text:
|Year : 2013 | Volume
| Issue : 1 | Page : 13-16
Sexual stimulants and their effects on women of reproductive age group in Kano, northern Nigeria
Hauwa Abdullahi, Jamilu Tukur
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
|Date of Web Publication||29-Aug-2013|
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
Introduction: Sexual stimulants are preparations used for increasing pleasure during sexual intercourse. The study sought to determine the use and effect of such preparations on women of reproductive age group in Kano, northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A self administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from 500 women to determine if they use sexual stimulants and the effects of the drugs on them (if any). Results: There were 423 women that responded. Majority 228 (53.9%) of them use sexual stimulants. Most (47.4%) of them were between the ages of 21 and 30 years, married (85.5%), multiparous (46.9%), and attained tertiary education (58.3%). About 39.9% of the respondents benefited from increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction, 20.2% obtained extra favors from their husbands while 29.9% did not benefit anything from the preparations. About 37.3% developed complications, which included coital laceration (5.9%), copious vaginal discharge (16.5%), vulval itching and rashes (17.5%), lower abdominal pains (14.1%), painful intercourse (16.5%), vaginal dryness (13.0%), and irregular menses (5.9%). Conclusion: A large number of women use sexual stimulants mainly sold by traditional healers. There is need for setting up more orthodox care for sexual dysfunction. There is need for more community health education on female sexual dysfunction.
Keywords: Kano, northern Nigeria, reproductive age group, sexual stimulants
|How to cite this article:|
Abdullahi H, Tukur J. Sexual stimulants and their effects on women of reproductive age group in Kano, northern Nigeria. Niger J Basic Clin Sci 2013;10:13-6
|How to cite this URL:|
Abdullahi H, Tukur J. Sexual stimulants and their effects on women of reproductive age group in Kano, northern Nigeria. Niger J Basic Clin Sci [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Mar 31];10:13-6. Available from: https://www.njbcs.net/text.asp?2013/10/1/13/117233
| Introduction|| |
Sexual stimulants are drugs or preparations that are used for increasing pleasure during sexual intercourse. Sexual dysfunction refers to persistent or reoccurring problems during any stage of the sexual response that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity and causes distress. , It has been observed that there is a high incidence of sexual problems in the general population.
Generally it was found that women experience significantly more sexual dysfunction than men.  In addition, female patients may find it difficult to ask for professional help in some cultural settings. , Such women may purchase sexual stimulants from non-orthodox sources following the advice of their friends or relatives, which may subsequently result in complications.
A study of the prevalence and pattern of sexual dysfunction among 212 patients attending General Hospital Benin showed that 36.3% had excitement dysfunction, 35% had female orgasmic dysfunction, 20.6% had premature ejaculation, 7.3% had male dyspareunia, 3.9% had female dyspareunia while 3.9% had vaginismus.
Otubu et al., in Jos, Nigeria carried out a study among women being counseled for sterilization and reported a prevalence of sexual dysfunction to be 23% with lubrication difficulty accounting for 8%, pain at penetration 11.3%, dyspareunia 6.7%, and difficulty with achieving orgasm accounting for 8.7%.
Management of sexual dysfunction involves couple therapy including communication to improve understanding, use of artificial lubricants, adoption of different sexual positions, treatment of infection using antibiotics, and also when it becomes necessary, the use of drugs that enhance sexual function (sexual stimulants). , Such drugs includes dehydroepiandosterone sulfate (DHEAS), which is a hormone produced by adrenal glands, converted to estrogens and testesterone that boost sexual arousal in older women.  Ginkgo is a traditional Chinese medicine used for years to improve cognitive function and memory thus helping people with sexual dysfunction overcome depression.  Arginine is an amino acid that relaxes blood vessels while Yohimbine and Damiara are traditional herbs used to enhance sexual function in men and women. , Sildenafil, which is a phosphodiestrase inhibitor, enhances arousal and orgasmic release in men.  Others include spark feminine sexual enhancer, such as Max desire, Herbal viva, Nymphomax, etc.
In northern parts of Nigeria, it is a cultural practice in some places to give young brides traditional sexual stimulants just before their marriage. However, the drugs are also openly marketed at markets, naming, and marriage ceremonies. A lot of the drugs are derived from preparations such as herbs, leaves, honey or soup ingredients including okro, and dried baobab leaves. Some animal parts are also used as stimulants. The preparations are taken orally, inserted into the vagina, used topically, or as a combination.
The traditional preparations have different names. Some are called Eye to eye, Keep on following her, A house, A car, Hereditary access, Dangerous three, Senseless preparation, etc.
This study was conducted with the aim of getting some information that will help in disseminating more knowledge on sexual stimulants and their effects (if any) on their users.
| Materials and Methods|| |
A self administered questionnaire, which was back translated to the local language of Hausa, was designed to obtain information from respondents. The information included socio demographic variables, knowledge about and use of sexual stimulants, types used, years of usage, benefits, problems, and finally opinion about the use of the stimulants. The questionnaire was distributed to sexually active women only. Premenarcheal and postmenopausal women were excluded. The questionnaires were distributed among randomly selected women who met the inclusion criteria and attended wedding ceremonies in Kano between May 1, 2012 and June 23, 2012. All the women were adequately counseled and the questionnaires were distributed to the ones that consented. The responses were encoded into a personal computer and analyzed using SPSS Version 17.0.
| Results|| |
A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed of which 450 were responded to. About 423 copies were retrieved giving a retrieval rate of 94%. The analysis was based on the 423 copies retrieved.
Among the respondents, 228 (53.9%) knew about and used sexual stimulants. Further analysis involved only the 228 respondents who used sexual stimulants.
Majority (47.4%) of the respondents were between the ages of 21 and 30 years, multiparous (46.9%), attained tertiary education (58.3%), and married (85.5%) [Table 1]. About 121 (53.1%) were in a monogamous setting while 94 (41.2%) were in a polygamous setting.
A total of 116 (50.9%) used oral stimulants only, 27 (11.8%) used insertives only, 5 (2.2%) used both oral stimulants and vaginal insertives, 7 (3.1%) used topical preparations while 68 (29.8%) used a combination of preparations [Table 2]. The duration of use of the sexual stimulants among 107 (46.9%) of the respondents was more than 3 years, 29 (12.2%) for 1-3 years, 23 (10.1%) for up to a year and 49 (21.5%) for less than 6 months or less.
The reasons for the use of sexual stimulants include getting favors from the husband by 23.7% of respondent, to improve a poor marital relationship by 14.4%, and to achieve greater sexual satisfaction by 23.2% of respondents. There were also miscellaneous reasons for the use by 23.2% of respondents (including satisfaction of curiosity and maintenance of sexual clients).
A total of 91 (39.9%) of them benefited from increased sexual pleasure/satisfaction, 46 (20.2%) received a favorable response from their husbands, 3 (1.3%) achieve cure for sexual dysfunction while 68 (29.9%) did not benefit anything from the preparations [Table 3].
The source of information on the sexual stimulants included friends among 123 (53.9%) respondents, relatives among 59 (25.9%) respondents, health workers among 4 (1.8%) respondents while it was from miscellaneous sources (mass media, husbands, wedding and naming ceremonies, schools, and Hausa novels) among 38 (16.8%) respondents.
A total of 85 (37.3%) developed complications, which they attributed to the use of the drugs as shown in [Table 4]. The most common complications were vulval itching and rashes in 15 (17.5%) respondents.
About 139 (61%) of the women interviewed were of the opinion that sexual stimulants are good but should be used with caution or following prescription by a doctor, 64 (28.1%) were of the opinion that the preparations were harmful and should be avoided. About 4 (1.7%), preferred the use of oral agents only.
| Discussion|| |
In this study 53.9% of the respondents knew about and used sexual stimulants. Despite the lack of evidence from the literature on the effectiveness of traditional aphrodisiacs, the search for a remedy has been an obsession throughout known history. However, data on the use of aphrodisiacs in women is limited.  This is even more so in the setting in which this study was conducted being a highly conservative society. However, this study has shown that the use of these drugs is common among women even though issues related to sexuality and its problems are not usually openly discussed.
The finding that the stimulants were used mostly by young women aged 30 years and below, who are of low parity, may be because such women are still at their sexual prime and probably willing to experiment. It may also be because in the cultural setting of the study area, as women advance in age, interest in sexual intercourse may give way to taking care of children. Interestingly, men appear to be major reasons why women use these drugs at the risk of exposing themselves to unknown agents and the possibility of side effects. The respondents, however, reported benefits such as increased sexual satisfaction and improved marital relationship with their husbands. These benefits, however, have to be considered against the risk of possible complications that were reported by the respondents such as coital laceration, vaginal dryness, and discharge as shown in [Table 4].
Despite several studies, pharmacological agents have found little role in the management of female sexual dysfunction. , It has been recommended that clinicians should emphasize nonpharmacologic and behavioral therapies with the goal of achieving satisfying and pleasurable experiences in female sexual dysfunction.  The study, however, demonstrated that many women use traditional sexual stimulants obtained from traditional healers in this community. Perhaps these women would not have utilized the services of traditional healers if adequate orthodox care was available for female sexual dysfunction. There is need to set up more orthodox sexual dysfunction service to address the needs of these women. To set up this service, there is need for training of more health personnel to specialize on the management of female sexual dysfunction. Such service should be offered with full complement of confidentiality and privacy in view of the sensitive nature of the disorder. The ability of hospitals to provide this service will probably reduce the number of women who patronize traditional healers at the risk of developing complications.
This study would have been enriched if the nature of the various substances used by the women were studied. It would be helpful to study the pharmacological composition of the stimulants used by the respondents. However, this is recommended in future studies on this subject. Knowing the composition will help in determining the possible effect of such drugs not only on sexuality but also on other organs such as liver and kidney in the short and long run. This knowledge is important in counseling women who use the drugs. Further studies are also recommended on the effect of the traditional sexual stimulants on men.
This study showed there is still a lot of ignorance about the use of sexual stimulants and also poor knowledge about treatment options for sexual dysfunction by women. Unfortunately, these topics are usually hidden in secrecy and discussed only among couples or very close friends. There is need for clinicians to educate the public on female sexual dysfunction. Communication between couples should be encouraged rather than the use of drugs whose pharmacological properties are unknown.
| References|| |
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[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4]
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text:
Chez Moi in Provence
- Provence Landscape
- St Tropez
- Provencal Cooking
The first time I came to Provence was with my parents. I was a teenager. I fell in love with it instantly.
The fascination remains today. I love being Chez Moi in Provence at any time of the year. Spring, summer, autumn, and even in winter when the sun shines, the sky is blue, and the air is crisp. I go for long walks along deserted beaches. It’s bliss!
The diversity of its sleepy villages in the afternoon sun; the old windmills; the carpets of scented lavenders stretching towards the horizon; the rows of vineyards sloping down to the sea; the lure of long sandy beaches and discreet coves scattered along the coastline; the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean merging with the cloudless sky.
The light – gloriously captured by so many famous artists over centuries; the markets in every village – colourful stalls of plump vegetables, sun-soaked fruits, aromatic herbs, rich olive oils, fresh goat’s cheese from the hills, and fish from the morning catch. Not forgetting the delicious Cotes de Provence, a world leader in roséwine.
And the people, who appear to be calm and detached, until you watch them play an innocent game of boules. You then see how passionate and vociferous they can be.
1. Provence Landscape
I have been coming to this piece of paradise year after year. One day, I said to myself, I will have a house here. The dream came true about 20 years ago. I bought a house in Grimaud, one of the prettiest villages. From my terrace, I can look out over the sea, with the legendary village of St Tropez across the bay.
Photo by Grant Sainsbury
The village of Grimaud is perched on the hillside, surrounded by stunning scenery. It has retained all its authentic character – a castle, a windmill, cobbled streets, vaulted arches, and stone houses… with flowers covering every wall.
3. St Tropez
Despite the aura surrounding it and its world-famous reputation, St Tropez is only a village. Its life began in 1892 when the painter Paul Signac discovered this small fishing village and its exceptional light. His friends and the most important artists of the time – Bonnard, Matisse, Camion, Derain… followed him. Today, the lure has not waned, and artists continue to visit the area in search of the ideal landscape.
Yes, in August there are those “gin palaces” in the harbour, music blasting out, crowds “looking at me looking at you” and long queues bumper to bumper on the only road which leads to St Tropez. But, as the writer Colette who lived there most of her life said: “The problem with St Tropez is there is only one road to get there, and the same road to get out, but who wants to get out?”
Photos by Grant Sainsbury
4. Provencal Cooking
A myriad of products go into the making of what is often referred to as “La Cuisine du Soleil” –
The Bouillabaisse – a humble fish soup made with Mediterranean fish; Salade Nicoise; Ratatouille; Tian; Gran Aioli – a steamed fish and vegetables with an accompaniment of garlic mayonnaise; lavender infused roast Lamb; Pisaladière – the pizza of old Nice; Tapenade and Anchoiade – anchovy paste served on toast with an aperitif. And to follow, cheeses from the hills, wrapped in mesclun leaves, with walnut bread that simply melt in the mouth. All light and healthy, and washed down with crisp Rosé wine.
Here are some signature dishes I like to serve:
Lavender, Rosemary, and Garlic Infused Lamb (see recipe)
Chicken Provençal (see recipe)
Goat’s Cheese and Tomato Tarts (see recipe)
Gratin of courgettes (see recipe)
Various Mixed Salads (see Picnic and Alfresco posts), like Roasted Vegetables and Couscous (see recipe) and of course Salade Niçoise.
Goat’s cheese and lavender make a delicious combination of fragrances. I often add a bunch of lavender to the cheese board, not only does it look pretty, but it infuses unusual flavours.
La Tarte Tropezienne – In 1955 when Brigitte Bardot was making the film “And God Created Woman” in St Tropez, the pâtisserie was a big success with the film crew. Legend has BB herself name the cake after the village. With the success of the film, BB became an icon, St Tropez became famous, and so did the TarteTropezienne.
5. Entertaining – setting the scene
Photo by Grant Sainsbury
I like to keep the mood casual, reflecting the traditions and crafts of this beautiful region.
I often use Provençal quilted bedspreads to cover tables or colourful printed fabrics bought in one of the markets.
Decorating cutlery is a favourite of mine and an easy trick. I tie together cutlery and napkins with a piece of garden twine and add a few sprigs of lavender and rosemary. It looks and smells delicious.
You can use the same idea to decorate the back of chairs by gathering together bunches of lavender and rosemary tied with mauve ribbons, long enough to float in the breeze.
A small bag of “Herbes de Provence” on plates look attractive. It’s also a nice memory for the guests to take home.
An assortment of bottles of olive oil makes a nice table display. And everyone can taste the different varieties by dipping country bread into the oils of their choice.
As a hostess, a few sprigs of lavender look pretty tucked behind the ears. As a host, I sometimes decorate my straw hat with a small bunch of lavender – it always brings a smile to my guests’ faces.
At the end of summer, cut back the lavender, tie with hessian and hang it to dry. Later, place it in wardrobes to deter moths and it smells fragrant.

