BirSaNN

An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the West's "indecision" over sending extra weapons to Ukraine is "killing more of our people". "Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians," Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter. His remarks come after Ukraine's defence minister said he had a "frank discussion" with his German counterpart about German Leopard 2 tanks, which Kyiv is urgently requesting to confront Russian armour. Germany has insisted that it is not blocking the delivery of German-made Leopard tanks, which other countries want to send. "We had a frank discussion on Leopards 2. To be continued," Oleksii Reznikov said after meeting Western allies on Friday. The meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany brought an agreement to supply more armoured vehicles, air defence systems and ammunition. On Saturday, an adviser to Mr Reznikov told the BBC that Nato countries committed to helping Ukraine need to be several steps ahead of the enemy. Yuriy Sak said that the West needed to redefine what it meant to stand with Ukraine - and that it did not simply mean stabilising Ukraine's front line. "To be able to defend our land means to be able to de-occupy our land, to liberate our territories and for this we need heavy tanks, for this we need armoured vehicles," he said. The Leopard 2 is seen as a potential game-changer for Ukraine, as it is easy to maintain and designed specifically to compete with the Russian T-90 tanks, which are being used in the invasion. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said opinions remained divided over supplying Leopards, and he denied that Berlin was blocking such a move. Under German export laws, other countries who want to supply Leopards - like Poland and Finland - are unable to do so until Berlin gives the all-clear. What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the Nato partners for their military assistance, but said "we will still have to fight for the supply of modern tanks". "Every day we make it more obvious that there is no alternative, that a decision about tanks must be made." Ukraine's current tanks are mostly old Soviet models, often outnumbered and outgunned by Russian firepower. More than 2,000 Leopards are sitting in warehouses all over Europe. President Zelensky believes about 300 of them could help to defeat Russia. Mr Pistorius said Berlin was prepared to move quickly if there was consensus among allies, though he could not say when a decision on the tanks might be made. Germany has found itself in a deadlock due to several factors including international diplomacy and the legacy of World War Two. It used to have a policy of not sending arms to conflict zones, but that was reversed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Late last year, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said Germany was now "among the allies providing most military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine", by supplying artillery, air defence systems and Marder infantry fighting vehicles. But Germany is reluctant to send Leopards unless they are part of a wider Nato package that preferably includes America's powerful M1 Abrams tanks. The US has rejected this, saying the Abrams tanks are impractical for Ukraine's forces because they are difficult and expensive to maintain. Regardless, there has been pressure in some corners for the US to send its tanks, and to persuade Germany to do the same. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin denied that Berlin was waiting for the US to make the first move. "This notion of unlocking - in my mind it's not an issue," he said after Friday's meeting of 54 countries at Ramstein Air Base. Germany also remains haunted by the Nazi-era devastation it caused in World War Two, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been cautious about having anything to do with an escalation in Ukraine. A leading opposition Christian Democrat (CDU) politician in Germany, Johann Wadephul, condemned the government's "policy of refusal" on the Leopards, saying it would affect Germany's international reputation. "What is Scholz waiting for?" he asked. Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau also criticised Germany's reluctance. "Arming Ukraine in order to repel the Russian aggression is not some kind of decision-making exercise. Ukrainian blood is shed for real. This is the price of hesitation over Leopard deliveries. We need action, now," he tweeted. Western countries have committed billions in other weaponry - but without Germany's commitment on tanks, it was not the result Ukraine was hoping for. Other countries have committed to sending tanks, including the UK, which will send 14 Challenger 2s. The US announced fresh support worth more than $2.5bn (£2bn) this week, including armoured vehicles. The Pentagon promised an extra 59 Bradley armoured vehicles, 90 Stryker personnel carriers and Avenger air defence systems, among other supplies. Nine European nations have also promised their own weapon support after meeting in Estonia on Thursday. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64355839

Sweden gave permission to a right-wing protester to burn the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy. Rabat - Turkiye has canceled a visit by Sweden’s defense minister Pal Jonson after a protest by a right-wing group in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said the visit by Jonson was called off, adding that the talks had “lost all significance and meaning,” as Sweden failed to take action against the anti-Turkish protests. The visit was geared towards addressing Turkish objections to Sweden joining NATO, but Stockholm’s allowance of anti-Turkish protests has not helped those talks. Sweden’s government allowed Rasmus Paludan, a well-known Danish-Swedish right-wing extremist, to protest in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Paludan said that he intended to “burn the Quran” in front of the building. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Friday that Sweden “respects freedom of speech.” “It is unacceptable to characterize this despicable racist act, which is a hate crime, as freedom of thought and expression,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Twitter. Echoing this sentiment, the ministry itself condemned “the vile attack on our holy book” in an official statement. “Permissing this anti-Islam act, which targets Muslims and insults our sacred values, under the guise of ‘freedom of expression’ is completely unacceptable,” the press release said. “This is an outright hate crime.” The ministry called on Swedish authorities to take measures against the protesters and invited countries to take “concrete steps” against Islamophobia. Paludan, who is the leader of far-right Danish party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), has a long history of Islamophobic protests, having taken part in several events that included the burning of the Quran. The perceptible row between Ankara and Stockholm comes in the wake of Sweden and Finland’s recent bids to join NATO, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkiye has so far refused to approve the bids, demanding that Sweden extradite people it accuses of terrorism. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353649/turkiye-cancels-swedish-ministers-visit-after-islamophobic-protest-in-stockholm

