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The Italian EVO-K EVO-lution: EVO-K is back with a LP album and a hot world tour

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News desk
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The Italian EVO-K EVO-lution: EVO-K is back with a LP album and a hot world tour
Dj EVO-K
Dj EVO-K
EVO-K
EVO-K
DJane EVO-K
DJane EVO-K

DJane EVO-K is redefining the performance space in which she thrives: a multi-dimensional live set leading EDM music lovers to a whole new horizon.

Your Next Flight Into Music”
— EVO-K

RIVA DEL GARDA, TRENTO, ITALY, July 12, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Emerging from the pandemic like a supernova exploding onto the global stage, DJ Producer EVO-K is redefining the performance space in which she thrives.
Surviving the international lockdown by immersing herself in the studio, the Italian DJ focused on her music and how she would re-engage with her fans around the world. That period of self-discovery and a deep dive into technology allowed her to develop a one-woman show that is unquestionably unique, powerful and ultimately intoxicating.A multi-talented creative who realised that the EDM scene would need an upgrade to the stereo-typical DJ sets that were offered pre-pandemic, EVO-K wanted her performances to differentiate themselves from the new normal.
She wanted it to be a revolution that drove crowds to the edge of ecstasy and beyond.

Now a multi-dimensional solo act incorporating singing, drums, percussion, synthesizers and guitars plus manipulating audio in real time directly from the stage, EVO-K has created a completely new immersive experience for her loyal followers.
Infectious blends of big beats, heavy synths, quirky bass-driven melodies, touched with anthemic vocals, EVO-K’s trademark WALL OF SOUND is unmistakable as she throws down in 2022 under the ‘Live 2.0’ brand.

Already having played in Asia, The United States, Africa and Europe alongside artists such as Afrojack, Hardwell, Tujamo, Headhunterz, Dannic, Gregor Salto, Moti, Dyro, Dvbbs, Aly & Fila and many more, there is no doubt that she understands how to set the dancefloor on fire.
It was hardly surprising then that she was appointed as the only Italian DJ ambassador for RELOOP DJs (Germany) together with Carl Cox, Oliver Koletzki and Phil Fuldner.

That brilliant live presence is now backed by a whole host of tracks that are about to emerge from the EVO-K vault.
Building on her already successful production career with twelve releases that are about to flip the switch on the EDM scene, EVO-K’s sound has transformed into arguably one the most addictive grooves around today.
The legacy of her hands in the air experience is still there, but now her music has climbed to the next level with an extraordinary intuitive understanding of what makes a great track.

As the Northern hemisphere summer beckons, EVO-K will lead festival and club goers to a whole new horizon and towards a world only she can imagine. Her music and ‘Live 2.0’ will be the platform that will set the standard that the entire industry will be judged by.

Join her on her journey as she echoes the future and be part of the EVO-lution!

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p class=”contact c5″ dir=”auto”>Caroline Benvenuti
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Syria: Security Council extends cross-border aid delivery for six months

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EuropeanTimes
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Syria: Security Council extends cross-border aid delivery for six months
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe - UN Security Council meets on the Situation in Syria.

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend lifesaving aid deliveries into northwest Syria from Türkiye for a further six months following a vote on Tuesday. 

Ireland and Norway put forward the resolution, which renews humanitarian deliveries through the Bab-al Hawa border crossing through January and calls for an additional six-month extension which will require another separate resolution. 

Twelve countries voted in favour, while France, the United Kingdom, and the United States voted against. There were no abstentions. 

Record-level needs 

Humanitarian needs in Syria are at their highest levels since the start of the conflict more than a decade ago.   

The cross-border mechanism has been in place since 2014, and the most recent authorization, from July 2021, expired on Sunday. 

Last month, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to the Council to renew the cross-border operations for 12 months, stressing the “moral imperative” of addressing the suffering of more than four million people in the region. 

‘A difficult negotiation’ 

The extension comes after ambassadors rejected two competing resolutions on Friday. 

The first draft, put forward by Ireland and Norway, was vetoed by Russia.  The second, presented by Russia, was only supported by the country and China. 

“It’s no secret that this has been a difficult negotiation”, said Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, speaking ahead of Tuesday’s vote. 

“We recognize that a six-month renewal is shorter than we as penholders aimed for when we started this negotiation. We recognize also that the vast majority of the Council shared that view, and the view of humanitarian actors on the ground, that a 12-month mandate was needed.” 