domain: artistic


text:
Saalburg-Ebersdorf is a town in the Saale-Orla-Kreis district, in Thuringia, Germany close to the Bavarian border. It is situated on the river Saale, 10 km southwest of Schleiz, 30 km west of Plauen and 30 km north-west of Hof.
|• Mayor||Volker Ortwig|
|• Total||71.87 km2 (27.75 sq mi)|
|Elevation||431 m (1,414 ft)|
|• Density||47/km2 (120/sq mi)|
|Time zone||CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)|
|Dialling codes||036647, 036651|
The town is an administrative union of two large villages (Saalburg and Ebersdorf) lying either side of the Saale river near the Bleilochtalsperre as well as several smaller villages in between and around them.
The earliest records of the towns and villages of Saalburg-Ebersdorf are from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. They lay on and around the historical trade route between Nuremberg and Leipzig.
Saalburg and Ebersdorf became increasingly important in the seventeenth century as regional seats of the Counts von Reuss.
Saalburg was established under the Lobdaburger reign in around 1313. Some ruins from this early settlement remain today, including a 3-meter-high remnant of the city wall.
From 1647-1666, Saalburg was the seat of the state of Reuss-Saalburg.
Saalburg subsequently became part of the state of Reuss-Greiz (or Reuss Elder Line).
Ebersdorf dates its foundation to 1401.
Under the influence of the Reuss Princes, Ebersdorf became a centre of Pietism in Germany. The related Moravian faith also took a minority hold in Ebersdorf after the marriage of Erdmuthe Dorothea Reuss-Ebersdorf to Nicolaus Zinzendorf.
The Moravian Church (pictured) was built in 1746. The classical west facade of Schloss Ebersdorf, shown in the main photo above, was designed by Christian Friedrich Schuricht and was completed in 1792.
Napoleonic wars and German confederationEdit
On 8 October 1806, Napoleon's troops first entered Prussian territory and battles took place on the banks of the Saale between the forces of Napoleon I of France and Frederick William III of Prussia. Napoleon spent the night of 8 October in Schloss Ebersdorf. This (a precursor to the Battle of Schleiz on 9 October and the Battle of Jena-Auerstadt on 14 October), was the first battle of the War of the Fourth Coalition.
From 1807 until 1813, the Principality of Reuss-Ebersdorf became part of the Confederation of the Rhine. From 1813, the Principality became a member (successively) of the German Confederation the Thuringian Trade Association, the Central German Trade Association and (from 1833) the Zollverein. In 1849, the Principality became a constitutional monarchy. During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the Principality took a neutral position while the Reuss, Elder Line was aligned with the Austrian Empire. Both joined the North German Confederation in 1866 and became part of unified Germany in 1871.
In 1919, Ebersdorf became part of the independent (and short-lived) Republic of Reuss, before this state (and hence Ebersdorf) joined the Weimar Republic.
After the Second World War, the region became part of the newly created District of Gera (Bezirk Gera) in 1952 within the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). After German reunification in 1990, Salburg and Ebersdorf became part of the restored state of Thuringia.
Formation of Saalburg-EbersdorfEdit
Saalburg and Ebersdorf were legally merged on 1 January 2003 and, on 6 May 2006, they absorbed the previously independent municipalities of Friesau, Röppisch, Schönbrunn and Zoppoten.
- The Steinerne Rose is a rare form of natural rock monument.
Saalburg-Ebersdorf hosts the SonneMondSterne festival, an outdoor music festival which is one of the largest in Europe and which has featured acts such as Massive Attack; David Guetta; Skrillex; The Chemical Brothers; Hot Chip; Faithless; Kraftwerk; and Underworld.
Countess Augusta Reuss-Ebersdorf, daughter of Count Heinrich XXIV, was the mother of Leopold I of Belgium and Victoria, Duchess of Kent and grandmother of Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Ferdinand II of Portugal, Leopold II of Belgium, and Empress Carlota of Mexico, among others.
Erdmuthe Dorothea, Countess von Reuss-Ebersdorf (1700–1757) married Nicolaus Ludwig, Imperial Count von Zinzendorf (1700–1760) Renewer of the Moravian Church in 1722. Her family became very involved in the Moravian Church and a Moravian Settlement was started in Ebersdorf in the 1730s. The settlement was a center of education and social work in the Thuringian Forest. Today the Moravian Church operates a children's home and retreat center in the Congregation in Ebersdorf.
- "Bevölkerung der Gemeinden, erfüllenden Gemeinden und Verwaltungsgemeinschaften in Thüringen Gebietsstand: 31.12.2019". Thüringer Landesamt für Statistik (in German). August 2020.
- Wolfgang Kahl.Ersterwähnung Thüringer Städte und Dörfer, Verlag Rochstuhl, Bad-Langensalza 2010, ISBN 978-3-86777-202-0, S. 63, 81, ?, 155, 222, 226, 238, 243, 255, 311,326
- Cf. Douglas H. Shantz, An Introduction to German Pietism. Cf. especially Reinhard Breymayer: Friedrich Christoph Steinhofer. Ein pietistischer Theologe zwischen Oetinger, Zinzendorf und Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Noûs-Verlag Thomas Leon Heck, Dußlingen 2012, ISBN 978-3-924249-53-3. – Cf. especially pp. 24–30: "Steinhofer und Goethes Umwelt". The Ebersdorf clergyman and teacher Steinhofer edited the 'Ebersdorfer Gesangbuch' and influenced Susanne von Klettenberg and her environment, particularly Goethe.
Titles of the 'Ebersdorfer Gesangbuch':
Evangelisches Gesang-Buch. In einem hinlänglichen Auszug der Alten, Neuern und Neuesten Lieder, Der Gemeine in Ebersdorf [im Vogtland] Zu öffentlichem und besonderm Gebrauch gewidmet. [Ed. by Friedrich Christoph Steinhofer.] Ebersdorf, Zu finden im Waysen-Haus. 1742.
Second edition: Evangelisches Gesang-Buch, [...] Die zweyte und vermehrte Auflage. Ebersdorf [im Vogtland], Zu finden im Waysen-Haus. 1745.
Goethe wrote on 8 September 1768 to his Leipzig friend Ernst Theodor Langer about the religious community in the environment of Goethe's mother: "Das Ebersd[orfer]. Ges[ang]. B[uch]. ist bey dieser Gemeine in grossem Ansehen, meine M[utter]. weiß sogar daß es Herrnhuterlieder sind." Cf. Johann Wolfgang Goethe: Briefe. Historisch-kritische Ausgabe, Band 1. Ed. by Elke Richter and Georg Kurscheidt. Berlin 2008, p. 131. - Goethe mentions on 15 January 1769 in a letter to Langer, that in a pietistic conventicle in his father's house "die Frauenzimm[er]. an einem Tische mit Ebersd[orfer]. Ges[ang]. Büchern" saßen. (Goethe: Briefe, ibidem, p. 155.) - In the "Bekenntnisse einer schönen Seele" of volume 3, book 6, of his novel Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre Goethe puts an appreciation of the Ebersdorfer Gesangbuch in Susanne von Klettenberg's mouth. Cf. Goethe: Sämtliche Werke, Abteilung I, Band 9, p. 768 f. - See also Franz Götting: Die Bibliothek von Goethes Vater. In: Nassauische Annalen 64 (1953), pp. 23-69, here p. 38: "Ebersdorfer Gesangbuch 1743. 8^. 545". "1743" must be corrected to "1745"; a 1743 edition of the Ebersdorfer Gesangbuch doesn't exist.
- Partnerschaften Archived 2012-02-08 at the Wayback Machine

