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Tourist attractions and homes around the world participated in Earth Hour 2009 by turning off their lights to raise awareness about climate change. Landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, Eiffel Tower, and London's Houses of Parliament dimmed their lights as part of a campaign to promote energy conservation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Despite concerns about the costs of fighting global warming during the economic crisis, organizers believe the event demonstrated widespread support for a new U.N. climate deal by the end of 2009. Kim Carstensen, head of a global climate initiative at WWF, expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching a new agreement during U.N. climate talks in Bonn. He mentioned that they were showing it to everyone who was turning off their lights, while delegates and activists were enjoying blue cocktails. According to the U.N. Climate Panel, greenhouse gas emissions are causing global warming and will result in increased floods, droughts, heatwaves, rising sea levels, and the extinction of animals and plants. Global emissions have increased by approximately 70% since the 1970s. China has surpassed the United States as the largest emitter, followed by the European Union, Russia, and India. One billion people from nearly 90 countries are expected to participate in Earth Hour, an event started by WWF in 2007 and went global in 2008. According to the U.N. Climate Panel, rich nations need to reduce their emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020 to prevent the worst effects of warming, while developing nations also need to slow the rise of their emissions by the same year. Andy Ridley, the executive director of Earth Hour, explained to reporters at Sydney's Bondi Beach that the main purpose of the event is to encourage people to consider how they can reduce their carbon footprint, even if only for an hour, and hopefully continue these actions beyond that time. In Asia, famous landmarks in countries like China, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines turned off their lights as people celebrated Earth Hour with candle-lit picnics and concerts. In Singapore, buildings in the business district and major landmarks like the Singapore Flyer participated in the event. Other global landmarks including the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Reserve Bank in Mumbai, the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Great Pyramids in Egypt, and the Acropolis in Athens also went dark in support of Earth Hour. | 2 |
The conservative state of Romania is currently the only EU member that does not allow marriage or civil partnerships for same sex couples. Supporters of a proposal, including the Orthodox Church and all but one parliamentary party, want to further amend the constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman in order to prevent same sex couples from marrying in the future. Human rights groups are advocating for a boycott of the ballot, warning that approval of the proposal could lead to further erosion of minority rights and a shift towards a populist, authoritarian government. A poll released by CURS on Friday estimated a turnout of 34 percent, with 90 percent in favor of the change. The Coalition for the Family collected 3 million signatures in support of the amendment. Last year, the lower house of parliament approved the referendum, followed by the senate in September, which was the final step needed. Some Coalition campaign posters encouraged people to vote "Yes" in order to protect family values and prevent gay couples from adopting children. On the other hand, a different advertisement warned that voting "No" would allow a man to marry a tree. The leader of the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, expressed concerns about the potential consequences of legalizing marriage between a man and an animal, citing examples from other countries. In the days leading up to the vote, the government eased anti-fraud measures, limited options for challenging the result, and removed the cut-off date for campaigning set by the broadcasting regulator. The lack of effective methods to verify fraud in the referendum has created a sense of distrust in the fairness of the process, according to the independent think tank Expert Forum (EFOR). Some opposition politicians and activists believe the ruling party (PSD) is using the vote to distract from its leader's legal issues and conflicts with the European Commission. Former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos has accused the PSD of trying to create an anti-European sentiment in Romania to support their agenda. The government denies these allegations, while the Orthodox Church believes a "Yes" vote is in line with Christian, democratic, and patriotic values. Romania legalized homosexuality in 2001 after neighboring countries, but discrimination against the LGBT community remains prevalent. Photo titled Romania 1+2 showing Romanian clergymen participating in a rally to support a "Yes" vote on an upcoming referendum in Draganesti, Romania on Oct 4, 2018, to amend the constitution and prevent the future recognition of same-sex marriages. REUTERS. | 2 |
He spoke at a prominent CSR conference in Germany. He emphasized the importance of politicians providing regulations, buyers paying fair prices, factory owners focusing on compliance and sustainability, and customers being educated. The BGCCI is the biggest bilateral chamber in Bangladesh. The 11th German CSR Forum took place in Stuttgart on April 20 and 21, and is considered the top forum for Corporate Social Responsibility in Germany. The BGCCI announced that the forum's theme is "Without CSR no business success." Over 800 participants from various sectors attended the conference, where prizes were given in six categories for best practices. These categories included CO2 avoidance, gender diversity, cooperation with NGOs/NPOs, CSR in the supply chain, sustainable urban development, and the best video on a company's CSR commitment. Germany is a top market for Bangladeshi garments, which have duty-free access. The conference also focused on the RGM supply chain in Bangladesh. BGCCI emphasized the need for improvement in supply chain standards in addition to policy guidelines. Jan Eggert, a sustainability consultant and former CEO of BSCI, pointed out that companies often have products manufactured by independent firms overseas, making it difficult to ensure standards are being met. The Executive Director of BGCCI stated that currently, only price is considered, but this mentality must change in order to establish sustainable business models. | 2 |
The topic of immigration is a major focus of political discussion in the country leading up to the presidential elections, with candidates from both the right and left taking firm stances. The recent tragic incident of 27 migrants drowning off France's northern coast has intensified the debate on the need for immigration control. Despite strong rhetoric from politicians, the reality is that France actually has a lower proportion of immigrants compared to its neighboring countries. Over the past decade, immigration has increased at a slower rate in France than in other parts of Europe and the world. According to migration expert François Héran, France's immigration situation is relatively average and moderate. Politicians in France are considering measures to restrict immigration, such as imposing a moratorium, holding a referendum, or closing borders, despite the fact that the country is not heavily affected by immigration. This is in contrast to countries like Germany and Australia, which are actively seeking migrant workers to address labor shortages caused by the pandemic. In response to worker shortages in sectors like hospitality and construction, some politicians are proposing to increase wages rather than allowing more immigrants into the country. Discussions about immigration in France often focus on national identity, with concerns about preserving traditional French identity in the face of Muslim immigrants from Africa. Terrorist attacks in recent years, some carried out by second-generation immigrants, have further fueled fears about immigration's impact on French society. These issues have had a cumulative impact in France, making any support for immigration a risky political move, hindering necessary reforms to attract skilled foreign workers, and turning the country, once a global hub, inwards. According to Philippe Corcuff, an expert on the far right at the Institute of Political Studies in Lyon, France is entering a new phase characterized by the collapse of the left's stance on immigration and the increasing influence of the extreme right in shaping the political debate. Candidates from the centre-right Republicans party agree on the importance of regaining control of borders and restricting immigrants' access to social benefits. One candidate, Michel Barnier, has even suggested amending the constitution to allow for a temporary halt on immigration. On the left, while most candidates have chosen not to address the issue, a former economy minister has proposed blocking remittances sent by migrants through Western Union to countries that refuse to repatriate their citizens living in France illegally. The suggestion came after President Emmanuel Macron recently declared his intention to address the issue by reducing the number of visas granted to residents of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. On the extreme right, Éric Zemmour, a writer and TV personality who announced his candidacy for next year's presidential elections on Tuesday, has warned that France's Christian heritage is in danger due to immigration from Muslim countries. Zemmour stated that France must not allow itself to be taken over or replaced. With Zemmour's candidacy, the previously taboo subject of the "great replacement" conspiracy theory, which accuses politicians like Macron of using immigration to replace white, Christian individuals, has entered the election conversation. Zemmour criticized past French administrations for concealing "the truth of our replacement" and claimed that Macron aims to merge France with Europe and Africa. In a recent televised debate, while center-right candidates were reluctant to fully endorse the theory - which has been associated with white supremacist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, and El Paso, Texas - they acknowledged that the issue of replacement is a significant problem facing France. A recent poll found that 61% of French respondents believe that Europe's white and Christian population will be replaced by Muslim immigrants. This contrasts with Germany, where immigration was not a major issue in recent elections, despite the country being a leader in accepting refugees. According to Jean-Christophe Dumont of the OECD, France has an obsession with immigration despite not being a major destination for immigrants. France's immigrant population in 2020 was 13%, below the OECD average. The percentage of immigrants in Germany's population increased by 16% between 2010 and 2020, while in France, there was a 30% increase in immigrants during the same period. France stopped accepting large numbers of workers from northern Africa in the mid-1970s, coinciding with the rise of the far-right National Front, now known as the National Rally. Immigration in France has shifted towards foreign students and family-linked arrivals rather than migrant workers. Auriol, the economist, stated that immigrants are now being accepted to join their spouses, rather than solely for work purposes. The consequence is that France's immigrant population is not as varied as that of other wealthy countries. Over 40% of immigrants in 2019 came from Africa, specifically Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, according to government statistics. This lack of diversity, along with the clustering of new immigrants in cities like Paris, contributes to concerns about immigration, as noted by historian Patrick Weil, who teaches at Panthéon-Sorbonne University and Yale. Unlike in the US, where anti-immigrant sentiment was a factor in Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, immigration in France, linked to its colonial past in Algeria and other Muslim countries, is a more contentious issue. Weil also highlights the connection between immigration and religion in France, which is not as pronounced in the United States. Auriol, the economist, stated that fears about immigration and threats to France's Christian heritage from the right wing make it challenging to discuss reforming immigration policies to attract qualified foreign immigrants. She believes that current immigration policies hinder economic growth and recovery from the pandemic. Auriol mentioned that while some minor changes have been made recently, they are not enough to draw in the motivated, skilled immigrants that France needs for innovation. She also noted that France struggles to attract citizens from other European Union countries and has difficulty retaining foreign students after they graduate, due to the anti-immigrant sentiment in the country. She mentioned that in the 20th century, Paris attracted talented individuals from all over the world who made significant contributions to France's economic, scientific, and cultural achievements. France was known for being an open country at that time. The speaker expressed concern about the current situation and wondered what had caused the change. | 2 |
Myanmar's government and ethnic Karen rebels signed a cease-fire agreement in an effort to end one of the world's longest-running insurgencies. The agreement includes 11 points and aims to resolve the 62-year conflict between the two parties. The cease-fire could potentially lead to the lifting of sanctions imposed on Myanmar by the European Union and the United States. Despite several unsuccessful peace talks in the past, the current climate of change in Myanmar under its reform-minded government has made dialogue necessary. He expressed strong confidence in the ongoing talks, emphasizing that peace negotiations are now necessary due to the current circumstances. He believes that the people, who have endured the traumas of war for a long time, will be relieved to hear this news and hopes they will finally experience the benefits of peace. Since 1949, the KNU has been fighting for greater autonomy through its military wing, the KNLA, against successive governments in Myanmar. Saw David Htaw commended the government's peace negotiators for their honesty and sincerity. In addition to the issue of sanctions, peace with the KNU is crucial for Myanmar's economic interests. The resurgence of conflict poses a security threat that could disrupt the construction of the $50 billion Dawei Special Industrial Zone, which is set to become Southeast Asia's largest industrial estate and a significant source of income for the country. Previous offensives by government forces have displaced hundreds of thousands of Karens, forcing them into refugee camps in Thailand, which has struggled to accommodate the influx of refugees. Myanmar's military has been accused of mistreating the Karens and other ethnic minorities through various human rights violations such as rape, forced labor, torture, and murder. The West has reacted by implementing strict sanctions. In the agreements made in Pa-an, efforts will be made to resettle and rehabilitate those who have been displaced. Arms will be allowed in specific areas, landmines will be removed, and liaison offices will be established to promote communication. These discussions are part of a series of dialogues between the government and rebel groups along Myanmar's borders with Thailand and China. An agreement has been made with Shan State Army (South), but talks with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have been disrupted by ongoing fighting, despite President Thein Sein's order for the military to cease operations. U.S. officials believe that achieving peace may be the most difficult challenge for civilian leaders seeking to transition the nation away from decades of military rule. The rebels have little trust in Thein Sein's government, which includes many individuals from the former military regime, but they generally support Aung San Suu Kyi's goal of federalism within Myanmar's republic, a vision shared by her father, Aung San. | 2 |
Even though vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness from COVID-19, recent news about breakthrough infections and recommendations for vaccinated individuals to wear masks in certain situations have caused confusion and concern. While studies have shown that vaccinated people can still get infected and carry high levels of the virus, these cases are rare compared to unvaccinated individuals who are more likely to spread the virus. It is important to remember that being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others. While there is more freedom for vaccinated people, it is not the same as before the pandemic. It is still possible for vaccinated individuals to contract the Delta variant, as no vaccine provides 100 percent protection. Erin Bromage, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, compares vaccine antibodies to a sea wall that protects a town from a storm surge. While the wall usually holds up against the waves, a powerful hurricane like the Delta variant can sometimes breach it. This variant is highly infectious and poses a greater threat to vaccinated individuals. Despite this, vaccines provide additional protection, although they may not always be able to withstand major challenges, such as coming into contact with an unvaccinated person with a high viral load. The good news is that current vaccines in the United States are highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Over 97 percent of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not vaccinated, according to recent data. In Singapore, vaccinated patients who are hospitalized with delta breakthrough infections are less likely to require supplemental oxygen and clear the virus faster than unvaccinated patients. While breakthrough infections receive attention in the media, they are still rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped tracking all breakthrough cases in May, but approximately half of states provide some data on breakthrough events. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently examined state-reported data and discovered that breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are uncommon among fully vaccinated individuals against COVID-19. The rate of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated individuals is below 1 percent in all states, with Connecticut at 0.01% and Alaska at 0.29%, according to the Kaiser analysis. However, many breakthrough infections may go unreported because infected individuals may not show symptoms or only experience mild symptoms that resolve before testing. Dr. Asaf Bitton from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health stated that while breakthrough infections are rare, without a population-based sample, the true level of rarity is unknown. It is uncertain how many people with mild scratchy throats for a few days may have had breakthrough cases, but it is not due to the vaccine failing. It has been estimated that the vaccine campaign has prevented 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. The risk of a breakthrough infection increases with more exposure to the delta variant. Large events like the July 4 celebration in Provincetown, Massachusetts, or the Lollapalooza concert in Chicago, pose a higher risk for vaccinated individuals to come into contact with someone carrying a high viral load. The more people you interact with, the higher the risk, depending on the local level of risk. In the near future, there may be a surge in Lollapalooza outbreaks due to large crowds, creating an ideal environment for the spread of the delta variant. The CDC recommends wearing masks in areas designated as orange or red on their color-coded map of COVID-19 outbreaks, which currently includes approximately 80 percent of counties in the United States. Infection rates are staying relatively low in many parts of the Northeast and Upper Midwest, but there have been significant increases in cases in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida due to the delta variant. The issue with tracking these cases on a map is that the numbers are changing quickly, so it's possible for cases to surge in your local area before the map updates. Even if you live in a highly vaccinated community with low case counts, it's important to also consider the numbers and vaccination rates in nearby areas since people and viruses can easily cross state and county lines. According to most experts, wearing a mask outdoors is not necessary if you are not in a crowded area and can maintain at least 6 feet of distance from individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. However, attending a packed outdoor event is still considered risky, and if you choose to do so, wearing a mask is recommended. J Alex Huffman, an aerosol scientist and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Denver, recommends wearing a mask indoors when around people whose vaccination status is unknown, especially if close proximity will be maintained for an extended period of time. Although fully vaccinated, Huffman still wears an N95 mask in indoor public spaces. For maximum protection, upgrading to a high-quality medical mask like an N95, KN95, or KF94 is recommended. Double masking with a surgical mask underneath a cloth mask also provides strong protection if a medical mask is not available. Wearing a mask with an exhale valve is not recommended as it can release viral particles, and counterfeit masks with faulty valves may allow germs to enter. The type of mask you choose should be based on the situation. A cloth mask may suffice for a brief visit to a vacant convenience store in a highly vaccinated area, but a higher-quality mask is more appropriate for air travel or crowded grocery stores in communities with low vaccination rates and high case counts. Masks with straps or ties around the back of the head provide a tighter seal than masks with ear loops. Huffman stated that in order to combat the delta variant, all previous mitigation efforts must be improved, including the use of masks. He recommends upgrading to masks with high filter quality that fit tightly to the face, emphasizing the importance of a well-sealed mask around the edges, including over the nose bridge, by the cheeks, and under the chin. According to Huffman, a tightly fitting mask is more effective than a loose-fitting one. Vaccinated individuals have minimal risk of spreading the virus when in close contact with other vaccinated individuals without masks. While mask-wearing is not considered crucial in such scenarios, certain situations may necessitate additional precautions. Although rare, there is a theoretical possibility of a vaccinated person transmitting the virus to another vaccinated individual. Those who engage in high-risk activities like attending crowded venues or traveling to COVID hotspots pose a greater risk compared to those who avoid such scenarios and primarily interact with vaccinated individuals. With the delta variant spreading, Bitton recommends prioritizing outdoor gatherings, especially for families with unvaccinated children or members at high risk. Moving events to a backyard or patio and reducing indoor time can decrease the risk of exposure. Spending time with smaller groups of vaccinated friends is safer than attending large parties, even if all attendees are believed to be vaccinated. When indoors, opening windows for better ventilation is advised. For individuals at very high risk due to age or immunocompromised status, it is reasonable to request testing for even vaccinated individuals before visits. One option is to provide guests with a quick home test to ensure they are not infected with COVID-19. Whether or not you can still eat at restaurants depends on factors such as the local situation, your own willingness to take risks, and the health of those you are with. Communities with high vaccination rates and minimal cases have the lowest risk. For example, dining at a restaurant in Vermont, where two-thirds of the population is vaccinated, is safer than eating indoors in Alabama or Mississippi, where only one-third of residents are vaccinated. Parents of unvaccinated children and individuals with weakened immune systems, who may not receive as much protection from vaccines according to research, may opt to order takeout or eat outdoors as an extra safety measure. Is it advisable to travel? Should I avoid peanuts and water and continue wearing my mask? While airplanes are usually well ventilated and not a significant source of outbreaks, it is still wise to take precautions. The risk of coming into contact with an infected individual may be higher in airport terminals, while dining in airport restaurants and bars, or while going through security. On airplanes, the air is replaced approximately every two to three minutes, a faster rate than in places like grocery stores. Passengers are still required to wear masks, but they can remove them to eat or drink. Airplane ventilation systems limit airflow to a few rows to prevent circulation throughout the entire cabin, which means an infected passenger poses the most risk to those nearby. Experts recommend using a high-quality medical mask, such as an N95 or KF94, when flying. If you do not have a mask, it is recommended to double mask. For vaccinated individuals, the risk of briefly removing a mask to eat or drink during a flight is low, but it is advisable to keep it on as much as possible. The CDC suggests that it is safest for unvaccinated individuals, including children, to avoid flying. Bromage mentioned that he recently flew and briefly removed his mask to drink, but kept it on for the majority of the flight. He stated that he would feel more at ease removing his mask to eat if he knew the people sitting next to him were vaccinated. He expressed more worry if the person next to him didn't seem to be concerned about COVID precautions or wore their mask incorrectly. He emphasized the importance of keeping the mask on, especially when sitting next to a talkative person. The safety of buses, subways, and trains for vaccinated individuals is relatively high, as most still enforce mask-wearing which reduces the risk of exposure. However, the longer the ride and the more crowded the transportation, the higher the risk of viral exposure, even for vaccinated individuals. Many individuals rely on public transportation to commute to work or school, and it is advised to wear a properly fitting medical mask or double mask while using it. If using public transit is not necessary, one should consider local vaccination rates and the trend of case counts before deciding whether to ride. When it comes to hugging and visiting older relatives, vaccinated individuals can generally do so safely without masks, but parents of unvaccinated children need to consider more risks, especially when visiting older family members. In communities where there are few cases of COVID-19 and high vaccination rates, it is generally safe for unvaccinated children from one household to visit vaccinated grandparents. However, with the spread of the delta variant and children going back to school, the risk of close contact increases for older or immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to complications from the virus. When families plan to visit a high-risk relative, it is recommended to limit other exposures by avoiding activities like dining out or going to the gym in the week leading up to the visit. While the risk of a vaccinated person spreading COVID-19 is low, vaccinated grandparents should still take precautions when spending time with unvaccinated children. Aerosol scientist Huffman mentioned that he has not been wearing masks indoors with his elderly parents because he is cautious about wearing masks in public places. "If I had more interactions that increased my overall risk of exposure, I would strongly consider wearing a mask indoors with vulnerable individuals. Rapid home tests are an additional precaution to take when visiting grandparents or immune-compromised family members. It is recommended to take a test a few days before the visit and on the day of the visit. Home tests are a great option for those feeling anxious about the virus. By testing before coming together, everyone can ensure they are clear of the virus and enjoy their time together. " If you test positive for COVID-19 in the United States, it is highly likely that you have the delta variant. According to the CDC, delta now makes up over 82 percent of cases in the US and is also dominant in other countries. The World Health Organization reported in late July that delta accounts for 75 percent or more of cases in many countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Israel, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK. However, standard COVID tests cannot determine if your infection is specifically caused by the delta variant or another strain of the virus. Health departments may utilize genomic sequencing to determine the prevalence of various variants within a population, but this data is usually not disclosed to individuals. It is important to continue isolating and consulting a healthcare professional if experiencing symptoms such as low blood oxygen levels, difficulty breathing, or other concerning signs. | 2 |
Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in a speech in Tokyo that Japan's top business lobby, the Keidanren, has the potential to influence policy changes on global warming by sending a strong message to their counterparts in the United States. He emphasized the importance of the Japanese business community's respected reputation and urged them to use their influence to shape opinions within the US business community, ultimately leading to changes in US policy regarding climate change. Gore also highlighted the impact of the United States' withdrawal from the Kyoto protocol, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, due to concerns about its impact on the US economy. In 1997, the Japanese government hosted talks that led to the creation of the protocol. Recently, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged major polluters like the United States, China, and India to do more to address climate change during his visit to Europe. Japan's own greenhouse gas emissions reached 1.36 billion tonnes in March 2006, slightly higher than the previous year and significantly above its goal of reducing emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels. However, Al Gore believes that Japanese corporations have a crucial role to play in combating climate change by setting an example for the global business community. Gore stated, "The business leadership of Japan can lead the way and lead the business community of the world. Your determination to be a part of the solution can be the key to the world successfully solving this crisis." More than 330 cities in the US have expressed their support for the Kyoto protocol, indicating strong grassroots backing for its goals, according to Gore. The former presidential candidate declined to respond to media inquiries on Monday. Additionally, none of the business leaders present at the event inquired about speculations regarding a potential presidential run following his environmental advocacy efforts. | 2 |
This is where the melting face emoji becomes relevant. The emoji, with a half-smile as it liquefies into a puddle, is among the 37 new emojis approved by the Unicode Consortium this year. Other new emojis include a saluting face, a face with dotted lines, and a disco ball. These emojis will be introduced gradually over the next year. The melting face emoji has already gained popularity on social media, with many interpreting it as a symbol of the significant psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic. One Twitter user described the melting smiley face emoji as a reflection of the current widespread mood, while others saw it as a representation of climate anxiety. Some users predicted that the emoji would be frequently used in the context of the climate change crisis. The melting face emoji was created in 2019 by Jennifer Daniel and Neil Cohn, who share a mutual love for visual language. Daniel, who identifies with they/them pronouns, serves as an emoji subcommittee chair for Unicode and is a creative director at Google; Cohn is an associate professor at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, specializing in cognition and communication. Cohn's research on representations of emotion in Japanese Visual Language, specifically the concept of "paperification" where characters in manga turn into paper when embarrassed, caught Daniel's attention. They both noticed the lack of an emoji representing this visual convention and decided to create one, eventually settling on the melting face as a more visceral alternative. Cohn pointed out that many face emojis draw inspiration from manga and comics, using existing visual culture conventions. The first emojis were created in 1999 by a Japanese artist named Shigetaka Kurita, who was inspired by manga. They were intended to make text-based communication easier, as NTT Docomo had a 250-character limit on messages sent through its mobile internet service. The original set of 176 emojis designed by Kurita is now housed in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Emojis continue to be a popular way to express emotions quickly and easily, even without character restrictions, with the melting face emoji being no exception. In more literal terms, emojis can represent the feeling of a broken air conditioner. Metaphorically, they can express emotions like embarrassment, exhaustion, or sarcasm. The concept of melting, for example, can be applied to various feelings. Emojis are designed to be used in diverse ways, much like words can be used in different contexts. Visual language has a flexibility that surpasses words, according to Daniel. For example, the concept of a "melting face" can evoke various emotions and meanings. Erik Carter, a graphic designer, believes that emojis themselves are not deep, but rather it is how they are used that gives them depth. He provided his own interpretation of the melting face image he created. Carter expressed that some of us may feel a sense of despair due to issues such as climate change and the lack of action from our government. He remarked that at times, it may seem like the only thing we can do is 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)", surpassing 89 other national pavilions. This marks the second consecutive time a performance piece has won the prize, following the German pavilion in 2017. American artist and filmmaker Arthur Jafa also received the Golden Lion for best participant in the central exhibition with his film "The White Album," which juxtaposes white supremacy with portraits of white individuals he deeply cares for. Catherine Wood, a senior curator specializing in performance at the Tate in London, expressed her approval of the winners. Wood described the Lithuanian pavilion as creatively showcasing people's everyday activities and leisure while also addressing ecological issues and species extinction. She noted that the pavilion's story was both joyful and melancholic, with pedestrian movement intersecting with a broader framework. The curator, Lucia Pietroiusti, who works at the Serpentine Galleries in London, urged museums to think innovatively and expand their exhibition formats beyond traditional specialisms. Then we come across large disastrous events such as climate change or the extinction of species, and we must discover additional methods to establish connections. | 2 |
Myanmar's military junta continued to detain more individuals on Wednesday following the departure of a UN envoy who had visited the country in an attempt to stop the brutal crackdown on protests that had caused international outrage. Witnesses reported that at least eight truckloads of prisoners were taken away from downtown Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar and the focal point of recent protests against military rule and worsening economic conditions led by monks. In one house near the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the predominantly Buddhist country and the starting point of the demonstrations, only a 13-year-old girl remained after her parents were arrested. She recalled being warned not to flee as authorities might return, after people living in rows of shops were forced onto the streets in the middle of the night and many were taken away. The crackdown in Myanmar continued despite some optimism regarding progress made by UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in persuading junta chief Than Shwe to ease his strict control and engage in talks with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Singapore, as chair of ASEAN, expressed satisfaction with the access and cooperation provided by the Myanmar government to Gambari. Gambari, en route back to New York from Singapore, was expected to return to Myanmar in early November, according to UN sources. However, it was uncertain how his efforts and international pressure would impact the junta's policies, as they typically ignore external pressure and rarely admit UN officials. Expectations for significant outcomes from these efforts were low. 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 they often argue they are progressing towards democracy and question what more people want. Steinberg referred to the junta's "seven-step road to democracy", with the first step being completed in September after a 14-year national convention. Critics argue that the constitution produced in this convention will only strengthen military rule and prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office. The recent protests, which are the largest challenge to the junta's authority in two decades, began as small demonstrations against rising fuel prices in August and escalated after troops used force against a group of monks. The military government claims that the protests led by monks, which filled five city blocks, were met with minimal force and that Yangon and other cities had returned to normal. They acknowledge 10 deaths, dismissing reports of higher casualties as lies. However, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and other Western governments believe the actual death toll is much higher, possibly around 30. Despite this, the junta believes they have successfully quelled the uprising, lifting barricades around key protest sites and releasing some of the monks who were detained during raids on monasteries. One monk reported that most of those taken from his monastery were allowed to return without physical harm after being interrogated. However, despite reports of a heavy armed presence in the streets of Yangon and Mandalay, witnesses said that the junta was still sending gangs to search for monks in hiding in homes. These raids, which Western diplomats say are instilling fear, have not lessened international outrage over the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, including China, a key ally of the regime, condemned the junta's violent actions and called for the UN human rights envoy to Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to be allowed to visit for the first time in four years. Pinheiro reported that thousands of people have been detained. Pinheiro emphasized the importance of revealing the truth about the events that occurred, as he addressed the council that passed a resolution condemning acts of violence. Myanmar accused powerful nations of using the hearing for political gain. | 2 |
The 95-year-old queen, who has been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, joked to Palace staff just four days ago that she couldn't move much. She spent a night in the hospital last October for an unspecified ailment. The Palace announced today that the Queen has tested positive for COVID-19. Despite experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, she plans to continue light duties at Windsor over the next week. The Palace stated that she will continue to receive medical attention and follow all appropriate guidelines. Earlier this month, Charles, 73, the heir to the throne, had to withdraw from an event after contracting COVID-19 for a second time. A source from the Palace mentioned that he had recently met with the queen, who is the world's oldest monarch. Elizabeth quietly celebrated the 70th anniversary of her reign as the queen of Britain and several other realms in early February. Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI, while she was in Kenya on a tour. She is the first British monarch to reign for seven decades in a dynasty that dates back nearly 1,000 years to Norman King William I and his conquest of England in 1066. Throughout her historic reign, Elizabeth has successfully maintained the popularity of the British monarchy despite significant political, social, and cultural changes that threatened to render royalty obsolete. When she took the throne, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Harry Truman were leading the Soviet Union, China, and the United States, respectively, with Winston Churchill serving as British prime minister. Over the course of her reign, she has been served by 14 prime ministers in Britain, including Churchill. She has met all 14 U.S. presidents during her time as queen, except for Lyndon Johnson. Elizabeth's dedication to her duties has earned her support and respect in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, in contrast to the scandals that have plagued other members of the royal family. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer expressed his well wishes for Queen Elizabeth's health and recovery. "Although the public still holds a positive view of her, the monarchy has faced challenges recently, such as Prince Andrew's involvement in a U.S. sex abuse case. Despite settling the lawsuit, questions about the monarchy's future remain. Additionally, British police have started investigating claims of honors being exchanged for donations to one of Prince Charles's charities." | 2 |
The Russian police conducted a raid on a property company owned by the wife of Moscow's former mayor, as part of an investigation into suspected embezzlement and misuse of city funds related to a $440 million land deal. This raid on Inteko, a property developer, marks the beginning of scrutiny on the business empire of Yelena Baturina, the wife of ousted Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov. According to an employee of Inteko, OMON riot police and individuals in civilian clothing arrived at the office and took the management away. The police also conducted raids on Bank of Moscow and the homes of its directors as part of an embezzlement probe. Authorities suspect employees at Bank of Moscow and Premiere Estate of using a 13 billion roubles ($444 million) loan to embezzle funds that eventually ended up in Baturina's personal account. Luzhkov was removed last fall and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, an ally of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, was appointed, leading to capital outflows from Russia and a weakened rouble. This also resulted in changes in ownership of assets controlled by the city, such as the Bank of Moscow, which state-controlled VTB is trying to acquire. Baturina, the president of Inteko with a controlling stake, was involved in a probe last December regarding a 13 billion rouble loan used to purchase land from her debt-ridden company. However, neither Inteko nor Baturina were named as suspects and there was no implication of wrongdoing, as the money was received through a legitimate land deal. Baturina criticized the raid as an attempt to pressure her, stating that there are no criminal cases against Inteko or its employees. Inteko spokesman Gennady Terebkov also denied any basis for such cases. Baturina, whose fortune is estimated at $1.1 billion, and Luzhkov have faced corruption accusations, but both deny them. Businessmen claim corruption is rampant in the construction sector, which is influenced by decisions made in the mayor's office. Luzhkov denies that his wife received special treatment during his time as Moscow's leader. The deployment of riot police to search Baturina's company suggests her empire is under attack from powerful groups following Luzhkov's challenge to Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev. Challenging the leadership of the Kremlin can be extremely risky for wealthy individuals in Russia, as they often end up losing their assets, being prosecuted, and forced to flee the country. Despite President Medvedev's promises to enhance the business environment and protect property rights, many investors believe that the main obstacle for doing business in Russia is the inconsistency of the legal system. | 2 |
The period of shared sorrow and outrage quickly transitioned into a year-long, country-wide discussion on the Black experience in America. Initially starting with protests that escalated daily, eventually becoming the largest protest movement in U.S. history. Approximately 170 Confederate symbols were either renamed or taken down from public areas. The Black Lives Matter motto was adopted by a nation coming to terms with Floyd's passing. In the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact almost every facet of American society on a level not seen since the civil rights movement of the 1960s, according to historians. Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who knelt on Floyd, was found guilty of two counts of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday. The verdict provided some comfort to activists fighting for racial justice who closely followed the trial. However, many Black Americans feel that real change is still out of reach, especially with the ongoing instances of police killing Black men, such as Daunte Wright's shooting just over a week ago. In addition, there are concerns about backlash, with Republican-controlled state legislatures introducing laws that could limit voting access, protect the police, and criminalize public protests. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, argued that referring to the events of the past year as a racial reckoning is not accurate. He mentioned that there is a need to completely rethink various aspects of society, such as criminal justice, food deserts, and health disparities, but that is not happening. He believes that the guilty verdict in the trial of George Floyd's murderer is just addressing a symptom of a larger issue, and that the underlying problem still needs to be addressed. Derrick Johnson compared Floyd's death to a moment in Selma, Alabama in 1965 that led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act, and called for significant reform in policing in the United States. The Floyd case unfolded during the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted racial inequalities in the country. Floyd's death, along with other racial incidents in recent years, has prompted calls for change and reform. Numerous policing reform laws were proposed at the state level, with corporations committing significant funds to support racial equity initiatives. The NFL issued an apology for not standing behind its Black players in protests against police violence. The response to backlash was also distinct, as racist comments made by public figures in relation to George Floyd's death led to resignations and anti-racism training. There was a noticeable change in American attitudes towards racial inequality and policing, as reflected in opinion polls. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in support among Americans, particularly white Americans, for the Black Lives Matter movement. Many now acknowledge racial discrimination as a major issue and agree that excessive police force disproportionately affects African Americans. Following Floyd's death, a majority of Americans saw it as part of a larger pattern rather than an isolated incident. A poll conducted by The New York Times in June revealed that over 10% of registered voters had participated in protests. Even Republican politicians in Washington were expressing support for police reform at that time. However, this shift in support was short-lived for Republicans, including both elected officials and voters. As protests became more violent and Donald Trump's reelection campaign used these scenes in political advertisements, polls showed a shift among white Republicans in their perception of discrimination as a problem. Throughout the campaign, voters were presented with a choice between supporting racial equality or maintaining law and order. Republican officials who were previously vocal about George Floyd's death became quiet. Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, stated that on the Republican side, the message shifted to not acknowledging the appalling nature of Floyd's death for fear of losing ground, with the belief that it is an "us against them" situation. And the protesters will be included in them. The death of Floyd did bring about some changes among non-Republican white Americans in terms of their understanding of racial inequality and support for reforms, at least temporarily. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, who were already disheartened by what they perceived as Trump's use of racial issues to the Democratic Party. David Bailey, from the nonprofit Arrabon in Richmond, Virginia, stated that 2020 will be remembered as a significant and catalytic time in history, with people's attitudes towards racial issues changing to some extent, although the full implications are not yet known. However, even Democratic leaders, such as local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern about police violence while also cautioning protesters to avoid violence. This connection between Black political anger and violence is deeply ingrained in American society and has not been dismantled, according to Davin Phoenix, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Phoenix stated that Black individuals are often told by elected officials to refrain from certain actions before they have a chance to process their feelings of trauma and grief. Phoenix hopes that politicians who claim to be allies will also hold the police accountable for their actions. The protests following George Floyd's death became a contentious topic in American politics, with most being peaceful but some leading to looting and property damage, which was widely circulated on television and social media. Republicans pointed to the protests as evidence of the left losing control, noting that Blue Lives Matter flags were displayed on houses the previous fall. When Trump supporters turned violent at the US Capitol on Jan 6, conservatives criticized what they saw as a double standard in how the two movements were handled. Upon taking office in January, Biden promised to prioritize racial equity in all aspects of his agenda, including vaccine distribution, infrastructure projects, and climate policies. He wasted no time in implementing changes that a typical Democratic administration would likely have made, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing rules. However, in a clear indication of the unique circumstances surrounding Biden's election and his indebtedness to Black voters for his victory, his administration has taken more innovative steps, such as recognizing racism as a significant threat to public health and highlighting Black unemployment as a key indicator of the economy's well-being. Opinion polls have not effectively captured whether white liberals will adjust their behaviors, such as supporting segregated schools and neighborhoods, which perpetuate racial inequality. While the outrage following Floyd's death has increased awareness of this issue, other pandemic-related trends have worsened inequality. This is evident not only in the disproportionate impact on Black families and workers, but also in the advantages white students have experienced through remote education and the wealth accumulation of white homeowners in a booming housing market. A recent national survey of white Americans conducted by Jennifer Chudy, a political scientist at Wellesley College, revealed that even those with strong racial empathy were more inclined to engage in limited, individual actions, like educating themselves about racism or listening to people of color, rather than taking more systemic actions such as living in racially diverse communities or advocating for racial justice with elected officials and policymakers. According to historians, Floyd's death had a significant impact on public discourse, particularly regarding racism in public and private institutions, as well as policing. Some Black business leaders have shared their personal experiences with racism and criticized the lack of action by Corporate America. Many companies have pledged to diversify their workforces in response. The outrage over racism in the US also sparked protests globally, leading to increased awareness of structural racism among white Americans. "They comprehend the idea, and I believe they would support it if given the opportunity," stated Robin DG Kelley, a protest movement historian at the University of California, Los Angeles. The recent protests against police brutality displayed more racial diversity compared to past protests following similar incidents involving Black individuals. These demonstrations also brought the demand to defund the police to the forefront, marking a significant shift in mainstream discourse. Kelley noted that there was a greater level of organization, participation, and calls for systemic transformation during these protests. This level of activism has not been seen in the United States since the 19th century. Additionally, organizers sought to translate the energy of the protests into political influence by promoting voter registration efforts. By autumn, racial justice had become a prominent campaign issue. Mostly Democratic candidates focused on addressing racial disparities in their campaigns by advocating for police reform, the dismantling of cash bail systems, and the creation of civilian review boards. Rashad Robinson, president of Colour for Change, noted that George Floyd's death sparked a new energy for change in American history, though the lasting impact remains uncertain. The incident brought racial justice to the forefront and prompted a multiracial response, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals like Chauvin accountable and working towards systemic changes. As a result, over 30 states have implemented new police oversight and reform laws following Floyd's death, granting states more authority and challenging the influence of powerful police unions. The alterations involve limiting the use of force, revamping disciplinary procedures, increasing civilian supervision, and mandating transparency regarding instances of misconduct. However, law enforcement systems are intricate and deeply rooted, leaving uncertainty about the extent to which the new laws will impact day-to-day operations. Bailey, a racial reconciliation worker in Richmond, noted the ongoing presence of racism in America, while also acknowledging progress. He emphasized the long-standing nature of the issue, with only minimal progress made in the past 50 years out of a 350-year history. | 2 |