Nick Movie: Polite Society Time: April 7, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 1h 44min Trailer:

Live Performance Title: Lil Baby - Live at Wireless Festival, Finsbury Park, London, UK (Jul 10, 2022) HDTV Signer Name: Lil Baby Live Performance Location: London Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/7

Music Title: Miley Cyrus - Flowers (Dj Dark Remix) Signer: - Release Date: 20/01/2023 Official Youtube Link: Informations About The Signer: - Your Opinion About The Track (Music Video): 10/7

• Name: @BirSaNN • Time & Date: 01:09 / 21/01/2023 • Screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/asXKmoS

The Tory Party will "die" unless it does more to address core concerns of younger voters, a key ally of former Prime Minister Liz Truss has warned. Simon Clarke, who was levelling up secretary under Ms Truss, is calling on his party to energise younger people by focusing more on childcare and housing. "I do think that our problems with younger voters are needlessly self-inflicted," he told BBC Newsnight. "The Conservative party will die if we don't fix this." He added: "The average age at which people start to vote Conservative is now about 47. And that is not sustainable." The remarks represent one of the strongest interventions by Mr Clarke since he left government in October after Ms Truss's resignation. He recently set up the Conservative Growth Group to put pressure on Rishi Sunak to follow some of Ms Truss's planned economic reforms. Supporters of the former prime minister were disappointed when it was reported Mr Sunak had abandoned her plans to reduce the costs of childcare by allowing staff to look after larger numbers of children. How expensive is childcare in the UK? 'I left my career because of childcare costs' Mr Clarke would like the prime minister to change tack on this and also introduce greater tax breaks for childcare. He issued a simple message to his party about the importance of addressing the concerns of younger voters - by encouraging housebuilding and cutting the costs of childcare. He told Newsnight: "There is a sort of a slightly lazy assumption that people will just become more conservative as they grow older. "That's not necessarily true, actually. You've got to make it happen and we have to earn those votes… I don't think we should be surprised when people don't turn to the party of capital because capitalism isn't working for them." The former cabinet minister, who stressed that he wished Mr Sunak's government well in winning the next election, spoke to Newsnight as part of a report into childcare. Flick Drummond, a Conservative member of the Commons education select committee and supporter of Mr Sunak, told the programme the prime minister was "absolutely" committed to improving childcare provision. Ms Drummond said: "We've got to get this right this time. This is a really good opportunity to do so… Let's make sure that it works for the parents, it works for the providers, and it also works for the taxpayers too." Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow education secretary, accused the Conservatives of lacking ambition after the closure of more than a thousand Sure Start centres since 2010. The centres were established by the last Labour government to help with early years development. On childcare, she said: "We need to look again at the whole system as it currently stands - a complete rethink about how we deliver childcare in this country. "That's why we've said that Labour will build a modern childcare system. So from the end of parental leave right through to the end of primary school, because we understand the way that parents and families live their lives today has changed. But the support that's there hasn't kept pace with that kind of change." link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64351426

Unlike their portrayal in Jurassic Park, curved-clawed dinos may have used their sharp appendages to pin and grasp, not slash. Deinonychus and its dino relatives may not have used their wicked, curved claws to slash and disembowel their victims; instead, these fearsome hunters may have used these claws to pin and grasp their helpless prey. In new research, scientists observed the red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata), a South American predatory bird that stalks small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects and which has a sharp, curved claw that sits above the ground, much like Deinonychus, Velociraptor, Utahraptor and other "raptor" dinosaurs. Two captive seriemas — Ellie at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park in Phoenix, Arizona, and Ernie at the Tracy Aviary and Botanical Gardens in Salt Lake City, Utah — were observed pinning and grasping prey and unfamiliar objects with these sharp claws. The observations add weight to a hypothesis first suggested by paleontologist Denver Fowler(opens in new tab) in 2011, said study co-author Brian Curtice(opens in new tab), a paleontologist at Fossil Crates, a company that makes museum-quality fossil casts. Fowler and his colleagues argued that rather than slashing, these claws were good at grasping wriggling prey and pinning it down for easier consumption. "This claw is not built for slashing, to paraphrase a boots-walking song," Curtice told Live Science. "It was doing something else." Killer claw Red-legged seriemas are one of the few living birds that have sharp, curved claws on their second digits that look much like the claws of dromaeosaurid dinosaurs, a group of feathered theropods that includes Deinonychus and Velociraptor. Unlike the velociraptors made famous by the "Jurassic Park" franchise, actual velociraptors were turkey-size. Deinonychus or Utahraptor are closer in size to the dinos that stalked Dr. Grant in the movie. (In fact, the velociraptors in Jurassic Park are actually based on Deinonychus.) Jurassic Park also po[CENSORED]rized the notion that these dinosaurs used their curved claws to slash at prey as big or larger than themselves, but paleontologists have long been skeptical of that idea. As it turns out, dromaeosaurid claws don't resist side-to-side force well, said James Napoli(opens in new tab), a paleontologist and postdoctoral researcher at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina State University who was not involved in the new study. Nor do they make great knives. "If you're using something to cut, you usually use a straight blade, you don't use a big curved hook," Napoli told Live Science. "And it doesn't have serrations on the bottom, it's rounded, so there's not even a cutting surface." Paleontologists began to suggest other ways the dinosaurs could have used their claws, from climbing to pinning and grasping prey. These ideas are hard to test, since dromaeosaurids are, of course, extinct. But Curtice got the idea of using the seriema as a modern comparison one day after taking photos of the birds at the Phoenix zoo. He noticed that the "killing claw" of the seriema looked very velociraptor-like. These birds are native to grasslands in South America that would have been similar to the habitats where many dromaeosaurids roamed. And a bit of background reading showed that there had been little scientific study of how the birds used their claws. Pin and tear Curtice arranged the research project with the head of the zoo in Phoenix, gaining permission to go into Ellie the seriema's cage to observe her. Though the birds are only about 2.9 feet (90 centimeters) tall and weigh perhaps 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms), their claws and sharp beaks are intimidating, Curtice said. "When you walk in the cage and they close it behind you, it's probably how an MMA fighter feels," he said. Ellie promptly attacked Curtice's camera lens. But her keeper soon distracted her with the experimental objects, a keychain and a rubber snake. To Curtice's delight, the bird pounced on both, whacking the fake snake against a rock as if to kill it. In both cases, she used her sharp second claw to pin the objects to the ground while she tore at them with her beak. The researchers took pictures and video(opens in new tab) to document the behavior. Curtice and his colleagues repeated the observations with the seriema Ernie in Salt Lake City, who also showed off his pinning-and-grasping skills on dead mice. The bird would pin the mouse to the ground with its claw and then rip off chunks of flesh to eat, Curtice said. Seriemas probably aren't perfect analogues to Deinonychus and other raptors. They hold their sharp claws off the ground with a fleshy footpad, while the dinosaurs' toes were held in that position by bone. It's possible that there are some anatomical differences between the two that could change the function, Napoli said, though it's probable that both extinct dinosaurs and modern seriemas use the claws in a similar way. To learn more, Curtice and his colleagues hope to study the black-legged seriema (Chunga burmeisteri), a bird similar to the red-legged version, to see if they also use their claws to pin and grasp. They also plan to do more detailed anatomical study using digital 3D models that can mimic the movement of limbs based on their bones. "We know how seriemas use their feet and their claws," Curtice said, "So now we can take a three-dimensional scan of the gorgeous feet of the velociraptors and the troodontids [bird-like dinosaurs related to dromaeosaurids that also have killing claws], and look at what range of motion really allows, what could happen." link: https://www.livescience.com/deinonychus-dinosaur-claw-pin-grasp

