Duke of Kent Prince Edward visited the UK's largest display of Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s historic lifeboats at Chatham historic dockyard, 26 years after opening the original collection in 1996. The Buckingham Palace shared photos of the Duke’s visit on its official Twitter handle on Wednesday. The Duke has been the RNLI's President for over half a century. During the visit, he was shown three of the charity's most significant lifeboats, which between them have saved more than 300 lives at sea. The Duke presented Tina Smith, the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection Volunteer and former lifeboat crew, with a 20-year Service Award for operational service at Gravesend Lifeboat Station. “His Royal Highness met volunteers and staff at @HistoricRNLI before presenting a certificate to commemorate his visit during The Queen’s #PlatinumJubilee year,” according to the tweet. … [Read more...] about Prince Edward visits UK’s largest display of RNLI historic lifeboats
Top accomplishments of president trump
Deconstructing Tony
If the Sopranos, which returns this week for its fourth series, is arguably the most accomplished drama in television history, there is no doubt at all that it's the most analysed. Never before has a programme been subject to such extensive interpretation. While the story concerns a New Jersey mafia boss and his middle-class suburban family, no self-respecting critic would ever say that's what it was about. Ever since he first appeared on US television back in January 1999, Tony Soprano, the show's monumental anti-hero played by James Gandolfini, has been a gift to the metaphorically minded. He is the American Everyman, the embodiment of ruthless free-market capitalism, the defining figure of balding fat manhood in midlife crisis, and much else besides. It's no wonder Gandolfini stoops, carrying that weight of symbolism around on his shoulders. That Tony also visits a shrink to discuss his problems, and that shrink in turn visits another shrink to discuss the problem of seeing … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Tony
Russians defy crackdown to find small ways of protesting Ukraine war
Despite Moscow's attempts to stem any dissent against its invasion of Ukraine, some Russians are continuing to protest -- even if it means facing draconian punishment for the most benign acts of opposition. Some have paid a heavy price for their acts of protest. In the early days of the war in February, authorities moved quickly to quash demonstrations, arresting people who marched or even held blank signs, balloons in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, or other oblique references to the conflict. Critical media outlets were shut down as the government sought to control the narrative. Political opponents were singled out by President Vladimir Putin or commentators on state-run TV. Russia cracks down on independent media during Ukraine invasion Russia's brain drain: War with Ukraine prompts tens of thousands to flee abroad Lawmakers rubber-stamped measures that outlawed the spread of "false information" about what the Kremlin called a "special … [Read more...] about Russians defy crackdown to find small ways of protesting Ukraine war
Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says
Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia would have to carpet-bomb the Ukrainian capital and kill its residents to take the city. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are attempting to encircle Kyiv further, fighting against heavy resistance in the west and the north of the city. And after twelve days of siege, the strategic southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is without water, gas, electricity or communications, and people were seen fighting for food in recent days. The situation is "almost desperate", warned Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The number of civilians killed during the siege of Mariupol reached 1,582, and some of the casualties had to be buried in mass graves. Local authorities fear that the actual number might be much higher. 03.12.2022 09:24 Saturday's main developments: The worst of the fighting overnight took place in Irpin, Mykolaiv and Sumy, according to the General Staff of the … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says
Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar
By Tom Espiner Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The pound has fallen to a two-year low against the dollar reflecting traders' increasing concerns about recession around the world as energy prices continue to soar. But sterling is also weak because markets are worried about future UK economic growth, analysts said. Sterling could fall even further after predictions of economic stagnation and as inflation rises, they added. London shares regained some ground on Wednesday following Tuesday's falls. The resignation of two senior government ministers on Tuesday evening, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was not a significant factor in the pound's fall, Rabobank head currency strategist Jane Foley told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year Sunak … [Read more...] about Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar
Free speech row over new hate crime bill in Scotland
Published 25 July 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A public consultation has closed on changes to Scotland's hate crime laws, which opponents say could have a damaging effect on free speech. Ministers argue the bill offers great protection for victims at a time when the number of cases is on the rise. Scottish Labour's James Kelly said he had 'serious reservations', especially over the offence of stirring up hatred. But Scotland's justice secretary said people's freedom of expression was not under attack. As you are reading this news story on the BBC news website I am going to hazard a guess that you probably believe that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. And that you think without the right to free speech many other freedoms may be threatened? You would probably also agree that it is wrong actively attempt to stir up hatred against … [Read more...] about Free speech row over new hate crime bill in Scotland
Lawyer’s murder hints at secrets of Australia mafia
Published 24 March 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The killing of criminal lawyer Joseph "Pino" Acquaro in Melbourne sheds light on the hidden machinations of the 'Ndrangheta, says Australian crime writer Adam Shand. Liborio Benvenuto, who died in 1988, was the last of the old-time Australian godfathers. He understood his power but also its limits. His protege Joseph "Pino" Acquaro, who was murdered in a Melbourne street last week, was not so wise. Benvenuto became the leader of The Honoured Society, a Melbourne-based Calabrian mafia group, after a bloody internal battle in the early 1960s dubbed the Market Wars. He presided over a quarter century of relative peace until he died of natural causes in 1988. It was Benvenuto who encouraged Acquaro, the son of a prominent accountant in the Calabrian community, to become a lawyer. Violence was bad for business, so a … [Read more...] about Lawyer’s murder hints at secrets of Australia mafia
Australia election: What went wrong for Scott Morrison?
Published 21 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Australia election 2022 Three years after a "miracle" victory, Scott Morrison's tenure as Australian Prime Minister and coalition leader is over. After his personal unpopularity dominated the campaign, Mr Morrison led his Liberal-National government to a significant election defeat in Saturday's general election. Mr Morrison kept his seat, but many of his party allies lost theirs. Speaking after calling rival Anthony Albanese to concede defeat, Mr Morrison said he accepted responsibility for the government's losses - and its wins - and would step down as leader. But Mr Morrison - nicknamed ScoMo - wasn't always considered a liability, building a reputation as a survivor and a shrewd political tactician before he ascended to the top job in 2018. Rise to the top The son of a police … [Read more...] about Australia election: What went wrong for Scott Morrison?