“Corporal punishment is a violation of the Convention against Torture and must cease,” said UNAMA’s human rights chief Fiona Frazer, stressing that the UN is “strongly opposed” to the death penalty.
She called on the de facto authorities to establish an “immediate moratorium” on executions.
In a new report, UNAMA said that it had documented “a range of forms of corporal punishment” carried out by the Taliban since their return to power on 15 August 2021 after dislodging the democratically-elected Government, “including lashings or floggings, stoning, forcing people to stand in cold water, and forced head shaving”. In the last six months alone, 274 men, 58 women and two boys have been publicly flogged.
According to the report, the legal system in Afghanistan is currently “failing to safeguard minimum fair trial and due process guarantees”.
UNAMA warned that the Taliban’s refusal to grant licences to women defence lawyers and the exclusion of women judges from the judicial system are impacting women and girls’ access to justice.
Violating international law
Corporal punishment has been defined as “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light”.
The prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is considered a fundamental principle of international law, the report reiterated.
Sentenced to ‘100 lashes’
Between 15 August 2021 and 12 November 2022 alone, UNAMA documented at least 18 instances of judicial corporal punishment carried out by de facto provincial, district and appeals courts.
“Within the 18 documented instances, 33 men and 22 women were punished, including two girls; the vast majority of punishments, for both men and women, related to adultery or ‘running away from home’ and all women and girls who were punished were reportedly convicted of such offences,” the report showed.
In general, punishments consisted of 30 to 39 lashes for each convicted person. However, “in some cases, people received as many as 80 to 100 lashes”, according to the report.
The antireligious organization FECRIS, practically funded in full by French government agency MIVILUDES (currently in the portfolio of France’s State Secretary of Citizenship Sonia Backes ) used “make-up” to cover up their links to “lunatic lawyer” Alexander Korelov, who participated in their conference as a speaker.
In Alexander Korelov‘s words, “former Ukraine” is still “part of my country, the USSR.” The program of a 2017 conference is changed retroactively by FECRIS to remove his name and remarks.
Readers of “BitterWinter” are likely familiar with the insane Russian attorney Alexander Korelov, who in 2022 erroneously asserted that the Jehovah’s Witnesses were planning a coup to overthrow the Putin dictatorship. Korelov frequently advises or defends prominent anti-cultists in Russia, such Alexander Dvorkin and Alexander Novopashin, when they are charged of defamation by organizations they label as “cults.” Korelov identified himself in 2017 as a “lawyer of RATsIRS,” which was the FECRIS Russian chapter at the time.
FECRIS has lost more than 50% of its listed members, from 49 groups to 19 groups
Introvigne’s magazine informs that FECRIS has a new list of member associations that were “recognized at the General Assembly held in Marseille on March 24, 2023,” which excludes its prior Russian affiliates.
In addition to the Russian organizations FECRIS has lost altogether more than 50% of its listed members, going from 49 groups on December 3rd 2022, down to 19 groups as of March 24th 2023).
The fact that the Russian anti-cult organizations have been legally expelled and their offensive ideology rejected is not mentioned, though. And despite FECRIS’s assertion that associations not on the March 2023 list can no longer claim to be a part of the organization, Novopashin continues to disobey this directive and maintains on his website a claim that his group “represents FECRIS in Russia.”
Charles III and his wife Camilla were crowned in London, making him the fortieth monarch in British history. The coronation and anointing ceremony took place in Westminster Abbey. The previous coronation took place seventy years ago, on June 2, 1953, when Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, received the British crown at the same venue.
The main event of the ceremony – the anointing of the king with holy oil was performed by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. He anointed Charles’s head, hands and chest with oil consecrated by Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilus at the Holy Sepulcher (here), emphasizing the connection with the Old Testament royal anointing, and placed the crown on the monarch’s head. During the anointing, a Byzantine choir conducted by Alexander Lingas, a teacher of Byzantine music, performed Psalm 71, and after the coronation, Charles III was blessed by the Orthodox Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain Nikitas.
The ceremony contains a lot of Christian symbolism and messages about the nature of power. Here are some of them:
The procession at Westminster Abbey was met by the Archbishop of Canterbury and reached the entrance of the church, accompanied by the reading of Psalm 122 (121): “Let us go to the house of the Lord”, whose main message is peacemaking: the new monarch comes in peace and to establish peace .