Biden placed his hand on a family Bible that has been passed down for 128 years and recited the 35-word oath of office, pledging to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.” Chief Justice John Roberts oversaw the ceremony, which concluded at 11:49 a.m., just 11 minutes before the transfer of presidential authority. Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn in shortly after by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, using a Bible that once belonged to Thurgood Marshall. Harris made history 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 office. In his Inaugural Address, Biden affirmed that “democracy has prevailed” despite challenges from former President Donald Trump. Biden called for unity among Americans to address issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, economic difficulties, and racism. Biden emphasized the need to end the division in the country, urging people to open their hearts, show tolerance and humility, and try to understand each other's perspectives. He spoke about the importance of unity and expressed confidence that Americans can overcome polarization by coming together and finding common ground. Unity is essential for peace, progress, and a stable nation. The recent inauguration marked the end of a tumultuous four-year presidency, with the former president defying tradition by leaving early. President Joe Biden took his oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., completing the process just 11 minutes before the transfer of presidential authority. Trump flew to Florida to reside at his Mar-a-Lago estate, while the Senate prepares to begin his impeachment trial for inciting the Capitol attack. The presence of the new president and vice president at the Capitol, recently overrun by Trump supporters, highlighted the surreal nature of the day. In contrast to typical inaugural events filled with happiness and a sense of new beginnings, the 59th Inauguration Day in the United States highlighted the country's challenges. Amid concerns about potential violence, Washington was heavily guarded with 25,000 National Guard troops and thousands of police officers. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Americans were advised to stay away, resulting in a new president addressing a nearly empty National Mall adorned with flags symbolizing the absent crowd. Reuters reported that many traditional inaugural events were canceled due to the pandemic, such as lunch with congressional leaders, the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, and the evening balls. Instead, President Biden will review military units at the Capitol, be escorted to the White House by marching bands, and participate in a virtual “Parade Across America” with performances from all states and territories. To symbolize national unity, he will be joined by former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. The first and second couples will then participate in a televised evening program hosted by actor Tom Hanks. Biden's determination to quickly undo the Trump administration's policies was evident in his plan to sign 17 executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations in the late afternoon. This marked a significant departure from his predecessor's agenda and included actions such as implementing a national mask mandate for federal workers, rejoining the Paris climate accord, and lifting the travel ban on certain Muslim-majority countries. On his first day in office, President Biden made a rare move to undo many of the policies put in place by his predecessor, signaling a clear break from Trump. Some of these actions were more symbolic than significant, and real change will need to come through legislation. Biden will be introducing 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 in what is expected to be a heated debate. Biden declared, "Democracy has prevailed" in his Inaugural Address. "Democracy has triumphed." President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address can be viewed at https://t.co/EPzTya587f pic.twitter.com/BotK2BwfBN. Capturing the focus in Congress will be difficult, as Trump's trial is expected to dominate the Senate for an extended period. Currently, it seems unlikely that any of Biden's Cabinet nominees will be confirmed on Inauguration Day, a departure from tradition. Trump had two Cabinet secretaries confirmed on his first day in office, while Obama and Bush each had seven. With Harris taking office, the Senate, which was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, now shifts to the Democrats due to her tiebreaking vote as the chamber's president. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York is now the Democratic majority leader and aims to have two parallel tracks for considering nominations and legislation while also conducting the Trump trial. Biden wanted his Inaugural Address to have a different tone from his predecessor, focusing on conciliation rather than provocation. He started working on the speech with his adviser, Mike Donilon, before Thanksgiving, and also received input from historian Jon Meacham and speechwriter Vinay Reddy, as well as his sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Flags symbolizing individuals who could not be present at Joe Biden's presidential inauguration were displayed on the National Mall in Washington on January 20, 2021. Despite Biden's call for unity in his speech, he also addressed issues of racism following the George Floyd killing and the Capitol siege. Without directly mentioning Trump, Biden emphasized the importance of truth and the consequences of lies, especially after a presidency marked by numerous false or misleading statements. In terms of age, gender, and race, Biden represents a stark contrast to his predecessor. Biden, a seasoned senator and former vice president with deep roots in Washington, values his experience of working across party lines and aims to build a partnership with Senator Mitch McConnell and other Republicans. Known for his talkative nature, friendly demeanor, occasional overly familiar gestures, and tendency for verbal slip-ups, Biden practices a politics of empathy similar to Clinton and a relationship-focused approach like the first President George Bush. Despite being the oldest president in American history at 78, Biden's allies recognize that he may not be at his peak anymore, leading to constant scrutiny from both supporters and critics for any signs of decline. After overcoming doubts and obstacles, Biden achieved his lifelong goal of becoming president, decades after starting his first presidential campaign. While he holds strong center-left beliefs, Biden is not driven by ideology and is willing to adapt to the shifting political landscape. The more progressive faction of his party is still doubtful, and he may struggle to maintain his electoral coalition, which was united mainly by their shared dislike for Trump. Biden takes office with strong public support, as 57% of Americans view him favorably and 68% approve of his transition efforts, both higher than Trump's ratings. However, most of the public feels the country is heading in the wrong direction, and a significant portion of the population doubts the legitimacy of Biden's election win due to Trump's unfounded claims of fraud. Biden and Harris introduce new diversity to the highest levels of government. Biden is just the second Catholic president, following John F. Kennedy, while Harris made history by breaking gender and racial barriers as the vice president. His diverse Cabinet includes a record number of women and people of color, as well as the first openly gay person to lead a Cabinet department. During the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, a member of the National Guard recorded the scene at the US Capitol. Biden started his public day at 8:50 a.m. with a service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, accompanied by his wife, Jill Biden, Harris, and her husband, Doug Emhoff, as well as congressional leaders like McConnell. Biden had spent the previous night at Blair House, the presidential guest quarters. During the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, a National Guard member used his smartphone to capture the scene at the US Capitol. This marked a departure from tradition, as new presidents typically attend a service at St. John's Church before taking the oath, which is located across Lafayette Square from the White House. However, St. Matthew's Church also has its own presidential significance, as it was the location of Kennedy's funeral. The swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol was attended by three former presidents and their wives - Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama - as well as former Vice President Dan Quayle. Alongside Justices Roberts and Sotomayor, four other Supreme Court Justices were in attendance: Justice Elena Kagan and Trump's appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, were warmly welcomed at the Capitol for their respectful attendance at the transition of power ceremony, despite Trump's lack of acknowledgment. This was Pence's first time back since he had to quickly leave the Senate chamber to avoid the pro-Trump mob. Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks performed at the ceremony, with other stars like Kerry Washington, Bruce Springsteen, and Demi Lovato set to perform later in the evening at the event called "Celebrating America." The celebrity performances will be interspersed with demonstrations of the new administration getting to work. Biden will sign his orders and memorandums in the Oval Office at 5:15 p.m., followed by a virtual swearing-in of his staff half an hour later. At 7 p.m., Jen Psaki, the new White House press secretary, will have her first daily briefing, providing reporters with the opportunity to question the White House, which had been scarce under Trump. The Bidens will spend their first night in the White House, marking the end of a journey that began officially in 1987 and earlier unofficially. These were not the circumstances Biden may have expected when he started on this path, but history always has its surprises. | 2 |
Rio de Janeiro's successful bid to host the Olympics in 2016 represents Brazil's impressive transformation over the past decade from a struggling nation to a powerful economic and diplomatic player. Similar to how the Beijing Olympics in 2008 signaled China's resurgence, the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics signifies Brazil's coming of age. After years of falling short, the largest country in Latin America has finally capitalized on its rich natural resources, thriving democracy, and large consumer base of 190 million people. The victory in securing the Olympics is a clear indication of Brazil's rising influence under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has overseen a period of economic growth that has lifted millions out of poverty. Despite facing challenges such as the global economic crisis, Brazil has quickly rebounded and resumed its path to prosperity. During a meeting with the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen, Lula stated that Brazil was the last to be affected by the financial crisis but the first to recover from it. He expressed that Brazil no longer feels inferior to other countries. In the past, Brazil's failure to fulfill its potential was often joked about with the saying, "Brazil is the country of the future -- and always will be." This was especially true during the military dictatorship from 1965-1984 and the economic turmoil of the 1980s and 1990s. Even in 2002, when Lula was running for president, Brazil was still facing struggles and fears of a crisis similar to Argentina's. Since then, Brazil has experienced years of strong economic growth and Lula's charismatic personality, which is appreciated both on the world stage and in local communities, has elevated Brazil's status in terms of both economic and diplomatic standing. By 2006, Brazil had successfully repaid its loans to the International Monetary Fund ahead of schedule and has since committed to lending the IMF $10 billion. The country has obtained three prestigious investment-grade ratings in the past year and a half, and has emerged as a significant player in global diplomacy, participating in discussions on topics such as world trade and climate change. Leading companies like Petrobras and Vale have thrived, expanding Brazilian investments and influence in Latin America and beyond. Following the financial crisis, Brazil has advocated for increased representation for developing nations in international decision-making, leading to greater recognition for groups like the G20 and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). Lula's call for the first Olympics in South America echoed a similar sentiment - that wealthy countries have historically dominated the Games. Brazil's economic revival has lifted around 20 million people out of poverty, largely due to Lula's welfare programs. Additionally, Brazil has benefited from luck, such as the commodities price boom and the discovery of a major oil reserve off Rio's coast in 2007. Despite these advantages, Brazil still faces numerous challenges on its path to becoming a developed nation. The education system in Brazil is not adequately funded, leading to a lack of top-tier universities. Business leaders are concerned about a shortage of skilled workers. The country's infrastructure is also in poor condition, hindering its development. Racism continues to be a major obstacle for black and indigenous individuals in terms of education and employment. Despite economic advancements, Brazil remains highly unequal, with widespread poverty, crime, and illiteracy in regions like the northeast and the Amazon rainforest. | 2 |
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which previously decided against reducing supply to compete with higher-cost rivals, has revised its global supply forecasts for tight oil, including shale, in its 2015 World Oil Outlook. OPEC stated that demand for its crude will be 30.70 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2020, slightly lower than the 30.90 million bpd expected for next year. Despite a significant decrease in oil prices, the organization anticipates producing about 1 million bpd more than the expected demand in 2020. Oil prices have plummeted by more than half in the past 18 months, hitting an 11-year low of $36.04 per barrel this week. Despite the drop in prices, OPEC believes that the demand boost resulting from low crude prices will diminish over time. In the foreword to the report, OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah al-Badri discussed the visible impact of the recent oil price decline on demand, particularly in the short term followed by a decrease in the medium term. OPEC members are divided on the effectiveness of the market-share strategy implemented in 2014, with disagreements leading to the failure to set a production ceiling at a recent meeting. Despite this, the report indicates an improved medium-term outlook for OPEC as a major oil supplier, with a projected increase in demand for OPEC crude by 2020 compared to previous expectations. OPEC has stopped working on updating its report in the middle of the year, but has since revised its forecast for 2016 non-OPEC supply to show a decline. The report does not include Indonesia, which re-entered in December. The main figures indicating OPEC's market share being under pressure have remained the same as in a previous confidential report obtained by Reuters in November. Initially, OPEC underestimated the impact of shale oil, but in 2012 acknowledged for the first time that it could have a significant effect. The years of high prices, supported by OPEC's past policy of reducing supply, have made non-conventional oil like shale economically viable. In contrast to previous reports, OPEC now states that many projects can be profitable at lower prices. The report indicates that certain areas within some plays can break even at prices lower than those seen in 2015, leading to anticipated production growth. Global tight oil production is projected to increase to 5.19 million bpd by 2020, peak at 5.61 million bpd in 2030, and then decrease to 5.18 million bpd by 2040. Argentina and Russia are expected to become significant producers alongside North America. Last year's estimates were lower, predicting 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 nearly 8 million bpd by 2040 according to OPEC. As recently as 2013, OPEC believed that tight oil would only affect North America. The report suggests that OPEC's market share will increase in the future due to declining rival supply growth. It is projected that OPEC's crude demand will reach 40.70 million bpd in 2040, accounting for 37 percent of global supply, up from 33 percent in 2015. OPEC has slightly raised its short-term forecast for global oil demand, anticipating a rise to 97.40 million bpd by 2020, an increase of 500,000 bpd from the previous year. However, factors such as slower economic growth, the minimal impact of crude costs on pump prices, and the depreciation of some currencies against the dollar will limit the response to lower crude 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 energy efficiency and climate-change mitigation efforts. It is expected that there will only be a slight increase in oil prices. The report assumes that OPEC's basket of crude oils was $55 in 2015 and will increase by $5 annually to reach $80 by 2020. | 2 |
The Supreme Court stated that complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer were the cause of death. In December 2018, two small tumors were discovered in one of her lungs during a follow-up scan for broken ribs from a fall. Ginsburg had previously overcome colon cancer in 1999 and early-stage pancreatic cancer 10 years later. In 2014, she received a coronary stent to treat a blocked artery. Despite her small stature and light weight, Ginsburg was known for her toughness and dedication to regular workouts with a trainer, who wrote a book about her challenging exercise routine. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg celebrated her 80th birthday and 20th anniversary on the Supreme Court during President Barack Obama's second term, she ignored suggestions for retirement in order to allow a Democratic president to choose her replacement. She intended to continue in her role for as long as she was able to perform it effectively. Ginsburg found it challenging to be the only woman on the Supreme Court after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor retired in 2006, as it did not reflect the progress she had fought for in her career. However, she was later joined by Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and Elena Kagan in 2010, both appointed by Obama. After Justice John Paul Stevens retired in 2010, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the senior member and unofficial leader of a liberal bloc on the Supreme Court, which included two other female justices and Justice Stephen Breyer. Without a fifth vote from Justice Anthony Kennedy, the group often found themselves in dissent on the increasingly polarized court. Ginsburg's dissenting opinions, which often spoke for the group, gained attention as the court shifted further to the right. A law student named Shana Knizhnik even gave her the nickname "Notorious RBG," a nod to the famous rapper Notorious BIG, who was also from Brooklyn like Ginsburg. Shortly after Ruth Bader Ginsburg's image became widely recognized, it quickly gained popularity on the internet. Young women got tattoos of her likeness, children dressed up as her for Halloween, and her iconic phrase "You Can't Spell Truth Without Ruth" appeared on various merchandise. Biographies and documentaries about her life also became bestsellers and box office hits, further solidifying her status as a cultural icon. The admiration for Ruth Bader Ginsburg grew rapidly following Donald Trump's election, especially after she called him "a faker" during the 2016 campaign. Scholars tried to understand this phenomenon, with Dahlia Lithwick suggesting that women, in need of female role models, saw Ginsburg as a beacon of hope for the future. In 1993, when President Clinton nominated the quiet and collegial 60-year-old judge to the Supreme Court, few could have predicted her later popularity. Her confirmation by the Senate, with a vote of 96-3, ended a long period without Democratic appointments to the Court. Ruth Ginsburg was often compared to Thurgood Marshall in her role as a litigator and director of the Women's Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union during the 1970s. Both strategically chose cases to challenge discrimination, with Ginsburg persuading the all-male Supreme Court to recognize the constitutional barrier against sex discrimination, much like Marshall did with racial segregation. When Ginsburg took her seat as a junior justice on the Supreme Court in 1993, it was a familiar setting for her, having previously argued cases that became legal landmarks. She brought six cases to the court between 1973 and 1978, winning five of them. Her aim was to convince the Supreme Court that the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection should apply to both racial and sex discrimination. This was a challenging task, as the Supreme Court had never before considered sex discrimination as a constitutional issue, especially under Chief Justice Earl Warren. The outlook did not appear any more favorable under Chief Justice Warren Burger, appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1969. Ruth Bader Ginsburg presides over a mock trial of Shylock after a performance of "The Merchant of Venice," at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice, Italy, July 27, 2016. Ginsburg believed it was necessary to educate a potentially unaware audience about laws that were supposed to protect women but were actually based on stereotypes. In a 1988 speech, she expressed her frustration that justices did not see the unequal treatment of men and women in jury selection and other legal situations as harmful to women. She also pointed out that a justice's personal perspective could lead to a dismissive attitude towards gender discrimination challenges. In order to make a change in direction, the court needed to recognize that laws intended to help or safeguard women could have unintended consequences. This was demonstrated through successful legal challenges to an Idaho law that favored men over women in selecting estate administrators, a military regulation that restricted benefits for husbands of female soldiers, and a Social Security provision that assumed wives were not primary breadwinners. In many of these cases, the plaintiff was a man seeking equal treatment under the law. Following her triumph in the Supreme Court case, Ginsburg maintained contact with the father and child involved. In 1998, she even traveled to Florida to assist with officiating at Jason's wedding. Years later, in 2014, Ginsburg oversaw her former client's second marriage at the Supreme Court, marking 42 years since Paula Wiesenfeld's passing. Although she did not personally argue the 1976 case of Craig v. Boren, Ginsburg's work on it led to the Supreme Court formally adopting the rule that official distinctions based on gender would face closer scrutiny from the courts. This landmark decision struck down an Oklahoma law that allowed girls to purchase beer at 18 while boys had to 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 indeed profound. Even though the court did not fully embrace Ginsburg's "strict scrutiny" rule in her early cases, reserving it primarily for race discrimination, the justices eventually agreed that the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection also applied to gender equality. This was a personal victory for Ginsburg when she delivered the majority opinion in a 1996 discrimination case involving the Virginia Military Institute. The court ruled 7-1 that the all-male admissions policy of the state-supported military college was unconstitutional, despite Virginia's argument that its rigorous curriculum was not suitable for women. Virginia had established a separate military college for women under legal pressure, which lacked the advantages enjoyed by VMI graduates. In United States v. Virginia, Ginsburg criticized the state for not providing a valid reason for treating men and women differently. She emphasized the need to offer women seeking a VMI-quality education equal protection and opportunities. Ginsburg acknowledged the differences between men and women but stressed that these should not result in discrimination or limitations on individuals' opportunities. She visited VMI in 2018 and believed that her decision had made the institute a better place. On June 26, 1996, Ginsburg spoke about a moment during the VMI case where she looked at her colleague, O'Connor, who had previously made a significant legal decision that influenced the outcome of the VMI case. This connection between their rulings was not obvious to the courtroom audience at the time. Ginsburg later discussed this moment in a speech to the Women’s Bar Association in Washington, DC the following year. The circle of justices was complete as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her colleagues Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor, and John Paul Stevens departed the Supreme Court building to honor the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist in a casket procession in Washington on September 6, 2005. The New York Times reported that both Ginsburg and O'Connor were part of the first group of women to break into the male-dominated legal profession, facing barriers and discrimination along the way. O'Connor, the older of the two justices, was only offered secretarial jobs despite graduating as one of the top students at Stanford University Law School. Ginsburg, one of only nine women in her class at Harvard Law School, excelled as a law review editor and was recommended for a prestigious law clerk position by one of her professors. The professor, Albert Sacks, who later became dean of the law school, wrote to Frankfurter, a former Harvard law professor, praising a female student's exceptional self-possession and stating that her qualities of mind and person would make her a great law clerk for him. However, despite never hiring a woman before, Justice Frankfurter 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, Ginsburg and O'Connor, both with very different backgrounds, shared a bond that grew stronger over time. Ginsburg was the daughter of Russian Jews born in Brooklyn, while O'Connor was the daughter of Southwestern ranchers. Ruth Bader's father, Nathan Bader, immigrated to New York with his family when he was 13, and her mother, Celia Amster, was born four months after her family's own arrival. Ruth, originally named Joan Ruth and known by the nickname Kiki in her childhood, was born on March 15, 1933. She was raised in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood as essentially an only child, as her older sister passed away from meningitis at the age of 6 when Ruth was just 14 months old. The family ran small retail stores, including a fur shop and a hat store, but money was always tight. Ruth's mother, Celia Bader, was a woman with intellectual ambitions who graduated from high school at a young age but was unable to attend college. Instead, she was sent to work in Manhattan's garment district so her brother could study at Cornell University. She had great aspirations for her daughter but passed away before seeing them come to fruition. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer when Ruth was a freshman in high school, and she died at 47 in 1950, the day before Ruth's graduation. Despite missing the ceremony, Ruth's teachers brought her many honors and awards. When Ruth was nominated for the Supreme Court in 1993, she moved President Clinton to tears with a tribute to her mother, expressing her hope to achieve all that her mother would have in a time when women could aspire and succeed equally to men, and daughters were valued just as much as sons. Ruth Bader went to Cornell University on a scholarship and met Martin Ginsburg, a sophomore, during her freshman year. She was immediately attracted to him because he was the only boy who appreciated her intelligence. They got engaged during her junior year and got married after she graduated in 1954. Their relationship was a combination of both romantic and intellectual elements that lasted their entire lives. 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 dedication to their family and careers as a team was evident to those who knew them. Martin Ginsburg, a successful tax lawyer, supported his wife by moving with her to Washington in 1980 when she was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by President Jimmy Carter, giving up his own successful law practice in New York in the process. Thirteen years later, he worked diligently behind the scenes to support her appointment to the Supreme Court. After moving to Washington, Martin Ginsburg taught tax law at Georgetown University’s law school, thanks to a chair endowed by his longtime client Ross Perot. In addition to his teaching, he was a skilled gourmet cook who prepared meals for his 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, near the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where they regularly enjoyed the opera and ballet. After 56 years of marriage, he passed away from cancer at the age of 78 in 2010. In his final moments, he wrote a heartfelt note on a yellow pad for his wife to discover by his bedside. The note began with "My dearest Ruth," and expressed his deep love and admiration for her, stating that she was the only person he had loved in his life. He also praised her for her achievements in the legal world, saying it was a joy to witness her rise to the top. Their two kids, Jane and James, and four grandchildren survive them. After getting married, the couple moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, where Martin Ginsburg was set to serve as an Army officer at Fort Sill. Ruth Ginsburg applied for a job at the Social Security office but had the offer withdrawn when she revealed she was pregnant with their first child, Jane. She took on a clerk-typist position at the GS-2 level, which she rationalized as being just the way things were. It wasn't until later in life that Ruth Ginsburg dedicated herself to challenging the societal norms that limited women's opportunities. Early in their marriage, both Ruth and her husband Martin faced a difficult situation when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer during his third year at Harvard Law School, leading to him missing classes frequently. During his time at Harvard Law School, other students took notes for him while Ruth Ginsburg attended class, cared for their young daughter, typed up the notes, and helped him study. Despite the challenges faced by women at Harvard Law School, he was able to recover, graduate on time, and succeed. The school had no female faculty members, and during Ruth Ginsburg's first year, the dean, Erwin Griswold, questioned the nine women in the class about why they felt entitled to be there instead of a man. Ruth hesitated as she explained that she wanted to understand her husband's work since he was going to be a lawyer. When her husband got a job offer in New York, Ruth asked Harvard if she could finish her last year at Columbia and still get a Harvard degree, but they said no. She transferred to Columbia, where she tied for first place in her class. In 1972, she became the first woman to get tenure at Columbia Law School. Years later, after Harvard changed its policy and started giving Harvard degrees to students in similar situations, Ruth's husband wrote a sarcastic letter to the Harvard Law Record about how the incident had affected her early career. In 2011, Ruth Ginsburg received an honorary degree from Harvard University, where Plácido Domingo also received the same honor. Ginsburg, who is a fan of opera, described the ceremony as one of the greatest experiences of her life. Following her graduation from Columbia, Ginsburg struggled to find a job at a New York law firm and ended up clerking for a federal district judge for two years. This opportunity came about after her mentor, Professor Gerald Gunther, threatened not to send the judge any more law clerks if he did not hire Ginsburg. After her clerkship, Ginsburg returned to Columbia to work on a project about civil procedure. The project involved her learning Swedish and visiting Sweden, which had a significant impact on her. Feminism was thriving in Sweden, where women commonly balanced work and family responsibilities. Childcare was easily accessible, and an article by the editor of a feminist magazine caught Ruth Ginsburg's interest. The editor, Eva Moberg, expressed the need to move away from focusing on women's dual roles and instead recognize that both men and women share the same primary role of being people. During the years 1963 to 1970, Ruth Ginsburg made significant contributions to Swedish civil law through a treatise and numerous articles and books. Beyond her academic achievements, her time in Sweden may have been most valuable for exposing her to a different societal structure. Despite facing rejection from prestigious law schools, Ginsburg went on to teach at Rutgers Law School, becoming the second woman on the faculty during a time when very few women were teaching at American law schools. During this time, her second child, James, who was nine years younger than his sister, was born. Along with her teaching job, she started volunteering 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. A childhood friend from summer camp, Melvin Wulf, who was the national legal director for the ACLU, heard about her work and sent more cases her way. One of these cases was the Idaho estate administrators case, which became her first Supreme Court win, Reed v. Reed. Her 88-page brief for this case, which detailed how the law reinforced the oppression of women in society, became known as the "grandmother brief" and was used by feminist lawyers for years. The ACLU established a Women's Rights Project in 1972 and appointed Ruth Ginsburg as its inaugural director. Around the same time, she transitioned from Rutgers to Columbia University for teaching. Under the project's umbrella, she implemented a legal strategy in Supreme Court cases to argue that discrimination based on gender was a violation of the Constitution. The significance of this approach was not immediately clear, even to observers closely following her work. It was evident that Ruth Ginsburg was taking a unique approach by choosing cases where men were the victims of unequal treatment by the government. She was not only trying to present cases that the justices could easily understand, but she also had a deeper goal of liberating both men and women from societal roles and using the Constitution to dismantle the structures that enforced those roles. Ruth Ginsburg believed that both sexes should be treated equally and that childcare should not be limited to women only. Wendy W Williams, a retired professor of law at Georgetown University Law Centre and Ginsburg’s authorized biographer, explained in a 2013 article how Ginsburg's legal efforts targeted the prevalent legal framework that enforced gender stereotypes. Williams noted that Ginsburg recognized the societal view of male and female as polar opposites, interconnected and interdependent by nature or divine design. Ginsburg believed that male plaintiffs were crucial in challenging the gender stereotypes that limited both men and women. Professor Neil S Siegel of Duke Law School described Ginsburg's vision as one of "equal citizenship stature." Despite her reputation as a liberal, Ginsburg's approach to the law was more moderate, as she believed in working in partnership with other branches of government rather than imposing final decisions that shut down further debate. This stance led to her critique of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on abortion rights. In a speech at New York University Law School in 1993, a few months before her nomination to the Supreme Court, she criticized the ruling for stopping a political process that was moving towards reform and believed it prolonged division and delayed a stable resolution of the issue. Despite her clear support for abortion rights, she suggested that the court should have issued a more limited ruling that allowed states to regulate abortions without banning them entirely. She emphasized that the court had significant authority to interpret the Constitution but lacked the power to enforce its decisions. Although Ginsburg later acknowledged potential inaccuracies in her historical account, she continued to criticize the decision. Her speech at NYU raised concerns among leaders of women's groups and abortion rights organizations, some of whom quietly lobbied against her after White announced his upcoming retirement from the court. Clinton conducted a very public search for his first nomination to the court, considering judges and political figures like Mario Cuomo and Bruce Babbitt. After initially leaning towards Stephen G. Breyer, he ultimately chose Ruth Ginsburg after a meeting with her and urging from Martin Ginsburg and Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He phoned her at 11:33 that evening to inform her that she had been chosen by him. At the announcement ceremony the following day, Clinton stated, "I believe that in the future she will be able to promote consensus-building on the Supreme Court, just as she has done on the Court of Appeals." The appointment was met with great approval from the public, and she was officially confirmed on Aug. 3, 1993, despite opposition from three conservative Republicans in the Senate: Jesse Helms, Don Nickles, and Robert C Smith. Ginsburg, speaking to the Senate Judiciary Committee, explained that her approach to judging was not defined by political labels. She did, however, emphasize her unwavering support for abortion rights, while also criticizing the Roe v. Wade decision. When asked by Sen. Hank Brown about her stance on abortion, she responded, "This is a fundamental aspect of a woman's life, of her dignity." The decision about abortion should be made by the woman herself, not by the government. Ruth Bader Ginsburg strongly disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a federal law criminalizing a certain abortion procedure, arguing that it was based on outdated and unproven beliefs about women and their choices. Another controversial decision resulted in another strong disagreement among the court members. In the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co, the court voted 5-4 to deny 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 ticking with Ledbetter's first paycheck showing the unequal pay. However, Ginsburg argued that the 180-day period should begin when the employee becomes aware of the discrimination. She urged Congress to clarify this issue, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with them. Ginsburg's bold call for action was noteworthy as she publicly announced her dissent from the bench. A technical disagreement over a statute of limitations was transformed into a public outcry, leading to Congress overturning the court's narrow interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ultimately resulted in the passing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first bill signed into law by President Obama on Jan. 29, 2009. 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 oral dissent as a way to make judicial speech more accessible to the public. Ginsburg carefully crafted her opinions, whether they were in agreement with the majority or in dissent. Her writing was clear and free of unnecessary complexity, influenced in part by her study of literature under Vladimir Nabokov. However, it was her dissents, especially those announced in court, that garnered the most interest. To emphasize her dissenting opinions, Ginsburg would switch the decorative collars she wore with her judicial robe on days when she would be announcing a dissent. She even wore her “dissenting collar,” described as resembling medieval armor by one observer, the day after Trump’s election. One of her most well-known dissents occurred in 2013 in Shelby County v. Holder, where the 5-4 majority weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by striking down the provision that required certain jurisdictions to obtain federal permission before changing voting procedures. Ginsburg questioned the court’s usual restraint and referenced the need for judicial restraint. She concluded with a quote about the arc of the moral universe bending toward justice, expressing disappointment in the decision. Among Ginsburg’s roughly 200 majority opinions, one of her favorites was in a 1996 decision MLB v. SLJ, which addressed the right of a parent to appeal a termination of parental rights even if unable to afford the court record preparation cost. 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 grant affirmative rights for most cases. Justice Ginsburg based her decision on a different line of cases that emphasized the importance of protecting family relationships, stating that the state cannot deny equal justice when it comes to parental rights. This decision was praised by legal experts for navigating between unfavorable Supreme Court precedents and more favorable legal authority. In a 2017 decision, the Court addressed the unequal treatment imposed by federal immigration law on unwed mothers and fathers seeking to pass on 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 needed to have lived in the US for five years. The law assumed that it was easier to identify the mother than the father, who was less likely to acknowledge their out-of-wedlock children. In the case of Sessions v. Morales-Santana, Ginsburg, writing for a 6-2 majority, declared the law unconstitutional for discriminating based on sex. She criticized the outdated and broad generalizations about men and women in the law, stating that such stereotypes limit people's lives. Ginsburg often attributes the success of her legal campaigns in the 1970s to being in the right place with the right arguments at the right time. In the preface of 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 of women and men was becoming a constitutional principle. Despite acknowledging her significant role in this progress, she also recognized the influence of societal changes and the aspirations of women in shaping the court's understanding. In a 1997 article, she highlighted the impact of public advocacy and personal experiences on the judiciary's evolving perspectives. Ginsburg's attention to detail extended to both her appearance and her professional endeavors. She had her dark hair pulled back and preferred finely tailored suits by designer Giorgio Armani, occasionally mixing in flamboyantly patterned jackets from her travels. She was frequently mentioned on best-dressed women lists. While she was an active and persistent questioner on the bench, she tended to remain 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 precision that it was hard to picture her in that role. Her personality seemed to have two sides, but in reality, her shyness would disappear when she had a task to focus on. Before her first Supreme Court argument, she was so nervous that she couldn't eat lunch, fearing she might become sick. However, once she began the argument, her fear vanished as she realized she had the attention of the most influential judges in America, giving her a sense of power that propelled her forward. | 2 |
The journalists from Ukraine were recognized for their coverage of the Russian invasion, with the Pulitzer board honoring 12 journalists who lost their lives reporting on the Ukraine war. The Pulitzer Prizes are highly esteemed awards in American journalism, with a focus on the public service award. This year, the Washington Post received this award for its reporting on the siege of the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. The Washington Post was praised for its detailed and impactful coverage of the events on January 6, 2021, which shed light on one of the country's darkest days. Additionally, a team of photographers from Getty Images won 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 of climate change globally. The photographs of COVID's impact in India were praised for their balance of intimacy and devastation, according to Miller. Along with Siddiqui, the honored Reuters photographers were Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, and Amit Dave. The editor-in-chief of Reuters, Alessandra Galloni, stated that the world was made aware of the severity of India's outbreak through the documentation by Reuters photographers. Galloni also praised Siddiqui's remarkable work and contribution to photojournalism, noting that he was part of the Pulitzer-winning team in 2018 for documenting the Rohingya refugee crisis. The 10th Pulitzer Prize for Reuters, a division of Thomson Reuters, was the seventh in the past five years. The New York Times has now won a total of 135 Pulitzers since the awards began in 1917. This year, the Times won three more Pulitzers: one for national reporting on police traffic stops, one for international reporting on US air war failures in the Middle East, and one for criticism by Salamishah Tillet on race in arts and culture. The Times was also a finalist in two additional categories: the fall of Afghanistan and the assassination of Haiti's president. Additionally, New York Times reporter Andrea Elliott won a Pulitzer Prize in the general nonfiction category for her book "Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in an American City," which originated from a series published by the newspaper in 2013. The Pulitzer board acknowledged the difficult and risky conditions for journalists worldwide, highlighting the deaths of 12 journalists in Ukraine, the murders of eight Mexican journalists, and instances of assault and intimidation against journalists in Afghanistan and Myanmar. The special citation for Ukrainian journalists praised their bravery, perseverance, and dedication to honest reporting during Vladimir Putin's invasion of their country and his propaganda efforts in Russia. The Pulitzer Prizes, established in 1917 through the will of Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper publisher who passed away in 1911, initially included awards in journalism, literature, drama, education, and scholarships. Today, the prizes recognize achievements in 15 media categories, including reporting, writing, and photography, as well as seven awards in books, drama, and music. A panel of primarily senior editors from prominent US media outlets and academics oversees the selection process that decides the winners. | 2 |
Preparing to welcome President Joe Biden, Europe is relieved that he considers them an ally and NATO as important for security. However, the scars from the previous administration have caused some experts to believe that the wounds will take time to heal. Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe, warns not to underestimate the shock of the Trump years on the European Union, as they fear his return and being left out in the cold. The EU is now more cautious in accepting US demands due to this. There are various serious topics to discuss, including the Afghanistan pullout, military spending, relations with Russia and China, trade disputes, tariffs, climate issues, and vaccine diplomacy. However much the Europeans admire Biden's promises of loyalty and affection, they have recently observed how US foreign policy can change drastically with a new president, causing them to worry that it could happen again. They believe that America has shifted, and view Biden as a temporary leader between more populist, nationalist presidents. There are concerns about the financial implications of Biden's policies, especially his focus on a "foreign policy for the middle class" in comparison to Trump's "America first" approach. With upcoming elections in Germany, France, and the US, Biden's ability to make significant changes may be limited. Despite this, his 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. According to Jana Puglierin, Berlin director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, the optimistic view is that Biden is initiating a new relationship by showing faith in Brussels and NATO, saying the right words, and beginning the process of renovating the alliance for the next decade. However, tangible results are also expected as Biden wants to see benefits from the partnership. François Heisbourg, a French defense analyst, believes that there are only positives from the Biden trip and emphasizes that this is not a cynical move but a sign that the US is back under Biden's leadership. Biden is determined to implement his strong views, with a focus on reestablishing comity and civility with allies. Policy reviews must eventually become actual policy, according to Heisbourg. Daalder sees Biden's recent trip as part of a larger effort to show the importance of alliances and partnerships, but notes that ambassadors to NATO, the EU, and European countries have not yet been named or confirmed. Despite this, officials believe it is not crucial at this time, as many potential candidates are well-known and capable of immediately contacting key officials if needed. The NATO summit meeting, consisting of 30 leaders, will be concise, with a single 2 1/2-hour session following an opening ceremony. This will allow only five minutes for each leader to speak. The leaders will reach an agreement on a communique currently in negotiation, address the Afghanistan withdrawal, and approve a yearlong study on redesigning NATO's strategic concept to address new challenges in areas such as cyberwarfare, artificial intelligence, antimissile defense, disinformation, and other emerging technologies. In the previous revision of the strategic concept in 2010, NATO viewed Russia as a potential partner and barely mentioned China. The new revision will begin with different assumptions. NATO officials and ambassadors anticipate future discussions on topics like the extent and location of a regional trans-Atlantic alliance's efforts to counter China, what capabilities NATO requires, and how much of these capabilities should be funded collectively or remain the responsibility of individual member countries. How to navigate the EU's ambiguous push for "strategic autonomy" while promoting European military spending and efficiency and preventing duplication with NATO is a key concern. Another issue is how to enhance NATO's political acumen, as emphasized by French President Emmanuel Macron, possibly by organizing new meetings of member states' key officials such as national security advisers and political directors. Additionally, discussions will start in private sessions about replacing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, whose tenure was extended for two years to maintain stability during the Trump administration. His term concludes in September 2022. Other pressing topics for the upcoming NATO summit include addressing Afghanistan during and after withdrawal, Russia under Putin's leadership, China led by Xi Jinping, and Belarus under Aleksandr Lukashenko. The ambassador of a NATO country stated that those interested in punctual trains will find the NATO summit interesting, while those interested in train collisions will be disappointed. The same sentiment applies to Biden's meeting with the European Union on June 15, where he will meet with Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, representing the European Council and European Commission respectively. Biden will have already met with 21 of the 27 EU leaders the day before at NATO, as there is significant overlap between the two organizations. Turkey, a member of NATO, faces challenges in balancing its relationships with Russia and its hostility towards Greece. Cyprus, an EU member, hinders NATO coordination due to its animosity towards Turkey. The bloc has various issues to address, such as trade disputes, global corporate tax enforcement, data transfer, military matters, carbon-neutral economy transition, regulation of tech giants, multilateral institution reform, and handling China and Russia. There is concern about potential future leaders like Trump, and German officials feel Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was made independently, with allies simply following suit. In the same way, European leaders were upset and embarrassed by Biden's sudden decision to support the waiver of intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, which was made without consulting allies or giving any warning. Europeans have a different perspective than the United States on China, as they are more reliant on both China and Russia for trade and energy. Some are concerned that Biden's approach of framing the world as a competition between democracy and authoritarianism is too simplistic. Nathalie Tocci, director of Italy's International Affairs Institute, emphasized the importance of consulting with allies before the Putin summit, stating that it is more than just a symbolic gesture. Europeans are fooling themselves if they think things can return to how they were before. They should work with Biden on important issues like climate, vaccines, and trade to create a Western alliance that can lead to a global agreement. This is the most effective way to demonstrate that democracy is successful. | 2 |
This is an example of the type of compromise that has been common among employees of the Kremlin's propaganda machine for a long time - individuals who valued the stable employment and creative challenges, even if they did not agree with the mission of their workplace. Recently, Likin, who had been the art director for Channel 1, the Russian state television network known for its propaganda, resigned in response to President Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Likin stated that he was not a politician, but the invasion made him realize he was now part of a harmful agenda. He noted that in Russia, television is primarily for those who do not seek alternative sources of information, often due to a lack of education or analysis skills. The invasion of Ukraine has caused some Russians who worked for the government to sever ties with it, indicating that the Kremlin is facing challenges in maintaining unity in society during the war. Thousands of people have been arrested for 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 began on Feb 24. There have also been four high-profile resignations at Russia's state television channels, which are crucial in Putin's control over domestic politics. Marina Ovsyannikova, a Channel 1 staff member, made a powerful protest by interrupting a live news broadcast to display an anti-war poster. Other resignations, like Likin's, have been more quiet, revealing the unrest within Putin's system and highlighting the significant influence of television in shaping public perception of the war. Zhanna Agalakova, a Channel 1 correspondent who resigned recently, described her colleagues as clinically depressed in the current situation. Many thoughtful individuals are feeling their own culpability, with no way out. Merely seeking forgiveness is insufficient. Despite the decreased influence of Russia's national television networks due to the emergence of YouTube and social media, they remain the primary news source for the public. Approximately two-thirds of Russians relied on state television for news last year, a decrease from 90% in 2014, according to surveys conducted by the Levada Center. State television channels have presented Russians with a portrayal of the conflict that contrasts sharply with the Western perspective, depicting Russians as heroes akin to their role in World War II, bringing liberation to Ukrainian territories occupied by neo-Nazis funded by the West. Images of deceased civilians and destroyed homes are falsely labeled as either fake or the result of Ukrainians attacking their own people. According to a Channel 1 reporter, local residents in Mariupol claim that the Ukrainian military is intentionally targeting residential buildings, while others believe nationalists were instructed to inflict as much damage as possible before retreating. Polls suggest that most Russians believe in the narrative presented on their television screens, which portrays the war as a continuation of longstanding grievances against the West. Despite some journalists leaving their positions, many state television reporters continue to amplify the message of Russia fighting for its right to exist. Former NTV anchor Liliya Gildeyeva admitted to compromising her beliefs before realizing the extent of her actions once the war began. She stated that when you start to give in to yourself gradually, you may not realize how deep the consequences will be. The shock of the war has prompted tens of thousands of Russians to leave the country in recent weeks, boarding planes to destinations like Turkey and Armenia. Among those leaving are journalists, activists, tech workers, and young professionals who no longer see a future for themselves in Russia. Even some members of Russia's elite, such as Chubais, the Kremlin's climate envoy, have left the country due to the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has confirmed Chubais' resignation, noting that he was considered one of the few liberal officials left in Putin's government. His key role in economic reforms in the 1990s made him unpopular among many Russians. It remains uncertain whether discontent among some of the elite could pose a threat to Putin's government. Likin, a former art director at Channel 1, believes those willing to resign over their principles are a small minority in Russia. Agalakova, a former correspondent at Channel 1, criticized her ex-colleagues who chose to stay, stating that many do not work for a greater cause. "People have responsibilities such as family and loans that they need to fulfill in order to survive. Those who leave their jobs at state television, especially if they speak out, face an uncertain future. Agalakova, who had been a correspondent based in Paris, mentioned that some of her acquaintances stopped communicating with her after she left. Likin, on the other hand, plans to remain in Russia and continue his career as an architect. He expressed willingness to return to television only if it changes its agenda to be more life-affirming. Government-sponsored surveys suggest that most Russians support Putin's invasion, although analysts believe that people may not answer truthfully during times of war. Agalakova now realizes that years of propaganda on Russian television have contributed to the preparation for war by distorting Russians' perception of their country's World War II sacrifice into endorsement of the Kremlin's current policies." Agalakova stated that the mention of Nazism in Ukraine by the Kremlin elicits immediate reactions from society. She described this as a deceitful and shameless tactic. Due to the propaganda, Russians who are skeptical of television have limited sources for accurate news. Echo of Moscow radio station and TV Rain television channel have been shut down, and access to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram has been blocked. Alexander Nevzorov, a well-known journalist, is under criminal investigation for sharing information about the Russian bombing of Mariupol on his Instagram page. The most recent attempt to instill fear in critics of the war involves a new law that can result in up to 15 years in prison for going against the official narrative of the conflict in Ukraine. Denis Volkov, from the Levada polling centre, believes that the true test of Russian public opinion will come as economic hardships caused by sanctions are felt. Despite this, Volkov thinks that the Kremlin's narrative of the West trying to undermine Russia through Ukraine and Russia defending its people abroad has been firmly established in the minds of television viewers and is unlikely to change soon. Many Russians tend to accept news that aligns with the television narrative and reject what doesn't, regardless of its truthfulness. | 2 |
The US-India Business Council (USIBC) praised the reforms introduced in the budget, including lifting the FDI cap in insurance and policy changes to address transfer pricing challenges and promote infrastructure investment. USIBC, a leading trade association with 300 top US and Indian companies, expressed appreciation for the finance minister's leadership and the business-friendly policies. The council sees the increase in the insurance composite FDI cap to 49 percent as a positive step towards improving the investment climate and creating jobs. USIBC also supports the decision to raise the FDI cap in defence and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development. The US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) welcomed the increase in FDI cap in defence and insurance sectors, emphasizing the potential for technology transfer and equity investments. He stated that both of these advancements are praiseworthy, and it will likely motivate international investors, including those from the Indian diasporas, to engage in the growth of India's defense and insurance sectors. | 2 |