Resolution 2642 keeps the cross-border mechanism open, said Norway’s Ambassador, Mona Juul, speaking after its adoption.  

“For those in humanitarian need in northwest Syria who have been in an uncertain situation with the negotiations running into overtime, we can assure them – and that’s what matters. The cross-border operation is their lifeline and today, the cross-border operation remains,” she said. 

In north-west Syria, 1.7 million displaced people live in 1,414 camps across Idleb and northern Aleppo.
UNOCHA/Ahmad Alito – In north-west Syria, 1.7 million displaced people live in 1,414 camps across Idleb and northern Aleppo.

A “precarious renewal’ 

Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière of France commended the efforts by Ireland and Norway towards reaching a compromise.  Yet his country opted not to support “this precarious renewal” as the six months will expire during the winter, when aid is most needed, and without firm guarantees of continuation. 

“The call by the Secretary-General and the whole of the humanitarian community to renew this mechanism for 12 months was clear, and ignored,” he said. 

Barbara Woodward, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador, recalled the immense humanitarian needs in Syria. Of the 4.1 million people in the northwest who require aid, 2.4 million are reliant solely on the cross-border mechanism. 

She warned that without the confidence of at least 12 months, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations risk being caught in a perpetual cycle of pre-positioning and contingency planning.  

“The UK will continue to support the UN’s efforts to deliver its humanitarian response plan, but we will not consider providing any reconstruction assistance without a credible, substantive and genuine political process firmly underway,” she told the Council. 

Accelerate crossline delivery 

Ambassador Dai Bing of China welcomed the resolution, noting that it is normal for Council members to hold differing views, and that at times these divergences “may be sharp”. 

He underlined that humanitarian assistance to Syria must respect the nation’s sovereignty and the ownership of the Syrian Government of the process. 

“Crossline delivery should become the main channel for humanitarian assistance to Syria,” said Mr. Dai, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN.  

“Cross-border delivery is a temporary arrangement made under specific circumstances. It is necessary to speed up the transition to crossline relief and establish a clear timetable for eventual determination of cross-border relief.” 

Russia will continue to monitor progress in implementing the resolution in efforts to decide the ultimate fate of the cross-border mechanism, Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told the Council. 

“We’re convinced that it is only through candid and substantive dialogue on the issues in the Syrian humanitarian track whilst involving all of the interested parties, we will be able to in six months’ time come up with a well-considered decision,” he said. 

Mr. Polyansky added that the Council must now work on many important areas, including increasing delivery of crossline aid in all regions of Syria, and lifting unilateral sanctions against the country in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

For Ambassador Richard Mills of the United States, the vote revealed what happens “when one Council member takes the entire Security Council hostage.”  

The resolution has resulted in a scaling down of humanitarian aid, which will only hurt the Syrian people, he said. 

“Some of the recent dire needs in Syria are a direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the shocks that brutal invasion has caused to food systems in Syria and around the world. And the simple truth is Russia does not care,” said Mr. Mills, his country’s Deputy Permanent Representative.  

“Russia is so brazen in its disregard for Syrian lives that it has not even bothered trying to justify its stance on a humanitarian basis. This is an immoral and cynical approach to humanitarian needs.” 

EU citizens trust traditional media most

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European Parliament
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EU citizens trust traditional media most
Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

EU citizens trust traditional media most, new Eurobarometer survey finds. Overall, public TV and radio stations are the most trusted news source in the EU (49%), followed by written press (39%) and private TV and radio stations (27%)

Media play a major role in informing European citizens on the activities of the European Union and its institutions.

A dedicated Eurobarometer survey published today takes an in-depth look at media habits, trust in different media sources as well as attitudes towards the threat of disinformation.

Awareness and media recall

While national political topics interest citizens most (selected by 50% of respondents), European and international affairs (46%) is closely behind, on a par with local news (47%).

72% of respondents recall having recently read, seen or heard about the European Union, either in the press, on the Internet, television or radio. 57% have recently read, seen or heard something about the European Parliament.

Recall on EU news ranges between 57% in France and 90% in Romania, for news on the EP recall varies between 39% in France and 85% in Malta.

Media habits

With 75%, television dominates as the primary news source, particularly for citizens over 55 years old. Next and quite distant are online news platforms (43%), radio (39%), and social media platforms and blogs (26%). The written press comes in fifth place with one out of five respondents (21%) citing newspapers and magazines as their primary news source. Younger respondents on the other hand are much more likely to use social media platforms and blogs to access news (46% of 15-24 year-olds vs 15% of 55+ year-olds).

