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The fallacy of sovereignty

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

Action for Democracy condemns in the strongest possible terms the "sovereignty protection" bill submitted to the Hungarian National Assembly yesterday evening, which uses our organization's activities as a pretext to launch a vicious attack on free and independent civil society in Hungary.For the third time in the last six years, the Orbán regime is attempting to delegitimize political and social opposition, civil society organizations and initiatives, and ultimately all organizations over which it has no control. The leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group, Máté Kocsis, made no secret of the fact that the law aims to disempower "left-wing journalists and pseudo-civils", which paints a very worrying picture of how the Fidesz government thinks about institutions independent of government overreach. The clear intention of this Putin-style draft bill is to make the independent press and civil society, and to exclude and stigmatise civic organizations to an extent that draws worry...

‘The Opole Recommendations’ set out vision for strong and supported European theatre sector

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

The new policy document, the result of the European Theatre Forum 2023, urges the European Union to continue direct dialogue with European theatre – and to address challenges posed by mental health, the climate crisis and AI.The European Theatre Convention is pleased to announce the publication of The Opole Recommendations, a significant policy document resulting from the in-depth exchanges during the European Theatre Forum (ETF) 2023. The high-level event by the European Commission took place from 11-13 May at JK Opole Theatre in Poland.The Opole Recommendations present a clear vision for how European institutions should support the large and unique European theatre sector, with calls for changes by next year, by 2025, and by 2027.They are structured around three overarching challenges and policy areas, in line with the ETF 2023 event programme:Democracy, International Collaboration, and the Power of Theatre, encompassing Fragile Contexts, and Mental Health and Social InclusionSust...

Video: Vandals destroy Christmas decorations in Huntington Beach

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

Huntington Beach residents are up in arms after a group of people was captured on camera destroying holiday decorations.On Tuesday night, four "delinquents" went through several neighborhoods "damaging Christmas decorations and popping inflatable decorations in peoples yards," said KTLA viewer Kendra Brissey.Brissey shared surveillance footage of the vandalism with KTLA showing what appears to be three young people hopping out of a moving car, at least one of whom jumps onto an inflatable Christmas tree decoration, damaging it. Another angle provided by Brissey shows the inflatable tree deflate.The three then hop back in the moving vehicle before fleeing the area.Brissey said the decorations are for her 3-and-a-half-year-old son, who is autistic and nonverbal."It brings him so much joy and happiness," she wrote. "He will be sad that his favorite decoration has been taken away from him."Brissey also hopes any other neighbors with footage of the vandalism will come forward so the perp...

Side Dish: Arts Calendar November 23-29

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

Only part of your week is dedicated to the creation and dissemination of the perfect side dish. The rest of the long weekend can be whatever you want—such as catching up on some art and culture. Galleries are largely taking the weekend off, but museums are open, dance performances and outdoor art hikes in the new cool weather beckon, salient conversations await (just not necessarily at dinner), and more intriguing things to do with the family (or escape them) for your Thanksgiving holiday arts calendar.JEFF&GORDONThursday, November 23JEFF&GORDON: Not at the Dinner Table (Telephone). The fan favorite phone-based art project from artist duo JEFF&GORDON returns for another timely, participatory experience inviting the public to call and leave anonymous voicemails for those with whom they disagree—and hear messages left since the project was first presented in 2013. Not at the Dinner Table is offered every year during the holidays, when people are most likely to encounter th...

Recipe: Spanakorizo, a classic Greek rice dish, is cozy, creamy and flavorful

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

JJ Johnson is a celebrity chef and the founder of Field Trip, an acclaimed restaurant group headquartered in Harlem, New York, that showcases rice dishes from around the globe. His new cookbook ,“The Simple Art of Rice: Recipes from Around the World for the Heart of Your Table” (Flatiron Books, $35), takes readers on a culinary adventure exploring one of the world’s most essential grains.His spanakorizo, a classic Greek rice dish, is cozy, creamy and flavorful. It’s great as a vegetarian main or side dish. If you wish, add a can of drained garbanzo beans to the mix.SpanakorizoServes 6INGREDIENTS1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped1 pound baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste1 tablespoon minced garlicKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1/2 cup sliced green onions1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed1½ cups water2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts1/3 cup c...

