impressive and humorous. Rock was not the only one highlighting people of color at the Oscars. Alejandro Inarritu, who won Best Director for "The Revenant", expressed gratitude for being at the awards ceremony but acknowledged that many others have not been as fortunate. He hopes that in the future, one's skin color will be as irrelevant as the length of their hair. Mark Rylance surprised many by beating Sylvester Stallone to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Bridge of Spies". Inarritu also praised Stallone, calling him the true winner in his eyes. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a fellow action star, expressed his pride in a short video posted online. Sam Smith's theme song for the James Bond movie "Spectre" was chosen over Lady Gaga's ballad about sexual assault awareness, "Til It Happens to You." Alicia Vikander, a Swedish actress, won the supporting actress Oscar for her role in the transgender movie "The Danish Girl." The documentary "Amy," which focused on the life of British pop star Amy Winehouse, also received an award. "Mad Max: Fury Road" from Warner Bros was the top winner, taking home six Oscars in technical categories like costume, make-up, and editing. | 2 |
In the lush forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin in BELENE, Bulgaria, lies the haunting remnants of a communist-era death camp. Between 1949 and 1959, numerous "enemies of the regime" lost their lives due to beatings, malnutrition, and exhaustion at the Belene concentration camp, where deceased bodies were fed to pigs. Despite the passage of two decades since communism's downfall, Belene has largely faded from memory, with only a small marble plaque recounting its grim history. A sense of nostalgia for the past is on the rise in the small Balkan nation and throughout the former Soviet bloc, as capitalism's shortcomings in improving living standards, establishing the rule of law, and curbing rampant corruption and nepotism have led to a yearning for the days when unemployment was nonexistent, food was affordable, and social security was robust. Rumen Petkov, a 42-year-old former guard who now works as a clerk at the only remaining prison on Persin island, remarked that the negative aspects of the past have been forgotten. He noted that there is a sense of nostalgia, especially among the older population, as he stood in front of the deteriorating buildings of a former jail that was opened on the site after the camp closed in 1959. During the 1980s, the communists imprisoned numerous ethnic Turks on the island for refusing to change their names to Bulgarian. Some young residents of Belene, a town connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also look back fondly on the past, with Anelia Beeva, 31, commenting that life was better before with more opportunities for holidays and access to clothing, shoes, and food. Currently, a significant portion of our earnings is allocated towards food expenses, as individuals with higher education levels are struggling with unemployment and often choose to seek opportunities abroad. In Moscow, a number of Soviet-themed restaurants have emerged, hosting nostalgia nights where individuals don pioneer attire and dance to communist music. Traditional Soviet products like Champagne and Red October Chocolates are still popular choices for birthday festivities, while "USSR" merchandise such as T-shirts and baseball caps are commonly spotted throughout the country during the summer months. While there is little genuine desire for the restoration of old regimes, analysts argue that apathy is a significant consequence. Bulgarian sociologist Vladimir Shopov expressed in the online portal BG History that nostalgia can lead to a lack of motivation for meaningful change. Disenchantment with democracy is widespread across former communist eastern Europe, with pollsters noting a high level of mistrust towards the elites responsible for EU citizenship. A regional poll conducted by the U.S. Pew Research Center in September revealed a significant decline in support for democracy and capitalism in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Hungary. For example, only 30 percent of Ukrainians approved of the shift to democracy in 2009, compared to 72 percent in 1991. In Bulgaria and Lithuania, the percentage of the population affected by the economic downturn decreased from nearly three-quarters in 1991 to just over half. Surveys conducted by the U.S.-based human rights organization Freedom House have revealed a regression or standstill in corruption, governance, independent media, and civil society in the new EU-member states. The global economic crisis has negatively impacted the region, leading to a halt in the growth experienced over the past six or seven years, challenging the effectiveness of neoliberal capitalism advocated by the West. Instead of aspiring to catch up with their wealthy Western neighbors, there is now a growing sense of injustice due to the widening gap between the rich and the poor. In Hungary, one of the countries hit hardest by the economic downturn, a poll conducted by Szonda Ipsos in October showed that 70 percent of adults who lived through the regime change in 1989 were disappointed with the results. People in the former Yugoslav countries, who were affected by the ethnic wars in the 1990s and are still not part of the EU, are feeling nostalgic for the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito. During that time, they were able to travel across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, stated that life was better back then with no street crime, secure jobs, and salaries that provided a decent living. Now, she struggles to survive on her pension of 250 euros ($370 a month). In Bulgaria, some view the 33-year rule of late dictator Todor Zhivkov as a golden era compared to the corruption and crime that followed his downfall. More than 60 percent of people believe they had a better quality of life in the past, despite having to endure shopping queues, relying on social connections to access valuable goods, being unable to wear jeans or drink Coca Cola, and waiting up to 10 years to purchase a car. Some Bulgarians valued security over freedom, according to historians Pantev and Gavrilov. Even after almost three years in the EU, Bulgaria's average monthly salary of around 300 euros and pension of about 80 euros are the lowest in the region. In comparison, Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, also have lower incomes than countries in western Europe. Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania were ranked among the top 10 most discontented countries in the world in a 2008 Gallup survey. "Our parents' generation was content with what they had, unlike the current trend of always wanting more," said Zsofia Kis, a 23-year-old student in Budapest, discussing how communist regimes kept unemployment artificially low. After years of difficult reforms, most people are now unwilling to make further sacrifices necessary for a complete overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has led to demoralization and increased support for political parties promising a strong leadership. This trend is not without justification. Former KGB agent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union as the most significant geopolitical disaster of the century. Critics of the Kremlin claim that there is a gradual rehabilitation of the Soviet Union in order to justify the government's restrictions on media and opposition parties. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group believes that there is an idealization of the Soviet past happening deliberately, with an attempt to portray the Soviet authorities in a positive light to the younger generation. In Bulgaria, powerful individuals known as oligarchs, who dominate various sectors of the economy, have risen from the ranks of the former communist party and its feared secret services. The names of dishonest politicians and criminal leaders are widely known, yet Bulgaria has not successfully prosecuted any high-ranking officials for corruption and has only imprisoned one gang leader since 1989. No one has been held accountable for the atrocities committed during the communist era. Common terms among ordinary Bulgarians include "dalavera," a Turkish term for fraud, "mutri," a derogatory term for unsavory mafia figures, and "mente," which refers to counterfeit goods. Many people are becoming disillusioned with the idea that success can be achieved through honest and ethical means. Boriana Dimitrova from Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research stated that success is seen as illegal, especially in the Balkans, where powerful parallel structures of authority exist. Many believe that while the old regime was oppressive, it at least maintained law and order. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of the center-right populist GERB party won a decisive victory in the July Bulgarian election by promising to end the culture of impunity. Analysts believe that only populist governments can thrive in the region due to public discontent and economic downturn. According to Ivan Krastev of Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute, the level of distrust towards the political elite and institutions is so high that it is difficult to convince people to cooperate under unpopular governments. Critics in Bulgaria believe that the West is being hypocritical by accepting former communist officials into positions of power, such as the election of Bulgarian Irina Bokova as head of UNESCO. Bokova's past as a communist apparatchik and her ties to Moscow have raised questions about the West's supposed values. Despite this, some eastern Europeans feel that they have successfully adopted capitalist ideals, particularly in terms of materialism. A significant portion of the loans acquired during the prosperous years was used for luxury items such as cars, yachts, TVs, clothes, surgeries, and vacations. The trend of adopting foreign customs extended to naming babies after Western names and showcasing reality shows like "Big Brother" on television. "Bulgaria is undergoing Americanization," noted Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, residing in Paris. Manev expressed frustration with the prevalence of English language and Americanized names in Bulgaria, questioning the loss of the country's own identity. He observed that despite the outward appearance of new buildings, shops, and shiny cars, people seem to be experiencing increased sadness, aggression, and unhappiness. He suggested that spiritual remedies may be needed. This autumn, tickets for Sofia's theaters are selling out weeks in advance, which is a rare occurrence in recent years. | 2 |
Ardem Patapoutian and David Julius were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine on Monday. Giorgio Parisi, Syukuro Manabe, and Klaus Hasselmann won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on chaotic climate. Benjamin List and David MacMillan received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their development of a molecule building tool. Tanzanian novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah, aged 72, became the second writer of color in sub-Saharan Africa to win the Nobel Prize for Literature on Wednesday. Toni Morrison was the last Black recipient of the prize in 1993. Anne-Marie Morhed, head of the Swedish Association of Female Academics, noted that Gurnah meets the criteria of a writer from a non-traditional cultural background, but he is not a woman. There are two prizes still available - the Peace Prize and the Economy Prize - that the Norwegian Nobel committee can award to honor a woman. Exiled Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Greta Thunberg are among the women being considered for the Nobel Peace Prize, which will be announced in Norway on Friday. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is mostly comprised of women, with a woman leading the committee. This is similar to the previous committee, which was also led by a woman and had a majority of women members. In recent years, there has been a strong effort to diversify the recipients of prestigious prizes, such as the Nobel Prize, to include individuals who are not just white men from North America and Western Europe, a trend that was more common in previous decades. Professor Winston Morgan, a toxicologist at the University of East London, has noted that while there have been a dozen Black peace laureates in the history of the Nobel Prize, there has never been a Black recipient in the fields of medicine, chemistry, and physics. Morgan also highlighted the significant gender gap among prize winners, with very few female recipients compared to the overall population. Many scientists, both male and female, have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the lack of women recognized for these prestigious awards. GenderAvenger, a non-profit organization committed to promoting women's voices in public discussions, criticized the Nobel Prize for announcing winners in four out of six categories with no women included. They questioned whether the 2021 Nobel Prize story is that only men are deserving of recognition, when in fact women are also making significant contributions. Some, like Ellie Murray, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health, expressed disappointment that this year's awards failed to acknowledge the important work of Katalin Kariko and Kizzmekia Corbett, who played crucial roles in developing mRNA vaccines that are revolutionizing the fight against the pandemic. Nobel experts believe that Kariko and Corbett may be recognized in the future, as the committee typically rewards recipients after some time has passed. The Nobel prize has specific criteria and traditions that are difficult to deviate from. Morgan suggested that the committee may acknowledge scientific advancements during the pandemic in a few years. He also noted an increase in the number of female scientists and scientists from Japan and China receiving Nobel prizes, but expressed concern about the lack of recognition for Black scientists following a similar trajectory. He expressed more concern about the number of black scientists in universities and whether they are receiving enough support. When asked about the lack of Black Nobel Prize winners in literature, Gurnah mentioned that the world is evolving. Jesper Haeggstrom, chairman of the Nobel Assembly for Physiology or Medicine, stated that the history of under-representation of women in science is reflected in the lack of female prize winners. Haeggstrom refused to disclose if gender influenced the committee's selection process, emphasizing that scientific competence is the main criteria. Critics argue that the composition of the selection committees, such as the low percentage of women on the medicine selection committee and the lack of gender diversity in the physics committee, raises concerns about potential bias. The chemistry committee is made up of six male members and two additional co-opted members who are both women. | 2 |
The prime minister encouraged the public to plant additional trees as she launched the 'National Tree Plantation Campaign' at Ganabhaban on Saturday. She emphasized the importance of World Environment Day and urged everyone in the country to plant trees whenever possible. She suggested planting three trees at a time for maximum impact. If you are unable to plant more than one tree, then at least plant one. Emphasizing the threat of climate change, the leader of the Awami League called for efforts to create a more environmentally friendly Bangladesh. She also discussed the government's efforts towards afforestation, expressing hope that these measures will further improve Bangladesh's progress now that it has achieved developing nation status. "Our afforestation efforts have been quite successful, resulting in a 22 percent increase in forest cover." Additionally, the prime minister noted that many families in the country are now cultivating their own gardens as awareness grows about the advantages of a green environment. Trees offer numerous benefits to our lives. I encourage everyone to prioritize protecting the environment and their financial stability by planting trees on a large scale. | 2 |
Cuba has agreed to release seven of the 59 dissidents who have been imprisoned since 2003, a decision that critics of Fidel Castro see as a sign of change under his brother's leadership. The releases were negotiated by Spain on humanitarian grounds and were announced by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos. The Cuban government made the decision unilaterally after discussions with Spain, and four of the dissidents will be sent to Spain with their families for medical treatment. These four individuals have been transferred to the Combinado del Este prison in Havana from various jails across Cuba. Omar Pernet, Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, Alejandro Gonzalez, and Pedro Pablo Alvarez are the individuals mentioned. Alvarez, who is 60 years old, stated in a telephone interview with Reuters from prison that he hopes there will be more releases besides theirs. He mentioned that they are all doing well and have been treated well. Alvarez also mentioned that they are unsure of when they will be released, as it could be either today or tomorrow. The dissidents were detained in a political crackdown directed by Cuban leader Fidel Castro in March 2003, which resulted in the imprisonment of 75 of his opponents with sentences of up to 28 years. Sixteen individuals had already been released on health grounds. Economist Oscar Espinosa Chepe, one of the freed dissidents, viewed the recent releases as a positive move by acting President Raul Castro, who has been in charge of Cuba since Fidel Castro fell ill in July 2006. Espinosa Chepe believes that the Cuban government and reformist factions within it are taking a rational step towards change. He stated that the releases of political prisoners in Cuba indicate a changing climate and will be beneficial for that change. Another critic, Manuel Cuesta Morua, pointed out that Raul Castro's government is responding to international requests for improved human rights in Cuba. Morua also highlighted that Spain's strategy of dialogue with Cuba's communist government, supported by the European Union, is yielding concrete results. According to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights, the number of political prisoners in Cuba decreased from 283 in 2006 to 234 in 2007, suggesting a decrease in the number of people imprisoned for political reasons since Raul Castro assumed power. Last year, Cuba released its longest-serving political prisoner, Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez, who had spent over 13 years in jail for his activism. Morua mentioned that additional prisoners will likely be released as Havana gets ready to sign the U.N. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and a comparable agreement on economic and social rights in the upcoming month. This commitment would require Cuba to permit regular monitoring of its human rights situation by the U.N. starting in 2009. The Cuban government does not grant the International Red Cross entry to its prisons, claiming that it does not detain any political prisoners and instead characterizes dissenters as "counter-revolutionary mercenaries" funded by the United States. | 2 |
