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Spanish swimming pools in Catalonia told not to ban topless bathing

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Activists in Catalonia are celebrating a recent development where the regional government has instructed town and city halls to allow women to go topless in public swimming pools. This decision comes as a result of a 2020 Catalan equality law that guarantees the right to go topless.

Despite the law, some municipal swimming pools had prohibited women from doing so, leading to numerous complaints each summer. The Catalan government’s department of equality and feminism sent a letter to local authorities, emphasizing that preventing women from going topless constitutes discrimination and infringes upon personal freedom and body autonomy.

The letter also specified that breastfeeding and the use of full body bathing suits, including the Muslim “burkini,” should be permitted. Municipalities failing to comply with the directive can face fines of up to €500,000 (£430,000). The decision has been welcomed by activists, including the feminist group Mugrons Lliures (Free Nipples), who have campaigned for gender equality in this regard.

The issue of toplessness has garnered attention beyond swimming pools, as demonstrated by an incident at a Pride event in Murcia, where a singer performing topless was later questioned by local police.

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Vladimir Putin vows to hold accountable the leaders of the Wagner mutiny

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Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has accused the leaders of the recent Wagner mutiny of seeking to create chaos and conflict within Russia. In a strongly-worded speech, Putin vowed to bring the organizers of the revolt to justice. However, he distinguished the regular Wagner troops as “patriots” and provided them with options to join the army, go to Belarus, or return home. Putin did not specifically mention Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, who had previously denied any involvement in attempting to overthrow Putin’s regime.

Wagner is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the Russian military in Ukraine. The mutiny, which was short-lived, involved Wagner fighters seizing a major Russian city and advancing towards Moscow in a convoy of military vehicles. Prigozhin claimed that the revolt was in response to government plans to take direct control of Wagner, citing concerns over mistakes made by defense officials during the war with Ukraine. He insisted that Wagner had always acted in Russia’s interests.

Prigozhin’s comments were his first public statements since reaching a deal to end the mutiny, reportedly involving him going to Belarus with dropped criminal charges. However, Russian state media reported that he remains under investigation. Putin emphasized in his address to the Russian people that the organizers of the march on Moscow would face justice and criticized Prigozhin for betraying Russia. He used the speech to assert his authority and counter the perception of a weak response to the mutiny.

Putin accused the West of wanting Russians to turn against each other, although US President Joe Biden denied any involvement by the US or its allies in the rebellion. Putin claimed that his handling of the crisis prevented a catastrophe, but many Russians witnessed events differently and may not be convinced by his statements. He reiterated his promise to allow Wagner troops who did not engage in violence against fellow Russians to leave for Belarus or sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense or other military and law enforcement structures. Putin credited the unity of Russian society and thanked Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for his role in peacefully resolving the situation.

The contrast between Putin’s portrayal of a united country and the scenes in Rostov, where locals welcomed and embraced the Wagner fighters, led Putin to suggest that the mercenaries had been deceived and used. The rebellion occurred after months of tensions between Wagner and Russia’s military leadership. The situation escalated when Wagner mercenaries crossed the Ukrainian border and took control of the regional military command in Rostov-on-Don, while a column of military vehicles headed towards Moscow. Prigozhin claimed that the “march of justice” exposed serious security problems across the country and mentioned Lukashenko’s involvement in brokering an agreement to end the mutiny. He expressed regret for the deaths of Russian troops during the conflict but justified their actions as self-defense.

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Julian Sands: Remains found in California area where British actor disappeared

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Human remains were found by hikers near the location where British actor Julian Sands went missing. The San Bernardino County sheriff’s department in southern California announced that the identification of the remains would be completed by next week.

Sands, known for his roles in films such as “A Room With A View” and TV shows like “24” and “Smallville,” disappeared on January 13 while hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. The 65-year-old actor, originally from Otley, West Yorkshire, went missing in the Baldy Bowl area during inclement weather.

The sheriff’s department confirmed that civilian hikers reported the discovery of the human remains in the Mt Baldy wilderness but did not provide further details.

Sands’s family expressed gratitude to the search teams and coordinators who dedicated their efforts to finding him, and they remembered him as a beloved father, husband, explorer, lover of nature and the arts, and a talented performer.

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News Trending War

Russia: Instability ratchets up pressure on Vladimir Putin

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It seems that you are sharing a blog post or an article discussing recent events in Russia, specifically regarding the Wagner rebellion and its implications for President Vladimir Putin. While I can provide some context and analysis, please note that the information I provide is based on knowledge available up until September 2021, and I cannot provide real-time updates on current events.