Reports suggest the Japan-market Z will get a split grille as a dealer-installed option, but Nissan remains tight-lipped. The Japan-market Nissan Z will offer a split grille, as first reported by Japanese Nostalgic Car. While Nissan won't confirm any details, the report claims the alternative front end will be a dealer-installed option in Japan. The split-grille design debuted on the Fairlady Z Customized Prototype at the 2022 Tokyo auto salon. The Nissan Z could be getting a nose job, at least the Japanese version. The automaker first teased a new split-grille design on a custom Fairlady Z prototype that was shown at the 2022 Tokyo auto salon, and a report yesterday by Japanese Nostalgic Car claims the alternate front-end treatment is set to become a dealer-installed option in Japan sometime in the middle of this year. Depending on your opinion of the Z's regular nose, this could be great news. At the very least, we think it gives the Z's face more defined features compared with the current car's gaping front orifice. However, it might not matter what we Americans think, as the split-grille option could be reserved for the Japan market. When asked to confirm the report that the alternative grille would enter production in Japan, a spokesperson from Nissan's North American team said the company has yet to announce anything. Technically, that leaves the door open for the U.S. version of the Z to receive a new nose, but we'll just have to wait and see. For Americans who aren't satisfied with the Z's standard grille—or those who find its performance lacking—all hope isn't lost. Our spy photos of a track-focused Nismo prototype not only appear to promise a sharper-handling model, but also one with some cosmetic surgery up front. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42590886/nissan-z-new-split-grille-option-japan/

