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BirSaNN

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  1. Let's start with some facts. Boris Johnson had to leave Downing Street last summer because a majority of his Conservative colleagues thought he was doing more harm than good. Now a committee of MPs is set to judge he didn't tell the truth. That committee is made up mainly of Tory MPs. The former PM has faced the same procedure as other MPs that get into trouble. And while Mr Johnson claims he has been "forced out", remember he has chosen to quit before we even see the black and white of their verdict. It is also a fact there are some Conservatives who begrudge him his success. It is also true that during his last few months in No 10 there were internal enemies trying to force him out. ADVERTISEMENT But to dress that up as a grand conspiracy is, candidly, a stretch. One of those who knows him best told me his resignation announcement was "1,000 words that tell you everything about Johnson's mindset - it's your fault not mine". Rather than confront what has happened or try to defend himself from the judgement that is coming, Boris Johnson made a political choice this week not to stay and fight. As ever, the line between farce and tragedy is skinny. While most of the headlines screamed of the shock, the former prime minister's exit from Parliament is entirely on brand. Media caption, Watch: Boris Johnson's political career... in 72 seconds The timing on a Friday was unexpected, but no surprise. He never much liked Parliament anyway, even though he managed to find a gong for the Commons' hairdresser. The idea he would savour being a humble backbencher asking questions about cash for the local hospital or appearing at school fetes was for the birds. And if the Privileges Committee's findings are as savage as expected he would have faced a by-election. Clues from his track record tell us there is little chance he would have fought if he hadn't been sure he could win. He pulled out of the Tory leadership race in 2016 when Michael Gove's move blew up his status as front-runner. He didn't run in 2022 despite a dash back from the Caribbean and fevered claims that he had enough support. One former cabinet ally says he is "more calculating than people think and this will have been a calculation - if he thought he would win the by-election he would stay". To win and lose does not match brand Boris. To leave like this absolutely does. Chris Mason: The ghost of Boris Johnson haunts Rishi Sunak Boris Johnson: Resignation statement in full Watch again: Laura Kuenssberg - The downfall of Boris Johnson The power of his personality - frankly his fame - means he leaves behind some devastated colleagues and a strand of the public who believe he has been hard done by. One former cabinet minister says: "The party wounded itself when it defenestrated Boris and continues to bleed." Some of his hard-core supporters left on the backbenches say his exit is a sad day for democracy and - with some justification believe his leadership is what secured their seats, particularly in parts of the country where the Tories could never have dreamt of doing well before. Some of his loyal backers do feel like he is the great hero in a tragedy, cast aside unfairly in an epic drama, undone by those who envy his talents. His exit is arguably a tragedy for those who genuinely believed in and adored him. And there is a political tragedy for the Conservative Party, which many MPs privately believe squandered a once in a generation majority. 2019 gave it one of those rare chances to make radical changes to the country, and while many believe it was thrown away by mismanagement and mistakes, there was of course the unexpected horror of the Covid pandemic too. For those who deplore Boris Johnson, there is a different kind of tragedy, the damage they believe he did to the UK's reputation. And several of those who have been close to him over the years identify a fourth element of the mess - the fact they believe it was never going to end well. In the Greek tragedies so beloved of Mr Johnson himself, fate, and inevitability plays an important role. One of them says: "Boris is a genuine tragedy. This was all inevitable. We knew how it would play out, but we are still surprised and shocked about how dreadful it is. All our hard work pissed away." SWLK top strap Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC News and streaming from 09:00 BST this Sunday, 11 June SWLK bottom strap So what happens next? Some MPs are actually cock-a-hoop despite the colossal mess. One tells me: "The man-baby has gone - so pleased!" But allies talk up his chances of running for another seat some time. One former senior minister tells me "the question is does he plan to get another seat or even Mid-Beds?" - the constituency his close ally and former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has just left. Another former cabinet minister says: "It would be very unwise for him to run again. He has a vociferous 20% in the party who like him but 80% don't. If he ran in a by-election the Lib Dems would murder him." Would party HQ even let that happen? Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has changed the personnel in charge there. One senior figure pours a bucket of freezing water over the idea telling me: "Boris died today." What is not clear yet is whether as that MP suggests the manner of his departure could "generate so much unrest I fear there will be an election much sooner than thought". Mr Johnson has thrown grenades at No 10 - not just the committee that has judged him - suggesting Mr Sunak is not running a "proper Conservative" government. One former ally says the ex-PM has "gone full circle, returning to his political home - a hut across the water where he can now lob rocks without any sense of responsibility or accountability - and that is ultimately very dangerous for his party and Sunak". line Four times Johnson bounced back In 1987, Boris Johnson was fired by The Times for falsifying a quote - but was hired the following year by The Daily Telegraph, as the paper's Brussels correspondent In 2004, he was fired as the Conservatives' shadow arts minister for lying about an affair - but was back on the front bench a year later In 2016, he pulled out of his first bid to be Conservative leader and prime minister after his close friend Michael Gove launched a rival bid - but he made a surprise comeback as foreign secretary under eventual winner Theresa May In 2018, he quit Mrs May's cabinet in protest at her Brexit deal, only to