What's in the news?

[CriminalMindsFan]

This is just so weird?
That crap is the best way NOT to find someone, even for a one night stand. Also the virgin thing, does it work like for terrorists, with their 72 eternally virgin gals? Sooo weird. While it's true that in certain circles it's shameful for a guy to be a virgin (grew up in very conservative circles, dated virgin guys, it was expected and normal), they could just not speak of it instead of demanding to be serviced or to kill everyone. WTF?

I forgot to mention that girls and women can also be given grief and hard time for talking about virginity. I still like to think that a percent of those that talk down to virgins don't have as much sex as they claim to have when they are being creeps and bullies.

[Oniya]

I forgot to mention that girls and women can also be given grief and hard time for talking about virginity. I still like to think that a percent of those that talk down to virgins don't have as much sex as they claim to have when they are being creeps and bullies.

But have you seen any incident where a female virgin has killed people -particularly random men - because she couldn't get laid?  Because that's what these people have done.  They have attempted to justify rape, incest and murder just because they were virgins.

Also, the bit about 72 virgins isn't in the Koran anywhere. 

[The Lovely Tsaritsa]

But have you seen any incident where a female virgin has killed people -particularly random men - because she couldn't get laid?  Because that's what these people have done.  They have attempted to justify rape, incest and murder just because they were virgins.

Also, the bit about 72 virgins isn't in the Koran anywhere.

And, that they deserve sex, with women. They are owed it, they say. As if, women are objects, or prizes, and not people. It’s disgusting. 

[CriminalMindsFan]

But have you seen any incident where a female virgin has killed people -particularly random men - because she couldn't get laid?  Because that's what these people have done.  They have attempted to justify rape, incest and murder just because they were virgins.

Also, the bit about 72 virgins isn't in the Koran anywhere.

My point about female virgins is that they can't even be proud of being one without having other women or men making fun of fact that they are a virgin. I don't know any man who feels proud of being one. I'm sure there are some out there just like there are some women who probably feel ashamed to be a virgin.

[gaggedLouise]

ABBA are preparing for a comeback. Having resisted offers of gazillions of money to do a tour, or even to reunite just once on stage, for almost forty years, the legendary pop quartet have recorded three new songs, and will perform them with some oldies in a tv special. After that, a world tour is in the works. But it won't actually be the four in flesh and blood on stage, it will be their 3-D digitized holograms, and looking lthe way the four did in the 1970s, high boots, flamboyant stage gear and everything. The vocals will be real, but pre-recorded.

ABBA have a huge cult following arpund the world - people who remember them from their golden days or people who were born too late to get to see them live, have heard their songs in Mamma Mia! and on records and who have longed for decades, so there's a great business niche in this. Not sure if it will really count as live though - with holograms there's no real room for spontaneity, for things that "just happen", or for sudden moments when everything falls into place. And how will it work out with hologram figures looking like they were thirty and the voices of two ladies who are now around seventy? I have a feeling it's going to look and feel like a long stretch of 3D digitiozed pop videos, but then that's what some other people's gigs look like too, isn't it? 

I'm really on the fence about this, artistically.

[Flower]

I found this article in my daily browsing. I wish I could say I'm surprised by Ryan's actions but I'm not.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/paul-ryan-house-representatives-pastor-fired-prayer-republican-tax-bill-patrick-conroy-a8325851.html

ABBA are preparing for a comeback. Having resisted offers of gazillions of money to do a tour, or even to reunite just once on stage, for almost forty years, the legendary pop quartet have recorded three new songs, and will perform them with some oldies in a tv special. After that, a world tour is in the works. But it won't actually be the four in flesh and blood on stage, it will be their 3-D digitized holograms, and looking lthe way the four did in the 1970s, high boots, flamboyant stage gear and everything. The vocals will be real, but pre-recorded.

ABBA have a huge cult following arpund the world - people who remember them from their golden days or people who were born too late to get to see them live, have heard their songs in Mamma Mia! and on records and who have longed for decades, so there's a great business niche in this. Not sure if it will really count as live though - with holograms there's no real room for spontaneity, for things that "just happen", or for sudden moments when everything falls into place. And how will it work out with hologram figures looking like they were thirty and the voices of two ladies who are now around seventy? I have a feeling it's going to look and feel like a long stretch of 3D digitiozed pop videos, but then that's what some other people's gigs look like too, isn't it? 

I'm really on the fence about this, artistically.

I saw this as well and got a bit excited. I wasn't alive during their time but love, love, love their music. I do agree though...the voices might be a little weird.

[Oniya]

I saw this as well and got a bit excited. I wasn't alive during their time but love, love, love their music. I do agree though...the voices might be a little weird.

It may not be as weird as you'd think.  Toto released a new song not too long ago, and honestly?  It sounded like it could have come off of the same album as 'Africa'.  (There might have been a few modern references that would give it away.)