domain: geography


text:
Audiophiles, individuals with a deep passion for high-quality sound reproduction, have long been captivated by the warm and vintage sound of vacuum tube amplifiers, often referred to as valve amplifiers or simply “tube amps.” These enthusiasts are drawn to the unique characteristics and sonic qualities that tube amplifiers offer, which set them apart from their solid-state counterparts. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why audiophiles are fond of tube amplifiers and what makes them so special in the world of high-end audio.
- Warm and Natural Sound:
One of the primary reasons audiophiles prefer tube amplifiers is their warm and natural sound signature. Tube amps are known for adding a subtle harmonic distortion to audio signals, creating a pleasant and organic tone. This characteristic is often described as “tube warmth” and is highly prized by those who appreciate a rich and immersive listening experience.
- Musicality and Emotion:
Tube amplifiers are celebrated for their ability to convey the emotional depth and musicality of recordings. Audiophiles often find that tube amps excel at reproducing the nuances of live performances, allowing listeners to connect with the music on a profound level.
- Smooth and Distortion:
Tube amps produce distortion differently from solid-state amplifiers. Instead of harsh and abrupt clipping, tubes tend to generate soft and pleasing harmonic distortion when pushed to their limits. This distortion is often preferred for its smooth and musical quality.
- Dynamic Range:
Tube amplifiers offer an impressive dynamic range, allowing them to handle both subtle and dramatic changes in volume with finesse. This attribute contributes to the amplifier’s ability to reproduce music accurately, particularly in classical and jazz genres.
- Aesthetics and Craftsmanship:
Tube amplifiers often feature a timeless and elegant design. Audiophiles appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into creating these amplifiers, with their exposed tubes and intricate circuitry, making them not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.
- Tuneable Sound:
Tube amplifiers can be fine-tuned to achieve specific tonal characteristics by selecting different types of tubes or modifying the circuit. Audiophiles often enjoy experimenting with tube rolling and circuit modifications to tailor the sound to their preferences.
- Nostalgia and Vintage Appeal:
Many audiophiles have a fondness for vintage equipment, and tube amplifiers evoke a sense of nostalgia. The vintage aesthetics and the idea of using technology from a bygone era add to their appeal.
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domain: hobby


text:
55 Van Buuren Road , 2008 Bedfordview
Yamitsuki is defined as a one stop sushi and oriental cuisine restaurant providing fast paced on-the-move lifestyles with the freshest sushi and a healthy meal. Our freshly prepared delicious food is delivered to our customers via sit-down, take away or delivery.
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As our main focus, our sushi bar has the minimalistic traditional Japanese dishes offering timeless perfection, as well as modern American and European influenced sushi dishes.
Click to see opening-times and more
Japanese / Sushi

domain: food


text:
There could be various reasons someone might remove you as a follower on Instagram. Some common causes might include the following:
- Personal preference: The person may not be interested in seeing your content and prefer to keep their feed more focused on the content they enjoy.
- Privacy concerns: The person may have privacy concerns and may not want you to see their content or have access to their profile.
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- Conflict or disagreement: If there has been a disagreement or conflict between you and the person, they may remove you as a follower to distance themselves from you.
Ultimately, the reason for removing someone as a follower is a personal decision and can vary from person to person. It’s always a good idea to respect the boundaries and preferences of others on social media platforms.