After his global teleconference fell apart in confusion on September 11, 2001, a top economist at a US investment bank started considering what the attacks on the United States could reveal about the future of the world. Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs, who had been in a meeting at the World Trade Center just two days before the attacks, flew back to London shortly before the planes hit the twin towers. As he was about to take on the role of head of the bank's global economics team, he wanted to come up with a significant idea to make his mark in leadership. He soon realized that the decade following September 11 would be characterized not by the dominance of the US or the war on terror, but by the emergence of the four largest developing economies - China, Russia, India, and Brazil. O'Neill came up with the nickname "BRICs" for Brazil, Russia, India, and China after realizing the lasting impact of 9/11 on American dominance in globalization. He launched the term in a pamphlet in November 2001 and believes that these countries will play a significant role in world history. When O'Neill first coined the term BRIC, the four major emerging economies accounted for eight percent of the global economy. At that time, the top five economies in the world were the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, and France. However, ten years later, the BRIC countries have experienced even faster growth than O'Neill anticipated, now making up nearly 20 percent of the world economy. China has now become the second largest economy globally, while Britain, a close US ally in the war on terror, has dropped out of the top five, being surpassed by Brazil. India and Russia are also quickly advancing in the global economic ranking. In the aftermath of the attacks on New York and Washington, the US quickly initiated a global "war on terror" and began planning retaliation against not only Al Qaeda, but also other countries it deemed as part of a broader "axis of evil", including Iraq under Saddam Hussein. While the US and its allies may seem to have emerged victorious in this war, with Al-Qaeda weakened and key leaders eliminated, the true cost of this victory, both financially and diplomatically, is not immediately apparent. Joseph Nye, a former US under-secretary of state and defence and current Harvard professor of international relations, noted that the US was consumed by a misguided war in the Middle East while the global economy was shifting towards Asia in the early 2000s. He states that the actions of the US significantly harmed its reputation in diplomacy, values, and culture, while also diverting and weakening its military and economic strength. The cost of the US response to the attacks has been high, with the national debt increasing from $5.8 trillion to $14.7 trillion in a decade due to unfunded tax cuts, post-financial crisis stimulus, and increased domestic spending. However, America's conflicts following the events of 9/11 significantly added to the financial burden. According to a recent estimate by Brown University in the US, the cost of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan for America totaled up to $4.4 trillion, which is almost one-third of the total cost. Nigel Inkster, a former deputy head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and current head of transnational threats and political risk at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), believes that the American response to 9/11 was an overreaction. He also predicts that in the grand scheme of things, the impact of 9/11 and the rise of Al Qaeda may be considered a minor event. Other Western powers also took drastic measures in response to the attacks. Similar to then-US president George W Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair considered the September 11 attacks to be a pivotal moment. In an upcoming television interview to be featured on www.reuters.com, Blair stated, "I was very, very clear from the outset that this was not just a terrorist attack of extraordinary magnitude but one that had to change global politics." Blair acknowledged that although there was uncertainty about the necessary actions to take, there was a consensus that the level of risk had shifted. This belief ultimately led to Blair's decision to engage in military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, endeavors that proved to be costly to the UK and may not have had as significant of an impact as the challenges posed by global economic changes and domestic financial issues. The Iraq war severely damaged Blair's leadership and reputation when it was revealed that Britain had gone to war based on faulty information about weapons of mass destruction. According to Wolfgang Ischinger, a former German deputy foreign minister who became ambassador to the US in 2001, the events of September 11 shattered the illusion of one superpower dominating the world. However, he believes that the rise of the BRICs will have a more lasting impact on global power dynamics and governance. Ischinger suggests that it took nearly a decade to understand the implications of 9/11 and the mistakes made by some countries. He questions whether the financial crisis was more of a turning point than the September 11 attacks. During a flight to Houston, Texas for a meeting between King Abdullah of Jordan and President Bush, Al Qaeda attacked. Jordan's ambassador to Washington, Marwan Muasher, was initially concerned about an anti-Muslim backlash in the US. He believes the US handled that well, but misjudged its broader reaction and should not have started the Iraq war. Muasher, who later served as foreign minister and now works at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, believes that events like the financial crisis have overshadowed 9/11. He argues that the era of US dominance was short-lived and unsustainable, as other powers have emerged. Ian Bremmer, who is the president of Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, believes that the world has surpassed the impact of September 11. According to Bremmer, the year 2008 was a pivotal moment, marked by the financial crisis and Beijing Olympics. Prior to this, China was viewed as an emerging market and insignificant player, but during this time, they emerged as a significant global power. In 2008, China displayed bold confidence at the Olympics opening ceremony, showcasing impressive new buildings in its capital and disregarding Western concerns about human rights abuses. China's increasing financial and economic influence, highlighted by its significant holdings of US government debt, has made the West hesitant to criticize it. When a debt crisis struck Europe and China was asked to help by purchasing euro-zone securities, it marked a significant shift in global dynamics. Additionally, in August 2008, Russia successfully engaged in a conflict with US-supported Georgia, marking a departure from its previous foreign policy stance. This more assertive approach by emerging powers, particularly in their own regions, could potentially be adopted by other countries like China or India in the future. According to Stephen Jennings, CEO of Moscow-based investment bank Renaissance Capital, the traditional financial centers and Western economic model are losing their dominance as more big "south-south" business deals are being made in developing nations, funded by BRIC banks for emerging market investors. Jennings believes there is a shift of business, capital, and ideas towards emerging market economies, with fast-growing economies like Russia becoming leaders in the new economic order. The diplomatic order has also shifted as a result of these changes. In 2009, during the Copenhagen climate summit, US President Barack Obama chose to negotiate not with the other G8 developed countries, but with leaders of emerging nations like China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. South Africa was particularly interested in aligning itself with the BRICS group to challenge the influence of 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 had double standards, supporting authoritarian Arab leaders when it suited their interests, only to abandon them when their rule became unsustainable. Recently, documents found in Libya have exposed close cooperation between British and American intelligence services with Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime, causing embarrassment for both countries. "In many ways, it demonstrates the complete hypocrisy of the belief that one must embrace the dark side in order to defeat terrorism," expressed Jan Egeland, who served as the Europe head of Human Rights Watch and United Nations global humanitarian chief from 2003 to 2006, during which time he frequently criticized US Policy. "This significantly damaged the reputation of the West, especially as emerging economies were already making advancements in other areas." The world has changed significantly since September 11, 2001, with many unexpected outcomes. While the US and its allies were engaged in prolonged conflicts in the Middle East, the number of conflicts in other parts of the world decreased. Some economists, like Jeffrey Sachs, argue that the billions spent on Western wars could have been better utilized to alleviate poverty and suffering in the poorest nations. Despite a growing wealth gap within many countries, the economic growth of BRIC nations has lifted millions out of poverty. Currently, as has been seen throughout history, the increasing economic strength of the BRIC countries is leading to an increase in their military power. At the same time, the financial decline of the West is resulting in significant cuts to defense spending. The International Institute for Strategic Studies in London noted in its annual survey that while Western military budgets are decreasing, those in Asia and the Middle East are growing rapidly, sometimes at double-digit rates. This indicates a global shift in military power. This year, Britain became the only member of the UN Security Council without an aircraft carrier after scrapping the Royal Navy's flagship "Ark Royal," just as China launched its own aircraft carrier. According to Goldman's O'Neill, the economic growth of the BRIC countries will have a greater long-term impact than the events of September 11th. His bank is now promoting the benefits of the "N-11" - the next 11 major emerging market economies after the BRICs, which include countries like Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey. He also suggests that the recent attack and its consequences may have influenced the more assertive approach of the BRICs on the global stage. The events may have caused doubts about America's power and encouraged these countries to rely more on themselves. Some fear that the focus on the Middle East and terrorism may have caused the old powers to miss the opportunity to shape the new world order. However, even if they had been more attentive, it may not have made a significant difference. Former British spy Inkster states that the unexpected shift to emerging powers caught us off guard because of the previous focus on the Islamic world. However, he believes that it would have been surprising regardless. | 2 |
He has recently returned from a failed summit in Hanoi with North Korea, adding to the growing challenges he faces. In addition to the disagreement with Kim Jong Un over sanctions and nuclear weapons, Trump is dealing with accusations from his former lawyer Michael Cohen, sensitive trade negotiations with China, a crisis in Venezuela, tensions between India and Pakistan, and attempts in Congress to block his emergency declaration for border wall funding. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election is also nearing its conclusion, keeping speculation about Trump and his campaign in the news. Before leaving for Vietnam, Trump expressed frustration about the Democrats proceeding with Cohen's testimony while he was overseas. He also expressed a desire for the Mueller report to be completed. A source who was present but preferred to remain anonymous reported that he was displeased that hearings were being held while he was out of the country and that the Mueller investigation had not been finished before his departure. Trump, feeling as though there was a cloud hanging over him, cut short discussions on North Korea's denuclearization at the summit. Conflicting reports emerged from both sides, casting doubt on the future of one of Trump's key initiatives. The White House had initially planned a signing ceremony for a deal in Hanoi but suddenly called it off. Donald Trump's Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, criticized reporters for being too focused on what he referred to as "process" and accused them of being "radically uninformed." Pompeo advised the reporters not to fixate on such details. Meanwhile, Trump stayed updated on Michael Cohen's testimony from his hotel suite in Hanoi, despite the time difference. Trump's inner circle believed that the president had a decent week, as there were no major surprises from Cohen's testimony and Trump was receiving praise for walking away from negotiations with North Korea. Christopher Ruddy, a conservative media mogul and close friend of Trump, stated that they were prepared for the challenges posed by North Korea and Cohen's negative remarks. Ruddy told Reuters that, in his opinion, the Cohen testimony doesn't significantly impact President Trump's political standing. However, some of Trump's allies have begun to question the effectiveness of his re-election campaign in responding to criticism. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a friend of Trump, expressed concerns about the lack of defense for the president. Trump is expected to receive support when he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland this Saturday. At a CPAC event on Thursday, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel defended Trump's handling of the Vietnam summit. "He left in a just manner because he stated that we will not lift the sanctions unless you agree to denuclearize," she expressed, receiving applause. | 2 |
An increasing US deficit may present a bigger danger to President Barack Obama's healthcare reforms than the Supreme Court or the 2012 elections. Health experts believe that advancements in medical care delivery and the establishment of state health insurance exchanges to provide coverage to the uninsured will likely continue in some capacity even if Obama's Affordable Care Act is invalidated or repealed. However, former healthcare policymakers from both Democratic and Republican administrations caution that cost-controlling measures that enhance quality and access to care could face challenges in 2013 if a new Congress and administration respond to fiscal pressures with indiscriminate spending cuts. Dr. Don Berwick, who recently left his position as the head of Medicare and Medicaid under Obama, warns against shifting the burden of cuts onto the poor and taxpayers, as it could worsen the situation. The Affordable Care Act aims primarily to expand healthcare coverage to over 30 million uninsured Americans by extending Medicaid for the poor and creating state exchanges for low-income individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid to purchase subsidized private insurance. It also demands new ideas to steer America's $2.6 trillion healthcare system, the most expensive in the world, towards incentives aimed at controlling costs. The law is facing strong opposition from Republicans and is entering a time of significant upheaval. The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on the constitutionality of the individual mandate next spring, which requires all Americans to purchase insurance. Following that, voters will determine whether Republicans or Democrats will have control of the White House and Congress. Current and former healthcare officials are optimistic about changes that would reward doctors and other providers based on the progress of their patients rather than the number of tests and procedures they conduct. For a panel discussion on the topic moderated by Reuters at Harvard School of Public Health, visit www.ForumHSPH.org. Dr. Mark McClellan, who managed Medicare, Medicaid, and the Food and Drug Administration during President George W. Bush's administration, stated, "These reforms have the potential to significantly impact healthcare costs in the long term." Various innovations, such as "bundled payments," establish cost goals for specific conditions that teams of doctors must achieve. Others incentivize healthcare providers to keep patients healthy and achieve positive outcomes while saving money. These innovations were already being implemented in the private sector before President Obama signed the healthcare bill into law in March 2010. The momentum of these innovations has increased significantly across the United States due to the law's efforts to apply them to Medicare and Medicaid, which collectively spend around $900 billion annually to provide care for 100 million beneficiaries. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which is a year old, has plans to develop around two dozen innovation models in partnership with private companies in the coming years. According to experts, innovative approaches to healthcare delivery are valuable as they help providers deal with increasing cost pressures from both employers and government agencies. Don Moran, a healthcare consultant in Washington, believes that these innovations are a response to market demands rather than just being driven by reformist motives. The future of healthcare innovation may change significantly after the November elections if Washington decides to address deficits by making widespread cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which could reinforce the traditional fee-for-service model. Currently, innovations in healthcare are at risk as they have not yet proven their ability to significantly reduce costs, making it difficult for the Congressional Budget Office to assign concrete dollar values to them for deficit reduction. Gail Wilensky, former head of Medicare and Medicaid under President George H.W. Bush, is concerned that Congress may resort to the typical strategy of reducing payments to healthcare providers, potentially causing them to stop accepting Medicare patients. She believes that Congress may prioritize this approach due to the recognition it would receive, but she argues that it is not in the best interest of seniors. Some experts suggest that budget constraints could lead the Obama administration to postpone certain aspects of the healthcare law, such as state health insurance exchanges and the mandate for individuals to have health insurance. Postponing the implementation of the law could result in significant savings in government spending and allow officials more time to establish exchanges. Despite uncertainties due to the Supreme Court case and the upcoming election, there are currently no plans to delay the implementation of the law. Analysts believe that the election outcome may not significantly impact the fate of the law, as Congress is unlikely to overcome partisan differences. Certain sections of the law, such as state insurance exchanges, could still proceed even if the individual mandate is overturned, repealed, or weakened. 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 be less effective without the individual mandate, but suggested that this could lead to deficit savings. However, he clarified that there are currently no plans to replace the individual mandate with Part D enrollment restrictions. | 2 |
Four years ago, the joint programme of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), emphasized the United States as Germany's key ally outside of Europe. The program highlighted the significance of the friendship with Washington in Germany's international relations and aimed to bolster transatlantic economic relationships by eliminating trade barriers. However, the latest election program, titled "For a Germany in which we live well and happily," unveiled by Merkel and CSU leader Horst Seehofer ahead of the September 24 election, does not use the terms "friend" or "friendship" in relation to the United States. Instead, the US is referred to as Germany's primary partner outside of Europe. CDU officials were not immediately available to provide a comment on the change in wording. The change in wording highlights the deteriorating relations between Berlin and Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January. During his campaign, Trump criticized Merkel for her migration policies and trade surplus with the US, accused European partners of owing money to NATO, and caused concern among western allies by withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre showed that only 35 percent of Germans have a positive view of the United States, a drop from 57 percent at the end of Obama's presidency. Merkel is scheduled to host Trump and other leaders at a G20 summit in Hamburg later this week. The 2017 election programme for the CDU/CSU mentions historic US support for Germany after World War Two and leading up to German reunification, instead of focusing on strengthening economic ties as the 2013 passage did. The programme also echoes Chancellor Merkel's statement after a challenging G7 summit in May, emphasizing the need for Europeans to take control of their own destiny more decisively. The programme reaffirms Germany's dedication to NATO but also stresses the importance of the EU being able to defend itself independently for long-term survival. It includes a new section called "Germany and France as the Engine of Europe" which promises to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The statement expresses willingness to work with the new French government to enhance the euro zone gradually, such as by establishing its own monetary fund. However, it rejects sharing debt in Europe and emphasizes that "solidarity" will only be achievable if EU countries adhere to the regulations of the bloc's Growth and Stability Pact. | 2 |
Here are 10 celebrities who have taken a stand in the past year to make a positive impact on the world. Meghan Markle, who married into Britain's royal family in May, has focused on women's rights and collaborated with Grenfell Tower fire survivors to create a community cookbook. Emma Watson, famous for her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter films, spent 2018 advocating for the #MeToo movement and donated one million pounds to support charities fighting sexual abuse. In October, Watson penned a public letter advocating for the end of strict abortion laws across countries like India and Ireland. At the same time, she was seen wearing earrings made from shrapnel and unexploded bombs from Laos. David Attenborough, the renowned nature documentary broadcaster in his nineties, used the platform of the 2018 United Nations' climate talks in Poland to support young people and emphasize the urgency of taking action on climate change. Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan solidified his popularity in India by paying off the debts of farmers who were struggling after an agricultural crisis, spending over 40 million rupees ($560,000) in the process. 5. Elton John, a prominent British singer-songwriter known for his advocacy for LGBT+ rights, urged for increased support for individuals living in poverty to improve their access to HIV/AIDS medical treatment, condemning the lack of access as shameful.
6. Millie Bobby Brown, the young star of the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things", was appointed as the youngest goodwill ambassador for the United Nations children's agency UNICEF this year. She pledged to raise awareness on children's rights, education, poverty, and work towards eliminating bullying, expressing her excitement at the opportunity as 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 also joined a campaign by the charity Malaria No More UK to revive efforts in combating malaria on a global scale. The former athlete participated in a short film where he was surrounded by mosquitoes to bring attention to the fact that malaria still claims the lives of approximately 445,000 individuals annually, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Similarly, Australian actress and United Nations' refugee goodwill ambassador, Cate Blanchett, raised awareness about the Rohingya crisis, calling on nations to increase their support for refugees escaping from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Blanchett, a two-time Oscar winner, emphasized the urgency in safeguarding Rohingya refugees, describing it as a critical race against time. Princess Beatrice, the eighth in line to the British throne, has advocated for addressing online abuse and cyberbullying, particularly targeting young women and girls. She is involved in a larger anti-bullying initiative supported by celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne called "Be Cool Be Nice." | 2 |
The offensive graffiti reading "KKK Bitch" began appearing in mid-October in Kokomo, Indiana on cars, homes, and telephone poles. Many of the victims, including Peters, were African American, although some were not. Several homes with lawn signs supporting Democratic candidates in the upcoming presidential election had their signs vandalized with the Ku Klux Klan's initials. Peters believes that the increasingly hostile tone of the presidential campaign, particularly the nativist rhetoric of Republican candidate Donald Trump, has emboldened extremists. This behavior is concerning to Peters, as it may be influenced by the ignorant statements made by political candidates. Our country appears to be regressing, as police have no leads on the attacks. Democrats think the attacks were politically driven, while local Republicans doubt this claim and believe the perpetrators are simply troublemakers. The divisive political rhetoric is seeping into public conversations across the country, but it is difficult to measure its exact impact as there is no national data on politically motivated crimes or inflammatory language. However, the percentage of voters who believe it is acceptable to insult political opponents has increased throughout the campaign season, rising from 30 percent in March to 43 percent in October, according to surveys conducted by the non-partisan Pew Research Center. A majority of voters from both parties hold "very unfavorable" opinions of the opposing party, marking the first time this has happened since Pew began asking the question in 1992. Trust in government is also at near all-time lows. Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, believes these trends indicate inter-group tensions that can manifest in various ways, from harsh rhetoric to extremist actions. While much of the hostility has been directed towards immigrants, African Americans, and other groups associated with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Republicans have also experienced animosity. The focus of discussions on extremism has largely been on the Alt-Right, a loosely connected group of white nationalists, anti-Semites, and anti-immigration individuals who have come out of the shadows to support the Trump campaign. During a rally at the statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina on July 18, 2015, a Ku Klux Klan supporter with visible tattoos was captured by Reuters. Trump's promises to construct a border wall, remove illegal immigrants, and investigate Muslims for terrorism connections have sparked enthusiasm among the Alt-Right group. Michael Hill, a self-proclaimed white supremacist and leader of the League of the South, stated that the rhetoric used by the Alt-Right has helped to legitimize concerns about the erosion of the white, Christian majority in the country. He believes that the political climate surrounding certain campaigns has been beneficial for right-wing groups, not only in the United States but in other countries as well. Examples of similar nationalist sentiments causing violence and hostility have been seen in countries such as Britain, Russia, and Japan. Recent incidents in the United States, such as the burning of a black church in Mississippi and vandalism of political offices, have further highlighted the divisive and dangerous political climate. A man in Utah 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. Both the Trump and Clinton campaigns did not respond to requests for comment. White nationalist Jared Taylor stated that Trump's positions align with the Alt-Right goal of "slowing the dispossession of whites," but he believes the media is exaggerating Trump's support within the Alt-Right to discredit him. Trump has received criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans for being slow to denounce the extreme elements of the political right. However, when a prominent KKK newspaper published a pro-Trump article on its front page recently, his campaign quickly released a statement rejecting the "repulsive" piece. Taylor, Hill, and other Alt-Right figures claim they do not support vandalism or violence and argue that their rhetoric is not hate speech, but rather that they are being unfairly vilified by the left. According to Heidi Beirich of the Southern Poverty Law Center, left-wing extremists have a history of aggressive confrontations with groups perceived as fascist or racist. She stated that anti-racists often exhibit more violence than racists. While the First Amendment of the US Constitution protects inflammatory speech, law enforcement agencies can investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on bias against race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Data from California State University researchers showed a 6 percent increase in hate crimes last year, with a significant 86 percent rise in crimes against Muslims. Some individuals involved in politics believe that there has been an overall decline in politeness that began prior to the current presidential campaign. Craig Dunn, the Republican party chairman for Howard County, Indiana, including Kokomo, mentions that a small number of extreme voices are being amplified through the Internet and social media, causing a general breakdown in manners. Local officials are concerned about the impact on their community. Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, a Democrat, notes that the atmosphere has become more tense and volatile. He is particularly troubled by graffiti attacks, which he says are unprecedented in the area. One resident, Monica Fowler, 43, is struggling after having her Democratic yard signs defaced with "KKK." She states that it is acceptable to have differing opinions, but if your actions are going to intimidate or hurt someone else, it is not acceptable. | 2 |
The Dhaka City Corporation has approximately 250 dumpsters overflowing with waste throughout the capital, which is insufficient for a city with a population in the millions. In response, a youth-based organization is looking to help by privatizing trash cans. Footsteps, through its project 'WECan', plans to sell commercial trash cans to businesses and place them in front of corporate offices for use by pedestrians. The trash cans will be part of a company's Corporate Social Responsibility, with steel cans being sold for Tk 5000 each. The cans will feature the company's logo and a socially conscious message, and metal chains will be provided to secure them to office gates. Revenue earned from the cans will go towards providing winter clothes to the needy. Footsteps encourages interested companies to buy multiple cans for maximum impact, with maintenance being the responsibility of the company. The organization believes that funding a trashcan will benefit both the environment and the company itself, by reducing littering and serving as an advertisement campaign. Footsteps, founded in 2012, aims to engage Bangladeshi youth in issues such as development, pollution, education, poverty, and climate change. Teams of volunteers are working to promote sales of the cans, with one volunteer, Zahin Shuhrat Islam, reaching out to contacts in the corporate world for support. | 2 |
Fifty years after the opening of the first atomic power plant in Obninsk near Moscow, nuclear power is gaining more environmental support due to its low greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the lack of permanent storage for highly toxic waste, nuclear power plants worldwide are helping to reduce emissions equivalent to that of Japan's yearly output. However, the risk of accidents, like the one at Chernobyl in 1986, poses a dilemma for governments considering nuclear power as a solution to combat climate change. According to Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN Climate Panel, nuclear power accounts for a significant portion of global electricity generation and cannot be overlooked as an option. In order to handle toxic waste that will remain hazardous for thousands of years, countries must have appropriate institutions and disposal sites in place. Each nation has the right to make its own decisions regarding nuclear waste management. Despite the lack of permanent repositories for high-level waste, several countries, including Britain, Finland, and France, are investing in new nuclear power stations. Additionally, companies in the United States are beginning to seek licenses for new plants, with 34 currently under construction globally. While some are embracing nuclear power due to factors such as climate change and fluctuating oil prices, others remain opposed. Jan Beranek of Greenpeace believes that there is a lot of excitement surrounding the idea of a 'nuclear renaissance', with countries considering nuclear power as a solution to climate change and energy security. However, Beranek argues that nuclear energy is not the way forward, as it is diverting investment away from renewable energy sources like wind, hydro, solar, and tidal power. Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim also points out the challenges of nuclear power, highlighting the storage issues. Despite these concerns, the U.N. climate panel chaired by Pachauri acknowledged in 2007 that nuclear power could be an effective option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The panel referenced a study which stated that nuclear power currently prevents 1.5 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases from being emitted annually in comparison to the global average for electricity generation. In contrast, Japan's greenhouse gas emissions in 2005 totaled 1.4 billion tonnes. Other research suggests that nuclear emissions may be higher due to factors like ore processing and decommissioning. Furthermore, there are concerns about the environmental impact of nuclear power, as well as worries about potential terrorist attacks on nuclear plants and the misuse of 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, such as the Chernobyl disaster. The IAEA predicts that the leak at Chernobyl could result in the deaths of around 4,000 people due to radiation-induced cancers among those who live closest to the plant, with another 5,000 deaths possible among those further away. Toth pointed out that the environmental advantages of nuclear power, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are not as well-known. He also mentioned that nuclear power could be a viable environmental option for developing countries, citing how it could help countries like China reduce smog in cities like Beijing. Additionally, an IAEA study suggested that nuclear power could be a competitive alternative to coal in India, especially in areas located more than 800 kms away from coal mines due to the high costs of transportation. He observed that large developing countries were also exploring ways to reduce their increasing greenhouse gas emissions in the long run, despite not being subject to limitations under the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol until 2012. The UN Climate Panel stated that while there are temporary storage facilities for waste, there are currently no permanent repositories for high-level waste like spent light-water reactor fuel. Finland and Sweden are closest to implementing deep geological storage, with the Yucca Mountain site in the U.S. possibly taking 10 to 15 years. However, advancements in technology could potentially allow for recycling of the waste before permanent disposal is necessary. | 2 |
Marguerite Hanley, a California native living in Amsterdam, is a traveler who has come to appreciate the importance of mindful actions and their impact on a global scale, after a year of introspection due to the COVID pandemic. She recently made the decision to scale back her ambitious honeymoon plans in Africa, opting instead to focus on a few conservation-supporting camps in Botswana. This shift towards slow travel, inspired by the slow food movement, allows her to support local communities, reduce her carbon footprint, and truly immerse herself in the experience. The enduring appeal of walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain has attracted more travelers in recent years for various reasons. These include seeking solace from social distancing, avoiding flight-shaming, taking a meditative break, or practicing caution during the pandemic. These slower, more mindful trips involve visiting fewer places and moving at a slower pace, whether by car, train, bike, foot, or canoe. Kyle Kowalski, the founder of Sloww, a website dedicated to slow living, believes that slow travel is more about how you travel rather than what you do. It involves intentionally choosing to do less in order to experience more. Instead of hurrying through various activities, slow travel emphasizes finding a balance and maintaining a leisurely pace, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity. The pandemic has led to a slower pace of life for many individuals, contributing to the growth of the slow travel movement. Environmental improvements observed during the pandemic, as travel decreased, motivated individuals like Julia Douglas to opt for walking or taking longer train rides instead of flying, in an effort to sustain the reduced pollution levels seen during the pandemic. While commuter train usage has declined, there has been an increase in long-distance train travel, with Amtrak Vacations reporting a 47 percent increase in bookings this year compared to 2019. In Europe, 2021 is being celebrated as the European Year of Rail by the European Union to promote sustainable transportation, leading to a resurgence in long-distance train travel. Night train networks are making a comeback, with Midnight Trains, a startup, planning to launch luxury sleeper cars on routes from Paris to over 10 cities starting in 2024. The pandemic-induced shift to remote work has allowed many people to extend their travels, with Airbnb reporting a 10 percent increase in stays of 28 days or more in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2019, and Exclusive Resorts seeing a 550 percent growth in bookings of 21 days or more in 2021 compared to 2019. The current travel requirements, such as testing and entry procedures, are causing delays in travel. In the past, travelers would visit multiple countries in one trip, but now many are choosing single-country safaris due to COVID testing and flight issues. Getting a COVID test before returning to the US adds to the complexity of travel. Some companies are recommending clients add extra days at the end of their trip to accommodate testing requirements. These practicalities, along with other factors, are slowing down travel. Travellers who may be feeling overwhelmed after a year of living with the coronavirus are finding comfort in the idea of "kos," a Norwegian term that represents peace, harmony, and gratitude. Up Norway, a bespoke travel company, is offering 28-day stays in remote areas of the country where travellers can take their time to appreciate the simple joys of culture and natural beauty. This is a departure from the typical rushed sightseeing trips to popular tourist spots in Europe and Asia. Denise Ambrusko-Maida, a travel adviser from Buffalo, New York, notes that people are now seeking more meaningful travel experiences away from crowded tourist destinations. "They do not want to be crowded and shuffling along in lines," said Rebecca Werner, a travel adviser from Chicago who recently arranged a train trip to Glacier National Park for a family of four from Wisconsin who are fans of the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit." It provided an opportunity for the family to bond, enjoy the scenery, and play chess on the train. For these travelers, focusing on personal interests has become more important than checking items off a bucket list. David Demers of Naples, Florida, is planning two month-long trips to Israel and the Mediterranean next year with the help of the bespoke travel agency Untold Story Travel, allowing him to explore his interests in history, theater, food, and art at a leisurely pace. Demers, who recently sold his health care company, emphasized the importance of slowing down and focusing on what truly matters, a lesson learned during the pandemic. Sojrn, a travel company, has also introduced month-long trips centered around a single destination with educational themes like philosophy in Athens, wine in Italy, or Spanish language in Colombia. Travellers choose to stay in local apartments during their trips 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 looking forward to her upcoming trip to Italy with Sojrn, where she plans to work for a nonprofit without scheduling every minute of her trip. Potter Donna Hetrick, from Pittsburgh, is opting for slow travel to Africa in 2022 with TDA Global Cycling to reduce her environmental impact and spend more time exploring the continent by bike. This longer journey not only helps offset her carbon footprint but also allows for a deeper connection to the places she visits. “When you’re riding a bicycle, you are more accessible to people,” she explained. Slow tourism, which involves treading lightly, exploring lesser-known areas, engaging with local communities, and supporting locally owned businesses, is gaining popularity as a sustainable travel option and a solution to overtourism. Martha Honey, former executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel, views slow tourism as a more sustainable approach because it encourages visitors to spend more time in a destination and spread out, reducing overcrowding. She believes slow travel benefits both the traveler, who can immerse themselves more deeply in a location, and the destination, which experiences the economic advantages of tourism being distributed more evenly. Honey attributes the rise of slow tourism principles to the recent emphasis on buying local during the pandemic, which helped support small businesses and promote a less disruptive and more economically beneficial travel experience. Travellers are increasingly avoiding crowded destinations, opting for places like Alaska and Montana this summer. A recent survey by Flywire found that three-quarters of respondents in five countries, including the United States, prefer uncrowded destinations. Responsible Travel has introduced an 11-week trip around the world by train and cargo ship for eco-conscious explorers. According to Anna Rice from Responsible Travel, the journey becomes an integral part of the travel experience, allowing for a deeper understanding of cultural and environmental connections between countries. For those who prefer a slower pace, human-powered travel like hiking, biking, and paddling offer a closer connection to nature and a chance to observe small details often missed at higher speeds. Kristi Growdon, a personal golf trainer from Seattle, mentioned that cycling allows you to notice things that are not visible when driving a car due to the slower pace. She recently went on a cycling trip to Utah with VBT Bicycling Vacations, a company that has almost sold out all of its domestic departures this year. Membership at the Maine Island Trail Association, which provides access to information about a route across over 200 undeveloped islands along the Maine coast, increased by 23% last year. Michael Daugherty, co-owner of Sea Kayak Stonington, explained that sea kayaking allows you to explore places that other boats cannot reach, such as the intertidal zone. He and his wife, artist Rebecca Daugherty, have paddled 625 miles along the Maine coast and published an illustrated book in 2020 called “Upwest & Downeast.” Daugherty, a painter, mentioned that it takes time to truly see and appreciate a place. During my 55-day journey, I realized that the pace was not slow enough for me. Tour operators are now offering new relaxed vacation packages to cater to this trend in travel. Backroads, an active travel company, recently introduced a division called Dolce Tempo, which provides a more leisurely pace for travelers. The demand for these trips is high, with nearly all 2021 departures already sold out. In 2022, Backroads plans to add 100 new Dolce Tempo trips both domestically and internationally, including destinations like Scandinavia, England, and the Danube River. While it typically takes about 5 1/2 hours to drive from Denver to Moab, Utah, travelers can now opt for a more leisurely two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train, with an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, starting in August. The new Rockies to the Red Rocks route has been so popular that the company has increased capacity and extended the season until November 19. There is no Wi-Fi available onboard. In southern Utah, the Aquarius Trail Hut System 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 ride through Dixie National Forest, Red Canyon, and Bryce Canyon National Park. Jared Fisher, owner of Escape Adventures in Las Vegas, created the Aquarius Trail Hut System over five years to make bike-packing more accessible by providing food and bedding, reducing the need for extra gear and planning. Fisher, a passionate bike-packer, has crossed the United States three times on his bike. He enjoys the freedom and mental clarity that comes with traveling by bike, as well as 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 decision to leave the stage, his friends and colleagues believe he was targeted by Islamist vigilantes aiming to enforce Taliban-style 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. Mujahid, hesitant to discuss his life-changing experience, informed Reuters that he was joining Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim missionary group, to spread the teachings of religion. He expressed his belief that God had provided for him in the past and would continue to do so. Fortunately, Mujahid was able to start afresh, unlike others who had faced harsh consequences from militant morality squads. One such tragic incident occurred in January in Swat, a valley located about 130 km north of Islamabad, where a female dancer named Shabana was brutally shot in public by militants. 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 those 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 Islamist parties imposed bans on music on public transportation and removed movie posters featuring women, while militants took even more extreme measures. Initially, music stores in tribal areas like Waziristan were destroyed, and then the attacks spread throughout the northwest as the influence of Islamist groups extended towards urban areas. In June of last year, armed Taliban fighters drove around Peshawar, the capital of the province, in trucks, threatening music store owners to shut down or face consequences. This incident caused alarm across Pakistan shortly after a civilian government took office, prompting security forces to take action. Since then, more tribal regions and districts in the NWFP have become hubs for militants. The army has launched operations in areas like Bajaur and Mohmand to combat the threat. In certain areas, progress is being made while in others, insecurity is becoming more severe. Peshawar is a prime example of this trend. The defeat of Islamist parties in NWFP after an election a year ago brought optimism that the region would once again be a safe place for cultural activities. However, the secular Pashtun party currently in power has been unable to fulfill these hopes despite having good intentions. Syed Aqil Shah, who is the provincial minister for sports and culture, emphasized the importance of everyone uniting against militants. He believes it is not solely the government's responsibility to address this issue, but rather the entire population and civil society must come together to combat these threats. However, many individuals are opting to leave the country to avoid risking their lives, with some singers and musicians already having fled abroad and others planning to do the same. "I am afraid to leave my house. Whenever I do go out, my wife constantly calls to make sure I am safe," expressed a singer who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from militants. "We are extremely fearful, which is why I am considering moving abroad." Some people have opted for safer ways to provide for their families. A musician, who now sells fruit and vegetables for a living, stated that most of the music is no longer alive. Next to him, his harmonium sat unused and covered in dust. | 2 |
Trump, a member of the Republican party, has been accused by Democrats of fueling racial divisions. In response to the killings of 22 people in El Paso, Texas, Trump stated that Americans must denounce racism, bigotry, and white supremacy. The suspect in the shooting, a 21-year-old white man named Patrick Crusius, has been charged with capital murder. Trump did not address allegations that his own comments have worsened racial tensions, nor did he advocate for comprehensive gun control measures. Instead, he emphasized the importance of defeating hateful ideologies. Democrats quickly criticized Trump for avoiding the issue of gun control and instead focusing on mental health and social media. They argued that hatred has no place in America and called for laws to address gun violence. Trump plans to visit El Paso, but some, like Beto O'Rourke, believe he should stay away. O'Rourke tweeted on Monday that the president, who played a role in inciting the hatred that led to the tragic events on Saturday, should not visit El Paso. Instead of causing more division, we should focus on healing. O'Rourke, along with other Democratic candidates running against Trump in the 2020 election, criticized him for his rhetoric on immigrants in connection to the attack in Texas. Five Democrats attended the annual conference of UnidosUS in San Diego on Monday. The group's president, Janet Murguia, referred to Trump as the "radicalizer-in-chief." Joe Biden, the current Democratic frontrunner and former vice president under Barack Obama, addressed the issue of gun attacks in his opening remarks. Biden called on President Trump to denounce the hatred and divisive rhetoric that is leading to violence. Obama, who also advocated for gun restrictions during his presidency, did not directly mention Trump but encouraged Americans to reject divisive language. In a statement, Obama expressed the need to strongly reject the language used by leaders that promotes fear and hatred or normalizes racist beliefs. Trump's 2015 presidential campaign began with negative comments about Mexican immigrants, referring to them as criminals. The recent shootings in El Paso and Dayton resulted in multiple deaths, including Mexican citizens, with the motives of the gunmen unclear. White House adviser Kellyanne Conway confirmed on Fox News that President Trump would be traveling to both El Paso and Dayton, although she did not provide specific dates for either visit. Recent mass shootings by lone attackers have raised concerns about gun violence, as well as the threat of racist and white-supremacist ideologies. Trump, who has been criticized for not addressing domestic extremist groups effectively, stated that he would instruct the US Justice Department to investigate domestic terrorism and propose legislation to ensure that individuals who commit hate crimes and mass murder face the death penalty. He also called for reforms to mental health laws to identify individuals who may be disturbed, and for collaboration with social media companies to identify potential mass shooters. "We need to ensure that individuals who are deemed to be a significant threat to public safety are not able to obtain firearms, and if they already have them, there should be a quick legal process to remove them," he mentioned, likely referring to "red flag" laws. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a supporter of President Trump, discussed with him about a new bill he plans to introduce in September along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. This legislation would provide federal funding to states that implement such laws. "Red flag" laws allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from individuals who are deemed to be potentially violent. Trump also mentioned the need for "strong background checks" for gun buyers in a recent tweet, although he did not provide further details and it was not the main focus of his official statement from the White House. In his speech, he stated that it is mental illness and hatred that causes gun violence, not the gun itself. This statement was quickly criticized. Another Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Amy Klobuchar, accused Trump of avoiding the topic of gun control. She pointed out that while mental illness and hate exist worldwide, the US has a significantly higher rate of gun violence. Following a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, Trump suggested banning bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to function like machine guns. The ban became active in March, but Trump decided not to make extensive changes to gun laws. Trump suggested on Twitter that bipartisan efforts should be made to enhance background checks, possibly along with immigration reform. However, Democrats, who have opposed Trump's immigration policies, disagreed with this connection. Lawmakers are not expected to come back to Capitol Hill until September after their summer break. The US House of Representatives, led by Democrats, has approved a bill that requires universal background checks for those purchasing guns. Democratic leaders are now pressuring Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, to bring the Senate back into session to vote on the bill. However, McConnell has called for bipartisan collaboration to address mass shootings, criticizing what he sees as political grandstanding and campaign rhetoric. | 2 |
Sisi, whose image is seen all over Egypt on various products, is feared by his opponents who worry about the return of military rule. However, to investors and many Egyptians, Sisi represents a chance for stability after years of political unrest since the Arab Spring. Despite deposing the country's first democratically-elected president, Sisi is expected to run for president himself and is seen as a strong leader who can bring much-needed calm and economic reform to Egypt. While some may question the democratic process, many investors believe that Sisi's leadership will provide a safer environment for their investments. Sterne mentioned that the change in President Sisi's attire from military to a business suit is a sign of stability. Egyptian industry and investment minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour acknowledged that Western governments may be cautious about this change, but he believes that investors will appreciate it. He stated that in the West, the election of a military officer as president of a developing country may raise concerns of dictatorship, but in the current state of Egypt, a strong leader is needed for law and order, which is beneficial for investment and the economy. Nour also mentioned that generals who transition into politics have had varying reputations throughout history, with George Washington being widely respected as a statesman. In 1973, Augusto Pinochet, a powerful dictator, took control of Chile after overthrowing an elected government. He implemented economic reforms but faced accusations of severe human rights violations. Security forces suppressed protests against the overthrow of Mursi, killing many activists. Islamist militants in Sinai have been responsible for high-profile attacks. Despite economic challenges in Egypt, aid from Gulf allies has boosted infrastructure growth. Foreign direct investment remains low, but there have been some recent investments from companies like Samsung and Coca-Cola. Overall, the economy is slowly improving. In the year ending June 2013, FDI amounted to $3 billion in Egypt during a period of turmoil, which was nearly $1 billion less than the previous year. Prior to the 2011 revolution that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt was attracting an average of $8 billion in annual net FDI. With the country's stock market reaching a five-year high and a more stable global economy compared to Mubarak's final years in power, President Sisi is expected to experience a more favorable investment environment. However, a recent report by Bank of America Merrill Lynch warned about Sisi's retention of officials and policies from the Mubarak era, which could hinder economic growth and leave Egypt vulnerable in terms of fiscal and external financing. Despite his frequent appearances on Egyptian television, Sisi has not provided much insight into his economic policies, only acknowledging the challenging economic conditions facing the country. The issue of fuel subsidies costing the government $15 billion annually was brought up, with no clear solution provided. These subsidies, in place for fifty years, drain foreign currency that could be used to pay off debts and improve investment terms. Investment minister Abdel Nour suggested that President Sisi could use his popularity to implement necessary but difficult economic reforms. Gulf investment in Egypt's infrastructure, such as the recent $40 billion deal with Arabtec, is seen as a lifeline for the country. Western investors, concerned about violence and with a short-term outlook, may be more hesitant than Gulf companies to invest in Egypt. The influx of cash from the Gulf has encouraged Western investors, but opinions are divided on whether an IMF loan with strict budget reforms is the best solution. Legal obstacles and corruption may be what prevent Western companies from investing in Egypt. Moheb Malak, an economist at Prime Securities in Cairo, emphasized the importance of legislation in addition to subsidy reform, stating that it is not receiving enough attention. He pointed out that a draft investment law is being developed to protect contracts between the government and investors from third-party challenges in order to attract more investment. These clauses are meant to reassure investors who have been hesitant due to past legal disputes that have left government-sold companies in uncertain legal situations. Malak also stressed the need for Egypt to address its investment policy beyond just having a strong leader. | 2 |
Israel stated that it was willing to make difficult compromises in order to achieve peace with the Palestinians through an Arab initiative supported by Egypt and Jordan. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert emphasized the importance of having open and sincere discussions rather than making demands. He expressed his readiness to consider the Arab peace initiative and work towards a comprehensive peace with the involvement of other Arab states. Olmert stressed that the negotiations should be a dialogue rather than a one-sided demand. His comments were released one day after the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War, in which Israel emerged victorious over Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in just a week, gaining control of the Sinai peninsula, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, and West Bank, including Arab East Jerusalem. The Arab peace plan, which was approved at a summit in March, proposes that Israel receive normal relations with the Arab world in exchange for a Palestinian state and complete withdrawal from the territories captured in the 1967 conflict. Olmert has expressed willingness to engage in discussions regarding the Arab proposal, but progress has been slow, particularly due to heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in recent weeks, fueled by escalating violence in Gaza. A planned summit between Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, set to address Palestinian statehood issues, was postponed at the request of the Palestinians, who stated that certain agreements needed to be reached before negotiations could take place. In a column published alongside Olmert's, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh stated that for peace to be achieved, Israel must acknowledge the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of refugees to return. Haniyeh emphasized that while Israel may have gained control of Palestinian land in the 1967 war, it did not conquer the people. He argued that the ongoing conflicts and instability in the Middle East over the past 40 years have been a result of this occupation. Haniyeh outlined several steps that Israel must take for the situation to improve, including withdrawing from all territories occupied in 1967, dismantling settlements in the West Bank, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and recognizing the right of refugees to return. He stressed that for peace to be a reality, Israel must acknowledge and respect these basic rights of the Palestinian people. We will continue our fight for freedom and for the reunification of all our children in an independent Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. | 2 |
