Since 1 January, in Kabul and Daykundi provinces, UNAMA has documented a series of hijab decree enforcement campaigns by the de facto Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, aided by Taliban police units.
In the capital, Kabul, large numbers of women and girls have been warned and detained, said the mission in a press statement. Some have also been detained in Nili City in Daykundi province.
UNAMA deeply concerned over recent arbitrary arrests and detentions of women and girls by #Afghanistan’s de facto authorities. Full statement: https://t.co/ToPIjUTwjJ
UNAMA is looking into allegations of ill treatment and detention. Religious and ethnic minority communities also appear to be disproportionately impacted by the clamp down.
To secure release, a mahram, or male guardian, has been required to sign a letter guaranteeing future compliance or else face punishment, and it’s alleged that payments have sometimes been demanded, UNAMA reported.
‘Demeaning’
“Enforcement measures involving physical violence are especially demeaning and dangerous for Afghan women and girls,” said Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of UNAMA.
“Detentions carry an enormous stigma that put Afghan women at even greater risk,” Ms. Otunbayeva said. “They also destroy public trust.”
UNAMA has discussed these issues with the de facto authorities and calls for the immediate release of those detained.
Greater funding needed for Malians following UN mission’s withdrawal
Although UN agencies were able to reach more than 1.8 million people in Mali last year, more funding and commitment to long-term development is needed following the drawdown of the UN mission at the end of December, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
UN peacekeepers from Chad arrive in Gao bringing an end to the UN’s presence in the Kidal region of northern Mali.
Briefing reporters in New York on Thursday, he stressed that the UN and partners were “committed to staying and delivering principled assistance and protection services” despite the gap left by the end of the peacekeeping mission at the request of Mali’s military authorities.
He said the UN would continue working with national authorities, Malian organizations and local communities, “but to keep the response going, agencies urgently need support for critical enabling services such as logistics, mine action and security”.
“In some locations, these services were of course being provided previously in part by the UN peacekeeping mission,” he added.
He noted that nearly two million Malians had received assistance last year despite the already “escalating insecurity” in parts of the country, much of which is plagued by armed extremists following more than a decade of unrest and political upheaval.
Agencies also need full funding for this year’s humanitarian response, Mr. Dujarric said. The full response plan will be launched at the end of this month and is expected to require $700 million through 2024 – a 10 per cent decrease from 2023 – “which reflects a more prioritized focus on the country’s most severe needs”, he said.
While humanitarian aid remains essential, more will be needed to address future challenges, including development assistance and social cohesion programmes, he said.
UN launches plan to save migrant lives, promote legal pathways
A lack of safe and legal pathways for migrants has left many vulnerable to abuse and deadly assault, according to the UN migration agency (IOM), which launched a new strategy on Thursday designed to assist them.
Speaking at the launch, IOM Director General Amy Pope insisted that it was crucially important to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, which has become “the top driver” of migration.
Conflict and growing inequality have also increased migration pressures today, said Ms. Pope, who was speaking from N’Djamena in Chad. It’s there that many of the seven million people displaced by violence in neighbouring Sudan have now settled.
IOM said in a statement that its strategic plan is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that the agency is using innovation and technology “to help migrants, their families, communities, and societies flourish”.
“There is not a corner of the globe that is not touched by, or is in some way invested in, the issue of migration,” the IOM chief said.
On January 13, the Moscow Diocesan Church Court announced its decision in the case of Father Alexei Uminsky, depriving him of his priestly rank. Today was the third session of the court, as Fr. Alexey didn’t show up for it. According to the rules of the ecclesiastical court, at the third meeting the decision can be taken without the presence of the “accused”.
According to the decision “… in accordance with Art. 45, para. 3 of the Regulations for the Ecclesiastical Court of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate): it is recognized that, based on Apostolic Rule 25, Father Alexey Uminsky is subject to deprivation of rank for violation of the priestly oath (perjury) – and more precisely, refusal to fulfill the patriarchal blessing to read the prayer for Saint Rus at the divine Liturgy”.
The decision was sent to Patriarch Kirill for approval.