The program known as "Countering Violent Extremism," or CVE, is reportedly going to be renamed to "Countering Islamic Extremism" or "Countering Radical Islamic Extremism." This change would align with President Trump's campaign rhetoric and criticism of former President Obama for not using the term "radical Islam." The program focuses on deterring groups or individuals who may carry out attacks through community partnerships, educational programs, and counter-messaging campaigns with companies like Google and Facebook. Some supporters of the program are concerned that rebranding it could hinder the government's ability to work with Muslims who are already hesitant to trust the new administration, especially after the recent travel ban executive order targeting predominantly Muslim countries. However, the CVE program, which targets US residents and is distinct from a military campaign against extremism online, has faced criticism, even from some of its supporters, who consider it ineffective. An individual who has collaborated closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the program revealed that members of the Trump transition team met with a CVE task force in December and suggested changing the program's name and focus. During a recent meeting attended by senior staff for DHS Secretary John Kelly, government employees were questioned about their selection of community organizations to receive CVE program grants. Despite Congress appropriating funding for CVE and grant recipients being notified during the final days of the Obama administration, the money may not be distributed as Kelly is currently reviewing the situation. The department declined to comment on the matter. The White House did not provide a response to a request for comment. Some Republicans in Congress have criticized the program, arguing that using the term "radical Islam" would help deter violent attacks, while others believe it would alienate peaceful Muslim Americans. Community groups have also been cautious about the program, fearing it could be used for surveillance by law enforcement. Hoda Hawa, from the Muslim Public Affairs Council, was informed by people within the Department of Homeland Security that there was a shift in focus from all violent ideologies to specifically Islamist extremism in the CVE effort. She expressed concern about the targeting of a religious group and putting it under suspicion. According to a source, a name change was mentioned by a DHS official. Other sources, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned discussions about the plans but could not confirm if they were finalized. The Obama administration worked on building relationships with community groups for counterterrorism efforts. In 2016, Congress allocated $10 million for CVE efforts, and DHS granted the first round of funds on Jan. 13, a week before Trump took office. Approved recipients included local governments, city police departments, universities, and non-profit organizations, as well as groups dedicated to countering Islamic State recruitment in the United States. Grants were also given to organizations like Life After Hate, which works to rehabilitate former neo-Nazis and other domestic extremists. Recent violent incidents, such as the shooting at an African-American church in South Carolina and attacks in California, Florida, and New York, have been attributed to radical ideologies. One grant recipient, Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities, a Michigan-based group led by Lebanese-Americans, declined a $500,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security, though they did not provide further comment. The email sent last Thursday stated that due to the current political situation and reasons for worry, LAHC has decided to refuse the award. This decision was made before Trump's immigration order was issued, a move that sparked criticism domestically and internationally for being discriminatory against Muslims, although the White House claimed it was meant to safeguard the American population from potential terrorist threats posed by foreign individuals. | 2 |
During a staff meeting livestreamed on his Facebook page, Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, stated that within the next decade, around half of the company's 48,000 employees may work from home. He acknowledged the impact of COVID on our lives, including the way we work, and predicted that remote work will continue to grow in popularity. This decision by Facebook, the first of its kind among major tech companies, marks a significant change from the traditional business culture of large office spaces. In the past, tech companies have incentivized employees to stay in the office with perks such as shuttle buses, cafeterias, and personal services. If other companies follow suit, there may be a shift in tech employment away from expensive hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and New York. The ability to work remotely from home may give tech workers more incentive to consider living in other parts of the country if they find their salaries are not enough to purchase a home in San Francisco or San Jose. Mark Zuckerberg recently made a similar announcement to allow employees to work from home, following decisions made by Twitter and Square, led by Jack Dorsey. Google has allowed employees to work from home until the end of the year, but has not made any permanent plans. It is clear that remote work is gaining popularity among technology professionals. Following Dorsey's announcement, there was a significant increase in Google searches for "Twitter jobs," as reported by Google Trends. Aaron Levie, the CEO of Box, a business technology company, stated on Twitter that the shift towards remote work is just as revolutionary for the tech industry as the introduction of the iPhone over a decade ago. Tech leaders have long valued face-to-face communication as a key factor in fostering creativity and innovation in product development. These beliefs were reflected in the elaborate campuses of major tech companies like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Even before the pandemic, large tech companies were already looking to expand beyond their main offices, following in the footsteps of older companies such as Intel. For example, Amazon plans to open a second headquarters in Virginia, a move that could be expedited due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Robert Silverman, a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, before the pandemic, there was a focus on bringing employees to work sites and creating affordable housing in the tech sector. However, with the current situation, there may be a shift in this trend. The exodus of employees from major urban tech hubs, along with layoffs, could have significant local effects. For instance, housing prices in the Bay Area have decreased since the start of the pandemic, as reported by Zumper. Rental prices decreased by 7% in San Francisco and 15% in Menlo Park, where Facebook is located. Mark Zuckerberg has been concerned about the productivity of employees working remotely, and previously offered cash bonuses to those living within 10 miles of headquarters. Facebook recently expanded its main campus with new offices designed by Frank Gehry, including a large roof garden. The company also leased a 43-story office tower in San Francisco last year and is currently discussing expanding its office space in New York. In March, due to the coronavirus lockdown, companies had to send employees home. Tech companies like Facebook cleared out their offices before local shelter-in-place orders were issued. Now, over two months later, executives are finding that their remote workers exceeded expectations in performance. Zuckerberg noted that employees stayed focused while working from home. Facebook will first let new senior engineers work remotely, then allow current employees to request to work from home if they have good performance reviews. Beginning in January, Facebook will be adjusting employee compensation based on the cost of living in the areas where they reside. Facebook will verify employees' locations by monitoring where they log in to internal systems. Mark Zuckerberg believes that this change will be more advantageous than problematic for the company. By allowing remote work, Facebook can enhance recruitment efforts, keep valuable employees, lessen the environmental impact of commuting, and increase the diversity of its workforce. Currently, Facebook, Square, and Twitter are leading the way in this more progressive approach compared to other companies in the industry. Most of their work involves software coding, which can be managed from a distance. Unlike Apple, where many employees are hardware engineers who require access to the company's lab due to the strict secrecy surrounding its products. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, announced in April that the main office in Silicon Valley would remain closed until at least June, with no further updates. Startups may struggle with managing a remote workforce, as being in Silicon Valley provides access to a large pool of talented workers, despite the potential cost savings of allowing employees to live in the Midwest. Many venture capitalists, mainly located in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, prefer the companies they invest in to be nearby. Snap, a Los Angeles-based company known for Snapchat, allows employees to work from home until September. CEO Evan Spiegel mentioned in an interview that he continually evaluates the situation and takes advice from health authorities on when to reopen. Spiegel emphasized the importance of flexibility in a rapidly changing environment, as people desire certainty during uncertain times. | 2 |
President Barack Obama responded to critics who claim he has not achieved much in his first nine months in office, stating that he is just beginning. He has been facing criticism from both liberals and conservatives, with some wanting him to do more for causes like gay rights and others accusing him of taking too long to make decisions regarding US troops in Afghanistan. A skit on "Saturday Night Live" recently highlighted this criticism, with an actor portraying Obama jokingly stating that he has accomplished nothing so far. The criticism has grown over the past year, especially after Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Some sympathetic commentators even deemed it premature. Obama, on his first visit as president to assess Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, acknowledged that progress had been made in the US economy and healthcare system overhaul was within reach. He emphasized that he never expected his work to be easy, despite some reporters questioning why he hadn't solved world hunger yet. He asked why everyone hadn't done it yet, despite it being nine months since he mentioned it. He acknowledged that he never claimed it would be easy and reminded the crowd of what he had said during the campaign. I mentioned that change can be difficult, especially when it is a significant change. Obama seemed to be referring to Republicans who are against Democratic healthcare plans, accusing them of obstructing progress. Obama stated that he is just beginning and addressed the question of why some people dislike him. The town-hall meeting highlighted the political divide in America, with some in the crowd booing when Democratic Obama introduced Republican rising star Bobby Jindal. Despite this, Obama praised Jindal as a dedicated politician. A young boy named Terence Scott asked Obama why people hate him, to which Obama responded that not everyone does, as he did receive many votes when elected as president. Obama mentioned that recently on television, it appears that everyone is constantly angry. He attributed this to politics and Americans' worries about job security and healthcare. He acknowledged that when times are difficult, some blame will inevitably be directed towards him, but he emphasized that he is resilient. | 2 |
Richard Lord, a commercial litigator and observer of Oxfam's mock climate tribunal, stated that insurance companies have the potential to encourage more environmentally friendly behavior. Lord, who specializes in insurance claims and has over 20 years of experience, believes that industries are ahead of governments when it comes to addressing climate change. He emphasized that industries are more aware of climate change and have taken more responsible actions, driven by pressure from their shareholders. Activists and regulators are both putting pressure on insurance companies, who are taking the issue very seriously according to Lord, a lawyer at Brick Court Chambers in London. His recent work settling claims for Hurricane Katrina victims has shown him that insurance companies are fully aware of the risks they face. Lord stated that insurance companies are actively interested in comprehending the risks associated with climate change and litigation in order to fully grasp the consequences. For example, if a homeowner faces increased premiums for insuring a house in a flood-prone area, they are more likely to question the reasoning behind it. Lord explained that insurers gather detailed information to better understand risks, which in turn affects people's behavior. He also pointed out that the insurance industry, being larger than oil, gas, or other traditionally large sectors, could wield significant influence globally. "In fact, it is the economic power of insurers that truly supports a substantial portion of commercial activity." The commercial litigator who came to observe the tribunal was hesitant to comment on the issue due to his lack of familiarity with Bangladesh laws. He emphasized that he was not an environmental or human rights lawyer, noting that litigation was a somewhat blunt tool to address climate change. However, he acknowledged that as the problem worsens and the consequences are not recognized by many, people will find different ways to address climate change. He found it interesting that atmospheric trust litigation, which he described as still in its infancy, applies ancient principles traditionally used for natural assets like water to assets of fundamental importance to society as a whole. However, Lord stated that he was not aware of any cases of climate litigation. He noted that many countries include the right to a clean environment in their constitutions either directly or indirectly through human rights or general rights. Lord also mentioned that while the issues in Bangladesh are emotionally moving, they lack compelling evidence based on scientific research to establish cause and effect. Therefore, the litigator explained that transitioning from a mock tribunal to a real tribunal raises complex issues. He stated that the hypothetical defendant, such as the Bangladesh government, could argue that they are already taking significant steps to combat climate change by pointing out their low carbon footprint of 200 kilograms per person compared to 8600 kilograms for each British citizen. Conversely, in a legal dispute between nations, the hypothetical defendant, likely a developed country, could deny any historical responsibility by claiming their development mirrors that of Bangladesh. He expressed uncertainty about the possibility of Bangladesh authorities suing a country like the United States. This uncertainty has led people to address the issue indirectly by blocking permits, seeking injunctions, or demanding environmental impact assessments for certain entities, which can also lead to positive changes. | 2 |
