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The European Court of Human Rights refuses to prevent the ongoing and severe ill-treatment in detention of children and other vulnerable individuals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

The appalling conditions that 101 members of a persecuted religious minority are held under in detention in Turkey, including 22 children and other vulnerable individuals, have just been overlooked by the European Court of Human Rights.The case which has gained the attention of international media as well as the United Nationsand the EU parliament involves a group of 101 members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peaceand Light who have suffered extreme persecution in their home countries on the basis of theirfaith.After being violently prevented from applying for asylum at the Bulgarian border, theywere subjected to extreme violence at the hands of the Turkish border police, they weresubsequently detained and deportation orders were issued against them. In detention, thegroup (that includes 22 children aged from 1 to 17, and at least 27 elderly or sick adults)endured severe beatings and threats of sexual violence from the Turkish gendarmerie, andill-treatment, intimidation, and medical negl...

From the sketch to the skin: the artistic journey of tattooing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

In Amsterdam, at the Rembrandt House Museum, you could recently hear the unfamiliar sound of a tattoo needle buzzing in a room next to priceless artworks from the Dutch Golden Age. Tattoo artist Henk Shiffmaker and other top Amsterdam artists have adapted some of Rembrandt’s famous sketches to make them suitable for tattooing permanent souvenirs on keen visitors. What Shiffmaker values is the juxtaposition between highbrow and lowbrow – inking sketches of the famous Dutch masters onto the skin of visitors. As Shiffmaker explained to The Associated Press, “it’s great that these two worlds can visit one another. Actually it’s really one world because it’s about art.”Indeed, body art and more conventional art forms are intimately linked, and just as every great tattoo begins with a carefully-rendered design, many leading tattoo artists’ careers have begun rooted in their innate artistic talent.Just look at the story of Jay B., an up-and-coming Italian-born tattoo artist based in Barcel...

Britons care more about costs than their carbon footprint, finds Tootbus study

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

The first week of July is expected to be the hottest on record as climate change continues to heat up the world, according to UN officials.As London Climate Action Week recently wrapped up, business leaders and policy makers made it clear that ambitious action needs to be taken now to make sure we achieve our target of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions to net zero by 2050.Recently, there has been no shortage of sustainability-focused initiatives in the transport sector to reduce emissions, as well as global temperatures. From a £200m pledge for nearly 1000 new electric and hydrogen buses to the removal of all diesel-only trains by 2040, it would seem Britain is leading the charge on tackling the climate crisis.But recent research shows that other countries don’t agree – ranking London as one of Europe’s least sustainable cities.New research by Tootbus, a clean energy sightseeing company, shows that European tourists rate London poorly as a sustainable city – with only 2% of French r...

UPS, Teamsters Union agree to tentative deal on new contract; imminent strike avoided

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

United Parcel Service workers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting a strike that could have had major impacts on the shipping industry. Both sides went back to the negotiating table on Tuesday before Monday’s deadline to strike a new deal. As many as 340,000 UPS workers were preparing to hit the picket lines, demanding better wages and working conditions in addition to doing away with the “two-tier wage system” and ending “forced overtime on drivers’ days off.”  Police search home of 2 L.A. city officials in connection with leaked audio investigation An agreement on safety issues, including a mandate requiring UPS to install air conditioning to all small package delivery vehicles nationwide, was reached in June. Representatives with the Teamsters Union called the deal “historic” and “lucrative.”The tentative deal comes as writers and actors continue to strike across Los Angeles along with...

President Biden's dog keeps biting people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

Commander, the Bidens’ German Shepherd, has reportedly been involved in several aggressive incidents that injured Secret Service officers - with emails obtained by a conservative legal activist group describing encounters similar to those that got another Biden dog booted from the White House.The emails released Tuesday by Judicial Watch, which it said followed a Freedom of Information Act request lawsuit, detail 10 alleged attacks by Biden’s nearly 2-year-old dog, from October 2022 through last January, The Hill reports.Commander was involved in a biting incident last November, according to the emails, which left an officer with injuries on both the upper right arm and the thigh. The officer “had to use a steel cart to [shield]” themself “from another attack.” The officer, the email says, was “in a considerable amount of pain.”US President Joe Biden pets his new dog Commander as he speaks virtually with military service members to thank them for their service and wish them a Merry ...

