All posts tagged: begins

The Work Begins to End Global Blasphemy Laws: An Interview with Mubarak Bala

The Work Begins to End Global Blasphemy Laws: An Interview with Mubarak Bala

Published by skeptic

Mubarak Bala, a humanist in Nigeria, was recently released from prison for what amounts to charges of blasphemy. In an interview with Canadian humanist Scott Douglas Jacobsen, Bala reflects on his unjust detention, emphasizing that freedom of expression and belief are crucial for justice and progress. He describes Nigeria’s escalating religious extremism, persecution of humanists, and threats to secularism. Bala highlights the global need to abolish blasphemy laws and the challenges humanists face, particularly in their struggle to stay alive. He advocates for political action, media reform, and international lobbying to promote secularism. Bala plans to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2031. He expresses joy at reuniting with his family while condemning systemic injustice. His resilience underscores the importance of safeguarding human rights and free thought worldwide. Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How has (unjust) experience shaped your views on the importance of freedom of expression and belief in fostering a just society? Mubarak Bala: Well, even before my unfair abduction and kidnapping, I have always known that the world I live in is not free; it …

It Begins with You by Jillian Turecki

It Begins with You by Jillian Turecki

Published by skeptic

In her groundbreaking debut book “It Begins with You,” renowned relationship coach Jillian Turecki offers a refreshingly honest and practical approach to healing our relationship with ourselves and others. Drawing from her two decades of experience as a yoga teacher turned relationship expert, Turecki presents nine fundamental truths that serve as stepping stones toward authentic love and meaningful connections. The Heart of the Matter What sets this book apart is Turecki’s ability to weave together psychological insights, somatic awareness, and real-world applications. She doesn’t just tell us what to do – she shows us how to do it through compelling case studies and actionable strategies. The book’s central premise is both simple and profound: the common denominator in all our relationships is ourselves. Strengths and Notable Insights Authentic Voice and Personal Experience Turecki’s vulnerability in sharing her own relationship struggles, including an abusive relationship and a painful divorce, adds credibility to her teachings. Her journey from feeling “allergic” to her father to finding peace with their relationship demonstrates the transformative power of the principles she …

Double moonshot mission begins as lunar landers blast off on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket | Science, Climate & Tech News

Double moonshot mission begins as lunar landers blast off on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket | Science, Climate & Tech News

Published by skeptic

Two private missions heading for the moon have blasted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The lunar landers launched in the middle of the night from NASA‘s Kennedy Space Centre and are the latest to try to land on Earth’s nearest neighbour. America’s Firefly Aerospace and Japan’s ispace shared the ride to save cash but parted company an hour later and will take different routes. X This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to X cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow X cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once Elon Musk‘s SpaceX posted images of the landers – named Resilience and …

Liam Payne: Grief as picture begins to emerge of singer’s final hours | Ents & Arts News

Liam Payne: Grief as picture begins to emerge of singer’s final hours | Ents & Arts News

Published by skeptic

The third floor room at the Casa Sur hotel where Liam Payne was staying is now sealed off with police tape. Hotel guests walk up and down the corridor but a police officer is on guard to ensure nobody interferes with what is still the scene of an active investigation. How and why did the One Direction star plummet to his death from the balcony of this room and was there any third-party involvement? A 911 emergency call has already been leaked in which a hotel worker expresses concern for a guest who he believes to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol. It is part of a stark picture emerging of the 31-year-old’s final hours. Image: Fans of Payne mourn his death in Argentina. Pic: AP Read more: Former One Direction star Harry Styles pays tribute to Liam PayneLiam Payne’s close friend reveals final messages to her Sky News has seen police images from inside the room which authorities say was completely trashed. The pictures show a TV screen smashed, unknown white substances …

Prince William begins overnight trip to Cornwall – live updates

Prince William begins overnight trip to Cornwall – live updates

Published by skeptic

The Prince of Wales has begun his first overnight trip since his wife Kate’s cancer diagnosis. Prince William’s first port of call in Cornwall is Nansleden in Newquay, the site where the Duchy of Cornwall’s first homeless housing project will be built. The project, delivered alongside Cornish charity St Petrocs, will provide 24 homes with wraparound support for homeless people. William will meet the development’s leaders and the chief executive of St Petrocs, Henry Meacock. Construction will begin in September this year, and land for the homes is being provided by the Duchy. William will then visit Fistral beach, where he will meet representatives from local organisations who are working to promote safety in the sea and across the beach area, ahead of the forthcoming summer months. On Friday, he will make his first official visit to the Isles of Scilly since becoming the Duke of Cornwall in September 2022. William’s engagements will include a stop at St Mary’s Harbour and St. Mary’s Community Hospital. © Getty William viewed plans for the housing project upon arrival. …