From how to find comfy tights to what to wear on your commute, our fashion team is here to solve your style problems Sign up for the Fashion Statement newsletter Jess Cartner-Morley, Morwenna Ferrier, Chloe Mac Donnell, Melanie Wilkinson, Lauren Cochrane, Helen Seamons and Roz Donoghue Fri 20 Jan 2023 11.00 GMT Where are we at with boots? I am so pleased you have raised this crucial issue. If you ask me – and you have – getting footwear right counts for about 30% of having a good day. Wear the wrong shoes, especially at this time of year, and your day is a bin fire before you’ve walked out of the door. This is why you always need a pair of black boots. Comfort and walkability are non-negotiable, but life is too short to wear ugly shoes, so they need to be a bit fabulous. Ankle boots rather than knee-highs, because you are now wearing loose-leg jeans rather than skinny (please tell me you are wearing loose leg jeans rather than skinny) and knee-highs only work with skirts and dresses. The key to boots that are cool as well as comfy is to find something chunky and with a bit of flair. A plain, flat black boot with a thin sole looks blah. A beefed-up boot, with a ridged track sole and some kind of jazzy fastening, has attitude. My most beloved boots are a previous-season purchase from Jigsaw, but basically identical to the Maldow boot (£200), and have a gold front-zip fastening that elevates them from dog-walking boots to the sort of thing Camille from Emily in Paris might wear to the boulangerie. Hiking-style lace ups are another detail that can really lift a boot. I love the Barbour Fairfield boots, with silver D-ring eyelets for the laces and a soft padded top edge for extra comfort. I’ve seen them discounted in a few of this month’s sales. If you like the look of a laced-up boot but can’t be bothered with the actual lacing, I’d strongly recommend the chunky lace-up boot from M&S, which has a concealed zip fastening at the inner ankle. I swear by M&S for the most affordable decently made shoes on the high street, and these have an elegant silhouette that looks much more expensive than the £45 price tag. Jess Cartner-Morley If I don’t have a uniform, is it OK to wear the same thing to work two days in a row? Obviously this is a trick question. You can wear what you want. But there are ways of recasting your wardrobe so no one realises you’ve worn the same thing four days in a row. I do it all the time. I think of getting dressed like making soup – start with the broth, then just add different flavours each day. You wear a few base pieces, ideally in dark fabrics, which act as your “suit” – then rotate tops, shoes and accessories. For example, I have two dark, slightly oversized jacket/blazers (one from Acne Studios via Vestiaire, and one from Reformation). I prefer jackets that hang below the bum because you can wear them with any trouser shape. To these I add dark trousers made from crepe, viscose or Tencel as these won’t lose their shape – I like Ganni’s viscose trousers because they’re also easy to clean. I prefer my “suit” to be navy or black, but the shades don’t need to match. Then come the changeable parts: a bright V-neck T-shirt or a print blouse, and sometimes a belt, as this changes where the same trousers sit, and whether you tuck or not. Shoes-wise, it’s all up for grabs. One day I’ll wear this “suit” with black Asics. Another, I’ll tuck the trousers into socks and wear with heeled boots. Avoid repeat-wearing light-coloured shirts (dirt builds up in the collar) and avoid silk and linen (they crease in an hour, let alone two days). Simple things like switching your earrings from hoops to studs is a great distractor. Same clothes, different styling. Morwenna Ferrier What can I wear in winter if I don’t like tights? The laddering, the itchiness, the constant need to adjust – there’s a lot to hate about tights. Thankfully the hosiery industry has started paying attention, so it’s worth trying them again. First, sizing. Most tights use generic S, M, L etc. If you’re between sizes or at the upper end of a range, always go bigger. Tights are typically made smaller (it’s cheaper) and there’s nothing more uncomfortable than a waistband that digs in. If you’d rather skip a waistband altogether, hold-ups are a good option. On laddering there is welcome news: Hēdoïne has a ladder-free guarantee; the Legwear Co has tested its products to last 100 washes with a 60-day warranty; and Canadian brand Sheertex (from £38 and XS to 3XL) comes with a three-month guarantee against ripping, laddering or snagging, thanks to fabric used in bulletproof vests. I realise you probably won’t take them back if they do ladder – who has the time? – but some of these brands really do work. If tights remain an absolute no, just try a longer hemline. Team a mid-length skirt with knee-high or chunky boots, and wear with a pair of Uniqlo thermal socks or add a fleece insole for extra cosiness. Chloe Mac Donnell What should I wear for my commute? Moving to Kent has added an extra train journey to my day, so I am confident when I say that layers are your friend. Things you can slide off easily, shove in a bag for the journey, and put on again still relatively crease-free at the other end. You don’t need to bring a change of clothes for the office. Start with a pair of wide-leg tailored trousers (my favourites at the moment are from The Frankie Shop). Comfy for sitting through delays, they look good with a long-sleeve bodysuit (Everlane’s are sustainable and long in the body) to form a smart/casual “base”. An oversized shirt can be layered on top followed with an unstructured blazer, or a soft chunky knit with a slouchy bomber jacket. A trenchcoat is the ideal top layer as it’s light enough to be stowed on a luggage rack. I also carry a large-ish tote bag with shoulder straps – it will sit upright on the carriage floor. link: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/jan/20/our-experts-answer-your-fashion-dilemmas