return as leader of the party the following year, going on to win a huge majority at a general election line But if Boris Johnson is unlikely to run for Parliament again, and is happy to dangle the prospect of a return, what else might he do with his time? You'll find plenty of people in Westminster chattering that he'll return to his first love - writing - but might there be something bigger? By chance his old newspaper the Telegraph has just come up for sale and - by chance - its former editor Will Lewis has just been made a knight by Mr Johnson. Is there, by chance, the possibility they might be part of a bid to take it over? It's been suggested to me that is in fact something that has been discussed. It's no secret that Mr Lewis - now Sir Will - would be keen to take it on. He advised Mr Johnson in No 10 sometimes and the two men worked together at the Telegraph when the former PM was its star columnist who attracted extra subscribers each week. Going back as a columnist would be one thing for Mr Johnson and not all that surprising. But for him to take a bigger role - as one source whispers, the editor - might be the Conservatives' worst nightmare. I'm told that conversations are only at the stage of ideas being scribbled down on paper. A formal sale process, let alone any decisions about actual bids, is a long way off. But I can't help wondering, what would the consequences be for Downing Street and the Conservatives if their most loyal backer in the press gave a major role to Mr Sunak's bitter rival? Could the next twist in the Boris Johnson story be even wilder than the last? Perhaps. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65865946
  2. In Australia, a man recently survived a crocodile attack. An expert explains how the man likely escaped. A man in Australia recently escaped from the reptilian jaws of death after a crocodile clamped down on his head. Marcus McGowan was snorkeling about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Cape York coast in Queensland when a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) attacked him from behind. These reptiles have the strongest measured bite force of any animal on Earth. But McGowan pried open the reptile's jaws before it could snap down even harder. "I was able to lever its jaws open just far enough to get my head out," McGowan said in a statement released by the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. "The crocodile then attempted to attack me a second time, but I managed to push it away with my right hand, which was then bitten by the croc." Sponsored Links Experts Explains The “15 minutes” Method Babbel He was then taken to hospital and treated for scalp lacerations and puncture wounds on his head and hand — relatively minor injuries considering he went head to head with one of the planet's most powerful predators. Related: How are alligators and crocodiles different? Powerful bite Crocodiles are well known for their vice-like jaws. "It might look like they have really fat necks, but actually that's extra jaw muscle," Paul Gignac, an anatomical researcher at the University of Arizona, told Live Science. This gargantuan neck muscle — known as the ventral pterygoideus muscle — enables adult saltwater crocodiles to clamp down on their prey with a force of 3,700 pounds per square inch (16,460 newtons), according to a 2012 study co-authored by Gignac. In comparison, jaguars (Panthera onca) can bite down with a force of around 1,500 psi. McGowan believes the crocodile that attacked him was about 6.5 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters) long, which suggests it was a juvenile. However, even young crocodiles can pack a serious punch, generating around 250 psi (1,112 newtons) of bite force at the back of their jaws, Gignac said. "It is generally surprising [McGowan survived]," Gignac said. Crocodiles are "not known to let go once they hold on." Gignac noted that "this man's probably especially lucky that the juvenile was either too small or didn't have a positioning to start rolling," a behavior known as a "death roll," in which crocodiles violently twist in the water while holding their prey to disorient or dismember it. "Otherwise, it might be the case that this person would have lost a limb." Staring death in the face So how exactly did McGowan escape the crocodile's vice-like grip? There could be a few factors at play. For one, the crocodile may not have been able to wrap its entire jaw around McGowan. "The bite force gets lower as you go out away from the jaw joint," Gignac said. "So the tip of their snout will typically have about 40% lower bite force, and that's just due to the engineering or the physics behind the way levers work." The croc's stamina may also have played a part. Reptiles are cold blooded, or ectothermic, meaning they largely rely on external heat sources to manage their body temperatures and have slower metabolisms than warm blooded, or endothermic animals. As a result, they typically have smaller reserves of energy than most endothermic animals. So even though a crocodile's attack may be vicious at first, "they do become tired relatively quickly," Gignac said, adding that crocodiles need rest before reaching peak performance again. Under these conditions, then, it may be possible for a human to dislodge themselves from a crocodile's mouth. When attacked, humans often release massive amounts of adrenaline, which speeds up the heart and breathing rate. This reaction increases the oxygen sent to muscles, giving someone a temporary energy boost. "A full grown man with adrenaline could — in that situation — pry open a 200-pound vise essentially," Gignac said. "I think it would be difficult but, you know, when you don't really have any other choice, you go for it. So it's not out of the realm of possibility." So what should you do if you find yourself in a fight with this apex predator? "If you have an object with you, and you have the wherewithal to go for the eyes, that's probably the most sensitive place on [the] head of a crocodile or an alligator," Gignac said. "My best advice is to not get yourself into a scenario where you have to fight off an alligator or a crocodile." link: https://www.livescience.com/animals/alligators-crocodiles/man-survives-crocodile-attack-by-prying-its-jaws-off-his-head-how-did-he-escape-such-a-powerful-bite