Although traditional news sources – particularly television – are important, 88% of respondents get at least some news online via their smartphone, computer or laptop. 43% of respondents use the website of the news source (e.g. website of a newspaper) to access news online, and 31% read articles or posts that appear in their online social networks. Accessing news posts via their online social networks is even more important to young people, (43% of 15-24 year-olds vs 24% of 55+ respondents).

Paying for online news content is still rather the exception, as 70% of those who access news online would use only free news content or news services online.

Most trusted media sources

Citizens trust traditional broadcast and print media, including their online presence, more than online news platforms and social media channels. Whether it is via their ‘native channel’ or their online presence, 49% of respondents expect public TV and radio stations to give them truthful news, followed by the written press, selected by 39%. On the other hand, private TV and radio stations are cited by 27% as a trusted media source. Poland stands out as the only country where private TV and radio stations are the most trusted news source. In an even more radical shift away from traditional news sources in general, respondents in Hungary mention “people, groups or friends followed on social media” as their most trusted news source.

The importance of trust also resonates when respondents were asked what would make them likely to open a news article online. While 54% are motivated by the title being relevant to their interests, 37% say that it is important they trust the news outlet posting the news article.

Exposure to disinformation and fake news

Over a quarter of respondents (28%) think that, in the past seven days, they have very often or often been exposed to disinformation and fake news. Respondents in Bulgaria are overall the most likely to reply that they have often been exposed to disinformation and fake news in the past seven days, with 55% estimating they have been ‘very often’ or ‘often’ exposed, while respondents in the Netherlands are the least likely to say so (3% ‘very often’ and 9% ‘often’ responses).

A majority of respondents feel confident they can recognise disinformation and fake news: 12% feel ‘very confident’ and 52% ‘somewhat confident’. The level of confidence in distinguishing between real news and fake news decreases with age and increases with level of education.

Background

Citizens’ perceptions of the European Union and the European Parliament are influenced by what they see, hear and read in various media. This Flash Eurobarometer presents an in-depth look at citizens’ media use and media habits, looking at both traditional media and online media. Ipsos European Public Affairs interviewed a representative sample of EU citizens, aged 15 years and over, in each of the 27 Member States of the European Union. Between 26 April and 11 May 2022, 53 347 interviews were completed via computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI), using Ipsos online panels and their partner network.

The EU results are weighted according to the size of the population in each country.

Data and the full report can be found here.

PREMIERE: Italy on Freedom of Religion: “not only a moral or legal obligation”

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Newsdesk
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Message from Italy’s Director General for Political and Security Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Pasquale Ferrara on 5th July 2022 to the International Ministerial on Freedom of Religion or Belief hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.

Ferrara stressed that:

[FoRB] not only a moral or legal obligation itself, but also a precondition to build resilient and inclusive societies based on the principle of mutual recognition and human fraternity

Watch the full video below

Full message (original transcript by The European Times):

Dear friends, my name is Pasquale Ferrara.

I’m the Political Director at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and first of all, let me express our deepest appreciation for the United Kingdom’s efforts devoted not only to the organization of this event but for the strong commitment and leadership to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief worldwide.

Italy is and will continue to be at the forefront of the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, starting with the very concrete work in the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, including through the mechanisms of the Universal Periodic Review.

In line with this commitment in 2019, Italy strongly supported the establishment of the International Day, commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief.

And in January this year, the resolution on Holocaust denial presented in the United Nations General Assembly by Israel.

Religions as well as religious leaders, and also, and I would say above all, religious communities can be a powerful instrument of peace, mutual knowledge and understanding.

To this aim, inter-religious engagement is an essential tool to build inclusive and sustainable societies.

This is why Italy has organized a number of initiatives to advance the international dialogue on inter-religious issues, with a specific focus on topics that are at the heart of the global agenda, including the G20 Interfaith Forum last September in Bologna, and the meeting of scientists and religious leaders jointly organized with UK and the Holy See in Rome ahead of COP26.

During its presidency of the Committee of the Minister of the Council of Europe, Italy convened on May 2nd this year, an international conference on inter-religious dialogue and on religion, peace and human rights.

Italy also provides humanitarian assistance to religious communities in situations in particular, of particular vulnerability.