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky has made a direct appeal for tanks at crunch talks involving dozens of Western allies in southern Germany. The US and European nations have already promised more weapons. But Mr Zelensky told defence ministers at Ramstein airbase: "Hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks." Germany had faced growing pressure to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but at the end of Friday's meeting had not yet committed to their supply. The nation was also under pressure to allow other countries to provide Ukraine with their own Leopard tanks. Under German law, the government in Berlin would have to give its permission before countries such as Poland or Finland could commit to re-exporting them. Speaking after the meeting, Poland's defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak said he was hopeful building a coalition to support Ukraine would end "in success". Germany's new defence minister, Boris Pistorius, had earlier told reporters at Ramstein: "None of us can say today when there will be a decision for Leopard tanks and what the decision may look like." Defence colleagues from more than 50 countries gathered at the airbase on Friday, a day after several nations pledged more equipment to help Ukraine fend off further Russia campaigns. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told them it was time to "dig deeper". Almost 11 months into Russia's war in Ukraine, Nato military figures believe Moscow is planning a renewed spring offensive with troop numbers bolstered by a partial mobilisation since the end of September. Western officials see a potential "window of opportunity" in the coming weeks for Ukraine to push Russian forces back. They say Moscow is running short of ammunition and trained troops - despite efforts to replenish stocks and mobilise additional forces. For its part, Russia has warned of increasing Nato involvement, direct as well as indirect, in the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that sending tanks would not change the course of the conflict, but would "create more problems for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people". The UK has already announced it will send 14 Challenger 2 battle tanks. But Kyiv wants more tanks and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he hoped that the 50 allies would "all hear the message that unlocking the tank is part of 2023". Germany's Leopard tanks are key to that equation. They are in more plentiful supply than the British tank, and are operated by more than a dozen other nations. Ahead of the Ramstein meeting Mr Zelensky criticised Germany's hesitant attitude to sending tanks, assuring Berlin that the Leopards would only be used in self-defence and not go through Russia. "If you have Leopard [tanks], then give them to us," he told German public TV. Polish deputy foreign minister Pawel Jablonski indicated on Friday that Warsaw might be prepared to provide Ukraine with Leopards regardless of Berlin's views. "We'll see. I think if there is strong resistance, we'll be ready to take even such non-standard action. But let's not anticipate the facts," he told Polish radio. Berlin was reported this week to have made a decision on the Leopard conditional on the US agreeing to send Abrams tanks, which it is not intending to do. The defence minister denied Germany was blocking deliveries of the tank unilaterally and said that when a decision was made he wanted to be able to move fast. "That's why this morning I told my ministry to make an inventory of the different types of Leopard tanks we have within our military but also within the industry." There are fears of escalation in Berlin and of going it alone. Until recently, Germany refused requests to send a Patriot air defence battery, but it relented as soon as the US did the same. On tanks too, Berlin would like to see the US take the lead. Ben Wallace has rejected talk of escalation. Germany along with the US and UK, he argued, had already supplied artillery systems, like Himars, with a much longer range. What weapons are being supplied to Ukraine? German tanks for Ukraine to depend on US approval UK to send 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine Mr Zelensky has repeatedly taken aim at Berlin's perceived hesitancy and on Thursday criticised suggestions that the US and Germany were only planning to commit vehicles if the other nation did the same. Retired US Army general David Petraeus said there was "legitimate reluctance" in Washington on the issue of sending Abrams tanks because they were difficult to maintain and had a jet turbine. He told the BBC it was "imperative" that any Western tank donations were made "early enough, so [Ukrainian soldiers] can actually train on them". On Thursday, Western nations pledged to send more vehicles, artillery and munitions to bolster the Ukrainian war effort. The US committed a new package worth $2.5bn (£2bn), saying this took its spend on Ukrainian support to $26.7bn since last February's full-scale invasion by Russia. Tanks were not included in the offer, but the Pentagon did promise an extra 59 Bradley armoured vehicles, 90 Stryker personnel carriers and Avenger air defence systems, among other provisions. The announcement came after nine European nations promised more support of their own following a meeting in Estonia. This included: UK - 600 Brimstone missiles Denmark - 19 French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzers (cannon) Estonia - howitzers, ammunition, support vehicles and anti-tank grenade launchers Latvia - Stinger air-defence systems, two helicopters, and drones Lithuania - anti-aircraft guns and two helicopters Poland - S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 pieces of ammunition Czech Republic - produce further large calibre ammunition, howitzers and APCs Netherlands - support expected to be detailed on Friday link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64341337

Morocco’s Botola Pro has regularly ranked among the best leagues on the African scene. Rabat - The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has ranked Botola, Morocco’s top-tier football league, as the 3rd strongest national league in Africa and the 24th worldwide. The Egyptian Premier League has maintained first place since 2020 with a score of (638,25), ahead of Algeria's Ligue 1 (518,75 points), and followed by Morocco's Botola Pro (488,25 points), which has remained on the podium since 2018. Brazil tops the global rankings, with the highest score 1181 points. Followed by England which scored 1086. Meanwhile, Spain ranked 3rd scoring 967.5 points, and Germany ranked 4th with 921,5 points. In recent years, Morocco’s Botola Pro has regularly been ranked as one of the best leagues on the African scene. In 2019, the (IFFHS) ranked the Moroccan top-tier football league as the best African championship. Read Also: IFFHS Ranks Morocco’s Botola Pro as Best African Football League Morocco's Botola Pro comprises 16 teams, with the most prominent being Raja Casablanca (RCA) and Wydad Athletic Club (WAC). Wydad will represent host Morocco in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament’s draw put Morocco’s Wydad up against Saudi club Al Hilal in the tournament’s second round. The tournament will take place between February 1-11, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat and at Tangier’s Ibn Batouta Stadium. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353641/iffhs-ranks-moroccos-botola-as-third-strongest-national-league-in-africa

Nick Movie: 65 Time: March 17, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 1 h 30 min Trailer:

Live Performance Title: Ahmad Wali live - Paimana bede and other songs Signer Name: ahmed wali Live Performance Location: - Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/4

Music Title: Best Music 2023 Party Mix 🔊 Best Remixes of Po[CENSORED]r Songs 🎵 Party Music Mix 2023 Signer: - Release Date: 20/01/2023 Official Youtube Link: Informations About The Signer: - Your Opinion About The Track (Music Video): 10/10

• Name: @BirSaNN • Time & Date: 00:04 / 20/01/2023 • Screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/BgW9wqG