[gaggedLouise]

It may not be as weird as you'd think.  Toto released a new song not too long ago, and honestly?  It sounded like it could have come off of the same album as 'Africa'.  (There might have been a few modern references that would give it away.)

Sure, Björn and Benny are known for their professionalism about music and their songwriting skills (Benny's post-ABBA output of songs and records is quite a bit longer than the catalogue of his former band, even if much of it is in folk-related work and stage musicals (Chess, Kristina of Dufvemåla) rather than dance pop) and I don't imagine they would release a couple of subpar songs just to cash in on ABBA nostalgia. Also, the two ladies are said to be in good shape as singers. And the tour would likely include some interesting visuals too, apart from the four "abbatars" on stage. My doubts are more about seeing people who look like they're 30-35 years old on stage and hearing voices which are that bit older coming out of their mouths.... 

[Lustful Bride]

Its so painful when someone so young has to die. I actually had to stop reading to wipe my eyes of a few tears.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/british-toddler-at-center-of-legal-battle-dies/ar-AAwrZd9?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[RedRose]

Yeah. I wish the parents could try whatever they wish... Numerous people around me/in my friends online are praying...

[TheGlyphstone]

Yeah. I wish the parents could try whatever they wish... Numerous people around me/in my friends online are praying...

I'm conflicted, personally. In a case like that one, and as a general precedent of personal freedom, I feel the parents should be able to try whatever. But the general precedent of 'expert care > parental concerns' swings the other way in something like, hypothetically, a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses with a child who will die without a blood transfusion but their beliefs forbid allowing the child to receive donated blood.

[Lustful Bride]

I'm conflicted, personally. In a case like that one, and as a general precedent of personal freedom, I feel the parents should be able to try whatever. But the general precedent of 'expert care > parental concerns' swings the other way in something like, hypothetically, a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses with a child who will die without a blood transfusion but their beliefs forbid allowing the child to receive donated blood.

But in this case the parents were willing to spend every last dollar to give their child a chance at more life. They weren't depriving him of care they were fighting to give it to him.

If I were in their case I would happily put myself in poverty just to buy a few more days of life.

[LisztesFerenc]

But in this case the parents were willing to spend every last dollar to give their child a chance at more life. They weren't depriving him of care they were fighting to give it to him.

If I were in their case I would happily put myself in poverty just to buy a few more days of life.

  That was the reason the courts prevented the parents from seeking treatment. The medical consensus seemed to be that the treatment would not give the child a few more days. The issue was that (understandably) grief stricken parents were going subject their child to unneccissary medical procedures that would only reduce the quality of their remaining life with no benefit.

[Lustful Bride]

  That was the reason the courts prevented the parents from seeking treatment. The medical consensus seemed to be that the treatment would not give the child a few more days. The issue was that (understandably) grief stricken parents were going subject their child to unneccissary medical procedures that would only reduce the quality of their remaining life with no benefit.

But what if it does work? They should have the right to try. Might have been much better than what did happen with the kid actually living longer off life support than the doctors thought, just prolonging the pain of the parents.

[LisztesFerenc]

But what if it does work? They should have the right to try. Might have been much better than what did happen with the kid actually living longer off life support than the doctors thought, just prolonging the pain of the parents.

  Parents have a right to prolong their child's suffering because they haven't given up hope when the medical community agrees their is none? I'm not saying that's the case here, just that there is another side to it. The courts had a reason for blocking the treatment.

[RedRose]

I also understand that side. I just hope the courts only have the child's best interest at heart. Unfortunately, in those medical cases, I sometimes wonder... I personally think parents should be allowed to try whatever, unless it is obviously crazy AND going to increase suffering. I also think they shouldn't be able to deny treatment due to religious reasons when it is life threatening or will have long terms consequences. Thankfully many religions will allow anything to save the person in such cases, but I know not all.

[Lustful Bride]

Debate over Puerto Rican Statehood or Independence picks up again.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sluggish-recovery-from-hurricane-maria-reignites-calls-for-puerto-rico’s-statehood-independence/ar-AAwtmZr?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[Lustful Bride]

It hurts to see the worst stereotypes about the VA being made more prominent by the politics that are being played.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/veterans-and-their-families-react-to-the-turmoil-at-the-department-of-veterans-affairs/ar-AAwwzmD?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[RedRose]

I can't find an English link.
Someone published praise about Mussolini for his death anniversary. My Italian friends weren't even surprised.
https://gayburg.blogspot.fr/2018/04/a-vicenza-un-rosario-in-onore-di-benito.html

[gaggedLouise]

I can't find an English link.
Someone published praise about Mussolini for his death anniversary. My Italian friends weren't even surprised.
https://gayburg.blogspot.fr/2018/04/a-vicenza-un-rosario-in-onore-di-benito.html

The most memorable thing about the death of Mussolini is that famous photo of the bodies of the leader, his mistress Clara Petacci and some of his associates hanged upside down from a girder, on public display. And the fact that Hitler heard about it and decided to kill himself and have his body burnt. rather than risk anything like that for himself and Eva Braun. 

