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‘French icon’ actress Jane Birkin dies aged 76

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Jane Birkin, a renowned singer, actress, and fashion icon, has passed away at the age of 76. Born in London, Birkin gained fame singing in French and eventually relocated to France in the 1970s. She was widely known for her personal and artistic relationship with songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, particularly for their iconic duet “Je T’aime…moi non plus.” The song, recorded in 1968, faced controversy and bans in various countries due to its explicit lyrics but also garnered international attention.

Birkin and Gainsbourg were together for 12 years, during which they had a daughter named Charlotte Gainsbourg, who also became an acclaimed actress and singer. Despite their tumultuous relationship, they remained friends after their split, and Gainsbourg continued to write songs for Birkin. Birkin wrote about the challenges of their relationship, including violence and Gainsbourg’s alcoholism, in her 2020 diaries.

Beyond her music and acting career, Birkin had a significant influence on the fashion world. She inspired the creation of the Birkin handbag by Hermès in 1984. The bag became highly sought after and carried a hefty price tag, with waiting lists that extended for months or even years.

Throughout her life, Birkin was an advocate for various causes and campaigned for animal welfare, among others. She even requested Hermès to remove her name from the handbag line in 2015 due to animal welfare concerns. Birkin’s acting credits included notable films such as “Blow Up” (1966), “Death on the Nile” (1978), and “Evil Under the Sun” (1982). She also released albums, including “Arabesque” in 2002 and a live recording collection titled “Jane at the Palace” in 2009.

Menna Rawlings, the British ambassador to France, described Birkin as “the most French of British artists” in a tribute on Twitter. Birkin battled leukemia in the late 1990s and had reportedly suffered a stroke in September 2021, which led to the cancellation of a planned appearance at an American film festival.

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Russian parliament bans gender reassignment surgery for trans people

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Russia’s lower house of parliament has passed a law that bans gender reassignment surgery and prevents individuals from changing their genders on state documents. The bill, which also needs approval from the upper house and President Vladimir Putin, was justified by the Speaker of the Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, as a means to protect citizens and children and preserve traditional values.

The legislation includes additional amendments such as prohibiting individuals who have undergone gender changes from adopting children and annulling marriages where one party has undergone gender reassignment. LGBT rights groups have criticized the law, stating that it will negatively impact the health and rights of transgender individuals.

Critics view the law as an infringement on basic human rights and an attempt to further discriminate against an already marginalized group. This law follows previous legislation passed last year that banned the public expression of LGBT culture and propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations. President Putin has expressed opposition to LGBT lifestyles, aligning with the Orthodox Church’s conservative social views.

Additionally, a transgender rights activist was recently arrested on charges of treason for supporting Ukraine, further raising concerns about human rights in the country.

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Europe heatwave: Red alerts issued in 15 Italian cities

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Italy is currently experiencing extreme heat, leading to red alerts being issued for 15 cities, including Rome, Florence, and Bologna. This heatwave is part of a larger trend of increasing temperatures and longer heatwaves globally due to global warming.

The European Space Agency (ESA) predicts that Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Poland may face extreme conditions, with potential record temperatures. Greece has already been experiencing temperatures of 40°C or higher, leading to the closure of tourist attractions like the Acropolis. There are concerns about the increased risk of wildfires in Greece and other areas with high winds.

Central parts of Europe, including Germany and Poland, are also affected by high temperatures. In contrast, the UK is experiencing heavy showers and cooler weather due to the southern shift of the jet stream. The current heatwave in Italy, named Cerberus, is expected to be followed by another heatwave called Charon, pushing temperatures above 40°C.

Heatwaves are also occurring in other parts of the world, including the US, China, North Africa, and Japan. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to global warming have become the new normal, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

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Arman Soldin: Journalist killed in Ukraine given top French honour

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Arman Soldin, a video journalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) who was killed in Ukraine, has been posthumously awarded the highest honor of France, the Legion of Honour.

Soldin, 32, died in a rocket attack near Bakhmut in May. French President Emmanuel Macron commended his bravery and sent a letter praising his dedication to journalism. Soldin is one of the many journalists who have lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.

The honor was bestowed through a presidential decree, alongside 357 other individuals from various sectors of French society. Soldin’s death is being investigated as a potential war crime by France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office. He was born in Bosnia but held French nationality and had been living in Ukraine since September 2021.

The Legion of Honour is a prestigious award established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to recognize outstanding civilian or military achievements.