The Conservative mayor for the West Midlands has lashed out at the process for allocating levelling up funds, calling for an end to Whitehall's "broken begging bowl culture". In an angry statement, Andy Street said he wanted ministers to justify why "the majority" of bids in his region had been rejected. The West Midlands received £155m from a £2.1bn pot of levelling up funds. The PM has argued the most deprived areas would benefit from the money. Speaking from Morecambe in Lancashire - which will get £50m to build an eco-tourism attraction - Rishi Sunak said his government was "completely committed to levelling up across the United Kingdom". He said the process was transparent and that areas which had been unsuccessful this time would have another chance to apply for funding in a third round. The idea of "levelling up" - or reducing regional inequality - was a key part of Boris Johnson's 2019 election campaign. Its aim was to close the gap between rich and poor parts of the country by improving services such as education, broadband and transport. As part of the Levelling Up Fund, launched in 2020, local authorities can apply for money from central government to pay for regeneration and transport projects. The first round of funding was awarded in October 2021. A total of 111 areas across the UK have been awarded money from the second round including £50m for a new train line between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station and £27m for a ferry in Shetland. The north-west region was the biggest winner, securing £354m and Conservative Lancashire MP Sara Britcliffe said she was "over the moon" her local area would receive money to refurbish Accrington Market Hall. However, others have complained about the process for allocating the money. Venting his frustration on Twitter, Mr Street said: "Fundamentally, this episode is just another example as to why Whitehall's bidding and begging-bowl culture is broken, and the sooner we can decentralise and move to proper fiscal devolution the better. "The centralised system of London civil servants making local decisions is flawed, and I cannot understand why the levelling up funding money was not devolved for local decision-makers to decide on what's best for their areas. "The sooner we can decentralise and move to proper fiscal devolution the better." His concerns were echoed by Philip Rycroft, former top civil servant at the now-defunct Brexit Department, who described the process as "completely crackers". "£2bn of public money is being distributed across the nation by a bunch of civil servants who have probably not been to the vast majority of the places they are distributing money to - how can this be sensible," he asked at a think tank Reform event. Head of the Local Government Information Unit think tank Jonathan Carr-West called the system "crazy" and expressed concern that councils were putting "huge" resources into applying for the funds, diverting money from "other useful and necessary things". Labour's shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy said her party would end the "competitive-style bidding" process but would not cancel projects that had already been given the green light. Defending the mechanism, Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The truth is you've got to run a country somehow, you've got to have some kind of system in place. "Not everything can be decided in the local town hall or by the local mayor," he told the BBC's Newscast podcast. He said he agreed with the concept that "the closer you govern to people the better" but "in the end we are one nation, you've got to put the money somewhere, decisions have to be made somehow". He went on to praise Mr Street who he said had brought "huge resources" to his local area. Other projects set to get funding include: £40m for a carbon-neutral education campus in Blackpool town centre £20m to go towards the regeneration of Gateshead Quays, including a new arena, exhibition centre and hotels £5.1m to build new female changing rooms in 20 rugby clubs across Northern Ireland Just over £19m to improve public spaces in Hackney Central, east London £45m to help the Port of Dover operate more efficiently, including adding more border control points You can see the full list of projects to be awarded funding here. line Analysis by Oscar Bentley & Lauren Tavriger, BBC Political Research Unit Conservative-held constituencies in Parliament were the biggest winners in this latest round of levelling up funding. Allocations are made to local authorities, rather than to parliamentary seats. But BBC analysis, categorising each of the projects by constituency, shows 58 projects are in seats with Conservative MPs. That compares with 27 projects in Labour-held seats. Some projects cross constituency boundaries: two are shared by the Conservatives and Labour, while six featuring major transport projects are not categorised as they cross multiple seats. While Tory MPs have more projects in their constituencies, it's also the case that there are more Conservative MPs in the Commons than Labour. Some 56% of Commons seats are Conservative - roughly equivalent to the 52% of successful bids that fall in or across constituencies solely with Conservative MPs. Labour MPs make up 31% of the Commons total, and 24% of successful bids fell in or across constituencies solely with Labour MPs. There was only one successful bid in a Lib Dem constituency, seven for the SNP, five for the DUP, three for Sinn Fein, and one for the Alliance Party. In money terms, projects in Tory constituencies were worth a total of £1.21bn, compared with £471m in Labour ones. These figures are based on the results of the 2019 general election rather than the current make-up of the Commons, which is slightly different because of defections and MPs sitting as independents. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64337596