This is the second Moscow priest to be stripped of his priesthood for refusing to read the so-called “war prayer” included in the Liturgy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The first was Fr. John Koval, who instead of “victory” prayed for “peace”. Unlike Fr. Ioan Koval, who was not a public figure, Fr. Alexey Uminsky is a preacher known throughout the country, a clergyman with great authority in Moscow. His sermons and articles have been published in various languages. In his defense, an open letter was sent to Patriarch Kirill, signed by more than ten thousand people, including 29 priests and 12 deacons. Predictably, their letter went unheeded.
The authorities insist on reading the prayer for the “Victory of Holy Russia” during the Liturgy for two reasons: first, it is an expression of loyalty to the policy of the Kremlin and the Moscow Patriarchate that supports it; at the same time, secondly, it is part of the complex of measures that are being pushed through the Orthodox Church in Russia to militarize society. The ROC has been assigned the important ideological role of presenting Russian aggression against Ukraine as a metaphysical event of a religious nature and thus justifying it.
The UN Children’s Fund’s investigation, Pathways to Better Protection, reveals that children with disabilities account for up to 87 per cent of those in care, where data is available.
And the numbers of unaccompanied and separated children seeking asylum in such institutions in western Europe is on the rise.
“We have a long way to go before ending Europe and Central Asia’s long and painful legacy of institutionalizing children,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF director for the region.
Children in institutions often struggle to form positive relationships throughout childhood and adulthood, leaving them feeling isolated and lonely.
Moreover, those in residential care, particularly from a young age, may experience cognitive, linguistic, and other developmental delays, making them more susceptible to falling foul of the the legal system, and being institutionalized again.
Despite these challenges, the UNICEF report highlights some positive trends.
In Bulgaria, Moldova, and Georgia, family-based care has become the norm versus formal alternative care, thanks to Government policies and increased investment.
In Türkiye and Romania, investments in prevention, family support, and foster care promotion have led to a reduction in the number of children in certain types of residential care facilities.
However, the report underscores the lack of progress for children with disabilities. In countries with available data, figures increased in all settings between 2015 and 2021.
Shutdown
To conform with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the UN Guidelines on Alternative Care, UNICEF emphasized the need for the systematic closure of large-scale institutions used to house and educate children.
This includes replacing residential facilities for children with disabilities, or unaccompanied and separated children, with high-quality family and community-based care.
UNICEF called for increased resources to support early identification and intervention for at-risk children, a robust social service workforce, family support services to prevent unnecessary family separation, and quality foster care for children in need of protection.
The agency stressed the importance of reallocating resources from institutional care to family and community-based care and ensuring investments in quality data.
Robotics startup Figure has announced a partnership with BMW Manufacturing to introduce its humanoid robots to the carmaker’s U.S. facility.
Humanoid robot produced by Figure.
This collaboration reflects a growing trend among companies leveraging human-like robots for specific physical tasks. Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus Bot (aka Teslabot) attracted a lot of attention during its reveal last year, but obviously, this model is not the only one on the market, and an increasing number of companies are starting to explore the possibility of working with that kind of autonomous or semi-autonomous robotic equipment.
The deal, Figure’s first commercial agreement since its 2022 founding, entails an initial deployment of a limited number of robots, with potential expansion based on performance targets. The details about the precise quantity remain undisclosed. However, it is known that Figure’s humanoids will be integrated into BMW’s manufacturing processes in Spartanburg, South Carolina, over the next 12-24 months.
A short demonstration of the Figure’s humanoid robot can be seen below:
This BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg is the largest automotive exporter in the U.S., employing 11,000 people. Over the first stage of adoption (which entails the aforementioned 12-24 month period), the humanoids will undergo training to execute specific tasks, integrating into various manufacturing processes such as the body shop, sheet metal, and warehouse.
Brett Adcock, Figure’s CEO, emphasized the careful design of the robots to ensure safety alongside humans. The collaboration with BMW on manufacturing automation is seen by the producer as a significant validation for Figure in the robotics space.