Yatri Motorcycles, a startup, is launching sleek e-motorbikes in Nepal with the belief that they can help convert people to electric vehicles. The company aims to help clean up the country's polluted air, save money, reduce petrol imports, and contribute to achieving climate goals. Founder Ashim Pandey stated that it is inevitable that battery technology will eventually make internal combustion engines obsolete. Many countries are working on developing affordable, low-emission vehicles in response to the growing threat of global warming. Despite Nepal's pledge in the 2015 Paris Agreement to have 20% electric vehicles by 2020, they currently only have 1%, according to the Climate Action Tracker website. Nepal, despite being a small contributor to global carbon emissions, is experiencing a rise in emissions due to increased imports of petrol and diesel vehicles and fossil fuel consumption. The government has ambitious plans to transition to electric vehicles by reducing taxes and customs duties on imports and increasing the number of charging stations. However, progress has been slow, even though there is a commitment to have electric vehicles make up 90% of all private passenger vehicle sales by 2030. Currently, Nepal has approximately 700 electric cars, 5,000 electric scooters, and 40,000 electric rickshaws, according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Nepal. WORLD-CLASS Yatri Motorcycles was established in 2017 with the goal of creating high-quality electric vehicles in Nepal. Pandey stated that they are exploring markets outside of Nepal and aiming to export advanced technology and capital goods instead of traditional handicrafts. Pandey, who studied aerospace engineering in The Netherlands and designed hydrogen-powered race cars at Delft University of Technology, has an ambitious 10-year plan. In 2019, he launched Project Zero, a premium motorbike with various modern features such as a digital dashboard, 4G connectivity, keyless start, a range of 240km, and a maximum speed of 140km/h that can recharge in two hours. It surpasses most two-wheelers currently on the market, which are manufactured in China and India, offering greater range and speed. However, it comes at a higher cost of almost 2,000,000 Nepalese rupees ($16,797) - nearly seven times the price of a petrol motorbike. Yatri recently introduced a more budget-friendly option, Project One, priced at 500,000 rupees, which garnered 50 orders in just one week. According to Pandey, the initial price is expected to decrease as production scales up. Yatri is on track to achieve their goal of selling 200 units in 2021. Motorcycles play a crucial role in the transition to electric vehicles in Nepal, as they constitute 80% of registered vehicles and offer commuters a more affordable alternative to the overcrowded and chaotic public buses. E-motorbikes alone cannot reduce carbon emissions in Nepal's transportation sector, as trucks, cars, vans, and buses are the top three emitters according to government figures. Yatri's long-term aim is to introduce e-vans and e-buses for fleet operators by the end of the decade to address this issue. The key to solving urban mobility challenges lies in creating a safe, comfortable, and attractive public transportation system that efficiently utilizes space. Nepal has a history of trying out e-vehicles, such as trolleybuses from China in the 1970s and Safa Tempos from the USAID in the 1990s. However, the electric buses failed due to mismanagement and the Safa Tempos lost out to diesel vehicles because of their inefficient batteries. The government plans to reintroduce electric vehicles with the purchase of 300 electric buses. A key challenge in increasing e-vehicle sales is the lack of charging stations, according to Manish Pandey, a popular YouTuber who travels around Nepal on a motorbike. Pandey had planned to film a long-distance trip on an e-scooter six months ago, but had to cancel due to the lack of charging stations. He mentioned that there were no charging stations along the route and the limited range of electric vehicles prevented him from finishing the journey. He stated that due to the current lack of charging stations, he would not opt for an electric motorbike. He also highlighted the high cost of the vehicles as a significant barrier to persuading regular motorcyclists to switch to environmentally friendly options. He added that in a country like Nepal with limited environmental awareness and financial resources, the price of the vehicle is often prioritized over its eco-friendly technology. | 2 |
South Africa has called on Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law and the rights of opposition leaders amidst global concern over the treatment of detained opposition figures. Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad expressed South Africa's concern and urged the Zimbabwean government to respect the rights of all citizens and political leaders. Additionally, Pahad appealed to opposition leaders to create a conducive environment for resolving the current challenges in Zimbabwe. South Africa has traditionally pursued a policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards President Robert Mugabe, believing that public confrontation could be counterproductive. Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), along with many others, was arrested on Sunday for trying to protest against Mugabe's leadership. Tsvangirai and the group went to court on Tuesday but were quickly taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries allegedly suffered while in police custody. Pahad stated that South Africa will persist in collaborating with all parties in Zimbabwe to promote dialogue among political groups. | 2 |
Greenpeace has urged India to prohibit the use of incandescent light bulbs and opt for more energy-efficient lighting options in order to reduce the nation's greenhouse gas emissions by four percent. India is currently one of the top five polluters in the world and its carbon emissions are expected to triple by 2050 due to rapid economic development and population growth. Therefore, it is crucial for India to focus on improving energy efficiency. One method to address this issue is by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which consume less energy and can reduce emissions by four percent. If greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled, temperatures could increase by 1.8 to 4.0 degrees Celsius in the 21st century. The Indian subcontinent is predicted to be heavily impacted by global warming, leading to more frequent and severe natural disasters, increased disease, and hunger. Despite being more expensive, CFLs use 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, ultimately saving money for households and industries. Lighting accounts for 20 percent of electricity consumption in India, and switching to CFLs could help meet the country's growing power demands. In February, Australia made the announcement that it would be the initial country to prohibit light bulbs, stating that they would be gradually eliminated within three years. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the mercury content in CFLs, warning that their disposal could pose significant health risks due to the toxicity of this heavy metal. Despite this, global demand for CFLs remains low, making up just 10 percent of the world's market for light sources. Greenpeace reported that India uses 640 million incandescent light bulbs annually, compared to only 12 million CFLs. | 2 |
In spite of significant economic and social changes in the country, the ruling party led by Nguyen Phu Trong has become increasingly intolerant of criticism. Since his re-election in 2016, there has been a crackdown on dissidents and activists, resulting in the arrest, detention, or conviction of at least 16 individuals this year for posting anti-government content on Facebook. An additional 12 political prisoners are currently in custody on similar charges. Pham Van Diep, a 54-year-old activist from Thanh Hoa province, was sentenced to nine years in prison for spreading false information that defamed the Communist Party and the Vietnamese government, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The agency claimed that Diep's actions led to misunderstandings among Facebook users and residents regarding the party and government policies. The posts were published on Facebook between April 2014 and June 2019. In 2016, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison in Laos for distributing anti-Vietnamese literature. Diep is the third person to be imprisoned this month. Another person, a music teacher, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on November 15 for similar anti-government posts on Facebook. A 38-year-old man was also imprisoned for broadcasting 33 live video sessions, which aimed to incite protests during national holidays, according to the court. In a separate case, a 54-year-old architect was jailed for a year for posting anti-government content on Facebook. Facebook is widely used in Vietnam for e-commerce and for expressing political dissent. It was reported in May that there has been a significant increase in the amount of content restricted in Vietnam compared to the last half of 2018. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on Hanoi to stop cracking down on an independent publisher and criticized the restrictions on freedom of expression that have led to people being arrested and jailed for speaking out. The groups stated that this crackdown has intensified the atmosphere of fear in Vietnam. | 2 |
The Venerable Ambalangoda Sumedhananda Thero, the abbot, appeared unfazed by the explosion as he dismissed the mosquitoes surrounding him in the night air of Gintota, a town in southern Sri Lanka. He continued to express his beliefs that Muslims were violent and rapacious, asserting that their goal was to acquire all of the land and valuables that they covet. He mentioned examples of what he believed were Buddhist lands that had been destroyed by Islam, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, and Indonesia. Shortly after, a member of the monastic staff entered the room and confirmed that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at a mosque nearby. The abbot waved his fingers and shrugged, focusing on his duty to the Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka rather than the minority Muslim population. A demonstration in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's actions in Myanmar was organized by a Buddhist monk on October 14, 2017. Influenced by influential monks, Buddhists have become more militant, seeing themselves as spiritual warriors defending their faith against external threats. Inspired by influential and charismatic monks like Sumedhananda Thero, Buddhists have embraced a militant tribalism, positioning themselves as spiritual defenders who must protect their faith from external threats. This sentiment has been evident in demonstrations, such as one in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's handling of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar in 2017. Despite being the majority in countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar, some Buddhists, particularly followers of the Theravada tradition, feel a sense of grievance and believe they are facing an existential threat, particularly from certain violent factions within Islam. As Buddhism and Islam come into conflict, some Buddhists are straying from the peaceful principles of their religion. In recent years, there have been violent attacks by Buddhist mobs against minority Muslim communities. Nationalist Buddhist leaders are using extremist monks to gain support. The imam of the Hillur Mosque in Gintota, Sri Lanka, which was targeted by Buddhist mobs in 2017, noted that there has been a shift in attitude towards Muslims among some Buddhists, with monks spreading messages of exclusion and hostility. "But where can we possibly go? This is our place of residence." In Sri Lanka last month, a prominent Buddhist monk went on a hunger strike, leading to the resignation of all nine Muslim ministers in the Cabinet. The monk had insinuated that Muslim politicians played a role in the Easter Sunday attacks carried out by Islamic State-affiliated militants on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of over 250 individuals. Monks are seen praying at the Bengala monastery in Yangon, Myanmar, on October 4, 2017. Encouraged by a politically influential group of charismatic monks, Buddhists have embraced a militant tribalism mindset, positioning themselves as spiritual soldiers tasked with safeguarding their faith against external threats. In Myanmar, a significant number of Muslims have been forced to leave the country due to ethnic cleansing. Despite Muslims making up less than 5% of the population, Buddhist monks continue to warn of an Islamic threat. Buddhist mobs attacked Islamic prayer halls during Ramadan celebrations, causing worshippers to flee. Charismatic monks have incited Buddhists to adopt a militant tribalism mindset, portraying themselves as spiritual warriors defending their faith. Despite Buddhism's peaceful reputation, it is now associated with sectarian aggression in Myanmar. No single religion can claim to be the sole source of peace, as even Buddhists have engaged in warfare. According to anthropologist Mikael Gravers, Buddhist monks may denounce violence yet still believe in defending Buddhism or Buddhist nations through any necessary means. In Myanmar, thousands rallied in support of Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist monk known for his extremist views, as he praised the country's military. The Rohingya crisis has resulted in over 700,000 refugees fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh since August 2017. The army and its allies conducted a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims, involving slaughter, rape, and the destruction of their villages. Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist monk, has rejected the peaceful teachings of Buddhism and praised military-linked lawmakers as protectors of the country and religion. He criticized the International Criminal Court for pursuing a case against Myanmar's military for their persecution of the Rohingya. In Sri Lanka, a Buddhist bows before Sitagu Sayadaw, a respected Buddhist leader from Myanmar. Motivated by influential monks, Buddhists have transitioned into a period of aggressive tribalism, viewing themselves as spiritual soldiers tasked with protecting their religion from external threats. During an interview with The New York Times, Ashin Wirathu declared his readiness to take up arms if the ICC were to intervene. In Sri Lanka, a Buddhist pays homage to Sitagu Sayadaw, a highly esteemed Buddhist leader from Myanmar, illustrating the influence of charismatic monks in inciting this militant mindset among followers. Monks like Ashin Wirathu are on the extreme side of Buddhist nationalism, but more respected clerics, including 82-year-old Venerable Ashin Nyanissara, are also involved. Known as Sitagu Sayadaw, he is Myanmar's most influential monk. In front of army officers, he stated that "Muslims have almost bought the United Nations" and that the army and monkhood are inseparable. Sitagu Sayadaw was seen on a Facebook page linked to the Myanmar military in May, smiling among soldiers, showing his support for the national cause by offering an army of spiritual soldiers. "He informed the commander of Myanmar’s armed forces that there are more than 400,000 monks in Myanmar and if needed, he could instruct them to take action. This influential figure's remarks, even if critical of a particular group, carry weight and can incite hatred, according to Khin Mar Mar Kyi, a social anthropologist at the University of Oxford who is originally from Myanmar. Following the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka by suicide bombers affiliated with the Islamic State, Buddhist nationalists felt validated in their warnings about the threat posed by Muslim extremists to national security, as stated by Dilanthe Withanage, a senior official with Bodu Bala Sena, the largest Buddhist nationalist organization in Sri Lanka." Withanage accused the government of having blood on its hands for disregarding the radicalization of Islam. Following a period of moderate coalition governance, there is now a resurgence of a blend of faith and tribalism in Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defense chief and the top contender for the upcoming presidential elections, is leading this movement. He has promised to safeguard the country's religion with the oldest continuous Buddhist heritage and is committed to reviving Sri Lanka's security apparatus, established during the lengthy civil war with the ethnic Tamil minority. From 2005 to 2015, Sri Lanka was under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the brother of Rajapaksa, who was known for his strong nationalist views and justification of the brutal end to the civil war by positioning himself as the country's spiritual savior. During this time, temples displayed images of the Rajapaksa brothers and money was allocated to radical Buddhist groups that incited sectarian violence resulting in the deaths of Muslims. One of the leaders of Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist extremist group, was granted valuable land in Colombo to build a Buddhist cultural center. The national telecom service even included Bodu Bala Sena's theme song in their collection of ringtones. Last year, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, the leader of Bodu Bala Sena, was sentenced to six years in prison. However, he was granted a presidential pardon in late May due to changing political circumstances. Recently, he led a meeting of numerous monks who aim to have a strong political impact in the upcoming elections. Before being imprisoned, Gnanasara Thero emphasized the historical role of Buddhists in protecting Buddhism for 2,500 years. "It is now our responsibility, like the monks in Myanmar, to defend our peaceful island against Islam." (©2019 New York Times News Service) | 2 |