domain: sociology


Return to Transcripts main page
Connect the World
Biden Departs for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland; U.S. Urgently Investigating Documents Leak; West Bank Shooting Victim Laid to Rest; Netanyahu's Top Lieutenant Questions His Judgment; Kentucky Gunman Wrote Note before Shooting Up Bank; Abortion Pill Uncertainty; Leaked Documents Show Egypt Secretly Planned to Supply Rockets to Russia; Ireland's Ties to U.S. Presidents. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired April 11, 2023 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): I'm Becky Anderson live from Abu Dhabi where the time is 6 o'clock in the evening. This is CONNECT THE
Coming up this hour, President Biden heads to Northern Ireland as tensions rise in some parts of the country.
Ukraine downplays the impact of leaked U.S. intelligence documents.
The Kremlin says "The Wall Street Journal's" detained reporter was caught red-handed as the State Department classifies him wrongly detained.
And it's 100 days until the Women's World Cup.
ANDERSON: Well, any moment now, U.S. President Joe Biden will take off for Northern Ireland and, later this week, to Ireland on a trip that will mix
past, present and future. Biden's visit timed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement that brought peace to Northern
He'll also likely address the current economic headwinds in the wake of Brexit and promote the U.S. position as a global leader of democracy.
International diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is connecting us from Belfast.
And Nic, as we await the president's departure on Air Force One, this visit coming amid heightened security and a day after protesters attacked police
in Derry. Just explain what's going on here.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: And there's a follow- on police operation in Derry at the moment, in the cemetery where those -- that contentious parade arrived at yesterday.
It's a parade that was organized by a group, a political group that the police believe the political wing of the new IRA, that small dissident
Republican group. And at that cemetery yesterday, they were calling out for recruitment for the IRA.
Now the police went in there earlier today and said they found a suspicious device. But by the nature, that they're in this cemetery that's very close
to this community, it is a potential recipe for more confrontation with youths and the police.
But that is ongoing. The president won't see any of that. These sorts of police operations in Derry are not unusual. The police have -- or rather
the government's raised their terror threat level because they're afraid that this particular organization is trying to draw them into a
confrontation for what they call a spectacular.
This group would like nothing better than to let off a big explosion or come into confrontation with the police while President Biden is here. So
the police are very aware of that.
The security operation here in Belfast very big; an additional 300 police officers brought over from mainland U.K. But the president here arriving
late, meet with -- will meet with prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Tomorrow, a ribbon cutting ceremony at a Belfast university here in the center of Belfast. And we can expect the president to speak about the
economic opportunities for Northern Ireland.
ANDERSON: Nic Robertson's in Northern Ireland.
The U.S. President will depart the U.S. shortly on Air Force One.
From the legacy of those historic Troubles to new challenges for the U.S. on the global stage, a top Democratic lawmaker on the U.S. House
Intelligence Committee has told CNN there could be deadly consequences after the leak of highly classified U.S. military documents onto social
We are now learning more about some of the information alleged to contain, "The Washington Post" says, a document shows that Egypt, one of America's
closest allies in the Middle East, may have secretly been planning to supply rockets to Russia.
Well, CNN not yet able to independently verify those claims. Let's bring you up to speed on what we do know so far, here's Oren Liebermann.
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A damaging leak from some of the highest levels of the Pentagon, rattling U.S. officials
who fear the revelations could jeopardize sources and hurt us relations abroad.
Among the 53 classified documents reviewed by CNN, a detailed look at key shortages and Ukraine's air defenses.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): And battlefield assessments with the war in a critical phase and Ukraine preparing for a counteroffensive.
The documents were posted on Discord, a messaging and chat platform, in recent weeks, where they resided unknown to the pentagon until they were
picked up and disseminated further.
The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the leaks. The U.S. government is reviewing how this type of intelligence
shared. The Pentagon has already taken some steps to tighten the flow of such sensitive information.
JOHN KIRBY, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL COORDINATOR FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS: We're taking this very, very seriously. There is no excuse
for these kinds of documents to be in the public domain. At the top of some documents, an alphabet soup of government secrecy.
Top secret SI-GAMMA is signals intelligence. NOFORN is no foreign nationals and FISA stands for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The documents also reveal U.S. efforts to spy on allies around the world. A CIA intel update from March 1st says Israel's spy agency the Mossad
advocated for protests against the government. The Israeli prime minister's office said the report was without any foundation whatsoever.
Another document has information and internal deliberations within South Korea to sell artillery ammo that could eventually go to Ukraine. The
report came from signals intelligence, which includes intercepted communications and drew backlash from Seoul.
KIM BYUNG JOO, SOUTH KOREAN LAWMAKER: We strongly regret that the top U.S. intelligence agency had been illegally spying on allies like our country.
We strongly demand a thorough investigation and urged that similar incidents do not occur.
LIEBERMANN: An official from one of the countries and Five Eyes, a crucial intelligence sharing arrangement between the U.S. and some of its closest
allies said they expected the U.S. to share a damage assessment even as they conduct an assessment of their own.
LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: It's not only the kind of intelligence we collect on foes but also the kind of intelligence that all
nations connect -- collect on their friends, too. We do this, other nations do it, too. But you don't like it to be put into the public space.
ANDERSON: For more reaction from the Pentagon, let's bring in Natasha Bertrand.
What do we know about the investigation so far at this point?
NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky. The Pentagon has set up an interagency effort to look into how this leak is potentially
going to damage U.S. national security, including whether any sensitive sources and methods have been compromised as a result of this leak of
classified documents, which have been online for at least a month.
There do appear to be dozens and dozens of these documents. And the Pentagon still doesn't know at this point just how many documents there
actually are, kind of floating out there on the internet.
They have not managed to tell us whether they have actually contained the leak at this point or if there are more documents out there that they just
don't know about. So that is also going to be a part of the Pentagon investigation that is going to be coordinated across the entire government.
So multiple different agencies, along with the Pentagon, will be looking at the impact that this leak, this disclosure, this unauthorized breach has
had on U.S. national security. In addition to that the Pentagon is going to be reviewing who gets this information right.
So whether or not and everyone who receives these kinds of classified daily updates are actually supposed to be receiving them, whether these
distribution lists should actually be smaller and, of course, looking at who could have had access to these documents.
The Justice Department, meanwhile, is focusing on a criminal investigation, which is going to be centered around who leaked this information, because,
of course, whoever leaked it is likely in a world of trouble, because these documents are so highly classified as Oren laid out in his piece there.
Some of them are actually top secret, which is among the highest classification levels that the U.S. government has. So the Justice
Department, Pentagon investigations are separate but complementary.
And of course, it could take months. We are told before the Pentagon really has a good idea of just how damaging this leak could be, not only to U.S.
national security but also to the national security of our allies, many of whom have classified and sensitive information included in a lot of these
documents that have been leaked online -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Natasha Bertrand on the story for you, Natasha. Thank you.
Well, the U.S. State Department, meantime, has formally designated journalist Evan Gershkovich as wrongfully detained by Russia. The
designation allows the U.S. to negotiate for "The Wall Street Journal" reporter's release, including a potential prisoner exchange.
Now Russia has responded by saying Gershkovich had been caught red-handed, breaking the law. As of Monday, the U.S. embassy in Moscow said it had not
been allowed to speak to him since his arrest.
Just days after two of her children were buried, a British Israeli mother has also been laid to rest in the West Bank.
ANDERSON: Lucy Dee and two of her daughters died after a suspected Palestinian gun attack on Friday. Her funeral, a short time ago, follows
West Bank clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians that left more than 200 people injured, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The latest unrest happening as Israel's national security minister joined thousands of settlers on Monday in a march to an abandoned Israeli outpost
in the West Bank. The crowd called on Israel to legalize the outpost, which is on land the Palestinians say they own.
CNN's Hadas Gold joins us live from Jerusalem -- Hadas.
HADAS GOLD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky. People like Itamar Ben-Gvir are being blamed by people like former prime minister Yair
Lapid for the recent flareup in tensions, specifically because Ben-Gvir is a senior minister in this government and he, as you saw, was marching
toward the settlement that this own government still deems illegal.
The government that he is technically still a part of. And, of course, Itamar Ben-Gvir's in charge of the police, who raided the Al-Aqsa mosque
last week. But others are saying, you know, look, at least in the recent security flare-ups, rockets being fired from Lebanon and Syria and Gaza,
didn't evolve into something even greater.
And as we heard from Benjamin Netanyahu last night, the defense minister, Yoav Gallant, who was fired, who Ben-Gvir called for his firing, has been
unfired now and is still in his post. But you cannot ignore the influence that these new right wing politicians have on this new government.
GOLD (voice-over): When Benjamin Netanyahu entered office for his third stint in December, he did so only with the support of far right parties,
once considered the fringe of Israeli politics.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: The way it is now --
GOLD (voice-over): When asked by CNN's Jake Tapper about their influence in his government, he brushed them off.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL: I've got my two hands on the wheel. And believe me, it's going to be a good direction.
GOLD (voice-over): Even if Netanyahu's hands are on the wheel, people like national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir are making it a bumpy ride.
AMIT SEGAL, CHIEF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, CHANNEL 12 NEWS: I think Netanyahu got his hands on the steering wheel but he is bankville (ph) and
Smotrich with their leg on the gas. Netanyahu is the prime minister, no doubt. But he's not the leader of this government.
GOLD (voice-over): Now overseeing the Israeli police, whose multiple raids into the Al-Aqsa mosque last week after Palestinians barricaded themselves
inside, helped spark rocket fire from Lebanon and Gaza.
Former prime minister Yair Lapid calling on Netanyahu to strip Ben-Gvir of his police powers over the holy sites.
YAIR LAPID, FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (voice-over): The Temple Mount during Ramadan is the most explosive place in the world. It is not possible
that it is being dealt with by a clown on TikTok that has lost the confidence of the police and the forces on the ground.
GOLD (voice-over): On Monday, Ben-Gvir marching alongside thousands of Israeli settlers to an outpost still deemed illegal under this government,
as Palestinians clashed with Israeli security nearby.
Last month protests against Netanyahu's massive judicial overhaul plan exploded into the biggest general strike in Israeli history. For hours,
Netanyahu was nowhere to be seen, just a tweet urging protesters to behave responsibly.
Instead, the news of a pause to the legislation came in the form of a statement from Ben-Gvir, who seemed to be the final stumbling block before
the pullback could be announced.
Guaranteed a new national guard under his ministry in exchange for agreeing to the pause, although he promised his supporters that the overhaul will
EHUD BARAK, FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: So that's a lunatic step of Netanyahu, which shows to what extent he cannot make a sincere judgment.
GOLD (voice-over): Now even Netanyahu's own former top lieutenants are questioning his judgment.
EFRAIM HALEVY, FORMER MOSSAD CHIEF: I believe that the Benjamin Netanyahu of today is not the Benjamin Netanyahu that I knew when he appointed me
head of Mossad.
And I agree for this but I cannot accept that he could -- should continue and lead the country.
GOLD (voice-over): As Israel quickly approaches at 75th independence day, Netanyahu driving the country into unknown territory.
GOLD: And Becky, Jerusalem has been quiet over the last few days in comparison, of course, to last week. But there is a question about what
will happen over these last 10 days of Ramadan and whether non Muslims will be allowed to go up to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple
In the past, the Israeli police have prevented non Muslims from going up for the past -- for the last 10 days. But people like the national security
minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, have advocated for Jewish visits to the compound.
And prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his speech last night said that they will make a security assessment on a day by day basis to see whether
they will allow non Muslims up because, if you see especially Jewish groups going up --
GOLD: -- that could only further inflame what would have already been sky high tensions now here, Becky.
ANDERSON: Absolutely Hadas Gold is in Jerusalem for you.
Myanmar's shadow government says about 100 people have been killed in an airstrike launched by the military junta. The images that we are about to
show you are disturbing.
Local media reported the attack happened just hours ago in a village where people were gathering for the opening of a new town office. CNN not able to
confirm the authenticity of these photos and the military junta has yet comment publicly on what is this alleged attack. More on that, of course,
as we get it.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Coming up, it has happened nearly 150 times in the U.S. this year. The grim details of
the latest mass shooting there when a Kentucky man opened fire at a bank and livestreamed the attack.
Plus the Tennessee Three a step closer to being reunited. One state representative thrown off the job for a gun violence protest is reinstated,
at least for now.
ANDERSON: We are learning more about the breaking news. It was unfolding on this program yesterday, the 146th mass shooting so far this year in the
United States. This time it happened, of course, in Louisville, Kentucky.
A 25 year old bank employee opened fire in a staff meeting. At least five people were killed. Several others, including two police officers, were
seriously wounded. My colleague, CNN's Adrienne Broaddus, has the story.
ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The search for a motive begins in Louisville, Kentucky, after police say a 25 year old bank employee shot his
coworkers, leaving at least five dead.
INTERIM CHIEF JACQUELYN GWINN-VILLAROEL, LOUISVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT: The suspect shot at officers. We then returned fire and stopped that threat.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Police shot and killed the gunman, Connor Sturgeon. Investigators say he was still firing his AR-15 style rifle when officers
arrived. The shooter had worked at Old National Bank for more than a year but a law enforcement source says Sturgeon was recently told he would be
The source says Sturgeon wrote a note to his parents and a friend, indicating he was going to carry out a shooting at the bank. It's not clear
when the note was found.
CALEB GOODLETT, OLD NATIONAL BANK EMPLOYEE'S HUSBAND: I got a call from my wife, panicking, that she was locked in the vault.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Police say the shooter livestreamed the attack to Instagram. It was also streamed to a Monday morning bank meeting, Rebecca
Buchheit-Sims, a manager at the bank, tells CNN.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Sims says she watched from her computer as her coworkers were gunned down in the conference room. She says she didn't work
directly with the alleged shooter but knew him to be, quote, "extremely intelligent with a low-key temperament."
SWAT teams raided the gunman's home Monday afternoon as officials praised the quick action of first responders.
GOV. ANDY BESHEAR (D-KY): It's got to be about them and the heroic actions of everybody who responded.
BROADDUS (voice-over): One of the officers who ran into the gunfire was rookie cop Nickolas Wilt, who was shot in the head and is in critical