Car manufacturers, including Honda and Hyundai, have been exploring the application of humanoid robots to handle repetitive and hazardous tasks on assembly lines. Tesla recently introduced its latest humanoid, Optimus Gen 2, with Elon Musk envisioning a future with a billion humanoid robots by the 2040s.
The surge in interest from investors focuses on general-purpose humanoid robots equipped with AI-powered software, capable of diverse movements and learning new tasks akin to humans. While current robots are task-specific, the short-term viability of more flexible robots for a broader range of services in real-life scenarios remains uncertain.
Sitting of 17-01-2024 - Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds (joint debate – European Council meetings)
Parliament condemns the deliberate, continuous and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the EU’s founding values.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday with 345 votes for, 104 against and 29 abstentions, MEPs express strong concern about the further erosion of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, in particular through the recently adopted so-called ‘national sovereignty protection’ package – which has been compared with Russia’s infamous ‘foreign agents law’.
Violations of the EU Treaties
Regretting the Council’s failure to apply the Article 7 (1) procedure (following Parliament’s activation of the mechanism in 2018), Parliament calls on the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct procedure of Article 7(2). MEPs also condemn the actions of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who last December blocked the essential decision to revise the EU’s long-term budget, including the Ukraine aid package, “in full disrespect and violation of the EU’s strategic interests and in violation of the principle of sincere cooperation”. The EU must not give in to blackmail, they highlight.
Protecting EU funds
Parliament regrets the Commission’s decision to release up to €10.2 billion of previously frozen funds, despite Hungary not fulfilling the demanded reforms for judicial independence and the Commission recently prolonging the application of Conditionality Regulation measures.
Further, MEPs condemn the reported systemic discriminatory practices against academia, journalists, political parties and civil society when allocating funds. They regret the use of manipulated public procurement procedures, takeover bids by the government and entities with ties to the Prime Minister, and the use of EU funds to enrich the government’s political allies.
The measures required to release EU funding under different rules must be treated as a single package, and no payments should be made if deficiencies persist in any area. Parliament will look into whether legal action should be pursued to overturn the decision to partially unfreeze funds, and notes that it can use an array of legal and political measures if the Commission is in breach of its duties as the guardian of the Treaties and to protect the EU’s financial interests.
The upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council
In light of these issues, Parliament questions if the Hungarian Government will be able to fulfil its duties in the second half of 2024, warning that, if the position of President of the European Council is vacant, those duties would fall to the Hungarian Prime Minister during the country’s six-month Presidency of the Council. MEPs ask the Council to find proper solutions to mitigate these risks, and call for reforms to the Council’s decision-making process, to end the abuse of the right of veto and blackmail.
MEPs looked into the state of citizens’ rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023, identifying an array of concerns about fin fundamental rights in all member states.
The report on the state of fundamental rights in the EU was approved with 391 votes in favour, 130 against, and 20 abstentions.
MEPs call for justice for the killing of journalists and welcome the agreement on the media freedom act. They reiterate their concern over the use of spyware, highlighting the need to regulate the industry strictly and calling on EU countries, in particular Greece, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Cyprus, to follow Parliament’s recommendations on this front.
Backsliding on women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights
The text recalls that gender-based violence is highly prevalent in all EU countries and strongly condemns the rapid backsliding on women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights in several member states, including the denial of access to safe and legal abortion in Poland.
In the case of Hungary, Parliament calls on the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed serious and persistent breaches of EU values under Article 7(2) TEU, and strongly deplores the systematic scapegoating of the LGBTQI+ community by the authorities. Parliament once again calls for the negotiations on a directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence to be concluded swiftly and for gender-based violence to be included in the list of EU crimes.
Increasing level of corruption
Parliament expresses deep concern over the increasing level of corruption in several EU countries and reiterates its condemnation of alleged incidents involving high-level officials and politicians, including current and former MEPs. The EU anti-corruption framework and the Whistleblower Protection Directive must be fully implemented in the member states, and an independent ethics body is needed at EU level, MEPs point out. Parliament also speaks against government attempts to influence judicial independence and calls for effective checks and balances.