Echidnas use booger bubbles to stay cool in hot weather Down Under. To stay cool in searing temperatures, the prickly echidna, an egg-laying mammal that lives Down Under, employs a somewhat unusual trick: It blows snot bubbles to keep its nose wet, a new study finds. "Early lab studies suggested that echidnas can't survive in temperatures hotter than 35 degrees [Celsius, or 95 degrees Fahrenheit]," said study first author Christine Cooper(opens in new tab), a researcher in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University in Australia. But short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) are found all over Australia in places that regularly exceed this threshold, which implies that the spiny monotreme must have some way to beat the heat. The mystery, according to Cooper, was how. Warm-blooded, or endothermic, animals have several ways to stay cool when the air around them is hotter than their body temperature. One option is to come out only at night and to sleep in burrows or in hollow logs during the hot daytime. But a 2016 study(opens in new tab) suggested that the logs echidnas make their beds in can reach 104 F (40 C) in the summer — far hotter weather than researchers assumed these mammals could survive — so that couldn't be how echidnas beat the heat. The second option is evaporation. Most mammals accomplish this by sweating, and those that can't, like the kangaroo, lick their arms or legs in an effort to evaporate excess body heat. But echidnas neither sweat nor lick themselves. Option three is to pant to stay cool (much like dogs do), but echidnas don't do that, either. It was a mystery, but the solution was right under the echidna's nose, according to the study, published Jan. 18 in the journal Biology Letters(opens in new tab). Related: Scientists unravel mystery of echidnas' bizarre 4-headed penis The first clue came when Cooper's doctoral student was studying echidna metabolisms in the lab. The student was measuring the echidnas' breathing and water loss rates at various temperatures and humidity levels. "We noticed that our animals would blow bubbles from their nose when we exposed them to higher temperatures," Cooper told Live Science. "We hypothesized that perhaps this was a cooling mechanism." The idea had some promise. The echidna's beak contains a large "blood sinus," or a reservoir of blood that pools near the surface. A burst bubble that leaves a coating of mucus could, theoretically, absorb heat from blood and evaporate, thereby keeping the echidna cool. It was an intriguing idea that Cooper decided to test in the field. Cooper's study site, about 100 miles (170 kilometers) southeast of Perth, was the ideal spot to observe echidnas in the wild. Cooper and her students have been visiting the site for 20 years, but this time, she brought high-resolution thermal cameras capable of measuring various temperatures across the echidnas' bodies along with ambient air temperatures. After recording foraging echidnas throughout a range of seasonal temperatures, Cooper found that whenever temperatures exceeded those of an echidna's body, its beak would stay cool in the thermal image. In fact, the beak appeared to be the coolest part of the animal's body, suggesting substantial heat loss from that location. In addition to keeping echidnas cool, snotty noses can ensure the animals are fed. "The primary reason they keep their noses moist is electroreception," Cooper explained. Echidnas feed on ants and termites, which they find underground by detecting electrical impulses given off by the muscle contractions of their prey. For their nasal electroreceptors to work, they have to be moist. "But we think that they enhance that when it gets hot," Cooper said, "so its other role is thermoregulatory." Cooper emphasized that echidnas have different behaviors related to temperature regulation throughout the year. They are more nocturnal in the summer and more active during the day in the winter. These strategies likely help the critter deal with extreme temperatures. "I think it gives them more opportunity to expand their foraging," Cooper said, "and it protects them if they can't find shelter that's cool." "This paper is a really nice demonstration that it is possible to make quite sophisticated measurements on undisturbed animals in their natural environment," Stewart Nicol(opens in new tab), an associate professor of biology at the University of Tasmania who studies monotremes, told Live Science in an email. "What is not yet clear is exactly how much cooling this provides for the echidna. Following this up would be an interesting problem." That is exactly what Cooper intends to do. "The next step is to model the actual heat loss through these evaporative windows," she said. This research should reveal clues about echidnas' ability to forage in extreme heat and help researchers predict how echidnas might cope with increasing average temperatures. link: https://www.livescience.com/echidnas-blow-snot-bubbles-to-stay-cool

The aftermarket infotainment systems are now available for 997 911s, 987 Boxster and Cayman models, and first-generation Cayenne models that date from 2003 to 2008. Porsche has expanded its factory-approved touchscreen infotrainment support for the 997 911 (2005–2008), 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2008), and first-generation Cayenne (2003–2008). The touchscreen infotainment systems allow owners of older Porsches to utilize SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto on the 7.0-inch touchscreen. The new unit is available for order at Porsche dealerships for about $1475. In the 911, Boxster and Cayman, several features can be saved to the unit, including personal settings lights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and locking. Porsche introduced touchscreen infotainment options for vintage 911s in 2020, giving owners of air-cooled classics access to digital maps and music inside a vintage housing. The factory-approved retrofit units come in a 3.5-inch configuration referred to as Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM), with a screen so small that owners may be squinting to read words from more than a Planck unit away, or a larger 7.0-inch configuration referred to as Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus), allowing owners to move their heads back by a few micrometers. Depending on the vehicle being retrofit, it's offered for 911s from the '60s, all the way through the 996 generation. Now Porsche Classic is expanding touchscreen support to include the 997 911 (2005–2008), 987 Boxster and Cayman (2005–2008), and first-generation Cayenne (2003–2008). The expanded lineup gives owners of qualifying Porsches access to USB connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, plus AppleCarPlay and Android Auto funtionality. The new lineup will only be available in the larger 7.0-inch double DIN size. According to Porsche, in the 911, Boxster, and Cayman, the system can store personal settings for the lights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and locking for the car. The new PCCM Plus units, like the ones announced earlier, are designed to fit right into the dashboard. The look and feel are based on components like climate control already installed in the car, in an effort to give owners a modern experience without taking away from the generational feel of the car. Both PCCM and PCCM Plus units are available for order from Porsche dealerships, with the PCCM Plus unit retailling for about $1475. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42571042/porsche-touchscreens-aftermarket-911-boxster-cayman-cayenne/