The events described in the blog post indicate a sense of uncertainty and shifting perceptions surrounding President Putin and his leadership. The author highlights the contradictory messages coming from the Kremlin and suggests that these mixed signals may weaken Putin’s image. The dropping of criminal charges against the Wagner leader, despite earlier strong rhetoric condemning the rebellion, is seen as a significant shift.

The author also suggests that these events, along with other challenges faced by Russia, such as economic problems and cross-border incidents near Ukraine, may contribute to instability within the country. The speculation about potential changes in leadership and discussions among the Russian elite about the upcoming 2024 presidential election indicate that there may be a growing desire for alternative leadership among certain circles.

However, it is important to note that predicting political changes and leadership transitions is challenging, especially in the case of Russia. Vladimir Putin has demonstrated political survival skills throughout his long tenure, and it is uncertain how these recent events will ultimately impact his position.

Without further information on recent developments, it is difficult to predict President Putin’s next move accurately. The quoted exchange from an old Putin interview about forgiveness and treachery may provide some insight into his mindset, but it is ultimately open to interpretation.

It is essential to follow reliable news sources and analysis to stay updated on the latest developments in Russia and the implications for President Putin’s leadership.

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Greek conservative party aims for a majority win in upcoming election led by Mitsotakis

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In Greece, conservative ex-Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is seeking a strong majority as voters head to the polls for the second time in a month. Mitsotakis emerged victorious in May’s election and called for new elections in order to govern without coalition partners.

Despite a recent migrant boat tragedy that claimed the lives of an estimated 500 people, the incident has had minimal impact on the election campaign. Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party secured a significant 20-point lead over the center-left Syriza party, led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and he is confident of a repeat victory that would grant him a second term. Voting will continue until 19:00 (16:00 GMT).

Mitsotakis argues that a stable government requires a majority of more than 150 seats in the 300-seat parliament. Notably, the winning party in this election will be awarded between 20 and 50 bonus seats, potentially bolstering Mitsotakis’s mandate. Recognized for stabilizing and fostering growth in the Greek economy following a severe debt crisis and multiple bailouts, Mitsotakis has established a resilient image despite facing various crises over the past year.

Tsipras faces a challenging task in this election, with Mitsotakis focusing on his accomplishments and promising lower taxes and improved public health. The two leaders diverged in their responses to the recent migrant boat sinking, with Mitsotakis defending the coastguard and condemning people smugglers, while Tsipras raised concerns and highlighted his government’s previous focus on preserving human life during the 2015 European migrant crisis.

Greek voters’ views on migration have shifted toward stricter and more conservative policies since the 2020 migration crisis on the Evros River, which reinforced perceptions of migration as an external threat to national sovereignty. Additionally, Mitsotakis benefits from the fragmentation of the Greek left, with the Socialists now the third political force in Greece, making it unlikely for left-of-center parties to form a coalition with the conservatives.

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Storms in Europe cause huge damage and disruption

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Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, has been hit by severe storms and heavy rainfall, leading to significant damage and disruptions. Many towns and cities in the region have experienced torrential rain, causing floods and forcing the closure of numerous roads.

The rail traffic has also been affected, with the Hamburg-Berlin line and a major north-south line between Kassel and Goettingen being closed due to storm damage. Switzerland has also faced thunderstorms, resulting in numerous calls to the fire department.

Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 135 km/h have uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and street infrastructure, although no casualties have been reported. Austria has witnessed several landslides that have affected homes, and the state of Carinthia experienced large hailstones of up to 8 centimeters in diameter, causing significant damage to crops.

Videos circulating on social media show violent storms and flooded streets, including the complete submersion of the forecourt and road in front of the Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe ICE train station.

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News Trending War

Wagner Mercenaries in Russian Urban Areas Defy Putin’s Accusations of Rebellion

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Russian Private Military Contractor, Wagner Group’s Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin Claims Control of Military Sites in Rostov-on-Don, Defying President Putin’s Accusations of Betrayal

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, has asserted that his mercenaries have taken over “all military facilities” in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. Reports suggest that they have also been deployed in Voronezh, located further north, following Prigozhin’s threat to march on Moscow and remove Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu from power.

President Vladimir Putin has condemned these actions, referring to them as a “stab in the back” and vowing to punish those who have “betrayed” Russia. Security measures have been tightened in numerous regions, including Moscow.