Large corporations are beginning to invest in solar power, with companies like Intel Corp and International Business Machines Corp leading the way. This shift towards cleaner energy sources may signal a trend as more corporate giants look to take advantage of the growing demand for renewable energy. According to Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, these recent developments demonstrate the direction in which the solar industry is heading, with both tech and energy companies starting to enter the solar market. Solar power is still a small part of the world's energy consumption, but solar panel manufacturers are experiencing significant growth due to concerns about climate change and rising fossil fuel prices. Companies like SunPower Corp and Q-Cells AG have seen their market capitalizations grow into the billions in recent years. Other companies, such as Applied Materials Inc and Cypress Semiconductor Corp, have entered the solar market, recognizing the similarities between their industries and solar power technology. With the success of these companies, others are also looking to get involved in this rapidly expanding market. Kevin Genieser, who leads Morgan Stanley's renewable energy investment banking practice, stated that strategic players have the ability to bring large-scale manufacturing to the solar industry. He anticipates an increase in merger and acquisition activity in the solar sector. Recently, Intel announced the spin-off of its solar technology into a start-up named SpectraWatt Inc, while IBM partnered with Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co Ltd to develop more efficient solar power technologies. Intel is leading a $50 million investment in SpectraWatt, which will begin shipping solar cells next year, and IBM and TOK plan to license their thin film solar technology in the next two to three years. These developments followed Robert Bosch GmbH's recent announcement of its acquisition of German solar cell maker Ersol for 1.08 billion euros ($1.67 billion). Privately owned Bosch holds the title of being the world's largest automotive supplier. Recently, Hewlett-Packard Co, the biggest computer maker, announced that it would be licensing its clear transistor technology to Xtreme Energetics, a solar power company based in Livermore, California. This move has been seen as a significant step towards establishing the credibility of solar power, with industry experts noting that it is not just a passing trend. Analyst Jesse Pichel from Piper Jaffray stated that the involvement of Intel, IBM, and HP in solar initiatives, following Bosch's acquisition of Ersol, confirms the long-term potential of solar energy. SunPower CEO Tom Werner also acknowledged the significance of having major players like Intel and IBM in the solar industry, which helps to solidify solar energy as a legitimate option for investors and other stakeholders. Werner stated that IBM and Intel's entry into the market would increase competition, but he believes SunPower's established business gives them a significant advantage. Werner mentioned in an interview that this competition will only push them to improve further. He emphasized that SunPower has been shipping products for years, so they need to stay ahead. Resch and Pichel added that new competitors, no matter how big, are unlikely to harm established companies in the solar panel market due to high demand. However, some believe that the large companies entering the solar industry may be arriving too late. Ashok Kumar, an analyst at CRT Capital Group, stated that these companies may be behind as many competitors have already established themselves both domestically and internationally. | 2 |
An epithet that once characterized the lackluster final years of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in the 1970s and early 1980s is now increasingly being applied to Putin. Despite government promises, Russia has yet to establish a modern pensions saving system, improve regulation to create a competitive financial market, or invest in its deteriorating infrastructure. The Russian government's latest budget focuses on re-equipping the military with $620 billion by 2020, while cutting spending on infrastructure and education, which has disappointed business leaders seeking improvements to the outdated road network. Despite Putin's promises to reduce the economy's reliance on oil and gas exports, the Kremlin now requires a much higher oil price of $110 to balance its budget, a more than double increase over the past five years. In terms of foreign policy, Medvedev's plan to improve relations with the United States has come to a halt. Instead, Moscow has focused on disputes with the West regarding Syria and has prioritized establishing a free trade area with former Soviet neighbors Belarus and Kazakhstan. Alexei Pushkov, head of the Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, states that Russia aims to be an independent hub of influence in its region, asserting that Russia does not want to emulate the West but rather wants to remain true to its own identity. A notable example of the growing divide between Russia and the West is the handling of the controversial punk feminist group, Pussy Riot, who were sentenced to prison for staging a protest in a Moscow cathedral against Putin. Putin expressed that the women received appropriate consequences for their actions, as he believed their performance was vulgar and a threat to Russia's moral values. Western governments and human rights groups strongly objected to the severe punishment, viewing it as excessive. However, many believe that the harsh treatment of Pussy Riot may indicate a deeper issue of Kremlin insecurity in response to growing public dissatisfaction with Putin's leadership. Despite a decline in street protests in Moscow, political analysts suggest that the educated urban population is becoming more discontent with Putin's governance. Far from the opulence of Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence with its ornate gates adorned with the double-headed Russian eagle, to the north of Moscow sits the unremarkable dormitory town of Krasnogorsk. In a bustling McDonald's restaurant there, a petite 30-year-old woman passionately shared her thoughts on Russia's future under Putin, amidst a snowstorm outside. Yekaterina Samutsevich, the recently freed Pussy Riot member, expressed her belief that the current system is deteriorating, becoming increasingly repressive. She noted that those in power are driven by intense fears, leading to erratic behavior. She warned of a potential collapse akin to the Soviet Union. The outcome of whether Putin's vision of a strong, stable, and powerful Russia or the apocalyptic prediction of the young punk rocker will come true is still uncertain. However, in the meantime, the people and business elite of Russia are showing their opinions through their actions, and it appears that Putin is not gaining support. | 2 |
The US Army is actively working to reduce its carbon emissions in order to make its operations more environmentally sustainable. This effort is not only aimed at combating climate change, but also at protecting soldiers in places like Iraq where fuel convoys make them vulnerable targets. Deputy Assistant Secretary Tad Davis is leading the charge to decrease the Army's carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2015, with a focus on understanding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "We aim to reduce emissions while also decreasing energy usage from fossil fuels, hand in hand. The Army has been advocating for environmental sustainability across all bases, beginning with Fort Bragg in North Carolina in 2001," Davis explained. This involved altering the setup of training ranges, as Fort Bragg has historically featured mock towns and villages for combat training, each of which used to cost up to $400,000 to construct. Davis explained that now, instead of being made from new materials, the living quarters are constructed from recycled shipping containers the size of trucks, with a cost of around $25,000. This not only helps to keep the shipping containers out of the waste stream, but it also serves a practical purpose. During the early years of the Iraq war, convoys transporting supplies to the battlefield were at risk from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Since much of the cargo was fuel, having fewer vehicles in the convoy meant less vulnerability for soldiers. By reducing the amount of fuel needed on the front line and utilizing renewable energy sources like wind or solar power instead of diesel generators, the number of supply convoys at risk of IED attacks can be decreased. A recent survey conducted on U.S. forward bases in Djibouti, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan revealed that a significant portion of the power usage, more than 85 percent, was dedicated to air conditioning. This was necessary not only for the comfort of sleeping personnel but also to keep communications equipment from overheating. In these areas, poorly insulated tents and temporary structures are common, making it difficult to maintain a cool environment. To address this issue, foam insulation was applied directly to the tents, resulting in a 45 percent reduction in energy loss. However, reducing greenhouse emissions from Army vehicles poses a separate challenge, as making vehicles like the Humvee or Bradley fighting vehicle lighter to save fuel could compromise the safety of troops. Davis suggested that there may be a shift towards using lighter armor technology in military vehicles, leading to more hybrid vehicles in the tactical military fleet. He also raised doubts about the claim that the US military is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, citing the Army's efforts to track carbon emissions at Fort Carson as a step towards addressing the issue. The data showed that Fort Carson emits 205,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is equivalent to a town with 25,000 residents. The system developed by Enviance, a California-based company, will eventually be implemented on all Army bases. It 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 can be attributed to the disappearance of the type of movies that the awards were originally meant to highlight. The perfect Oscar nominee used to be a high-middlebrow film that aimed for artistic excellence, featured famous actors, stunning cinematography, and a memorable soundtrack. These movies were not too difficult for art-house audiences, nor were they blockbuster comic-book films, but rather were made for a broad audience of mature viewers. In the past, Oscar races featured conflicts that engaged all moviegoers, such as "Titanic" vs. "L.A. Confidential" or "Saving Private Ryan" vs. "Shakespeare in Love." This explains why this year's Academy Awards feel like an era coming to an end, with a reworked format and a sense of nostalgia for the type of films that used to dominate the awards. This year's best picture nominees reflect the type of movies that the Oscars desperately need to regain their former glory. "West Side Story" is being directed by Steven Spielberg, updating a classic musical. "King Richard" is a sports movie with a standout performance by Will Smith. "Dune" is an epic adaptation of a science-fiction classic. "Don't Look Up" is a big-issue movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. "Drive My Car" is a three-hour Japanese film exploring the complex relationship between a widowed thespian and his young female chauffeur. The last nominee may have a more specific appeal, but this year's nominees include well-known actors, prominent directors, and classic Hollywood genres. Surprisingly, despite their star power, most of the nominees did not attract large audiences 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 was "Dune," which just surpassed $100 million domestically, ranking as the 13th highest-grossing movie of 2021. Overall, the 10 nominees for awards have collectively made only a quarter of the profits of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" at the box office. Despite Hollywood's attempts to recreate the magic of the past, it seems that the audience is no longer interested. The impact of COVID-19 on the industry, particularly affecting films popular with older viewers, cannot be ignored. If not for the challenges posed by the pandemic, movies like "West Side Story" and "King Richard" may have performed better. Additionally, many of the nominated films were released on streaming platforms and in theaters simultaneously, with "Don't Look Up" finding success on Netflix following a brief theatrical run. This unique crisis has accelerated a technological shift, prompting a reevaluation of the current state of the industry. Yes, while non-superhero movies are expected to rebound in box office totals in 2022 and next year's best picture nominees may earn slightly more in theaters, it is clear that the decline of the Oscars signifies a larger trend: the End of the Movies. This does not mean that films will disappear entirely, but rather that the era of movies as the central American popular art form, the primary source of American celebrity, and the main aspirational space for American actors and storytellers is coming to an end. In the future, self-contained stories will continue to be shown on screens as entertainment within the vast and profitable content industry. The long-anticipated end has finally arrived, as indicated by the evolution of television, the introduction of the VCR, the popularity of cable TV, and Hollywood's glorification of its own past. Despite nostalgia, television never surpassed the cultural dominance of the big screen. TV in the 1960s and '70s was successful but disposable, like newspaper opinion pieces compared to best-selling books. The VHS tape allowed for a new way to enjoy movies and generate revenue, but the main goal remained funding blockbuster films. Prestige TV began to emerge in the '80s and '90s, following the legacy of television stars like Milton Berle. However, if you desired genuine fame, true recognition, or lasting artistic success, you would still need to showcase your work in movie theaters, producing self-contained masterpieces on a grand scale and observing the reactions of critics and audiences. Those who achieved success in this transition, such as Robert Altman and Bruce Willis, became icons in the film industry. On the other hand, those who attempted and failed, like Shelley Long and David Caruso, served as cautionary tales, illustrating that the world of movies remained a challenging realm to conquer. The late 1990s marked a period of transition as computer-generated effects advanced, hinting at a new era of cinematic innovation. Indie cinema played a vital role in developing a new group of filmmakers. The year 1999 is often considered 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 saw an increase in Oscar viewership, reaching its peak in 1998 with the success of "Titanic." This film marked a significant moment for the industry as it merged classic Hollywood with the special-effects era, attracting audiences to the theaters for a unique experience. For teenagers during this time, going to the movies was an important rite of passage. Personal memories include frustration at being turned away from R-rated films and the excitement of finally being old enough to see movies like "Eyes Wide Shut" during their opening weekend. The initiation process was not just about becoming an adult, but also about immersing oneself in a specific culture. Watching certain movies like "Austin Powers" and "The Matrix" was necessary to fit in socially as a college student and understand common references and jokes. However, this shift eventually led to movies losing their special status and becoming just another form of entertainment. Television, particularly during the "Sopranos" era on HBO, began to rival movies in terms of high-quality acting, writing, and directing. The other changes were somewhat unclear. Globalization expanded Hollywood's market, but the global audience preferred simpler storytelling that could be easily understood across languages and cultures. Personalized entertainment through the internet, laptops, and iPhones made it more accessible but also led to smaller screens, individual viewing, and intermittent watching, going against the communal experience of cinema. Special effects allowed for visually stunning scenes and previously impossible stories to be told on a larger scale. However, this focus on effects-driven blockbusters catered to fandom culture, potentially overshadowing traditional cinema elements in favor of franchises like Star Wars or Marvel. And all these changes were encouraged by a broader trend of Western culture becoming more like that of teenagers, with adolescent tastes and habits becoming more prevalent in adult life. This led Hollywood in two different directions: towards a focus on superhero movies and other familiar properties targeted at teenagers to sustain box office success, and towards a constant churn of content for home entertainment and streaming platforms that blurs the line between movies and TV shows. Due to various pressures, much of what movies used to accomplish in American culture, even just two decades ago, is now difficult to comprehend. The internet has taken the place of movie theaters as a space for adult initiation. With the vast array of entertainment choices available and the lack of originality in many popular films, it is no longer possible for a few blockbuster movies to serve as a shared cultural language. The idea of a movie star as a larger-than-life or iconic figure is also becoming outdated. While superhero franchises can bring fame to an actor, they are often seen as replaceable pawns of the brand. The types of genres that used to create a strong connection between actor and audience, such as non-superhero action movies, historical epics, broad comedies, and meet-cute romances, have all seen a rapid decline. While televised series can create a bond between viewers and a specific character, this bond doesn't carry over as easily to the actor's other projects like the larger-than-life movie stardom used to. Male actors from TV's antihero era are often forever associated with their characters, while recent female stars in TV shows like "Killing Eve" and "The Queen's Gambit" have not been able to bring their audiences with them to their film projects. However, we should appreciate the era for what it has offered us, including the exceptional work of actors like Jodie Comer and Anya Taylor-Joy on television. The abundance of content available is remarkable, and serial television dramas have storytelling capabilities that even the biggest movies cannot match. In our latest week of watching TV, my wife and I have been switching between the exciting basketball drama "Winning Time" and Amanda Seyfried's excellent portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in "The Dropout". Next week, we plan to watch the long-awaited third season of Donald Glover's "Atlanta". While not all new content is as good as these shows, the quality of TV entertainment available now surpasses anything that was on cable 20 years ago. However, these TV productions are distinct from movies due to their reduced cultural impact, smaller stars, lack of communal experience, and the artistic aspects that are sacrificed for smaller screens. For example, films like "Dune," "West Side Story," and "Nightmare Alley" offer a completely different experience in a theater compared to watching them at home. In this context, it is appropriate that the Oscars have marginalized awards for score, sound, and film editing this year, as more movies are being made for streaming platforms, leading to a decrease in emphasis on audiovisual immersion. Additionally, the condensed storytelling in serial television today lacks the power that comes from telling an entire story in one go, without the promise of future seasons or episodes to develop ideas. This explains why the greatest movies often feel more complete than long-form television shows, which can suffer from unnecessary seasons or lack of direction. Shows like "Lost" and "Game of Thrones" have been negatively impacted by not having a clear destination in mind. While a great movie is often seen as a self-contained experience that viewers can fully immerse themselves in, this does not diminish the artistic benefits of longer works. For example, "The Sopranos" was able to explore character development and psychology in ways that a movie could not, but "The Godfather" remains a more flawless piece of art. In a world where multiplatform content is dominant and television holds more influence than film, fans of perfection may need to consider what to seek out next. Restoration and preservation are two key aspects to consider. Restoration does not mean bringing back the exact landscape of 1998, but rather envisioning a world where traditional big-screen entertainment, beyond just comic-book blockbusters, becomes more successful and appealing to audiences. One potential opportunity for this lies in the changing landscape of geopolitics, with China and Russia becoming less receptive to Western releases. This could lead to a resurgence of movies that focus on a specifically American appeal, aiming for profitability on smaller budgets rather than relying on massive global reach. The current theatrical experience is focused on maximizing revenue by showing numerous trailers and ads before movies, which can be off-putting for adults seeking a more enjoyable night out. Some theater chains have tried different pricing strategies to address this issue, suggesting a potential shift towards offering a more simplified and affordable experience for non-blockbuster films like "West Side Story." This approach could help struggling multiplexes fill more seats and appeal to a wider range of moviegoers. However, because there are limits to these hopes, lovers of movies must also focus on preservation. This involves recognizing their role similar to supporters of theater, opera, or ballet, who have long known that certain aesthetic experiences require encouragement and patronage to be passed down. In today's culture, it is important to promote adult tastes and support for older movies, which may be overlooked in the streaming industry's focus on current content. This can be achieved by making it easier for theaters to show classic films and prevent them from being hidden away by corporate interests. Additionally, there is a focus on incorporating exposure to high-quality cinema into a well-rounded liberal arts education. Despite the current struggles facing liberal arts education, 20th-century cinema can serve as a valuable link for young people in the 21st century to connect with the traditional art forms that influenced the film industry. By prioritizing the finest examples of cinema, academic institutions can offer a more meaningful alternative to the superficial pursuit of relevance that often dominates popular culture studies today. One impactful moment for me as a film enthusiast occurred during college when I attended screenings of "Blade Runner" and "When We Were Kings" in a dimly lit lecture hall, complementing a course on heroism in ancient Greece. In 1998, I was still being exposed to American culture's primary form of popular art, which is no longer as dominant today. This is also true for many other cultural experiences we would want students to have, ranging from ancient works like the "Iliad" and Aeschylus to more recent works like Shakespeare and 19th-century novels. While the decline of movies may be irreversible from a commercial and technological standpoint, there is still a vibrant cultural life to be had beyond this supposed "death." It is now our responsibility to determine how rich and diverse this cultural life will be. | 2 |
In November 2018, the Camp Fire, the most devastating wildfire in California's history, was quickly spreading through the Sierra Nevada foothills. The town of 26,000 residents was destroyed in less than four hours, with schools, businesses, and 11,000 homes reduced to ashes. Despite initially thinking the evacuation order was a false alarm, Singer fled his home as flames approached, managing to escape the town just in time. Paradise was completely destroyed. 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 and take their chances once more on the devastated land. Singer is one of those who have returned, but now he is reconsidering his decision. In this area covered in chaparral for many years, it has been customary to rebuild after a fire. However, as California faces a severe climate crisis with record-breaking temperatures and devastating wildfires amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the rebuilding process is taking on a different form. The state has been dealing with both crises simultaneously, with over 4.2 million acres scorched by nearly 10,000 fires by the end of 2020. Northern California has been particularly hard hit by multiple megafires, while Southern California, specifically Los Angeles, has become the epicenter of the pandemic, leading the nation in both confirmed cases and deaths. Amid a historic housing shortage and low interest rates, home prices in California have reached record highs. The median cost of a single-family home in the state surpassed $700,000 in August and continued to rise in September. Despite the increasing cost of new homes, many homeowners are facing even higher expenses for rebuilding after fires. Home rebuilds are decreasing statewide due to contractor shortages, rental market pressures, and a worsening climate crisis. California, still struggling with an affordable housing crisis, has seen a decline in new construction permits over the past two years following a steady rebound from the 2008 recession. The number of new home construction permits in 2018 was 120,000, but dropped to 110,000 in 2019. A home in Malibu, California was destroyed in a wildfire on December 30, 2020, highlighting the impact of the state's climate crisis. The rebuilding process is changing as a result. The California Industry Research Board is expected to release its 2020 construction and permit numbers in February, but estimates that only 103,670 housing units were issued last year. The state with the largest population is facing a severe climate crisis, with soaring temperatures and devastating wildfires. The rebuilding process is now taking on a new perspective, as more homeowners are opting to start fresh rather than rebuild in the aftermath of fires. Tracking permits for fire-related losses is challenging, as wildfires often affect multiple areas. The decrease in rebuilding projects statewide, paired with the rise in fires, indicates a noticeable shift in homeowner decisions. This trend raises the question of a crucial aspect in the rebuilding process. The shortage of contractors in the state is causing delays for homeowners looking to rebuild after disasters like the Camp Fire. Despite expectations of an increase in permits after such events, there has not been a significant rise. Many insurance companies offer large payouts, but contractors are often booked for long periods, leaving homeowners frustrated. However, in areas where the land holds high value, such as Malibu after the Woolsey Fire, rebuilds are progressing steadily. The whole city was emptied, and 650 of its expensive houses, including those owned by Miley Cyrus, Gerard Butler, and Robin Thicke, were destroyed. However, today more than one-third of those houses have permits to be rebuilt, while in Paradise, the number is just over 10%. Michael Nourmand, president of the Los Angeles real estate firm Nourmand & Associates, compared rebuilding after a fire to someone getting a shark bite but still returning to surf. Despite the challenges, most people in LA are planning to rebuild, as memories are short in the city. Rebuilding is easier for those with the financial means, as California has strict fire-safe building codes in place since 2008. These codes require reinforced roofs, walls that can withstand high temperatures, and landscaping that is not prone to catching fire easily. In 2011, the state mandated that all single-family homes must have sprinkler systems installed. This requirement can add $20,000 or more to the costs for homeowners rebuilding a home constructed before 2008. Those who decide to rebuild may have to rent while waiting, further straining an already tight housing market. Consequently, California's most vulnerable residents are impacted as evidenced by a 16% increase in homelessness in 2019, with over 150,000 residents now experiencing homelessness. Due to the impact of COVID-19, it is anticipated that those figures will increase. James Ryan, president of Time for Homes, a nonprofit organization focused on eradicating chronic homelessness, explained that when numerous homes are destroyed, individuals are forced to relocate, causing rental prices to rise. Consequently, affordable housing becomes scarcer and housing insecurity worsens. Governor Gavin Newsom's eviction moratorium, designed to safeguard tenants facing financial difficulties during the pandemic, will come to an end on February 1st. However, despite the moratorium, some reports indicate that evictions have been on the rise during the pandemic. According to Ryan, there are always individuals who slip through the cracks and are forced to leave their homes. This has led to an increased demand for housing, with more people searching for fewer available homes. As a result, there has been a population shift towards California's rural areas. For example, in El Dorado County, sales increased by 28% in 2020, in contrast to a slight decline in Sacramento. However, the Inland Empire, which includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is experiencing the fastest population growth in California. Unlike other major metropolitan areas in the state such as San Diego, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area, the Inland Empire has been largely unaffected by devastating wildfires in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to an increase in people moving to more rural areas. In November, the median home prices in Riverside County and San Bernardino County were significantly lower than in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Job opportunities in the Inland Empire are also abundant, making it an attractive choice for families affected by wildfires who are considering relocating. It is also difficult to determine the exact reason for the movement of people towards areas like the Inland Empire, Joshua Tree, and Palm Springs. It is unclear whether this is primarily due to fleeing fire risk or seeking more affordable housing. This trend has been observed since around 2010. However, not everyone can afford to move away from fire risk, especially in a state with a severe housing shortage. Since the Camp Fire, Singer and his wife, Shannon, have been residing in a rented apartment in Chico, located about 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 expertise in fitness coaching to provide mental health support to residents struggling with trauma from the disaster. Initially, they were committed to participating in Paradise's comprehensive recovery plan to reconstruct the entire city, complete with additional parks and green spaces, fire-safe landscaping, and enhanced evacuation routes and warning systems. However, the 2020 fire season introduced new terrifying terms like "megafires" and "hot drought." Strong winds, leading to precautionary power outages, have become a common occurrence. In October, the Singers found themselves evacuating their property once again, as a fire approached and had already caused significant damage. Singer, 43, explained that the first area to be evacuated this time was right where their home would have been. The smoke was thick and all they could see was smoke, causing Singer to experience PTSD. His wife had reached her limit and expressed doubts about rebuilding and staying 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 says he is willing to stay in the town and be a part of its vision, but not if it means sacrificing his marriage. Currently, the couple has postponed their plans to rebuild. If they decide to proceed, they are expecting to spend $100,000 of their own money on a smaller, fire-resistant home on the same property, with an estimated total cost of $250,000. They were given $145,000 for the building that was destroyed in the fire, but like many American households, they found out too late that their insurance coverage was insufficient. In response to insurers abandoning high-risk areas, some new developments are implementing resilience measures to protect against wildfires. For example, Rancho Mission Viejo in Southern California is a large new community being developed with plans to preserve 75% of its 23,000 acres of open space. Fire resilience is a fundamental aspect of the construction in the community, which has implemented numerous wildfire resistance strategies even before they were mandated by state and local regulations. A recent report by the Urban Land Institute highlighted the community, along with the town of Paradise, as a model for other wildfire-affected areas to follow in terms of rebuilding. In Rancho Mission Viejo, each neighborhood is surrounded by a 110-foot-wide fuel modification zone where flammable vegetation has been replaced with fire-resistant plants, with certain plant species being prohibited. Additionally, construction materials are noncombustible, and automatic fire sprinklers have been required in every home long before it became a law in California in 2011. The additional cost of fire-safe modifications during construction has become minimal. Initially, these modifications were adding between $4,000 and $10,000 to the cost of each home, but now they can be as low as $1,000. Jay Bullock, the vice president for planning and entitlement at Rancho Mission Viejo, explained that these methods are now more common and affordable. Mike Balsamo, the senior vice president for governmental relations at Rancho Mission Viejo, emphasized 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 strategy in place for this purpose. "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 performed on street corners, friends gathered in the middle of the road, children rode their bikes, and diners sat at bistro tables placed on the asphalt. The sound of cars could be faintly heard in the distance. The early days of the pandemic confined New Yorkers indoors, but eventually, it encouraged them to go outside for fresh air, exercise, dining, and relaxation. This led to a natural transformation of the city's streets in all five boroughs. City officials allocated 83 miles of roadways for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians, allowed almost 11,000 restaurants to expand onto sidewalks and streets, and permitted retailers to extend their storefronts. People have taken back the streets and are not willing to give them up. Mayor Bill de Blasio has praised these initiatives, known as Open Streets, Open Restaurants, and Open Storefronts, as bright spots in an otherwise challenging time for the city. Originally a skeptic, de Blasio now believes that some pandemic-era experiments will become permanently integrated into New York City. The New York Times interviewed individuals who have benefited from Open Streets to gather their opinions on what should endure. The Times also consulted urban planner and architect, Claire Weisz of WXY Studio, to provide realistic and ambitious ideas based on successful models from other cities. Three streets that were part of the Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs were selected as examples applicable to the entire city. While Open Restaurants has been made permanent, the future of Open Streets is uncertain, although Mayor de Blasio hopes to see it continue in some form. The selected streets include Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, and Avenue B on the Lower East Side. Each street has its own unique potential for transformation and improvement. For example, Vanderbilt Avenue could become a popular destination by expanding the existing median and adding features like a performance stage. Monty had on a denim jacket and a bright pink mohawk, making Rosen feel like she was in a different continent. Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights was transformed into a bustling hub until Thanksgiving, with restaurants extending onto the street. Volunteers blocked cars with blue barricades on Saturday mornings, creating a space where people could sit and enjoy. Residents suggested adding more benches and tables, improving the bike lane, and allowing locals to have a say in the street's future. Some envisioned turning Vanderbilt into an events space with a stage for performances. Weisz proposed extending the median and adding public bathrooms to make the area more inviting. Medians could serve as loading and unloading zones for deliveries and new types of bike lanes could be added next to the median in order to accommodate fast bicyclists, commuters, and delivery workers. Copenhagen, a cycling-friendly city in Denmark, has successfully implemented this model with dedicated lanes for different types of riders. In Queens, 34th Avenue could potentially be transformed into a pedestrian promenade by expanding the existing median to create space for additional features such as workout areas and gardens. New Yorkers, like Laurie Gold, have embraced the idea of utilizing the median for recreational purposes, with many enjoying the Open Streets portion of 34th Avenue during the pandemic. Neighbors gather to socialize as children play in the street, while a nearby park provides a place for families to enjoy outdoor activities. Some residents hope for more commercial events, such as fairs and food trucks, to liven up the area. Despite the desire to maintain the neighborhood's residential feel, there is potential for more diverse activities on the street. The road is approximately 55 feet wide, with enough space for the median to be extended to the sidewalk on one side and create a one-way road on the other. This extended area would provide a large section for pedestrians and more greenery. The bike lane, currently situated between the roadway and parked cars, could be moved next to the sidewalk for safety reasons. Travers Park could potentially serve as an anchor, adding public bathrooms, space for vendors, and a workout area. The idea of adding public facilities like the Tokyo Toilet found in Shibuya, a major commercial center in Tokyo, could be considered. Converting Avenue B into a one-way street near Tompkins Square Park could make it more inviting to pedestrians. Residents in the neighborhood believe that more greenery, trees, and plants should be added to the sidewalks. The park is surrounded by fences, with paved entryways and benches along the paths. Trees and shrubs inside the park are also protected by fencing. Weisz explained that the fences were originally installed to prevent farm animals from entering the park, but later became a security measure. She suggested that removing the fences would create a more inviting atmosphere, with paths winding through the greenery for people to enjoy while maintaining social distance. She proposed using Barcelona's superblocks as a model for Avenue B, turning it into a one-way open street with wider space for public amenities like bathrooms. Slowing down traffic flow would improve safety in the area. Avenue B could also be improved by adding bike lanes and designated spaces for deliveries. Weisz described it as an ideal shared street. © 2020 The New York Times Company. | 2 |
Egyptians are voting on Saturday in a referendum to approve constitutional changes aimed at enabling free and fair elections. This has caused a divide within the reform movement that overthrew Hosni Mubarak, with some calling for more extensive constitutional reforms while others believe the amendments are sufficient for now. The Muslim Brotherhood has supported the amendments, unlike secular groups and prominent reform advocates such as Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa. The military council, which took power after Mubarak's ousting, is hoping the amendments will pass so they can progress towards parliamentary and presidential elections and transfer power to an elected government. A high voter turnout is anticipated. Ahmed Saleh, a coordinator for ElBaradei's presidential campaign, referred to the upcoming vote as a significant moment. He noted that there is a strong interest in voting among the people and a sense of change in the air. The military council, which took power from Mubarak on Feb. 11, emphasized the importance of a high turnout for the referendum. The council's goal is to create a suitable environment for future elections, particularly parliamentary and presidential ones. The main focus is on encouraging Egyptian citizens to participate and have their say. The council has tasked a judicial committee with drafting amendments that include a two-term limit on the presidency, limiting a leader to serving eight years in office, unlike Mubarak who held power for three decades. The council will need to reconsider its strategy and extend a transitional period if the proposed amendments are rejected. However, these reforms do not meet the demands of reformists calling for a complete rewrite of the constitution. Youth groups leading the protests against Mubarak believe the amendments are an attempt to undermine the revolution. Concerns also exist about the tight timetable set by the military for elections, which may benefit the Muslim Brotherhood and remnants of Mubarak's administration. General Ismail Etman from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stated that amending the constitution is the best, albeit not the most perfect solution. He stated in an interview with Al Gomhuria newspaper that if the amendments were approved, it would result in new laws that would enhance political life, including the removal of restrictions on forming political parties. The media has been abuzz with discussions on how to vote, with the "No" camp continuing its campaign by placing a full-page advertisement in Al Masry Al Youm on Friday. The advert featured objections such as the lack of time and information to make a historic decision, along with endorsements from various public figures urging voters to reject the amendments. A Muslim Brotherhood leader on the following page expressed his support for the constitutional amendments, stating that it is a necessary step towards meeting the demands of the revolution. He also mentioned that those who oppose the amendments have not presented a viable alternative. It is expected that a large number of Egypt's 80 million population, with up to 45 million eligible to vote, will participate in the upcoming elections, despite a history of violence and vote-rigging under Mubarak. One voter, Ahmed Adel, expressed his intention to vote as he believes his vote will make a difference in moving the country forward. He emphasized the need for a new parliament and president as soon as possible. Activist Ziad el-Elemi expressed a difference in opinion, stating that they are conducting workshops nationwide to educate citizens on the fact that constitutional amendments alone are insufficient. | 2 |
Palep's 9-year-old daughter, Aviana Campello-Palep, does not shy away from discussing periods like her friends do. She, along with her sister Anaya, have created Girls With Big Dreams, a line of undergarments for tweens, including reusable period underwear. They aim to normalize conversations about periods and provide eco-friendly alternatives to disposable pads and tampons. The girls represent a new generation that is open about periods and values sustainability in their products. The merging of two ideas may indicate a cultural shift in how young people are approaching menstruation. There are now more options for reusable period products such as absorbent underwear, menstrual cups, cloth pads, panty liners, and applicator-free tampons on the market than ever before, some specifically designed for teenagers and preteens. Michela Bedard, executive director of Period Inc., a global nonprofit dedicated to providing access to period supplies and reducing period stigma, stated that this movement is primarily driven by youth. Young individuals who menstruate are now managing their periods with reusables throughout their lives, offering a completely different experience. While reusable products currently make up a small portion of menstruation supplies purchased in the US, with Americans spending $1.8 billion on pads and $1 billion on tampons annually, the market share for reusable products is expected to grow in the next decade. This growth is largely driven by the increased acceptance and availability of menstrual cups in Western countries. However, the average person who menstruates can use thousands of tampons in their lifetime. According to a 2021 report from the United Nations Environment Programme, single-use plastic menstrual products take around 500 years to decompose. Generation Z, known for being more involved in climate change and sustainability efforts than previous generations, is educating their parents on new, open, and sustainable ways to manage their monthly cycle. Dr. Cara Natterson, a pediatrician and author, has noticed a shift in attitudes towards menstrual products among young people, with her own 18-year-old daughter introducing her to new products from influencers on social media platforms like Instagram and #PeriodTok videos. In a recent conversation, Natterson mentioned that teenagers prefer discussing personal experiences over reading five-star Amazon reviews. She considered trying cloth pads again after her daughter suggested it, despite a previous unsuccessful experience with them. According to historian Lara Freidenfelds, interest in environmental sustainability and menstruation is not new, as homemade menstrual rags were common until the mass-marketing of disposable pads in 1921 by Kotex, which was seen as aspirational during that time of modernity. Discussions about sustainability in menstrual care began in the 1970s as people tried out cloth pads and sponges. There were always young idealistic individuals who thought about these issues but found the available products impractical. Sustainability has often been sacrificed for convenience. Today, parents of Gen Zers have access to improved menstrual technology, such as highly absorbent period underwear. New menstruators often seek advice and products from parents, who can now offer more sustainable options than just disposable pads or tampons, potentially reducing the 15 billion disposable products that end up in American landfills each year. "The future world that will emerge when today's progressive Gen Zers become parents in 20 years is going to be captivating," remarked Nadya Okamoto, a former executive director of Period Inc. and co-founder of the sustainable menstrual products brand August. Despite advancements in technology and cultural changes, there are still significant obstacles preventing the widespread adoption of reusable or recyclable products. Anaya Balaji, a 13-year-old, noted that when girls first get their period, disposable pads are the most readily available option. Anaya, who is a community leader for the Inner Cycle, an online forum for the August brand, connects with her peers on social media to provide education and raise awareness about sustainable menstrual products." She mentioned that it is possible to find products that are both suitable for your body and beneficial for the environment. However, some young individuals may not be able to afford reusable products, especially in areas where period poverty is a problem. Despite the cost-saving benefits of investing in items like $25 underwear or a $60 cup, many people do not have the funds to make such purchases every month. Additionally, reusable and recyclable products are often subject to a "tampon tax" in various states, which activists argue is sexist and discriminatory. They have been working to repeal these taxes nationwide through legislative efforts. In 2021, some states like Louisiana, Maine, and Vermont eliminated the tax on menstrual products. Despite efforts to normalize periods by younger generations, there is still a cultural stigma surrounding menstruation. Patriarchal taboos related to virginity, purity, and cleanliness in various cultures and religions hinder discussions and can discourage the use of internal menstrual products. Corporate messaging often focuses on discreetness and cleanliness, contributing to the perception that periods are dirty or negative. According to menstrual activist Chella Quint, the disposable menstrual product industry has played a significant role in perpetuating these negative taboos. Menstrual health is a public health concern that is not limited by gender, as stated by Natterson. In order to address the stigma surrounding menstruation, it is important for everyone, including those who do not menstruate, to feel comfortable discussing periods, according to Natterson. She ensures that her son is aware of how to support classmates who may need assistance with menstrual products or clothing. Natterson believes that teaching people to respect others' bodies is a conversation that everyone should be involved in. | 2 |
Between 1990 and 2014, the wine grape acreage in Paso Robles' growing region increased dramatically to 37,408 acres as vintners realized the area's ideal conditions for producing rich, flavorful red wines. Wines from Paso Robles have gained international recognition, similar to Napa and Sonoma. However, the ongoing drought in California has severely impacted the region, leading to decreased grape yields and depletion of the aquifer that residents and vineyards depend on for water. Many wells in the area have dried up as a result. Individuals and businesses in Paso Robles, including major wineries and growers, have been drilling deeper wells to access water, sparking conflicts and raising concerns about the sustainability of the region's wine industry. Unlike other states that regulate and monitor groundwater as a shared resource, California's historical rules allow property owners to extract unlimited amounts of water through private wells. This has led to a situation where those with the deepest wells have the greatest access to water, resulting in declining water levels for some, such as Cam Berlogar in Creston. Richard Sauret, known for his award-winning Zinfandel grapes, strolls through his Paso Robles vineyard in California, where he uses minimal water for irrigation. Despite a moratorium on new water-dependent projects in San Luis Obispo County in response to the water crisis, Sauret's existing vineyard has been able to expand. He remains concerned about the sustainability of the aquifer from which he pumps water for irrigation. Sauret expressed concern about the high demand for water, attributing it to vineyards and other factors. He noted that many farmers will need to adjust to farming with less water. Change is on the horizon as Governor Jerry Brown signed bills last year mandating groundwater-dependent areas to create local 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 depletion of the aquifer and fear that waiting too long to address this issue could have serious consequences. One report projected that, even without any additional growth, the water drawn from the basin would exceed the amount replenished by 1.8 billion gallons annually between 2012 and 2040. Hilary Graves, a fourth-generation farmer and winemaker, worries that if the situation is not managed properly within the next 10 years, it may become irreversible. Graves hopes to avoid having to relive her family's history of losing everything during the Dust Bowl and having to return to Oklahoma and Arkansas. Residents are in disagreement on how to address the water crisis, with county supervisors voting to create a new water district governed by an elected nine-member board. Some fear that newcomers with more resources will influence the board to pass infrastructure projects that benefit them at the expense of local landowners. Susan Harvey from North County Watch described the proposed district as "we pay, they pump." The citizens are particularly worried about wealthy and influential newcomers, 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, known for their brands FIJI Water and Wonderful, purchased Justin Vineyards & Winery in 2010 and later bought a ranch that was previously dry-farmed. Some vineyards have been replanted with water-efficient grapes, and the company plans to eventually switch to dry farming. Harvard and the Resnicks did not provide comments for this story. Fifth-generation farmer Cindy Steinbeck, who co-founded Protect Our Water Rights (POWR), is doubtful about a new water agency and has concerns about the region's water issues. Her organization is encouraging landowners 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 stated that they are challenging powerful entities in order to prevent family farmers from being forced out of Paso Robles. Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, noted that Paso Robles could serve as a model for other groundwater basins under stress. The Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions, with board members from J Lohr Vineyards & Wines and Harvard's property interests, has been instrumental in these efforts. Other backers of the district include Justin Vineyards and County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who supported the creation of the new agency. Mecham acknowledges the concerns of residents but also recognizes the importance of water management. He has a personal connection to the issue, as his ancestor lost a cattle ranch to a drought in the past. Mecham emphasizes the unavoidable need for management and advises residents to choose how they want to be managed. Richard Sauret strolls through his vineyard in Paso Robles, California on April 20, 2015, explaining that he uses minimal water for irrigation. Reuters documented Sauret showcasing the irrigation system in his vineyard on the same date. | 2 |
Biden has chosen Tom Vilsack, who previously served as the secretary of agriculture under Barack Obama, to lead that department again, according to sources familiar with the president-elect's decisions. Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, is the seventh member of Biden's Cabinet to be selected. If Fudge is confirmed by the Senate, she would join other diverse picks like Gen. Lloyd Austin and Xavier Becerra in fulfilling Biden's goal of creating an administration that reflects the diversity of America. However, Biden is facing pressure from various groups and lawmakers with differing opinions on how to achieve this goal. The selection of key positions has become a complex puzzle for Biden and his team as they seek qualified candidates who align with the president-elect and contribute to a diverse administration. Supporters of Fudge, including Rep. James Clyburn, have advocated for her to lead the Agriculture Department and focus on addressing hunger in addition to farming. Biden ultimately chose Vilsack, who is white and from a significant rural farming state, instead of Fudge, who some advocacy groups believe would be a more traditional choice for a Black secretary at HUD. This decision may disappoint those who were advocating for Fudge, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus. The current housing secretary, Ben Carson, is also Black. Following Biden's announcement of Austin as defense secretary, 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 discussed meeting with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Sharpton mentioned that Biden had made specific commitments when they met in Houston before Sharpton delivered the eulogy for George Floyd, and now he is waiting to see if those promises will be kept. Biden is considering several candidates to lead the Justice Department, including Sen. Doug Jones, Sally Yates, and Judge Merrick Garland. However, Jeh Johnson, a Black individual who served as Obama's secretary of homeland security, has removed himself from consideration for the position of attorney general. In a recent interview with CNN, Biden acknowledged that advocacy groups are constantly pushing for their interests, which he sees as part of their role. He defended his Cabinet picks as the most diverse in American history. However, advocates are not taking any chances and are actively making their case. A meeting between the president-elect, vice president-elect, Sharpton, and other civil rights leaders lasted nearly two hours and allowed them to advocate for their priorities. Sharpton emphasized the need for an attorney general with a civil rights background to counter the previous administration's racism and bigotry. Derrick Johnson of the NAACP urged Biden to create a civil rights envoy position reporting directly to the president, similar to the climate envoy, John Kerry. “We believe that there should be a national adviser on racial justice with a similar role.” During the Democratic primary season, Biden benefitted from Sharpton’s decision to remain neutral instead of endorsing Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. During the general election campaign, Harris received support from Sharpton when he advocated for a Black woman on the ticket in general, rather than publicly endorsing Stacey Abrams, as he had planned to do. 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 high-profile Black women expressed concern to Biden about the lack of Black women being considered for top positions in his administration and urged him to improve this. The letter from Black women emphasized the need to recognize and consider the accomplished leadership of Black women in important policy areas for Cabinet positions. Fudge, recommended by the women and a potential agriculture secretary candidate, expressed her willingness to serve in any capacity to help the president. Initially considering a challenge to Speaker Pelosi in 2018, Fudge changed her mind after being given a key role in protecting voting rights and assurances of Black women having a voice in decision-making. She will now head the housing agency. The departure of Marcia Fudge will create another challenge for the Democratic Party, as they work to maintain their slim majority in the House of Representatives. President Biden's choice to appoint Cedric Richmond as a senior adviser already required the party to defend his seat, and now they must also win a special election to fill Fudge's seat in the House. | 2 |