And we set up a fund to support Christian groups, especially in the Middle East, to affirm their rights and exercise in full their entitlements as citizens of their own countries.

We are currently funding projects in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine to further strengthen Italy’s impact in advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief worldwide, and intensify our engagement with faith-based actors on issues of common concern, a Special Envoy for the Protection of Religious Freedom and for Inter-religious Dialogue has recently been appointed.

So I am pleased to confirm that Italy will continue to devote the maximum effort to promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief, as well as to protect the rights of all persons belonging to religious communities in difficult contexts.

This is not only a moral or legal obligation itself, but also a precondition to build resilient and inclusive societies based on the principle of mutual recognition and human fraternity.

Thank you for your kind attention.

MEPs want to better protect the consumers applying for loans online

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European Parliament
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MEPs want better to protect the consumers applying for loans online

The new EU rules aim to protect the consumers applying for loans online or credit card debt, overdrafts and loans that are unsuitable for their financial situation.

In a text adopted by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, with 42 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstentions, MEPs say that legislation should cover credit agreements of up to €150,000, with the actual upper limit to be determined by the relevant national authorities based on the particular economic situation in a member state. Member states will be also able to exclude small value loans of up to €200, loans granted interest-free and without other charges, or loans that have to be repaid within three months and with minor charges.

Creditworthiness assessment

MEPs introduced further requirements to assess the creditworthiness of people taking out a loan before it is granted, including requiring information on a consumer’s current obligations or cost of living expenses. In order to assess the creditworthiness of consumers with little or no credit history, other information can be taken into consideration, such as from non-banking lenders, telecommunication providers and utilities.

However, data from social media and health data should not be taken into account and the right to be forgotten should be respected.

MEPs also agreed that The European Banking Authority (EBA) should develop guidelines detailing how creditors and providers of crowdfunding credit services perform this creditworthiness assessment.

Clear consumer information

Consumers should always obtain standard information so they can compare different offers, and understand the legal and financial consequences of loans and credit costs. The information should be shown upfront and in a clear way. Consumers should be able to see all essential information at a glance, even on their phone.

They should also be reminded that they have the right to withdraw from the credit agreement or the agreement for the provision of crowdfunding credit services without giving any reason within a period of 14 calendar days.

Consumer protection

MEPs stressed that credit advertising should contain, in all cases, a clear and prominent warning that borrowing money costs money, and that it should not incite over-indebted consumers to seek credit or suggest that success or social achievement can be acquired thanks to credit agreements.

As overdraft facilities and credit overrunning are increasingly common forms of consumer credit, MEPs want to regulate these financial products in order to increase the level of consumer protection and avoid over-indebtedness.

Next steps

Parliament negotiators are ready for talks with the Council and the Commission on the final shape of the rules, following plenary’s green light.

Rural Households in Afghanistan Remain Resilient

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Newsdesk
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Rural Households in Afghanistan Remain Resilient
© ONUDC - Abdul Rahman and his sons are selling dairy products.

Rural Households in Afghanistan Remain Resilient thanks to Alternative Development Programme

Households in Panjshir, a mountainous province in central Afghanistan, often struggle to make ends meet. Traditional occupations, such as farming and livestock raising, don’t always provide sufficient income, causing youths and other labourers to migrate to the south and northeast of Afghanistan to work for poppy farmers.

Low-income communities like those in Panjshir are indeed vulnerable to starting or contributing to illicit, drug-crop cultivation. By providing sustainable livelihood options, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s Alternative Development (AD) programme aims to prevent these communities – who may be unable to obtain sufficient income from legal activities due to lack of markets, conflict, marginal land, and absence of basic infrastructure – from turning to illicit drug production.

The situation in Panjshir began evolving after the introduction of an AD programme, when many households began reaping the benefits of having their home-grown and homemade products linked to local markets.

Abdul Rahman, who used to own a small milk booth selling butter, milk, and more, is one such beneficiary of the AD program. In 2019, UNODC helped establish a Milk Collection Centre (MCC), which links milk farmers with milk processors and markets, in his neighbourhood.

Through the AD programme, Rahman received dairy processing equipment – including refrigeration, processing instruments to produce cheese, and tools to test if milk has spoiled. He also received training on milk processing on how to manage the MCC, as well as access to markets.

As a result, Rahman upgraded his small milk booth to a bigger shop where he now sells several kinds of dairy products and eggs. With a motorbike provided by the programme, he is able to collect and transport products directly from the doorsteps of the local poultry and dairy entrepreneurs on a daily basis.