The King swore an oath on the King James Bible and was then given a Bible to remind him of God’s law and the Gospel as the rule for the life and government of Christian monarchs. Kneeling before the altar, he said the following prayer, which emphasized the Christian view of government as a service to people, not violence over them: “God of compassion and mercy, Whose Son was not sent to be served, but to serve, give me grace to find in Your service perfect freedom, and in this freedom to know Your truth. Grant me to be a blessing to all Your children, of every faith and persuasion, so that together we may discover the ways of meekness and be led along the paths of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
A child greeted the king with the words: “Your majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we greet you in the name of the King of kings”, and he replied: “In his name and according to his example I came not to be served, but to serve” .
The main regalia that the monarch received was a golden sphere with a precious cross, which symbolizes Christendom and the British monarch’s role in protecting the Christian faith. The king also received two golden sceptres: the first has a dove on its tip, symbolizing the Holy Spirit – an expression of the belief that the monarch’s authority is blessed by God and must be exercised in accordance with His laws. The dove scepter is a symbol of spiritual authority and is also known as the “scepter of justice and mercy.” The other ruler’s scepter has a cross and symbolizes secular power, which is Christian. All three regalia, as well as the Crown of St. Edward, have been used at the coronation of every British monarch since 1661.
The king was also presented with the sword of state, upon receiving which he said a prayer for widows and orphans – again as a sign that peace is the highest value to which every Christian ruler should strive, and war leaves death in its midst.
With his coronation, Charles III became head of the Church of England. From the 16th century, when the Anglican Church severed relations with the Roman Catholic Church and was declared the state religion, the British monarchs began to head it, thus cutting off the Pope’s right to interfere in the life of the monarchy. Ecclesiastical leadership of the Church of England is exercised by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Charles III was also given the title “Guardian of the Faith”.
The Danish government has rejected a controversial draft law that had been under discussion for the past three years and would have required all religious sermons in Denmark to be translated into Danish. The law aimed to prevent the spread of sermons that contained calls for hatred, intolerance and violence, especially in Muslim communities.
Over the past fifteen years, the Danish authorities have made efforts through changes in immigration legislation, especially for clerics, to limit the access of radical imams to the country. Although the laws were provoked by the actions of radical Islamists, they extend to clerics of all religions, including Christianity, providing proof of an educational qualification from a legitimate public university, financial independence, etc.
This was also the case with the bill that required all denominations to translate their sermons into Danish. This week it was finally rejected by the Minister for Church Affairs Louise Schack.
In March this year, the chairman of the Danish People’s Party asked the minister for church affairs to investigate whether the law could be drafted so that it did not affect all religious communities that preach in a language other than Danish, but only those mosques where “speaks only in Arabic, loudly preaches against women, democracy, Jews and other minority groups, or where violence and terror are spread.” The government did not find such an option for the operation of the law and it was finally rejected.
In January 2021, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) expressed deep concern in a letter to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Minister for Church Affairs Joy Mogensen about a proposed new initiative to make it mandatory to translate sermons from other languages into Danish.
The KEC reminded that as an international European church organization they have always encouraged the use of the mother tongue in a religious context, helping migrants to integrate and form communities that support them and help them navigate the new social environment of which they are now a part .
“From a political point of view, we see such legislation as an unjustified negative signal regarding religion and the role of religious communities in society. Moreover, it would be an indication to non-Danish European peoples and Christian communities that their religious practice and presence in Denmark is being questioned and considered unequivocally problematic,” the address said. “Why should German, Romanian or English communities with a long history in Denmark suddenly translate their sermons into Danish? This would damage Denmark’s image as an open, liberal and free nation built on the Christian heritage of individual rights and responsibilities.”
The company “Bonollo”, known for the production of traditional Italian grappa, and the gas transmission company “Italgas” opened the first biomethane plant at the distillery, reported Reuters. This could prove to be an important step towards increasing the production of renewable natural gas in Italy.
Biomethane, which in this case is made from the liquid residues resulting from the distillation of grapes and grape products, is obtained during the processing and purification of biogas. It can be used for heating, cooking and everything else that uses traditional natural gas extracted from the processing of fossil fuels, but it is essentially a by-product of the processing of organic matter and as such is considered renewable and carbon neutral.
The most popular product of the “Bonollo” family is grappa, distilled from grape pomace left after wine production. The company produces the OF brand based on Amarone wine.
Italgaz has announced that the “Bonolo” biomethane plant, located near the northeastern Italian city of Padua, is the first to be connected to the company’s grid, but there are 140 more connection requests.
“Italy, which now produces only 5 percent of the biomethane in the EU, has great opportunities to increase its production,” said Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of the distribution network of Italgas, Italy’s largest natural gas supplier. .
The Bonolo plant will produce 2.4 million cubic meters of renewable gas per year, which will be fed into the gas transmission network and has the capacity to supply 3,000 households.