At New York's Del Posto, customers have the option to split a $130 dish of wild branzino fish with roasted fennel and peperonata concentrato and a $3,600 bottle of Dom Perignon. However, they are not allowed to split a bottle of Perrier or San Pellegrino water. The Italian restaurant, founded by Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich, is among those choosing to not serve bottled water, along with San Francisco and New York state. Bastianich, who is gradually eliminating bottled water from all his restaurants, including those in Los Angeles, believes that using local water makes more sense due to the environmental impact of transporting and packaging water. Companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, and SABMiller are increasingly aware of the negative impact of environmental concerns on sales of bottled water, which has traditionally been a profitable market. As water scarcity becomes a growing issue, these beverage companies are taking steps to address consumer perceptions and ensure continued access to water resources. According to Steve Dixon of Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder, water is now being compared to oil in terms of importance, and companies are working to combat the perception that they are wasteful with water. Despite believing that there will always be enough water overall, Dixon recognizes the importance of addressing consumer perceptions in order to maintain a positive image. Brooke Barton, manager of corporate accountability for Ceres, a network of environmental groups and investors, stated that currently, about a third of the world's population resides in regions facing water stress. She predicts that by 2025, this number will increase to around two-thirds. Andy Wales, head of sustainable development for SABMiller, a brewery that used 94.5 billion liters of water in its latest fiscal year, emphasized that water is currently inexpensive, but this may change in the future. This equates to 4.5 liters of water used for every liter of beer produced. Water and energy costs make up only 5 percent of total expenses, with brewing ingredients, bottling materials, and labor overshadowing them. However, the brewer mentioned that water costs at a Bogota, Colombia plant are increasing by about 12 percent annually due to soil erosion caused by cattle grazing upstream leading to deforestation. New water pricing strategies, such as the European Union's Water Framework Directive, are being introduced to tax water starting in 2010 in order to promote more sustainable usage. Agriculture accounts for 70 percent of global water usage, while industry uses 20 percent. However, any industry that depends on agriculture, whether it is meat or denim production, faces challenges beyond its direct water consumption. SABMiller, along with companies like Coke and Pepsi, is taking into account the "water footprints" of their operations. The company discovered that the water used in their supply chain, such as for growing barley and hops, can be significantly higher than their direct water usage. With breweries across six continents, SABMiller's total water consumption can vary greatly depending on the region. For example, it can range from 40 liters of water for a liter of beer in Central Europe to 155 liters in South Africa. By using the lower ratio as an estimate, SABMiller's total "water footprint" was approximately 8.4 trillion liters last year, which is more than double the amount used by Iceland in 2004. "In the long run, we do view it as a risk," stated Wales. Multinational beverage companies are taking steps to improve their reputation by setting water conservation goals, constructing community wells, implementing more efficient factories, collaborating with locals on sustainable farming, water harvesting, and reforestation, and exploring new technologies to reduce water usage while increasing production. "For businesses like ours, especially those with a direct connection to water, we must take on this responsibility," explained Greg Koch, Coke's managing director of global water stewardship. Despite nonalcoholic beverage companies using only 0.03 percent of groundwater in the United States, their visibility as significant consumers puts them at the forefront of the water resource debate, according to Kim Jeffery, CEO of Nestle Waters North America. Jeffery compared criticism of his industry to a gnat bothering an elephant, as his plans to build a bottling plant in McCloud, California have faced opposition from residents and environmental groups. Nestle is conducting a 3-year study of the area's resources, but Jeffery believes the project may not happen due to economic changes and hesitancy from 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 closed amid accusations of depleting the water table during a drought. Coke denied that its plant caused the shortages, but there was still widespread backlash globally. Students in Britain and North America called for boycotts, and Smith College in Massachusetts cut ties with the company. Koch stated that they lost the social license to operate. Environmental and community groups are continuing to push for Coke to leave other villages in India. | 2 |
More than three-quarters of those surveyed believe that the biggest issue in India is the lack of employment opportunities, a concern that has persisted throughout Prime Minister Narendra Modi's time in office. The survey also highlighted significant concerns about terrorism and Pakistan, which were present even before the recent crisis in Indian Kashmir. Despite these worries, the majority of Indian adults are content with the current state of their country and the economic prospects for future generations, according to the Pew survey. Additionally, 54 percent of those polled expressed satisfaction with the functioning of democracy in India. However, satisfaction had decreased by 25 percentage points since 2017, with only 54 percent now expressing approval. According to the Pew Survey conducted from May 23 to July 23, 2018, which included 2,521 respondents, men are more likely than women to support Indian democracy. Despite Modi being the frontrunner in the upcoming election on April 11, recent polls suggest that his Hindu nationalist-led party may not secure the majority needed to govern. Tensions with Pakistan have recently shifted focus from economic issues to national security, benefiting Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. Critics have alleged that the BJP is instilling fear among India's Muslim community by promoting a Hindu-centric agenda and singling them out for the killing of sacred cows. They have also raised concerns about the party's loyalty to India. The BJP refutes these claims, stating that it is against appeasement of any group. Muslims account for approximately 14 percent of India's 1.3 billion population. | 2 |
During his annual speech at the United Nations, Trump criticized Iran's government, praised North Korea, and emphasized his commitment to rejecting globalism and protecting American interests. The majority of his speech focused on Iran, accusing the country of seeking nuclear weapons and supporting militant groups in the Middle East. Trump stated that Iran's leaders promote chaos and do not respect the sovereignty of other nations. In response, Rouhani criticized Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. He mentioned that he did not want to take a photo with Trump and implied that the US president's withdrawal from global organizations showed a flaw in his character. He stated that going against multilateralism showed a lack of intelligence and understanding of a complicated world. World leaders responded to Trump's speech with silence, showing their discomfort with his isolationist views that have caused tension with traditional allies. Trump's speech, although delivered calmly, strongly reiterated his "America First" policies. He has caused chaos in global affairs by pulling the United States out of the nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, and has threatened NATO countries for not increasing their defense spending. Trump stated that America will not give up its sovereignty to a global bureaucracy, emphasizing patriotism over globalism. In addition to criticizing Iran and China, he did not address Russia's involvement in Syria or alleged interference in US elections. Rouhani delivered a strong message to the world body, stating that Iran stands for peace and compliance with the law, rejecting war, sanctions, threats, and bullying. Macron offered a contrasting perspective, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and collective action while warning against nationalism and the erosion of basic principles which could lead to global conflicts. Macron pointed out that our children are observing the situation and warned that the push for unilateralism, as seen in Iran, could result in conflicts. Trump, known for boasting about his economic achievements, used similar language during his address to world leaders and diplomats. His claim of accomplishing more than almost any previous US president elicited murmurs and laughter from the crowd, surprising him. Despite the reaction, he responded, "I didn’t expect that reaction, but that's OK." Trump tried to create a divide between Iran's leaders and its citizens following an attack on a military parade that left 25 people dead. He stated that he would not engage with Iranians unless they changed their behavior, while also emphasizing that economic pressure on Iran would continue. John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, referred to the 2015 nuclear accord as a major failure in American history and issued a warning to the leaders in Tehran, stating that there would be severe consequences if they continued to act in a deceitful or harmful manner. In May, President Trump, a Republican, decided to pull the United States out of the agreement with Iran that aimed to limit their nuclear program in return for eased sanctions. This deal had been made with the involvement of France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China, and the European Union. Relations between the US and Iran have deteriorated since then. The agreement had been negotiated during the tenure of Democratic President Barack Obama. Trump has announced that further sanctions will be imposed on Iran starting from November 5th, and efforts are being made to reduce the amount of Iranian oil being imported by other countries. He stated that the United States would assist in establishing a regional strategic alliance between Gulf nations, Jordan, and Egypt, which the United States views as a defense against Iran. Trump compared US relations with Iran to his improved relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Trump had met in Singapore in June as part of an ongoing effort to persuade Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons. During his speech at the United Nations last year, Trump insulted Kim as a "rocket man" focused on nuclear destruction. However, on Tuesday, Trump commended Kim for ceasing nuclear and missile tests, releasing American prisoners, and returning some remains of US soldiers who died in the Korean War in the 1950s. The two leaders are working towards arranging a second summit. Trump stated that sanctions on North Korea will continue, and he directly criticized OPEC members for increasing oil prices and urged them to fund their own military defense. He also warned that US aid would be restricted to countries that are allies of the United States. Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, argued that oil prices are determined by market forces such as supply and demand, and cannot be controlled by individual decisions. Crude oil prices reached their highest point in four years on Tuesday due to upcoming US sanctions on Iranian crude exports and the OPEC and Russia's hesitance to increase output in order to compensate for the potential decrease in global supply. | 2 |
Reuters has recognized the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Dr. Huq, as the 208th most influential climate scientist in the world. Dr. Huq is the only Bangladeshi scientist to receive this recognition on Earth Day, April 20. This ranking acknowledges Dr. Huq's 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 top 1,000 climate scientists based on their research papers, citations, and references. Dr. Huq is an expert in climate change adaptation in vulnerable developing countries and has contributed to several assessment reports for 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, ICCCAD at IUB, under his leadership, secured a six-year project from Norway Higher Education under NORAD focused on "Co-creating knowledge for local adaptation to climate change in the LDCs" in collaboration 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 programme of the 47 LDC governments. IUB is a founding member of LUCCC. | 2 |
The reconstruction of Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat serves as a symbol and warning about the urgency of addressing global warming. Environmental activists are leading the project in eastern Turkey, aiming to complete the wooden vessel by the end of May. The initiative is intended to draw attention to the climate crisis and urge world leaders to take action to prevent further environmental damage. Wolfgang Sadik, campaign leader for Greenpeace, emphasized the importance of the project as a message to politicians and the world at large, highlighting the need for immediate action to avoid irreversible consequences. The IPCC has cautioned that carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 to prevent dangerous climate changes, according to the European Union. Climate change is primarily concerning rising sea levels, with the UN predicting an increase of 18-59 cms this century, compared to 17 cms in the previous century. However, there is disagreement on how to address this issue, with Germany pushing for G8 countries to endorse the IPCC target and encourage carbon trading as a method to penalize greenhouse gas emissions. However, US chief climate negotiator Harlan Watson stated recently that the United States will not accept emissions targets or cap-and-trade schemes, opting instead to combat climate change through the funding of clean energy technologies. In the story of Noah's Ark from the Bible, God punishes humanity's sins by causing a flood to destroy life on Earth. Noah is chosen to save his family and pairs of all the world's animals, who board the boat two by two. The model Ark, which is only 10 metres long and four metres high, would struggle to accommodate such a large menagerie. The Bible describes the original ark as being 300 cubits long, which is approximately 140 metres and longer than a soccer pitch. The model, which is planned to become a mountain hut, is a tight fit for climbers. Last week, timber for the boat was transported up the mountain by horse, and volunteers are facing logistical challenges as they work in a remote, high-altitude location. They are working against the clock to prepare for a ceremony on May 31, where doves will be released from the boat and an appeal will be made to world leaders to address global warming. Despite doubts from a boatbuilding master about completing the project in a short amount of time, German carpenter Rainer Brumshagen had a feeling that it could be successful. The positive atmosphere created by people from different countries working together feels great here, contrasting sharply with the political conflicts happening elsewhere. The scene at Mount Ararat, with shepherds tending their sheep and activists working on the Greenpeace project, seems peaceful and idyllic. However, one of the carpenters working on the model Ark expressed doubts about its seaworthiness. | 2 |
He introduced himself as a Syrian refugee in imperfect English, explaining that he had walked halfway across the continent and lost his papers. Law enforcement officers took his photo and fingerprints. In the following year, he would receive housing and have a hearing for asylum, as well as be eligible for regular benefits. He identified himself as David Benjamin. He was actually a lieutenant in the German army, but prosecutors believe he attempted to disguise himself as a refugee in a far-right plot to carry out assassinations. He denies these allegations. He claims he was attempting to reveal weaknesses in the asylum process. However, his complex deception, which lasted over a year, was exposed when he was apprehended by police trying to retrieve a loaded gun he had stashed in an airport restroom in Vienna. Aydan Ozoguz, a lawmaker who was in charge of refugees and integration, described the moment as shocking. The focus should not only be on catching fraudulent individuals, but also on how someone like him could serve as a soldier in Germany. The arrest of Franco A in April 2017 came as a shock to Germany. Since then, his case has mostly fallen off the radar, but this will likely change when he goes to trial early next year. Germany will also be on trial, not only for the administrative failure that allowed a German officer to pose as a refugee for so long, but also for its long-standing complacency in fighting far-right extremism. The investigation into Franco A's case has uncovered a complex network of extremist groups within Germany's security services, revealing a threat that was more extensive than previously thought. The New York Times reported on two groups in Germany, one led by a former soldier and police sniper who hoarded weapons and kept enemy lists, while another led by a special-forces soldier named Hannibal focused on the elite KSK force. Following the discovery of explosives and SS memorabilia on a sergeant major's property, an entire KSK unit was disbanded. The author interviewed members of these networks, including Franco A., whose story of a double life and transformation into a potential terrorist reflects the complexities of modern Germany. One nation was created following its loss in World War II and was raised by a liberal agreement that shunned nationalism and taught its people to feel remorseful. As Germany's past fades and a far-right movement awakens in response to a more diverse society, the country is becoming more unsettled. The postwar consensus in Germany is now uncertain. When I initially encountered Franco A over a year ago in a Berlin restaurant, he brought along various documents, including notes and excerpts from his police file, appearing self-assured at the time. A terrorism case against him was dismissed by a Frankfurt court due to insufficient evidence, but was later reinstated by the Supreme Court following an appeal by prosecutors. Franco A, who faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, contacted me on my cellphone in a state of distress. Even though he was awaiting trial, he agreed to do a series of exclusive recorded interviews and welcomed me and two New York Times audio producers to his childhood home, where he still resides, to talk about his life, beliefs, and various aspects of his case. I visited multiple times over the following year, most recently right before Christmas. Occasionally, he would share videos of himself in disguise as a refugee. On one occasion, he took us down a creaky staircase, 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 seized by the authorities. 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 allow over 1 million refugees into Germany, which he viewed as a danger 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 argued that he was actually defending the Constitution, not working against it. He stated that he never intended to commit any violent acts, and in fact, never did. He questioned why he would not have carried out violence if that had been his intention. The accusations against Franco A., as outlined in the Supreme Court decision, include possession of a loaded gun at the Vienna airport, illegal possession of an assault rifle, and a trip to a presumed target's parking garage. Additionally, prosecutors have used Franco A.'s voice memos and diaries as evidence in his prosecution, in which he expresses admiration for Hitler, questions Germany's atonement for the Holocaust, believes in global Jewish conspiracies, argues against immigration for ethnic purity, praises President Vladimir Putin, and advocates for destroying the state. Military uniforms are found in Franco A's basement in Offenbach, Germany on July 9, 2020. Franco A, who is now 31, believes that his extreme views on immigration and national identity cannot be prosecuted as they are private thoughts. These views, although shared by neo-Nazis and far-right circles, are becoming more common in Germany, Europe, and the United States. In the generation that came of age after the events of September 11, 2001, during the resulting wars and global economic crisis, there has been a rise in distrust of government, far-right messaging, and belief in conspiracy theories. These ideas have not only permeated parts of the security services but have also become more mainstream. Thomas Haldenwang, the president of the domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, expressed concerns about the shift of far-right extremist messages into the middle of society, even reaching the halls of Parliament where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads the opposition. The agency is considering placing the entire AfD party under observation due to its perceived danger. The struggle for Germany's democracy is evident in the ongoing tug of war. During my interviews with Franco A., I have witnessed a shift in the attitude of senior defense officials from initially dismissing my questions about extremist networks to now openly expressing concern. In March 2019, I inquired with a defense ministry official about the number of far-right extremists identified in the military, to which he responded with a surprising "four?". Yes, there were four extremist networks. He mentioned that they did not notice any networks. In the past, German authorities had ignored the issue. Despite detailing his extremist views in a master's thesis, Franco A.'s superiors still promoted him. He ended up joining extremist networks that included many soldiers and police officers. He publicly spoke at a far-right event that was monitored by security services, but it was a janitor at the Vienna airport who ultimately discovered a hidden gun in a maintenance shaft in a disabled restroom. The gun, a black 7.65-caliber Unique 17 made by a defunct French gunmaker between 1928 and 1944, was loaded with six bullets and puzzled Austrian officers who had never seen anything like it before. It was discovered that German officers favored this pistol during the Nazi occupation of France. The police set up an electronic trap to discover who had hidden it. Two weeks later, on February 3, 2017, Franco A. was caught trying to open a door with a tube of hair gel. A dozen police officers quickly surrounded him with guns drawn, asking him what he was doing. Franco A. remembered saying, "Yes, I concealed a weapon here." He explained that he had returned to retrieve it and hand it over to the police. He mentioned that he believed someone had laughed when he mentioned it. The account he provided to the Austrian police during questioning that night was so unbelievable that he was hesitant to recount it when we spoke. However, ultimately he did share the story. A picture of Franco A. was taken at a ceremony at the Saint-Cyr military academy in France, as well as at his home in Offenbach, Germany on July 9, 2020. This information was reported by The New York Times.
During the ball season in Vienna, Franco A. claimed to have found a gun while barhopping with his girlfriend and fellow soldiers. He had put the gun in his coat pocket and only remembered it when going through security at the airport. He concealed it in order to not miss his flight, but later chose to go back and deliver 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. In a conversation with The New York Times, he expressed feeling foolish for sharing his story, as he knew no one would believe him. Franco A. was released that same night. However, authorities retained his phone and a USB drive discovered in his backpack. After taking his fingerprints and sending them to German law enforcement for confirmation, officers were surprised to discover that Franco had two identities. His identification indicated he was a German officer stationed with the Franco-German brigade in Illkirch, located near Strasbourg. However, his fingerprints matched those of a migrant who was registered near Munich, causing concern among investigators. They wondered if Franco A. had hidden the gun with intentions of carrying out an attack in the future. He was apprehended on the evening of the annual fraternity ball, organized by Austria's far-right Freedom Party, which typically drew militant counterprotesters. One hypothesis was that Franco A. had plotted to shoot someone that night while posing as a leftist. When German authorities took control of the investigation, they discovered two documents on his UBS stick: the “Mujahedeen Explosives Handbook” and “Total Resistance,” a manual for urban guerrilla warfare from the Cold War era. Through his cellphone, they uncovered a vast network of far-right Telegram chat groups comprising soldiers, police officers, and others preparing for what they referred to as Day X, the collapse of society. The phone also contained numerous audio memos in which Franco A. had documented his thoughts over a period of several years. On April 26, 2017, during a military training exercise in a Bavarian forest, Franco A. was once again arrested, this time with ten federal police officers escorting him away. Ninety additional individuals were carrying out coordinated raids in Germany, Austria, and France at the same time. During these raids, law enforcement officers uncovered over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as numerous handwritten notes and a diary. As they delved into the writings, they uncovered a man who had been nurturing radical ideas since his teenage years. In interviews with Franco A., he revealed details about his childhood and family background, which closely align with Germany's history. Echoes of History Franco A recalls purchasing his first German flag at the age of 12 or 13 during a family vacation in Bavaria. In a country where national pride was frowned upon due to its Nazi history, this act of rebellion held significance for him. Franco A expressed his deep connection to Germany, showcasing photos of his childhood bedroom with the flag prominently displayed. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood with few German flags, as it was predominantly populated by guest workers from southern Europe and Turkey who played a crucial role in rebuilding postwar Germany and reshaping its society. Franco A's mother, who lived upstairs from him, mentioned that there were only a few children with migrant backgrounds in her class during the 1960s. By the time Franco A attended school, children with two German parents were in the minority. His own father, an Italian guest worker, left the family when he was young, and Franco A refers to him as his "producer" rather than his father. In an audio memo from January 2016, Franco A later referred to the guest worker program as a deliberate tactic to weaken German ethnicity. He viewed himself as a result of this twisted racial animosity, explaining that his grandfather was born in 1919, the year the Treaty of Versailles was signed, marking Germany's defeat in World War I. This treaty led to the belief in the "stab in the back" legend, suggesting that Germany had actually won the war but was betrayed by a group of leftists and Jews in power. This propaganda helped foster anti-democratic factions in the military who stored weapons, planned coups, and eventually supported the rise of Nazism - similar to the accusations Franco A faces today. He mentioned that his grandparents frequently looked after him, giving him soup and sharing stories about the war. His grandfather recounted his experiences in the Hitler Youth, and the police confiscated 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 in present-day Poland. She recounted a tale to the boy about their wooden cart breaking down, leading them to take a break in a field near Dresden. That evening, she recounted how the sisters witnessed the destruction of the city in a tragic bombing that claimed the lives of up to 25,000 civilians and has since been used as a symbol by the extreme right. Years later, Franco A recorded a fictional conversation in which he questioned the guilt of Germans over the Dresden bombing and the Jewish people's expectations. His teachers encouraged him to challenge authority and think independently, influenced by the liberal values of the 1968 student movement - including a skepticism of nationalism and a desire for reconciliation after the war. None of the teachers I spoke to noticed any signs of extremism early on, instead remembering his love for debate and curiosity. They were unaware that during that time, he had become involved in a vast online realm of conspiracy theories that would impact him for many years. These beliefs started to form in his teenage diary, where Franco A described them as exploring ideas rather than showcasing a firm ideology or any specific plans. These musings included thoughts on altering the trajectory of German history, such as becoming a soldier and rising to a prominent role in the military to eventually lead the German armed forces. In 2008, during the financial crisis following Lehman Brothers' collapse, Franco A, who joined the army at 19, was chosen as one of the few German officer cadets to attend the esteemed Saint-Cyr military academy in France. His five years of study included time at universities in Paris, London, and Cambridge. In 2013, he wrote a master's thesis on the role of immigration and subversive minorities in the downfall of civilizations. He stated that Europe and the West would be at risk if they did not protect themselves. He mentioned that ethnically diverse societies were not stable and that nations allowing migration were committing a type of "genocide." In his final section, he suggested that the Old Testament was the basis of all subversion and a plan for Jews to achieve global dominance, which he believed could be the largest conspiracy in history. The French military academy commander 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 hired historian Jörg Echternkamp to evaluate the thesis, which he deemed as a "radical nationalist, racist appeal" combined with an "insecurity due to globalization" that made it socially acceptable but also "dangerous." Despite this assessment, Franco A was not removed from service or reported to the military counterintelligence agency responsible for monitoring extremism in the armed forces. Instead, on Jan 22, 2014, he was called to a German military branch office in Fontainebleau, near Paris, where an officer from the internal disciplinary unit informed him that his thesis did not align with Germany's values. Franco A explained that he felt pressured to excel as the second-ranked student in his class, leading him to become consumed by his own thoughts and lose perspective. After being questioned for three hours, a senior officer concluded that Franco A had become too caught up in his own intelligence. He was reprimanded and required to submit a new thesis. Upon his return to Germany in 2014, he was described as a model soldier by his superiors. In November 2015, he received praise for his handling of ammunition duties. "The Magic Eye," a book on Franco A's bookshelf, features vibrant images that transform into entirely different ones when stared at for a long time. Similarly, Franco A presents himself as a peace-loving critical thinker in interviews, blaming his situation on a political environment that punishes dissent. However, records and interviews reveal a different side of him. After returning from France, Franco A aligned himself with soldiers who shared his beliefs. It was easy to locate them in the end. He was introduced to a nationwide online chat group by a colleague and friend, consisting of numerous soldiers and police officers worried about immigration. The group was led by an officer from Germany's elite special forces, the KSK, stationed in Calw, known as Hannibal. Hannibal also managed an organization called Uniter, providing paramilitary instruction. This organization is now being monitored by the domestic intelligence agency. Franco A was present at a minimum of two Uniter meetings and was in possession of badges belonging to the group. Police interviews indicate that he was considered intelligent by his peers at the KSK base. According to a witness statement from a soldier, several soldiers were familiar with him. Many members of the chat group were "preppers" who were preparing for what they believed would be the downfall of Germany's social structure. Franco A started gathering food rations and supplies in a "prepper" cellar, along with obtaining illegal guns and ammunition, according to prosecutors. This occurred during a time when Russia had invaded Ukraine, there was a rise in Islamist terrorism in Europe, and Angela Merkel had welcomed numerous Muslim asylum-seekers from conflict zones in the Middle East. Franco A remembered feeling the genuine threat of war or civil unrest in Germany, which led him to start considering violence, according to prosecutors. He believed that the state's fight against terrorism was actually a fight against him and others. He thought that in order to reveal the truth, it needed to be presented in a compelling way. To achieve this, he began searching for potential trigger events or targets. He refutes the claim, but just before starting his first assignment in the Franco-German brigade near Strasbourg in 2015, he pretended to be a refugee. While waiting for his first interview as David Benjamin, his refugee persona, at the police station, Franco A looked at a world map on the opposite wall and debated whether Damascus or Aleppo would be a more believable birthplace. Gradually, he fabricated an extensive family background. After completing his military training in France, he became fluent in French. During interviews, he claimed to be a Syrian Christian with French heritage, stating that he had gone to a French high school and worked as a fruit farmer in a small village near Aleppo. Franco A mentioned that he had tried to be as prepared as possible, although it turned out to be unnecessary. He added that German authorities did not question his story, as they were overwhelmed at the time. Two days after arriving at the police station, he applied for asylum and was transported to various temporary group shelters. Franco A was eventually stationed in a small residence in Baustarring, a Bavarian hamlet located 250 miles west of his army base. He filmed multiple videos of the shelters using his cellphone camera, expressing doubt about the true neediness of the asylum-seekers. He observed that many Syrians, who had fled cities destroyed by conflict, appeared more like tourists than refugees. "I chose to get a low-quality phone because I didn't want to draw attention with a good one," he explained. "But ultimately, I ended up with the worst option." He criticized the system for being too lenient and forgiving. Despite rejecting job offers, he still received his monthly allowance. He only visited the shelter occasionally and missed two consecutive appointments. According to Franco A, Merkel's government had contributed to the humanitarian crisis by getting involved in Middle Eastern wars. It felt as though he was witnessing a real-life version of a case study from his former mentor's discredited thesis. He reflected on the millions of people who had migrated from a troubled region, which he believed could have been prevented from destabilizing. During his asylum hearing, the Moroccan interpreter expressed concerns about his ability to speak Arabic, but hesitated to question him due to his Jewish-sounding name, fearing she would appear anti-Semitic as a Muslim. Franco A was eventually given "subsidiary protection," which permits asylum-seekers without identification papers to remain and work in Germany. As his refugee status continued, he gained notoriety in far-right circles. Franco A claimed he participated in debates at bars and was eventually asked to speak at a gathering called the "Prussian Evening" on December 15, 2016, organized by a publisher associated with Holocaust denial, held at Hotel Regent in Munich. His presentation that evening was about "German conservatives - a minority in their own country." As the year went on, his voice messages became more urgent. In one from January 2016, just three weeks after becoming a refugee, he mentioned that those who spoke out against the government were often killed. He also expressed a desire to take action, stating, "Let's not hesitate, not to murder but to kill." He seemed to fear for his own safety, warning, "I know you will murder me...I will murder you first." Prosecutors believe that Franco A, who had been leading a double life for almost seven months, traveled to Berlin in the summer of 2016 and may have been a potential target. He was seen taking four photos of car license plates in a private underground parking garage near the Jewish quarter. Investigators found the images on his cellphone. The building was home to the offices of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, led by Anetta Kahane, a well-known Jewish activist who has faced far-right hatred for many years. Prosecutors believe that Kahane, 66, was one of several prominent figures targeted by Franco A. for their support of refugees, based on notes they seized. 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 was mentioned at least twice in the notes, once at the end of a list of seemingly ordinary items such as "fridge" and a reminder to call the bank where his refugee alter ego had an account. Franco A showed me the notes and described them as a typical to-do list. On one of the pages, he detailed Kahane's background, age, and work address. He meticulously sketched a map of her parking garage's location and made a note on the same paper indicating that they were not yet able to act as they desired. Prior to and following his trip to Berlin, Franco allegedly purchased a mounting rail for a scope and handgun parts, and was observed at a shooting range experimenting with these items alongside an assault rifle. Additionally, he visited Paris, where he reportedly met with the leader of a pro-Putin Russian think tank associated with France's far right and is suspected of acquiring the French handgun that was later discovered in Vienna. Prosecutors assert that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Franco A was preparing to commit a murder. Franco A denies nearly all of the allegations. He claimed that the prosecutors' statements did not show any intention to harm Kahane. During a six-hour interview, he mentioned having pictures on his phone but said it didn't prove his presence. Despite initially refusing to discuss the matter due to his upcoming trial, he eventually spoke about it in "hypothetical terms." He suggested that if he had gone, it would have been for a conversation, but he would have found that Kahane was not there. He could have gone to the parking garage with the thought of learning more about the car. He mentioned the possibility of finding the person through luck. He denied planning to kill Kahane and argued that even if he had visited the garage, it would only be preparation for an assassination, not terrorism. He questioned how this could be a threat to the state since Kahane is not a politician. I interviewed Kahane to gather her opinion. When we first met, she had just received another neo-Nazi threat in her email. These threats were a common occurrence for her. The message threatened to harm her in brutal ways, but what was even scarier to her was the lack of awareness from German authorities. She remembered the day the police informed her that they had apprehended a neo-Nazi who was plotting to kill her. The conversation was about Franco A. and two of his companions. The person laughed and asked if they had caught all three of them. She mentioned that people often underestimate the number of Nazis involved. The German Constitution, specifically Article 20.4, includes a provision for citizens to resist in the event of a threat to democracy, inspired by Hitler's 1933 enabling act that abolished democracy after his election. Far-right extremists, who criticize Merkel's government as unconstitutional, have a strong interest in the Constitution, which holds a prominent place in Franco A's library. He frequently references it. Before Christmas, I visited him again and he was unhappy that I had transcripts of his voice memos. I questioned him about certain statements he had made, such as his claim that Hitler was "above everything." I asked how he could justify that statement, and he explained that he meant it in an ironic manner. He played the recording for me, and the tone was casual with some banter, with both voices chuckling. However, it was not clear if it was meant as a joke. I also inquired about another recording from January 2016. Franco A. stated that anyone who helps to destroy the state is doing a good thing, claiming that laws are meaningless. This statement raised questions about how he could simultaneously claim to defend the Constitution. After a long silence, Franco A. looked at his own words on the transcript. He looked through the notes provided by his lawyer, but he was unable to find a solution. This content is copyrighted by The New York Times Company in 2020. | 2 |
The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, arrived in Dhaka on Friday to participate in a symposium titled "Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia." Upon landing 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 symposium, jointly organized by the University of Dhaka and the Ohio State University of the USA in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), began on Monday. The arrival of the Icelandic president in Dhaka on Tuesday was postponed. | 2 |
The discovery was remarkable in its magnitude. Reporters from even small countries like Guinea-Bissau were asked to make deals with Chinese journalists. China was spreading its propaganda through newspapers like China Daily in English and Serbian. A journalist from the Philippines noticed that over half of the news on their national wire came from China's Xinhua agency. In Kenya, a media organization received funding from Chinese investors and subsequently dismissed a writer who covered China's treatment of the Uyghur minority. In Peru, journalists faced criticism from Chinese government officials on social media. This was part of a larger strategy by China to create an alternative to global news media dominated by outlets like BBC and CNN, and to influence media in countries worldwide. A report by the International Federation of Journalists, set to be released Wednesday, explores China's intentions with this newfound power. Louisa Lim, author of the first report, surveyed journalists in 54 countries for this second report. The interviews conducted by Lim, a former NPR bureau chief in Beijing who is now a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne, revealed that China has utilized its global media infrastructure to promote positive narratives about the country during the pandemic. The report, co-written by Julia Bergin and Johan Lidberg, an associate professor at Monash University in Australia, suggests that this media strategy is part of a larger global power shift, rather than a secret plot. China's government argues that their campaign is no different from what other powerful global players have done historically. The report also highlights how China's media push coincided with their diplomatic efforts during the pandemic, providing aid and vaccines to countries worldwide while managing their public image. 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, as well as expensive television equipment and free pro-China content to the state broadcaster. In Serbia, a pro-government tabloid sponsored a billboard featuring the Chinese leader with the message "Thank you, brother Xi." China's media and vaccine campaigns are closely tied to its "Belt and Road" global investment initiative, which often comes with conditions such as debt and support in key UN votes. Despite these efforts, China faces challenges due to its increasing authoritarianism, treatment of the Uyghurs, and crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, which have negatively impacted global perceptions of the country even before the pandemic. And certain governments have started to make it more difficult for Chinese state media to operate in their countries, such as Britain's media regulator canceling the license of the primary Chinese state broadcaster. China's diplomatic efforts are mainly concentrated in areas where they have influence, despite not having the same cultural or financial power as European countries, but still hold a vote at the UN. Although these efforts seem to be spontaneous and managed by local embassies, they are making a global impact. According to Lim, Beijing is gradually altering the global media environment country by country. I, along with two other New York Times journalists, Mitra Taj in Lima and Emma Bubola in Rome, spoke to reporters on five different continents who were involved in the study. Their reactions varied from concern about direct Chinese government pressure to confidence in their ability to handle another interest group in a complicated media landscape. In Peru, where the government is supportive of China and influential political figures received early access to a Chinese-made vaccine, Zuliana Lainez, the secretary-general of the National Association of Journalists of Peru, noted the frequent presence of China in state media. She mentioned that the Peruvian state news agency and the state-controlled newspaper El Peruano act as mouthpieces for the Chinese embassy. Lainez also pointed out that China's embassy has invested in updating the technology of certain newsrooms, raising concerns about the implications of such actions. Some journalists observing China's expanding presence in global media do not view it as alarming. Stefano Polli, the deputy director of the Italian news service ANSA, mentioned that China is using media to increase its influence in the changing geopolitical landscape. Polli defended ANSA's contract to translate and distribute Xinhua, despite criticism from international journalists, stating that it is a regular commercial agreement. China has imposed restrictions on foreign journalists working within its borders, leading 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 an Italian TV channel owned by Mediaset, mentioned that his news organization had a formal agreement with Chinese state media for reporting in China, but this collaboration ended after he reported on the theory that the virus originated from a Chinese lab. Despite this, Rigoni, whose company is owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, believes that China is not the only country where the government controls major TV and radio programs. The general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, Anthony Bellanger, stated in an email that he believes China is becoming a significant player in the information war, but it is important to push back against similar pressures from the US, Russia, and other governments worldwide. However, recent reports suggest that China is currently the most dedicated to this campaign, as they are reportedly spending large sums of money annually to spread their messages globally. While the US may have been a leader in covert and overt influence tactics during the Cold War, their official channels have declined over time. The CIA's influence operations have transitioned into American outlets like Voice of America and Radio Liberty, which aimed to share uncensored news in authoritarian countries. In recent years, President Trump has tried to use these outlets for propaganda, but faced resistance from Democrats and journalists. The American government's inability to reach a consensus on how to utilize its media outlets has resulted in companies like Netflix and Disney, with their significant cultural power and funding, taking on the role of projecting influence. Journalists worldwide are doubtful of the effectiveness of Chinese government propaganda, a sentiment I echoed when discarding unread editions of China Daily sent to my home. The propaganda that succeeds in China struggles to compete in the global market for attention, as seen in China's attempts to spread its content in Kenyan media with limited impact, as noted by Eric Oduor, the secretary-general of the Kenya Union of Journalists. Some argue that even though journalists may dismiss certain content as amateurish or obvious propaganda, it can still have an impact. Erin Baggott Carter, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Southern California, found through her research that American news organizations changed their focus from covering military competition to covering economic cooperation after their journalists accepted official trips to China. In discussions with journalists from around the world regarding Chinese influence, it was noticeable that they did not mention the United States. Journalists from various countries described a one-sided effort by China to build influence and promote their own narrative. This contrasts with the American perspective, which often views Chinese influence within the context of a global power struggle. Lim noted that Americans tend to be insular and believe everything revolves around the US. Many Americans and those in the Western world often overlook events in languages other than English and assume that Western values are universal. | 2 |
The Tigrayans, who have been in conflict with the government for the past year, have teamed up with another rebel group as they move towards the capital, Addis Ababa. According to foreign officials observing the conflict, it appears that several Ethiopian army units have either collapsed or withdrawn. The declaration of a state of emergency demonstrates the rapidly shifting situation in a growing conflict that threatens to divide Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa. This development also represents another setback for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose global standing has been damaged by a war that has resulted in reports of human rights abuses, massacres, and famine. A year ago, on November 4, Abiy launched a military offensive in the 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 nonviolent operation, Abiy became embroiled in a complex military situation. The Ethiopian military faced a significant setback in June, leading to their retreat from Tigray and the capture of thousands of soldiers. Currently, the conflict is approaching Abiy's doorstep, with Tigrayan rebels seizing control of Dessie and Kombolcha in recent days. According to a United Nations official, Tigrayan forces were observed advancing south from Kombolcha on Tuesday. During the state of emergency, Abiy possesses extensive authority to apprehend and confine dissenters, enforce curfews, and control the media. Justice Minister Gedion Timothewos mentioned at a press briefing that any adult citizen could be summoned to participate in the conflict. Those in possession of weapons will be required to surrender them to the authorities. The government declared 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 for the protection of their communities. It was stated that house-to-house searches were being carried out to locate Tigrayan supporters. This announcement increased anxiety in the city, where tensions were rising due to reports of Tigrayan military progress. A taxi driver named Dereje, hesitant to disclose his full name in the city's tense atmosphere, expressed his intention to participate in the conflict. He stated, "I will not stay at home and wait for the enemy. I will defend my children and my country." In contrast, a teacher, who chose not to reveal his identity, mentioned that he had lost trust in the Ethiopian government. “He told us a lie that the TPLF had been defeated,” he said, in reference to the Tigray People's Liberation Front. “I am extremely concerned about what will happen. May God assist us.” President Joe Biden, who has threatened to impose sanctions on Ethiopia unless it takes steps towards peace negotiations, announced on Tuesday that he would withdraw trade privileges for Ethiopia, which includes duty-free access to the United States, due to “serious violations of internationally recognized human rights.” In a separate briefing, Jeffrey Feltman, the Biden administration’s representative to the Horn of Africa, warned that the escalating conflict could have “catastrophic consequences” for Ethiopia's unity and its relationship with the United States. Ethiopian soldiers who were defeated are paraded through Mekelle after the Tigray Defence Forces captured the regional capital on June 25, 2021. Billene Seyoum, a spokesperson for Abiy, did not provide a comment when requested. Ethiopian soldiers who were defeated are being marched through Mekelle after the Tigray Defence Forces took control of the regional capital on June 25, 2021. The decision to revoke trade privileges, according to Ethiopia's Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, will have a negative impact on the country's economy and unfairly affect women and children. Ethiopia is determined to hold those responsible for serious human rights violations accountable. The escalating situation in Ethiopia has raised concerns in the region, with fears that the conflict could spread to neighboring countries like Kenya or result in a refugee crisis. Prime Minister Abiy, once praised by the West for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has faced increasing criticism as the war in Tigray has expanded beyond the region. Much of the recent criticism has focused on Ethiopia's severe blockade of Tigray, which has hindered the delivery of food and medicine to a population where 5.2 million people are in urgent need of assistance and 400,000 are facing famine-like conditions, according to the United Nations. After the United States threatened Abiy's government with sanctions in September, he accused the West of neocolonial bias and expelled seven senior UN officials, including a humanitarian aid coordinator in Tigray. Recently, the Ethiopian military launched an offensive against Tigrayan forces, which escalated to include airstrikes on the region's besieged capital, Mekelle. Abiy has blamed his recent defeats on unidentified foreigners he claims are fighting alongside the Tigrayans, stating that individuals of non-Ethiopian descent have taken part in the conflict. In Addis Ababa, security forces have begun targeting ethnic Tigrayans, sparking concerns of ethnically motivated reprisals in the capital city as the rebels approach. Efforts from the international community to bring the opposing sides to the negotiating table have been unsuccessful. Prime Minister Abiy has continued military operations despite evidence showing his army is struggling. The Tigrayans claim they are fighting against a siege that is causing suffering in their region. Gen Tsadkan Gebretensae, the rebels' top strategist, expressed dissatisfaction with Western pressure on Abiy, calling it minimal. Human rights groups have accused Tigrayan fighters of abuses, including the killing of Eritrean refugees, although not as widespread as Ethiopian troops. The Ethiopian government has accused Tigrayan fighters of killing residents in Kombolcha recently without providing any evidence. The fighters have been moving south into the Amhara region since July, engaging in a fierce battle that has been largely hidden from view due to internet blackouts and reporting restrictions. The recent capture of Dessie and Kombolcha over the weekend marked a significant development in the conflict, as these towns are strategically located on a key highway running from north to south that is crucial in determining the outcome of the war in Ethiopia. The Tigrayans have joined forces with the Oromo Liberation Army, a smaller rebel group advocating for the rights of the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group. After years of fighting in rural areas, the OLA now appears to be making inroads into Ethiopia's urban centers. Odaa Tarbii, a representative of the OLA, announced on Tuesday that they had taken control of a town located 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, Abiy was supported by Eritrea, whose soldiers were accused of committing severe atrocities against civilians in Tigray. However, in recent weeks, Eritrea has not been involved in the fighting for reasons that remain unclear, according to Tigrayan and Western officials. Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, stated that the Ethiopian military was in disarray as it retreated south, leaving behind armed ethnic militias. This account was confirmed by two Western officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to diplomatic concerns. If the Tigrayans continue advancing towards the south, officials believe that Abiy will face significant pressure from both within his political camp and on the battlefield. | 2 |
Pictures posted on social media depict cars being carried away by rushing water on streets, buildings and businesses covered in mud, and rockslides blocking roads. Merida Governor Ramon Guevara reported that 11 people lost their lives in Tovar and two children died in Antonio Pinto Salinas due to the natural disaster. In an interview with local media, Guevara expressed his sorrow over the tragic events, mentioning that the power supply was disrupted as the floodwaters reached the transformers. The affected area is an important agricultural region that supplies food to other areas of the country. | 2 |
The increase in Russian troops near the border of Ukraine, a key route for Russian gas to the West, has raised concerns about potential gas shortages. The low gas volumes from Russia, Europe's primary source of fuel imports, have contributed to recent price hikes. Henning Gloystein, a director at the Eurasia Group, warned of the risk of supply shortages impacting economic growth and sparking public unrest. He mentioned the possibility of blackouts in a worst-case scenario and suggested that governments may need to limit gas usage in factories to prioritize heating for households. Gas prices at the TTF trading hub in the Netherlands reached record highs on Tuesday due to reports of diverted Russian gas flows. European gas prices have recently doubled and are approximately 15 times higher than in the United States. Gloystein suggested that this increase may be due to opportunistic trading rather than malicious intent by Moscow. However, the natural gas market in Europe is poised to rise with minimal prompting. Tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over Ukraine, make the opening of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany unlikely. Karen Donfried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, stated that the United States views Nord Stream 2 as a Russian project that undermines energy and national security in the Euro-Atlantic community. The U.S. is collaborating with the new German government to enhance energy security in Europe. Energy companies are redirecting liquefied natural gas shipments from Asia to Europe due to the high prices, but this may not be sufficient to replace Russian gas or alleviate the shortage significantly. Laura Page, an analyst at Kpler, a research firm, stated that despite the market being aware of the increasing LNG supply, it has not affected sentiment. As gas is a crucial fuel for electricity generation, power prices are rising in Europe. For example, in Britain, stable power was trading at around 340 pounds (approximately $450) per megawatt-hour on the Epex Spot exchange. This is three times higher than the average electricity price throughout the year. The recent surge in gas prices will eventually result in higher energy costs for households in Britain and other nations. Martin Young, an analyst at Investec, a securities firm, predicted in a recent communication to clients that British consumers, who have benefitted from price caps, may experience a surge of over 50% in their energy bills with upcoming adjustments in the beginning of next year. The recent shutdown of three French nuclear plants for inspections has also intensified the power market. Mark Devine, a trader at Sembcorp, an energy company, described the high prices as the new normal for this winter. | 2 |