The Wagner Group, known for its involvement alongside the regular Russian army in the conflict in Ukraine, has been experiencing increasing tensions with the military leadership over their differing approaches to the war. Prigozhin has been openly criticizing Russia’s military command in recent months.

The situation escalated dramatically after Prigozhin accused the Russian military of targeting his group’s base in Ukraine, a claim that Moscow denies.

Prigozhin insists that this is not a military coup, but rather an attempt to overthrow Russia’s military leadership. However, President Putin, in his address, described the situation as an act of “treason.”

While Prigozhin was not mentioned by name, President Putin warned that those who engaged in betrayal, armed rebellion, blackmail, or terrorist methods would face severe consequences under the law and before the Russian people.

In response, Prigozhin, for the first time directly criticizing the Russian leader, stated that his troops were “patriots of our motherland” and argued that President Putin was “profoundly mistaken” to accuse them of betrayal.

In a video shared on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin claimed that his fighters had entered Rostov-on-Don after crossing the border from Ukraine, asserting that his forces would eliminate anyone obstructing their path. However, the location and veracity of his claim regarding shooting down a Russian military helicopter that allegedly fired upon a civilian convoy remain unverified.

President Putin acknowledged the challenging situation in Rostov-on-Don, where Wagner forces reportedly control military installations. The city of Voronezh, en route to Moscow, is also said to be under their control, prompting the governor to initiate a “counter-terrorism operation.”

Previously, Prigozhin and President Putin had a close relationship. However, this latest challenge, combined with the complications arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has presented a headache for the Russian leader. Consequently, Putin has taken a firm stance, declaring “enough is enough.”

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Trending

Ryan Tubridy regrets not raising concerns about RTÉ payouts

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Ryan Tubridy, an RTÉ presenter, has apologized for not raising concerns about payments made to him that were larger than publicly disclosed.

The Irish national broadcaster acknowledged on Thursday that Mr. Tubridy received €345,000 (£296,800) more in compensation than had been disclosed in earnings reports.

The RTÉ board said that Dee Forbes, its director general, had been suspended as a result of the scandal on Wednesday.

The payments were made between 2017 and 2022 to the presenter, and they were discovered after auditors voiced their concerns.

of a statement released on Friday, Mr. Tubridy said he had “no responsibility for the corporate governance in RTÉ or how or what they publish in their accounts”.

He did, however, concede that he ought to have raised concerns when the broadcaster released the inaccurate data.

The wages of RTÉ’s top presenters have been made public for a number of years.

“I didn’t, and I am accountable for my negligence. I really apologize for this, Mr. Tubridy continued.

The speaker said that all of his taxes were “up to date” and that his revenues had been accurately documented in his company’s records.

Next month, Ms. Forbes was scheduled to leave her position as director general of the broadcaster.

The board stated that “processes are ongoing, and RTÉ must be mindful of its legal obligations and individuals’ rights.”

RTÉ stated that it will not be making any other comments at this time.

In response to her suspension, Ms. Forbes stated on Friday that she had “fully engaged” with the RTÉ board and was proud of her work as director general.

Patrick Kielty from Northern Ireland has been named as Mr. Tubridy’s replacement as presenter of RTÉ One’s The Late Late program, Ireland’s longest-running TV talk program.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Tubridy said that the issue surrounding his compensation had no impact on his choice to resign from the position.

On weekday mornings, Mr. Tubridy also does a radio show on RTÉ Radio 1, but he wasn’t the host on Friday and won’t be next week either.

There has been a “serious breach of trust and truth between RTÉ and the government, the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), and the people,” according to Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar.

On Saturday, RTÉ chairman Siin N. Raghallaigh will meet with Irish Minister of the Media Catherine Martin.

According to Mr. Varadkar, the minister will urge Ms. N. Raghallaigh to provide a detailed explanation of what happened and the actions the board is now taking.

“The public are right to expect high standards of transparency and accountability from RTÉ as it is extremely important that we can all have trust in our public service broadcasting,” the taoiseach added.

According to former RTÉ board chair Moya Doherty, neither she nor the other members of the board had any “knowledge relating to certain payments” made by the broadcaster or the “profoundly serious lack of transparency involved.”

According to her, the issues “go to the heart of a failure of good corporate governance.”

She said that before she finished her tenure in November 2022, she was not informed of the payments paid to Mr. Tubridy.