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're all praying and supporting him. It was just a 1.5 weeks ago that I gave him, along with the chief, his graduation diploma
from the academy.
BROADDUS (voice-over): One of the five victims, a senior vice president at the bank, was a close friend of the governor.
BESHEAR: Tommy Elliott helped me build my law career, helped me become governor, gave me advice on being a good dad.
ANDERSON: Adrienne Broaddus, reporting from Louisville, Kentucky. There
Now this comes as new research shows gun violence has affected most families in the United States. Next hour, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be
here to talk more about that.
Well, in Tennessee, state lawmaker Justin Jones has now been reinstated. Local council members in Nashville voted unanimously to return him to his
seat after he was removed last week by Republicans for protesting gun violence on the house floor.
Fellow Democrat Justin Pearson could also be reinstated soon as CNN's Isabel Rosales now reports.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome our newest member to the House chambers, state representative Justin Jones.
ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Reinstated: Democrat Justin Jones walking back into the Tennessee House of Representatives to the sound of
cheers, four days after being expelled by the state's Republican majority.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to welcome democracy back to the people's house.
ROSALES (voice-over): In a unanimous vote, the Nashville Metropolitan Council reappointing Jones as an interim representative from Nashville's
house district 52.
Late Monday, Jones spoke from the steps of the capital, thanking supporters while calling for the resignation of Tennessee Speaker of the House.
JUSTIN JONES (D-TN), STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Today we're sending a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of
silence. Today we send a clear message to Speaker Cameron Sexton that the people will not allow his crimes against democracy to happen without
ROSALES (voice-over): Republicans expelled Jones and his colleague, Justin Pearson, for violating rules of decorum during a protest last week on gun
reform in the wake of the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville last month.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a sacred place that belongs to everybody and literally start looking up into the gallery with a bullhorn, getting the
protesters worked up into a frenzy. That is incumbent on us to say you've gone a step too far.
JUSTIN PEARSON, (D-TN), STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Sometimes rules have to be broken in order for the voices that have been marginalized and told that
they are voiceless to be heard.
ROSALES (voice-over): As for Pearson, he says he's hopeful his vacant Memphis district seat will also be addressed during a special meeting
PEARSON: If it is the will of God and the people in Shelby County for me to serve, I promise to continue to do so and I'm going to do it, I believe,
with all of the people who continue to show up for us in this moment, who are saying it's enough. And now is the time for us to create change in this
ANDERSON: That's Isabel Rosales in Nashville, Tennessee, for you.
To a closely watched abortion medication case now in the United States. The Justice Department and an abortion pill manufacturer are requesting a
freeze on an order from a Texas judge to suspend the approval of a widely used medication.
As of right now, that order goes into effect nationwide on Friday. Senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen shows us how doctors are preparing
for what may come next.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At this women's healthcare clinic in Ohio, Dr. David Burkons is telling women who
were expecting to get medication abortions next week that they should change their plans.
DR. DAVID BURKONS, NORTHEAST OHIO WOMEN'S CENTER: They're scrambling to change their schedules to get into see us earlier.
COHEN: Dr. Burkons says his lawyer told him that starting Saturday he can't give the drug mifepristone for abortions or miscarriages, because of
a federal judge's ruling in Texas last week. Mifepristone in a regiment with another drug called misoprostol, is FDA approved for abortion, up
until 10 weeks after the last period and they've been used safely for more than 20 years.
Data analyzed by CNN shows mifepristone is even safer than some common, low risk prescription drugs, including penicillin and Viagra. Misoprostol can
be used on its own in a medication abortion but it's not FDA approved that way.
COHEN (voice-over): Studies show it's not as effective and some doctors say it can make a woman feel much worse.
DR. ERIKA WERNER, TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER: We're more likely to see failures and therefore more likely to need surgical intervention after misoprostol
alone. Dr. Erica Werner is chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Tufts Medical Center in Massachusetts.
We trained to try to keep people healthy. Give them the most evidence based care and this ruling really jeopardizes that. We're feeling demoralized.
We're feeling scared for our patients.
COHEN: She's hoping that something will stop the Texas ruling from going into effect.
WERNER: We may get advice from lawyers as the week goes on about whether we really need to stop next week.
COHEN: Monday, U.S Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra vowed that the Biden administration would use every resource to protect a
woman's right to reproductive health care.
XAVIER BECERRA, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: And I say this for every woman in America who may need mifepristone -- mifepristone is still
legal for use. Mifepristone is still available today. And we are going to do everything we can within the legal process to ensure that that doesn't
COHEN: But at clinics around the country --
BURKONS: There's a lot of uncertainty.
COHEN: -- they don't know what will happen next if they'll be able to keep giving their patients the best possible care -- Elizabeth Cohen, CNN,
ANDERSON (voice-over): And just moments ago, the U.S. President, Joe Biden, calling the judge's decision completely out of bounds.
Well, let's get you up to speed on some other stories that are on our radar right now.
And the Italian Coast Guard is escorting two boats carrying 1,200 migrants through rough waters in the Mediterranean Sea. One of the boats ran out of
fuel and started to take on water. Italy's interior ministry says more than 28,000 migrants have arrived in the country so far this year. That is a
significant surge compared to recent years.
U.S. and Philippine military officials joined hands on Tuesday to mark the start of their largest ever military drills. More than 17,000 service
members from both countries will be taking part in the 18-day event. Part of the drills will include disaster relief preparedness.
One of Russia's most active volcanoes is spewing ash 20 kilometers above sea level. Russian state media says that that has triggered an aviation
warning around the country's far eastern Kamchatka region.
Video posted on social media from the region shows ash covering local villages. Scientists also point to a risk of hot lava flows blocking roads.
You are watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Still ahead, U.S. President Joe Biden returning to his ancestral roots this week. A look
at his and former U.S. presidents' deep connections to Ireland. That coming up.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. The time here is just before half past 6:00. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD.
Your headlines this hour are as follows.
"The Washington Post" reporting that the leaked Pentagon documents reveal that Egypt may have been secretly planning to supply rockets to Russia.
CNN cannot independently verify these claims and the Pentagon has said it has taken steps to tighten the flow of information as the Biden
administration scrambles to minimize the fallout from what are these leaked documents.
Hundreds of mourners turned out to say farewell to a British Israeli mother, laid to rest earlier today in the West Bank. Lucy Dee's funeral
comes just days after two of her children were also buried. All three were killed in a suspected Palestinian gun attack on Friday.
ANDERSON: More now on Joe Biden's trip to Northern Ireland and Ireland. At the start of this newscast, we told you about the U.S. President's plans to
commemorate Northern Ireland's Good Friday agreement. He talked about that a few minutes ago just before he boarded Air Force One for Belfast. Have a
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: What's your top priority on this trip?
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Make sure the Irish accords and the winter (ph) agreement stay in place. Keep the peace. That's the
main thing. And it looks like we're going to -- keep your fingers crossed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: There's also a deeply personal aspect to this visit. The president's ancestors were born in Ireland and he has relatives there. As
Donie O'Sullivan tells us, Mr. Biden is the latest in a string of U.S. presidents with an Irish heritage.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm currently at probably the most highly regarded landmark in Ireland.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to Barack Obama Plaza.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's become a viral favorite on TikTok on the site of an Irish motorway, a rest stop named
after President Barack Obama.
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hello, Ireland. My name is Barack Obama of the Moneygall Obamas.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Barack Obama Plaza was built here in the tiny village of Moneygall where Obama's ancestors immigrated from in the 19th
OBAMA: I suspect you don't always dress up this much.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Obama visited the village in 2011.
O'SULLIVAN: That makes you guys --
HENRY HEALY, EIGHTH COUSIN OF FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Eighth cousins.
O'SULLIVAN: What's your nickname?
HEALY: He gave me the nickname Henry VIII.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Henry Healy is Obama's distant cousin and is now a manager at the Barack Obama Plaza.
(on-camera): I think it definitely raises some eyebrows in the United States when they hear there's a rest stop at the side of a highway named
after an American president.
HEALY: There's be some shock and all. The cardboard cutouts that we have here are phenomenally popular.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thousands cheer with the enthusiasm that only Irishman can -- O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Ireland's love affair with U.S. presidents
began when President John F. Kennedy visit his ancestral home here in New Ross County, Wexford in 1963.
(on-camera): And you were sitting in the front row?
MARK MINIHAN, IN CROWD FOR JOHN F. KENNEDY'S 1963 SPEECH IN IRELAND: I was about I'd say maybe 10, 15 yards out there.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Mark Minihan's dad was mayor of New Ross at the time and was to introduce Kennedy to the crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me?
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Some of the microphone stopped working just as JFK arrived.
MINIHAN: Microphones broke down just before he started, so he was even more uptight.
O'SULLIVAN: The microphones broke down?
MINIHAN: The microphones broke down when President Kennedy was only over at --coming along the street here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're in right trouble now.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): The technical glitch was eventually resolved and the speech ended up going ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It took 115 years to make this trip.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): A trip which included a visit here.
PATRICK GRENNAN, IRISH RELATIVE OF LATE U.S. PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY: So this is the original farm yards the president's great grandfather, Patrick
Kennedy left from. He actually left through that gate, the same gate --
O'SULLIVAN: Oh wow.
GRENNAN: -- during the famine when he went off to Boston.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Like many Irish-Americans, Kennedy's great grandfather immigrated to the United States during the Irish potato famine.
GRENNAN: I think he decided to come back to Europe and show that he was proud of his peasant roots.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Kennedy began a tradition of presidential visits to Ireland Reagan visited in 1984.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So many Irish men and women from every walk of life played a role in creating the dream of America. O'SULLIVAN (voice-over):
The interiors of this pub and Reagan's ancestral village of Ballyporeen were eventually shipped to California to the Reagan Presidential Library.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Now perhaps the most Irish of Irish-American presidents is about to visit the country and his cousins, the Blewitts here
in Ballina, County Mayo are getting ready.
(on-camera): Tell us how you're related to the President, first of all.
JOE BLEWITT, IRISH RELATIVE OF U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: So my dad is his third cousin. So his great, great grandfather, Edward Blewitt left Ballina
in the 1860s. And he went to move to Scranton.
O'SULLIVAN: Girls, how does it feel to be related to a president?
EMILY BLEWITT, IRISH RELATIVES OF U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: It's very exciting.
LAUREN BLEWITT, IRISH RELATIVES OF U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Yes.
E. BLEWITT: Because he's president.
O'SULLIVAN: And have you met him before?
LAUREN AND EMILY BLEWITT: Yes, we've met twice. Yes.
O'SULLIVAN: What did he say to you?
LAUREN BLEWITT: He's just -- he was just eating our chips and when fancy meals came out, he just wanted the chips and chicken nuggets.
O'SULLIVAN: He was stealing your chicken nuggets?
LAUREN AND EMILY BLEWITT: Yes.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Biden's ancestors, the Blewitts and the Finnegans immigrated from counties, Mayo and Louth.
(on-camera): Your dad and Joe Biden are third cousins?
LAURITA BLEWITT, IRISH RELATIVE OF U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Yes.
O'SULLIVAN: But you seem to be the favorite cousin.
LAURITA BLEWITT: I don't know why. It was -- well, maybe it's just my personality.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hi, everybody.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Biden has visited Ireland in the past and Laurita Blewitt has made multiple trips to the White House but this wouldn't be the
first time they will welcome him to Ireland as president.
LAURITA BLEWITT: We've struck up a great friendship since the first day that we met. You know, his family are steeped in Irish traditions. You
know, he talks about it all the time as he tells great stories growing up and basically growing up in an Irish household even though, you know,
obviously, they were very much American.
(voice-over): From accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom --
BIDEN: You know, I can't let it come and go by without quoting an Irish poet.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): To accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
BIDEN: The Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote --
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Biden always seems to have a line of Irish poetry to hand.
BIDEN: But then, once in a lifetime, the longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme.
J. BLEWITT: And he's just so proud of those roots, like he's really proud of Irish roots. Yes, we have had the presidents but this president is more
important I think than the rest of them.
ANDERSON: Donie O'Sullivan joining me now from Belfast.
And Joe Biden now on his way. We saw him take off in Air Force One just about a half hour ago. Assuming the winds are OK, he should be with you in
Belfast on time. He'll spend a day there. But actually, most of this trip, of course, is going to be south of the border.
And I guess it's going to be a slightly different trip for him to a certain extent, because this is the first time that -- he is U.S. President but he
does seem to have a lot of not just supporters there but family who were looking forward to this trip.
O'SULLIVAN: Yes, I mean, look, some of the cousins that we spoke to there, they may be relatively distant cousins but he does have a genuine
connection with them. You know, many of them have been going to the White House; they were there recently for St. Patrick's Day.
And they seem to have that genuine connection with him. Of course, obviously, before he does go south of the border here, he will be here in
Belfast to -- on the anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, which is, you know, a celebration of the peace accords here.
But also it is quite still an uneasy peace. And things have not quite settled here. And of course, the power sharing government that was set up
under that agreement is not functioning at the moment.
So you know, touching on some serious issues here. But I think once he goes to the Republic of Ireland, it's very much going to become a very personal
trip for him.
ANDERSON: Well, ahead of his arrival, Mr. Biden saying, and I quote him.
"I look forward to marking the anniversary in Belfast, underscoring the U.S. commitment to preserving peace and encouraging prosperity."
As you say, you know, it's a -- it's better but there are still issues and he will, I'm sure, discuss those with those that he meets in Belfast. And
Donie, you're there to cover that trip. Thank you very much indeed.
Donie O'Sullivan in the house for you folks.
Next hour on CONNECT THE WORLD, I'll talk with the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Doug Beattie. He has praise for the Good Friday agreement
but says it needs to be revised. More next hour when CONNECT THE WORLD returns for you.
Tonight we'll show you how FIFA is counting down the final 100 days until the start of the Women's World Cup.


