Used to undermine the liberties that matter to us all

A bill banning use of symbols of the Russian invasion has been passed in The letters ‘Z’ and ‘V’, which are now prohibited, have widely been used to show support for the Kremlin’s actions. The letters were initially used to mark Russian military vehicles. They were later projected on the side of buildings in Moscow, printed on clothing and promoted by Russian athletes. Russian soldiers and military vehicles often have a 'Z' symbol painted on them, which has now been banned in Ukraine The 'V' symbol is also used by the invading Russian army and the use of it has been prohibited in Ukraine RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Russia intensifies battle for Donbas as forces encircle... 'Concessions are not an option': Kyiv says there will be NO... Share this article Ukrainians have described ‘Z’ as the swastika of the current war. The symbols will still be permitted in Ukraine’s museums, libraries, … [Read more...] about Kyiv issues ban on swastika-like ‘Z’ symbol as new bill outlaws use of Russian propaganda sign

An archdiocese is claiming it was “unacceptable” for one of its schools to offer an invite to a gay author whose book contains a graphic parody of the Lord’s Prayer. John Fisher School in Croydon, a Catholic boys’ secondary school, planned to welcome Simon James Green for a talk and book signing during LGBT History Month in February before the visit was cancelled by the Archdiocese of Southwark . Among Mr Green’s books is Noah Can’t Even, which was listed as suitable for Year 8 and Year 9 students in a letter sent out by the school that also said he would be speaking about “his books”. It features a version of the Our Father prayer that references sexual acts and other content faith leaders claimed was “inappropriate for 12-to-13-year-olds”. The Archdiocese of Southwark said in a statement: “For Christians, the Lord’s Prayer is something very precious. It is important to record again that sexual orientation is not, and never was, the reason for concern. It is the content … [Read more...] about Archdiocese condemns use of gay author’s book featuring Lord’s Prayer parody at Catholic school

Mrs Hinch's best tips for clearing your sink drains How to keep your lawn lush, borders beautiful and more with our FREE email SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Homeowners have trusted a technique of pouring salt down drains for years because it is seemingly impossible to get wrong. However, experts have revealed that this drain cleaning tip is not worth your time – and may be causing bigger problems over time. The salt trick is not an efficient way of removing the foul odour – especially over a long period. But if Britons do leave salt for some time, then experts have warned that an unpleasant smell may be the least of your problems. Related articles Cleaning: ‘Easy’ way to unblock sink drains - how to avoid … [Read more...] about ‘Damaging!’: Kitchen staple to avoid when cleaning drains – what to use instead

A grammar school headmaster has been investigated by police for using the N-word while reprimanding a student for using the racist slur. Mark Tomkins, of the 473-year-old Maidstone Grammar School, was privately telling off a pupil for using the word on social media following a school football match. However, he did not realise that he was being recorded on the student’s smartwatch. Kent Police determined that no offence had been committed by Mr Tomkins, but launched an investigation into the leaking of a minute-long recording of the exchange, which was posted on Instagram by a second pupil last week. In the tape, viewed more than 1,000 times and said to be recorded on an Apple Watch, Mr Tomkins can be heard saying: “I was told that some comment had been made about a student and the word n----- was used. “[The] first thing I thought was that someone had used that word against you, but I found out you were the one who used it.” The headmaster of the school is then heard … [Read more...] about Grammar school headmaster investigated for using N-word

A mom is furious at her mother-in-law, who refuses to use her correct name, saying it's now becoming "insulting." The mom vented her frustration to Mumsnet under username namechangedasouting, explaining she's been married for more than five years, but kept her maiden name . She said: "I kept my name, children are double barrelled. MIL [mother-in-law] (divorced from FIL but has kept her married name) has always found it personally insulting that I wanted to keep my name." Despite her, and her children's, legal names differing from her husband, it seems the older woman has never accepted the difference. The mom continued: "All cards etc. Are addressed to "Mrs DH surname" and for the kids the same. I've really tried to just let it go—she knows these aren't our names so correcting her over and over seems pointless." But she had started taking things further, as she continued: "She's now started ' correcting ' DH's other family members who send the kids cards addressed … [Read more...] about Internet backs mom raging in-law won’t use her correct name: “Insulting”