OpenAI: The cast of characters of Silicon Valley’s latest, juiciest upheaval

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

By Jennifer Korn and Paul Glader | CNNWhen technology firm OpenAI ousted its CEO Sam Altman last week with little warning and less explanation, it set off shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley and beyond. Late Tuesday, in a complete reversal, he rejoined the controversial firm he had helped found, effectively bouncing from the board some of the people who had fired him.Altman has served as a poster boy of the company’s groundbreaking efforts in artificial intelligence, including its ChatGPT generative AI product. But the drama pushed a web of other characters key to AI or internet history into view of the public. Some have worked together for years and have invented some of the household name products of the internet.What has made this tale so unusual and so magnetic? The speed at which it went down, the diversity and (relative) youth of the board of directors and the nature of the company — a non-profit thought to become a tremendously profitable one at one point. Marquee names like...

San Francisco resident charged with murder of man whose body was found in the Presidio

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO – A 20-year-old San Francisco resident has been charged with the murder of a man whose body was found earlier this month at Crissy Field in the Presidio, according to federal prosecutors.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Peninsula man convicted on felony sex trafficking, pimping charges Crime and Public Safety | Jury signs off on aggravating factors for San Carlos beheading killer Crime and Public Safety | Daly City man sentenced to 9 years in prison after assaulting police officer Crime and Public Safety | Former San Mateo resident pleads guilty to embezzling $1.19 million from law firm Crime and Public Safety | Second suspect in Peninsula carjacking arrested Leion Butler appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charge, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement. If convicted, he could potentially be sentenced to death or life in prison.The victim’s body was ...

Review: Billy Crudup is way more than a con man in compelling ‘Harry Clarke’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

In “Harry Clarke,” the protagonist who gives the play its title claims to have worked for the singer Sade. While that’s a big fat fib, he is certainly the smoothest operator you will ever have the pleasure to meet.Played to dapper perfection by Billy Crudup, whose theatrical instincts remain as captivating as his boyish good looks, Clarke is a charmer and a rogue indulging in a full-throttle confessional about sex, lies, and shape-shifting. Who among us hasn’t fantasized about becoming someone new?For a woebegone Midwestern man toiling as a barista in New York City, it begins with a deep desire to shed his old identity and be reborn as his childhood alter ego Harry, a devil-may-care bloke from London.Crudup, an Emmy- and Tony- winner known for an eclectic body of work including “Jesus’ Son,” “Almost Famous,” and “The Morning Show,” relishes the art of the solo, filling the empty space with sheer theatrical bravado. The cavalcade of accents, from Midwestern to Cockney, is a delight a...

Divorced man doesn’t have to keep paying ex-wife who tried to kill him with a hatchet

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

A woman who tried to kill her ex-husband with a hatchet cannot demand that he continue paying her under their divorce agreement, the Massachusetts Supreme Court said.Julie Rabinowitz had alleged breach of contract by Mark Schenkman because he stopped his monthly payments of $3,533.33 after she attacked him in August 2015 at his dental office in North Attleborough.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s latest extravagance: A ‘10,000-Year Clock’ built into a mountain Crime and Public Safety | Female visitor inadvertently locked overnight at California jail Crime and Public Safety | US-bound plane takes off with missing window panes as crew fails to spot damage Crime and Public Safety | California medical examiner investigator stole valuable items from dead people, prosecutors allege Crime and Public Safety | Stop putting rhinestones on your steering wheel, fe...

Pac-12 picks: Heavy favorites across the board on the final weekend (ever) of conference play

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:07 GMT

The final game of the final Saturday of the final Pac-12 regular season matches Cal and UCLA — a fitting pairing under the circumstances.The schools have turned out the lights before.In the summer of 1958, a massive pay-for-play scandal rocked what was then known as the Pacific Coast Conference. The Bears and Bruins, along with USC and Washington, agreed before the season that it would be their last school year of competition in the PCC.Sound familiar?It has been 110 days since the Pac-12’s version of Black Friday, Aug. 4, when Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah announced they would depart the conference next summer. USC and UCLA already had one foot out the door. Stanford and Cal would follow a few weeks later.For three months, riveting on-field competition has played out against the backdrop of collapse.Each week, we listened to marching bands play the national anthem but heard the bugle call of ‘Taps.’The same was true for the PCC in the fall of...