  3. Honoring the Garage 56 entry running in this year's 24-hour race, the ZL1 special edition will be limited to 56 copies. The 2024 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition commemorates the modified NASCAR Cup Car running in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. Painted Riptide Blue and wearing graphics inspired by the ZL1 race car, Chevy will only sell 56 copies in the U.S. of the production version. While pricing hasn't been released, the 650-hp Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition will be available later this year. The incredible six-generation Chevy Camaro ZL1 will soon be pushing daises, as it's ending production after the 2024 model year. However, in addition to the recently revealed commemorative Collector's Edition, the bow-tie brand has introduced the 2024 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition to mark a motorsports milestone. Inspired by the modified NASCAR Camaro ZL1 Cup Car that's running in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the production car is aimed at customers who love the Camaro and who love Le Mans. Chevy says it will only sell 56 copies of the G56 Edition in the U.S., making it extremely limited. Based on the 2024 Camaro ZL1 coupe, with its 650-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, the Garage 56 version features the face of the track-focused 1LE variant, complete with prominent dive planes and a protruding front splitter. There's also a wicker bill rear spoiler that's influenced by those seen on NASCAR Cup Cars. Along with Riptide Blue paint—exclusively offered for the '24 model year—the ZL1 G56 wears graphics designed to mimic the Le Mans race car. Notice the thin gold stripe outlining the primary white stripe that flow from the car's hood to the trunklid. In the middle is a black and gray rendition of the American flag. The hood also gets a NASCAR 75th Anniversary badge, and there's a Hendrick Motorsports logo on the rear pillar, just like the race car. Garage 56 emblems also appear on the front fenders as well as inside on the steering wheel and floormats. For those who want their commemorative Camaro ZL1 to look even more like the race car that'll be spending an entire day circling the Circuit de la Sarthe, Chevy will offer three additional decals. There's a NASCAR one that goes at the top of the windshield, there are Goodyear decals for the front wheel arches, and "24" can be stamped on the doors in honor of the race car's number. The 2024 Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition will go into production later this year, and fans who want to watch it compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans can see the action start at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, June 10. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44155581/2024-chevy-camaro-zl1-garage-56-edition-debut/
  4. A version of this article first appeared on the BBC Sport website in April 2020. It turns out Erling Haaland is not Manchester City's first star striker to be famous for marking important wins by strutting around in his underpants afterwards. If City beat Inter Milan on Saturday to win the Champions League for the first time, the aftermath could witness echoes of their first and - so far - only European triumph, 53 years ago. Haaland might need to up his game, too. According to po[CENSORED]r legend, City's celebrations after lifting the European Cup Winners' Cup in April 1970 involved the matchwinner, England forward Francis Lee, dancing on a piano wearing only his briefs. After talking to Lee, it turns out that particular tale is only partially true but there were plenty of unusual elements to City's success that were completely factual. They include why the game was watched by a record number of travelling fans from England, but by absolutely no-one back home - although it still gave commentary legend Barry Davies his big break at the BBC. A torrential downpour ruined the night in Vienna for City's WAGS but did not prevent the players from partying and, three decades before City were banned then readmitted to Europe, the victorious Blues threatened to stage their own boycott afterwards. What is also undisputed is that a club so often derided by rival fans for having "no history", let alone any track record in Europe, were ahead of some now established Champions League giants when it came to pioneering success on foreign fields. City's 2-1 triumph in Austria against crack Polish side Gornik Zabrze meant they brought home a continental trophy to go with their domestic silverware before the likes of Liverpool (1973 Uefa Cup) and Juventus (1977 Uefa Cup). ADVERTISEMENT Even the mighty Barcelona (1979 Cup Winners' Cup) had to wait another nine years for a Uefa-sanctioned title to go with their wins in the Inter City Fairs Cup, which would evolve into the Uefa Cup but was an independent invitational competition, initially only open to cities hosting international trade fairs, for many of the years when Barca dominated it in the 1950s and 60s. Franny's Grand Slam City skipper Tony Book won the League Championship trophy (left) in 1968, collected the Charity Shield and FA Cup the following season while it was still in their trophy cabinet, then made it five major trophies in three seasons when he lifted the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970, becoming the first English side to win a continental and domestic cup in the same campaign Pep Guardiola's current City side are well known for collecting trophies, with two already this season following 11 others in the previous five campaigns - but in Lee's day they also had a ferocious appetite for silverware. Under the genial Joe Mercer and his innovative assistant Malcolm Allison, an all-English City side with an exciting attack-minded style had won every domestic competition going in the previous 24 months, and they were far from finished. "In that 1969-70 campaign, I used to talk to the other players about 'Franny's Grand Slam'," Lee explained in 2020, on the 50th anniversary of their victory in Vienna. "I had the attitude that we should try to win everything we took part in. "We were going down to London on the train for a league game near the start of the season and in the middle of playing cards when Glyn Pardoe said 'look, there's Wembley!' "I said 'get used to the view, because that is where we are going to do the Grand Slam this year'." Lee was half right. He had wanted the quadruple but had to settle for a unique double instead. While City lost against neighbours Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup and slid down the league table after Christmas, they made it to Wembley in March and beat West Brom in the League Cup final. Not many people would get to see them add the Cup Winners' Cup to their haul a few weeks later, however. link: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52455182