“On average, I can process 2,000 litres of milk; 420 kg of cheese; 420 kg of yogurts, 170 kg of clarified butter, and 170 kg milk cream per month,” Rahman said.  “With this amount, I earn around AFN 35,000 per month, which is twice the amount I earned from my milk booth.”

Abdul Rahman is not the only one who has prospered from this arrangement. Many local entrepreneurs, who previously did not have a sustainable market at which to sell milk and eggs, have growing businesses now that they have a guaranteed buyer in Rahman. He, in turn, can provide his customers with high quality and diverse dairy, as well as other homemade products.

The women entrepreneurs of Panjshir province have particularly benefited from this intervention. The thriving MCC in their neighbourhood allows them to sell eggs and milk to a reliable buyer. As a result, they are able to contribute to their household expenses to improve their own socio-economic circumstances.

When the AD Programme was phased out in 2020, beneficiaries continued to utilize the knowledge and training they had received to manage and earn from their enterprises.  When the political situation in Afghanistan changed in August 2021, for example, communities across the country were impacted both socially and economically. While the situation became difficult for Abdul Rahman and his community, the MCC continues to be a source of income and nutrition. The skills acquired from the project allowed Abdul Rahman not only to support his household but also those of his suppliers, from whom he continues to buy milk and eggs, even during leaner times.

Each MCC has the capacity to process 500 litres of milk per day and 15,000 litres per month, which converts to around AFN 40,000 net incomes. The UNODC AD Program has established 17 such district-level MCCs in the central region, all of which continue to stay resilient and sustainable during this conflicted time in the country.

And with the recent decree announcing an opium ban by the de facto authorities, the AD food security program is needed more than ever before.

Further information

UNODC’s alternative development approach is based on the idea that illicit drug supply can only be reduced successfully by addressing illicit drug crop cultivation through poverty reduction within a framework of sustainable development. Learn more here.

Will Mario Mauro be confirmed as the new EU Special Envoy on FoRB?

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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As per a newsletter from HRWF, it was the website Christian Network Europe (CNE) that broke the news on 4th July, of the EU appointing a new EU Special Envoy on FoRB (Freedom of Religion or Belief), even if there is no official record of this and seems to be a corridors rumour, just one day before the UK International Ministerial on FoRB started in London. That would have been a good opportunity that the EU missed to introduce, if this would be confirmed, this new appointment, and would have sent a strong message of the EU caring for such a fundamental issue for so many in Europe and around the world. Instead, the EU sent the Commission on Human Rights Eamon Gilmore, who delivered a pledge to the attendees, and that The European Times reported on.

Practising what we preach

While many speak loudly about protecting freedom of religion or belief, often decrease their volume even to silence when it comes to speaking out about the discrimination suffered by the “real minorities”, and even more if it is inside Europe, with the excuse of having “external mandates”. What will be it like with the new EU Special Envoy on FoRB, and how long will it last, is still to be seen in view of the last appointed one, but many minorities asked by The European Times, hope that they will not be forgotten outside, nor inside the EU since, as it is often flagged, the EU still must learn to practice what it preaches.

The new (to be) EU Special Envoy on FoRB

Mauro, a Roman Catholic, is currently the chairman of Pololari per I’Italia, the small Christian Democratic Party in Italy, CNE reports. He also works as a senior advisor and runs an international relations study centre.

He was an MP between 1999 and 2013. During that time, he already drew attention to the situation of persecuted Christians in the Middle East. In 2011, he was critical of a motion of the EU ministers of Foreign Affairs. The bill was about religious freedom but did not specifically mention Christian minorities, Domradio reports.

In an earlier interview with L’Osservatore Romano, Mauro said that he saw the prevention of persecution of Christians as an important part of his political career with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, of which he was also part at the time. There he was also active against discrimination and hate towards Christians, Catholic News Agency reports.

At another occasion, he said that religious freedom is a test for other freedoms and rights. “The persecution of Christians throughout the world is one of the greatest challenges to human dignity”, he stated, according to Catholic News Agency.

That Mauro is actively involved in combatting religious persecution, is shown by his actions for the Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi. She was sentenced to the death penalty, but is now free again.