Last year, the government in Rome approved state subsidies totaling 1.7 billion euros to support investments in biogas and biomethane production facilities to reduce dependence on Russian natural gas imports.
Italy currently produces 500 million cubic meters of biomethane, but according to Dell’Orco, a volume of 8 billion cubic meters could be reached by 2030. Italgas plans to invest 4 billion euros by 2028 to digitize the network and make it possible to transport different fuels, incl. hydrogen.
The EU’s “RepowerEU” program, presented by the European Commission after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, set the goal of biomethane production in the Community to reach 35 billion cubic meters by 2030 and to partially replace the volumes of natural gas purchased from Russia gas.
Nearly 6,400 Turkish voters are registered in Bulgaria with the right to vote.
People from 10 country’s regional districts who have a permanent address in Bulgaria can vote at the Turkish Consulate General in the city of Plovdiv.
The voting of Turkish voters in Bulgaria continued for four days in Plovdiv for the president and composition of the 28th National Assembly in Turkey on May 14. The election process continued until May 7, and on Saturday and Sunday, an additional ballot box was placed in the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv.
During the election days, the polls were open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mr. Ahmed Pehlivan, one of the members of the election committee at the consulate, told The European News, wishing that the results would benefit the development of Turkey. According to Turkey’s election law, voters from other countries vote before Turkey’s election day. After the end of the voting, the ballots are taken to Turkey by diplomatic couriers. The polls will be opened at 17:00 on May 14, after the end of voting across Turkey.
“We are observing a growing interest in the electoral process in Bulgaria, and we are happy about that. Every vote with us has a high turnout. People believe that through their voice, the issues and topics that concern them will be able to find a reflection in the work of the government. They know it and believe in it, and that’s why they go to the polls with pleasure at every election”, said the ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Bulgaria, H.E. Aileen Sekizkök Sekizkök in an interview with Sevda Dukyanci from the Turkish edition of Radio Bulgaria.
Photo: Turkish Consulate General in Plovdiv (Bulgaria), 7th of May 2023.
After the global financial crisis in 2008, about ten European countries introduced the so-called “golden visas” for foreigners who invest in the country, buy housing, work and can apply for citizenship after a certain period of time. Following the introduction of the European Union, the minimum investment requirements are practical: the minimum investment starts at 50,000 Euros in Latvia, and 1.2 million Euros in the Netherlands. Investors can usually live and work in the country from three to five years and then they are allowed to apply for citizenship, writes Bloomberg.
However, the leads are starting to come. Two months ago, against the background of the ongoing dissatisfaction with the growth of house prices in Portugal, the government stated that it would repeat the program as soon as nt has ruled and accepted the proposed legislation – probably in the next few weeks.
The EU has long been pushing for countries with such programs to avoid golden visa fees, because they are “anti-democratic” and can be used as a way for filthy money to enter the region.
Europeans are once again economically stable and ready to face a tougher foreign policy. warm. For example, the program was held in Iceland on February 15. Greece has announced its intention to double its investment target to 500,000 Euros in several key destinations, including Athens. After the programs for Portugal and Spain close, immigration consultants predict that there will be greater demand in Greece and Spain.
There are almost no similar statistics for Europe, but some data suggest that the majority of people using the programs are from China. In Iceland, which offers a right of residence in exchange for an investment of 500,000 Euros to residents with a personal wealth of at least 2 million euros, Chinese citizens represent over 90% of the total of 1,727 applications received by the end of 2022. In Portugal first Invectitops also dominate the Chinese – or almost half of the 11,758 golden visas since 2012. In Greece, the figure is almost 60% of the 12,818 visas from 2013 onwards. Last year, many Ukrainians applied, and the number of Americans applying for visas has increased in recent years.
The programs really poured a lot of money into the European property markets: about 3.5 million Euros per year from 2016 to 2019, according to the European Parliament. Especially in Portugal, they came up with the idea of improving the housing stock by reducing the investment program on one level for candidates living in a house in need of maintenance.
The price of residential properties has fallen since 2015, according the Idealista real estate website. In the last five years in Athens, house prices have risen by 48%, according to official data. In Dublin has grown by 130% since 2012.
In other words, the interest has not changed that much. In Spain, where citizenship can be obtained for up to 500,000 Euros and 10 years of residence, has only 136 golden visas issued by 2022.
Despite the great dissatisfaction that occurs in the long-term, according to recent data, the golden visas have a weak influence on the value of the properties. In Irland, they issue only a few hundred visas each year, with 60,000 residential transactions expected by 2022.