Dodgers to honor Kobe Bryant with 'Black Mamba' jerseys on Lakers Night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to honor the late Kobe Bryant. Fans will get the opportunity to take home a very cool piece of gear honoring the Lakers legend. For the team's upcoming Lakers Night on Sept. 1, a certain number of fans will be a special "Black Mamba" jersey. Bronny James suffers cardiac arrest during USC practice: Report The jersey is a "mambafied" version of the Dodgers' jersey. It's all black with a snakeskin print, that looks like the special jerseys worn by the Lakers during their time in the NBA bubble to honor Bryant. The team name is adorned on the front with the number 8. The back says Bryant with the number 24. The special jersey is seen in a photo provided by the Dodgers.The 18-time NBA All-Star famously played with both numbers at separate times during his 20-year career. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson makes massive donation to SAG-AFTRA Foundation In order to receive the commemorative jersey, fans will need to purchase a special event ticket package. Tick...

Report: Boston Celtics star guard Jaylen Brown agrees to record 5-year, $304 million supermax contract 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

A new record has been set in the NBA, but it’s not an on-court statistic. Jaylen Brown, the shooting guard for the Boston Celtics, has agreed to a 5-year contract worth $304 million, his agent told ESPN. The richest deal in league history keeps the 26-year-old two-time All Star under contract through the 2028-2029 season.  Bronny James suffers cardiac arrest during USC practice: Report Brown’s new deal beats the previous record contract of two-time league MVP and 2023 NBA champion Nikola Jokic’s 5-year, $264 million agreement with the Denver Nuggets. The the former University of California-Berkeley standout averaged a career-high 26.6 points per game on 49% shooting last season for the Celtics.  Brown is considered one of the cornerstones of Boston’s championship contending team alongside Jayson Tatum, who himself is eligible for a supermax extension next season. According to ESPN, Brown is scheduled to make $52.3 million when his ...

Robert Castellanos Pronounced Dead Following Multi-Vehicle Crash on 118 Freeway [Pacoima, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

Traffic Collision at Golden Street Freeway Left 35-Year-Old Man DeadPACOIMA, CA (July 25, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, a traffic crash involving multiple vehicles on 118 Freeway claimed the life of Robert Castellanos. The deadly incident occurred around 2:48 a.m. along the eastbound 118 at the Golden State (5) Freeway.Based on news footage, a pickup truck and a sports car collided for unknown reasons, trapping the sports car driver.Responding fire personnel used hydraulic-powered tools to extricate the man. However, the male driver was declared dead at the scene.Later, the medical examiner’s office identified the deceased man as 35-year-old Robert Castellanos. His city of residence remains unclear.At around 3:27 a.m., authorities issued a SigAlert closing down the eastbound lanes of the 118 Freeway at the 5 Freeway. Police reported no other injuries from the collision.Pacoima Officials are asking anyone with further information about the multi-vehicle crash to contact them im...

Man Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver on Dudley Avenue [Fresno, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

29-Year-Old Man Hit-and-Run Driver on Dudley Avenue near Valentine AvenueFRESNO, CA (July 25, 2023) – Monday night, a man sustained fatal injuries following a hit-and-run crash on Dudley Avenue.The deadly collision happened around 10:30 p.m. in Dudley, just east of Valentine Avenue in the city of Fresno.Based on the initial investigation, an unknown vehicle struck the man walking westbound. The impact of the crash sent the man onto the west shoulder of Dudley Avenue. However, the involved driver fled without rendering aid to the victim.First responders to the accident declared the victim dead at the scene. Authorities only described the deceased pedestrian as a 29-year-old male. His city of residence is unknown.At this time, it’s unclear if drugs or alcohol played a factor in the collision. Evidence gathered at the scene suggests that the suspect might be traveling in a 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax.Anyone with additional information about the fatal Dudley Avenue hit-and-run ...

One Killed, Six Hurt in Three-Vehicle Crash on Las Virgenes Road [Calabasas, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:07 GMT

Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up near Lost Hills Road Left Several HurtCALABASAS, CA (July 25, 2023) – Saturday evening, a three-vehicle crash on Las Virgenes Road left one person dead and six others injured.The crash occurred around 6:00 p.m. near the intersection of Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads in the Calabasas area.At this time, the circumstances that led up to the collision remain unclear. However, investigators claimed the crash included a Tesla, a BMW, and a Toyota.Responding units from the Los Angeles County Fire Department declared one person dead at the scene. However, their identity remains undisclosed to the public, pending notification from their relatives.Additionally, medical personnel transported six other patients to a hospital with various injuries, including two in critical condition.No further details regarding the Las Virgenes Road three-vehicle crash have been released. Calabasas officials will provide more information once available.Sweet James sends out their ...