Daschle was taken aback by the reversal of protocol when Bob Dole insisted on coming to his office, despite Daschle being the junior person. Dole's witty and straightforward response showcased his character, reminding everyone of his no-nonsense approach that he brought to Washington. Over the course of the next 35 years, he served in the House and Senate and made three unsuccessful attempts at the presidency, operating in a Washington that was conducive to his skills as a negotiator. While it may be cliché to look back fondly on a past era in Washington where politicians from different parties would argue during the day and socialize at night, there was plenty of partisanship during Dole's time in the Capitol. However, it is undeniable that the political climate was different then. During his time as a senator and as the Republican leader, a position he held from 1985 to 1996, Dole worked across party lines to pass bipartisan legislation such as bills to rescue Social Security, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and welfare reform. One of his proudest achievements was collaborating with liberal Democrat George McGovern to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. They continued collaborating on nutrition issues even after leaving the Senate. Senator Patrick Leahy, a friend of Dole, spoke about the strong relationship between George J Mitchell Jr and Dole when Mitchell was the Democratic leader. They had a close working relationship, meeting multiple times a day. They both had dedicated phone lines on their desks for direct communication. This level of cooperation and trust is rare in politics today. The button was useful in November 1994 when the Republicans regained the majority. Mitchell, who was not seeking reelection, wanted Dole to know he was coming to his office to congratulate him. Dole responded quickly, saying he would go to Mitchell's office instead, a gesture that Mitchell and his team found considerate. According to presidential historian Robert Dallek, Dole operated in a time when bipartisanship was valued, and politicians understood the importance of working with those from different parties. Dallek also noted that Dole was skilled at this, despite having conservative views. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican speaker of the House known for his role in escalating partisan conflict in Washington, revealed that he collaborated closely with Dole to pass tax cuts and defeat President Bill Clinton's health care plan. In a recent interview, Gingrich drew comparisons between Dole and current Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, both of whom are Senate veterans known for their strategic capabilities in both advancing and obstructing legislation. Despite their effective partnership, Dole did not fully embrace Gingrich's confrontational approach. In 1995, when Gingrich and House Republicans refused to pass federal spending bills, resulting in a government shutdown, Dole expressed his frustration on the Senate floor, stating, "We ought to end this. I mean, it’s gotten to the point where it’s a little ridiculous as far as this senator is concerned." Dole and his wife, Elizabeth Dole, were considered a powerful couple in Washington, symbolizing the city's institutions. Dole represented World War II and the Greatest Generation, embodying an era of 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. Dallek, the historian, described Dole as being like a symbol of America, coming from the heartland and representing shared values. Dole decided to run for president in 1996 after serving in the Senate for over twenty-five years. During this time, Washington was evolving, with Gingrich in a position of influence and Clinton facing impeachment for his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, adding to the already existing partisan divide. When Dole, the Senate's longest-serving Republican leader at the time, gave a speech in the chamber announcing his departure, the traditional customs of the Capitol were still observed. Despite knowing he was going to run against Bill Clinton, almost every Democratic senator was present on the floor that day. After Dole finished his speech, all senators stood and applauded. | 2 |
During a press conference with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reassured Ukraine that the option to join NATO was still available, despite Ukraine's leadership no longer prioritizing alliance membership. Clinton emphasized that the United States supported Ukraine's improved relations with Moscow and criticized those who tried to force Ukraine to choose between Russia and the West. She also urged Yanukovich to continue following a democratic path and indirectly voiced concerns about reports of restrictions on media freedom in Ukraine. Clinton urged the Ukrainian government to protect these essential liberties. She supported Ukraine's efforts to secure a new IMF program worth up to $19 billion and urged the country to improve its investment climate through economic reform, anti-corruption measures, and upholding the rule of law. Clinton refrained from openly criticizing pro-Russian actions by President Yanukovich, aligning with the Obama administration's policy of improving relations with Moscow. Despite reducing ties with NATO, Yanukovich has strengthened Ukraine's ties with Russia through increased commercial relations and extending the Russian navy's presence in a Ukrainian port for 25 years. Clinton emphasized Ukraine's sovereignty and right to choose its alliances, including with NATO, but left the decision up to the country. Yanukovich has decided to abandon the goal of NATO membership, which has pleased Moscow. He has stated that Ukraine will not join any military alliances. Despite this decision, Yanukovich has expressed a commitment to continue working with NATO on defense reform and peace-keeping. Hillary Clinton, speaking at the Kiev Polytechnic Institute, commended Ukraine's efforts to maintain a balance between the United States, the European Union, and Russia. She praised Yanukovich's pragmatic approach, which aims to maintain good relations with both Russia and the West, as well as Ukraine's efforts to improve its economy with assistance from global financial institutions. Clinton also praised Yanukovich's election in February as a significant step towards consolidating Ukraine's democracy. She subsequently encountered Yulia Tymoshenko, the ex-Prime Minister who is now in opposition and may have contrasting opinions. Tymoshenko, who could be prosecuted for alleged wrongdoings during her time in office, initially challenged Yanukovich's election but later abandoned a legal effort to prevent his inauguration. Clinton almost criticized Yanukovich regarding media freedoms and democratic rights, with US Ambassador John Tefft recently expressing worry about the alleged pressure on journalists since Yanukovich assumed power. "These are not just secondary considerations," she stated, referring to freedom of speech, press, petitioning governments, assembly, and political participation. "They are fundamental rights that belong to every person." Clinton mentioned that she had discussed these topics with Yanukovich and pointed out his previous commitments to democracy, rule of law, and human rights. "We understand that words alone are not enough to bring about change," Clinton added. "These promises must be backed up by real actions." Clinton is embarking on a regional tour of five countries, beginning in Krakow, Poland, where she will attend a meeting of the Community of Democracies, an organization that advocates for democratic principles. She will also travel to Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia during her tour. | 2 |
The government has launched a program to support around 50,000 small and marginal farmers in increasing maize cultivation. Agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury revealed that the program will provide seeds and fertilisers worth Tk 65 million to farmers free of charge. This initiative aims to assist farmers in cultivating maize across 16,500 acres of land in 62 upazilas spanning 11 districts. The program will kick off in the current winter season, with each farmer receiving 3 kilograms of hybrid maize seeds and 50 kgs of fertilisers, including 25kgs of diamonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MoP), as incentives for cultivating maize on each bigha [0.33 acre] of land. The minister stated that the programme aims to increase maize production by 31,000 tonnes, resulting in an additional maize market value of at least Tk 62 crore. The programme will take place in several 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 grow maize due to its high demand and lower cultivation costs compared to other 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 annually and must also import an additional 422,000 tonnes each year. | 2 |
In 2020, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and a social justice movement against police violence and racism, the FBI noted a rise in hate crimes targeting African Americans. The FBI reported that approximately 64.9% of the 8,052 reported hate crimes were motivated by race, ethnicity, or ancestry bias, with Black Americans accounting for more than half of the victims. The number of reported 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 involving bias based on race, ethnicity, or ancestry, as per FBI data. Experts who analyze this data warn that the federal numbers may not capture every incident, and that the increase in reported cases could be due to a growing awareness and willingness to report such crimes. However, they suggest that the focus on social justice issues might also contribute to more violence targeting 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, particularly the protests following the killing of George Floyd, shifted the spotlight onto prejudice against African Americans. Although the national hate crime data for 2021 has not yet been released, experts in this field report that attacks on Black Americans and their institutions have continued. This year, approximately one-third of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities received bomb threats, as did over a dozen houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and academic institutions, according to the FBI. In February, three white Georgia men were found guilty of federal hate crimes for the racially motivated killing of Ahmaud Arbery. The trial drew attention for its direct examination of racism. The FBI releases an annual report on hate crimes, but many police agencies do not submit data and many victims do not report bias crimes to the police, leading to an inaccurate portrayal of the extent of hate crimes nationally. Despite this underreporting, the report still provides valuable insight into overall trends. The Justice Department has recently emphasized the importance of reporting bias crimes and has made prosecuting these crimes a top priority. The FBI released a report last year, based on data from 2020 collected from over 15,000 law enforcement agencies, which revealed a significant increase in hate crimes, particularly against Black and Asian Americans. Hate crimes are defined by the FBI 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 make up 12.1% of the population, have been consistently higher than those reported against any other group, including those 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, with 7,688 reports. Even though the Jewish population only makes up about 2.4% of the US adult population, according to Pew Research Center. The man accused of the Buffalo attack, an 18-year-old white individual with a semi-automatic rifle and white supremacist beliefs, carried out the attack in a mostly Black neighborhood far from where he lived. He killed 10 people and injured three others, most of whom were African American. In an online post outlining his plans, the suspect expressed his hatred by writing a racist slur on his weapon and mentioning replacement theory, a far-right notion that the white population is in danger of being replaced by people of color and immigrants. This mass shooting, being investigated as a potential hate crime by the Justice Department, is reminiscent of other racially motivated violence stemming from white supremacy, such as the massacres in a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, a Pittsburgh synagogue, and a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Experts say that the current landscape of hate crimes against African Americans combines both old and new forms of bigotry. It involves the ongoing anxiety about demographic changes and concerns of being "replaced" that are being fueled in certain online communities and exacerbated by racist political speeches. According to Jeannine Bell, a professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law who specializes in hate crimes, this fear is not new among white supremacists and has been a concern for many years. Bell also links the recent increase in anti-Black hate crimes partly to a backlash against the protests that followed George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, which stirred up anger towards African Americans. She stated that there was both a significant amount of support and anger present. The media coverage of black victimization had angered white supremacists, as they did not like seeing African Americans portrayed sympathetically. Bell mentioned that it was difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the rise in hate crimes, but major events such as the protests in the summer of 2020 could serve as a reference point. She also noted that it was likely that there had been an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes. "What occurred? There was an occurrence, a pandemic, and a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes connected to the pandemic began to happen. Hate crimes targeting African Americans are challenging to accurately tally due to a lack of organizations specifically monitoring such incidents. A coalition of national civil rights and social justice groups urged President Joe Biden to hold a summit this week to address hate crimes and right-wing extremism. Rev. Al Sharpton communicated via Twitter that he had discussed the necessity for a summit with two members of Biden's Cabinet: "This demands a swift national response to the increasing crimes." © 2022 The New York Times Company. | 2 |
The year 2017 began with President Donald Trump's restrictions on abortions, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women's rights. However, this also sparked a new wave of resistance in the US and beyond. Progress was made in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America to combat gender discrimination. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka described it as a year focused on addressing discriminatory laws. Lebanon, Tunisia, and Jordan all eliminated laws allowing rapists to avoid punishment by marrying their victims, a change activists hope will influence other Arab countries. During a protest march in Hollywood, a woman wore an outfit with the names of all the men in Hollywood who sexually harassed her, in support of survivors of sexual assault. In a positive development, Malawi, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador, and Guatemala have all changed their laws to outlaw child marriage. In India, lawmakers have made it punishable as rape to have sex with a wife aged 15 to 18. However, Trump's expansion of the global gag rule, which restricts funding to foreign clinics that provide information about abortion, has negatively impacted family planning services worldwide. On a brighter note, Chile has legalized abortion in certain circumstances, leaving only a few countries where it remains completely banned. Lilian Sepulveda from the Center for Reproductive Rights stated that progress is being made in advancing reproductive human rights despite a challenging global environment. Women's rights leaders highlighted the importance of resisting sexism in 2017, with a focus on changing the narrative to hold abusers accountable. The #MeToo movement was named the most influential "person" of 2017 by Time magazine. Following Trump's inauguration, millions of women worldwide protested, some wearing pink "pussyhats" in reference to his controversial comments about women in a 2005 video. Time magazine has named the #MeToo social movement as the most influential "person" in 2017. Months later, millions again joined a popular protest movement by sharing stories of sexual abuse and harassment on social media using the hashtag #MeToo, or in France, #balancetonporc ("expose your pig"). Bob Bland, one of the national co-chairs of the Women's March on Washington, believes that this movement is just the beginning of a new awakening for women. She stated that going into 2018, they are galvanized for the fight ahead. | 2 |
The most severe financial crisis in 80 years affected emerging markets on Wednesday, leading to emergency measures by central banks and requests for international assistance to prevent investors from withdrawing their funds. In the United States, Wachovia Corp, which is being acquired by Wells Fargo & Co, reported a record $23.9 billion loss in the third quarter, highlighting the impact of the global credit crisis. Emerging market stocks, government bonds, and currencies faced significant pressure as investors sold off their positions due to concerns about the weakening global economy. Despite efforts by authorities worldwide to stabilize the financial system, fears of a global recession persisted. Hungary raised interest rates by three percentage points in a bid to protect its forint currency. Belarus's central bank has requested credit from the International Monetary Fund, while Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko anticipates her country receiving significant financial aid from the IMF soon. The IMF is also prepared to assist Pakistan and Iceland, both facing financial challenges. Neil Dougall, chief emerging markets economist at Dresdner Kleinwort, believes that capital is shifting back from emerging markets to developed markets, despite the fundamentals for emerging markets remaining unchanged. Various officials were optimistic about the financial crisis despite the problems it presented. Governments worldwide had implemented rescue and liquidity packages worth billions of dollars. U.S. Treasury Undersecretary David McCormick, speaking in Hong Kong, predicted a challenging period ahead for the U.S. economy but suggested a potential recovery by late next year. He stressed the importance of restoring confidence in the financial market. Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, believed that the worst may be over for the financial system, although he acknowledged that there was still a long road ahead to achieve stability. The strategy to refinance our banking system, both domestically and internationally, is likely to be recognized as the turning point in the recent banking crisis. This was supported by a decrease in U.S. dollar short-term funding costs in London and Asia, indicating that banks are starting to rebuild trust in each other. Russia, a strong emerging economy, also showed signs of progress in bank lending, with interbank lending beginning to function more smoothly and interest rates gradually decreasing. Banks have resumed lending to sectors, but according to First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, it will take two to three weeks for the situation to start improving. The main concern remains the worsening global economic climate, despite efforts to combat financial collapse. The Bank of England's recent meeting minutes indicated a significant deterioration in the UK economy, with Governor King suggesting it may be heading towards its first recession in 16 years. These concerns have had a ripple effect on financial markets. Wall Street was expected to have a rough start, with Dow Jones industrial average futures down 259 points, or nearly 3 percent. European shares were down over 4.4 percent and Japan's Nikkei average fell by 6.8 percent. In emerging markets, MSCI's sector index hit its lowest level since June 2005, and sovereign debt spreads widened beyond 700 basis points over Treasury yields for the first time since early 2003. Other currencies, except for the forint, were also struggling, with the Turkish lira dropping to its lowest level in over two years and South Africa's rand hitting its lowest point in more than 6 years against the dollar. Sanjay Mathur, an economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Singapore, warned of the challenges that come with a business cycle downturn, which is likely to be severe. A variety of US companies reported their results on Wednesday, providing an overview of the different industries and sectors in the largest economy in the world. Despite the overall negative outlook, tobacco companies Philip Morris International and Reynolds American Inc, as well as fast-food chain McDonald's Corp, exceeded analysts' expectations with their quarterly profits. | 2 |
While global leaders and top scientists in Copenhagen discuss strategies for addressing climate change, farmers in flood-prone areas of northern India are taking matters into their own hands to adjust to changing weather patterns. In Uttar Pradesh, a region with a population larger than half of the United States, residents have been experiencing unpredictable weather, including more intense rainfall in short periods of time. This, combined with heavy run-off from nearby Nepal, has led to widespread flooding that has devastated homes, crops, and livestock. This serves as a reminder that the poorest populations in countries like China and India are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While debates in Copenhagen focus on carbon emissions and financial responsibilities, experts suggest that implementing low-cost adaptation methods, utilizing community knowledge, could help support at-risk farmers. In Manoharchak village, where concepts like "global warming" are unfamiliar, experiments are proving successful and benefiting poor farmers who are using simple yet effective methods to adapt to changing climate conditions. Hooblal Chauhan, a farmer in the village, has been making changes to his farming practices over the past three years in response to the shifting weather patterns. He has diversified his crops to include a variety of vegetables in addition to wheat and rice. Chauhan expressed his determination to take action to address the weather challenges, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance. The villagers have implemented various improvisations, such as raising road levels, constructing homes with elevated foundations, and improving community infrastructure. With support from the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group, farmers are also adopting new techniques like planting flood-tolerant rice and growing a wider range of crops like peas, spinach, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes, resulting in increased harvests and improved resilience. It is said that having a variety of crops is especially helpful when wheat and rice crops fail. Growing vegetables not only provides a diverse and nutritious diet, but also helps farmers earn income by selling excess produce. Due to heavy rainfall, farmers in the region must also deal with silt buildup from prolonged water-logging. Sumitra Chauhan, a 50-year-old widow who cultivates multiple vegetables along with rice and wheat on her two-acre farm, has found ways to overcome this issue. She plants vegetable seedlings in nurseries and transfers them to the land once the water drains, ensuring there are no delays in growth. Standing in her flourishing vegetable plot filled with mustard, peas, spinach, and tomatoes, she explains her successful methods. Farmers are adapting to climate change by using "multi-tier cropping" techniques, growing vegetables on raised platforms supported by bamboo frames. In eastern Uttar Pradesh, dry spells caused by warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall during monsoon periods have led villagers to purchase water pumps for irrigation, reducing their reliance on rainwater. Oxfam reports that millions of people in India have been impacted by climate-related issues. Some individuals have been compelled to go into debt, while others have relocated to urban areas in search of work or have resorted to selling off assets like livestock to survive. Ekta Bartarya of the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group emphasized the importance of small-scale farmers in India utilizing cost-effective techniques to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as these farmers are among the country's most impoverished population. | 2 |
US President Barack Obama is set to unveil a jobs package totaling more than $300 billion aimed at jumpstarting the US economy, as he seeks re-election. The plan will focus on tax cuts for middle-class households and businesses, as well as increased spending on infrastructure projects. Obama will deliver a televised speech to Congress urging swift passage of the "American Jobs Act" in order to provide an economic boost and improve his chances of winning a second term. If the plan is unsuccessful, Obama will attempt to shift blame to congressional Republicans for hindering economic progress. On Thursday morning, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley criticized the lack of action in Congress, urging them to do more than just reject proposals. Weak jobs data has raised concerns about another recession, leading the Federal Reserve to explore ways to boost demand. G7 finance ministers are expected to discuss encouraging countries to support growth. Obama is facing pressure to demonstrate stronger leadership. Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized his economic stewardship, which has put a shadow over his chances for re-election in November 2012. Terry Madonna, a political scientist at Franklin and Marshall College, believes that this is a crucial moment for Obama's leadership as he is running out of time before voters make a decision on his presidency. According to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, Obama is no longer the favorite to win next year. The White House has stated that Obama will address the challenges facing the US economy and emphasize the importance of shared responsibility in helping the labor market recover, a message he will continue to promote as the 2012 election approaches. Last December, workers saw a renewal of payroll tax cuts, along with tax cuts aimed at incentivizing businesses to hire more employees, as the main components of the jobs plan. Media outlets have projected that the total cost of the package could be upwards of $300 billion. White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett informed Reuters Insider that President Obama plans to present the jobs proposals to Congress in the form of legislation next week. She stated that Thursday's speech was intended to promote a sense of "shared responsibility" for the current economic challenges, emphasizing that the burden does not solely fall on the president. The responsibility to address the issue lies with Congress, the business community, and the American people, according to the speaker. The White House's objective is to pass legislation this year to reduce unemployment by spring 2012. Obama needs to show economic progress by mid-2012 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 unemployment. The intense conflict in July over the nation's debt levels, which resulted in a ratings downgrade by Standard & Poor's, exposed a significant divide between President Obama's Democrats and the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans criticize the $800 billion economic stimulus package passed by Obama in 2009 as excessive spending and are calling for immediate deficit reductions. Democrats argue that while long-term deficits need to be addressed, the economy requires a short-term fiscal boost. The White House has stated that the jobs package will be funded through future cuts, but has not provided specifics. Obama plans to urge the congressional "super committee," which convened for the first time on Thursday, to exceed its $1.2 trillion budget savings target, 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, Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, criticized the president for accusing those who disagree with him of being overly partisan, calling it a political tactic. McConnell believes that opposition to Obama's economic policies is based on the fact that they are ineffective, rather than being driven by politics. He referred to Obama's proposed jobs plan as a strategy for re-election rather than a genuine effort to create jobs. | 2 |
The ex-US spy agency contractor, who had been stuck in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for almost six weeks due to a diplomatic dispute between Russia and the United States, finally left the airport on Thursday. Edward Snowden, who is wanted by the US for leaking classified information on surveillance programs, now has asylum in Russia for a year, with the possibility of renewal annually. Former Russian intelligence officers warn that Snowden may face difficulties as previous defectors have, with a lifetime of internal stress. Snowden is not the first NSA employee to defect to Moscow, with past defectors William Martin and Bernon Mitchell facing disillusionment with life in the Soviet Union. Similar stories of struggle and disillusionment have been seen in high-profile British defectors like Kim Philby and Guy Burgess. Despite the end of the Cold War, the challenges faced by defectors seem to remain unchanged. Snowden is being used as a tool for propaganda by the Kremlin, who frequently criticizes Washington for promoting human rights overseas while not practicing them domestically. According to media expert Anna Kachkayeva, Snowden is now seen as a political figure and a pawn rather than an individual. She describes him as a potential threat that may be saved for a future purpose, such as appearing on television. The decision by the Kremlin to provide shelter to Snowden has been well received by the Russian public. Many believe he is not a traitor and that protecting him was the right thing to do. A survey conducted by independent pollster Levada revealed that 43 percent of Russians support the decision to harbour Snowden, while 29 percent oppose it. Snowden has also received a marriage proposal from former Russian spy Anna Chapman and a job offer from a Russian social networking site. Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena, who is assisting Snowden, mentioned that he has received letters from others interested in hiring Snowden, ensuring that he will have job opportunities in Russia. He mentioned that there is a possibility of him having his own television show, but the Kremlin has not shown any interest in making Snowden a television star. Julian Assange has already used Russian state television to criticize the United States. Snowden will be staying with American expatriates who support him, and his father, along with a US lawyer and other friends, will soon join him to provide moral support. However, Snowden's value to Russia may diminish as the political situation changes. Some experts believe that Snowden may have traded some of his freedom for security in Russia. Misha Glenny, a British author specializing in Internet security and eastern Europe, suggested that Edward Snowden may be disappointed by Russia compared to his expectations. Glenny believes that Snowden may encounter obstacles in participating 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 due to advancements in various aspects of human development. However, the rate of poverty reduction has not been consistent in all areas, with some regions experiencing significant improvement while others, such as coastal or char areas, still facing high levels of poverty. The UNDP country director highlighted these disparities at the report launch, but also commended Bangladesh for maintaining a positive trajectory. The report predicts that Bangladesh will soon move up to the medium human development index category from the lower one. Priesner noted that Bangladesh has made significant long-term progress on the HDI, but emphasized that there is still work to be done. The country's HDI score improved from 0.497 to 0.5, with a notable reduction in gender inequality. Overall inequality in HDI decreased by seven percentage points, from 29% to 22%, indicating strong performance. Bangladesh ranked slightly below Pakistan (0.504) and behind Delhi. The UN country director emphasized the need for Bangladesh to address environmental degradation, the impact of climate change, and disaster risks in order to continue improving. He stated that the report highlights four main messages: sustainable urbanization, addressing 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 essential for the development of impoverished communities, and failure to address environmental degradation will negatively impact those who rely on natural resources. He concluded by saying that equity and sustainable development go hand in hand. | 2 |
The survey showed that the percentage of adults who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender increased from 4.5% in 2017 to 5.6%. More than half of LGBT adults identified as bisexual. One in six adults in Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2002, identified as LGBT. Gallup's senior editor, Jeffrey Jones, stated that the growth in Americans identifying as LGBTQ is expected to continue, as younger generations are more likely than older generations to identify as such. Jones stated that Americans have become more supportive of equal rights for LGBTQ individuals, leading to an increase in the number of people who identify as LGBT. Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, emphasized that the findings demonstrate that visibility and acceptance can help individuals come out of the closet. The survey, which included over 15,000 interviews conducted in 2020 with individuals 18 and older from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, utilized both cellphone and landline interviews to ask participants how they identify themselves. Gallup conducted a poll where participants could select multiple sexual orientations, including straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The margin of error for all adults was plus or minus 1 percentage point, and for LGBT adults, it was plus or minus 5 percentage points. This year's poll included a more detailed identity question, requiring respondents to specify their sexual orientation instead of simply identifying as LGBT. The Supreme Court has made significant rulings in recent years, leading to a more supportive environment for LGBTQ individuals, such as granting federal benefits to married same-sex couples in 2013. In 2015, the court declared that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right across the country. A more recent ruling in June affirmed that civil rights law safeguards gay and transgender employees. Despite progress, challenges persist for LGBTQ individuals. While many religious leaders worldwide have called for a ban on conversion therapy, only around 20 states have implemented restrictions on this controversial practice. Throughout President Donald Trump's time in office, transgender rights were consistently rolled back at the federal level. GLAAD's annual report revealed a decrease in LGBTQ representation on television for the first time in five years. The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Equality Act this week, a bill aimed at expanding protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBTQ advocacy groups were pleased that Gallup's results aligned with their own polls, but emphasized the need for more inclusive estimates that consider individuals who identify differently or are gender nonconforming. Amit Paley, CEO of the Trevor Project, emphasized the importance of recognizing the complexity of lived experiences for LGBTQ individuals. The poll also underscores the ongoing challenge of collecting data on LGBTQ individuals that could impact future policies. Paley stated that the exact 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 is causing LGBTQ individuals to be overlooked 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, as stated in a press release by Oxfam GB's digital press officer, Rachel Cawood. During the event, the High Commissioner highlighted Bangladesh's significant progress in socio-economic indicators and praised the partnership between civil society organizations and the state. He specifically commended Oxfam for its support during Bangladesh's Liberation War and post-war reconstruction efforts. Quayes also acknowledged BRAC as an international NGO making a difference in the lives of people worldwide. BRAC UK's Chief Executive, Mary Garvey, emphasized the progress made in Bangladesh with the support of organizations like Oxfam and BRAC, stating that the lessons learned there could benefit other communities globally. Oxfam Chief Executive, Mark Goldring, expressed appreciation for the efforts of Oxfam and BRAC staff in Bangladesh but stressed the ongoing need for disaster preparedness in the face of climate change threats. | 2 |
In the political landscape of 2016-20, this belief was exaggerated. Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election with a minority of the popular vote, but more Americans voted for Republican congressional candidates than Democratic ones. Additionally, more Americans voted for right-of-center presidential candidates, including the Libertarian vote, than for Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein. Despite Republican structural advantages, Democrats were able to regain control of the House of Representatives in 2018 and the presidency in 2020 and Senate in 2021. These victories continued the trend of American politics in the 21st century, which has seen significant shifts every few election cycles rather than one party becoming dominant. Looking ahead to the political landscape after 2024, it may resemble the challenges faced by liberals during the Trump era. David Shor, a prominent figure in liberalism, has warned that a combination of unfavorable Senate map for Democrats along with existing disadvantages in the Electoral College and Senate could result in the party winning a majority of votes but still losing the White House and facing a strong Republican presence in the Senate. This is a concerning situation for liberals, but conservatives should not be pleased either. Conservatives have been defending institutions like the Senate and the Electoral College by arguing that the US is a democratic republic, not a pure democracy, as their influence in these institutions has grown in recent years. The arguments lose credibility when the system consistently produces undemocratic results. For example, if state legislatures replace voters' preferences in elections, it undermines the legitimacy of the Electoral College and the Senate. A scenario where one party consistently holds power without majority support leads to delegitimization and disillusionment. Simply defending the constitutional significance of state sovereignty is not enough to address this issue. To prevent conservative victories from undermining conservative governance, the Republican Party should strive to win majority support instead of relying on the advantages of the current system. A political party will not easily give up its advantages, and there will never be a bipartisan agreement to abolish the Senate. However, it is reasonable to expect a party to strive for more electoral success, as seen in the approaches of Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon. The current situation, which appears challenging for the Democrats, presents an opportunity for the Republicans to address Electoral College concerns by winning elections outright through reasonable policies and candidates. This includes moving away from voter-fraud paranoia and divisive politics, such as rejecting the libertarian views of the Tea Party era. And it implies - and I am concerned that this may be too difficult for the GOP to do - selecting a different candidate than Trump for the 2024 election. The Republican Party could potentially increase its Senate or Electoral College majorities through its structural advantages even if it wins popular support. This type of amplification is common in many democratic systems, not just our own. It is distinct from consistently losing the popular vote but still gaining power. As for how the Democrats should address their shortcomings - that is a more detailed conversation, but two brief points for now. First, if the party wants to address its structural challenges with electoral reforms, it needs to have a clear understanding of which reforms would be effective. This clarity has been lacking during the Biden administration, with liberal reformers focusing on voting bills that ultimately failed and wouldn't have significantly benefited the party if they had passed. Another reform idea, granting statehood to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, may not have been possible during this time but would better address the challenges Democrats face in the Senate. Therefore, pushing for an expanded Senate may be a more realistic long-term strategy for liberal activists and legislators. Secondly, if Democrats want to regain parity in the Senate and Electoral College without structural reform, they may need to focus on winning back culturally conservative Latino and working-class white voters 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 carefully tested economic policy agenda that is different from the business-friendly agenda supported by many centrist Democrats, and to consistently set itself apart from organized progressivism on cultural and social issues. This would not be done in a tactical manner, but rather in a principled approach, showing voters that this faction truly believes in its own moderation and will continue to challenge progressive beliefs even in Washington. While there are currently scattered politicians who somewhat align with this faction, there is a need for a cohesive agenda, financial support from donors, and intellectual backing. However, necessity may soon force the Democratic Party to address these issues. Copyright 2022 by The New York Times Company. | 2 |
The scene featuring the destruction of the Great Wall has been removed from the final version of the sci-fi comedy movie, which stars Adam Sandler and was released by Sony Pictures Entertainment in the United States this week. Instead, the aliens now target iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal in India, the Washington Monument, and parts of Manhattan. Sony executives made the decision to spare the Great Wall in order to ensure the movie could be approved for release in China, according to internal Sony Pictures emails. Other changes were also made to avoid any content that Chinese authorities might have interpreted as negative towards their country. These changes included removing a scene implicating China in an attack and a reference to a "Communist-conspiracy brother" hacking a mail server, all in an effort to increase the film's chances of success at the global box office. Li Chow, the chief representative of Sony Pictures in China, advised senior Sony executives in a December 2013 email that damaging the Great Wall, even as part of a global trend, would not benefit the release of a film in China. Therefore, Li recommended against it. This email, along with tens of thousands of other confidential Sony emails and documents, was hacked and made public in late 2013. The US government attributed the breach to North Korea. In April, WikiLeaks released the collection of emails, memos, and presentations from the Sony hack in an online searchable archive. A spokesperson for Sony Pictures, a division of Sony Corp based in Tokyo, stated that they would not be discussing stolen emails or internal conversations regarding specific content decisions. They emphasized that several factors are considered when determining the best approach for a film's release, with creating content that appeals globally while maintaining creative integrity being a top priority. Chinese government and film-industry officials did not provide comments for this story. The emails also revealed that Sony executives carefully analyzed the Chinese content in other movies, such as the 2014 remake of "RoboCop." In one email from 2013, a senior vice president suggested relocating a weapons conglomerate from China to a Southeast Asian country like Vietnam or Cambodia in order to make the film more appealing to Chinese authorities. Ultimately, it can be seen in the movie that the change was not made, despite Bruno leaving Sony. The leaked Sony emails reveal how the studio practiced self-censorship to anticipate Beijing's reactions to their films. This highlights Hollywood's growing reliance on the Chinese market, where box office earnings are increasing while declining in the US and Canada. Other studios have also altered their films to gain approval for screening in China. A comparison between the Chinese and international versions of "Iron Man 3" reveals that a scene featuring a Chinese doctor assisting the main character was extended in the Chinese version and included popular Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. "Iron Man 3," produced by Marvel Studios, was the second highest-grossing movie in China in 2013, although Marvel declined to comment on the changes made. In the case of "Pixels," the Sony emails indicate a decision to create a single version suitable for all audiences, including a China-friendly version. This decision was explained by Steven O'Dell, president of Sony Pictures Releasing International, in a September 12, 2013 email regarding "RoboCop," suggesting that changing elements to appease Chinese audiences was a simple adjustment. The suggestion is to change all versions of the film rather than just altering the China version to avoid potential backlash from the press. The US film industry's attempts to appeal to China are occurring amid a crackdown on civil society by the ruling Communist Party under President Xi Jinping. Recent events, such as the detention of human rights lawyers and dissidents, highlight China's efforts to restrict civil liberties both domestically and globally. The decision to remove scenes from "Pixels" deemed offensive to Beijing demonstrates how global audiences are being influenced by China's standards, which do not align with the freedoms that have historically supported Hollywood's success. Peter Shiao, founder and CEO of Orb Media Group, stated that film studios have become more astute in their decision-making, especially when it comes to producing global blockbusters with Hollywood-Chinese collaborations. He mentioned that studios are now aware of the importance of not creating content that the Chinese audience may object to for social or political reasons. This became evident when Sony's emails were hacked prior to the release of "The Interview," a film about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Despite threats against movie theaters, Sony initially halted the film's release, prompting US President Barack Obama to caution against self-censorship. However, Sony eventually released the movie, with a spokesman stating that the theatrical release was cancelled because theater owners refused to screen it. During his year-end White House press briefing, Obama expressed concerns about the potential consequences of allowing intimidation to prevent the release of satirical films. He warned that if this trend continues, it could lead to self-censorship in the film industry, which goes against the principles of freedom of expression. Hollywood studios are increasingly drawn to the lucrative Chinese box office market, as evidenced by the significant growth in box office receipts in China compared to the United States and Canada. This trend raises questions about the impact on the content and creative freedom of filmmakers. By early June 2015, the action movie "Fast & Furious 7" was the top-grossing film in China, making $383 million, which was more than the combined earnings of $351 million in the United States and Canada. This success was followed by "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Jurassic World." The vice president of the China Film Producers' Association, Wang Fenglin, predicted in November that the Chinese film market would surpass the United States to become the largest in the world within three years. This growing importance of the Chinese market influenced decisions made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc during the production of the 2012 remake of the action movie "Red Dawn." The studio changed the nationality of the invading soldiers from Chinese to North Korean in post-production, as confirmed by Red Dawn producer Tripp Vinson. Requests for comment from MGM went unanswered. In China, in order for a movie to be shown, it must first be approved by the Film Bureau, led by Zhang Hongsen, a Communist Party member. Zhang has expressed the need for the Chinese film industry to grow in order to compete with foreign films. The Film Bureau is part of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), which is overseen by China's State Council. This administration also controls state-owned communication enterprises such as China Central Television and China Radio International. Censorship rules are outlined in a 2001 order from the State Council. The directive prohibits content that jeopardizes China's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as any material that damages national pride and disrupts social stability. It is also forbidden to harm public morality and national customs. The guidelines from SAPPRFT also prohibit content that is critical of the government and political figures. The expansion of these guidelines was evident in an email from Sanford Panitch to Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton, outlining new measures being enforced by SAPPRFT officials, including addressing previously unspecified areas such as decadence, fortune telling, hunting, and sexuality. Studios must collaborate with China Film Group Corp, a government-owned company that imports and distributes foreign films and sometimes invests in them. Sony executives discussed a co-financing deal in which China Film would fund 10 percent of the budget for "Pixels". China Film is led by La Peikang, a Communist Party member and former deputy head of the Film Bureau. There is a lot at stake financially, as only 34 foreign films are permitted in China each year under a revenue-sharing system that gives 25 percent of box office earnings to foreign studios. Fourteen of the films must be in advanced formats like 3D or IMAX, as shown in the Sony emails. In early 2014, the studio faced censorship demands in China, including a request to remove a crucial scene from "RoboCop," a film about a cyborg police officer. The censorship process in China can be uncertain, as evidenced by the struggles faced by the studio. We are unsure about taking a definitive stance due to the significant amount of money involved, hoping that we will not need to remove the scene. The political environment under President Xi might also be a factor, as indicated in one email. Sony China executive Li Chow expressed skepticism about the government's willingness to be more flexible in early 2014, citing the conservative nature of the current administration and the increased censorship of films like Robocop. The executives at Sony discuss the challenges of understanding the sensitivities of Chinese authorities in relation to the movie "Pixels," with Li Chow proposing changes to the script, such as removing the scene involving damage to the Great Wall. She suggested that it would be good to show recognizable historical sites around the world being destroyed on a large scale, rather than focusing solely on one country. Additionally, she recommended changing a scene in which the President of the United States, an ambassador, and the head of the CIA speculate about who could be behind the attack. In the final version, they consider Russia, Iran, or Google as possible suspects instead of China. Li also mentioned that China should be mentioned alongside other superpowers but in a more respectful way. Li also proposed removing a scene involving the Great Wall, deeming it unnecessary. Sony executives also discussed relocating a car-chase scene involving Pac-Man from Tokyo to Shanghai to potentially improve the film's reception in China. Li Chow strongly advised against changing the location of the Pac-Man action from Tokyo to Shanghai due to concerns about potential destruction and sensitivity. She expressed uncertainty about whether it would be a problem, as long as there was no real intention to destroy specific buildings or streets. The decision to remove all references to China from the movie was ultimately made in early 2014. "It appears that Doug is going to follow Li's suggestion and remove all references to China from Pixels (including excluding the Great Wall as a set piece)," stated international executive O'Dell in reference to then-Columbia Pictures President Doug Belgrad. The consequences of not receiving approval to release a film in China are evident in the Sony emails. In one email from February 2014, a Sony marketing executive informed that "CAPTAIN PHILLIPS will not be released theatrically in China," referring to the movie starring Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips, who was held captive by Somali pirates in 2009. The emails also detail budget discussions for "Captain Phillips," revealing that Sony executives had initially projected earning $120 million globally from the film, but those plans changed when China did not approve its release. Notes from a conference call mentioned, "We are short $9M and we won't be getting into China." It is essential for us to maximize our revenue in order to achieve our goals. It is the responsibility of all of us to come up with ways to increase the financial gain from this movie. In a December 2013 email, Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution at Sony Pictures, speculated that China's censors were unlikely to approve the movie "Captain Phillips." The film depicts the US military rescuing the ship's captain, a plot element that Bruer believed might make Chinese officials uncomfortable. Bruer stated that it is highly unlikely that China will ever approve the film for censorship. The US military's large presence is the reason for saving a citizen in the film, something China would not do or support. Additionally, the political tone of the film would not align with China's beliefs. However, Beijing seems fine with the film "Pixels", as it has been approved for release in China and will open on September 15. | 2 |
Republican presidential candidates showed strong support for the military mission in Iraq but expressed concerns about the Bush administration's handling of the war during a calm first debate. The debate, held at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in California, revealed some differences among the 10 candidates on social issues such as abortion. Most of the candidates emphasized the importance of achieving victory in Iraq, contrasting with Democratic candidates who called for a swift end to the war in their own debate. Senator John McCain, a strong advocate for the war, emphasized the need to win in Iraq to prevent chaos and genocide. Rudolph Giuliani, the ex-mayor of New York and the top Republican candidate in national polls, stated that it is a mistake to back down in the fight against terrorism. However, other candidates have questioned the handling of the war by Bush and his administration. McCain criticized the management of the war for four years, attributing errors in judgment to prioritizing advice from civilians over generals. Former Arkansas Governor also expressed similar concerns about the decision-making process. The debate in California took place in a grim political atmosphere for Republicans, following their loss of power in Congress in November's elections. Polls indicate widespread public dissatisfaction with President Bush, the Iraq war, and Republicans in general, 18 months before the 2008 presidential election. This has forced candidates to carefully consider whether to align themselves with Bush or his policies. Former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney, despite polling in single digits nationally, has gained prominence in the race due to strong fundraising and support from the establishment. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing bringing troops home from Iraq, regardless of public opinion on the war. However, I also understand that we must be cautious in how we bring these issues to light so as not to create a situation that would necessitate revisiting them," Romney stated. Many conservatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the Republican presidential candidates, particularly Giuliani for his support of gay rights and abortion rights, and Romney for his shifting stance on these issues. Romney justified his change in position on abortion rights as a genuine shift in opinion, stating, "I changed my mind." The majority of candidates indicated their support for overturning the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Giuliani expressed his acceptance of abortion but believed it should be decided by individual states. Virginia Gov James Gilmore supported abortion rights in the early stages of pregnancy but had imposed restrictions on abortion while in office. The debate held at the Reagan library prompted candidates to honor Reagan's legacy and conservative values. Nancy Reagan and California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger were in attendance, but their support for federal funding for stem cell research did not sway many candidates. Additional individuals who took part in the event included 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. | 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 countries sharing their best adaptation practices swiftly, utilizing their expertise and financial resources. Ban, the chairman of GCA, commended Bangladesh for its resilience in managing disasters amidst global discussions on climate change. He highlighted the successful evacuation efforts during the recent cyclone Amphan, which struck Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his inauguration speech, Ban Ki-moon praised Bangladesh as a prime example of successfully combating climate change, which is why the UN office was established there. He referenced the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change during a press conference, warning that 17 percent of Bangladesh could be submerged by 2050 if sea levels rise 1 meter. Another UN report indicated that Dhaka could be flooded with even a slight rise in sea levels, emphasizing the country's vulnerability to global warming. Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of long-term planning, preparedness, understanding potential risks, and educating the public to address the crisis. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina participated in the opening of the office through a video conference from Ganabhaban. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was also present at the event. | 2 |
