What's in the News? 2.0

[Annaamarth]

We would have to disagree there. There are people who cannot cover their faces for medical reasons. They need to be legally exempt. The issue is some non-exempt people abuse this "loophole" (quote-unquote) while many people who need to have their faces exposed suffer needless accusation and harassment. Its an issue which is pretty much impossible to address fairly by everyone.

Fox and Saria made my point for me.

I can't say that it's impossible that someone might need to keep their face uncovered for medical reasons, but the reasonable accommodation is curbside pickup or (free) personalized shopping assistance. I used to work at a large retailer and we performed that service for customers fairly regularly - any time it was requested or the customer accepted the offer from us.

It does *not* mean "you can keep you face uncovered in the store even if it endangers others."  Nor should it, I think, for the public good.

[The Lovely Tsaritsa]

Police arrest here, for not wearing masks. No exceptons.

[Lilias]

Legendary mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig has died, aged 93. End of an era.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/26/christa-ludwig-obituary

[Haibane]

Fox and Saria made my point for me.

I can't say that it's impossible that someone might need to keep their face uncovered for medical reasons, but the reasonable accommodation is curbside pickup or (free) personalized shopping assistance. I used to work at a large retailer and we performed that service for customers fairly regularly - any time it was requested or the customer accepted the offer from us.

It does *not* mean "you can keep you face uncovered in the store even if it endangers others."  Nor should it, I think, for the public good.

I will reply in the COVId-19 thread as we've departed from the topic this thread is intended for.

[Annaamarth]

https://news.sky.com/story/russias-final-solution-to-alexei-navalnys-opposition-group-13-000-arrests-and-a-terrorist-designation-12287934

This seems ... ungood.

[Lilias]

Some headway in the fight against malaria.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/malaria-vaccine-has-striking-early-success-after-decades-disappointment

[Haibane]

https://news.sky.com/story/russias-final-solution-to-alexei-navalnys-opposition-group-13-000-arrests-and-a-terrorist-designation-12287934

This seems ... ungood.

If he gets released then another organisation could be created. If Putin's thugs try to stigmatise that then its clear they are not interested in any particular organisation as such but any opposed to the regime... though possibly that's already a given.

[Mechelle]

The row between Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings, which Haibane and I mentioned a couple of days ago, is still going on, and indeed getting deeper.
It has moved on somewhat from questions about the refurbishment of Johnson's flat, and who paid for it, to comments Johnson allegedly made prior to our second lockdown, saying that he was prepared to see the bodies pile up  in their thousands rather than face a second lockdown. We have had three lockdowns  and  there were many deaths resulting from  the third at Christmas when he gave contradictory messages and suddenly reversed his policy.

Johnson has denied saying this, but there are supposedly several witnesses, who are anonymous and have not come forward in public, to say that he did say exactly this.

It's ironic how all the Conservatives who defended Cummings so strongly after his lockdown busting trip to Barnard Castle have now come out against him. It's equally ironic how somebody like me, who despises the likes of Cummings will now use him as a reliable source, I must admit.
Most of all, though, it's amusing to see the right-wing Daily Mail turn against  Boris Johnson and his lies. The Mail sees Michael Gove as a hero. Michael Gove is  a major contender to replace Johnson, as well as being competent but Machiavellian.. He is also the husband of Sarah Vine, who is a senior journalist on the Mail.



https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/26/pressure-mounts-on-boris-johnson-over-alleged-let-the-bodies-pile-high-remarks

[TheHangedOne]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/27/california-nestle-water-san-bernardino-forest-drought

"Drought-hit California moves to halt Nestlé from taking millions of gallons of water" is the headline. TL;DR Nestle is draining some 20x as much water as they're entitled to, while California deals with its increasingly usual droughts (and who wants to take bets on wild fires-- *sigh*).  Nestle may be fined if they don't stop, but quite frankly, the fines won't put a significant dent in their income.

[Haibane]

Yes, California's droughts are catastrophic. Anyone who denies climate change when seeing this evidence is nuts.

https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-of-california-drought-2014-2?r=US&IR=T

[Haibane]

There are some tragic and awful news stories you come across ... and you simply wish you hadn't. Please be aware, this report makes upsetting reading.

Australian man sentenced after filming four police officers dying in road traffic accident.

[Annaamarth]

Feds raided Rudy Giuliani's apartment, took electronics.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/28/politics/rudy-giuliani-federal-prosecutors/index.html

... Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[Haibane]

Agree. I was just about to post the same link. Here's the BBC version.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56921179

BTW I wonder how the elite strike force member Sidney Powell is getting on?

[Sara Nilsson]

https://io9.gizmodo.com/jeff-goldblum-is-doing-a-dungeons-dragons-podcast-wh-1846781705

I know its not Earth shattering but its news.

jeff Goldblum, Dungeons and Dragons podcast! I mean, those two things combined should be Earth shattering!!!!