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Does free will actually exist or is it just an illusion? 38,8% People in Europe seek psychological help. There are not yet those people who do not have a good relationship or are not kind to themselves. "Does free will really exist?" Denys Sharn Weaver the audience. His performance at the Volksbühne am Rudolfplatz in Cologne was mainly about the topic "consciousness". "We live in a time of enlightenment. I would like to give you consciousness today. For we may become more conscious and live. It is time that everyone has the courage to show their opinion.
More awareness of your strengths
As we grow older, we often forget what our strengths are. Therefore Denys Scharnweber raises two important questions:
- "What would you do in your life if you were no longer afraid?"
- "What wouldn't you do now if you didn't have Fear ...had more?"
Maybe you know this from your life? You want to make a decision - but you are not yet taking this step because you are hesitating. Maybe there are reasons why you cannot decide yet.
"What I've found in my life as a coach Techniques will not help people! Why? Because you are human. Because you feel. You are not a technique, not a model. You are not a bottle to which you just stick a label," emphasises the native-born hamburger.
Denys Scharnweber: "More awareness of your patterns that make you unfree!"
Remember where you come from! You were born with a naked and beautiful heart. Then there comes a time when we grow older and scaffolds are built. "Why do we adults build scaffolds? Do we really have free will?" asks Denys Scharnweber.
In the course of life you acquire supposed strategies for success: In conflict situations you run away, hide or attack. "In fact, you are not always free in your decisions. Have you ever experienced something in your life that you have not processed properly? Do you know patterns in your life where you always react in the same way? Develop an awareness of them."
Denys Scharnweber: "We store good and bad experiences in ourselves"
"The fact is that when you come to earth you will be endowed with the body and mind We collect good and bad experiences. We store them in us and believe that we are the sum of all experiences. But you are not," Denys clarifies. "Because if I were to take them away from you now, you would still be there. As true and beautiful as you were once born!
Be more aware of your feelings
Are you aware that you can connect with your feelings? "I trained that a few years ago with a client who had a hard time making decisions. He had broken up with his girlfriend, but after a few months he realized that he still loved her and wanted to have her back," the expert says.
"If you have an experience in your life that has hurt you, you cannot handle it in the night alone. That's what we call REM sleep: Rapid Eye Movement. In this phase during the night while you are sleeping, experienced situations are processed and recorded information is partly stored in the long-term memory.
Release your emotions to think freely again
"So my client's memory was saved: "When I make decisions, it hurts. An emotion must be released so that you can think and decide freely again. Otherwise you are not free in your will and above all free to go your own way. Ask yourself: "What are my scaffolds, my Statements of Faith? What we can learn in particular from our children is a millennium old philosophy: They come into the world and believe in something wonderful!
Denys Scharnweber: "If you trust, all will come to you and serve you."
Assuming there is a source. We all come from one source. "Imagine that you are born from the heart of God or from the heart or love," the speaker takes his audience on a little journey. "If you believe this, you will be able to flow in the river of life. If you trust, everything will come to you and serve you."
And children do nothing else: they let the river flow. But if you no longer trust, you go down a rocky road. "Choose 100% for this life - and not for beliefs you believe to be true. Let's learn to look at these patterns and let's learn to communicate," is Denys Scharnweber's tip.
Diverting awareness to emotional drawers
Communication, emotion and feelings should actually be a subject in school, says Denys, "It's time we changed that. For me, this is the basic education - communication and showing yourself - then, in my opinion, bullying will stop!"
We should encourage, support. Look at your emotional pigeonholes that you've experienced and dissolve them. Let us get back into the flow of life and trust that we belong and belong together. "Since I understood this for myself, my life has changed.
Your key to happiness: Let go, then life can be very simple!
Find the right people in your environment with whom you can build up a field. Become more visible and make others more visible. Let go, then life can be very easy!
"We're not allowed to feel good about ourselves. But don't dwell in it. Look at your issues and bring clarity to yourself," Denys wants to inspire you. "I wish you to live more and more with ease in this world!"

