The Good News Only - thread...

[icowden]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...egum-loses-appeal-removal-british-citizenship

Oh dear.....

Yep. This is quite damning.

“Despite today’s decision, the government’s racist citizenship-stripping policy remains unsustainable and badly out of step with security partners like the US. Britain is the only G20 country that strips citizenship in bulk and the last of our allies refusing to repatriate its nationals from north-east Syria.”

Senior Conservatives also condemned the government’s treatment of Begum. David Davis, the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on trafficked Britons in Syria, said it was “a shameful abdication of responsibility and must be remedied”.

Sayeeda Warsi said citizenship-stripping powers “have been used almost exclusively against Muslims, mainly of south Asian, Middle Eastern and African heritage, creating a two-tier citizenship system completely at odds with British values of fairness and equality before the law.”

She said the “extreme” powers were of concern to 6 million people in Britain with a claim to dual nationality.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

A proper good news story, and with a cycling theme(!), about two young women from Afghanistan who flee the Taliban to become pro cyclists.

This is an excerpt, the whole article is around a 5 minute read.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/63403027

It had never been easy for the sisters to cycle, even before the return of the Taliban. ​

​

Fariba and Yulduz Hashimi were born in one of the most remote, conservative provinces in Afghanistan, where it was practically unheard of to see women cycling. ​

​

In 2017 a local cycle race was put on in their local Faryab province, in the north. The sisters - then aged 14 and 17 - decided they wanted to take part. ​

​

But there was one small problem. They didn't know how to ride a bike.​

​

They borrowed a neighbour's to practice one afternoon. After a few hours, they finally got the hang of it.​

​

They had to take part in the race secretly because they hadn't told their family. They covered themselves up, wearing big baggy clothing, large headscarves and sunglasses so people didn't recognise them. They even changed their names. ​

​

They ended up finishing first and second. "It felt amazing. I felt like a bird who could fly," Fariba, now 19, tells BBC Sport.​

 

[mudsticks]

A proper good news story, and with a cycling theme(!), about two young women from Afghanistan who flee the Taliban to become pro cyclists.

This is an excerpt, the whole article is around a 5 minute read.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/63403027

It had never been easy for the sisters to cycle, even before the return of the Taliban. ​

​

Fariba and Yulduz Hashimi were born in one of the most remote, conservative provinces in Afghanistan, where it was practically unheard of to see women cycling. ​

​

In 2017 a local cycle race was put on in their local Faryab province, in the north. The sisters - then aged 14 and 17 - decided they wanted to take part. ​

​

But there was one small problem. They didn't know how to ride a bike.​

​

They borrowed a neighbour's to practice one afternoon. After a few hours, they finally got the hang of it.​

​

They had to take part in the race secretly because they hadn't told their family. They covered themselves up, wearing big baggy clothing, large headscarves and sunglasses so people didn't recognise them. They even changed their names. ​

​

They ended up finishing first and second. "It felt amazing. I felt like a bird who could fly," Fariba, now 19, tells BBC Sport.​

Ace, the liberating power of the bicycle.

If only all the women there could cycle their way to freedom.

 

[AuroraSaab]

Nice to read that when every story coming out of Iran and Afghanistan at the moment is just so depressing, from the gassing stuff, to the Taliban quashing historical divorces. Relentlessly grim. Happy International Women's Day everyone.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Happy International Women's Day everyone.

Putin today:

Recognising women’s achievements in the professional sphere is harmonically linked with the deep understanding of the paramount importance of motherhood.

The honorary title of the Mother Heroine symbolises our sincere respect for the difficult, yet noble and rewarding work of mothers, which requires their absolute dedication.

Today, I am pleased to present these decorations to Olga Strelnikova, a mother of 11 children, and Albina Khaydarshina, who gave birth to 13 children.

Thank you to all of you and all women of our huge country who have devoted their lives to the wonderful mission of motherhood.

 

[Deleted member 49]

Putin today:

Recognising women’s achievements in the professional sphere is harmonically linked with the deep understanding of the paramount importance of motherhood.

The honorary title of the Mother Heroine symbolises our sincere respect for the difficult, yet noble and rewarding work of mothers, which requires their absolute dedication.

Today, I am pleased to present these decorations to Olga Strelnikova, a mother of 11 children, and Albina Khaydarshina, who gave birth to 13 children.

Thank you to all of you and all women of our huge country who have devoted their lives to the wonderful mission of motherhood.

The man's got a heart ❤️

 

[BoldonLad]

The man's got a heart ❤️

? a need for replacement cannon fodder perhaps, but, a heart, not so sure

 

[mudsticks]

Putin today:

Recognising women’s achievements in the professional sphere is harmonically linked with the deep understanding of the paramount importance of motherhood.

The honorary title of the Mother Heroine symbolises our sincere respect for the difficult, yet noble and rewarding work of mothers, which requires their absolute dedication.

Today, I am pleased to present these decorations to Olga Strelnikova, a mother of 11 children, and Albina Khaydarshina, who gave birth to 13 children.

Thank you to all of you and all women of our huge country who have devoted their lives to the wonderful mission of motherhood.

Whilst the sons of other mothers are sent to murder, rape and destroy the innocents of another country.

All in the name of 'The Motherland'

It's all an utterly repulsive misappropriation of women, and their ability to give life...

 

[Deleted member 49]

Whilst the sons of other mothers are sent to murder, rape and destroy the innocents of another country.

All in the name of 'The Motherland'

It's all an utterly repulsive misappropriation of women, and their ability to give life...

You know I was being sarcastic 😁

 

[multitool]

All in the name of 'The Motherland'

Words are concepts, really, aren't they, and it's interesting to ponder gendered concepts.

England originally was known as a fatherland, and of course there are values associated with this such as patriotism (Patria, being the Latin). We don't have matriotism, do we.

Here's a handy little map of how countries refer to themselves

 

[mudsticks]

You know I was being sarcastic 😁

No really?? 🙄

 

[albion]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64906641

I imagine that eventually, satellite texting will become commonplace.

 

[icowden]

I enjoyed this today. Maybe not quite news, but a lot of people (Americans) getting annoyed that Hugh Grant didn't play ball with the inane Oscars questions. Particularly fine is his reference to Vanity Fair which the presenter assumes means the magazine after party rather than Hugh pointing out the shallowness of the whole affair:


View: https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1635063288701546496?s=20

 

[theclaud]

I enjoyed this today. Maybe not quite news, but a lot of people (Americans) getting annoyed that Hugh Grant didn't play ball with the inane Oscars questions. Particularly fine is his reference to Vanity Fair which the presenter assumes means the magazine after party rather than Hugh pointing out the shallowness of the whole affair:


View: https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1635063288701546496?s=20

Not as good as this tho.


View: https://youtu.be/houFuiYrEi0

 

[winjim]

Not as good as this tho.


View: https://youtu.be/houFuiYrEi0

Robert Smith interviews are always good value. Unless you're after a proper interview of course, in which case they're very poor value indeed.