Also, in his website he highlights a very important moment for him, saying:

“In 2004, thanks to my new position as Vice President of the European Parliament, I could broaden my range of action and pursuing the line of human dignity and religious freedom, I was delegated by the President of the European Parliament Hans Gert Pöttering to “Relations with churches and religious communities “. The resolution I propose on “Serious events that compromise the existence of Christian communities and other religious communities” for the protection of human dignity and human rights was approved by a large majority”.

In 2013, Mauro became a member of the Italian Senate. The same year, he founded the Christian Democratic Party Popolari per I’Italia.

Mauro was Minister of Defense for ten months during the Enrico Letta administration.

Before becoming a politician, Mario Mauro was a history teacher. He graduated from philosophy and literary studies at the Catholic University of Sacro, Do Rzeczy writes.

Originally, the new to be confirmed EU Special Envoy on FoRB, came from the Italian town of San Giovanni Rotondo. He is said to belong to the Catholic lay movement Comunione e Liberazione, according to Domradio.

It is said that Mauro will succeed Christos Stylianides, the previous EU Special Envoy on FoRB.

Stylianides resigned after only four months in office. He served from May 2021 until September of that same year. He then favoured the position of minister in Greece.

Preventing discrimination outside de EU, of course.

As EU Special Envoy on FoRB outside the EU, Mauro will be responsible for preventing discrimination, promoting peace-building contacts, inter-religious processes and initiatives to reduce radicalisation in countries outside the EU, according to Do Rzeczy.

However, his influence outside the EU as a special envoy will be limited, proponents of the function of the special envoy fear. An often-heard critique is that the commissioner needs more means to fulfil his job well. Domradio writes. The reason for that is the lack of financial and human resources.

FoRB, Not a European priority

The function of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB does not seem to be a priority for the European Commission. Before Mauro’s successor, Stylianides, was appointed, the position had been vacant for ten months. Only after other politicians, among others, pressured the Commission it attempted to fill the vacancy.

However, after Stylianides resigned to take a position in the government of Greece, it took another nine months before the EU let rumours go around about a new successor.

Evangelical Focus Comment

A sign of the low support this post has had in the EU institutions is that it has taken 10 months for the European Commission to appoint a new person for the post.

In September 2021, the Christos Stylianides left after only working five months in the position. The Greek representative had been appointed in May 2021, after over half a year of vacancy, earning the protests of human rights groups and the European Evangelical Alliance.

Jan Figel was the first EU Special Envoy, appointed in May 2016. He completed his mandate in 2019 and was praised for his initiatives and has been so far one of the most open to religious diversity. Nevertheless, he was not re-appointed. The European Commission did not appoint a successor for Figel until the second half of 2021.

Uber Files: Mark MacGann whistleblower and Uber shadow man

By
EuropeanTimes
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Uber Files: Mark MacGann whistleblower and Uber shadow man
Photo by Viktor Avdeev on Unsplash

Mark MacGann is the man who gave the Guardian 124,000 messages and internal documents that led to the Uber Files. For two years, he was one of Uber’s top public affairs executives for Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East. For two years, he was one of Uber’s main public affairs managers for Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

A major investigation involving forty international newspapers, including Le Monde and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), also took part in the document analysis.

This wide-ranging journalistic investigation ‘Uber Files’, reveals how Emmanuel Macron, then Minister of Economy between 2014 and 2016, secretly helped the US company Uber set up shop in France, allowing Uber frequent and direct access to him and his staff, even telling the company that he had negotiated a secret ‘deal’ with his opponents in the French cabinet
This was despite the reluctance of the government to which he belonged and after the violent taxi protests in France in 2015, during which several Uber drivers and their customers were physically attacked.

In defence of Emmanuel Macron, Mark MacGann admits he lied “I was the one talking to governments, I was the one pushing this with the media, I was the one telling people they should change the rules because drivers were going to benefit and people were going to have so much economic opportunity,” he said. “When that turned out not to be the case – we had actually sold people lies.

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, MacGann said he was partly motivated by remorse. he decided to speak out, he said, because he believes Uber knowingly flouted laws in dozens of countries and misled people about the benefits to drivers of the company’s on-demand economy model.

In an effort to quell the violent backlash against the company and secure changes in taxi and labor laws, Uber planned to spend $90 million in 2016 on lobbying and public relations, according to a document.

Its strategy often involved going over the heads of city mayors and transport authorities and directly to the seat of power.

In addition to Macron, Uber executives met with Biden in Davos, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and George Osborne, the then British chancellor. A note from the meeting portrays Osborne as a “strong advocate”.