Other areas of concern include:
threats to freedoms of association, speech and assembly, including police violence and mass arrests;
disinformation and the need to ensure artistic freedom;
the risk of biases built into new technologies, including AI;
social, economic, and environmental rights (e.g. poverty and social exclusion, digital poverty); and
improving institutional safeguards (including establishing the Fundamental Rights Agency as an independent human rights authority).
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Rapporteur Katarina Barley (S&D, Germany) commented: “Fundamental rights violations are widespread in EU member states. Times of crises are like a litmus test in this regard, as the respect for fundamental rights cannot depend on favourable economic and societal conditions. They are not optional; they are the essence of our societies and a core founding value of the EU.”
Human rights breaches continue in these countries, with persecution in China, the threat of famine in Sudan and repression of the media in Tajikistan
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on human rights issues in China, Sudan and Tajikistan.
The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande
MEPs demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ding Yuande and all Falun Gong practitioners in China. They strongly condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and other minorities, including Uyghurs and Tibetans by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). They call for the PRC to end its domestic and transnational surveillance, control and suppression of religious freedom.
MEPs call on the EU and member states to support and facilitate an international investigation into the persecution of Falun Gong, and to raise the persecution of religious minorities with the Chinese authorities. Member states should suspend extradition treaties with the PRC, MEPs add, and use national sanctions regimes and the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR) against all perpetrators, as well as entities that have contributed to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad.
MEPs also want EU measures to include visa refusals, the freezing of assets, expulsion from EU territories, criminal prosecution, including on the basis of extraterritorial jurisdiction, and the initiation of international criminal charges against the perpetrators.
The text was adopted by a show of hands. The full resolution will be available here (18.01.2024).
The threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan
MEPs strongly condemn the continuing violence between rival armed factions in Sudan, alongside human rights violations and food insecurity. They call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and facilitate safe and timely humanitarian access for civilians suffering shortages of food, water and fuel and very high prices for essential items .
They want the UN Security Council to sanction violations of the UN arms embargo on Darfur, and to expand the embargo to the whole of the country.
The EU and member states should increase emergency funding for the humanitarian response, MEPs add, underlining the need for specific support for survivors of sexual violence, and make use of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR) mechanism against those responsible for human rights violations.
The text was adopted by a show of hands. The full resolution will be available here (18.01.2024).
Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media
MEPS strongly condemn the ongoing crackdown against independent media, government critics, human rights activists and independent lawyers, and the closure of independent media and websites in Tajikistan.
They urge the authorities to stop persecuting lawyers defending government critics and journalists, immediately and unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained and drop all charges against them, including human rights lawyers Manuchehr Kholiknazarov and Buzurgmehr Yorov.
Parliament urges the Tajik Government to ensure that detainees have access to adequate health care and calls for a thorough investigation into allegations of mistreatment in custody, and the bringing to justice of those responsible. MEPs insist that the respect for freedom of expression in Tajikistan should be taken into account when assessing the application of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) and for the negotiations of a new EU-Tajikistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. They call on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to increase support for civil society, human rights defenders and independent media workers in Tajikistan, including funding.
The text was adopted 481 votes in favour, 25 against with 26 abstentions. The full resolution will be available here (18.01.2024).
Thus he (Antonius) spent about twenty years, exercising himself. And after this, when many had a burning desire and wanted to rival his life, and when some of his acquaintances came and forced his door, then Antony came out as from some sanctuary, initiated into the mysteries of the teaching and divinely inspired. And then for the first time he showed himself from his fortified place to those who came to him.
And when they saw him, they marveled that his body was in the same state, that it had neither been fattened by immobility, nor weakened by fasting and fighting with devils. He was as they knew him before his hermitage.
* * *
And many of those present who suffered from bodily diseases, the Lord healed through him. And others he cleansed of evil spirits and gave Antony the gift of speech. And so he comforted many who were grieving, and others, who were hostile, he turned into friends, repeating to all that they should not prefer anything in the world to the love of Christ.
By speaking to them and advising them to remember the future good things and the humanity shown to us by God, who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him for all of us, he persuaded many to accept the monastic life. And so, monasteries gradually appeared in the mountains, and the desert was populated with monks who left their personal lives and signed up to live in heaven.