The properties purchased through the program in Portugal represent approximately 0.3% of the total 300,000 real estate transactions in the country during the year, according to a real estate company.
By Katie Chan - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131601802
After years of anticipation, King Charles III has been crowned, marking a new era for the United Kingdom. With his unique perspective and approach to leadership, many are curious about what his reign may hold for the future of the kingdom. Let’s take a closer look at his journey to the throne and what we can expect from his reign.
Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, in Buckingham Palace, London. He is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was educated at Cheam School in Berkshire and Gordonstoun School in Scotland. After completing his education, he joined the Royal Navy and served on various ships and submarines. He also attended the University of Cambridge and earned a degree in archaeology and anthropology.
The Role of the Prince of Wales.
As the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles III held the title of Prince of Wales for over 60 years before ascending to the throne. During this time, he carried out numerous public engagements and charitable work, including founding The Prince’s Trust, which helps young people in the UK to achieve their goals. He also became known for his environmental activism and advocacy for sustainable living. As King, it is expected that he will continue to prioritize these issues and use his platform to make a positive impact on society.
The Passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the Succession.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for the British monarchy. As the longest-reigning monarch in British history, she left behind a legacy of stability and continuity. However, her death also triggered the process of succession, which ultimately led to the coronation of her son, Charles III. Despite some controversy and criticism, Charles III has been preparing for this role for most of his life and is expected to bring his own unique perspective and priorities to the throne.
The Coronation of King Charles III.
After years of waiting and preparation, the coronation of King Charles III finally took place in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The event was attended by dignitaries from around the world and watched by millions of people on television. It included European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, who said in a tweet that
The Coronation is a testament to the enduring strength of the British monarchy. A symbol of stability and continuity.
"The Coronation is a testament to the enduring strength of the British monarchy. A symbol of stability and continuity. My congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla."
In his first speech as king, Charles III emphasized his commitment to serving the people of the United Kingdom and to upholding the traditions and values of the monarchy. Many are eager to see what changes and innovations he will bring to the role during his reign.
Cardinal Nichols of Westminster was of course there, and posted the following tweet:
What to Expect from the Reign of King Charles III.
As the new king settles into his role, many are curious about what his reign will bring. Charles III has already expressed his commitment to serving the people of the United Kingdom and upholding the traditions of the monarchy. However, he has also hinted at a desire to modernize and adapt the monarchy to the changing times. It remains to be seen what specific changes he will make, but many are hopeful for a fresh perspective and new ideas from the new king.
What Does the Future Hold for Queen Camila’s Role in the Monarchy?
With the impending reign of Prince Charles, speculation abounds about the role his wife, Camila, will take on as Queen. Here’s a look at the possibilities.
As Prince Charles prepares to ascend to the throne, many are wondering what role his wife, Camila, will play as Queen. While there is no set protocol for the role of a Queen consort, there are several possibilities for how Camila could contribute to the monarchy and the country as a whole.
The traditional role of Queen Consort.
Historically, the role of a Queen Consort has been to support the King and carry out ceremonial duties. This could include attending state events, hosting foreign dignitaries, and representing the monarchy at various functions. While the specifics of Camila’s role as Queen Consort are yet to be determined, it is likely that she will continue to fulfill these traditional duties. However, with the changing times and the modernization of the monarchy, there may be opportunities for Camila to take on a more active and influential role.
A more active role in charitable work and public appearances.
As the monarchy continues to modernize, there may be opportunities for Queen Camila to take on a more active role in charitable work and public appearances. This could include championing causes that are important to her, attending events and meetings on behalf of the monarchy, and using her platform to raise awareness for important issues. Additionally, as the royal family continues to adapt to the changing times, there may be opportunities for Queen Camila to take on a more prominent role in shaping the future of the monarchy. Only time will tell what the future holds for Queen Camila, but it is clear that she has the potential to make a significant impact in the years to come.
The impact of public opinion on her role.
Public opinion can play a significant role in shaping the role that Queen Camila takes on in the monarchy. If she is well-liked and respected by the public, there may be more opportunities for her to take on a more active role. On the other hand, if she is unpopular or controversial, it may be more difficult for her to make a significant impact. Ultimately, the decision about Queen Camila’s role will be up to the royal family and the Queen herself, but public opinion can certainly influence their decisions.
The world of journalism is rapidly changing, and European newsrooms are no exception. With the decline of print readership and the rise of digital platforms, news organizations are facing a complex and challenging environment. In this article, we explore some of the key issues that European newsrooms are grappling with, from the need to adapt to new technologies to the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity in the face of political pressure.