After his meeting with Kalanick (co-founder of Uber), Biden appears to have modified his prepared speech at Davos to refer to a CEO whose company would give millions of workers “the freedom to work as many hours as they want, to run their own lives as they want”.

In a statement responding to the leak, Uber acknowledged “mistakes and missteps”, but said it had transformed itself since 2017 under its current CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi.

“We do not and will not make excuses for past behaviour that is clearly not consistent with our current values,” he said. “Instead, we are asking the public to judge us on what we have done over the past five years and what we will do in the years to come.”

Tibetan leadership mourns the death of Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe

By
Shyamal Sinha
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Tibetan leadership mourns the death of Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe

By  Shyamal Sinha

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a nationalist who served in the post longer than anyone else before stepping down in 2020, was shot and killed on Friday at a campaign rally.

Security tackled the suspected gunman at the scene of an attack, and he was arrested by police. The shooting shocked many in Japan, which is one of the world’s safest nations and has some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere.

“It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated,” current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the media.

Police say Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, fired two shots at Abe as he was making a political speech in the city of Nara. The first shot missed, but the second hit Abe’s chest and neck, and despite attempts to revive him he died several hours later.

Yamagami was unemployed and a former member of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years, police say, and attacked Abe because he believed he was associated with a group Yamagami hated. Multiple handmade guns were later found at Yamagami’s home.

Abe, 67, served as prime minister in 2006 and 2007, and again from 2012 to 2020, when he suddenly resigned citing health issues. Despite leaving office, he remained influential within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and continued to be a force on Japan’s political landscape.

Following the assassination of the former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, the exiled Tibetan leaders have expressed grief over his death on Friday. Hours after the news of Abe’s assassination surfaced, the exiled leader His Holiness the Dalai wrote to Abe’s wife to express his condolences, “I am deeply saddened to hear that my friend, Mr. Abe Shinzo has passed away following a gunshot attack this morning. . . As you know, your late husband was a steadfast friend of the Tibetan people. I very much appreciated his friendship and support of our efforts to preserve our rich Buddhist cultural heritage and identity.”

The head of the Central Tibetan Administration, President Penpa Tsering took to twitter to express his shock over the death of the Japanese leader, “Today the world has lost a great leader to a senseless act of violence. With the passing of Shinzo Abe, the Tibetan people have lost a long-time friend and supporter of the Tibet cause. We grieve alongside his bereaved family and the people of Japan.” Japan’s longest-serving PM Abe remained critical for a few hours after he was shot during a public event, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The officials and staff of the Dharamshala-based Tibetan government-in-exile held a mass prayer on Monday to mourn the death of the longest serving Japanese PM. At the prayer ceremony, the Sikyong reiterated the loss of such a powerful leader. “With profound gratitude and obeisance, the Tibetan administration and the Tibetans will eternally remember his notable contribution and support to the Tibetan cause, particularly his active involvement in establishing All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group of Tibet, comprising one of the largest Tibet supporters,” he added.

The Dalai Lama and Abe last met in November 2012 when he was a member of the Japanese Parliament. “We lawmakers here are in complete agreement that we want to help the suffering Tibetan people and help create a Tibet in which people do not have to kill themselves in a quest for freedom,” Abe had said during the Dalai Lama’s visit to Tokyo in 2012.

Under Abe, the Tibetan issue received a highlighted support from Tokyo with the formation of the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group of Tibet, the largest pro-Tibet legislative body in the world. He was also a vocal supporter of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan issue despite objections from China.

When he left office, most Japanese were dissatisfied with his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, feeling he moved too slowly to impose a state of emergency mostly out of concerns about the economy.

In recent months, Abe had been a more outspoken critic of China. Earlier this year, he called on the United States to drop its long-standing practice of “strategic ambiguity” and give Taiwan assurances that it could count on American help in the event of an attack by China.

He also angered China by saying “a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency,” and noting that it would be impossible for Japan not to be sucked into a conflict over the self-governed island that Beijing considers a part of China.

Love Conquers All in Lorenzo Gabanizza and Jeff Christie’s New Song, “I Guess I Am The Only One”

By
News desk
-
0
Love Conquers All in Lorenzo Gabanizza and Jeff Christie’s New Song, “I Guess I Am The Only One”

VERONA, ITALY, July 12, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hot off the success of their first single together, “You’re Not There”, popular Italian artist Lorenzo Gabanizza and rock icon Jeff Christie will release their anticipated second single, “I Guess I Am The Only One.” To the delight of Christie fans worldwide, the song will also feature former Christie band members Paul Fenton on drums and Kev Moore on bass! “I Guess I Am The Only One” will be released on July 10th, a few days before Christie’s birthday, on MTS Records.