* * *
One day, when all the monks came to him and wanted to hear a word from him, he said to them in the Coptic language the following: “The Holy Scriptures are sufficient to teach us everything. But it is good for us to encourage each other in the faith and strengthen ourselves with the word. You, like children, come and tell me like a father what you know. And I, being older than you, will share with you what I know and have gained from experience.”
* * *
“Above all, the first care of all of you should be: when you begin, not to relax and not to be discouraged in your labors. And do not say: “We have grown old in asceticism.” But rather every day increase your zeal more and more, as if you were starting for the first time. For all human life is very short compared with the ages to come. So our whole life is nothing compared to eternal life.”
“And every thing in the world is sold for what it is worth, and everyone exchanges like for like. But the promise of eternal life is bought for a small thing. Because the sufferings of this time are not equal to the glory that will be revealed to us in the future”.
* * *
“It is good to think of the words of the apostle who said: ‘I die every day.’ Because if we also live as if we die every day, then we will not sin. These words mean: waking up each day, thinking that we will not live to see the evening. And again, when we get ready to sleep, let’s think that we won’t wake up. Because the nature of our life is unknown and it is guided by Providence”.
“When we have this attitude of mind and live like this every day, we will neither sin, nor have a desire for evil, nor be angry with anyone, nor store up treasures on earth. But if we expect to die every day, we will be propertyless and forgive everyone everything. And we will not at all retain impure pleasure, but will turn away from it when it passes us by, fighting always and keeping in mind the day of the terrible judgment.
“And so, starting and walking the path of the benefactor, let us try harder to reach what is ahead. And let no one turn back like Lot’s wife. For the Lord also said: “No one who has put his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the kingdom of heaven.”
“Do not be afraid when you hear of virtue, and do not be astonished at the word. Because it is not far from us and is not created outside of us. The work is in us and it is easy to do if we only wish. The Hellenes leave their homeland and cross the seas to learn science. However, we do not need to leave our homeland for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, nor to cross the sea for the sake of the benefactor. Because the Lord told us from the beginning: “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” So virtue needs only our desire.’
* * *
And so, on those mountains there were monasteries in the form of tents, full of divine choirs, who sang, read, fasted, prayed with cheerful hearts with hope for the future and worked to give alms. They also had love and agreement among themselves. And indeed, it could be seen that this is a separate country of piety to God and justice to men.
For there were no unjust and wronged, no complaint from a publican, but a gathering of hermits and one thought for virtue for all. Therefore, when someone saw the monasteries again and this such a good order of monks, he exclaimed and said: “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel! Like shady valleys and like gardens around a river! And like aloe trees, which the Lord planted in the earth, and like cedars near the waters!” (Num. 24:5-6).
Chapter 4
After that on the Church attacked the persecution that took place during the reign of Maximinus (emp. Maximinus Daya, note ed.). And when the holy martyrs were brought to Alexandria, then Antony also followed them, leaving the monastery and saying: “Let us go and fight, because they are calling us, or let us see the fighters ourselves.” And he had a great desire to become a witness and a martyr at the same time. And not wanting to surrender, he served the confessors in the mines and in the prisons. Great was his zeal to encourage the so-called fighters in the court to readiness for sacrifice, to welcome the martyrs and accompany them until they died.
* * *
And the judge, seeing his fearlessness and that of his companions, as well as their zeal, ordered that none of the monks should appear in the court, nor stay in the city at all. Then his friends all decided to hide that day. But Antony was so little troubled by this that he even washed his garment, and the next day he stood foremost, showing himself to the governor in all his dignity. Everyone was amazed at this, and the governor, when he was passing by with his detachment of soldiers, also saw it. Antony stood still and fearless, displaying our Christian valor. Because he wanted to be a witness and a martyr himself, as we said above.