  5. Alison on Emma What were you hoping for? A good story and to rack up a bill that would give me nightmares if I were paying myself. And potentially to meet the love of my life. First impressions? Friendly, chatty and slightly nervous. She had studied the menu beforehand and had some recommendations ready (I’m veggie), which was impressive. What did you talk about? The amount of sport she does. Favourite places to travel. The queer takeover of our households. The chutney collection on the table. And, in true lesbian fashion, The L Word. Q&A Fancy a blind date? Show Most awkward moment? She asked what flavour my cocktail was; I thought intensely about it for 10 seconds, but still couldn’t answer. She informed me after taking a sip. Good table manners? Definitely. I appreciated that she threw in a couple of extras when ordering – including the infamous chutney. Best thing about Emma? How passionate she is: about her job, hobbies, her volunteering and – most importantly – how to order a small feast. Would you introduce Emma to your friends? Absolutely, one flatmate in particular … Describe Emma in three words. Unorganised (her word, not mine), outgoing and active. What do you think Emma made of you? Hopefully that I was nice, even if I need to work on my cocktail identifying skills. Did you go on somewhere? Only to the tube but since my train was already there I had to sprint off rather abruptly. And ... did you kiss? No gossip to report. If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? I would’ve skipped lunch – my paneer was too good to be abandoned like that. Marks out of 10? A solid 8. Would you meet again? I’m not sure our paths will cross. link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jun/10/blind-date-alison-emma
  6. Was this the week that Ukraine's long-anticipated counter-offensive finally got under way? Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to think so. "We can definitely state that this Ukrainian offensive has begun," he said in a video interview published on Telegram on Friday. In some ways, it's already been under way for weeks, with Ukraine conducting what's known in military jargon as "shaping operations": long range artillery and missile attacks on key Russian logistical targets far behind the front lines. Monday seemed to herald a change, with small detachments of lightly armoured Ukrainian units moving forward across the open fields towards Russian fortifications in southern Ukraine, south-east of Zaporizhzhia. "Now the so-called 'fighting reconnaissance stage' is taking place along the entire length of the front," Serhii Kuzan, co-founder and chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, told the BBC. "That means there's a probing of Russian defences." Some videos and accounts suggested that they quickly ran into trouble. "Somewhere this happens more successfully with small losses," Mr Kuzan said. "And somewhere less successfully, where the Russians fight back." Mr Kuzan declined to name specific towns, saying only that they were all in the area south of Zaporizhzhia. By Tuesday, the world's attention was captured by the destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka and the subsequent flooding that soon covered around 230 square miles (596 sq km) either side of the Dnipro River. For all the Kremlin's denials, it didn't look like a coincidence. The dam, and the road across it, offered a possible line of attack for Ukrainian forces looking for ways to keep Russian forces off-balance. It seems highly likely that Russian forces, which controlled the dam, decided to blow it up, taking one of Kyiv's military operations off the table. Kyiv had already signalled its interest in this stretch of the front line more than once. In late April, Ukrainian soldiers crossed the river and briefly established a bridgehead at Oleshky. Ukraine also took control of several small islands in the Dnipro delta, close to Kherson. The extent of Kyiv's military plans for this area is not known, and is now academic. The catastrophic flooding will have made river crossings impossible for the time being. "But the fact that such a direction was an option was seen by the Russians," Mr Kuzan said. While the authorities in Kyiv suddenly grappled with the flooding, the fighting continued - and seemed to escalate - further east. By early Thursday morning, the UK's Ministry of Defence tweeted that "heavy fighting continues along multiple sectors of the front," adding that in most areas "Ukraine holds the initiative." In a video the same day, Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that Russian forces had repelled an overnight Ukrainian attack in the area south of Zaporizhzhia, involving 150 armoured vehicles and 1,500 troops. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Ukraine's 47th Mechanised Brigade "made an attempt to break through Russian lines." A video circulated on the internet, purporting to show something new: a western-supplied Leopard tank being destroyed. The BBC has not yet verified the video. Ukrainian officials, characteristically tight lipped about current operations, offered tantalising glimpses into what was going on. Hanna Malyar, the Deputy Defence Minister, coyly said that Russian troops were "actively on the defensive" in the area around the town of Orikhiv, around 65km south-east of Zaporizhzhia. In a statement on Telegram, she also confirmed that battles were continuing around Velyka Novosilka, further east. The two towns likely form the western and eastern edges of a heavily fortified stretch of the front line where many analysts believe Ukraine will eventually try and punch through Russian lines. "It's not a secret that one of our main goals is to cut the land corridor that feeds the whole southern grouping of enemy forces," Mr Kuzan said. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65860294