The duo of Gabanizza and Christie is unstoppable. Jeff Christie is the legendary former lead singer for the rock band Christie who sold 30 million copies of “Yellow River” and Lorenzo Gabanizza is a hit singer-songwriter who has amassed more than 200K Spotify streams and 11K monthly listeners with chart-topping songs. On “I Guess I Am The Only One”, this charismatic, hit-making duo bring two amazing vocal talents together to sing about love, inclusion and acceptance. Their catchy country song is about being grounded in who you are and believing in love even when others are trying to bring you down.

“I guess I’m the only one to believe in love enough to die I guess I’m the only one to believe that dreams come true And I’ll never fool myself being someone that I’m not to please you”

Song Credits: Lorenzo Gabanizza – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, Background vocals Jeff Christie – Lead vocals, Background vocals Kev Moore – Bass, Lead guitar, Background vocals Rusty Wright – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar Paul Fenton – Drums Christopher Lydon – piano Mixed – Peter Hall Mastering: Greg Calbi, Steve Fallone

About Lorenzo Gabanizza

lg 1 Love Conquers All in Lorenzo Gabanizza and Jeff Christie’s New Song, “I Guess I Am The Only One”
Lorenzo Gabanizza

Lorenzo Gabanizza was a member of various groups, notably a Queen cover band called Mantras, with which he toured Europe. His “Queen project” continued with his band The Slightly Mad. Gabanizza started a fund-raising program to help fight AIDS that was recognized by the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the organization that was founded soon after Freddie Mercury‘s death.

In 2004, Gabanizza became a member of the Vic Elmes band Christie Again. He wrote the song “Meet me at the river” that became a success and featured in the album Christie Again all the hits and more.

In 2016, Gabanizza produced and recorded a self-penned album, Celtic Bridge (Italian way music), a concept album sold well both in Europe and the United States, entering the American download charts top 100.[1] In Germany, Gabanizza was seen as a fresh pop/Celtic rock style singer, and was compared to great artists as U2 or Angelo Branduardi.[2] Gabanizza’s version of “Danny Boy“ that was featured on the album gained him a place on the list of best Celtic performers in Italy. In July he appeared in front of 12,000 people at the worldwide event Celtica among others such as Vincenzo Zitello, Katia Zunino, and Celkilt.

January 2018, he released a single, “Demons”,[6] which included a cover of the Linkin Park song “One more light”, and donated all the royalties to the 320 change direction, founded by Chester’s Bennington widow Talinda Bennington.

During summer 2018, he was injured in a terrible traffic accident. February 2019 he get back to work and released another single “I am wrong” which comes along with a cover of Linkin Park’s “The messenger” and reached #69 on the European top 100 indie charts.

In November of the same year, Lorenzo released a new single, “Straight to the heart” with the same musicians of the album “Out of darkness” with mastering by Don Tyler. The single suddenly entered the European Country charts reaching #1 and the MTV Usa spotify single at #6. The videoclip of the song, directed by Oscar Serio, starring Lorenzo himself and the actress Martina Sacchetti, topped at 6th place on MTV Usa charts.

2020 had a strong start for Lorenzo. His Ep, “All the words we never said” reached 8th on European Indie Charts, 1th on MTV USA, 48th on Italian indie charts. On the day of twin towers attacks, September 11, he released the Ep “Someone waiting to their door” which reached Number one on the EACM Charts. The title track features Grammy fiddler Ian Cameron.

On October 22nd, “You’re Not There” was release by MTS Records. The single features Jeff Christie on the lead vocals, along with stellar musicians: Snake Davis, Katey Brooks, Max Gabanizza, Rusty Wright, Bruce Hoffmann, Hale White, Darrell Nutt. The song was mixed at Breakneck Studios, Philadelphia by Peter Hall (Liam Gallagher’s engineer) and mastered at Sterling Studios by 62 times Grammy Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone.

For more information, please visit Lorenzo Gabanizza’s website at https://www.lorenzogabanizza.it

Michael Stover
MTS Management Group
michael@mtsmanagementgroup.com

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