It is worth asking yourself why this is the case, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith, it may tell you something about your own relationship to gender I’m a 32-year-old woman and I have no female friends. I feel like everyone around me, and in the media, is obsessed with the power of female friendships at the moment. I’m getting married and I won’t have any bridesmaids, even though my partner will have a fleet of groomsmen. I don’t know how to feel about this – I used to feel shame, like there was something wrong with me, and like I was missing out on something. I don’t know why life has led me to a place where I have no female friends. I resent the articles and books about how they’re the most important thing in life – more important than family, romantic partners, pets, hobbies, work – but I don’t know if I’m resenting them because it’s what I want or if I’m actually OK with it and I’m just feeling inferior or self-conscious because of a current trend. When I think of my time and my life, I can’t see space for female friendships, and I don’t know if I just want them as an insurance policy in case something else goes wrong. How can I resolve these issues? Is there an answer? Am I missing something? Eleanor says: Sometimes when we feel like the rest of the world is “obsessed” with something, it’s a sign that we are also a little preoccupied with it. You’re right that lots of pop culture is about close female bonds, but lots of pop culture is also about cars, or sport, and those don’t seem to insult or sting in the same way as the girl power stuff. In my experience, we feel most resentful about things like this when they twang some criticism we already have of ourselves. But the reason to want more female friends doesn’t need to be an “insurance policy,” nor an acquiescence to your sense that others think they’re the highest form of connection. It would just be fairly peculiar if the qualities that make for good friendships – good humour, intelligence, spark, reliability – did not accrue to women. That would be very odd. A gendered pattern in your friendships may or may not be bad unto itself, but at minimum it likely means you’re missing out on connections that you might really enjoy. It’s a very big world, and the chances that the furrows of demographics are a good guide to character are very slim. We miss out on all kinds of compatibilities and conversations when our friends are only of a certain gender, or race, or age; it’s just vanishingly unlikely that the people worth knowing would all happen to look a certain way. Given that, I wonder whether it might be worth thinking through the reasons you don’t have many female connections. There may not be a uniform explanation; it may just be that friendships of all stripes are declining. But if you do have friends and close relationships – if you are able to make spontaneous and easy connections but they’ve historically happened to leave out women – that could be something worth asking about. This is especially true if it makes you uncomfortable to think about. A (female) friend of mine once totally matter of factly said “I don’t get on with women because I’m the biggest misogynist I know.” Another said she just replicates dynamics she didn’t like with her sister. Whatever the answer, you might find thinking about this in an investigative way, rather than a critical one, to be instructive about your own relationship to gender. Trying to set yourself up for more female friendships won’t mean a pre-commitment to any Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood or Travelling Pants style magic. It doesn’t need to be a mythic good. In fact, the more you see female friendships like that – or fear that everyone else does – the more frustrating it will be when they don’t immediately deliver. Some female friendships are blood covens that go back to childhood. But some are just regular old friendships. From the way you describe your life, it sounds like you have a rich array of relationships and ways to spend your time. You don’t need to pursue female friendships just because TV said so. Equally, you might find expanding this area of your life just enriches things. There’s no reason an arbitrary demographic feature should cost you relationships you might really love. link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/20/im-a-32-year-old-woman-and-i-have-no-female-friends-am-i-missing-something

Germany will only send battle tanks to Ukraine if the US does the same, multiple reports suggest. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under increasing international and domestic pressure to supply German-built Leopard 2 tanks or at least approve their delivery by third countries. Poland and Finland have both promised to send their Leopards - but need Germany's permission to do so. But Berlin is still in talks with the US about its official position. Many expect an announcement to follow a meeting of Ukraine's Western allies at the American military base of Ramstein in southwestern Germany tomorrow. Reports suggest that Mr Scholz will only give the green light to the Leopards if the US President Joe Biden agrees to supply American Abrams tanks. However, the Pentagon's top security adviser, Colin Kahl, said late on Thursday that the US wasn't prepared to meet Kyiv's demands for the tanks. "The Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment. It's expensive. It's hard to train on. It has a jet engine," Mr Kahl said. A senior German government source told the BBC that reports of a deadlock between Berlin and Washington over tanks were overstated, but they're causing concern amongst Ukraine's Western allies. The provision of Western battle tanks - in sufficient numbers - is widely seen as crucial if Ukraine is to defeat Russia or, at the very least, defend itself against Russian President Vladimir Putin's anticipated spring offensive. Yet, to date, only Britain has promised to supply them. Other countries, including Germany, France and the US, have sent or pledged to send armoured vehicles as well as air defence systems and other heavy equipment. Meanwhile, Kyiv's demands for tanks are growing increasingly urgent. German defence minister resigns after blunders Bakhmut defenders plea for Western tanks UK to send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine So why is Mr Scholz dithering over their delivery? All indications are that he will allow third countries to supply their Leopards - the German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck said so a week or so ago. But Mr Scholz has not yet committed. He's cautious for several reasons. Germany worries - albeit less so than it did in the past - about escalation and how Russia's Vladimir Putin would react to the supply of offensive weapons. It's a reasoning which many experts perceive to be unjustified. And the concept of German tanks on Ukrainian soil still resonates uncomfortably in Berlin, where the country's World War Two history still casts a long shadow. Mr Scholz may have declared a "Zeitenwende" (sea-change) in Germany's stance on defence and military policy following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but he's still mindful that, less than a year ago, the idea of the German government supplying arms to a conflict would have been unthinkable. The Chancellor has his eye on the domestic opinion polls. As one senior government source put it to me, surveys suggest the public are broadly satisfied with his reaction to Ukraine - unlike his policies and performance in many other areas. A recent survey for the national broadcaster found that 41% of the public thought Germany was supplying the right amount of weapons, 26% thought its support went too far and 25% that Germany wasn't sending enough. Mr Scholz has promised that Germany will play a greater military role on the world stage, but years of underinvestment have left its armed forces in a parlous state. Even if the Chancellor gives the green light to sending Leopards, the arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has warned that renovation and preparation requirements would delay their delivery by months. Mr Scholz doesn't want to risk the perception that he's acting alone, hence the desire to co-ordinate with allies and, in particular, the US. And it's why there's unlikely to be an announcement ahead of the Ramstein meeting tomorrow. But his position has triggered frustration and condemnation in international political and security circles. They say Germany - still a political heavyweight - must step up to its military responsibilities. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64329059