In 2016, the Arizona-based mining company Freeport-McMoRan made a deal to sell a site in Congo, which plays a significant role in China's control over the global cobalt supply. Cobalt is a crucial raw material for electric car batteries, essential for phasing out combustion engines and reducing reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. Perriello, a high-ranking US diplomat in Africa at the time, raised concerns within the State Department about this deal. Kapanga, the Congolese general manager of the mine, urged the American ambassador in Congo to intervene, warning that the Americans were jeopardizing years of relationship-building in Congo, the primary source of over two-thirds of the world's cobalt. Presidents starting from Dwight D Eisenhower had provided significant aid, including military equipment, to the mineral-rich nation, with interventions from Richard Nixon and the State Department under Hillary Clinton to maintain the relationship. Freeport-McMoRan had also invested billions before selling the mine to a Chinese company. The Chinese purchase of the Tenke Fungurume mine occurred during the Obama administration, and four years later, China Molybdenum also purchased a large cobalt reserve from Freeport-McMoRan during the Trump presidency. China’s strategic acquisition of Congo’s cobalt reserves has given it a significant advantage over the United States in the competition to dominate the electric vehicle industry. However, an investigation by The New York Times uncovered a history of cobalt deals in which the US failed to protect its interests, ultimately allowing China to control the resources. Perriello, a former government official, was made aware of the plan to sell Tenke Fungurume in 2016 and believed that American ownership would benefit both the US and the Congolese people. Freeport-McMoRan received positive feedback for their operations in Congo, including providing employment for thousands of locals, constructing schools, health care clinics, and supplying drinking water. Former assistant secretary of state Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is now the US ambassador to the UN, was approached by Perriello for advice on keeping the mine under American ownership. Perriello also brought up the issue with the National Security Council. Despite the positive impact of Freeport-McMoRan's operations, the only potential buyers were Chinese companies, highlighting the importance of taking action. Kathleen L Quirk, president of Freeport-McMoRan, stated in an interview that they were able to complete the deal quickly due to their swift and efficient actions. Freeport-McMoRan was determined to sell, as the company had suffered significant losses in the oil and gas industry and accumulated a large amount of debt. The decision to unload its operations in Congo was a financial transaction with no significant American response. The country lacks oversight of American companies' transactions overseas. The crisis, which exposed significant blind spots in US leadership, was seen as an opportunity for the Chinese government to exploit, as revealed in previously unreported documents, emails, and interviews with various individuals in China, Congo, and the US. In the past year, the US government and private sector have been trying to recover from past mistakes and search for new cobalt sources, as well as use cobalt-free batteries in some electric cars. However, these efforts are not enough compared to China's aggressive actions to secure critical resources like cobalt and lithium for a green future. In 1970, Nixon was seen standing outside the White House with the first lady. President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, now Congo, was preparing to visit after a decade of independence from Belgium. As the leader of a country rich in natural resources, Mobutu held significant global influence. He not only controlled these resources but also played a crucial role as a mediator for the United States in preventing Soviet Union influence in Africa. Access to minerals and metals in Congo had been a priority for the United States since World War II, with Albert Einstein even writing to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1939 advising him to acquire Congolese uranium for the first atomic bombs. By the mid-1960s, the CIA had established an extensive operation in the country, funding mercenaries and Congolese troops to combat Soviet-backed rebels with the help of US warplanes. Mobutu, a former army sergeant who later became a corrupt dictator, viewed the Americans as an ideal partner in his efforts to increase the country's mining wealth. In pursuit of developing Tenke Fungurume, he approached a prominent New York diamond merchant named Maurice Tempelsman for mining rights, as revealed in declassified cables. However, just before his trip to Washington in August 1970, Mobutu surprised everyone by announcing that he had chosen a Belgian company to develop the mine. Washington went into a state of emergency as it attempted to regain control of the situation and was extremely generous in its efforts. According to American diplomat Herman J Cohen, President Nixon instructed his administration to fulfill any request Mobutu had. The US had already provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Mobutu and now Nixon agreed to give him multiple C-130 transport planes. The turning point came at a formal dinner for Mobutu at the White House, as reported by Cohen. After eating, Tempelsman took Mobutu on a private boat ride on the Potomac. News quickly spread that the Americans were receiving the mining concession. Mining engineer Mark Mollison from New York City embarked on a trip to Tenke Fungurume in southeastern Congo, where he found it to be an abandoned construction site. Mollison was surprised by what he saw. In the late 1990s, Mollison observed hilltops that had bare patches where copper and cobalt were visible. The ore was much more valuable compared to what was being mined in Arizona. Mollison was part of a new group of mining executives who had come to take over after the Tempelsman group had to withdraw from the project due to various obstacles, including rebels who had disrupted the transportation of the minerals. Kissinger, the secretary of state, had helped draft a message of apology to the Congolese government in 1976 for the project being put on hold. Years after Mobutu was ousted, interest in the region was sparked again when rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila took control of valuable land near Tenke and Fungurume. This led to a sense of optimism about a new era for Congo, attracting Western mining executives and their financial backers to the area. Kabila's representatives were able to secure financial commitments for mining access from the investors gathered at a hotel. A memo from a banker summarized Kabila's perspective as "Rules of the game: you give and I give." Lundin Group, a Canadian mining company, was willing to give $50 million to seal a deal with rebels. Mollison was tasked with evaluating whether his company, now known as Freeport-McMoRan, should partner with Lundin to continue the work started by Tempelsman at Tenke Fungurume. Freeport-McMoRan later touted this partnership as the largest private investment in Congo. Mollison wondered what the area would need, including electric power. There was a large amount of infrastructure, including roads and water sources, at the mine site. Freeport-McMoRan acquired a majority stake of 57.75%, Lundin had 24.75%, and Gécamines held onto 17.5%. Despite a civil war in Congo in 2007, the project began operations. Freeport-McMoRan engaged in a period of extensive construction, including building a highway for exporting cobalt and copper in Africa and refurbishing a hydroelectric plant at a cost of $215 million. Former employee Pierrot Kitobo Sambisaya praised the company's impressive developments, noting that it had created one of the most advanced and efficient cobalt and copper mines globally. Freeport-McMoRan made a major mistake by moving into the fossil fuel industry instead of focusing on mining. This decision led to the company accumulating a significant amount of debt after oil prices dropped. In 2016, CEO Richard Adkerson announced the sale of Tenke Fungurume, with China Molybdenum offering $2.65 billion as the top bidder. The executives at the mine, including Kapanga, who is the general manager and has experience as a Congolese presidential adviser and diplomat, were troubled by the news. Kapanga contacted the American ambassador, James Swan, expressing his concerns about the United States potentially letting go of its largest private investment in Congo, Tenke Fungurume. Swan declined to provide a comment to The New York Times. At that time, American diplomats in Congo were focused on persuading President Joseph Kabila to step down from office. After his father's assassination in 2001, he took control and spent the next 15 years embezzling millions from the public treasury. The sale of Tenke Fungurume was finalized in November 2016, but received limited attention in the US. President Trump's administration recognized the importance of challenging China's dominance in mineral supplies, specifically noting the sale of Tenke Fungurume in reports on cobalt and potential supply shortages. Nevertheless, history repeated itself as Freeport-McMoRan still possessed an undeveloped site that holds one of the world's most significant untapped sources of cobalt. Despite the company's announcement last year that it planned to sell the site, known as Kisanfu, there was little to no response from the US government. Nazak Nikakhtar, who was in charge of monitoring critical mineral supplies at the Commerce Department until January, expressed disappointment at the lack of attention given to the sale. The site was ultimately sold to China Molybdenum for $550 million, just before Trump's term ended. The most recent significant investment by the United States in Congo's cobalt and copper mines has disappeared. | 2 |
Police took Disha Ravi from her home in Bengaluru to Delhi for questioning regarding her suspected involvement in sharing a document during the protest near the Indian capital. A source from Delhi police stated that Ravi was arrested in connection to a sedition case related to the alleged creators of the "toolkit" for supporting farmers. Sedition is punishable by life imprisonment in India. Following a court order on Sunday, Ravi was taken into custody for interrogation for five days, which sparked outrage on social media and among farm unions. Shashi Tharoor, a member of parliament from the Congress party, described Ravi's arrest as part of India's increasing suppression of free speech and political dissent in response to the ongoing farmers' protests. Ravi was not reachable while in custody and her family was not immediately available to comment. Police have been cracking down on farmer protests near Delhi, especially after protesters breached the Red Fort on India's Republic Day last month. Activists planned nationwide protests against Ravi's detention, with the hashtag #IndiabeingSilenced trending on Twitter. Ravi is a leader of the Indian branch of Thunberg's Fridays for Future campaign. Thunberg had shared a "toolkit" for supporting farmers, created by those participating in the demonstrations. The demonstrations against agricultural reforms have garnered global backing, with singer Rihanna and activist Meena Harris, a relative of US Vice-President Kamala Harris, bringing attention to the ongoing campaign. Meena Harris highlighted Ravi's arrest and shared a Twitter thread about activists facing persecution in India. The Indian government claims the reforms aim to modernize the country's outdated agriculture markets and accuses external influences of misguiding the farmers. | 2 |
The election serves as a significant test of public support for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's junta, which has restricted political activities since seizing power in a 2014 coup. Pre-election polls indicated a slight lead for the acceptance of the new constitution, but many voters remained undecided. Polling stations closed at 1600 local time (0500 ET) with preliminary results anticipated around 2100 local time (1000 ET) based on 95 percent of the votes counted. Election Commission Chairman Supachai Somcharoen reported that voting was conducted in an orderly manner across all regions. The junta claims that the constitution is meant to address over ten years of political division in Thailand that has hindered growth and resulted in numerous deaths in civil unrest. Critics, including major political parties, argue that it is a way to solidify the military's involvement in politics for the long term. Prayuth has stated that he will not step down if the constitution is rejected by Thailand, and that an election will still be held next year regardless of the outcome. "I encourage everyone to participate in the voting process to determine the future of the country," Prayuth said to reporters after voting in northwest Bangkok on Sunday. Approximately 200,000 police officers were on duty for the election. Boonyakiat Rakchartcharoen, deputy secretary-general of the Election Commission, stated that out of 21 cases of voters tearing ballot papers, some were intentional while others were accidental. Two students were arrested in Chaiyaphum province for distributing leaflets opposing the referendum. The junta, also known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), prohibited discussions about the constitution and campaigning prior to the vote. Many individuals, including politicians and student activists, have been detained and charged for opposing the referendum. Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship group, argued that the referendum should not have taken place under such restrictive conditions. Jatuporn expressed disapproval of the Constitution Drafting Committee and NCPO for conducting a referendum in a climate of fear in the country. The vote took place amidst concerns about the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88. The military has historically justified its involvement in politics by citing its duty to protect the highly respected monarch. Critics argue that the military's proposed charter is an attempt to rectify their previous failure to eliminate former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his populist policies from Thai politics following the 2006 coup. Despite living in self-imposed exile, Thaksin continues to wield significant influence, particularly among his rural supporters in the north. Yingluck, who was elected with a large majority in 2011, was removed from power in the 2014 coup led by Prayuth. She was disqualified from politics for five years in 2015 for her involvement in a rice scheme. Despite this, Yingluck was able to vote in the recent election and expressed happiness at exercising her rights as a Thai citizen. Thaksin criticized the new charter, calling it a mistake that would only strengthen the military's hold on power in Thailand. Military officers revealed in interviews with Reuters that the new charter aims to prevent future coups by limiting the power of political parties and giving the military a role in overseeing the country's development. The 20th constitution of Thailand, established since the military removed the absolute monarchy in 1932, includes a Senate appointed by the junta with military leaders holding seats to oversee elected officials' powers. Farmer Thongyoon Khaenkhaomeng expressed his desire for national improvement as he voted in favor of the constitution to help end Thailand's divisions. Meanwhile, day laborer Decha Shangkamanee voted against the charter due to his dislike for the junta, but he did not anticipate the referendum to have a significant impact. He stated that he is aware that there is no real change in the way the country is governed today. | 2 |
Kolkata's red-brick secretariat, built over 200 years ago for the East India Company, continues to harbor distrust towards foreign merchants. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, has occupied the building for a year and is seen as a major obstacle to economic reforms that would open India's consumer markets to 21st-century traders. Supporters view Banerjee as a hero who ended decades of communist rule in West Bengal, protecting farmers and shopkeepers from the effects of globalization while leading the state towards economic and cultural prosperity as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. However, due to a series of unpredictable actions, including the arrest of an academic for sharing a joke email about her, critics now view her as a potential autocrat. India Today magazine has even labeled her the "Queen of Democrazy". Banerjee's controversial behavior and dissatisfaction with her leadership in West Bengal may lead to a deterioration of her popularity with voters. Additionally, she relies on the central government to help alleviate West Bengal's debt crisis. These circumstances provide Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an opportunity to outmaneuver her, despite her status as a coalition partner who has obstructed much-needed economic reforms. Over the past year, India's impressive economic growth has slowed down, leading to significant increases in both current account and budget deficits. However, the central government's efforts to implement crisis-solving policies have been hindered by coalition allies, particularly Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party. A Bengali political analyst, Amulya Ganguli, noted that Banerjee may be reconsidering her stance and becoming more cooperative in order to address the situation responsibly. A weakened Banerjee could potentially make it easier for Singh's government, which has seen a decline in popularity due to corruption scandals and high inflation, to implement reforms. Despite her humble beginnings as a poor teacher's daughter, Banerjee was recognized in April as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. Recently visited by Hillary Clinton, Banerjee received praise for her political achievements and discussed potential US investment in Indian ports. However, in an interview with Reuters in the same room where she met Clinton, Banerjee made it clear that she remains opposed to foreign supermarkets like Wal-Mart operating in India. She expressed her support for private investment in various sectors like tourism and industry to create jobs, including hospitals, but made it clear that she would always stand against policies that result in job losses for farmers and small retailers. She mentioned that there are certain limits to what she can support, as she cannot advocate for people to lose their jobs due to certain policies. She also stated her opposition to increasing the prices of heavily subsidised fuel and rail fares. This is disappointing news for Prime Minister Singh, as his inability to control deficits and reverse the economic slowdown has damaged his reputation as the driving force behind the reforms that revitalized India's economy 20 years ago. Banerjee, who holds significant political power with her 19 MPs in parliament, emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative solutions beyond just discussing price increases for the common people. She stresses the need to consider different strategies for developing businesses and securing additional funds. Despite her own financial struggles in the state government, Banerjee remains committed to her frugal lifestyle and rejects government perks like a salary, car, and residence. Her personal frugality has not prevented her from hiring around 90,000 new teachers and police officers, despite the state being in debt. The cost of these hires has raised concerns, but her finance minister, Amit Mitra, explained that the expenses were minimal due to low salaries. Mitra, a stressed former leader of India's prominent industry organization, FICCI, mentioned that the state's tax revenue increased by 20% last year primarily due to improved enforcement. Kolkata, previously known as Calcutta, was the British Empire's main city in India and remained a hub of intellectual and industrial activity long after the British left. Once one of the wealthiest cities in the 19th century, Kolkata now bears more resemblance to Havana, Cuba, with its faded tropical charm and old-fashioned taxis from the 1950s. Banerjee expressed her desire to bring back the former glory of the state by modernizing the city and has invited companies to help with