[Lustful Bride]

Drug and Gang violence in Australia on the rise as groups battle for territory.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/australia/mexican-drug-cartels-nigerian-gangsters-armenian-cocaine-dealers-italian-mafia-and-chinese-syndicates-how-foreign-crime-groups-‘do-not-fear’-australian-police-and-are-setting-up-their-headquarters-in-sydney/ar-AAwwunB?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz


Man with ties to IS arrested on terror charges after posting images and information on Prince George with vague threat of "Even the royal family will not be spared" Written in his posts.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/man-accused-of-posting-prince-george-info-denies-terrorism/ar-AAwyoVW?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[Lustful Bride]

US shuts down Ground Forces office in Iraq.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-shuts-down-ground-forces-office-in-iraq-as-combat-against-islamic-state-ends/ar-AAwxjmI?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

EU states it is ready for a trade war with the US.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/eu-says-it-is-ready-to-wage-trade-war-with-us/ar-AAwxgHn?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

Welp, guess I better make sure I have my Fallout supplies ready, just in case. Cant be too careful you know? :) (only half joking)

[Lustful Bride]

The First Female Pilot of Afghanistan has requested Asylum (and been approved) in the US after constant threats from insurgents and aggression by officials from her own government finally caused her to leave.

She has now been granted Asylum within the United States.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/news/first-female-afghan-pilot-granted-asylum-by-us/vi-AAwzhij?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[gaggedLouise]

EU states it is ready for a trade war with the US.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/eu-says-it-is-ready-to-wage-trade-war-with-us/ar-AAwxgHn?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

Welp, guess I better make sure I have my Fallout supplies ready, just in case. Cant be too careful you know? :) (only half joking)

Not quite yet though...Trump just put off the steel and aluminium tariffs for another month, at least for Europe, Canada and Mexico.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/30/politics/tariff-deadline-delay/index.html

Meanwhile, the Robert Mueller team has handed over to the president's lawyers almost fifty questions they'd like to ask Donald Trump about the election campaign, about the now famous secret meeting at Trump Tower between Kushner, Donald Trump Jr, Paul Manafort and a bunch of well-connected Muscovites - and about Trump's even more tantalizing visit to Moscow a few years earlier. I don't think these questions will include the one posed by the Tsarina though: "If you're all for #MAGA, Mr. President, why do you prefer the company of Russian hookers?"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/report-mueller-gives-list-of-questions-to-trumps-lawyers/2018/04/30/41879358-4ce2-11e8-85c1-9326c4511033_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.dc69626ab7f2

[gaggedLouise]

Meanwhile in Scandinavia...it's getting increasingly unlikely that there will be any Nobel prize for literature awarded this year after the sticky scandal and public turmoil attaching to the Swedish Academy. If the award is cancelled it would be for the first time since WW2.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/27/nobel-prize-in-literature-may-be-cancelled-in-2018-amid-sex-scandal-swedish-academy

The Academy is currently down to almost half size: eight out of eighteen members have declared that they are not participating in any sessions - two of those were "old" exits that happened long before the scandal surfaced in November last year. One of the eight people estranged is the former permanent secretary and main spokeswoman, Sara Danius. At least four of the eight have declared that they are out for good, but so far the statutes of the Academy (written at its founding in 1786) have made it impossible for anyone's exit to be formally accepted, unless they were deposed for like high treason in national affairs.

The King has announced that he will make some additons and updates to the statutes to help take the Academy out of dead water, especially make it easier to recognize someone stepping down from a seat. Normally all seats are given for life, and since the institution is so old, it's effectively outside the sphere of the modern constitutional state, no government supervision, even if the Academy is a de facto authority on the language and literature of this country.

Also, a police investigation has finally begun about the activities of Mr. Arnault, the main spider in the web of this affair and married to one of the estranged members, about suspected sexual harrassment, tax evasion, use of black labour and possible corruption relating to money and assets invested by the Academy in events he organized, In one particularly juicy bit of news, he was alleged to have groped the Crown Princess on her butt at some sort of official event (not one of "his" events) in 2006, at a mansion belonging to the Academy. This is said to have been witnessed both by her father the King, then permanent secretary Horace Engdahl and his (later divorced) wife and prominent feminist Ebba Witt-Brattström. Engdahl and Brattsröm are famously not friends after they divorced, but she doesn't seem to be the only witness ready to back the allegation. The King is said to have ordered Engdahl, soon after, to make sure that Princess Victoria and Mr. Arnault were never again left alone in the same room. ^_ ^