Israel Tempers Cease-Fire Deal Expectations, Begins Rafah Strikes | National News

Israel Tempers Cease-Fire Deal Expectations, Begins Rafah Strikes | National News

Published by skeptic

All eyes are on Israel after Hamas on Monday announced it accepted a cease-fire proposal from Qatar and Egypt. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to temper expectations despite international pressure to reach a deal. In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the proposal was “far from Israel’s essential demands.” However, Israel will send negotiators to work on an agreement. The announcement came hours after Israel told Palestinians to immediately evacuate parts of Rafah, a southern city in Gaza. Israeli officials confirmed Monday that its forces are striking targets in the area, where it says the last remaining Hamas battalions are located. About 250,000 people lived in Rafah before the war, but the population has now grown to over 1 million as uprooted Palestinians have moved into the city, according to the United Nations. Officials from Israel said they are reviewing the cease-fire proposal, but Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said its military operations in Gaza will continue in the meantime. “We examine every answer and reply very seriously,” Hagari said. “At the same time, we …

‘Layering is where the fun begins’: how to style a summer dress for winter | Fashion

‘Layering is where the fun begins’: how to style a summer dress for winter | Fashion

Published by skeptic

A great dress (obviously one that has pockets) can be effortless in the truest sense of the word. Flattering, comfortable and a self-contained outfit, especially during summer when it’s warm enough to leave the house without a jacket. Now, as the temperature drops in the southern hemisphere, it might seem like the time to relegate summer dresses to the back of your wardrobe. But, with the return of Y2K fashion and the trend towards layering and dresses being worn over pants, that doesn’t have to be the case. Here four stylists explain how to build a winter outfit around a summer dress. ‘Scarves are a fun way to make a dress more wintery’ “A dress is just a dress but becomes a whole look when you layer with other pieces,” says the Melbourne-based stylist Rosalind Seehusen. “Personally, I think summer is quite boring in terms of styling, so for me layering in winter is where the fun begins.” For underneath a dress she suggests turtlenecks, tops with a high neckline or a long-sleeved shirt. She’ll …

Israel defies US, begins forced evacuation of Rafah as advocates warn there’s “nowhere safe to go”

Israel defies US, begins forced evacuation of Rafah as advocates warn there’s “nowhere safe to go”

Published by skeptic

Israel’s army on Monday ordered roughly 100,000 people living in eastern Rafah to evacuate ahead of an imminent military assault on the area, terrifying families who have been forcibly displaced to the southern Gaza city in recent months and intensifying warnings of a bloodbath. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped leaflets over Rafah ordering some of its 1.4 million residents to move to a strip along Gaza’s coast, a signal that a long-feared ground assault on the overcrowded city is set to begin in the face of vocal opposition from the international community and humanitarian organizations. The U.S., Israel’s top arms supplier, has said it would oppose a Rafah assault without a credible plan to evacuate civilians from the city. Humanitarian groups and analysts have said such a plan is impossible because there is no genuinely safe place for Gazans to go. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked so-called “safe zones” and designated routes Palestinians have used to flee in compliance with past IDF orders. “Israel’s military offensive in Rafah could lead to the deadliest phase of this conflict, inflicting horrific suffering on approximately 1.4 million displaced civilians in the area,” said Jan …

Met Gala 2024 Live Updates: What to Know Before the Red Carpet Begins

Met Gala 2024 Live Updates: What to Know Before the Red Carpet Begins

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On the first Monday in May, the Met Gala takes over The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Affectionately nicknamed fashion’s biggest night, the storied event is not just a showcase of style, where attendees are instructed to follow a predetermined theme, but a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute. The glamorous occasion—which is sometimes also referred to as the Met Ball—first began in 1948 when fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert created it as a philanthropic opportunity for New York society (Lambert also founded New York Fashion Week, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and the International Best-Dressed List). While what’s in fashion has surely changed since then, the Met Gala’s role as a benefit has not. According to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Met Gala provides the Costume Institute “with its primary source of funding for annual exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, operations, and capital improvements.” Every year, a lengthy red carpet sprawled out across the New York City landmark’s iconic steps welcomes an exclusive guest list consisting of designers, actors, athletes, supermodels, tech gurus, billionaires, and …