projects such as building a 'Kolkata Eye' to rival London's ferris wheel. Despite criticism in the media, city improvements like painting bridges and buildings blue and installing ornamental street lights designed by Banerjee herself have been deemed cost-effective. The construction of new flyovers, an airport terminal, and the growth of middle-class housing and office spaces indicate progress is underway. Although efforts to attract private investment began before Banerjee's tenure, some are disappointed by the lack of improvement in the investment climate in West Bengal. Banerjee, a painter and poet with a passion for Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore, has her own creative vision for the state. Critics highlight a negative aspect of her personality - that she does not seem to handle opposition well. She recently demonstrated her influence by pressuring the prime minister to dismiss his railway minister from their own party after he announced in parliament that rail fares would increase. The former minister, Dinesh Trivedi, expressed surprise at being asked to leave after receiving approval for the fare hike from unions and economists to help fund the modernization of the railway network, which is currently outdated and hindering economic growth. In April, Ambikesh Mahapatra, a 52-year-old chemistry professor, forwarded an email that mocked Banerjee's treatment of Trivedi. As a result, he was detained by the police for alleged 'cyber crimes' after being confronted and physically assaulted by a group of people. Mahapatra expressed his surprise at being accused of a crime, stating that he now feels fearful, particularly due to the government's lack of remorse. Mahapatra's actions caused a strong reaction. Banerjee, who was previously hospitalized for a long time after being attacked by Communist assailants, was able to defeat the leftists in part by speaking out against the culture of political violence in West Bengal. Critics are now questioning whether anything has changed. Dwaipayan Bhattacharyya from the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, remarked, "While bridges are painted white and blue, protesters are left black and blue. This seems to be her current approach... She does not tolerate any form of dissent." The behavior of Banerjee has caused the educated middle classes, who supported her defeat of the left, to become alienated, according to Bhattacharyya. Banerjee has been visibly upset by accusations of being autocratic, attributing the campaign against her to the communists she removed from power. She also claims that violence has decreased significantly since she took office. Anand Sharma, the minister behind the plan to open up India's retail sector, has faced obstacles in achieving his goals so far. However, there may be a shift in this situation. A senior government adviser, speaking anonymously, stated that Banerjee's reputation as a dragon slayer is diminishing with the recent arrest of a scientist. "Maybe that provides Anand with some extra space, we will wait and see." | 2 |
Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a Cuban political prisoner who died after an 85-day hunger strike, has potentially hindered hopes for improved US-Cuba relations, according to political experts. His death, along with the arrest of an American contractor in Cuba, has made it more difficult for diplomatic and legislative efforts to enhance ties with the island. Marifeli Perez-Stable, a Cuba analyst at Florida International University, stated that progress in US-Cuba relations is uncertain at this time. Zapata's death has sparked outrage in Washington, with opponents of communist Cuba arguing against easing the trade embargo as a way to not appease President Raul Castro's government. Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida urged a renewed commitment to ensure a future Cuba free of the ideology that led to Zapata's death. Zapata's death poses a challenge for supporters of improved relations with Cuba who argue that increased closeness with the island is the best way to drive change. On the day of Zapata's death, legislation was introduced to lift the US travel ban to Cuba and facilitate food trade. Democratic Representative Jim McGovern emphasized the importance of being closer to the Cuban people to better support them, expressing sadness and anger over Zapata's death and criticizing the Cuban government for not preventing it. Spain is currently dealing with a similar issue as it presides over the European Union. They have pushed to remove a clause from the EU's common position on Cuba that calls for democracy and greater respect for human rights on the island. Havana believes this clause is hindering full normal relations with the EU. In response to pressure from Spanish media, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who has always been a strong supporter of close ties with Cuba, expressed his sorrow over Zapata's death and called for the release of political prisoners and the respect of human rights in Cuba. He emphasized that this demand is supported by the entire international community. Perez-Stable suggested that Zapata's death would likely halt Spain's attempts to enhance EU-Cuba relations. She mentioned that Havana should not expect the EU to remove the common position. Observers of Cuba stated that the dissident's passing was a setback for the Cuban government's diplomatic endeavors to influence the United States to lift the embargo. Meanwhile, Cuba's small dissident group promised to intensify their calls for democratic reform on the island, in order to honor Zapata's memory. Five dissidents, including four currently imprisoned, declared on Friday that they had initiated hunger strikes to pressure the government into releasing political detainees. Leading dissident Oswaldo Paya expressed that the death has had a profound impact on everyone. He believes that this event marks a significant turning point and is concerned about the message it sends to the Cuban people, emphasizing that they will not resort to violence in response. | 2 |
Bloomberg has informed friends and associates that he is willing to spend at least $1 billion of his own money on a campaign for the November 2016 election, according to sources familiar with his plans. The 73-year-old former mayor has set an early March deadline for deciding whether to enter the race, following a December poll he commissioned to gauge his chances against frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Despite no independent ever winning a US presidential election, Bloomberg, who has ties to Wall Street and holds liberal social views, sees an opportunity for his candidacy if Trump or Cruz is nominated by the Republicans and Sanders by the Democrats. Bloomberg, who has considered running for president in the past, served as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013. He changed his party affiliation from Republican to independent in 2007 and has since spent a lot of money on national campaigns to strengthen US gun laws and improve immigration policies. According to one of his advisors, Bloomberg believes that voters are looking for a non-ideological, bipartisan approach that has not been offered by either political party in the 2016 election. If Bloomberg decides to run for president with his significant financial resources, it could change the dynamics of the election, even though he would face challenges entering the race at a late stage. While no third-party candidate has ever won the presidency, previous attempts have influenced the outcome of the election, such as Ross Perot's independent run in 1992. Bloomberg's decision to join the race was partly influenced by his dissatisfaction with Clinton's campaign, which has been plagued by questions about her honesty due to an investigation into her use of a private email server. Sanders, Clinton's main competitor, has gained momentum in polling in crucial early voting states, causing Bloomberg to be concerned about a potential general election matchup between Sanders and either Trump or Cruz, who have taken extreme positions on issues like immigration. Bloomberg's representatives were unavailable for immediate comment. | 2 |
"We are moving too quickly," stated Jean-Pierre Door, a conservative lawmaker representing frustrated constituents. The town of Montargis was at the heart of the Yellow Vest movement three years ago, sparked by a rise in gasoline taxes but fueled by a broader sense of disenchantment among those on the outskirts of France. This movement highlighted the resentment of working-class individuals in rural areas towards urban elites who could easily adapt to clean energy solutions. Today, as global climate talks take place in Glasgow, the economic and political divisions that led to unrest in France are still simmering beneath the surface. While many in rural areas recognize the need for clean energy, the immediate concern is financial struggles rather than environmental ones. Household gas prices have increased by 12.6% in the last month, due in part to shortages related to the coronavirus. Electric cars, which were once promoted as a more affordable option for fuel-efficient transportation, now seem extravagantly priced. Some residents are opposed to wind turbines being built in their area, as they fear it will decrease property values. A resident near Montargis suggested installing wind turbines in a park in Paris instead. President Emmanuel Macron is facing challenges with the transition to clean energy as he approaches an upcoming election. He has presented himself as a green fighter, although practical, but is aware that participating in the Yellow Vest protests again would harm his chances in the election. Every morning, at her farm a short distance away from the town, Cannault looks out from her doorstep at a newly built 390-foot mast to measure wind levels for potential turbines. "We were never consulted about this." The only sounds on a misty, damp morning were the honking of geese and the crowing of roosters as she spoke. Claude Madec-Cleï, the mayor of the nearby village of Griselles, agreed, "We are being overlooked." President Macron is trying to win over the Green party. As the election approaches, Macron is trying to gain support from various groups and is determined to prevent another uprising like the Yellow Vests. The government has decided to freeze household gas prices and will be providing an "energy check" of $115 to 6 million people deemed most in need. Additionally, an "inflation indemnity" of the same amount will be given to around 38 million individuals earning less than $2,310 per month. The rise in gasoline prices has been a major factor behind these initiatives. Sophie Tissier, who organized a Yellow Vest protest in Paris in 2019, expressed difficulty in restarting the movement due to a heavy police response, despite the presence of a serious social crisis and widespread anger. She highlighted the extreme inequalities in France that hinder the country from making an ecological transition. The president's energy proposals aim to develop new small-reactor nuclear power while also embracing wind power and other renewables. The Green movement advocates for phasing out nuclear power, which currently provides 67.1% of France's electricity needs, a move criticized by conservatives as regressive. Marine Le Pen, on the other hand, supports dismantling the country's 9,000 wind turbines, which contribute 7.9% of France's electricity production. Meanwhile, many French citizens, torn between environmental concerns and immediate needs, are struggling to adapt. One such person is Christine Gobet, who commutes 90 miles a day in her small diesel car from Montargis to her job at an Amazon warehouse in Orléans, where she earns about $1,600 a month preparing packages. Sitting in her car outside a garage after spending $3,000 to replace her diesel engine, she scoffed at the idea of switching to an electric vehicle. She explained that for people like her, electric cars are not a feasible option due to rising costs in everything, including groceries. She mentioned how they were encouraged to switch to diesel for being less polluting, only to be told the opposite now. She participated in Yellow Vest protests in Montargis at the beginning of the movement. She was motivated not only by financial pressure but also by a feeling of being ignored and ruled by elites. She left the movement when it turned violent. A traffic circle in Montargis was blocked for two months, causing shortages in stores. Despite these actions, she believes little has changed. She feels that Paris has everything, and Anne Hidalgo, the mayor and socialist presidential candidate, wants to ban cars from the city, disregarding those from rural areas who come to work. Calls to stop using fossil fuels and close nuclear power stations in Glasgow seem disconnected from the daily lives of working-class people like Gobet. At the age of 58, she represents a divide between generations. The younger generation, led by Greta Thunberg, is focused on the urgent need to save the planet. On the other hand, older individuals are concerned about environmental measures that may impact their quality of life, such as increasing energy prices and decreasing property values. The Montargis area is popular among retirees looking for affordable living near Paris, as well as immigrants residing on the outskirts of town. Taxi driver Gilles Fauvin, who drives a diesel Peugeot, often transports clients with medical needs to hospitals in Orléans and Paris. The potential implementation of a ban on diesel cars in the capital by 2024, coupled with the push to transition to costly electric cars, could have a negative impact on him. He expressed his satisfaction with diesel cars, despite their production of harmful pollutants. Yoann Fauvin, the owner of the garage and cousin of the taxi driver, is questioning whether electric cars are truly a superior alternative. He raised concerns about the environmental impacts of mining battery materials in countries like China or Chile, the carbon emissions associated with transportation, and the challenges of battery recycling. In front of him, a vintage green 1977 Citroen 2CV was undergoing restoration, while a diesel Citroen DS4 was being repaired. He mentioned that the business heavily relies on diesel, as the community looks down on energy transformation. Wealthy individuals are the ones switching to electric cars, while others remain unaware of the changes happening around them. Magalie Pasquet, a homemaker leading a local association against wind power called Aire 45, clarified that her opposition to 75 new turbines in the area is not a denial of environmental issues, as she actively recycles. She is cautious when it comes to traveling. She recycles organic waste. Instead of increasing the heat, she wears two sweaters. She is motivated by the environmental beliefs of young people. However, she thinks that the world has prioritized things incorrectly. She questioned why the landscape that attracts people to the area is being destroyed when the real issue is overconsumption. Local residents are not consulted and even the mayors have no power to prevent the installation of unsightly turbines. A friend, Philippe Jacob, who is a professor of management and marketing and also part of the anti-turbine movement, stated that the Yellow Vest movement was a result of increasing gasoline prices, declining purchasing power, deteriorating public services, and general dissatisfaction with top-down decision-making. He believes that the same issues persist today and that the situation is very concerning. People have invested their life savings in the region, but their concerns about planned turbines and biogas plants ruining the area are being ignored. | 2 |
Experts revealed that the Pacific gray whale population, which was believed to have fully recovered from whaling, is actually only a small fraction of its historic levels. By analyzing DNA samples from 42 gray whales using a US government tissue collection, scientists from Stanford University and the University of Washington found that the genetic variation among these whales indicated a much larger past population than the current 22,000. They estimated that before large-scale hunting began in the 19th century, there were approximately 96,000 gray whales in the Pacific Ocean, with a range of 76,000 to 118,000. This suggests that the current population represents only 19-29% of what it was before hunting. The gray whale, a large baleen whale that feeds on small sea creatures, has been swimming in the world's oceans for around 20 million years. Researchers recently discovered that the gray whale population has recovered from whaling, but genetic diversity suggests there were once many more gray whales in the Pacific Ocean than there are now. By the end of the 19th century and through the 1920s, the gray whale population was hunted to the brink of extinction, with only a few thousand remaining. The gray whale vanished from the Atlantic Ocean many years ago, possibly due to whaling according to experts. This species migrates along the Pacific Coast of North America, traveling between the Arctic seas and the lagoons near Baja California, Mexico. Named for the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin, these whales are typically around 46 feet long and can weigh up to 40 tonnes. They feed by scooping up mud from the sea bottom and consuming small crustaceans and tube worms found in sediment. The International Whaling Commission granted partial protection to the gray whale in 1937 and full protection in 1947, according to the American Cetacean Society. Despite being hunted in the past, gray whales are now a popular attraction for whale watchers along the Pacific coast of North America. However, they are still sometimes hunted, as evidenced by five Washington state American Indian hunters who may be prosecuted by their Makah tribe for illegally shooting and killing a gray whale using harpoons and a rifle typically used for hunting elephants. Scientists have observed several gray whales in recent years that are suffering from starvation. The researchers stated that the whales are experiencing a decrease in food availability in their Arctic feeding areas as a result of changing climate conditions. They also mentioned that other animals, such as Arctic seabirds, have been impacted by the reduced population of gray whales. Steve Palumbi, a colleague from Stanford University, explained that seabirds rely on the creatures unearthed by the whales during their feeding activities. He estimated that if there were 96,000 gray whales present, they could have provided food for over a million seabirds each year. | 2 |