  7. Rabat - Celebrities from around the world are flocking to Morocco, drawn to the country's enchanting beauty and vibrant culture. Indian star Malavika Mohanan is the latest celebrity to visit the North African gem, exploring the cities of Marrakech and Fez, as well as venturing into the breathtaking Atlas Mountains. Mohanan, known for her roles in the South Indian film industry, expressed her admiration for Morocco through social media. Sharing a picture taken at Marrakech's La Sultana, she said: “Isn’t this place absolutely gorgeous? Every corner is so intricately crafted. Pure art” The actress shared other pictures with her 3.8 million Instagram followers. “Felt like my Indian accessories fit right into the lovely visual palette of Marrakech,” she wrote. Mohanan embarked on a hike at the foothills of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Along the way, she stopped for lunch at the picturesque mountain retreat known as the “Kasbah du Toubkal,” which she described as one of the world's most beautiful retreats. Malavika Mohanan at Kasbah du Toubkal Fez, an ancient city renowned for its history and architectural marvels, was also on Mohanan's itinerary. The actress was captivated by the mesmerizing Moroccan Zellige, a traditional form of tilework characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Mohanan expressed her awe at the labyrinth of colors and textures found in Fez, a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage. Morocco's tourism industry has been steadily growing in po[CENSORED]rity, attracting an increasing number of visitors each year. The country's unique blend of culture, history, and awe-inspiring landscapes serves as a magnet for travelers. Read Also: Superstar Shakira Spotted in Marrakech’s La Mamounia Hotel Marrakech, in particular, has become a must-visit destination for tourists from all corners of the globe. Several A-list celebrities and public figures have chosen Morocco’s red city Marrakech as their destination to see in 2023 for their new year’s celebrations including French TV and radio presenter Ophelie Meunier, American actor Ben Felman and his wife Michelle Mulitz, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, among others. According to recent data from the Ministry of Tourism, Morocco welcomed a staggering 5.1 million tourists by the end of May 2023, further confirming the country's status as a sought-after travel destination. In a bid to enhance the sector, the Moroccan government allocated MAD 6 billion ($596 million) in March 2023 for the development of the tourism industry as part of its 2023-2026 roadmap. The roadmap’s ambitious goals include attracting 17.5 million tourists, generating MAD 120 billion ($11.9 billion) in tourism receipts, and creating 200,000 new jobs by 2026. To achieve these ambitious goals, Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) has devised an action plan titled “Light in Action” for the years 2023 to 2026. The plan seeks to position Morocco among the world's top 10 tourist destinations, further bolstering the country's reputation as a must-visit location for global travelers. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/06/355885/indian-star-malavika-mohanan-explores-marrakech-fez-the-atlas-mountains
  8. Nick movie: EXPEND4BLES Time: September 22, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO: ? Duration of the movie: - Trailer:
  9. Live Performance Title: P!nk - Get the Party Started and Opening Bolton Summer Carnival 2023 Signer Name: P!nk Live Performance Location: - Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/7
  10. Music title: 2Pac - I'm a Star (DJ Mimo Signer: - Release date: 06/9/2023 Official YouTube link: Informations about the signer: - Your opinion about the track (music video): 10/10
  11. Moje More ❤️ Teya Dora Best Song SRB ❤️ 

     

  12. A £5m gift from billionaire businessman Mohamed Mansour has helped the Conservative Party raise more than £12m in donations in the first three months of this year. Mr Mansour's donation - the biggest to the party since 2001 - boosted takings, which topped all other parties. Labour raised £5.8m in the same period, including £500,000 from Gary Lubner, the former boss of Autoglass. The Lib Dems received £1.6m, the SNP £291,000, and the Greens £215,000. ADVERTISEMENT The new figures from the Electoral Commission show that UK political parties have accepted nearly £21m in donations and public funds during the first quarter of 2023 - an increase of about two thirds on the same period last year. The Conservatives have reclaimed the top spot for donations, overtaking Labour, which raised the most money in the final quarter of 2022. Conservative donations fall to lowest level since 2020 Tory donor case reignites debate on access and influence Labour defends donations from Just Stop Oil backer The party has reversed a dip in donations since Rishi Sunak became Tory leader and prime minister in October last year. A Tory source said last year was "very difficult for donations" in the wake of Boris Johnson's premiership, but insisted the latest Electoral Commission figures showed "a big recovery". The source said the increase in donations was important "because we're hiring lots of campaign managers to target the marginal seats" ahead of the next general election. Biggest Tory donor A large chunk of the £12.1m in donations the party raised between January to March this year came from Mr Mansour, who was appointed Tory treasurer by Mr Sunak last year. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Mr Mansour said he felt reassured by Mr Sunak's leadership and revealed he had donated £5m to the party's "election fighting fund". The Egyptian-born business tycoon, who has British citizenship, said the country had "a very capable prime minister" who "understands how growth is generated in the modern economy". "I look at what he has achieved in his first months in office and think what he could do in five years," Mr Mansour wrote. Mr Mansour himself was once a politician in Egypt, where he served as a transport minister from 2006 to 2009 under Hosni Mubarak, the late Egyptian president who stood down in 2011 during the Arab Spring. Outside politics, Mr Mansour is a prominent businessman, with a fortune Forbes estimates to be $3.6bn. He is the chairman of the Mansour Group, which employs 60,000 people, and founded the London-based investment firm Man Capital. A Tory source said Mr Mansour's function as a treasurer was to "open up networks" and introduce the party to new contacts in the business world. Mr Mansour's £5m gift was second only to Lord Sainsbury's in 2019, when he gave the Liberal Democrats £8m - the biggest individual donation ever. The Conservatives received two more big donations, both valued at £2m - one from Amit Lohia, a wealthy Indian industrialist, and Graham Edwards, another Conservative Party treasurer. Donors, old and new The largest individual donations to Labour totalled £500,000 from Gary Lubner, the former chief executive of the company that owns Autoglass. Mr Lubner is expected to donate £5m to the party before the next election and told the Financial Times he wanted to give Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer financial help to put the party in power "for a long time". Labour also received £2.3m from its trade union backers, including £1.1m from Unite and £359,168 from Unison. The Liberal Democrats' largest donation was £200,000, from a company called Peak Scientific Instruments, a nitrogen generator manufacturer. Tim Bale, a professor of politics and author of The Conservative Party after Brexit, said the money raised by parties ahead of general elections was important because "it can actually make a difference to what a party can do in the campaign itself". He said it is difficult to tell if the latest donations "represent a vote of confidence in the current [Conservative] leadership or instead smack of panic and desperation". The professor said there may be a "growing fear" of a Labour government among those who "worry they'll lose out if that happens". Professor Bale said, as far as some donors are concerned, the Conservative Party "ultimately exists as an insurance policy against a social democratic government they believe will take the country in the wrong direction and, in so doing, damage their wealth". Louise Edwards, of the Electoral Commission, said publishing the figures was vital to ensure transparency but called on the government to do more to raise confidence in the system. She said: "We know transparency of party and campaigner finance is important for people, but our research tells us that only 24% of people believe party funding is transparent. "It's clear that publishing this information is not enough. We continue to recommend to the UK government that it reforms the system, to help protect parties from those who seek to evade the law, and give voters more confidence." link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65842121
  13. All species experience the bodily changes of puberty, but the social lessons that define the shift from childhood to adulthood are more nuanced. Looking back on our teenage years often elicits a grimace — it's an awkward time, full of social faux pas, uncertainty and acne — but it's one that we all must pass through on our way to adulthood. But do other animals also experience adolescence? This period of life comprises both physiological and social changes. Unquestionably, other animals experience puberty, the cascade of hormonal and physiological changes that enable mating. But researchers such as Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, a cardiologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Harvard University, argue that most, if not all, animals experience a period of adolescence too — what Natterson-Horowitz calls "wildhood" — that also includes the social shifts that youngsters must navigate as they transition into adulthood. For a long time, adolescence was thought to be unique to humans, Natterson-Horowitz told Live Science. "But the more you peel that back, the more you find that while there are certain aspects of adolescence that are uniquely human, that period of transition that starts with the onset of puberty and ends when a mature adult emerges — that's universal." Perhaps not surprisingly, in the species that are most closely related to us, such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), some of these changes are easily recognizable to humans. Aaron Sandel, a biological anthropologist and primatologist at the University of Texas at Austin, published a paper showing that young chimps experience a growth spurt that leaves them clumsy as they adjust to their new bodies. link: https://www.livescience.com/animals/do-all-animals-go-through-adolescence
  14. In designing this striking, hovercraft-like concept, Porsche looked back at the 959, Carrera GT, and 918 Spyder to get inspiration for the future. Currently a concept, the Mission X that Porsche revealed today is a hypercar with an electric powertrain. Porsche says that if it goes to production, the Mission X would be designed to claim the title of fastest road-legal car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Lightweight carbon-fiber design and aero elements make more downforce than a 911 GT3 RS. Summer is when the concept cars come out to play, and Porsche has a doozy in its Mission X, which the automaker unveiled at a celebration of 75 years of its sports cars. The Mission X is a look at how the next 75 years of great sports cars might unfold: fast, light, and electric. The low-slung electric coupe-style concept looks like a hovercraft, with a lightweight glass-dome roof and doors that open forward like a beetle's wings—although Porsche designers were probably thinking more of the famous 917 race car when they hung those hinges. "The Porsche Mission X . . . picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past. Like the 959, the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder before it, the Mission X provides critical impetus for the evolutionary development of future vehicle concepts," according to Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche. Fascinating LED Lighting This is no longtail. At 177.0 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 47.2 inches tall, the Mission X should fit nicely in your garage. It has a similar wheelbase—107.4 inches—to the Carrera GT and 918. Other racing callouts can be seen in the headlight shape, long and placed low on the nose. Unlike the old cars, the new lights are LED modules. During daytime running, just a slim element is visible, but when you turn on the headlights, the full module opens, "like an eye blinking open," says Porsche. The modern version of a pop-up, say us. The concept car is painted in Rocket Metallic, a color designed just for this car. Satin-finished carbon-fiber details highlight the car's lightweight construction, and Porsche says its aero elements will make more downforce than a 911 GT3 RS. Staggered tires—20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear—make use of that downforce. In the center of the wheels is Porsche's redesigned crest, which also can be found on the hood and steering wheel. Look closely: changes are subtle. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44127650/porsche-mission-x-electric-hypercar-revealed/