Wearing white boiler suits, around 300 protesters gathered on the red carpet where Hollywood celebrities typically debut their films during the 11-day event in Venice. Holding banners with messages like 'Our home is on fire' and 'No to cruise ships', the group sat outside the main festival venue, chanting slogans and drawing attention from police. Chiara Buratti, a member of the Venice anti-cruise ship committee, stated that the protesters wanted to bring awareness to the climate crisis, believing it to be a crucial issue. They hoped to gain support from celebrities for their cause. The protesters arrived early in the morning and peacefully dispersed hours later. The festival's last day, held on the Venice Lido, will culminate in the announcement of the Golden Lion prize winner in the evening. Buratti mentioned that the protesters were also planning to march elsewhere on the Lido later in the day. The demonstrators, who are from Italian and foreign groups, were participating in a five-day Venice Climate Camp event. Demonstrator Sina Reisch from the German group Ende Gelande emphasized that the climate crisis is a global issue that transcends borders, and that it is important to recognize the connections between different struggles. The protesters received support from musician Mick Jagger and actor Donald Sutherland, who are scheduled to walk the red carpet later to present their thriller "The Burnt Orange Heresy". Jagger expressed his satisfaction with the younger generation taking action to protect the planet, stating that they will be the ones to inherit it. He voiced concern over the current administration in the US rolling back environmental regulations, urging people to protest and fight for environmental and migrant rights. Sutherland emphasized the importance of supporting these causes, warning that future generations will have nothing if necessary changes are not made in government. He stated that they are destroying the world. While acknowledging our own role in its ruination, he pointed out that they are now guaranteeing its decline. | 2 |
Trump's recent decision to potentially end the agreement marked a significant shift in US foreign policy amid tensions with North Korea. This move came shortly after he targeted Barack Obama's healthcare reform, showing a pattern of dismantling his predecessor's policies. The deal, which involved multiple countries, was designed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but Trump criticized it as being too lenient. He expressed concerns about the potential consequences of allowing Iran to continue its nuclear program. European allies are cautioning about a potential rift with the US due to President Trump's decision to put the nuclear agreement in limbo, which they believe undermines US credibility globally. Trump's focus on "America First" has also led to the US withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks, as well as renegotiating NAFTA. Iran's President Rouhani has responded by affirming Iran's commitment to the deal and criticizing Trump's unfounded accusations, stating that Iran will not succumb to foreign pressure. He believes that Iran and the deal are now even stronger. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that Iran is following the strictest nuclear verification regime in the world and is abiding by the agreement. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave a televised speech in Tehran on Oct 13, 2017. President.ir Handout via Reuters. According to Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has fulfilled its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA, as the deal is formally known. It is required by US law for the president to certify to Congress every 90 days that Iran is upholding the agreement, a task which Trump has done reluctantly on two occasions. Two officials within the administration knowledgeable about the Iran policy debate revealed that Trump disregarded the advice of his secretary of defense, secretary of state, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his chief of staff, and his national security advisor. Instead, Trump favored the more hardline views of CIA Director Mike Pompeo and some external sources. US Democrats criticized Trump's choice, with Senator Ben Cardin stating that the decision will only serve to further isolate the US from its allies and partners, especially at a time when there is a nuclear crisis with North Korea. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in Brussels also expressed disbelief at Washington's unilateral decision to cancel the accord, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a working nuclear agreement. This agreement is not between two parties. The US Congress has the authority to determine whether economic sanctions on Tehran, which were previously lifted, should be reinstated. If Congress chooses to reinstate the sanctions, the United States would be breaching the terms of the nuclear deal, potentially causing it to collapse. If Congress takes no action, the agreement will continue as is. A single protester, wearing a mask of Donald Trump, demonstrates outside the White House in opposition to President Trump's recent announcement regarding the Iran nuclear deal and his stance on Iran. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is working on amending a law regarding Iran to include "trigger points" that, if crossed by Tehran, would result in the automatic reimposition of US sanctions. A protestor wearing a Donald Trump mask demonstrated outside the White House in opposition to President Trump's announcement about the Iran nuclear deal and his policy towards Iran. The triggers being considered include reimposing US sanctions if Iran is deemed to be less than a year away from developing a nuclear weapon, as well as addressing tougher nuclear inspections, Iran's ballistic missile program, and the elimination of the deal's "sunset clauses." The passing of this legislation by Congress is uncertain. Trump cautioned that if a resolution cannot be reached 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 actions in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. While the Trump administration condemned the Revolutionary Guards, it did not classify them as a foreign terrorist organization. The group holds significant power in Iran's security, political, and economic systems and greatly influences the country's domestic and foreign policies. Although the United States had previously imposed sanctions on the Revolutionary Guards, the recent measure is expected to have mostly symbolic effects. The US military announced on Friday that it was exploring new opportunities to collaborate with allies in order to increase pressure on Iran in alignment with Trump's new strategy. Additionally, they were assessing the deployment of US forces. However, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis noted that Iran had not yet engaged in any provocative actions in response to Trump's declaration. | 2 |
At an awards ceremony where no one 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. Inarritu had previously won in 2015 for "Birdman." "The Revenant" had 12 nominations going into the ceremony, and was considered one of the top contenders for best picture after winning Golden Globe and BAFTA awards. The ambitious film, set in the Pioneer era and filmed in freezing temperatures, also earned Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar win, with the actor receiving a standing ovation from the Hollywood crowd. DiCaprio used his acceptance speech to call for action on climate change, stating "I do not take tonight for granted." However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters 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 won the best original screenplay award. Michael Sugar, the producer of "Spotlight," accepted the Oscar for Best Picture and expressed that the film gave a voice to survivors of abuse. Sugar hoped that the recognition from the Oscar would amplify that voice and reach all the way to the Vatican. Brie Larson, a rising star at 26 years old, won the award for best actress for her role in the indie film "Room," adding to her collection of awards from other shows. The issue of lack of diversity in Hollywood, particularly the all-white acting nominee line-up for the second year in a row, was a major theme of the show. Comedian Rock, who is black, referred to the Oscars as "the white People's Choice awards" and questioned why the discussion on diversity had only recently gained attention, highlighting the historical struggles of black Americans. Rock also visited Compton, a neighborhood known for its influence in hip-hop music, to ask residents about the Oscar-nominated films. No one had anything negative to say. Many nominees praised Rock for effectively addressing a difficult topic. Adam McKay, director of "The Big Short," thought Rock's approach was critical of Hollywood while also being fair and addressing the changing conversation around diversity. He found Rock's performance impressive and humorous. Rock was not the only one highlighting people of color at the Oscars. Alejandro Inarritu, who won the Best Director award for "The Revenant", expressed gratitude for being at the event but acknowledged that many others have not been as fortunate. He hopes that in the future, skin color will be as irrelevant as the length of one's hair. In a surprise, Mark Rylance from Britain won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for "Bridge of Spies", beating out Sylvester Stallone from "Creed". Inarritu also praised Stallone, telling him that to him, Stallone will always be the best and the true winner. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a fellow action star, expressed his pride in a video posted online. Sam Smith's theme song for the James Bond movie "Spectre" won over Lady Gaga's ballad "Til It Happens to You," which raises awareness about sexual assault. Alicia Vikander won the supporting actress Oscar for her role in the transgender movie "The Danish Girl," while the documentary "Amy," which focuses on the late British pop star Amy Winehouse, also received an award. "Mad Max: Fury Road" from Warner Bros was the biggest winner, taking home six Oscars in technical categories like costume, make-up, and editing. | 2 |
In the dense forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin, where endangered species like the sea eagle and pygmy cormorant reside, lies the grim remnants of a communist-era death camp in Belene, Bulgaria. From 1949 to 1959, hundreds of individuals considered "enemies of the regime" died from various forms of abuse in the camp, with some bodies being fed to pigs. Despite being largely forgotten twenty years after communism's collapse, only a small marble plaque remains to recount the camp's tragic history. As nostalgia for the past grows in Bulgaria and other former Soviet bloc nations, many are looking back fondly on the times when unemployment was low, food was affordable, and social security was strong, contrasting it with the current challenges of capitalism, including stagnant living standards, rampant corruption, and nepotism. Rumen Petkov, a former guard turned clerk at the only remaining prison on Persin island, mentioned that the negative aspects of the past have been overlooked. He noted that older individuals especially feel a strong sense of nostalgia, as they stand in front of the deteriorating buildings of a former jail that operated after the closure of a camp 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 the town of Belene, connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also recall the past fondly, with one individual expressing that life was better before with more opportunities for travel and access to various goods. Currently, a significant portion of our earnings is allocated towards food expenses, as individuals with higher education levels struggle to find employment and are often forced to seek opportunities abroad. In Moscow, a number of Soviet-inspired restaurants have emerged in recent times, hosting events such as nostalgia nights where individuals don pioneer attire and groove to communist tunes. Popular choices for birthday festivities include Soviet Champagne and Red October Chocolates. Furthermore, "USSR" merchandise like 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 that the negative impact of nostalgia is that it diminishes the motivation for meaningful change. Disenchantment with democracy is widespread across former communist eastern Europe, with pollsters noting a significant mistrust of the elites responsible for the region's European Union membership. A September regional poll conducted by the U.S. Pew Research Center revealed a substantial decline in support for democracy and capitalism in countries such as Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Hungary. The poll indicated that only 30 percent of Ukrainians approved of the transition 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 almost three-quarters in 1991. Surveys conducted by Freedom House, a U.S.-based human rights group, indicate regression or stagnation 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 the end of several years of growth and challenging the implementation of neoliberal capitalism advocated by the West. Instead of aspiring to catch up with wealthier Western countries, people now feel a sense of injustice due to the widening wealth gap. In Hungary, where the economic crisis hit hard, a recent survey by Szonda Ipsos revealed that 70 percent of adults who were already present in 1989 expressed disappointment with the results of the regime change. People in the former Yugoslav countries are feeling nostalgic for the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito, a time when they could travel across Europe without a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, reflects on the past, stating that everything was better then with no street crime, secure jobs, and salaries that allowed for a decent living. In Bulgaria, some are starting to view the 33-year rule of the 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 that life was better in the past, despite long shopping queues, reliance on social connections for valuable goods, restrictions on items like jeans and Coca Cola, and lengthy waits to purchase a car. Historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov noted in a book on influential Bulgarians that some valued security over freedom. Bulgaria, even three years after joining the EU, still has the lowest average monthly salary and pension in the union. In comparison, Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, also have lower incomes than western Europe. A 2008 Gallup survey ranked Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania among the top 10 most unhappy countries in the world. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year old student in Budapest, expressed that the previous generation, our parents, were much more content with what they had compared to the current trend of wanting more of everything. She noted that communist regimes artificially kept unemployment low. After enduring two decades of difficult reforms, the majority of people are now hesitant to make further sacrifices required for a complete overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has led to demoralization and an increase in support for political parties that promise strong leadership. Former KGB agent and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union as the most significant geopolitical event of the century. Critics of the Kremlin believe that this sentiment reflects a gradual revival of Soviet ideals in order to justify the government's restrictions on the media and opposition parties. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group has noted a trend of glorifying the Soviet past as a deliberate strategy to make the former regime appear more appealing to the current generation. In Bulgaria, oligarchs who dominate entire industries have risen from the ranks of the former communist party and its feared secret services. The names of corrupt politicians and crime leaders are widely known, yet Bulgaria has not successfully prosecuted any high-ranking officials for corruption and has only imprisoned one crime boss since 1989. No one has been held accountable for the communist-era atrocities. Commonly used terms among ordinary Bulgarians include "dalavera," a Turkish term for fraud, "mutri," a derogatory term for unsightly mafia members, and "mente," referring to counterfeit goods. There is a growing disillusionment among the public about the possibility of achieving success through honest means. According to Boriana Dimitrova of Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research, success is seen as illegal, especially in the Balkans, Europe's poorest region, where powerful parallel structures go unchecked. Some believe that the old regime, while oppressive, at least maintained law and order. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of the center-right populist GERB party won a landslide election in Bulgaria in July by promising to end the culture of impunity. Analysts believe that in the face of public dissatisfaction and economic downturn, only populist governments can thrive in the region. Ivan Krastev of Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute stated that there is a high level of distrust towards the political elite and institutions, making it difficult to convince people to support unpopular governments. Some in Bulgaria believe that the West is being hypocritical by accepting former communist officials into positions of power. The election of Irina Bokova, a former communist apparatchik, as head of UNESCO in September was seen as a clear example of this hypocrisy. Bokova's past connections to communism helped her advance in her diplomatic career in the 1990s. Despite this, some eastern Europeans feel that they have successfully embraced capitalist ideals, particularly in their pursuit of material wealth. During the prosperous years, a significant portion of the loans obtained were used to purchase luxurious items such as fancy cars, yachts, flat screen TVs, designer clothing, plastic surgeries, and trips to exotic locations. The trend of emulating Western lifestyles even extended to naming babies with Western names and the proliferation of reality TV shows like "Big Brother." Renowned Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, living in Paris, observed, "Bulgaria is increasingly adopting American culture. People now speak to me in English on the phone and I see restaurants with names like Miami. Can't we preserve our own cultural identity?" He observed that despite the new buildings, shops, and shiny cars on the surface, people have become increasingly unhappy and aggressive. He suggested spiritual remedies for this issue. This fall, tickets for Sofia's theaters are selling out weeks in advance, a phenomenon not seen in many years. | 2 |
Ardem Patapoutian and David Julius were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine on Monday. Giorgio Parisi, Syukuro Manabe, and Klaus Hasselmann were honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on deciphering 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, 72, became the second writer of color in sub-Saharan Africa to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, following Toni Morrison in 1993. Anne-Marie Morhed, head of the Swedish Association of Female Academics, noted that Gurnah meets the criterion of being a writer from a non-traditional cultural background, but is not a woman. There are still two prizes to be awarded, the Peace Prize and the Economy Prize, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee has the opportunity to honor a woman. Possible contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize include exiled Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and activist Greta Thunberg. The committee, which is led by a woman and has a majority of women members, has the chance to recognize the achievements of a woman. 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. Professor Winston Morgan, a toxicologist at the University of East London, points out that while there have been a dozen Black peace laureates in history, there has never been a Black recipient of the prizes in medicine, chemistry, and physics. He also notes that there is a significant gender gap in the prize winners, with very few female recipients. Scientists of both sexes have expressed their disappointment on social media about the lack of women recognized for the prize this year. GenderAvenger, a non-profit organization focused on promoting women's voices in public discussions, criticized the Nobel Prize for only announcing 4 out of 6 categories with no women winners yet. They compared it to a frustrating mystery where the ending is already known halfway through the book. The organization questioned if the narrative of the 2021 Nobel Prize is that only men are doing significant work, when in reality women, like Katalin Kariko and Kizzmekia Corbett, are also making remarkable contributions, such as their involvement in the development of mRNA vaccines that are revolutionizing the response to the pandemic. Those who follow the Nobel Prize predicted that Kariko and Corbett could be honored in the future, as the committee typically rewards recipients after some time has passed. It may take three or four years for the committee to recognize scientific advancements made during the pandemic. While the number of women scientists and recipients from Japan and China is increasing among Nobel laureates, the same progress is not being seen for Black scientists. "I am more concerned about that," he stated. He emphasized the importance of questioning the presence and support of black scientists in universities. When asked about the lack of Black Nobel Prize winners in literature, Gurnah mentioned that the world is changing. Jesper Haeggstrom, the chairman of the Nobel Assembly responsible for awarding the prize in Physiology or Medicine, stated that there is no simple explanation for the scarcity of female prize winners, but it reflects the historical under-representation of women in science. Haeggstrom noted that the further back in time one looks, the fewer female candidates there are. Haeggstrom refused to comment on whether gender influenced the committee's selection process, stating that scientific competence is the primary factor. Critics argue that the composition of the selection committees is not representative, with only 25 percent of the professors on the medicine committee being women and only one woman on the physics committee at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The chemistry committee is made up of six male members and two co-opted members who are both female. | 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 stressed the need for everyone in the country to plant trees wherever possible. She suggested planting three trees at a time for maximum impact. If you are unable to plant more than one tree, then plant at least one tree. Emphasizing the danger 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 to increase afforestation and expressed hope that this would help Bangladesh continue to progress now that it has achieved developing nation status. "We have made significant strides in afforestation. Thanks to these efforts, we have increased forest coverage by about 22 percent." Additionally, the prime minister noted that many families are now planting their own gardens in response to the growing awareness of the benefits of a green environment. I encourage everyone to prioritize protecting the environment and their own financial stability. Planting trees on a large scale is the most effective way to do so. | 2 |
Cuba has decided to release seven out of 59 dissidents who have been imprisoned since 2003, a decision that critics of the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro see as a sign of change under his brother's leadership. The first releases of jailed dissidents since August were arranged by Spain for health reasons and announced by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos on Friday. Moratinos expressed satisfaction with the unilateral decision made by Cuban authorities after dialogue with Spain. According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, four of the dissidents will be taken to Spain with their families for medical treatment. These four dissidents have been transferred from various prisons in Cuba to the Combinado del Este prison on the outskirts of Havana. The individuals are Omar Pernet, Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, Alejandro Gonzalez, and Pedro Pablo Alvarez. Alvarez, who is 60 years old, mentioned in a telephone interview with Reuters from prison that he hopes there will be more releases besides theirs. He also mentioned that the four of them are doing well and have been treated well. Alvarez stated that they are unsure of when they will be released, as it could be either today or tomorrow. The dissidents were detained as part of a political crackdown orchestrated by Cuban leader Fidel Castro in March 2003, resulting in the imprisonment of 75 of his opponents with sentences of up to 28 years. Sixteen individuals were previously released on medical grounds. Economist Oscar Espinosa Chepe, one of the freed dissidents, viewed the recent releases as a positive development initiated by acting President Raul Castro, who has been in charge of Cuba since Fidel Castro fell ill in July 2006. Fidel Castro has not made any public appearances since then. Espinosa Chepe described the government's actions as a sensible move supported by reformist factions within Cuba pushing for change. He stated that it demonstrates a shift in the political climate and will be advantageous for that shift. Another dissident, Manuel Cuesta Morua, mentioned that Raul Castro's government is addressing international demands for improved human rights in Cuba. Morua noted that the recent releases of political prisoners indicate that Spain's strategy of engaging with Cuba's communist government is producing tangible outcomes. According to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights, there were 234 political prisoners in Cuba at the end of 2007, a decrease from the previous year, suggesting a reduction in the number of Cubans imprisoned for political reasons under Raul Castro's leadership. Last year, Cuba freed its longest-serving political prisoner, Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez, who had been in jail for over 13 years. Morua stated that there will be additional releases 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 next month. This would require Cuba to allow regular U.N. monitoring of its human rights situation starting in 2009. The Cuban government does not permit the International Red Cross to visit its prisons. It refutes detaining any political prisoners and refers to dissidents as "counter-revolutionary mercenaries" financed by its adversary, the United States. | 2 |
Sources have indicated that the program known as "Countering Violent Extremism," or CVE, may 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 currently aims to prevent attacks through community partnerships and education, but some are concerned that rebranding it could hinder cooperation with Muslims who are already wary of the new administration. The CVE program, which targets US residents and is separate from a military effort to combat online extremism, has been criticized for inefficiency, even by some of its supporters. According to a source familiar with the Department of Homeland Security's work on the program, members of Trump's transition team met with a CVE task force in December to discuss changing the program's name and focus. During a recent meeting attended by senior staff for DHS Secretary John Kelly, government employees were asked to justify why certain community organizations were chosen to receive CVE program grants. Despite Congress appropriating funding for CVE and grant recipients being notified during the Obama administration, the money may still not be disbursed as Kelly is reviewing the situation. The department declined to comment on the matter. The White House did not provide a response to a request for comment regarding the criticized program. Some Republicans in Congress have been critical of the program, labeling it as politically correct and ineffective. They argue that using the term "radical Islam" to identify potential threats would be more effective in deterring attacks. On the other hand, opponents of this approach believe that associating the problem with "radical Islam" could alienate peaceful Muslims in the country. Additionally, community groups have expressed concerns about the program potentially being used for surveillance by law enforcement. Hoda Hawa, director of policy for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, stated that there are discussions within the Department of Homeland Security to shift the focus of the program from addressing all forms of violent ideology to specifically targeting Islamist extremism. She expressed concern that they are targeting a specific religious group and subjecting it to suspicion. A DHS official informed a source last week that a name change was imminent. Three other sources, who asked to remain anonymous, mentioned that such plans had been talked about but could not confirm if they had been approved. During the Obama administration, efforts were made to build relationships with community organizations to involve them in counterterrorism initiatives. In 2016, Congress allocated $10 million for CVE efforts, with DHS granting the first round of funds on Jan. 13, just before Trump took office. Approved entities included local governments, city police departments, universities, and non-profit organizations. Grants were also given to organizations focused on countering Islamic State recruitment in the United States, as well as to Life After Hate, which works to rehabilitate former neo-Nazis and other domestic extremists. Recent incidents, such as a white supremacist's attack on an African-American church in Charleston and shootings and bombings by Islamist militants in California, Florida, and New York, have highlighted the role of radical ideologies as motives for violence. One grant recipient, Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities, a Michigan-based group led by Lebanese-Americans, declined a $500,000 DHS grant they had applied for. The group confirmed the rejection in an email seen by Reuters, but did not provide further comment. The email, sent last Thursday, stated that LAHC has decided to decline the award due to the current political environment and reasons for worry. This decision was made before Trump's immigration order, which was criticized for discriminating against Muslims, was issued. The White House stated that the order was intended to protect Americans from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals. | 2 |
During a livestreamed staff meeting on his Facebook page, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, announced that in the next ten years, up to half of the company's 48,000 employees may work from home. He stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in how people work, and he believes remote work will continue to be a growing trend. This decision by Facebook marks a significant shift in the tech industry, which has traditionally focused on having employees work in large offices with amenities like free shuttle buses and cafeterias. If other major companies follow suit, there may be a shift in tech employment away from expensive hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and New York City. The ability to work remotely from home may give tech workers who feel their high salaries are still not enough to afford a home in San Francisco or San Jose a reason to consider relocating to other parts of the country. Mark Zuckerberg recently announced this option, following similar decisions at Twitter and Square, both led by Jack Dorsey. Dorsey stated that employees at his companies can work from home indefinitely, while Google has allowed remote work until the end of the year with no permanent plans announced. Remote work seems to be gaining popularity among tech professionals. Following Dorsey's announcement, there was a notable increase in Google searches for "Twitter jobs," as reported by Google Trends. Aaron Levie, the CEO of Box, a business technology company, took to Twitter to express his belief that the shift towards remote work is as revolutionary for the tech industry as the introduction of the iPhone over ten years ago. Tech leaders have long emphasized the importance of in-person communication in fostering creativity and innovation in product development. This belief was reflected in the elaborate campuses of companies like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Even before the pandemic, major tech corporations were already looking to expand beyond their main headquarters, following the example set by older companies like Intel. Amazon, for instance, is planning to establish a second headquarters in Virginia, with the coronavirus pandemic potentially speeding up this process. Robert Silverman, a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo specializing in urban and regional planning, noted that prior to the pandemic, there was a focus on bringing employees to physical work locations and addressing affordable housing issues in the tech sector. The current situation could lead to significant effects on local communities, as employees leave major urban tech hubs and face layoffs. For example, housing prices in the Bay Area have already decreased since the start of the pandemic, according to Zumper, a rental firm. Rental prices dropped by 7% in San Francisco and 15% in Menlo Park, where Facebook is located. Mark Zuckerberg has expressed concerns about remote employees losing productivity. Facebook used to offer bonuses to employees living within 10 miles of headquarters. In 2018, Facebook expanded its main campus with Frank Gehry-designed offices and a large roof garden. Recently, Facebook moved into a 43-story office tower in San Francisco and is considering a major office expansion in New York. In March, due to the coronavirus lockdown, companies were required to have employees work from home. Tech companies like Facebook cleared out their offices even before local shelter-in-place orders were issued. Now, over two months later, executives are finding that their remote workers exceeded their expectations in performance. Zuckerberg noted that employees were able to stay focused while working from home. Facebook's plan is to start by permitting new senior engineers to work remotely, and then later allowing current employees to request to work from home if they have received positive performance evaluations. In January, Facebook will adjust employee compensation based on the cost of living in their chosen locations. The company will verify employee locations by monitoring where they log in to internal systems. Zuckerberg believes this change will have more advantages than disadvantages for Facebook, as it will enable broader recruitment, retention of valuable employees, reduction of climate impact from commuting, and diversification of the workforce. Currently, Facebook, Square, and Twitter are leading the industry in implementing remote work policies. Their work primarily involves writing software code, which can be managed remotely. However, at Apple, a large number of employees are hardware engineers who must work in the company's lab due to the strict confidentiality surrounding its products. Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, announced in April that the main office in Silicon Valley would remain closed until at least June, with no updates on when it will reopen. Startups may struggle with managing a remote workforce, as Silicon Valley provides a vast talent pool from which startups typically recruit. While allowing employees to work remotely from the Midwest could lower costs, it may also pose challenges for startups. Many venture capitalists, primarily located in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, prefer to invest in companies that are also located nearby. Snap, the company behind Snapchat based in Los Angeles, has allowed its employees to work from home until September. Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snap, mentioned in an interview that he regularly reassesses the situation and takes guidance from health authorities on when to reopen. Spiegel emphasized the importance of remaining flexible in a rapidly changing situation, despite the pressure to make definitive statements as a leader. | 2 |
In response to those who claim he has not achieved much during his nine months in office, President Barack Obama defended himself on Thursday, stating that he is just getting started. Critics from both liberal and conservative perspectives have voiced their dissatisfaction with Obama's actions, with some accusing him of being slow to make decisions, such as sending additional troops to Afghanistan. A recent comedy skit on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" highlighted this criticism, with an actor portraying Obama joking that he has accomplished nothing so far. Critics have been vocal about the lack of significant progress in Obama's first year as president, especially following his controversial Nobel Peace Prize win. Despite facing challenges, Obama remains optimistic about his administration's achievements in improving the economy and healthcare system. He acknowledged the difficulty of his job and dismissed unrealistic expectations from some reporters. He asked why everyone had not done it yet, pointing out that nine months had passed 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 is difficult, and significant change is even more challenging. Obama criticized Republicans for opposing Democratic healthcare proposals, accusing them of hindering progress. He stated that he is determined to continue making changes, despite facing criticism. The town-hall meeting highlighted the political divide in America, with some attendees booing when Democratic Obama introduced Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. However, Obama praised Jindal as a dedicated politician. At the end of the event, a young boy named Terence Scott asked Obama why people hated him, to which Obama responded by pointing out that he was elected president and received many votes. Obama mentioned that recently, it appears that people are constantly getting angry while watching TV. He attributed this to political tensions and Americans' worries about job security and healthcare. Obama acknowledged that when times are difficult, some blame will fall on him as part of his job, but he considers himself to be resilient. | 2 |
An expert, Richard Lord, who specializes in insurance claims and has observed Oxfam's mock climate tribunal, stated that insurance companies have the potential to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviors. Lord mentioned that insurers could drive behavior change and highlighted that industries are often more proactive in addressing climate change compared to governments. He emphasized that industries are more aware of climate change issues and have been more responsible in their actions, partly due to pressure from their shareholders. Lord, who works for the Brick Court Chambers in London, mentioned that insurance companies are facing pressure from activists and regulators, causing them to take the issue seriously. He has settled claims for Hurricane Katrina victims and states that insurance companies are aware of the risks and are approaching the issue with seriousness. Lord stated that insurance companies are actively interested in understanding both climate change risks and litigation risks in order to fully comprehend the implications. For example, if a homeowner has to pay higher premiums to insure a house in a flood-prone area, they are more likely to question the reasoning behind it. Lord explained that insurance companies gather detailed information to better understand risks, which can impact people's behavior. He also noted that the insurance industry, larger than oil, gas, or other major sectors, could have a significant global influence. "In fact, it is the economic power of insurers that serves as the foundation for a vast amount of commercial activity." The commercial litigator who came to observe the tribunal was hesitant to comment on the issue due to his lack of knowledge about Bangladesh laws. He emphasized that he was not an environmental or human rights lawyer and mentioned that while litigation can be used to address climate change, it may not be the most effective approach. Lord noted that as the problem of climate change worsens and many fail to see its consequences, people will likely turn to different methods to address it. He found it intriguing that the atmospheric trust litigation, which is still in its early stages, is based on ancient principles traditionally applied to assets of great importance to society, such as water. However, Lord stated that he was not aware of any instances of climate litigation. He noted that many countries include the right to a clean environment in their constitutions either directly or indirectly through references to broader rights or human rights. Lord explained that while the issues in Bangladesh may be emotionally moving, the evidence is not as compelling. He emphasized that without strong evidence based on scientific research, it is not possible to prove causation. Therefore, the litigator concluded that the transition from a mock tribunal to a real tribunal presents complex challenges. He mentioned that a hypothetical defendant, such as the government of Bangladesh, could argue that they are already taking sufficient measures to combat climate change, pointing to the nation's low carbon footprint of 200 kilograms per capita compared to 8600 kilograms for each British citizen. Conversely, in a legal dispute between countries, the hypothetical defendant, likely a developed nation, could reject any historical responsibility by claiming they have developed similarly to Bangladesh. He expressed doubt in the ability of Bangladesh authorities to bring a case against a country like the United States. This is why some individuals have been indirectly addressing the issue by blocking permits, obtaining injunctions, or requesting environmental impact assessments for certain entities, all of which can lead to positive changes. | 2 |
Yatri Motorcycles, a startup, has launched sleek e-motorbikes with the aim of convincing Nepalis to switch to electric vehicles. The company believes that this shift can 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 for society to transition to electric vehicles as battery technology continues to advance. Globally, manufacturers are racing to develop affordable, low-emission vehicles in response to increasing bans on fossil fuel-powered cars in efforts to combat global warming. Despite Nepal's pledge in the 2015 Paris Agreement to have 20% of its vehicles be electric by 2020, only 1% currently meet this goal according to the Climate Action Tracker website. Nepal has a relatively low carbon footprint globally due to its extensive forest cover and reliance on hydropower for electricity. However, emissions are increasing due to more petrol and diesel vehicle imports and fossil fuel consumption. The government aims to transition to e-vehicles by reducing taxes, customs duties, and installing more charging stations. Despite a commitment to have e-vehicles make up 90% of all private passenger vehicle sales by 2030, progress has been slow. Currently, there are around 700 electric cars, 5,000 electric scooters, and 40,000 electric rickshaws in Nepal according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Nepal. Yatri Motorcycles, a company established in 2017, aims to create high-quality electric vehicles in Nepal. Founder Pandey expressed interest in expanding beyond Nepal's borders and moving towards exporting advanced technology and capital goods rather than 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. The company's first project, Project Zero, is a high-end motorbike with features such as a digital dashboard, 4G connectivity, keyless start, a range of 240km, and a maximum speed of 140km/h, which can recharge in two hours. It surpasses the majority of two-wheelers available in the market, which are manufactured in China and India, offering a higher range and speed. However, it comes with a hefty price tag of almost 2,000,000 Nepalese rupees ($16,797) - almost seven times more than a petrol motorbike. Yatri introduced a more budget-friendly model, Project One, priced at 500,000 rupees, receiving 50 orders within a week. "The initial cost will decrease as we increase production," Pandey stated, expressing confidence in reaching their goal of selling 200 units in 2021. Motorcycles are crucial in the transition to electric vehicles as they make up 80% of Nepal's registered vehicles, providing commuters with a cheaper option compared to the crowded and chaotic public buses in Nepal, according to government data. However, electric motorbikes alone cannot reduce carbon emissions in Nepal's transportation sector. According to government data from 2011, the biggest contributors to emissions are trucks at 29%, followed by cars and vans at 26%, and buses at 19%, with two-wheelers accounting for only 8%. Yatri's long-term objective is to introduce electric vans and buses for fleet operators by the end of the decade. The founder believes that in order to address the challenges faced by modern cities, it is essential to consider the issue of limited space. He emphasizes the importance of creating a reliable, comfortable, and attractive public transportation system to improve urban mobility. Nepal has a history of experimenting with e-vehicles, from trolleybuses in the 1970s to Safa Tempos in the 1990s. However, electric buses failed due to mismanagement and Safa Tempos lost out to diesel vehicles because of their inefficient batteries. The government is now looking to reintroduce electric vehicles by purchasing 300 electric buses. A major challenge in increasing e-vehicle sales is the need for more charging stations, according to Manish Pandey, a popular YouTuber who travels around the country by motorbike. Pandey had planned to film a long-distance trip using an e-scooter six months ago but had to cancel. He stated that due to the lack of charging stations along the route and the limited range of electric vehicles, he was unable to finish the journey. He mentioned that the current availability of charging stations would deter him from choosing to ride an electric motorbike. He also highlighted the high cost of these vehicles as a significant barrier to persuading regular motorcyclists to switch to environmentally friendly options. In a country like Nepal, where there is limited environmental awareness and economic constraints, the price of the vehicle is often prioritized over its eco-friendly technology by potential customers. | 2 |
South Africa is calling on Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law and the rights of opposition leaders following international criticism of the treatment of detained opposition figures by Zimbabwean police. Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad expressed concern over the situation in Zimbabwe and urged the government to respect the rights of all citizens and political party leaders. South Africa also appealed to opposition leaders to work towards creating a conducive environment for resolving the challenges facing the people of Zimbabwe. Despite longstanding "quiet diplomacy" towards President Robert Mugabe, South Africa is now speaking out on the issue. Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was among several individuals arrested for trying to protest against Mugabe's regime. Tsvangirai and the other detainees appeared in court on Tuesday, but were subsequently hospitalized for injuries allegedly sustained while in police custody. Pahad stated that South Africa would persist in collaborating with all factions in Zimbabwe to facilitate dialogue among all political parties. | 2 |
Greenpeace has urged India to ban incandescent light bulbs and switch to more energy efficient lighting options in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by four percent. India is currently one of the top five polluters in the world, along with the United States, China, Russia, and Japan, and experts predict that its carbon emissions will triple by 2050 due to rapid economic development and population growth. Greenpeace's climate change campaigner emphasized the importance of India improving its energy efficiency in light of these projections. 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 rise by 1.8 to 4.0 degrees Celsius (3.2 to 7.8 Fahrenheit) in the 21st century. The Indian subcontinent is predicted to be severely impacted by global warming, leading to increased natural disasters, diseases, and hunger. Despite being more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs, CFLs use 80 percent less energy and can result in cost savings for households and industries. Around 20 percent of electricity in India is used for lighting, and switching to CFLs could help meet the country's growing power demands. In February, Australia made a groundbreaking announcement that it would become the first country to ban light bulbs, with plans to phase them out within three years. Despite this initiative, environmentalists are worried about the mercury content in CFLs, warning that their disposal could pose serious health hazards due to the toxicity of the heavy metal. Globally, the demand for CFLs is still limited, making up only 10 percent of the market share for light sources. Greenpeace reported that India uses a significantly higher number of incandescent light bulbs, with 640 million used annually compared to just 12 million CFLs. | 2 |
In spite of significant economic reform and a willingness to embrace social change, the party remains intolerant of criticism. Since his re-election in 2016, leader Nguyen Phu Trong has escalated efforts to suppress dissidents and activists. According to a spokesperson from Amnesty, at least 16 individuals have been arrested, detained, or convicted this year for posting anti-government content on Facebook. Additionally, 12 political prisoners are currently incarcerated on similar charges. One such example is Pham Van Diep, a 54-year-old activist from Thanh Hoa, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for disseminating information that was deemed to be defamatory towards the Communist Party and Vietnamese government. The Vietnam News Agency reported that Diep was found guilty of spreading fake and unfounded news about government policies, leading to confusion among social media users and residents regarding the party and government. The articles were posted online between April 2014 and June 2019, and he was sentenced to 21 months in prison in Laos in 2016 for sharing anti-Vietnamese materials, it was reported. Diep is the third individual to be imprisoned this month, following a music instructor who was sentenced to 11 years on Nov. 15 for similar anti-state posts on Facebook, and a 38-year-old man who was imprisoned for streaming 33 live video sessions. The broadcasts were intended to "encourage people to join protests during national holidays," according to a court statement. In late November, a 54-year-old architect was sentenced to one year in prison for similar allegations of posting anti-government content on Facebook. Facebook, widely used in Vietnam, is not only a major platform for e-commerce but also for expressing political dissent. It was reported in May that there had been a significant increase in the amount of content restricted in Vietnam compared to the previous year. 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 could lead to arrest and imprisonment for those who speak out. The groups stated that this crackdown has only increased the fear felt by the people in Vietnam. | 2 |
The Venerable Ambalangoda Sumedhananda Thero, the abbot, paid little attention to the explosion, dismissing it as he swatted away mosquitoes in the night air of Gintota, a town in southern Sri Lanka. Despite the chaos, he continued to express his beliefs that Muslims were aggressive and greedy, claiming they aimed to seize control of all Buddhist lands. He cited examples such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, and Indonesia as nations destroyed by Islam. Shortly after, a monk came in to report that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at a mosque nearby. The abbot waved his hand dismissively and shrugged, focusing on his duty to the Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka rather than the small Muslim population. A demonstration in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's handling of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar on October 14, 2017 was organized by a Buddhist monk. Charismatic monks have incited Buddhists to adopt a militant tribalism mindset, viewing themselves as spiritual warriors defending their faith against external threats. Motivated by influential charismatic monks like Sumedhananda Thero, Buddhists have transitioned into a period of militant tribalism, portraying themselves as spiritual fighters who need to protect their religion from external threats. This sentiment was evident in a demonstration led by a Buddhist monk in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's handling of the Rohingya crisis in Yangon, Myanmar on October 14, 2017. Despite being the dominant religion in countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where a radical religious-nationalist movement is growing, some Buddhists, particularly those following the purist Theravada tradition, feel existentially endangered, mainly due to perceived threats from Islam's extremist factions. As Buddhism and Islam come into conflict, some Buddhists are straying from the peaceful principles of their religion. In recent years, Buddhist groups have carried out violent assaults on minority Muslim communities. Nationalist Buddhist leaders are utilizing extremist monks to gain backing. According to Mohammed Naseer, the imam of the Hillur Mosque in Gintota, Sri Lanka, which was targeted by Buddhist mobs in 2017, "The Buddhists used to be much less hostile towards us. Now, their monks are promoting a narrative that we are not welcome in this country and should depart." "Where can we possibly go? This is our place of residence." In Sri Lanka last month, a influential Buddhist monk went on a hunger strike which led to the resignation of all nine Muslim ministers in the government. The monk had accused Muslim politicians of being involved 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 in the Bengala monastery in Yangon, Myanmar on October 4, 2017. Motivated by a politically influential group of charismatic monks, Buddhists have embraced a more militant tribalism, positioning themselves as spiritual soldiers who must protect their religion from external threats. In Myanmar, a majority Muslim population has been forced to leave the country due to ethnic cleansing, yet Buddhist monks continue to express concerns about an Islamic invasion, despite Muslims making up less than 5% of the population. During Ramadan in May, Buddhist mobs attacked Islamic prayer halls, causing worshippers to flee. Charismatic monks have incited Buddhists to adopt a militant tribalism mindset, portraying themselves as spiritual warriors defending their faith against outsiders. Despite Buddhism's peaceful reputation, it is now associated with sectarian aggression in Myanmar. However, no single religion can claim to be the sole proponent of peace, as even Buddhists have been known to engage in warfare. According to anthropologist Mikael Gravers of Aarhus University in Denmark, while Buddhist monks may publicly denounce violence, they also believe in defending Buddhism and Buddhist nations by any necessary means. In Myanmar, thousands of people gathered in support of a Buddhist monk named Ashin Wirathu, who has a history of hate speech and praised the country's military. This has led to a mass exodus of over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh since August 2017. The army and its allies carried out an ethnic cleansing campaign, with Buddhist mobs and security forces targeting Rohingya Muslims with violence such as slaughter and rape, as well as destroying hundreds of their villages. Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist leader, has rejected the peaceful teachings of his religion and praised military-linked lawmakers as being on par with Buddha. He believes that only the military can protect the country and religion. In a separate protest, Wirathu criticized the International Criminal Court for pursuing a case against Myanmar's military for their mistreatment of the Rohingya. In November 2017, a Sri Lankan Buddhist paid respects to Sitagu Sayadaw, a highly respected Buddhist leader in Myanmar. Inspired by influential monks, Buddhists are now embracing militant tribalism and seeing themselves as spiritual fighters who must protect their faith. One monk, Ashin Wirathu, even declared that he would take up arms if the ICC were to come to their country. This shift in mentality has been fueled by a powerful network of charismatic monks. Monks like Ashin Wirathu are on the extremist fringe of Buddhist nationalism, but more respected clerics, such as 82-year-old Venerable Ashin Nyanissara, also known as Sitagu Sayadaw, are involved as well. Sitagu Sayadaw, Myanmar's most influential monk, made controversial statements about Muslims and the United Nations in front of army officers. He believes that the army and monkhood are inseparable and has shown his support for the military by appearing in photos with soldiers on social media. He sees his role as offering spiritual soldiers for the national cause. "He informed the commander of Myanmar's armed forces that there are more than 400,000 monks in Myanmar. He offered to mobilize them if needed. According to Khin Mar Mar Kyi, a social anthropologist at the University of Oxford, when respected figures like Sitagu Sayadaw make statements, people pay attention, even if they are critical of certain groups. His words can incite hatred. After suicide bombings by Islamic State-affiliated individuals in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Buddhist nationalists felt their warnings about the threat posed by Muslim extremists were validated. Dilanthe Withanage, a senior administrator for Bodu Bala Sena, Sri Lanka's largest Buddhist nationalist group, stated, 'We have been cautioning for years about the danger Muslim extremists pose to national security.'" Withanage blamed the government for disregarding the radicalization of Islam, stating that after a period of moderate coalition rule, a mix of faith and tribalism is gaining strength once again in Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defense chief and top contender for the upcoming presidential elections, is leading this movement. Rajapaksa has promised to safeguard the country's religious traditions, particularly Buddhism, and is focused on rebuilding Sri Lanka's security apparatus established during the lengthy civil war with the Tamil minority. From 2005 to 2015, Sri Lanka was under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the brother of Rajapaksa, who was a strong nationalist and justified the violent end to the civil war by positioning himself as the country's spiritual savior. During this time, temples displayed images of the Rajapaksa brothers, money was funneled to extremist Buddhist groups that supported sectarian violence resulting in deaths of Muslims, and prime land in the capital city of Colombo was given to one of the founders of Bodu Bala Sena, a radical Buddhist organization, for a Buddhist cultural center. The national telecom service even included Bodu Bala Sena's theme song in its collection of ringtones. Last year, Bodu Bala Sena’s leader, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, was sentenced to six years in prison. However, in late May, he was granted a presidential pardon due to a shifting political environment. This Sunday, he led a gathering of numerous monks who aim to have a political impact in the upcoming elections. Before being imprisoned, Gnanasara Thero framed his campaign within a historical perspective, stating, "We have been the protectors of Buddhism for 2,500 years." "It is now our responsibility, just like the monks in Myanmar, to defend our tranquil island from Islam." | 2 |