domain: psychology


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We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, one of the main reasons why we love our job is because we get to meet some really lovely and talented folk. Ruby from Frank on Olive has kindly written this fabulous blog on crochet through the ages.
Throughout the decades crochet has stayed pretty much the same, swooping in and out of fashion magazines and catwalks around the world, that same old traditional square pattern you see thrown over the back of your grandma’s armchair – you’d think…? When you think of crochet, granted, you probably think of the garish granny squares in mustard yellows and pillar box reds of the seventies, when crochet was plastered all over everyone’s home. But if you actually take it right back to the beginning, you’d be surprised that crochet actually has quite a colourful past.
What I find really endearing about the ‘birth’ of crochet, is that it actually became popular in Ireland, during Great Irish Famine in the 1840s. Learning the art of crochet to create and sell ‘Irish Lace’ was an alternative way of making money for some families, and actually saved many during times of desperation.
Through this market, crochet became very popular in Europe and America, and ‘Irish Lace’ was soon a rather exclusive fashion accessory for the wealthy. It then became even more popular when Queen Victoria learnt to crochet, firmly pushing crochet on and into the 20th Century.
In the 1920s crochet evolved completely. Going from the very intricate, lace-like crochet seen on the lavish gowns from the turn of the century, to being used in a whole new way. This was when crochet started to be used as a fabric to create a garment, as opposed to being used as a luxurious embellishment. Instead of using thread, which was used to make lace, designers began using yarn, which was much thicker. It was now possible to create entire garments from crochet- that were not only wearable, but would also keep their shape. One of the more recognized fashions of the 20s, arguably, is the cloche hat. Traditionally thought to be made from felted wool, cloche hats were often crocheted, which again, brought crochet back into the limelight.
Throughout the 30s, 40s & 50s, crochet continued to be used to create garments and accessories, evolving and moulding itself to compliment the ever changing fashions – structured and fitted blouses, beautifully delicate evening gowns, adding detail and femininity to simple garments and as glamorous fashion accessories such as shawls and scarves.
It wasn’t until the 1960s & 70s that crochet began to come into its own. During this time there was a huge demand for home crafts and ‘modernising’ the home – and so the granny square was born. Moving away from the traditional crochet we’d seen up to then, albeit not completely, crochet started to introduce bright and bold colour, creating a number of (some might think) garish home textiles. The granny square being the door to a whole new world of modern crochet, which is what crochet was to be associated with from then on. In the 70s, the world literally went ‘crochet mad’. From blankets and cushions, to bath mats and toilet seat covers – there was a crochet pattern for everything.
Crochet had not only taken over the homes in the 70s, it had also taken over the wardrobes as well – with some rather hilarious outfits to say the least…
Then crochet started to slowly disappear start of the 21st century, crochet was an almost completely forgotten craft – all that remained were the blankets and bedspreads that your grandmother once made. It wasn’t until recent years that crochet has been revived, and with a little modern twist, it is now quickly reappearing in the homes, magazines and wardrobes of today.
Crochet is now more in demand than it has ever been, and with a new chic and contemporary style, it is firmly back on the pages of high fashion magazines and blogs – but as you’ve never seen it before.
If you fancy giving crochet a go take a look at Frank and Olive’s Facebook Page for details of Ruby’s fabulous courses.
We’ll be back soon with more pre-loved inspiration and humbling stories! Alex and Sam x


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Traditionally, the European Union – the federation of 28 nations with 512 million inhabitants – has prided itself on being the global front runner in progressive policies on the environment and climate change. It has championed binding CO2 reduction targets in international negotiations, led the world in adopting renewable energy technologies, imposed strict rules that protect consumers from dangerous chemicals and pollutants, and created an extensive network of protected areas in densely populated Europe.
In recent years, however, a wave of nationalism and populism — which have included exhausting negotiations over Britain’s exit from the EU and a rise of right-wing governments from Hungary, to Italy, to Estonia — has consumed all political energy and brought the EU’s environmental agenda nearly to a stop. The major political parties in the European Union have deemed the environment to be of lower concern to their voters, far behind migration and economic growth.
That retreat may now have been halted. Inspired, or perhaps shamed, by continent-wide youth strikes protesting the lack of action on climate change, European Union voters turned the Green Party into one of the biggest winners in the recent elections to the European Parliament. The Greens increased the number of seats they hold in the 751-seat European Parliament, the EU’s joint legislative body, from 52 to 69. That green bloc is now the fourth-largest in the European Parliament, and with the share of center-right Conservatives and center-left Social Democrats down, analysts say the Greens are in a position to tip the scales in the parliament’s decision-making over the next five years. Experts say they could even play a role as kingmakers for the EU’s top job, the president of the hugely powerful administrative European Commission, with its 32,000 employees.
“Many people now hope that European climate policy will be revitalized, and that we will head toward carbon neutrality in 2050 and a minimum price for CO2 emissions,” says Maja Göpel, a political economist and head of the German Advisory Council on Global Change, the government’s leading expert group on environmental affairs.
One in five German voters supported the Green Party in the recent elections, a record.
The European Parliament results in Germany, the EU’s most populous nation, show how public sentiment — and electoral clout — have shifted in favor of the Greens. In recent years, instead of living up to its former role as an environmental pioneer, Germany has blocked EU environmental progress, Göpel argues. But after months of weekly protests by tens of thousands of striking school students in the so-called “Fridays for the Future” movement, one in five German voters supported the Green Party in the May 26 elections, a record level of support. To the amazement of the media and the shock of the ruling parties, the Greens came in second place, ahead of the greatly diminished Social Democrats.
Now, the strong result for German Greens will put pressure on the ruling coalition of Conservatives and Social Democrats to adopt a more environmentally progressive strategy, Göpel and other analysts say. In one poll, 48 percent of German voters cited climate change as their top concern. “Many parents have undoubtedly been more influenced by their own children’s calls for action than by those of politicians, scientists, or civil society,” says Anika Hedberg, senior policy analyst at the European Policy Center, a Brussels-based think-tank.
In an even stronger reflection of a changed public mood, 33 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 24 supported the Greens. German media call it the “Greta Thunberg effect,” after the charismatic, 16-year-old Swedish climate activist who became the symbolic leader of the Fridays for the Future strikes. Already, the leaders of the governing parties in Germany have promised to listen more carefully to the demands of the Fridays for the Future movement and implement a far more ambitious climate strategy.
“We saw that many politicians across political parties reacted to people’s concerns on climate change in their campaigns,” says Hedberg. “Not just the Greens but also the center-left and liberals called for more ambitious climate action. This ‘green wave’ will surely influence the workings of the European Parliament.” Hedberg expects that the Greens will become important allies for EU policymaking and influence the program of the next European Commission.
Other European analysts, however, caution that it would be naïve to underestimate the forces in Europe that remain aligned against highly ambitious policies to reduce carbon emissions and further strengthen the EU’s environmental regulations. Jouni Nissinen, president of the European Environmental Bureau — a network of 150 environmental organizations with 30 million members across Europe — said the recent elections also plainly demonstrated the continuing power of right-wing populists.
“Even if they did not get the landslide victory that was forecasted, they will do all they can to make forward-looking climate policy harder,” he says. “The axis of industrially minded Conservatives and Social Democrats is still bigger [than the Greens], so we are far from a ‘climate first’ kind of a revolutionary approach in political decision-making, even if that is precisely what we would need at the moment.”
Susanne Dröge, senior fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, struck a similar note of caution. “European decision-making is strongly influenced by national governments, and there we have seen a lot of successes for right-wing populists,” Dröge says.
Hedberg added, “We do not yet know how the nationalists will play the game – there is a risk the populists will exploit people’s fears as to what climate action could mean, as they have done with migration.”
Some experts say the EU must end large subsidies for agricultural practices that are harmful to the environment and climate.
Analysts also noted that, in the global fight to significantly slash CO2 emissions, right-wing leaders with an aggressive anti-environment agenda are in power in Brazil, Australia, and — above all — the United States, where the Trump administration is waging an aggressive fight against climate science and policies promoting reductions in CO2 emissions.
In addition to Germany, the Greens performed well in two other large European countries. In France, they received 13 percent of the vote. In the UK, 12 percent voted for the Green party, which is in favor of staying inside the EU – more people than voted for the ruling Conservative Party, which only received an abysmal 9 percent of the votes.
Whoever wins the powerful position of president of the EU commission will face many environmental challenges. Göpel thinks the most difficult battle will be redirecting the billions of Euros paid to farmers in subsidies, which has led to policies that promote industrial-scale farming at the expense of ecosystems and biodiversity.
“We need to change course in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy,” says Göpel.
The first big test, says Hedberg, will be negotiations about the EU budget in the 2020s. “If the EU wants to put its money where its mouth is,” she says, “this would require, first, stopping subsidies for practices that are harmful to the environment and climate, and to the economy at large.” The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, says Hedberg, “is largely used to support unsustainable practices such as livestock farming, so the European Parliament can and should put pressure on the member states to bring about a change.”
To make that change happen is now the promise of the European Greens. Sven Giegold, the top politician for the German Green bloc in the EU parliament, wants to use the party’s newfound clout to make fundamental changes. “We will not accept steps that are only symbolic,” he says, adding that he wants every new EU law to be assessed for its effect on CO2 emissions and every Euro spent on agricultural subsidies to serve biodiversity and animal well-being.
One thing is clear, however. The Greens will face significant hurdles in bringing about the urgent changes in climate and environmental policy asked for by scientific bodies and agreed upon in international treaties like the Paris Climate Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The big question for EU politics now is whether the continent’s other parties – first and foremost the Conservatives and Social Democrats – have been sufficiently sobered by the recent EU elections to embrace more progressive environmental policies.
It will be hard to ignore the public’s decided shift toward the Greens. In Germany, the first national poll after the EU election showed the Greens ahead of the governing Conservative party of Angela Merkel — a first in the country’s post-war history. Some in the media have even started to speculate that the next German chancellor might come from the ranks of the eco party. Until recently, such speculation would have seemed completely unfounded. Now, it’s become part of the political debate.