  15. West Ham treated Fiorentina like "animals" in their Europa Conference League final success, says the Italian club's president Rocco Commisso. Striker Luca Jovic had to come off at half-time with a broken nose, while left-back Cristiano Biraghi was left with a bloodied face after being hit by an object thrown from the crowd. Jarrod Bowen's late winner saw West Ham end a 43-year wait for a trophy. "I expected to win, but it wasn't like that," Commisso told local media. "But there have been episodes on the pitch where the referee had to make the difference. "I spoke to the president of the Premier League, those of West Ham are animals in the way they treated ours. It's not right. "This match could be won 3-0. I'm sorry for the fans, they deserved more." Separately, the Serie A club "strongly condemned" what happened to Biraghi. "This unacceptable behaviour obviously affected the performance of the footballer and his team-mates, who had their attention drawn away from footballing matters by the threats to their own safety," Fiorentina said. ADVERTISEMENT It added it was "certain" European football's governing body Uefa would "duly punish those responsible for this act, delivering an appropriate response and setting an example so that such situations never occur again". We promised Rice he could leave West Ham - Sullivan West Ham end 43-year wait for major trophy West Ham condemn fan behaviour after Biraghi hit by object 'Moments Moyes and West Ham will never forget' Meanwhile, police said a total 23 fans were arrested in Prague. One was a West Ham fan, with the other 22 supporting Fiorentina. Fiorentina fans attacked West Ham fans in a bar in central Prague, with 17 of the 22 fans of the Italian club detained over that incident. link: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65846514
  16. You can learn a lot about someone from how they treat animals, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. In this situation that cuts two ways My boyfriend has a rescue dog that has been known to bite people, particularly guests at his house. Although I’m no longer personally afraid of it, the thought of being liable for the dog in my home with my guests is intolerable to me (I have been very stressed at its aggressive barking and attempts to bite guests when I have been present). As a result, any plans to move in together have stalled. My boyfriend cannot imagine rehoming his dog, other than if we had a child, because he concedes the dog is not safe to be around an infant. How can we navigate this impasse and move forwards with our relationship? Eleanor says: Caring for a dog is a serious responsibility, and as a prospective cohabitant or co-parent, you can learn a lot about a person’s capacities for love and attachment by how they treat the animals in their life (this is why you should never marry anyone who loses their temper with dogs). A painting depicting an elderly man with a beard and his left arm in cast, sitting on a bed looking down at a white dog. My dog needs an operation I can’t afford. Should I try to find the money, or put him down? Read more The fact that his dog has bitten people is not a small thing. That’s a very serious problem which – as you rightly note – can have legal consequences. So the fact that you can learn a lot about someone from how they treat animals cuts both ways in this situation. There’s a version of this where the dog had a traumatic past but is now receiving a lot of exercise and training to try to curb its aggressive behaviour. Crucially, in this version, your boyfriend understands the problem – he’s horrified by the fact his dog has bitten guests, he now takes appropriate steps to separate the dog from guests if need be, and is very careful about walks and dog parks. In other words, he makes a serious show of indicating concern for the people the dog might hurt. But there’s a version of this where he doesn’t get the issue. He might be one of those people who lets their dog snap at other dogs, or kids. Who offers sort of cooing protestations, with a broad expectation you’ll agree that it’s such a sweet dog, it doesn’t really matter. If it’s the former, this need not be a red flag for your relationship. You’re on a long timeline if you’re thinking about having a family together. A few years of living separately while he continues to care for his dog might not feel so long in the eventual scheme of things, and in a way, his willingness to sacrifice and put time and work into the dog’s wellbeing might be a good sign of things to come. If it’s the latter, though, you’re getting a big clue about how he’ll prioritise other people – especially you – over his convenience or self-sustaining fictions. There will be times in your relationship, especially as a parent, where you need him to stand up for you. Now and then you’ll need him to say to other parents or teachers or kid’s friends: “That’s not an OK way to treat the person I love; and you won’t be doing it again on my watch.” If he’s letting you assume the stress and fear and social anxiety of a biting dog, without acknowledging it’s a burden you’re taking on for him, this tells you a lot about how much he values your wellbeing, never mind the dog’s. So I think a great deal depends on his attitude. His dog has hurt people. If he’s treating that as the grave problem it is, that’s one thing. But if he expects everyone else to agree it’s not a problem, this stalling period may be a blessing. Your boyfriend needs persuasion to notice how his decisions upset or endanger others, and you need space to assess how much you want to be with someone like that. link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jun/09/my-boyfriends-aggressive-dog-has-stalled-our-plans-to-move-in-together-how-can-we-move-forwards
  17. Ukraine has accused Russia of attacking evacuation points for those affected by the Kakhovka dam breach, after a person was killed by shelling in Kherson. The Kherson prosecutor's office said two others were also injured, while the interior ministry said eight more were hurt by shelling in Korabelna Square. The attacks came as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the city, where he met with locals affected by the flooding. 2,000 people have been evacuated from the area, Kherson's governor says. Speaking in a video statement posted to Telegram, Oleksandr Prokudin said the "evacuation from zones of flooding is continuing" despite the "immense danger and constant Russian shelling". But he said that 68% of the flooded territory in the Kherson region was on Russian-held territory on the east bank of the Dnipro River. The river has slowly swelled since the Kakhovka dam collapsed on Tuesday, causing thousands to flee their homes. The World Food Programme told the BBC on Thursday that the situation was a "public health crisis in the making" due to pollution including sewage, heavy oil and pesticides mixed into floodwater. Ukraine says the flooding has affected an area of around 600 km sq (230 sq miles), and hundreds of thousands of people have been left without drinking water. The Ukrainian army has used drones to drop water bottles and food to some residents. While the water level seems to have stabilised in Kherson itself, it still flows through streets at a daunting height, and flies now fill the air along with a pungent smell. Rescue teams and volunteers are continuing to head out on boats to salvage anyone, or anything they can. Their efforts are punctuated by outgoing artillery fire. Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of targeting evacuation points in the Kherson region. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to President Zelensky, accused Russia of bombarding the city and of "preventing rescuers from evacuating the po[CENSORED]tion". The Kremlin-installed head of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said on Telegram that two people died after Ukraine shelled a civilian evacuation point which was flooded after the dam breach. Who benefits from breaching the dam? What we know about Nova Kakhovka incident Ros Atkins unpacks the Ukraine dam breach And Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russian rescue workers are "forced to work in conditions of ongoing shelling from Ukraine, and this complicates their work". He did not provide evidence to back up these claims. Speaking in Kherson, where he met with rescue workers, President Volodymyr Zelensky repeated his criticism of the international community, including the UN and the Red Cross, for their slow response to the dam collapse. And he vowed to local residents that his government would be available to help them rebuild their lives. "You are going through this difficult ordeal now," Mr Zelensky said. "We will help you and rebuild everything that needs to be restored. I thank you and wish you good health." The Kremlin said there were no plans for President Vladimir Putin to visit the affected zones. Communities on small islands close to Russian occupied territory are said to be experiencing the worst of these floods. Whole homes there have been submerged. And a local Russian-installed official said five people have died and 41 have been hospitalised by flooding in the region. Elsewhere, fighting has continued in some areas, as analysts watch to see how Ukraine's long-anticipated advance takes shape. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday that his forces had withstood fierce attempts by Ukrainian troops to break through the frontline in Zaporizhzhia province overnight. And footage posted to social media by pro-war Russian bloggers and geolocated by the BBC appeared to show units of Ukrainian armour coming under artillery fire as they advanced towards Russian held areas in Zaporizhzhia region. The column appeared to be advancing towards fortifications at Tokmak, around 5-10km back from the limit of Russian control. The BBC cannot verify when the advance occurred. In the east, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv's forces were continuing to advance around the city of Bakhmut. In a daily intelligence update, the UK's ministry of defence said "heavy fighting continues along multiple sectors of the front," noting that Ukraine "holds the initiative" in most areas. On Wednesday Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's national security council, denied reports of the new offensive and said that when Kyiv does launch an offensive "everyone will know about it". Senior US officials have previously told the BBC's US partner CBS News that it is accurate to say that the Ukraine counteroffensive is in its opening phases, but that the main thrust has not yet begun. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65845444
  18. The event highlighted Moroccan caftan as a key part of Morocco’s cultural identity and diversity. Rabat - The UNESCO headquarters in Paris hosted on Tuesday evening a spectacular fashion show displaying the vibrant colors and captivating designs of Moroccan caftan. The show was part of the African Week taking place between June 5 and 9. The event showcased the work of Moroccan designer Fatima Zahraa Al-Filali Al-Idrisi, the visionary creator behind the renowned brand “Fatim Haute Couture Made In Morocco.” She had been specifically invited to represent Morocco at the show. With an atmosphere infused with the melodies of Tarabi and Andalusian heritage, the Moroccan designer mesmerized the audience with her unique collection of Moroccan caftans. She showcased “an original variety of Moroccan caftans resembling historical, vibrant, and pleasant works of art,” indicated a press release. The statement added that Al-Idrisi’s designs “embodied both the luxury and honor of this traditional national garment, the Moroccan caftan, which has remained an authentic and refined heritage throughout different periods and generations.” Exuding opulence and prestige, each garment embodied Morocco’s rich cultural, historical, and civilizational legacy. The fashion event saw a harmonious blend of international, African, and Maghreb presence, convening diplomats, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, media representatives, and members of the African diaspora residing in France. Read also: Istanbul Hosts First and Largest Moroccan Caftan Fashion Show With her participation in the event, under the theme “Authentic National Heritage,” Al-Idrisi aimed to highlight and celebrate Morocco’s cultural diversity and bring the international audience closer to the different cultural realms that shape the Moroccan identity. From the Sahrawi caftan to the Amazigh caftan and the Moroccan Jewish caftan, the Moroccan designer showcased a wide range of styles, incorporating regional dimensions, including the Fassi, Rbati, Atlassi, Shamali (Northern), Sharqi (Eastern), and Janoubi (Southern) designs. The spectacle also celebrated the craftsmanship and attention to detail involved in the creation of Moroccan caftans. This included the fabrics, textures, and captivating colors used in the caftans varied according to regions, customs, occasions, and seasons. The event also showcased Moroccans’ mastery of caftan styling techniques, embroidery, and ornamentation, a testament to the creative skills and dedication of the North African country’s artisans. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/06/355852/moroccan-caftan-shines-at-unescos-prestigious-african-week-in-paris
  19. Nick movie: SatyaPrem Ki Katha Time: June 29, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO: ? Duration of the movie: - Trailer:

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