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Europe heatwave: Hot weather sweeps across southern Europe

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A scorching heatwave continues to affect several European countries, with temperatures expected to break records in the coming days. Parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, and Italy may experience temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F), with Italy potentially reaching up to 48°C (118.4°F), which could be the highest ever recorded in Europe, according to the European Space Agency. A red alert warning has been issued for 10 cities, including Florence and Rome. Last month was reported as the hottest June on record by the EU’s climate monitoring service Copernicus.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that extreme weather events resulting from climate change are becoming the new norm. While periods of intense heat are part of natural weather patterns, they are increasingly becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged globally due to global warming.

The heatwave has impacted tourists in Europe, with visitors experiencing symptoms such as nausea and dizziness in Athens. Efforts have been made to provide information on air-conditioned places for people to seek relief from the heat. Tragically, a man in Italy died from heat-related causes, and several visitors, including a British man in Rome, have suffered from heatstroke.

Authorities are advising people to stay hydrated by drinking at least two liters of water per day and to avoid dehydrating beverages like coffee and alcohol. Tourists in Rome expressed surprise at the extreme heat and stated they were trying to avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day. Some individuals emphasized the need for collective action to address climate change, urging governments and individuals to take responsibility and make changes such as reducing plastic usage, limiting air conditioning, and using electric cars.

The current heatwave, named Cerberus after the mythical three-headed dog from Dante’s Inferno, is expected to continue intensifying in the coming days. Spain has already experienced temperatures reaching 45°C (113°F), and the European Space Agency has predicted potential temperatures of 48°C (118.4°F) in Sicily and Sardinia, which could be the hottest ever recorded in Europe.

Additionally, other regions outside Europe, including parts of Canada, the United States, India, and China, have also witnessed record-breaking temperatures this summer. Sea temperatures in the Atlantic have reached record highs, while Antarctic sea ice is at its lowest extent on record. Furthermore, the development of El Niño, a weather pattern in the tropical Pacific, is expected to contribute to rising temperatures by an average of 0.2°C, exacerbating the effects of climate change, which has already increased average temperatures worldwide by approximately 1.1°C.

To put the current heatwave in historical context, scientists can analyze air bubbles trapped in ancient Antarctic ice, which suggests that the first week of July was the hottest week in around 125,000 years. During the Eemian period, which occurred over a million years ago, temperatures were estimated to be significantly higher, resulting in hippos inhabiting the Thames and sea levels being approximately 5 meters (16.4 feet) higher.

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Scorching Heatwave Sweeps Southern Europe: Cerberus Brings Onslaught of High Temperatures

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A powerful heatwave is currently sweeping across southern Europe, leading to widespread discomfort and raising concerns about the wellbeing of residents and the resilience of infrastructure. Known as “Cerberus,” this extreme weather event is characterized by a relentless onslaught of high temperatures that are significantly surpassing the seasonal norms. Several countries in the region, including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, are experiencing the effects of this scorching heatwave.

The heatwave has prompted authorities to issue heat alerts and take precautionary measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals from the potentially dangerous consequences of extreme heat. Both residents and tourists are struggling to cope with the oppressive weather, seeking refuge and searching for ways to stay cool amid the soaring temperatures.

The persistent and intense nature of the heatwave has sparked concerns regarding its potential impacts on various aspects of life in the affected areas. Agriculture, in particular, is at risk due to the extreme heat’s detrimental effects on crops and livestock. Water resources, already strained by the prolonged dry spell, are further under pressure as demand for water increases during the heatwave. Additionally, the heightened risk of wildfires is a significant concern, as the combination of scorching temperatures and dry conditions provides ideal conditions for fire outbreaks.

In response to these challenges, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and implementing measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave. Efforts are focused on providing adequate support to vulnerable populations, ensuring the availability of cooling centers, and implementing fire prevention strategies.

Overall, the Cerberus heatwave is posing significant challenges to southern European countries, requiring coordinated efforts to minimize its impact on public health, infrastructure, and the environment.

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French to get bonus to make do and mend clothes

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France is introducing a bonus scheme to encourage consumers to repair their clothes and shoes rather than discarding them. Starting in October, customers will receive discounts ranging from €6 to €25 per repair.

Bérangère Couillard, the junior ecology minister, expressed concerns about the 700,000 tonnes of clothing that end up in French landfills annually. The government plans to allocate €154 million over five years to fund the program. The aim is to support the repair sector, create job opportunities, and combat the issue of “fast fashion.”