Burundi is scheduled to have a referendum on May 17 to determine whether to change the constitution to extend presidential terms from five to seven years. Human rights organizations are concerned that the vote will not be conducted fairly, citing sporadic violence and abductions. Emmanuel Bigirimana, the leader of Buganda district, described an incident in Ruhagarika village where armed individuals arrived and began shooting, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Approximately 20 attackers, most of whom were wearing military uniforms, were involved in the violence in Burundi in April 2015. The crisis began when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to seek a third term, which the opposition argued was unconstitutional and violated a peace agreement that had ended the civil war in 2005. Despite being re-elected, Nkurunziza faced armed opposition from some of his rivals. Rights organizations estimate that around 400,000 individuals have fled to nearby countries to escape the conflict. Both government officials and opposition members have been casualties of the ongoing violence between the opposing factions. The suggested changes to the constitution would restrict the president to two consecutive terms, potentially allowing Nkurunziza to remain in power until 2034 without considering his previous terms. Some residents in the village believed that an attack was meant to discourage support for the constitutional changes, while others, like Bigirimana, believed it was not politically motivated as the attackers targeted multiple households and only killed women and children. Bigirimana stated that the attack was more about settling a personal dispute rather than being politically driven. | 2 |
The pressures, hopes, and aspirations weighed heavily on Harris at the Democratic convention as she tried to introduce herself to a nation and party that barely knows her. If she and Biden win in November, she will continue to carry this burden for the next four years. It is rare for a vice-presidential candidate to serve under a presidential nominee who may not seek a second term, so Harris faces high expectations from her party to demonstrate strong leadership. Tim Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton's vice-presidential candidate in 2016, acknowledged that this is a significant challenge for Harris. In the chaotic environment of the constantly changing Democratic Party, he explained that there was no one person Biden could have chosen that would please everyone. He expressed his enthusiasm for Harris while acknowledging that it was impossible to have universal approval within the party. The first two days of the convention focused on presenting a united front of moderates, progressives, Republicans, and democratic socialists, despite some disagreements. The Democrats highlighted diversity in race, gender, and age while nominating a 77-year-old white grandfather from Delaware as their candidate. The party included liberals in their lineup but did not prioritize their policy goals, such as "Medicare for All." Currently, the party's main focus is on defeating President Donald Trump above all else. However, if the Democrats are successful, Trump will no longer be in power. This will present a new challenge for Harris, who is expected to be a unifying figure for the Democratic Party and the face of its future. Harris, like all vice-presidential candidates, will be evaluated in various ways in the upcoming weeks: her campaigning skills, ability to engage with Trump, debating Pence, and mobilizing voter turnout, especially among younger and progressive voters who may not be enthusiastic about supporting Biden during a pandemic. As a woman of color running for a position historically held by white men, Harris may also face judgment based on deep-rooted biases that still exist in certain parts of the country. Harris has addressed this issue directly to her Democratic audience and may need to continue doing so in the future. "We must elect a president who will bring about positive change and important work," she stated from Wilmington. The text discusses the importance of electing a president who can bring people together regardless of race and background, emphasizing the need for unity in achieving a shared future. It highlights the challenges faced by Kamala Harris as she enters a crucial moment in her career, questioning her ability to navigate the changing political landscape and potentially step into the Oval Office if needed. Harris's speech addresses the impact of the pandemic, criticizing the current president's response and highlighting issues of structural racism and police violence. She calls for unity and justice, referencing victims such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. However, she also dedicated a significant amount of time to discussing the importance of family and friendships, as well as highlighting her background as a prosecutor advocating for individuals and victims. She proudly stated, "I know a predator when I see one." Her nomination as the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent to potentially serve as vice president was met with great enthusiasm and highlighted the significance of this historic choice, particularly in light of the demographic shifts occurring in the country. Following a primary dominated by older white candidates, her selection as a 55-year-old woman of color indicated that the Democratic Party's leadership is beginning to reflect the changing population. Known for her strong debating skills and eloquence, she made a lasting impression during her brief presidential campaign and as a member of the Judiciary Committee questioning Attorney General William Barr. There is no doubt among Democrats that she will continue the tradition of vice-presidential candidates criticizing the opposition. She stated, "Donald Trump's lack of leadership has resulted in loss of lives and jobs. The ongoing chaos leaves us feeling lost, incompetence breeds fear, and callousness makes us feel isolated." Running a campaign in California can be tough, but battling on a national stage, especially in today's polarized political climate, is even more challenging. Kamala Harris faced competitive contests in California, but her presidential campaign struggled early on due to internal conflicts and a lack of a clear message. Patti Solis Doyle, who managed Clinton's 2008 campaign, highlighted the enthusiasm Harris brought to the presidential race, evidenced by the $48 million raised in 48 hours after her announcement. Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, has excited voters with the possibility of being the first African American woman or American Indian woman on a national ticket. Tim Kaine mentioned that Harris could attract a new generation of voters who are looking for change, while older voters appreciate Joe Biden's centrist views and commitment to restoring civility and stability to government. "There is a portion of the Democratic electorate, particularly older voters, who are looking for competence, character, and traditional values in the next President," he stated. "However, they also want someone who can bring excitement and energy, which Kamala Harris does. But Harris faces a challenge in responding to the growing influence of the left-wing within the party. While Biden secured the nomination with support from Black voters, older voters, and white suburbanites, younger and more liberal voters were doubtful of his centrist approach and bipartisanship. Harris, being from California, is more aligned with the left, but her selection did not ease concerns among many liberal Democrats, especially regarding her record on policing issues." Waleed Shahid, a spokesperson for Justice Democrats, stated that while party establishment supports her, Kamala Harris is not favored by the party's base, especially younger Democrats. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not mention Joe Biden or Harris when nominating Bernie Sanders, highlighting the divide within the party. This dissent has been overshadowed during the convention due to the party's desire to defeat Trump, but may resurface if Democrats win. Harris will need to navigate this division carefully to avoid a primary challenge from the left in the future. Varshini Prakash, the executive director of the Sunrise Movement, a group of young climate activists, expressed that Kamala Harris' nomination as the Democratic Party's vice presidential candidate is a significant moment that has energized Democrats of all ages and beliefs. Prakash believes that Harris could be a representation of the future direction of the Democratic Party, but notes that the party is much more diverse ideologically than just the Harris ticket. Harris herself seems confident in her role, drawing inspiration from former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. She has gained national recognition through Joe Biden's selection of her as his running mate, and has received widespread support within the party. However, challenges are expected in the coming weeks and beyond if she is elected. However, at this moment, Kamala Harris took the opportunity to address Democrats with a message of unity and hope for the future during a pandemic. She positioned herself as a new leader of the party in a nation grappling with an uncertain future. (c.2020 The New York Times Company) | 2 |
Hours after promising a new civilian government to calm public anger, Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf announced his resignation as head of the military council in a televised speech. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman will now lead the council, Ibn Auf stated. Additionally, Chief of Staff Kamal Abdelmarouf al-Mahi was removed from his position as deputy head of the transitional military council. The news of these changes led to celebrations in the streets of Khartoum, with people chanting, “The second has fallen!” in reference to Bashir, according to witnesses. Ibn Auf emphasized the importance of unity within the security system and the armed forces as the country moves forward. Rashid Saeed, a spokesperson for the main protest group in Sudan, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), told Reuters that recent events are a positive development and a nod to the will of the people, bringing them closer to victory. He emphasized their commitment to the demands they presented to the army and urged the public to continue protesting until all demands are met. The military council has suggested a transition period before elections, with the possibility of it being shorter if stability is maintained. The council also plans to engage in dialogue with political entities. The announcement of a future civilian government seems to be an attempt to reassure protesters who have been advocating for change and have continued to demonstrate against military rule. In a direct challenge to Ibn Auf's military council, thousands of protesters remained outside the defence ministry compound and in other parts of the capital, defying a night time curfew imposed by Ibn Auf. The SPA declared that the military council was incapable of instigating change and reiterated their demand for immediate power transition to a civilian government. Bashir, who took power in a 1989 military coup, faced 16 weeks of protests due to issues such as high food costs, unemployment, and repression during his 30-year rule. Worshippers gathered around the Defence Ministry for Friday prayers, responding to the SPA's call to confront the military council. The number of protesters grew throughout the day, with an estimated hundreds of thousands surrounding the ministry under the watch of soldiers. According to a statement from a Sudanese police spokesman on Saturday, at least 16 people were killed and 20 injured by stray bullets during protests and sit-ins on Thursday and Friday. Government buildings and private property were also targeted in the attacks. The spokesman, Hashem Ali, urged citizens to help maintain safety and public order. One protester, 24-year-old doctor Abdelhamid Ahmed, stated that while they do not oppose a military council in general, they are against those affiliated with former president Bashir's regime. Among those targeted for sanctions by the US for their alleged involvement in atrocities during the Darfur conflict is Ibn Auf, who previously served as Bashir's vice president and defense minister. Ibn Auf announced Bashir's removal on Thursday along with the creation of a military council, declaring a state of emergency, nationwide ceasefire, suspension of the constitution, and a night time curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. These measures were criticized by rights groups. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman, a senior general in Sudan's armed forces, was not well-known in public life and had previously overseen Sudanese troops in the Yemen war. Sudan's deputy UN ambassador, Yasir Abdalla Abdelsalam Ahmed, emphasized the need for a democratic process in the country, calling for the international community's support in achieving a peaceful transition. He assured that all parties, including armed groups, would be included in the political process. The 15-member council met later on Friday in a closed-door session to receive updates on the latest events in Sudan. The Sudanese representative mentioned that the suspension of the constitution could be removed at any time and the transitional period could be shortened depending on the situation on the ground and agreements made between parties. Major countries like the United States and Britain expressed their backing for a peaceful and democratic transition in less than two years. China also stated its intention to maintain cooperation with Sudan regardless of the political circumstances. Zain al-Abideen assured that the military council would not disrupt a civilian government. He mentioned that the transitional military council would have control over the defence and interior ministries. Burhan, the leader of the council, previously served as the inspector general of the Sudanese armed forces and was the third highest-ranking general. He is not well-known in public life but has experience as the head of Sudan's ground forces, where he supervised troops involved in the Yemen war led by Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he has strong connections with senior Gulf military officials due to his role in coordinating Sudan's military participation in the conflict. Zain al-Abideen stated that the military council acknowledged it did not have solutions to Sudan's crisis and believed they would come from the protesters. He emphasized that they were not seeking power and would not impose their will on the people. The council aimed to facilitate a peaceful dialogue and had planned to meet with political entities to prepare for this, but the meeting was postponed. The council explained that they did not invite Bashir's National Congress Party to participate in the dialogue because they believe the party is responsible for the recent events. They also warned protesters that the army would not tolerate any further unrest. Ibn Auf announced that Bashir was being held in a secure location, with sources stating he was at the presidential residence under heavy guard. The council confirmed that they would not hand over Bashir to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he faces charges of genocide in Darfur. The conflict in Darfur began in 2003 and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people, but Bashir denies the accusations. | 2 |
Trump stated that America will never give up its sovereignty to a global bureaucracy that is unelected and unaccountable. He emphasized that America is governed by Americans and rejected the ideology of globalism while embracing patriotism. Despite a lack of enthusiasm from world leaders who are not supportive of his go-it-alone views, Trump's 35-minute address was a strong affirmation of his "America First" policies. He has upset the global order by pulling the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, and has threatened to penalize NATO countries for not contributing more to their mutual defense. He stated that going forward, foreign aid will only be given to countries that show respect and friendship towards the US, and he expects other nations to pay their fair share for defense costs. In addition to criticizing Iran, Trump also condemned China's trade practices, but did not mention Russia's involvement in Syria's conflict or its alleged interference in US elections. French President Emmanuel Macron presented a different perspective, warning that survival of the fittest, protectionism, and isolationism would only escalate tensions. He emphasized the importance of defending multilateralism and collective action, cautioning against the rise of nationalism which could result in failure and the return of global wars if countries abandon basic principles. Macron expressed his refusal to accept the decline of multilateralism and the unraveling of history, emphasizing the importance of setting a good example for future generations. Trump directed much of his criticism towards Iran, accusing the country of having nuclear ambitions and supporting militant groups in the Middle East, referring to its leadership as a "corrupt dictatorship" that spreads chaos and destruction. Macron pointed out that they do not show respect for their neighbors, borders, or the sovereign rights of nations. He used the example of Iran to illustrate how Trump's call to isolate the country could lead to conflicts. Trump, known for boasting about his economic record at political rallies, made similar claims to world leaders and diplomats, stating he had achieved more than most previous US presidents. This statement was met with murmurs and laughter from the crowd, surprising the president. He responded by saying, "I didn’t expect that reaction, but that's OK." Trump announced on Twitter that he will not be meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in New York, stating that he will continue to apply economic pressure on Tehran in hopes of prompting a change in their actions. Rouhani is scheduled to speak to leaders later in the day. Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May, a pact negotiated by former President Barack Obama. Relations between the US and Iran have deteriorated since then. Trump announced that more sanctions will be imposed on November 5th and that further sanctions are to come. He also mentioned plans to work with countries importing Iranian oil to reduce their purchases significantly. Additionally, Trump discussed the United States' efforts to form a strategic alliance between Gulf nations, Jordan, and Egypt to counter Iran. He compared US relations with Iran to the improved relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom he met in Singapore in June. Trump previously insulted Kim as "rocket man" at the UN last year but now commends him for halting nuclear and missile tests, releasing American prisoners, and returning remains of US soldiers from the Korean War. The two leaders are currently working on organizing another meeting and are communicating privately. Trump has stated that sanctions on North Korea will continue at the moment. In a stern message to OPEC members, Trump urged them to cease increasing oil prices and to fund their own military defense. He also warned that US aid would only be given to countries that are supportive of the United States. In reaction to this, a Gulf diplomat stated that they have been contributing their fair share to burden sharing. The cost of crude oil surged to its highest point in four years due to upcoming US sanctions on Iranian oil exports and the reluctance of OPEC and Russia to increase production. Trump's focus was on Iran, aiming to create discord between its leaders and citizens following a recent attack in the country. Trump mentioned he would not meet with Iranians unless there was a change in their behavior, but expressed hope for a better relationship in the future. Iran's UN mission spokesperson stated that Iran has not asked for a meeting with Trump. Certain individuals within Iran have stated that any negotiations between Rouhani and Trump would essentially terminate the current nuclear agreement that was also signed by France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China, and the European Union with Iran. | 2 |