The ACLU Has Lost Its Way “The ACLU now seems largely unable or unwilling to uphold its core values,” wrote Lara Bazelon earlier this month, arguing that the civil-liberties organization has neglected its central purpose of defending freedom of speech without partisanship in favor of a broad embrace of progressive causes. Lara Bazelon accuses the American Civil Liberties Union of having lost its way. We have not. Bazelon first says the ACLU “bestow[ed] an ambassadorship and scribe-for-hire services” on Amber Heard after the actress pledged $3.5 million to our organization, implying that this was some sort of quid pro quo. In fact, Ms. Heard made the pledge in 2016; it wasn’t until two years later, in 2018, that we asked her to sign an op-ed and become an artist ambassador. We did so to help bring attention to the issue of gender violence, not as a reward for a donation. Celebrity ambassadors are an important way for the ACLU to communicate with mainstream audiences … [Read more...] about Letter: Free Speech for All Is Still Our Mission

Yesterday, at 4 p.m. eastern time, the Southern Baptist Convention released a comprehensive, independent report of its executive committee’s response to decades of sex-abuse allegations. The SBC is the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, by far. It is the nation’s most powerful and influential evangelical denomination, by far. Its 14 million members help define the culture and ethos of American evangelicalism. Last June delegates, called “messengers,” to the SBC’s annual convention responded to proliferating reports of inadequate or corrupt responses to sex-abuse allegations by voting overwhelmingly to commission an external review of their own leaders. The executive committee hired a firm called Guidepost to conduct the investigation. The report is a calamity. My friend Russell Moore, a former president of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, called it an “ apocalypse .” The report says that, “for almost two decades, survivors of abuse and other concerned … [Read more...] about The Southern Baptist Horror

Although the year is young, it has already brought my first moral dilemma. In early January a friend mentioned that his New Year's resolution was to beat his chronic depression once and for all. Over the years he had tried a medicine chest's worth of antidepressants, but none had really helped in any enduring way, and when the side effects became so unpleasant that he stopped taking them, the withdrawal symptoms (cramps, dizziness, headaches) were torture. Did I know of any research that might help him decide whether a new antidepressant his doctor recommended might finally lift his chronic darkness at noon? The moral dilemma was this: oh, yes, I knew of 20-plus years of research on antidepressants, from the old tricyclics to the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that target serotonin (Zoloft, Paxil, and the granddaddy of them all, Prozac, as well as their generic descendants) to even newer ones that also target norepinephrine (Effexor, Wellbutrin). The research … [Read more...] about Why Antidepressants Are No Better Than Placebos

Whether you’re partnered up, or just in it for some solo action, investing in a vibrator is one of the best ways to inject some fun into your sex life - especially if you’re in a long distance relationship. If chosen correctly, good quality vibrators can provide you with years of pleasure at the touch of a button, so it’s definitely worth putting some research and thought into. There are several different types of vibrators. Many offer different speed and intensity settings, and some even offer different rhythms that you can control with a remote or an app on your phone. However, with so many options to choose from, it can get a little overwhelming to say the least which is why we’ve rounded up some of the best vibrators for 2022 to get those pulses racing. Top 3 vibrators Lelo Tiani 3 The Lelo Tiani 3 is waterproof for the ability to have fun in a variety of places and has eight pleasure settings. A wireless control tops it off so you can put your hands in other … [Read more...] about 13 best vibrators 2022 from top retailers Lovehoney, Lelo and more

By Andrew Black Published 20 November 2013 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland has been approved in principle by parliament, after MSPs voted on it for the first time. The Scottish government's Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill passed the first of three parliamentary hurdles by 98 votes to 15 with five abstentions. Ministers said the move was the right thing to do, but the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church are opposed. Religious and belief bodies would "opt in" to perform same-sex marriages. Same-sex couples in Scotland currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships, and there has been an indication that the earliest gay marriage ceremonies could take place by the start of 2015, if the legislation is passed. Ministers have insisted no part of the religious … [Read more...] about Gay marriage in Scotland backed in principle by MSPs