The scheme will offer rebates for various repairs, such as €7 for a new heel and €10-€25 for new lining in garments. Refashion, a group responsible for implementing the initiative, revealed that 3.3 billion clothing items were sold in France last year. However, some critics argue that the government is unfairly stigmatizing the clothing industry and wasting public funds. Pascal Morand of the Haute Couture and Fashion Federation expressed concerns about the potential impact on luxury brands.

In addition to the bonus scheme, France plans to introduce new labeling rules from January 2024. These rules will require manufacturers to disclose the environmental impact of their products, including water usage, chemical usage, the risk of microplastic emissions, and the use of recycled textiles. The fashion industry is a significant sector in France, generating €66 billion in turnover last year and employing thousands of people.

While France is the EU’s fourth-largest fashion exporter, the industry has experienced a decline in recent years. In 2020, French consumers spent an average of €430 on clothing, which is below the EU average.

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NATO summit to witness G7’s unveiling of a comprehensive security plan for Ukraine

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During the NATO summit, the G7 nations are expected to approve a long-term security agreement with Ukraine. The agreement will encompass provisions for defense equipment, training, and intelligence sharing.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that this agreement would send a strong message to Russian President Putin. The move comes after Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized NATO for not providing a timeline for Ukraine’s accession to the alliance. Sunak stated that the allies of Kyiv are reinforcing their formal arrangements to ensure long-term protection for Ukraine and prevent a repetition of the brutality it has faced from Russia.

The United Kingdom has played a leading role in this agreement, which involves G7 partners such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States. The details of the agreement are expected to be revealed during the summit.

US President Joe Biden has previously suggested a model similar to the US-Israel agreement, which entails providing Ukraine with $3.8 billion in military aid annually for ten years, but without an obligation to come to Ukraine’s aid during an attack. While NATO stated that Ukraine could join the alliance when conditions are met, Zelensky expressed frustration over the lack of a specific timeframe. Despite the absence of a timeline, diplomats pointed out that a clear path to membership has been established, with the application process shortened significantly.

The focus now shifts to the long-term security guarantees that NATO members will offer Ukraine as an alternative to immediate membership. The summit also saw the announcement of military packages for Ukraine, including the training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, and the UK’s commitment to deliver combat and logistics vehicles to Ukraine.

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Russian ex-navy officer killed in the Ukraine conflict while jogging in Krasnodar

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According to local media, a former Russian submarine captain who served as a mobilisation officer was fatally murdered while running in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar.

According to state-run Rossiya 1 in Russia, a gunman who has not been recognised shot and killed Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, on Monday.

Several Russian media sites conjectured that he might have been located because of his Strava fitness app profile. The killing is the subject of an inquiry by Russian authorities.

The counterpart of the US FBI in this country, the Investigative Committee, announced the start of a murder investigation and said investigators will work to “establish all the circumstances of the incident, as well as the person who committed the crime and his motives.”

According to the Russian daily newspaper Kommersant, the former naval officer was shot in the back and the chest while out for his morning jog in a park next to the Olimp sports facility.

According to Baza, a police-affiliated Russian Telegram group, the murderer may have traced Cpt. Rzhitsky’s runs on Strava because he frequently ran the same route.

Cpt. Rzhitsky’s public profile, which was examined by BBC Verify, reveals that he routinely ran through the region where he is said to have been slain. The BBC’s facial analysis verified that the profile belonged to Cpt. Rzhitsky.

His address and personal details had also been uploaded to the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker), a vast unofficial database of people considered to be enemies of Ukraine.

The word “Liquidated”, in red letters, has now been superimposed on his photograph on the site.

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Turkey Supports Sweden’s NATO Accession

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Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given his support to Sweden’s bid to join NATO, according to the alliance’s chief, Jens Stoltenberg. Erdogan has agreed to forward Sweden’s application to the Turkish parliament for ratification, ending months of Turkish opposition.

The decision comes after Sweden addressed Turkey’s security concerns by amending its constitution, changing laws, intensifying counter-terrorism efforts against the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), and resuming arms exports to Turkey. The announcement was made following discussions between Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The NATO chief hailed the agreement as a “historic step” but couldn’t provide a specific timeline for Sweden’s accession as it depended on the Turkish parliament. The United States and other NATO members have welcomed Turkey’s support and expressed readiness to work with both Turkey and Sweden to enhance defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area.

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