* * *
But because he could not become a martyr, he looked like a man who mourned for it. However, God preserved him for the benefit of us and others, so that in the asceticism he had learned himself from the scriptures, he could become a teacher of many. Because just by looking at his behavior, many tried to become imitators of his way of life. And when the persecution finally stopped and the blessed bishop Peter became a martyr (in 311 – note ed.), then he left the city and again retired to the monastery. There, as is well known, Antony indulged in a great and even more austere asceticism.
* * *
And so, having retired into seclusion, and making it his task to spend some time in such a way that he neither appeared before the people, nor received anyone, there came to him a general named Martinianus, who disturbed his peace. This warlord had a daughter who was tormented by evil spirits. And as he waited a long time at the door and begged Antony to come out to pray to God for his child, Antony did not allow the door to be opened, but peeped in from above and said: “Man, why do you give me such a headache with your cries? I am a person like you. But if you believe in Christ, whom I serve, go and pray, and as you believe, so shall it be.” And Martinian, believing immediately and turning to Christ for help, went away and his daughter was cleansed of the evil spirit.
And many other wonderful works were done through him by the Lord, who says: “Ask and it will be given to you!” (Mat. 7:7). So that without him opening the door, many of the sufferers, just by sitting before his abode, exercised faith, prayed earnestly, and were healed.
CHAPTER FIVE
But because he saw himself disturbed by many and was not left to live in hermitage, as he wanted according to his own understanding, and also because he was afraid that he might become proud of the works that the Lord was doing through him, or that someone else would think such a thing for him, he decided and set out to go to Upper Thebaid to the people who did not know him. And having taken bread from the brothers, he sat on the bank of the river Nile and watched whether a ship would pass by so that he could board and go with him.
While he was thinking in this way, a voice came to him from above: “Antonio, where are you going and why?”. And he, hearing the voice, was not embarrassed, because he was used to being called that way, and answered with the words: “Because the crowds do not leave me alone, therefore I want to go to Upper Thebaid because of the many headaches that I have caused by the people here, and especially because they ask me for things that are beyond my powers.” And the voice said to him: “If you want to have real peace, go now deeper into the desert.”
And when Antony asked: “But who will show me the way, because I do not know him?”, the voice immediately directed him to some Arabs (the Copts, descendants of the ancient Egyptians, distinguish themselves from the Arabs both by their history and by their culture, note ed.), who were just preparing to travel this way. Going and approaching them, Antony asked them to go with them into the desert. And they, as if by order of providence, accepted him favorably. He traveled with them for three days and three nights until he came to a very high mountain. Clear water, sweet and very cold, sprang up under the mountain. And outside there was a flat field with a few date palms that bore fruit without human care.
* * *
Anthony, brought by God, loved the place. Because this was the same place that the One who spoke to him by the banks of the river had shown him. And at first, having received bread from his companions, he remained in the mountain alone, without anyone with him. Because he finally reached the place he recognized as his own home. And the Arabs themselves, having seen Antony’s zeal, then purposely passed that way and brought him bread with joy. But he also had a meager but cheap food from the date palms. Accordingly, when the brothers learned of the place, they, like children who remember their father, took care to send him food.
However, when Antony realized that some people there were struggling and toiling for this bread, he felt sorry for the monks, thought to himself and asked some of those who came to him to bring him a hoe and an ax and some wheat. And when all this was brought to him, he went around the land around the mountain, found a very small place suitable for the purpose and began to cultivate it. And because he had enough water for irrigation, he sowed the wheat. And this he did every year, getting his living from it. He was glad that in this way he would not bore anyone and that in everything he was careful not to burden others. After that, however, seeing that some people were still coming to him, he also planted some sedge, so that the visitor could have a little relief in his efforts from the difficult journey.
* * *
But in the beginning, the animals from the desert, who came to drink water, often damaged his cultivated and sown crops. Antony meekly caught one of the beasts and said to them all: “Why do you harm me when I do not harm you? Go away and in the name of God do not come near these places!”. And from that time on, as if frightened by the order, they no longer approached the place.
Thus he lived alone in the interior of the mountain, devoting his free time to prayer and spiritual exercise. And the brothers who served him asked him: coming every month, to bring him olives, lentils and wood oil. Because he was already an old man.
