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‘A global hero’: Jesse Jackson’s legacy of activism around the world

From opposing apartheid in South Africa to supporting Palestinian rights, the US civil rights leader left his mark across the globe

When Jesse Jackson called for the Democratic party platform to include Palestinian statehood, the pushback was fierce. “While we had strong support from delegates at the convention, there was still a fear factor that the issue couldn’t be discussed,” recalls James Zogby, who was deputy manager of Jackson’s presidential campaign. “I was told by the [nominee Michael] Dukakis negotiators, if you even say the P-word, you’ll destroy the Democratic party.”

Jackson’s effort did not succeed at the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. But 10 Democratic state parties had already passed resolutions in favour of Palestinian self-determination. And as the decades rolled by, more and more progressives came to share Jackson’s stance. Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, reflects: “He was way ahead of the base. Even the activists who supported Palestinians did not have the same depth of understanding.”

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‘I’m going to fight’: freed Venezuelan activist on life after Maduro’s downfall

Jesús Armas’s joy at being released has been tempered by reality that the march towards democracy will be slow

Jesús Armas was asleep inside Venezuela’s most infamous political prison at the start of January when a thunderous explosion and a blackout announced the start of a new era.

The activist remembers roars of excitement rippling through the jail’s cells as befuddled guards scurried around like something really big was happening”. Prisoners began to belt out Venezuela’s national anthem, a stirring battle cry against tyranny: “Glory to the brave people! … Down with the chains! … Death to oppression!”

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We conduct affairs of state in a building that’s riddled with asbestos and mice. Can’t Britain do any better? | Rupa Huq

Parliament is steeped in history, but too many parts of the estate are dangerous and squalid. The promised upgrade can’t come a minute too soon

Kemi Badenoch, mid-TV interview with Robert Peston at the House of Commons recently, was embarrassingly upstaged by a mouse. Just another day in a parliament building not fit for purpose.

Last week, a critical meeting between the prime minister and his more than 400 MPs plus assorted peers (who total another 800) happened in a room only big enough to accommodate 170. Consider that the Commons chamber itself seats only 430 of the total 650 MPs. That same day, exhibition boards went up around parliament explaining the “restoration and renewal” options for the Palace of Westminster. They are expected to be voted on as early as March.

Rupa Huq is Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton

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‘A reminder of how careless I was’: from cringe cartoons to cancelled rockstars, the tattoos fans regret

What happens when you’re sporting signs of your devotion long after your idol has fallen from grace? Meet the fans whose tattoos have become embarrassing – even problematic

On 20 February 2012, Coté Arias met Morrissey at a fan meet-up in Santiago, Chile. The former Smiths frontman signed her forearm in spiky capitalised lettering, which Coté later had traced permanently on to her skin with ink. Her years-long plan for the tattoo, which had started with her founding Morrissey’s Chilean fanclub, had worked. “Morrissey had such an impact on me growing up,” she says. “I struggled with shyness and lacked confidence for much of my life, and his lyrics helped me feel seen while transitioning into adulthood.”

But in recent years, that inked signature has taken on more complicated associations for Coté. “The tattoo is very visible,” she says, “so it’s brought up many discussions regarding Morrissey’s comments.” Morrissey has publicly supported a far-right party, and made inflammatory comments about immigration, but denies allegations of racism.

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Winter Olympics 2026: bobsleigh, curling and Canada v USA ice hockey final on last day – live

We’re heading over to Livigno shortly for the women’s halfpipe. Team GB’s Zoe Atkin qualified first but there is plenty of competition, not least from China’s Eileen Gu.

Some big news coming out of the 50km women’s cross-country skiing, with Frida Karlsson pulling out. The Swede was the gold meal favourite having won the skiathlon and the 10km intervals, as well as a silver in 4x7.5km relay.

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Wel.nl

Minder lezen, Meer weten.

Wesselink zakt na derde run in viermansbob naar zestiende plaats

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO (ANP) - Bobsleeër Dave Wesselink is na de derde run in de viermansbob op de Olympische Spelen gezakt naar de zestiende plaats. Met remmers Jelen Franjic, Janko Franjic en Timme Koster kwam de piloot in de derde run in het Cortina Sliding Centre met 55,15 tot de zestiende tijd.

Na drie runs staat hij met 2.45,24 op 2,38 seconden van de Duitser Johannes Lochner. Die leidt ook na de derde run, waarin hij met 54,25 de beste tijd neerzette. Lochner heeft met nog één run te gaan 0,48 seconde voorsprong op zijn landgenoot Francesco Friedrich. De derde Duitse bob van Adam Ammour staat op 0,92 derde.

Wesselink begon de derde run met een starttijd van 4,82, de tiende starttijd. Met enkele foutjes onderweg zette hij met 55,15 qua tijd zijn minste run neer. In de eerste run noteerde hij 55,09 en in de tweede 55,00.

De laatste run begint om 12.15 uur. De beste twintig gaan dan in omgekeerde volgorde naar beneden.


Tv-presentator Koos Postema (93) overleden

HILVERSUM (ANP) - Tv-presentator Koos Postema is op 93-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dat heeft een woordvoerder van zijn familie zondag aan het ANP bekendgemaakt. Postema overleed zaterdag aan de gevolgen van ouderdom in het bijzijn van zijn twee dochters Judith en Ingrid.

Postema werkte bij de publieke omroep onder meer voor de toenmalige VARA, waar hij het programma Klasgenoten presenteerde. Later maakte hij dit programma lange tijd voor Veronica.


Rijnmond - Nieuws

Het laatste nieuws van vandaag over Rotterdam, Feyenoord, het verkeer en het weer in de regio Rijnmond

Jacek slaapt in een tent aan de rand van Rotterdam: ‘Wonen op straat is moeilijker dan in de jungle’

Zodra de gevoelstemperatuur boven het vriespunt stijgt, sluit de winteropvang en moeten dakloze mensen een alternatieve slaapplek vinden. Voor Jacek is dat een tent, waarvan hij de specifieke locatie niet bekend wil maken, omdat hij bang is voor pottenkijkers. “Ik ben hier niet veilig.”

Jacek (56) heeft geen huis en slaapt daarom in een tent: ‘Ik werd een keer wakker van de sneeuw’

Zodra de gevoelstemperatuur boven het vriespunt stijgt, sluit de winteropvang en moeten dakloze mensen een alternatieve slaapplek vinden. Voor Jacek is dat een tent, waarvan hij de specifieke locatie niet bekend wil maken, omdat hij bang is voor pottenkijkers. “Ik ben hier niet veilig.”

candle

peaceful-jp-scenery has added a photo to the pool:

candle

Aizu Painted Candle Festival
会津絵ろうそくまつり

This is the Aizu Painted Candle Festival, which was held at Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle. Aizu painted candles are a traditional craft that has been produced since the Azuchi-Momoyama period, around 1600.

会津若松城で開催されていた会津絵ろうそくまつりです。会津絵ろうそくは安土桃山時代、およそ1600年頃から生産されている伝統工芸品です。

Aizu-wakamatsu city, Fukushima pref, Japan