The rise of digital platforms and the need for digital transformation.
With the increasing popularity of digital platforms, European newsrooms are facing the challenge of adapting to new technologies and transforming their operations to stay relevant. This includes developing new digital strategies, investing in digital infrastructure, and training staff to use new tools and platforms. However, digital transformation also presents opportunities for newsrooms to reach new audiences and engage with readers in innovative ways. The key is to strike a balance between traditional and digital approaches while maintaining the core values of journalism.
The importance of maintaining journalistic integrity in the face of fake news and disinformation.
In today’s digital age, the spread of fake news and disinformation has become a major challenge for European newsrooms. It’s more important than ever for journalists to maintain their integrity and uphold the principles of ethical journalism. This means fact-checking information before publishing, avoiding sensationalism, and providing balanced and accurate reporting. Newsrooms must also educate their audiences on how to identify and avoid fake news and work to build trust with their readers through transparency and accountability. By staying true to their values, European newsrooms can continue to play a vital role in informing and shaping public opinion.
The need to engage younger audiences and adapt to changing media consumption habits.
One of the biggest challenges facing European newsrooms today is the need to engage younger audiences who are increasingly turning to social media and other digital platforms for their news. This requires newsrooms to adapt their content and delivery methods to meet the needs and preferences of these audiences. Additionally, newsrooms must keep up with the constantly evolving media landscape, including the rise of mobile devices and the decline of traditional print media. This means investing in new technologies and platforms and finding innovative ways to deliver news and engage with audiences. While these challenges are significant, they also present opportunities for newsrooms to reach new audiences and expand their reach in the digital age.
Cross a tiger and a lion and you get a liger, cross a cow and a turtle and you get a helmeted calf, but what if you cross hallucinogenic frog slime with hallucinogenic mushrooms?
According to the lore of psychonauts (people who explore their own psyche by inducing changes in their state of consciousness, mostly for spiritual purposes), this mixture yields a psychedelic substance called psilomethoxine. But although there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case, a whole new religion is being built around it, called the Church of Psilomethoxine, which uses it to produce an effect it calls its “sacrament”.
Formed in 2021, the group quickly gained a following online.
After receiving a sample of the substance from an anonymous church member, the researchers analyzed it and reported their findings in a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed study.
In it, the authors explain that the Church of Psilomethoxine claims to have been able to produce a new hallucinogenic drug by mixing the hallucinogenic compound 5-MeO-DMT – which occurs naturally in the secretions of the Colorado toad – with an extract of hallucinogenic mushrooms. “This compound, called psilomethoxine, is thought to have unique properties and effects compared to traditional substances of a similar type,” they wrote.
The inspiration for this technique is thought to have come from the famous chemist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, who is credited with synthesizing hundreds of psychedelic compounds. In 2005, Shulgin suggested that crossing these two extracts could produce a hybrid molecule, and the Church of Psilomethoxine claims to be creating its sacrament using this very method in late 2021.
However, the authors of the new study have some doubts because “the proposed method of producing psilomethoxine from mushrooms conflicts with the established understanding of psilocybin biosynthesis.” After testing their sample using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS), the researchers found “no evidence to suggest that the compound psilomethoxine is present in the material the church offers its members online .”
“The sample actually consisted primarily of known tryptamines and other natural compounds expected to be present in dried Psilocybe mushrooms, specifically psilocybin and psilocin, with traces of baeocystin,” they wrote.
On its website, the Church of Psilomethoxine describes the effects of its substance as “the perfect blend between psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT,” although the study’s authors say the so-called communion is simply a low dose of hallucinogenic mushrooms and that any unique psychedelic properties are likely due to placebo effect. “The lack of evidence of new compounds in the sample, together with the implausibility of the proposed biosynthetic synthesis, suggests that the Church of Psilomethoxine is engaging in misleading marketing practices and may be misrepresenting the material it distributes,” they conclude.
In response, the church says it has “never, at any time, claimed that psilomethoxine was ever positively a part of its sacrament. Why? Because at this point it is scientifically impossible to make such claims as there is no reference sample.’
In fact, the compound is only known to have been synthesized once, when chemists at the Institut Pasteur in France produced the molecule from vanilla orchids in 1965. However, their product was not deposited or added to any reference library, meaning it tested for the presence of psilomethoxine is hard.
In truth, the Church does admit that their own chemical analyzes have systematically failed to detect psilomethoxine in their communion substance. However, they remain convinced that the new psychedelic is still out there somewhere.
“Our claims about the existence of Psilomethoxine at this time are based solely on faith, supported by our and our members’ direct experience with the Sacrament,” they say.