The Dec 7 proposal from Donald J. Trump calling for a halt to Muslim immigration disappeared, along with other details of his plans, from his campaign website shortly after Election Day. The Trump campaign did not respond to inquiries about the changes. Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal praised Trump for removing the Muslim ban proposal from his website and for deleting offensive statements about Muslims from his Twitter account during an appearance on CNBC. However, some tweets attacking Muslims remained on Trump's feed as of Thursday. "No way!" exclaimed a supporter in a tweet quoted by Trump on Nov 30, 2015, which repeated the claim that Muslims celebrated the attacks of Sept 11, 2001, and suggested including footage of the celebrations in political ads. Samer Khalaf, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, expressed concerns about Trump's policies and thanked him for removing the Muslim ban proposal, but noted that actions speak louder than words. Trump's core policy positions, such as building a wall on the border with Mexico, remained on his website. This was not the initial occasion when alterations were made to the Trump campaign website without explanation. Earlier this year, the campaign swapped out the section detailing Trump's healthcare policy for a new version. In September, after being questioned by Reuters, the campaign restored the original page. | 2 |
Southern African leaders will convene an urgent meeting in Swaziland's capital, Mbabane, to address the crisis in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has called on the United Nations to isolate President Robert Mugabe and deploy a peacekeeping force in the country. Despite the U.N. Security Council's recent condemnation of violence against the opposition and declaration that a free and fair presidential election is not possible, Mugabe remains defiant. The meeting in Mbabane, organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), comes as international pressure mounts on Mugabe to address the political and economic challenges facing Zimbabwe. Tanzania, Angola, and Swaziland will be represented at the meeting in their roles within the SADC's troika on politics, defense, and security. The current SADC chairman, President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia, and the SADC mediator for Zimbabwe, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, have been invited to attend the meeting, according to the statement. The meeting will focus on how the SADC and its troika organ on politics, defense, and security can assist Zimbabwe in resolving its current conflict. Tsvangirai, who has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare after withdrawing from the election, warned that Zimbabwe would collapse without international intervention. He called on the UN to take stronger actions against President Mugabe, including deploying a force to protect the people. Tsvangirai stated that while they do not desire armed conflict, the people of Zimbabwe require global leaders to not only express their disapproval but also to support it with military force, acting as peacekeepers to protect the democratic process. Pressure on Mugabe has intensified from both within Africa and outside due to Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis, which is attributed to the president's long tenure. The United States has called on SADC to denounce both the election and Mugabe's government as illegitimate. Angola's state-owned ANGOP news agency reported that SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao stated that foreign ministers agreed during a meeting on Monday that there was a "climate of extreme violence" in Zimbabwe and that the government needed to protect its people. The election scheduled for Friday was supposed to be a run-off between Mugabe and Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai had won the first round in March, but official results did not give him a clear victory. In March, Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change also won a separate parliamentary election, marking the first defeat for Mugabe's ZANU-PF party since gaining independence from Britain in 1980. Both Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and the leader of South Africa's ruling African National Congress called for a postponement of Friday's election following Tsvangirai's withdrawal. Zuma, a prominent figure in South Africa and a rival to Mbeki in terms of power, has urged the United Nations and SADC to intervene urgently, stating that the situation in Zimbabwe is spiraling out of control. South Africa, under Mbeki's leadership, has favored a strategy of "quiet diplomacy" with Mugabe and has resisted using its significant economic influence over Zimbabwe. However, Zuma, who replaced Mbeki as leader of the ANC in December, has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of Mugabe. Despite pressure from the international community, Mugabe remains defiant and has stated that the upcoming election will proceed as planned. He dismissed the Western criticism as mere noise. Mugabe stated that the elections will continue, and those who choose to acknowledge their legitimacy can do so, while those who do not should refrain. Mugabe has overseen a decline into economic turmoil, with 80 percent unemployment and the highest inflation rate in the world of at least 165,000 percent. He attributes his country's economic difficulties to Western sanctions. | 2 |
However, following the tragic event in El Paso where 22 people were killed by a white supremacist gunman, the political landscape is quickly moving towards a more extensive and potentially tumultuous debate on racist extremism. Not only is the gun lobby under fire, but social media platforms like 8chan, known for promoting toxic ideologies and violent concepts, are also facing scrutiny for their role in spreading harmful beliefs that have led to real-life tragedies. President Donald Trump is also facing increased criticism for the similarities between his rhetoric and the El Paso shooter's anti-immigrant manifesto. Trump's attempts to deflect attention through tweets attacking the media and suggesting new background checks for gun buyers have not been successful in alleviating the political pressure. His later statement condemning white supremacy and online extremism, while avoiding addressing his own language and not advocating for stricter gun laws, has failed to silence the criticism from his opponents who are calling for him to take responsibility. A statement from former President Barack Obama on Monday afternoon highlighted the shift from the gun violence debate to a focus on extremism. Obama called for both gun control and a strong national rejection of racism and those who promote it. He emphasized the need to reject leaders who use language that fosters fear, hatred, and racist beliefs. While Obama did not specifically name any leaders, Democratic presidential candidates did not hesitate to blame Trump for giving support to extremists. Joe Biden accused Trump of promoting white supremacy and dividing the country. Other political leaders also expressed their concern and alarm. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City who has funded a long-term campaign for gun control, wrote in a column that recent acts of violence should prompt a change in the political landscape regarding guns. He criticized Trump's response as being evasive. Democratic presidential candidates united in their criticism of Trump, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren holding him accountable for promoting dangerous ideologies, and Sen. Cory Booker dismissing Trump's speech as ineffective. Booker plans to address gun violence in a speech at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, where a mass shooting occurred in 2015. The issue of gun violence and racism is becoming prominent in elections beyond the presidential race, with candidates like Mike Johnston attributing the toxic culture to Trump. Candidates in 2020 will need to make a clear decision on these issues. In an interview, Johnston stated that individuals must choose whether to support white nationalists with AR-15s or the millions of Americans who fear them. Trump expressed openness to bipartisan solutions to address gun violence and attributed the spread of "sinister ideologies" to the internet and social media. He emphasized his support for the death penalty and questioned the effectiveness of gun restrictions, stating that mental illness and hatred, not guns, are responsible for violence. Trump's campaign criticized Democrats for politicizing national grief and defended the president's condemnation of racism and white supremacy. The campaign also pointed out that Bernie Sanders was not blamed when one of his supporters tried to attack Republican lawmakers in 2017. He stated that the blame for such terrible attacks ultimately falls on the individuals who carry them out. While Trump and his supporters insist he is not responsible for the increase in extremist violence, many believe he has not distanced himself enough from white supremacist groups. A survey from the Pew Research Centre in March showed that 56 percent of Americans feel Trump has not done enough to separate himself from white nationalist organizations. This sentiment is shared by a quarter of Republicans or those who support Trump. It is not only liberals who view the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton as a national crisis and a significant test for Trump. The conservative National Review magazine has called for action against the resurgent ideology of white supremacy, comparing it to the government's response to Islamic terrorism. The magazine urged Trump to condemn these actions clearly and repeatedly. Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, who led his state through the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, said in an interview that the current situation requires both stricter gun laws and a new approach from the White House. He advised Trump to be cautious with his words to prevent causing fear or anger. Keating emphasized the importance of Trump understanding the impact of his rhetoric and called on him to be both a moral and government leader. He also expressed uncertainty about whether the El Paso shooting would have a significant impact on national politics like the Oklahoma City bombing did in the 1990s. President Bill Clinton's response to the bombing, where he condemned extreme right voices, helped boost his image as a strong leader after a rocky start to his presidency. Trump has not shown any interest in taking on a role of clear moral leadership or reflecting on his own support of divisive politics. After the violence in Charlottesville in 2017, he controversially remarked that there were "very fine people on both sides." Recently, he has continued to attack minority groups without remorse. While many Republican lawmakers have not publicly criticized Trump's behavior, there are concerns within the party about how it may impact the 2020 elections. Trump's focus on illegal immigration during the midterm elections resulted in a significant defeat for his party in various cities and suburbs. The final weeks of the 2018 elections were marked by two traumatic events that may have intensified voters' concerns about the president's violent rhetoric and appeals to racism: a series of attempted bombings by a Trump supporter targeting the president's critics, and a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh carried out by a gunman who had spoken out against immigrant "invaders." Despite his initial somber response to the Pittsburgh massacre, Trump quickly returned to his divisive campaign rhetoric. However, his rural and white political base continued to support him unwaveringly. The Democratic presidential candidates briefly put aside their internal divisions in the wake of the weekend's violence, recognizing the need to present a united front against Trump's worldview and actions in the upcoming 2020 campaign. Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state expressed confidence to a reporter in Detroit that his party would easily come together for the 2020 election, comparing their unity to a powerful force, stating that the only force stronger would be a black hole, referring to the current White House occupant as a white nationalist. | 2 |
Throughout his career spanning four decades, which includes serving as the director of NASA’s planetary science division for 12 years and its chief scientist for the past three years, he has played a significant role in shaping NASA’s scientific research. He has overseen missions throughout the solar system and has contributed to more than 100 scientific papers covering various topics. While initially focusing on Earth’s magnetic field and plasma waves, he has expanded his research interests over time. One of his recent notable contributions is the development of a scale called the “confidence of life detection,” or CoLD, for verifying the discovery of alien life. Additionally, he has proposed the idea of using a giant magnetic shield to terraform Mars and make it suitable for human habitation by preventing the sun from stripping away the planet’s atmosphere and increasing surface temperatures. He has also been a strong advocate for exploring other worlds, such as planning a mission to Europa, Jupiter’s icy moon, set to launch in 2024. Before a meeting of the American Geophysical Union in New Orleans in December, Green discussed his extensive work and the exploration for life within our solar system. Below are excerpts from our interview, edited and condensed. Green has advocated for a systematic approach to detecting life with the CoLD scale, which categorizes potential discoveries on a scale of one to seven. This scale is necessary because a few years ago, researchers claimed to have identified phosphine in Venus's atmosphere. They observed the possibility of life at a significant level, although it did not reach the level of certainty. They later realized there was contamination in their signal and it might not be phosphine after all. Communication improvements are needed. Methane is prevalent on Mars, and while most methane on Earth comes from life, there is a small percentage that does not. We are currently at CoLD Level 3, but if a scientist presented an instrument that could elevate us to CoLD Level 4, I would immediately support that mission. Progress towards finding life in the solar system is important, and we need to stop delaying and take the necessary steps to achieve this goal. Despite NASA's focus on searching for life on Mars since the 1970s, including missions like Viking 1 and 2 and later missions, it is surprising that we have not yet found life on the planet. Response A: Our current approach to identifying signs of life is more systematic and informed compared to the past. The Earth has been teeming with life for billions of years, but looking back a billion years, Venus had a large ocean and was a blue planet. It is possible that Mars once supported life in abundance, as it was a blue planet over a billion years ago. However, Mars lost its magnetic field, causing water to evaporate and the planet to become stagnant around 3.5 billion years ago. Despite this, there is still hope of finding evidence of life on Mars. The Viking landers were placed on the surface without much consideration, as scientists were simply trying to land them on Mars. It felt as though we were leaving something behind in the vast Gobi Desert. We should have left them in Jezero Crater, where we are currently with the Perseverance rover, but we were unaware of its existence at that time. One of the Viking experiments suggested the presence of microbial life in the soil, but only one of the three instruments confirmed it, so we were unable to confirm the discovery of life. Now, with the plan to bring back samples, we will finally have definitive answers. The need for a sample return mission was unexpected. Question: In the past, you have proposed the idea of using a large magnetic shield to prevent the sun from stripping Mars' atmosphere, allowing the planet to retain more heat and become habitable. Is this idea feasible?