* * *
Once asked by the monks to come down to them and visit them for a while, he traveled with the monks who came to meet him, and they loaded bread and water on a camel. But this desert was entirely waterless, and there was no water to drink at all, except only in that mountain where his abode was. And because there was no water on their way, and it was very hot, they all risked exposing themselves to danger. Therefore, after going around many places and not finding water, they could not go any further and lay down on the ground. And they let the camel go, despairing of themselves.
* * *
However, the old man, seeing everyone in danger, was deeply grieved and in his grief withdrew a little from them. There he knelt, folded his hands and began to pray. And immediately the Lord caused water to gush out where he had stood to pray. So, after drinking, they all revived. And having filled their pitchers, they looked for the camel and found it. It happened that the rope wound around a stone and got stuck in that place. Then they took her and watered her, put the pitchers on her, and went the rest of the way unharmed.
* * *
And when he reached the outer monasteries, they all looked at him and greeted him as a father. And he, as if he had brought some provisions from the forest, greeted them with warm words, as guests are greeted, and repaid them with help. And again there was joy on the mountain and competition for progress and encouragement in the common faith. Moreover, he also rejoiced, seeing, on the one hand, the zeal of the monks, and on the other, his sister, who was old in virginity and was also the leader of other virgins.
After a few days he went to the mountains again. And then many came to him. Even some who were sick dared to climb. And to all the monks who came to him, he constantly gave this advice: To believe in the Lord and to love Him, to beware of impure thoughts and carnal pleasures, to avoid idle talk and to pray incessantly.
CHAPTER SIX
And in his faith he was diligent and completely worthy of admiration. For he never communicated either with the schismatics, followers of Meletius, because he knew from the first their malice and their apostasy, nor did he speak in a friendly manner with the Manichaeans or with other heretics, except so far as to instruct them, thinking and declaring that friendship and communication with them is harm and destruction for the soul. So also he abhorred the heresy of the Arians, and commanded all not to approach them, nor to accept their false teaching. And when once some of the insane Arians came to him, he, having tested them and found that they were wicked people, drove them out of the mountain, saying that their words and thoughts were worse than serpent’s poison.
* * *
And when at one time the Arians declared falsely that he thought alike with them, then he was indignant and very angry. Then he came down from the mountain, because he was called by the bishops and all the brothers. And when he entered Alexandria, he condemned the Arians in front of everyone, saying that this was the last heresy and the forerunner of the Antichrist. And he taught the people that the Son of God is not a creation, but that he is Word and Wisdom and is of the essence of the Father.
And all rejoiced to hear such a man curse the heresy against Christ. And the people of the city flocked together to see Antony. The heathen Greeks, and their so-called priests themselves, came to the church saying: “We want to see the man of God.” Because everyone told him so. And because there too the Lord cleansed many from evil spirits through him and healed those who were insane. And many, even pagans, only wanted to touch the old man, because they believed they would benefit from it. And indeed in those few days as many people became Christians as he had hardly seen anyone become in a whole year.
* * *
And when he started to return and we accompanied him, after we reached the city gate, a woman called out behind us: “Wait, man of God! My daughter is terribly tormented by evil spirits. Wait, I’m begging you, so that I don’t get hurt when I run.” Hearing this, and begged by us, the old man agreed and stopped. And when the woman approached, the girl threw herself on the ground, and after Antony prayed and mentioned the name of Christ, the girl woke up healed, because the unclean spirit had left her. Then the mother blessed God and everyone gave thanks. And he rejoiced, going to the mountain as if to his own home.
Note: This life was written by St. Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria, one year after the death of Rev. Anthony the Great († January 17, 356), i.e. in 357 at the request of Western monks from Gaul (d. France) and Italy, where the archbishop was in exile. It is the most accurate primary source for the life, exploits, virtues and creations of St. Anthony the Great and played an extremely important role in the establishment and flourishing of monastic life both in the East and in the West. For example, Augustine in his Confessions speaks of the strong influence of this life on his conversion and improvement in faith and piety.