In 2016, Freeport-McMoRan, a mining company based in Arizona, had made a deal to sell a site in Congo that plays a significant role in China's control over the global cobalt supply. Cobalt is a crucial raw material for electric car batteries, which are essential for moving away from fossil fuels and reducing climate change. Perriello, a high-ranking US diplomat in Africa at the time, expressed concerns within the State Department. Kapanga, the Congolese general manager of the mine, pleaded with the American ambassador in Congo to intervene, warning that the decision was a mistake and jeopardized long-standing relationships in Congo, a major source of cobalt worldwide. Presidents beginning with Dwight D Eisenhower had provided significant financial aid, including military equipment, to the mineral-rich country. Richard Nixon and the State Department led by Hillary Clinton continued to support this relationship. Freeport-McMoRan also invested billions in the country before selling the mine to a Chinese company. The Chinese company, China Molybdenum, successfully purchased both Tenke Fungurume mine during the Obama administration and another cobalt reserve during the Trump presidency. China's strategic pursuit of cobalt in Congo has given it a significant advantage over the United States in the race to dominate the auto industry's electrification. The New York Times investigation revealed a history of cobalt acquisitions where the US essentially handed over resources to China, neglecting to protect decades of investments in Congo. Perriello, who was no longer in office, became aware of the plan to sell Tenke Fungurume in 2016 after visiting the mine and was convinced that American ownership would benefit both the US and the people of Congo, despite the owner's questionable reputation in other countries. Freeport-McMoRan received positive reviews for its operations in Congo, employing thousands of locals and providing essential services such as schools, health care clinics, and clean water. Former assistant secretary of state Linda Thomas-Greenfield, now the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was consulted by Perriello about keeping the mine under American ownership. Perriello also brought up the issue with the National Security Council. Despite concerns about the potential consequences of allowing Chinese companies to take over, no other serious bidders emerged for the mine. Kathleen L Quirk, president of Freeport-McMoRan, explained in an interview that they were able to complete the deal quickly due to their swiftness compared to others. The company had been determined to sell as they had suffered significant losses in the oil and gas industry and needed to reduce their debt. The decision to unload their Congo operations was a purely financial one, with no emotional attachment involved. The lack of oversight of transactions by American companies abroad has exposed significant blind spots of US leaders, providing an opportunity for the Chinese government to exploit, as revealed in previously unreported documents, emails, and interviews with various individuals. The US government and private sector have been making efforts to recover from past mistakes and secure new cobalt supplies for clean energy transition, but these efforts are not as extensive as Chinese attempts to control critical resources like cobalt and lithium for a green future. Nixon was seen standing outside the White House with the first lady in August 1970, engaging in Cold War Gamesmanship. President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, now Congo, was preparing for a visit. It had been ten years since Congo gained independence from Belgium, and 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 the Soviet Union from expanding its influence in Africa. Access to minerals and metals in Congo had been a top priority for the United States since World War II, with Albert Einstein even writing to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1939, advising him to stockpile Congolese uranium for the development of atomic bombs. By the mid-1960s, the CIA had established one of its most extensive operations in the country, funding a group of mercenaries and Congolese troops to run missions with US warplanes to suppress rebels supported by the Soviet Union. Mobutu, a former army sergeant who later became a corrupt dictator, saw the Americans as an ideal partner to help increase the country's mining wealth. He approached Maurice Tempelsman, a prominent New York diamond merchant, to discuss mining rights in Tenke Fungurume. However, just before his trip to Washington in August 1970, Mobutu surprised everyone by announcing that he had decided to contract a Belgian company to develop the mine. Washington entered a state of emergency as it attempted to reclaim the concession, demonstrating extreme generosity. Herman J Cohen, a US diplomat in Congo during that time, remembered Nixon instructing his administration to fulfill Mobutu's every desire. Hundreds of millions of dollars in US aid had already been provided to Mobutu, and now Nixon approved the gift of multiple C-130 transport planes. The climax of the campaign occurred at a formal dinner for Mobutu at the White House, as described by Cohen. After eating, Tempelsman invited Mobutu for a private boat trip on the Potomac River. They received news that the Americans would be granted the mining concession. A mining engineer named Mark Mollison from New York City traveled to southeastern Congo to visit Tenke Fungurume, which was now an abandoned construction site. Mollison was surprised by what he saw. He observed hilltops with patches where copper and cobalt were visible on the surface. Mollison remembered that the ore was much more valuable than what they were mining in Arizona. In the late 1990s, Mollison was part of a new group of mining executives who had come to take over after the Tempelsman group had left two decades earlier. The Tempelsman group had spent $250 million but had to withdraw due to various obstacles, including rebels who disrupted the transportation of cobalt and copper to the coast by shutting down a railroad. Kissinger, the secretary of state, was involved in crafting a message to apologize to the Congolese government in January 1976 for the project's suspension. Many years after Mobutu was removed from power, interest in mining in Congo was reignited. Rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila had taken control of valuable land near the towns of Tenke and Fungurume, where the mine was located. This sparked excitement for a new chapter in Congo's mining industry. Western mining executives and Wall Street bankers descended on the region, meeting at a hotel to secure financial commitments for mining access from Kabila's representatives. A banker's memo summarized Kabila's perspective as "Rules of the game: you give and I give." To secure a deal, the Canadian mining company Lundin Group agreed to give $50 million to the rebels. Mollison's task, upon arriving months later, was to assess whether his company, now known as Freeport-McMoRan, should partner with Lundin to complete Tempelsman's work at Tenke Fungurume. Freeport-McMoRan later promoted this project as the largest private investment in Congo. Mollison pondered, "What will this place require? Electric power.." There was a significant amount of infrastructure in place, including roads and access to water. Freeport-McMoRan gained a majority stake in the mine, with Lundin holding a smaller stake and Gécamines retaining a portion as well. Despite challenges such as civil war, the project was fully operational by the end of 2007. 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 for $215 million. Former employee Pierrot Kitobo Sambisaya described the company's efforts as impressive, creating one of the most advanced and efficient cobalt and copper mines globally. Freeport-McMoRan made a major mistake by shifting its focus from mining to fossil fuels, spending $20 billion to acquire two oil and gas companies in 2012. However, when oil prices dropped, the company struggled with debt. In May 2016, CEO Richard Adkerson reluctantly announced the sale of Tenke Fungurume to China Molybdenum for $2.65 billion. The executives at the mine, including Kapanga, the general manager, were troubled by the news. Kapanga, who had previously worked as a Congolese presidential adviser and diplomat, contacted the American ambassador, James Swan, expressing his concerns about the United States seemingly letting go of its largest private investment in Congo, Tenke Fungurume. Swan did not comment when approached by The New York Times. At that time, American diplomats in Congo were focused on trying to persuade President Joseph Kabila to step down from office. He assumed power after his father's assassination in 2001 and proceeded to embezzle millions from the public coffers for the next 15 years. The sale of Tenke Fungurume was finalized in November 2016, but received little notice in the US except from financial news outlets. President Trump's administration, early on, indicated a possible focus on countering China's control over mineral resources, particularly cobalt, with reports highlighting the sale of Tenke Fungurume and the potential for supply shortages. Nonetheless, history repeated itself as Freeport-McMoRan still possessed an undeveloped site with a crucial source of cobalt. The US government showed little concern when the company revealed plans to sell the site, known as Kisanfu, last year. Nazak Nikakhtar, former Commerce Department assistant secretary for critical mineral supplies, expressed dismay at the lack of attention given to the sale. Despite this, the sale to China Molybdenum for $550 million proceeded as planned, just before Trump's term ended. The most recent significant investment by the United States in Congo's cobalt and copper mines disappeared along with it. | 2 |
Police took Disha Ravi from her home in Bengaluru to Delhi for questioning about her involvement in spreading a document during the protests near the Indian capital. She was arrested in connection with a sedition case related to a "toolkit" for helping farmers, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment in India. Ravi was ordered into custody for five days by a court, leading to criticism on social media and among farm unions. Shashi Tharoor, a member of parliament from the opposition Congress party, called Ravi's arrest the latest step in India's crackdown on free expression and political dissent during the farmers' protests. Ravi was unreachable in custody and her family could not be reached for comment. Police have been increasing their efforts to control the farmer protests near Delhi, especially after the incident at the Red Fort last month. Activists were planning protests in response to Ravi's detention, with the hashtag #IndiabeingSilenced gaining popularity on Twitter. Ravi is a prominent figure in the Indian branch of Thunberg's Fridays for Future movement. Thunberg had shared a "toolkit" for supporting the farmers, which was created by those participating in the demonstrations. The global community has shown solidarity with the protests against farm reforms, as popular singer Rihanna and activist Meena Harris, the niece of US Vice-President Kamala Harris, have brought attention to the ongoing campaign. Meena Harris recently highlighted the arrest of Ravi and shared a Twitter thread discussing the targeting of activists in India. In response, the Indian government argues that the reforms aim to modernize the country's outdated agriculture markets and blames vested interests and foreign influences for misguiding the farmers. | 2 |
The election serves as a major test of public opinion for the military-led government under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has restricted political activities since taking power in a coup in 2014. Polls indicated a slight lead in favor of the new constitution, but many voters remained undecided. Polling stations closed at 1600 local time (0500 ET) with preliminary results based on 95 percent of votes expected around 2100 local time (1000 ET). Election Commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen reported that voting was conducted in an orderly manner across all areas. The junta claims that the constitution is meant to bring an end to over ten years of political division in Thailand that has hindered growth and resulted in numerous deaths during civil unrest. Critics, including major political parties, argue that the constitution is actually intended to solidify the military's influence in politics for years to come. Prayuth has stated that he will not step down if the constitution is rejected by Thailand, and that an election will 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 casting his ballot in northwest Bangkok on Sunday. Approximately 200,000 police officers were deployed 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 in Chaiyaphum province were arrested for distributing leaflets against the referendum. The junta, also known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), prohibited discussions about the constitution and campaigning before the vote. Many individuals, including politicians and student activists, have been arrested for speaking out against the referendum. Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, criticized the referendum for being held under such restrictive conditions. Jatuporn criticized the Constitution Drafting Committee and NCPO for organizing a referendum in a country filled with fear. The vote coincides with worries about the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is 88 years old. The military has historically used its role as protector of the revered monarch as justification for getting involved in politics. Critics argue that the new constitution is the military's way of trying to eliminate former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his populist policies from Thai politics, following his removal in a 2006 coup. Despite living in exile, Thaksin still wields significant influence, especially among his supporters in rural areas. His sister Yingluck won a landslide victory in the 2011 elections but was removed from power by Prayuth in the 2014 coup. Yingluck was banned from politics for five years in 2015 for mismanaging a rice scheme, but she still voted in the recent election. Thaksin criticized the new charter, calling it a mistake that would only strengthen the junta's power in Thailand. Interviews with military officials revealed their goal of preventing future coups by limiting the power of political parties and maintaining military oversight of the country's development. According to the constitution, which would be Thailand's 20th since the military ended an absolute monarchy in 1932, a Senate appointed by the junta and including military leaders would oversee the powers of elected officials. Farmer Thongyoon Khaenkhaomeng expressed his desire for the country to improve as he voted in favor of the constitution at a polling station in Khon Kaen. He hoped that the constitution would help unite Thailand. Meanwhile, voters waited in line to vote at the rebuilt city hall, which was destroyed during political unrest in 2010. Day laborer Decha Shangkamanee mentioned that he voted against the constitution due to his dislike for the junta, but he did not believe the referendum would have a significant impact. He stated that he understands that there will be no real changes in the way the country is governed today. | 2 |
The red-brick secretariat in Kolkata, built over 200 years ago for the East India Company, still holds a lingering distrust of foreign merchants. Currently occupied by Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, who is seen as a major obstacle to economic reforms that would open up India's consumer markets. Banerjee is hailed as a hero by her supporters, who call her "Didi" or "Big Sister", for ending communist rule in West Bengal and protecting farmers and shopkeepers from the effects of globalization. They believe she is leading West Bengal towards becoming an economic and cultural powerhouse and India's gateway to Southeast Asia. However, due to a series of unpredictable actions, such as the detainment of a professor for sharing a humorous email about her, critics now view her as a potential dictator. India Today magazine has even labeled her the "Queen of Democrazy". Banerjee's controversial behavior and dissatisfaction with her leadership in West Bengal could lead to a decline in her popularity with voters. Additionally, she relies on the central government to help West Bengal overcome a financial crisis. These factors present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with an opportunity to outmaneuver her, despite being part of the same coalition, as she has been a hindrance to much-needed economic reforms. India's impressive economic growth has decreased in the past year, leading to larger current account and budget deficits. The central government's efforts to implement crisis-solving policies have been obstructed by coalition allies like Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party. Political analyst Amulya Ganguli believes that Banerjee may be changing her approach due to recent signs of compromise. Ganguli suggests that she may be realizing the importance of acting responsibly and not rejecting all proposed solutions. A weakened Banerjee could potentially make it easier for Singh's government, which is facing a drop in popularity due to corruption scandals and high inflation, to implement reform. Despite her humble beginnings as a poor teacher's daughter, Banerjee was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. Last week, she met with Hillary Clinton, who praised her political accomplishments and discussed potential US investment in Indian ports. Banerjee, however, made it clear in an interview with Reuters that a visit from the secretary of state would not change her stance on foreign supermarkets like Wal-Mart operating in India. She expressed her support for private investment in sectors like tourism and industrial projects, as well as hospitals, to create jobs. However, she made it clear that she would always stand against policies that harm farmers and small retailers. She stated that there are limits to her support, saying that she cannot advocate for people to lose their jobs. She also mentioned that she would continue to oppose increasing the prices of heavily subsidized fuel and rail fares, which could pose a challenge for Prime Minister Singh, whose reputation has been affected by his inability to control deficits and revive the economy. Banerjee, with 19 MPs supporting Singh's Congress party in parliament, emphasizes the need to consider alternative solutions beyond discussing price hikes for the common people. Despite facing financial challenges in the state government, she is focused on developing business, finding more funds, and seeking a moratorium on state debt to pay teachers' salaries. Despite her modest lifestyle and admiration for Mahatma Gandhi's frugality, Banerjee does not accept a government salary or perks like a car and residence. Despite her personal austerity, she has hired around 90,000 new teachers and police officers, even with the state's debts. The cost of this decision has caused some surprise, but her finance minister, Amit Mitra, believes it is justified due to the low wages. Mitra, a former head of India's FICCI, stated that the state's tax revenue increased by 20% last year mainly due to improved enforcement. Kolkata, previously known as Calcutta, was once a thriving intellectual and industrial capital under British rule. Although it was one of the world's wealthiest cities in the 19th century, Kolkata now resembles Cuba's Havana with its faded grandeur and 1950s-style taxis. Banerjee expressed her desire to revive the former grandeur of the state by modernizing the city and introducing projects such as a 'Kolkata Eye' ferris wheel resembling London's. Despite criticism from the media, initiatives 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 rise of middle-class residences and office buildings indicate impending change. While private investment initiatives were initiated before Banerjee's term, critics are disappointed by the lack of improvement in the investment climate in West Bengal. Banerjee, who admires Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate, also has artistic talents as a painter and poet. Critics highlight a negative aspect of someone who does not seem to accept opposing views. This person recently demonstrated her influence by compelling the prime minister to dismiss his railway minister, a member of her own party, after he declared in parliament that rail fares would increase. The former minister, Dinesh Trivedi, explained that he was swiftly removed from his position after receiving widespread approval for the fare hike. Despite being supported by unions and economists, the fare increase was deemed essential for funding the modernization of a railway system that is hindering economic growth due to overcrowded trains and outdated infrastructure. In April, a 52-year-old chemistry professor named Ambikesh Mahapatra forwarded an email that mocked Banerjee's handling of Trivedi, which led to his detention by the police on accusations of 'cyber crimes'. Before being detained, Mahapatra was confronted and assaulted by a group of around twenty people. Speaking to Reuters, Mahapatra expressed his surprise at being accused of a crime and mentioned feeling fearful, particularly due to the government's lack of remorse. Mahapatra's actions caused a strong reaction, particularly from Banerjee who had previously been attacked by Communist thugs and criticized the culture of political violence in West Bengal. Critics are questioning if there has been any change in the situation, with one commenting that Banerjee seems to be harsh on protesters while showing support for infrastructure projects. Bhattacharyya suggested that she has no tolerance for any form of disagreement. The educated middle classes, who supported her victory over the left, are now feeling alienated by her actions, according to Bhattacharyya. Banerjee, who was accused of being autocratic, dismissed these claims as a campaign orchestrated by the communists she removed from power, and cited a decrease in violence 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, but there may be changes ahead. An anonymous government adviser suggested that Banerjee's reputation as a dragon slayer is fading due to recent events. "Maybe that provides Anand with some additional space, we will find out." | 2 |
According to political experts, the death of Cuban political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo this week, after an 85-day hunger strike, may have dashed hopes for any immediate improvement in US-Cuba relations. His death, as a result of protesting prison conditions, has increased tensions already heightened by the arrest of an American contractor in Cuba. This 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 in Miami, stated that progress in US-Cuba relations is currently uncertain. Zapata's death has sparked outrage in Washington, with critics of communist Cuba emphasizing the need to not appease President Raul Castro's government by lifting the trade embargo that has been in place for 48 years. Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida called for a renewed commitment to ensure that Cuba moves away from the ideology that led to Zapata's death. The death of Zapata poses a challenge for those who advocate for improved relations with Cuba, as it undermines their argument that increased closeness with the island is the best way to bring about change. On the same day, a new bill was introduced that would lift the ban on US travel to Cuba and facilitate food sales from the US to Cuba. Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts emphasized the importance of closer ties with the Cuban people through travel and exchange of ideas. McGovern also expressed sadness and anger over Zapata's death, criticizing the Cuban government for not preventing it. Spain, currently holding the presidency of the European Union, is encountering a similar issue as it seeks to eliminate a clause from the EU's stance on Cuba that calls for democracy and increased human rights on the island. Havana views this clause as a barrier to establishing normal relations with the EU. In response to pressure from Spanish media, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a socialist and supporter of strong ties with Cuba, expressed regret over Zapata's death and called for the release of political prisoners and the protection of human rights in Cuba, stating that this is a crucial demand of the international community. Perez-Stable stated that Zapata's death would likely hinder Spain's efforts to improve EU-Cuba relations. She mentioned that Havana should not expect the EU to lift the common position. Observers of Cuba suggested that the death of the dissident was a setback for the Cuban government's diplomatic endeavors to influence the United States to end the embargo. The small dissident community in Cuba vowed to increase their calls for democratic reform on the island, in honor of Zapata. Additionally, on Friday, five dissidents, including four currently in prison, announced hunger strikes to pressure the government to release political prisoners. Leading dissident Oswaldo Paya expressed that the death has had a profound impact on all of them. He stated that this event marks a significant turning point and emphasized that they will not resort to violence. Paya also warned that the government's actions are sending a concerning message to the Cuban people. | 2 |
According to sources familiar with his thinking, Bloomberg is considering spending $1 billion of his own money on a campaign for the November 2016 election. He has set an early March deadline for entering the race, after conducting a poll in December to assess his chances against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. While no independent candidate has ever won a US presidential election, Bloomberg believes he has an opportunity if the Republicans nominate Trump or Cruz and the Democrats nominate Sanders. Bloomberg, who has ties to Wall Street and liberal social views, served as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013 and has considered running for president in the past. In 2007, he changed his political affiliation from Republican to independent and has since invested heavily in national campaigns to promote stricter US gun laws and immigration reform. According to a Bloomberg adviser, the former mayor believes that voters are seeking a non-ideological, bipartisan approach that has been lacking in the current election cycle. While a well-funded presidential bid by Bloomberg could shake up the election dynamics, he would face significant challenges entering a race that has been ongoing for almost a year. While no third-party candidate has ever won the presidency, past attempts have impacted the outcome of the race. For example, in 1992, Ross Perot ran as an independent and some argue that his candidacy helped Bill Clinton defeat George H. W. Bush. According to the Times, Bloomberg's decision to run for president is partly influenced by his dissatisfaction with Clinton's campaign. Clinton has faced scrutiny regarding her honesty due to an investigation into her use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state. Sanders, Clinton's main competitor, has gained momentum in polling in Iowa and New Hampshire, causing Bloomberg concern about a potential general election matchup between Sanders, Trump, or Cruz, all of whom hold 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 legislator representing many frustrated constituents. The town of Montargis was at the heart of the Yellow Vest movement three years ago, which protested against rising gasoline taxes and highlighted a broader sense of alienation felt by those in France's rural areas. The movement revealed a class divide between working-class individuals threatened by the shift to clean energy and metropolitan elites who could afford electric cars. As global climate talks take place in Glasgow, the economic and political divisions that fueled the unrest in France remain just beneath the surface. While some in the periphery understand the need for clean energy, financial concerns take precedence over environmental action. Household gas prices have increased by 12.6% in the past month, partly due to shortages related to the coronavirus. Electric cars, once promoted as a cost-effective alternative to fuel-efficient diesel vehicles, now seem excessively expensive. A wind turbine that could lower property values is not desired by a retired couple living nearby. Magali Cannault, a resident near Montargis, suggested that if Parisians are fond of wind turbines, they should be placed in the Bois de Vincennes park instead. President Emmanuel Macron, who is facing an election in April, is navigating the sensitive topic of transitioning to clean energy. He presents himself as an environmentally conscious fighter, although he is practical and understands that rejoining the Yellow Vests protests would harm his chances in the election. Every morning, Cannault looks out at a tall mast near her farm that was erected to measure wind levels for potential turbines. She expressed frustration at not being consulted about it. The only sounds in the background as she spoke on a misty morning were the geese honking and roosters crowing. The mayor of the nearby village of Griselles, Claude Madec-Cleï, agreed, saying, "We are not taken into consideration." President Macron is trying to gain the support of the Green party. As the election approaches, Macron is trying to appeal to a wide range of groups and is particularly concerned about preventing another uprising like the Yellow Vests. The government has halted the increase of household gas prices and will be sending out an "energy check" worth $115 to 6 million people considered most in need. Additionally, an "inflation indemnity" of the same amount will be sent to around 38 million people who earn less than $2,310 per month. The increase in gasoline prices has been a major factor in the implementation of these measures. Sophie Tissier, the organizer of a Yellow Vest protest in Paris in 2019, expressed difficulty in restarting the movement due to a strong police response, despite what she described as a serious social crisis and widespread anger. She highlighted the extreme inequalities in France that hinder their ability to make an ecological transition. The president is promoting the realism of his energy proposals, which involve a combination of new small-reactor nuclear power and the integration of wind power and other renewables. The Green movement advocates for phasing out nuclear power, which currently fulfills 67.1% of France's electricity needs, a move criticized by conservatives as regressing to the "candlelight era." On the other hand, Marine Le Pen calls for the dismantling of the country's more than 9,000 wind turbines, which contribute 7.9% of France's electricity production. In the midst of these conflicting perspectives, many French citizens struggle to balance their concerns for the planet with their immediate needs. For example, Christine Gobet commutes about 90 miles a day in her small diesel car from Montargis to her job at an Amazon warehouse in Orléans, where she earns approximately $1,600 per month. She sat in her car outside the garage, where she had just spent around $3,000 to replace her diesel engine. Despite the suggestion of switching to an electric car, she scoffed at the idea, saying it was not feasible for her. She expressed frustration about rising costs, including the possibility of more expensive baguettes. She mentioned how they were previously encouraged to use diesel for being less polluting, but now the narrative has changed. She participated in protests in Montargis at the beginning of the Yellow Vest movement. She was motivated not only by financial pressure but also by a feeling of being ignored by elites who make decisions that affect them. She left the movement when it turned violent. In Montargis, at a traffic circle called the “peanut roundabout,” traffic was blocked for two months and stores ran out of supplies. She believes little has changed since then. In Paris, she noticed that they have everything, while the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, is focused on reducing cars in the city and disregards people from the provinces who come to work there. Calls in Glasgow to stop using fossil fuels and close nuclear power stations seem disconnected from the daily lives of working-class individuals like Gobet. At the age of 58, she exemplifies a divide between generations. The younger generation, led by Greta Thunberg, is adamant that saving the planet is the most urgent priority. On the other hand, older individuals are hesitant to support environmental measures that may increase energy prices and decrease the value of their investments. The Montargis area is popular among retirees looking for affordable proximity to Paris and immigrants residing on the outskirts. Taxi driver Gilles Fauvin, who drives a diesel Peugeot, mentioned that a majority of his clients require medical transportation to hospitals in Orléans and Paris, just like Gobet. The prospect of banning diesel cars in the capital by 2024 and the push to switch to costly electric cars could have a negative impact on him, according to Yoann Fauvin, the owner of the garage and cousin of the taxi driver. He expressed his preference for diesel cars, despite the fact that they produce harmful pollutants. Fauvin questions whether electric cars are truly a better alternative, considering the environmental impact of mining metals for batteries in countries like China or Chile, the carbon emissions from transporting them, and the need to recycle the batteries. A classic green 1977 Citroen 2CV was being restored in front of him, while a diesel Citroen DS4 was undergoing repairs. He mentioned that the business relies heavily on diesel, and in the area, the idea of energy transformation is not taken seriously. Wealthy individuals are the ones who switch to electric cars, not understanding the local situation. Magalie Pasquet, a homemaker who leads a group called Aire 45 against wind power, explained that her opposition to 75 new turbines in the area is not a disregard for environmental issues, as she practices recycling. She is cautious when it comes to traveling, composts her waste, opts to wear two sweaters instead of turning up the heat, and admires the environmental idealism of the youth. However, she thinks that the world has priorities misplaced. "Why are we destroying a beautiful landscape that brings people to this area when the real issue is excessive consumption?" she inquired. "Local residents are not being consulted, and even mayors have no power to prevent the installation of these unsightly turbines." A friend, Philippe Jacob, a professor of management and marketing who is also involved in the anti-turbine movement, noted that the Yellow Vest movement arose from various grievances such as high gas prices, declining purchasing power, deteriorating public services, and widespread dissatisfaction with top-down decision-making. "The same issues persist today, and the situation is very concerning," he stated. "People have invested their life savings in this area, and their concerns about planned turbines and biogas plants ruining the region are falling on deaf ears." | 2 |
Scientists have found that the Pacific gray whale population has not fully recovered from whaling and is only a fraction of what it used to be. By analyzing DNA samples from 42 gray whales, researchers at Stanford University and the University of Washington discovered that the current population of 22,000 is significantly smaller than the estimated 96,000 gray whales that existed before large-scale hunting began in the 19th century. This means that the current population is only 19 to 29 percent 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 about 20 million years. Despite being one of the few baleen whale populations to have fully recovered from whaling, recent genetic surveys indicate that there were once many more gray whales in the Pacific Ocean than there are now. The population of these marine giants was nearly wiped out by the end of the 19th century and into the 1920s. The gray whale has been extinct from the Atlantic Ocean for centuries, with whaling being pointed out as a possible cause. Found along North America's Pacific Coast, these whales migrate between arctic waters and the lagoons near Mexico's Baja California. Named for the gray patches and white spots on their dark skin, they can grow up to 46 feet (14 meters) long and weigh as much as 40 tonnes. Gray whales feed by scooping up mud from the sea bottom, consuming small crustaceans and tube worms found in the sediments. The International Whaling Commission granted partial protection to the gray whale in 1937, followed by full protection in 1947, according to the American Cetacean Society. While once heavily hunted, gray whales are now a popular sight for whale watchers along the Pacific coast of North America. Despite this protection, some gray whales are still illegally hunted, as evidenced by the recent incident involving five Washington state American Indian hunters from the Makah tribe who shot and killed a gray whale using harpoons and a rifle typically used for hunting elephants. Scientists have also observed a concerning number of gray whales suffering from starvation in recent years. The researchers stated that the whales are experiencing a decrease in their food supply as a result of climate change in the Arctic. They also mentioned that other animals, such as seabirds, are being impacted by the reduced population of gray whales. Fellow researcher Steve Palumbi explained that Arctic seabirds rely on the food brought up by the whales while they feed on the ocean floor. He estimated that if there were 96,000 gray whales present, over a million seabirds would benefit from their feeding habits each year. | 2 |
Burundi is set to have a referendum on May 17 to decide whether to change the constitution and extend presidential terms from five to seven years. Human rights organizations believe the vote will not be conducted in a fair and free environment, as there have been occasional incidents of violence and kidnappings. Emmanuel Bigirimana, the leader of Buganda district, reported an attack in Ruhagarika village on Friday night, where armed individuals arrived and began shooting, resulting in casualties. Approximately 20 attackers, most of whom were wearing military uniforms, were involved in the crisis that began in Burundi in April 2015. The turmoil was sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term, which was deemed unconstitutional by the opposition. Despite Nkurunziza's re-election, some of his adversaries resorted to armed resistance. Rights organizations report that around 400,000 individuals have fled to neighboring nations to escape the conflict. Both government officials and opposition members have been victims of retaliatory violence between the opposing factions. The proposed constitutional amendments would restrict the president to serving two consecutive terms, without considering previous terms. This could potentially allow Nkurunziza to remain in power until 2034. Three anonymous residents in the village suggested that a recent attack was intended to discourage support for the constitutional changes. However, Bigirimana dismissed this idea, stating that the attackers were not driven by political motives, as they targeted three households and only killed women and children. He claimed that the attack was a result of a personal vendetta rather than a political agenda. | 2 |
The pressure, hopes, and aspirations on Harris at the Democratic convention were significant as she attempted to introduce herself to a nation and party that doesn't know her well. If she and Biden win in November, this burden will continue for the next four years. It is rare for a vice-presidential candidate to serve under a president who may not seek a second term, leading to high expectations for Harris to demonstrate strong leadership. Tim Kaine, the vice-presidential candidate for Hillary Clinton in 2016, remarked on the weight placed on Harris' shoulders. He explained that within the ever-changing Democratic Party, there was no one person Biden could have chosen that would please everyone. Despite his enthusiasm for Harris, he acknowledged that it was impossible to have unanimous approval within the party. The first two days of the convention focused on uniting moderates, progressives, Republicans, and democratic socialists, while highlighting diversity in race, gender, and age. Ultimately, they nominated a 77-year-old white man from Delaware as their candidate. The party included some liberal voices but did not prioritize their policy goals such as "Medicare for All." Their main focus is on defeating President Donald Trump. However, if the Democrats are successful, Trump will be removed from office, making it even more challenging for Harris to satisfy the various factions within the Democratic Party. As the figure expected to bridge generations and represent the party's future, Harris will face scrutiny in the upcoming weeks on her campaigning skills, ability to engage with Trump, debate Pence, and mobilize voters, particularly younger voters and progressives. Additionally, as a woman of color running for a position historically held by white men, she may face judgment based on deep-seated biases that still exist in certain parts of the country. Harris has already addressed this issue with her Democratic audience and may need to continue doing so in the future. The text discusses the importance of electing a president who can unite people of all backgrounds to work towards a better future, specifically endorsing Joe Biden. Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor and moderate Democrat, is facing significant challenges as she steps into a key role during a crucial time for the nation and her party. With the country undergoing a shift in ideology and potentially a generational handoff, the question arises of whether Harris, with 16 years of experience in public service, is ready to assume the presidency if needed. In her speech, Harris addressed the impact of the pandemic and criticized a president who uses tragedies for political gain. She also highlighted the disproportionate suffering of Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities due to structural racism, and emphasized the ongoing fight against police brutality and racism. Harris mentioned victims of police violence like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. However, she also devoted significant time to emphasizing the importance of family and friendships in addition to her experience as a prosecutor advocating for individuals and victims. She confidently declared, "I know a predator when I see one." Her historic nomination as the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent to be selected as vice president generated excitement and reflected the changing demographics of the country. Following a primary dominated by older white candidates, her nomination as a 55-year-old woman of color signifies a shift in the Democratic Party's leadership. Known for her strong debating skills and articulate speaking abilities, she has proven herself through her presidential campaign and role on the Judiciary Committee questioning Attorney General William Barr. In Democratic circles, it is widely believed that she will continue the tradition of vice-presidential candidates attacking the opposing party. She stated, "Donald Trump's lack of leadership has resulted in loss of lives and jobs. The ongoing chaos has left us feeling lost, the incompetence has made us fearful, and the lack of empathy has left us feeling isolated." "It's a significant challenge." However, running a tough campaign in California is nothing compared to the difficulties of campaigning on a national level, especially in a country as divided as the United States, particularly in the era of Trump. While she has faced competitive races in California, her presidential campaign failed early due to internal conflicts and a lack of a clear message from the candidate. Patti Solis Doyle, who managed Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, highlighted the surge in donations following Harris' announcement - $48 million in 48 hours - as a sign of the excitement she brought to the presidential race. Solis Doyle noted that voters, particularly Democrats, are enthusiastic about the possibility of having the first African American woman or American Indian woman on a national ticket. Harris, the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, could help attract a younger audience to the ticket, appealing to those who feel it's time for a new generation of leadership, while also reassuring older voters who appreciate Biden's centrist policies and his promise to bring civility and stability back to government. "There is a portion of the Democratic voter base, particularly older individuals, who are seeking competence, character, and traditional values in the Oval Office," he stated. "While excitement and energy are also desired, Kamala Harris is able to bring that to the table." However, Harris faces a significant challenge in how she addresses the growing influence of the left-wing within the party. While Biden's strengths lie with Black voters, older voters, and white suburbanites, younger and more liberal voters are skeptical of his centrist views and willingness to work across party lines. Harris, being from California, may be more aligned with the left, but her selection did not reassure many liberal Democrats who are concerned about her record on policing issues." Waleed Shahid, a spokesperson for the progressive organization Justice Democrats, stated that although Senator Kamala Harris is the preferred choice of the party establishment, she is not favored by the party's base, especially younger Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent leader of the progressive wing, did not mention Joe Biden or Kamala Harris when she nominated Senator Bernie Sanders during the convention. This dissent has been temporarily overshadowed by the party's desire to defeat Trump, but may resurface if the Democrats win. Harris will need to navigate this divide carefully to avoid facing a primary challenge from the left in the future if she runs for president. Varshini Prakash, the executive director of the Sunrise Movement, a group of young climate activists, expressed that Kamala Harris' nomination was a significant moment that brought excitement to Democrats of all ages and beliefs. Prakash believes that Harris could represent the direction in which the Democratic Party is moving, but also acknowledges the party's diverse ideologies beyond just Harris. Harris herself seems confident in following the paths of President Obama and Hillary Clinton, and has been widely supported and celebrated within the party. However, challenges are expected in the future, especially if she wins the election. However, at the present time, Kamala Harris seized the opportunity to speak to Democrats about unity and the future during a pandemic. She positioned herself as a new leader of the party in a nation uncertain about what lies ahead. This moment belonged to Kamala Harris. (Source: The New York Times, 2020) | 2 |
Hours after the military council promised a new civilian government to calm public anger, Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf announced his resignation as head of the council in a televised speech. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman will take over as the new head of 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. Ibn Auf emphasized the need for unity within the security system and armed forces to prevent division, and expressed his faith in God as they embark on this path of change. The news of these changes led to joyful celebrations in the streets of Khartoum, with chants of "The second has fallen!" in reference to Bashir, according to witnesses. Rashid Saeed, a spokesperson for the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), stated that recent events are a positive development and a recognition of the will of the people, bringing them closer to achieving victory. He emphasized their commitment to the demands presented to the army and urged the public to continue protesting until all demands are met. The military council has suggested a transition period of up to two years before elections, with the possibility of a shorter timeline if stability is maintained. The council's political committee leader, Omar Zain al-Abideen, announced plans for dialogue with political groups. The promise of a future civilian government was likely made to reassure demonstrators who had long called for Bashir's removal and are now pushing for swift and meaningful change under military rule. Several thousand protesters defied the night time curfew announced by Ibn Auf's military council by remaining in front of the defence ministry compound and other parts of the capital. The SPA criticized the military council's ability to bring about change and reiterated their demand for immediate power transition to a civilian government. Bashir, who took power in a 1989 military coup, faced weeks of protests due to economic hardships and repression during his 30-year rule. Worshipers gathered around the Defence Ministry for Friday prayers, responding to the SPA's call to challenge the military council. The crowd grew throughout the day, with an estimated hundreds of thousands of protesters in the area guarded by soldiers. A Sudanese police spokesman reported that 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. The spokesman, Hashem Ali, called on citizens to help maintain safety and public order. One protester, 24-year-old doctor Abdelhamid Ahmed, expressed opposition to the military council currently in power because many members were part of former leader Bashir's regime. Ibn Auf, a former vice president and defense minister, is one of several Sudanese commanders sanctioned by the US for their alleged involvement in atrocities during the Darfur conflict that started in 2003. The announcement of Bashir's removal on Thursday and the establishment of a military council by Ibn Auf included a state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire, suspension of the constitution, and a night curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. These measures were criticized by rights groups for being too forceful. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman, the third highest-ranking general in the Sudanese armed forces, led the ground forces and played a role in the Saudi-led Yemen war. Sudan's deputy UN ambassador, Yasir Abdalla Abdelsalam Ahmed, emphasized the need for a democratic process in the country, calling for support from the international community for a peaceful transition. He also stressed the importance of an inclusive political process, stating that no party, including armed groups, should be excluded. The 15-member council met in private on Friday to receive updates on the situation in Sudan. The Sudanese representative mentioned that the suspension of the constitution could be removed and the transitional period shortened based on progress and agreements between parties. The United States and Britain, among other world powers, expressed their support for a peaceful and democratic transition within a shorter timeframe than two years. China stated its commitment to collaborating with Sudan regardless of the political circumstances. Zain al-Abideen assured that the military council would not intervene in civilian governance. He stated that the transitional military council would have control over the defence and interior ministries. Burhan, the council's new leader, 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 leading Sudan's ground forces, which included overseeing troops in the Yemen war led by Saudi Arabia. Burhan also has strong connections to 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 does not have the answers to Sudan's crisis and believes that solutions will come from the protesters. He emphasized that they are not seeking power and will not force anything on the people, but rather aim to facilitate a peaceful dialogue. The council had planned to meet with political groups on Friday to prepare for dialogue, but this meeting was postponed. The council explained that it did not ask Bashir's National Congress Party to participate in the dialogue because they believe the party is responsible for the recent events. They also warned protestors that the army would not tolerate any further unrest. Ibn Auf stated that Bashir was currently being held in a secure location. Sources in Sudan informed Reuters that he was being heavily guarded at the presidential residence. The council confirmed on Friday that they would not hand over Bashir to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he has been indicted. Bashir is wanted for his alleged involvement in genocide in Sudan's Darfur region, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 300,000 people during an uprising that started in 2003. Bashir has denied these accusations. | 2 |
Trump stated that America will not give up its sovereignty to a global bureaucracy that is not elected or accountable. He emphasized that America is governed by Americans and rejected the idea of globalism while supporting patriotism. Despite being delivered calmly, Trump's 35-minute speech outlining his "America First" policies was met with silence from world leaders who are uneasy with his go-it-alone approach that has strained relationships with traditional allies. He has disrupted the global order by pulling the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, and has warned NATO nations about not contributing enough to their collective defense. Trump stated that foreign aid will only be given to countries that are friendly and respectful towards the US, and he expects other nations to pay their fair share for defense costs. In addition to criticizing Iran and China, Trump did not mention Russia's involvement in Syria or its suspected interference in US elections. Macron, on the other hand, offered a different perspective by warning against the dangers of protectionism, isolationism, and the survival of the fittest mentality. He defended the importance of multilateralism and collective action, cautioning against the dangers of nationalism and the potential return of global wars if countries fail to uphold basic principles. Macron expressed his refusal to accept the weakening 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 being a corrupt dictatorship with nuclear ambitions and supporting militant groups in the Middle East. He described Iran's leaders as instigators of chaos, death, and destruction. Macron mentioned 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 for isolation could result in conflicts. Trump, known for boasting about his economic accomplishments, claimed to have achieved more than most previous US presidents during a speech to world leaders and diplomats. This statement was met with murmurs and laughter from the crowd, surprising the president. "I didn’t expect that reaction, but that's OK," he responded. Trump has refused to meet with Rouhani and instead plans to continue putting economic pressure on Iran in order to prompt a change in their actions. The two leaders will both be in New York but will not be meeting. Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May and tensions between the two countries have been rising since then. Obama negotiated the deal with Iran. Trump announced that additional sanctions will be imposed starting on November 5th, with more to come. He also mentioned working with countries that purchase Iranian crude oil to significantly reduce their imports. The United States plans to help establish a strategic alliance between Gulf nations, Jordan, and Egypt as a defense against Iran. Trump drew a comparison between the US relationship with Iran and the improved relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, highlighting the progress made in nuclear negotiations. Last year, Trump had insulted Kim as a "rocket man," but now commended him for ceasing nuclear and missile tests, releasing American prisoners, and returning the remains of soldiers killed in the Korean War. The two leaders are currently in discussions to plan another meeting and are communicating privately. Trump has stated that sanctions on North Korea will continue, and he has also criticized OPEC members for increasing oil prices and urged them to fund their own military defense. He warned that US aid will only be given to countries that support the United States. In response, a Gulf diplomat mentioned that their country has been contributing their fair share to burden sharing. Crude oil prices surged to a four-year high due to the impending US sanctions on Iranian crude exports and OPEC and Russia's hesitance to increase output to make up for the potential loss in global supply. Trump's focus was on Iran, with an aim to create division between the country's leadership and its people following a recent attack that left 25 dead. Trump stated he would not meet with Iranians until they change their behavior, but left open the possibility of improved relations in the future. Iran's UN mission spokesperson confirmed that they have not sought a meeting with Trump. Certain individuals familiar with the situation in Iran have stated that any potential discussions between Rouhani and Trump would essentially terminate the current nuclear agreement that was also agreed upon by France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China, and the European Union. | 2 |
The disappearance of the link to Donald J. Trump's proposal on preventing Muslim immigration, along with other details on his website, including his list of potential Supreme Court justice picks and economic, defense, and regulatory reform plans, occurred on Thursday. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on these website changes. The links now redirect to a campaign fundraising page and were removed around Election Day, when Trump won against Hillary Clinton. Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal praised Trump on CNBC for removing the Muslim ban proposal from his website and deleting offensive statements about Muslims from his Twitter account. Despite this, some tweets attacking Muslims that Trump sent during his presidential campaign remained on his feed on Thursday. In a tweet from a supporter on Nov 30, 2015, which Trump later quoted, it was claimed that Muslims celebrated the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. The supporter suggested Trump include footage of these celebrations in his political ads. Samer Khalaf, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, expressed concerns about Trump's policies' impact on Muslims at a news conference with other civil rights leaders. Khalaf acknowledged Trump's removal of the Muslim ban proposal but emphasized the importance of actions over words. Despite this, most of Trump's core policy positions, including building a wall on the border with Mexico, remained on his website. The Trump campaign has a history of making unexplained changes to its website, including replacing the section on Trump's healthcare policy with a different version. In September, after being contacted by Reuters, the campaign restored the original page. | 2 |
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