[Mechelle]

In the UK, where Boris Johnson is facing an investigation by the Electoral Commission over the decoration of his flat (effectively over who paid for it or loaned him the money, as he says he has no money, but funded the £58,000 (I think) above the permitted allowance for redecoration), Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, has said she will resign from the position and party leadership

She is the leader of the socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party, but has come under criticism from her own party for abstaining on a vote to outlaw gay conversion therapy, for attending a Gaelic cultural event, and for believing Boris Johnson's promises not to erect a trade barrier in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

She always appeared, from a liberal British view as an intransigent hardliner, but was actually, in the context of her party, a pragmatic moderate. It may say something about the media coverage of Northern Ireland  over here that I have only just learned this; I suspect her successor will be more intransigent and will encourage the base support, while losing the more moderate to the Ulster Unionists or non-sectarian Alliance Party.

[TheHangedOne]

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/04/concerned-father-arrested-peacefully-testifying-arkansas-trans-health-care-ban/
TL;DR version:
"Concerned father arrested while peacefully testifying against Arkansas trans health care ban"

"He was arrested for going 30 seconds over his allotted two minutes to speak. The anti-LGBTQ hate group representative who spoke before him talked for 40 minutes. "

Looks like we're headed back towards the Dark Ages.

[Oniya]

She is the leader of the socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party, but has come under criticism from her own party for abstaining on a vote to outlaw gay conversion therapy, for attending a Gaelic cultural event, and for believing Boris Johnson's promises not to erect a trade barrier in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

I can understand the other two as being political points of friction - but that middle one?

[Annaamarth]

Possibly attending a gaelic cultural event while being a part of the socially conservative (read: Christian) party? Or attending an event while pushing an agenda that is more conservative than aligns with those cultural values? I'm just spitballing - as she's a bit moderate, I'm viewing the lens of those reactions as possible coming fron the sort of Irishperson who wears a MAGA hat.

@Mechelle am I close? Or anyone else with familiarity?

[Mechelle]

I can understand the other two as being political points of friction - but that middle one?

It's because Irish Gaelic activities are associated with Irish Republicanism. It was actually a sporting event where she was supporting the team of her native County Fermanagh who were playing County Donegal, which is also n Ulster, but in the Republic of Ireland. The match was  played in the Republic where she stood for the Republic National Anthem.

At one time, people who had played association or rugby football were not allowed to play Gaelic football, so there was bias on both sides, but this was a big effort by her in reaching out.  Annaamarth, I am only learning about much of this as I write this, but I am impressed by her, just as she steps down. I fear the future won't be better.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44577679

[Sara Nilsson]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/science/michael-collins-third-man-of-the-moon-landing-dies-at-90.html

Michael Collins has passed away. :(

For those that don't know he was the guy that didn't walk on the moon with Neil and Buzz but was in the Apollo capsule orbiting high above. A true hero.

[Annaamarth]

Annaamarth, I am only learning about much of this as I write this, but I am impressed by her, just as she steps down. I fear the future won't be better.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44577679

Thank you.

Also - well, shit.

[The Lovely Tsaritsa]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/science/michael-collins-third-man-of-the-moon-landing-dies-at-90.html

Michael Collins has passed away. :(

For those that don't know he was the guy that didn't walk on the moon with Neil and Buzz but was in the Apollo capsule orbiting high above. A true hero.

Very sad, what he, and Mr Armstrong and Mr Aldrin do, its amazing.

[Skynet]

The UN-based NGO Human Rights Watch listed a 213 page report detailing how the Israeli government is guilty of apartheid and calls for economic sanctions.

This being the UN, I'm confident that nothing will come of this besides a wag and a finger.

[Haibane]

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/04/concerned-father-arrested-peacefully-testifying-arkansas-trans-health-care-ban/
TL;DR version:
"Concerned father arrested while peacefully testifying against Arkansas trans health care ban"

"He was arrested for going 30 seconds over his allotted two minutes to speak. The anti-LGBTQ hate group representative who spoke before him talked for 40 minutes. "

Looks like we're headed back towards the Dark Ages.

Oh my goodness. How double can double standards get? This is just so wrong in so many ways. The USA seems to be getting taken over by nutty right wing Christians and it needs. To. Stop.

(BTW there are millions of awesome Christians all over the planet, I only have concerns about those that try to force religious belief into secular law. I have similar issues with Muslim belief and Sharia law trying to be imposed in non-Muslim countries).

[Haibane]

Alexei Navalny's anti-Putin party is disbanded by the Russian government who have labelled it a "terrorist organisation".

Putin is really stepping across red lines here. I seriously wonder how long he can remain in power with the way he is acting, both domestically and internationally.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56919934