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Jonah, formerly Bronson Reed in WWE NXT, is set for NJPW Strong Nemesis.
NJPW announced Wednesday that Jonah will be part of the Nemesis event in Los Angeles, California on Thursday, December 9. Jonah joins Christopher Daniels as the first two talent announcements for the event.
Opponents for Jonah and Daniels have not been announced, but Daniels vs. Jay White was teased at Monday's NJPW Strong Detonation taping in Riverside, California.
Jonah debuted for NJPW at last week's Battle in the Valley event in San Jose, California, attacking Juice Robinson and David Finlay. He made his in-ring debut in Riverside, defeating Lucas Riley.
Jonah is a former NXT North American Champion, holding the title from May 18 to June 29, 2021. He was released by WWE on August 6 of this year.
Nemesis will be taped for NJPW Strong and likely split up into four episodes. Strong airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World.

domain: news


PITTSBURGH - Water crews worked to fix a break on Beacon Hill Avenue on Sunday morning.
Pennsylvania American Water Company said an eight-inch main broke open, leaving 17 customers without water.
The water break caused pavement on part of Beacon Hill Avenue to buckle.
All water service has been restored to customers who were impacted.
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text:
SPINNING Down UNDER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Prints & editing Natalie Cocker
Photographs Ellis Lundy Alice Collier Hannah Sharrett Sarah May Ambler
SPINNING DOWN UNDER This lookbook displays a variery of objects, covered in prints depicting a range of emotions felt during an unexpected rollercoster ride. Main insperation Alice In Wonderland ride. I have also placed the prints onto a human silhouette to show how they can be worn as a wearable fabrics As well as Materials covering interior objects.
“Door’s all round and all locked. she wondered how she was ever going to get out” (Young,1915)
Upside down, inside out.
“Around & Around”
“The Merry Go Round.”
- “What Became of the baby?” ‘It turned into a frog.” - “I thought it would.” (Young,1915)
REFERENCE Young W.W. (1915) (Slient Film) Adapted&Directed, Alice In Wonderland


Would Freddie Mercury still perform in stadiums with Queen and show off his theatrical poses if he was alive? Would her voice still sound so powerful today? Due to her untimely death, Queen’s only singer and frontman remains forever young in memory, as all of her concert recordings come from her best …
Would Freddie Mercury still perform in stadiums with Queen and show off his theatrical poses if he was alive? Would her voice still sound so powerful today? Due to her untimely death, Queen’s only singer and frontman is forever remembered young, as all of her concert recordings come from her best moments. When Mercury fell ill after being infected with AIDS, he quickly withdrew from the scene – the pop star would have turned 75 on September 5.
The term ‘larger than life’, which is commonly used in English, hardly suits anyone in the entertainment world as much as the flamboyant British artist, born in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. When Freddie Mercury was on stage, he was surrounded by a special aura. Wherever he appeared, he bewitched the public. It’s still fascinating to see today, for example on videos of the legendary performance of the “Live Aid” concert at Wembley Stadium in 1985. One “Eeeooo” from Freddie was enough and everyone was already singing: “Eee- do-lee -do-lee! “
Enthusiastic Queen pop and rock fans. Whether it’s rock anthems like “Tie Your Mother Down”, “We Will Rock You” and “I Want It All” or pleasant radio hits like “Another One Bites The Dust”, “Radio Ga Ga “and” A Kind Of Magic “- Queen had both in her repertoire. In addition, of course, the magnum opus “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which was perhaps also so successful because it showed Mercury in all its facets – the rocker, the poet, the stage performer with a vast vocal range. Freddie could do anything.
When little Farrokh, the son of parish parents, entered a boarding school in India, the teachers noticed his talent. He sings in the choir, plays the piano, performs in the school theater and forms his first group. Even then, his classmates call him Freddie. The name sticks when he moves the family to London as a teenager, where a new world opens up to him. He studies graphic design, draws portraits and draws men’s fashion. And he discovered rock’n’roll.
When the Smile group of musician friends Brian May (guitar) and Roger Taylor (drums) split up, they founded Queen in 1970 with Freddie, already involved as a roadie and assistant at Smile, and bassist Roger Deacon. The well-known history of the group is told – with artistic freedom – in the feature film “Bohemian Rhapsody”: Parts of Mercury’s life are neglected there, like his Roaring Twenties in Munich. In the early 80s, the singer lived in the Bavarian metropolis, he celebrated at the Glockenbachviertel and lived his homosexuality in the nightlife – unnoticed by the public. In interviews he went on to speak of “excessive time,” the music video for the single “Living On My Own” was filmed at the extravagant and decadent costume party for his 39th birthday. Like many artists of the time, Mercury feared a public release as a gay man – for fear of the consequences for the band’s career. How hermetically the stage protects its world from society, and must protect it, is narrated in his autobiography by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, who, prompted by similar fears about the publicity of his hit group, also concealed his homosexuality, and Mercury more often. encountered in gay clubs around the world: rock singers had to present themselves as rioters and tough rioters – “Tunten” was then in the world of loud guitars as sweet even disgusting. “You just had to see Freddie on stage,” said Halford, who often packed his desperation in gay metaphors and hints in his lyrics: “I mean, the guy strutted onto the stage in that fumble and called his band Queen – you think that is? … If Freddie Mercury hadn’t been gay, Queen would be a whole different band. “
The importance of the combination of super singer and peacock Mercury with miracle guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon is demonstrated by Freddy’s disappointing solo career: his only album, the disco-heavy “Mr. Bad” Guy “, was released in 1985 and enjoyed only moderate success outside of Great Britain. A remix of “Living On My Own” did not become a number one hit in many countries until 1993 posthumously. His album “Barcelona” with his friend, Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballé, also flopped in 1988 and only exploded in 1992 as a new edition as part of the Barcelona Olympics.
With Queen, however, Mercury continues to release new albums with great success and continues to record music even after his AIDS illness is well advanced. The eternal showman even shoots music videos, for which “The Show Must Go On” was the motto of life. In his latest video, “These are the days of our lives”, we must not forget that Mercury’s health is severely damaged.
There has long been public speculation about his state of health. It is not known when he was infected with the HIV virus, but it must have been in the mid-80s: the group knows internally that the 1986 world tour will be their last with the frontman. The star only hints in her art – the ballad “Who Wants To Live Forever” (German: “Who Wants To Live Forever”?) From the 1986 movie “Highlander”, for example, which outwardly deals primarily with the theme of the band’s immortality is fitting, but turns out to be an extremely personal piece. However, Freddie Mercury didn’t go public with AIDS until November 23, 1991: it was the dreaded release. A day later, he died of pneumonia at his home in Kensington, where he lived with his last partner, Jim Hutton. A year later, a massive tribute concert takes place at Wembley, with performances by George Michael, Elton John, Liza Minnelli and Guns’n’Roses, among others. In front of the Garden Lodge, Kensington’s home, fans laid flowers. The labels and photos on the wall were removed only a few years ago.
Four years after the death of Freddie Mercury, Queen released her last studio album in 1995. “Made In Heaven” includes new versions of some of Mercury’s solo songs such as “I Was Born To Love You” and many songs that ‘he sang before his death. His last recording with Queen was the song “Mother Love”, which he couldn’t finish because he was losing his strength. The last verse is therefore sung by Brian May – a real goosebumps moment.
On his birthday, Freddie Mercury fans commemorate their idol every year. The AIDS Foundation “The Mercury Phoenix Trust”, founded by his bereaved bandmates and manager Jim Beach, regularly hosts the “Freddie For A Day” event, during which fans are encouraged to put on a mustache. artificial and dress like the singer. Incidentally, it’s quite possible that the rock legend wouldn’t perform today if he was still alive. “I know there will come a time when I won’t be able to run on stage anymore because that would be ridiculous,” he said in a 1986 interview at a Queen concert in Knebworth Park. “There comes a time when you have to stop.” Did he already suspect it? The gigantic performance in front of 120,000 spectators was Freddie Mercury’s last concert with Queen. (dpa with tim)