An emergency meeting of RTÉ-based National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members was held on Friday to examine the payments’ disclosures.

The incident, according to the union’s Irish secretary Séamus Dooley, “caused upset, anger and resentment right across the organization.”

“Grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre, and unprecedented in scale,” he said of the scenario.

Former senior BBC News editor Kevin Bakhurst was named the new director general of RTÉ in April.

Next month, Mr. Bakhurst is slated to succeed Ms. Forbes.

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News Sports Trending

Victor Wembanyama chosen by San Antonio Spurs as first pick in 2023 NBA draft

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Victor Wembanyama, the 19-year-old French basketball player, has set his sights on winning an NBA championship ring after being selected as the number one overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 draft. Standing at 7ft 5in with an 8ft wingspan, Wembanyama is considered one of the most promising prospects in the game since LeBron James in 2003.

Wembanyama expressed his goal of learning as much as possible to achieve his dream of winning an NBA championship. The NBA draft consists of two rounds with 30 picks each, and teams select players based on their performance in the previous season, with the worst-performing teams having the opportunity to choose the best incoming talent.

The draft took place in Brooklyn, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing the picks. Wembanyama was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing his name called as the first pick. French president Emmanuel Macron congratulated him, recognizing him as the first Frenchman to be selected as the top pick in the NBA draft.

Wembanyama had an impressive season playing for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in France, averaging 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots, and 2.5 assists in 44 games. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expressed his excitement about having Wembanyama on the team, highlighting his talent and maturity.

LeBron James, star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, had witnessed Wembanyama’s skills during an exhibition game in Las Vegas and described him as a generational talent and an “alien” due to his extraordinary abilities on the court. Wembanyama embraced the term “alien” as a compliment, as he aspires to be something unique and original in the world of basketball.

The second pick in the draft was Brandon Miller, a 6ft 9in player from the University of Alabama, who joined the Charlotte Hornets. Scoot Henderson, who had played in the NBA’s developmental G League, was chosen as the third pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar, rounded out the top five picks, with Amen joining the Houston Rockets and Ausar being selected by the Detroit Pistons.

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Health Trending

The danger of mosquito-borne illnesses is rising across Europe

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Leading specialists warn that mosquitoes that spread diseases like dengue and chikungunya have entered new regions of Europe.

According to European experts, the circumstances for the insects have improved due to more frequent heatwaves, floods, and longer, warmer summers.

They are requesting improved mosquito prevention and control tactics.

They assert that in the absence of these, mosquito-borne illnesses will probably cause more sickness and fatalities.

The study, published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), monitors the spread of several mosquito species that are capable of transmitting a wide range of viruses to people.

These include dengue and Zika, which in the worst instances may leave individuals critically unwell and produce a variety of symptoms including fevers and muscular pains.

  • One mutation in Zika might cause a fresh outbreak.
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The ECDC research claims that this year, compared to eight European nations a decade ago, the Aedes albopictus mosquito—known to transmit dengue and chikungunya—has “established” itself in 13 countries in Europe. This means it has grown a self-sustaining population and is reproducing.

Aedes aegypti, which can transmit illnesses including yellow fever, Zika, and West Nile virus, established itself in Cyprus last year, and scientists fear it may continue to spread to neighbouring nations.

“In recent years, we have observed a geographical spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in the EU/EEA,” said Andrea Ammon, head of the ECDC.

“If this keeps up, we may anticipate more instances and perhaps even fatalities from illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile fever.

“Efforts need to concentrate on ways to control mosquito populations, improving surveillance and enforcing personal protective measures,” the report stated.

Healthcare professionals and the general public need to be more aware of the many diseases spread by mosquitoes, according to the ECDC.

Dengue, which is transmitted by daytime biting mosquitoes, can result in a fever, excruciating headache, pain behind the eyes, aching muscles and joints, and a blotchy rash.

Globally, the number of instances has increased in recent decades. It is endemic in more than 100 nations in the Western Pacific, South and South-East Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Most West Nile virus infections go unnoticed, but when it does, symptoms might include headaches, extreme fatigue, muscular pains, vomiting, rashes, and eye discomfort.

An sickness that affects the brain and can be deadly is more likely to impact older persons and those with compromised immune systems.

Along with headaches, muscular discomfort, and rashes, fever and joint pain are the chikungunya virus’ most typical symptoms.

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