The European Parliament has taken a decisive step towards bolstering the European Labour Authority (ELA) by adopting a Motion for Resolution that calls for the strengthening of the Authority’s mandate. This move underscores the commitment of the European Union to safeguard worker rights and ensure fair competition within its single market.
Strengthening the ELA: A Mandate for Worker Protection
In a recent plenary session, the European Parliament, led by voices such as Dennis Radtke, MEP and coordinator of the EPP Group in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), emphasized the need to equip the ELA with “teeth” to enforce worker protection across the EU. The ELA, established in 2019, has been instrumental in upholding EU regulations on worker postings and facilitating cross-border cooperation among member states.
Enhancing the ELA’s Powers and Competences
The Motion for Resolution advocates for the expansion of the ELA’s powers, granting it its own right of initiative and extending its mandate to include third-country nationals. This initiative, co-drafted by Dennis Radtke and Agnes Jongerius (Netherlands, S&D), aims to protect workers from exploitation and ensure adherence to fundamental employment regulations.
Addressing the Plight of Workers in Gräfenhausen
Incidents like those in Gräfenhausen, where workers’ rights were severely compromised, are a stark reminder of the necessity for robust enforcement mechanisms. Radtke’s call to action is a response to such violations, ensuring that such conditions are not repeated within the EU.
Advocating for Cross-Border Worker Protection
Radtke has also highlighted the importance of cross-border worker protection as a means to maintain fair competition and uphold the integrity of the internal market. The ELA’s role in supporting member states with cross-border controls, analyses, and risk assessments is crucial in this regard.
Dispute Resolution and Labour Mobility
As part of its mandate, the ELA also plays a pivotal role in resolving disputes between EU countries and assessing risks associated with cross-border labour mobility. The strengthening of the ELA will further enhance its capacity to perform these critical functions effectively.
Conclusion
The European Parliament’s strong endorsement of the Motion for Resolution to empower the European Labour Authority is a testament to the EU’s dedication to worker welfare. By enhancing the ELA’s capabilities, the EU seeks to foster an environment where worker rights are respected, and exploitation is a phenomenon of the past.
The adoption of this resolution is a call to action for all EU member states to unite in the fight against labour violations and to work collaboratively towards a fair and equitable market for all workers within the European Union.
This article integrates key information from the provided text and includes SEO-friendly keywords to enhance online visibility and encourage user engagement. It aims to inform readers about the significant steps taken by the European Parliament to strengthen worker protection across the EU.
High Angle View Of Red Wine Spilled From Glass On Carpet
For the first time in more than a decade, in 2022, the number of registered alcoholics increased in Russia, according to data published in Rosstat’s 2023 Health Compendium.
Even the official statistics report an increase: in the period from 2010 to 2021, the number of newly diagnosed cases of alcohol dependence and alcohol psychosis decreased almost three times – from 153.9 thousand to 53.3 thousand.
However, after a decrease in the rate in 2021, in 2022 there were 54.2 thousand patients with newly discovered alcohol dependence under dispensary observation. Among them, 12.9 thousand people suffered from alcoholic psychosis. Since 2010, their number has decreased almost four times – from 47 thousand patients to 12.8 thousand in 2021.
At the end of 2022, the Ministry of Health reported that during the year the number of Russians with alcohol dependence syndrome in rural areas increased by 7%, the mortality rate among rural residents due to alcohol use also increased.
As “Kommersant” notes, the Ministry of Health attributes the increase in these cases to the coronavirus pandemic. The department believes that the reason is the “stress from the pandemic”, as well as the fact that inflation is outpacing the increase in excise taxes on alcohol.
Also at the end of 2023, however, the government approved a strategy to reduce alcohol consumption by 2030, which plans an ambitious reduction in indicators – from 8.9 liters of hard alcohol by 2023 to 7.8 liters by 2030. However, the ministry does not provide the statistics for 2023 – the first completely military year in Russia, admitting, however, that in the last two years – 2022 and 2023, the trend was reversed and went up.
“Kommersant” explicitly notes that in 2022, with the beginning of the so-called “special military operation” there was an extremely sharp jump in anxiety among the population of Russia, reaching a record 70%, marking the levels of the 90s of the last century.