Answer: Yes, it is feasible. By preventing the sun from stripping the atmosphere, the pressure on Mars will increase, leading to the planet starting to terraform itself. We desire for the planet to be involved in this process in any way possible. As the pressure increases, so does the temperature. The initial stage of terraforming occurs at 60 millibars, which is ten times higher than our current level. This is known as the Armstrong limit, where a person's blood would not boil if they were to walk on the surface without a spacesuit. Without the need for a spacesuit, there would be greater freedom of movement and flexibility. Paraphrased Text = The increased temperature and pressure allow for the initiation of plant growth in soil. Various methods for creating a magnetic shield are being considered. I am currently finalizing a research paper that I have been working on for approximately two years, although I anticipate it will not be well-received. The planetary community is generally opposed to the concept of terraforming. I believe we have the ability to alter Venus by using a physical shield that reflects light, which would lower the temperature. The Europa Clipper mission, approved by NASA in 2015 to search for signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa, is set for launch in 2024 after plumes were detected erupting from its subsurface ocean in 2013. Would you have preferred for this mission to happen sooner? Text = A: I wish I could have seen it earlier, but it was not possible. There are certain missions that are very large and are considered strategic missions. In order for them to happen, everything needs to fall into place. You have to submit a proposal, have a strong case, present it to NASA administration, and then pitch it to Congress. Every year, I proposed a Europa mission. Each year, the administration showed no interest in visiting Europa. It was the discovery of plumes on Europa that ultimately led to the Europa mission. In 2013, at an American Geophysical Union meeting, several scientists were set to present their findings on detecting a plume with Hubble on Europa. This news excited the speaker, prompting them to want to hold a press conference. I contacted NASA headquarters again, and they successfully completed the task. I brought that information back to headquarters and incorporated it into the Europa story, which made a significant impact. This led them to consider the idea of doing something similar. When asked about Congress's decision not to include a lander on the mission, I was in favor of having one. A: While a lander would be great, it's not currently part of the plan. Adding a lander would complicate the mission, but our work on Clipper is laying the groundwork for a future lander. I emphasized the importance of having a high-resolution imager so that we can gather the necessary information to safely choose a landing spot as we fly over certain areas. Europa has dangerous terrains, so without this imaging, landing would be impossible. It's important to take measured steps forward rather than taking a huge leap, as that often leads to failure. Viking serves as an example of when we made a mistake by taking a large step without enough knowledge. We didn't have enough information about the soils or toxins, and we didn't have a clear understanding of the planet's water sources in the past before sending the two Vikings to the surface. There were 10 important things that we should have known beforehand. The question is whether you will continue working on scientific papers in your retirement. A: Certainly. I am currently working on a paper about Mars, another one about Europa, and I am also writing a book on astrobiology. My enthusiasm for science is unquenchable. Copyright 2022 by The New York Times Company. | 2 |
Putin made a promise to protect a bank that is partially owned by a former ally who has been blacklisted by Washington. Russia's response to the financial and visa restrictions imposed by the US included producing its own blacklist. Despite his allies laughing off the sanctions, the Moscow stock exchange saw a significant drop in shares due to threats from President Obama about targeting major sectors of the economy if Russia expanded its presence beyond Crimea. In response to claims by Russia that troop movements on the Ukraine border were simply military exercises, Washington remained doubtful and the OSCE agreed to send monitors to Ukraine. The financial pressure continued to increase with Visa and MasterCard ceasing payment processing for a Russian bank owned by individuals on the US blacklist. European Union leaders also imposed sanctions on several Russian officials and expressed their desire to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Following the annexation of Crimea, Putin signed legislation ratifying the treaty making Crimea part of Russia and creating two new administrative districts. Celebrations and fireworks were held in Crimea, with many ethnic Russians expressing a desire for improved conditions and investment from Russia, while Ukrainian and Tatar residents remained cautious and wary of the annexation. A referendum held last Sunday in Crimea, following the seizure of the region by Russian troops, overwhelmingly supported union with Russia. However, this referendum was criticized by the United States and the European Union as being illegitimate. This paved the way for Crimea's annexation by Russia within a week. President Obama's decision to target the financial assets of those close to Putin, including Bank Rossiya, has escalated tensions diplomatically. Putin denied any involvement of Bank Rossiya in the events in Crimea, stating that it primarily serves clients in Russia's energy sector. Putin, who believes Crimea has the right to self-determination, announced that he will transfer his wages to Bank Rossiya. Other individuals targeted by the U.S. blacklist include oil trader Gennady Timchenko and the Rotenberg brothers, who are connected to major contracts in gas pipelines and the Sochi Olympics. The European Union leaders also decided to expedite their efforts for secure energy supplies during discussions on Friday. Despite progress in diversifying energy sources since previous crises, Russia still provides a significant portion of the EU's oil and gas, with a large amount passing through Ukraine. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy stated that member states will support each other to maintain energy supplies in case of any disruption from Moscow. EU countries, which currently negotiate with Russia individually for gas supplies, will aim to collectively negotiate deals with Moscow to strengthen their bargaining position. Van Rompuy stated the need for an energy union. Angela Merkel suggested US shale gas could be an option for European countries. Obama is set to discuss the issue with EU leaders. US credit card companies Visa and MasterCard stopped services for Russia's SMP bank, causing concern for foreign banks and companies. French banker in Moscow criticized the sanctions, warning of potential ripple effects on the Russian economy. Obama mentioned considering sanctions on various economic sectors if Russia intervenes in Ukraine. Ukrainian troops in Crimea are unable to stop Russia's control of the region. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern about the ongoing instability and threat in Ukraine, urging OSCE observers to begin their work promptly. European governments, including Germany and France, took actions against Russia by suspending defense-related exports and military cooperation. In Brussels, EU leaders signed a political agreement with Ukraine's new leadership and pledged financial aid once a deal is reached with the IMF. Protests in Ukraine began after former President Yanukovich refused to sign an association agreement with the EU. Russia's stock index dropped following the announcement of sanctions by Obama. Credit ratings agencies Fitch and S&P changed their outlooks on Russia to negative due to the potential impact of sanctions. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stated that Russia would increase financial pressure on Ukraine, demanding repayment of $11 billion under a gas supply contract. | 2 |
US geologists at the Rothera Base in Antarctica welcomed President Barack Obama's inauguration and expressed optimism for a greater emphasis on science. David Barbeau, an assistant professor of geology at the University of South Carolina, described the event as exciting and believed that the new administration would prioritize science. He mentioned feeling inspired by Obama's commitment to doubling basic research funding in the next decade. Amanda Savrda, a graduate student in geology working with Barbeau, also shared the sentiment of hope and appreciation for a president who values and supports science. She stated that it appears to be promising for her future and the future of many people in science. Barbeau and Savrda are attempting to determine the specific time when the ocean formed between Antarctica and South America millions of years ago. Scientists at the Rothera base are also researching various aspects such as ice sheets and starfish to understand how they could be impacted by climate change. Obama has pledged to prioritize the battle against global warming. Former President George W. Bush's decision to not adopt the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, the primary UN strategy for combating climate change, caused frustration among numerous scientists and foreign governments. All the other advanced nations support the Kyoto agreement. | 2 |
She had never invested a lot of money or time in beauty treatments, rarely getting facials or shopping at Sephora. However, when Dr. Lara Devgan reopened her office in New York last month, Aubry went for a consultation and received treatment on the same day. This visit was one of the few times she had left her apartment since March. Aubry, aged 40, could attribute her anxiety to hearing sirens from her apartment and constantly fearing illness. Having my children at home has affected my ability to manage my company, and witnessing the impact of the pandemic on the economy has caused me stress and made me realize that I was aging quickly. During the lockdown, there was a surge in demand for nonessential and noninvasive skin-care treatments such as laser procedures, fillers, and Botox injections. Plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei from Los Angeles mentioned that people are eager to undergo these treatments now while they have the time to heal without it interfering with their work and social activities. It was likely expected that there would be a large number of catch-up appointments. However, what will happen in the aesthetic industry after this initial surge? Will people have a list of things they want to change after seeing themselves more frequently in virtual meetings? Or, after relying on at-home skin care during a break from the doctor's office, will they realize they don't need medical treatment? The most crucial question is how to proceed safely. Doctors believe that the pandemic will lead to a shift in focus on our appearance, as masks cover most of our faces. There is expected to be a rise in requests for under-eye filler, Botox brow lifts, and eyelid surgery. Additionally, as our faces are covered, there may be more emphasis on the aesthetics of the torso, buttocks, and legs. As medical practices begin to reopen, there has been an increase in requests for body treatments. During the summer, surgeries are usually less frequent as people prepare for beach vacations. However, due to the pandemic restricting travel, more people are opting to undergo procedures now, according to Dr. Sachin Shridharani, a plastic surgeon in New York. The Aesthetic Society reports that liposuction and tummy tucks accounted for 31% of total procedures in June, up from 26% in June 2019. Breast procedures also saw a 4.3% increase compared to last June. Dr. Herluf Lund, a plastic surgeon in St. Louis and president of the Aesthetic Society, noted a significant rise in breast augmentations and lifts compared to last year, despite the time his practice was closed. Nonsurgical body treatments, such as injectables, are also in high demand. Shridharani noted that there is growing interest in using syringes instead of scalpels for cosmetic procedures. Injectables, which are usually FDA-approved for facial use, can also be effective for addressing body concerns. For example, Shridharani uses Kybella to dissolve double chins and reduce fat in various areas, as well as diluted Sculptra to stimulate collagen production in arms and thighs for smoother skin. (Shridharani receives financial compensation from the manufacturers of Kybella and Sculptra for his work.). The excessive use of fillers and Botox that has become common among celebrities and influencers may be declining. Plastic surgeon Steven Pearlman believes that the trend of baby-smooth foreheads and overfilled lips and cheeks, which has been decreasing in popularity, will continue to fade even faster now. Pearlman notes that people have noticed their faces looking more natural during lockdowns and are realizing that having an extreme appearance is not as important. Changes in social media behavior may also occur, with uncertainty as to whether or not people will continue to share scenes from their Botox appointments on Instagram. In a time of coronavirus fears, economic hardship, and increasing national unrest, sharing expensive cosmetic procedures on social media could, and perhaps should, prompt criticism. As Black Lives Matter protests began in late May, cosmetic doctors noticeably stopped posting dramatic before-and-after images. "We wanted to be thoughtful," Pearlman explained. "Everyone was asking themselves, 'What is appropriate to post right now, and should we even be posting at all?'" However, social media has become a vital way to stay connected during extended lockdowns, leading people to feel more at ease sharing personal aspects of their lives with their followers. Maybe a compromise will be reached where patients allow their doctors to share photos of their procedures instead of posting them on their own social media. Aubry, who initially would not have allowed her procedure photos to be posted, wanted other women to know about their options without feeling shame. Dr. Adolf Karchmer, an infectious disease expert, believes that the risk of getting coronavirus can never be zero, but offices can implement safety protocols to minimize the risk to a very low level. Karchmer was a member of a task force that created Project AesCert, which provides safety guidelines for reopening. Patients should be aware that safety measures start before they reach the office, as practices will be conducting screenings based on symptoms, potential exposures, and preexisting conditions. Some practices may choose to not see individuals who are at high risk for COVID-19. Lund stated that the initial question the patient should ask is about the practice's safety protocols. It is important to confirm if the practice can easily explain their safety measures when contacted and if this information is available on their website. Upon arrival, the patient's temperature will be checked, and any necessary paperwork should have been completed online prior to the appointment. Additionally, everyone present should be wearing masks. The doctor will wear personal protective equipment, such as an N95 mask, face shield, gown, and gloves. Many consultations and follow-ups will be done virtually to reduce traffic in the office. Due to the increased risk of coronavirus exposure, there is a greater emphasis on aesthetics. Medical resources are limited, making it a risky time to have complications from procedures. | 2 |
In the southern town of Gafsa, clashes erupted between groups of young people throwing stones and police using tear gas to disperse them. Despite this, the streets in other parts of the North African state were calm, in contrast to the Arab Spring uprisings that originated there. There were concerns about more unrest due to calls for a general strike, and the family of the assassinated politician Chokri Belaid indicated that his funeral might be delayed until Friday. Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali announced plans to replace the government with a non-partisan cabinet until new elections could be held, but this move was not approved by his party, Ennahda. The opposition parties also rejected the idea of a government of experts and insisted on being consulted before a new cabinet is formed. The ongoing political deadlock could worsen the already existing unrest in Tunisia, highlighting the divide between Islamists and secular groups who fear for their freedoms and rights just two years after the fall of the dictatorship. Belaid was killed by a gunman who escaped on a motorcycle as he was leaving for work. This incident led to thousands of protesters taking to the streets nationwide, throwing rocks and clashing with police, reminiscent of the events in Egypt the previous month. The killing had no one claiming responsibility, and the head of Ennahda denied any involvement. Despite winning the most seats in the election 16 months ago, Ennahda's headquarters in Tunis was set on fire by a crowd. Protests also occurred in Sidi Bouzid, where the Jasmine Revolution took place in 2011. The assassination of Belaid, while he had a small political following, resonated with many Tunisians who fear the threat of radical religious groups erasing the freedoms gained during the Arab Spring uprisings. The interim parliament will discuss the proposal for a temporary technocratic government on Thursday, with the possibility of approval from the assembly. However, the dysfunctional nature of the assembly may lead to prolonged deadlock, further fueling unrest. The opposition seems to be using the crisis to their advantage, potentially deepening the political uncertainty and increasing tensions among supporters of the secular opposition. Many Tunisians are concerned about the growing influence of hardline Islamist groups and fear that Ennahda is falling under their control. Major powers are urging Tunisians to transition peacefully to democracy, as the discontent over the lack of progress towards improved living standards continues to simmer. Investor concerns over the crisis have caused the cost of insuring Tunisian government bonds against default to rise to its highest level in over four years. However, Tunisia's economy remains weaker than that of Egypt due to the lack of significant oil and gas resources. Tourism is a major source of income for Tunisia, and continued unrest could discourage visitors. Following protests on Wednesday, Jebali announced that discussions on restructuring the government had failed because of disagreements within the coalition. One secular party threatened to leave unless Ennahda changed some of its ministers. Opposition parties demanded that Jebali consult with them before dissolving the cabinet. Maya Jribi, leader of the Republican party, stressed the importance of consulting with all parties. Beji Caid Essebsi, former prime minister and leader of Nida Touns, called for the resignation of the entire government. Before his death, Belaid was criticizing a culture of violence in Tunisia. Ennahda and its secularist allies in the coalition government have been criticized for their tolerance towards Salafists, which has allowed the rise of groups hostile to modern culture and liberal ideas. Similar to Egypt, secular leaders have accused Islamists of trying to impose strict religious beliefs in the new state. This disagreement has delayed progress on a constitution and parliamentary election. Unlike Egypt, Ennahda has struggled to form a strong partnership with state institutions, leaving them with limited resources to address political opposition and demands for government reform. | 2 |
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